Mr Elliot
I think the reasons urged against this Bill by the AG are
good, & that the
Govr should be informed that HG does not
feel himself at liberty to advise HM to allow the Bill to become Law.
Point out to the Govr that instead of reserving the Bill he
should have refused to assent to it unless a suspendg clause
was inserted. (There is a confidl despatch 9941 upon this
question of reservation.)
There is an allusion in the AGs report to Upper Canada. I have
caused an inquiry to be made, & no record of any similar
proceedg is to be found except that in 1828 a petition was
transmitted for Incorporatg by Charter the R. Catholic
Bishop & others & the answer returned was that the Secy of
State did not feel himself at liberty to advise HM to comply with
the prayer of the petition. (U. Can. Vol. 3. p. 270.)
Duke of Buckingham
The Ordinance referred to in your minute was sent over without
comment & sanctioned without comment by O. in Council in
1864—(11921/64
V. Island).
Practically the powers given by that Ordinance & the one under
consideration are much the same.
The Emmanuel Corporation were empowered to purchase & hold any
land &c which may be "necessary & proper" for carryg out the
objects of the Body Corporate or which may be granted to the
Corporation in manner by law prescribed. They might also
frame articles of constitution, a copy of which was to be
deposited with the Col. Secretary.
If the incorporation is to be allowed, a fresh ordinance should
be introduced, as HM cannot assent to a bill wrongly
reserved—with a suspending clause; and it might be well to
discuss an amendment to be made to meet the objection pointed
out by the AG in the 13th paragraph of his Report, and
further to require that a copy of the existing articles of
constitution & of all rules & regulations made by virtue of the
Ordinance should be lodged with the Colonial Secretary, the
former within [blank] days after the passing of the Act, the latter
within [blank] days after their being made.