was thoroughly well qualified for the post. At
the same time it was a way of providing for a relative who was not
rich. Like Metcalfe, Lord Elgin came to Canada by way of Jamaica,
which he had administered in the dark days that followed the
emancipation of the slaves. His broad training, his Liberal politics,
his family affiliations all predisposed him to accept the role which
Metcalfe had definitely refused, the role, namely, of a constitutional
governor-general, guided solely by the advice of a ministry
representing the majority in parliament. In other words, Elgin had his
mind made up to conform entirely to the principle of responsible
government as understood in the colony. He was not long in the country
before he made his intentions public; and to his fixed policy he
adhered through good report and through evil report, at no small cost
to himself, for {100} never were a Canadian governor-general's
principles put to a more severe test.

Elgin reached Montreal in the end of January 1847, and was heartily
welcomed by both political parties. He, on his part, was ready to
admire the 'perfectly independent inhabitants' of this 'glorious
country,' whose demeanour was certainly not that of the recently
liberated slaves in his former satrapy. The 'independent inhabitants'
voted him 'democratic' for walking out to 'Monklands' in a blizzard,
when hardly any one else was stirring abroad. He was made welcome for
another reason. The experiment of popular government was not working
particularly well. The constitution did really 'march,' but with
ominous creakings and groanings, which seemed to threaten a complete
break-down. This must be the case with every government which tried to
perform its functions with but a small majority at its back. The
unanimous welcome accorded to the governor-general by both sides of
politics implied a belief that somehow or other he could find a way out
of the present difficulties and induce the governmental machine to work
smoothly. It was a faith in the efficacy of the god from the machine.
{101} The Draper government was growing weaker and weaker, being
continually defeated in the House, and consequently discredited before
the country. Its difficulties were increased by events outside of
Canada over which the government could have no control. The hideous
Irish famine of 1846-47 had its reaction upon Canada, for thousands of
starving emigrants tried to escape to the new land, and,