, the
administration must possess the confidence of the representatives of
the people; and thirdly, that the administration shall act in
accordance with the well-understood wishes and interests of the people.
In other words, he declared himself for British connection plus
majority rule.

Critics found the first session of the new parliament of Canada a
'do-nothing-but-talk' session. There was indeed a flow of eloquence in
various kinds during the first few weeks until the different parties
found the proper relations and the serious work of legislation began.
Constructive measures of the first importance became law in due course.
Sydenham's own words sum up his achievement. 'With a most difficult
opening, almost a minority, with passions at boiling heat, and
prejudices such as I never saw, to contend with, I have brought the
Assembly by degrees into perfect order ready to follow wherever I may
lead; have carried all my measures, avoided or beaten off all disputed
topics, and have got a ministry with an avowed and recognized majority,
capable of doing what they think right, and not to be upset by my
successor. I have now accomplished all that I set much {64} value on;
for whether the rest be done now, or some sessions hence, matters
little. The five great works I aimed at have been got through: the
establishment of a board of works with ample powers; the admission of
aliens; the regulation of the public lands ceded by the Crown under the
Union Act; and lastly this District Council Bill.' The financial
difficulties of the province had been met by guaranteed Imperial loan,
and progress had been made in remedying the evils of pauper
immigration. Not often does a constructive statesman live to see his
labours so richly rewarded by success.

Then the end came. A stumble of Sydenham's horse as he mounted a rise
near 'Alwington' threw him to the ground and broke his right leg. His
constitution, never strong, had been weakened by disease, unsparing
work, and ceaseless anxieties. The bones would not set, the laceration
would not heal, and at last lockjaw set in. It was impossible for him
to recover. One does not expect the heroic from a fragile man of the
world, but Sydenham's last thoughts were for the state he had served so
well. In the agonies of tetanus he composed the speech with which he
had hoped to bring the session {65} to a close. The last words were
the dying governor's prayer for Canada. 'May Almighty G