enquiry sought for, and proceeded to other business. But it
is here worthy of note that Mr. Bedard, who had been so unjustly
treated by Sir James Craig, in virtue of these Rules of Practice, had
now triumphed over his enemies. He, who only two years back, had been
presented, at the instance of the government, by the Grand Juries of
Quebec and Montreal, was now seated upon the Bench as Provincial Judge
for the District of Three Rivers, and thus, says his secret enemy, Mr.
Ryland, is he associated with the Chief Justice of the province, who,
in his capacity of Executive Councillor, had concurred in his
commitment to the gaol of Quebec, on treasonable practices. It was to
secure the independence of the judges by freeing them from executive
trammels, that Mr. James Stuart himself, afterwards Chief Justice of
the province, and a Baronet of the United Kingdom, moved for an enquiry
concerning their Rules of Practice, rules obviously incompatible with
the liberty of speech and with the freedom of the press. The enquiry
had an excellent indirect effect. It seemed to some extent, to have
secured the liberty of the press. From the time, says Mr. Ryland, that
the Assembly began its attacks on the Courts of Justice, the
licentiousness of a press, (the _Gazette_,) recently established at
Montreal, has appeared to have no bounds. Every odium that can be
imagined, is attempted in that publication, to be thrown on the memory
of the late Governor-in-Chief, on the principal officers of government,
and on the Legislative Council. The people's minds are poisoned and the
disorganizing party encouraged to proceed. Thus is it led to hope that
any future Governor may be deterred from exercising that vigor, which
the preservation of His Majesty's government may require. A higher
tribute to a free press no man ever paid than that. The hope has been
realised, the trials have all been passed through, and persecutions for
opinion's sake must now be cloaked, at least, by something more than
expediency.

The Assembly next proceeded to the consideration of the expediency of
legally enlarging the limits and operation of martial law, as
recommended in the speech from the throne, and reported that such
enlargement was inexpedient. The House then renewed the Army Bill Act,
authorised the sum of five hundred pounds to be put in circulation, and
commissioners were appointed to ascertain the current rate of exchange
on London, which holders were entitled to r