Phenix Gazette

PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT.

Some of our readers may be amused with the following illustration of the etiquette observed in the colonial governments of Great Britain. The extract comes from the Quebec Gazette, and is the official account of the opening of the Parliamentary session in Lower Canada.

The House having met, and the Speaker elect having taken the Chair, a message was received by the Usher of the Black Rod as follows:-

"I am ordered to acquaint this Hon. House that His Excellency the Administrator in Chief, commands your immediate attendance in the Upper house of the Legislature."

Mr. Speaker elect with the House accordingly went up, when the Speaker of the Legislative Council addressed the House & said-

"Gentlemen of the Assembly.—I am commanded by His Excellency to inform you, that he does not see fit to declare the causes for which He has summoned this Provincial Parliament, until there be a Speaker of the Assembly duly elected and approved. And I am further commanded to inquire whether you have proceeded to the election of a Speaker; and if you have, upon whom your choice has fallen."

To which Mr. Papineau replied:-

"May it please your excellency.—In obedience to His Majesty's commands, the House of Assembly have proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and I am the person upon whom their choice has fallen. I respectfully pray that it may please your Excellency to give your approbation to their choice."

To which the Speaker of the Legislative Council said.

"Mr. Papineau,—I am commanded by His Excellency to acquaint you, that He approves the choice which the Assembly has made of you to be their Speaker, and, relying upon your loyalty, talent, and discretion, He doth allow and confirm your election."

Mr. Papineau then said, "Sir, the manner in which your Excellency has been pleased to signify your assent to the choice of the Assembly, of which I have the honor to be the object, demands from me the deepest and sincerest gratitude. If in executing the duties of my station, I should any time hereafter involuntarily fail into error, I humbly entreat that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to them, whose servant I have the honor to be, and that they, Sir, may be better enabled to perform their duty to His Majesty and their country. I do in their name lay claim, by humble petition, &c." [Here the usual privileges were claimed, and the Speaker of the Council answered that they were granted:]

The House having returned to its place of sitting, the Speaker reported the proceedings in the Upper House, and gave his acknowledgments for the honor done him in his election.