To the Earl Grey.

    Toronto, July 19, 1850.

[Sidenote:  Reasons for agreeing.]

     The ‘Clear Grit’ organs, which have absorbed a large portion of the
    ‘Annexationists,’ talk very big about what they will do if England
    steps in to preserve the ‘Clergy Reserves.’  That party would be only
    too glad to get up a quarrel with England on such a point.  It is, of
    course, impossible for you to do anything with the Imperial Act till
    next session.  A little delay may perhaps enable us to see our way more
    clearly with respect to this most perplexing subject.

Lord Sydenham’s despatch of January 22,1840, is a curious and instructive one.  It accompanies the Act on the ‘Clergy Reserve’ question, which he induced the Parliament of Upper Canada to pass, but which was not adopted at home; for the House of Lords concocted one more favourable to the Established Churches.  He clearly admits that the Act is against the sense of the country, and that nothing but his own great personal influence got it through, and yet he looks upon it as a settlement of the question.  I confess I see few of the conditions of finality in measures which are passed under such circumstances.

* * * * *

    To the Earl Grey.

    Toronto, March 18,1851.

I am far from thinking that the ‘Clergy Reserves’ will necessarily be diverted from religious purposes if the Local Parliament has the disposal of them.  I should feel very confident that this would not be the case, were it not that the tone adopted by the Church of England here has almost always the effect of driving from her even those who would be most disposed to cooperate with her if she would allow them.

* * * * *

    To the Earl Grey.

    Toronto, June 14,1851.

On the whole the best chance for the Church interest as regards the question, in my judgment, is that you should carry your empowering bill through the Imperial Parliament this session, and that we should get through our session and the general election, which is about to follow, with as little excitement as possible.  The province is prosperous and the people contented; and at such a time, if no disturbing cause arise, moderate and reasonable men are likely to be returned.  At the same time the ‘Clergy Reserve’ question is sufficiently before the public to insure our getting from the returns to Parliament a pretty fair indication of what are the real sentiments of the people upon it.  I need not say that there can be no security for the permanence of any arrangement which is not in tolerable conformity with those sentiments.

* * * * *

    To the Earl Grey.

    July 12,1851.

[Sidenote:  Movement not prompted by Roman Catholics.]