With all these elements at work, it is not to be wondered at that a question which admitted of misinterpretation should be greedily laid hold of, and that, thus misinterpreted, the passions of the mob should be successfully roused.  I believe there is little question that the Government brought forward the Rebellion Losses Bill in the Senate in a manner, if not arrogant, at all events most offensive, and thus added fuel to the flames; but, viewed dispassionately, what is the truth of this far-famed bill?  It was framed upon the precedent of that for the payment of similar losses in Upper Canada on a previous occasion, and I believe the very same commissioners were appointed to carry out its provisions.  It received the sanction of the Governor-General in the same way as all other bills, and was never smuggled through, as the irritated opposition and infuriated mobs would have us believe.  The Governor-General clearly states that it never was intended in any way “to compensate the losses of persons guilty of the heinous crime of treason,” and the names of the commissioners appointed to decide upon the claims of the sufferers might alone have been a sufficient guarantee that such an abominable idea was never entertained.  Without mentioning others, take Colonel W.C.  Hanson:  schooled in the field of honour and patriotism, whose courage has been tried in many a bloody struggle during the Peninsular war, and is attested by the honourable badges that adorn his breast.  Is a recreant rebel likely to find sympathy in that breast which for half a century stood unchallenged for loyalty and truth?  What do his letters, as one of the commissioners, prove beyond the shadow of a doubt?  I have them now before me; and, so far from claims being hastily admitted, I find the gallant old soldier constantly advocating the cause of some claimant whom the commissioners declined to indemnify, but never yet have I seen his name as opposed to any compensation granted; possessing that still more noble quality which is ever the lovely handmaid of true courage, his voice is raised again and again for mercy.

I could quote from numerous letters of this veteran, extracts similar to the following:—­The claimants were inhabitants of St. Benoit, some portion of which population had been in arms as rebels, but upon the approach of the Queen’s troops they had all laid down their arms.  As to the facts of the case, Colonel Hanson writes to Lord Seaton, who replies:—­“The soldiers were regularly put up in the village by the Quartermaster-General’s department, and strict orders were issued to each officer to protect the inhabitants and their property; Lieut.-Col.  Townsend to remain in the village of St. Benoit for its protection, the remainder of the troops to return to Montreal.  The utmost compassion and consideration should be felt for the families of the sufferers plunged into affliction by the reckless conduct of their relatives; every house injured or destroyed at St. Benoit was a wanton destruction, perpetrated