This share had been originally fixed at one-fifth of the proceeds of the customs duties collected by the province of Lower Canada, but when the population of the western section increased considerably and consumed a far greater quantity of dutiable goods, its government justly demanded a larger proportion of the revenues collected in the ports of the lower St. Lawrence.  The legislature of Lower Canada paid no attention to this equitable demand, and eventually even refused to renew the legislation providing for the payment of one-fifth of the duties.  Under these circumstances the imperial government found it necessary to intervene, and pass the “Trade Acts,” making the past legislation of Lower Canada on the subject permanent, and preventing its legislature from imposing new duties on imports without the consent of the upper province.  As this was a question of grave import, the resolutions of 1836 gave authority to the legislatures of Upper and Lower Canada to provide joint legislation “for determining and adjusting all questions respecting the trade and commerce of the provinces.”

As soon as the passage of these resolutions became known throughout Lower Canada, Papineau and his supporters commenced an active campaign of denunciation against England, from whom, they declared, there was no redress whatever to be expected.  Wherever the revolutionists were in the majority, they shouted, “Vive la liberte!” “Vive la Nation Canadienne!” “Vive Papineau!” “Point de despotisme!”:  while flags and placards were displayed with similar illustrations of popular frenzy. La Nation Canadienne was now launched on the turbulent waves of a little rebellion in which the phrases of the French revolution were glibly shouted by the habitants with very little conception of their real significance.  The British or Constitutional party took active steps in support of British connection, but Lord Gosford, unhappily still governor-general, did not for some time awaken to the reality of the public danger.  Happily for British interests, Sir John Culhorne, afterwards Lord Seaforth, a courageous and vigilant soldier, was in the country, and was able, when orders were given him by the reluctant governor, to deal determinedly with the rebels who had taken up arms in the Richelieu district.  Dr. Wolfred Nelson made a brave stand at St. Denis, and repulsed Colonel Gore’s small detachment of regulars.  Papineau was present for a while at the scene of conflict, but he took no part in it and lost no time in making a hurried flight to the United States—­an ignominious close to a successful career of rhetorical flashes which had kindled a conflagration that he took very good care should not even scorch him.  Colonel Wetherall defeated another band of rebels at St. Charles, and their commander, Mr. Thomas Storrow Brown, a well-meaning but gullible man, fled across the border.  Dr. Wolfred Nelson was captured, and a number of other rebels of less importance were equally unfortunate.