Minutes from Janaury 27 to March, 9 1780. Additional instructions to theGovernor laid on the table. Committee appointed to consider the hight price of wheat and flour, and fixing the fees of office (22). Routine proceedings. Motion to revise the ordinance as to post horses and carriages, to prevent imposition onthe public (24). Evidence given as to the price of wheat. Proposed ordinances. Memorandum as to post men between Quebec and Montreal (26). Motion as to the price of wheat and flour, and heads of ordinance agreed to (27). Debate as to the King's additional instructions to the Governor (30).
Mr. Allsopp's motion as to the additional instructions rejected. Adoption of Colonel Caldwell's, as to whether an ordinance as directed would be for the advantage of the province, and would tend to morespeedy justice. Reasons for votes given by several members engrossed in the Minutes. Committee appointed to represent the view of the Council as to the inexpediency of the proposed ordinance. Resolution passed that no copy of papers laid before the Council be taken. Motion that extracts or notes may be made adopted. Mr. Fraser's motion to reconsiderthe vote on the resolution to fix the price of wheat and flour laid on the Table. Draughts of ordinance respecting wheat andflour and of an address to the Governor (32).
Opinion of the Attorney General to be taken as to the power of the Council to fix the price of wheat and flour, with additional questions moved by Mr. Allsopp. Committee to draught an ordinance as to forestallers, &c. Royal instructions as to courts of law laid before the Council (44). Reports as to forestallers, &c., and ordinance respecting post houses (47). Report of the Attorney General as to the power of the Council to fix the price of wheat and flour, &c. Believes the Council has no power to fix the price. Heads of an ordinance to reduce the high price of wheat andflour to lie on the table. Report as to law fees. Motion that the Attorney General cannot address the president of the Council unasked. First reading of ordinance to prevent the exportation of wheat and flour (49).
Read the heads of an ordinance declaratory of the laws of Engalnd as to forestallers, &c. Mr. Finlay's proposal as to the mode of debating and passing bills (59). Second reading of ordinance to prevent the exportation of wheat, &c. Resolved that the price of wheat be not fixed. Resolved that the Attorney General cannot address the President of the Council unasked on any subject under discussion (60). Discussion on the laws relating to forestallers, &c. Committee appointed to draw up rules for conducting the business of the Council. List of fees. &c. (62). Draughts of ordinances relating to fees; to prohibit the export of wheat and that relating to forestallers, &c. (65). Further proceedings with respect to ordinances and table of law fees (66).
Proceedings with respect to the ordinances on fees (67). Discussion of the ordinance relating to forestallers,&c. (68). Ordinance as to forestallers passed. Address to the Governor. List of all judgments of the Court of Common Pleas appealed to be prepared. The ordinance respecting posts (71). Draught of the ordinance respecting posts returned to the Attorney General for amendment. List of cases appealed, which is given (77). Ordinance relating to posts passed. Address presented to Governor (79). Address to the Governor transmitted to Committee for reconsideration. Mr. Allsopp's protest. Copy of address respecting the courts of law sent to the Governor (79).
Address to the Governor adopted, giving the reasons for the Council's opinion that the passing of an ordinance in conformity with the royal instructions would not tend to the good of the Province, nor to a speedier or more impartial administration of justice. Address presented. Action of Mr. Allsopp thereon (97). Further proceedings and protests, &c., in reference to the address to the Governor as first sent and as amended (103). Governor desiresthe Council to close proceedings. Explanation and apology by Mr. Allsopp for the expressions used in his protest. Motion to reprimand Mr. Allsopp introduced by Colonel Caldwell, but allowed to lie on the table (105). Prorogation of Council (110).