Joseph Howe, a Halifax printer and owner since 1828 of the weekly Novascotian, is arrested for libel but successfully argues his own case for freedom of the press. A local hero, he begins advocating the kind of responsible government that is only established in 1848.
February 21 - The Governor's speech, proroguing the Assembly's last session, is expunged from the Journals.
Mr. Gugy, having declared his preference for a government of men born in the Province, Mr. Papineau replies "Now, I have no such preference; the government I long for is one composed of friends of legality, liberty and justice, - a government which will protect, indiscriminately, every proper interest, and accord to all ranks, and to each race of the inhabitants, equal rights and privileges.
"I love, I esteem all good men, as men, not preferentially, because they are of this or that descent; but I detest those haughty dominators, who come among us, and dispute our right to enjoy our own laws, customs and religion.
"The call is made upon is, - 'Let us be all as brothers! I respond, so let us not be, if you, who thus adjure us, keep a selfish grasp of all place power and endowment. That is unjust, and we cannot suffer such injustice. Briefly, we demand for ourselves such political institutions as are in accordance with the rest of the Empire and with the age we live in."
To Mr. Bedard, who declares that, as the address refuses all the Governor asks, he cannot support it, Mr. Papineau replies: "The force of circumstances compels us to put aside accustomed formalities, and to express, unrestrainedly, what we deeply feel. It would be a libel on Britain to assume that she may possibly pass a coercion Bill against us, and send ten regiments over to enforce it. If such were the case, however, we ought to be prepared, all the sooner, to rid ourselves of so tyrannical a Domination."
This revolutionary speech reduces the Country Party in the House to less than two-thirds of the members.
The Governor will not sign a warrant for sessional expenses, until past payments are ratified. He prorogues the House.
In the British Parliament, Mr. Stanley says there is no evidence to justify any one of the 92 Resolutions.
Sir Robert Peel announces that a Commission will investigate Canadian affairs, and report; but that no change of Constitution will be immediately made. If complaints as to its working prove unfounded, the agitation will be suppressed. To those threatening insurrection, he says "Our desire is to do justice; beware, then, lest your threats turn to your own disadvantage.
