=Source.=--Shortt and Doughty's _Constitutional Documents_ (_cf._
16).
... for the more perfect security and ease of the minds of the
inhabitants of the said province, it is hereby declared, that his
Majesty's subjects professing the religion of the Church of Rome
of and in the said province of Quebec, may have, hold and enjoy
the free exercise of the religion of the Church of Rome, subject
to the King's supremacy ... and that the clergy of the said Church
may hold, receive and enjoy their accustomed dues and rights, with
respect to such persons only as shall profess the said religion....
... all his Majesty's Canadian subjects within the province of
Quebec, the religious Orders and Communities only excepted, may
also hold and enjoy their property and possessions, together with
all customs and usages relative thereto, and all other their
civil rights, in as large, ample and beneficial manner ... as may
consist with their allegiance to his Majesty, and subjection to
the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain; and ... in all matters
of controversy relative to property and civil rights, resort shall
be had to the laws of Canada as the rule for the decision of the
same....
And whereas the certainty and lenity of the Criminal Law of
England, and the benefits and advantages resulting from the use of
it, have been sensibly felt by the inhabitants, from an experience
of more than nine years, during which it has been uniformly
administered; be it therefore further enacted ... that the same
shall continue to be administered, and shall be observed as law in
the province of Quebec....
And whereas it may be necessary to ordain many regulations for
the future welfare and good government of the province of Quebec,
the occasions of which cannot now be foreseen, nor, without much
delay and inconvenience, be provided for, without entrusting that
authority, for a certain time and under proper restrictions, to
persons resident there: And whereas it is at present inexpedient
to call an Assembly ... it shall and may be lawful for his Majesty
... to constitute and appoint a Council for the affairs of the
province of Quebec, to consist of such persons resident there, not
exceeding twenty-three nor less than seventeen, as his Majesty
... shall be pleased to appoint ... which Council, so appointed
and nominated, or the major part thereof, shall have power and
authority to make ordinances for the peace, welfare and good
government of the said province, with the consent of his Majesty's
Governor, or, in his absence, of the Lieutenant-Governor or
Commander-in-Chief for the time being.