for the parliamentary system. But Baldwin's ideas on the subject, though far in advance of those of the men of his time, were still in their formative stage. Seven years later his views were matured. On 26 Feb. 1836 he was selected by Sir Francis Bond Head [q. v.], lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, as one of his executive council. Baldwin's faith in parliamentary government, in its adaptability to colonial conditions, and the right of British subjects in Upper Canada to its enjoyment were communicated to the governor before his appointment, and the acceptance of such opinions formed the condition upon which he consented to take office. But the lieutenant-governor, ignoring the stipulation, continued to act independently of his executive council as his predecessors had done. On 4 March, therefore, Baldwin drew up a minute or memorandum of remonstrance which the council adopted and transmitted to the lieutenant-governor. Sir Francis scouted the limitations of power which his advisers would have imposed on him. They consequently resigned on 12 March. The house was sitting at the time. It embraced at once the cause of the ministers, endorsed their action, and re-affirmed their reasons. This was the earliest conscious adoption of parliamentary principles by a colonial assembly. The resignation of the ministers was accepted, the house dissolved, a new election proclaimed, and the question what form the government should take was debated at the hustings ; the lieutenant-governor took an active part in the contest, holding himself forth as the mainstay of 'British institutions' and denouncing his opponents as 'republicans' or something worse.
Baldwin took no part in the elections, but in April paid a visit to England and spent about a year there and in Ireland. When in London, he sought an interview with the colonial secretary, Charles Grant, lord Glenelg [q. v.], which was declined, but he was invited to send suggestions. They were given in a letter dated 13 July 1836, and constitute probably the best argument extant for the extension of the English governmental system to the colonial possessions. Having done all he could to avert the rebellion which now threatened, Baldwin withdrew from public affairs for nearly four years. In 1837, when Lord Russell's Canada resolutions came up for consideration in parliament, colonial self-government found no advocates. The Upper Canada rebellion broke out on 4 Dec. 1837. The lieutenant-governor sent to Baldwin asking him to meet William Lyon Mackenzie [q. v.] and his misguided followers with a flag of truce. Baldwin at once complied, and, as written authority for his mission was demanded by Mackenzie, returned to obtain it. Sir Francis refused not only to give a written authority but to acknowledge any mission at all. This message Baldwin delivered to the rebels, and retired forthwith to his own house. Sir Allan Macnab [q. v.], relying on statements in the published 'Narrative' of Sir F. B. Head, subsequently attacked in the assembly Baldwin's action on this occasion, but, on hearing Baldwin's account, withdrew his strictures, and approved Baldwin's conduct in the circumstances. The house took the same view (13 Oct. 1842).
At the request of the governor-general, Charles Poulett Thompson, Lord Sydenham [q. v.], Baldwin became solicitor-general for Upper Canada in 1840, and next year (2 Feb. 1841), when the union with Lower Canada came into force. Lord Sydenham invited him to join his executive council. The elections to the united legislative assembly soon followed, and Baldwin was returned for two constituencies. The legislature was summoned to meet in June, but, before that took place, Baldwin's own suspicions of the governor-general's conception of responsible or parliamentary government were aroused. He had no confidence in the majority of his ministerial colleagues, and he approached the governor-general for the purpose of having the council reconstructed on a homogeneous basis. Sydenham declined the proposition, and Baldwin at once retired from office. Lord Sydenham meant by responsible government that his executive should consist of heads of departments who should be solely responsible to him, and that he should in turn be responsible to the imperial parliament. As the session progressed it became evident, notwithstanding the professions of certain ministers, that the rule of government was prescribed by Lord John Russell's despatch of 16 Oct. 1839, which had not been published. Baldwin moved for its production, which was granted. Thereupon, on 3 Sept. 1841, he submitted a series of resolutions which constitute, says Alphaeus Todd [q, v.], 'articles of agreement upon the momentous question of responsible government, between the executive authority of the crown and the Canadian people.' They are not legislative but declaratory, and sanction this principle : that, in local affairs, the local ministers are answerable to the local houses for all acts of the executive authority. During the debate certain verbal alterations, really the work of Lord Sydenham, were suggested and accepted, and the
