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Robert Christie (Lower Canada politician)

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44: 731:. In 1844—1845, he was the driving force for the creation of a parliamentary committee, which he chaired, to inquire into the condition of records stored in government facilities, and took steps to acquire copies of relelvant documents from the archives of France and the state of New York. In 1846 and again in 1849 he urged the government to take steps to gather and preserve historical government documents, including judicial and parliamentary records, civil and military records of the government prior to the establishmernt of Lower Canada in 1791, and also the records of the Jesuits prior to their suppression in 1791. 695: 376: 1121: 497: 801: 474: 278: 808:
In later life, Christie grew increasingly irascible, but also mended fences with old political opponents, such as John Neilson, who had led the efforts to exclude Christie from the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. He also developed a close friendship with Papineau, and worked to have Papineau's
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from 1848 to 1850. At the same time, he began work on a six volume history of Lower Canada, focusing on political events from the creation of Lower Canada in 1791 until the union with Upper Canada in 1841. He incorporated material from his three earlier volumes on the administrations of the various
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for the Quebec district. He generally supported the Government Party, also known as the Parti des Bureaucrates. He came into conflict with the Parti Canadien for removing magistrates who opposed the governor. The issue was investigated by a committee of the Assembly, and its report recounted his
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Throughout his time in office, Christie was a strong advocate for the interests of the Gaspé, including the land issue and also the administration of justice and registration of marriages. He was also an advocate for economy of government and the Assembly's control over public finances. He had
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A History of the Late Province of Lower Canada Parliamentary and Political, From the Commencement to the Close of Its Existence as a Separate Province, Embracing a Period of Fifty Years, that is to say, from the Erection of the Province, in 1791, to the Extinguishment thereof, in 1841, and Its
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in Canada West, and that was where the first and second parliaments were held. However, Canada East had a larger population than Canada West, and there was a strong feeling that the capital should be in the more populous province. Christie introduced the successful motion in 1842 to move the
521:, argued that the repeated expulsions amounted to a legal disqualification to be elected to the Assembly. However, his supporters in the Assembly argued that approach would place the Assembly over the wishes of the populace in choosing their representatives. The issue was referred to the 791:
Fifty years later, this history was judged "one of the few works of importance written by English-Canadians during all these years". Although by modern standards the writing style is rather ornate and difficult, the work is considered detailed and impartial, and "thorough and enduring".
517:, one of the leaders of the Parti canadien. In 1829, he was expelled from the Legislative Assembly, the first of five expulsions. However, the constituents of Gaspé continued to vote him back in. His opponents in the Assembly, notably leaders of the Parti canadien such as Bourdages and 722:
Christie was committed to gathering and maintaining the public records of the province. He stated that “the history of a people is part of their public property,” and went to great lengths to preserve and obtain records relating to the government of Lower Canada, the former British
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Memoirs Of The Administration of the Colonial Government Of Lower-Canada, By Sir James Henry Craig, And Sir George Prevost, from the Year 1807 until the Year 1815 : Comprehending the Military and Naval Operations in the Canadas during the Late War with the United States of
485:(also known as the Parti patriote) had begun to challenge the actions of the governors, who governed without regard to the wishes of the elected Assembly, particularly on the issue of the budget. One of the leaders of the Parti canadien at this time was 784:
governors-general, and also relied on contemporaneous documents, some of which are no longer available. From the time the text first came out, it was recognised as well-balanced, particularly compared to some other historical works at the time. Even
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Memoirs of the administration of the government of Lower-Canada by Sir Gordon Drummond, Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, the late Duke of Richmond, James Monk, Esquire, and Sir Peregrine Maitland; continued from the 3d April, 1815 until the 18th June,
441:. Christie published it in English and French, to attract both English and French readers. The articles on political affairs became the foundation for his later books on the politics of Lower Canada. However, the paper folded in July 1817. 734:
He continued to represent the Gaspé region until 1854, when he was again defeated by Le Boutillier. By the end of his political career, he had a reputation for incorruptibility, as a result of his obvious honesty and outspokenness.
1184: 460:. The Gaspé area had been settled in advance of the organization of local government, and questions arose about prior land claims. His appointment began a long personal interest in the affairs of the Gaspé. 866:
Memoirs of the administration of the government of Lower Canada, by the Right Honorable the Earl of Dalhousie, G.C.B., comprehending a period of eight years, vizt: – from June, 1820 till September, 1828
456:, charged with drafting bills and providing legal advice to the members of the Assembly. In 1819, he was appointed the clerk of a government commission set up to investigate land claims in the 683:. Once elected, Christie demonstrated an independent approach in the Assembly. He opposed the union of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, and was a consistent opponent of the Governor General, 747:, Christie wrote commentaries on political events for the newspaper. The various articles became the foundation for a book, published in 1818, which reviewed the administrations of 788:, the leader of the Parti canadien, acknowledged that Christie accurately portrayed Papineau's role in the Lower Canada Rebellion, although he disagreed on some points of detail. 532:
The conflict with the Parti canadien and the expulsions was complicated by Christie's attempt to start a movement to separate the Gaspé from Lower Canada and join the province of
367:. As a member, he remained opposed to the union and was an independent, not supporting any particular party. He had a reputation for being hot-headed, but also incorruptible. 719:
strong opinions on many issues which came before the Assembly, but had erratic responses to them. Always quick-tempered, at one point he challenged another member to a duel.
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When Christie came to Lower Canada, there were tensions building between the elected Legislative Assembly and the various governors, appointed by the British government. The
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immigrants, James Christie and Janet McIntosh. James Christie was a shoemaker who had acquired land and various positions in the Windsor area. Robert attended the
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In 1841, Christie stood for election in the first general election for the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. He was unopposed and was elected by
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In 1938, Christie was designated a National Historic Person by the federal government, with a commemorative plaque at his birthplace in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
509: 17: 489:, also an alumnus of King's College at Windsor, who appeared to have some influence on Christie. However, Christie gained favour with Governor General 831:
In 1874, the township of Christie was created in the Gaspésie, named after Christie. The community of Christie is now part of a larger municipality,
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in Windsor, graduating some time before 1803. His father's plan was that Robert would take up business in Halifax, but in 1805 Robert went to
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in a by-election in 1833, after his fifth expulsion from the Assembly. Christie temporarily retired from politics.
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was a weekly newspaper, with a focus on business and politics, including reports of proceedings in the provincial
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Government of Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations: "Robert Christie, National Historic Person".
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Later in life, Christie returned to journalism, contributing articles to various newspapers and editing the
968: 976: 774:, from 1815 to 1820. A third volume appeared in 1829, covering the government of the Earl of Dalhousie. 493:, and came to be a supporter of the provincial government against the popular movement in the Assembly. 762:
Christie followed with a second book two years later, covering the period of the next three governors,
638:), the British government decided to merge the two provinces into a single province, as recommended by 407:. Christie became an advocate and attorney in 1810. In 1812, he married Monique-Olivier Doucet at the 294: 1159: 449: 400: 392: 238: 335:(January 20, 1787 – October 13, 1856) was a lawyer, journalist, historian and political figure in 694: 1029: 688: 627: 496: 676: 817: 785: 767: 756: 702:
One of the issues facing the new Province was the location of the capital. Governor General
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Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec, where Christie married Monique-Olivier Doucet
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Chamber of the Parliament Building in Montreal, where the Parliament met from 1844 to 1849
8: 939: 728: 691:, he voted with the Reform group on the disputes between them and the Governor-General. 375: 1120: 529:, who ruled in favour of Christie's continued eligibility for election to the Assembly. 759:
and Lieutenant Governor of Lower Canada from 1807 to 1811; Prévost from 1812 to 1815.
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Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from Canada East
656:, abolished the two provinces and their separate parliaments, and created the 43: 1133: 1112: 643: 533: 500:
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, meeting in the Bishop's Chapel, Quebec
426:, reaching the rank of captain in the 4th Militia Battalion of Quebec City. 1116: 660:, with a single parliament for the entire province, composed of an elected 631: 404: 360: 336: 1086:
The Union of the Canadas — The Growth of Canadian Institutions, 1841–1857
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The Union of the Canadas — The Growth of Canadian Institutions, 1841–1857
877:(Quebec and Montreal: various publishers, 1848-1855) (Internet Archive: 821: 813: 423: 408: 396: 348: 340: 320: 190: 944:, Volume VIII (1851-1860), University of Toronto & Université Laval. 1034:, "First Parliament. 8th April 1841 to 23rd September 1844", p. 43. 513:
hot-tempered dealings with other members on the issue, particularly
712: 388: 359:, or government group. He opposed the union of Lower Canada with 804:
Entrance Lodge to Mount Hermon Cemetery, which Christie is buried
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1827 â€“ 1832 (elected five times and expelled five times)
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Dictionnaire des parlementaires du Québec de 1792 à nos jours
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Reunion with Upper Canada, by Act of the Imperial Parliament
351:, he moved to Lower Canada as a young man. Elected to the 1061:
An historical sketch of Canadian literature and journalism
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Expelled in 1827; seat declared vacant, February 14, 1829
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Following the rebellion in Lower Canada, and the similar
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pre-1837 salary as Speaker of the Assembly paid to him.
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At the same time as he was publishing and editing the
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representing Gaspé and was appointed chairman of the
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Members of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
1195:Persons of National Historic Significance (Canada) 1088:(Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1967), p. 164. 993:(Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1967), pp. 1–5. 27:Politician in Lower Canada and Province of Canada 1131: 1046:Alignment of Political Groups in Canada, 1841–67 1004:Alignment of Political Groups in Canada, 1841–67 417: 477:View of Quebec from the River St Lawrence, 1827 672:retained a strong position in the government. 365:Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada 107:Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada 230:Monique-Olivier Doucet (m. February 24, 1812) 1119: 615:John Le Boutillier elected in by-election 604:Re-elected in by-election, April 17, 1832 593:Re-elected in by-election, March 21, 1831 571:Re-elected in by-election, April 16, 1829 217:: Government Party (Parti de Bureaucrates) 42: 274: 940:Shirley C. Spragge, "Christie, Robert", 891:1st Parliament of the Province of Canada 799: 795: 693: 495: 472: 374: 370: 1175:Lawyers in Lower Canada and Canada East 1057: 706:had directed that the capital would be 544:Summary of expulsions from the Assembly 14: 1132: 935: 933: 931: 929: 927: 925: 738: 687:. Although not a strong supporter of 253:Journalist, public official, historian 1190:People from Kings County, Nova Scotia 963: 961: 959: 957: 955: 953: 951: 923: 921: 919: 917: 915: 913: 911: 909: 907: 905: 755:. Craig had been Governor General of 621: 582:Re-elected in general election, 1830 504:In 1827, Christie was elected to the 448:, Christie also held the position of 1032:Political Appointments and Elections 1019:, 3 & 4 Vict., c. 35 (UK), s. 3. 860:(Quebec: New Printing House, 1820). 506:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada 454:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada 353:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada 60:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada 1170:Canadian people of Scottish descent 1023: 743:During his period as editor of the 463: 403:, a lawyer and political figure in 24: 18:Robert Christie (Quebec politician) 948: 902: 25: 1216: 1106: 1064:. Toronto: Lincott. p. 120. 1155:Burials at Mount Hermon Cemetery 942:Dictionary of Canadian Biography 772:Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond 276: 1200:Pre-Confederation Quebec people 1091: 468: 1078: 1051: 1038: 1009: 996: 983: 969:"Biography of Robert Christie" 13: 1: 1205:King's-Edgehill School alumni 895: 418:Journalism and public service 412:Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 355:, he generally supported the 1058:Hopkins, J. Castell (1898). 433:and became its editor. The 429:In 1816, he established the 7: 977:National Assembly of Quebec 885: 816:in 1856, and was buried at 387:in 1787, the second son of 10: 1221: 612:Expelled November 15, 1832 601:Expelled November 15, 1831 1165:Canadian Militia officers 768:Sir John Coape Sherbrooke 711:capital from Kingston to 590:Expelled January 31, 1831 579:Expelled January 22, 1830 510:Court of Quarter Sessions 363:, but was elected to the 326: 316: 308: 300: 290: 270: 265: 257: 249: 234: 226: 210: 196: 180: 161: 156: 152: 140: 128: 117: 104: 92: 80: 69: 57: 53: 41: 34: 1150:Anglophone Quebec people 1113:Works by Robert Christie 841: 727:, and the former French 222:: Unionist; Independent 422:Christie served in the 1048:, pp. 5, 7, 12, 93–97. 805: 699: 689:responsible government 587:1830: general election 565:1827: general election 549:Summary of expulsions 501: 478: 380: 87:Jean-Thomas Taschereau 818:Mount Hermon Cemetery 803: 796:Later life and legacy 786:Louis-Joseph Papineau 757:British North America 749:Sir James Henry Craig 697: 679:, again representing 499: 476: 383:Christie was born in 378: 371:Family and early life 312:4th Militia Battalion 201:Mount Hermon Cemetery 662:Legislative Assembly 439:Legislative Assembly 399:and was articled to 385:Windsor, Nova Scotia 295:Lower Canada militia 175:Windsor, Nova Scotia 764:Sir Gordon Drummond 739:Historical writings 666:Legislative Council 550: 806: 753:Sir George Prevost 729:province of Canada 725:province of Quebec 700: 658:Province of Canada 654:British Parliament 622:Province of Canada 598:1831: by-election 576:1829: by-election 548: 538:John Le Boutillier 523:Colonial Secretary 502: 479: 381: 357:Parti bureaucrates 220:Province of Canada 147:John Le Boutillier 99:John Le Boutillier 1084:J.M.S. Careless, 1002:Paul G. Cornell, 989:J.M.S. Careless, 833:La Martre, Quebec 812:Christie died at 664:and an appointed 628:rebellion in 1837 619: 618: 609:1833: by-election 527:Viscount Goderich 330: 329: 16:(Redirected from 1212: 1160:Canadian lawyers 1123: 1100: 1095: 1089: 1082: 1076: 1075: 1055: 1049: 1042: 1036: 1027: 1021: 1013: 1007: 1000: 994: 987: 981: 980: 965: 946: 937: 745:Quebec Telegraph 670:Governor General 652:, passed by the 551: 547: 464:Political career 431:Quebec Telegraph 414:in Quebec City. 286: 282: 280: 279: 266:Military service 187: 184:October 13, 1856 172:January 20, 1787 171: 169: 157:Personal details 143: 131: 122: 95: 83: 74: 46: 32: 31: 21: 1220: 1219: 1215: 1214: 1213: 1211: 1210: 1209: 1130: 1129: 1127: 1109: 1104: 1103: 1096: 1092: 1083: 1079: 1072: 1056: 1052: 1043: 1039: 1028: 1024: 1017:Union Act, 1840 1014: 1010: 1001: 997: 988: 984: 967: 966: 949: 938: 903: 898: 888: 868:(Quebec, 1829). 844: 798: 741: 649:Union Act, 1840 624: 546: 515:Louis Bourdages 471: 466: 420: 373: 333:Robert Christie 277: 275: 218: 211:Political party 189: 185: 173: 167: 165: 141: 129: 123: 118: 93: 81: 75: 70: 49: 48:Robert Christie 37: 36:Robert Christie 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1218: 1208: 1207: 1202: 1197: 1192: 1187: 1182: 1177: 1172: 1167: 1162: 1157: 1152: 1147: 1142: 1125: 1124: 1108: 1107:External links 1105: 1102: 1101: 1090: 1077: 1070: 1050: 1037: 1022: 1008: 995: 982: 947: 900: 899: 897: 894: 887: 884: 883: 882: 870: 869: 862: 861: 853: 852: 851:(Quebec: 1818) 843: 840: 797: 794: 780:Quebec Mercury 740: 737: 623: 620: 617: 616: 613: 610: 606: 605: 602: 599: 595: 594: 591: 588: 584: 583: 580: 577: 573: 572: 569: 566: 562: 561: 558: 555: 545: 542: 491:Lord Dalhousie 483:Parti canadien 470: 467: 465: 462: 419: 416: 393:King's College 372: 369: 328: 327: 324: 323: 318: 314: 313: 310: 306: 305: 302: 298: 297: 292: 291:Branch/service 288: 287: 272: 268: 267: 263: 262: 259: 255: 254: 251: 247: 246: 239:King's College 236: 232: 231: 228: 224: 223: 212: 208: 207: 198: 194: 193: 188:(aged 69) 182: 178: 177: 163: 159: 158: 154: 153: 150: 149: 144: 138: 137: 132: 126: 125: 115: 114: 105:Member of the 102: 101: 96: 90: 89: 84: 78: 77: 67: 66: 58:Member of the 55: 54: 51: 50: 47: 39: 38: 35: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1217: 1206: 1203: 1201: 1198: 1196: 1193: 1191: 1188: 1186: 1183: 1181: 1178: 1176: 1173: 1171: 1168: 1166: 1163: 1161: 1158: 1156: 1153: 1151: 1148: 1146: 1143: 1141: 1138: 1137: 1135: 1128: 1122: 1118: 1114: 1111: 1110: 1099: 1094: 1087: 1081: 1073: 1067: 1063: 1062: 1054: 1047: 1041: 1035: 1033: 1026: 1020: 1018: 1012: 1005: 999: 992: 986: 978: 975:(in French). 974: 970: 964: 962: 960: 958: 956: 954: 952: 945: 943: 936: 934: 932: 930: 928: 926: 924: 922: 920: 918: 916: 914: 912: 910: 908: 906: 901: 893: 892: 880: 879:All 6 volumes 876: 872: 871: 867: 864: 863: 859: 855: 854: 850: 846: 845: 839: 836: 834: 829: 827: 823: 819: 815: 810: 802: 793: 789: 787: 782: 781: 775: 773: 769: 765: 760: 758: 754: 750: 746: 736: 732: 730: 726: 720: 716: 714: 709: 705: 704:Lord Sydenham 696: 692: 690: 686: 685:Lord Sydenham 682: 678: 673: 671: 667: 663: 659: 655: 651: 650: 645: 644:Durham Report 641: 637: 633: 629: 614: 611: 608: 607: 603: 600: 597: 596: 592: 589: 586: 585: 581: 578: 575: 574: 570: 567: 564: 563: 559: 556: 553: 552: 541: 539: 535: 534:New Brunswick 530: 528: 524: 520: 516: 511: 507: 498: 494: 492: 488: 484: 475: 461: 459: 455: 451: 447: 442: 440: 436: 432: 427: 425: 415: 413: 410: 406: 402: 398: 394: 390: 386: 377: 368: 366: 362: 358: 354: 350: 346: 342: 338: 334: 325: 322: 319: 315: 311: 307: 303: 299: 296: 293: 289: 285: 273: 269: 264: 260: 256: 252: 248: 245:, Nova Scotia 244: 240: 237: 233: 229: 225: 221: 216: 213: 209: 206: 202: 199: 197:Resting place 195: 192: 183: 179: 176: 164: 160: 155: 151: 148: 145: 139: 136: 133: 127: 121: 116: 113:(4 elections) 112: 108: 103: 100: 97: 91: 88: 85: 79: 73: 68: 65: 61: 56: 52: 45: 40: 33: 30: 19: 1126: 1117:Open Library 1093: 1085: 1080: 1060: 1053: 1045: 1040: 1031: 1025: 1016: 1011: 1003: 998: 990: 985: 972: 941: 889: 873: 865: 856: 847: 837: 830: 824:cemetery in 811: 807: 790: 778: 776: 761: 744: 742: 733: 721: 717: 701: 674: 648: 632:Upper Canada 625: 531: 519:John Neilson 503: 487:James Stuart 480: 469:Lower Canada 458:GaspĂ© region 445: 443: 434: 430: 428: 421: 405:Lower Canada 401:Edward Bowen 382: 361:Upper Canada 356: 347:). Born in 337:Lower Canada 332: 331: 317:Battles/wars 219: 215:Lower Canada 214: 186:(1856-10-13) 142:Succeeded by 135:New position 134: 119: 94:Succeeded by 71: 29: 1145:1856 deaths 1140:1787 births 814:Quebec City 677:acclamation 640:Lord Durham 424:War of 1812 397:Quebec City 349:Nova Scotia 341:Canada East 321:War of 1812 191:Quebec City 130:Preceded by 82:Preceded by 1134:Categories 1071:0665080484 896:References 554:Elected in 271:Allegiance 258:Profession 250:Occupation 168:1787-01-20 1044:Cornell, 557:Expulsion 450:law clerk 446:Telegraph 435:Telegraph 235:Education 124:1841–1854 120:In office 72:In office 886:See also 822:Anglican 713:Montreal 708:Kingston 560:Outcome 409:Anglican 389:Scottish 849:America 826:Sillery 646:. The 642:in the 636:Ontario 452:to the 304:Captain 284:Britain 243:Windsor 205:Sillery 1068:  1030:CĂ´tĂ©, 820:, the 770:, and 751:, and 668:. The 345:Quebec 281:  261:Lawyer 227:Spouse 842:Works 681:GaspĂ© 634:(now 343:(now 111:GaspĂ© 64:GaspĂ© 1066:ISBN 858:1820 339:and 309:Unit 301:Rank 181:Died 162:Born 109:for 62:for 1115:at 630:in 1136:: 971:. 950:^ 904:^ 881:). 835:. 828:. 766:, 715:. 525:, 241:, 203:, 1074:. 979:. 170:) 166:( 20:)

Index

Robert Christie (Quebec politician)
Facial portrait of light-skinned man, balding, with dark hair and side-burns, mid-19th century jacket and dark bowtie
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
Gaspé
Jean-Thomas Taschereau
John Le Boutillier
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Gaspé
John Le Boutillier
Windsor, Nova Scotia
Quebec City
Mount Hermon Cemetery
Sillery
King's College
Windsor
Britain
Lower Canada militia
War of 1812
Lower Canada
Canada East
Quebec
Nova Scotia
Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
Upper Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada

Windsor, Nova Scotia
Scottish
King's College
Quebec City

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