August 15, 1791

     Hey there fellas!

When the Loyalists first arrived in Quebec, they realized a few major changes from their life in America. Here are some of them;

In Quebec, you could only lease land from the Crown, and make a profit from the land, but not from selling it. But in the US, they abided by the freehold system, which is basically the complete opposite of what happened in Quebec. 

In Quebec, Roman Catholics were forced to pay a tenth of their earnings to their local church, and they could be arrested if they didn't. In America, people were not required to pay the church anything.

In Quebec, the council was chosen by the governor, and the people had no say. But in the United States, there were elections in every colony, and people voted for who ran the government. 

But the Loyalists had a very hard time adapting to the changes, so they complained to the British. 

     Just a few months ago, the British agreed to change their government system, which they passed as the Constitutional Act. This is what they changed from the Quebec Act in 1774:

• Quebec is now divided into Upper Canada and Lower Canada.
• There is to be a lieutenant-governor for both Upper and Lower Canada. 
• People who own land in Lower Canada can abide to either the seigneurial or freehold system, but in Upper Canada every person has to hold land under the freehold system. 
• Settlers can not move into existing First Nations land.
• In Lower and Upper Canada Catholics still have to donate to the church. But for all new lands assigned, the Church of England got a seventh of it. 
• There is to be a legislative assembly in each Canada, and men can now vote for representatives to suggest laws. 
• The lieutenant-governor will appoint a legislative council in each Canada to pass laws.

     The Constitutional Act seems to be doing pretty good, and keeping all the groups happy. 

Check back later for more news in B.N.A!