Petition of divers of the French inhabitants of the province of Quebec (December 1773)

In the year 1764, your Majesty thought fit to put an end to the military government of this province, and to establish a civil government in its stead. And from the instant of this change we began to feel the inconveniences which resulted from the introduction of the laws of England, which till then we had been wholly unacquainted with. Our former countrymen, who till that time had been permitted to settle our disputes without any expense to us, were thanked for their services, and dismissed; and the militia of the province, which had till then been proud of bearing that honourable name under your Majesty's command, was laid aside. It is true indeed we were admitted to serve on juries; but at the same time we were given to understand, that there were certain obstacles that prevented our holding places under your Majesty's government. We were also told that the laws of England were to take place in the province, which, though we presume them to be wisely suited to the regulation of the mother-country for which they were made, could not be blended and applied to our customs without totally overturning our fortunes and destroying our possessions...

Vouchsafe, most illustrious and gracious sovereign, to dissipate these fears and this uneasiness, by restoring to us our ancient laws, privileges, and customs, and to extend our province to its former boundaries. Vouchsafe to bestow your favours equally upon all your subjects in the province, without any distinction! Preserve the glorious title of sovereign of a free people: a title which surely would suffer some dimunition, if more than an hundred thousand new subjects of yor Majesty in this province, who had submitted to your government, were to be excluded from your service, and deprived of the inestimable advantages which are enjoyed by your Majesty's ancient subjects....

We conclude by entreating your Majesty to grant us, in common with your other subjects, the rights and privileges of citizens of England. Then our fears will be removed, and we shall pass our lives in tranquility and happiness, and shall be always ready to sacrifice them for the glory of our prince and the good of our country.