33:
720:. 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.
684:
365:
1110:
486:
790:
463:
267:
797:
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
772:
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
501:
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
707:
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
863:
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
699:
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
510:, 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
780:
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".
506:, 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
711:
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
837:
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
474:(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
773:
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
846:
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,
430:. 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.
723:
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.
1173:
449:. 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.
855:
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
445:, 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
672:. 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,
736:, 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
777:, 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.
521:
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
356:. 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.
708:
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.
470:
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
1168:
1183:
380:
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
664:
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
827:
In 1938, Christie was designated a National Historic Person by the federal government, with a commemorative plaque at his birthplace in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
498:
478:, also an alumnus of King's College at Windsor, who appeared to have some influence on Christie. However, Christie gained favour with Governor General
820:
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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99:
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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
353:
95:
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1158:
525:. At the time, the Gaspé had a significant anglophone population. This proposal alienated the voters of the region and he was defeated by
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48:
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in a by-election in 1833, after his fifth expulsion from the Assembly. Christie temporarily retired from politics.
426:
was a weekly newspaper, with a focus on business and politics, including reports of proceedings in the provincial
1087:
Government of Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations: "Robert Christie, National Historic Person".
1058:
475:
867:
766:
Later in life, Christie returned to journalism, contributing articles to various newspapers and editing the
957:
965:
763:, from 1815 to 1820. A third volume appeared in 1829, covering the government of the Earl of Dalhousie.
482:, and came to be a supporter of the provincial government against the popular movement in the Assembly.
751:
Christie followed with a second book two years later, covering the period of the next three governors,
627:), the British government decided to merge the two provinces into a single province, as recommended by
396:. Christie became an advocate and attorney in 1810. In 1812, he married Monique-Olivier Doucet at the
283:
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324:(January 20, 1787 – October 13, 1856) was a lawyer, journalist, historian and political figure in
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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
189:
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Chamber of the Parliament Building in Montreal, where the Parliament met from 1844 to 1849
8:
928:
717:
680:, he voted with the Reform group on the disputes between them and the Governor-General.
364:
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518:, who ruled in favour of Christie's continued eligibility for election to the Assembly.
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and Lieutenant Governor of Lower Canada from 1807 to 1811; Prévost from 1812 to 1815.
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995:(Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1962; reprinted in paperback 2015), pp. 3–4.
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Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from Canada East
645:, abolished the two provinces and their separate parliaments, and created the
32:
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1101:
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522:
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Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, meeting in the Bishop's Chapel, Quebec
415:, reaching the rank of captain in the 4th Militia Battalion of Quebec City.
1105:
649:, with a single parliament for the entire province, composed of an elected
620:
393:
349:
325:
1075:
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
866:(Quebec and Montreal: various publishers, 1848-1855) (Internet Archive:
810:
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933:, Volume VIII (1851-1860), University of Toronto & Université Laval.
1023:, "First Parliament. 8th April 1841 to 23rd September 1844", p. 43.
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hot-tempered dealings with other members on the issue, particularly
701:
377:
348:, or government group. He opposed the union of Lower Canada with
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Entrance Lodge to Mount Hermon Cemetery, which Christie is buried
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1827 – 1832 (elected five times and expelled five times)
333:
962:
Dictionnaire des parlementaires du Québec de 1792 à nos jours
864:
Reunion with Upper Canada, by Act of the Imperial Parliament
340:, he moved to Lower Canada as a young man. Elected to the
1050:
An historical sketch of Canadian literature and journalism
557:
Expelled in 1827; seat declared vacant, February 14, 1829
532:
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Following the rebellion in Lower Canada, and the similar
798:
pre-1837 salary as Speaker of the Assembly paid to him.
433:
At the same time as he was publishing and editing the
497:
representing Gaspé and was appointed chairman of the
1169:
Members of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
1184:Persons of National Historic Significance (Canada)
1077:(Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1967), p. 164.
982:(Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1967), pp. 1–5.
16:Politician in Lower Canada and Province of Canada
1120:
1035:Alignment of Political Groups in Canada, 1841–67
993:Alignment of Political Groups in Canada, 1841–67
406:
466:View of Quebec from the River St Lawrence, 1827
661:retained a strong position in the government.
354:Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
96:Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
219:Monique-Olivier Doucet (m. February 24, 1812)
1108:
604:John Le Boutillier elected in by-election
593:Re-elected in by-election, April 17, 1832
582:Re-elected in by-election, March 21, 1831
560:Re-elected in by-election, April 16, 1829
206:: Government Party (Parti de Bureaucrates)
31:
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929:Shirley C. Spragge, "Christie, Robert",
880:1st Parliament of the Province of Canada
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1164:Lawyers in Lower Canada and Canada East
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695:had directed that the capital would be
533:Summary of expulsions from the Assembly
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676:. Although not a strong supporter of
242:Journalist, public official, historian
1179:People from Kings County, Nova Scotia
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744:. Craig had been Governor General of
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571:Re-elected in general election, 1830
493:In 1827, Christie was elected to the
437:, Christie also held the position of
1021:Political Appointments and Elections
1008:, 3 & 4 Vict., c. 35 (UK), s. 3.
849:(Quebec: New Printing House, 1820).
495:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
443:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
342:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
49:Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada
1159:Canadian people of Scottish descent
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732:During his period as editor of the
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392:, a lawyer and political figure in
13:
937:
891:
14:
1205:
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1053:. Toronto: Lincott. p. 120.
1144:Burials at Mount Hermon Cemetery
931:Dictionary of Canadian Biography
761:Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond
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1189:Pre-Confederation Quebec people
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958:"Biography of Robert Christie"
1:
1194:King's-Edgehill School alumni
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407:Journalism and public service
401:Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
344:, he generally supported the
1047:Hopkins, J. Castell (1898).
422:and became its editor. The
418:In 1816, he established the
7:
966:National Assembly of Quebec
874:
805:in 1856, and was buried at
376:in 1787, the second son of
10:
1210:
601:Expelled November 15, 1832
590:Expelled November 15, 1831
1154:Canadian Militia officers
757:Sir John Coape Sherbrooke
700:capital from Kingston to
579:Expelled January 31, 1831
568:Expelled January 22, 1830
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716:, and the former French
211:: Unionist; Independent
411:Christie served in the
1037:, pp. 5, 7, 12, 93–97.
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678:responsible government
576:1830: general election
554:1827: general election
538:Summary of expulsions
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76:Jean-Thomas Taschereau
807:Mount Hermon Cemetery
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785:Later life and legacy
775:Louis-Joseph Papineau
746:British North America
738:Sir James Henry Craig
686:
668:, again representing
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372:Christie was born in
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360:Family and early life
301:4th Militia Battalion
190:Mount Hermon Cemetery
651:Legislative Assembly
428:Legislative Assembly
388:and was articled to
374:Windsor, Nova Scotia
284:Lower Canada militia
164:Windsor, Nova Scotia
753:Sir Gordon Drummond
728:Historical writings
655:Legislative Council
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742:Sir George Prevost
718:province of Canada
714:province of Quebec
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647:Province of Canada
643:British Parliament
611:Province of Canada
587:1831: by-election
565:1829: by-election
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527:John Le Boutillier
512:Colonial Secretary
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346:Parti bureaucrates
209:Province of Canada
136:John Le Boutillier
88:John Le Boutillier
1073:J.M.S. Careless,
991:Paul G. Cornell,
978:J.M.S. Careless,
822:La Martre, Quebec
801:Christie died at
653:and an appointed
617:rebellion in 1837
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516:Viscount Goderich
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131:Succeeded by
124:New position
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83:Succeeded by
60:
18:
1134:1856 deaths
1129:1787 births
803:Quebec City
666:acclamation
629:Lord Durham
413:War of 1812
386:Quebec City
338:Nova Scotia
330:Canada East
310:War of 1812
180:Quebec City
119:Preceded by
71:Preceded by
1123:Categories
1060:0665080484
885:References
543:Elected in
260:Allegiance
247:Profession
239:Occupation
157:1787-01-20
1033:Cornell,
546:Expulsion
439:law clerk
435:Telegraph
424:Telegraph
224:Education
113:1841–1854
109:In office
61:In office
875:See also
811:Anglican
702:Montreal
697:Kingston
549:Outcome
398:Anglican
378:Scottish
838:America
815:Sillery
635:. The
631:in the
625:Ontario
441:to the
293:Captain
273:Britain
232:Windsor
194:Sillery
1057:
1019:Côté,
809:, the
759:, and
740:, and
657:. The
334:Quebec
270:
250:Lawyer
216:Spouse
831:Works
670:Gaspé
623:(now
332:(now
100:Gaspé
53:Gaspé
1055:ISBN
847:1820
328:and
298:Unit
290:Rank
170:Died
151:Born
98:for
51:for
1104:at
619:in
1125::
960:.
939:^
893:^
870:).
824:.
817:.
755:,
704:.
514:,
230:,
192:,
1063:.
968:.
159:)
155:(
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