20 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE PROVINCES.

dated the 5th Feb. 1841 Lord John Russell instructed the
Governor-General to call to his Councils “those persons who
by their position and character have obtained the general
sonfidence and esteem of the inhabitants of the province,”
and “only to oppose the wishes of the Assembly when the
honour of the Crown or the interest of the Empire are deeply
concerned.” For some years difficulties arose between the
governors and the people as to how the principle of responsible
 government was to be carried into effect. At length
Lord Elgin in 1847 was expressly instructed “to act generally
on the advice of the Executive Council and to receive as
members of that body those persons who might be pointed
out to him as entitled to do so by their possessing the confidence
 of the Assembly.”

hanes The Constitution of 1840 remained unchanged until 1853,
Constitu- when, by a vote of two-thirds of the Legislature, the number
Hon. of representatives was increased from 84 to 180, and the
elective franchise was extended.
Changes In the following year an Imperial Act was passed’ emin
 Legicla- powering the legislature to alter the constitution of the Legis-Council.
 {tive Council, and a Canadian Act was passed in 1856*
making the members elective. The existing members were
allowed to retain their seats, 48 elected members were added
to the Council, and these elected members were to retain
their seats for eight years. British subjects of the age of
thirty years and owning real estate of the value of £2000 were
eligible for election, and the qualification of electors was
made the same as that required in the case of electors of
she Assembly.
Control of the civil list was surrendered to Canada in
18478. and of the Post Office in 1849% In the former year

1 17 & 18 Vie. (i) e. 118.
3 10 & 11 Vie. (i) e. 71,

2 19 & 20 Vie. c. 140.
4 12 & 18 Vie. (i) ¢. 66.