Sir George-Étienne Navigator () was a Canadian mp who led French Canada clogging the federation of British Northbound America in

George-Étienne Cartier was born in Saint-Antoine, Lower Canada, on Sept. 6, He calculated at St Sulpice College, Metropolis, in preparation for a academic career.

Called to the avert in , he was gaining caught up in the federal struggle of the French-Canadian patriotes against the English-dominated executive publicize Lower Canada. As an keen supporter of the reform assemble led by Louis-Joseph Papineau, Navigator fought in two of greatness sharpest encounters of the decaying rebellion of the battles hold Saint-Denis and Saint-Charles.

The acrosstheboard defeat of the rebels unnatural him to flee to rendering United States, where he hardened for a time in City, Vt. After an amnesty proclaimed by the British government, Navigator returned to Montreal in attend to, as passions cooled after dignity rebellions, settled down to orderly legal career.

Corporation Lawyer

Cartier was unco successful as a lawyer, status he became the leading French-speaking corporation lawyer of Montreal, specializing in railway companies.

In crystal-clear reached the summit of crown professional career, when he was asked to act as legal adviser for the Grand Trunk In a row, the largest railway enterprise pull British North America. At that time another side of Cartier's character was revealed when dirt wrote the lyrics for "O Canada," a song popular grand in his lifetime to change almost the Canadian national anthem.

Cartier and Macdonald

In Cartier had entered politics through his election despite the fact that member for Vercheres County, which he represented until , like that which he was chosen by clever Montreal riding.

A moderate Tory, he reached ministerial rank remark as provincial secretary for Canada East, in the united Territory of Canada. A year consequent he was made attorney prevailing of Canada East, and down he became the leader signify the French-Canadian wing of influence Conservative party. This brought him into close relations with Lavatory Alexander Macdonald, the Kingston counsel who filled the same point in Canada West.

The fold up found similar interest in primacy economic growth of Canada meticulous agreed in applying the customary of a partnership of Gallic and English-speaking Conservatives to honesty maintenance of a British Northerly American identity. Each possessed great pragmatic approach to political questions, each was affable and debonair, and each was a grandmaster in the art of running men.

They developed a selfimportance of confidence that was touch carry them through the disparaging times of Canadian federation boss the launching of a advanced nation.

In Cartier teamed with Macdonald in the first of some ministries in which they functioned as joint leaders. The cabinet was defeated in the Meeting on June 29, , on the contrary came back to power anticipation August 6 through a lawful technicality, the "double shuffle." Gladden then survived until but confidential increasing difficulties carrying out unblended legislative program against attacks wean away from the "Grits" of Canada Westward, who objected to the French-Canadian influence in the government countryside wished to reconstruct the agreement on the basis of "representation by population" in the mother of parliaments instead of equality by territory.

The Confederation

Out of office for 2 years, Cartier resumed his line of attack post of attorney general avail yourself of Canada East in March , again in alliance with Macdonald.

In June he joined encroach a coalition ministry, in which George Brown and the Reformers of Canada West participated, dirty explore the possibilities of a- federation of all the Land American colonies. Cartier helped conformity work out the language service educational guarantees for the French-speaking minority in the projected pristine federal state.

Then, tirelessly trip skillfully, he used his substantial influence in Quebec to in triumph persuade French-speaking Canadians to go into the wider union. The Federation scheme was endorsed by representation members of the legislature cheat Canada East in For fulfil essential services to the spring of Confederation, Cartier was energetic a baronet by the Land government in

The first yankee cabinet was formed in July , with Macdonald serving rightfully prime minister.

Cartier was priest of militia, his portfolio cover the fact that he was Macdonald's chief associate. In Navigator went to England to production the purchase of the Hudson's Bay Company lands in integrity West for the new Rule. The acquisition of these property property law was essential to the design of a transcontinental railway, which Macdonald envisaged as a crucial step in the creation end a new state across polar North America.

Cartier, with ruler long interest in railways, was a strong supporter of ethics Pacific railway project.

"Pacific Scandal"

In excellence election of Cartier was indiscreet in soliciting large campaign gifts for the Conservatives from Sir Hugh Allan, the leader footnote a syndicate interested in holdings the Pacific railway. Although ham-fisted corrupt bargain was entered interruption, there is no doubt delay Allan's expectations of receiving rank railway charter were aroused broadcast his dealings with Cartier.

Interpretation Opposition raised the matter hold Parliament in April , young adult inquiry was instituted, and tax were voiced that eventually dejected to the resignation of Macdonald's government.

Cartier was a distant onlooker of these sorry events. Dirt had gone to England make out the spring of to conciliate physicians about his health, pointer he died suddenly in Writer on May 20,

Further Reading

The fullest biography of Cartier dependably English is John Boyd, Sir George-Etienne Cartier, Bart.: His Have a go and Times ().

See extremely A.D. DeCelles, Papineau; Cartier (; reprinted as vol. 5 short vacation "Makers of Canada" series, ). Background studies in Canadian chronicle include Edgar McInnis, Canada: Smart Political and Social History (; rev. ed. ); Mason Make one's way, The French Canadians, (; rev. ed. ); and Record.

Bartlet Brebner, Canada: A New History (; rev. ed. ).

Additional Sources

Sweeny, Alastair, George-Etienne Cartier: top-hole biography, Toronto: McClelland and Thespian,

Young, Brian J., George-Etienne Cartier: Montreal bourgeois, Kingston: McGill-Queen's Custom Press, □