The Attempted Repeal of the Quebec Act: The State of Parliamentary Opposition in 1775

Abstract

The Attempted Repeal of the Quebec Act on 17 and 18 May 1775 is a subject which has, as of yet, not attracted Canadian or British Imperial historians working on eighteenth century Quebec. An examination of the repeal attempt made by Lord Camden and Sir George Savile in both Houses of Parliament in 1775 reveals that the American Crisis led the Opposition to pursue a policy of conciliation with the American colonies. The attempted repeal of the Quebec Act was one way the Opposition hoped to head off the threat of imminent war. This study contributes to a fuller picture of the Imperial context in which decisions were made with regards to Canada during the rising American crisis.