Robert Christie

Robert Christie (January 20, 1787 – October 13, 1856) was a lawyer, journalist, historian and political figure in Lower Canada and Canada East (now Quebec). Born in Nova Scotia, he moved to Lower Canada as a young man. Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada, he generally supported the Parti bureaucrates, or government group. He opposed the union of Lower Canada with Upper Canada, but was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. 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.

Family and early life

Christie was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1787, the second son of Scottish 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 King's College 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 Quebec City and was articled to Edward Bowen, a lawyer and political figure in Lower Canada. Christie became an advocate and attorney in 1810. In 1812, he married Monique-Olivier Doucet at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City.

Journalism and public service Christie served in the War of 1812, reaching the rank of captain in the 4th Militia Battalion of Quebec City.

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 acclamation, again representing Gaspé. 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, Lord Sydenham. Although not a strong supporter of responsible government, he voted with the Reform group on the disputes between them and the Governor-General.

One of the issues facing the new Province was the location of the capital. Governor General Lord Sydenham had directed that the capital would be Kingston 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 capital from Kingston to Montreal. Although by modern standards the writing style is rather ornate and difficult, the work is considered detailed and impartial,

Later life and legacy Entrance Lodge to Mount Hermon Cemetery, which Christie is buriedIn 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 pre-1837 salary as Speaker of the Assembly paid to him.

Works 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 America (Quebec: 1818) 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, 1820 (Quebec: New Printing House, 1820). 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 (Quebec, 1829). 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 Reunion with Upper Canada, by Act of the Imperial Parliament (Quebec and Montreal: various publishers, 1848–1855) (Internet Archive: All 6 volumes).