Sous-fonds SF02 - John Solomon Cartwright sous-fonds

John Solomon Cartwright (1804-1845) was born in Kingston, Upper Canada. He was the son of the Hon. Richard Cartwright and the twin brother of Rev. Robert Cartwright. John Cartwright studied law at York (Toronto) and later at Lincoln's Inn, London, England. He became president of the Commercial Bank of Kingston in 1831. In 1836 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and, in 1841, to the Legislative Assembly of United Canada for Lennox and Addington. He was opposed to the Union of 1840 and to responsible government. In 1842 he was offered the position of Solicitor General by Governor General Sir Charles Bagot. Cartwright declined the offer on the grounds that he refused to hold office subject to the verdict of a popular majority. He strongly believed that responsible government was inconsistent with Canada's status as a British colony.