JOHN SANDFIELD

See also:

• MACDONALD, FLORA (1722—1790)
• MACDONALD, GEORGE (1824-1905)
• MACDONALD, JACQUES ETIENNE JOSEPH
• JOHN SANDFIELD MACDONALD (1812-1872)
• MACDONALD, LAWRENCE (1799-1878)
• MACDONALD, SIR HECTOR ARCHIBALD (1852-1903)
• MACDONALD, SIR JOHN ALEXANDER (1815-1891)

MACDONALD (1812-1872)  , Canadian statesman, was born at St Raphael, Glengarry county, Ontario, on the 12th of December 1812 . He was admitted to the bar in 1840, and settled in Cornwall . In the same year he married Miss Waggaman, the daughter of an American senator from Louisiana . In 1841 he was elected to-the Canadian parliament for Glengarry, which seat he held for sixteen years . In 1842 he joined the Reformers in the cry for constitutional government, and from 1852 to 18J4 was Speaker of the house . He was always uncertain in his party allegiance, and often attacked George Brown, the Liberal leader . Indeed, he well described himself as " the Ishmael of parliament." In 1862 he was called on by Lord Monck, the governor-general, to form a ministry, which by manifold shifts held office till February 1864 . In the debates on federation he opposed the measure, but on its passage was in 1867 entrusted by the Conservatives with the task of organizing the provincial government of Ontario . He ruled the province with economy and efficiency, but was defeated in December 1871 by the Liberals, resigned the premier-ship, and died on the 1st of June 1872 .