(1795-1861)

Mackenzie was another Reformer. He was born in Scotland and came to Canada in 1820. He began as a shopkeeper, but in 1824 he established The Colonial Advocate, a newspaper for which he was publisher, editor, writer, and mail carrier.   He used his newspaper to speak out on land problems, the power of the Family, and the question of who was an Upper Canadian.        A story told of Mackenzie is that on June 8, 1825, 15 young men from wealthy , well-known families of York (now Toronto) smashed their way into offices of  The Colonial Advocate and threw printing equipment into the street. They then tossed the type (letters used for printing) into the harbour. Fortunately for Mackenzie, he was able to turn this disaster into a triumph. He became a public hero. The young men were tried , convicted, and ordered to pay Mackenzie $2450.00. Before the raid The Colonial Advocate had been in financial trouble. Afterwards, he was able to pay off his debts and buy new equipment. Mackenzie was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1828. He used his new position to suggest government changes. He thought that the elected  people in the Legislative Assembly did not have enough power and later suggested that  Upper Canada adopt the American system of government.    Other members of the legislative Assembly did not always like Mackenzie's ideas and voted to expel him. Mackenzie was expelled from the Legislative Assembly a total of six times and each time the people re-elected him.    Mackenzie often became very agitated during his speeches. He had lost his hair as a result to a fever and it was common sight to see him tear his bright red wig off his head and fling it on the ground to make a point.    As the 1830s wore on, Mackenzie became more radical. He decided to resort to armed rebellion in an attempt to destroy Upper Canada's system of government.