Family Compact

British  

noun

1. the ruling oligarchy in Upper Canada in the early 19th century

2. (often not capitals) any influential clique

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Example Sentences

E Returned in elections, 1847, 50; solicitor-general for Upper Canadian first La Fontaine-Baldwin Cabinet, 53; father of Edward Blake; attacks Family Compact; bitter conflict with Sir Allan MacNab, 69.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various

But this reply to the poor settlers did not alone satisfy the schemes of the Chief or his friends, the Family Compact.

From The Last Laird of MacNab An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada by Various

Choiseul was anxious to make the Family Compact the means of humbling England and of regaining for France the territories she had lost.

From The Political History of England - Vol. X. The History of England from the Accession of George III to the close of Pitt's first Administration by Poole, Reginald Lane

Index: Mc His opinion of Mackenzie, 3; on the Family Compact, 10; on revolution, 18; on Mackenzie, 27; view of parliamentary government under Constitutional Act, 54, 55.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various

B Attributed by Durham to ascendancy of Family Compact, 11.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various