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

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

The two powers of the House of Bourbon were still bound by the Family Compact, and eager for allies in the strife with England which the struggles in India and America were bringing hourly nearer.

From History of the English People, Volume VII The Revolution, 1683-1760; Modern England, 1760-1767 by Green, John Richard

Walpole was thinking, no doubt, of the Family Compact, and of "the King over the Water."

From A History of the Four Georges, Volume II by McCarthy, Justin

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

Too many of our historians write as if all the members of the Family Compact had been selfish and corrupt, and all our present statesmen were altruistic and pure.

From The Tribune of Nova Scotia A Chronicle of Joseph Howe by Grant, W. L. (William Lawson)