The Rise of the Family Compact in Upper Canada

York's first compact, official in nature, originally took shape at Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the temporary capital of the province before York was settled. It was headed by Peter Russell, a hitherto impecunious half-pay officer from Cork, Ireland, who, upon the recommendation of his old commanding officer, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, was made receiver and auditor general in 1791. He was also given seats upon both the Executive and Legislative councils. By reason of these offices, particularly that of executive councillor, and more particularly by reason of Simcoe's continuing favour, Russell acquired great power and influence. Yet he reached the height of his power only between the summer of 1796 and that of 1799 when, again upon Simcoe's recommendation, he was made president of the Executive Council and administrator of the colony to act for the lieutenant governor during the latter's prolonged absence in England.

--Graeme Patterson, "Early Compact Groups in the Politics of York," in Old Ontario: Essays in Honour of J.M.S. Careless, ed. David Keane and Colin Read (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1990), 178.