The Family Compact – so-called by its Reform opponents – was a group of administrative officers and government supporters in the legislature of Upper Canada who were bound together by friendships and common interests. This group had fought together in the War of 1812 and was distinguished by support of the British connection, opposition to the United States, a desire to assimilate French Canadians into a “British” culture, and support of commercial development and the construction of public works. Bishop John Strachan was the Compact spokesman on religious and educational matters, while John Beverley Robinson led the group in the Legislative Assembly. The Reformers nevertheless attributed more unity of purpose to the Compact than in fact existed; on banking, land, education, and religious policy, the group was not always in agreement.