# La rébellion de 1837 à Saint-Eustache/29

DÉCLARATION DE WM. GREER.
I, the undersigned, déclare that in 1837, I took part in the company of Captain Maximilien Globensky as one of his volunteers ; company that was formed and recruited among the respectable and easy class of our cultivators.
This detachment of volunteers of which the majority was composed of French Canadians, had been formed so as to protect themselves against the persécutions and humiliations that the Rebels exercised towards the Loyal Subjects.
As the partisans of the revolters of 1837 attacked Mr. C. A. M. Globensky in speaking of the troubles of that epoch and in reproaching the part his father took, in putting himself at the head of a company in which I was myself, I must through respect sur the truth and at the memory of my commander, show the puplic the attitude of our Captain and that of our volunteers during and aster the battle of St. Eustache.
I mari not relate again ail the enumerated facts mentioned in the déclarations of Captain Choquet and Mr.
D. McNaughton, sur I would uselessly repeat that which they hâve already spoken of.
I only wish to protest against those who unjustly tacked the memory of Captain Globensky and of his volunteers. I do not fear to say that amongst the companies that marched with the royal troops, ours particularly distinguished itself by its moderation, by its haste to protect the revolters against the English soldiers that wanted to revenge the death of Lieutenant Weir ; and also against certain companies of volunteers that wanted to make use of reprisals and revenge themselves against the rebels, because they had violated the right of the property and because they had persecuted the loyals when these were at their mercy or in their power.
I also affirm that it is false to say that Dr Chénier’s heart was carried in triumph at the top of the bayonets in the streets of St. Eustache and that his body was profaned and mutilated. I can contradict this false rumour, for our company did not stir from the village and it was the only one that did not march towards St. Benoit, having remained in the village St. Eustache to maintain peace and protect the prisoners. Moreover, I must add that it was I who after the battle found Dr Chénier’s body lying in the cemetery and at the place mentioned in Francois Cabana’s declaration, and immediately I made it known to the officers of the army ; also that his remains were carried in Addison’s Hotel where they were exposed with deceney and kept with respect.
Yes, before terminating my declaration I repeat it, it was wrong, yes very wrong, to attack captain Globensky’s memory, concerning the troubles of 1837 and this for many reasons.
I° Because circumstances obliged this old military to act so.
2° Because if this officer had not been at the head of our Company to contain and prevent it to use of reprisais towards the rebels, we would hâve today to déplore many misfortunes and loss of lives.
3° Because captain Globensky always protected the revolters and to proove this assertion, I will hasten to support and corroborate ail that which has been said in Mr Inglis’s déclaration, concerning the imprisonment of Mr M. Seers, and the positive recommandation made by captain Globensky, which was not to use arms, and I know perfectly this fact, for I was the one that went with M. Inglis to exécute the order to make M. Seers a prisonner.
Another fact of protection towards the patriots by Captain Globensky of which I was a witness is the following : Several volunteers having expressed the désire to attack a group of rebels, Captain Globensky opposed himself energically to it saying, that he forbade his Company to kill these unfortunate ; but captain B. who was incorporated with the volunteers rebelled himself and appealed to those who sympathised with him and for a moment some of the volunteers left the ranks to fight the rebels. They fired on them at the great discontent of our captain, but he was happy to verify that this badly directed discharge had not reached any of the rebels who as soon took flight and disappeared.
4° Because the open and spontaneous sympathy of Captain Globensky for the revolted French-canadians, in wishing to protect them, at my knowledge, raised the displeasure of several volonteers who even said that their commander was himself a real rebel. But, I, like many others later on, recognized that Captain Globensky had been unjustly judged ; he saw that his fellow-country-men were driven to the rebellion and that they could only be murdered, and although a sincere Loyal he desired to protect them.
I am proud to say that before, during and after 1837, I was much esteemed by this gentleman who has always been considered by every one for his affability, his noble and generous feelings.
St-Eustache, 26th day of december 1877.
La déclaration qui va suivre est celle d’un cultivateur très a l’aise qui en outre fait un commerce considérable sur les produits, sur les animaux ; et c’est un homme respectable et jouissant de la plus belle réputation.