The Sun.
London, England, 1838-02-02 00:00:00

lii FitA'NCIS B. HEAD'S MESSAGE.

(Upper Canada G7.zette Extracoalinzry.)
Terento, Thursday, Dec. 28, 1837.
This day, at eleven Cc:leek, his Excellency the Lieutenant
Governor proceeded in State from the Government House to
the Chamber of the Honourable the Legislative Council,
where, b ing arrived, and seated on the throne, the Geetle-
m.ot Usher of the Black Rod wee sent with a me3sage from
his Excellency to the House of Assembly, commanding their
sttendance. The Meaibers present being come up accord-
ingly, his Excellency was pleased to address the two Houses
with the following speech ;
lion. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and
Gentlemen of ;he house of Assembly,
I have deemed it necessary to convene the Legislature of
Copper Canada a few days earlier than has been customary,
for the purpose of communicating with you on the present
state of the Province ; but before I draw °your attention to this
important subject I cannot refrain from condoling with you
one the loss which, since our last meeting, we have sustained
in the demise of his late Gracious Majesty King William the
Fourth, of blessed mcmcry, whose parental attachment to the
Canadas v. ill, I feel confident, be long remembered by its in-
liebitants with fill do gratitude and respect.
The throne of the British empire is now adorned by her
Majesty Queen Victoria, whose youth, education, virtue, and
sex, endearing her to her subjects, claim their loyal protection
and support.
Notwithstanding the prosperity and happiness of the people
if this Province, it is with pain I inform you, that I have been
suddenly called upon to suppress a rebellion, which must have
appeared to the Province at large of so extraordinary a charac-
ter, that it is proper 'should advert to its origin and progress.
With every disinclination to revive political differences of
opinion, which must exist in every free country, and• which no
liberal man would ever be desirous to suppress, I will merely
remind you, that shortly after I arrived in this Province with
instructions from his late Majesty to core act whatever griev-
ances might eaist, it unavoidably became necessary that I
s'nouldeonstitutiortally appeal to the sense of the people—l did
so, and they unequivocally supported me.
A few individuals, disappointed at the result, did not
scruple to declare, that the people of Upper Canada had been
mistaken in their verdict, which it was asserted had been ob-
tained by improper means.
This second subject of discussion I deemed it advisable to
bring plainly before the public—it was accordingly submitted
to the consideration of his late Majesty and the Imperial Go-
vernment, the House of Commons, and the House of Assem-
bly of Upper Canada, and by all these tribunals the question
was decided against those Übe, with groundless slander had
assailed their Government, and who being rapidly deserted
by their original supporters, were now reduced to a very few

Finding that against cool argument they could advance
nothing, they desperately determined to try an appeal to phy-
sical strength, the avowed object of which was to force her
Majesty's subjects from their allegiance, and to subvert the
British Constitution under the pretext of reform.
As soon as this conspiracy became known to me, I deter-
mined that for the public good, I would allow it to work its
own cure ; but as I felt convinced that that cure would never
be admitted to be perfect if her Majesty's troops were re-
quired to take a part in the contest, I cheerfully approved
their leaving the Province, in order that the people of Upper
Canada, in a state of uncontrolled independence, might be
allowed another opportunity of unequivocally demonstrating
whether they would Support me or desert me in the determi-
nation I had evinced, " to maintain for them the British Con-
stitution inviolate."

Besides parting with the troops, I further resolved to place
in the hands of the civil portion •f the community all the mus-
kets (about 4,000) which the Government had in store, and
accordingly delivered them over to the custody of the Mayor,
Aldermen and Commonalty, of the City of Toronto.
Without either soldiers or weapons to enforce my cause, I
allowed the leader of the intended insurrection a full oppor-
tunity to make his intended experiment--I freely allowed him
to write what he chose—say what he chose—and do what he
chose—l allowed him to assemble his deluded adherents for

the purpose of drill--I even allowed them unopposed to as-
semble with loaded fire-arms, and in spite of the remonstrances
which from almost every district in the Province, I received

from the peaceable portion of the community, I allowed him
to make deliberate preparations for the revolt ; for I freely
confess that I did underrate the degree of audacity and cruelty
which these armed insulters of the law were prepared as events
have proved, to exhibit. It did not seem to me credible, that in

the bosom of this peaceful country, where every one was enjoy-
ing the protection of equal laws, and reaping the fruit
of his labours almost undiminished by taxes, any num-
ber of persons could be found willing to assail the lives,
plunder the property of their unoffending fellow-subjects, and
to attempt the destruction of a Government from which they
have received nothing but good.
The ultimate object of the conspiracy was veiled under a
mysterious secrecy which I had no desire to penetrate ; and
relying implicitly on the people, so little did I inquire into it,
or impede it, that I was actually in bed and asleep when I was
awakened by a messenger who abruptly informed me that a
numerous body of armed rebels had been congregated by, their
leader—that the murder of a veteran officer of distinction, a
settler in the Province, had already been committed—and
that the assailants were within an hour's march of Toronto.
The long-lcoked for crisis had now evidently arrived, and
accordingly, defenceless and unarmed, I called upon the
milt-
tia of Upper Canada to defend their Government, and then
confidently araited the result.
With an enthusiasm which it is impossible for me to describe,
they instantly obeyed the summons.
Upwards of 10,000 men immediately marched towards the
Capital—and in the depth of a Canadian winter, pith no
clothes but those they stood in—without food, and generally
speaking, without arms—Reformers as well as Constitution-
alists—nobly rushed forward to defend the revered Constitu-
tion of their ancestors, although the rebel who dared to attack
it was offering to his adherents 300 acres of our land, and the
plunder of cur Banks !
As soon as the people had organized themselves, I saw it
would be necessary to make an attack ; however, feeling the
greatest possible reluctance at the prospect of a sanguinary
conflict with the deluded subjects of her Majesty who were
opposed to me, I despatched to them two of their own party,
to tell them that before any collision should take place, I pa-
rentally called upon them, as their Governor, to avoid the
effusion of human blood.
The answer I received from the rebel leader was, that lie
would only consent that his demands should he settled by a
National Convention, and that he would wait till two o'clock
fur my answer.
Having now, to the best of my ability, performed the reli-
gioua as well as moral duty which I owed to the province., I
issued aproelanlation canine upon those who had been seduced
to j&n in the unnatural rebellion. to return to their duty, in
which case I informed them that they would find the Govern-
ment of their Queen as indulgent as it was just; and having
given them this last opportunity to disperse, I allowed the
brave militia of Upper Canada to advance, and the result of
this trial by battle was the public verdict which I had always
anticipated.
The re'-,els dispersed in all directions; surrendered every
where at Ascretion : those of their leaders who were not taken
prisoners absconded to the United States, and before sunset
the whole conspiracy exploded.
In the
.London District, a similar proof of public opinion
was practesilly evinced. To the Militia, nobly commanded
by Colonel M'Nab, Speaker of the House of Assembly, up-
wards of three hundred misguided men laid down their arms
—craving pardon for their guilt_asking permission to assist
the loyal militia in capturing the fugitive leaders, who
they declared had not only deceived, but deserted them
—and the affair being thus concluded, there remained
not a rebel throughout the whole Province in arms
indeed sa complete was their defeat, that general orders
were immediately issued by me, announcing that there arts no
further occasion for the resort of the militia to Toronto—and
that the militia of the Bathurst, Johnstown, Ovawa. and
Eastern Districts, might march to Lower Canada, in aid of
the Queen's forces.
In all the civil contests which History has been compelled
to record, I conceive that there has never been a question more
fairly submitted to the judgment of a free people, than that
which in Upper Canada hes just ended in the total defeat,
moral as well as physical, of the opponents of the British
Constitution.
T c triumph has been that of reason over force—of good
laws over anarchy—of bravery, fidelity and generrsity on the
pelt of the Militia, over murder, arson, and robbery, by the
rebels.

Tranquillity had r,•turncd to the land—angry passions had
subsided—the political atmosphere of the Province was be-
coming healthy after the storm which had passed over it,
when, I regret to inform you, that the peace of the Province
lyas suddenly invaded from a quarter from which her Ma-
jeaty's subjects in this Province had certainly never calculated
upon receiving an attack.
I need not on this occasion declare that the American; are
a people
whom the British Empire for many years has
assiduously the most friendly connection. Our
Government has
has looked upon- them as its allies—our people
rPnle
have intimately connected themselves with their commerce—
our capital has irric,,ated their land—unlimited credit has been
fraternally extended to them, whit that unsuspecting confid nce
which in the civilized world is reposed in men of character
and truth-we have rejoiced in their success—and we have
done all that a gettz?rtios natjon could do, to save them flout
the expense and misery of war. It is trne, we were once op-
ponents, but the hatchet of war has long been buried, and I
must own I had hoped that the spirits of our mutual ance,tors
were sacredly guarding it; tomb.
Such are the feelings of tha British people towards the
4Mericans, and yet I regret to inform you, that in amment
of profownd peace and of professed friendship, a consal !rabic
numb, r of Ani( ricana. rcrrardless of the crimes committed, as
well as of the dei.:raded eltavacter of the man, have oftnpa-
thizod with the principal rebel, who has lately absoorakd as a
criminal from our land. I regret to inform you, that Ameri-
can citizens of influence and great wealth have come forward
to coerce the brave and independent people of tipper Canada,
to change laws and institutions which they have lately, by
open and almost universal suffrage, publicly declared that they
prefer.
The Aram lean Press has, to my astonishment, in many in-
stances, advocated this flagr.int act of injustice; and such has
!won the popular excitement, that not only has a body of Ame-
ricans, headed by American leaders, within 4 few days taken
possession of Navy Island (which belongs to the British Em-
pire), but a proclamation has laPen issued from this spot, de
(daring that the standard of liberty is placed in Canada—that
a Provisional ( ovezpment is established there--,that a reward
of five hundred pounds is offered for my apprehension—that
300 acres of her Majesty's lands will be freely bestowed by
this Provisional Government upon any volunteer who shall
personal:li assist in invading our freedom i and it is added, that

ten millions of tics:_? lands, fair and fortile, will specdlly be at
:heir dispos,al, with other vast resources of a country ii:ore ex-
tensive and ticli in Inturdl treasures than the United
ing-
dom or old France.

Pant informed that Am• ricans from various quar!ers are
hastening from the late rior to join this standard of avowed
plunder and revolt—that cannon and arms ar publicly pro-
ceeding there ; and under these circumstances, it becomes my
painful duty :o inform Sou, that without having offered to the
Unityd States the srn :Hest provocAtion —without having en.
tfmained the slightest previous doubt of the sincerity of
American alliance—the inhabitants cf this province may in a
few days be called upon by me to defend their lice, their
properties, and their liberties, from an attack by American
citizens, a hick, with no desire to offend, I must pronounce to
be unparalleled in the history of the world.
Upon the courage and resolution of the Canadian people, I
place the firmest reliance; and if this unwarrantable invasion
should proceed, I know I shall nut in vain require every
British subject coolly to perform that duty to his country
which his own pride, spirit and feelings, will spontaneously
suggest.
The interference of foreigners in the domestic policy of a
free country, is an aggression which no nation of character can
ever submit to endure, (especially where a band of people, vio-
lating their own laws, our laws, as well as the sacred obligations
of national amity, intrude themselves upon peace able inhabitants,
lawlessly to advocate by force of arms the practical blessings
and advantages of Republican Institutions, which, by their
own shoving, have at least ended with them in anarchy and
plunder), and as every country is a natural fortress to its in-
habitants—as every village is a strong military position—as
every bridge and ravine can be advantageously defended—l
must own that deeply as I should lament a conflict of this
nature, 1 entertain no feeling of anxiety for the result. The
peaceful inhabitants of Upper Canada will not be left to de-
fend their country alone, for they belong to an Empire which
does not suffer its subjects to be injured with impunity ; and if
a national war, which it rests with the American Government
to avert, should be the unhappy consequence of an intolerant
invasion of our freedom, the civilised world, while it sympa-
thises with our just cause, will view with feelings of asto-
nishment and abhorrence this attempt of a body of American
citizens treacherously to attack and plunder, in a moment of
profound peace, their oldest, their most intimate, and their
most natural ally.
A few days will, I trust, demonstrate that the American
Government wants neither the will nor the power to control
its people. If otherwise, the defensive course which the inha-
bitants of Upper Canada must be called upon to adopt is plain
I and clear.

Ia the meanwhile, however, it is but justice to the Ameri-
can nation to allow them, notwithstanding our territory has
been already invaded by their citizens, the opportunity of
nobly vindicating, as I firmly believe they will, the integrity
of their Government and Institutions ; and I have to inform
you, that with this peaceful object in view, I have communi-
cated with the Governor of the State of New York, with
whom I have hitherto been on the most friendly terms, as also
with her Majesty's Minister at Washington ; and awaiting
their replies, I hare reinforced the gallant Militia of the fron-
tier, by a strong Corps of Observation, and have made arrange-
ments for a general call upon the Militia, in case their ser-
vices should unfortunately be required.