The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-13 00:00:00

EMIGRATION.

The followinc, extracts of a letter from Thomas Gordon,
a settler in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada, to a
friend in this country contains some very interesting infor-
mation relative to that part of the Canadas, worthy of the
attention of those who are about to leave their native land
for our rapidly improving Canadian possessions :
Sherbrook, Eastern Townships, L. C.

10th March, 1835.

Believing you have had access to my letters, to my re-
;;;!ions for an account of myself and circumstances, I will
devote the remainder of my limits to an account of this part of
the country and its capabilities. This may be the more inte-
resting as the recent establishment of the British American
Land Company is likely to turn the attention of emigrants to
this long neglected section of the Canadas, the advantages of
which to the labouring part of the community, especially to
those who prefer independence to a state of dependence upon
others, I consider to be perfectly evident, whether for the invest-
ment of capital by the practical agriculturist, or for the indus-
trious labourer who may be desirous of establishing himself by
a few years of patient perseverance, as a lord of the soil, de-
pendant only on Divine Providence, enjoying a degree of poli-
tical and religious liberty, equal at least to any country upon
earth, and as healthy as the most favoured parts of the Dritish
Islands. The ague, intermittent, lake, and naturalisation
fevers of the Upper Country are unknown here, and a bettor evi-
dence of the salubrity of our climate cannot be given, than
that in 1832 and 1834, whilst the cholera was raging in the
cities, and many of the country parts of both provtnoes, not a
single case occurred in the Eastern Townships.
The general price of wheat here is ss. per bushel in winter,
and 6s. 3d. in summer ; Indian corn, from 3s. 9d. to ss. ; rye,
not much raised, and barley the same ; pease, from ss. to
6s. 3d. ; oats, from Is. 3d. to 2s. ; and potatoes, from Is. to
2s. ; all of which, except the two first, are sure crops. Fruits
of various kinds are also cultivated with success. Our proxi.
mity to the principal- markets, being within two days drive of
either Quebec or Montreal, is no inconsiderable advantage,
and, as a grazing country, the Townships are perhaps un-
equalled in British America. Our horned cattle are scarcely
inferior to the finest breeds of England; and beef sells from
2d. to 4d. per lb., according to the season and quality. Horses
are hardy and active, and sell from 101. to 301., and upwards
for fancy horses. Sheep are thrifty and prolific, and mutton is
about the same price as beef. Hogs are plenty, and at 18 or
20 months old, generally weigh, when fatted, from three to
four hundred, and are sold in winter by the carcase at from
225. 6d. to 30s. per hundred, The price of butter is from 6d.
to 10d., and cheese from 4d. to od.
Having spoken thus favourably of this part of the Canadas,
I would advise the aged and infirm to remain where they are,
but the practical farmer would, I am convinced, with the same
proportion of labour and capital, be better able to provide for
a family than by renting lands from another on the most fa-
vourable terms. Labouring men with families, with little more
than sufficient to carry them to their destination, would find it
hard beginning, but I know many who, sixteen years ago,
wen! not worth al., who are now in comfortable circumstances,
and have reed and educated large families. Young men
without capital can readily find employment, at from 14 Ws.
to 21. Ws. per month, according to their capacity to labour,
and in two or throe years they can purchase a piece of wild
land on which they can work occasionally for two or three
years
more, when, if they have been frugal and industrious
they can begin the world in easy circumstances. Mechanics'
wage
• s here are rather high, but the demand for them is limited.
Joiners and oarpet.iters, 4P4 masons, or rather bricklayers, have
$44411s Italie from fa. 10s.
tfr00m31.5150. s., and is.
6shoemakers per d
ay. a
andiltack tailors from g 4s. toj. fis.
vier month, with bed and board, and generally washing. Me-
however, especially those with families, coming to
chanies, --illy take to farming as the surest road to
this country, gen..— _
independence.
Many persons emigrating to Ng mein—,
error in bringing quantities of useless ltimber ltilih ?Amu,
at a great expense. The only profitable articles for perk:di§ in
ordinary circumstances are bedding and wearing apparel, and a
few of the most ordinary joiners' tools, such as are useful
about every farming establishment. A prudent man will find
money in his pocket as convenient and as profitable as any-

'4"y commit a great
.nd

thing else, although it would not be good policy to bring a
large sum with him. It would be safer to remit it through the
Land Company, receiving the difference of exchange.
The state of society is good, crime being scarcely known
here. A great majority of the inhabitants are Americans, a
shrewd, active, and intelligent people, and withal moral,
peaceable, and benevolent. Education is almost universal,
being liberally supported by legislative aid; it is accessible to
the rich and the poor. Our leading roads are tolerably good,
and improving every year, and the forementioned Company is
expected to lay out large sums in the making of roads and
building bridges the ensuing summer, which will increase the
demand for labour. I would lastly recommend a strong ship,
with a temperate commander, and provide a few simple me-
dicines, and plenty of wholesome provisions; sea-sickness
sometimes cures a bilious habit, but kills nobody. *
THOS. GORDON.

RIOTS AT WOLVERHAMPTON.

THIRD DAY.-THURSDAY.

The examination was resumed this morning soon after nine.
Mr. William Hay—This witness's testimony was but a re-
capitulation of evidence given before. He said the tumult was
great. He remarked several times the leniency of the soldiers.
It was fortunate the yeomanry had not been called out, for the
people would not have been so well off. The soldiers were
severely pelted by the mob, and they bore it with astonishing
good temper. Heard about 50 shots fired in the course of the
evening. The excitement on this occasion was much greater
than he had known it at any previous election within his ac-
quaintance with the town, which was eight years.
George Pringle's testimony was corroborative of that of
most of those who had been previously examined, as to the

violent conduct of the mob.
T. H. Fowke—l saw a great crowd. They were shouting,
arid I saw several stones thrown. I saw the soldier, whose
horse had fallen, getting up from the ground. At this time
no shut had been fired that I heard. Four soldiers rode up
towards the church-yard and fired. Two of them who fired
carbines raised them so as to fire over the heads of the people.
I could not say how those who fired their pistols raised them—
that is, whether they took aim or not, but I can speak from my
own observation of the men who fired carbines. Witness went
on to say that he saw many men picking up large stones, and
others throwing at the troops. He could not speak as to the
state of the town on Thursday or Friday.
Mrs. Eliza Longmore—l saw the people run and pursued
by the soldiers, but not till they had had many a shower of,
stones from thein. One soldier could not get past the corner,'
for his horse would not face the shower of stones. Another
got up to the Lich gates, but could not get through. He re-
ceived many a severe blow, whoever he was, before he fired.
At last he did fire, but it was over the heads of the people;
and before he fired again he had a shower of stones on him.
He again fired. The shower of stones was like thunder, it
was so momentary. There were crowds in the church-yard,
and on the church roof. The body of the church was covered
with them. There were persons also on the steeple. I saw
several soldiers struck. I saw 20 shots fired from the car-
bines. I took notice that they were aimed high and over the
heads of the people.
Mr. Smith, the proprietor of the Swan, his evidence went
strongly to corroborate that of the other witnesses who spoke
of the riotous conduct of the mob in front of the Swan. Se-
veral of his windows were broken. Thinks that but for the
military his house would have been pulled down.
Richard Diggory—l am an assistant constable. I found no
difficulty in preserving the peace on the Tuesday. On Wed-
nesday there was a great crowd in the Market-place and the
streets near. The market was not interrupted that I saw.
There was no resistance offered to me before the Riot Act
was read. I apprehended some persons, and no resistance was
made. I had not my staff. I had a stick. There was about
20 assistant or special constables, but there was no organized,
plan that I knew of. It was the Rev. Mr. Clare who ordered
the troops to clear the Market-place and the streets, and the
officer then gave, orders to the men. I went to the Lich-
gates. They were closed, and there was a great crowd inside.
They were throwing stones. 1 was struck twice. I saw the
horse fall. He fell twice. He got up after the first fall, but
was down in an instant again. That horse died. I don't think
there was a shot fired when the horse fell. I saw only one sol-

Bier intoxicated. That was in the Market-place. He was
brought to the Swan, dismounted, and locked up for the night.
Witness spoke of- the state of the town on Thursday and Fri-
day, which he concurred with former witnesses in describing
as one of great excitement.
Sarah Peacock—Continued three hours in the tumult with-
out being at all alarmed. Did not see the soldiers strike any
one—they were quite cool. It was a little after nine when
the soldiers fired over the people's heads.
Joseph Sparrow, night-surveyor of the watch, and three
watchmen, deposed to the tumultuous conduct of the mob,
and the forbearance of the military.
The Rev. John Clare, a Magistrate of the Courts for thirty
years, and Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions for tenyear
of that time. This gentleman's " personal observation was
not much." Fifty or sixty special constables were sworn into'
act under the direction of Mr. Jordan. I went to the front
room of the Swan. Saw the greatest consternation there, the
persons expressing the greatest alarm and calling on me for
protection. They showed me stones with which the room was
strewed, and pointed to the windows that were broken, and
called on me to give protecticra and :tad the Ries_ Ae, , te,
which I objected, and when I was there I saw an inunease
body of people ; I do not know to what amount ; I never saw
such a body there before ; should think two thousand in a
dense mass. This gentleman's evidence, which extends to
great length, was corroborative of the principal facts stated by
preceding witnesses. He was urged to read the Riot .Act,
but declined until he had tried to persuade the people to dis-
perse. He did not go out with the soldiers. He never gave
any order to fire, nor heard any given. The soldiers under
Captain Manning acted immediately after the Riot Aet was
read. I heard the firing. I knew I was the only Magistrate
in the town, but expressed no surprise at the firing and took no
measures to prevent it. I might have said to Captain Manning
that he should act according to his own judgment and discre-
tion. I might have said this in the passage of the inn.
Mr. Hill, Magistrate and banker, did not interfere during
the election beyond the swearing in special constables. I
wrote a letter to the commanding officer of the troop (which
letter Mr. Clare signed), requesting him to hold himself in
readiness to come at a moment's notice. Soon after we sent
a second letter, requesting him to come to Sedgeley, three
miles from Wolverhampton. That letter was sent in conse-
quence of a further communication with the High Constable.
When the poll was closed the crowd came in so rapidly that
Mr. Clare and I thought it necessary to send a message for
the troops to come nearer to the town, but not into it until
further orders. I stopped in the church-yard from four
o'clock until nearly five, and saw reason to request the soldiers
to enter the town, the election being over. I gave the order
to the High Constable, Captain Jordan. The market-place
was as full as possible at that time. After that I observed that
the crowd became more quiet. The ordinary civil power of
Wolverhampton is miserably weak for such a population. Two
constables are appointed by the Court Leet, and they appoint
four deputies, one of whom superintends the night, and another
looks after the market-place, and receives the tolls. Those
two are paid by the Corporation, the other two have no re-
muneration, except what they derive from serving warrants,
&c. Those special constables who were sworn in were told to
place themselves under the command of Captain Jordan. I
heard shots fired as I entered the town. I know of no orders
given by Mr. Clare to Captain Manning. This gentleman's
evidence (which closed the case on the part of the Magis-
trates) was in the main the same as that given by the Rev.
Mr. Clare.
The case for the people was then entered upon. The first
witness called was
The Rev. S. Hunter, who spoke to the peaceable disposition
of the crowd on Wednesday up to a quarter before seven.
Mr. Bolton, solicitor—l was at the booth in Darlington-
street, at which there was about one dozen people. I was at
the booth in the square three times on that day. The
people wore peaceable. I saw no obstruction offered to any
voter the first time. The second, Sparrow, the constable,
had some difficulty in making room for a chaise. This was
owing to the density of the crowd: I saw nothing like vios
fence. I did hear hissing and hooting, but the conduct of the
people Was peaceable and even cheerful, I saw no constable
present except Sparrow, and I saw him of his own accord
clear a apace of about two yards round the booth. On Wed-
nesday evening I went from home into Bilston-street, and
from thence to Stafford-street, and my own garden. I saw
no violence as I went along. On my way bnck I met in Bury-
street a crowd of women and children running in great alarm-
I saw two soldiers, but I saw no violence on either side.
went home, but went out again afterwards to look for my bro-
ther, and saw soldiers in Dudley-street, who appeared to be
riding furiously—one of them on the footway. People were
running away in different directions. There was plenty of
room at the time for two horses in the streetway. I saw no
stones thrown that night. A little after ten o'clock I went to
St. John's-square to bring home a young lady who was on a
visit at my house. I overtook three women in Temple-street.
In Bond-street I heard a shot near mo and ran Into St. John-
street, On returning home I found my hall-door locked, and
my family in great alarm. When I was at the booths Mr.
Manby and others in the booth were any thing but alarmed.
The next day I passed the Swan, and counted only five squares
of glass broken.
Mr. Charles Sheppard, factor—About ten minutes before
six on Wednesday, I saw one gentleman in the Swan window,
on the right of the balcony, draw the blind on one side,
and put his Angers to his nose in an indecent and pro-
voking manner. The people yelled and hooted. I saw no
constables acting in the market place, but I saw a few of them
standing under the Swan. On Wednesday night some one in
the mob attempted to take my stave away from me. There
was a crowd of 300 or 400 persons near the Swan on Thurs-
day evening. Neither myself nor any other special constable
interfered, for we had no direction how to act. I went to
Captain Jordon for orders, but he gave me none, The Riot
Act was read by Mr. Briscoe on that night, and the bugle im-
mediately sounded. In about five minutes the soldiers went
out and cleared the market-place.
Thomas Davis-- On Wednesday there were /Asses and
groans, and some manure Nyfls guilg at the carriage that was
taking the poll clerks away, From four o'clock until neirly
seven, I was in Dudley-street, and saw no signs of disorder.
J. G. Higgs spoke to the peaceable state of the town on
Wednesday, and to the fact that- being a collector of the
market tolls he was enabled to collect them on the Wednes-
day without the slightest obstruction. One of his men was
beaten by a soldier while assisting to Tel-me. tliip stalls, and the
--'4;er subsequently cocked his carbine, and threatened
saute - they sought refuge, if they did
to fire &lin MI entry, -
not come out. Ile firmly believed tirx;i the soldier wits drtyll;
It was his opinion at the time.
The Court adjourned shortly after seven o'clock.