The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-12-07 00:00:00

services shall be engaged for a continuous period of eighteen
months. I have further authorized the assembling, for a
shorter period, of other corps of militia in various places;
-and it is with much satisfaction that I am enabled to add,

that many of these brave men have already promptly en-
rolled themselves. _ _

On the magistracy, and other influential classes, I im-
plicitly- depend for that important aid which is so much iu
their power, and which they have always shown themselves
so ready to afford. I exhort them to direct their attention to
the channels through which information respecting the de-
signs of their enemies may be derived—to guard against de-
lusive statements—and to act with calmness, judgment, and
decision; in the preservation of the public peace. 1 also
call upon those who . have so recently experienced the lenity
of the executive, to evince their gratitude for the large mea-
sure of mercy extended to them, and to prove the sincerity of
their professions of repentance for their former errors.
Nor can I let pass this opportunity of earnestly cautioning
you against the hasty adoption of opinions injurious to your
confidence in the sincere intentions of the government on
the all important subject of religious instruction. While I
am most anxious to secure to you and your children this ines-
timable blessing, it is not my wish to a eea dominant church
established over you, or the members of one religious com-
munity either rendered subject to the spiritual jurisdiction,
or called upon to contribute to the temporal support of ano-
ther. And I trust that any misapprehension on this subject
will he removed when I declare to you my conviction, that
no such result can or will flow from any measure of church
appropriation which has hitherto been made, or still lest
from the course of policy which it is my intention to recom-
mend in this matter.

Apparent as it must be to every one, that our security will
chiefly depend on the preservation of perfect harmony and
concord among ourselves, I cannot refrain, on an occasion
like the present, from offering a few observations on this all-
important subject. In every community, differences, result-
ing from opposition of interests, diversity of tastes, and con-
scientious scruples in matters of religion, will necessarily
exist; and these when restrained within those bounds which
the principles of Christianity enjoin, may exist in times of
peace and tranquility, without any prejudice to the general
interests of society. lit is even possible that they may, in
some instances, tend directly to promote them. But when
the plunder of our property, and the total overthrow of our
venerable constitution, have become the "latest dream at
night, and the earliest vision of the morning," with a few
desperate traitors, leagued with a numerous anditti on our
frontier, it is the part of prudence, no less than of duty, to
lay aside all difference on minor matters, and to unite hand
and heart in the defence of everything that is dear to us. I
do, therefore, most earnestly and most affectionately advise
and recommend you. to bury, as much as possible, those re-
collections of past events, which may tend to keep alive
angry feelings towards those of your fellow-subjects who
have once strayed from the path of duty and may now be
sincerely desirous of returning to it—to avoid all irritating
discussions—and to drown all differences in a common regard
for the public safety. Let the only contest between us
henceforth be, who shall show himself the best man, and the

most loyal subject.
Inhabitants ofUpper Canada! —lt is not to arouse your pa-
triotism and loyalty—since they, I know, require no stimu-
lant—but rather to allay any undue apprehensions, or ex-
cessive excitement, which rumour may have produced, that
I now address you; and in requiring you to be prepared to
repel, with steady heart, and ready hand, the first aggression
on the part of the lawless bligands, who threaten your •ectu-
aity, I can confidently assure you that there are ample means
at my disposal for your protection.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Toronto, this
fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty-eight, and of her Majesty's reign
the second. Gao. AnTHUIt.
By his Excellency's command.

C. A. HAGERMAN,
Attorney-General.

R. A. Tucker, Secretary.
GOD SAVE TIIE QUEEN.
The above proclamation of Sir George Arthur is a
production worthy of an honest and straightforward
British soldier. It is a pity that the superlative dolts
who now occupy the treasury benches at home did not
confide the future government of the Canadas in the
hands of Sir Francis Bond Head and Sir George Ar-
thur, instead of sending over Lord Durham to foster
the spirit of discontent, and " more embroil the fray."
If the former gentlemen bad been invested with the
same authority that was given to the upstart coal lord,
we should not have been employed in detailing the
particulars of another revolt in Canada. Their firm-
ness and prudence, and, above all, their chivalrous
loyalty to the British throne—qualities for which
Lord Durham is, by no means, conspicuous—would
have effectually crushed the rising hopes of the traito-
rous papists and revolutionists. Canada would now
have been at peace under their sway; and the alter-
native of a war with the United States would have
been averted. But what was the peace of Canada to
our present tottering ministry compared to the oppor.
tunity which was presented to them of expatriating a
dangerous rival?

We are sorry that our space will not permit us to
give a fuller detail of the more recent transactions on
the frontiers and in Upper Canada. We must con-
tent ourselves with a brief abstract. On the morning
of the 12th an attempt was made by rebels to capture
a British vessel in the American waters, at the mouth
of Genessee river. The following particulars re-
specting this outrage are furnished by a correspond-
ent of the lilor2zing Herald :

Rochester, Nov. 13, 1838.
Dear Sir,-1 hasten to inform you of a singular outrage
that occurred at our city last night. The British schooner
Caroline, of and for Toronto, Upper Canada, laden with a
valuable cargo of merchandise, cleared last night, and was
to sail early this morning. About midnight she was boarded
by twenty armed men, who took possession of her in the name
of the patriotic government, confined the captain and crew
below, and attempted to navigate the vessel into the lake.
From our harbour to the lake is six miles, and not being fa-
miliar with the channel, the patriots, or pirates, got aground
near the mouth of the river. Unable to get the vessel off the
shoal, they abandoned her, and took to the woods, and have
not yet been arrested. The captain made a deposition of the
above facts before the proper authorities this afternoon, and
has sailed for Canada. It will produce great excitement on
the other side: many of our inhabitants fear rdtaliation. Thus
recommence the outrages that disgraced our frontier last
winter Yours, &c.
In addition to this intelligence, we learn from numerous
letters before us, received Irons ie frontier, extending from
Buffalo to Ogdenburg, that all the idle loafers in the jute.

Jr of the state are concentrating at various points, and
_hat a general onset will be made on the 20th instant. The out-
rage at Rochester is only the first mutterings of the thunder.
Our correspondents state that the number of loafers capable
of forming materials to attack Canada are estimated as fol-

,OWS :
Buffalo and neighbourhood
Niagara do.
Rochester do.
Northern frontier 2500

Aggregate loafers or patriots 9OOO
Nothing can step the emeute, but the vigorous arm of the
American government. General Scott, we learn, has been
ordered to the northern frontier. But unfortunately, while
the government is apparently endeavouring to maintain its
neutrality, all its supporters here and on the frontier are ac-
tively engaged in fanning the flames. The New Era, the go-
vernment organ here, says, that "the patriotic cause is the
good cause."

A similar attack is also detailed in the following

correspondence :

Oydensburgh, November 12,
Early this morning it was discovered that two schooners_
loaded with armed men, lay in the river between this village
and Prescott. Expectation was soon rife, and excitement
prevaded the whole population. It was obvious that Fort
Wellington was the point of attack, and our citizens soon
thronged the shore, eager to catch every movement.
A small armed steam-boat was lying at the opposite wharf,
and the people of Prescott, parading up and down from the
village to the fort, gave no small evidence that no small de-
gree of hubbub and excitement pervaded the population.
One of the schooners containing the rebel armament had
gone aground during the night, end a baud of armed men
seized the steam-boat United States, and pressed some of the
hands into their service for the purpose of getting her off.
She, however, was not able to reach the schooner, as the
water was not sufficient for her draft, and she came into port
for a longer hawser. As she went out again, the Experiment
(a British armed steam-boat) greeted her with two shots,
which missed, and she passed down the river.
About nine o'clock, a. tn., one detachment of the forces
made a landing on the Canada shore, about a mile below Fort
Wellington, and whether they were attacked or not is uncer-
tain. Our opinion is that a party attacked them, but retieated
at the first fire. Men have been constantly crossing to them
in small boats, and up to this hour (two o'clock p. nr.) about
Liao are supposed to have joined them.
The great scene of excitement, however, has been on the
water. The Experiment kept up an irregular fire during
the forenoon on the schooner and the United States. Watch-
ing their various evolutions, and observing the skipping of
the shot as they glanced along the surface of the water,
formed a very exciting scene in a quiet village like this.
Betty len 11 and 12 o'crock, the Paul Pry, used as a ferry-
boat between this place and Prescott, went to the relief of
the schooner that lay on the bar, and succeeded in getting
her afloat. The Experiment threw in her shots at a liberal
rate, and they were so near several times, thatthev exchanged
musket and rifle shots. It is reported that the 'Experiment
sustained a lass of seven men—the schooner none.
After the schooner got afloat, the United Status came up
and entered the harbour. As she passed the armed steam-
boat a shot passed through the wheel-house, and killed every
worthy young man, by the name of Foster, a steersman on
the boat.
Three o'clock, p.m.—The rebel forces occupy a windmill,
about a mile below Prescott, and it is understood that there
is another body above who have taken up a bridge, and stand
prepared to defend themselves.
The afternoon has been quiet so far. Small boats are
constantly crossing with men and arms.
We have a most favourable location for observing the
movements, as our window affords a full view of Prescott
and the river above and below, for two or three miles. Pres-
cott is unusually quiet this afternoon. We have hardly seen
a m'iving being in the streets or about it.
Six o'clock, p.m.—Arms and ammunition appear to
abundant. The schooners have placed themselves near the
wharf on which the windmill stands. A body of loyalists,
reported 400, are on their march from Brockville (12 miles
above this) to meet them, and if the parties have an appetite
for cold fighting, we may expect important events soon.

WHAT ARE MINISTERS DOING ?—ln the present
position of Great Britain, in reference to its foreign
relations—to our colonial possessions—and to our

domestic politics, the question naturally recurs,
" What are ministers doing le" Never, since tin

period of the threatened invasion of our island by
Buonaparte and his legions, has the country been in a
more alarming condition than it is at present : and
yet, amidst the impending dangers by which she is
surrounded—dangers of a magnitude to appal the
most resolute statesman—amidst the insults offered to
our national flag—the contumely heaped upon our
representatives in foreign countries—and the revolu-
tionary tumult which is spread over our colonies, we
are constrained to ask—and we blush for the honour-
of our country when we propose the humiliating
question,--" What are ministers doing Y"
What is our present position ? Look at Great