The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-02-02 00:00:00

my answer,

-Having now, to the best of my ability, performed the religi-
ous as well as moral duty which I owed to the province, I issued
a proclamation, calling upon those who had been seduced to
join in the unnatural rebellion, to return to their duty, in which
case I informed them that they would, find the government of
their Qieen indulgent as it was just ; and having given them
this last opportunity to disperse, I allowed -the brave militia of
Upper Canada'io advance, and the result of this trial by battle
Was the ptiblic verdict which I had always anticipated.
The rebels dispersed in allditectitinsurrendeted everywhere
at discretion ; those of their leaders who were not taken pri-
soners, absconded to the United States; and before sun set the
whole conspiracy exploded. •

In the London districte„a similar proof of public opinion was
practically evinced. To the militia, nobly commanded .by Col.
MeNatr, Speaker of the .House of Assembly, upwards. of 300
misguided' people laid down their armsl.—ctavits-g pardon for
their goiltrYsking permission to assist the loyal militia in-cap-
toring the ftigitive leaders, who, they declared, had not only
deceived, but deserted them—and the affair being thus con-
chided, there- remained-Uri-Uri rebel throughout the whole pro-
vince in arms!—indeed, so complete was their defeat, that ge-
neral orders Were immediately issued by me, announcing that
there was " no further 'occasion for the resort of militia to
Tororito".and that the militia of the Bathurst, Johnstown,
Ottaws, the Eastern districts might march to LoWer Canada,
in aid of the Queen's forces:

• contesß which history has been compelled to
record, I conceive that (here has never been a question 'more
fairly submitted to the judgment of a free people, than that
which in Upper Canada has just ended the total defeat moral
•as well as plrysical, of the opponents of the British constitution.
• The triumph has been that of reason over force—of good
laws over anarchy—of bravery, fidelity, and generosity on the
part of the militia, over murder, arson and robbery, by the
rebels. • • •

Tranquillity had returned to the land—angry passions had
subsided—the political atmosphere of the province was becom-
ing healthy after the storm which had passed over it, when, 1
regret to inform you, that the peace of th,- province was suddenly
invaded from a quarter iron which her majesty's subjects in
this province had certainly never calculated upon receiving an
attack.

I need not on this occasion declare that the Americans are a
people with whom the British empire for many years has as-
siduously•cultivated the most friendly connecticn. Our govern-
ment has looked upon them as its allies—our people have -inti-
mately connected themselves with their commerce—our capital
has irrigated their land—unliinited credit has been fraternally
extended to them with the unsuspecting confidence which in the
civilized world is reposed in men of charactet and truth—we
have rejoiced in their success, and we have done all that a ge-
nerous nation could do, .to save them from the e'xpense:and
misery of war. It is true, we were once opponents, but the
hatchet of war has long been buried,. and I must own I had
hoped that the spirits of- our mutual ancestors were sacredly
guarding its tomb!
Such are the taelinf;rs of the British people toward the Ameri-
cans, and yet I regret to inform you, that in a mornent.of 'pro-.
found peace and of professed friendship, a considerable number
of Americans, regardless of the crimes committed, as well as
of the degraded character of the man, have sympathised with
the principal rebel, who has lately absconded as a criminal from
our land... I regret to inform you, that Atnetican citizens of in•-
fluence and great wealth.have come fiirwao to coerce ' the brave
and independent people of Upper Canada, to change laws and
-institutions which they have lately, by open and almost univer-
sal suffrage, publicly 'declared that they prefer.
The American press has, to my astonishment, in many in 7
stances, advocated this flagrant act of injustice; and such has.
been the *popular excitement, that not only has'a body of. A owl i-
cans, headed by American leaders, within a few days taken
possession of. Navy Island, (which belongs.to the British, em-
pire,) but a proclamation has just been issued from this spot,
declaring that the standard of liberty is planted in Canada—
that a proviSional government is establiAect there,—that a re-
'ward of £5OO is offered for my apprehension—that 300 acres of
lier Majesty's lands will he freely bestowed by this provisional
government upon any volunteer who Shall personally assist in
•invading.„our. freedom and it is added that " ten millions of
these lands, fair and fertile, will speedily lie.at their disposal,
with the'Other vast resources of a country more extensive and
rich in .natural resources than the, United Kingdom or old
France. ,;

am- itiformad -that &tnericans- from_..various: quarters are
hitstening from the inferior to join this standard of avowed
finnder and revolt—that: cannon and arms are publicly pro-
c,eiling.there=and under these circumstances, it becomes toy
'painful duty to iufocrnthat .without having offered to the
Unitt:d.States, the smallest 'provocation—without having enter-
tained the slightest douht of the sincerity of American alliance,
the inhabitants of, this province may in a few dais be called
upon by me to defend. their hires, their properties, and their li-
i,erties, from an attack by American citizens, which, 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 6rmt reliance : and if this unwarrantable invasion
should proceed, I know I shall not in vain require every Bri-
tish subjectcooly.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 baud of people, violating
their own laws, our laws, as well as the sacred obligations of
natjpnal amity, intrude themselves upon peaceable inhabitants,
lavnessly to advocate by force of arms the practical blessings
and advantages of republican institutions, which, by their own
showing have at least ended with them in anarchy and plun-
der),, and as every country is a natural, fortress to. its inhabi,
tants—as every village is a strong military pOsition—and as
every bridge and ravine can be advantageously defended—l
must own, that deeply as I should lament a conflict of this na-
ture,-I entertain no feeling of anxiety for the result. the peace-
fulinhabitants of Upper Canada wilt not lie left to defend 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 tinhap.py. con-sequence of an intolerant invasion
of our freedom, the civilized world; while it- sympathizes with
our just cause, will view with feelings of astonishment and ab-
horrence thiS attempt of a body of American citizens treacher-
ously 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 go-
vernment wants neither the will nor the power to controut its
people. If otherwise, the defensive course which the inhabi-
tants of Upper Canada must be called upon to-adopt, is plain
and clear..

In the meanwhile, however, it is but justice to the 4mericau
nation to allow them, notwithstanding our territory has been
already invaded by their citizens the opportunity of nobly vin-
dicating, as I firmly believe they will, the integrity of their go-
vernment and institutions; and I have to inform you, that with
this peaceful object iu view, 1 have communicated with the Go-
vernor of the stale of. New
.York, with whim I have hitherto
'been on the,Most friendly terms, as also with her majesty's ini7
sister at Washington ; and awaiting their replies, I have rein-
forced the,gallant militia of the frontier, by a strong corps of
observation, and have made arrangements for a jittieral.call
upon the militia, in case their serYices should be'unfurtunately
requited.. . -

. •
Gentlemen of the house of Assembly: ; •
I shall direct the publicL Accounts, and the estimate for the
emning year to be laid before you.
The ordinary supplies necessary for the public service will, I
have no doubt, be granted; and it cannot but be expected that
the late•rastrittiempr-to'produce confusion in the province, will-
give•rise to- gir increase in the public expenditure, and create
some new claims upon the justice and bounty of the legislat
Yod will, I doubt not, consider the propriety of indeinnifyitig
any of the inhabitants of this province who. have sustained
serious lasses from thelmtraueous.aemof the insurgunts, and of
providing pensions for the very few subjects of her Majesty a ho
may have been disabled by wounds received in the defence of
their laAvs.-
Honourable Gentlemen, and Gentlemen;

Ir. you were assembled under ordinary circumstances, there
would be several matters relating to tie• improvement of the
province, to the general welfare of its inhabitants, and to the•
encouragement of emigration, which I should desire to submit
to your consideration; but you will probably agree with me in,
th nking.that it.may-be p udent to admit of your speedy return
to your several:districts, by forbearing as mue•h as possible-to
enter at this time opt the discussion of business which can Le
prcperlY postponed. • . • • -
Nothing perhaps presses so earnestly for immediate consider-
ation as the adoption of such measures as may most effectually
secure the inhabitants of this province against the recurrence of
the danger to which they have lately been exposed.
Every Ole must feel, that the people who-.. at this inclement
season, forsook their families and rushed in thousands to the
defence of their independence and their laws, deserve that every
exertion should be made, by their - legislature for their future
protection; and having seen the misery which the late violent
insurrection against the laws has inflicted upon many hundreds
of people and their fariiilies, ive must feel that humanity reqnires
every reasonable precaution to be taken, for enabling the go-
vernment in future to'suppress such guilty proceedings in their
earliest stage's.
.You are intimately acquainted with the character, the wishes
and the interests of your fellow subjects; for whom it is your
privilege to legislate; you are well able to judge of the causes
of those es Hs *hich we deplore, and I can leave it with conti
dence to your discretion to devise whatever' measures may ap-
Per beit suited -fo'r..mdin6irring the public't ranquillit y, and for
Protecting the Jives and proneriies of her Majesty's-subjects.
Ynn will mil fill rilsti-to:devote Your most serious consider-
.ation to the means of preventing or repelling such hostile
ng-
gre!ssions upon our territory, by the-people of a-friendly power,
as our frontier at this moment exhibits; for we owe it to our
honour, and to the British name, to be vigilant and firm'at such
a crisis.

(Pro-1i- the Commercial Advertiser, Jan. 5:)

A letter in the Argus. dated Niagara Falls, Deeeniber 31,
(Sunday),•states, that the inhabitants of the village hart formed
themselves into a• company, for the defence of the frontier.—
The same thing has been thine at Buffalo. Rochester, Le;visto.n.
and indeed, all along the frontier. It will be well if these cow-
panics confine themselves to the defence or our own territory.
The,had spirit is more actively at. woik than'ever, and we are
fully-prepared to hear of thous-amts flocking-10 join the "army"
of kir. Mackenzie, now that they find with what indifference
our :,national and state governments look upon violations of
neutrality.

The same letter says that boats from the Canadaside appeared
several times during the night of the 30th; but were fired at'
from the American shore, and quickly returned to their own.

Park, at which arypngernelits were made for another meeting,
to be held vesterda v attertiocal. _ .

'The Rochester the Buffalo Star, and Journal, and
t he.flibuny Argus autil Evening Journal, teem with exciting rn-
inours,.aud appeals 4rell.cilicill.ited to urge the people on to the
most rash and violent proceedings.
There is no truth ia the reports that troops have landed on
Grand island froin the Canada shore.

The Buffalo papers contain a► correspondence between the
U. S. district attorne r, and Col. McNitb, dated the 29th, (be-
fore the attack on the steam boat), in which the latter gives the
most positive assurances that no man under his command shall
put his foot on the American territory in hostile guise, and
authorizes the American authorities to treat any British sub-
ject who shall do so, as an outlaw.

(Frain the Gimmereial Advertiser, Jan. 6.)
Faoitf Tito. FaoNTlEit.—We have no Buffalo papers this
morning. The latest information front that city is contained
in the following letter to .the editor of the Albany Evening
Journal. BUFFALO, 1537.

T. WEED, Esq.—Dear Sir,—Our city is a perfect Military
camp, and the excitement here is beyond any thing you can
irossihly imagine. There;are at least 3,009 armed men in the
city this night, and mote are corittantly arriving. General
Ltort's brigade came in to-flay from the adjoining towns in such
on ambers, and with such feeling and determination to avenge
the, death of our people on board the Caroline, that it is almost
impossible for our most cOnsiderate and prudent men to pie-
Vent them from marching', directly to Navy Island, and, of
course, openly violating our neutrality. T hey Continue to re-
ceive recruits of men and arms upon the island constantly, and
what. it will.end in, God only knows. General Gould, of Roches-
ter, I.lr. Johnson, of this city, and the United States district
attorney, N. Senton, came up in the cars this evening, from
below, and report that there has been much heavy firing be-
tweed, the island and the main shore this afternoon—that the
royalist breastworks were again knocked to pieces, but they had
not ascertained whether any one was killed. They expect an
attack 'to-night, but as the royalists had but 130 regulars, who
arrived, last night from Kingston, I scarcely believe it.
I write. this to apprise you of the real state of things. You.
will get plenty of stories, and more particularly from the slips,
but theylcannot always be depended on. Yours truly, D.

• • (From the Albany Argus, of yesterday.)
We have nothing farther from the frontier. Yesterhyls
wegtexa m ail brought nothing West of Utica, except :port
that an attack had been made upon Navy Island, (hat the Bri-
tish forces had been repulsed with loss and with the capture of
their heats, that Mr.. Van Rensselaer had crossed the river, and
that the patriot .flag was fling at Chippewa. It-is, no dOubt,
one of the thousand unfounded rumours in circulation, and -en-
titled to no credit.

We hear from Buffalo, on the Ist instant, that the commissary
general was about to proceed from that place to Navy Island,
to demand the restoration of any property belonging to this
state that should be found there. • •

(From the Courier and Enquirer, fan. 8. )

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SPATES OF AMERICA

A PRQCLAMATION„

Whereas, information li;iving 'been received-of a dangerous
excitement on the northern frontier of the United States, in
consequence of the civil war begun -fit Canada, and instructions
having been given to the United States officers on that frontier,
and application having been made to the governors of the ad-
joining states to prevent any unlawful interference on the pout
of our citizens in the contest unfortunately commenced in the
British Provinces: additional information• has just been re-
ceived, that, notwithstanding the proelamations of thegovernors
of the states of New York and Vermont, exhorting their col-
tizens to refrain from any acts within the territory of the
United States; and, notwAhstanding the presence of the civil
officers of the United States. who by my direction have visited
the scenes of commotion with the view of impressing the citi-
zens with a proper sense of their duty, the excitement instead
of being appeased, is every day increasing in degree—that arms
and ammunitions of war, and other supplies have been procured
by the insurgents in the United States—that a military force,
consisting, in part at least, of citizens of the United Stales, had
been actually organized, had congregated at Navy !stand, and
were still in arms under the command of a citizen of the United
States, and that they were constantly receiving accessions
and aid.
Now, therefore, to the end that the authority of the laws may
he maintained, and the faith of treaties observed, I, MARTIN
VAN BUREN, do most earnestly exhort all citizens of the
United States who have thus violated their duties, to return
peaceably to their respective homes; and I hereby warn them,
that any persons who shall compromise the neutrality of this go-
vernment by interfeling in an unlawful manner with the afftirs
of the neighbouring British Provinces, will render themselves
liable to arrest and punishment under the laws of the United
States, which will be rigidly enforced; and, also, that they will
receive no aid or countenance from their government into what-
ever difficulties they may be thrown by the violation or the laws
of- their country, and .of the territory of a neighbouring and
friendly nation.
Given tinder my hand at the city of Washington, the fifth day
of January, A. D. 1838, and the sixty-second of the indepen-
dence of the United states.
MARTIN VAN BUREN.

By the President:
JOHN Fottsyrit, Secretary of State,

`Correspondence of the Courier and Enquirer:
ALBANY, JAN, 4, 1838
Little business of importance was transacted' to-day in either
House of the Legislature. ' A notice to fix on the third day of
April for the adjournment of the'present'session, vou.will'per-
ceive, has already been introduced in the Assembly. The
experiment of fixing on a time within which the Le(gilattire
shall do up their jobs at law weaving to be considered as worth
trying by Most of the members. One of the two things would
result from the adoption of the resolution. We should either
have less legislation, or leSs tacking. The former would be
infinitely preferable. •
The,great `• lion" of the day in this city, was the adjourned
meeting-in reference to the Schlosser Wail. in particular, and
Canadian Independence in general. The Mayor. Tennis Van
VeChten, Esq, presided. Spii ited resofut tons were introduced
on the part of the committee appointed to draft them at the
meeting on Tuesday, by S. S. Lush, Esq., who accompanied
them with an equally spirited speech. Ile was followed by S.
Stevens, Esq., of this city. Hon. Mr. Dickinson, of the Senate,
and Joshua A. Spencer, Esq., of Utica, all of whom, as welt
might be expected, made stirring appeals to the immense
assemblage.
We ate all anxiously awaiting further information, and feel
almost inclined to regret the mild weather, as affecting the re-
gularity of the mail. There seems Co be no other theme of
conversation than the Canadian outbreaks. Public curiosity is
whetted to the very finest edge—and were news borne with the
rapidity of the lightning, there would be those who would yet
complain of the mail's delay.

CaIiIBINATIoN.L—MR. O'CONNELL.—On Tuesday last
another meeting was held in Dublin, for the purpose of
'considering the subject of combination, at which O'Con-
nell made another display of his wonted itnpudence, vio-
lence, and hypocrisy. The scene which ensued upon his
getting up to address the assembled trades baffles all de-
scription. In the very arena of his former popularity
this unprincipled agitator was assailed with a volley of
groans, which seemed to drive him into a frenzy of rage
and distraction.• Never was there an instance of such
humiliation presented in the history of any individual
of equal influence, as was witnessed in the case of this
" bold, bad man,"- on the occasion to which we allude.
So ungovernable did the audience become, in the ex-
pression of their disapprobation at the course which
O'Connell was pursuing, that he found it necessary to
move that the meeting should be dissolved, without pass.
inn .a single resolution. At the close of the meeting, as
we learn from the following paragraph, O'Connell was
once more obliged- to be escorted by a body of police.
The Dublin papers thus describe his retirement from the
scene of uproar
"The Lord Mayor, with Mr. O'Connell and-several of their
friends, rose to retire. Mr. O'Connell was saluted with the
most deafening groans, and cries of " there he goes, the traitor !"
"Ah, the big beggarmau." " You are shying the Canadians ;"
and other expressions equally insulting. A number of trades-
men then jumped upon the table, with a viety, it was supposed,
of addressing the meeting, while those of their brethren in the
rear pressed forward, so that Mr. O'Connell would have found
great difficulty in forcing a passage to the door, but for the
timely aid of a large body of the new police, which were oppor-
tunely brought into the room at this juncture. The police acted
with great propriety. Their presence to a great extent, ap-
peased the tumult of insulting e`xpressions which were !flawed
out on Mr. O'Connell ; but so excited were the feelings
of the working classes, both in the Exchange .and in the
adjoining streets, that a crowd followed Mr. O'Connell down
Dame-street, hooting and groaning at him. He was obliged to'
retire. into the Chamber of Commerce to escape from further
insult."

Thus has O'Connell been the author of his own ruin.
The men from whose vengeance he is now obliged to be
guarded by a body of police are the very people by whom
he was formerly idolised—who uniformly graced his tri-
umphal car—who applauded his inflamniatory harangues
to the very echo—who were the willing instruments to
execute his commands—and who constituted the most
important section of his constituents. Why are they
now opposed to him ? • Why do they now refuse to lis-
ten to him—hoot at him—and even threaten him with
personal violence ? The cause is obvious. They have
been deceived by him—they have found out the hypo-
crisy of his practices—they recognise in him, not a
friend, but a treacherous Toe, who has first deluded and,
then betrayed them.
It is, however, consolatory to reflect, that the very
weapons which he summoned to his aid in his unprinci-
pled course of agitation have, at length, been converted
into the instruments of his present humiliation. Ile
persons who are now found among his bitterest oppo-
nents were, in a great measure, called into existence as
a body, by O'Connell himself.
But what shall we say of the principles of this reckless
man, when we contrast his present with his former con-
duct on this very subject. of combination. He now de-
nounces the system as the object of unmitig,-,ated'abhor-
renee. Altit has he always held the same opinion as:to
its pernicious and illegal character ? Let us see. In the
Dublin Evening Mail we find the following striking ex-
hibition of O'Connell's duplicity and inconsistency :

. .
" It is our business to delineate life, as it Hies in all itz
aspects. It is a task which unfortunately dispels many illusion,.
If it were in our power. to give consistency to vice, and distin-
guish, under every appearance, the genuine character of virtue,