The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-12
From The Journal Of Commerce.
CANADA AFFAIRS. IA.

The condition and prospects Of the insurgents Of the
Lower Province imperfecy known here at present,
contradictory are the statements put forth by the
contending parties and their adhcrens. Enough how
ever is known to make i certain that The dsafectcd IN
that Province consisting chiefly Of Canadians" SO
called, descendants OF the original French settlers,
have at last matnrcd their projects into open rebellion
against the government The French inhabitants of
Lower Canada constitute about ourhith Of the whole
population; and from the best information within
reach led to suppose that very large part of
them in sympathy at least, the side OF the insur
gents Numerically therefore, the advantage 10 decld-
eddy in their favor But, usually happens in such
cases. they destitute Of organization, discipline, and
resources, while the other hand, the government
holds its bidding the garrisons The civil and military
organizations, the regular troops, and all the resources
Of the British empire. The present regular force Of the
British government in North America has been stated
only $500. We are inclined to think 1t is greater. 1t
however not sufficient of ITSELF TO cope with the force
which the insurgents could bring into the field, should
the nsurecton become general among the French in
habitants; and it will be next to impossible for the go
rernment TO send renforcemcns from England before
spring In very few weeks days the ST. Lawrence
will be closed by ice after which the ony communica-
ton with Quebec from the Atlantic coast say at Hall
fax, will be by land distance Of 700 miles, througha
frozen and inhospitable region To march any consi
deabe body Of troops such distance in the depth of
winter is impossible; or so nearly impossible that it
doubtless will not be attempted. The government forces
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, or many Of them
could any way be spared have already proceeded,
about to proceed to the Of Instruction. This
shows that the authorities Of Canada consider the crisis
a serious one. The next question is, whether the GO
vernment forces will be sustained by the militia of the
Upper Province We imagine they will be, il necessa-
ry. The population of that Province consists almos
exclusively Of Brtons and Americans, aud their de-
scendants and their sympa,hies generally with the
government rather than with the French party Never
| Al AL
their accomplishing much against the insurgents until
the opening of navigation in tho spring. by which time
powerful succors would arrive from England. The
present issue Of the contest may therefore turn upon the
success or defeat Of the government regulars. Of the
ultimate issue, there can be doubt True the colo
MES now constituting the United States did achieve
their independence in spite of the mother country but
their population was several times numerous than
that Of Lower Canada and they also had, during part
Of the contest, the cooperation Of France. Further
more, the Canadians degenerate race and cannot
bear mp against disappointment pryaon, and suffer
ings, did the hardy yeomanry OF l776 And still
further Britain Is more powerful now than she then was,
and not crippled in her resources by foreign II
therefore, by possibility, the insurgents should get pos
session Of the Lower Province, Except the orresses)
for the time being, would result in nothing but tho
greater cuson Of blood hereafter, and the e-esablsh-
mcnt of British sovereignty.
Under such circumstances what is the duty Of the
American people Plainly in our view, to dlscounte-
nance the movements Of the insurgents least do
nothing to encourage them Our local position such,
i'll regard to the conending pcrtes to make it
ter Of great importance to the British Government what
attitude we assume And affecting the friendly re-
laons Of the two Governments, tho question Of equal
importance to ourselves, We can't wage i" quasi
war; against Great Britain, as did against Mexico,
without making serious affair Of il before we get
through And five could, what reason is there for so
doing! The Canadians have special claims upon
sympathes, that are aware OF. True they. talk
about liberty Independence, and such like rousng
wordsbut before run at the call, will be well TO
satisfy ourselves that they have been oppressed Ii they
have been, recently, should like to the es-
dcnce fit One thing we know, viz. that the Canad1s
are constant tax upon the British Government An
other thing know, viz that they pay very light duties
upon imports Yet another thing we know, viz. that
these very Canadians strongly represented in tho
Provincial Parliament, that for several years past they
have controlled all It's measures, and among other things
have regularly refused to grant the necessary supplies
for the support Of Government. The parent State has
borne with this contumacy till orbcarance has ceased
TO be virtue, borne with it, in fact, till there is
longer doubt Of Unreasonable intentions. When at length
the agitators and their adhereDts appear with in
their hands, and resist the execution Of the laws by VIC
encc and bloodshed then, and not till then, the
of severity begins. And are we, the people of the
United States, to mnge in such contest, Partizans
and participants We trust not On the other hand, If
il be true as reported that an Express has been sent TO
Washington from Halifax, asking permission to march
body ofoops through angle Of our territory TO Quebec,
we hope the request will be granted. 1t would be
handsome rcciprocaton OF the kind feeling evinced to-
wards by Great Britain in offering herself mediator
between this country and France. The effect would be
most happy upon the general state Of our relations with
Great Britain and especially upon the pending contro-
ycrsy in regard to the N + boundary. We hope it is
not to be part of tho policy OF our citizens to foment
instruction wherever find it. but rather to approve
ourselves as the friends Of order and law Let US, by