The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-04-17

of whom either recent citizens OF, and iuSi'
tves from Canada, or wore by the relations oi prop
erty, Family connexions, or previous residence, IN
timately connected with Canada and its interests,
and some of them were merely boys, acting with
out tho knowledge or consent oil their parents OF
guardians, and none of whom were persons OF char--
ter or influence that such an enterprise Would DC
wholly repugnant to the the wishes and iehngs oil
the people ofTroy if proposed or effected by Amer
lean citizens and that no invasion, or attack, or
menace ofinvusion attack, was oyer maze, tlieal-
ened, talked of by tho people OF Troy, usn'ts.
Canada and the armed force, forces, prepared Tor
that purpose have existed no where but IN inc dis
tressed imaginarions of the people OF Potion and
their redoubtabe defenders Thereiore-
Resolved. That the people OF Troy nave In
all these respects, beer misrepresentation slam
Resolved, That the people of Troy entirely dis
approve of the conduct of those persons from the
United States who were concerned ~ inc irahSac'
action mentioned, and condemn all interference in
the affairs Of Canada in the manner and under the
circumstances set forth by the authorities of and
people of Canada, md soCmniy declare and punish
that they haze not SO tatoIJerod aud mat they
would resist any such interference IN their own
citizens or the citizens of the United States TO the
utmost of their ability.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with those
unfortunate exles, whom merclless aud arbi-
trary government is driving from their homes,
and despong ofther property and that we will
extend to them the protection of our laws and
the rights of hospitality, while they remain among
u.s.
On the motion to adopt tho resolutions, E. John.
son. ESQ being in the char-Df Bard said,
II may be proper, MIR. Chairman, to offer some
explanation on tue resolutions before the meeting
The people OF this town have been charged with Il
high handed outrage upon the territory and sub
iects of a neghboring ~ REHABILITATION. a charge
sir, Of which you, and all present, know you are
not guilty. This charge was first made by the
authorities of Potion, and reiterated by tho of
iccr commanding the Missiskou frontier, and is
| 81, nf p,r Stotn
and probably by those of Canada and elsewhere.
1t is known, Mr., Chairman, that have been en-
gagged taking dispositions relative to tho affair au-
ded to in tho preamble and resolutions; and
have in my possession the history of tho uansac-
tion us sworn by the leaders and most active in
| dividuals who present and participated in ii
| from beginning TO end.-l will state the substance
! of that testimony.
The design in disarming the military force Of
Potion originated with certain Of tho Potion Patri-
sometime III January last, at the time IL first be-
came known among them that arms were 10 be dis.
tributed to the Tory party. The idea seems TO
have been taken up by the Patriot party generally
along the frontier. They held correspondence
on the subject, and organized themselves with re-
ference TO that and the general measures Of attack
upon their opponents; and ut the time the attempt
was made, thGy supposed themselves TO be acting
in concert with their fellow Patriots throughout the
frotier from Detroit to Maine AS far hs Potion
was concerned, they "were organized into three
parties purity started from the Gilman place"
one from "IroVince t1lll, ana tHe OtncT from
"Manson,s Mills" all in Potion, and all of them
consisting of Potion people exclusively. They
came armed into the United States. The party
from the Gilman place proceeded up the river TO
North Troy, where they crossed the river, were
loined by the party from Province Hill, and took
the road down the river, on the east side, and met
the remaining band from Manson's Mills hoon after
crossing the line into Canada, and then proceeded
to the place of attack. They were commanded by
Jonathan b. Bailey, Of Potion. In their passage
through Troy they joined by some persons
living in that town and jay. The whole number
Of persons from this side OF the line, it may be diff
fcult to ascertain with entire precision. The Pot
ton official account Of the transacon says tue par
ty consisted "offrom 30 to so persons from Troy,
Joined by party Of rebels from that township.
Their witnesses identity three persons from Troy
and Jay-runaor charges four more, besides the ono
who was killed. OF the whole number thus I'M
plicated, one was killed. He recent fugitive
from Canada, and if l rightly informed, was
born there Two boys; three others have
been inhabitants of Canada If they were not born
there and two only, OF all whose names nave oeen
in any way used IN connexon with the affair, are
Americans in blood and interest, and of their parti
cipation in it know of no testimony whatever, ex.
cept rumor, which is, in fact, the only authority
for duplicating two three of those before men
toned.
Such MIR. Chairman the facts developed
by the testimony both sides, out of which the
malicious SANDER against us has been fabricated. L
have been thus far particular In stating them that
the public may Judge OF them. tits true, sir, that
there citizens of the U. s. engaged In tho at
fair and we fully, strongly and sincerely deplore
and condemn their conduct. They acted without
the knowledge and countenance of our authority,
community, SO far as know and believe;
and they arc persons of whom society, cannot at all
times be held responsible. But they were not orig
nators principals in this transaction, and it is tes
titled of some of them that they were present with
arms, and from motives of curiosity alone.
With respect TO the threat of Il subsequent inva-
sion ofPotton by US, and the preparations said to
have been made here for that object, have only to
say, that far as have been informed, and have
made diligent inquiry, no threat of that kind has
ever been offered and it is quite needless for me to
add, that no preparations for such an expedition
have been made
OF the conduct of the Patriots, different opinions
will, doubtless, be entertained. But all must con
cede to them courage, frmness, of purpose, and
love Of country, worthy of all praise and had not
their designs been betrayed, it is impossible to say
what might have been the result. II is due to them
to say, that their object was simply to obtain pos.
session OF the without injury to those who held
them and that to this determination of theirs the
who fred upon ,hom owe their lives.