Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-01-12
UPPER CANADA.

l. 'ubG'S licuu 'opcCCn Ut lUC opening o.
Parliament on the 23lh ul,.
Tranquility had returned TO the land
angry passions had subsidized the politi-
cal atmosphere of the province was be.
coming healthy after the storm which had
passed over it, when, regret to inform
you, that the peace of the province was
suddenly invaded from a quarter from
which Her Majcsty's ublects in this prov.
ince had certainly never calculated upon
receiving an attack.
need not on this continent declare |
that the Americans are people with |
whom the British empire for many years
has assiduously cultivated the most friend |
| ly connection. Our government has look |
ed upon them as its alies---our pooplo
have intimately connected themselves with
their commerce-our capital has irrigated
their land unlimited credit has been fra
ternally extended to them, with that un.
Inspecting confidence which in the cviliz
ed world is reposed in men of character
and trutE--we have reioiccd in their sue
cess, and we have done all that a gener-
Gus nation could do, to save them from
the expense and misery of war. 1t is
true, we were once opponents, but the
Ratchet Of war has long been buried, and
| must own had hoped that the spirits OF
our mutual ancestors were sacredly guard
ing its tomb
Such are the feelings of the British PEG
pie towards the Americans, and yet l re
greet to inform you, that in moment OF
profound peace and fproiessed friendship
a considerable number of Americans. re-
CARELESS of the crimes committed, as well
as Of the degraded character Of the man,
have sympathized with the principal rebel
who has lately abscondcd as criminal
from our land. regret to inform you,
that American citizens OF influence and
great wealth have come forward to coerce
the brave and Independent people of Up.
per Canada, to change laws and institu-
tons which they have lately, by open and
almost universal suffrage, publicly declar-
ed that they prefer,
The American Press has, to my aston
ishment, in many instances advocated
this fragrant act Of injustice, and such
has been the popular excitement, that
l not only has body of Americans, headed
by American leaders, within a few days,
taken possession of Navy Island, (Which
belongs to the British Empre) but a
proclamation has Just been issued from
this spot declaring that the standard of
e liberty is planted in Canada-that a Pro-
g vlsional Government is established there
that reward of five hundred pounds is
offered for my pprchcnsion--that three
hundred acres of Her Majesty lands will
IT. be freely bestowed by this Provisional
p Government upon any volunteer who
G shall personally assist, in invading our
freedom and it is added that "tcn mill
5 ions ofthese lands, ''fair and fertile will
d speedily be at their disposal, "with the
= other vast resources of a country "more
eXte nsive and rich in natural treasures
than "the United, Kingdom, Of old
France
Il am informed that Americans from
y various quarters are Fastening from the
. interior TO DIN this standard Of avoWeC
h plumber and revolt that cannon and arms
Y are publicly proceeding here,-and under
n these circumstances. it becomes my pain.
5 full duty to inform you that without hay
" ing offered to the United States the small
=, lest provcatlon-wiho ut having entertain
c ed the slightest previous doubt of thc
O sincerity of American alliance, the in
e habtants Of this Province may in a few
10 days be called upon by me to defend thei
It lives, their properties and their liberties
,,c from an attack by American citizens
u which with no desire to offend mus
70 pronounce TO be unparalleled in the his o
Is ry of the world.
10 Upon the courage and resolution of tn
I! Canadian people, place the lirmest rel
is ance and if this unwarrantable invaso
L. should proceed, ! know | shall not in val
require every British subject coolly to per
:, form that duty to his country which hi
/ own pride, spirit and feelings, will spon
as taneously suggest.
The interference of foreigners in til
al domestic policy of a free country, Is a
III aggression which no nation of characte
US can never submit to endure, (especall,
e'II where band of people, violating the
-, own laws, our laws, as we'll as the sacret
obligations of national amity, intrud
RS themselves upon peaceablo inhabitants
N lawlcssy to advocate by force of arms til,
= practical blessings and advantages of Re
publican institutions, which, by their owl
showing, have at least ended with them il
Is a anarchy and plumber and as every coun
~ try is a natural fortress to its inhabitants
IS as every village is a strong military posi-
4, a., ,,1,,o al,