Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-25
Lieutenant Governor Head TO Mr.. For.
GovERNMENr House.

<OfOBto, upper Canada, Zee. %, 1897
SIR II is my duty 10 lose no time in ap-
prizing your exeellency that the peace and
security OF This Province are Of this moment
threatened, and that its territory ia actually
invaded by large band Of American citi.
zens from Buffalo, who have taken up arms,
and established themselves IN hostile man.
ner on Navy Island, in the Niagara river,
and within the territory Of Upper Canada.
Your axceilency has, no doubt, learned
from the public papers that, in consequence
OF the insurrection unhappiiy commenced in
Lower Canada, but which, have reason TO
believe, is now etfec'ually suppressed, an at
tempt as rash and hopeless as i, was wick ed
was lately made by three or four hundred
persons in this vicinity to involve this pro.
vince In the miseries OF civil war. In con
cert with this movement an eadeayot was
also made to szci:e the psople in another dis
trlct TO take up arms against the Govern
ment. Both these attempts were promptly
aad ehectualiy suppressed by the loyal mi
iItIa OF this Province, unaided by any militia
ry force. Most Of The dsIudsd persons who
were engaged in this rash and criminal on.
terprise have surrendered themselves or been
taken; but the principal leader, William
Lyon Mckenzie, and some OF the most &C.
tive oil his followers, succeeded, with great
difficulty, in making their escape TO the ad
joining Stale Of New York.
Ii was soon reported to me that at Buffalo.
to which place these traitors fed, strong
symptoms were shown by numbers of Amer.
'can Citizens TO aid them with men and arms,
and TO supply them with other necessaries'
in order TO enable them 10 make hostile in.
vasion of this Province.
That the Public authorities in Buffalo and
The more respectable portion of the inhabi-
tants would discountsnance such proceedings
had no doubt, and their conduct since has
Justified that expectation bu: as it was
doubtful how far they might be able prompt
ly to control this ebullilion of hostile feeling
towards nation with which The United S,e,ss
hold the stricieSt relations OF amity and peace,
Immediately addressed letter to his Elk
ceiiency Governor Marcy, at Albany, oil
which copy ia herewith sent.
No reply TO thia has vet reached me. nor
do know what steps, if any, have been Ia,
Ken on the part ofthe American Government
al Buffalo 10 repress this hostile rising of tbsir
people.
Since that letter was written, Mckenzie
has been joined by some hundreds of Amer.
can citizens from Buffalo and the adjacent
villages, and they have established them
selves on Navy Island, as have before men
toned, with artillery and arms procured in
the United States.
The paper printed at Buffalo, which send
you, VIII show the spirit in which this move
ment is urged forward.
am, OF course taking all possible means
10 repel invasion ahd insult, and believe
that IN few days q considerable military
force vill be at hand TO sustain our gaiIan
militia In this extraordinary and unlocked,
for conflict.
need not remark 10 your excelencY how
! unfair shd unjust il is that rebellion. which
within this province, wos so insignificant TIA
IT was instantly crushed by the civil inhabi
tanis OF The country, should be renewed ant
rendered formidable by The direct and active
encouragement Of the American people: ant
that during tbs existence, not merely o
peace, but OF the most friendly relations he
tween Great Britain and the Government o
The United States, The peaceful population 0
this province should De threatened with de-
Visitation and plunder, snd all the miseries o
civil war, 10y the unjuStifiable interference o
American citizens.
though iubabiting remote portion oftb
British dominions, the people Of Upper Can
sda feel that they may rest assured Of beini
ultimately protected by the whole force a
the empite If j, be necessary.
They are conscious, also, that they deserv
kinder Offices ut the hands OF the American
people, and appeal 10 you in their name
and as The representative Of their sovereign
Io-urge upon the Government of the Unilet
States The immediate oxertIon Of militar,
force TO suppress movement Of their peopl
SO insulting and injurious 10 a peigh5orinl
nation, & which, whatever temporary calsm
NY may Infiici, must inevitably, uules