Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-29
VOL. XTI-.No. Ga


into execution the intentions which her
majesty has declared, of maintaining her
sovereignty over these provinces. Nv
lords, the system OF private war which
prevails on that fron,es is unknown ia any
other part Of the world. We read of such
things in the history Of barbarian nations
We rcnd OF such a system carried on against
the Austrian monarchy, which lasted from
century to century. All these were wars
of barbarsm against civilization Never
were there any instances ofsuch wars be-
tween civilized nations, except in the case
belure W..
trust, noble lords and The other house
Of parliament will look little further into
this very important subject, and draw the
attention Of government to il; for It appears
eminonIy necessary that some measure
should be taken to induce the government
Of the United States 10 put into operation
some elfeciual steps for the suppression OF
these outrageous proceedings.
Let them consider closely the consc-
qucnce Of that invasion, for it seems TO me
that if some steps are not Immediately Ia.
ken on the part of her majesty to enforce
that passage Of the royal speech Of which
| approve SO highly, we shall find our pros
vlnces Of Upper Canada treated much in
the same way in which The province OF
Texas has been treated. This is poin.
to which beg to draw the particular at.
,cnlion of her mnjcsty's government.
en,real Of them TO consider this war az
a great national war; TO remember that
the highest national interests are involved
in it, and we must proceed on large scale
Of action, if we wish 10 bring it TO an early
and satisfactory period.
have 10 doub, Of the intentions OF the
President Of dhe United States in the mat
ter; but at the same time cannot but feel
regret when see American subjects com-
ing into our territory. armed, and provided
too, with cannon taken from the U. States,
and belonging to the United States.
cannot but feel deep regre, and much sur
prise when see these American subjects
publicly invading our territories. and am
told that it cannot be prevented by the 90.
vcrnment of the U. States.
There can, conceive, be no doubt but
that the civil government Of any country
is capable at any time of preventing the
collection of bodies Of troops within its
territory, and their invasion Of neg hboring
states. But here we see the United States
sitting down quietly, and taking hardly
any notice whatever oflhe invasion BY its
subjects, OF the British provinces.
Lord Melbourne in abiding TO another
part of the speech, the subject OF which il
is impossible to regard without considera-
Bile uneasiness and vexation-I refer to the
state Of Canada-,hc noble duke, while he
appears TO approve of that part of The
speech states that he could have wished
10 see some corresponding measures Of
vigor adopted by the government. in order
10 carry that determination into effective
operation.
1t is quite clear that a state of things
does exist on the North American frontier
greatly TO be deplorcd; yet when we re-
member the disposition exhibited BY the
various states there TO interfere with each
other, and the tendency to private warfare
with other, it is not much to be wondered
at. When, however, the noble duke ex-
presses his regret at not seeing a vigorous
demonstration made in our Canadian pro-
vince in order to enable our subjects there
TO repel the outrageous agrcssions upon
them, am somewhat at loss to under.
stand what he has to complain of in this
respect.
There is in that country a very large
establishment, beside very considerable
militia force, together an army powerful
enough to laugh TO scorn any attempt that
may be made by the sympalhiscrs. When,
however, we consider the character OF tho
! country, its lnnumerable and extensive
} lakes, forests, morasses, it would be quite
! impossible to keep up such force as ut
! ,crly TO prevent all sudden aggrcssions and
predatory excursions.
Therefore know not with reference to
this province itself, what stronger measure
you could adopt but with respect to the
government of the United States, agree
with the noble duke. that every means
should be taken to do that which it is the
duty Of every government to do, namely,
TO keep its subjects within its own frontier,
and prevent bodies Of men, the subjects Of
ono state, making attacks On their neigh,
bors IN another. There is no reason an.
> prehend to doubt the sincerity of the gov.
: eminent Of the United States as to its wish
( to carry into effect the stpulatons binding
it as regards lis duty to it's neishbors; but
considering the nature Of the county,
considering the vast extent of the frontier
considering the comparative wlldness Of
G those dstricts-and also considering the
character Of the governmental must be
admitted that il has serious difficulties to
, contend with in carrying this object into
j effect.
Lord Melbourne was followed somewha
: to the same effect by Lord Brougham.
q The territory, said his Iordship, which
i bounded the American States towards
' Canada, was a wild, barren, and in many
u places uncullvated for n considerable dis
lance the frontier could be easily passed
: over, and there was Illtle or no impeachment
to going from the territory Of one state TO
5 hat Of The other,
The noble duke said that if this predato-
d ~ system continued if It were persevered
n mall the powers OF the English govern