North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-28

der; that in November 1897, the County
in which the unfortunate affair had taken
place, was in open rebellion against the
government and was seeking all means
20 overthrow that government; that Char
trand was spy sent purposely by the to-
res to ascertain the number Of the patri-
OTIS, as also their means Of defence; that he
had openly Dragged that the First Grand
Line, where the patriots were assembling,
would be burnt in few davs;-that un-
der all those circumstances Chartrand had
come among the patriots, who in those
times of complete anarchy, acknowledging
not the British government, but on the
contrary looking at il as their common ene-
my, thought it advisable to take all
necessary precaution, not to be defeated in
their plans Of resistance; and that instead
Of hanging Chartrand as is always the
tate awarded TO spy, they had shot him.
All these things Mr.. Mondeet offered as
incontrovertibe arguments. He consent
ed that the Crown might, with more hon.
esty Of purpose, try the prisoners for High
Treason, but not for murder.
Mr.. Abraham Bechard one of the mos
respectable men of the County of Lacadie.
gave his testimony as to the moral character
Of the subject Of this biography in the
following words: q" Mr.. Daunais is a kind
and very fine young man." Mr.. Louis De-
fayette, who unfortunately is state pri-
soner this year, gave his testimony in fa-
vour Of Mr.. Daunals as follows: F" know
Mr.. Daunais from his childhood he has
always been very mild and honest young
man."
That the deceased was spy employed
by the British to watch all the movements
of the patriots, was established beyond a
doubt. Avery respectable old man, from
the same place where Chartrand resided,
came tn Court and swore as follows, SC
knew Chartrand, he did not bear the
character OF an honest man. Mr.. David
Roy had spent some days with him at ST..
Johns and one evening Chartrand beat
him numerically. Afterwards Chartrand
begged Mr.. Roy to excuse his conduct.
met him the next day and he asked me
how was Mr.. Roy. told him that he
ought to know better than /, as he had
nearly killed him the previous day. Char
trand answered that that was not all, and
that there were other things that he mould
soon do. He had the reputation Of being
a spy, and was enlisted among the volun-
teers."
Mr.. Jacob Bouchard was next called,
and he gave his testimony that Chartrand
was very much dreaded about Lacadie,
that he was a regular spy, and that he had
boosted that he would kill and burn all in
Lacade.
That the whole County of Lacadie was
in complete state of anarchy, was proved
by the testimonies Of two nveteratr tories,
DR.. Quesnel and Mr.. Archambeault, both
Of Lacade.
As soon as the testimonies in behalf OF
the prisoners, had been concluded, the At
torney General in long speech, urged
upon the jury to find the prisoners " guilty
o: wiful murder" According 10 The Attor-
ney General, Mr.. Nicholas whose bio
graphy we shall soon give, was the princi-
pal actor and Mr.. Daunais and others
were accomplices, but the jury not forget
full Of their obligations towards the Su-
preme Being, and feeling their responsible
ity towards their country, after deliber-
alton Of an hour and half, brought in an
unanimous verdict of acquittaI to the pri-
soners. Immediately signs Of appreciation
were given by the people present. Mr..
Walker then rose and asked for the pro.
lection OF the Court in behalf OF the pri-
soners as the tories had openly threatened
that IL they were acquitted, they (the
,ories) would massacre them. His re-
quest was granted and the next morning
each Of those unfortunate prisoners was