North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-06-19
ORIGINAL BIOGRAPHY.

FRAvcols XlvIER HAMELIN was a
very respectable young man, OF the Parish
Of ST. Philippe, in the County Of Lapralrie,
and District Of Montreal. He was born
in the year 1919. His connexions always
maintained a good reputation as honest
farmers, and were highly esteemed. The
one whose biography we are writing this
day, was always distinguished Tor his en-
,husiastic love of freedom, and for his de-
,crmined hatred OF the despotic British gov
eminent. Although very young man, he
AWAY. cheerfully gave his assistance to
every measure 10 favor Of reform, and when
the cup of British iniqnty was filled TO
over1owing, he never hesitated single
moment in forming decisive opinions; but
took up arms against the parent state,
which had now become his country's foe.
On the third day Of November last, he,
with great number Of his brave and de-
voted countrymen, resolved to try to up
set the present form of government. Moth
inv but his love of freedom and national
honor could have prompted him to take up
arms against such mighty power as that
Of Great Britain He did not stop to con-
slider the consequences Of the daring act he
was undertaking; his country had been
oppressed, it was trodden under foot by an
insolent and murderous crew, sent from
England purposely to enslave his country
men; that was enough for his noble heart.
He loved his country, and he thought his
life well sold if it could be sacrificed to the
redemption Of poor, unfortunate and OPP
pressed Canada.
As soon as the rising had taken place he
was named Lieutenant in Major Roberts
company. The party went on to disarn
the Iovasts, and they were engaged il
the Walker affair. We could not now
say how Mr.. Hamelin fell into the hands
fthe British, but at any rate. he was on'
OF the first prisoners from St. Philippe tina
were sent TO Montreal. lie was forciblY
taken on the 3rd day Of January, 1889
befnre the barbarous lnquisition Of Can
ada" the Court Martial, which after tri
al of a lew days, without any jur,
whatever, sentenced him to die on a scat
fold-hoth as a traitor to his Sovereign
and as the murderer Of Walker. On tn
10th day of the same month he was official
ally notified that he was one Of the chose
victims of the sanguinary Colborne, an
that six days afterwards he was to b
strangled with rope on an infamous glib
bet. He had fortified his mind against a
the insults and the cruel treatment whic
he knew these bloodhounds were accus
toned 10 inflict on the unfortunate me
who fell into their hands, so this terribl
news did not brighten him. Although al
cording to the due course of nature, h
had right TO expect to live many year
yet he was willing to offer his devoted hea
on The altar OF liberty for the sacred caus
Of his own dear native land.
The day OF inhuman vengeance arrive,
4 our young countryman prepared himse
FOR the awful end that awaited him, wit
that eomposuFe of mind which speaks iun'
cenoe aud virtue. With his four patriot
and devoted companions Of misiortun
he marched firmly to the awful spot whe
he was to make the bloody sacrifice. a
Ter our much regretted friend Mr.. |
eagne had made his dying speech TO tn