North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-12-11
The Castor,
The Racquet,

And The Chosseur.
i he Eagle was a commander his rank
answered 10 that of the chief of division,
such as a Brigadier, a Colohel, SIC. The
Castor held the rank of Captain, and had
under him six " rGquets," each Of whom
had the command Of nine men, thus form
ing a company Of fifty The chasseurs
were the soldiers, or men without any
rank whatever. There was an Eagle for
each section Of any Importance, or where
there was sufficient number Of chasseurs.
He was the common centre or the Chief.
The three inferior ranks had each their
distinct signs. A chasseur is known
when met by saying 10 him chasseur !"
If the person answers by naming the day
following, then we have a sure sign, for
instance, 3" this is Tuesday" -and then, if
he was Of The society, he would answer
/" Wednesday," and 50 on. When give
my hand 10 person whom ! suspect Of
belonging TO the society, | take his hand !,
and at the same moment seize carefully
the end of his sleeve below and pull it, and
if he do the same thing he may be consi~
dered one of The identified / you be not
satisfied with these first signs, you may
place the lorefnger OF the right hand in
the corresponding nostril, or the little fin
ger of the right hand in the right ear. You
may perform one or all Of these signs when
you are convinced that the first you have
made out are not satisfactorily answered.
The form Of the oath is as foIlows:-
" i, A. b., freely and in presence Of AL
mighty God, soemny swear to observe
the secret signs and mysteries Of the said
society oi Chasseurs-never to write, des-
crlbe, nor make known, in any way, any
things which shall have been revealed TO
me by the society or lodge of Chasseurs,
10 be obedleni TO the rules and regulations
which the society may make, provided that
can do SO without great prejudice 10 my
interest, my family, or my own person to
aid with my advice, care, and property
every brother Chasseur in need, and to no.
'iiy him in time OF misfortune that may
threaten him. All this | promise without
ervation, and conserving 10 see my pro-
perry destroyed, and to have my throat cut
to the bone"
The lodges should be composed of at
least three persons. No one could speak
of the affairs of the society but in lodge.
have been told that the signs are changed
in consequence Of their being discovered
by person taken at Short Hills, in Upper
Canada, who gave evidence for the
Crown; but have not learned what the
new signs are, and cannot speak Of them.
This association is extended over all Up
per and Lower Canada and the Northern
States, principally Michigan, New York,
Vermont, New Hampshire. and Maine.
The city Of New York reckons a good
many members. M ackenzie, Nelson, Gen.
Martini Duvernay,t and Others, made
many prosetytes. # has spread even TO
France, by the instrumentalily Of some
French republican travellers. This socie-
~ is entirely Canadian in its existence and
object; its aim is the de!iverance of the
Canadians from the English rule; it has
connected all the ties which united the re-
bels; i has formed them into a more COM
pact body-more easy to move. The trial
of those accused Of the murder of Char
trand furnished a proof of the effects OF
this society in political affairs. An advo-
cate (Hubert) assured me that more than
four Of the jurymen were members OF the
society, and had decided even before hear
ing the proof, to acquit the prisoners
charged with that bloody act. Having re-
sided in the country all summer, must
say that the people are for the most part,
ripe for the revolution, and that the indie
cision and want OF frmDess and courage,
which they have shown under certain cir
cumstances, are only to be attributed 10 a
sense Of inleriority in discipline and militia
~ organization in arms. The counties OF
/ L'Acadie, Rouvjlle, Laprairie, Terre-
bonnie, Vaudreuil, and Two Mountains,
and a good number in the town and coun-
" of Montreal, are disposed for a radical
change in the Government, and nothing
/ has made them more 50 than the affairs OF
/ St. Charles and 81. EuStache. The de-
stIuciion of life and property, far from snp-
pressing the fire of the rebellion, has only
heightened il. All those who have listen
ed 10 the groans OF the sufferers, perceive
that, far from being inGmidsted, they
swear to be avenged on their authors, the
victims Of war and rebellion, The volUn-
/ teers, by their conduct arrogant, and, in
many circumstances, cruel, have raised the
1 discomfort too lar TO admit Of a complaint
10 the Government. This rebellion is not
the affair of people against the govern
General Martin, 10 whom Briea here alludes,
/ had nothing TO 90 with toe expedition Of Novem-
Der 1895, and was, II mistake not, a. that time
10 the State Of I.ouisipia DR.. Brien knew that