North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-10-16
EDITED BY CANADIANS AMERICANS


the superiatendance al the Parish Ptiest,
who would not have recommended OF kept
him il Mr.. Nicolas had not been OF an
irreproachsblr chafacieLn
Mr.. Pierre Roy, who was enc Of the
FIRST and most influential men in Laeadle.
when called, under his oath sad, that
Mr.. Nicolas was strictly honest man."
Such were the testimonies 10 Mr.. Nicolas
favor. Even at this terrible crisis, those
who had been SO fierce against him and
who had endeavored by all means TO de-
siroy Ills reputation, could net end sin
Gle witness TO mpeach his private charac-
ter The Attorney General in his closing
speech TO The jury told them that Mr..
Nicolas was proved TO have been leader,
and that il was their imperious duty 10
return verdict Of GUILTY against him.
Blu, the honest jurymen, after having
withdrawn from the Court for about an
hour and half, returned verdict Of NOT
GUILTY.
So ended this extraordinary and mali
cious trial, which the tory faction expected
would terminate in the ignominious death
of at least one victim.
Mr.. Nicolas, soon after his trial, visited
the States. He came TO 81. Adams, where
he had an interview with some Of The
friends of Canadian Independence, and a.
greed with them to give another blow for
freedom. On The appointed day he again
drew the sword in freedoms cause, deter
mined 10 conquer or 10 die in The struggle.
He received the rank Of Capt. in The patriot
army. His courage and his zeal were
worthy the sacred cause he had espoused.
He knew that British protection had be-
come bye-word in Canada, for whoever
evinced any love for the cause Of freedom
was prosecuted, even unto death, by that
abominable government; he knew also
that Canada had nothing to expect from
England but oppression and vassalage.
While the patriots were encamped at
Naperville, Capt. Nicolas did all in bis
power 10 create harmony and systematic
order among the men under bis immediate
command, and TO this object he devoted his
whole time. When the news arrived at
the camp ofsthe defeat OF The gallant little
band under Brigaders Touvrey & OkIom-
ski, at the Provincial Line, an order
was Immediately issued to march a strong
body Of men towards the lines, 50 as 10
open free passage to the States, and also
to recover the arms which the patriots had
lost at the battle Of the 7th. Consequently
on the 9Th, 1900 men left NapiervilIe and
marched as far as Lacole Village where
they encamped for the night. DR.. Nelson
with an other officer determined ito
visit picquet on the west road, under the
command of tiaitor, in the employ OF the
Government, named Heaernam, who
showed them into room, whe.e they
were made prisoners by this pretended
patriot, assisted by one Dupnis, who
also held the Office Of Lieut.. in the Pat
riot service. The men under the com.
mand Of these officers were made TO be-
Iieve that the prisoners were traitors.
Capt. Nicolas being uneasy at Doc
tor Nelson's absence, left the main camp
& came to Heilernam's place where be also
was seized and bound, TO share the Doc
tors fate, who was TO be delivered up 10
the British. Such was the critical posi-
ton in which three brave and generous
men were placed by the treachery and
viany Of these vile & desp;cabIe traitors.
Fortunately Capt. Trudeau came to their
rescue, and these devoted patfiots were
liberated and returned to head quarters.
The next day the battle at Odeliown
Chapel took place, and during this en-.
gagement which lasted several hours, Capt
Nicolas showed uncommon GOODNESS, and
bravery. During the engagement a can.
men ball Of the enemy struck the ground
so near the Captain as TO cover him CON-
pIetely with mud; he cooly turned tos
superior officer and said " that is treating