North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-09-18

goaded into resistance, not less by the au-
thori,ies than by the violence of that class
Of the people opposed TO US in politics. We
wish, however, TO forget as well as TO for
give.
You come without limits to your power
with views unercumscrihed, with honor
untarnishrd. High in the councils of your
country and ours, your voice can reach
the Throne.
Ardent in the pursuit of Civil Liberty,
you can feel for a people animated by the
same principle, but deprived Of the same
advantage. We felt and we dsplored the
violation OF our constitution--we struggled
not for independence; we laboured only To
maintain the true spirit Of The British
Constitution and British Liberty.
We desire not to distract your Lord
ships attention from the great and glori-
Gus objects of your high mission We
will not occupy your time by duplicating
for ourselves, nor embarrass your Lord
ship with attempts to avert our fate. We
desire TO avoid all the ceremonies of trial,
convinced as we are of the impossibility of
obtaining an impartial tribunal, before
which we should have nothing to fear,
We wish to tranquize the minds Of gem
srous and confding people We pray thus
to be allowed to establish peace and order.
We implore no mercy for ourselves. We
would not shock your high and noble mind
by any act unworthy the dignity Of man.
We have ties, my Lord, that render life as
dear TO US as to your Lordship, and yet we
cannot ignobIy invoke even your Lord
ships sympathy.
AS parting prayer, however, we sup
plcate for the restoration, to liberty and TO
society, OF the rest Of our unfortunate fell
low prisoners, as well as the recall of the
lugitives, in the firm conviction that they
will one and all shed the last drop ofaheir
blood in defence OF Government that
can appreciate and uphold the rights of its
subjects, however remote their abode from
the seat Of the Empire.
We pray God for the success Of your
Lordships peaceful mission, that worship
ping one God, the people may become one
people, and initiating your Lordshp's ex-
ample, in repudiating as we ever have
done, all distinctions Of origin, we hope for
the future, this our wish as hitherto our
cndeavour may be crowned with success.
We pray, my Lord, that you may be
recognized as the saviour Of this distracted
country, and long enjoy the domestic hap
piness our fate denies TO us.
We implore Gods blessings. on your
Lordship and, if there be guilt in high
aspirations: we confess our guilt and plead
guilty.
(Signed.)
Wofred Nelson, II. A. Gauyin,
X. $. Nj. Bouchettc, r. Goddu,
Bonayenture viger, r. Des Rivieres,
S. Marebessaut, l.. Mason
To the Right Honorable the Earl of
Durham, Governor General, &c. &c. &c.
These eight gentlemen only would con-
sent to sign the memorial: at the same
time they wrote the following letter to
Mr.. Simpson, wishing him to submit it TO
the Governor together with the memorial.
Montreal Jail, 18th june 1888.
DEAR SIR,-We the undersigned beg
from you that you would take charge OF
the address herein inclosed for our noble
Chief. We are desirous that
you should do US the honor 10 present il
yourself to the Governor.
In taking this step, we believe il our du-
ty to express openly that it is not our in
tention to submit in any manner whatever
to certain ordinance passed by the Special
Council Of the Province, which we repu-
diato as contrary to the principles Of JUS
tice and honor, which ought to be the
basis Of English laws.
We are actuated by motives far more
honorable in leaving, as we do, Lord Dur
BAN the sole Judge Of our political acts.