North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-04-26


commission as Notary Public was issued
under the great seal Of the Province, on
the 9th of October same year, when he
settled among his old acquaintance in
Napicrville, where he practised as Nota-
RI, until he was made prisoner last fall.
At the great meeting holden at st. Atha-
nase, in the County of RouvilIe, opposite
ST. Johns, on the 9Th of November 1887
Mr.. Decoigne supported forcibly the reso-
luton proposed by Louis Marchand OF st.
Matthias, "that the people then present,
approved and adopted the resolutions
passed at ST. Charles, on the 2Sd, and
oath Octr. previous" What contrast be-
tween the one, who proposed this resolu-
ton and Mr.. Decoigne who supported it
this last gentleman was calm and dignihed
and persevered unto the end, even at the
expense Of his own life. Mr.. Marchand
on the contrary was exceedingly rash and
even boisterous, enireating the people
then present, that if in the hour of danger
he turned his back upon them, he wished
them to shoot him down-yet ere the first
gun was fired, he was at Highgate, VT,
bewaing his political conduct, and in the
month Of January following, he solicited
from the Attorney General the privilege OF
being one of her Majesty's prisoners in her
dungeons at Montreal. Unfortunately he
is not the only one who has acted so pusll-
animousy. In 1887, Mr.. Decoigne was
seen among those who took up arms 10
defend their country's rights, but was soon
compelled to lay them down, when the
patriot forces were disbanded in the coun-
ty Of L'Acadie. On the Sd Of Nov. 1888,
when the signal was given for general
rising, Mr.. Decoigne was named Captain
by the people in his vicinity, which duties
he discharged in a manner highly credita-
bic TO himself. - He was entrusted with the
command of the advanced guard towards
Lacolle, TO watch the regular troops Of
Isle aux Noix and the loyalists Of Odell-
town. His conduct was Characterised
by GOODNESS and bravery. At the battle OF
Odetown, he acted with such undaunted
courage and skill as to secure the obedl-
ence of his men and the confidence Of his
superior officers.
On the same night he retreated to Ma
pierville, where he remained till the after
noon Of the next day, when, after all the
disasters which had befallen the patriot
army, it was deemed advisable to retreat
to the United States.
Previous to this attempted retreat, he
stopped at his house to bid adieu to bis
wife and famiy-the parting with his chill
dren affected him much. While embracing
them, he said with tears in his eyes
" farewell my children, much as | love
you, love my country more"
Mr.. Decoigne, Mr.. Hindenlang and some
eight other gentlemen started in company
for the State of New York. On the NOR
ming of the 1ith Nov, few rods from the
Provincial line, but yet in Odelltown
Mr.. Decoigne left his companions to en-
quire at house very near them, whert
they were. Alas! he had not got half way
from his companions to the house
when some troopers on horseback, who
were then watching on the line, pursued
and overlook him. His arms were imme
+ diately pinioned, and in that manner, hi
f was taken to the guard-houSe, whence hi
was removed to Napiervie Jail, where HI
, underwent an examination and was order
ed 10 Montreal. To reach that place, Mr.
Il Decoigne, with his brethren in misfortune
about 40 in number, tied together IN cou
pies, were forced to march through INT
f mud knee-deep, the distance OF 10 miles
; fed only on bread and water.
The Catholic Priest of Napiervllle
/ Amiot, predicted the execution OF Mr.
! Decoigne, on his arrival there, inIthe pow
er of the tories. 1t is proper to state here
that this priest had been made prisoner
: bv Mr.. ID. on account oihis notorious 10y
atty, but had been released on parole anc