North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-21

more particularly when We have suffered
for IibeTiy's sake.
At this present moment there is a priso'
ner in this Jail, who has not been in any
battle, who has 20 invited any one TO take
up arms, but is an honest and quiet farmer,
II was deemed proper to incarcerate hin
under the accusation OF HIGH TREA,
son, because once in his life, and that
too, manv months before the troubles, he
had attended a public meeting where The
rights of his country had been discussed.
When the volunteers arrived at his house
in the dead of the night, he got alarmed
and secreted himself in his cellar. One OF
the brigands who was in a high state OF
intoxication, found out bis retreat, and
although the poor farmer was unarmed
and made no resistance, the volunteer
pierced him in several parts of his body
with a bavonet, in such a horrible manner
that his life was considered in great dan
ger. In this terrible state he was seized,
bound and thrown into a Canadian train,
without any thing to bind up his wounds,
or to stop the blood. From ST. Pierre,
where he resided, he was taken to Laprai-
rie in one of the coolest nights ofthe win
ter, and from thence was Immediately
hurried to Montreal. This mar whose
name is Pierre Derigc dit Laplante, was
the whole winter in jail and was o(lentlmes
considered in a precarious state OF health
from the effects Of his wounds. The vol
unteers who treated him in this cruel and
inhuman manner were James Mcdonald
a Justice OF the peace, and Camille La
a merchant, both Of Laprairie.
The greatest number of the prisoners
were arrested without a%Darrants, or with
out having the reading of such adocu-
ment, and without knowing what accusa-
ton could be brought against them. A
great number Of those who fall into the
last category, are yet in Jail, where they
have been for many months. Wives are
and ilItreated, because they are
suspected Of having facilitated their hus-
bands evasion, or because they believe
these women know where their husbands
are concealed. A word, a look, a mere
suspicion was more than enough to have
a man sent 10 a dungeon. Woe 10
those who had private enemies, these had a
good opportunity to take revenge. Afida-
Wits were made against peaceful men and
the authorities would receive these afida-
wits with great complacency. They were
arrested, and dragged to jail where they
were sure to remain until it was the plea
sure of the Attorney General to take To-
tice Of their case ; several months would
pass in this manner and oftentimes inno-
cent men would be treated thus. If a
was in debt TO an honest man,
he would Immediately go ard swear treas
on. against him, and this unfortunate cred
itor would be sent to jail, from whence he
no more could sue his peridious debtor.
If a thief thought that the presence Of the
proprietor would retard his design of steal
ing his property, an affidavit was an excel
lent means Of getting rid Of him. This
same state Of moral turpitude exists even
now, but in a lesser degree than when the
troubles broke out.
Sometime after the battle Of st. Dennis,
body of British passed through ST. Ours;
a Young man who was in the street Of the
was ordered to stop ; he did not
hear the command or else he got scared,
at any rate he continued his route. The
British fred on him and he fell, pier
led with eleven balls.
At the same time some British cav
Try pursued four or five young men who
unarmed, and discharged their fire.
rms at them, which happily had no effect.
These Young men saved their lives by es-
:aping into an adjoining wood. | should
lot finish If ! was TO minute down all the
acts with which ] became personally ac-
those | have cited are sufficient
& fhamSalvaS " seems IN me- hoctar ]