North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-10-02
From the Plaltsburgh Wing.
COLBORNE THE MODERN NERO


The North Americans are treated with
many lachrymose articles by the Canadian
Tory press, on the subject of Sir John
Colborne's recall, disguise it as friends may,
he is recalled, and that under circum-
stances neither gratifying his feelings as a
man OF elevated character, il he were one,
nor honorable as a Governor We main
tIan, ii is worse than futile To say that HI K
saved the Canadas.' We fearlessv assert
that he all but lost them 10 Great Britain
For had he not been assisted by recreant
clergy (to the honor of the Protestant
clergy, they did not defile the altar with
political harangues, nor sulIy their cloth
with the mud and mire Of inlurated parli-
sans as many of the Catholic did) he
would have efectually revoutonized the
country. He attacked the people without
just cause; he forced them to resistance;
even Lord Durham acknowledged this in
his report: s'lt certainly appeared too
much as If The rebellion had been purpose
" fnuited by the Government, and the
unfortunate men who took part in it delib-
eratefy drawn in TO trap by those who
subsequently inflicted so severe punish
men on them by their error" Sir John
kidnapped some most respectable men in
the dead OF the night, and worse than iel~
ons, was dragging them in irons and cords,
when they were rescued by few brave
men-he sent one thousand men for
like purpose on the river Chambly. The
first brigade was defeated alter bloody
attack. On hearing this, the valiant We
teran' sent no less than three dispatches
(Which were intercepted mot TO risk bat
tie with the patriots that he was going
with his army TO Quebec to shut himself /
up in that strong hold =!
The egregious blunder Of the patriot
chief of St. Charles, would have given
WetheraIl an easy victory, but the people
were goaded on TO desperation, and with
out commander or officers, fought double
their number for two hours, and nearly
routed them. On news Of this the peace
ioring general at once threw away the
scabbard, and became tremendously vaIor-
all mediation and went with
sleigh loads OF cato'nine-taiIs, and porta-
Bile galows, 10 the north of Montreal and
never was The track Of Goth and Tandal
so marked with ruin, devastation, rapine,
murder, arson, and rape, as that of the
Dious and aged Sir John CoIborne. {
The people acted upon the all pervading c
OF sef-presefvation, being forced
INTO resistance. Colborne has involved ,
England in at least ten millions more of G
iebt than she was already; he has disheh- /
'red her name IL that were possible, as a r
colony holding country; he has so COM r
,letely disjointed the whole social fabric, O
hat it can never more be harmonized y
while British Colony. But some good n
las resulted from the appalling catalogue il
u his misconduct. He has made the Can Il
dians prove that they do possess a hobIe |;
md elevated determination of character.
hat they are worthy Of good government. Ii
nd OF freedom; he has taught them TO "
ave confidence in themselves, and not TO o
uall before regular forces, when they have o
eaders whom they love and in whom they
an con6de. His acts have nerved them e,
With an undying hate Of British comman- h
er and British soIdierv n
Even the wicked and servile crew thar n
lternateiy lead, and crouch before him h
re forced 10 acknowledge that Colborne,s If
onduct is not without reproach. This is n
he language OF one Of the viest OF this G.
ribe:
d" Sir John Colborne has held the reins q
government during the most difficult ri
mes, and has twice brought US through IL
he FIRE unsealhed. Ifin process ofIegisIa-
on there have occurred some errors rhfeb NJ
'e DO sot 0entuye TO deay, they were cI