North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-06-26

When we consider the little progress this
colony had made under more than two CEN
tufcs of French government and that at
The conquest the religious orders of the
Jesuts and others held about one fourth
Of the landed property and that their in
fiuence was extensive in the Council Of the
Governor, we can easily account for the
cause of the stupor in which the colony
was plunged when the English took pos
session oft. At this epoch, trade in Cam
ada was Of little consequence except that
of fur; the population was very small and
the enterprising spirit of the people entirely
smothered.
While we deprecaie the French govern
ment in Canada, it must be understood
that we do not intend to be the panegyrist
OF the English government But we say
that as long as Canada had 10 remain q
colony under the protection of an European
power. we prefer the English to the French
government for many considerations.
We do not intend 10 paIlate the horrors,
niqullies and crueltics OF Great Britain To-
ward Canada. Far from US such an ideal
We are republican and we maintain tina,
each man has The right TO choose for him
sell form Of government and that mr.
jorities are not made 10 be the tools OF mi
norltIes. We are ready to acknowledge
that had Canada been united 10 the tbir-
teen American colonies ia 1776, it would
be more prosperous than it is now.
We are convinced thst had an extensive
tract OF so rich & so fertile land, been under
such an suspicious form OF Government as
that OF the United States, it would not be-
what it is at this day. But still we
contend that Canada has greatly gained by
The change from the French 10 the Eng
sh government. 1t has given to Cana
dams ideas of constitutional rights which
they would have never acquired under The,
French Dominion. Although the French
had this colony for more than two centu-
rles, yet no press was established in the
country. The fact is that it was a colony
entirely al the control Of the Jesuits and
other religious orders who were more de-.
voted TO the accumulation friches and
the saring Of souls, than to the prosperity
of the Colony.
Let us resume the English history of
Canada. We have already said that Gen.,
eraI TowDshend had left General Murray
in Quebec with 5000 troops. After the
surrender OF Montreal in the fall of 1850
the whole province remained still divided
into three districts. General Amherst
placed military officer at the head of EACH
district in Quebec, Montreal and Three
Rivers to preside over the tribunals Of JUS
lice. Those officers continued 10 admins
terjustice according 10 the French laws and
usages OF which they understood nearly
nothing. This state of things continued for
the space Of three years. Before proceed
ing any further let US expose to the public,
one of those sanguinary and atrocious
deeds which have always characterized the
British wherever they have been conquer.
ors. While General Murray was in Que,
bee at the latter end Of 1859 or at the be-
gnningo 1850 it was vaguely reported
to him that man by the name OF Nadeau
millerby trade who was residing in one
OF the parishes near the city, was gather
ing arms TO favor the French who we're
then IN Montreal. An order was given
Immediately by the Governor to look after
Nadeau and to hang him wherever he
could be found This cruel order was ex-
ecuted 10 its fullest extent. The next
morning at four O'Clock Nadeau was
seized in his house, an iron crotchet was
passed under his chin and he was hung To-
the rack Of one Of his own mills withonr
any form whatever of trial. The story is
differently told by Others II is said
that Nadeau asked soldier 10 work for
him in piling some wood and the soldier
had TO change his regimental suit for one
that Nadeau lent him, that while the SOL
der was at work, one Of his officers passed