North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-03-18

al the extremity Of ST. Roch's suburbs
near the General Hospital, The besiegers
remained almost inactive; their operations
in fact amounted 10 nothing They could
only prevent the country people from sur
plying those inside the walls with fresh
provisions.
We must here relate fact which we
consider as very creditable TO the poor
Canadians, who have always been SLAM
dered as the most sopers,itious people in
the world, and entirely priest-ridden.
About the beginning Of the month of
April Catholic priest by the name OF
BaiIly the curaie OF South River, below
Pointe Levi raised about sixty men with
whom he marched a, night on the Ameri-
can guard at Ponte Levi with The inten-
ton OF surprising them, making them pri-
soners and carrying them to Quebec. But
fortunately the sons of liberty were duly
informed of their intentions. They imme-
diately marched from their quarters 10
meet those who intended 10 surprise
them. An engagement took place between
the two parties--fiye Of those who had
espoused the Royal cause, fell in the bat
tie; and il appears that the other party
lost six men. The priest received two
balls, one Of which penetrated his abdo-
men. Thirty-four Of his men were made
prisoners, and carried 10 head. quarters.
1t must not be forgotten that Congress
had pledged itself to make good TO colone
Hazen the losses that he might suffer in
consequence Of joining the continental ar
my against the British service TO which he
had been attached as captain. Colonel
Hazen il will be recollected was q rich
proprietor at ST. Athanase, opposite Saint
Johns, and had lost considerably by the
pillace Of his movable property, both by
the Americans and the British. On the
l2lh March the committee to which had
been referred colonel Ha2en's claims nnnds
the following report, by which il seems
they did not believe his claims to be well
founded The committee referred The whole
TO the commissioners who had been ap-
pointed TO proceed TO Canada 10 settle all
matters ofdificnlty between the Canadians
and the continentals. The Report of that
committee runs thus -
II appears 10 your committee that the
loss and damage sustained by Col. Hazcn
in Canada, have not been estimated with
sufficient accuracy that some of The srti-
Giles enumerated in the inventory are pre-
suned TO he over-rated, the quantities Of
severa! others educibe TO ex aclness in num-
Der, weight, or measure, are not ascertain
ed, and The reasons for the knowledge or
belief of any Of them by the witnesses, are
not explicit enough in their examinations
that although the grain, grass, and hay
mentioned in the account are admitted by
colonel Hazen, in his letter, TO have been
partly destroyed by the ministerial troops,
the whole value is extended ,that the esti-
male Oi crops are so general, il cannot be
discovered by what rule they were formed,
or to what standard adjusted that the
damage done &c the dwelling houses, barns,
and farms, are not particnlarized or spesi-
fed that considerable part of what
reimbursement is claimed for, is household
furniture, wearing apparel, tools, utensils,
cables, and anchors, suggested 10 have
been Eundered by the troops OF the United
Colonies, and Canadians who joined them !;
and your committee believe that no repair
alton Of the like kind hath yet been made
By Congress and that the profit which
might have been made Of the mills and
houses, if The owner bad not been deprived
of the use Of them, being merely contin-
gent and conjectural, are such as have not
usually been made good in similar cases.
Whereupon,
Resolved, That the commissioners who
are going TO Canada, be desired to appoint
proper persons 10 examine, state, and set
tie an account Of the loss and damage colo
mel Hszen bath sustained in his properly
and possessions in Canada, by the forces
Of he United Colonies, and report the same,
with any special matters they may think
fi, to Congress annexing 10 their re-
poT, The estimates, examinations of the
witnesses, and other papers relative thereto.
On the e6th September following, the
committee, TO whom had been referred the
report Of the Commissioners appointed By
Gen. Wooster to ascertain the losses Of