North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-13

HISTORY OF CANADA.
(coETiSuEp.)
We're ne Canadians ioyo! 10 The croten
Of England p Concluded.


The unwilingness Of the Canadians to
aid the British, is amply established in the
folowing words, which we copy from The
Journal OF British officer, page Ill, IN
der date of the 9Th OF March,
Such as are able TO bear arms, whose
lazincss Cor whatever motives more re-
prrhensible) induces them TO sneak mean
w from their duty, viii be drawn forth 10
public view, and ranked with the invalids;
such people will serve as sentries where
there is no danger, since no manly feelings
can stimulate them 10 do the duty OF good
soldiers, in conjunction with their fellow
citizens. But neither their attachment TO
his Majesty, nor the least sense OF honour,
can move such beings"
That there were some Canadians at
tsched to the Crown Of England, and
fighting TO maintain British supremacy in
Canada, no one will deny. But how large
was their number! We shall answer this
question by another extract from the same
journal, page li6;-
"Some Of the Canadian Royalists at
Pointe Levi (fe,c there are, IL is feared)
inld the rebels, in answer TO their question
concerning the elevated sentry-box, or
nuk.out at Cape Diamond" II is a
wooden horse, with bundle ofhay before
him; General Carleton has said, that he
will not give up the town before that horse
shall have ate up all the hay" Six Of the
Canadian militia refused to do duty on
Dpmmond's wharf"
Also page 1873, we read:--
Captain Lnforce went 10 canoe to
rcconnoitre; he was hailed from the Ponte
Levi side The Canadians, on his ask
ing why they did not come TO town, ans
wered, tina, they had no canoes. and were
closely guarded; they pressed Lalorce To
20 on shore hui, aware Of Pcinfe Lert
greaehery, he padded away with bon
sotr."
How often have we been told that the
Canadians are priest ridden people and
that Catholic priests have such an infiu-
eOce over them that they (the priests can
controul them when they wish, and inn
pose upon them as they please. That the
Canadians are very much attached to their
religious creed, we readily admit /; but that
they are ruled entirely by their ministers.
we deay; and after our short residence
among the American people, we are not
'iraid to say that they (the Canadians)
sie less Influenced by their priests than the
Americans themselves. OF this they have
gwen good proof in the revolutionary war
Z" Ills, and in their late insurrectionary
movements. To prove our assertion we
'e'tr our readers to the treatment priest
Badly met from the Canadians at Ponte
Levi, when he attempted to surprise and
larry Canadian guard 10 Quebec. He
Su attacked and MORALLY wounded. Page
~ Of the journal we have already quoted,
We ind tina, on The 9th April, deserter
"on the American army gave the follow
'hs Information to the Bfitish:--
He further SAYS, +" that they have or
@'ed all the priests in Orleans, who refuse
e'Ve absolution 10 the rebeious Cana
Ssas' TO be carried prisoners to the camp.
asI have appointed Priest, called Lot
mere, TO absolve the people; they give
= salary Of 8 1900, and promised him
SsAOpriek."
nov the Canadians could be in favour
'hs British Government aad yet wish
ia overthrow, aud, in the language OF
'ae writer below. dread that the British
." stand out, is a MYSTERY TO US.
according to The same, We 6nd that
'sssr'er reported 10 the British that
0'aaaians were great uith the rebels,
ss'e longing FOR the overthrow OF Eng
@'ainion in their native country. But
"s's1e The substance OF that deserter's
awt: