North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-15
HISTORY OF CANADA.
Continued from No. %. }

kConhnued from NO. -.
By the resolve of LIST June, il is evident
tina, measures Of the most strict precau-
lion were adopted by Congress to prevent
hostile incursions into Canadss yet, either
,hc letter OF Col. Ethan Allen, or consi-
derstions of a higher nature, suddenly
changed the minds of the members; for we
see. shortly after, a fixed determination OF
invading the Province of Quebec. At
first, we have reason to believe they were
afraid TO adopt offensive measures against
the English Government; but finding that
public sentiment was ripe for the purpose,
and that Col. Alien was then in possession
Of Teonderoga and Crown Point, two
very important military posts, command
ing the entry into Canada--and knowing Of
course, that counter-movements would
soon be made by Sir Guy Carleton, the
Governor Of the Canadian Province, they
found that to ensure ultimate success,
immediate action was necessary.
The enemy had indeed been awakened
by the achievements OF Col. Allen, and
nc. Carleton was actually making rapid
preparations for the onset. On the 9th
Of June, with the advice Of his Council, he
declared Martial law, TO enable him either
to tepel the enemy, if the Province was in
vaded, or even TO go and attack the rebels
10 the Province Of New York, or else
where, il such orders were received from
General Gage or from the Ministers in
England. For these purposes the Eng
hsh government had sent 10 Canada 90
900 stands Of arms to be distributed among
the Canadians and Indians. The Com
mission of Sir G.. Carleton also authorized
the Governor to embody any number of
Canadians he pleased, and TO march them
wherever he thought proper, and to initict
capital punishment also on those he sus-
pectcd oftreason or rebellion. But Care-
ton was too prudent and too well acquaint
eli with the human mind 10 make use of
the extraordinary powers vested in him.
He therefore applied to the Catholic Bish-
op Of Quebec desiring the prelate to issue
Pastoral letter, TO be read in the different
Parish churches of the Province, COM
handing and exhortipg the faithful to take
up arms for the defence OF the country
against the Americans. The requisition
o. the Governor was complied with imme-
dIaiely by the supple and devoted Bishop,
and the document was duly read in the
dtierent churches
Sir Guy Carleton also called on the
Seigneurs OF the Country and wished them
to exact from their censita,res, military
'trriee, according 10 the feudal tenure. The
Governor had been forced TO have recourse
10 this expedient, as there existed then
DO militia laws to force the Canadians TO
lake up arms, and he cid not like to make
Use of the extraordinary and arbitrary pow
eis conferred on him by his commission.
ba' the Canadians refused boldly to obey
their Setgneurs, and this measure Of Sir
Gay Carleton was very near being the
asaih-blow to Eng lands power in Cana
ca. These two failures of the aristocracy
" The country (,he Clergy and Seigneurs)
fe highly honorable TO the spirit of indie
F0dence existing among the Canadians oil
'"'' and show that they were not tina,
'e'T'le race they were presumed to be in
England.
ihe embarrassment Of Gov. Carleton
was extreme, and the news of it reached
we Continental Congress, together with
a animation that the friends of American
aSsf'y in Canada, desired most ardently thai
\ We are informed BY venerable soldier Of the
A.'sss'iOn, Canadian, that ihis document me-
80 reception from the Canadian people The
@eai the Parish Priests began TO read il ths
80 abandoned the churches, in the same man
a = 1887. ~ viz