North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-07-01
Original.
HISTORY OF CANADA.
(cosrISurp.)


Although the British held complete sway
in Canada, and were enjoying The rict
bouniies Of the country in full secur
ty. they still had reason To believe that In,
Americans too well understood their inter.
csls as nation, not 10 undertake again
another expedition against the English
arms IN that portion of the continent oil
North America. That the Americans
mrditated another movement against that
Province, is fact well known to those
eonversant with the proceedings Of the
Continental Congress of that period. But
unfortunately The means were deficient,
and the American people, having British
arms 10 contend with al home, were una
bic 10 carry war out of their own country
with much vigor. We see that on the
2ai of jan, l775, Congress came 10 the
resolution that new attempt ought TO be
made against Canada, and the board Of
war was authorized TO take every measure
for the accomplishment Of that great I'M
dcnaking. Next day Congress proceeded
10 the nomination Of the general officers
who were 10 conduct the expedition. As
the majority Of the people OF Canada were
Of French origin, il was thought proper 10
appoint French officer 10 head this haz-
ardons expedition, which had hitherto
proved disastrous. Major General the
Marquis de la Fayette was the person
chosen, and he was to be assisted by Ma
jor General Conway and Brgadier Stark.
II was unfortunate that this expedition
was not carried on, as originally intended !;
for, under The auspices Of the gallant Mar
qus de la Fayetie, Can ada might have I'M
doubiedly thrown off her shackles, and
would now be ranked among The nations
that are free. But, as we have already
said, this expedition was merely contem-
plated, without being carried into execu-
ton.
The attention OF Congress was so entire
'y directed 10 the necessity of conquering
canada and of emancipating its inhabi-
tanis from British vassalage, that, in an
address OF that hon. body TO the cti-
gems OF the United States, dated 9Th MAY,
IT'S, they used the following language, in
order 10 excite the sympathy Of the Amer
fan people in favor Of the Canadians.
The more we read that part of the address
to which we allude, the more we detect
me malice, or perhaps we should say the
ignorance, Of those who pretend, at this
day, that the people Of Canada did mol,
during the revolution, evince strong de-
s'e 10 rid themselves OF British rule.
One OF these two arguments must hold
good, viz: Congress knew well the feel
ings Of the Canadians, whom they repre-
'enied as thirs,ing after liberty and eman
eipalion from the British yoke, or il must
Dc conceded that the members of that body
knowingly imposed upon their conslitu-
eats, BY representing the Canadians in a
ialse light. II the FIRST position is admit
led, then the conduct of those who delight
u reviling the Canadian people for not
haTing aided the Americans, and for hav-
'as adhered to the British flag, must be
Considered as reprehensible indeed. But
u on The contrary, the second position is
1antained then that august body which
so much veneraied BY the present gen.
1a''on, and which was supposed TO be
composed Of great and honorable men, was
eailiy Of gross deception. There is no
'aS'guily, no halfway, between these
"0 Propositions F; the one or the other
asst be adopted. AS IN ourselves. after
easeni suj careful perusal Of historical
''s's n our possession, We are OF opinion