North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-10-28


GEORGE PREV0ST,
AtaE - commsnder OF the Forces.
By His Exerlleney's command.
E. b. BRrSToS."
We shall now add one more circum
stance and then shall close this discussion
Great number of Canadian readers mus
be acquainted with the Pointe Claire
affair commonly called Points Claire rebel
hon. Sometime after the war had beer
declared in 1919, an order was issued tha
the drafted militia was TO collect at La
prairie to be from that place sent TO such
quarters as the Commander in Chic
nigh, think proper. The inhabitants Of
Pointe Claire refused to obey this order
and would not allow their ynung men to
depart from home. The military was i'm
mediate!y called out and artillery was taken
with the troops TO 90 and slaughter q
handful of farmers wholly unarmed. A
formal demand was made OF the leaders
whether they would desst. A refusal
having been given, the artillery and small
arms were brought TO play upon group
of men embodied at a certain distance.
But owing TO the elevation on which the
farmers oil Ponte Claire stood, neither the
cannon balls nor the email arms could do
them any injury, after another talk which
took place subsequent TO the firing, the
farmers consented 10 submit themselves
10 the execution OF the order and the Brit
sh troops returned triumphanlly to Mont
real with a certain number OF prisoners
who were Immediately cast into jail for
high treason and mutiny. Can this be
called an &C, which proves that the people
Of the Lower Province, submitted joyfully
to those laws which compelled them as
soldiers TO fight against the supporters Of a
government they cherished'
We believe we have dwelt long enough
on this question and we shall now lay it
aside, assuming tina, we have fully proved
our proposition.
Our readers will recollrct tina, the last
session OF the seventh Provincial Parlia-
ment, had been closed on the 18th of
March, 1914. Although the whole attention
of the people was engrossed by the war, yet
the general elections which took place for
the eighth Provincial Parliament were very
warmly contested. The first session
Of this Parliament. was opened on the
9lst January 1915 when speaker was
chosen in the person Of Louis Joseph
Papneau, ESQ.,. a young man OF only
twenty six years Of age, who by his elo-
luence, uncommon talents and in.repidity,
had won, in the short time that he had
been member Of the Provincial Leeisla-
'ure, the esteem and confidence Of his
,ountrymen. On the Oath, the choice of
The House of Assembly was approved by
Sir George Provost, who took occasion in
his speech to praise the loyalty of the
Canadian people and told the members of
he House Of Assembly that he expected |
hem cheerfully to meet the vas. expenses
incurred by the Province during the pas.
vear.
The House Of Assembly did not resen,
he encroachments on their privileges at
he closing of the last session by the Gov
rnor, who had taken upon himself to cast
ensure on their proceedings.
The first business of importance which
vas transacted in this session and which
fiscted an open rupture between the two
ranches Of The Legislature, was the frau
ulent manner in which several OF the elec-
ions had been carried. The House sum-
noned the Clerk Of the Crown in Chance
y TO appear at the bar with the returns of
he election for the county of Clasps. But
his individual had been named member
I the Legislative Council and refused to
hey until he should have obtained leave
tom the body to which he belonged. The
louise, wha viewed Mr.. Ryland ~ the
Jerk OF the Crown in Chancery, and no.
5 Legislative Councillor, considered the
nswer as an insult, and ordered Mr.. Ry-