North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-03-25


ards their guest the company manifested
ardent and iIaIefna feelings nj attachment.
II could not have been otherwise. HIS
noble nature and high qualities command
the respect even of his foes that they
should wiu for him The unboundrd conf
dence and admiration of those friendly TO
the cause to which he is devoted, is, there
fore, nn cause Of surprise.
DR.. Nelson IL no ordinary character.
He possesses abilities which iii him for
great and glorious deeds. His personal
appearance is noble and striking. his mind
brilliant and powerful. Nature has formed
BIN tor popular ea'ier, and endowed him
with qualifications Tor tina; position which
must give him paramount influence in
public Affairs. His towering and manly
form, his fine and expressive features, hi.
a. proud eagle eve" and his eminent intel
leciua powers, all combine % render him
capable Of inspiring people with that
high-wfuught enthusiasm and uncacuIa-
ting devotion 10 the cause of their cnun-
Try which enable the undisciplined massrs
10 triumph over the veteran legiors OF
tyranny. He il the master spirit OF the
liberal party Of Lower Canada, and enjoys,
we believe, a greater share OF It's confidence
than any other man. In this he has no
more than he merits. He has shown him
self faithful and brave on the most trying
occasions, aud we are convinced that he
may be safely trusted in what ever sitaa-
ton he shall be placed.
Our thoughts naturally rccurred, the other
evening when We were in the presence OF
DR.. Nelson, 10 The period OF his imprison-
men., and the state at feeling which his
capture produced ia this community. Even
then, When comparatively little was known
OF his character, be was looked upon as
a" the foremost mann IN the patrioi ranks.
The announcement that be bad fallen into
the hands Of his enemies filed the bosoms
OF the friends OF freedom with dependency.
A painful anxiety in relation TO his proba-
bic fate took possession OF every mind. -
There was scarcely reason to hope that
any thing less than his death would salts
ty the murderous crew who then fed, with
the appetiles and The leTocity Of yultures,
upon The mlserles of an unfortunate peo-
PIE. His doom was supposed to be sealed.
II was known that bis enemies lhirsled for
his blood, and that nothing but their fears
could save him. Humanity they possessed
not, and 10 justice they were strangers,
and the approximations of Guilty and up
braidng conscience were considered all
that could induce them To spare his life.
These did prevail over their sangunary
and vindiclive dispositions. They dared
not bring him 10 the scaiod. They
Il ra AIDED The coneauuoncas az IN laal ,,k.ul
would draw upon lis perpetrators the scorn
and detestation Of the world. They fear
cd The effect Of the last scene. They cow
cred before the spirit OF their prisoner,
though he were in dungeon and in chains.
His interview with The Attorney General
alarmed them, and stayed their bloody pur-
pose. That officer visited him in prison.
He demanded OF him his triaI. He said
that he wished 10 remain no longer in sus-
pense. 81 know that my death is iniended,n
said he, land | am prepared for H. Bot,
sir, shall defend myself, for feel that /
can Justify all that have done. would
do il over again il placed in The same cir
cumsiances. II am brought TO trial, rely
upon II, sir, will lay bare the nefarious
proceedings OF government. Notes will
be taken, and published, and though / may
die, they viii go forth 10 the world 10
work DOT good They will be read in
Canada, IN the UnIed States, and in Eng
land. You must take the consequences OF
them. When go TO the scafold, do not
flatler yourself that shall make any con-
Iession or exhibit any weakness. There
will be no crying or suppIication then. II
| have any thing Of that kind 10 do, ii will
be done in the dark hour Of midnight. in
my solitary cell, alone with my Maker.
On the sea8old shall stand erect, in the
attitude Of conscious innocence. And, SIR,
after having addressed the people in vindi.
cation Of my character, and when | am
about TO drop into eternity, shall leave
the government legacy. ID will be-
THE CURSES OF A DYING NAM
Tyranny itself quailed before the lofty
and intrepid spirit Of the captive patriot.
He was not brought 10 trial, but was sent
into bsnishmeni, by The Dictator Durham.
The following are the proceedings at The
supper on Wednesday evening"
STANDING ToAsrs,
(. Freedom-Msn's greatest blessing
and tina. for which properly. ard even
IIle itself, should be freely sacrificed rather
than II should be surrendered.
2. The spirit Of seveptv-six-We will
cherish Il as the only sure safeguard Of
oUf repUpllrsn Instructions