North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-10-14


ieeied. Another Bill had been psssrd by
the House putting 40 embargo upon the
OF wheat and other kind Of
produce, so az tn retain them for their own
soldiers, bp, this bill did not meet the APP
probation Of a certain part of the CONNER
cial community, and consequently the Lee
q slsiise Council did not consent to il. II
would be a long and painful task TO reci,e
here all the wrongs this branch of the Lee
gislature committed this session.
The military state OF the country and
more particularly The District OF Montreal
and the Upper Province, where the troops
and militia were assembled TO repel The inva-
sion threatened by the Americans, requir-
ed the immediate presence of the Com
mander in ChieI in those localities. Con-
sequently Sir George Provost prorogued
the Legislature on the 18th of February,
1913, after a session Of Two months and
seventeen days, during which time ten
bills were passed by both branches OF the
Legislature and were approved oil by the
Governor.
Sir George Provost left the next day for
Montreal and the Upper Province where
his presence was very much needed. On
the 10th OF March, he had completed his
journey and had returned to the Capital Of
Lower Canada, where he remained till the
4th OF May, when he again left for Mont
real. During the absence of the Governor
in Chief from the Lower Province il be-
came necessary to name an Administrator
On the l2ih of May, Proclamation was
issued by the Honorable Major General
Francis De 'Rottenbergh, announcing that
he had been appointed to that high charge
during the time that His Exceeney the
Governor General would be absent from
the Province.
On the 9Th OF August, General Order
was issued by the Major General who was
then commanding in the City OF Montreal,
announcing that on the S1st Of July, the
Arsenal, Fort and Military Stores and ex-
tensive Barracks, together with the Com
building and also few boats,
all belonging to the Americans, had been
destroyed at Plattsburgh, N. ", by par
~ OF soldiers sent thither for that purpose
by the British, as also the military stores
and barracks at Swanton, in the State Of
Vermont. HI
The only engagement OF any conse-
quence which took place this year between
the American troops and the Canadian
militia, was fought on the 26th of October,
at place called the Forks Of Chateaugav
River. Genera! Hampton OF the Amer-
can army was trying to open aninroad in
TO the Province by that section of the
Lieutenant ColonsI De Salaber-
ny who had only 500 men belonging to the
Teltigeurs made resistance, and posted
his men in such an admirable situation
that he repealed the enemy, although his
rorce was far inferior 10 that of the Ameri-
cans, who did not leave the field until they
bad several times attempted to open the
Intended passage. Both parties ev,nced
great courage, but the Canadians had
eventually the advantage, as they had a
ar better position than their opponents,
md furthermore were well acquainted with
he place where they were fighting, whilst
he Americans were wholly ignorant OF
he locality. So decided and unexpected
/ victory made great noise in the Pro-
'ince and this success Of the Canadians
over the Americans was magnifed to such
IN extent as TO make the people of the
Province believe that the inhabitants OF
he United States were a congregated
mass Of towards wholly unfit for beligerent
purposes. But in the next year the British
md the Canadians had occasion at Pla,ts-
,urgh TO find out their error.
Onih 4th OF November, general Or
Ter was issued by His ExceIleney, the
Commander in Chief, in which he dis
harged the sedentary Militia, their servic-
$ being no further required, inasmuch as it |
IL ~