North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-07-01
EDITED BY CANADIANS & AMrRlcaNs


by tie most horrible starvation.
An unfortunate prisoner, { andre whose
family maine was never known, during q
wear and a half, was reduced TO three
quarters If pound of bread, and little
water per day even in the heat Of summer.
During the winter, which il long and Sc
we're in these northern climates, so much
so ss to freeze wild beasts in the forests, no
was not allowed fire in his cell. His wife
At last found out the place Of his captivity;
she came TO comfort her husband with
sUs'1e refreshments which she had begged
with bitter tears but she was denied the
pleasure of seeing him she was deemed
guilty Of crime against the government.
because she felt for her husband, aud was
ordered To leave the province. How many
other victims were imprisoned in these
dark and damp cells, and died wilhout
ever hearing the voice Of friend.
Europe has not yet forgotten the his
tory Of the Iron Mask that famous pris-
oner confined in the BastiIe at the lat.
ter end Of the reign Of Louis XIV. Well,
there exists vet, or at least there did exist.
when left Quebec, prisoner OF that de-
scrlpton. They had confined him in an
apartment in the upper story Of the jail,
a man Of high standing as far as we could
Judge by some lew chances we had OF see
ing him; the sentry had received orders 10
fire upon him If he dared 10 show himself
through the iron CRATES which fastened his
windows. Public suspicion in the Prov
lnce, established belief that this I'M
known individual was one OF those
French gentlemen who in the last troub-
les, came and siaid a short space OF time
at Quebec, and whose mission is I'D 10
this day political mystery.
After entertaining you with the recital
OF these inhuman actions, this reflection
strikes my mind France, which, accord
ing 10 English notions is The greatest des-
pot Of the world, thought ii her duty TO
spill the blood the despoic LulIy there
is nevertheless a great difference in the
vlolences which were committed at Pom
dchery and those which are daily enacted
at Quebec, which surpass the former, as
well in number as the darkness OF the deeds.
What shall be the fate ofthe governor Of
Quebec time alone will show"
Time at last showed how far the Impe-
rial government was disposed to do Justice
TO Gov. Haldlmand, or TO those who suf-
Tered from his administration and I'M
relcnting persecution. On Hadimand's
return 10 England, his maversations were
so wei! known and his pesecviions so fla
grant, that, TO make show Of justice, he
was heavily fined, but at the same time
His Majesty's Government thought pro-
per to protect their public servant and his
fines were paid with the money OF the
public chest.
Tyranny and despo,ism held absolutc
dominion over the province then, as well
as at the present day. A military title was
The only qualification required 10 I'll the
most important Offices in theColony. Then.
IS 1t now is, sinecureism and plurality Of
Offices were the order Of the day. We find
10 Du Calvet's petition 10 Geo. III, thar
Judge Madame, an instrument in the hands
Of Haldimand, for the persecution Of all
who were the marked victims Of the gov
y
came TO this country as sur
yeon TO the garrison, which gave him q
Ialary OF SsSs 80 cents, was created
Legislative Councillor, which gave him
s444 DO cents per annnm Judge OF Com
non Pleas, for which he received yearly
e, 222 % cents Commissioner fulfilling
he duties of Chief-Juslice, with a salary
'f 1888 50 cents and 10 crown the
whole, he was appointed Judge OF the
Court Of Prerogative, for which he re-
'eived the yearly salary Of s444 10 cents.
Thus this individual filed five different
,fices, many Of which were Incompatible
With one another. The whole united to-
yether gave him, Of the public money, the
early sum Of S,3ss IS cents. Judge
Madame united in his person, the military,
legislative and judicial functions.
Judge Fraser was another sineeurist
nd peculstor OF the public funds. He
vas halfpay Captain, with salary Of
'<44 4oets got ss a member Of the Legis-
alive Council sl44 4octs; Is Judge Of
Common Pleas s222 2sets; as Judge Of
he Court OF prero1atiye s444 40cis az