North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-07-25


ness Of mind Of those who thus opposed
the just demands Of the people, we shall
GIVE the petition which they addressed to
the throne. They endeavourcd to tcrrifv
the people with the idea that their lands
were going TO be taxed, and their religion
exposed to certain destruction; ard 10 net
more eIec,uulIv upon the religious preju-
dices Of the Canadians, they begged in their
/ petition for new importation of French
priests, 10 enable them TO correct the morals
lG! the people. who, they alleged, were be-
coming corrupted, bu, who, in truth, were
beginning to feel The political degradation
10 which they had been doomed under the
French government, and ever since the
British had possession Of their country up
TO the time we are speaking Of. We sub
join this petition Of the aris,ocraiic few
and leave our readers 10 pass their judg-
ment on il.
"Thc most humble petition Of the people
and Roman Catholic inhabitants nf the
different districts in the Province Of Que
bee,
TO THE KING.
May il please your Majesty.
The kindness which your royal and gen
erous heart has been delighted TO bestow
on your faithful and loyal Canadian sub
lccts, the present and premature steps
taken by your old subjects residing in this
Province and By few OF your new ones
who have joined the former; give us reason
/ To hope that your gracious Majesty will
allow rs TO PROSTATE ourselves anew at the
foot Of the throne Tor the purpose OF implo-
ring your kindness and justice.
! In the addresses which we have taken
the liberty 10 transmit To your Majesty,
two objects have met the unanimous sup
port Of our fellow-suhiects the RELl-
GlON of our iorelathers was with your
new subjects as well as with the people of
the whole weird, the main point Of our de-
mands; animated as we were with that
confidence inspired by the generosity ofout
Sovereign. we did hone, and we hope vet,
that your Majesty will grant the necessary
means TO perpetuate il in your Colony.
! We have, Most Gracious Sovereign, an
! URGENT WANT OF PRIESTS 10
| fill the Seninaries and Missions Of the
Province directors, professors &c. are
for that purpose wanting our colleges
are deserted; from this want, ignorance
and moral depravity nre springing mt.
II is an humble and faithful neople who
expects from your royal clemency the
liberty Of bringing from Europe men Of
that profession.
The second object Most Gracious Sow
eregn, is, under whatever form Of gov
eminent it shall please your Majesty 10
establish in this Province, your Canadian
Catholic subjects may be admitted freely
and without distinction, TO participate I'M
the nrecous rights and privileges which
His Maiesty's subjects enjoy. 10 whatever
mart of the Empire they are situated.---
From this second object would follow our
most ardent desire 10 see in The Legisla-
the Council OF our Province a greater
number Of your Catholic subjects in pro-
portion to those now forming said Council.
and who are well versed in our customs.
who must naturally best understand our
municipal laws, and would more efficaci-
ously make Us feel their benefit, according
to the Royal intention of your Majesty,
who has given them unto us. A new
Colonv, people but very little enliQbtep-
ed in British laws and constitutions. think
proper not 10 ask without due considcra-
ton, laws and constitutions which they
know not. They must, on the contrary.
and such is the opinion Of Your petition.
ers. he guided entirely by :he benevolence
Of their august Sovereign, who knows The
form Of Government hest suited 10 his
subjects, also the most proper means 10
make them happy. May il only be a.
lowed 10 Us IN assure your Majesty that
we do not adhere in apv way whatever 10
the demands Of your English snbiec,s. TO-
geiher with some Of the Canadians whose
numbers, when compared with that whisb
compose orr Province, cannot have sach
influence. and that the greater part of he
principal ireeholders have not been con-
suited,
May il please your most Gracious Ms
iestv. TO consider that House Of Assem-
bly, is neither generally nor unanimously
desired by the Canadian people. who, on
account of their poverty and the eslsmi-
ties NJ recent war Of which this Colony
has been The ihesire, are not able 10 sup
ne two objects were. Y LIsT0E and ROYAL
FAVoR; thai i 10 say, the Offices religion was
for the peone ard ROYAL hrors for the nfo--n..x.