North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-09-02

rsmYhsfh N8 as%@ 4"tA WsANt @ts AFt"
the Intention 81 slandering 'he Colonial
government, bot which reflected unly tie
most menied seofn on iis contemplate
suthof. Bot, 10 cur opinion, man who
can allow himself la BE- sn lnlormef, can
vefy easily aid perjury thereto, and scch
was doubtless the case nnh this man, who
has jpssly been exposed 20 The fcora and
Contempt Of Ihe whole universe.
The testimony Of the third witness pro-
duccd by the Crown amounted 70 very H.
he. This man, whose name was francois
handonet, said that at the beginning Of
the preceding winter he had seen MeLane
near the Province line. Thar 10 a CONVEX
sa,ion with him, (the wiiness.) McLane
told lin that as be (Chandunet) was going
10 reside at ST. Regis on the 81. Law
renee, he (the ptsouer) wanted the serv'.
ees of the witness in forwarding arms and
munitions 10 Canada That the prisoner
told him that large quantities 81 afnis were
ia be Introduced into The Province,
thrnueh the 81. Lawrence and Lake Cham
plain nv means Of RATS. He (McLane)
added that by means Of RATS made with
iirewnoJ, a large quantity oil arms and
munitions could pass through Chateau
quay River.
The next witness who was heard, was
man named Thomas But;erdeld, who
was from Swan,on, VT, and who had
been arrested al ST. Johns. and since bis
arrest had been confined in the Quebec
jai He said that he saw McLane for
The first time ia November preceding, in
Swanton, VT, aud went on to relate about
the same thing as Elmer Gushing, concern
ing McLane's project Of conquering Cam
ada am Mr.. Adet's participation in the
plan. He also corroberated Chandonet's
testimony where aIluson is made 10 the
prac,icabilty Of introducing men and mu
nitons bv means OF RATS. He added that
he (Ihe wtness) had consented TO enter
into the plot. That on the goth April
preceding, (l797) the prisoner had again
called on him and expressed tears OF enter |
ing the Province That he (the witness) |
went near ST. Johns in quest OF man
named Charles Frechette, who was ac-
quainted with the prisoner, and after hav-
ing seen and conversed with the said |
Charles FIechette, had made up his mind
to leave FOR Quebec. That his (McLane's)
object in going 10 Quebec was TO ascertain
the means ofsurprising the garrison of
that city. The witness acknowledged that
he had been tn actual pay since the mo-
ment he had bargained with the prisoner
10 the preceding November.
Ia reading attentiveIy the testimony of
this individual, a candid reader will readily
place the name OF this Butteriield in con-
ncciion with that OF the base and ever
lishonored Gushing. Bulterfeld's depo-
silon against his countryman, and against
IN individual too, whose money he acknow-
edged having duly received, was evidently
or the purpose ofsaving his neck, even at ,
he expense OF McLane's life. Pos,rrity
will ever desplse the wretch, who, after
laving shared the confidence Of a friend, !
'e.rays him TO The authorities with the '
lew OF making him end his days on the y
allows. No difference in our opinion ex- n
SIS between an informer and traitor to +
be cause of human rights, and either :,
haFscter is equally despicabe. :
Charles Freche,te the individual of .
'hom the above witness spoke, testified h
ne next. He also was another Judas n
tho after having entered into McLane's o
lot, came and testified against him for the 81
urposs Of saving thereby his life or re- n
eeming bis own liberty. But this miser- #
bic wretch was paid according TO his d
ues, FOR the English government was d;
cry nigh leaving him to rot in Jail, as be n
as many successive years imprisoned n
,fore lie was liberated. Although he a,
stihed sgains, the mao, to whom be had ~
gagged himself by solemn oath TO be n,
Ithful and never to divulge the secrets -