North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-04-28

1AA ANape. HaAEa 1Vt@if tFom oshHtstt
was arrested by sentfy, stationed on the
bridge at the upper part II the village OF
81. Matthias. As soon as he was ehallen-
ged and ordered 10 stop, he drew his pistol
and discharged its contents al the sentry,
who fortunately, was not wounded by il,
the ball having passed onlv through his
clothes. The Canadian sentry, in return
for such solicitation, Immediately struck
him with his broad sword on the forehead,
which made the william beg for mercy at
his hands. Indeed il some persons had
not Immediately inleTiered. Spear would
have fallen a victim, as well to his own
rashness, as TO the just indignation OF the
sentry, who would have been justified,
both by his duty and the laws OF self de-
fence, had he dispatched the monster 10
the world of spirits. He would then have
been out of the wav, and those poor polill-
cal prisoners, who were afterwards CON
fined in the Montreal jail, would not have
experienced all the tortures and eruelties,
which his fendish ingenuity Invented 1,
when, as blacksmith Of the jail, he chained
and hand-cufed those martyrs Of Canadian
liberty. But unfortunately, Spear was
spared and in return for such humane treat
ment, he wreaked his unfeunded vengeance
upon those same individuals, when placed
in his power.
| On his person, was fouud letter, writ.
ten by Sir John Colborne, 10 Lieutenant
Colonel WetheraIl, ordering him to retreat
Immediately TO Chambly. The news Of
the defeat Of Col Gore, at St. Denis, had
filed the mind Of Sir John, with serious
apprehensions as to the final result ol
the campaign planned on the aond Novem
Der. One party had already been defeated,
and il was but natural 10 suppose that the
Commander in Chief of the British, would
think that the patriot forces, collected al ST
Denis, would unite with those assembled
at ST. Charles, and gain new triumph
over the British troops under Lieutenan,
Colonel Wetheral. Justly approaching
the delicate and ackward position in which
the British would he placed by seconc
defeat, Sir John Colhorne thought prnpe
to order Lieut.. Col. Wetherall 10 retrea
10 Chambly. from whence he could maxi
his way 10 Montreal City, from which a
the navigation Of The ST. Lawrence wa
then open. } the British forces and the oh
noxious tories, could retire TO Quebec
within the walls Of which, they though
they should be secure from the attacks o
the patriots But this important paper
which ought to have been forwarded 4
Lieut.. Col. We,herall, was very unwisel.
intercepted, and in wrapper, sent TO Gen
Brown, and then to be sent TO DR.. w
Nelson. This was sn error which, tho
committed with the purest intentions, wa
nevertheless destructive 10 the pairio
cause. Indeed, had this letter reached it
: destination, 1t. Col. Wetherall would no
have dared 10 disobey the orders of III
Commander in chief; consequently. th
British troops, at ST. Hylaire de Rouvile
would have reIreated 10 Chambly. Thi
movemcn, would have given, DR.. Nelso
, an opportunity to re-organize bis mer
j both at St. Charles and ST. Denis, an
uniting with Col. Malhiot, their combine
forces would have proved powerful. az
uovance 10 the British red coats.
: Very early on the morning OF the actf
I. the unwelcome rUmor Of the defeat {
T the patriots at ST. Charles, reached the
camp at ST. Matthias; yet this even
which unfortunately YVES too true, SCENE
, not TO affect the minds or check the ardou
of those who were there encamped, as
was generally believed TO be a mere inveE
ton OF the enemy, designed TO frighte
them from their hostile attitude. Bot pc
son, named Amable Demers OF Chambl,
confirmed the news OF the defeat at 5
Charles, and BY bis counsel and behavic
; spread disafeciion and alarm through ii
camp. He informed them, that procl;
: nation had been issued, offering pardon I
all The insurgents except the leaders, an