North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-12
sPPESpIx 10 NIX HISTORY or
LOWER CANADA



t;.knowa 10 my fellow citizens thai
.l,.;uth2aces have broken DOT 10 The neigh-
t,u,re psoy,nec Of Lower Canada, Which
IS. resulted in bloodshed. The head oil
tne utoviaciai government has issued bis
nroelsraalion declaring martial law 10 The
district Of Montreal.
This state OF things necessarily changes
she relations which have heretofore existed
hr,we.n the Inhabitants Of this slate and
>na, province, and the possibility that any,
thtouyh the influence OF ardent ieelIngs,
NAV be betrayed into acts oil unauthorized
interference, induces me In cal Inc aiken
,,ot, OF NV fellow citizens 10 The subject.
With the kingdom Of Great Britain we
are in a state of profound peace. we
have treaties with that government when
IL il our duty, and ! trust our desire, 10
fulfil 10 The letter. =.
II il obvious thai as nation we have
no right TO intermediate with the consiltn.
ton of any neighboring power. WINE
"a republicans we prefer that form OF gov
.rnmeut under which il is on! happiness
Ia live. a decent regard Tor the opinions
of others, will prevent all dic'atlon ~ 10
the iorui oil their government.
Principles which have been admitted
for ages, forbid all national interference
unless in the character OF allies, ana IL ~
scarcely necessary TO edd that lnd'viauass
should nor do that which the government
cannot - must not do.
a. has been represented 10 me mat To
some few instances arms have been lur-
nished, and hostile forces organized within
t3,is N ate Moo can be ignorant OF the
consequences OF such state OF Things u
allowed, Such forces may be fepciied,
and our territory be made the theatre OF
ac,iye warfare. This is pot 10 be tolerated
ler a moment, and every good citizen will
appreciate the Importance OIL Feook'ng all
such acts as may tend TO produce u.
That comfy which binds nations 10
each other condemns OIL interference IN
their intestine brois, and the laws oil Con-
ptess are explicit in their denunciation,
subiecting these who improperly interfere
10 heavy penalties aud imprisonment.
Under these circumstances and win
these feelings, have thought IL my duty
TO issue this, my proclamation, cautlonlng
nv fellow citizens against all acts, mat
NAV subject them to penalties, or IN any
way cnmpromit the government. aasasl
Or frs, duty 10 to our own government
and The greatest benefit we can confer on
the world il by giving them perfect ex-
ample in The action Of that government.
With other nations our conduct should be
regulated by the principles Of an enlarged
and enlightened philanthropy. In war we
may treat them as enemies but in peace
they are TO be regarded as friends. In the
present posture oil affairs our duty IS mani |
fest--that of a strict neutrality --neltller
lsnding such aid 10 either as would be IN
consistent with that character, nor deny
ing the rights of hospitality TO either, SO
long az they are within our borders, aud
maintain the character OF quiet and peace
able citizens.
Ny fellow citizens will appreciate the
feelings By which am actuaied. The ma
toms honor eanno, be con6ded to better
hands than their own. Their zeal in the
cause Of liberty was never doubted. II is
orly necessary 10 caution them against sucfl
interference with the rights oil Others as
might jeopardize the peace OF our country.
Given nnder my hand this 18th day OF
December, A. d. 1887, and OF the
Independence of the United States
the sixty-second. 9 ~. ~.
.a n s. H. JENISON.