North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-12


more, and their numbers increased very
rapidly. DR.. Chenier had held the CON-
mand at ST. Eus,ashe until the 5ih, when
Amury Girod OF St. Therese Island oppo-
site Varennes, who had been at ST. Benoi I
few days, came down TO the patriot
camp and was unanimously appointed
Commander in Chief OF the Northern
patriot forces. This Girod, whose nation
al origin is not positively known though
supposed to be from Switzerland, was a
gentleman OF superior talents, and pos
sessed something of military appearance.
During his residence in Lower Canada,
which had indeed been only few years,
he had devoted himself to the study of
Canadian politics, and 10 his great assidui-
ty, his love of study and his constant
researches, the country is indebted for
many valuable publications. A series Of
letters published in the 'Minerve', on the
Provincial Legislature and on "worship
and Education" are certainly highly cred
table TO the author who also dsting uished
himself in the publication Of his "Divers
notes on Lower Canada" No individual
acquainted with Mr.. Girod, could deny to
him great talents and close application to
study. With such qualities, our readers
will not be surprised, if Mr.. Girod he'd
made himself quite celebrated among the
radicals whose cause he espoused with
warmth and defended with brilliant success.
Whatever has been his unfortunate lot al
St. Enstache, we shall always feel CRATE
lul@towards him for the innumerable ser
vices which he has rendered 10 our country
whilst in her constitutional struggle against
the mother country, whose iniquity and
deep laid schemes he has so ably exposed.
From all the records which have been
put into our hands, il does not appear that
the new General made practice of drill
ling his men in order to accustom them to
military practices which are SO essential
for soldier On the contrary it would
appear that the men were allowed to be-
have just as they pleased, until it became
necessary to repress their depredations.
Among the young men, who had fled
from Montreal or from other parts of the
country, and had taken refuge at the Damp
Of ST. Eustache, we find Messrs Ferreol
Petier and Richard Hubert. both law
yers Of Montreal Chevalier de Lorimier
and his brother Chamlly de Lorimier, the
first of whom suffered death under the old
Colborne in February, 1889
A. B. Papineau, Esq. the representative
for the county of Terrebonne, and j. B.
Brien, the Infamous wretch, who in the
rebellion of 1888, turned informer against
his companions and sent them TO the scaf-
old or to lingering and slavish death at
Van Diemen's land.
The manor house OF the place which
was built very strong, as also the convent,
a new stone building, were taken possess
ion Of by the patriots and fortified. On
the 9th, detachment of about iorty-five
men under Captains Joseph DAMS and
Moyse DAMS, was ordered to go and cut
the bridge at Ste. Therese over the Mile
Isles river, which belonged to Mr.. Porte
Gus. This order was punctually executed.
The patriots were busy in collecting pro-
visions for their army, and report states,
that they had sailed beef and pork enough
to last them the whole winter. They con-
tinued in this manner in the greatest secu-
rity possible till the 11th, when for the
second time, the alarm spread that the en-
envy was approaching. The patriots mus
tered with zeal and evinced their readiness
TO contend with, rather than tamely sub
nit to British dietation. This second al
arm however proved to be a small detach-
ment under Captain GLASGOW of the ROYAL
Artillery, who had been sent to ascertain
the state Of the ice before the village of
st. Eustache. When their presence and
number had been ascertained by the patri-
OTIS, detachment was sent against them