North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-03-31
APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY
Or LOWER CANADA.
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ADDRESS
ADDRESS

course oi np5sFrsslal has hern IasaftAhiE
hsfassing o People, Ia despite oi ihrif
wishes expressed 10 every manner fecng-
missed by constitutional sSsqe-~by popular
assemblies, and BY their Representatives
Ia Pariismeni, after grave aelibefatian;
when their rulers, instead af TedfessinQ the
various evils prod1Ced br ibeir own mis-
government, have sesenn'y unregistered
aud proclaimed their guilty determination
TO sap agd subyeft the very foundation 81
civil liberty, Il becomes Tie Imperative du-
Nv Of the people 10 helake themselves 10
The serious confederation oF their uniaru-
nate p,siiion--or The dangers by which
they are surrounded and BY well concert
ed Organization 10 make sneh arrange.
ments ms may be necessary 10 protect IN,
Impaired their rights az citizens and their
dignity as FIermen.
The wise and immortal framefs of The
.7merican Declaration Of Independence,
embodied in that document the principles
on which alpnc are based the rights of
man, and successfully vindicated and es.
tahiished The only institutions and form
al government which can permanently Sc
cure the prosperity and social happiness Of
the inhabitants OF tins Continent, whose
etincation and habits, derived from the
circumstances of their colonization, de-
naand system Of government entirely de-
pendant upon, and directly responsible 10,
the people.
10 common with the various nations OF
North and South America who have a.
dnpted the principles contained in that
Declaration, we hold the same huly and
seif.evident doctrines; that God created no
artificial distinctions between man ard
man; that government is hut a mere hu-
man institution, formed by those who are
TO be subject TO lis good or evil action; in
tended for the benefit Of oil who may con-
sent 10 come or remain nnder lis proiec-
lion and control; and therefore that its
form may he changed whenever il ceases
10 accomplish the ends for which such
government was established; that public
authorities aud men in Office are butthe
executors OF the lawfully-expresse will Of
the community. honored because they pos
sess public confidence, respected only SO
long as they command public esteem, and
20 be removed from office the moment they
cease 10 give satisfaction 10 the people, the
sole legitimate source Of oil power.
In conformity with these principles, and
on the faith OF treaties and capitnlations
entered into with our ancestors, aud guar
aniied by the Imperial Parliament, the
people oi this Province have fer long
series ofyears complained BY respectful Pc
titinns Of the intolerahlc abuses which
poisoa their existence and paralyze their
industry. Far from conceding our hum
bile prayers, aggression has followed ag-
erosion, until at length we seem no lon
ger 10 belong 10 the British Empire for
our own happiness or prosperity, our Free
dom or the honor Of the British Crown or
prnple, but solely for the purpose Of fss-
tening upon US horde Of useless officials,
who, not content with enjoying salaries
enormously disproportioned to the duties
OF their Offices, and 10 the resources Of The
country, have combined as a faction, uni.
ted by private interest alone, 10 oppose all
reforms in the Province, and 20 uphold the
iniquiiies or a Government inimical TO The
rights and liberties ofihis Colony.
Notwithstanding The universally admit
ted Justice OF our demands, aud ,hr wis
dom and prudence OF rcmedyjng our COM
plants, We stll endure the misery Of an
irresponsible Executive, directed by an,
ignorant and hypocrilical Chief; our
Judges, dependant for the tenure of their
Office on the mere will and pleasure of the
crown, for the most part the violent par
tisans of a corrupt administration, have
become more completely the tools and
mercrnaries OF The Executive, by accept
ing the wages OF their serviity, ia gross
violation II every principle Of Judicial In
dependence, from foreign authority, with
nut the intervention OF the people, 10
whom. through their Representatives, be-
longs the sole right OF vniing the salaries
OF their public servants; the olhce-hoiders
OF The Province deyour our revenues in
salaries SD extfavagant as 10 deprive as
OF the funds requisite for she general inn
prevement Of the country. whereby our
public works as arrested, and the naviea-
ton Of our rivers cohtiuae distracted; a
Legislative Council appointed by men e
siding ihree thousand miles from this
COUNTRY, add systematically composed so
as to ihwart and oppose the efforts nj our
freciy-chosen Representatives in all mea- |
suses for the promotion Of the public good,
after continuing unchanged during the
present administration, thereby deptiving |
H. - r. a IL