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

aud humaniiy-the better IL will be for the
true worship Of that God, who is repre-
scented to us as hating oppression, loving
liberty and cherishing the whole human
family.
But TO return TO our subject. II would
appear that Mr.. Girouard was in favor OF
resisting the British authorities, but by q
misguided notion, he thought that the in
habi,ants of the CouRty of Two Noun
tains would do better TO confine their milit-
airy operations 10 their own county and not
interfere with the other parts of the Prov
ince. This was a fatal mistake on the
part of that gentleman and it proved very
disastrous 20 the patriot cause. As early
as the 10Th Of November, MI. Gi.ouard
went to ST. Hermas, where he iorewarned
the people, that it was the intention of the
British authorities to send the troops
against them and therefore wished them 10
be prepared to meet the foe, il attacked
This was the FIRST military preparation
which took place in that county. The
people OF ST. Hermas Immediately promis-
ed to make entertainments, so as TO defend
themselve against the tories of ST. Andrew
If they should descend upon them.
A great political ferment existed in the
county, when the news of the battle of ST.
Denis gave new impulse to the military
ardor of the patriots and melted them more
than ever to have recourse TO arms to de-
eide the long pending question between
them and the corrupt government under
which they were living. An express was
Immediately despatched to St. Denis, and
after four days of constant travelling Mr..
DAMS returned to ST. Beno;t on the first of
December. He made full and su5stanti-
al report of all the events which had taken
place in the South, and after having de-
pcted the zeal which animated the people
OF 81. Denis, in spite OF the loss of the
battle o: st Charles, he reported 10 the
commandment what DR.. w. Nelson had
said to him.
When the news of the loss Of the battle
OF st. Denis reached Montreal, alarm and
apprehension pervaded the loyal part of the
community. DR.. Robert Nelson, who was
not yet arrested, dispatched an express to
the leaders in the county of Two Noun
taibs, requesting them Immediately to
march upon the City, which was then
guarded by few regulars and some undis-
cipllned volunteers, who woald have offer.
ed feeble resistance to the invaders
Any one acquainted with the dispositions
of the people who are settled between the
County of Two Mountains aad the CITY
OF Montreal, will readily admit that il
force of two hundred men, well armed and
equipped had, left that county with the a.
vowed intention of surprising and taking
Montreal, this force on its way to the
city, would soon have amounted to two
thousand men, well determined to fight or
die in the cause Of liberty. But alas |!
through fatal and misguided policy, the
principal leader of the County urged the
necessity OF acting on the defensive only
and not on the offensive, thereby losing
one of the most favorable opportunities
that could be offered to the Canadians for
liberating their country from British slave
ry. 1t is circumstance deeply TO be de-
plored that such men, as he who gave this
ill-timed advice, should allow themselves
to be governed by such limited notions
where the salvation of their country is al
stake.
On the goth Of November, the patriots
took formal possession of the village of St.
Eustache, whilst the loyalists OF that will
age fled TO Montrea, where they spread
the news OF the instruction in the North,
and profered their services to the bloody
Colborne whom they finally accompanied
In his sanguinary and murderous expedi-
ton of the l4th of December, against their
own Countrymen whose lives they so in
humanity helped to sacrifice with ferocity
unparalleled in savage or barbarian war
It