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

HISTORY OF LOWER CANADA,
(eoN rIsUEp.)

The bloody disposition OF Lord Gosford
was not satisfied, with having set price
upon the heads Of many OF the most res
pectable patriots. His full thirst for ven
geance against those, who, having been
sufficiently honest and faithful in their
countty's cause, had opposed his iniquitous
and deceitiul administration, could not be
satisfied until the whole District Of Mon
tres felt the dread influence Of Martial
Law. Although all attempted resistance
TO the government had been completely and
successfully checked in the whole southern
part OF that large and popuous district,
and but a very few individuals, Compare
lively speaking) were yet in arms in the
County OF Two Mountains, YET His Elk
celIeacy, actuated by the desire OF inflict-
ing as much misery as possible on those
inhabitants who had proved refractory TO
his unconstitutional mandates, on the 9Th
Of December, issued his proclamation put
ting The whole District Of Montreal under
MARTIAL LAW, and resigning that
part OF his government into the hands OF
the bloody Coborne, who, as we have al
ready seen, and as we shall ye: have occa-
sion TO see, was the proper individual 10
accept this cruel and sanguinary task. Our
readers will find this proclamation of Lord
Gosford, in the Appendix, on The last page,
marked Chh,) -. -. hsfeGs
The number OF those Canadians, who
had taken refuge in the United States,
at this early period, was already great.
These refugees ought properly to be divi-
ded into two classes those who had cross
ed the Provincial line for the sake OF avoid
ing danger, and those, who had been
forced by disasters, or enticed by false rep
RESERVATIONS, to abandon their native soil.
OF the. first, nothing could be expected,
but from the second class, all that the
most lofty patriotism could effect, with
the very limited pecuniary means thea at
their disposal, was cheerfully undertaken
by these unfortunate exiles. The sympa-
thy Of the generous sons of the Green
Mountains, was excited to its highest pitch
when they learned that the Canadians had
began the same conflict with the odious
and sanguinary Britons, as their gallant
sires had done in '76. Their purse was
freely opened to the needy, while their
feelings OF sympathy led them to furnish
the Canadian patriots, oil the arms, am
munition, and other material Of war, which
were within their power. II has uniortu-
nately been too much the practice with
some TO underate the real value Of the do
nations made by the Americans, in that
moment of deep and sincere sympathy.
We were present ourselves, we speak what
We know, and relate only what we have
seen, we have many times witnessed the
deep interest, that our American neighbors
have taken in the success Of cause, for
which they felt the deepest anxiety.
When we speak thus, we refer oRly TO the
people and not to The American Govern
nent, which. in our humble opinion, has
done more than Sir John Colborne, to sti-
6e the Canadian rebellion.
By the generous efforts OF the American
sympathisers, the canadian refugees were
prepared 90 make descent upon Lower
Canada, had they only had sufficient
number OF meR TO efeOs that objee,. Bot
as we have already said, certain class Of
the refugees were here. for the sole pur-
pose Of screening themselves IRON British
vengeance, aad these wese unwilling 70.