North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-07-03
APPExplx TO THE HISTORY Or
LOWER CANADA.
10. O. J
DECLARATION.

Unted Kingdom Of Great Britain anc
Isetand, 80 the 5lst Chapter oi the act
passed IN :ae 9isI year OF li,e reign OF hire
Gsofge III, hath been continually violated
hy the British Government, add our rghts
usuued aud whereas our humble petit
tons, addresses protests and fenons'fsn-
oes against this injurious aud uncons,Iiu-
ltonsl Interference have been made IN VAN,
that the British Government hath disposed
Of our revenue without the constitutional
consent of the local Legislature, pIlaged
our Treasury, arrested great numbers oi
our clizrns, and committed them 10 prls-
on, distributed through the country mer-
cenary army, whose presence Is accompan-
led by CONSERVATION and alarm, whose
track IL red win the blood of our people,
who have laid our villages in ashes, pro-
famed our Temples, ana spread terror and
waste through the land And whereas we
can no longer suffer the repeated violations
oil our dearest rights, and patiently sup
port the multiplied outfages and cruetips
ol the Government of Lower Canada, WE.
in The name OF the People Of Lower Can
ada, acknowledging the DEGREES of a Di-
vine Providence which permits US 10 put
down a Government which hath abused
the object and intention for which il was
created, and to make choice Of that form
OF Government which shaI! re-esta6sish the
empire OF Justice, assure domestic tram
guilty, provide for common defence, pro-
mole general good, aud secure to us and
our posterity The Advantage of civil and
religious liberty,
S0LEMNLY DECLARE;
1. That from this day forward, the Peo-
pie Of Lower Canada are absoived from all
allegiance to Great Britain, and that the
political connection between that power aud
Lower Canada is now dissolved.
Q. That Republican fern OF Govern
menl is best suited to lower Canada,
which is this day declared 10 be Repub-
lie.
3. Tha, under the Free Government Of
Lower Canada, all persons shall enjoy the
same rights; The Indians shall 10 longer
be under any civil disqualification, hut shall
enjoy the same rights as all other citizens
Of Lower Canada.
q. Tha, all union between Church and
State Is hereby declared TO be dissolved,
aud every person shall be al liberty freely
10 exercise such religion or belief as shall
be dictated to him by his conscience.
s. That the Fendal or Seigniorial ten
ure Of land is hereby abolished as complete
iy as il such tenure had never existed in
Canada.
s. That each and evetY person who shall |
bear arms, or otherwise furnish assistance
20 the People Of Canada 10 this contest for
emancipation, shall be, and is, discharged |
from all debts due, or obligations, real or
Tor arrearaees in virtue Of Srign-
IoriaI rights heretofore existing.
7. That the Douaira Couiumier is for
The future abolished and prohibited.
8. That imprisonment for deb. shall no
onger exist, excepting in such cases OF
fraud as shall be specified in an act to be |
passed hereafter by The Legislature Of |
Lower Canada, for this purpose.
8. That sentence Of Death shall M long
.r be passed nor executed, except in case
Of murder.
10. That all mortgages on landed estate
'hai be special, and to be valid, shall be
in Offices to be created for this
purpose by an ACT OF the Legislature Of
Lower Canada.
II. That The liberty and freedom of the
Press shall exist in all public matters and
Affairs.
W. That Trial by Jury is guaranteed to
he people of Lower Canada ia lis most
extended and liberal sense, in all criminal
'uits, and in civil suits above sum 10 be
liked BY the Legislature oil the State OF
lower Canada.
IS. That as Genera. and public Educa-
ion is necessary, and due by the Govern.
nent 70 the people, an act TO provide for
he same shall be passed as soon as the
circumstances OF The country will permit.
IL. That to secure the elective franchise
III elections shall be had by Ballot.
IS. That with the least possible delay,
he people shall choose Delegates accord
ng to the present division oil the country
nto Counties, Towns and Boroughs, who
hall constitute a Convention or Legislative
Body, 10 establish Constitution. accord
ng TO the wants o. The country, and in
with the disposition OF this
Declaration, subject to be modified at the
will OF the people.
Is. That every male person Of the age
,f 81 years and upwards, shall have the
right of voting as herein provided, and for
The election of the aforesaid delegates.
II. That all Grown Lands, also such as
are called Clergy Reserves, and such as are