The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-08
THE MAIDS 0NIAN.
THE CANADAS.

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We have no desire to interfere with the affairs
of Canada nor to increase the 'fa'rior iever
upon our Northern borders. But as the atten-
ton of the public mind is very much attracted
10 our relations with England In reference 10 the
British proyinces northeast Of the Union, il can
NOT be uninterestng to our readers to be appraised
of the steps taken by the first American Con-
gress to secure the cooperation of those colonies
in the attempt to throw of the oppressive autho-
rity ofthe mother country.
We insert below the letter which was address
ed to the inhabitants of Canada by the Ameri-
can Congress on the 29th of May, ITS, and the
instructions given to Benjamin Franklin, Charles
Carroll, and Samuel Chase, who were appointed
commission 10 proceed to Canada and invite
that province TO join the Confederacy.
1t is possible that all parties might have been
benefited if the Canadas had then made com
mon cause with the revolving colonies, as there
can be no doubt they would have been incorpo-
rated into the union at the peace. The French
inhabitants would have had the advantage Of.
making their own laws, and Of preserving intact
such of the institutions and usages of France as
they might have thought best Each of the
other provinces, now grown into importance,
would have enjoyed all the benefits Of self gov
eminent in conformity with the peculiar inte
rests of EACH The world would not have wit
messed that bold and tyrannical attempt to en-
slave whole community, which we see now
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recent act of union, the avowed object Of which
IL IL - tI.e IL al
entire French population in Lower Canada, by
super-imposing another province, inhabited by
a different race, whose interests, feelings, and
religion, are utterly hostile Instead of being
miseraby poor, drained Of the last shilling to
support their foreign task-masters, those pro-
vinces would now be rich, prosperous, and indie
pendent Great Britain would have derived
from legitimate commerce with them greater
advantages than she has hitherto enjoyed, or
can probably ever receive, while existing, as
well as future dangers Of war with this country,
would have been avoided. Even now it is
probably the true policy Of England, either to
abandon these provinces, or to bring about their
peaceful union with the States, "a union not
sought by u.s. rather than TO seek her own down
fall, by engaging in war which, once begun,
can never end but by her expulsion from our
North American Continent. ea. al.
Ioae oppressed Inhabitants efFyorida.
FRIENDS AND coUNrRYMEN, Y
Alarmed by the designs Of an arbitrary ministry to
extirpae the rights and liberties of ali America,
Of common danger conspred with the dictates of hui
manity, in urging 70 call your attention, by our
late address, 70 this very important object.
nf he Iafa hava bapU
happy in considering you ellowsubiects and from
the commencement of the present plan tor subugatng
the continent have viewed you as fellow sufferers
with as. As were both entitled by the bounty of
an indulgent Creator TO freedom and being both de-
voted by the cruel edcts Of despoc administration,
to common ruin we perceived the fate Of the PROBES
tant and Catholic colonies 10 be strongly linked toge
ther and therefore invited you to join with us in re-
solving be free, and in rejecting, with disdain the
letters Of slavery, however artfully polished
We most sincerely condole with you the arrival
Of that day, in the course Of which, the could
shine single freeman in all your extensive domi
has engaged the most unfeigned pity your sister
lones and latter ourselves you will not by tame
ly bearing the yoke suer that pity to be suPpanted
by contempt. stf
When hardy attempts are made to deprive men Of
rights, bestowed BY the Almighty, when avenues are
cut through the most solemn compacs for the admis
sion Of 1espcsn when the plighted faith of govern
ment to give security 70 dutin subjects, and
peace become more terrible than the sanguinary ope
rations Of war; it s high time for them to assert those
rights and with honest Indignation, oppose the tor
rent Of oppression rushing in upon them.
By the Introduction Of your present form govern
ment or rather present form oftyranny, you and your
wives and your children are made slaves. You have
nothing that you can call your own, and all the fruits
of your labor and industry may be taken from you,
whenever an avaricious governor and rapacious
council may incline to demand them. You are liable
by their edicts to he transported into foreign countries
TO fight battles in which y0u have interest," and 70
spill your blood in conflicts from which neither honor
nor emolument can be derived: Nay, the enjoyment
Of your very religion, the present system depends
on legislature in which you have share, and
which you have CONTROL and your priests expos
ed expulsion Punishment and ruin, whenever their
wealth and possessions furnish sufficient temptation
They cannot be sure that virtuous prince will al
ways fill the throne, and should wicked careless
king concur with wicked ministry in extracting the
and strength of your country it is impossible
to conceive what variety and what extremes Of
wretchedness you may, under the present establish
We are informed you have already been called upon
to waste your lives in contest with Should you,
by complying in this instance assent TO your new es
adjustment, and war break out with France, your
wealth and your may be sent to perish in exped
tons against their islands in the West Indies.
Ii cannot be presumed that these considerations will
have weight with you, that you are lost TO all
sense of honor. We can never believe that.the pre-
sent race Of Canadians degenerated as to pos
sess neither the spirit the gallanry the courage Of
their ancestors. You certainly will not permit the in
fanny and disgrace of such pusilanmity forest your
own heads, and the consequences of il on your chill
dren forever.
We, foi our paris are determined to live Free not
at all and resolved, that posterty shall never
proach with having brought slaves into the world.
Permit again to repeat that we are your friends
not your enemies and be not imposed upon by those
who may endeavor to create animosities The taking
Of the fort and military stores at Ticonderoga and
Crown Point, and the armed vessels the lake. was
dictated by the great law of MISREPRESENTATION They
were intended To annoy us and TO of that friendly
subs.sted between you and us. We hope il has given
you no uneasiness, and you may rely on our assur-
ances, that these colonies will pursue no measures
whatever, but such as friendship and regard for our
mutual safety and interest may suggest.
Az our concern for your welfare entities us Ia vo,r