North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-04-28
1874

chfhs0ah treatment from men, VINO, tueg
had any feelings oil honor, would have
blashed for their irhumanity towards indi'
viduais Justly entitled to the treatment ol
prisoners Of war. But who, sequaspted
with the gentry of the village Of 81. Johns,
we'll ever expect to End kindly or generous
feelings in such monsters as MeRae, the
Lindssys, the Marchands, the McDonalds,
and The Pierces
From ST. Johns, the prisoners, accom-
panied by the troops, were conveyed 10
ears TO Lspfarie, where they were again
greeted, with the groans, Kisses and blows
of the very scum of Canadian society,
better known as ihe"Ioyal British of Lapra-
RE" These inhumsn wretches wen. so
far as 10 spit in the face Of the prisoners,
who were so situated that they could not
revenge the insults which were offered them.
The British soldiers could not brook such
treatment, and they would often shield
their prisoners from the fury and venge-
ance Of the tories. The prisoners were
put on board the "Prircess Victoria" and
were soon landed on the wharves Of Mon
treal All their suferngs from ST. Char
les to this City, were not TO be compared
with what they were about TO endure at
he hands of those Internal wretches, who
seemed TO have been suddenly vomited up
from the very bo,tomless Pit, purposey to
insult and torture the Canadian captves,
on whom they were determined TO sstiate
their unhallowed thirst for vengeance, on
account OF the great dread, in which they
had been KEEP, ever since the commence
,nent Of the rebellion, but more particular
" since their defeat at the battle of ST..
Denis. Stones and all kinds of missiles
were thrown upon the prisoners, who were
beaten, bruised and Insul,ed in the most
shameful manner. When they arrived at
the old ja, they were ordered into that
building, but while entering, they were
pelted with all kinds of filth, 80 that they
were completely covered from head to foot.
Such is the conduct of the British tories,
while they always boast of their accom-
pishments and civilization {! 4! II requires
all the efrontery and impudence Of Brit
ons to speak OF their humanity and gene
'rosity after such conduct to their prisoners
The Indians in seal ping and tomahawking
their captves, act in more humane and
generous manner. They at least do not
torment and agoniss their moral feelings
Ike the British, who, alter having inflicted
upon those who unfortunately Tell into their
hands, all kinds OF contumely and insult,
afterwards send them, like felons to the
greedy gallows to expire among the Kisses
Of an Infatuated and unciviliEed populace.
Were an Englishman susceptible of sound
reasoning, and would he open his heart TO
conviction, would he not turn in tears
from his eountry's diabolical and inhuman
conduct, and would he not blush for the
dark deeds Of the nation, 10 which, by &C
cident, he happens TO belong.
The Montreal Cavalry, who had accom-
panied Lieutenant Colonel Weiherall ;hro'
his campaign against St. Charles, landed
in great pomp from the steamboat, making
oil the military display TO be expected from
young beardiess boys, who had been horri-
bly, alarmed at Longueuil and at ST. Denis,
but who had been accidentally present at
ST. Charles, where few patriots abandon
ed by their leaders, had been forced TO give
way before a regular disciplined force.
This victory which the British won, no,
without a considerable efusion of blood,
inflated the hearts oil these transtfory he
roes 10 such an extent, that the most inso-
lent Joy was depicted on their countenances.
The liberty pole, erected TO Mr.. Papineau
on the Esd Of October, at the great meet
ing ofSt. Cha's had been cut down by these
vslisat sons Of the Gsddess Of var, and {
Two Of them had the honor oil carrying {
This trophy, whilst the Cavalry disembark-
ed from the steam boat. This pole was {
surmounted by the Cap Of Liberty and {
ad n wooden tablet on which WAS written ,