The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-13

The Late Rebellion In Canada-Retarn o
Two American Patriots.
We were called upon yesterday by respectable
and patriotic American, named Stephen . Wright
who has just returned from transportation in Var
Dieman's Land, whittier he was sent by the British
authorities at Kingston during the late rebelllou
outbreak in the provinces of Canada. His objec
was to induce us to call the attention of those
sympathisers here, who addressed the British gov
eminent some eighteen months ago upon the subject
Of the convicts, to his case and that of another
man, named - Dresser, with the view of giving
them an opportunity of rendering pecuniary and
other assistance to enable them TO return theii
homes, which are at considerable distance IRON
New York.
The statement made to by Wright is in sub
stance, as follows:-He and Dresser were in party
of two hundred, who left Sackett's IIarbor in Oc-
tober, 1888, in steamer, with the avowed purpose
of assisting the dsafected Canadians, and they
landed at Windmill Point. just below Prescott, on
the night of the llth. They were armed and
equipped as volunteer soldiers. Immediately after
landing they were attacked by a considerable body
of militia and regulars; after fighting four or five
days, thirteen were killed, and the remainder,
amounting to one hundred and eighty-four, were
made prisoners They were conveyed in a steamer
to Kingston, where the wounded, OF whom Wright
was one, were placed in hospital where he re-
NAMED seven days. and was then transferred to the
common Jail for three days. On the 22d De-
cember, he was tried before a court martial
along with twelve others; and after an invcsllga-
ton of an hour and twenty minutes, he was SEN
tentenced to transportation, whilst many OF his
companions in arms were sent to execution. Be-
tween ten and eleven months afterwards, Wright,
Dresser, and sixty-six other American sympathisers
were embarked on board the ship Buffalo, which
first conveyed them to Quebec, where fifty French
sylnpathsers were received, and then to Port Lon
don, where forty-nine others were received; and
with this rebelious cargo board, the vessel pro-
ceeded to her destination. In the first instance the
convicts were not informed whittier they were
bound, but when they had been at sea five days,
the Captain whose name was Wood, told them ne
was bound to Van Dieman's Land. A voyage Of
four months and half brought them to Sandybay,
about mile below Hobart Town, where they were
landed, and instantly attred in the dress assigned
TO convcts in penal settlement. The day after,
the Lieutenant Governor, Franklin, Inspected the
convcts, and told them ESQ our informant stately
that he had received no instructions from the home
government with regard to them, but he had called
his counsel together, and it had been decided to
employ them upon the public roads until instruc-
tons arrived from England Their employment then
commenced, and it consisted in breaking stones,
drawing hand carts, and with similar occupations
upon the roads, the labor Of which is described as
excessively severe. Sixteen or eighteen months
q. a. tInm
another visit, and told them his instructions
had arrived from England; and that, in compli-
ance with them, the Canadian convicts were to
work probationary period of two years upon the
roads in the public service, at the end of which,
those who behaved well, would receive a ticket OF
leave. This ticket Of leave authorised the convict
to 60 into any midland district in the island, and
there to make the best use of his time for his own
interest All seaports are prohibited places. Under
these tickets, Wright and Dresser lived for two
years, working very hard Both, however, make
bitter complaints of the food and raiment sup
Piled to acknowledging that it was scanty and in
ferior, whilst the hus in which they slept, were
the most miserable places in the world. During
this period, they certainly seem to have undergone
considerable hardship. Eventually they obtained
pardon and release by fortunate, conc urrence OF
circumstances. Five bushrangers had absconded
from Port Arthur, and taken up arms, with which
they were committing violence. With the view
of securing these people, the Governor offered a
free pardon and passage from the colony TO any
of the convicts who should apprehend them, blu
none volunteered for the service. AT length
however, Wright, Dresser, and three others
made the attempt, and after being out in
the bush for eighteen days, they appre
hended two out of the five absconded rangers
Their reward was a free pardon and passage tO
London by the next departing vessel, and after q
voyage of five months they arrived in the metropo
lis of England. The American minister in Lon
don procured them passage to New York in the
ship Quebec which arrived here last Thursday.
Wright and Dresser are now staying at No.
Gold street, where assistance will be of great uti
lily in enabling them to return home. Wright
lives at Denmark, Lewis county, about 300 miles
from this city and Dresser, who is too i'll to be re-
mcved, resides in Jefferson county, New York.
The WORLD OF FASHION IN WASHINGTON. by
far the most attractive field Of study to the phioso
pher in Washington, is to be found, not in the halls
of legisation-not in the noisy, disordery, bicker
ing House of Representatives; or solemn, prosy
waddling Senate, but in the gay saloons, the hotels
the assembly-rooms of that curious city. Saratog;
is all very well. There's abundance Of materic
there for quiet, calm, observant anatomst of fash
ionable society, but in many respects Washington
is infinitely more productive. Every grade ant
class from the snug farmer Of the West, the propri
etor of the cattle on hundred hills, to the aristo
cratic planter Of the South, with the blood OF ia
mily of hundred years in his veins, are there re
presented. Members wives, young, gay, good
looking, aged, passf, the case may be-widow
Of all compilations and degrees-young ladies, jus
brought out, and old ones just going out-the male
as much diversified in character, reputation and pei
son--all mingled into one grade, present certainly
state of society, every hour exhibiting the most CT
rious, amusing, and peculiar developments.
The present season has been remarkably brillian
On Tuesday last the Attorney General, who occ'
l.