The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-02

MosTREAL, April 20, p. NJ.
An day yesterday most fearful excitement existed
throughout the city.
APP. NJ The mass meeting, called to take into
consideration The best means Of presefy ing the peace
Of The country was held on the Champ de Mars, and
an immense mnlhsuda was present. Strong resoln-
lions were passed, and petition 10 The Queen 10 re-
cali Lord Elgin was drafted and adopted. Al The
earnest request OF the principal leaders the people
dispersed quietly
The five gentlemen arrested have been committed
for rioing
! A man by The name OF Perry, The great leader Of
the iremen in this city, has been committed TO ail
on charge Of arson.
Towards evening rumor rapidly spread That the
French party were being sworn in as Special Con.
stables and armed. IL proved correct.
. The British portion were persuaded BY The leaders
to wait till armed and encounter took place be-
tween about twenty English gentlemen and these
Consiables who most wan,only fired on then.
Only few of the small party had arms, WHICH
they discharged upon The mass and slowly relreaed,
bearing on one OF The party wounded In the LEG by
pistol ball.
From the cries uttered by some persons in the
crowd one Of the gentlemen who hred informs me
that their discharge must have taken effect
During the whole night these were drilled, armed
with cuiasses and pistols in the Bonseconrs Market
| The military were undor arms oil night, and the
artillery drawn up in the square
have the best authority for stating that Sir Ben
,amin Durham Commander OF the Forces, at meet
| ing of the Executive Council last night made re-
IN rks TO the following purI orr TO Co. Tachc one u
the Ministry.
| He demanded TO know by whose authority those
men had been armed. He said he was there TO pro-
Etect Her Malesty's dominions, and, by the aid Of
Heaven he would do that. II was unconstitutional
to arm one portion Of the populace against the other
! Turning round TO Gen Gore, he said, 'Go 10 his
| Excelency the Governor General and say, send
him body OF British troops to protect him, and that
will not consent TO the clandesline arming OF the
/ French population. Dsann these men and find by
! whose authority they were armed"
| Its understood that Col. Bruce and COL Tache
\ do Il on an order from the Government. The arms
are refused TO be given up.
| The British are rapidly arming, and a dreadful
| 6yht is expected The list Regiment arrived from
81 Johns this morning, and the Provincial Cavalry
| are momeniarily expected
| Upper Canada is In fearful state Of excitement.
! Al Coburgh the Governor was burnt in efigy. The
light could be al the Lake thirty miles OIL The
whole upper provinces are arlning
\ In the eastern townships immense quantities oil
lead have been sold and large bodies OF sturdy rifle
men are expected 10 the assistance oil the british.
On the Ottawa, the lumbermen are also preparing
to assist Montreal.
John Young has been appointed Chief Ntaeis
uate Of Montreal He Is strong partisan, and i
! supported by the present ministry.
The 81, Andrews Society and Thistle Curling
club expelled Lord Elsin to-day. The people are
now Quiet upon tho assurance OF the 9oyernmen
that the French shall be disarmed The Governor
il 20 no 10 the Parliament House az o'clock 10
night and much trouble Is expected.