, 1865-01-10
4 Souvenir Of Canadian History.
Osukosu, Wis, jan 4.

Editors Ch:cago Tribune:
4 few faets in relation to the massacres
committed by the British Governmentin put
ting down the Canadian rebellion in theyears
1887 and 'S3, may be instructive to some Of
your numerous readers, when put IN contrast
with the mode pursued by this Government
in their dealings with rebels and home tral-
tors. Perhaps IT is not generally known that
from the commencement Of that foolish re-
bellion to its conclusion, there was not mus
in the hands Of the insurgents ct Lower Can
ada, and, with one exception, not single Life
vas taken by them up to this time, and that
in sclfdeicnse.
In the winter Of 'Ss, Sir John Colbern vas
then in command of The forces IN Mou-
treal, md was informed that there were q
number Of young Canadians drilling and "a Pre-
facle, about twenty miles northwest Of the
city. The next morning his whole command,
numbering three thousand regulars, and TWO
batteries Of artillery, with rocket brigade,
were called ont to annihilate these defense
less, eimple-hearted people. Ihe country
through which the army had TO maren Is the
richest and most beautiful In Lower Canada.
They had scarcely got beyond the suburbs Of
the city, before they could sec the white Ing
floating from every house and church splle, IN
token 0f submission. Sir Johns forces were
followed by the most ruthless and mercenary
wretclts that ever collected before the
g1atings, Of Newgatc: Those thugs we're
mounted On several hundred sleds and eH-
tended 1or two or three miles in length AS
the army approached the town every house
was deserted. Men, women and children
took refuge in 4 large stone cathedral IN tho
outskirts Of thv town, naturally supposlng
that the commander would respect the house
Of God. Notwithstanding this, he invested
the town ard brought his batteries to bear
upon the church. The bishop and his clergy,
with tears in their eyes, implo1ed the General
to spare their church and those Of thcir flock
that were innocent, aud cndcavored to per-
susde him TINT il he fired upon the building
when there Was 10 Resistance offered, the
thing would be considered nothing less than
q massacre but lu could not be turned from
his purpose. In ten minutes be poured shot
and she'll into The cathedral, and it was con-
eumed, with several hundred OF Its inmates.
While this scene WAS being enacted at the
church, the mob that followed in the wake Of
the army Ind spread themselves through the
town and the surrounding country, robbing
and destroying eyerything they could lay their
pianos, robbing cellars and tarus, slaughter.
Eg and driving of cattle and horses. After
their return to Montreal, a man that had not
good Glcd load and horse or two extra was
considered unfortunate. Among the rest Of
the spoil collected in The Show do Mars, sew
eEal cords Of wooden clocks were to be seen.
Colomcn Wctheral committed similar ont
rnges the same year at st. Charles and st,
Denis.
Ten years after this, Lord Eieln called on
the French Canadians to essist him to form
his government. They consented on coudi-
lion that they should be allowed to bring In q
bill IN Parliament to indemnify nll those that
were not in any way implicated in the rebel
lion. He consented, and commission was
appointed to investigate the facts, and tl1e
amount awarded to those that wee proved
innocent Was nearly one hundred thousand
pounds, or half million dollars. When Lord
Elgtn gave the royal assent to this bill, after
it passed both branches Of Parliament and
wus pronounced equitable aud just, his Lord
ship was pcltcd with rotten eggs, ,brickbatsand
stones from tie time hs left Parliament House
until lie arrived a, his own, by these same to-
~ bucks that robbed and murdered these in.
nocet people. Not satisfied with this, the
same night they set fire to Parliament House
and consumed It and the most valuable Hbra-
~ then on this continent. Many Of the
French merchants barely escaped with their
lives. And these arc the same men that now
deuounce the President and his Generals
az cruel, and barbnrous, &c. These are the
men that now give license and shelter to
those I1lslNakably damned villains who Lave
dragged their country from its state Of peace
and delugcd it with blood.
AN 0sn CArADJAv