[m'lachlan] FLEURY MESPLET, first printer at MONTREAL 2l3 



prisoner, a Scotsman named Hay. On account of this choice he, as 

 he claims, became the object of their jealousy. They appeared to be 

 most quarrelsome, especially in the afternoons after they had been 

 drinking — though he does not inform us as to how they got their 

 liquor while in jail, llesplet was to Jautard like Soutar Jonny, 

 described by Buras, was to Tarn O'Shanter. 



" His ancient trusty, drouthy cronie." 



Laterrière states that nearly every afternoon, after indulging 

 together, they attacked him, but never singly. Happily, being lyoung 

 and strong, he was able to master them both; and thus suffered no 

 injur\\ 



After some time Mesplet's wife was permitted to visit him and 

 even to spend nights in prison with him. And to make it more 

 convenient each of the prisoners partitioned off a sleeping apartment 

 for himself. She, as well as her husband, petitioned on several occa- 

 sions, and on one occasion Mesplet and Jautard together, asking to be 

 liberated or brought to a speedy trial; claiming that they were alto- 

 gother innocent of any "wrong-doing,^ Madam Mesplet further offered 

 to furnish two securities to vouch for her husband's good behaviour 

 should he be released. In another petition,- in which he is joined by 

 Laterrière, ]\lesplet asks to Ije permitted to ta,ke exercise in the jail-yard, 

 as his health suffered from close confinement. As no heed was given 

 to these petitions for liberty they continued in durance till the close 

 of the war when strict surveillance was relaxed. So, on the 1st of 

 September, 1782, Mesplet escaped,^ apparently with the connivance of 

 the authorities, who were thus satisfied to have been relieved of responsi- 

 bility, as the arrest of these people and their detention fori three years 

 and three months, without trial, was a violation of all the principles 

 of British justice. 



What was done with Mesplet's press and plant during all this time ? 

 According to Major ISTaim it was seized and a kind of inventory taken.* 

 It evidently remained in Mesplet's house on Capital Street, for he re- 

 turned there and at once began work after his release. Did it stand idle? 

 Most probably, as we have no imprints save one dated during these 

 years. This one deserves a word. It is explained in a letter by 

 Colonel D. Clause to Haldimand,^ in which he states that the Mohawk 

 prayer book having proved so successful he had tried his hand in his 



^ See appendix C No. 26. 

 ^ See appendix C No. 24. 

 ' See appendix D No. 33. 

 *Ihid C No. 20. 

 "Ihid C No. 25. 



