1891-92. ] CORRESPONDENCE OF LIEUT.-COL. COFFIN. 293 
Ministry has acceeded to the request of Lord Gosford for his recall, but his successor 
has not yet been named. ‘The circumstance of the latter individual not being known 
in London induces me to credit the rumor that Sir John Colborne is the man.” 
On Sunday, February 25th, he writes: 
“Lord Gosford we are assured will leave Quebec on Tuesday. I am told that he is 
looking very ill, and to tell you the plain truth I have my doubts if he can quit on this 
day. His remaining here, powerless himself and disqualifying others, is an incalcul- 
able evil. The crowning absurdity of his administration has been the proclamation 
of a general thanksgiving. It is tantamount to the repeal of Martial Law in this district 
—has been already adverted to in that point of view by the Chief Justice of the Court 
of King’s Bench in his charge to the Grand Jury of this district. Conceive the anomaly 
of the very soldiers who are ordered to go tochurch and return thanks for the profound 
peace and tranquillity which has been restored to this province, being at the same 
time under orders to be continually ready at an hour’s notice to march for the purpose 
of repelling invasion or suppressing insurrection. But the malignity of the evil is not 
yet felt.” 
Mr. Coffin was so far correct in his surmises that Sir John Colborne 
was appointed to administer the Government temporarily until a suc- 
cessor to Lord Gosford could be named. 
The references in these letters to the troubles of Upper Canada at this 
time are not numerous, but in the last letter I have quoted from, Mr. 
Coffin speaks of one of the foolish plans projected by the miszuided 
Mackenzie after he had taken refuge on American soil. Early in Febru- 
ary, 1838, he designed attacks on Canada at four different points, Detroit, 
Sandusky, Vermont and Watertown, N. Y, The notorious Van Ren- 
salaer and Bill Johnson assembled a force of about 2000 “ patriots” at 
French Creek on the St. Lawrence, near Watertown, intending to attack 
Kingston, but the brave front made by the loyal militia overawed the 
enemy, and they gradually dispersed. However there was much alarm 
in Kingston. 
About the time that the invasion of Kingston was expected Mr. 
Coffin was sent on an important mission to Albany. 
‘“T must now relate to you the cause of my expedition to Albany and the matters 
and things which befell therefrom. I had the honour of being sent by Sir John Col- 
borne in quest of Governor Marcy. . . . I went upona Mission as nearly allied to 
diplomacy as the Canadian revolt is to the French revolution. But éadinage a part 
Sir John treated me in that matter with a great deal of gratifying confidence and con- 
descension. I was put in possession of all necessary facts—my letters were open and 
were rather those of introduction, and I was left personally to communicate what is 
generally contained in despatches. On my return I assumed the responsibility of con- 
veying certain intelligence to General Wool, with whom I had a long and interesting | 
interview, and I am happy to add that Sir John expressed himself satisfied, and that 
too in the kindest terms, with the manner in which I acquitted myself.” 
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