1891-92. ] CORRESPONDENCE OF LIEUT.-COL. COFFIN. 20% 
From a letter of Mr. Coffin’s we learn that soon after Lord Durham’s 
arrival, Sir John Colborne decided to retire from Canada. He writes on 
June 23rd: 
“Sir John Colborne has determined on demanding his recall. John George fancies 
himself General in every sense of the word, and [| can easily understand that any 
interference on his part would be intolerable to Sir John. To say the truth as far as 
Sir John is concerned, I cannot regret his decision. He requires rest, and every such 
man ought to retire on his laurels before they fade. Health and happiness be with him 
wherever he goes !” 
As Administrator and Commander of the Forces Sir John Colborne 
had his hands full. The very evening of the day Lord Durham sailed 
from Quebec, rebellion broke out afresh, the first act of hostility being 
the seizure by about 400 men of the steamer Henry Brougham at Beau- 
harnois, on the St. Lawrence. Dr. Robert Nelson established himself at 
Napierville, issued a Declaration of Independence, and proclaimed him- 
self Provisional President of the Republic of Lower Canada. He was 
in command of a large number of American mercenaries, and was soon 
joined by many Canadians, his force aggregating some 2000 persons. 
But such prompt and effective measures were taken by Sir John and 
the loyal militia that within one week after its outbreak this second re- 
bellion was suppressed. 
Most unhappy were the consequences of this foolish rising. Courts- 
martial were organized, many prisoners were sentenced to transportation, 
while twelve were condemned to death and afterwards executed. 
But worse than this was the misery caused by the avenging zeal of 
extreme loyalists who burned and plundered freely in the disaffected dis- 
tricts. Quoting from the Montreal Herald, Garneau tells us that “On 
Sunday night the whole country behind Laprairie presented a frightful 
spectacle, being one sheet of livid flames; and it is said that not one 
rebel’s house has been left standing. God knows what is to become of 
the Canadians who have not perished, their wives and their families, dur- 
ing the coming winter, seeing that they have nought in prospect but the 
horrors of hunger and cold.” 
In a long and very interesting letter of July 9th written from St. 
Denis, Mr. Coffin gives us a very different and happier picture of the 
Eastern Townships, as lately seen by him when making an excursion on 
horse-back from St. Denis to Lennoxville, and thence to Port St. Francis. 
He says: 
‘“‘] was anxious to judge for myself as to the actual state of the rural population of 
this District. I rode therefore, and having fifty occasions per diem to pull up and 
chat, or dismount and enter into the houses of the people as I passed along, I think 
