1829.] The Case of the Canadas. ^ 07 



all pretence for excuse, another petition arrived from Canada, full 

 of complaints, so serious, and marked by feelings of such strong irrita- 

 tion, that it would be neither decent nor safe to pass it over. Notwith- 

 standing the length to which this article has already extended^, the 

 purport of this last petition must be laid before our readers. 



The petition contains the substance of certain resolutions which were 

 entered into on the 17th of April, 1828, at Montreal, which charge Lord 

 Dalhousie, by name, with having avowed, together with his administra- 

 tion, their intention of destroying the liberty of the press, and to prevent 

 public discussion ; with having under colour of the militia laws, insulted 

 several respectable gentlemen, officers of militia,* in depriving them of 

 their rank, for having assisted at meetings held in their respective 

 counties, for adopting resolutions on the subject of their grievances, and 

 jjetitioning the king and parliament thereon. That two meetings of land- 

 holders were held in consequence of the governor's conduct, where 

 resolutions were passed to the effect, that the individuals so attempted 

 to be disgraced and insulted, had lost nothing in the esteem of their 

 fellow-citizens ; and that these resolutions being published in the Quebec 

 Gazette, the Attorney General, who is one of the persons complained of, 

 prosecuted that paper in five several indictments, and preferred two 

 indictments against ]VIr. Mondelet, by whom the resolutions were signed. 

 The resolutions complain also, that Mr. IVIondelet, was taken from his 

 business and home, to Montreal, instead of being tried at Three Rivers, 

 where the alleged offence was committed, and that the jury was illegally 

 formed. They state other acts of arbitrary authority on the part of the 

 Governor, and of the Attorney and Solicitor General^ and add, " That 



* One of the instances of this is given in a correspondence, laid before the Committee, 

 that took place between a Canadian gentleman, and the Adjutant-General of the IMilitia, by 

 order of the governor. The fact, that every man in the country from eighteen to sixty 

 years of age, is liable to serve in the militia, forms an amusing comment on the strange 

 order of the governor that M. Parant should do duty as a private. The whole affair is a 

 lamentable proof of the iU feeling which has been provoked, and which is made, if possible, 

 worse by the probability that there are faults on either side. 



" To Narcisse Duchesney, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel, &c. &c. 



" Colonel, " Beaiiporl, 28l7i. Jan. 1828. 



" Under the administration of a man never to be forgotten, and worthy of the love of all 

 good and loyal subjects, I was honoured by being considered worthy of an ensign's com- 

 mission. 



" But at this period, when being a commissioned militia-man prevents me from being a 

 citizen, when persons a tliousand times more respectable than I am have been displaced, 

 and others, strangers and unknown have been substituted in their place, I would consider 

 myself dishonoiured, if I retained a commission which has nothing but what is degrading 

 In my eyes. 



" However hoaourcd I might be v/hen I received that commission, I did not accept it 

 until I knew that the duty it required was conformable to law : that conformity existing 

 no longer, my commission ceases to exist. It is your's ; dispose of it. 



(Signed) " M. PARANT." 



" jf/ljiilant-dcneral'g Office, Quchec, 22rf Fehrnary, 1828. 

 " Lieutenant Colonel N. J. Uuchesney, commandant of the 5th battalion of tlie county 

 militia, Quebec, having transmitted to mo your letter, dated the 1st of this month, 1 have 

 submitted it to his Kxcellency the Commander-in-Chief, who has ordered that your com- 

 mission of ensign whieli accompanied your insolent letter, should be burned as a mark of 

 his greatest contempt: and that Colonel N. .J. Duchesney should place you in the rank of 

 a simple militia-mun, that you may do duty as such. 



" VA.SSAL DE MONVIEL, Adjutant General, M. F." 

 " To M. Pah ANT, Militia-man. 



K 2 



