Oldal 66 [66]
ay pleat a hed
tion of Judge Jones, of the Queen’s Bench, set at
liberty.
dered by the invasion subsided along the frontier,
the greatest caution and forbearance being exercised
by the officials on both sides of the line.
s
The steamer United States was particularly ob¬
noxious to Canadians, in consequence of the active
part she had taken in the battle of the windmill.
On the 14th of April, 1839, as she was leaving
Ogdensburg, several musket shots were fired from
the wharf at Prescott, where a large crowd had
assembled. The passengers also reported that shots
were fired when she was passing Brockville.
On May 17th, 1839, the schooner G. F Weeks
stopped at Brockville, to discharge some merchan¬
dise. She had at the time a six-pound cannon on
her deck, belonging to the State. of New York, and
consigned to A. B. James, of Ogdensburg, to replace
the one that had been seized by the insurgents at
the time of the battle of the windmill. The crowd
on the wharf attempted to gain possession of the
cannon, the crew of the vessel resisting. During
the disturbance, the vessel was seized by the Col¬
lector of Customs. The gun was then taken by the
citizens, who paraded the streets with it, and fired
it repeatedly. Colonel North, the American com¬
mander at Sackett’s Harbor, was promptly notified,
and he repaired at once to Brockville in the steamer
Oneida, and demanded of the Collector the grounds
upon which the schooner had been seized. Not
receiving a satisfactory answer, he proceeded to
Prescott, and made a peremptory order upon
Colonel Fraser for the release of the vessel and
her cargo. The reply was returned that the vessel
would be given up, but doubts were entertained
whether the cannon could be recovered from those
into whose hands it had fallen. Colonel North
placed on board the Oneida one hundred regulars
fully armed, and. proceeded to Brockville. The
steamer took up a position alongside the schooner,
and a demand was once more made forthe surrender
of the vessel and the cannon, The wharves and
block house were crowded with men, many of them
armed, and the excitement was intense. The civic
authorities exerted themselves to secure the return
of the cannon, but were unable to persuade the
excited citizens to surrender it quietly. Matters
thus remained for several hours, during which a
collision was momentarily expected. Atap.M..a
steamer from Kingston, having on board a number
of regulars, arrived, and, by their aid, several of the
ringleaders were arrested and lodged in the guard
house,
returned to the United States authorities,
ernor Sir George Arthur to Brockville, where he
was presented with an address signed by 266
persons, who protested against the manner in
which the gun had been given up. In his reply,
the Governor admitted that the seizure was illegal,
and regretted that greater caution had not been
exercised. The step once taken, he regretted that
the seizure was abandoned without due authority,
and, more especially, under the circumstances,
admitting, at the same time, that the magistrates
had acted with honest zeal. He declared that the
proceeding, and regretted the personal abuse which
had been offered to foreign officers, who had
entered the country in the discharge of a public
duty.
On the 4th of August, 1839, the American steam¬
packet St. Lawrence was met by Her Majesty "s s
steamer Montreal, when nearly opposite Brockville.
The St Lawrence was ordered to show her colors,
but not complying, W. N. Faweil, the British com¬
mander, gave orders to fire. Several muskets
were discharged, but no lives lost. The affair
was subsequently the subject of considerable
correspondence between the British and American
Governments.
Gradually the feeling of hostility disappeared ;
commerce and friendly intercourse were resumed
between the citizens of the two countries, the past
forgiven and an era of good-will set in, which, we
trust, is destined to continue for all time to come.
The direct result of the rebellion was the establish¬
ment of Responsible Government and the inaugu¬
ration of a judicious policy in accordance with the
fundamental principles of the British Constitution.
Experience had demonstrated that a succession of
Governors. adwised by a crown appointed Legislative
Council, could not beneficially direct and control the
affairs of acolony four thousand miles from Downing
Street. The system was impracticable and of neces¬
sity failed. The baleful effects were felt for many
years after, and were only erradicated by the inau¬
guration of institutions yielding the greatest happi¬
ness to the greatest number.
CHAPTER. AIV.
THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.
For many years the means of communication in the
District of Johnstown were of the most primitive
character.
available; then came the King’s highway along —
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