Stranica 66 [66]
OCR
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 obnoxious 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 merchandise. 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 Collector of Customs. The gun was then taken by the citizens, who paraded the streets with it, and fired it repeatedly. Colonel North, the American commander 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 steampacket 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 commander, 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 establishment of Responsible Government and the inauguration 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 necessity failed. The baleful effects were felt for many years after, and were only erradicated by the inauguration of institutions yielding the greatest happiness 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 — i ae es ere. s 7 es haigsadise pilin gna iat hit ai MM pd het al = _ rt TS Én Át eee co § hi kezi "eg
