IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ?• ^ /. /. m^., Ui (/. 1.0 I.I 1.25 i^ Ilk u IIIIM IIIM IIIIM 1.8 1-4 ill 1.6 V ^, '/ moiograpnic Sciences Corporation \ .^\^ A <^ ?v 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WHSTIR.N.Y. 14S80 (716) 873-4503 &? J^.^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques Thee to th( The Institute has atten>pted to obtain the best original copy available or filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, wdich may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculde n D D D D D n Cover title nr issing/ Le titre de coviverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiquea en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou da la distorsion le long da la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutAes lors d'une restauration apparaissent c^ana le texta. maia, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas ti'*; filmies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentairas; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Las details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-etre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagies □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicu* another election, ** which," said his Lordship^ ♦' may be very soon.'* nx^ This manifesto fell like a bomb-shell on political and social circles—^aud more than divided the interest which that morning was felt in many a family breakfast. It was sure to furnish a text on which the opponents of the Government would not be slow to make sarcastic comments, while numbers of the flock, recognising the episcopal denouncer as their Chief Shepherd, were emboldened to give utterance, under such authority, to bitter sentiments, which they had long cherished in their hearts, but hitherto had not dared to express. In connection with this letter, we may note one . *riking fact, which will seem curious to politicians in England, that not ono of the Government papers, though one was under the editor- ship of a member of the Government, and the others are said to have been well-subsidieed as printers for the Government, ever ventured a reply, or even a rejoinder to this episcopal ful- mination — a fact which speaks volumes as to the potency of that clerical influence by the support of which they had main- tained their seats. Before the close of the year au extraordinary session of * See Note A in Appendi*;* I a3 "i'.wa» ; uo ' . V Before this extreme step wa« taketi," however, th© new ministry met the House of Assembly, when Mr. Hoyles made a statement as to the circumstances "whieh had placed him in the position in wliich he Stood before the House, and announced his intention, if possible, to form a government representing all the religious denomina- tions in the country.* The forlorn hope was then tried of working with the legislature as then composed during the ses- sion, deferring the elections to the autumn. The attempt, *«; might be expected, wag utterly vain. Indeed -h- was '*¥*rp rf-f <:i):l ; ^jS«ft NPt« B in Appen4U» « I ^mm ij; 6 impossible to transact any biiaiaeas whatever. The ex-offici»is' had mustered a mob of their rowdy supporters, who not only occupied tlie galleries to the exclusion of all others, but took possession of the House itself, forcing the m .mbers to conduct their deliberations — if deliberations they mlfrht be called — squeezed up in an arena iniinedintely around the Speaker's chair, where they could not he ir each other's voices for the cheers, groans, whistlings find yells which made iniermiuable and uproarious concert. These scenes, repeated several days, were unparalelied as distinguishing a hall of legislation, unless --to compare small things with great — they resetnbled the or- gies in the early stages of the French Revolution, before the en- thusiasm of disorder had degenerated into die tiiirst for blood. ;' This saturnalia was suddenly brought to an end by a pro- clamation in the Gazette dissolvingthe House ofAssembly ; and then began the preparations for the general election which was to suataino;* to condemn the high-handed decision of the Go\er- nor. The supporters of the new administration in the dismiss- ed Legislature had little doubt about the districts they had rep- resented. On the other side, all was not so completely harmo- nious and hopeful. The apple of discord thrown out by the Roman Catholic prelate nine months previous had produced an impression which boded ill for the united action of the party of which he had been regarded as the principal prop. " What will he do in the circumstances ?" was a question repeated'y asked. He was evidently in a dilemma, staggered in presence of a catastrophe which he had helped to bring about. Lis© many a sturdy protectionist in the old country, alter his party had succeeded in substituting Sir Robert Peel for the Whigs — who, when he saw the manifest tendency of the newly-elected high-priest to offer incense at the shrine of Free Trade, was driven to the bitter conclusion that there might be a worse dennon than Lord John — so Bishop Mullock was anything but pleased to see what a change he had made for the coterie which he had scolded wit!i such sharp severity, but whose whipping had been administered by another hand. But events were pressing, and did not leave his Lordship room to be very nice as to his action in the unexpected and unwelcome emergency. He therefore wrote another letter, in which he made it known that his favour went with the party which he had so recently abused, alleging at least that they were to be preferred to their successors so far as the interest of the church was concerned, for they had enabled him and his clergy to build convents,, •chools, &c., and, indeed, do a werldgf pious sootl. Thi» mia- (Sive, instead of fusing the discordant elements let loose by hh former coinmunication, only excited feelings of perplexity, and in some cases provoked murmuriags of discontent, in relation tc the vacillation of episcopal counsels. At length the time of the elections arrived, flud it will bft necessary to tax the patience of the reader with a few details as to the proceedings, in order to a proper understandiug of the bearing of subsequent events. Of the thirty members of the dismissed house, twelve were the supporters of the new admin' istration, eighteen were more or less strongly attached to thft late government. With respect to the former there was no difficulty as to their re-election — ^all who chose to stand wete returned without opposition, and in the case where a new* member had to be substituted for one who had retired, the va- cancy was supplied by a gentleman of the same principles and on the same side. In the other camp all was confusion and strife. Scarcely a district was uncontested, and in several the struggle was marked by violence and outrage. The new Pre- mier offered himself with a colleague to Burin, and they were returned without meeting ; he shew of an antagonist, though at the previous election the constittiency had sent adherents of the late ministry. This altered the relative position of parties, giving fourteen instead of twelve to the government, and re- ducing the opposition from eighteen to sixteen, even if there should be no change in th« other districts. ' . ,, In Conception Bay there were two districts, ftarboiif Grace and Carbonear — the former returning two members, the other one— which had been represented by friends of the defunct ministry. It was well known, however, that in both, the majority of the electors (in the first-named a majority of nearly two to one) was on the other side. It was determined to make an effort to gain the representation (or those whose preponderance in numbers gave them a claim to it. At Car- bonear this determination was speedily quelled. On the day of nomiuatiou a fierce mob, having done some injary as an earnest of what it would do, beMeged the government candi- date, and ohliged him in terror for his property and his life to resign. Consequently, his opponent, the old member, was re- ported as re-elected without going to the poll. In Harbour Grace a sharper and more prolonged struggle took place. It should bo mentioned here that at the two previa, as elections for this district, the proceedings had been stayed by violence, the candidates obnoxious to the mob having been conipelledtb retiro--in one case, without going to fb.e poll ; in the other, a while the poll wai actually going on, and tliougU he had the VftSt preponderance of votes given.* In anticipation of deeds of violence a portion of th9 mi!i' tary had been sent to keep the peace, but this did not prevent disorder, nor even modify the rioting which ensued. A sa- vage crowd took possession of the streets, breakiag windows, smashing furniture, and attacking persons, in o ^ instance with aore injury and the peril of life. Owing to tlie timidity and ind'^cision of the resident -magistrate, our soldiers were com- pelled to play an ignominious part. They were the mere attendants oa the n ob, pausing when the latter stopped to gut a house cr store, a^d when the work was done fiUow- ing to the next scene of devastation, receiving no order from the officer in command to p^even^ the destruction of the property of peaceful citizens. A reign of terror prevailed in the town, and the principal merchants, havijg thousands worth cf property apparently at the mercy of these lawless brigands, besought the obnoxious candidate, though representing their own political views, to withdraw. He, however, stood firm, and resolved to go to the poll. But when the day of polling came, so com- plete was the terror and dismay, that it was impossible to find ., persons courageous enough to undertake the duties of poll- clerks. So to the writ for Harbor Grace election there was no return. The scenes above narrated tcok place in Protestant districts, or at least districts in which the Protestants had the majority ; but in some respects they were thrown into tho shade by what occurred in a purely Catholic locality. The Attorney General of the late government had represented the district of Placentia, where he was in such ill-odour with the constituency that he durst not present himself for re-election. In the beautiful country at the head of Conception Buy lies the district of Harbour Maine, and there Mr. Hogsett, the i ejected of Placentia, determined to secure himself a seat in the Legis- lature. He was supported by the priest of the parish and the Bishop ef the Diocese. But the people would have none of him. They had fixed on two candidates whom they resolved to elect, in spite of the interference of the clergy. Indeed, it is eaid that their favourites were sanctioned and aided by the priest of the neighbouring parish. It was a dispute in which the Coverumeut had no interest— for whichever party was chosen was expected to go with the opposition. The quarrel, *See Note C in Appendix, :.ii M. . F-.3«j>w^. ^m namst Ho\\'eveT,'was Jestiued to ).j.ve a fatal ending. It wfts well knovva tkat the late Attor^y^" General atidt his as- sbcrate had Hot the' smallest chaace ei. ^gt what clerical iQterfeTen'ce might give them; it T^as Well known that even with clerical interfevence on their; behalf they c6uld iiot^t in without violence. And bolh sideB prepared for a Severe strugn^le. The nomination passed Ov6i* in peace and order— the adherents of the opposing candidates wearing a stern demeanour Which kept one another in check. The day of polling was a day of trouble, — brawling, threats and iDtl- midaticu prevailing at the various voting places. But the chief and darkest interest of the day's proceeuiugs belongs to on'" '^f these. ■ in one of the little nooks washed by the waters of the Bay is a fishing hamlet, bearing the not very attractive name of " Cat's Cove." The people in this place were against Ilogaelt, and in favour of his opponents. According to their testimony, subsequently given, they heard on gO"! authority that a mob led by the priest was coming to escort some voters from anothor .settlement whose place of voting Was Cat's Cove, and with the intention of committing serious outrage and injury on the inhabitants. This the latter were resolved not to allow. They sent a letter to the priest couched in strong but respectful terms, stating what they had heard, and warned him not to send a mob to disturb the peace, for such w6uld not be suffered to enter the place. The Voters were free to come and return unmolested ; but no multitude of strangers capable of inflicting wrong. To this communication no answer was received ; but the priest determined to go with & posse of his friends — it was thought to read a lesson to his re- fractory flock. Then followed a course of action which, with its tragical results, may well awaken astonishment in the minds of Englishmen. The Cat's Cove men, aware of the approaching visit, prepared to take extreme steps to prevent it. A number of them, some with guns, placed themselves in the way by which the party must pagj, with the intention, when that point was reached, to c^rresi their progress. The invaders, for such a term may he used considering what was expected from them, and what warning had been given to them— the invaders came, a strong band, numbering from two to three hundred, h-aded by the priest — with what uUerior purpose was best known to themselves. It is averred that on the way a mas- sage met them to admonish them to go back, or dire evjl KQuld follow. This admonition was di8r^aMe4,~aud tfie body ^1 10 ■l reached the spot ne£ir which the Cat's Cove people were sta tioned, aad nearly opposite to which was a house which the ad- vancing party, as if to liint at the character of (heir mission, assailed with stones. The priest at tlie head of tlie force was allowed to pass the point marked as the sacred limit of ap- pi-oach, but when the rest followed, or rather diverged, for the purpose of " taking the hill of the enemy, and surrounding them," as one of the leaders deposed, some guns poured their contents among the crowd. Several were wound- ed, and one man, a relative of one of the priest's can- didates, was stretched dead on the spot, when the rest, as may well be supposed, were glad to make their escape with- out proceeding further on their errand. There was a somewhat ludicrous sequel to this awful day of wounds and death. The late Attorney General obliged the returning officer to give him a certificate that he and his colleague were returned ; bat this functionary took care to forward* a declaration to the proper quarter that this certificate was forced from him under the immediate stress of danger to hit. liouse, family and person, and that according to his calculation from the books, the majority of legal votes had been given to tlie opposite candidates. Under these circumstances the Government determined to receive no return at all, but to leave the matter to be decided when the House should meet.* While these troublous scones were being enacted else- where, St. John's was far from being a scene of quiet.* Here four-fifths of the people are Koman Catholics, and might be expected to follow the buck of the Bishop nnd his clergy. But here also a spirit of independence had been shewn which had been strengthened by the contradictory jirocccdiiigs of the Prelate. There was what was called a priest's party, and a native party, all of tiic same ecclesiastical pale. Jt was therefore thought that the Protestants might have a chance of being represented by one member out of the six sent by the capital. And here, by the way, it certainly does seem strange thai a body in the chief city of the Colony, embracing three- fourths of its wealth, its intelligence and its public spirit, lias aevcr, since the introduction of Responsible Government, had a voice directly to re[)res,.^ut it in the Legislature. Mr. Mc- Lea, a highly respectable merchant, long resident in the place, and enjoying the good-will of his Catholic neighbours, espe- *See Note I), Appendix. 11 cially among the poor, was iuvitod to try the matter in the western jlivisiou of ihe city, and his crvuvass was so success- ful as almost to assure him of a majority of votes. Mean- time the Bishop had sought to heal the schism in his Hock, by withdrawiijg one of his nominees, and substituting one choseu by the native party. Stil], one independent man held on to his candidate.'-hip in opposition to clerical influence, and, it was sa^d, h:id a very reasonable prospect of succcct'. On the day of nomination Mr. McLea, accompanied by a body of his mercantile friends, arrived early at the laistijgs. Indeed, so punctual had they been, that his nomination was over when the other candidates, v.lio had been intent on mak- ing a glaring noise and display through the streets by means of flags and music, made their appearance. Immediately ii scene of confusion commenced in which coats were torn, and hatstrushcd on the heads of the unlucky owners, while those of theli\ely crowd who could not get near enouglrto take au active part in these diversions, coutented themselves with flino- ing eggs and fllth on the friends of the less popular candidate. "Wherever u flag waved denoting a house in favour of him, it was torn down ; and even the British Ensign was trampled in the dirt. The chief object of this riotous wrath, were Iho mercantile premises of Mr. McLea himself. These \vere in- vaded, the windows broken, and daring attempts made toriflo the olfices. Against this latter step a decided stand was made. The sons of the proprietor, and otliers who had charge of tho place, armed themselves with revolvers, and made known their determination that in case the oflTices were entered, they would then oppose force by force. In consequence of this re- solve, and of the persistency of the mob, several shots were iired, and wounds inflicted — in how many cases, and to what extent is not known, for, as might have been expected few were anxious to come forward to plead ao-ainst those who defended the property which they had iu charge— injuries which would constitute ^ir una facia evi- dence that they themselves had been guilty of tryin"- to break into a man's house. Tiie nomination proceodi'nns'diil not conclude without a rather strong address (rom u priest delivered from the husiings, which, Avhatever its character' had not the elfect of infusing into the multitude the spiiit of pence and respect for tlie laws, for when all was over they formed a disorderly procession, perambulating the streets, and smashing liic windows of parties against wliom a tuddca lie hud been inflamed. Cue eflcct of the outrngcs a il ! i ii 1^ n on this day was to leoJ tlie independent Cntholic candidate to withdraw; and as the cry of the Church being in danger had been raised, it was evident that none of the same per- Buasiou wouhi venture in opposition to the dominant feeling of their co-religionists. Any chance of success that Mr. McLea might have had W83 destroyed; indeed, he judged it prudent to retire without going to the poll. On t!ie 13th of May the new House was opened by the Governor in person, and it formed a day which will not soon be forgotten in St. John's. The result of the elections had been favourable to the Government, so far as the returns were made and unquestioned. It numbered fourteen against tv/elvo on the other side, and of the latter one member was absent on a visit to England. In Harbour Grace the election was void ; in Harbour Main there was a double return — so that the As- sembly lacked its full complement by four members. On the day of opening, the newly elected presented themselves at twelve o'clock to take the oaths ; among them came the late Attorney General with the certificate which he had forced from the Returning Officer, and claimed to be sworn. On this being refused, he went through the solemn farce of swearing in himself, and administered the oath to his colleague, declar- ing that at two o'clock they would take their seats in spite of anybody. At that hour his Excellency proceede This expectation was not fulfilled. A considerable multitude remained around the Colonial Building, withiu which the Legislative Council and the Assembly were discu -sing the Governor's Speech. On the appearance at the outside of members supposed to be favourable to the Govern- ment they were met by hooting and yells, loud cries of " run him,"* aad even violent personal a' tacks. Thr<^ gentlemen, after being roughly handled, were glad to escape sound in life and limb, to a precarious shelter in neighbouring houses, until under military escort they i-egaincd the Colonial Building. At a later period in the evening a guard of police and military had to protect all the unpopular representatives and councillors to their homes. Meantime, more exciting and alarming events were transpiring elsewhere ; a portion of the mob having left more than sufficient of their friends to give a warm reception to retiring senators, sallied down to Water Street, and begau to attack the house, shop, and stores ot a relative (a Roman Catholic) of the anti-priesu candidate for Harbour Main. The windows were broken to the very frames ; the contents of the premises, of every variety — food, clothing, tobacco, black- ing pots, and pickle jars were openly carried away, or strewn on the street, and in a short time the place was completely ransacked. Proceeding thence the assailants, considerably augmented in numbers, excited and emboldened by what they had done with such perfect impunity, hurried on, breaking LOW and then a window on the way, to the larger establish- ment of another friend of Mr. lIogscH's opponent — also a Koman Catholic. Here, if possible, the demolition was more entire than at the other place ; the shutters were torn down, the windows smashed — the contents of a large and well-lilled shop appropriated, some of the plunderers deliberately doihng their worn out toggery, and investing themselves with new at- tire. At length there was no more to do here, and prepara- tion was made for renewing the same license of brigandage elsewherci All that has been described took place in the suu- • " Run him." This expression haR a cruel import. When an obnoxious person is discovered in the neifj;hbouihood of a mob, tlie sig- nal is ffiven to "run him." On his Hieing to escape, the whole body follow nim, and keep up the chase until ht Ktumbles, or fulls exhausted, when all rush over him, and trample upon him at the risk of causing se- rious injury or loss of life. 1 14 i [\ i Rhine of broad day, between half-past four and six o'cloek. And now, terror was tlie prevaih'ng feeling of all who lived in the neighbourhood, especially those who in the estimation of the triumphaut rabble were sjioitcd as being on the wrong side, Complaints were vented about the soldiers being kept around the Government Buildings while the property of peaceful citi- zens was being destroyed. The Magistrates were ap- pealed to, and at last, a little after six o'clock, the Steady, measured tread of the military was heard, and soon from eighty to ninety appeared in the street where the devastation had been committed, and where the rioters, bent on further mischief, were arrayed. Colonel Grant, Command- ant of the Garrison, himself headed the small body of troops. And now commenced a scene which, prolonged for an hour nnd a halt, will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The handful of military was drawn up in the very centre of the business part of the town, presenting sbort as well as thin lines of red — hemmed in by a noisy, surging multitude amount- ing to thousands in number. The officers of the company tried to persuade the people to disperse ; priests moved among them with commands and entreaties to the same effect — the latter enforcing their counsels by the free use of whips and Sticks. But these remonstrances, both of the ministers of reli- gion and cf the ministers of the sword, were alike vain. The mass of rowdies, probably encouraged by what had taken place a short time beibre at Harbour Grace, mocked and jeer- ed at the soldiers, snatched at their weapons, and flung huge stones at them as they stood apparently defenceless with arms in their hands. One or two daring attempts were made to drag Colonel Grant from his horse. IMeanwhile time was passing away. Kight o'clock approached, the shades of even- ing were gathering in, and the lovers of peace and order be- gan to think with dread of Avhat the night would be. TIio mob waxed more daring and furious, women being amou"- the most vengeful in the clamours, and actively employed iu^col- lecting stones for the men to hurl nt the patient troops ; at length, according to the evidence given on oath at the subse- quent iiupiest — a r^hot or shots sojinded, proceeding not from the soldiers but directed against thcni. There was no room for further parley. liehictautly, orders were given to lire, {-"juirp went the rattle of the musketry, as one or two of the Mttle sections of the smnll force diK-luuged their weapons towards the throng whose iiisuJIs they luid borne so Ion". The liring lasted culy u few minutes, but ila cflcct on Iho mind and 15 action of the crowd was terrible ; such rushing to and fro — hurrying anywhere to be out of the range of those fearful rifles ; such cries and shrieks as one and another were stretched on the ground, and especially when the news circu- lated that p, priest was among the fallen. When the confu- sion and dismay were at their highest, the bells of the Roman Catholic Cathedral sounded over the city an imperious peal.* This acted as a definite rallying summons to the frightened and wrathful fugitives, who streanjed iu thousands up the hill on the crown of which the Cathedral stands. Tiiou followed half an hour ot awful suspense, which was fearfully felt in many a Protestant household. By many indeed, it was hoped that the Bishop had summoned his flock together to urge them to dispci'se without working, or exposing themselves to, fur- ther mischief. But many could not divest their minds of darker migivings, and anxiously awaited what might follow. The conjectures of the more hopeful, how- ever, proved correct. The Prelate addressed himself earnestly to the task of tranquillizing his people. His suo- CCS3, it is said, was not vcjry eaf^y. Not until he produced the chahce containing the sacred host, and adjured the excited thousands by this holiest symbol of their faith, did he prevail to exact a muttered pledge that they would return iu peace and order to their habitations. From this hour the city was, for the night, the abode of an almost solemn quiet— not only as distinguished from the preceding disorder, but contrasting with the ordinary nights. It was not until the next morning that the majority of citizens wei'o made accjuainted with the extent of personal injury done by the firing. Of the wounded no reliable estimate could be formed, but probably about twenty had more or less suflbred. Three had fallen dead. Among the wounded was a priest who was hit in the ancle while doing his utmost to pacify and send away the people. He was one of the most esteemed of his order, and his mis- fortune called forth general sympathy and coudolence. It has been said, that the night, after the dispersion of the rioters by the military, passed over in quiet. There was, however, one exception to this prevailing tranquillity. The alarm of fire was raised, and the few who ventured out sa^r that the outbuildings of the only Protestant Judge were being consumed. The flames were checked before reaching the dwelling. There can be no doubt that this was the work of * Why did not that imperious peal sound two hours earlier? iu^' 16 au iucendiary. The same night an attempt was made to fire the College of the Church of England, bat it was discovered and arrested without doing much damage. These formed but the beginning of acts of incendiarism which again and agaia aroused the citizens from their slumbers, and filled them with fear. Two nights later, the Western sky was lit up with a lurid glare — the country seat of Mr. Iloyles, the leader of tho Government, being totally destroyed. Another night it was to the North East that the red glow was seen, at first exciting apprehension that the Government House had been set on fire ; lut it proved to be on the property of a respectable merchant of the city. These deeds of fire raising were the more alarming that, from the general teeling of iasecurity, scarcely any person durst venture abroad to witness or to aid in extiu- guishiug the conflagration : a somewhat remarkable pheno- menon in St. John's, where the sound of the fire-bell usually draws thousands from their homes at any hour of the night. By the end of the week, a le-inforcement of military arrived from Halifax, and the fOvernment published a Proclamation offering a large reward for such information as would lead to the discovery of the offenders. In consequence, probably, of these signs of vigour on the part of the authorities, the crimi- nals became afraid ©r distrustful of each other, and the dis- graceful outrages ceased ; though it was weeks before many persons against whom threatenings had been addressed, gave up keeping a strong — and in some eases, an armed guard to protect their housts during the lonesome hours of rest.* Scarcely had the excitement connected vsith the tumult and the midnight burnings in St. John's begun to settle down into the merely dull feelings of apprehension and insecurity, when tidings came of fresh disturbance and outrage elsewhere. The reinforcement to the garrison had arriveu la the harbour on the evening of Saturday, May 18th, and landed the next morning amid insulting jeers from many who had assembled Vo witness * Several weeks befora the election much excitement prevailed in St. Johns, and although the Governor passed the streets as he usually did, no disrespect whatever was shown to him, and we understand that the Garrison being considered weak, he ordered the guard at Go- vernment House to he withdrawn, and although vast concourses of peo- ple repeatedly imssed his Excellency's residence, where the Union Jack was always flying, not the slJKhtest offence was ever offered to hira — a fact which must be attributed to the good disposition of the people themselves, as contradistinguished from the violent dictates of a portion of the Press. 1 llie debarkation . The same forenoon, when the various congr*" gallons of the city were engaged in (he exercise of Divine wor- ship, a message was received by the Government* to the effect that the house of the Returning Olfioer at Elarbour Main had been sacked and burned to the ground, the outbuildings and stores destroyed, and even the unoffending cattle killed, whilo the family had been iji near peril of their lives. The action of the Government was silent, prompt, and vigorous. Tho same evening a portion of the troops embarked in one of the steam tugs, and proceeded ronud to Conception Bay, to tho scene of trouble. The vessel arrived at Harbour Main whilo the inhabitants were in bed. Acting upon reliable informa- tion, parties of soldiers were landed and placed as guards at the houses where it was known that several of the principal culprits were sleeping, who on their rising were consequently made prisoners, put on board the stieamer, brought to the ca- pital, and the same night lodged in gaol. Meantime the House of Assembly met, and pursued its deliberations. On commencing these, however, it laid down a restriction which was not very palatable to the noisy crowd who had been wont to find in the galleries a platform from which to give Vent to their jolly or sarcastic — their contented or indignant — emotions. The majority of the House resolved that their proceedings should not be controlled or disturbed by a tumultuous audience outside the bar. The old plan of indis- criminate admission was therefore abolished ; but each of tho members was to be allowed to have nine order tickets, which he might give to whomsoever he pleased, with the understand- ing that the officers ot the house should sammnrily eject any one causing an interruption to the debates. One effect of this arrangement was, it is said, to render very flat much indig- nant oratory which would have have had a telling zest if it had fallen on the ears of a packed throng of people, whose minds would not have strayed very far to apply the sympathizing, flattering epithets, " our hardy fishermen," " the bone and sinew of the country," &c., &c. Still the bu^ness of tho house did net go on very smoothly. The members of the op- position were neither indolent nor nice in the work of obstruc- tion. But the principal question which the house had to de- cide, and which was the object of chief interest during the brief session, was in reference to the conflicting claims of tho several candidates to represent the district of Harbour Mala. •See Note E, Appmdix. i M ii I m 18 A committeo was balloted, according to tbe rule esfMblisheil by the House oa former occasions, to try the issue. The case was one which required and received long and anxious con- sideration. During many days the committee met, and went through a vast amount of evidence on both sides. The exami- natiou was conducted with open doors, crowds attending daily to watch its course ; the decision was looked forward to with great interest. At lengtii that decision was drawn up, and delivered by the Chairman of the Committee to the Speaker of the House. The conclusion, signed by the majority of tlie committee, was against Mr. Ilogsett and his colleague, and in favour of their opponents, as being entitled to take their seats. Two members of the Committee, each on separate grounds, however, diflPored from tlie jiidgme;it of the mnjority, at the same time that both of them bore stron"' testimonv (o the dili- gence, integrity, and couscicMtiousuess of tlic laiter througU the whole proceedings. With the finding of the committee on this disputed elec- tion — which was received by the opposition in the llouse with a bitter explosion of disappointment and wrath — all further legislation was stayed ; and in a fev,' days his Excellency pro- rogued the Assembly and the Council. The result of the sit- ting had been to strike, for the present, a final blow to the pros- pects of the party which, less than six months before, had lield the patronage and emoluments of the Government. The last move of the {)arty had reeoiled on themselves, for they had shown such inveterate hostility to the two members, the valid- ity of whose return had just been acknowledged, as to make it probable that the latter, thcugh of the same political com- plexion, would give an independent support to the Govei nmont. The tactics of the opponents of that government were not, however, exhausted, but were put forth in another direction — a direction which seems somewhat curious when account is taken of the immediate cfiuse which gave it nn impulse that way. Through all the events bi ought beibre the n ader in the foregoing narrative, the Governor liad been the olject of un- sparing abuse from the friends of the discarded ministry. But it was not until after an adverse verdict given in the peo- ple's own house — it was indeed in conscqiu-nce of that ver- dict, that the summons went forth to prepare to sign and for- ward a petition in ti ame of the aggrieved people of the co- lony, praying Her Miijesty and the lujperial Parliament to re- call Sir Alexander Bamierinau from his post. In furtherance of this object a public meeting was called within a day or two 19 of the decisioa ou tlie Harbor Main election case. But to tb« disappoiutmeut of indigiiMit piitriotiein, the meeting "was a failure. One Journal, the Kditor of which stated himself to ha\e been there for the purpose of taking notes of the proceed- ings, reported only ten persons being present — said Editor being one of the ten. The meeting was consequently adjourn- ed; but ou the second evening loss tban a score could be brought together. It was evident, therefore, that the petition business must be proceeded with in another manner than by a monster meeting. The document w;is accordingly prepared, contain- ing a lengthy and formidjiblc list of charges, and concluding with the prayer that the Queen or the Parliament, or the Queen and Parliament united, should not only dismiss the Governor, but make a tritliug inroad on the colonial coustita- tiou by dissolving the present House of Assembly. This pe- tition was privately circulated to procure signatures. On the Sunday it lay at the Cathedral and other Koman Catholic Churches, offering to tho worshipers the inviting opportunity to send their names, or a\, least His or Her mark, to the JSove- reigu an(' Lcgislarure of the British Dominions. By diut of these efforts, it is said, some eight or nioe thousand persons, young and old, in some way signed the document— that is, less than a twelfth of the inhabitants of the colony— less than u sixth of the Roman Catholic population. The Bishop and Clergy of the latter religious element, of course endorsed the petition by their signatures ; but it is well known that the most respectable of the Koman Catholic laity refused to do po ; and it is asser'^d and believed that no more than two members of the late Executive Council — that only three of tho present opposition in the House — deemed it consistent either with their personal honor or the interests of their party, to append their nawies to a petition whose prayer professed to set forth that party's wrongs. Before bringing this chapter of colonial history to a close, one or two subjects require a brief notice. One of these concerns the spirit and the attitude displayed by certain portions of the Press in St, Jolm's since the eventful .scenes of last May. Three of tlje p;ipers arrayed against the present govermnent and the Queen's representative in the colony, have indulged a scurrility of abuse, and a malignancy of threatening, not un* worthy to place them ou the same shelf with the emanations from the iniamou.s J.icobin Club, in 1793. t\. specimen from one of them will be found in the Appendix.* • See Note F, Appendix. 30 Anolher of these papers had been s^ipposed to bo tJie, 'spe- cial organ of the Head of the Roman Catholic Chuvch here. It •was a new paper, having been started shortly fifter the Bis- hop's famons letter of June, 1860, and was represented as con- veying the sentiments ot the Prelate — the existi!ig govern- ment organ not being to his mind. But when nnsfortnne had lieaiedthe schism which had hadsnch open shewing in the day ot power and prosperity — wlien the leaders, clerical and lay, joined hands again in the hope of regaining a position which they had fancied was oidy to be disputed for among them- selves—then this new paper — " The Ivecord" is its name — flung itself foremost into the attack on the common foe. Nor was it very nice in the weapons which it brought ijto the ac- tion. Like the journal previously noticed, it stimuhited the furious passions of the lowest orders ot the Catholic popula- tion, suggesting to those who had been scattered by the charge of tiie military on the day ot riot, how, if another such occa- sion should present itself, they might, by the use of their sealing guns annihilate the insignificant band of British Soldiers : the Editor thus inciting an ignorant rabble to place themselves in a treasonable attitude which would insure their swilt destruction, wjiile he was sure to keep himself from even H stray bullet within the vi'.e sanctum where he concocted the incentives to disloyalty and rebellion. But the principal weapon relied upon and used by this organ of the opposition was broad, unblushing, unmitigated lying. Each week there appeared long editorials profe'ssing to be a review of what was transpiring, in which the facts were not only distorted, but the chief facts were utterly ig- nored, and the most impudent (ictions substituted or assumed in their place. 'J he armed defence by the McLea's of their invaded stores, and their threatened lives, was a tfejcherous firing from under cover on an inofiending, unsuspecting crowd in the Street ! The sad but necessary chastisement by the 1 he military of a body of lawless rioters, composed of thousands, which no persuasions or warnings even from their own clergy could induce to disperse, and renounce the work of destruc- tion which they had already pursued to an extent which terri- fied the city, was set ibrth as an act of premeditated, wan- ton martial tyranny, making a murderous attack on a few harmless boys, innocuously amusing themselves in the public thoroughfare ! The Governor was denounced as an arch Orangeman, though his Excellency's antecedents had always classed him in the ranks of the liberal party, and though in Bar- II i 21 llanient lie iiad associated witli the most tuleuteJ members of that party, especially from Ireland, such as Justice Ball, rigot, Wolf, Lord Cloucurry, the O'Conuor Don, and ilichard Lalor Sheil — men who had aided O'Connell in obtaining the boon of Catholic emancipation. Sir Alexander himself hav- ing been a personal and trusted iV'iend of the great agitator ! Tlie friends of the Government were always spokf^a of as fe- deral parts of a great Orange organization, though the libel- lous scribe knew that there is liot — nor ever has been— a sin- gle Orange Lodge in the whole country, and knew also that one of the most respected of the Roman Catholics occupied a high jdaco in conneetiou with tlie Government — and that the chief sulferings on the scenes of disorder were sclf-iutiicted by Catholics among themselves. So utterly at variance with every element of truth were these representations, that not a single individual in St. John's, with a mind above the guage of an idiot, put the slightest faith in them ; and Avonder was at first excited as to what could be the pcsi^ible purpose for which they were put forth. But at length the reason came out. They were not intended ibr Newfoundland readers at all, but as materials to be worked up by sympathising newspapers abroad. And before long, the productions from these materials were imported from over the ocean. Irish Journals — English Journals advocating tho cause of Ireland aud the Catholic Church, were quoted as see- ing in the events transpiring in Newfoundland, another evi- dence of the malignant attitude of Orange Protestantism to- wards the religion and the people of the Emerald Isle. Ncr was this all ; but a little later Italian papers — '' Amost influ- ential periodical published in the city of Kome'% and the '' Araldo Cattolica," oi' Lucca, were quoted as holding up in the face of Europe — on the same veracious authority — another ex- ample of the perfidy of Britain, in that, while she was pretend- ing to sympathise with liberty in the Italian Pev 'nsula, she was by sword and bayonet seeking to extirpate the tmtijjfest growth of freedom among her own subjects, when that freedom was in alliance w^ith a devoted attachment to the Catholic faith. But it was not solely l-^ misrepresentations which might serve as metal to be coined io a foreign mint intochargesof op- pression against tho general policy o^'the British Government, that the liecord laboured to serve its party— it also forged ugly weapons for domestic use. There was one event in the Co- lony yet to be decided, on the result of whi«h it depended whe- ther the new c:overumeut should be able to carry on easily tho t oo business of admiiiistratioiii, or the oppositiou acquire the power to bring Ihe Executive nrul (he Legishiture to a deiid-lock. The Klcction for lltirbour Grace had yet to take phice. As has beeu said before, the rehitive strength of parlies in this district was as two to oue iu favour of the hite.y-iusttilled gov- erunieut. In the previous Elections, however, their oppo- nents had, by menus of iutiniidatiou and violence, carried the day. By like intimidation and violence they hi\d in May last prevented any election at all — even in presence of a body of military sent expressly for the protection of the voters, and the preservation of peace. But such a passive acquiescence by the Queen's soldiers iu outrages committed against the Queen's peaceable subjects in the exercise of their civic rights was not to be reckoned upon a second time. It was a great point therefore to the party having a vested interest in such lawless proceedings, to prevent any military protection being sen. r.. the district — to effect which prevention the most daring denun- ciations were put forth in the '<■ organ for comnmnicating in- telligence to the Catholic people" agaiust the Govei"aor, if he should repeat what he had done ii the Spring, when, in answer to an urgent application from the Magistrates he had reinforced the civil power by a small body of troops from the garrison. Oue of these denunciatory articles contained what His Excellency very propei-ly termed a treasonable Ihrcat, which the reader will find in the Appendix.* But Sir Alexander Baunermau was not be deterred by such fulmiuaiious from his duty as guardian of Her Mfgesfy's subjects. Having received the most earnest solicitations from the " Magistrates and the principal inhabitants of Harbour Grace," who represented that if left without protection the election could not pass over without disorder, full of danger both to property andlife — he announced in a letter, giving his reasons ic this step, that a sufficient military detachment should be sei.i to maintain peace and ensure a free exercise of the elec- toral privilege to all. And it is remarkable that when the Governor had thus shewn that he was not to be fiightened from what seemed to him an act of ucfessary duty, the very joi;"nal3 which had laboured to prevent his sending a military protecting force, tacitly acquiesced iu his disregard of their menaces, but strove to make it appear that the necessity for the presence of the soldiers arose from iho likelihood that the Protestant and Government party in Harbour Grace were *See Xate 0, Appendix. •S f^ 123 conspiring to hinder the unoffending Roman Ctitholios in the ♦lischargo of their electoral rights. By common consent, then, as it seemed, the majesty of British law and order was represented in this district, which had so often been the theatre of lawless disorder, and it was known that that majesty would assert itself with a strong hand against any individual or party who should be guilty of violent intimidation. There was no way, therefore, of carry- ing on the conflict, and bringing it to a final issue, but by the weapons which the constitution gives to every man whose name was on the register as a voter. Monday, tlie eighteenth day of November, was the day of Nomination. On that oc- casion the friends of the Government candidates evinced a most earnest desire not to come into collision with their oj^po- uents. Tliey abstained from going in e^uy numbers to the hustings. The candidules tb selves did not appear. Each was simply represented by t ,o electors — a proposer and a seconder, — who contented themselves with performing their necessary functions without the adornment of a speech. The other side came in some sort of procession with flags and music, and had a little speech-making— the one thing in the affair in which they had it all their own way. On Wednesday the poll-booths were opened at eight o'clock in th :!norning, and from that hour, until four p.m., all parties applied themselves vigorously and solely to the task of bringing up the voters on their several sides. The whole of the proceedings of this day were stich as to stamp it with a remarkable character in the history of con- tested elections. All felt (though it was scarcely seen), the presence of the military as a purely protecting force. The lawless were deterred by it from tlie least infraction of law. The orderly --nd peaceful citizen felt that he could exercise his ri"ht in safety, and that it was incumbent on him to exer- cise it° Throughout the day not a gun was fired, not a sword drawn, nc even a po]'','em'iu's staff called into action. As if to impart a somewhu, solemn character to the business ia which the electors were employed, the very grog- shops were closed, that no artificial stimulants might let loose passions which it was obligatory to restrain. Long before the poll closed, it was well known that the major- ity was in favour of the supporters of the government ; and next day, by the announcement of the Returning Officer, that fact was made clear enough. His statement was as fol- lows : — The Government candidates representing the Protest- 24 !l jmt iutercst had polled respectively 888, and 870— their op- poiienk 432. It has been said that the proceediugs ot this day were rcinarkable. They were so, not only ou account of the accessories mentioned above, but from the great action of the day. Upwards of thirteen hundred men, out of somewhat over fourteen hundred ou the registered list of voters, camo to the poll— a proportionate exercise of^ the elective franchise, which has seldom been equalled by any British couslitueucy oven in the most earr.est times. This very significant judgment on the ] .to government and it^ party, pronounced by the District of Harbour Grace, confirming, as it did, the verdict which had been given in other districts, and recognizing the propriety of tlie dismissal of the Govcrnmeiit and the dissolution of the Legislature, annihilated the fading hopes of that politico-et'clesiasti- cal confederacy wfiich, at the beginning of the year, had held principal rule in the colony, the chiefs of which, accord- ing to the higlicst authority on their side, had abused their po- sition for the promotion of the ino^t selfish and ignoble ends. The result was received by them with the most suUeu acqui- escence, as if denoting a catastrophe from which there was no prospect of reco\ cry for a long time to come. Indeed, the re- cent struggles had shewn such divisions to exist among those whom they had boastfully regarded as their supporters— divi- sions which compelled a resort to such questionable devices to prevent issuing in utter confusion and disorganization— that the least astute f iciilty of prudence might well suggest tho propriety, as well as necessity, of submission to the uTw estato mto whudi the party had fallen, until time should have woven a veil wJiich might partially conceal unsightly doings in the past. *^ "^ The latter m.mths of the year embraced in this sketch ot Ivewfoundland af!'airs have been occupied with the trials of parties implicated in the disturbances, the principal of whicli have been briefly narrated. About the middle of July, the Chief Justice of the Island, Sir Francis IJrady, returned to St. John's, ha\ing been absent on a visit to tho United Kingdcm during the poliiicalevents which so stirred public in- terest here in the Spring and the early summer. His Lordship isa Judge who, for hisleg.il knowledge and acumen, niul for his ummpcachable impartiality, does honour to tho administra- tion of Justice, 80 far as regards the qualifications and tho conduct of the Bench, and is worthy to occupy the judgment »cat side by side with any judicial representative of "Her Sla- je.^ty throughout tho British Colonies. A Roman Catholic— 1 85 his co-religioaUts look with pride oa Ui;* elevated positioa, and on the manner in which he diseiiarges his high functions ; while all classes of Protestants combine in rendering to hira unfeigned and unstinted respect. Since his return, Sir Francis has had onerous duties to perform. During the period which had elapsed after the Elections, the Government had left no means untried to bring to the bar of public justice all offenders against law and order, and the exercise of individual freedom. Cou'^equently, (or the Autumn Term the prison was well nigh full, while man/ indicted persons were rut on bail. The Chief Judge in his addresses from the Bench indicated the deep sorrow with which he regarded the state of the criminal ca- lendar — at the same time expressing honest indignatiou as to its cause, the excitement and license let loose by party spirit, on occasions of political contests.* He also, by implication, point- ed out what threatens to b« a fatal blot on the judicial proceed- ings of the country, men carrying their personal, or political, or sectarian feelings with them into the Jury box, and too often shewing by their verdict, sympathy with ofFendcrs, rather than with the law.f The trials over which his Lordship has had to preside have gone far to illustrate and to justify the ad- monitory and solemn dicta delivered from the judgment seat. The first persons arraigned were charged with rioting on the day of nomination in St. John's, and though pretty strong evi- dence was brought against them, they were acquitted. In the next: case, the indictment charged George Hogsett, late Attor- ney General, with taking a leadfing part in the riots on the fa- tal 13th May. But no conclusion was arrived at, for, one of the Jurors being taken seriously ill, the whole body had to bo discharged. The next cases presented a curious and not very pleasant revelation as to certain elements of society here. The first was that of the Cat's Cove men, who were placed in the dock as being guiltily implicated in the homicide which made a sad item in the events of the polling day in their dis- trict. These men we-e all Roman Catholics— yet they chal- lenged every juryman, or n-^ trly every one,wIio was of theirown Church — alleging, it is stated, that from the action of the Bishop in reference to the mutter to be adjudicated on, they could not expect an impartial and just verdict trom their co-religionists. If however, they relied on an undue leaning in their favour by a Protestant jury they wore mistaken ; for though the proof presented by the Crown, of the oifenco having been committed *&— Nott H, AppwidiE. tS'e Note I, Apa.^ndi*. 1 > '2Q & if I by the prisoners was weaker lliau was expected, nud the justi'- ficatioQ of their acts offered by their counsel stronger thsm was supposed, so that, beforehand most persons in Court felt sure of an acquittal — yet, the jury after careful consideration could not see any other conclusion than that a grave offence had been committed, and that all the prisoners save two, were in some way culpable of the offence. They therefore brought in a verdict of Guilty, leaving to the Judges t» give due weight to the circumstances mitigating the gravamen of the crime. The trial of the men for the Cat's Cove manslaughter was followed by that of the parties charged with destroying the house of the Returning Officer at Harbour Main. Few wit- nesses could be obtained by the Crown ; they were nearly confined to the family and domestics of the injured man. And here a notable phenomenon appeared in Courr. Persons who by lawless violence had suffered a loss which has been esti- inatid at more than i!2000, and who look to the Government to make good their loss, when that Government sought to bring the guilt home to the criminals, these persons strove by eyery possible subterfuge, to withhold the evidence by which the charge could be sustaiucd. The only explanation suggested for this conduct is that the witnesses are Roman Catholics, and that ghostly terrors have been brought to bear en them — they being under the spiritual rule of the same priest who led the mob, against whose invasion the people at Cat's Cove had taken such a desperiite stand. Conclusion : Though the new Government has, through the varying phases of an appeal to the constituencies, baf- fled all the attempts of the late occupants of the Treasury, yet it has a task before it of no easy order. An exhausted Treasury, — left by the forme. Ministry — and a country impoverijihed by bad fisheries will make a large demand on all tjje abi'.itv nud patriotism of His Excellency's advisers. JMeantime the Gov- ernor takes his daily stroll through the city, saluted with gen- eral respect, even his old enemies of the Tress having given over flinging their aspersions on him. And the prelate so fre- quently referred to in these pages, is labouring to restore the peace and order which have been so outraged. For this pur- pose he has circulated among his flock u Pastoral which, if it implies that those under his charge have chiefly contributed to the lawless proceedings which have characterized this year, 1861, yet also shews his Lordship's anxiety that they should. :tv..ccf>rth seek to free iheraselves from this reproach. *r APPENDIX. NOTE A— PAGE 3. The following extract from Dr. Mullock's letter, referred to in the text, shews in what estimation the Bishop iJu)% held the Government which was displaced in the early part of this year. The letter was call- ed forth by the refusal of the Executive to carry out the writer's sug- fBStion in relauon to Outport Steam Commurication, and was addressed o THE Catholic People of the Diocese of St. John's :— ** How does it happen that an enormous revenue, wasted in providing useless places for state paupers, cannot afford the small sum of £3000 a year for Outport accommodation ? Year after year every improvement is put off for want of means, though every infant in Newfoundland pays in taxes a pound a head ; but every year new and useless offices are created for ]>olitic*l partisans, and every increase of the revenue is hailed as affording an opportmiity for inci-easitig the means of comiption. Idle and overpaid offidals are continually clamour- ing for an iT;cvfc'aKe of pay for thfmsclves ami dependents — thousands are unamefuliy jobbed away everj sesson — a few }ear« of political sub- sen iency must be rewarded by a useless place whh a good salary — mock compensation and contingencies fibsorb thousands; It i if a road, a school, a breakwater be required, there is ro money in i e chest — and, like OutjKJit steam, it must he put off till next year; meanwhile the salaries are paid to the day, and every session there are more hun- gry mouths to be fed at the public expense." NOTE B— PAGE 5. Extract from the speech of Hugh W. Hoylos, ENq., head of the Executive, on the dsy of his explaining to the liouse tbe circumstances which led him to undertake the formiuion of a new Govern'r«'nt:— ♦' V\r.\\ being honored by His Excellency's comi d to form n new admini tuition, he (Mr. II.) conceived that.'htiving .egard to the fact that the popul.ition of the Colony was divided into two great reli- fiousdenomiiations, I'rotestant and Itoman Catholic, a (jlovernmenf, to e satisfactory to all parlies, to be just and useful, ought to be compoNC.l of members of both th nominptioiisi. With ihij} view, he immedi.itely addressed a note to the Hon. Mr. O'Brien, President of the Council, « ifentlcmjn of the highest standing amongst his Liomun Cjtholic conn- it try-men. .offering to continue him as a menaber of the govern- ment in his present position, and he was very glad to say that Mr. O'Brien had accepted the offer. At the same time he addressed a note to-Mr. Shea, the Koman Catholic head of the Assembly, offering him any position he chose to name in the government, but that gentleman declined to assist him. He (Mr. H.) could not do more in the effort to form an Amalgamated Government Of the seven seats in the Executive Council, two would be left opea for Koaiau Catholics, if they chose to accept them .hereafter." NOTE C— PAGE 8. The following paragraphs occur in the charge given by Chief Justice Brady to the Grand Jury of the Northern Circuit Court, held in Har- bour Grace, November 11th, 1859, shortly after Hie elections of that year : — "I f^hall not at piesent enter into any particulars respecting the occurrences in this town upon the day of polling; but from what I have heard from jour respected Stipendiary Magistrate, and frrm others, this town was, upon that day, a scene of outrage upon persons and propr-rty, and upon the free exercise of the franchise, ut- terly disgraceful to all engaged in the riots and tumults that prevailed, and also to all who countenanced and eneoiiraged them— or who, with influence to control them, quietly winked at their outrageous miscon- duct, and rejoiced in their criminal success. More I will not say, because .... I cannot believe that it can be said that we live tmder tlie British constitution unles* such transactions are rigidly inquired into elsewhere. In conclusion, I will merely exprtss my surprise that nearly a week has elapsed, and that not one of the many who h.ive bten injured in per- son or property has ventured or had the •ourag« to appeal to the law of the land for redress." Kespecting the chargt containing th« above, it should be said that its publicsi'.ion was burked by the organ which was tlie recognised clan- rel for the conveyanc« of such documents: and fuither — in reference to the Judge's suggestion for a rigid enquiry to be made elsewhere into these ouirngt's— the «hole Executive, instead of acting upon it, wilfully Mrove, and for many days successfully, to keep the Governor utterly ignoiant that there had been any disorder at all, for his subsequent knowledge of which he was indebted to other j)arties. NOTE ])— PAGE 10. The return upon the Writ, directed to the Uetuining Officer ol ILirbor Main, is as follows :— *' Keturn. " I am afraid of injury to my property and life. For that I cannot nuke a return to this writ. Patrick Nowlan and Thomas Hyrne have the M majority of votes, leaving 36 votea out that were takea at the ynong place and in a separate list. (Sigaed) " Patrick Strapp, ■Harbor Main, 16th May, 1861. Returning Officer."' Below is a copy of the letter referred to on page 9, as having been sent by the Cat's Cove people to the priest of the parish, on the eve of the election. It is accompanied by the re ks of Judge Robinson on it, in the charge to the Jury on the occasion of the trial of the parties indicted for manslaughter, on account of the fatal iasue to the collision on the day of polling. The Judge is a Protestant ; but as he was speak- ing in the presence, and in the name of his brother Judges, both Catho- lics, it is to be presumed that he was delivering the sentiments of the whole Bench. " As the election approached feelings ran high, and the Roman Catholic Clergyman of the Parish, the Very Rev. Kyran Walsh, entered warmly into the contest — spoke in the chapel uj)on the subject several I'.mes, and was the zealous partizan of one side. In this state of affairs, the following note was sent to Father Walsh, on the evening preceding ■the election, from the voters of Cat's Cove.:— '" To the Very Rev. K. Walsh,^ " Cat'b Cove^ Harbcar Main, May Ist, 1861. •« The people of Cat's Cove have been told that you intend to hting I a mob lo this place on the polling day, for the purpose of beating ana intimidating the voters here. If such be your intention we fear some- thing bad may take place, for of course wo must he prepared to defend ourselves, and would do so fearlessly; at the same time, we wish you to understand that we are dispoced to carry out the election peaceably, therefore if your party would allow our voters to go to the Poll at Kair- .bour Main and Holy rood i w« will not interrupt your voters at this i)ooth. We wish an answer to this note by the bearer. *• We r«m*in faithfully, " Maurice Mahoney. Thomas St. John, James Buck, Thomas Connell, Thom.18 Trickey, Edward Bryan. •• Although that note is not in every respect free from objection, since it would have been better if the condition at the end of it had been omiitedj stilij it was sent in the spirit of peace. It was a remonstrance and a warning which ought not to have been despised ; and I believe that no impartial person could he 'he details of this trial and not feel deep regret that the reverend genu^tuau persisted in the course he had determined upon, for in my ep'nion it surely led to the fatal conflict in which a human being was hurried into eternity." NOTE E— PAGE 17. As originally written, the text stated that the destruction of pro- perty in liirbour Main was made known in St. John's by a telegraphic message, but on inquiry this was found to be a mistake; the telegraphic lines having been cut down on the occasion. This is a barbarous de- vice, cammunly resorted to in Newfoundland when acts of violence are being committed in the outports, to prevent intelligence reaching th» Vi privileges not in (umnlt, violence and ou'rage, but in the laws of the land, for I say with confidence, that although tumult and tioience may triumph for a day, a week, a montli, or a year, ascertain as to-morrow's Bun will rise, the suprenacy of the law will ultimately be re-established, and safety to person and property secured in this as in every other por- tion of Her Majesty's dominions." NOTE I— PAGE 25. Extract from the charge of Chief Justice Brady to the Petty Jury, at the conclusion of the investigation in re Regina yb. Hogsett et alios : — " This, then, is the evidence upon which you are to decide this case between the crown and the defendants. If that evidence leaves upon your minds a real, honest, rational and substantial doubt of the guilt of the defendants, or any of them, it will be your duty to give them or any of them, respecting whom you entertain it, the benefit of that doubt, and acquit him ; but if, on the contrary, that evidence brings home conviction to your minds of the guilt of all or any of them, let no consideration prevent you from finding a verdict of guilty against such party or parties as are proved to be so. For 1 tell you, gentlemen, that if such outrages as have been proved in this case are committed, and jurors shrink from the honest discharge of their duties by a failure to convict the party or parties whom they believe Jto be guilty, — then th« name of Newfoundland will become a lasting by- word and a shame I »E»RY WINTOK, PRIWTEir.