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SIE WILLIAM MOLESWOETH, BART., M.P., Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies. WESTMINSTER : PRINTED BY W. BLANCHARD & SONS, 62, MILLBANK STREET. 1855. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTH, BART., M.P., Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. Sir: From the nature of the letters which you directed your Secretary to write to me, consequent on the Memorial dated 28th June, 1855, which I laid before Her Majesty's Government through Lord John Eussell, you allude to payments made to me, and say, that you are of opinion that I am not entitled to any further relief from Her Majesty's Government. I beg leave to say, that I did not mention the word "relief," which you can observe, as my Memorial is now before you in a printed form ; and as for the payments which you allude to, they ought not to be mentioned, when it is taken into consideration how they were granted, and that I had to cross the Atlantic Ocean th'ee different times to receive them. I hope, Sir William, that you do not consider the 300 dollars which the Government in Council, in Upper Canau.- ^unded to me, as a payment. That sum I laid out in obtaining informa- tion which I considered would serve the interest of England, in order to find out the plans of the Patriots ; and which proved fertile in results, so much so that it was the means of saving Upper Canada from falling into the hands of General Theller, and ended in his capture. It was money belonging to my family, my own hard earnings ; and often have I been living for months on the produce of my gun, weary, wet, cold, and hungry, roving the forest, almost in the same state as the animals themselves, sometimes without clothing, or having a place to shelter myself for the night ; and it is really enough to make my heart bleed, when I reflect on the hardships I had to endure, to save it, and the treatment I received in consequence. The other payments I have mentioned previous, and which were doled out to me from time to time ; which, if given in one sum, would have answered a good purpose. This was not the case : I received them on each side of the Atlantic Ocean, as stated at page 16. Mr. Elliot, your Secretary, in his letter of the Stli instant informs mc tliat Siv William Molcsworth is satisfied I have no iurtliev claim on Her Majesty's Government, and tliat any addi- tional correspondence on the subject would he useless ; and, fur- ther, that no original documents belonging to mc arc retained in the Colonial Office. This I consider very bad treatment, inasmuch as it is unjust to deprive me of my original papers, which are my private pro- perty^ and the property of my children ; the object ot which was, to disarm me, for no other purjjose thf that of upsetting my claim on the generosity of Her Majesty's Government, for the losses which I have sustained consequent on the services which I have actually rendered, and which only resulted in my ruin and disgrace — services of great magnitude, wliich 1 could not expect England to pay me for. And as soon as Her Majesty's Govern- ment found that I was disarmed, Lord John Russell wrote a desp.' 'ch to Lord Sydenham, ordering his Lordship to send an agent to the city of Detroit, to the very gentlemen wdio, three years previously, wanted to take the Ganadas, to inquire into my character — that is to say, to send to the enemy ol England, in order that a charge could be brought against myself or family. Now, Sir, I appeal to your honour, was this just, as I was then disarmed? Search, seek about: is there a Cabinet Minister belonging to any of the nations in the universe, great or small, who would be guilty of such a combination ? None (of which you are aware). Gratitude is a noble virtue, the exercise of which ought to be duly appreciated, not only by Governments, but by individuals. It is a most singular fact. Sir, that the gentlemen who could have prevented the rebellion in the Canadas were the persons who had to decide on my conduct from the year 18H8 to 1841 — I mean the gentlemen in the Colonial Department. At that period (1838) they allowed the Government to withdraw the troops from the country, to save £15,000 a year, when they were well aware that both Upper and Lower Canada were in a state of revolt for years previous. They only left two regiments to defend the country, say from Quebec to Lake Erie, a distance of 900 miles, to say nothing of the French country below Quebec : in fact, they placed more confidence in the name of England than was necessary for the salvation of Her Majesty's colonies. Now, Sir, may I ask, what would be the result of such policy,- were it not for the part I had taken to prevent General Theller from taking possession of Amherstberg ? Had he succeeded, botli the Provinces would have been overrun by a lawless class of dissatisfied British people and American citizens; all w^e could do, with the few troops we had, was to hold the fortifications until spring. The navigation was then closed, Her Majesty's subjects would liavc been plundered, famine would follow the following year, and wliicli England would have had to pay dearly for. Hia Grace tlio late Duke of Wellington advised the Govern- ment at the time (1838) to send out an expedition of 50,000 men, whieh could not be done until the following spring. See what such an expedition would cost the country, and which England is indebted to my humble exertions for saving ! In conclusion, 1 have only to say that I have conducted the matter as stated in my Memorial without consulting the opinion of any other person. Had I done so, I should have done no good, if I had been under the necessity of conforming with the notions of others I have gained great advantage over a large armed force, when we were totally destitute, of everything to defend the country, because in the persuasion that I Avas serving the interests of England, and that I should not be degraded for so doing, or that utter ruin would not be the result of my efforts. Having gone thus far, I beg leave to call your attention to my Memorial in its present shape, and which I am of opinion has not been fully laid before you by the subordinates in your office, and which I hope you will be pleased to peruse. I am sorry to be compelled to publish it, situated as the country is at the present moment, and when my own feelings are, as thev ever were, truly loyal. Still I have only one object in view, ..^*nely, to succeed in extricating myself out of the many difficulties in which I am involved, consequent upon my loyalty and my scientific pursuits. I have said in my Memorial that my father was killed at the battle of Salamanca, 22nd June, 1812. I ought to have said that he belonged to the storming party, who were allowed the privilege of plundering the place after its capture. In the after- noon of the same day he found nearly 400 doubloons in gold, which he put into his knapsack ; and shortly after he received a slight flesli wound, which compelled him to go into hospital, taking his gold with him at the same time. Early on +' ^- follow- ing morning he was taken to the burying-ground, to repc se with the dead who were killed the day previously. I can only add, that the doubloons were never heard of afterwards ; and I should be grateful and happy if the Government would give me any in- formation on this subject, if in their power to do so. I have the honour to remain. Sir, With much respect, Your most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) W. P. SMITH. B 2 6 d TO THE RlfillT HONOURABLE EORI) JOHN RUSSELL, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Sfc. Sfc. 12, Charles Street, Westminster, London, 2Hth June, 1855. My Lord : The liumblc Memorial of William P. Smith, Natm-alist, humbly showeth — That your JMemorialist's father served in his late Majesty's 38th Regiment, and was killed at tlie battle of Salamanca, 22nd of June, 1812. That your Memorialist also served in Her Majesty's 66th Regiment seven years, as a non-eommissioned oflicer, four of whieh he was mess sergeant — that he also served four years as Librarian to Her Majesty's Forces in Quebec — that m these eleven years of military life he acquired, in a certain degree, sufficient experience to render his country valuable service. Dur- ing this period Upper and Lower Canada were in a very disturbed and unsettled state, consequently upon which Her Majesty's Government considered it advisable to we^'gh up the Canada grievances — viz., Lord Gosford, Sir Charles Grey, and Sir George Gipps. That during this time the British Government introduced into various branches of the service the system of close economy. Deputy Commissary-General Greigg, then stationed in Upper Canada, entered into the spirit of the then Ministry. He formed a combination by which there could be a saving of £15,000 per annum to Her Majesty's Government, whieh plan or combination consisted in drawing the troops from Upper Canada, dismantling the fortifications, selling at public auction the barrack bedding, barrack furniture, and barrack utensils. This plan he laid before the Governor-General Lord Aylmer, who declined having any- thing to do with it, but granted Commissary-General Greigg six months' leave of absence to lay the whole matter before Her Majesty's Government at home. After some consideration, Her Majesty's Government approved of Mr. Commissary- General Greigg's plans. The fatal order was issued in the autumn of the year 1837. The troops were ordered to the Lower Province, some of whom were sent to England ; the fortifications were stripped of their cannon, although Her Majesty's Government knew well at the time that both of the Provinces were in a most disturbed and unsettled state. This plan of Commissary-General Greigg saved Her Majesty's Government, in the year 1837, the '• sum of £15,000 sterling; but in five months afterwards it cost Her Majesty's Government nearly four millions sterling to protect the Canadas and the loyal inhaLitants ! This plan or document of ]\Ir. Commissary -Oeneral Grcigg is now in JVIr. Brand's Office, Treasury Department, in England, and is a subject of reflection for statesmen and economists. That at the breaking out of the Canadian Rebellion, your Memorialist was engaged by the authorities of the State of Michigan (United States) as ornithologist and assistant geologist, in a geological survey, at a salary of 1,500 dollars per annum (equal to £800 sterling) ; and in addition to this, he was commis- sioned by the University of the State, and fifteen of its branches, to collect ornithological specimens and make up museums, the profits of which would amount to a very considerable sum. That on the breaking out of the Rebellion your Memorialist resided in the city of Detroit, and soon became aware that an expedition was being got up by the citizens of Michigan, and under the head of a Canadian revolt, the object of whicli was to take the fort and town of Amherstberg, a post of considerable importance on Lake Erie, and to assist McKenzie in his attempt on Upper Canada. Had this expedition succeeded, the result, as regards the Canfidas, would in all probability have been the means of creating a pro- longed and terrible war between England and the United States, as Her Majesty's subjects would have been plundered, great loss of life ensued, and their cattle or stock would have been driven to the United States, as we had only two regiments in both the Provinces to defend the country. Knowing that the troops had been ordered to Lower Canada, and being aware that the people of the United States in general looked upon this as a good opportunity not only to decide the long-disputed boundary question, but to annex (without doubt) the Canadas to the Union, I determined, as a loyal British subject, to watch their movements and frustrate their designs. I therefore, at considerable expense, engaged persons on whom 1 could depend, to procure me information fi '.:) the whole of their plans; and, in defiance of the hostility whi^^li 1 knew I should provoke, I remon- strated with the authorities of the State of Michigan, by accusing Governor Mason with giving up the State cannon and arms. 1 even also went so far to tell Governor Mason that I was ordered by the Canadian Government to watch the State authorities ; and if they would aid or assist the Patriots, as they called themselves, that I would make a report of it instanter. That His Excellency was well aware that General Theller had a large force at Brown's Town, and but six miles from the town of Amherstberg — that he also intended to take the said place on the 8th of January, 1838, in order to celebrate the battle of New Orleans, and thin Ills Excellency was well aware of: and I also told him, that if ho wished to actpit himself of the charge which I could bring against him, of giving to the Patriots the State cannon and arms, that he could do so. All he would have to do was, to enroll the militia, disperse the Patriots, and take back the State cannon and arms, which, he (Governor Mason) had previously given up to them for their use, in order to enable them to invade the Canadas. If not, that I would certaiidy, without further loss of time, lay the whole matter before Sir Francis B. Head, the Governor of Upper Canada. To this determined statement of mine. Governor Mason replied that he would issue a proclamation that afternoon, to the effect that I had recommendetl that the troops should be em-olled on the following day, all of which Governor Mason faithfully carried out. Your Memorialist was reduced to this stratagem, liaving been in- formed by a person of the name of whom your Memorialist engaged for that purj)ose, that there was no time to be lost, that the Patriots had 2,000 men, and that they exjiccted to take Amherstberg in a few days, with every prospect of success, and that we had not a man enrolled at the time to defend the place. I therefore made my immediate arrangements, which were very simple, viz. — To remonstrate witli the State authorities, to induce them to disperse the Patriots ; to take back the State cannon, &c. ; and to place the citizens of Detroit on the defensive, which I did by causing a report to be circulated that the British subjects on the Canada side were determined to set fire to the town of Detroit. This caused them to enroll several companies to guard the town day and night for some time, and to teach them the sense of danger. Your Memorialist begs leave to say that he had no authority from the Canadian Government to act as he had done — he merely hit on such an expedient in order to gain time, as he considered it necessary, knowmg well as he did that, if the American people got possession of Amherstberg, they would have been supported by the whole of the United States ; whereas, by keeping possession of it, we had it in our power to hold Upper Canada until reinforcements arrived from England ; and should the American Patriots advance from Detroit into Upper Canada, we had it in our power to drop on their rear, cut off their com- munication from the United States, and place them between two fires. Governor Mason was punctual to his word : he ordered the militia to be conveyed in two steamboats to Brown's Town, where the Patriots had their head-quarters ; but before the militia troops arrived, the Patriots dispersed, taking their cannon with them. This caused General Theller to put back his plan of attack from the morning of the 8th to the morning of the 10th of January, 1888 ; giving us two clear days to collect about 200 volunteers to defend the place. 9 I, On the morniii;^ot" the 10th ot'.ljnMUiry, Ciciicru' 'JMicUer made an attempt to hatter the town of AmhcrHtberg, in front, with a Hehoon(U' and '.irci' ^mirt, whilst the nuiin hooy, 2,000 Htron^', were to attack it in Hank. On sailing down the stream between the town of Aniherstber^ and thi> ishmd opposite, he received a severe Hre from our vohmteers, phieed in aml)nsli, killinj^ tliose on deck. The atcersnuin was shot at the hehn ; and as there was no person to guide the vessel, she grounded (»n a sand bar, our volnnteers taking possession of her, with General TheUer and many other jrisoners, three pieces of cannon, .WO stand of arms: all of which uis been the result of your IVIemorialist's efforts. Their main body, seeing their vessel in our possession, retinid to their ren- dezvous and dispersed for the time. To show the feeling which my conduct created against me, 1 need th, 1839. Sir — On my return here from a visit, I found your letter of the 10th, and am glad to learn by it that my letter to Lord Glenelg has been of some little service to you. If your docu- ments had been officially authenticated, I think it probable more would have been done for you. My best wishes attend you ; and, for your own happiness, I recommend you never to allow any injury you may conceive you have received to estrange your affections from your fatherland. I remain. Sir, your faithful servant, (Signed) F. B. Head. Mr. Wm. P. Smith. Lyniiam, February 8th, 1840. Sir — In reply to your letter of the 4th instant, in which you request from me further certificates in support of your application to the Colonial Department, to be indemnified for the loss which you have sustained in consequence of your having taken an active part in opposing, at the public meetings held at Detroit, the views and projects of the Patriots and rebels of Upper Canada, I can only state tlipt, from the documents transmitted to me, and from your correspondence with Dr. Skey at Quebec, it appears that you were employed at Detroit with a salary, and that you were compelled to leave Michigan on account of the circumstances mentioned in your certificates. Your obedient humble servant, (Signed) Seaton, Lieut.- General. Mr. Wm. P. Smith. ii V 13 Lynham, March 23/y7, 1840. My dear Sir Duncan MacDougall — I regret to find, from your letter of the 19th ' '^tant, that Mr. Smith has been disappointed in obtaining the istance whicli he expected to receive in this country. Havirg understood from Dr. Skey tliat Smith had been usefully employed in Michigan — that he had lost his situa- tion at Detroit in consequence of the active part he took in op- posing the Patriots at the public meetings to encourage the refugees and rebels, and having heard from the authorities of Upper Canada that he had forwarded to the officers in command on the frontier information respecting the intentions of the Pa- triots, I considered it right to state tliese facts in a testimonial as to his character, which I gave to him in support of his appli- cation to the Colonial Office ; but I have no influence whatever to assist him in obtaining a further remuneration from Government for his services. I should be glad to be of use to him, but I see no probability of my being able to render him any assistance in procuring em- ployment for him. Believe me, very faithfully yours, (Signed) Seaton. To Sh* Duncan MacDougall. Downing Stueet, 5th Sept., 1855. Sir — I am directed by Secretary Sir W. Molesworth to ac- knowledge your letters dated the 29th and 30th of August, and to acquaint' you that your case has been fully considered, and that Sir William Molesworth is satisfied that you have no further claim on the British Government, and that any additional corre- spondence on the subject must be useless. I am further desired to inform you that no original papers belonging to you are retained in this office. I am. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) T. Fredk. Elliot. September 21, 1855. — I now beg leave to introduce the subject of my pamphlet, which I published in the year 1840, and which will give, I trust, a clear idea of the sufferings and loss of income that followed, all of which were produced from my staunch loyalty to my Queen and country, momentarily produced by the circumstances tiiat were altogether unexpected and un- foreseen by me. 14 AN APPEAL TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC FROM A CANADIAN LOYALIST. i!' Previously to the breaking out of the Canadian Kebellion I was engaged by the authorities of the State of Michigan, United States of America, as ornithologist and assistant geologist, at a salary of 1,500 dollars per annum; and, in addition to this, I was commissioned by the State University, as well as by fifteen of its branches, to collect ornithological specimens and make up museums, the profits of wliich commissions would amount to a very considerable sum. On the breaking out of the Rebellion I resided in the city of Detroit, and I soon became aware that an expedition was being got up by the citizens of the State of Michigan, and under the direction of a Canadian rebel, the object of which was to take Aniherstberg, a post of considerable importance on Lake Erie, and to assist McKenzie in his attempt upon Upper Canada. Had. this expedition succeeded, the result, as regarded the Canadas, would in all probability have been very different from what it was. Knowing that the troops liad been drawn to Lower Canada, and being aware that the people of the United States in general looked upon this as a good opportunity, not only to decide the long-disputed boundary question, but to annex the Canadas to the Union, I determined, as a British subject, to watch their movements and frustrate their attempts. I tlierefore, at a con- siderable expense, employed persons to procure me information as to tlie whole of then- plans ; and, in defiance of the hostility which 1 knew I should provoke, I remonstrated with the autho- rities of the State of Michigan, and succeeded so far as to delay the execution of their project ; by which means they were de- prived of five hundred stand of arms and three pieces of cannon. Thus a rebellion, or rather an invasion, which threatened to be most formidable, was arrested by my efforts, and at a time when there was not a British soldier in Upper Canada to resist it. The American people, hearing that large reinforcements were sent from Great Britain to Canada, enrolled the whole of their militia, and collected all their troops upon the frontier, for the purpose, as they alleged, of supporting tlicir neutrality law, but, in reality, to take the first opportunity which uffcrcd of seizing u[)on the Canadas in the event of a war with Great Britain. V • i 15 To show the feeling wliicli my conduct created against me amongst the Americans, I need but quote the following passage from the Munroe Gazette, of the 22nd May, 1838 :— " We are informed, that the ornithologist, who is now travel- ling our State, under pay, as belonging to the geological corps, passed most of the winter under arms, in Canada, as a British subject ! That during the winter he informed himself of the Patriot movements along the frontier, passing in the character of a citizen, under pay by our State ! He boasts, openly, of having betrayed the Patriots ; and uses language most insulting towards the Americans. We are not disposed to justify the Patriots, but we ask the proper authorities to dismiss this man from their service. To pay a British soldier for abuse is rather more than our patience can bear." This, togetlier with apprehension of personal danger — for my life was threatened — compelled me to break up my little esta- blishment, and to sell my furniture at an immense sacrifice, for the purpose of taking my family to Upper Canada. In addition to tliis, I lost all that was due to me from the State of Michigan, as well as from the Universities. On my arrival at Toronto I laid my case before the Govern- ment, who repaid me the money which I had expended at the commencement of the Rebellion, thanked me for the services which I had rendered, and expressed regret that their funds did not enable them to compensate me for the severe losses in which my loyalty had involved me. Being aware of the feeling which existed against me in the United States because of the part which I had taken in the sup- j)ression of the Canadian revolt, I was satisfied that I could there find no field for my professional services ; so, having settled my wife and family in Upper Canada, I came to London in the September of 1838, and endeavoured to find employment in some of its various scientific institutions. In this, unfortunately, I did not succeed ; but those who heard the story of my losses and my wants advised me at once to apply to the Colonial Office, as one well entitled to compensation for the emoluments which I had forgone in maintaining the integrity of the empire. I imme- diately laid a statement of my case before Lord Glenelg, but, not having come to London for the purpose of seeking compensation, my sole object being to procure employment, I omitted to bring the Minute of Council of the Government of Upper Canada which testified at once both as to my services and my losses. After some time I had an answer from his Lordship, stating that if Sir J. Colburne or Sir G. Arthur would testify to services which, if rendered, hia Lordship admitted had been of consider- U5 able importance, my losses should be made up and my services remembered. Both these gentlemen being then in Canada, I laid my ease before Sir Y. Ileadj who received me with great kindness, and gave me a letter to Lord Glenelg, in which lie stated that if his Lordsliip permitted either Sir G. Grey or Mr. Stepliens to sign it, he (Sir F. Head) would advance £100 to take me out to Upper Canada; but to this his Lordsliip refused to assent. His Lordship however agi'eed to send mc out with a desnateli, which, I was given to understand, would on my an'ival in IJ pper Canada procure my losses to be made up and enable me agam to renew my researches. This despatch, together with a Memorial, I pre- sented to the Government of the Province immediately upon my arrival ; and some time having elapsed without my havmg re- ceived any answer, I called upon the proper authorities, who asked Avhy Lord Glenelg himself had not made me compensa- tion ? observing, at the same time, tliat his Lordship well knew that the Canadian Government had not the means, and that the Home Government was constantly complaining of the expenses attendant on the Rebellion. It was further intimated to me that the despatch was given for the sole purpose of removing me out of the way and getting rid of my solicitations. In about six weeks after this I had a severe attack of bilious fever, Avhcn the Cana- dian Government, with a view, as they stated, to relieve the pressing and immediate distress in which I and my family were involved, awarded me the sum of £44. When sufficiently re- covered, I set out with a part of this money (having left the remainder with my family) to try to procure professional employ- ment once more in the United States ; but, as intelligence of the active part which I had taken in the suppression of the Rebellion liad preceded me in every State whieli I tried, I was obliged to return to Canada after nearly four months of wearisome and unsuccessful travel. I then addressed myself to Sir George Arthur, requesting that the Government would enable me to take my family to England ; to which application I received for answer that the Executive Council could not make up for my losses without the sanction of Parliament. My emergencies now became so pressing that I was com- pelled to dispose of my guns, my scientific books, and what little property I had, amounting in value to £150 ; but which, owing to the stagnation of business consequent upon the Rebellion, only brought me the sum of £17. Part of this I of course left with my family, from whom I was again compelled to part, my wife being at the time close upon her confinement; and, seeing that there was no prospect of employment either in Canada or the 17 i Unite ' States, I net out for Tjondon with the remainder, onee more .■■> prosecute nj_y- chiini upon Her Majesty's Government. On my arrival, in Septcmher last, 1 memorialized Lord J. Russell ; imt, reeeivino- no anHwer to my application, and my means being completely exhausted, I wrote again, on the 7th of October, requesting the return of some of my documents, for the purpose of layinj^ a statement of my losses and my sutferings before those noblemen and gentlemen in London who had an interest in the Canadas. On the following day I had a letter from the Colonial Office desiring my immediate attendance, and on my arrival there I was informed that Lord J. Kussell would grant me the sum of £100 provided I signed a receipt which lay upon the table. 1 remonstrated against this proceeding ; but, in consequence of the distressed state of my family, from whom I could no longer withhold a remittance, and m-ged by my own pressing necessities, I accepted the money and signed the receipt, but under protest that I did not consider it as binding me down either to silence or an abandonment of my claim. About eight hours after this transaction I received a letter from the Colonial Office, stating that Lord J. Russell would grant me the sum of £100 (the same Avhich I had already received), which was to be accepted as a full compensation for whatever services I had rendered or losses I had incurred in Canada, and that I was not to make further application to Her Majesty's Government on that account. I trust it will be admitted, when these facts relative to the £100 arc considered, that its acceptance has not bound me down to silence. Had I looked upon it as an abandonment of my claims, I would rather (notwithstanding my own and my family's suffering) dwell in my necessities, however lu-gent, than consent to relinquish my claim for a sum which was scarcely equivalent to the expense I had been at in prosecuting it, and which could by no means be considered, by any reasonable man, as a set off against the loss of my appointment in Michigan, of my connection with the sixteen Universities, of the money owing to me from these, together with the three years of idleness which was the result of the services I had rendered. I wrote to Lord J. Russell to the above effect, but his Lord- ship refused to reconsider my case. On Lord Seaton's arrival in town I waited upon his Lordship, before whom I laid a statement of my losses and my sufferings. His Lordship was kind enough to say that he knew the value of the services I had rendered, and how I had laboured in the Canadas, adding that he would either see or write to Lord J. Russell respecting me. Some time having elapsed I wrote again to Lord J. Russell, and received an answer from his Lordship stating that up to the 11th of January " liis liordship had not yet received any communication from Lord Seaton on the subject of my services in Upper Canada." 18 Lord Seaton having returned to town, 1 called on and obtained from his Lordship the neceHsarv testimonial, whieli I enclosed to Lord J. Russell, trusting it would be sufficient to induce his Lord- ship to enable me to return to my family and recommence my researches in the Canadas. lleceiving no answer to this, I called on Mr. Vernon Smith at his town residence, who ordered my letter and card to be returned, sending word that he woidd see me at the Colonial Office. I called at that office, and was in attendance from eleven to four o'clock for four successive dayr but was unable to obtain an inteiTiew with or an answer from that gentleman. Finding myself thus neglected, 1 laid my case before a Member of Parliament to whom my connections were known, and who called upon Mr. V. Smith to inquire why the Government did not deal with me more justly. Mr. Smith said that if Lord Seaton would write to Lord J. llussell in quite " a different style," hia Lordship would then assist me, and not otherwise. What the style is m which the Colonial Secretary wishes to be addressed I do not pretend to know ; I can only say that it is hard to have the fate of one who has rendered no little service, and who with his family is in a state of the most urgent distress, dependent upon party punctilio. Another very influential member of the House, to whom my case was stated, sent me word " that if I drew up an explicit Memorial he would present it, together with my documents, to Lord J. Russell." This was accordingly done on the 11th of last April. On the 18th of May I once more wrote to Lord J. Russell, referring to the Memorial of the 11th of April, and agfin de- scribing the destitute state of myself and family. In reply to this I had an answer, on the 3rd of June, from Mr. V. Smith, stating " that he was desired by Lord J. Russell to inform me that no Memorial had been received from the member alluded to, and that his Lordship could only return the answer which he had given before, namely, ' that they would not render me any further assistance.' " Notwithstanding this letter, I was assured, on the very day on which I received it, by the gentleman to whom I had forwarded the Memorial, that he had himself handed it to Lord J. Russell J and the following letter corroborates his statement : — "Downing Street, July 10, 1840. " Sir. — I am desired by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day's date, requesting the return of certain original documents given by Mr. to Lord John Russell, in the House of Commons, on the 11th April. " As I have previously informed you, these documents have been put b'^ anions* other Daiievs and overlooked in the ""roat pressure of business by which Lord J. Russell's time is constantly 19 occupied ; I have searched for them, but not succeeded in finding them. Every search sliall be made for them, and they shall be sent after you as soon as found. Lord John Ilussell regrets that your papeip .iliould be mishiid ; but, considering the maimer m which his a;,:cntion is occupied, it is not extraordinary that such should have happened . " I am. Sir, " Your obedient servant, " Mr. W. P. Smith." (Signed) " E. G. IloWAKD." I do not make tliis statement (which the bounty of a friend enables me to publish) for any inculpatory purpose — I am most unwilling to impute blame to any peiHon. It might be that, in the hot and angry conflict of parties, the case of an humble indi- vidual is thought too trifling for Ministerial intervention; that Lord John Russell has never thoroughly investigated my case ; or that the subordinates of his office liave never laid it fully before him. I cannot otherwise understand how claims which have been admitted to be so well founded by all who have heard my case — services which have been so strongly testified by persons fully cognizant of the zeal with which they were per- formed — and losses so great, sustained in a voluntary effort to preserve for Great Britain the most valuable of her colonies — can be overlooked. I seek nothing for the services which I have rendered — they were freely devoted to my Queen and to my country, and that they proved successful is to me sufficient recom- pense. For my deserts — and they have been admitted — I seek no reward. All I ask is, that utter ruin may not be the result of my loyalty ; that some compensation be made to me for the actual losses which I have incurred ; and that I and my family be not thrown upon the world outcasts and paupers. The best, the most ample, and the most profitable field tor my professional exertions, has, by reason of the services which I rendered in Canada, been closed against me. It would be far more congenial to my feelings to follow up my professional pursuits than to solicit a Ministry. These pursuits were to me a passion in the indulgence of which I enjoyed the highest delight, and to be precluded from them forms not the least portion of the loss which I have sustained. I have now no remnant left of the large ornithological collection which I had made, and which when perfected would of itself, to say nothing of the engagements which I have lost, have been a handsome source of income. Six hundred splendid specimens I have been compelled to dispose of from time to time, to make remittances to my wife and family from whom I have been so long separated, as well as for mv own maintenance whilst fnllnwin"" ii'n rn'*'' Biiit with Government. Is it not cruel, that, with my fortune ruined, my 20 prospects blighted, mv time waHted, and my licaltli impaired, be- caiirtc vvitli a l"o an nt, l>u*- not on tiiat arconnt a les.s laudable loyalty, I abando/K '>e i V«urable and flattering prospects which lay betbn i^*-*", to dr o.c iy«-lt' to ttm H<'rvicc of my Quci^n and country — is iis M*>t cruel iu 'lie extreme i^' be thus deserted in my utmost need, V^'caUKc I have no jK)werful friend if!*l\\'. issue V Having been thus cast olf bv Govennncnt, possessing no means, seeinfi no ^ru.^pcct before i.if^, distant from my family, who nuist by fihJ« ffme be dependent upon straKgers for a ])reca- rions support — and »l.'*t is the most galling ci my accumulated sufferings — 1 have no odier resource tlian to throw myself upon the generosity of a Ib'itish public, whose sym])athies have never been withheld from those who can establish a claim upon them. I struggled long before 1 could prevail ui)on myself to adopt this course. Whilst any means remained to nu>, 1 bore up, with the hope that Government would at length be induced to acknow- leclge my claims, or that some opening would occur for the pur- suit of my profession. My all is now gone. This is my last resource. My only hope is in the generosity of a British public, and in the beneficence of those noblemen and gentlemen whose property in the Canadas I have been maiidy instrumental in pro- tectmg from the rapacity of lawless plunderers. I have tlie honour to be. With most unfeigned respect, Your very obedient servant, WlLLIA^l P. SMITH. P.S. The following documents, now in my possession, toge- ther with the others refen-ed to in the letter of Lord Howard, I can produce in support of the correctness of my statement :— 1st. A commission appointing me Assistant Geologist to the State of Michigan, together with a circular addressed to the citizens of the State to assist me in my researches. 2nd. A testi'Tonial, signed by the President and Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec (of which I am a corresponding member), certifying as to my abilities, and that I lost my situation in Michigan in consequence of my efforts to quell the Eebellion in Canada. 3rd. A certificate from Colonel Townsend, dated Montreal, 1st of September, 1838, of my having served as a volunteer under his command at the attack of Fighting Island. 4th. A certificate worn Dr. Skey, Inspector-General of Hos- pitals at Quebec, as tc^ y '-'^aracter generally, and also confirma- tory of my statement .'i' 'H/ c«"i ^equenf. loss of my appointment. 5th. A letter iroii; J -, .w. r, Esq., r'ated Castle of St. Lewis, 31 ReptcnilxT 24tli, »'H.'J8, convoyinf? to mn the thank.s of the Karl of Diirhum for tlie ussistauce which 1 had alfordcil the Govern- ment. Also, the foUowlnpf, alhule' lo in tlic letter of L^^d Howard, and Hiiid to he mirthiid : — A certifioiiie from the Magistrates, dated WiiulHor, Upper Canada, 22nd of August, 1 8H8, testifying as to my statement of the h)SHes whieh I had sustained, and the services which I had rendered. A Minute of Council from the Government of Uppt , (Canada, bearing date 6tii of September, 1838, statiiv:^; that [ had suffered severely from my disinterested loyalty and my truly praiseworthy conduct towards my fellow subjects in the Cauadas, and re';ret- ting that it was not in the power of the Government, in eunse- quenco of not having funds, to make good my losses. Also the following, from Lord Seaton : — " The bearer, Mr. W. P. Smith, was employed in the State of Michigan by the authorities at Detroit, and received, as I under- stand from them, a considerable salary ; but in consequence of the active part he took in the year 1837, in obtaining information for the Colonial Government of Upper Canada, and the open manner in which he opposed the pans of the part} cf imected with the disaffected in our Provinces, and supported the British interest, he was compelled to retire from his situation, and leave the State of Michigan. The proceedings of Mr. Smith were much approved of by the Provincial Government of 1 pper Canada, and I shall be glad to find that Her Majesty's Govern- ment intend to direct that he may be remunerated for the L sses which he has sustained, and for his meritorious conduct at the commencement of the disturbances on tlieir frontier. (Signed) " Seaton, Lieut.- Oenend, "London, IGth January, 18-40." The last document is a letter from Sir Duncan MacDougji 11, containing an extract of one from Lord Seaton, expressing las Lordship's regret that I had been disappointed in obtaining com- pensation for my losses, and stating that he had received infor- iiiation from the authorities of Upper Canada as to the loss (•' my situation in the State of Michigan being the result of th< services which I had rendered to the Colonial Government. 23 TO THE KIGllT HONOURABLE SIH WILLIAM MOLESWORTH, Secretary of State for the Colonies, 6^'c. Sfc. Sir : Permit mc to call your attention to a matter wliicli not only interferes with my interests, but with the interests of the nobility and gentry of England, whom I highly respeet. A few years ago, I was engaged in making collections in natural history, in the State of Mississippi, United States of America, Avhen I happened to meet with a scientific gentleman who had just returned from Europe, and who informed me that the British Museum were deficient of many things from the Southern States, and that, if I would send them a collection of fish, reptiles, and inland shells, the Museum would pay me a liberal price for such as they required. This information caused me to select the interior of the State of Louisiana as a field of research — a low, marshy country for- merly the bed of the Mississippi River, but originally the bed of the Gulf of Mexico — which is here and there interspersed with some beautiful cotton plantations. After encr ji- cei ing many privations, attended with consider- able expense, with the aid of my son, a lad of 16 years of age, I succeeded in making up a very extensi^'-e collection, many of which were new and undescribed, tog'..ther with others very interesting on account of their rarity, and which I forwarded from the city of Natchez, State of Mississippi, to the Museum, together with my letter of advice, giving the trustees full power to do the best they could with them, viz., to take such specimens as they required, the balance to be sent to Mr. Stevens' Natural History Auction Room, for sale ; to receive the proceeds, together with what would be coming to me from the Museum, and forward the money to me by mail. Receiving no answer to the many letters whicli I afterwards addressed on the subject, an idea struck me, that the best thing which could be done was to draw on the Museum for the sum of £50 sterling. I therefore requested a mercantile friend of mine, in New Orleans, to forward my draft to London, telling him at the same time that I was compelled to do so, inasmuch as T had not received any account of the collection which I sent to England, and which I considered my most valuable treasure. This had the desired effect. Tlie draft was presented in due form to the Mueeum, but had not been accepted; however, it caused the 24 Secretary to write me a letter, dated 20th June, 1854, in which he informed me that the British Museum was not the proper channel for such mercantile transactions as were contemplated by me ; acquainting me at the same time that my collection was in the hands of Mr. Stevens — a thing whicli I did not expect, in particular from the trustees of the British Museum, whom I was always given to understand were a scientific class of high-minded gentlemen, and into Avhosc hands I entrusted the produce of a most laborious and ex2)ensive research. I was further informed, that letters had been sent to me to Natchez, which place I was compelled to leave, consequent upon losing my pocket hook^ which contained all the money I had., the day I packed up and shipped my collection to England. This unfortunate matter, as well as some large debts which I had contracted, and ichich still are unpaid, compelled me to proceed to New Orleans, where I had to remain for nearly a year, at an expense of 40 dolhrs a month, for my own and my son's tjoard, without a single dollar to pay it with, in expectation of getting a return of tlie sale of my col- lection — but which did not reach me until September, 1854, and which unfortunately upset the whole of my calculations, the rtisult of which 1 beg leave to lay before you. It is as follows : — Mr. W. p. Smith in Account uith Jno. C. Stevens. ,5lr. €t. 18,54. February. — To paid freight ) and charges f June 30. — lo commission on ) amount of sale, including > all expenses ) June 30. — Two lots, no bidders August 1 1 . — To cheque to balance paid Messrs. Chas. Clegg&Co £. s. d. 14 10 8 3 16 5 1 19 8 10 £.37 IG 6 1854. June 30. — By amount of sale of reptiles, &c £. s. d. 37 16 6 £37 16 6 Shortly after receiving this account from Mr. Stevens, and a cheque for £19. Ss. 10c?., I called on a member of the British House of Commons, who was then residing in the St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, and to whom I made my grievances known ; Tvho informed me that tlie only information he could give me was, that Parliament granted to the British Museum a gift of £100,000 sterling, per annum, to carry on that institution ; but that no in- dividual member in the House of Commons, nor even Parliament itself, could call on the trustees to know how tliey exp)ended that sum. I thanked the honourable gentleman for such valuable in- formation. On my arrival in London, I m.^de it my bufiineBB to Bcarch and find out what had become of some of my specimens, which 1 I "* 25 had not been introduced into England before : one of wliicli I refused 200 dollars for, it being a " freak of nature," and wliieli could not be equalled in the known world, it being the only thing of the kind I have met with on the continent of America during my research of 20 years. On walking through the Museum, I happened to discover, to my utter astonishment, some of my own specimens ; one of wluch caused me a deal of trouble and address to capture, and which resulted in a severe fit of sickness com- monly termed the swamp fever, and which cost me more money than the collection sold in England for. I then made it my business to call on Dr. Gray, to whom I was desired to address myself, requesting he would be pleased to inform me the number of specimens the Museum had belonging to the collection which I entrusted to the honour of their Insti- tution, and the prices of each specimen, in order that I might compare it with the account which Mr. Stevens forwarded me to New Orleans. During my conversation with this gentleman, I stated that I sent the Museum seven different species of the gar fish tribe, viz., seven males and six females, in all thirteen. His reply was, that he did not know it. I then told him, that if he did not know it, it was because he ought not to know it. He then handed me the account of the purchase, and stated that they had 13 lots (a new scientific term) ; and just as I was comparing the two accounts, he requested me to hand him the bill, which he read in so rapid a manner that I could not follow him, and ordered the bill to be returned to the oifice from which it was taken. Finding that I could not get the information I required, I wrote a few days afterwards to the trustees of the Museum, re- questing them to do me the favour to furnish me with a list of such specimens as they had belonging to me, and the prices which the Museum paid for them. The same day 1 received the fol- lowing letter : — "British Museum, 29^/i August, 1855. "Sir — I am directed by Sir Henry Ellis to inform you, that your letter addressed to the directors of the British Museum will be laid before the trustees when they meet ; but he finds that, by the use of his name to Dr. Gray, you have already furnished yourself with the information requested in that letter. "I am. Sir, "Your obedient servant, (Signed) "E. M. Aston. "Mr. W. P. Smith." Finding that I could not get an answer to my request from the trustees of the British Museum, I have come to the conclu- sion that these gentlemen did a great injustice in selling my 26 li collection at public auction, which was done for no other purpose than that of throwing my valuable specimens into the hands of some of their friends, in order to purchase it secondhanded from them. Little did they know that they were depriving myself and son of our hard earnings. These gentlemen are not aware of the difficulty the poor traveller has to encounter — the expenses attend- ing, or the disgrace he is liable to risk by not being able to meet his honourable engagements, as is the case with me, owing as I do a very large sum for the very things which are now in the British Museum, London ; and may 1 ask, is it just or honourable that such should be allowed, when there is £100,000 to pay with? I have already stated that it was a matter of great importance to the nobility and gentry of England. I have stated previously that this matter interferes with their interests ; so much so, that I was engaged for years previous studying the '"haracter of many of the turtle tribe, which I found in fresh-water lakes, many of wliich are considered articles of great delicacy in the country they inhabit, and are superior to any green or sea turtle found in the known world. These I intended to introduce into England, where they would do well. The climate and artificial lakes, rivers, &c., would answer their character, and which I could have inti'oduced into the country early last summer, if the Museum had only sent me a return — pay me the same prices as they paid their friends, which was all I w ould require from them. This was not the case ; the 150 couple which I had secured in a small lake in the interior of Louisiana are now gone for ever from me, and which cost me a large sum ; and years may elapse before another opportunity may occur, as it is not in a year, or two, that a man can make himself acquainted with the character of such animals, to enable him to succeed in transferring tliem to a foreign country. This I am sorry to say, inasmuch as I had an order for 150 couples from a British baronet, to introduce upon his estate. Now, honoured Sir, may I beg, as you have a voice in the British House of Commons, that tlie next time Parliament will grant an appropriation for the British Museum, that it may be distributed on a wider scale, and not confine it entirely to gentle- men wholly devoting their attention to dried skins. Something ought to be done for the poor traveller, who deserves the sym- pathy and support of the world ; for really I have been compro- mised so often by men of science, that I have been prevented from carrying my designs into effect. This caused me to fail many years- ago from introducing into England the oscolated turkey from Yucatan ; and, latterly, I have been prevented like- wise from introducing the various species of the turtle tribe alluded to, and which woidd be one of the greatest blessings bestowed on the nobility and gentry of England, who are well i 27 supplied with fish and game of various kinds, but are deficient of this luxury, and wliich would cost nothing for their keep. Suppose, for one moment, that a calamity would attend the crops, sucli as the blight of the potato, &c., a few years ago: England would be glad to fall back on anything for a subsistence. This I recom- mend to the nobility of this country. For my part, I shall be compelled to attend to otlier business. Indeed, Sir, I have much to complain of from scientific men in general : they say to themselves, let us take from him his col- lection, that is all he has ; he can go to the woods and make others ; he is merely a slave, and let us keep him so. Another instance of which I beg leave to lay before you, hoping that some remedy may result from it : — In the year 1841, I received an order from a man of science in London: I sent him a collection in the year 1843, and up to this hour I have not received one cent from him ; indeed, he had the jjoltteness to tell me, that tlie d — 1 a halfpenny he would give me : that I could not recover it by law : that if he were to make out his account against me for the trouble he had taken, and time he had them, that he would bring me in his aebt, which he did not wish to do : that he would charge me the same price as he usually charged the nobility and gentry of England, viz., £1 per day, for his loss of time — tliat is to say, if he only crossed the street. He even went so far as to tell me to be very cautious of myself, as he wished to put me on my guard, as I did not know where I was — although I was well aware I was then convenient to Golden Square. This much I can say, that it will be some time before I leave it in the power of such persons to convert my col- lections to serve as fuel to keep their scientific pot boiling. I have the honour to be, Sir, With every respect. Your most obedient humble servant, W. P. SMITH. W. Blancliai'd & Sons, Printers, ()2, Millbank Street, Westminster.