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OR lRK lantern association, fe4i^?^ w^m \r :\ <8 ^^:d^ ?7 '' ^) ■•~ li i.v' .^■(^. i>':U'^l V *§?.-; tainiug tlie Proceedings of this Secret Political Society, the Trial at Mirickville and other particulars, Letters, Correspondence, d^c, ^c, itc, 'KD AT THE " CENTRAL CANADIAN" OFFICE, BROCKVILLE. '(^ jji*.^ TTi:^ WM ■ft- liV!> W ■Y.JifA ■''V.>'V\t '^km ^ 4i, M INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Ill consequence of the gre^t excitemefit oocasioMdi by the lato- cxiraordinary proceedings of the 0. B. S. or Dark Lantern Asso- ciation, against the Editor of tho British Central Canadian, and by the request of nSany friends, we now issue, in pamphlet forin^ the various articles that have from time to time appeared in the local journals, respecting that Society ; which we firmly believe at its inception was disloyal in its objects and tendency. Somo may ^./>^4 ij'i'.> .-.■«>* K;{iJ!Miijr tot n»'i «-:"i'j"»*! ii;'> .'j.l It has 1 Biderable 1 unfriendly various pu litote that >siiive in Some ] )ffering a ^ho it wa libstractccl belong t^he parti< imored t Ihat had I il club tl boat ultra sported t ras no do^ larded n lUed by < t^herwise, bdge Bo fiend) wh illed Da figiqals i leneral, a fill make le re^)ec his lettc My Dej reciated i lith send ;atiizati< lantern S \e neighl ' See tb nod bri **<% f-i^ ■'•. i r^ ii'?' i^. 1 r ^■'^■^^- 1 '. 1 t vdi * <* ?'ro- m ;f *■ ( 4 t n THE DARK LANTERN ASSOCIATION. It has been reported and generally well believed fur some con< Kiderable tirtie past, that a secret political association of parties uniHendly to British connection in these colonies, hus existed in various parts of the Province. We have i\, now in our power to tate that such is the fact, and submit to our Conservative friends sitive information on the subject. Some months ago, a notice was circulated through Prescott, iffering a reward for the apprehension and conviction of parties ho it was said had broken into Brady^s Hall in tliat town, and bstractcd books, dooumetits, and other property therefrom, alleged belong to the Presoott Division of the Sons of Temperance. ^he parties guilty of the offence were not discovered, and it ^as mored through the town that it was not Temperance documents |hat had been taken, but papers and records belonging to a politi- 1 club that had lately been organized there, and some of the lost ultra of the Clear Grit party of Prescott and vicinitv, were ported to be members. That a political club was formed, there as no doubt, and from circumstances that had leaked out by un- arded remarks respecting the mode of initiation, the society was lied by outsiders, the "Bark Lantern" Lodge. By accident or herwise, part of the documents so surreptiously taken from the edge Bloom, was picked up in the street, and handed over to a lend, who on examination found that they belonged to the so lied Dark Lantern Club, he forwarded on, we are told, the igiijals to the Honble. J. A. MacDonald, Her ^]ajesty's Attorney eneral, and kindly favored us with a copy of some of them. We ill make no ftirther comments on the sunject, but we vouch for e respectability and loyalty of our correspondent. The following his letter to us : South Eu)ing of Grenyilee, Aug. 26, 1861. My Dear Sir.— As the Bruish Central Caimdian is justly ap> reciated for its independence by all Conservative readers, I here- |ith send you some information respecting tjiie secret politioal jataizatibn called the Canadian Frisadly Brothers, or Dark lantern Society, a branch lodge of which meets in prescott, and |e neighborinj^ County. I anticipate the Attorney General West U see the propriety of causing an enquiry to bis made respecting nnd bring the leaders of such a dangerous association to justice ; It .•^f- \ 1» tiio wliole of the Jucunicnt.s Imvc bocn siibuiitteJ to him, and I h)j)o ere loJi<; to sec some action tuken by him in the ntattor. How I became possessed of the purticulara I write about, mny form the subject of another letter, but suffice for the present to state, that since the records, &c., wore lost, the club iu Prescott him not made much progress, for they know well there is daniniuf^ evidence against them ; and. from tire. action taken by u few 'goad and true men' hi Matilda, the ' Lowry Lodge' in that place does< not meet as boldly as they did some time ago ; the Proscott Lodge from its records only contains names of G8 members, and tho Lodge 3latilda numbers 27, maki\ig in all 95. By a letter from Queb^, which appeared in the Consercatlvc Mc«»e)}gei\ i\vQ Prescott Club counted upwards of 100, which is an error, jt^dging from the memoranda before me. I' send you d copy of the Constitution of the Society, which will ejt^lain its object. Part of the 6th by-law which you will sec itaitchcd by me, was, in 'the original, scored across with red ink ; and to my own knowledge is not now in force, as more thnn six of the' thmi rigid members of tbct Church of Home belong to the Prescott Lodge. Prudential rea^ns at the present time, prevent me iVom furnishing tlie nai^ies of the Lantern men ^ but you would be surprised to hear that amongst tho number of conspirators, some of the big-wigs and professional^ are to be found. If you think proper, however, to g^yic the names, I pI^U furnish you with the list..'^^'^^ m '"';' . ':TL'> t;- .i;..,t 'h. , J .41. N S TVtXJ T I ON . . 1st. Th6 name ahdtttle of this, our Society, is, "The Canadian Friendly Brtithei'S," of what is now aaiM the British North Ame- rican Provinces, Niew Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward's Island and Newfoundland. 2nd. The Society of " Canadian Friendly- Brothers," shall be farmed cf an unlimited nuiiiber of persorisj desirejus qf assisting, both wi til money and nieaiis^ stichoif the leadinj^ members us yi^l take upon themselves, Wtifeh chosen So to db, to siibvQrt British; rule and ioonnectton in these Provinces, as the ISntigh Cpnstjli|ut^f]i, is not adopted to pleas6 or stftifeff the Catoaclian '|)epple. ' j 3rd. That we ]pl edge otiiis^lvds, one" to tjie'bther, under a most, solemn obligation', to support with money and' other ieissistanoe,. to the utmost of our ability, those Who'sliali bVitiea to tlu'u in HtricI 5tb. ; euteri ^ three \ duly j thereo: dent tt forthn mnyb i 0th. \ Catho \ B\M thingi most a anytbi 7th officer havlni no^n mctnl any J tage betl Sign T ofti cnc< be] ttor plai bis V- 'I ll "»J, and attor. bout, in.qy piefieiit to " i're^cott « dtiniiiiii;^ ^"ew 'good >Ineo does. !ott Lodge life Lodgu ' QuebJc, Bott Club from the iniion of th bjr-Iaw scored ill fbrco, of Jlome present eiinnen, amber of a« fijuiid. furnish : .'V.J.,. iinudian 5b Aiiic- dward'B haJI be as liiJl , •."' .1 '-.hit-' ' ' moat ae, to 10 ilr n»!ijoiIly «»r (he jM'(.|il»' liPiv. fi- ii w;):* «'i«;lii V -iv \» nr« ajio til ill*: ^Muplu oi'thi* l^nin-d Sf:ih,«*. lih. 'J'lr.ti it \i* (>jk.'fiji.illy iieocHsary for iLe suenem^e< to the objects of t|ut our Society. 7th.. And it is hereby earnestly and strictly epjoined on every officer ftnd member of ou^ organisation,;^ to^ meet in; the darkness, having a lamp fi>r that jpttrppse; so that ail things be kept secret ; no^hoiio^^ find /bis ^(^ tQ c|Uf ^mp ; aiid< that no more ti^an two meln^rs do trav^ p|r ,waU(/tQ^tber to our- pl^oe of meeting, lest any susptqion icf the eaiistpoce of wr, Society be eioited, or advan- tage of our de^berf^iions luaybe taken hy our enemies, and tbus , . be the means 9jf:%untfraiing ail OUT: designs. . -^i>^i'' ; im;y-:o'Tii..;1 Signed wijh 0]ix h^di|Kani| Sefils^ this 19th of Mareh, 1859. - ^^ Sigtied^by t^ pi:esid«p.|yy>/Preiident) Treasurer, Secretary.' The JieeorcleK Iq its J^t.,iMSK^,ii>r^nds to doubt: the existence of these ^litical a^j^pcjalAf nstr^iid popauae there is a slight di^r- cDceiti the Or tho sophistry and would have bernefiitcd his part|^ niuQ%^, p'oi)e i^li^lia^ e^m^J^ andtmanfoUy deiiiod that { 4 r a •it n ■■:\ iliciT 1> s'.u'li a iucii'tv ill tlii,-< anil tlio noijililMniu;^ fountifs. Will the lUconlif deny tluit stn^ret political aMsO(?iritions do not exint in Prescott, Muitland, Kouipivillo and Mirickvillo, and that ilio members of these amooiations are principally, if not wholly, Clear ")^, Clear B»e rooiiiM, isoovored 'cosions a obligation oret aaso- ^ form of n princi- Ooostitu. last one, riiaJ '<'a itle, and i«t insti- chartist I believe s**. tbe Qtt and Ditjated of the 'Hution , pt tho*^!* Jsoptt ; ' assem- »iring cpnse- ^ ' 5«hed .^ te Of ' I i < : *.Ho*lVtB >4 TO THE PUBLIC. J .mmrti^v. J!* For Moine months past, the good people of oof town have been exercised by the floating runerv of the existence of what they tormed The Dark Lantern An IIm whc^mUMe/' Was >>lhe»e placed in ilie liaiidii6#yiii^'«fklw cflihe €iowii, I ^d n^ Hdnkit wavikd- visabie nor prudent to let anything be kaowtt of 11i6 ttMtter, ibtil 10 Oovenunent had ooDolndM what 6omn» to take. Had I felt at liberty to have giyen the information I now give, before the late 'General Election, probably it mic^t have altered the result, at least as fiff as onr own Riding mm ooneerned ; for the Electors would have then known what were the sentiments of the body which nominated and exerted itself fo secure the election of one of t}w candidates. I consider that as the Gk>vemme»t has been very dilatory in the matter, it is on the whole bettor that the Public were plaoed in possession of the facts, and if the Ministers of the Crown will not take stppe to suppress treason, that thf loyal people of this Riding wiU. V With these explanations, I beg to lay before the Public the Con- stitution, &c., of the " Canadian Brotherhood." I do not think it is advisable to publish the names of the members for the present, and the minutes eontain no matters of interest worthy of publica- tion. THE EDITOR." Augusta, Sept. 14, 1861. ^^.. •:''^'> VC' CONSTITUTION: (IT ■MY' " Article First.-— -TniB Association shall be called '^ The Cana- "dian Brothers and Protective Society." The objects of the " oiganisation are, 1st. For the purpose of exercising an influence *^ upon l^Iections in favor of Reform Candidates. 2nd. For the '^general furtherance of Reform pvineiples. 3rd. To aid in the '^ suppreiBion of Popeiy in Caiuida* 4th. For the purpose of pre- ''.paring th? minda of the people iw theoverthrow of the British "rule in Anicri^a, Imi ithe establiifaikMni ^ an independent Gov- '^(Brwnept: mtd^Hk-'Wor the mmtnal bensAiiof Iheibrtthrenin " their imy^etite : oaHw i gn ^ Hj xjnfK*(»fl i'A m trt-^bjiq ia*T 'AdMv « th« "C( it 11 lad I felt at ifore the late lie reeiUt, at the Slectors of the body ioB of one of dilatory in »re plaoed in ivn will not this Riding vf*' ■ lie the Con- o not think he present, ofpublica- MTOR. The Cana- Jts of the I influence I. For the aid in the )Be of pre- leBiitiih leniGoy. ** Article Second, — That this Aseooiation shall lie governed by ^* the following ofllfjers, to wit: « President, a Yioe-Pnadept, a " Secretary, a Treasurer, a Mar^^Il, a Janitor, and an Bxeeutive ** Committee, composed of ih» first four mentioned officers, imd ^' five other brothers. All these ofiicers riiall be eleet&i by ballot " annual^ at the first rcigular meeting in January. { «^j^ .^^^^ ^^ *' Ariide Third, — The brethren shall meet in coayoeatioB (ex- ^^ceptwhen preventod by sifokness, absence from home, or the ^* most urgent business) in the Room of the Assootation, every " Friday evening at fiight o'clock. *k-.>8t«A i*M '' Article Fourth. — As the first principle in the organization of *^ this Association is to exert an influence in Sleetions, the '' brethren must be unanimous in the siqpport of the Reform Can- didate, unlesBs by vote of the brethren in regular convocation, ** such Candidate Is dedared untrustworthy or unfit for the position ** to whkh he aspires. In every case the brethren mutt govern themselves as the majority may decide ; any personal Mings ot peeuniaiy interests to the contrary notwithstanding. ** Article Fifth. — In no ci|se is any positive information rela- ** tivo to the Association to be given, or of any of its acts, nor is " any brother to acknowledge his membership in it, but to steadily " deny it under all circumBtances. " Article SixtK^lt shall be the duty <^eachand every brother " of this Association to aid and assist every other brotiier in his << trade and profession, as far as he can do so. Ko brother is to i' empby in any capacity, any person, if a brother can be employed <' in the same capacity. , ;,,i^ ,_^;^^^^, "Ariide Seventh. — ^Any brother knowing of a person who '' would likely make a submissive and obedient member, jof, this " Association, diall, at a rcgnlac convocation nominate fi|ch p^irson ^^ anfl if ke be duly seeonded, his name with thoee of hi8,|noy<^ '' 1^ seconder, shall be enteie4 W{lQn tlMwiautis. Atjthe next u u u 12 "i8gtll&r<)onV«loatioik duoh peraoh iiliall be ballotted for, and if no " iMt bail af>po&r agakist Mih he sball be declared aooopted. It **8txiXi thrill bd iShe duiydf his nomkAitor to indvee such person to ^' jdn ihb A^sbtiiatioti; representing th« organisation to him in such " alt^t'fte^l ta^ke it most inciting to him.' The br^her in " such case is not to represent himself as a member, bni that he <' also deidMS to join, and he is to conduct the' candidate to the dour, " and paaS' through the ceremony of initiation with him as if he " also were uninitiated. One dollar is to be paid into the funds of " the Association for each and every persot initiated in it. No " person if} to be consider^ a member of the Association, or en- '' trusted wi\h the secrets unless he has passed through the pres- ''rcribed.AeMnw)n»y. ,.v-^^.|t,^ '^^.^ lu .|kdi^uj»toeK«u^ b« Q%;ed,fbr hi^ neglect,. be ^jtspcn- "^^ctd froni ^alXjthe benefits and privileges of the Associatipu, until " su^h time ^is.j^is indebtedness shaU^J^e satisfied. ' * '^' j' Article Nin'th.-r--Ti^is Conslitutiori prtny pari IhMof may 1)o "either altered or amended by the tote 'of three-fourths of the "brethren present at any regular obnvbcation; notice in'wntinj; '^ of fc -same hiivlibg t»e^ gi^n at a regular convdcatidfr, two «^nffei pv{^."^-:,''~-' '--'; ^'^^; ^'''' '-' ■ ' ■ ■ •^'- '">^^ -^ ' "^^^ diid ^^overii "biifeves " ^eeably 'tb th^ ibr^in^ tN^tiisiitvttion, or to th^ same Altered " or amended, as provided for in Article Ninth titereof. ^^^ '- ^ fH()^^Mow1^e^ibeift of^ii^ n^ which are omitled. — ''' (The' 'Mdili«ii^^w«toi^tfd' IKIM papers, seded npiand «n^ ^fjrm: ''Q:W'Tn4im(mmiri^^ to be opmeSAupt (I (( 41 I. u Tor, and if nn KK50pted. It »ohp6«soii to hiniin such le brother in , boithathe 3 to the d(»or, bim asifhe the funds of i in it. No ation, or cn- gh the pres- funds of (lie reguJurcon- 5ct to liqui' mpnths, ho ytion until irtlis of the iri'\VTitiniiiy^»>« ^ 5^^;*' They are tQ knock at the outer door, where the Janitor, '^ masked, disguised in dress, and armed with a drawn sword, in " feigned voice inquires, * who desires admission V ■r'^;> (amoM:''^ •"i^f Answer.—- V^wojacrwMW, wito eutertaining a good opinum of ** the Association, desire to partake in its mysteries and benefits.^ ,.,:^^' Janitor. — ^ If you are admitted, do you promise sti'ictli/ to " obey the luws and usages f'.jti^^ - -v. Ytefc^sy^r/.^u lii^ 1 i»dj; * "Answer. — * We dqny jsa^ I ' * -p' ri'-f* Janitor.-^' Yo» ^«^7JJ thfin await, until I enquire of the bre- ** thren are willing to admU goUyfor I have no authority to do ^^ Mo myself,' — (Shuts and ibolts the door.) ».. m^S Janitor enters l^e room and announces who is without. When " all things are prepar<^, thie brethren disguised and masked, the <• Janitor returns to. the door: find ladmits the applicants. They are then ejtainjneijja^d fowrd.^tpshave no concealed weapons upon them, their hands are tied behind their backs, a^ rope put about thbir-tieck^, and being blindfolded, are led ihtotdi^ room. **The^ are conditre3ureQ resunun^ ^b^ '' proper clothing. V > ;;v4it--v (This paper is stgnled by three of the brethvm who yftrtf fHh bably a committee appointed to prepare it.) - , u'«u *^ . Bl (( «it (( t( 15 ^ it. TW in any wnjr, oonfidenqe, an Catholie f emplojr a' ^al. That n Catholic en in th^ at Papists. «SK)ciation, er. That ice of this knowledge one who ^te an J or am dead/ lagesare Bks, and the Be- ounding hreaten- theBe. d pass- id over ihe left to the ■Honor- trying re *Xf DECLARATION WHICH IS TO BE SIGNED BY THE NEW BRETHREN. i '' When a Proyinoe or Colony has attained to such a position ** with regard to population and wealth to warrant it^ it heoomes " its hounden duty to assume a free and independent position " among the nations of the earth, throwing off any allegiance to " another country or nation which it may before have acknow " In the opinion of the undersigned, the Province of Canada " has attained such position. She possesses a population of over " Three Millions of industrious and enterprising people, which is " being ai^nually increased by emigration. She possesses an ac- " cumulation of wealth, such as an energetic people would nafu- '' rally get together. She possesses a geographical position which '' insures to her the command of the greatest bodies of inland '' waters of the continent. She possesses canals of great length, '^ which control and render practicable the navigation of the St. '' Lawrence, besides commanding the communication between the '' great lakes and the uccan. She possesses a railway system of /' great perfection — which in its ramifications covers the whole of '' her territory. She possesses natural advantages, such as are '' exceeded by no nation, among which may be enumerated a " healthy climate, a fertile soil, an unexplored mineral wealtli and ^' great advantages for manufacturing. Can any people ask for ''more; has not Canada every advantage a young nation can de- "sire? She has been tranopled upon and downtrodden by the ^* Government of Great Britain. She has be^h cursed for six ^^< yeirs ^th a British Governor who has rulecl Hth^ peoi^te with an ''^iron rod^-tramplieid upon their l!bertie8-~< the €hiir«h of Snj^iid^irill bptli thrift in; our iiii4ii4» thd de- P(( an£ u I" we I" saci 17 At minifitan ter all Uiis, their repre- its as unjust, roTinoe, the ^tain him as iust to our uined stand .."'We con- row off pur hdent plaice ' nature and grieyances- m indepen der that as iter 'than as a'mt' 'i:5 '<- « (Here follow the signatures which I omit, as before. — Editor.) ' The publication of the foregoing, altho* anonymous, attracted f public attention, and several Journals made remarks thereon. — The Becofdcr published the entire document, and as in duty t bound to his p^rty, denied that any secret Reform Society existed, f The Prescott Messenger when speaking of these Associations ^ says : — " Wis have heretofore said nothing editorially of the exis- I tence of a society in Prescott, having ramifications throughout the : adjoining Counties, known by the above names. How long it has been in existence — what are its objects — ^who are its ];nembers-^ are questions that have long been asked, and answered, as the mood of the person interrogated happened to dictate. We believe that but few outside of the ^' chartiied oivcie" kmyvf aught of I these matters ; but on some points, all appear to a^ree; a secret i society is in existence, with regular meetings, passwords^ Sfo, ] the I doorkeeper of which has been seen masked ; the ^eatest care hfis I been taken not to excite the ^spicipn of outsiders ; the 9«t|ng I members are all of one political stripe, and are evickntly banded I together for an evil object, else, why so much secresy ? From time, to time, various rumors have gone abroad respecting it. Fpi* example, that certain gentlemen, in Brockyille, received a let^r from Prescott, praising the society, and enlar^ng, to the extent of several pages, on the benefits to arise from its spr^. These gentlemen are further reported to have applied for admission^ and 18 even gone so far as to the inside of the door, and then hacked ont^ Previous to Easter last, its 3zistence appears to have b een a secret to the public, but about that time placards in various places offer- ed a reward of 100 dollars for the recovery of Certain books and papers said to have been stolen from the small room in connection with Brady's Hall, occupied by the Sons of Temperance. The amount of the reward first excited suspicion, and enquiry soon led to the belief that this hall was used for other purposes than mere temperance meetings ; in fact, rumor quickly assigned to this spot the character of a rendezvous for a band of conspirators, whose intentions were as dark as the room in which their designs were discussed. - We are not of the political stripe that wcmid gain ad- mittance, and can therefore know nothing of itsintentiofis, except as they manifest themselves in every day life. The letter which we published a few weeks since from Quebec, is said to have been quite a bomb-shell in their camp, and report said the whole thing would be given to the public through the next Messen^er^ if our columns were placed at their disposal ; but we find in the last Central Canadian what purports to be a copy of the Constitution and give it without knowing anything about its correctness. . And in another number when alluding to the quibbling of the Clear Grit Press on the subject the Messenger adds ; — * "'*" We perceive that the Mirickville Chronicle and Perth Courier allude in a'flippant jnanner to the supposed Constitution of this Society w^ch we published last w8ek, evidently wishing to make the public believe that no such Society exists. Now, very possi- bly both tVese writers are members of 4he Society ; as we under* stand some of the craft have found their way into its mysteries, ^hete can be no dbubt that its constitution is borrowed from the Know Nothing order, which fiourished a few years since in the Uni^d Stat^, and rumor says that it is rapidly spreading itself over the country, and Lodges exist in various localities' from Sar- nia t| §are LodI was froi entlii I in fed • meet \ now 19 ^en hacked out • 3 b een a secret IS places offer- » books and in connection wranco. The quiry soon led Jes than mere &d to this spot rators, whose designs were ould gain ad- Qtiops, except letter which to have been 5 whole thing en^er, if our in the last Constitution ctness. )bling of the erth Courier ition of this ngto make very possi- s we under* ' mysteries. 3d from the Qce in the iding itself 3 from Sar- ■nia to Quebec, or even Guspe. As we said last week its members are masked, and its meetings are regular — Friday evening the Lodge meets in Prescott. The existence of a Lodge in Maitland was well known some months since, and its members frightened from meeting by the threats of arrest ; in Ii-oquois it was suffici- ently strong to control the Municipal elections last January, while in Matilda , its exposure at the same time ousted the man suppos- ed to be its leader. Scarcely two months have elapsed since a meeting took place in Kemptville, but how many the lodge there now nn mbers we do not know. We give these particulars for the purpose of putting the public on their guard, as many have been led into it by false representa- tions of its being only a Canadian benevolent Society, of a similar character and with the same desigos, as the St. George's St. Andrews's, St Patrick's and other National Societies. When too late to recede, the unfortunate victim discovers ulterior objects of Uie most tyrannical kind, and of the existence of which he never dreamt. We therefore warn all to be on their guard, and not allow themselves to be entrapped by the craftings of others. The case of one Steamburgh of Matilda, who was being initiated, and refused to take an oath required of him is well known ; but even all the pommeling the members, could inflict, was insufficient to make him forswear his country. Honest men should eschew it altogether, but if entrapped, watch narrowly the oath administer- ed, and refuse to swear to anything treasonable or improiper ; above all refuse to promise \o perjure yourself ^ rather than admit your connection or the society's existence. The Monitor of Sept. 21st says : — " We have received a print- ed sheet of what purports to be the true constitution of the Dark Lantern Sodely of Prescott. The document is anonymous, without name or signature attached, and is, thereu>re, to be regard' i.ii * 20 II' i ed with the groateBt Buspioion. Why the necessity of all this Becresy ? If a treasonable society exists in Preseott, an informa- tion before an intelligent magistrate will enable him to probe the matter to the bottom. We must confess we do not like anony- mous charges, and require more tangible proof ere we believe that the Clear Grits of Prescott, or of anywhere else in Oanada, just now, would be so foolish as to engage in any treasonable project. It is very possible, too, that there might be a deeper game going on in this matter, than may at first be supposed. The American press just now would be delighted to hear of any disaflfection in Canada, and this presumed affair at Prescott might be a plot in their interest. At the same time, we may as well state that we have been informed that a secret Reform Society does exist in Prescott, and that parties a^ut to be initiated have declined to take the oath. This information comes from a creditable source ; and we believe it to be correct. The most suspiblous feature in the affair is the fact that the Recorder and Tel^raph have said little or nothing about the charges in the Messenger, and seem dis- posed to give them quietly the go-by. The circnlcx complains of wtot of action on the patt of the government. The government can only act through a migidtrate. Why not at once lodge an in- formation before a Magislst^te? If the Prescott magistrates will not take up th(^ ca^e, Broekv^e magistrates will not shrink from their duty. The name of the piUrty who lodgiss the information need not be known a^d can be kept perfectly secret. No positive proof Was as yet known of the existence of a C.B.si in Kemptville, until the following letter appeared in the British Central Canadian, of Sept. 18th. • . nmi S3 To the Editor of the British Central Canadian. 'm'\ Kemptville, Sept. 16, 186l. Dear Sir, — Our loyal and hitherto peaceable little village ha^ been in great commotion lately, owing it is said to the discovery I (i 21 y of all this ) an infbrma- to probe the t like anonj- > believe that Canada, just able project, game going ie American saffcction in >e a plot in ite that we es exist in declined to ible source ; feature in have said d seem dis- mplains of ;overnment >dge an in- trates will a^nk from iformatioa >faC.B.I^: e British ft. ,16^1. illage ha# discovery ^ i i of a branch lodge of the ^^mudiun Friendly Brothers, or Dark Lantcrti Association amongst ud. ll ippeurs that a number of Clear Grits, composed of half naturalzcd Yankees and rabid radi* oals, most of whom you arc well acquainted with, were in the habit of meeting; in the Templars Hall here ; but although their proceedings were conducted with groat secrcsy, some suspicion was excited that tlie^ meetings were held for a political object. Be that as it may, the chest belonging to the Society was one morning found open, the books were extracted, and sundry masks and cloaks supposed to belong to the members wero torn up and destroyed. The parties guilty of the outrage have not yet been found out, though some of the papers stolen have been soen in the ;itreet. The Constitution of the Society was not amon.!5fst the documents, but I hear that a letter frotii the Presootti Lodire ad- vising that Certain clauses of the OoF>!^^itutitrn of tho Sirjoiety should be changed, as it was likely from late discovcrioH tliat the BrethfCn would feel obligated to publish something to satisfy tlie public, — a requiidition also fiom certain prominent parties in 3[iriokville, praying for a diypensation to 9pen a lodge in, that village was also found, and you would be surprised to see the names of the signers ; but it is most Sittisfajctory that amongi»t the whole of the menibers names, not one Conservative can be found. On becoming a mem- ber of thie Lodge, the name of the party is duly entered opposite a certain number, and in the minutes of proceedings during the meeting, instead of entering in the book, moved by brollior A. seconded by brother B., the form is moved by such a number say No .1^ seconded by No. 3, that so and so be adopted. You would laug^, my dear Kelly, if you could only see the lengthened visages of some of the brethren, who are well known. I saw by chance a copy of the Brockville Monitor of last week; you may tell that worthy, ihat although he may strive to conceal the exis- tence of these Societies, and ridicule you for making them known to the puolic, nevertheless they are in full blast through^t Canada, 22 nnd only fur tho disturbanocR in the United States we would hoar more fVoni them. The Hunter's Lodges of 1837-8, and the Ca« nadiun Friendly Brothers of the present, are one and the same, both treasonable, and I hope will be put down by the indignation of the loyalists of Cunnda. The small majority of our friend Jones at the last election, may be attributed to the exertions of the Dark Lantern brethren. The same clique iire doing all they can to persuade tho people of the North Riding that we are to have another election very soon, in consequence of me informality in one of the assessment books. You know well that this is all humbug, intended more from a wish to annoy our friend, than from any* hope of being able to turn him out I feel confident that if we had a new election to-morrow, the majority in favor of Jones against Smith would be twenty times greater than before. So much for the Dowdall and Dark Lan- tern bttsinesB. . Yours truly, PAUL PRY. 4* This letter was confirmed by an article in the Kemptville Oh$erver which says : — *' Since our last issue, further discoveries have been made by the curious, respecting the distinguished Lodge of this much abused Association that honors our village with its mysterious presence. Many and conflicting are the rumours current here, amongst the great unwashed, respecting the strength of the As- sociation. When the members will cease to be ashamed to avow their membership, their probable power for future evil, and other such queries. But the most startling rumour of all is, that some desperado, not having the fear of the dreaded mysteries of this Council of Ten before his eyes, nefariously entered the sacred preoints of their mystic hall, and wickedly and feloniously carried off t^cir ^Imlc stock in trade^ masks, cloaks, emblems and all were would hear nd the Ca- the same, indjgQation wtion, may thren. The pie of the >7 Boon, in )nt hooka. >^m a wish > turn him orrow, the 30ty timea u-k Lan- emptville made hy is much rsterious Dt here, the Ag- io avow i other at some of this sacred earned >II were 23 taken ; and no. ..'Ten a rag, not a vestage of thc^ir petted para- phernalia was left behind. The abject Lurrcr of tiic uiciubcrH upon disoovoring this worse than " Vun^lal trick' inuy be imugiu- ed, but not desoribod. In blissful ignorance of the foul robbery committed, they had met, us wus their wont, to uuudult tlic oracku as to the future prospects of their beloved Order, and to* receive peh)hance, a Dark Lantern Revelation. Upon discovering the loss they had sustained, they left the Hull in disgust, and whether they will go to the expense of again procuring sable muutles and painted masks, is very questionable. r, / ^ if 'ti».>*'if' THE DARK LANTERNS AGAIN. Frif/n the Central Canadian Ott^ 20. A The Recorder is certainly one of the most slippery of the geniit homOf that we ever came in contact with, and as a political acrobat none can excel him. Only a few days ago, with all the iscmblance of injured innocence, he denied the existence of any secret Clear Grit Society, and accused us of being the sole author of this ca- lumnious charge ; ' concocted,' as he said, for the express purpose of Mwing dissension in the ranks of the Reform party. Finding however, that his istatement was generally disbelieved, he last week admits *^ that a secret society of some kind or the other is really in existence." Compelled to tell the truth, he performs the unwilling task in a most ungracious manner, and true to his Grittish proclivities for misrepresentation, asserts what he knows to be untrue. We do not wish to insinuate that our confrere is addicted to ' fibbing' and believe that he would give the preference to truth at all times, if he found it more convenient or profitable to his party, than falsehoods w, I ! y,: ! ) Wc ftivo tlic Recorder credit for knowing more about the Oana- (lian Brotherhcol than we do, but feel surprised at his daring teifrontery in saying that " he knoih as af<(ct, thai a great many Conservatives belong to the Society ^ As Sam WeUer said, * that is a thumper.' Now Master Reorder, no shuffling or thimble- rigging ; we challenge you to name one Conservative who is an initiafed member of the Canadian Brotherhood. Is there one in the Farmersville lodge, to which your worthy self is reported to be attached ? Is there one in the Pioneer Lodge of Prescott, of which Dr. Easton is the presiding genius? Is H. D. Smith of Mirickville, Muir, Hall, Wright, Holden, Wiokwire, Stone, and others of the same political kidney — are any of these Conserva- tives, or will you attempt to deny that they are members of the Brotherhood ? Our information is not complete, but to assist you ' in the search for a Conservative, we can give you the names of upwards of 30 porsons in Kemptville, who iare bona fida obligated members of the so called Dark Lantern Club. And as for the Kemptville section, you could not find one honest politician in the whole gang, or as much liberality ad would induce them to vote for a Conservative pouhd-keeper. Wc have been frequently challengea to pu&isn the names of the members ; we have been reproached for our silence in not doing so ; our statement his beep styled a ' Mare's Nest,' 'A vile incendiary attack,* and a ^ bugaboo.' We now accept the challenge j we take up the gauntlet you have sb frequently thrown at us. We publish in this day's paper sufficient damning proof that we have sucb infernal societies in our midst — we give you the names of the members and their proceedings, and if the Jle- cnrder or any other skeptic visits our office, he can tbere see some of the regalia of the Kemptville Brethren, sent to us for inspection by some unknown person ; and the books also. , , ,. r But the Recorder and others say that the Constitution of the C. B. S. as published is not the correct one. We can prove by I ,i «^ ii' the Cana- his daring ffiecU many said, 'tl^at or thimble- who is an bere one in )oited tobe *regcott, of Smith of )tone, and Conseira- ers of the assist you * names of * obligated IS for the ian in the i» to vote names of 36 in not est,' < A Jcept the y thrown ing proof give you the Re- see some ispection ^^^ '^y sH » of the rove b inost iimloubtod evidence, that immediately after the discovery of itiie Qiwv^ a letter was sont by Br. Easton, to the senior section i:i Keiuptville, ctlliug upon the Lodge to revise the Constitution, and again on the 8th August last, after the papers had been found in Prescott, another letter from the same gcntlemau, urges the necessity of a change — for the more open and efficient working I »f the Older — he recommends a change in the Preamble; that tiio second degree be abolished ; and that the obligation of secrecy b'.> Svi altered, as to allow members to acknowledge their connection I with the society, if they think proper. I The Record r, and other advocates of the society, say, that I Good Consci vativGS have been elected as members of the Club. I This is a gross falsehood, and \vc beg to expose the dodge, it is 1 thus : — When the Lodge is opened a Sable coated Brother, known I only by the number on his mask, gets up and proposes Messr '. ; A. B. and C. as fit and proper persons to become members — the motion is carried — and without the knowledge or onsent of the I parties proposed, their names are desecrated by being uttered in i 8uch a den of political iniquity. The Lodge then proceeds to the I next step, and these parties are declared duly elected as members Ion the roll of the society, all this is done, so that the apologist of this notorious association may be able to say to strangers, why my dear sir, you admit that Messrs. A. B and C, are good Conserva- tives, do you think they would join a disloyal body, such as the Central Canadian describes it ? it is preposterous to imagine it, and I can assure you on my honor, that these gentlemen have been duly proposed and elected, and their names are on our record, you can have no objection to join us in such good company. That this is a truthful exposure the Recorder proves in his last number, and we have said sufficient to put unsuspecting persons on their iiuard. )•; Hl.i' ;7 Again, the Recorder would fain assimilate the C. B, fraternity with other secret Societies in Canada, which is another gross in- sult. It is true that the Free Masons, 0:angemen, and the dif- ferent Order of the sons of Temperance, wear certain regalia in their Lodge Room and processions ; but they wear no hideouF masks to conceal their honest faces — ^their Constitutions are print- ed and and patent to the world. Not so with the Lantern hum- bugs, they dread discovery, and in sable mantles and painted vis- $ M r. 2G ages, with just light sufficient to make Uuikness visible, conspire toother for suspicious purposes, known only to the initiated. Wegivealist of the obligated Members of the Kemptvillc Jiodge, and their corresponding numbers, as appears in tlie Roll : F. A. Moore, 1 ; Craig Holmes, 2; John E. Maley, 3 ; Hiram Holmes, 4; Michael Keenan, 5 ; Thomas Adams, 6; Hev. Win. Price, 7: John Fannin, 8; Edson Rossetor, 9; James ^^cott, 10; H. N. Garlick, 11 ; John Selleck junr. 12 j John Perkins, 13 ; Daniel Keenan, 14; George Dunbar, 15; George T. Maley, 16; Henry Agnew, 17; H. D. Smith, 18; H. Shaler, 19; T. S. Fraser, 20 ; David J. Hall, 21 ; Neil Keenan, 22 ; Lyman 0. Beach, 23 ; Wesley Beach, 24 ; John Christie, 25 ; Geo. 8eileck 20 ; A. Smith. 27 ; John Mallon, 28 ; D. C. Stone, 29; A. Smith 30; Walter Wickwire, 31 ; Wright Smith, 32 ; H. C. Perkins, :}3 ; Samuel Breden, 34. fA*^.' n^ :a„ the dark LANTERN'S AGAIN. Ft'om the British Central Canadian. We furnish our subscribers with a correct copy of the minutes of proceedings of the Senior Section of the Canadian Brotherhood Society, held in Kemptville. The minutes oommence with the opening of the Lodge in April 22nd, and we shall in our succeed- ing numbers continue our notice. The members present at the first meeting, were previously members of the Pioneer Lodge of Prescott. The first member elected in Kemptville was Edson Rossetor, No. 9 ; by carefully perusing the entries, the other members will easily be found out. Kemptville, April 22, 1861. Pursuant to notice from the President of Pioneer Section of the C. B. S of Upper Canada, the petitioners and several mem- bers of said Section met at Kemptville, on Monday, April 22, 1861, for the purpose of organizing the Senior Section of the G. B. S. for the North Riding of Leeds and Grenville — the following members being present : J. Easton ; F. A. Moore, No. 1 ; Craig Holmes, No. 2 ; John 27 ble, conspire- litiated. Kemptvillo nthe RoJJ: > "^ ; Hiram * ^'cott, 10; erkins, 13 i 31aley, 16; 19; T. 8. Jeo. 8eJleck A. 8iiiith. C. Perkins, ■'."■* ' IX. le minutes rotherhood with the r succeed - nt nt the liodge of as Edson tlitj other 1861. ection of 'al mein- Lpril 22, ^ the G. following t John ■E. Maley, No. 3; H. llohncs, No. 4; Michael Keenan, No. 6; T. Adams, No. 6 ; Rev. Wni. Price, No. 7 ; John Fannin, No. 8. Nomination of officers for ensuing year : F. A. Moore, Presi- dent, No. 1 ; Craig Holmes, V. P., No. 2 ; John E. Maley, Sec- retary, No. 3 ; H. Holmes, Treasurer, No. 4 ; Michael Keenan, ^ 3Iarshal, No. 6 ; Thomas Adams, Scrutineer, No. 6, were then serva- tivcs belonged to the C. B. S, Since our last, we have received the following letters, which will prove our statement to be correct. Kemptvillb, 28th Oct. 1861. R. W. KELLY, Esq. Brockville, Dear Sir. — 'In reply to your notes of the 25th inst. in which you state that you have in some manner become possessed of the Books purporting to contain the proceeding of the C. B. S. of Kemptville, and moreover, that our several names are therein re- corded. In reply we have to state, in the inost positive manner, that if our names, or either of them, are in the Book refered to they have been placed there without our knowledge or consent. We are dear sir, your obt. servants, R.LESLIE, AMB. CLOTHIER, SAMUEL CHRISTIE, J. BOWER, JAMES PORTER, GEORGE TAYLOR. to be [WIRE, Ipresent- ranted. )rcgoing Bower No. 4 d their is this, bout it, mptville ar friend Ohserva- received k to be [861. which of the ,S. of iin re- that if jrhave fTIE, >R, Burritt's Rapids, Gth Nov. 18G1, R. W. KELLY, Esq. ., Dear Sir. — I have seen. my name mentioned in your paper of tlie 30th ult. in connection with the C. B. S. or Pork Lantern Associaticn of Kemptvillc. I regret very much that such should be the case, as I have had nothing whatever to do with such a Society, nor did I over express a desire to any person or persons to become a member of sucli an association, having been of the opinion from what I had heard of such societies, that they are treasonable in their niituro. I could not therefore for one mo- ment think of becoming identified with them. I wish you would be kind enough therefore to state in your next paper, that I never requested, nor did I ever consent to allow my name to be proposed by any pei-son to become a member of such an association, feeling myself a true Conservative. ' ■ .„>, ALPHEUS BURRETT. .' ToR. W.KELLY, Esq., Dear Sir. — I read with much surprise that my name is record ed as a member in the books of the Secret Association, of the C. B. S. of Kemptvillc, I am not or ever was a member of the said Society ; and the person who proposed me must have done so from a malicious desire to injure my reputation, as an honest loyal man. Please give this denial a place in your excellent jour- nal, so that my friends may know the truth. I remain yours &c. W. A. GARLICK, Kemptvillc, 6th Nov. 1861. Rideau Hotel. To R. W. KELLY, Esq., Dear Sir. — I cannot express the indignant state of my feelings^ when I read in your truly independent Journal, that my name has been recorded as a member of the C. B. S. or Dark Lantern Association of Kemptvillc. I repudiate all connection with a masked Society; and I never sanctioned any person to propose me as a member. I wish to retain my good name amongst my fellow-oitizens, and I consider a gross insult has been offered mC) by recording my name in a Society ashamed of letting its objects be made public. Youre resroectfuUy, Kemptvillc, 6th Nov. 1861. AUGUSTUS BRANDON. ^H '•'-■I -, . f . r !/ tf» 86 .tf 1 1 To the Hditor of the Briitih Central Canadian, Dear Sir.-— I regret to see in your paper, that my name appears as a duly elected member of the Ganaaian Brothers Society, in this Village. I beg leave to state that I never directly or indi- rectly authonEed any person to propose me in that Society ; and that whoever did so, acted without my consent, knowludgc or ap. probation. I consider it a disgrace to be named as connected wiUi any Society, the Constitution and objects of which are unknown, and which requires its members to be disguised with masks, &c., when assembled. Please insert this denial in your next number^ and believe me. Yours, &e., Kemptville, 7th Nov. 1861. ASA CLOTHTKK. The following letter written by the Rev. Wm. Price, Mcthoclist Preacher in Kemptville, was published in the Brockville Monitor. This gentleman it appears is an affiliated member of the C B. 8. and designated as No. 7 on their Roll. Perhaps some of our readers may understand his style, we acknowledge we cannot ; hi them judge for themselves : To the Edltw of the Brockville Monitor. Sir.- -The paper published in your town, by R. W. Kelly, and ealled the British Central Canadian^ has lately been exceedingly busy with names, position and public character of a number of persons residing in this vicinity ; doubtless, from the acrimose exhibited by that distinguished ornament cf the press, to seriously affect their standing in communiry. My name is paraded among the rest, as belonging to an organi- zation, that the reputable editor of the luminous sheet — in con- nection with others— is pleased to call the *' Bark Lantern Socie- ty," and that the intention of such a body are eminently disloyal and seditious, Subversive of the British authority and ])ower in Canada ; likewise most hostile to known loyal parties, as well as churches of different names now flourishing in our midst. The statements of Mr. Kelly are false. I never have, and while my senses will not for the purposes set forth by him, in the t great such H rotal To t great kindness of liis large nnd loving heart, coriiicct iiiysclf with Hueli an nKHoclntion. Ho in trying to injure others, who, .should they bo disposed to retaliate, could inflict upon him a puniwhrnont which would not soon be fbrcotton. Ecclesiastiijal censure, according to his gentle and uiniable announccntunt is spec lily to be brought to bear. How tender, Mr. Central, wc arc afraid you might bo a scorpion, but alas ! the sting I I defy the great man on this point, and if he has a particle of decency left, or any honest courage apart from the editor's desk, let him show it I am prepared any day or any hour. I am not identified with anything that a truly loyal and firm Bri'" h sub- ject may not feel proud to fully understand. Yours, Wm. price. Kemptville, Nov. 12, 1861. To THE Rev. Wm. PRICE, Kemptville: Revd. Sir. — As you have been pleased to address a letter to the Editor of the Brockville Monitor, in which my name has been frequently mentioned. In order to give your communication a more increased circulation, I re-publish it in this days' paper ; and out of respect to your position in a religious community, foi* which I entertain the highest respect, I honor you with a direct reply; but in so doing, I labor in, or serious difficulties, fori cannot understand your style of composition — whether you in- tend it as complimentary, vituperative, or pugnacious. When you speak of the *' acrimose exhibit < I hg that distinp^uished ornament of the Prees, — of my great kinlness, and my large loving heart," my vanity leads me to ima£;ine you are complimenting me ; but when you say " my statements are false" and compare me to a scorpion without a sting — I consider that vituperation ; and Rev. Sir, have I not good cause to put down your next assertion under the third class, pugnacity. ^^ That if I have ang honest courage apart from the Editor's desk, let him show k." If I received such a letter from a layman, or my confreres of the " Recorder or the Monitor," I would immediately put in order my 9 foot gun ; but I do not consider you ever intended such a meaning in your letter. It is a pity you were not more explanatory; for if your sermons are equally unintelligible, I fear that on many occasion?, 33 your congregation will depart completely myatified by your dis- course. But away with badinage, and putting aside all quibbling on ei- ther side — in publishing the list of certain parties as members of the C. B. S. I found your name recorded as one — if it was a charitable Association I should not have felt surprised, but being a political nature of the most ultra kind, I was somewhat aston- ished, particularly as it is well known, tint in your place at the Conference, you have frequently spoken of the impropriety of Ministers belonging to a secret Associ.;tion, and added that amongst the Preachers there was too much Orangeism to be found. You soon repudiated your former professions and became a mem- ber of a body whom you feel ashamed to acknowledge, if I am to judge by your letter. You say you do not belong to any treasonable Association, well be it so, your friends will be happy to hear your denial, but why not back up your assertion by letting the public know what are the objects and Constitution of the Society you are connected with — if not treasonable, if not seditious — you must allow it to be truly ridiculous. To see a Reverend Minister of the Gospel disguised with a hideous Mask and Black Cloak, like old, ' Clootie' himself, is not very instructive to his flock, and if I was a mem- ber of a Church, and saw my Minister carrying on his antics, and going through the mummeries of the C. B. S. I think I would not derive much benefit from his preaching afterwards. I will not go about the bush, Rev. Sir ; I repeat that you are connected with a secret political society that does not inculcate peace and unity with the world ; that it pretends to possess the power of absolving its members from a solemn obligation ; and that it is an illegal and suspicious association. You have, I understand, threatened to institute proceedings against me. Go on Rev. Sir ; your Society may assist you in the necessary funds for the proseoution, but you will never prevent the undetsigned fcom stating the truth. "''^' Yours faithfully. R.W. KELLY. . I' )) A. *i'> M 39 •ji' dis- ei- Is of Is a leing STAR CHAMBER PROCEED I NGSf Mlrickville Petty Sessions, he/ore Justice McLeod and Muir. Robert W. Kelly, Esq., Proprietor of the British Central Canadian Journal, published in Brockville, appeared before the Court as a prisoner, on the following charge : — " That Craig Holmes, of Oxford, Yeoman, hath accused Robert W. Kelly, of Brockville Printer, of having stolen goods in his possession which were abstracted from complainant at Kemptville, some time between the 9th day of September and the 7th day of October 1861 ; and that said Kelly conceals said goods, and can be proved to have had them in his possession in his print' t>' office ; and further that the complicity of said Kelly in the the.c can bo established." On the information having been read, Mr. Kelly objected to be tried by their Worships, they being members of a secret Associa- tion known as the C B. S, or Dark Lantern men, and intercnted in the proceedings, and in order that Justice may be done in the case, that they allow and call in other Magistrates not interested, to examine and decide thereon. Mr. Muir did not see in what manner the C. B. S. were inter- ested, the name was not mentioned in the information or com- plaint, and in law the competency of the Bench could not be ob- jected, and they would go on. Mr. Kelly then appealed to their honor as gentlemen, if they had any, not to act in such a suspicious manner, he felt apprehen- sive that from the well known political prejudices of His Wor- ship Muir, he, the prisoner would not get fair play, and again ap- pealed to their love of justice to grant his request. Mr. Muir refu^^ed, and said that he was determined to act in a proper manner, and immediately gave orders to the Constable to clear the Court ; and that he would not admit the public to be present during the trial for reasons known to himself — and for so doing he had legal authority. In vain Mr. Kelly protested against this Star Chamber proceed- ing, this seorei court of inquisition ; his objections were over ruled, and the Court having been cleared, and Constables placed at the doors to prevent admittance — the trial commenced. Craig Holmes, sworn. — A quantity of Cloaks, Masks, a Book 40 r o niij Tnink. were stolen frcmi the Templars' Hall in Kemptville, between the days mentioned in the information. The Templars' HhII was used for public uses, did not know who stole the proper- ty, has not seen any of the articles since, was induced to make the complaint against Mr. Kelly from information from other parties, and from what he read in Mr. Kelly's paper. The value of the articles abstracted was from $15 to $20. Cross- exnmined by iMr. Kelly. — Were the whole of the articles stolen your own property ? A. Part of them were. Q. What part of them ? .4. A Mask and a Cloak. Q. Since the whole lot was not your property, how came you to get out a warrant and search for the whole ? A.I had a share or interest in the rest. On this answer being given, His Worship 3Iuir began to locT rather nervous. Q. With whom or what other party were you interested in said property ? No answer. Q. On your oath Sir, was there not an Association or Society interested with you in this joint property ? A. There was. Q. Please give the name of that Society"? The Witness hesi- tated, and Justice Muir could not see that the question had any^- thing to do with the present case. Mr. Kelly insisted, and whilst contending for his right to put the question, the door of the Court Hall was pushed open, and R. Waugh, Esq., followed by Messrs. Johnston, Hurd, Whitmarsh, and I or 2 other Magistrates, en- tered the Hall, and took their places at the table. Mr. Waugh addressed Mr. Muir, and told him that there was considerable ex- citement amongst the people outside, that they were indignant at being turned out, and that for the ends of justice and to away with all suspicion of unfair play, th it the Court now adjourn for one hour, and that at its opening, the public be admitted. The only opposants to this motion being the two inquisitors on the Bench, it was carried, and the Court adjourned. Previous to the commencement of the trial and knowing well that the faction would not stick at a trifle, in oiuer to accomplish his ruin. Mr. Kelly purchased in the morning at Mr. Merrick's store 3 yards of Bltick Muslin and cut it Poncho fashion as worn by the Darkies, and took it into the Hall with him, our readers will see a little fun from this same poncho. | vj h'k?; ; The Court Hftll having bieen i^e-ofiened and the public admitted your 41 Messrs. Muir, McLeod, Waugh, Johnstou, Hurd, Whitmarsh, Kelly, Read and Mirick, J. P's. took their seats. Croes eocamination of Craig Holmes continued: — You seem Mr. Holmes somewhat reluctant to tell the name of the Society who are interested in the property. Is it not the Senior Section of the C. B. 8. of the North Riding of Leeds and Grenville. Yes, Q. Can you say how long that particular branch of the Order has been established in Kemptville ? A, Since last Spring. Q. Are you a member of that Society ? A. I am. Q. When you first joined that Society, was there not an obli* gation or oath required from you that you should not acknowledge your connection with it ? A. I was not to admit it publicly. Q. You were then bound to deny it ? A. I was. Q. How long was it after the discovery of the robbery of the Lodge Room in Prescott that the obligation binding you and oKliers to secrecy, was rescinded ? ^. I do not know. Q. You state on Oath in your Complaint or information on which you obtained a warrant, and arrested me, that you had received information from other parties and from my own newspaper, is not this the notice that appeared in my paper ? (Here Mr. Kelly read the pikolic notice calling on parties to Joinc and claim the goods left with him.) A. Yes. Q» How then could you swear that I was concealing them, after I had publicly advertised them ? A. Because I did not find them when I first went to look for them. Q. Could you identify any of the property ? A. 1 conld, some by marks. Q. Now Sir, here is an article that has been k jcking about some time,can you find any particular marks on it to say it belongs to the Society? Here the Black Poncho was handed to Witness, he examined it carefully and declared his belief tJiat it was part of the stolen property ! ! ! Mr. Kelly immediately explained to the Court his purchase of the Muslin in the morning, his cutting it in due form in the Store, aYid appealed to Squire Mirick for the truth of his statement — that gentleman having confirmed it, considera* ble merriment was created in the crowded Hall. Q, When you took the oath or obligation of secrecy as to your connection with the 0. B. S. did you not consider it as binding you? A, I did conditionally. ^ : r^ ^^P^^ •-'-v% ^ Q. Do you consider that any Society or Association has the power to absolve a i)erson from keeping that oath ? To this ques- tion no answer could be obtained. * •'• •^'«"«^i h.u jsjjioit ,/u -' Q. Has not the Society, by vote or implied agreement, under- taken to pay you all the exjienses you may incur in this prosecu- tion ? A. They have. Q. Did they not subscribe $200 for that purpose ? . A. I do not know. Q. On your oath, Sir, do you believe that I stole the ar- ticles mentioned? A. I do not. 'm*>i^ ?T.r IvjrfftilftKiKia nt^.J t^? David Wylie, Esq., sworn. — He deposed that the first an- nouncement he received about the goods, was from Mr. Kelly hiru- self ; that he exhibited to deponent a quantity of Masks, Cloaks, &c., a book of minutos of proceedings and a letter. He under- stood from M^. Kelly that they belonged to the Keiiipt\rille lodge ; that Mr. Kelly had given him a Mask, which he now handed into Court, and that the book he saw appeared as if it had been buried underground. -' '^' Cross examined by Mr. Kelly. — Q- Are you not the editor of the Recorder ? A. J am. Q. Are you not a Freemason ? A. lam. -'^^i*- ^^-^ r-^*--.".A . Q. Being a Freemason do not the Brethren known as such, when in conversation with each other, speak more unreservedly and confidentially together than usually with other parties ? :->",i:: A. They do. Q. Did I not invite you to my office someday last month, and say : Come Wiley, you have for a Jength of time, denied the existence of the Dark Lantern Chaps, come in, and I will show you convincing proofs of their existence ; or words to a similar effect ? A. You did. Q. Did I show you any articles, books or papers connected therewith, and did I not tell you I believed they were stolen, but that I did not know who sent them to me ? A. You did. Q. Were the articles concealed in my office? A. No. Q. Are you not aware that I advertised them in my Journal, calling upon the parties who lost them, to come and claim, property? nt: Ai 1 saw a notice to that effect in the Canadian. X ni Q. When you were looking at the Masks, did you not request I would give you one, and on your request, did I not do so ? A. You did. Q, Did not you subsequently assert in your pa- per, (the Reorder) that the Masks I had in my officet, pretending ^r^ the jues- Inder- fsecu- [onot le ar- f V. pa- ding 43 that they belonged to the C. B. S. were the remaining part of uiy old stock of Toys that I had when in Kemptville ? A. I did, but Editors of papers frequently say things in order to have some fun with each other. Then in that assertion you must have stated an untruth,? No answer. The last question I shall put to you Mr. Wiley is : — Q, On your oath do you believe that I stole the Goods ? ul. I do not. John E, Maley sworn. — Believes the articles mentioned in the information were stolen, the book was stolen first and the ether articles subsequently ; amongst the articles was a letter from Dr. Easton. Has not seen them since. Does not believe th&c prisoner stole them. Question by E. H. Whitmarsh, Esq. — Were your minutes cor- rectly published by Mr. Kelly. A. They were, with the exception of several names left blank. A long discussion then arose in consequence of a question put to the witness by Mr. Muir, relative to the correctness of other articles connected with the Society and published by Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly contending that Mr. Muir had no right to put such a question to the witness, except the publications were present, and that this court was not a proper tribunal to test the question as to the objects and constitution of the C. B. S., it being proved by a witness this day that they change them to suit their convenience, that it was a regular chameleon, both in color and shape, and what was binding one day, was the next day repealed. .The Bench decided that both questions be erased from the evidence. [By the bye, Mr. Muir kept his own minutes, entered the ques- tions to suit himself, in some cases changed the words used by the witnesses, and we believe never read them over previous to signa- ture.] ttohert S^ootswood sworn. — Saw a book in Mr. Kelly's office in Brockville— it was connected with the C. B. Lodge in Kemptville — ^itwasin Mr. John Maley's hand-writing. Does not believe Mr. Kelly stole the book. ^ Isaac Mills sworn. — Saw a book, masks and cloak in possession of prisoner ; knew the hand-writing to be that of Jllr. John Maley^ Doe's not believe that Mr. Kelly stole the articled 44 C. B. S. Messrs. Lsslie, McG/'e^or, Carnegie and Clancg, were exninincd, but of their own knowledge knew nothing about the aff»ir. Edson liomtoi'y Constiible of Kemptville, and member of the , sworn. — When I searched Mr. Kelly's house in Brock- • ., ville, I found none of the articles, nor was I molested whilst ,,, I searching for them, had every facility given me. Does not believe Mr. Kelly stole the goods. Cannot say why a Mirickville Justice , of the Peaco should employ a Kemptville Constable, cannot say , ' that because deponent is a member of the C. B. S. he got a pre* , fcrence over the Mirickville officers. Cannot say as to the reason why Mr. Dowdall wais not intrusted with the warrant, cannot say it is because he is a Roman Catholic. Does not believe that Mr. Kelly stole the goods. The Prosecutor, seeing that no evidence was adduced to impli- cate Mr. Kelly, and that he would be honorably acquitted, made a motion to adjourn the case to a further day, stating that one of his witnesses, Mr. Thomas Adams, was unable to attend the court in consequence of an accident he met with the day previous. H. Holmes, father to the prosecutor came forward and offered to swear, that he. Holmes, had served him with a summons that morning, but Mr. A. was so unwell that he could not attend. The statement was pr.oved false at once, by several in Court saying that they had seen Mr. Adams in the streets of the Village that morn- ing, and that nothing seeminzly ailed him. The Court very prc- ' perly refused to swear Old Holmes, and he retired very much chagrined at 71 ot being able to kiss the book. The case being closed, the Court Hall was cleared whilst the 3Iagistrates were in consultation, and in three minutes Mr. Kelly was called in and informed by the chairman, J. Muir, Esq., that he was honorably and^unanimously acquitted. - ^ .*'i^ Thus ended the Mirickville farce for the present. The Darkies sneaked oflf covered with confusion, and the numerous friends of Mr. Kelly escorted him in triumph to his Hotel, when having given three hearty cheers for the Queen, and three groans for the Dark Lantern men, they queitly separated to their respective homes. ■;is yr) oi' ')-'•': >q JvjU ii*a<;U m3^n{:^-m-f^- ' ^^'^tmm I* / p^*" C .'» ~f /C. J BRITISH WAREHOUSEt *.i U^s p *fc..,. /■. m CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER, (Webster's old stand) MJ9iPORTER, WMOM.ES,t£.B AND RETAIL DEALER IN ^# Shelf and Heavy Hardware, It OnOCBiaBS Ac. Ac. \ I Near the Tunnel, Main St. Brockvil Iron, Steel, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Cutlery, GIa|S|^;i| Paints, Oils, Sugars, Syrups, Teas, Tobacco,^| Rice, Salt, Hubs, Spokes, Shafts, Spindles, &c. <&e, Be^t JAPA1¥ T£A at 9« cenl» per Poiin^ 1 >A- .^ THE 'BRITISH CENTRAL CANADIAN,' ^ 1^ A WEKKLY JOURNAL, I'i PUBLISHED IN BROCKVILL^ -IIY — k ROBERT W. KELLY, 1^ Subscription One Dollar per Year in a