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"It is belter to fail in striking for bo noble a thing as libertT) than not to strike at all; for reform never dies." — Bacon. XMBODVING, ALSO, LETTERS DESCRIPTIVE OF PERSONAL APPEALS IN BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND, AND HIS FELLOW PRISONERS, TO THE EARL OF DURHAM, HER MAJESTY, AND THE UNITED LEGISLATURE OF THE CANADAS, •i* i BY MRS. B. wait. BUFFALO: A. W. WILGUS 1843. \: ! :j -■^ Ft isr y *.. * •1, *i Entered according to act of Congresa, in the year 1843| by ALFRED W. WILGUS, in the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New-Tork. /f^y/ REMARKS FOR THE READER. Afl tbc author of tlir'--y pngcs, I would ref'pcctrully intimate to the render, tbnt, nt my commrncli.g them, it wno wholly foreign to the orif»inal pTnn, to embody nny thing fnrlhcr tbnn the mere inciderits attending the conimiitntiori of my primnry pentcncc, the tranaportation to Van Dicmnn'a Land, via England; an account of circumstances coming under my observation, during two years residence there, a description of the face of the country, and a brief history of its diccoverVj itssetllcment, the prominent features ofitsBoil, itsforebte, and it3 climate; v/ith tbc character of its gov- ernment, Ub iMhabitnnl0, its prif^on discipline, and the treatment the Canadian pviliticnl ofTcndcre have received; with a detail of circumstances in connexion with Mri^. Wait's arduoius etrugglee, given by hcrfsclf. But, by the repeated urgent requcetp if many gentlemen, kindly intcreotcd, I have been induced to give n brief detail of some of tbo leading cau3ei9 of complaint which more di- rectly led to immediate insurrection in Uiiper Canada. For this purpose I have not conoidcrcd it nccecsary to go farther back than 1835; and to prevent the possibility of the application of "exparte" to the Bfatemontf?, (a3 has been usual, of late, to all publications of such a nature,) I have given nothing but what will be found on the recordd of the parliament, and in Lord Durham's able report upon Canadian matters. It is, indeed, true, there have ma- ny accurate details of our grievances gone forth to the public, that I am eorry to find, are "not generally di6.3eminatcd," which has been, unhappily, the caee with General McLcod's authentic his- i m ^ lY REMARKS FOR THE READER. tory of Canadian mattcra, grievances, and the engagements during tbo ineurrectionary movements; and I would hero beg leave to recommend it to the candid perunal of every person who wishes An impartial detail of the causes that led to the revolt, and a re- lation of facts connected with the unsuccessful strugt^lc. In respect to the reprehensible conduct of the Earl of Durham, on his first assuming the reins of government, which was so deci- dedly at variance with the mild and conciliatory policy he subse- quently so emphatically urged the British government to pursue towards the North American Colonies, I would remark, that hc| in common with most other English noblemen, had sulfered his mind to imbibe false impressions of Canada, derogatory to the respectability of the character, honor, education, and intelligence of its inhabitants, by the perusal of such partial statements as we have often found flowing from the pens of the Lieutenant Gov- crnor'si For instance, Sir F. B. Head, in an oificial despatch, describes Canada ''as exceeding by only one third, the population of the single parish of Marylebone, in London, and its in comcdoes not equal the private fortune of many an English Commoner." ''Mechanics, in groups, are seen escaping from it in every direc- tion, as if it were a land of famine and pcatilence. Indeed, every expectation for relief from internal industry, is hourly diminishing. She stands like a healthy young tree that has been girdled, with its drooping branches," &c. &c. Indeed, all the sources through which Colonial information must proceed, to command credit and attention, had, far many years, been thoroughly poisoned; and nil Downing street justice corrupted, to afford opporl unify for plun- dering the Colonial treasures with impunity. For instance, as declared by Lord EUicc, "the trade act imposes duties to an ex- tent quite equal to the amount required for the civil government of both Provinces, tcWiout consulting with either of the Provincial Legislatures." Again — "Certainly the Canadians conijjlain with apparent reason, against the conduct of this government. For instance, a Receiver General is appointed in England, with insuf- ficient securities; the assembly suggest the regulation of his of- fice; but they ore told that this is an encroachment on the pre- rogatives of the crown. The Receiver fails, in debt to the public ^400,000; and, forsooth, they, (the assembly,) must levy fresh REMARKS FOR THE READER. laxcfl to meet it. In like mnnncr regarding Shori'"., two of whom have lulcly become defaulters, one in the sum of $108,000 ofsiiitors money. Thowe are not theoretical, but practical evils, that form just grounds of complaint." The Colonini oHico incumbent, as n matter of course, expects to nett a K"o<1 pay for "his short and arbitrary reign;** conse- quently tluir Liciitcnnnt Governors, before despatched, are taught well their "mimic parte," and "play into his hand" without dreading conRoqucnceH; for it is a eacred truth, that among all the Ex-Governors, they who had tyrannised over the poor Canadians with the most "absolute sway," and were the most deserving of imiioachniciit, were sure, on their arrival in England, to have pnpHcd ill their favor, an act of indemnity, screening them from the crrorn of tluir niiptr00 commissioned mi- litia officers — tho sole control of the military and na- val forces — and the expenditure of a largo aimual amount of local taxation, by appt)inting the magi.stracy during [)lcasure. **Tho Crown also appoints tho members of the court of King's Rcncli; and the judjf «»•-'.'' 10 INTRODUCTION. **The Post Office, with its hundred deputies, and contracts, are all un^^er its sole control, while the surplus revenue is transmitted to England. No detailed account of its receipts and expenditures have ever been laid before the Colonial Legislature, though often requested. *'The salaries and emoluments, paid to civil and judicial officers, appointed by the Crown, extend to JE50,000, or ^i200,000 a year, (exclusive of the clergy grants,) the whole being raised from the people, and not one farthing derived from England. "The yearly salary of the present Lieutenant Gov- ernor, Sir John Colborne, with his other public sources of emolument, is about 8*22,524. And his private secretary gets $3,232. John H. Dunn, receiver gene- ral, $;5,770. P. Robinson, surveyor of woods, $6,884; with all other officers, from the highest to the lowest, receiving salaries in the same proportion. "Arch Deacon Sirachan's income cannot be easily ascertained. The application of the house to look into the *blue book' or official statement of the pecuniary affiiirs of the Province, as sent to England, for the years of 1824, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32, the Lieutenant Governor refuses to comply with; and ev- ery effort of the committee to obtain the particulars of the Arch Deacon's income, for a few years back, by questions put to himself, has proved unsuccessful. But as far as we have been able to obtain evidence, he has, since 1826, received .1^51,312, which we presume falls far short of the gross amount. "Within the last eight years, there have been paid 1o eleven individuals, in the form of pension, out of INTRODUCTION. 11 tho Provincial revenues, but without the consent of the legislature, about {§1122,000. "There were paid out of the Provincial chest, with- out any vote of the legislature, in 1832, 33, and 34, to the established churches, ^101,704; of which, $61,136, wore paid in 1834; and 23,905 acres of pub- lic land have been set apart as glebes to clergymen. "Accounts of expenditures, for immigration, of $126,917 70, under the Crown Land Commissioner, the Honorable P. Robinson, have been presented, mostly unattested, and sometimes with cvidcntly'false vouchers. These accounts are like others, of Mr. Robinson's — a specimen of the imperfect mode of ac- counting for public monies, which prevails in U. C.*' This man subsequently became a dclaulter to the gov- ernment in some forty or fifty thousand dollars, but still retained in the governor's councils, by the power of the "family compact.'' A great cause of complaint, is, the appointment of the sheriffs by the executive, with full power to select all jurors from creatures of his own — the consquence is, packed juries are not unfrequent, which result to the discomfiture of proper justice, when a litigant hap- pens to be branded with the epithet of "radical." "Little respect is paid, even in subordinate matters, to the wishes of the house;" and, as peculiarly shown, "by His Excellency, in the measures he adopted for the second Leeds election, at variance with their known wishes. The returning officer, in his evidence, under oath, before the committee, declared Beverly, where the first election was held, to be an unfit place. i 'I 4} " y r" ■V 12 INTRODUCTION. I'ii It had always been the scene of disgraceful riots, des- tructive of the freedom of elections, of life and of pro- perty, and was in the vicinity of those violent partisans, [Orangemen,] of Messrs. Gowan, [grand master of the Orange lodge,] and Attorney General, who were the authors of the former riots, and remote from the dis- trict town where any rioters might be confined. The returning officer was judged, by the committee, under oath, to be destitute of firmness. Yet the same return- ing officer, and the same place, was selected by Sir John Colborne, for the new election, which was ordered to take place at so short a notice, that it was scarcely possible for the freeholders of the diflerent townships to he apprized, under these circumstances, it is not surprising, that renewed riots occurred at the second election, which has, by another committee, been also set aside,'*' from the same cause as was the first. **Among other complaints, embraced in the petitions referred to this committee, were the neglect of general education — the delays, costs, and partialities exhibited in the administration of justice — -defective jury laws — inconvenient polling places at county elections — an imperfect state of the representation in the House of Assembly — the primogeniture laws — the Crown and Clergy reserves, and the large Provincial debt, which is daily augmenting. "The legislative council forms a par of the pat- ronage of the British Government; they are the nom- inees of the Minister of the Colonies, who can add to their numbers at his discretion. In continually reject- ing the many valuable measures earnestly prayed for ■12 INTRODUCTION. la by the people, they may fairly be presumed to act in obedience to the authorities from wlience their power was derived," us their answers, in the examination that took place, plainly show. ♦'Capital may be carried into any country; but, under an arbitrary^ imprudent, and irresponsible gov- ernment, like this, it will be impossible to retain a large share of it. Notwithstanding the 'pretended' encouragement given for immigration, the population of the Colony has not increased beyond the natural rate. ''Governors, like other men, are individually liable to all the infirmities of human nature; and in their political capacity, when left without restraint, they, no doubt, sacrifice, occasionally, the interest and hap- piness of the people, to the gratification of their pas- sions and caprices. They, with the British Ministry, hold the sole dominion of the country, and leave the representative branch of the Legislature powerless and dependant. "Mr. Stanley, [now Lord Stanley,] in giving his opinion of the executive council, says — 'I do, howe- ver, think, that something might be done, with great advantage, to give a really responsible character to the executive council, which, at present, is a perfectly anomalous body, hardly recognised by the constitution, and eilective, chiefly, as a source of patronage.' Its depcndance is strikingly manifested by facts stated in the evidence of the Hon. Col. Clark, and the lion. W. Dickson, members of that body, before a select com- mittee of a late Parliament. It appears that severol #^! M <4''" 14 INTRODUCTION. I ,t ! 1 \ ,1 legislative counsellors had objected to a measure strongly urged by the executive; and its failure was inevitable. To ensure its passage, coercive measures were adopted; and the members, dependent on the government, were told, either to vote directly contrary to the opinion they had publicly expressed, or be dis- missed from their offices. In this manner, any meas- ure might be carried; for, of the twenty-seven coun- sellors, seventeen hold offices of emolument. **lt aj)pear,?, therefore, that the legislative council, as at present constituted, has utterly failed, and can never bo made to answer the ends for which it was created. **Thc opinions of Messrs. Fox, Stanley, Earl Grey, ^/Lord Erskinc, Messrs. Ellice, Hume, Sir James Mc- intosh, Messrs. O'Connell, Warburton, Laboucher, and many other eminent British statesmen, have been expressed in favor of elccti^ e institutions, as the most suitable for the Canadas; and it appears to the com- mittee, that Mr. Stanley correctly describes the legis- lative councils as being at the root of all the evils complained of in both Provinces. A painful experi- ence has proved how impracticable it is for such a succession of strangers, [Ministers of England,] bene- ficially to dirv?ct and control the affairs of a Province 4000 miles off*. A bill, *'popularly called the *everlastlng salary bill,' was carried through the house, by the artifice, cunning, and consummate skill of those who felt them- selves above responsibility, and spread universal dis- satisfaction and discontent. There is nothing in the INTRODUCTION. 15 country to justify such unconstitutional encroachments upon the pi'ivilcgcs of the legislature, and there is no language of censure too strong against it. Yet, it ia not of this act, alone, that we complain, though it may serve to illustrate our condition; but the whole system ha^so long continued, virtually, in the same hands, that it is little better than a family compact. Abuses have grown up so as to be interwoven with every thing; and these abuses are concealed or palliated, excused, and sustained, by those who were interested to U{)hold them, as the means to retain oflice, for tlieir prrvate, and not the public good.'' The following is an extract from a memorial to the Home Government, subscribed by 30,000 freeholders, and presented by a gentleman who stood high in the esteem of the people. **He," Sir John Colborne, "came into the country a stranger to the people, their customs and their man- ners, lie found the persons who had guided his pre- decessor, prepared to advise him. lie found Dr. Stra- chan in possession of the wealth, honors, emoluments, influencG, and resources of the Province, while the House of Assembly was neglected, and its remonstran- ces utterly despised. He found that the government was carried on without any supplies, and that the pol- icy of England's rules, in these days, was to concili- ate the people, be as moderate as possible, but trust the people with nothing — keep them powerless and obedient." "There is no one public individual who has been moro honored, caressed, and pronioted to greater i m ■iH : '• J i ! 1ft iNTRODlJCinON. wealth, influence, and distinction, by the British gov- ernment, than Dr. Strachan," **and there is not one who lias done more to wean the allections of the peo- ple from British rule, and to impress upon their minds the sense of British injustice" and misrule. **He is an executive counsellor, a legislative counsellor, ptes- ident of the college, and member of its council; a civil inagistrate, rector of York, missionary to the society for promoting Christian knowledge, member of the land council, president of the board of education, senior member of the boards of education in eleven districts, and a very extensive landholder. He is re* ceiver of the new glebe rents, member of the clergy corporation, one of the principal proprietors of the Upper Canada bank, arch deacon of the church of England, doctor in divinity, a commissioner under the heir and devisee act for proving letters to estates, n. trustee of the royal institution," &;c. &c. &c. During the Parliamentary session of 1835, thirty- four bills for public good, originated in and passed the Commons, were rejected by the Legislative Council, and five reserved for his Majesty's pleasure. So much for the House of 1835; and the following is from the House of 1836 — it being the report of a committee to whom was referred the correspondence between his excellency and the late members of the executive council, viz; Messrs. Baldwin, Rolph, and Dunn: "The committee are deeply convinced of the truth of Lord Glenelg's opinion, that the present is an era of more difficulty and importance than any which hasi I « 4 t r Si I'ilish gov*- s not one r the peo- icir minds *»He is I lor, ptes- ii; a civil le society 31* of the ducation, in eleven He is 18* lio clergy rs of the hurch of inder the states, n. thirty- issed the 'ouncil, :>! lowing )rt of a Dndcnce of the h, and INTRODUCTION. 1 < liithcrto occurred in the history of this part of his Ma- jesty's dominions; and not loss arc tiicy convinced that the difliculty has been increased, instead of being diminished, since tlic date of Lord CHon'^lg's despatch. It is at such a crisis, that we are called to the discus- sion of a question of vital importance to the people of this Province: a question, which, in the opinion of the committee, is no le.ss than this: AVJicthcr we have, as wc have been taught to believe, a constitution, Hhe image and transcri[)t of that of Great Britain,' or have only a mutilated and degraded one. "The increasing dissatisfaction which has been pro- duced by the mal-administration of our Provincial af- fairs under Lieut. Governors Clore, Maitland, and Colbornc, has been so well known and so general, that even the colonial ofTicc seems to have been awa- kened to a sense of the necessity of meliorating our condition, by holding out the encouraging prospects of relief and reform. * * *= ?^= * * *'ThG country was ignorant how much the affairs of the Province had been conducted by the arbitary will of the Lieutenant Governor himself, with no other counsel than the secret suggestions of unsworn, irres- ponsible, and unknown advisers. *'Much and justly as the people of the Province had been dissatisfied with the condition of our public affairs, they were, nevertheless, not aware of the extent to which the unconstitutional proceedings of the Lieut. Governor of this Province had been carried, until re- cently. w I "I Pi' I IS INTRODUCTION. ill 'it; 4!;! ♦'Every day, however, (iiscovcrs new causes of corn- j)laint on tlie one hand, and the contemptiious indifTer- cnce witli which all coini)laints arc rcgardcxl, on tho other. "Your coniniitteo wore forced to believe, that the appointment of tli;} n"W counsellors was a direct ma- neuver to gain credit >viiji the country for liberal feel- ingr^ and nilention, where none really existed; tor it was notorious, that his I'llxcellency had really given his confidence to, and was acting under the influence of secret and unsworn advisers. Under these circum- stances, the council seems to have been led, (in con- formity to suggestions of his Excellency himself,) to examine the nature and extent of their duties under the constitutional act; and having discus.sed the subject with his Excellenev at the couneil board, thev united, ten days afterward.-, in an unanimous and respectful representation, i:i writing, in which they advert to the critic'id state of affairs, and the general discontent with past administration. *'The Council {)laced thoir duties on the most mode- rate scale, and only proposed that the alFairs of the Province shouM be submitted for their advice, before the Governor exercised his discretionary power upon them. Yet this simi)le proposition, in the opinion of the committee, so reasonable to a candid, and so ac- ceptable to a ircll cnnslihifed m/'iid, is repelled by his Excellency, with seeming indignation; and the coun- sellors, in a most arbitrary manner, coerced from their office; and after their resignation, literally traduced. Upon such official conduct, (whatever the station from ,■«■ 1 ■tismmii INTHOOrCTION. VJ which it comes,) the commitlcc cannot forbear freely to animadvert; for the country will look in vain for taiunluLl and h.tire fr«.)m their principles, was highly objec- tionable, derogatory to the honor of the King, and de- moralizing to tlie community.-' In his Excellency's description of the infant stale of the Ccdony, "he appears to have had, in his 'mind's eye,' the fable of the frog and the ox. and the com- mittee are led to the conclusion, from a careful obser- vation of things, that the policy, apparently intended to be pursued by the present head of our government, and that of Rehoboam, as recorded in the 12th chap- ter of the first book of Kings, to bo very similar. 'I 1,f 20 INTRODUCTION. I *'If all our local governors worn impoacliofl, nnd all their estates confiscated, it would not repair the inju- ries of the most notorious nature, besides thousand?! of just complaints, murmured only in secret, and en- dured with patience, because the remedy proposed would be worse than the injury; or because, what is notoriously true, to prefer a complaint, however just, against a governor, insures a black mark to the name, as a troublesome, factious, or undeserving man, whoso future hopes are blasted, while his oppressions arc mul- tiplied, every favorable opportunity, in various ways, that elude all proof and conviction. What could bo done to redc^em tlio injustice against Gourley, the late Robert Randall, Judge ^Villis, Francis Collins, (who was a martyr for maintaining the liberty of the press,) and many others of the same class? "Your commit- tee, therefore, deny the all sufficiency of the (-Jovern- or's liability to impeachment, for mismanagement of our affair.!," for various enumerated reasons, for a detail of v/hich, I cannot afford space. An extract from one, however, is as follows: *'For it would be in vain to proceed against the executive authorities for the erection of the fifty-seven rectories, and certain corrupt exchange:? of lands, although opposed to tho well known wishes and interest of a vast majority of tho religious community. 7/' the only means of pRi:vEN- TiNG wroiw hein.c' done, was founded on an institution of an impeachment for it, after it ivas done, before a patron of the wrong doer, four thousand miles off, defended by a person entrenched in power here, and sustained at homo by family connexions, and the pre- 4 4 ^^,ssa. INT no DUCT I ON. 21 0(1, nnd all : the inju- ousancU of , and cn- '■ propoRod 10, what is ivcvcr just, the name, lan, whoso IS arc mul- iou3 ways, t could ho Yj thv? lato lins, (who the press,) ir comniit- G (-Jovcrn- ccomont of pns, for a 11 extract ould he in oritios for d certain cd to tho ajority of f PRi:VEN- institution , he fore a Tiiles off, here, and i the pre- servation of what is called the Colonial system, our condition must bo desperate. Tiie House of Assembly, of JiOwer Canada, instituted a complaint against Lord Aylmjr, in a most solemn manner; and with great unanimity, for most arbitrary and iinconslituional mis- government; but it only ended in his promotion to a liighcr j)Ost of honor. Therolbrc, although an impeach- ment might be resorted to, in extreme cases, yet, it by no means supcre(;des tho necessity of all local and constitutional cheeks, calculated to prevent cause for 60 difiicult, painful, and undesirable a course.''' Further: ^'IJecause there arc such chungos of Colo- nial ministers, that there might be half a dozen in suc- cession, before a suit could be conducted to a conclu- sion. For instance, Mr. Gale, who gave such evidence before the Canada committee, as to oblige the Right Honorable Mr. Spring Rice, to pronounce him unlit for any office of trust, was appointed a Judge by Gov- ernor Aylmer, whose partisan he had been. Mr. Rice, who had, in the mean time, been appointed Colonial Secretary, refused to confirm his appointment. He was soon after succeeded by Lord Aberdeen, who al- lowed the appointment; and Mr. Gale now sits upon the bench, although Mr. Rice, again, in 1835, (when ho was once more in the secretary's office,) denounced him as an unfit and improper person to occupy that station. **Your committee find the same doing, by one min- ister, and undoing by another, in our own Province; which is, unhappily, misgoverned, by the same policy, and under the same constitutional act. For instance, m if ,t-»fr • *.» INTRODl « TIO.V. .". " the late Attorney aiul Solicitor dcnernlsi, wcm'o dismis- sed lor mal-[»rnclice, by Jjord (^oflnrich; but no sormnr was ho succccdcMJ by Lord ^'tatd'-y, than Ids dct'ision, in favor of tho riglits and liborlio'^ of tho pnopl'', was*, by th'' lattor, cnnreHcd, aiul tho h-olioit oi* put ba<.'k again into (jlficc, to the great dissati ^I'dctinn of the (!ountrv; and tho Altoni' v C'<-'ii"ral sont as Chi'd' .luslio" to NoNvfoundland, to create now scenes of troLd)Ic and dissension there."' And also, *'ncoause, when, in l^^JM, hi;^ Mnjesty suggost^'d a further provision for the civil list, whieli tho C'ulonial Minister reqnired to be made, for a term of years^ or, for Ihe life of the Kin'r^ the terms of tho proposition were not candidly submitt(?d t<» the House of Assembly; but were snpprossed, for the purpose of securing a Iccrn Jniri^'riii; and for his boasted adroitness in managing it, his late excellency was olVic'ally commended. His undue and unworthy concealment was practiced with the aid of the execu- tive influence, to carry a measure injurious to the constitutional liberties of tho people; but tho useless- ness of any complaint against a government for such unworthy policy, is apparent, whon we see, as in this case, that such liberal institutions arc violated, and tho mischief accomplished with impunity, although it merits disgrace." Lastly, "Because, the pretended responsibility to Downing street, has been in full operation for nearly half a century; and we have, therefore, against its sufficiency, the uniform testimony alforded by one misgovernment, during nearly the whole of that period. .if '•at, % 4 <.^ '),:; INTIIODI ( TION. •)'< -*•» M'c distuis- t no FooiKn* s (lcci:-iion, o\)\<\ was', put back nil of the as Cliif.^f .SCOIU'H of s JNfnjosty isf, wliicli uh, for a tho terms )niittocl to f'ssi'd, for 1(1 for his jxcellcncy iimvorthy he OX'CCU- iis lo tho 3 nscloss- for such as in tliis atod, anfl thoiiffh it o ibilitv to or nearly gainst its 1 by one at period. 4 lly this sy-itom, wc have br'cn stripped of tjjo public resources, and i '^duced to our present bankrupt condi- tion; auii having thu-i fullered in liie pnst, we cannot look for jjelt'r^'or the future, if we sul)niit to the eon- linuanci- of th<' sai^» system of speculation tiiat hnfc l)rt)uuht sueli a visitation up»»u w-i. From doeum.'iits relative to the endowment of the lil'ly-seven rectorie's, or parsonag(\s, *'according to tlK- established ehurch of Mngland," *»!t appears tlusy liavo l)f»en constituted, in this Province, within the past year, by tlu* govermneii!, under tlie great seal of the Province; and have ijcen endowed, out of the cler- gy reserves, to tlie amount of '?. I, I'i.j acres ot' v.'iluable land, chiedy in (dd townsliips, ai:d in soiue cases, wiiliiii towns. To these rectories, or parsonages ministers have been, or aie to be presented, as are fhoir sujeessors in I'nture, by tin; government; and thev are, according to the thirty-ninth section of the act. Ho h(dd '-iwl enjoy the same, and all rights, prot- its, and (Mnohuneuts lliereunto belonging are granted, as lullv and arnpK', and in tlie .Maine manner, and on the same terms and conditions, and liable to the pcr- t'orinance of the same duties as the encumbent of a parsonage, or rectory, in jMigland;^ and the next clause provides for exercise of 'spiritual and ecclesiastical jurisdiction and authority," 'according to the laws and canons of the Churcii of ICngland;' under which clause, of course, ecclesiastical courts will be established, as no otbers can fully exercise sucli 'spiritual and eccle- siastical jurisdiction.' '"' I 1 -»T( rr 24 INTRODUCTION. * 'According to the act, the government may endow such parsonages 'from time to time.' So that, if the bold experiment succeeds, which is now attempted, we may expect that the present parsonages will receive greater endowments; and that t^ number of these parsonages will be multiplied amongst us beyond all present calculation. *'It further appears, that diflercnt clergymen of the church of England, for private property they have surrendered, consisting of 205 acres of land, with two dwellings, have received, in exchange, 523S acres of as good, and in many cases, better land. Admiral Van Sittart, astonishing to say, must also share these good things, for the benefit of th' church; and for about twenty-nine acres of land, lying in laid out towns, (which however, are uncleared yet, and may be, some fifty years hence,) receives 3090 acres of valuable land. **A11 these endowments, and all these grants of land, are in addition to the large regular allowance that is annually paid to them by the government, out of public moneys of the Province, without the knowledge or consent of the people, or their representatives. **A11 comment upon such transactions, is superfluous. And it is with difficulty the committee suppress the strong feelings of disgust, indignation, and astonish- ment, which these practices and proceedings of the government are calculated to excite. "Year after year have the people of this Province, and their representatives, been straining every nerve, to procure the appropriation of the clergy reserves to INTRODUCTION. 25 ay endow at, if the nptod, we 11 receive of these eyond all en of the )ey have with two acres of Admiral we theso and for laid out may be, valuable ants of nee that out of 3wledge es. rfluous. ■ess the stonish- of the 3vince, nerve, I'ves to some useful public purpose, in which all his Majesty's subjects might impartially participate. Year after year have they solemnly jind indignaiitly protested against the establishment of any state church in this Province. The people, indiscriminately, and in pub- lic bodies, from one end of the Province to the other, have again and again, petitioned the Provincial Par- liament, the King and Imperial Parliament, vainly on the subject. '-In fact, all denominations liave been agreed on this subject, and remained in a perfect unanimity and perseverance really surprising. And so has the House, when either party predominated, or had the ascen- dency, showing plainly that it was not merely a party attempt. *'To establish and endow these rectories, in opposi- tion to theso representations, was as flagrant a viola- tion of good faith as can well be imagined. ^'\n Lord Glenelg's instructions to his Excellency, it is distinctly intimated, that the disposal and appro- priation of the clergy reserves are to be left, for the present, at least, to the Legislature of the Province." A few seasons more of as favorable pickings, and the clergy reserves, (which comprise one seventh of the whole Province, and arc always situated in the best parts,) will not bo worth the asking, let alone the contending for. Relative to the resignation of the council, who were forced to that step, as was before seen, *'It is, to the committee, a matter of profound regret, that, when his Excellency was surrounded by the late council, with ill h3 m v^n :My ' m m 'M »f ■r r .1 1' 26 INTRODUCTION. ovcry means of conducting his administration in a manner cilicicnt and satisluctory, calculated lo ailay all existing discontent, and preserve the peace, wel- fare, and good government of the Province, he should so hastily, rashly, and wantonly disappoint public ex- pectation, and fill the i^-ovince with greater distress and a[)[)rohonsi()n than even jn-evailed from the alien question. No alternative, therefore, remains to the nous;\ but to abandon their privileges and honor, and to betray their duties and the rights of the people, or to witlih )ld the supplies — or all that has been done will 1)0 deemed an idle bravado, contemptible in itself, and disgrac(.'ful to the House. Your committee, there- fore, distmctly recommend to your Honorable House, to withhold the annual supplies; for we would again state, in illustiM.tion of tiie alleged suiliciency of Down- ing street responsibility by Governors, it appears that an outrfi[!;e is first perpetrated, and then executive au- thority, inilu::nce, and j)Ower exerted to prevent inves- tigatio!!. Nor is this all; f.)r they further try to i)oi- son what justice might l^e expected from his Majesty, by calumniating despatches, traducing, as factious, the assembly,'' who endeavor to withstand their flagrant wrongs. The following is the close of a memorial to the Brit- ish Commons, to which was appended the report from which the foregoing extracts are taken. "It is with pain, disnppointmcnt and humiliation, we notice the reiteratcnl declaintion of his Excellency to conduct our aflaire, without the advice of the Executive Council, according to hie own will and pleasure, which his public acts have already proved to be nrbitrary and vindictive. And this view of his own sole ministe- 'Hi''' li 1^1 ; .11 IXTRODUCTION. •27 tion ifi a 1 lo allay ace. u'cl- he sjiould jubiic ex- i" distress the alien IS to the 3nor, and •cople, or ■on done in itself, Jc, therc- D House, Id again )f Down- :'ars that itive au- nt invcs- ' to poi- Uajesty, ous, the flagrant he Brit- >rt from ^e notice ir aflaire, ) bis own i^ed ?ed \o candor and (riitb, as to dfetroy nil boj.cs of furlbor justice froni his government; all wbicb i ■; nion.' fiiUy net forth In tli'' doeuiiionf < nnix'nded hereto. Since Iho reriiLnmt ion y^i the l.'.te coiincil, bis lixeeHiiH-y has fur- nifd another, coiiipo,<-ed ofRoliort B.'ddwin Snlli\an, l'!'--quirc, nnd the Honorable ^ViibaIn Allan, Augii(olilicnl confulence of the peopli.' or (heir repre.3enlutivc.-J. L'pon ih;.' funiadun of tbi.^ covnicil, although II. 15. ?^n!b\7in, 11. ijiiiro, wa.j :'-v.ori in aiul ap- poart d I)c(rir(! tlie ptibl'-' n-i senior coiiiiK ilor. iipdn ^'i-m, in fho event ol'the do)! li or nb.^ence of !n'.'< E.v^'clhncy, niiaht {Ii'V(tlvo the administration of the government, yet a f^ecrct {!qn'cm<''nt wati entered into, v.-iittcn in the Council Ch liovcrnmcnt. Tbi.s arrangement wn^ d.'nied bv bid K.vcolh ncy to u:^ in bis an- swer to our n(Mrc.ss on the 8ubj:ct; wliilc on the other band tb(- fact;.-) f.o den'td arc proved by the tesiiiuonyof Jl. U. Sullivan, E'jquire, iiiidlb lliinorabie onplaiir Jjabhvi.o, b,ii;i uf whom are' elill rotainod Is Exceibiifv in fho council. For oilur iii-tan- cei3of lii::5 deviaro otdur con-titution nnd iho mode in which it ebouM be adminiatered, wo refr lo (he appended docu- ment'i, wherein are nlno detailed other grievancos of an urgent and scriou.-i miturc; to all of wblcli we binnbly pray th • .■ erii»u-, speedy ntul impfirlial aMcntlonof your llonornbb..' lb)u-\ i^eing denied Ibe bcneficinl and coni^titutional ojicration of (tur local inr-ititutions for the manatremcni of our local allains; being threatened with tbe exercise of the unadvised, arbitrary governniont of biu Excellency, viriually irresponsible, and b.dng fiatif^lied Ihat nothing but nn open, entire and bonornble abandonmjnt of this policy, ciiiudly un- conatitutionnl and perniciour), will ever rcplorc our peace, welfare and good gnvcrnmcnt, we have, in justice to tbe people, whose civil and relieious interests wo arc solenmly bound fearlessly to vindicate, been obliged as a last resort, to stop (most reluctantly) rfi ■■'! if i ■'* I' it v| l»ei Vi. , ! "f 28 INTRODUCTION. 'I M- ■ii Ml 'I I 1 1 ■I .:>' ; the supplies, nnd for the atlainment of rudrces in fhcse and other matters contained in the appended repi^rt, we pruy the aid of your Honornl)le Iluiiae. And as by inclination and by duly we are led and bound to do, we shall ever pray. MARSHALL S. BIDVVELL, f^pcaker. Commons House of A^sctuUiij } 18/// Ajjril, id'JG." i Tiie foregoing extracts arc given as I find them; and although they arc but a small portion of the grie- vances complained of, )-ct they will go farther as con- vincing evidence, than all I could compile from sources published in any otli n* form. As will be seen by the last memorial, the supplies were withheld; but to render this attempt to obtain responsibility void, the willy and Quixotic governor dissolved the House. Determined on putting down the Liberal Party, at all hazards, let the means be right or wrong. He knew he possessed ample resources, and with the aid of his irresponsible officers; the club law ex- ercised by the Orange faction, and the inflammable material in the country, which he could "ignite by silver and land," he hoped to carry the election for a new House; when assised by it, with a mock legislature and nominal executive; he would, of course, feel no restraint upon his insolence, rapacity, and corruption. "To secure a majority of menial members in this House, to answer his vile purposes, Sir Francis gran- ted 250,000 acres of public land, within the months of April, May, June, and July, exclusive of as much more to the Canada Company; and what these extra- \ •' INTRODUCTION. 29 ■a ordinarv and unconstitutional means failed in accom plishing, ilic Orange shillalahs supplied." Immediately after the termination of the elections, the people, honorably represented by the * 'Reform Association of Toronto," which included in its acting Executive, the elite of Canadian ability, honor, wealth, and energy, deputed the Hon. Dr. Charles Duncombc, of Bur ford, to proceed forthwith to England — as is satisfactorily shown bv extracts ])ubli3hed in the news- pnpers of the day from minutes of their proceedings. Agrccabl-3 to this connnission, the Doctor hastened to London, and lost no time in appdying at the Colonial ollicG tor an interview; but, although accompanied by Mr. Hume, and others of England's liberals, he found, to his mortification and chagrin, the doors closed, and himself preceded by a confidential delegate from Head, bearing the following private letter: "Toronto, July 16, 1836. "The ropuhlicnn minority of course feel Iheir cnuec is desperate: and as n In^it dying struggle, Ihcy have, ns 1 understand, been aseenibling at Toronto, night after night, for the purpof-o of appeal- ing for assistance to hia Majesty's government! Their convoca- tions arc so secret that it is impossible for me to know what pasees there: but I have been informed they iiavc actually despatched Dr. Duncom])e, an American, and rank republican, with com- plaints of some eort respecting the elections. "I feel that your Lordship will discountenance this dark, uncon- stitutional practice of despatching agents from this Province to his Majesty's government, to make secret complaints against the Lieut. Governor, which, of course, is impossible for mc to repel." Upon this despatch being disclosed to the public, Dr. Rolph subsequently *. 't( 'I, •I ' :30 INTRODUCTION. ''if it 13 a dark and uncuriKlitutionid practice to eojul uyxiito to his Mnji't^ty'f! gDvcrmuciit In nuiii'laiii of such ofilcial conduct a^ preceded and iitlf.ndcd the l.'ilc electiona — if such conduct i.:' to he approved h\ flio very govcninieiit frum whicli the pco[)lc tnudit to expect atid to ri'Ccive protection — ilihia ct)-opi latiou of the Colo- nial niiiiialcr i.s lo p!'ip(;tiia!c a sn'^Ioui ahhorrent to cwiy well rcguhiled rniiul — repu'," "moral courage,'' and *'f •r.^-':i;hf ;" "b-or- viecH" wortliyef 'diigh and h'morahlc tesiimony!" Ey thcf-o Virtues we f.rc hureafler to ho governed! Canada mu>1 no'.v make her choice hc-lwecn the manful redresci of her grievajicT-n, or a last- ing Gu!)mi,-.cuon. I(. is tlie ])rcsorvalion or cxlinclion of iiheriy. Repot ilion will ha held corroboration, and renevvi^d r-uc'c^s will harden the workers of iniquity. It in a solemn, luif unavoidable allernr.tive. If you recognise thenc as virit/cs, and dcrfirc their transniistiion to your posterity, yon have nothing to (Jo; you have only to v«(V//(;7'. But if your nobler feelings rise in arms against such rirlit'S, and (he dire inheritance they will yield to your chil- dren and your children'^ children — if you value tha! purity of civd government which is Heaven's second best gift to man — if this rude blow has not severed your bonds of sympathy from your insti- tutions, civil and religious, and all that endears a people to their country — if liberty shall not, by this deadly out -.age, become ex- tinct, but rather rise from the panic, with renewed energy, and a more hallowed zeal — Canadians must nerve themnclves with a Vi'ii!.' :ul ! JJIjm.JJ i .. I INTRODl CTION. 31 tcrveul pairiotir, ami n cLiiiblJau tspiril, I" (.kw.-f", l)y fill con- Blilutional iiu aiiH, r, JrceV' for llic pnsl, niuUiilvfiii.n hn- llic I'lilure." The iiitroiiid Doctor, after Undiiig liini.«;ir thuy thwarted in the ohj-ct of his nu.ssioii, buldl}- aj^jx alcd to the Knglisli piihH.', thruHgh lli.- mcdiiini ol' a !on(h'ng i'ali" (.!olail of CaiKii'.iaii Li;ni.'. aii- ournai. [(• gave a CCS, and made a full expose of the uiijurt, iiiihallowcd, and unconstitniiona] practices of the d( spolic ''Head," in his attempt to jjeivcrt the sacred rig'nts ui the con- stitution; and the determination of thi, Cnkmlal oPiice to palliate iiis conduct. Tills fcarU-ss, undaunted moNCim nt, hrr>iig]it CUe- nelg to his senses; and he finally coii,-;cnl'd to receive the petitions, and tlie ^Doctor's evid 'lie;- in writing, hut positivoly refused an interview. ."\ir. Duueonihe, tliero- I'ore, hastily drew up, and ind;0(!i, d in ;i L'll-'r, the principal facts he had come to lep'resc lit. Which evi- dences, altliougli pro[!erly siili.^/t 'liliati d. did m/i pro- duce the rej)rim;iud or recall of h^ir i'lancis, or instructions fjr a new election, whi'-h ;• v( ry true and liberal man really anticipated, hut, every movement, by the aul'aor of the "bubbles of I>runen,'' in bringing about tlie uiU'V rain of his government, VAas aj'pri)ved, and even applauded, in ;i dcspaih fruui (jjenelg, as follows: "Th(^ King ia jlonf-ici! to ncknow lodg'^, with ninikod nuprohntion, t1i.^ f )rc«iLdjl, ori'. !<.'y, and moiT.l roiiriirre by \vl\i''h your ciniduct on tnis of-pnpi.'on hoH horn disliiiLfiii^hPfl. It ic pnrlicnlnrly jirati- I'ying to mc to bo the chniincl of convoyinir to )-ou this high and honorable testimony of hia iVIajcsty't; favorable acceptance of your f-crvices." The Doctor liaving been thus unceremoniously trea- ted, in his mission to London, returned to Canada: ufT^ i.'f ' I •! "'1 . ,' M ;^i li:/ ■ 'i I 32 INTRODUCTrON. and as a forlorn hope in his struggle for liborty, made out a charge of treason against the Governor, for his unconstitulional interference in tlio people's franchise. This charge was attested by a long list of irrefragibic evidences, and carried into the "partizan house," with a determination to trv him, even before his own crea- tures, though the reformers anticipated no benefit; for it was, (as the ingenious General McLcod observes,) done '*with a full knowledge that it was like bringing a thief to trial before a gang of thieves.'' It required no stretch of discerimirnt to j)redict what the fate of this appeal would be. Tiie aifair v/as sub- mitted to a "Select committee," most of the members of which were, more or less, interested in the acquittal of Sir Francis, who was their acknowledged head. Their report, as a matter of course, without calling any witnesses, declared "the charge frivolous and vexatious." Thus defeating, in an unparallelled, arbitrary manner, the "last expiring struggle" for reform — the last constitutional cflbrt to impede the torrent of despotism and reg;d encroachment. From this failure, and the ashes of their lost hopes, sprung the daring plans of forcing the desired redress; when, those early staunch champions of the sacred rights of freedom, united unanimously in the prepara- tions for the anticiptited contest. Who can wonder that such was tlic ciicct of Head's vicious, coercive and corrupt policy. And who can be amazed, to find that it had prepared every honest and independent mind for a violent disrupturc from the power that sought so strenuously to entail upon ourselves and ''f ' .'''■>■ ' m m M INTRODUCTION. :i3 mcmbcrs fh>.9fcn(}/i unmitigated wrctchodncss and slavery. It will scarcely be expected that 1 was an uninterested spectator of these degrading events, for 1 was one of Canada's sons, born, bred, and rocked in the cradle of liberal pi-inciples. She was iny own, my native land, and my feelings su fibred for every wrong she endured; every continued indignity was a now dagger struck to my own heart. 1 saw the struggle approaching, and actively engaged, both privately and publicly, in pre- parations to mc<'t it; and made up my mind to sec the cause succcoil, or become a willing sacrifice on the shrine of patriotism. Perhaps my resentment might iiave been influenced more or less, by a keen sense of my own personal wrongs, which, indeed, were not few nor slight; and still augmented by the unjust persecutions of a gov- ernment faction, that unrelentingly pursued to ruin my wife's family, for no other crime than having nobly befriended, in a case of urgent necessity, that generous martyr in the cause of truth and justice, the late Major Robert Randall, to whom they allbrded an asylum and a hazardous protection from the fangs of an arbitrary comjjact, until he could be elected by the people to a seat in their Legislature, where he served them faithfully and staunchly for fourteen years of severe toil and arduous labor — where his conduct justly enti- tled him to the position of "the father of reform;-' and the uncompromising friend of pure principles, demo- cratic rights and responsible government. To his patriotic exertions in proceeding to England and rep- resenting them there, the Canadians owe their eman- 3 PMt' :. k ^ n M':l III it] m^ l^jp'T*^^ «v 4'"^ ;JA IMRODLCTION. I ' .t . ' ! I ' ' 1 M .„' ;,1 ' i il'l lltfH, ' •! cipiUioii iVuin the odious "alien luw,'^ thai would luivc utterly dislVauchisod two thirds of their numbers. For years he withstood, ahiiost alone, the overwhelming torrent of vicc-royal abuse, lie was the butt ibr the envenomed .shafts of *'a hundred perjured slaves in the employ of the irresi)onsible govfnmient cliciue. His fine estates, valued al .S)iO(^OOU, were the plunder of the partisan firm of Street & Clark, of liridgewater notoriety; of the J3oltons, Shcrwoods, Jones's, and the whole *'familv coni))acu*' headed bv the Governors tljomselvcs. lie stood the test of many n *'firry trial,"' and emer- ged with a charaeter and notoriety a lliousand fold brighter, and more extended than Ix-fore. Though ruined in fortune and health yet not in mental energy. A due gratitude for his merits and unbounded integrity, retained him a servant of the people to the close of his eventful life. His name, with those of the Honorable Captain IMathews, the Honorable Chief Justice Willis, the un- daunted, martyred P'rancis Collins, Esq., and Robert Gourly whose incarceration and exile were inhuman stretches of arbitrary power, have for years, excited the sympathetic feelings and commiseration of every noble and generous heart; while the horrid atrocities exercised towards them have bred an universal hatred, and deep rooted resentment for the faction that produ- ced them. Major Randall was my early patron and friend; and his wrongs, with his examples, influenced my early principles, which were ripened and matured by increasing years and knowledge. INTRODl CTION. Jft 'J'hc prcMliloclions of my youtli wrrc lor ihc i i\« and political life; therefore, my studies, rind my atten- tions were diroftcd thereto, until cxcossivc aniliition to progrf'ss, and fjrdont.'iry lialiits ruined my iic'illii, when I was forced to sit down short of the rf»nsunnnati(jn of my hopes. I d ini'^stieated, married, and was drag- ged ffoin the felicit}' of retirement only hy tli<-' n^peated aggressions, and niiliallowcd practices, of the despoti(. I lend. I had h :id 111-, sjh' fidiv devoted to whal;;vcr meas- ilW wc re anno:;!;c;M| hy our firm repn;sentutis'es{ at Toronto — I at!: nd d car;dnlly to idl iho dv.vcloponients (jf intrigu.; and deception, practiced by the govern- ment, and detected by the indefatigable McKc^nzic, and his able associates; and felt nv. scdf by honor and inclination, pledged to an early participation in the outbreak; for, I was fully convinced, it was llic only means left for us to brcNak the bonds of tyranny. At the first intimation of ihe rising near Toronto, 1 armed and left my home, at York, on tl^.e (Irand River, with- out a re!]^ret; all ardcncv to niinide in the strife for freedom; ami proceeded towards a kiiown point of concentration. Indeed, it was highly necessary for me to be on the move, or, at least, on the "qui vivo;'' for my well known radical principles, rendered me unsafe at homo; while the circumstance of the absence f mv wife and child, on a visit at o my fatl lers, sixty miles distant, was, to my high tory neighbors, proof sufhcient of a premeditated arrangement. My limits will not permit me to go into a detail; and I will, fi M i'ii\ f ll^- therefore, mcrelv add, that I arrived in tlic London 36 INTIIODI (JTION. .*it r':. 'If ' 1 ; I I I I' t I'. 'H' 1 •'■■Ah ■ I if'.'' ', ■ ■ t I District jual in tiino to witness the unliaj)i»y (lisj)c'i'fcjou, wlien it bccanio necessary fur every one to shift tor himself. I therefonj retraced my Ntoi)S, which iuul to 1)0 ilone with the utmost care and vigihuice. I Iravelled mostly by night, and finally arrived on the frontiers, despite the thousand dangers that hesut mo, after hav- ing been twice int(;rc':|)led — once by Inilian , whose cliief, a particular friend, let me go, having Im m at- tracted by .1 v<'i\ rose, the; ba(!g-' of loyally, v.hieli I had |)rovid(;ntiaIly picked up and [tinned on my cap: and once by a l»nnd ofdiuidven vobmlrer guard.i, from whom, by a daring m;inouver, 1 made a Iwippy esctpe-. On (.'hristinis eve, i^dl/mtl/i/ ((S.^islcd by patriotic ladles^ 1 launched an old canoo upon the Niagara, and crossed to the Land of Freedom, from wlK;nce I soon found my way to Navy Island, where 1 partook II cheerfid Christmas dinner, beneath the banner of the sister stars. At thr; evacuation of tlu; place, I )rocctiC( with the melec as far as Coru^aut, Ohitj, where, by the virulence of thrc-3 seated inward inflaiiimations, cau- se' 1 by contincd e\ :posu re, I 1 IV lor veral weelis but one remove from the grav(^, under the charge of the noble aiid generous nnnded Dr. Raymond, to u liom, with the iai'.iili(js of 11. Lake, llsq., and the Rev. J. J. Bliss, I would here offer the sincere tribute of a grate- ful heart. From Conoaut I returned, by stage, to Schlosscr, where I happily founil my wile and child, who recei- ved mo almost as one from the dead. In the mean time Sir George Arthur displaced Sir Francis, in Up- per Canada; and soon after, the Earl of Durham arr W >' !1 i'liJ lilui INTUOniM TIOV. 87 vod, us Governor r}(.'nrrul of the r'tumdns; from ulioso ;i(|ininistrati()ii profof 'flings, scnrcly consislonl with our lutiip' pl.'ins, Worn .'uitifiitritcfl. Con'jCM|U«,'ntly, twenty- six, nil CdiKnlid/is, tlnring I'dlows, ready to b(? sncri- lierd ill tJK! lii'ld or on the .sciilUdd, jicnrtr.'iti'd, di)tddy armed, witii(»ut li(»[)e of return, to th'; iieart of tlie ene- my's country, surroundi-d on ev(>ry side hy tlie regular iuiantry, laneors, volunteers, and Indians, (where a few Ain'M*ieans earno to us,) on a secret mission — the object of which I am n(»t yet at liberty to detail — to which, however, let it suilice that I declare there was nothin<^^ in the slightest df^greu dishonorable or dis- reputable atfacli"(l, notwithstanding 3ubse([ucntsurmi.so and evil report. After a trilling, successful irruption u\)on a company of insulting orange; lancers, \.'c. far outnumbering us, whr»ni we took, detained a short lime, then dismissed, our little b.-uvl retreated anfl dispersed, wh(>n a j)art were captured aiul sent, with twenty or more of tiie innocent iidiabitants, to a jail, where wc were all sepa- rately indi(;ted for High Treason, by having appeared "armed with swords, spears, muskets, bayonets, rifles, pistols, and other ollensive weapons, against the peace of her Majesty, Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, with intent to do her some grievous harm." On this indictment the gal- lant Col. Morrow, for whose ajiprehension a reward of £250 was paid, was hastily tried, found guilty, and murdered on (be scafibld, with but a few days granted in which to arrange his worldly aftairs. He died like I -4 II I ^'i ,'Uf^' 38 INTRODUCTION. U' ! '' ':;!i a man, honored and mourned, a glorious martyr in the cause of truth and the rights of man. H^'ro I ought to consider this long introduction as closed, and the request of my friends briefly complied with. Yet I must add, that the captured innocent citi- zens were acquitted; and sixteen of the participators sentenced to death upon tlie gallows. Thirteen of them, however, received an inmiediate commutation,- while three, Messrs. Chanlder, McLcod, and myself, with Becmer, who was soon ai'tcr added, were reser- ved for positive execution. But subsequent particulars will be found at lull detail in Mrs. Wait's letters — and my owji, which I wrote from Van Dieman's Land, designing to give an ample history; in no anticipation of so soon being ena- bled to return myself to collect, compile, and arrange them for the public. The readers, 1 trust, will be lenient in passing over whatever faults they may dis- cover, and humanoly charge them to my inexperience in writing for a general perusal. In reference to the outbreak, I would also add a very few of Lord Durham's most pertinent remarks, before I quit the subject; for his report is held in high repu- tation by every true Reformer in the Canadas, as giv- ing a very fair representation of the causes that drove us into rebellion. *'Tlic Reformers, at Inet diecovcred, tlint success in the elec- tions, iriBiirccI tlicni very bttle prnctical benefit. For the official party, not being removed, when it foiled to command a majority in the Assembly, still continued to wield nil the powers of the executive government, to strengthen itself by its patronage, and the influence of the policy of the colonial governor and of the Colo- INTRODUCTION. 39 tnal deporlmonl nt homo. By its pcciirc ninjority in ibe Logieln- Uvc Council, it could cilectunlly control the IcgiHlntive powers of the Ao/aenibly." The then existing I foiisc not at all complying with Sir Francis Head's arbitrary policy, as will be seen by tlio close of its foro going memorial, *'Hc ventured u[)on n dissolution, when ho thought the public mind completely ripe, nnd it completely answered his cxpcctn- lions; [to ensure n i)crfcc(ly meiiinl Assembly;] the Crown made iteelt' n pnrty in the electioneering contests; the result was the return of n very Inrgo mnjority host ile, in jiolitics to 1hc Inte nesem- bly * ■'*' carried, in ntiiny in.stnnces, not only by an unf^cru pulous influence of tiie government, but by a dif^plny of violence ' on the part of the lories, who were emboldened l)y tjie counte- nance aflorded to them by the nuthorilies. "It cannot, then, be a matter of Rurprise, that such facts ond buch impressions produced in the country an exasperation and n despair o[' good government, which extended far beyond those who had actually been defeated at the poUf;!. For there was no- thing in the use which tiie leaders of the Assembly made of their power, to soften the discontent excited by their [unconstitutional] mode of obtaining it. "It was the prevalence of a general dif-sali^faction, that embol- dened the parties who instigated the insurrection, to subvert ex- isting institutions, or change the connection with Great Britain. "It certainly appeared too much as if the rebellion had been purposely invited by the government, and the unfortunate men who took part in it, deliberately drawn into a trap, by thoso who subsequently inflicted so severe a punishment on them for their error. It poemcd, too, as if the diuninant party nvadc use of the oc- casion alVorded it by the real guilt of a few desperate and imprudent men, in order to persecute or disable the whole body of their politi- cal oppponents. A great number of perfectly innocent individu- als were thrown into prison, and sufli^red in person, property, ond character. The whole I)ody of Reformers were subjected to suspi- cion, and to harassing proceedings, instituted by magistrates whose political leanings were notoriously adverse to them. Several laws i h i if I' B El 40 INTRODUCTIOJN. ;!i II were passed, under color of wliich iiulividunls very generally es- teemed, were punished without any form of trial. **The two persons who sufitTcd the extreme penalty of the law unfortunately engaged a great Bhare of the public sympathy; their pardon had been solicited in petitions signed, it is generally aeeer- ted, by no less than 30,000 of their countrymen." ii;' n % TO TILVDDEUS SMITH, ESQUIRE, OF CANADA WEST, These pages arc respGclfLilly inscribed, as a slight token of regard due him; for the more than fraternal generosity extended to his family, during the cap- tivity of TFIE AUTHOR. (( Though encrcd the tic that our counUy eulvvincth, And (lenr (o the lieart hvr rcmcnibrnncc remains; Yet dnrk is Ihnt tic when no mbkrty shincth, And sad tiie remembrance where slavery etnins." MOORE. :f?! lii w ■ '"I H i >''(tn| '1 !: ^1 ;l ■ IJ Iji i ! Ill i\'- I Hi mm \W ; ■llip ) ill ii - S!l .i: >:■? »ii.i ■ ;P •i) !;l!!: ;^^;:; LETTERS FROM VAN DIEMAN'S LAND. LETTER L AsHfiROVE, near Oatlands, Van Dicman's Land, March, 1840. To , My very kind friend: It is truly with sensations of grateful pleasure, that I endeavor to reply to your sympathetic letter, which has but just reached nie, though written six months since. Had it arrived one week earlier, the delight it has created would have been far more enhanced; but now it has been preceded by one from the intrepid partner of my sorrows, dated October, 1339, breathing an alTectionato ardor that could not fail to absorb all my former pain and dis- quietude, while it robs exile of half its bitterness, and renders my heart giddy with gratifying anticipations. The ruggedness of wild nature, and the asperities of the mass of wretchedness about me, are, through its exhilarating potency, invested with a smile that seems to manifest a general participation in my newly inspi- red feelings and hopes. '."If M .■I i. nii'i' !|^ ;;il 44 l^ttp:r.s from v. d. l. Slic informs ino of lior safe rirrival in London, and llie success sli'3 lias happily mot in havijig friendship and protection extended to her — while the government ap[)car to view her personal application as "a touching one," and perhaps, will extend "lluyal clemency.'' Ought 1 not to hail this inteiligfnce as a precursor of ulterior happiness, jind as sufficient to elfectually dis- pel all bittcrii'ssand melancholy forebodings? Indeed I do regard it as having created a bright spot in the misty horizon of my calamitous existenc(>, and as extending my renewed vision through the dark vista of uncer- tainty, which, till Inst week, 1 imagined had irrecove- rably immersed nil my faculties in a sea of despair. I can assure you that hope has brightened so much that I now look forward to a jo} ful, though it may be remote emancipation, and a reunion with those I love. Tlicse cheering expectations arc greatly augmented, too, since' I have proof of there being, also, in *'tho land of the free and the brave," generous spirits, who remember with commiseration, the hapless lot of their countrymen, doomed, on these distant shores, to wear the galling chains of British slavery. Oh how kind are such sympathies! They disperse the gloom that shrouds the minds of those, whose dearest ties, whose fondest affections have been rent asunder; whose anti- cipations of happiness and comfort, of domestic felicity and the enjoyment of public respect are blasted; of those who have been torn from all they deemed worthy of love, by the cruel hand of tyranny — by a despot, whose barbarous purposes, could not be adequately exhibited in the mental agony caused by a coerced J V' 'I y. li.r:i m LETTKllS FIIO.M V. 1). L. 45 rL'sidcnce oji ihcso antipodes, 1(),(>00 iriih^s from home und all tliat is doar; but uvcry vobtigc of hope must be crushed, tiu; luind enthralled, and every misery aggra- vated, by eunsigning our yer.^ons to abjuet servitude; and debased by a similitude to, and eonneetion with the most degraded beings of which {he human mind can conceive. And for what arc wc thus diso-raced? Is it for mural rime, such as iias already peopled tlus remote spec 1th .•k of 'J Jritaiii s territory witn mur(Urers an d fel ons, whos polluted society must inevitably, exert a con- fluence over the characters of all, even taminatnif^ m (jf the good, who are thrust among them? No, not for cranes oi that d }■*-' m ust the sons of America feel iho keen severity of British revenge, that would compel them to acknowledge every capricious, petty minion, a master; and exact the most humiliating obeisance I'rom the servant — who, for the slightest dertjlictlon ^)^ the duty imposed, or freedom of speech, iiiay be driven in chains on the roads, to supply the place; of cattle in carting stone; or be entombed, to dig coal for the benefit of their inhuman task-masters. But it is for the endeavor to redeem the rights and liberties forcibly torn from us, and a just opposition to a con- tinuation of the oppressive, and paralyzing influence of the unchecked avarice and misrule as exercised in our unhappy country by the British Colonial policy. It is, that the spirit of republicanism animated the heart, and nerved the arm in the assertion of the liberty v/e ought to have enjoyed, that the envenomed arrow must enter our souls and prostrate our faculties. Vm :f ^k m m% m f ■ ♦■ - ■ M 'V.I ' 1 ■I 'i i ■10 i: :■&'' i '1, '■' II |i \M ! ; 1 1 f ■ I I ! li ' ' I . /'I'll 'Mi / 111 m li^'i!! ; I' IHJ at! LETTERS FROM V. D. L. Olud will I be to comply with your request, in com- iiK.'iJciug Ji course of letters, that shall have for tlicir ohject a detail of occurrences transpiring since, and connected with my imprisonment and transportation, if l)y any means an opportunity is aflbrded of trans- mitting them to vXmerica. Although 1 am fully aware that it will bo fittendcd willi difliculty and danger; for the system oi* espionage, so frecjuently resorted to in our own country, is unremittingly adhered to here; and an exposure of a corresjiondence, in the least dc- ^ gree derogatory to the honor of any part of the British government, would "bring u})on the presumptuous offender, unmilis;ated severity/*' The only course now suggested to me, is through the American shipping, which frequent the port of Hobart- town. I have, in fact, already made use of it as the safest channel through which I could correspond with those in America, to whom I have already w'ritton: and I fmd them, at all applications willing, nay anx- ious to oblige me in this particular. My tale, as you anticipate, will bo one of thrilling • sorrow, misery, and woe, that must excite the tear of sympathy, and the commiseration of every generous heart, witli their prayers in behalf of deeply sufTering humanity. I shall, at all times, feel truly happy in receiving letters from yourself or other friends. Yet I am under the necessity of requesting they may not contain any expression offensive to the government; for papers containing such, would never reach the captive. All communications to or from the prison population, are ^f V' LETTEllS FROM V. 1). L. 47 open to the scruliny of nunicrous potty oflicials, ap- pointed to llic honoriihlc post of watch iiig occasion to draw into deep punishment, the wretch who feels his sLinbring already too acute for long endurance. Your general knowledge of the circumstances lead- iiig to tiic insurrection, and my inducements to take that prominent part in it, wiiich resulted in placing me in the power of the sanguinary Arthur, and ultimately the present unforlunato restraint, entirely sui)erccdes the necessity of my entering minutely into relations anterior to my sentence. Therefore, that omiirous event will coinmcnce my personal narrative — an inci- dent, I iiuw regard with a hundred fold more horror, than when it occurred. You intimate the propriety, of my entering into de- tails with the minuteness of a diary; but that, I must Inform you, is quite out of my power, as all my rele- vant notes, taken prior to my removal from England, were pillaged simultaneous with all my wearing appa- rel, books, &c. Perhaps, however, this contemptible .^^trctch of power, as far as relates to the "journal,"'' will rather be conducive of interest than otherwise. For, was I to describe every indignity that 1, in com- mon with my lellow patriots were constrained to en- dure, and indulge in the consequent strain of feeling, this correspondence would extend to a very unneces- sary length, and assume too much the appearance of egotistical arrogance, while I am sure all the incidents of general interest or importance, are so indelibly im- pressed upon my memory, that the extinction of life or reason, could alone obliterate them. 1 li' m \'\ ■■'•) pi Pii 48 LETTKRS FROM V, 1). L. n't h }'■■ ■ 1. 1 ', 111 ]■' ,1 hi;; 'Vi^'l. ; '';■!! ;i;'|!l! ['■:u y'uV ii Ilcro pormit mc to remark, that I do not comply with your request f?o much for tlic purpo.sc of giving publicity to my individual sullcrings, as you propose, in America, us [ du with a desire of exposijig the sys- tem of treachery and consummate barbarity, as prac- ticed towards acknowledged "political olli'iulers,**' wlien in their power without the means of redress, by the "self styled'' generous, liberal, and humane British government. It may be presumed lliat my residence here, amid a class of beings w ho, for crime and obscenity, have scarce a parallel in the world, will alford frequent op- portunities for giving many convincing proofs of the utter inefficiency of the present "convict disci- pline,*' as adopted in almost every part of the British possessions. This Island indeed, with truth, may be esteemed the purgatory of England; where prisoners of all classes, without distinction, are compelled to submit to every species of otl'icial abuse and despotism; where, while employed by government, the corrodings of hunger arc never appeased, and men seldom emerge from the lowest degrees of filthiness, that all know lead almost directly to disease and premature death. When human beings, spotted with every shade of crime, arc herded together in masses, ibrming schools of vice and infamy in no instance surpassed — they are sunk still deeper and deeper into the vortex of degradation and ruin. In closing this letter I would add, that what I shall relate as having occurred to myself, and within my observation, has also happened to, and in view of all LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 49 iiiy coimtvymcn, who, with nr.o, arc destined to drag out a disgraced e.Mistcnco, amid thieves and murderers, forlorn outcastw on the ^'inhospitable shores'' of Van Dieman's Land; and therefore, though my tale may be incredible, there cannot exist a doubt of its truth. I have merely space to say, you may expect to hear from me nearly monthly; and that [ foel most grateful in acknowledging your kindness with all manifest inter- est; and add, [ hope the active eirorts now being made for my freedom by Mrs. Wait, will equally re- sult in the comi)lete emancipation of all my compatri- ots from this merciless thraldom. I am, my dear Sir, Yours, &c. . LETTER IL AsHGROVE, near Oatlands, V. D. L April, 1840. *»You, Benjamin Wait, shall be taken from the court to the place from whence you last came, and there re- main until the 25th of August, when, between the hours of 11 and 1, you shall be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck, until you are dead, and your body shall be quartered. The Lord have mercy on your soul ! ! ! " Such was the horrid sentence passed upon me by Judge Jones, on the 11th August, 1938. It will be supposed that a doom of such ignominious import, '■A i! I- 1 i i'i » ( f^' MM (' '(!:•:', 50 LETTEIia FROM V. D. L. ^■'.i;, 'V ':"!■ !• must havo mndo a dooj) improssion upon my mind. IJut 1 (irmly bcliovc it crr'iitcd a greater, or ut iejist, a moro sonsihlc eflcct upon tlic crowd of sj)cclalors, (for iho house was literally crammed,) than within my breast; for J v/as prepan.'d for the event, and fully per- suaded that it would take place, despite tlie jury's rc- conim(mdali(ju to mercy, which was special, or the motion of my very ahk; and aclivc counsel, (Mr. Alex- ander Stewart,) to arrest the verdict, on th(! ground of nil ill(?g;il jury; the foi-eman, (Mr. W'lagg,) being an alien, irrevocably so, by especial act of lailiamcnt. In fact, 1 should have been much disaj)i>ulntcd, (thougli I must say, happily so,) if an arrest of verdict had been ruled; for on the day of my arrival in the jail of Niagara, I was informed by a gr-ntloman high in gov- ornment fslccm, that I was "a man mark(;(l by an cx- as{)erated governor, as a lit subject to wreak his utmost vengeance upon;'"'* and had I felt even a /lope of favor, or that my case would not be rogarrk^l u desperate ono, it would have been cfTectually dispelled by Sir Groorgc himself, who, (at the close of an interview in which he ofTercd a free pardon and emolument, if I would give information of the combination, ho knew existed in the country, for the subversion of the govern- ment, by which ho hoj)ed to obtain more subjects for "rctijibutivo justice,") said, "for your obstinac}', in re- fusing to make reparation to the country for the injury you Imvo done it, you shall feel the rigor of that power you affect to despise, and be IiU7ig despite every effort to the contrary. Yes,'' said he, with the tremor of passion on his lip, '^though the Province rise en masse, I LEn'KRS FROM V. D. L. 51 nnd l>cg it, you simll receive no favor from me/* By Bucli p.'issioniitc tliruals, lie hail iiopod to make my spirit quail boiu-atlj UIa fn/i^/ih/ power, aud force the desired information from me. I Jut lluiy were vain; and all I had to return was, that *'all the rcparu/ion in my power, 1 would make iaslanlcr; that was, as ho con- sidered me a prime instigator, my blood was at his Bcrvice, if he W(AiM d^c-in my execution atonement suf- ficient for all the (^tlun-s who had been incarcerated for conduct, 'Mie '•con.-:iidered mo the mover of." Tiius, tliun, these bodi'ig menaces, together with the sealed fate of the late Col. M )now, insured to me the vcrcPict and foregoing sentonee, aud caused an apathy relative to it, and an indifiercnce, that, at thi.s distant momc/tt, makes me shudder. But hippily for t!ie preservation of my life, and the lives of others, th>! sanguinary purposes of the Gover- nor were frusti'alt'd, much to his chagrin, by the ener- getic conduct of my alfectionatc wile, who could not. see the husband of her choice sacrificed to a despot's fury, without a struggle to save him. Vou will re- member how fearlessly h;ho overcame the obstacles thrown in her way; and counter to the advice, nay, persuasions, of numerous self shjhd friends, proceeded to Quebec to procure, if possible, an interview with the Karl of Durham, of whom she had no doubt she could obtain a pardon, or at least, a commutation, by the strength of her entreaties — in which eObrt of gene- rous aflection she was deservedly successful. A detail of the obstructions thrown in her way, the difliculties •he encountered, her feelings and the occurrances on \\vi i'i M '4 mi 1 1^11 52 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. r 'i •,uf} diii; 'i . :-'' ii -•-l.l: ': • I I passage to and from Quebec, with her pleadings there, and interview with Sir George on her return, I will give you from her own pen, it being the copy of a letter she wrote a friend subsequent to my being sent from Niagara — a duplicate of which she gave me, when on a visit to me at Kingston — and which, with other of her letters, I have preserved with care, through every vicissitude. Perhaps the indifference with which I listened to the ominous sentence, induced the authorities to treat mc with greater severity than the others; for immediately after "guilty'' was said by the foreman of the jury, I was hurried away to the iron bound stone cell, known in the jail as the **condemned cell;" and there locked up, consigned to the solitary musings of my own mind; and debarred from correspondence with my fellow prisoners, except what could pass through a small diamond in the iron door, and almost from the light of heaven. Here, in the hour of loneliness, the idea of my approaching death came over me. My life 1 never valued; and to sacrifice it in the cause of liberty, truth, and justice, was the end I most desired. I had calmly, in other times, counted the probabilities of such an event, and deemed the offering a voluntary and perchance a necessary One, upon the altar of le- gitimate riglits. But I had never before considered it in connection with the desolation my fate would entail upon my family — or the sad and sorrowful adieus that must t>e given — the tears and grief of a wife — the be- reavement of a dear child — and a separation from the friends of my happy days. The thoughts were bitter* mx^ LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 53 dnd created an agony of mind that only gave way to the {jure and holy influences of religion, which can alone produce that proper resignation to the Divine will in the last trial of nature, and allbrd the peace and consolation so requisite to sustain the soul and raise it above the vicissitudes of mortality. Though Mrs. W^ait had left Niagara with a strong hope of success in her mission to Lord Durham, yet I did not for a moment cherish the thought — knowing that his Lordship had, while on a recent visit to Upper Canada, refused to comply with the petitions of many of the inhabitants, and extend to that Pro- vince the general amnesty he had proclaimed in Lower Canada; or interfere, at that time, with the adminis- tration of the Lieut. Governor — consequently made every preparation in my power for tlie approaching hour of dissolution; and even when Mrs. Wait return- ed with the assurance, both from the Governor Gene- ral and Sir George, that a respite was granted, I felt still incredulous, and up to the latest moment gave no heed to the flatteries of hope; and subsequent discove- ries described in Mrs Wait's letters, will show you that my incredulity was not without foundation, al- though the sequel did result propitiously. Previous to my sentence, and subsequent to I\Irs. Wait's return from Quebec, she resided near the jail to administer as much as possible to our relief; there- fore I suffered nothing from the want of provisions or clothing, but unabated mental distress through the daily prospect of the inhumanity of the jailer, who has driven her from the gratings several times in the ,' ^i ail 'J' s ,,,-i?rr' 'T ''1 ^'1 'i- ■ '* ^.r il It' -i r il ,;r:i li ! ■''! '/ 1 ;'■'■ '• i i ¥ Il ; ! i f 'M 1 \\\\' li 1! r * '^' ■'■ lit 1 ill |t^ f 1| •■ 'i;i:i ! I -1 - :;! :r i i' • !■■'''!' '^ " J 'il ■'■. iif! il ,1 (' 1 1 ■ t r !■! ''■I r •■■i;; !|r- • i " I',! ?•; :!;' ■1 '; ■lii'^Mir: m\ 1 1 ' It • '''.; i- ■1' 'J Vi\U ■ t 1 ■Hi ^^ ;■''■'!! ! " .■|i':| 1,'': 1 hiU: '1 ■' (l!,;'| fciii} 1:' |!i V ■;ii'i,;!' 1 . 'i' ; " J : ' 1 ; J ' If' ,1 ' ,:-'.ii fr ,; •% 'r-'h «■•'' ; , ;; '.!''' Ill '' ill.. iSiv |?l! <';« ['!! ■ if' 1' ■ 1 1 ll- '^;i lis. Ml 54 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. day, lest she might communicate some intelligence unheard by him. By the orders of the ShcrifTsho has also been detained, at the gate of llic yard, and refused admittance by the armed guard, who, with the heart of a dastard, presented a bayonet at her breast and drove her back. These orders were given, as was after'vards stated by sheriff Hamilton, in answer to a request for an explanation, by the Judge on the bench, when she made an appeal to him through my attor- ney, who said it v/as "on account of having received in- formation from a James Gordon, that her admittance to the prison would endanger the safety of the prisoners," &c. &c. Such an explanation ofli^rcd a fine opportu- nity for Mr. Stewart to exert his talent at satire, which was improved, to the no t^mall amusement of every generous mind present, and annoyance of the Sheriff. An order emanated from the bench at once for her admission to the grates of t'le prison; still she was subject to the malevolence of tlie wretch who kept the jail. After the respite was oidercd, I made this conduct the subject of a petition to the Lieut. Gover- ernor, who ventured no reply until after I was removed to Kingston, when the board of magistrates was called together, and the letter laid before them, without the knowledge of myself or any one friendly person. The consequence was, that, on tho testimony of old Wheeler, his son, and the turnkeys, the petition was pronounced a •'libel." The result of this meeting of the board, was first communicated to Mrs. Wo by Mr. Macaulay, Private Secretary to Arthur, wnen she called at Toronto on her way to Kingston, who LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 55 appeared highly incensed that such a *'false statement should be made against any odicer in discharge of his duty." He exhibited the petition to her, as she had heard or seen nothing of it b;:fore, when she declared every statement was true; and would appeal to a num- ber of gentlomcn of veracity; but nothing farther would be done about it, yet / must bear the odium of IX "libel." The 24th regiment was our guard, and was commanded hy brevet Major Townsend, rendered famous in tlic annals of Irish criin. con. by the' elo- quence of the noted Irish Ikirrister, IMiillips. He often visited our eel's witli no other apparent design than to insult us. His arbitrary and cowardly spirit was contemptibly manifested, by refusing Mrs. Wait permission to cross the Niagara River, when I was undergoing an examinatioii at the Ontario House, Niagara Falls. His rcgimi-nt was afterwards exchan- ged for the 43d, the characl-n* of whose commander. Col. Boothe, formed an ex.'dted contrast to that of his predecessor in charge. Tlic secret ir, Boothe was a christian and a soldier, while the other was dissolute and cowardly. I scarce need remind you that there were sixteen **brave, faithful, and honest men," limited to a life of two weeks, at the same special assize at which I was sentenced — poor Morrow having been executed pre- vious to our arraignment — and soon after three others were added to our number. Of these, thirteen received a commutation of sentence, and were sent away to Fort Henry, at Kingston, on the 21st August, leaving four, tY.'iv.l,,, i; 'Mi U 5() LETTERS PR03I V. D. L. m iS (. Messrs. Chandler, McLcod, Beemer and myself, for positive execution, and one for mercy. When they were separated from us and manacled for their jour- ney, the scene became replete with sorrow — tears rolled from the eyes of the poor fellows who supposed they were bidding us adieu for ever — the cheeks of manhood were blanched with grief, and there was more dejection in the hearts of those whose lives were to be prolonged in slavery, than among us for whom there was no hope. They parted from us as from dying companions, with whom they had long sutibred. One agonizing sensation pervaded every soul, the in- tensity of which none can have an adequate concep- tion, but those who have felt its saddening influence. The scenes of my incarceration, trial and sentence, were all enacted within what I might call my native District — consequently intense interest was excited. Petitions for a pardon or commutation were prepared, universally signed, and placed in the hands of my father, who, though feeble from ill health, proceeded, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Drummond- ville, to Toronto, to lay them before the Governor, whom, they on arrival, were informed, had left the seat of government some days previous, on an excursion through the remote parts of his government — perhaps a visit to Lower Canada — and would not return until after the expiration of the time determined upon for our execution. From Toronto, my father's ill health obliged him to return; but the benevolent Mr. Johnson continued on to Kingston, vainly hoping to meet or hear from Arthur there. He too returned, well con- )! LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 57 f^S vinccd that the Governor hai designedly left Toronto, at that critical moment, to e\adc a recurrence of the like appeals in this case, which had given him so much annoyance, and the people so much reason for censure, in the cases of the lamented Lount and Matthews; and the subsequent conduct of his Excellency seems to place such convictions beyond a doubt. Preparations were making for the final performan- ces, and a Jack Ketch forwarded from Toronto, to do a deed for us he had done for Lount and Mathews. This was a precaution taken by the JSherilf to prevent the necessity of acting himself as executioner, which he did in ^Morrow's case, after a hundred dollar bribe had failed to induce a black man to act for him. Th' -^ Jack was kept about the jail, not daring to leave it until It was found there would be no "work in his way," when he was driven from the yard and never after heard of. The 22d brought j\Irs. AVait from Quebec with m- telligence of a respite, but no intimation of it had been made at the proper ofFice. She went to Toronto on the following day, but no satisfaction was to be given her there, as you v/ill see by her letter. The final day arrived — the hour came that limited the time — and at last 12 i brought the SherifT from Kingston, where, after he had delivered the prisoners at Fort Henry, he met the Governor, whom he waited on and inquired "what must be done for the poor men in Ni- agara, for whom he hoped a respite might be exten- ded?" Sir George detained him until the last boat upward bound for the day, had put off, then gave him i' ■*• m 'i' lir . «!''fl i in fill I':; ■'T*.l ■||i{|l' I! "ill ■:il I ■''{'■ lllli ;|' ii' ;i Mi f I'll' Si 1 .1 ; t , t'*i«il:'! i!!^ 58 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. an order. Should he wait until the following day, the hour for our execution would be passed at his peril; and the execution of Morrow had made such an im- pression upon his mind, that ho was glad of the res- pite, and determined to make an clfort to obtain the Governor's boat; in which he was successful after considerable altercation, and succcoded in gaining the Niagara dock at half past twelve, 1\ M., where the Rev. Mr. Crcen met and received the happy tidings, which he comminiicated to us as soon as possible. It would appear by this elusive conduct of the Governor, that he had dolormincd to execute us at all hazards, and then lav the blame at the door of some of his officials, for he wished it believed that he had loft an order for a respite in Toronto; and no doubt, had this ruse suc- ceeded, a despatch charging the blame to some petty official, would have been a full exculpation for him in Downing Strccit; but his temerity was scarce adequate to this stop. Tiio respite extended to six days only, yet it created a complete reversion in my breast; fori had never known but few cases of an execution taking place after a respite had once been granted. So I thought no more of being "hung," but set myself at work vigo- rously to oppose transportation, which I knew to bo illegal. But I must here close, to give room for Mrs. Wait^s communication. I remain, dear sir. Yours, &c. &c. J:. .^M0 MRS. WAIT S LETTER. 5» day, tho lis peril; I an im- the res- )tain tho "ul after ning the the Rev. 5, which It would or, that •ds, and DfTicials, rder for use suc- le petty him in Icquate 5 only, . fori taking bought k vigo- V to bo Wait'a &c. it LETTER III. MRS. wait's appeal TO LORD DURHAM. Niagara, U. C, October 15, 1838. My ^ I. icnd, During .. j trial of my : u ind, I had vainly hoped the jury would, as they were inclined, fnid some tech- nical point on which to hang a pica for acquittal, but with no other reason than tho fond dcsiro of an ex- cited and anxious mind. Tho fut-il verdict aroused me from this delusion, and 1 at once dotennincd to pro- ceed to Quebec, procure, if possible, an interview with the Earl of Durham, and plead with all the en- ergy of an afllictod heart, for the life of him with whose destiny mine was so nearly linked. Therefore, I set about, with the ujnost alacrity, pre- paring for the arduous duty. On tho evening after the sentence of death was pronounced, I conniiunica- ted to my husband's attorney, my intention of appeal- ing to Lord Durham; but he thought that his Lordship would not interfere witli the administration of Sir George Arthur, who would doubtless feel the more ex- asperated by an appeal to his superior in authority. This, too, was the opinion of all those to whom I had looked for counsel; and even their entreaties were used to prevent my leaving Niagara. They argued, that as the time allotted for my husband to live was short, I had better remain and afford him all the consolation in my power: I had an infant, also, whose life might be endangered, either by speedy travelling, at that season \4 '" 'm : w ■ '. * mM^^. ,.1,'l.i I 1.!' mm ■■^■vM jwi \:\ >!' lU* V'ii lllii 60 MRS. wait's letter. of the year, or b_v being deprived of her natural nour- ishment, in case I left her; tliat petitions would as- suredly be forwarded to Sir George, and every thing possible done for the unhapp} prisoners. These were the persuasions adduced; but far was it from me to delay, and vainly seek the life of my husband at the blood-stained hands of Arthur, from whom I could not expect even a particle of mercy. My ])abe was kissed, left with a (Vicnd, and committed to the protecting care of Him who ever watches over the orphan and the widow, for even this, we had too much reason to fear, would be our lot, and which, if. j)ossiblc, I was determined to make a desperate effort to prevent. It was considered perfectly useless to entertain the slightest hop '^r the life, either of Mr. \\''ait or Illr. Chandler, the former being marked by the Governor, as I was repeatedly told, for the ex- tremity of the law, while the latter, on account of his advanced age, could not possibly expect a commuta- tion. I felt much afTccted by the fate of Mr. C, on account of his large family, (a wife and ten children) therefore proposed to his eldest daughter, then at Ni- agara, to accompany itie, on behalf of her unfortu- nate parent; and if we could but get his Lordship to lend an ear to our applications, we need not then fear that the lives of any of the others would be sacrificed, as had been that of the gallant and noble Morrow, who was yet scarce cold in his narrow bed. Miss C. acceded to my entreaties, provided it would meet the approbation of her father's friends, whom she consulted immediately. They readilv assented to < i#. I MRS. WAITS LETTER. 01 ral nour- ^ould as- ly thing far was D of my r, from mercy. inmittcd les over had too hich, if effort ilcss to of Mr. 'kcd by the cx- of his nmuta- C, on Idrcn) at Ni- ifortu- ihip to n fear ificed, , who would ivhom ted to tho design, and made out the necessary documents. But soon suggested that two appeals might preclude the possibility of either being elfeclive; consequently, it was urged by them, that his Lordship would more likely be struck with the novelty of a daughter asking for the life of her father, than a wife for that of her hus- band. This was poor reasoning to me, as I could not trust the life of my husband to the pleadings of any but myself; much less to those of an inexperienced girl of eighteen; although I much admired the filial tenderness which led her to make all the efforts she was capable uf, to save her father. An interest was soon excited, and a subscription ta- ken up to bear the expenses of Miss C. to (iuebec, with letters of introduction, and so forth; no kindness, at the same time, being extended to me, in whom tho project originated, and who had invited Miss C. to ac- company me, although I was nearly penniless, which was known, not being near a friend to whom 1 might apply for assistance; for, indeed, Mr. Wait's nearest friends, who had come to Niagara for the express pur- pose of aiding me, were induced to withhold even their countenance, by the representations made, that if I acted at all, it would rather be prejudicial than advanta- geous to my husband, on account of my having, also, ex- cited the enmity of the Government. But yet I did not fear being provided for, in an effort of aflectionatc du- ty, such as was then before me, and often since has my heart overflowed with gratitude to God, for the sus- taining strength given me at that trying period. I was permitted to see my poor husband for one moment* I %m ,K m if W m s ,—lf^' ' .. mil 02 MRS. wait's letter. ai4::| .'■In;; bi ^!, III iM, .i"iii| '■ m,. ,1:1 1 : i. that I might bid him adieu 'crc I left. I endeavored to administer con^oiation, by encouraging a hope in a happy issuo of my suit with Lord Durham, if I could but be permitted to reach hiui; and commending him to the care of our Heavenly Father, 1 tore myself from him to embark f«^r Quebec. I had one more painful duty to perform, before I left Niagara, which was to Leg of Dr. Porter, the prison surgeon, that in case my hu^band should be ex- ecuted before my return, he would endeavor to pre- vent that part of the horrid sentence which gave his body to dissection, from being carried into effect, and that his remains might be given to his friends for in- terment. Dr. Porter assured me, that as far as his influence would extend, I need not fear the reverse; and he, though evidently friendly, thought I had better remain, as he feared the Government might rather be exasperated by an application from me, whose po- litical sentiments they had so clearly understood, from certain letters captured with, and taken from the pock- ets of Mr. Wait. Still I was not to be deterred i'rom my object; confident in the rectitude of my course, I fear- ed no evil; but passing immediately to the place of em- barkation, where I found Miss C, with some of her friends, who were there to see her safe on board. James Boulton, Mr. C's. attorney, was to acconipany her to 'J'oronto, who had taken occasion to use very ungen- tlemanly language, in his efibrts to persuade me not to think of going, for the above reasons, as well as oth- ers. I would ruin the cause of his client, and finally prevent the Government from doing ariything for the ■ii* p A MRS. WAITS LKTTER. 63 vored to '1 pe in a I could '■ '■. rig him myself before I cr, the d be cx- lo p re- ave his ct, and for in- ' as his verso; i belter « rather )se po- 1, from pock- om my ' I fear- of em- . .-.(; >f her 4 '■■ W James ' ■! her to ngon- not to s oth- ' '^^-K nally M )r the inhj mcrs » he termed them, in mock com- misscralion; and truly, indeed, would the secret wish- es of his unfeeling heart for *'those unhappy prison- ers," have been rcaliz(;d, had 1 listoncul for a moment to their pcMvsuasion.s, and allowed IMiss C. fo proceed alone, to lay the case at the fjet of Lord 1). Here was also Judge IIutler, a descendant of the ROYAL LINE, of Wijoiiiuig notorlchj. IJe, too, '■''felt a deep interest for the success of the mission, and won- doiK'd how a woman, who, [us he had been in formed, J manifested a good degree of sense on ordinary occa- sions, could thus be so mad-hraincd as to persist in ex- citing the still greater fury of the Goveruinent, by personally seeking their mercy, despite the advico and opinion of all her fricnds^^^ as he was ))leased to term them. To u!l of which I had but one reply to make, which was, that the path of duty was before mc, from which I would not be driven by f')iy persua- sion whatever, and should I jiave no other friend, I trusted that God would aid me, not only in surmount- ing the obstacles thus thrown in my way, but finally in accomplishing my purpose. If they thought proper, Miss C. could go in another conveyance, but whether she went or stayed, would make no difference with me. The boll rang, I stepped on the boat: Mr. Boulton introduced IMiss C. to Capt. Richardson, who kindly gave her a passage to Toronto, presented her with four dollars, and a letter of introduction to Capt. Moo- dy, of the St. George; Capt. Richardson not knowing, at the same time, as he told me, on my return, that I VX^d s Ml fj h' 'i'- ij ■ h.l « A ^l> H '\4^ 64 MRS. WAIT S LETTER. '•'\r "1! '■t ' ;i ;' was on Ijoard of liis boat at all, of which, had ho been informed, ho would most assuredly have i)ocn happy in extending tho same kindnr ss to nic tiiat he had so generously done to Miss Chandler. The St. Oeorgc was to sail at nine in the morning, for Kings- ton. VVe were on board by half past seven, leaving time to reflect on the sad prospect before mo, which agonized still more my mind, already on the verge of distraction. 1 was now about leaving that part of tho country whore I might hope to meet a friend or ac- quaintance, who could assist mo on the journey of sev- en hundred miles, undertaken with scarce sufficient means to accomplish it, much less to return "ere thf die might be cast. As these melancholy reflec- tions crowded themselves upon me, tho enquiry aroso, might I not find some kind friend to humanity in Toronto, before the sailing hour arrived. I resolv- ed at once, went on shore, and requested direction to the residence of Jesse Ketchum, Esq., a gentleman I well knew by reputation, and whom I had once seen at my father's house, on a visit to the lamented Major Randal. I saw Mr. K. — lold him my circumstances, and the object of my mission. Ho introduced me to his inte- resting and accomplished lady, who kindly insisted on my breakfasting with them, as I could hcor the bell there, and reach the boat in time. Mr. K. read a few verses of consolation from the sacred page. I united with them in their morning worship; and grateful indeed, to my agonized heart, was the privilege of thus pouring out my soul to God -■V *4 ?■ 'i. .:'•! ill \,,i\ \i MR8. WAIT^fl LETTKU. CO t luui lie lavc been 10 tlint ho The St. )!• Kings- . leaving 0, which verge of rt of the 1(1 or ac- y oC scv- sufricient 'ore tlic rcflec- enquiry lumanity I resolv- :ction to leman I ice seen cl Major xnd the his into- isted on the boll L'om the norning heart, to God ■n m unison with those dear friends, who shed the tear of sympathy with ino, and implored th(5 Father of mercies to bestow his gracious blessing. While at breakfast, Mr. K. kindly asked me to accept of ten doilars us an assistant, whicli I received, as a kiiiduosM jVinn heaven. I arose, I)ade them good morning, and with a heart overflowing with gratitude, proceeded to the boat. Al'ter leaving our moorings^ I sent for C; pt. Moody, ruid told him, that as Miss C. and nivsi If were under the necessity of travelling alone, \so Ix gged the (avor of placing ourselve'S under his prot:ction. iMiss C. presented her letter from Ca[)t. U., whirh informed him of her peculiar circumstances, vv} wo were )' -th treated with every kindness and att( nu n by the gen- tlemanly Captain. On the following morning we arrived at Kingston, and were safely placed on board a small steamer, to riescend the St. liawrence; down v/hich wo glided, amid the many picturesque islands, that form a con- spicuous feature in its bewitching scenery, but which, to my anxious heart, could convey scarce one pleasing sensation, absorbed as I vas. with feelings of so dis- tressing a nature; thougl; ihey, together with the pleasing conversation of an interesting family from Philadelphia, who wei j travelling for pleasure, and were very kind in Uioir attentions, served in a measure to alleviate; and I could look around me with, as I supposed, a species of calmness even wonderful to myself. At the head of the Long Soult, wo took the stage to Cornwall; and as it was deemed im- ,'■' * r 5 ■'T' ' S .1' u It: !ilk i rM:M!i mm !:!■!;■ ' !■ i^^ 'i:i:f I v. ■ 66 MRS. wait's letter. practicable to descend the rapids, we were alternately on water and land, until we reached Montreal. I was much struck witli the sameness of the quiet little white-washed houses of the French habitans, which seemed only relieved by the occasional residence of tho land owner, called the Scniour, and a catholic cross planted in the ground hero and there, generally at cross roads. It was in August; and flowers were visi~ blc, in great ju-ofusion, in and about tliose humble dwellings; the sash being thrown open, the window sills were filled with blooming geraniums, and other exotic, as well as domestic plants, which at once dis- played a most pleasing sight to-tho traveller, perfumed the atmosphere with tlieir fragrance, and gave evi- dence of a refined taste in the cultivators of those beau- ties of nature. We reached Montreal at eve, and left immediately, per steam boat, for Sorcllc, a small village, formerly called William Ilonrv, and situated on the Sorelle river. This place being the residence of Sir John Colborne, to whose son Miss C. had a letter, asking his influence at Quebec, which she wished to deliver; she requested mo to remain there with her until the next boat, to which I acceded, hoping that I also might have an opportunity to obtain the interest of Major Colborne. Wc accordingly went up to Sir John's. The Major was not at homo, but Miss C. left her let- tor, to call for an answer. I called with her — Major G. came out and gave Miss C. a letter to Col Couper, the aid-de-camp in waiting, upon the Governor Gene- ral. I begged Miss C. to introduce me; butshedecli- MRS. WAIT S LETTER. iernately . I was ict little !, which le of the ic cross ;rallv at ere visi- h Limbic window id other nee dis- crfumed ive c vi- se bcau- idiately, Drmcrly Sorelle ir John asking deliver; ntil the might Major John's, her let- -Major ouper, • Gene- e decli- ned, either from excessive bashfulncss, or some other reason unknown to me; consequently I was still left without a line of introduction, recommendation, or any thing, savo my own determination to eirect the object if possible, let the obstacles be what they might. About nine in the morning we reached Quebec — left our trunks on board, and proceeded immediately to the Castle St. Louis, th^n the residence of Lord Durham. \Vc enquired the \v.y to the receiving room, and re- quested to sec Col Coupcr, who soon made his appear- ance; upon whicli Miss C. presented her letter, while I told Col. C. that, although I had not been so fortu- nate as to bring letters of introduction, yet I had come to memorialize Lord Durham in behalf of a youthful and suilering husband under sentence of death, and hoped that I might bo permitted to present my petition to his Lordship. Col. C. thought that the Earl would not be able to sec me, as he was sufKjring from head ache, with other indisposition, lie took Miss C's peti- tion and waited upon his Lordship, informing mo on his return, that the Governor General was then unable to give his attention to the matter; but if I would leave my memorial. Lord D. would consider it, and send the result to my lodgings; to which I replied, that we had but just arrived — as yet had no lodgings, and with Ids permission, would call for an answer. Ten the fol- lowing morning was the hour appointed, and we again wended our way to the steam boat. As we were in a strange city, and knew not whore to find a respectable house that might suit circumstan- ces, and hoping to be able to return with the boat the m i Mi •"'Ifif* !ll;; ■im :i*;pf; liltn; \w- 'i\u '{M^m >:']<■ .ll" r;. J;il! 68 MRS. WAIT'S LETTER. next evening at high tide, I asked the Captain's per- mission to remain on board, which he readily gave; and as his lady's society enlivened our meals, we were very comfortable, there being a most excellent Stew- ardess on board. This anxious day and night passed oiT, and ten in the morning found us again at the Castle, where we wore informed by Col. C. tiiat Lord D. in council, had not yet decided on the subject of our memorials; to which I replied, that 1 most sincerely trusted his Lord- ship would be pleased to do so that day, as did I not leave (iucbec at night with the boat, I could not reach Niagara but to find my husband a mangled corpse; and I had every confidence that Lord D., who had already opened the prison doors in Lower Canada, and set the suffering captives at large, would now extend that clemency in his power, to our friends, and at least spare the lives of those for whom we supplicated. Col. C. hoped we might get an answer by four P. i\I. and we left to return then; our feelings in the mean time, being more easily conceived than described. In our way to the wharf, where our asylum was moored, I resolved to make at least a grand effort, that day, to procure the reply, should it not be in readiness at four, although I had no means of doing so but by my entreaties with Col. Couper, unless J could obtain an interview with Mr. Duller, Private Secretary to the Gov. Gen'l which I hoped to do. As I was thus medita- ting on the subject nearest my heart, and trusting that God in his mercy would overrule all for the best, we were asked by a Canadian who stood near a calcche, if MRS. WAIT S LETTER. G9 '*- j^ w:; >vOuld like to ride round the city ? Yes, was the reply; and thankfid was I that any thing had ofTered to relieve tlie sad tedium hctwcen that hour and four. We rattled through the streets, the principal edifices on which, our good guide described in.liis best Eng- lish, and soon drove us to the memorable Plains of Abraham. We stood for a moment on the battle ground where the brave Wolf and Montcalm had so gallantly yielded up their lives to llim who gave them, and seating ourselves again, were driven, with the permis- sion of the Town Major, to the celebrated Citadel, and foimd ourselves within the impregnable walls of Cape Diamond, which were lined with artillery and the ne- cessary munitions of war, far surpassing, in strength, any thing I could have conceived of it from desciip- tion, however minute. We ascended the battery, form- ing the summit of the immense precipice; and gazed upon the smooth bed of the St. Lawrence lying far be- neath, with the beautiful Island of Orleans resting up- on its bosom, amid other surrounding scenery equally picturesque. While I contemplated with admiration the union of nature and art, in forming so wonderful and magnificent a fortress, the conversation of a cou- ple of strangers who stood near, at once aroused me, as you may suppose, from the subject, to the most painful emotions; for, said one, pointing to a gloomy and dismal part of the Citadel, "there is the prison of those rebels from Upper Canada,^' naming at the same time, those who wei'e confined there. "x\t what hour are they allowed to walk?" inquired the other. ♦*At five" was the reply, * )• .> 'm hour's exercise." And must the brave spirits of Can- ada, thought I, even in this place of undoubted secu- rity, be shut from the light of heaven, with the ex- ception of one half liour in the twenty-four, in that earthy abode, .(for their prison appeared literally a part of the battery,) and that, too, for the crime of resisting oppression? If in the nineteenth century, and on the western shores of tlio Atlantic, it must still bo considered a crime, by the minions of royalty; Yea, thus it is; and but a fjw days more will consign my own dear husband to an early grave for the same offence, if mercy stays not the hand of the execu- tioner. Perceiving, at the close of this painful soliloquy, that the hour of four was drawing near, we resumed our caleche, and with palpitating hearts, reached the waiting room at the Castle. Col. C. soon appeared, and was sorry to say he had, as yet, received no communication from Lord D., but still hoped that his Lordship would be enabled to give an answer before the hour for sailing; wliich Col. C. very kindly of- fered to send to the boat immediately on the receipt of the same. I begged the favor of an interview with Mr. Buller — Mr. B. was engaged — poor Miss C. sat pale and in tears, while 1 took the liberty to si y that, if Col. C. would permit me, I should esteem it a privilege to sit there until his Lordship was pleased to give a reply — that the time had now arri- ved when further delay would be adequate to a refusal of Lord D. to grant a commutation; and in that case we could expect to return in time only to embrace MRS. WAIT S LETTER. 71 the lifeless bodies of tiioso wo loved, 'ero they wore laid in their tombs; and I coxild not leavo that place until his Lordship did listen to my entreaties, and spare me the awful alternative. Col. C's humane counte- nance glowed vvith compassion; he ordered a glass of wine and water for me, and left the room; while with our agitated hearts raised to (jod, wo awaited his re- turn in almost breathless suspense; and thanks to our heavenly Fatlier, wc were not long liius to suffer. The crisis was passed, as the smiling countenance of Col. C. evinced on his reappearance, when he told us tliat, although Lord Durham, ns Governor General, could not grant a free pardon to our friends without an investigation of their cases, yet he would order a commutation, or at least, stay the execution until the relative documents coidd be transmitted to him for his own examination; to which effect his Lordship would give us a letter to Sir George Arthur, requesting him to rest for a time, in his sanguinary career; and also, said Col. C, "a special messenger will accom- pany you with a private despatch to the Lt. Governor." Thus, my dear friend, were the precious lives of our loved ones spared; and wc, returning thanks for the kindness and mercy extended, entered our cabins with lighter hearts than wo had left them in the morning. Wc were in transports when we got under weigh, having already, in imagination, conveyed the happy intelligence to the sufferers; however, wc could not so speedily travel in person, and bore the necessary delay as well as possible. On arriving at Montreal, I was in- formed by the captain, that a Mr. Simpson, M. P. of the :i;lli11 !'■ •Xn ■•f^' 72 MRS. WAlT^S LETTER. mm i ;; mm ill fi};'(. "' - III ■! It' :Sf:; i'll''' -rii nu ■infii! ■;: I :',j :i 1..'^! Milt IS i Lower Province, who had seen mc at Quebec, was on board, and wished an introduction, to which I assent- ed, and recognized, immediately, a gentleman whon^ f had seen at the Castle Hi. Louis, engaged in the bu- siness of the place. He told me that ho resided at Coto-Du-Lac, that he was aware of the object of our mission, and compassionated our distress and loneli- ness, kindly offering his protection as far as his home; at the same time informing us that Sir George Arthur wa?; then on a visiting tour through that part of the coun- try, and hoped we might meet with him without mucli delay. Yet the possibility of passing him on the way was indeed cause of much anxiotv, but which was re- peatcdly allayed by the kind enquiries of Mr. S. at every stopping place, assuring us that we had not yet passed him, and indeed a kind providence had willed that we should not. But to return: this gentleman-, prompted by the kindness and generosity of his hearty enquired if 1 had still sufficient means to roach homoj and on being informed of the extent of my funds, in- sisted upon my accepting at least twenty dollars, and assured me that he was most happy to have it in his power to alleviate even that portion of my distress. Again my heart rose in gratitude for this fresh man- ifestation of the care of Providence, and giving the half of the above kind donation to Miss Chandler, wc felt at ease once more in regard to pecuniary difficulties. We reached Coto-Du-Lac that evening, where to our inexpressible satisfaction, we found the steamboat that was to convey us to Cornwall waiting for the arrival MRS. WAIT'S LETTKR. T» of Sir George, who was liourly expected. As our kind friend was now to leave us, he gave us his coun- sel, and wc awaited the approach of the (lovernor, who did not, however, in consequence of Fome delay, reach there until about eight the following morning, when we soon left our moorings, and giving the messenger time to deliver his despatch from Lord Durham, i made preparations to seek an interview, and wished the captain of the boat to give me an introduction to the Aid in attendance. He accordingly brought Major Arthur, the son of Sir Geortie, whom I informed that I was the bearer of a letter from Lord Durham to- the Governor, which I begged the favor of presenting, and hoped he would grant me an interview. The aid left to acquaint his father w^lh the reqvicst, and return- ed, saying that the Governor would sec us in the la- dies' cabin. The captain invited the ladies on deck, leaving us in readiness to receive Sir George, who was soon introduced by the aid. Sir G., after seating himself, remarked, *'You wish to see me, madam." "I do,*' replied I, "and. am hap- py of the honor, as I have brought a letter from Lord Durham to your Excellency touching cases of vital importance, both to myself and Miss Cliandler;" on which I presented the letter, and watched the counte- nance of the Governor while perusing the same, the dark changes of which indicated no good to our cause if his Excellency could prevent it. He seemed ex- ceedingly annoyed, and said, '*You have appealed to Lord Durham in the case of your husband, under sen- tence of death for treason; and you, for your father,'* f-r. \ ,' 74 MRS. WAIT 8 LETTER. i M ;!ui:':iir:;i:'! 1^ ;ij'MilHV!;.|:i, '.'III I. m "I Stj pi' ■1: %L addressing Miss C. "Wc liavc," I replied, "and your Excellency will doubtless admit that the importance of the case is a suflicient apology i'or making any exer- tion that might be in our power," to which he reluc- tantly assented, scarce knowing how to express his dis- pleasure, that the victims had indeed been wrested from his deadly grasp, by his superior, who had thus been induced to exert his authority, beyond the limits of Lower Canada. "JJut, Madau),"' said he, *'I can not accede to th.; request, and [)revent the due course of the law upon oll(jnces of this nature."' " Fow can not accede to the request! permit mo to sny, sir, I left Quebec with an assurance from Lord Durluun, that the life of my husband shoidd be spared, at least until his Lordshi]), as Governor General,, could investigate the matter." "The state of the country, madam, de- mands that examples should be made, and most espe- cially of such obstinate and henlous offenders," allu- ding to Mr. ^^'^ail^s positive refusal to give him any information that would implicate others, which he hnd sought personally, with an oifer of pardon. "And had," said I, "the force of example, as your Excel- lency is pleased to call those sanguinary measures, and the blood which has already flowed from the gal- lows, told happily upon the country, I should not now be under the painful necessity of pleading for the life of a beloved husband." "But, madam," he enquir- ingly remarked, "what am I to do with the repeated applications from the west, imploring me to adopt ciome measures that may put a stop to those frequent attacks from which Her Majesty's faithful subjects are \ * 4 «-.a MRS. WAIT S LETTER. lO suiroring the loss of life, property, and so forth ?" "Permit mo to ask your Excellency in return, will the execution of tlicso men restore to the people of the west the lives and properly which tlicy have lost by previous nggression ?'' "Hy no means, 'Mic replied, "but the example may deter otliors from sim'Iar trans- gressions." "If your I'^xcollcncy will allow me, I do most sincerely think that no example could go farther to pacify excited fecling>j, and have a more salutary influence upon the coi'ntry at largi), than a general extension of mercy and pardon to political oHondcrs; for well do I know that tho'peopltj of this country have been goaded on to rebellion by various and re- peated acts of legalized opprrssion. I crave your Ex- cellency's indulgence, and beg leave to say further, that my friends, even my own family, have been spe- cial objects of this oppressive persecution, the effects of which I have felt from my infancy up to this mo- ment; and no longer since than last autumn, my un- fortunate husband was told, bv several members of the bar, at the Niagara assize, at which he had a suit, that it was useless for him to seek redress, as he was known by the Court to be a reformer; and alone, your Excellency, to these sad truths may be attributed the present lamentable state of Canada; a resistance to which has placed my husband in his present melan- choly situation. But I fear I am trespassing upon your time, sir, and cannot but trust that your Excel- lency will view the exciting causes in palliation of the effect, and now follow the beautiful examples of mercy given us in sacred scripture, by kindly allaying tho i\ fnU^ 70 MRS. WAIT S LKTTKR. 'v(l !ii! •,,«ll ■ m ^if :,ii '. I' ,-,(. -n Nli'ti^;! auxicity that agonizes our minda. (Ho would refer nio to the same for consolation) — and 1 thank God, sir, that a reliance upon sovereign mercy, and confidence in divine Providenco, has thus fur sustained mo under these trying circumstances, and I trust will continue to do so. l\Iay we hope that your Excellency will think favorably of our request?'' lie could not say that he would, and left the room. Upon which I dcterniinod to lay his refusal before Lord Durham by the return of the messenger, who would leave us at Cornwall; consequently begged leave to inform his Lordship,- that, although we \vere assur- ed of the safely of our friends while at Quebec, yet Sir (leorge seemed determined to frustrate his noble purposes of mercy, the benign influence of which 1 still implored might be extended to Upper Canada, as the Lower Canadians had already, in a measure, felt its radiance. As 1 was sealing and addressing this communication, tho Governor returned, bringing with him Mr. Macaulay, his private secretary, whom ho introduced, saying that ho had brought his secretary to note down, if wo would give it, the substance of the verbal communications we had received in Quebec, which we readily gave, and after which, I told Sir George, that since the honor of his interview, I had taken the liberty of stating the result of the same, with his answer, to Lord Durham, which I intended to forward immediately, holding the letter in my hand. **0h," said he, *'l wish you to understand me, madam, before you communicate my answer to Lord Durham;" and his lip quivered with rage. "And I shall be most » 1 .% 'I. jlliH MRS. WAITS LETTER. 77 happy to understand any thing from your Excellency tliat may bo aught more satisfactory than what I huvo bt-en led to suppose.'' " Will, I luivc granted a respite h) your hu.sbandf and ahn to your J'dt Iter ^'^ addressing Miss C, "but tlicrc must be more executions; tliatex- rcrablu ciianicter, IJomer, must pny the penalty of his act. There shall no mcrcv be dealt out to him.'' *'Still," replied f, "\vc must liopc that your Excellen- cy will think b'tler of it, and not make another ex- ception to the now happily adopted rule of mercy." Sir George left us; Mr. Macaulay asked if I was a native of Canada, and being told that 1 was, he re- gretted much that I should have been involved in cir- cumstances of so grievous a nature, and hoped that I might be reinstated, and yet be happy in the country of my l)irth. I thanked him, and he bade us good morning. \Vc were now nearing Cornwall, where wc would land, and where Lord D's messenger would return to Quebec. I considered with what diificulty the acqui- escence in Lord D's decision had been extorted from Sir George, who displayed evident symptoms of anger, and entertained fears that he might have been indu- ced by duplicity to stay me with a false hope, that I might not further press the suit v. illi Lord D. I ac- cordingly delivered the letter I had pre{)ared to the messenger, to convey to his master, and could not help feeling a secret satisfaction, that Lord D. would at_ least be apprised of the apparent disrespect with which the Lieutenant Governor had treated his author- ity; at the same time, it being contrary to reason, .ji. S ' 78 MUS. WAIT 'a Lt-: i , 'i.,a. ^s: I'te-/ kit'!'' ,S I'll I'^ii! •»» 'ilk:]; mi order, or usage, timt he slioiiltl dare to contravene it. 1 landed quite indisposed, from mental excitement, and the natural edict of being separated from a nurs- ing babe, on whouj, poor little dear, I had .scarcely tliought since 1 lefi. IJut now that it seemed imposi- hle for !»er father to f;dl a victim to the gallows, my feelings naturally recurred to my child, and I fear- ed that she too might bo ill; but thank Heaven, I was enabled to cast all my care uj)on llim who is ever the friend of the desolate, and was thus permitted to seek the repose 1 so much needed. The coach did not leave until morning, when 1 found myself much refreshed, and better able to pursue my anxious journey. But to bo brief and not weary your patience, I will fiay little of tlie latter part of the route; permit me, however, to inform you, that at Prescott wo fell in with the Lord Uishop Mountaine, of IMontreal, on his way to Toronto; who, clad as ho was in his sacerdo- tal skirt or robe, made rather a singular appearance to those who had never seen a high functionary of the establishment. I was introduced to him, and conver- sed on the melancholy subject of my mission to Que- bec. He was very afllible, and kindly pointed mc to the great source of consolation under the most trying earthly afllictions. 1 begged that, if an opportunity oflcred of his aiding mo with his influence at Toronto, be would give it; which he said was a difficult matter with a person standing in the relation to the Crown that he did; but that he might have an apportunity of benefitting my cause, which he would be glad to cm- brace, as he deeply commiserated my painful situation. M MRS. WAIt'm l.ETTKR 9 ; Tho good Bisli()[> left us at Toronto, our anxiety Bcciningly increasing with every revolution of the wliecl.s, until wo rouchcd Niagara, wliero we landed on the '2*id, and found preparations making for the execution iiiow tbe following day to Niagara, that I might still be convenient to her sul- fering father, near whom I romaiiicd -until the subso- <]uent order for his removal to Fort Henry, at Kingston. Your's, most respectfully, MARIA WAIT. To LETTER IV. AsHGRovE, near Oatlands, V. 1). L. June, 1840. Dear Sir: The arrival of the respite, though for so brief a period, burst like a meteor upon our minds, and gave us not 't exv'cution of ill) law.""' The rec( Jit [■)ublication of the olncial documents bj;iring on this point, are coii- clusive evidence; tliat to these personal petitions alone, can we attribute the [)reservation of oia* lives. This n^spite was soon followed by anotht r of ten days, and subsequently one of near ■> month, cxtcn.il -g the time to the first of October,, ui/' :■. t'ie deputy Sherilf ap- peared at the jail, beariii!; la his hand -i letter, osten- sibly i'rom the Lieutonaiil Governor, with orders tor him to read it to us, tm 1 receive aiid tr;>nsmit our an- swers. It informed us that '^Ilis Excellency, in coun- cil, had conelLidod to li.^ten to our petitions and grant pardons, on condition of our accepting transportation in the lieu of death.'' Of course transportation as an alternative, was generally preferred, and answers were given accordingly — yet not on my part uilhout a coun- ts! h ' <■ III Bii e il r:n »»^it.i,^maim.i*- ]J uiM mm iiiiiii^i Jri \ I'i m^ 84 LETTERS FllOM V. D. L. ter * 'condition'^ — for I supposed it a mere mockery, to give coloring to his unbending arrogance, not once giving him credit for the full share of superciliousness his subsequent conduct proved him to possess in so great a degree; and consequently replied that, "if by transportation, ho meant only to convey me from. Ni- agara, or even to England, I should not oppose it; but would prefer death to being banished to Van Dicman's Land, therefore would not accept the terms of the pardon.'^ Although I gave a conditional answer, yet 1 did not perceive the extent of this artifice, or that it would be made a subterfuge for law. But in England I found much importance attached to that condition, for it was assumed by the ministry, as ground suiK- cicnt for carrying the "commuted sentence" into fuU effect. A few days after this "compact" arrangement, the clanking of chains announced an intended removal. When the execrable fetters were riveted on my limbs, the cautering iron entered my soul; and not till then did I feel, I vras truly no longer free; a manacled slave/ was a conception I never before rightly under- stood. I had not valued personal liberty as I ought; but now that it was for ever gone, I viewed it as the most precious boon Heaven could bestow. All the wealth of the world was as nothing in comparison to it; and on the contrary, slavery was the most abhor- rent of all evils. Mrs Wait as usual, was now at hand to offer condo- lence, and calm my perturbed feelings. She packed up what clothes I had there, and forgot not the few m I -4 t.-'ii ^'4 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 85 books', a perusal of which had given me pleasure. She awaited with resignation far superior to mine, the fiat that should separate our persons perhaps for ever. I kiss'-jd and caressed that dear, dear child, you speak so tenderly of, and wrung the liand of her whose aficc- tionate care 1 fancied I was no more to experience. This was a scene I had often anticipated, and thought my- self prepared to meet; but I had looked upon it su- perficially, and seen it only in the distance. A sense of desolation came over me that I could not shake oO'; and liad it not been for the superior fortitude talight mo by i\Irs. Wait, I fear I should have shown a femi- nina spirit — a want uf manhood. Wo had but little time for leave-taking — were torn from mourning friends and hurried on board a steamer for Toronto, where we arrived nt the dusk of the evening, on the 0th October. We found an immense multitude crow- ding the wharf, and lining the street through which vvc were to pass to the jail. From them proceeded min- gled shouts of imprecation.y and pity — derision and sympathy. But I soon observed it was by the squalid alone that imprecations were uttered, while compas- sion was visible in the countenances of all who ap- peared worthy respect. It is true, such salutations, at first, discomposed my mind a little, but the commisera- tion of the better class reconciled me to this new spe- cies of greeting, and I felt that I sho.ild ever prefer the insult to tlie praise of the varying n\ob. At the jail we were received by the very ohsequious host, Mr. Kid, who invited us to walk into the hall, humanchj offering the dirty floor fo : a lodging. We '!■ ■ 4^i •m I f ."U";::«*t:,- 1 irn^M im i'' ;^r' 1: 'MiM 1 >f'S ■I If ili l:U\ > I'; 'it ■'If 'm .,. 86 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 'r'illll;. 3l|[ ^w L .:. r ,,-ii.;r"|.;> iiiiiiii:'!!' r-': I" ii ^^1 "I * «tll J. I'' ^ ■ ■ ■ H : il^ I iM'l niA iV I'l - m Ill' could not, of course, return him much compliment for his generosity. Nothing was offered here to cat, and we should liave hccn obliged to go supporlcss to bed, had not the guard kindly shared their provisions with us on board, before reaching Toronto. In this respect we have always found the common soldier gen- erous, even beyond his means. Tlii;? was the first night 1 had essayed to rest with iny leg and wrist coupled to another; and I found the attempt nugatory. Mere too, I first found verPiin, i c fleas and bugs, which crept into our clothrs, and in the inornliig refu- sed to part company. After risir.g, a dirnight from a milk woman's pail did more to j'(.'vivc drowsy nature, than would a dozen pots of "^Ir. Kid's ale, which he profusely ofTered, ^^providcd always,'' we would first present him with the "proper equivalent." Our es- cort, with Wheeler at their head, arrived verv earlv, and led us to the dock, through the same scenes wo had witnessed the evening previous. We put olfat eight, and reached Kingston by the following dawn, when we were immediately marched away to the jail, a largo edifice near the center of the town, where we remain- ed seated on the floor, until twelve M., when we wero again called on to move. At this time a waggon was provided for us, in which we were Griv.M slowlv across the Rideau to Fort Hen- ry, follo^ved and accompanied by the Kingston Sheriff,, deputy, and jailer, the Niagara deputy and jailer, with a whole division of red coats, carryi)ig arms at pre- sent. At the gates of the fort the guard was turned out to receive us, and our entrance was between two ■-^, 4'^ ■ ' *?• fe ^> h ■f^ v^ ■v^ &- '.m «&fe..:.'.titi. nt foj LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 87 platoons of soldiers, which closed after us as if to shut out the hope of ever repassing that barrier. Fort II. is constructed of good workmansliip, on a comman- ding position, and luis an imposing appearance. It is commodiously planned, and has an area of about a half acre, with a large reservoir for water underneath. If well manned, it might hohl out against almost any number of assailants. Our irons were soon knocked off, and our pockets searched — money, knives and papers taken from us, but afterwards, all but the papers were restored. The prisoners already herr*, consisting of those from To- ronto, London District, IVint au I'.dee, and Ningara. were in two rooms or wards, without communication. I was, with three others, McLeod, Beemcr, and Warner, ushered into the one occupied by Messrs. Parker, Wixon, Watson, and fifteen or sixteen others, where we found a breakfast jirepared, of which we partook with avidity, it being the first food ollevred that 5ay, though then near four P. M. I was surprised, and even piqued, by the congratula- tions with which I was greeted by all. It seemed a perfect verifying of the old sentiment of "misery likes company.''' But I soon discovered that it was a genu- ine burst of joy for our opportune escape from death; for of our respite and ultimate commutation, they had received no information previous to that morning, and nece&::arily supposed we had sullered the penalty de- signed. As soon as I had time to look about me and make inquiry, I found my companions consisted of what re- I I- vi ■. -J' ,"<1' ' ''f s >' 88 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. A ii^iMk. fliii : !' lit; :i •!l^''., i'-'ii',' Ji:'.;: ,i'i:-|;!l' ^";i;|: '::!:>'"' H.'il,' \m V *■ nitiiiiL'd of tl»c Toronto, London District prisoners, and J. G. Parker, while tlie others occupied a ward ad- joining. Parker and Watson were the two unfortu- nately recaptured after the celebrated escape of sixteeii persons from this fort — fourteen of whom succeeded in reaching the U. S. 1 obtained a circumstantial ac- count of the whole affair, but do not consider it neces- sary to be given here. I looked upon it as a daring adventure, that must have emanated from a fearless, intrepid spirit, and been guided by a master hand, that would have done honor to the cause of liberty, if brought into full action in the field of battle. The whole exhibits a sagacity and courage belonging to but few, who were left to act in the patriot cause. Wo can only conjecture what the efiect would have been, liad these and other restrained brave spirits had a pro- per field for action. Jt will remain a wonder to all who visit the fort, how a plan ])articipated in b}'' so many, could have been matured and followed up with sufficient precaution, to })crmit the digging through d four foot wall, and traversing of near half the under- ground rooms and outside trench of the fort, with suc- cess. While we were there many persons visited the interior, with no other motive than to witness the thea- tre of so noted an escape, from such an impregnable fortress. I found the society very agreeable indeed; and our time was not "killed,'' as is usually the case with pri- soners, nor spent in games of chance, swearing, lewd conversation, tale-ielling, &c. &c. But industry pre- vailed — all were engaged in something useful, orna- II Sll 1' o\ ill II '11 w -^1 "I LKTTERS FKOM V. I). L. 80 iiirsntal or entertaining — somo wore reading, some wntnig; others were occui)ie(l m nuiking port lolios, small wooden boxes, or other mementoes for (Vicndiv presents. I soon introduced the art of making a sort of eiirioLisly wrought paper memorial, on wiiicli were iu'jcribed, in elegant style, names and short, i)ithy mottoes, savoring of ])atri()tism and philantliropy. These were eagerly sought after, and bundles of them •tunitv. were sent to our Irumds every opportunity Messrs. Wixon, \\'atson, Tidey, Parker, McLcod, and myself, united in an association, soon after wo had come among them, for the purpose of lite-rary im- jirovement and amusement for the long evenings, by delivering, in rotation, original lectures, in writing, delivering, or listening to them, the time rolled cheer- I'uUy and unheeded on. My first address was upon the subject of Patriotism. 1 spoke ardent and earnestly, and with all the ability and eloquence ] was master of; for it was a subject that had actuated every nerve of my system, and re- duced me to my present slavish situation. ]>y request, I copied it for several persons, among whom was Mr. Parker, whose copy felt into the hands of the tory fac- tion at Cornwall, and became the cause of considera- ble harshness, for it spoke very disparagingly of the government. Every Sabbath we listened with pleasure to an evan- gelical discourse and instructing commentations on the Psalms of David, with other interesting passages of scripture, by Mr. Wixon. Indeed, we had great reason to regard the presence of this very excellent ii ••Jhi ^^ ■ f 00 LETTERa I'ROM V, O. L. ■i[i!i|lf3;n| '■ V :i^. ,;i(;'fc. '■r' >. ;!: ',:' ?(» '1' ,(, ;,;:•., a^iMi man us contributing largcl} to our spiritual good and temporal quiet. Al)i)ut two weeks nftor our arrival, Sir George Ar- thur visitid th'.' fnit. ll(' ni.'ulf liis citirr with as much pomp and panu'ui as the head of all the; Autocrats would assume on a friia tin v. Aft f r an arrav and manou vering ot'all the sohh'ors in th • L;Mrri.son, Ik tcjok pos- session of onr> of the ofiiccrs roonv and sent for most )f th •ticularlv th N But e prisoners, jiarticularly those Irom Aiagara. Jiul I was sh\:^hte(l. There was no condcscrjision, no courtesy for m". I had disj)leas(jd him, ui.pardonahly ofTended him, and ho must show it. Since the Earl of D. had resignrul, and left th(; government in the charge of Sir .T(dm Colborne, a man equally i)lood-thirsty as himself, he f(dt no restraint, and no disposition to mol- lify, hut to add to tin; mental misery of all who were under his displeasure. While he had given hope to all called upon, for a lenient course being pursued in each inrlividual case, and an admission to freedom on guar- anteed good conduct, "there was no favor to bo ex- pected by the obstinate Wait."' Our provisions consisted of one pound of bread, threc-fourlhs pound fresh moat, and a small quantity of vegetables served us twice per week — tea and sugar we supplied ourselves. The food was prepared by one of our number, sent to a hir(ding for cooking and invariably returned short of what it went out. The bread seldom lasted the time it was designed; and I have knov/n eighteen extra loaves bought in our ward in one week, in addition to the rations re- ceived. LrTTKR.S FROM V. D. L. 01 I Tlio prisoners nprirtmonts wore visited ovory roscnco i>'i tbi; luilil.nry r.iiictionnricM. FiVcry bod, box or package was removed; s(» that oach square incli of tho (lour could bo seen ami sounded; Clotbes banrririG' af^-iiii^ ''o wall, wore carotullv mo- O lJ o ► vod asidf^ that no spot g'lt b • bid from vi.^w. I'ho men likewise were all parided in th?.' middlo of tbo ward, iu single llle, and answered to tlvir namer., while the sergeant audibly counted tht! nunib{M* pr^iscnt, and an ensign roH^rred to a pajier b -Id in his hand, to soc that none were missing. In j'dving a Captain who visited, relative to the extreme precautions used, he ro])lied — "you Yan!;ees are such slippery iMlows, that wo never know wdien we've got you. Stone w[dls, iron grates, and 7'cd rnrffs- are no seeurity.*' They were warni;d to thos'"' dailv examinations bv the latfi escape. VVo usually had a man stationed at the window about the hour of the customary visits, to report the approach of the ofTicors, when every article of amusement or me- mento would be put aside'; for an order liad been issu- ed by tlie commandant, prohibiting the manufacture of those trifles, fearing they had been, or would be, used as bribes for the sentinel, 6cc. On the morning of the fourth of November, the man at the window reported the approach of the slierifl', accompanied by two females. My heart fluttered with intense anxiety, ! i' %. *>. J^f". V'.'^ "« -->. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I Hi |2S |2.5 U£ 1^ |2.2 ^ li£ IIIIIM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■• 6" ► c^l Va .^v 7: '/ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 .. | viduals m(.')itioin;d, each hoping to discover in them a friend. As soon as 1 caught a view of the figures, the c.\|)ressi(jn of *'my wife!'' hurst from my lips in deep pathos. In an inordinate tremor of delight, I waited the tardy unlocking of the door, when I found in my embracf> the ohj^ct of all my anxious solicitude hut a shadow of mortality. In every lineament of the f;icc were visal)l(! tracf;s of care anrl intense anxiety. Unusual exertion, combined with deep mental distress, hud made sad havoc of youth and of health, though ih.; sj)irit was yet whole and the mind still firm. This new exjjression of her allection, despite the dangers of lat(} lake navigation, endeared her more, if possible, to my Imart than ever, and I felt, though u prisoner, I would not exchange conditions with the mail, though wealthy and free, who had no allection lavished upon him but what his riches ])urchased. We had but a few minutes for conversation. The sheriff, as soon as he had examined the room, told her to leave, as he must lock the door. However, she fitood awhile at the grated window, but not a word must pass without being heard by the guard, or a trille || given without examination. A parcel containing winter clothes, a few pounds of tea, some butter and dried fruit, w^itli a pail of preserves, were cautiously inspected before they could be given up to mc. The same conduct was pursued towards Miss Chandler in her communications with her father, in the next ward. Mrs. Wait visited me each morning while I remained, LETTEllS PROM V. I). L. 1)3 report had the iiuh- iii them a figures, ny lips in lelight, I n I found solicitude :nt of the anxiety. 1 distress, I, though m. spite the ler more, , though with the allbction rciiased. 1. The told her or, she a word !• a trifle ntaining tter and utiously Tho idler in :t ward. nained. for the sad consolation of fifteen minul s conversation ut the window, f(3i' suhseciuent to the fir.^t visit, she was d(.'harr(;d enternig the do(H*. At that time, my health was very good, not having indulg«.'(l in usel(\ss repining, hut drawing my mind as mucli as possible from all sources of discontent and sorrow, having been taught, that contentment in a calm and quiet mind, is a "bank that never fails; a bank that yields a perpetual dividend of happiness,"' let the possessor be in whatever situation lu,' may, a prison, a work-house, or poverty at liome. And, that industry was a virtue that would take awav half the dreariness of the prison walls. It does, indeed, busy the mind, and thus prevent the gathering of gloom, while it raises pleasures by exercising the fancy; and imparts delight by the development of heretofore hidden faculties or abilities. When at large, amid the quiet and pleasant "flowery fields,'' one must be of a very lethargic dis- position indeed, who could not enjoy the prospect, and indulge in the pleasures of life: but when he is incar- cerated, and all the beauties of nature, the feelings, sympathies, and publications of the world and society are shut from him, if his mind can associate the pic- tured fancies of the landscape with objects, however gloomy, around him, and feel thankful for thus much of enjoyment, he is truly worthy of happiness. While here in this fort, Becmer gave the first indi- cation of a deceitful and treacherous disposition. It was observed by some of our companions, yet I could not receive the opinion. But few of the number, how- ever, would associate with him, on account of his ex- rf ' / 01 LKTTKRS FKO.M V. D. I,. ■$ f : 1?^ >'i I'l r r'»l'^ I ,1 :iV 4 ,.1 trcnie vulgarity arifl ()b.scouc conversation. Durii'g tho liuur [jorniitted lor daily rccroaliun in liic area ot' the fort, a small space ui' vviiich was allotted to us, Heoiner would walk to and fro, dark and moodily, in a|)|)(;arance a itcrlect ijcr-sonificalion of one of Milton'.s *'fallen angils, ticvisiiig nefarious schcnjcs against tiie liuman race.'' I I) lie v<', however, his feigned dis- clo.surcs gained no favor at the •'J'uiinl (j' /air,'' though penned hy the iiiimilahic John ,\rlhur Tidoy. Fur collie lime after our arrival, rumors were afloat of the Ciovornor sending part of our number to (Que- bec; and wh;.'n his Ivxctdlency visited the lort, it was said i>y some, 'hat ti.cy IkuI Iccii iidormcd by him, a part of tho pris jwers slio.ild be fret d on bail, while others would l;e s-r.t to Ciu« bcc. J5ut these reports had died away, aiid v,e hi gan to .'■ui^pose tho lateness of the s»as:o;i [)reeiu(!' d tho possibility of a I'cmoval. Jjut on tho mornins' of ir;e Dili of November, wo were miserably undeceived upon that subji el, for muidi ear- lier than usual, JShei id' McDonald entcrc d the fort, ac- companied by Mrs. Wait. Ho came directly to our ward, and announ^-ed ihc; order of the Clovernor lur an **iuimcdiato removal to (^uv bee, for safe keeping du- ring tho vv'inter, uC Wixon, Wat.^on, Parker, Wait, McLcod, Chandler, Walker, Alves, Bedford, Malcolm, Brown, Anderson, Waggoner, Vernon, Miller, Rey- nolds, Grant, Mallory, Gemmell, McNulty, Codcy, Van Camp and I'eemer. The others, Tidey, Hart, A:c., will remain for further orders.'^ Ho continued, "the orders arc peremptory for an immediate march, for he does nol think it safe to retain you here, as the coun- IJ I . 10 area ol" -'d to us, jodily, in f IMilton'.'j gainst tlio Lulled dis- ,'' though f.re a float r to (^ue- ■t, it WDH y liifii, a il, whiiu '- reports lateness jcniova]. wc wer*' uch ear- fort, ae- y to our . I, o: ,*i irv is in a state of excitement uwd aluru), in the ex- pectation ol" an irruption from tin; Stut-'.s. Vou will, iherclore, iiave hut an ln»ur to prf[»aro in, which you will, of course, usu to the hi-.^-t a(I\antMg". W ait, if h(; wisrhes, can accompany his nif-' l) on*; uf the va- cant rooms, where they will bo out nf ih.- bustle, and my deputy will attend th in, with an armed guard, and particularly C'bservc that uu papers (u- other illicit articles |)a:>s b<;lWf(Mi ihi'm luvxamined.*' We accept- ed the oll'U* of tl:'^ slierilf as a courtesy, i\.)]i\ I'oUowed the fleputy U) a room (July oceup;<(i liy the trunks, elotiies, ba<^sc:i5;-e\ Ckc, of Mes>rs. .Monl.<'')uierv, Jiro- pile, kS:c., left in l!i ir flight, whilj wi; in turn were closely foll(AVed by a redcoat, who in his li' art pitied our forlorn ])rospect, but dare not ^\io\v il iu j)rescnco of thn wonder at. Oh that 1 could ever be guided, or actuated, by the same inspiring feelings of resignation that were infused in my soul at that last parting scene. N(jt one murmur was breathed again^t my wayward des- tiny, but my heart was fdled with an inexpr(3ssible glow of satisfaction; that continued to cheer, and buoy it up, until the last farewell wave of the handkerchief ••I 98 MU3. WAIt'b LKTTER. of my bosom companion died in tlio distance, and I found myself on tlio bow deck of a steamboat, coupled hand and foot to J. (I. barker, and surrounded with my companions in tribulation, among a numbc;r of horses* who disputed possession with us, as well as a whole regiment of regulars, whoso bristling bayonets showed well that no escape from there was practicable. As a new sccno is now commencing, I will close tills communication. I renviin, dear sir, Yours, 6jc. &:c. 4 LIOTTEU V. MRS. WAir^S LETTER VISIT TO FORT HENRY. \r'' 1 ■ • ■'' ■ i ! LocKPORT, Dec. 20, 183.^.. 1 o , iAIy Dear Friend: It is under deep depression of feel- ing, that I attempt to acknowledge the i'cceipt of your kind favor, and endeavor to inform you of my painful, though providential, visit to my dear husband at Fort llcnry. I left my child, and with a supply of winter clothing for Mr. Wait, and many other necessaries for the comfort of the poor prisoners, set out for Kings- ton on the 2d Nov.; and b(;ing informed, at Niagara, that I could not expect to sec my husband without an order from the Governor; I called on Sir George at Toronto, requesting permission to do so. He told mo that the responsibility alone devolved upon the Sheriff MRS. WAIT S F.KTTF-K. m* and 1 'oijplcd 'ith my |liorses, whole allowed close vV c. ;ind ollicers of the garri.son; but that did it rest wiih him, ho should deem it imjjrud'Mit to arhnit me withiu 1^ ihe walls of the Fort. I king rather amuse ' willi th novel idea, I smiled, and asked him why? lie roj)licd» *Hhero was little douht hut that I was aware of the .s^- oret combinations formed on tlie American side, for the subversion of the government; and females, wh were capable of doing injury, might be very dangerous visiters in such a jdae*'/' L'pon which I laughed again, "brgging that his lv\c(dlency would not d<'[)rivc me 3 S * 102 MRij. WAIT S LKTTKU. i iM i 1 , .Ti. '* 1' " "' '!• u lio giianlcd lliom, pns.scil (»ut of tl»u furt, 1 lollowcd ill tlic (Jisljiiicc, ga/ingal'lrr flio |tfirtncr ofniy liO,' iiiul nirccticiMs, wlio was fa-st rcccdiMg tVoin my sight. Tlicy wore soon lo(Ig(.'(.l on lioaitl tlu! lio'il to bo cnr- iictl onward; and as tlio Irwl glihi|».so was cut short, by ihc crowding ol* tlic; soldiers on deck, unconsions ofniy own lon*dy situation, or aught, save the distressing Ic'cdings lliat absorbed my ^oul, 1 lelt myscll' sijiking to the ground, wiien an chlcrly g<'ntleman, wlioni I had not seen until then, took lioki of my arm, and kindly asked nic if any of those prisoners were friends <»fniine? I told him my husband was there. He said ho would sec mo to a house whero I could remain un- til I was better able to go to my boanling house; which lie did, and brought m(! some hot wine and water, which served in a measure to recruit me, as I was very cold, having stood nearly two hours in Ji bleak November wind. This kind, good man informed mc when ilie boat had left, and 1 arose with an cObrt to reach my lodgings, where 1 went immediately to bod, not being able to sit up until the next day; and must ever feel grateful to my compassionate hostess, Mrs. WHielplcy, who, with licr fann'ly, treated mc with the lUujost kindness, making no charge for their attention. My business being now completed at Kingston. I returned to my dear child, whom I look; and, heart stricken with the trials I had suOered ir^ Canada, I came to this place, where, I am thankful t^ say, I have found many friends, who sympathise with, and endea- vor to console mc; and since here, I have received a letter from my dear husband, at Quebec, describing 1 ■ i"' KETTE118 FROM V. I). L. UK] tlio many hardships ho rnduiVMl (ni the pftssago down, and informing mo thfU lie was, indeed, lo eml)aik for I'.ngland, on the; '2Ikl idt., wiiith'r I camiot but hope I shall yet be enabled to go, and picail fur a panlon or mitigation of his sulU-rings, at the foot of the throne. Surely the youthful (^U'^en will deign to listen to my cntP.aties, if 1 ean reaeh her; and I dit trust, that Ciod, m his mercy, will provide a way for me to do so, though all seems dark at present; and if it is at all praelicahlc, bo assured, I will go; at which lime, how- ever, 1 will write you agtiin. Yours, truly, M. \V. LETTEll \1. lo AsMoRONE, near Oatlands, V. I). L. August, 1840. IMy Dear Sir : My last closed on the Oih of Nov., 5^ at the embarkation of twenty-three state prisoners on board the steamer Coburgh, and the last parting scene with my wife. When the fiat went forth that separa- ted us, probably forever, she followed at a distui.ce, (as near as the humanity of our guards would permit her to approach,) saw my legs and arms shackled, and still accompanied to the place of embarkation, and there stood in the face of a chill wintry wind, waving adieus until wo were lost to her sight. When aroused to a sense of reality by the surround- ing objects of life, and the pains caused by the chains >. j'ii i' III 4 If! m 104 LETTERS FHOM V. I). L. L ,, •! ''li ^ i-s '■'.;*>,■ of despotism, I began to give place to a concc})lion of loneliness, and a disposition to review the cliequcretl scones of the farticipaling in that good, yet the anticipation carried with it a full compensation for all my personal sufTuring and loss. 1 could see in the obscurity of the future a succession of trials, of distress, and of sorrow; yet beyond was a gleam of sunshine, a bright halo of joy, piercing the gloom, and beaconing me on to the rencounter, with not a mere hope, but a glowing confidence, ground- ed o)i substantial evidence, that has not }'ct deserted me, though a gulf of sorrow and banks of trouble must yet be traversed ere 1 reach the gleam of sun- shine, or am encircled by that halo of joy; the par- taker of freedom reunited to the dear ones of earth. Still the probability of evil and want befalling those loved ones, occasionly brought with it a corroding thought, a bitter pang, yet God was their shield, in whom they trusted, and surely I ought not to mourn distresses I knew no certainty of. You will sec by the following extract from one of Mrs. Wait's letters, mentioned in my last, and written on the night of the 8th Nov., in expectation of not visiting me on the morning of the 0th, that she had LFTTKRS FROM V. I). L. 105 nol llio slightest iiiliin.-ilion of ilio h;i.sty rv."Moval pre- vious lo the rnoriiing on wliicli wo embarked. * * * '*I bnvo roiuaiiiL-J afrc, afitr bcnig iiituniictl ihat I could not bo uUdwcJ to rciiilor you iiiiy ast^islauci-', or even visit vi>ii in your nboilo, unlc-^s undor euch rest rid ions aa would ndd lo c)ur inieory; for I could nol bring my-rdf to leave the m[)o( wbcre •)iy liH.-biind tiijr wnll^, IcPfi ob- diirntc, in fact, than tbc bcails of your reliMitlfcB koejicrH. I feel a melancholy plea'^uro in gazing uiion you, though it be through n grated window, and in convcr.'^ing with yon, tboivji »'V(>ry word JH greedily ewnllowtdby an uidVeling guard. Oli! will I he (iinc ever conic when we will bo diirrieiilly eircum'^lri'iccil .' Alfliough eve- ry other conBidoralioii in but fccondfiry, yd I niu-( fear inypelf awny, for our d'.ar babe claims a nv:)(lKr'H earc Tiiore is no op- pjriunity olfering for my gaining my daily bread, which I fain would do, if I could in the sligbleat measure meliorate y(nir con- dition, or avert one pang from your already eitrcharged heart. The pca^on is aleo rapidly apiiroachifig in which i( would be utter- ly inipo=;siblo tor mo to i-egain my hoinc. 'J'here in, likowi«c, ho iuuch exf'ilement in the country, and rumors of a gencTal riying, that the Governor may take it into his head to remove you and your fellow prisoner.--, which would necessarily r^uiler iny t * "v:" I. '•'■■I' kill . > mcnls expressed at our parting were stronger reitera- tions of these, yet a sight of the precious billet would often refresh the mind, and bring tiic recurrence of a thought that might not otherwise have presented itself at the particular time it was needed. They remained loldcd, and in the depths of my pocket for some clays "ere I enjoyed their perusal. In fact, cogitations upon the past, and the realities of the present, had driven them from my mind. (Jur quarters on board the steamer were most un- eomfortahlc, crowded on the bow deck, and penned in on all sides by the military guard, with three horses amoi]g us, and the deck covered with their litter, upon which wo must either lie or stand, while the weather was very cold, and we had nothing but our own clothes to protect us from it. The horses were restive, and often endangered the lives and limbs of those who es- sayed to find a bed near them. Our baggage had been piled on our inner skirt; Parker and myself availed ourselves of its contiguity, and settled down upon it, where I endeavored to lull myself to sleep, but vainly, tor whenever I fell into a drowse, the piercing cold communicated by the iron on my bare wrists, would suddenly arouse me to painful sensations; and the chains upon my leg kept that in a state of numbness. Yet those were i jt evidences sufficient to remind us of our debasement. The comfort of sitting was too n ch for us to en- joy in the presence of a stripling ensign of the 93d regiment of the Queen's Own L. I., who happened to pass and observe us. He instantly ordered the sentry LETTERS FROM V. D. L 107 tu "prick up tlic d d rebels with liis baj'onet, and make tlicm stand." Wc regarded not the order, sup- posing it given oidy in the exuberance of vinolent spi- rits; but tiiis petty oflicer, early schooled in the brutal policy of his government, enraged at the slight his authority had sullbred, drew his sword, and swore he 'Mvuuld force up the villains, and send them forward among the herd.'* liut I could not discern the ne- cessity of resigning my scat and standing, during a cold and tedious night, therefore remained unmoved. This obstinacy created an altercation that brought to the deck Commander ■Major Arthur, who, before any enquiry, gave the usual order to "shoot down the pris- oners if any suspicious movements were observed:'* and then demanded "the cause of the row.*' The officer replied "it was [my] refusal to obey his orders and move forward.'' "Does he !" returned the re- doubted Arthur, "I wish I was empowered to do so, I would rid the world of them all at once, and thus re- lieve the British government of further trouble with them." The master of the boat came to his assistance, with language more filing a Billingsgate Calender than this letter, of which Parker got his full share. I still re-* niained sitting, and pointed out the im[)ossibility of finding room, even for standing, f u'ward of where we were, wiien the civic ofliccr, in whose immediate charge wc were placed, interfered, and begged wc might be sufiered to remain. It was "granted," and the valiant Major, with his Billingsgate champion, returned to 'Wt '■'6? ■* ■ w •> ' Si M^ 'I- "^1^:. .>,. ) 'I It lOS LETTERS FROM V. D. L. .-^^ a! :-t I' \" > ■'(■■ II ■■•!i»i;,:.'i:i tlioir caliiu and tlieir cups. The invslovv was ox- j)laino(l Wy tlic sontrv, "on iho sly,'' wlio said, "you should liavo arisou when tlio olTiccr ordered it, and then you could have sat down again, and nothing more would have been said. lie only wanted to show bin authority.*' Well ! well ! thought I, if wo must re- ceive such marks of the power of every petty minion we moot, our reslraini will not be ideasanl. We glided down the waters of the Ontario and St. Lawrence with speed, and found ourselves at a wharf at Prcscott very early the following morning. Here lay the small steamboat Dolphin, with a piece of brass ordinance mounted on her bow, and a company of volunteers on board. About eight we were transfered to her, and prepared to descend the Long Sault rapids. The morning wa;i extremely cold, and we suffered much, being entirely unsheltered. I'he day, however, became fine as the sun approached the meridian, and we enjoyed with considerable delight the passage down this noble river, though the novelty was interrupted by the clanking of ciuiins, and the ])ains from our wrist- lets. As we approached the head of t!ie Long Sault, WG beheld the river narrowing to ^i very contracted * channel, down which "the < waters of many lakes" whirled with a dizzying rapidity that seemed to beto- ken destruction to our frail bark. "Its war of waters tumultuous roar,'**' and the giddy whirl of its eddies, appeared to yawn in terror upon us, and the master and crew were palsied with fear, for this was the first attempt at "riding the Sault" with a craft of that kind, LETTERS FROM V. 1). I, 100 ami only risked through tho imperious necessity of a passage boat below, to replace one scuttled and sunk l)y the patriots. However, we "threaded tho passage"' salViy, round- 0(1 to at the foot to wood, and then continued to Corn- wall, where we arrived about two P. M., having ac- complished the distance in an incredible short space of time. It was said then, that the distance of nine miles was. run in fifteen minutes. In passing down the St. Lawrence, the ruu^ir of excitement was veri- fied by multitudes of militia collected and drilling ujton lis banks, who generally saluted us with IfMul huzzas, r()iis(Mj, probably, by the cannon on our deck. We p'iss<;il unansweiing, save in one solitary case, when Mr. .J. .1, !McXulty (th ; poor fellow is now dead) sprang upon the cannon, dragging his l)Oon companion with him, and shouted three times, in a fUintorian voice, '*llurra for the Patriots !'" then leaped down amid the deafening "braves'' of his companions. Wo nearly [)aid dear for his temerity, for th.; sound of "Patriots," brought the musliitoom gentry's arms to a present, but perhaps their guns were charged v/ith something be- sides powder, or had "wooden flints" in them, for nothing followed. The whole lines we passed evi- fienlly expected a descent, for when our boat, carrying no ensign, rounded to from the American channel of the Long Sault, or approached near the shores, tho banded militia fled in evident panic, or skulked to watch tl The we movements of the boat rain comm reached Cornwa need falling in torrents just before 11, to which we were exposed with- ' "ff i !.';1 h j ? v.. ! / » no r.K'ITKIlS FROM V. D. L. A u i Ic 'I « ■ 1 - - ■ ■■ ^ ' '4 ' i .' -t out remedy. As soon as \vc touched tlic wharf, the commandant of tho station, Col. Tnrncr, (wiio sported a VV^•U.J^loo Scargeunt's Medal on the outside breast of his coat,) was, with his olFicers, called to hold a coun- cil in tho cabin ot' the boat, which, after an hour spent in consultation, dctcrmineil on detaining us there for a few days, until the "rising below should be qu'dlcd," which 7('e hoped would succeed to the hearts content of the participators, and visit Cornwall ere many hours. (>ol. Turner's corps were turned out in the rain to guard us to the j:-'!, who were a set of as ragged, and as hideous looking \/retches as I ever beheld in the shape of men. When they were ranked in double tile, the gallant colonel, from under the awning of the boat, ordered them to "load with ball cartridge, and shoot down every man who showed the slightest disposition to escape."" Our luggage was thrown upon the dock, that the boat misrht be used to carry men to the scene on the other shore, of the "high spirited war" that was being wa- ged against defenceless women and*childrcn, and the conflagration of their houses, barns and stores. VVlicn all were prepared for marching, and tho colonel on horseback, he took the opportunity of haranguing his "noble fellows,'' in the true spirit of an upstart British swaggart, with no other apparent design than to impress us with high ideas of his consequence, and keep us longer exposed to the pitiless storm. I um sure he could not have taken a course better calcula- ted to exemplify a mean cowardly heart, than the one he adopted. And not a man among us gave him cred- LETTERS FROM V. D. L. Ill it for any tiling more than what ho really was worth. There is no conceiving how long we might have been subjected to this detention, had not the rain cooled his garrulity, and benefitted us by producing tlie order to "mircli.'' The road was uncommonly bad, aiitl it was with exertions painful in the extreme, that we drew our chained limbs along, encumbered with a part of our baggage, which we were told we must carry or lose; tlie remainder, however, was subsequently sent after us. Wc linally readied the jail, a large brick l»uil- (ling, three quarters of a mile from the landing, with an imposing appearance upon the outside. But inside, like the Jewish sepulchres, *'filled with dead men's bones,"' alias, filth, vermin, and a number of the drunken orange soldiery, thrown in the cells for a few hours, to give time for their superabundant spirits to evaporate. Indeed, a shelter of any kind, would liavc been, at that time, peculiarly grateful; so when wo wore ushered into the large dirty hall, wc were not disposed to murmur at the absence of all comfort, a "I'oaring fire excepted," which soon, however made us feel the consequences of a sudden transition from severe cold to intense heat. The badness of the roads, and inclemency of the weather, had fatigued us so ef- fectually, that wc were fain to throw ourselves upon the floor, as soon as wc entered. Our clothes, satura- ted with rain, steaming in the heat, rendered our con- dition horribly disagreeable; and the iron clevies upon our wrists had also caused them to swell in such a manner, that on some the iron was buried in the flesh. i- "V^fh I ii 'i H, '; 1- . ,-r "'^ 112 LETIl.US FUOM V. I). L. , ■? • ^4 ill? If I' •ti 1!! ■ 1 i ■' causiijg cxcrutiatliig pain, as well the inconvenience of retaining upon us our upper garments. You can scarce form an idea of our circumstances; mine were as follow.s — In the fir.;t place, I hrul on a cloak with my manacled arm through the arin hole; then an over and an under coat, all of which I had thrown ofl' as far as 1 could, leaving them hanging on my right arnu Parker had dune tlie same with two coats, thus wo had four wet coats and a cloak dangling between us, no slight inconvenience, you will nay, for persons fa- tigued as we were. We felt it so; indeed, we thought it unendurable, and np[died to some young oflicers. who out of curiosity vi.dted us during the night, to have the cud's removed. Tiioy brought the colonel to see us, but instead of his syh)palhy being excited by our su'ierings, he swore ho would add to, rather than diminish our irons, or decrease our "deserved punishments.'' I felt enraged at his inhumanity, and declared, if my life was spared, and liberty regained, I would meet him again, when he would de^arly rue his brutality to deienceless prisoners. lie muttered curses upon my insolence, and departed. Nothing daunted, we next sent for the military surgeon, who came, examined our wrists, and said *'it was indeed too bad,'' but he had no power to act, further than to advise a rclca.se from the culls, which he did, without eiTect. And we poor slaves of caprice must spend the night with all our wet clothes and irons on, upon the floor, without bed or bedding, rest or sleep. A cup of tea from the provident store of Mrs. Wait, revived drooping natiire f: M LKllKllS FUO.M v. I>. L. ]\'A cnicncc ou can 10 were alv with an over I of]' us ;lit arm. Lliiis we :on us, iOllS fu- tliouglit :>fliccr.s. ght, to colonel excited , rather escrveil 1, if my Id meet ality to )on my *ve next amincd but he release \nd we v'ith all without :om the :natdre (I littlo. Indeed, it was with a hlessing upon her licad that wo partook of it at this time, and subsequently; •n the morning following, a very good breakfast, of hnof steak and lea, was furnished i)y the good nalurcii Duich jailer, who, while wo were eating, enturtai.'icii us with some of his complaints against the gtjvcrn- mciit. Ife said his father hail been ruintul by tlic govcrnmont, and so had himself; still ho thought tic ought to 1x5 loyal. About eleven, the Deputy :Sherili' who a(:coiiipanied us from Kingston, made hi,; apic^ru- an<;'', for tho fii-st lime since landing, olloring tiio in- idoiii'Mii'v of the Wvjnthcr as an excuse, ibrg'ttinsj o'li greater inconvcnionco in the mean time. Aft-.'r Iv:. J) ul examined our wrists, ho concluded to take the cutis olF Inr the day; but a "rumor of invasion" came wiiile h'^ WIS in th) act; ho therefore reinvested us witli th.'mi iinmodiatcly, permitting us, however, to tlirow olV'''!!- upper garments, and have them put on transver.= !y, viz., my left hand to Mr. l'"s right, while my riglit leg was chained to his lcl"t. Thus we r-nnained for twn days, cross ironed; yet it was a relief to the arm lir-M invested. We therefore spent the day in comparaliv 'iomfort, and enjoyed a season of retVeshing prayer, with scriptural reading and a religious discourse, 'uy Mr. Wixon, who, having but one leg, was not cncuiu- bered with irons. The town of Cornwall, and, indeed, every part o!' the country, was in a state of feart'ul alarm and ex- citement. Terror was depicted in every countenance we saw — Turner's was not excepted. We wore ri- gidly guarded, and every motion was observed; pons, 8 'i ill LKTTEKS KROM V. I>. L. i I '" ■ I 'SVU I . ■fi ■ i ink and paper were taken, fearing \sc might givo in- formation of our detention tlierc, and a consequent rnscuo bo attempted. Various rumors were liourlv arriving, of the I'atriot's success, magnified, of course, by the credulous rclater. The re|)orts were not des- tinod for our cars; hut the proximity of the council ehamher, and tlie earnest trepidation with which the news was related, rendered it impossible for a word to escape our hearing; consequently the exaggerated accounts raised our anticipations and hopes to high expectations. On the second dav of our continuance at Cornwall, the steamboat returned with a load of volunteers; and two liundred stand of arms were distrihuted to them from tlic door of the jail. Those additional men, it was ••xpected, would effectually secure the place against the expected attack; yet the otTicers who gu'c out the arms, expressed fears, in a consultation, of these very ouns Iwing turned against themselves. Indeed, I he- iievo if the place had been attacked by a very few res- olute men, not only would it have been carried, but nearly all the militia would have become insurgents. On Monday, a number of the young militia ofhcers visited us, and were very communicative; they rcpeat- <^dly intimated a hope, nay, on assurance, that we would not be retained as prisoners much longer. Our cuffs were removed for a few hours during the day; but, out of compassion^ were locked on for the night. We laid down early, in our clothes; and the orders were strict against having any lights burning in the jail that night, fearing they might operate as beacons, 'v'/:;!*: ■ ?l ll^' ^m I.KTTKRM FROM N. I). I.. 115 10 tiio attacking party. About ten an alarm was youn- (led, and we, the poor slaves to caprice and terror, were ordered for removal instantly. lUit before we could g(!t on our overelothes, the order for immediate inarch was countermanded; still we wen; to hold our- selvo; ready to move at a moment's warning. The authorities knew not what to do, and were distracted in their councils, lt\ the arrival of one express after another, bringing intelligence of the "PrescoU inva- sion,*' and various others, only known by report. Humors of an intended assault upon their own town, induced them to got rid of us at all hazards. A retro- grade movement was not practicable; it was therefore (letcrmined to go on toward Quebec, and run the gaunt- let with the "rebels of Lower Canada.'* 13 ut the great- est difficulty Jiow presented was, the procuring an ad- e-juato guard to accompany us, the fear of the Patriot t'orces ran so high. However, about ten A. M. the escort was ready, and we again embarked. Our boat, this time, was the "Neptune,** Capt. IJulloek, who re- ceived us on the bow, wheie wo stood, or sat, on tbe bare deck, tor the whole day, in a drizzling rain — l)ei ng rct'used permission to go under the promenade, where was unoccupied space suilicient to accommodate a hundred or more persons. We touched lor a mo- ment at Lancaster, whore tho excitement prevailed in as great a degree as at Con.wall; and as the dusky clouds of evening were falling about us, wo approach- ed the low, muddy looking Goto Du Lac, just within tho precincts of Lower Canada, and the spot where Mrs. Wait so providentially met Sir George, on her i.. no LETTFRS FIIOM V. ». I,. t m i!? '■•I ' Ik' '■m return fr m Quebec. As wo touched tlio wlmrf, hiw- * ycr McDoiifilil, of h^t. Catharines, stepped on board; (ind ftftcr inquiring of n»y family, and my proUfdjU- destiny, told iivj of tlie defeat of tlie habituns, witli im- incnso sI'.Mghtcr — tlie sacking anti burning of their villages — the destruction of families and property; and f.-nded with siying, *'lhat'.s the way! 'J'o destroy the crows, you must burn their nests, and extM-minate their young *' Inhuman idea, thought I; yet it might bo well if it had n(jt been suggested to other minds than Ids; for tlie hi^rhest men, in this portion of th(; r.riti.ih r.'alm, possessed tli;.' sam;3 barbarous opinion, and ac- l (I upon it to tlr; fidlcst extent. This policy was sitn- |dy but forcibly illustrated by a poor fellow, tlie pilot of llic boat, who 5:;aid, with tears upon his ch(:el\3. in his broken English, *'d ? poor woujan and de childs ran in (k; wood.- from th- roldiers, and by'm by they eomo back — no b m ■", no home, no pork, no bread! What can dey do.' i-iic down in de stKnv, fivf/c starve, die! Oh mon Dieu!*' From the villaf;:) we were taken, in i-'ri'iieh "tum- brils,*' to lh(} old fort, soma distanc(3 below. 'J\vo pair (four men) were placed in each cart, and drawn by one horse. The roads were so muddy and bad. that it was often necessary for us to got down, and ex- tricate the empty cart from the ruts. ►5till the inhuman guard thought proper to add his weight to the aready ■.00 heavy load, which was sure to create tumultuous ; Itcrt.-ations between them and the drivers. The dark- i.:;ss was so extreme that it became necessary to come a halt, until luuterns could be procured, by the light I-KTTKRH FROM V. I). L. ir ot wliicli WO succcotlofl ill arrivini^ jit llic old i/twl lor- U'Os.^ {i!>i>iit cigttl al iiigljt, com|)l<;ti-Iy covered uitli iiuid; ;ii"l Were . Iiown into one of tlio gmird rooms, so small llijit wi; could Hut all lie or sit dow a at iho snmn time; iiee.'.s-,fu'ilv wo wero forced to lie iiptjii the lloor bv liirii.' , ill oiir wet and muddy clothes, and with all our ii'niis on. Kvcry elVurl to procure food for the night was unavailing; so recourse was again had to ilie hug, which, with a small crust of hrt ad, preserved tVo:n hrealvfast, .sup[)lic(l us I'or supper. Our mnn;igr- iii'iul, on thi,< occasion, was ratlvr laughahle, anil 1 '•annul omit relating it: w hen we had concludrtt upon ui'".!;ing tea, a dilliculty [jrcsented itself, as to how wc .>{iould obtain hot water; hut tint was happily obvia- t^d, hy a lucky thought of one of the numb'.'r, who produced a small tin basin, in which tli -> watf.'r was boiled, and tea made for two porr^ons, who drank it, •uid relircd to their couch, upon "the soft side of a planlc,'* to make room for two others; and so on, in rotation, until toward the "end of the row,'' when tho lirst rctirijig had to get up and give place to the last; ihus occupying nearly the whole night in taking tea; and happy were we, too, that £;o much comfort was loft to us. However, the next day wc made up for our night of fasting. The guards were the Glcngary militia, whose duty it was to maintain possession of the fort. Their wives, daughters, and sweethearts, made them a visit, bringing fruits, vegetables, and other comforts, rarilies in warrior^s messes, who sym- pathised in our misfortunes, and taught their friends to do so too, sharing their provisions with us, and ma- ' if ; ll. ii*^ '^ ' s >< 118 LETTERS FROM V. U. L. i;.H ■•!?;ihi fi| n-' ■'■■ ■■:. h I r-Mrt,! 1 ■.:>• king our situation more endurable. They were all Highlanders, and recognized in McLcod, a "genuine McLudc of Skic,'"' by his manly bearing, form, and make, which, in fact, would have done honor to the "kilts and tartans.'' The aspect of aflliirs below, rendered our immedi- ate progress imprudent, and wo uere, therefore, de- tained for the day. Parker and myself were permitted to walk in the parade ground, with an armed man at our back. Wo passed several respectable looking Frenchmen, who saluted us with evident emotion, taking oif their hats, and gazing at us with intense anxiety, and countenances distorted with agony. I "mark .u the Gael,'' as he walked by us, and saw the tear of sympathy glisten in his eye, as our chains rattled along upon the frozen ground. I accosted him, and said, "my good fellow, you manifest a commiseration for the miseries of your fellow men, who wear the chains of our unhappy government." He understood and spoke English very well; and replied, in accents of wo, "Canada, unhappy, poor, torn to pieces, hurnt up, by that bad tyrant, Gen. Colborne. We arc very good reformers, but must turn out, or be burnt up too, like our poor neighbors, the Frenchmen." Then shaking his head, forbodingly turned away, and would say no more, notwithstanding our repeated attempts to draw him out. Toward evening, wo were visited by Mr. Adams, commissariat of the station, through whose influence we were relieved of the cuffs, for the following night, and a part of our number taken to another room. t LETTERS PROM V. D. L. 110 were all genuine •rm, and »r to the inunotJj- •ns do- in the :. We 1, who r hats, nances as ho «ren in frozen fellow, •ies of happy nglish anada, at bad 'mers, poor head, more, him ams, lence light, The morning of ihc 10th opened with a heavy wind up the river, rendering futile an attempt to proceed by water, in a derham boat, down tiio rapids, that inter- venes between this and the village of the Cascades; consequently it was necessary to return, and pass down by land. The two passenger wagons used there, in that season of year, and several tumbrils, were pres.s- cd, into which we got and were driven off. The roads were shocking bad, and we could not go beyond a walk. We had scarcely started, before a terrible storm of rain, snow and sleet, came up, driving into our faces with unremitted violence for several "hours. It completely covered us with one sheet of ice, from head to foot, giving us more the appearance of icy statues than living beings; and I am sure some of the less warmly clad felt so too. Just as we were en- tering the precincts of the Cedars, a small village about iialf way from the Colo to the Cascades, where we halted for a half hour, the 71st regiment of regulars, on their way to the Upper Province, met us, fresh from the scenes of conflagration, carnage, and ruin. Thou- sands of the volunteei'S, men from the dregs of society; and the militia, loaded with the booty and plunder of Beauharnois, followed in their wake. This scum of society, this oftscouring of the Canadas, or, I might say, of the world, exhibited an inconceivably disgust- ful appearance. They went along, without the least order or discipline, in one confused, tumultuous mass; cursing, swearing, singing, and loudly exulting in the destruction and misery they had caused. They had pressed hundreds of French horses and carts, to trans- m m j-^o LETTLIlb FIlOiM \. D. L. 'I I 'I ^ ill! i; t I I'! '"■5-:; ill ■::pl! 5 ' ' , 'i risiiM;:: f:i!V">!in jiOi't tliL'ir plunder; and poor, dumb aiiiinalsl they suf- tuTcd severely ihe brutal j)assions oi" tiiose bauds ol' -ft ii'dl robbers — those enemies to order, law a.ad. rjohi: wo passed several of these horses overthrown in the i::ud, and undergoing an inhuman castigfition, inetlcc- lual in making them rise. In some instances, the j)Oov habitan willingly received the blows designed iur his prostrate horse. This m;iss of human beings iilied the load i^.tr miles, and I should imagine they numbered three or four thousand; and in tlieir rear, as if to th'ive them onward, came our old jO'/ez/t/, Major Arthur, with his sLafl", and a company of regular*. 1 le rode up to • iio wagons, and demaiiued what prisoners they had? On being informed, he ordered a halt; and the prison- I rs to get down and proceed on foot, while he was de- '.•■rmined to occupy the learns for his own especial use„ This arbitrary desire created a deal of altercation: but our noljle spirited Highlanders, were faithful to iheir charge: and although the gallant 3,Iajor, in tiic heat of the disjiute, dismounted in rage, breathing threats against our guards, they maintained our right to the teams, well knowing it was an 'utter impossibility for us to walk several miles, with chains dragging, to '■atcli every protuberance on the road. It was in utter darkness that we arrived at tliC Cas- ;ades, a distance of fourteen miles from the Goto. Here wc were obliged to remain near an hour in the wagons, before a shelter could be obtained for us. Fi- nally, a room, just vacated by a party of volunteer guards, was procured. They, providentially for us, left a kettle of boiled potatoes in one corner of the fire I . ,;| ; LETTKRS FROM V. D. I. 1-il j)lac.', whicli were eaten without ollior sauce tiiau huii- iror, and only suiiplied about t\v<-) to a ni;!ii — a snuill supper, ijidec-'d., for men who had spoilt a whoK? day in ri torribl .' storm, witiiout food. 'I'lio rain and .-dret had congeak'd upon our external garuunts, not po net fating r!.t all; we wci'o, therefore, comparatively comfortahle, when Wv! threw our weary bodies upon the floor. an(i .'lid 'avored t ) betake ourselves to sleen, as well as cin-amsiances would permit. The storm raged witii tcrribl'! fuj-y for nearly tiu v.ii lie night, as if all the element^ were cu-mbin* d fi> re!i(ier nature I'rightful. It Mas long aft'M* I la\' down V'lv I coidd compose myself to sicej); not l.uit that i ii.'";ded rest and repose, yet it wa.s driven from me by tii' amount of horrors I had witnessed that (:ay. .My mdi'l conjured up scenes of wretchednc!ss and oeatu. by exposure to the pitiless storm, of thousands of poor houseless Patriots, who, with their wives a.nfl ciiiidren. Iiad been, within the last three da}-*, driven to seek a. hiding place in the woods, from the ))Crsecutions cTT 'heir fiend-like pursuers. I saw them vainly endea- voring to find shelter iVom the bhist by skulking be- neath the trunks of trees and tlie leafless bous-hs of the forest oak, without fjod, without cluthinr, and daring not, under the fear of death, to return to th(- spot where their homes liad been, but noic were iwi. Oh, 1 felt as if each new burst of the tempest carried grim death to some hapless victim, and every fresh gust of the roaring wind sounded a funeral kneli for some unhappy soul, severed from its clay tene- ment by the hand of barbarity! Oh, how sad were i i*-- 'i' v-— ^ 12-. LETTERS FROM V. D. L. • '■'A m their siifTcrings as pictured to my mind! yet might not those very persons who were then shrieking in the last struggles of nature, bo in a more enviable situation than I, who was condonincd to not only share every vicisitude of bodily sulferanco, but undergo every in- famy, disgrace, debasement and m?ntal distress, that could be heaped upon man. Yet I saw myself borne up through all I had yet experienced with unanticipa- ted fortitude. ITowever, had all things been o{)encd at once to my view, and all the evils I had felt been poured down on my devoted head at once, dispair, or at least, despondency would have been my lot. Even then I knew not the amount 1 liad yet to endure, and well for me that the dim uncertain future was shaded by the curtain of merciful silence, so that when it was withdrawn, and slowly as I could bear, came sorrow and severe anguish, the spirit was (Hiabled to abide all, for it knew not the worst. At a late hour my melancholy musings gave way to the sacred balm of religion, which calmed my heart's turbulent passions, and checked its transports of grief. 1 heartily commended my sleeping companions, with all suffering humanity, to the care of kind heaven, and throwing myself unreservedly upon its proffered protection, sunk into a placid repose. But repose could not last, the clanking of my companions' chains, and the pains arising from my own, aroused me at a very early hour to recollection and misery. While awaiting the passage boat, we observed several flat- bottomed boats approaching from the opposite shore, where the greatest destruction had taken place, loaded LETTERS PROM V. D. L. 123 with cattle, produce, and houseliold goods of every description, though the wind blew f>till quite fresh. About 12, the steamer Dragon arrived from Beau- liarnois, also freighted with every sort of plunder, as well as a number of militia, part of the anny we met the day previous, who had remained behind to glut the spirit of destruction by an extra act of conflagration and ruin. By this boat we received a supply of pro- visions, which, you may well suppose, we greatly needed, having fasted for the last thirty hours. As soon as the Dragon had dischargr-d her ill-gotten cargo, we were transferred to her. She lay afthc point made by the confluence of the Grand Ottawa and the St. Lawrence, two of the noblest rivers of British America. They afford, for various divisions of this vast country, great natural facilities for com- merce and manufactures. The scene was a grand one, and gave rise to speculations on the probable greatness of the Canadas, at some future day, when they would have effectually ''arisen in their might," and shaken off the tyrant's yoke, and paralysed the hand of oppression. I never did, nor do I now, doubt the ultimate consummation of such an event. The boat soon put off, and left far behind these prospects predictive of ultimate greatness, and Cana- da's elevation soon gave place to pictures of a vividly opposite caste. I remained on deck with my yoke lellow, (for the day was tolerably serene,) to witness the noble, the beautiful scenery, on the banks of the grand St. Lawrence. '? if\ '■T' 'E| i [ i Krr"' \ ■ t U'i' r^m'':.:K- m m • . ::|> n\ 124 LKTTKUS TROM ^. D. L. A sliuddor, ;i feeling akin to horror siiot through my rramc, n\i my eyes were firr-t directed to the yet snKjkiug ruins of a proscribed Canadian's homestead. J'iVery buihiing that might have ailljrded the slightest sheltf;r to man or beast, was burnt to the ground. iiVe- rytrcc cut down, and every [(article of Ibod destroyed or carried away. Wo so(m sw( pt past this mark of n tyrant's dispk^asurc, to the view of another scene stiil more heart rending; it appeared to have been the resi- dence of a person of considerable \\enlth, for numer- ous i)il!is of smoking embers were observed, which, ■from ap[)carances, betokened the building to liave been uf no slight magnitude, 'riiough all had nov/ vanish- ed but the ashes, and the poor forlorn destitute be- ings who had once made their roofs echo with the sounds of gladness, perhaps of sacred worship, had just ventured from tlieir hiding place, and were appa- rently hunting about the promises if perchance the remorseless incendiaries had left undcstrovcd one mor- sei whereby a raging hunger might bo appeased. There stood a mother and live children, vainly weep- ing over the ruins 'of their homo, as if their tears could restore what thev had lost; no doubt a husband, {)aront, brother, or friend were weltering in their own l)lood, or if living, groaning in irons, reserved in dun- geons, as victims for the insatiable gallows, or exiled from their families, whose sufferings they could not know the extent of, and distracted in the knowledge that Sir John Colborne was '":''enllcss in his furious revenge. I-KTTKllS FllO.M V. I). L. 1-25 Oh, how many of thcso bravo, honest and virtuous ('anadians have sufFored in themselves and families, (ill the refined cruelty, insult, indignity and aggression that the mind of an Aylmar, a Gosford with his col- Icagiio:'-, and a Colhorno, with his m :rcilcss horde of fivohootin.s; r;ivishers, could invent. Am'forwliat? Iljcmi.^v.' they enti,M'ta;ncd laudable d.-sii-.s of (.-xr-rci- siiig ihoir restricted ))rerGgativ(Js in ciii'bing, as far as \v;r-. in their power, the avarice and licentiousness ■jfth:' arbitrarv f^overnors. because they, in youth's t,>r)L':ht visions, boh.dil wlwit v.as duo to lunnanity, and loug^'d to eiijoy tiie fruits of tlicir own iuilustrv, in [r.'acc and in liberty. l>.:eauso tli^'v have looked across iho narrow waters, and envied the hajjpy frceflom of liicir neighbors, where each could eat his own bread, 1) Micath his own roof, amid his happy family, in joy and contvnt. Where ho could look about him and say, ' iliose are mine, and none can disj)osscss me; 1 can enjoy my own, undisturbed by interJtinc commotion, murderous factions, or an avaricious dospot^'s glance." Amid these sad meditations, as if to heighten the melancholy, a cry of 'dook yonder!'" directed my at- t mtion to the on[)osite shore, (eight or V'n miles dis- ;ant,) wiiere the work of destruction was beginning an(,'W. The (lames were just bursting from several houses and barns, hitherto unscathed. At that mo- niant, the steward of the boat came up to where w,-; were, and I enquired of him why such devastation was still continuing when the insurrection was suppo- sed to be wholly quelled. He replied that a "compa- ny of the blood-hounds of Colborne were going the ! Ik'^ .1. )! -' 3 ,1 •• ■ • i 1 I i ■ :l ■M:i It, 1 1 I 12G LETTERS FROM V. D. L. rounds with his orders, to visit every hamlet and farm- stead, and whenever the male proprietor could not Ix? found, to burn and destroy his possessions without re- morse.'' Horrid barbarity! cruel order! by which thousands of hapless victims were rendered roofless and foodless in the commencement of a North Amer- ican winter. We touched at IJeauharnois, a small village, for- merly containing several hundred houses, but now on- ly filled with smouldering ruins, exhibiting the traces of the demon of destruction. Here, but the day be- fore, under the eye of Colborne, every excess had been perpetrated; houses reduced to ashes; property of every description, and furniture, were broken up and strewed the streets. Women of every grade, age, or condition, insulted, violated, murdered. Col. Mc Donald, of the Glcngary militia, and sherilFof Kings- ton, writes as follows regarding the destruction of this village: *'We proceeded towards Beauharnois by a forced march, burning and laying waste the coun- try as we went along, and it was a most distressing and heart-rending scene, to see this fine settlement completely destroyed, and the houses burned and laid in ashes; and 1 understand the whole country around St. Charles experienced the same. The wailing of the women and children, in beholding their houses in flames and property destroyed, their husbands, broth- ers, fathers and sons dragged along prisoners, and such of them as did not appear were supposed to be at the rebel camp." In the destruction of this and other places, the orange faction were the most prominent VI' P; '■rV\ ■ lij;' ; I- I'l l.ETTKRS IROM V. I). I. 1'27 actors. And from this same co^ipact of stale and or- angoism have sprung two tliirds j[ the woes tliat the distracted Canadas have endured. All other scenes of modern warfare, even among the barbarous nations of tlie east and south, were faint pictures of cruelty when compared to the atrocities in Lower Canada, in 18ns. The heroes of St. Dennis, St. Charles, St. Eustaclie, Beauharnois, and many other places, can boast of 'dicroic deeds" unparalleled in the annals of modern history, for their warfare was carried on principally against defenceless women and children. They will walk forth in this world with the mark of villains and murderers on their foreheads, and go down to the grave unhonored and unwept! while their conduct brands the government they serve with ignominy and deserved contumely. The ofTiccrs of our boat entered pretty deeply into the chance of speculation, offered by the scattered pro- perty of the murdered and exiled families of this ill- iated town. The deck was piled with goods and house- hold furniture, of rare and rich qualities, and several horses, that had been brought to the wharf and sold there for one dollar per head, were carried, on board, to Lachine. I saw a few of the French, who had been left, for some cause or another. They appeared extremely dejected, and forlorn. Oh! what bitter pangs I expe- rienced at the sight; and glad was I to have the order given for departure. I prevailed on Parker to go be- low, (for the bow cabin, or '*steerage," was allotted to us,) where I endeavored to shut out the thought of J m ^IV ■vi^*^ .-, 4: 1 .r r i K r->-> I.ETTKIIS I'llOM v. 1). L. * ^ ■f :.Jl ,1, . V. t, '-'fiy i:^ ' ■'"» ; what I had witnessed within the last two hours, and drown my sachicss in the oblivion of r-^Iecp. lUit in this, *'I liad reckoned without my ho/j*" for the at- mosphere was humid and cold — such as was calculated t^j totally ro|);d sleep or rest. At first, I was at a loss ro account for it, and the fetid smell of the cabin; Ijut was soon informed, lliat this v\ a.s the boat that iiarl ijO(m takeu, a few (!a,ys previous, at Jkauiharnois, by the Fn.'Ucli Patriots, wiien it was scuttled and sunk; and but two days since, raised and repaired. Tiie oppressiveness of the air soon drove us lo the ' H^ 'tVIi 'Mi wKti ' Hi 'HhmB }*» '-«■ |H 91 f''" ll .' A ■ I :i 1' ■4.. 'iii: ^i^ ^^y^ ' ' ' '1! I i:30 .^ LinrKRs ruoM v. d. i,. by oncj horso, and nuuiiigcd by two Frcncbmcn and a boy. 'I'bc niL'n were driven about liko dogs; and dare not nun'niur, for llion- was no redress, yevcral clnin- gy, inefliciont looking lock.i intcrv«.'n(; on this short oaiial; at cacii of wiiioh, st(>j)j)ngi?s and dulays were inevitable. At idtout niii .• I'. .M. we arrived at Mont- real, and run into one (jfthf- basins, where we lay ex- posed to the snow and cold lor sowc hour.s, awaiting tlio reappearance of one of the eivil ollicers, who had i^onc on from Laehine, to procure Kjdging for us. liut ho did not make his appearanco, having found some friend, wlio.se eiip j)roved too pot(Mit for his weak head to admit of his moving abroad liiat night, mueh to our diseomfor?. Ai'ter wailinir for bome hours, the re- de It ermmea on movmir aroun d t o maining civil oflie^r the garrison, and landing on the b:.'aeh; Vvliieh was not cilected without much difl'iculty and danger. lie then bfl us standing there, in the storm, and went away to Cm(] a lodging. lie did not return for more than an hour, when he took us into a small guard room, in the middle of the city, leaving tiic baggage upon the shore, subject to the storm, and to pluiid(;r; the latter of which was only prevented by the darkness. Wlun wo were; introduced to our room, the great town clock was striking twelve; and in about two hours, our baggage followed. The space allollcd to us, was what had formerly been the inner room of a lawyer's oflico, eight by sixteen feet, with a "military deal bed,' calculated for eight persons to sleep on. In this small hole, it was imj)ossiblo to sit down, as it was scarce practi:;abio to stand. We were all horror-stricken at * ■ ] < .J 1 I III h LLilKll i l-'KOM V. I). I.. VM the prosjpcct of spending tho niglit in sueli an nnlinp- py sitiitition — oomo sunk to tho lloor, wearicjil nntlcr a load of iVo/Gn clothes, and ('i\y>\ 1 have ofl'ii won- dui'cd how it could possibly happMi, that wo did not ail ih'j»'iir at onco, and settle ('own in a lalal despondency; but even in th'it 5;ii'i"n"iting situation, Iho j"st went round, and tho afH-'cteu laugh sounded with a vain eilort "t) drivo dull cai'o aw.iy.'' I thougiit ol* Virgil-.s pic- ture of a c.Jl in tlu' infernal rernon, and lautiriied at tho idea fancy liad coiijured up, w hile I lonpjcd for a light to reali/c it. A li j'lt at last ca nv. an( 1 si lowcu-nnaffi" nations s etc I 1 U) evarrireration 3n 7'ho light was in th'; hand of the Town Major, who was forcibly struel; with the r^cen^; for an oxchunation of extreme surprise broke froui him the moment the door opened, and he beheld twenty-three men, chained and hand culPed, pent up in a room whero twedve would find it dini'ult to lown, CJ omo were Ivin^ PtrcJched upon the cold /loor, sinking through j-hner exhaustion, and the closeness of the place wo were in. Othc)'.-i were standing ov(!r tli r.i, leaning against the wall, happy in such support. Some were loudly call- ing for water, which eoull not be sup[)lied, as iho guard had but little in, and could n-t leave tho station to go for more. Tho sight of the Town Major's S}'mpathising face, and the civilities oiTered by the few gentlemen who accompanied, relieved us of much of the despondency that was clouding our hearts. He left us with an as- surance, that water should be immediately supplied, and other lodgings provided, for at least a part of tho ''H I \ 1 i '; V -•' 'If f ■ '1 i ■ 'M^ ■ A. w ' ■■f ' I ii f: -I. "'}'i s ■ ■ 'iS 1 .i 'i i 1' I'll I'i; 132 LKXTKllr^* I'llOM V. I>. L. number. A pail of water came, and was handed in; but, alas, no cup! no, not a tin canteen could be found to drink out of. 1 will leave you to imagine what course wc pursued in regard to what every man among us was almost dying for, and which was actually lar- ger than we could llnd space for. Tlic pail, never- theless, was soon emptii>d, and aiibrded a seat or foot- stool for some »nc. After remaining in thii crowded and fainting slate for two hours or more, we were par- tially relieved, by the removal of eight to other (quar- ters. Nothing was supplied for food, and all we could raise, was a small quantity of broad and meat, 1 had providently saved from our meal, on the steamboat. Wo partook of that morsel with a devotional gratitude to God, who giveth all thiiigs; then commending our- selves to His care, sought sleep upon the bare floor. For my part, I iVIl at once into a deep slumber, and dreamed of homo'.o ha[)py fircsido; heard the guile- less laugh, and felt the })layful, stolen kiss of alL'Ction. Often, since my feet have been debarred "tracing the woods, the lawns, the flowery meads;''' and my eyes from viewing aught but misery, and wo, and wreicli- edness; and my heart from feeling any thing but a loneliness, hopelessness, anguish, and deep insult, 1 have felt happy, aye, vividly happy, in a review of the bright and joyous visions of midnight. Yes! though my head lay upon the hard floor, and all my bones were aching with the pains of v/earied out nature, and all comfort forbidden, yet a kind, overruling Provi- dence has so ordered it, that no despot, however pow- erful, can chain the independent mind. In the forgct- ' mI in; ound wliat LETTERS? FROM V. U. L. 133 fulijrss of sleep- it will jcveit to llio joyous scenes of formcu" (lays, that leave upon its tal>lets, blissful sensa- tiun.3 to cngMgo llic waking 1ioliiv=. and draw it forcibly fri:)ni corroding thouglils. I must not omit (o mention a circumstance that oc- cuircd here, though trifling, as it had a great weight in bringing about a subsequent occurrence, that opera- ted much to my discomfort. During the night, before nnv had been removed, Vernon and (Jemmel, who were coupled togolher, delormined on procuring more case and liljerte, broL,) the lock that jastencd their cuils, and k'gan to saw the chain, when they were in- terrupted by the Town Major's entrance. They were, after going on board the steamer for Quebec, punished for it, by being forced to v.-ear another pnir, for some liours, after the remainder had been relieved. The next morninr? brou£rht the civil officers, wliose flinty nature.-:, all our sutFerings from wet clothing, and swollen arms, could not move to a single act of pity. We vainly entreated a r'^moval of the "wrist bands,*' only long enough to admit of our throv.ing olfour up- per garments. They departed without oven adminis- tering one comfortable w'ord, or one morsel of bread to the calls of hunger.' At noon, came a few of the officers of the twenty-fourth regiment, who, after re- marking that we were "fine looking fellows, and would well befit the British uniform,"' enquired whether we had any "complaints to make." We exhibited our wrists, but with that tlicy could not interfere: we then told ot our long fast and thirst, which could not be remedied, unless they thought proper to order other- W^V'J s:"' 'j; ■* >-H>l ' ^-^l^ili * f ^ I iipi ,1 til ' :•! 4 "' 1 A : 'M- ■•'■:;• ''i ■ i^i ■ ''ii • <•;' > ^ '^i.;.'.i! ■ ,. ' , : " ■ 'i'll .,;' » ■4!i' <'<\: .■■i\, m h' ''i 'I; :! M VI' ;§ i!lf .J 134 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. wise. Thoy replied, that Governor Colboriie was there, and wo would, most probablvs be delivered up to his charge; conrjcqucntly, until the delivery was made, and arrangmcnts completed, wo must remain in "statu quo.''" However, they promised a meal from their own mess, in the absence of other provisions; yet it was three P. M. boforc it came. Wlnle we were devouring it, the order f«jr our removal-, forthwith, to the steamboat, arrived; and vve were directed to pock- et our uneaten provisions. The men who had been separated from us for the night, rejoined us. I'hey had been taken to the garrison, where the soldiers shared their messes and beds witii ihcm. A numerous guard received us at the door, where a vast concourse war^ rapidly collecting, to ''look at the Upper Canadians." Followed by them, wo were marched down Notre Dame street to the wharf, and embarked on board the "British North America,'' bound for Quebec. A variety of feeling seemed to r.ctuate the multitude; for some expressed a sympathy, while others mocked; some pitied, while others derided; and many implored us to maintain a "good courage, as it was a glorious cause vve were suffering in." We were placed in the bow cabin, where was burning, in a large stove., a roaring fire. This was exhilarating to us, who had long been without so-great a luxury. Through the kind influence of some gentle- men passengers, and the Captain, we were released from the torturing manscles, and enjoyed a Respite from pain; an alleviation that weary nature profited LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 135 was ivcrcd V wns ain in ; yet were ?> tucle; by. At ail early Iiniir wc turned into our bcdlcss berths; and for the first lime, since leaving Fort Hen- ry, passed a iiiglit of uninterrupted repose. Wc awoke in tlie morning, greatly refreshed and invigorated, thougli v/itli a strong appetite for a sound meal, that did not remain long una})peased. Immediately after partaking our breakfast wc hur- ried to the deck, and x)ailcd tlio I)riglitsun with uncom- mon cheerfulness. The ride dov/n this part of the St. Lawrence, was s. glorious and a pleasant one, and I enjoyed the j)ros- pects with unsurpassed delight. About noon the heights bounding the plains of Abraham were visible, up whoso rocky shelves the bold and adventurous W^olf wended his way to glory and to death; and where the valorous and gallant xMontcalm, poured out the red streams of life, in defence of the chivalry of France. Every word I had read of this celebrated spot, ani- matingly recurred to iny memory; and my bosom burned to view, more clo-icl}', the landscape of those plains, richer in soul-stirring incident to me, than would be the classic «rrounds of Italv. 1 could have ^azcd, for hours, with veneration, upon the monument that bears, jointly, the names of those two heroes; and which not only perpetuates their memory, but also im- pressions of the formiCr power, clnvalry, and contests of two great nations. Tiie magnanimity, on the part of one, however, I felt, by a glance at my chains, was dwindled down to a low, revengeful desT)otism; and as a counterpoise to this ^asting monument of discolored t i ':h r^ > ^\ • i 'I •1 ■'iiii riili i > i 1 ' ■»■';!;!! . '1,1 i!:..it m 13f. LETTERS FROM V. 1>. L. fame, ])illur.^ tluit would hereafter Lc o reeled to the memory of the self-devoted Lonnt, Mathews, Morrow, and many others, would stand as still more enduring monuments of her shame. The ice had delayed us so much, that, instead of ar- riving at the usual hour of six in the morning, it was one P. M. when wc approached the wharf. Our pre- sence attracted a vast multitude, who l)etrnyed the same varied feelings wc had seen exhibited at Toronto and Montreal. But here let me say, to the honor of the habitans, that I did not witness a single gibe or insult proceed from ajiy v.carlng the garb of the French; hut, on the contrary, I. observed, in all th.eir countenances, that mute, expressive syinpathy, which always cheers the wounded hearts of men wearing tho chains of unjust oppression. I even heard them stoutly upbraid those who had raised their voices in unmerited derision; and I doubly esteemed them for their devo- tional Patriotism and syml)ath^ . No disposition to get up more than a hiss was ap- parent until we had just emerged within the gate, when a ragged, contemptible wretch, with an Irish accent and an orange badge, came up to Parker and myself, who were walking in the rear, and swore wc "were just tho men to take the place of his rcnagade coun- tryman, Theller, and the d d Yankee sympathizer, Dodge," who, it appears, had made a remarkable es- cape from the *'impregnable citadel." The name was caught up by a hundred voices, and echoed, with va- rious epithets of contempt and applause. One indi- ffr i, •* ' ■'Miii li;tti:hs from v. d. l. 137 vidual nccir mr^, v/i.-?!i ,'d in his licart wo "ni'glit in;iko fi,s good an exit fion t!i3 wall:? oi' C>a?!y:e. ;r^ t!i:iy did, God blos.s ilicm V Tho streets wore narrow, and co throng';d with peo pic curious to sec us, that it was a di'.ricult master for tlio regulars to force a p.n-ir.age llirouglr, while it was with the utnio'jt toil and pain tint wc dragged our chain- ed limbs up the iey street;;, that entT tho city with considerable acclivity. I look' . I at th.) rrowning low- ers and the well mounted bntteric:3 ar; we j)a:-sed, and admired tho 3tre igth as well as tlio care manifested to guard this ancient city i'rom tliO attacks of its (jnemios. I had but little chance for (Mrxrvatif n, but wiiat 1 did see of the l)uildings, gave; mo no favcrable impression of its wealth or cleanliness; aiid from the coenpres^sed state in v.'hich the houses stand, and^lic narrowness of the streets, ono \vould suppose the ciL}^ lacked room for its inhabitants. At length, after a weary march rif an hour, wo ''fetched up'' at llie de.or of the old City J;iil, whero Mr. Jeffries, the keeper, mot and led us to a largo room in the north wing, with a row of dismal looking cells on either side. I had supposed that Cape Dia- mond was the place destined for our reception, but was soon undeceived by the muster and deli, ^y of our nolle selves to the SherilT of Quebec, who pro- ceeded, instanter, to divest our wrists of the cuOs, which had been put on again on landing, after a res- pite down from Montreal. A cup of tea and a piece of coarse bread was offer- ed us for supper. Several gentlemen came in during .f > i>'»^U>i v '' 13S LETl'LRS FIIO.'.I V. D. L. 1 1, ,11' ■H-i: llio cvcniii'^ to .SCO and converse willi u.-: — ntirticiilarlv a coi'.pio of editor^;, turi:,:; of course, us all iudopcnd- antniid lil)M':il pn[)C'i';-; li:.',] uocii .siipprcvjrid, whilo ''their editors well' locked up."' D'jforo retiring, or ratlicr, at eight, the jailoi- caiii!; in, accornpanicd by two turn- keys, one l)jaring two oi* three large bunclie.^ of keys, and the other a large h'ammer. 'i no hammer was to us a welcome sight, for we supposed it was for the purpose of knocking olF our chains; but in this wo were nii:staken, as the bearer forthwith proceeded to sound every iron bar constituting the guard to the win- dows, a precautionary step counselled by the then late fortunate escape th rough* the grat:d windows of the citadel. Armed guards u'ero doubled about the prison, and one wal'ced continually under each cell window, occasionally raifMiig iiimr'elf up and peering in, lest we nn'ght be engiiged in somethirig icroug. Our bed- ding here became very usei\d, as that supplied v/as too scanty for the cold weather. The next morning, a largo pot of oatmeal gruel, with a quart of molus;sos, and a half pound of bread, was brousfht for our breakfast. The frruel but few of o o our number could partake of, having never before seen such "stulT" substituted for provision. It was soon changed for something more palatable at the instance of some unknown friends, who generously offered to foot the dillerence. The sherilT kindly acceded to our repeated desire, and freed us from the iron incum- brances which we had worn without intermission for ten days. At the same time, he intimated, as a 'proh- able event, a removal to England, provided a passago LL'i'TI'US rnOM V. I). L. mo iciilarjy I'Jopcnd- "their rntlicr, vo turn- :>i' keys, was to (or tho this wo 3cdccl to ho win- icn late of tlio prison, t'indow, in, lost 'Lir bcd- was too gruel, broad, few of re seen IS soon istancc bred to ded to incLim- ion for I prob- assago coidd bo obtained for ii,s; yet th it, on :ic.''.-uniit oC iho lateness of the season, was very dnubtuil. I wrote by return of the Kingston Depiily, to Mis. Wi^it, inform- ing her t!i:it I hiul no du'abt sh.; would noil hcnv from iii'j in I'ingland. I'Jacli person picp-ir-.M.l Ir.i ]• tl;rs of larewell, and tlun eoinmciiecd a g n'^ral ai^lulion oi p(3rson and eiothlng, preparatory to furtlicr measures; knowing that if we were sent on, it would be prema- turely. While Incareoralcd in Qucbce, the nine persons v. ho had availed themselves of llie privilege grantrd by an *'ex post facto"' law, and petitioned for transportation instead of standing the ^'f.-arful trial,'' snived upon the sherilf a j)rotest against the sentence being carried in- to lull eliect, and employed an attorney io tittend to llio all'air for them. It proved of no avail. Tiiese of uo wiio had undergone a trial in Niagara, dr^emed it more p(ditie to rest our cases lor the present, and im- mediately on arrival in I-higland, thi'ov/ ourselves up- on the ju=:tice and good feeling of that government, rather than make the slightest ajjpeal to the equity of a man whose fraudulent and dishonest measures had conduced mucii to produce the rebellion in Upper Can- ada, and whose arbitrary proceedings during a three months administration had filled Lowf;r Canada with blood and murder, with conflagration and ruin. For my own part, I had not the slightest idea of going farther than England, and would prefer crossing thither to remaining subject to the Provincial authori- ties for the winter, therefore hailed the news with ea- ger delight, when, on the 20lh Nov., the sherifl' (Mr. 1 '■'I ': I ■ '-• ■mi v< M 'f ' f t 110 F,r,rii.US FROM V. I). I,. ; i'^ ■! ( ! 1 I i > ■y i'W ^.e\v.;Il) inforiiiod us that our passngo \va., engaged, nil'! Ih:- only hoc :-'s:iry delay wa;, to give timo for fit- ting u[i ;i "c:i!)in'' to i;tov/ us away in. I wrote again to Tl. C, without til" l'..ast unoasincGs, confideiit of iv- lurjiiiig I'lve within a yav al lea;it, particularly if I wars held tlierp until .Mrs. Wait should arrive, whom I felt assured of incoling there in thr; spring. But the sequel will show how sadly inisphiccd was my confi- dence in their ju.-;ticc and clemency. Providentially, we had a little money rrmaining, with whiidi wo laid in what nccssary sea stores wao deemed mor-t indispensable. The prisoners could not all come.innd moans to supply wdiat was actually necessary, aud none but .^a*. Parker, had more than .suQieient for a very small stock. Our removal from Fort Ilenrv liavlnn; been so sudden, that no timo was given to communicate' our necessities to our friends, who could have pro\ ided what vre wanted. I remem- bered the kind S3anpathy sliown by the Lord Bishop Hfountaino to Mrs. ^Vait, on a former occasion, and wrote him expressive of my gratitude. lie wa's ab- sent from his residence, but his chaplain, Rev. George Mukie, came to see me, and brought a number of Tes- taments, Prayer Books, and other religious volumes, which he begged I would distribute among my com- panions. I gratefully accepted his kindness, and have brought many of them with me to this country, where publications of evervMvind arc very scarce and dear; and I hope they will be serviceable in moralizing tho wretched inhabilants, for I can rssurc you there is in- deed much necessity for it. Some of our number im 'i;!ii. .1: \i^m V « • '^'Ji s-t. • m LKTTLRH FROM V. I). I,. Ill were also dciititutL' of proper clothing, and an appeal was therefore nuK.l', but vainly, to lli.'; aiitliorili.'.s; yet successfully to individual synii)athy. 'J'lic .suj»ply was all that Nvas actually necessary iu Ail ! 1 them iVoni the eold, but no regard was had to appcti ranee. On the 22d, the sheriff informed ns that we might prepare, as that day we should embark. lie hoped we would find our passage an agreeable one, but was f'artul we would sutler unnecessary restraint, ''as Ctiptain i\Iorton is greatly terrified, for ho imagine a you to be a parcel of dare-dcvih, capable of under- taking anything, and I fear that will be a cause of not a little inconvenience to you.'^ So said Sewell, and such we found was the truth. In answer to a question, he said, "the quarters designed for your accommoda- tion have been examined by a board of magistrates, (or directors) who pronounced them proper and com- fortable, and so they ought to be too, for ilie owner gets JC25 per head for taking you ^horiir,- and fur- nishing you with provisions.'' He also iniormed us that "a number of French felons, of the worst class, whoso crimes were theft, burglary and highway rob- bery, were to go in the same ship. You will, of course, for your own credit, have no connnunication with them, as they are bound together by the various ties of evil and corrupt associations, while they would feel no scruplo in stealing the hast morsel you had to eat. They have been addicted to every vice under heaven from infancy; and with some of them this is the third sentence." Such was the sherifF's picture of beings the Governor, Sir John Colborne, had selected as companions f'.)r us }■ M f lit IrA^ ■ i ■ ^ . ^'* ■■H M^rtMntttfk ,. s .■ t '*4 MO LK'rrKRS FROM V. D. l^ • |! i '; ! : li-i' ! ' 4 ■ If MM w ■ '9 k ' ;'li to liiiglund, for the purposo, no doubt, of liirowing upon our clinractors appoaranccs of deeper stigma. Tlio city was filltjil with rumors rogrirding tljo uii- proccd'-iilrd cscapo of Thcllcr and Dodgo, from the liilhcrto impregnable fort. '-Dut Yankees arc the (/(??> iU for liberty, and iron '^rates, stone walls, or bayo- nets can not detain th( m fron> it.*' Thry liavc achiev- ed a wondijrful deed; they desired freedom, they strove for it, and they gained it; find mny they enjoy it for over! Wt? were informed "l!io authoritios were well convinced the [dan never could have prospered bi.t tiirough prf>in[)t aid from without.''' b'usjiicion had rcstetl upon the guard, but tliat Vva^ alkiyed by the fact of the sentinel being so thoroughly drugged; and *'hundred-eyed fame" implicated many a good man. whose assistance could have been rendered in no other wav than throu2;h «:ood wishes and nravers, vet wlio would, ha[)y fate; of r.,any of our ))nrsonal acquain- tiuices, wlio fell in the fi'dd, or w-ro huichjred in cold h!ood by the notorious Prince. Yet i did not mourn those who fell gallantly fightinf^, so nuieh as 1 did the poor ciiptives, whose fate (judging from what would have been mine, had there be ii no restraint exercised over Sir Oeorgo Arthur) would Lj a thousand times \vor^e. '"'IMiey mu.;t expiate their crimes [love of free- dom] on the bloody gallows.'-' 'J host; in the Upj)er I'rovinco were in the h;u"ids of "a lier.d wiioso delight was blood/' and who, for his atticcilies in Van Die- man's Land, had deservedly vi ceived the cognouion of 'f\ithur, llie Bloody Lxeeutiont r." May God deliv- er them from his hands, and disappoint bis dark re- venge, was tlio sincere pra^-or of my heait when 1 had fmished the tale of wo. At about eleven, camo tin blecdc- roitli will) his ham- mer and anvil, accompanied by a man bearing our chains, with' the sound of which we liad become so fa- miliar, that it failed to create much sensation now. We were prepared by having all our things packed away, and our clothes on to shield us from the severe cold. The chains wero riveted on our legs as before, but un- fortunately for Mr. Parker and myself, the one worn tfs 1 , ' t 1 1 '•J .1 » WW- ' J\ : -I .:n: i\ > i:ii' !tf: ii, ■■ m W!Mi\ \i {■ i 111 M.ITF.KS I'llOM V. I/. I. nntl n()tc}i(,'d by Mcsrir.i, CJi'tnmel and Vernon, u.s be- fore related, fc.'U to HI. Tlu.'so ch.'iin.^ and a com pa- ny ot r. giilar.i v.: ;•<• not .surilci(..nt security in passing through a wallod city, but iho uxt'cialjl'; culi'j niu.st bu added U) tiur L'f|uiptnonts, pcrliap.s fur our comfort or a peculiar indignity. \'l<, it nnvA h^ tio! fur I iiavu never known llio Jirilijli govorinncnt, or any of it.s emissaries omit thcsc", tliongli the re; wn.-j no necessity for them. We wcro driven from t!io door on a num- ber of sleds to the dock, whrro a vast multitude was collected, among wliom I couhl not perceive the fdight- cst inclination to rudeness, hut 111;; tear of sympathy glibtencd in many an eye, and if i could judge by ap- pearances, many a liearl-fclt prayer went up for our welfare. The ship in which wc were to cmbiirk rode two miles from shore. As wo seated ourselves in the yav/1, where cloven felons wero before us, one univer- sal acclaim rent the air, "for our safe and speedy re- turn to our homcs.'^ When wc shoved off, I could not refrain repeating iMoore's beautiful and pathetic farewell to Erin. The French in the boat sung a plaintive French ditty, that was responded to by those on shore, with such a deep pathos that the man ujust have possessed a heart of adamant who could have listened without tv-arful emotions. But I must make the embarkation and passage the subject of another letter. I remain, dear sir. Yours, 6c c. &:c. LKTTEUa FROM V. I). L. 140 a.s bc- must be fort or a I luivo y of it.s iccossity a iium« ii(I(j was ic .slight- lupatliy : by .'ij,- for our vk rodo s in tlio ! univor- ccdy rc- I could pathetic sung a )y those xn njust lid have ;agc the d:c. ^ LirrncR viii. ANuiiROVK, near Oatlands, V. I). L. Noccmhcr, ifiiO. o Mv DcMr Sir: Tho clone of iNovcnihcr IS very ni- clcmont in Lower Canada; and you may, thcrcforo, bo well assured, that we antiei()ated no pl(>a.surc in tho voyago lo Mnf^land, but could not possibly have dream- ed of tho sllght.'st approach to th'; horrors wo wore about to bo stibjectcd to, on board the (.'npt. lloss, a barque lying with anchor hove ^[)f'alv, awaitjng our arrival. S!ic was owned by tv/o brothers, Messrs. Frost's, one of whom resided in ijiverpool, and tlio other at Ciueboc. The latter accompanied us from the doclv, and informed us tliat the "cabin," prepared for , our reception, was lit for tho Governor's use; and Capt. Morton had his instructions to treat us with for- bearance, and furnish us good provisions; and, said he,* "you will fmd yourselves uselessly encumbered with your sea stores ;'' and that Capt. M. was a good, kind man, who would act a generous part toward us, to whom he would introduce Mr. I'arker iuu\ nt} self. As soon as our yawd struck the ship, the anchor was tripped, the sails shook out, and the ship got under wav. VV^e found some dilficulty and danger in climbing up tho ship's side, but wore assisted by the board of Magistrates, who, with Mr. Hunter, (son-in-law, to the jailer, Mr. JelFrics,) were there before us. A hur- ried delivery was made of the prisoners, by the Sher- 10 ¥ ^^, -!'■ S* 1 • i \ ■ , 1 ■ : r ■ W' 1¥ : 1 1 1 vi .■.'!;' ^^ tl V-, ''1 i^.! 1 ■ ' 'I iji f ^ 1 ■!i ■i'-l M \0 146 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. iff, to ''Capt. Digl)y Morton," when all left but Mr. Frost and Hunter. We were taken directlv aft, where tlie master stood in evident tremor, which I supposed tho elTect of the cold, though I thought of what the Sherjfr had said. The day was uncommonly severe, and it was with no small pleasure Mr. P. and myself, who stood first, iound ourselves searched, and turned below. But ali! what was our horror and dismay when we discovered the wretched appearance of the place wc were to oc- cu|)y. We called immediately to Mr. Hunter, whom wc desired to look about it, and give his opinion. He Hid so, and said, *'it was more like being calculated for boasts, than for human beings to inhabit. I will go directly on shore, and make affidavit to that elfect; and, if i)Ossible, get the ship detained.'' He did go directly away; but his endeavors were vain, if, indeed, he intended to do any thing; for tho ship was under sail, and a fair wind soon drove us onward, beyond the reach of his promised humanity. When the whole number, including twenty-three :>!atc prisoners, and eleven felons,, had been searched, and sent below together; and the trap, or hatch of iron grates locked down upon us, a scene of confusion and tumuli commenced, which beggars description. I will not atleinpt it; but will only say, tliat P. and myself, being the first below, selected what we deemed the most convenient berth, and climbed quietly into it. to give room for others; for not one half could have stood up, at the same time, in the space allotted us. The shouts and curses of the felons, fighting for precmi- LETTERi< FROM V. D. L. 14' til roe ncnce, mingled with the clanking of chains, aided by the frigid chillncss of the atmosphere, and the damp, tetid, smell, arising from the bilge water, created pe- culiar sensations of gloom, and dread, and forebodings. I gazed up')n the face of every man near me, and saw that the same cxj)ression sat there that I fancied was upon my own. There was something working within the mind, that evidently bewildered and agitated it; and each dcjoctcd countenance spoke too plainly of an ap- palling presentiment. For my own part, I felt that the last trials of life had arrived. I looked about me, and was assured that existence must bo short, when surrounded with such circumstances. Indeed, it had no charms, and no hopes, save in a future world. My heart sank, and every buoy vanished from my soul. Then I would have given worlds to have terminated my life upon the gallows, agreeable to my original sentence; for there I should have been no useless sac- rifice in the cause of Patriotism. Then I should have been honored and mourned by friends; and my corpse, though mangled, would have been laved by the tears of sympathy, and perhaps received a christian inter- ment. But here, unknown to the world, I was about to fall a victim to a death still more inhuman and ilisconcerting than the halter; and one that must have been dictated by private treachery. For no man would, for a moment, after entering the place, have harbored the thought of dragging on life beyond a week. I looked upon death as inovitabl<^, and revol- ved in my mind cvorv scene that must succeed, until appalled at the idea. For thf first time, I shuddered -■■■*'$ ••w 148 LETTERS PROM V. D. L. ^1 ( it V t '■ M ■ ■ .1 i< ! '^■^ ••1; , ' . V ■i ■ ''i '•• - ■ <>\ ; k' |v m ' ' If ■l ' lift III: ! mil at the approach of "the monster" I had formerly un- shrinkingly faced in a variety of forms. I had heard my days numbered, and seen the gal- lows erected as their finisher, with scarce a wish to have it otherwise; yet now, to become a victim in the manner here in view, and my body cast into the deep, a "loathed thing," unhonorcd, unwept, and, perhaps, my fate never known! was a thought I could not en- dure. There is an undcfiniible something so revolting in the thought of our bodies, though "lifeless lumps," being consigned to a watery grave, without christian rites, or to a stranger's tomb, without sympathy, that it adds the climax of dismay, and unmans the soul. The mind cannot long remain in this agonising inten- sity. It must either shake it off with a violent effort, and rise superior to every extreme, or sink at once into a lethargic dispiritedness, when the soul must pine, and mope, and weaken, and at last utterly decay, beneath its corroding influence. The buoyant heart, or active spirit, may occasionally fall into the latter state; but reason will soon emancipate it, and revive drooping hope; for, with such, "while there is life, there is hope." But there are those, unused to disap- pointment, easily discouraged in mind, whose spirits, when once bent down by despair, can never revert to natural buoyancy, but will drag on their tenements im- perceptibly to the grave. Of these, poor McLcod and McNuliy, soon showed themselves a part; for they never recovered the shock their minds received at that embarkation; but gradually declined, both 'n bodily and mental vigor; and desponding to the las Jropped rly un- ho gal- wish to in the ! deep, rhaps, not en- voi ting imps,-' ristian y, that e soul, inton- oilovu t once 1 must decay, iieart, latter revive s life, disap- pirits, crt to ts im- i and they i that odily ppcd LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 149 almost unconsciously into the silent tomb. I strove hard to overcome the distress of mind, and dejection of spirits, that inevitably follows such piacticing upon the mysteries of the brain; and soudit to bear all with becoming equanimity, and proper christian fortitude. Hope did, indeed, buoy up my soul in these trying prospects; yet it was not a hope for prolonged exist- ence here, or reonjoying the former pleasures of this life; but a heavenly, and a purely christian hope, that operated as "an anchor to the soul,'* and taught me to look beyond the *'vale of tears,'' for all I could expect of pleasure and joy. I also found a consolation in re- flecting upon the intensity and purity of the faith un- der which I had acted; and 1 felt not a repentant thought, or a reflective censure, for a single act of my political career. I have frcqucntl}', since my incarce- ration, found, that, when insulted by malice, or op- pressed by inhumanity, the heart could assume a stern fortitude, almost foreign to its nature, that arouses it to a. dignified contempt i'or fafe, while it infuses into the mind proper conceptions of our relations to Him who gave us life and being, and will not sufier "a sparrow to fall to the ground unnoticed." Although we had undergone severe pain from cold, hunger, want of rest, tauglit irons, exposure to all sorts of weather, and abuse and insult, from a set of proud aristocrats, who had evidently been raised from the lowest grade, to a station above their proper sphere; yet I can safely aver, that, at our embarkation at Quebec, commenced a series of new pains and new Buflbrings, far superior, in bitterness, in misery, and w ^4^.-11 '^' 150 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. * ' '• ■ I ■ \- . t ! t t i i - * • r i ■ : ; [ ill .■ij ^ ■ in' 1 ..1 #i }i , ■■ ■ in producing mental anguish, than all wc had before experienced; and which coniinucd, with but liti'e in- termission, for a year. The Capt. Ross was a small timber vessel, loaded at Montreal, with pine and oak lumber, that had, ap- parently, ])cen exposed to the winter storms, and was literally covered with ice. She was the last ship bound, that season, for England, and the only hope for our conveyance. The owner was therefore applied to, and, notwithstanding her being completely filled, he concluded to charter a small portion of her for that purpose, as thirty-four persons would not be of as great weight as the lumber he would have to displace to furnish room, but they would add many hundred per cent, to the freightage money. To gain which, (for ho reasoned geometrically,) he would only be obliged to cut down a hole, twelve by fourteen feet square, in the mid-ships, through the frozen mass; and the boards cut out would answer all purposes for building up the berths. All the expense, therefore, would be a pound or two of nails. This humane sug- gestion was instantly acted upon; and behold, after two days, with all hands turned to, an apartment ap- peared, ready furnished, *'that was fit for the Govern- or's use," and which ought for ever to do honor to the generous originator. When wc first "went below," into that "hole of darkness," the damp, chill atmosphere, seemed to strike through my whole person; creating, in every joint and vein, indescribably painful sensations; and emotions of the mind, that a frigid desolation alone LLTTKRS FIXOM \. D. L. I5i before I'o in- ) ap- 1 was und, r our to, 1, iio that r as Diace id rod lich, ^ be feet ooLild produce. The bioud a[>j^earcd lo curdle; cuicl, trembling, shuddering, palpitating, shrunk back to the iicart, and left the body cold and chill, benumbed and inanimate; obviously laboring vciiemontly, to regain natural perspiration — sensations that I cannot better portray than by supposing a person, when in free pul- sation, plunged unprepared into bitter cold water. A considerable period elapsed before the body could ra- il feeli Afl thi turn to its natural leeinig. Aiier a lew ciays, mis dreary chillncss, gave way to an oppressive humi- dity — a sullbcating warmth, caused by tiio air being so repeatedly inhaled; and by which, it became so va- pid and putrid, that I cannot but wonder how humani- ty could endure it. Indeed, nothing but the '.'si)ecial favor of Providence, sustained us, and led us througii that most trying scene. Another thing that added much to the malignity ot" the atmosphere, was the fact, of none of our number being permitted to go to the upper deck, tor any pur- pose whatever, during the first fifteen days; and con- sequently, there was a necessity for nuisances below, which were two common buckets, placed loosely upon the deck, beside some of the beds. The lurching of the ship often upset them. The effect this had upon the atmosphere and the cleanliness of the poor fellows who were forced to lie, (for I do not believe they could sleep,) on the deck, must be imagined, ff»r it is too revolting to bo described. All who occupied the lower tier of berths, as well as the deck, frequently also, got the benefit of a sea wa- ter bath; for when the wind and waves were high, the m i • . .^J s„ I, 152 LETTERy FROM V. D. L. • \ > ■$ H > ■ 1' 1; ; ii";^ If! «! !'" , ,* tr" Wl' :p !t t' I H- ■« ■ "I I ;i a! iliil W ■ku'. i :5. ' It: 'niii! A . .1 '^1?:^ i! :t' i: upper fleck was flooded, and the water ruslicd down the grated hatch, (over which only a tarpauling was loosely drawn,) literally deluging the whole *'apart- ment," until the deck was Kcuttlcd to let It off; while those occupying the upper berths were subject to the continued dripping from the lumber, of the melting ice. The bedding allowed, (besiilc our own,) consisted of a narrow straw mattress, and two blankets. My bed lay next the wall, and it became immediately wet, and continued so until we disembarked. A narrow shelf was occupied by poor iMcNulty and John Grant, ono of whom could scarce maintain a place upon it; being chained together, they could not separate; therefore were obliged to lie "heads and points,*' or *'takc ?? •turns. The deck above us was pierced on each side with a hole, two by four inches, into which were settled thick "bull's eye" glasses, forming "sky lights,'' that only served to make darkness more visible. They did, in- deed, afford light for one or two to read for a few hours in a bright day, but the book must be held im- mediately under the glass, one of these glasses was directly over my berth; and consequently I spent much of the time more agreeably than many others. During fifteen days I was not out of my berth for ten minutes at a time; and still I unaccountably retained my health and spirits. A description can scarce convey the smallest idea of the real sufferings we endured; and none, but those who ha experienced a storm at sea, under similar circums^ jes, can conceive the disorder continually LETTERS FROM V. I). L. 153 i raging among us. I liuvc, since, particularly examined nKuiy places, built expressly for tlio condign punish- m;:!nt of incorrigible olFouders. The '-black hole'' — the low, iron bound, flagged coll — th(; Irrad mill, and many other inventions for peculiar torture, in this land ->f *'•• "id and infamy, (where a renowned clergyman, ,.flc- -eing asked by Clcorgo Arthur to examine and give his opinion upc a perinanr'nt gallows he had erected in view from his own piazza, said, "I have examined your new fJcaOuld, sir, and sav it will last for many yearrj; nine unll haitg up(jn it comforluhh)^ and eleven in one of your cases of exigency,*') and positively would bo understood to say, that 1 never witnessed one in which human b(ino;s could not drair on life Vr'ilh more comfort, and h'ss misery, than in the hold of the barque Capt. Ross, where 1 spent twenty- five days; and eternal disg''aco ought to follow Mr. Frost, the owner, and the members of the board of magistrates, under whose supervision he fitted it up. The provisions were on a par wilh other things; and consisted of oat meal gruel for breakfast and sup- per. Of course, those who had any provisions them- selves, eat none of that "stuif;" and for dinner, a pail of "scouse,'' made of *'salt junk,'' (beef,) and pieces of biscuit, boiled up together, v/itb.out regard to cleanliness or relish — the meat was nearly putrid. These '*mess- es" were to be eaten without knife, fork, spoon, or dish, unless the same were supplied by the prisoners themselves, which, fortunately, some of our number possessed; though knives had been taken away wiien we first boarded, but subsequently returned. A thick, •*■ tl M 154 I-r.TTERS FROM V. I). L. I 3 •' I t ■m f ! •: !i course, Jmrci, black biscuit, 'not known in AmericLin .siii|)i)ing,) wa.s also suppjiud, each clay. We of course .ipplicd tor a change ot' foo'l; but all the benefit ari- sing from th'} application, was ni.jroly a permission lo have our own tea made, and rice cooked, in lieu of the ship's provisions, providing we ''would supply • 'uough tor the whole mess;"' which, as a matter of necessity, we did; and the small sea stores we had providently laid in, came into requisition, notwith- standing Frost's assertion. Some of the articles wc iiad were of little use, such as Indian meal and (lour, •IS the doctor, (cook,) could seldom be induced to bake a cake or boil a pudding, unless on the broad princi- ple of a ''full sup'dv for all, agreeable to the Captains- orders." Almost enough has already been told, to excite, in the breast of every man, "i teeling of contempt and hatred towards all who had any thing to do with the management of that ship; and I can never feel other- wise than a profound abhorrence for them. Yet, I would say, in honor to Morton's humanity, that he did, after half the passage was done, permit the pro- visions, when supplied by the state prisoners, to be cooked distinct from the mess of the felons. Poor L. VV. Millar, chained to D. Deal, lay in a corner berth, on the opj)osito side of the ship, and al- most shut from any of his countrymen; without mur- mur or comj)laint, passed several days without a par- ticle of food passing his lips, having been too poor to purchase any, and too magnanimous to discover his necessity — it was discovered, however, and relieved. ' X LETTERS FROM V. I). L. l5o Tiencaii * ooursf; etit Mi'i- ssion lo lieu oi" supply attcr of wo hatl notwilh- cles \v(. 1(1 Hour, I to bake 1 prjnci- Japtain";:^ xcitc, in mpt and with the si other- Yet, I that he the pro- re, to \)C ay in a , and al- )ut mur- it a par- ) poor to jover his relieved. I)Ut, poor man, lie was reduced to a mere skeleton, ;ind we all felt a deep sympathy for hnn, though we were but a little better oil'. It will not be supposed that 1 can give any deserip- tion of our passage out tho St. Lawrence. Indeed, 1 cannot; for we scarce saw day light, until after we had passed the grand bank; and all I can say, is, that the weather was high and the sea boistereus — that the decks, cordage, spars, and every thing about the siiip, were covered with an immense quantity of ice; and that the Captain feared much its conse([uence-r-that something was continually "giving away;'' and that most of the hands iiad some parts of their persons se- verely frozen — some of them in such a manner that they were rendered cripples for life. So great was the injury received by the extreme frost, that scarce men enough were left to work the ship. When we heard this information, ive would have been eminently liappy in olFering our services to work the ship, ;\iu\ navigate her too. This leads me into a relation of a scene that took place but two days after tho foregoing information was received. Quite early, on the morning following the passing of the banks of New Foundland, an unusual busde was observable on the deck; and Capt. Morton's voice was heard in calling *'all hands on deck, even the cripples." Arms were supplied, and charged; and the men disposed so as to "be ready, in case of any rush from the hold; and when the order was given, to lire upon the prisoners." Such was the pri- mary arrangement; and the next was, lo come to our Hi?; *»f 1 I y * '■ '1 'I i . ' ■ 1 ,' |;| 1.10 LETTERS KROM V. D. L. gralo, and onlcr all the men below into llic berths, on pain of immodia'c tlcath. The Captain then comman- ded Vernon and Mallcry on deck, at the same time de- claring that he was "armed to the toeth,'' and so were his men; and tliat th.ey would "destroy every soul,'' if the slightest disposition to disobey, or move, was ma- nifested among us. Then telling his men to cock their pieces, ho iiasitiiy unlocked the grate, and drew out V. and iM. with imnrjnse trepidation, and slammed back the door suddenly, as if a rush was expected from be- neath. These movements astonished us, and wc re- mained in suspense as to tlie meaning of the uproar, until they had brought the two men to the deck, when their vehemence got the better of their judgcmenl; and in their haste to vent their wrath, the information was undesignedly conveyed to us. They accused the state prisoners of premeditating a mutiny, to take the ship, and sail into an American port. The two men actually had their chains nearly severed, while three other cou- ple had theirs cut in two. After considerable altercation, and a vain attempt to "seize Vernon to the mizzen rigging for a flogging,*' they were "turned below, ^' without any eludication, farther than the discovery of the tool, a notched knife, with which the chains had been cut. Parker and my- self were next called up. For my part, observing their nervousness, I lelt a little obstinate; and, conse- quently, passed up the companion ladder rather slow- ly, which they construed into an inclination to favor a rush after me, and drew mc up with a roughness hardly consistent with kindness, and shut the door with 'k. 'M ,i:(H LETTERS PROM V. D. L. ir)7 rths, on 'omman- liinc de- so worn V soul," vva.s ina- ick tlicir N out V. od back Votn bo ;l wc ro- up roar, k, wlien :Pil; and lion was the .state ,hc ship, actually icr cou- cmpt to ication, d knife, md my- jscrving , con se- er slow- favor a ughness oor with a celerity that clearly proved fear reigning predomi- nant with them. It was truly ridiculous to observe the precautions taken against a surprise from a few unarmed and manaelefl prisoners. I laughed outright, to see the master of the ship standing on the poop, with a pistol in each hand, anfl a *'V()lunteer's hoop hilted sword*' by his side, tremblingly agifat(;d. The guard, and ail the men on board, were fully armed, and peculiarly dispersed; some behind the main, the fore, and the mizzen masts, while others were in the boat, 01* behind casks, and all with their anus in an altitude of defence. The master of the barque, and master of the guard, both at the samr; time, upbraided us with having plan- ned a conspiracy against them, which, they declared they were informed, was to have broken out that day, lioaded by Parker and myself, whom they sivorc, should bo punished with unmitigated ''severity." ''Cruelty, you mean,*' said I — "yes, cruelty,'^ AI. replied. "Hut, then," I rejoined, "calmness is requisite, to enable you to make proper enquiry; and an investigation may prove your information erroneous.*' ''Xo! No!'* ho replied, "our information is correct; and you wcro using the saw on youi* chains, when wc received it; and the mark will suftice to prove what I say. Will you permit me to have your chain examined ?'' "Most assuredly you can do that; but you ought to be careful how you hold those weapons in your hand, for they may prove dangerous to your friends, as well as to us, through your extreme agitation." This so exaspera- ted him, that he swore, and fumed, and stamped, lika I* \'» \ I n.m % nffl! 11 ::r iO*:- LtTTfcUh KKOM \ . U. L. a mad lollow. I felt in a |)rovoculivc liumoFr and in- dulged il to liis great annoyance, moro particularly after tlie chain had undergone nn examination, with- out the discovery they so confidently expected. Dinner time being Jiow arrived, we were sent down, and farther investigation deferred for the present. On the next morning, however, the hustle recommenced, with an order for IJeemer and VanCamp to go to the deck, who were soon sent back again, when Parker and myself were called to undergo another ordeal. As soon as we got above, Morton accosted us with hitter invectives, and said he had positive evidence of our guilt, and was sure of finding the mark; if he did, our punishment should be exemplary. Mis scrutiny, this time, was crowned with the desired success; for ho really dclecicd our guilt, by discovering the small incision made in Montreal, by Gemmel, who, with Vernon, wore the chain at that time, as before stated. I cannot say that 1 ever saw more frenzied delight, exhibited by any beings, than these men manifested. It seemed as though the very sluice gates of demoniac pleasure were unlocked; for now they iiad occasion, however trifling, for punislung the very men they so greatly feared, and whom they anxiously sought to terrify. Me produced a large chain, weigliing near half a hundred, and persisted in displacing the small one we wore, with it, notwithstanding the ieslimony of every Upper Canadian, and Mr. Gemmel, who nobly came to the grate, and declared he had made the in- cision in the manner before explained. I certainly did not bear this new indignity with very good temper, for 'Rf LETTEIlS FROM V. I). L ITlH near small )nv of nobly ic in- y did !r, for i I [)ccan)o cxasj)cr{acd in my turn, and lold Mortdii I (Incmcd liis conduct wuntonhj cruris and (Owardi-y: nnd, although lie could emit upon us his mIkjIp nialip- iinnt rancor, as \vc were manacled, and in his power. rif't hf sliould not do it wilh ifupuni/t/. VV'c should yet meet on equal terms; and il* it was twenty years hence, i would hold him to aeeounl for it, and require nmple salisiuction. I jtitied his weak nnd dastard iear^;: and considered oj)prcssion of helpless beings, the sure indication of a menn and cowarillv heart. Tie vindicated his conduct 'on the score; of the i'Uendef' mutinv i> ut I tolrl liini, in strong terms, that he could ji ' have attached any real hlame to us, if we had riscii, and "ven com- iiiitted murder, in revenge fo? i. ving been liirust into such an infamous hole, and Starved and treated as v " were. It ij)poars this ]{ anguage was construct 1 int( ) a chnllcnge, and carefully entered as such in his log, which was |)ublished by the owner as soon as the ship .'irrived in Liverpool, where credit was rendered *'Capt. Morton, for his intrepid conduct, in discovering and suppressing a most dangerous mutiny, and the fearless manner in which lie had visited the ring leaders with deserved punishnT^' i while he wnguduiwovslij pav' (ionrd the others:*' witli a column of other boml)ast, wliere I came in for a full share of abuse. iti*j exceedingly strange, indeed, that we did not sus- pect Beemer as the informer; for circumstances were siron.'; against him. We supposed it had originated in a petty quarrel with some of the felons, which were •. y\ ; i iin 160 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. t ■' \ ' irM :\ .rii! not unfrequcnt. But it was afterwards proved to have been him, as I will have occaf^ion to relate. Oh! for n curse to kill llx elnve, Whose treneon, like n dendly blinht, Comes o'er tlic councils of the brnvc, And blasts them in the hour of might. The largo, heavy chain, it may well be imagined, added much to our misery. jMr. Parker generally stood by the vsido of the berth, so as to be under the light for reading, while I lay down at the same time, for the same purpose; the chain, ihercforc, hung over the side of the berth, v.ith its whole weight on my an- kle; and I can assure you, it caused no small pain and anguish, which 1 endured for ten or twelve days; when, being in sight of land, the Captain begged wc would permit him to divest us of the large, and invest us with the small chain. I, at first, opposed the change, determined on calling the attention of the authorities to this outrage, immediately ai'ter landing; but Parker, desirous of cscapiufi: the obloquy such a diderence in guards would undoubtedly attract, readily assented, well knowing that Morton could easily find means to evade any odium that might bo attached to him on in- vestigation, i finally consented too, and found son^.o relief, as my leg had swollen very much. For the Inst ten days of our passage, we Vvcrc permitted to spend an hour, each day, on deck; and although the air was chill and raw, it was a happy and comfortable hour. This one hour of fresh air, and free and wholesome breathing, did more towards reinvigorating our frames, LETTERS FllOM V. 1). L. 161 e air was than any thing else tliat could iiavo been otlered; and, indeed, I was grateful to God, but not to the Captain, lor the enjoyment of it. A Reverend genticnian, by the name of Osgood, iiad taken a cabin passage on board ihc same barque, for Liverpool, and frequently visited us in christian kindness — to pray, sing, and converse with us, which relieved the tedium of manv an hour. lie was a New Englander, and had sjven times crossed the Atlantic, on holy missions to the poor and degraded of London; where ho had sp(;nt, at one time, eighteen months of arduous toil in the service of his Master, subsisting uj)on sixpence sterling per da}-. For the last ten days of the passage, Capt. Morton bccms to have relented of his severity toward us; and, as if to conciliate Parker and myself, ho especially al- lowed us to remain longer than the others, sometimes overcoming his fears sufficiently to detain us on the dtjck four hours, while others were coming up and go- ing below in rotaiion; all the time, however, the guards were under arms, and kept strict watch. Mor- ton appeared, naturally, a quiet, inolRnisivc sort of a man; but having arisen from before the mast, he was highly putted U[) with the importance of his station. This opinion of himself, common with men of his country and class, connected with egregious coward- ice, rendered him an intolerable despot. During our passage out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and until we had passed the Grand Banks of New Foundland, the weather continued unchangeably cold and boisterous; but then became mild and moderate — in salubrity much 11 . , -f ^ ■( 1 ir>2 LETTERS TRO.M V. D. L. like our April and May — yet, when we approached the Irish coast, it assumed a colder aspect, and the dampness rendered it far less endurable to us than the American severe, though clear and dry atmosphere. Our entrance of the Mersey was cheerless; more particularly on account of the mist and fog so preva- lent all over iMigland, at that season of tlic year. I remain, dear sir, Yours, &c. &iO. i-n'i V * ;•♦. I'k u .41 LETTER IX. AsHGRovE, near Oatlands, V. 1). L. Dcccmhc?', 1810. To , My Dear Sir: After the expiration of twcnty-fivc days, our passago across the Atlantic was completed, and our anchor cast in the river Mersey, tliree miles from Liverpool, on the IGth Decernl)er, 1833 — ^just thirty-eight days after leaving Fort Henry. We wore soon transferred to a snuill steam lighter, and conveyed to the city. We lay some time at the stupendous docks, where we had an opportunity of be- holding, with wonder and admiration, the extent of those magnificent and greatly useful works of art, that liave cost millions of treasure, and years of labor to ('.omplcte. The tide was out, and wo were rn;my feet below the top of the quay, where was collected a vast multitude, betraying the utmost curiosity. More favorable circumstances could not bave well i)eon afforded to test and learn the general feeling for LET'IKIIS FROM V. I>. L 1G3 iproachcd . and the I than the sphere. 'ss; more JO p rev fl- ea r. c. &-C. V. 1). L. 1810. cnty-fivc (inpletcd, roe miles !33— just 1 liglitor, le at the ty of be- xtent of art, that labor to any feet }d a vast avG well 3ling for us; for a dotcitation, if felt, must break out in insult xnd violent expressions; but, to their honor be it said, that not the ; ,'^htcst disposition of the kind was exhi- bited, except by a sooty litlle chiihcy sweep, v.ilh the cquipn""its of his order in his hand. Dut, on the con- trary, : 11 was calm sviiinathv, with a few low mur- niiirs of pity and comiiiiseration running througli the crowd, that v/as griitrQil to the cars of the wretciicd exile; and, when \:r- v/ere all standing upon ''terra firma,*' the throng i:;ivii]g opened a lane for us, there v.'cnt forth one co;:liiuio'.is peal, with *'Crod bless the brave Canadians, and speedily release and return ilicm to their wives and to their homes.'-'' Ileforc wo laiu'ed, hov/cver, the Liverpool owner, with a nuuiber of niagislrates, bearded us, followed by tlie Governor of ib.e liorough jail, and a man carrying a load of buriiishcd liand cuil]^, with which we were connected in parties of four — "kdon style.*' In the street near the dock, a number of carriages were drawn un; into which v.c were put, and uhiided away to the old borough jail — an immense building, erected exclu- sively i^or the detention of French i)risoners taken on the continent, during the struggle with Eonaparte — but which was now devoted to the punishment of convicted criminals. It is said to bo capable of accommodating upwards of a thousand persons. At the time of our entrance, there were, as 1 was informed l)y an ofTicer belonging to the establishment, about five lumdred men and boys, and two hundred \\omen. Tlie boys were upwards of two liundrcd in number, and under the age ■>f ten — all convicted of larceny, or felony of sonic de- I I "i If ( 1 "'If* T n 4ll: '• Mil t ^ *t f\ '.'• if -r '' '■4 ( - . ■ ■ ' % ' ,1 , 1' ;■'< ' ' 1 ■' s.H^- 104 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. grcc — and under sentence of from six months to two years close imprisonment, on the silent system.* Ill entering this imlace^ our carriage was driven by a postillion, with a guard on the boot. The heavy gaies closed violently after us, as if to preclude tiio idea of ever repassing its dark and gloomy portals. As we rattled up the paved court yard, beneath the frowning towers and grated windows, a melancholy satisfaction pervaded iny whole soul; for it was indeed a pleasure to be, even thus, delivered from ihc loath- some habitation we had just left, though we entered a boding prison. At the main entrance, we were obsequiouly received l)y the oilicials; and I wondered if it was not deemed a privilege to become a tenant, where so kind and fa- vorable a welcome was administered. It reminded me of the picture I had somewhere seen, of the quaint alfability of a landlord, standing upon his threshhold, dispensing welcome to his guests, well knowing that every new visiter added to his gains. I am sure he might w(dl be lavish in retailing his good wishes, when each was worth at least a half crown to him. The doors were immediately thrown wide, and we were polilely handed from the carriage, into a long, narrow hall, lined, en either side, with a row of sle^ ^oing cells, whoso heavy, iron bound dooi's, with grated diamonds, were not calculated to impress us with an idea of a re- pletion of comforts within. About half way up the hall, we turned a sharp angle, and coon emerged into a tol- erably spacious yard, flagged with large flat stones, (as was the case with all the ground rooms, halls and j.J| i»i! i ■'■■\ li<^ -iF' LETTERS FROM V. D. I.. 105 IS to two riven by ■ heavy i-ide tho ortaLs. icath the ancholv s indeed iic loath- 'ntered a received deemed :1 and la- ■e minded ^10 quaint ^'cslihold, 'ing that ft Lire he cs, when n. The we were , narrow ng cells, amends, . of a re- the hall, ito a tol- stones, alls and yards of the building,) and flanked on the outerside, and separated from 'another yard, by heavy walls, nflcen or twenty feet high, with a coping stuck full of broken glass bottles, formidable enough, in appearance, to de- ter the stoutest heart from any attempt to pass over it. In this yard we remained until dispossessed of all our iron emharrassmcnis; and I can assure you, that, at that moment, I felt not only light footed, but light iioarted also. ^\'e were next ranked in single file, and addressed by the Governor, (Mr. Batcheldor,) who sta- ted, that Mr. JcdVics, of the Quebec jail, had forwar- ded documents to him, expressive of an exceding good character, which he was glad to see, and hoped we would maintain it; "for,'" said he, "character, in this country, whh a prisoner, is every thing, and it may be in my power to do you a good turn in that way.'" The "board of visiting magistrates,'" who were pres- ent, with the lord mayor, and cx-mayor, expressed a deep regard for us, and a willingness to do any thing in their power, to meliorate our situations, and add to our comfort. They told us the establishment was con- ducted upon the "silent system;^' but that they would consider us exempted from an obedience to that rule. No tobacco, newspapers, or books of light literature, however, would be permitted; and no articles, of any kind, taken out from, or brouglit in to us — no letters, or written communications, should pass, unless first inspected by the Governor, who would always be ready to extend any favor compatible with rectitude— and if we felt ourselves aggrieved, in any respect, we only had to make it known to the board of visiting ma- 5-^-^« l^M it :l % m i n M \k *^'mr IGO LKTTEUS mOM V. D. L. J 'J \ <■ ..II i I 111 I gistratcs, some of whom would see us each day. All these thing.H arranged, we were dismissed, and permit- ted to retire from the yard to the day room,*' where WG found an exiiilaraling fire, around which we hastily crowded, with gratofid sensation.--, for once again being disencumbered from our galling load, and permitted to thaw our chilled bodio=v. The felons fmm Quebec re- mained outside still longer, ami li-tened to a catalogue of crimes and "bad marks,'""' that ought to have sepa- rated t'lem for /or from all human society; neverthe- less, the lenient Governor would permit them to remain with us, on account of the whole number being "m transitu f but ho hojied they would not, in the least, interfere with us. Wlicn wo had become comfortably placed, and fell the innucneo of the f;rc, (something we had been debarrerl from for twenty- live cold days past,) supper appeared, in the shape of a half pound of black barley and pea bread, and a three half pint cup filled with potatoes, and a small slice of meat on the top. This provision, though coarse, was partaken with avidity, wlien, "out of respect 'or our being men not stamped with h.^nious ollences," a pot of ale to each was served out; and much surprise was exhibited by several gentlemen who stood by, to observe some of our number refuse to partake it, from temperance principles, which their persuasions could not overcome. This supper was served us out of pure humanity; for it was a practice there, or, rather, a standing rule throughout England's jails, to never supply food to the prisoners on the first day of their arrival, suppo- sing them to have been rationed for the day at their lettl:u.s from v. d. i.. Hi' hist stopping placo. This i:j a cruel ruk", for prison- ers in travsUu, seldom n^ccivo their customary allow- anco; iu\y\ novi'r what nalurj would ; ( > m to rccpiire. To any appeals, ih^j governor;! are always inflexible; ;uid the p(5or, hungry wretch is never relieved, except some humane fellow prisoner, where he lodges, but little better supplied than him-elt", chance to share his scanty pittance with him, which, in the whole, would not satiate a common appetite. In the persuasion.^ used to induce an acceptance of the ale, w^o were told, that it was a peculiar favor gran- ted i)y the Governor; and, if slighted, he might be o(- i^Kimlc(\. I'ut rdl was to no purpose; for, had not pled- ged abstinence withheld us, I think a taste would havi,* been stiiricicnt; for I cannot conceive wdiat there can 1)0 in this national beverage, to cause the bhiglish peo- ple to idolize it to such a degree — to an American pa- late it is perfectly nauseous. , Next came our sleeping apartments, to which* we were shown about eight o'clock; upon these, my mind had been running for some hours past, for our last quarters had been so destitute of comfort, that wc felt as though we ought to find something of a better kind here. Wo 'hcnvever soon discovered that they had been t\irnished with but little r'^gard to comfort, yet with much regard to cleanliness, a very redeeming feature. The calculation was, for three to occupy a cell. Messrs. Wixon, Parker, and myself took one, and found three narrow cribs, very like coffins, with a mattress, two blankets, and a pillow, handsomely rolled jip in each. And, although I had the precaution to ■i! 41 \\ > !l ■ if ; iU 'U < II It I '^ i^ nw- I \ff' II., ; ( !il .t\ i !M:;i' .«"t!^! I. ■!i t i.'i^! 111- -^^ 168 LLTTERy FUOM V. D. I, take ill my overcoat and cloak, yet I tclt tlic necessity of more bedding. I really thought Mr. Wixon would never recover that night's severity; tind I do not know that he ever has. He was scizeil with a violent dysentery, and could obtain no alleviation ibr the night. The morning came, and with it new scenes; for we were directed to roll our beds as wc found them, clean our cribs, sweep the room, rub, with a white stone, the door .sill,*and carry out the nuisance tins — wash them in a largo stone trough, standing beside a well in the yard; then pile them regularly in one corner of the yard. Next, wc were to undergo ablution our- selves, in the same stone trough; and then rank, in single file, opposite a window opening into the main court, when breakfast made its appearance, consisting of the pots, (in which our suppers had been served,) filled with the detested oat meal gruel, and a half pounc. of the. "brown tommy." iMy gruel, as well as many others, remained uneaten. After breakfast, recourse was again had to the trough, to cleanse our dishes. About an hour after we had breakfasted, tv of the felons from another wing of the establishment, (both doing the term of their sentence there, the one a year for smuggling, the other eighteen months for vagran- cy, alias, poaching,) came to our apartment, to teach us the art of cleaning, scouring, and scrubbing it. The benches and tables that circled the whole ward, first underwent a scouring with sand and water, rubbed with half a cocoa nut; then cleaned with soap and wa- ter. The next was, to sweep and scrub the flagged floor; then to rub the whole with a white stone; and, LETTERS P^ROM V. I). L 109 In^lly, the whole yard, n.11 area of alxHit one; liunJrod toct by torly, was swept and nioj)|)C'd, and likewise the imincjisc hall, which ended the labors for the dny; and the orders were, tliat wc should observe how it wns done, so as to 1)0 al>le to do the same on the fol- lowing morning. Out of the twenty-three state prison- ers, only four, (native Scotchmen,) eould partake of tlie oat meal; and, consequently, several cups remain- fid full, sitting on the table; when the felons came in, they looked so wishfully at them, that wc could not mir^understand — we tlK-refore told them to cat what tliey wanted. T!io poor, half starved wretches, actu- ally emptied five cups each, and d(^clared they had ne- ver enjoyed so ample a meal before. The visiting magistrates soon made their appear- ance, and wo at once applied for a change of the gru- el, for something else more palatable. They complied, and granted milk in lieu thereof; but the bread they could not alter. With the magistrates came Mr. Thornby, I\I. P., the mayor, ex-mavor, and Lord Bishop, John Buck, D. C. L., Chaplain, and Dr. Archer, surgeon to the borough jail. They all spoke kindly, and en- couragingly, and hoped wo would not long remain in prison, but soon be pern^itted to return to our homes. They proffered every friendship, and s?Jd, "if you have good friends in America, you have (equally good friends here, and those who will serve you more efioc- tually." They further advised us to write any friends we might have in England, and bring ourselves, by that means, into notice. So many applications had already been made to see us, out of sheer curiosity, «• '• i ;. if} ,., ..,1 1 1. ■ , ■ ■ ' .'1 \ t i ii 170 LETTKRH I' ROM V. n. L. tlint it IkkI bocomo noccssary to utfcrly close tlio door against all visitors'. Soaio of tliL'iii, ill tiio pI'-Miitudi; of tin. if kind s(dici- tudo, advis m| n.s to al);->t lin iVoni communicating with Messrs. Hum-, Iloohuck, and otlioiv, of that class, whose services would be rather djtriment.-d than benc- licial to our interests. Tiiey dejiarlLMl, und \vc felt pretty well satisfied with the reception our first request had met. lUit \)\\ l-uck remained bcdiind, for farther conversation; and pleased u ; much with the kind soli- citude he manilested, and the apparent pleasure with which he deeply engng'-'d in every thing appertaining to our temporal, as v.ell as !;^piritual welfare. This gent'eman continued to vi.-.it us each day, and was ex- ceedingly alive to every christian principle. Ilis un- bounded benevolence and rrencrous attention, excited in each brea.>t a sen.so of grateful pleasure, that never can be forgotten. In many subseqirnt scenes, when my whole sonl hae been vv'rung by^oppression, and my mind driven to feelings of retribution against the hu- man race, his character has stood out in reliefs as a bright spot upon which I could ^x/.q with satislaction, and say there was one good mci.i! Not a single trait of character was exhibited but what seemed governed and dictated by pure principles of Christianity and universal hn'e. 1 cannot relate a more expressive tri- bute to his philanthropy, than the following little inci- dent that took place at his house, on the evening of our landing. It was usual for a select few of his friends to collect at his house occasioally, for the pur- pose of social prayer and spiritual conversation. When ■ .^1 p;i| li:ttkiis i'Uom v. ». i.. 171 tlio (lo'jr id solici- n<5 with It class, 111 bciic- wc felt request 1 art her ind soli- irc with rtainiiif,' . Tliis uas ox- [Jis uu- cxcitcd t never !, wlicn \nd mv the liii- ^, as a action, trait of iverncd ty and ivc tri- Ic inci- ting of of his ic pur- When rnp,an:o(l ill o;ic of fho>;o lilllc l);ui(ls, the n(;w.s of our hui(Hng was cunvcycd to ihi.'in. Tii.^y in4antly, at his suggestion, roFolv* d to ail.tpt our {.'(iiidilitu and ul- timate rolea.'io, as thi) a!):''jrl)ing siihjix'l ol' that night's praycr.j; and it was hito 't i;j tlio o prlitjon.-} ceased: the result W!\s a strong hope of tlu; in; rl'crcncc! of Providence in our favor; and he f.')ni5ht daily to infu.;o tliat hope into <»ur minds. lie had hcen engngcd in the service of his country in the cast, whore he had, hy intrepid conduct, work; d his wiiy from the ranks, up to the station of I\l;ijor of Artillery, wli^n ho renounced the service of his co;niirv, for that of his divine Mns- tcr — the uniform of a warrior, ibr th.) surplice — the sword of destruction, fur tin; gosp( 1 of peace; and in this character ho was preeminently usel'ul, and had already attained the degree of Doctor of Civil Law. \Vc gladly listened to his discourses and ]>rayers, which were always extempore. I To was an agreeable visitant to all wdio were desirous of instruction. IIo discovered an uncommon dei»tii of thought, and delive- red his sentiments with a readiness and eloquence that was truly fascinating. His understanding appearcfl re- markably clear, which was coupled to a quick appre- hension, a solid judgement, and an excellent memory; and was ardently devoted in promoting the worship of "IsracFs Covenant ( Jod.*' On Christmas he attciided with his daughter, (a child of about eight years,) in his hand, who had been long anxious "to come and see the poor Canadians.'^ When I beheld the dear sympalizing creature holding '.o her parent's hand, gazing upon us with a tearful -f^ \m ni LKTTKR8 V''.'\i V. I>. I,. 1 1 1 ,■ ' 1 i oyo, (lor sho Imtl ham tanglii to pity ul;,) and onqui- ring of our own dear little ones, sirong emotions of l»ittur regret were excited in my bosom. The picture Urouglit vividly to my recollection, Rcenos of tiie past; contrasling what was, anrl what might iiavo been my situation. I then felt, niore than ever, the severity of the fiat that had rent asunder the sweet lies of do- nv'stic society, and the friendships that still bound my lieart to the land of my birth. Altiiougli scenes of this nature would cause my thoughts to revert, sadly, to my h(jmc; yet gloom could not endure — it would vanish at the idea of hav- ing one friend, who woud not, while life lasted, cease her struggles to emancipate, or join me in my land of exile. And it wao a melanclioly pleasure, too, to know I had left behind a daughter to bless the naino of her absent j)arent, and who would ever bo taught to pray for his release and return. Our first dinner consisted of a half pound of bread, and a pint of "scouse, made of cows heads," boiled to a jelly, with lips and gullet yet covered with the pro- vender the beast had last eaten — the second of a cup of beef broth, or "beef tea," as it was called, with the usual bread, and half a pound of beef; and the third of tlie same as the first supper. These dinners came in perpetual rotation, while the breakfasts and suppers consisted, after the change, of one pint of milk each. We were in the heart of a foreign prison, four thou- sand miles from home — shut from society, friends, and enjoyments — debarred the opportunity of action, and the commonest privileges of the free — without a hope 1 .1 HI; Limtiis riio.M \. 1). L. 171] Inna of picture K' past; been •severity of (lo- 111(1 my jse my gloom A' hav- , cease land of too, to p name light to bread, 5iled to 10 pro- a cup ith tlie third i came uppers ^ach. I* thou- s, and 1, and 1 hope of chindestino escape — with but i\ faint earnest of sym- pathy, and rA^fused wholesome and proper provision: vet I do believe everv man I't.'lt contented, cheerfid, nay, even iiappy; for the contrast between the situa- tion we liad just left on board llu; ('apt. Uoas, and llie one wo occupied in the borough jail, was so great that it caused sensations of pleasure, grat(.'ful to feelings so long outraged: and when night came, wc retired to our scanty beds, with strong antic i[)ations of refresh- ing slumbers, and ideas of tolerable comfort. Notwithstanding the advice against writing iMessrs. Ilumo, Roebuck, 6:c. I addressed tliem bolh,' with Lord Hrougham, for myself and the other Niagara District prisoners, as a distinct class. Messrs. Wixon and Parker did the same, representing their cases con- nectedly, with all from the London District and To- ronto, who had taken the benefit of an '-ex-post facto'' law. Such proceedings were most justly represented as glaringly illegal, and most egregiously irregular; and Mr. Millar, on the part of the American citizens, wrote Mr. Stevenson, the U. S. Minister at the Court of St. James. In my letters I desired to hear *4Vom some of those liberal spirits, who had so long stood up in the British Parliament, as the unbiassed champions of reform, and the undaunted opposers of an evil, ini- quitous ministry. I appealed on the score of fellow feeling, and earnestly solicited their aid, in bringing our cases before the eye of the government; so that, in the event of our sentences being carried fully into effect, there might be no ground upon which the Bri- lish ministry could get rid of the onus of an illegal 1 •-■i" i i •!•. Hi: < f; '■A ■ M f I ^ s Iff M-. I' r'' l' , ! : h ■^^1 ' \ I'r'd ■ i ! '. ' ' 1 ] i i 171 LKTTKRS rUO:.I V. D. L. transportation; for, in ITppcr Canada, there never had oxistcd any law, oven recognising such an event, until but three montlis prior to our trial, when a bill was passed, only (mikipatinfr it; and that bill had not yet received the; sanction of the Qucon; and it was, there- fore, unconstitutional to act upon it. But all the prac- tices in the Province, v/ere rifo with unconstitutionality; yet, I fancied, there existed more responsibility in Eng- land, and, consequently, I imagined my appeal would not be vain." In fact, when I lir>t put foot upon Bri- t'sh soil, I felt almost assured that 1 should not leave it, unless I v/as really Jiomeirard hound. I named, tijo, the niic of Sir George Artluir, in entering into a com- jiact with the prisoner, by which ho could set up, against m':^i'itcd censure, the }:l:\a of the prisoner ma hing choice of transportation in tho lieu of dca/'i — a plea I regard:'d as perfectly puerile, and could only have origin:it'\d in a total absence of all huv upon a subject of that nature; and one thrit could not give the slightest coloring of propriety to such a violation of what was right; and i doubted not, but that, if we could obtain a hearing, through such men as Brougham, Hume, and Roebuck, we would fhid liberality sutlicient in the government, to release us from imprisonment, if not a full permission to return to our residence in Canada. To talk of clemency, as connected with the Queen, I knew to be hyperbolical; for very rarely did any communications, designedly made for her, ever meet the eye of majesty, particularly when not agreeable to ministers through whose hands they must proceed \ i i ^ ■ « i ■ . ) 1 ■ it ■ I ' l.ETTKUS VllOM V. 1). 1.. 175 ;vcr had nt, until bill was not yet 5 Ihcrc- 10 ])mc- ■>na]itv: in Eng- wou Id on Jjii- )t leave 'd, t-jo, a com- et up, or ma al/i — a :1 only ipon a vc I he tion of could ^hain, ficient mcnt, ICC in ucjn, ' any meet 3le to ceed Ours, for instance, must be addressed to the Secretary of State lor the Colonies, under whose arbitrary policy, explained to the Canada Governor, it was that we were suflbring. Even should these documents apjiroach ihc throne, and elicit feelings of sympathy, }et they could not be acted upon, at her instance, if counter to the views of the ministry. Nevertheless, that lliorc miglit ho j^o "stone left unturned,'' 1 wrote out, and addres- sed to Lord John llus-;ell, a petition, signed jointly by all mv class, pravinp; ''Her P-Inir'slv-'s interference against an illegal sentence;'' and boldly de; cribing the moans resorted to by the Lieutenant Co\ernor, to of- feet our transportation from the land of our homes. A\'e iuQ-eJiiou.dv acdvuowledp-ed haviiirr enrr;u7;':d in acts that might bear the construction of liigh^ treason; but in reality, it was not treason iu us; we liud merely opposed, by the only means remaining to us, the trea- sonable practices of Jler Maj .'sty's r(M>rescntatiNe. ^^"e had lost many of the privileges and rights the con- ::titution had provided for, and we only sought to re- trieve them. "W'c had been driven to the measures we tjok,'' and 1 rpiotcd Lord Durham \.o su.vtain it. "We protested against our inordinate bondage, and appealed to the justice and good will *:)f her Majesty to her loyal subjects, for an effectual release, or, at l-jast, an im- partial investigation, &c. &c.*. and lastly, we knew that when her Majesty became acrpiainted with our unhappy situation, and read our faithful representa- tions, and listened to our apj)eals to her sense of equi- ty ,she WOULD grant our petitions; and, as in duty bound, we would ever pray." I1, m li m ; j : *'**■»'■■ '•■::' Vil 'i i ill i :f'! ■ ii; I V S'f 170 LKTTLRS rnOM V. I). L. <•■• ■■bit' ■ ' ■ m in!* I next wrote Lord Durham, expressive of my per- sonal crson from each class, to confer with him, to avoid confu- sion. Messrs. Wixon and Parker, were to take pre- cedence for their cases; and mvself and Miller were to follow, for ours. It was arranged that Mr. Waller should introduce the four to Mr Uoebuck, while the otliers were to seek amusement in the yard. The next day, al)0ut lV»ur P. M., AJr. Roebuck made his appear- ance, accomjianied by Mr. W. I was named to him; iie acknowkidgcd the receipt of my letter, and said, iiis design for coming, was to [)rocurc material sufTi- <:ient to bring our cases into the (Queen's Bench, wliich he had no doubt, would result favorablv. IJis atten- lion was then arrested by Mr. Parker's sayii]g, that his class was not as deeply implicated as Mr. Wait^s; and, perhaps, it might be better to bring their cases up first; as the one party had received a trial, and the olluu" had not. Mr. Uoebuck cauglit the idea at once, and desired to be left alone with him. They remained closeted for some time, when he took his leave without farther notice than merely saying, he had received ail llic in!'.)rmation be desired, and would attend to the '•ausc immediately — that he was cramped for time. and Mr, \V. would iniurm me of tlie firiTiiiicements mad >; and requested that all the ommaMications mififht be aiidresscd to Mr. Ashurst:. i have been thus parlicular in rdatinp^ liiose inci- deiils, f »r my companions from Niagara, wew incli- ned lo c'viVE^o tiu; exclusive proceedings that followed. yj tiii ¥, LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 179 to the designed misrepresentations of Parker, and u fear that his success might be jeopardised by a too nu- merous participation in the benefits of inquiry; but I saw, ut once, the occasion for it. The nine men, among whom lie was numbered, had hi^'.cn treated more palpably illegal, than those of us who had received a trial. Their sentences were given under an "e\ post facto'' law, directly opposed to the spirit of the l>ritish code, that nominal "bulwark of Bri- tish liberty,'^ viz: the "jury act.'' GUI's, too, was ille- gal and unjust, but truly not so undisguised; for, by ilio lime we were cnptured, Sir George Arthur had be- i'.omo somewhat more way-wise, and bt^gan to think a little more plausibility was requisite in dealing with the Canadians, thnn witli the Tasmanians, whom lie iiad hung up with impunity. 1 WHS informed by Mr. Waller, that it had been de- le rmined upon to apj)ly fur a habeas corpus, under which twelve persons were to bo taken to London for investigation and special pleadings be'bre the Queen's Ijcnch, while the others must still remain in the custo- fly of the governnent; and all i could advance against such a fatal arrangement availed nothing. However, Aviiatever induced our common frientfs to raise this dis- iniction, I am quite certain it resulted detrimentally to tue excluded party; for it created, in the estimation of liie government, unfavorable impressions regarding our cases — the ministry naturally viewing thi.';] partial proceeding, as a tacit acknowledgment of a total want of all ostensible pretext for den^anding a similar inves- tigation and favor for u.-;; yet, to keep up ap})earanee-\ !l It ! ! i ij t M 1-4 iy "M fWJ .'& ■• " •■ »■ ■■ ■ '^ ■■'' rl ;!v 4 i : r' . J.:ill:i' •! : =4r 180 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. we were all desired to commit the particulars of each individual case to paper. For such purposes, paper, ink, and quills, were gratuitously supplied by some without, who kindly sympathised with us. We all, by advice, unitedly demanded copies of the official documents, under which we had been brought to, and were still detained in Liverpool. A dozen co- pies were taken without delay, and given us. It was a most singular instrument indeed, a mere warrant, drawn up and signed by John Colborne, Governor pro tern, of Lower Can;i(Iri, Commanding Capt. Digby Morton, Master of the barqiir <'Capt. Ross,"' to receive on board, and carry into trtuispoi'tution, the persons therein named — first landing thorn where *'we" (the Queen) liiight deem proper, in the United Kingdom, *'to the intent that they may be delivered into the hands of some person duly authorised to receive them.'"'' The loose, vague, and slovenly manner in which this document was drawn up, elicited many pertinent remarks and observations from our counsel, and some public journalists. Perhaps a more decrepit instru- ment had never emanated from the pen of any indi- vidual who held the least pretensions to legal know- ledge. The ^'recitation, (the only place in which we see Arthur named,) ia e^ctremely deficient in point of in- fo rmi.tion. The reader can, in no wise, discover how liie prisoners came into Colbornc's possession, or by what authority he detained them."' It all appears a matter of mere speculation, when first taken up, and so it leaves it. In the recitation, Leonard Watson's name is given, but does not again appear, although all i:.: LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 181 the others (for one warrant covered the whole of us) are named six successive times. Ilnr] there been no other irreguhirity, the defoctivo construction of this precept should have been sufiicicnl reason for an im- mediate release. But, with the British government, *^mig/tt is rii>fif;"' and no justice is granted to the ob- noxious, feeble bondsman notwithstanding the great- est inordinate practice. I remain, dear sir, Yours, ):■ ;«fc LETTER X. AsHGROVE, near Oatlands, V. I). L. Januarii^ 1841. 1\ o , My Dear Sir: I closed my last with some remarks concerning the instrument that bore the title of a war- rant, and had tlie lionor of taking twenty-three poli- tical prisoners from Canada to Europe. It only requi- red reading, to be ridiculed, even by the comparatively illiterate. In fact, not only ridiculed, but also con- demned, as placing unbounded authority in a petty master *bf a lumber ship, to deal with us as his dispo- sition might dictate; and heaven is a witness, that hia conduct bore no shade of humanity. Ho, accompanied by the Liverpool owner, called upon us, and apologised for the publications relative to the mutiny. To show their regard, Mr^ Frost, would undertake to forward, free, any letters we might wish ..-T I H 182 LETTERS FROM V. I). L. t «';l;'^' ""^1^!; to send to Amoricu; as i\ pnckot, willi which he had somo connection, was about to sail lor l>oslon. Wf acccptc'fl his proflor, and put in his hand a largo num- ber, which he scut on board tlio Peinisylvaiiia anrLSl. Andrews, two pack( ts tliatwcnt dowji in th(^ chaiuu.'i; and with tlicni, all our letters. Ciiristmas, the groat I'iUglisli feast day came, and brouglit to us tho double rations usually issued in all theii" prisons; but we cared but little lor their extras, for W(; had obtain.'d tlie permission of makijig up a sort of mess, or pudding, from the relics of our sea. stock. Flour, supplied by J. C Parker, was mixed into dougli, with 'pure water, then incorporated with a portion, still remaining, of the dried fruit sent nn while yet at Kingston, by a kind sislcr. This simple lump boiled, constituted our excclhnl Christmas din- ner; and we partook of it with as hearty a relish as we would have done, of the choic(>st at homo. I mention tliis trifling incident, because it gave rise to a conversation upon the subject of England's pau- [)crs, to which 1 listened with silent horror. AV'hilc we wore engaged with our ^^pJiim puddiniy^'' a gentleman who was always a privileged visiter, came in, and re- marked, that lie was happy to find us so wellcmployofl. **But," mU\ ho, "yon find } our dinner, no doubt, n coarec one; nnd, perhaps, the poorcdl, in your counli\,, would feel Ihemeelvcs poor, indeed, if they wore not able to provide a better, any dny in the ycnr. But lot mc nssure you, that there nre millions, in this land, who never know what a full dinner is, even of the coarsest food — who seklom taste of meat — aiul, during the winter months, never partake of Imt one meal per day; and that, perhaps, but a half one. In the course of my duty, I have visited families who 'il LETTERS FROM N. n. 1.. 18M lie h.'Ki n. Wo J iJiini- laillK.'i; i;nd nut ra:<(((l Uj-m] llir dny-; mil knrw not \vh«'r(' to turn fornny. A fnniino U now rai;in<; in MrinrliPHlcr, llint inwhl very foon w- -nlt in riwf, lili'n.l-^licd, and murdor, iiidcfs imuirr iiicnm nrc rc- ■^■ortcd to, lo nllovinte iLio [>rovaloiit mifi ry mid di'siitn(io?i. In fiict, Ibc j)nii;if'r-i of our whole Innd, nrc in '^ ti!n(o but littlo bot- i> r tlinii pfftrvfition. Tlirro arr none, pf^rbaina, who \vitnrR3 pi- jnuch of liun'an wrrirhidn';?-', a.-t the CI'Tiryninn, itlu^ holdfl hini- t-iclf hound to aM'iid tlio couch of sickncpK, and ndininislcr Ihc ouuHolaf ions of r'.-■Ii^;ion to Ihc dyintf, in tlicir last momenls. Antl, alns! what a hnrj;a.--iing ta.-k it ii^, to fultil the duiirs of riUfdi n stn- ti'Wi! Ilow often mui-it his h( art f>o torn hy tlic hcrnoH of nnj.Mnnh liolii'hoid- in tltc .'IkmIs "f iho sffirvins; poor! IIo iinih it inipossi- hli' to lead the loiiitl of 1 ho cxpirinLS '" 'he on^iidcrnt ion of a tu- turo frtalo, wh"') hio oliildrcn, (uuti' f-hadowH of hunianiiy, ) arc niourniny aI)out him for hr'nd. IIow often niui^t ho ro!> IriR own dear (mo:i of half liicir wanti^, to adniinifftcr a sli^^ht comfort lo th( •i'jfiiu fT_jfirI_HUii'ry.nc avarim; and even then, incur the chari:;o ot dcnlin'Mnif wiMi a cold liandcd chtirifif. The ojiprcssion of the umny, for llic niiLnandi/cviicnt of ih'' few, Is what hart liranded England Nvith iiii'aiiiy. It i'^ ^^anf! cold, mcngor, ninddcninfj, ^vnnt! that caii-os so ninny of Enirlnnd'.s sv/ijecla yearly to over- leap the barrier to crime, and become ihievcH, incendiaries, rob- bers, and murdoror;-. It ishun2;rr! cruel, mfuriatimj; hiuigerl thn' fills our jaiN, p'iiiti'ntiarii'P, and hulk^, to overllowinfr, and ban iioopled, with uluuulonrd ontcastH, the pcntil colonics to which you are 3cntenced, I liave more pity for that man, who sudors the exlremo pcjialty of the law f )r highway robbery, if it was but to supply hia needy otfsiiring with food, than for him Nvho rolln, in hirt 8j)Icndid e(piipa<^'c, to a sudden end of horror. "When I :^cc the gaudy trappings of rank, and splendor of rich- er, contra.^'ted with the poor, forlorn beggar, in his tattered gar- nicntn, and bare feet, with his gray locks streaming in the windf of winter, and his llenhless, trembling limbs, scarce bearing him up/against the blasts, I cannot close my eyes upon the fact, that these arc sure indications of a state of society, that must be chan- ged for anarchy and blood-bhed. If France has suflered much on account of her high-handed oppression, will not England eufier a thousand times more? But her measure is not yet full. I ', 1 ' •■( {,!■ !l MM ^^ '> .,! \ m ' f i;ii::' ■A' 'X^X ■X I! ,S -liii^iiii''- -■iv'/.i- lAi n ;t> ■''!" 184 LETTF.KH J'ROM V. I». f.. "Livcrpnc half of ^vhom burl n'» olhrr iiicc ntivc for the coiii- mitijion of crinu% tlinn osli atibly to tiiiiitly thcinsclvoa nnd fnmilit'T uilb foe'. Two hundred I-'-yn occupy a j)"rtioii, nl>o; mrmy of whom urc undi'r the (I • of tiifUl, conuuiltod iiivnrinbly f i',,rf — tbousnnd;', whocc couiUonniu.cH, iVoni t'otitiiiiio iniilst if riches, but dare not pnrtnke, nnd die, f/irniiihed, in tjic t-ij^ht of tunrj of brcnd HluflrJ. It it- true, Ilnyland i-- powerful, h.tnusc dcji- potic! Bill freedom itj di\^ccrfiH the nmny, nnd pnmper the few. "I would net wi-h lo li(^ underslood OH enyin;,' thnt fhoJc lie none whopo nceenf h nro relieved \)y private charity, or ' iiiuitn- bl(.' institmionti; I ro nro millions n\ bo do yearly receive the nn>( rnblo piUnnce . i ei-ht or twelve pcinee per w<'elv,,durin;,' the winter. I5iil what is hiicTi a mi'm, in cuinpnrii^on to the wnntrt of a hnnuin hfiiiL'", in a cMinlry wli'-ro bread i;< ho dear? 1 will rutt f-ny (hnf the 'abominable corn Inww* iirodiice all (be misery pr( vnilin;;^ here, biftl cannot but admil, that they conduce lar^^ely townrd it. Perhapg you dn n!)t know thoir operation; 1 will, iberefore, brielly e\i)luia it: wheat now, including llieduly, ranges near $*3 22 per bn;4iel; nnd .such in rendered continual by the hlidiu',' ncale of rnfee, which rifco^, nf? wheat falls in value, ami fulls a^> wheat ri^cs. Now, the great evil i?, that IIuh duty d )e3 not find its way into the treaf-ury, but into the pockets of the great landlord. *'I fiay, tiie miUiouH are starved, to gratify the few. Sir Robert Peel eayf, 'it is the <'on3iitutional policy of Jlnglftrid, to rnaihlain tlicaTi^()craey and magif-lracy, as essential parts of the commu- nity;' and that *thc jjrepont cvilc are beyond I'nrliamonlary enact- ment.' OHicial and newspaper reportw of the day, say that, nt IcaBl one half the deaths taking place among the lower elase, nrc caused by a want of proper nutriment! ! Can we wonder, then, that niob.s, riots, and chartist meetings are so common? Nny, I ana only astonished that bloodshed nnd murder is not more fre- quent! That every pauper is not a thief, robber, or incendiary; for at least one half the api)lieant3, at the numerous workhouses, and charity nnd philanthropic institutions, arc turned away unre- lieved. ■^i > • ' ¥-K. ',( ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1:^1^8 |2.5 m mil 2.2 lU 122 ■« I 2.0 1.8 III 1-25 1.4 III 1.6 < 6" ► .<^ V] ^ h. /} // y M Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 1^0 LETTERS niO.M V. 1?. I ^■ ¥-' '1^ !■-: •i. ''Oil, li')\v sfuMfiiln''- (n Ilio l>o(tcr fcMliii^s of ni«li — bow siiofli- :ir to (!'. ii iui;iir(\ i-< ill (• kii(>\vl"(l'!;'' iIkiI ir tli(> nrl)'- irnry jiolicy nf i'.ti; lai.'l, i-' iiKi'i'nildUic ii.'ir!;.- ;ill tlic iininnhilic*!!.-' oliiiv C'Miiilrv Nsi'iiii'ii \<\ii>n liio ►ro>ii itiilidHj nn'l c^nf-c- iiuoiil ilrnnkcMii"--', tii-cn-r, jp.I'' i''aiii. ^^ iiul will iinl filiiiviitioii (1(1? AW' Inr ;lfi1i"n, ni\'] oon(Unrv 'II it IKTllli- v'rl ii(> nil 1 1 loiiur. iMlil IIIV, (I rr;i- T iml;!' lln.' Hiiud (li'.d .-wliri- ci(i/.i II a r il ohiicf, nil in- le iii't!'!! Pi'in n nv ii-um" hi cnmi a I'lurilircr Til hold, li.r ."-l luu i.i; ):;nM, jii ?!)-'int, a '-iKakiiiij', M'llaiiini!,^ ii' mi ■ I I'liii! lMt anniversary, in making my escape from Canada, across tlie ])road and sweeiiing currcrrt of the Niagara, on a log canoe, that v/ould scarcely float, when I nearly f(dl ;i \ictim to frost and extreme cold. 1 slept soundly, and dreamed of all 1 had heard, and a thousand additional horrors, and awoke to a knowledge of my own unhappy condition, with a keen sense of the loneliness and unprotected '!«fi r- LKTTFRS FROM V. I). L IH- Tj, ntualioii ofinv wife and r^liild. And if 1 over pravcd with fervor, in iiiv lilo, it was then, fur ih \v •11 DCiDiC, tud C'X(.'ni|ilion I i'(.»ni v,;iiit and iniscrv. ( m.ii'llian vor (l''['r(.cat<(i iii,,; kkjh oi Ah Wail' coinuic: U England, and wrolo p(.i.si lively {)i'nhil)iiiiin' ji; Itut tha! k-Ucr, l'>o, was I03I, with the rLnn-vivania. Tlie time was now cuniine; in whifli n\o w .re to enihark lur i'ortsinouth. I thei'olbre niado anoilicr ollbrt to prevent, or, rather, s!iow tiu; la.iiaev nt' creating tlie distinelion, and (sxeiiulinf;' a i!.';rt (-1 the prisoners iVcmi in\-e,--ti!;'atiun. I exidain:\l Id Mr. Wal- ler, tiiat i had [>Te;it inis^i\ing:3 npun ixdng scut To ino hulks; fissiirinii; hliu, tha.t I i'lt (:ert;un, iiiat wiieti ]»hicc(l on them, there weidd he no proi-aMliiV 01' lea\- ing, until sent on the transport ship — that I had ilea rd so rnucli ai)OUt the hoi'rors e-f tho-*^ "lloaling prison;?,'" that I di'ead(.(l u residence there, more than iinni diate transporlalion. \\\ w;i,s v<;ry an.\i(r tli'' f;,*-! ofl.cing sunt to a liulk williout protest, would, on our part, bo nn ac- kiiuwicdgnicnt of it-i legality, and lliat wo considered onrselves still ''in li-ansitu,"' ni.irly awniting an op- portunity of heiiitc ciinve\ (ul ftn tli_' voyiig(\ Indeed, those jirison f-hips were only rcq.ndcd r»s rceoptaclcs for men whose cases werci)(»silively decided: therefore, hcing sent ll.'^i'e, was signilicant enough of what the govcriHiK nt designed doing with u--'; consequently, I felt it a duty t^i draw up ;i prot(;st against a removal, intiinatinii', tliat ii' we yielded at .'ill, it would bo on tlie ground of r(7^6v//('//r?/. This pa[ier was pr'-'sented at tlic Queen's bcncli, when the Attorney general pledged his honor, ''that, although the gu\eriMi:ent views them afi being in !roi}"ilu, none should Ijo r^ent away until each has his case i!!oroui'-]d\" investii;ated.*' ]\Ir. AV. promised to do whni lif> could, to vAXvcx a removal to London, of the vyliolj lunuber; but lie fcard it would bo imprnctienl)k>; '-as the nionienl a man is placed un- der a liMbeas corpus, the expense of his support falls uj»on tliose who obtain it.'"* Indeed! the secret was out, and I said no more. I had repealedly been informed, tho feeling was so strong in r»ur f ivor, that should our liberation be ofi^'red on indenniity or jtail, either would immediately b;j forthcoming. Tin n, it was not philan- thropy, but political partisar.ship, that had dictated an intcrferance at all! I therefore made no farther strug- gle to prevent the removal; and twice, subsequently, refused to permit my name to be added to those going fellows, ;pai my LKTTTJ'.S FROM V. 1). L. 180 prctfM cut to a ;in ac- isitlcrcd nn oj)- Indofd, placlcs re lb ro, iiat tl)i- uily, I ^iiioval, on tli'3 ntvil ;n 'Icdfrod S tllf'Ml r until Jr. W. oval to would cd un- 't falls IS out, Jd, tlio d our ivould 111" kill- ed an stnig- !ntly, yo'ing lows, whose cases were so closely joined to mi no by simili- tude. The vessel, destined to convey ua to Portsmouth, arrived; but a clashing between the or(i(?r.s brought by her, and some that had come by land, caused a short delay. In the mean time, many gentlemen of the city exhibited a great anxiety to administer to our comfort, or show their esteem, by some slight token; but all the Ministry 'vould permit us to receive, was a supply of shoes, to all who iieeded them; Itut few, however, were required; consequently, the Niagara prisoners went away without having been much expense^ to these philanthro[)ists. The debt of gi'atilude due to J)r. Buck, was augmented by the present of a volume of evangelical hymns, got up by himself, in a splendid style, most of them original. I\line was bound in a su- perb manner, and I still retain it as a valuable memen- to of iiis christian regard. On the first of January, wo were favored with so- ciable visits l>om various gentlemen; and many ladies made application, in vain, to be admitted. 1 [owever, they w^ere not to be utterly thwarted, and sent ibr me to the grated door, having read or heard of Mrs. Wait's successful application at Quebec. I found a considerable number collected, and had the honor of a short conversation with one who had been a *'Lady Mayoress.'^ They were all very richly attired, and betrayed the utmost curiosity and sympathy, as well as an immense degree of ignorance upon Canadian matters and inhabitants. The conversation turned, of course, upon my wife's conduct; and I felt high plea- IS; :'!' ' i< f • ,. t ; I 1 ■ v i IV' 1 k w 190 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. I I i • •I- t ■•^;^f .;• ■• sure in listening to their comments. Indeed, they were extravagant; and 2)romlsed "as great success to lier endeavors, as the most ardent mind could antici- pate, if she really did cc^nc to England;*' and should she land at Liverpool, she should have their protec- tion and assistance, in every possihie shape; and I miglit be assured that would not be slight. They re- ceived my gratiturle, witii a lew paper mementoes, and roliri'd from the door, leaving me to return lo the cn- joyjiient of my prison associates. ^ Hut here 1 will close, and bid you adieu. I remain, dear sir, Yours, &c. &c. LETTER XI. Asu(;ri0VF, near Oatlands, V. I). L. FchriKiri/, 184L To , My Dear .Sir: 1 believe my last letter endc.'d with a scene at the door of tlu* Liverpool borough jail, i)e- tween some iiniou^ ladies, and your equally curious humble 'orvant. The assuriinecs tli^y ^[[vc me, of ex- tending tlie kind hnnd of protection and assistance to my bereaved wiu', in case of her landing there, did my heart good; and made me regret ha\ ing thus hastily written lo her so disparagingly ol'the attempt; for these sympatholie f( (dings satisfied me, that the object of her mission, and the generosity and benevolence ol' her motives, would ensure her an enthusiastic reception. ■■t- LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 191 1 do not know as 1 have ever received any expressions, liuit have sent to my hart a greater liirill of j)urc de- light, or sensations of inorc grateful j)leasur(', than tliat very trifling scene. It was, in my miiid, llie very Iiarbinger of her success; and it did more than ail else, to determine me to hear up under every succession of misfortune that might approach me. 'J'he following is a copy of what was entered into the diary of J. (i. Parker, for January the Jth, IS^U, eoj)ied and inserted since my return. "At (lii\liiihl Ihe nildin'i of cbtiini^ jiiiiioiini'cfi lo iih, tliiif lliu ( icvon iniroiuTri \v{ ro liciiiii' jm iKiicii i|innil ion wtx^i nllocl- inff, ns their Icnvint,' was under iipprehciiKion thai ih( y nhoitld not sceusngfiiM. J)r. 15iick i^aw thcin on buariMhe JNIcieor, (which If: bill n .^iMiiU seshcl,) and liu.' (Jovenior Kpuke to ibc Ca|)tain of ibc fileniner of the irood condiiel ol" the pri •onerH while in bi^ eii8- tody. Afler the twenty-two pert'on.H were ijjoiio, we tldt (piitc Ittnerionir." Indeerl, the "separaticjn was allt'Cting:"' for when w(» had lieen reinvr.'sted with our old aei|naintances, .Old ranked u[) for a slnrf, those \\iio were to remain itehind,* lined the hall near the door of our egress, n-ith Dr. P)Uck at their iK-a*!, they wrung our hands with t(?;irl\il eves, and iiiaiix' a "(Ind hb-ss nou,'" v.hile th(~\' assured us they would correspond with, aiiil inform us of wh[it i)assed with them, if i>crini!l('(l. 'i'l"* gene- rous Dr. ill his usual bland, atieefionate \\\u\\[\ r, strove to direct our minds "lo'strong hopes m, niid iiiiu re- *'.M(f-rrs. ^Vi.\o^. Watnon, Park'-r, Jinltoi:), jMaleohn. ]irown. AI\en, \N ahs-er. Ainlerson, Milkr, Clran<, and Reynold-. •■■r — 1* I i . 1 1 I 1 I • I 'i: l-<^ I. ^- 1 '. ' 'i '. f I' ■ii^i: ^ I. ,'J<, n 102 LETTERS FROM V. U. L. liancc on Isracr.s covenant God, who would relieve the weary soul, and release the confiding prisoner." lie shook our only unsiiackled liand (fur haiidcuHs, as be- fore, had been replaced with the chains,) and put in mine, a pocket comb, which I still retain, as a sacred memento of the **one good man.'" He also gave mc a letter* of commendation, that has frequently, since, been the cause of considerable respect and ameliorating circumstances. Carraiges awaited us at the door, info which we got, and were treated with a drive throuR;h the fine cifv, in view of splendid edifice;^, down to the dock where the *O.Ieleor,''' a small steam frigate lay ready to re- ceive us. It was about half-past three P. M. when wet embar- ked, and were conducted to the bow cabin, just vacated by the marines, where we found all our baggage, with abed each, wooden trencher bowl and spoons. Dr. * Liccrpool Born}njh jail, I December '28, fr!l58. \ Dcnr Sir: I cnn linvo no diificiihy in e:qirci=Kin<^ my npprobn- tioii of tlif? coiidiu'l Lninced by yon, find llio oilier prieonertJ, while you have Ixcn unluiiipily conliiiL'd within (iu,'eo wnlls. I trupt you will have ihnt supiiorL which Iruo religion can nlonc affirdyoii: nnd ihnt, wherever your lot nmy be cast, you will ever realize Isrn< i'^ Cincnant God. 1 niont aircctionalely (Muimcnd you to the grace of CJod, and to the Christi.'in t-yuijiaMiy (*f my brctlu'i n in the minifitry whom you may meet. My prayera and my beat wishes for youri-'clveo, your wivc^•, and your chihhcn. Believe mo yourp, very rcppeclfidlv, JOHN BUCK, b. C. L. Chaplain. Mr. Bonjamin Wait. tMesers. McLeod, Wait, Wagr^oncr, Chandler, Gemmel, Mc- Nidty, Vernon, Malkry, Cooley, VauCau)p, and Beemer. i,r.TTi:no riu»M v. :). r.. \\):\ Ruck, an\vo counted, and a list oroiir names given. 'I'h(j Governor n^porlcd an oxtro ordinary good eiiaractrr ibr the sfnto prison- ers, and roeonim'Mided them to llio e--[)cciLil favor of the olliccrs — tluii i)id ns a pl'-asuraido pi'sstjge, and fipecdy r^'leasc from impri^jonmcnt, and lelired. 'JMn; ]">r. ngain iin}»fTrted excellent advice, and hid us adieu, wilii a parting prayer. About 1'. }>{. tli'j pti"ira \\'a'; ,r;ot up, \]\q moorings looseil, and th > fi !";■•.! • p'lt i;nd''r vny for the sea, ;iscniust .'i heid v.ii-.d, h.- whl. Ii v/(! wcie twice fore(ul iiack hel'drc we inado g.)od our oiling. Tho morning of the fifth, found ur; ahnosf a wrccl:, laboring heavily m an increasing g^le, oil' CjiU hnrl)or, which we attempted, but fjund impr:ielicablo» after the whole day ipcnt fniitl.'ssly. 'j'ho eonnnand'M' then dcmicd it ne- cessary to hear awav for ]lolvh'\ad, ^\bel•e we rode olV and on for the night, not daring to enter wilhout a pilot; and signal;} for one in tlic morning, were oidy answered !>y counter signals l(j Iccop oil". Our cn«o Vvas now despe- rate, anfl ON iTv moment becoming woj :; the engine was disabled and stopprd; tlie wheel hous: i, i)Uiwarks, binacles and comj)asses were all swejit away; the boats were destroyed, and no cliance 1 'ft for escape, but to run again for Liverpool, under almo. t bare poles; for but one sail was remaining, tho ollr'rs having l)een ohredded to ribbons by the force of tho wind. It was, indeed, no easy matter to re-enter Liverpool, •without a single channel mark, buoy, or light, to guiii<.' our course; all having been displaced, and the light \ <}^ % ■•, X:'\\ \ I ii '. ' !■ h^ ISH LKTIIUS rilO.M V. 1). I,. t I 1 ' I < *'' V !«• <». >• ; IV <.* 1- -i:.^: j 'i! sliij) driven in; but tliore wiis no alternative; the com- Diandi-r look tliu wliccl and (' whicli, at tiiat tim ^, wa ; auginonted by a pulmonary altac^U; and ^hcn wv i. Inrncd to po;-t, the marine sur- geon dcenkd it necc. iiry to have as:.^i,stant advice. Dr. Archor, tlicrelurc, came on board, nccomj)anied by anotlier medical g^nllomau, Vvha proceeded to examine my (die^l, broast, rud .siil;;s, with a stethoscope, and pronoun2ed it nocc.';t;ary to remove mc to the shore, V hero I might join my other comjianions, and go to liondon by land. Tlii.; advice arose from a benevo- lent nnxh'ty to befriend me, and I thanked them for it, but d"?clin:'d accc jUing, from a v.i.di to remain with, and rdiarc the fortune of my j)rcs^.nl companions, knowing that my r:;rvicos, in \,rilii)5r, would soon bo necessary. Dr. Duck came olf, al.o, and brought a slip from one of the presses, containing a detail of many of the wrecks, with the lo-s of life and destruction of proj)crly, on shore, as wcdl as at sea. The Pennsylvania and vSt. Andrew's Packets, bound for America, filled with omigranls and ])assengcrs, wore stranded, and went to pieces — only one man be- .■it :* M. . ,\f I !^ r ii. 1 '..! ■+ 1 . 't ■ ■is' m • I no LKTIKKH FUOM V. I). I,. k^ :%': :(• :t It -" . . 4 •• •'! ^1 'i! ing .saved from the 1\, wliilo of tlio passengers on tlio St. Andrews, more, providentially, were preserved. The DrotlKM's, and liockwood, two oilier I'ackets, just entering tli'- ehanncl, sli;ired lli<' same fato, with near- ly all their crews and passengers; while a vast numher of smaller erafts were totally sW!\llowed up, with all hands, involving the destruction oC an immense amount of properly, and the loss of wcNeral hundreds of hutnan lives. Tlie ea.«5l shore of the channtd wa.s literally strewn with dead bodies, goods ami properly, and pie- ces of wrecks. The detail was shocking, to a pain- ful degree; and, nlthough our own (^scape hjd been indeed a miraculous one, v.hen I linished reading there was not a (h*y eye among us, nor a heart that did not bleed for the nu'sfortunes of others. T'rom one of the wrcekf?, some of the passengers were taken by a life boat, and many drowned in attem[>ts to escape. One gentleman refused, when an opporlimiiy olF-red, to leave the ship, because his wife could not be lound — choosing rather to stay and die willi )ier, than to live, uncertain of her fate. He found her, and they both spent a night of horrors, in momentary expectation of death; but were, ])rovi()entialIy, both found alive on the followins: movninT, the onlv surviviut!; beings on board. There was true, genuine, close attachment, equal to other I wot of. A leather and son weu'e found on the beach, clasped in each other's arms — a husband, wife, and daughter, lashed tocether Mith hfiudkerchiel's and shawls — a brother and sister in a last enduri "g embrace; and mothers and childrrin were found as if they had clung to each other in vain for mutual LKTrhns riioM \. d. i,. 107 protc'Ctinii. TIk; piciurc wns rcpl' Ic wiih honor and lionrt-iviulin,!:' sensation;-: but, alil how nianv thoiisaiul times more l.im ulaMu must iIkj ival f-iicctaclc have l)rpn! 'IMi- (!.,val.i!i<»ii war; not f:onrm"il to Iho channel and .sea; Tor miicli of iho .shii)[M!ig in the harbor and docks siiir.' red mul ri'il damagf^, wliilc many lives, and nnich properly, va re d* .stroynl in liio city of Liver- pool, and ill'.' afli'if'-nt counlrv, 1)\ ihc total di;niolition of ihouyniid.j of chiiiii!', ys, sli t plLb', ami even houses. Many .slati ly < Im •, tl:at had hra.cd the storms vC past uf^r, \v. r-' tirn up liy ih? root/, and tiirowu to the earili, !• rriblu t^i.-cn ; of th'; Ibrce of tho tornado, that liad n"\c'r, on th )•:: coast^.^, its parallel. Ali. ! the mutaltilitv ol'all tliiurrs earlhlv! After some cvsontial r«'i>air.^, we again hoisted anchor, with a tolerable merry *'yo-heavc-o,''und put out, witii a gentle breeze, though high sea, about noon of the lllh of January. The oiitrast between this egress from, and the last entrance to the harbor, was trul) very great. Then, the whole firmament was darkened with the fearful gale, and nothing but scenes of dcvastatieii were visi- ble; but now the sun shone brightly out, and our gal- lant little frigate rode cahidy onward, as if there had been no gloomy convulsions, no frightful dangers, and no violent ;.4ruggles of nature so recently. The channel buoys were all replaced, the light ship was again at its post, and every thing e.\hil)ited a careful restoration of safety and quiet, though there were still remaining a thousand melaneholv traces of the recent hurricane — the shore lined with living beings searching for lost '^1 "I; ii^ ' ;.i -^^S-"^' "TTrrt h;^ .1'. t' 198 LETTERS 1 TvOM V. D. L. n- 4} '• „f:;;,r-' llr- , i t-f -^ ■^i il . S.!i ^f.-^! r^ ' t[ .i- ;; 1 ■ I,* ■ ■ i«-^-/^v 1! f^*: i;t; ■ « property; and the hulls of several ships were still visihio. 1 was prcmitted, l»y the very kiiul coininailer, lieu- tenant Pritchard, to remain on dock; and as wc passed out, he pointod to thf; tiniher.-^ of a v- ssel llicn occasion- ally scon, and said, "lh(;ro i-j al! liiat cnn l;o discovord d'an American linor, [Ihc Tlrf-ili^-v;; or IVnnsylvania, i now forget which; Iiowover UA'a w. :r>j v/rcckod near each other,] tliat I saw g<'in(^ to iiicoes, and froni which 1 was .snpjilicated, hv in(3re than a hundred voi- ces, in the most h.cart rcndiii!^' t'Uics, to n-ndor assis- tancc, which I v.as compelled tu pas.i hy unregarded; for, ]\ad it heen in iny pcucr to liase saved them, I should r\ot have dared to do it. Dv rrnderinfj; Ihcm as- sistance, and endanr^erinc; ^■our lives, and riskinix vour escape, would h.avc been placing my commission, my freedom, and even my life, and tlrjn by the support of my numerous family, in jeopardy.*' Ho conversed freely ujioji the subject of Canadian troubles, of our position and probable fate, and o^ his own life, circumstances, and fami!v. T>ik.' nutnv other English gentlemen I have since m;t, Ik^ connuiseratcd our misfortunes, and hoped we mifjlit be permUted to return to our homes. "Your treason, no doubt,'' gaid he, *' proceeded from mistaken virtu.^, and tliercfbro it cannot be considered as di^-^c^racins; or unfittinfr you for society or trust: though doubtless, in our opinion, as Englishmen, it is highly culpable and oflensive. Yet I do not deny that our government is arbitrary, or, at least, partial; of which I am in myself a sad proof. These wounds," exhibiting a disabled hand, and a sa- bre cut across the face, **were received in her service, I-ETTKRS FROM V. U. L. I9l> 1 rom (1 voi- on tlio deck of NcIf^oh's lla^^ ship, wliero I lought in the; capacity oi' a juui;)i' Lieutenant, ihongh quite young; 1 iiavc over since hocn in active omployment; ind(^'Ml, my family wouhl have starved without it, and tflOUfifll O' { ani still no h'^.;i:cr ifuai a senior LlcxUcnan'^ a! { have repcatevlly ft!)taincd h.onorahlo commendations, (cm pi y junc 1, ls,)C I ) 1' w hat \va- d ' meu 'fja.iian it and meri- torious con(iuet 7 .•? I ai'o not repeat any more oi In conversation, lor 'ivwv of evi! consequences to iiim; for wore r;oi(iior irui Ityof r OOi nJ in aetivtj to b m unlin.^- in political eountor lo \.\\o. ruling pow- ers, or ceiisiu'o a •n\) •lOi e mdu'it, "jv ll:c Irws of his service, lie is di-crraced while the lu'oad of hir; fam- ilv is takc-i h'nm tiK'm. Tl ilr' v/as not tho cniv o • III CO] of the kind, who ^^ attaeh.uient lo th.? service of" their country I have found ';eld only by the brittle thread of interest, and \A\o would chanQ-o the moment thev had an opportunity. I have frequently l-cen struck with astonishment, at the idiia of these poor irien periling th leir lives in t!i ui ppo •t of go vernnieiJt that so deeply slights and tyrannises over them, giving them pay that is barely suHicient ibr sustenance, while it expects them to maintain a state, ar rather an appear- ance of gentlemanly 'Wealth and grandeur. • I was highl)^ gratified with the humanity of the commander, and enjoyed the fine prospect alli^rdcd by a view of the bold and rocky shores of the ''land's end" of England, close to which our boat * 'steamed rapidly" past. We sailed very near **Plymoutli har- bor,"' where Lieutenant Pritchard's family resided; that brought fresh recollections to his mind, ajid gave ■I ! i !■ j ;i^ ■,!!( I ' <. ^^ I i .1 ', • > • IT J f.5;'- m V'"'m ;::. #l^-; ^fi:' J ^)!M, 4 ■i-5 ■; r^» "200 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. rise to now conversations, tliat did lionor to him as a father, liusbcmd, and friend. Just beiorc entering Portynioutli, Ijy the unanimous request of my companions, I adiiressed to Mr. Pritch- ard a note expressive of our dv^ep regard lor his unva- ried humanity, and tho inlropid conduct ho manifested during tlio hitc gale, which v/c begged lie would re- ceive as the only means in our };o\ver of expressing our gratitude. It was a duty we owed his merit, and would feel honored by his acceptance. He received it with evident satisfactioji and pleasure, and said he would "long retain it, as a mcmeniu of more value than the applause of the rich or the powerl'ul.'' Wo also desired he woiiu] request the autiiorities. into whose hands he would place us, to permit us to occupy some room distiijct from the general gangs. lie promised to comply, and vvhen Vvc had landed ho informed mo that he had done so successiully. About two P. i\I. of the lOth, v,g moored to the dock in Portsmouth, and proceeded directly to the Levia- than, a mammoth hulk lying close to an immense dock yard, where most of the numerous convicts of this station were employed. While there we were visited by several oflieers of the navy, v/hosc curiosity sug- gested many questions connected with our cases and the Canadian grievances, which v/e cautiously an- swered, not willing to satisfy impertinence at the ex- pense of discretion. Sir Philip Durham, Admiral of the station, accom- panied by Lieut. Pritchard, apj^roached us, when i was named as "the man whose life had been saved bv *!». :. { ; : ill. urn as a inimous Pritch- y unva- iiifcslod )'ald ro- u'essing rit, and cccivcd said he uo than lorities. it us to gangs. ,dcd ho m ic dock Levia- 30 dock of this visited ty siig- •cs and ;ly an- tlic ex- [icconi- vhcn 1 ved bv LETTERS FRO:\I V. D. L. 201 tiie unparalleled conduct of his wife, who had made a journey of seven huudrod miles, to present, personally, her petitions to his Lordsliip, the I'^arl of Durham.'' Sir Pliillip informed me at once, tiiat the Earl was a brother of his, whose administration, ho was higldy gratified to learn, had given unusual satisfaction to the Canadian people, ilo s[)o]:e of his brother's ele- vatc^d character as a statesman, counsellor, and libera! politician; and was sorry sucli baneful conduct had been exhibited by the ministry, as lo cause his resig- nation of a government vvhich had already exhibited some felicitous eliects, and who::^e most prominent fea- tures had been gen>:rous humanity, lie honed the; reconciliatory |)oliey recommended by his Lordshij) would be critlcnlly torjtcd, for not until then could his services be fully appreciated. Kvery sentiment ex- pressed by Sir Phillip on this point, found a respon- sive feeling in my breast, and I too hoped liis latter policy might obtain a lull and pro})er trial; for I real- ly anticipated much present benefit from it for the Canadus, the Upper at least. He expressed himself heartily glad that we had manifested a desire to keep as far as possible from other prisoners, whom, generally speaking, we would always find a ^'•set of infamous wretches, whoso im- morality, obscenity, and common vicious propensities, could not be held in too great abhorrence, and which must inevitably reflect disgrace upon every associate.*' He sincerely desired we would continue to maintain Buch a feeling, and show ourselves worthy the com- miseration so universally exhibited. "In this hulk,'' 'if [ K''%^".' M !(■ ^xissamsttl 202 LETTMIIS FROM V. D. L. I-. i ■•■ r:;,\f )-,<• ■ ■ i' said ho, ''wlioro tho worst of ICnglaml's criiniiials arc confined, you v/oidd not, it* you roccive their ouui tale, lind ouo man guilty of tho siiglitost [)unis]ial)Ioofibncc.'''' lie highly comnK'>ndc(l tho strenuous ollbrts made in London, by the imitcd abilities of so many great minds, but ho feared it might all bo attributable to par- ty purposes. I\iy coneoptions of t!io Vv- role bed ucss existing on board those hulks, were in no manner diminished by tlie description given by t;ie Admiral, or tho haggard and ludicrous appcaraiice of th;; iev/ bnings, who, in tho discharge of tiieir duty, had passed, us; and I be- gan to djspond at the idea of becoming a settled resi- dent tmd realizing tlio character invariably given to those great floating prisons, 'i'ho boat that came to convey us away was veporlvd, and wo went on board, after bidding adieu to t!io yoil of England, upon which Vv'O v.ero nevv.'r ar^ain to set foot. We arrived at the York about four, rov/ed by a set of wretched looking convicts, and mounted its side with a deep gloom, a rnelanchol}^ foreboding, a sad heaviness of heart, that I coultl not hope to have dis- pelled by the reception within its interior. We stood at last upon the quarter deck, whither our baggage soon followed. Its quantity evidently surprised tho ofiicers v.dio stood there; and, no doubt, they already, in fancy, enjoyed the plunder of it, which they after- wards actually perpetrated. The commander, Mr. Nicholson, in liis addressj told us it would be necessary to take what money, to- bacco, &c, that wo might have in our possession; and A.& LETTERS FRO.'M V. D. L. 203 it would be best to surrender it, for if any was found afterwards, the crimt) would be a h^-inou:> one, and pun- ished ill an exemplary manner; as no tmllie, or use of tobacco was permitted. After all tlu) money was given up, (which was precious little indeed,) our per- son?, pockei;-, and caps were clo^xly *'fri,>ked," (;^,car- chcd,) for fear some h;ul been 5;ecrcted. We were then taken to another part of tlie ship where the iron.; were all knocked o-*. While that Avas urocerdin-T, i\rr, CIrcetham, a barrister of Port-imouth, with his lady, arrived, and enquired for me. I fouud he harl been appointed by J. A. Roebuck, ll-q., as our resi- dent agent; and that he had come oil' to receive and impart whatever instructions v»ere necessary to open a correspondence with London; and oiler all assistance he could render, consistent with the regulations of the Inil/c. This appointment of a convenient agent, exhi- bited, on the part of our London friends, an anxiety to serve, or, at bast, a generous desire to calm our minds; and, indeed, it almost dispelled the doul.)t that i had given way to, on our removal to that place {>om Liver- pool. This favor was indeed extraordinary, particularly as it was extremely seldom, if ever permitted, to any who once enter those walls, where they are shut from all friendly intercourse for thj term of their durance, save one visit annually, from a wife, child, or parent. Lieutenant Pritchard came olf and reported oar characters, perhaps more favorably than we deserved, as follows: "They arc mostly. men of property, res- pectability, and family. Mr. Batcheldor could not havo ■M. '.I » ■ri rK i- ■ '• ''i 'i , 1 ) ^ IH ; 1 , v- 'i-fl '■ff f-' i ' t- 204 LKTTEIIS FROM V. I). I.. ' I .1 f. • suppoix'd to possess any hut the most heinous, 1 coul;l not then see the lull ibrce oi'; and therefore laughed at the idea, as a mere burlesque upon the Vvord. l>ut si)ice, 1 liavo frerpientiy disco- vered, that every ////.',",>• must have a character, and t/i(r/ is one grc ;;t point of their system of prison dis- cipline. Th'j next move was to the washinsr ward, where wo were stripped, underv.'ent an ablution, and a complete transformation, by tiie assumption of the *'hulk dress,'* consisting of a coarse, spotted guernsey frock, liemp shirt, and a pair of short knee breeches, jacket, and waistcoat, of coarse thin c:rav cloth. A thin pair of gray long stockings, a coarse check cotton neckerchief, a pair of low covrskin shoes, and to cap all a coarse stifl' wool hat; every article of which was marked, re- marked and marked again, with the *'crow's foot" (broad arro\v.) When last, though not least, a large iron band of near foe^r pounds weight, extremely rusty, was put Oil eaeli right Ijg the following day. Thus carrying out to the fullest extent their iron policy. Be- sides the broad arrow, in a number of places the num- ber of each, as entered on the books, was also stamped on each article of dress. The clothes we wore, were all bundled together and given to the steward, whose man, (a convict,) attended n; and :■? high- Iligont, ,ractcr, ig men 10 most )!'; and rlosqiic r disco- }!', and ion dis- 10 ro wo )niplctG dress,'* p licmp ct, and pair of rcliicf, coarse [od, re- foot" a large rusty, Thus y. Be- c num- lampcd LETTERb FROM V. 1). L. • ) •205 to observe that no articles wore retained, not so much even as a handkerchief. Thus transformed, I am sure none of my former friends could have selected mo from a number of be- ings so clad; iii fact, J scarce know myself, by feelings, appearance or any thing else. Yet this metamorpho- sis was not sufTicient, f(jr the following day our whis- kers were shaved and hair sheared close to the head in such a manner, that you would have scarce known that we had ever possessed either. This was a cruelly, for the stifl' hats did not sliieid our heads; and the conse- quences were innnediatc violent colds and catarrhs. The apparel of these hulks [ viewed as a peculiar badge of disgrace, and the iron band as the stern to- ken of unmitigated slavery. And it was not with much calmness, that I regarded the progress made in the gi'adual scale the government pursued, in their deter- mination to assimilate us, as much as possible to the condition, diaractcr and appearance of the ''world's most degraded wretches,"' preparatoiy to their immer- sing us into this present undistingui.jhable state of de- .\ascment. I remain, dear sir, Yours, cVc. &C : I It; :'-\\: cr and ttended U: Bit'''V TV- 1 1 ••«i lAHr *iii J'. 1 20G l.ETTKUS FilOM V. I). L. LETTER XII. AsiiniiovE, near Oatlaiids, V. I). L. March, 1811. To , Mv Dear Sir: Tlic York is the Lull ofan old 71, throe deck man of v/ar, built many years ago, upon which Admiial Lord llowc hoisted his ling; but proving too dull and sluggish to bo brought into action, hdio was re- turned homo, and condemned to an inactive life. She was immediately dismantled, and transformed to a prison shin; and was, for many years, only used how- ever, as a lios|)ital. But for the last few years the homo convict establishment having been brought into a narrower compass, she has been occupied by about 400 convicts, besides the liospital, which contains now usually near 125 men. k^he has a spacious upper deck, upon which v/o promenaded in as desolate a state of mind as can well bo imagined, until the approach of our bed hour, when each shouldcrd his hammock and followed a guard to the lower deck level with the v/aier where wc entered one, of fourteen wards, seven on either side of the narrow hall, each calculated to con- tain 40 men. The sides of tlie ship in each ward were pierced for two guns; but the apertures then were secu- red by iron bars, and, at night closed with dead lights- Tlie front, adjacent the h;di, was divided from it by iron grates, but from the collateral wards by wooden partitions. There were four of these, at that time un- occupied, separated by a wooden partition across the hall from those occupied: and the companion way to ;.* ,.!*«"■. l-i;rTIOIlS FILOM V. I). L. 207 . D. L. 841. 1, throe which iiig too was rc- 2. SllC )(\ to fl :;tl how- ai'o t'ne ;lit into Y about jis now )r deck, ;tate of Dach of ck and water ivcn on to con- rd were fc secLi- 1 lights, n it bv wooden imc un- I'oss the way to the chapel on the middle deck, went up from the inter- mediate ppacG nearly opposite our ward; the hatch of which was of!', so tliat we were open to the atmosphere oi* the chapel, the hall, and the three other wards, whose ports wore all nj). It was January, and the weather wan exeeeding cold; yet, notwilhslanding all those frigid facts, the ten ('anadians, (for CJenmiel had been sent to the hospital,) vvre \)Ui there to sleep, with a hammock skm": that only contaiiiofl a straw pal/cassr, two old blankets, and one rug eaeh. When once retired W(; attempted to compose ourselves to rest; but with mvseif and some other--, it was wholly nugatory. I co:dd, with more ease and comfort, have slept, covered up in one of our North American snow banks — cold and liunger comliiiied, (lor there we were, out of the reach of individual eharitv, and sullered the consequence of the ration laws I have (Isewhero des- cribed,) prevented m}- resting. ]\Iy body became per- fectly chilled, ai]d my limbs f-o benumbed, that, al- though I paced the ward for the most of the night v/ith a quickened step, yet I could not, ibr my life, shake completely oif wh;it I felt was the lassitude of death. That night's frost did its work; for to this distant day 1 do, and, most probably, to my last hour, shall feel its painful eficcts upon both my icet. In a truly forlorn condition the morning dawned upon us, and soon brought our breakfast, which con- sisted of a quarter of a pound of ship biscuit, and one pint of oat meal gruel called, in the prison slang, "skilly," alias, "smiggins.'' The biscuit I could cat; but the gruel, notwithstanding my cxtremo hunger, \ ''If '!:.» I I w ■i! r,iy I! :t ' II Ill: ,M-r 208 LF.TTKIIH FROM V. I). L. could not cncliire. Immediately after the morning 7nc(il was consumed, the ten occuj)i( d wards wero emptied, and tliier tenants, were sent to tlic shore at worlv, raising an eml)anivment upon the Clielsc^a hcaeli, wliicli was invariably washed away, at each succeecHng high wind. Wo wero then also unloeked, and pcnnided to carry our hammocks to the nndieitcrcd upper deck, and there pcragratc for the day unemployed, save by lurbJsliing our irons which wo were directed to do, and answering the questions of every petty olhcer of tho hulk wlio chose to interrogate us. I'y liic bye, 1 had nearly forgol.len to mention, tiint we were uot wholly alono in our ward, i'or a ielon was sent among us to sleep for tin; avowed purpose of "■teaching us hulk man- ners, and hulk rules,'' and for the disavowed purpose of reporting contingent circumstances; the latter might as well have been omitted, for the sequel will show that we ncefled no minute watching, for our murmurs and complaints were not "breathed only in secret;'^ but wero '•''published in London at the very threshold of St. James'.'*''' ^-'Our dinner consisted of a very liltlo salt, a pint of 'beef tea,' (i. c. the well skimmed liquid in which fresh beef had been boiled,) a hal-f pound of half boiled beef, including bone, and one pound of tlie coarsest, sourest, blackest, and most unpalatable bi'ead you can possibly imagine, made of horse beans and barley, as I am informed; the crust is generally burned, and as uneatable as a brick bat, but tlic residue is so adhesive, *E.\ tract of n lotfcr T wrofc to J. II\iiriC, Ecq., M. P., wliicb was sent through the ofuce ol'tlie Secrctury uf Sink*. •^- LKTTF.Il.S FKOM \. I>. L. '4 •^O'.l JC loniing we ro nro nt l;cacli, cding mil led (lock, avc by o, nnd of tlio , I liad wholly '; us lo k inan- lurposo I" might 1 sliow urniLir.s ccrct;'' rcshuld a pint whicli ' boiled •arsest, oil can ley, as and as licsivc, , wiiicb that if you should roll a lump in your hand and throw it against the wall, it would thoro remain until torn away. The following day, instead of meat and broth, wn got a half pint of sour *'swipes,'' (ale,) and a quar- ter of a pound of tough dry cheese, with a rind so hard, that it could not be cut through by the force of the hand; indeed, [ would as soon attempt to eat caltchoi;. These dinners vary every third day, but the morning and evening mcaU are unvaried in their usual routine o^ nauseous oat meal."' In the morning 1 lost no time in applying for an addition to our bed.-^, which was complied with. There- fore when the second night approached, after drinl\ing my pint of hot gruel, I swung my hammock, retired to rest, and was awakened, by the morning gun invigo- rated and refreshed. Another species, of what wc termed alTront, appear- ed in the shape of a being in the "convict garb," com- ing to our ward door, at retiring time, and reading the "church service," while we had to respond "amen'' at the close of each prayer. Wc had always maintained the habit of morning and evening devotions in an extem- poraneous method, and, therefore, felt this a grievance wc ought not to submit to, without a trial to evad«\ This, with the provision, formed tlie subjects of a con- sultation among ourselves, when one of the men ex- pressed himself very happily as follows: "I look upon the present fare, as wholly uncongenial to AmericaJi constitutions: and to pray God in the language of England's dominant church, for that government which we would have gladly driven from the American Con- 14 t'l ••1^ ■ '. i- •no I.F.TTms FIIO.M .\. I). I.. ;i: iv r^r^\i\' ll''- l'.. W' • 1:1 ■■--/r" , ■ -'^ i' ! . ', ;''• .^^ i|- -i r-M'-, '. •■, t,> ". .flj''^.S.. : •' ll.vlj'i^',^ i^i H, n ||..vi:M 'M i i 1^'-'''^ . ' i \ .;h ;•-■ » ■ ft ;^'f '...; ;^ . ■•},','■ •.- ■»l^f<[v : ,- tiiicnt, and lor tlint Queen's wcinire who Imd enslaved, and was starving us, was utterly inconsistent with Ca- nadian patriotism: nay, it is treason to our cause; for it supplicates destruction to our inten.tit. If we pray at nil, let us pray tor the success of the cause of truth, jus- lice, and lilxM'ly! tlion if on r desires are answered, it will ho, for gootl and not for evil:' and if we maintain the .character we have tried to estahlisli, wc will not suh- mit without remonslrancc.'' Bravo! sounded from eve- ry tongue, and I was instantly doputed to wait on tho ^Jommander with a request to alter our provisions, and periuit us to worship God in the form wc preferred. That part relative to the worship, was immediately con- <;eded; but to alter our rations, was mor(.' than l>is sit- uation was worth, for ho held the tenure of his office during the good will and pleasure of the priucipal su- perintendent; however he would confer with Mr. Wil- liams, surgeon of the hospital, who, no doubt, would, on his recommendation, put us upon hospital diet, if wc would consent to the change. I of course, was agreeable to any change, provided it would only oust the "skilly'' and * 'brown tommy." I returned to our lodgings and "reported progress," which gave general satisfaction. The change of diet was effected, and it then consisted of one pint of rice and milk in the morning, three fourths of a pound of good white bread, one fourth of a pound of good mut- ton, one potatoe, and a pint of broth, for dinner; and {'or supper, one pint of tea, well milked and sugared. This food was good but of very short allowance; yet the quality made up for quantity, and I felt myself greatly Li/rri r.H fkom v. n. i.. •211 slaved, th Ca- se; for )ray nt , jlJS- ff roli(^vcd from tljc acitlity of the stoniacli and lassitude that the ship's diet produeed. A di.'irrhoca had com- menced tlitit I verily hclicvc Nvoidd have terminated llie existence of soi,' ) of our men liad not thi.) change taken ])lace. Tlic third day after arrival wo received per a convict servant, an order to r' p lir to a certain ward, and have our 'Mikeness' taken." Wo went to t!ie place designa- ted, and were individually brought hef(jre the Com- mander, and closely interrogated by him as follows, while every repb.- was carefully inserted in an im- mense I'olio, bv a convict clerk: '*VVi;Ht is your name? What is your age? What is your trade? What is your religion? Where is your native place? What were you tried for? Where were you arrested? Where were you tried? What was your sentence? (Ans. death — not satisfaclory.) What was your commuted sentence? (Ans. transpotation.) For what length of time? (do not know.) 'Put them down life.' WMicn were you tried? When did you leave Canada? Arc you married? (if married) Is your wife living? Where does she reside? Of what religion is she? Have you any children? How many males? Mow many females? What s.ex is the oldest? What sex is the youngest? What arc their respective ages? Are your parents living? Where do they reside? What is their native country? What arc their respective ages? What is their religion? Can they road? Can they write or keep accounts? Can you read, write or keep ac- counts? What is your number?'^ ■ t'M .^^■■■ «■ ;'!•!; ,^''? 212 LETTERS PROxM V. 1). L. I i ;• 1 I I ■ "»i >.»' 1 iJr^-fc; • 'I IS After the answers to these questions were duly re- corded each one of us, in rotation, was directed to strip naked to the waist, and up to the knee, when every spot, scar, mole, and other mark on the person — color of the hair on the head and person — color and shape of the eye and brow — shape of mouth, nose, and chin, with the general appearance of the features; and, finally, the number of teeth lost; with our height, weight, and every other indication whereby our person might be identified, in the event of an attempt at escape, were particularly inserted, and afterward read over to each, and signed with his own hand. This then completed our "likenesses;'' and they were so particularly taken, that either of us could hav^ been detected at any place, by those descriptions. Those small tokens made of paper, in the shape of hearts, that I have before mentioned, here soon became beneficial to me and others; as I had the good fortune to exhibit some of thom to an ofilcer on board, w ho was so taken with the curiosity, that he begged, and carried them on shore, where Miss Strickland,* who kept a Bazar, prized them very highly, and sent off several sheets of colored paper, to have a lot made for her, with strict orders for "the maker's name and pat- riotic mottoes to be carefully imprinted upon thom." This maneuver had to be done "on the sly," but it ob- tained several loaves of good bread. On the appoach of St. Valentine's day, which is highly regarded there, the demand was greatly increased, and our pay re- *Compilor of the Queen of Scots Letters, ^v 7J LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 213 doubled; but these, at last, becoming an *'old story," recourse was had to small boxes, and horse hair rings, with partial success for a time. I mention this little circumstance as elucidatory of the ingenuity of man, when reduced to necessity; it not only furnished the occasional luxury of an addition- al loaf, but, likewise, the cause for many remarks up- on the industrious habits, and inventional powers of the American character, that gained us respect, and good opinion. The officers, generally, were indeed very agreable, and took apparently, some pleasure in conversing with us, particularly in respect to our grievances, and the condition of the Canadas; when they would occasional- ly draw conclusions from the information so obtained, and make contrast between what they would call *'the happy state of North America, and poor heautiful An assistant Surgeon, a young man of considerable talent and promise, (a Mr. Elliot,) one day, after pas- sing many eulogiums upon ^'favored America," where he would really like to emigrate to, if it was in his power, said, « 1 .1 ■■M i\ -fm I .. ' ' ' » ' U'^ •^ :i ?l :i i y 7 ^;l'•if^ i . i-.-f^, i: :iU' ' I U: a Si. 1.1 III .; < Is ' c .^ 218 LETTERS FROM V. D. L him, not even an acknowledgment of the receipt of my reply to, and the return of Mr. I\Iaulc',s letter. "IIoMK ff Kt UKT.VKY'j OfKICF., } Fchrvanj 10, 1839. ] "My Denr Sir: *'I am directed by Ibc Secretary of State, to return yon the let- ter written and signed by the convict "Wait, in behalf of his com- panions, purportinif to give yuii a true account of their situation on board of tlic York hulk. 1 accompany it with some remarks I wa& desired to make, which, it is hoped, will convince you that his Builerings are not as great as he represents. "I have written to the oillcer on board the hulk, and find they jccupy the ward we directed they should be placed in; it is the same from which the boys were taken a month or two ago, when they were tent to the penitentiary at Rye, on tlie isle of Wight; and excepting the late alterations of the weather, I do not cee why it is not as habitable for its present, as for its former occu- pants. He complains of the two preliminary proccsEes of cutting oft' the hair, and assuming prison dress. "The reaf;rin assigned for the first is, to prevent the generating of vermin, which every means must be used to guard against in a community like the hulks; and I do not anticipate its being done in an ^inhuman, manner.^ The assumption of prison dress is, to afford a corresponding chance of detection, in an attempt toes- cape, when on shore at work. "As to the coldness of the ward they inhabit, I am told that a hanging stove was allowed them during the greatest severity of the weather. "And the provisions supplied them, is the same in quantity and quality, furnished to thousands of prisoners before them, by the government, without complaint; and several years experience, and the united opinions of various physicians, have taught us that it is perfectly wholesome, and sufiicient for the actual necessities of any man, notwithstanding the assertion of the convict Wait, and his fellow convicts, to the contrary. "There were no orders issued from this office, for a difference of treatment from the of/ier felons, except that, by their own re- -m '&!; LETTEllS FROM V. D. L. 219 coipt of or. ici:, } \ the lot- liia com- eituntion cm arks J you thnt find llicy it is the ?o, when Wight; ' not Dec ler occu- f cutting uncrating ninst in a }ing done •eea is, to ipt to es- Id thnt a 3 verity of ntity and n, by the perience, it us thnt ccessitics ict Wait, difference r own re- queel, thoy were (o be kept Bcparntc from tbcm, and not to be Bont out to work. Wait maybe ntianrcd, thai bis letters, when written with such an indtpoiidnntHpirit, and in rucb a tone of pre- tuiniption, cniinot jinca unheeded. ''When you have piru^icd tliis letter, please rctnru it, with whatever pertinent remarka may occur to you. And I am direct- ed to Bay, you will do well to abstain from receiving the convict Wait's complaints of ill treatment, when in ilho custody of the officers of our government, for ho ia a cunning, designing fellow, nud his associate convicts arc his dupes. '*! am, Sir, your obd't "Humble scrv't, (Signed,) "FOX MAULE, "Under Secretary of State. "Joseph Hume, Esq., M. P." The contents of the foregoing letter were astounding indeed. The frequent repetition of "convict Wait," and the "otlier felons," sounded in my brain for a long while. I could not imagine what had been the Secre- tary's motives for descending to such low, abusive lan- guage, or what end.s, save traduction, he had to answer by it. However, 1 deemed it giving rnc a license to re- ply in an equally disrespectful style. It accounted at once for the hauteur with which the surgeon had al- ready treated me, and the coldness of Mr. Hume's laconic note. My reply was as follows: "York Hulk, Fchmanj 15, 1839. "My Dear Sir: "Your laconic note of the 13th inst. was handed me by Mr. Greetham, and which was accompanied by Mr. Fox Mnule's sin- gularly sophistical letter; the perusal of it has truly given mo no little surprise. "I am indeed grieved to discover the Secretary capable of such low, scurrilous expressions, and assertions so positively false; and which, I have reason to believe, ho knew to be do. For, on re- ''1 , !■ . './ t^ U ■^I'i'^ , I T li . t .;'■■* J' :]■• -I' ■,%i<* ■ I',; ;• I ' ■<■■ 220 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. cciviiig your letter, I went with it directly to tlie commniulcr, whom I supjmeed (o be the **oflIceron board" he means, and from whom ho ought to have received his information. But he ifl equally surprised with myself, and cannot surmise what "officer on board" could have originated such falsehoods. I cannot give him, (Mr. Maule,) credit for being even ordinarily 'cunning,' for mark his position; when speaking of the ward wc occupy, he says, *it is the same from which the boys were taken a month or two ago, when sent to the penitentiary, * * and exccjytlng tho Laic alterations of llie weather, I do not sec why it is not as habi- table for its present as its former occupants.' "Here allow me to remark, that *a month or two ago,' Hhe late alterations of the weather' had not taken place; that it waa then warm, but now it is cold; and we all know that a room nat- urally cold from ita locality, is much more 'habitable' in the line weather of summer, orautunm, than during the cold, frosty months of winter. It is 1ruc, Mhe ward is the same from which the boys, (or a part of them,) were taken,' not ^a month or tico,' but three months ago. liut even suppose it had been during last week that they were removed, I would appeal to himself, or any other per- son equally inimical to humanity, to say, whether the atmosphere of any space, when occupied by eighty persons, would not be heightened far above what it is possible to be, when inhabited by only nine? For not only tho air of the four different wards in which the eighty boys were lodged, but likewise of a chapel, cal- culated to accommodate five or six hundred persons, is open to us nine Canadians. ''And further, his assertion about the 'hanging stove,' is an ut- ter fabrication; as no stove, of any kind, ever made its appearance in or near our ward, during our occupancy. "As to the 'preliminary processes of cutting off the hair, and assuming prison dress,' I have only to reassure you, the former was inhumanly doiie; and, when combined with the scantiness of our >vardrobe and the frigidness of our lodgings, have placed us in circumstances very nearly approaching death. And I am quite sure that our security did not render it an imperative necessity to in- vest our persons with the habiliments of the hulk, and our legs yi* ]->■ LKTTEIIS FROM V. D. L. •}0 I imniulcr, and from But he L "ofiicrr mot give lunning,' ;ciipy, he month or 4ing tho , as habi- go,' 'the at it wns •oom nat- 1 the line [y months the boys, but three tvcck that )ther per- mosphere d not be abited by wards in apel, cal- pen to us is an ut- ipearance hair, and he former ntiness of iced lis in quite sure uty to in- 1 our legs with the iron bands of slavery, 'as a corresponding chance '" '• de- tection, in an attempt to escape when on shore at work,' ivi* we are never permitted to U^avo the ship's sides; and he enys their orders were against putting us at work. "In regard to what is said about the wholcsomcness of the diet, I can aver tliat six of tho nine are now severely sullcring by diar- rhoea, purely the eflect of the sour bread we arc now forced to use, as we have again been put on the ship's diet. 1 dure say tliose gentlemen and surgeons who have pronounced this food good, wholesome, and sufTicicnt, have never tried it themselves; and have, psrhape never seen it; and there ia very good reason for no complaint being made by any English convict, for the ^caV is the sure consequence of murmur, (culled insolence.) "iiut for my part, I protest, that unless some salutary change if? soon efiectod, I fully expect my lifuicso body will be spirited awoy through one of the port holes of this feblp, as an article of traflfic with some London quack, whose diriy laboratory my whi- tened bonea may groce, beside others who have gone the same road, after having taught some half dozen students the art of dis- section and anatomy. "I do most sincerely hope my letters may 'not paea unheeded,' (as he is pleased to say,) but that they will have the eflect desired, by causing on alleviation of some circumstances attending our res- idence here, or, at least, of bringing about an inquiry, which is very much required. "What designs Mr. Maule has to answer by insulting helpless prisoners in his power, by applying to us the ignominious epithets of 'convicts and felons,' ore, of course, best knovv^n to himself; and I hove only to soy, that it indicates, in my estimation, a mind of inferior intelligence, and cowardly principles. "I certainly fancied I had good authority for saying, 'I presumed orders hod been given for a treatment difTerent from what was re- ceived by the felons on board; and, in fact, there ia actually* more difTerence existing, than I really relish; for they receive each two loaves of white bread per week, whereas the state pris- oners obtain none. From the surgeon, Mr. Williams, we have repeatedly received abusive language, that savors more of the Bil- S' \t I •:.■■]' ..1, 'i m,\:i I i , ^^'ii ;.;:t '!• m ■> -■. n i •Ill li ■;;. ■• ■ta. .' ', ' l^i ■ 'i 1 , -: (-'.S ' • : K<.' is -I '^X i-' .vjS''" fvjl k i O.)0 M; TTER.-; FROM V. D. I.. lingi^gnlccrcfttarc, Ihnn tbo gcnllcmnn; nml I nrdcntly hope n rc- movnl from his proximity will soon bo eflectcd, though it be into perpcluol slnvcry. "In n former h^Ucr T pnrticulnrly described our condition; not one eylhiblc of which, although repugnant to the nuthoritics, nm I willing to retract. **And now, in rrply to your own note, I would merely eay, that I am heartily Korry for huvinp; given as much trouble, ncceesary or unnecessary, as I have already douc, to oilher p'irty; and shall, for the future, endeavor, aa much as possible, to abstain from i(. "I would here beg to tender, not only my own, but all my coim- trymcn'e gralilude, for the kindnofR and gcncroe'ity with which you soctncd to have been actuated in espousing our causes, while, my dear (mo to tlic I* a week. sent for the nua-- old, priest, I had not , and con- was called ressed ser- Wait was to a finely re, elderly ngaged in 'he convict •servant, (all the ofhccrs hulonging to any of those es- tablishments have each one or more servants selected from among the convicts, who do nothing but attend tiieir master's bidding,) led mo to the middle of the room, and touching his hat, said, "this is Wait, sir,'" then retired, without having attracted the slightest at- tention from the man of accounts. 1 stood for some minutes, until 1 became exhausted, when I walked to the window, endeavoring to attract notice; but, without looking up, he said, "Wait, sit down, and I will talk lo you presently;''' then contin- ued his employment. I sat down, happy in the privi- lege, and remained some half hour or more, before the ominous silence was ngain broken. I mention this in- cident, as it is what I conceive to be a pretty fair speci- men of the gcmeral manners of English business men, which they practice more for the purpose of being thought eccentric, than through an engrossed attention; tor I have been introduced to perhaps a score of men in the same manner since, v/ho have invariably conduc- ted as though one rule governed all, while in some cases not the slightest occasion could be discovered for such abstractedness. When Mr. Capper had apparently come to the con- clusion that it was necessary to make himself known, he surprised me by saying, "well. Wait, what did you want to say to me?" I replied, that I had not intimated to ony person a desire to speak with him, in fact, did not know him whom* I had the honor of addressing. "Oh, yes! yes, T wanted to talk with you; I believe you are one of the men sent from Upper Canada for •■ 1: s, , I ■■ .i ■ I • ; j; I ■?'• ■[ ' ;;i < .m i' I t .' ^ ■S. : :f i«- 1, ' f4?!''|- ...J :i/ I 4 J . r., f.' I J ' ' ' 1 - . 't? :>< j' ^M I '■ 4 )'■ 221 LKTTERS FllO.M V. D. I,. riot." I answered, that I harl been transported loi political ofTerices, and would be glad to know the gen- tleman who had been kind enough to desire to speak to mo. "Oh, 1 am the princi|);d snporintendi!Jit of the liulks, Mr. Capper, and I did not know but you had some complaints to make concerning your treatment by the ofliccrs." I told him I had no complaint to make against any onicer save the Surgeon, who had not only treated im siiamuruUy, but had likewise made some misrepresentations at the Secretary's ollice, which [ desired ho would inqiTiro into and rectify. 1 also requested him to inform mo what had been done with fuurlccn letters, that we had written and sent through his ofiico, for America; and which were to have been put in tlie hands of our agents in London, who had been informed such letters were to come for them, to forward, some weeks since; which, however, had not been received by them. lie replied, that he had delivered them, but two hours belbrc leaving Lon- don. I desired permission to stop to the ward and bring the letters that had passed, between the Secretary, Mr. Hume, and myself. These he perused, and promised to enquire into the facts; but, says he, **Mi'. Williams says you have insulted him; yet 1 conceive that it is only your American manners he kicks at; and of course, you will, for the future, be less blunt in addres- sing him. Although you may have written nothing but what is positively true, yet it would have been better for you to have been silent, or, at least, not to have ad- dressed Hume; for all ho desires is to obtain some- thing to use in bolstering up his decaying reputation. ^: . : MOTTKUS FROM V. I). L. ted ioi ie gcn- spcak : of tho oil haci mtmcnt l.'iint to ^ho had e made odice, tify. 1 en done id .slmU kvorc to London, ornc for owever, that he nQ Lon- nd bring ary, Mr. promised ^Villiams ■hat it is ; and of 11 addrcs- thing but better for have ad- lin some- ?putation. Perhaps it woidd bo bolter for you to cut his ac(iur\in- tanco now; for [ can asf.uro you, that wh(>'n he has got all lie can tliat may answer hiy ends, h(^ will abandon you to filiift for yourself, ibo wor :e for his interference. The secretary has b'jeii drawn into an error by .jome- body, and I will ;'/t hi)n rl,^^ht; I will come to your ward tomorrow, irh^n I want ^-ou all in.*' On the followin,^ day ho came, attended by Mr. Nichobon, ?dr. Williams, and other.'; and tlie scene that took [)laeo [ eanjiot omit, though I f::ar you will deem it too o^ot" lie-d or 'Vivojou'^]; vet it rrocy t'^ nrov(; a partieidar Ir'iit of I'lngli^Ii ehai'\'jtcrj that I ai.i ".ery dcairous of Inldiiirj up to rjcorn. Al'ter we had l;een mu.'tered in .single i\\>'.f Mr. Capper e.\;iiviiii(^d the ward, and questioned each one closely, as t ) h.'w tlioy fared, were treated &c. Ja our answers he found no faltering or c juivocation. Me also ennui re 1 ho'v the mistake had oecurcd rela- tive to tho .SLOvt;- I tild him I thought .Mr. William.^ could bes:t c>:pl.\in th:it, as he had originated it, who replied, that he had oi'd;.'red one, bat soon after, think- ing we mi",ht burn up th.e ship, he had countermanded it. "Ah! iadced'-! said }.1y. ('., "you then did give W'ait occasion for charging you with known faLiehootlj and I discover, too, t!>at he ha^ h;.id reason for his complaints of cold, Vvhieh would be readily obviated, by hanging canvass along tho grating; and I wisii it attended to immediately." Tliis suggestion was com- plied with, but not until the eloicnth hour; for two days afterward, a fresh supply of convicts from Lon- don, filled the opposite and adjacent wards, so that we 15 'irrrrairiin \ i ■Hll;:^ ••I • 1 1 li ■». H 4 :\ ' . -R' ' • ""'•lii i ^'.|-^ J i I ■} 1- ■ -1 '. m'^^.i •J'^H LETTERS FK03I V. D. L. woru freed from cold; but on the other hand, were con- fused, and kept in excitement, by the continual swear- ing, fighting, and clamor of our neighbors; yet it gave us a fair opportunity of learning the character, and re- marking the conduct of the wretches who inhabit those hot beds of iniquity. But to close the interview, Mr. Williams desired to learn whether the letters of com- plaint were written at the request of my companions, or at my own instanee; "an individual inquiry v/ould be most satisfactory, I thought, as all were present, and 1 was sure they would answer without fear.''^ "Yes," said I\Ir. W. "if their audacity is equal to yours,. I know, already, what they v/ill say.*' "I dare say you do,'' I replied, "but conscious rectitude and iru/h needs not the aid of impudence or scurrility.'' Turn- ing to Mr. C. he said, "did you ever hear such inso- lence from a convict;" then orderetl me from the ward, that the men need not be "overawed" by my presence, or taught "eflrontery," by my exam.ple. The evidence went to corroborate my statements fully. Jt vv'as, then, "no more than [he] expected; but there was that hon- est Beemer, who would not endorse [my] doings; for he had already exposed our characters, in their true colors." "Indeed! I was glad to hear he had done it truly; but was fearful, from late discoveries, that truth would be sadly desecrated, by being associated with his, and certain other names; yet 1 felt as fear- less of the ^expose'' threatened, as I did of the windy, un- gallant conduct, I sometimes unnecessarily witnessed." Mr. C. soon terminated these retorts, and left us to our own private musings and consultations, which resulted n «' LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 2 re con- i swear- it gave and rc- 3it those 2W, Mr. of com- )anions, y would present, t fear.-^ yours., lire say ad Iruth Turn- Ai inso- [le ward, rose nee, 3 vide nee LIS, then, hat hon- ngs; for lieir true ad done ies, that ssociated as fear- indy, un- -ncssed." us to our 1 resulted ill a short note to Mr. Ilumc, signed by all but Becmer, corroborative of what I had written. A day or two subsequent, the following document was signed and sent to the Secretary's oflice. "To lliG Right Honorable Lord John llusscll, "Secretary of Slate for the Homo Department: "My Lord: "We have to request your Lordship will favor us with nn ex- planation, why we, being Statj; Puisonkus, arc confined in uftlon prison, and treated and drccifiod as felons. We know of no prece- dent for such treatment, and consequently feel surprised to find ourselves thus circumstanced by the Ijritisli government, whose boast has alwnj's been, a libjrality to prisoners o^ stale, and thcre- foic enter our solemn prott id against it. "We have the honor to be "your Lordship's ob't scrv'ls. "'J3ENJAM1N WAIT, "SAM'L CliANDLEU, "ALEX'll McLEOD, "JOHN VERx^ON, "JOHN J. McNULl'Y, "JAMES WAGGONER, "NORMAN MALLARY, "GEO. B. COOLEY, "GARRET VAN CAMP,* Wo wore induced to hazard the foregoing protest, by the discovery, through tho Under Secretary's let- ter, of the rancorous feeling existing lov/ard us in the hearts of men in high office. Not that Blr. Maulo was, o'i lumselj\ a man of much importance; but sentiments written by him in a public capacity, must have ema- nated from his superior in ollice; indeed, he intimated *Jame3 Gemniol bcirig in the hospital, was not applied to fbr his signature. !■•!'; u\ ^1 vm J: r'ij I. ilj s i, i' i i 1 (1' \\- \ i - f1> ,: * I' Y ■ i i '% ' 1 ., :• -y '*' ! MAJ^ 'it'.:' i ■ \ ii.i&i?' ■• . ■'■■ r - t* M-'': ■v P^ ■i:n- :■■ } ■ 228 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. as much; and we therefore held Lord John accounta- ble for the conduct of his immediate servant. And, although our friends in New-Gate might be successful, yet our cases were hopeless, and could not be made worse. We felt assured of harsh measures; for we knew that when the ministers were onco so egrcgiously of- fended, they would scarcely stop short of some exces- sive stretch of power; for in the case of prison disci- pline, they have absolute control. There is Jio censu- ring power — no "public opinion" to govern in that. We saw the die was cast, and the result disadvanta- geou.i to us; and that boldness coul I not augment our misfortune, therefore determined to combat every ir- regularity, and submit to no onerous proceeding, with- out exhibiting, at least, a spirit of firm resistance. I dare say this spirit conduced largely toward producing our immediate removal into transportation; for the go- vernment knew full well, that, in a colony so distant, and under arbitrary administration, all compl.'vint wotdd be futile — ncn/, would bo considered insolence, and punished rigorously. Many letters passed between ourselves and solicitors, as well as fellow countrymen in New-Crate; but my correspondence is already too much extended, and I must omit all, or, at least, extract vcrij hricjhj; for I have much still to relale. Mr. Greetham very frequently came off, not only to see and bring us letters, but also as Coroner, to hold inquests on the bodies of all who died on board; which, however, i did not know was the case, until I one day LETTi RS PROM V. D. L. 229 observed a dozen rough looking boatmen come to the hulk, followed by him, and proceed to the hospital, where they remained perhaps five minutes, when they left the .shi[) as they came, each in his own boat. Mr. G. having some letters to deliver to me, gave an op- portunity for inquiring what the visit of those men meant? whenl was informed that they had constituted a coroner's jury, which he was frequently under the nccossify of calling, as the government orders an in- quest to be held upon the bodies of all persons who die in any of its prisons or charity institutions, which ope- rates as a sort of quietus upon the minds of the people, who might otheiv/isc clamor about "foul play.'' But, then, if 1 should guess iVom the appearance of these men, they seldom^ if ever, give you the trouble of en- quiry, and never clicii; mal-practice. In fact, they did not spend time enough on board to more than be empannelled and say, ''died by a visitation of God;" and that verdict must have been dictated, for they look- ed too ignorant to originate such a conception. "It is indeed very true, that they never give me any trouble in explanations, for they are generally men who re- quire all their time for the support of a family; and, therefore, the less delay the better." 1 was told that the coroner obtained two pounds for each verdict, and sat upon some one and a half hundred cases yearly, without once elucidating the slightest irregularity. The pay assists in enriching one individual, while it im- poverishes many, without the most trifling beneficial results! ■ .• > {ti'fi ii if i 'i t - - . u -A ■i h ,r- 1 I. 4« 1 1 ■ mv •1 if ,';r •'"<■;■ I, v;. ■■: c 'la J '■■ill; ^ ■t ■Mi: ■ hi'"'* ^^;'y-o. 230 LETTERS FUOM V. D. L. The letters brought off wore from Mr. Ashurst, Messrs. Wixon, I\Iillcr, and Parker. Mr. A. says: "The cases of r pardon, nnd coneented to tbe con- ditions of your pardon. I 'wish your attention to tbat point par- ticularly." '' * * Mr. Wixon details tho course pursued iu bringing their casc3 into court, and linally the adjournment, when he say?: "If we are eventually unrjucccssful, we will yet have gained one great point, whicb >vill ccnvJacc Ibc v.orld tbnt icp. have been unjustly dealt with; and obtain tbo ."^ymjyoliuj of tbe good in every cov.niy on Ibc face of tbo globe. * * *' "I bave tbis day fxen one of your letters, wJiicb is to be pub- lished in the 'True Sun,' a paper warmly enlisted in our inte- rcotK. * * * "By the bye, I bavc exposed Capt. Morton, nnd tbe Capt. Ross voj'age in {^ood style, and if he is not Batiefied witb tbat he cnn have more yet; so I tbink after all, my way of duelling is better than yours, ^f * -^ "There is warm work in Canada about these days. Hanging and shooting is the order of tbe day there; but we arc snugly out of harm's way liere. *" '" * "I learned in court, that ray sentence \b fourteen years after ar- rival in V. D. L. — Mr. Watson's is 'life,' and the others arc yet as ignorant as ever of what time they are ordered^ (not sentenced) for." * *f ** lA If LETTERS FROM V. D. L. • ) 231 shurst, ;ays: avo beon Tuccdny will be, lND youn lUoro iH onminni- • cs your the con- oint par- O D I'nmciit. nincd onr- 'lavc been good in ) be pub- oiir inte- npt. Ross t he can la better Hanging iiigly out aftei' ar- a are yet mtcnced) This Mr. \Vi::on liad but one log, was a Baptist clergyman, and who.:;j only crime was, having ac- ted as assistant cuitor of the "Correspondent and Ad- vocate," during the absence of Mr. McKenzie, the proprietor, in England, a.s an agent for the people, some years prior to the insurrection. It would indeed appear, that Arthur was rather in a strait for subjects of cruelty, v.'hen ho was ordered for transportation; but that is not the greatest curiosity of his case. His tinie of durance v/ould not commence until arrival in the penal Island; and he might be de- tained on the way an equal length of time, while ag^: and infirmity vv^cro fast hastening him to the grave. L. W. Miller, tlie gallant 3'oung American of whom you have heard so much, concludes his letter witl> some just strictures upon tlio British government, by saying, "We have bcca in a ontiniiod cxcitemeni, owiny to ihc ^^lo- rioiis unceri'ilntu of Ihc lair.^ '" '■''' *■ What the result of liii? nlfnir will be, no one cnu tell; I guess, however. It will have c. tendency to open the eyea of Britons, and put a stop to their boast- ing of the superiority of English laws and institutions over those of other nations, inaiimuch a;j that ^excellent safeguard of the lib- '■■rlij of iliG svJijcct, the habeas corpus act.,^ so long lauded to the f^kiea, hao been completely 67io?07i vp at lafjt, and proved a mere phaniom — n ^will o^ iJuncigp.' *' * " Yet I flatter myself-, notwithfitanding the decision of the Queen's Bench Judges against us, that our cases are not qaito as bad as they appear," &c. Sec. Poor fellow! He felt quite sanguine in the hope of a happy result, to the enquiry, but was disappointed; for his case, witTi John Grant's.^ being similar to ours, produced the same end — we being sent away previous to the termination of the instituted investigation, the m I t: i-'i^fi v\..y: r Sr-.-Z'r ff-KMSTTa?,-.--"— v-^ :..,^: „ \ I 1' ■HP- /^i^'r ^ -I 'i:' #l'- ' ■ f. f;f: V : Iv '^': r*- ■i \ f . 't' h I i't^ a! l' ■ - A.i i-i' ■ I J * i! . ■ * ¥\' f, '• , ■ '■ ■■:i,i '!;i1l '.1' 1 ■ f > IK; .,; ..t^ n'- '^ >^'f- ■ifo. i :i Fining- 232 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. Ministry would not hazard the imputation of partiality, by liberating him at tho same lime with Wixon, Par- ker, and their parly. Tho}^, tiiereforc, (Miller and Grant.) with Becnior, (llic traitor,) and Gommcl, (whom wo had left sick in the York hospital,) arrived at Hobarttown in January, of IS 10, and were sent on the roads at work, in horrid dcslitulion and want. In addilioa to tlicso letl(M's, we received occasional numbcr.s of the ''Weekly True Sun,*" wliich contained all the arguments made in tlie cases of our friends, a perusal of which not only led us, but every unpreju- diced mind, to anticipate a release. An officer of the hulk handing mo a })aper in which the argument:; wore jjublishcd, said, "well, Wait, that paper containrj joyful intelligence for you. Your countrymen in New-Gale, although not yet acquitted, will bo vc r\' soon; for the [ir2;umenl:j against the le-^ gaUtij of transj-orting from Upper C;inada, are so con- clusive, that, if the (lueen is not too d- biy afraid of 3-ou, she will bo glad to send you ail homo again^ and think herself thu:: well rid of Arthur's blunders.'-' But llieso hojics and opinions v;ere formed on tho pre- sumptive evidence of England's doing justice; and, consequently were illusory — for loc did not remain to learn the conclusion — but v/ere sent hastily away. I must hero conclude this long letter, and my nar- rative of events while in England, with the exception of a few hulk anecdotes, which 1 will briefly relate in mv next. • I remain, dear sir, Yours, dec. &c. ■r f "i At- -i ■ i^ ; ■ ;. %■' LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 233 LETTER XIV. AsiiGRovE, near Oatlands, V. D. L. Mat/, 1841. To -, My Dear Sir: I will now rnorcly relate a few inci- dents lliat came under my notice before cmbtaking for this place. I iiave before liinted that Beemcr was the traitor to whom wo owed our want of success i.i a cer- tain allcnip' at cea. Tlie discovery was clicctcd in the following nnniicr: wo h;id received the ibrm of a pe- tition from Mr. 7\shar:.;t, dosiring tlio government to place in his hand.; all letters or communicalions di- rected to any of us, that might arrive in England, and we were requested to sign and return it. Deemer refu- sed; which, with h.i.j conduct in writing in another ward distinct from our;?, under the eye of the Surgeon, as well as some other appearances, made us suspect his faithlessness raihcr m.oro strongly tlian before. The consequence was, a close and systematic investigation among ourselves in his presence,, when one complete chain of treachery and false conduct was discovered, unbroken since our embarkation at Niagara. The first evidence was given by G. Van Camp, a poor, inno- cent, simple, (luiet Dutclmian, who was Beemer's chain companion on our passage from Quebec; and this was followed up by a forcible seizure of his port-folio, which contained a petition to Lord John Russell, tracing his own steps throughout the whole course, and claiming condi In the freedom as the boon of his fratricidal petition, he also presumed upon the commendations r! I : ''■ :(.:•? Oi :,"( 231 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. f«Vl. ^^'1^1 ': J, ,'^'^ ■ "Mil ,t. !• 13;- ■1:^f f i i'ltfT ■ Dr. Williams and Capt. Morton; but this did not end his comninnication, for he likewise attempted to brand our characters with iiiiamy, by charges of a di.shon- oro,blo nature, v/hich could, in reality, attach to none but himself. This discovery put us on the qui vine: and by a little inducement, we obtained a perusal of all his correspondence, from the fellow he employed to write for him, as he was very illiterate, only able to write, yet not to compose or spell — thus being enabled to counteract all his malice through the aid of our countrvmen in London. Elucidative of the utter failure, through the incni- ciency of the British penal code, in the attempts to hu- manize hardened villains by promiscuously congrega- ting them in those hulks, 1 have a largo collection of anecdotes, but [ cannot copy them now — for ] want to devote this letter to other descriptions — suffice it there- fore to say, that I will guarantee, if a man is sent there for two years, though naturally circumspect in his conduct, that he goes out a polished villain, zi gradual e from the college of crime. The mnjority of the resi- dents are between the ages of eighteen and thirty, though some as young as twelve; and a ^gw thin, toothless, grey headed, wretched looking fellows, num- bering at least sixty extended winters^ arc seen hobbling about the decks the whole day, submitting calmly to the insults and gibes of the officers and younger felons, as if it was their *'meat and their drink." The most surprising sight and condemnatory of Brit- ish institutions, that I v/itnessed, was the arrival, at the hulk, on their way to the Penetentiary on the Isle of ■*;: LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 23i not end brand dirjhon- to none mi vwc: rusal of iloycd to able to enabled 1 of our ic inc fli- ts to hu- DDgvega- jction of 1 want to it the re- en t there 2i in his graduate the resi- d thirty, 'ew thin, ws, nurn- hobbling calmly to er felons, yofB rit- ual, at the e Isle of Wight, of fifty ROYS under ten — an ago in which it can £carccly be imagined they wore cupablcof com- mltting offences worthy the sentence of transportation, but it was so — for th;jy were all condemned for seven, ton, or fourteen years to Y. D L. One little sprightly llllow, who said his ago was seven years and five months; I took a fancy to enquire of concerning his history — he suprised mo by saying he had been tried for picking a gentleman's pocket of a piirrjc containing nine guineas and thirteen sliillings with a few "//«/;- orthsP But how in the name of common L:ensc could you pick a mail's pocket? Why you could scarce reach his waist. But, "oh I didn't frisk his pocket — I was in a stall where a sells rings — he comicM in, and picked out one that suited him — ^^just as he was going to pay for it, the sliopman called him over to t'other end of the room, and I whip't up his purse and run'd away with it; I meets m}'' sister close by the door, and slips it into her apron, and she goes right home and guv it to mother but I run on till a Hrap' nabbed me because I was running — the gentleman come up and said I stole hV^jnirse, they frisked me and couldn't find it; but he swore I took it; so I got lagg'd for seven j^ears. Mother keeps the money, tho', and I'm sorry I couldn't have the bit o' plum puddin she promised me, if I would get her a good swag that day." Have you done any thing before? "Oh yes, I picked up a handkerchief and two testers the day before and mother give me a penny bunn and haporth of ?/«Ze." Have you got any brothers? "Yes, George was transported with father, to V. D. L,, for taking plate from the Duke's house; and I've got ,i: it /.I .i'i,' *'. ! <**•' i ' ' » I I rfiifv ■ .. r ^ '! ■t. if-,!; ' " ^v^-r^r' •■;i t%i mS-'M^^ :;,,., -[fe: ill' '■•'''''^i 236 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. two sisters, one in the house of correction, and one at home, who goes every clay for mother's quarircii of rum and pot oi' iia/c.'^ AV^hat! a father and hrother in V. D. L., a sister in the house of correction, and you on tliG way to a penctentiary? *'no, no; Vm transported." A Dr. Elliott, stancHng by, explained '*that it was cus- tomary to pass the sentence of transportation, and then leave it optional with the ministry to retain them at the Pcnetentiarics or send them on; and with boys, the lat- ter is frequriitly (]on^^ when tiiere remains but a few months of tlieir sentciico unexpired.*^ This 1 have found, is the c;ise with mon also, two of whom came in the same ship with m^, whose sentence expired in six montlis after arrival liere. My next inquiry was of the one I took to be the oldest; lie was nine years and some months, and was * 'lagged innoeently for ten years to the '7?c///'." He had no parents. "I was bound, by the parish warden, to a brush maker, who beat me so ujnnercifully that I couldn't stny — so ran'd away and come up to London, where I lay in a cellar, on straw, for four nights; and could get nothing to cat all the time. One day I was so hungry I thought I should starve; so I begged of some gentlemen, who swore at me, and threatened to send me to the work house. I asked some ladies, but they wouldn't give me any tiling; so I lay down on the steps of a house, and a police man took mo to a station house. I cried, and told him 1 was hungry; but he wouldn't give mc any thing to eat until the next day, when I was taken to the inspectors. I told them where I came from, and who my master was :Uu^ ;■•: LETTEIIS FROM V. D. L. 237 id one at irirciL of rot 1 10 V in 1(1 you on sported.''" , was cus- and then cm at tlio s, the lat- iLit a few s I have om came xpircd in to be the and was '' He had arden, to dly that 1 ) London, ghts; and day I wa3 begged of iatencd to adies, but down on k mo to a s hungry; until the •s. I told aster was and how he had beat mc. They sent for him, and scolded hiin — then sent me back witli him. lie used nio harder than ever, but gave mo a new pair of trow- sors. 1 soon went away again, but lie lullowed mc, and swore I stole his trowsers; so 1 got ten years '•lagging^ to do, for it." I asked him if he would go back, pro- viding they would allow it, and j)Ut up with his mas- ter's beatings? His answer was, that he would be bet- ter ofl*, and w^ould rather be Hogged every day, than go back to his old inatUer. These boys had been away scarcely a v/cek before the 'alter mentioiK d, and some others, were sent back to the hulk as irreclaimable characters. The lads said it was for breaking open the cellar and taking some po- tatoes to roast, and some of the boys '''•come ^7" on them. The foregoing is a scene Americans will hardly be- lieve; nevertheless it is true, and not of rare occur- rence either. These little villains have mostly been tutored by their parents, and trained to theft and crime; and between five and eight hundred of thorn arc annu- ally sent out to this island, as servant boys and but- lers to the settlers. Among the arrivals from London, (for when we were on the hulk it was the season for replenishing,) was a band of wretched looking fellows, clad in rags, (having sold all their better clothing to our country- men in New-Gate,) and excessively filthy, with beard apparently a month old — clearly exhibiting the imper- ative necessity of the "two preliminary processes of cutting off the hair and assuming prison dress," in that case at least. P?'j t •I ! 'I I ;l ■•■•\ I ■'X i m % ■ V i -■ 'I, ■ 'tl: .J J ; >t"\ :m I i ^ <• ■ ■ 'i i iiiM'^ ■' \-:'; H,-M- I;: ■ ^ ■"11 i'M. . "ill?- '> i ' 'II j- ';!■■ <.;.-'■ ■v?i 'M' 1,' i Hi 5' ■ 23ft LETTtRW FHOM V. D. L. They were loiulcd witli galling irons and sccincd lo be vveiglic'd down with hunger and ratiguo. I stood near the quarter deck and saw thorn searched. Some liad tobacco and money stowed away in their ragfj, others in their mouths and elsewhere; but lew escaped with a shilling lei't, as the examiners were adepts in the search, and what was not willingly given up, was a legal prey to the iindcr. There were twenty-seven of them convicted at the last asrjize in London, for street robbery, and house breaking; and were all sent on the same ship with us, to this j)lace; after turning in, they could be heard until very late, entertaining tlieir hammock neighbors with tales of their vagrant exploits, while to queijtion them about their offences, you would imagine they were sulfering v/rongfully, forcibly re- minding one of an Irish convict, wlio wished to elicit the sympathy oi a parjscr by for a '^pipe of tobacco or a sldlling.'' "JJut pray,'' snys tlio accosted, "what brought you hor-j?"' "Oh,'" answers pat with a menial touch of the hat, *'it was for 6/a/r/;/^j- a haltor, that I got fourteen years." "What a hardship!'' repeats the gentleman, "here's a half crown for you." "Dut atop," returns pat, whWo fobbing tlie fihincr^ "I've not tould ye that a horse was at the end on't." The hulk rules were \q,\'y strict — liie cat was the sure conccquencc of money or tobacco being found in the possesion of a prisoner, and solitary confmemcnt on bread and water, for the slightest traflic — yet money and tobacco were among them — but they commanded an cxtraodinarily high value, and were great com- modities for traflic; for instance, a penny could buy ^cincd lo I stood Some cir ragn, Lscapcd idopts in lip, was ity-scvcii don, for 2 all J;CIll :rning in, ling" their . c-\ploit.'j, ou would •cibly re- to elicit Dbacco or -1, "what a menial ii', that 1 spcats the Jut btop,'" not tould wud the found in ifincmcnt ct money Timanded cat com- ;ou!d buy MCTTEllS FROM V. D. 1.. tjno a man's daily allowance of *M)rown tommy'" and meat; or a **ha'j)enny" liis eliecsc and **swipos." \Vh('n the ♦'shore laborers" were jjassing down the siiip':] sides, an oillccr, usually the first mate, stood at the; gang- way to *'fri.sk" tlicin, to prevent their carrying any thing on shore belonging to the ship; and the same precaution was taken when coming on board, that no tobacco, or other illicit articles, might be brought oil". An Hibernian, who had at liomc?, in an alfray, received a blow on the head, for friendship's sake, that cracked his skull ailucliiig his brain, aiid occasioning fits of hallucination, was bringing in his mouth, a i^Jinall por- tion of the forbidden weed. Unfortunately the oflicer, (iMitchartl,) either having some intimation of it or deep grudge against Jiim, unceremoniously thrust his fin- gers into Pat's mouth, who, as unforinally compressed them rather tightly. The male f^itruck the man in the face; the blow was returned, when the poor Irishman was brought to the deck' by some bystan(]*jrtj. lie was ta- ken immediately to the quarter deck, whore he received the sentence of ''thirty-six on ihc bare back, in sight of all hands, on the follov/ing morning at eight A. M." Consequently, at the hour appointed, the men were all mustered on deck, where tho poor fellow was lashed to the rnizzcn mast, naked to the waist, prepared to re- ceive the stripes from the boatswain, who stood await- ing orders to begin, with bis cat in hand; which was, in this case, a stick of about eighteen inches long, with nine thongs, three feet long, twisted as hard as wire, and tho thickness of a man's small finger. The sur- geon, whose duty it is to witnoss these scenes, was there • '--'rt f \. ■■'MiAitA-iMe^^.^. ..w. 0- ' 1 240 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. ■rr \ ■; ■ ■ V '1 • i ijJV'' '^ii- ■* ;•. and the commandant also, who ofTcrcd the culprit an abatement of one half the sentence, if ho would hum- bly beg the pardon of the oiFendcd dignitar)-, who was likewise present. But throwing a wild gu/^e upon him, he looked the rage of a thousand demons, and told them to do their worst, and he would *'yet have the hearts blood of the brute,'' who really was a con- catenation of all that was evil. This answer was con- sidered in.solence, and the boatswain was ordered to lay it on without forbearance. He ran his lingers care- fully down the cat, fjeparating the thongs, so as to give each a chance to do its duty; then whirling the whip about his head, and rising, with a spring forward, gave the first blow, that, in reality, ought to have counted nine. It told a horrible tale upon the back of the poor fellow, whose skin was cut through in a dozen places; while he, withouL v/rithiiig, cahijly car-jt his eyes about, as if to ask, "do I bear it well? ' IJut a painful thrill ran through the crowd, and a sudden catching of I'lo breath, or sigh, that was perfectly audible. The blov/s were repeated at intervals of forty seconds, with the same result, until two dozen were received; when the same proposal of abatement of the remainder was niade with the same eUbct. The Ikigellation went on; and when completed, the poor man's back was literally beat into a jelly. He was loosened and Ijt down a v/ild maniac, and the fir^t movement was a rush at the wretch who was the cause of suei. inhuman severity; but, unfor- tunately, he was "brought up" by some of the guards standing by. The common puni^■hment for petty of- fences, is confinement, on bread and water, in a soli- 4 t LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 2U prit an .1 lium- ho was G upon ■J, and ;t havo a con- is con- to lay s carc- ; to giv« 10 whip d, gave J counted 10 poor places; s about, irill ran ! breath, vs wero 10 same 10 same ide with id when eat into naniac, ch who , unfor- guardrf etty of- a soli- tary * 'black hole," where the person never sees the light within his durance, which sometimes extends to seven, and even ten days. Trafficing is strictly forbidden, yet often winked at; as, for instance, a blind man was allowed four gallons per day of the oatmeal, which he exchj\nged for the white bread of the poor, half starved laborers. He also collected all the bones of the messes, pounded them fine, and boiled them — in that manner extracting considerable fat, which he sold for butter — known as the "blind Jimmy's Cutter.^' Either, if repurtedj would have gained him a fcw^ays solitary; yet the "rikilly'' was allowed him, and it was well known he could not consume it himself. It was a standing rule to muster the men each Sab- bath, with one bare leg, to observe their cleanliness, when their shoes must be greased, or solitary was the consequence. Now, strange to say, no provision was made for oil, and there were no possible means of ob- taining but by stealing it from the lamps, two of which remained in each ward; further, should a man be de- tected in such theft, he would be subjected to two do- zen stripes on the bare back; and to exhibit the fallacy of such rules, a man is liable to a charge for insolence. Thus, then, he is placed between the horns of a di- lemma, one of which seldom fails goring him; and ho generally prefers the risk of the theft, in which he is the least liable to be detected. In our cases, these rides were not enforced, "ibr," as observed by the commandant, "the Americans are men of unimpeach- able moral characters — perfectly quiet and orderly — 16 "I ^■.! I- ' ■. .' t ". i )' ikI 'M m '< l-ii LETTERS FROM V. 1). L. I ' f . ;vi • *• fes * iK ';• i.r • -if' ■■ ■-'■* ; .-i^ III'... ■; ■hi,',- ; •^r"'"' :( ■' but they ivill not he coerced into compliance with any rules they consider unreasonable. They never pre- sume upon any privileges, but when they want such, they send Wait to ask. They have thus obtained va- rious favors that I could not have granted to other men; for instance, the use of the carpenter's shop, where it is a pleasure to observe to what extent their ingenuity and industry continue, in the manufacture of such trifles as are in their power. And at night, be- fore they retire to their beds, I have frequently been delighted in listening to their devotions; yet they will not use our church ser*ce, and it would be ungener- ous to require it; for I think them devout and pious, and know them praying men." These remarks in favor of our character, were not die only temporal advantages received from our dcvo- :ional exercises, for they, in a manner, operated also, as a beneficial check upon the conduct of some two or three of our number, wbo were rather vulgarly incli- ned. And in a spiritual senrjc, the good results were mcalculablo upon our minds, our hearts, and our feel- ings. Reading and prayer, enabled us to look above for consolation, in the hour of suffering and sorrow; and to give })lace to that ho})e which would not only keep us from despondency, but lead us to feel that -'all things would work together for good'' — that God. 'n his all wise providence, would give us strength accoruing to our need, and ultimate]}' return us to our I'.omes and to our families. I can assure you that we have been enabled to en- dure every calamity and evil that ha^ since befallen us. .4. .i:-): Ill any r pre- t such, led va- ) other shop, it their Jture of ^ht, be- y been ley will ngener- pious, ere not r devo- id also, ! two or y incli- Its were lur Icel- k above sorrow; ot only eel that •'—that strength s to our \ to en- tile n us. LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 243 without much murmur or complaint, while my hope in a return to home and to freedom, is now more brilliant than ever — rendered so by a letter 1 have quite re- cently received from the still active participator in my afflictions. She has returned to Canada, and already had an interview with the Governor General, who seems favorably inclined. But more of these things anon, and I here cIofjg for the present. I remain, dear sir, Yours, &c. &c. LETTER XY. AsHGROVE, near Oatlands, V. D. L. July, 1841. To -, Iviv Dear Sir: About the 10th March, a ship, osten- hlb\y known as the *'Bay Ship,'' cast anchor at Spit- head; and orders came off for 140 men to be selected from the residents of the two hulks, (Leviathan and Vork,) at Portsmouth^ to make up the cargo for Van Dienum's land, already consisting of 100 men from the prison ships at Woolwich. The list for the York was some two days completing; during which time not a whisper was heard designating those who were to go; not a name was divulged. I felt a slight pre- sentiment tliat our names might be added, and conse- quently wrote my opinions to our friends in London, desiring them to make preparations for the event, if they proved prophetic. Meeting Mr. Nicholson on the i»' u > r 'f 1 ''• ! l* ^.S^ m ••5=1 ' ■',).'■ f! !:,,: 244 i •■ \ I .' 1 !:■ -. .il Ui^*^ 1 \^ 'V !' f V i I, S^ '•Jf. ■; .. LETTERS FROM V. D. L. deck, I enquired if it was the intention of the govern- ment to send the American prisoners by that ship; but he replied that he was not at liberty to give satisfaction on that point; yet he had no doubt but wc would have timely notice of any intended removal. Thus, then, my suspicions on that head, were allayed, and we con- tinued our writing preparatory to tho expected investi- gation. On the morning of the 12th March, before we were dressed, several officers wore engaged in tho selection and separation of those to go, from those to remain; and as they came out of the ward adjoining ours, were asked if they had any orders for us; the reply was *'7io." This monosyllable created a laugh among us, for one of our number, (Mr. Waggoner,) had said, as soon as he awaked, that *'wc should be sent on board the bay ship to-day, and no mistake;" yet he still persisted, and would stake his life upon tho correct- ness of his impressions. About eight the turnkey came and unlocked the door, when we, as usual, were pre- pared, with hammock on shoulders, to sally forth and deposit them on the upper deck. But "stop," says tho guard, "I want to muster your hammocks and bed- ding." This was the first move or expression that was, in the slightest degree, indicative of their intention to- ward us. As soon as the muster was completed, he said, "now my fine fellows, I have to inform you, that you have but five minutes to join the other prisoners in the chapel destined for V. D. L." Those still in the ward, were McLeod, Wait, Chan- dler, Waggoner, McNulty, Vernon, Mallary, Cooly, LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 245 vcrn- ; but iction have then, con- ivcsti- and Van Camp, ordered for embarkation; Gcmmel had been in the hospital, since arrival; and the night previous to this, the surgeon had ordcrd Beemer there also; and tlic day wo took our passage, ho was under the operation of an emetic. We all knew why his re- tention was cficctcd, but it eventually, by his own folly, proved of no avail. Miller, Grant, and Reynolds, the others, were in London; so that our number was dwin- dled down to nine. Although 1 should have preferred transportation, to a long continuance in that prison, yet the information of so sudden a removal, fell like an electric shock up- on me, as it was utterly unexpected, after so many re- peated assurances, from various individuals in office and elsewhere. I therefore begged time to write our agent, but was refused. What trifles we could hastily collect, of our small stock in the ward, were carried with us, most particulary my portfolio, containing all our correspondence in England, and the notes I had made there. This has since been my inseparable com- panion, and I design conveying it to America, if I am ever so happy as to return myself. On arriving at the place of rendezvous, we found eighty or more, all invested with douhle irons* and the habiliments of the *'Bay ship,*' the same as the hulk dress, saving a want of the guernsey, and the exchange of the hat for a striped woollen cap. There were pre- pared for our ablution, several tubs of water; and sev- ■,i'h'' *Two rings or hazzlcs, for the leg, witli a chain between them about two feet in length, and weighing about eight pounds. ir 246 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. I# i i i. ;■ 'i t.>- !»■■-■•; ji-v ■ ,. k C ■ -» • I J* it' "i'-'4« '•';'-' lit 13^^:'. 4^a^f f::,r rir oral shaving automatons were placed in requisition for clearing both iicad and face. These preparations were scarcely completed before I was called to the quarter deck, where I found the commander and his 7n(tfe, Mitchard, engaged in over- hauling our baggage. I was ordered to select what belonged to myself, and then directed to open my trunk, from v/hich Mitchard tlirew out every article, and then said, I might retain the trunk, but the other things, (clothes and books,) were forfeited to the gov- ernment. I begged the favor of retaining a few tri- fling keepsakes, but all I could get was a brush, three religious books, and a wooden spoon. All my com- panions were treated in the same manner, and filched of every thing they possessed. I accused them of rob- bery; for even by their own mi material reasoning, we could be regarded only as being in transilu, and con- sequently, had been merely lodged temporarily in their custody, av/aiting an opportunity for transportation— therefore, whatever the transporliiig authorities chose to permit iis to carry from home, they had no right to rob us of in a foreign land — no more than the govern- or of Cape town, where .we might run in for refresh- ment, would possess over what we might carry thence with us. All the reply they made, was, that, they knew what they were doing, and would hear nothing from me. We were, with the other prisoners, mustered on deck, with the left \q^ and foot bare, (the right having the irons on,) for the purj- :e of inspection, by the surgeon connected with th- -ansport ship. All were <^i.(: LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 247 m for I pronounced *'lmle nnd fit for the passage,'' until they came to me, when, iVom my dcbiiitutcd appearance, the surgeons were induced to question me as to whether I fult able to undergo tiic fatigue of so long a voyage, or not? I replied that I was more fit to go than remain, for I felt it would be with but little regret that I should exchange that abode of vice for distant and untiied scenes. After replacing oui .,hoes and sto ".i 'gt.', we were placed on board a lighter, where were some sixty men from the Leviathan; and we were soon along side, the •'Marquis of Hastings'' lying anch6red at Spithcad, and already containing one hundred men, whom she had brought from Woolwich. The muster roll was read as we passed over the ship's sides; and on going down to the lower deck, a bundle of bedding was handed to each, containing a v/ool mattress, two blankets, and a thin rug; -all mark- ed with the number, the individual held on ti.e books. Berths were assigned to us, calculated to contain four men, into which we got, waiting further orders. Af- ter looking about the hold, the first questions I heard asked by those who came on board with me, were, ^'what do you get to eat?" and "what is the quality?'' exhibiting the all-engrossing ideas of every one's mind. The answer so shocked me, that I was deterred from making any inquiry myself, determined to await pa- tiently, the development of each new scene, without anticipating any. It would be nearly useless to enter minutely into occurrences of that voyage; in fact, it would be too voluminous, and I must be brief 218 LETTERS FROiM V. D. L. ' *! "' ' « : 1' II' . f :-„ •! 1 "■■! |i.;i,!iSi!' '.'!•'. '■•"■ ■ i:.f>'iii^;'' ( ■•'-■■ ■r:|i( f . •; * ■•'■^■1^:;' 1.,- . < '•If ■ ' -J ^ ^Vhcn the provision did arrive, (wliich was not un- til the next day,) we found that thu hrcakfast consisted of nothing but the usual "skilly;" the dinner, alter- nately, of four ounces of very salt beef, and two oun- ces of plain pudding; or of three nun,-cs of pork and a pint of pea soup; and supper of one pint of sweeten- ed tea or cocoa — one sea buiscuit having been issued in the morning to serve for the day's bread. The messes were of six men each, with only a "kid'' to bring the food down in, one tin cup, one wooden spoon, and one knife and fork, as tabic furniture and eating apparatus for the six. The ship was a large one, perhaps of 600 tuns bur- then, and the middle deck was fitted up with two ticrr. of berths on each side, from ahafl the : ^''^Iships to the extreme bow, with at least twenty hamuiocks swung in the intermediate space. The number of prisoners thus congregated in one mass, were two hundred and forty, and the utmost confusion and tumult continually prevailed among them, at all times, except during the silent watches of the night. They were separated into three distinct grand divisions, controlled by as many captains, assisted by a dozen constables, all subject to the surgeon supcrintendant. These qlficers were all selected from the worst characters the black book con- tained, all particularly marked by the qualifications so requisite in the government of such institutions, viz: an inordinate desire to obtain a superior's smile — con- summate artfulness, with a designing, deceitful, and treacherous heart — a love of human misery, and a dis- position to glory in the pain of others. Indeed, it is LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 219 not un- nsislcd , altor- vo oun- )rk and Yoctcn- issued The iid" to spoon, eating ns bur- vo tiers to the swung •isoncrs red and tinually 'ing the ted inte 3 many bject to zero all ok con- tions so IS, viz: 3 — con- ul, and d a dis- 3d, it is i i i astonishing how familiarity hardens the heart of man to Iiuman sufloring, and steels it against all the strange and ghastly things ol terrestrial existence; but ten times more astonishing is it, to find men who appear, without such terrible training, to feel a pleasure in the sight of sorrow, and derive a sort of agreeable excite- ment from witnessing the pangs and miseries of oth- ers. Such beings we must ever hate, and involunta- rily shrink from their contact, with as much appre- liensiDn as from the sting of a scorpion. The conse- quence of being under the survcilanco of such beings, were the horrid castigations with the inhuman cat, of some thirty or : lore during the voyage, in the manner, and with nearly the same ellect, as that of poor Cava- nauglrs, on board the hulk, and various other minor punishments, as solitary, double irons, deprivation of food, &c. &c. On arriving on board the transport ship, r2th March, I lost no time in writing to London, requesting the at- tendance of Mr. Waller, who arrived on Friday, the 15th, seemingly under great excitement of feeling; yet, to calm our minds relative to this sudden trans- portation, he said he "expected it vv^ould be so, to en- sure the safety of those whose cases w»re undergoing investigation." I had long imagined such was the feeling, and therefore made but little complaint my- self, only anxious that some of our letters for America, still in their hands, might convey the intelligence to our friends; and that he would exert himself to restore our clothing. He left, promising to attend to our requests, and return on the Monday followi ! 1 'S' ship, ^ 'W I i 4.Q .1 ■■ . , ■f ■A y '^^i i »*i ' ( ... :4 pi/: |i«, i'^fel 250 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. ho was informed by tlio siipcrintondcnt, would not sail until Til \s(lay. 01* his promis'xl aid, and tho r(3stora- tion of ouv cloliiing, books, &c. wo were deprived, by the ship sailing on Sunday, tho 17th March. You, my dear sir, arc, doubtless, as much surprised as wo were, at so sudden a dcpartuu, for so distant a land, contrary to many assurances, made, no doubt, in deceit, for no other purpose than to cajole unfortunate beings into hopes, a depression of which must aggra- vate their misery an hundred fold. Thus ended all our trust in British clemency; and thus, in eager, anxious destitution, we commenced a voyage of 10,000 miles, to the Antipodes of our homes, in connexion with a mass of corruption and crime to which tho world could scarce fuid a parallel. Mere v/erc beings from almost every class in Eng- land — tliorjo born to wealth and honor, and those pos- sessing tho (Queen's commissions not excepted. To tho eye of the man of perception, it would have been curious and interesting to trace the aspect of those wretched men, the efiects of their imprisonment and transportation, under tho various circumstances, upon each character. And although every man plead *'not guilty," to any charge of crime, yet it was easy to dis- cover what had been the misdemeanor of cither, by their manner, and by their private stories for enter- tainment, during tho foro part of the night. There you could hear the talc of the light debauchee, who had received his doom for some criminal intrigue — of tho highway robber's hair-breadth escapes — the burg- l-o.r^s artful triumphs over stono walls and iron bound LKTTEHS FROM V. D. L. 251 not sail rofitora- ■ivcd, by jui'prisod distant a donht, in br tun ate st aggra- aidcd all in engor, )i' 10,000 onncxion hicli the s in Eng- hosc pos- )tcd. To lave been of those mcnt and CCS, upon lead *'not isy to dis- dllicr, by hi' enter- . There dice, who riguc — of the burg- 'on bound chests — the cunningly devised, and pldlftdly executed j)lot.s of the sly pickpocket — the wily gume:.ter, sans principle, sans feeling, sans every thing but a love for crime and iniquity — tlic bold, daring, brutal criminal, hardened in oIFences, and impudent in crime — the man of deep feeling, bowed down by a senr-c of evil and shame — the dull, heavy man of guilt and despair, who could toll of many years im[)risonment and ex- clusion from social intercourse; with the "light of hopo gone out in his oye,'^ and nothing left but tenacity of life and capability of endurance — and of the youth, who, in a passionate excitement, had sought to poison himself and betrothed, fatal with the latter, because parental authority interposed obstacles to the ill assor- ted union. Thousands are the anecdotes tiiat I could relate concerning that ship'f^' cargo. I will not, howe- ver, detain you with them; but proceed with relations of more of the horrors of the passage. On the em- barkation the weather was cold, but as we approached the equator, it gradually became more and more warm, until intense heat rendered our situation not only in- convenient, but shockingly uncomfortable. The hos- pital incumbents were daily increasing, until the salt waves closed over thirty unhappy victims of cruelty and starvation. Vermin, the most loathed of all ob- jects to an American, generated too, in such abun- dance, that our beds and cloth'ng became literally alive with them. ]\Iy dreams w"ere always about them, and I would often awake in the act of killing them. They remained with us during the voyage — they landed with, and still separated not from us, until we were as- m ft' i ■I 1 . M, !*l 'k: I :^ 252 LETTEIIH PROM V. I). L. 'i •• V,, ■ 1 ♦ ;: » ^jil ' i lt|;-i;; '-^t. ' ^ i .y:' /■_: h M'^''^i\f;:!:/^- !;<•*■ V ? : vt ^l "■■ signed in iho country, vvhcvo it was extremely dinioult to get rid of tlicm. Oli, my dear sir, you cannot con- ceive the slightest approach to tlu^ torment wc endured while subject to these ruthless invaders of human com- fort — those implrnimts of exclusively British torture. You will say this picture is disgusting; but if tlic rela- tion is revolting to the mind, what sensations must have been engendered by a participation in the reality? Ah, many nights did I spend, witliout sleep or rest, while my ever busy mind would roam over the wide world without motive, and assume a tone but little short of distraction — when every noise was hushed save the lashing of the waves against the ship's sides, the creak- ing of the helm, the occasional tread of the crew on deck, or the heavy bre.'ithings of the human beings about me, has my heart experienced every vicissitude of human misery and passion — sorrow and grief, gloom and despondency, anger and the extreme of despair endured to an extent .seldom felt by man. The crysijielas or scurvy broke out among us, and continued to carry off the poor fellows, long after wc had landed; so that one year from the date of our ar- rival, out of the two hundred and forty persons, the Marquis of Hastings was frieghted with, only one hundred and three were alive; owing, as declared by the skilful surgeon of the Colonial hospital at Ho- barttown, to nothing but ill treatment — short and bad rations. From Spithead we had a very fair wind, until wo entered the Bay of Biscay, when we were driven back to the coast of Ireland; yet we soon regained our course, %^ ;^v 't^ ; (lifTioult \iK)t con- ) endured nan com- orturc. .'the rcda- nust have lily? Ah, st, whilo Je world short of save iho :hc creak- crow on in beings /icissitudo nd grief, xtrcmc of nan. g us, and after wo >f our ar- i'sons, the only ono. iclared by al at Ho- rt and bad , until we L'iven back lur course, LETTKllH rnOM \. 1). L. '253 and sailed gently on in sight of the Azores, tho Do Verds and the majestic Tenoriilu. Agaiii high winds drove us out of the general track to the American coast, when, after two or thrco days spent in fruitless attempts to continue around Cape Horn, the course was changed, and wo bore away for tlic capo of Good Hope, od* which we found high winds, rough seas, and foggy weather; where, in a night squall, wo lost our jib-booms, and dropped the foreyard, both of which were soon replaced, and we passed on safely, 'ilthnugh many fears were entertained for the oldriekety craft. Not- vvilhstandi ng many high gales, she proved a saf( con- veyance to us; yet her passage homewaid was ijot so fortunate, for she was lost oil* ihe coast of China. Wf. passed very near St. Paul's island, a small, barr'n rock, standing one hundred icet or more out of the ^ea.. with no anchorage about it. In certain seasons, a kind of fish is caught in abundance there, very little inferior to our northern salmon. It lies about fifteen hundred miles from Ilobarttown, a distance we run iii fifteen days. Embarked on the wide ocean for a long and tedious voyage, I had full leisure for thought; and though amid tlie tumult of hundreds of beings, f carcc human, I .suffered it not to disturb me. I felt not of their species, and gave no ear to their confusion. I stood in the midst of a sink of iniquity, and every shade of crime, from the deepest to the lightest die. Surely if there are places in human ;. bodes deserving the title of Hell, one is a transport ship, crowded with felons, culled from England's most abandoned criminals. Statistics \ Hi ra^r I % M ' 1 i iii^'i ;li^f;-:^ i--m\ MV • sV' .;i!! ;!P f •1. ■.;.?*J - ; 1 I ■ I - ■'"■'*■ I tl ■ ■ ■' ■''':>- ■•■ •'■" '251 LETTKIUS FROM V. D. 1.. iihow that tho number of committals in one year, was eighteen thousand and eighty-three — one thousand three liundrcd and ninety-seven of whom received the scn- icnco of death. From this eighteen thousand, select a lew hundred of the worst, cast them together without moral restriction, and you have a school of vice that cannot ftiil to instruct tho novice in a more elevated course o'l artful crime. Pickpockets formed no small share of the cargo, and they are truly the most expert and deceptive beings I ever met; they v/ould take from under my very eye, the food 1 was eating, without my discovering the thief. I steeled my heart against the contaminating influ- ence of all these vices, by pondering, with intensity, upon the past and the future. I chose that course, al- though it rendered the mind dark and moody, and in unison with the sad obj(3cts presented to it, because it shut out tho evil associations of the present; though it produced tho bitterest blight in nature, a despondency that became awfullv convincin"^ of the instability of hu- manenj03'ments, tho vanity of human pursuits, and the mutability ofearthly hopes. The future exhibited a path of sorrov/, suifering and dang(!r; a life of toil and ski* very, and a bed of thorns; while a review of the past pierced my soul v/ith a thousand agonies. My early ho[)es; the gay droanu of youth, and the associations of ripor years, were blasted — gone — circumstances loudly exclaiined, forever!! I saw my poor family, feeble, and destitute, and lonely, and in grief. 1 raised in my heart a j)icture that, though creating anguish, I hugged to my soul, and would not have parted witli L FITTERS FROi\I V. D. L. ear, was ind three the scn- , select a without vice that elevated no small st expert ake from thout my ng indu- intensity, oLirse, al- y, and in )ocause it though it ipondency litv of hu~ ts, and the itcda path 1 and ski* f the pa, tit My early Bsociations unistances )r family, f. 1 raised anguish, I )avted with. for all the honors and fortunes of the world. I sought for no oblivious antidote, but closely embraced the malady that produce^ abstraction, rather than partake of the scenes acting around me. But obloquy, severity, and indignity, religion alone gave me ."trength to en- dure with proper equanimity, and blunted many a pang, dark, deep, and bitter. About four weeks previous to arrival, poor J. J. McNulty became very lov/, by the decline commenced on the passage from Quebec, and greatly augmented by the harsh treatment, bad diet, and lilthiness sub- jected to since. He lingered on until v/e cast anchor, when he was sent immediately to the Colonial hospital, where he died four hours after arrival, exhibiting a powerful faith and a perfect assurance of eternal hap- piness. I also showed symptoms of the erysipelas, a disease prevalent on board, every case of which had, as yet, terminated fatally. Tiie sv/elling of my head, fuce, and limbs was discovered by the surgeon, who ordered me to tlie ship hospital, when, by my request, lie took a largo quantity of blood, and I returned to iny berth; the same night I bled also very freely at the nose. The bleeding was eilective in reducing the malady, bat an inflammation commenced in my arm lliat soon spread itself over my right side. By inquiry, it was discovered that'the lancet, with which the incis- ion had been made, was the same urvcd, a few hours before, in opening a putrid swelling on the knee of a poor fcllovt', wlio died in a few minutes afterward. The fault was not the surgeon's, but the attendant's, who was culpable for not ck^aning the instrument. It ,'■ '' «i •15 Kl ■ ' ''i 'I I 'I ';i I}- 1 >■ "in >*«i'*.!«a,iifti«K«l.n«-««.. .t^ ;ii k 4 ■v.jl','.*''j: ' 25G LKTTEiia FP.O.M V. D. L. . IP ■1 'r I !.' - - .,|:U.|':>. IJri, ;■'■••-.•'' ■ . . f W'Wl'-^ fll-l? #'■1. * J ' i '( i ! . was attributed to carelessness, but I imagined it was wilfulness, as he had openly professed an extreme un- kindness to all my countrymen. He soon fell a victim to the same desease that his heedless conduct had in- fused into my veins. The flesh of my right side as- sumed a livid hue, and gradually grew darker. The pain was excruciating, and appeared to proceed from the distention of the veins, which seemed to be filled with balls, continually rolling toward my extremities. The surgeon was hopeless, and spoke of amputation; but, providentialy, we arrived at that critical moment, and I was sent on shore to a hospital, whore 1 remained eight weeks under the hands of a skilful and kind sur- geon, who happily reestablished my health. The day before we entered the harbor, Alexander McLeod showed violent evidences of a quick consumption, and was also carried to the hospital. He enjoyed a lucid interval of only five minutes, and died in forty-eight hours after landing. When lucid he recognised me, and spoke of his friends, to whom he wished to be remembered. As his pain returned he called on **Ma- ry," and, with a violent struggle, his spirit burst from its clay tenement, to try the realities of another world. Many others from the ship were sent immediately on shore, anr^ some twelve, or more*dicd in the first week. The anxiety to hasten the landing, will be explained by the fact, that the surgeon superintendent got iivo guineas for each prisoner he discharged alive, al- though they might die the moment after; and for all who expired on ship board, he received nothing at all; %-, •„ '.j. LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 2f)7 1 it was cmc un- a victim had in- side as- rhc pain i'om the led with es. The ;ion; but, lont, and 'cmained kind sur- The day McLeod tion, and 11 a lucid H'ty-cight lised me, led to be on **Ma- rit burst f another iliately on irst week, explained t got liv(; alive, al- id for all UQ at all; consequently those consigned to the sea were a ^*dead loss'' to him. I was, as I hii^ ■: before said, in the same ward wljoro poor McLeod died; and though scarce able to move, I saw every scone that followed, which I would fain pasf^ over unrelated, for fear of wounding the feelings of his dear relatives; but satisiicd that they arc reasona- ble and re/lcctive beings, and would regard outrngo upon a dead body, as in no wise affecting the peace of the soul, yet as the strongest indications of an enor- mously harden: d depravity, and a total want of sensi- bility in the p • -Orators. He was taken, as he expi- red, stripped 'vii.ed, put in the "man box," and car- ried to the (leiul iriiise, and there stretched upoH a table. Five days afterward a body of prisoners, who had come in the Marquis of Eiastings, were sent to the hospital to carry away and bury the dead. They arrived and found the bodv on a table in the ward cut in many pieces, with its entrails lying beside it. They gath- erd the pieces together ond put them in a coffin of rough boards, and behold it was poor McLeod, whom they all knew, and respected. The scene was revolt- ing, but there was no alternative; they carried him away, and laid him in a "strangers grave," without ceremony, or one mark to distinguish the spot from the thousands of "r Ion mounds" around him. Alas, poor man! he thu;-^ went early to his "narrow bed," without one frioLjIly hand to smooth the thorny pillow of death, or wipe the cold dampness from his pallid brow. Without a kind sympathising eye to watch his movements and anticipate his wants. No cheering 17 Hr. 7 t V 1 [ 4=! 11 I.', i.i , 1' ' [''■■':.'• . i- ■ m--: -i. ■■■'■■ ■;s V *>..,■■■ ■ "7,riU ;■>«■ fill -; « ^.^ '• V ■■itrl I; :- . 'm ; .>f.- , ■';V ■if J- •4 •- !• ^Jl •f ■ ■^- 'ii■:;f'V!',lU■■ •2^>^ LETTERS FllOiM V. I). L. p; ,i^^|! .;^r voico to calm his inind, and point him to the cflica- cious blood of a Saviour, save him who lav beside him n\ an agony of pain, on the verge of the grave himself; and whose mind was filled with his own griefs. Yet i wept the fate of the poor, noble, persecuted fellow, whom I liad, since adversity had cast us together, re- garded as a brother, and, when I witnessed the expir- ing struggle of his brave spirit, and saw its clay tene- ment deserted, 1 felt a burning, withering, desolation, and thought my spirit must accompany his from this world of care and sorrow. My uneasiness and pain gave so much trouble to the wardsman, (a convict,) that he administered a quieting opiate, which threw me into a profound sleep, and from which I did not awake until late the next day, jiist as the surgeon was, with his dozen attendents, taking his morning round- lie enquired for poor IMcLcod; and on being informed of his removal to number lourteen, (dead house,) ho «a,j, *'I feared it! I wis^ to hea-.en 1 could have saved him; but he came too late for our skill. I never saw as perfect a model of a man as his; and 1 am sorry to say that I candidly believe him to have fallen a victim to the barbarity of the surgeon of tbe ship, who ought to be placed in the same situation that a dozen of his men are already in, since landing. If they continue to send them here as fast as they have don,e lately, all local patients must be excluded." It v.as, indeed, thus; tor in one week from our arrival, all the beds in the building were occupied, and many were on the floor, notwithstanding its ability to contain some two or three hundred persons. When he approached my bed, he LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 259 cfiica- dc him imself; . Yet fellow, icr, rc- expir- ty tcnc- olation. Dm thia id pain 3nvict,) 1 threw did not ton was, round- hformed ISC,) he ve saved :r saw as sorry to a victim lo ought n of his continue ilely, all cd, thus; !s in the he floor, ) or three bed, he \ said, "And arc you too ono of the Marquis of Has- tings' men?" I replied that I was, and a contryman of the last dead. "What, an American! Indeed 1 pity you poor men, who are sent here to suiTer the horrors of transportation, and bo subject to the contaminating influence of tlio greatest depravity the world ever knew, for what ought not to bo considered a crime against God. What ails you?'" I exhibited my arm, and told the cause. "What, a foul lancet? In England the fellow would be indicted for mal-practicc. You have, however, como in lime*, I can save you; but, I dare say, he would have either amputated your arm, or have cast you overboard, if the ship had been out tiiree daj^s longer.'' He ended with giving orders for certain applications, and placing rnc on "full diet," with extra wine tea and sugar. So, while I remained in that place, I had enough of the best provisions. A few days after the whole were landed, Mr. Chan- dler was sent there also; and in ten days, was return- ed to the barracks. Van Camp likewise came, hav- ing been sent out to assist in drawing a cart load of wood from a hill, some two miles distant; in doing which, he was ruptured, and otherwise injured. He, too, died in threo weeks after landing. Thus, then, tliere are but six remaining of the nine Americans, and two of whom were sometime in jeopardy. But,then, I must conclude; and you can not expect more Iho.n one or two letters more upon the subject of our treatment, when 1 will continue with a description of this country, which is indeed worthy a more prolific pen and ability, and a more fertile imagination than I m > I M ^m 260 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. possess; for more magnificent scenery, and grandeur of prospect, if mountains on mountains, reared to the clouds, v/ith their concomitant, awful precipices, ra- vines, and forests can be called so. I remain, dear sir. Yours, &c. &;c. '% ■ iN-;.; W- ?• »■ K.Jm? ■' 1 : I ) t:- .■M't''? ''■■its '-.'!l ■ •m'y W- •'A ^ir-''* .,.1 «h ,1.,. : ■ '•- .*'.-■> ■if ■"' "v''.l' ■;rf' 1 ,.' refractory. He descanted upon the benefits of *<.i5i- eignmcnt,"" witli '•'■glowing eloquence ^'^ and said, "you must submit to tlie legal control of your masterii;; for v/licn put in tlioir custody wo bold tbom accounta1)le for your conduct; and if you pass witb good conduct your probationary periods,* you vrill be entitled to tbc indulgence of a ticlcct of leave, vritb wbicb you may choose your own masters and employment, and re- ceive v/agcs; but still subject to restrictions and piirvoi- lance; and close upon its liecis comes tbc emancipa- tion, witli its Idghp'i'tiJcgrs of citizensbip, and, at last, the free imrdon from Her Majest}-, God hicss her. These arc favors of great import, and worth aiming at; but they cannot bo obtained without good conduct.'' This speech was a set one, and occupied some time, being delivered with a hesitancy painful in the last de- gree, to the listener. Wb.en it was concluded the men were all dismissed, but the Americans, who had been arranged by themselves. To them he then turned, with high invectives, for "oflences against God, and all the tics of social government — for treason, a crime the foremost in all the British cod"/" He con£rratula- o ted them upon their escape from "retributive justice,'' and said, "some of ^'ou, while in England, rendered yourselves quite notorious, for writing disrespectfully of the authorities und-^r who?o coi^trol 3-0U were pla- ced, and even of the government. I will have you understand that you are in a ■penal Colony now, where public sympathy v/ill be no advantage to you, and ^'Eigbt ycnra slavery for n "Hfcr" — seven for fourteen years — five for seven, and other sentences in proportion. LETTERS PROM V. i). L. »i (Jij f *<.a3- '*you I'.".; for Lintable oiiduct to the mav nd vc- siirvoi- ancipa- at. last, ■ss ]:cr. airninjic nduct.'' time, last do- ll men id been lurncd, )d, and 1 crime ^ratula- istico," mdorod netful ly re pla- VQ you whore u, and irs — five wlierc all the inhabitants will deem it their duly lu keep the strictest watch over you — where, for a slight '3ensure of Iho government, your punishment will be SiU'cre. You come with a character for sobriety, mo- rality, and even piety, seldorn found here; but all this will avail you nothing, imless you practise the same. 1 -.vould, therefore, recommend you to abstain from a connection with the other class of prisoners, whose furte is unbounded criminality. I c:ui not toll what will be your situation Iiero, for you arc sent witliout especial orders, and ^v•o are undcterAiiined yet; hov^^e- rcr, whatever it may bo, I hope you will invariably maintain such conduct as to conurni our present good opinion of your ■private characters.'' By the advice given in the latter part of his excel- tcncy's speech, my countrymen supposed they were to be separated from the felon gang; and they rejoiced in the hope, for they did not comprehend the possi- bility of otherwise keeping themselves distinct. But they were miserably undeceived at night ftdl, when "ihey were indiscriminately mustered with the hvrdc into various wards, in alphabetical order — eacli con- taining from forty to sixt}' person;:. It was somi' v/ecks before they concluded to ^>-r«n/ the Americans tlio privilege of assignment; and, in the mean time, the Superintendent, a shrev/d, pene- trating person, told them tliat he had not the right of putting them at work; he would, therefore, leave it optional with tliem to labor or not; yet he would advise them, as a friend, to go out with the gangs, as the work would be light, and the free air would coji- \\'\ :M I I* . I 1 f ^ 2G1 LETTERS FnOM v. D. L. 1 . k ' . ' -', r '' ■ ■' . ■f.;. ^':h^Ur: ^: ;l ■■■■•• ■V? >>■■ ■•'iff' i ';■■■.:',; ■ . ' ■■ ■5 ', V •♦.•-. 1 1 I ^Ij^i ;..■ ■:ri„ V " ■.,••'• t . ■. ■*'■ * tribute; nioro to their hoaltii tiian remaining shut in the yard. Tiioy thought so too, and wore rather anxious io sec the town, thcn'ctbro went out, expecting, as it was discretionary, that they could remain iii at any lime; but hero thoy "reasoned witiiout tiieir hosl;,'' for when once cnlisfech notkinq hat sickness could exempt t/tcni/roni labor. Tiio work was quarrying, breaking, and wheeling stone for IMcAdaniizing the streets ot" liobarttown. It was not easy employment, but still they found more bitterness attending a *'proper submis- sion'' to the tormenting annoyances of the convict overseers, who took pleasure in vexing them, for the purpose, most probably, of getting an opportunity of complaint, on account of the distinctive features of their class. Of these, however, after three or four weeks, Waggoner, Vernon, ]\lallery, and Cooley were relieved, by an assignment to diilerent settlers in the country, leaving Mr. Chandler, who had returned from the hospital, and been made ward's-man, and myself;, who still remained there. 1 do not know but that I ought to regard the fatality which sent me to the hospital, as a providential cir- cumstance, inasmuch as I there obtained much infoi^ mation that, no fit iibt, was a great assistance in aver- ting blows often ucsigned for me, by thoso beings whom I afterward was forced into contact with. Ma- ny of the occupants of the hospital were "old hands,'^ (men who had been long in tli'^ Colony,) and they sought to induct me into the mysteries that bound to- gether the various classes of prisoners throughout the Colony, that I might, as they termed it, become a LETTEUS rnOiM V. D. L. 205 t in the anxious g, as it at any M, •^ lor exempt ;akijig, ccts of but still sub mis- convict for the unity of urcs of or four oy were s in the cd from myself, fatality tial cir~ h infoi*- in aver- beings; 1. Ma- lands,'-' id they >und to- lout the 3Qme a '*cliuin'^ for '*ol(l liaiuls," boforo my time; I was un- commonly tractable, and made acquaintance with ma*' ny of the general vicious and criminal courses, with- out "taking the usual degrees." I learned the method they resorl'.'d to, to raise the ready lor 'du.di," (drink,) and to cvado discovery — how they madii up the defi- ciencies of provision, caused by the penury of their masters, by *'woeding'' tlieirr — wliilo the company took turns in conveying tlic booty to a general recep- tacle, and the proceeds were thrown into a public j)ui'se — subject only to public wants, or the necessities of a "gala'" time, such as Christmas, the day follow- ing, (boxing day,) and St. Patrick's — "lioly days'' for prisoners, regulated by law. This "weeding" is a practice adopted l)y the assigned servants of each farm, who steal from their masters, in small quanti- ties, whatever they can dispose of, and "plant" (hide) it, until a sufficient quiintity is collected to make up a "swag" (load) for market, when it is sent by the mas- ter's inisly man, wlio is always in the secret, to a "cove," (receiver,) who })ays some thirty per cent, of its value in '•'•slilnci's, yellow hoys, or inint rags;^^ and another thirty per cent, in rum, or "half-and-half" (ale and porter mixed.) These removes are always made "under the rose," (in secret,) ])rinci pally when the "bloke" (proprietor) is out. Uut I hardly saw how such things could be ellected, when the country swarmed with constables. "Oh! that was easy enough, as it was a good part of the trajj^s living, for a croivn would make that all right; and none were hauled up^ but such as wouldn't fork over; and the cove^ when h^* i mm m ii Sr Hft <\ifi nf 1 |!;i 1 1 • • 1 ■ A ^ii If! ■! f • 1 . ■ • H-;: t ^■r- I" K. • |r ^^ If* •206 LETTHRS FROM V. D. L. discovers any ^/f7?r/4 (suspicion) resting upon hiinsolf, always makes complaint of having some property lifted, and applies for a resident Irapf who takes tlio down olTtlie place, and all ngain is whisl. And, then, when the party has a down iipun either ])((].■ s (male) coming //, (informing ngainst them,) the triclcslcr (a false swearer) makes oath, and the pcaclicY gets the triangle, (place when* a man is tied for a Hogging,) solitary, six months on the roads, a chain gang, or, perchance, I'oi't Artliur.'''' Those instructions 1 found of great service to me afterward, for every farm con- lains su(di a clique — not that I wished to avail myself of a connexion — but that it enabled me to fathom many of the schemes formed against me, aiid rc-possess my- self of such property as- had been stolen from what was under my care, and for which 1 was accountable. From the hospital I wrote to England, and gave the letters to an oihcer of a Ijritish ship, who had been confined by the scurvey. 1 also gave a note, written on the lly leaf of a testament, addressed to Mr. jMc- Kenzic, to an American seaman, who was also an in- mate for several weeks. From the first of these, and some other letters, I have received replies already. After two months residence I left the Colonial hos- pital, and proceeded, with a pass, to the prisoner's bar- racks, where my ticket obtained inc immediate en- trance, and I was directed to Mr. Chandlers ward; into v/hich, at twilight, when the outside laborers had come in and supped, were mustered, by Mr. Gunn, sixty men, some of whom were the worst beings man '3Vor beheld. I must pass over this building without des- LETTERS FROM V. D. L. •207 fiiillSOlf, property takes tlio ^11(1, tlicn, ''.V (male) •ichslcr (a ■)• ^oAii tlie ilogging,) gang, or, lis I Ibuud farm con- ciil my so If lom many Dsscss my- I what was table. (.1 gave the had Lccii 0, written Mr. lAfc- Iso an in- tiiese, and I a.Ircru]y. onial hos- )ner\y bar- cdiatc en- ir's ward; orers liad [r. Gunn, 3ing.s man it])oiit des- cription, and only say that it contained some fourteen liiuidred men, nil (^f whom eat in one room, ami then leave you to form your own conception of tJKj manner in which we spent our time in Kuch a bedlam. Con- •jtable.s promenaded the yard and kept the gate, to pre- vent any thing pas-ing contrary to order. The su- perintendent's house, and the chap- 1 for the priyonera, fronted the yard, the latter of whicli had, underneath, a vast number of dark, 1i>«l,*«;<''Ua4>^-^ 1 ^ f r 1; •■ ■ 1 j ■■MM: '!■'■■■•' .< '■ ', ■:\r' ." ■■t ■<:.■■■ \ ^ , .if t . '1, '. ■'? i t ! ' ■ •*, * ■ ■ .■7:.'i' "% 1 ■ '';i-' ^ 1 i y ' '1 '. b^f '•■ -rh :^; ■ ..■ • <. ■'h ) " 208 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. Gunn, a man standing six feot throe, and weighing nine and a half score, with a rough, dare-devil look, and a piercing eye; ho is wonderlldiy shrewd, and when having once seen a man, he ever after knows him. He had but one arm, havi'ig had the right shot off by bush-rangers, whom, as a Lieutenant, he was, with his company, in pursuit of; tins misfortune recommended liim to the government, in whose estimation he now stands higli, tliough not at present enjoying the prin- cipal superinteudency, yet several other oflicesofcmol- ument and trust. On the lltli Octo])er Mr. Chandler was assinged as a carpenter, to Conmnssary General Roberts, who also wanted me as a clerk and storekeeper. He had a great ditneulty to surmount in obtaining two Ameri- cans, as it had been ordered "-by the Gov. in coun- cil, that none of thorn siiindd be allowed to remain in a seaport, or two to go to one master." However, by threatening to resign, he gained his point; and there- fore^ Mr. Chandler and myself were happy in being sent together to his farm, fifty miles from Hobarttown and seven from C>atlands. The name of the establish- ment is Ashgrove, and contains six thousand acres of land, on which are some of the most beautiful moun- tains, sugarloaves, and other scenes, that you can pos- sibly fancy. My duty is to collect, issue, and account for, all provision and clothing wanted by twenty men employed on the place — to keep a minute diary of occurrences — to muster the two thousand sheep, quar- terly, with the two hundred cattle, and several horses; at the same time to furnish a most particular dcscrip- LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 2G9 filing nine ok, and a and when lows him. lot offbv s, with his m mended n lie now the prin- ts of eniol- jsinged as , who also ic had a 'o Ameri- . in coun- reniain in 'Wcvcr, by md thcve- ' in being obarttown scstablish- d acres ol' fid moun- u can pos- id account enty men diary of 3ep, quar- al horses; r descrip- tion of them — naming every ^;pot and mark and brand — to keep secure, under lock and key, and account for every particle of wool, produce, 6cc. raised on or com- ing to the farm — and render a weekly schedule to Mr. R. Then add to this, the duty of a teacher of five children, which has been apart of my vocation for the last six months, and the multiplicity of cares would seem to exclude the possibility of my writing these let- ters. Indeed I have found it extremely difficult, for al- most every moment of my time has its engagement, from four in the morning until eleven at night; but hav- ing commenced, it apears no\, the only amusement I have, saving the monthly letters for my iaithful wife, who last addressed me from Canada, whither she has returned, and is continuing her strenuous exertions to effect my complete emancipation. The following is the result of her conduct, of which she had informed me some weeks before I received it. "Principal Superintendent's Office, '''Sd August, 1841. ''AIEMORANHrM. "In reply to your application for a Ticke! of Leave, I hove to ncqunint you, that his Excellency, the Liinitennnt Governor, has been pleased to ni)provo of yo'.ir receiving bucIi Indulgence. You will, therefore, report yourself to the Police Magistrate of the Dis- trict in which you reside, who will take your description, and for- ward tlie same to the MuGtrr Master's Office, where the necessa- ry documents will be prepared for you, 'M. SPODE, *'0N PUBLIC SERVICE ONLY. Principal Sup*t, "To Benjamin Wait, 'Marquis Plastings,' "P. Roberts, Esq., "Oatlands." (< ^.'' if. vll* fi .-.^.fwif*'*^' sif;tta'*»»«Hri*,.'SJrtt.. 1 W \ ^•\ e •'■'.. I^;:i- '■i-?'l 'j. Js P4^ V !''••• 'ii !<.■-.•■!■• < ■ ''illi'-W-'K' "'r l! i •'if [■\-:v- . ■"!■. it U M] ■ff 270 LETTERS FROr.I V. U. I.. TJiis indulgence gives me the permission of labor- ing for wages, and selecting my own employer and labor; but docs not emancipate me from the arbitrary **Prison Code,'' or "Summary Punishments.*' Yet in its enjoyment, I hope to be successful in laying by some funds to assist mo to return^ in some future day, to my homo and friends, if not by permission, on French leave. It was procured not only for myself, but also tor all the Americans here, who arc to enjoy it after two year's servitude, in the capacit}^ of a slave, instead of eight years, which is the usual course Wc are indebted to tlie patriotic conduct and entreaties of my beloved wile, for this slight dawn of liberty. God bless her, and may she succeed in her most ardent wish, according to her heart's desire, is the united prayer of all her countrymen in this ocean bound jail. I will only add, that my historical correspondence is pretty nearly closed, and subscribe myself, My dear sir, Yours, «kc. &c. [I have considered it proper, at this part, to break off my personal narrative, and insert ]\Irs. Wait's let- ters, which follow; then, at their termination, resume, for the purpose only, of giving a brief account of the country, arid a few incidents occurring there.] ;,:!»« of labor- oycr and arbitrary is.--' Yel laying by tare day, 5sion, on r mys-cli; to enjoy •f a slave, Lirsc ^Xc treaties of rty. God )3t ardent he united -ound jail. jpondencG to break V'ait'h; let- , resume, int of ti)e .] MRS. WAIT S LETTER. LETTER XVII. 271 New-York, xYugust 2;3d, 18:39. To — , My Dear Friend: Amid tlic noise and bustle of this grand commercial, and beautifully located city, I sit down to redeem the pledge I gave when I last wrote, by informing you of my safe arrival here, and the success which has thus far so favorably attended me on my mission. I remained in Lockport, where I was the grateful recipient of all the kindness tliat Christian sympathy could bestow, until May last, when two let- ters reached me from Mr. Wait, one dated 5th Feb'y, on board the York hulk, a prison ship, where he had been placed, in connnon with the most vitiated of En-^- land's degraded felons, and suffered every indignity and hardship from the cruelty of his oppressors. This letter informed me that there was a prospect of some of the Canadians being released in London, whither they had been taken by writs of habeas corpus, to un- dergo an examination before the Qiicen's Bench, on the ground of illegal proceedings r'l'^tive to their transportation, but that there was. little • tiu'ice of any thing being done to effect his liberr-t'oii, although he had been encouraged to hope for a return to \mcrica, which was but a delusion too soon lo be dispelled; as the next letter, dated 15th March, announced the heart-rending intelligence, that he had, without a mo^ ments warning, been ironed and sent, with eight other Canadians, on board the transport ship, "Mfirquis of Hastings," then lying at Spit Head, ready to ^ail for ii ii I . Miwiiili iiiKwaawti / ■ 1 % \ I 1" ■;;,':■■' V- 'i.V V'^ ■ ^: I*; I » ,1 f ,' I ti' MRS. wait's letter, Van Dieman's Land. Although I was, for a time, overpowered by this astounding reality, as well as the affecting adieus breathed in his letter, it aroused mo again to action. I left Lockport immediately, to return to Canada, intending to procure certificates of character, and eve- ry thing that might bear favorably on my poor hus- band's case; confirlcntly trusting tliat I should yet bo enabled to carry them to England, which hope seemed hourly strengthened from the moment of my starting; for I found, on the canal boat that conveyed me to Buffalo, a warm-hearted family of reformers, by the name of Wynan, from t^t. Thomas, in Canada, who had been visiting their friends in the Eastern states. In conversing with them on tlio state of our country, the sufferings entailed upon tlio participants in the re- bellion, I showed them JMr. Wait's letters, and inform- ed them of m}^ intentions, if permitted to carry them into effect; though it v.'oulu evidently be attended with difficulty, on account of pecuniary embarrassment; as my family had been dispersed, and nearly every thing available from the wreck of property I once might have commanded, had already been expended in my exertions; and that, did [ not go farther, it v/ould be owing alone to these circumstances, as I had then set out to make the effort. This excited quite an interest, there being a number of i)atriotic spirits on board, who with young Mr. Wynan at their head, held a council instanter. and resolved tliat m effort should be made at least in that company, to aid me in prosecuting my plans in behalf of the captives; and well indeed did those FllO-M SEW YOUK. 27 d in my would be then set interest, •ard, wlio L council ) made at iting my did those generous persons suit the action to the spirit, loT's;^ less tlian two hours, Mr. Wynan entered tlie cabin and handed mo a copy of the above resolution, with a request that I \\*ou]d accept the enclosed thirty dollars, as an earnest of their sincere wishes for mv success; hoping it might give the subject an impetus it would not lose until the object was finally acconi- plishcd, for which my most heart- felt tiianks were of- fered; and my being thus far on my journey to-day, is conclusive evidence that their kind wishes have not us yet been disappointed; and I Gtill trust, that the sequel will prove it to have been an indication indeed of the e.pproval and protection of Providence, as vrcll as the precursor of a happy result. The kindness of this generous family offered a seat ill their carriage wliich I gladly accepted as they would . ))ass the door of my friends, where I wished to stop; and at which place they left mo, proceeding on their way, after the profler of their kindest wishes for my ultimaic happiness, and a return of the grateful adieus 0^ myself and fri ::nd.^'. liere 1 left my dear child, and commenced oj)era- lions by collecting, among my ]lusband^3 acquaintan- ces, certificates of his former good character. I went to llaldimand, where we had last resided, and obtained a great number of most respectable testimoniMs, which were riitified by the signature of Wm. 11. Merritt, Esq., the worthy and distinguished member of Parliament for that constituency, who seemed not a little astonished that I should luive conceived the idea of going to h'ng- land, considcu'ing the circumstances in which I vva^- Id t>i I ■1 \ ■' Si 1 :■!' < ,M "W.AW».„UU.,K>»'* ' I , ■J.: VIR.S. WAIT a LETTER. ! I ];!•;'■ '■■■ :i '■. •ii;. M^,:' 1;^ ' J ■ ••■' < . . piacca, though he readily and most kindly gave int lotlers of introduction and recommendation to oificia' i.')iai'acter& in England, with one to Richard Irvm, l^sq., of this city, containing, as I. afterwards learned to ny advantage, a check on that gentleman for twenty 'loliars, which was most gratefully accepted, and will, with- Mr. I\Ierriti's corresponding kindnesses, be re- iMeniboreo witii thai deep sense of gratitude so emincni- \\ due. ] was extremely fortunate in procuring iiic itcossary testimony irom the most respectable, whore- 's cj. i applied, througiiout the Niagara district, anti V M .. much encouraged by the kindness shown, and tiic !' \ent wishes breatiied for my success in the irdu- .» iS undertaking; and noi until I had linaiiy obtamea I. ' loquisite documents, did J realize that 1 must bin .) iGu to my friends, perhaps for the Iusl time. Ann I'V cieai child; I had no means of taking her witn nic — couid i do so, 1 might be prevented by sickness, ou i')r voyage, from giving licr the requisite care and at- loiition;: ana should ii even be otherwise, I could not at- It liu to the many duties of my mission with an infan; i; my arms. Yet the thought of leaving her i couki >>..rirceiy tolerate, for a moment; and should I not suc- ceed ii» Euglaiid, and eventually join my husband m I; is land of exile, my heart must still yearn for my ab- hjni. child. Could you but imagine, my aear friend., i.'ic licrtri-sickening eTecL oi* these sa'd redections, you vould attribute, as 1 must ever do, alone to Divint: power, the strength that enabled me to decide in this 1' latter of vital moment. 1 made it a subject of prayei ^u God by day, and in the vigil of the midnight houi FROM NEW VORK •^eemed to entwine around my heart with incxtricai)!(> tenacity; diis too was a sleepless and intensely anxious nighto Again I submitlcd the case to Him who is ex:ii- ted in accepting tlic sacrifice of a broken and contrit(> spirit, and prayed with a fervor that I had scarce eve 5 t.>eforc experienced, wlien a calm and consoling resii^- nnlion was diflused through the soul, and I felt that tin condict was [)ast. — I could then leave her withoiu an additional struggle, confident that He to whose carr 1 had been enabled to commit her, would i)e to her -norr Uian a mother. f iiad taken leave of my elder brothers; the young- ust now came to bid me adieu, 'ere I left, and by whon» t!ic generous philanthropist:^ of Dunnville sent ?( sui»- .'itantial demonstration of their kind feeling,^ wiiicii, with all similar manifestations, was most thankfully received. On Wednesday morning I was rcaay iv/ cross the Niascara. I took mv dear babe. in mv arm- !■ (; ^ s W-''-i •:76 MUS. wait's LKTTiiR, I i < V** i- 111' t ,, i v'irrH.> li ..■;.>ii> - ri' '■,■/' :f:'il'\ ■M 'J m-^ .1 '4' ■^4 to give a parting embrace, who, perceiving a tear .stealing down my check, took her little apron and wi- ped it away, endeavoring thus to console ^^'poor ma,^^ which she could but impcrlcctly articulate, by her en- dearing caresses; little knowing, poor dear, the cause of her mother's sorrow; and 1 thanked heaven that she was shielded, by her innocent childhood, from even ix momentary pang on the occasion. I went to Buffalo, accompanied by a respectable lady of your acquaint- ance, Mrs. Field, who kindly introduced me to her friends, to whom I feel much indebted for subsequent introductions to generous and sympathising perrions, who did much to aid mo, especially to the Uov. Mr. Choules, v/ho gave mo letters of importance to Eng- land, which, I doubt not, should I reach that country, will be very serviceable to me. I took the canal at Tonawanda, whor{ mv ai^-'^d father, who is a refuwc from his homo, waited to bid mo farev/ell; l)ut I will pass over the struggle which cliciicd a "God bless you. my child," v/liilo scalding tears coursed their channels down his "grief-worn check,'' and spoke too })lainlv of desolation and wo. These painful [nirtings being past, my mind dwelt, in the ardency of hope, on the object of my missioii. I spent a little time v.'ith my kind friend i in Locd'cport, then proceeded to Rochester, where 1 visited Mrs. John G. Parker, who ^hcard, while 1 was there, of the happy release of her hus- band, v/ith eight olhrrs, in London. I had mourned with Mrs. P., and 1 most heartily rejoiced with her, in the cheering prospect of his restoration to herself and her dear, interesting family. FROM NEW YORK. 277 g a tear and wi- oor Wirt," b' her cn- hc cause |i tliat she m oven a nuflhlo, lacquai tit- le to lier ii.\scqiicnt pcrF:ons, Rev. Mr. to ]'J}g- country, canal at a rofurrcc l)Lit I will bless you. channels >o plainlv tigs being e, on the v.ith mv ochcstcr, heard, her h US- mourned li her, in r.self and It was conaidorcd I>y some with whotn I conversed here, that this indulgence of the British government to a part oi* tho American prisoners, augured a speedy release of the whole; and that it would be supcr/luouy for mo to go to England and intercede for those who had gone to thcil- land of captivity, a^j the government would, doubtless, restore them 'ere long: if otherwise, my eilbrt.s could avail little at Downing street, as I would be but a female in a strange land, whose appli- cations would likely bo passed uinioticed by the autho- rities. The latter, I thought, might bo possible; yet I felt bold to make the attempt, and abide the result; but to the former suggestion, of the unsought liberality of the government to the unfortunate prisoners in V. 1). L., I could give no credence. Had 1 been disposed to do so, the severe, rigorous course pursued toward them, of which I\Ir. Wait's letters informed mo, would alone undeceive me on that point; though, I must say, I ll-It somewhat encouraged by the fact that even a portion had been emancipated from thral- dom; and, if possible, felt marc anxiety to pursue my journey, and endeavor to cflect the same for others. Accompanied by his lady, I visited Mr. McKenzic, whom I had, for years, looked upon as the faithful champion of Canadian rights; and felt not a little in- dignant, when ushered into his grated prison-bouse, at seeing him incarcerated, in a land of freedom, for what, indeed appeared to me, a marvellous offence^ as I had looked upon his conduct as merely an acquies- cence in the border plans, that originated in sympathy. I could not but indulge in feelings of reproach toward i;. 'oMwiMUaiaxiv ~ '278 MRS. WAIT^S LETTEK. I I .1/ it:':.! '. Mr, ;■■!."•• 'i:^ iff %0 rlie American, who could, in an oflicial document, de- clare, that the *^synipat/iising Yankecs^^^ were nothing nut the **5c«??i of American society;" and advise that power which tramples relentlessly on the rignt? of its subjects, *Ho deal with them as might be deemed most proper to sustain the Royal authority in the Canadas." Ikit I l)eg you will pardon this digression, a-. ^ am a (Janadian, and must feel most deeply on the subject. Mr. M. gave mo a warm greeting, and smiling at the novelty of his situation, kindly gave me his counsel, with letters to distinguished characters in England, wishing me *'God speed," though he said I would be •'but a drop from the clouds, in London." The RcM . Mr. E. Tucker kindly look me lo the packet, and handed me a letter irom my very kind friend, Mr. Van Tine, of Bulfalo, enclosing ■xn additional sum to that already I'eceived from the good citizens. Mr. T. also gave me a letter to Mr. (rarrowy U. S. jMarshal, residing at Auburn, whither I proceeded, by stage, i^rom Montezuma, and met u hearty welcome in the fcrmily of my excellent friend, ihe Rev. Mr. Johnston, recently from Canada, who had taken a deep interest in ]\Ir. Wait's case, while there. He kindly and most energetically exerted his influence for me, which produced a good feeling, re- sulting much to my bonciit. I was also most kindly received by IMr. Garrow and family; and, indeed, treated with generous attention by the liberal people — the patriotic Mr. Stowe, with other gentlemen, taking a deep interest. Ill « FROM NEW YORK. nu lent, dc- nuthing ^iso that Jf^ of its led most Inaclas.'^ ^ am 0. subject, at the counsel, ngiand, ^ould be nic to ly very iclosing •oui the • to lAfr, whithei I mot a friend, a, who , while •ted his fig» rc- kindly ndecd, ople — king a i left AiibLirii amid the blessings and prayers of my friends for success, travelling per rail road, which is a grand piece of work through mountains, across la- vine.s, on the verge of precipices, and at length, through "he celebrated salt works, reached Syracuse, where J met some kind friends. I visited the little village of k-'a- Jina, and saw the mourning widows VVoodrnff and Cucklev, whoso unfortunate husbands wore sacriliccd 111 Kingston, by the hand of despotism. They are both mieresting women. I sherl Mio tear of sympathy xvith them, and could do no mr but pray that tnt friend of the widow wouhl grant :,hcm the rich conso- lation of his holy spirit. I was again on the rail way, passing throiiij;h a (ow. marshy country, also through a tunnel under the E\'i<' •anal, and thence to the fine city of Utica, whore I was much assisted by the sensation aroused by a Mv. [-lubbel, Mr, Bennet, and other benevolent gcntlcm"n ui my behalf. From thence I came on a boau*it''nl line of rail road, on the banks of the Mohawk, the vn- rer of which is very dark, and had a view of the Li 'He Falls, which arc, indeed, the fac simile. of what thoir /lame indicates, as they appeared to me but triiling cascades, though the scenery is very rugged, the coun- ny romantic and picturesque. T spent a few days ai Canajoharie, with my sister, Mrs. Simpson, at which place there was much sympathy manifested by ^ho generous inhabitants, who kindly protTered their airi m the enterprise. 1 was delighted with the richness and beauty of the country through which I passed from this to Albany, being drawn up an inclined plane If ■!' .•^. V^. '^T.?' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A /M. M^ .<^.% ^^ ^^^^. WJ. i/. <° fA 1= 1.25 1^128 |2.5 lis 12.2 IL, u. - i 2.0 U IIIIII.6 V] <^ /2 ^>. *^ ^^ v(* l-jcKk't] cars running down on anollicr track, which was rather a novolty to rnc*, and the danger of which 1 could not but fancy, though I believe accidents seldom occur at that place. At Albany 1 met with the utmost kindness from thr philanthropic Friend Humphrey, who elicited much sj'mpathy, and obtained f^ome letters of introduction for England. I would now fain give you an idea of the gorgeous beauty displayed to the traveller, in descend- ing the noble Hudson to New York; but the scenery beggars the dcscriplivc power of my pen. A few beautiful islets lie dotted about in the stream with fan- cy observatories, while on eitlier iudo are flourishing towns and villages, rich farms and shady groves, fine shrubber}-, and towering mountains in the distance, with white cottages and pavilions on their sunnnits, having a most charming e(K;el on the beholder. West Pohit, in my estimation, far surpasses any scene on the route for natural beauty. I had but a distant view of the garrison, for which I was sorry; and saw, on the opposite side, the Sing Sing prison, that appeared a rather low building, standing, by no means, on a commanding site. Some distance below West Point, as if to rival the native magnificence of it, appeared the palisades, which presented a high, perpendicular, and majestic front, continuing for some miles, bearing the semblance of marble columns, closely put together, with architectural nicety. It is, indeed, most grand. There were, perhaps, one hundred and fifty sail on the river, running up with a iino breeze; and I could not but reflect on the different aspect presented here, •.•*?<■•■, .,!Vi FROM NEW YORK. 2H1 ■s rujiniriif novel ly to JLit fancy, >1ijU phice. 3 from tlir ited much luclion for (Ica of tho 1 tlosccnd- scenery t. A few with fun- loLirishing ovcs, fiiK; (listtmce, summits, M-. West scene on tant view saw, on appeared ms, on a :st Point, appeared ndieular, !, bearing together, t grand. '■ sail on I could ed liero, from tliat on the other side of the great Niagara; many parts of which, in jjoint of natural grandeur, will rival even this scenic country; for our own d;'ai Canada is beauteous too, though lying dormant under ihc paral- i'/ing innucnce of that powor wliich opproi^ es hor sons, find crushes the s[)irit of cnt'rprizo. Ihit, to proceed; the talented refugoe, Mr. IJidwcU called on mo yes- terday, tenderiug his kindest sympathies, ihat, indeed, consisted of more substance than words, as ho most honevolently opened his purs", giving me his valuable advice, willial, for which I v is deeply grateful. lie was much alfected when speal;ing of Canada's wrongs, and the melancholv circumslaaces altendine; the recent inclfectual struggle for lil)L'rty; for he had been a suf- ferer himself, and hoped that Kngland would indeed be lenient to those political ollenders, who had already sullered so much from being sent into captivity. Thus, my dear friend, have those brilliaul,-; who shed a lustre on Canada, and whose virtue and eloquence might well do honor to the country, been driven from her soil. Alas, alas! when will it bo othcrv.ise? Surely not un- til those who are alone worthy, shall hold the reins of government. I was, this morning, accompanied to the packet shi[) in which I expect to sail within a few days, by Mr. [r- vin, the gentleman to whom Mr. J^.Ierritt introduced me, and who has kindly procured me a letter of intro- duction, from a friend of his, to the Honorable Charles A. Murray, mai^tcrof the Queen's household, for wliich I am most thankful, as Mr. Murray's influence will bo of no slight importance. I have hero met my cousin, ! ( I ■i I ■ '^ ► Vi' 'A, l,*..--J., . ^^,^-_-_ iS2 Mtt8. WAIT'b letter, &- t J it- Dr. Park, who, with Mr. Durand and their tamihcb, have just returned from England. They unite m say- ing thai the only hope for the unhappy prisoners rests m my application, as their legal friends can do noth- ing for them in point of law. Will it not, indeed, be wonderful if I accomplish any good? Do, my friend, pray earnestly for my success and 3up})urt. I trust that God will hear our prayers and yet loose the bonds ot tno. prisoners. I am now nearly ready to embark, and will soon bid adieu to America; and should 1 in- deed go to the antipodes, I shall cease not to remember the gratitude I owe to the generous sympathy of the American people, who have befriended me so very materially. The aid I have received from them amounts to about three hundred dollars, wiiich, together with the assistance provided by my friends in Canada, may come far short of what my necessities may re- cjuiro in a strange and ex-pensive country; still I feel not to despond; perse\ erance is my motto, and, f doubt not, but that kind Providence hitherto so mer- cifully providing for, will continue to protect and suc- cour me. Mr. Durand was one of the deputation of gentleman who acted in behalf of the prisoners already released. He has, also, given me letters; consequently I havo the happy prospect of not being destitute of friends in England. I have just received a kind letter from El- illlS. WAIT b LETTER, I i : I,- . ;,fM, ■: f ^ , ■ if proved very fine, allbrding us an excellent opportunity oi beholding the majestic and chalky clilFs at the west- ern extremity of the exquisite Isle of Wight, to v/hich wo approached very near, in passing through thi.' Needles. In sailing up the north side of the island, I saw, f'oi the first in my life, the beautifully green, and neatly trnnmcd hedges of England. They give a rich and garcicn-likc appearance to the fields; and you may readily suppose that the country, in a high state of cultivation, presenting, occasionally, the turrets of an Miicicnt castle, was not an unpleasant sight to those who had not seen land for many days. Had my mind been ai rest, I should doubtless have enjoyed these scenes superlatively; but, feeling that I was entering a strange land, alone and unprotected, (save by Mini who is ever near the desolate,) with arduous duties b«> forc me, I was, indeed, ill fitted to appreciate the beau- tics thus presented to me. ( saw but little of Portsmouth, as I merely passed through it the morning following my arrival, on my way to London, a distance of seventy miles — forty of which 1 came by rail way. The town is well fortified, and celebrated for its fine docks. I was perfectly amazed, though amused withal, at the manner in which travellers are here beset for porter's and ser- vant's fees. You pay one for taking your baggage to the hotel — another for placing it in your room — a third for returning it to the hall — a fourth for putting it on the coach — the coachman then tips his hat in expecta- tioQ of his douceur, for driving you, although you have '■i^- FROM LONDON. •2s: )|)porlunity it the wcst- iy to v/hich rough the I saw, foi ind neatly I rich and you may fn state of •rets of an it to thosr i my mind )ycd these s entering VQ by Mini ; duties be- 3 the beau- oly passed al, on my — forty of 1 fortified, perfectly nanner in s and scr- )aggage to n — a third tting it on ti expccta- you have f)aid at tne proper office, the sum required for youi passage— each of these worthies expecting at least an Englisii shilling for his services. The same custom jirevails among the visible servants of the hotels; and rii every change of conveyance, a new lackey lifts hi.<«'. hat, until the traveller, unaccustomed to these things, fancies himself a regular subject for leeches^ and con- sequently puts his hand in his pocket, whenever any one approaches him. Travel ling by coach the distance of thirty miles, i had a fine view of the country; many parts of it how- over, are very barren, especially in the region of the cnalk hills, throi;gh which innnense excavations have tx'cn made, toalFord a more easy and gradual ascent; and, indeed, every care is taken here, to preserve good roads, over which one rattles with great celcritv. In passing through Farnham, the great hop country, wo saw multitudes of the peasantry gathering this ar- ticie, so extensively cultivated and used here. This merry season, for the poor peasants, was not unaccom- panied by their usual visiters on these occasions. The gipsies were in attc" r'cnce, to tell the fortunes of the credulous, to whisper some ominous and mysterious sentence in the ears of the sceptical, and pick up what might fall in their way during their nocturnal excur- sions — a brown and squallid looking people, indeeti, uno wander from place to place; some on foor, while others may have a donkey and small cart, the latter aflording them shelter for rest, beneath which, is sus- pended an iron pot, or some article in which they cook their food. -i... t I i 288 Mlia. WAITS LLTTKIl, 1 . ' ' TIio rail roads here aro constructed on a much moro solid and permanent basis than those in America — the entire rail Inking ca:^jt iron. There arm three classes of ears; tlio lirst lil{<'d up in superb style, the second less so, and tho third simply a box, without shelter, in which those rifle who are* unable to pay more than a trifling sum. The passenger Icels uwlhlng of that un- pleasant jar so universally e.\j)ericnced on our roads, and sits with all the comfort antl case that he could in his own arm-chair. 1 reached this city about four V. 3.1. , in company with a g:;ntl Milan anil lady, who were fellow passengers with mo from Now York; on the following morning, they loft the inn to visit their friends; while I, rcali- '/ing the loneliness of my situation, set out on the grand business of my mission. i\Iy first c;ill was at 113"i, Cheap side; Mr. Ashur.st was not in, but I saw Mr. Widler, of whoiri Mr. W'lid v/rote as taking a deep interest in the Canadians; ho kindly invitiul me to his house, until I could procure suitable lodging,:!. I in- formed him to whom J had brought letters, and he ren- dered me mueii assistance, by giving me the addres&es of those persons, and writing to others whom ho knew. Ascertaining that Lord Durham was in town, 1 imm(j- diately waited upon him with letters from IMr. jMerritt and Mr. Clujules; he enclosed them in a communication from himself to Lord Jolin Ilussel, then Colonial Sec- retary, and informed him of what he knew of the cii- cumstances, hoping his JiOrdshij) would give the nint- ter his attention. I learned that VVm. Allen, a bene\- olent gentleman, of the society of Friends, had intlu- v. r ■ FROM LONDON. •26?» luch moro rica — I ho r((j classes lli(j second shelter, in n\i than a of that un- o'lr roads, 10 could in n company l):isson,'5crs ^ irioniing, Ic f, reali- n iho grand as at Vrt, I saw Mr. ing a deep d nic to liis n^:^. I in- and ho ren- in addressca hi Ikj knew, vn, 1 irnme- Mr. jMerritt inuinicatioii ilonial Seo V of the cii- 'o the nint- n, a bone\- had influ- ence with Lord John; to him 1 presented It.tlers from Lindley Murray IMoore, of Rochester, and Mr. Uurand of Canadii; u[)on which ho kindly ollered his services, and appointed a lime when lie would accompany me to his Lordship. I next pros(;ntcd k;tters of introduc- tion from Mr. Choulcs, to the Uevcrcnd Drs. Reed and Cox, of Hackney, who kindly advised with, and gave mo their inHucnce. 1 had, also, a letter from Mrs. Choulcs, to Mrs. Reed, in whom, as well as Miss. Goss. an authoress who was residing at Dr. Cox's, both tal- Icnted and accomplished ladies, 1 have found invalu- able friends; for whoso kindness to me, in this hour of trial, 1 must ever feel the deepest emotions of gratitude. These dear friends soon i)rocured mo an excellent board- ing house, in their innncdiatc vicinity. Here 1 felt the consolation of christian sympathy; without which, at this time, I could scarcely have been sustained. Fe- male prayer meetings were held, whore the most ear- nest and aUcctionatc appeals were made to the thron of Heaven, for strength to be given me, and for tlu- prosperity of the mission; that husbands and fathers, who were suffering in bondage, and whose chai'actcrs had not been stained with moral crime, might be re- stored to their families and friends; oft in these pre- cious seasons, have I felt my vigor renewed, and been encouraged to press forward in the contest with the most sanguine hope of succes^s. I availed myself of the kind interest of Dr. Reed, Dr. Cox, and Mr. Roebuck, with my friend, Wm. Allen, and waited on Lord John, who would present a peti- tion to the Queen for me, which was all he then felt 19 f i 1 1 .l\)0 MIlH. WAl'l'b LKTTEK, himself at liberty to do. lie, however, eventuaU^ transferred the matter to Lord Normanby, upon whom I waited, with my memorial to the (^ueon. His Lord- .slii|) received mc most graciously, and regretted much iliat he could not act at once, from the impulse of his I'cclings, and give mo encouragement of my request !)cing granted; but he would present my petition to her iMajesty, and confer with other ^Ministers on the sub- ject — then acquaint mo with the result. In the mean tunc, every ellbrt was made, by my female friends, to elicit the sympathy and interest of the ladies at court; and my friend Wm. Allen, kindly introduced me to Jiiy cousin, the celebrated Mrs. Fry, most justly sty- jod *'the female Howard of England;" whose philan- thropic heart was soon engaged in my behalf. She is Ml frequent conmnmicaton with the Ministers — is a friend of the Duchess of Sutherland, who is mistress of the robes — has been presented to the (iuecn, and IS acquainted with the Governor of Van Dieman's hand, to wliom she has kindly written m behalf of the piisoncrs: she will also exert her infiucnce here. And apart from every interested consideration, I think her Uic most majestic woman, in appearance, that I have ever seen, and most peculiarly adapted, in ability, to the humane enterprises in which she is so benevo- lently and extensively engaged. Lady Barham, who is now in waiting upon the iiueen, has been successfully approached through a friend, and has most kindly laid the matter before her Majesty, who, to use lady B^s own language, in a rc- •ent communication, "expressed herself as being much FllO.M LONDON. \!iH eventually pon whom His Lord- 3ttcfl much Isc of his y request tioii to her 1 the suh- tho mean rionds, to s at court; ccd ine to justly sty- sc philaii- ^ She is tors — is a is mistress uccn, and l^ieman^s mlt'of the lerc. And think her lat I have ability, to 3 benevo- I'pon the hrough a efore her » in a rc- ingmuch died with the Uanccs ot' the and was unicl pleased to say, that she would consult her ministers on the subjoct, when, should it be deemed practicable, she would be glad to listen to the application, and grant the request; though it was most dillicult to act in these matters.'' 'J'hus has tlie private influence of those benevolent ladies surrounding the throne, been exerted upon the (iucen, whom lady D. says, *Ho know is to love;*' but wdio, you readily perceive, is a mere automaton, to be moved by the ministers of state, (except in matters exclusively personal, as she can only act in accordance with their views, touching cases of [)olicy, although she does, indeed, exercise more ihan a nominal prerogative, relative to those connected with her private wishes and interests. Upon the Honorable Mr. Murray's receipt of the letter 1 brought from New York, he most kindly in- terceded with Lord N., and wrote me the result of his interview, which I here inclose. "WiNDsoK Castu;. "Mnilnni: "I would not trouble ynu willi a rciily (o your nolo oi" the loth until I had Hccn and sijoken with Ibc Secretary oi'Slntc, rcspecl- iiig Ihe prospect that he c«n hold out, of a mitigation of your Uuh- hand'a punishment. "You must be awnre, that however touched ho may be by your distress, as well as by your devoted perseverance in your husband'^ behalf, Lord Normanby is obliged, as a rceponeiblc ndvifier of the Crown, to exercise his prerogatives impartially, and according to just and fixed principles; he has every disposition to consider your case favorably, but the ultimate result must depend much upon your husband's own conduct, as well as upon Ihnt of the Canadas during this ensuing winter; because, if thoy f-hould ngain show d 'i I |i:» > m ..^p ' ' 292 MRS. WAIT'^S letter, ^ . I I , -^ .:■■!! signs of disafl'ection and disturbance, the government will noot^e- sarily be prevented from exercising that mercy to which they might otherwise be inclined. "Will you .-^Mow me to nek, whether pecuniary distress is, at present, addeu to your o1 her alHictions? If it is so, I shall be hnppv to contribute any thing in my jiower to your relief from that por- tion of your trouble. "Your's, very faithfully, ''CH. A. MURRAY. *'Mrs. Wait." This leaves me in a state of suspense, which, I fear, may he protracted. 1 must either wait the result here, with most limited means, or return, without having accomplished my purpose; and I cannot think of go- ing to V. D. L. until I got a final answer to my me- morial. 1 can alone leave my case with God, trusting that, as He has hitherto so mercifully raised me up friends, and provided for my necessities, lie will con- tinue to guide and direct, and, eventually, overrule all for good. You will have seen, by the papers, that the (iueen is to be married in Feb'y; on which occasion, I trust, through a happ)' influence, she may feel at liberty to do an act of mercy; though this is yet to bo known; consequently I must remain in England this winter, for which I am ill prepared — my expenses being una- voidably great. I cannot board for less than five dol- lars per week, with any comfort; without which 1 could not live in this country, as the humidity of the climate is very severe upon me, and mj/ health but deli- cate. I have not heard from my dear husband since my arrival, but have written, to inform liim of my being •■ji?;: It will necos- wbich Ihey listress ip, al bnll bo bnppy rom tbnt por- rURRAY. ich, I fear, csult here, )Ut liaving link of go- to my me- lt], trusting sod mc up Q will con- vcrrulo all the (iuecn )n, I trust, liberty to )G known; is winter, 3eing una- II five dol- t which 1 ity of the h but dcli- since my my being FROM LONDON. 293 of here; and have sent duplicates of the certilicates his character to Sir John Franklin, Governor of V. I). L., who has been written to bv a number of influential friends in his behalf. I have also transmitted testimo- nials of Mr. Chandler's character to him, and have presented Mrs. Chandler's petition to the Earl of Dur- ham, as directed. Should 1 be unsuccessful in my ap- plications for their release, I hope to make many friends for them in their land of exile — to procure, at least, an amelioration of their suflcrings, and, eventu- ally, go there myself Do, my kind brother, write mc frequently, and in- form mc of my beloved child. 1 feel assured that you will now bestow that kindness and affection upon my poor orphan, that you have ever manifested for her unfortunate mother, who owes you more than a sis- ter's love. I know, too, that the dear pet is with those who will love and cherish her, for which, I trust, they will be richly rewarded. T am most anxious to hear of our dear father and brothers, and, indeed, all friends, who, I dare say, arc equally anxious to know how the adventurer is likely to succeed; yet the an- swer is in futurity? nnd God onlv knows what it may be; thankful am I that I can leave the case with Him who has powcu* both in heaven and earth; my prayer is, that these trials may be richly sanctified, and all redound to His glory. The fogs are very dense here, and at times, the at- mosphere, in the city so heavy, that I have seen the streets lighted by lamps at mid-day; there is generally, at this season of the vear, a thick cloud of smoke i hi .1 ,| ' i i!,,. I ..<^>ja»Ki[i jiv., ^.. i«-Gkfl 294 MRS. wait's letter, il , .S' I I'M: hovering over l^o?iclon, upon which the rays of the sun occasionally cast a crimson tint, giving it, at a dis- tance, the appearance of clouds arising from a con- tinuous mass of smouldering ruins, and which is oc- casioned by the consumption of so enormous a quantity of coal, as no other fuel is used here. f his climate is more temperate than ours; still, thf dampness, i?i this vicinity, paralizcs the system, and most sensibly affects respiration. Some medical gen- tleman has recently invented a peculiar apparatus for purifying the air; which is worn upon the mouth, and through which the atmosphere is inhaled, being dives- ted, by a chemical process, from all properties obnox- ious to the lungs. These respirators arc worn by mul- titudes; and, indeed, the philanthropic design of the inventor is obvious, as consumption is very prevalent. The finest youths are cut down with this dreadful disease in a most terrific manner; and very often whole families are taken otf, one after another, in such rapidity, that one is almost constrained to believe it contagious. I have seen an aged mother weeping over the portraits of four beloved and beautiful children, who had all fallen victims to this dreadful scourge, be- tween the ages of sixteen and twenty-four — and that within two years — the fifth, who was a medical gen- tleman, was likewise attacked, and recently sailed for the Island of Madeira, in hope that the change of cli- mate might restore him, althougu the ravages of the de- stroyer were visible in every lineament of his features. And now, my dear brother, although you are in ex- pectation of a description of this grand emporium of w • •Is. PRO-M LOXDO-N.. 29;" s of tlic sun t, at a tlis- rom a con- vWich is oc- s a quantity •s; still, thf yslcm, aiiil icdical gen- )paratiis for mouth, and jciug dives- rtics obnox- Drn by mul- :sign of the y prevalent. liis dreadful very often another, in ;d to believe ler weeping ful children, scourge, bc- r — and that ledical gcn- [y sailed for langc of di- es of the de- ;iis features, u are in ex- mporium of ■1 :ommerco, art, andscioncc, I fancy you will be rath( disappointed; as I can tell you but little ofthe wonder- ful and magnificent metropolis; its palaces, abbeys, and various monuments of architectural skill; its capa- cious parks, and serpentine rivers; its statues from the chisels ofthe most celebrated sculptors, which remai)i in grandeur, as relics of ancient times, wlicn thomnr- blc Queen Elizebetli, who stands in the church van; of the glorious St. Paul's, was in, 'proiiria pcr.^oiw, swaying the sceptre of England, and ministering den' h to the victims of her capricious tyranny; or, when th- monarch Charles the first, who is mounted on his horse upon a pedestal seventeen feet high, at Charing Cros^-, laid his head upon the block at White hall, in obedi- ence to the decree of the Commonwealth — neither can I give you an idea ofthe stupendous and colossnl statue of Achilles, with his shield, which is a speci- men of more modern art, and was erected in llyth Park, by the loyal ladies of this country, in honor of the victorious hero of Waterloo — nor indeed can I tell you how I have gone from one place to another, through crowded streets, and still been mercifully preserved from all evil — with what feelings I have looked upon the great extremes of opulence, and the most abject want, involuntarily exclaiming, oh! that the superfluity of the one might, in a measure, be devoted to the laud- able purpose of giving bread to the other, with the dis- semination of useful instruction, that they might be raised from their state of servile ignorance and misery and led to the knowledge — that the benificent Creator, m His bountiful dispensation of gifts to man, was iw- ..1 f 1 1 li^ \ 'Jt' f.3-B ii . It, '< I 596 MRS. WAIT'S LETTER, partial — that His intelligent creatures arc all suscei>- tiblo of moral, social, and political virtues, and that their state of degradation can, in no wise, be imputed to an inadequacy of the Divine munificence, but is alone attributable to the selfish ambition and arrogance of their fellow-men, who, for the gratification of their own sinister motives and desires for power, would sink tliose to a level with the brute creation, whom God has en- dued with capacity capable of progressive improvement throughout the perpetuity of existence. But, alas, il' oveli the gospel truth, that there is salvation provided for fallen man, has, perchance, reached their ears, they have but little idea of the christian requirements, and cannot believe that thev have ever ollended the majesty of Heaven; fancying themselves quite secure, if they speak with reverence of the "holy mother church," and can but repeat a prayer which they may have been taught to rehearse by some clerical oiliciate who, too frequently, assumes the title of "Right Rev. father in God." Happy are we, if we personally cml)race the exal- ted privileges of the christian. Arc we not favored of God in hearing the sublime truths of the gospel faith- fully applied to the heart, while thousands of our fel- low mortals are sinking around us, whose shrouded minds have never been illuminated by the rays of Di- vine revelation, and this too in enlightened nations'? But, be it known, to the honor of British christians, and more especially the dissenting portions, that they are making every exertion for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their suffering countrymen; devoting their i " 1 .'m.- FROM LONDON. 297 all suscc{>- 3, and that bo imputed but is alone Togancc of >f tlioirown dsink those od has en- nprovemcnt 5ut, alas, if n provided their ears, quircinonts, llended the uitc secure, Ay mother di they may ical oiliciato 'Right Rev. e the exal- iiot favored jospcl faith- of our fel- e shrouded rays of Di- 2d nations? istians, and at they are d temporal 'oting their energies most particularly to the rising generation. Light is tiius beaming upon those who have long been lying in darkness, and in the shadow of death, through the inefiicent ministrations of a corrupt uncvangclical, and dominant priesthood, who exhibit the form, but are still strangers to the fundamental doctrines and spirit of Christianity. Happily, the scriptures arc now being generally distributed; home missionary societies estab- lished; and, indeed, every means used to enlighten the poor — may they have ibod to sustain their perishing bodies also. You can form no idea of their wants until you have witnessed them, as there is nothing, iJumk heaven., to equal it in America. For instance; I will just repeat a talc of wo, which I heard related with no ordinary feeling and agitation, by a Mr. Robinson, who is an agent of the "christian instruction society'' in this city, and who was, himself, the benevolent actor in the scene, but a day or two since, while on a mis- sion of mercy to the poor. He knocked at the door of a dreary abode, in a by-lane, and while waiting for an answer, heard the sobs of some one evidently in distress; he accordingly opened the door, and, on en- tering, perceived that the moans proceeded from a young female; he enquired the cause of her mourning, on which she wept more convulsively. He endeavored to console, and soothingly entreated her to tell the cause of her sorrow, with assurance that he would do any thing in his power to relieve her. The poor girl pointed to a rickctty stair way, and exclaimed, "my father, my mother.'' Mr. R. immediately ascended the steps, and groping his way through a dark lobby. ', I I ^1 ■< II , * ■ •^1 t r* '< ■ [^ ' '^ 'I.;: ■ 299 MRS. WAIT S LETTER, FROM entered a garret, in a corner of wliich was extended, on a miserable pallet, an infirm old man, apparently jn the last stage of want and hunger; in his hand was clenched a hard, brown crust, from which he was vainly endeavoring to extract nourishment. Mr. R. spoke kindly to him — the large tears stood in the sock- ets of his sudden eyes, as he motioned to his side, on his own wretched couch, where Mr. R. discovered the corpse of his vvife, who had died the day before. The |)ious man of God fell upon his knees, and implored sustaining strength from above, to bear him through the appaling scene, from which he arose and prepared to remove the dead from the side of the still living companion; but the old man clung to the lifeless body of his wife, with all his remaining strength, while, in accents of despair, he entreated that they might not !)c separated, as he must soon follow. Mr. R., howe- ver succeeded in this sad elTort of duty; and covering the corpse with some tattered garments, lying in the place, hastened to procure food, to resuscitate the sur- vivors, which, he administered in small quantities, that were eagerly seized by the starving father and child, lie then sought the proper authorities to bury the dead, while he removed the old man to a hospital at his own expense, and took the disconsolate daughter to where she might be provided for until she was able to work. While one is reflecting upon these awful and soul- stirring realities, the attention is arrested by the fune- ral procession of the wealthy, which passes along in slow and solemn pomp — mace bearers, in rich, mour- ning habiliments — a hearse, surmounted with sable %, ■J^!-\ PONDER^S END, NEAR LONDON. •291» cxtoncl(.>d, parcntly hand was he was Mr. R. tlic sock- s side, on vercd the pre. The implored through prepared ill living less body while, in night not ^., howe- covering ng in the ) the sur- ities, that id child, the dead, ; his own to where to work, tnd soul- ;he fune- along in \i, mour- th sable plumes — ^jct black hori red with velvet palh ;.stoons lie grandeur ol es, coven while tlieir heads arc ornamented wi bons and feathers, all displaying magnificent wo — the mind shrinks from the contem- plation of those extreme and painful contrasjts of want and extravagance, and retiring within itself, 1)ewails the obvious and lamentable cause. But I must desist, or you will grow weary of these melancholy details, and be ready to cry mercy; and, indeed, I can sympathise most fully in your feelings, as it has cost me no slight degree of emotion, to rej)- rcsent, faithfully, occurrences of so sad and touching a nature. I will write again immediately on the receipt of any communication from the government, relative to my application, which I do trust, may be favorable; and hope soon to be cheered by a kind letter from the Tyand of the Free. Your's, affectionately, M. WAIT. LETTER XIX. Ponder's End, near London, Mcnj, 1840. My Dear Brother: Your kind letter of February, came duly to hand, and I am most happy to hear of the welfare of my dear child and friends. I wrote you in my last, that I intended to supplicate an act of mercy on the mar- i ff / '^0m^ i "f ri^lSri (iijiitiLU'fiilHii'ilfiirTt * . •iVr :. • ■i '^a '■ J.. /> ,. ^'- 1"' J I. I ■>■ .. ^ 300 MRS. wait's letter, FR03I riago of the Queen, which I did; and which would, doubtless, have been granted, had there not been such a multiplicity of similar appeals, that it precluded the possibility of her Majesty's acting in any. The Char- tists, Frost and Williams, have been tried and senten- ced to death, for treason, since my residence here; and, unfortunately for the success of my application, there was a powerful influence exerted for them on this occasion. The lives of these unfortunate indi- viduals have happily been spared, and they are now on their way to Van Dieman's Land, to expiate the oflcnce of striving to obtain bread for their starving countrymen, by a life of ignominious servitude. If man would not resist that oppression, which compels him to suficr the pangs of unappcased hunger, pray what would induce him to raise his arm in opposition to tyr- anny? 1 do hope that the horrid corn law policy, the pernicious influence of which, like a mephllical sirocco^ blights the energies, and emaciates the frames of the laboring classes here; may be speedily repealed, or abridged in some manner, even should it be hastened by the suicidal eflx)rts of the devoted Chartists, as ruin is the inevitable consequence of those participations. I have received a letter from my poor enslaved hus- band, dated at Hobarttown, in August, informing me of the most torturing sufferings endured on the passage out, and of the death of poor McLeod and McNulty in consequence. He was himself in the colonial hospital, just recovering from a severe illness. They were trea- ted as felons, and had been informed that they were to be assigned to masters in the country, and prevented i '! ^\ . < • ■M rONDER's END, NEAR LONDON. 301 Irom holding any connmunication with each other. This was, indeed, most cruel; but I trust, has, 'ere this, been remedied; as many influential letters have gone out from here in their behalf, since my arrival. If they are not immediately released, their sutfering will be much ameliorated; and, should God spare their lives, the time cannot be far distant, when they will be restored to hnppy liberty. I have besieged the gov- ernment on every hand — have had the best of influ- ence, which 1 think must eventually prevail. If other- wise, I will endevor to reach the land of their captivi ty and do something for them there, though 1 must leave my dear child and friends in America. Through the interest of dear Mrs. Reed, and some other kind ladies, I have been favored m an interview with the Dowager, Lady Grey, a most energetic and benevolent personage, who has interested many of her friends in my case, and written me the kind notes which follow. ^^ {Saturday. "Dear Mrs. Wait: '*Ifinw Lndy Borhnm yesterday, and learned from her, that Lord Normanby had spoken most kindly on the subject of your affairs, as regarded his own feelings, for your painful situation: she expected a letter from hirp, which she intended to. send to you. I fear nothing is likely to be done satisfactory to you at present, but it is comfortable for you to know that a kindly feeling is produced by yourelTorts. I will write to Sir J. Franklin, and it has just occurred to me, that copies of those handsome testimoni- als to Mr. Wait's character and former conduct, might be useful to send to him. If }'ou think so, will you forward them to me? I shall be careful about the copy you pent mo of Mr. W'q letters. I return Lady B's letter, and remain, "Very sincerely, your's, «*MARY GREY.- ^:\ S'. 1^1 -,»^? 1 1 f*' I., -'i .;■ ' 1 ''.-^ :j():i MRS. WAIT S LETTER FUO.M *'Donr Mrs. Wnit: '4 think you hml better send me your letters and tcstimoninlH. "Sincerely your'e, "M. G. "Ealon Plnco, Tuesday, "I believe Sir K. Pnrry will write to Sir John Frnnklin, ubicli iH bettor tlinn luy writinir-" I havo alruady coinj)liccl with her Ladyship's rc- ijucst, availing myself of the influence of her friend, the celebrated Sir Ivhvard Parry, with his cotempora- ry navigator, Sir John Franklin, who, I trust, will be induced to listen to the numerous intercessions from this country, and extend a corresponding degree oi" lenitv to my husband, and the other American exiles. I have, also, had interviews with the Hon. Charles [duller, who was private secretary to Lord Durham, while ill Canada, and who is now a member of Parlia- ment hero, as well as general Colonial agent. He has written nic of having seen both Lord Normanby and Lord John Russel, on the subject .of my memorial — both of which letters I will here transcribe, as you may belter undoi'stand the situation of the case by a pe- rusal of them, yourself. **12 Lower Ealon et., * 'Monday, May 12, 1840. "Door Madam: **I was lucky enough to ece Lord John Russel, immediately af- ter 1 left you on Snturday. Nothing could be more kind than hie conduct : and though nothing can be done for the remission of your husband's sentence, until after the settlement of the question of the Union, I think Ihore are great hopes that when that great work is achieved, and tranquillity completely restored, the prisoners may be restored to their country; and, I think that Lord John Russel seems disposed, under present circumstances, to alleviate their suf- ferings, and reduce the punishment simply to that of exile. He ■ i. '■ft rONDER's I:ND, NKAR LONDON. HOM iBlimoniQlfc". **M. G. klin, wbicli ship's rc- 31- friond, otcmpora- 3t, will be ions from degree of ;an exiles. 1. Charles Durham, of Parlia- . lie has lanby and emorial — )C, as you so by a pe- rn Bt., 12, 1840. mediately af- kind than his issionofyour e qneBtion of at great work prisoners may I John Russel iate their 8uf- )f exile. He dcBircd mc, however, to writo lo him on the subject. This T hnvc done this morning, and in the course of a few days, I Ihiidi, you will hear from mc again, to inform you of Lord John's answer. 1 trust that it will bo such as to give you some consolation. Yours very faithfully, CHARLES BULLEU, Jr. • « *'12 Lower Eaton St., "Thursday, May 31, 1840, '■Madam: "I saw Lord Normanby on Saturtlay, and inquired respecting the possibility of a remission of your husband's sentence. I am eorry to say that his Lordship's answer was as I had anticipated, tliat it would be impossible to do this at once. I am happy, however, to be able to assure you, that his tone was most kind; and I think it very probable, that advantage will be taken of the passing of the Union, to pardon the prisoners comiJromised for political distur iiances in Canada. "I am. Madam, *'Your'8 faithfully, CHA'S BULLER, Jr." I remained in London until January, when, finding my resources nearly exhausted, and my health sink- ing under intense anxiety, and the efTects of a depres- sive atmosphere, I was almost in a state of desponden- cy, and scarce knew whither to turn; but, as ever, succor was near. My assiduous and affectionate friend, Mrs. R., informed me, that she had recently visited a friend of hers, a widow lady, a few miles out of town, who wanted a companion; and as she had mentioned me to her, she hoped we would enjoy each other's so- ciety, which I looked upon as especially providential, and most joyfully accompanied Mrs. R., to her friend, Mrs. Ellis, who, I have found, a most kind and hos- pitable lady — a humble minded follower of the Sa- il I,' k 301 MRS. WAIT f< r.FTTFIl, FROM t. *!'-; •i • I .;r . u i )-^ ,-./ '.: -I- vior, with vvliom I have been very comfortable. She has a nice little retired cottiig(j, pretty grounds, and keeps two servants. I am tbaidilul to say, that the wholesome air, and «iui('t of the country, have l)een conducive of benefit to my health; and thougii I have but little means left, laith still whispers, tiiat "the hand that's held me hitherto, will lead mc all 'my journey through;*' and that, although the hand of tJod is heavy upon me, yet underneath are the everlasting arms; and I would not, my dear brother, sulll'r one pang less than what is in accordance with tlui divine will, but I would profit by them, and admire the magnificence of that love which draws rebellious man to God, even by allliction. May IJe sanctify our trials, as well as our mercies, for his own name's sake and accept us in Christ, the Redeemer. I am in tlie city nearly every week; and it is thought by my friends, who arc disposed to favor my wishes of joining my husband, in case of defeat, that a passage may be procured for me to V. D. L. should I not receive more favourable communications from the government in the course of a month or two, which determination has been rather conlirmed by the receipt of Lady Bar- ham's letter as tollows. Cnvendieli Sciuaic, VVccIncedny. "Madam: *'I nm very sorry that so long a lime ^lioukl bnve clapGod with- out answering your letter, and more pnrlicuUirly so, as 1 am una- ble to raise your hopes, or to alleviate your present distress. "Lord Normanby regrets, deeply, that his sense of public duty will not permit of his advising the Queen to comply with your re- quest, as he conceives Mr. Wait was very seriously implicated, at '^r ''■.j^> PONUKR H K\D, NKAR LONDON. :U)."> l»lo. She iinds, and that the i;ivc bron gh I havo *Mhc hand y journey 1 is licavy ing arms; o pang loss will, but I uniiliconcc Clod, even as well as cccpt us in t is thought my wishes Lt a passage not receive government ermination Lady Bar- i'cdncsdny. olapeed witli- as I nin iina- liBtross. f public duty with your ro- mplicntcd, nt the Nmo of Ihe rebellion. Any future viiliiiation ol* Mr. VVnit'H «<'ntenc'(.', rmiHt be Inkeii in connexion with tbnlot'hiH CDiiipnnionH 111 banipbincnt; wince it in J^ord N'h opinion, Ihfil it nvouM be un- just to them to mnke nny exception, and Ibnt only on privnfe j,'roiind«. But Lord Norninnby Hecinn to iuiply, tbat Mr. Wnit'w own coiuluct for lb(> futiife, nnd the continiinnrc of (rMiiipiilMty in C/Onmln, mny bcrcnfter furninb a plea for mercy in bin bcbalf. '*[ need bardly my bow niucb ibo (iuccn ret^relH bur inaltiiity, under tbe:«e eireimiHtances, lo rtMuovo tbe eaune of your (bsire«H, atul bow niucb I feel at being obli^'eil (o coniinunicato it to you. I'ndcr (liis trying allliction, it will be ncoiiHolation to you lo feci, dear madam, timf m(»ro will not be laid u])on you bi're, than i^^ right nnd good for you; and Ibnt Ho who nlllicts, in to;/ wi-fc U> nrr, nnd tuo good to be nnhind; and tbat every wavo bore, tosso you tbe nearer lo tbe bnviMi. "I have tbu honor, madam, wilb every feeling of h, mpniliy. to be "Your'a, very truly, «'F. BAllUAM." I have now the prospcGtof a six months voyage ui sea, which, indeed, is nothing in comparison to the agonizing thought ol' a continued separation tVom my child, who must thus be deprived of a mother's ctire, and the severing of the tendercst ties of natural allcc- tion. I dare not dwell on this })ainful and enervating subject, but will endeavor to submit all to the gui- dance and direction of a merciful and otnniscient God, who does all things well, and knows the end from the beginning. I am, with the assistance of kind and ^qim^- ■ rous friendship, making some preparation for the pas- sage; and shall, in all probability, if nothing more- favorable occurs, be on the ocean in July, bound for Australia. It would be superfluous for me to say anything rel- ative to the great National event, on the lOlh February, 20 {< I t-iiL'foiu.ajaitumtJL'-^'M.ti.'.m ~ .•<'t^.. ■ , ^ ■•;. I ■■■'^ 41A':^ i-^fr ■i ■' ■•. ' '-■■(;. 4|.r,;>:f:'., 1'; V'- '■ 4- • ;M;fi Miis. wait's lkttkr, from as you have, doubtless, already bad the most minute particulars laid before you, through the world's medi- um of intelligence. You have been told of the mag- nificent and splendid fitting up of palaces, and the roy- al chapel, where the marriage was solemnized, with degree of pomp far transcending any thing of the day — the triumphal arches composed of wreaths of ever- greens and fragrant blossoms, through which the happy pair and their retinue passed, on their way to Wind- sor castle — how they were greeted by joyful multitudes, upon whom they condescended to smile complacentlyy and to whom they were occasionally, even pleased to bow — the illumination of cities — peals of artillery — ringing of church bells, and the hundreds of thousands of pounds expended on the occasion — the royal bride's apparel alone, consuming some thousands of the same: and, indeed, you have lieard the whole. I did not go up to London, and can truly say, 1 have but little cu- riosity to witness the pageantry and trappings of roy- alty, the sad concomitants of which are enough to behold. But I have had some delightful rambles through nature's exquisite beauties, in which there is no alloy, and have enjoyed the luxurious sight of green iields and romantic hills, which present a perfect pic- ture of rural loveliness. Tlow sweet and fresh is the bracing air of the country, compared to the condensed atmosphere of crowded cities. The fields are now rich with primroses, daises, cowslips and buttercups; here the atmosphere is fragrant with the odour of the black thorn, and the sweet may hedges, which so univor- luilly adorn this country. I have welcomed the delicate ■m « . viiv':^ rONDEPt S END, MEAIl LO-NDON. 307 ost minute rlcl's mcdi- thc inag- kI the roy- "lized, witli of til dii}- s of ever- 1 the happy y to \\^ind" multitudesj mphiccntlyy ^cn pleased ' artillery — f thousands oyal bride's )f the same: did not go )Ut little cu- ings of roy- ) enough to ul rambles ch there is ght of green perfect pie- fresh is the ! condensed re now rich rcups; here 3f the black so univer- the delicate snow-drop, the crocus, the variegated polyanthus, and the ever valued smile of the violet, at a season when our fields are still lying under the pressure of snow- hanks, and vegetation has not yet merged through the frozen surface; indeed I have drank in the beauties of this early spring, wilh a d'.gree of ecstacy only to bo accounted for by tiie vivifying iniluenco of such glad- dening scenes upon the weary and afilicted spirit. My kind hostess, .Mrs. E., has taken me to Berry farm, the residence of her son, a few miles distant; there were burrows and warrens of hare and rabbits, which afford rich repasts to the hospitable owner and his guests; there, also, were some ancient trees, in which the rooks nostle and caw, all serving to remind one of the poetic strains of the English bards. I vis- ited the estate of another gentleman in this vicinity, a few days since, in company with a friend, and enjoyed the rich treat of walking through the most tastefully laid out grounds that 1 have yet seen. The variega- ted and enamelled ivy, with the lovely convolvulus, were twining round tlie tendrils of the blooming thorn; hyacinths were sending abroad tlieir rich perfume; and while passing down the smooth gravel walks, we were greeted with a profusion of flowers and shrubbery of almost every variety of the season — many of which are extravagantly fine — there, too, were artificial lakes, in which the gold fish sported in graceful freedom, dis- j)laying the most delicate carmine and silver hues, as he catches the rays of the sun in approaching the surface, while making his circuit round the gush- ing fountain in the center of his watery domain — ii f m I ♦ ■ ; h ■--:r-- ■i'i^i^^tbmM»i»iat.,is^Mii\,^^..-fi^^.;,^,. 308 MRS. wait's letter, FROM I ii 1 '{ ■ jf! -i ■-i.j- .i' 1 : J i;f ■■'■| ,.'■ ■J •.'■I- ■ 4; •."ilif^- .:-■'■ .! ) ''I '? . ■ >f;: '■ bowers invite you to rest under their fragrant shade, of clematis and honeysuckle, from which retreat you may observe the sweet economists of nature, extracting the nectareous load from the surrounding blossoms, and depositing the same in the cells of a glass hive, whose transparency enables you to watch their industrious labors. The hearl's-ease, so little noticed with us, is here cultivated with great care and attention, and is most ex- quisitely beautiful, being nearly three limes as large as any I have seen in America. 1 have been shown some line specimens of the dahlia, which is also reared with success, in this country. Nothing can exceed the order, taste, and splendor of the domains of the rich; could one but live amid these fairy scenes, and not meet the opposite extreme at every turn, England, with her delightsome pleasure gardens, her refined and polished society, and her high state of domestic economy, ease and comfort, would indeed, be an enrapturing para- dise. But wo sits upon the pallid features of the sons and daughters of poverty, who are, by far, the most numerous class, and in whose countenances, want is written in characters too legible to be mistaken; this foul blemish not only darkens the glorious picture, but literallv obscures it; and the American turns from the scene with disgust, otfcring his grateful tribute to God, that the fair genius of freedom, reigns in his na- tive land, dispensing the rich blessings of equal rights, with civil, and religious liberty. Here all must pay the odious church rates; no mat- ter what his religious creed may bp, he is obliged to support the dignitaries of the establishment, who are ifcyi- ^ \:,-y '• .'I ■ •ll'r nt shade, of at you may I'acting the )ssoms, and live, whose ndustrious 1 us, is here is most ex- as large as shown some reared witli d the order, rich; could lot meet the I, with her md polished )nomy, ease uring para- of the sons r, the most cs, want is 5taken; this )us picture, turns from ul tribute to s in his na- qual rights, 3s; no mat- 5 obliged to It, who are PONDKR's end, near LONDON. ;^09 pampered and clotlied in purple, almost by the life's ])loodortho poor, as the last farthing is seized upon by this rapacious hierarchy, whoso kingdom, forsooth, is not of this world, (query, whore is it?) while the poor children they rob, are famishing for bread. If the conscientious dissenter refuses to pay this un- just tax, he is immediately cited to appear before an ecclesiastical court; does he not then compromise the matter, he is torn from his family and thrust into a locithsome prison, from v/hich there is no return, but in that sacrifice of christian principle; which liquidates the iniquitous charge. There is an instance of noble resistance to this legal oppression, in the case of John Thorogood, a poor shoo maker, of Chelmsford, who has lain in jail eighteen months, in consequence of adhering to the praise-worthy resolution of suffering the penalty of non-compliance. Would to God there were more John Thorogoods among the great body of {Jissonters in this country. If they would but follow this glorious example, "e?i wassse,^^ how soon would they triumph, and the evil be removed. I have seen it stated in the papers, that, although his health is decli- ning, in consequence of his long confinement, he is still unmoved, and will die a martyr in the cause, ra- ther than yield the right of conscience and christian equity, by paying five shillings and six pence to the scourge of his country. Petitions in his behalf, and protests against the right of detention, are being sent in scores to the house of Parliament; and although it is almost daily acting in the matter, I fear there will nothing salutary be effected; for, should !,'j; I vf ilj . !l Jlli «*<£.■* ■ > '■'i.filUkie&ibtltih.i.iA 1 f '- ■Jo: . ! lif l'',r'; •i.r:;.j 310 MRS. WAITS LETTER, they emancipate the non-adherents to the church of state, from this burden, it would greatly lessen its re- venue; and, consequently, in a measure, sap the foun- dation of the aristocracy; and England^s proud nobler; must roll in voluptuous splendor, though the means be wrested from the shrinking vitals of the poor. I must not forget to toll you, that P(Mi(ler's P^nd if near Kdmonton, and that I frequently travel the road which the famous John Gilpin came in such alarming haste, on the anniverssiry of his wedding day; yes, and as I have passed the sign of the celebrated Bell of Edmonton, where poor j\Irs. (lilpiii waited her smo- king dinner, in anxious expectation of the arrival of her unfortunate spouse, vv'ho was, in the mean time, making his grand entro to Ware. I have lauglicd out- right at the thought of being on the scene of this mar- vellous adventure, so facetiously described by Cowper. But 1 shall leave the sweet air of the country in a few days, and return to town, wliere I will remain imtil T sail; and as this is the month in which the various christian and benevolent societies hohl their anniver- sary meetings in London, I will not close this letter, until I have an opportunity of witnessing this great concentration of talent and philanthropy. From London. I have attended the meeting of the liondon Mission- ary society, in the spacious Exeter Hall, which seats, I am told, six thousand persons — it was well filled on this occasion. Sir George Grey, the honorable son of the Lady Dowager, whom I have mentioned, took the chair, and opened the meeting with an eloquent ■ -"H ■ m. FHO.M LONDON'. 311 church ol' sson its rc- p tho foun- |i*oud nobles G ITK^'XJIS be or. cr's End is cl tlio roud li alMrmiiitr dny; yc8, alod J^oll of d her smo- arrival of mean time, anglicd out- jf this mar- by Cow per. ly in a tew nain imtil T the various ?ir annivor- this letter, this great London, m Mission" hich seats, I filled on orable son oned, took 1 eloquent 'ind appropriate athh'osr^, v/hich was peculiarly aricct- ,*ng when ho mentioiici] tlio melancholy death ot' the lamented Polynesian missionary and martyr, the Rev. fohn Williams, tho tidings of whose murder, by the ;iativos of Eromanga, one of the Nov/ IJebrido islands, has but recently reached this country. This devoted and energetic servant of God, had visited nearly all ;lic South Sea islands, and planted the standard of the dth iderful but had success; nut no naa now fallen by tho hands of those to whom he was present- ing the glad tidings of salvation. ''This was, indeed, a cause for mourning; but the gospel v>ould triumph, and the sad event which was so deeply deplored, might yet bo the means, in the hands of God, of carrying conviction to the hearts of the Cannibals." The re- port of the society followed; and as one speaker closed another took the floor, until eloquence literally flowed t'rom the platform, while the most touching detail^' were given by missionaries, who had spent years in laboring to bring the life and immortality of tiie gospel to the hearts of the perishing heathen. They were there from all portions of tho globe, and had returned to tell the triumphs of Jesus, and rest, for a time, from their arduous duties, under burning meridians, desolating simooms, and electrical camsins. Among these were the celebrated Richard Knill, Moffat, from the South ofx\frica, Micaiah Hill, from India, and numbers of others. Our hearts were indeed made glad with the exhila- rating news of the extension of the Redeemer's king- f\o\y\. A number of pious clergy and missionaries of ll'K !l I ,i! ms ! i' * :U-2 >.-, tH )1, I ;;a II \-i-^ii I ,i ' i;7..". \»-7 -;;■ iiii. ..i;,-H-^'f«:v' '^1 li» , ■ ;;'■ : 1 .' * ■Vl- i' ^1 1' -! . ■ ^ ■ ? 4- f.-' MRS. >^ A it's letter, the Church of England, lent their abilities on tliis oc- casion also.* And here, too, John Angel James, of Birmingham, rose in his power, and made an appeal to the liearts of his auditors, which was loudly respon- ded to; and oh, with what pathos did he dwell on the appalling death of his brother Williains, and quote the sublime and appropriate lamentations of David, "how are the mighty fallen in tlie midst of the battle. O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleas- ant hast thou been; thy love was wonderful." "Yen, how are the mighty fallen. Thou hast fallen, my l)rothor John, but ii; is to rise in triumphant glory, and cast thy bright crown at the feet of I'iinaiiucl." Thus-, my dear T., hours were consumed, which seemed but as many moments, while enjoying the luxury of this; intellectual feast, and the business of the meeting closed. '^The Rev. M. Hill linel beerr a miBsioiiary to Bcngnl, ond labor- I'll in India for sixlocii yearp. lio mosl fearlcsaiy exjioscd Ibc ini- • juitous practices of Iho East India Company, who form 1hc government in India, which not only enslaves llie nativciH, and re- duces them to the necessity of selling their children for bread, but legalizes taxation for the support of heathen tcnii)les, Juggernaut not excepted, tor the ])uni08e of strengthening British rule — that, in many mstanccs, had the company been known to colleague with the idolaters, in suppressing and undermining the influence of the devoted missionaries of Christ; and he deplored, most deeply, the injurious eifccts on their operations — of the connexion which still existed; also, did he "regret that the new penal code, fra- med by the Indian law commissioners, would, in his opinion, fine, imprison, and banish from the country, the missionaries who had been sent forth to evangelize idolatrous India; and further, that this code would tolerate poligr.hi} the immoral consequences of which were painfully visible ihroughout that entire wretched country, by the vast number of Anglo Indians, which is said io comprise many more than fifty thousand persons at this period/'' fti FROM LONDON. 013 )ii til is oc- James, of an appeal 1 y I'cspon- voll on the quote tho vid, "how attlo. (j OS. I am ■cry picas- " *'Yca, alien, my '^lory, and 1.'' Thn.s, cemed but ry of this: ing closed, il, and labor- loecd tlic ini- lio form Ihc ivee, and ro- n- bread, but Jnifiiemant 1 rule — tbatj •llcaguc with luence of tbc nobl deeply, :!Xion which inl code, fra- pinion, line, ies who had urlher, that ^equencefi of re wretched ;h is said to is period,'^ . i 1 have attended a number of similar meetings of a domestic, as well as foreign nature; and regret much, my inability to give you the details by letter, as it is most cheering to fco the extent of the benevolent and christian exertions here, where thi>y iire so much re- quired. Would that tiio}'' might reach every suflerer. but they still come far sliort of the actup.l need; and notliing can radicall}^ elTect their benefit, but a more merciful and liberal policy of govcrnmcnl, which, 1 fear, will not be pursued, until tiie just vengeance of heaven is visited upon the oppressors of the poor. Jlut you must know, that the world's great convention, on the rights of man, is now sitting in London, to which delegates from every quarter, have congrega- ted, in happy union, on the subject of emancipation to the slave. Some of the fair and benevolent ladies of America, are here, as delegates^ too, and claim the right of a seat at the convention, vv'ith an opportunity of public discussion of tho merits of their philanthropic cause. This being contrary to the custom and usage of this nation, has not been conceded to them; conse- quently these talented ladies have not been heard. It was in vain they plead the rights of women; likewise in vain that their able advocate, George Thompson, defended them, and appealed to the convention in be- half of "the Spartan band of women, who stood be- tween him and death, while in America.'' In vain that Dr. Bowering "blushed at the ungallant manner in which the magnanimous and philanthropic ladies of America were treated, by Englishmen, who sung ho- zannas to their sovereign Queen." The fearless daugh- 1'^ W'i I li it :?;■< 1 • '. - "t- VIA ft!- •■I: r m ■■ i 'I- i' ^JN -"• % '-' •"•, i ' ■ 311 MRS. wait's letter, ters of America, who wovo so deservedly compared to tho brave Lacedaemonian women, were doomed to si- lence, while the business of the convention proceeded in Freemason's ITall. I regret th:it I have not been al)Ie to attend these meetings n^orc frcquonlly; but I do liopo to enjoy the last, wbicb will take plac;^ at Exeter Hall, and at wliich th(i Dnke of Sussex is expected to preside. J have, however, attended one, which was somewhat diilbrent, though an an ti- slavery association, viz., the African Colonization Societv. Prince Albert was here announced, amid the deafening peals of tho mam- moth organ, in tho grand FiXetor Hall, and the noisy greetings of tho vast concourse of people who welcom- ed him, on his first appearance before thorn; to wliich the youthful and amiable looking Prince bowed most grnccfuUy, as ho took the chair; after which he open- ed the mer.'ling, by a short, but prettily delivored speech, in which ho expressed his hap[)iness in com- plying with the wishes of so respectable a portion of her iMajcsty's subjects, by lending his aid in a cause fraught with so much benevolence and humanity; and which, he assured tho meeting, mot with the full con- currence of her Majesty, "our beloved Queen." Ho resumed the chair, while the most enthusiastic cheers rung through the hall. Then came forward the well known philanthropist, Buxton, who met with a warm reception, and who delivered an able address, in which he recounted many a hard contest, and many an ob- stacle which he had been enabled to surmount, bv de- voted perseverance in his benevolent course; and, said m ■• FROM LONDON. :U5 he, *'I now, wiili no ordinary degree of gralitudc, hail this auspicious day, as earnest of tlic uUimate con- summation of the great enterprise of my life.'' The report was then road; afler which a succession of ele- gant speeches followed, from Lords, Lords Bishops, Sirs, Right Ilonorablcs, &c.; for bo it known unto you, that the aristocracy were indeed there. Tiie noble Prince would be obliged to vacate the chair at two o'clock; accordingly. Sir Robert Peel was an[)ointed to return the thanks of the mooting to the royal chair- man, which he did with no slight degree of elo- quence, an in a beautifully turned compliment, styled him the "right arm of tlio throne;" at the close of which, the clicering was unbounded, while the Prince, bowing gracefully, loft the hall, escorted by his suite. T think that the most pointed and truly eloquent speech I heard at this meeting, was delivered by Arch- Deacon Wilberforce, who seemed to drink deeply into the spirit of benevolence, which was so eminently manifested by his late noble-minded sire — the indefat- igable advocate of human rights in this country, who has gone to reap the rich reward of his philanthropic labors, which havG been instrumental in striking the fetters from thousands; though I am not, my dear brother, insensible to the fact, that the twenty millions paid to the West India slave owners, are wrung, by taxes, from the scanty earnings of those in this coun- try who are little less slaves than the blacks, and whose previous burdens were almost beyond human en- durance; yet I thank God, that even a portion iiavo been emancipated. When, oh when, will the demon^ ■ i w i ' < i hi'' '*l it ' ' f m- ■ ,f ' V i' t \ I-TV' ...•i'-i^.'-^ i' h ■1,. i -J. ■ "I P. 31(j MRS. wait's LEITKR slavc/'i/^ bo haiiishod from this lovely HJol-.stool of the Almighty? ('unit ho until tlu; savior r(Mgns triuni|»hant? 1 fear not; but still, wo may hope for the aj)proach of that happy era. The early friends of the oppressed African had nuich to contend with; hut they were a brave and holy nucleus, round whom a mighty and formidable army has since gatlnu'cd; and which now forms a phalanx that will, with Divine assistance, press forward, from conr|uering to conquer, until glorious victory is theirs. Mmv dear America soon lave in the fountain of innocence, and be cleansed from the stain of her brothers' suilerinf*'s and Idood, which call mightily to heaven for justice, and thus wipe a way the only bh^mish on lier beautilul features. T/ie7i will a halo of untarnished glory wave on her banner, and claim the unlimited applause of an ad- miring world; and then shall wo no more bo told by Briton^Hjrab'iddiii aristocrats, ihat ''American //^er/j/ is a vwckcry-,'" and that ^'' American slavcrij is the great- est anoma/jj in the history of civili-^cd nations.'^ But I must proceed, and, if possible, give you an idea of the conckiding meeting of this convention. Wc reached tlie hall at an early hour, as this was the only security for obtaining a seat; the excitement was so general, and the publication of the former convention- al speeches, having brought hundreds, who would, per- haps, have not come otherwise. The hall was soon crammed, and numbers went away, unable to enter. We waited, with anxiety, the opening of this illustri- ous meeting. The organ, however, again peeled forth its grand intonations, and his royal highness, the Wr PR M LOND V. 31 jol of the inipliant? broach of Depressed wore a |ghty and Inch now Issistancc, p', until ric.i soon nsed fi'oin od, whicli hus wipe features. '0 on her of an ad- )c told b}' iiin liberty the greal- c you an ition. Wc 3 the only It was so •nvcntion- ould, per- was soon to enter. s illustri- 3led forth ness, the Duke of Sussex, made his most graci iS appr* ranee, while the lungs of the congrcgalcd '• s, s«' I 1 1 '.-''■ :u8 Mlty. WAIT « LLTTKH, •soon 1)0 gathered, with hishmvc Cdinpntriotsand faith- ful coadjutors, who had left the field hi'foro him; and if he had another life to spend on earth, he would ho too happy in consceratiii,*^ it also to the sacred cause of philanthropy. This was the suhstanee of what I heard, and J do not thinU that less than 0000 pairs of eyes were nioistend hv the tear of veneration and svmpathv. Mr. Clarkson soon left the hall, supported hy Mr. Allen, and another gentleman. Judge iiirney, one of the American delegates, was now announced, who delivered an able and energetic speech, which was duly applauded; but, unfortunatly, in the enthusiasm of the moment, he forgot his prox- imity to tlio ladies in his immediate vicinity, and re- treating a st("p too far, came in contact with at least a [lortion of their robes, which was readily perceived by the quielL eye of one of hiseountrymon, and as speedily remedied; though I regret to say, there was no visible aj)ology made by tlie aggressor; allbrding a subject for the satire of some of the polished Englishmen present, who pride themselves much on the nice points of eti- quette, and are ever ready to sanction the idea that American manners are boorish. Though I was full willing to believe that the honorable, and, doiihllcssly, gaJl'iiit Judge, had looked an apology to the gracious Duchess, and her companion. The Duchess, who was in a plain suit of mourning, which admirably set ofi'her line form, wore a magnificent bracelet on her right wrist, bearing the Queen's minaturc likeness. The sweet poetess, Mary Howett, was shown to me; also the celebrated Mrs. Opic, so generally known and .i>; • --'m ■i:i FUOM LONDON. :ill) csteoincd loi' her valuabl'j writings, was poiiitcil out by a lady who know her; aha appeared rather an elderly person, thougli tiie earniinc tint hud not yet departed from her eheuk, and her inU-lligent eountonanee .spoke of cheerfulness within; her dress was of black satin, bearing the plainness of the costume she hnd adopted; she was in the crowd, appaiently untible to avail iier- selfofaseat. I yaw an American gentleman throw her a card, and manifest a desire for her to reach the j)l:itform, which, however, seemed quite Jm[)ratieable; but all was soon forgottcm, as the name of U'Connel! O'Connel, was sounded and resounded throughout the assembly, while all were eager to cateh a glimpse of the Irish orator, whoso noble and independent iigurc soon merged from the living mass on the stand, when a scone of enthusiastic cheering and tumult ensued, which completely transcends description, and which was answered by the most perfectly graceful bows, while ho held hisjiat in his left hand, and pressed his generous and liberty-loving heart with his right. The most amusing smiles played round his mouth in the mean time, which served as a prelude to the rich and pointed eloquence we were about to enjoy. It was some time before he could be heard; and even when sounds had ceased, the waving of hats and handker- chiefs foreboded another outburst; but the speaker be- gan. 1 fancied tliat 1 had heard eloquence; and I had heard doqucmcc flow in rich profusion from many of the lions of English oratory, whom 1 had listened to in that hall; but this was an eloquence of a superior or- der — t'was a voice from the Emerald Isle, which ti In ' I Mr' I ■ r 1 3 !, • XV, ; •■t .1- ■J I' « If,, • vM i'V -Ij-ft. >-^i ■,1-SHf'v, 4 ■ I; ' 111, 1!'; .»: 320 MRS. WAIT S LETEft. breathed the sweet tones of the minstrels of" Erin — t'was eloquence that entranced the mind with its genu- ine point, cadence, and melody, which poured forth the soul of the illustrious speaker, in argumentative strains too bewitching to resist; and which told alike on the hearts of his auditors and the heaven-born cause of philanthropy. Ireland, too — the woes of distressed Ireland, were not forgotten by the champion of her rights and liberties, and I sighed for poor Canada, also, as a blessing was invoked for Irish redress, as well as the ultimate success of the cause which had brought to that meeting the agents of humanity from all parts of the Globe, *'whose c/forls would yet raise the entire human family from a state of degra- dation and slavery, to that of exulting liberty; and were we to despond of success, the angels of mercy, who are present, would cheer us on to victory. Yes ice will trhimph, for icumen, of England and America, you are here to shed the dew drops of heaven on our sa- cred cause, by the magic of your co-operative influ- ence." Again the spacious arch rang with tumultuous applause, and the inimitable orator took his seat. An American mulatto, now appeared, who spoke of the wrongs of his fellow-men, with an ability and pathos truly admirable; being a pertect refutation of the in- human idea, generally supported by the enemies of their race, that the black is deficient in natural intel- lect; had those arrogant personages been under tlie sound of his voice, they would doubtless, have soon been undeceived, and would have, at least, admitted, that this Virginian was a noble exception. The mee- li'iv ■'% FROM LOXDON. :321 brin — its genu- cd forth nentativc old alike Dm cause istressed n of her Canada, jdress, as hich had humanity v^ould yet of degra- jrty; and if mercy, 7. Yes we :3rica, you Q our sa- tive infki- jmultuous seat. An ke of the nd pathos of the in- iiemies of iral intel- ander the bave soon admitted. The mee- ting now closed, and we again descended from elysian entertainments to reach our homes, attend to the ordi- nary requirements of nature, and dream of the rerial regionrj through which we had been wafted during the day, now nearly consumed, as it was live o'clock when the concluding speech was made, yet 1 saw no weari- ness manifested by the delighted multitude; and you, my dear T., will not be weary of this long epistle, if it gives you one iota of the pleasure, which I have enjoyed 'mid those enchanting Bcenes; though I crave your indulgence, while I merely touch upon other objects, which have also contributed much to mv entertainment and knowledge. I accompanied a ^ew friends, the other day, on a visit to the Regent's Park Zoological gardens, comprising the iincst menagerie in the world, both in regard to the number and variety of its animals; and I think it would be difficult to surpass the symmetrical order and taste exhibited in the fitting up of the whole establishment; ihc expense of which must bo many thousand pounds per annum, exclusive of the original cost of preparing such unique accomodations for the varions tenants, all being })ermitted to enjoy their natural elements — the enclo- sures, at the same time, affording perfect security to tlio visiter. The expenses are met by annual subscrip- tions of the members of the Zoological society, with the shilling paid by each visiter — the latter amounting I should think, to a very considerable sum, as the gardens command much attention, being beautifully ornament- ed with flowers and shrubbery. Here may be seen almost every species of the quadruped, as well as of the 21 ■ j f 'i! ;i22 MRS. WAITS LETTER, 1 1 ' ! , 1 ■J-,'.: '' ; ir J'V' ' ■ ' ' . ?:*; ■■ -t 1 ; fV. i. ' ' '■'■ r." ''■ i'-* *- ^ . • -i w ' ,- .t ; ■ '.r V ^■' 1 . '>( ■;■ '.'1. C; I t .« ■' 1 » -'l "*1 , ■.Mi?, 111',- •!' .'ii*v "',■■' '■ ■'■■ ' ■ 1 * M - ■ ' .,«-f - Ml -■ ' 1 ■' ■ >: r i,;' i~ ... ■■' i A :-< i V ;, (-..('•; ■ v. ,' *.; '.J * It;' >- ; - .■' J '. ■ . t #^' ■Moi i ■ ■ 1 y. ■ je;- ;■ ■, V?- ' ' ,* ' H^" .,f, * * ' ■ , : ?& « t'» .•■; fi ' ■iv^ i^ V Ibathored tribe, from all quarters of the Globe. The stately giralle has his lofty arched domicil — the elephant ills bath — the seal basks at ease on the surface of his pond — the ])olar bear draws his length along from the recesses of his cavern — while the black and brown arc climbing to the lop of a pole, planted in the center of their pit, to catch some treat, which entices them up: here is the elegant plumage of the bird of Paradise, and siuiilar beauties with the notes of the sweetest song- stcr.'j, ami the chaUeringof the paraquct, strangely con- trasting with the disproportioned (igure, coarse squeak- jng, and the ordinary appearance of some of their neighbors. I turned from the fleet and greed}" ostrich, to notice another and another group, and could noi imt fanc}'^ the picture incomplete, as I looked in vain, lor the dear lilUe speck of feathered animation, the American humming bird, and could scarcely ima- gine the propriety of his al)sence from so general a congregation of his lu'cthrcn. The gardens are di- vided b)'" a public thorough f.i re. under which there is a splendid tunnel or arch, afibrding a commodious pa';- sage from one part to the other; tliero are also, ample fields for those animals that do not require close con- finement, to roam at large; and the entire establish- ment must be esteemed an object well worthy the atten- tion and admiration of the traveller and naturalist. I have, also, had a peep into the Tower, so renowned for secret deeds of cruelty and blood; and when con- ducted to the low dismal room, which had been the prison of the devoted Sir Walter Raleigh, and shown the block and axe which deprived the noble, dignified* ■| I obc. Tiie lie elephant Ifaco of his |g from the brown are center of them up: radise, and |etc?t sone-- ingcly con- rsc squeak- ic of their cd}' ostrich, could not od in vain, nation, tiie ircely ima- ;o general a lens are di- ;h there is a lodious pas- also, ample ' close con- •e cstablish- ly the atten- turalist. ;o renowned when con- id been the and shown e, dignified* M f i FROM LONDON. 328 and high minded Mary, Queen of Scotts, of life, a shudder ran through my frame that made me look with detestation on the figure of the cruel Elizabeth, seated, in the same liall, on her white palfrey, attired in all the blazonry of her gaudy court, with her page in green and gold, holding the bits. The walls of the hall were hung with shields, bottle axes', spears, and similar relics of instruments, used by ancient nobles and warriors, who have, centuries past, mingled with the dust. Cannon bombs, and innumerable trophies of victories won by English conrpierors, arc displayed to the \ isiter. Here, is the great national armory, where pile upon pile, various war implements are stowed, with care, while the- entire wall and arch of this spa- cious apartment, is decorated with burnished arms, hung in a manner comprising the most fanciful and tasty figures; here you may be shown the jewel tow- er, which contains the crown, state jewels, plate, &c. &c. ; arid hero, also, you may bo introduced to all the celebrated knights of tiio days of chivalry, who are mounted on their respective chargors, and clad, cap-a- pie, in mail; thus exhibiting the complete armor of the Knights Templars of the Crusades, all in the highest state of preservation; here was Richard Coeur De Lion, and other heroes, of Scott's celebrated tournament in Ivanhoe, and my eyes inssensibly stole round in search of the fair Saxon Princess, Rowena, and the no less beautiful Jewess, Rebecca. But 1 will now brieflv close, by informing you that my dear kind friends have procured me a number of letters, which will give me an introduction to the respectables of Van Dieman's Land; M'- ?1 * m m .. 'i ' f <■ \ ■ 1 i ri i^'X '>''■■» ■ ■ •- .1 : 3*24 MRS. WAIT'S LETTER, and if nothing particularly favorable occurs, between this, and the first of July, I expect to sail for that coun- # # # try Your Affectionate Sister, MARIA WAIT. ,.< I:- •■■'>. i •>■',. 1^; i:' LETTER XX. London, July 2, 1840. My Dear Husband: Although you will expect my arrival in Van Die- man's Land almost daily, after the receipt of my last, recent letter, kindly enclosed in a communication from Sir E. Parry to Sir John Franklin, accompanied by certificates of character, &;c.; yet, from circumstances which have since transpired, fully explained by the following letters from the Honorable Charles Duller.* I have decided on returning to Canada, immediately; * "12 Lower Eaton Ft., "Sunday, June i4th. "Dear Madam: "I have just received Lord John Rused'e nnevver to my applica- tion, in behalf of your husband. He informs me, that he has refer- red the matter to the Governor General of Canada. And 1 think, therefore, your best course is to return to Canada, and endeavor to get Mr. Poulet Thomson to make a report favorable to your husband. 1 think this would not be difficult. Indeed, from com- munications I have had with the Colonial office, 1 feel convinced, that the authorities there, feel that it would be right and politic, as speedily as possible, to release the prisoners. I have no doubt that a general amnesty will follow close on the acconiplirbment of the union which will clearly take place very soon; and I think, if at the same time, the Governor General recommends a pardon, there can be no doubt of its being granted. You should, I think, return to Canada, and not attempt to get up petitions, as you ■I I IS, between that coun- ter, WAIT. 2, 1840. Van Die- of my last, cation from npanied by cumstances ned by the es Bullcr.* imediately; pt., no i4th. my applicn- hc has rcf'er- And 1 think, md endeavor able to your d, from com- •1 convinced, i and politic, ave no doubt plifbmcnt of id I think, if 8 a pardon, uld, 1 think, one, as you FROM LONDON. 325 and, although I have been ten months in England, pleading for your emancipation, I am yet unable to give you the glad tidings of its final consummation. Still, I am now, more than ever, encouraged to hope that I shall accomplish my purpose, and have the inex- pressible joy of welcoming you, and your companions in suffering, to your native land not far hence, should your lives be spared by an indulgent Providence. I trust that your situation is much more comfortable than when vour last letter was written, which I was most thankful to receive; though it brought the melancholy talked of; but try with the Gov. Gen., to induce him to recom- mend a pardon. And this, of course, should be donejwithout delay. "In the mean time, I learn, at the Colonial office, that the Go- vernor of V. D. L., has Ifikcn care that Mr. Wait, and his com- jianions in misfortune, shall be well used. I think you may safely return to Canada, with the consciousness that you have done oil that can be ([one here, and that you may hope the best. You may be sure that I w'ill pa}- the utmost attention to any communication I may have from you, and do whatever may be required for the unhappy prisoners. *'l am, dear iviadam, "Your's faithfully, ''CHA'S BULLER, Jr. "Mrs. B. Wait." "12 Lower Eaton st., "Friday, July 3d. "Dear Madam: "I enclose you an answer, received yesterday, respecting Mrs. Chandler's petition. I also send you a letter for Mr. Paulet Thomson, in which I have strongly urged him t lo what he can for you. "May your endeavors be successful, and your husband restored to you 'ere long "I should advise you to go directly to the Gov. Gen., on arri- ving in Canada. I am sure he will be well disposed to you. "Your's faithfully, "CHARLES BULLER, Jr. "May I also trouble you to lake the small parcel which I en- close with this, to Mr. Paulet Thomson." pi If I \ f I!''' !:| Hi i^il 1 1 V ' '' ,J 'I ,■•! I- "hu\ '•i'^ ■1 • ... ■' *■ ■ . ». ; ' ■,;{ v. , ■^. :: ., 326 MRS. WAIT S LETTER, tidings of poor Van Camp's sudden deatli, it was the welcome harbinger of my dear Benjamin's welfare, who had been so mercifLiIly raised from sickness, and preserved from death, in a foriegn and penal country. What do we not owe to the Lord of mercy who thus supports us under the most severe of earthly afllictions? may our lives be more devoted to his service, and all trials blessed to us. "For this is the will of God con- cerning us even our sanctification." I was rejoiced to receive a letter from dear Thaddeus, who informs me that our beloved Augusta is well, and has not suf- fered one days illness since I left her; she is grandpa's pet, and says that *'mama is gone to bring pa home from Diemaiv's Land;" may this indeed, my love, be pro- phetically true, and both of us restored to our tender lamb, and permitted to bring her up in the fear of our God — may she yet be a star in the diadem of Him who has so mercifully nursed her in his parental bosom. I have made the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, who arrived with their family from Ho- barttown on a visit to this country, a few weeks since. They are acquainted with Mr. Roberts, to whom yourself and Mr. Chandler have been assigned; and Mr. Hopkins has kindly olFered to intercede with that gentleman in your behalf. Mrs. H. will, also, write Lady Franklin, with whom she is personally acquainted; all of which, I trust, will bo of service to you, until you may be allowed to return. I can not but think that your captivity will be of short duration; and, as there are so many kind intercessions made for you, the cogency of your restraint, in that country, will FIIOM LOXDOX. Vll it was the ^s we 1 faro, k 11 ess, and al country, wlio thus alllictions?- cc, and all f God con- as rejoiced ho informs las not sui- s grandpa's I homo from vc, bo pro- ) our tender fear of our of Him who i\ bosom. '. and Mrs. i from IIo- veeks since. , to whom signed; and :le with that also, write acquainted; you, until t but think n; and, as e for you, untry, will soon bo comparuiivly slight; and you will, at least, enjoy local liberty. 1 was most happy to perceive, by an article in a Launceston paper, which Mr. Hop- kins gave me, that your cases w^ere not unnoticed by the press; it appealed poworfidly to the Govern- ment, on your behalf; and remonstrated, in no measur- ed terms, upon the inconsistency of political offenders from Canada, being placed upon a level, and mingled with the common criminals and felons, in that pena! settlement. I wrote you in my last, that I would endeavor to go out, if unsuccessful in my exertions here; which two weeks since, 1 fully expected to carry into effect, and, as I knew not to what 1 could best turn my attention for support, in that country, during the time that might possibly elapse, ])revious to your emancipation from servitude, I. availed myself of the privilege, most kindly granted, and entered the model institution of the Home and Colonial Infant School Society, in which 1 have been much delighted as well as instructed, in the admirable system pursued, by this philanthropic asso- ciation to instruct the children of the poor — the plan of which is, to inculcate the elementary truths of Chris- tianity — to cultivate religious impressions — to call into action, by a system in which love and discipline are happily blended, the best feelings and affections of the heart; and, as far as possible, secure the formation of moral habits — to exercise the senses on suitable objects — to call the powers of observation into activity — and, indeed, to develop all the faculties of the infant mind, with the improvement of the bodily organs, by health- tii w Hi m IIV Ui l\ ii'f '.r,J. I ; 328 MRS. wait's letter, 11 ' <« 1 a ■ -.'fi *. 1 -J. .A'V . I ■ ■ '■ ' ■• *f t .r '■ ■■ ■ . i •■• ' I- , I ful and proper juvenile exercises. It is truly wonder- ful, that the little creatures arc capable of the rapid improvement, which h evidently manifested, by their progress. This humane institution is supported by voluntary contribution; and during the four years of its existence, has sent out four hundred and nineteen teachers, who have been carefully trained in the above wise princi- ples, and had the benefit of tri-weekly lectures from able instructors, calculated to store their minds with a knowledge of all useful branches, and render them capable of discharging the arduous duties of their high and responsible vocation. Had I gone to your sea girt prison land, I might have been an humble instrument, in the hands of Godj by rendering service to the rising generation in that country of vice and consequent misery; but it is other- wise willed; and, although I did not, my dear, shrink from the idea of sharing your exile, still I deemed it prudent to take the advice of my friends — be guided by circumstances, and yet strive for your return; be assured, I have faith in the issue. Through the gen- erous sympathy of many dear and kind friends in this country, a passage has been taken for America, and 1 expect to sail on the 7th inst. I shall, in all probability, bo in Canada long ere this reaches you. But fear not my love, should my present hopes prove abortive, I will yet, with Divine permission, join you, in company with our dear child, whose society will far more en- hance our happiness, though we may be severed for a greater length of time than our own reunion, and a t,': . ."ii y wonder- thc rapid I, by their voluntary existence, hers, who se princi- -ires from lids with Vi rider them their high I, I might ds of God 5 3n in that it is other- ar, shrink deemed it ■be guided return; be 1 the gen- nds in this rica, and 1 robability, ut fear not ibortive, I 1 company more en- i^ered for a on, and a FROM LONDON. 329 continued separation, by so great a distance, from the babe of our affoctions. Though I do trust you will, 'ere long, bo on your homeward passage, in which hope I rest for the present, looking unto Ilim *'who is able to do exceeding, abundant, above all we can ask or Ihiidc, for the sake of our compassionate Redeemer and Advocate,'" as I well know there will not one more trial be laid upon us than is necessary for the purposes of sovereign mercy, then let us "run with patience, the race that is set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith"' — that when our pil- grimage on earth is ended, we may have an abundant entrance ministered unto us, to the kingdom of our heavenly Father, where we shall go no more out for ever. Shall wo not bear the will of Go I meekly, in view of the exalted glories of heaven? Our sufferings here, at the longest, can be but shoi't, and then, oh how glorious the conqueror^s song. Cheer up, ray dear; rise superior to surrounding circumstances; aim for the skies, and the company of celestial intelligences shall be your rich reward. I sometimes fancy you a band of American missionaries, who have gone to disseminate light, principle, and morality among the degraded children of crime, who people Britain's penal colonies, and I doubt not you will sustttin the stand- ard of American character in a manner worthy the cause for which you suffer. I was told, by a mem- ber of the Government here, the other day, in a con- solatory manner, "that yours was not a crime at which the Government felt indignant.'' Oh! thought I, how superlaiivly consistent would be that indignation, which 'I 111 hi ^ II i.v m I I 330 ."MRS. wait's LETTI-Il, ..s . ir; », -^):^' 1 Mt . Ai.- . ■) ' .'V'.i I ^*"S:: ^ I -1} ■- was aroused by the crime of panting for liberty, while in the coils of a deadly monster. May the e,\ain|)lc of every American who has been dragged to those polluted shores, tell upon that depraved community, and hourly proclaim the story of his noble and independent birth. Uevered be the names of those who raised their arms in the cause ot'sull'cring Canada; how well have they shown that they duly appreciated the freedom gained for them by llieir illustrious ancestors, and asserted themselves the true scions of liberty, by active sympa- thy for their oppressed neighbors. r>''ay the God of liberty and mercy, hear their sighs; watch o\er their destinies, and raise them up friends, whose puissant ex- ertions may speedily restore them to their own genial clime, whose soil is alone worthy the foot prints of freemen. Ma}' my feeble efforts indeed be of s..')me service to them. It is fm* my country they sullcr and not for their own; and cuuld my puny arm send forth the mandate, liow soon would they return. 1 do most sin- cerely hope, tliat the American people will unite with an energy commensurate to the avvl'ul necessity of their en- slaved friends and fellow citizens in captivity. Though should there not be another voice raised, be assured, my deal* husband, that I will not leave the field of duty while kind Providence aids me, in struggling for your emancipation, and a merciful God will deign to hear prayer for the unhappy i)risoner. Mr. Hopkins most kindly takes charge of this letter, enclosing the one rceived from dear brother T., which I trust will be of some consolation and satisfaction to you, as it con- tains much interesting intelligence from Canada. 1 Vt^ ty, wliilc xjunplc of ;c polluted 11(1 hourly lont l)irtli. heir arms Ikivc they om gained 1 asserted vo sym pa- he God of oNor their uissantex- Dwn genial prints of )C of s..^rno sullbr and 1 send forth do most sin- nitc with an of their en- ty. Though be assured, field of duty ing for your ign to hear opkins most ing the one st will be of , as it con- Canada. I f. VROyi CANADA. 331 also send you a box of books, which, I hope, will be acceptable and interesting to you. It will, with these letters, be forwarded to the Uev. .J. Nesbit, of Ilobart- town, from whom you will, doubtless, receive them in safely. I will write you immediately ul'lor my arrival in Canada, or, at least, as soon as I can learn the views of the Governor (Jeneral, whose policy, I hope, may be in accordance with my most sanguine wishes. Until then 1 commend you to God, trusting he will graciously enable you to bear whatever indignities may be heaped upon yon, with christian fortitude, and in- spire you with the elevating cojisolations of hope and religion. Your aftectionate MARIA. LETTER XXr. Canada, October, 1840. My Dear Benjamin: Agreeable to the information contained in my last letter from London, I returned immediately to this country. It was, inded most painful to me to leave the vicinity of the throne, 'ere I had fully effected your emancipation, which would, of course, be but a pre- cursor of the same happy event to your companions in sutFering. Still I hope, with the blessing of heaven, you will soon be enabled to make glad the hearts of those who now mourn your absence. After learning the health of friends, and once more giving our dear child a mother's embrace, I hastened "111 Kl ' i || .^1 l;i 111 ;? ■• I 332 MRS. WAIT 8 LETTKR, il f l' I ■;-:l j; 'i < rn^; i ^ii; .•.;;i- to Toronto, thut I miglit av.'iil inyholf of tho ofirlicst opportunity of coimnunicatiiig with the Gov. (Toncral, who was expected tiierc on a visit. On rcacliing iho (Tovernrncnt House, I was inform- ed that his Kxccllency was then engagrul with Sir (Toorgo Arfluir; and that liis tiino was so fully occu- pied, that it winild not he possible to grant an inter- view; hut "that ho would be ha|)py to receive any coniniunications I might send up.'' I immediately ad- dressed the following note of remonstrance to him: Toronto, l-2lh Scp(., 1840. Hifl Excillrncy, Ihc Gov'r Gcn'l. Sir: Ap:recnl)lc to roqucBl, 1 hcrcwifh traiifiinit lo your Excel- lency, the Idler niiil parcel wilU which 1 was favored, hy llie Hon. Charlchi BiiUcr, of Lomloii, hiiiiil)ly trn.^ling, that when your Ex- cellency ehiiU have learned the peculiar circunistnnces of my situ- ation, thnt ycni may he iil.'a-ed to ^Trant nie an interview. I would licg leave to inform your Excellency, that I have Hpcnl the lost year in Eiu^land, in stipplicatinif the mercy of the Crown, in behalf of a youthfid and untbrtunutc hushand, who was enga- ged in the insurrectionary movements of '38, and who is now suf- fering, from transportation to a distant ami j)cnal Colony. I am happy, however, to inform your Excellency, that nothing could be more kind than the feelings manifested hy her Majesty, her Ministers, and many of her house-hold, with whom I had the honor of corresponding on the subject. I memorialized the Queen through the Sec'y of State, Lord Normanby, who received me very graciously, and expressed much sympathy in the case; and in answer to an application, in June last, to Lord John RusscI, liis Lordship was pleased to say, that the matter had been referred to your excellency, the Governor General of Canada. I need hardly say, that I readily acquiesced in the advice of my warm hearted English friends, and returned to my native land, without delay, that I might lay the case fully before your Excel- m. w Art' ^Vi,: r^ ^X i KllOM (AN A DA. aan Icncy; and permit mo to ndd, with no ordinnry dcgioe of hope, from n knovvled^'o of the hij,'h cbnrncf(;r your Excellency so justly Himlaiiis ill lMin;|ftti(i, !iH well fiH in Ihin <'oun(ry, where 1 (iiibt the proper development of the present lihcral policy, niny indeed prove n bright era in the history of Cnniuin, tnid pnwperily and peucc be tho rich reword of your Excellency 'h superior government. I hnve the honor to be, &c. «!wc., MARIA WAIT. Ill this I enclosed my letters, and w.vitud ids answer, wldcli was verbylly given, tlirougli J. E. Small, Esq., who liad kindly acconipaidcd ine; lie ijiformcd this gentleman, tliat tho home (Government iiad referred tho matter to him; and that lie would give liis attention to tho subject, though at present lio could do little more than recommend a lenient course in V. 1). L., which he would at once do; seeming to imply that the result would be governed by the cflect of the union. 1 did not accept this communication as a reply to my letter, and accordingly wrote him again on the subject, as follows: j'onoNTo, ISth Sept. 1840. Jlis Excellency, the Gov'r Gen'l of Cnnnda. Sir: Not having been favored with an answer to my note of the I2th, I venture to beg that your Excellen3yw.il be pleased to pardon the hberty with which I do myself the honor of again ad- dressing you, deeming that, but for the circuiiistanec of your Ex- cellency being in this Province on a vitjit, rather than blisiness, and the consequent engagements pressing rapidly upon you, during your short stay, I should most assuredly h.-tvc been answered; which, 1 think, your Excellency cannot hesitate to feel is my due, having returned from England for the express purpose of confer- ring with your Excellency, on the subject already made known; being strongly recommended to do po by the (I am happy to say) very respectable friends I made in England, who did not hesitate to assure me, that I should meet with, at least, a comtcoue recep^ r\ f I ^i! 1 • I i I 1 ' ':■•'' "•' W:l or?o':r *■ i . -^:Ui':'W^l I I '■* ■'^ . i I .-■ :■ .'■■ I 334 MRS. WAIT'S LETTKH, tion from hia Excellency, the Governor General of Canndn, to whom Lord John Rufisel, in much kindnesp, informed me he had beeii picnsed to refer the mntter. I do hope that ycmr Excellency will, in compneeion, spare me the most painful ncceaeity oi' retitrning again to England, alone and unprotected, to urge my suit at the font of the throne. I beg leave, however, to eay, that I am far from being insensi- ble to the peculiar circumstances in wliich your Excellency is, at this moment, placed, in regard to the great political change about to take place in this country, under your Excellcncy'd adminietra- tioii, that of the union of the Provincca, which neci.Tearily requires time for maturity; and I would neither seek for promises, nor ask what your Excellency can not, upon fixed and generous principles of policy, grant; bat could I be favored with an interview, I should deem myself most happy in being permitted, candidly and quietly, to confer Vvith your Excellency on the subject. I can assure you, sir, you need be apprehensive of no violent outburr-ls of fueling, or what is coumuKily termed a scene; and v/hich gentlemen are gene- rally (pcrhaj'.s properly) fearful of, Vv-hcn appronchcd by females, in supplication, on subjects especially of the painful nature of the one which brings mc to your Excellency for mercy; but two years and a half of mental agony, have to inured me io sufi'ering and trial, that feeling haa almost ceased to flow in it.i natural channel. Should your Excellency yet condcGccnd to see me, I will endea- vor to wait upon you at Montreal, or any place you may be plea- sed to appoint; or shoidd tida be drcmed worthy of a reply from your Excellency, the snmc will reach me at the Chippawa TozA ofiice. Trusting in your Excellency's kindness and humanity, I have the honor to be, «S6c. &c , MART A WAIT. This brought the following document from the Go- vernment House in Lower Canada: ''Government House, "Montreal, 30th, Sept. 1840. "Madam: "Your letter of the 18lh September, has been submitted to the Governor General, and I am directed to express his Excellency's '. .'M I. rt^ ,, ;, FROM CANADA. 33n >\ regret, tlint you ehould hnve considered that yonr letter renmined without a reply. His Excellency conferred with Mr. Small upon the subject, and requested that gentleman to assure you, that he would give the case of your husband, hie early and attentive con- sideration. "ITi.^' Excellency now directs me to inform you, that after hav- ing closely examined the documents connected with thig case, he regrets to soy that he can not comply with your wishes, to their full extent; but he ha3 informed the Secretary of State, that, in his opinion, aflcr the expiration of a limited time, a ticket of leave mn^' eafcly be granted to Mr. Wait, and every opportunity aifor- ded him to regain a rcRpectablc footing in society, in the countrv in which he reside?. "I have the honor to be. Madam, "Your obedient servant, <'TnO. C. MURDOCK, ''Chief Secretary.'- This concurring Vv'ith tlic exprcGscd disposition of Lord John RusscI, v/ill ;it least secure to you tickets of leave, under which 3^011 will bo more at case; and which T firmly believe to bo an earncr-t of your final release; as there is every reason to infer that it will soon take place. The union will be proclaimed this winter, and there is little doubt of the Governor'^; act- ing in accordance with the wishes of the united Legis- lature, to wliom { shall appeal, and whose influence I shall unquestionally have, iu urging your restoration, and recommending a gmeral amnesty, on the settle- ment of the government. There is mucli excitement on the subject of the union and the approaching Par- liamentary election, which will take place soon nfter the proclamation. 1 have seen a number of those gen- tlemen who are likely to be the representatives in as- semhly, and they are united in the opinion, that Par- II ¥i I f' -"iiiimii'" ^■■•Mev^jf^.il^j^_, «• «*;>.►,«? '/: I -■S,'. ■■< ;r ■'■^' ! ! ^■p?:-^;' I rv.,i.^ 336 MRS, WAIT S LETTER, liament will act in our favor, and recommend a gene- ral amnesty to the government. I have, therefore, to await the time when 1 can advantageously make ano- ther application on your behalf. I hope, at least, that these political experiments may be sufficiently satisfac- tory to induce a liberal policy toward all political offen- ders, and obliviate the imaginary necessity of delay- ing a full, complete, and general amnesty. It seems to be the purpose of the Government, to pursue a more liberal course in Canada; and, indeed, the necessity of something to elicit the confidence of the people, is evidently obvious. Some are expecting benefit from a responsible government; others are looking for arnachy and confusion, while mo;' are careless, and seem not to have formed even a v jc idea of the matter. One thing is certain, how. .i; the people arc no longer afraid to whisper the fact, that grievances exist, and that tlie administration of government is corrupt and iniquitous. It is not trea- sorif now, to be a reformer, which is an indication you perceive, of a change for tiie better; and, at least one step toward freedom, resulting from the rebel! ion. Mr. Merritt has just enclosed me a letter from Sir John Franklin, acknowledging the receii)t of your cer- tificates of character, bearing Mr. M's recommen- dation. Sir .!., professes his readiness to extend any indulgence in his power to you. This is evidence, positive, that those documents have been favorably no- ticed, and which I think, cannut fail to be of service to you, as the tone of the entire lettc. is kind and sat- isfactory. Our friends in England are ready to take FROM NIAGARA FALLS. 337 advantage of any change for your benefit, and exert their influence on the government there, for your spee- dy release. I think, therefore, we may safely indulge in the pleasures of hope. Ever your's, M. W. LETTER XXII. Niagara Falls, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1841. My Dear Husband: As you may suppose, I hailed the first meeting of the United Legislature with no ordinary degree of hope and anxiety, and consequently proceeded to Kingston, on the 18th July, to make the intended appeal. After consulting a number of members, 1 decided upon ma- king a personal application to Lord Sydenham for your release, and petitioning the House to recommend a general amnesty for all political oifcnders. The latter could alone be done, by obtaining the signatures of the various constituencies to a memorial, embodying the prayer; and this, of course, would require time and attention. I accordingly prepared my petition, and sought an interview to present it; and while waiting his Excellency's pleasure, as to the time he could see me, I carried it to the Parliament house, where I suc- ceeded most admirably, in obtaining the influence of the members — more than fifty of whom generously recom- mended my memorial to the Governor's favorable consideration — among them were Sir A. McNab, Col. Prince, and some of the Executive council. 22 HI i ■ |!K '. 1 t^-- I* :** /■;»J ^ '»>i! i. 3:3S MRS. WAIT S LETTER, His Lordship gave me a kind reception, compli- menled mc highly upon "bringing the house of As- sembly" witli me, and said, he "did not at all wonder at it, as he would most i'rccly add his signature to the number, was it consistent with the station he occupied in the country.'' I do believe that the recommenda- tion will be sent out, and you, my deaf, with others, return to the land of your nativity. I left Kingston immediately after the interview, and in company with my brother G., spent four weeks in circulating the above named petition, praying for a free pardon to all implicated in the rebellion, and enclosed the same to Mr. Merritt, in the following letter. ''Louth, U. C, August 30, 184L ''Dear Sir: "I am most hnppy in the privilege of trnnsmitting to you tlie rnclosed petition, embracing, ns it docs, llic vvisbes of n very res- pectable portion of your worthy conetitucntp, as well ne those of Mr. Thorbrrn, Mr. Thompson, and others, which I trust will meet, jiot only with the energetic support of their respective representa- tives, but with that of every friend of humanity in your honorable House, as it must be apparent to all, that it will be a politic mens- ure, and one of which the whole country is desirouF, being fraught with the most beneficial results. I can, indeed, assure you, that had time permitted, this petition would have borne to you the signatures of nearly the whole Province; and my only re- gret is, that I did not commence a month earlier, as the shortness of time has only oUovved mc to obtain the names of the most pro- minent individuals in each place where it has been ollcred; and I now hasten to forward it, hoping that the period has not elapsed, when it may be presented to the Assembly under favorable auspices. "Sir, I have the honor to be "Your' a, most respectfully, ''MARIA WAIT, -'Wm. II. Merritt, Esq." LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 339 On tliG receipt of the above, the House addressed the Government on the subject; and on the 15th inst. Mr. Mcrritt enclosed me his reply, the purport of which is so far satisfactory, as his assurance that he would, at once, make knowiLihe wishes of the House to the home Govern^rrancl' urge upon the Queen, in the communication, his own views, which were indulgent to the Canadian exiles, and consequently, in accordance with the feelings of the House. Are not the grounds of my hope suflicicntly encour- aging to induce others to come and do likewise? Sure- ly they desire the return of their exiled friends, and I Iwpe they will exert themselves for their emancipa- tion. =» * * * Adieu. MARIA. LETTER XXIII. MoNA Vale, near Ross, V. D. L. Nov. 1841. To , My dear sir: I will now speak very briefly of the discovery, settlement, and appearance of this Island; then give a few statistical details, and close my correspondence, that is, such of it as may be deemed historical. However you may still expect occasional letters, filled, perhaps, with local matter that may inte- rest and amuse you; yet such must be subject to the freaks of my fancy. ! r H 1 '.V L V i t PI *l Ha !■. ■ ■' >:;■]•' r-r ■■'.If > « 1 > I'llt-)':?:.! .4.^ 340 LETTERS PROM V. D. L. Just 200 years have elapsed since Mynheer Tasman first rubbed his eyes with delight at the sight of this small rock begirt spot of terra jirma; and named it, in honor to his patron, the Governor of Dutch India, Anthony Van Dieman. He found no bays or harbors into which he could put, to shelter his ships from the storm that raged at the time; consequently sought safety in the open sea, where, according to his log, he found all calm and quiet — occasioning him to des- cribe the Island, as one **accursed in the sight of the mariner, where the winds roared and raged; where waves foamed and lashed, and vviicrc lightnings glow- ed and flashed incessantly — a land of thunder, storm, fire and tempest — a coast rife with death, horror, and shipwreck!" This description deterred other navigators from visiting it for many years, and but little was known about V. D. L., until the close of the last cen- tury, when Capt. Cook, and otlicrs also, found it **a bleak, and inhospitable spot, often visited by hurri- canes." Perhaps V. D. L., would never have been regarded worth inhabiting, for any other purpose than that to which it was devoted by the penal settlement of Bot- any Bay, now Sidney, viz: "a station for the condign punishment of their doubly convicted felons." When such became the determination, Col. Collins, in 1804, was sent, vvith four hundred prisoners, and fifty ma- rines to take and keep possesion of it. He landed at the spot now occupied by Hobarttown, where he es- t. Hshed his government, and began his erections. But nr .y were the vicissitudes and the extremities of suf- "t'^' *^.-»' LETTERS PROM V. D. L. 341 er Tasman ght of this named it, iitch India, or harbors from the tly sought his log, he lim to des- ight of the ged; where nings glovv- der, storm, horror, and r navigators t little was le last con- found it **a d by hurri- en regarded ban that to icnt of Bot- thc condign s.'' When IS, in 1804, id fifty ma- e landed at here he es- 3ctions. But itics of suf- fering he endured, before any part of their plans could be accomplished, so deplorable was the scarcity of natural fruit or food to sustain life. It was, therefore, two years before they had, for occupancy, a jail, a government house, a soldier's barracks, an inn, and a custom house — until which were constructed, all else was neglected. Kangaroo's flesh sold, at one period, "or 36 cents ;^^t pound, notwithstanding the interior abounded with various species of this animal; but the colonists were deterred from pursuing them by a fear of the natives, who, although they had not, as yet, exhibited any savage propensities, were regarded, from the hideousness of their appearance, as '^semi demons," being of a dark complexion, with a large woolly head, low squat figure, short but broad face, flat nose, high cheek bones, and a restless eye, living in a perfect state of nudity and filth; and being perhaps, as igno- rant and destitute a ru ^e, as could be found on the face of the earth. After three years of severe toil and destitution, Col- lins seems to have first entertained the idea of culti- vating the soil, to test its capability of producing the necessary supply of bread stuffs. The result was flat- tering, and exaggerated reports brought fresh supplies of emigrants from New South Wales, and even Eng- land, as well as greater numbers of prisoners, as gen- eral laborers for the government and the settlers; who performed all the work without pay, or any kind of remuneration, save a small portion of coarse food, and a bad supply of clothing. When agriculture was found not only available, but efficient; it was entered I ('' ;', ni v> Is ff/f h- 1 ■ -m jf •^i| .^1!^ r ■if f," '9: U «f' . '■ » ■ ; S H i ■ ■: * r 'I .>t> .r.,,f I i 342 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. into with such avidity, and to so great an extent, that produce became a drug; and, therefore, other employ- ments were sought, and other means of investment found, in the gradual introduction of stock. Another discovery, also tended greatly to the necessity of adop- ting this new source of wealth. The soil, when worn by three or four successive crops, utterly failed in re- alizing the hopes of the cultivator; consequently the great numbers drawn hither from England, by the exaggerated reports, industriously circulated, filled ^vith golden dreams, found themselves frustrated in Iheir expectations, and could only resort to the alternative of grazing, without however, any regard to the growth of wool, which did not, until a few years past, become an article of ci fierce. As soon as \ an Dicman's Land was pronounced, by the British government, open for emigrants, every sort of inducement was held out in England, to incite a tide thither. The concentration of wealth was desirable; therefore, an acre of land, selected by the settlers at will, was offered for every pound Ster- ling, in money or property, brought into the country — every article being appraised according to its value here, and a schedule by the owner always taken, as proof of possession. The consequence was, the lo- cation to single individuals, of immense tracts of land — for instance, the estate I now date from, consists of 50,000 acres, and has, at this time, a stock of 14,000 sheep — 1,500 head of horned cattle, and seven hun-. dred horses; but to return. This of course, had the effect of erccting a state of aristocratic independence, LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 34:i cxtonl, that her employ- investment i. Another sity ofadop- when worn failed in rc- quently the and, by the id, filled vvith ted in Lheir alternative o the growth past, become pronounced, grants, every England, to n of wealth selected by pound Ster- le country — to its value rs taken, as was, the lo- •acts of land I, consists of ;k of 14,000 seven hun- rse, had the dependence, little inferior to England's lordlings; and those men, not paying any thing for labor, could not fail in reali- zing vast amounts of local property; and, consequent- ly, becoming nominally wealthy; but to be brief, one governor supplanted another, until the reins fell into the tyrannical hands of our cl-dcvant Governor Arthur, who drew them so taughfly, that many of the prison population fled to the woods — choosing to seek a pre- carious existence by plunder and robbery, or an un- molified death, amid rocks and gum trees, rather than submit to his high handed control. # [The consequences of Arthur's despotism, arc for- cibly detailed in the following note, given me by a gentleman who had acted during many years in Ho- barttown, for the American consulate, of Sidney, where 1 became acquainted with him; and who now resides in Boston. On a visit to the west he called upon me in Buffalo, last autumn; and after hearing some of my manuscript, handed me this note, which I substitute for this part of the original letter.] '^Buflalo, November, 1843. *'My Dear Sir: *'l desire to assure yon, that I fully corroborate all you eay, in the manuscript you read me, relative to the government and island of V. D. L,, where I resided for twelve years. I was perfectly acquainted with the administration of Col. George Arthur, and himself, particularly. During his governorship of thirteen years, in V. D. L., he signed the death warrant ior fifteen hundred and eight persons, only eight of whom were saved from the gallows, by being sent to a penal settlement, and doomed to a life of toil, in irons, far worse than death. I have seen nine hanging on the same scaffold at the same time, and fourteen in one week. I beard Judge Montague, while on the bench, charging a military jury, and I f^ 344 LETTEllB FROM V. D. L. > ,t .' H '-V \-l m^ . ■ * ■ : J ^t • * tho Attorney Gcncrnl, E. McDownl, wbilo plondiiig for the crown, eny, that 'any number ot'witneeses like tbcso, [such nn wero then giving testimony,] could he procured for n IjotUe of rum, or a half crown each, to bring home to any person in Ibc Colony, any crime that nngbt be laid H I ;, 340 LETTKR8 FROM V. D.L. Arthur was succcodod by tlio noted navigator, Sir John Franklin, a very old man, whoso imbecility gives the designing members of his govcrmnent, an opportu- nity for riding, *M'ough shod, 'over the citizens. JJut hero 1 ought to draw the line of charity; or rather, of oblivion; for, of late, he has manifested an unconnnon feeling of kindness and solicitude for mo, incited to such good wishes by the numerous papers sent him from England, through friendly feelings for Mrs. Wait, by very many generous individuals, pleading for my welfare. lie has personally informed me of liis es- teem and determination to render me every favor in his power, when Mrs. Wait arrives. Ilo has spoken of having received communications from William II. ^ ,,^ Mcrrilt, Esq., and has written him, in reply, that ho would grant mo every indulgence, consistent with his duty, as Governor. 1 certairdy feel thankful to him, but more so to Mr. Merritt, to wiiom I beg you will tender the best wishes of a sincerely grateful heart. The prospects of this Colony are now getting very bad; for the year 1840, there were Gazetted, on an average, eighteen bankruptcies for each week. Indeed these are times, all over the world, that will try the foundation of every man's wealth. Perhaps it is right, for too long has false capital and nominal riches had the ascendancy. The speculative mania must yield to sober steady industry, and real wealth, before affairs can again assume a healthy and prosperous aspect here or elsewhere. The commerce of Hobarttown has, of late years, been of considerable importance to America, as the r^'.; LETTKRS PROM V. D. \.. 347 l^ostoniaiiH havo inuiid a ready market, yearly, Ibr se- veral ship loads of nm near twenty thousand were transported convicts, hut now are free f?v:^),i servitude or indulgence. The amount of convicts, both male and female, who ore still prisoners, no better than slaves, is about 22,000; and arrangements have been made to bring to the colony 10,000 more, during the year of 1842, with an equal number of free. The proportion of female convicts, is about one third; and of the free about C!n* half. Thus, we have a population for V. D. L., of free males, 33,500 — of free females, 10,500 — of male prisoners, 14,700 — of female convicts, 7,000 "-making in the aggregate, 72,000 inhabitants, or hu- man beings, for 22,000 cannot be termed inhahitanfSt that is, if we attach any other meaning to the word, than "mere dwellers." We also see, that 42,000 of the persons on the island were transported thither, be- Yi,'' It r. ' "i ' 4 1 1 t ^ f * i . i I ■; ■, •'■■ I ,. '■- i'i. :. l-y^ #•;■:■' j t I'' ■ : ' j j 348 LETTERS PROM V. D. L. ing convicted of crimes of some shade. Dr. Ross (the publisher of an almanac and government paper in Ho- barttown, for a number of years,) says, *'they are criminals, selected from the worst offenders at home; not only the worst characters that England could pro- duce in a year, but they are actually the worst that can be taken in an accumulation of several years; amount- ing to no less than 220,000." And add to this state- ment, the fact of V. D. L. yet remaining a receptacle for New South Wales offenders — doubly convicts — a set of characters, it must be presumed, not very likely to shake off* habits of immorality, intemperance, crime and gross venality. Imagine for a moment the extent of this mass of crime and infamy, and then say what you think of the state of society it must engender. But this is not all; I must still speak of the female portion of this number of beings. The disproportion of females to the males, induced the government to in- struct the commissioners for emigration, to send out a further supply, between the ages of sixteen and thirty. A ship was therefore taken up, and crowded with two hundred women, the majority of whom were indigent, unprincipled wretches, taken from the broth- els and streets of London. Other ships followed from Dublin, Cork, Liverpool and Edinburgh, freighted in like manner; and, besides, a free passage was provi- ded for all the wives and families of prisoners who had been in the colony at least a sufficient time to become acquainted with the mode of labor there. Here, then, we will find, that, of the sixteen and a half thousand free females, at least two thirds were, originally, but /r4 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. 349 little better than the transported convicts. I have been acquainted with a number of these bounty emi- grant women, and I fain would close my eyes against the truth, and restrain my pen from writing it, but am constrained to say, what I have repeatedly heard, from the best individuals here, "that female virtue is rarely known in Van Dieman's Land." God preserve us from the contaminating influence of the society amid which we are unhappily thrown! must be the prayer of all true Americans who know our situation here. I remain, dear sir, Yours, &;c. &c. [For a concise and brief description of the surface of the country and its adaptation to agriculture, I would point the reader to the map I have been enabled to embody, and the following brief extracts from a letter written late in 1841 to Mrs. Wait.] LETTER XXIV. Mount Seymour, Sept. 1841. My Dear Maria: # * * * # Yqjj Dicman's Land is a small, rock bound, mountainous island, exhibiting a surface of 24,000 square miles, or fifteen millions of acres, between the parallels of 41 deg. 20 min. S., and the meridians of 144 deg. 40 min. and 148 deg. 20 min. E., while its greatest extent is 210 by 150 miles. It lies di- rectly south of New-Holland, and is divided from it by a narrow channel, called Bass Straits. Indeed, it was, long after its disco- very, considered the south extremity of that vast island or continent New Holland; and not until the latter part of the last century, f ■ -*.."i perfectly transparent, with the pit, (n hard stony substance, as large as the fruit,) on the outward extremity, where, with our cherry, the bloeeom commonly hangs. r-fiiT", v(ii^<#7 ■iiiJ^aiiiigliilWf -i>.rifcfc iik- I .v-- itvM, .S;-?. ;•« ' - i; 4 352 LETTERS FROM V. D. L. the tops of the highest mountains, seemingly placed there with a design, for future irrigation. It was a custom with the natives to set fire to the woods in every part of the island, during the dry season, which ran through with the utmost rapidity, driving the kangaroo before it to a concentrated point, where they could be taken with the greatest facility — when the oppossuin, too, could be picked up any where within the burnt districts, ready roasted — affording along supply of food for the natives, while the fire, hol- lowing out the trunks of the largest trees, furnished huts ready constructed, without trouble, and gave to the forest the singular appearance of a group of "dancing trees," or the ''largest gums standing on legs." These fires have consumed all the small timber and underwood, which gives the natural vegetation (weeds and a sort of wire-grass with a fuzzy head, called kangaroo grass) an opportunity for spring- ing up, and upon which the sheep and cattle subsist. Nothing grows naturally to any degree of luxuriance. This can be inferred from the fact of its requiring two acres for the support of one breeding ewe. The soil, when in its virgin state, yields abun- dantly, for the three first crops; but successive ones are wholly failures. Clover and English grass never grow exuberantly ex- cept on irrigated land. Potatoes are produced in considerable plenty, but in the midland districts, are often cut off by the early frosts. Wheat, also, is frequently blasted by the frosts, when in bloom. I have seen a large field of wheat, reflecting the rays of the evening sun in splendid healthiness, and blooming vigor, giv- ing hopes of an abundant harvest; but that same field, in the next morning's sun, exhibited a blackened aspect, while the mid-day heat turned the whole to a perfect white. The scythe was imme- diatel/ put in, and what would have been u fine crop, in a short half month, was then but a whitened field of poor fodder. Oats and barley form the principal products, and seldom fail; turnips, mangehvurzel, and rape, are sown on low or irrigated soils, with success. Originally, the valleys between the numerous mountains, were filled with lagoons, or small fresh water lakes, s( m? ten or twelve miles in circimiference, without any apparent outlets. They were natural reservoirs for the waters, rushing from the hills, with % ' placed there with im with the natives nnd, during the dry npidity, driving the here they could be possum, too, could cts, ready roasted — while the fire, hol- rnished huts ready 3 forest the singular the "largest gums 3er and underwood, a sort of wire-grass jortunity for spring- I subsist. Nothing This can be inferred the support of one state, yields abun- re ones are wholly w exuberantly ex- :ed in considerable cut off by the early Ihe frosts, when in fleeting the rays of looming vigor, giv- tie field, in the next while the mid-day 3 scythe was imme- ne crop, in a short poor fodder. Oats tldom fail; turnips, rri gated soils, with LIS mountains, were scmo ten or twelve nt outlets. They from the hills, with 353 tural- is the reeer- r dis- 11 the , nav- •cond- 3urse, I two with- 3S8by iircuit , little '8 dry stock water tierly, }d the lected called icross heads > rival ancc, 3 stri- vhere lot be rs are more ew of light; I i -tiimiiiiiiiiii,if„i^v I i .] ■■ f ■ I J VAN i)ii:mi^ns island 1 1 "',1. • • ■ ■ II ' . . ; - '"^ '.. .v.-^"^ ,'^".1- ' IS' "^ > . ' , ""'j, v.- > ^ ,.,._^ ; ^- / I ■ . > • . '. ; I' l/,,y,, ., { \ 1 ; •;■ ■■ '• ■/<, ,v..,i, '-'.'::■'; ' \ o t ,■'■■/ ' . • ,, . 1 • ' ■ . ', ,,■■.. 1^ ^^:B^ :r v^^t Au accurate Map, engraved expresbly for "Letters from V. D. L." LETTERS PROM V. D. L. 353 •M-Ma,,,, ^^ V. D. L." which they aro surrounded. But what netonishea all the natural- ists who have visited the Island within the last five years, is the total disappearance of all the water from the most of these reser- voirs, without any perceptible cause or visible passages for dis- charge, while the lakes on the mountains remain full. There are a few rivers of considerable magnitude rising in the interior, and gradually increasing until they fall into the sea, nav- igable only a short distance from their mouths; and some second- ary ones, rising amid the hills and running, with a torf utous course, through the interior, sometimes with impetuosity between two parallel hills, then losing themselves for miles over vast flats with- out channel, fertilizing them to be again collected for an egress by the near approach of two collateral ridges. At Inst, after a circuit of many miles, they find their way to the "greedy sen," but little larger than where they first originated. These are always dry during the warm seasons, except in small pools, which the stock breeder is compelled to dig in their beds, to keep a supply of water on his run. All partsof the country appear to have been visited, formerly, by these mountain streams, which have, seemingly, disjoined the hills that otherwise would have formed extensive chains, connected throughout the Island. There are two extended ranges, called the Eastern and Western, running parallel to each other across the country; while hundreds of inferior mounts rear their heads in mimic grandeur on either side, and between them, as if to rival their neighbors, if not in noble magnificence and bold appearance, at least in scenic beauty and diversity of character. A more stri- kingly magnificent spot, as viewed from Mount Seymour, whore I now stand, 500 feet above the level of the sea, could not be found in any country, * * # I am at this height, on a pic-nic party; and while others are enjoying the joke, the bottle, and laughter, I amuse myself more rationally, by describing to you, my love, the scenes, a view of which would, if you were present, produce enthusiastic delight; but now all is steril, and enjoyment almost a blank. * * * Alfectionately your's. B. 23 • ' ^ U^A ■: , , , , . Mi hv 354 CONCLUSION. CONCLUSION. In closing this volume, I fain would name and do honor to the benevolent Americans who delivered me from the horrors of slavery, but am compelled to pass slightly over the affair, for fear of ill consequence to my benefactors, who are again on a whaling voyage, and, most probably, will visit the same port for re- freshments; when, should the authorities be aware of the fact, they would be liable to a heavy penalty; for, under the present harbor laws, "the master of any ves- sel, making a port of V. D. L., under whatever pre- text, must report every circumstance connected with her cargo, and muster all her men in presence of a harbor master, who will visit her. # # # Also, he shall make the day of sailing known, so that a District constable, with his posse^ may visit the ohip and search her thoroughly, with a view to prevent the escape of prisoners on ship board; who will remain until the anchor is tripped, and the sails shook out, when the papers shall be given to the master, and the vessel to the pilot, who will see her beyoiiu the heads before dismissing her. # # * ^^d fur- ther, should any fugitive * be found secreted, by the knowledge of the master, the vessel shall be detained until he shall have paid a penalty of fifteen hundred pounds sterling; otherwise she shall be forfeited and sold." # # * These laws are, indeed, so strict, that but very £ow ever succeed in such attempts at escape; yet many try it, not, however, by the knowl- edge of the master. Notwithstanding the almost im- possibility of getting away, Mr. Chandler and myself, both being employed on one farm, had early formed the design of flying from our prison, at the first op- portunity; but did not very soon find ourselves prop- erly situated for it. In August, of 1841, as before re- CONCLUSION. 355 lated, wc received the ticket of leave, with which we were enabled to change our residence without suspi- cion, and lay by funds against a time of need; we were, therefore, ready to take advantage of the intel- ligence communicated, by newspapers, of there being, in the port of Hobart, several American ships; among whom, we hoped, one might bo found, who possessed sympathy sufficient to assist us in quitting the island. With that view, Mr. C. procured a *'pass'' for ten days absence, and proceeded to town, where he was not disappointed in his trust to the warm hearted Ame- rican seamen. He made the arrangements, and re- turned; when certain circumstances enabled us to be absent for two weeks without exciting mistrust. I therefore went direct to the police office and ob- tained a "pass" for Hobart, where we spent Christ- mas in safe seclusion; and soon after, hiring a small whale boat, in which, under the disguise of a party for fishing, (no one taking us for prisoners) wo put to sea, for the purpose of evading the consequences of the strict "harbor laws," with the spot designated, where we could be found; yet it was not until after we had been tossed about for several days, in danger, destitution, and extreme anxiety, that the proper ship picked us up ^'•in distress^' and afforded us comforta- ble berths in the cabin, where we found genuine American hospitality reigning; and, favored by a kind Providence, we were, after seven months, permitted to hail, with unsurpassed delight, the gladsome shores of free America — ever an asylum for the oppressed. I found a generous welcome, amid the owners of the ship, and the friends of the Captain and first officer. The latter a gentleman of Bristol, R. I., from pure benevolence, accompanied me to the falls of Niagara, and "felt unalloyed pleasure, in presenting the long absent and lately emancipated exile, to the open arms of an overjoyed family, after near four years absence." .,^.■"1^ ■- f ' ■T! r 350 CONOLITSION. '.. .1 \ '^'^ .'f; I ., » .« ' > Over the circumstances of our meeting I will draw the curtain of silence, and leave the fancy of the reader to portray it, and then say, I imagine his picture short of the real — while I tender the most unbounded gratitude to all who aided in my flight, and those who have generously ministered to the aid and comfort of my wife, in her exertions, and my child, in her bereave- ment, during my absence. After arriving, 1 found that a Mr. Gemmcl had likewise made his happy exit from V. D. L., a month after our escape, but had arrived a month before us. He ascribes his good fortune to the liberty he obtained with the ticket of leave, which in a handsome card to the public, he attributes to the exertions of Mrs. Wait. Now, in conclusion, I would say to those who choose to read these letters, that, by having already trans- cended the bounds 1 had proposed, by upwards of fifty pages of matter, that will no doubt, be more interesting, I have been restrained from doing proper justice to a description of. the country, and am under the ne- cessity of breaking off rather abruptly; yet I would intimate, that, at some future day, I may publish some fugitive sketches, with the minute details of my escape — occurences on my passage home — chasing and ta- king whale — falling in with icebergs, gales, storms, and consequent shipwreck — incidents during a residence of a month in South America, amid fairy scenes that baffle description — calms on the equinoctial line, and thrilling anecdotes of a whaler's incidental life; none of which could have been embodied here, as they are, of themselves, more than sufficient for a volume of equal extent. ■ ' i. y .^ J LL ig I will draw the y of tho reader to is picture short of joundcd grntitudo tliosc who have 1 comfort of my I, in her be rca vo- ir. Gemmcl had . D. L., a month month before us. borty he obtained landsome card to ns of Mrs. Wait, those who choose g already trans- upwards of fifty more interesting, oper justice to a n under tho ne- tly; yet I would nay publish some lils of my escape ■chasing and ta- ;alcs, storms, and ■ing a residence iairy scenes that loctial line, and iental life; none ere, as they are, for a volume of V -