Grand Meeting of the Confederation of the Six Counties in Saint-Charles
This is an unofficial translation of the resolutions and addresses voted during the weekend of of the Confederation of the Six Counties in Saint-Charles, Lower Canada. The texts were printed in La Minerve in late October and early November 1837.
October 23
The meeting of the 23rd current in St-Charles mark an epoch in the history of Canada. The most outstanding inhabitants of the six counties showed patriotism, zeal and union; they showed themselves worthy of their fatherland and they met the hopes of the good patriots. Honor to these brave men and worthy citizens! Each one appeared conscious of the importance of work of the day. At precise midday, a cannon was shot and brought together the citizens of the six counties, whose population is one sixth of that of all the province, approached, along with the delegates of the various parishes. The location chosen for this splendid meeting was precisely near the residence of the famous renegade Debartzch. At the head of the patriotic phalange was the great reformist, the honourable Mr. Papineau, wearing the fabric of the country. Arrived on the field, Mr. Papineau was greeted by the discharge of a hundred rifles and some cannon shots.
One had set up in the center of the field where the meeting was to be held a superb hustings on which Mr. Papineau stoold up, accompanied by principals by the meeting. Mr. Wolfred Nelson, of St-Denis, having been called to the chair, Messrs J T Drolet, of St-Marc, and F C Duvert, of St-Charles, were chosen as vice chairmen.
The meeting presented the most splendid glance. A company of approximately one hundred militiamen baring arms was standing in the back, laid out in the most beautiful order, under the command of the brave captains Lacaisse and Jalbert, two of the officers demoted by Lord Gosford, but elected since by and for the people. A crowd of flags and banners floated in the sky and allowed us to read, among others, these inscriptions:
"Flee, Gosford, persecutor of the Canadiens!" -- "Vive Papineau and the elective system!" -- "Honour to those who returned their commissions, and to those who were demoted, infamy be with their successors!" -- "Our friends of Upper Canada: our strength is in our union" -- "Honor to the brave Canadiens of 1813: the country still hopes for their help" -- "INDEPENDENCE" -- " The Canadiens die but do not know how to surrender!" -- "Legislative Council!" represented by a death's-head and bones in saltire. -- "Papineau and the majority of the House of Assembly!" -- "Elective Council, sine qua non!" -- "Liberty, we will vanquish or die for her!" -- "Down with Debartzch!" etc.
One notices with satisfaction all the principal citizens of the Chambly river, then the number of influential citizens from the remote parts the district. Here are the names of the members of the House of Assembly who were there:
The Hon. J. Papineau, the Hon. M. Malhiot, L. M. Viger, Esq., M.P.P., J. T. Drolet, Esq., M.P.P., J. Dorion, Esq., M.P.P., A. B. Papineau, Esq., M.P.P., C. O. Perrault, Esq., M.P.P., J. J. Girouard, Esq., M.P.P., E. E. Rodier, Esq., M.P.P., L. Lacoste, Esq., M.P.P., C. H. O. Côté, Esq., M.P.P., E. B. O'Callaghan, Esq., M.P.P., L. R. Blanchard, Esq., M.P.P.
Dr. Bouthiller could not assist, for professional reasons.
The honourable and worthy chairman spoke first; he explained at length the goal of the meeting and finished by announcing that a delegation of the county of Acadie had come to present an address to the five counties and asked to be allowed in the confederation. On this the delegation of the county of Acadie came ahead, went up on the hustings, its flag deployed and was presented to the crowd, which welcomed it with enthusiasm. Dr. Côté, speaking in the name of the delegation, submitted the proposition which he was responsible to make, and on this a motion to join Acadie to the five counties was carried out and approved with acclamations. Canon shots and a discharge of mousquetery announced afar the passing of this measure.
That made, Mr. chairman presented the honourable Mr. Papineau to the meeting saying: "Approach, illustrious Canadien, come and rejoice of your presence, the hearts of your oppressed and outraged fellow-citizens, and allow that they bless aloud the defender of their rights and the benefactor of their country." These words pronounced with solemnity created a deep sensation. The man of the people approached with calm and dignity, and at once the cry of "Vive Papineau!" left the crowd, whose enthusiasm was to the roof. Mr. Papineau then delivered a most eloquent speech which caused the lively applause.
MM. L. M. Viger, L. Lacoste, representing the county of Chambly, Dr. Côté, of the county of Acadie, T. S. Brown and Girod spoke in turns. After which the resolutions prepared by the delegates were submitted and unanimously adopted.
What follows is an account of the proceedings of the six counties until Monday night.
Memoir of the citizens of the county of Acadie
At a general meeting of the citizens of the five counties of Richelieu, St-Hyacinthe, Rouville, Chambly and Verchères duly convened and held at St-Charles, Monday October 23, 1837
Dr. Wolfred Nelson of St-Denis was appointed chairman, Misters Dr. Fr CH Duvert, and Jos Touss. Drolet, M.P.P. of St-Marc, vice chairmen, Misters A. Girod and J P. Boucher Belleville one of Varennes, the other of St-Charles, secretaries.
Was introduced a delegation of the county of Acadie, chaired by Dr. C H. O Côté, M.P.P. of Napierville, asking for the admission of this county in the confederation of these five counties.
Memoir of the citizens of the county of Acadie to the electors of the counties of Richelieu, Verchères, St-Hyacinthe, Chambly and Rouville
Fellow-citizens,
It is in a time of extraordinary crisis that you all meet to proclaim your rights and to denounce the tyranny of a government forever odious to every good Canadien patriot. How noble the example you give us today! How your compatriots admire you! You do not doubt it, fellow-citizens, posterity will sing your civic virtues. The fatherland freed from the burden which oppresses it today, will celebrate with promise and recognition the anniversary of this fortunate day when you all assembled to deliberate on the most sacred interests. For us fellow-citizens, after having offered the Eternal our most fervent prayers for the success of the common cause of the fatherland, we are ready to sacrifice all that we hold dear in the world to uproot the vile slavery from the soil which saw us being born, who nourishes us today, which contains our families, our properties and the ashes of our fathers and which was intended by nature to receive our mortal remains when we cease to live. Made responsible by the voters of the county of Acadie to address you this memoir, we cannot let this beautiful occasion pass without granting you the justice which is so rightly due to you. Your pure and independent patriotism has always been the object of our admiration and it is with joy, fellow-citizens, that we make it our duty to declare here today that a great number of our proceedings are due to the beautiful example which one of your counties (Richelieu) has never cease to give to this entire province in the struggle which is now engaged between the proud aristocracy and the invincible democracy. The entire people of this province repudiates the first and lines up entirely under the flags of the second. Ourselves born children of this people whose rights we cherish, living among patriots whose sole desires are the happiness and the equality of all, feeling the most profound disgust for all things tending toward aristocracy, whose oppression of the greater number favouring the small number seems to be the only motive, we cannot have any other principles but those of pure democracy. In vain the corrupted aristocracy of England wants to establish her estates on the Canadas. The people will never consent; the people's cry will always be for liberty, the bread of life and against despotism, the nourishment of vile slaves. The people is made to dominate and not to be mastered; its voice must be listened to; its will must be consulted, its laws respected and its orders obeyed.
The shameful and degrading system that the metropolis constantly followed in our case does not leave us any hope of obtaining justice. -- Its recent injustices by plundering our treasury show us that we are no longer safe in this colony. Fellow-citizens! if one did not yet openly attempt to our lives it is because our geographical position holds our enemies in balance and respect. Unhappy Ireland, rich by her nation, impoverished by the iron yoke which oppresses her today, is a striking example of what our cowardly enemies would dare to do, if they did not fear the vicinity of a republic proud of the rights of the people.
Fellow-citizens! let us unite from one end of this province to another. Let us show to the whole universe that we are men who deserve to be independent. Let us make our enemies feel that if they did not respect the justice of our complaints there still remains a means of stopping them in their iniquitous profits.
Fellow-citizens! the noble example that you gave us in uniting your five counties into a confederation gave the the voters of the county of Acadie the idea to request their county's admission in your confederation and it is this honour which we dare to request today.
Asked by the committee of vigilance of St-Cyprien to make this request to you in the name of the voters of this county, we take it on us to point out that the geographical position of the county that we represent today requires its adhesion to yours and then fellow-citizens, deign not to forget the patriotism of the inhabitants of this county. Shamefully misled in a first election, they found a way to get nobly avenged during a second nomination of candidates who were to represent them in Parliament. They also had their share of ridiculous persecutions from a weak governor unfitted to hold the reins of government in this province. The inopportune and idiotic proclamation met everywhere the contempt of the decent people. Our brothers the industrialists of London could not prevent themselves from moving to pity upon reading this thin document intended to wither the reputation of the honest men who are venerated of all the country. These unjust and arbitrary dismissals had in this part of the country the effect of heating up the tepid ones, to redouble the activity of the zealous patriots and to throw the provincial government in the deepest of contempt, just as the iniquitous resolutions of Lord John Russell made by metropolitan government.
Fellow-citizens! in a time of crisis as important to the future of this country as this, (our common fatherland) as delegates of the county of Acadie's voters we ask you for the admission of this county in your confederation and allow us fellow-citizens to ensure you that never the voters of the county whom we have the honour to represent today will be surpassed by those of any other in terms of patriotism, on the contrary they will have always keep in mind the worthy motto of the brave Fils de la liberté "En avant!" (Forward!).
Before concluding fellow-citizens, allow us to point out that as it is useful that each body has its leader, nobody in the world seems worthier to us to lead the patriotic phalange than the one who spent his whole life defending our rights and our freedoms with talent. Fellow-citizens, by these features you must recognize the man of the people L J Papineau, the defender of the Canadien rights. -- Under his conduct, under his aegis the country will rise up from the chasm where it is now absorbed by the machiavelic machinations of a despotic government.
In wanting for, fellow-citizens, the day when the new star will appear for the happiness of Canada, we form sincere wishes so that all be prosperous for us in the holly task which we undertook.
We are, fellow-citizens, your democrat brothers.
Signed: C. H. O. Côté, C. Huot, J. B. Lukin.
County of Acadie,
October 21 1837
On the motion of Mr. Siméon Marchesseau of St-Charles, seconded by Dr. E. N. Duchesnois of Verennes.
Resolved by the inhabitants-electors of the five counties admit their brave fellow-citizens of Acadie with great joy.
Ordered that the memoir of the county of Acadie presented to this meeting be inserted in full in the minutes.
Read the apology letters of majors J. Bertrand and Constant Cartier father in the parish of Ste-Marguerite of Blairfindie, as delegates of this parish to this meeting, claiming to be sick ordered taht they be inserted.
On motion of Mr. A. Girod, de Varennes, seconded by Fr. Ch. Duvert, of St-Charles.
Resolved that the counties of Laprairie and Missisquoi be invited to join the confederation of the six counties, as being destined by the geographical position to form an integral part of these counties, and as sharing the same opinions, the same principles which these six counties profess.
Resolutions on the state of the province
Proposed by Mr. the Dr. W. Nelson, of St-Denis, seconded by Mr. the Dr. Davignon of Ste-Marie.
1.- That following and taking the example of the wise men and heroes of 1779 (sic) we hold as self-evident and repeat the following truths, that all men are created equal; that they have received from the Creator certain unalienable rights; that among those rights are life, liberty, an the pursuit of happiness, that it is for the protection and the guarantee of these rights that governments are instituted among men, receiving their just authority but from the consent of the governed, that when a form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish and institute a new government, to lay its foundations on the principles, to organize their powers under the forms that will seem to be the most appropriate to procure to them happiness and safety.
Proposed by Mr. René Boileau de Chambly, seconded by Mr. the captain Vincent of Longueuil.
2.- That the authority of Great Britain on the Canadas can and must continue only in accordance with the good will of their inhabitants, and cannot support itself on brute force which confers no rights, but gives an unjust power that must only prevail until the day of an effective resistance. That with an even stronger reason they have the right to demand and obtain, as a condition of their voluntary allegiance, such changes and such improvements in the form of their government, that their needs, and progress of the country since 1791 and their present situation, would render necessary for their satisfaction and their wellbeing.
Proposed by Mr. Louis Marchand of St-Mathias, seconded by Mr. F. Marie Tetro of St-Hilaire.
3.- That the arbitrary destitutions ordered since more than three months; which have not yet ceased and are continued to this day by the governor in chief, against the crowd of justices of the peace, militia officers and commissaries for deciding small affairs in country parishes, because they have taken part in the proceedings of the county meetings held by the people to reclaim its invaded rights, prove with much evidence that he unworthily abuses the royal prerogative of the crown, and aims to remove from office, those who after exercising their duty with integrity and independence, had obtained the public esteem and trust, the respect and the attachment of the people, in order to replace them with servile instruments, willing to favour his violent policy; even under the weight of the universal contempt of their fellow citizens.
Proposed by Mr. L. Lacoste, M.P.P., of Boucherville, seconded by Mr. Th. Franchère of St-Mathias.
4.- That it becomes urgent in such unfortunate circumstances to replace the officers which an administration enemy of the country will appoint to these positions by trustworthy men. That all parishes of the six counties are simultaneously invited between the coming first of December and the first of January, to elect justices of the peace and friendly type-setters (compositeurs) and militia officers. And that for their election and their jurisdiction that the rules of the county of lac des Deux-Montagnes be temporarily adopted.
Proposed by Mr. T. Drolet M.P.P., seconded by Mr. the Dr. Duchesnois of Varennes.
5.- That at the same time as under the penalties stated in the said rules and under the more powerful bonds of honour, the reformists of the six counties will give the officers by them chosen, obedience and assistance at the highest possible degree, they will form a systematic opposition against the officers who will be appointed by Lord Gosford from this day until that of his departure of the province, refusing their trust to them, not lending a cordial help to them, not obeying their orders as much as they could without a manifest violation of the laws; and polling them money together to have them tr them sued and punished in all cases where they will be guilty of abusing power.
Proposed par Mr. the Dr. Duvert of St-Charles, seconded by Mr. the Dr. Allard, of Boleil.
6.- That the inhabitants of the six counties have rightly expected, that the people would not want to be continuously deprived of the benefits of a local legislature, and that the legislative council would be improved so as to ensure its co-operation with the representative branch of the legislature, and its respect for the needs and wishes of the mass of the people, that far from having seen such right hopes realized, on the contrary one lately saw in the council a number of people, who almost without exception not only do not enjoy public trust, but made themselves unworthy of it in all possible ways and who by their conduct and public opinions rendered themselves the object of the hatred of the country.
Proposed by Mr. P. Amiot, M.P.P, seconded by Mr. the capt. Bonnin, of St-Ours.
7.- That this meeting declares that the last nominations to the Executive Council of this province are equally unworthy of public trust as are the nominations to the Legislative Council, that they are all the more scandalous, that they continue the holding of multiple public offices, one of the abuses which Lord Gosford himself had denounced as Governor in Chief and royal commissary and which entrusts in the same hands legislative, executive and legal powers.
Proposed by Mr. François Papineau of St-Césaire, seconded by Mr. lt. Bon. Viger, of Boucherville.
8.- That this meeting sees in these various nominations nothing but the continuation the old system of fraud and deceit which finally uprooted any feeling of confidence in the government of the metropolis, and in that of the colony and in that of the Legislative Council, such as now constituted, but a proof of inveterate hostility to the reiterated demands of the country; that an obstinate and tyrannical determination on behalf of the government of Her Majesty to protect and perpetuate the abuses and grievances of which complains a too patient people.
Proposed by Mr. Jos. Cormier of Contrecoeur, seconded by Mr. Clém. Gosselin of St-Hilaire.
9.- That the various grievances and abuses which this colony suffered during a long series of years were so often detailed out by the representatives of the people that the government of Her Majesty and the British Parliament admitted their existence, that it becomes useless to recapitulate them here, considering they were lately denounced by the people in their respective primary county meetings, and that measures to remedy them were proposed on which the six counties insist again.
Proposed by Mr. Ls. Blanchard, M.P.P., of St-Hyacinthe, seconded by Mr. Jos. Sené, of St-Damas.
10.- That instead of honestly rectifying the said grievances and abuses, as it was their duty, the British government and the two houses of the Imperial Parliament have threatened and have shown their intention to destroy the basic rights of this colony. And in order to force the people to a low and contemptible submission to the oppression that is being prepared for them, one has recourse to the same system of coercion and terrorism which already withered British authority in Ireland. That the magistrates and the militia officers of enjoying the confidence of their fellow-citizens, are insolently deprived of their offices, because they love their country too much to sanction an unconstitutional aggression or to let their freedoms be violated with impunity; and to add a new height to our misfortunes, this Governor in Chief lately introduced great bodies of armed troops into this province, in a time of profound peace, to destroy by physical force any constitutional resistance, and to complete by desolation and death, the work of tyranny already resolved and authorized overseas.
Proposed by Mr. Laurent Bédard of St-Simon, seconded by M. I. Boudreau of Ste-Marie.
11.- That while we find Lord Gosford guilty of an atrocious aggression against our freedoms by such an introduction of an armed force among us, and counting on the sympathy of our neighbours, the zealous co-operation of our reformist brothers of Upper Canada and on the providence for the favourable occasion to free us from the oppressive system which we suffer, we declare, that feeling sorry for the unhappy fate of the soldiers that our enemies wish to turn into the vile instruments of our slavery and their own dishonour, the people of these counties will not sow obstacles on the road of the men belonging to the regiments stationed in this district if they wish to improve their faith by reaching the neighbouring republics having especially strong reasons to believe that many of these soldiers only awaited the occasion to get rid of their current onerous and wearisome position.
Proposed by Mr. Côme Cartier of St-Antoine, seconded by Mr. Siméon Marchesseau, of St-Charles.
12.- That this meeting approves the organization of the political association of Fils de la liberté and that it recommends to the young people of these counties to organize in the same way and to form branches of the society of the Fils de la liberté in each parish, and to maintain an active correspondence, frequent relationship with the Fils de la liberté in Montreal and to adopt their systematic organization, in order to be prepared to support ones others with promptitude and effect, if the circumstances require from them the protection and the defence of their threatened freedoms.
Proposed by Mr. the Dr. Dorion, M.P.P., seconded by Mr. Eust. Gratton of Ste-Marie.
13.- That the delegates appointed in various parishes of the five counties are requested to be assembled, again in this place tomorrow at two O'Clock in the afternoon to take into consideration the later propositons which could then be submitted to them.
Wolfred Nelson, chairman
J. T. Drolet, F. C. Duvert, vice chairmen
A. Girod, J. P. Boucher-Belleville, secretaries
La Minerve,
October 30 1837
October 24
In conformity with the resolution passed by the general meeting of yesterday, delegates of the six counties were assembled today to take into account such other propositions which were to be submitted to them.
Dr. W Nelson was unanimously called to the chair, J T Drolet and L C Duvert, Esq. appointed vice chairmen, Misters A. Girod and J named P. Boucher-Belleville secretaries of the meeting.
Lu la résolution de l'assemblée d'hier qui prie spécialement les délégués nommés dans les différentes paroisses des six comtés, de s'assembler de nouveau au même lieu, aujourd'hui, à deux heures de l'après-midi, pour prendre en considération telles propositions ultérieures qui pourront alors être soumises, après quelques explications préliminaires par le président, Dr. Côté et A. Girod. Un comité fut nommé pour rédiger une adresse au peuple du Bas-Canada, de la part de leurs concitoyens des six comtés.
Sur motion de M. P. Bertrand N. P. de St-Mathias, secondée par le lieutenant-adjudant Jos. Tétreau dit Ducharme, J. P. St-Pie.
1. RÉSOLU: Que c'est l'opinion de cette assemblée, que la législature provinciale n'existe que de nom, mais qu'elle est nullifiée par le fait que lorsque le gouvernement foule aux pieds les lois organiques en vertu desquelles la société est constitué, le peuple doit les maintenir.
Sur motion de M. Jacques David Hébert, du comté de l'Acadie, secondée par M. J. B. Tetreau de Ste-Marie.
2. RÉSOLU: Qu'en conséquence le peuple doit pourvoir à ses propres besoins, créer cette surveillance qui est nécessaire au bon ordre ainsi qu'à son bonheur, et que la convention dont les membres ont été nommés dans les différentes assemblées primaires des comtés de cette province serait un corps auquel un tel devoir peut être confié.
Sur motion de M. F. C Ayet dit Malo J. P. de St-Damase, secondée par le capitaine J. B. Beaudry de St-Jean-Baptiste.
3. RÉSOLU: Que cette assemblée se confiant au patriotisme éclairé des membres qui doivent former la dite convention les prie de considérer sérieusement si le temps n'est pas prochain où elle devrait se réunir.
Présenté à l'assemblée un projet d'adresse aux habitants de cette province, préparé par un comité. L'adresse fut lue ensuite.
Sur motion de M. le Dr. Côté M.P.P. de Napierville, secondée par le Dr. E. N. Duchesnois, de Varennes.
4. RÉSOLU: Que la dite adresse soit reçue et agréée par cette assemblée.
Sur motion de M. le Dr. Labruère de St-Hyacinthe, secondée par M. le Dr. Duvert de St-Charles.
5. RÉSOLU: Que la dite adresse soit intitulée « L'Adresse de la Confédération des six comtés de St-Hyacinthe, l'Acadie, Rouville, Richelieu, Verchères et Chambly » à leurs concitoyens du Bas-Canada et qu'elle soit signée par les officiers de cette assemblée publique.
Wolfred Nelson, chairmen J. T. Drolet, L. C. Duvert, vice chairmen A. Girod, J. P. Boucher-Belleville, secretaries
La Minerve,
November 2 1837
Address of the Confederation of the Six Counties
Fellow-citizens,
When a people finds itself invariably stuck following a succession of systematic oppressions, in spite of their wishes expressed in all the ways that are recognized by constitutional custom, by public meetings and by their representatives in Parliament after a serious deliberation; when their rulers, instead of rectifying the various evils that they themselves produced by their bad government, have solemnly recorded and proclaimed their guilty determination to sap and overthrow to the very foundations of civil liberty, it imperiously becomes the duty of the people to seriously apply themselves to the consideration of their unhappy position, - the dangers which surround them, - and, by a well-combined organization, to make the arrangements necessary to keep intact their citizens rights and their dignity as free men.
The wise and immortal authors of the DECLARATION OF THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, recorded in this document the principles on which the rights of man are solely founded and demanded and successfully established the institutions and the form of government which alone can permanently insure the prosperity and the social happiness of the inhabitants of this continent, whose education and mores, resulting from the circumstances of their colonization, require a system of government entirely dependent upon the people and which is directly responsible to them. In common with the various nations of North and South America which adopted the principles contained in this Declaration, we regard the doctrines which they encapsulate as sacred and evident: That God did not create any artificial distinctions between man and man; that the government is just a simple human institution formed by those who must be subject to its action good or bad; and consecrated for the advantage of all those who will consent to come or remain under its protection and under its control, and that consequently its form can be changed as soon as it ceases to accomplish the ends for which this government was established; that the public authorities and the men in power are but the executors of the wishes legitimately expressed by the community; honoured when they possess the public trust, and respected for as long as they enjoy public esteem, and who must be removed from power as soon as they cease to provide satisfaction to the people, sole legitimate source of all power.
In conformity with these principles and in the name of the treaties signed and the capitulations ordained with our ancestors and guaranteed by the Imperial Parliament, the people of this province has never ceased for many years, through respectful requests, to complain of the intolerable abuses which poison its days and paralyses its industry. Far from reparations being conceded to our humbles prayers, aggression followed aggression, until finally the day when we no longer seem attached to the British Empire for our happiness and our prosperity, our liberties and the honour of the people and that of the crown, but only for the sake of fattening a horde of useless officials, who, not unhappy to enjoy salaries enormously disproportionate to the responsibilities of their assignments and the resources of the country, have combined in a faction solely motivated by the private interest to oppose all reforms, to defend all the iniquities of a government hostile to the rights and liberties of this colony.
Though we are universally in agreement on the justice of our requests, the wisdom and the prudence that there is to remedy our evils, still we bare the unbearable burden of an irresponsible executive under the command of an ignorant and hypocritical chief. Our judges depend as a condition attached to their commission, on the sole will and pleasure of the crown, almost all violent partisans of a corrupt administration, and more absolutely the mercenary instruments of the executive, in accepting, in violation of every principle of judiciary independence, wages for their servility to a foreign authority, without the consent of the people, which is the sole barer, through the intermediary of their representatives, of the exclusive right to vote the salaries of public servants; the men in office in this province devour, by their so extravagant salaries that they deprive us of the funds needed for the general improvement of the country which results in our public works being stopped and the navigation of our rivers continuing to be obstructed; a Legislative Council appointed by men a thousand leagues away from the country, and systematically composed in a manner suited to paralyse and destroy the efforts of our freely chosen representatives, in all measures designed to promote the public good after remaining unchanged under the current administration, depriving in this the country of the advantages of an interior legislation, has finally been modified in a manner that is insulting to all classes of society, disgracious for public morality, and which annihilates the respect and confidence of all parties for this branch of the legislature, following the introduction of men in the majority notorious only by their incapacity, and remarkable in the same way by their political insignificance, thus making obvious, to the point of demonstration even, to everyone, whatever their preconceived ideas, the convenience and the urgent need to introduce the principle of election into this body, as the only suitable method to place the provincial legislature in a position to advantageously carry out the conduct of public affairs.
Our municipalities are entirely destroyed; the rural areas of this province, forming a disgracious aux autres parties de ce contient, sont absolument privées de tout pouvoir de régler, dans une capacité municipale, leurs affaires locales, par le moyen d'officiers de paroisse et de township librement élus; la génération croissante est privée des bienfaits de l'éducation, les écoles primaires qui donnaient l'instruction à 40 000 enfants ayant été fermées par le conseil législatif, corps hostile au progrès des connaissances utiles, et porté à cet acte par un exécutif opposé à la dissémination des lumières générales parmi le peuple; - le collège des jésuites, fondé et doté par le gouvernement prévoyant qui colonisa cette province, pour l'encouragement et la diffusion du savoir et des sciences, a, avec une barbarie indigne des gouvernants d'un état civilisé, disgracieusement pour le siècle éclairé où nous vivons et qui est sans parallèle même parmi les Goths et les Vandales, été converti en casernes, et comme telles retenu toujours à l'usage d'une soldatesque, tandis que les fonds et les propriétés consacrés au maintien de cet établissement et autres institutions semblables ont été et continuent d'être gaspillés et mal administrés, pour l'avantage des favoris, des créatures et des instruments du gouvernement; nos citoyens sont privés du bénéfice de jurés choisis impartialement, et persécutés arbitrairement par les officiers de la couronne qui, pour remplir les buts du gouvernement vindicatif dont ils sont les créatures, ont exhumé des procédés d'un caractère suranné, et dont on ne trouve de précédents que dans les plus sombres pages de l'histoire britannique. Ainsi, nos tribunaux étant souillés par les conspirations combinées d'un mauvais exécutif, de juges serviles, d'officiers en loi partisans et des shérifs politiques, l'innocent et le patriote sont exposés à être sacrifiés, tandis que les ennemis du pays et les violateurs de toutes les lois sont protégés et patronisés selon qu'il plaît à l'administration d'écraser et de détruire, de sauver et de protéger. Notre commerce et notre industrie domestique sont paralysés; nos terres publiques aliénées, pour un prix nominal, à une compagnie de spéculateurs, étrangers au pays, ou données à d'insolents favoris comme récompense de leur servilité; notre argent nous est extorqué sans notre consentement, en forme de taxes imposées inconstitutionnellement par un parlement étranger pour être ensuite converties en un instrument de notre dégradation, distribuées qu'elles sont parmi une bande criarde d'officiels, contre notre volonté, sans notre participation, et en violation de tous les principes des lois constitutionnelles.
Au milieu de leurs efforts honnêtes et infatigables pour obtenir le redressement des griefs qui précèdent, nos compatriotes ont été avec insolence appelés à rendre compte de leur conduite publique, dont ils ne sont responsables à qui que ce soit et encore bien moins à l'individu que le hasard ou le patronage ministériel placent pour un temps à la tête de notre gouvernement provincial. On les a harassés et vexés par des démissions de places purement honorifiques, tenues pour l'avantage et à la réquisition de leurs voisins immédiats, et cela pour avoir revendiqué les droits de leur patrie, comme il convient à des hommes libres de l'Amérique; et comme un indice que l'on a dessein de pousser l'agression encore plus loin, des troupes armées doivent être stationnées dans un temps de paix profonde dans toute l'étendue du pays, avec le dessein arrogant et malicieux de comprimer par la force physique l'expression de l'opinion publique, et de compléter au moyen de la violence et de l'effusion de sang notre esclavage et notre ruine déjà décidés de l'autre côté des mers.
Une telle agression est plus que suffisante pour justifier chez un peuple outragé, le recours à tous et à chacun des moyens de conserver le dernier de ses privilèges insultés, le droit de faire entendre ses plaintes. Mais grâce à l'aveuglement de nos agresseurs, la méchanceté de cette mesure trouvera par les soins de la providence son antidote dans sa folie même. Les régiments que l'on se propose de distribuer au milieu de nous se composent d'hommes sortis et élevés au milieu de la démocratie de leur pays. La plupart d'entre eux on embrassé leur profession actuelle, non par choix, mais parce qu'ils n'ont pu trouver d'autre emploi qui pût les faire vivre dans leur pays natal. Au lieu de stimuler chez eux la noble émulation d'une bonne conduite par l'espoir de l'avancement aux grades les plus élevés, ils sont pauvrement payés, et sont exposés à toutes sortes de petites tyrannies, et le murmure vient-il à s'échapper de leurs lèvres en véritables esclaves, ils sont aussitôt soumis à la peine ignoble du fouet. Si l'on met en contraste cette dure destinée avec la liberté, le consentement, la facilité d'obtenir des emplois et de forts salaires dans les États-Unis, avec la certitude que les habitants de ces comtés qui avoisinent et bornent les lignes ne mettront point d'obstacles aux tentatives des soldats pour émigrer à la république voisine, on verra qu'il est moralement impossible de retenir dans la province de sa majesté, et lorsqu'ils seront une fois dispersés en détachements, des hommes dont on veut faire de vils instruments de notre esclavage et de leur propre déshonneur.
La longue et lourde chaîne d'abus et d'oppressions qui pèse sur nous, et à laquelle chaque année vient s'ajouter un nouveau chaînon non moins fâcheux, prouve que notre histoire n'est qu'une récapitulation des maux que le autres colonies ont endurés avant nous. Nos griefs ne sont qu'une seconde édition des leurs. Nos réclamations en faveur d'un soulagement sont les mêmes. Comme les leurs, elles ont été traitées avec dédain et mépris, et n'ont attiré sur les pétitionnaires qu'une augmentation d'outrages et de persécutions. Ainsi l'expérience du passé démontre la folie d'attendre et espérer de la justice des autorités européennes.
Toute sombre et toute peu flateuse que [peut être] la perspective actuelle de notre bien-aimée patrie, nous trouvons dans les vertus publiques de nos compatriotes un encouragement à espérer que le jour de notre régénération n'est pas bien éloigné. Les manufactures domestiques se ramifient parmi nous avec une rapidité bien propre à nous réjouir au milieu de la lutte.
L'impulsion donnée depuis quelque peu de mois par l'exemple de citoyens généreux et pleins de patriotisme, en portant des habits faits d'étoffes manufacturées dans le pays, a été généralement suivie et sera avant peu universellement adoptée. La détermination de ne consommer aucune marchandise grevée d'impôts, et d'encourager un commerce libre avec nos voisins, deux objets d'un importance vitale, devient de jour en jour plus générale, plus résolue et plus effective. Le peuple doit tout partout être imbu de la conviction que les grands sacrifices à faire doivent être en proportion de l'objet glorieux que l'on a en vue d'accomplir, et que les inconvénients personnels qui seront la conséquence en faveur de la bonne cause doivent être endurés non seulement avec bonne volonté mais aussi avec fermeté.
Concitoyens! Confrères d'une affliction commune! vous tous, de quelque origine, langue ou religion que vous soyez, à qui des lois égales et les droits de l'homme sont chers; dont les coeurs ont palpité d'indignation à la vue des insultes innombrables que votre commune patrie a eu à essuyer, et qui si souvent avez éprouvé une juste alarme, en roulant dans vos esprits le sombre avenir que la mal-administration et la corruption promettent à cette province et à votre prospérité; au nom de cette patrie et de la génération qui s'élève, n'ayant plus d'espoir que sur vous, nous vous sollicitions de prendre, au moyen d'une organisation systématique dans vos paroisses et vos townships respectifs, cette attitude qui peut seule vous attirer le respect pour vous-mêmes, et le succès de vos demandes. Que des comités de vigilance entrent tout à la fois en opération active dans tus vos voisinages respectifs. Retirant votre confiance à l'administration actuelle et à tous ceux qui seraient assez bas pour accepter d'elle aucune charge, assemblez-vous incontinent dans vos paroisses et élisez des magistrats pacificateurs, à l'exemple de vos frères réformistes du comté des Deux Montagnes, afin de protéger le peuple contre une dépense inutile et imprévue, et contre la vengeance de ses ennemis. Notre jeunesse, l'espoir de la patrie, devrait partout s'organiser à l'instar de leurs frères, les Fils de la liberté, de Montréal, afin de se trouver prêts à agir avec promptitude et efficacité suivant que les circonstances pourront le requérir; et les braves miliciens, qui deux fois par leur valeur et au prix de leur sang, ont défendu ce pays pour des dominations ingrates, devraient aussi s'associer dans ce moment sous des officiers de leur choix, pour la sûreté, le bon ordre et la protection de la vie et de la propriété dans leurs localités respectives. C'est par là que l'on pourra conserver heureusement les libertés coloniales.
Dans cet espoir et comptant pour notre émancipation du mauvais gouvernement sous lequel nous gémissons, sur la providence divine, dont nous implorons humblement les bénédictions sur nos efforts désintéressés, nous reposant sur l'amour de la liberté que l'air libre et les forteresses imprenables de l'Amérique peuvent inspirer à tous les coeurs du peuple en général, et sur la sympathie de nos voisins démocrates, qui dans l'établissement d'un gouvernement arbitraire sur leurs frontières, sont assez prudents et assez clairvoyants pour prévoir l'élévation d'un système qui pourrait servir de précédant et d'instrument de l'introduction d'un même gouvernement arbitraire dans d'autres parties du continent américain, et qui ne consentiront pas que les principes pour lesquels ils ont combattu avec tant de succès dans le dix-huitième siècle, soient dans nos personnes [foulés] aux pieds dans le dix-neuvième. Nous, les délégués des comtés confédérés de Richelieu, Saint-Hyacinthe, Rouville, l'Acadie, Chambly, et Verchères, enregistrons ici publiquement la résolution solennelle et déterminée du peuple que nous représentons, de mettre à effet, dans le plus court délai possible, les recommandations précédentes, et de ne jamais arrêter nos efforts patriotiques jusqu'à ce que les différents griefs dont nous nous plaignons aujourd'hui aient été redressés; et par ces présentes, nous invitons tous nos concitoyens dans toute la province à unir leurs efforts aux nôtres afin de procurer à notre commune patrie un système de gouvernement bon, peu dispendieux et responsable.
Signed for and in the name of the Confederation of the Six Counties, this October 24th 1837.
Wd. Nelson, Chairman.
J. T. Drolet,
F. C. Duvert,
Vice Chairmen.
J. P. Boucher-Belleville,
A. Girod,
secretaries.
La Minerve,
November 2, 1837