From Canada
Jan. 11th, 2012 08:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenithThis is something I was reading earlier (after pff showed me a mention of it on another page), and as it was interesting and related to stuff I usually post there, I thought I'd share it.
From the Cornwall Chronicle, 1 February 1840
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA
It appears that very considerable excitement continues to prevail in Canada; the public mind is far from settled; meetings are continually being called, and the resolutions passed at some of them, are highly expressive of popular discontent. Lord Durham's report is very greatly in request, and indeed the Canadians, seem to consider that nothing short of the adoption of the measures recommended by his lordship can have the effect of reconciling those animosities which have already resulted in such disastrous consequences. The transport ship Buffalo had arrived at Quebec for the purpose of conveying into banishment some of the late malcontents. Their fate appears to excite almost universal commiseration and sympathy amongst those from whom they're about to be separated.
The Montreal Herald contains a very strong passage upon the circumstances, and in allusion to what will be the fate of the patriots upon their arrival in this part of the world— "There they will be indentured to the Colonists and treated like galley slaves for life, made hewers of wood and drawers of water and branded with the infamy of felons. Their fellow convicts will be well adapted for them, consisting, as they do, of thieves and murderers But English thieves and murderers will look with scorn on American brigands, the invaders of British soil, and an French Canadian rebels the ungrateful subjects of a country which has in vain attempted to raise them from a state of barbarism to that of civilization."
This is strong language certainly ; how much of truth it may contain must be left to the opinion of our readers. We anticipate (as indeed we have done all along) that contest will eventually terminate by the total dismemberment of the Canada's from the Government of England, and that Government will then see that nothing but the most mischievous policy has had any share in producing such a result. We shall look with interest to the receipt of further intelligence.
If you're not seeing the connection to the usual subject matter, this entry from the Hobart Town Courier 14 February 1840 might help.
LOCAL.
The Buffalo store ship, 699 tons, arrived on Wednesday last, with 140 prisoners, convicted of being concerned in the recent disturbances in the Canadas. Of these, 83 were designed for Van Diemen's Land, but one died on the passage out ; the remainder are to be forwarded to Sydney. Sir George Arthur has transmitted the character of each for the information of the colonial authorities, who have also received orders to keep these prisoners distinct in every respect from others. In pursuance of these instructions, they will not be landed and conveyed as usual to the Prisoners' Barracks, but will be put on shore at New-town-bay, and sent thence direct to their destination, the public works at Sandy-bay.
The Buffalo, besides a considerable guard of soldiers, has also a body of marines on board. It was feared that some "sympathising" ship might make an attempt to rescue the prisoners, and it was owing to this that so much precaution was taken to secure them a safe passage.
For a proper context/background, I'll include a link to this page.
I don't come across much about Canadian history. But there's also not a lot around about the activities other nationalities in the Australian colonies. I can't think of anything involving Americans, other than the Californians at Ballarat & I guess the Catalpa. (And a side note, that the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, Sir George Arthur, who gets a mention there was previously lieutenant governor of VDL.)
From the Cornwall Chronicle, 1 February 1840
BRITISH NORTH AMERICA
It appears that very considerable excitement continues to prevail in Canada; the public mind is far from settled; meetings are continually being called, and the resolutions passed at some of them, are highly expressive of popular discontent. Lord Durham's report is very greatly in request, and indeed the Canadians, seem to consider that nothing short of the adoption of the measures recommended by his lordship can have the effect of reconciling those animosities which have already resulted in such disastrous consequences. The transport ship Buffalo had arrived at Quebec for the purpose of conveying into banishment some of the late malcontents. Their fate appears to excite almost universal commiseration and sympathy amongst those from whom they're about to be separated.
The Montreal Herald contains a very strong passage upon the circumstances, and in allusion to what will be the fate of the patriots upon their arrival in this part of the world— "There they will be indentured to the Colonists and treated like galley slaves for life, made hewers of wood and drawers of water and branded with the infamy of felons. Their fellow convicts will be well adapted for them, consisting, as they do, of thieves and murderers But English thieves and murderers will look with scorn on American brigands, the invaders of British soil, and an French Canadian rebels the ungrateful subjects of a country which has in vain attempted to raise them from a state of barbarism to that of civilization."
This is strong language certainly ; how much of truth it may contain must be left to the opinion of our readers. We anticipate (as indeed we have done all along) that contest will eventually terminate by the total dismemberment of the Canada's from the Government of England, and that Government will then see that nothing but the most mischievous policy has had any share in producing such a result. We shall look with interest to the receipt of further intelligence.
If you're not seeing the connection to the usual subject matter, this entry from the Hobart Town Courier 14 February 1840 might help.
LOCAL.
The Buffalo store ship, 699 tons, arrived on Wednesday last, with 140 prisoners, convicted of being concerned in the recent disturbances in the Canadas. Of these, 83 were designed for Van Diemen's Land, but one died on the passage out ; the remainder are to be forwarded to Sydney. Sir George Arthur has transmitted the character of each for the information of the colonial authorities, who have also received orders to keep these prisoners distinct in every respect from others. In pursuance of these instructions, they will not be landed and conveyed as usual to the Prisoners' Barracks, but will be put on shore at New-town-bay, and sent thence direct to their destination, the public works at Sandy-bay.
The Buffalo, besides a considerable guard of soldiers, has also a body of marines on board. It was feared that some "sympathising" ship might make an attempt to rescue the prisoners, and it was owing to this that so much precaution was taken to secure them a safe passage.
For a proper context/background, I'll include a link to this page.
I don't come across much about Canadian history. But there's also not a lot around about the activities other nationalities in the Australian colonies. I can't think of anything involving Americans, other than the Californians at Ballarat & I guess the Catalpa. (And a side note, that the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, Sir George Arthur, who gets a mention there was previously lieutenant governor of VDL.)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 11:12 am (UTC)I think they had to emigrate to Canada then decide they didn't like how it was. Which seems a backwards way of doing it but there's no understanding immigration procedures sometimes.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 11:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 11:31 am (UTC)Payback!
Now I reread, I think you're right. I wonder why, and what happened to them and...
There is a book on the subject: To the outskirts of habitable creation, by Stuart D. Scott.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 11:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-11 01:21 pm (UTC)This is quite possible :)