hand, said, “It is the bullet, my Lord, and not the lash, which ought to punish a French soldier." The disaffection which had originated among the men of the Royal Fusileers at Gibraltar, and which led to their removal to Canada, does not appear to have diminished, and punishments were of frequent occurrence with certain hardened offenders, among whom at length a conspiracy was formed, as was proved at the trial. The mutineers proposed to break out of the barracks, and were confident of being joined by a large number more, when they intended to seize the Prince, the General, and all the officers in the Chateau, who on non-compliance with their demands, were to be put to death, after which the mutineers proposed to escape by crossing the river and forcing the captains of militia to give them guides. "It is difficult to say," says the Quebec Gazette of the 28th March, 1793, "whether the folly or the atrociousness of the plot was the greatest; for the smallest reflection might have satisfied them of the impossibility of effecting their escape. Yet, it can hardly be doubted that had they once taken the first step, their desperate situation would have led them to the commission of as much mischief as in the moment might have been in their power." Fortunately the plot was discovered in time, the conspirators were arrested, tried, and convicted, and the sentences of the General Court-martial were as follows:-John Draper, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him-sentence, death, by being shot. William Rose, guilty-sentence, five hundred lashes. James Lanergan, for want of sufficient evidence, acquitted. Timothy Kennedy, guilty-sentence, seven hundred lashes. Sergeant Thomas Urgton, who had been released (from a belief that the evidence would not be sufficient to convict him) demanded and insisted on a trial, and was found guilty of a knowledge of an intended mutiny, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, and to receive four hundred lashes. Draper was ordered for execution on Tuesday, the 2nd April, but having made application for a week's respite, it was granted. We copy the following from the Quebec Gazette of 11th April, 1794: "On Tuesday last, about ten o'clock, Joseph Draper, of the Royal Fusileers, whose execution had been respited to this day, was brought out from the barracks dressed in grave clothes, walking behind his coffin, which was covered by a pall, and carried by four men. The troops under arms marched slowly before--the music followed, playing dirges suited to the occasion, and a vast concourse of spectators attended. When this affecting procession had reached the place of execution, and the convict had prepared himself to suffer, declaring to the last that he was innocent of the crime laid to his charge, and when the critical moment was arrived that was to have launched him into eternity, he was thus addressed by Prince Edward: I "Draper-you have now reached the awful moment when a few minutes would carry you into the immediate presence of the Supreme Being. You must be conscious of the enormity of your guilt, and that you have not the least right to expect mercy. I, as your commanding officer, am entirely prevented from making any application whatever in your favour, there being, from various circumstances of the case, no one opening that could justify me in that station in taking such a step. However, as the son of your Sovereign, whose greatest prerogative is the dispensation of mercy, feel myself fortunately able to do that, which, as your Colonel, the indispensable laws of military discipline rendered it impossible for me even to think of. In this situation, I have presumed to apply to the King's representative here, for your pardon; and I am happy to be authorized to inform you that my application has been successful. Major-General Clark, in consequence of my warm prayers and entreaties, has had the goodness, by his acquiescence with my wishes, to enable me to prove both to you and the public, that though your atrocious machinations were chiefly directed against my person, I am the first to forgive you myself, and to obtain for you His Majesty's mercy. May you take warning by this awful scene, and so conduct yourself, that by the remainder of your life you may atone for your past crimes; and that I may not hereafter have occasion to repent having now been your advocate. "The effect produced on the mind of the unhappy man, who could then have nothing but death in view, as well as on the feelings of the spectators, may be easier conceived than expressed.' We turn with pleasure from this distressing scene, to relate acts more congenial. On September 5th, 1793, the Quebec Gazette announced the opening and regulations of the Quebec Sunday Free School, under the patronage of His Royal Highness, as follows: "From an ardent desire of promoting the happiness and prosperity of his Majesty's faithful subjects of this Province, and from the experience of the many and great advantages that have been received from the Sunday Schools in England, under the patronage of the nobility and the Royal Family, His Royal Highness Prince Edward has been pleased strongly to recommend to the subscriber to open a Sunday Free School for the benefit of all those of every description who are desirous of acquiring the necessary and useful branches of education, and will conform to the rules and regulations that will be made for that purpose. "The said Free School will therefore be opened on Sunday next, under the patronage and direction of His Royal Highness, from the hours of ten to three during the winter season, and the public may depend on every exertion on the part of the subscriber, in order to meet in every respect His Royal Highness' benevolent intentions. The subscriber requests those who wish to attend to give in their names as soon as possible. He may be seen every day from nine to twelve and from two to five, at the Academy in the Bishop's Palace, where young people of both sexes will be taught in separate apartments, all the various branches of literature, on terms most suitable to their circumstances. JAS. TANSWELL." "Rule 2nd.-Every one of His Majesty's subjects of whatever description, will be admitted into this school and educated gratis, on condition of good behaviour and conformity to such rules and regulations as may from time to time be made for the better conducting the same. "Rule 5th.--Reading, writing, and the various branches of arithmetic, shall be constantly taught in both languages; and particular care taken to render the acquisition of the English language as easy as possible, to His Majesty's new Canadian subjects." The following advertisement shows that slavery still existed in Canada, though a Bill was then before the Legislature for its abolition: "TO BE SOLD. "A likely, healthy, stout Mulatto man, aged 23 years; has been used to house work, speaks both French and English, and is fit for any hard labor. "Inquire of the Printer. "Quebec, 9th October, 1793.' On Sunday, 10th November, a dreadful fire broke out in Sault au Matelot street. Prince Edward and Lord Dorchester were present during the whole night, giving assistance and encouraging by their personal example, and in consequence the House of Assembly, then in session, passed an address, in which they acknowledged "the ardent zeal and indefatigable ability which His Royal Highness displayed on all occasions, for the protection of their property and the security of their lives." The masonic fraternity also presented him with an address, bearing testimony to his "gracious and engaging condescension, and exemplary conduct" in every part of his duty. He honored with his friendship Chief Justice Sewell, Mr. Hale, Bishop Mountain, Bishop de Capse, M. Renauld, curé of Beauport, Père de Berrey, the last Superior of the Recollets, Mr. Allsop, and, above all, M. Louis de Salaberry, for whom and whose family he formed a strong and lasting attachment. But finding the maintenance of his position incompatible with his limited means, and being anxious for active employment, in December, 1793, he solicited an appointment under Sir Charles Grey, then engaged in the reduction of the French West India Islands, and was ordered to proceed there in January, 1794, and left Quebec immediately before his departure could be made public-when it was known that he was gone, addresses poured in from all quarters. An extract from one of these, with his reply, will furnish a fair sample of the whole. The addresses were received at the Chateau, by Lord Dorchester, who caused it to be known, that "The state of His Royal Highness' health would not permit his going by Halifax during the winter, and that in order to lose as little time as possible, he had taken the shortest and most expeditious route to join his command." Extract from Address, 14th February, 1794:-"The amiable qualities of benevolence and attention manifested by your Royal Highness towards the relief and protection of our fellow citizens in the hour of distress, as well as your con descension and urbanity to all who have occasionally had the honor to approach your Royal Highness, have invariably claimed our admiration and gratitude.' Extract from His Royal Highness' reply :-"Nothing can flatter me more, than to learn from you, that my conduct during my residence in this Province has gainel your friendship, by meriting your approbation. Be assured that though I go with cheerfulness to the post assigned me by the King, my father, I shall not leave Quebec without real regret, nor without carrying with me a remembrance of the marks of friendship and consideration I have experienced here." He proceeded through the United States, intending to embark at Boston, and on crossing Lake Champlain, two of the sleds carrying his whole equipage, broke through the ice and were lost. On arriving at Burlington on the 13th February, the following characteristic note was sent in to him: To His Royal Highness Prince Edward. SIR,--Dictated by the principles of common civility and politeness, and possibly urged by an unwarrantable anxiety to have an interview with your Royal Highness, in behalf of the most respectable gentlemen of this place, we have to request you to appoint an hour (commencing after six o'clock, p. m., on account of the business of the court) which will be most agreeable to you to receive that respectful attention due to your rank, and you may be assured, although in a strange country, that protection is equally at your command, with the greatest subject of the United States. We are with the greatest respect, ELNATHAN KEYES, And the following answer returned: GENTLEMEN,-I am commanded by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, to return you his best thanks for your polite attention, and at the same time to say, that if half-past six o'clock this evening will be a convenient hour to you, he shall esteem himself much flattered by his having the pleasure of seeing you. I have the honour to remain, With great respect, Your most obedient humble servant, FRED. AUGT. WETHERALL. |