SYMPATHY WITH REBELS. 231 was so likely to bring with it. It was in vain that the American executive counselled its citizens to abstain from all interference between the subjects, and government of a neighbouring and friendly State ; or, that its ministers, or other officers, were directed to suppress and bring to punishment those of its citizens offending in this respect. Their efforts were controlled by the force of public opinion, which soared above all law and public order, and limited its excesses to the extent only, of its means to do mischief. The public stores, and United States' arsenals along the frontier, were broken open and plundered of their contents; whilst, in despite of proclamations, and every other precautionary measure of the Federal Government, artillery, ammunition, and warlike stores of every kind, of the national property of the United States, were carried off to the insurgent forces, that were speedily joined by numerous volunteers from all parts of the American continent. The signal failure of McKenzie at Toronto, had somewhat dispirited his followers, who soon after took up a position, which they fortified, at Navy Island, in the Niagara river, from where they were subsequently dislodged by the British forces; being reduced to nearly one half of their original number, by desertion, or the abandonment of their friends, on ascertaining the hopelessness of further exertion. The entire soon after dispersed, wending their way to the United States, dispirited and disappointed, to concoct new schemes, and devise means for some future and better arranged effort in securing the future independence of these provinces; and which soon after gave birth to a society, or organization of American citizens, along the entire > northern frontier, under the name of the "Hunters' Association;" with branches in the several States, bound together by a solemn oath, not only to assist in the formation of Republican institutions in all parts of the world, but never to relax in exertion, until such time as they should succeed in wresting from the power of England, every possession or foothold belonging to her on the North American continent. It was this strong feeling of a most malevolent disposition-of uncompromising and rancorous hostility to British pretensions, which pervades so large a proportion of the American public, that gave unity and direction to the proceedings of this body, and enabled it in a short while to extend its ramifications, not merely along the entire northern division of the American confederacy, but into every other intersection of the country, and to class amongst the most active and resolute of its members, many of the most influential and leading men of the United States. The general misapprehension that existed, and still continues to exist, amidst the bulk of the British population, and from which our rulers are scarcely exempt, as to the extent and acerbity of American dislike, the extreme jealousy with which nearly every citizen has always regarded our interests, or national pretensions, had considerably underrated the PRESIDENT TYLER'S PROCLAMATION. 233 formidable tendency and power of this association, until their plans became so far matured — their objects so easily discernible, as to call forth the interference of the Federal executive, in a Proclamation addressed to the nation, and directed against their further continuance; offered no doubt as a concession, considered to have been due to the remonstrance of the British Government, made through its representative; though its efficacy will scarcely be insisted on by those best conversant with the United States, in the suppression of this formidable coalition, or in any reasonable diminution of its members. Still, this manifesto of the American President has not been without some beneficial consequences, if only in its tendency to enlighten those, who before would not see -in convincing the incredulous in such matters, and guaranteeing to the world, and to the British public in particular, the undisputed reality, of the existence of a wide spread and formidable organization; certainly, far beyond the power, and it mayhap be considered, equally beyond the actual desire of its own Government to suppress; directing its entire struggle and measures of hostility against British interests in secret, and with that firm and decided purpose that will never rest, until made sensible of its incapacity-its utter weakness, when opposed to British rule-to the force and efficacy of British bayonets. The Proclamation of President Tyler is of value on this account; as such we submit it for the reader's consideration. "By the President of the United States "A PROCLAMATION. "WHEREAS it has come to the knowledge of the Government of the United States, that sundry secret Lodges, clubs, or associations, exist on the northern frontier; that the members of these Lodges are bound together by secret oaths; that they have collected fire-arms and other military materials, and secreted them in sundry places; and that it is their purpose to violate the laws of their country, by making military and lawless incursions, when opportunity shall offer, into the territory of a Power, with which the United States are at peace, and whereas it is known, that travelling agitators from both sides of the line, visit these Lodges, and harangue the members in secret meetings, stimulating them to illegal acts; and whereas, the same persons are known to levy contributions on the ignorant, and credulous, for their own benefit, thus supporting and enriching themselves by the basest means; and whereas, the unlawful intentions of the members of these Lodges, have already been manifested in an attempt to destroy the lives and properties of the inhabitants of Chippewa in Canada, and the public property of the British Government there being. Now, therefore, I, JOHN TYLer, President of the United States, do issue this my Proclamation, admonishing all such evil-minded persons of the condign punishment which is certain to overtake them; assuring them that the laws of the United States, will be rigorously executed against their illegal acts; and that if in any lawless incursions into Canada, they fall into the hands of the British authorities, they will not be reclaimed as American Citizens, nor any interference made by this Government in their behalf. "And I exhort all well-meaning, but deluded persons, who may have joined these lodges, immediately to abandon them, and to have nothing more to do with their secret meetings, or unlawful oaths, as they would avoid serious consequences to themselves. And I expect the intelligent aud welldisposed members of the community to frown on all these unlawful combinations and illegal proceedings; and to assist the Government in maintaining the peace of the country, against the mischievous consequences of the acts of these violators of the law. "Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, the twenty-fifth day of September, ▲. ». 1841, and of the independence of the United States the sixtysixth. 66 "By the President, "JOHN TYLer. "Daniel Webster, Secretary of State." When a nation puts forth a manifesto of this kind, enjoining its citizens to peace, and the observance of amicable relations with neighbouring States, we are bound to give it credit for good |