In anticipation of speedy death, and an immediate appearance at the
dread tribunal of Jehovah, Maria Monk communicated to Mr. Tappan, the
Chaplain at Bellevue, one of the benevolent institutions belonging to
the city of New York, the principal facts in her "Awful Disclosures."
After her unexpected recovery, she personally appeared at Montreal,
expressly and openly, to promulge her allegations of atrocious crimes
against the chief Roman Ecclesiastics in that city, who were armed with
power, and having nearly all the population her infuriated enemies.
There she remained almost four weeks, constantly daring the Roman
Priests and Nuns in vain. It is true, Dr. Robertson in his affidavit
says, that he was willing "to take the necessary steps for a full
investigation, if a direct charge were made against any particular
individual of a criminal nature." Now if Maria Monk's charges are not
direct, OF A CRIMINAL NATURE, and against PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS--what
charges can be so characterized? The fact is this:--Dr. Robertson would
no more dare to issue a warrant for the apprehension of Lartigue, or
any of the inferior Roman Priests in Montreal, than he would dare
publicly to strike the Commander of the Garrison, or the Governor of
Canada upon military parade. If any Papist had stated to him the same
facts concerning a Protestant, or Protestant Minister, and offered to
confirm them by his worthless oath, he would have issued his process at
once; but Dr. Robertson knows, that in the present state of Canadian
society, Roman Priests can do what they please; and no man dares to
reprove, much less to "take any necessary steps for a full
investigation" for their crimes. If the Jesuits and Nuns at Montreal
are anxious for a full and impartial scrutiny of the Hotel Dieu
Convent, Maria Monk is ready to oblige them with some facilities for
that object; provided she may carry them out to all their extent and
application. Mr. Ogden has one affidavit, and knows the whole matter;
as can incontestably be proved by Mr. A. P. Hart, an Attorney of
Montreal; and we recommend Dr. Robertson to issue his warrant for the
apprehension of Lartigue, Bonin, Dufresne, and Richards, they are
enough to begin with; and if Mr. Ogden will carry the facts with which
he is acquainted to the Grand Jury, one witness in New York is ready to
appear; and Dr. Robertson will find his hands full of employment, if he
will only "take the necessary steps" to procure two or three persons
who shall be pointed out to him in the Hotel Dieu Nunnery. Therefore,
until Dr. Robertson commences some incipient measures as a Magistrate
towards "the necessary steps for a full investigation," as he says, we
shall be forced to believe, that the printer made a mistake in his
affidavit, and put willing for _unwilling_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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