Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
Animadversions are freely made in the Narrative on the reprehensible
inadequacy of equipments with which the volunteers went upon
service in June. While the body of this work was in the press the
incompleteness continued, so also the remarks of censure; but the
Militia authorities have now, (end of August, first and second weeks
of September) proved that, while they have had difficulties almost
insuperable to overcome, the obstacles are in greater part surmounted.
Almost insuperable? What were the obstacles? A factious opposition
waged against the organization of an efficient defensive force of
Militia, carried on under the delusive cry of economy, from the year
1862, when the Militia organization by Colonel Lysons, Her Majesty’s
military representative, was frustrated until the present season of
Fenian Invasion, 1866.
Intelligence which lately arrived from Britain informs Canada that
the new conservative government, under the Earl of Derby, comprehends
and will act on the knowledge of a just conservative philosophy,
which Canadian political men calling themselves conservative would
have done well to have anticipated during the four years of American
war and since. For they have by themselves and their newspaper
organs, during the four years of horrible civil war, cultivated
international asperities, which are now ripened to a bitter American
hatred of Canada, under which, and only under which, Fenian invasions
of British America became possible.
On 23rd of July, 1866, Lord Stanley, (son of the Earl of Derby), the
new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, being questioned by Mr.
White, a non-official member of the House of Commons, on the Fenian
Invasion of Canada in June, and reminded of the just, honorable,
effectual interference of the United States government to prevent a
more formidable Fenian incursion than that which happened, replied
thus:
“I agree in the opinion which the honorable member has expressed as
to the friendly and honorable feeling that has been shown by the
United States with regard to this Fenian affair. I am very anxious,
if possible, and I can speak for my colleagues as well as myself, to
do anything that is reasonably possible to remove any ill-feeling
of irritation or soreness which may remain in consequence of
circumstances connected with the late war.” Her majesty’s speech at
the prorogation of parliament; and subsequently the Prime Minister’s
speech at a London banquet, expressed similar sentiments.
INVASION OF CANADA.
CHAPTER I.
_Outlines of Strategy as arranged by General Sweeny, Fenian
Commander in Chief.—Personality of Colonel O’Neil._
The plan of the invasion of Canada at the end of May, 1866, was given
by the Fenian military commander, General Sweeny, to his followers
somewhat thus:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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