The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
Unable to make an impression favorable to the king upon the Canadians by
an appeal to their loyalty, Carleton had recourse to the authority of
religion. He endeavored to seduce Brand, the Roman Catholic bishop of
Quebec, from his exalted duties as a Christian pastor, to engage in the
low political schemes of a party placeman, and publish a _mandement_, to
be read from the pulpit by the curates in time of divine service. He
also urged the prelate to exhort the people to take up arms against the
colonists. But the consistent bishop refused to exert his influence in
such a cause, and plainly told Carleton that such conduct would be
unworthy of a faithful pastor, and derogatory to the canons of the
Romish Church. A few priests, however, with the nobility, seconded
Carleton's views, but their influence was feeble with the mass of the
people, who were determined to remain neutral. The governor now tried
another scheme, and with better effect. He could make no impression upon
the masses by appeals to their loyalty or their religious prejudices,
and he determined to arouse them by
* The above engraving is an exact copy, reduced, of a caricature which I
found in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society at
Boston, entitled "Virtual Representation." On the back of it, apparently
in the hand-writing of the time, is the following:
* "A full explanation of the within print.--No. 1 intends the K--g of G.
B., to whom the House of Commons (4) gives the Americans' money for the
use of that very H. of C., and which he is endeavoring to take away with
the power of cannon. No. 2, by a Frenchman, signifies the tyranny that
is intended for America. No. 3, the figure of a Roman Catholic priest
with his crucifix and gibbet, assisting George in enforcing his
tyrannical system of civil and religious government. Nos. 5 and 6 are
honest American yeomen, who oppose an oaken staff to G--'s cannon, and
determine they will not be robbed. No. 7 is poor Britannia blindfolded,
falling into the bottomless pit which her infamous rulers have prepared
for the Americans. Nos. 8, 9 represent Boston in flames and Quebec
triumphant, to show the probable consequence of submission to the
present wicked ministerial system, that popery and tyranny will triumph
over true religion, virtue, and liberty. "N.B. Perhaps this may remind
the Bostonians of the invincible attachment of the Numantines * to their
liberty," &c.
** The Numantinee inhabited a city on the banka of the Douro, in Spain.
Twenty years they were besieged by the Romans, until at length the
younger Scipio Africanus entered their city (one hundred and thirty-
three years B.C, and twelve years after the destruction of Carthage).
The Numantinea, seeing all hope gone, set fire to their city and
perished in the flames rather than become slaves to their oppressors.
Royal Highland Regiment, how raised.--Our Departure from Crown Point.--
Split Rock.--War-feast on the Bouquet River
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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