believe, if I can judge of the signs of the
times, has better things in store for the inhabitants of Upper Canada
(my native land) than the despotism of a dominant oligarchy, upheld and
promoted by the persecuting, the anti-British, and anti-patriotic spirit
of such partizans as yourself.

Rev. Matthew Richey wrote to Dr. Ryerson from Cobourg, in January, 1839,
stating that some of the leading Methodists in Montreal were inducing
subscribers to give up the _Guardian_, on the alleged ground of some
disloyal sentiments contained in that paper of the 12th December.[73]
Mr. Richey adds:--

I have written to a leading friend in Montreal, earnestly
expostulating with him upon the precipitancy of such a course. I
have not failed to apprise him of the bitter hostility of the
_Kingston Chronicle_, the _Toronto Patriot_, the _Cobourg Star_,
and _The Church_, to Methodism, and to say that, did they read
these papers, they would not be surprised at the pungency with
which you express yourself on the questions at issue between the
arrayed parties of the Province.

To intimate that the faithful discharge of your duty may expose you
to gaol or gibbet ... is not very complimentary to the freedom of
the Government under whose protection you are placed. Situated as
you are in the burning centre of excitement, and aware of the high
hopes, as well as high-handed measures of your opponents, you have
great need of patience, and forbearance.

The leading Methodists in Montreal to whom Rev. Matthew Richey refers in
the foregoing letter, having written to Dr. Ryerson on the subject of
their complaint, he replied to them, on the 7th January, as follows:--

Your letter of the 24th ult. being rather unusual, both in matter
and form, seems to demand more than a silent acknowledgment. I
shall have much pleasure in complying with your request; but I
should despise myself, were I capable of making any reply to the
allegation contained in your letter.

Not a few of you impugned both my motives and principles in former
years, I have lived to furnish a practical commentary on your
candour and justice, by being the first to excite in the Colonial
Office in England a determination to protect British interests in
Lower Canada against French ambition and prejudice. I may yet have
an opportunity of furnishing a second similar com