refractory conduct Lord Gosford was
compelled to prorogue it. He had no other alternative but to dismiss
the members, since they plainly declared that they suspended all
deliberation until the consummation of the reforms announced by and
in the name of the imperial authorities. On the prorogation of the
provincial parliament everything denoted imminent troubles. The
authorities were on the alert; and plans were formed for the effective
disposition of the small force that the local government possessed. Nor
were the loyalists inactive: a great meeting was held at Montreal, at
which resolutions were adopted in support of the British government.
These resolutions were followed up by the formation of regiments of
volunteers, thus showing a steady determination to carry them out to the
utmost. But, notwithstanding all this, the French party, or patriots,
convened a great meeting in the county of Richelieu, which they termed
"the meeting of the five counties," at which place delegates were
collected from the various parishes. The people met in a large meadow;
and in this meadow was erected a column, surmounted with a cap of
liberty, and bearing this inscription:--"To Papineau, by his grateful
brother patriots." Papineau was there; and after haranguing the
multitude with other leaders of the faction, and a string of
insurrectionary resolutions having been passed, the transatlantic
demagogue was conducted to the foot of the column, where an address was
delivered to him by one of his brother agitators. The proceedings of the
day terminated with a procession of young men, who, marching up to
the pillar, sung a patriotic hymn, and, with their hands placed on the
column, devoted themselves to their country. Mischief was now fairly
afloat. Soon after this a collision took place in the streets of
Montreal between the "loyalists and patriots," in which the latter were
defeated. The troops in Lower Canada were reinforced by two regiments
sent from Halifax; and Sir Francis Head placed the whole of the troops
stationed in Upper Canada at the disposal of the Lower, although there
were symptoms of disaffection within his jurisdiction. Still rebellion
continued. Every day displayed a new manifestation of an intended
rising: on the one side men assembled in arms, using threatening
language; and on the other the magistrates issued proclamations and
warrants, which the military were called on to enforce. On one occasion
a party of volunteer ca