Chapter XX

1837.

The Coming Crisis.--Rebellion of 1837.

As Dr. Ryerson had anticipated, the combined effects of the publication of his "impressions," in 1833; his letters exposing the designs of Messrs. Hume, Roebuck, and Mackenzie in 1837; the secession of a section of the Methodist Church, and the disputes consequent thereon (culminating in the Waterloo and Belleville Chapel suits)--in which he took a leading part--provoked the parties concerned to active hostility against him. He had, however, many warm friends, especially among his ministerial brethren. One of these was Rev. John Black, in the Bay of Quinte District,--a quaint, but true and warm-hearted man. In inviting him to take part in the Quarterly Meeting services, at Napanee, Mr. Black indulges in a little playful satire, as follows:--

It appears that there are some amongst us here whom we dare not
number amongst your friends, and who prophesied that you would
never return from England--that you dare not, etc. Now we wish to
afford them living proof of their vanity in prophesying, by your
presence amongst them. Besides, on the other hand, the good-hearted
brethren amongst us greatly rejoiced on hearing of your successful
mission to England, and they wish to see and hear you once more.

Somewhat in Rev. John Black's spirit of kindly raillery, Rev. John C. Davidson, of Hallowell, in inviting Dr. Ryerson to take part in a Camp-meeting (and after mentioning several inducements), said:--

I would mention another inducement for you to come, viz.: the
multiplicity of warm friends and virulent enemies you have on this
circuit. Your presence and preaching will afford pleasure and
profit to your friends, and will very much tend, in my opinion, to
disarm the groundless prejudice entertained by many others against
you.

In a more serious letter to Dr. Ryerson, dated Cobourg, 16th November, 1837, Rev. Anson Green gives expression to a general feeling of uneasiness and distrust which prevailed everywhere in the country at that time:--

I pity you most sincerely. You have a storm about your ears that
you must bear, if you do not bow before it. In these perilous times
a man scarcely knows what to advise. I fear that destruction
awaits us on either hand. With the Radicals we are Tories; and with
the Tories we are Rebels. It is said by the Rebels here that they
have money enough, and men enough, and guns enough, and that the
plans are so laid that there can be no mistake. The Government
appears to be in possession of these facts. Thus far the
proceedings of the Rebels do not show much wisdom, or skill, in
laying plans, or in executing them. I am mistaken if they stop
short of a civil war.

I very much regret that you should be under the necessity of coming
in contact with Governor Head in any one thing. I could not be a
rebel; my conscience and religion forbid it; and, on the other
hand, I could not fight for the Rectories and Church domination. I
think them both to be great evils, and I have resolved to choose
neither. I believe that in Haldimand and Cramahe townships there
are twenty rebels to one sincere loyalist. Brother Wilson, (son of
old Father Wilson), says that his life has been threatened for
circulating the petition which you sent down, and others are in a
similar condition. What will be the effect of all this I cannot
say, but I have thought from the beginning that either the
Rectories must be abolished, and a suitable disposition made of the
Reserves, or a change of Government will ensue. And if the Church
party have it all in their own hands to make peace, by allowing
other Churches to enjoy equal privileges with themselves, and do
not do so, they must bear the responsibility of all the bloodshed
and carnage that may ensue. I fear that they are so perfectly
infatuated that they will suffer utter destruction, and choose it
rather than equal and impartial justice.

On the 5th December, 1837, Dr. Ryerson reached Cobourg on his way to Toronto. When he arrived there, Elders Case and Green, and other friends, thought that as his life had been threatened it would be unsafe for him to proceed to Toronto.[54] He, therefore, waited there for further news, and, in the meantime, wrote to a friend in Kingston, on the 6th, as follows:--

You will recollect my mentioning that I pressed upon Sir Francis the propriety and importance of making some prudent provision for the defence of the city, in case any party should be urged on in the madness of rebellion so far as to attack it. He is much blamed here on account of his overweening confidence, and foolish and culpable negligence in this respect. There was great excitement in this town and neighbourhood last night. To-day all is anxiety and hurry. The militia is called out to put down the rebellion of the very man whose seditious paper many of them have supported, and whom they have countenanced.

The precepts of the Bible and the example of the early Christians, leave me no occasion for second thoughts as to my duty, namely, to pray for and support the "powers that be," whether I admire them or not, and to implore the defeat of "fiery conspiracy and rebellion." And I doubt not that the sequel will in this, as in other cases, show that the path of duty is that of wisdom, if not of safety. I am aware that my head would be regarded as something of a prize by the rebels; but I feel not in the least degree agitated. I trust implicitly in that God whom I have endeavoured--though imperfectly and unfaithfully--to serve; being assured nothing will harm us, but that all things, whether life or death, will work together for our good if we be followers of that which is good. Let us trust in the Lord, and do good, and He will never leave nor forsake us!

About 700 armed men have left this district to-day for Toronto, in order to put down the rebels. There is an unanimity and determination among the people to quash rebellion and support the law that I hardly expected. The country is safe, but it is a "gone day with the rebel party."

In a graphic letter to Dr. Ryerson, written on the 5th December, by his brother William, at Toronto, the scenes at the _emeute_ in that city are thus described:--

Last night, about 12 or 1 o'clock, the bells rang with great
violence; we all thought it was an alarm of fire, but being unable
to see any light, we thought it was a false alarm, and we remained
quiet until this morning, when, on visiting the market-place, I
found a large number of persons serving out arms to others as fast
as they possibly could. Among many others we saw the
Lieutenant-Governor, in his every-day suit, with one
double-barrelled gun in his hand, another leaning against his
breast, and a brace of pistols in his leather belt. Also, Chief
Justice Robinson, Judges Macaulay, Jones, and McLean, the
Attorney-General, and Solicitor-General, with their muskets,
cartridge boxes and bayonets, all standing in the ranks as private
soldiers, under the command of Colonel Fitzgibbon. I assure you it
is impossible for me to describe my feelings. I enquired of Judge
McLean, who informed me that an express had arrived at the
Government House late last night, giving intelligence that the
Radicals had assembled in great force at Montgomery's, on Yonge
Street, and were in full march for the city; that the Governor had
sent out two persons, Mr. A. McDonell and Ald. J. Powell, to obtain
information (both of whom had been made prisoners, but escaped).

Dr. Horne's house is now in flames. I feel very calm and composed
in my own mind. Brother John thinks it will not be wise for you to
come through all the way from Kingston. You would not be safe in
visiting this wretched part of the country at the present. You know
the feelings that are entertained against you. Your life would
doubtless be industriously sought. My dear brother, farewell. May
God mercifully bless and keep you from all the difficulties and
dangers we are in!

Rev. William Ryerson further writes, on the 8th December:

About 10 o'clock to-day about 2,000 men, headed by the
Lieut.-Governor, with Judge Jones, the Attorney-General and Capt.
Halkett, as his aides-de-camp, and commanded by Cols. Fitzgibbon
and Allan N. Macnab, Speaker of the House, left the city to attack
the rebels at Montgomery's. After a little skirmishing in which we
had three men wounded but none killed, the main body commenced a
very spirited attack on their headquarters at Montgomery's large
house. After a few shots from two six-pounders, and a few volleys
of musketry, the most of the party fled and made their escape. The
rest of them were taken prisoners. There were also three or four
killed and several wounded. After which His Excellency ordered the
buildings to be burnt to the ground, and the whole force returned
to the city. All the leaders succeeded in making their escape. A
royal proclamation has just been issued offering £1,000 for the
apprehension of Mackenzie, and £500 for that of Samuel Lount, David
Gibson, Silas Fletcher, and Jesse Lloyd; so that now, through the
mercy of God, we have peace, and feel safe again, for which we
desire to feel sincerely thankful.

Dr. Ryerson, having reached Toronto safely, and knowing how anxious his parents would be to know something definite as to the state of affairs, wrote a letter to his Father on the 18th December, as follows:--

I have been trying to get time to make you and Mother a visit of at least one night; but I find it quite out of my power to secure the enjoyment of so precious a privilege.

It is remarkable that every man, with very few exceptions, who has left our Church and joined in the unprincipled crusade which has been made against us, has either been an active promoter of this plot, or so far connected with it as to be ruined in his character and prospects by the timely discovery and defeat of it! I have been deeply affected at hearing of some unhappy examples, among old acquaintances, of this description. I feel thankful that I have been enabled to do my duty from the beginning in this matter. Four years ago, I perceived and began to warn the public of the revolutionary tendency and spirit of Mackenzie's proceedings. Perhaps you may recollect that in a long article in the _Guardian_, four years ago this winter, headed "Revolutionary Symptoms," I pointed out, to the great displeasure of even some of my friends, what has come to pass.

It is also a matter of thankfulness that every one of our family and marriage connections, near and remote, is on the side of law, reason, and religion in this affair. Such indications of the Divine goodness are a fresh encouragement to me to renew my covenant engagement with my gracious Redeemer, to serve Him and His cause with greater zeal and faithfulness.

I hope, my dear Father, you are employing your last days in preparing for your approaching change, and for standing before the bar of God. My poor prayers are daily offered up in your behalf. Much travelling and other engagements have hitherto prevented me from writing to you as I would; but, hereafter, the first Monday in each month shall be considered as belonging to my dear aged Parents, in praying for or writing to them. My dutiful respects and love to my dear Mother. I would esteem it a great favour and privilege to receive a few lines from you or her.

FOOTNOTES:

[54] Dr. Ryerson in his "Epochs of Canadian Methodism," page 314, says:--It had been agreed by W. L. Mackenzie and his fellow rebels, in 1837, to hang Egerton Ryerson on the first tree they met with, could they apprehend him.