nified into crime by the
testimony of secret informers--if there can longer exist a political
inquisition which shall scan the motives of every faithful servant of
the public--if the authorities in Canada shall humble the independence
of the Legislature by scandalizing its members and causing them to be
ordered to Quebec, and thence to England, to sustain a fate which, under
such corroboration as Lord Dalhousie received, might cover them with
ignominy, or bring them, however innocent, to the block--or if the
members of our community shall be awed into political subserviency by
fear of oppression, or lured by the corrupt hope of participating guilty
favours, then, indeed, will the prospect before us four, and this fine
Province become a distant appendage of a mighty empire, ruled by a few
aspiring men with the scourge of power."[89]

The Committee professed their inability to learn by whom the pernicious
representations had been made to the newspapers, or to the authorities
in Canada, or from what source Lord Dalhousie had obtained his
"corroboration." They expressed their conviction that there was no
ground for the charge preferred against Captain Matthews, the malignity
and falsity of which they believed to have derived their origin and
support from political hostility towards him.

The United States press was loud in its expressions of contempt. "Behold
how great a matter a little fire kindleth;" said _The New York
Enquirer_--"truly, there is something very undignified in such
vexatious stretches of authority"--referring, of course, to the attempt
to drag Captain Matthews across the Atlantic on a charge depending on
such ridiculous evidence. Attention was drawn to the fact that the
national airs of Great Britain, "God Save the Queen," and "Rule
Britannia," are often heard at theatres and elsewhere in the republic
without any such momentous consequences, and without being received
either with laughter, dancing or contempt. "The evidence," continued the
_Enquirer_, "does not speak very strongly in favour of the amenity and
decorum of the M. P.'s of Upper Canada. If calling for one of our
national airs, in a time of profound peace, within a few miles of the
frontiers, is regarded as an unpardonable crime by the British
Government, who shall wonder or complain that the British people are
full of prejudice against us." The Liberal press of the Maritime
Provinces harped to the same tune. "Really," remarked _The Halifax
Re