Charles Hindelang: Lettre crite la veille de son excution (14 fvrier 1839)
Article diffus depuis le 20 mai 2000
Prison de Montral, 14 fvrier 1839.
Mon cher baron,
Dans quelques heures, tout sera dit pour
moi dans ce monde, nous venons de nous sparer. J'ai reu ton dernier baiser de
frre et d'ami et l'envie de bavarder me tient encore. Causons donc.
" C'est une chose vraiment
plaisante que la manire d'agir de ceux qui se croient les matres du pays.
L'on vient de me dire que les officiers de service la prison, en nous
trouvant table ont fait grand cas de mon courage. Cela ne m'tonne pas, car
c'est un champ de bataille sur lequel ces messieurs les Anglais aiment mieux
tomber, que retraiter. Mais cependant il faut leur rendre justice; les volontaires
loyaux ont encore sur eux un grand avantage; la mme valeur ils joignent un
talent de premire force en narration. Je te renverrai pour les preuves la
magnifique histoire de la bataille d'Odelltown pour le lieutenant-colonel
Taylor. Il faut un vrai toupet de volontaire pour oser mentir si agrablement;
ils ont la rputation de forfanteurs dans ce rgiment-l, Mr. Taylor y mrite
mieux que le grade de colonel.
Il est plaisant de l'entendre raconter
de quelle manire ses frres soldats se sont acquitts de leur devoir; ce cher
colonel a fait un beau rve et les charges brillantes de ses hommes n'ont pas
us leurs souliers. Nous sommes partis de Napierville cinq six cents, et
comme il est probable qu'il est dou de la double vue, il en compte neuf onze
cents. Quelques hommes seulement sont bravement sortis de leur maison de
pierre, et je certifie que le seul McAllister s'est expos parmi toute cette
arme d'officiers; lui et cinq de ses gens ont appris leurs dpens qu'il y
avait aussi des hommes parmi les Canadiens. C'est vraiment honteux pour un
homme d'oser se vanter si peu de frais. "
En dfinitive, la masse des volontaires
n'est qu'un compos de meurt-de-faim, qui crient " vive la reine, "
parce qu'il faut qu'ils mangent.
Montrez-vous, Canadiens, et ces tres-l
rentreront sous terre.
Je serais curieux de voir aux trousses
de tous ces gueux-l quelques centaines de ces hommes de cÏur, comme nous en
connaissons et comme il y en a tant en ce pays; oh! qu'ils veuillent donc une
fois et tout ira bien.
Je ne puis crire, mes penses se
multiplient et ne peuvent s'accorder. Ce que je puis dire seulement, c'est que
demain matin nous devons servir de spectacle ces gredins-l et que j'ai bonne
envie de leur rire au nez.
Je meurs content et j'emporte la douce
satisfaction d'avoir fait ce que j'ai pu. L'on me prend pour servir d'exemple,
dit-on, je le souhaite; que chaque tranger y apporte autant de bonne volont
que moi, et les pendeurs seront les pendus, chacun son tour; c'est juste!
Baron, si jamais il te tombe sous la
main un de ces habits rouges, fais lui prendre le mme chemin, afin qu'il
m'apporte de tes nouvelles; mais souviens-toi que je suis gnral et qu'il me
faut quelque chose de bien, au moins un colonel, sans cela, je te le renvoie.
Ë force de dire des btises, on se
lasse; il est minuit, et neuf heures il faut partir, adieu! Je sais qu'il te
fallait une lettre srieuse; mais l'impossible nul n'est tenu; je ne puis; la
soire a t trop orageuse.
Dchire tout cela et n'en parle plus. Je
me rveille et recommence avec l'espoir de mieux faire.
CHS HINDELANG.
Source: Les Patriotes 1837-1838 de Laurent Oliver David, P 284, 285, J Frenette diteur Inc. 1981.
http://www.marxists.org/history/canada/quebec/patriotes-rebellion/hindelang.htm
Quebec 1837-1839
The Patriotes Rebellion
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Source: Au Pied-du-Courant,
edited by Georges Aubin. Comeau & Nadeau, Montreal, 2000.
Translated: by Mitch Abidor.
Charles Hindenlang was a rarity among the Patriots: a Frenchman,
born in Paris of Swiss Protestant parents. He had moved to the United States to
earn his fortunes and, while there, had learned of the fight of the Canadians
against the British. He joined the forces of Robert Nelson in Odelltown on
November 3, 1838, and after their defeat led a small band on their escape
route. Exhausted, he turned himself in, little expecting that his trial would
result in his being sentenced to death. He was among the Patriots hung on
February 15, 1839. He was described by the Quebcois historian L-O David as
Òless serious and less Christian than de Lorimier.Ó The following letter was
written to a friend, Baron Fratelin.
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Montreal Prison
February 14, 1839
My dear Baron:
In a few hours, everything will have been said for me in this
world. We just separated, I received your last kiss as a brother and a friend,
and I still have the desire to talk. So letÕs talk.
The way those who think they are the masters of this country act
is an amusing thing to see. I was just told that the officers on service in
this prison, finding us seated at table, made much of my language. This doesnÕt
surprise me, for itÕs a battlefield on which the English prefer to fall rather
than to retreat from. Nevertheless, one has to be fair to them; the loyal
volunteers have a great advantage over them: to the same value they join a
first class talent in narration. As proof I cite the magnificent story of the
battle of Odelltown by Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor. You have to have the nerve of
a volunteer to dare to lie so agreeably. They have the reputation of being
braggarts in that regiment: Mr. Taylor deserves a rank higher than that of
Colonel. ItÕs amusing to hear him tell how his brother soldiers fulfilled their
duty; this dear colonel had a beautiful dream, and the brilliant charges of his
men didnÕt wear out their shoes. We left Napierville with 5-600 men, and as
itÕs probable that he is gifted with double vision, he counted 900-1100. Only a
few men bravely left their stone houses, and I certify that only McAllister
exposed himself among all that army of officers.; he and five of his men
learned to their expense that there were also men among the Canadians. ItÕs
truly shameful for a man to dare to brag at so cheap a cost.
In the final analysis, the mass of volunteers is nothing but a
bunch of starvelings who cry; ÒLong live the Queen!Ó because they have to eat.
Show yourselves, Canadians, and these beings will return to their
holes.
I'd be curious to see on the tail of all these rascals a few
hundred men with courage, as we know them and as there are so many of in this
country. Oh, let them once have at them and everything will be fine!
I canÕt write; my thoughts multiply and donÕt line up. All I can
say is that tomorrow we must serve as a spectacle for those rogues and that I
feel like laughing in their faces.
I die content and I take with me the sweet satisfaction of having
done what I could. They take me to serve as an example, they say, and I wish
it; let every foreigner bring as much good will with them and those who hang
will be hung, each in his turn. ItÕs only right!
Baron, if you ever lay your hands on a red coat make him follow
the same road, so that he can bring me news of you. But remember that I am a
general, and I need something good, at least a colonel. Less than that, I send
him back to you.
For having said so many silly things I Ôm tired of talking. ItÕs
midnight and at nine o'clock I have to go, adieu! I know that you needed a
serious letter, but no one can be made to do the impossible. I canÕt. The
evening was too stormy.
Tear up all this and letÕs hear no more about it. I awake and start
over with the hope of doing better.
Ch Hindenlang
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