A correspondence between Mr. Wallcott, Civil SeentarY W LOid
Gosford, - and the celebrated Papineau, appears in the Montreal
papers last received. M. Papineau attended a great Anti- Coerciou meeting at St. Laurent on the 12th of May, at which resolutions were passed pledging the meeting to discontinue the use of articles taxed by the Government, and to purchase such only as could be smuggled from the United States, and denouncing the treacherous policy of Archibald Earl of Gosford. The Governor thought proper to call M. Papineau to account for the part be took at this meeting ; and the following letter was sent to him by the Civil Secretary. " Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, 12th August, 1937. tt Sir—The attention of the Governor iu Chief having lately been called to a report contained in the rindkatur newspaper of the 16th May of the proceedings of a meeting held on the previous slay at St. Laurent, in which you are stated to have taken an active put, and where resolutions were passed. some of which distinctly recommend a viola- tion of the haws, I am directed by his Excellency to call upon you, as one holding a commission iu the Militia, to state whether you were present at that meeting, and con- curred im the resolutions there passed ; and if so, I am to inquire whether you haw any explanation to offer in this matter.
" I have, &c. " S. WALLCerr, Civil Secretary. 't To Honottrable L .J. Papineau, tt alajor of the 3d Battalion Montreal Papineau replied-
" Montreal, 14th August 1i37. Sir—The pretension of the Governor to interrogate ins respecting my contact at St. Launtnt, ou the 15th of May last, is an impertinence which I repel with contempt and silence. 1. however, take the pen merely to tell the Governor that it is false that any of the resoletions tioltemal at the meeting of the county of Montreal, held at St. Laurent, on the 13th of May last, recommend a violation of the laws, as, in his ignorance, he ma) believe, or as lie, at least. asserts, • Your obedient servant, " L. J. PAPINEAT:. To Samuel Walletet, Civil Secretary."
Lord Gosford can gain little by a personal altercation with Papineau. Any attempt to punish him, by dismissal from his Militia command for instnnce, would oniy increase his popularity and power.
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