H. F. Blanchard

S.H.S. FILES 31-40. F3T2. Stanstead Historical Society, file 23 of 37. Matthew F. Farfan, « Stanstead’s other journals », Stanstead Historical Society Journal, vol. 13, 1989, p. 27-35.

Le "Canadian Patriot" est publié pendant quelques semaines de l’hiver 1837-1838 par l’éditeur H. F. Blanchard (à partir de Derby Line). Blanchard, et son journal, étaient dévoués à la cause de la frange radicale du Parti Patriote du Bas-Canada. "In January, 1838, justices of the peace J. C. Peasley, Icabod Smith and Wilder Pierce wrote to the Governor, complaining of this paper. They said that it was "seditious" and controlled by unprinciple men. [...]". Le journal cesse de paraître autour de févier 1838. Vers la fin de 1838, Blanchard et le banquier Dexter Chapin lancent un autre journal radical, cette fois à partir de Montréal ("The Montreal Express"). Le gouvernement forcera la fermeture de la publication quelques semaines plus tard. D'ailleurs Blanchard sera emprisonné en novembre, mais relâché en décembre 1838.

p. 11-

[...] Among their exploits was the following, as related by J. S. Walton, Esq., their ensign: "A simultaneous attack had, as it appeared, been planned upon all the towns and villages along the line or frontier of Lower Canada and many parts of Upper Canada, on some night in January, 1837. About one hundred men, principally from Stanstead and Barnston, gathered on the night in question at Derby Line for the purpose, as some of them afterwards stated, of burning the village of Stanstead Plain, and disarming the Volunteers of Captain Kilborn's Company. They were mustered near the flag staff on the brow of the hill, overlooking Rock Island by one Blanchard, who had printed a paper at the line for circulation in Stanstead and Compton counties, with the view of stirring up the people to revolt. This worthy man was choson to lead this gallant band to charge upon the unsuspecting people on 'the Plain',—for so little was danger apprehended at that time, that no guard was kept, either day or night. Before making an effectual demonstration, it was thought best by those bravo men to send a reconnoitering party to the Plain, and Blanchard and some three or four others are reported to have visited most of the buildings in the village and to have recommended an immediate attack, as there wore no "lions" in the way.