A history of the wrongs and sufferings of the Canadian State Prisoners, is a subject in which the Public have felt so deep. an interest, that no apology can be necessary for the appearance of this work in that respect; but the relation of some of the author's own adventures, although intimately connected with the foregoing, may possibly be viewed in a different light; and he feels it due to himself to say that they were introduced in accordance with the suggestions of numerous friends, with greater diffidence than their prominence might seem to indicate. In giving these slight sketches of the Canadian rebellion, he has been actuated by a desire to correct some false impressions current with the American Public in regard to the feelings and character of the Canadians in their late unhappy struggle for independence.
The proceedings in the courts of London should, perhaps, have been placed in the appendix, but it is hoped the lengthy arguments of the opposing counsel will not be regarded as altogether uninteresting and valueless, by the intelligent reader.
In quoting the language of others, it has been necessary, in order to give a correct idea of the character of many in authority in the British dominions, and the abuse endured by the prisoners, their mental sufferings, &c., to introduce that which is objectionable; yet it has been done with the greatest reluctance, and in as guarded a manner as practicable.