"See what it is, Donald," exclaimed MacNab, "to oppose your Chief."

"See what it is, Chief," replied McNaughton, "not to pay your debts. Your horse is now seized and will be sold for the road-money."

"Pho, nonsense!" said the Laird, "they would not dare to do that. You better not get up another petition against me."

"That we will, and a dozen of them," was the reply, "now that Lord Durham is coming out."

The Chief stalked away in proud disdain, snorting like a rhinocerous; but he found Donald's words true; his horse was impounded, and he had to borrow the money from Craig-darroch to get him released.

No sooner had McNaughton reached home than a general meeting of the whole township was held at the Flat Rapids, and it was unanimously resolved to memorialize the new Governor-General, and send a special delegate to wait upon Lord Durham, upon his arrival at Montreal. Mr Allan Stewart drafted the petition, and he was selected as the most proper person to present it. He started on his mission in July of this year, after having the petition signed by almost every settler in the township. A few of the timid and vacillating refused to do so. Dread of McNab's retributive anger alone prevented them. They wished the mission every success, but they declined compromising themselves by any overt act of domestic treason. When Mr. Stewart reached Montreal, the Earl of Durham was there. This proud democratic nobleman disdained to enter any house in the city. He chartered the John Bull steamer, which was fitted up sumptuously for his accommodation, and this was his temporary palace. Mr. Stewart intended to present the petition to him in person; but just as he reached the wharf Lord Durham had disembarked, and instantly jumped into a carriage. His aide-de-camp, Col. Cooper, seeing Stewart's perplexity, at once went up to him, frankly entered into conversation, took the petition, and promised to present it. Stewart gave him his address. Col. Cooper was as good as his word. Next day Stewart received a reply, stating that as soon as the viceroy reached Toronto, an investigation would be held in these matters, and justice should be done.

In the meantime, while the settlers were getting up active measures of resistance, the Chief was preparing a blow and maturing a plan, which if successful, would have placed the people completely under his power, and which nothing but endless litigation and the intervention of Chancery could render nugatory.

Upon hearing of the appointment of Lord Durham as Lord High Commissioner, he became intuitively aware of his danger, and hastily applied to the Government for a Trust-Deed for 10,000 acres, so that he might transfer to those settlers who had settled with him, the portion of land upon which each had been located. This application reached Toronto two days after the departure of Sir Francis Bond Head. Had that gentleman been occupying the gubernatorial chair, the Trust-deed would have been at once handed over to the Laird; but, luckily for the settlers, Sir George Arthur had arrived, and he was a different sort of character from his predecessor. The Council were for granting what McNab asked. The Lieut.-Governor demurred, and the Chief was summoned to Toronto. He arrived early in June, 1838, and had an immediate interview with His Excellency. Sir George heard his story, and became more determined than ever to refuse his application; it was too much power to put in the hands of one man. McNab might, under the deed, sell to any one who would become a settler, the lands under location to his rebellious followers. Thus argued Sir George, and he reasoned correctly. The application was refused. The Chief then devised another scheme more nefarious than the former, which he was within a hair's breath of accomplishing. The following public documents will speak for themselves, and tell the tale:—

[COPY.]

To His Excellency, Sir George Arthur, K.C.H., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, etc.

The Petition of the McNab Sheweth:

That since it appears to your Petitioner there are some difficulties entertained by Your Excellency and the Executive Council as to granting him a Trust-Deed for enforcing the terms of his agreement with his settlers for the present, and duly appreciating the motives, he humbly hopes there can be no objection to ordering him his patent-deed, for the Five-thousand acres granted this Petitioner originally for settling the Township. And your Petitioner shall ever pray, etc.

(Signed)Arch. McNab.
Toronto, June 28th, 1838.

Government House, 29th June, '38.

Referred to the consideration of the Honorable, the Executive Council.

By Command,
(Signed)John MacAulay.

In Council, 29th June, 1838.

Recommended the Patent issue for 5,000 acres, free of expense.

(Signed)R. B. Sullivan, P.C.
(Signed)George Arthur.

Gov't House, 7th July, 1838.

Referred to the Surveyor-General to report thereon for the information of the Honorable, the Executive Council.

By Command,
John MacAulay.