PETITION FROM THE CATHOLICS OF SAULT-STE-MARIE, CANADA TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN COLBORNE K.B., LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF UPPER CANADA

Petition to Sir John from the Catholic Inhabitants of the Sault of St. Mary 

12 January 1835

To His Excellency Sir John Colborne K.B. Lieutenant Governor of the 
Province of Upper Canada, etc. etc. etc. --

The humble petition of the undersigned, inhabitants of Sault-Ste Marie --

Respectfully Sheweth

That your petitioners are residants of this remote corner of is Majesty's
Dominion in North America, and are all of them of the Roman Catholic 
faith.

That having been deprived of a minister of their persuasion, to 
administer to their Spiritual comforts, They find themselves compelled 
to have recourse to the Catholic priest residing on the opposite side 
of the River, being in the United States of America, who visits them 
occasionally.

That the Catholic inhabitants of that side of the river, having 
determined to build a place of worship and parsonage house for their 
pastor, having called on your petitioners for assistance, in furnishing 
their quota of timber for the intended buildings. 

                                                                                          That

That your petitioners entered cheerfully in the demand made on them by 
their Catholic brethren -- but were prohibited by the Reverend William 
MacMurray from cutting any timber on the Indian lands under penalty of 
confiscation of the same --
Notwithstang your petitioners had previously obtained the consent of the
principal chief, for so doing.

Wherefore your petitioners pray most respectfully your Excellency to 
afford them relief in this instance and your petitioners as in duty bound 
will ever pray.

     
Source: Transcribed from the original,
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