MONSIEUR LE CURÉ

Le Comité de Montréal, formé dans le but de régulariser et protéger le mouvement des jeunes gens qui veulent aller à Rome se joindre aux troupes pontificales pour défendre le Saint-Siége menacé, nous charge de vous prier de vouloir bien unir vos efforts aux siens pour assurer la réussite d’un si noble projet.

Ne serait-il pas très-désirable que chaque paroisse du Canada fût représentée dans le corps qui est en voie de formation, et qui probablement partira vers la fin de janvier prochain.

Si l’on ne peut fournir des hommes, on peut toujours contribuer à la même œuvre par sa souscription ; et de fait les hommes ne manquent pas. Ils’en est déjà offert plus de deux cents dans les environs

(1) Voir à l’Appendice le document No, 1.

(2) Voir à l'Appendice le document No. 2

de Montréal, et si le mouvement devient général dans le pays, nous ne croyons rien exagérer en disant que plus de mille hommes sont prêls à offrir leurs services. Ces excellentes dispositions permettront de faire un choix judicieux ; car il est de la plus haute importance que tous ceux qui partiront soient en tous points propres à faire honheur à la cause qu'ils veulent défendre et à la nation qu'ils représenteront. .

C’est pourquoi nul ne sera admis dans les Zouaves Canadiens sans les meilleures recommandations ; et toutes les demandes de service devront être faites par l’entremise du Curé de la Paroisse où est domicilié le candidat.

Nous osons donc vous prier, Monsieur, de faire connaitre les conditions du service à qui de droit, et surtout de bien faire comprendre aux candidats les sacrifices qu'ils auront à faire et les risques insépables d’une expédition aussi loin‘aine que pénible.

Ces conditions sont :

1° Un engagement d’un an qui pourra se renouveler au besoin; cependant, ceux dont le pays requierrait les services, soit pour l’organisation de la milice, soit pour la défense du so!, seraient libres de revenir, au gré du Comité $

% Se contenter du plus strict nécessaire. Les Zouaves Canadiens devront être à tous égards sur le même pied que les autres Troupes Pontificales.

3° S’obliger à remplir fidèlement ses devoirs religieux et obéir aveuglément à ses chefs.

4e S’'attendre à des privations, à des déceptions et misères imprévues considérables.

5 Etre prêts à partir sous quelques heures d'avis,

6° Commencer de suite en particulier, si les circonstances ne s’y opposent pas, les exercices militaires, afin de se mieux préparer au service. Il va sans dire que les cadets et les hommes Géjà exercés devront avoir la préférence, toutes choses égales d’ailleurs.

On assurera à ceux qui partiront, le retour au pays après la durée du service. Un prêtre accompagnera le corps, et le Comité ainsi que tous les bons catholique ne manqueront pas d'encourager de toutrs les manières, au retour, ceux qui s'en seront rendus dignes.

Permettez-nous, Monsieur, de vous prier instamment d'inscrire sur le Rôle marqué A ci-inclus, et d’après les instructions qui y sont détaillées, les noms de tous ceux qui s’.ifriront, Ce rôle ; sa nous être renvoyé le 15 janvier prochain. Veuillez également nous renvoyer au plus tôt l'estimation, marquée B, du nombre d'hommes et de contributions que votre paroisse pourra probablement fournir au mouvement

Nous avons l'honneur d'être,

Monsieur le Curé, Vos très-humbles et obéissants serviteurs,

Joserx Rovyai, SÉévèn: Rivanp, Secrétaires du Comité Canadien des Zoueves Pontificaux.

En même temps que la circulaire aux curés le Comité adressa aux évêques des diocèse de la Confédération, situés hors le Bas-Canada, la lettre suivante, afin de leur faire connaître l’existence, le but et les opérations du Comité jnsqu’à cette date.

Montreal, 28th December 1867.

41, St. Vincent Street.

Right Reverend Sir,

We, the undersigned, have been instructed Lo inform Your Lordship, that at a meeting of Catholic citizens of Montreal, convened for the purpose of giving pecuniary assistance to those who are anxious to form a military corps, for the defence of the Holy See, a Committee was formed with Mr. Olivier Berthelet as President, Messrs. Louis Beaudry and Dr. Hingston, (1) Vice-Presidents, Mr. Alfred LaRocque, Treasurer,, and the most influential Catholics of this City as members.

Although the aim and object of the said Committee is to give all the assistance in its power to those who have determined to make the necessary sacrifices, to carry out their religious object, and whose character is a guarantee that they will fulfil, in an honorable way, their self-imposed duties, yet it is not our intention to sollicit enrolments in this movement. Our aim is to further, to our utmost, the interests of those who have decided to leave, by securing for them the following advantages, viz

le The greatest economy as to the expenses to Ro ne and back to Canada, by making proper arrangements to that effect.

2% Sending them together, under a carefully selected chief, who could, during their voyage, takethe a ivantage of their leisure moments to gr are them for their military duties.

d Obtaining the services of a Canadian Chaplain who would guide them and encourage the full performance of their obligations. 4e By watching their interest during their absence, and securing for those who deserve it, a certain protection on their return to this country.

More than two hundred young men, from the vicinity of Montreal, have already expressed their willigness to leave immediately, to join in this holy cause; and we may with safety count on many more offers of services; s0 that what we desire to Go, without loss of time, is to interest the whole catholic element of Canada in favor of the movement, and to make every possible effort to obtain, from every catholic, a small sum for its encouragement. The aggregate amount thus secured would allow the realization of a demonstration which, if generally supported, must be useful to the Holy See, as well as prove of advantage to Religion and be glorious for Canada.

It is also intended to send the number of men only who could be supported entirely, during their service, with the means collected in this country. We estimate that all the expenses for one year’s service, voyages, etc., included, need not cost more than $400 per man.

1) Le Dr. Hinagsto ur des raisons résigna son titre de ni nt du Comité et n’a jamais agi comme tel,

ZOUAVES PONTIFICAUX. 3t

Is it not desirable gr ca in our sgh pere :

represented in the corps which, we have every reason te expect, wi pi leave this het for the Eternal City, to defend Our Holy Father’s possessions ? k

We have been directed to submit this project, with the hope that Your Lordship will kindly approve it; in which case we flatter ourselves, it should be comparatively easy to form a committee, in Your Lordship's Diocese, which would help to promote the object we have in view ; and should our humble services be of some use, they will be: given most cheerfully.

We also beg leave to inclose a few papers which further explain our project, and we also beg to add, that we have good reason to be lieve, that no legal objection can be or will be taken to our proceedings.

We have the honor to subscribe surselves Your Lordship’s most obedient, humble rervants,

(Signed, J. RoyaL, S. Rivanp, Secretaries to the Montreal Committee to assist the Canadian Papal Zouaves.

Vers le même temps la circulaire suivante fut adressée aux Evêques des Etats-Unis, pour répondre à la multitude des questions que recevait le Comité.

Montreal, décember 1867.:

Right Reverend Sir,

As we have already received, from different parts of the States,. several offers of service for the Corps which the Catholics of Canada will send, about the end of January next, to assist in the Defense of the Holy See, we beg leave to inclose, for Your Lordship’s information and that of the Catholics of the States, different papers which on explain our project.

Il will be easily seen that our object is to give facilities to young men desireus of joining the noble dptoders of Our Common Father, but that we by no means insist on their being recognized as a distinct Corps in the Papal Troops, although should our organisation be suff-. ciently numerous, we would consider it a particular favor if His Holiness would allow it to serve as such. But'in all cases it is intented to put these men under the command of the officers whom His Holiness will recommend as most useful. Your Lordship will also remark one of the essential conditions of service is the performance of all religious duties and also entire obedience to superior authority.

We moreover expect to arm, equip and per these men, during the whole of their service, with funds raised here for that purpose.

We are convinced that our means will not allow us to send more than about one third of those who will press for the acceptance of”

their services; 80 that the answer to all american applicants, is that, unless they are supplied with the necessary means (about $400 in gold) and with the very best recommendations, they cannot be admitted.

We of course would feel very happy to give to all those so provided, all the advantages of our organization and they would be sure of a welcome amongst our friends.

We have the honor to be, Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servants,

JosErH RoYaL.

SEVERE Rivanp.

We inclose 10 a copy of a letter addressed to the Bishops of Canada ;

D ” Le to the Curés of the Diocese of Montreal;

30 a copy of a Pastoral Letter of the Bishop of Montreal, specially recommending our project to the faithful ;

4o a copy of a circular letter of the same, giving advice as to the mode of obtaining necessary means ;

50 a copy of The Gazelle, a protestant paper, in which favorable notice is taken of our proposed organization.