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 SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 
 
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 .IKl'l' (loVI- RXOK SIMCOi:, IN 1791. 
 
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 L \\ T T E R 
 
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 SIR JOSEPH BANKS, 
 
 (I'HKNIIIKNT i)K TIIK KOYAL KOCIETY DP OHKAT BRITAIN) 
 
 WHITTKN BY 
 
 LIKUT.-G(WKRNOR SIMCOE, in 1791, 
 
 IMllun T(i IMS IIKI'AKTIRK FROM KNdl.ASn FOR TIIK ITHTOSK OK OROANIZISO TllK S'KW lll(A|N( K 
 
 CIK ri'PKR CAN'ADA ; TO WiTlCII IS ADDKll FIVE OFFICIAL KPRKCIIKS DELIVERKI) BY HIM 
 
 AT TIIK OI'KNIN'O OR (.LOSING OK I'ARLIAMKST IN THE SAME PROVIXtE. 
 
 WITH A I'RKKATORY NOTICE BY TIIK RKV. I)R, SOADIUNO. 
 
 if 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ax ^ribatt Civculntion. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 ' 
 
 
 TORONTO : 
 THK COPl', CI.ARK COMPANY, LIMITED, PRINTERS. 
 
 
 ''>■ ■ 
 
 
 
 1890. 
 
 
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PREFATORY NOTICE. 
 
 Tlie accompanying lettci is priiued from a niaiuiscript copy furnishctl to ine 
 many years ago by a memijer of the Simcoe family in Uevonshiie ; it was written 
 by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe immediately after his a])pointment to the new 
 Province of Upper Canada in 1791, and before his departure from England to 
 undertake the duties of his governorship. He addressed it to Sir Joseph Hanks, 
 the then President of the Royal Society of Great Britain, in an informal and 
 confidential manner, setting forth his own views in regard to w hat should be done 
 by the introducer of the British Constitution and British habits of thought — into a 
 region up to the moment of writing, an unbroken forest aiul a wilderness of lakes 
 and rivers, freiiuented almost exclusively by the red Indian ; asking for the ideas 
 of that very eminent and intelligent scientist on the subject. 
 
 In the Parliamentary Library at Ottawa, many Simcoe papers are preserved, 
 copied at the expense of the Canadian Government from the family archives in 
 England, but this letter to Sir Joseph Banks does not appear amongst them, and 
 I have preserved it with all the more care as it admits us to a view of the very 
 first movements in several great and philanthropic minds, towards the establish- 
 ment on the soil of North America of a new province on principles more 
 enlightened and more constitutional in a political sense than any province that had 
 been previously organized. From time to time I have elsewhere made use of 
 portions of its contents. Rather curiously in a catalogue of autograph historical 
 documents offered for sale by Mr. John Waller, in London, only a few months 
 since, the original of this letter was named and described among innumerable other 
 manuscripts from the library of Sir Joseph Banks, just broken up and dispersed. 
 I endeavored to secure it, but failed. Mr, Waller could not remember to whom 
 he had sold it. 
 
 The newly appointed governor's words in this letter respecting the Great 
 Peninsula Region, surrounded by the Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron, have 
 proved prophetic. From (j: priori considerations he asserted of it at this early 
 period that, " it was destined by nature sooner or later to govern the interior 
 world." He had evidently been examining his maps to some purpose, such maps 
 as could then be procured of this portion of North America. 
 
 As a scholarly man, Governor Simcoe had probably often dwelt upon the ideal 
 commonwealths of Plato and Bacon, and consequently he would be pleasantly 
 excited at being called on to undertake the inauguration of a community of a 
 somewhat similar description. He showed himself, however, sufficiently practical, 
 proceeding as he did to base all his plans upon the well-tried constitution of 
 England. 
 
 He felt deeply the loss to the Empire of the thirteen American colonies, a 
 sentiment natural enough in a soldier, who had taken an active part in the endea- 
 
vors to prevent lliat catastropliy. He apparently considered that Kngland had 
 iinderfjone a Inmiiliation in the rendinj; asunder of her I'-nipire on the continent of 
 Ncjrth iVnierica, I'liit liow dil'ferent after the lapse of a few years do such events 
 appear, 
 
 That rupture was in reality no humiliation, Init was destined to redound to the 
 glory of Enj^'ind. The severance was not affected throui;li the act of a foreign 
 foe ; it was the result of a disinite among the sons of the (ireat IWitish Ifousehold, 
 an<l a new nation was called thereby into being. As long as freedom of will and 
 frecilom of action are ]iermitted to rational beings it is to be expected that an evo- 
 lution of new communities will take place from time to time somewhat in this way. 
 
 At the time of writing his letter to Sir Joseph Banks, the new (Mjvernor seems to 
 have been under the iniiiression that the lost colonies would be recovered, the peojile 
 themselves becoming dissalisfiet'i with their new situation. To help forward such 
 an event he purpcjsed to establish in the new province of Upjier Canada a political 
 state of things which should contrast strongly with a republican constitution. In 
 order to accomplish the noble object in view he was ready to undergo a species of 
 banishment, as he expresses it, that is to say, an exile for a term of years from 
 Englantl and jileasant Devonshire, where his home and ample estates were 
 situated. Ni.vi sibi sed patria' — " Not for himself, but for his country," was the 
 motto worthily ap]>ended to the coat-of-arms of his family. 
 
 He hoped to win back the revolted colonies by the sheer attraction of a better 
 government. He seems to have expected that by a voluntary act on the part of 
 the people of the United States, a return might take place to the protection and 
 rule of the Mother Country. 
 
 All this seems to be implied in the expression, VoleiUes in Populos, a partial 
 reminiscence of Virgil's " Volcnte per Populos in Gunnies IX," where the poet 
 boasts of Caesar's dispensing law throughout the willing nations on the banks of the 
 far Euphrates. 
 
 Latin was in the air in those days, apt expressions in that language were con- 
 stantly coming to the lips of statesmen. Another instance of this is to be found in 
 the motto placed on the Public Seal of the Province of Upper Canada itself : 
 " Imperii porrecta niai^estiis, ciistodv rerum Cesare, — " The greatness of the 
 Empire extended, under the guardianship of Caesar. " 
 
 The advance of the British system into a region previously unoccupied by the 
 organization of a new province seems to be glanced at. Horace is here laid under 
 contribution. See Ode 15, Book IV. The legend on the Seal for the Lower 
 Province was, Al> ipso ducit opes animuiuqiie Jerro — " From the sword itself 
 come fresh sources of public wealth and vigour." This is from Horace's 4th 
 Book, IV Ode. On the seal is seen the rock of Quebec, surmounted by the 
 British flag ; below is a forest of masts ; in t'ae foreground a sturdy oak tree, 
 putting forth branches apparently in the direction of the fortress — imagery fore- 
 shadowmg new developments of British "Ships, Colonies, and Commerce" on 
 the Western Continent. There is a classical ring also in the reference to himself 
 as a Romulus about to engage in the foundation of a great state. The name also 
 of Geogina, which he proposed to affix to the capitol city of his new state has 
 likewise a classical sound. Some such word as Pollis or Civitas being under- 
 
5 
 
 stouil, l)eing formed from Georgias, tlie name of the reigning kin^', somewhat as 
 the local name Carolina was formed from Caroliw, ("liailes also a reij,'ning king. 
 Had the name (Jeorgina been actually applied to tlie town contemplated, it would 
 probably have continued in us" to this day, and although somewhat i)eculiar in 
 form, it would have been at this time as familiar to us as Uegina in the North 
 West, which has become a now household word ; but unhappily the name fin.illy 
 adopted for this city was London, giving rise in after times to innumerable ambig- 
 uities, and destined yet probably to be exchanged for the more definite appellation 
 of Tecumseh. (The proposed deorgina has beiMi curiously ]ireserved to this 
 day ill the name of a Township on Lake Simcoe, the Township of (ieorgina.) 
 
 CJovcrnor Simco,;, in his letter to Sir Joseph Hanks, throws a clear under- 
 standing of the real stale of feeling existing in the mind> of many citi/cns in the 
 newly-formed I'nited States. This arose from his intercourse with colonists of 
 New England, Tennsylvania and \'irginia during his lengthened presence there as a 
 military commander in the war of the Revolution. The jnoject of making a 
 portion of the legislative body hereditary in the new Province of Upper Canada 
 was probably not so much his own as that of I'itt, who in the debate on the 
 Constitutional Act of 1791, had suggested such an arrangement regardless of the 
 grave inconveniences likely to follow. Happily this idea was never carried into 
 ed'ect. (It was expected possibly also to be a kind of counterpoise to a certain 
 grade of noblesse already existing in Lower Canada.) 
 
 Many years had to elapse liefore the Society for the Promotion of Science, 
 similar to that over which Sir foseph I'anks jiresided which entered into the 
 governor's plans, could ')e established. The idea was ultimately realized in our 
 Canadian Institute, founded in 1S49, incorporated in 1S51 ; and as for the 
 college contemplated, a delay of nearly fifty years was destined to take place, 
 when the intention was grandly fullllled by the institution of King's College, 1842, 
 transformed now into the noble University of Toronto. A good beginning was 
 made in regard to schools of a su]ierior class as preparatory to a university in 
 1S06, by the establishment of four Royal Grammar Schools at Kingston, Niagara, 
 Cornwall, and Sandwich, respectively. As for schoo's of a humbler class they 
 were for the most part left to the enterprise of luivate individuals, and were quite 
 inadequate to the wants of the population until our present world-wide public 
 school system came into operation, also in 1S42. The Public Library which the 
 new governor hoped to see founded actually came into existence on a very small 
 scale in his own time, in connection ajiparently with his parliament. It included, 
 as is shown by a brief contemporary catalogue, the encyclopeilia suggested by the 
 Marquis of Buckingham. 
 
 The expected bishop of whom Governor Simcoe speaks proved to be the Rev. 
 Dr. Mountain, previously rector of Buckden in Huntingdonshire, and Holbeach, in 
 Lincolnshire, he was appointed in 1793 to superintend the spiritual interests of 
 both the new provinces, with the title of Anglican Bishoi) of Quebec. The high 
 legal functionary with whom the province was to be ])rovided was Chief Justice 
 William Osgoode, from whom the well known Osgoode Hall, of Toronto, has its 
 name. 
 
 The young surgeon to whom he alludes of scientific proclivities as about to be 
 
T 
 
 attached to tlio i^ovcnioi's houschoKl and suite was Doctur Macaulay, eventually 
 fati\er of Cliief Justice Sir James Macaulay, and tlie distin<;iiished engineer officer, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel John Simcoe Macaulay. 
 
 The letter to Sir Joseph Hanks shows the newlv ".pjwinted Governor of Upper 
 Canada to iiave been a lover of the arts and sciences, a man of letters anxious to 
 establish systems of education adapted to every class amonj; the peojile committed 
 to his char^je : favoring' the study of Hutany with a view to the introduction 
 of iilants of an economic value ; flax and hem]), for example, he prol)ai)ly 
 suggests as being likely to render the empire less indebted to Kus^ia and 
 other countries for the cordaj,'e and canvas recpiired for the ei|uipment of its ships. 
 The five otHci.al speeches which follow, the only ones at this time recoveial)le, 
 delivered at the ojienint; or closinj,' t>{ iiaiiinment, jiresent him to us in another 
 aspect. He is no longer enjoying the task imposed, simply as a thing in prospect, 
 but now we see him in the midst of his work. With the hand of a « ise master 
 builder he is laying the foundation of a state 
 
 The terrible French revolution which was convulsing all Europe at the jieriod 
 hail deejiened in his mind, as it had also done in 'hat o^ Edmund Kurkx and many 
 others, the conviction that Christianity ami it^ precepts atCvirdetl the only irue 
 guarantees for the stability and happiness of human, society. He guidc'l himself 
 accordinidy ; and the whole Anglo-Canadian nation cxteiuling now fruiii the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific feels to this day the utoulding effect of measures suggested 
 by Governor Simcoe and enacted under his eye into laws in Upper Canada 
 during his ever memorable administration of that normal province, now the 
 Province of Ontario, from 1 791 to 1796. 
 
 As in the case of the jounial of Major Littlehales, reprinted by me a few vears 
 since in ])amphlet form, the purport of the present collection also is to suggest the 
 iiropricty of the erection ot a r'djlic monument to the memory of the first organ- 
 izer of the Province of Uppti Canada, and to ]]iiiiu out as a fitting site for such 
 monument the ground in front of the main entrance to the new Parliament 
 Buildings now erecting in Toronto. 
 
T 
 
 LETTER TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS. Etc. 
 
 ^"<. — T vviiH iiuicli <lisii|>i)oint(Ml that tlic variety (,f business in 
 whieli my good friend Sir ( !(!orgo Yonge was engaged, and my own 
 avocations, prevented nie from having the honour of lieing introduced 
 to yon, as r m us it was generally made known that I was to bo 
 ajujointed to the Government in Upper Canada. Jiur, sii', as it is 
 possible that I may be hurried otl, witiiout having nuich time to 
 spare, in endeavoring to ])vocuro in jurson sucli advantages for the 
 community I am to su[)erintend, as mus; necos.sarily I'osult from the 
 great encouragement this nation umiur His Majesty's auspices, affords 
 to those arts and sciences which • t, once sujjpo c and eml)ellish our 
 country. I am eml)oldened l>y letter tu solicit that assistance from 
 you. and on those subjects which 1 voniiue to point out, |)rei)aratory 
 to my return to Londoii, when I shall hope to have the honour of 
 frequent communication with you, and lu ivail my.self of your ideas 
 and patronage. 
 
 The liberality of your character, the high station you till and the 
 public ]>rinciples which I apprehend that you entertain, leave upon 
 my mind no hesitation in communicating to yon confidentialh/, m_) 
 views, and the object which irresistibly impels me to undertake this 
 species of banishment, in hopes that you v/ill see its m;ignitude and 
 in consequence afford your utmost sui)pori to the undertaking. 
 
 I am one of those who know all the consequence of our late 
 American dominions, and do not attempt to hide from myself the 
 injjjending calamity in case of future war, because neither in council 
 nor in the field did I conti'ibute to their dismemberment. I would 
 die by moi'e than Indian torture to restore my King and his family 
 to their just inheritance and to give my country that fair and natural 
 accession of power which an union with their brethren could not fail 
 to bestow and render permanent. Though a soldier, it is not by 
 arms that I hope for this result ; '■ .ia vo/entes in jwpulos only, that 
 such a renewal of empire can be desirable to His Majesty — and 1 
 ^hin. even now, though (I hold that the last supine five years and 
 
8 
 
 ' r 
 
 every hour that the Govftmment is deferred detracts from our fair 
 hopts) even now, this event may take phice. 
 
 I mean to pi-ei>arr; for whatever convulsions may hap])en in the 
 United Stnt^'s ; ainl the method I |)ropose is by establishing a free, 
 honourable Britii«h Govenmient, and a pure administration of its laws, 
 which shall hohl out to the solitary emigrant, and to the several 
 states, advantugen that the pr-esent form of Government doth not and 
 cannot permit tlieru to enjoy. There are inherent defects in the 
 congressional form of Goverrnent, the absolute j)roliibition of any 
 order of nobility is a glaring one. The true New England Ameri- 
 cans have as stroiig an aristocratical s})irit as is to be found in Great 
 Britain ; nor aie they anti-monarchical. I hope to liave a l)ei'(;ditary 
 council with sonie umrk of nobility. 
 
 For the ))ur|>o)«e of w^mmerce, union, and power, I propose that 
 the site of the colony should be in that Great Peninsula between the 
 Lakes Hui-on, Erie, and Ontario, a spot destined by nature, sooner 
 or later, to govern the interior world. 
 
 I mean to estabii^-ii a rrapital in the very heart of the country, uiion 
 the River l^a Ti"anehe, which is navigable for batteauxs for 150 miles 
 — and near to wherfi ths Grand Iliver which falls into Erie, and 
 others that commnni'.'ate with Union and Ontario, almost interlock. 
 Tlie capital I mean to call fieorgina — and aim to settle in its viciuit}' 
 iioyulists who are now in Connecticut, provided that Government 
 approve of the svhteni, 
 
 I am to have a Bishop, an English Chief Justice, etc, — This, sir, is 
 the outline of my plan, and I trust it will force its way, notwith- 
 standing wh.tt circurnwrribed men and self-interested monopolists may 
 allege against it. It must .stand on its own ground, for my extensive 
 views are not wiiat thi» country is yet prepared for, though the New 
 England Provinces arr; by no means aver.se to them and they are the 
 strength of Anx'rica, 
 
 Now, sir, not to tre«|ra.s.s on your time, you will sei; how highly 
 important it will U?, that thi.s colony, (which I mean to show forth 
 with all the advantag<rs of British protection as a better Government 
 than the United St.iit<!« can possibly obtain) should in its very found- 
 ations provide for ftvury Ji.saistan(-e that can possibK'^ be procured for 
 the arts and scieuc^.'H, and foi- every embellishment that hereafter may 
 decorate and attract notice, and may point it out to the neighbouring 
 
 
States as a superior, more hap,,y, and more polisheil form of Govern- 
 ment. I would not in its inftmcy have a hut, nor in its maturity, a 
 palace bnilt without this deaiirn. 
 
 My friend, the Marquis of Buckingham, has suggested that Gov- 
 ernment ought to allow me a sum of money to be laid out for a 
 Public Library, to be comi)Osed of such books as might be useful to 
 the colony. He instanced the encyclopedia, extracts from which 
 might occasionally be published in the newspapers. it is ])ossible 
 l)rivate donations might be obtained, and that it wouUl become an 
 object of Royal mnniticence. 
 
 If any Botanical arrangement could take place, I conceive it might 
 be highly useful, and might lead to the introiluotion of som<; com- 
 modities in that country which Great Britain now procures from 
 other nations. Hemp and flax, should be encouraged by Koiuulus. 
 In the literary way I should be glad to lay the foundation stoue of 
 some society that I trust might hereafter conduce to the extension of 
 science. Schools have been shamefully neglected— a college of a 
 higher class would be eminently useful, and would give a tone of 
 principles and of manners that would be of infinite support to Gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Sir George Yonge has promised me my old surgeon -a young man 
 attached to his profession, and of that docile, patient and industrious 
 turn, not without inquisitiveness, that will willinglv ilirect itself to 
 any pursuit which may be recommended as the object of enquiry. 
 
 I am sure, sir, of your full pardon for what I now offer to you 
 from the design with which it is written, and I am anxious to profit 
 from your enlarged ideas. I shall therefore beg leave to wait upon 
 you when I return to London. 
 
 I am sir, with the utmost respect. 
 
 Your most obedient and faithful, 
 
 •T. G. SiMCOE. 
 
 Sir Joskph Banks. Bart, 
 
 President of the Royrd Soc'ietij. 
 
 January 8th, 17t)l. 
 
OFFICIAL SPEECHES. 
 
 AT THE OPKMNG OF THE FIRST SESSIOX OF THE FIKST PARLIAMENT 
 OF rPPER CANADA, SEPTEMHER 18tH, 1 " 92. 
 
 IJonourahle Gentlenien of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the 
 Ilonse of Assonbly. 
 
 I have summoned you togetlier, under the authority of an Act 
 of tlie Parliament of Great Britain, passed last year, which has estab- 
 lished the British Constitution, and all the forms which secure and 
 maintain it, in this distant country. 
 
 The wisdom and beneficence of our most gracious Sovereign and 
 the British Parliament have l)een eminently proved, not only \u 
 imparting to us the same form of government, but also in securing 
 the benetit by the many provisions that guard this memorable act ; 
 so that the blessings of our invaluable constitution thus jn'otected and 
 amplified, we may hope, will be extended to the remotest posterity. 
 
 The great and momentous trusts and duties which have been com- 
 mitted to the representatives of this province, in a degree intinitely 
 beyond whatever, till this period, have distinguished any other 
 colony liave originated from the British nation, upon a just consider- 
 ation of the energy and hazard with which its inhabitants have so 
 conspicuously su[tported and defended the British Constitution. 
 
 It is from the same patriotism you are now called upon to exercise; 
 with due deliliei'ation and foresight, the various otlices of civil adminis- 
 ti'ation, that your fellow subjects of the British Empire exi)ect the 
 foundations of that union of industry and wealth, of commerce antl 
 power, which may last through all succeeding ages. 
 
 The natural advantages of the Province of Upjier Canada are 
 inferior to none on this side of the Atlantic ; there can be no separate 
 interest through its whole extent. The British form of government 
 has prepared the way for its speedy colonization, and I trust that 
 your fostering care will improve the favorable situation ; and that a 
 numerous and agricultural people will speedily take po.ssession of the 
 soil an<l climate, which under tiie British Laws, and the muniticence 
 with which his Majesty has granted the lands of the Crown, offer 
 such manifest and peculiar encouragement. 
 
1 1 
 
 AT THE CLOSING OF TKE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT 
 OP UPPER CANADA, OCTOHKR loTH, 17[)-J. 
 
 Honoiirahk Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of 
 the House of Assemhh/. 
 
 * 
 
 It is with great satisfaction that I liave considered the acts whicli 
 yon liave fonnd it expedient to frame and to which in consequence of 
 the jiower delegated to me, I have this .lay given my assent, that 
 they shall become laws of the Province of Upper Canada. 
 
 As the division which his Majesty, in his wisdom, thought proper 
 to make of the late Province of Quel)ec obviated all inconveniencies, 
 and laid the foundation for an estal)lishment of the English laws in 
 the jirovince, it is natural to [)resume that you would seize the first 
 opportunity to impart that benefit to your fellow subjects, and by 
 the act to establish trial hy jury, and by that which makes the Eng- 
 lish law the rule of decision, in all matters of controversy, relative to 
 property and civil rights, you have fully justified the i)ublic exi)ecta- 
 tion. Your other acts seem calculated to promote the general 
 welfare and convenience of the province. 
 
 His ^Majesty in his benevolence, having directed a seventh from 
 such lands as shall be granted to l)e reserved to the Crown for the 
 public Ijenefit, it will become my duty to take those measures which 
 shidl appear to be necessary to fulfil his Majesty's gracious intentions; 
 and I make no doubt, but ;is citiz(uis and magistrates, you will inve 
 every assistance in your ))ower to carry into full efTect a system from 
 which the public and post<'rity must ileri\e such peculiar advantages. 
 
 Honotirahle Gentlemen and Gentlemen. 
 
 I cannot dismiss you without earnestly desiring you to pi-omote by 
 precei)t and example, among your respective counties, the regular 
 habits of jjiety and moi-ality, the surest foundations of all private and 
 public felicity ; and at this juncture, I particularly recommend to 
 you to explain, that this province is singularly blest, not with a 
 mutilated constitution, but with a constitution wliicii has stood the 
 test of experience, and is the very image and transcript of that of 
 Great Britain ; by which she has long established and secured to her 
 subjects as much freedom and hai)piness as is possil)le to be enjoyed 
 inider the Subordination necessary to civilized societv. 
 
12 
 
 III. 
 
 AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT 
 OF UPPER CANADA, MAY 31 ST, 1793. 
 
 Hononrahle Genflemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of 
 the House of Asseinhly. 
 
 The persons who at pi-esent exercise the su])reine authority in 
 France having declared war against his Majesty, I think it proper to 
 recommend to your early attention the new modelling of a Militia 
 Bill, which the nioi-e urgent business of the last session jn-evented 
 you from accomplishing. 
 
 I have the firnu;st reliance that it will be framed in a manner 
 suitable to the principles of the British Constitution so as to unite 
 tlie interest and convenience of individuals with an establishment 
 necessary to the public protection. 
 
 It is with great satisfaction I am able to corauumicate to vou that 
 the insidious attempts of those who envy the prosperity of the 
 British nation, or are avowedly disaftected to the principles of its 
 Constitution, have been completely counteracted and defeated V)y the 
 wisdom of his Majesty's counsels, and by the affectionate attachment 
 and spirited resolves of all ranks and descriptions of his Majesty's 
 .subjects ; and it is manifest that upon this important occasion Biitons 
 have acted with that unanimity and loyalty which might lie ex- 
 pected from men who know how to estimate the vain assumptions of 
 innovators, and from the virtue, the wisdom, the struggles and 
 experiences of their ancestors inherit those civil and religious blesss- 
 ings which are derived under a free constitution, equally abhorrent 
 of absolute monarchy, aibitrary aristocracy, or tyrannical democracy. 
 
 The principles on which those who exercise authority over the 
 French nation support the war which they have so unjustly begun 
 against his Majesty's allies cannot fail to call to your recollection how 
 often it has been necessary for Great Britain to stand forth as the 
 protector of the liljerties of mankind, and we may entertain a jiious 
 confidence that under the guidance of the Almighty Giver of all 
 victory, his IVIajesty's arms directed to the security of his allies, will 
 ultimately lie crowned with success, and that it will be the felicity of 
 the British F^mpire to maintain the indepemlence of Euro]ie against 
 all modern aggressions u}ton those equitable principles which our 
 ancestors so wisely contributed to establish. 
 
 I am happy to congratulate you upon the success which has at- 
 tended liis Majesty's arms in the protection of his allies in tlie East 
 Indies, and I aui sure you will readily concur in the observation that 
 
13 
 
 a war which has been carried on witli consummate vigour and abilitr 
 under the conduct of Marquis Cornwallis, so prosperous and decisive 
 in its events should be terminated with such justice and moderation is 
 a fresli proof to the universe of tliat maguanimity which has so long 
 characterized the British nation. 
 
 Honourable Ge.ntlemen and Gentlemen, 
 
 I have to reconnnend to you to proceed in that hiudable course of 
 unanimity with which you have begun your legislative functions, and 
 to continue all your consultations to advance tlio interests and hap|n- 
 ness of this colony by ir.aking those provisions for the due support of 
 public justice, for the encourageinent of morality, and the punish- 
 ment of crime, which are necessaiy to the existence ot society. 
 
 In all these measures that may promote the real welfare of !iis 
 Majesty's subjects in this country, which may tend to the most inti- 
 mate \niion with every \n\vt of the British Empire, you cannot fail of 
 meeting with his Majesty's ))aternal and beneticenC approbation, 
 and you may be assured that my best endeavois will alwiiys be 
 exertetl to forward the public prosperity, not only from the duty 
 which I owe to the King, but from the most sincere attacliment wliicli 
 I bear to the inhabitants of this province. 
 
 IV. 
 
 AT THE CLOSING OF THK SECOND SESSION OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT 
 OF UPPER CANADA, JULY 9th, 1793. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen of the Legulotive Council, mid Gentlemen of 
 the House of Assembly. 
 
 It gives me great satisfaction that by your unremitting dill , ace 
 the public business of the session has been so far transacted that I am 
 enabled to consult your personal convenience and to dismiss you at 
 an early period to your respective residences. 
 
 It is with pleasure I perceive tliat agreeably to my recommenda- 
 tion you have modelled a Militia Bill, and have provided such 
 salutary laws as are suitable to the present condition of the Province. 
 
 The act for the gradual abolition of slavery in this colony which it 
 has been thought expedient to frame, in no res])ect meets from me a 
 more cheerful concurrence than in that provision which repeals the 
 power heretofore held by the Executive Branch of the Constitution 
 and j)i'ecludes it from giving sanction to the importation of slaves ; 
 and I cannot but anticipate with singular pleasure that such persons 
 
H 
 
 as may he in that unhappy coiuUtiou which sound policy and 
 humanity unite to condemn, added to their own protection froni all 
 undue severity by the law of the land, may henceforth look forward 
 with certainty to the emancipation of their oHspring. 
 
 IIoHOnrahle Gentlemen ^..id Gentlemen. 
 
 Should the necessity of any further provision or amendments of the 
 ordinances of the hit"' Province of (Quebec attract your notice during 
 the recess, I doubt not but in the next session by carrying such im- 
 provements into execution you will exeiui)lify that distinguished 
 excellence in the British Consti ution of which we daily expei'ience 
 the benefit and which has been transmitted to us by our ancestors as 
 the firmest security of the public prosperity. 
 
 V. 
 
 AT TIIK CLOSING OF THK FIFTH SESSION OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT 
 
 OF UPPER CANADA, 171)6. 
 
 Ifononrab/c Gentlemen of the Legislative Coicncil, and Gentlemen of 
 the House of Assembly. 
 
 The public business of the session l)eing brought to a conclusion, 
 it is with pleasui'o I consider your proceedings therein have been 
 marked with the same attention to the welfare of the province which 
 has distinguished your conduct throughout the whole of this, the first 
 Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada ; and which draws near to 
 its tei'mination ai;reeal)ly to the law. 
 
 It is not possible for nie, without emotion, to contem})late that wo 
 will have lx:en called u])on to execute the most imjjortant trust that 
 can be delegated by the King and British Parliament during a peiiod 
 of awful and stupendous events, which still agitate the greater part 
 of mankind, and which have threatened to involve all that is valual)le 
 in civil society in one promiscuous ruin. Howe*, er remote we may 
 have been ha))pily ])Iaced from the scene of the.se events, we have not 
 been without their influence ; but, by the blessing of God, it has 
 only been sufficient to ju-ove that this ])rovince, founded upon the 
 rock of loyalty, demonstrates one common spirit in the defence of 
 their King and their country. 
 
 In the civil provisions for the establishment and maintenance of 
 our Constitution, and the benefits flowing therefrom, we shall, I 
 trust, always recollect with great satisfaction, that we have been 
 actuated and guided by a fair ami upright desire to lay the founda- 
 tion of private right and public ;)rosperity. 
 
15 
 
 I humbly believe that his Majesty, the Father of his jjeople, and the 
 beneficent founder of this loyal province, will accept our endejivours 
 to perpetuate these blessings, which it is his wish should attend his 
 faithful subjects and their remotest posterity. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen and Gentlemen. 
 
 It is our iniraediat(5 duty to reconnueiid our pubUc acts to our 
 fellow subjects by the elHciency of our private example ; and to con- 
 tribute in this tract of the British Empire, to form a nation, obedient 
 to the laws, frugal, temperate, industrious ; — impressed with a stead- 
 fast love of justice, of honour, of public good ; with unshaken probity 
 and fortitude amongst men, with Christian piety and gratitude to 
 God. 
 
 Conscious of the intention of welldoing, I shall over cherish, with 
 reverence and humble acknowledgment, the remembnince that it is 
 my singular happiness to have borne to this province the powers, the 
 privileges, the principles and the practice of the British Constitution ; 
 this perpetual monument of the rood will of the Empire, the rewanl 
 of tried aftection and loyalty, can best fulfil the just end of all 
 government, as the ex[)erienca of ages hath proved by comnnuiioating 
 universally, jirotection and prosperity, to those who make a lightful 
 use of its advantages. 
 
 It will be interesting to the Canadian people to have on recorcl the 
 two following inscriptions, taken from memorial tablets in England : — 
 
 (Inscription in Exeter Cathedral, Decon.) 
 
 Sacred to the memory of 
 
 JOHN GRAVES SOICOE, 
 
 Lieutenant-! J ener.al in tlio Army. 
 
 And (Jolonel of the "J'ind Regiment of Foot, 
 
 ^\'ho died on the •2()th day of October, 1800, 
 
 Ageil oi. 
 
 In whose life and character the virtues of the Hero, the 
 
 Patriot, and the Christian v'- ^o eminently cou- 
 
 spicious, that it may justly be said he served 
 
 his King and his country with a zeal 
 
 exceeded only by his piety 
 
 towards his Ood. 
 
 This inscription is surmounted by a medallion of the General in high 
 relief; and on the left and right, respectively, are full length figures 
 of a soldier in the uniform of the Queen's Bangers, and of a North 
 American Indian in native costume holding a tomahawk in his right 
 hand. 
 
I6 
 
 On the exterior wall of a private chapel at WoU'ord, the family 
 residence of General Simcoe : — 
 
 Sacreil to the memory of 
 
 LIl-:UT.-(iI-:NEKAL JOHN URAVE8 SIMCOE, 
 
 Who (lied ()ctol)er L'Otli, 180(), 
 
 Ageil r)4. 
 
 His mortal remains were Imried at the foot of this atone six 
 
 years after lie had ereeted this Chapel to the glory of 
 
 (idd, and the mauifestatioti of the purpose in 
 
 wliieh he lived and died. 
 
 As for me and my house, we will serse the Lord. —Jonhiui, xxiv, v. 1.5. 
 
 He left a widow and nine 
 
 children to lament 
 
 his loss. 
 
 This pi-ivate chapel at Wolforcl is referred to in the following letter 
 addressed by Genei-al Sinicoe to the clerg}'man of the parish, on the 
 subject of celebrating his fiftieth birthday : — 
 
 T)\i\\\ Sir, — On the 22nd of this month I shall have lived half a 
 century ; you will, tlierefore, much oblige me if you will .spend the 
 day with me and will cel(d)i'ate Divine service at 12 o'clock in our 
 chapel. T should esteem it as a tavor if you would take for your 
 text, " Remember your Creator in tin; days of your youth," etc., — the 
 advantages of being a Christian, of having been educated by a most 
 pious and excellent mother, (my fiithiM' dying whilst I was yet an 
 infant, in the ser\'ice of his country), ;\ssisted by the companions 
 of my father's youth, and the protectors of my own — the advantages 
 of beiuii 'I'l Eui-dishman, and of that church where Ciiristianitv is 
 administered in its parent form — the advantages of being a member 
 of that Government where laws are most equal, nnd I wish them to 
 be recommended to my children : there is a text in Leviticus, I 
 believe, that particularly enforces purity of heart to those who aspire 
 to military command ; as mine in all views is a military family, it 
 may not be amiss in a more esjiecial manner to inculcate the remem- 
 brance of the Creator to those who shall engage in the solemn duties 
 of j)rotecting their country, at these times, from foreign usurpation. 
 
 I am, truly youis, 
 
 J G S 
 
 Feb. 14th, 1801. 
 
 In accordance with the anticipation expressed in this note, the 
 General's eldest son became an officer in the army ; a very b. '.ef 
 career, however, as will be gathered from the following inscription on 
 the south wall of the private chapel already spoken of : — 
 
17 
 
 Sacred to tlie inemoiy of 
 
 FRAXCIS GWILLIM SLMCOE, 
 
 Lieutenant in the 27th llegiuieut of Foot, 
 
 Eldest son ot 
 
 Lieut. -General John (i raves Simcoe, 
 
 And Elizabeth, his wife. 
 
 Born 
 
 At VVolford Lodge, 
 
 Fell in the breach at the siege of Badajoz, 
 
 April 6th, i8l'2, 
 
 Li the 'J 1st year of his age. 
 
 "Be of good courage, let us behave ourselves valiantly for our 
 
 people, and let the Lord do tliat which is good in 
 
 His sight." 1 Ch.ruii., xix, \'A. 
 
 It will not be deemed out of place to add that tlie touching letter 
 addressed by the Military Chaplain to tlio mother of the young soldier, 
 breaking to her the .sad intelligence of his fall in the trendies in 
 Badajoz : — 
 
 "Though perfectly unknown, yet my feelings dict;ite that I should 
 in the present meJanolioly sea.son address you, as I am aware youi' 
 anxiety must be great respacting the fate of my most esteemed friend, 
 your son : sincerely lamented by all who knew him. he fell on the 
 night of the Gth, in the mid.st of several others, his brother officers, 
 and hundreds of his fellow-countrymen, while storming the town of 
 ij;>dajoz : to state the details of this circumstance would be needless. 
 In him I have lost a promising 3'oung friend, an agreeaV)le comi)anion, 
 and a good Christian ; and allow me most sincerely to sympathize 
 and condole with you in the great loss you have sustained by the 
 death of an affectionate and dutiful son. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th, I went iu search of my esteemed and 
 valued young friend, and was so fortunate as to find him lying iu tlie 
 breach, where (as I am sure it will be satisfatory for a friend and 
 parent to be informed), I performed tlie last offices over him, and got 
 him as decently interred as the great confusion of our most melan- 
 choly situation would admit. He has left no memorandum behind 
 him, though frequently entreated by me in case of accident ; neither 
 did he make any requests when I parted with him, but committed 
 his fate entirely to Him who is the disposer of all events. Proffering 
 to you and your afflicted family my future services in any way I can 
 be useful, allow me to subscribe, etc., 
 
 George Jenkins, 
 
 Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Division, 
 Badajoz Cam[), April 9th, 1812. 
 
i8 
 
 A roininisconco of the young officer whose untimely but lionour- 
 able fate is here referred to, remaius in the name, "Castle Fnink, " 
 very familiar still to the inhabitants of Toronto. Castle Frank 
 was a rustic chateau, constructeil entirely of wood, in the miilst of a 
 forest on a high ri(\ge, commanding a view of tlie picturestpie valley 
 of the Don. It w is situat(Ml in a parcel of ground afterwards known 
 as the Castle Frank Farm, comprising 2'2') acres lying between the 
 modern Parliament Street and the Kiver Don, patented under the 
 Governor's authority to his eldest son Francis. The -building was 
 nevei' intended for public purposes, it was undertaken solely as a 
 matter of recreation, it was never occupied by the family of the 
 (iovi-rnor, but was left in an unfinished state at the time of his de- 
 parture in 17DG. It survived ilowii to \i>2d, when it was destroyed 
 by tirci. A dei)ression clearly \isil)le in the soil a few feet north of 
 the wire fence forming the boundary of St. James' Cemetery shows to 
 this dav the exact site of Castle Frank. 
 
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