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tCran^action IRo* X. 
 
 ^T 
 
 IVOMAN'S CANADIAN HISTORICAL 
 
 ■-■"--'U-' -I 
 
 SOCIETY OF TORONTO 
 
 A HISTORIC BANNER 
 
 A PAPER READ ON FEBRUARY 8th, 1890. 
 
 BY 
 
 MARY AGNES FITZGIBBON. 
 

 ffitbrarg 
 
 i 
 
 KINGSTON, ONTARIO 
 
 '\ 
 
[ 
 
 "^pr 
 
 tTransactfon IRo, 1. 
 
 WOMAN'S CANADIAN HISTORICAL 
 
 SOCIETY OF TORONTO 
 
 i 
 
 A HISTORIC BANNER 
 
 A PAPER READ ON FEBRUARY 8th, 1896 
 
 BY 
 
 MARY AGNES FITZGIBBON. 
 
 TORONTO : 
 WILLIAIVI BRIOQS 
 
 WESLEY BUILDINGS. 
 
I 
 
 
 ©fHcew. 
 
 Honorary President 
 Prenident 
 
 ^ * 
 
 Vice-PreKidentu 
 
 Treasurer 
 Secretary 
 
 Executive Committee 
 
 MRS. 
 
 MRS. 
 J MRS. 
 \MRS: 
 
 MISS 
 
 MISS 
 6 
 rMRS. 
 
 MRS. 
 
 MRS. 
 
 MRS. 
 
 MISS 
 I MISS 
 
 KIRKPATRICK. 
 S. A. CURZON. 
 FORSYTH GRANT. 
 JAMES BAIN. 
 C. M. MERRri"!'. 
 FITZ(iIBBON, 
 3 Huntley St., Toionto. 
 EDWARD LEIGH. 
 MORRISON. 
 W. CUMMIN(4S. 
 WALTON. 
 BEARD. 
 MICKLE. 
 
 Ibonorar^ nDcntbcre. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. ScAoniNO. 
 Rev. Dr. Withrow, F.R.S.C. 
 
 O. A. HOWLAND, M.P.P. 
 
 O. R. Parkin, LL.D. 
 
 David BoyivK, Ph.D. 
 
 Col. G. T. Denison. 
 
 Rev. Canon Bull. 
 
 William Kirby, F.R.S.C. 
 
 Miss Carnochan. 
 
 Sandkord Fleming, C.M.G., F.R.S.C. 
 
 William Kinosford, F.R.S.C. 
 
 L'Abbe Casorain. 
 
 J. M. Lemoine, F.R.S.C. 
 
 W. MaoFarlane. 
 
 James Hann.vy. 
 
 Gilbert Parker. 
 
 John Reade, F.R.S.C, F, 
 J. G. HoiKJiNs, LL.D. 
 
 Alexander Be(io. 
 
 Charles Mair, F.R.S.C. 
 
 N. F. Davin, M.P. 
 
 Miss Machak. 
 
 John Hunter-Dubar. 
 
 Rev. Prof. Bryce. 
 
 Mrs. C. p. Traill. 
 
 The Very Rev. Dean Harris. 
 
 His Honor Judge Pringle. 
 
 D. B. Read, Q.C. 
 J. A. Ma("donell. 
 Alexander Muir. 
 Benjamin Splte, F.R.S.C. 
 
 Dr. CANNIIfF. 
 
 W. D. LlOHTHALL. 
 
 E. (i. Nelson. 
 R.S.L. ((4t. Brit.). 
 
 
 
 5 
 
I 
 
 co\\. 
 
 mm 
 
 
 -0 
 
 
 Woman's Canadian Historical 
 Society of Toronto. 
 
 TRANSACTION No. I. —FEBRUARY, <Sth, 1896. 
 
 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 AEESOLUTION, moved by D. B. Kead, Q.C., 
 and seconded by Eev. Dr. Scadding, was 
 passed by the Provincial and Pioneer Association 
 of Ontario, at a meeting held in Toronto, on Sep- 
 tember 5th, 1895, appointing Mrs. S. A. Curzon and 
 Miss Mary Agnes Fitz Gibbon a committee to form 
 a Woman's Canadian Historical Society, to be in 
 affiliation with, and having the authorization of, the 
 Provincial and Pioneer Historical Association of 
 Ontario, but reserving to itself all the privileges and 
 responsibilities of a separate and distinct Society, with 
 power to form its own constitution, by-laws, etc. 
 
 In pursuance of this resolution, Miss FitzGibbon 
 addressed herself to thirty Toronto women, members 
 
 1 51 459 
 
4 
 
 or representatives, by name or descent, of families 
 long resident in the city, requesting their attendance 
 at a meeting to be held on November 19th, 1895. 
 
 Twenty-nine responded, expressing sympathy with 
 and interest in the project. Of these, seventeen 
 attended the meeting. 
 
 The aim and objects of the proposed Society were 
 explained by Mrs. S. A. Curzon, as subsequently set 
 forth in the preamble of the Constitution; officers 
 were appointed and resolutions passed preliminary to 
 the formulating of a constitution and by-laws for the 
 organization and government of a Society to be known 
 by the name and title of the Woman's Canadian 
 Historical Society of Toronto. 
 
PREAMBLE 
 
 OF 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 
 
 Submitted to a meeting composed of fifty-seven members, held, by the 
 
 kind courtesy of the Council, in the Canadian Institute 
 
 Building, on December 6th, 1895. 
 
 The considerations v^Jfiiich have led to the forma- 
 tion of the Woman's Canadian Historical Society of 
 Toronto are as follows : 
 
 " The rapidly rising status of Canada among the 
 nations of the world ; that a unity of national purpose 
 and a high ideal of loyalty and patriotism in her 
 people will a^one sustain her in such high position; 
 that to this end a thorough acquaintance by her 
 people, both native and immigrant, with her heroic 
 past, is of the first importance; that her history, 
 literature and archives, her poetry and art are yearly 
 becoming more valuable in affording the necessary 
 knowledge; that an intehigent and self-respecting 
 national pride in Canadian literature needs to be 
 awakened and encouraged; that the value of docu- 
 ments, records and rehcs, both public and private, as 
 notes in the history of a people is not generally real- 
 ized, and that the collection and preservation of them 
 is most important." 
 
i 
 
 fi 
 
 ■il 
 
 '•I 
 
 Papers of incorporation were presented to the 
 Society on February 14th, 189G, by T. H. Bull, Esq., 
 Barrister, of Toronto, and a vote of thanks was ten- 
 dered hin) by the Society at their first open meeting, 
 held on March 13th, 189G. 
 
 When the form of constitution was submitted to 
 the members of the Society by the Executive, no 
 motto was spoken of or selected. Miss FitzGibbon 
 therefore decided to adopt and print the following, 
 "Deeds Speak"; and, in justification of her choice 
 and action in thus taking the duty upon herself 
 without reference to the will of the Society, told the 
 story of its origin, and pleaded its significance as one 
 suitable to be the motto of a historical society of 
 Toronto women. 
 
 Miss FitzGibbon's choice was unanimously en- 
 dorsed, and at a subsequent meeting it was resolved : 
 Moved by Mrs. James Bain, seconded by Mrs. 
 Walton, that " Miss FitzGibbon's paper on the ' His- 
 toric Banner ' be published as the first transac- 
 tion of the Woman's Canadian Historical Society of 
 Toronto." Following is the paper : 
 
 V 
 
 Madame President arid Ladies, — It is my privilege 
 to-day to tell you the story of a historic banner, his- 
 toric particularly in the annals of Toronto. I am 
 fortunate in being able, through the kindness of its 
 present possessor, the Hon. George Allan, of Moss 
 Park, to show it to you, and thus illustrate my story. 
 The color of the silk is now yellow, and tinder-tinted 
 by age ; it once was either crimson or gold color, 
 probably the former. The design embroidered upon 
 
V 
 
 its centre is the Crown Royal of England, supported 
 on either side by the letters ''G" and ''R" (Georgius 
 Ilex). Beneath the crown is a wreath of laurel leaves, 
 the green shades still discernible, and the fine stitch- 
 ing in perfect condition. Below this again, also 
 intact, the lettering, "3rd Regiment York Militia," 
 tells for whom the banner was intended, and on a 
 ribbon-like scroll, also embroidered, the words "Deeds 
 Speak" — the motto which I took the liberty of 
 placing upon our printed Constitution as that of the 
 Society, assured of your hearty acquiescence. 
 
 In the right-hand corner of the banner are the 
 Royal arms, and in the left the arms of Canada— not 
 the arms of to-day, which bear the quarterings of the 
 confederated Provinces of our Dominion, but those of 
 Old Canada — as seen now only on old coins, deeds, 
 and charters, bearing the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, 
 the anchor, and the sheaf of arrows. For the rest, 
 the silk is torn, frayed and tattered, in many places 
 entirely gone ; the fringe faded, but to a great extent 
 intact. Such is the banner which has given us our 
 motto. 
 
 When war was declared against Great Britain and 
 her colonies by the United States of America, on 
 June 18th, 181'2, Canada was in a less capable condi- 
 tion to defend herself than she is to-day. Her exten- 
 sive frontier of thirteen hundred miles was without a 
 single well-appointed fortress to oppose the entrance 
 of an invading army. The defence of the Province, 
 entrusted to General Brock, was to be maintained by 
 a slender force of some five thousand men, of whom 
 not more than fifteen hundred w^ere British regulars. 
 
I \ 
 
 8 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 Well might the Commander-in-Chief, Sir George 
 Prevost, believe that, unless large reinforcements 
 vvere sent speedily from England, there was little 
 hope of the Canadian Provinces being retained to the 
 British Crown. General Brock, although he had but 
 recently been defeated in carrying through the House 
 of Assembly a measure which would enable him to 
 strengthen the militia, and thus put the country into 
 a better state of defence, knew the people better. He 
 believed in the loyalty of the majority, as well as in 
 the ability of a sraall force, fighting for their homes, 
 to defend them against an invading army ten times 
 their number. 
 
 ** Everyone »vith whom I have had an opportunity 
 of conversing," he writes to Sir George Prevost, on 
 May loth, " assures me that a good disposition pre- 
 vails mong the people." 
 
 Tiie Militia Bill passed. Brock was still forced to 
 acknowledge that, although every man capable of 
 carrying a nmsket along the whole line of frontier was 
 prepared to light to the last to preserve the country 
 from the foe, he had not " a musket more than would 
 suiiice to arm part of the militia from Kingston west- 
 ward." 
 
 If you will also remember that the militia of 1812 
 were not equipped in any way as well as are the 
 militia of to-day, and that they were without uni- 
 forms, regular arms or camp equipages, you will 
 realize that it was their loyalty to Britain which fired 
 them to defend her colony from invasion. Many, 
 animated by a bitter antipathy to the United States 
 and their Government, born of dastardly persecutions 
 
9 
 
 and sufferings at the hands of tlie Americans before 
 they had sought refuge within the borders of Canada, 
 there to find home and peace under the shadow of the 
 Umon Jac»^, and inspired by gratitude and loyalty to 
 the land thus nicide their own, were ready to go forth 
 to fight, and, if need be, die in its defence, rather 
 than surrender its soil to the soutl>ern foe. 
 
 And had the women of the day no share in this, — 
 had they no part to play? We know the worth of 
 our influence now for good or ill, and the devoted 
 loyalty of the women of Canada in 1812 was a strong 
 factor in the preservation of our land to the British 
 Empire. On every page of the history of the U. E. 
 Loyalists, and that of the war of 1812-i4, the energy, 
 loyalty, bravery and endurance of the women are 
 written in letters of gold. 
 
 '' Woman," says Laurence Oliphant, '' is the Divine 
 principle of man," and well she acted her part during 
 those daj^s of gloom and foreboding. No fear cowed 
 her heart, no selfish thought of the preservation of 
 present home comfort, or dread of the possible loss of 
 her nearest and dearest, hampered the man who was 
 called upon to defend the land. No ! she sent him 
 out cheerfully, full of hope and courage, to do his 
 duty as a man ; and . strengthened by her strong 
 heart and earnest prayers, how well and truly was 
 that duty done ! 
 
 Of the many instances c ' this spirit among the 
 women, the working of this banner is one that has a 
 personal interest to us as Toronto women, and still 
 more particularly to many here, who are descend- 
 ants of those who traced its design, through whose 
 
v/ 
 
 i 
 
 10 
 
 w 
 
 fingers were drawn the rich silks now faded and 
 frayed. From the reminiscences of one of them, 
 Mary Warren Baldwin, a girl of twenty, who drew the 
 design and helped to work H, we learn that the ladies 
 met in the old McGill-McCutcheon house, which 
 stood then on the site now occupied by the Metro- 
 politan Church. The spot was then high ground, 
 rising above a shallow winding ravine or depression, 
 which, after leaving the shore of the bay, turned east- 
 ward at this place toward the Don valley. 
 
 The motto, "Deeds Speak," was chosen for them 
 by the Rev. Dr. Strachan, afterwards Bishop of 
 Toronto. General Brock visited them, and com- 
 mended their work. Mr. McLean (afterwards Judge 
 McLean), Stephen Jarvis, Mr. Robinson (afterwardf. 
 Chief Justice Sir J. B. Robinson), sat with them, and 
 read aloud "The Battle of Talavera " and other stir- 
 ring poems, records of hard-fought battles and great 
 victories won. 
 
 The battle of Talavera, it will be remembered, was 
 fought in Spain by Wellington and the allies against 
 France and the hitherto victorious generals of Napo- 
 leon's great army, on July 27th and 28th, 1809. 
 
 These two most hotly contested and sanguinary 
 engagements, ending in a glorious victory, added such 
 laurels to the British fla^^ that Sir Arthur Wellesley 
 was made Viscoimt Talavera as a mark of his oun- 
 try's gratitude. 
 
 Written by Sydney Croker, the talented Secretary 
 of the Admiralty, the first editions of the poem were 
 published anonymously. It, however, was received 
 
 ^ 
 
11 
 
 with such favor by an admiring public that the sixth 
 edition bore its author's name upon the title-page. 
 
 The following extract, copied from a review of the 
 book in the Gentleman's Magazine, of January, 1812, 
 will be sufficient to show how the record of deeds 
 done in the Old World might well fire the hearts of 
 the loyal in the New : 
 
 " Oh, for a blaze from heaven to light 
 The wonders of that gloomy fight, 
 
 The guerdon to bestow. 
 Of which the sullen, envious night 
 Bereaves the warrior's brow. 
 Darkling they fight, and only know 
 If chance has sped the fatal blow, 
 Or by the trodden corse below, 
 
 Or by the dying groan : 
 Furious they strike without a mark, 
 Save now and then the sulphurous spark 
 Illumes some visage grim and dark 
 
 That with the flash is gone ! 
 Promiscuous death around they send, 
 Foe falls by foe, and friend by friend, 
 
 Heaped in that narrow plain. 
 But with the dawn the victors view 
 Ten gallant French, the valley strew. 
 
 For every Briton slain ; 
 They view with not unmingled pride, 
 Some anxious thoughts their souls divide, 
 
 Their throbbing hopes restrain. 
 A fiercer field must yet be tried. 
 Hundreds of foes they see have died. 
 
 But thousands still remain. 
 From the hill summit they behold, 
 Tipped with the morning's orient gold 
 
 And swarming o'er the field. 
 

 12 
 
 I 
 
 Mi 
 
 Full fifty thousand muskets bright 
 Led by old warriors trained to tight 
 
 And all in conquest skilled : 
 With twice their number doomed to try 
 The unequal war, brave souls, they cry : 
 Conquer we may, perhaps must die. 
 
 But never, never yield. 
 
 Thus ardent they ; but who can tell 
 In Wellesley's heart what passions swell, 
 What cares must agitate his mind. 
 What wishes, doubts and hopes combined, 
 Whom with his country's chosen bands, 
 'Midst cold allies in foreign lands, 
 
 Outnumb'ring foes surround ; 
 From whom that country's jealous call 
 Demands the blood, the fame of all — 
 To whom 'twere not enough to fall 
 
 Unless with victory crowned. 
 
 " Oh, heart of honor, soul of tire. 
 Even at that moment tierce and dire. 
 
 Thy agony of fame ! 
 When Britain's fortune dubious huns. 
 And France tremendous swept along 
 
 In tides of blood and flame ; 
 Even while thy genius and thy arm 
 Retrieved the day and turned the storm. 
 Even at that moment, factious spite* 
 And envious fraud essayed to blight 
 
 The honors of thy name. 
 
 i 
 
 * The cahimniators of Sir Arthur Wellesley have been so industrious in pub- 
 lishing their malignity that it is unnecessary to recall to tlie public observation 
 any particular instance of it. In reading these base aljsurtlities, one cannot Init 
 recollect the expression of Marshall V'illars (I think it was) to Louis XIV. : 
 "Sire je vais conibattre vos ennemis et je vous laisso au milieu des miens." 
 Sir Arthur, much worse treated than M. de Villars, says nothing about it, but 
 beats his country's enemies and despises his own. 
 
/ 
 
 13 
 
 He thinks not of them : from that height 
 
 He views the scene of future fisht. 
 
 And, silent and serene, surveys 
 
 Down to the plain where Teio stays — 
 
 The woods, the streams, the mountain ways, 
 
 Each dell and sylvan hold ; 
 And all his gallant chiefs around 
 Observant watch, where o'er the ground 
 
 His eagle glance has rolled. 
 
 " Few words he spake, or needed they, 
 Where to condense the loose array 
 
 Or where the line unfold ; 
 They saw, they felt, what he would say, 
 And the best order of that day. 
 
 It was his eye that told. 
 Prophetic to each chief he shows 
 On wing or centre, where the foes 
 
 Will pour their fury most ; 
 Points out what portion of the field 
 To their advance 'twere good to yield. 
 
 And what must not be lost. 
 'Away, away ! the adverse power. 
 
 Marshals and moves his host. 
 'Tis come, 'tis come, the trial hour. 
 
 Each to his destined post. 
 And when you charge, be this your cry, 
 Britons strike home, and win or die— 
 
 The grave or victory ! ' " 
 
 This was no idle tale to these women, for before 
 the banner was presented to the regiment many of 
 them mourned the loss of friends— one the death of 
 her lover and affianced husband,— and all had wept 
 over the grave of the man to whose memory, of all 
 others, Canada owes a debt of gratitude to-day. The 
 
//. ' 
 
 u 
 
 
 ■'i\ 
 
 1 
 
 'I i 
 
 battle and victory of Queenston Heights had been 
 fought and won. 
 
 The following simple but pathetic account of the 
 presentation is also lent me by the Hon. George Allan. 
 The page is faded and yellow, the print faint, and the 
 type of the last centurv renders it difficult to decipher. 
 There is no date nor name of the paper of which it 
 has once formed a part or page, but from the context 
 we may gather the presentation took place sometime 
 at the end of the year 1812, or during the early days 
 of 1813 : 
 
 EXTRACT. 
 
 "The gallant acliievement at Detroit in the beginning of this war, 
 if it excited admiration in the Mother Country, failed not to make 
 an equal impression on the inhabitants of this province. 
 
 " The portion of the 3rd Regiment of York Militia embodied in 
 the flank companies, whom fortune made sharers in the glory of that 
 exploit, were gratefully thanked for the faithful discharge of their 
 duty, and the young ladies, with a fervor of patriotism literally 
 above commendation, had prepared a banner which it was their 
 intention to present to the regiment immediately upon the return of 
 the volunteers from that expedition. 
 
 " But the sudden recommencement of hostilities rendered the late 
 General Brock's presence for a time impossible, and subsequent 
 events, the recollection of which it is painful to recall, occasioned a 
 delay of their intention. 
 
 " Sir Roger Hale Sheafte, having it in his power to honor the 
 ceremony with his presence this day, was appointed for the purpose, 
 and at one o'clock the regiment was drawn up in front of the church 
 at open order to receive and salute the General and his suite as they 
 passed. The Evening Service was read by the Rev. Dr. Strachan, 
 and an appropriate sermon delivered from the following text: 'Give 
 thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his name ; make known his 
 deeds among the people.' 
 
 / 
 
 
15 
 
 
 "The 3rd Regiment and all the respectable inhabitants of the 
 town attended. They who heard it will not readily forget the 
 matter nor the manner, and those who were not there could receive 
 little satisfaction from any account of a discourse which derived 
 much of its effect from the earnest sincerity so conspicuous in the 
 preacher. 
 
 " It was visibly and sincerely lamented by the regiment and by 
 every spectator, that a misfortune at any time melancholy, but at the 
 present instance peculiarly distressing, prevented Colonel Chewett 
 from assisting at a ceremony, the anticipation of whicli had aflforded 
 him much honest pride. Major Allan, on that day, commanded the 
 regiment. 
 
 " Dr. Strachan, after his discourse was ended, resumed the sur- 
 plice, and asceiitiing a stage which had been erected near the pulpit 
 for the occasion, requested the young ladies who had wrought the 
 standard for the 3rd York Militia to approach with the person whom 
 they had chosen to present it. 
 
 "The Rev. Dr. Strachan then consecrated the regimental colors 
 and the standard to be presented by the ladies, which were supported 
 by Lieutenants George Ridout and Samuel Jarvis, of the 3rd 
 Regiment. 
 
 "Decorum forbids me the liberty of exhibiting in this place to 
 the admiration of the public the impressive prayer used on the occa- 
 sion by the Reverend Doctor. 
 
 " When it was ended, Miss Powell, daughter of the Hon. Mr. 
 Justice Powell, presented the colors (standard 1) to the Major, with 
 this short but elegant and animated address, spoken in a manner so 
 amiable and unafiectedly diffident, and in a tone so interestingly 
 appropriate to the sentiments, to the occasion and to the fair pre- 
 senter, that it infinitely heightened the solemnity, and increased (I 
 speak from my own feelings) the rapture of the scene : 
 
 *' ' The young ladies of York, in presenting a banner to you, their 
 brave and successful defenders, perform a duty most grateful to their 
 own feelings. 
 
 " ' They are proud to imitate the example of the most distin- 
 guished of their sex ; among the most virtuous and heroic nations 
 who have rejoiced in giving public testimony of their gratitude to 
 their countrymen — returning from victory — receive then this ensign 
 
¥ 
 
 16 
 
 i: 
 
 II 
 
 I ; 
 
 of union as a token of their lasting esteem and the liai-binger of 
 increasing glory. 
 
 •' * Receive it as a proof that they strongly participate in that 
 generous patriotism which burns with so pure a flame through the 
 Province, and when you l)ehold it unfurled on the day of battle, let 
 it become a kind remembrancer of the unlimited confidence which 
 they place in the efficiency of your protection.' 
 
 "The Major received the colors, which he committed to ensigns 
 Charles Denison and Edward Thompson, the junior officers of the 
 regiment, and returned to the lovely donors of them this reply : 
 
 " ' Mesifames, — This regiment of militia receive from the young 
 ladies of York, with the most grateful acknowledgment, this conse- 
 crated banner, deeply sensible of the powerful additional claims 
 which a favor so precious gives to our best exerti(Jiis in defence of 
 this happy province. 
 
 "'The recollection of this day shall awaken in our bosoms the 
 deepest affections of the soul, and shall animate us with a spirit 
 which, by Divine assistance, shall completely shield you from every 
 danger; and when we look at your gift waving in the battle, the 
 remembrance of our fair benefactors shall fasten on our hearts, and 
 the flattering confidence which you place in the efficiency of our 
 protection shall not be disappointed.' 
 
 " Here the ceremony ended, the regiment formed again without 
 the church, and wei'e honored by this flattei'ing address from Sir 
 Roger : 
 
 " ' I congratulate the 3rd Regiment of the York Militia on possess- 
 ing these honorable, these sacred banners, and rejoice to see them 
 under the protection of men who have already encountered the enemy 
 and gloriously triumphed over them, and when you shall be called to 
 rally round them to defend, not only them but all beside that is 
 precious to you, I am confident that you will give new proofs of your 
 courage and patriotism, and that you will reap fresh laurels and add 
 to the victories and renown which you have already won.' 
 
 " After His Honor had left the ground. Major Allan addressed 
 the following appropriate speech to his regiment : 
 
 " ' Gentlemen of the Srd Reyiment of York Militia, — Permit me to 
 express the great satisfaction I feel in meeting you upon this occa- 
 sion. The inestimable gift conferred upon you by the young ladies 
 
17 
 
 
 of York must awaken the most lively gratitude in every bosom, and 
 suggest new motives for redoubled efforts for resisting the enemy. 
 They rely on our conduct and courage, not merely in defending the 
 banner which they have presented, but in making it the admonisher 
 of the most important services in support of our King and country ; 
 and you are not to suppose that this religious dedication of your 
 colors is an unmeaning ceremony, for thoy become a token and 
 pledge of a most solemn engagement, not only between us and our 
 sovereign, who calls us to arms, but between us and our fellow-sub- 
 jects, for whose protection we are employed, especially of that tender 
 and most amiable sex who have consigned them to our hands, and 
 who zealously hope that we will never abandon them but with life. 
 
 "'It is our part to realize these grateful expectations, and to 
 show that they have not been consecrated by words only, but by our 
 hearts, and by the noble and heroic spirit which the sight of them 
 shall always awaken in our hearts. 
 
 " ' The enemy against whom we contend are loud in their threats, 
 and enraged at the unexpected resistance which they have already 
 experienced in this province ; they will wreak the bitterest ven- 
 geance upon us should they prove victorious, but they can never be 
 victorious while we are united ; on the contrary, they will continue 
 daily to receive bloody proofs that a country is never more secure 
 than when defended by its faithful, loyal and industrious inhabitants, 
 who have constantly before their eyes the tenderest pledges of nature, 
 and are influenced by all that is dearest and most interesting to the 
 human heart. 
 
 " ' March, tlien, under these colors, inspired by that pure honor 
 which characterizes the Christian soldier, which inspires him with 
 reverence for religion and loyalty to his sovereign, makes him a 
 devouring flame to his resisting enemy, and a humane protector of the 
 fallen, and it will be the most pleasing joy of our declining years to 
 remember that we have made a noble use of the opportunity now 
 presenting of contributing to the defence, the safety and the glory 
 of this highly favored portion of the British Empire.' 
 
 " The colors were then escorted by the Grenadier Company, the 
 band playing ' The British Grenadiers,' to the Major's quarters, where 
 they were deposited. 
 
 "The scene which I have thus imperfectly described is one in 
 
tr'-^' 
 
 18 
 
 which the mind alone is concerned, and which derives its grandeur 
 purely from the principle which pervades it ; external magnificence 
 is not essential to its sublimity, nor can add to or diminish from its 
 interest. The oppressor has frequently offered up thanksgiving for 
 his triumph over freedom, and the conquerors' 7'e Deuin has been 
 often mingled with the cries of murdered citizens, but hero was an 
 assemblage of p^irsons who had been lately called from the enjoyment 
 of every peaceful blessing to defend their property and rights from 
 an unprovoked invasion, and who were now met to bless and adore 
 their Creator for the success which had hitherto attended them in 
 every effort of resistance, and consecrate to Him a symbol intended 
 to strengthen their unanimity and add life to their ardor through the 
 continuance of the war." 
 
 Thus was the hanner presented to and received by 
 the regiment. Owing to the inexplicable conduct of 
 Sir James Yeo, in the early spring of 1813, in putting 
 back into Kingston with his vessels and thus enabling 
 the American fleet, under Commander Chauncey, to 
 sail out of Sackett's Harbor unmolested, York was 
 besieged and taken by the enemy on April '27th. 
 
 In no instance of the war was bad generalship more 
 conspicuous than in this surrender of York. 
 
 How well the handful of Indians under Major Givins 
 fought in defence of the landing of the enemy under 
 General Pike, by some mistake supported too late by 
 but sixty of the Glengarry Fencibles, and later by two 
 hundred and twenty militiamen, of whom the 3rd 
 Kegiment formed a part ; how the company of the 
 8th, or King's Regiment, under Captain McNeil, was 
 cut to pieces and, unsupported, was forced to retreat, 
 is history, much of the true inwardness of which is yet 
 to be learned. 
 
19 
 
 General Sheaffe ordered the retreat on Kingston, 
 shortly after which the magazine at the fort was hlown 
 up by accident or design— the latter being the most 
 probable, in view of the fact that Major Givins sent 
 an orderly to warn his family at Pine Grove, the honse 
 nearest to the fort, to seek safety in the cellar, as the 
 Americans were victorious, and tlie British, being 
 obliged to retreat, were going to blow up the fort in 
 the endeavor to rob the enemy of the fruits of their 
 victory. 
 
 From the late Miss McNab, of Hamilton, sister of 
 Sir Allan McNab, of Dundurn, I learned nmch of the 
 history of that eventful day. She remembered Dr. 
 Strachan coming to her father's house with the tidings 
 (brought from Scarboro' Heights by the lookout man 
 stationed there) of the approach of the American fleet. 
 Her father's impetuous exclamation when told that 
 Sheaffe was in command, of " Then all is up with the 
 town, for Sheaffe is no commander! " had left an in- 
 delible impression upon her mind. 
 
 Numbers of women and children, herself among 
 them, had sought refuge in the old McGill house, 
 which, from its position on the rising ground north of 
 the road and sheltered by the forest behind, was less 
 exposed than the houses nearer the bay. 
 
 Mrs. Seymour (7iee Miss Powell, then a child of six) 
 remembers being sent to watch from one of the upper 
 windows and seeing the British flag lowered and the 
 Stars and Stripes run up in its place, while Miss 
 McNab recalled with excitement the retreat of the 
 regulars, and how later Mr. McLean burst into the 
 
¥/ 
 
 20 
 
 drawing-room with the banner the ladies had worked 
 wrapped about his body for conceahnent, and remem- 
 bered the storm raised by Miss Powell's bitter words 
 of indignation and her taunt that after all their pro- 
 testations the men had sent the banner back for the 
 women to protect. 
 
 Stung to the quick, Mr. McLean, whose personal 
 courage was undoubted, vowed he would return and 
 face the victorious enemy rather than endure such 
 words. He turned and would have dashed out again, 
 but was stayed, and Dr. Strachan, learning that he 
 had not been with the men who had surrendered at 
 the fort, and had therefore no promise or parole to 
 break, induced him to take a horse from Mr. McGill's 
 stable, follow and join the retreating Slieaffe at 
 Kingston. 
 
 I am indebted to Miss McLean, a daughter of this 
 Mr. McLean (afterwards Chief Justice), for a corrob- 
 orative account of the following particulars : " They 
 buried the* banner under a tree in the orchard behind 
 the house, first wrapping it in an old bit of canvas," 
 said Miss McNab. 
 
 " Hearing that the enemy was coming, Mr. McLean 
 ran out with it and buried it in the forest behind the 
 house," writes Miss McLean. How Mr. McLean had 
 obtained possession of the banner does not appear. 
 Ensigns Thompson and Charles Denison, to whose 
 charge it had been entrusted, are enumerated in the 
 articles of capitulation of York, and it is probable 
 that when they found surrender was inevitable, they 
 managed to convey the banner to McLean in time to 
 save it from the disgrace of capture. He, either in 
 
^i^m 
 
 P« 
 
 m 
 
 21 
 
 obedience to their wish or from true instinct, brought 
 it back to the women who had worked it. 
 
 After the evacuation of York by tlie Americans the 
 banner was restored to the re^dment, and was carried 
 through every engagement in which it took part. 
 
 After the close of the war, in 1815, the bipse of 
 years of peace lessened the necessity of keeping up 
 the militia, and the 3rd York Kegiraent, although 
 continuing for many years to hold its annual parade 
 on the 4th of June, King George the Third's birth- 
 day, by subsequent changes made in the militia, soon 
 existed only on paper. 
 
 After the death of Colonel Duggan the banner was 
 lost sight of, and it is due only to the determined 
 and persevering search of years that we have it here 
 to-day. 
 
 The Hon. George Allan, ably assisted by Mr. 
 Henry Duggan, ultimately discovered it, together 
 with the Queen's colors, in the attic of the Normal 
 School, forgotten, tattered and discolored.. 
 
 He had them conveyed to his home, and to a 
 woman we owe the present state of preservation of 
 our banner. 
 
 Mrs. Allan, with clever ingenuity and deft fingers, 
 spread it on a breadth of white net, placed the worked 
 design in its original position, covered it all with a 
 second width of net, and by stitching it through kept 
 it intact; then, sewing the fringe round the outer 
 edge, preserved the remains as we have them to-day. 
 
 Need I say more to justify my choice of our 
 motto, taken from a banner worked by women, to 
 hearten the men in defence of their homes, cared for 
 
m 
 
 22 
 
 in its hour of danger, and, finally, preserved to our 
 sight to-day by a woman ? 
 
 May we act up to it, and by our efforts to preserve 
 the history of the days when it was worked, fire the 
 hearts of the future with the loyalty to crown and 
 country which burned so brightly theu, and be worthy 
 to bear upon our escutcheon the words 
 
 *'Dcct)0 Spcah/' 
 
 ini 
 
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 J 
 
 ■P 
 
 mm 
 
 iPiP 
 
 1 
 
 Lir 
 
 ve 
 le 
 id 
 
 MEMBERS. 
 
 Mrs. Anibrey. 
 
 Mrs. Baldwin. 
 
 Mrs. Russell Baldwin. 
 
 Mrs. Louise Beard. 
 
 Mrs. Win. Bickle. 
 
 Miss Boulton. 
 
 Susanna P. Boyle, M.D. 
 
 Anna A. Boyle. 
 
 Mrs. A. G. Broughall. 
 
 Miss Buik. 
 
 Mi'8. Bur wash. 
 
 Mrs. George Campbell. 
 
 Mrs. John Cartwright. 
 
 Mias Cartwright. 
 
 Miss Carty. 
 
 Miss M. Carty. 
 
 Mrs. Allan Cassells. 
 
 Miss Laura Clarke. 
 
 Miss Cox. 
 
 Miss Cozens. 
 
 Mrs. E. M. Currie. 
 
 Miss Edith M. Curzon,, 
 
 Mrs. Delaniere. 
 
 Mrs. .J. M. Delaniere. 
 
 Mrs. John Charles Dent. 
 
 Miss Dent. 
 
 Mrs. J. H. Denton. 
 
 Miss Dickson. 
 
 Mrs. Dignani. 
 
 Miss Laura B. Durand. 
 
 Mrs. J. D. Edgar. 
 
 Miss Ellerby. 
 
 Miss Lillian V. Evans. 
 
 Miss Farmer. 
 
 Mrs. Farrer. 
 
 Miss Ferguson. 
 
 Miss Isal)ella George. 
 
 Miss George. 
 
 Miss Givins. 
 
 Mrs. E. Jeffers Graham. 
 
 Mrs. S. Bradley Gundy. 
 
 Mrs. .John Haldane. 
 
 Mrs. Harrison. 
 
 Mrs. S. R. Hart. 
 
 Mrs. Elmes Henderson. 
 
 Mrs. Houston. 
 
 Mrs. Stephen Howard. 
 
 Mrs. Stephen .Tarvis. 
 
 Mrs. ^-Emelius Jai'vis. 
 
 Miss .Jennings. 
 
 Mrs. G. W. Johnson. 
 
 Mrs. Kennedy. 
 
 Mrs. Kuring. 
 
 Miss Lang. 
 
 Mrs. Lash. 
 
 Miss Lash. 
 
 Miss G. Lawlor. 
 
 Miss Lawlor. 
 
 Miss Lefroy. 
 
 Mrs. (Jeorge Lindsay. 
 
 Miss MacCallnm. 
 
 Mrs. Grant Macdonald. 
 
 Mrs. Angus Macdonell, 
 
 Mrs. Alan Macdougall. 
 
 Miss Macdougall. 
 
 Miss M. MacMurchey. 
 
^// 
 
 lew^^gSsae^^^mmKrT" ' *-J-^ 
 
 T 
 
 fl 
 
 24 
 
 } , 
 
 f 
 
 cr 
 
 Miss Bessie Maciuurchy. 
 
 Mrs. Henry McLeod. 
 
 Mrs. A. W. McNab. 
 
 Mrs. W. Haniilton Merritt, 
 
 Miss Merritt. 
 
 Miss C. A. Merritt. 
 
 Miss Catherine M. Merritt. 
 
 Miss Sara Mickle. 
 
 Miss Jessie Mickle. 
 
 Miss Montizambert. 
 
 Mrs. Charlotte Morrison. 
 
 Miss Jessie Munro. 
 
 Mrs. Murphy. 
 
 Mrs. Nevitt. 
 
 Mrs. W. Oldright. 
 
 Mrs. W. Palmer. 
 
 Mrs. Parker. 
 
 Mrs. Parki:i. 
 
 Miss Patterson. 
 
 Miss Playter. 
 
 Miss Pringle. ^ 
 
 Mrs. Rean-Wadsworth. 
 
 Mrs. Reid. 
 
 Miss M. E. Riordan. 
 
 Mrs. Robertson. 
 
 Mrs. Robertson. 
 
 Mrs. C. C. Robinson. 
 
 Miss Rolph. 
 
 Mrs. Scales. 
 
 Miss Scott. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Shaw. 
 
 Miss Shaw. 
 
 Miss Minnie Shaw. 
 
 Mrs. C. F. Small. 
 
 Mrs. Sullivan. 
 
 Miss Stevenson. 
 
 Mrs. Strachan. 
 
 Mrs. John Taylor. 
 
 Mrs. Henry Thompson. 
 
 Miss Thompson. 
 
 Mrs. Todhunter. 
 
 Mrs. Totten. 
 
 Mrs. S. W-Jton. 
 
 Mrs. Welch. 
 
 Mrs. Willison. 
 Mrs. J. Willison. 
 Mrs. Wilson. 
 Miss Wind eat. 
 Mrs. Wrong. 
 
 i4» 
 
 ^iil-^3 
 
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