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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre film6s A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clich6, il est film* * partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Annals of Canada COMPILED BY LIEUT.-COL WM. WHITE, C.M.G. Deputy Postmaster Ge.ieral of Canada. NOTE.-These Annals were published in the 'Canadian Monthly and National Review issued by Messrs. Adani,Stevenson and Company, of Toronto. The publication of this magazine having been discontinued and no other convenient medium for their continuance being available the compilation of these annals ceased. 1 I ' I • ■ ( ■ « I • ,* • • ■ < I ■ • ( PREFACE. f THE compilation of these Annals was undertaken with a view to supplying the Canadian reader with a concise summary of the leading events in the history of his country. The work is divided into three parts — the first embracing the period from the discovery of Canada to the capitulation of Mon- treal ; the second commencing with the Treaty of Paris and terminating with the Rebellion of 1837 ; and the third covering the term from the Union of the Canadas, in 1840, to the Confederation of the Provinces in 1867. Leaving, then, for the study of those who have leisure and incli- nation for poetic fancies, the story of a lost Atlantis and the misty outlines of the travels of early Norsemen, the reader will be brought at once to the time from which the history of the settlement of Canada may be traced with tolerable accuracy. Thenceforward will be found a simple record of events in the order of their occurrence, comment being for the most part avoided as foreign to the object of the work, which is rather to enable the reader to ascertain at once, with ease and certainty, the date of each occurrence, and the names of the per- sons and places connected therewith. In the earlier years the events to be noted are few and far between, and the reader may perhaps be of opinion that occurrences of too trivial a character have been recorded ; but it must be borne in mind that the theatre of action was very limited, and the actors few ; and it may be hoped that on such grounds the plea for a little extra indulgence on the part of the public will not be disregarded. Great care has been taken, by comparison of different authorities, to secure accuracy in the dates and in the names of persons and places. In a work of this kind, brevity is of course indispensable, and, therefore, as before remarked, the reference to each event will be as concise as possible. A singular coincidence may be remarked in some of the events recorded, as for instance, the defeats of Generals Braddock and the Baron Dieskau, where the regular forces of the two most powerful nations in Europe were severally defeated by bodies of pro- PREFACE. vincial troops, inferior to them in every respect, save one — the ability to adapt their tactics to the exceptional circumstances of their respective situations. Many of the occurrences which took place in connection with trade and commerce under the old rigime, prove very conclusively that combinations, or rings, are not by any means a modern invention ; and it is very doubtful whether any subsequent operator has eclipsed the Intendant Bigot in the magnitude of his operations. In military matters, the jealousies between the regular troops from France and the militia of Canada caused the governors great disquiet, the Marquis de Vaudreuil being forced to allude -to the effects of these misunderstandings, even at a time when the safety of the colony was in jeopardy. In matters ecclesiastical, human nature asserted itself in our early history pretty much in the same manner as it does now. M. de Laval, Bishop of Petrcea, found it impossible to place himself in accord with the Abbe de Queytus ; whilst the governor, the Viscount d'Argenson, asserted the supremacy of the State by demanding the place of honor at ecclesiastical ceremonies, which place M. de Laval stoutly contended belonged to him as Bishop — a dispute which remained unsettle-:' during the terms of three governors in succession. The otory of the early settlement of Canada is full of romantic incident. In those times there was no thought of converting the sword into the ploughshare, for the hand which guided the plough had but too often to defend it with the sword, and the golden sheaves of harvest were not seldom crimsoned with the blood of the husband- man. Few, if any, can read without deep interest the simple record of the travels of the early missionaries, who may well be said to have carried their lives in their hands, as they fought their way — half-starved, weary, and foot-sore — through the mighty forests of the New World. The reader will no doubt discover many omissions, and some inaccu- racies, in the following pages ; but if the perusal leads him to consuh those works which treat more fully of the events recorded, and thus brings him to a better knowledge of the history of his country, the object of publication will have been fully attained. WILLIAM WHITE. Ottawa, Jtmiiarv, /S^j. THE ANNALS OF CANADA. PART I. From 1492 to 1760. 1492. The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Cokimbus. 1494. Jacques Cartier born at St. Malo on 31st December. 1497. John and Sebastian Cabot sailed in May, under a commission from king Henry VII. of England, dated 5th March, 1496, to endeavour to find a North-west passage to India and China (Cathay). They sighted Prince Edward Island on St. John's day, which led to its being called the Island of St. John. 1498. The Cabots are believed to have explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence and a considerable portion of the At- lantic coast this year. 1500. The coast of Labrador was visited by Caspar Cortereal.who sailed from L'sbon. 1501. Gaspar Corttreal, a Portu- guese, sailed from Lisbon for America a second time, but was never again heard from; nor was his brother Michael, who sailed in 1502 in search of him. 1518. Baron de Lery is said to have landed on Sable Island, and to have left some cattle there. 1523. Giovanni Verrazzani, a Floren- tine navigator, was commissioned by I Francis I. to undertake a voyage of I discovery to the New World. 1524. Verrazzani returned to France but was not very well received, as he had failed to bring back with him gold, j valuable merchandize, or any other ' objects of great interest or curiosity. Verrazzani returned to America the ■ year following. Of his subsequent dis- coveries and ultimate fate nothing definite is known, but he is believed to have been killed by the natives. 1534. JacquesCartier,an experienced I navigator, having been commissioned by Francis I. to continue the discover- ies of Verrazzani, sailed from St. Maloes on 20th April, coasted the ! greaterpartof the gulf, which he named j St. Limircncf, and took formal posses- 1 sion of the country in the name of his ' master the king of France. On his return to France, which he reached on the 5th September, he took with him I two of the natives. I 1535. Cartier left St. Maloes on the ' 19th May, and returned to Canada with 1 three vessels, discovered and named i the Saguenay, left two of his vessels at Quebec, and passed up the St. i Lawrence, through Lake St. Peter, to 1536 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1603 Hochelaga, where he found an Indian village, which he called Mount Royal, from the mountain in rear of the village. Having returned to Quebec, then named Stadacona, his vessels were frozen in on 15th November. 1536. On the 5th April, Cartier's vessels were released from the ice, and on the 6th May he sailed for France. As he proceeded slowly, in order to observe the coasts and islands in the Gulf, he did not leave Cape Race un»il the 19th June, and arrived at St. Maloes on the i6th July. 1640. Cartier arrived at Quebec from France on 24th August. He built a small fort near the River St. Charles, and leaving a garrison there, returned to France. 1541. Fran9ois de la Roque, Seigneur de Roberval, who had been commis- sioned, June 15, 1540, by Francis I., king of France, as viceroy and lieutenant- ; Champlain received a summons on the 10th July, from Sir David Kirkt, demanding the surrender of Quebec to the English. Champlain having re- turned a spirited refusal to this demand, Kirkt relinquished his design for the time, and occupied himself in cruising to capture the supplies intended for Canada. M. de Roquemont, who had arrived at Gasptf Basin, with a fleet from France, rashly provoked an action, and lost his whole fleet. 1629. Father Philibert Nogrot and Father Charles Lallemant were wrecked on the Acadian coast on their voyage from France to Canada with supplies for Champlain. Louis and Thomas Kirkt, brothers of Sir David, appeared off Point Levi early in July. Cham- plain and Pontegrave, having neither ammunition nor provisions, were com- pelled to surrender, and the English took possession of Quebec on the 19th July. Champlain, and all who chose to leave the colony with him, embarked on board the vessel of Thomas Kirkt on 24th July, and sailed for England, and thence passed over to France. The conditions of surrender having been ratified by Sir David Kirkt, who had remained at Tadousac, the golden lilies of France gave place to the red cross of St. George, and Canada became an English Colony. 1680. ^>"g Louis Xin. granted a commission dated nth March, to Charles de St. Btienne sieur de la Tour as King's Lieutenant-General in Acadie and dependencies. Charles LaTour and his father Claude had been created baronets of Nova Scotia in 1629-1630. 1632. The circumstances attending the capture of Quebec having been enquired into, it was found that the surrender did not take place until two months after peace had been proclaimed between England and France ; the nego- tiations which had been entered into between the two countries, terminated in the restoration of Canada to the French crown, and a treaty was signed at St. Germain-en- Laye on the 29th March 1632, by which not only Quebec, but Acadia (Nova Scotia) and Isle Royale (Cape Breton) were ceded to France. In pursuance of the stipu- lations of the above mentioned treaty, Emeric de Caen, armed with authority from the government of France, and furnished with an order under the sign manual of the king of England, super- seded Thomas Kirkt in the command at Quebec, and Canada again came under the dominion of France on 13th July 1632. 1633. On ^^^ 23rd May Champlain landed at Quebec amidst manifestations of great joy. He brought with him merchandise, ammunition, and provi- sions, and lost no time in resuming his labours for the advancement of the colony. — Lord Falkland was appointed Governor of Newfoundland, the English having maintained possession of this Island. 1636. Champlain was attacked by paralysis on loth October, and after lingering for more than two months, died on Christmas day, 1635. His remains were placed in a vault, over which was built a small chapel, known as "Champlain Chapel." Father Lalle- mant, who had been his confessor, officiated at his funeral. Thus termi- nated the earthly career of Samuel de i635 1635 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1647 )f this fed by after |onths, His \, over jcnown iLalle- lessor, lermi- lel de Champlain, who, from 1607 to 1635, may well be said to have been the mainstay of French power and pro- gress in North Amcrija. His singular honesty of purpose, and unswerving adherence to the truth, gained him the respect and confidence of his own countrymen and of all the Indian tribes, 1636. R^n^ Rohault, son of the Mar- quis de Gamache, gave six thousand crowns towards the foundation of a college in Quebec, and the foundation of the Jesuits' College is said to have been Laid this year.* On the death of Champlain, M. Chateaufort assumed charge of the colony. 1636. M. Charles Hualt de Mont- magny.who had been appointed Gover- nor of Canada on the death of Cham- plain, reached Quebec in May. 1631. An institution was founded by M. de Sillery, a knight of Malta, for converted Algonquins. It was situated near Quebec, and named " Sillery," after its founder. Father Le Jeune is said to have been placed in charge. 1639. The Hotel Dieu, at Quebec, was founded through the instrumental- ity of the Duchess d'Aiguillon. 1640. The Ursuline Convent was founded at Quebec by Madame de la Peltrie, who came out from Frsince accompanied by three nuns, who were to act as nurses for the Hotel Dieu, and three Ursuline sisters for the con- vent. A society known as " La Com- pagnie de Montreal" was founded in Paris for the promotion of religion in the colony, and M. de Maisonneuve was selected to conduct the operations and preside over the affairs of the company in Canada. The grant of the greater part of the Island of Montreal to M. •By some writers, the date of the foundation is stated to be two years later, in 1637. de Maisonneuve and his associates bears date 17th December, 1640. — The church and college of the Jesuits at Quebec was destroyed by fire. 1641. M. de Maisonneuve and his party arrived at Quebec early in the season, and, notwithstanding the objec- tions raised by the Quebec colonists, proceeded without delay to Hochelaga (Island of Montreal). 164S. On the 17th May the spot selected for the site of the town of " Ville Marie" was consecrated by the Superior of the Jesuits, and the new settlement, which was destined in after times to become the commercial metro- polis of Canada, started into life. 1643. Jean Nicolet, the discoverer of the Mississippi, was drowned about the end of October by the upsetting of a canoe going from Quebec to Sillery. 1644. The grant of the Island of Montreal to the Seminary of St. Sulpice was confirmed by the King on the 13th February. Wheat was first sown in Canada this year. 1645. M. Maisonneuve returned to France, on account of the death of his father, and to obtain supplies and assistance for hiscolony at Ville Marie. Father Jerome Lallemant returned from the country of the Hurons, and was elected on the i6th September Superior of the Jesuits. 1646. 16th March— The chapel of the Hotel Dieu at Quebec was blessed by Father Vimont. The Jesuit Father Isaac Jogues was murdered by the Iroquois who were very troublesome to the settlers at this time. 1647. The church at Sillery was blessed on the 8th May. M. Louis D'Aillebout de Coulonge, who had some time before been commandant at Three Rivers, was appointed Governor of Can- i647 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1659 ada in succession to M. de Montmagny, whose term of office had expired. — La Tour's fort at St. John was taken by M. d'Aulnay de Charnisy, the gar- rison hanged, and Madame La Tour, who had defended the fort in her hus- band's absence, died of grief shortly after. 1648. August 2oth.— M. D'Aillebout arrived at Quebec from France to assume the Government of Canada. — Father Anthony Daniel was tortured to death by the Iroquois in one of a series of attacks upon the Huron Set- tlements ; several hundreds of the Hurons were put to death during the onslaughts.* — Sillery was destroyed by the I roquois. — Large flocks of white partridges (Tetrao Mutus) visited the vicinity of Quebec. Twelve hundred were killed in the course of a month. 1649« A girl, aged sixteen, was exe- .cuted at Quebec for theft. 1650. The house of the Ursulines at Quebec was destroyed by fire on the night of the 30th December. 1661. March 13th— M. D'Aillebout laid the foundation-stone of the church at Ste. Anne du Petit Cap (now known as La bonne Ste. Anne — the Good St. Anne). — ^Jean de Lauzon was appointed to succeed M. D'Aillebout as Governor of Canada on the 17th January, and landed at Quebec on the 14th October. — Charles de la Tour appointed Governor of Acadia, by Louis XIIL 1652. November 12th —MM. St. Denis and Gaillarbois were killed by the Indians at Cap de la Madeleine. — M. du Plessis and eight other French- men were also murdered by the Iroquois. * These repeated onslaughts almost annihilated the Hurons ; the remnant of the tribe sought aid from the Missionaries, and were established near Quebec, where some of their descendants may still be found. 1653. M. de Maisonneuve, who had been to France to obtain succour, re- turned with a reinforcement of 105 men. — The benediction of the Chapel at the Island of Orleans, near Quebec, by Father John Lallemant, took place this year. 1654. Brothers Louis le Bcesme and N. Liegeois . were murdered by the Iroquois. — Port Royal taken by the English i6th August, and Le Borgne carried prisoner to Boston. 1655. A sanguinary engagement took place between the Iroquois and the Fries, in which the power of the latter was utterly destroyed. 1656. A large part of Acadia was granted to Sir Thomas Temple and others by Oliver Cromwell. 1667. The Seminary of St. Sulpice was founded by the Abb^ Queylus, who was commissioned for that purpose by the St. Sulpicians of Paris. — Fran9ois de Laval, Abb^ de Montigny, who was born at Laval, Maine, France, 23rd March, 1622, was consecrated Bishop of Petroea and appointed Vicar Apos- tolic for Canada ; Monseigneur de Laval (a scion of the noble house of Montmorency) was thus the first Bishop sent to Canada. 1668. New buildings, consisting of hospital, choir and church for the Hotel Dieu, Quebec, were finished, and the latter consecrated on loth August by the Abbe de Queylus. — The foundation of the church of Notre ame de Bonse- cours in the city of Montreal was laid by the Soeur Marguerite Bourgeois. — M. Pierre de Voyer, Vicomte d'Argen- son, who had been appointed Governor of Canada in 1657, arrived at Quebec on nth July, and immediately as- sumed the reins of government. 1659. The Convent de la Congrega- tion, at Montreal, was founded by 8 1 659 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1665 Marguerite Bourgeois. — From this time the control of the Jesuits over the clergy of Canada virtually ceased.* — M. de Laval, the first Bishop who came to Canada, arrived at Quebec from France on the i6th June. 1660. M. d'Aillebout died at Mon- treal on 2ist May. — A grant was made by the French Government to Captain Sueve Doublet, of the island of St. John (now Prince Edward Island). 1661. Pierre du Bois, Baron d'Avau- gour, succeeded Vicomte d'Argenson as Governor of Canada. 1662. A large number of emigrants and a company of regular soldiers ar- rived from France. — An extraordinary meteor is said to have been seen both in Quebec and Montreal. 1663. A violent shock of earthquake was felt throughout Canada and parts of the New England States on the 5th February. — The Chevalier Augustin de Saffray Mesy arrived at Quebec on 15th September, and assumed the reins of government in place of the Baron d'Avaugour, who had been recalled. — The Seminary of Quebec was founded by M. de Laval, who had obtained the formal approval of the King in April, before sailing with M. de Mesy for Canada. — The date of the landing of M. Augustin de Mesy may fairly be considered to be the date from which the new rigime commenced. Thence- forward the decree of 21st March was to have effect, and Canada was to be governed by a Supreme Council, con- sisting of the Governor, the Bishop, the Royal Intendant, five Councillors, an Attorney-General and Chief Clerk. — M. Robert, a Councillor oi State, was the first Royal Intendant, but it does not appear that he ever assumed the duties * M. le Vicomte d'Argenson is stated to have in- troduced letter! dc cac\tt into France. of his office. — The year 1663 was not only memorable on account of the political changes which took place, but also on account of the natural phe- nomena which occurred. On January 7th, and again on the 14th, very bril- liant mock suns were observed at Quebec, where, also, on 5th February, a violent shock of earthquake was felt. Earthquakes are said to have occurred frequently from February to August, 1663, and to have extended throughout Eastern Canada and the New England States, producing in many places on the lower St. Lawrence a complete change of the surface of the valley, elevating and depressing it, and changing the beds of the smaller streams. 1664. M. Alexandre de Prouville, Marquis de Tracy, who had been ap- pointed Viceroy of all the Colonies of France, sailed from Rochelle in Feb- ruary for the West Indies, whence he was to proceed to Canada on a tour of inspection of all the French Colonies in North America. 1665. A comet was visible in Quebec at Eastertide. — February 24th and Oc- tober 15th violent shocks of earthquake were felt at Murray Bay and Tadousac. — M. de Mesy died at Quebec on 5th of May. — June 19 — Four companies of the Carignan regiment arrived at Quebec — June 30. — The Marquis de Tracy, Viceroy of the Colonies of France, arrived at Quebec, accompanied by four companies of the Carignan regi- ment. — August 19 — M. de Sali^res, Colonel of the Carignan regiment, ar- rived at Quebec with four companies. The four remaining companies of the Carignan regiment arrived in Canada on 20th August. — September 12 — Dan- iel de R^mi, Sieur de Courcelles, who had been appointed to succeed M. de Mesy as Governor, arrived at Quebec, bringing with him M. de Talon, Royal i665 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1673 Intendant. — During the autumn of this year detachments of soldiers were sent up the country and erected forts at Sorel, Chambly, and St. Ther^se, posts on the river Richelieu. 1666« January gth — M.deCourcelles left Quebec on an expedition against the Indians, and returned on 17th March. May 31 — The Marquis de Tracy laid the foundation-stone of the Jesuits' Chapel in Quebec, M. de Cour- celles laid the first stone of the first chapel, and M. de Talon the first stone of the second chapel. July nth — The Cathedral of Quebec was consecrated by M. de Laval, under whose auspices it had been built. — A second expedition, numbering upwards of 600 men, under the Marquis de Tracy, accompanied by M. de Courcelles, marched against the Indians in October. The Indians re- tired into the forest, declining an engagement, and the French, having burned their villages and stores of provisions, returned to Canada. 166ir> Acadia was restored to France by the treaty of Breda, made in July. — The Marquis de Tracy returned to France in the autumn, having accom- plished the object of his missioi)| — The first ball given in Canada took place at the house of a Mons. Ch artier, on the 4th February, and the pious old Jesuit who records the fact expresses the fer- vent •■ - that no evil consequences ™*y —Jean Vincent de St. Cas- tine, udi'on de St. Castine, settled near Pentagofit (Penobscot). 1668« Formal cession to France by King Charles II. of all Acadia, by let- ters patent, dated in February. — The Intendant Talon established a brewery in Quebec. 1669. Charter granted by King Charles II. of England to the Hudson's Bay Company. 16T0> A Royal edict was issued by Louis XIV. for the encouragement of early marriages amongst his Canadian subjects. — M . de Courcelles took charge of an expedition against the Senecas (Sonnontouans) ; he proceeded as far as the Bay of Quints, when the Senecas came to terms and complied with all his demands. — Although Acadia was formally ceded to France in 1668, pos session was not given until 1670, when the following places were surrendered : Pentagoet, St. John, Gemisick (now Jemseg, on the St. John river). Port Royal, Lah^ve, and Cape Sable. The surrender was made by Sir Thomas Temple to Hubert d'Audigny, cheva- lier de Grand-fontaine. 1671. Madame de la Peltrie (who founded the Ursuline Convent at Que- bec) died in November. — M. de Lusson made a treaty with the North-Western Indians at the Falls of St. Mary (Sault Ste. Marie). 1672. Louis de la Buade, Count de Paluan and de Frontenac, was ap- pointed to succeed M. de Courcelles as Governor of Canada : his commission bearing date 7th April. September i2th — M. de Courcelles, accompanied by the Intendant de Talon, sailed from Quebec for France.— By a decree, da- ted at St. Germain-en- Laye, 4th June, and signed by the Queen Marie Therfese, the Intendant Talon was authorized to frame police regulations and to appoint Judges both in Canada and Acadia. — Joliet, accompanied by a priest named Marquette, penetrated, in December, as far as Michilimakinac. 1613. The corner-stone of the Church of Notre Dame de Bonsecours was laid this year. The erection of this church had been delayed since 1658, when the foundation was laid.— Fort Frontenac (now Kingston) was 10 i673 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1682 built and garrisoned under the orders of the new Governor. — Joliet and Mar- quette, passing by way of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, reached the Missis- sippi on 17th June, and descended as far as the confluence of the Arkansas. —With a view to check the trade which had sprung up between the Indians and the Coureurs des Bois, a decree was issued by the King, dated from the camp at Vossen, between Brussels and Louvain, on 15th June, forbidding any Frenchman to remain in the woods more than twenty-four hours without leave from the Governor. 1674. By a decree issued at St. Ger- main-en- Laye, Louis XIV. resumed the powers and privileges granted to the West India Company, and the trade with Canada thus became open to all his Majesty's subjects. — Canada was made an Episcopal See, and M. de Laval, titularbishop of Petrcea, became the first bishop of Quebec* — Sir Thomas Temple died. 1675. A royal edict, dated 5th June, confirmed the establishment of the Sovereign Council, which was to be composed of the Governor, M. de Laval, recently appointed Bishop of Quebec, or, in his absence, the Grand Vicar; the Intendant, and seven other Councillors. — The Church of Notre Dame de Bonsecours, at Montreal, was finished, and the first mass said therein on the feast of the Assomption. 1676. An edict of the king was issued in April confirming the arrange- ment made by the Bishop of Quebec for the affiliation of the Seminary of Quebec with that of Paris. — M. de Chambly appointed Governor of Aca- dia, subject, however, to the Governor of Canada. * Those who desire a more intimate acquaintance with the character of M. de Laval, cannot do better than consult " The OU Regime in Canada," recently published by Francis Parkman. 1677. The Indian chief Garaconthift, who had been a firm ally of the French, died this year. — La Salle visited France to obtain authority to prosecute his researches in the western part of the continent. 1678. La Salle returned from France, and passing by way of Lake Erie in the Griffon, built above Niagara Falls, he founded a settlement by himself at Detroit ; proceeding thence to the Straits of Mackinaw (Michilimakinac), sailed across to Green Bay, and thence to the River St. Joseph, where he es- tablished Fort Miami. — Several of the Recollet Fathers returned to Canada under the patronage of the Intendant Talon, and much to the annoyance of M. de Laval, whose authority they slighted. 1679. By an edict of the 7th May, it was forbidden to arrest or imprison any person except by order of the Gover- nor, or of the Sovereign Council. — An attempt was made this year to estab- lish a parochial clergy, vesting the power of appointment in the Seigneurs; but, owing to the determined opposition of the Bishop, the attempt was not successful, 1680. A great meeting was held at Montreal and negotiations were car- ried on between the Count de Frontenac and the Iroquois chiefs, with a view to a better understanding between the French and the Indians; but the re- lations between the Cantons and the French Colony remained on the same uncertain footing up to the time of Frontenac's recall in 1682- 1682. M. Lefebvre de la Barre was appointed to succeed the Count de Frontenac as Governor of Canada ; de Frontenac having been recalled owing to the difficulties which arose in carry- ing on the Government nom the Governor's irritable temper. — M. de It 1 683 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1690 M uelles was at the same time appointed Intendant. — A great fire occurred in Quebec, by which nearly all the build- ings in the lower town were consumed. — La Salle arrived on the Mississippi from Canada on and February, and con- ducted an expedition down the river. He claimed the entire valley for the French King, and named it Louisiana in his honour. La Salle was accompa- nied on this expedition by a priest named Hennepin. 1684. An expedition against the In- dians was undertaken by the Governor de la Barre, but it ended in a complete failure ; the indecision and want of skill on the part of the Governor alien- ated the feelings of the Indians who had hitherto been friendly to the French. — M. de la Vallifere appointed to command in Acadia, M.de Chambly having gone to Grenada, of which island he had been named Governor. M. de la Vallifere seems to have been succeeded in a short time by M. Perrot. 1686< M.de la Barre was superseded on the result of his expedition against the Indians becoming known in France, and was succeeded by Jacques R4n$ de Brisay, Marquis de Denonville, a cavalry officer of some reputation in the French service. — Six hundred regu- lar troops arrived from France to strengthen the garrisons in Canada. 1686. The Island of St. John (Prince Edward), the Magdalens, and Isle Koyale (Cape Breton), were granted by Louis XIV. to Gabriel Gautier, by pa- tent dated in May, 1686. — By the treaty between France and England, dated 1 6th November, it was stipulated that if hostilities should break out between the two Crowns in Europe, peace should not thereby be broken in America. — The Ursuline Convent at Quebec, which had been rebuilt after the fire of 1650, was again destroyed by fire. 1681. M. de Menneval appointed Governor of Acadia in place of M. Perrot; his government to extend from Cape Gasp^, to the river Kennebec. By commission dated i6th March, he is directed to reside at Port Royal, and to give particular attention to the christianizing of the Indians. — M. de Denonville, having assembled at Mont- real a mixed force of upwards of two thousand men, marched up the St. Lawrence, crossed Lake Ontario near the mouth of the Genessee, where he erected a fort, and proceeded to the settlements of the Senecas, who, being defeated in the action which ensued, retired into the woods. The French, having destroyed the provisions and growing crops of the Senecas, retired. The marquis established a fort near Niagara Falls, and, having left a gar- rison there, returned to Montreal. — ■ Chevalier de Vaudreuil arrived in Que- bec with a reinforcement of eight hundred men. 1688. Sieur de Goutins appointed tcrivain du rot in Acadia. — Sir Edmond Andros, governor of New England, landed at Pentago6t (Penobscot), and pillaged the residence of the Baron de Castine. — M. de la Vallifere succeeded M. de Laval as Bishop of Quebec. 1689. The Indians attacked the Inland of Montreal on 6th August, and nearly destroyed the settlement; hun- dreds of persons were cruelly massa- cred. The want of success in his operations against the Indians on the part of M. de Denonville, led, as in the case of M. de la Barre, to his recall, and he was succeeded by the Count de Frontenac, who arrived at Quebec on the i8th October, accompanied by M. de Calliferes. 1690. A party of French Canadians and Indians commanded by M. Le Moyne de St. Helfene, attacked Corlaer 12 i6go CANADIAN ANNALS. 1692 (Schenectady) during the night of Feb- ruary i8th, and surprising the inhabit- ants in their sleep, ruthlessly murdered about sixty, and carrying off as many more ; with the cattle and other spoil, which they hurriedly gathered together, they returned to Canada. Many strag- glers were, however, cut off by the infuriated settlers, who collected and harassed the retiring party. — A second expedition started from Three Rivers under Francois Hertel, who, following the St. Francis and Connecticut rivers, arrived at Salmon Falls (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), on 27th March, where a tragedy similar t„. that of Corlaer was enacted ; some thirty persons were murdered, and a number carried away as prisoners ; the houses, cattle, and stores were destroyed by fire. — A third party under M. de Portneuf penetrated to Casco, on Casco Bay, Maine, and, after a slight resistance, captured the forts. They then burned the habi- tations and demolished the defences, and taking the survivors with them, retreated to Quebec. In this attack the English colonists lost about thirty men, the French two. Mr. Nelson, who had been appointed English Gov- ernor of Nova Scotia, was taken prisoner by M. Villebon and sent to Quebec. These expeditions were organized by Count Frontenac with a view to raise the character of the French in the estimation of the Iroquois, the frequent defeats sustained by the Canadians under M. de la Barre and the Marquis de Denonville having completely des- troyed the prestige they had acquired during the administration of M. de Courcelle. — Sir William Phipps, gover- nor of Massachusetts, appeared off Quebec on the 16th October with a fleet and a body of troops under Major Walley and demanded the surrender of Quebec. Count Frontenac returned an indignant refusual, and Sir William opened fire upon the city. The troops landed on the i8th, but after two days fighting, (during which M. de Sainte Helfene was mortally wounded) the English came to the conclusion to abandon the attempt ; the troops were therefore re-embarked, and the fleet returned to Boston. Great rejoicing took place after the departure of the fleet, and a new church, Notre Dame de la Victoire, was erected in honor of the victory.* Annapolis, then cafled Port Royal, was captured by the English under Sir William Phipps. In May. M. de Menneval, the Governor, and the whole garrison (about 40 men) were taken prisoners, and the settlement was pillaged. The Chevalier de Villebon arrived at Port Royal on 14th June, and learning what had taken place, he with- drew to Gemisick (Jemseg) and pro- ceeded thence to Quebec. Commis- sioners from the English Colonies met at New York on ist May to concert measures for joint attack on the French possessions. A deputation was sent to London to solicit naval and military co- operation. 1691. The Indians assembled in force at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence above Montreal, and from thence threatened the settlements, treating with the greatest cruelty such of the inhabitants as fell into their hands. 1692> The Grey Nunnery at Mon- treal was founded this year. — Early in the spring Colonel Schuyler of New York invaded Canada at the head of a considerable body of colonial militia and Indians; he wa^, however, met and defeated by a force under M. de Var- ennes. — The defences of Quebec were greatly improved and strengthened this * A medal was struck by the King of France, bearing the words " Francia in novo orbe victrix Kebeca liberata, A. D., M.D.C.X.C." «3 r^ff^ 1692 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1698 year, and the St. Louis and St. John gates were built. — An edict of the king was issued in March authorizing the establishment of a general hospital at Quebec, and also confirming the estab- lishment of the Recollets. 1692. Sir William Phipps dispatched an expedition to Nachouac (now Nash- waak) up the St. John river to capture Villebon, but finding the French were prepared* the attack was abandoned. — A fort was erected at Pemaquid by Sir William Phipps, under instructions from the English government. 1693> Frontenac led an attack against the Iroquois early in the season. — This year the court called Justice Royale was established at Montreal. It was a court having both criminal and civil jurisdiction, and was sanc- tioned by an edict dated March, 1693. 1694. The Indians having suffered very severely from the incursions of the French in 1693, sent emissaries to Quebec and Montreal to negociate a treaty. 1695. Fort Frontenac was reestab- lished and garrisoned. 1696. M. de Frontenac having fixed upon Isle Perrot as the place of rendez- vous, ordered all the forces of the col- ony to assemble there, and having collected some two thousand three hundred men, left on 7th July to attack the Indian settlements on the south side of Lake Ontario. Having de- stroyed the villages of the Onondagas and Oneidas, the governor suddenly decided, notwithstanding the remon- strances of his lieutenants de Calli^re, de Ramezay, and de Vaudreuil, to re- turn to Montreal. It was upon this occasion that the French captured a very old man,* the only person left in the settlement, and handed him over to their Indian allies to be tortured, a fate which he bore with the greatest forti- tude. 1696. M. d'Iberville captured the English fort at Pemaquid which was demolished, The English settlements in Newfoundland were attacked by a French squadron of six men of war. The English man of war. Sapphire, was destroyed by her captain (Cleasby) to prevent her falling into the hands of the French, who made prisoners of the crew, and inflicted great injury on the settlements. — Major Benjamin Church, commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton of Massachusetts, embarked at Boston, and proceeded to Beaubassin (Chignecto) which he completely de- stroyed. This expedition, having been joined by Colonel Haythorne, who as- sumed the command, then ascended the St. John river and attacked Villebon at Nachouac, but was repulsed. 1697. By the treaty of Ryswick, ratified by King William III. on 25th September, 1697, France was confirmed in the possession of Canada and Acadia. — A French fleet under the Marquis of Nesmond was sent from Brest to attack the English settlements in Newfoundland and New England, but not arriving at Placentia until 27th July, the design was abondoned. — Governor Bradstreet, of Massachusetts, died at Salem on 27th March, aged 94. — Sir John Gibson was dispatched to Newfoundland with large reinforce- ments. 1698. Fort William, at the harbour of St. John, Newfoundland, was built by Sir John Gibson. — In May, Lord Bellamont, then governor of New York and Massachusetts, sent Colonel Schuy- ler on a mission to Count Frontenac, informing the latter of the conclusion ** Stated to have been nearly loo years of age. 14 1698 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1 701 of peace, and proposing an exchange of prisoners. Owing to a misunder- standing which arose, this mission led to a controversy which Count Frontenac did not live to see the end of. Count Frontenac died, after a few days illness, at Quebec, on 28th November; his remains were interred in the Church of the RecoUets, at Quebec. On the death of Count Frontenac, he was succeeded by M. Louis Hector de Callibre, who was at that time commandant at Mon- treal.* 1100. M. de Fontenn sent by the King of France to report on the state of affairs in Acadia. He advised the king to abandon the forts on the river St. John, (at Nachouac and St. John) and to make Port Royal the head- quarters of the government. — Captain JohnAlden,in a memorial addressed to his excellency the Earl of Bellamont, then governor of New York, claims the St. Croix River and Passamaquoddy Bay to be the boundary between the French * [The following paragraph and notes were inad- vertently omitted under their proper dates. It has been thought well to give them place here before proceeding to the next century.] 1080. Christmas Day, 163s, was a dark day in the anaals of New France. In a chamber of the fort at Quebec, breathless and cold, lay the hardy frame which war, the wilderness, and the sea had buffeted so long in vain. After two months and a half of illness, Champlain, at the age of sixty-eight, was dead. His last cares were for his colony, and the succour of its suffering families. Jesuits, officers, soldiers, traders, and the few settlers of Quebec, fol- lowed his remains to the Church ; Le Jeune pro- nounced his eulogy, and the feeble community built a tomb in his honour.— #Vanci( AirJIrmait. IflOO. This year should be ever memorable in the history of Canada for the noble act of self-devotion of Adam d'Aulac, Sieur des Ormeaux, and his six- teen brave companions, who met the Iroquois whilst descending the Ottawa on their way to attack the settlements at Montreal. D'Aulac had taken pos- session of a small palisade fort, and he and his companions, aided by a party of Hurons under Annahotaha (most of whom, however, deserted during the Bght and joined the Iroquois) defended and English possessions.— M. de Ville- bon,* governor of Acadia, died on 5th July. He was succeeded by M. de Bouillon.— The Governor, de Callikre, sent a deputation composed of MM. Bruyas (a priest), de Maricourt, and Joncaire to the Cantons to confer with the Iroquois, and a kind of preliminary treaty was entered into at Montreal on i8th September. — Marguerite de Bour> geois, who founded the Convent de la Congregation (Black Nunnery) at Mon- treal, died at Montreal on i2th January, in the Both year of her age. WOl. Towards the end of July, some fifteen hundred Indians assem- bled at Montreal, including Abenaquis, Hurons, Algonquins, Montagnais, and converted Iroquois, and a grand con- ference took place, which ended in the conclusion of a general peace on 4th August, 1701. Amongst those who came to attend this gathering, were Nicholas Perrot, and the famous chief Kondiaronk (Le Rat), who has been the post with such persistent vigor, that when d'Aulac and his companions had all been slain (save five Hurons who escaped to Montreal), the Iroquois, dismayed at their losses, returned home, sullen and dejected. Ifote to 1666.— Many of the settlements on the St. Lawrence were named after the officers of the Carignan regiment— for instance, Berthier, Sorel, Chambly, Saint Ours, Contrecoeur, Varennes, Ver- cheres. The greater part of this regiment remained in Canada. Selgnories were granted to the officers, and they, in turn, gave lands to their men ; and thus a chain of military settlements was formed between Quebec and Montreal. * M. de Villebon is said, by some wriers, to have been one of theeleven sons of Charles le Moyne, first baron de Longueuil. This, however, can hardly be the case,as Mr. J. M. LeMoine, in " Maple Leaves," says the sons were de Longueuil (the younger), d'lber- ville, de Maricourt, de Serigny, de Bienville, de Chateauguay, d'Assigny, Jean Baptiste (de Bien- ville), and Antoine de St. Helene, all, but one who died young, men of great mark who contributed largely to the advancement of their country. X5 x/oi CANADIAN ANNALS. 1708 •tyled "an Indian only in name" by those amongst the French who knew him best.— The Seminary of Quebec was destroyed by fire on the 15th November. — A fort was erected at Detroit this year.— The Earl of Bella- mont, governor of New York, died at New York. ITOS. King William III. died in March, and Queen Anne ascended the throne. On 4th May, war was declared by Great Britain, Germany, and Hol- land, against France and Spain. 1703. M. de Calli^re died at Quebec on 26th May. On the death of M. de Calli^re, the colonists petitioned the king to appoint as his successor, M. de Vaudreuil, then governor of Montreal, and his Majesty having been pleased to accede to this request, Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, became governor of Canada on ist August, 1703. —Sir John Leake with an Engli-a fleet, destroyed three French men of war, and upwards of thirty merchantmen off" the coast of Newfoundland. — A decree was issued at Versailles on 20th March, cancelling previors grants of lands in Nova Scotia, to the duke de Venddme le Borgne, Latour and others, declaring Acadia reunited to the Royal Domain, and granting lands to Latour ind others in lieu of those resumed by the Crown. — A conference was held by Governor Dudley, of Massachusetts, with the Indians of Acadia at Casco, where as- surances of peace and friendship were mutually given, but, in less than two months, these same Indians attacked the English settlements all along the frontier, with their usual ferocity.— Francois de Laval de Montmorency, Abbrf de Montigny, who was sent to Canada in 1659 to preside over the church in Canada, with the rank of Vicar Apostolic, and who subsequently became Bishop of Petrcea, and later first Bishop of Quebec, which dignity he resigned in 1688, died at Quebec at the advanced age of 86."* — M. de Beau> harnois was appointed Royal Intendant in place of M. de Champigny. 1104. In May an expedition left Boston to scour the coasts of the Bay of Fundy and Basin of Mines, under Colonel Benjamin Church, who finished by landing at Beaubassin (Chignecto), which he destroyed. — Peregrine White, the first child born in the Plymouth Colony, died on 20th July, aged 83 years. His descendants are said to have re- moved with other loyalists to the County of Shelbourne, Nova Scotia. — The Bishop of Quebec, (Jean Baptiste de la Croix de St. Valier), whilst on his way from France to Canada in La Seiner a French frigate, was captured by the English, and carried a prisoner to England. 1T07. The English Colonies sent a large force to attack Port Royal, (An- napolis), by sea and land ; the attack failed, but the beseiged, commanded by Subercase, assisted by de Castin, were very hard pressed, and had great diffi- culty in maintaining the place. 1708. Deerfield and Haverhill, in New England, were destroyed by an expedition from Canada, under de Chaillons and Hertel de Rouville, and many of the inhabitants were massa- cred. * Francois Xavier de Laval-Montmorency, AbM de Montigny, born at Laval, Maine, France, 23rd March, 163a— a descendant of (he great Constable of France, Anne de Montmorency — trained under the immediate superintendence of BernieresdeLou- vigny at the well-known " Hermitage" at Caen, was the man selected by le Jeune as a fit ruler for the Church in Canada, and the choice did credit to the sagacity of the learned Jesuit. Laval was a man bom to rule ; his proud, imperious nature could brook no superior (and whilstin Canada he certainly never acknowledged one). He was consecrated Bishop of Petroea, and appointed Vicar-Apostolic for Canada. M, de Laval was thus the first Bishop> sent to Canada. 16 1708 1709 CANADIAN ANNALS. I718 ITOB. St. John's, Newfoundland, captured by M. de St. Ovide, who commanded the French post at Pla- centia. Carbonnear was thus the only place in the Island still occupied by the British. 1710. The New England States again invested Port Royal, which, after holding out for about three weeks, capitulated on i6th October. The name of the place was then changed to Annapolis. Port Royal was defended on this occasion, as in 1707, by Suber- case and the Baron de St. Castin ; the English were under the command of Francis Nicholson, as general, with Colonel Vetch as adjutant - general. After the surrender. Vetch remained in command with a garrison of marines and New England volunteers. 1711. Sir Hovendon Walker sailed from Boston in command of a large fleet, and numerous transports, having on board 4,000 men, destined to operate against Canada, but owing to the damage sustained by the fleet by a heavy storm at sea, the expedition was abandoned, and General Nicholson, who had left New York at the head of an army intended to co-operate with Admiral Walker, returned to New York without firing a shot. 1718. A rumour having spread abroad thai another attack was about to be made on Quebec, the merchants raised a subscription amounting to 5c,ooo crowns, which sum they pre- sented to the Governor to aid him in his preparations of the defence of the city. — Michel Btfgon de la Picardi^re became Intendant of Canada. 1713. On nth April, 1713, a treaty of peace was signed at Utrecht, between Queen Anne and Louis XIV., by which the French King surrendered to Great Britain, all claim to Hudson's Bay, Acadia, (Nova Scotia), and New- foundland. Cape Breton was still to belong to France. General N icholson* was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia, and Colonel John Moody Governor of Newfoundland. 1714. Queen Anne died on ist August, and was succeeded by George, Elector of Hanover, who became George I. of England.— M. de Mornay appoint- ed coadjutor to the Bishop of Quebec. — M. de Vaudreuil went to France on leave of absence : M. de Rameiay ad- ministered the affairs of the colony during the absence of the governor. 1716. Louis XIV., King of France and Navarre, died ist September, after a reign of over seventy years, having ascended the throne on the 14th May, 1643. He was succeeded by his grand- son Louis XV., born 15th February, 1710. — Phillippe, duke of Orleans, be- came regent. 1716. M. de Vaudreuil returned to Canada. 1717. An edict was issued by the king on the i2th January, establishing a Court of Admiralty for Canada. — Benjamin Church, who had frequently commanded expeditions against the French settlements in Acadia, died, aged 78. — Colonel Richard Phillipps was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland ; his commission, however, bears date 9th July, 1719. 1718. Ginseng, {Aralia quinquefolia), was discovered in Canada by the Jesuit Lafitau. This plant has at times become a valuable export from * Francis Nicholson who had been Lieutenant- Governor of New York, Virginia and Maryland in succession, and finally Governoi in chief of Virginia, subsequently became GoTernor of Nora Scotia (1713), and South Carolina (1731). It is very doubt- ful if any other person ever filled the ofice of gover- nor in so many different place*. »7 I7I8 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1725 Canada, but the distance of the only market (China), and the conaequent uncertainty attending the trade, led to it! abandonment. lilt. Colonel Oledhill waa appointed lieutenant-governor of Placentia in place of Colonel Moody. 1180 Charlevoix visited Canada, and travelled as tar as Lake St. Clair; from his glowing description of the climate, the scenery, and the attrac* tions of Canadian society, he would seem to have been highly pleased with his visit.— The fortifications at Louis- burg, Cape Breton, were completed at a cost of a million and a half sterling. Louisburg at this time traded largely in coal, fish and lumber with the West Indies. — Improvements were commen- ced in the fortifications at Montreal and Quebec, under the superintendence of M. Gaspard Chaussegros de Liry, the expense being defrayed by an as- sessment upon the inhabitants of the two cities. — Governor Phillipps* arrived from Boston at Annapolis Royal, in the middle of April. — Canso attacked and plundered by the Indians on 7th August ; loss estimated at ^C 20,000. 17S1. Baron de St. Castin, who was recognized by the Abenaquis as their chief, was taken prisoner by an armed vessel from Boston. After being kept for several months in captivity, he was released on the urgent representations of M. de Vaudreuil. The capture of St. Castin was followed by an immediate attack on the New England settlements by the Abenaquis, The Jesuit P^re Rasle was killed by the Americans in * The Nova Scotia Archives, (published by the Record Commission, 1869), contain a number of letters from Governor Phillipps to the Right Honor- able James Craggs, Secretary of State, in which the affairs of the colony are discussed with great minute- r.Mi. one of the attacks upon the Abenaquis. —Mails were regularly conveyed be- tween Montreal and Quebec for the first time. ItW* Canada was divided, (with the assent of the duke of Orleans, then regent of France), into eighty-two parishes.- Governor Phillipps writes from Canso to the Board of Trade at Whitehall, that he has been drawn into a war with the Indians. 11S8. The duke of Orleans, regent of France, died 22nd November. — As an indication of the great impetus which the long peace had given to the commerce of Canada, it is stated that nineteen vessels cleared from Quebec this year, and eight vessels (including two men'of-war), were built. 1126< Colonel Schuyler, and three deputies from New England, went to Montreal to treat for peace with the Indian chiefs then assembled in that city. The conferences were held under the auspices of M. de Vaudreuil. — The French man-of-war Le Chameau, having on board the new Intendant, M. de Chazel, M. de Louvigny, Governor of Three Rivers, and many officers, ecclesiastics and others, was wrecked at Cape Breton, and all on board lost. — M. de Mornay succeeded M. de St. Valier as Bishop of Quebec. — Lieuten- ant-Colonel Lawrence Armstrong ap- pointed Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia on 8th February. — The long and successful administration of the first Marquis de Vaudreuil was terminated by his death on loth October, an event which caused the deepest sorrow to the Canadians, by whom the 'marquis was held in the highest esteem. On the death of her husband, Madame de Vaudreuil returned to France. — M. Btfgon, who had so ably filled the post of Intendant during the administration of M. de Vaudreuil, returned to France 18 1726 CANADIAN ANNALS. '737 on the death of the marquii. — M. Le Moyne, Baron de Longueuil, (a Cana- dian), Governor of Montreal, adminii- tered the affairs of the colony pending the appointment of a aucceiior to M. de Vaudreuil. 1186< Charles, Marquis de Beauhar- nois, who had been appointed Gover- nor of Canada on the death of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, arrived in Que- bec, accompained by M. Dupuis, who |M. de Chazel who was first named having been lost on his passage to Canada), succeeded M. Btfgonas Inten- dant. — A treaty of peace was made at Boston, (called Dummer's treaty) on 15th December, 1725, between the Indians of Nova Scotia and New Eng- land, and the governments of the New England States and Nova Scotia. This treaty was signed by the Nova Scctia Council and the Indian chiefs, at Annapolis, on 4th June, 1736. — ^John Doucett, Lieutenant-Governor of the fort at Annapolis, died on 19th Novem- ber. 1787. King George I. died on Sun- day, nth June, and was succeeded by his son, George II.— Lieutenant Otho Hamilton was appointed secretary to the council in Nova Scotia on a8th July- 1788. David Dunbar, surveyor-gen- eral of His Majesty's woods in America, was, by commission from the Lords of the Treasury, dated Whitehall, May 9, 1728, appointed surveyor-general of His Majesty's lands within the Province of Nova Scotia, and to mark out and set apart, for masts and timber for the use of the Royal Navy, 200,000 acres. 1789. Governor Phillipps arrived at Annapolis Royal from England, (having spent some weeks at Canso on his way), on 2oth November. 1731. Governor Phillipps left Anna- polis for England on a7th August, 173 1, to arrange certain affairs connected with the regiment of which he was colonel. Lieutenant-Governor Arm* strong assumed the government on the departure of General Philipps.— The French erected a strong fort on Lake Champlain,* at a point afterwards known as Crown Point. 1733. M. Pierre Herman Dosquet, Bishop of Samos, coadjutor to the Bishop of Quebec, superseded M. de Mornay in the Bishopric of Quebec. 1734. Bishop Dosquet visited Canada, but returned to France the same year. 1736. Lieutenant-Governor Arm- strong, writing from Annapolis in Sep- tember, says that he has nine effective companies for the defence of Nova Scotia, and that there is one more company stationed at Placentia. — Colonel Gledhill, Lieutenant-Governor of Placentia, Newfoundland, died, and was succeeded by Major Henry Cope. 1737. Isaac Provender, a lad of ten or eleven years of age, was arrested for setting fire, on the 19th of April, to the house of his master, Lieutenant Amherst, at Annapolis ; the house and contents were entirely consumed. The care is mentioned as the deliberations of the Lieutenant-Governor (Armstrong) and his council shew with what care, even in the earliest days of the colony, justice was administered; the decision arrived at being, that as the boy was within the years of discretion, they could not proceed against him. — A commission was appointed by the Board of Trade to settle the boundaries be- tween Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire ; the Nova Scotia members of the commission sailed for Hampton, where the commission was to sit, on 3rd July. * Fort Frederic, 10 named in honor of Jean Frederic Pbelippeaui, Count de Maurepat, at that time Minitter of Marine. 19 1738 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1745 lT38i The Lieutenant-Governor and council of Nova Scotia appointed, by an order dated 13th January, four terms annually for the trial of causes, viz., the first Tuesday in March and May, and the last Tuesday in July and Novem- ber. On loth June, the council of Nova Scotia addressed a letter of re- monstrance to Governor Phillipps (then in England), giving in detail a list of the reasons, which, in their opinion, hindered the advancement of the Province. 1739. On Thursday, 6th De- cember, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, Lieutenant-Colonel Arm- strong,* was found dead in his bed, having five wounds in his breast, his sword lying carelessly by his side. An inquest was held on the 7th, and a ver- dict of lunacy rendered. — M. Pourray de TAuberivibre was appointed Bishop of Quebec. — On the death of Lieuten- ant-Governor Armstrong, the govern- ment of Nova Scotia was assumed by Mr. John Adams, the senior member of the council. 1140. M. de I'Auberivifere, Bishop of Quebec, arrived in Quebec. An epidemic was raging at the time ; he caught the infection, and died before he could take up his duties. — Lieuten- ant-Colonel Paul Mascarene was ap- pointed Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia in succession to Lieutenant- Governor Armstrong. Colonel Mas- cerene was major of General Phillipps' regiment, and had been a member of the Nova Scotia council since 1720. — A formal declaration of war between Great Britian and Spain was made on 14th May at Annapolis. — A royal com- * Lawrence Armstrong wa« Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment of General Phillipps, which h«d been stationed in Nova Scotia for many years. He was appointed a member of the first council of Nova Scotia, called by Governor Phillipps at Annapolis in 1720. He was appointed lieutenant-governor 8th February, 1725. mission, dated 4th September, 1740, to mark out and settle the boundaries be- tween the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and the Colony of Rhode Island, was issued, and amongst the members of this commission were included five members of the council of Nova Scotia. 1141. M. Dubreuil de Pontbriant was nominated by Benedict XIV. to succeed M. de I'Auberivi^re, as Bishop of Quebec. 1742. Lieutenant-Colonel Cosby, who was li>> utenant-colonel of General Phil- lipp'i regiment, and lieutenant-governor of the fort and garrison at Annapolis, died on 27th December. 1744. M.du Vivier, with a force from Louisburg, surprised and captured Canso on 13th May, carried the small garrison, seventy or eighty men, and the inhabitants to Louisburg. Canso was burned, and an English vessel in port captured. — A proclamation in- forming the inhabitants of the war be- tween England and France, was pub- lished at Annapolis on 15th Tune. — The Indians attacked Annapolis on ist July, and on 25th August were joined by Du Vivier with eight hundred men, chiefly Indians and militia. Aid was sent to Annapolis from time to time from Bos- ton, and after failing in all his attempts to take the place, Du Vivier retired on 26th September. — War was declared tween Great Britain and France, by France on 15th March, and by Great Britain on gth April. From this date such laws only were to have force in Canada, as were duly registered by the superior council at Quebec ; hence the French Code Marchand, not having been registered, was not in force in Canada. — A shock of earthquake was felt at Quebec on the i6th May. 1746. An expedition for the conquest of Cape Breton, under command of Colonel William Pepperell, sailed from «o 1745 1745 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1747 )rce m by the ce the g been nada. felt at iquest nd of from Nantasket on 24th March, and arrived at Canso on 4th April. The land forces numbered about four thousand men, being militia from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut ; the naval part of the expedition amounted to thirteen armed vessels, carrying two hundred guns. The principal offi- cers who accompanied the force, were Colonel Pepperell, (with local rank of lieutenant-general), in command. Col- onels Wolcott, (with local rank of major-general), Samuel Waldo, John Bradstreet, Jeremiah Moulton, Mes- serv^, Gorham, Gridley, and Vaughan and Captains (naval) Edward Tyng and Rouse. The expedition reached Louis- burg on 30th April. On the i8th May, the Vigilant, a French ship-of-war of sixty-four guns, commanded by the Marquis de la MAisonforte, and having on board stores for the garrison, was captured by the Mermaid, belonging to the fleet of Commodore Warren, which, having followed the expedition to Canso, was then co-operating with the land forces. Louisburg capitulated on 15th June, and the British forces entered the town on the 17th. The garrison, com- prising six hundred regular soldiers, and one thousand three hundred militia, together with the inhabitants, about two thousand, were sent to France. The news of the capture of Louisburg was received in London with great re- joicing. Pepperell was made a baronet, and Commodore Warren a rear admiral. Commissions as colonels in the regular service were issued to Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, and Pepperell. 1746i Jacques Pierre de Tafifanell Marquis de la Jonquiere, Admiral of France, was appointed to succeed the Marquis de Beauharnois as Governor of Canada, but was taken prisioner (on his voyage from France to Canada), by the British fleet, under Admiral Anson, in action off Cape Finisterre on the 3rd May, — The New England troops, who had been in garrison at Louisburg since its capture in June, 1745, were relieved on 24th May by Fuller's and Warburton's regiments (with part of Frampton's), which had been des- patched from England the previou autumn, and had wintered in Virginia. M. de Ramezay arrived at Beau- bassin, from Quebec,, in June, at the head of six hundred Canadians, with the intention of organizing an attack upon Annapolis. The duke d'Auville,. who had command of the expedition despatched from Rochelle on 22nd June for the re-conquest of Cape Breton and Acadia, arrived at Chibouctou, Halifax, on loth September, and died there on 17th. He was buried on a small island (said to be St. George's Island), at the entrance to the harbour. Vice-Admiral d'Estournelle, who commanded the fleet, desired to return to France, but his views not being acceptable to the council of war, called on the i8th Sep- tember to determine the course to be pursued, he fell on his sword, and died the next day. The fleet soon afterwards encountered a storm off Cape Sable, and was dispersed, and so eventually returned to France — having suffered great loss by storms and sickness, with- out effecting anything. Troops were sent from Boston in December to the Basin of Mines, to assist in repelling the expected attack of de Ramezay. Colonel Noble commanded ; the force numbered about four hundred and seventy men, and were quartered among the people at Grand Pr^. n41. On the capture of the Marquis de la Jonquiere becoming known to the French Government, Roland Michel Barrin, Count de la Galisonni^re, was appointed Governor, ad interim, and. immediately sailed for Quebec, where he arrived on September igth.-r-Madame Youville assumed charge of thev Grey 21 1747 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1749 Nunnery at Montreal. — M. de Bienville, under the instructions of the governor, defined the boundaries between the French and English possessions, and marked the line by sinking, at proper intervals, leaden plates bearing the Royal Arms of France. — An attack was made by the French, under com- mand of M. Coulon de Villiers, before day-break, on nth February, upon the English, under Colonel Noble, at Grand Prk (Horton). Colonel Noble was aroused from his sleep and killed, before he had time to dress; four other officers, and a number of men, variously estiinated at from seventy to one hun- dred and forty, were killed, and some fifty or sixty taken prisoners ; the remainder of the force, who were en- trenched in a stone building, renewed the action the next day, but were com- pelled to capitulate, being allowed how- ever, to retain their arms and ammu- nition on condition that they left for Annapolis in forty eight hours. 1748> A proclamation of Governor Shirley of Massachusetts,* dated 21st October, 1747, was received at Annap- olis on 12th April, promising the king's protection to the loyal inhabitants of Nova Scotia, proscribing, by name, twelve persons who had been guilty of treason, and offering a reward for their apprehension. — A treaty of peace was signed by France and Great Britain at Aix-la-Chapelle, on 7th October, by which Cape Breton (Isle Royale) was restored to the French Crown. A sum of ;f 235,749 sterling was voted by Par- liament to the New England Colonies, to indemnify them for the expenses in- * It may, at first sight, appear strange that a pro- clamation having reference to the affairs of Nova Scotia, should be issued by the Governor of Massa- chusetts, but it mutt be borne in mind, that the possession of Nova Scotia was altogether owing to the constant aid and support derived from the New England States. curred in the conquest of Louisburg. — Francois Bigot appointed Intendant of Canada. 1T40> The Marquis de la Jonqui^re. who had been set at liberty, sailed for Canada, and relieved the Count de la Galisonnifere,* who returned to France, for which he sailed from Quebec on 24th September. — Kalm, the Swedish naturalist, visited Canada during thi!> year. — Colonel the Honorable Edward Cornwallisf was gazetted as Governor of Nova Scotia on 9th May, and sailed on 14th. He reached Chebucto (now Halifax) on 2ist June. A large number of settlers came out with Colonel Corn- wallis, and early in July the first pre- parations were made for a permanent settlement. On 14th July the new council was sworn in, and general re- joicing took place. On i8th July, at a council held on board His Majesty's Ship Beaufort, the new settlement was named Halifax in honour of the Earl o^ Halifax,! t^o President of the Board of Trade. — The first trial for murder in Nova Scotia took place at Halifax. One Peter Carteet had stabbed the boatswain's mate of the Beaufort man- of-war, Abraham Goodside by name ; juries were empanelled on 31st August, * M.de !a Galissonniire was charged in 1756 with an expedition to Minorca for the seige of Port Mahon ; his fleet, on his return, was met by Admiral Byng's squadron, which he defeated. He died at Nemonis on a6th October, 1756, on his way to Fon- tainebltau, where Louis XV. then was. f The Honourable Edward Cornwallis, was the son of Charles, third Baron Cornwallis ; he was born in 1712. He was colonel of the 24th foot, was Member of Parliament for Eye in 1749, for West- minster in 17531 afterwards Governor of Gibraltar. His twin broth. , j^redericK, was Archbishop of Canterbury. i George Dunk Montague, Earl of Halifax, was President of the Board of Trade in 1748, he wa& subsequently Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, a Lord of the Admiralty and Secre aryof State. Lord Halifax died in 1772, when, having no heirs male, the earl- dom expired. 22 1749 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1752 a grand jury brought in a true bill, and on trial before the governor and coun- cil, who sat as a general court, the petit jury found him guilty of murder, and Carteet was hanged accordingly, under a warrant from the governor, on 13th September. 1750. Commissioners met in Paris to determine the boundaries of Nova Scotia. The British commissioners were William Shirley (Governor of Massachusetts) and William Mildmay. The French commissioners were the Marquis de la Galissonni^re and M. Etienne de Silhouette. The confer- ences lasted for three years, but were practically useless owing to the impos- sibility of reconciling the conflicting claims of the two parties. — M. de la Jonquiere caused a fort (named Fort KouilltJ, after M. Rouille de Jouy, then foreign minister at Paris) to be erected on the site now occupied by the City of Toronto. — Notwithstanding the appointment of' a commission to deter- mine the boundaries of the English and French possessions in North America, a feeling of mutual distrust was rapidly spreading amongst the subjects of both crowns, and M. de la Jonquifere was most energetic in devising means of checking the encroachments of the English colonists. He strengthened the post at Detroit, and despatched re- inforcements to the Alleghanies ; whilst at the same time the Chevalier de la Come was instructed to lose no time in organizing the Acadians, and opposing, by every means in his power, the ad- vance of British settlements in Nova Scotia. The possession of Chignecto at once became an object of import- ance to both parties, and whilst La Come erected a fort at Beausejour, around which Father Le Loutre* col- '* Louis Joseph de la t.outre was sent to Canada the Society of i'UkriKi' Missions at Paris in 1737. lected his Acadians, Major Lawrence was despatched from Halifax to erect a fort on the eastern side of the Missiguash, afterwards known as Fort Lawrence. — Sir Danvers Osborne, Bart.,f arrived at Halifax in the Saltash sloop on the 33rd August, and was sworn in as one of His Majesty's Coun- cil for Nova Scotia on 29th August. — Edward How was treacherously shot through the heart by a party of Indians under Le Loutre, whilst holding parley with a French officer across the Missi- guash river (Chignecto). 1751. Count de Raymond succeeded M. Desherbiers as Governor of Louis- burg. Dartmouth, (opposite Halifax) Nova Scotia, attacked by Indians in May, and, notwithstanding the pre- sence of a company of rangers, a num- ber of persons were killed, and others carried away as prisoners before the Indians were driven off. 1752. The Marquis de la Jonquifere died at Quebec on the 17th May, and Charles le Moyne, Baron de Longueuil, Governor of Montreal, replaced him pending the appointment of a successor. Captain the Marquis Duquesne de Menneville, an officer of marine, was appointed to succeed M.de la Jonquiere. — Two ships laden with wheat were des- patched from Quebec to Marseilles, In 1740 he was missionary to the Micmacs in Nova Scotia. In 1743 he led a body of Abenaqui Indians in an attack upon Annapolis. De Loutre held the office of Vicar-General in Acadia, and was a most determined opponent of British power in America. After having misled the unfortunate Acadians by his pernicious counsels, he deserted them at their greatest need, and went to Quebec, where he found a very cold reception. He then sailed for France, but the vessel in which he sailed was captured by the English, and he was sent a prisoner to Jersey, where he remained until the conclusion of peace in 1763 when he returned to France. f Sir Danvers Osborne was M.P. for Bedfordshire in 1747 ; was appointed Governor of New York in June, 1753; and died in that province a few days after liis arrival H I 1752 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1755 being, in all probability, the first cargoes of wheat shipped from Canada. — Peregrine Thomas Hopson, colonel of the 40th regiment, was sworn in as Governor of Nova Scotia, on 3rd August, in place of Governor Cornwallis, who returned to England. — Lieutenant-Col- onel the Honourable Robert Monckton (who afterwards fought at Quebec) was appointed to command at Chignecto, (Fort Lawrence). 1T63« Fort Duquesne (on the site of the modern city of Pittsburg) was built at the confluence of the Monongahela and the Alleghany rivers with the Ohio, by M. de Contrecceur, acting under the instructions of M. Duquesne. Fort Venango was also erected at the same time, at the junction of the Riviere aux Boeufs with the Alleghany. To coun- teract the influence of the French, the English built a fort on the Monongahela, which was called Fort Necessity, and was erected under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel George Wash- ington.* — A settlement was made at Lunenburg (Nova Scotia) by a number of German emigrants, who arrived there from Halifax on 7th June. — Governor Hopson sailed from Halifax for England on 1st November, leaving Charles Law- rence as Lieutenant-Governor. — The German settlers at Lunenburg (Nova Scotia) became so dissatisfied, mainly owing, no doubt, to their ignorance of the English laws and language, that they broke into open rebellion, and Colonel Monckton was sent down from Halifax with two hundred regulars to restore order. The ringleader, Hoff- man, was arrested, and taken prisoner to Halifax, when order was soon re- stored. * It was whilst engaged in these expeditions against the French on the Monongahela, that Wash- ington laid the foundation of that great reputation as a military commander, which he acquired in after years. 1T64. Jonathan Belcher appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia.— William Osgoode, first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, born in March. — M. de Jum- onville,* a French officer, was killed on 28th May, in a skirmish near Fort Duquesne, between a small party of Canadians under his command, and a body of Virginia militia under Lieuten- ant-Colonel George Washington. On 28th June M. de Contrecceur despatched a force of six hundred French and one hundred Indians from Fort Duquesne, under the command of M. de Villiers, to attack Washington's force wherever it might be found.— On the 3rd July M. de Villiers attacked the Virginians, who had reached Fort Necessity ; after sustaining the French fire for ten hours, Washington, having lost ninety men, was, on 4th July, obliged to surrender. The garrison were, however, permitted to march out with the honors of war, and to return to Virginia with every- thing but their artillery, which was to be destroyed by the captors. — The Church of Notre Dame de Bonsecours at Montreal was destroyed by fire. 1T55» The Marquis Duquesne, de- siring to re-enter the naval service, re- quested his recall, and was succeeded by Pierre Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil- Cavagnal — Governor of Louisiana — who was born at Quebec in 1698. — A large fleet, under Admiral de la Mothe, sailed from Brest at the end of April, having on board the new governor, and upwards of 3000 men under the com- mand of Major-General the Baron Dieskau. Admiral Boscawen, with an English fleet, was despatched to inter- cept the French fleet, and succeeded * The circumstance attending the death of Jum- onville gnve rise to much angry recrimination, it being held by the French that he was shot whilst bearing a message under a flag of truce, whilst Washington explictly denies that any foundation existed for such a statement. 24 1755 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1756 bf Jum- jition, it whilst whilst ndation in taking two men-of-war off Cape Race ; the remainder of the fleet reached Quebec in safety in July. — Major- General Braddock arrived at New York with reinforcements, and imme- diately took the field, but met with a most disastrous repulse on the 9th of July, whilst advancing on Fort Duquesne; upwards of sixty British officers were killed and wounded. General Braddock received a shot which passed through his right arm into his lungs, from the effects of which he died on the 13th. M. de Beaujeu, who commanded the French, was also among the slain. — Colonel Washington, who was present on this occasion on the staff of General Brad- dock, was one of the few officers who escaped unhurt, and he was thus enabled to render valuable service in conducting the retreat of the remnants of the British force. — Sir William John- son, who had marched against Crown Point with a force of militia and a small body of Indians, was more suc- cessful, having, on the 8th September, completely defeated Baron Dieskau, who was severely wounded and taken prisoner. — An expedition under Colo- nels Winslow and Monckton against the Acadian settlements in the vicinity of Bale Verte was also attended with success. Fort Beaus^jour (commanded by M. Vergor Duchambon) was attacked by Colonel Monckton, and, after a few days' resistance, surrendered on the i6th June. Fort Gaspereaux was taken by Colonel Winslow on the i8th. The capture of these forts placed the Aca- dian population entirely at the mercy of their conquerors, and, after much consideration, the council of Nova Scotia came to the conclusion that the only safe means of preventing the return of the Acadian families and their formation into a compact body always ready to act adversely to Bri- tish interests, was to distribute them amongst the colonies from Georgia to New England, and this was accordingly done. Many of the Acadians, however, with that love of country with which they were so deeply imbued, found their way in after years to the land of their birth, and very many of their descendants are counted in the present population of Nova Scotia. — General Shirley, who, on the death of General Braddock, succeeded to the command of the army, was despatched with a strong force to act against Fort Niagara, but, after throwing a reinforcement of seven hundred men into Oswego, he returned to Albany. — Fort William Henry was erected by Sir William Johnson, on the site of his action with the French under the Baron Dieskau. 1166. The Earl of Loudon* was appointed Governor of Virginia, and Commander of the British forces in America, and the Marquis de Montcalm to a similar position in Canada. With the Marquis de Montcalm came the Chevalier de Levis, M. de Bougainville, and M. Bourlamaque, ofBcers of dis- tinguished merit, and troops to the number of about a thousand. — War was declared between France and Great Britain, (on 18th May in London, and on gth June at Versailles). — Charles Lawrencef was appointed Captain- * John Campbell, fourth Earl of Loudon, was born in 1705 ; succeeded his father in the earldom Novem- ber 1731. He raised a regiment of Highlanders to oppose the Pretender in 174; ; became Colonel 01 the 30tli regiment of foot in 1749 ; Colonel of the 60th Royal Americans in 1755; Colonel of a regi- ment of Foot Guards in 1770 ; and died, unmarried' on 27th April, i7Hi, aged 77. + Charles Lawrence was Major in Warburton's regiment of foot ; he went to Halifax with the troops in 1749, and was sworn in as a member of the coun- cil on 3i8t July of that year, by Governor Cornwallis. He was gazetted Colonel in 1757, and commanded a brigade at the siege of Louisburg in 1758. Colonel Lawrence died, unmarried, at Halifax on iqth Octo- H IP""^ 1756 CANADIAN ANNALS. ^757 General and Governor-in-Chief ; and Robert Monckton Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia.l by royal commission, and they were sworn in on 23rd July. — Fort Oswego, on the River Chouagen, was invested by the Marquis de Mont- calm, and after a short resistance, was taken on the i6th August. Large stores of ammunition and provisions, one hundred and twenty-one guns, seven armed vessels, a large sum of money, and 1600 prisoners, (chiefly of Shir- ley's and Pepperell's regiments), fell into the hands of the enemy. — War was pub'icly declared against France in Halifax on gth August. 1157. An expedition, under the Earl of Loudon and Admiral Holburne, was despatched against Louisburg, but find- ing the French had (including the Indians) a garrison of 10,000 men, and a fleet of fifteen men-of-war, the expe- dition was abandoned. Lord Loudon strengthened the garrisons of Halifax, and of the forts in the Bay of Fundy, ber, 1760. He was much respected, and a monument was erected to his memory in St. Paul's Church, Halifax, by the Legislature of Nova Scotia. t The Honorable Robert Monckton was the second son of the first Viscount Galway, and his wife. Lady Elizabeth Manners, who was a daughter of the Duke of Rutland, and a grand-daughter of Lord William Russel, who was beheaded in 1683. Robert Monck- ton commenced his military career in Flanders in 1742, and was present at the battle of Dettingcn. He was sent to Halifax in 1753. He commanded at the reduction of BeausSjour in 1755. In 1757 he be- came Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Americans, and joined the army under Lord Loudon. He commanded a battalion at the siege of Louisburg ; and served as Brigadier-General under Wolfe at the capture of Quebec, when he was wounded in the lungs ; for these services he was given the Colonelcy of the 17th regiment. In 1761 Monckton became a Major-General, and shortly after Governor of New York, from whence he pro- ceeded in command of the expedition against Mar- tinico, returning to New York after its capture. The appointment 01 Governor of Berwick was conferred upon Monckton in 1766; he was madeaLieutenant- General in 1770; Governor of Portsmouth (which place he represented in Parliament) in 1778 ; he died in 1782. and returned to New York. — An expe- dition, under M. de Rigaud, (brother to M. de Vaudreuil), was despatched to attack FortWilliam Henry about the end of February. It was hoped, by making the attack unexpectedly, the garrison might be surprised, and forced to sur- render ; the attempt was, however, a failure ; and after burning as many of the outworks, batteaux, palisades, &c., as possible, M. de Rigaud returned. — A second expedition, under M. de Montcalm, accompanied by De Levis, De Rigaud, Bourlamaque, and Bougain- ville, started for Fort William Henry on 30th July. The attacking force consisted of 3,000 regulars, about 3,000 Canadian militia, and some 1,700 or 1,800 Indians. The fort was com- manded by Colonel Monroe, and con- tained a garrison of about 2,700 men. Operations were commenced on 4th August, and after a spirited defence, in which the besieged lost some 200 men, a capitulation was agreed upon on the 9th August ; the garrison was to march out with the honors of war, on condi- tion that they did not serve again during the war. The British, having accepted their terms, started on their march to Fort Edward, but had barely gone a mile when they were fallen upon by the Indians, and a large number most bar- barously massacred — Garneau says that nearly 600 reached Fort Edward ; but as 2,372 surrendered, and only 200 or 300 are claimed to have been car- ried off by the Indians, (most of whom were subsequently ransomed by Mont- calm), and 500 to have succeeded in getting back into the Fort, there re- main about 1,000 to be accounted for. When it became known that Mont- calm — with a force of 6,000 regulars and militia on the spot — had permitted this massacre to be perpetrated under his very eyes, the deepest indignation was felt throughout the British Pro- 26 J_757 Vn expe- •other to tched to It the end ^ making garrison d to sur- wever, a many of ides, &c., turned. — r M. de De Levis, Bougain- m Henry ;ing force 30ut 3,000 ; 1,700 or was com- , and con- 2,700 men. id on 4th iefence, in 5 200 men, pon on the isto march on condi- ;ain during |g accepted march to ;ly gone a |pon by the most bar- leau says Edward ; Id only 200 been car- of whom by Mont- eeded in there re- lunted for. at Mont- regulars permitted ted under dignation litish Fro- 1757 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1758 vinces, and the conviction, then rapidly spreading amongst the leading British colonists, that, as General Shirley ex- pressed it, "delenda est Canada" became stronger than ever. — Major-General James Abercrombie was appointed com- mander of the army in North America, and Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal American Regiment, (then consisting of four battalions of 1,000 men each). Lord Howe, Edward Whitmore, and Charles Lawrence were made Brig- adier-Generals for service in America. 1758. On 2oth May a council was held at the governor's house in Halifax, at which a plan was adopted for con- vening a house of representatives of the inhabitants of the Province, to be known as the General Assembly of Nova Scotia ; this Assembly was to consist of sixteen members, and to meet in the following October. — On Sunday, 28th May, Admiral Boscawen set sail from Halifax with a fleet of twenty- three ships of the line, eighteen frigates, and one hundred and sixteen transports and other vessels, for Louisburg, having on board 12,260 men under command of General Amherst, (with whom were Wolfe, Lawrence and Whit- more, Monckton being left in command at Halifax.) The fleet anchored in Gabarus Bay on 2nd June, but owing to fog and other causes, the troops were unable to reach the shore until the 8th, when Wolfe's Brigade efl'ected a landing — he being one of the first to plunge into the surf and make for the shore. The landing was disputed by the French under Colonel St. Julien, but was finally effected with a loss to the British of about no men, killed wounded, and missing ; the French loss amounted to upwards of 70 men, and over 20 guns which had been placed along the shore to prevent a landing. — On 28th June, Colonel Mes- serv^ and his son died of small-pox, to the great regret of the iorce. Colonel Messerv^ had under his command a company of volunteer engineers (chiefly carpenters), who were of great service to the attacking force. On yth July a sortie was made, under Lieutenant- Colonel Marin ; a party of the 17th were surprised, and Lord Dundonald was killed. On 26th July the French batteries were in a ruinous state ; the fleet had been captured or destroyed ; and, further resistance being useless, M. Drucour, the French commandant, on petition of the inhabitants, proposed to surrender. Articles of capitulation were agreed upon, and on the 27th the garrison laid down their arms. The prisoners, including land and sea forces, numbered 5,637 ; they were sent to England, and the inhabitants who had not borne arms were sent to France. Upwards of 200 cannon, and large quantities of military stores of various kinds, fell into the hands of the victors. The capitulation included the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island), and Lieutenant-Colonel Lord RoUo was sent to take possession. — Whilst victory perched on the standard of General Amherst, a far different fate befel General Abercrombie, who embarked, on the 5th July, on Lake George, to attack Carillon (Ticonderoga) with a force of 6,367 regulars and 9,024 Pro- vincial militia. Montcalm, who com- manded the French, had a force of about 3,800 men (nearly 3,000 regulars). The first attack was made on the 6th, when Lord Howe was killed, and the British repulsed. On the 8th the prin- cipal action took place with a loss to the English of nearly 2,000 men, killed and wounded, after which Abercrombie retired to the head of Lake George. — Learning that the troops had been withdrawn from Fort Frontenac Gen- eral Abercrombie despatched Colonel 27 1758 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1759 Bradstreet with a large force to sur- prise that important post. Bradstreet reached FortFrontenacon 25th August, compelled the small garrison to sur- render, and destroyed the place, to- gether with a number of small vessels which had been sent there after the capture of Oswego. — Towards the close of the year, Fort Duquesne, which had been attacked by General Forbes, was abandoned by M. de Ligneris, and completely destroyed by the British force, who gave the name of Pittsburg to the place. — When the details of the operations of the British forces in America reached England, General Abercrombie was at once superseded, and Major-General Jeffry Amherst* was appointed to the chief command of the British troops in North America. — The first General Assembly of Nova Scotia met for the first time in the Court House in Halifax, on Monday, 2nd October, and elected Robert Sand- erson their speaker. The session lasted until 2ist December. 1759. M. de Bougainville arrived at Quebec from France on 14th May, bringing with him the grand cross of the order of St. Louis for M. de Vaud- reuil, and promotions and honors of various degrees for those who had dis- tinguished themselves in the campaign of the previous year. In addition to honors and rewards, however, M. de Bougainville brought the alarming in- telligence that the British Government was making every preparation for send- ing a large force to act directly against Quebec. — A council of war was called, *' Jeffry Amherst was born on 2gth January, 1717 ; he was the second son of Jeffry Amherst of River- head, in the County of Kent. Amherst was made a Knight of the Bath in 1761 ; created Baron Amherst in 1776 ; appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army in 1778. He attained the rank of Field Marshal ; was Colonel of the and Lifeguards, and of the 6gth regiment ; and Governor of Guernsey. Lord Amherst died on 3rd August, 1797. and every possible effort was made to put the capital in a state of defence. — Early in the spring General Amherst concentrated his troops at Albany and Fort Edward ; and, having despatched a force of regulars under Prideaux, supported by militia and Indians under Sir William Johnson, to operate against Niagara, he himself advanced into the Champlain district, arriving at Carillon (Ticonderoga) on 22nd July. Prideaux reached Fort Niagara on 3th July ; he was killed on the 19th by the explosion of a shell, when the command devolved upon Sir William Johnson, to whom the fort surrendered on 25th July. — The British fleet, numbering over fifty vessels, under the command of Admirals Saunders, Holmes and Durell, and having on board 7,600 soldiers, and 1,000 marines, under com- mond of Major-General James Wolfe, who had with him as Brigadiers. Monckton, Townshend and Murray, arrived off the Island of Orleans on 26th June. Troops were landed on the Island on 27th and 28th ; there was a violent gale at the time, and the ship- ping and boats sustained a good deal of damage. June 29th — The French, about 1 a.m., by favour of a north-west wind and ebb of tide, sent down several fire-ships and rafts, with an intention to destroy the British fleet ; but the acti- vity of the sailors with their boats and grapplings prevented any damage lO the ships. June30lh — Amherst's, Ken- nedy's, Webb's and Fraser's regiments crossed to Point Levi, and encamped opposite to Cape Diamond. July 5th — Colonel Burton, with the 48th and Major Dalling's Light Infantry, posted at Point Levi, opposite south side ot the town of Quebec. July 8th — General Wolfe landed on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, east of the Falls of Montmorency, with the greater part of two brigades, and proceeded to 28 1759 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1759 form a camp. July loth — Fire was opened upon Quebec from a battery (5 13 inch mortars, and 6 32 pounders) at Point Levi. July i8th — General Wolfe reconnoitred the north shore above the town, with a view to ascertain whether a landing could be effected. July 22nd — Colonel Carleton landed with a body of troops at Pointe-aux-Trembles, where a number of prisoners (including 150 ladies) were taken. The ladies were conveyed to Quebec the following day. July 28th — A duel was fought between Captain Ross and Lieutenant Naim of Fraser's regiment. July 31st — An at- tempt was made by two regiments from Point Levi, supported by the troops in camp to the east of the Montmorency River, to take the entrenchments on the west side of the Montmorency, but the attempt failed, and the troops were withdrawn; the casualties were thirty- eight killed and sixty-two wounded. The cause of failure was the precipit- ancy of the grenadiers, who rushed to the attack before the troops sent to their support had time to form. August 8th — An expedition under Brigadier Murray attempted a landing at Point- aux-Trembles, but finding the French were well prepared, withdrew with a loss of 26 men killed, and 10 officers and 36 men wounded, and about 10 sailors killed and wounded. August 19th — Deschambault was surprised by a force under Murray, and a large quantity of stores destroyed. August 27th — General Wolfe was taken ill, an occurrence which was very much re- gretted by the whole army, whose con- fidence in their general was unbounded ; fortunately, the attack passed off, and the general was able to meet his officers in consultation on the 30th. August 29th — The Sutherland was attacked by seventy-five batteaux ; the attack was, however, repulsed, with the loss of four batteaux. September 1st — All the houses on the east side of the Montmorency were burned by the Bri- tish troops. On this and the follow- ing day the cannon which had been mounted on the works at Montmo- rency were removed to Point Levi, where preparations were made for the encampment of the troops which had occupied the works on the north shore, east of Quebec. September 3rd — General Wolfe withdrew the greater part of his men from the camp at Montmorency, and landed them at Point Levi. From this date until the nth, observations were made daily by the General and his Brigadiers of the character of the north shore, and the vessels of war and the troops were so disposed as to be available for landing at the point there is every reason to believe the General had by this time selected, so soon as the weather, which had for some days been very wet and stormy, should moderate. September 4th — An officer and three Rangers arrived in the British camp with despatches from General Amherst to General Wolfe. They left Crown Point on the 8th August, at which time General Amherst was actively engaged in making all preparations necessary for taking possession of Lake Champlain, and thence advancing upon Canada. September 12 — General Wolfe's orders of this day revealed the plan which he had finally resolved upon, namely, to make a vigorous attack on the west side of the city, where the French had supposed a landing to be impracticable. The army was directed to embark in flat-bottomed boats by midnight, and upon a signal from the Sutherland they were to repair to that rendezvous. Great care was taken in the selection of the party, which was under the com- mand of Captain Delaune, to lead in the ascent of the heights ; twenty-four men were finally chosen, and so care- ag 1759 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1759 fully and well did they perform their duty that they were already on the heights before the French guard had been turned out to dispute the ascent. September 13th— By eight o'clock the Hritish army, numbering about 4,800 men, under the immediate command of General Wolfe, was drawn up on the heights above what is now known as Wolfe's Cove, and prepared to advance on the city, Montcalm, on hearing that Wolfe had landed, lost no time in moving against him. The two armies met, the English reserving their fire until the French were within forty paces ; a volley wm, tncn delivered with such precision that the advance of the French was checked at once ; all efforts to re-form the line were vain, and thus, in a short half hour, was lost and won the City of Quebec, and with it the possession of a conti- nent. General Wolfe, who had received three wounds, died on the field, and his body was sent to England. =' As soon as the result of the battle became known, intrenching tools were served out, and the British troops at once began to make redoubts, not knowing but that they might, on the following day, have to fight to maintain the position they had so bravely won, it being reported that the French expected a reinforcement of 2000 men before morning. During the night a slight attack was made, but Colonel Burton, with the 48th Regi- ment, was able to drive off the assail- ants. September 14th — The Marquis * Major-General James Wolfe was born at Wester- ham, in the County of Kent, in 1726. His father was a general offtcer ; and Wolfe was thus enabled to com- mence his military career at an early age. He was present at the buttles of Dettingen and Fontenoy, and also at Laffeldt, where he attracted the particular notice of the Duke of Cumberland, by whom he was ever afterwards befriended. Wolfe was specially selected by I'itt for the attack upon Louisburg, and his conduct on that occasion led to his being en- trusted with the command of the land forces in the expedition against Quebec. of Montcalm''= died of his wounds, and was buried in the Ursuline Convent in Quebec. September i8th — Quebec capitulated, and the Red Cross of St. George floated from the Gibraltar of America. When the news of the capture of Quebec reached Britain, the whole three kingdoms were filled with joy — the more so as British arms had, during the three or four years immediately pre- ceding, sustained some severe reverses in Canada. London, and other cities and chief towns, sent congratulatory addresses to the king; and Parliament directed a statue to be erected in West- minster Abbey in commemoration of the death and achievements of General Wolfe; the thanks of Parliament were voted to the principal officers of the army and navy who had taken part in the expedition against Quebec. f A general thanksgiving was also ordered throughout the kingdom. In France, too, the loss of Quebec and the death of Montcalm made a painful impression upon the public mind, whilst through- ' Louis Joseph de Montcalm, Marquis of St. Veran, wus born at Condiac in 1712, and like his rival, Wolfe, entered the army at an early age. He served in Italy, Bohemia and Germany, and bad acquired considerable distinction, when the defeat of Dieskau rendered it necessary for the French Court to select an officer for the command in Can- ada. Montcalm justified the confidence placed in him, and did all that it was possible for him to do to maintain the supremacy of the French in Canada ; but although millions could be found for the reckless extrava(,'anceof the French Court, and the Intendant Bigot could lose thousands at the gaming-table, no money was forthcoming to maintain the strength and efficiency of the army, and its General sub- mitted to a fate he could not avert, and died happy that he had been spared the humiliation of having to surrender the Capital. + The Gentleman's Magazine for January, 1794, (Vol. LXIV., Part I.) contains an account of the death, on 27th December, 1793, of Lieutenant John McCulloch, a. native of the north of Ireland, who had, when very young, been taken by his father to North America. Lieutenant McCulloch was cap- tured by the French in 1756, and taken to Quebec, where he was permitted to range about wherever he pleased until November, when he w a : charged with 30 iry, 1794. Lt of the jiant John and, who I father to [was cap- Quebec, lerever he Lrged with 1759 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1760 out Europe it seemed to be taken (or granted that the capture of Quebec had broujjht to a conclusion the strug- gle between France and England in the North American colonies. Sep- tember 26th — That portion of the French army which had composed the garrison of Quebec, including 26 officers, 49 non-commissioned officers, and 540 rank and file, embarked at Quebec for France, conformably to the terms of the treaty. August 4th — Bourlamaque blew up Fort St. Frederic and retired to Isle-aux-Noix. General Amherst at once occupied the deserted post, and proceeded to erect a new fort. August 9th — M.de Levis left Quebec on a tour of inspection, and proceeded as far as Fort Frontenac, retun ing by way of Lake Champlain to Mf ureal, where he arrived on nth September. On the 15th September ue Levis was informed by express .nessenger that Montcalm had been beaten before Quebec. He left immediately and joined the army, of which he at once assumed the com- mand, at the Jacques Cartier river, on the 17th, and led the troops back to- wards Quebec. He reached St. Augustin on the 19th, and there learned that Quebec had been surrendered by M. de Ramezay, commandant, on the 18th, upon which he retired to the Jacques Cartier and fortified his camp there. Admiral Saunders and General Towns- hend sailed from Quebec on the i8th of (3ctober, and were followed by General Monckton and Colonel Guy Carleton on the 24th, on which date the last of the English fleet left Quebec. November being a spy, and sent to France ; from thence he was, in 1757, sent to England on an exchange of prisoners. Provided with a letter of introduction from General Shirley, Lieutenant McCulloch waited on General Wolfe ; and it is claimed that from him Wolfe gained much information respecting the forti- fications of Quebec, and first learned of the existence of that path by which the troops ascended to the Plains of Abraham. 28th — General Murray caused block- houses to be erected outside the city of Quebec, to cover the fortifications. August 17th — Nova Scotia divided into five counties — Annapolis, King's, Cum- berland, Lunenburg, and Halifax. — On 4th December the first session of the Second Assembly of Nova Scotia began. Mr. William Nesbit was chosen speaker. 1160. During the autumn of 1759 and spring of 1760 no serious attempt was made by the French Government to send aid to the handful of men who were still determined to hold out whilst defense was possible. Far different, however, was the conduct of the British Government. Stimulated by the suc- cess which had at length crowned their efforts, every endeavour was made to ensure the retention of that which had been so hardly won. Numerous squad- rons covered the seas, so that the ocean-way between Europe and Canada was absolutely barred against France ; whilst Lord Colville, with a powerful fleet, was waiting in Halifax until the spring should be sufficiently advanced to permit him to ascend the St. Law- rence. The Anglo-American Provinces vied with each other in their eff'orts to raise men and money to ensure the fruition of their hopes. The army at Quebec was to be reinforced, and ascend the St. Lawrence ; Colonel Haviland was preparing for an ad- vance from Lake Champlain by way of Isle-aux-Noix and St. John's ; whilst General Amherst was to assemble a large force at Oswego, descend the St. Lawrence, and effect a junction with the two other corps at Montreal. Feb- ruary 22nd and 24th — Attacks were made by the French upon Point Levi, but they were promptly and easily re- pelled by the garrison. March 19th — Strong reinforcements were sent to Ste. Foye and Quebec. April loth — 31 1760 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1760 The ice nave way, and General Murray Hent ofiTa Hchooner with despatches for the olTtcer commanding the fleet to hasten his coming. April 24th and 25th — The inhabitants of Quebec were com- pelled to leave the city as an attack by the army of the Chevalier de Levis was daily expected. April 26th — M. de Levis landed his forces at Pointe-aux-Trem- bles, and marched on Lorette. April 27th — General Murray withdrew his troops from Cap-Rouge and Ste. Foye. April 28th — General Murray, having decided to risk a battle, marched out to Ste. Foye, where an engagement took place, which resulted in the defeat of the British force, which was com- pelled to retire into the city, with a loss of nearly one thousand men in killed and wounded. May gth — The frigate Lowestoff arrived off Quebec and saluted the forts, her arrival being welcomed with the most lively satisfaction by the garrison. May 15th — The first division of the British fleet arrived. May i6th — The Vanguard moved up the river, accompanied by two frigates, captured the French shipping above Quebec, and prepared to enfilade the trenches of De Levis, who retired precipitately, leaving his cannon, tents, and war material, the whole of which fell into the hands of the British. July 15th — General Mur- ray passed the Jacques Cartier on his way to Montreal, arriving at Three Rivers on 6th August and Sorel on the 12th. August 7th — Colonel Haldimand left Oswego with the first division of General Amherst's army, on his way down the St. Lawrence to Montreal. August gth — Fort Jacques Cartier was attacked by Colonel Fraser, and sur- rendered the next day. August loth — General Amherst left Oswego with the main body of Royal Artillery and regu- lars. August t2th— Brigadier-General Gage followed General Amherst from Oswego with eight battalions of Provin- cial troops. August 17th — La Galettc (Osgewetchie) was reached, and a French vessel stationed there was cap- tured. August 27th — Isle-aux- Noix surrendered to Colonel Haviland. Sep- tember 3rd — Haviland's corps reached Longueuil, and General Amherst's force arrived at Isle Perrot. The forces of Amherst and Haviland were joined by those of General Murray on the 7th, and the combined force beleagured the city on the 8th. The Marquis de Vaud- reuil had, however, on the 6th, come to the decision, in spite of the strong opposition of de Levis, who wished to fight to the last, that any further resist- ance was useless, and had sent a flag of truce to General Amherst, with an inti- mation that he was willing to negotiate for terms of surrender. On 8th Septem- ber the capitulation of Montreal was signed by the Marquis de Vaudreuil, and Canada passed finally under British rule. The British took possession of Montreal the same day. The Governor General, Chevalier de Levis,* the troops, num- bering about 183 officers and 2400 men. * The Chevalier de Levis lost no time, on hia re- turn to France, in seeking active employment, for he was present at the battle of Johannisberg, gained in 1763, by the Prince de Condi over the famous William, Duke of Brunswick, On the conclusion of the war he was appointed governor of Artois ; he was nominated a Marshal of France, and created Duke de Levis in 1784. He died at Arras in 1787, leaving a son, Pierre Marie Gaston, duke de Levis, a well known political writer and moralist after the restoration. Among the officers who surrendered at Montreal with De Levis were Bourlamaquc and Bougainville. These officers had taken an active part in the military operations in Canada during the latter years of the war, and now, at its close, returned to France, resolved, like De Levis, to con- tinue in the service of their country. M. de Bour- lamaque lived until 1764, and died at Guadeloupe, of which he was then governor. Colonel Bougainville entered the marine service, and fought, as a leading naval commander in the French fleet, during the w;\r of American Independence. He afterwards took a voyage round the world, and became known by his geographical discoveries. 32 1760 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1760 officers of the civil government,* and some 500 or 600 sailors, servants, women and children, embarked for France. Before leaving Canada, M. de Vaudreuil sent orders to the com- mandant at Detroit, and to other officers commanding French posts in the west, to surrender their commands to such British officers as might be deputed to take them over. Thus, by 1761, French domination existed no longer in any part of Canada, after a duration of nearly two centuries. September 9th — Amongst the articles taken possession of by General Amherst on entering Montreal, were the colours of Shirley's and Pepperell's regiments, which had been lost at Oswego when these regi- ments surrendered in 1750. These colours were marched out of Montreal by a detachment of grenadiers and a band of music, and carried down the rightof the line to headquarters, where they were lodged. — Governor Law- rence was taken ill on Saturday, nth October, with fever and inflammation of the lungs, of which he died on Sun- day the icjth. During the eleven years he had spent in Nova Scotia, he occupied either the chief or a prominent position in all its affairs, both civil and military, and won the respect and confidence as well of the authorities in England as of the settlers of Nova Scotia. On the death of Governor Lawrence the com- • On their return to France a strict investigation was held into the conduct of the Governor-General, Intendant, and other civil officers charged with the administration of affairs in Canada. On loth Decem- ber, 1763, the presidentof the commission which had been appointed to conduct the investigation, rendered his Bnal decree regarding the parties accused. De Vaudreuil was, with five others, relieved from the accusation. Bigot, the Intendant, who had been committed to the Bastile on 17th November, 1761, was sentenced to exile for life. Many of the less prominent officers were sentenced to banishment for various terms, and compelled to make restitution. The amount thus ordered to be made good by de- faulters is said to have exceeded 11,000,000 of francs. mand of the Province was assumed by the Honorable Jonathan Belcher. I— King George II. died at Kensin^(>f 1760. — In May six vessels kft t^>rdeau\ with 400 troops and horses t\) strengthen ■-. garrison \M Montreal. Three of ihum: vessels were captured in the English Channel ; the remaining three ie»chi ; the Bay of Chaleurs ;ind landed the troops at the mouth of the Kestigoucht, where, there were fortifications and thi.' beginning of a town to be called Petite Rochelle. Commodore Byron had fol- lowed the French vessels, and arrived at the Kestigouche on the z.\th June ; and on the 8th of July an actton took place which resulted in the capture \M the three French vessels — the McukAult, 32 ; Bienfaisant, 22 ; and Mart/tus May loze, i8 — the recapture of several sn>*ll English trading vessels, and the total destruction of the place. Byron alti Honourable Montague Wilmot had been appointed to succeed him as Lieutenant-Gover- nor. — September 24th — Colonel the Honourable Montague Wilmot reached Halifax, and on the 26th he took the oaths of office, and entered upon his duties as Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia. — On October 7th a proclamation was issued by King George HL, defining the position of the new colony, and vir- tually abolishing the French laws and substituting those of England, — The Gulph of St. Lawrence. And as to what relates to the fishery on the coasts of the Island of Cape Bre- ton, out of the said Gulph, the subjects of the Most Christian King shall not be permitted to exercise the said fishery but at the distance of fifteen leagues from the coasts of the island of Cape Breton, and the fishery on the coasts of Nova Scotia or Acadia, and everywhere else out of the said Gulph, shall remain on the foot of former treaties. " VI. The Kingof Great Britain cedes the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, in full right, to His Most Christian Majesty to serve as a shelter to the French fishermen ; and His said Most Christian Majesty engages not to fortify the said islands, to erect no buildings upon them, but merely for the convenience of the fishery, and to keep upon them a guard of fifty men only for the police. " n 37 i. J 1763 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1764 islands of St. John and Cape Breton (Isle Royale) were annexed by royal proclamation to the government of Nova Scotia. — October 19th — The ses- sion* of the Nova Scotia Legislature was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Wil- mot. — On 2ist November General Mur- , ray succeeded Lord Amherst as Gover- nor-General of Canada. He was assisted in the government by a council con- sisting of the Lieutenant-Governors at Montreal and Three Rivers, the Chief Justice, the Inspector-General, and eight of the principal inhabitants. — November 27th — Seventy soldiers, being part of a detachment on the way from Niagara to Detroit, were drowned in a storm on Lake Erie. — Since the death of M. de Pontbriand the Episcopal See of Quebec had remained vacant. When hostilities ceased, application was made by the clergy to General Murray for permission to the chapter of the diocese to exercise the rights possessed by bishops and chapters in all Catholic countries. This applica- tion was recommended by General Murray, who sent his secretary, M. Cramah^, to London to support its prayer. The documents relative to this subject were submitted to the at- torney and solicitor general for the time being — Sir F. Nortonf and Sir W. de Grey — who ga\ e it as their opin- ion, that in view of the stipulations in the treaty of 1763 regarding the church * During this session, which closed on 26th No- vember, it was ordered that mahogany chairs be made for the members, the chair for Mr. Speaker to l:e somewhat larger than the rest. t Fletcher Norton was born 23rd January, 1716. He was the eldest son of Thomas Norton of Grant- ley, County York ; he was educated for the law, and became solicitor-general in December, 1761 ; in November, 1763, he became attorney-general ; in 1770 he was chosen speaker of the House of Com- m >n3, which position he retained until 1780. On gth April, 1782, he was created a peer, as Lord Grantley, Baron of Markoalield, in the County of York. in Canada, the Catholics of that colony were not liable to the operation of the disabilities imposed by statute on their co-religionists in Great Britain. The chapter of Quebec met accordingly to- wards the end of the year, and elected as their bishop M. de Montgolfier,-- superior of the Seminary of St. Sulpice at Montreal; but the government taking exception to this nomination, Montgolfier declined the charge by a formal renunciation made at Quebec in 1764. He, at the same time, designated Jean Olivier Briand, a native of Brit- tany who had come to Quebec in 1741, as secretary to M. de Pontbriand, and was one of the canons and grand-vicar of the diocese, to fill the vacant Episco- pal chair. M. Briand was elected by the chapter on nth September, 1764, and shortly after repaired to London, where his election was confirmed by King George III., and he received his bulls of investiture from Clement XIII. M. Briand was consecrated in Paris as Bishop of Quebec, and then returned to hib diocese. 1764. Prince Edward Island (Island of St. John) was surveyed by the British Government, and divided into sixty- seven townships. — The first number of * M. Montgolfier was elected by the chapter of Quebec to the then vacant bishopric on 15th Sep- tember, 1763. The consent of the King was given on condition that, like the Catholic Bishops in Lon- don and Dublin, he would not assume the insignia of his rank, and also provided General Murray approved of his election. This approval General Murray declined to give, and at the same time inti- mated that he would prefer M. Briand, who had been secretary to the late Bishop (M.de Pontbriand). On the gth September, 1764, Montgolfier resigned, and on the nth September, two days afterwards, M. Briand was elected On 30th April, 1785, Lord Stanley, in the King's name, offered Montgolfier the coadjutorship of the diocese of Quebec, paying him at the same time a high compliment on account of his acknowledged ability, but the offer was then politely declined, advancing years being urged as a reason for refusing so important a position. Mont- golfier died on 27th August, 1791, aged 78. 38 !-^ 1764 CAS'ADIAN ANNALS. 1766 \ inti- had md). gned, ds, iLord Irthe [him M of ■ then as a lont- the Quebec Gazette published on the 2ist June. — In November the governor and council established a system of equity jurisdiction, being in fact an in- troduction into Canada of the Court of Chancery ;* French laws and customs were, however, to be allowed and ad- mitted in all causes in the courts of civil jurisdiction between the natives of Canada, in the controversies origin- ating before the ist October, 1764. — September 28th — Permission was given to the Acadians to settle in Nova Scotia, and to hold lands upon taking the customary oaths. — Mr. Henry Ellis having resigned his office of Governor of Nova Scotia, an office, by the way, the duties of which he never attempted to fulfil. Colonel Wilmot was, on the 8th October, appointed Governor of Nova Scotia. — About 600 Acadians, having received full permission from the authorities to leave, departed from Halifax towards the end of November to settle in the French West Indies. — The Courts of King's Bench and Com- mon Pleas were established. — The Governor-General was appointed Vice- Admiral of the Province of Quebec, and the territories thereon depending. 1765> The fourth General Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on 28th May. The session was opened by Governor Wilmot ; M*-. Nesbitt was elected speaker. The chief business which engaged the attention of the members was an act to re-arrange the constituencies,! the County of Sunbury and Township of Sackville (in what is now the Province of New Brunswick) * The Governor was to preside as Chancellor with two Masters, two Examiners, and one Registrar. In 1774 this court merged into the courts erected by the Act 14 George III., cap. 83. f This Act was, however, disallowed by an order of the king in council, nth September, 1767, and an in- s^truction was at the same time given forbidding the fassing'ofany Act of thi« kind in future. being included for the first time in the electoral divisions. The session closed on 15th June. Collections were made in Nova Scotia in aid of the sufferers by the great fire at Montreal. — Very large grants of lands in Nova Scotia (Ben- jamin Franklin's name appears among the grantees) were made by Governor Wilmot and his council, and the ad- vancement of the province was, in the opinion of many, much retarded by this rashness in locking Up large tracts of country. — A great fire broke out in Montreal, which was not subdued until more than one hundred houses had been destroyed. The greater part of the Grey Nunnery was burned down during this conflagration. — 22nd March — The Stamp Act* received the royal assent. The news of the passage of this act created the greatest excitement in Boston and the New England States, but in Canada and Nova Scotia it seems to have been accepted without much opposition. — 28th May — The fourth session of the Legislature of Nova Scotia was opened by Governor Wil- mot. This session terminated on the 15th June. — August 21st — William Henry, Duke of Clarence, born. 1766. Memorials had been forwarded from Canada to the Board of Trade complaining of certain matters in con- nection with the administration of affairs in the colony, and these mem- orials had been submitted by the Board of Trade to the law officers of the Crown,* by whom a report was pre- * The Stamp Act was based upon a resolution passed by the House of Commons in 1764, " That to- wards defraying the necessary expenses of protecting the colonies, it may be proper to charge certain stamp duties upon them." * William de Grey, one of the Crown lawyers at the time, was born on 19th July, 1719. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, and called to the bar. He became King's counsel 30th January, 1758 ; Solicitor-General to the Queen September, 1761 ; Solicitor-General to the King 16th December, ,t *■ 39 f i t^' 1766 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1766 rented in April, 1766. This report failed, however, to meet with the ap- proval of the government, and was laid aside. — The obnoxious Stamp Act was repealed in the House of Commons on 24th February by a majority of 275 to 167 — William Pitt being the most earnest and eloquent of those who urged the repeal. In the House of Lords the vote was 105 to 72. The royal assent was given on the i8th March. The re- joicing in America on receipt of the news of the repeal of the Stamp Act was universal. — Governor Wilmot died at H-lifax on 23rd May, and the adminis- tration cf the government was assumed b\ .if, Benjamin Green.* — The General Ascerabl/ met at Halifax on the 3rd June, a. '..' 'Session closed on 31st Jr'v. A , ' jvess to the Crovn. on the rtpeai of uie i . ,. A:' was agreed to. — Michael Francklin.f having being ap- pointed Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, was sworn into office and as- sumed the command of the province on 1763 ; Attorney-General 6th Aygnst, 1766 ; knighted and appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas 26th January, 1771, which office he resigned 8th June, 1780. On 17th October, 1780, Sir William de Grey was created Baron Walsingham. His lord- ship died on gth May, 1781. * Benjamin Green was a native of the Province of Massachusetts. He was born in 1713 ; the youngest son of the Rev. Joseph Green of Salem. He accom- panied General Pepperell to Louisbourg in 1745 as secretary to the expedition, and after the capture of that place he remained there as government sec- retary. When Cape Breton was restored to France in 1749, he removed to Halifax and was ap- pointed a member of the council. On the death of Governor Wilmot, Mr. Green, being at the time the senior councillor, was appointed administrator of the government. He died at Halifax in 177a. + Michael Francklin was a native of the south of England. He came to Halifax in 1752; waselected a member of the House of Assembly in 1759, and appointed a member of the council in 1762. He married a grand-daughter of Peter Faneuil of Bos- ton. Mr. J. B. Francklin, for forty years clerk of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia, was his eldest son. Governor Francklin died at Halifax on Sth November, 1782. 23rd August. — The General Assembly met at Halifax on 23rd October, when the session was opened by a speech from the new Lieutenant-Governor. The Assembly was prorogued on 22nd November. — November 27th — Lord William Campbell,* who had arrived at Halifax from England in the Glasgow on the 24th, was sworn in as Governor of Nova Scotia. — General Murray,! who was charged with too great partiality for the military, and whose measures had failed to secure the approval of the Canada traders both in the colony and in the mother country, was recalled, and was succeeded by Brigadier-General Guy Carleton.j It is only fair to Gen- eral Murray to add that a committee of the Privy Council, to whom the charges against General Murray were referred for investigation, absolved him entirely. With General Carleton came a new Chief Justice, (Hay), Gregory * Lord William Campbell was the fourth son of John Campbell, fourth Duke of Argyll. He married a daughter of Ralph Izard of Charleston, South Carolina, and died sth September, 1778. f General Murray presented to the Corporation of Hastings, England (he was a Jurat of Hastings) a shield which was taken from one of the gates of Quebec at the time of its capture in 1759. On the shield are the arms of France, surrounded by a collar (probably of an order of knighthood), from which is suspended a Maltese cross, and surmounted by a royal crown. Mr. J. M. O'Leary of the Civil Service, Ottawa, recently obtained from Thomas Ross, Esquire, Mayor of Hastings, a very handsome photograph of this shield. t Guy Carleton was born on 3rd September, 1724. Married on zist May, 1772, Maria Howard, daughter of Thomas, second Earl of Effingham. General Carleton successfully resisted the attack upon Que- bec by Arnold and Montgomery in 1775, and subse- quently compelled the American army to recross the St. Lawrence. He succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in 1782. He evacuated New York on 5th November, 1783, after signing the treaty of peace. General Carleton was created Baron Dorchester on 2ist August, 1786, and in October of that year became, for the second time, Governor of Canada. Lord Dorcheiter was a K. C. B., and Colonel of the 4th regiment of dragoons. He died in England in 1808. 40 1766 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1769 having been superseded, and an Attor- ney-General, Maseres.* 1767< The General Assembly of Nova Scotia met on ist July ; the session was opened with a speech from Lord Wil- liam Campbell, the new Governor, in which he expressed the great satisfac- tion of His Majesty a» the behaviour of the colony of Nova Scotia. The reply of the Assembly was couched in strong terms of loyalty and gratitude to the Crown. This session terminated on the ist August.— On 5th October permission was given to a number of Acadian families to settle in the vicinity of Harrington and Yarmouth. — The Assembly met again on 17th October, and after passing three Acts, was pro- rogued on the 19th. The session was opened and closed by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Francklin in the absence of Lord William Campbell, who had sailed on 1st October in His Majesty's ship Glas- gow for New York. — A number of Aca- dian families were permitted, on taking the oath of allegiance, to settle on the eastern coast of the province. — A new seal for the Province of Nova Scotia was received at Halifax on ist Decem- ber from England. — Prince Edward's Island (then called the Island of St. John) was divided into three counties. King's, Queen's and Prince's. Isaac Deschamps was appointed by Lieuten- ant-Governor Francklin to superintend the alTairs of the Island, and men and materials for the erection of buildings at Charlottetown accompanied him. — The whole Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island), which had, in 1764, been surveyed and laid out in sixty- seven townships, was granted by the * Francis Maseres was born in London in 1731 ; he was the grandson of a Huguenot refugee who had settled in England. He left Canada in 1773, when he was appointed Cursitor Baron of the Court of Exchequer. He died at Reigate, in Surrey, May 19th, 1 384. King in Council to a number of persons who were, for the most part, residents of the United Kingdom. 1768. Lieutenant-Governor Franck- lin acknowledged receipt of an order from the Secretary of State forbidding the digging oi any more coal in Cape Breton. The Lieutenant-Governor was also preparing a return of the manu- factures of Nova Scotia ; the manu- facturers of Great Britain were begin- ning to exhibit great jealousy of a grow- ing inclination to establish manufac- tures in the North American colonies. — On the i8th June Lieutenant-Gover- nor Francklin opened the sixth session of the fourth General Assembly of Nova Scotia ; this session lasted until 9th July, when the House was prorogued. — On the 22nd June the Courts of Com- mon Pleas and General Sessions of the peace were opened at Charlottetown, (or rather at the place selected as the site where Charlottetown was to be built, as there was at the time nothing but a few huts hastily put up to serve as a protection from the weather) and justices of the peace were sworn in. — On the loth September Governor Lord William Campbell arrived at Halifax in the Mermaid frigate from England. — Governor Lord Willliam Campbell opened the seventh session of the fourth General Assembly of Nova Scotia on 22nd October ; this session (with seve- ral long recesses) lasted until 23rd Janu- ary. 1769. Walter Patterson, Esq., was appointed Governor of the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island). — The eighth and last session of the fourth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Lord William Campbell on loth October, and lasted until 9th No- vember, when the prorogation took place. 1770 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1773 mo. All the reports which had been made from time to time upon the form ofgovernment, jurisdiction of the courts of law, and other matters connected with the new colony of Canada, had been transmitted to England, and they were now submitted to a special com- mittee of the Privy Council, which re- commended that all the papers should be placed in the hands of the King's advocate (Marriott), the Attorney-Gen- eral (Thurlow),* and the Solicitor-Gen- eral (Wedderburn),+ with orders to compile a civil code and a criminal code suited to the wants of the colony. — M. d'Esglis, a Canadian by birth, hav- ing been born in Quebec in 1710, was elected by the chapter of Quebec co- adjutor to the Bishop of Quebec ; the mode of election having been questioned by the authorities, two years elapsed before Clement XIV., with the assent of the King, granted the requisite bulls of confirmation, and M. d'Esglis was not recognized as a bishop until 22nd January, 1772. when he became Bishop of Dorylceum, in part, inf., with the rightofsuccessionto the See of Quebec. — On the 6th June the first session of the fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax by Gov- * Edward Thurlow was the eldest son of the Rev. Thomas Thurlow, rector of Ashfield, County Suffolk. He was born in i732,educatedat Canterbury School, and afterwards at the University of Cambridge, and called to the bar in 1758. Mr. Thurlow entered par- liament in 1768, became Solicitor-General in 1770. Attorney-General in 1771, and Lord Chancellor on 3rd June, 1778, when he was raised to the peerage as Baron Thurlow. Lord Thurlow withdrew from public life in 1792, and died 12th September, 1806, Lord Thurlow was a ripe scholar, and in his private relations generous and affectionate, but as a states- man he was rather arrogant and factious, and rough and rude in debate. -f Alexander Wedderburn was the eldest son of Peter Wedderburn of Chesterhall, County Mid- Lothian. He was born in Scotland in 1733, received his education at Edinburgh, and was called to the English bar in 1757. In 1763 he obtained a silk gown King's Counsel. Entering parliament as member ernor Lord William Campbell; this session lasted until 2nd July, when the House was prorogued. — On the 17th July the Council of Nova Scotia set aside lands in Cumberland for the en- dowment of a public seminary of learn- ing to be established at Windsor. 1771* It has been computed that the export of wheat from Canada amounted to 471,000 bushels for this year; the greater part being from the Sorel dis- trict. — On the 6th June the second ses- sion of the fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax ; this ses- sion closed on 6th July; no business worthy of note was transacted. — On the 17th October Lord William Campbell sailed from Halifax for Boston, and Benjamin Green assumed the adminis- tration of the government. 1772. The British Parliament granted ;f 3,000 for the erection of public build- ings on the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island). — The third session of the Nova Scotia General Assembly was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Francklin on gth June ; this session ended on 8th July. — Lord William Campbell returned to Halifax, and as- sumed the government. — Great im- provements were made in the lighthouse on Sambro Island, (Halifax). — Benja- min Greene, senior councillor, died at Halifax on 14th October. 1773. The first House of Assembly was summoned in the Island of St. John for Richmond shortly after ; he became Solicitor- General 26th January, 1771, Attorney-General loth June, 1778. On the 14th June, 1780, Wedderburn was appointed Chief -Justice of the Common Pleas with a peerage, as Baron Loughborough, and on 27th Jauuary, 1793, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. On 21st April, 1801, Lord Loughborough was created Earl of Rosslyn on his retirement from office. He died 3rd January, 1805, and was succeeded in his title by his nephew, General Sir James St. Clair Erskine. G. C. B., a distinguished officer and an intimate friend ot the Duke of Wellington. 42 1773 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1774 at in (Prince Edward Island) by Governor Patterson. The Assembly met in July ; there were eighteen members. The land question (which has never yet been satisfactorily disposed of) engaged the atttention of the Assembly, and an act was passed to secure the payment of quit rents.-- — A papal decree abolishing the order of Jesuits in Canada was is- sued. — The last capitulary act of the chapter of Quebec took place in this year.— The Nova Scotia Assembly met on2oth April, and the session closed on the 24th ; five acts having been pass- ed.— Lord William Campbell appointed Governor of South Carolina. He was succeeded by Francis Legge, a major in the army. * The recent appointment of the Right Hon. Mr. Childers, Dr. Jenkins, Mr. J. S. Cowell, and Mr. Haliburton, as Land Commissioners for Prince Edward Island (with instructions to enquire into the original grants, the extent to which the con- ditions attached to them have been fulfilled, the amount of rent paid by the tenants, and the cost of recovering arrears), having called public attention to the question of land tenure in Prince Edward Island, it may not be uninteresting to give at length the views of the Earl of Durham upon this subject as expressed in a letter addressed to Lord Glenelg (then Colonial Secretary), in October, 1838, which letter has been recently published by Mr. Duncan Campbell, the historian, who is now engaged in writing a history of Prince Edward Island : — "Castle tf St. Lewis, " Quebec, 8th October, 183R. " Mv Lord,— " I have had the honor of receiving your Lord- ship's despatch of the 5th ultimo (No. 103), whereby you desire that I will express to you my judgment on the whole subject of Escheat in the Island of Prince Edward. "After perusing the voluminous documents en- closed in your Lordship's despatch, I do not feel that it is in my power to add anything to the very full information on the subject which these documents comprise. The information before me is now so ample, that upon no matter of fact can I entertain a doubt. Nearly the whole Island was alienated in one day by the Crown, in very large grants, chiefly to absentees, and upon conditions of set lement which have been wholly disregarded. The extreme improvidence, I might say the reckless profusion, which dictated these granlj, is obvious. The total neglect of the Government as to enforcing the con- 1T74. A proclamation appeared in the Nova Scotia Gazette on 20th Sep- tember against public meetings on the ground that they tended to disturbance. — .\ cargo of tea having arrived at Halifax from New England consigned to a Mr. William Smith, Mr. Smith called a public meeting to consider the mode in which the tea should be dis- posed of. This conduct being con- sidered by the authorities as likely to provoke disturbances, the meeting was forbidden, and Mr. Smith and a Mr, Fillis, who had acted with him, were deprived by the governor in council of all offices held by them under the government. This prompt action on the part of the council seems to have ditions of the grants is not less so. The great bulk of the Island is still possessed by absentees, who hold it as a sort of reversionary interest which requires no present attention, but may become valuable some day or other, through the growing want of the in- habitants. But in the meantime, the inhabitants of the Island are subjected to the greatest inconveni- ence, nay, to the most serious injury, from the state of property in land. The absent proprietors neither improve the land themselves, nor will let others im- prove it. They retain the land, and keep it in a state of wilderness. Your Lordship can scarcely conceive the degree of injury inflicted on a new settlement by being hemmed in by wilderness land, which has been placed out of the control of Government, and is en- tirely neglected by its absent proprietors. This evil pervades British > orth America, and has been, fur many years past, a subject of universal and bitter complaints. The same evil was felt in many 01 the States of the American Union, where, however, it has been remedied by taxation of a penal character, —taxation, I mean, in the nature of a fine for the abatement of a nuisance. In Prince Edward Island t^.is evil has attained its maximum. It has been long and loudly complained of, but without any ef- fect. The people, their representative Assembly, the Legislative Council and the Governor, have cor- dially concurred in devising a remedy for it. All their efforts, however, have proved in vain. Some influence— it cannot be that of equity or reason- has steadily counteracted the measures of the Colo- nial Legislature. I cannot imagine that it is any other influence than that of the absent proprietors, resident in England ; and in saying so I do but ex- press the universal opinion of the Colony. The only question, therefore, as it appears to me, is whether that influence shall prevail against the t 43 1774 CANADIAN ANNALS. ^774 checked any tendency to disorder, as no further trouble occurred. — The fifth session of the sixth General Assembly of Nova Scotia commenced on 6th October and closed on the 23rd Decem- ber, when the Governor (Legge) refer- red to the question of the public debt of Nova Scotia, expressing his aston- ishment that so young a colony should already have contracted a debt. — A census was taken in Cape Bieton in October, when the population amounted to 1013 persons, of whom 686 were Roman Catholics, and 327 Protestants. — SirGuy Carleton returned to Canada and assumed the reigns of government. The affairs of Canada had, during the governor's absence in England, been administered by M. CramahtJ. — A notice dated 28th December, and signed James Jeffrey, was issued from the Quebec Post Office stating that mails would be made up at that office for New York at 2 p.m. on Monday and Thursday. These mails were sent via Montreal and Lake George. Notice was given at the same time that " for the convenience of persons who may have concerns on LakeChamplain," a Post Office had been established at Crown Point, and another at Fort Edward.— The Act 14 George III., Cap. deliberative acts of the Colonial Legislature, and the universal complaints of the suffering Colonists. I can have no doubt on the subject. My decided opinion is that the Royal assent should no longer be withheld from the Act of the Colonial Legislature. " At the same time, I doubt whether this Act will prove a sufficient remedy for the evil in question. It was but natural that the Colonial Legislature, who have found it impossible as yet to obtain any remedy whatever, should hesitate to propose a suffi- cient one. Undeterred by any such consideration, relying on the cordial co-operation of Her Majesty's Government and Parliament in the work of improv- ing the state of these Colonies, I had intended, be- fore the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, and still intend, to suggest a measure which, while it provides an efficient remedy for the evil suffered by the Colonists, shall also prove advantageous to the absentee proprietors, by rendering their propert 83, commonly known as the "Quebec Act," was passed this year, and as its principles were warmly discussed both in England and America at the time of its passage through Parliament, it may not be out of place to give here a sum- mary of its provisions. Section I. de- clares that all the territories, islands and countries in North America belong- ing to the Crown of Great Britain from the Bay of Chaleurs along the height of land immediately south of the St. Lawrence to the east of the Connecti- cut River, thence by line of latitude 45° N. until the line cuts the River St. Lawrence, (except the Hudson's Bay and Newfoundland districts) shall be part and parcel of the Province of Quebec. Section IL states the pro- visions of the Act are not to affect the boundaries of any other colony. Sec- tion IIL, nor to make void rights for- merly granted. Section IV. declares all former provisions for the govern- ment of the province to be null and void from ist May, 1775. Section V. provides that inhabitants of the Pro- vince of Quebec may profess the Romish religion subject to the King's supremacy as declared by the Act i Elizabeth, chap, i, and that the clergy may enjoy their accustomed dues with more valuable. Whether the inhabitants of Prince Edward Island would prefer waiting for the now uncertain results of such a suggestion of mine, or that the Act which they have passed should be at once confirmed, I cannot tell ; but I venture earnestly to recommend that Her M.jesty's Government should be guided by their wishes on the subject- And in order to ascertain th' se, I propose to trans- mit a copy of the present despatch to Sir Charles Fit^roy, with a request that he will, after consulting with the leading men of the Colony, address your Lordship on the subject. " With respect to the terms proposed by the pro- prietors, I am clearly of opinion that anj^such ar- rangement would be wholly inadequate to the end in view. " I am, &c„ &c., "DURHAM." "Lord Glenelo." 44 1774 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1774 and on V. Fro- th e ing's Act I ergy with Prince le now nine, or Id be at irnestly rnment subject I trans - Charles suiting is your VM.' respect to such persons only as shall profess the said religion. Section VI. gives power to His Majesty to make provision for the support of the Pro- testant clergy out of the rest of the accustomed dues and rights. Section VII. declares that no person professing the Romish religion is to be obliged to take the oath prescribed by i Elizabeth, but may, in lieu thereof, take before the governor the following, namely : — " I, A. B., do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George, and him will defend to the utmost of my power against all traitor- ous conspiracies and attempts whatso- ever which shall be made against his person, crown and dignity; and I will cio my utmost endeavour to disclose and make known to His Majesty, his heirs and successors, all treasons and traitorous conspiracies and attempts which I shall know to be against him, or any of them ; and all this I do swear without any equivocation, mental eva- sion, or secret reservation, and renoun- cing all pardons and dispensations from any power or person whomsoever to the contrary, so help me God." This section also provides that any person refusing to take this oath shall be sub- ject to the penalties imposed by the Act I Elizabeth. Section VIII. continues to all His Majesty's Canadian subjects I religious orders only excepted) the right to hold all their possessions, &c. as heretofore, and provides that in matters of controversy, resort is to be had to the laws and customs of Canada for decision. Section IX. exempts from the provisions of this Act any lands t,'ranted, or to be granted, by His Majesty in common soccag^ Section X. gives power to owners of lands, ^'oods, &c., to alienate during lifetime, or devise by will according to the laws of Canada or of England. Section XI. declares that the criminal law of Eng- land shall continue to have force in Canada. Section XII. authorizes His Majesty, with the consent of the Privy Council, to appoint a council for the affairs of the Province of Quebec, to consist of persons resident in the Pro- vince, not exceeding twenty-three, nor less than seventeen, who are to have power, with consent of the governor, to make ordinances for the peace, welfare, and good government of the Province. Section XIII. prohibits the council created by the preceding section from levying any taxes, but the council may authorize towns and districts to asses taxes for local purposes. Section XIV. provides that all ordinances of the council shall be laid before His Majesty within six months, and if disallowed, shall be void from the date of the pub- lication in Quebec of the order in coun- cil disallowing them. Section XV. declares that no ordinance touching religion, or imposing greater punish- ment than fine or imprisonment for three months, shall be in force until approved by His Majesty. Section XVI. provides that no ordinance shall be passed at any meeting of council where less than a majority of the whole council be present, nor at any time, except between ist January and ist May, unless upon any very urgent occasion, when the council may be specially summoned. Section XVII. reserves to His Majesty the power to create any courts with criminal, civil, or ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Section XVIII. declares that no general acts respecting trade or commerce in British North America, shall be affected by this Act, but that all such Acts are in force in the Province of Quebec. An Act (14 George III., chap. 88) was also passed to impose a duty on the import- ation into Canada of spirits and molas- ses, and to levy a license duty on the : I I I 45 1775 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1775 'i ■1 sale ofspirituouB liquors, &c., in order to provide a revenue for the support of the civil government. 1TT5« In January, 1775, a list of letters remaining uncalled for in the Quebec and Montreal Post Offices was published. Among the Quebec ad- dresses occur the names Batiscan, Beauport and St. Charles, whilst tRe Montreal list includes L'Assomption, St. Sulpice and Detroit. — Governor Legge opened the seventh session of the fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia at Halifax on 12th June ; this session closed on 20th July. On sth July a proclammation was issued by the Governor of Nova Scotia forbidding all persons in the Province from corres- ponding with, or assisting the rebels in New England. — Attacks were made on various settlements on the Bay of Fundy by parties of New Englanders who established themselves at Machias. — The first congress of the thirteen colonies had met at Philadelphia in September, 1774, and it was now deter- mined, on the proposition of Colonel Arnold, to attempt the conquest of Can- ada. General Schuyler was appointed to the chief command, and he and Gen- eral Montgomery advanced against Montreal by way of St. John's. The fort at Chambly was surrendered by Major Stopford almost without a strug- gle. St. John's held out for over a month, but was at length compelled to surrender. A premature attack on Montreal by Colonel Ethan Allen failed, and Allen was taken prisioner ; but a very few days afterwards Montreal opened its gates to Montgomery. Gen- eral Carleton having been compelled to retreat to Quebec with a remnant of his force, barely sufficient for an escort, Montgomery followed the governor down the St. Lawrence, and entered Three Rivers without resistance, thence proceeding on his way to Quebec, where he was joined by Colonel Arnold, who had ascended the Kennebec, and the combined force invested Quebec early in December. General Carleton's first care on »'•« return to Quebec was to put the city state of defence. The population of Quebec at that time is estimated to have been about 5,000, and the governor was able to collect a force of nearly 1,800 men, consisting of regulars, militia, sailors. See. ; more than 150 pieces of artillery were in position in the upper and lower town. When Montgomery arrived he at once proceeded to invest the city, occupying Beauport, La Canardi^re and St. Foye, fixing his head quarters at the latter place. The only plan which appeared likely to succeed was to carry the city by a sudden assault, and *his General Montgor determined to attempt. The ni| December 30th being dark and stoi.. rvith a heavy fall of snow, was selected for the assault ; feints wtre to be made on the western side of the city, whilst the main body of the enemy was to be divided into two par- ties, one under Colonel Arnold was to march through the St. Roch suburbs and carry the barricades and batteries at Sault-au-Matelot ; whilst Mont- gomery, descending by Wolfe's Cove, was to force the barrier at Prfes-de- Ville, a.. ' enter the city by vVay of Champlain Street. These arrange- ments were all satisfactorily carried out, and by 4 a.m. on 31st December, Montgomery was drawing near to the barrier at Prfes-de-Ville ; this was passed without difficulty ; shortly after passing the barrier Montgomery was confronted by a masked battery. He halted for a few moments, then rushed to the ass^lt, but the deadly shower of grape with which he was received broke the head of the column, and so discouraged the enemy that no second attempt was made. Montgomery was 46 1775 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1776 of ont- ove, -de- of nge- ried ber, the was ifter was He ~~khed pwer lived so bond was killed, and several of his oflice.H, in- cluding both his aides-de-camp, were killed or severely wounded. Arnold meanwhile had encountered a spirited resistance, and being liimself disabled, and his force attacked in rear, was compelled to retreat with a loss of over 400 men who were taken prisoners. The killed on the side of the enemy exceeded 100, whilst the British loss did not amount to 20. No further attempt was made on the city during the winter; the enemy under command of Colonel Arnold, who had succeeded G eneral Montgom ery, kept up a block- ade of the city at a "distance of three miles.— The eighth session of the fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Governor Legge on 20th October, and lasted until i8th Novem- ber.— With a view to the better pro- tection of the province from the designs of emissaries from the revolted provin- ces, mart. I law was declare : in Nova Scotia on joth November, and all t-trangers were required to report them- selves on arrival to two magistrates on pain of being treated as spies. — Two armed schooners from Marblehead called at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and carried off Attorney-Gen- eral Callbeck (who was, during the absence in England of Mr. Patterson, t he Governor, administering the govern- ment), and some other officers of the government. When the capture of Mr. Callbeck was reported to General Washington, he reprimanded the cap- tors, and returned the prisoners and plunder with expressions of regret. — Governor Legge was authorized by the Earl of Dartmouth to raise a regiment of 1,000 men for the defense of Nova Scotia. 1T76. When congress learned that General Montgomery had fallen in the attempt to capture Quebec, and that the failure of the expedition was pro- bable, it was decided (early iii February) to send commisioners to Canada in- vested with full powers to treat upon all matters and things whatsoever. The commissioners were Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll ; they were accompanied by the Rev. John Carroll (afterwards Bishop of Baltimore). The party left Phila- delphia about 20th March, and reached Montreal towards the end of April. They were not more successful in diplomacy than Montgomery had been in war, and returned to Philadelphia in June. One good resulted from their mission ; they had in their train one Mesplets, a printer, who, having with him the materials for his business, thought he saw an opening for him in Montreal, and therefore when the com- missioners returned to Philadelphia, he remained and became the first printer in Montreal. From his press the Mon- treal Gazette was first issued in 1778. 17T8> A treaty of alliance and trade was signed by France, and the revolted British Colonies. — General Carleton left Canada for England, leaving Gene- ral Haldimandto administer the affairs f the Province as Lieutenant-Gover- no.. — Four companies of Provincial troops were sent to garrison Charlotte- town. — Bryan Finucane, who had been appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, arrived at Halifax on the loth April, and was sworn in as a member of Council on ist May. — Lieutenant- Governor Arbuthnot was promoted to the rank of Rear -Admiral. — The eleventh session of the Fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by the Lieutenant-Govenor, Admiral Arbuthnot, on 6th June. This session closed on 25th June. The public debt of Nova Scotia appears, from a state- ment laid before the Legislature at this session, to have been, at this date, ;f 14,500 sterling. — Commissioner Rich- 47 1779 CANADIAN ANNALS. I78O '';il ard Hughes was sworn in as Lieuten- ant-Governor of Nova Scotia, on 17th August, Admiral Arbuthnot iiaving sailed for England in the Thetis. — An Act of Parliament (i8 Geo. III., Cap. 12) was passed declaring that no tax should thereafter be imposed by the King and Parliament of Great Britain, on any of the colonies in North America, or the West Indies, except such duties as might be imposed for the regulation of commerce, the net produce of which should be applied to the use of the colony. So much of the Act (7 Geo. III.,) as imposed a duty on tea imported from Great Britain into America, was repealed by this Act. m9. The 1 2th session of the Fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia, was opened by Lieutenant GovernorHughes. who announced in his speech that Mr. Francklin, superintendent of Indian Affairs, had effected the re-establish- ment of peace with the Indian tribes, and had succeeded in getting a treaty annulled, which had actually been made by the Indians with the revolu- tionary leaders, by which the Indians had engaged to furnish 600 men to aid in the struggle with Great Britain. — The Third General Assembly of Prince Edward Island {Island of St. John) met in October, the Honourable T. Des- Brisay acting as Lieutenant-Governor (luring the absence in England of the Governor, Walter Patterson. 1780. The thirteenth session of the Fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax on qth October, by Lieutenant-Governor Hughes. — An Act was passed during this session to establish a public school at Hali- fax. — The Assembly was prorogued on 3rd November. —Sir Richard Hughes, Lieutenant-Governor (who had recently become a baronet), was, on 26th Sep- tember, promoted to be a Rear- Admiral of the Blue. 1*781. Brigadier - General Francis McLean, Colonel of the 82nd Regiment, who commanded the troops in Nova Scotia, died at Halifax on 4th May. — The General Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on nth of June. — The session was opened by Sir Richard Hughes, who, in his opening speech, mentioned his promotion, and that he was to be succeeded by Sir A. S. Hamond. A resolution was passed during this session to pay ten shillings a day to members of the distant towns and counties who " shall think proper to apply for the same." A pension of ;f 50 sterling was voted for life to Elizabeth Amelia Belcher, orphan daughter of the late Chief-Justice Belcher. — The Assembly was prorogued on the 5th July. — The new Lieutenant- Governor, Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, R. N., arrived at Halifax on 30th July, and was sworn into office the next day. — August 29th. The town of Annapolis Royal was plundered by tht crews of two rebel schooners whicli had sailed up the basin the previous night and landed there unobserved at break of day. — December 8th. Attor- ney-General Brenton, of Nova Scotia, was appointed Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court in place of Mr. Morris, deceased. Charles Morris, son of the late Judge, was appointed Chief Land Surveyor of Nova Scotia. — Governor Patterson, of Prince Edward Island (Island of St. John), ordered the sale of nine whole and five half townships for non-payment of quit-rents. This act was not approved by the Home Government, and created much dis- satisfaction, resulting, in 1786, in the recall of Governor Patterson. The sale of these lands, and the disturbance consequent thereon, may fairly be con- sidered as the commencement of the difficulties which the peculiar tenure of land in Prince Edward Island has 48 I78I CANADIAN ANNALS. 1783 [he jhe Ice »n- Ihe ire las brought upon that colony, which diffi- culties the legislation of nearly a cen- tury has failed to remove. 1782. The fifteenth session of the Fifth Genei" ;1 Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Hamond on the nth of June. The Lieutenant-Governor, in his opening speech, complimented the Assembly for their loyalty, and expressed the hope that peace would soon be restored. This session terminated on the 4th of July. — The settlements on the south- western coast of Nova Scotia and in the Bay of Fundy were much annoyed by frequent attacks of American priva- teers. Annapolis had been plundered in 1781, and Lunenburg suffered a like misfortune in 1782. — Lieutenant-Colo- nel John Parr, who had been appointed Governor of Nova Scotia, arrived at Halifax in the St. Lawrence on the 6th October. On the arrival of Colonel Parr, Sir A. S. Hamond at once wrote to the Earl of Shelburne (then Colonial Secretary), tendering his resignation of the office of Lieutenant-Governor, to which he had been re-appointed. — Colonel Parr was sworn into office as Governor of Nova Scotia on the 19th October. — The Honorable Michael Francklin died at Halifax after a resi- dence of thirty years in Nova Scotia, during which time he had filled many public ofR'-.es of nigh trust, and had secured the esteem of his fellow-citizens both for his ability and integrity. — The preliminary articles of peace be- tween His Britannic Majesty's Com- missioners and those of the United States of America, were signed at Paris on the 30th of November ; by Richard Oswald for the King, and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens for the United States. — December 3rd. A proclama- tion was issued by Governor Parr, of Nova Scotia, against the impressment of men for the King's service without permission of the civil magistrate. 1783. A treaty of peace was signed at Versailles, on the 3rd of September, between Great Britain and France, and also between Great Britain and Spain. A treaty between Great Britain and the United States was signed at Paris on the same day, by which the indepen- dence of the thirteen United States of America was recognized. By this treaty the limits of Canada were con- siderably abridged. Lake Champlain in the East, and Detroit in the then far west, passed away forever from the power of Britain. — During the progress of the war many thousands of the loyal minority had left the States and had settled in Canada and Nova Scotia, where they were gladly received, and commended to the special favor of the Provincial Governments. Liberal grants of land, and assistance in vari- ous ways, showed in an unmistakeable manner the satisfaction with which so valuable an accession to the population of the British Provinces was received ; and the United Empire Loyalists, as the new comers were called, proved, by the energy with which they set to work to develope the resources of the country, how well they merited the hearty reception which had been given them. — A deputation, consisting of Messrs. Adhdmar, Powell, and Delisle, went to England with a petition to Parliament asking for the introduction into Canada of the law of Ilahtus Corpus, and other rights unci privileges enjoj'ed by British subjects elsewhere.— Colonel de Seitz, who commanded one of the Hessian regiments, died at Halifax. — The preliminaries of peace, and the King's proclamation for a cessation of arms, were published in the Nova Scotia Gazette on the 22nd April, — On the 6th of June, Governor Parr writes to the Secretary of State that, since January, 4^ it II ,. i: • #■ . * 1 £f i 1783 CANADIAN ANNALS. upwards of 7,000 refugees had arrived in Nova Scotia from the United States, and that 3,000 more were expected f- and he also asks aid from the Home Government to furnish shelter, imple- ments of husbandry, &c. — On the 23rd September, Edmond Fanning, Esquire, was sworn in at Halifax as Lieutenant- Governor of Nova Scotia. — The six- teenth session of the Fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Governor Parr at Halifax on the 6th October. This session closed on the 2nd December. Mr. William Nes- bitt,f the Speaker, tendered his resig- nation of the chair on account of his age and infirmity. The Assembly passed a vote of thanks to him for his long and faithful services, and granted him an annuity of ;fioo a year for the remainder of his life. 1784. Among the persons who had suffered from the arbitrary measures of the Government of Canada during the administration of General Haldimand, was a M. du Calvet, a Huguenot, who had taken a very active pait in urging the adoption of changes calculated to render the constitution more acceptable to the people, and had thus rendered himself obnoxious to the Governor. M. du Calvet went to France in 1783, ahdthe next year published, in London, a work illustrative of his views on the constitution of Canada. It is some- ' This estimate fell far short of the actual numhcr, as, from subsequent statements, it would seem that at least 25,000 persons left the United States and settled in Nova Scotia. t William Nesbitt accompanied Governor Corn- wallis to Nova Scotia in 17(9, and was employed in the Secretary's office forso.-ne years. He afterwards practised as an attorney and solicitor in Halifax, and became Attorney-General of Nova Scotia. On the establishment of Representative Government he was elected a member of the Assembly, and was made speaker in 1759. Mr. Nesbitt continued in the chair, with the exception of one year (1774) when he was sick, until his retirement in 1783. He died in 1784. 1884 what singular to find that at so early a period of our history the question of representation in the Imperial Parlia- ment should have been discussed, but it will be found among ';he changes pressed upon the attention of the British Government by M. du Calvet.— The Iroquois, under Braiit, were settled on the banks of the Grand River.— M. de St. Luc moved an address in the Coun- cil thanking His Majesty for his pro- tection of Canada during the American revolution, and praying that he would maintain intact the Government of 1774. This motion was opposed by Messrs. Grant, De Lery,and Levesque, but was finally carried. Indeed from this d"ate until 1790 a perfect flood of petitions poured in upon the House of Commons and engaged the attention of the Home Government, all having reference to the future government of Canada.— July 19th. Theframeofthe first Roman Catholic Church in Halifax was raised on the present site of St. Mary's Cathe- dral. — Nova Scotia was divided into two Provinces, the line of separation to be drawn from the mouth of the Missi- guash River, in the Bay of Fundy, to its source, and from thence across the Isthmus into the nearest part of the Bale Verte. The New Province was called New Brunswick.— Colonel Carle- ton, who had been appointed Governor of the new Province of New Brunswick, reached Halifax m October, and, shortly afterwards, proceeded to the seat of his government, reaching St.John''=on Sun- day, the 31st of November, where he met with a most enthusiastic reception. Jonathan Odell, Secretary of the new Province, accompanied the Governor to St. John. A proclamation was issued by Colonel Carleton, on 22nd Novem- * St. John was then called Parr-town, after Gover- nor Parr, of Nova Scotia. 50 kvick, artly 3f his I Sun- re he kion. new ;rnor bsued Ivem- 1784 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1786 ber, dated at Parr-town, giving the boundaries of the Province, and a second on 25th November, requiring all grants, deeds, &c., to be registered at Parr-town. — An ordinance, dated 29th April, v.-as issued by General Haldimand, extending the law of Habeas Corpus to Canada, and providing gen- er;>lly for securing the liberty of the subject. — On Monday, ist November, the seventeenth and last session of the fifth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was convened at Halifax. This Assem- bly had been first elected in 1770, and had, therefore, lasted fourteen years. Thomas Cochran was chosen Speaker, in place of William Nesbitt, who had resigned. The Governor, in his open- ing speech, announced the division of the Province. This session terminated on the 8th December. — The Legislative Assembly of the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island) was dissolved, and a new election took place immedi- ately. — Mr. Desbarres, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Cape Breton, which had been made a sepa- rate colony, arrived at Halifax from Portsmouth on the i6th November. — M. d'Esglis succeeded M. Briand as Bishop of Quebec on the 2nd of Decem- ber. — Governor Haldimand having left the Province, the administration of the government of Canada devolved upon the Lieutenant-Governor, Henry Hamilton, Esq., who assume' the government on the i6th November. 1785« An ordinance of 21st April provided for trial by jury in actions of a commercial nature, and for personal wrongs to be compensated in damages. — The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island which had been elected in 1784, met in this year, and was (in con- sequence of some difficulty with the governor) almost immediately dissolved, and another election was ordered. — A charter, dated i8th May, was granted by Governor Carleton of New Bruns- wick, by which the inhabitants of Parr- town on the east side of the harbour, and of Carleton on the west side, at the mouth of the St. John River, were in- corporated as a city by the name of the city of St. John. They were to have a mayor, recorder, six aldermen, and six assistants. — October 20th — The Gene- ral Assembly of Nova Scotia, which had existed since 1770, was dissolved by proclamation. Writs, returnable on 1st December, were issued for a new election. — The first session of the sixth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened with a speech from Governor Parr at Halifax, on the 5th December. This session closed on 28th December. — August 8th — Isaac Deschamps ap- pointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia in place of Bryan Finucane, deceased. — A regular line of Government Packets established between Falmouth and Halifax. — The first general election for the Province of New Brunswick was held this year. — Brigadier General Henry Hope, Colonel of the 44th regi- ment, announced his appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec by proclamation, dated 2nd November. Colonel Hope succeeded Henry Hamilton, Esq., who sailed for England in the Antelope mail packet on 6th November. 1186. The first session of the first Legislative Assembly of New Bruns- wick was held at St. John. Fredericton was chosen as the capital of the Pro- vince.— The second session of the sixth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax on 8th June, and closed nth July. — Sir Guy Carleton, K.C.B., was appointed, on nth April, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of Quebec, Nova Scotia, (including the Islands of St. John and Cape Breton) 51 ' 1 An ordinance was passed by the Governor in Council at Quebec on 30th April to prevent persons practising physic and surgery without a license. — Lieutenant-General Fanning, who had arrived at Charlottetown the pre- vious autumn, (1787) assumed the government of the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island). Mr. Patter- son, the previous governor, and who declined in the autumn to surrender his office to General Fanning, having 52 1788 CANADIAN ANNALS. I79I been ordered by the Home Govern- ment to resign, Governor Fanning convened the Assembly as early as practicable after assuming the reins of government, and the dissensions which had existed for the two or three years previous ceased for a time. — On July 17th the Honorable Jeremy Pemberton arrived at Halifax from Quebec. He was appointed by commission, signed by Governor Parr, and dated 19th August, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. Prince William Henry again visited Nova Scotia. He arrived at Halifax in the Andromeda on 17th August, and remained until the agth September. — Chief Justice Pemberton opened the Supreme Court on 21st October, when his patent was read. 1189. The General Asserhbly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on 5th March, being the fourth session of the sixth Assembly. No session appears to have been held during the year 1788. Mr. Uniacke was elected Speaker in place of Mr. Blowers, who had been appointed a member of the council. — Serious complaints were preferred by the House ot Assembly of Nova Scotia against the judges of the Supreme Court of that Province. The session closed on 9th April. 1190. The Assembly of Nova Scot.".^ (5th session of 6th Assembly) met at Halifax on 25th February. A bill was passed during this session limiting the duration of an Assembly to seven years, but Governor Parr declined to give his consent. The complaints against the judges of the Supreme Court were again brought before the Assembly, and it was finally decided to impeach Judges Deschamps and Brenton. The Assem- bly adjourned on 28th April. 1791. Information was received from thb Agent in London of the Province of Nova Scotia that the King had given orders that the charges against the judges of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia should be heard before His Majesty in council. — The General As- sembly of Nova Scotia (6th session of 6th Assembly) met on 6th June, and was closed on 5th July. — Lieutenant- Governor Parr died, after a short illness, on 25th November. He was buried on 29th with great pomp and ceremony in St. Paul's Church. Mr. Bulkeley, as senior member of the council assumed the control of public affairs, until His Majesty's pleasure could be known. — Very shortly after the passing of the Act of 1774, (14 George IH.) commonly known as the Quebec Act, an agitation was commenced for its repeal, and this agitation had been continued with but little interruption ever since. The long sought for change was now to take place, the agitators had carried their point, and the Quebec Act was about to be numbered, in part, at least, with the things of the past. — On 4th March, 1791, a message from the King was transmitted to the House of Commons. This message was as follows: " His Majesty thinks it proper to acquaint the House of Commons that it ap- pears to His Majesty that it would be for the benefit of His Majesty's subjects in his Province of Quebec, that the same should be divided into two separate provinces, to be called the Province of Upper Canada, and the Province of Lower Canada, and that it is accordingly His Majesty's in- tention so to divide the same, when- ever His Majesty shall be enabled by Act of Parliament to establish the necessary regulations for the govern- ment of the said Province. His Majesty, therefore, recommends this object to the consideration of this House. His Majesty also recommends to this House to consider of such provisions as may I 53 p 'i 1 791 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1791 be necessary to enable His Majesty to make a permanent appropriation of lands in the said province for the sup- port and maintenance of a protestant clergy within the same, in proportion to such lands as have been already grant- ed within the same by His Majesty; and it is His Majesty's desire that such pro- vision may be made with respect to all future grants of land within the said provinces respectively, as may best con- duce to the same object, in proportion to such increase as may happen in the population and cultivation of the said provinces ; and for this purpose, His Majesty consents that such provisions and regulations may be made by this House respecting all future grants of land to be made by His Majesty with- in the said provinces, as this House shall think fit." The bill was intro- duced by Mr. Pitt on the 4th March, and gave rise to considerable discus- sion ; Mr. Fox, Mr. Francis, and others, opposing its passage, whilst Edmund Burke supported the government. The bill was also opposed by a number of Canadians, represented by Mr. Adam Lymburner, a merchant of Quebec, who, as their agent, was heard on 23rd March, against it, at the bar of the House of Commons. The Act of 1791 was generally known as the Constitu- tional Act. Its principal provisions were as follows : — The first section repeals so much of the Quebec Act (14 Geo. III., ch. 83) as relates to the appointment of a Council for the Province of Quebec, and the power given to the said Council to make ordinances for the govern- ment thereof. The second clause recites the intention of His Majesty, as com- municated in his message, to divide the Province of Quebec into two provinces, to be called Upper Canada and Lower Canada, and enacts that a Legislative Council and Assembly shall be estab- lished for each province, by and with whose advice His Majesty may make laws for the peace, welfare, and good government thereof. The third, fourth, and fifth sections provide for the sum- moning, by the Lieutenant-Governors of the respective provinces, of members to the Legislative Council (seven for Upper Canada and fifteen for Lower Canada) ; such members to be of the full age of twenty-one years, and to hold their seats for jlife. Section six authorizes His Majesty to annex to hereditary titles of honor, the right of being summoned to the Legislative Council. Sections seven to eleven, inclusive, relate to vacation of seats in the Legislative Council, forfeiture of hereditary rights and questions respect- ing the right to be summoned. Section twelve authorizes the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor to appoint the Speaker of the Legislative Council. Sections thirteen to twenty-five relate to the election of members of the Legis- lative Assembly — Upper Canada to have sixteen members ; Lower Canada, fifty. Sections twenty-six and twenty-seven give power to the Governor to fix the times and placesof holding the first and succeeding sessions of the Legislative Council and Assembly in each Province, giving due notice thereof, and to pro- rogue and dissolve the same. They were to be convoked at least once in every twelve months ; each assembly was to continue for four years from the date fixed for the return of the writs, subject to prorogation and dissolution. Section twenty-eight enacts that all questions arising in either Council or Assembly shall be decided by a major- ity of votes, the Speaker of each House to have a casting vote. Section twenty- nine prescribes the oath to be taken by members of the Council and Assembly. Section thirty authorizes the Governor to give or withhold His Majesty's assent to all bills passed by the two Houses, 54 I79I ANADIAN ANNALS. I79I or to reserve such as he may think fit for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon. Section thirty-one requires copies of all bills which have been assented to to be forwarded to the Secretary of State, and authorizes the disallowance of any such bills at any time within two years after receipt by the Secretary of State. The next section provides that reserved bills shall have no force until the King's assent had been communicated to the Governor. Section thirty-three con- tinues in force all laws, ordinances, or statutes, except so far as they may be repealed or varied by this Act. Section thirty-four continues existing Courts of civil jurisdiction. Sections thirty-five to forty-two, inclusive, relate to the provision made and to be made for the support of the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant. Section forty- three enacts that all lands to be there- after granted in Upper Canada were to be in free and common soccage, and so also in Lower Canada, when the grantee required it. The two following sections relate to the issue of fresh grants on surrender of existing titles. Section forty-six declares that this Act shall not prevent the operation of any Act of Parliament establishing prohibitions or imposing duties for the regulation of navigation and commerce ; such duties were, however, as provided by the next section, to be applied to the use of the respective provinces. By section forty-eight it is provided that His Majesty, in Council, is to fix a date, not later than the 31st of Decem- ber, 1791, for the commencement of this Act. Section forty-nine provides that writs of summons and election shall issue not later than the 31st of December, 1792. The fiftieth and con- cluding section authorizes the making of temporary laws pending the first meeting of the Legislative Council and Assembly. — March loth. A numerously signed petition was presented to Lord Dorchester, by the seigniors of the Province of Quebec, against the intro- duction of free and common soccage. — Prince Edward arrived at Quebec on the nth August, from Gibraltar, with the 7th Regiment of Royal Fusiliers, which he commanded. His arrival was hailed with great satisfaction by the citizens of Quebec, who presented him with an address on the i8th of August. — The Governor - General, Lord Dor- chester, sailed from Quebec on the 17th August, in His Majesty's Ship Alligator. On the 25th August Major - General Aimed Clarke, Lieutenant - Governor and Major- G'~neral commanding the forces in America, issued a proclama- tion assuming the government during the absence on leave of the Governor. — Lieutenant - General Sir F. Haldi- mand, K.C.B., (formerly Governor of Canada), died at Yverdon, Switzerland, in June, in the 76th year of his age. — By a proclamation dated at the Castle of St. Louis, Quebec, i8th November, 1791, of the Lieutenant - Governor, Major - General Aimed Clarke, it was declared that the Act dividing the Province into two Provinces should commence within Upper and Lower Canada respectively on 26th December, 1791. The line dividing the two Pro- vinces was to commence at a stone boundary on the north bank of Lake St. Francis, at the cove west of the Point -ati-Baudet, in the limit between the township of Lancaster and the seigniory of New Longueuil, running along the said limit in the direction of north thirty -four degrees west to the uttermost angle of the said seigniory of New Longueuil, thence along the north-west boundary of the seigniories of Vaudreuil, running north twenty-five degrees east until it strikes the Ottawa River ; to ascend the said river into i ti ■' 4 55 ?ii |t 1792 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1792 Lake Temiscaminqua ; and from the head of the said lake by a line drawn due north until it strikes the boundary line of Hudson's Bay, including all the territory to the westward and south- ward of the said line, to the utmost extent of the country commonly known by the name of Canada. — The 26th of December was celebrated in Quebec by a public dinner, an illumination in the evening, and other demonstrations of joy. — John Graves Simcoe, Esquire, who had been appointed Lieutenant- Governor of Upper Canada, arrived at Quebec on Friday, November nth, in His Majesty's Ship Triton. — A violent shock of earthquake was felt in Quebec on 6th December. 1792. January 15th. — Fifteen vessels sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Sierra Leone, conveying thither up- wards of twelve hundred coloured persons. The expense of transport, amounting to nearly ;f 4,000, was borne by the British Government. — John Wentworth, Esquire, who had been appointed Lieutenant - Governor of Nova Scotia, arrived at Halifax in His Majesty's Ship Hussar, on the 1 2th of May. Mr. Wentworth had, previous to the revolution, been Gover- nor of New Hampshire, of which pro- vince he was a native. Governor Wentworth was sworn into office on Monday, 14th May, with the cere- monies usual on such occasions. — The seventh session of the Sixth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Governor Wentworth on the 6th of June, and prorogued on the nth July. — The Halifax Gazette of September nth contained the following notice re- specting the impeachment of the Judges (Deschamps and Brenton) : " The Com- mittee of Her Majesty's Privy Council, before whom the charges exhibited by the House of Assembly against the assistant Judges of the Supreme Court have been heard, have reported to His Majesty that, after a mature considera- tion of the subject, they cannot find any cause of censure against those gentlemen, and consequently have fully acquitted them, which report His Ma- jesty has been pleased to confirm." — Colonel His Royal Highness Prince Edward was installed Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free- masons, at Quebec, on the 22nd of June, — On the gth July Letters Patent were issued by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe dividing the Province of Upper Canada into Counties, and apportioning the representation thereof. The Counties in Upper Canada were : Glengarry, Stormont, Dundas, Grenville, Leeds, Frontenac, Ontario, Addington, Prince Edward, Lennox, Hastings, Northum- berland, Durham, York, Lincoln, Nor- folk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent. — On the 7th of February proclamations were issued by the Lieutenant-Governors of Upper and Lower Canada, giving at length the terms upon which the Crown Lands in their respective Provinces would be granted to intending settlers. On the 7th May the division of Lower Canada into Electoral Districts was announced by a proclamation of the Lieutenant-Governor, who at the same time fixed the number of representa- tives to be elected for each district ; this proclamation was followed by a second, dated 14th May, ordering the issue of writs for the election of mem- bers of the Legislative Assembly, such writs to be dated 24th of May, and to be returnable on loth July. The Coun- ties into which Lower Canada was at this time divided were as follows : — Bedford, Buckinghamshire, Cornwallis, Devon, Dorchester, Effingham, Gasp^, Hampshire, Hertford, Huntingdon, Kent, Leinster, Montreal, Northumber- land, Orleans, Quebec, Richelieu, St. 56 1793 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1793 Maurice, Surrey, and Warwick.— The Legislative Council and General Assem- bly of the new Province of Upper Canada met for the first time at Newark (now Niagara) on 17th September. The session was opened by John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant-Governor, and the members lost no time in proceeding to business, for by the 15th October, when the session closed, seven Acts had been passed — the most important of which were those providing for the introduc- tion of English Civil Law, the establish- ment of trial by jury, and the building of gaols and court-houses. — On the 3rd of December Mr. Abel Learned and Mr. Ward Bailey arrived at Quebec, having travelled on horseback over the road then just completed from the Pro- vince Line on the Connecticut River to the old road on the Chaudi^re, by which it was claimed that the distance between Quebec and Boston had been shortened two hundred miles. — December 17th. The Legislative Assembly and Legis- lative Council of the Province of Quebec met for the first time. The Hon. William Smith was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council and Mr. J. A. Panet was, on the fol- lowing day, elected by a majority of ten, and after considerable discussion. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. On Thursday, the 20th, Major-Generaj Aimed Clarke, Lieutenant-Governor, (in the absence of Lord Dorchester,) opened the session with a speech. — December 20th. A notice, signed by Hugh Finlay, Deputy Postmaster-Gen- eral, appeared in the Quebec Gazette, that a regular conveyance once every fourteen days, had been established for transmission of mails between Mon- treal and Burlington, in the State of Vermont. 1793. January 14th. A General Court-Martial assembled at Quebec, of which Colonel Walker, R.A., was presi- dent, to try some soldiers of the Royal Fusiliers, (7th regiment,) on a charge of mutiny. The finding of the Court was published on the 25th March, when private Joseph Draper was sentenced to death, William Rose to five hundred lashes, Timothy Kennedy to seven hundred lashes. Sergeant Thomas Wigton to five hundred lashes and to be reduced to the ranks, James Lau- drigan was acquitted, the evidence being insufficient to convict him. On Tuesday, 9th April, private Draper, whose execution had been respited to that day, was brought out from the barricks and made to walk behind his coffin to the place of execution, the troops marching with music suited to the solemn occasion. Just as the ex- ecution was about to take place, His Royal Highness Prince Edward an- nounced that Draper had been pardoned, an announcement which was received with the most lively satisfaction by the large number of persons who had as- sembled to witness the execution. — 24th April. Major - General Clarke issued a Proclamation stating that France had declared war against Great Britain, on the ist February, and adding that Letters of Marque would be issued in the usual manner. — 25th April. General Clarke sent a message to the House of Assembly recommend- ing a revision of the laws regulating the Militia. — May ist. An Address from the House of Assembly to General Clarke, assuring His Excellency of their readiness to co-operate with him in all measures necessary for the de- fence of the country. — May gth. The General Assembly of the Province of Lower Canada was prorogued by Gen- eral Clarke. The first Act passed by the Legislature of Lower Canada v,-as an Act to regulate the landing of gun- powder at Montreal ; of the remaining Acts of this session, those relating to 57 Pi" 1793 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1794 the importation of wampum from the United States, and providing for the imposition of duties; to establish a fund for payment of salaries of officers of the Legislature, and contingent expenses of the same. — A proclamation, dated 22nd April, by General Washington, Presi- dent of the United States, enjoining the inhabitants of the United States to observe a strict neutrality during the war between France and the other European Powers, was published in the Qathec Gazette. — May 14. The French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, were captured by the British forces, and the French troops in garrison were sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia. — Dr. Jacob Mountain was appointed the first pro- testant Bishop of Quebec. — September 14th. His Excellency Lord Dorchester, Governor-General, and his family, ar- rived at Quebec in H.M.S. Severn, from London. — November nth. The second session of the Legislature of Lower Canada was opened by His Excellency Lord Dorchester, who, in his opening speech, especially commended to the careful attention of the Members the establishment of a Financial System, and of Courts of Justice, and the enact- ment of a Militia Law.— November 14th. The House of Assembly of Lower Canada presented His Royal Highness Prince Edward with an ad- dress, thanking him for the zeal and activity he had displayed for the pro- tection of the property of the citizens, and for the defence of the country. — The Hon. William Smith, Speaker of the Legislative Council, and Chief Justice of the Province of Lower Canada, died at Quebec, on Friday 6th December. — The Second Session of the first Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at Newark, on 31st May, and was prorogued on 9th July. The principal Acts passed during this Session were for the regulation of the Militia; the appointment of parish and town officers; to provide for the sol- emnization of marriage; to prevent the further introduction of slaves, and to establish a Court of Probate. — The General Assembly of Nova Scotia was dissolved by Lieutenant-Governor Wentworth on the 22nd January, and writs, returnable on the 5th March, were issued for a new election. — The Assembly meet on 20th March, and Thomas Barclay was chosen Speaker. On 13th April the Council of Nova Scotia directed the Sheriffs of each county to make proclamation of the war with France. — 20th June. Major- General Ogilvie arrived at Halifax in H.M.S. Alligator, having on board the French Governor, M, Dauseville, and the troops captured at St, Pierre. — 23rd July. Lieutenant-Governor Went- worth repot ts that, in case of invasion, 1,500 Militia could be assembled for the defence of Halifax in a few hours ; and that Militia force available for de- fence of the whole Province, would exceed 4,000 men. 1794. Two companies of Provincial Militia were raised in the Island of St. John, (P. E. Island,) for purposes of defence.— The Third Session of the first Parliament of Upper Canada was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe, at Newark, on 2nd June; this session terminated on the 7th July. The Acts passed related principally to the constitution of the law courts, forms of procedure, and to the impos- ition of duties upon spirits. — The building of the town of York, (now the City of Toronto,) was commenced early in the spring of 1794, under the per- sonal supervision of Governor Simcoe, who selected, as the site of his own residence, a spot on the high ground overlooking the valley of the Don. — An address was presented at Quebec, 58 1794 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1794 on the 8th January, by the Masonic fraternity, to H. R. H. Prince Edward, Grand Master of the Free Masons in Lower Canada, on his departure to assume command of a portion of the forces enKa^ed in operations against the French West Indies.— Addresses were also presented to the Prince by the Legislative Council, citizens of Quebec, Montreal and William Henry, and by several other public bodies. Major-GeneralH.R. H. Prince Edward left Quebec on 22nd January, and arrived at Boston, Mass., on 6th Feb- ruary, on his way to join the forces in the West Indies. The Prince sailed from Boston in the packet Roebuck, and reached the West Indies in time to take an active part in the capture of Martinique,'^ St. Lucia and Guadaloupe. He returned late in the spring, and arrived at Halifax, in H. M. S. Blanche, on loth May, where he was received with great rejoicing.— February 13th. The Honorables Pierre A. de Bonne and James Walker, were appointed judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for Lower Canada.— On 29th April the following message was transmitted to the House of Assembly, then in session at Quebec, by Governor Lord Dor- chester. " The Governor has given directions for laying before the House of Assembly an account of the Provin- cial Revenue of the Crown, from the commencement of the new constitution to the loth January, 1794." It is un- necessary to give the details which accompanied the message : it may be sufficient to state that for the period •The colours captured at the taking of Martini- que, were, on 17th May, 1794, escorted by a detachment of Life Guards from St. James' Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral, where they were received by the Dean and Chapter, attended by the Choir. The colours were afterwards put up in the Cathe- edral as memorials of the success of the British forces under Prince Edward's command in the West Indies. indicated the gross revenue amounted to a little over ^f 14,000 sterling, a sum which, however, did not nearly meet the expenses of the Civil (lovernment, which were estimated at about ;f 25,000 sterling a year. — Tlie Session was closed on 31st May, 1794, when the Royal assent was given by the Gov- ernor-General to five bills; the Judica- ture bill was, how :ver, reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure. — Mr. Panet,the Speaker of the House of Assembly for Lower Canada, having been appointed one of the Jud;.;us of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas for that Province, Chartier de Lot- binibre, Esq., was chosen Speaker in his stead. Mr. Panet, finding that his acceptance of the appointment neces- sitated his removal to Montreal, sub- sequently declined, and remained a member of the Assembly. During this (the second) Session of the first Provin- cial Parliament of Lower Canada, the House of Assembly formally resolved: "That in all unprovided cases, resort shall be had to the rules, usages, and forms, of the Parliament of Great Britain, which shall be followed unti this House shall think fit to make a rule or rules applicable to such un- provided cases." The Hon. Henry Caldwell was, on 30th June, appointed Receiver-General of Lower Canada. M. Denant was nominated by Pope Pius VI., Bishop of Canathe (in part, infill.) and coadjutor of Quebec; M. Denant was not consecrated until the following year. — The Second Session of the seventh General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened on 6th June by Lieutenant-Governor Wentworth, who in his opening speech referred to the brilliant services of Prince Edward in the West Indies; and both Houses, in their addresses in reply, alluded in the most eulogistic terms to the achieve- ments of His Royal Highness. The Session terminated on the 9th July. I ! 9 59 J s 1794 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1795 n During the month of June, Prince Edward proceeded on a tour through the adjoining Province of New Bruns- wick. He waH accompanied by Lieu- tenant-Governor Carleton from St. John up the river to Fredericton, the Capital, returning thence by way of St. John. The Prince reached Halifax about the end of the month, and being now the Henior officer in Nova Scotia, assumed command of the troops. — December nth. The Hon. James Monk, Attor- ney General for Lower Canada, was appointed Chief Justice of the the Court of King's Bench, at Montreal. A Pro- clamation was issued by the Governor- General in December, announcing that His Majesty, in Council, had been pleased to give his assent to the "Act for the divison of Lower Canada into Districts, for amending the judicature thereof, and for repealing certain laws therein mentioned." This act was commonly known as the Judicature Act, and came into force on the nth December. 1796. The Parliament of Upper Canada met at Newark on the 6th July, and was prorogued on the loth August. Five Acts were passed, the most important being the "Act for the public registering of deeds, conveyances, wills, and other incumbrances which shall be made, or may affect any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, within this Province." No stronger proof of the practical manner in which the first settlers of Ontario conducted thc^r affairs could be given than the p *" of such an Act* as this in the ,i session of the first Parliament i he Province. — Governor Simcoe received * It may interest some of our readers to know that the system of registration of titles which has been found of such great utility in the Province of Ontario, aid, as may be seen from the above, was one of the first measures to receive the sanction of its Legislature, is now, although under entirely dif- and entertained, at Newark, for some days, the Duke de Liancourt, a French nobleman then travelling in America. — The Third Session of the first Pro- vincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by Lord Dorchester, on 5th January, 1795. This Session was closed on 7th May, after a speech from Lord Dorchester, in which His Excel- lency expressed his approbation of the measures and conduct of both Houses. On the i6th February, the Public Ac- counts were laid before the Assembly for the first time. The estimates for the Civil Government for the year ending 5th January, 1796, amounted to ;^i9,993 sterling. The actual expen- diture for the previous year had been ;{'i9,985 sterling. A sum of ;f5,ooo sterling was voted by the Assembly " towards defraying the cost of the administration of Justice, and the sup- port of the Civil Government for each year, to count from 5th January, 1795, and in future." — The Acts passed during the third session of the first Provin- cial Parliament of Lower Canada were: An Act to amend the Judi- cature Act of the previous session; an Act respecting the inspection of Pot and Pearl Ashes, and also an Act to permit theirimportation from the neigh- bouring States ; an Act to ratify and confirm the agreement made between the Commissioners of the two Pro- vinces; an Act respecting the regis- of Baptisms, Marriages and t to compel vessels CCS infected with plague, esi> ,ial fever or disease, to Qu uitine; an Act granting Majesty certain duties on tration B' (a, to L . IS cnses, and also an Act imposing ferent conditions, and in fact u gether distinct, engaging atter and to a certain extent became I in August last, of the "Act t' facilitate the transfer of lam 39 Vict,, Cap. 87. a system alto- in England, n the passing lify titles, and Kland."— 38 and 60 '795 CANADIAti ANNALS. 1796 alto- lland, Issing and and duties on the importation of certain Koofls, wares and merchandise, therein mentioned, the money so raised to be applied to the support of the Civil Gov- ernment of the Province ; an Act respecting the validity of certain pro- ceedings in the Court of King's Bench; and an Act respecting Aliens. These Acts, although few in number, made some very important additions to the Statutes of Lower Canada, and appear fully to justify the approbation bestowed by the Governor-General. — April 15th' The Hon. John Collins, A!ember of the Legislative Council, and Deputy Sur- veyor-General of Lower Canada, died suddenly at Quebec. — May t4th. Jona* than Sewell, Esq., appointed Attor- ney-General for Lower Canada, and Advocate-General for the said Province. — May i8th. A Proclamation was issued by Governor-General, Lord Dor- chester, laying an embargo upon all ships in Lower Canada ports laden with wheat, wheat flour, or peas, and prohibiting the exportation of the same. — June 4th. Louis Charles Foucher appointed Solicitor - General and In- spector-General for Lower Canada. — September 3rd. John Coffin, Esq., ap- pointed Surveyor-General of Woods for Lower Canada; and Mr. William Von- denvelden, to print all Laws of the Province of Lower Canada. — September gth. A Proclamation was issued by Governor Lord Dorchester, laying an embargo upon all vessels laden with wheat, peas, oats, Indian corn, barley, flour and biscuit, from loth September, until the loth of December following. — loth August. The thanks of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada were voted to Lieutenant - Colonel William Campbell, of the 24th regiment, for his " judicious, prudent and spirited conduct during his command at Fort Miamis during the year 1794. — 20th November. The Fourth Session of the first Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by Governor- General Lord Dorchester, at Quebec. — April iitii. John Wentwonii, Esquire- Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Si-otia, created a baronet. The Genera! As- sembly of Nova Scotia (Third Session of 7th General Assembly) met at Hali- fax, on 1 2th March — Thomas Barclay* Esquire, speaker. The session closed on the 13th April. During this session an Act was passed authorising the raising of £2000 by lottery for road purposes, an Act which was afterwards duly confirmed by His Majesty. Sir John and Lady Wentworth made a tour of the Western part of the Province this year. The Militia of Nova Scotia were employed (by a system of rotation) in repair and enlargement of fortifica- tions during the summer. 1196. The Fifth Session of the first Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe at Newark on the i6th May. This Session, which closed on the 3rd June, was a very short one. Seven Acts were passed, three of which re- lated tothe adminstration of justice and constitution of Courts of Law ; one was " An Act for the better regulation of certain coins current in this Province." The remaining three related to local matters. — A Proclamation, dated 2nd January, was issued by Governor Lord Dorchester, authorizing the importation by sea of all kinds of grain and pro- visions on account of the distress caused by the general failure throughout Lower Canada of the harvest in 1795. — The Fourth Session of the First Pro. vincial Parliament of Lcwer Canada, which had commenced on 20th Novem- ber, was closed by Governor Lord Dor- chester on 7th May. The Session had been a very long one, and a great deal of work had been done. Twelve Acts were passed, of which the most impor' 61 II! 1796 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1796 H' tant was "An Act for making, repairing and altering the Higiiways and Bridges within the Province of Lower Canada." This Act contains seventy-three sections. and appears to have been drawn up with great care. Ofthe remaining Acts those to declare the date from which Acts of Parliament should take effect ; to provide for the safe custody and registering of all Letters Patent grant- ing Crown Lands ; to regulate persons who Ivre or engage to perform voyages to or from the Indiaa Country ; and to authorize the apprehension of felons escaping from the Provinces of New Brunswick and Upper Canada, are the only ones now possessing any interest ; the others have long sinceexpired or been repealed. — A Proclamation was issued by Lord Dorchester on 17th May, offer- ing a reward of ^"50 for the discovery of the murderer of John Palley and Margaret Debard, who were murdered at William Henry on the night of Sun- day the 8th May. This murder caused a great sensation at the the time, and the citizens of William Henry offered a reward of a like amount for the detec- tion of the murderer. — On 31st May a Proclamation was issued dissolving the Parlirment of Lower Canada, and directing the issue of writs, returnable on the 20th July, for a new election. — On 7th July Isaac Ogden was appointed one of the judges of the Court of King's Bench, Jonathan Sewell Commissary of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, and Her- man W. Ryland Clerk ofthe Executive Council. An Order in Council was pass- ed on 7th July for the purpose of regu- lating trade and commerce between the United States and the Province of Lower Canada. — Governor Lord Dor- chester embarked with his family on Saturday, gth July, on board His Majesty's Ship /It/Ziv,''- and sailed for *The Active frigate, with Lord Dorchester and family on board, was shipwrecked on the Island England on leave of absence. Previous to his departure his lordship received addresses from the inhabitants of the cities of Quebec and Montreal express- ing their attachment to him and wish- ing him a pleasant voyage. — On 12th July General Robert Prescott, Lieuten- ant-Governor, issued a Proclamation assuming the government of Lower Cannda during Lord Dorchester's ab- sence. — On Tuesday, 6th September, a disastrous conflagration occured in the Upper Town of Quebec, the Recollet Church and a number of houses from St. Louis Street to Mount Carmel were destroyed ; at one time the Castle of St. Lewis was in great danger, but a fortu- nate change in the wind drove the fire up Carrier Street towards Mount Car- mel, where it was stopped. A Pro- clamation, dated 30th October, was is- sued by General Prescott, Lieutenant- Governor, directing the immediate arrest of all foreigners guilty of trea- sonable practices and seditious at- tempts to alienate the affections of His Majesty's subjects. An Order in Coun- cil of the same date ordenng all per- sons, being subjects of France, who had arrived in Lower Canada since ist May, 1794, to leave the province with- in 24 days, was also published. On nth November, another Proclamation appeared announcing hostilities with Spain. The General Assembly of Nova Scotia, met at Halifax on Thursday, 3rd March. The session was opened by Lieutenant - Governor Sir John Wentworth, who referred to the pros- perous state of the province, and, in view ofthe diminution ofthe public debt, suggested a reduction of taxation. The balance against Nova Scotia, at that of Anticosti. The ship was lost, but nil the people were saved. Lord Dorchester and family got safely to Perce, then a fishing village, on the Gaspe coast' His Lordship and family arrived at Halifax on the 15th August in the Provincial vessel EarlnfMoira whence they sailed in the Dover for England. 62 1796 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1797 ler- lith ova lay, ned ohn ros- in ebt, The Eople |afely I the foira date, amounted to ;£'2,o82 i6s. yd This session terminated on the nth April. On 22nd July, 500 Maroons* arrived at Halifax from Jamaica. They were quartered about two miles from Hali- fax, and subsequently settled on about 3000 acres of land, purchased for that purpose in Preston, about five miles from Halifax. On 5th September a French squadron of five or six sail of the line, with three frigates and a cor- vette, made a descent at Bay of Bulls, Newfoundland, where they landed 2000 men in three hours. They destroyed the settlement, captured some vessels and plundered the place. An expedi- tion was sent against Sydney, Cape Breton, but having encountered a storm, failed to reach its destination. James Michael Freke Bulkeley, secre- tary of the Province of Nova Scotia died at Halifax on 12th November, Mr. Bulkeley was succeeded by Ben- ning Wentworth, brother-in-law to the Lieutenant - Governor, who was sworn into office on 14th November. 1*791. The first session of the second *The|Maroons were descendents of African slaves, who had left the plantations in Jamaica, and taken refuge in the mountains. These Maroons had for a long time been in a state of open rebellion, and neither the energy and activity of Lord Balcarres, r.or the bravery and skill of General Walpole, had been sufficient to overcome the determined resist- ance of men thoroughly familiar with every foot of the country they occupied, and who were no sooner driven from one point than they reappeared in another. The introduction by Colonel Quarrel of some bloodhounds from Cuba, and the threat to use them against the Maroons, led to a suspension of hostilities, and on 21st December, 1795, a treaty of peace was finally agreed npon. It is claimed that by an additional and secret clause in the treaty agreed to by General Walpole, it was stipulated that the Maroons should not be removed from the Island of Jamaica ; but if this stipulation was really made, the Assembly of Jamaica violated it, as a sum of £41,000 was voted to defray the cost of settling the Maroons in Nova Scotia. The experiment of sett- ling so large a body of men of negro origin in a cold country like Nova Scotia does not seem to have been attended with much success, as they were all shipped to Sierra Leone in 1800. Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec, on Tuesday, 24th January, by His Excellency Gen- eral Prescott, Lieutenant - Governor. Jean Antoine Panet, Esquire, was elect- ed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Lieutenant-Governor Prescott, by pro- clamation dated the 27th April, an- nounced his appointment (bearing date 15th December, 1796), as Governor- General, whereupon addresses of con- gratulation were presented to His Excellency by the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly on ist May. The session closed on the following day. Six Acts were passed during this session of which the most important were the Act, (Cap. 2, 37 Geo. IIL) to continue the Alien Act to the end of the war then existing between Great Britain and France ; and the " Act for the bet- ter preservation of His Majesty's Government, as by law happily estab- lished in this Province." By this Act, which was renewed from year to year until the year 1812, the provincial law of Habeas Corpus could be suspended at the discretion of the Executive; and, saving the privileges of the Provincial Parliament, all persons imprisrned by warrants, signed by three Executive Councillors, for treason, treasonable practices, or suspicion of the same, might be detained during the period before mentioned, without bail or main- prise. — From a notice in the Quebec Gazette of 4th May, it would appear that the rate then paid to labourers by the day in the city of Quebec was is. 6d. currency. — On Friday July 7th, David McLane* was tried before a special *David McLane had been in business in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and was an American citizen. The indictment found against him by the Grand I ury consisted of two counts, o.ie " for compassing the death of the King," and the other " for adhering to the King's enemies." On each count fourteen overt acts were laid, which were the same on both counts. As the statement of these overt acts are somewhat lengthy, it may suffice to give the sub" li ■*■■ if 63 If 1797 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1797 Court of Oyer and Terminer at Quebec, for the crime of High Treason. The prosecution was conducted by the At- torney-General in person, and after a trial which lasted the whole day, the prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. McLane was executed on the Glacis out- side the walls near St. John's Gate on the 21st July. — James Ker, Esq., was, on 26th August, appointed Judge of the Court of Vice - Admiralty for Lower Canada. — The Right Reverend Jean Francois Hubert, Bishop of Quebec, died at Quebec on Tuesday, tyth Oc- tober. — The Rev. S. Jehosapbat Moun- tain, was appointed Rector of the Pro- testant church at Quebec. — The Hon. Joseph Gaspard Chaussegros de Lery, Knight of the Order of St. Louis, mem- berof the Legislative Council of Quebec, died at Quebec on the nth December, in the 77th year of his age. Mr. de Lery was one of the first of the Cana- dian noblesse to do homage to their new Sovereign, he having been pre- sented to King George HL in March, 1763. — The second session of the Second Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada, was held at York, the buildings erected there under the personal supervision of Lieutenant - Governor Simcoe being ready for the accomodation of the mem- bers of the Legislature. This was the first session of Parliament held at York. The session was opened on the ist June, by the Hon. Peter Russell, who, as senior Memberof the Executive Council, stance of them, which was that McLane had con- spired to introduce arms and ammunition and to procure an invasion of the Province; and that he had conspired to excite rebellion within the Pro- vince, and had procured information to be communi- cated to the King's enemies and used against the Government. There appears to be no doubt that McLane was legally guilty of high treason ; but his plans, if he can be said to have had any, were so im- prar-ticable, and indeed so utterly preposterous, that a lunatic asylum would probably have been the fittest place for him. had assumed the administration of affairs on the departure of Major-Gen- eral Simcoe,* who had been ordered to the West Indies, in the autumn of 1796. During this session, which closed on the 3rd July, seventeen Acts were pass- ed. The most important were " An Act for the better securing the Pro- vince against the King's enemies ; " " An Act for the more easy barring of dower." " An Act for the regulation of Ferries." Of the remainder ten were for the con- solidation and improvement of laws re- lating to the administration of justice and conveyance of real estate, one for the better regulation of the Militia ; one provided for the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada, one for Trade with the United States, and one for the collection of the Revenue. — The General-Assembly of Nova Scotia met on 6th June. Mr. Barclay was Speaker. The session closed on the loth July. Governor Wentworth in his opening speech congratulated the members on the prosperous state of the province, and on the exemption the people enjoy- ed from the miseries of war so severely felt in other parts of the Empire. — On gth September Chief Justice Strange resigned, having accepted an appoint- ment at Bombay. Attorney - General *Lieutenant-General John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, was the son of Captain John Simcoe, R.N., a gentleman of the County of Northampton General (then Colonel) Simcoe was, on his promotion to the rank of a general officer, removed to the West Indies, and was appointed Governor of San Domingo. He had before comintif to Canada been M. P. for St, Mawes, a Cornish borough, and shortly after his re- turn from the West Indies was selected to succeed Lord Lake as Commander-in-Chief in India, but died on the eve of his departure to assume his com- mand. He was buried in his private chapel at Wol- ford Lodge, County Devon. A monument was erected to his memory by the County of Devon in the Cathedral at Exeter. General Simcoe married the daughter and heiress of Colonel Thomas Gwil- lim, an officer of an old and distinguished family, who had at onetime been Aide-de-Camp to General Wolfe. 64 1797 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1798 Blowers was appointed Chief Justice, Solicitor-General Uniacke became At- torney - General, and Jonathan Sterns succeeded to the Solicitor-Generalship. — On 23rd Noveniber, H. M. S. La Tribune was lost in entering Halifax Harbour ; only 12 of the ship's company were rescued. — October 3rd, Benning Wentworth resigned the office of Trea- surer of Nova Scotia, and Mr. Michael Wallace was appointed in his stead.— The House of Assembly of the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island) directed an investigation to be made to ascertain the quantity of settled and un- settled lands in the colony. It was found that 23 lots, embracing 458,580 acres had not one settler ; that 12 other lots, containing 243,000 acres had only 36 families, or about 200 souls ; and that 6 other lots, containing 120,000 acres had only 48 families, or about 250 souls. The whole population of the Island at that time, was about 4,500. On these and similar grounds, a petition was addressed to the Home Govern- ment, praying that the proprietors who had failed in their duty, might be compelled to fulfil their engagements, or that their lands should be forfeited. 1798» The second session of the second Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at York, on the 5th June, by the Hon. Peter Russell, President. The session, which was a short one, closed on the fifth of July. Seven Acts were passed during this session, the most important of which was the " Act for the better division of this Province." By this Act the geographical division of the Province was re-arranged and a number of im- portant changes were made. Another Act provided for the ascertaining and establishing on a permanent footing the boundary lines of townships. Cer- tain amendments were made to the Marriage Act of 1793. The other four Acts relate to local matters oi no great moment. A notice issued from the Post Office at Fort Niagara, dated ist October, 1798, giving a " list of letters remaining with Joseph Edwards Esq., in Newark, U. C, for the conveniency of the persons to whom they are direct- ed " contains letters addressed to Cleve- land (Ohio), Bay of Quinty ; and Cata- rockway (Cataraqui.) A Proclamation, dated 15th December, was issued by Mr. President Russell, announcing that His Majesty had been pleased to order that all United Empire Loyalists and their children who were actually settled in the Province of Upper Canada, on or before 28th July, 1798, should continue to receive His Majesty's bounty of 200 acres of land eech, free from any ex- pense whatever. — The second session of the second Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by General Prescott, Governor-General, at Quebec, on the 20th February. — Charles Fre- chette was tried on 27th March, in the Court of King's Bench, Quebec, for misprision of High Treason, in hav- ing a knowledge of the designs of the late David McLane (who was executed on 2ist July, 1797, for High Treason) against the province of Quebec, and) concealing them ; he was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for life, all his moveable property to be forfeited to the King, together with all the profits of his immoveable estate. — The Pro- vincial Parliament of Lower Canada, was prorogued on the nth May. Of the five Acts passed during this session, three were to continue in force the Acts for making a temporary pA>vision for the regulation of trade between Lower Canada and the United States of America; for the better preserva- tion of His Majesty's Government, as by law happily established in this pro- vince ; and for providing Returning 65 ' : i I i I t I 1798 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1798 Officers for Knights, Citizens and Bur- gesses to serve in the Assembly. Of the two remaining Acts one was " an Act to allow to the province of Upper Canada, a proportion of the duties im- posed by the Legislature of this pro- vince (Lower Canada) en such articles as have been transported from this pro- vince into the province of Upper 'Canada, between the first day of March, and the thirty-first day of December, 1797." The other Act was to repeal the Act appointing commissioners to treat with commissioners appointed by Upper Canada to settle the pro- portion which should belong to each province of the duties collected on articles imported into one province and passing thence into the other, and for appointing other commissioners for a like purpose. — A fire lu-oke out in St. Francis Street, Quebec, on Sunday, 17th J une, and rapidly assumed alarming pro- portions. By the strenuous exertions of the troops, encouraged by the Governor- General, who had turned out at the first alarm, the Seminary was saved, but fifteen houses were entirely destroyed. — The tempestuous weather on the At- lantic coast in the latter part of 1797 and beginning of 1798, cast a gloom throughout Nova Scotia. Wrecks were frequent, and the loss of life heavy. The people of Haliiax, as on many previous occasions, were, however, quite equal to the emergency. Boats were manned, provisioned and despatched to the re- lief of the sufferers, and every thing which willing hearts and strong arms could effect was done to mitigate the severity of the sea < i. Upwards of thirty persons were wrecked on Sable Island at one time. — The officers and men of the Royal Nova Scotia Regi- ment subscribed a week's pay towards the fund raised to assist His Majesty in meeting the heavy expenses of the war ; thepeople of Halifax contributed ;^40oo to the same fund. — The General As- sembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on 8th June. Sir John Wentworth in his opening speech expressed his great satisfaction at the loyalty displayed by the people of Nova Scotia as evidenced by their liberal subscriptions in aid of the expenses of the war. — On the 30th June the Nova Scotia Assembly voted five hundred guineas to purchase a star to be presented to Prince Edward. — On Saturday, the 7th July, the Lieutenant- Governor, the Council and the Assem- bly proceeded from the Council Chamber to Government House and there pre- sented an address to the Prince, offer- ing this star,* which he very graciously accepted During the session, which terminated on 7th July, six Acts were passed, one of which was an Act to prevent aliens from remaining in the province, unless by special permission from the Government. On the 8th August, Prince Edward met with a serious accident whilst riding in the vicinity of Halifax. His horse stumbled and fell upon him, severely bruising his leg and thigh. After a short time the symptons became so serious that the medical sta'*' recommended His Royal Highness to go to England, advice which he was reluctantly compelled to follow. The Prince sailed from Halifax on 23rd October, in H. M. S. Topaz. Addresses were presented to him by the Lieu- tenant-Governor and Council, and also by the citizens of Halifax, deeply lamenting his accident and his de- parture, and expressing the earnest wish that he might soon return to them. — An Act was passed this year by the Legislature of the Island of St. John, changing the name of the Island to 'The star itself (a diamond star of the Order of the Garter) was not presented to the Prince until the 9th of January, 1799, when it was conveyed to Kensington Palace by Mr. Charles Wentworth, son of the Lieutenant-Governor, and Mr. Hartshorne, who presented it to His Royal Highness. 66 1798 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1799 JU- Iso le- :st in, I to to Bon Prince Edward Island, from ist January, 1800. The change was made as a com- pliment to Prince Edward, who was at the time in Halifax, Nova Scotia. — The House of Assembly of New Bruns- wick met at Fredericton on the i6th January, but there being no quorum, the House adjourned from day to day until the 19th, when the session was formally opened by Governor Carleton. During this session, which closed on the gth February, two Acts only were passed, one an Act for the regulation of seamen, the other to contin-e in force sundry acts about to expire. 1199. A Proclamation was issued by the Honourable Peter Russell, Pre- sident, directing the observance in Upper Canada of the twelfth of March as a day of thanksgiving for the glor- ious victories obtained over the French by Admirals Sir H. Nelson and Sir J. B. Warren. — The third session of the second Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada which met at York on Wednes- day, I2th June, was opened with a speech by the Honourable Peter Rus- sell, President. Five Acts were passed during this session. Two were Acts to continue expiring laws, the remainder were : an Act to provide for the educa- tion and support of orphan children ; an Act to enable persons holding the office of registrar to be elected members of the House of Assembly ; and an Act to confirm the provisional agreements made by the commissioners of Upper and Lower Canada. The session closed on 29th June. — Lieutenant-General Peter Hunter, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada in place of Major General Simcoe, arrived at York, on Thursday, 15th August, in His Majesty's ship Speed, Captain Paxton. The Bishop of Quebec (Dr. Mountain) arrived the same evening in the Mohawk. — Gen- eral Hunter issued a Proclama- tion on the 17th August announcing his appointment as Lieutenant-Gover- nor of Upper Canada. — His Excellency Robert Liston, British Ambassador at Washington, arrived at Newark on the 19th August, accompanied by Lord Henry Stewart. Mr. Erskine, and Mr. Thornton. After a stay of two days the party proceeded to Philadelphia. — Thursday, January loth, was set apart in Lower Canada as a day of thanks- giving for the glorious victones over the French fleets by Admiral Sir H. Nelson at the Nile, and Sir J. B. War- ren off Brest. — The third session of the second Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec by His Excellency, General Prescott, Gover- nor-General, on Thursday 28th March. This session was closed on Monday, 3rd June. Ten Acts were passed, of which the most important were the Act amending the Act for making, repairing and altering the highways and bridges, within this Province, and for other pur- poses ; an Act respecting weights and measures ; and an Act to confirm cer- tain additional articles of agreement entered into by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose between the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. The other Acts are not of sufficient importance to require separate men- tion. — His Royal Highness Prince Edward, was, on St. George's Day, (23rd of April), created Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and Earl of Dublin. His younger brother. Prince Ernest, was, on the same day, created Duke of Cumberland. The two Royal Dukes took their seats in the House of Lords, on the loth May. His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, was, on the loth May, promoted to the rank of General, and was, on 17th May, appointed General and Commander-in-Chief of His Ma- jesty's forces in British North America. 67 ! i i: !^ 1799 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1799 — During this summer large sums were subscribed in Canada to assist in defray- ing the cost of carrying on the war against France. The Bishop of Quebec (Dr. Jacob Mountain), the Chief Justice (Osgoode), and Mr. Henry Caldwell, each gave ;f300. — An address, dated i6th June, and signed by all the princi- pal inhabitants of the city of Quebec, was presented to General Prescott on his departure for England. Similar addresses were presented to His Excel- lency, from Three Rivers, (dated 8th July) ; William Henry, (loth July) •,.and Montreal, (dated 13th July).— General Prescott having sailed for England, on leave of absence, a proclamation was issued onsist July, by Robert S. Milnes, Esq., Lieutenant • Governor, announ- cing that he had assumed the adminis- tration of the Government. The salary of the Governor-in-Chief had, up to this time, been ;f a,ooo a year, but on the assumption of the control of public affairs by Mr. Milnes the amount was increased to ;f 2,500.— The Civil Expen- diture of the j'rovince of Lower Canada for the year 1799 amounted to ;f 24,597 sterling. This sum does not include the expenses of the Legislature, which amounted to about ;f 1,400. The reve- nue of the Province for the same period was very nearly equal to the charges thereon. The affairs of the Province appear to have been administered by General Prescott in an upright and honorable manner.— Thomas Barclay, Esq., Speaker of the Assembly of Nova Scotia, was appointed His Majesty's Consul General for the Eastern States of America, on 27th January. — The Gene- ral Assembly of Nova Scotia (7th ses- sion of 7th Assembly) met at Halifax, on 7th June. Sir John Wentworth was able, as he had been for some years, to congratulate the Province on its gene- ral prosperity. Richard John Uniacke, Attorney General, was elected Speaker in place of Mr. Barclay. The session terminated on 31st July. — His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent arrived at Halifax in the Anthusa, Capt. Wooley, on Friday, 6th September. He was received with the greatest delight, the bells of the Churches were rung for joy, the people assembled en masse to greet him, and the guns of the citadel, and men-of-war in port thundered forth their welcone. The Duke was accom- panied by four Aides-de-Camp — Majors Gordon and Smith, and Captains Hardyman and Dodd ; and by his domestic Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Wetherall. The country house of Sir John Wentworth (called the Prince's Lodge), on the west side of Bedford Basin, about six miles from Halifax, was the residence of the Duke, a place for which he is said to have had a great fancy. — The 7th General Assembly of Nova Scotia was dissolved on the nth October, and writs returnable on the 23rd December were issued for a new election. — On the 30th October H.M.S. Porcupine, Captain Evans, arrived at Halifax, having on board the Duke of Orleans,* and his brothers, the Duke de Montpensier, and the Count Beaujolais, attended by Count Montjoie. These distinguished visitors had come to Halifax hoping to obtain a passage thence to England, but, being disap- pointed, sailed in a few days for New York. — The House of Assembly of New Brunswick met at Fredericton, on the 15th January, but a sufficient number of members to compose a House not being in attendance, the House adjourn- ed from day to day until the i8th, when the session was opened with a speech by Lieut.-Governor Carleton. This session was closed on the 8th February. Serious differences had for some time ♦Afterwards Louis Phillippe, King of the French, who abdicated in 1848. 68 ■ 1 ! 1799 CANADIAN ANNALS. i8oa In Ih Ih, existed between the House of Assembly and the Council, but during this ses- sion these disagreements were, it would appear, adjusted, as Acts were passed for defraying the ordinary services of the Province for the years 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798 and 1799. Eight other Acts were passed during this session, but, being of a local character, it is not necessary to refer to them in detail. The franking privilege does not as yet appear to have obtained in New Bruns- wick, as among the sums voted this ses- sion we find an item of three pounds, five shillings and nine pence to the gene- ral post office for postage of letters with writs of election to several of the Sheriffs. 1800. The fourth session of the second Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was held at York. The session was opened by the new Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant -General Peter Hunter, on the 2nd June, and closed on the 4th July. Six Acts were passed during this session. The most impor- tant was an Act for the further intro- duction of the Criminal Law of England, by which Act it was declared that the Criminal Law of England, as it stood on 17th September, 1792, should be the Criminal Law of Upper Canada. Two Acts respecting elections of Members for the House of Assembly, one for the regulation of special juries, and one providing for the conduct of trade rela- tions between Upper Canada and the United States, complete the list. — The Quebec Gazette of January 2nd contains a notice, signed by Hugh Finlay, Deputy Postmaster-General, that the yearly winter mail for Upper Canada will be closed at Quebec on the 20th January, and will be despatched from Montreal on the 24th. — The fourth Session of the Second Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by the Lieutenant- Governor, Robert Shore Milnes, Esq., at Quebec, on 5th March. — The Rev. Father Jean Joseph Casot, Priest of the Company of Jesus, Procureur of the Missions and Colleges of the Jesuits in Canada, and the last of the Order in Canada, died at Quebec, on Sunday, i6th March. — The question of the dis- posal of the estates of the Jesuits occupied a good deal of the time of the Legislative Assembly during the early part of the session. On 12th March a motion was mads "that the House do resolve itself into a committee to con- sider of the most proper measures of obtaining information concerning the rights and pretensions which this Pro- vince may have upon the College of Quebec (the Jesuits' College,) and the estates thereunto annexed;" upon which a member of the Executive Council (Mr. Young) rose in his place and said that he was authorized by Hij Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor to inform the House that His Excellency by and with the advice of His Majesty's Executive Council, had given orders to take possession of the estates of the Order of the Jesuits in the name of, and as the property of His Majesty. Not- withstanding this statement the motion was pressed and an address was voted (16 to 8) to the effect that the House desired to investigate the claims of the Province to the estates in question, and to that end asked for communication of all papers and documents connected therewith. To this address the Lieu- tenant Governor replied as follows: " Gentlemen, I think it necessary to inform you on the subject-matter of the present address, that the whole pro- ceedings of the commission issued on 29th December, 1787, including every claim and pretension respecting the estates of the late Order of Jesuits in this Province, together with the hum- ble address of the House of Assembly, m 69 I' .l 1800 CANADIAN Af^N.^r.S. 1800 voted on the nth April, 1793, have been respectively submitted to the King: — that His Majesty having been graciously pleased to refer the whole proceedings to his Privy Council, the result of their consultations, with His Majesty's order thereon, was transmit- ted to this Government in the month of April last ; and, in consequence of such order, commissions have issued to take the whole of the property into the hands of the Crown. After reflecting on these circumstances, should the House of Assembly continue to deem it advisable to persist in their proposed investigation, I shall comply with their request to allow them access to those papers which have already been made public, and shall in that case give orders that all persons duly authorized by the House of Assembly, be at liberty to take copies of all titles, documents, reports, papers, and all proceedings under the commission mentioned, which were returned into the Council office on or before the asth August, 1790. But after the information I have now given, the House of Assembly will certainly deem it incumbent on them to consider whether it is consistent with that re- spect which they have hitherto uniform- ly manifested towards their sovereign to reiterate any application on the sub- ject." The House of Assembly did not recede very gracefully from the position which it had taken in respect to the action of the Crown in assuming pos- session of these estates for it resolved a few days after the receipt of the com- munication from the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor to go into committee to take into consideration His Excellency's answer, which was done accordingly, but finally came to the resolution " that the House ought to postpone, to a future time, the enquiry into the rights and pretensions alluded to." — On Wednesday, 2nd of April, it was moved in the House of Assembly at Quebec, " that as it ap- peared to this House by a record of the Court of King's Bench for the dis- trict of Montreal, that the said C. B. Bone had been convicted of the crime of conspiracy with sundry other persons, unjustly and fraudulently to obtain of Etienne Drouin, divers large sums of money, be expelled this House." After a long debate, the House divided, yeas 21, nays 8, so Mr. Bone was expelled accordingly. — 29th May. The fourth session of the second Provincial Par- liament of Lower Canada was prorogued by the Lieutenant-Governor. Eight acts were passed during this Session ; the most important was an Act to regu- late the election of members to the As- sembly ; an Act to prevent the intro- duction or spreading of infectious dis- eases; and an Act to provide for the erection of a bridge over the river Jacques Cartier; the remaining acts were to continue or amend existing statutes. — May 29th. William Cobbet issued at New York his " Porcupines' Farewell to the People of the United States," announcing his return to Great Britain. This production, written in Cobbet's peculiar style, concludes thus, "With this I depart for tliat Home, where neither the moth of Democracy, northe rust of Federalism doth corrupt ; and where thieves do not, with impunity, break through and steal five thousand dollars at a time." — 4th June. A pro- clamation was issued by Lieutenant- Governor Milnes dissolving the Parlia- ment of Lower Canada, and directing the issue of writs (returnable on 28th July) for a new election. — ^July 31st, An address was presented to the Duke of Kent by the Lieutenant-Governor and Council, expressing their deep regret at his approaching departure.. — November 2oth. A notice, signed by George Heriot, Deputy Postmaster General of British North America, announced tha t 70 H:il PI i8oo CANADIAN ANNALS. 1800 It Ir V It a courier would leave Montreal on 20th December with mails for Kingston, whence they would be forwarded to York and Fort George; and that this service would be carried on monthly during the winter, an improvement which, it was hoped, would secure the countenance and support of the public. — Monday, December 15th, Francois Josue de la Come, Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis, and Capitaine de Vaisseau in the service of His Most Christian Majesty, died at Quebec. M. de la Come was a Canadian by birth, and served in the navy of France in various parts of the world, especially in the East Indies, where he gained the esteem of M. de Suifrein. After the conquest of Canada, M. de la Corne served in Germany with many of his countrymen who had returned to France after the capitulation of Montreal, and finally returned to Canada in 1792. — In No- vember a new Great Seal to replace the one previously in use, was placed in the hands of the Lord-Chancellor. His Majesty, in the new Seal, instead of being styled as heretofore, " King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland," is simply styled " Brittaniarum Rex," a short but very comprehensive title. The arms of France were also entirely expunged from the new Seal. — The first session of the eighth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax on the 20th February by Governor Wentworth. Richard John Uniacke, Esq., Member for Queen's County, was elected Speaker. — On March i8th, Scrope Bernard, Esq., was appointed (by resolution of the House of Assembly) Agent for the Province of Nova Scotia resident in London. During this Ses- sion, the House of Assembly having passed one bill to continue several re- venue acts, the Council objected on the ground that this course obliged them to accept or reject the whole of the acts so included; the Assembly demurred, and appealed to the Lieutenant-Gover- nor, but the Council being firm in their opposition, the objection was main- tained, and separate bills were passed. Session closed 2nd May. — The Militia of Nova Scotia at this time numbered 10,000 effective men. — On loth April the foundation stone of St. George's Church, Halifax, was laid by Sir John Wentworth.— On 5th June the corner stone of the Masonic Hall, in Halifax, was laid by H. R. H. the Duke of Kent. —William Cobbett landed at Halifax on 6th June, on his way from New York to England. During his short stay in Halifax he dined with the Duke of Kent. — Mr. Bulkeley having resigned the officcsof Master of the Rolls and Register in Chancery, Mr. Benning Wentworth was, on the 8th July, appointed Master of the Rolls, and Judge Brenton was made Master in Chancery. — Sunday, August 3rd, H. R. H. the Duke of Kent embarked on H. M. S. Assistance, and sailed the next day for England, arriv- ing at Portsmouth on 31st August. — On 7th August a military execution took place behind the Citadel at Halifax. Eleven soldiers had been sentenced to death for acts of mutiny and desertion ; at the place of execution eight of them were reprieved, and the remaining three suffered death. — Early in August the Maroons, 551 in number, embarked in the Asia for Sierra Leone, thus ter- minating, after a four years trial, the attempt to form on a large scale a set- tlement of blacks in Nova Scotia. — The Honorable Richard Bulkeley* died at * Richard Bulkeley accompanied Governor Corn- wallis to Nova Scotia as Aide-de-Camp in 1749. He became Secretary of the Province in 1739, an office which he retained under no less than thirteen Gover- nors in succession until his resignation (in favor of his son Michael Freke Bulkeley) in 1793. Mr. Bulkeley was appointed a Member of the Council in 1730, and administered the government of the Pro- vince, as senior member of the Council, on the death , ii : 1 ill > ^ i l! 7« : f 180I CANADIAN ANNALS. 180I 1' Halifax on Saturday, 7th December, in the 83rd year of his age. — No session of the Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick appears to have been held during the year 1800. ISOlt Proclamations, dated 25ih of May, were issued at York by Lieutenant- Governor Hunter, announcing the changes in the Royal style and title, in the flag to be used by Merchant vessels, and in the Book of Common Prayer, consequent upon the union of Great Britain and Ireland. On zgth of May the first session of the third Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at York by Governor Hunter. The Honorable D. W. Smith was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The session terminated on the nth July when the Parliament was prorogued. Twelve Acts were passed, the most important of which were an Act respecting Quarter Ses- sions, an Act for the establishment of a market at Kingston, an Act authorizing the appointment of Inspectors of Flour and of Pot and Pearl ashes, an Act to prevent the selling of spirituous liquors to the Moravian Indians (then settled on the banks of the river Thames) and an Act granting a Supply to His Majesty ; the remaining seven Acts were of a local or temporary character. It is worthy of note, as shewing the progress of the new Province, that this year, for the first time, a regular supply bill, giving details of expenditure, was passed. With a view to encourage persons to undertake the cultivation of hemp, the Assembly of Upper Canada had during the recent session voted a of Governor Parr, in 1791. He was twice married, his first wife being a daughter of Captain John Rous, R. N„ a name famous in the annals of Nova Scotia, At the time of his death Mr. Bullceley held the offices of Judge of the Admiralty, Grand Master of the Freemasons, and Brigadier-General of Militia. He left a widow and one son, the latter being at the time in England. sum of money to be applied to the purchase of hemp seed to be distributed gratis amongst farmers willing to cultivate it, and had also offered bounties to such persons as should raise hemp for exportation. The Honorables John McGill and D. W. Smith were, on 29th July, appointed Commissioners to carry into effect the intentions of the- Assembly. The appointment of Mr. W. Allan as Collector of Duties at the port of York (now Toronto) is announced in the Gazette of August 29th. — The third Provincial Parliament of the Province of Quebec met at Quebec on the 8th of January, and proceeded to the election of a Speaker. Judge de Bonne- and the late Speaker were proposed, and the late Speaker, the Honorable J. A. Panet, was elected by a large majority. The Speaker having been elected, the House of Assembly ad- journed until the loth.when Lieutenant- Governor Milnes made a speech, as usual at the opening of the Session, in which he announced the intention of His Majesty to establish a competent number of Free Schools, for instruction in the first rudiments of learning, and in the English tongue. — January 24th,. Mr. C, B. Bouc, who was expelled from the House of Assembly during the last session of the preceding Parliament, had been returned to the new Parlia- ment by the County of Effingham, and the attention of the Assembly having been called to the records of the last session, Mr. Bouc was expelled for the second time. — March 19th, An adver- tisement appears in the Quebec Gazette,. signed by Colonel le Comte Duprd, stating that the townships of Windsor, Simpson and We.idover had been set apart forthe officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, of the Canadian Militia who served during the blockade of the City of Quebec in the winter of 1775-6, and calling upon the persons 7a i8oi CANADIAN ANNALS. 180I interested to pay their shares of the costs of survey. — March 20th, Mr. C. B. Bcuc, having been again elected to the House of Assembly by the County of Effingham, was once more expelled. On the 9th of April the Quebec Gaxette published at length the Royal Procla- mations, dalcd at St. James's the ist day of January, 1801, declaring the changes in the FCoyal Style and Title, and in the Ensign or Colors to be borne at sea by British merchant ships, con- sequent on the Union of Great Britain with Ireland. — On Wednesday, the 8th April, the first session of the third Par- liament of the Province of Quebec was closed with a speech by Lieutenant- Governor Milnes, in which His Excel- lency alluded to the recent union of the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, and expressed the hope that this union would tend to consolidate the strength and advance the prosperity of the Empire. Thirteen Acts received the Governor's approval, and three were reserved. The session had been a busy one, and the work done was important. Acts had been passed for the relief of persons holding lands or immovable property of the Crown en Roture upon which Lods et Ventes, or mutation fines were due ; to explain and amend the law respecting Last Wills and Testa- ments, so as to remove any doubt as to the full power to devise or bequeath lands, goods or credits, irrespective of any supposed restriction which French usage or custom might impose ; the laws regulating Forms of proceeding in Courts of Civil Jurisdiction and the Administration of Justice were amend- ed in several points of importance ; the punishment for women convicted of High Treason was changed from burn- ing to death to hanging; a Company was incorporated to supply the City of Montreal with water; an Act for the regulation of the Common belonging to the town of Three Rivers was passed ; the duties on Tobacco were revised r and a duty was imposed on Billiard Tables. A Supply Bill was passed and several expiring Acts were continued.. The Bills reserved were: — An Act to declare the Decisory Oath, or Serment Decisoire, admissible in Commercial as well as other Civil Matters in this Province ; an Act for removing the old Walls and Fortifications that surround the City of Montreal ; and an Act for the establishment of Free Schools and the Advancement of Learning in this Province (LowerCanada). These Acts received the assent of the King in Council, on the 7th of April, 1802. — The Quebec Gazette of the 23rd April an- nounces that His Excellency Robert Shore Milnes, Esquire, Lieutenant- Governor of the Province of Lower Canada, had, on the 14th February, been created a Baronet of the United Kingdom. May 6. — The Honorablea Thomas Dunn, F. Baby, Joseph de Longueuil, G. E. Taschereau, and R. Lestergie were appointed Commission- ers for the execution of the Act for the relief of persons holding lands from His Majesty en Roture upon which Lods et Ventes are due. June 12. — A letter, signed H. W. Ryland (Clerk of the Council), acknowledges the receipt from Lieutenant - Colonel the Honorable Joseph de Longueuil of five hundred pounds sterling, as a voluntary contribu- tion on the part of the officers and priva- tes oftheist Battalion of RoyalCanadian Volunteers towards carrying on the war. — The Honorable Hugh Finlay, late Deputy Postmaster General of British North America, and Senior Member of the Council, died at Quebec on 26th December. Mr. Finlay had been forty- one years in the public service, and had been succeeded by Mr. George Heriot,. who had been appointed Deputy Post- master General in the previous year> 73 i8oi CANADIAN ANNALS. 1802 — The BiDAll-pox WAS prevalent at Hali- fax during the latter part of the year 1800 and the beginning of 1801— 163 persons having died from that disease between September, 1800, and February, x8oi,* in the city and suburbs of Halifax. — The Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on 9th of June ; the session (second of the eighth Assembly) closed on i6th July. — The cultivation of hemp, which had already engaged the attention of the Legislaturet) of Upper and Lower Canada, was strongly recommended to the farmers of Nova Scotia, and £zoo was voted to purchase seed. — A bill to establish a bank at Halifax was intro- duced, but rejected by a vote of 14 to 9. A demand was made by the projectors of the scheme that " no other bank should be established by any future law of the Province during the continuance of the said corporation," and no doubt this demand for a monopoly largely influenced those who opposed the bill. — Isaac Deschamps,! Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, died on nth August. He was succeeded by George Henry Monk, better known as Major Monk, in which capacity he, although educated as a lawyer, had seen much service. — The General Assembly of New Brunswick met en 20th January, but a sufficient number of members to compose a House not being present an adjournment took place, and the session *A detailed return on this subject, compiled by Dr. W. J. Almon, may be found in Murdoclc'a Hi*- (ory of Nova Scotia, vol. iii., pp. ais, aiS, 217, tisaac Deichamps was of Swiss origin. He assisted Captain Murray in the suppression of the turbulent proceedings at Pisquid in 1754, at whick time he was clerk to Joshua Mauger. He entered the Legislative Assembly as member for West Fal- mouth, in July, 1761, and became a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas the same year. In 1768 Judge Deschamps was appointed Judge of the Island of St. John, (Prince Edward Island), and in 1770 one of the Judge* of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, and succeeded Chief Justice Pinucane as Chief Justice of that Court, in 1783. was opened with a speech from Lieu- tenant -Qovernor Carleton on the a6th. —On a7th January David Panning, one of the members for King's County, was expelled, he having been convicted of felony in the Supreme Court. The session closed on aist February. Thir- teen acts were passed, six of which re- lated to public works in various parts of the Province. Of the remaining acts one only seems to call for remark, namely, an act for the further and bet- ter support of the poor in the City of St. John, it being singular that, so early in the history of the colony, special legis- lation should be requisite for the sup- port of the poorer class of the popula- tion. 1802> The second session of t*.* third Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Hunter, at York, on asth May, and closed on the 7th July. The busi- ness of this session was not very heavy, only five acts having been passed. Provision was made for the adminis- tration of justice in the district of New- castle. The Governor was authorized to name one or more additional ports of entry, and to appoint collectors thereat, withja view to the better collection of the duties upon merchandise imported from the United States. The amount to be retained by the Receiver-General for his own use, out of the moneys collected by him, was fixed by an act of Parlia- ment. The remaining two acts were temporary. The Quebec Gazette of January 7th contains a copy of the Royal Proclamation (dated at Windsor i2th October, 1801), declaring the ces- sation of arms, as well by sea as land, agreed upon between His Majesty and the French Republic, and enjoining the observance thereof. Copies of this Proclamation were posted up in all parts of the city. A salute was fired 74 l802 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1802 from the Grand Battery at i p.m., and a general illumination took place in the evening. — The second session of the third Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec by Lieu- tenant-Governor Sir Robert Shore Milnes, Bart., on Monday, nth January. This session closed on the 5th April. In his opening speech the Lieutenant- Governor congratuated the country on the restoration of peace. Allusion was also made to the importance of giving encouragement to the cultivation of hemp. Eleven acts were passed dur- ing the session. In accordance with the Lieutenant-Governor's recommen- dation, the Assembly, by a special Act, appropriated twelve hundred pounds to be expended in such a manner as might best tend to promote the cultivation of hemp within the Province of Lower Canada.''' On 17th February Charles Baptiste Bouc was introduced to the * As so much trouble was taken to ercourage the cultivation of hemp in the several Provinces of British North America, it may not be uninteresting to give the opinion of a well known writer as to the cause of failure. Mr. Rhind, in his Hiitory of iht Vegetable Kingdom, says : ( page 413 ) " Much anxiety was evinced, some years since, in this country, (England) that we should obtain supplies of hemp from our own dependencies, and its culti- vation was very much encouraged in Canada. The attention of the planters being strongly called to it, several samples of hemp of Canadian growth were sent home. These were placed under the examina- tion of the best judges, by whom they were con- sidered defective, rather from the faulty mode of preparation than from any inferiority in the ma- terial itself. Some was found to be of as great a length as the Italian hemp, which is longer than that from the Baltic, but the whole was mixed together, without any regard to length or quality. The St. Petersburg hemp, on the contrary, is always carefully assorted into different classes, dis- tinguished in commerce as " clean, or best staple hemp," " best shot," which is rather inferior to the first, and "half clean," which is much inferior. These classes, of course, obtain very different prices in the market. It was supposed that the Canadian planters would have readily attained to better methods of preparing and assorting, but they have not yet been able to compete with the Russian culti- vators, who still exclusively supply our (t. «. the English) markets." Assembly as member for the County of Effingham, for which he had been again returned. On the 22nd the former proceedings of the House ( in the two preceding sessions) were ordered to be read, and the whole matter was referred to a committee, to give Mr. Bouc an opportunity of pro- ducing evidence in justification of his conduct. On the 22nd March the ques- tion of Mr. Bouc's return was again before the House of Assembly, when ht; was once more formally expelled, and an Act was passed disqualifying and restraining Charles Baptiste Bouc from being elected and from sitting and vot- ing as a member of the House of As- sembly. Thus terminated the Bouc election case, which had occupied the attention of the House of Assembly in three successive sessions, and had rivalled the celebrated Wilkes case be- fore the British House of Commons. Of the remaining acts of this session five were to continue, for specified terms, existing laws ; one was to extend to one hundred days the time within which any writ for the election of a member of the County of Gasp^ should be returnable; another to pro- vide for the more effectual regulation of the police within the cities of Quebec and Montreal, and the town of Three Rivers, and also for extending regula- tions of police to other towns and villages ; the remaining Act was to em- power Justices of the Peace to make, for a limited time, rules and regulations for the government of apprentices and others. — On loth February the Quebec Gazette contains a notice that a mail for the District of Gasp«S will be made up on the following Wednesday (17th) and be conveyed by the King's courier to the village at the head of the river Madawaska where a yearly messenger is sent from Gasp^ who will take up the mail and convey it to destination. The 75 l802 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1802 supplement to the Quebec Gazette, of the i8th February, announces the ap- pointment, on the nth of that month, of Herman Witsius Ryland, as Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, in place of the Hon. Hugh Finlay, deceased, and of Joseph Bouchette as Deputy Surveyor- General for the Province of Lower Canada. — On 25th February the Honor- able Gabriel Elzear Taschereau, was ap- pointed Superintendent of the Provincial Post Houses in the Province of Lower Canada, in the room of the Honorable Hugh Finlay, deceased. — May 20. — The Quebec Gazette announces the establishment, on the loth May, of Boards for the encouragement of the cultivation of hemp, at Quebec, and at Montreal, under the presidency of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor. P. E. Desbarats was appointed Secre- tary of the Board at Quebec, and F. W. Ermatinger of that at Montreal. The members of the Boards were the lead- ing members of the Legislature, and principal citizens of the two cities. Full instructions were published as to the mode of cultivation, and the pre- paration of the hemp for market. — July 27. — A proclamation was issued by Lieutenant-Governor Milnes, enjoining the observance, throughout the Pro- vince of Lower Canada, of the 12th August, as a day of general thanks- giving for the restoration of peace. — The third session of the eighth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Wentworth, at Halifax, on the 25th February. A report having spread abroad that the Lieutenant-Governor was about to be removed from Nova Scotia, the As- sembly, in theirreply tohis Excellency's speech, compliment him highly, attri- bute the prosperity of the country to his wise administration and unceasing exertions to promote its interests, ex- press the most ardent hope for his continuance at the head of the govern- ment, and conclude thus: "Should we be deprived of that blessing, we beg to offer our prayers that uninter- rupted prosperity and happiness may attend you and your Excellency's family, and that your Excellency will be per- suaded that, wherever future events may place you, you will ever be accom- panied by the gratitude and affectionate attachment of the Commons of Nova Scotia." This reply was followed up by an address (passed on 19th March) to the King, praying that he would retain Sir John Wentworth in his government. — On ist March a petition was presented to ' Assembly from Edmund Burke, V ca-General of the Diocese of Quebec sking that an act might be passed for incorporating the Roman Catholic Bishop of Quebec, and others, to enable them to receive donations, for the use of such schools as they might think proper to erect for the education of the Roman Catholic youth of the Province of Nova Scotia. The Lieutenant-Governor declined to grant the request, but promised to refer the matter for the consideration of His Majesty's ministers. — This session of the Nova Scotia Legislature was a somewhat stormy one. Attention hav- ing been called by a member of the Assembly to the unsatisfactory manner in which the commissioners for build- ing the new government house were performing their duty — the cost having been limited to ;f5,400, whilst ;f8,goo had already been spent — an address to the Lieutenant-Governor was voted, asking for an enquiry. One of the com- missioners was a member of the council, and on application being made by the House, to allow this commissioner (Mr. Belcher), to attend to be examined, the council refused, and proposed that written questions, to be answered in writing, should be sent to him. Finally, 76 l802 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1803 the Assembly passed a series of resolu- tions, censuring the commissioners, but the Governor refused to remove them, and so the matter ended. — Later in the session, a further cause of disagreement arose, between the Assembly and the Council. The Assembly had voted ;f5,ooo for roads and bridges. The Council, through a committee of con- ference, sent a written statement to the Assembly, to say that the Council could not agree, consistently with the state of the treasury, to so large a sum as ;{■ 5,000 for roads and bridges ; but were willing to concur in a sum not exceed- ing ;f3,5oo, to be divided and appro- priated amongst the respective counties in the Province; to be laid out by a commissioner to be appointed by the governor, lieutenant-governor, or com- mander-in-chief, for each and every county, under the direction of the justices in sessions, etc. The Assembly at once resented so direct an attack upon their privileges, and resolved : "That this House will not receive any proposition of an appropriation of public money, to any particular service, from His Majesty's Council ; and that an as- sent or dissent to a money vote of this House is the only answer the House can consistently with their privileges, re- ceive." Notwithstandingthis resolution, the affair appears to have resulted in a compromise, as the amount finally ap- propriated for roads and bridges was £i,9g8. The Assembly was prorogued on the 15th April. — The conclusion of peace between France and England was notified by a proclamation, dated at Halifax, on 4th June, and the 8th July was appointed for public thanks- giving. — The export of gypsum to the United States had increased so largely, that the amount exported during this year reached 300,000 tons. — June 22. — An order was received by the Lieu- tenant-Governor, directing the disband ing of the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment. — The settlement of the county of Pictou progressed rapidly ; upwards of 350 emigrants from Scotland settled there during the year. 1803. A meeting was held at York, on the 8th January, to take measures tT raise subscriptions for the erection of a church in the town of York. — The third session of the third Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened by Lieutenant-Governor H unter at York, on the 24th January. Twelve acts were passed during this session, amongst which were : An Act to allow time for the sale of lands and tenements by the sheriff, by which it was provided that the sheriff should not expose lands or tenements for sale within less than twelve months from the day upon which he received the writ ; an Act to au- thorize the governor to license practi- tioners in the law; and an Act au- thorizing the payment, to members of the Assembly, of ten shillings a day for every day they were necessarily absent from home, in attendance in the House of Assembly, or going to or returning therefrom — to be assessed upon the dis- . -ict represented, and paid over to the member by the treasurer. Nine other acts were passed, but it is unnecessary to particularize them. The session closed on the 5th March. — Thomas Scott, Attorney - General for Upper Canada, was appointed by proclamation dated 2nd March, a commissioner for the purchasing and distributing hemp- seed, gratis, amongst the farmers. — Notice is given in the Upper Canada Gazette of 25th June, " That regular attendance, for the transaction of the public business of this Province, will in future be given at the office of the Seco retary of the Province, the Executive Council office, and the Surveyor-General's ffice, every day in the year, (Sundays- Good Friday, and Christmas Day only m \ I 77 i8o3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1803 ' 1 i excepted), from ten o'clock in the morn- ing until three o'clock in the afternoon, and from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening." The notice is signed James Green, Secretary. July 28. — Dr. Jacob Moun- tain, Bishop of Quebec, arrived at York, on a tour through his diocese, which at this time extended to, and included Detroit. October 26 — Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Hunter announces, by proclama- tion, that, from 5th November, a weekly market will be held in the Town of York every Saturday.— The third session of the third Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec by Lieutenant - Governor Milnes, on Tuesday, February 8th. The opening speech was unusually uninteresting. The only subjects referred to were the militia laws, which were about to ex- pire; and the gaols at Quebec and Montreal, which were declared to be insufficient in accommodation, and in- secure. The session passed without any event of importance. The militia laws were renewed ; the supplies voted ; four expiring acts were continued for a further period, and these six acts having been passed the Lieutenant-Governor prorogued the Parliament on the i8th of April. April 6th — A very destructive fire took place a't Montreal, the gaol, English Church, College, and about thirty-five house were destroyed, the loss being estimated at thirty thousand pounds. July 14th — The Quebec Gaz- ette, of this date, contains the King's proclamation of i6th May, announcing that war had been declared against the French Republic. — July 2: — A procla- mation was issued by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Milnes, calling a special session of the Provincial Parliament, to be held at Quebec on the 2ud August. The special session, being the fourth of the third Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada, was opened by Lieutenant- Governor Milnes, whu announced the commencement of hostilities between Great Britain and the French Republic, and called upon the Legislature to make provision for the security of the Province. The Assembly at once pro- ceeded to pass an Act for the "better preservation of His Majesty's Govern- ment, as bylaw happily established in this Province," and an Act for "estab- lishing regulations respecting aliens and certain subjects of His Majesty, who have resided in France, coming into this Province, or residing therein." Advantage was taken of the Parliament being in session to pass two other Acts of no public importance, and the short session closed on nth August. A Bill for the encouragement and discipline of militia volunteers passed the Assem- bly; but it does not seem to have been thought necessary to prolong the ses- sion to enable this Bill to pass through the Council, and it did not therefore become law. — The large fire in Mon- treal on 6th April had been followed by such a number of smaller ones that a general feeling of insecurity began to prevail, and on loth August a procla- mation was issued by the Lieutenant- Governoi", offering a reward of five hun- dred pounds for such information as would lead to the conviction of the in- cendiary. Rewards of one thousand dollars were offered by the magistrates of Montreal and Quebec, respectively, for similar informp ;rn. — An order of the Lieutenant-Gc.ernor in Council was issued on 13th August, under the provisions of the Alien Act, passed at the recent session, directing all subjects of the French Republic or Batavian Republic to leave the Province of Quebec before the end of the month. November 17 — The Quebec Gazette, of tnis date, contains the full text of the Act 43 George IIL, chapter 138 — an Act for extending the jurisdiction of the 78 r 1803 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1803 courts of justice in the Provinces of Lower and Upper Canada to the trial and punishment of persons guilty of crimes and offences within certain parts of North America adjoining the said Provinces. This Act provided that all cfences committed within any of the Indian territories, or parts of America not within the limits of either of the Provinces of Lower or Upper Canada, or of any civil government of the United States of An.srica, should be deemed offences of the same nature and be tried in the same manner and be subject to the same punishment as if committed within the provinces of Lower or Upper Canada. The Nova Scotia Assembly met at Halifax on the ist of June, and remained in session until 28th July, when the prorogation took place. The greater part of the session was occupied with discussions between the Assembly and the Council relative to appropriations — the Council objecting to the large sums voted for the construction of roads and bridges, which amounts the Assembly was un- willing to reduce. Ten thousand pounds were voted as a free gift to His Majesty to assist in carrying on the war, the vote being 30 for, to 2 against ; but this vote was subsequently rescinded the numbers then standing 16 to 10. — Eight hundred and fifty-four emigrants from Scotland settled in the County of Pictou during this year. — The General Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick met at Fredericton on the 8th of February. Amos Botsford, m' mber for the County of Westmore- land, was elected Speaker. Ten Acts were passed during the session ; but as they were altogether of a local or temporary charf cteran enumeration of them in detail is unnecessary. The session closed on i6th March. — The Earl of Selkirk brought out with him to Prince Edward Island nearly 800 emi- grants, chiefly from the Highlands of Scotland. They were located on the old French settlement, north and south of Point Prim. 1804. The practice of summoning Parliament early in the year, which had been commenced in Upper Canada in 1803, was continued this year ; and the fourth session of the third Provin- cial Parliament of Upper Canada, was accordingly opened by Lieutenant- Governor Hunter, at York, on the 1st of February. The renewal of hostilities between Great Britain and France had its effect upon colonial policy, and so the first acts passed were, " An act for the better securing the Province against all seditious attempts or designs to dis- turb the tranquility thereof," and an act for the exemplary punishment of all persons who should aid or assist soldiers to desert. — A further sum of money was granted for the growth and culti- vation of hemp, — Provision was made for the printing and distribution of the laws ; ;f 1000 was voted for the making and repairing of roads and bridges, and after a short but busy session, in which eleven acts were passed, Parliament was prorogued on the 9th of March. Robert Baldwin, was born in the City of Toronto this year. He was the son of Dr. William Warren Baldwin, who, with his father, Robert Baldwin, Esq., had settled in Canada in 1798. The family came from Knockmole, in the County of Cork, Ireland. — The schooner Speedy, Captain Paxton commanding, left York on Sunday, 7th October, in the evening, for Presqu'Isle, and was seen off that place on Monday evening ; but a storm coming on suddenly, the ves- sel was unable to enter the harbour. A fire was kindled on shore and a sharp look out kept up, but nothing more was, seen of the vessel. The passengers on board were, Mr. Justice Cochran, (a son of the Hon. Thomas Cochran, of Hali- 79 i8o4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1804 fax, Nova Scotia,) Robert J. D. Gray, Solicitor-General, Angus Macdonell, M.P.P.,Jacob Herchmer.John Stegman, George Cowan, James Ruggles, Mr. Anderson, a student-at-law, and Mr. Fisk, High Constable. These gentle- men were on their way to hold the circuit in the District of Newcastle, at which an Indian, (who was also on board the Speedy) was to be tried for the murder of one John Sharp, late of the Queen's Rangers. It is com- puted that, including the captain and crew, about twenty persons were lost in the Speedy . — A proclamation, dated loth January, was issued by Lieu- tenant Governor Milnes, setting apart Wednesday the ist of February, to be observed as a day of fasting and humiliation throughout the Province of Lower Canada, in consequence of the renewal of war. — The supplement to the Quebec Gazette of February gth, con- tains the following notice : " Married on Saturday, a2nd December, at Balti- more, (Maryland) by the Rev. Bishop Carrol, Mr. Jerome Buonaparte, young- est brother to the first consul of the French Republic, to the agreeable Miss "Elizabeth Patterson, eldest daughter of Mr. William Patterson, merchant, of that city."— The fifth session of the third Provincial Parliament of Lower Cana- da, was opened at Quebec by Lieu- tenant Governor Milnes, on the loth February. Thirteen Acts were passed this session. The Alien Act, and the " Act for the better preservation of His Majesty's Government, as by law hap- pily established in this Province," were renewed ; an Act to encourage persons to apprehend deserters from the regular foxes was passed; three other Acts, about to expire, were continued for a limited time ; the cultiva .ion of hemp was further encouraged by a grant of twelve hundred pounds; an Act was passed to re;^.. late the curing, packing. and inspection of beef and pork for ex- portation. Marriages solemnized by ministers of the Church of Scotland and by Protestant Dissenting Ministers since the conquest, were specially legalized ; provision was made for the more easy administration of oaths to witnesses before the grand jury ; and three Acts respecting the collection and appropria- tion of the revenue complete the list. The session terminated on the 2nd of May. — On Friday, 2nd of March, two non-commissioned officers and five pri- vates belonging to the regular troops, then in Garrison, were executed at Quebec, for desertion ; and eleven pri- vates were at the same time sentenced to transportation for life, for the same offence. The Quebec Gazette of 7th June, contains a notice dated 4th June, signed by John Craigie, Deputy Com- missary General, to the effect that the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treas- ury, had signified their intention of having the provisions required for the forces stationed in British North America supplied thenceforward from the North American Provinces, and that, therefore, tenders for the supply of flour, pork, and peas, at the several military stations, would be received by him. Tenders for the supply of three thousand five hundred gallons of West India Rum were also invited. — 13th June. A Proclamation was issued by Lieutenant-Governor Milnes, dissolving the Parliament of Lower Canada, and directing the issue of writs, returnable on the 6th August, for the election of a new Parliament. — On Tuesday the 28th August, the New Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Quebec, was consecrated by the Bishop of Quebec. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Gover- nor, Sir George Pownall, and the leading citizens of Quebec were present. — The fifth Session of the eighth General Assembly of Nova Scotia, was opened 80 i8o4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1805 by Lieutenant-Governor Wentworth, at Halifax, on Thursday, 21st June. The session seems to have been occu- pied, for the most part, in discussions between the Assembly and Council, respecting the appropriation of the public revenue, more particularly as regarded the expenditure for roads and bridges ; the position assumed by each may be best described by giving the formal resolutions of each House. On Thursday, 12th July, the Council sent the following message to the Assembly : " They (the Council) think the particu- lar distribution (of the road votes) should be left to the discretion of the Executive Government, who have the means of investigating' the propriety and determining the utility of such distribution, and of enforcing the due performance of engagements which may be made by the persons to be employed in such service." To this message the reply was: "The House of Assembly, in answer to the message of His Majesty's Council of this day, on the subject of the road votes, have only to observe that they are finally deter- mined to adhere to the usual mode of granting and applying money for that service. The House has already voted the revenue for the ensuing year, to be continued the same as it was the past year, and when the appropriation of such revenue shall be agreed on, will pass bills for its continuance." This reply was adopted, 28 for ; i against. On 26th July, the matter being still in dispute, a conference was held between the two Houses ; but the Assembly declined to give way, and the proroga- tion took place on 27th, the appro- priation bill failing to pass. The dis- agreement between the Council and the Assembly appears to have been taken very coolly by the Lieutenant- Governor, as in his speech on closing the session, he expressed his regret that a difference of opinion had pre- vented the passage of the appropria- tion bill ; but added that it would not be of great inconvenience, as the " con- curred votes" would be paid, in accord- ance with the practice which obtained before appropriation bills were in use in Nova Scotia, and that he would pay the usual salaries, contingencies, and members pay of ten shillings a day, to such as would receive it, out of moneys granted and not appropriated. On Satur- day, 3rd of November, at 9 a.m., General Bowyer caused a false alarm to be given at Halifax, in order to test the efficiency of the militia in case of an attack being made upon the city, of which the Lieutenant-Governor was at the time apprehensive, from the fre- quent arrivals at ports of the United States, of French troops, and French ships. The result was very satisfact- ory, as by 10 a.m., 961 men were em- bodied and distributed to their several posts. It does not appear that the Assembly of New Brunswick was call- ed together for the despatch of busi- ness during the year 1804. — On the 20th of August of this year, Alexander Auldjo announcd that he, as agent for Upper and Lower Canada of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of London, Eng- land, was prepared to insure property in any part of the Provinces against fire, so that thenceforward persons who had up to that time been obliged to effect their insurance in England would be able to transact such business in Canada. 1805< The first session of the fourth Provincial Parliament was opened at York, by Lieutenant-Governor Hunter, on the 1st February. Alexander McDonell, Esq., was elected speaker. In his opening speech, the Governor congratulates the Province upon the success which had so far attended the efforts of the Government to introduce 81 tl 'mi I ii r 1 1. ^m 5?Sp 1805 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1805 '\V the cultivation of hemp, and urges the farmers to persevere in their exertions. The session closed on the 2nd March, ten Acts having been passed, the most important of which was an Act to afford relief to those persons who might be entitled to claim lands in the Province of Upper Canada, as heirs or devisees of the nominees of the Crown, in cases where no patent had been issued. This Act provided for the appointment of commissioners to enquire into all such claims, and pre- scribed the mode of procedure. An Act was passed to regulate the curing, packing, and inspection of beef and pork, so as to assimilate the laws of Upper and Lower Canada respecting that branch of trade. Of the remain- ing Acts, six were in amendment of existing laws, and two were appropria- tion Acts. — Lieutenant-General Peter Hunter, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, and commanding in chief His Majesty's forces in both the Canadas, died at Quebec, on 21st August, whilst on a tour of inspection. A monument was erected to His Excellency's mem- ory, in the English Cathedral at Que- bec, by his brother Dr. John Hunter, of London, England. — September 17th. A proclamation was issued by the Honorable Alexander Grant, announc- ing the death of Lieutenant-Gnvernor Hunter, and that he had assumed the Government of the Province. — Mr. Thomas Gary published the first num- ber of the " Mercury " at Quebec, in January. — The first session of the fourth Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec, by Lieutenant-Governor Sir R. S. Milnes, on the gth January. Mr. Panet was again elected Speaker, the vote stand- ing : Panet, 39 ; DeSalaberry, 3. The session was a busy one, and lasted until the 25th of March. No less than seventeen Acts were added to the Statute Book. Of these, five were for the renewal or amendment of existing laws ; one was to enable farmers who had buffered from the deficient harvest of 1804 to obtain more readily seed wheat, corn, or other necessary grain ; four were to provide for the building or repair of bridges, or improvement of inland navigation ; by another provi- sion was made for the establishment of a Trinity House at Quebec ; the erec- tion of Gaols in Montreal and Quebec was provided for by two Acts ; an Act was passed for erecting an Hotel, Coffee House, and Assembly Room, in the city of Quebec ; Sunday trading was prohibited ; a Toll was established on the Montreal and Lachine road, and provision made for improving the road. Agriculture received a considerable share of attention this session ; a mea- sure was introduced to check the growth of the Canada thistle. This, however, failed to become law ; but an Act was passed to compel proprietors of orchards in the parish of Montreal, to take measures for the destruction of a caterpillar which had proved very injurious to apple trees in that district. — February 13th. Francis Lemaistre, Lieutenant-Governor of Gasp^, Adju- tant-Geneial of the militia of Lower Canada, died at his house in St. Famille Street, Quebec. — April 2gth, The Honorable John Elmsley, Chief Justice of the Province of Lower Cana- da, died at Montreal. — The Quebec Gazette of i6th May announces the appointment of Colonel Francis Baby, as Adjutant-General of the militia of Lower Canada. This Gazette also contains the appointments made under the act passed at the last session, for the establishment of a Trinity House at Quebec, which were as fol- lows : The Honorable John Young, M aster Warden ; William Grant, Deputy Master Warden ; John Painter, and 82 i8o5 CA^^ADIAN ANNALS- 1805 of Iso ier Dn, lity fol- jng, aty ind Mathew Bell, Wardens, for Quebec ; I Alexander Auldjo, Francois Desrivieres ' and James Caldwell, Wardens for Mon- treal ; Franc )is Houcher, Warden and Harbour Master of Quebec ; and Augustin Jerome Raby, Warden and Superintendent of Pilots, at Quebec. — 22nd May. Notice is given in the Gazette, by proclamation, of the decla- I ration of war with Spain. — On Tuesday, 4th June, beinj; the birth-day of^ His Majesty, colors were presented by Lady Milnes to Colonel Hale's battalion of Quebec militia. The presentation took place on the parade ground, all the troops in garrison taking part in the ceremony. — 4th of July. Mr, Gabriel Franchfere was appointed Harbour Master at Montreal. — The by-laws, rules, and orders of the Trinity House of Quebec, as sanctioned and confirmed by the Lieutenant- Governor on the 2gth June, appeal at length in the supplement to the Quebec Gazette of this date. — A pro- clamation of His Excellency, Sir K. S. Milnes, dated 31st Jul}-, announces his approaching departure from the Province, on leave of absence, and that on his departure the administration of the government would devolve upon the Honorable Thomas Dunn, he being the senior member of the council. — The same Gazette contains the appointments of George Longmore, M.D., as Health Officer and Medical Inspector of the port of Quebec, and of John Painter as Treasurer to the Trinity House of Quebec, and, on ist August, of James Stuart, Esq., as Solicitor-General of Lower Canada. — His Excellency Lieu- tenant Governor Milnes embarked on H. M. S. Urauie, on 5th August, and sailed immediately for England. — July 27th. Lieutenant-General Bowyer, com- manding the troops in Nova Scotia, being about to return to England, the inhabitants of Halifax presented him with a sword of the valueof 120 guineas, as a testimonial of their regard — It is noted as an evidence of the growth of the Province, and of the increasing attention given to agriculture, that this year, with the exception of flour, which still continued to be imported from the United States, Nova Scotia was able to supply provisions not only for her own people, but also for the troops and prisoners of war, of whom there were six or seven hundred in the Pro- vince. — 28th November. The sixth ses- sion of the eighth General Assembly of Nova Scotia, was opened at Halifax. j The Speaker, Mr. Uniacke, beingabsent on leave in England, it became neces- sary to elect some person to fill his place during the session, and the choice of the Assembly fell upon Mr. William Cottnam Tonge. — The appropriation bill was, as it had been during the past two or three sessions, a subject of dis- agreement between the Assembly and the Council, and the session was in \ consequence protracted until the i8th January, 1S06, when the prorogation took place. — 29th January. The Cien- eral Assembly of New Brunswick, hav- ing been prorogued to this day, met for the despatch of business, but a suffi- cient number of members not being in attendance, the House was further pro- rogued until the 4th p-ebruary, when the session was formally opened by His Honor Gabriel G. Ludlow, Presi- dent, upon whom, in the absence of His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Carleton,the administration of the gov- ernment had devolved.— Twenty-one Acts were passed during this session, - amongst which were " An Act for the better regulating the militia in this Province," and " An Act for the more effectual prevention of desertion from i His Majesty's forces," Acts which the renewal of the war with France had led the President to recommend to the 1^ 83 i8o6 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1806 flli special attention of the Assembly. — Lieutenant-General Fanning,'*' was per- mitted (after repeated applications) to retire from the government of Prince Edward Island, an office which he had held since 1787. He was succeeded by Colonel Joseph F. W. Des Barres, an officer who (when a captain) had been present at the capture of Quebec. 1806. The second session of the S/' fourth Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada, was opened by His Honor the Honorable Alexander Grant, President, on the 4th of February. Allusion was made by His Honor to the death of Governor Hunter, and to the glorious victory at Trafalgar, but no subjects for Provincial Legislation were touched upon. The session closed on the 3rd March ; seven Acts were passed, one of which was to amend the law relating to the practice of Physic and Surgery ; another to make provision for the pay- ment of Sheriffs ; a third to procure certain apparatus for the promotion of science in connection with the educa- tion of youth in the Province ; the remaining Acts, had reference to the collection and appropriation of the Revenue. On 29th August, Francis * Edward Fanning was the son of Captain James Fanning, a British Officer, who, after selling his commission, settled in New York. He was born in the then Province of New York, on 24th April, 1739, and educated at Yale College, where he received his M. A. degree. Although educated for the bar, the disturbed state of the American Provinces induced him to leave his practice for a more active life. Entering the military service he became a colonel, and served with distinction under Governor Tryon, of North Carolina ; he went to England in 1773, strongly recommended to the favour of the govern- ment for his services in Carolina. After serving for some time in the army, Colonel Fanning, was, on Z4th of February, 1783, appointed Lieutenant- Governor of Nova Scotia, and, in 1787 succeeded Governor Patterson, in Prince Edward Island. On his retirement from the government of Prince Edward Island, General Fanning had a pension of £500 stg. a year conferred upon him in considera- tion of his long and faithful service. He died in London, on the 28th February, 1818, in the 79th year of his age. Gore, Esq., who had been appointed to succeed General Hunter, having arrived at York, issued the usual proc- lamations announcing his assumption of the Lieutenant-Govirnorship of the Province of Upper Canada. August i6th. The Quebec fleet, under convoy of H. M. S. Champion, 24 guns, was overtaken at sea by the Veteran, 74 guns, under command of Jerome Bonaparte, and six vessels were taken and burnt ; the remainder by scatter- ing, escaped capture. The Quebec Gazette of 2nd January, gave at length, Lord CoUingwood's despatch announc- ing the victory at Trafalgar, and the ever to be lamented death of Lord Nelson. A salute was fired from the Grand Battery at one o'clock in the afternoon of the 4th, and a general illumination took place in the evening of that day, followed by public balls on the evenings of the 8th and loth, thus prolonging for a whole week the public rejoicings for the glorious vic- tory which had been obtained. January 17th. — Monseigneur Pierre Denaut, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church at Quebec, died at Longueuil, aged 63. M. Denaut was succeeded in his bishopric by M. Plessis, who had been consecrated bishop of Canathe on 25th January, 1801. — The second session of the fourth Provincial Parlia- ment of Lower Canada, was opened by Mr. President Dunn, at Quebec, on the 20th February. — An account of a public dinner, given at Mon- treal, in March, 1805, having ap- peared in the Montreal Gazette, of 1st April, 1805, in which the speeches were reported at some length, to the great umbrage of certain members of the Legislative Assembly, it was resolved, on 7th March, 1806 "that the said paper contains a false and malicious libel." Mr. Thomas Cary, editor of the Quebec Mercury, having published 84 nt n- P- St re at le H. id IS lof :d 1806 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1807 in his paper an account of the proceed- ings of the Assembly, was arrested for 80 doing by the Sergeant-at-Arms ; he was, however, after two days con- finement, released on making an ample apology. On 15th March, the Assem- bly ordered the arrest of Isaac Tod, of the city of Montreal, for having published, and of Edward Edwards, for having printed, the said libel. No measures were, however, taken to carry the order into effect, and the matter was then suffered to drop. — Nathaniel Taylor, Deputy Secretary, and Registrar of the Province of Lower Canada, died at Quebec, on 4th April. — The session of the Lower Canada Par- liament closed on 19th April. Seven Acts were passed, and one was reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon. Four of the seven Acts were to continue existing laws, and of the remaining three, one was to authorize further expenditure for the improvement of the navigation between Montreal and Lake St. Francis. The reserved Act was to authorize the erec- tion of a bridge over the river L'As- somption. — Le Canadien, the first news- paper printed in the French language in Canada, appeared in November. Feb- ruary 15th. — Lieutenant-General Wil- liam Gardiner, commanding the forces in Nova Scotia, died at Halifax, and was buried at St. Paul's church in that city. — The Nova Scotia Assembly was dissolved on 28th May, and writs for a new election, returnable on 7th August, were issued. On i8th November the new Assembly (first session of the ninth General Assembly) met. Mr. William Cottnam Tonge, member for the county of Hants, was elected Speaker. The House attended the Lieutenant-Governor on the 19th with their Speaker elect, who was presented to His Excellency by Mr. Northup. Sir John informed them that he did not approve of the choice they had made, and desired them to return and make another, and to present the member chosen for his approbation on the day following at one o'clock. The Assem- bly accordingly withdrew, and on the 2oth proceeded to choose another Speaker. Mr. Lewis Morris Wilkins, member for Lunenburg, was then elected and approved by His Excel- lency, who opened the session with a speech in which he congratulated the Assembly upon the victories obtained by British forces by sea and land, and upon the general prosperity of the Pro- vince. The House of Assembly pre- sented an address to the Lieutenant- Governor in reply to the speech from the throne, on 22nd November, in which allusion was made to the rejec- tion of Mr. Tonge as Speaker in the following terms : — " While we lament that your Excellency has been pleased to exercise a branch of His Majesty's prerogative, long unused in Great Bri- tain, and without precedent in this Province, we beg leave to assure your Excellency that we shall not fail to cul- tivate assiduously a good understanding between the different branches of the legislature, and to prosecute with dili- gence the business of the session." No further reference appears to have been made to the subject. 1807i The A p Bfroc ssion of the fourth Provincial Parliament of Upper CanadaT was opened by Lieutenant-Governor Francis Gore, at York, on Monday, 2nd February. The session was a short but busy one. The prorogation took place on the loth March. Of the twelve Acts which were passed, the most important was an Act to establish Public Schools in each and every dis- trict of the Province. These schools were placed under the management of five trustees in each district, who were to be appointed by the Lieutenant- ! I J 85 i8o7 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1807 Governor. The teachers were to be vEneas Shaw appointed Adjutant-Gene- paid by the Receiver-General out of ral of Militia for the Province of Upper the Kcneral revenue, and to receive j Canada. — December 30th. The York ;f 100 a year, each. — Of the remaining j Gazette of this date contains at length Acts of this sef-sion, one was for the the King's Proclamation (dated ifith preservation of salmon in the Home j October, 1807), "For recalling and and Newcastle Districts, in which the ( prohibiting British seamen from serv- itaking of salmon by setting any nets. < ing foreign princes and states." — The weirs, or other engines, in any creek ] (//'/'i.t CVuunfd GKonZ/Vo;, the first "oppo- or river, or at or near the mouth of any creek or river, was prohibited under a penalty of five pounds for the first offence, and double that amount for sition paper" published in Upper Canada, made its appearance this year. It was edited by Mr. Willcocks, who had been Sheriff of the Home District, any subsequent offence. — Three Acts ] and was subsequently returned to Par- were for the regulation of sundry details liament to urge the views of the then respecting the profession and practice ^ rising opposition party. — The third of the law ; one repealed the Act au- session of the fourth Provincial Parlia- thorizing the payment of bounties for ment of Lower Canada was opened at the destruction of wolves and bears; Quebec, on 21st January, by His Honor another provided for the settlement of Thomas Dunn, Esq., President of the certiin matters connected with the Province of Lower Canada. Seventeen setting apart of the district of Johns- j Acts were passed during this session, town ; the remaining Acts had refe | one of which, an Act to incorporate rence to the collection and disburse- 1 the Quebec Benevolent Society, was re- ment of the public revenue.— Captain j served for the signification of His Joseph Brant," chief of the Six Nations, ; Majesty's pleasure thereon, and was died on 24th November, aged 65 years. 1 assented to by His Majesty in Council — December 2nd. Lieutenant-Colonel | on 30th March, 1808. Of the remain- ing sixteen Acts, ten were to continue • Joseph Brant was of pure Mohawk blood. He first came into notice when, in 175O, he was sent by Sir William Johnson to Dr. Wheeling's Indiin School in Connecticut, where he received a good education. In 1762 Brant acted as interpreter to a missionary named Smith; in 1775 he visited ling- land. In 1779 he was present at the attack on Mini- sink, in Orange county. The allusion to Brant in Gertrude of Wyoming is too well known to need repetition, but it may not be out of place to quote the poet's remarks on being satisfied of the erro- neous view he had formed of Brant's character. Campbell, repeating the substance of his conversa- tion with Brant's son, whose acquaintance the poet had made in England, wrote as follows : " Had I learnt all this of your father when 1 was writing my poem, he should not have figured in it as the hero of mischief." Campbell adds, " It was but bare justice to say thus much of a Mohawk Indian, who spoke English eloquently, and was thought capable of having written a history of the Six Nations. I ascertained also that he often strove to mitigate the cruelty of Indian warfare. The name of Brant therefore remains in my poem a pure and declared character of fiction." for a limited time, or to amend, existing Acts ; two were to provide for the erec- tion of market houses in the cities of Quebec and Montreal ; one was for the prevention of desertion of seamen from merchant ships ; another for the regu- lation of the fisheries in the District of Gaspe; an Act for the more easy reco- very of small debts, and another granting to Jean Baptiste Bedard the exclusive right and privilege of erecting bridges in Lower Canada, according to certain models therein described, com- plete the list. The prorogation took place on the i6th April. — Notice is given in the Quebec Gazette of 19th February that an Act of the Imperial Parliament had been passed, 21st July, 1806, permitting until ist January 86 j V, i8o7 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1807 1809, the importation of masts, yards, bowsprits, or timber fit for naval pur- poses, from the British Colonies in North America into the United King- dom, duty free. — June 22nd. Captain Humphreys, of His Majesty's ship Leopard (50 guns) having satisfied him- self that there were three men, de- serters from the Melampus frigate, on board the United States frigate Chesa- peake (38 guns), sent on board that vessel a despatch from Admiral Berke- ley, commanding the British fleet then at anchor off the Cape of Delaware, demanding the surrender of these three men ; this demand being refused by the captain of the Chesapeake, the Leopard opened fire, when, after exchanging a few shots, the Chesapeake struck her colours. Captain Humphreys then ob- tained the men he had demanded, and the vessels returned to their respective stations, the Chesapeake to Hampton Roads, and the Leopard rejoined the fleet. The news of this event created a strong sensation throughout the United States. The President (Thomas Jefl'erson) immediately issued a procla- mation, dated 3rd July, requiring all British armed vessels to leave United States harbours or waters ; and a strong remonstrance was at once ad- .dressed to the British Government. — A proclamation, dated 12th August, was issued by His Honor Mr. Presi- dent Dunn, prohibiting the exportation from Lower Canada of gunpowder, ammunition, arms, and warlike stores of every kind and description. — 19th August. Lieutenant-General Sir James Henry Craig, K.C.B., appointed Cap- tain-General and Governor in Chief of the North American Provinces. Sir James was also appointed Commander of the Forces in North America. — The Quebec Gazette of 20th August contains an Order in Council, forbidding the rjmoval of gunpowder from any maga- zine, store, or warehouse unless by per- mission of the Governor or person ad- ministering the Government. — 9th Sep- tember. A General Order was issued by Mr. President Dunn, thanking the militia for the alacrity with which they had responded to the General Order of 20th August, directing them to hold themselves in readiness for active ser- vice, and for their general good con- duct which had merited the President's warmest approbation — On 20th Sep- tember a Te Deum was sung " in thanksgiving for the new marks of Divine goodness to the country in in- spiring its inhabitants with the most favorable dispositions for the King's service in defence of the country." A similar service was ordered in every church throughout the Province. — Lieut. -General Sir J. H. Craig, Gov ernor in Chief, arrived at Quebec on Sunday, iSth October, in H. M. S. Horatio, Captain George Scott, and on 24th October issued the usual procla- mation announcing his assumption of the Government — 24th November. A General Order of His Excellency, Sir J. H. Craig remits the fines imposed by the courts u][)on a few militiamen who had been prosecuted for acts of insub- ordination, and exhorts the militia generally to be vigilant at all times and ready for service on the shortes notice. — December 17th. The Quebec Gazette contains an oflicial notice that His Excellency had been pleased to grant the Royal pardon to sundry per- sons who had been convicted of misde- meanor under the Militia Act. — October 31st. Lieut. -Governor Gore announced that His Majesty had been pleased to suspend Mr. Justice Thorpe from ais office of judge in Upper Canada; and that measures would be taken for the appointment of his suc- cessor. — ^January loth. Mr. Brenton Halliburton appointed an Assistant tl 87 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) /. ,^ M ,V^ 1.0 I.I 1.8 1.25 1.4 ^ .^ 6" - ► Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4S03 % ^ i807 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1808 HI .1 Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in place of Hon. J. Brenton, deceased. — ^August 24th. The Lieu- tenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, in Council, issued an order prohibiting the export of provisions from Nova Scotia from the date of the Order unti] the I at November. — December 3rd. The second session of the ninth Gene- ral Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax. — Lady Wentworth being very ill, the speech from the throne was read by Chief Justice Blowers, presi- dent of the Council. — Pecember nth. The Assembly voted 100 guineas for the purchase of a sword or a piece ol plate, to be presented to Vice- Admiral Berkeley, as a testimonial of the re- spect and esteem in which he was held in the Province of Nova Scotia. Lieu- tenant-Governor Wentworth subse- quently (on I St February, 1808) de- clined giving his assent to this vote. — The House of Assembly of New Brunswick met at Fredericton on 30th January, when the session was opened by His Honor Mr. President Ludlow. The Assembly, during this tcssinn, voted ;f 50 for the purchase of a silver trumpet, to be presented to the New Brunswick Fencible Regiment, the trumpet to have the arms of the Pro- vince engraved thereon. Sixteen Acts were passed during this session. In New Brunswick, as in the other Pro- vinces, the possibility of war with the United States induced the Govern- ment to look to the means of defending the Province, and accordingly we find amongst the Acts above referred to "An Act for the better regulation of the Militia in this Province," and an •• Act for the more effectual punish- ment of such persons as shall seduce soldiers to desert." 1806. The fourth session of the fourth Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at York on the 20th January by His Excellency Francis Gore, Lieutenant-Governor. This ses- sion terminated on the i6th March. Sixteen Acts received the assent of the Lieutenant-Governor, amongst which was an " Act to explain, amend, and reduce to one Act of Parliament the several laws now in being for the raising and training .he Militia of this Province." This Act contains forty- three sections, and appears to have been drafted with great care. Many of its provisions are embodied in the pre- sent law (1868). The other Acts of this session are chiefly in amendment of, or to continue, then existing Acts, and it is therefore unnecessary to refer to them in detail. — A proclamation, dated 2ist May, was issued by Lieutenant- Governor Gore, dissolving the Provin- cial Parliament of Upper Canada, and directing the issue of writs, returnable on the 2nd of July, for calling a new Provincial Parliament. — July 7th. The first stone of the lighthouse at Gibral- tar Point, at the entrance of York (now Toronto) harbour, was laid. The York Gazette of July gth expresses the greatest satisfaction at the commence- ment of this important public work; the concluding words of the article express the hope that " it may in building raise to its proposed height without maim or injury to its builders, and stand as a monument to ages yet unborn." — Lieutenant-Governor Gore left York on the 15th June on a tour through the western part of Upper Canada. He proceeded as far as Sandwich, and returned to York on 23rd July. — The Hon. Peter Rus- sell,'*^ who, on the departure of Major- * Mr. Russell had been in the army and still held the rank of captain (on half pay). During the Revolutionary war he had been secretary to Sir Henry Clinton, Commander-in-Chief of the army in 'North America. He had also held the office of 88 i8o8 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1808 still Jgthe Sir General Simcoe in 1796, became Presi- dent of the Government of Upper Canada, died at York on the 30th of September. — November i8th. William Warren BaJdwin appointed Registrar of the Court of Probate for Upper Canada vice Miles Macdonell resigned. — ^January 2ist. Francois Vassall de Monville appointed Deputy Adjutant- General of Militia for Lower Canada, appointment to bear date 26th Decem- ber, 1807. — The fourth session of the /ourth Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec by His Excellency Lieutenant • General Sir James Henry Craig, K.C.B., Governor- General, on Friday, January 29th. This session lasted until 14th April. Thirty-five Acts were passed, one of which, namely, an Act for erecting common gaols with court halls in the inferior district of Gasp£, was reserved, and received the assent of His Majesty in Council on 15th November, 1809. Of the remaining ActR, thirteen were to continue or to amend existing laws ; seven were for the improvement of roads and building of bridges; one was to regulate the trial of contro- verted elections ; another was for the better regulation of the lumber trade ; an Act was also passed to regulate the currency ; the rest it is unnecessary to particularise. Two other subjects of importance engaged the attention of the Assembly during this session. The first was the eligibility of persons pro- fessing the Jewish religion to sit as members of the Assembly, a question decided in the negative by a formal Receiver-Oeneral of Upper Canada, and had been a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils of that Province. Mr. Russell was buried with military honors at York on 4th October. His Ex- cellency the Lieutenant-Governor and all the princi- pal gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood were preaent. The military on duty on the occasion were commanded by Major Fuller (father ot the Rev. T.B. Fuller, Archdeacon of Niagara.) resolution of the House which was carried by 21 to 5, and reads as fol- lows : "That Ezekiel Hart, Esq., professing the Jewish religion, cannot take a seat nor vote in this House." The second subject was an inquiry into the state and relations of the inter- course between Quebec and the West Indies. The importance of establish- ing a direct trade between Canada and the West Indies was strongly felt, and earnest efforts were made to enlist public sympathy for a movement in this direction. — February 22nd. The Hon. Henry Allcock, Chief Justice of the Province of Lower Canada, and Speaker of the Legislative Council, died at his house in St. Lewis Street, Quebec. — April 28th. A proclamation appears in the Quebec Gazette of this date, dissolving the Provincial Parlia* ment of the Province of Quebec, and directing the issue of writs, returnable on the i8th June, for a new election. — June 14th. A letter was addressed by Mr. Ryland, Governor's Secretary, to Lieut.-Colonel J. A. Panet, Captain P. Bedard, Captain J. F. Taschereau, Lieutenant J. L. Borgia, and Surgeon F. Blanchet, informing them that His Excellency thought it necessary for His Majesty's service to dismiss them from their situations in the town militia. The reason for this step is said to have been because he could place no confidence in persons whom he had good ground for considering to be pro- prietors of a seditious and libellous pub- lication. Lieutenant • Colonel Panet was succeeded in his command by Charles Pinguet.— July 19th. H.M.S. Amelia, Captain the Hon. F. P. Irby, arrived at Quebec from Falmouth, having on board the Lord Bishop of Quebec, and Major-General Drum- mond and suite. — August 6th. Samuel Phillips, Clerk of the House of Assem- bly of Lower Canada, died at Quebec. 89 ;|1 ' 'I I f: I T 1808 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1808 li Mr. Phillips was the first Clerk of the Assembly under the new constTtution. —September 8th. Jonathan Sewell, Esq., Attorney - General, appointed Chief Justice of the Province of Lower Canada, in the room of the Hon. Henry Allcock, deceased. — Sep- tember loth Edward Bowen, Esq., appointed Attorney-General for Lower Canada— December 15th. William Lindsay, jun., Esq., appointed Clerk of the House of Assembly of Lower Canada in the room of Samuel Phillips, Esq., deceased, commission dated 7th August, 1808.— February 4th. The second session of the ninth Gene- ral Assembly of Nova Scotia was closed by Lieutenant-Governor Went- worth. — February 18th. BenningWent- worth. Secretary of the Province of Nova Scotia, died at Halifax in the fifty-third year of his age. He was succeeded by Charles Marcy Went- worth, son of Sir John Wentworth, the Lieutenant-Governor. — In view of the critical state of the relations between England and the United States, three regiments of Nova Scotia militia were embodied and employed in active ser- vice, taking their share of garrison duties. — April 7th. Lieutenant-Gene- ral Sir George. Prevost, Bart., arrived at Halifax in H.M.S. Penelope, having been appointed by commission, dated 15th January, 1808, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Nova Scotia. Sir George took the oaths of oflice and signed the rolls on April 13th. His arrival was wholly unexpected, the official letter from the Secretary of State announcing his ap- pointment did not reach Halifax until the 26th April. Sir George Prevost brought with him three regiments of foot, the 7th, 8th, and 23rd.— The third session of the ninth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax on the 19th May by the new Lieuten- ant-Governor, Sir George Prevost, who in his opening speech, recommended a revision of the militia laws. — On May 23rd the Lieutenant-Governor sent a message to the Assembly, transmitting a despatch from the Secretary of State recommending to the favourable consideration of the House some suit- able provision in the way of an annnuity to the late Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Wentworth. The Assembly, after some discussion with the Council, passed an Act, granting a pension of ;^5oo stg. a year, for life, to Sir John Wentworth. A like pension was paid to him by the British Government. The Assembly took the occasion of the passing of this Act to present Sir John with an address expressing their appre- ciation of his long and valuable ser- vices to Nova Scotia, to which he re- plied in feeling terms. 23rd June, The session closed. Sir George Prevost thanked the Assembly for having passed the militia laws. — On the i6th June, Aaron Burr,* late Vice-president * The singular character and romantic history of Aaron Burr seem to require that at least a passing notice should be given of this remarkable man. Aaron Burr was the son of a clergyman, a native oi Fairfield, in Connecticut, who was at one time presi- dent of the College of New Jersey. He was born at Newark, New Jersey, on February 6th, 1756, gra- duated at Princeton College in 1772, entered he army as a private, and accompanied Arnold on his expedition to Quebec. He was engaged in the de- fence of New York, under General Putnam, and became a lieutenant-colonel in 1777, and in 1780 he resigned his commission, and took to the study of law. Mr. Burr was Attorney-General of New York in 1789, and United States senator in 1791. He became Vice-president of the United States in 1801, and in 1804 was nominated for Governor of the State of New York. The contest was bitter, and led to a duel between him and Alexander Hamilton (on July nth, 1804), in which Hamilton was killed. Mr. Burr's subsnquent conduct led to his trial for high treason. The trial took place at Richmond, Vir- ginia. It commenced on March 27th, and did not terminate until September 7th, when the jury brought in the foUowmg verdict, " Aaron Burr is not proved to be guilty under the indictment by any evi- dence submitted to us." On being set at liberty he went to Europe to prosecute his designs, and whilst in Halifax obtained a letter from Lieutenant-Gov- r; » i8o8 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1809 I at knd he of ew He BI, Ithe hot W liot Pit of the United States, visited Halifax, whence he sailed for Europe. — The Hon. John Haliburton, member of the Coun- cil of Nova Scotia, died on nth July.— On 24th November Sir George Prevost opened the fourth session of the ninth General Assembly of Nova Scotia. He announced his approaching departure in command of an expedition to the West Indies, and informed the House that during his absence the civil Government would be administered by the Judge of the Admiralty Court, the Hon. Alexan- der Croke.— Sir George Prevost left Halifax on 6th December, at 9 a.m., in H.M.S. Penelope, Captain Dick, and ar- rived at Barbadoes on 29th December. — On December 7th Mr. Croke was sworn in as President of the Province, and Commander-in-Chief during the absence of the Lieutenant-Governor. — July 5th. The General Assembly of New Bruns- wick met at Fredericton, when the session was opened by Major-General Martin Hunter, President and Comman- der-in-Chief of the Province of New Brunswick. Five acts were passed dur- ing this session, the most important of which was an " Act for the greater secu- rity of the Province by the better regu- lating the military thereof."— On 30th July the General Assembly was pro- rogued to the second Tuesday in October. 1909. The fifth session of the fifth Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at York by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Gore on the second* of February. ernor Sir George Prevost to Viscount Castlereagh. Vice-Admiral Sir J. B. Wairen, who was at the time in Halifax appears to have been consulted in the matter, and to have concurred m recommending Mr. Burr's plant to the favourable consideration of the British Government, Mr. Burr's mission was a fail- ure. In 1809 he was, on the complaint of the Spanish ambassador in London, who represented that Mr. Burr was engaged in enterprises against the posses- sions of Spain in America, ordered to leave the United Kingdom, Mr. Burr never recovered his former posi- tion and influence. He died on 14th September, 1836, on Staten Island, New York. Samuel Street Esq., was chosen Speaker of the House of Assembly. Nine Acts were passed during this session, which closed on the 9th March. The possible contingency of a war with the United States appears to have been ever present with the Governors of the several North American Provinces, as we find thomost important Act of this session was " An Act for quartering and billeting, on cer- tain occasions. His Majesty's troops^ and the militia of this Province." — February 13th. The Honorables James Baby, Richard Cartwright, and Robert Hamilton, and Thomas Talbot, and William Allen, Esquires, were appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor, Commis- sioners for the purchasing of merchant- able hemp, the growth of Upper Canada. — Postal communication between the Provincesof Upper and Lower Canada was still tedious and infrequent, as the following notice, taken from the York Gazette of 4th January, 1809, sufficiently testifies : * For General Information, the winter mail will be despatched from Quebec for Upper Canada, on the fol- lowing dates, viz. : Mondays 2nd Janu- ary, 6th February, 5th March, and 3rd April, each mail may be looked for here from 16 to 18 days after the above pe- riods. The courier from Kingston is to go on to Niagara without making any stay (unless found necessary) at this place so that all persons will have time to prepare their letters by the time he returns fot Kingston again. (Signed), W. Allan, Dy. P. M. York. 2nd January, 1809." — The Quebec Gazette of 2nd Feb- ruary, contains the following notice re- lating to Postal matters : " An adver- tisement dated Terrebonne, 26th Decem- ber, 1 808, signed Mackenzie, Oldham &» Co., and Thomas Porteous, having ap- peared in the Quebec and Montreal Ga- * The Statutes (edition printed at Kingston, U.C.> 1831) give the date as theivcvwi/, the York Gatette of 3rd February, t8o8, says this Jay, that is the thirtl. I 91 i809 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1809 fi zett0S, intimating that a courier has been engaged to pass between Montreal and Terrebonne, to carry all letters, news- papers i^nd packages not exceeding a certain weight, and such establishment of a post having been made without the authority or knowledge of the Deputy Postmaster General of British North America, the parties therein concerned shall be prosecuted with all possible ex- pedition." The notice goes on to quote at length the provisions of the Post-Oflice Act, 9th Queen Anne, Cap. 10, and is signed Geo. Heriot, Deputy Postmaster General of British North America. Messrs. Mackenzie, Oldham, and Por- teous, published a card in reply, stating that although they did, as alleged, carry correspondence between the points in- dicated, they did so without charge, and had been driven to adopt the course of action complained of, solely on account of the defective arrangements made by the Post-office authorities. — April loth. The first session of the fifth Parliament of the Province of Quebec was opened at Quebec by His Excellency, Sir J. H. Craig, Governor General. Mr. J. A. Pa- net was again elected Speaker. — May Sth. It was resolved by the House of Assembly of Lower Canada, "That Eze- kiel Hart, Esquire, professing the Jewish religion, cannot sit nor vote in this House." — May 15. His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief prorogued the Par- liament of Lower Canada, Five acts were assented to, all of which were to continue or amend existing laws. The Governor in his speech upon this occa- sion censured the members of the As- sembly very severely for their frivolity and inattention to public business. His Excellency, addressing the members of the Assembly spoke a follows : " You have wasted in fruitless debates, excited by private and personal animosities, or by frivolous contests, upon trivial mat- ters of form, that time and those talents, to which within your walls, the public have an exclusive title; this abuse of your functions, you have preferred to the high and important duties which you owe to your Sovereign, and to your con- stituents ; and you have thereby been forced to neglect the consideration of matters of moment and necessity, which were before you, while you have at the same time virtually prevented the intro* duction of such others as may have been in contemplation." — June 17th. The comer stone of the new goal at Quebec was laid by His Excellency the Governor General, assisted by the mem- bers of the Royal craft. — June 23rd. The foundation stone of the Scotch Church in Quebec, was laid by the Rev. Alexander Spark. — June 26th. Gover- nor General Sir J. H. Graig, reached Three Rivers on his way to visit Mon- treal. An address was presetted, to which His Excellency made a suitable reply. Sir James Craig reached Mon- treal on 28th June, and was received with every mark of respect. — July i8th. Notice is given in the Quebec papers that the "Vermont" steamboat will leave St. John's every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., and reach White Hall about 9 a.rn. on Sunday. Returning will leave White Hall at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The Quebec Gazette of July 20th, pub- lished in full an act, 49 Geo. Ill Cap. XVI, to encourage commercial inter- course between Lower Cattada and Bermuda,h-j which it was provided "th t from and after the passing of this act, any Rum or other spirits, being the pro- duce or manufacture of any of His Majesty's sugar colonies in the West Indies, legally imported into the island of Bermuda, may be legally imported into the Province of Lower Canada, and landed and admitted to an entry upon payment of the same rate of duty as if the same had been imported directly from any of His Majesty's sugar colo- 9« i8o9 CANADIAN ANNALS. 181O nies in the IVesi Indies, and under the conditions and restrictions contained in the said act, without payment of duty, in the same manner as if such rum or other spirits had been imported directl]{ from any of the said sugar colonies." An Act (149 Geo. iii Cap. 27), "for establishing Courts of Judicature in the Island of Newfoundland and the islands adjacent; and for re-annexing part of the coast of Labrador and the islands lying on the said coast to the Govern- ment of Newfoundland," appears at length in the Quebec Gazette of the 24th August. By this act such parts of the coast of Labrador from the river St. John to Hudson's straits and the island of Anticosti, and all other smaller islands (except the Magdalen Islands), are sep- arated from the Government of Lower Canada, and re-annexed to the Govern- ment of Newfoundland. The Honour- able G. E. Taschereau, Colonel of the 2nd Battalion Quebec Militia, Member of the Legislative Council, Grand Voyer of the District of Quebec, died at the Manor House, Ste. Marie, Beauce, on the 1 8th September. Mr. Pierre Mar- coux,who succeeded Colonel Taschereau as Grand Voyer of the District of Que- bec, died on the 20th November.— Jan- uary 26th. The General Assembly of Nova Scotia (4th Session of the 9th Assembly) was prorogued by the Hon- ourable Alexander Croke, President of the Province, who administered the Government during the absence of Sir George Prevost. The President had declined giving his assent to the Appro- priation Bill, and in his prorogation speech, he stated his reasons for such refusal by declaring that the Government would appropriate the revenue of the Province more beneficially and economi- cally than the Assembly had provided for by their Bill. The Speaker of the Assembly desired to address his Honour, remonstrating against the disallowance 93 of the Bill, but the President of the Council declared the House prorogued. — April 15th. Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart., arrived at Hali- fax, on his return from the West Indies, and resumed the administration of the Government of Nova Scotia. The Lieu- tenant-Governor's return caused very I great satisfaction to the people of Nova ! Scotia, the inhabitants of Halifax pre- ' sented him with an address, in which I allusion was made to the capture of Mar- I tinique, and a public ball and supper were given by the gentlemen of Halifax in his honour. The fifth Session of the 9th General Assembly of Nova Scotia, I was opened at Halifax on Wednesday, ' 7th June, by Sir George Prevost. An Address was presented to his Excel- lency by the Assembly, complimenting him upon his success in the expedition to Martinique, and a sum of 200 guineas was voted to purchase him a sword or a piece of plate. The session was closed on loth June, three acts, one being the appropriation act, were assented to. No allusion was made, either by the Assembly or by the Lieutenant-Gover- nor, to the misunderstanding which had arisen between Dr. Croke, whilst admin- istering the Government, and the Assem- bly, so that what might have caused a serious embroglio, was thus quietly and eflfectually disposed of by the exercise of a little tact, supported by common- sense. The fifth Session of the General Assembly of Nova Scotia, having been called for a special purpose, it did not interfere with the general arrangements for the meeting of the Assembly; the sixth session was therefore held at the usual time, and was opened by Lieu- tenant-Governor Sir George Prevost, at Halifax, on Thursday, November 9th, and closed on 22nd December. During this session, a petition was presented to the Assembly, alleging that two young men named McTray and Allan, natives •at- i8io CANADIAN ANNALS. 18ID > ii I 1 of Nova Scotia, who had sought redress for the value of some timber they had been unjustly deprived of, by suing the aggressors, had, through a conspiracy, been impressed and carried away in the Tkefis frigate, to the West Indies, and praying that the House would take action in order to procure their release, and to punish the conspirators ; where- upon the Hou^ passed an address to the Lieutenant-Governor for their relief. The Assembly of New Brunswick did not meet for despatch of business diir- ing the year 1 809. 1810. January 12th. Mr. William Allan, Deputy- Postmaster at York, an- nounces in the Vot/i Gazette, that ' A re- gular intercourse with Lower Canada once a fortnight, by post, has now com- menced, and will be continued for the ensuing six months, or even for the whole year should it be found necessary." — The second Session of the 5th Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at York on the ist February, by His Ex- cellency Francis Gore, Esq., Lieutenant- Governor. In his opening speech, Mr. Gore thus alludes to the unsatisfactory state of the relations between Great Britain and the United States : " It would have been an additional source of satisfaction to me to have been enabled to announce to you the restoration and re- newal of friendship and amity between Great Britain and the United States of America, which, until of late, have so hap- pily existed. And should the repeated efforts of His Majesty to accomplish so desirable an end not succeed, I trust that his brave and loyal subjects in this Pro- vince will evince, as many of them have already done, an unconquerable attach- ment to their King and Constitution." Thirteen Acts were passed during this session. The laws respecting the mak- ing and repairing of public highways and roads were amended and consolidated ; provision was made to prevent the forg- 94 ing and counterfeiting of foreign bills of exchange and promissory notes ; an act ivas passed for levying a duty upon billiard tables ; an alteration was made in the law respecting the barring of dower, and sundry other minor matters were attended to. The session termi- nated on the 1 2th March. On the 8th March, an address to the King was voted by the Legislative Council of Upper Canada, congratulating His Majesty on his having attained the fiftieth year of his reign, and a similar address was voted by the House of Assembly on the 9th. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, was requetsed to transmit the same. During this session, the attention of the Legislative Assembly had been called to a pamphlet, published over the signature, " John Mills Jackson," and on the loth March, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Crowell Wilson, seconded by Mr. James McNabb, " that the pamphlet en- titled * A View of the Province of Upper Canada,' signed 'John Mills Jackson, contains a false, scandalous and seditious libel; comprising expressions of the most unexampled insolence and contumely towards His Majesty's Government of this Province, the grossest aspersions upon the House of Assembly.the Courts of Justice therein, and the officers of the civil establishment of the said Govern- ment, and most manifestly tending to al- ienate the affections of the people from His Majesty's Government of this Pro- vince ; to withdraw them from their obe- dience to the laws of the country, and to excite them to insurrection." An ad- dress was also presented to the Lieu- tenant-Governor expressing the abhor- rence and detestation of the Assembly at the aforesaid libel. A presentment was made by the Grand Jury against Mr. Willcock's, a member of the Assembly, and publisher of the Upper Canada Guardian, for seditious libel against the Government and the Lieutenant-Gover- i8io CANADIAN ANNALS. 18IO nor; but the Attorney-General was in. structed to enter a nolle prosequi, and so the matter dropped. —January 30th. Notice is given in the Quebec Cazette, by His Excellency Sir J. H. Craig, that, in accordance with the terms of the proclamation issued by His Majesty on entering upon the fiftieth year of his reign, pardon would be granted to all deserters from his Land Forces who surrendered themselves to any field officer, or officer commanding a post or detachment, or magistrate, within three months.-- The meeting of the Pro- vincial Parliament of Lower Canada (being the first session of the sixth Provincial Parliament), took place on 29th January, when the Hon. J. A. Panet was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. On the second of February, His Excellency the (iovernor- Cleneral approved of the Speaker elect of the Assembly, and delivered the usual opening speech, which on this occasion had reference chiefly to the success which had attended the opera- tions of the British forces engaged in the war against France, and to the un- satisfactory state of the relations be- tween (jreat Britain and the United States.— February 1 5th. The Governor- G«neral, Sir J. H. Craig, nnounces by proclamation the pardon it all persons undergoing sentence for all felonies and misdemeanours, murder alone excepted, as an act of grace in honour of the com- pletion of the fiftieth year of His Ma- jesty's reign. The Legislative Assembly had for several years shown a strong desire to exclude the judges who had, up to this time, been frequently elected members of that body. Twice had bills for declaring the judges ineligible to seats in the House cf Assembly passed the lower house; and during this session the Assembly had again passed a Bill for the same purpose : this Biil was re- turned by the Legislative Council, with an amendment postponing its operation until the end of the then present Parlia- ment. The majority of the Assembly became irritated at the difficulties which arose in the passage of the Act, and allowing themselves to be carried away by their excitement, proceeded on Saturday, 24th February, to pass, by a majority of 19 to 10, the following reso- lutions : " That P. A. de Bonne, being one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench, cannot sit nor vote in this House," and " That the seat of P. A. de Bonne one of the Members for the County of Quebec, is vacant," — thus bringing themselves into direct collision with the Legislative Council, and with the Governor-General, whose instruc- tions were to give the Royal Assent to any proper Bill for rendering His Ma- jesty's Judges of the Court of King's Bench, in future, ineligible to seats in the House of Assembly, in which the two Houses should concur. Upon the passing of this resolution, the Speaker of the Assembly applied to the Gover- nor-General, in the usual way, to issue a writ in His Majesty's name, for the election of a member for the County of Quebec in the place of the expelled Judge. This application placed the Go- vernor in a most awkward position, from which he deemed it necessary to relieve himself by a Dissolution of Parliament. His Excellency, accord- ingly, having previously given his assent to the renewal of the acts regulating trade with the United States, and for the better preservation of His Majesty's Government, announced his intention in a speech in which the following pas- sages occur : " Called again to the un- pleasant exercise of one of the functions of His Majesty's prerogative with which I am entrusted, I feel it to be again ex- pedient, that I should st he sailed in H. M. Frigate Venus. Nov. 22nd. The Quebec oagctte contains President Madison's proclamation of : Nov. loth, announcing ihe revocation, from the ist Nov , of the French de- crees, so as to cease violating the neutral commerce of the United States, and in consequence opening the ports of the Ignited .States to French armed vessels ; whilst Hritish armed vessels would still be excluded, pending the revocation of the Orders in Council, which Great liritain had engaged to revoke whenever the repeal of the French decrees should have taken effect.— Dec. 3rd. A notice, signed by Mr. (leo. Heriot, Deputy Postmaster General of British North America, offered a reward of two hun- dred dollars for such information as would lead to the conviction of the per- ; sons engaged in riotous and tumultuous I proceedings at the General Post Office ; in Quebec on the ist December.- Dec. 1 1 2th. 'i'he first session of the seventh Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened with the usual formalities at Quebec, by His Excellency, Sir J. H. Craig, Governor (leneral. The Hon. J. A. Panet was again chosen Speaker. The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia did not meet during the year 1 8 10. Mr. Foster Hutchinson, the senior mem- ber of the Nova Scotia bar, was ap- pointed an Assistant Judge of the Su- preme Court of Nova Scotia. A general election having taken place in the Pro- vince of New Brunswick, the new As- sembly met at Fredericton on Saturday 27th January, when Amos Botsford Esq., was re-elected Speaker. The ses- sion was opened by Major-General Mar- tin Hunter, President of the Council, and Commander of the Forces in New Brunswick, who, in his opening speech, commended to "the serious consider- ation of the Assembly, the renewal, with every practicable improvement, of the laws for regulating and training the Militia, and for enabling the Govern- ment, promptly and effectually to call into action the force of the country, whenever its defence or safety may re- quire." This session was an unusually busy one, and lasted until the 14th March, when the prorogation took place. Thirty-six Acts were passed, amongst which was an Act for the better regu- lating the Militia in this Province, and also an Act respecting desertion from His Majesty's forces.— Dec. 22nd. Col. Edward William Gray, Sheriff of the District of Montreal, died at Montreal* Colonel Gray had held the shrievalty of Montreal for the long space of forty years. He was also Colonel-Command- ant of the first Battalion of Montreal Militia. Colonel Gray was succeeded in his office of Sheriff by Frederick William Ermatinger Esq., whose ap- pointment is dated 17th January, 181 1. 1911,— The third session of the fifth Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada, was held at York, where Parliament was^ opened by Lieutenant-Governor Gore,- accompanied by Brigadier General Brock, on the ist February. During this session, which terminated on the 1 3th March, nine Acts were passed, seven of which were appropriation Bills or Acts amending existing laws. One of the re- maining Acts was for determining the rate of interest in Upper Canada, and fixing the damages upon protested Bills of Exchange ; the other was in amend- ment of the Militia Law so far as it re- lated to the exemption of Quakers, : Menonists, and Tunkers. The session (ist of 7th Parliament of L. C.) of Parliament which had commenced at ; Quebec on 12th December, 18 10, closed on 2 1st March, when His Excellency I Sir J. H. Craig, Governor-in-Chief,gave : the Roval Assent to the sixteen Acts 97 l8ll CANADIAN ANNALS. 1811 • ? which had been passed, reserved one for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon, and prorogued the Parliament. The session thus termin- ated had been an unusually long and busy one, the two Houses having sat, without adjourning for the Christmas holidays, for more than three months, and having given through that period unremitting attention to the business be- fore them. The important question of the exclusion of the judges from the As- sembly had been finally settled by the passage of an Act containing but a single clause, short but comprehensive, . as follows : " And it is hereby enacted that from and after the passing of this Act, no person who shall be a judge of either of His Majesty's Courts of King's Bench within this Province, shall be capable of being elected, or of sitting or voting as a member of Assembly in any Provincial Parliament." The Militia Act was continued for a couple of years, not then to expire in the event of war or invasion. Provision was made, notwith- standing the unfriendly disposition of the United States Government towards Canada, for preventing the forgery and counterfeiting of Foreign Bills of Exchange, Foreign Promisssory Notes, and Foreign Orders for the payment of money ; a Bill passed exprcsscly, as His Excellency stated in his speech, " for preventing the nefarious traffic that has but too long been carried on, in the forgery of their (». e. the United States) Bank Notes," and which, the Governor added, "will at least prove, that you have not suffered any sentiment of re- sentment to weigh against those princi- ples of liberal justice with which you are at all times animated towards them." Of the remaining Acts of this session, one provided for the completion of the Montreal Jail ; another, the reserved Act, for the erection of a jail at Three Rivers ; and the remainder for the col- lection of the revenue, the continuation or amendment of existing laws, and for sundry local matters which it is not necessary to enumerate in detail.— March 30th. The punishments of whip- ping and putting in the pillory were still commonly awarded, as the lists of pun- ishments awarded at the session of the Court of King's Bench contains names of two persons (one male and one female) sentenced to be whipped, and of two persons (husband and wife) to be put in the pillory, once in the Upper town mar- ket, and once in that of the Lower j town. On the night of 16th May,alK)ut ' nine o'clock, a smart engagement took j place between the United States frigate President, Cpmmodore Rogers, of forty- four guns, and H. M. S. Litfle Belt, Captain Bingham, of fourteen guns. As usual, when such unfortunate accidents happen, each party claimed to have challenged first and to have been the last to fire, but inasmuch as the action took place some twenty miles at sea, north-east of Cape Henry, in the dusk of the evening, and considering that the United States frigate was a neutral ves- sel, whilst the British sloop was on a cruise expecting at any moment to fall in with an enemy, the responsibility for the loss of life (eleven men were kill- ed and twenty-one wounded) would seem to rest with the United States Commodore, who adopted the extra- ordinary course, whilst in command of a neutral vessel, of chasing and ques- tioning a belligerent on the high seas. — June 19th. Sir James Henry Craig, Govemor-in-Chief of the British North American Colonies, embarked at Quebec, on his return to England, in H. M. S. frigate Amelia, Captain Irby. The troops lined the streets in one unbroken avenue, in close order, from the Chateau St. Lewis to the place of embarkation. 98 i8ii CANADIAN ANNALS. I8II A salute of 19 guns from the Clrand Battery gave the last farewell of Canada, the frigate saluted him with 17 guns, (as Vice- Admiral of British North America), and Sir James left Canada to seek that repose which the state of his health so urgently demanded. Upon the de- parture of the (»overnor-in-Chief, the administration of the Government de- volved upon the Hon. Thomas Dunn, senior member of the Council, who thereupon assumed the title of President of the Province of Lower Canada, and Administrator of the Government there- of. — 12th August. Mr. President Dunn by proclamation of this date, prohibited the exportation from Lower Canada of saltpetre, gunpowder, ammunition, arms, and warlike stores of every de- nomination and description whatsoever. — Sept. 13. His Excellency General Sir George Prcvost, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of British North America, arrived with his family and suite in H. M. S. Me/am^us, Captain Hawker, from Halifax, Nova Scotia. His Excellency took the oaths of office on the 14th, held a levee on the 24th,and, on the 25th, issued the usual proclama- tion announcing his appointment as Governor-General. Shortly after. Sir George Prevost left Quebec on a tour through the Western part of the Pro- vince, proceeding by the north shore, and arrived at Montreal on the 30th Sept. — October loth. The Hon. Francois Baby appointed Grand Voyer of Lower Canada, Lieutenant-Colonel Vassal de Monviel, Adjutant-General, and Lieu- tenant-Colonel Xavier de Lanaudiere, Deputy Adjutant-General for Lower Canada. A brilliant comet was visible in Quebec, both early morning and evening, during the greatest part of the months of September and October. — October 19th. Quebec was visited by a very heavy gale which inflicted much injury upon the shipping in the hnrhour, upwards of twenty square rigged ves- sels were reported as damaged. Near Montreal considerable damage was done, especially to the Churches at Longueuil and Longue Pointe. The infant son of His Excellency, Sir George Prevost, born on 7th Nov., died, after a short ill- ness, on the 12th, at the Castle of St. Lewis. -December 4th. The election for the County of Montreal terminated, after a contest of f/irctr uurks, at 5 p.m. ; the votes at the close of the poll stood as follows : Mr. Stuart, 1445 ; Mr. Roy, 1253. — Thursday, February I4lh, the Assembly of Nova .Scotia met at Hali- fax (7th session of the 9th General As- sembly). Sir George I'revost in his opening speech expressed the hope that the United States would not become hostile to Great Britain, he then re- ferred to the growing importance of the fisheries and agriculture of the I'rovincc, the enlargement of its towns, advance- ment of learning and cultivation of the useful and ornamental sciences ; all un- equivocal indications of a prosperous and rising country. During this session an Act was passed for the establishment ofgrammjxr schools in the Counties of Sydney, Cumberland, Kings, Oueens, Lunenburg, Annapolis and .Shelburne, and in the districts of Pictou, Colchester and Yarmouth. Provision was also made for giving aid to the common schools, and an Act was passed provid- ing for the erection of a Province House. This building was not completed until 1819, and cost, when finished, $52,000. The Assembly was prorogued on the 3rd April. In closing the session, the Lieutenant-Governor called attention to the non-intercourse Act, pa_ s d in the United States, as an indication of ap- proaching war, and a reason for looking carefully to the efficiency of the Militia. The Halifax Committee of Trade pub- 99 i8ii CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 I \l i: lished a project for establishing a Pro- vincial Joint Stock Bank in February o: this year, but the necessary support does not appear to have been forthcoming, as no further steps were taken. On Mon- day, August 1 2th, the birthday of the Prince Regent, after the usual military review, the comer stone of the Province House was laid, with Masonic ceremon- ies, by Sir George Prevost, the benedic- tion was pronounced by the Masonic chaplain, the Rev. Archibald Gray, D.D. On Sunday, 25th August, Sir George Prevost sailed from Halifax in the Mclampns frigate for Quebec, to replace Sir J. H. Craig, who had resigned, as Governor-in-Chief of British North America. On 26th August, Dr. Croke was sworn in as Administrator of the Government of Nova Scotia. Major- General Hunter was recalled from New Brunswick and directed to assume the command of the forces in Nova Scotia, Major-General Balfour being ordered to Fredericton to replace him. On i6th October, General Sir John Coape Sher- brooke, K. B., arrived at Halifax with Lady Sherbrooke and family, in H. M. S. Manilla. General Sherbrooke was sworn in as Lieuteiiant-Governor, and Major-General Hunter at once returned to New Brunswick. No session of the New Brunswick Assembly appears to have been held during the year 181 1. Major-General William Balfour died suddenly at Fredeiicton, whither he had gone to administer the Government, on the 2nd December. l§ia— Sir J. H. Craig,* K.C.B., late * Sir J. H. Craig was of Scotch descent. He was born at Gibraltar, where his father was judge, in 1750. In 1774 Captain Craig accompanied the 47th to America and served during the Revolutionary war. He was severely wounded at Bunker's Hill, was present at Ticonderoga, and after the disastrous affair at Saratoga, Capt. Craig was selected by Gen- eral Burgoyne to carry home the despatches, his pro- motion to a majority in the 82nd foot followed imme- Governor-General of Canada, died in London, on Sunday, January 12th. — The fourth session of the fifth Provincial Parliament 0: Upper Canada was opened at York, on the 3rd of February, by Major-General Isaac Brock, who admin- istered the Government during the ab- sence on leave of Lieut.-Govemor Gore. diately upon his return to England. Major Craig went to Nova Scotia with the 82nd in 1778, and ac- companied his regiment to North Carolina in 1781 In 1794 he became a Major-General, and went early the following year to the Cape of Good Hope, where he greatly distinguished himself. In 1797 General Craig was invested with the Order of the Bath by Earl Macartney (by deputation from His Majesty) by whom he was succeeded as Governor of the Cape. On his return to England General Craig was ordered to India, where in 1801 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. In 1802 he returned to Eng- land, where he remained until 1805, when he pro- ceeded to the Mediterranean where he commanded the troops employed in Naples and Sicily. In t8o6 General Craig was compelled by illness (he suffered most severely from dropsy) to relinquish his command and return to England. In 1807 the threatening as- pect of the relations between Great Britain and the United States induced him to accept a command, and he proceeded to Quebec as Governor-General ; the steady progress of his malady compelled him once more to retire from active service and he sailed for England in June, 181 1. Disease had now, however, gained too strong a hold to be again baffled by med- ical skill, and although he rallied for a short time after his return to England, the end could no longer be averted and he died as above stated, at his house in Charlotte Street, on Sunday, January 12th, 1812. However widely the views expressed by various writers as to the character of his administration may differ, the personal character of Sir James H. Craig seems to have been deservedly held in high esteem by those whose relations with His Excellency enabled them to form an impartial opinion. The Mercury of 24th June, iSii, referring to his departure from Quebec concludes thus, " It will be found by a thou, sand evidences that he united the genius of greatness with an ardent love of doing good ; and possessed an association of talents seldom found in any individual. His reigning passion was to perform his duty com- pletely and conscientiously ; his favourite amusement, to confer, by acts of charity, the means of subsistence on the indigent, and to add to the relief of many in declining circumstances. Every project, every act, whatever objects they might refer to, bore the impres- sion of his character ; and if one principal of it was stronger than another, it was discoverable in a broad, deep tone of .benevolence, which reigned throuc;hout the whole." 100 I8l2 I8I2 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1812 During this session, which terminated on the 6th of March, eleven acts were passed. The Militia Act was amended and ;£5,ooo were granted to defray the expenses of training and exercising the militia. The Heir and Devisee Act was also amended, as were the acts relating to the making and repairing of public highways and the building of bridges. An Act to prevent damage to travellers on the highways was passed, by which it was provided that all persons travel- ling upon the highways and meeting sleighs or other carriages were to turn out to the right hand and give half the road. — April 8th. General Brock issued orders, in accordance with the act passed duringthe recent session, for forming two flank companies from each battalion of militia. Having thus made such prepar- ations as were practicable, General Brock proceeded to the western frontier, taking with him 100 of the 41st regiment to reinforce the garrison at Amherstburg. — On the 1 8th June, war was declared by the United States of America against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and its dependencies. — On the 20th June, General Brock returned to York, and on receiving intelligence that war was actually declared, at once summoned an extra session of the legis- lature. He then hastened to Fort George, on the Niagara frontier, where he immediately established his head- quarters. On the declaration of war be- coming known in Quebec, Sir George Prevost despatched Colonel Lethbridge to Kingston and placed Major-General the Baron de Rottenburg in command at Montreal, so that these officers work- ing in concert with General Brock might keep open the communication between Upper and Lower Canada. The United States lost no time in commencing hos- tilities (for which they had for several months been making every possible pre- lOI paration), for on the 1 2th July Brigadier- General Hull crossed the Detroit river and occupied the village of Sandwich, from which place he issued his celebrated proclamation.— July 3rd. Lieutenant Rollette, commanding the armed brig Hunter, by a bold attempt with his barge, succeeded in capturing the Caya- hoga packet bound from the Miami river to Detroit, loaded with baggage and the hospital stores of the United States army.— July i6th. Captain Roberts, who was stationed at St. Joseph, with a small detachment of the loth Royal Vet- eran Battalion, having been instructed by Major-General Brock to adopt the most prompt and effectual measures to possess himself of the United States fort at Michilimakinack, set out with such boats and canoes as were available, in which he carried with him 45 officers and men of the detachment under his com- mand, about 180 Canadians, and two iron 6-poundcrs, the whole being con- voyed by a small brig belonging to the North-West Company ; and early on the morning of the 1 7th, safely effet ^ed a landing before Michilimackinack. By ten o'clock one of the guns had been placed in position on a height command- ing the post, which was then summoned to surrender ; at noon the United States colours were hauled down and the British ensign was hoisted.— On the 22nd July, General Brock issued from 'Fort George his proclamation, in reply to that of General Hull, in which he points out in plain, but dignified language, the duty of his people, exhorts them to its fulfilment, and assures them that, even if overwhelmed by a superior force at the outset, they might rely that Great Britain would never abandon the Prov- ince. — July 27th. The extra session of the Legislature, called by General Brock on receiving information of the declaration of war, was opened, by the General, at I8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. York, who in his speech assumed a tone of confidence which was productive of the best effects. Having made the ne- cessary provision for the calling out and training the militia and for the defence of the Province, the session (the first of the sixth Provincial Parliament) was closed on the 5th August, five acts having been passed. — 5th August. A detach- ment of the 41st regiment, sent by Col- onel Proctor from Amherstburg, to- gether with a small body of Indians under Tccumseh, crossed the Detroit river to Brownstown, where they attacked and defeated a force of 200 men under Major Van Home, who were on their way to meet a detachment of volunteers from Ohio, with a convoy of provisions for General Hull's army. On this occa- sion Hull's despatches and correspon- dence fell into the hands of Tecum- seh, and were the means of convey- ing to General Brock much valu- able information as to General Hull's intentions and the condition of the force under his command. — August 6th. Gen- eral Brock left York for Burlington Bay, whence he proceeded by land to Long Point. On the 7th he held a council at the village of the Mohawks, on the Grand River, when the Indians promised that a party of sixty should be ready to fol- low him on the loth. — 9th August. Lieut.- Colonel Miller, with a body of 600 Unitfed States troops and militia, at- tacked Major Muir of the 41st regi- ment, who was at the head of a party of British troops and some Indians, at a place called Maguago, between Browns- town and Detroit ; after a smart action, in which Colonel Miller lost seventy-five men,the British were compelled to retire; their loss was, however, inconsiderable. — August nth. Major Denny, who had been left in command of a detachment of United States troops at Sandwich, when General Hull with- drew on the 7th and 8th, retired Detroit. — August 13th. General Broc reached A mhers tburg from Lon: Point shortly before midnight, bring ing with him about 300 militia am a few regulars. On the 14th, a council was held, at which nearly a thousand Indians^ attended. The council was opened] by General Brock, who an- nounced to the Indians: that he had come to their fassistance, and hoped with their aid to drive the United States forces from Detroit. The General's speech was highly applauded, and Te- cumseh was unanimously called upon to speak in reply. After the council was over,>the ^.General called together Tecumseh and a few of the oldest chiefs, communicated his views, and ex- plained the manner in which he pro- posed to carry out his intended opera- tions.— On the i. 1 5th August, General Brock addressed a formal demand to Brigadier-General Hull for the imme- diate surrender of Fort Detroit; with this demand Hull declined to comply In the afternoon, fire was opened upon Detroit from a five-gun battery which had been erected opposite to the fort under the direction of Captain Dixon of the Royal Engineers ; the fire was re- turned from Detroit, but the British commander, perceiving that his fire was ineffective, directed it to cease. During the night, about 600 Indians, under Colonel Elliott, crossed the river, and took up a position to enable them to take the enemy in flank and in rear should he oppose the landing. At day- break on Sunday, August i6th, the fire from Captain Dixon's battery was re- sumed, and the British forces, consisting of 330 regulars and 400 militia, with five pieces of light artillery, were em- barked in boats and canoes of every de- scription, and soon effected a landing, without opposition, near Spring Wells- 102 i8i I8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 was re- British fire was During under /er, and them to I in rear At day- Ithe fire I was re- jnsisting 1, with ere em- I'ery de- [anding, Wells, some three miles below Detroit. On the advance of the British the United States forces abandoned their outworks and two 24-pounders, and retreated into the fort. The British, having advanced to a ravine within a mile of the works, halted, and prepared for the assault. Whilst the columns were being formed for this purpose, a flag of truce ap- peared, and Lieut.-Colonel McDonell and Captain Glegg returned to the fort with the officer who bore it to arrange the terms of a capitulation : these were soon arranged, and the British troops entered Detroit. By the terms of the capitulation the Michigan Territory, Fort Detroit, with thirty-three pieces of cannon, the vessel of war Adams, and about 2,500 troops, with one stand of colours, surrendered to the British arms. Among the United States troops which surrendered were one company of artillery, some cavalry, and the entire 4th United States Regiment of Infantry. An immense quantity of stores and the military chest were also taken. Leaving Colonel Proctor in command at Detroit, General Brock lost no time in returning to the eastern part of the Proyince ; he was at Fort George on the 25th August, and arrived in York on the 27th, where he was received with the greatest enthu- siasm. On his passage from Detroit to Fort George, General Brock had learned of the armistice which Sir George Pre- vost had concluded with General Dear- born ; hostilities being thus suspended, he proceeded to Kingston, which he reached on the 4th of September. On his arrival he received a despatch from Sir George Prevost announcing the Pre- sident's disapproval of the armistice which General Dearborn had assented to. Having reviewed the Kingston militia, General Brock at once repaired to Fort George, which he reached on the 9th September. — Captain Forsythe, with 150 riflemen, crossed over from Gravelly Point to Gananoque on the 9th September, dislodged a party of about fifty Canadian militia, captured a small quantity of arms and ammunition, burnt and destroyed some provisions and a store, and, having taken prisoners four men who were in hospital, returned to the United States side of the river. — On the 4th October, Colonel Lethbridge, who was in command at Prescott, an- noyed by the frequent attacks upon his convoys, attempted a descent upon Og- densburg. Having got together about 750 regulars and militia, he em- barked them in twenty-five batteaux, and supported by two gunboats, pushed off. When about mid-stream, the enemy opened a heavy fire of artil- lery, some of his boats were struck and disabled, and, falling into confusion, the flotilla dropped down the stream and abandoned the attempt, with a loss of three men killed and four wounded. The United States force was under the command of Brigadier-General Brown, and behaved with coolness and intrepid- ity.— Oct. 9th. Lieut. Elliott, of the United States Navy, with 100 seamen, came over from Black Rock, and suc- ceeded in the early morning in boarding and carry ing oft'the brig Z?^/r<7//,of 200 tons and 6 guns (lately the U. S. brig Adams, captured at Detroit), and the North-west Company's brig Caledonia (the vessel which had assisted at the taking of Mich- ilimackinack), of about 100 tons, then lying at anchor off Fort Erie. The for- mer had on board four 12-pounders, a large quantity of shot, some 200 muskets and other stores destined for Kingston and Prescott — the latter had a valuable cargo of furs, which was safely landed by the enemy. The Detroit having grounded on Squaw Island, was burned by the enemy.— Oct. nth. The United States forces were concentrated at Lewiston 103 I8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 under General Van Ranselaer, for an attack upon Queenston, but owing to failure in preparation of the boats, the attempt was abandoned. — Oct. 13th. The United States forces having been again concentrated at Lewiston, embark- ed at daybreak under cover of a battery of two 18 and two 6-pounders. The only English batteries from which they could be annoyed in their passage were one, mounting an i8-pounderon Queen- ston Heights, and another mounting a 24-pound carronade a little below the village. The first division, under Colonel Van Ranselaer, were able, therefore, to effect a landing with but little loss ; one officer, however, was killed in the boats whilst crossing The first division landed, the boats (about ten) went back for more men. Colonel Van Ranselaer was opposed by the two flank companies of the 49th regiment and the York militia. General Brock, who always rose very early, hearing the firing awoke his aid-de-camp, Major Glegg, and rode with his staff from Fort George to the scene of action. On teaching the i8-pounder battery, the general dismounted and was eagerly sur- veying the field, when firing was opened from the heights in the rear of the bat- tery, Captain Wool with a detachment of United States regulars having succeeded in ascending a path which, being deemed inaccessible, had been left un- guarded. General Brock and his aides, de-camp were compelled to retire so pre- cipitatel)- that they had not even time to remount. Meeting Captain Williams with a party of the 49th advancing t' the attack, the General placed him- self at their head and charged Wool's detachment, driving them to the edge of the bank. H ere the U nited States troops, animated by the exhortations of their commander, made a stand and opened a heavy fire of musketry upon the Brit- ish forces. Conspicuous by his height, dress, his gestures, and the enthu- siasm he displayed in leading on his little band. General Brock was soon singled out and struck by a bullet, which, entering his right breast passed through his left side. He had just said, " Push on the brave York Volun- teers." After being struck, the General desired that his death should be con- cealed from his men, adding a wish, which could not be understood dis- tinctly, that a token of remembrance should be transmitted to his sister. The body of the General was conveyed to a house in Queenston, where it remained until the afternoon unperceived by the enemy. Shortly after the fall of General Brock, Lieutenant-Colonel McDoneH, his provincial aide-de-camp, was mor- tally wounded whilst gallantly leading the York volunteers in a charge which compelled the enemy to spike the 18- pounder gun. The death of their Gen- eral, and the heavy loss they had sus- tained, compelled the British troops to retire, and the United States forces were, for some hours, left in quiet possession of Queenston Heights. In the mean- time, Major-General Sheaife, acting under instructions give 1 him by General Brock on leaving Fort George in the morning, collected his forces, and, with abo- -TO men of the 41st and 49th re • , two companies of Lincoln muaia, and a few Indians, had followed to Queenston. Whilst on the march he was reinforced by some 200 militia, a party of the 41st, and a few Indians under Norton and Brant, thus increas- ing his force to nearly 1000 men. Hav- ing stationed Lieutenant Holcroft, R.A., with two field pieces and a small detach- ment so as to cover the village of Queenston, General Sheaffe, who had made a detour to enable him to do so, debouched in rear of the heights about 104 1 l8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 two miles from Queenston, and at once advanced upon the enemy, who, fighting manfully, was soon driven over the heights by the impetuosity of his assail- ants, who were not only animated by a desire to retrieve the fortune of the day, but were burning to avenge the loss of their commander. With the heights from which they had just been driven towering over them, and the river in their rear, the United States army had but one course open to them, and Colo- nel Scott, accompanied by Captains Totten and Gibson, was soon seen ad- vancing with a white cravat upon the point of his sword to offer the uncondi- tional surrender of the forces under General Wadsworth's command. Thus terminated the battle of Queenston, which had lasted from four o'clock in the morning until four o'clock in the after- noon. The United ^ > force which surrendered to C - Sbeaffe com- prised one general otiicer, two lieutenant- colonels, five majors, and upwards 0£ nine hundred other officers and men^ one field piece, and one stand of colours ; their total loss, including killed, wounded^ and missing, amounted to very nearly fifteen hundred men. The British loss was sixteen killed and sixty-nine woun- ded ; but the fall of General Brock* * Isaac Brock was the eighth and youngest son of John Brock and Elizabeth de Lisle. He was born on the 6th October, 1769, in the parish of St. Peter le Port, in the island of Guernsey. He received his education at Southampton, with the exception of one year, which he spent at Rotterdam with a French Protestant clergyman, from whom he learned French. I saac Brock obtained his fir.st commission as an en- sign in the 8th, the King's Own regiment, on snd March, 1785 ; in 1790, he obtained his next step, and was gazetted to a lieutenancy in the same regiment ; and towards the close of the same year, having raised the requisite number of men for an indepen. dent company, he was made a captain. In 17911 Captain Brock exchanged (he paying the difference) into the 49th, which regiment he joined at Barba- does, where it was then stationed. In 1793, Captiin Brock returned to England from Jamaica (to which was an irreparable loss, and cast a deep shade over the glory of this dearly- bought victory. — During the action of island the 49th had been removed) owing to a severe attack of fever, which had nearly proved fatal. On the 24th June, I79«, Captain Brock obtained, by purchase, his majority, and was placed in command of a body of recruits waiting to join the regiment, then about to return to England. A little more than two years later (on the asth October, 1797), Major Brock obtained his next step, and became, by pur- chase, a lieutenant-colonel, and shortly afterwards succeeded to the command of the 49th, with which he proceeded to Holland in 1799. During his service in Holland, he was several times under fire, and re- ceived a slight wound at the battle of Egmont-op- Zee, or Bergen. In 1801, the 49th regiment formed part of the force sent to the Baltic, and in the attack upon Copenhagen, Lieutenant-Colonel Brock was sec- ond in command of the land forces engaged. In 1803, the 49th sailed for Canada. Lieutenant-Colo- nel Brock returned on a visit to England in 1805, and whilst there received the brevet rank of Colonel. In June, 1806, Colonel Brock returned to Canada, and, on the 37th September, succeeded Colonel Bowes in the command of the troops in Upper and Lower Canada. In 1808, Colonel Brock was made a Briga- dier, and, in July, 1810, proceeded to York and assumed command of the forces in Upper Canada. On 4th June, 1811, Brock was promoted to be Major- General on the staff of North America, and, on the 9th October, was appointed President and Adminis- trator of the Government of Upper Canada, the Lieutenant-Governor (Gore) having obtained leave of absence to visit Eni;land. A public monument, voted by Parliament, was erected to Brock's memory in St. Paul's Cathedral. A pension of /^aoo a year was conferred upon his four surviving brothers, upon whom, iu accordance with an address from the Leg- islative Assembly of Upper Canada, a grant of 11,000 acres of land in that Province was also made by the Prince Regent. In acknow.edging the receipt of Sir Geo, Prevost's dispatch conveying the satisfac- tory intelligence that General Hull had been defeated and taken prisoner and Detroit captured. Earl Bathurst wrote : " You will inform Major-General Brock that his Royal Highness, taking into consider- ation all the difficulties by which Major-General Brock was surrounded from the time of the invasion of the Province by the American army, under the command of General Hull, and the singular judg- ment, firmness, skill, and courage with which he was enabled to surmount them so effectually, has been pleased to appoint him an extra Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath."— On the 13th October, 1824, the remains of General Brock, and those of his gallant aide-de-camp, were removed from Fort George and deposited in the vault beneath the monument erected on Queenston Heights by the los ■H l8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 , -' i t 111 i ■ I ! Queenston, the British commanders at Fort George and at Fort Erie had kept the enemy fully engaged^ At Fort Erie, the British, under the command of Lieut.-Col- onel Myers, soon compelled the enemy at Black Rock to cease his fire, and also blew up a barrack with a depot contain- ing a considerable quantity of arnmuni- tion. The brig Caledonia, lately cap- tured by Lieutenant Elliott, Uni ed States navy, was almost destroyed at her moorings ; whilst Major Evans, of the 8th regiment, who remained in command at Fort jeorge, so effectually silenced, by a well-directed fire, the enemy's bat- teries at Fort Niagara, that the fort was dismantled and abandoned. — By the death of General Brock the administra- tion of the Government in Upper Can- ada, as well as the command of the forces, devolved upon Major-General Sheaffe, who, having granted the United States commander an armistice of three days to bury his dead and take care of his wounded, paroled General Wads- worth and some of his principal officers, and sent the rest to Quebec. Among the prisoners taken, twenty-three men were found who declared themselves to be British subjects by birth. These men were consequently sent to England for Legislature of Upper Canada to his memory.— On the 17th April, 1840 (Good Friday), a miscreant named Lett introduced a quantity of gunpowder into this monument, with the malicious intention of de- stroying it ; the explosion, efTected by a train, caused so much damage as to render the column altogether irreparable. On 30th July, following, a public meet- ing was held on Queenston Heights for the purpose of adopting resolutions for the erection of anothe' monument. Nearly eight thousand persons — inclu- ding the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir George Arthur, and his staff— attended the meeting, at which the most eminent men in Upper Canada were present The meeting resolved that the most suitable monu- ment to replace the shattered column would be an obelisk, and a premium was offered for a design, which was awarded, in 1843, to Mr. Young;, architect to King's College, Toronto. The restored monu- ment was inaugurated in 1859. —Life of Majer-Gen- tral Sir Isaac Brock. F. B. Tupper. trial as traitors. The United States Government at once retaliated, and placed in confinement a like number of British prisoners, to be held as hostages for the safety of the men to be tried as traitors. — General Brock was interred on the 1 6th October, at Fort George ; the remains of his aide-de-camp, Lieut.- Colonel McDonell, were placed in the same grave, a cavalier bastion in Fort George, selected by the General's sur- viving aide-de-camp as the most appro- priate in every respect to the character of his illustrious chief. Immediately after the funeral was over, Major-General Van Ranselaer directed that minute- guns should be fired from Fort Niagara " as a mark of respect due to a brave enemy " — incontestible evidence of the generous feeling by which the United States commander was actuated. — On the 1 8th October, General Smyth as- sumed the command of the United States forces upon the Niagara frontier. His first act was to apply to Major-Gen- eral Sheaffe for an armistice, to which the latter promptly agreed, such armis- tice to continue until thirty hours after notice of its termination had been given. — November 9th. The United States fleet of seven vessels appeared off" King- ston, and, after chasing the Royal George into Kingston channel, opened fire upon her. The fire was, however, so warmly returned by both ships and batteries that the enemy hauled off*, and the next day beat out into the open lake, and, as the weather became more boisterous, the fleet sailed the following day for Sack- ett's Harbour. On their way, the trans- port sloop Elizabeth, having on board Mr. Brock, paymaster of the 49th, fell into their hands. Commodore Chaun- cey, however, immediately, in the most generous manner, restored to Mr. Brock all the effects of the late Sir Isaac Brock, which were on board. — Novem- 06 I8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. I8l2 ler. ri- ch is- ter n. es g- ly es xt as Ihe k- s- d U li- st k c ber, 30th. The armistice which had been agreed upon between Major Gen- eral SheafTe and Brigadier General Smyth terminated, and both sides pre- pared to resume hostilities. About mid- night on the 27th. November, a force under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler and Captain King of the 14th. United States Infantry, with about sc ^ enty United States seamen, under Lieui- tenant Angus, effected a landing on the British side at the upper end of Grand Isle, between Fort Erie and Chippawa. They were opposed by Lieutenant King R. A. and Lieutenants Lamont and Bartley of the 49th. King and Lamont, after a determined resistance, were wounded, and with about thirty men taken prisoners ; Bartley finding he could muster no more than seventeen men retreated. The guns were spiked and Boerstler and Angus returned to their boats and recrossed. Captain King (who was aide-de-camp to General Smyth) was less fortunate, for Major Ormsby having arrived with reinforce- ments from Fort Erie, King, with some other officers and about forty men, had to surrender. Early the following day (the 28th.) Colonel Winder started from Black Rock to renew the attack upon the British posts ; but in the meanwhile Colonel Bishopp had moved from Chip- pawa, joined Major Ormsby from Fort Erie, and awaited the enemy with up- wards of a thousand men, consisting of detachments from the 41st., 49th., and Royal Newfoundland regiments, a body of militia under Colonel Clark, and some Indians. The guns spiked by Lieuten- ant Angus had also been unspiked and remounted. Upon the approach of Colonel Winder, the British troops cheered and at once opened fire ; two of the boats were destroyed, the remainder were thrown into confusion, and Colonel Winder retreated to Black Rock with a loss of six killed and twenty-two woun- ded. Later in the day a flag was sent over to Colonel Bishopp demanding the surrender of Fort Erie and its garrison, to which the gallant Colonel somewhat laconically replied, ' Come and take it.' A renewal of the attack was threatened, but not actually attempted, on the ist. December, after which the United States army oh the Niagara frontier went into winter quarters. — The second session of the seventh Provincial Parlia- ment of Lower Canada was opened at Quebec, on Friday, February 21st., by His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Governor i.i Chief. (His Excellency's commission not having reached C anada, he is at this date described in all official documents as President of the Province and administrator of the Government.) The session was a very long one and did not close until the 19th. May. Twenty- two acts were passed^ amongst which were measures for improving the organ- ization of the militia ; for extending the powers of the courts of law in respect to writs of habeas corpus ; for ameliorating the condition of decayed pilots ; for re- pairing the Castle of St. Lewis ; and for preventing the introduction of infectious diseases. — The 8th. May was appointed a day of fasting and humiliation on ac- count of the war and the personal afflic- tion of the king.— 22nd. May, Olivier Perrault Esquire, and on 23rd. Edward Bowen Esquire, were appointed Justices of the Court of King's Bench for the Que- bec district, in place of the Honourables P. A. de Bonne and, J. Wilkins resigned. — June 29th. News of the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain reached Quebec. — June 30th. Proclamations were issued by Sir George Prevost announcing the dec- laration of war and directing all subjects of the United States to leave the Pro- vince within fourteen days ; laying an 107 I8l2 CANADIAJ\f ANNALS. I8l2 ':% embargo upon all shipping then in the ports of the Province ; and summoning the Provincial Parliament to meet on the i6th. July. Sir George Prevost left Quebec for Montreal on ist. July to take measures for the defence of the Mon- treal district. — July 6th. A militia gen- eral order was issued directing all the Battalions of militia throughout the Province of Quebec, to hold themselves in readiness to be embodied and march on the shortest notice to such points as the safety of the Province and the exi- gency of the service might require. — July 15th. Sir George Prevost an- nounced by proclamation his appoint- ment as Captain General and Governor in Chief of all the Provinces of British North-America. — July i6th. The em- bargo was continued by a further proc- lamation, and the exportation of arms and provisions and stores of all kinds strictly prohibited. The third session of the seventh Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by Sir George Prevost, who briefly explained that the declaration of war had rendered it imperative that Parliament should be summoned at once, and that he relied with the fullest confidence upon the As- sembly to make provision for the expen- diture which the preparations for the de- fence of the country would necessarily entail. The Assembly passed an act entitled ' An act to facilitate the circula- tion of Army Bills,' and having thus provided for raising the money required by the exigencies of the public service, the Parliament was prorogued on the 1st. August. The government having been thus enabled to meet the demands upon the exchequer, and public spirit having revived, every effort was directed to prepare for the defence of the country. The militia of Quebec had commenced garrison duty on the 5th. July, the reg- ular troops having been previously des- patched to the Montreal district.— Aug- ust 1 2th. Reinforcements for the garrison of Quebec having arrived on the 4th., the militia were relieved from garrison duty. —October 23rd. The piquet (consisting of a detachment of Canadian voyageurs, under the command of Lieutenant Rot- tot) stationed at the Indian village of St. Regis, was surprised about five o'clock in the morning, by a body of about four hundred United States militia, under the command of Major G. D. Young. Lieutenant Rottot, Sergeant McGilli- vray, and six men were killed, and En- sign Hall and twenty-three men were taken prisoners. In plundering the vil- lage the United States soldiers found a British ensign or union jack, belonging to some person living in the place and kept for display on file days, which, in an order issued by Major Young an- nouncing his victory, was magnilo- quently described as ' the first colours taken during the war.'— November 20th. About 3 A. M. a force of United States militia and a troop of dragoons, com- manded by Colonels Zebulon M. Pike, and Clarke, forded the Lacolle river and advanced upon the British outpost. The piquet which occupied the guard- house consisted of about twenty voya- geurs and a few Indians under the com- mand of Bernard Panet, who, being warned by Captain McKay, a sturdy North-Wester, that, whilst visiting the piquet, he had heard the noise made by the enemy in advancing through the un- derwood and in cocking their rifles, sa- luted the foe with a volley and retired without loss. Desiring to surround the guard-house, the enemy had divided his force, and was approaching from differ- ent points, when, being misled as to the position of the British piquet by Captain McKay's parting volley, the two parties attacked each other and kept up a smart fire for several minutes before the mis- 108 I8l2 CANADIAN ANNALS. iBli ties lart mis- take was discovered. When the error was found out it was ascertained that five men had been killed and several wounded. This unfortunate contretemps appears to have damped the ardour of the invaders, as the whole force retired across the frontiers and made no attempt to re- new the attack. As the movements of the enemy afforded grounds for expecting that a more serious attempt at invasion would be made before long, on the 22nd. November the Governor General issued an order directing the whole mil- itia force of the Province to consider themselves commanded for active ser- vice, and to be prepared to advance to meet the enemy as soon as required. Large bodies of militia marched to L'Acadie and Laprairie, and a general movement was commenced towards the point supposed to be threatened. The United States forces, however, did not renew the contest, but retired into win- ter quarters at Burlington, Greenbush, and Plattsburgh. — On the 23rd. Novem- ber an attack was made upon the United States frontier post at Salmon rivennear St. Regis. The attacking party was composed of small detachments of Royal Artillery, 49th. regiment, and Glengarry Light Infantry, amounting altogether to about seventy men, under the conmiand of Major Clarke, and about the same number of Cornwall and Glengarry mil- itia ; the whole force being commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel McMillan. The enemy being completely surprised, took refuge in a block-he ise, but, finding they were sut-rounded, at once gave them- selves up as prisoners of war. One cap- tain, two subalterns, and forty-one men, were taken prisoners ; and four batteaux and fifty-seven stand of arms fell into the hands of the British force. — The first session of the tenth General Assembly of Nova Scotia, was opened at Halifax, on Thursday, 6th. February, by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir J. C. Sher- brooke. Mr. Lewis Morris Wilkins was elected Speaker of the Assembly. — February 19th. This day was set apart by proclamation of the Lieutenant Gov- ernor as a day of fasting and humiliation throughout the Province of Nova Scotia. — April loth. The Assembly was pro- rogued.— June 27th. H. M. S. Belvidera 36, Captain Byron, arrived at Halifax. TMJielvidera had been attacked on the 23rd. (the very next day after the dec- laration of war became known), off Nan- tucket, by the United States frigates President and Constitution, accompanied by three other vessels ; the wind favour- ing her, Captain Byron was able to get the Belvidera off. He had, however, two men killed and twenty-two wounded. Late on the evening of Sunday, June 28th., a messenger arrived at Halifax with despatches from General Hunter, who commanded the forces in New Brunswick, with intelligence of the dec- laration of war. The Lieutenant Gov- ernor held a council at 10 A. M. on the 29th., when it was ordered that the mil- itia should be at once embodied, and such other measures were taken as were deemed necessary for the defence of the country. As it was very generally un- derstood that the people of the State of Maine did not desire that the amicable relations which had so long existed be- tween themselves and the inhabitants of the British Provinces should be dis- turbed, the Lieutenant Governor, with the acquiesence of the British Admiral then at Halifax, issued, on 3rd July, a proclamation forbidding any persons under his command from offering mo- lestation to the people of the United States living on the frontier of New Brunswick, or interfering with their goods or their coasting vessels. So un- willing, indeed, were the people of the Eastern United States to engage in hos- ■*,% 109 'Hfi i8ia CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 :i ! tilities with the ir northern neighbours, that when the declaration of war reached Boston, all the ships in port hoisted their colours at half-mast. An extra session having been summoned on ac- count of the war, the Assembly met at Halifax on 21st. July (second session of the tenth Assembly), and having made provision for the pay and maintenance of the militia and for the other necess- ary measures of defence, were prorogued on the 14th. August. — December 5th. Sir George Prevost returned to Quebec from Montreal, where he had for the previous four months been busily en- gaged in directing and superintending the measures necessary for the defence of the Province. Before leaving Montreal and after arriving in Quebec, addresses congratulating His Excellency upon the success which had attended his efforts and expressing the utmost confidence in his ability, were presented to him by the principal inhabitants of the two cities. — 17th. December. Louis Charles Foucher was appointed one of the Justices of the King's Bench for the Montreal district, vice the Honourable Pierre Louis Panet deceased on the 2nd. December. — 29th. December. The fourth session of the seventh Provincial Parliament was opened at Quebec by His Excellency Sir George Prevost, who, in his opening speech, congratulated the members upon the success with which His Majesty's arms in Canada had been blessed. — The General Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick met at Fredericton on Tuesday, 4th February, but there not being a sufficient number of members in attendance to form a quorum, the session did not commence until the 5th., when Major General Mar- tin Hunter, President and Conunander of the forces in New Brunswick, opened the session in due form. — The Presi- dents opening speech referred chiefly to the unfortunate condition of the rela- tions between the United States and Great Britain, and to the necessity im- posed upon the Assembly of making proper provision for the defence of the Province. — This session terminated on the 7th. March. Twenty bills were passed, including bills appropriating money for the defence of the Province, and for the regulation of the militia. Provision was also made for the preven- tion and extinction of fires in the city of St. John. 1818* — Colonel Proctor, who com- manded the British force at Detroit, had established an advanced post at French- town, on the river Raisin, about 26 miles from Detroit ; this post General Win- chester, who had advanced from San- dusky on 31st. December, with the inten- tion of making an attack upon Maiden, determined to capture. Colonel Lewis was accordingly sent 'orward with a strong detachment of United States troops, and reached Frenchtown about three o'clock on the afternoon ;>r the 1 8th. January. The small force under command of Major Reynolds (about thirty Essex militia and two hundred Indians) was compelled to retire, but maintained an obstinate though un- equal conflict for nearly three miles, when the United States force withdrew from the pursuit and occupied French- town, leaving Major Reynolds at lib- erty to continue his retreat without mo- lestation: he accordingly fell back upon Brownstown, sixteen miles nearer to De- troit. On the 2oth. January General Winchester arrived with reinforcements and joined Colonel l^ewis at French- town. Colonel Proctor, on learning of the retreat of Major Reynolds to Browns- town after the action on the i8th., at once pushed forward from Maiden with the whole of his available force, amount- ing to about five hundred regulars and no P^ i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 militia and six hundred Indians, and reached Swan Creek, a short distance from Frenchtown, on the evening of the 21st January. — At daybreak on the 22nd the British force commenced the attack, and, after a severe contest in which both sides lost heavily, the United States force surrendered. General Win- chester was captured some time before the final surrender by the Wyandot chief Roundhead, and conducted by his cap- tor to Colonel Proctor. The IJritish loss in this action amounted to twenty- four killed, and thirteen officers and one hundred and fifty-eight men wounded. The United .StJites forces had upwards of two hundred men killed, and one general, three field officers,nine captains, twenty f ubalterns, twenty-seven ser- geants, and four hundred and thirty-five rank and file taken prisoners. The glory of this gallant exploit was unfor- tunately tarnished by the massacre, on the following day, of a number of woun- ded prisoners. An alarm having been raised that CJencral Harrison was ap- proaching, the Indians, as was but too often the case under similar circum- stances, disencumbered themselves of their prisoners by killing them. In ac- knowledgment of his success upon this occasion. Sir (ieorge Prevost, as com- mander-in-chief in British North Amer- ica, promoted Colonel Proctor to the rank of Brigadier General, a promotion which was subsequently confirmed by the Prince Regent. — On the 6th of Feb- ruary, two companies of riflemen, un- der Captain Forsythe, crossed the St. Lawrence and made a raid upon Brock- ville. After wounding a militia sentry, and firing into a number of hcises, the enemy retired, carrying away with them fifty-two of the inhabitants as prisoners. Amongst the prisoners were several elderly gentlemen who had retired from the militia retaining their rank, and whose names were paraded by their captors as two majors, three captains, and two lieutenants of Canadian militia taken prisoners.— February 22nd. With a view to put a stop to these predatory incursions from the United States' side of the river, an attack was made by the garrison of Prescott, then under the command of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, upon the village of Ogdensburgh. The troops moved across the river upon the ice, and, after a sharp contest, drove the enemy from the village with a loss of twenty men killed and a considerable number wounded. Four brass field- pieces, seven pieces of iron ordnance, several hundred stand of arms, and a considerable quantity of stores, fell into the hands of the British, who lost seven killed, and seven officers (including Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell) and forty- one men wounded. After having de- stroyed two small schooners and two gunboats, Colonel McDonnell retired to his quarters at Prescott.— April 27th. The United States squadron of sixteen vessels, under Commodore Chauncey, haying on board 2500 troops comman- ded by General Dearborn, appeared in the early morning off York, ;ind soon bore down upon Gibraltar Point and the western flank of the town. Major- General Sheaffe, who commanded the British forces in Upper Canada, at once detached Captain McNeil at the head of two companies of the 8th, supported by two hundred of the militia and some Indians under Colonel Givens, to keep the enemy at bay so as to give time to destroy the public property and prepare for retreat upon Kingston. The United States troops disembarked at the mouth of the Humber undercover ofa heavy fire from the fleet, which killed Captain Mc- Neil and the greater part of his grena- diers, who were drawn upin lineon the top of the bank. The United States riflemen, III 1-813 CANADIAA ANNALS. I«I3 1 under Captain Forsytli, pushed forward under slieltcr of the trees and covered the hmding of ( leneral Pikcs's division of about one thousand men. Tlie Urit- isli force, having ahx-ady sustained a heavy h)ss, and being so greatly out- numbe ed, slowly fell back upon the town. (Icneral I'ike pushed steadily forward, and early in the afternoon found himself in front of the old French fort, which his troops at once proceeded to occupy. Jiefore, however, the defence had entirely ceased, a trcmeiulous ex- plosion took place, and friend and foe were enveloped in one common destruc- tion. This catastrophe put an end to the contest, whicli cost the Uritish force 62 killed and 72 wounded, besides Lieut.- Colone! Chewett and 293 of the militia who were compelled to surrender pris- oners of war. The loss of the United States troops, caused mainly by the ex- plosion of the magazine, was much heavier: upwards of 320 men wire killed and wounded, ( leneral Hike being amongst the number. During the ad- vance of the enemy, General Shcaffe had destroyed a ship which was i;n the stocks, the d(jckyard, and such stores as ct)uld not be taken away ; and having despatchctl, under escort, all the stores which could be removed, had iiimsclf followed with the remainder of his forces, and commenced his retreat to Kingston. The United States troops burned the halls and offices used l)ythe Legislature and Courts of Justice ; destroyed the library, and all the papers and records, including the library of the town ; robbed the church, and plundered private prop- erty to a considerable extent. A few of the books belonging to the public library were returned by Commodore Chauncey, but by far the greater part were taken away or destroyed. — May 2nd. The United States forces evacuated York. — April 23rd. General Proctor, in further- ance of his plan of attacking ( lencral Harrison's force in detail, assembled his forces and set out for the Mianu, ho|)ing to arrive there before some considerable reinforcements which were expected by General Harrison could reach that offi- cer. He ascended the river, and arrived opposite Fort Meigs on the 28th, his force at that time amounting to about 520 regulars, 400 militia, and nearly 1200 Indians.- On the 5th May, liiiga- dier-Gencral Clay, who had arrived with two battalions, assaulted the Hritish batteries and carried them, but, having lieen drawn into a pursuit by the Indians was cut off by General Proctor's main body, and, after a sharp action, the greater portion of the assailants were killed or captured. The loss of the enemy was over seven hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners (nearly ti\e hundred prisoners were taken) ; the liritish loss was comparatively trilling, amounting to fifteen killed and forty-five wounded. The Indians and militia, however willing to engage in the active duties of a campaign, were ill fitted for the steady drudgery of ordinary siege operations, and, conscquenth', notwith- standing his recent success. General Proctor found himself compelled to re- linquish his attempt upon Fort Meigs. He accordingly raised the siege, but was allowed to carry off his guns and stores without molestation. The main object of the attack had, however, been at- tained, as General Harrison found him- self unable to commence offensive oper- ations until he could receive reinforce- ments. — After his successful attack upon Toronto, General Dearborn prepared for an attack upon Fort George ; and, having obtained reinforcements from Sackett's Harbour, conmienced opera- tions on the 26th of May, when P'ort Niagara opened a heavy cannonade upon Fort George, by which the latter iia i«i3 CAS AD I AN ASNAl.S. 1813 ith- ) ic- .■i-s. was ires icct liiin- Ipcr- Ircc- jpon red jind, lorn pra- |"ort ide tter fort sustained considerable daniajjc The fire was resumed on the morning of the 27tli, aided by the k""** "f the Uni- ted States fleet, which covered the land- ing; of the enemy. For three hours (leneral Vincent H'T'li^'itly "Pposcd the enemy, but, findinjj it useless longer to resist a force which ^''^'''^t'y outnum- bered hisown, and wliich was, moreover, supported by the guns of a powerful fleet, he at length ordered the guns t<» be spiked and the magazine to be blown up. He then commenced a retreat, in excel- lent order, to (^ueenston, leaving to the United .States troops a dismantled for- tress and a few damaged houses. On the day following (lencral Vincent with- drew the garrison from F'ort Erie and his other outposts, and continued his retreat to Forty-Mile Creek. The Brit- ish loss on this occasion was 52 killed and about 300 wounded and missing. The loss of the United States troops is stated at 39 killed and 1 1 1 wounded. — On the 5th of May, Sir James Yeo, a Hrilisli naval officer, had arrived at (Quebec with several officers of the royal navy and four hundred and fifty seamen. Captains Barclay, I'ring, and Finnis, who had come overland from Halifax, were already busily engaged at Kingston in putting the fleet into a state of prepa- ration to meet the enemy. The Gover- nor-General accompanied Sir James Yeo to Kingston, with a view to imme- diate offensive operations.— May 27th. Sir James Yeo, ha\ing completed his preparations, the British fleet of seven vessels, mounting about one hundred guns, sailed from Kingston, having on board nearly one thousand troops, un- der the immediate command of the Governor-General, Sir George Prevost, who had with him Colonel Baynes, Ad- jutant-General. The 28th was spent in reconnoitcring. On the 2r>th the troops were landed, and, led on by Colonel Baynes, soon compelled the enemy to retire to cover of his forts and block- houses. 'I'he barracks ami a new frig- ate on tlic stocks were set on fire by the British troops ; and Genual Brown, who commanded the United States forces, believing his position untenable, gave orders to destroy the public buildings and naval stores. At this crisis, when a complete victory was almost gained, Sir George Prevost directed the withdrawal of the troops, thus snatching the fruits of victory from his own forces,and enabling the I'nitcd States troops to return and save from destruction a considerable amount of public property. The British loss ill this affair was one officer and forty-se\en men killed, twelve officers and nearly two hundred men wounded and missing. June 5th. The British advanced pickets fell back from Stony Creek owing to the near approach of the United States forces from Fort George. General Vincent having, upon the ad- vice of Lieut.-Colone! Harvey, Deputy Adjutant-General, decided to make a night attack upon the United States troops, moved up about eleven o'clock in the evening with the 49th and part of the 8th regiments, altogether about seven hundred men. Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, who had previously reconnoi- tred the position, led the attack with his usual gallantry, and completely surprised the enemy, who, besides their loss in killed and wounded, had two brigadier- generals (Chandler and Winder), seven officers, and one hundred and sixteen men taken prisoners. Three guns, a brass howitzer, and three tumbrils also fell into the hands of the British. Gen- eral Vincent withdrew his force before daylight lest the discovery of his numer- ical inferiority should not only neutralize the effect his spirited attack had pro- duced, but enccrrage the enemy to risk an action which, in view of his superior "J i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 ;V. .11 numbers, could hardly fail to be disas- trous to his opponent. The British loss in 'his affair was heavy, amounting to one officer and twenty-two men killed, twelve officers and one hundred and fifteen men wounded, and fifty-five men missing ; but the effect upon the enemy, who were thereby thrown back to the frontier and reduced from an offensive to a defensive force, compelled to de- pend upon their own resources, can hardly be overestimated. In the morn- ing the United States troops re-occupied their camp, but only remained in it long enough to destroy their tents and stores, after which they commenced a retreat to Forty-Mile Creek, where the British fleet found them on the 7th, and on the following morning opened fire and sum- moned them to surrender. Although declining to surrender, the United .States commander thought it prudent to fall back upon Fort George. Supported by the fleet, the British force pressed upon their rear, and the fleet captured twelve batteaux, containing officers' baggage and stores. — June 23rd. Lieut.-Colonel Bcerstler, of the United States army. was despatched from Fort George with the 14th United States Infantry, two field-guns, and some dragoons, amount- ing together to a little over six hundred men, to surprise the British outpost at the Beaver Dam. The expedition was planned and the men were assembled with rapidity and secrecy ; but, in spite of the precautions taken, the object and destination of the expedition became known to a few persons, amongst whom was James Secord, a militiaman, who had been severely wounded at Queens- ton. Secord, crippled by his wounds, was unable to move, but his wife, Mary, ani- mated by the love of her country, under- took a mission which a man, strictly guarded as the lines of the United States army were, could hardly hope to accomplish. With womanly tact, she threw the United States sentry off his guard, passed the lines, and, once in the woods, made her way rapidly, and reached the British outpost by nightfall. Her errand was soon communicated to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, who at once made his own preparations, and notified Major de Haren. At daybreak on the 24th Bcerstler's force encountered Kerr's Mohawks. Kerr, not having more than thirty Indians, had recourse to the tac- tics of his countryman, and hung upon the flanks and rear of his enemy, in- flicting such loss as he could and har- rassing his march. On emerging from the woods into a clearing (near the pres- ent village of Thorold) Colonel Bcerstler found himself confronted by Lieutenant Fitzgibbon's detachment, so placed that their weakness might not be discovered ; and upon his flanks and rear Kerr's In- dians, and the few militia whom the noise of the firing had attracted from their homes, kept up an incessant but desultory attack. At this moment Fitz- gibbon, whose cool, soldierlike bearing cannot fail to excite the warmest admi- ration, advanced with a white handker- chief and coolly proposed to Bcerstler that he should surrender. The United States commander, bewildered by the incessant yells of the Indians, and, as he believed, surrounded by the enemy, agreed to capitulate, and actually sur- rendered five hundred and twelve men, two field guns, and the colours of thj 14th United States Infantry to a lieuten- ant of the 49th in command of a de- tachment of forty-six men, supported by about as many Indians and militia. Fortunately the self-command of Lieu- tenant Fitzgibbon never for one moment deserted him, and he, therefore, man- aged to prolong the arrangement of the capitulation so that by the time it was actually signed, Major de Haren had 114 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS, 1813 reached the scene with two hundred men. — July 4th. Lieutenant-Colonel Clark crossed from Queenston during the night, and attacked Fort Schlosser. The enemy being taken by surprise, lost a brass six-pounder, about fifty stand of arms, some stores, a gun-boat, and two batteaux. — July nth. Lieutenant-Col- onel Bishopp crossed the Niagara at daybreak with about two hundred regu- lars (detachments of the 8th, 41st, and 49th, regiments), and forty men belong- ing to the Lincoln militia, with the in- tention of seizing and destroying the United States post and naval depot at Black Rock. The enemy were com- pletely taken by surprise, and in a few moments the United States militia under Major Adams, about three hun- dred men, were dispersed, and three heavy guns found in their camp were brought to bear upon the Block House garrisoned by United States Artillery, which speedily surrendered. No time was lost in proceeding with the work of destruction ; the Block House, barracks, naval arsenal, ard a schooner were burnt ; and all the public stores which could be removed were rapidly trans- ferred to the British boats. But, in the meanwhile, the enemy had not been idle. General Porter had escaped at the com- mencement of the action, and had rid- den rapidly to Buffalo, where he at once set to work to collect a force to oppose Bishopp. With this force he reached Black Rock just as the British were re- embarking, and his Indians creeping along the top of the bank, at once opened fire. Colonel Bishopp landed some of his men and drove the Indians back, but, reinforced from the main body, the Indians returned to the attack and com- pelled the British to take to their boats again. During this second embarka- tion some of the oars of Colonel Bish- opp's boat were lost, and the boat drift- ing helplessly down the stream, the gal- lant colonel became a target for the In- dians and riflemen, and was so severely wounded that he died in a few days, universally regretted by all who knew him. The British succeeded, notwith- standing the loss of their commanding officer. Captain Saunders, and fifteen men killed,and a large number wounded, in carrying off seven pieces of ordnance, two hundred stand of arms, and a large quantity of stores.— July 30th. The United States Cruisers from Sackett's Harbour succeeded in capturing, whilst passing through the Thousand Islands, a brigade of Batteaux loaded with pro- visions from Montreal for Kingston, with which he retired to Goose Creek, on the south side of the St. Lawrence, below the village of Gananoque. Lieutenant Scott R. N. with three gun-beats and a detachment of the looth. legiment, en- deavoured to retake the batteaux ; but the enemy had selected so strong a po- sition, and had so strengthened it with fallen trees, that Lieutenant Scott was compelled to relinquish the attempt, not however without suffering a severe loss, as Captain Milnes, aide-de-camp to the commander of the forces, who had vol- unteered his services, was mortally wounded, and died shortly after. — July 25th. General Proctor appeared before Fort Meigs with about five hundred men, nearly all regulars o( the 41st and 49th regiments, and two hundred In- dians. Finding himself unable, owing to the insufficiency of his artillery, con- sisting of two six-pounder field pieces, to make any impression upon the works, he withdrew his forces and proceeded to Von Stephenson, about twenty miles from the mouth of the Sandusky river, which he summoned to surrender. Major Croghan, who commanded the garrison of the fort, at once refused to treat, and expressed his intention of "5 i8i3 CANADIAN ANXALS. 1813 m ^"'i fighting to the last. On the evening of August 2nd, after a smart cannonade from his two six-pounders, and two five and a half inch howitzers, General Proc- tor attempted to carry the fort by as- sault. On reaching the ditch the as- sailants found themselves exposed to a raking fire of grape from a masked six- pounder, which compelled them to retire with heavy loss. Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel Short, of the 41st regiment, who led the storming party, and three other officers and fifty-two men, were killed and missing, and three officers and thirty-eight men were wounded. The loss of the garrison is said to have been only one man killed and seven wounded. Thus foiled in his attempt upon fort Stephenson, General Proctor withdrew on the 3rd August and returned to Am- herstburg. Commodore Chauncey, who had sailed from Sackett's Harbour with a body of United States troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, with the in- tention of seizing the British depot at Burlington Heights and destroying the stores ; finding that the detachment on duty there under the command of Major Maule had been reinforced by the Glen- garry Fencibles under Lieutenant-Col- onel Battersby, declined the attack, and moved down the lake to York, where his force landed on 31st July,* without opposition, and having taken possession of such stores as they could find, inclu- ding a quantity of flour, private property belonging to and taken from the stores of Major Allan and Mr. St. George, burned the barracks wood-yard and pub- lic storehouses on Gibraltar Point, re-em- barked the troops on Sunday afternoon, 1st August, and bore away for Niagara. * McMuUen in his History sf Canada, page 383, KiTC* tht date ef this raid upon York as the 23rd July ; but as the authorities generally fix the 31st as the day upon which the attack was made, that date has been tdhcrcd to. The British Fleet, under Commodore Sir James Yeo, left Kingston on the 31st July, and arrived off" Niajjara on the 8th .August. The two fleets manoeuvred for two days, and on the loth the British Commodore managed to cut off and cap- ture two fine schooners manned by forty men each. Commodore Chauncey lost two other schooners in a heavy squall whilst trying to escape the British fleet. From these vessels sixteen men were saved by the boats of the British fleet; the remainder perished. After these occur- rences the fleets separated, the British vessels returned to Kingston, whilst Commodore Chauncey remained for a short time at Niagara and then sailed for Sackett's Harbour.— On 7th Septem- ber the fleets came in sight of each other, and manoeuvred, but without re- sult. — On 28th September the fleets again met off York, when a smart action lasting for two hours took place. Sir James'Yeo's ^hip,the fF were actively engaged in covering the retreat. — September 27th. General Har- rison occupied Sandwich, and on 2nd October resumed his pursuit of the Brit- ish force, the rearguard of which he overtook on the 4th and captured a large quantity of ammunition and stores. — On the 4th October, General Proctor took up a position on Dalson's farm, ;i rising ground some sixteen miles from Baptiste Creek, and near the site of the present town of Chatham. Leaving Major Warburton in command, the gen- eral pushed on to Moraviantown, an In- dian village about sixteen miles from Dalson's. Before daylight on the morn- ing after his arrival, General Proctor was aroused from his sleep and informed that the enemy had already commenced an attack, had taken some prisoners and captured some ammunition and stores, and that the British force was retiring. Hastily mounting his horse, he rode with his staff" to the front, and met the retreating force some three miles west of the Indian settlement at Moravian- town. The British were halted and faced about. The position taken was 17 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 «1 ,\ good one, protected on the left by the river Thames, not broad but deep, and on the right by a swamp, leaving a narrow front, in the centre of which the road ran, upon which a small six- pounder field-piece was posted. About 8 a.m., the enemy appeared in sight, and advanced slowly, carefully availing them- selves of the excellent cover afforded by the trees. All at once the men were massed and a rush was made ; this was checked by a volley from the British, but in a moment the enemy rallied and renewed the attack, this time with more success, as the British troops, dissatisfied by fancied or real neglect, and dispirited by long continued exposure and priva- tion, made but a feeble resistance, and finally broke, and the battle was over. The greater part at once surrendered, the total loss in killed, wounded, and missing being twenty-eight officers, thirty-four Serjeants, and five hundred and sixty-three rank and file. General Proctor and his staff managed, however, to make good their retreat, and with a remnant of his force amounting to sev- enteen officers, besides the general, fifteen Serjeants, and two hundred and thirteen rank and file, assembled some- time afterwards at Ancaster. On this occasion the Indians carried on the con- test with great courage and tenacity intil the day was irretrievably lost and thirty-three of their number had been slain, including the celebrated Shawa- nese chief Tecumseth, who fell whilst ' ruciimseth was a Shawanee, and was born in 1 76J (ur 1770). He first distinguished himself in re- sisting the attempt of General Harmer to punish the Indians in 1790 ; and in 1791, when General St. Clair undertouk a similar mission, Tecumseth was one of his most determined and skilful opponents. From this time until 1812, the great aim of Tecumseth's life was to imite the numerous aboriginal tribes of North America in one great confederation, so that they might be strong enough to resist further encroach- ments, even if unable to regain their former posses- sions. In i8b, Tecumseth, whilst on one 01 his tours bravely contending with the Kentucky horsemen under Colonel R. M. John- ston, by whose hand it is believed Te- cumseth was slain, as there seems to be no doubt that it was whilst engaged in a hand-to-hand contest with Colonel John- ston that Tecumseth received the wound which caused his death. The conduct of Major-General Proctor in the man- agement of his retreat from Maiden, was very severely commented on. In the the general order of 24th November, 1813, the Governor-General, who was also Commander-in-Chief, uses these words in referring to the action at Mo- raviantown: " In the latter, but very few appear to have been rescued by an hon- ourable death, from the ignominy of passing under the American yoke ; nor are there many whose wounds plead in mitigation of this reproach. The right division appears to have been encum- dered with an unmanageable load of unnecessary and forbidden private bag- gage ; whilst the requisite arrangements for the expedition, and certain convey- ance of the ammunition and provisions, the sole objects worthy of consideration, appear to have been totally neglected, as well as all those ordinary measures amongst the tribes, had an interview with Major- Ueneral Harrison, then Governor of the State of In- diana ; no result followed this interview, and Tecum- seth continued his journey to the Creek nation. On his return he found that, during his absence, General Harrison had attacked his people at Tippecanoe, and that many of his warriors had been slain. In i8isi when war between th.nuer ^i'liit Toloncl Plenderleath, and *,Mi ' oltigeurs and Fcncibles, under Li«,::t.-Co' >ne' ' -arson, in all about eight hundred men, to follow the enemy. This corps of observation was accom- panied by the Deputy-Adjutant-General, Lieut. -Colonel Harvey, and proceeded on its way, escorted by a small division of gun-boats, commanded by Captain Mul- caster, R.N. On the 7th November Colonel Macomb landed on the British side of the St. Lawrence with 1200 men. and on the 8th November the enemy were overtaken by Colonel Morrison at Point Iroquois. On the loth November Lieut .- Colonel Morrison landed at the United States post at Hamilton, where he cap- tured a quantity of provisions and stores, and two pieces of ordnance. On the nth of November the United States forces, then under command of General Boyd, were so closely pressed by the British, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mor- rison, that they were compelled to con- centrate and ofiter battle. The United States force consisted of two brigades of infantry and one regiment of cavalry, amounting together to upwards of three thousand men. About two o'clock in the afternoon the enemy moved forward from Chrystler's Point and attacked Col- onel Morrison's advance, which gradually retired until it had reached the ground previously selected, an open spot where the right rested on the river, the left on a pine wood . The right was held by the flank companies of the 49th regi- ment, a detachment of the Glengarry Fencibles, and one gun under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Pearson, supported by three companies of the 89th regiment under Captain Barnes, with one gun. Further to the rear, and extending to the woods on the left the remainder of the 49th and 89th regiments, with one gun, formed the main body and re- serve . The woods on the left were oc- cupied by the Voltigeurs under Major Herriot and the Indians under Lieuten- ant Anderson. The battle became gen- eral by half-past two, when the United 120 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 States Commander endeavoured to turn the British left, but was foiled in his at- tempt by the 89th Regiment. The enemy next tried to force the right, but here he was held in check by the 49th Regi- ment. " When within half musket shot," writes Lieut. -Colonel Morrison, "the line was formed under a heavy but irre- gular fire from the enemy, the 49th was directed to charge their guns, posted opposite to ours ; but it became neces- sary when within a short distance of the guns to check this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from the enemy's cavalry on the right, lest these horsemen should wheel about and fall upon the rear ; but they v/ere received in so gallant a manner by the companies of the 89th regiment under Captain Barnes, and the well directed fire of the artillery, that they quickly retreated, and by a charge from those companies one gun, a six-pounder field-piece, was gained. The enemy immediately concentrated his force to check our advance, but, such was the steady countenance and well directed fire of the troops and artillery, that about half-past four they gave way at all points from an exceedingly strong position, endeavouring by their light infantry to cover their retreat ; who, however, were soon driven away by a judicious movement made by Lieutenant- Colonel Pearson." The British occupied for the night the field of battle. The loss of the United States force in this action amounted to three officers and ninety- nine men killed, and fifteen officers — including Brigadier-General Covington, who died two days after — and two hun- dred and twenty-one men wounded. The British loss was three officers (Captain Naime, 49th regiment, and Lieutenants Lorimier and Armstrong of the Canadian Fencibles), and twenty-one men killed, and ten officers and one hundred and thirty-seven wounded, and twelve men | 12 missing. On leaving the field the United States infantry at once re-embarked, whilst the cavalry with the field artillery — five guns — proceeded to Cornwall by land in rear of the division of General Brown, who being some distance in ad- vance was unaware of the action at Chrystler's Farm. General Wilkinson, who was ill and unable to land during the recent action, proceeded down the river and joined General Brown's division, near Cornwall. Here he learned that General Hampton's division was falling back upon Lake Champlain. Under these circumstances General Wilkinson, on the 1 2th of November, summoned a Council of War, at which it was unani- mously resolved, " That the attack on Montreal should be abandoned for the present, and that the army near Corn- wall should immediately be crossed to the American shore for taking up winter quarters." The United States forces were accordingly withdrawn from Cana- da, and on the 13th went into winter quarters at French Mills, on the Salmon river. Early in December, Lieutenant- General Drummond arrived at the head of Lake Ontario, and at once prepared to resume the offensive. On the loth of December, Brigadier-General McClure, in a most wanton and inhuman manner, burned the Village of Newark (Niagara), thereby exposing upwards of four hun- dred women and children to the inclem- ency of a Canadian winter and the im- minent risk of starvation. On the 12th of December, the United States forces, under McClure, hastily evacuated Fort George, which was at once occupied by the British, under Colonel Murray. The feeling of exasperation at the barbarous destruction of Newark was so general and so deep that General Drummond de- cided to retaliate, and preparations were immediately commenced for an assault upon Fort Niagara. On the night of the i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 1 i8th of December, Colonel Murray, with about five hundred and fifty men of the Royal Artillery, Royal Scots, 41st and looth Regiments, crossed the river and moved at once upon the fort, and having obtained an entrance through the main gate before the enemy had time to sound an alarm, possession of the works was speedily obtained, the enemy making a f"eble resistance, and finally surrender- ing at discretion. The British loss was one officer (Lieutenant Nolan) and five men killed, and two officers and three men wounded. The United States forces lost two officers and sixty-five men killed, and twelve rank and file wounded, to- gether with about three hundred pri- soners. Three thousand stand of arms, a large number of guns (twenty-seven being mounted on the works), and a great quantity of stores, fell into the hands of the British. Major-General Riall had crossed the river immediately after Colonel Murray, taking with him the remainder of the Royal Scots and 41st Regiments ; and, on learning that the fort was taken, marched at once upon Lewiston, where the enemy had assem- bled a force with the object of attacking Queenstown. On the approach of the British force, the United States troops evacuated Lewiston, leaving behind them two guns and a quantity of stores. Lewiston and Manchester were burned, and, with the view of following up these successes. General Drummond advanced to Chippewa, where he established his head-quarters. On the night of the 29th of December Major-General Rial! again crossed the river, and landed about two miles below Black Rock, having with him detachments of the 8th, 41st, 89th, and looth Regiments, and at daybreak on the 29th he advanced upon the town, where the enemy were in force and strongly posted. The United States forces maintained their ground for some time, but were compelled to give way with a loss of five guns. From Black Rock the enemy was pursued to Buffalo, where an attempt was made to check the advance of the British ; but being again compelled to retire, the United States troops finally took to the woods, leaving behind them three guns. The enemy having been thoroughly van- quished, General Riall detached two companies of the 8th Regiment, under Captain Robinson, to destroy three ves- sels belonging to the Lake Erie squad- ron, which was effectually accomplished. Buffalo anrl Black Rock were, with all the stores which could not be carried away, set on fire and entirely consumed. 1814. — January 7th, the Quebec papers contain a notice from the proprietors of the line of mail stages between Quebec and Montreal to the effect that the price of conveyance between those cities would be reduced from £4. ids. currency, to ^3 IDS. currency. The stages to start from Quebec and Montreal at four o'clock every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and reach Three Rivers the evenings of the same days ; to leave Three Rivers at four o'clock the follow- ing morning and reach Quebec or Mon- treal the same evening. January 22nd. — The House of Assem- bly, then in session at Quebec, being moved to read the article in the Quebec Mercury of the 19th January, under the head of ' ' Letter to a Party Leader," the same was read, when it was resolved, "That the said paper contains a false and scandalous libel upon this House, and a manifest breach of its privileges." And it was ordered " that Thomas Cary, editor of the Quebec Mercury, be taken into custody by the Serjeant-at-Arms or his Deputy, and be brought to the bar of this House to-morrow afternoon." January 23rd. — The House of Assem- bly was informed " that the Serjeant-at- 122 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 Arms had called several times at the house of Thomas Cary, editor of the Quebec Mercury, but had not found him at home." Whereupon it was ordered " that the Serjeant-at-Arms should use all diligence to take into custody and bring to the bar of the House the said Thomas Cary." February 8th. — A ;;eneral order was issued at Quebec stating that His Excel- lency having seen in the Boston GazeUe of 28th January, a publication purport..ig to be a copy of a General Order issued by the United States Government rela- tive to the exchange of prisoners therein named, considered himself called upon, in the most public manner, to protest against the pretended release of the officers named in the said general order from their parole of honour, given under their hands whilst prisoners of war, His Excellency having expressly refused to accede to the exchange of the officers mentioned,as proposed to him by Major- General Dearborn in his letters of 26th December and 2nd January, under au- thority of the United States Government, upon the identical terms contained in the order of i8th January above referred to ; and that His Excellency felt himself compelled to declare that he still consid- ered those officers as prisoners of war on their parole, and that should the fate of war again place any of them at the dis- posal of the British Government, before a regular and ratified exchange of them takes place, they will be deemed to have broken their parole, and to be thereby subject to all the consequences sanc- tioned by the established usages of war in like case. February 15th. — The fourth session of the seventh Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was closed by His Ex- cellency Sir George Prevost, who, after giving his assent to ten Bills passed du- ring the session, prorogued the Parlia- I ment. The attention of the House of Assembly during this session was mainly directed towards the necessity which ex- isted for making provision for carrying on the war against the United States ; for this purpose ample supplies were pro- vided by the three Acts which were passed ; the remaining Acts were, com- paratively, unimportant. The session of Parliament having terminated, the Governor-General left Quebec for Mon- treal on the 17th of February, to deter- mine upon the measures to be taken to resist the expected aggression in that part of the Province. February 1 8th.— Major J. Thomas Taschereau succeeded, upon the death of Lieutenant-Colonel de Lanaudi^re, to the Adjutant-Generalship of Lower Canada. March nth.— The Quebec Gazette contains the announcement that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent had been pleased to confer the dignity of a Baronet of the United Kingdom, upon Roger Hale Sheaffe, Esq., Major-Gene ral of His Majesty's Forces, and Lieu- tenant-Colonel of the 49th Regiment of Foot. April 14th. — Edward Brabazon Bren- ton appointed Secretary to the Gover- nor-General, in place of Herman Wit- sius Ryland, who retires from that office. May 5th.— H. M. S. Woolwich, 44 guns, arrived at Quebec, having on board Sir James Yeo and several other naval officers, and 450 seamen for ser- vice on the Lakes. May I2th. — Major-General Francis de Rottenburg issued a proclamation an- nouncing his assumption, during the ab- sence in Upper Canada of Sir George Prevost, of the administration of the Government of Lower Canada. June 3rd.— Major Taylor, of the looth Regiment, captured, near Isle aux Noix, 23 >7: i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 ff the United States armed vessels Grow- ler and Eagle, each mounting eleven guns, and having four officers and forty- five men on board. June 14th. — Major-General George Glasgow (Sir George Prevost being still absent in Upper Canada) announced by proclamation his assumption of the ad- ministration of the Government in Lower Canada, and by a second procla- mation, of the same date, removed the embargo from all vessels in Lower Canada waters. Amongst the prisoners captured on the 6th of June, in the vicinity of Stoney Creek, were two men, James Gready, formerly a private in the 8th Regiment, and Terence Hunt, for- merly a private in the 6th Regiment. These men, being deserters from His Majesty's service, and having been taken in arms fighting with the enemy against His Majesty's troops, were tried by court martial and sentenced to be shot. An expedition, under command of Colonel Murray, having been sent against Lake Champlain, succeeded, on the 29th of July, in destroying the enemy's Arsenal, Block House, Commissary's Buildings, stores, and some boats at Plattsburg, together with the extensive barracks of Saranac, capable of contain- ing 4,000 troops ; the barracks and stores at Swanton and Mississquoi Bay, and the public buildings, barracks, block- houses, &c., at Champlain Town. Some naval stores, shot, and equipments for a number of batteaux were brought away. Seven small vessels were taken, one of which was destroyed. Colonel Murray was ably supported in his operations by Captain Everard, R.N., Lieutenant- Colonel Williams, of the 13th Regiment, and Captain Elliott, of the 103rd Foot, Sir George Prevost, Grovernor-General and Commander-in-Chief, issued a proc- lamation, dated the 4th of September, protesting in strong terms against the practice of the United States Govern- ment in making prisoners of war of un- armed private citizens, and parolling them, with a view to preventing them from accepting any employment in their different callings as mechanics or other- wise, or from aiding the public service in any other way, under the apprehen- sion of exposing themselves to the re- sentment of the enemy for having vio- lated their parole. Sir George Prevost threatened to re- taliate with all the means in his power, if a practice so entirely opposed to all the usages of war was not at once dis- continued. September 20th. — General Hampton, with upwards of five thousand men, ad- vanced from Cumberland Head and en • tered Lower Canada at Odelltown,where his advanced guard surprised a small picquet early in the morning. The road leading thence towards L'Acadie and the open country in the vicinity of Montreal, passed through a swampy wood, and had been cut up and rendered impracticable by Lieutenant-Colonel de Salabenys Voltigeurs. This road was held by a detachment of Frontier Light Infantry and a few Indians, under Captain Mail- loux, who were at once reinforced by the flank companies of the 4th battalion of Embodied Militia, under Major Per- rault, and de Salabenys Voltigeurs. General Hampton did not attempt to force a passage by this road, and evacu- ated Odelltown on the 22nd of Septem- ber. Colonel de Salaberry followed the enemy to Chateauguay, and thence ad- vanced to Four Comers, where General Hampton had encamped. After a skir- mish with the enemy's advance, on the 1st of October, Colonel de Salaberry re- turned to his position at Chat94uguay, October 36th, — A smart action took place at the Chateauguay River between the United States army, under Major- "4 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1 8 13 r General Hampton, and the advanced picquets of the British, under Lieuten- ant>Colonel de Salaberry , the excellent disposition of his force, composed of the light company of the Canadian Fenci- bles and two companies of Canadian Voltigeurs, enabled Colonel de Salaberry to repulse with considerable loss the ad- vance of the enemy's principal column, commanded by General Hampton in per- son. The light brigade of the United States army, under Colonel Purdy, was opposed by Lieutenant-Colonel Mac- donnell, who, in like manner, chec! .ed its progress on the south side of the river by ordering the militia, under Captain Daly, supported by Captain Bruyere (who were both wounded), to advance across the ford and support the Beau- hamois Militia, who had been stationed at the ford to guard it. The enemy rallied and returned repeatedly to the attack, which lerminated only with the day in his complete disgrace and defeat, being foiled by a mere handful of men, who, by their determined bravery, held their position against more than twenty times their number. To Lieutenant- Colonel de Salaberry belongs the honour of this victory, which was entirely due to his soldier-like conduct, both in the judicious choice he made in the position and management of his forces, and in the gallant and steady manner in which the enemy's attacks were received and repelled. Besides the officers above mentioned. Captains Ferguson, de Bartzch, Levesque, Jean Baptiste Du- chesnay, Juchereau Duchesnay, and Lamothe, and Adjutants Hebden and O'SuUivan, were specially mentioned as having been conspicuous for their gal- lantry on this occasion ; and Colonel de Salaberry warmly acknowledged the valuable assistance he derived from their able support- The British loss at the Battle of Chateauguay was five rank and file killed, two captains, one sergeant and thirteen rank and file wounded, and four men missing. The United States army left forty killed on the field, and had about 100 more hors de combat, November 4th.— A general order was issued relieving the militia from further service ; this order concludes as follows : "His Excellency the Governor-in- Chief and Commander of the Forces, has the highest pride and satisfaction in declaring his acknowledgments to the loyal and brave militia of Lower Canada for the zeal and alacrity with which they flew to their posts, and for the patience and firmness with which they have en- dured, in this inclement season, the severe hardships and privations to which they have been exposed ; the steadiness and discipline of the whole force have been conspicuous, c^iid the undaunted gallantry dist-layed by six companies, almost f" a man composed of Canadian Fenciules and Militia, under the imme- diate command of Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, in repelling with disgrace, an American invading army twenty times their numbei*, reflects unfading honou. on the Canadian name." November 13th.— The Montreal Her- ald oi this date contains the following notice : " The Printer of the Montreal Herald has to apologize to his subscribers for not publishing this week, he and iiis ap- prentices having been called to a dis- tance upon military duty, which he trusts will prove sufficient excuse." The order of the Prince Regent in Council, of 13th October, 181 2, authori- zing general reprisals against the ships> goods, and citizens of the United States, having reached Halifax, the Lieuteoant- Governor, Sir John C. Sherbrooke, is- sued a proclamation calling upon all Hi& Majesty's loyal subjects to do their ut- most to capture the ships of the citizens as i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1813 i 1 ■. ^1 r of the United States and destroy their commerce, for which purpose His Royal Highness had been pleased to direct letters of marque and commissions of privateers to be granted in the usual manner. On the 13th January no less than 21 United States' prizes were con- demned in the Vice-Admiralty Court at Halifax. February nth.— The second session of the Tenth General Assembly of Nova Scotia was opened at Halifax by the Lieutenant-Governor Sir J. C. Sher- brooke, who, in his opening speech, ex- pressed his admiration of the zeal, loyalty, and courage of the Canadians, who, supported by a small force of regular sol- diers, had repelled repeated attacks of United States troops on their territory ; and his firm reliance upon the same spirit of loyally if Nova Scotia should be attacked. The Nova Scotia Assembly was pro- rogued on the 3rd of April, having passed an additional militia law, and provided for the improvement of the roads, besides giving attention to a great number of minor matters of local interest. June 6th — The United States frigate Chesapeake, 49 guns, which had been so gallantly captured by H. M.S. Shan- «"«. 38 guns, Captain Broke, off Bos- ton Harbour, on the ist June, arrived at Halifax. June 8th. — Captain Lawrence, late of the Chesapeake, who had died of the wounds received in the action with the Shannon, was buried at Halifax. His remains were landed, under a discharge of minufe guns, at the King's wharf, from whence they were followed to the grave by his own surviving officers, those of His Majesty's army and navy, and many of the people of Halifax. The coffin was covered with the United States flag, upon which was placed the sword of the de- ceased officer ; the pall was supported by I six captain! of the Royal Navy ; 300 men of the 64th Regiment attended as a firing party, and fired three volleys over the grave. August loth.— The United States brig Henry arrived at Halifax with a flag of truce from Salem, and permission having been granted, the bodies of Captain Law- rence and Lieutenant Ludlow — who had also died of his wounds— late of the Chesapeake, were disinterred and placed on board the Henry for conveyance to the United Sutes. August 25th. —The merchants and un- derwriters of Halifax presented an ad- dress to Captain Broke, of the Shannon, accompanied by a handsome piece of plate. November 12th.— Halifax was visited by a tremendous gale or hurricane which rushed up the harbour with terrific vio- lence. Twenty-one men-of-war of various descriptions were in port ; all suffered more or less ; seven of them were driven ashore, and several seamen lost their lives. No less than forty-seven merchant- men were stranded, and twenty-four, although not driven ashore, were more or less injured. Three small vessels were totally lost, together with seven or eight men who were on board. Fortunately the storm raged with the greatest vio- lence at dead low water, so that the wharves and stores suffered much less than they otherwise would ; but the total loss was very heavy. January 12th. — The General Assem- bly of New Brunswick met at Freder- icton, but a sufficient number of mem- bers to proceed to business not at- tending, the House adjourned until the 13th, when the members proceeded to elect a Speaker, in the place of Amos Botsford, Esq., deceased. John Robin- son having been elected and confirmed by the President, Major-General George Stracey Smyth, the regular opening of 26 i8i3 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 the Session took place on the 14th. In his speech the President alluded to the state of war then existing between the United Kingdom and the United States, and recommended a careful revision of the Militia Laws and such other mea- sures as might be necessary for the de- fence of the Province. February 15th.— The 104th ("New Brunswick) Regiment, being under or- ders to proceed to Canada on active ser- vice, the following resolution was passed by the House of Assembly ; — " Resolved, That the House of Assem- bly of New Brunswick cannot view thede- parture of the 104th Regiment from this Province without feeling every solicitude for a corps raised in this country, and destined they trust long to continue its pride and ornament ; the House have ob- served with peculiar pleasure that the merit of the officers and men of this regiment has been such as to have in- duced His Majesty to confer upon it a high mark of his favour and appro- bation in numbering it with the line ; and the House takes this occasion to ex- press the high sense they have of the propriety of conduct observed by tius regiment during its continuance in this Province." To which Colonel Halket replied as follows : — *' Kredericton, 15th Feb., 1813. " Sir, — I have this day had the honour to receive through you, their Speaker, the resolution of the House of Assembly of this Province, expressive of their sen- timents upon the removal of the regi- ment under my command from the coun- try, and also their marked approbation of its general good conduct whilst in it. ' ' Such honourable testimony of merit must always dwell in the recollection of every individual of the corps to whom I have communicated the same, and serve for the future to create an emulation amongst them for its long continuance, in the certain hope of rendering them- selves worthy of such marked distinc- tion from the country in which they were formed. I have, therefore, united with our sincere regret at parting, to offer you the uniform thanks of myself, the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the 104th Regiment, and to remain, with the greatest respect, " Sir, your most obedient servant, " (Signed) A. Halket, Colonti, Lieutenant-Colonel 104/A Regt. " To John Rawlinson, Esq., " Speaker of the House of Assembly. '' The 104th Regiment left St. John in February on their march through New Brunswick to Canada ; the people on their route turned out to help them with sleighs. The Session terminated on the 3rU of March. Acts for regulating the Militia, for vesting in the Crown such lands as might be required for fortitications or other military purposes, and for billeting troops and militia when on the march, were passed, and provision was made for such expenditure as might be neces- sary for the defence of the Province. Colonel Uesbarres was succeeded in thegovernment of Prince Edward Island by Charles Douglas Smith, brother of Sir Sidney Smith. Lieutenant-Gover- nor Smith summoned the Assembly to meet on the 15th of November. His opening speech was indicative of that eccentricity of character which tended so greatly in subsequent years to mar his usefulness as a public man. He re- marked that he would have called them together earlier, but he was not cer- tain that the public good would be served by it. 1814 — February 6th. — Captains Sher- wood and Kerr, with a small party of Ma- rines and Militia, crossed over the St. Lawrence fromCornwall to Madrid in the State of New York, and brought away a 27 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 f '1- considerable quantity of merchandise which had been plundered from British merchants near Cornwall in October, 1 81 3, when en route to Upper Canada. The inhabitants of Madrid made no op- position to the seizure and removal of these effects, and they, in consequence, were not molested by the British, who returned to their quarters with the goods they had seized. The third session of the sixth Pro- vincial Parliament of Upper Canada was opened at Toronto on the 15th February by Lieutenant-General^Gordon Drummond, who, in the absence of the Lieutenant-Governor, was President of the Province. Nineteen Acts were passed during this session, of which no less than thirteen were measures providing either directy or indirectly for the collection of revenue and the defence of the country. One of these Acts was to vest in the Crown all lands belonging to inhabitants of the United Status who, having come into Upper Canada and received grants of Crown lands, had withdrawn volun- tarily from their allegiance and from the defence of the Province. Another Act altered the law with reference to the for- feiture of inheritance upon attainder for treason. The session closed on the 14th of March. March 4th. — A party of the enemy having entrenched themselves at Long- wood, Captain Barsden of the 89th, with the light company of that regiment, the flank companies of the Royal Scots, and a detachment of Kent militia attempted to dislodge them. The attack failed, but the enemy shortly after abandoned the position. The loss of the British upon this occasion was two oiificers. Captain D. Johnston, Royal Scots, and Lieutenant P. Grame, 89th, and twelve men killed, and three officers and forty- nine men wounded. In the latter were included an officer and six men of the Kent militia, who behaved with great steadiness. May 4th. — General Drummond, with six companies of De Watteville's regi- ment, the light company of the Glen- garry's, the second battalion of the Royal Marines, a detachment of Royal Artil- lery with two field pieces, a detachment of a rocket company, and a few sappers and miners, set sail from Kingston with the intention of making ah attack upon Oswego. On the morning of the 6th a body of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Fischer, supported by about two hun- dred seamen under Captain Mulcaster, R. N., effected a landing in face of a heavy fire of round shot and grape from a battery, and of musketry from a de- tachment of about three hundred United States troops posted on the brow of a hill and in the edge of the woods com- manding the landing-place. The British OA landing pressed up the hill and stormed the battery ; the enemy soon gave way, leaving some sixty men, chief- ly wounded, behind them. The British having taken possession of the stores found in the Fort and in the neighbour- hood, dismantled the fortifications and destroyed the barracks. On the 7th May the force re-embarked and returned to Kingston. In these operations the British troops lost one officer (Captain Holtaway, of the Marines) and fifteen men killed, and two officers and sixty men wounded. The naval force had three men killed. Captains Mulcaster and Popham (both severely), and two other officers and seven men wounded. Three thirty-two-pounders, four twenty- fours, one twelve, and one six, all iron guns, were captured, and one twelve and one six-pounder were destroyed. One schooner, and several boats laden with ordnance, naval, and other stores were brought away, three schooners and other craft were destroyed. The garrison flag 28 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1 8 14 c r had been nailed to the staff, but Lieut. Hewitt of the Royal Marines climbed the staff and pulled it down . The result aimed at in this attack was but partially attained, as it was found that a large portion of the naval stores in the enemy's possession had been conveyed to the Falls, some miles up the river and de- posited there.— isth May. A detachment of United States troops, under Colonel Campbell, landed at Long Point, and at once proceeded to pillage and lay waste as much of the surrounding country as they could reach. The Village of Port Dover was burned, as were all the mills in the vicinity ; the cattle were killed, and every portable article of value, even to the clothing of women and children, was carried away. The loss of property by this raid was estimated at upwards of fifty thousand dollars. On the 29th May, a boat having on board two 24-pounders and some naval stores was taken by the British on its way from Sackett's Har- bour to Oswego. The Naval Commander having as- certained that fifteen other boats had left Sackett's Harbour for Oswego at the same time as the boat which had been captured on the 29th, directed Captains Popham and Spilsbury, with two gun- boats and five barges, to go in quest of the enemy. These officers, having learned that the enemy's boats had taken refuge in Sandy Creek, proceeded up the creek for the purpose of attacking them. The enemy were posted in strong force, and the attacking party were overpowered with great loss, eighteen being killed and fifty wounded. July 3rd. — The United States forces from Buffalo, Black Rock, and other places on the United States frontier, consisting of two brigades under Briga- diers Scott and Ripley, the whole being under the command of Major-General Brown, effected a landing without oppo- sition at two points ; the one about a mile above, and the other about the -ame distance below Fort Erie. Major Buck, of the 8th regiment, was stationed with about seventy men at Fort Erie, and he • at once surrendered his post without fir- ing a shot. Having thus easily obtained possession of Fort Erie the United States army advanced without delay to Chippewa, which was reached on the evening of the 5th July. Here Major- General Riall, with the looth Regiment under Lieutenant- Colonel the Marquis of Tweeddale, the 2nd Lincoln Militia, part of the Royal Scots, commanded by Lieutenant - Colonel Gordon, and 8th Regiments, and a body of Indians, was prepared to oppose the further advance of the invading force, and gave battle on the evening of the sth, when, notwith- standing the determined bravery and steadiness of the British troops, they were compelled by the great superiority of the enemy's numbers to give way, and General Riall accordingly fell back upon Chippewa ; and after throwing such reinforcements as he could spare into Forts George, Niagara, and Missis- saga, he retired to Twenty Mile Creek, so as to cover the route to Burlington Heights, lest the enemy should push on, and by a forced march succeed in occu- pying that important position. In this action the loss of the British amounted to six officers and one hundred and forty- two men killed, and twenty-six officers (among them Lieutenant-Colonels the Marquis of Tweeddale, Dickson(Militia), and Gordon, the former severely) and two hundred and ninety-five men wound- ed, and one officer and forty-five men missing. The loss of the United States force was stated at seventy men killed and nine officers and two hundred and forty men wounded, and nineteen men missing. After the battle the United States- 129 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 1 ' General Brown the intention of before reinforce- them. General forces advanced along the Niagara and occupied Queenston. Demonstrations were made against Forts George and Mississaga, but as Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker, who commanded at these posts, was prepared for a resolute defence, General Brown made no further attempts upon them. July 25th~General Brown retreated from Queenston, to which he had pre- viously retired, with his whole force to Chippewa. The village of St. Davids was burned by the detachment of ♦United States troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Stone, who was severely censured by General Brown for this act of vandalism. On the retreat of the United States army ^Lreneral Riall immediately ad- vanced ; whereupon wheeled about with crushing the British ments could reach Riall's force soon became hotly engaged and, being greatly outnumbered, were already beginning to retire when General Drummond, who had sailed from York on the evening of Sunday the 24th and reached Niagara at daybreak on the following day, reached the road leading towards the Beaver Dam over the sum- mit of the hill at Lundy's Lane. At once countermanding the order to retire which had been given to that part of General Riall's force composed of the Glengarry Light Infantry and Incorporated Mili- tia, Gen. Drummond, who had brought with him the 89th regiment, and detach- ments of the 41st and Royal Scots, im- mediately prepared to renew the con- flict. The formation was hardly completed when the whole British force was warmly and closely engaged ; the enemy attacked again and again, but were met with the most perfect steadiness and intrepid gallantr>', and repulsed with heavy loss as often as they advanced. So hotly was the contest carried on tha*^ the Bri- tish artillerj-men were bayoneted at their guns, and when, at the close of the ac- tion, the guns were limbered up, two United States guns remained with the British troops whilst one British gun was carried away by the enemy. About nine o'clock in the evening the enemy brought up the remainder of 1 ' '"rce, and re- newed the attack wit' -1 troops, but he was again everyw- repulsed with great gallantry. General Drummond was joined about this time by that part of General Riall's division which on the advance of the enemy had been ordered to retire, consisting of the 103rd regi- ment, detachments of the Royal Scots, 8th, and looth regiments. The enemy continued his efforts to carry the British position until midnight, when the severe loss inflicted upon him by the steadiness, valour, and discipline of the British force, compelled him to desist and withdraw his troops, which immediately fell back to the camp at Chippewa. On the 27th, the United States army, the command of which had, owing to the severe wounds received by Generals Brown and Scott, devolved upon General Ripley, burned Streets' mills, destroyed the bridge at Chippewa, threw a quantity of baggage and provisions into the river, and then continued its retreat to Fort Erie, where entrenchments were thrown, up and every effort was made to secure itself against the British, who immedi- ately invested the works. The United States force engaged at Lundy's Lane was estimated at about five thousand ; the loss was, by their own statement, twelve officers and one hundred and forty-eight men killed, fifty officers and four hundred and sixty-seven men wounded, Major-General Brown and Brigadier Scott being among the wounded. 130 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 On the side of the British five officers were killed and seventy-nine men. Gen- eral Riali was wounded and taken pris- soner. General Drummond was also wounded, as were Lieutenant-Colonels Morrison, Pearson,and Robinson, Majors Hatt and Simons, and thirty-three other officers, and five hundred and eighteen men ; and six officers and two hundred and twenty-nine men were missing, making a general total of killed, wound- ed, and missing of eight hundred and seventy-eight men. July 25th. — A communication from His Honour Lieutenant-General Drum- mond, President, administering the Go- vernment of the Province of Upper Canada, announced the result of the pro- ceedings of a special commission, held at Ancaster, in the Niagara District, on the 23rd of May, for the tri^il of persons charged with high treason. Fifteen per- sons were convicted and condemned : of these, eight — the principal offenders — suffered the awful sentence of the law, at Burlington, on the 20th of July. Seven were reprieved until His Majesty's plea- sure respecting them should be made known. His Honour concluded his com- munication by making a public acknow- ledgment to the gentlemen who com- posed the grand and petit juries under the Special Commission, for their pa- tience, diligence, firmness, and justice in the discharge of the solemn duties im- posed upon them. August 1st.— The United States fleet sailed from Sackett's harbour and pro- ceeded to the head of the Lake, but find- ing no land force to co-operate with, the United States troops being invested in their entrenchments round Fort Erie, soon returned to port. August i2th.— Captain Dobbs, R.N., captured with his boats (which had been conveyed overland from the Niagara River) two United States' schooners— 13 the OAio and the Sonurs— which vrcre lying off Fort Erie for the purpose of flanking the approaches. Each schooner was armed with three long twelve- pounders, and had a complement of thirty-five men. August 13th. — General Dtunimond, having determined to storm the enemy's entrenchments, opened fire from a bat- tery which he had erected, with such effect as to induce him to attempt the assault on the 14th, on the evening of which day three colums were formed ; one under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Fischer, of De Watteville's regiment, consisting of his own regi- ment, the 8th, detachments from the 89th and looth regiments, and some artillery ; a second under Lieutenant- Colonel Drummond, which was com- posed of the flank companies of the 104th and 41st regiments, and a body of sea- men and marines, under Captain Dobbs, R. N. ; the third was composed of the 103rd regiment and two companies of the Royal Scots, and was commanded by Colonel Scott, of the 103rd regi- ment The first of these columns ob- tained possession of part of the enemy's works, but was compelled, for want of support, to retire with heavy loss. The other two columns succeeded in obtain- ing a lodgment in the fort, and seized the Demi Bastion, the guns of which they turned against the enemy ; but, un- fortunately, a quantity of ammunition underneath the platform upon which the guns were placed exploded, causing the British troops severe loss, and throwing them into a panic from which it was im- possible to rally them ; whilst the enemy, profiting by the confusion which the ex- plosion had caused, pressed forward with a heavy and destructive fire, and com- pelled the assailants to retire from the works they had so gallantly carried. In this attack the loss of the British was i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 I very severe. Colonel Scott and Lieu- tenant-Colonel Drummond fell at the head of their respective columns whilst nobly leading the assault on the works. Captain Torrens, of the Royal Scots, and Lieutenant Noel, of the 8th, were also killed. Four officers and fifty-four men were returned as killed, and twenty-four officers and two hundred and eighty-five men wounded. In addition to these, nine officers and five hundred and thirty men were missing, most of whom were sub- sequently ascertained to have been killed. The United States force only ad- mitted a loss of eighty-four in killed, wounded, and missing. A few days afterwards, the 6th and 82nd regiments arrived to reinforce General Drummond, who did not deem it expedient to hazard another attempt to gain the fort, but was satisfied with continuing the investment, and by thus cooping up the United States army with- in their entrenchments, compelled them to procure all their supplies from their own country, and rendered the occupa- tion of the fort of no service to them. Having learned that General Brown had established his magazines at Buffalo, General Drummond, on the night of the 3rd of August, directed a force, under Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker, of the 41st regiment, to ascend the Niagara and to attack that post. The United States commander had, however, taken mea- sures to guard against any surprise in this direction, and on reaching the Cona- jocta Creek, Colonel Tucker found the bridge destroyed and a force on the op- posite bank, posted behind a breastwork of logs, ready to dispute the crossing. It being impracticable to force a passage at this point. Colonel Tucker next tried to cross at a ford on his left flank, but this too was so well defended by a body of Morgan's riflemen that the attempt was abandoned, and the troops were therefore re-embarked, and returned to the British side of the river. The United States Government, being very unwilling that the British should retain possession of the fortified posts on the Upper Lakes, directed, in April, the organization of an expedition having for its objects the seizure and occupancy of a new post alleged to have been estab- lished by the British at Matchedash, and the recapture of Michilimackinac. Owing, however, to various causes, this expedition did not actually start until the 3rd of July, on which day a detach- ment of the United States regulars and militia, under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Crogan, embarked at Detroit, and sailed for Matchedash. The weather proving unfavourable, the attempt on'Matchedash was abandoned, and the fleet bore up for St. Mary's, where Captain Holmes landed and pil- laged the stores of the North-West Com- pany, and then burned the place. After the capture of St. Mary's, the expedition left the Sault and proceeded to Michili- mackinac, where it arrived on the 26th of July. Colonel Crogan landed his troops on the 4th of August, and ad- vanced to the attack. The British, un- der the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McDonall, were quite prepared to re- ceive him, and after a sharp skirmish, in which Capcaii' Holmes and seventeen men of the attacking force were killed, Colonel Crogan withdrew his troops and re-embarked. On the way back to Detroit the expe- dition ran into the Georgian Bay and attacked Nottawasaga, where a schooner and a block-house were destroyed. On leaving Michilimackinac, Colonel Cro- ghan had directed two cruisers, the Tigress and the Scorpion, to remain in the neighbourhood, as they might be useful in intercepting supplies destined 32 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 for the garrison. A small party of sea- men, under the command of Lieutenant Bulger, of the Royal Newfoundland re- giment, succeeded in capturing the Tigress on the evening of the 3rd of September, and the Scorpion on the morning of the 5th. After the capture of these two vessels (each carried a long 24-pounder, and had a complement of thirty-two men) no further attack was made upon Michilimackinac. Lieutenant-Colonel McDonall, who commanded at Michilimackinac, de- spatched Lieutenant-Colonel McKay, of the Indian Department, early in July, with six hundred and fifty men, to attack the United States post at Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi, On the 17th of July, Lieutenant-Colonel McKay ar- rived at this post, which was situated on a height, and was defended by two block-houses, each mounting six pieces of cannon, and in front of the fort, in the middle of the Mississippi, was sta- tioned a large gun-boat, carrying four- teen pieces of artillery. The fort having refused to surrender. Colonel McKay opened fire upon the gun-boat, which he soon compelled to cut her cable and drop down the river for shelter. On the even- ing of the 19th of July, Lieutenant- Colonel McKay, having thrown up breastworks at a distance of four hun- dred and fifty yards, prepared to open a cannonade upon the fort, when the enemy hoisted a white flag and sent an officer to announce their surrender. The British immediately occupied the post, the sur- render of which was of great importance, as it at once secured the ascendency of British influence over the Indian tribes of the West. August 1 6th. — A detachment of the enemy, accompanied by a number of Indians, landed at Port Talbot, a settle- ment on the shores of Lake Erie, found- ed by Colonel Taibot,surprised the place, and plundered the inhabitants of all they possessed, leaving them utterly destitute and almost naked ; even women and children were robbed of their clothing in the most shameless manner. Upwards of fifty families, numbering over two hundred persons, suffered by this raid. The Burwells were particularly unfor- tunate on this occasion — five heads of families of that name being included in the list of sufferers. Mahlon Burwell, a Member of the House of Assembly, al- though ill of fever and ague, was bound like a felon and carried away as a pri- soner. Colonel Talbot escaped with much difficulty, but was unable to save a single article. September 17th.— The United States garrison at Fort Erie made a sortie in the afternoon, and attacked the lines of the British investing force with the whole strength of the garrison, amounting to upwards of five thousand men. At first the enemy gained some advantage, and turned the right of the British line of piquets, gaining possession, after a hard fight, of two batteries. Reinforcements were, however, rapidly pushed forward, and the enemy was driven into the fort with considerable loss. Both sides suf- fered severely in this affair. The United States commander admitted a loss in killed, wounded, and missing of five hundred and nine men, including eleven officers l-.illed and twenty-three wounded. The British lost three officers and one hundred and twelve men killed, seven- teen officers and one hundred and sixty- one men wounded, nnd thirteen officers and three hundred and three men mis- sing (these men it was subsequently as- certained were captured in the first rush upon the British entrenchments ; they were sent prisoners to Albany, where they arrived on the 9th of October) ; total, six hundred and nine of all ranks. 133 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 ll Mr. Willcocks, at one time a member of the Assembly of Upper Canada, against whom a presentment for libel had been made by the grand jury, in 1808, for seditious libel against the Gov- ernment and the Lieutenant-Governor, and who had subsequently gone over to the United States and joined the invad- ing force under Brigadier-General Rip- ley, was killed in this sortie. After this affair, Gereral ' iiamond, finding that his troops were encamped in a low situation, which the late rains had rendered very unhealthy, raised the in- vestment of Fort Erie, and on the even- ing of the 2 1st of September fell back upon Chippawa, the enemy -••;;■:.'? nj attempt to interfere with his inov"^le•^'^s. October 22nd. — Brigadier- Juieiii McArthur crossed the St. Clair river with a force of moun*.(..a Kenti 'cy Jfle- men, for the purpose ol making a n.'^ in Western Canada. Ke succeeded in reaching the Grand River, where he en- countered a detachment of the 103rd regiment, supported by a party of Indian warriors, who at once disputed his pas- sage. Finding his further progress thus summarily stopped, General McArthur retired towards Detroit, being followed for a short distance by a party of the 19th light dragoons, having only suc- ceeded in burning a few mills and plun- dering a number of settlers of their pri- vate property, their whole course being marked by wanton plunder, devastation, and indiscriminate pillage, conduct re- pugnant alike to the dictates of humanity and the usages of war. November sth. — The United States troops, under command of Major-Gene- ral Izzard, blew up the works at Fort Erie, destroyed the place, and retired to their own territory, thus relieving the in- habitants of Upper Canada from the distress occasioned by the enemy's oc- cupation of that part of the frontier. November loth,— The British fleet re- turned to Kingston, having on board Lieutenant-General Drummond and his staff, the 41st regiment, and a few con- valescents. December 24th.— A treaty of peace between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America was signed at Ghent. January 9th.— The General Orders of this date acknowledge the receipt of a report, through Colonel Sir Sidney Beck- with, from Captain Barker, of the Fron- tier Light Infantry, of the complete suc- cess of an expedition committed to the charge of that officer against the posts and depots of the enemy at Derby, in i'na State of Vermont, which were taken possession of on the 17th of December, 15.3. B.\rracks for 1,200 men, recently ei -;, were destroyed, together with •'I! .: ^rabies and storehouses ; and a lai,tr« qt :. .; o' military stores were brought away. Captain Barker reported Captains Curtis and Taplin, and Lieu- tenants Messa and Bod well, of the Town- ships Militia, as having rendered valu- able service on this occasion. January 13th.— The fifth session of the seventh Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada was opened by His Ex- cellency Sir George Prevost, Governor- in-Chief. His Excellency congratulated Parliament on the defeat of the United States army at Chateauguay by a mere handful of Canadian militia, and on the victory obtained over Major-General Wilkinson's forces at Chrystler's Farm, events which had nobly upheld the honour of His Majesty's arms and effec- tually disconcerted all the plans of the enemy for the invasion of the Province. January i6th. — Captain McGillivray, of the 3rd Embodied Militia, having learned that a sergeant and thirteen United States dragoons had been posted at Clough's Farm, on the lines, near 134 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 Phillipsburg, collected a few militiamen in the vicinity, and, at 10 P.M., attacked the post, capturing six prisoners and ten horses, with arms and appointments. One dragoon was killed, and one dra- goon and the sergeant severely wounded. January 2Sth. — The thanks of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec were voted to Lieutenant-Colonel de Sala- berry, of the Canadian Voltigeurs, and to the officers and privates under his command in the engagement at Cha- teauguay on the 26th of October, 181 3 , and to Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, of the 89th regiment, and to the officers and privates under his command in the action at Chrystler's Farm, on the nth of November. January 26th. — Captain Thomas Nairne (son of Colonel John Nairne, who had served with the troops engaged in the sieges of Louisburg and Quebec, and had subsequently been granted the seigniory of Murray Bay), of the 49th regiment, who was killed at the head of his company at the battle of Chrystler's Farm, was buried with the military honours due to his rank in the Protest- ant burying ground at Quebec. January 28th. — The following notice appeared in the Quebec papers : — " Quebec, January 28th, 1814. " As the couriers between Montreal :and Kingston have a liberal salary from the Post-office, they are no longer per- mitted to charge for the conveyance of newspapers to that Province. The post- age of the number sent will be charged to the editors at the rate of y. per an- num for each, in the same manner as those conveyed between Quebec and Montreal. The couriers are further en- joined to pay the same attention with respect to the delivery of papers as to that of way letters. " (Signed) Geo. Heriot, "Dy. P.M. Geni:' Februar)- sth.— The Speaker of the House of Assembly laid before the House a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel de Sala- berry, expressing his gratitude to the Assembly for the vote of thanks to him- self and the ofificers and men under his command at Chateauguay; which had been passed on the 25th of January. This letter was ordered to be entered on the Journals of the Assembly. February i8th. — The House of As- sembly of the Province of Quebec took into consideration the report of the Spe- cial Committee appointed to examine particularly the rules of practice of the Courts of Justice in the Province of Quebec, and to report in detail upon the principal points wherein they were con- trary and repugnant to the law of the land ; and the resolutions contained in the said report being agreed to, the House resolved to impeach Jonathan Sewell, Esq., Chief Justice of the Prov- ince of Quebec, and James Monk, Esq., Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench for the District of Montreal. March 3rd.— The Speaker and Mem- bers of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Quebec, attended Sir George Prevost, Captain-General and Govemor- in-Chief, at the castle of St. Lewis, and presented the articles of impeachment against Chief Justices Sewell and Monk, requesting His Excellency to transmit them to His Majesty's (ministers to be laid before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent., The Assembly also re- quested His Excellency to suspend the Chief Justices from their ofifices until Mis Majesty's pleasure should be known. ' His Excellency's reply was as follows : 'I shall take an early opportunity of transmitting to His Majesty's minis- ters your Address to Hfs Royal High- ness the Prince Regent, together with the articles of accusation which have been preferred by you against the Chief 13s i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 ■ ) Justice of the Province, and the Chief Justice of the District of Montreal. But I do not think it expedient to suspend the Chief Justice of the Province, and the Chief Justice of the District of Mon- treal, from their offices upon an Address to that effect from one branch of the Le- gislature alone, founded on articles of accusation on which the Legislative Council have not been consulted, and in which they have not concurred." The House of Assembly took umbrage at the tone of His Excellency's reply, and on their return at once proceeded to pass a series of resolutions affirming their right to offer advice to the Gover- nor-in-Chief without the concurrence of the Legislative Council ; asserting that the charges exhibited by the House of Assembly were rightly denominated " Heads of Impeachment ;" and con- cluding with the declaration that His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, " by his said answer to the Address of this House, hath violated the constitutional rights and privileges of this House." These resolutions were followed on the 8th March by another, which reads : " That notwithstanding the perverse and wicked advice given to His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, on the subject of the Constitutional Rights and Privi- leges of this House, and the endeavors of evil disposed advisers to lead him into error, and to embroil him with His Ma- jesty's faithful Commons of this Prov- ince, this House has not, in any respect, altered the opinion it has ever enter- tained of the wisdom of His Excellency's administration of the Government, and is determined to adopt the measures it had deemed necessary for the support of the Government, and the defence of the Province." March isth. — A deputation of 23 In- dian chiefs and warriors, representing the Ottawas, Chippewas, Shawnees, Delawares, Mohawks, Saulks, Foxes, Kickapoos, and Winnebagoes, and ac- companied by the sister of Tecumseh had arrived in Quebec, and were this day admitted to a special audience of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, who received them with a good deal of state, in the great room ot the old castle of St. Lewis ; the band of the 70th regi- . ment was in attendance. Addresses were made to His Excellency, who re- plied in suitable terms. After the speeches had been delivered, Tecumseh's sister was presented to Lady Prevost. P.efreshments were then served, and the Chiefs took their leave, apparently well pleased with their reception. March 17th. — The session of Parlia- ment closed ; the Governor-in-Chief re- marked in his prorogation speech : " I cannot but lament the course of pro- ceeding adopted by you " (the House of Assembly) " has occasioned the loss of a productive revenue bill, and of the liberal appropriations you had made for the defence of the Province, and for ameliorating the situation of the militia ; and I regret that in sacrificing these desirable objects, you should have been swayed by any considerations which seemed to you of higher importance than the immediate secrity of the country or the comfort of those engaged in its protection." Eleven bills received the Royal Assent on this occasion ; of these, nine were to continue or amend existing laws ; one was for the establishment of Post Houses in the different parts of the Province, declaring very minutely the duties QixhcMaitres de Paste as respects the accommodation to be afforded to the travelling public ; the remaining Act was to exempt from duty salt imported for the use of the Fi heries in the Province. On the 22nd March, Sir George Pre- vost issued a proclamation,which appear- 36 i8i4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 he .ct :d le ed in the Quebec Gazette^ dissolving the Parliament of Lower Canada, and di- recting the issue of writs for the election of a new Parliament, returnable on the 13th of May following. March 26th. — A General Order was issued conveying the approbation of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of the gallant conduct of Lieutenant-Colo- nel de Salaberry and the officers and men of the Canadian militia under his command at Chateauguay, and statuig that in accordance with the request of His Excellency the Governor-General, His Royal Highness had been pleased to direct that colours should be forwarded for presencation to the embodied battal- ions of Canadian militia, "feeling that they have evinced an ability and dispo- sition to secure them from insult, which gives them the best title to such a mark of distinction." March 26th. — A proclamation was is- sued, appointing the 21st of April a day of General Thanksgiving, for the great success which had attended the opera- tions of His Majesty's troops in various parts of the world, and for the protection of His Majesty's dominions from the attacks of his enemies. March 30th. — The outposts on the communications leading from Odelltown to Burtonville and Lacolle Mill, were at- tacked at an early hour by the enemy under the command of Major-General Wilkinson, who had advanced with a force of nearly three thousand men col- lected from Burlington and Plattsburg. The British picquets fell back in good order before the superior numbers of the enemy, disputing his advance. The ad- vance on the Burtonville road was not persevered in, the whole of the enemy's force being directed against the post at Lacolle, under command of Major Handcock, of the 13th regiment. The picquets were soon driven in and the enemy advanced in force and established a battery of three 12-pounders, with which they opened fire on the Mill Block House. Major Handcock ordered an attack upon the enemy's guns which although executed with the greatest gal- lantry, failed in consequence of the large number of the enemy's infantry posted in the surrounding woods. A second attempt to capture these guns was made by the grenadier company of the Canadian Fencibles and a company of Voltigeurs, who having followed the enemy from the Burtonville road with the view of reinforcing the point at- tacked, made a most spirited attempt to capture the enemy's guns, and although foiled in this, they succeeded in gaining the Block House and reinforcing the garrison. Captain Pring, of the Royal Navy, brought up a sloop and some gun-boats from Isle aux Noix to the mouth of the Lacolle river, whence he opened a destructive and galling fire upon the enemy. Lieut. Creswick, R. N., succeeded in landing two field- pieces and stores, and getting them from the boats to the Block House. The enemy persevered in his attack until night-fall, when he withdrew his guns and retreated by the road to Odelltown, having sustained a severe loss. The loss of the British in this attack was two officers (Captain EUard and Ensign Whitford, of the 1 3th regiment) wounded, II men killed, and 2 Serjeants and 42 men wounded. Major Handcock ex- pressed himself highly indebted to Capt. Ritter, of the Frontier Militia, whose local knowledge enabled him to afford the most essential service and to furnish most valuable information. The loss of the United States forces on this occa- sion, is said to have reached nearly 300 in killed, wounded, and missing. April 24th. — A General Order was issued by His Excellency the Governor- 37 \i I8I4 CANADIAN ANNALS. 1814 in-Chief and Commander of the Forces, announcin); that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent had been please to direct that medals or other badges of distinc- tion should be issued to such officers as were recommended by His Excellency who were engaged in the actions at Detroit, Chateauguay, and Chrystler's Farm. April 2Sth. — A notice from the Gen- eral Post Office states that the office will, on the 2nd May, be removed to the Freemason's Hall ; and that, for the future, the mails will travel by night as well as by day. June 14th. — Addresses were presented to Chief-Justices Sewell and Monk by the Legislative Council and the inhabit- ants of the city and vicinity of Quebec, expressing their strong disapproval of the action of the Hoyse of Assembly in preferring articles of accusation against the two Chief-Justices, and expressing their great confidence in and hearty sympathy with the accused. July 14th. — The Quebec GiizeUe pub- lished the Proclamation of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, dated from Carlton House on the 6th of May, de- claring the cessation of arms, as well by sea as land, agreed upon between His Britannic Majesty and His Most Chris- tian Majesty, and enjoining the ob- servance thereof. August 2d. — H.M.SS. Warspite, 74, Captain Lord James O'Bryen, and Ajax, 74, Rear-Admiral Otway, arrived at Quebec from Bordeaux with troops, ac- companied by the York, 74, and the Vengeur, 74, which last, however, re- mained at the Brandy Pots and tran- shipped their troops. With these ships there arrived forty-three transports, with troops from the Garonne — amounting, with the troops which had previously arrived, to a reinforcement of about i6,ocx> men. The squadron on Lake Champlain hav- ing been placed in a state of efficiency, and the new frigate the Coufiance having been rapidly pushed forward so as to take part inthccontemplatediservice, astrong reinforcement of l?lue. Jackets was sent from H.M.SS. Ajijf&MlVtirspi/e, then at Quebec, for service on the lake. The naval preparationsbeing thus completed. Sir George Prevost concentrated his arnjy between Laprairieand Fort Cham- bly, having under him Major-General de Rottenburg,immediatelyin command, and Majors-General Power, Robinson, and Brisbane in command of brigades. On the 1st of September, this army crossed the United States frontier at Odelltown, and on the 3rd advanced and occupied Champlain Town, which was abandoned by the enemy on the ap- proach of the British. On the 4th, the British advanced upon Plattsburg, upon which town the United States militia re- tired as the British advanced. From the 4th until the loth of September, the British remained in front of Plattsburg waiting until the fleet could assist in the projected combined attack. On the i ith, at dawn of day, the troops were ordered under arms, and about 9 A. M . the Cou- fiance rounded Cumlierland Head, fol- lowed at some distance by the other vessels. The enemy's squadron on Lake Cham- plain consisted of the Saratoga, 26 ; Eagie, 20 ; Ticonderoga, 1 7 ; and the cutter Preble, of 7 guns. The British had, besides the Confiance, 36, the Lin- net, 18 ; the Chub, 10 ; and the Finch, 10 ; and 12 gun-boats, mounting in the aggregate 16 guns. Shortly after round- ing Cumberland Head, the Confiance found herself, about 8 A.M., in front of the enemy's line, and had to bear the brunt of the fire of the whole United States squadron ; a fire which, however, she returned with considerable effect. 138