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THE 
 
 HISTORY OJ CANADA, 
 
 FROM 
 
 Jis Jfirst ^istokrg 
 
 TO 
 
 THE PlIESENT TIME. 
 
 k m^ wm^iH 
 
 AUTHOR OF "CiMP AND BARRACK ROOM, OR BRITISH ARMY AS IT IS." 
 
 BROCKVILLE, C. W. 
 
 J. M'MULLEN, PUBLISHER. 
 
 18 5 5. 
 
F ^ 0^ 4 
 
 xij »^ O 
 
 ^01 
 
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 A/ 
 
 Entered according to the act of tlio Provincial Legislature for the 
 protection of copyrights, in the oflico of tlic Provincial ilcgistrar of 
 Canada, Nov, 1855. 
 
C O N T E N T S. 
 
 INTIIODI-CTIOX. 
 
 Social condition of the Canadian Aborigines : 
 
 Extent ul' their territory ; . . . 
 
 Their want of historical records : 
 
 Tiieir agrieiiltural Condition : 
 
 Their ndiyions belief: .... 
 
 Political condition 
 
 Tiii 
 
 CIIAl'TEll T. 
 
 DiscovcryofAnicrica by Columbus. 
 Cabot visits the Gnlt of St. Lawrence. 
 Cartier proceeds to Canada : .... 
 
 Visits Ilochelaya 
 
 Cartier nial<es anotlier voyage to Canada. 
 
 Expedition of lioberval to' tlie St. Lawrence. 
 
 Do la 1 Iodic pnjcucils to Canada. 
 
 Cham[dain's first expediti.jn to the St. Lawrence : 
 
 Eorms a settlement at Qnebco : 
 
 Assists the Canadian Indians against the Iroquois ; 
 
 Ascends the Ottawa River : " . 
 
 Accompanies an Algonquin war party to Detroit. 
 
 Illiberal jiolicy of the ])uke de ^'entad()ur 
 
 Cardinal Jlichelieu's Canadian policy— Formation of the company 
 
 of "One Hundred Associates.'' 
 
 War between England and France— Capture of Quebec by Kirli 
 Death and character of Champlain. .... 
 
 CHAPTEIl [J. 
 
 Governor De Montmagny arrives in Canada, K;r>7— Island of 
 
 ^[ontreal settled. 
 
 First peaee with the Iroquois. 
 
 M. de Aillebont a[)pointed (iovcrnnr. lOtT. 
 
 Conversion of the Indians to Christianitv. 
 
 H 
 
 III 
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 \ 1 1 r 
 
 (^ 
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 10 
 
 II 
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 ir> 
 
 21 
 
 24 
 2;". 
 2«', 
 
 2.S 
 21 ► 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Incursions (»f tlic Iroquois — Massncn- of Sillcry nnd St. Louis — 
 
 Flight of tile IluroM li'.ilians. ...... 
 
 J)o L;uison iij)|ii)intc'(l (-iovi'mnr, Ki.'d — Iro'juois nir\ko (icroi! 
 
 inroads int.o ('ana<la and attack iIk- Kv'w/. or ("at 'rril)o. 
 Jesuits cslalili^ii tliciuse'lvis aiiionu liie ('nou'laLra Iroquois. 
 Iroquois niako a descent on lln- Isle ul' Orleans — Their haughty 
 
 tune to I )(; l.ansoii. ....... 
 
 Total destruction of the I'^r'uz liy tlie lro(|Uois. 
 
 <iovorn(jr J)c Ar^'ensuu arrives at CiueUec, iO'iS. -Fresh irruption 
 
 of the Iroquois. ........ 
 
 Do Avauiiour ai>[)ointed (itivernor, ItWiO — J)e|>lorable condition 
 
 of the colony. ... , . . . . 
 Karthqiiaku in Canada, "ith Ful)., l<t»>,'{ 
 
 expc 
 
 CIIAI'TFll III. 
 
 Do Mezy appointed Governor, lOiWJ — The Crown assumes control 
 of the colony. ....... 
 
 Do Mezy q\nirrels with the Jesuits and is recalled. 
 
 (Governor iJo Courcelles arrives in Canada, U»«) I — Leads ai 
 dition against the Mohawks. .... 
 
 The Mtjhawk villages destroyed by the French. 
 
 The French West India Conipany receives Canada. . 
 
 Smallpo.x appears among the Indians, 
 
 Count de Fronteiiac appointed (Jovernor, 1GT2. 
 
 Discovery of the Mississippi. .... 
 
 Expedition of La Salle ; 
 
 lie is murdered by his followers. .... 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Do Frontenac recalled and Dc la Barre appointed as his succes 
 
 sor, lt)82. 
 
 The Iroqiiois again commence hostilities : ... 
 
 Dc la Barre makes a disgraceful peace with them, and is super 
 
 seded in the government by De Denonvillc. 
 Number of Iroquois' warriors. ..... 
 
 Governor Dongan of New York interferes between the Iroquois 
 
 and the French. 
 
 French retaliate by capturing the British posts on Hudson's Bay 
 Invasion of the Seneca country by the French. 
 De Denouville makes a humiliating peace with the Iroquois. 
 Iroquois lay waste the Island of Montreal — De Frontenao again 
 
 appointed Governor, 1G81), 
 
 French and Indians destroy Schenectady and massacre the 
 
 inhabitants. , 
 
 Massacre of Salmon Falls 
 
 The British colonies determine to invade Canada. 
 Winthrop retreats from Lake Champlain, 
 
 3-i 
 
 10 
 
 41 
 43 
 
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CONTENTS. 
 
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 Ailmiral Pliipp'* is dofoatoJ at Qiabi-c, .iml retreats <]own the S( 
 fjawrciur willi liis (Irct. ...... 
 
 liDijUDis niu;w their iiuur.sii»ns. ..... 
 
 Di- l''n)nt('iiao iii.inlu's against the Ir<)i|Uois, atulattaclis tlie < >non 
 (lai^as and ihi' ( )iii'i(las. ...... 
 
 Death ol' JJc rroiiteiiao — His < liaiMOhM-. 
 
 CllAPTICi: \. 
 
 Clicvalier de ( 'allirres a]>|i(»iiileil|( lovi rimr, l<t'.>9. 
 
 I'eai't; rstuhlished with tiie ln)<|ii()i«i. .... 
 
 Settlement (»f J)etr()it — Deatliol I )e ( alliores. 
 
 The Mai'ijiiis de \'audreuil becnines (lovernnr, 170'}. 
 
 Massacre ot I laverliill. ....... 
 
 Queen Anne determines on the cnn(|Uost of Canada. 
 Captiire of I'ort Uoyal in Nova Scolia. .... 
 
 Admiral \\ali<er and (ieiieral Hill leave I'2ngland t<j captinv 
 
 Quebo<'. ......... 
 
 A ])art of till" luiirll-ii (Ifcf lo^t in the St Lawrence ; the remain 
 
 der returns to l-jijiland. ...... 
 
 Treaty ol I'tredit — Newlbimdlaiid and Nova Scotia ceded f< 
 
 (Ireat Dritain. ........ 
 
 < "liarlevoix comes to ( anada — His account of tiie coinit/'y. 
 
 J )eath of (lovernor De N'audreuil — De Ucauliarnois appi'lntet 
 
 (Jovei'iior. 1 r^(5. ... ... 
 
 Social condition ot Canada. ...... 
 
 ('aptm-e ot l.oiii.sluirg hy the ndlilia of ^lassaehnselts led by 
 
 William reppcrell. ....... 
 
 CIIAPTi:Ji \T. 
 
 (vonnt de la Calissonicre becomes (Jov >, ,r — Flis public mea- 
 sures, 1771. ......... 
 
 De la .lou.piiei'e assumes the (Jovernmeiit of ('auada. 
 
 The Fi'eiieli (.'neroaelmients in Nova Scotia. .... 
 
 Abuses in the (lovernmcnt. ....... 
 
 The Martpiis du Ciuesne appointed ( lovernor — He prepares for 
 war with (ireat iJritain, 17.V2. ...... 
 
 VirLfinia claims the valley of the Ohio : is insisted b_\ the h^ri nch. 
 
 \Na>hingliMi proceeds to the ( )hiij valley to prevent Fi'.ikIi 
 oci-upaliou of it. ........ . 
 
 He constructs V'ort Necessity, where lu is bc-iegcd 1)} CoiitreCuur 
 aiid Com)ielled to siu'riilder. ...... 
 
 Mea-ures ol" the JSriti-h (lovermnent. . . . . . 
 
 Mar<|ais de \'audreuil appointed < lovernor, 17.");"). 
 
 Deirraded condllion of' ihe Haliitants, . . . . . 
 
 Diaddock m;i!che> to attack Fort du Quesne : is attacked by 
 the French and deteated. ....... 
 
 The Uriii^h drive the i-'rench from the Acadian Isthmus, . 
 
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4 CO NT i: NTS 
 
 Dii'sk.'iu attn<.ks Sir WiHi;iia Julmsuii at Lake (Joorgo aiul is 
 
 •U'fi'ati'il. . , . . . , . , . . 1 1 J» 
 French ami Imliaiis harass the frontier scttli'ini-nts v\' Pciisyl- 
 
 vania. . . , . . . . . . . I'il 
 
 CH APTKIi Vii. 
 
 l-'ranc'c and I'liif.'laml di'clarr war against caoii othrr — Cunilitiun 
 
 ul' < 'ana. la. . . . . . . •. 
 
 Arrival in Canada of Montcalm — lie prepares fur war. . 
 l)e V'iUii'r attacks Uradstrect near ( )sweyo and is defeali'd. 
 Montcalm hcsieifcs and takes ( )s\\eg(^. .... 
 
 Ijonl Loudon prc|)ares to liesieire Louislturg. 
 
 Montcalm invests Furt ^ViHiam Henry. 
 
 < 'oloncl Mnnroe sin'rendci's. ...... 
 
 Massacre of the lirilisli ^f;irrison hy the Indians. 
 
 i'itt appoints new general oflicirs. ..... 
 
 Amherst proceeds to capture Lonisburg — W(dfo effects a land 
 
 'wvj, whh his liri^adi'. ..,.., 
 
 Captui'i! of Louisljur;L'. ...... 
 
 Al)i'rerond)y nrnves airainst 'I'icojideroga. 
 
 1 )i'feat tjf liie Ih'itish by Moiiteidm : their ri'treat. 
 
 I'.railslrcH't besieges and c;iptni'es FiMt Fronteiiac. 
 
 l''orln's marches against Fortdu Quesnc : and captures it. 
 
 Amhei'st appointed eomniauder-in-chief in Amerieal)y Pitt. 
 
 CllAi'TKP. VIII. 
 
 Plan of the campaign Ibr 17")i>. ...... 
 
 I )epIoialilc condition of Canada — Its popidatlon. 
 
 < ieniu-al Prideaux advances against Niagara, lie is killed, and 
 
 Sir Williaiii dohnsoii assumes the connnand. 
 The Freneli under Jje Aniirey attempt to raise the siege and are 
 
 tlefeated. .......... 
 
 Amher.-^t moves down Lake Champlain. ..... 
 
 Pouchot surrenders l''<irl iNiagara. ...... 
 
 Tlie Picncli abandon Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and retreat to 
 
 the l>le-aux-Niii\. ........ 
 
 Andlel■^t phiee's iiis army in AVinter quarters. 
 
 \Vn!le ari'ives l)ef(ire (.Quebec : ...... 
 
 I"'stablis]irs his head-(inai'tcrs at tlio ]\roiitmorencv. 
 
 |-a:deavors to I'orce Montealiu's lines ludow the town: is repulsed. 
 
 The Prillsh ascend to the Plains of Abraham 
 
 Moiileaim begins tin; battle. ....... 
 
 T\\c I'^iTMeli ai'i' defeated. ....... 
 
 Death nt Wolfe. . • ] 
 
 I )eath of ^lonteahn. ........ 
 
 .Sui'jiiaier of Quelirc, ]''>',). ....... 
 
 <lii;,L ri juicing in the Ijritir:!] colonies 
 
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 CUNTKNTS. 
 CIIAlTKIi IX. 
 
 Uoihlillon of tho I'lvnoli in (^aJiadn 
 
 I)c Levi inovr-; Irniu Mniitrtal ii. IhsIcl'"' (iiicbi'C. 
 
 Till' r»riti-li, iimiUt Murray, arc dcfia'cl. 
 
 ])(' lit.'vl oomini'iifos the su-fjjt! : tlio arrival of rcinlbrccnu'nts t 
 
 the i»ritisli foiiHi<I his retreat. ..... 
 
 \inh<T.st capliires tin I'ri neh fort at < >mleiisl»ur;r. 
 CafiitiiiatidU uf Montreal, and biivreiu'.er of Canathi to Great 
 
 IJritain. ......... 
 
 Tin' Uiitish iiaii'tii are (llvideil with regard to retaining Cnniida 
 
 I >eath of (Jcur;,'e II. — (Jeur;i;e III. desires peace. 
 
 Vast territory ceded to Cfreat iSritain 
 
 ('iiArTi:ii X. 
 
 (iincral ^furray becomes Goveninr of f 'aiiada, 17(i.'». 
 (iovi'iiiineiit of Canada siltled hy proelaniation : introduction o 
 
 Hn,',dibli laws : colonial abuses. ..... 
 
 Sir (Jiiy Carliton aii[iointe<l (Jovernor, ITOM — (jlreat tire it 
 
 Montreal. ......... 
 
 Tile IJrilisli inhabitants desire a House of Assembly, 
 i'assniire ol the (^nel)cc Hill. ...... 
 
 ("oninnneiiueiil of the American War of Independence. 
 
 The Habitants refuse to servo as militia — 'J'hc Americans advane< 
 
 towan.Is Montreal. ....... 
 
 T^Iontufoinery ca[tUires I'ort St. .John. .... 
 
 Marches on .Montri^al : (biieral Carleton retreats to (Quebec. 
 .Monttromery besieyes (jiiebe(! ; his (b-ath. 
 iSuccor arrives ami the Ameiieans retreat : . . . 
 
 They arc diiveii out of Canada. ..... 
 
 174 
 
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 CH APTKIi XI. 
 
 (uneinl Haldimand becomes Governor: his administration i> 
 uiiiiopnliir. i77s. ........ 
 
 St'itleiiuntof liijier Canada, (n^il.) 
 
 Mr. ! lamiiloii ]n'<'(nries (lovernor, l?^.">. . . . . 
 
 Loid 1 )<.)!(lii'ster a'iain apiioinfed ( iovenior. \'^>-(>. 
 
 ('aiiada at kni^lli gets a con>liUititui and is divided iiitotW" 
 I'i'oviiice-. ......... 
 
 • 'niiiliiion ('\' the eoiiiilry. ....... 
 
 Ceiural Pcesccttt ajipoiiiliHl Covcrmr, ]'(••(). . . , . 
 
 Slavi'ry alx.iish-'d in Cana^la. (Iw0:i.) 
 
 Mr .lames li. ( 'laiL; assnnies the gove'rniiieiit, 1808. 
 
 The CinKtilU'ii ne\v.sjia|>fr is suppressed an 1 persons imprisoned. 
 
 I >i-a^-|'ei'iin!it between the R.xeeiilive and the Assembly, 
 
 l>f:Uh of (Jo\ernor Crai:;' : his character : deceived bv others. 
 
 ■JOC. 
 
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 CONTENTS. 
 CIIAI'J'KIi X\\. 
 
 Upper Caiijuia from 1701 t<» Isll — (lovcrnor Siiucoi-'s adininis 
 t ration ln-j^ins. 
 
 First Httiiso (»f AssoinMy nicols ; Its nets." ... 
 
 {Sltiiouc's piilicy : si-lccts 'I'oruiitn iuv liis tajiijal. 
 
 Mclli'nl IjiIm'Ii to ul»tilisli slavery \>y the Afisciiihly. . 
 
 Ailmiiiistiiitiun of Mr. ilunt'T, 1M)0 
 
 .Social ami politioul (uiiclit'mii oMiic |iroviniH'. ... 
 
 ('(justnictioii <>1 tlif l''aiiiily Coinparl; pulilical pailic-im I'ppfr 
 Canada in IH0.'» 
 
 Ailrninistialiuii of Mr. (iorc. 1«S0<'» — llt> ntladu's hInHi.lf to the 
 I'amily (\nnpa(l -Sroniid iicwspapor ostiililishoil. 
 
 liiyht taxation — I'opiihiliMn, vVc. ..... 
 
 (icnoral Hrock ussiiincs temporary chargo ol the govcrmnt-nt. 
 
 '227 
 •221 > 
 2:n 
 2.'{ ; 
 
 2;jr. 
 
 2:;7 
 
 2I(» 
 
 Amcri 
 lini'i 
 Close 
 
 CIIAI'TKUXIII. 
 
 Ciuisos loadinj; to tho Si-oond Atncrican invasion of Cunaila, 
 Sir Gonial' I'riivost bctnmos (lovi-rnor-in-chii'f. 
 War (Uilarcil l»y thu United States : lioslilitics coninK'UCc. 
 CaptniT tp| Markinaw. ....... 
 
 Hull is dcli-atod and retires on Detroit : . . . . 
 
 Suirmders to Geiu'ral I'rick. . . . . . 
 
 The Anin i( ans carry (iucenston lleiLjiits. 
 
 ])rath of (ieiieral hrcck. ...... 
 
 ])i'feat and surrender of Scott to Shi>atVe. 
 
 The Anii'iicans defeated : cl()>^e of the canipaip-n of 1^12. . 
 
 211 
 219 
 2.')0 
 2.-)] 
 2.")2 
 
 2;);i 
 
 2."(i 
 
 2:)7 
 
 Dcpr* 
 
 ClIArTKU XIV. 
 
 Wai- nu'asui'i>s of tho Canadian Le^islaturi"). 
 
 Proctoi- defeats the Americans at l-'renchlown. 
 
 (^gden>linrg captured by the llritish. .... 
 
 Toronto is iaptnre(l for tiio fn-st time by the Americans. 
 
 Fort ( ieoi'M;,. eaptured by the vXhuTicans — Prtx'o'i' defeats the 
 
 Americans in ( )l)io. ....... 
 
 Expedition against Saekett's Harbor 
 
 The American camp at Stony (Veek attacked, 
 
 Operaliiins on the Niagara Frontier : 15oerstler\s force is captured 
 
 niai 1< li'oek captured. ....... 
 
 Op'iaiion; of the fleets on Lake Ontario. 
 
 Plattslinrr ciiptiired : events (»n Lake Champlain. 
 
 British (le.t (,<ptnred on Lake I'rli' by i'erry. 
 
 Defeat o1 I'roctor: death of 'recuniseli. 
 
 Ameri jm-^ defeati'd at Chrysler's l''aiTi>. .... 
 
 Aiiiei lean?- defeated at ( 'liateauiiay iiy Canadians. 
 Amerieans liurii the town of Niau'ara and reti'cal. 
 Indigiiatiop of the Canadian people. .... 
 
 2(»2 
 2»'.:{ 
 2<!.'> 
 
 2t)<'. 
 
 2(;s 
 
 27 i> 
 
 27 .-J 
 
 270 
 27.S 
 27'.» 
 2Sl 
 2; ''2 
 2^vl 
 2^7) 
 
•>'>4. 
 
 •22U 
 23 5 
 
 2:)0 
 2:,i 
 2r)2 
 •2:)3 
 
 2."(i 
 •2o7 
 
 2(52 
 '>(;:5 
 2<;r, 
 2(;(; 
 
 2; a 
 
 27'. 
 27(J 
 
 2:s 
 
 27'.> 
 2Sl 
 
 2: '2 
 2^1 
 2<5 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Anicrltviiis <lcfo.ite<l ftlong the Niagara iVuiilu'r: thoir towns 
 I>UI'IKmI. .......... 
 
 Close of tlu! c.ampuign of 1813 
 
 CIIAlTKIi XV. 
 
 Measures ol the Cun.ullan liCgislaturos, .... 
 
 Tho AniorioMfis aro di-tuatcd at La (Jollo ^fill. 
 
 Naval operations (111 [iuko ()iitari(): Oswc'^o tal<rii. . 
 
 Knghiinl lilorkatlos tiii- xslioK- Aiiu'ricali M'alioanl. 
 
 Battle of ('lii|i]K'\va : tho liritish (Irfl-iilt I. 
 
 Ilatlhi of Luiuly's ]m\o : Aiin'i'icaiis Icffad'il. 
 
 Tho IJriti>h innh-r I )rtii!iinoiiil Ix'sicL'f l''ort I'lrli'. 
 
 Abortive attempt of the AiiU'i'icaiis to re-captiirc Mackinaw, 
 
 A large part of Maine captured by thu British. 
 
 Defeat of till- British fleut on Lake Chaniplaiii. 
 
 Termination of the War. ...... 
 
 Depressed condition of tho I'liited States. 
 
 Cn APT 1:11 XVI. 
 
 Lower (anachi from l>\'t to IS'JS. 
 General Drummond's government. .... 
 Sir John Shi'i-broke beeomt's (lovciiioi-iii-chiif, 181(i. 
 Papiiieau is fll•^t ehost-n Speaker of the A»eiiiM\'. . 
 (jioveriiment of the Duke of KieliMKjiid : his dillieulties wi 
 
 Assembly, ISIS. ...... 
 
 Lord Dalhousie beeoines ( loveriior-iii-ehief, IS'>0. 
 Ditlereiiec.^ betwei 11 the Ilniise^^of the Le^'isliil ure. . 
 Project (it the Union causes publiv' dissatislJiclion. 
 Ai.tagoiiisni between the British and I'Vciioh inhabitants of I 
 
 Canada. ........ 
 
 False colonial [K>licy of British ministers. 
 The FroiU'h-( Canadians petition tlu; Crown. 
 Pra \ el' of petition snstaiiieil liy Ib'itish Commons. . 
 
 h tlu 
 
 ower 
 
 CIIAPTLU XVII, 
 
 rpi'ci' Canada from 1 SI.') to 1^2."). , 
 
 General eoiiditioii of the jirovinee. 
 
 First n_!j-itatii)ii against the Clergy Keserves, l>sl7. 
 
 liobert (loiirlay comes to Canada : his charaetei'. 
 
 Arbitrary eondiift of the Ivxeeiitive. 
 
 Sir Ptreeiine Mainland beeonn •< Lieutenant Governoi 
 
 llober' <ii)ur]ay is tried lor lib.l and ne(|uitted. 
 
 He is driven out of the j)i-oviiiee. 
 
 Bishop Siiaehan enters jiolili^'al life. 
 
 Biogra[)hical sketch of Bishop Straehan : 
 
 28(5 
 
 2H7 
 
 21M) 
 2112 
 2l>3 
 2'.>l 
 2!><» 
 2'.>U 
 .'!(>1 
 3(12 
 303 
 301 
 
 30(; 
 
 ;5()s 
 
 30!» 
 
 :ilo 
 :\]\ 
 
 313 
 
 311 
 3l.-> 
 317 
 
 322 
 323 
 3J I 
 
 32r» 
 
 3-2f. 
 327 
 .328 
 :530 
 
 .Hi) 
 
 .>o«> 
 
 .)0.) 
 
 33.'i 
 33(5 
 
rT)NaM:NTS. 
 
 His |POsiti()ii as ;i t'loi'fryman and yitilitician. . . . . 
 
 IJariiabas Diuwell cleclcd lur Ja'Iihux and Addiiiiiton : liis biogra- 
 [iliy : is expelled the House. . . . 
 
 I'lan" (if ilu- Wellanil Canal Ly William H. Merritt. 
 
 i'"ii!st agitation a^ain>t Oi-ango prucessicjiis. . . . . 
 
 W 111. L. Mackenzie entiTs public lite — First IJelbna Assembly. 
 Airiiatiun on the- Alien I'dll. ....... 
 
 Mackenzie's I'rinling Oilice Avrockod. . . . . . 
 
 Presbyterians claim a share of the Cleriry Ucserves. 
 Sin^'ular proceedings on (he Forsyth petition. ... 
 
 -ludge ""iVillis is suspended by the J.ieutenant ( Joveriior. 
 
 JfoU' 
 
 ;m() 
 an 
 
 348 
 .'J49 
 350 
 3r)l 
 
 
 
 CTAPTEll XVIII. 
 
 I'pper Canada from 18'^9 to 1835 — Administration of Sir John 
 (Jolbornc commences, "1820 — ^laishall S. liidwell chosen 
 Speaker of the Assembly. ....... 
 
 Fir>t agitation for I lesponsiblo (lovcrnraent. . . . . 
 
 J Reconstruction of the Iicform Party — 'i'ho I'amily (,'ompact dis- 
 placed hy the Ce-iservative Party, IH\IC) to 1831. 
 
 Conservative Party have a majority in new Assembly. 
 
 Mackenzie h expelled the House. ...... 
 
 (.'hnlera afUicts the province — Emigrati(»n, 1832. 
 
 liclormers obtain a Majority at the elections — Bid well again cho- 
 sen Speaker. ......... 
 
 Seventh (Grievance IJeport published — Fifty-seven Pectories es- 
 tablished. .......... 
 
 Sir John Colbornc resigns — Sir Francis Head appointed as his 
 successor. . ......... 
 
 353 
 355 
 
 359 
 3(30 
 
 303 
 301 
 
 C^HAPTEU XIX. 
 
 Lower Canada from 1828 to 1837. — Sir James Kempt becomes 
 (Tovernor-in-chief, 1828 — The financial disputes still continue 
 Ixitwecn the Assembly and the Executive. .... 
 
 Loi'd Aylmer bt'comes (Joveruor-in-ehief, 1830. 
 
 Imperial Duties surrcndiu'cd to the Assembly. 
 
 Eoi'd Staidey refuses an elective Eegislatlvo Council. 
 
 JFouse of Commons ei.immittee report imfavorably to the dc- 
 manils of the Panineau i*arty. ...... 
 
 I )isordered condition of the province. . . . . . 
 
 Lord (lusford becomes (lovernor-in-chief — Ilc'Opens Parliament 
 with a conciliatory speech — Proceedings of the Go:-l()rd com- 
 mission, 183,">. ......... 
 
 The Paj^inoau faction aim at total independence of Great Britain. 
 
 Assembly grants a Su]>ply Pill for six months. 
 
 State of public feeling — alarm. ...... 
 
 Coercive measures of British Commons. ..... 
 
 3(;5 
 :50T 
 308 
 301 » 
 
 371 
 3:2 
 
 ,StU 
 
(ONTKNTS. 
 
 
 .'MO 
 
 J5H 
 Hi-} 
 .']t7 
 348 
 349 
 350 
 351 
 
 iriiiise; of Asscinlily rofiisf tu trunsact business — L'oiKluct of tin.' 
 IJomaii ('atholic clergy. ....... 3N(> 
 
 35.3 
 355 
 
 350 
 
 3<;o 
 :j(;i 
 
 :}G2 
 
 3G4 
 
 ('IIAI'TKI: XX. 
 
 Causes Iradiiig tf» the Lowei- ('iiiiailiau IJelx.-Uion. 
 
 (.t'Utralisation policy of lOnglish Pai'liauitMit. 
 
 Ei'i'ors of IJrilish colonial jiolicy. ..... 
 
 (.'oiulitiou of Ivjwci" (.'ai'^ada l)cf(ji-c;tho (.^onquest. 
 
 ]lal)itant.s unfit to cx( fcise the franchise. 
 
 IJcsults of the dilfereiice of race. ..... 
 
 Non-progrcsslvc character of the Habitants. 
 Union the true policy of united ('aiiada. 
 If p\u'suo(l our nationality must become aggressive. — Character of 
 
 I'apineau. ......... 
 
 Military condition of the Canadas bi'forc the rel)eUion. 
 
 Affray with the Sons of Liberty in ^lontrcal. . 
 
 Itcbellion commences in Lower Canada — Attack on cavalry by 
 
 the Habitants " 
 
 J 'attic of St. J )enis — ( Jorc defeated by Nelson — Murder of Lieu 
 
 tenant ^Vcir. ........ 
 
 Wetheral attacks St. Charles — liebels defeated. 
 
 Sir John Culborne attacks St. Tuistache 
 
 <iovernnu'nt of the lOarl of Durluun, 1S38. ... 
 Lord Durham banishes principal rebels to I'ermnda — Is censured 
 
 by Imperial Tarliament — Uesigns. . . . . . 
 
 < Jovernment of Sir John Colborne, 183S — The second rebellion 
 
 begins. .......... 
 
 The Insurgents are defeated at La Colic A[ill. 
 
 Nelson (Kobert) defeateil at Odelltown 
 
 The (llenirurv men move on l>eauharn(/is — liebellion cuds in 
 
 r ~ ./ 
 
 Lower Canada. ......... 
 
 381 
 382 
 :i83 
 384 
 380 
 387 
 38J> 
 391 
 
 392 
 393 
 394 
 
 :i95 
 
 3!>7 
 398 
 400 
 402 
 
 403 
 
 404 
 405 
 40C) 
 
 407 
 
 3»;5 
 
 :{(;7 
 
 .'!<;.s 
 3'.;!» 
 
 .",71 
 
 375 
 37<} 
 
 f> / .' 
 
 CIIAPTEU XXL 
 
 Upper Canada from 18.')() to 183S — Sir Francis Head becomes 
 Lieutenant (Jovernor; ....... 
 
 His own account of his govornmcntal fitness : . 
 
 J Jesuits of interview with Bidwell and Mackenzie : . 
 
 His singular administrative i)olicv ..... 
 
 He dissolves Parliament — Ileform Party defeated at (Jeneral 
 l^Iection. ......... 
 
 Sir P. 1). Head is directed to carry out responsible government 
 — he rel'uscs. ........ 
 
 Commercial eiir,is in the Pnit^'d States and Canada. 
 
 Trou])s withdrawn from I pper Canada .... 
 
 Kebellion comn)enees — Afackenzie threatens Toronto. 
 
 Mackenzie's narrative of attempt against Toronto. 
 
 Sir p. ]J. Head's blateraent of attack on Callows HiJl. 
 
 408 
 409 
 410 
 412 
 
 4K5 
 
 418 
 419 
 421 
 423 
 424 
 431 
 
10 
 
 CONTEXTS. 
 
 The loyal militia march to save Toronto. 
 
 Van Itcnsselacr occupies Navy Island. .... 
 
 Destruction ol' the Steamer Ciirolinc. .... 
 
 The I'atriots under Sutherland threaten Amliersthurg 
 The Schooner Anne captured 1»y riilHtia. 
 Patriots driven frtnii Point Pelee Island. 
 Administration of Sir Georifc Arthur bejfins. . 
 Ourniritr and phinfh'r of the Sir Ivihrrt Peel. 
 Affair with J'atriot r(ii)hL'rs at the »Short ITills. 
 Patriots under Von Sciudfz move ai^^ainst Prescott. 
 Are defeated and capturMl. ...... 
 
 Patriots arc defeated at Sandwich — Prince orders prisoners to 1)C 
 shot. . . ....... 
 
 End of rebellion in Uj)per Canada — Character of ^Mackenzie. 
 
 40.1 
 
 4;)S 
 440 
 441 
 443 
 444 
 44.1 
 44(» 
 417 
 44S 
 
 440 
 
 4r)a 
 
 flight 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Military strength of the Canadas 
 
 Depressed financial condition of Tpper Canada. 
 Lord Sydenham becomes Governor General : . 
 Ills manly and straight-forward ]tolic.y. .... 
 The S|)ecial Council of J^ower Cana<la consents to the Pnion. 
 Lord Sydenham's letter to TiOrd John Flussell : 
 His speech opening Upper Canada TiCgislatui'c : 
 His dilTiculties — ^[essage lo the Legislature on the Union. 
 The Legislative Council agrees to the I'niun — Pesolutions of the 
 Assembly. ......... 
 
 The Asscnibly's address fo the Queen 
 
 Epitome of the Union Dill, ...... 
 
 455 
 45(; 
 4,-.S 
 
 459 
 
 4t;a 
 
 4(14 
 
 4<;i» 
 
 4T2 
 
 CHAPTER XXni. 
 
 Government of Lord Sydeidiam continued — Settlement of the 
 Clergy lleserves' question — liesponsil)lc Government c;stab- 
 
 lished. . -17.5 
 
 Broclv's monument shattered T)V !2;unpowder : G;reat ivicetin" 
 
 beside it. . . . . . . . . . . 4"<3 
 
 With Sir George Arthur ends the Lieutenant Governorship of 
 
 Upper Canada — The Legislature as<*enibles at Kingslon. . 477 
 Death of Lord Sydenham : liis character. .... 47S 
 
 Sir Cliarles 'agot becomes (iovernor General: . . . 470 
 He forms his ministry from the IJeform Party. . . . 480 
 
 Lord Metcalfe l>ecomes (governor General : he leans to the Con- 
 servative Party : Reform ministJ-y resign. .... 4BI 
 
 Lord Metcalfe forms a Conservative ministry-Great Fire at Que- 
 bec — Result of general election. ...... 482 
 
 Govcrnmcntjof the Earl of Cathcart — Proceedings with regard to 
 Rebellion Losses in Lower Canada 4!^.') 
 
 4 
 
 i 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 11 
 
 i.y 
 
 
 4^0 
 
 IP I 
 IS,", 
 
 Amount of claims maJe to ocmmlssionors — Lord Elgin becomes 
 
 Governor General 484 
 
 Keformers oLtaiu a majority at general election. . . . 48(} 
 Baldwin and Lafontaine form a ministry — Kcbelllon Losses Bill 
 
 introduced into the Assembly. ...... 487 
 
 (Jreat agitation regarding this liill — Annexation to I'nitcd States 
 
 advocated — B"U passes Legislature. 488 
 
 Great riots in Montreal : destruction of the Parliament House : 
 
 flight of the members :....... 400 
 
 Mob attacks several dwellings 401 
 
 Lord Elgin is attacked : his carriage broken 492 
 
 Seat of government removed to Toronto. — liebellion Losses Bill 
 
 sustained in England 40.'} 
 
 Agitation subsides : condition of the country 404 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Measures with regard to Reciprocity — Clergy Reserves' Agita* 
 
 tion — Clear Grits 
 
 Construction of Railroads — Postal improvements — Mr. Baldwin 
 
 resigns. 
 
 405 
 400 
 497 
 498 
 
 Prosperous condition of the Canadas — Fete to Canadians at Bos- 
 ton — General election — Ministerial changes. 
 Great Fire at Montreal — The Legislature assembles at Quebec 
 — Reciprocity agitation. ....... 
 
 Period between 1852 and 1855 : all the great public qufstions 
 settled — Author's remarks with regard to his literary difhculties. 499 
 
 Remarks on Canadian Literature , . 500 
 
 Extracts from articles of capitulation of Montreal. . . . 502 
 The Canadian Constitution of 1791 503 
 
(( 
 a 
 a 
 u 
 u 
 li 
 a 
 
 (C 
 
 u 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 iC 
 
^ 
 
 i 
 
 E R R A T A. 
 
 On Page 3 of Prcfocc, line 12 for this read f/ic^c. 
 
 11 of Introduction, line 18, for pai-f read pniiif. 
 8 lino o.'», for litteonth century read sixteenth. 
 
 10 lino 1"2, froni bottom, for bciii;/ read hccn. 
 
 43 lino 1(), for last hour read last raoiacnlf^. 
 
 81 line 5, for «'«s read were. 
 138 line 0, for were read wa><. 
 151 line M, for letter read Letter.'^ of Junius. 
 330 line ('» from bottom, for (idifiu;/ road addeJ. 
 384 line 13 from bottom, iov Miraheau read a Mirohcuu. 
 302 line 22, for/o;'»i Yo.v^(\. forum. 
 435 line 17, for halrtircatli, read hairbreadth, an.l lino 23, for 
 
 cxcitiiKj read iaeitinri, 
 44G line 24, for routed read routed them. 
 45G in foot-note, for 1855 read 1830. 
 488 lino 15, iov 2»'02)ortion read 2^orfion: 
 
 In addition to the f^Dre£foing, there arc a few ordinary typographical 
 errors and tautologies, which any educated reader will bo able to dis- 
 cern and correct. Those in no way atTect the general accuracy of the 
 work. 
 
 a 
 tc 
 a 
 (( 
 a 
 (( 
 (( 
 
 a 
 u 
 
 u 
 
Tlio 
 
 tional 1 
 
 Boas ai 
 
 >vavs ( 
 
 silent f 
 
 proL'-i'es 
 
 nation 
 
 In the f 
 
 inir tow 
 
 shores < 
 
 and lia| 
 
 is the () 
 
 joiecs in 
 
 pleto (•] 
 
 enti'i'])i'l 
 
 a coni|) 
 
 avenues 
 
 chants, ^ 
 
 eminent 
 to our 11 
 own i'ovi 
 merited 
 
|) r f f a f c. 
 
 Tlic present coiiditiou of Canada ])olnt!^ to a future na- 
 tional liTeatiu's^ (tf no ordinary niaii'nitude. Her iidand 
 seas and nohlc rivers, liave already ])econie the liitrli- 
 ways of a vast and raiiidly inci'easinu* eoniniei'ce. The 
 silent forest of })\-irone days has disap])eared l>efore the 
 proL';ress of civilization, and the nuitin voice of a miirhty 
 nation resou'MN over a sci-ne as vai'ied as it is ))eautiful. 
 In the foreu"round, stand the ]to))ulous cities and llourish- 
 inii' towiH, Avhich stud the mar^-iiH of her rivers, an<l the 
 chores of her lakes : in the jK'rs]»ective, re])nse the free 
 and hap])y homes of her rural ])opulation. 'I'he farmer 
 is the oAvnta' in fee-simple of the soil he till'^, and re- 
 joices in an independence oi' the most sturdy and com- 
 plete character. In the vai'ious industrial professions, 
 enter])i'ize, economy, and ju'udence, rarely fail to secure 
 a competence : in numberless in-^tances tlu'V are the 
 uv^enues to Avealth. This c:)untry al)ounds with mer- 
 chants, who hy the exercise of these ([ualities, liave been 
 eminently successful : and every-day experience })resent'« 
 to our notice nu'chanics who, as the architects of their 
 own fortunes, have won their Avay to positions alike well 
 mei'ited and honorable. 
 
T]\o prosi^nl of C'niiufl.i siijipl'KS u k:il(i(ln^(MjM\ bril- 
 liant with jjiniiii-*', tlirou^-li wliich \\v may pizr at the tu- 
 tun*. Tlut |»lnlaiitlii'.>j»ist dist't'i'iis all tlic </^\ii/' /-tita 
 ncf,o:<sa!'y t.» liuinan liaitjiiiu'--s ; the |)atii<»l 1 lie true hasis 
 of national jwospcril} . 'i'liir,' arc, it is ti'U(\ the dillicnl- 
 tio.^ arisiiii"; iVoia a diversity of ri'/c to he ovim'couk; ; hut 
 tluv(i may easily }),■ rt moved l>y wise Icii'islation. Past 
 oxjx'riciiri' ]>rov('s that id( ntity of intci-c-ts weakens the 
 antaijoHisin of I'accs, as well as of indi\ iduals, and iri'adu- 
 ally wears out their mutual ])rejudi('es and dislike^, The 
 «*oimu( i'eial ;i!id ai^^ri cultural interests of all the Canadian 
 poo))le are alike : in every district they stand uj)on 
 tho same social l>asis, and [)roduce similar political results. 
 
 In these respects we occupy a inucli bettei* position 
 than our relatives of the Knited States ; the only people, 
 if we e\'cej)t the other British American (.N)loni«'s, whose 
 social and political condition is closely assimilated to (Uirs. 
 With th; ni, the interests of the South are arrayed in 
 oontiuual conflict aLrainst tho-e of the North, Avhile the 
 West has se})arate and distinct interests of its own. With 
 tiiem, also, germs of sectional sti-ifc^ and disunion expand 
 day afier day into intensely antagonistic ])i'inci])les ; in 
 Canada, on the contrary, the l>ody j)olitic ])resents an al- 
 most uni'utlled sui'face, and a total absence of injuriously 
 oppo-ing causes. With us the sun of fierce party antag- 
 onism, there is every reason to hope, has set forever ; in 
 the United States it I'apidly ascends towards the meri- 
 dian of 1)1 item es.s. 
 
 •' A house divide*! against itself cannot stand,"' is atru- 
 i.smthat applies with ])eculiar force to national dissensions. 
 The slave interests of the Southern States, can liave no 
 sincere fellowship with Xorthei'n freedom. The breach 
 grows wider and wi(hM' with the progress of int<^lligence 
 and (Mupiiry; and each fresh assault, gives a(hiitional in- 
 ton-^ity to tin; hatred and distru-st, with which they regard 
 
 4 
 
 J 
 
PKKr.U'K. 
 
 j>t\ }»ril- 
 Mhc in- 
 v/'A /'(ttii 
 
 •\\v ]y,iAii 
 
 dilticiil- 
 u; ; l)ut 
 1. Pa>t 
 vciis the 
 1 u'l'iulu- 
 :.■<. 'rhc 
 'aimdiiin 
 iitl upon 
 
 results. 
 poHitiou 
 ' pcoplo, 
 s, whose 
 [ t< > ours, 
 r.'iyed in 
 
 liile the 
 With 
 xpand 
 
 )l('s ; in 
 ts an al- 
 lU'iously 
 y anta,2f- 
 
 vei' ; in 
 
 ic nieri- 
 
 is a trii- 
 H'lisions. 
 have no 
 l)i'('ach 
 UiLi^enoe 
 ional in- 
 y' i'(^gard 
 
 II. 
 
 one aii'ttlicr. Th'i pi-c^ciil centuiy can h.'U-<lly fail in 
 witness a s('paratio;i. In that ease the Wevtern States 
 must }•<• suilit'icntly oM to tak" eai'e of thtiMsclvcs ; and 
 8(H'Ui'e of a i-outc to tin; ( )i'(':i!i ]»y the Lakes and the 
 St. Jiawi'ence, will 1)-' wliolly iii(K'j>endent of th<-' merean- 
 tih' and niamifacturiiiu' liitt'i-ests of the Ane-riean sealioard. 
 California has a distinct iiatioii:d mission of lu-r own. 
 AVheuever a separation takes ])lae(', a result liei-alde I hy 
 the very proLcre^s (»f th" I'aee itself, Canatla cannot fail to 
 occupy a prominent ])osition in tin; great transatlantic 
 faniilv <»f AuL-'lo-Saxon nations. 
 
 Witli events like ^ktr ah-eady 1 »ouiing on the distant /^ 
 horizon of the futiir(>, a continued eonne'ction witlj the 
 niotlier countrv \> our true line of itoliev. It iTivolves m> 
 Bacrifiee of interests — iio compromise injnrious to Caaa- 
 11 1 lian welfai'e, wiiile it sc'cures to u>^ ;m independent mk 
 tional existence. Short siglited indeed must that policy 
 be, which possiMy to insui'e a mere temporaiy henefit, 
 would involve this country in the Maelstr<,>ni of Ameiiciin 
 dissension, l^et us rather as a ]» 'oj)le Avatch sensibly 
 and calmly the current of events ; ]rrej>ared Avlien the 
 time coni"s, to take that ])os'tion in^ a nation, which the 
 keeping of thi' j)ort;ds (»f tiie (iivat West and our ot her 
 ftd vantage-, entitle us to 1111. 
 
 But, there is tiven a high 'r aiel holier mt'tivt' to thl^ 
 course, than is ])resented l>y the jdjstrai t con-^iderations 
 of material pro>|)erit^^ 'i'li-.' interests t^f humanitv — the 
 )»re<ervation of (»ui' gooil name demand that ('an;.d.i 
 whould continue to lie a land of g(-nuine fmedum, and the 
 "city of refuge"' to the op]»ressed man of color, wli (ire 
 he c:in fearl 's.dy ])reathe the ;ur of heavt'U. This jk) ;ition 
 may ]i()vsil)ly (.ntail nj>on u-; occri.>i')nal i-'ic"nveni«";cies ; 
 hut for th>e tlie moral strength, whieh mu-,t Ije tie' inev- 
 itable I'e'ult of the vin lieation of a righteous princifle, 
 Will be the most am]>le recimnense. 
 
 <^ *■ 
 
rrj-iFACE. 
 
 To irifiiRti a Pj/irit of Caiiiuliaii nationality into the p*"'0' 
 plo generally — to iiionld the naHvc horn i-itl/cn, thc 
 St'oU'li, the Kii^'lisli, and the lri>li ciniujrant into a cnin- 
 p:uM; whole, apni'ely C'anadian literature, aside I'reni that 
 >Jiij)p]ie(l liv vlie puhlie pi'es-:, lu)\vev( r exei-Heiit, is n most 
 iiiiportani. ehtnient. A j>'»pular hi l!>ry ol' Canada, U- 
 sikmI at II price whicli phier; it- within tlie reaeli (.>rt'Vory 
 working' man, i-'- a ste]) in this dii-ection. "^{'o tliis taid; 
 havo I deV(»t(M| in\seh'. It'l do iiwl, aeetuirpli-di all thai, may 
 \h) h)oked lor, 1 sliall at le.i-;i ^■\^^■,\v tlie \v:\\\ and hu'hten 
 i\w taslc of some lii.ire aMe wriler In liinc to eom-^. ; 
 and nie.'nnvhile cHect a niodicniii of nacional u'ood, in di- 
 recting' ]>nhlic attention, to a s(alre^) of intorniatiori and 
 liLstruction too joni;- neu-lecteij. 
 
 To <'nal>1e ii;-; to jndLi;;! aecurately or" tlie pi-esent-to 
 regard our national I'ntui'e witii eonliden/M, an aeipiain- 
 taneoAvlth tlie pas ;-, i.^ an aL-ohiii; n.ecesslty. A\'lnit e;in 
 be more instruetive to the lover oi' hi -■ evHiiiiry, tlian 
 to watch '•ili-,^ small cloud like -.i iiian'-; liand" ol'l'ana- 
 dian o\i ^iciice, gradually e?>;pand irsrli' jdoii!;- the St. 
 Lawrence and th*' great lake;. .Ifow inu;-e,^iiii'.'; is the 
 task of tracing llie sojtow; ;i.nd tlu' j:>>S ihi di.-ap- 
 poiiitinciilv^ and llie tiinn.j)]is (;!* that e.\i-l.iiee. ;..■; it i-< 
 ixnwlnalh' devcdopeii down tx) tlie iu'( -enl, time, in wliich 
 it involve:-; the d'.stinies <(' two millions of lnnn;ni Le- 
 iii,gp, and iiuitcrial iniere.-t.; of t]:(^ me-t e;igantic dctJ- 
 mption. 
 
 To the groat Imikof I'lie Ca:i;idian people rr.cli a study 
 Iia^ hitherto heen almost an i]n])or.sil!ility, IVoni ttie .-iiii- 
 plc fact, that, wliat might ])ro])erIy he callei] ;i, hi-tory 
 of th(Mr conntry did not exist, [ de.-ign ^o snj>j>ly thi.-i 
 lii'iUt'f Vd^:Ie (l-fk'n.'lu-'f m o-.ir literature; and fiitli* 
 fully to depict the ])a^t a; an aid to ilhnnip.ate tlie pro- 
 i^ont, and a^? an index to the future. In carryin.g out 
 thij^ dcslj^cn, I shall not restrict iuvs'(df to a mer;' detail 
 
 4 
 
 «>f p 
 
 Or 
 
•. it U 
 wliicli 
 
 fnry 
 y tliiri 
 
 1 
 I 
 
 PRKFACi;. 
 
 ^f political (X'cnrn'neos. To illustrate t]iosr)cial | •rofrrc's 
 oi' a |>('()|>i(' i-; an ('(pial iit'('<'<>ity in ^'cmiiin' lii>tory, 
 'J'hn a\>^ of the 1)ar'k\V(M)(|..:iiiaii, uiid tin- ploiiM-liOian' < f 
 the faniiri', have liillicrlo Ix-cii far iiiorr jtolnit rli'iu.'iit^ 
 in ( aiiailiaii civili/alion, than the wiHUJoni ot' iln; \v<^\^-- 
 hitor. 'J'lio olio was a causf, the otluT in« rrly u coii- 
 H(M]n('iii!('. 
 
 It is Irno, lliat many l)ooks liavc ])('i'n pmIiIIsIkmI wliii-h 
 8iij)j)ly (Iclaclu.MJ ))ortion'-< ot' Canadian ]ii>tory ; tliat >(•- 
 vc.i'al cxcrllcnt >tati -tical woF'k* have hrrii ('oinj ilcd 
 fi'oiii lini(^ to time; that niucli vahialHc i!itoni!ati<>n, rcla- 
 tiv(^ fo this coUHtry may lie Lilcancd rn,>iii thr inisccll;;- 
 ncoiis \v]'Iiin_u;< ol' travoilors and roidnits : huf, it is also 
 0([iially true, that these aie not accessil.tle t«» the o-ene- 
 ral I'ea.ier. I shall endcuvor to arranu"" nifthoiliciilly 
 \v]i;u\vor of value is to h;* gleaned iVom tlicse sinirccs, and 
 to ]U'e: (Mit tile ])eo[»l(i oL* Canada with u us.'t'ul and iin- 
 parllal hlsio.'y of their eountiy, i'n;iu its (iise<.>very to 
 ihi: present timo. 
 
 Tt iictMl seaveely l>e sai^J, that tlio compilutiou <)f a wcdlv 
 of this kind entails a irrea' amount of menial and |)h\si('al 
 la])or ; that its pul;lieati'>n invohc.'. a lari';.' p<H'uniarv risk. 
 I ne:t-lh'i' rhi'iid; jVoni the one, iioi'desirt; t() avoid hhc^othfi". 
 coiilidem [".hat :i r^^enerou-^ vnd eiili},ditened j^uMic v.dll sus- 
 tain me;n vliis ( ntcrpiize, ;is it lias in every other; anrl, I 
 trnt, reeeivt; \s'A\\ f;uoi- th ' ilust com[)]\'te history ui 
 •tbi:} niaLTuiiiernt Jr.'i'ita;^'o of vlio Anglo-Can.'diaii pc-plu. 
 
 Orockville, May, 1855. 
 
 pro 
 
The 
 
 gazo o 
 most ji 
 have ] 
 earlies' 
 a fact ( 
 portior 
 istoneo 
 eervati 
 gress ; 
 • fore on 
 certain 
 thians 
 ac(iuali 
 herds, , 
 
 •In tho 
 
 •xtrrttnolj 
 Arehifli roi 
 iinprovmn 
 
 nor desiro 
 them for t 
 (ha Bam a s 
 
Inirff^uttiflu. 
 
 The discoveiy (>f America, rovcal'-i] to the wondcrinc; 
 gazo of civ Hi /-«'(! liiiiii.uiity, a ^x'oplc in llic rudrst luui 
 most primitive coiiditinn.* Tin- aiiiial'' of llicOld World 
 havo iio c<>rr('S|»()ii<lini:; sjH'ctaclc to j)r('sciit. Kvcn tlio 
 earliest jtliilosojiliers of (ireece and Koiik^, have Jiot left. 
 a fact on record, as evidence of an a(((Haiiit,'ince with any 
 portion of the liuman family, in tlu' pi'imal stai,'(>s of ex- 
 istence. In every rei^ioii within the s'pheic of their ob- 
 Bervation, society liatl already madi^ considerable pro- 
 gress; and the several natitMis of their day, had long be- 
 fore emeri^e*! from the social dimness, an<i historical un- 
 certainties, which beloiiLf to a first condition. The Scy- 
 thians and Germans, the l)arl)arians of antiipiity, Avere 
 uc(iuainted with the useful metals ; possesse(l ilocks and 
 herds, and other pro])erty of various descriptions ; and 
 
 •In the New W'^rld, tlifi stiite uf mankind wiiNruiliT iin<l Ihf nspeot of natuM 
 ertrninely difffrent. Tlir.>!i:;liout all il.i vast reirionf, tlierc \v«re <inlj two nion- 
 urehifii ronmrkalilo fur extent of territory, i)r distinL^uished l>_v any progrosB in 
 improveineiit. The rest of this euntinent was |'0«si'ssed liy !r-Tt\ii\\ ijid<'iii.ii<lent 
 ^ tribes, destitute of arts iind industry, imtl rn-itlier eai'iil)!'' 1o correct the defects^ 
 nor desirous tft nvdiorale the condition of thiit jiiirt of the *i!irth nllottd to 
 ih«ni for their haliitatiou. Countries oceujUid Ly sueh peoj'le weiv almost iu 
 the eatna Elate us if they hf»d been witho-at iubalitants. Kob. Auier. \cl. 1, p. 126, 
 
u 
 
 IXTnoDlKTfOX. 
 
 wlicii C(imp.'ii'(Ml with t]ic alioi'i'iiiU'S of tlii^; ronvlnont, 
 had iili(';i(ly attauicd to a liiu'li <l(',i!;r<'i' of civilization. 
 
 liis(»iin' iustauccstlic Ivcd Man ai>])('ar('(l in tlic I'lidcst 
 state, ill wliicli it i-; |)'>-il>lo i'^v our sp-cics to exist. Ao 
 companit'd solely I'y lii> v."il"'' iind chiMi'i'ii, lui roamed 
 like a Iteijst (»[' jucy, tlirouu'i the foi'csts and ov( i' tlic 
 savannas of South Anicriea, sultjretid to no i-e^fraint^, 
 hut tho>;t' inij)os ;■(! I»y ill;' in»j)vrious n 'e(ssiii;s of his eoii- 
 dition, (tr ilie eaprieis oF hi- o\\ii \\\\\ ; riiid I'evcllii'i.;- in 
 tliat j)viiiieval siniiilii ily, v/hieh in tlie other eonliiu'iita 
 was known only hy the iuiau'inai'y desei'iii.'ions ol' tlio 
 poet.""" Jn (tthcr in-taiuvs, his \v;:iit.^ were coiapellint^ 
 hnii to seek a elosi r niiir.n with ]\h\ frllow-nian, and 
 accord inu'ly couiinnnilles v^-ei';' ht-lu hi in the tii>t |)0)cess 
 of iorn):ition. in ih'azil, in Tierra Finih' and l\!r.i niaV} 
 many of thi; ruder trihes were unac;[uaiiifv-'} Avitli cveiy 
 description of euKivaiioii. A'h.'y iicitlu r sowed nor 
 reaped ; and lived ni)oii i\v,'. spont:;n;'eus producncais of 
 the soil, tlie. fruihi an;] lu!i'i'i(\s Avliich they found in the 
 wood.;, the ])ro<diiets of th(^ir tei niiii;^' rivers, and the 
 lizard -1 and otiier j'eptir«.v;^ so nuia( r.ius ia ihosv.v vvarni 
 and j)roriiIc regions. 
 
 The li'o(piois,f th(! .Mu-onquin.', tiie Iluroiis, o.nA tlio 
 other principal North AaicricMU tribes, oCv-uj>i< d a ])<'int 
 in social proo-nss, a.s far ii* iidvanee of tli.se l.j.irh'ai'oua 
 
 pri 
 
 ■ 1^ a- -f ot-ri^ 
 
 *JI(in, ill .soriu' pni'ts of Ainoi'ici, ai'invu':; in w iVu'iii so ru>l>' llwi'.. Wf '•; n disco- 
 ver JM rslTwct ; of 111-; activity, mill I ii.' j ri:'."iii!o ui" i;r;il'T;;:nn^iii*, v.hl. li alipul'l 
 dirt-i't, i(, .'vriiis Inn-ilIy lo lij unl'i'Mi li. l.ik'^ ;ili o'litr (I'liiral/!, lif li.is iid li.\o«i 
 rosi<lenoii ; lio Ii;i-i croctinl ;io lialiiuitioii t.i >!ulu.r iiiiu !" un ;!:•! ipcliiii.'jioy (if 
 tbi> wcitliiT ; li.; iiiu t:ilc"U no :ii muii-.m for s,x'!irinr^" Offlu;;! piihsi-tiTuvi : ho 
 iiolthor so.'.'.i nor ro.ip! ; ha' roaui-i ;;lui;it a'.i i.,! in s!'".rc:I> <<{ lli' |!l;\-it.5 ami 
 fruits wliicOi 1.110 oaflli i)rin^s foi-fii iu m;.\-' ..-.Aion ; anl in j'l'st of rfiiii' wliii'h 
 li« kiiU in tho fori.'St, or of t'li.' iisli wiiioli iij cali^ies in l.!i" ii.cr.". I'lih. Anier. 
 Vol. 1, |\ 1.V2. 
 
 friio lro'|i;oirf or I- iv^'! X.-^timii, oi'oupi'''! ill;'- 'V^ntiT p.'ir! . 'f thoSiii'. of New' 
 Vork, and wore Uu) lil-ti rei-t eiicjnifi of thi' i'roiuii as wlH ii:t of t'i<i Cniiadian 
 Iiuliatis. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Ill 
 
 onvmont, 
 itioii. 
 (' I'lidt'st 
 isl. Ac- 
 ro.imod 
 )V( I' tlic 
 i'>-h';riiits5, 
 hi:; coii- 
 I'llii'i.-; in 
 
 )lliin;'llt3 
 
 s of Mio 
 i:j|)('irni<:^ 
 mil, and 
 
 I" j)UO('(_'SS 
 
 '.irii ni;iv, 
 ill <'V('ry 
 \v(m1 nor 
 
 '\(>]\^ of 
 
 I 111 tlie 
 
 an'l the 
 
 5v? -vSuii'in 
 
 iViul tllG 
 
 ;(, ]!<'int 
 .i.rl.rii'oua 
 
 '■; n (Hscn- 
 III. li aliinil'l 
 i;is 111) li.\L'tl 
 
 iii.'iu'y (if 
 ■I'lic'i': ]\o 
 I'hi-iti; ami 
 '.':i ■ wliit'h 
 !iil). Amor. 
 
 ;l'' of Xcw" 
 Cniia'.lian 
 
 nativo.T of t!io Sc)ntli, as it. was inferior to tlio condition 
 of tilt' ^^t'xlca^s a!i(l Pci'uvlaiw. Tlu'V i'ulti\ ati'd maize 
 and a Irw \ .'u-ct.dili':, livcij in vil]aLi"('>, 'I'ld mado somo 
 prou'i't'-s in two or tlir^'c of th'' more n/ccssary arts of 
 life, and I'v'couiiizcd certain Ii.vcmI j)rin('i[)l('s of pnl)]i(.' 
 polirv in rhcii' iiircrconrM" witli otlier tril^'s. 
 
 V)'Ii.'n Cana'ia w.is ilr-t discovered 1>\' tlie Freneii, tlie 
 .VlLi'oniiii:'!:: and tlie i (uroiH'"" lidd the cliief swav witliin ' '* '" ^' 
 iis liinit-;. 'i'lic i-e;'i-i(. »ry of tlie fonner extended aloni^ 
 li:)rh lianks (.f til-' Si. l/rurenee as lii^'li as Cornwall, 
 and al-.o enil)r,ie.'d iiiv' di-trier watered. l»v the I.^niu" 
 ( )tta\va. 'idi-y wei-..' a Ii.'M and Avarlik-' race, snhsi.-tini^ 
 principally iiy thv' clia.-.', e-i' Vvdiicli tin' vast fore>ts of tho 
 .Ve'i'i'i a!foi'd'Ml {he nie^t ample sc()[)e, and were ri'pnted 
 t.) l)c more advanc<'(l in th. ir ])n]>lie policy and in ufeneral 
 inicili-'ence, than any of ilie rieig-hhorine' tril)es.'{' Tin.' 
 1 [ur iiH o:'capiv'd the hft l>ank «»f the lJ[)per St. Law- 
 rence. ;'ii!i th:- NorrluM'n ^■]|e.l■e, of Lakt> Ontario. Their 
 close alliance, however, Avith th(.» Al^'oiupilns, indnced 
 thv'in iVeipieiitly to estai'lisli tluniselves l()\v(>r down the 
 rivei- ; and in l.';Vi-, Carti^'r laet, wi'h thoni at Anticosti, 
 and th" I>iy of < 'iLd(.'nr.;j: At lloduda'.!;;! he found tlieni 
 
 •Tlii-JlriLo wfTo frof[H(^n!]v o.illocl Wyjin,!. t'^. 
 
 + e.'I.l.>ti. 
 
 :fWluii rlif- (rib^" WiTi"" all snlM'^il. tli^ VrynTnlofi waro placed at tlio ho;i'I. 
 lli^y Jiv'il in tlio ind'rio'', ;iL til' iiioniiiait'^ i"i-!, abi'ul, tlio ?t, L.iwronoi''. 'i'iioy 
 W'Ti' lli(! fli'^it triiio of old, iiiul had llio tir.-t clil.'rian'iliip. Tli<; ciii.f nai 1 to 
 tlicii" ri''|iliiMv, Uio Lf'ii.'i]ioc-i, [ffi ilown to tit' <c'ii ooa-'it nnd look, :ind if you a..'o 
 nnytliiiii: liriiL,' mo U'lrd. Thoy hail .-i villa'.ji^ iioar llio soa sido, and often liiok^'d 
 lait .'':iw no'Iiincf eyf^l't hiril^. At, I'Tiu'^li (licy i'-|ird an "bjcct, ■which «('• nic-d 
 to uro'.v find ooiiii' Tvaror, and ni'ar'M'. Wli. n if caini' ifur tin* land it stoipf.'', 
 Iiiit all 1.ho jioojili' ^^.•!•,. atVai<l. and Ih d to il^-' ^vo^ds. Tlio next day, two o." 
 ihcir n'.uiilifr vc'ieiri d out. to look. It- v.-a-; lyin<? cinioMy on tho water, A 
 ?niall r nlije^t, ,,f lii,. ^o.nio sort cam" out of it, and walked witli long logs (oarsj 
 ov'T (111' -(v.i'rr. U'li ■!> it ''iinie to lan'l (wo nu>n cam." out of jl. They WiTe 
 (litr.T.af iVorn w- an 1 rnado si!;;ns fur Ih.^ottiors luoni.:- ••ul. .>f tho woods, A ci'ii- 
 fo!-.'ru>o onsiif(l I'r '-^ent.:, w.M'Q >'X(d!nnfj;ed, Tln'y !,"iv(' pn -j.mU^ t" the Lciift'iipp.", 
 (ind th ' lalt.r '^ave t.honi their skinokthos ns curloiilics'. S.dioolcrnft, p. I9t). 
 
 
 
 .••.« 
 
fUJ^ 
 
 I'^f' 
 
 IV lNTi:0];UCTiON. 
 
 occupy ins; a W(^ll dcft'iidc'd and populous village. Re- 
 garding^ tlio cliiise as a precarious mode of suhsistenc^, 
 they did not, like the Alj^oncpiins, disdain tlie cultivation 
 of the soil, and partially devoted themselves to agricultural 
 pursuits, from which, iniperf«'ct as their mode of tillage 
 wa<, th(^ fertile glebe and favorable climate of Western 
 Canada, usually enabled them to reap a most al)un- 
 dant return.'"' A few unimj)ortant tribes, or rather 
 clans, were scattered over the remaining ])ortions of the 
 couiitrv' : but all these, like the Nipissinf^s, were merelv 
 off-sh(>ots of the Alg<jn([uln and Huron races, and spoke 
 their lantaiaLTC. No data exist, on whieh to base anv- 
 tliifig approximating to a correct estimate of the ]>(jpn- 
 lation of Canada at this jx'i'iod : but it eeitainly did not 
 exceed thirtv thousand soul<. These were scattered here 
 and there, ov(M' the vast area extending from (i(as]>e t(» 
 Goderich, Avhich could easily sustain a ]K>pulatiun of 
 twenty millions, and which is now j)eopled by two mil- 
 lions of inhalvitants.f 
 
 ♦Aathe country wtia thinly inhabited, and by a peoi)le of litllo industry, vbo 
 had none of the dom^jfttic animals whicli civilized nations mar in «iicii va^t 
 nurnlxT?, the earth waa not exhausted by their con«nini.tii.)n. The vcretabU 
 f.i'oductions', to which the fertility of {\\<\ Sdil ;j;ave birth, often remained un. 
 touchi.-d, aiid.b.'inc^ suffered to corrupt on its surface, returned with iiien'a^e into 
 its bosom. As trees and plant;- derive a threat part of tlieir nourishment, from 
 ftir and water ; if they were not deslroyed by man or other animals, they would 
 rondor to the earth more, perhaps,, than they lake from it, and feed rather 
 than impoverish it.. Thus tiio iino..'oujiii'd soil of Am.'riea may have u'one on 
 carichinjc f'>r many ages. Tiie vast numbir an well ns cnortnuus size of the 
 trees in America, iudieate the extraordinary \ i<,'our of the soil in its native 
 ttito. When the El, ripeans tirat began to cirtivatc ih- Xew World, they were 
 nstoii'slied at the luxuriant power of ve;,'ctatio[i in its %;r:riu mouM ; and iu 
 •everal ])lnees the injfcnuity of tlie jilantcr is still iinploycd in dimini>hini' mid 
 w.ifitiiisif its superfluous fertility, in order to brinu; itdowntu a i-fate fit f-.r pi-o- 
 fitable culture, lloh. vol. 1, p. 12'J. Charlevoix History New France, >ol 
 lib p. •105. 
 
 fWiiile huntinjf is the chief source of subsistence, n vast extent of territorv if 
 requisite for supporlinj: a small numbyr of people. In j.rop'.rlioii j's men niu'ti- 
 ]^Iy an 1 unite, the will aLlm,\ls on wbieli th'-y dp Mid or food uimi:i:.-li,"r fxy to 
 
0. Re- 
 sist oTK'p, 
 Ltivati<jn 
 ic'ultural 
 f tillaire 
 VVi'storn 
 t ulniTi- 
 V ratlier 
 s of the 
 
 merely 
 (I s|H)ke 
 \se aiiv- 
 {'. ]>(>jm- 
 
 (lid iK>r 
 r(^{l lieTC 
 [ifns|)e ti> 
 latioii of 
 two iiiil- 
 
 ustry, M'bo 
 
 «ucli Vliil 
 
 vcjrelabU 
 
 uaiiud un. 
 
 Tea o into 
 
 iieiit, from 
 
 lliej wuuM 
 
 f<'''il nillier 
 
 I-' gone on 
 
 fiizo of tll« 
 
 its native 
 
 tln'T were 
 
 ; aiul iu 
 
 ii>Iiing and 
 
 lit t'.sr pro- 
 
 rar.co, ^ol, 
 
 territory i« 
 nii-ii niu!li- 
 !.-li,'ir fiv ta 
 
 il. 
 
 INTROIHCTION. V 
 
 Tln' History of llic Caiiadiaii Indians, prior to the 
 arrival of tlie French anioni^^st tliem, Is sIhoikKmI in tlie 
 deepest ol)sc'urity. In tliis I'cspcct tlicy I'csrndtlctl the 
 otiier Xortlu'rn trilx's, wlmsc^ nnincrous wai-s and fre- .'• 
 qucnt migrations, had etlerlually lUMitra.li/.rd whatever ^ 
 bciK'tits, in a historical point of view, tln'V nii^'ht have-', 
 (h-rivcd from llieir knowledu'o of pictorial writ in, lc.''^' Vn- 
 likrtlie Aztecs and IVrnvians, who from memorials of this 
 kind, eoidd f;i\"(' a correct outline of their histories for 
 several centuries, the Canadians ])ossessed only a few 
 nieaii;re traditions, and crude reminiscenc(\s <>f the past ; 
 (Npially unreliable, and unwoi'thy of serious attention. 
 Theii' social condition was in accoi'danc<^ with the rude 
 jitate of mental cultui'e, which this fact ]>espeaks. Their 
 wea[)ons of war and of the chase, were a hatcliet of 
 stone, a knife of hone, the hoAV and its flint-heade<l ar- 
 row. Their culinary utensils, were restricted to a coarse 
 descri})tion of pottery, and rouurh wooden vessels, 
 which on the arrival of the French traders were speed- 
 ily sjuperseded hy the more portable and convenient hi'as^ 
 
 -,v^- ^-^ 
 
 a graatT distance from tlio llilllnt^= of llic ononiy. Thi^ inrrca^io of a soi'jcty in 
 this :*tati' i"* liniitoil liy its own natiifo, ami tlic nii'mlic-s of it tiuist eilluT die- 
 porsi', liko the t;atno wiiidi thoy pursue, or fail ujioii sonii> ln'ttcr lUflliod of j.rr- 
 cnring food tlinn liy luiiitins,'. IJoasta of pi'cy are Ky iiat'iro solitary and \inso- 
 oial, th'.yi^o not forth to tlio oIia-;i' in ln'ru-^, but dellLrht in lliosi- rict <S' s of th« 
 forost wlore tlioy can ri)ain and ilvstroy undi^:tu^llod. A nation of Ininlors rc- 
 Si'iiddi'S tht'iii lioth in oC('U]iation an<l in irinius. Tln^v iMiinM* I'urni into larj^« 
 coinruunities, bcoauso it would he impossible to finil sul).-!^l. in'' ; arnl tliry must 
 drive to a distance every rival who may encroach on ihosi' diunains, which 
 they Consider ns their own. This was the stale of all the Am.-ii.'an tribes ; tho 
 numbers in each were inconsiderable, though wcattertMl <<\vr coiintries of great 
 extent ; they were far riniovod fi'om one aiiothir, and eiHj;ai,'c;d in perpetual hos- 
 lilitiis (ir rivalship. in America, the word Dutinu is not, of thi' same iinjiort aa 
 in other ]iarts of the globe. It is apjilied to sm:ill sucietics. not (NCci^ilinL', per- 
 haps, two or three hundrrd persons, but occupying provinces, greater than woina 
 kingdom- ir. Kurope. Marest's i.ettcr.«, vol. II, p.ilGO 
 
 *Tiio Iroquois ami lluronsnuide hieroLcljphic painting<< on wood whiih bear 
 ft strong r.'S(>inblence to those of the M-xieans. — ba iiinton, p, 193. Schoolcraft 
 fll.so iilhuies to the pictorial writing of tli'i Canadian Indians. 
 
VI 
 
 INRTODrCTlON. 
 
 or iron kettle. Their ngrieiiltural impleinoiits were 
 equally ])riinitive. Patcl'.es of toi't'st were oeeasionally 
 • vU^ cleai'etlljy tlie united eii'orts of atribe or elan, who felled 
 
 tlie ti'ees with their liiiiit ^^toiie liatehets at an enor- 
 mon>; sacrifiee of time and lal)(»r :"''' and nioiith< ]»assed 
 over ill i)rodnciiitr results, whieh :ire now exceeded hv a 
 t^iuLfle haekwoodsnian in as many davs. 'J'his dutv de- 
 volved on the men, Avho oidy ])ei*forined it when 
 absolutely necessary to their subsistenee, after they 
 had exhausted the open glades of the foi'est by eontinual 
 , eroj)])iii<^\ To the women and ehildi'eii, the jM'oud and 
 indolent savau'e left the labor of sliuhtly looseiiiuLr the 
 rieh loam with hoes rouirhly made of v/ood. oj- stakes 
 hardened in the ihv.: of sowiiii!: the crop of maize, 
 a!id the few vei>-etables Avith v/hich thev were aciinainted: 
 of freehiii- these from weeds : of harve<tinu' and storinir 
 them in ])itts dn^^ in the earth, to ]>r<>tect them iVom the 
 M'inter frosts, the Avild animals of the ibrest, and, not 
 un frequently, from their own im[)rovident liusbands and 
 father.s.f AVith Avheat, and the other cereal grains^ 
 
 *A11 llio savago (rihc?, seatteriHl ovor the cuntinoiit aiiJ inlands, were totallv 
 naac(iuaiiiti'd with tlio luctals ^vliicli lluir -soil lU'oihiocs in gri'at aLiinilaiue if 
 we cXfC'iit sumo '.rilling (|iiantity cif l'oKI, whicli tluy juckid up in llic lon-onts 
 that clcscin(k'il iVoni Ihoir mounlaill^;, and formed into urnanionts. Tinir dovicoa 
 to Piii)[)iy tliis want of tin; sorvicoablo metals wore oxtriinoly rudo and awk- 
 ward. The mo.'t ;;im|ilo o])oration was to thoin an undortakinij; of imvnonso diHi- 
 culty and labour. To foil a tree willi no oilier in^lrunuiils than hateliets of 
 »tono, wao i'in]doymont for a month. ']"■; fi.rni a canoe into bhapc, i;ud to 
 liid!<>\v it, consiiined years ; and it frequently boLran to rot before they Wire 
 ubie to lini>li it. 1'lioir ojtorations in a:irieultiuo were e(|ually tluw and defoc- 
 tivo. hi a country ooverod with Mood- of the liard ■>l limber, the elearinir of 
 n small iield destined for culture retjuii-ed the united efforts of a tribo, and was 
 li work of much time ami great toil, This was the businev.- of the men and 
 their indolence was gatisfHod with ])orfonning it in a a very slovenly manner. 
 The labor of cultivation was loft to the women, who, alter digging, or rather 
 fclirring the Hold, with wooden mattocks, and slakes hardened in the fiio, sowed 
 or J. hinted it ; but thoy were nioro indebted for the increase to the fertility of 
 the soil thai! to their own rude industry. Jlob. Anier. vol. 1, p, IGO. 
 
 fTheir houses are Eumllerin the bumuier, when thoir families Ic dispersed, bj 
 
 verse 
 know 
 not ti 
 nor t< 
 horse 
 dog 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 VI 1 
 
 ts wero 
 ;isi<»nallv 
 
 llo f\'llc*(i 
 
 nil ciior- 
 < j Kissed 
 
 <lutv do 
 
 ft 
 
 t wlien 
 cr the}' 
 •oiitiiuud 
 olid and 
 iiiiii,^ the 
 )]• stakes 
 ■' ]iiaize, 
 [uaintt'd: 
 
 sloiiiii.'' 
 Tom tlie 
 111(1, not 
 nds and 
 
 a'i'iuns» 
 
 cro lottillv 
 
 iiintliince if 
 
 ■ lorroiits 
 
 \v (lovicos 
 
 ami invk- 
 
 noiKsc ililli- 
 
 atchels of 
 
 ic, i'iiid to 
 
 iiiJ (Ic'lVc- 
 ii'iU'iiiir I'f 
 ', and Wiih 
 iR'ii iinJ 
 iiiaiiiur. 
 i.r I'utlier 
 
 110, sowid 
 'crtililT of 
 
 iCTicd, I'T 
 
 the American Indian was wliolly nnanjuainted : and, 
 arfide I'loni tlie jn'oihicts ot' tlie elia^e and tlie fruits of 
 his li<liiii!j;- labors, maize constituted his pi'incii'al arti- 
 cle of food. Althouirh vast herds of UutValoes tra- 
 versed the prairies and ibrests of his natix'e land, his 
 kiiou'ledge, nnhke tliat of the al>oi'i^iiial of Hindostan,had 
 not tauu'ht him toine them for the purposes of the (hiiry, 
 nor to subdue them to the laboj-s of the field. Of tlie 
 horse he was Avliolly i;^niorant ; an<l not even the 
 doi>- suljmitted to his intelliii-ence, oi- rendered him 
 the smallest service in the daniu^'i's of the chase, or in 
 his frequent forays on the territories (»f his foes. 
 
 While in a primitive condition, the wants and de- y^^;.Ju 
 sires of mankind are ^v\y and simple in their character. 
 Protection from the weather, a suihcieiicy of food, and 
 safety from his enemies, constitute th(^ chief objects of 
 his existence. In summer, the toii^h bark of the birch 
 tree, enabled the Indian to erect entirely to his sa - 
 tisfaction, a dwelling by the side of some jtleasantr^tream 
 or grateful forest glade. In winter this was exchanged 
 by the more provident, for a hut sul)stantially con- 
 structed of earth and Avood ; and whichwas frecpiently 
 occupied in common by several families. Tlu' skins <.)f 
 
 reason of licato nTid oeoiisiun.*, fii AViiiler they make somo fiftiu or thoroescor«' 
 footo long, fortie or t'lfiie inoii being iiiiiuilfr* under one roofo : and as is llicir 
 husbands occasion these poor taci)nists are ofltii t:'(.ubb'd liki; snails, to carriu 
 their houses on their backs soniotitnes to fishing places, olliL-r times to hunting 
 places, after that to a planting ])lace, Avherc it aldde'S the longest ; another 
 work is their planting of corne ■wherein they exceed i>\\v HmjI'cJt luisbandnnii 
 keeping it so cleare with tiieir Claniine shell hoes, as if il were a giu'deii rutlier 
 than a corncj-field, not suffering a choaking weede to advance his audacious iicad 
 ubovc their infant corne, or an undermining wornie to sjioiie' his sjiurnes. Their 
 cornc being ripe, they gather it, and drying it hard in the Sunne, eonveigh it to 
 their barnes, which be great lioles di'getl in the grouiul in f')rnie of a brass 
 pot, seah'd with rinds of trees, wherein they put their coriie, covering it from 
 the inquisitive search of their gurniandi/.ing husbands, who would eale up both 
 their allowed portion, and reserved S'jcde, if liiey knew where to find iv. j;cw 
 England Prospect, 1744, 
 
 ' ',1 
 
viir 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 iv 
 
 'n' 
 
 the l)('iivor,t]io fox, tlie marten, tli*.' Iniffalo, and tlie deer, 
 wliieli ftjll victims t;) liis skill <»r courage in the chase, 
 after mKlergoiiig a sinijdc yet e^'ectual process of tau- 
 niuLC, were readilv eonverttid into icarments such as he 
 re<[uired.'" In ordinary seasons, liis exertions as a 
 liunter, and the lal»ors of his wife and chiLlren, supplied 
 him with a))undance of wholesome and nutritious food * 
 but liis im])rovl(lent and indolent liahits usually pre- 
 vente<l liim from making provision for seasons of defi- 
 ciency in his patch of maize, or of an unusual scarcity of 
 game. Hence, he occasionally experienced periods of 
 great distress, and after ih'vouring the carcasses of the 
 dead animals, which chance threw in his way, the skins 
 he had accumulate(l for clothing or tratlic, and every- 
 thing around him ca]^al>le of sustaining life, he became 
 the victim of starvation in its most protracted and direst 
 form. 
 
 Tjike the other native { of North America, the pecuUar 
 condition of the (/anadian Indian, gave a colonng to his 
 religious tenets. He believed indeed in a future state ; 
 but did not like the christian, regard it as a heaven of 
 rest, or an eternity of punishment. It was simply 
 with him another experimental world, peopled with 
 the souls of animals as well as men, in which the Great 
 Spirit would 1h! alike mercifid to all irrespective of their 
 conduct in this lifc.f After death the soul was still 
 
 *Thcir iiiUrcDurisc with Europeans oooii taught the InJiaus that it was more 
 prolitablo tu oxi.'hangi' Ihcir furs for clotliing, ]i<i\vdor, &q, 
 
 ■j-They bellcvo, at least to soincs extent, in a duality of souls, one of which 18 
 fleshly, or coriioroul, the other i.^ ineorporoal or mental. The ficshly soul goes 
 immediately, at death, to the land of spi;''-. ■■ future bliss. The mental 
 6'»ul abides with the body, and hovers round uu, place of sepulture. A future 
 state is regarded by them, as a slate of rewards, ami not of future punishments. 
 Theyexpeetto irdiabit a ]iarailis(! filled wilii pleasures for the eye, and tho 
 ear, and the tasfe. .\ siroiig and universal beliL-f in divine mercies absorbs 
 every other attribute of the (ireat Spirit, oxoe|it his power and ubiquity ; and 
 they believe, so far as we can gather it, that his mercy will, be shown to all 
 
 SUppo: 
 €xiste 
 the gr 
 partiM 
 a lighl 
 wand* 
 across 
 searcl 
 it arri^ 
 ■dom fi 
 beset i 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IX 
 
 tlie deer, 
 ho chase, 
 's of tan- 
 ic'li as he 
 OILS as a 
 supplied 
 )iis food • 
 ally pre- 
 of deii- 
 ■arcity of 
 jriods of 
 ?s of the 
 he skins 
 d every- 
 3 became 
 id direst 
 
 peculiar 
 ig to his 
 'e state ; 
 !aven of 
 I simply 
 ed with 
 le Great 
 of their 
 v\'as still 
 
 it was more 
 
 )f which ia 
 
 y soul goes 
 ho mcntnl 
 A future 
 nislunonts. 
 (', mill the 
 OS absorbs 
 ([uity ; an.l 
 own to ftll 
 
 supposed to experience all the necessities of a corporeal 
 existence. It hniiL,aTed, and food must be deposited on 
 the grave : it suffered from cold, and the body <^f the de- 
 parted must be wra])t in clothes : it was in darkness, and 
 a light must be kindled by its resting j)lace. The s[)irit 
 wandered over tedious j)lains, paddled its l)ark canoe 
 across mighty livers, and traversed the pathless forest in 
 search of the ])aradise of happy hunting grouiuls ; where 
 it ari'ived at length to find game in abundance, and free- 
 dom from the pi'ivations of hunger and cold, which had 
 Iteset it in the bod v.* 
 
 There is not, in cpneral, a vory "iiscriminiiting sense of inoriil ilistiuctionH and 
 rcs|i()nsil)ilitii-s, and the, faiiil out-shadosvings, whieh we sonietitnos hearainonp; 
 tlieni, of a dee|) and sombie ; tream to be crossed by the adventurous soul, in 
 its way to tlie land of bliss, does not exercise sucli a practical influence over 
 their lives, as to interfere with the briief of universal aeceptaiieo after death. 
 So firm is this belief, thai their must reverend term for the Great Spirit, is 
 Ge/.ha ^^)Ile(l(l, that is to say, Mei'ciful Spirit. (! itchy Monedo, whieh is also 
 employed, is often an eipiivtical phrase. The term Wa/heaud, or Maker, \n 
 used to designate the Creator, when speaking of his animated works. Tho com- 
 pound phrase Waosemigoyan or universal Father, is also heard. Stdiool. p, 204. 
 
 "With respect to the otlier great, doctrine of religion, concerning the immor- 
 tality of the soul, the sentiments of the Americans were more united ; the hii 
 man mind, even when least improveil and invigorated by (niltiire, shrinks from 
 the thoughts of aniiiiiilation, and looks forward with hope and expectation to 
 a state of future existence. This seiilitnent resulting from a secret consciousnes? 
 of its own dignity, trom an instinctive longing after immortality, is universal, 
 and may be deemed natural. Upon this are foundcil the ino.st exalted ho|)es ol 
 man in his highest state of im|irovement ; nor has nature wilheld from him tliic 
 eoothitiLT consolation, in tlie most early anil rude |)eriod of his progress. We eaii 
 trace this opinion fi'om one extremity of America to the other, in some regioiM 
 more faint f nd obscure, in others more perfectly developed, but nowliere un- 
 known. The most uncivilized of its savage tribes do not a])prehend death aB 
 the extinction of being. All en'.ertain hopes of a future and more ha|)py state, 
 ■where they shall be forever exempt from the calamities which imbiller human 
 life in its present condition. This future state they conceive to be a delightful 
 •country, blessid with perpetual s[iring, whose forests abound with game, whose 
 rivers swarm with fish, where famine is never felt, and uninterrupted plenty 
 shall be enjoyed witliout labor or toil. But as men, in forming their first imper- 
 fect ideas concerning the invisible world, suppus ■ that there they shall continue 
 to feel the same desires, and to be engaged in the same occu])ations, asinth« 
 present world; they naturally ascribe ominencc and distinction, in tliat stat.* to 
 the same qualities aud talents which are]H;re objects of their esteeiu.llob. voLl.p. 1 sa. 
 
X 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Although debased by superstition, a degrading defer- 
 ence to hi.s priest or nicdieine man; and a mythological 
 faith in liis manitou, and numerous other inferior deities;* 
 The Indian firmly believed in the existence of a Su- 
 preme being, or (ireat Spirit, as he termed him, who 
 made the heavens, and all material tilings by the power 
 of his will, lie next ci'eatcd animals find m;in out of 
 the earth, and subseijuently a good and evil spirit, who 
 continually strove for mast('i'>'. Tlusc in the characters 
 attributed to them, closelv resembled the Ariman and 
 Ilormuzd of the (Juebre creed, as well as the Shiva and 
 Vishnu of Hinduism. The idea eml)odi(Ml in this 
 belief miirht ])esai<l in fact to constitute the L'roundwork 
 of his religion, his sacrifices, and his worship, lie endea- 
 vored continually to a])pease the evil spii'it ; to disarm 
 its malignant teiidencies. He was persuaded that his 
 good deities, prompted by the beneficence of their na- 
 tures, Avould l)est(.>w evei'y l>lessing in their ])ovver with- 
 out solicitation or acknoAvledgement. Ilence, his only 
 anxiety was to soothe and deprecate the wrath of those 
 
 • Rob. Amcr. vol. 1. y. ISl, Cluu'l. N. F.vol. .3. p. '122. 
 
 Whenever men ackiiuwlc'li^c tiic rcility of sujiorniitural power nn J discern 
 mcnt in one instance, they have .a propensity to udinit it in other?. The Amori 
 cans dill not longsnppose the eifieiicy of conjuration to be confined to on<' subject. 
 They had recourse to it in Qxrvy situation of danirer or distress. Wlien the 
 events of war wcr.^ peeuliarly disastrous. avIumi they met, with unforeseen di.sap 
 pointment in huntiiiir, when inundations or drought '.hreateiied tiu'ir crops with 
 destruction, tliey called upon tiieir conjurors to begin their incantations, in 
 order to discover the c.aus^j of those ealamitits, or to foretell what would bo 
 their issue. Their eontidfiiee in tliis di'lusive arr giadually increased, and mani 
 fcstcd itself in all the occurrences of life. When involved in any diftieulty, oi' about 
 4o enter upon any transaction of moment, every individual regularly consulted 
 the S(;rcerer, and depended upon liis instructions to extricate him from the for- 
 mer, act well as to direct hi;? conduct in the latter. V.\ :n among the riuiest tribcft 
 in America, su|ierstition appeart; m this form, and divination is an art in high esteem. 
 Long before man had accpiired such knowledge of the de-ity as inspires reverencft 
 and leads to adoration, wo observe him stretcliing out a presumptuous Jiand to- 
 draw aside that vdil with which rrovidencc kindly conceals its purposes from 
 liunian knowledge ; and we, lind hiiu laboring witlvfruillesa anxiety to peiietrat* 
 
 ro 
 
 power? 
 
 Antagon 
 genius oi 
 attentioi 
 wanderii 
 general 
 neration 
 man froi 
 Niiujvah 
 mony t( 
 see] (tic's 
 
 The ].* 
 dians, w; 
 hunting i 
 their sto 
 for food, 
 sessions 
 chief and 
 "'real est; 
 furnished 
 precisely 
 etpial cla 
 ledijed U' 
 prowess, 
 necessai'A 
 approvet 
 the hunt 
 
 into tlic m\ 
 flupcriiit(Mul 
 human uiub 
 infancy, ani' 
 From this 
 their observ 
 of animals, 
 one of these 
 iuitof those 
 • Ibid, p 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XI 
 
 ing defcr- 
 tlioloi^ical 
 r deities ;* 
 '■ of a Su- 
 liini, who 
 lie ] tower 
 ail out of 
 )irit, who 
 liaracters 
 iiiiaii and 
 ^liiva and 
 I in thin 
 undwork 
 Ic endea- 
 'o disarm 
 
 tliat his 
 tlieir na- 
 ■er with- 
 liis only 
 
 < >f those 
 
 nni] discern 
 Till' Amori 
 oncsulijoct. 
 Wlicn tho 
 (Scon ilisap 
 crops witFj 
 iifations, in 
 if would bo 
 , fuid iiiiiiii 
 t_v. or about 
 y consulted 
 '111 tlic for- 
 idcst tribe* 
 litiii tstocm. 
 5 reverence 
 us hand to- 
 poses from 
 > pcucU'at# 
 
 powers, whom he re^^arded jih tlie enemies of mankind.''' 
 Antai(onistic as a ])elieve of this kind is to the pure 
 genius of Christianity, it merits nevertliehss the closest 
 attention of the |)liilos(»)iiier. Amid all his wars and 
 wanderinirs, the dim traditions of a ereation, and of a 
 general deluu'e, were [x-rjx'tuated from generation to g(N 
 neration l>v the Indian : who sei)arated from his feUow 
 man from remotest time, hears like the silent ruins of 
 Xiiievah, in this very knowledge, most important testi- 
 mony to the truths of Holy Writ, and the folly of the 
 see])tie's theories and»h'duetlons. 
 
 The ])olitical eonditi(tn, of the the North Ameriean In- 
 dians, was (h'lnoeratie in the extreme. Possessing their 
 hunting grounds in eommon, and aeeustonied to divide 
 their stores of ])i'ovisions with one another when pressed 
 for food, the distinetions arising from inequality of pos- 
 sessions Avere unknown amongst them. The greatest 
 ehief and the meanest Avarrior were on a par in part of 
 ''real estate.'' Their huts Avei'e constructed alike, and 
 furnished in the same rud(^ manner : their weapons "were 
 precisely similar : to the river and tlu^ forest they had 
 e(pial claims. Exulting in their freedom, they acknow- 
 ledged no superiority, but that resulting from personal 
 prowess, or superior intelligence. When they found it 
 necessary to attack an enemy, the warrior of the most 
 ap])r(n-ed courage led them to the cond)at : in the chase^ 
 the hunter of the greatest experience directed*their mo- 
 
 into tlie mysteries of tho divine nuministration. To discern nnd to worship a 
 fluperinteiulinij power is an evidence of the enlni-gcnient and mutui'ity of the 
 hiinum inulrrstaiidiiiLr ; a vain desire of prying into futurity is the error of ii» 
 infancy, and a jn'oof of its weakness. 
 
 Kroni tiiis weakness likewise proceeded the faith of the Americans in drearn?^ 
 their observation of omens, their attention to the chirping of birds, and the eric* 
 of animals, all which they suppose to be indications of future events ; and if any 
 one of these prognostics is deemed unfavorable, they instantly abandon the pur- 
 suit of those measures on which they are most eagerly bent. Rob, Amer. vol. 1, p, 185- 
 
 * Ibid. p. 182. 
 
 .' ir' 
 
 y . ... 
 
 
XII 
 
 INTRODUCTION- 
 
 tions : in the council lodc^e, the most eloquent orator 
 swayed their decisions * Durinj^ periods of tranquility, 
 all Hup(!i'iority ceased : tli(^ entire community occuj)ie(l the 
 flame p()siti<m, and scarcely siu-med to feel the tics of po- 
 litical union. Destitute of any form of local ijovcrnment, 
 they knew nothing of the duti<'s (tf the maufistrutc, and 
 were left at liberty to follow the dictates of individual 
 inclination ; without questions of ])ro|)erty to decide, or 
 suits to institute, they had no occasion foi" the services of 
 the lawyer. If any scheme of public utility wjis ])ro- 
 posed, {^ach mend)er of the community adoj)te(l it, and 
 aided in its execution, or otherwise, us he (hjemed ]>roper. 
 Nothing was comj)ulsory with !i':m : all his resolutions 
 were voluntary, and flowed froiD the impulse of his own 
 mind. 
 
 It does not appear, that even the first ste]> had l)een 
 taken among either the Algon^piins or the Ilurons, to- 
 wards the oetablishment of a public jurisdiction. In the 
 extreme case of murdor the ri<dit of venii^eance belonc^ed 
 to the friends of the i>arty slain, and not to the commu- 
 nity. Their resentment was usually inqilacable, mid not 
 unfrequently transmitted fi'om father to son for genera- 
 tions. The instinct of self defence, one of the first aroused 
 in the human breast, evidently was their great bond of 
 Union. They united in comnmnities, and obeyed the 
 authority of a leader in time of war, simjdy because such 
 a course was necessary for jiersonal safety and the j)ro- 
 tection of their hunting grounds.f 
 
 •War. Con. of Can. vol. 1, p. 175. 
 
 f Hunting on their grouii<Ls without leave, rohbcry, and personal violence, are 
 the motives to an Indian war. Before they set out on tlieir expeditions, a feast 
 on dogs' flesh, is generally jirepared, whieh is invariably followed hy the war 
 dance. Then the Chiefs reeite the glorious achievenxMits of the forefiilhers of 
 the young warriors, to excite their valor, after whieh they paint themselves with 
 Vermillion in the most frightful manner. The i-oute they are to pursue is usually 
 traced on a piece of the bark of a tree. Their conduct of their wars is certainlj 
 
 Like t 
 when th 
 charactei 
 fare;, the 
 many a i 
 imirdei's 
 his ju'iso 
 known to 
 hitroduct 
 Bessed th 
 tu(^s in an 
 chiise, elo( 
 pendent ; 
 with greuf 
 sincerely 
 ally evinc( 
 servatioii (. 
 dangers, a 
 without a i 
 The gen 
 erful influc 
 been genei 
 to their ch 
 with tende 
 
 not c.ilculated 1 
 IQ strong jiartit 
 •ad t(Mlp. If 
 bers, tlioy are ( 
 l»lly adopt as t 
 death with hei 
 pnsill.'inimity. ( 
 •There liv-'i 
 Uaygow, or flu 
 pfob.ilily, deriv 
 l^poiiraiicc, so 
 tie niii^'e of ll: 
 ^h^r of that ti 
 dtr foray, whi( 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 21lt 
 
 it orator 
 inquility, 
 ipied the 
 cs of po- 
 criiincnt, 
 rate, iind 
 idividual 
 Iccido, or 
 31' vices of 
 wtus ])ro- 
 'd it, and 
 1 ])i'<)i)er. 
 solutions 
 f his own 
 
 had been 
 
 irons^, to- 
 In the 
 
 belonged 
 commu- 
 and not 
 ij^enera- 
 aroused 
 bond of 
 'yed the 
 
 luse such 
 the pro- 
 
 iolcncc, are 
 ions, n feast 
 by the war 
 rofiUhers of 
 solves with 
 is usually 
 IB certainlj 
 
 Like the other al)orii^qne.s of America, the Caniidian, 
 when thoroughly aroused, displayed all the fiercemv • 
 chara(;teristic of the savage. Cruel and unrelenting in wai 
 fare, the reiuE'inbranee of his massacres still lingers over 
 many a neighborhood in the New England states. His 
 nuu'dei's alike of old and young, liis cruel treatment of 
 his prisoners, his partial cannibalism, are too generally 
 known to re([uire more than a pjissing notice in this brief 
 introductoiy sketch. Jiut, if the Canadian Indian pos- 
 lesscd the vices of the savage, he also inherited his vir- 
 tues in an eminent dei^ree. Bold in war, skilful in the 
 cliJise, ehxpient at the council fire, and thoroughly inde- 
 pendent ; he was ca})al>le of acting on many occiisioiw 
 with irreat force and diirnity. At the same time, he was 
 lincerely attached U) his tribe : the Algoncpiins especi- 
 ally evinced the most chivalric spirit touching the pre- 
 servation t>f its honor, and frecjuently braved the greatest 
 dangers, and endured the most excruciating torments 
 without a groan, that it might not be disgraced. 
 
 The gentler affections too, exercised a much more pow- 
 erful influence among the Indians of Canada, than has. 
 been generally sup})osed. They were strongly attached 
 to their children, tr«'ated their ])arents in many instances 
 with tenderness,* and had a profound veneration for their 
 
 not c.ileulfitt'J to admit of thoir t,ikin£T many prisonfTs, for insccad of marching 
 19 stPDiiu; imrti.s Ihcy ofton <;(» nuL siii'^ly and surprisi' tlic foe, whom fluy kill 
 •Dd tcidp. If tlio pri-;o-ni'rs aiv iiniible to inarcli, or danirorous by their num- 
 ,;■ lers, thoy are di-str()ytd, Sin'li as are brought into a 5<t;ite of saff-tv, they genr- 
 #illy adopt as their own children. They are almost iiiuvt r.;uilv brave, an.l meet 
 4eath with heroie tirtnne:-s. Intoleralde eoiitenijit is the sure eonsequence of 
 jpsill;iiiiinity. Smith's lli\ C';in. vol. 1, |). 47. Char. N F v()l. :;, p. '200, 107, 409. 
 ■ •There Hv.mI a noted eiii«:f at Miehilitnaekinac, in dav."! past eallod ditshe 
 K«ygow, or tlie Oreal-Siuul-])uiie, a' name, or rather a nick-name, which he had, 
 JWob.ilily, derived from hi.s birth and early n >idcn(ji' .U a .'^pot of verv imposini; 
 appearance, so 'jailed, on the southern shore J Lake .--uj.ciior, which is ta>t ('f 
 the rani^'e of the I'ietured Uocks. Ho wa.' a ("hipp.'wa, a warrior and a <-oi.n- 
 •fih-r of that tribe, ami had min^'lcd freely in the stiniiii^ scenes of war and b( r- 
 d« foray, whiei\ tnarked ihe tl.).>ing year.-^ of I'rench d^i^mination in the Canadaf 
 
 I 
 
 ..^ 
 
XIV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 (lead. Th(; ties of rclationHlii]) wcr*^ rospcjctod and ao* 
 knowlodged, and in some cases accurately traced tor i^enc- 
 rations. The relation of'linsI)and and wife was c](!arly 
 iind(!rstood and well delined, and ])olyi(aniy althouc^h 
 permittcMl liy custom was rarely ])i'M<'tisrd. 
 
 Su(rh AV(*re tln^ prominent characteristics of the tribes, 
 whoonco liehl j)ossession of this country. Hut a few i(e- 
 ncTations have since ])a<sed away, and flourisliinLC cities, 
 and towns, and villnijfes, and thousands of happy home- 
 steads, occupy those di.<tricts "\\here tiny cliMsed the 
 doer, and trapped the heavei' in the silent depths of the 
 primeval forest. Instead of the war-whoop of the Alifon- 
 quin or the Huron, the church hell now swells out on 
 the vesper l)r(H)ze, and the silenci; of the Avilderness h?u^ 
 given place to the matin song of the milkmaid and the 
 blithesome whistle of the ploughman. A ]>o(>r and thinly 
 scattered community of improvi<lent savag<'s, has been 
 succeeded bv an oi'derh', industiious, and enteri)risinLr 
 p(!Ople, Avhose genius and resource- embody all the gerrri^ 
 of a mighty nation. AVith a comniei'cial credit as s(»ini<l 
 as tlic merchants of any country i?i 1 he woi-ld can boast 
 of; possesfioil of several good lines of i-aili'oad, and of a 
 noblo water communication ; blessed witli great mineral 
 and agricultural resources, (^iiiada must ere long attain 
 to a high jxxsition in the scale of nations, and thus leave 
 little room for regret that the possession of her s(»il, has 
 be(;n transfei'rc'd to the Anglo Sa.xon race, and that the 
 rule of tin; fieivi.' Indian has forever ])asscd away. 
 
 Tliey w Ti; tlien inland ()i\ llic Mnnistof river, wliioli nil'-ri' tlK'NurllicrriPliorcB (if 
 Lake ?ili(.'Iiiir!in. ]t. viis lu^ last •\vinltr on o.irtli ; liis lio'.rl uas (.'liultlfiioil Iv 
 onco inoft! fi't'ling the iii-niiil rays of S| 'ring, and liu d( sirod to l'o ■with them, tu 
 liohold, lor liie last time, tlie (expanded hii;e and inhale its jiuro breezes. Ik' 
 niuht needs be eonveycd by hand. Thi.^ act of piety was pcrforniod by liij 
 drti:'.^hter then a young ■woman. Sli.- carried him on lor back from Ineir camp 
 to the lake sliore where they erected their lodge and passed the spring, and whcT'i 
 h" CTentunllj died and was buried. School, p. I'Jl. 
 
 Moro, i\n 
 try of AiiK 
 The v.'i::uo < 
 the dim pre 
 philosophic 
 an actual r. 
 January l-J 
 (]oul)t roixu 
 the waters i 
 The wise 
 
 » • It is v( 
 
 •ami! huitud( 
 «liieh wc dw 
 f "Seneca ii 
 find rent u-u 
 linsubiinr •iui 
 t Buiion <ju 
 It in Ki't ili'Vi'i 
 liajj.s those \vl 
 of Aniiri.'a ; f 
 fame .s.^M-Imd 
 other part of 
 § In tiio 111 
 vi;Vontli of tin 
 Kzra. CiAuu 
 from th- (.'ar.!] 
 "Qialhics of t 
 in its support. 
 
Distffrg af €m\i\h. 
 
 % 
 
 ' I 
 
 tif 
 
 CHAP TEH I. 
 
 Mora tlinn throo conturics and a half liavo dap'^od, since tho discov- 
 •ry of AmtM'ica constltuu d a now opfxh in tlio annals of civilization. 
 The vatruc dreamy idi-as of unictiown cliMics indulged in by Sirabo,* 
 the dim piopiiecios of Scnoca.f tlu! romantie theories of l'hUo.| tho 
 j>liilosophic spccidations of tho middle agos,§ hnd at length pointed to 
 an actual r. alily : and thu I'rtnrn of Columbus to Sj^ain on the 'Ith of 
 January l-4t>o, after an absence of seven months, dispelled every 
 (]oiil)t regarding the existence of hitherto nid\no\vii regions, amid 
 the wators of tho Western Atlantic. 
 
 The wise and politic Henry \'1I. who then sat upon the throne of 
 
 * ■ II i.^ Vi'vy j>ticsil;]e iliaf in tlio satnc ttini'orato zone, nml ahiiost in llio 
 lamo laiitmh; as Alliens, tluTo niv inlialiilnl wiirlds liistinot from tlint in 
 wliich Wi! dwell." Straho lili. 1, p. ti,'. 
 
 f "Si'iiooa hold that a vast cminlry was orieinnlly sifuntod in (lie Adanlio Occnii, 
 (ind ront astnidor by a vi<d'jiit cartluiuaki'. 'I'iie portion wliifli still rcnminid 
 i!ii.siil)uiir.r.Hl l>v tlio Oe^^an, would on<' day Ix- di>r'ovor<'d. Malfc Uriin, 
 
 X DuU'on (jiioLiii^ riati'.s Tiinr.ii-, rid(itiv<; lo tin? d.stnictioii of Afiilanti^, eayn, 
 it in i;ot devoid of pioliaLility. 'Hie land swiillowi d np liy t'lc \v;itors wcro per- 
 haps thosL' wliioli united Irdaiiil to t'le Azore?;, and the Azorrn to the eonlinent 
 <jfAin(riou; for in Ireland tlnro are the j^iane to.-sil^, the '.ain(> shells, und tho 
 mnie .sea-Lodies ix^ u]>]>i^iiV in Anicriea : and foine of wliieli are found in no 
 <>i.lier j'artof Europe. BntTon's >i:!tiiiMl llislory, vol. ! . p. I'.Oii, 
 
 § In the middle ti';t'''^, ♦'"' I>reva!i nl opinion \vn.-, thai llio s< a co-vend Put one- 
 viivontli of tint (Jiobe, an oj)iiiion ^vlli^ll Cardinal "i'Ally founded on the Look of 
 Kzrn. ('olundms, who always derived niueh of hi- e<ismolot;ical knowledge 
 from till' eariiinal's work, was nnieli interested in supjiorlintj this ojiinion of the 
 Kmalhicis of the r-ca. lie also used to eiti' Arli-tolle, Seneca, and yt« Augustiu*' 
 in its support.— Ihuubolt. 
 
THE HISTORY 
 
 [1497. 
 
 1524.] 
 
 England, was not a little moved by the intolligcncc whioh so pro- 
 foui.dly a::;itatod the maritime nations of Europe. The mere accident 
 of the capture of the Lnjther of Columbua by pirates, when on his 
 way to the English Court, had in alt probability robbed him of the 
 glory of the great navigator's discoveries being made under his aus- 
 pices, and deprived the nation at large of the vast commercial benefits 
 which he foresaw, they must sooner or later produce. Henry, how- 
 ever, was not discouraged. Wisely judging that other countries were 
 yet to be discovered, he fitted out a small flett in 141)7, and placing 
 it under the command of John Cabot, a celebrated Venetian naviga- 
 tor, sent him forth in quest of new climes, as well as of a North 
 West passage to the indies and China, then sought after as 
 as earnestly as it has been in our own times. 
 
 r Cabot sailed from the port of Bristol about the middle of May 
 1407 ; and following very n"ar1y the same course now pursued by 
 vcsself., making the vo^'age from Great Britain to North America, 
 discovered, on the 2r)t,h of June, the Island of Newfoundland, which 
 he named St. John's Island in honor of the day. After a brief stay 
 here he continued his westerly course, and arrived off the coast of La- 
 brador on the 3rd of July. He had, therefore, the honor of being 
 the first discoverer of the Continent of America, which was not seen 
 by Columbus, until some thirteen months afterwards. Having 
 made a partial survey of Hudson's Bay, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 
 he sailed soeth as far as Virginia : when, being anxious to announce hi* 
 auccesR to Henry, he returned to England ; where shortly after his ar- 
 rival he received the honor of Knighthood. 
 
 At this perifKl Britain possessed no royal navy, and in cases of 
 emergency, the crown had to arm merchant vessels. Encouraged by 
 the success of Cabot, Henry determined, that this condition of affairs 
 should no longer continue, and promptly applied himself t^ the con- 
 Htruction of a national fleet ; on one large ship of which he expended 
 the immense sum, fur those times, of fourteen thousand pounds.* This, 
 with some smaller vessels, he placed in the following year (1408) 
 under the command of Sebastian, cne of Sir John Cabot's sons, with 
 inslructi(nis to search for a North-West passage. Beyond the barren 
 glory of mere discovery, Henry derived no result from this, or two 
 Hubseque'it expeditions. No SLttleinents were lori;)ed ; and his 
 death in 1.509 terminated for several years all efforts, on the part ot 
 the British nation, to profit by a more intimate connection with tlii-t 
 
 *llijtne, vol. .3, l\ 70, 
 
1524.] 
 
 01^ CANADA. 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 continent. For tho next fourteen years, Spain and Portugal were tno 
 only iiiition:^ who d'-rived any .solid benefits t'l om .scltlenients in tho 
 New \V Dild. In ir)'-2l the Vreiieh Sover(;ij^n, Franeis I, with a view 
 to the partition of these benefits in his own favor, resolved to aequire 
 a claim m\ a portion at least of Anieriea by further diseoveries. 
 "What," said he to his courtiers, "shall the Kin^-i of Spain and Porta- 
 pal divide all America between them, without sulTrriiig me to take 
 ashareas their brollirr. I would fain see the article in Adam's will 
 that bcijuc^Uhs that vast inheritance to thetr.." Frrncis accordingly 
 prepared a squadron of four .'•hips, which ho plactd under tlie cominand 
 of Giovanna Verazzaiio, a Florentine navigator of great repute, who 
 explored the American coast from ( arolina niM'thward. lie called 
 the entire region Nc.w France, (La Nouvelle France,) and utterly re- 
 gardless of the prior claims of England, took formal possession of it 
 in the name of his sovereign. \'erazzano, like Cabot, returm^d with- 
 out gold or silver, lie was in conse([ueiicc unfavorably contiasted 
 with the adventurers to Mexico and Peru ; met with a cold reception ; 
 and died in obscurity. In lo27, Henry VIII. resolved to make another 
 attempt to discover a North-West passage to the East Indies. One 
 of his ships was lost : and the remainder returned to England without 
 havini; made any fresh di.scoveries, or efTecting a settlement. 
 
 In 1534 the French King fitted out a second expedition, the conduct 
 of which he entrusted to Jaques Cartier, a tearless and skilful mariner 
 who had previously been engaged for several years in the fisheries oil' 
 the banks of Newfoundland ; and which, cvcti as early as 1517, already 
 gave eni(tloymcnt to some fifty P^ngli^h, French, Spanish, and Portu- 
 gese vesse's. This expedition, consisting of two vessels of sixty tons 
 each, sailed from St. Alalo on the 20lh of April, and on the 10th of 
 MAy arrived at Newfoundland, where it remained ten days. Proceed- 
 ing northward, Cartier passed through the straits of Belleisle, entered 
 the Gulf (jf St. Lawrence, and landed at Gaspc; ; where on the 24th of 
 July he erected a cross surmounted by a fleur-de-lys, to commemo- 
 rate his advent on the coast. A friendly intercourse with the natives 
 enabled him to kidnap two men, with whom he sailed for Franco 
 where he was well received by his sovereign. 
 
 In the following year Cartier obtained a new commission from Fran- 
 cis, ar;i| sailed with three vessels* direct for the Gulf (>f St. Lawrence • 
 with instructions to explore its shores carefully ; to establish a settle- 
 ment, if at all practicable ; -and to open a traffic for gold with the in- 
 
 •TIi'T" '.7Prc thp Ilfrvihia u{ 110 toil?, The litll'; Hcrtn'ma of fiO tons, and 
 th.') ]hr:nfri!lon of -10 tons burden.. 
 
THE HISTORY 
 
 [1535. 
 
 1535. 
 
 ■_;.■. habitants. In the month ot August 1535, on the festival day of tho 
 martyr Lawrence, this navigator entered tho great father of the nor- 
 them waters, which he called alter the saint. Proceeding up its 
 course, he found himself in a few days opposite the Indian village of 
 Stadacona, then occiij>ying a portion of the ground on which the city 
 of Quebec now stands. As tho vess'ds came to an anchor the terrified 
 natives fled to the forest, whence they gazed with mingled feelings of 
 awe and wonder, on the '-winged canoes" which had borne tlie pale- 
 faced strangers to their shores. These feelings were, however, much 
 less intense than they must liave oiherwisc been, owing to the rumors 
 which, from time to time, liad preceded Cartier's approach ; and to the 
 fact, that they were well acquainted with the circumstance of his visit 
 to (iaspe the previous year, and the outrage he had there jierpetrated 
 on their countrymen. This knowledge led the iuhabiUmtsof Stadacon* 
 to resolve on a wary intercourse with the strangers. Their chief, 
 Uonacona, approached the vessels with a fleet of twelve canoes filled 
 with his armed followers, ten of these he directed to remain at a short 
 distanccjwhile he proceeded with the other two to ascertain the purport 
 of the visit — whether it was for peace or war. AVith this object 
 in view he commenced an or?tion. (.^artier heard the chief patiently, and 
 with the aid of the two Gaspc Indians, now tolerable proficients in 
 the French language, ho was enabled to open a conversation with him 
 and to allay his appn;hcnsions. An amicable understanding 
 having thus been established, he moored his vessels sat'ely in the river 
 St. Charles, where, shortly afterwards, ho received a si^cond visit 
 from ]3onacona, who this time came accompanied by five hundred 
 warriors of his tribe. 
 
 Having thoroughly rested and refreshed himself and his men, Car- 
 lier determined lo explore tho river to Ilochclaga, another Indian 
 town, wliieh ho learned was situated several days" journey up its 
 course. "With the view of impressing the Indi.ins with the superiority 
 of the white man, he caused prior to his departure second cannon shots 
 to be discharged, whicli produ'-ed the desired result. Like their coun- 
 trvmen of the Smith on tlie arrival of ('olutnbus, the red men of the 
 St. Lawrence were alarmed by the firing of artillery; iuid as its thun- 
 durs reverberated among the surrouiKil!!'; hills, ;i fueling of minsled ter- 
 ror and asionisliment took complete po. ; ssioii of their ra'nds. 
 
 Leaving his other ships safely at anchor, Carlier, on the lOlh of 
 September, proceeded up the rivei- v.iih the. Hcnpcrlll'jn, ul ieh owin^ 
 to the shallowness of the water h(> had to leave in Lake St. Peter, and 
 two boats ; and frequently came into contact with pnuill parti?s ot the 
 natives, who treated him in the n.ost friendly manner. Bold and Ioy- 
 
1535.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 iiig adventure for its own sake, and at the same time strongly imbued 
 with religious enthusiasm, Cartier watched the shifting landscape hour 
 after hour, as he ascended the river, with feelings of tiic deepest gratifi- 
 catit)ii, which were hciglUened by tlie rcflectiDU, tliat he was tlie pio- 
 neer of civilization and of Christianity in that unluiown clime. Na- 
 ture presented itself in all its jiriinitive grandeur to his view. The 
 noble river on whose broad bosom he floated onwards day aft(^r day, 
 disturbing vast flocks of water fuwl ; the primeval forests of the north, 
 which here and tlierc presented, amid the luxuriance of their folinge, the 
 parasaitical vine loaded with ripe clustery ot luscious grapes, and (rom 
 whence the strange notes of the whip-poor-will, and oilier birds of va- 
 lied tone and plumage, such as he had never before seen, were heard 
 at intervals : the bright sunshine of a Canadian August ; the unclouded 
 moonlight of its calm and pleasant nights : will; the other novel ac- 
 cessories of the occasion, made a sublime and profound impression upon 
 the mind of the adventurer. 
 
 l)'lighted with his journey, Cartier arrived on the 2nd of October 
 opposite the Huron village of llochelaga, the inhabitants of which lined 
 the shore on his approach, and made the most friendly signs for him to 
 land. Supitlies of fih and maize were freely tendered by the In- 
 dians, in return ior which they i-ccvived knives and beads. Despito 
 this iricndly cond.ict, however, (.'artier and his comjianions deemed 
 it most prudent to pass the n'glit on board their boats. On 
 the following day, headed by their U ader, dressed in the most impos- 
 ing costi. no at his command, the exploring party went in procession to 
 Uie villacre. At a short distanei; from its environs they were met bv 
 a saetiem, who received iheni wi;li that solemn courtesy, so peculiar 
 to the aborigities of America. Cartier made him several presents: 
 among these was a cross, which he hung round his neck and directed 
 him to kiss. l^atches of ripe corn encircled the village, which 
 consisted of r.fiy substantially built huts, secured Irom attack by three 
 lines* of stout ]>ai)sades.* jjike the natives of Mexico and I'eru tho 
 llocholagians regarded the white nien as a superior race of beings, who 
 come among then) as friends and benefactors. f Improsspd with this 
 idea thev ctniductod them in slate lo their Cour.cll Lodge, and brought 
 
 .' t 
 
 * There is no di iii4 thnt Ciirlior t;avc a most exagEr^'riitoil dcscriiitimi of IIoc- 
 hehiga, bciiijx di'^ii'oii.s tluit his dii-ouvorios bhould hi^iw some I't'sciublaiico to 
 those of Corlcs ;uid rizarro. lliKjlioIaga was aimjily an oriiiiiary Indian vil- 
 lage, surrounded by woodoii pali>udcs,aud contaiLiiig I'robally, a tbousaud or 
 liftccii hundred iuliabitautSk 
 
 I Jceuit's Journal, 
 
6 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1535, 
 
 xj. :<<f>, 
 
 ■ I, 
 
 their sick to be hcalod. Carticr was at once too completely in their 
 power, and too politic to undeceive them. It is recorded that "he did 
 everything he could to soothe their minds : ■ that he even [)ra}ed with 
 these idolators, and distributed crosses and other symbols of the 
 Catholic faith among them." 
 
 The inlroductcry ceremony concluded, Cartier ascended the moun- 
 tain behind Ibxholaga, to which lie gave the name of Mont Uoyal, sub- 
 sequently corrupted into Montreal. From a point near i^s summit a 
 noble prospect met liis view. Interminable forests strelchcd on every 
 aide; their deep gloom broken at harmonious intervals by hills, and 
 rivers, .-Mid island-studded lakes. Simple as were the natives ot Ho- 
 chelaga, they appeared to have some knowledge of the geogra[>hy of 
 their country. From them Cartier learned that it would take three 
 months to sail in their canoes up the course of the majestic river 
 •which flowed beneath them, and that it run through several great 
 lakes, the farthest one of which was like a vast sea. Beyond this lake 
 was another large river, (the Mississippi,) which ptirsued a southerly 
 course through a region free from ice and snow. With the precious 
 metals they appeared but very partially acquainted. Of copper they 
 had a better knowledge, and stated that it was foimd at the Saguenay. 
 
 Favourably as Cartier had been received, the lateness of the season 
 compelled his immediate return to Stadacona. The Indians expressed 
 their regr»'t at the shortness of the visit, and accompanied the French 
 to their boats, which they followed for some time, making sign<« of 
 farewell. The expedition did not, however, find all the natives equally 
 friendly. While bivouacing one night on the bank of the river, they 
 would probably have all been massacred, but for a timely retreat to 
 their boats. Cartier had a narrow escape, and owed his life to the in- 
 trepidity of his boatswain, an Englishman. 
 
 The adventurers wintered in the St. Charles River, and continued 
 to be treated with apparent kindness and hospitality by the Stadaco- 
 nians, who had fortunately laid u[> abundant stores of provisions. Un- 
 accustomed, however, tn the rigour of a Canadian winter, and scancilj 
 supplied with warm clothing, Carfier and his companions suffered se- 
 verely from the cold. To add to tin ir other misfortunes scurvy, the 
 terror of the seamen in those days, made its appearance, and in con- 
 junction with a disease produced by a licentious intercoiirso with the. 
 natives, speedily carried ofl' twenty five of their num1)er. To a de- 
 coction from the bark of the spruce fir, ta!;en on the recommenda- 
 tion of the Indians, the remainder ascribed tlic'r restoration to health. 
 
 The long winter at length drew to n close ; the ice broke u[», anii 
 although tliD voyage had produeed no gold di:?ooveries nur jirofilablo 
 
 1540. 
 
 return 
 turn 
 kindn 
 They 
 to bea 
 unfort 
 Dis 
 tals in 
 suiiu 
 
 navigt 
 
•1 
 
 
 
 1540.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 returns, in a mercantile point of view, the expedition prepared to re- 
 turn hiJtne. Like other adventurers of that age thi-y requited the 
 kindness and hospitality of the aborigines with liie basest iiignititudc. 
 They coinpeiled Doiiacona, with two other cliii-fs and eight warriors, 
 to bear thorn co)iipaMy to France, where the greater part of those 
 unfortunate men died soon af^e^ thiiir arriva'. 
 
 Disappointed in their expectations of discovering the precious me- 
 tals in the regions explored by Cariior, the French natit)n f-r the en- 
 suing four years gave no advent urors to lite New World. That 
 navigator's favorable representations of the valley of the St. T^aw- 
 rcnce, iiowever, still continued to attract a large portion of attention. 
 In 1540 a new expedition was or;;anized under tlio direction of the 
 Sieur de lioberval, an opulent nobl ;inan of I'icanly, to proceed to 
 Canada, as it now began to be called from the Indian word Kanata, (a 
 collection of huts,) which had been mistaken for tiie native name of 
 the country. In consideration of his bearing the expenses of the expe- 
 dition, and efTocting a permanent settlement on the St. Lawrence, or 
 in the adjacent districts, lioberval was created Lieutenant (lenoral, and 
 appointed viceroy of all the territories claimed by the French in the New 
 World. Circumstanc<!s having arisen which prevented him from pro- 
 ceeding with the expedition, which embi'aced five ships, he transferred its 
 command to Cartier, who accordingly sailed the third time to New 
 France, and arrived safely at his old anchoragi' in the neighborhood of 
 Stadacona. lie was at first received with every appearance of kind- 
 ness by the Indians, who expected that lie had brought back their chi»f 
 Donacona, as well as iho other chiefs and warriors who had been taken 
 to France. On learning that some of these wore dead, and that none 
 of them would return, they showed themselves averse to any 
 further intercourse, and to the formation of a settlement in 
 their neighborhood. 
 
 Finding his position with the inhabitants of Stadacona, becoming 
 daily more and more unpleasant, Cartier moved higher n[i the ri\er to 
 Cape Rouge, where he laid up three of his vessels, and sent the other 
 two back to France, with letters to the king and lioberval, seating the 
 success of his voyage and asking for supplies. His next proceeding 
 was to erect a fort which he called Charlesbourg. Here, after an 
 unsuccessful attempt to navigate ihe rapids abo\e Ilochelaga, he pas- 
 sed a most uncomfortable wiiiier. During the ensuing summer, lie 
 occupied himself in examining the country in every direction, and 
 in searching for gold, but of which he only procured a few trif- 
 ling specimens in the dry beds of some ri". ulcts. A few small dia- 
 monds were discovered in a headland near Stadacona, which 
 
 ■L >■■ 
 
 ' .1 
 
THE HISTORY 
 
 • t-.-r.^r ♦„,^A" 
 
 
 
 [1542. 
 
 was therefore called Capo DiamonJ, a name which it still retains. 
 
 The promised siippiiis not having arrived, another sc-vere winter 
 completely disheartened Carti^.-r, and he accordinj:ly resolve] to 
 return home. I'littint; into the harbor of St. .lohn, .Xewioinidhind, 
 he encountered IJobcrval on his way to Canada (l.")1'2,) with a new 
 company of adventurers and abundance of stores and provisions. Tho 
 viceroy endeavored to persuade ('artier to return with him, but with- 
 out effect, lie and his companions were alil\c disheartened with the 
 extreme cold and pmlouifed duration of a ('anadian winter, and this 
 circumstance in connection with the other hardships to which thoy had 
 been exposed, caused them to long eaniesLly to return to their own 
 smniy Trance. To avoid furtlier im[Hjrtunily, a possible (piarrel, and 
 forcible detention, Carlier caused his sailors to weigh anchor during 
 the night. After a tolerably quick passage, Ik; arrived safely in hLs 
 native country, where he died shortly after bis return, having liko 
 majy others saeriliced health and fortune to a passion fur discovery, 
 and a desire to acijuire gold. 
 
 Tioberval sailed up the 8t. Lawrence to Cliarlesboiirg, which ho 
 strengthened by addilioiud fortifications, and where he passed the ensu- 
 ing winter. Leaving a garrison of thirty men behind, he returned in 
 the following spring (l.>lo) to France, where he was detained by hi* 
 sovereign to assist in the war against Charles V. The death of the lat- 
 ter put an end to the (piarrel ; but although six years had elapsed in 
 the interval, lloberval had not forgotten Canada. In company with 
 his brother vVrehille and a numerous train of adventurers, he again 
 proceeded tt) this country. This fleet was never heard of after it put 
 to sea, and was supposed to have fouiulered, to tho regret of the peo- 
 ple of France, who greatly admired the Hrothers Kobcrval for the 
 gallant numner in wldch they had borne themselves in the war. Tliis 
 loss completely discouraged Francis, who made no further attempts lo 
 effect a settlement in Canada. The distracted state of France occa- 
 sioncd by the religious wars tended likewise to wilhdi'aw, during the 
 succeedir.g half century, the attention of its government from projects 
 of transatlantic colonization. 
 
 During the latter part of the fifteenth century, the idea of discover- 
 ing a Noitli-West passiigc, still occupied the attention of the people of 
 Europe. England now rapidly rising in nuiritimc importance, sent 
 out several expeditions to the northern coasts of America to search 
 for this passage. None of these, however, had any coimection with 
 Canada, the first colonization of which was reserved for France, and 
 the private enterprize of whose merchants was already acomplishing 
 what the couiUenauce and decrees of royalty had failed to effect. Th» 
 
OF CANADA. 
 
 9 
 
 'I 
 
 1598.] 
 
 discovery that a lucrative trade in furs could be prosecuted with the 
 Indians, lod to the formation of trading pi)sts ou the St. liawrcnce, 
 the principal of which was at Tadoussac near the mouth of the river 
 Sai^uonay. 
 
 The fact, thus established, that a pntfitablc connection with Canada 
 could be maintained, and tranipiility havinif been restored by tlie ac- 
 cession of Iloiiry l\'. to the tlirone, tlie attention of ihe French 
 Govoriimc'iit was a^aln turned to founding; a cnjony in this country. 
 In 15'J8 the Manpiis do la lioche, a nobleman of lirittany, encouraged 
 by Henry fitted out a larjxe expedition which convicts were permitted 
 to join, as it was fjiind dillicult to procure voluntary adventunrs, ow- 
 ing to former disaslers. Armed with tli.' most ample governmental 
 powers, the Manpiis departed for the New Woild utnler the guidance 
 of Chedotel, a pilot ol iXormandy. ]>ut he lacked the rei[ui-.ito 
 qualities to ii:sure success, and little is recorded of his voyage, with 
 the exception that he left forty convicts on Sable Island, a l>»irreu ?pot 
 ofTllie coast of Nova Scotia. Owing to the failure of this adventure, 
 and his attempts to equip another being thwarted at Court, the Mar- 
 quis fell sick shortly after his return home, and literally died of chag- 
 rin. The unfortunate convicts whom he left behind were completelj 
 forgotten for several years, and suffered the most intense hardships. 
 Their (Jlothes were soon worn out, and their provisions exhausted. 
 Clad in the skin of tlu; sea wolf, subsisting upon the precarious sup- 
 plies afTjrded by fish'ng, and living in rude huts formed from the 
 planks of a wrecked vessel, famine and cold gradually reduced their 
 number to tvv(dve. After a resilience on the island lor twelve years, 
 these wretched men were found in the most deplorable condition, l)y 
 a vessel SitMit out by the Parliament of Koucn to ascertain the'r fate. 
 On their return to France they were brought before lleni-y, who par- 
 doned their crimes in ct)nsid?ralion of the great hanlships they had 
 undergone, and gave them a liberal donation in money. "^ 
 
 The nnsatisfact try result of the expedition under de la Tkoche, had 
 not tlie etl'ect of cheeking French enterprise ''cry materially. In the 
 following year (l.")'.H>) another e\i)edition was resolved on by Chau- 
 fin of Uoueii, a naval oiricer cf reputation, and I'ontgrave, a sailor 
 merchant of St. Malo, who in consideralion of a monopoly of the fur 
 trade, granted them by Ilem-y, innlertook to estal)lish a colony of five 
 hundred persons in Canada. This monopoly once secured, Chauvin 
 displayed very little energy in fulfiiling his engagements. To save 
 
 . .'. 
 
 /, .■<.-.^^c 
 
 
 / 
 
 Chftiaplaiii*^!j Voyages* 
 
10 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1600, 
 
 ■^ / > - ii 
 
 
 
 %,Jj 
 
 appearances, howcvor, he equipped two vessels in the spring of 1000 
 and taiiiiij,' out a party of si-iilers with hitn, arrived saA'ly at, Tadous- 
 sao. lliMv, O(tiitnir) to the representations ol some ot' his eotnpan- 
 ions, who stiiteii that ninth more doiiahK; ]o»'ations lor a setlK'nient 
 might i)e t\)Uii(i hi;,'hi'r up the riviT, he creeted a small fort. During 
 the summer lie olilaiui'il :i <.'<iii>i(l<'rahle stock of very vaiiiahl.i tiirsi 
 for the most trilllui^ coiisithTation. Uriiig anxious to dispose of theso 
 to advanta;j;(', he; riitunied to Frauee on the approach of winter, leav- 
 ing sixteen settl(>rs behind. These were slemlerly provided with pro- 
 visioris and clothiii''. and in the cold weather were rethiced to such 
 distress, that tlu'y had to throw th.niselves com[)letely on the hospi- 
 tality ol the natives. From tlie-^e they experienced much kindr.ess, 
 yet s<j great was the hardships they eiidured, that several of ihem 
 died before the arrival of succor from France. Chauvin made a se- 
 cond voyage to Tadoussac, and obtained another valualile cargo of 
 furs, hut failed to establi^iii a pernuinent settlement. During a third 
 voyage he was taken ill and died. 
 
 The death of Chauvin did not damp the spirit of enterprise, which 
 had now taken Hrm hold of the more adventurous among the French. 
 The fur trade held out a certaii' and lucrative reward to perseverat.ee 
 and courage, and in 1603, de Chaste, the Governor of Dieppe, organ- 
 ised a compaily to conduct it. He prevailed upon several wealthy 
 merchants to second his views, and made a most valuable auxiliary, at 
 the same time, in Samuel Cliam})lain, who had just returned from the 
 Westliidies.and was destined to be the foimder of the French Colony of 
 Canada. Accompanied by Fontgrave, the former associate of Chau- 
 vin, and who luid made several voyages to the St. Lawrence, Cham- 
 plain proceeded to that river, with instructions from tlie French 
 Court, to as-eend it as far as possible, and make a survey of 
 the countr\ towards its source. He traversed its course to 
 the Sault St. Louis, but effectually stopped by these rapids, had to con- 
 tent himself with an observation made from the summit of Mont 
 Royal.* 
 
 On his return to France Champhiin found de Chaste had died 
 during his absence, and that the company he had formed was broken 
 up. Proceeding to Paris he laid before Henry a chart, with a descrip- 
 tion of the district he had surveved, and was graciously received. 
 Shortly after his return de Cha>te's scheme was taken up by 
 De Monts, a Calvanist gentleman of opulence then very popular at 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 1004.] 
 
 the I''r( 
 of his SI 
 the Cat I 
 to be a! 
 many <i! 
 ])<■ M 
 I>editiiiu 
 ilie liiiili 
 become 
 Scotia, \ 
 vi leges, 
 river St. 
 a settleii 
 Port \ln 
 ing to CO 
 
 S!(.ll, liol 
 
 Munts h 
 obtained 
 represent 
 nient on 
 under the 
 jiated Po 
 on the lo 
 June. I 
 Champlai 
 u]ion a su 
 ful scrnt 
 luxm-iant 
 led by tin 
 hood.) (in 
 where Car 
 years befc 
 sent city 
 the hiyh " 
 pleted an 
 ilountain 
 built. \V 
 first |u'rm, 
 Champ! 
 
 *Chiini plain makes no mention of Ilochclaga. The village had no doubt been 
 ftbanduaed. 
 
1G04.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 11 
 
 the Frcncli Court, antl \vlii» Iiad already received substantial maiks 
 of liis !«<ivcivi;fii'.s liiv(>;'. lie was iiislfiicted by lltiiry to cstabli.'ii 
 
 the Catlioliu rdi^iuii ainnuM- the iiall\rs, Imt lu^ ami hi-, Irii'iids wero 
 to 1)(J alloui il tlif tVcL' c.N. r(i~(.' (if ili(' ( 'alviiii>tic taltli. I \e also uhtair.cd 
 i'uaiiy o'.lirr valualiji' |iii\ ilc;j;L-<, ami an cntii'e tiioiinpoly ot tlie fur trade. 
 
 J)i' Mollis put losra (Jii tiif 7tli March, |(»0t, with a nuieli iarj^iT v\. 
 ju'ditiiiu lliau liad cvi-r Ittloi'i' Iill l-'rain'r, l']rroMO(iusly sup|io>iii^ that 
 thu iiiL'licr lie a>cuidid tlic ."^1. i.awrrhn' liic cuMrr tile weather must 
 becniiic, he I'l'inaiuid -(jHu- iimullis Iradinir wiili llic natives ot Ncmv 
 IScoLia, wliri'c 111- S(i/ri| an l-iiL;li--li vessel I'or inlerteriiig with his pri- 
 vileges, ami aft( rv.ariis wiutLred (>ii an island near the mouth of tlio 
 river St. John \v Xcw I'rimswick. In the (ollowinfj; spring he formed 
 a settlement on the eoa^^t of the IJny of J''undy, which was ealled 
 I'oit lioyal ; and shuiily allcrwai'ds returned to France, where, ow- 
 ing U) complaints made against him, he was deprived of liis eominis- 
 sion, notwithstanding it had Ijccn granted for t'.'ii years. Dc 
 ^[oiit.s had not, however, wholly ]o>l his influence with Henry, and 
 obtained in 1(507 another commi->i,)ii for one year. Owing to tho 
 representations of Champlain, he ncnv resolved to establish a settle- 
 ment on the St. liawrenee. Filling out two vessels, ho placed them 
 under the command of that experienced navigator, with whom he asso- 
 jialeil Tonlgrave as liciilciiant. Tlu; expedition sailed from Jlarfl^mr 
 on the l.'Jlli of April, l(»tis, and arrived at 'Jadoussac on the tlic 3rd of 
 June. Here I'oiilgrave remained to trade with the natives whilo 
 Cliamplaiii {proceeded up the ris'er to examine its banks, and determine 
 upon a suitable site for iho settlement he was to found. After a care- 
 ful scrutiny he fixed upon a i)romontory distinguished by ii 
 luxuriant gruwlli of vines, and shaded by some nolile walnut trees, cal- 
 led by the natives (very few of whom now resided in the neighbor- 
 hood.) tiuebio, or Queltee;'''' and situated a short distance from the spot 
 where Carticr had erected a fort, and passed a winter, sixty seven r / 
 
 years before. Here, on the tWi\ -luly, he laid the foundation of tho pre- - ^■^' '■ '^ ( "■ 
 sent city of Quebec, liude buildings of wood were first erected on 
 the liigii grounds to all'u'd .shelter to his men. When these were com- 
 pleted an enibaid;ment was formed, aljovc tho reach of the tide wh-no 
 !^[|.•untai^ Street now stands, on which the houses and battery were 
 built. With the exception of Jamestown, in Virginia, this was tlio 
 first permanent settlement estabJi^hed in North Aineiiea. 
 
 Chamjilain and his companions passed the winter at (Quebec wIlli 
 
 
 * Cliampfiiin, Book III. chap. 3. 
 G 
 
 ■|" 
 
13 
 
 TnE IIISTOIIY 
 
 [1G08. 
 
 
 (. 
 
 
 (Ux. 
 
 ^1 ^a-M. 
 
 ( 
 
 ri^A^K.- 
 
 ■> ^L- 
 
 out sufloring any of tlioso extreme hardships, whicli Jiiriiiij the samo 
 perloil of tho year, had distinj^iiishtd tlio rosiduiici! of loriucr adven- 
 turers hi Canada. Their d\ve!liii;,rs ht'ili;,' better protected tVoiii tho 
 cohl, their persons more warmly elutlied, more abiuidaiitiy supplied 
 with provisions, and with a griatc r arnoinit of e.x[)erienee tliuii their 
 predecessors possessed, they discovered that a winter e^i^telle(; among 
 tho snows of tho North was not oidy possible, but even possessed 
 its pleasures. 
 
 Wliile providin;^ for the present comfort of liinihtlfand his compan- 
 ions, Champlaiu was not for^(>tful of tho liiture. Already had lie de- 
 voted his attention to the aijricullMral eai)aLilities of the country. Tho 
 Jand in the neighborhood was discovered to bo fertile, and in the Au- 
 
 ^ (- tumn of 1008, he planted tho first wheat crop on the banks of the St. 
 Lawrence. Winter f^radually merged towards Spring without pro- 
 ducing any incidents of very great importanco to tlie infant colony. 
 Meanwhile everything had been done to preserve a good understand- 
 ing with tho Indians who visited tlio Foit ; Champlaiu wisely per- 
 ceiving, th: •, tho success of tho settlement chiefly d( ponded on their 
 friendship. Nor vyoro tho Indians themselves, wlio belonged to tho 
 Algoncpiin nation, averse to tho cultivation of a friendly understand- 
 ing with tho French. A fierco war was then waged between them 
 j^ and tho Iroquois, or Five Nations, over whom they anticipated an easy 
 
 / . victory, were they but aided by tho white men. To secure this aid a 
 
 *^" son of one of their principal chiefs had already visited tho fort, and 
 as an inducement to tho alliance ho proposed, promised that his nation 
 should assist Champlain in exploring the country of their enemy. 
 
 About the middle of February a scarcity of food began to prevail 
 among the Indians. Some of those people on the opposite side of tho 
 river were reduced to great extremities, and resolved to cross it at all 
 hazards, in the expectation of receiving assistance at the fort. Death 
 
 _ stared thorn in the face on^ either hand, and they had only to choose 
 tho mildest ahernativo. Tho huge floes of ice that crashed against 
 each other, as they drove hither and thither, threatened instant de- 
 struction to their trail canoes which, nevertheless, were boldly launched 
 in succession, death by drowning being preferable to that by linger- 
 ing starvation. Presently inid-channel is gained. Vast llelds of ico 
 encircle the canoes which are speedily crushed to pieces. The Indiaiu 
 seek to save themselves by jumping on the ice which fortunately floats 
 to tho shore. But Champlain could only spare them a very scanty 
 supply of food, and the unfortunate people were obliged to subsist 
 for a time on tho putrid carcasses found in tho neigborhood. 
 Tho spring appears to have been an early one ; and no sooner had 
 
 -a 
 
 1009.] 
 
 tho wrath 
 
 than ( 'liaii 
 
 Mont iJoj 
 
 a war pai' 
 
 without 111 
 
 ingly relr; 
 
 diiiissac, \ 
 
 other nece 
 
 in com pan 
 
 div( r;,ffd i 
 
 proceeded 
 
 the furll)( 1 
 
 a roail tlin 
 
 panions to 
 
 two of his 
 
 the rem ait 
 
 position, ai 
 
 qiiiiN were 
 
 himself on 
 
 Tho party 
 
 George, on 
 
 the aid off 
 
 were killed 
 
 tortured. 
 
 On Chan 
 favorable t 
 complaints 
 to a single 
 been rcvok 
 an account 
 tisfaction. 
 poly provei 
 patronage, 
 made an ar 
 use of his I 
 in return i 
 was thus fi 
 ii:U]t, and I. 
 reinfurceme 
 On Chan- 
 plication fn 
 vd alike b 
 
IftOO.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 18 
 
 de- 
 
 liiiger- 
 of iCQ 
 udiaiij 
 fluat3 
 scanty 
 subsibk 
 
 ler had 
 
 i 
 
 the woalhcr bccamo sunificiuly warm to make travelling agrorablp, 
 than ('liaiii[>laiii pr('[inr('<l Id a-^cciid the riwr, and fXi'lorc it abnvo 
 Mdiit Koyal. Win n twenty livii loai:;iicH from (incbcc, he was nu't by 
 a war party ot ihi; Ah^diniuiiis on llu'ir \vay to atl.ick tlu) Iroquois, \\ho 
 witlioiit iiiiK h dltllcully iiidiiord lilm to i>niiiiii! hi ; aid. lie .accord- 
 ingly retraced his stops to tin' lort, prijcured a reiiilbrcement from Ta- 
 diiiissac, wlier*^ another seulement had been formed, and made, tho 
 other nece.s>ary arraiiL,'i'in(iits tor tlu' e\[M'dilion. On the "JSlh ot' May, 
 in company with his Imlian allies, he a^ain asceni,led the 8t. Lawrence, 
 diverged into tho IJiehidie'ii river, alter traversing Fiahi.' St. l*cter, and 
 proceeded rlong its conrso till he eiicjunlrred i'a['ids which prevented 
 thi! further passage of his boats. Finding it nselcs to attempt cutting 
 a roa'l throngh the woods, he resolved to commit himself and his com- 
 panions to the canoes of the native-:, anil to bhare their fate. Only 
 two of his men had sullieient courage to accompany him : the hearts of 
 tho rcniaindoi* failed thorn when thoy perceived tho dangers of their 
 position, and he permitted ihcm to return. The bark canoes of tho Algon- 
 quins were easily carried past the rapids, and Champlain soon found 
 himself on the waters of the beautiful lake 'whieh still bears his ramo. 
 The party saw nothing of the Froquois until they had entered T.ako 
 George, on the shores of whieh a pitched battle took place, which with 
 the aid of fire arms resulted in their favor. A number of the Iroquois 
 were killed, and twelve taken prisoners, all of whom were subsequently 
 tortured. 
 
 On Champlain's return from tills expedition, ho was greeted with un- 
 favorable tidings from France. Its merchants had again made loud 
 complaints of the injury they sustained by the fur trade being confined 
 to a single individual. Do ilonts's commission had in conscquenco 
 been revoked, and Champlain was obliged to return home to giv© 
 an account of his conduct, which tho king listened to with apparent sa- 
 tisfaction. All attempts, however, to procure a renewal of the mono- 
 poly proved abortive. Still de ^Slonts determined, even without royal 
 patronage, to continue tho settlement. To lighten the expenso, ha 
 made an arantrement with some traders at Ivochelle to o-ivc them tha 
 use of his buildings in Quebec, as a dej'Ot for their goods, while they 
 ill return engaged lo as>ist him in his plans of colonization. Ifa 
 was thus enabled, In 1(510, lo lit out another expedition for his licii^c- 
 iiant, and to furnish him with con^idtrablo supplies and a respiclabla 
 reinforcement. 
 
 On Cham[ilain's return to the St. Lawrence, he received a frcrh ap- 
 plication from the Algorqulns to aid thcni in another war. Undeter- 
 td alike by fear or principle he accepted tho propo- al ; but upon hi» 
 
 ■■^/ 
 
f 
 
 ■'U 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 [inio. 
 
 ; K' >%.-• 
 
 f.rrL 
 
 
 firriv.'il a^ tho mouth of tho liicliclicu. found alfairs moro urgent than ho 
 tiiul iVMlicipatO'l. An Imliaii l)i<iii'4lit, (lie int<>llij;iiici' '.lial "Uf hiintlrt'd uf 
 tho onctiiy wore sd sti-on^ly iiilrcnchi'il in \\w niiu'hixirhooil, tliat, with- 
 out, tlii; aid ct tlii; I'rrnrli it iiiii^t ijt' iiiiints-ihl,! to dislodge; tin-Mi. Tho 
 Alj^onqiiins iinprndcnily iidvaiifim,' to iIh! attack un^ii|i|i()rtod 
 wuro ri.'|i'd-.i 1 witli loss; and had to lall haik and await llio assis. 
 tanco of thi'Ir h'>< ini[)i'tMoir« allii'-. As scoii \\< ( 1iani]'hilii canui 
 up, h(.i |>i'oct'»;ili'd lo rcconuoiti'c ili; lioi|Ui>i>' po-liinn, lie foiuid il 
 very sli'oii;.;, ami IoiwhimI oI lar^c trcL's phii-i-d rl-isc lotri ijii'r in a circlo. 
 Thus proLcctcd tliry coiitlnUL'd \v, po'ir lorth shuwirs of ar, 
 rows, one of Nvhicli woiuidod \\\\\\ \\\ tln^ nocl<. His air.rnunilioii 
 soon began to tail, and ho urged tlio Algoni|niiH to greater ex- 
 ortions in Ibrcing a way into llu l)arrie;»de. lie made iIhiii fasten 
 ropoN round tlie truniis of single ti'ee<, and a|i|ily all tliiir sircngtli 
 to draj>" them out, wlule he, undi'ii mk to pidl'il lliem with iiis fu'e. 
 Fortunatidy at this crisis a parly of I'Vi'mh traders instigate<l hy 
 martial ardor inado their appearaueo. I'nder cover of their (ire the 
 Algoni^uins pulled so stoutly, that a suiricient opening was soon i.lleetcd, 
 when they leaped in and completely routeil tlio c neniy, most of 
 whoni -.vero kilh.'d, drowneil, or taken pri.-onors. Of the as>ailanls 
 ihrco were killed and fitly wounded. ( '!iaiiip!ain betbre taking leave 
 of his allies, who were too well pleased to rel'use his reipiest, readily 
 prevailed on them to allow one td bis pe()plo to remain among their 
 tribe to learn their language ; while lie, at their refpiest, took a 
 native voulh with him to i''ranee, whither hii went soon afti'r. 
 
 111 l()ll Cliamplain again ntmiied to Aineriea, bringing the young 
 Algon([uIu with him ; and on the *JSth ot May, proee^'ded in search uf 
 his allies, whom he was to meet by appointment. Not finding them 
 ho employed his time in choo.-dng a site for a new settlement, liigluT 
 up the river tlian Quebeo. At'ler a eare.''ul survey, he fixed upon an 
 eligible sfiot in the vicinity cd' ^lont l!oyal. His elioieo has been am- 
 ply justitied by the great prosperity to wliieh this place, under the name 
 of Montreal, has subsc(iuenlly risen. Having cle.i red a considera- 
 ble space of ground, he leiiecd it in by an earthen ditch, aiid planted 
 grain in the enclosure. 
 
 At length on tho l.'Mli of June, three weeks after the time appointed, 
 a party ol'liis Indian friends appeared. They evinced great pleasure at 
 meeting their countryman, who gave a most fivoiiralde report of tho 
 treatment he received in l''rance, aiii! alter a libt ral iirescnt to Cham- 
 
 pi; 
 
 11 n. 
 
 tho cause of their loii" delav was unfolded. Tliev stated that it 
 
 was altogether owing to a prisoner, who had escaped the previous 
 .year, spreading a report that tho rrench, having resolved to cspouso 
 
 roll.] 
 
 fhn.rausf 
 their nati< 
 ^'iicli an i< 
 ' piote-led 
 '■' Moved by 
 becoming 
 
 Ceiv(d sol 
 
 Cliamp'aii 
 iiig to his 
 lii-i J'l'ojei 
 ot thi'ir g( 
 pectingtlu 
 toleraMy ^ 
 I readily ngi 
 '- his people 
 coiiiilry if 
 youth shot 
 y ritorv and 
 f'liatnpl; 
 nunts fir i 
 ■ dlfliciili ;i('( 
 '■' of Sainton 
 this kind ; 
 peiicy of h 
 ; of the settl 
 Peek some 
 oppodiion 
 tunafe as t 
 aid him ill 
 rant-genera 
 to Champla 
 .'■I inn after, 
 rrince of t 
 nnd traiisfe: 
 vil(>ges incl 
 t ion to the i 
 cipal object! 
 him to the 
 of this pern 
 !uid one froi 
 vilegc3 of a 
 
[KHO. 
 tliai) ho 
 
 liillrd ijf 
 i;it, with- 
 •111. Tim 
 i|ip()i'l('il 
 lie ass is- 
 liii came 
 foiiii'l il 
 a clrclo. 
 s vf ar. 
 nninit'dn 
 ■aUT ex- 
 m fasten 
 
 stlVMV^lll 
 
 1 ii!s tiro. 
 i;atct-l \>y 
 • lil't' llio 
 I rlllrtt'i.l, 
 
 must of 
 as^ailuiils 
 iit^ Iravo 
 t, ixadily 
 (iiig thoir 
 :, tuuii a 
 
 ho young 
 
 search of 
 
 rui!f them 
 
 it, higher 
 
 iijioii an 
 
 )een ani- 
 
 ihe iianio 
 
 iiisiJora- 
 
 ])huitcd 
 
 Mioliitccl, 
 (.as 11 re at 
 nt of the 
 to C 'ham- 
 Mi that it. 
 previous 
 ;) cspousa 
 
 mil.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 » 
 
 I 
 
 ] 
 
 
 thr!»r.iiiso rA the Trofimtis, wore comiii;i in proat force to destroy 
 their nation. (Iiamplaiii coMiplaiii* I ot' lluir having paiii attention to 
 Mich an i'lh' iiitnor. thi! truth of which all iii'^ actions liciitd. 'J'hoy 
 nrotc-tetl thai it liad never hcen creilited h\ tlu niselvc^, and wns Ik- 
 licveil h\' those only of their trihc. who ncvi>r had an (ip|iortnnify (»( 
 heconi'n>' per-iKiially .'icijii.'iinlcd with the I'leii'h. Ilavlnjr now ic- 
 C( ived solciiiii proi (■ t.iiloiis t)f' iViendsiiip, and liilnji ^alisliyd with 
 ( 'haiuplaiii's sincerity, tiny dedari d tin ir linn detiiinination of adhcr- 
 iiii; to his alliance ; and of ]iroiiiotinLr, to the hc^t of their uhilily, 
 hi^ j'roicets of pcnelriitini: inio the interior. As an cvidenoi' 
 (it their {jjood will, they in)|iartMl imich valiiahle infoi'ination res- 
 ].oc!inj:tho fxeoiiraphy (I this contineiit, with whi«h they s^einicd (o :)e 
 tolei'uMv Well aeqnainlid as far .south as the (jiill of Me.xico. 'Jhey 
 readilv a.'i'eed to his propo?al, t(j return shortly with forty or fifty of 
 his people to |irosecnt>' discovei'ies, and form .'settlements in their 
 rriinitry if he lli(jn;:ht prop. r. 'Jhey oven made a rc(|iiest that a Frencli 
 viiiith slioiihl accuniiianv them, and make observations upon their ter 
 ritory and triho. 
 
 Cliumplain ajj.iin returned to France with a view of inakinjL^ arrangc- 
 nnnts fir more extensive operations ; bnt this object was now of very 
 difliciiU accomplishment. ] )eMonts, who had been appointed ^'ovcrnor 
 <\f Saintonge, was no longer inclined to take tlie lead in measnros of 
 this kind ; and excused himself from going to co\irt by stating the ur- 
 gency of Ills own ail'airs, lie thcroforo committed the whole conduct 
 of liio settlement to Chainplain, advising him, at the same time, to 
 seek some powerful protector, whose inlluonce would overcome nny 
 oppcK-iiion which might be made to his plan<. The latter was so for- 
 tunate as to win over, almost immediately, the Count dc Soissnjis to 
 aid liim in his designs. This nobleman oljtained the title of Jieutc- 
 rant-general of New Fiance ; and by a formal agreement transferred 
 to Champlain all the functions of that hi;,di cilIi(H\ The Count died 
 .'-non after, but Champlain found a still more influential friend in the / 
 I'rince of Conde, who succeeded to all the jtrivileges of the deceased, ' •• 
 find transferred them to him in a manner equally ample. These prl- 
 v<Icges including a monopoly of the fur trade gave great disf;ati.-fac- 
 tionto the merchants: but Champlain endeavored to remove their prin- 
 cipal objection, l)y jicrmitting as many of ihein as chose to accomjany 
 him to the New Woi'ld, and to engage in this traflie. In consequence 
 of this pernussion, three mei'diants from Normandy, one from liochclle, 
 and one from St. Malo accompanied liliu. l hey were alhnved the prl- 
 viie^criofa free trade, on contribulii:g six men each to a- hist in pv( ■• 
 
 • . I 
 
 (i>- 
 
 -^/ 
 
16 
 
 THE IIISTOPwY 
 
 [1013, 
 
 ■i-i-i. 1, 
 
 
 jecta of discovery, and giving onc-1\voiitictli of their profits towards 
 defraying llie expenses uf tlie settlement. 
 
 In tlie liegiuhing of ]\];ire)i, \i\\V>. (he cNpcdilion sailed from Tlarflenr, 
 and on til',.' 'ithof May arrived at (Juelu'e. ( 'liani])lain now engaged 
 id a new iirojjet. A jierson named ^ ignan had aeet)niiiani('<l him (^n 
 Keveral visits to the Indians, and spent a wiiitrr among them. ]lc 
 ^> cy^ repoited that the liver of the Algoiujuius (the Ottawa) issued from a 
 
 lake coinieetcd with the North Sea, tliat he hail visited the shores of 
 this sea, and th^re witnessed the vreek of aii Jjiglish vt'sscl. The 
 crew, eighty in nuiiihei', liad rcaelicd llie shore, where they had all 
 been ];illed and sealped by the inhabitants, ixerpt a l)oy whom thry 
 ofllsred to give nji to him. with other trojihies of their vietory. Wish- 
 ing to have thid iiarrative as well autlu'ntieated as possibk;, ("ham- 
 jdain caused a dclaration to bo signed before two notaries, warning 
 Vignau that if it was false he would bo exposing himself to ea]>ital 
 j)unh-hment. Finding that the man ]'er;>evered, and liaving learned 
 that some JCnglish vessels had I'rally bee)* wreeked on the coast of 
 Labrador, his doidjts were at length removed, and he determined to 
 devote a season to the p)'o3ccution of discoveries in that part of 
 North America. 
 
 Having this object in view he did not rennain long at Qi'i-bc^c, and 
 on the J!lst of May arrived at the Lachine JJapids. With two 
 canoes, containing four of liis countrymen and one bidian, lio 
 '- ' ,,! rL ])rocceded on his voyage up the Ottawa, during tlie continuance of 
 .^. vvliicli, he experienced much severe hardship and encountered niimer- 
 
 *)us dilliculties. They met with a succession of cataracts and rapids, 
 which tliey could only avoid by carrying the canoes and stores overland. 
 In some instances the woods were so dense that this laborious jdan 
 could not be adopted ; and their only alucrnative then was to drag 
 them through a foaming current, exposed to the danger of being them- 
 selves engulfed. Another danger arose from the wandering l)ands of 
 Iroquois, who, if they liad the French in their power, would doulitless 
 have treated them in the same maimer as they did their Algonquin 
 captives. The diHiculties of the navigation increasing as they as- 
 fte.nded the river, they were obliged at length to leave tlieir corn be- 
 hind, iiiid trust entirely to their guns and nets for provisions. At 
 length the jxirty reached the abode of Tessonaut, a friendly chief 
 whose eouiiliy was eight days journey from that of the Ni)>i6sing.s. 
 where the shihv.reck was said to have occnrn.d. ] fe received 
 
 tl 
 
 KUI i.'t 
 
 »urleon.^h^ 
 
 and 
 
 .1 aureed to admit their leader to a 
 
 so- 
 
 lemn c'.iuiieil. C'hamplain being asked the object of his visit, after 
 iiiaiiy courteous expressions, rcf^uested lour canoes to escort him into 
 
 I 
 
[1G13. 
 
 towards 
 
 naiflour, 
 
 (1 liiiu (<n 
 leni. ]lc 
 cd from fv 
 shores of 
 :sol. Tlic 
 y liud ill! 
 liom llicy 
 i-y. Wisli- 
 \v., ("liam- 
 , wuniiiig 
 to cnjiilul 
 g ]cariiL(l 
 c coast, of 
 I'lnined to 
 It part of 
 
 '(.•b(>c, and 
 
 Villi two 
 
 nlian, lio 
 
 nuance of 
 
 d numer- 
 
 d rapids, 
 
 overland, 
 
 ious ])lan 
 
 5 to drag 
 
 ing them- 
 
 : hands of 
 
 louljtless 
 
 Igonquin 
 
 they as- 
 
 corn Lc- 
 
 lons. At 
 
 y chief 
 
 sijMSsings. 
 
 received 
 
 to a so- 
 
 W\t, after 
 
 , him into 
 
 16ia.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 17 
 
 V 
 
 the country of the Nipissings, which he earnestly desired to visit. 
 The Indians were averse to granting this request, and oidy complied 
 with it on the most carne>t entreaty. I'he Council having broken up, 
 he ascertaineil that his wishes were still ri'garded unfavorably, and 
 that none of the natives were willing to accompany him. He, there- 
 fore, demanded another meeting, in whirh he reproached them witli 
 their intended breach of fuilh; and to convince them that the fears 
 which they cx])resscd were groundless, referred to the fact of Vit:- 
 raii having s[)ent some time among the Nipissings without injury. 
 1'liis person was then called upon to state whether he had made such a 
 voyage, and after some hesitation replied in the aflirmative, Avlien the 
 Indians declared in the strongest terms that he had uttered a falsehood, 
 having never passed the limits of their own country, and that he de- 
 served to be tortured for his dishonesty. After a close examination 
 of "N'ignau, Champlain was obliged to acknowledge that they were 
 right; and that In had been egregiously deceived. He had not onlj 
 oneountered a long series of labours and fatigues in vain, but the whole 
 season hail been spent without promoting objects which he had mu(?h 
 nt lieai-t. Leaving Vignau, with the Indians, as a punishment, he re- 
 turned to Quebec, whence he sailed shortly afterwards for France, 
 where he arrived -on the 2(»th of August, KU 4, and found that mat- 
 ters still continued favorable for the eolonv. The J'rinco of Conde re- 
 tained his inducnee at Court, and no difficulty was consequently found in 
 <;quip])ing a small fleet, to carry out settlers and supplies from Rouen 
 and St. Malo. On board of this fleet came out four fatliers of the or- 
 der of the Ilecollets, whose benevolence induced them to desire the 
 convei-sion of the Indians to Christianity. These were the first priests 
 who settled in Canada. 
 
 Champlain arrived safely at Tadoussae on the 25th of May, 1015, 
 whence he imtnediately pushed forward to Quebec, and subsequently 
 to the usual place of Indian rendezvous, at the Lachine Kapids. 
 Here he found his Algonquin and Huron allies full of projects of war 
 against the Iroquois, whom they now proposed to assail among the 
 lakes to th? westward, with a force of 2000 fighting men. Always desi- 
 rous to embark in any enterprise, which iiromised to jnake him better 
 ac(|uainted with the counti'v, ( 'liamplain laid down a plan of opera- 
 tions, which lie oflered to aiil the Algnnquins in carrying out. at 
 which they expresseil the utmost satisfaction. He accompanied them 
 in a long march first uji the ()ttawa. and afterwards over small lakes 
 and portages, leading to Lak(> Nipissing. The Nipissings, about 700 or 
 bOO in number, who inhabited the shores of this lake, received the 
 party in a friendly manner. Having remained with them two days. 
 
 ' ,•( 
 
 
 ■1 « — < u r/ V ,> 
 
18 
 
 THE History 
 
 [1615. 
 
 
 /^ 
 
 ■:Ji^ di-. 
 
 the Algonquins resumed their journey along the course of French 
 River to Georgian Bay, which they crossed near the Great Manitoulin 
 Island, and entered Jjukc Huron, which Cliainplain describes in 
 his travels as a fresh water sea .'JOO leagues in length by HO in broaulh.* 
 After coasting this lake lor several leagues, tliey turned a point near 
 its extremity, and struck into the interior with a view of reaching Ca- 
 hiagua, where they were to bo reinforced by a detachment of the Al- 
 gonquins, and some other friendly Indians. On arrival at this place c 
 large body were found collected, who gave them a joytid welcome, 
 and stated that they expected five Inuulred aihlitional warriors of 
 other tribes, who also considered the Iroquois as thi'ir enemies, to join 
 them. While awaiting their arrival several days were spent 
 in dancing and festivity, the usual prelude to Indian expeditions. Tliesc 
 over, and the allies not arriving, they again set out, and occasimially 
 employed themselves in hunting, until ihey cime to Lake St. Clair, 
 'near the present city of ])etroit, and descried the Iroqtiois fort, which 
 in expectation of this attack had been rendered unusually strong. It 
 was defended by four rows of n-ooden palisades with strong para- 
 pets at top, and enclosed a pond whence water was conducted to the 
 difTcient quarters, to extinguish any fu'cs which might occur. The 
 Iroquois advanced from this fort, and skirmished successfully against 
 their assailants for some time, until the (Irearms were discharged, 
 ■when they retreated precipitately. They fcnight bravely, however, be- 
 hind their defences ; and poured forth showers of arrows and stones 
 which compelled the allies, in spite of the exhortations and re- 
 proaches of Champlain, to withdraw beyo)!"! their reach. He now 
 taught them to construct an enclosure of planks, called a cavalier. 
 which would command the enemv's entrenchment. The discharges 
 from this machine were meant to drive the latter from the parapet 
 and afTord the assailants an opportunity of setting tire to the defences 
 The Indians showed the utmost activitv in constructiufj this work, which 
 they finished in four hours, when 200 of the strongest moved it 
 close to the pallisado. The shot from it drove the Iroquois into the 
 interior of their strong hold, whence, however, they continued to dis- 
 charge missiles of various kinds. The fort might now with the great- 
 est case have been set on fa-e, but Chamj^lain found to his mortifica- 
 tion that he had to deal with men who v.vniKl make war onlv as th>'v 
 pleased. Instead of following his directions, tluv preferred to jiour 
 out execrations upon the enomv. and shoot arrov.s as'ainst the strong 
 wooden defcnce;i. At length they commenced tlirov.'ing piccc'> ot 
 
 *Cbamiilain Took IX. cliitp. 0. 
 
, \ 
 
 ■\.' 
 •' ■ « 
 
 W15.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 19 
 
 burning liinbor so carelessly as (o prodiioc l)iU little cflrci, and the / 
 voices of tlieir European friLiids, iiisiructin^ tliem how to proceed, ^ v^~ 
 were lost amid the tuniult. 'J'lie Iroquoi-;, meanwliilc, drew water 
 from their reservoir ^c> e<i['i(m>ly that streiims (lowed throii^di every 
 part of the fortress, and the llres were speedily quenehed, wlirn takiiifr 
 advantage of the disorih r in the adverse rank-, tiiey killed scv(>ral of 
 their assailants, ( 'hampialn himself ivas twiec jwounded in the lefj ; 
 and his allies (aiding the rednclion of the tort likely to he attended 
 v.Ith more lf)ss than tliey hail antieijiated, resolved to retire. 'J iiey 
 justilied their conduct hy alle;::ng the ahsence of th<^ ftOO auxiliaries, 
 promi>ing on their arrival to renew thf a'<:iult. Por tv.o days a 
 slioiiLr wind Ithw iu"st lavoral'ly lor anotin-r attempt to (ice the 
 iurt ; still nothing could induce tlnin to advance. Several jictty 
 attacks were made, hut with such little success, that the Frc neh were 
 ohliiied to conic to the rescue. The enemv, in eonsenuence, bitterly 
 taunted the Algonquins as being nnablc to cope with them in a fail 
 field, and obliged to seek the aid of a strange and odious race. 
 
 Tlie reinforcement not appearing, the Canadian Indians deterinlnod to 
 abandon the enterprise altogether, and to return home. Their ret real was 
 conducted with a much greater degree of skill than had ))een displayed 
 in their offensive operations. The woimded were placed in the centre, 
 while armed warriors guarded the front, brought up the rear, and 
 formed flanking parties. The Iroquois fjUuwed them a short distance, 
 but unable to make any impression on their ranks abandoned tiic 
 pursuit, ]>ut if the safety of the disabled was well provided 
 for, their comfort seemed to be a matter ol trifling consideration, 
 Tlieir bodies were bent i;ito a circular turm, bound with cords, and 
 thrown into baskets, where unable to stir hani.l or foot they appeared 
 like infants. Champlain sufl'ered the greatest agony while being car- 
 ried twentv five orthirtv leagues in this position, and at the termina- 
 tion of the journey, felt as it he h;jl being released from a dungeon. 
 
 Arrived in the country of the Ilurons, Champlain claimed the ful- >-'<>Tk,/..^ 
 filment of their promise to convey him to (>uebec after the campaign. . v--^ -"^ 
 Ihit they averred that guides and canoes could not be procured. He /-4 
 joon discovered that these were mere excuses, designed to conceal 
 their desire to retain him and hi j companions, with a view to a more 
 oirectual defence in case of altrulc, and tc aid them in future forays on 
 tlu ir foes. Ho wa."? consequerilly compclleil to jiass the winter with 
 hi^ hiilh! -s allies, during whieh he derived his ju-incipal amusement 
 IVorn acoompanving them on their lumting excursions. 
 
 No '■^0 >ner had the warm sun of April arid Alay, melted the iec or. 
 the river.-: and lakes, than (?luinipla!i', accoirpaiiied by some lileiidly 
 
 r 1 
 
 ^4. 
 
 ^fL 
 
^0 
 
 TiiK iiisTonv 
 
 [iC16. 
 
 Murons, soprolly sot out on his rottirn to Qiicboc, ^vllcre lie arrived in 
 tho rjirlicr jinrt ot .Inly, lOlC), and shortly afterwards sailed for 
 
 'raiio 
 
 On his arrival llioro, ho fdiiiid that tlio iiiterost of the co- 
 
 lony wore llnvatoiied with serious dan 
 
 )wiii'f to the disrfraee and 
 
 impr 
 
 ^/i 
 
 ■isoiunent of his patron, the Trince of ("onih", for the part lie had 
 -taken in the disturbanecs during the niinority of Louis XIII. Sonic 
 other powerful protector Mas necessary to enahle ('ham])hiin to carry 
 out his ]ilan.s ; aiid ho aecordiiipily indueed the jManjuis do Theniines 
 to accept the oflic(! until tlio Piinc(! should he released, hy agi'eeing to 
 give him a share of the emoluntents. The influonee of the Marquis 
 ^vas not sunici(>nt, however, to ]M-eveiit his Iji'ing involved in a serious 
 controversy \vitli scv(M-al niereliants. desirous to participate in the pro- 
 fits of the fur trade : and afiei- a tedious negotiation of two years and 
 
 I a half, matters stiU reiriained in a iriost unsatisfactory condition for 
 
 the colony. In thisdilenuna he sought *dio protection of tho Duke do 
 
 >.- ,- Montmorency, high admiral of I'rance. who nui'chased his vicerovaltv 
 
 Cfrom Condc for 11,000 crowns, '["lie merchants, however, still con- 
 tinued to make every effort to degrade Chamnlain from the governor- 
 Bliip of Canada ; hut the protection of the new viceroy enabled him to 
 overcome all opposition. A hot dispute was also waged between tho 
 difTercnt commercial ciiios, r.s to tho respective pharos they ought to 
 have in the new expedition ; which was still further delayed ])y tha 
 disputes between the Protestants and Roman Catholicf*. 
 
 After a tedious voyage, Cham; lain arrived at Quebec in the month 
 of July, 1020 ; and found that his long absence had been of tho 
 greatest injury to the colony ; which after all he had done for it, 
 numbered on the approach of winter only sixty souls, ten of whom 
 vcrc engaged in establishing .i seminary. In the following year the 
 Iroquois* made a descent npon tlic colony, and caused considcrablo 
 alarm, although they were easily repulsed. Owing to the representa- 
 tions of Champlain that they had neglected to furnish supplies, tho 
 associated merchants, who had fitted out the last expedition, were 
 deprived of all their privih^ges by tho Duke, who gave the superin- 
 tendence of the colony to AVilliam and Emeric do Caen, uncle and 
 ;-,&e'>v-^ nephew, both Hugcnots. AVilliara proceeded to Canada during 
 the summer, and had an interview with Champlain. ]Te was disposed 
 to act in a very arl)itrary manner; and claimed the right of seizing 
 the vessels of the associated merchants, then in the river. This con- 
 duct had the effect of fui'ther weakening tho colony, vScveral quitted 
 it in disgust: and towards the close of the summer of KV21, tho 
 
 .^. 
 
 : 
 
 >i 
 
 * Ilcriol's Ilis. Can. ]\ 2P, C'lmmphvin's Yoyngcs. 
 
16 i2.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 21 
 
 l)v tlia 
 
 K. 
 
 Furopoan popwlatlt^n of ("anada only iHHiil)on'(l fiily ciglit souls.* ^'t 'i 
 'J'lie lii"h-liiiii(lf(l coiirse iiiirsuc.l 1)V dr (.'ui'ii. aiiil tlu' huiikm'ous dif- „ ; 
 
 ficLilties Avliieli otlie'Twisc l)r<i't llu' iiinuit coliniy. imi-t liavo (|ulrkly 
 
 dlslioartoiiod ail ordiiiai'v man. Jliil. < 'liui 
 
 iiplaMi Ma-< iml an ordiiiat-y 
 doiroiis 1() found 
 
 man. Palicnt, si'lf-ilriiyini;, liop(.'f;d. and (.'ouratn'oi! 
 x\ colony, and cor.scions that lie jiosscsscd \W (|iialitics necessary to 
 accomplisli tlic arduous (ask, he did not pormll liini-^clt' to l)e turned 
 fi>idi' from liis oljicct f'-ir a inoinent. No sooner Iiad the diflh'ultiea 
 jiroduced hy de (,'aeii hecu parlially arralur' 1 llian he jjave his alten- 
 lioii to settlement and diseovery in the inlnioi-; .",!id uas so fortu- 
 nate as to aid in till! estahlii^hniciit of jicaei' bclwrcii Ids allies, the Al- 
 ^onquiiis and Jlurc.ms. and the Jroijiiuisf : hut uhieh as usual wa» 
 only of very hrief duratioii. 
 
 Cliainplaiii's jiidii-ioris jvoliey soon led to the arrival of additional sol- 
 llers, and in 1C2'.{ the settlement at Qmdjee alone had fifty inhalMtants. 
 'Jo allord these more ellectual jtroteelion in case of danger, he now 
 conimenced the ooiistruetion of a stone fort. The distressed state of 
 the colony, however, compelled him to dcjK'irt for J''i'anee before its 
 c()m]iletion to procure sii]»j)lies. ( )n his arrival there he found that 
 de Montmorency, disgusted uith the ti'ouhle his viccroyalty had given 
 him, liad transferred it to his nej)lie\v, the Duke de N'entadour, for a ' 
 very moderate consideration. 'Jhc new viceroy was a member of a 
 religious order, and liad long retired from the noise and bustle of Pa- 
 risian lite. A zealous promoter of the interests of his religion, he at 
 once avowed, that his object in becoming connected with Canada, was 
 not so much to advance its temporal as its spiritual interests. Tliis 
 announcement was received with the utmost; distaste by the I'Vcnch 
 
 * Tlie first cliild of Kuru]>pnn jinvnils ^vns bdrn in Catiathi lliis yciir. ITi' ■«•«• 
 tliG Boii of Abrfthnni find Margaret Martin, raid was named ]>ustaeiie. Parish 
 llogister of Quobce. 
 
 f The Iroquois, or Five Xafions, destined to oet 1 lie tiiost con«pio nous pai-t 
 among all tlie native tril)es of Xorth Ameriea, oefupii-d a long range of terri- 
 tory, extending froin J,ake Cliainplain and the Mohawk llivor, to the western 
 cxtreinit}' of Lake Yx\c. Tliis Confederacy ernliraced the M^liawk^ Oneidnp, 
 <Jnondagn\s, Senecas, and I'nyngas. , Tliey wero tln^ inosi powirfiil of all tlio 
 tribes i;ast of the Mississip|ii. 'J'liey uniformly adhered to tin' ]'ril"<h during 
 the oontects that took place sulisi<iuont]y wilh the ]-'ren'h. ]n 1711 they 
 were joined by the Tusearoras , since ■wliii'h time tlio eonfcdrraey ^as lieen cal- 
 rd th(i Six Xations. Ivemnants f)f ihe onci' powerful lroi|Uiii.-j, arc slili found in 
 Canada Y.w^i at Sault St. l,o\ii-;, or (^■lughna^\•aga, the \\--\\\\\ renilc/.voUf; of Cham- 
 )>hiin at St. Regis, innl nt the Lake of the Two ^'fountains ; v.hiK' a eor.si'h'rahla 
 body of the same i)Coiile, under the title of The Six >'atiun Ii: liiH:^., are sctllod 
 on iLe Grand Kivci in Canuda 'Wt'st. 
 
 X', 
 
 
 .1.,, / /c 
 
 <f,-. 
 
tiz 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1G24. 
 
 
 Protostants, many of ulioin fvlroaJy lookod forward to a secure re- 
 fuge ill tlie colony from jicrsccutioii. 
 
 Tlio Duke pronii'tly ajifilicd liimsolf to cany out liis vi('\vs, Liit 
 soon fi)iiii(l tli;it liis coui'-^o was beset with numerous diflieultios, and 
 was likely to e,ui>i' liiin imieh luoi-c IrouLle tlinn lie at first imagined. 
 Apart from the opposiiion lie reci'ivid from iiidii litial Ihigenots, and 
 the dc Caens, who seerotlv traversed his iijaiis, amnni; the rest, ho 
 soon asef-rtiiiiied that the most skilful aii'I adventurous of the French 
 
 V 
 
 mariners chiefly heNMig to tiie reformed faith, and that few IJomnn 
 Catholics were willing to proceed to r'ar.ada either as settlers or as 
 sailors. Ailer mueli seareliiiig he f^mnd cajitains of his own faith to 
 command his vc'^sel.s ; but he could not ju-ewnt llio major part of tlie 
 crews being Protestants. To satisfy his religious scruples, he directed 
 that the means of exercising their leligion should he restricted as 
 much as possible ; and, in particular, that they should not sing psalms 
 on the St. Lawrence, 'i'he mariners, who had freely been permitted 
 to pcriorm this act of wnr.-^hip on the open sea, remonstrated in the 
 strongest terms against the illiberal restriction; but the Duke's or- 
 ders had to be obeyed, and the- i aptains, by way of compromise, allowed 
 them greater latitude in c>llu>r parts of their ritual.* 
 
 Tiie conversion of the Indians, as well as the establishment of his 
 own faith in Canada on a secure and dominant basis, was a tavoriie 
 project with the viceroy. It had already engaged his attention for 
 years, and armed as he was now with the most ample j)owers, and 
 possessed of the greatest possible facilities, he resolved to make every 
 exertion for its accomplishment. Like many otliers of the French 
 nobility at this period, the Jesuits had accpiired a complete control 
 over him. The order supplied him with a confessor, and were well 
 acquainted with his vic\vs, which they readily entered into. Three 
 Jesuits and two lay brothers, charged with tlu conversion of 
 the Indians, accordingly embarked fi.'r Canada in l'].";') ; and where, 
 on their arrival, they were comtbrtably lodged by the liccollets, 
 now ten years in the country, despite an attempt by the Protestant 
 settlers to create a prejudice against the order. 
 
 Considering Champlain suflicicntly orthodox to carry out his views 
 as to religious matters ; and satisfied, also, thai uo person could better 
 direct the temporal ailiiira of the colony, the l)nke continued him in 
 
 * Clmiujiliiin wlio was iilso a sfi-iot Tiomnu Catlh'lie, cnn<<;iiitly cxpro??od i 
 
 pious horror of tlio llii;.!;eiuils, .ninl grant ii! tie ;n a? iVw privil'iros as j'ossiblo. Ilo 
 
 Btutos ill lii^ moniuiis that two thirds of the 6h![is' crc-.vs wore liiiuallj 
 ProtoMav.ts. 
 
:g2G.] 
 
 OF jANADA. 
 
 33 
 
 all his powers as Governor u{ New Fratic.?. Fr 
 
 lujr, however, over tWD vears elansei 
 
 anot 
 
 to CaiKi'la, wh' 
 
 I I 
 
 JCl<il', 
 
 oiii ciiio cause or 
 
 (lKUii|ihiiii returned 
 
 M'o he t'ljiihl maUers in ihi 
 
 tioii 
 
 as alli.'r his torinrr abscii 
 
 .saiii' uiisali>l.iriui'v' condi- 
 Tho fort was in iho saiDo iiniliii.vhed 
 
 state a;? lie had It'll it, and tlio ii')|nilat.io!; ot < )iicl)( .• nnialjerid only 
 tifty-live persons, of whom but twenty-four Wrvc 'it I'm lal jr. Shortly 
 after his ivtuni. he tiiuiid that a hostile s|iirlt was hrewin;^' anicnf^ the 
 Indians ; anil that a tVc-h wai- niiuht soon !)>■ li.nk,M| l,i l)L'twecii the 
 Iroquois, on one hand, and tliij Algonipiins and lliu-ons on the othtT. 
 Chunij^hiin made th(i most strcnutnis etlitrts to preserve jieaee, and 
 strunifly^ advised that several captive Iroquois, about to be tortured, 
 should bo restored to their nation, with presents to compensate them 
 for the injuries tliey had already su.^tained. This !>alutary council was 
 so far adopted, that one in<lividnal was sent back acioinpanied by a 
 chief and Map;nan, a Frenelnnan. I niortnnately tor the colony this 
 pacilic course had a most ti'agieal termination. An Al;ion(|nin who 
 sought to produce a war. in whieli he expected that his nation aideil by 
 the Fi'ench would be completely victorious, [)ersuad(d the Iroquois 
 that this mission, thouijli ju-ofessedly friendly, was devised with the 
 most treacherous intent. Kci'ardini' the strangers accordinirlv as spies, 
 the latter prepared to tai<e the most horrible rc;venge. The rmf<jrtu. 
 nato men fv»und a caiddron boiiine", as if to prepare, a repast for 
 them, and were courteouslv invited to seat themselves. The chief 
 was asked, if after so long a journey he did not feel hnnt>'iy J He 
 replied in the alTirmativo, when his assassins ru>lied on him, an 1 cut 
 tilices from his lind)s, which they fhnig into the pot and suou after 
 presented to him half cooked. 'i'h« y atti'rwards cut pieces from (jther 
 parts of his body, and continued their toi'lure until he expired in tlio 
 greatest agony. The Fniiehman was also tortured to death in the 
 usual niaiuier. Another Indian, more foftunate, while attempting to 
 escape was shot dead o/i the spot ; a third was made prisoner. 
 
 When iiews I'eaelied the allies of this dreadtid ti'agedy, the war cry 
 was immediately sounded, anil the j'emaining eaptives were put to 
 death v ith every refinement of cru<lty. Cliampl lin. bitnself deeply 
 alllicted by the intellifriaict", saw no longe'r any ]"/o^>ibilily of averlini; 
 hostilities ; and tMt that as a countryman hail been deprivcl of life, 
 the power of his nation would bo lield in contempt if his death was 
 not avenged. 
 
 Ni;vertheless, he could (.fleet but little in the way of ])uni .1: 
 
 th 
 
 e Iroiiuob 
 
 )wingto the im[»ovi'ri-hed state of the ( 
 
 oloiiv, wtueli 
 
 mg 
 4ill 
 
 continued to be known by the pompous title of New France. A few 
 Email houses lodged the inhabitants of (iuebec n;t vet increased t<» 
 
 .'I 
 
 J>^\^ r^ 
 
 «.- ■\ » -V . 
 
I 
 
 It 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1627. 
 
 
 sixty souls ; wliilo at ^roiitroal, 'J adousi-ac, Thrco Tlivcrg, and two or 
 three ollior points uloiii; tiic St. fiawroiioo, the settlomoits wore in a 
 wrutclitil c<Jiiditiuii.* To uiaki; inaltrrs still worso, religious di.sscn- 
 sioiif^ uiiitatnl the cohiiiy, C'hainphiiu, a sinoero liomaiiist himself, en- 
 deavored to eany out llio views ot the viceroy, while tho dc Caeiis on 
 tho other haiitl, beiiii; ei[ually sincere liugenots!, souj^dit to obtain li- 
 berty of conseicnce for lliose of their own faith, ami an equal parti- 
 ci{)ation in every civil privilege. 
 
 Cardinal liielielieu having by thi.^ time firmly established his ir- 
 fluenee with his sovereign, Louis XI If., found leisure to turn his atten- 
 tion to New Franet', and to listen to tho representations of its viceroy, 
 whom C'hamplain had already ao(]uainted with the condition of affair.'?. 
 Apart from tho suggestions of the Duke, tho Cardinal had tho dcsiro 
 of crushing tho Ilugenots too elosely at heart, to miss any opportu- 
 nity of doing them an injury. In l(t'.27 ho revoked the exclusive pri- 
 vileges which had been granted to tho dc Caenrj ; and at tho samo 
 time, with tho view of ph^eing the colony in a moro prosperous condi- 
 tion ; encouraged tho formation of a new company composed of men 
 of influence and wealth ; and to which a charter was granted under 
 iho title of ''The Company of One Hundred Associates."' To this com- 
 
 s4{mv^( !-< ' ^- P>i"y I'Onis made over the fort and settlement at Quebec ; and all tho 
 ' ^^^^^ t^i^ territory of Xew Trance, including Florida ; with power to appoint 
 judges, build fortresses, cast carmon, confer titles, and take what steps 
 they might think proper for tho protection of tho colony and the fos. 
 tcring of commerce. Ho granted them at the same time a completo 
 monopoly of the fur trade, and only reserved to himself and heirs suprc* 
 macy in matters of faith, fealty, and homage, as soveriegn of New 
 Trance, and tho presentation of a crown of gold at every new acces- 
 sion to the throne. He also reserved for the benefit of his subjcQts, 
 tho cod and whale fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Tho com- 
 pany were also permitted to import and export all goods to 
 and from New Trance free of all restrictions. 
 
 In return for these privileges this company engaged, firstly, to snp<- 
 I ply all their settlers with lodging, food, clothing, and implements for 
 
 three years ; al'ter which they would allow them sullieient land to 
 support themselves, cleared to a certain extent, with the grain necee- 
 sary for sowing it : secondly, iliat tho emigrants should be native 
 Frenchmen and Roman Ciitholies, and that no stranger or heretic 
 should bo introduced info tho country ; and, thirdly, they agreed to 
 settle three priests in each settlement, ■whom they were bound to pre 
 
 *lIoriol*s Ilis. Can. p. 49, Sec iiIpo Cl nrkvoir, 
 
 1628.] 
 
 vide with 
 
 fray the t 
 
 which cle 
 
 *' Ibr mail 
 
 This sc 
 
 equally a 
 
 it been 
 
 that coui 
 
 storm w 
 
 tcrruptioi 
 
 of the Cat 
 
 with liieli 
 
 of the En; 
 
 vate pi(|U( 
 
 The coiu 
 
 Court ; ui 
 
 David Ki 
 
 England. 
 
 younger ( 
 
 tho loss 
 
 and sailed 
 
 formal su 
 
 immediati 
 
 best to be 
 
 returned s 
 
 of the dcfi 
 
 tented hin 
 
 and stores 
 
 But Ch; 
 
 few month 
 
 month of 
 
 A portion 
 
 vessels coi 
 
 surrender. 
 
 hissnpplie 
 
 incursions 
 
 nions of t 
 
 the next c 
 
 character. 
 
 and bass, 
 
 but, owino 
 
 very fyw 
 
1028.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 US 
 
 ■r 
 
 /* 
 
 ,. /. 
 
 /..<*». 
 
 4« Cl£«\. . 
 
 vido with every article necessary lor their personal comfort, and to do- 
 fray the c,\i>eniio.s ot' their ministerial laJj^rd fur liftceu yoar.^. After 
 wliieli cleareu l.in>l.: wero to be <fi'anled hy tlie eoiii[iany to liie elergy* 
 " lur maiulainin|j; the K'Hiian (."alliolie Church in New l''raiiee.'' 
 
 This seliemo ot' JiielKTuni, if we cxeept its religious iliilieiality, wa!4 
 c<iually aljle and adapted to tlie neee^.sities of New Franco : and had 
 it been carried out as he proposed would, ni> d(iid)t, liavc placed 
 that country at tho head c»f the Xorth American colonies. Hut a 
 storm waa now brewing in Europe which threatened serious in- 
 tcrrujjlion, if not total ilestruetion, to his plan>\ 'I'he iiii[)rudent zeal y 
 of the Catholic attendants ot" the Queen of Charles I. in coimectioii 
 with ilichelieu's persecution of the lliigenuts, had aroused the iiostility 
 of the Engli>h peo[)le ; and the J)uUc of liuekinghani, to gratity a pri- 
 vate piipie against the (.'ardinal, involved tlieni in a war with Franco, 
 The cotKjuest of Canada was at (^nco resolved upon at the I'lnglish 
 Court; and Charles granted a commission for that purpose to Sir 
 David Kirkt, or Kirk, one of the numerous llugenot refugees then in 
 England. Aided by his two brothers, I^ewis and Thomas, and fho c 
 younger dc Caen, who vowed vengeance against his native country for 
 the loss of his exclusive privilege, he speedily eipiipped a squadron, 
 and sailed for the St. Lawrence. On arrival at Taduussao ho sent u 
 formal summons to Que!)ee, demanding its surrender. Champlaiu 
 immediately called a meeting ot the inhabitants to consult what wa.s 
 best to be done. On learning their determination to support him, ho 
 returned so spirited an answer, that Kirk, ignorant of the weak stato 
 of the defences, gave up his intention of capturing the town, and con- 
 tented himself with seizing a convoy on Its way thither with setilera 
 and stores of all kinds. 
 
 But Champlain and his companions gained only a brief respite of a 
 few months by their courage. The following summer, (1<)'^V>) in the 
 month of July, the English fleet again ascended the St. Lawrence^ 
 A portion of it under the Admiral remained at Tadoussae, while tho 
 vessels commanded by his brothers sailed up to Quebec to demand itd j\, .^,^., 
 surrender. Champlain ilistressed by lamine, owing to the capture of t 
 his supplies ; and the settlement being severely harrasseil by the hostile 
 incursions of the Iroquois, at once resolved to coni[)ly with the sum- 
 rnons of the Kirks, and accordingly surrendered the town and fdrt on 
 the next day. Tho terms granteil hini w(!rc of the mo-t honorable' 
 character. Tho inhabitants were allowed to mareh out with their arms 
 and baggage, and were to be conveyed to France if they desired it; 
 but, owing to the kind treatment they experienced from tho Fnglifeh^ 
 very fe\v of them left the country. Leaving his brother LewU Cr^^^.^.^. 
 
 i.. 
 
 
 > v! 
 
 'tw i .^^C^l^ 
 
 'nr- 
 
•26 
 
 THE HISTORY [1620. 
 
 Kirk acconipanlod by Cliariiplair), 
 
 in command of QiuiIkh', Sir Dav 
 ■ sailed tor J"ji!:;laiid in Soptenibor ; aiul arfivL'd bufriy at Plymouth on 
 
 ^ iho :20tli ot'Octobur. 
 
 : Slidilly alter liis arrival Cliaiiij'laiii proco(>dcd to Lor, don, for tho 
 
 purpoM.' ul jbtaliiiii'^ (ill iiitcrviuw willi tiio French ambassador, who 
 .'i was now (.'udeavurin;^ to adjnst the dilferences bi'twi'cn the two na- 
 
 tion-;. 'I he ambassador, lil<e a imnu roiis parly in l'"ranee, had no 
 very exalted o|'inioii of Caniula ; and M:eiiie'd to ri^nrd its restora- 
 tion, as one ot the coiidiiions ol the proposed peace, as a wry mum- 
 portaiit matter, (liamplaiu't; repre.er.talions, however, prevailed at 
 the l"'r(;neh Court. He e'learly proved the vast national importance of 
 the fur trade and the fisheries ; and that the latter formed an admi- 
 rable nursi-ry lea' seamen. These facts, backed by his strung solieitft' 
 ' .L. » i// ■^'<-i >'-*-'-tlons, induced Ilichelicu to neuiAialc for the restoration of Canada 
 
 , U^*c 
 
 't I 
 
 4, 6 A-i • 
 
 ''^n 
 
 )c 
 
 /.-t/ 
 
 u 
 
 '^Jr 
 
 Acadiii, and Cape I'l'eton, which \>y the treaty of St. (lermain en f>aye 
 again hcciime a|ipendages of the French crown. The establishment of 
 peace, placed the company of One Hmidred xVssociates in possession of 
 all their ftirmer privileges. Tiicy pi'omf)tly reinstated Champlain as 
 Governor ut Caiiaila, and commenced extensive prejiaralioiis for a 
 fresh expedition, which several l'rote.-t;MUs ofili'ed to join. This the 
 company would not permit, aiu' stringent measures were res d-ed ou 
 to ])revcnt thes[ircad of "'Jfcnsi/"' in their transatlantic |iussessiun3. 
 
 From various causes Champlain was detained in France until the 
 Spring of )(».');», when ho arrived once inc)rc at Ciuebec with consider- 
 able suiiplies, and several uew settlers, llelound the colony in nearly 
 the same state as he had lei't it, both as regai'ded numbi.'rs and poverty. 
 His first care was to place its ail'airs in a nH)re prosperous condition, 
 and establish a better understanding with the Indians, and was to- 
 lerably successful in botli respects. He next directed his attention to 
 the estal>li^hment ot a college, or seminary, for the education of the 
 youths of the c(dony, iigreeable to a scheme proposed by the Jesuits, 
 one of w li.jtn (a noble who had lately entered the order) gave six 
 thousand crowns in gold to aid in carrylnLi; it out. The foundation of 
 the seminarv was laid bi the fall of lO-'u"), to the great "ratification 
 of the inhabitants. Lnamplain, however, was not destined to see its 
 ■completion. He died in the following December, deeply regretted 
 by the ((donlsts, and by liis numerous friends in France. At once pos- 
 sessed of great expt'ricnce of hiiman luilure ; of energy, perseverance, 
 enterprise, and courage, he was eminently fitted to ])e the 
 founder of a prosperous colony. The tenacity with which he clung 
 to his projects, and the earnestness, with which ho sought to carry 
 'them out, prove that he forciLaw clearly the future greatness of Can- 
 
 iG^r..] 
 
[162&. 
 
 1635.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 'z: 
 
 a.lii, aiil that ho was croatiiif]; for hiinsolf nii i/npcrishaMo iiiclrc in her 
 history. J lis mriiioifs allnnl tlic most ample tcsiiniony of his cxtfii 
 sive pi'iii'issi.iiial kiiowlcil^ri-, and prove hint to liavo Ixhmi a f.iillil'ul hi.- 
 turian, a most infrllimMit traveller, an aente i,'eonietri(ian, ;niil i' 
 skilful navigator. They also prove, that the errors of his I'.-irlv colo- 
 nial policy were principally owin<r to the novelty of liis po>iition, {hk; 
 his want of experience in Indian alliiirs. Wiiile the pen can ncord hi 
 cliei|nered fortunes, and ])rintinfi j.i'csses nndti|)ly cofiies to inliniiy, h 6"'i>^ •''•i 
 will never be forgotten. The nourishing cities and t(jwns of these n(.- /)>-,.. .>. 
 ble provinces are perpetual monuments of liis foresight, and tlie water , 
 of the beautiful lake that bears his name, ehaunt a grateful retpiiem t'. 
 Lis memory, as they break in perpetual murmurings on tlicir sJiores. 
 
 v^J 
 
 ' 
 
28 
 
 THE JIISTOIiY 
 
 [IG37. 
 
 IMS. 
 
 CITAPTKU Tr. 
 
 TlfK no\ KKNAfKNT <>K ^\. DK M()N'T>f ADXY. 
 
 M. (IoMonf.rnafj;iiy, tho sucossor of riiiimplivin, and !i Knijilil of Malta, 
 arrived ill Caiiadii in 1(».'J7. TI(! \v;is af('()inpiiiii('<l out liy M. do IJsIc, 
 wlio liad l»('(.'ii a])))oiiitiMl to tlio coininaiid ot" 'I'lirci- Rivers, tln-ii iioxt 
 in ii)i|iortance to (iueljce, and wlio was also a Knight of Malta. The 
 new Governor ft^iuid the affairs of the colony in a very nnsatisfactory 
 condition. Tho " Company of One Hundred," after their first fjrent 
 effort, speedily relaxed in their oxi^rtions, and ncf,dected to supply the 
 necc^ssary troops and stores. In other rrsprcts, also, the colony was 
 in a very ci'ilical condition. The Algon(|uins and Ilnrons, unaided 
 
 , by tho French, were ntterly unable to resist tho assaults of the Iroquois, 
 
 who, from their intercourse with the Dutch and I'jij^lish traders, woro 
 fast becoming acfiuainted with the use of fuv-arms, and had rapidly as- 
 cended to supremacy of power among the northern tribes. They 
 had already completoly humbled the pride of the Alg>in(|uins, and now 
 closely pressed tho JIurons ; soareely allowing them to pass up or 
 down tho St. Lawrence, and capturing their canoes laden with furs as 
 
 , they descended to Quebec. They also threatened the settlement at 
 
 Three nivcrs, and their scouting parties occasionally appeared almost 
 under the V(>ry guns of that fort. \Vhilc matters remained in this con- 
 dition, de !Nrontmagny vi'ry readily entered into a jijan tor the set- 
 tlement of tho Island of Montreal by the Sul|iicians, and which pro- 
 mised to chock the future encroachments of the Iroipiois fruin that 
 direction. Accordingly, in lOiJS, AF. Maisonneuvo was formally 
 invested with the government of the island on behalf of the order : 
 and on the 17th of May, in the following year, tlu; site of the town 
 
 i^*.'^ i//i->'1-^'-^ and fort was solemidy consecrated by the Jesiiit fathers. Apart from 
 tins event the zeal and enterprise of the religious ordi'rs made up, to a 
 very great extent, for the supineness of the company, hi HV.VJ they 
 organised a mission at Sillery for the conversion of the Indians. 
 Tiicy founded, shortly afterwards, the Hotel Dicu at Quebec as an 
 
 '.-..Z^ -C 
 
 /CSO ( : 
 
 hn-ipltal A 
 cdiUMti'dJ 
 Tlio am 
 hctlire Thi 
 drr* i| it nt' 
 di'-iirous h 
 and their a 
 sioiis, (the 
 force, to tl 
 act on tho 
 erect a fo 
 quois usua 
 on f-alic (J 
 vantages t 
 seven hund 
 tion. The 
 always gall 
 and suii[)li 
 would pen 
 The com 
 sioii, mad( 
 were not y 
 Although { 
 indicated a 
 earnestly > 
 I continue h 
 ] lid advanta 
 ; ous for pc 
 .i). conditions, 
 :< also went tl 
 I The Iro 
 I wampum, (■ 
 ;| thoy arrang 
 f orator com 
 I Oiionlhio, (; 
 I to apply to 
 I peaceable p 
 i get tho wa 
 % wampum b< 
 I "'g ot the p 
 given, the ro 
 
 'I 
 
 Inconformit 
 
 iVwL^^ Q, 
 
 - A 
 
 ^ 
 
ItVlS.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 20 
 
 of Malta, 
 (Ic I/islc, 
 tlu-ii next 
 It a. The 
 tisfaclory 
 ilrst {jircnt 
 iipply tho 
 loiiy was 
 , niiaidoJ 
 Iroquois, 
 ors, wcro 
 ijiidly as- 
 fs. They 
 ami now 
 iss lip or 
 ih furs as 
 oinoiit at 
 (1 almost 
 1 this con- 
 )!• the set- 
 thich pro- 
 'rem that 
 furinally 
 ic onlor : 
 tho town 
 [lart from 
 e- 11 p, to a 
 CilV.) they 
 ; liulians. 
 )oc as an 
 
 h()-i[iital for the slrk. aii'l aNo ati rrsuliiic T'Dnveut, with a view to tlia 
 cduiMtioii 'tf ffinah- chiMrtii. 
 
 '{'111! auilacity which tho froipiois had ^liowii, in ajiprariii^Miiaririn 
 bofi>re 'riirci' liivcrs, and llio iii>i<>|(iici. i>t (hfir r.iiidiicf j^'cin'rally, ron- 
 drnd ilii<'<:essary for .Moiitriia;,'iiy to f^iiard ajjainNt a surprise. However 
 desirous he mi;,dit he to punish them (or tiut injuries done to the Kronch 
 and iheir allios, and tocomptd ihciii t<> ahatt; tin' arroganeeof thi'ir jiretcn- 
 sinns, (their aitii now heiiii^ evidently to give law, either hy policy or 
 force, to tho wh(do country.) tho want of resources compelled him to 
 act oil tho defensive. In pursuance of this jioliey, ho determined lo 
 erect a fort at tho entrance of the lliver lliehelieii, by which tho Iro- 
 quois usually made their desecnis, having lirst mustered their forces 
 on I-akc ('ham[)lain. The liiticr <piiekly perceived the important ad- 
 vaiit;ii.'cs this I'ort would give tho French, and detached a body of 
 seven hundred warriors, lapiilly diawn together, to prevent its erec- 
 tion. They made repeated assaults to cllci't their object, but were 
 always gallantly rej ulsod ; and tho Itiehelieu Fort was soon completed, 
 and supplied with as strong a garrison as the means of tho colony 
 would permit. 
 
 Tho courage and address displayed by tho Governor on this occa- 
 sion, made a salutary impression on the Ir(»quois, mIio felt that ihey 
 were not yet suflleiently strong to copo cflectnally with the French. 
 Altliough apparently disposed to carry on the war with vigor, they 
 indicated at the same time an inclination for peace, a consummation 
 earnestly desired by the colonists, who were in a poor condition to 
 continue hostilities, and from which they could not hope for any so- 
 lid advantages. Tho native allicj of tho Fi each being equally solicit- 
 ous for peace, il -was linally arranged that the deputies to settle its 
 conditions, should meet at Three llivers ; and whither dc !Montniagny 
 also went to be present at their interview. 
 
 The Iroquois had provided themselves vith seventeen belts of 
 wampum, (one for each proposition 'they proposed to discuss,) which 
 they arranged along a cord fastened between two stakes. On their 
 orator coming forward he addressed tho Governor by tho title of 
 Ononthio, (great mountain,) a name which they continued ever after 
 to apply to him and his successors. lie declared the sincerity of the 
 peaceable professions of the confederated tribes, " their wish to for- 
 get the war song, and to resume the voice of cheerfulness." Tho 
 wampum belts wore to mark the calming of the spirit of war, tho opon- 
 nig of the paths of peace, the mutual visits to bo paid, tho feasts to bo 
 given, tho restitution of the captives, and other friendly proceedings. 
 In conformity with Inilian etiquette, de Montmagny delayed his answer 
 
 7 ,. 
 
 1 ' {^ » 
 
 ;/ 
 
 -V 
 
30 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1G3^ 
 
 for two (lays, wlion, nt anotliiT general ineotinp, lie ^avo as many 
 presoiits as hi' liad leeoived bcUs, ami expressed, tlinmu'li an inter- 
 preter, tlir ni(jst pacific sentiiiients. I'iskaret, one of tlif piinci[ial Al- 
 
 gol 
 cl 
 
 Kiuin cliich. then said, " iJcliold a si 
 
 ,li 
 
 (iiie wliieli 1 place <<\\ I ho sepul 
 that 
 
 ilirc oi tli(t-e (il my pe-iplr wlio were Killed ni llio waf. that no one 
 may attempt to remove their bones, and tliat every desire of aveng- 
 ing tlu'ir deatiis may be laid aside/' "The treaty was still fniM her ra- 
 tified, in the opinion of the natives, by three diseiiarges of cannon. It 
 was for some time faithfully observed ; and unwonted traiKpiillity 
 for ten years reigned along the St. Lawrence. The Iro(jUois, the Al- 
 gonquin's, the Jliirons, and the few smaller Canadian tribes who were 
 parties to the treaty, forgot their deadly feuds for a time, and mingled 
 in the cliase as though they were one nation. 
 
 While thus providing for the safety of the colony, de Montmagny 
 was not insensible to its other necessities, and caused an accurate ac- 
 count of its condition to be be drawn up and forwarded to i'' ranee. 
 But, the connection of the " Company of One Hundred" with Canada 
 had not, by any means, produced the golden returns they had antici- 
 pated. The powerful incentive of individual profit was wanting ; a 
 deaf ear was accordingly turned to the Governor's applications for 
 assistance, and the company appeared desirous to give themselves as 
 little trouble in the premises as possible. 
 
 Like his predecessor, in whose steps he was desirous to follow as 
 closely as possible, and whose views as expressed in his memoirs ha 
 labored to carry out, de Montmagny administered the affairs of the 
 colony with singular ability, and won alike the respect of the Indians 
 and of his own people, as well as of the French Court, by which ha 
 was long held up as a model for governors of new colonies.* Un- 
 fortunately however for Canada, the conduct of M. de Poinei, Gover- 
 nor Geiu'ial of the French West India Islands, who attempted to re- 
 tain his situation in opposition to the orders of his sovereign, induced 
 the latter to determine that in future three years should limit tha 
 powers uf his pi'incipal colonial servants. In pursuance of this un- 
 wise policy, de Montmagny was recalled in 10-17, and his successor 
 appointed. 
 
 THE C.OVEKN:\rENT OF 51. DE AlLLEBOl'ST. 
 
 M. de Ailleboust was the next governor of Canada. lie was a man 
 of probity and worth ; was well acijuainted with the wants of the colony, 
 
 * Charlevoix in Ilcriot, vol. 1, p. 66. 
 
 1647.] 
 
 having all' 
 said to liav 
 was perha] 
 matters in 
 
 gleet m' thi 
 
 suniiiiLj an 
 
 I nal we lean 
 
 M for one aiK 
 
 -• fixeil ;lt seVi 
 
 ■ Crived ulie ; 
 
 } sent.) [ler ( 
 ■•|| f')iir pdiunl- 
 I f)r one shill 
 i Icrv troiii / 
 The pe;iC( 
 ^loiiai'ies i( 
 Indian-^. A 
 docile. l*n 
 pursuits : ai 
 themselves i 
 iiig in all Ue; 
 veral of the 
 this people J 
 tlieiu'-elves 
 two tliousaii 
 Were ioiuid 
 instriictioii. 
 fiiadc ooii,-,i( 
 ;ui!oiig the 1 
 i!ini:etiee, as 
 '-'Veil, at a 
 Vela lions. 
 
 J)e Ailleb 
 atieneaiit oi 
 ['uralively 
 
 1 111''!!:. •!;•., 1 ;!!■.■ I 
 
 V-"!' ! I -.va> I'l: 
 
 'I 
 
V 
 
 .' 1 
 
 1647.] 
 
 [103S. 
 
 as 111 any 
 
 ;iii inter- 
 
 ncipiil Al- 
 
 tliu Sl'jiul- 
 
 lit no one 
 
 iii'tlioi" la- 
 nnoii. It 
 ■antiuillity 
 lis, the Al- 
 who wore 
 id mingled 
 
 ^ontmagny 
 3Ciiriitc ac- 
 to France, 
 th Canada 
 had anticl- 
 rvanting ; a 
 cations for 
 iinsL'lvcs as 
 
 ,1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 31 
 
 havin" already bo.cii commandant at Three "Rivers ; and allhongh 
 said to have l)een (h'ficicnt in energy and aliiiity (o his jindrcossors, 
 was pri'ha[is the best choi(.'e the coni|iany conid have niaih'. ih' funnd 
 iiialti'rs in a t<>lerat»ly pru<perous eondilion, notwithstanding the no- 
 rrjcci 111" the antliorities in the mother conntry. Soeicty \v;i> ra>t as- 
 suniii)^ an ordinary Cdmniereial appearanee. Froia llic .Ic-uit-^" .lour- 
 nal we learn, that wood tor I'md was this y^ar juibliely sdM at, (^uehec 
 for one and thi'ee pence enrri'ney pc^r cord, aiKJ tlie jirive I't' hi'" ad 
 fixed at seven yivnoii half-penny for th<' sl\ [lonnd loaf. Laborers re- 
 crivrd uiic shilling ;un\ tlircr-pence (ei[nal to two and sivpciice at prc- 
 s<Tit.) [ler day and tluii' board : servants' wages by the yiar avei'aged 
 f )iir pounds. J'lels, coiilimied this journal, were sold in tlie market 
 tor oni' shilling per hundred, forty thousand having been taken at JSil- 
 
 .>rv from 
 
 A 
 
 nirns 
 
 tto N' 
 
 iV('liil)er, 
 
 'J" 
 
 leaci'. now ( 
 
 if ne;;rly nine ycai's' dur.afion, 
 "•rabl 
 
 liatl enalilcd 
 
 lie inis- 
 
 xionaries to make considcrahlo progress m the eoiivi'i'viou o 
 
 f th 
 
 hidiaiis. Among these they found tlie JIurons the most tractable and 
 docile. Previous iiabils had partially trained them to agricultural 
 pursuits; and al the suggestion of the missionaries they readily formed 
 themselves info villages. At Sillery four lumdred families, eml)rac- 
 ing in all nearly two thou-and s(.)uls, were congregated together, and se- 
 veral of their other settlements were likewise very popul 
 
 ous. 
 
 Of 
 
 this people alone, it was estimated that fully ten thousand had placed 
 themselves under the guidance of the missionaries, who baptized over 
 
 ns 
 
 wore Ibinid much less tractable, and less willing to receive I'eligioiia 
 instruction. "^'et: even among these fierce hunters the misfiunaries 
 rable progress. Nor were they wholly ui: ■iiccessful 
 
 two thousand of their number on one occasion.* The AlgoiKpii 
 
 made con.- 
 
 ,1. 
 
 among the IrorjU' 
 ,11 
 
 )ver many of whom they oxer 
 
 eised so 
 
 [•(at an 
 
 ;nlti:ciice, as to induce them to settle within the limits of Canada ; and 
 oven, at a ?iul>S'. (juent perie)d, to turn their arms against their uwn 
 rclalions, 
 De Aillebcu-l v.eil aware, fro!ii personal experi* nee, of th-' miseries 
 
 atlcn.'aiit en l::di:'U w, 
 
 r.iar. 
 
 md 
 
 lesirous to pieserve tins ecun- 
 
 paral 
 
 IVi 
 
 ly 
 
 d;ite of thing's, s(",:iiht in 101s to i^trtn 
 
 tl 
 
 leu the po 
 
 I" 
 
 ..» 
 
 * <''!;.'i!'l('V(>Ix !;r.il ill -' ,T, -ijii, ri I'orils fi^y tlu'ie llioii.-aiid ; liul pi(K:.Mytwo 
 (ll'>!;:.!i;:,l ;ii',. iii'iil'rr 1 !!■■ inr.r!:. 'J"!if l'"rvH'M i:;t-: i'ili:ii'ii.',- u-ii:i'ly l''i|iiir«Ml (.nlj 
 a (•iiii]l'> n-sc'iit, ti< l!ic (rntli- I t' C'n-i.-lianity to (['irdlly \'i<v liiiiti-ni. 'ri:i' ;~iiiue 
 fys-l'.iu was pnrsurdby X.';vi>r ia llindo-saii. Jtiiicc llic i^r.iil iiueilMr ef cci;- 
 vi-'P*,'' i.;.|.ii..,-.i in IkiIIi ca-"s. rrutrstaiiti^iur'Mpiirrf; tluit oeiivtTls b" inuro f'ullj 
 .iif'..";;';t •! bv'lVrc t;ip!i-.ni. 
 
32 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1648. 
 
 I . 
 
 aition of himself mid his Indian iillit'S, by forming a perpetual alliance 
 with the New England colonies. To I'llect this ohjeot lie despatched 
 an agent to IJoston ; hut ihe Englisii authorities refused to form an 
 ofTensive alliance wilh the Ereiieh against the Eive Nations, which was 
 one of the jwincipal conditions of the proposed treaty, and tlu: ne- 
 gotiation was in consequence broken ofl'. Thoroughly incensed at this 
 attempt to crush them, looking upon it as an instance of bad faith 
 and tantamount to a breach ot existing treaties, and desirous like- 
 wise of avenging some minor injuries, the Ironuois deterinined if jios. 
 sible lO extirpate the French and their principal native allies, the llu- 
 rons and Algonquins. They commenced hostilities by a rapid move- 
 ment on Sillery, where they arrived on Sunday while the inhabitants 
 were engaged in the usual religious excvcises. The cry was suddenly 
 raised "we are murdered." An indiscriminate massacre of the unfor- 
 tunate llurons had already commenced. Old and young, male anJ 
 female, alike fell victims to the Inxjuols' thirst for blood. The vil- 
 lage was soon enveloped in a general eonilagratiun. J.ust of all tliu 
 priest was murdered and flung into the flames ; ami soon a smoking 
 pile of ruins was all that remained of what had bei-n a jiopulous vil. 
 lagc a few hours before, and whose inhabitants fancied themselves in 
 perfect security. 
 
 Notwithstanding this dreadful massacre, the Iroquois having di.-ap- 
 peared for six months, the villages rehqised into their former security. 
 The tranquillity, howevei-, was distuilicd in ItMO by a party of tlio 
 enemy, a thousand strong, who made an attack on the mission of St. 
 Ignace. Some resistance was oll'ered and ten assailants<fell ; but idti- 
 inately all the inhabitants were killed or carried off. St, Louis was 
 next attacked, and made a brave defence, which, though it was finally 
 stormed, enabled many of the women and children to escape. Tiic 
 missionaries could have saved themseive.e, but attaching a high im- 
 portance to the administration of the i:a<;rament to the dying, they sa- 
 crificed their lives to the jierfuimance ol' this ,saen d rite. 1 hey were 
 not killed on the spot, l<ut resei'ved tor a dreadful series of torture 
 and mutilation. 
 
 Deep and universal dismay now seized upon the Huron j'acc. 
 Their eountry lately f-o peaceable and lluurishinj; was become a land 
 of horror and of blood ; a vast sepulchre of the dead. Utterly be- 
 reft of hope, the nation broke up and (led for refuge in ev^ry direction, 
 A i\'\v reluctantly odered to unite with their eoiKpierors, who accoi'din;; 
 to their usu;d pcdicy readily acccj>ted them. The greater number 
 nought an asylum among the Cat, Ottawa, a. id other nations still nioro 
 remote. The missionaries were at a loss how to deal with the rvui- 
 
 1 
 
 1649.] 
 
 nant of tl 
 
 Mary. '\ 
 
 wife a<ylu 
 
 courage t( 
 
 remove tc 
 
 tion ot an 
 
 them a;:;ai 
 
 liut were i 
 
 famine ha 
 
 site cuas 
 
 alarm tlu 
 
 the IroipK 
 
 them suet 
 
 .'iOeined as 
 
 another w 
 
 single iudi 
 
 The uul 
 
 iamdred, ] 
 
 One of till 
 
 mity to ■.. 1 
 
 lio|iiiig to 
 
 flight. " 
 
 '" he could 
 
 remnant (■ 
 
 famine am 
 
 conduct th 
 
 tlun of its 
 
 eonsidered 
 
 departure 
 
 Eiigitive 
 
 Ilui'ons jiu 
 
 scouting p 
 
 of desolati' 
 
 with iapin( 
 
 from the g 
 
 had heen ;• 
 
 and slaug! 
 
 dLstructiuii 
 
 And tliu 
 
 Canada, aiL 
 
 more forti 
 
 to the lied 
 
•■-■ \ 
 
 [1G48. 
 
 I alliance 
 !spatchfj 
 > funn an 
 •lilch was 
 
 1 till- IK- 
 
 ;d at this 
 bad faith 
 •oua like- 
 c(1 if jjos, 
 
 , tllL' llu- 
 lid move- 
 iliabitaiits 
 suddenly 
 tlic nil fur- 
 inalo and 
 The vil- 
 )f all the 
 L smoking 
 >nk)ns vil. 
 nselvos in 
 
 ing disap- 
 
 • sconrity, 
 
 ,1'ty c>f the 
 
 ion of St. 
 
 but ulii- 
 Louis was 
 as fuially 
 \pe. Ti;c 
 I liiiih ini- 
 r, ihey sa- 
 
 key Wire 
 ol' torture 
 
 on ra^^c, 
 me a laud 
 tterly be- 
 dircelioii, 
 according 
 r numbLi 
 still iHoro 
 iho rem- 
 
 1649.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 nant of their converts, now nearly reduced to the single village of St. 
 Marv. 'Jhe Island of Manitonlin. in Lake Huron, was lu'oposed as a 
 f;afc a<vlinu from danger; but allhougli they wanted the means or 
 cunrage to defend their country, the llurons felt a dt^ep reluctance to 
 remove to sueh a distance fror;-' it. They pri'fi'rrt<l the insular situa- 
 tion ot an island in Lake ('nta"'io, which it was hoped would secure 
 them aL;aIn=t thi'lr dreaded f»t. They enjoyed repose for so:m> time, 
 bill were obligeil by the dilliculty of obtaining subsistence, a terrible 
 famine having ajipcarfd among them, to form stations on the <>p[io- 
 site coast at dilfereiit localities. It wa« hoped that on any 
 alarm the inhabitants might (k'C to the island for safety ; but 
 the Iroipiois on learning the existence of these posts, came upon 
 tliom successively with sueh suddeness and fatal precision, that it 
 ."^eemeil as if a destroying angrl had guided their st(^ps. One after 
 .\nother was surprised and destroyed, till of many hundreds only a 
 single individual escaped to tell the story of their nuissacre. 
 
 '.riie uuha[ipy remnant of the Huron nation, now redueed to three 
 hinidreil, renounced all hope of re.naining in their native country. 
 One o( llieii chiefs addies.se<i the missionary, rejirescnting the extre- 
 mity to .hich they wei'e reducv'd, being gliosts rather than men, and 
 hoping to preserve their Mretched existence only by a speedy 
 flight. "If he chose to I'cinain where he was," continued the chief, 
 '• he could only have trees an<l rocks to instruct, as the deplorable 
 remnant of ins flock must soon be scattered in every direction by 
 famine and the foe." J !e concluded by re(|uesting the missionary to 
 conduct them to Qutdjcc, and place them under the immediate }>rotec- 
 tiun of its irdiabitanfs. After mature consideration this course ^va3 
 considered the most advisable, and every necessary pre['aratiou for 
 departure was speedily made. 
 
 Fugitives in the land where they had so long bef^u sovereigns, the 
 llurons pursued their way in silence, flartid of bt'ing intercei)ted by some 
 scouting party of Iroquois. Their }ia'Ji lay through scene alter scene 
 of desolation, terrlhle even to the savage, although to fauiiliarised 
 with rapine and ruin. As lhi>r famine striekeii band oecasionally emerged 
 from the g!(jom (.ifthe forest into the clearings \\bere populous villages* 
 had bi'en so rt.eeni.ly situated, the charred ruins and traces of havoc 
 and slaughter mutely, yet forcibly, proclaimed the almost general 
 ilcstrnetion of the Huron name. 
 
 And thus ri'ovidei.ce in lis wisdom s%\e}it the aboriginal races from 
 
 <'anada. and left t!ie uuoccuried 
 
 sou 
 
 to b 
 
 ml 
 
 herited by another and a 
 
 ' -t 
 
 more fortunate people, who, therefore, have not the crime of injustice 
 to the Ivcd Man to atone for. 
 
34 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1640, 
 
 I . 
 
 Worn out wilh fatigue the fugitives finally arrived at Quebec, wlicrc 
 'heir recojdion presented a mortifying contrast to that uliieli they 
 ivould have rnet with among the friendly tribes of their own 
 race. The latter would have welcomed tiiem as countrymen and 
 equals, and supplied their wants to tlio best of their abilities ; but now 
 'hey were merely regarded as objects ot charity, < hie hundred of the 
 most destitute found refuge among the different I'eliginus houses. 1 ho 
 remainder were thrown upon the com])assion of the community at 
 'argc ; and although considerable exertions were made to sustain tliem, 
 ihey had well nigli perished from cold and hunger, in the interval of a 
 station being formed for them, which was named Siilery after their for- 
 mer eliief setllenujiit.* 
 
 Hut a more deadly foe than even the Iroquois began at this perioil to 
 decimate the unfortunate Indians of Canada, The rre'icii traders had 
 already discovered the fondness of the lied Man for fern\ented liquors, 
 and now introduced it as an article of commerce among the r^b)ntagne/. 
 a small tribe occujiying the neighbourhood of Tadou-^sac, and the other 
 Indians who frequented that post.f Drunkenness, and the malignant 
 f)assions in its train, apart from the diseases it originated, soon produced 
 the greatest disorders among the impulsive natives. The chase was 
 forgotten for the time: thov had other excitement. The Iodide tjf the 
 Indian drunkard was soon visited l)y poverty ar.d want, as well as the 
 house of the white inebriate. Society was disquieted, rude as were tho 
 restraints it imposed among tlio aboriginals of the St. I^awreuce, and 
 the Montagnez Chiefs solicited the Governor to erect a prison to re- 
 .■■train tlie disorderly and criminol, .Much to their credit, the clei'ical 
 order steadily set their faces against the introduction of li(^uor among 
 the Indians ; but the traffic soon became too lucrative to be serious! r 
 interrupted ])y their endeavors. For tlui present, however^ they savi'd 
 Tiiree Ifivers from the evil, and the converts there for a lirief spacw 
 longer were spared the blighting influence of intoxicating drinks. 
 The closing event <;f this year, so fruitful of disa-^ter to Canada. 
 
 was the accession of a new riovernor, ]\I. de Lauson, one of the 
 lO.lO. ]irinci|ial members of the " Company of one Hundred,"' was aj>- 
 
 }>iil(ited to succeed de Ailleboust, whose three years had cxjiireO. 
 The latter retired without regret from an office, which the want of the 
 necessary means prevented him from Ijiling wilh dignity to himself, and 
 benefit to the colon v. t 
 
 * Murray's liri. Amor, vol. 1. j). IGT, 170, 171. 
 1 li>.ii()i's Hist. Ciin. p. 71- \ Ileriot's Hist. Can, p. 72. 
 
 Tho 11 
 previous 
 llitlierti> 
 
 atliiirs ill 
 
 (Quebec, 
 
 tcifrity, 1 
 
 Fnmci'.'" 
 
 retrieve i 
 
 exj'ecled, 
 
 pt'tllcmcii 
 
 tijrics. an 
 
 r;il iVnm 
 
 .l'"n.'ii'-li, a 
 
 pkiiiderin 
 
 sr\-. The 
 
 to llio not 
 
 retreated, 
 
 grounds. 
 
 Sett I em el I 
 
 and j\Ionti 
 were sonu 
 set fire t 
 routed a } 
 ofliccr; ai 
 
 that M. :,i 
 
 to ]'"r;uiC( 
 suffn-iciit 
 forceiiu'iit 
 scrIptioll^ 
 I'^iiiJin.': 
 plac's of I 
 the iiij'ii'v 
 I'iriez or 
 I'arl. of ti 
 ward, 'X 
 eiini-tance 
 
■I' 
 
 • I 
 
 1051.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 35 
 
 Tirr: govetixment oi' :^^. kk laisox. 
 
 The now (uivcrnor, wlio avrivdl in Omadii in l<ir»l must liavo Leon 
 
 Pr 
 
 evioii^lv 
 
 \Vl' 
 
 aennainti 
 
 \\i' \\ 
 
 tlu' wanls ot" \\u- ( 
 
 olrmv 
 
 had 
 
 hillit'i'to li.'ul (111' friTu'i'st siiart' in tii • inaua'ji'iiK lit tit' ihii CMinpany's 
 alliiirs ill France, ami iirtfociatcil in IIiiuI.mmI t'tr (he rc-^titnliuii of 
 
 1 li' was a mail <>\' in- 
 
 (Jii(.'l».'C, wliilc ill the possession <if the Kill 
 
 If'ifrity 
 Frailer 
 
 iiaii 
 
 alwaws tal;cii a 
 
 ifrcal 
 
 (ieiiarled thilhrr wiili lh 
 
 llllel'i'st 111 t 
 est inteiitioii- 
 
 • wi'lfaiv ot " New 
 ind was expected to 
 
 retrieve its airiirs. I'.iit hi' ftnnid its situation inneli worsen than he had 
 
 c.xj 
 
 lOClet 
 
 ]. ]) 
 
 isorderaii.! ili-tri 
 
 evervwiH 
 
 irevaiieij 
 
 and tlie several 
 
 Settlements were rapMliv on the- ileelnie 
 
 ti.iru" 
 
 ami 
 
 lie 
 
 possessi>.)n ol lirt'-aiiir 
 
 of wh 
 
 ,lati'd \>y their recent vic- 
 li th.'V had 
 
 ii'oeiired seve^ 
 
 r;U 
 
 Irnlll tlie 
 
 J)U1( 
 
 h at 
 
 ■\ 1 
 
 laiiv, the Iroiuiois no loiiiri 
 
 V I'eai'ed \. 
 
 10 
 
 ' reii''li, ami 
 
 siireail tlieniselves nver tl 
 
 I'ohiiiy ill every direction, 
 pliiiulering and mnrderinif the inhahifants without distinction of ago or 
 se\. Tilt! remnant of the ITiiron and Algonquin nations had already flei 
 to the north and west, wliither also most o( tiie smaller Canailiau tribes 
 retreated, leaving the Iroquois in full iiossessioii of their ancient hunting 
 grounds. F^vcn the I'reiieh had to witlulraw from all their smaller 
 settlements, and were virtually oloekaded hi (.iueljc'C, Throe Jiivcrs, 
 and j\Iontreal, from under the very cannon of vdiieh they and tlieir allies 
 were sometimes carried olThy bands of the enemy, wIk^ aFo tVequentlv' 
 sot fire to the crops in these neigliForhoods. At Three JJivers they 
 routed a party of French v.'lio went out to attack them, and killed their 
 
 ofl 
 
 leer 
 
 d so severely did th^v harrass the settlement at JMontreal, 
 
 that M. ^daisonneiive, 
 
 its ( 
 
 iovernor. was cotniielled to make a voyaiio 
 
 to ]''rance, to solicit in person the succors which his letters hail bee; 
 
 1 111- 
 
 ire. lie reti 
 
 tl 
 
 unuMJ in tlie siirinix o 
 
 f 10." 
 
 itl 
 
 )-) Willi a rein- 
 
 sudieieiit to proc 
 
 forcenieiit of one luindred mei>, and supplies of tiie iiKjre necessary de- 
 scriptions.* 
 
 ]''inuiiig themselves unable to mal;o any impression on the fortified 
 places of the French, and havii^L: innictcd upon them and tjuir allies all 
 l!ie iiijiirv ]iossible, the lroi|Ui>is nov/ (uriied their arms against the 
 lOriez or ('at I'ribe, whoso liu!iti;i.,; grounds embraced the principal 
 part of the Canadian peninsuki (x'eniliiig 
 
 I'om 
 
 Lake Ontario west- 
 
 war 
 
 d. Ilie (iovernor, with il:e \Iew of making the most of tl 
 
 us cir- 
 
 iUl- 
 
 uiee, resolved to 
 
 Slili 
 
 ;"U! aire 
 
 lit to the Onoiidago Iroquois, wl 
 
 ho 
 
 < .' \ 
 
 ^i" Sinltli's Hist, of Can. vol. 1. p. 20. ILn-iot's Hist. Can. p. V3, 
 
 »' 
 
S6 
 
 THE IIISTOnY 
 
 [1654. 
 
 I . 
 
 had always bccji more favourably ilisjiosc d towards llio French than 
 
 the otiii-r confederated tribes, to ascertain whether it was possible to 
 
 cflect a peace. He elmse lor tins piir[i<)S(.' tin; .Irsuit I'ather. Simon lo 
 
 ]\I()_viie, who departed on his hazard(jus juission the 2ii(l duly.* 
 
 l<»r»l. Ill iiis jirugress upwards to the Oiioudauo country, the Father 
 
 was kindly entertained by tlie Christian Irofpiois, whom he states 
 
 in his Journal " to Imve enriched him from their f)overty," and likewise 
 
 nuit many of the 1 luron ca[)tives '"who ri'ci'ivi'd him with joy." On 
 
 the lOlh oC AuLfUst he nul the dejailies of the Cayugas, the .Seiiecas, 
 
 the Oneidas, and the ( )nond;)goes in council, whom he astrtnishud by 
 
 the knowledge he hail of their language and of the principal men of 
 
 their nation. 
 
 The council terminated satisfactorily, the various deputies expressing 
 tliemsiivcs disj)o-.ed to tbrm a lasting peace \vith the {''rcneli, and treat- 
 ing the Father with the greatest consideration. The ^Mohawks, the most 
 liostile of the confederates, and whose country lay neai-est to Lower 
 Canada, had r,o representative at this council, and consnpicntly did not 
 endorse the ])eaceable professions it originated. Siii)se(juent events 
 proved that in making these jm^lessions, the ()iion<lagoes alone wero 
 sincei'c, and that the object ot the other tribes was to amuse de Lauson. 
 iUid to jirevent him from assisting the ('ats, who wei'e a bravo peojdc, 
 and had pi'epared lor a most vigorous defence of their country. The 
 Mohawks especially, never for a moment abated their hostility to tho 
 French, and irritated by this attemj)! to separate the confederates, 
 and divert the trade of the western tribes from ]iassing through their 
 country to Albany and Now^ Ycjrk, they resolved upon wreaking their 
 vengeance upon Canada, the momen': the destruction of the Cats en- 
 abled them to turn their arms in that direction. 
 
 Father lo Moyne arrived safely at (Quebec in the month of September, 
 
 and influenced by the gratifying rejiort he made of his success, and tho 
 
 favourable report of the other missionaries, the Governor determined 
 
 to comply ■with the solicitations ol the (-)noiidagoes to establish 
 
 1055. a settlement In their country. Fifty men were chosen for this 
 
 purpose, the command of whom was entrusted to Dupuys, a 
 
 clever ollieer of the garrison. Four Jesuit Fathers, one of whom was 
 
 the Canadian Superior, accompanied the ex]iedition (which their order 
 
 aided most liberally to equip) to fouml the first lioquois church. 
 
 On the 7th of May Dupuys put iiis little band in motion for their 
 
 'J'h 
 
 * Y\do Relation de la !Xew France lC5i. for the Father's own account of 
 this journey. 
 
1G5G.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 37 
 
 destination. Tlie Moliawks were fully ajijulzfil of tlu' ohjocts of 
 
 1«;5(>. lln' i'X|KMtiliuii, ami liail alrtaily iw.ulc. pici>arali(>iis I'm' its dc- 
 
 struclioii. l'\)ur liiindird warriors o!" th, Ir triljc prdi'ot'did to 
 
 intoroc'iit it, but (iiiliiijj; in tlirir ulijcct, they 'ivriiu;!!! lli'insL'lvcs hy 
 
 jiiliaginj,' sdiiii' canoes, wliich juid di'oi'in'd behind tliu main body and 
 
 wen; insnfriciti;! ly •inai'dt d. 
 
 Il was not docnu'd cxji-dicnt at tliis linio liy dr Lausdii In iiial<(' this 
 itisnit a grni;nd (.<r<|ii;!.ri'v'l. as Ik-ju's wvw end itainvd lliai, tin' iniUimcc 
 of tin- Wf-tcrn lro(|nois would 1m' sutliviciitly sliong to cuiiiin.'! tlic Mo- 
 hawks to inalic rcj'ai'ation. I'ut tlie laltcr sonn ^ho\v^■d tliat no coiu'cs- 
 sions need be looked l<>r at their hands, J'resnniing on the vacillating 
 conduct of the (lovernor, ami whom no douiit they desjiised for the im- 
 politic course he had [lursurd in countcnaneln'^- tln'ir war against the 
 Cats, and 1 hi n having tliat tribe to their lale wilhout daring to aid 
 thcin. tliey iiKide u df.-eent in the Isle ut Orleans one morning belorc 
 sun-rise, tell ti'iiou a |>arty ot ninety llui'ons vi' boih sexes who were 
 in the fields, kille^l blx of tliese hel[lle^s peojile, ai'.d cai-ri. d oil" the rest. 
 As they retreated they boldly {lusscd no the ihe liver before (.Quebec, 
 and compelled tlu'ir pi'isuners to sing ]i'-a!ms whei: opposite the 'ort, as 
 if to challenge the <«overnor to ulteinpL their r* seue. (hi ari'ival in 
 their couiit!'y the Ihiroti chiefs were turtured, and the ninainder of 
 the prisoners held in severe captiv ity.''- 
 
 The remainder of the llurons on the Isle of ( 'rleans, very Justly con- 
 sidering themsidves no longer in serurity (here, took refuge in Quebec. 
 Having tbund the French unable to protect them, in a inonioit of de- 
 spoiidency they now secretly sent a pri)[i(isal to the Mohawks, otfering 
 to unite with them, and become one jieop'e. To this arrangement the 
 latter pi'omptly acceded, and fuiding that the llurons aftei' n while rc- 
 greteil their ofler, they at once toi)k measures to compel thiMu to ful- 
 ill it. Scouting [>arties were s[)read around Quebec in every direction, 
 which massacred or carried into captivity every Ifuron whom they cn- 
 
 .■oinitered 
 
 IIK 
 
 1 when they had, as they 
 
 snpi'osed, ^u^iclon 
 
 'tly 
 
 lium 
 
 bled 
 
 this unfortunate people, they sent thirty deputies to M. de Lauson, to 
 demand the surrender ot such as still remained under his I'Votection. 
 
 Nothing could ei[ual the haughtiness with which these deinities ac- 
 quitted themselves. 1'hoy demanded to be heard in an assembly of 
 the French and 1 luroiis, to which the (iovernor ]Hisillanimously acceded, 
 and was most deservedlv pui;ishtd bv tin; insolence of their lanifuaae. 
 "Lift up thy arm ( hiouthio,'' said their s[)okcsman, " and allow thy 
 
 . . I 
 
 ,i •■ 
 
 Ueriot's llist. Can. p. 75. Murray's Brit. Amur. vol. 1. p. Irl. 
 
38 
 
 THE lIlSTOPtY 
 
 [105C. 
 
 I . 
 
 cliiMron ^vhom tliou lioltlcst prcst to tliy boson to depiirt; for, if llioy 
 are ifiiilly of any iiniinulciicc. li.'ivc reason to dread, lest in cominj^ to 
 chastise tliem my blows may fall on tliy bead. 1 know," continued he, 
 after presenting a belt of wainpiim, " lliat the ITnvon is fond of prayers : 
 that lie coiifessos and ailm'es llio Aullinr of all things, to whom in his 
 distress he has recourse for sneecdii'. It is my de>ii'e to do the same. 
 Permit the missi(iiiary, tliiriCorc, who quitted me to return with tho 
 llurons; and as I have not a suflieient luimber of canoes, to carry s«o 
 large a number of people, do mo the favour to lend me thine.'' 
 
 Tho Council brc^ke np, wilhout the Tlurons liaving come to any defi- 
 jiite eonelu>inn as to tln'ir future, eoiirso. < >iie elan alone finally de- 
 termined to keep their promise b> the ]\Iohawks, and d(>parte(l with 
 llicm to their country accompanied l)y Father le Moyne, The (lover- 
 lior was severely censiired by the public, for the want of courage ho 
 hr.d displayed throughout the entire transaction, and it was gt'uerally 
 supposed that had he pui'sued a contrary course the ]\[ohawks woidd 
 not have dared, engaged as tlie confederacy were in a war with the 
 Cats, to jires.s tlieir demands in the insolent maimer they had d(.ine. 
 De Lausou finding tliat his pacific policy was disliked by the colonists, 
 and tirei] of a government which he now felt sensible requir- 
 1G57. ed the energy of a military man to control with effect, quitted 
 his post without waiting to be recalled, and returned to rranc« 
 in disgust, leaving M. do Aillebourt in temporary charge of the 
 Province* 
 
 ^Meanwhile the Iroquois had pursued the war against the Cats with 
 the utmost vigor, the possession of firearms giving them a great su[)e- 
 riority in the contest. Out-post after out-post was captured and broken 
 up, and seven hundred warriors of the confederates finally stormed thu 
 prineij)al stronghold of the enemy, although defended by 1500 fighting 
 men. This success completely annihilated the ]*>icz, or Cats, as a dis- 
 tinct tribe. Those who were not killed or adopted by tho victors fled 
 westward and northward ; ami were it not that the great lake which 
 washed the southern borders of their country still retains their name, 
 every memorial of their existence wonld have passed into oblivion. 
 
 The Iroquois about this pei'iod likewise turufd their arms against tho 
 Outawas or Ottawas, a branch of the great Algonquin race, whose hunt- 
 ing grounds lay along tho Ottawa from Ottawa City upwards. This 
 tribe did notmake tho sligliti'st resistance, and sought shelter ansid the 
 marshes along their river, or fled to the islands of Lake ] turon, v, hence a 
 
 * llerlot's Hist. Can. p. S8. 
 
rni 
 
 ions.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 SO 
 
 pn 
 
 rtiiiii ('flliciii Milisf(Hiciilly j'fiictfatnl to llir ^oiitli-w c-t as In re tlicy 
 
 joiiiiil itii' Siiiiix. A yro.'it |i;irt <il' Lnw. r. ;iih1 all I i>|u r ( 'aiiada. 
 now ('(uniili'tvly in tin' |in>scs>~i(iii ol' the I'ivc Nation-;. 'I'licy 
 
 was 
 
 <\ 1 
 
 )0 
 
 CO 
 
 inc till' li'i'i'iir ol'all the hnliaii trilii's ot'tlic nnrili. ami cviii dn tlic >i(Ii 
 
 of Xcw I'jiirlaml, tile ci'v 
 
 M( 
 
 (iliawU, ciaioL'd tioni lul 
 
 to hill. 
 
 CiU 
 
 !<(.(! ncniTal t'oiistci'natioii and lliulit.* 
 
 Tlic Irnijiiois having altaini'd to this fiirtnid.'ildc po^iiioii among the 
 native triln:Sj and csteoniing iho luMitriility of tlu; Krciioli as now no 
 longer of any valui', tlu! dejitruotitjn of tlu; sctilcmt'nt in the Onondago 
 country was resolved upon. Tlie Christian Unrolls were first mas- 
 sacred, some of iheiii in the very arms of the Jesuit missionaries, and 
 M. ])iipnys, who still continued to command this jtost, saw at oneo 
 that unless he and his people made a timely (light, they must shortly 
 expect to share the same fate, an uitinion in whieh he was conlirmed by 
 the secret warnings of some native converts. Day after day the posi- 
 tion of this little band became more and more critical. Luckily for 
 them, three Frenchmen had been scalped and murdered near Montreal 
 by theOneidas, which was promptly revenged by de Aillebourt seizing 
 a dozen of Iroipiois, and placing them in irons. This proceeding, al- 
 though it added to the irritation of the confederates, now compelled 
 them to proceed more cautiously, not wishing to endanger the lives of 
 tlic prisoners, 
 
 Dupuys was destitute of canoes and other moans of transport, but ho 
 remedied this want by having several light batteaux constructed in tho 
 garret of the Jesuits' dwelling, which stood apart from the other build- 
 ings. A day at length was appointed for departure, and every prepa- 
 ration made so secretly that the Indians knew nothing of what was go- 
 ing forward. To conceal the launching of the batteaux a great feast was 
 given to them. As much noise as possible was made: the boats were 
 speedily launched. Gorged with food and drugged with brandy, the 
 Iroquois sleep, and awake to find the dwellings of the Frenchmen 
 ,tenantless, and their occupants spirited away in a most mysterious 
 manner. f 
 
 After a dangerous journey of fifteen days' duration, !M. Dupuys con- 
 ducted his detachment in safety to Montreal. But his gratifica- 
 1058. tion at this fortunate occurrence was diminished by the reflection, 
 that his precipitous flight was highly discreditable to his coun- 
 
 * Coldeii's Hist. Five Nalidiis, vol. 1. p. 3, 4. Horiot's Hist. Can. p. 11. Mis- 
 eions to IS'tw Finiicc in 1759, IGOO, p. 34. I5rit. Aimr. vol. 1. ]>. 174. 
 
 f Vide Fiitlior Faul's Kugueneau'a lloport to tlio Jesuit feuj)crior in France^ 
 for full details. 
 
 • ..» 
 
 ■ .« -I 
 
40 
 
 TlIK IIISTOUY 
 
 [lOoR. 
 
 I . 
 
 try, ainl lli.'it liiiil iu' horn ]irii[n'rly su|)|i(»rlcil, li.> fDiiM li.ivi! inuiiitiiin- 
 Cil liis [ii(-;iiiiiii atiiMiiir ;i |i,.(i|,|,. will) niily (Ici'ivcil llii'ir power Inmi tho 
 \Vi'iiklU!ss o( the i'"i\'ii<'li. lie \\i\u\i\ tli<! Iiili;i>>iliilil s «t llii', Ulainl of 
 ^fdiitrcal ill ii sl\ti' of <j;r(al alariii, nwin;; to tln! anpoaraiu't! of parllos 
 of lr()i|ii(>is, who, ulilioii;iili lli.'v diil not o|ii'iily proclaim lliuinsclvcs 
 CM('iuit's,'^\Vi'i'(.; cv idi'iitly tlicro for sonu; hostile |)iirpns<\ 
 
 Towards the^ cud ol Ma \ , tlin Mohawivs iiavin;f condiietod l''athor lo 
 ACoyiie to >[(;iitrfal, a^ro.'aSIo to fJudr proniiso to plaoo him in a place 
 of saf<!ty, ill <'asi! of ho-tiliticy, which they thus hoiiorai)ly ri'(K'(Mnecl, 
 threw ulftlu" nia>k in conjiicliou with tiio otiicr conftMhi'atcd Iriiics, and 
 openly (h'elarLd their dctfrininalioii to drive the I'Veneh from tho C0UQ« 
 try; a ptirpo-e tiieir iiinoraiuto of j^iego operations alone prevented 
 them from ;;eeonn)li.sliing 
 
 1,^- 
 
 THE (;«)Vki:nmk.\t of M. DK AUCKNSON'. 
 
 !^^oan while, the ^ Iscoiint de Argenson had hccn aripolnted Governor 
 of Canada, and landed at Qiieltec on the 11th of July. The morning 
 after Ills arrival he was startled by the cry " to arms," in conseqneneo 
 of the appearance of tin Iroquois under the very cannon of the Fort, 
 where they had massacred some Algonquins. "j'svo hundred French 
 and Indians were, promptly detached in pursnit, bnt tho enemy fled 
 without waiting to he attacked.* 
 
 {Shortly after this occurrence a strong force of the !^^o]lawks ap- 
 proached Three Hi vers, designing to surprise that post if possible. 
 Under pretence of holding a conference with the commandant, they 
 sent eight men to ascertain the condition of the garrison; but these, 
 instead of being treated as legitimate deputies, were prom[)tly olaced 
 in prison. Disappointed in their object they retreated from the colony, 
 which for a brief s[>ace enjoyed repose. Of this the missionaries 
 promptly availed themselves to prosecute tlieir labors among the 
 
 northern tribes, and now discovered several routes to Hudson's B 
 
 ay. 
 
 The principal events of the following year were the arrival 
 
 1059. of the Abbi; do Montigney, tho first Canadian bishoj), on tho 27th 
 of Juno; and the establishment of a regular parish priesthood, 
 
 entitled to one-thirteenth of all the natural and artificial products of 
 the country as tithes. In the Spiing of 1(30)0, the Iroquois made 
 
 1000. a fresh irruption into Canada; and seven himdred of their war- 
 riors having defeated a strong boily of the French and their 
 
 Indian allies, sent to intercept them, advanced to Quebec, which they 
 
 Smitli'a Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 29. Ilcriot's Hist, Can. p. 87. 
 
WA] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 -11 
 
 held ill .1 state of lilock.iili' dn' tlii> urcitcr part nl tlii< simiincr. 'I'iuir 
 scoiitiiiff partifs diiriii:^ tlii> pciidil spread ilinusclvi's <.'Vii- tin- ciMiiiliy 
 in c'S»'i'V "lii'i'ctioii, ainl coiniiiittcil all the mix liirl" pii^vil,|,.. No >ii('- 
 cors arri\iii<j Iroiii l^'iaiicc. a t'l'i'liii^ dt iittcf (li'^puiKJriii'y now took 
 possession of tlic folmiisls, many of wlioni pi'cpai'cil to ritinii ihilluT. 
 The licst half ol' tin- snccocding yoar provcil cipially iVnitl'iil olMisas- 
 
 tor to the C'oNjiiv. T\u' cnotny swept liko a siroeeo over tho 
 1601. open country in every (lireetl<;n. 'I'owards mid-snir.mer, liow- 
 
 ever, they retired satisfied for the [ii'eseiil with llie injiirifs tlioy 
 ha<3 inflicted; and, in the month of .Inly, sent two canoes to Montn-al, 
 with a flag of truce lo demand an exehange of [irixmers, as we!l as to 
 siiriiifv that thev were not mdisrtosed to [leace. Afti^r some eonsidera- 
 tion the (jlovernor acceded to the proposed e.veliange, which Father Ic 
 Moyno was deputed to arrange, as well as to ascertain whetlier an 
 honorable peace could not be ellected. With these objects in view 
 tho Father accompanied the deputies, who belonged to the Onondago 
 and Cayuga tribes, on their return home. 
 
 ♦ • I 
 
 THE oovKT!\:\ii:.\T OF :\r. DK AVAr(;OtR. 
 
 The ill health of do Argcnson, added to tho ehagi'In he had expe- 
 rienced at the supineness of the company, and some private dis. 
 16G0. contents, had induced hin\ during tho past year to desire hia 
 recall, when the government was committed to the Haron do 
 16G1. Avaugour, who arrived out in the lattt-r part of the summer, 
 and shortly afterwards visited the several settlements through- 
 out the country. The Baron, a military man, whcj had served in Hun- 
 gary with distinction, was possessed alike of great integrity and re- 
 solution of purpose, and entered upon his government with the inten- 
 tion to administer it to the advantage of the colony. ]>ut he was as- 
 tonished at the deplorable condition of aflairs, and di'spairing of relief 
 from the " Company of One Hundred," now reduced to forty-live mem- 
 bers, he promptly complied with the solicitations of many of the iidia- 
 bitants, to request the King to take Canada under his immediate protec- 
 tion. 'M. Boucher, commandant of Three Uivers, was sent to Franco 
 to lay their memorial before Loi^is XIW, and was graciously received 
 by hi*, sovereign, who was much surprised to learn the deplorable state 
 of matters in a country naturally so fruitful of resources. lie 
 1CG2. promptly ordered },[. de !Monts to proceed to Canada as his 
 commissioner to en([uire into its condition, and whether it would 
 
 "larter. lie directed at the same 
 
 DC ucsuanie to annul tne Lompany 
 
 time, that four hundred soldiers should hold them 
 
 selves in readiness 
 
TIIK IIIS'I'OIIY 
 
 [\m\ 
 
 • I 
 
 lo rfiiif'ii'ci'. till! poUs rn(t>«t oximscd to tli(! a*<s:iults of the Inninois. 
 Till- Mil>->i'iiii(iil iii'i'ival of tlii>-r li'()(i|.s 111, (iiU'lK-c was iiiodiic- 
 
 lot; 
 
 >t' till! irnatcsi sati-l'arii(,ii to lln- iiilialtitjinfs, ami bc^^at 
 
 111 
 
 I' llolh 
 
 tliil ll;i' Coloiiv woiil 
 
 'II attain to its iiii'i'ilcd iir. 
 
 poi'taiici- aii'l |iro,[.,i'ity. •■ 
 
 Altlioiiij:!i l-'atluT lo Moyiir slill rctnaincd In tln^ Onoiidann country, 
 
 his niissioii, ln'yoii'l llii! I'Xciiaii^'c of jirisoiiiTs, had )iroiliiot'(i 
 l()fi-J. no results of iinpoi'taiici'. 'i'lir luillans, il is true, were ^n-oatiy 
 
 atlachi'd to him as an iinlividual, and li>tcn()il attentively to his 
 religious instructions, hut this did n >l prrvriit the ( )nonilagoe.s and 
 Cayu^'as lr<uii iruikin;? a icrsh iiruptiou into Canada. On the Ishind of 
 Montreal they attacked tiie inlialiitants at work in the fields, and killed 
 the Towniuajor and a paity of twi'uty-six soldiers sent out to protect 
 them, after a sant'uinarv eonniet which lasted an entire dav. 
 
 In the ineautiine the proud and unbending de Avauyour hecatne in- 
 volved in a serious controversy with the chu'uy, whom he disliked on 
 account of the <,'reat iidhienee they exercised in the allairs c)f ilio colony, 
 and which not uiilVe(|Uently clashed with his own authority. Hitherto 
 he hatl prohibited the sale of intoxicating li(juors lu the Indians. A 
 "woman disobeyed this ordinance, but was screened from punishment by 
 tl»c inlerfert'iice of one of the Jesuit Fathers. This occurrence, in con- 
 nexion with the dislike he had already conceived against the Order, 
 so pi(|ued the (Jovernor that he stated, " that since thertraflle of spirits 
 was not deemed by ccclesia>*tics a fault punishable in a woman, no man 
 should in future be punished for a similar ofleiico." This decision, 
 which the resolute old (ieneral refused to alter, was productive of tho 
 greatest disorders, and operated most unfavorably to the authority of 
 the clergy. Thu lust of gain proved sfronger with the people than tho 
 admonitions of their confessors, whom some i)crsons even taunted with 
 the heavy tithes they collected and their own avarice. The liishop 
 was finally under the necessity of going to France, to put a stop to this 
 state of things, and succeeded in procuring from the King an order pro- 
 hibiting the sale of liquor lo the Indians. The IJishop's success in this 
 respect, anil tho favor with which he was otherwise regarded at court, 
 so disgusted the (Jovernor, that he reipiested permission to resign his 
 post. Tiie agitation. However, had one good eflect ; — it ultimately led 
 to the tithes being reduced tVuma thirte-Mith to a twenty-sixth part of the 
 products of the country. But under the new arrangement the farmerg 
 
 * Ilor. Hist. Clin. p. 9?. Smith's Hist. Cuu. vol. 1, p. 85. Char. vol. 2, p. 120, 
 iCon, of Can. vol. 1. p. 285. 
 
 IOC.'].] 
 
 were con 
 slieaf as I 
 The ea 
 the aima 
 four in tl 
 ti'llt of C 
 great fire 
 ran (UJt c 
 increased 
 the walls 
 ing again 
 peal, the 
 torn lip b 
 of the fori 
 clouds of 
 nieiitalioi 
 come, ad 
 rivers w; 
 air,^severi 
 others sti 
 were torn 
 courses of 
 rangcnuii 
 for at tho 
 the same 
 rcnce, froi 
 changed, 
 the same 
 some groi 
 diverged 
 But if th 
 tho Frent 
 pretty un 
 any irnpoi 
 place, ^le; 
 longing to 
 the limest 
 
 * Smith- 
 t Heiiof 
 p.54.JIist 
 
iccn.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 43 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 rtere comiHlIcd to pay their tiilios in dcnn i^'iair., instead of in tlio 
 blu'af as brl'oru-* 
 
 Tlu' carliir part ot' l<i<i;{ was distinguished hy a nioniorable event in 
 the annals ot' this eoinitry. On the; M\ of i'ehrnary, about halt-past 
 Ibiu' in the I'veniiig, a great noise was heard throughout the wholo ex- 
 tent ut' Canada. It rosembU'd \ho eraekling aiul rushing sound of u 
 great fire, and the iidiabitants imagining their dwellings wi're in tlarnes 
 ran out of doors to save themselves. I'ut their terror was if possible 
 increased when they saw the buildings tottering bi:ek wards and forwards, 
 the walls, in many instances, sudijeuly parting one moment, and elos- 
 ing again the next. 'Hie I'arthqiuike eause(| the bells in the churehes to 
 peal, the [)iekets offences to bound from their plaees, great trees to be 
 torn up by the roots, and dashe(l hither and thither against their fellows 
 of the forest. Dogs howled, terrilied eattle ran here aiui there, dense 
 clouds of dust increased the prevailing darkness, and the cries and la- 
 uieiitalions of women and children, who suji]»osed their last hour had 
 conio, added to the horrors of the ho\ir. 'J'he ice on the diirerent 
 rivers was broken into fragments and frei[uently thrown into tho 
 air, several s^^malj rivers and springs were dried up, and the water of 
 others strongly impregnated with sul['hur. In some instances hills 
 were torn from their places, their broken fragments damming up the 
 courses of rivers, and inundating the iieighlioriiig districts, liut de- 
 rangements of this kind could only have been of a temporary character, 
 for at the present moment the jihysical features of this country present 
 the same general aspect as they did to Jaques (Airtier.f The St. Lnw- 
 reuco, from[Kingston to Quebec, boars no marks of having had itselianiicl 
 changed. The rapids of Lachine, or the 8ault fSt. Louis, renuiin in 
 the same state as when first scon by Europeans. There appears to bo 
 some grounds for the supposition that tliu St. f^awrence, at one period, 
 diverged into two streams at Cape Kongo, which again united at Quebec, 
 But if this has ever been the case, it must have hap]X'ned long beforo 
 the French visited this country. All tho old writers on Canada are 
 pretty unanimous upon this ix>lnt, and there can be no doubt that had 
 any im])ortant changes in the physical appearance of tlie country taken 
 place, mey would be easily traced even at the present day, as not be- 
 longing to that period which destroyed the coal beds originally lying in 
 the limestone basins of the valley of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 * '» 
 
 I * Sniitli's ITist. Cun. vol. 1. p. 33. llfiiot's Hist. Can. p. ICO. 
 
 I t Ileriot's Hist. Can. p. 102. Jesuits' Jour, 1G6.?, Smith's Hist. Can. vol I. 
 
 1 [X U .Ilist Brit, Amer vol, 1. p. 176. 
 
I , 
 
 44 THE HISTORY [10(53, 
 
 The first shock continued without intermission f()r half an hour. 
 TV""yj ho..rs afterwards another violent shock was felt, and during tho 
 night no loss than thirty shocks took place. Slighter shocks were suh- 
 scciuently experienced at intervals till the month of August. This 
 oarthqnakc extended throughout Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Eng- 
 iand. There can bo no doubt that its effects were much exaggerated, 
 owing lo tho novelty of the occurrence, and tho extreme terror it 
 produced. The Jesuits' Journal, which s>;pplies very full details of tho 
 event, does not state that .any buildings .v re destroyed, and it says that 
 no person perished, a proof of itself that the danger was not very im- 
 minent. Tho geological formations in many parts of Canada, and partl- 
 cidarly the islands of the St, Lawrence, prove tho occurrence of severe 
 earth<piakcs and volcanic eruptions at some very remote period, but 
 there is no just grounds to supjjoso that the causes whieh originated 
 these changes now exist, or that this country will ever again bo subject 
 ed to severe visitations of tliis kind. 
 
 ?,-3 
 
 1603.] 
 
 Tho 
 
 repi 
 
 dial 
 lOO'J. Loi 
 (hu 
 diato CdiiiK 
 heoii ttHich 
 readily sun 
 and hcttiT 
 fully conip 
 of the ifov( 
 thiTc ycurs 
 pi'ilcipal o 
 llifJi 'rtc 
 causes, no 
 decided acc( 
 tho regul;!!' 
 Fraiiuo, aiii 
 consistt'd (. 
 togctlicr wi 
 act as Arto 
 M. do M, 
 pointMif-nt 
 oiK'o assiiini 
 liiiu M. de ( 
 pussos-ioii (, 
 gate tliL' cha 
 
 
 * SiiiitliV II 
 f Ilt'rioi's 11 
 

 1603.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Ai 
 
 CHAPTER 111. 
 
 THE GOVERx\:\IEXT OF ^SL l)K MEZY. 
 
 The reprosontatiotis of hiscomtnissioiior, as well as tlioscof the Caria- 
 
 dial: Bishop, who sti'oiigl}' ailvocaU'd iho rnca-iurc, doterininod 
 
 lOOo. Louis XIV. to (liMiiand their charter Iroiu " Tho ("oiiijiaiiy oi' 
 
 j One ITiiitdi'cd /Vssoeiates," and to place the culoiiy in immc 
 
 i diate connection with the crown. The [)i'olits ot' thf fm-trai' having 
 
 j, hocii niiich diniiiiisjicd by the hostility tit' the Iro(|ii(iis, the company 
 
 ^ readily surrendered their priviloires, an act which inan^ni'.ited a new 
 
 ! and better condition of things in Canada. As soon as the Iran>terwa5t 
 
 I fully coiii[deted, and the necessary arrangements made ('<>r iite conduct 
 
 ( of the government, a new Governor, M. de Mezy, was appointed for 
 
 t three yeai's. and an edict* published, which detined the powers of the 
 
 I priicipal odicers of the colony. 
 
 '; lIir,li-rto, with the exception of a tribunal for the decision of sm.a]l 
 
 causes, no <oiirt of law or C(iiiity existed in (anada, and the Governors 
 decided according to their pleasure, f but provision was now made tor 
 the remdar administration of justice, in conformity with the laws of 
 Trance and a sovereign council cr court of appeal was created. It 
 coiisisteil of the (iovernor, the Bishop of Quebec, and the li'ten<lant, 
 together with four others to be named by them, one ot whom was to 
 act as Attorney General, and anotlier as Cleik. 
 M. de Mezy, accompanied by the Bi>hop, to whom !io owed his ap- 
 ointiufut, arrived at Quebec in the latter pa-t of the summer, and at 
 
 rnment of the c<»lony. lie likewise l)i'(.)Ught with 
 liiin M. de (jaudais, who came out as tlu; King's I'ommissioner to take 
 possession of the cidony, to report on its condition, and al><) to investi- 
 
 P 
 
 once a>sumeii the gove 
 
 gate the charges against the Baron Je Avaugour. The latter willingly 
 
 • Sniitli's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 30, 37, ;;8, ^d. 
 t Ileriol's Hist. Can. p. 10-1. Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1, j). 3G. 
 
40 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1GG4. 
 
 I , 
 
 resigned his authority and returned to France, ^vhcrc ho found no diffi. 
 culty in satisfying liis sovereign how little he wu3 to Vilanie. lie after- 
 wards entered the servict; of the Emperor of Austria and was killed in 
 1004, while gallantly defending the fortress of Se'^in in Croatia against 
 the Turks. At. de Mezy brijULdit out with him the four hundred troops 
 already alluded to, and one hundred families of emigrants, with eattlo, 
 horses, and every description of agricultural implements. 
 
 As the (Jovernor was indebted f(ir his post t(j the IJi^hop, the Jesuits 
 supposed that he would prove much more tractable and more favora- 
 bly inclined to them than his predecessor. On this point they soon 
 found that they had made a serious mistake. The (Jovernor, like de 
 Avaugour, and a large party in France, viewed the growing influenco 
 of the order with the utmost dislike, and promptly applied iiimself to 
 lliwart its views in the colony.* But he soon discovered that the Jesuits 
 exercised an influence and power superior to his own. (Jwing to their 
 representations, or those of their creatures, Colbert determined on his 
 recall. On the other hand, the statements of Do Mezy in his 
 
 1004. own defence, had considerable weight at the French court, and 
 led to suspicions that the Jesuits had attained to greater influ- 
 ence in the colony, than was consistent with the interests of tlio 
 crown.* 
 
 While these events were in progress, Louis appointed the !Marquisde 
 
 Tracy viceroy of all the French possessions in the New World, v.illi 
 
 instructions to proceed to Canada, after making a tour of inspection 
 
 through St. Domingo and the Windward Islands, and to provide for its 
 
 futnre security l)y curbing the power of the Iroijuois. The Mar- 
 
 1005. tjuis had scarcely departed on his mission, when M. de Courcellcs 
 was directed to proceed to Canada to supersede de Mezy. In 
 
 conjunction with de Tracy, and Talon, the Intendant, ho was to form 
 a commission to investigate the complaints against his predecessor, and, 
 if necessary, was instructed to bring tiim to trial. But de Mezy dicJ 
 before even the intelligence of his recall had arrived, and thus escaped 
 the mortifications which he must have otherwise have been subjected to.f 
 
 THE GOVERNJIENT OF M. DE COURCELLES. 
 
 The Marquis de Tracy arrived at Quebec in the month of June, 
 bringing with him from the West Indies a portion of the regimen^ >i 
 
 • ConquoBt of Can. vol. 1. p. 287, llcriot's Hist. Can. p. 111. 
 f Do Mezy died 5th May, 1065, before he knew of his recall, — Jesuits' Jour. 
 The comtuisslon of liis sucessor was dated 23rd Mareh, 1665. 
 
 1005.] 
 
 Carigiian 
 an<] the r 
 Governo 
 children 
 The vii 
 respect t 
 liim to r 
 quently g 
 as to plae 
 secure ba: 
 liiclielieu 
 \vas name 
 construcle 
 and their ; 
 goes, the I 
 the Goven 
 ii future n 
 (Garahoiii 
 mIio had d 
 Korrow of; 
 But the 
 Conduct lei 
 country w 
 ? th 
 
 10(50. of 
 und 
 , f=iile his ai 
 ■ biscuit 
 oncountcn 
 lost, who li 
 j Coureelles 
 I toilsome j 
 
 I £nowt,liues 
 I ofFebruai 
 I ho detacher 
 'f iato an am 
 vounded 
 intellitre 
 'i princij>al ii 
 
 I • y>r full 
 ICOU. 
 
 11 
 
 /* 
 
[1G64. 
 
 1 no diffi- 
 IIo after. 
 , killod in 
 ia against 
 ed troops 
 ith cattle, 
 
 lie Jesuits 
 ■c fovora- 
 
 ihey soon 
 )!•, like di3 
 5 influenco 
 himself to 
 the J esuits 
 ig to their 
 iiicd on his 
 lezy in his 
 
 court, and 
 cater influ- 
 sts of tho 
 
 ^farfiuisde 
 orkl, with 
 inspection 
 
 )vide for its 
 
 The Mar. 
 
 (V)urcellcs 
 
 ]\Iezy. In 
 
 A-as to form 
 
 cessor, and, 
 Mezy difJ 
 ins escapc'l 
 bjecLcd to.j 
 
 Xh of June. 
 rcaimen^ '' 
 
 -Jesuits' Jouf. 
 
 1005.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 CariiTnan, and M'as soon afterwards joined by Governor dc Courcclles, 
 and the rem .iniiig companies of this corps. In tlie same fleet ^vith the 
 Governor came out HiO adult male emigrants, and b'-l women and 
 children ; sheep and horses, and a large s-upply of stores. 
 
 The vicer(jy prom[>tly apjilied himself to fulfd his instructions with 
 respect to the Iro<iuois. The force at his command readily cnaLled 
 him to repel their usual summer forays, and the harvest was consc- 
 qiieiitly gathered in security. To cheek their future inroads, as well 
 as to place troops in close proximity to their own country, and afford a 
 secure base for ofllnsive operations, forts were erected on the river 
 Kichelieu at Sorid, at ("hambly, auil at a point above the rapids, which 
 was named St. Theresa. The vigorous manner in which these were 
 constructed, as well as the bolder front now assumed lj_\ the French 
 and their allies, discouraged the Irotpiois for the time. Ihe Oiionda- 
 goes, the Cayugas, and the Senecas sent deputies to Quebec, to assure 
 the Governor of their jicaceable dispositi'^n, and their desire to maintain 
 ii fiituri' a good understanding with the French. One of tlie deputies 
 ((jaralmuthie) [)ronounced an elo'iuent euloginm on Father lu Moyne, 
 who had died in his country a short time previous, and declared the 
 Korrow of his people for the event. 
 
 But the Mohawks and Oneidas still kept haughtily aloof, and as this- 
 conduct lelt no donbt of their hostility, a winter cxpetiition into their 
 country was resolved upon to punish them for the numerous injuries 
 they had ii ''icted on the colony.* This cxpeililion, composeil 
 lt»00. of oOO soldiers and 200 militia, left Quebec on tlu t»ih January, 
 under the command of de Courcelles. ]']aeh man carried, be- 
 side his arms and the necessary warn", clothing!', twenly-five pounds of 
 biscuit. During the march to the Richelieu the greatest hardships were 
 encountered, owing to the severity of the weather, and some men were 
 lust, who had to be replaced Irom the garr'sous on that ri\ jr. Still de 
 ("oureelles resolutely persevered in the cntrrpr's'-. and after a long and 
 toilsome journey, the greattu- part of which hi-- ti'oops performed with 
 8no\v bhoes, he found himself in the vicinity of Selienectady on the DlK 
 of February. In the evening some Indians making tlu'lr ai>])earanco, 
 ho detached sixty of his best marksmen in jiirsuil. "Jhes*' were led 
 iato an ambuscade, and had an ollieer and ten men slain and seven 
 wounded. 
 
 intelligenee of this affair speedily reach, 1 Albany, three of whofo 
 priiicijial inhabitants were despatched to eiiipiiry the causc of the inva- 
 
 ' V >r full dotail.-i of tbi-s oxpoilition sec liclution, di;. la Aims ■, ll J'nuicf, ICf 6, 
 ICoo. 
 
48 
 
 THE ITTSTORY 
 
 [ir.Gr,. 
 
 of Enirlii^li territ' 
 
 ot 
 
 sion ot I'Jifrlii^H territory. ]\I. de Courcollt-s stated, that lie was ri 
 aware of bcinj^ on irromul belonging to England, that he had come 
 solely to seek out and puiiisli tlie Mohawks foi- tlic numerous hijurics 
 they had (h>ne to the [)ooi)l(! of Canada, declared himself willing to pay 
 in xiionoy for provisions, and requested that his wounded men might bo 
 tdlccn to Albany and attended to, ivhieh was done. Min.'h lo his cliag- 
 rin however, he learned that he was still three days' march from the 
 villages of tlurMohawIvs, wliich wore well fortified after the usu;il In- 
 dian manner, and would be resolutely defended. Under these circum- 
 stances he resolved n|to;i a retri'at, and on the I'^th of February put 
 his little army in nntion on their return. Thi^ ^lohawks despatched a 
 body of warriors in pursuit, but so ra[)idly did tlu; French retire, that 
 these luul to rest satisfied with the capture, of thrive stragglers fiom the 
 main body, and the scalps of five men who had perished from hiiiigcr 
 i-.nd cold.^^ 
 
 But, although this expedition fiuled in its object of sur|U'ising the 
 Mohawks, and of indicting a severe chastisement on them while unpre- 
 pared to defend themsolvis, the hardihood and courage which it dis- 
 played, made a most salutary impression on the confederate; tribes. 
 They no longer felt themselves safe from attack ; and feared that the 
 evils of iiivasitm and plur.der, which they had so often inflieted on the 
 Canadians, would now be retaliated on themselves. The statements of 
 the prisoners captured by the ^Mohawks strengthened this supposition ; 
 and in the following May deputies again arrived fronn the three western 
 tribes to demand the continuance of peace. The Oneidas speedily re- 
 solved to follow their example, aiid used their influence with the Mo- 
 hawks to send deputies also to Quebec, to make peace with '' Onon- 
 thio." But these haughty wmriors refused to become suitors in this 
 way. The Oneiilas, they s;iid, might represent them, and they would be 
 bound by their acts, but tliis was all they would concede. At the same 
 time, they took the most etlectual method of prevejiting the conclusion 
 of peace. One of their scouting parties massacred three oflicers in 
 the vicinity of Fort Anne, recently erected on an island in Eake Cham- 
 plain, and ca[)iured some prisoners. To punish this outrage, Captain 
 do S(>rel promptly eoIU-eted a force of thrci; hundred men, and led 
 them by f'jre"il marches towards the villages of the Mohawks. The 
 latter were sp(>cdi!y ncp.iainttMl with this movement, and feeling them- 
 selves uiuvblo singly to oppose the French, now resolved upon siibmis- 
 niisoion. Two d.'putios were despatched to meet de 8orel. Theso 
 took their pi isonors with them, and were instructed to olTer reparation 
 
 IGOG.] 
 
 for the n 
 while stil 
 tions so a| 
 to Quebec 
 the second 
 roy. The 
 cers, one c 
 111 a trans) 
 and forget! 
 mediately 
 There v 
 prompt aui 
 The death 
 the French 
 all events, 
 not eiidang 
 into the Mi 
 nnd 
 nm. the 
 100 
 The mail 
 son. althon; 
 vanguard, 
 were on th 
 thom to api 
 fled at thcii 
 Hitherto 
 their home; 
 fortune the 
 I'ior force, 
 eomfortal)l\ 
 :ifier anotlu 
 deiitly coll 
 stronghold 
 ofpulisudes 
 
 contained In 
 two field pit 
 into the reci 
 
 Jllerev (if til 
 
 » Doo. iri<f 
 
 Ijift. Can. vu 
 
OF CANADA. 
 
 49 
 
 sulnnis- 
 These 
 
 ■naratioii 
 
 inoc] 
 
 for the murder of the tliree ofluers. The deputies met tli(^ l-'rench 
 \vhi!c still distant sixty miles from their villa;ji's. and tlu-ir protcsla- 
 lions so appeased de Sorid, that ho returned and had them e<.udueted 
 to Quebec. Here they were treated with no small (•oiisideration, and 
 the second day after their arrival were invited to dinner with the viee- 
 I'ov. The conversation chancing to turn on one of the murdi'red oHi- 
 cers, one of the ^l<ihawks boasted that it was he who had killed him. 
 In a transport of rage de Tracy told him he should never kill an(>ther, 
 and forgetful of kis character as an and.Kis'^ador, ordered him to be im- 
 mediately strangled. 
 
 There was no course now left open to the viceroy, but thai of a 
 
 prompt and vigorous invasion of the Mohawks in their own country. 
 
 The death of their chief could only strengthen their enmity towards 
 
 the French, and his policy now was to extirf).ite them if possible, or, at 
 
 all events, to so weaken their power that their hostility in I'uture would 
 
 not endanger the repose of the colony. l''reparations for an expedition 
 
 into the Mohawk country, on a larger scale than ever, were at once 
 
 nndertaken, an(.l so vigorously wei'o fhey prosecuted, that by 
 
 \*'ii')(). the end of September a force of 1200 soldiers and militia, and 
 
 100 Indians, rendezvoused at Fort Anne in Lake (.^hamplain. 
 
 The main body of this force wu? commanded by do Tracy in per- 
 son, although he was now seventy years of age : de Courcellcs ](>d the 
 vanguard. During the march jtrovisions fell so short that the troops 
 were on the eve of nmtiny, but fortunately a chesnut grove (iiiabled 
 thorn to appease their hunger, and the deserted villages of the enemy, Avho 
 fled at their approach, soon after supplied them with abundance of food. 
 
 Tfltherto the Mohawks had waged war for years without h.iving had 
 their homes desecrated by a foe, but they were now subjected to a mis- 
 fortune they had so often inflicted on others. Overpowered by a supe- 
 rior force, they were compelled to behold their homes, much more 
 oomfortai)ly constructed than those of the other nati'-e tribes, g" /en one 
 :ifier another to the flames; and the stores r ■' .urn, which they had pru- 
 dently eollected. plundered or destroyed by their invatlers. One 
 vtrnu^rholcl they resolveil to delcnd. It was protectvul by a triple line 
 <il' palisades twenty feet in height, flanked by bastions at the ;i;;iilt"--. and 
 contained large stores of provisions. Hut as the J.-'rench approached with 
 two lii'ld pieces to the assault their coinage failed them, and they fled 
 into the reccsso>- of the, fofi!st, leaving a few old men and women to the 
 luonv (d their foes.* 
 
 * Doc. lliM. \ow York. vol. 1. p. (■,{•, 10, lloriot's llisf. Can. ]-. .1'.il. ,'.-init!)'f 
 liift. Can. vul. 1. p. s;;. 
 
I . 
 
 60 THE HISTORY [lOGT., 
 
 ramino was now the fiorccst oneiiiy whicli tlic Moliawks could liavc 
 lo deal with. They miisfc oither await its dL'stnielivu ravages in tlioir 
 own country, or scatter lhemsolvo.9 among the other Iroquois to ob- 
 tain sustoiance during the coming winter. In both cases they -would 
 bo powerless for ofTensivc operations : so de Tracy satisfied with the 
 success he liad achieved, put his troops in motion on their return. 
 After suffering from a storm on Lal;o Champlaiu, in which ciglit men 
 \vcrc drowned, they arrived in Canada, wliere their return was weieom- 
 od Ijy the acclamations of a grateful peoj)le, and a Te Deu:n in the Ca- 
 thedral of Quebec. 
 
 The viceroy now streniithened the scttli'ments on the St. Lawrence. 
 as the surest mode to repress the fiiture incursions of the Iroquois. At 
 the same time an attempt was made to carry out a royal edict, direct- 
 ing the inhabitants to collect as much as possible in villages, ?o as to 
 act in concert in case of attack. This was, however, found to be im- 
 practicable, owing to the seallered manricr in which the clear- 
 1<>()7. injis had alrcadv Ireen male. One of the last acts of tlie vice- 
 roy, before his dejtarture, was to confirm the " West India Com- 
 pany" in all the privih'ges previously appertaining to the " C<jmpany of 
 One Hundred Associates;" and thus Canada was again subjected to a 
 monopoly, which operated most injuriously to her prosperity. 
 
 The departure of de Tracy placed the chief autliority of the colony 
 
 in the hands of de Courcelles under most favoriible circurn- 
 
 1G(»8. stances. The IrO(piois earnestly sued for peace, whicii was now 
 
 established with better jtrospectsof continuance tiian ever before. 
 
 In civil aflairs the Governor had an able coadjutor in the Intendant, 
 
 or chief colonial judge, M. Talon, who lost no opportunity to servo 
 
 the colony, and develupe its resources. This pro«j)erons conditiorr o! 
 
 matters induced the greater part of the officers and men of •'..e 
 
 l«')t)i>. regiment of Carignan to setlle in the country. To siippl\ the 
 
 latter with wives the gnverr.ment sent out several Inmdred 
 
 women from France. Many ot these were not of the purest reputation. 
 
 yt't so great was the matiimonial demand, that the whole cargo wa? 
 
 disjioscd of in a fortnight after their arrival. 
 
 Ill 1070 the peace which had so h.appily been established was se- 
 riously nuMiaced. The robbery and murder of an Indian chief. 
 1(570. o.i his way to dispose of his furs, I y three French soldi. ts, and 
 some quarrels belween the Senecas and Outawas, threatened 
 Again to (ie)uge the colony with all the horrors of warfare. The Gover- 
 nor promptly [iroeeeded to iilontn^d, had the soldie ^ tried and exe- 
 cuted for the murder in the presence of the asscniTiK'd. Indians, wIm'T 
 lij declared he would punish with the same scven'ty if thev disturbs ! 
 
 10/0.] 
 
 the publ 
 
 tations. 
 
 l)ec, whe 
 
 But a 
 
 about to 
 
 its aj>pc; 
 
 (Some of 
 
 swept av 
 
 barter tL 
 
 oiii'e cro\ 
 
 liuui. Ti 
 
 vears suli 
 
 not one s 
 
 a'iie sa 
 
 en 
 
 1071. ed 
 
 W( 
 
 the I'cligii 
 
 huildiiig \ 
 
 Cayuga Ii 
 
 Cap.aila. 
 
 os(.abIi-.he 
 
 the Laclii 
 
 til': ui>uni 
 
 ail oxpcri 
 
 (vow necc 
 
 dwelling 
 
 oount IT 
 
 fliicntlv, 
 
 ITiitcCtioll 
 
 of St. Mai 
 CO lies, ae 
 erection o 
 that ho h 
 Althoui 
 tive allies, 
 r"cti(jns. 
 
 ^tl'llgglc M 
 
 selves. ( 
 
 otice saw 
 
 ■ito Camn 
 
 'to luad 
 
io:o.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 51 
 
 till' |»iiblic poaoo. B)' this inipartlal ctjiiduct, aiiJ his prudL'iit represen- 
 tation-:, he iiidiicctl tlie Uiitawas and Seiiocas to send deputies to Que- 
 bec, wheie iheir disjiutes were satisfact<jrily arraiigeil. 
 
 Biit a more dcstnietive fue than even the Iroipiois was now 
 about to aflbet the hapless red men of Canada. 'J'he small pt)\ made 
 its appearance ainoni;-.t tlu'm this year with the nior^l fatal virulence. 
 Some of the small tribes resident north o! Quebec were almost whully 
 j-wept away. Tadoussac, where I'iOO hidians annually assembled to 
 barter their rich furs, was completely deserted ; and I'liree liivcrs, 
 once crowded with the Aljfouquins^ wis now never vi>ited by a red 
 iiKUi. Time did not abate the ravages of this fatal disease. A tew 
 years subse([Uently it attacked ihe Indians of Sillery, aud out of 150O 
 not one survived. 
 
 The salutary dread with whieh the French ha^l iusplred the Indians^ 
 enabled de Courtelk's, during the succeeiling year, to interpose- 
 lt)7i. elTectually between the >Seiiecas and the I'outeoualamis, a 
 westtM'U tribe, fnr the preservation of j)eace. At the same time^ 
 the religious and politieal z ■al of the Jesuit missionaries, was fast 
 building up an influcncial French jiarty among the Oiiondago and 
 Cayuga Irorpiois. ^Many of the converts had alreatly come to reside in 
 Cauaila. These were now separated from the Huron Christians, and 
 ostabli-.hod in a distinct settlement of their own at Cauiflinawajia, near 
 the Lachinc IJapids. Freneh infliiciice was also strengthened among 
 the disiant tribes of the north-west by the mission of Nicholas Perrot, 
 an cxpi'rienced traveller, who had embraced the service of the Jesuits 
 from necessity. This bold adventurer penetrated among the tribes 
 dwelling on the borders cf the upner lakes, took i)Osscssiun of tlieir 
 count IT in the name of hi;* sov . jigi;, and speaking their language 
 fluentl}', he readily persuaded them to con^ider themselves under the 
 jipiitectlon of the Governor of Canada, and to send dejiutios to the Falls 
 of St. Mary. Here Uiey were n'iet by the representative of de Cour- 
 oelles, acknowledged the sovereignty of his king, and witnessed the 
 erection of a cross bearing the royal arms of France, as an evidence 
 that he hid 'aken possession of tlieii' soil. 
 
 Although the Iroquois wore at peace with the I'rench and their na- 
 tive allies, they were far too rc-tless not to carry their arms in other di- 
 ri'ctions. On their southern borders they terminated a long and fierce 
 struggle with two tribes, by a tbial defeat, and incorporation w Ilh them- 
 fclves. Of this event de Coureelles was duly made aware, an.l he ut 
 once saw the necessity of imposing new barriers to their future forays 
 ltd Canada. A fort at Catar.iqni, at the foot of T.ake Ontario and at 
 h.! h ad of the St. Lawrence, would form an excellent base f<.>r opera- 
 
no 
 
 THE TIISTOIiY 
 
 [1072. 
 
 I , 
 
 tions at any limo aiLrniiist the wt'-^fcrn Irorniois, as well as a valiiablo 
 tratliiiif |iost. Ilurc, lie acc.'ocdiii^ly iiu'l, the (It'piitios of those nations 
 in ixTsoii, cxplaiMCMl lliat lie wiNlicd to rstal)li>li a tra<liiij; post in the 
 iicijfiilidfhood, and ohfaiiu'd tlicir consent thereto, (iiatideil at the 
 buceess of his plans thus lai', lie I'etiiiiied lo Qiiehee to (Ind iiis siu'oos- 
 sor nlrcady arrived in llie person of J^ouis de lUiado, Count dv Vroh- 
 tenao, 
 
 J lis failinif licalth liad ]>rovlous1y oompollod do CourooUcs to solicit 
 liis recall, and he returned home followed l>y the rcjirots of the niajo- 
 rity of the inhabitants, to wlinm his cliivalrdus courai^c and prosperous 
 adininisti'atioii had endeared him. ^Vitil the religious orders, now be- 
 coming an important eletneiit in Canadian society, h(^ was far li'om po- 
 pular; and the. -lesults, whose views he especially thwarted, reirardod 
 him with positive dislike. AVisely leavinu the chief burden of tlie civil 
 administration to the Intendant, M. Talon, an able and judicious man. 
 vhose greatest fault was that ho detered too much to the clerical orders, 
 the colony flourished greatly under his rule taking the exactions of French 
 iTionojioly into eonsidt'i'aliou. The. Iroipiois ii'ared him for his coni'agc. 
 and respected him for his love of justi(;e and moderation, (|ualities 
 which ilso won for him the sincere respect of the Indian allies of the 
 French. He sinccndy d(^sired the prosperity of Canada, and prior to 
 his departure other cares did not prevent him from imj)rcssing upon 
 his successor, the necessity of a fort at Cataraqui to insure its contin- 
 
 * 
 
 uancc. 
 
 THE GOVEKN:\rENT OF THE COUNT DE FliONTENAC. 
 
 The Count do Frontenac was already a lieutenant general, and had fre- 
 quently distinguished himself as a soldier. Bi'ave, talented, and possessed 
 of most of the viilues of the old nobility of France, he likewise 
 1672. inherited many of iheir vices. His noble descent as well his 
 military education, made him haughty and overbearing in his 
 manners. It was his nature to command — he wished to rule alone. 
 This circumstance of itself soon rendered him nnjiopular with the Je- 
 suit fathers, to whom his great personal infltjcnceat the French court and 
 ntimerous friends made him very formidable. The free and ensv man- 
 ners of a colony, where equality o\' possessions, however limited in ex- 
 tent when compared with its Ang!o-Sa.\on neighbor, (and burdened al- 
 ready with the " Seignorial Tenure" system), had planted th(i incipieni 
 seeds of democracy, was little suited to the Count : and tiiose who knew 
 
 fm 
 
 1G73.] 
 
 him bcs 
 
 es])ccial 
 
 Con reel 1 
 
 the intei 
 
 ence <Jin 
 
 .)lied for 
 
 at his pt 
 
 footing. 
 
 F'lalte 
 
 \ 
 
 VuPi. 1( 
 
 gi 
 
 Indians h 
 
 venturou: 
 
 Michiuan 
 
 Mississip 
 
 sa 
 
 1674. re 
 
 Jolict des 
 the exped 
 France, h 
 Canada 
 loss, her 
 despotic 
 him and 
 vcighinfj 
 -•Attorney 
 the Intent 
 and thui- 
 wM 
 
 16^."). IlK 
 
 thi 
 to Louis 
 received 1 
 The de 
 
 Vei 
 107(5, set 
 
 res 
 had come 
 
 * ll-riof, 
 1' p. bO. 
 
107.'{.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 53 
 
 L-.^ 
 
 i^-,JA 
 
 him bi'st .aii£rurc'(l ft Uuw order <if lliiiijfs on his jii'i'iviil. To },\. Talon 
 {•specially, this [irospcct was most uin>h'a-ant. 'I'lu' iiiddlfiici' of do 
 Coiircclk'.s in civil alliiirs, had hitluTto jfivni him a iiriii('i|ial .>hart' in 
 the internal administration ol the colony. I iiw illinjf t" havi- his inlhi- 
 cnoc diminished he had some time hilnre dr I'rontniac's aiTJval ap- 
 plied for his recall, but had been prevailed u|miii by the Kiiii: loriinaiii 
 at his post, until its alliiirs shonhl be platx'd on a more ['crmaiient 
 fuotiiif^. 
 l-"laltere(l by tlu; compliment his soviTcIifn had paid him, tiie zeal of 
 
 AI. Talon was stimulated to tVi'sh exertions in his scrviee. In 
 10T3. 107.'> he despalcheil Father ArarijUrtti', a .lesuit, and .lolit'f, a 
 
 geo^raphei' of Quebec, to search lor the ;rreat river whieh tho 
 Indians hatl so often deseribed as llowing towards the south. These ad- 
 venturous men, accompanied by six voyageurs, boldly navigated Lake 
 Mieliigaii in bark canoes, ascended Fox K'iver, and linally stiiiek tlio 
 Mississippi in 42, oO north latitude. Descending its stream till they 
 
 satisfied tliemselvcs that it flowed into the <iull'ot' Mexico, they 
 1674. retraced their course towards Canada. Mar([iiotto subsiNpient- 
 
 ly decided to remain among the Indiaiisof the north- W(.st, while 
 Jolict descended to Quebec to inform Talon of the gi'atifying residts of 
 the expedition. Ho found that the Intendant had already dejiarted for 
 France, his successor du Chesneau having arrived. 
 
 Canada now enjoyed a long re[)0se from Indian warfare. Neverthe- 
 less, her prosperity was far less rapid than it might have been. Tho 
 despotic conduct of the Governor led to continual f[uarrels between 
 hin\ and the other principal ofTieials. lie imprisoned a priest for in- 
 veighing against him from the altar, exiled, of his own authority, the 
 Attorney (General and all the councillors, came to an open rupture with 
 the Intendant, filled the princi{)al departments with his own creatures, 
 and thus became the sovereign arbiter of the colony, which ho ruled 
 
 with a rod of iron. The surrender of its charter Ity the West 
 ins,"). India Company, rather increased than dimiiushed his power, of 
 
 the arbitrai'y ex((rci:ie of which frequent complaints were nnido 
 to Louis XI\'., v.hich, however, owing to the influence of his friends, 
 received but very litile attention."- 
 The departure of ^l. Tahju and the death of Father ^rarquette, pre- 
 
 vented for some time tlie prosecution of fresh discovery and 
 1G7(». settlement on tho Mississipjii. In 1*»7(> this project was again 
 
 resumed by the Sieur de la Salle, a young man of family, who 
 had come to Canada to discover, if possible, some route to Japan and 
 
 * ir.riot's Hist. Ciin. [>. 14',». tSmitli's Hist. Ciii!. vol. 1. y. 08. Bill. Anier. vol. 
 1. p. bU. 
 
51 
 
 TlIK llISTOilY 
 
 [1077. 
 
 Cirnia; or, In otlicr words, a north-west passage by land, so lonj; fruit- 
 lessly soiijflit afl<'r at sea. 'J'liiis open to selienu'S of adventure and pro- 
 fit, lln' repr(.'S('ii(;iti<ins of .loliot, lirud liis imaiflnation. and Ik; ri'solved 
 l(j descend tin' Mississippi t(j its month, m hifli hu tidt confident must be 
 somewhere in the (julf of Mexieo. lie speedily won the favor of dc 
 
 Frontenac, was by hitn sent to i'' ranee to lay his plans before 
 IGTT. thc! Kintr, baekrd with strong recommendations from hi.'nself. 
 
 anil met with tiie giv.m. -it sueeoss. Louis Xl\'. granti-d him the 
 seigniory of Cataiaipu, betowed on him ihi! government of the l\>rt 
 there (Frontenac) on condition that he shunld canse it to Ite rebuilt with 
 stone, Invested him with the privileges of carrying on a free commerce, 
 anil autiioiized hin) to resume the discoveries on the ^Iississij»pi. 
 
 Encouraged by the success of his mission, la Salle returned with thirty 
 
 'vorkmen and pilots to Quebec, where he arrived on the ir)th of 
 1078. Septi'mber. Afier a brief slay thert; he ascended to Furt Fron- 
 tenac, V liieh he j)romptly rebuilt with stone. At the same time 
 he had a l>arijue constructed in which he sailed to Niagara, where he 
 erected a small fort, and whence he vigorously prost-euted the fur-trade 
 M'ith the Senecas, wlK)se country he traversed on foot. Ably aided by 
 de Tonti, iiis second in command, another banpie was constructed on 
 
 Lake P^rie during the following summer,* in which he enibark- 
 1070. ed with forty men en route for ]\[aekinaw.f IJut a (ierce storm 
 
 by water and hardshij)s on land disheartened his followers, many 
 of whom deserted him. Leaving de Tonti in command of a fort he had 
 built on the Illinois, he returned to Frontenac for assistance and sup- 
 plies, as he still, with unshaken resolution, determined to persevere. 
 
 IIo retraced his way westward with a reinforcement of twenty 
 1G80. men, ti'aversed the great " Father of liivers" to its month, and 
 
 after enduring hardships of the severest kind an<l enconntering 
 1683. many dangers, returned to Qnebec in the spring of 1()8*>, He 
 
 sailed soon afterwards for France, and found little dilliculty in 
 equipping an expedition to proceed to the ^lississippi, consisting of 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 * Modern usngo lias abbreviated tlio buif^ Indian naineof Maobiliinakinae, given 
 to tlio strait or river connecting Lakes Huron and Michigan into Mackinaw. I 
 have used the hittia* jihrase as much tlie more desirable. I likewise use the mo- 
 dern names of jilaces, Indian tribes, Ac., whenever it can be done with proi>riet.y. 
 Many recent writers on Canada persist in using obsolete nanus for places and 
 tribes, which only tend to coniuse the reader. Even "Warburton falls into this 
 error very frequently, and npjilies terms to the Iroquois and other Indians, 
 whi^h were used by the old French writers and none olh<>rs. 
 
 \ A census taken this year gave 841/5 souls ns the mimljcr of French inhabi- 
 tants in the colony — Char. vol. 1. p. 407 
 
Mm,] OF CANADA. 
 
 four vesstls and '200 imn. riilortiinatcly tlio latitude of tlio 
 mouth liatl not liocii correctly asccrtaiiu'd. Ilo sailed on 
 
 1G85. di'cd Icaifuos too far .southward, fornitd a scttli'Micnt in ttio I>ay 
 St. Hi'rnard, and was nuirderi'd by his mutinous followers, while 
 
 1<»87. wandirin'? in the interior in soareh of the falnilous mines of St. 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
 ?5 
 
 
 
 river'd 
 
 • *' 
 
 
 hnn- 
 
 
 
 ]Uvh 
 
 J lis deatii ijrol< 
 
 ■ttlenieiit. 
 
 (1 b 
 
 liarhe. Jlis ueatn nrokc n[) tiic setiienienr. ^onie oicd 
 hunger, others were massacred by the Indians; otiu rs aijain were en- 
 cotnitered by the Spaniards, and sent to labor in tlu' mines. Seven 
 men only returned to Canada to relate the dreatlful story of tlieir mis- 
 fortunes.* 
 
 > ■ .' 
 
 * . > • 
 
 « Smith's Hi.st. Can. vol. I. p. Cu,, Gfi. Ilcriot's ni«t. Ciiti. p. ],M — K't'. fvL- 
 ^ucst of Clin. vol. 1. p. 207. Kdjiiul, vol. 3. p. 40'..'. 
 
 .. • 
 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 WEBSTER, ;4.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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60 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 [1082. 
 
 CIIAPTKli IV 
 
 TlIK CiOVKIIN^rKNT OF M. DK L.V llAUUE. 
 
 Nearly ten years hail now clapst'd since the accession of do Frontc- 
 nac to tlie (ioveniniciit of the oniony, yet lie iH-niained haughty 
 1()S'2. and iinyiehJin^f as ever. 'I'he Intendant, dii Chesiiean, a man al- 
 most as despotie as liinT^i-lt. still darkened the pathway of his 
 power, and time instead of diniinishiiiji imd added to their nuilnal dis- 
 lilie. l)olh had their partizans at the, j-'reiieh court, and while the 
 numerous complaints against tlu; (Jovernor had weaixciied the hanils of 
 his friends, tlu^ inlriifiies of the .lesuits placed du Clusneau daily in a 
 better posit'ou, till l)e came to l)e looked upon as aliojiether tho ag- 
 grieved |>aity. Hut linally, to terminate the dilliculty, and to gratify, 
 in some measure, the (jovernor's Irirnds, both were recalled. The 
 Count, had .Nf. de la I'arre forhis siieci'ssoi- : tlu' Inieiuhint, A[. di'>reulcs. 
 
 'I'he new (lovernor entered upon his functions at a critical period for 
 Canada. The transfer of the Dutch settlements in the State of New 
 York to (ireat Urilain, had placed a powerful and energetic rival in im- 
 neiliate commuu'cation with tlii' Iroipiois and the other Indian tribes. 
 Trade had already taught the Ked ^laii. who had intercourse with Eu- 
 ropeans, to discriminate between the relative valiu' of similar merchan- 
 dize, and he soon discovered tliat the English traders sold much 
 cheaper than the l-'reiich. The Iroipiols, who still cordially disliked tho 
 lattiT, wu're not slow to avail themselves of this circumstance to their 
 disadvantage, and endeavoured to divcit the current of trade from the St, 
 Lawrence to their own comitry. Xor were these politic pi'ople, who 
 scarcely nu'rit the name of savages at this per'od, by any means misnc- 
 cessful. They introduc(>d the i'^nglish traders among the western tribes, 
 weakene<l French itilluetice even among the ( )utawas and otlu :'s of their 
 allies, and thus gave asei'ious blow to the Canadian fur-trade at its very 
 source. The murder of a missionary friar by the Scnccas, isolated col- 
 lisions with French trappers, and occasional forays into the hunting 
 grounds of friendly tribes displayed additioinil ill-feeling on the part ot 
 
 10.S"v>. 
 
 the Iro 
 tilolli 
 
 pro\oc 
 
 aloii!,' t 
 
 In pi 
 
 ly api 
 
 poxitiol 
 
 which li 
 Sent col 
 the colli 
 selli^h 
 fbrcciiic 
 undcital 
 aNn wa> 
 niag;i/iii 
 to which 
 The r, 
 warded i 
 Canadian 
 
 GoVi'llloi 
 
 with M. 
 A C(j|'res 
 from coin 
 ainicalile 
 trallic, ]]' 
 Older of 
 fe; 
 l»;8:i. re 
 
 fol 
 
 quently ii 
 laiitly (let 
 These r 
 ly pre par 
 giiiia Indi: 
 Other aire 
 and to cat 
 time he s( 
 fruitlessly 
 reiiuiiii IK 
 
 f Ilori 
 
10N2.1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 r>7 
 
 •ull'S. 
 
 il for 
 N 
 
 cw 
 
 111 im- 
 •ibcs. 
 1 Eu- 
 chan- 
 
 Iniuoh 
 
 (1 tlio 
 
 tlu'lr 
 
 lie 
 
 w 
 
 St, 
 ho 
 
 MSUC- 
 
 Irihes, 
 
 Ithoir 
 
 •ory 
 
 Il col- 
 
 |iling 
 
 rtot" 
 
 
 the In)i|iioi-<. 'lime liiiil wcaktiii'd tlirlr ihcail of '• ( (iioiitliio."' .irn! al- 
 tl)(iii;.'li llii'V vv('i\! still iiiiwilliiiix f<» f'tiu' to an i>|i.n rii|itiii(', lnil litllf? 
 provocaliuii was iu'(f>s;ii y to rr-kiinlle tlir llaiuu (jI savairi^warlaro 
 alonu 1 1"' •'^t- l-awn iici'.* 
 
 Ill I'lirsiiaiici.' of his iii>tnictiiiiis fioin tlu' Kiii^.t tic la li.iiTi" prompt- 
 ly applii'il liiinsoH on his arrival to [ilai'f |iiililic inatttrs in ;i luitcr 
 position. lie su:iiiiioiu'il a i.'ouin'il ot' tliu cliicf nu-ii ot tlir culnny, 
 which h<* instructed to report on the eaiHes that hail proilneed tin- pre- 
 sont eondltioii ut'allairs, and to state the reiriedi(!s necessary to restorir 
 the country to prosperity. This repnit. alter shduini^ the eral't\ .iiiil 
 sdlish policy ot the iriKpKijs, proved the necessity of adiiilioii,il rein- 
 forccniunts of troops ;uid eiiiiiirants hefme otleiisive operations could ho 
 undertaken aixainst lliem with any pruspcct of success; and ihalinoiioy 
 also was wanlinu tu ijiiild ho.iis to naviixate hake Ontario, ti' I'rect 
 nia;,M/iiu's lor [irovisions, and toenver the p-ncral cxjiciises of the war, 
 to which the resources nf the cojniiy were wholly inadeijiiati'. 
 
 'Jlic report met the appi'ivaj .if the < inverimr. who promptly for- 
 warded it to l'"raii''e. I.uuis now aware of the critical enndition ot' his 
 Canadian possessions, ohtaini-d an order Iroiii the licentious ( 'harles to 
 Governor I)oii!.'aii. of New ^'ork, to ma'iitaiii a iiotxl iniderstandini: 
 with M. de la llarri". ol which ordi-r the latti'r was tliily made aware. 
 A correspondence ensued hitwfeii iln- two (loveniors, which apart 
 from courteous prole^sioiis ot' iiiijividnal ^ood will, did not lead to very 
 amicalile results, hoie^'in was too di-.irous to ri'taiii the we-.teru 
 tralllc, now verv lucrative, at Niw York, to pay much aiteiition to the 
 order ()f his sovereiiiii. The Iro.pc/is knew well they had nothiiiu to 
 fear from him, and while de la Uarre's conri»'r was still on his 
 1083. return to Qiieluc, a scouting party of ih" Stn.cas attacked 
 fourteen ("anadiuii trader^. sei/<'(l iheir inerrhaiidi/e. and suhsc- 
 qucntly investrd the French jio^t on the illiiiuis river, which was gaF 
 laiitiv det'cndcd hv the Chevalier de l'ani.'V. 
 
 These oiitraircs, as well as interi^rc'iici' that the Iroijuois were secret- 
 ly preparin;^ I'or lioslilities, and iiad already sent deputies to the \'ir. 
 giiiia Indians to prcvi'iit an attack frcuii that quarter, let'i de la JJarre no 
 other alternative hut war. Me now resolved to strike tiu! first hlow, 
 and to carry hostilities at once into the St'iieca count rv. At the same 
 time he son<;ht to weaken the cont'cdi'racv hv endeavoiini:, althoiiirh 
 fruitlessly, to persuade the Mohawks, Oneidas, and the ( )nandagoes to 
 remain neutre in the event of a war. Their mediation helwecii the 
 
 1 
 
 • Doc. Hi-t. Now York v..l. 1. p. Ofi. 
 f Ileriofs Hist, Ciui. p. Itil, 162. Sinilii'u liist. Can. vol. 1. p. 'J3, Ot. 
 
5S 
 
 Tin: iiisToijY 
 
 [lOfti. 
 
 IGSo.] 
 
 I , 
 
 French niid the Sciu'cas, in tlio i>n .ri.t cmorjionoy, was nil those trihci^ 
 woiiM ruiicul". Il'lhis wi'fc rt'liisi'il t!icy avowi'd :i (h'tcniiiiiiilioii lu 
 nijikc coiiiiiioM caii'^i.' wiUi tlicir oonfedcratt'-;, jiiiil statctl, that in lliis 
 ojisi', tlicy iiail rcctivi'<l assiiriiin'c of aniplc sii|>[)(ii-t Woin Xrw Yoi-k.* 
 
 The trailing posts i's(ali!i>hfil at (lillrrciit jxiints among th»' Imliaiis 
 
 of thi^ nurlii-wot, iravc tin' I'^ri'iicli s<( much inni'.cncc in tliat ilircction, 
 
 that a Ijuiiy of r>00 wai'riors was s]icc(lilv drawn to;xc'!icr to co-o[icrato 
 
 wiih liic force, con-i>tiiiii of TOO mililia, I'M soiiTmrs, anil *200 
 
 1()8|. Indians, ntidcr the' command of de la IJarri*, which moved n( - 
 
 wards iVom Montreal on the "ilst otMuly, cii route tor Niagiua, 
 
 •whore it was intended to [teiietrate inU» ll.e Seneca coinilry. l»nt sick- 
 
 ncss among his troo[is and the want of provisions, iletained the (iovor- 
 
 Tior m the ncighboihood of Fort h'ronti nae, where ho patched up a 
 
 humiliating ptaee with tiie Oiionda'io, Oneida, and Cayuga Iroquois ; 
 
 one cundiliori of wiiich was that he >hould retire on the ensuing day. 
 
 This hv; complied wiili, having the north-west Indians, much to their 
 
 <Jis';ust, to return homi' from Niagara. 
 
 On the Governor's return to (.iiudtee, he found that a reinforce- 
 ment and siipjilics hail arrived from France, as well as des[)atchc< 
 which jilaeed iiim in an awkward jiredieament. 'J'lu^ ''^i'lg snppo.^ed ho 
 was waging a succcssi'ul war against the Irocpiois, and tiiat the .'500 addi- 
 tional troops he now sent out would cnalile him utterly to extirpate 
 them; or, at the least, to punish them so severely, that they wouhl ho 
 glad to seek peace on whatever conditions he might think proper to 
 impose. At the same time lie instructed the (Governor, " that as the 
 Iro(iuois were stout and roliUst, and would be useful in his galleys, to 
 make a great numy of them piisoncrs, and have them shipped lo 
 France Ity every opportunity."' (Jreat, therefore, was the surprise of 
 J^ouis, when he leai'Ued llie true ^tate of affairs from the nccoiuit 
 give;» hy de la Harre himself, as well as I'rom a lengthy report sup- 
 plied l»y the Intendant, who placecl (he (governor's conduct in the most 
 unfavorable ligiit. ])e la Ihirre was immediately pronounced unfit for 
 his post, and the Maripus do Denonviile, an active ofller, appointed to 
 supersede him. At the same time the Chevalier de Callieres, a captain 
 of the regiment of Navarre, was appointed (Governor of Montreal. 
 His command was described as txtciidlng lo Lake St. Peter. | He 
 proved an able and judicious ofVieer, and soon came to be regarded by 
 the coloiMsts with very great respect. 
 
 , 
 
 A r. 
 
 los.-). 
 
 till lie I 
 
 applii <1 
 
 Iroipioi- 
 
 wliiili ll 
 
 !iidii-.!rv 
 
 lie laidi 
 
 tiic.'iilvai 
 
 <]\i'i'\^ ; li 
 
 evil. T. 
 
 mended 
 
 olfiii-ive 
 
 he garrls 
 
 coinm.iiii 
 
 Five N.il 
 
 tile U'li ill 
 
 taiiiing ti 
 
 propiisiMl 
 
 proved 111 
 
 Willi nieii 
 
 tliirly I ho 
 
 Tl.c ex 
 
 Well a> a 
 
 lead to ih 
 
 fiie : siuli 
 
 town at 1 
 
 which siai 
 
 Could nuh 
 
 the Cayu;: 
 
 nun. Ill 
 
 try of ci\ i 
 
 (jiichce, at 
 
 ti'jiiily. I 
 
 • Doc. Hist. Ntw York vol. 1. p. lOO-l.-^O. Comiuost of Can. vol. 1. p. 309. 
 Ilei-iot's llJHt. Can. p. 172-lyO. CoiJcu vol. 1. p. 60. UiBt, Brit. N. Amer. vol 
 L p. 181-183. 
 
« t 
 
 [lOSl. 
 
 c tribc:5 
 ;Ui(iM b) 
 
 ill lliis 
 
 \ov\i* 
 
 ludiaiH 
 iivction, 
 -u[)t'r;ittj 
 aii.l '-iOO 
 ivcil ii[- 
 Niai^i'.ra, 
 l)iit sick- 
 i! Gover- 
 (.'(1 up a 
 rof^U'iis ", 
 iii-r tlay. 
 
 to llifir 
 
 •(.'inforcc. 
 .'spatc'hes 
 )|i()s;L'd lio 
 ;500 adJi- 
 oxtir|iato 
 AouW Ijo I 
 
 nipcr to 
 
 at as tlio 
 
 Hoys, to 
 
 ippoil to 
 
 rprit-e o 
 nccoiint 
 
 port sup- 
 
 Itlie most 
 
 UII 
 
 1CS5.] 
 
 fit for 
 
 )illt<i(J to 
 
 L captain 
 
 jlontroai. 
 
 r.f lie 
 
 irdcd by 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 'JIJi: r.OVKKNMKNT (>F M. ])K IH'.NONVIM-K 
 
 50 
 
 A riiiir'iTcmont of troop^s proccu'dcd to Canada in tlio sniuo flocl 
 wliiili liitinHJil (tilt iIp' ( iuv fi'iiiir. 'I'lii' V(i\ ii;n' li;id hcci'i Iuhl: 
 1(»S5. and licii-iirrmis, \ rt iin|iii'>--i d uiiii llic iii^cncy i>t ;itl,iirs, i\<- 
 ] ),'ii(iii\ ilii' u'l'y aliiiui'd Iiim-.i' Til t 'W liMiir^' rtpii-c at (^iii'licc. 
 till lu> dr|i:iit( d till' l''nii I'ruiitiiiar. ( >i) arrival tlnTc. In- xduiiui'^ly 
 applii d liliii-cd' lo Icaiii llii' Iiiif state ol nia'tiT-; uilli icL'aid ti> til'' 
 Iriii|niii-.. aiid tln' "i h.r Indian natinn-^. T||,. jnii^ and iiicii irport^ 
 wiiirli lie tHii.i-liid to liic l'"i i ik li foiirt n|i ijii-. In ad, display r(|ual 
 iiidii^trv and aliilily. and pio-cs-, minli \alni' a-^ lii>t(>rical di'iinncnt>^. 
 Jlo laidiiiills dipictiil I ill- MHidi<i(<n id airair> ; that it u 'Mild lie imn'c tn 
 tilt' iiiKanlauc «>r till' riilmix (n maintain [Mafcaijlc i rlatiuii>. w itli llu- lie- 
 qiinis; JMit, that lliiii' rcciiit ipxilriicc ul' jciiu' iciidcicd wai a in'crssury 
 <'vil. i'o ciialtli' tli:> to 1)1" (Ml lied mi ^lU'ri'^Nlulh . lir ^tmii^lv rc.'nm 
 incildi'd tilt' sl iiiiullii'liili;;- nf l''(iit l''i olitrliac, a-; \\\'' ji'ilnf il' n/i/iui ot' 
 oIlVii-ivL; (ipcraii'iii-^ ; ai li tlie (•<iii>tiiictioii ol'anntluT (in t til Niagara I" 
 be iiarrisoiii'd lis .")(!() nun. wliicii v\(iii!d ^ivc ilic I'liiuli tin- coinpiclf 
 <'()iiiniaiid tit Laki- ()i);aiii>, l;c.'pl|ic Sciicca-^, tlu' iiiii>( puwcit'id ot' tlif 
 Fivi- .\,itinii> in clh'ck. and picNtiil lli • Ind an and <'iinatlian ti'ap|H'rs o( 
 tlic i)'inli.\vi'>t i'min t lading w i;li the IJit,'lI-li. As tlir (■n>t of inain- 
 laiiiing this p'O^i, wnuld pu^^ildy ln' an oiiji'ctioii to its ronstiaictioii. Im' 
 prnpd-ifd il >li(in!d he irliU'd. 'I'lii! nifnliailts ot' (Jilidu'C lii^lily ap- 
 proved dt' llie Marijiiis's plan, and nlVi red to supply the |iropi)S(d fort 
 •wiili nu'ithandi/e tor nine \ ears, and to [lay an annual rent tlierelor ol' 
 thirty llioii-aiid livres. 
 , f 'J'lie cxteii-ive pri'[ia I'al ioiis Ttr war propo<;ed liy the ("loveriior, ;;■; 
 
 Wfll a-; a demand I'ur addiiiimal troops trnm l-'iaiice, uuiild iialnraHv 
 lead tM the siippo^ilimi that h' was alioiii to attaek a very iiiiiiieroii- 
 {>}{.'. : siuh was not the ea--e. 'I'hi' populaiitui <il'a seroiid-rate ('aiiadian 
 town at the prest'iit day woiiiil tMit-nuiidier the whole Iroipidis nation, 
 "Aliieli S(areelv aiiioimicd to seveii llioii^ainl soiils. '{"he Mohawk trihe 
 €tuiid mn^ier only 'iOO warrior-, the ( )iui,I,i !.")(), the ( )nondatra .'liiO. 
 the ('ayiiLia '■!{)<), and ili'' Scureas I'JOO.* ISiit tlie>e were iio oidinar' 
 niei). in intt'ilit£enet' they were tiir sUl»erioi to the uiiediKated pi'asjili- 
 try of civilized I'^impe, while in tlii'ir love of eonntiy. tlw ir iiat nral ido 
 fjiieiK'C, and their indomitalde coiiratre. ;hey rivalled the cliivalry ofan- 
 
 liijuity. It lliey wauled the disciplilio ot the l"'reiu h. and ei^iild lleilh 
 
 .•r 
 
 A 
 
 1. p. 309. 
 liner. YoL 
 
 Doc. Ilisl. ^'^•w York, vol. 1. j.. 19G. 
 
60 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1G80. 
 
 inarch in onlmnn of ochollon, nor deploy into linn witli ni.ithctnaticil 
 procisi(Mi, tlicy coiild nso tho innskit lar more di-xtcroiisi y, wort' iiifi. 
 iiih'ly l)t;ttcr shuts, and (jvcry way sufxirlor in di'snlloiy wiirfarr.* 
 
 As the plans of d(^ Dononvillo met tho approhation of his soviToiirn. 
 the followinjT year saw liim bnsily engagod in inalving the ne- 
 IfiSG. cessary preparations to carry them out. CiDvenior I)i)iigan, of 
 New York, liad already heard a rnniour of the pro[)osed fort at 
 Niagara, and tho collection of extensive snp[)lies of prDvi^ions at Fort 
 I'Vonleiiac convinced him that llie Irorjuois were al)ont to he attacked, 
 and the trade of his people with the west seriously interrupted. He 
 j)romptly remonstrated with the Alanjnis, claimed the Irofpiois as snh- 
 jccts of (ireat liritain, and expressed a h(»pe that iioiiiing would be done 
 to disturb tlie amicable relations between their res|)ective governments. 
 Tho latter replied by denying the claim of (Jreat Britain to the sove- 
 reignty of the confederates ; asserting that tho I'^reneh had possession 
 of their country long before the; lirilish aci|uired New Voik. He add- 
 ed, that the provisions coilectc^d at Fort Frontenac were intended for 
 the supply of the garrison, without any view to a war with the Iro- 
 quois. 
 
 Dongan was too well acquainted with the policy of the Canadian 
 government, and saw too clearly its anibitioiis de>igi;s, to place any de- 
 j>endence on de Denonville's pacific assurances. Although obliged to 
 act with extreme caution, owing to the instructions of James 11. to 
 preserve a good \niderstanding with the French, ho resolved to main- 
 tain British supremacy if possible among the western Indians, and to 
 retain a firm grasp of the fur-trade, in which freedom from monopoly, 
 Jiad already given the New Ytnk and Albany merchants an immense 
 advantage. Ho accordingly assembled the principal chii-fs of the ]"'ivc 
 Nations at New York, and laid before them tho lii!e of policy he desired 
 them to pursue. They were to cease all intercourse with the French; 
 to make peace with tho Hurons, and other north-west tribes, and induce 
 them to trade with the British. They were further to aid him in 
 establishing a post at Mackinaw; to recall the Christians of their people 
 living at Canghnawaga ; to compel tho Jesuits to withdraw from 
 amongst them ; and to re.;oive the missionaries ho would send thotn. 
 If they com|ilied with these demands, and were attacked by the French, 
 Dongan promised his assistance. The politic chiefs did not cut. rely 
 commit themselves to these measures. They were loath as yet to 
 break wholly with the French; but at the same time they fully satisfied 
 
 • Doc. Hist. New York vol, 1. p. 231, 
 
 1687.] 
 
 the Ki, 
 iiis pla 
 'J'lie 
 Lam 1)0 
 demaiii 
 ville. 
 
 iG.sr. 
 
 operatic 
 li>li Irai 
 This .'icL 
 then cut 
 eil'eet 
 Ainericii 
 fureo of 
 ed this e 
 TIaviii 
 every no 
 of tread 
 Availiiiif 
 dagas, ail 
 several cl 
 to fifty al 
 by a pea( 
 isliMieiit, I 
 with orde 
 tu labor 
 Tile rage 
 rage, were 
 cutidomnc 
 nation, in 
 matron, w 
 hastily ass 
 When ho 
 thought hi 
 
 • The En. 
 •oon ijot |)osi 
 In Queen Ai 
 Utrecht wer 
 
 t Her. Hi 
 
S II. to 
 
 to imiiii- 
 aiitl to 
 -ynopoly, 
 iiKiicnsc 
 hi' I'ivc 
 I' dosired 
 rrciiili; 
 1 iiuliice 
 liWn in 
 |r people 
 w from 
 d iliom. 
 French, 
 eiit.rely 
 yet to 
 Isatisficd 
 
 1C87.] OF CANADA. 61 
 
 the Kr.glish Governor of their desire to aid hini in the greater part of 
 his plans. 
 
 The ii turn o{ (he Onondajia chiefs from this ('(luiull, put Father 
 Laniborville, n Jesuit niissiunary tu their trilic, in full pi)ss(.'s»i(»n of the 
 demands of I )on;j;an, which he prunijilly cotiiiiinnicatui to di' Denon- 
 villi'. 'Jin- latter \sas tlinroni.'lilv incensed, and proscenttil iiis prepara- 
 tions for war with additional vigor, hcing resdlved to prijve to 
 1G5>7. the British, that even their snpport would not prevent him from 
 juinishing the Iroqnois. liy way of retaliation, one of his first 
 cperatiitns in the sprin;,' of i(js7 was the capture ofncaily all the l"'ng. 
 li?-li tradint? [)osts at Hudson's Hay, with the e.veeption of I'ort Nelson.* 
 This act of hostility was pcrpetrati'd in open violation of ;i treaty, juat 
 then entered into hi'twecn the French and Iviylidi governm'.Mits, to the 
 cfleet "that whatever mlirht occur hutwecn the mother countries the 
 American colonies should always remain at peace." I'ldorlunately the 
 force of national prejudices, and tiieclashing of mutual interests render- 
 ed this enlightened provision totally fruitless. f 
 
 Having received the expected reinforcements from France, and made 
 every necessary preparation for war, de Deiionville was guilty of an act 
 of iri'achcry which plaei's ins character in a very nnfavoralile light. 
 Availing himself of the influence of Father Lamberville with the (.)non- 
 dagas, and that of the Jesuit niissionary to the Oneidas, he. induced 
 several chiefs of these tribes and their immediate followers, aniounting 
 to fifty altogether, to met him at Fort Frontenao to settle all disputes 
 by a peaceable conference. These, on their arrival, to their utter aston- 
 ishment, lie caused to be seized, put in irons, and fi>rwarded to (Quebec, 
 with orders to the commandant there to ship them at once to France 
 to labor in the galleys, in obedience to the wishes of his sovereign. 
 The rage and indignation of the Iroquois, whin they lieaid of this out- 
 rage, were without bounds. The Oneidas seized their missionary, and 
 condemned him to e.\piate lii-i own presumed treachery, and that of his 
 nation, in tlie flames. He wa^; saved at the last moment l)v a Christian 
 matron, who adopted him as her .son. "J'he chiefs of the Otiondagas 
 hastily assembled in council, and summoned Lamberville before them. 
 When he saw the intense rage that was j)ictured in their faces he 
 thought his doom was sealed. iJut, these red men of tlio forest, rude 
 
 * The English recovered tlieir factories seven years aftirwinili* ; but the French 
 •oonijot possession of them ni^ain. In 1090 two Eiii^lish men-of-war re-took lliein. 
 In (iueen Anne's war ihoy were again taken by llie Freneh ; but by the peace of 
 Utreclit were ceded to the British. — Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 75. 
 
 t Her. Hist Can. p. 207. Conquest of Can. vol. 1. p. 311. 
 
m 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 flGSfi. 
 
 and iinniltivatod ns worotlu-ir iin(lorstnn(1iiif:>«, provod thomsclvps sn|)o. 
 rior fi) flic pa^'-iniis (tf ilie hour, .mikI ^ll()w^'<l, \>y tlu'ir ooiuliicr, liow 
 miK li imiid tiolili' (lu-y could act lliiiii llio courtly and polilicd do 
 Dcnoiivillc. '•There e;m lie iio (piestioli" said a cliief, aldri'ssiui; liiin- 
 sclf to itic lerritii'd iiii->i(iii;iry, " tliat we arc now in eveiy respoct 
 aulliori/ed iu ircal thee as an eneuiy; 1' it we eannil I'e^ojse to do so. 
 We know tliee t( o \\<'l! not to he [ler^naded tliat thy licarl h:id no sliaro 
 in this trea-on. ot'wliiili thou liast in some decree iieen the cau-e; and 
 nro not so unjust as to punish tliee for a crinu' of whi.li we lnlie\eiheo 
 hinocent." A|'|ir(hen>-i\e hast smut' oftheir warriors, in a nmnient of 
 oxcitonient, nuLdii do hiui injury, tliev eoin|)(dli'd ihi- .Icsnit to depart 
 imineiliai(l\ , dlrr('!ii|i^ the guides, which llicy ^ave him, to conduct him 
 by unfrequented paths, and nut to leave iiini till lie was out of all 
 dan^fcr. 
 
 1 laving rollectcd Ids forco, composed of i2000 ic<:nlar troops and 
 militia and ('»(>(► Indiai.s. at Montreal, de Denonvillc |inr.snc(.l his march 
 •westward on the llili of .lunc. llis princi[)al f)liject was to crush the 
 power of the S( necas, ;nid cmharkinji; l)is army in boats and canoes, iti 
 two divixiiis, at I'ori I'rontcnac, he sd'cly arriscd at llic(icnesec Kiver. 
 Here, an cntienilnmnt was hastily constructed to protect the storesand 
 provisions, and a detaihmcnt of -l^O men left to L'arrison it. From 
 this point the l''rencli and their Indian allies marched forward on the 
 lijth of .luiy towards the Seneca villa^i's, with a supply of provisions for 
 fifteen days. Dniinu' the fn'st day the march was pursued without in- 
 tcrr;iption tlitoindi a comparatively open country. ( )n the snci-ccding 
 day they were not so f'ortunate. Alter heiajj perndttcd to ))ass through 
 two deliies in saleiy, thevaniruard was vijjorou^ly attackeil while nuirth- 
 infT ihiouiih a thiid by a stroni^ body of the Seneeas. 'J'hri'c iumdred 
 of these boldly hehl the French in checU, and tln'ew their best troops 
 into disorder, while two hundred others, after di-liverin<f their fire, took 
 them lapidiy ia llank. 'J'lie Indian allies of the French, however, 
 promptly (heel. I d this movement, aiid the Scnecas were finally repulsed 
 with a loss o| I,") killed aiiil (JO Wduinletl. ( )n the side of the Fri'iich 
 <> were killed and "J;") W(junded. in this enj^aiiement the iro<iuois Chris- 
 tians particularly di-tinjiuisiied themselves, and were it not for tiiem 
 and tlu> other Indians, who restored the battle in their favoiir, it 
 imist liave <:(iiie mui h harder with the l'"rench. as they were completely 
 taken by surpri^i'. A few of the north-west Indians from Mackinaw, 
 who had ellectcd a junction with the invadinjT force, proved theniselves 
 genuine !^avagcs by devouring, after the battle, the bodies of the slain 
 Iroquois. 
 
 Finding themselves unable to ofTer further opposition to the French, 
 
 \ia 
 
 Irilus. 
 
loiit in- 
 
 rt'fdillg 
 liroiij^h 
 iniiicli- 
 Ircd 
 
 HUH 
 
 vn 
 
 tl'00])S 
 
 iro, took 
 iwovor, 
 Iso.i 
 Fri'iicli 
 s Cliiis- 
 
 livoiir, il 
 toly 
 
 lupu 
 
 I'insolvos 
 lain 
 
 10 b 
 
 French, 
 
 10S7.] OF CANADA. 63 
 
 (lie Sonocas wilhilrow into tlio rocowos vi' tiic forest iiftiT dosfroying 
 tliiir vil!ii;:os. Tlif •;roate>t injury tiiiit ciniltl imw In- iiinu'tcl on iIkmu 
 wasllii! 'Jo-tnictioii ot tliolr crop of <,m'(i\\ iiitirorii. ainl llii- do |)i iioiivillo 
 raiiscd to lu! tliiiic in tlio iiio-t t'd'rcnial inaiiiirr. lie lliirwixc diicctcil 
 the di-^triK'tiuu ol' a large niimi;cr of lings wliiili, il appi-ars, I lie 8enot'a3 
 had rai-ed. 
 
 Having tliiis aeroinjill-licii, as far ;)> posi^ihlc, llie (dijci'ts ol tl,,. i;\u\. 
 r'ai^'ii.tlu' (iovtinor |irocci(liii to Nia'.:aia. win re lie ireitid a udodeii 
 flit, in wliieli lie li t'l a gani-oii ol 100 men iiiid<i' llie enmniaiid of the 
 Cliesalier de la 1 Vou-. Seareely, however, had iheainiy di-a|i|irarc(l 
 when tlil-i jio-t was Moekaded hy the Seiiecas, w ho, tlioioiighly iiiraged 
 hy l!ie losses they had sustained missed no tipjioitiinity i>\ revt-nge. Iti- 
 ces-;ai;tlv ha!"ra--s,d iiy i!k' cnriny. the garri-on had to |m'(|. iUiMiis(dve.s 
 heliin I their dell nci'-, or run the ri>k oI'IhIm',' luuidcird. ('ontinual 
 wateliiiig and lalJLrne iin.diiced di^t'a-e. to wlii'huas soou added the 
 horrors of t'anilue, with alnmdanee of fi^li in the waters near them, and 
 the fore>ts alioundnig with game. 'l\'n in( n alone ol the hundred sur- 
 vived : himixrr and sickness carried oil' the riunaiuiK'r in a h'W hrief 
 inniitl;s. And thus ^adlv t.rnil.iated the second altemnl at s(ttlln<f 
 Niaiiara, w hicli is now t'lH- of the most dclii,dilful di>triets ol (.'anadu 
 
 \V(S'.* 
 
 (lovertior Dongan was soon mado aware of the disasters sulTered by 
 the SeiiC 'as, and an aiiLJi'y correspondence cnsuiil Ik t\vecti him and do 
 Deiioiiville. ]\v assund the latter thai the l"I\e Xaiions uoidd never 
 
 make piaee wi 
 
 ill the Frriich, save on condiiion. tliat the Indians sent to 
 
 the galleys and the Caiighnawaga proselytes were re-t(Ut'd to their 
 trilns, the torts nt Niagara ami Froiitciiac ditnoli^-h( d. and the Seiiecas 
 coni[)eiisateu for the damage they had sustained. ' Nor was Dongaii 
 content with simjile remonstrances. 
 
 ch'iirlv foil' iw (lom the for- 
 
 mal manner in w hidi the Fri'iich had t; 
 
 iKeli liossc 
 
 ssioji of the land of th 
 
 e 
 
 Seiiecas, that they sought to estahli-h a ilalm to its permanent, sove- 
 reignty, while their acts otherwise taught him that they only wanted 
 the power, not the will, to estuldi^h t lair snpri'ii.aey ihrougiiout the 
 lie felt ihat the lime had come for the lliiti-h oidonies in the 
 
 country, 
 
 north to strilco lor their very existen 
 
 II 
 
 IS assurances of 
 
 -iifpoit 
 
 raised the drooping s[drit of ihe. Irocjuois ; and after supplying ilieni 
 
 ahundantly with amis and amiuunition, ho inei 
 injuries they had 5,ustained. 
 
 led ih 
 
 cm to rev en ire 
 
 tho 
 
 * I).)c. Uht New Vork, vol. 1. p. 'ilJV-'iTT. ]l«ri(.lV Ilir-f. Ciin. \\ 213, 2M, 
 ^^:nilll'B Hist. Can. \\>l 1. p. 7l», 8n. CDiiqiust of run. vol. 1. p. 31'J. 
 f Snlith'^» Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. sn. 
 
 • «» 
 
04 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [K587. 
 
 Mo.'inwhilc, a torrihid miiljiily swept over Canada, anrl carried death 
 and iiiDnrniiip in its train. It prevented the Ccnenu)!' from making a 
 second <'xpediiion ilie same sninmer aj^aiiist the Seneea-*, wliiih he eon- 
 tciiipliitt'il ; and ccmipelled him to remain nearly inactive, while he folt 
 that a dan^^erons crisis was rapiiily approai liini:. In Novemlier the 
 Moliawlis appenrcd l)otor(> Kort ('liaml)ly ; and, altlion^h the garrison 
 beat them olX, thi'V eoiild not prevent them from burning tlie l;irn\ 
 houses in tlie neighborhood, and carrying the inmates into captivity. 
 The French blamed Dongan foreatising this inroad. iNo sooner liad 'ho 
 latter learned their snspieiotis than, dreading reprisals, he caused 
 Albany to be put in a better states of defence, and retained a strong 
 body of Indians in the neighborhood, during the winttM-, to cover it 
 from an attaelv. 
 
 The following spring fonnd the confederates thoroughly \mited in 
 thciir hostility to the French. Still they determined if peace could 
 1088. be procured on the terms proposed by Governor Dongan, of 
 which they highly approved, that they would not reject it. The 
 mistaken policy of .lames compelled Dongan himself, at this time, to 
 seek a peaceable result to the quarrel, if at all practicable-, and, in 
 obedience to the orders of his sovereign, he now counselled the Irocjuois 
 to come to terms with the French, provided they coidd do so with 
 justice to themselves. They accordingly proceeded to Canada, pre- 
 pared alike for |)eace or war. One thousand warriors established them- 
 selves at Lake St. Francis, within two days' march of Montreal, and 
 sent deputies to demand an audience of de Dononville, and to offer 
 peace tin the conditions proposed by Dongan, fur the consideration of 
 which four days only were allowed. 
 
 The Iroquois backed this highhanded diplomacy, by Avarlikc demon- 
 strations of the most formidable description. Besides the force at 
 Lake St. Francis, whose neighborhood filled the colonists with the 
 direst apprehension, a body of five hundred men swept the open coua- 
 trv around Fort Frontenac, burned the farm-stores with flaminir 
 arrows, killed the cattle of the settlers, and finally closely blockaded 
 the garrison. The French bowed before the storm they were unable 
 to resist. The himiiliating terms offered by the Iroquois were accept- 
 ed, and dc Denonville was under t'lo necessity of expiating his 
 treachery, by requesting the authorities in France to return the cap- 
 tives to Canada, sent to labor in the galleys, that they might be re- 
 stored to their friend?:. Deputies from all the Iroquois tribes were 
 to ratify this treaty, which it was stipulated l)y do Dononville, should 
 also secure peace to the Indian allies of the French. 
 
 A cessation of hostilities immediately took place, and tho Iroquois 
 
•ckaded 
 unable 
 noc.>pt- 
 n^ his 
 K' cap- 
 t be ro- 
 ::s were 
 should 
 
 roquoi* 
 
 ICflS.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 .ir> 
 
 consoiitod to Icivc five hostiif^os nt Montreal, to insure iho safe arrival 
 ofacoiivcty of provisionsat Ktirt Fronteiiae, ibc garrisMii of which wcrt* 
 nlroady throati'iu-d with faiiiiiit'. It, was furthtT anitfil upon, that if 
 aiiv h(t-.tilo skiriiiisJKvs sIkmiIiI ucfiir diiriii;^ llu^ [»rn;rn'ss of the pi'ud- 
 \n<i IK }^o(iatioi), MO clianj^'o, m-vfrlhidi'ss, should bu inudo iu iho con- 
 ditions which had boon stipulated. 
 
 The Abcnaijuis, wlm iiilial)itcd the present State of Maiuti and w'cro 
 the most invet<.-ratc of all the onotnics of the Irtxpiois, refused to be a 
 party to this truco. While the (Jovcrnor was busy in his pacilie pro- 
 jects they advanced to the IJiver Uichelieu, surprised and defeati'd a 
 body of Iroijunis and their iMnbii,'an allies, and pushed on to the i!n;^ 
 lish settlenu'iits, where they killed and scalped several of the inhabitants 
 and burned their homesteads. Ibit of all the Indian allies of the Krench, 
 the Ilurons were the most indisposed to a peace with the Iro(|uuis. 
 They had engaged m the war on the condition, that it should not termi- 
 nate until the total destruction <.if the Five Nations had been efleeted ; 
 <jml now when they found that a peace was aboul being accoinjdishcd 
 even without consulting them, they were indignant in the extreme. 
 Their principal chief, KondiarunU, was not slow to perceive that his 
 nation, left to themselves, must feel the full vengeance of the Iroquois, 
 and be thus sacriliced to benefit French interysts. lie promptly re- 
 solved to interrupt the ncgociaiioiis, and secure the contimiance of the 
 war, ami took the most eflectual measures to accomplish his object. 
 About thirty miles above Montreal, he awaited the arrival of the Iro- 
 quois depulie3 at a point where the rapids would compcd them to land. 
 Their party, consisting of forty warriors, were either killed or captured 
 on disembarking from their canoes. When his prisoners were all 
 secured, Kondiaronk intormed them that it was the French (Jovernor 
 who had t)rdered their attack. The Iroquois shocked at this supposed 
 sccuiid act ol perfidy on the p'lrt of de Denonville, stated the object of 
 their mission to the Huron, who then craftily exi)ressed his regret i'or the 
 act of turpitude of which he had been made the instrument. Uclnasing 
 his prisoners, \n\ suf)plied them with arms and ammunition, and bade 
 them return and inform their countrymen of the perfidy which had 
 been cfHutnitted. One prisoner alone ho retained to replace a lluron 
 warrior who had been killed. This man on his return home he handed 
 over to the French commandant at Mackinaw, who ignorant of the 
 truce oidered him to be put to death, a fact of which the Huron <'hief 
 < iuised the Iroquois to be apprized, in order to inflame their hostility 
 still more. 
 
 No sooner had dc Denonville been informed of the manner in which 
 the deputies of the Iroquois had been treated, than he diaelalracd all 
 
 ^f- 
 
lM\ 
 
 TIIR IIIS'IOKY 
 
 [I(IH> 
 
 |tarllci|«;itIoii In llii' ;i( t, .'ml as^iiri'd tli ••ii- li i'mm lli it li i woiiM lianir 
 flic Fliiinii cliii r tlic iiiiihHiil li" hi'il liiii'l. iiiKni him. Ill' cvitri'ssi'il a 
 lii'|ic. Ill (lie vaiiii' liiiic, liial wliat had ucciiircd wmiM imt (ifi'Vciit, tlv: 
 |)ri j,'n--^s (i( iM'j^Mciatliiiis, and ihat ih ■) wmtld vend uihcr di'(iiiri»'i ti, 
 
 ciiiKiinlr a IK acf 
 
 M 
 
 cainvl.ilr thi- |ir«i'.!rcss ul' ihf nvii'iniiiii vvhii-li 
 
 |daci'd William III. ii| ihi iIh' llndir 'd' |'!ii'.'!aii 1^ if'ca-<t d ilir ( iiivcniur 
 ol' NfW Vm k ri'iiii ill.' iiiiw isc ri'viiitliiiiis iiiijt,! I'd iipiin him liy .lames, 
 
 and Iir iiii\v iii'«tiL^ait'd tlic lii)i|iiui-<, llir iiiaii>iii\ i>| wIhuii \mto 
 l(t>'J>, didy ('"> williii',' of iliiiii»cl\i's III avrii^'c tlh'ir iniurii's, to 
 
 iclalialf ii|H.n ihf l''nii( li. On ilic 'J(Jlli id .Inly. lOllO'id' llirir 
 warriors laiidrd on the I- land <d' Muntri'al, and diudini^ into Mnall [lar- 
 
 fp.'s laid \va>itf till' conntiv m cvcrv dii'crtioii. 
 
 M. 
 
 II, wimn'ii. all 
 
 • I ('Mil 
 
 driMi wij-c iiitliK'ssly iiia-'»acrcd ; a d.'tac hinriit (d one hnn Ircd suMii r^t 
 iiud lilly Indians, sriit to ntlatk tlimi, wire inaily all killed or caiitiir- 
 ».'(!; lioiHfs wc'li' hiiiiicd, and every |io-sihK' iMJiny pi i'|i( traled ; aiiil 
 they rnially i|iii' the inland laden ui'li [iliiiider. ainl earrv in^ away many 
 
 fa|itive<i. Iiavinj; MiKlained in tins iiii![it;on a loss <i| only three men.* 
 This tcrrildo (■ala>^ti'o|dM' iilled iln- minds of the t'oloiii-t-- with the frreal- 
 est terror, a lei I in;,' whieii eM'iideil ilM'll'to ill" ixaril-oii at l''ort l''ri)i. 
 teiiae, who. hastily (lc-s( iled their po-t, wLiili wassocii m izrd by the 
 
 roniioi.- 
 
 an< 
 
 list si'Veral o( their iiiinilier in -hooini'. 
 
 the 
 
 rapids, their 
 
 pi'ecipitalf rclre.at pre\ ontiiijj tin m (Vom takin;.Mho proper pree.iniion.v 
 'riiiis eloseci in disaster .'uul displace the iuoveniiiK'iit of (hi ] )eno»i- 
 villo. Itseommeiicemeiit was slirnalized liy an aet (d'*per(ldy and partial 
 vietorv, — its termination liy mi'-for'nne and certain di i\;it. His injM 
 reij^n. wlioliad loukid lor the eoinplete siilijiction ( f the iroipmis, and 
 e.vpeeted to see lii.s yallevs maniu d liv their ehivalr\ . eh.d't'd ;it !iis w.inl 
 of success, diri'eted liita to be recalled, and appointed ('onnldc Fronts 
 nac to replace him. 
 
 rm; .^KCo.VD (loVKltN.MKM' OF 'llli: CUINT DK FKO.VTK.V.Xi . 
 
 'J'lie increusincr infliKiicc of flie Hiitisli colonists with the Inxpioi- 
 liecaine at this poiioil a .'^onrce of eon.-iderable aliirin to the Canadiai. 
 aiilhorilies. 1'he Mnuli'li revolution, wliieli place d tli;;t country in u 
 hostile position to l'" ranee and her colonies, added not a little to I'l'* 
 feeling. 'J'he Chevalier de Callieres, who commanded at Montreal, h;i'i 
 
 • rmneroft, wlio is sini.Milarly inoorrcct ix'cioiou.TlIy, v lu n lio iiihn!' s to I'u 
 
 ',vn Mi'l f'di t of Montreal, 
 
 nailii, says tliiit lit this tiino tiio Inwiunis oiipt arvl lIu- !..',vii .mkI t'ci 
 and th'it the sitth-Min'iit \\m l>ii>k. ii up, ncitlKr ut' wliitli w:iJ llio c:i 
 Diin. lli.-)t. L'liitud Stutos, London KJition, vo'. 2. \\ b.j. 
 
 .— v: 
 
 loii'^ !)(' 
 
 orilv he 
 til" \',tv. 
 
 C<i!|i'civi 
 
 dt'[iirte< 
 
 Jjitverili 
 
 di' I'll II 
 have llu 
 into th 
 ('!iatii[il. 
 rivid ill 
 and (a;> 
 «ize as .\ 
 ahl.' to I 
 by an i a 
 ^idiii- 
 the lliid 
 an open 
 wi;li 100 
 to till' ad 
 Freliili i 
 prevent t 
 iiilioii, a 
 
 of llelltr 
 >ettieliu 
 
 them to 
 liivorabl 
 Canada, 
 heaver ;•. 
 cries wh 
 I'lie fl 
 lllr.il e(T 
 Sfieedily 
 ever selii 
 isters, re| 
 tive i;iiv( 
 ward hini 
 t'thej'wiae 
 
 • IXic. !i 
 II- riot',. 11; 
 
\m)] OF CANADA. fl7 
 
 I(iii'» ln'i'ii {'(I'lviiifctl ill if i!i • security iv\ I fr wii|nlll!t y of (';ina liiooiiM 
 on!v Ix' prfscrv*"! Iiy rru--!iiiit: t!i • puwir i>| tlr- I'lw N;iii.iiis', .111 1 an 
 the r.n,'lili 'I N<'W \nvk lip Illy iiM'Ui.l t li.ir :il linii-f uiih i|i ■m, \„i 
 
 COIlriivnl l!l" I'lfil tlf lll'st Cll-I lli'l',' illi'ir *l|-n!l'^l|liM--. 'I'll' Cll'Valii'l" 
 
 dfjrirttil liii- I'lMiu'f ill ill.' t'.|i| of |t»sM. ti» I ly his [I'liiH hifiMi' its 
 jjcivrriiimiit. liy '.sli'i:ii ili'V wci'i- ; ;m rnvcl, ;im.1 iulnicti'iiis !.'Ivrii tu 
 
 ill- IV'iiit.iia • to i:il ry thi'i 1?. I )r ( ';il!i. Ti-. |il'i([.(wii l|i:|! h • liciilii 
 
 h:\\\' llic i'niii!ii:r.i'l "f 'J'lDO i, :'\'..w [ r.)i,|i., w illi uhnui L • w mil I iirir.!» 
 into ill- t'liiiiilry nt'ilK' |i'(i|!iMi< \,y \\i > IJ;c!i,'liiMi lJiv,r an 1 I.tiko 
 C'!i:iiii['l.iiii, wiili til.' aiM'.u-i'iit |ii|ijii.c i.t iittarKiii'4 tlicin, iinlil lu' ar- 
 
 rivnl ill till- IH'ilzlllinliiiKitl nf Alli.lliy. ull.ll lie Wdllld ^lI'Mi'lliy a'^^aiilt 
 
 aii'l ciri'iiri' lli:i? placj'. II>'>tattM| ili;i; Alliaiiy wa-t atmiit the saiiu) 
 Hizi' a-* Mi'iiti'i ;il. iiiiij l)f-I(I"'i a L';!ni«iiii nl |.'ii) in, n li.i'i .'iOO inliaMiaiiN 
 alilf t'> l>i ar arm-. It coiitaiiir.l aluiiit l.'iO liii!i-.(;, an I wa^ il>l'i ii'ii 'I 
 liv an earth 11 (nit. iiintiiitiii j a l"'.v pice-. i't'c:iiii|(Mi. an. I wo.xlrii palli- 
 >^ai!;ii'.'. Afttr (■.'iptmiiit' .Mliaiiy, the ('lu'valicr pmpo-,! d to lU'si'ciiil 
 tlio lliiiisoii an 1 po^.i's li"iii-.i!t' of N.'W York, wliii-li he di'-iriiliiil as 
 all opi'M town, (li'ti'iiili'd by a lort, aul c'litaiiiin^ al)ont 1200 Ixiuscs, 
 witli |0') m.'ii (^apaliji' of ln-ariii'^ ai'Mi-:. As a:i adilitioiial iiiilnccniriiL 
 
 .{ Iii.-3 pl.lill. lie ('aliirrc-i lll'irrd tii;it it Wollld [illt I hu 
 
 Frt'iiiii in possession of tlh' finest, liarlior in Aimiiea; llial it uouM 
 prevent th.' Iim pi >is froin j^ettiiii; ritrilifi- supplies of arms and aiiimu-- 
 iiitimi, and tliiLs (lleetiially cripple tliem ; and that, altlioii!;li a treaty 
 of iieMtrality as far as re;^ardeil the colonies evi^tid, the I'aeL of llju 
 setllenients in <[no.-tioii Iteiii;^ chiefls I)nte|i. and Protestant, would lea^l 
 till 111 'o join the Prince of ( haiii; -. Ile;idded, that if tlu present 
 fivuralile oppdituiiity \v;i ; ne;,'Kct(tl. t!ie Iicipiols would soon de--troy 
 Caiiaila, which must entail the loss of the posts at IIiidsoiTs liay, the 
 lieavcr r.nd peltry trade, Acadia, ar.d the C.w'A' and Ncwfoiindlaiul lit.li- 
 oiies wjiit'h produced several iiiillioii.s of livres aiiiiiially to France.* 
 
 The ll'i^ht eif Jaiiu's, ami his snhse.jtKiit dttt rminatioii to iiiakc i\ 
 final eilurt in Ireland for the lliioiic he had so cowardly abandoned, 
 speedily involved Kiij^Iaiid and Fi.tMe in a war, which n moved what- 
 eviT s.cni[ilei iiii^iht have Iiilii ciUcrlaincd by Louis XIV. iiiid his nun- 
 i.st( rs, rilalive lu ilio capture of Albany and New Ytirk. The prospcc- 
 ti\o gov(i-r.ment of th-ji-c settlement; were "^ivcn tu do <'allicrcs, to re- 
 ward him for hij jdaii of their co,pl\jrc and his meritorious services 
 
 to 111'.' a'lop'.ion 
 
 iitlaiHviae. lie was directed \\\w\\ cstabliidicd in his no 
 
 \v government, 
 
 • Due. Hi -.t. Now Vurl-. vol. 1. p. 2«.>2'J1. Smith's lli;-t. Can. vol. 1. p. 8-1, Hi 
 U. rlol'ij llict. Can. p. 227. Cciup.iost o." Can. vol. 1. p. ulS. 
 
68 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 [1689. 
 
 1090.] 
 
 I . 
 
 to allow tho English TJoman Catholics to remain, and to banish the 
 other English and Diitcli inhaldtants to Pciisylvania and New iMijrland, 
 while the French reriii[f"e Iliigonots were to l)o sent to Franco. Hut if 
 Louis was all-powerful iii France, and alai'tned luiropc for its lihertics, 
 like the Nicholas and Alexander of our own times, a liandful of half- 
 raked savages in America set his power at defiance, and inared the 
 best laid plans of his generals and himself. ])c Denonville had to 
 crave the return of the kidnapped Iroquois, — they no longer graced the 
 galleys of Frar,.', and their countrymen had already retaliated a hun- 
 dred-fold the injuries and indignities thoy had sustained. 
 
 Tho Count do Frontenac sailed in the month of duly, 1GS9, a second 
 time for Canada, in the fleet !?cnt to operate against New York Ity sea, 
 while a French army assaulted it by land, lie carried out with hinri 
 troops and stores; and departed in high spirits to establish French su- 
 premacy in North America, and to crush for ever the power of the Iro- 
 quois. But do FronU'nac was not insensible, high as his hopes and 
 those of his sovereign were, to tlie caprices of fortune, lliper years 
 had given him ripened wisdom, and he sedulously cultivated the friend- 
 ship of the chiefs of the captive Iroquois, who returned in the same 
 ship with him. One of these, C)ureouliarc, charmed by his manners, 
 remained ever afterwards liis steadfast friend, and was of the greatest 
 use to him in the negociations with his countrymen. His arrival at 
 Quebec on the 12lh of October confirmed the wisdom of this course. 
 The first intelligence he received was the terrible irruption of the Iro- 
 quois on the Island of Montreal, tho loss of his favorite fort (F'ort 
 Frontenac), named after himself, at Cataraqni, and the abandonment of 
 Niagara: reverses that were only partially counterbalanced by the 
 fierce inroads of the Abcnaquis in New England, and the success of 
 Iberville in Ilndsoii's Bay. 
 
 '^!!^jnsive operations were now out of the question. Apart from the 
 lateness of the season, do Frontenac saw he must bo content for a while 
 to act on the defensive, and shortly after his arrival departed for Mont- 
 real, whore his prej?encG was necessary to revive the drooping spirits of 
 the inliabitants, and regain tho confidence of ttic Indian allies of the 
 French, many of whom were now sensibly inclined to attach them- 
 selves to the IroqU(jis and the English. The Outawas, one of the prin- 
 cipal tribes of the north-west, even went so far as to send ambassadors 
 to t'ln Senecas to proffer peace and amity, and to restore tlie pritsonera 
 they had captured in the war. The French agents and missionaries 
 strongly rcmonbtratcd against these proceedings, but without effect. 
 The Outawas replied, tliat they had already placed too much reliance 
 on the protection of " Ononthio." They taunted the French, at thti 
 
 I 
 
 same tin 
 defeats, t 
 riors, till 
 even saer 
 ficial tliai 
 by a peai 
 
 No S()( 
 
 fectioii, ll 
 
 nies, that 
 
 native tr 
 
 th 
 
 1090. w; 
 
 m 
 
 and Quell 
 
 sent instr 
 
 at Mackii 
 
 the FreiK 
 
 cd for the 
 
 The ex 
 
 men, half 
 
 a Canadi;: 
 
 force dej)a 
 
 five days j 
 
 The India 
 
 small bod; 
 
 which was 
 
 this place 
 
 being disc( 
 
 next mori; 
 
 and they c 
 
 natc inliab 
 
 Anxious fa 
 
 sleep, and 
 
 monotonoi 
 
 war-whoop 
 
 and Carrie: 
 
 mothers gr 
 
 the proitct 
 
 futliers seiz 
 
 aroused fre 
 
 defence wa 
 
 lagc was £ 
 
[1689. 
 
 lie prin- 
 assadors 
 ">rii?oncra 
 iioiiarios 
 t cfTect. 
 reliance 
 . at thti 
 
 I 
 
 1690.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 69 
 
 same time, with they tainc manner in wliich thoy had hornc their recent 
 defeats, tohl them that instead of avenging their injurii's, like true war- 
 riors, they craved a di>hoiioral)le jn'aee, to gain v.liich they wouUl 
 even sacriiice their Indian allies; that tiieir eomineree was far less bene- 
 ficial tlian that of the lOngli'^Ii ; and tliat tliey soiniiit to secure benefits 
 by a peace, wliich they were unalde to retain in war. 
 
 No sooner had de Froiiteiiac become aware of this formidable disaf- 
 fection, than he boldly detern)ined to strike a blow at the English colo- 
 nies, that shonld restore the military reputation of liie French with the 
 native tribes, leaii the Iroquois to accept the peace wliich he prollercd 
 them, and disturb the intrigues of the Outawas ami others who 
 1090. wavered in their alliance. He accordingly organized, in the 
 month of January, e.\pedilions at Montreal, Three Kivers, 
 and Quebec, to invade the British settlements at different points ; and 
 sent instructions at the sainc time to jNI. Durantaye, who commanded 
 at Mackinaw, to assure the Outawas and Hurons, that in a sht)rt time 
 the French would recover their ancient supremacy, and afTairs be alter- 
 ed for the better. 
 
 The expedition which formed at Montreal, consisting of about 200 
 men, half French and half liidiaiis, under ihe command of do St. Ilelcne, 
 a ('anadian born oflicer, was destined for the capture of Albany, This 
 force departed in the beginning of February, and after marehing for 
 five days a council was called to determine on the plan of operations. 
 The Indians now ridiculed the idea of attacking Albany with such a 
 small body of men, and advised an assault on the village of Sehenectady, 
 which was slenderly guaided in comparison. They arrived close to 
 this place on the night of the 8th February, about 11 o'clock, without 
 being discovered, and at first resolved to defer the assault until 2 o'clock 
 next morning. But the excessive cold admitted of no further delay, 
 and they entered the village through the gateways, which the unfortu- 
 nate iiiliabitants, in fancied security, liad left open ar.d unguarded. 
 Anxious fathers slept ; loving mothers had hushed their nestling babes to 
 slee|), and slept also ; and the silence was undisturbed save by the 
 monotonous breathings of peaceful repose, l^'csently the wild 
 war-whoop of hostile Indians ring through that rccnitly happy hamlet, 
 and earries terror and dismay into il:i every dwelling. Startled 
 mothers grasp their little ones in despair, or fall upon their knees to ask 
 die protection of that Power who now alone could aid them: agonized 
 fathers seize the first weapon at hand, and stand, like the lion rudely 
 aroused from his lair, at bay, to defend their families. But the general 
 defence was fjcblc in the extreme. A small Ibrt at one end of the vil- 
 lage was speedily carried by storm, and sixty men, women, and chil- 
 
 t% 
 
 .: » 
 
 1 • ••' 
 
 f • 
 
 ♦•• 
 
70 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1C90. 
 
 circn wcro cniclly l)nlcli(>ro(l in coM blood. Twcnty-cI^Iit, were carried 
 awiW iiilo captnli y, and llw sclthMnrnt. wliiili had ci^lity \vcd!-!iui;t 
 hoii><i's. ndin'cd In ii-h<'s, Tliv 1m\mi(1i, IniKii willi plnmlcr, rapidly rc- 
 tired ilr.' ('ii--iiip!j; dav. al'U'i' ndta-liiu^ i Ik- iiuu'i' liil|iK'ss ot their pri^oiuTs 
 and (wiiitv M"|ia\vl<<. it licinir Iticir [Dllcy to convinci' this jx'ojiU' thai 
 the cxMciritlnii \\a> mail.' wholly a.Tiiiisi tlio Mni^li--h. I'mt the Mohawiis 
 Wire nit so eaily -ati-fu'd : tlicy |n-oii;ptly essay(>d to rfxlore the (h-onj. 
 in!i -i|iiits atnl rv'vi\ c tlic i'onraU(^ <d' tiuir (dd md^lihor-^. "' \V<* will 
 avenge von:' \vron'.i:-:." said tiny, •• aiid imt a man in Canada shall dare 
 to f^o oiit to cut a >tirk."' Sih'coi' soon arrived from Albany, and in. 
 clenienl as the sea- on was a hody (d' Moh; wks and a li'w tioops won. 
 dcs'pa'eh'.'d In |ini'-nil o|" |ln> rclrraliuL^ cii.'my, wlio cul off twentydiv.; 
 of their sli'aa''Jers, ;ind lullowed them almost to the <:ates cd Montreal, 
 Thj Fren.di and tli.'ii- l.idiins siiil 'red sevendy from want (;f food, and 
 were it not that ihev had caplnnd some fity horses at Sidieneetady, oi; 
 wliieli they snl)~i-,ti'd a-, lluy found need, many of them must have 
 perished tV.im famine."'^ 
 
 The party fidm Tliree lllvers led by Ilertel, and consisting of hut 
 fiftv-two men, of u lioin one hall were Indians, turned to '.lie left from 
 [jake t'aniplain, and surprised the villajie of Salmon Fulls, on tlie Pis- 
 cataipia. Al'ler a bloody en^aLi;ement they defeated its inhabitant"-, 
 burned the houses, and the cattle in the stall.s, and retired with fil'tv- 
 four prisoners, ehii fly wi.imen and children, whom they carried <jfl" de- 
 spite the peo[)le of a neighboring settlement, who had gallantly conic ti. 
 their rescue. 
 
 Jleturning from this expedition Ilcrtd encountered the third party 
 from Quebec, and i)roceeded with them to attack a fortified Englksii 
 post, at (.'asco Uay,on the sea-shore of Maine, which they captured alUT 
 having drawn fifty men of its garrison into an ambush, nearly ihc wIiuIl 
 of whom ihey either killed or took prisoners. 
 
 But de Froutcnac, who, by-the-way, was but little disturbed by the 
 
 lorrors o 
 
 f th. 
 
 massacres at Schenectady and Salmon 
 
 Falls,f 
 
 was fullv 
 
 sensible that so.Tiething more must be done, to resxain the confidence e( 
 
 * Doe. Hist. New Yoric, vol. 1. p. 297. Conquest of Can. vol. 1. p. 318-;Jll' 
 Bin. Hi.st. I'niti'il States, Lor.don K.iilion, vol. 2. p. 827. Sniitli's Hist. Can. vol 
 1. p. 87, 88. Iluriot's Hist. Can. p. 211. Hist. Brit. N. Amor. vol. 1. p. 188. 
 
 ■j- Do l-'rontcnae stands oonspieiious among all his nation for deeds of cnieilT 
 to tho Indians. 2sotliini^ was more common tlian for his Indian prisoners to b-. 
 given up to his Indian allies to be tortured. One of the most horrible of iIkjv 
 scenes on reeord, was perpetrated under his own eye at Moatreal iu 1C21.— Col 
 den, vol. 1. p. 411. 
 
 i 
 
 iGOO.] 
 
 the n(wth- 
 tioii of hi.- 
 diaiis iiidil 
 I'ur-trade ( 
 convoy oi 
 
 warded ll' 
 
 cd the det 
 
 Jliirons. a 
 
 frontier 
 
 hccaiise Ik 
 
 the (ii)ver 
 
 On the 
 
 attacked b 
 
 with the £ 
 
 just as lh( 
 
 treaty wit I 
 
 of the nier 
 
 of the rece 
 
 politic sav! 
 
 tachnieiit 
 
 to the am 
 
 soon after 
 
 latter who 
 
 most fivor 
 
 their iiatioi 
 
 dc[iarled h 
 
 mer pre)tes 
 
 Still, th 
 
 in the Can: 
 
 hurst fVom 
 
 isolated pf 
 
 crops were 
 
 trniips sni'i 
 
 well suited 
 
 Frontenac. 
 
 your nation 
 
 nada, "to | 
 
 ]jut a sti 
 
 the St. Law 
 
 hostilities ( 
 
 cd on the ( 
 
 Boston, wl 
 
[1C90. 
 
 re rarriod 
 well-l)iii!t 
 •;il>iilly rt- 
 prisdiKT"! 
 ('()|ile thai 
 Muliawk^ 
 [lie (lr()(j[ . 
 •' \V(> will 
 ^liall (Jiiio 
 y, and in. 
 )(i])3 wori 
 ivc'iit y-fivo 
 Moiilrenl. 
 food, aiui 
 n'ctadv, 01! 
 uust liavo 
 
 inji of bill 
 ! left from 
 111 the Pis 
 iihabitaiit>. 
 with fiftv- i 
 ied i>n' i- [ 
 y come W 
 
 lird party 
 
 d Englijii 
 
 ured after 
 
 (.he wliulc 
 
 ed by the 
 
 was fully 
 
 iifideiioeit 
 
 p. 318-;iU' 
 St. Can, vol 
 
 p. 188. 
 s of onuilv 
 soiiers to b-. 
 l)!e of ihvf^' 
 
 1GI?1.— Col 
 
 ICOO.] OF CANADA. 71 
 
 the norlh-wcst Indians, tlian simply ro-est.;ldishIn:; tho military roput.i- 
 tioii (if his nation in Caiiafla. Tlu; f^real po'nt \vas to render lho->e In- 
 dians independent of Iv!gli-.h eoninieice, ;ind to Inin ilie current ol' the 
 fur-trade once more dosvn the St. Lawrenee. <'ii llir 'i'iiid ot May a 
 convoy of gof/ds, jinardeil l>y ll^I ^ol(li(•rs arnl a li'W Indian---, was I'or- 
 warded from Montreal for Maekir.aw. M. I.^nvi^ny, who eoininand- 
 cd the detacdnneiit, \va-- en! ru-tcd with pre>u;ts jiir tlie, (Milawas and 
 JIurons. and invtrueh d to supei.M de M . I )iii ai l:i_\ e In eonnnand i it' the 
 frontier posts, who was leealUd, it wa> -aid lor i;o oiher rea-oii, than 
 heoauso lie was too favorable to the .lr>iilt. iid-.,.,i(ii)aries, a;j;aln>t whom 
 the (iovernor still entertained his old pradu'e. 
 
 On the seeond day after leaxin^f Mon'ieal, the ronvoy was fieively 
 attacked by a parly of li'o'piois in anibu--li, wlio wire only iiptlird 
 with tiie ffreatest dillietilly. It fmally reai hid Maekiiiaw in ^af.ly, 
 just as the deputies of ihi. ( )ulawas wiU'e alioul to depail to eoiulude u 
 treatv with the Irotpniis. The strc nulh of the delac Imient, ih;' ipiautity 
 ufthe merehandize, the valinible |)re^enls lo llienis(|\ es. and the aceoi;tit 
 of the recent successes (.f ihe French had a powiiful i;d1iienee on these 
 politic savar^fcs, and they hastened to ;j,'ive prools of tin ir renewed at- 
 tachment to "(Jnoiilhio." One hiindieil and ten canoes, luariuLf furs 
 the amount of 100.003 crowns, and maimed iiy l]{)0 Indians, were 
 after despatched to Monti-eal to iiratil'y the (iovernor. The 
 latter who chanced to be there at the time, received the e>cort in the 
 most fivorable nnmner, made them presents, and exhorted them and 
 their nation to aid him in humbling their deadly I'oe, the lro(,noi<. They 
 departed highly pleased with their I'eception, af'er iinewin^ their for- 
 mer prot'essions of tViemKliip and r(>uaid for the I''reneli. 
 
 tStill, the terrible war cry of the Irotpiois wiis (dnliiuially hoard 
 in the Canadian settlements. Scouting |ailii's of tlie.M- (iirce warrior.s 
 hurst fiom the recesses of 'he f /rests wl 
 
 to 
 
 soon 
 
 leu lea-t cNpeeted, and fell 
 
 upon 
 
 isolated posts and villages wiili destriietive feroiity. 'J lie growing 
 crops were destroyed, the tiirmers iMurdeied, and 
 
 -iiiall detai hmeiits of 
 
 troops snrroiinde 
 
 and cul <iir. Tl 
 
 lis 
 
 .ira-->inu mode ot waifire, s 
 
 o 
 
 ^ve 
 
 sill 
 
 ted t 
 
 o lli(! lro{nioi<, was a soiiice o| niiuli niKa-iiu-s to dc 
 
 Frontcnac. 
 
 ou must eiliier not be a triu 
 
 liieiid. or powei le-s in 
 
 vour nation, he sai 
 
 1 an til 
 
 Iv to ( )iireouliaii', who still reiiiained in Ca- 
 
 nada, "t<» permit them to u;me this bitter war on i 
 
 lie 
 
 But 
 
 a stul greater danger now nu'iiaeul t!ie. r rein h possessions on 
 
 the St. Lawrence. TIk' British settli'iiunts, lhoroiielil\ aron-ed bv the 
 
 hostilities of the French and their 
 
 illii's (liiiinif the I ast wiiit( r. ics(dv- 
 
 cd 
 
 on the conquest of Canada. In April a 
 
 iiial 
 
 sfiiiadidii -ailed from 
 
 Boston, whicii captured the greater part of the French posts in iS'uvsk 
 
I 
 
 73 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1G90. 
 
 Scolla and New llrunswicU, and aftcir tin! lapse ofa month rctuined with 
 siiflicicnt plunder to ref)ay the cost of the ex[iedition. This success en- 
 couraged the jicople of MasHsacliusetts, and their anlhorilies issued tii- 
 cuhir letters to the nearest colonies, inviting their <j;overnnients to send 
 dejmties to New York, to deliberate on measures lor the general 
 safely. On the Isl May, 1(»1)0, this first American congress assembled, 
 and promptly determined on the invasion of Canada. Levies were 
 ordered to be made, the continuents of the several states fi,\ed, and 
 general rules ap[)oiiited for the organization of the army. At the 
 same time a fast -sailing vessel was despatched to Knixhuid, with stri)ng 
 representations of the defenceless condition of the British colonies, and 
 requesting aid in the projected invasion of Canada. They desired that 
 ammunition and other warlike stores might be supplied to their mili- 
 tia, and that a fleet of English frigates should co-operate with the colo- 
 nial navy in the St. Lawrence. 
 
 But Britain was too intent at this period on her own domestic strug- 
 gles, to heed the calls of help from her iransatlanlio offspring. The 
 bloody battle of the Boyne had still to be fought, Aughrini was yet to 
 bo won, and Limerick surrendered, before William could turn his at- 
 tention to French ambitifui in the New World struggling for possession 
 of the hills of New England, the beautiful harbor of Manhattan, and 
 the fertile valley of the Genesee. The British colonists were thus 
 thrown upon their own resources: still they were not dismayed, and 
 resolutely determined to carry out their intentions. The plan of the 
 campaign was simple, and carefully concealed from the Canadians. 
 General Winthrop was to move upon Montreal, with a force of 800 
 militia and 500 Indians, at the same tiitic that a fleet of thirty-four 
 vessels of various sizes, the largest of which carried 44 guns, was to 
 sail from Nantucket Road, near Boston, for the capture of Quebec. 
 Nearly 1500 of the hardy sailors of New England manned this fleet, 
 which had also RJOO militia on board under the command of Major 
 Walley. The chief c()ndiict of the expedition was intrusted to Sir 
 William Phipps, a man of humble birth, who had won his way to an 
 exalted position among his fellow colonists, and now contributed largely 
 from his own private fortune towards fitting out the fleet. 
 
 In tlie month of Angnst de Frontenac first received the intelligence 
 of approaching danger. lie was still at Montreal providing for the safety 
 of the settlement llierc, when an Algonquin announced that an army of 
 Iroquois and English were constructing canoes at Lake George, which 
 boded some enterprise against Canada. The Governor immediately 
 summoned the neighboring Algonquins and Ilurons, and the Christian 
 Iroquois to his assistance; and with the tomahawk in his own grasp, 
 
 1G90.J 
 
 old as he ' 
 conijiaiiy 
 riat paral 
 visions coi 
 ing Major 
 Prairie, u 
 dian ini'iti 
 pel led to r 
 on the wa\ 
 forced to 
 wounded. 
 J The Ind 
 
 retreat of 
 he wris ;d)( 
 t with which 
 ■ hurrryiiig I 
 nounced th 
 out pilots 
 I oflicers and 
 I Montreal, a 
 I eflicaoy of ■ 
 I evening fro 
 ■i Had the 
 < thus compel 
 % lair winds \ 
 I Quebec mu; 
 I already alai 
 I plied hims( 
 i After a brie 
 I militia to fb 
 1 Quebec on t 
 I preparation 
 j The niilitia 
 I selves in ret 
 ? meat moved 
 „■ vent a desco 
 I r'espatched 
 I danger. Ov 
 ^ the defV'nces 
 ; nearly two 1 
 ■ therefore, ou 
 I period of the 
 
1} 
 
 1G90.J OF CANADA. 73 
 
 old as he was, cliauntcd the war-song and danced the war-danco in their 
 com}i;iiiy to aii'inatc their coiirajj;!!. Hiil an incompetent coniiuiisa- 
 riat paralysed the advance of Winllirop's army. Want of pro- 
 visions compelled him to retire from Lal\e C'hamplain to Albany, It-av- 
 iti'T Major Schuyler, who had pushed on in advance to the allack ut La 
 Prairie, misnpported. The fort at this point, defended hy a few Cana- 
 dian militia and Indians, was speedily captured, and its garrison com- 
 pelled to retreat upon Chamhly. Succor from this jiost meeting them 
 on the way, they turned and faced their pursuers, when Sehuyler was 
 forced to retreat in turn with the loss of tliirty men killed and 
 ^¥Ol^lded. 
 
 The Indian spies of dc Frontcnac soon put him in possession of the 
 retreat of Winllirop's force. Thus assured of the safety of Montreal 
 he was about to return to Quebec, although still ignorant of the danger 
 with which it was menaced, when he learned that a faithful Algoixpiin, 
 hurrrying through the forests in twelve days from l'iseata(iua, had an- 
 nounced the approach of a hostile fleet from Boston. That fleet with- 
 out pilots now soimded its way cautiously up the St. Lawrence, its 
 oflicors and men, alike anxious for the residt of the expedition against 
 Montreal, watching wistfully the course of the winds, and hoping in the 
 efficacy of the prayers for their success, that went up morning and 
 evening from the Puritan hearths of New England. 
 
 Had the expedition by land succeeded in reaching Montreal, and 
 thus compelled the Governor to remain there for its defence, or, liad 
 fair winds wafted the fleet a few days sooner up the St. Lawrence, 
 Quebec must have been surprised and taken. But the inhabitar.ts were 
 already alarmed, and its commandant, Major Provost, vigorously ap- 
 plied himself to strengthen the defences against a sudden assault. 
 After a brief pause at Three llivers to direct the regular troops and 
 militia to follow him as rapidly as possibh;, de Frontcnac arrived at 
 Quebec on the 8rd of Octcjber, two days in advance of the fleet. The 
 preparation for defence was now continued with unwearied industry. 
 The niilitia of the neighbouring districts were directed to hold them- 
 selves in readiness to march as might be required ; a strong detach- 
 ment moved down the river to observe the approaching fleet, and pre- 
 vent a descent on the more exposed settlements ; and swift canoes were 
 respatched to v. arn any French vessels coming up of the inipending 
 danger. Over 4000 regular troops, militia, and Indians soon manned 
 the defences of Quebec"' or covered its weakest points. There were 
 nearly two to one against the men of New England; an assault was, 
 therefore, out of the question; while a regular siege at that advaaced 
 period of the year was equally hopeless. 
 
 a 
 
 .•'■ 
 
74 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1G90. 
 
 
 Early on tho morning of ilio h\\\ OcIoIxm-,* many nn anxious lodk 
 "was cast fruni llio raMi|)arls o( C2iU'l)i'c on llic wliite sails oftin! I>iiii>Ii 
 fKvl, as \H's-;i'l al'lcr vessel slowly rdiindcd lIi,- licadlaiid oCl'nihl I^cvi, 
 and croudi'd tnuiirds tin; villam; of lnau|i()it. on lln' noiilu".!! i)ank (.f 
 till' riviT, iMidiil trn o'clock llii; liiilisli took ill sail, aiiil dntpiicd tluir 
 anclior-:, uIkii tlicir vessels swnng roiuid wiili tlie icccding tide. On 
 (ill! I'ollowiii^ i\;\\; Adniiial l'lil|i|)s s(iii a liaiii^liiy f.nmnions to tho 
 Ei'ciicli ( liii't. dciiiandiii'^ an luicondition.d siii render of tin" town and 
 gani-oii in the nanic ol' \\\\\'^ W'iiiiani ol I'jiiilanil. ] lie olliccr who 
 liofe tlic ^ unuiioiis was conducted Idindtoltled into the j'l'escnee <d' do 
 l''iMnteiiac, who awuitcd hini in llio council room, surroinidcd hy the 
 l>islio|). the Iiitcndani,i;inl ali his principal ollicers, 'J he I'jiifli-h oHicor 
 read the sninnions, laid his watch npon the tabic, and told the Coniit 
 that he waited oidy (nie honr lor a reply, 'i'he cmnieil stalled Iroiii 
 their seats, surprised onl ot" their dignity al a hnrst of smiden an^or 
 liy (li''ir fierce <dd chief. '' I d(j not ackiiowlcdifc Iving William," i-alj 
 <le Fi'untcnae the moment he could master liijj ia;j;e sunicieiilly to 
 speak, ''and well know that the I'lince t.f Orange is a nsnrper, who 
 has violated the nio^l sacred rights of blood and leligion. 1 will answer 
 yonr master by the montii of my cannon." 
 
 It was now lesidved to assault the town at once, and accordingly at 
 noon on the Slh the troops were landed wilhont o]>position, and ad- 
 vanced with spirit lo the Kiver St. ("harlcs, where they were attacked 
 ' ' ' ,f^^-—' l)y ;i iiody of oOO militia securely posted among the rocks and bushes. 
 A part ol'the ljrili>h line galled by this unexpected fire fell back for a 
 inoincnt, but the oflieer giving the word to charge, they again ru>he(l 
 forward, and s|icedily cleared the ground. 
 
 in the afleiin'ion tour of ilie largest vessels moved boldly np the 
 river, and ancliored wilhin range of iho town. They opened a spirited 
 but iiulTectiiai (ire, tluir shot being directed priniii)ally against the 
 lofty heights of the I'pper Town, while a vigoious (aniionade from the 
 gmis of the garrison replied with overpowering effect. Although his 
 ships had siilfcred severely Phipps, with pertinacious courage, renewed 
 the action at day-Iireak on the *,)ih, but with no better results. About 
 noon he saw it was nseic:.s to conlinuo the contest longer, the lire from 
 the town being nun li sii| cii<ir to that of his fleet, and direelir.g the an- 
 chors to be weighed, the reci'ding ticU' floated his crijipled ships beyond 
 its I'l'aeh. During the action his flag was shot away, and lloaling 
 
 
 * Ch.'irlovdix, wIki is* often iiificciirnto, pryp iho lOlli; htkI Ijiiiicioft, .'till more 
 inacciiriito, inakcs Ilio punio bhindor. Vido Uulthiiison's Hist. Magsatlaisclls vol. 
 I. p. S'jy; niiU iliijur AValiey's Journal ol'the ilxj-edilion. 
 
 towards 
 
 boldly s' 
 
 t "liiirch o 
 
 inenioiito 
 
 Major 
 
 soni(! una 
 
 did Hot n 
 
 terniinato 
 
 resulted J 
 
 nig, at a ( 
 
 abandon t 
 
 rc-eniharli 
 
 >f aniiniii 
 
 Defeatt 
 
 the ])riti> 
 
 '•eased to 
 
 tlie storms 
 
 shattered i 
 
 of pay, he 
 
 public ircf 
 
 Thus e 
 
 only reijui 
 
 to he succ 
 
 oflici r, or 
 
 by wiser h 
 
 dilTerent, a 
 
 able mpinc 
 
 (ireat w 
 
 od from 1 
 
 pcnnod the 
 
 achieved, ; 
 
 Lower 'J'ov 
 
 tival estab 
 
 dal com me 
 
 Lawrence. 
 
 reached Qu 
 
 and thus es 
 
 * Smith's 
 J5an. Hist. U 
 - p. 18tt, 19( 
 
" Kiia 
 
 up tlio 
 
 spiiitcd 
 
 \\u>{, I lie 
 
 Idlll tlio 
 
 UUiill Ills 
 
 ^ ■;1 
 
 ^noo.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 •rs 
 
 iloiUlllg 
 
 (owarils the shore was horno triimiphantly to land hy a Car.adl;!!), who 
 bdMlv swam <>ut into the ciuriiit, to scciiro it. llini<:f up in thf Parish 
 ^'liiirch of Qih'hoc, this precious trophy ruaiaincd t'nr niauy yi ar? a 
 incinonto of Admiral IMiipps's di-R'at. 
 
 Major Walloy placiMl his trnops in battle array at dayli^ihl, l)ut from 
 sonio luiaccountahli' cause, wiiich hn docs not oxphiin in his journal, ho 
 did not move towards the to%vn until the actiou with the sijnadrou had 
 terminated. Some severe sivirmishinfr occurred during the day, which 
 resulted generally {o the disadvantage of the British, and next morn- 
 ing, at a council held on li'ianl the Admiral's ship, it was decided to 
 abandon the enterprise altogether. On the night of the 1 llh tin' army 
 ro-einbarked in the greatest confusion, leaving five guns and a <jnantity 
 ^)f animunitioa and stores behind, 
 
 Dofoated by land and water — damaged in fortune and rejiutatioii, 
 tlie Ihiti-'h chief returned homewards. Tiut disasters jiad lujt yet 
 I'cased to follow him. The dangerous shoals of the St. Lawrence, and 
 llie storms of the (udf wrecked nine of his ships. AN iththe remainder 
 siiattored and wcatherdjcaten, and his men almost nnitinou-' from want 
 of pay, he arrived at lioston on the 10th of Xovember to find an empty 
 public treasury, and to cause the first issue of colonial paper money.* 
 
 'i'lius ended in disaster and defeat a well planned sc'ieme. which 
 only rcijuired cncrjiy, ability, and military (lisci]dinc in its execution 
 to lio successful. Ilatl AA inthroj)'s coi'ps been led by a more ski il'ul 
 ofl'ici r, or had the force which ai>pearcd before Quidjcc been directed 
 hv wiser heads and stouter hearts, the resuhs nuist have hecn verv 
 diirorent, and Wolfe vvould never have created for himself an imperish- 
 able memorial on the heights of Abraham. 
 
 (ireat were the rejoicings at Quebec when the British fleet disappear- 
 ed from before it. With a proud heart the haughty old (lovernor 
 penned the despatcli Avhich told his sovereign of the victory he had 
 achieved, and of the gallant bearing of the colonial mililia. In the 
 Lower Town a church was built by the Inhabitants, and an anmiai fcs- 
 tival established to celebrate their deliverance; while in France a me 
 dal commemorated the success of I^onis XIV. in the valley (f the St. 
 Lawrence. To add to the rejoicing, vessels expected from I'lance 
 reached Quebec on the lUih November, having ascended the Sagueii.iy 
 and thus esca])ed the Dritish fleet. 'Iht'ir arrival, however, with sleii- 
 
 \ \ 
 
 tf... <*^1-^c^C 
 
 >■ 
 
 'till more 
 aiscllsvol. 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 91-108. Conquest of Cnn. vol. 1, ]). r,21-.".:i7. 
 JJan. llis(t. United Stntos, London Kdition, vol. 2- p. 831. IHs^t. Brit. Anuf. vol. 
 * p. ISO, 190. Heriot's Hist. Can. p. 255-262. 
 
 i} 
 
 .' • ! 
 
76 
 
 THE niSTuUY 
 
 [1000. 
 
 I . 
 
 r-*_- %i • *^' 
 
 -^' 
 
 (lor stores of provisions only fcMidiMJ ti) incrca««o tlu! scarcity, tlui. 
 prcssinj^ upon tliu colony fiMii. an insulli 'Ii'iit harvest, caused princi- 
 pallv by the incursions of tii' li'Dipiois, an! whiili nrcessitateil the dis 
 Inliulioii of the troops in those distiiets where tooij could l/e lucst 
 easily procured. 'Ihe inhaliitants, ^ratefnl I'nr the vahn' whieh han 
 saved them Iroiu the (h)nilnloii of tiie hated sti'anLjer, luel this new bur 
 den on their slender stores with the utmost eheerddtiess. 
 
 While tile result ot the movement against Canailii was still undc 
 rideti, and ti probability existed that the IJritish would obtain possessioi. 
 of the French colonii-n, the Inxpiois warily held aloof, or only gave 
 sullicicnt assistance to save appearances, which was one reason wli\ 
 Winthrop had retreated, eiifhty of tlieir wairiors oiil}- havin<^joined him 
 instead of five lun)dred. 'J'he j)olitic confederates much as they hated 
 the French, did not desire to see their |)ower entirely crusheil, as ihey 
 be!,'aii at this |ieriod to entertain a|)preliiMisions of the ra|iidly inereas 
 ing population and strength of the I»riti>h eolonit's. IJut tin- eowardl^ 
 retreat of Wirilhrop, and the det'eat of the expedition under Sir Wii. 
 liam Phipps, convinced them that the j-'rcnch hail really lillle to apprr 
 liend fr(uu the raW' militia and ill-dii-eeted elVorts of the provincials. 
 Accordingly in May, ItiDl, several hundred of their warriors agair. 
 
 ])oured down upon the settlements near Montreal, and Tuarkeii 
 1(>91. their progress with deva-^tation and massacre. Smaller partie? 
 
 spread themselves along the fertile' b;iidis of the Kiver liii'lu' 
 lieu, burning the homi'ste;ids of the farmi'rs, and murdei'iiig the inliahi 
 tants. To repel these attacks the militia were hastily drawn together. 
 (.>iiu detachment of a hundred and twenty men surprised a party of 
 irotpiois on tlie ilieiielieu, and slew them without mcrey with the ex 
 cejitiou of twelve, who escaped into a farmdiouse. These defeiidea 
 themselves with the greatest courage, killed an ofllccr, and woni.dc. 
 .several of the militia; and for a time it seemed as if tlie latter \\u\\V\ 
 lie beaten by a tew Indians posted in a ruinous house. At leiigih tin 
 i^iuilding was si'L on lire, and tlie irocpiois as a last resource fiercely 
 burst upon tlieir enemies, and endeavoured to cut their way with tlioir 
 tomahawks, which five of them succeeded in doing. Of the remainder. 
 I wo were killed, and five ta!<.en prisoners, who were, tortured after their 
 own cruel manner to restrain the incursions of their people. 
 
 !>ut this slight check only stayi'd the hostilities of ilic Iro<|Uois for ,i 
 iirjet period. In the latter part of duly a strong body of their v,arrior*. 
 accompanied In' some Knglish militia and Mohigan Indians, advanced 
 
 |)on 
 
 ]\lonti 
 
 real with the intention of destrovin<f the cron 
 
 Ih 
 
 e u)ss oi 
 
 \\ hicli must have iutlictt'd fimine u[)on the colony. After capturing an 
 important post at La Prairie by a sudden and unexpected assault, auti 
 
 KiJM.] 
 
 >liiving St 
 
 lliey met 
 
 hojdiy fai 
 
 Fur the [\ 
 
 witliNtand 
 
 wliein. alt 
 
 I'^o nieii i 
 
 iSu sooi 
 
 inroad, th; 
 
 spatch frt 
 
 prisoners, 
 
 hi'twecn I 
 
 these prop 
 
 alter wards 
 
 ij'athering i 
 
 Althoug 
 
 of tile hcai 
 
 hy any nic 
 
 tliiy eontin 
 
 re>i 
 
 1 •)'.»•*. Onl 
 
 of : 
 
 injuries snf] 
 t;ivi»rile hii 
 (^li 
 lti!>:i. did 
 but 
 
 I This lie re 
 
 I ^"anaila ali 
 
 I secm-ity to 
 
 •_ shoii 
 
 ' Kldt. carri 
 
 grow 
 
 dagas as nsi 
 
 nies>;eiiirni's 
 whether de 
 wuiild be re 
 ''111 the dep 
 A'lgiist, wh 
 "wing to the 
 iiiinsclt; to 
 C'fleetuallv. 
 
[ir.{>o. 
 
 y. tlin. 
 I priiiri 
 i1m' ills 
 ).• ni'-st 
 irll limi 
 o\v bur 
 
 ill dikU' 
 
 ISSOSSIOI. 
 
 ily gave 
 ioii why 
 ii)ed him 
 ey hilled 
 , 5\s ihcy 
 ,' iiiorcas 
 cowarill) 
 Sir Wii. 
 
 to ilplMV- 
 
 (>villc;i;ll^!. 
 
 I inai'kou 
 '1' |i:irtiea 
 Of Kicho- 
 iiiliabi- f 
 
 )LroilK'r. 
 
 lai'ty of 
 1 the cx- 
 IflVmled 
 wout.di'u 
 Wr wouli! 
 
 l< 
 
 vu 
 
 • fill the 
 
 liereely 
 
 A-itli their 
 
 iiiaiiuk'r. 
 
 ['iL^v their 
 
 uois (or a 
 \val■|•i(ll•r^. 
 advanced 
 10 loss ol 
 ) til ring an 
 eault. Luni 
 
 1(V.)I.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 77 
 
 slaying several of th(; (lofondcrs, tJu-y fell back Into tlio forost, when; 
 ihoy iiu'L aii<l «k'-;lroy('(| ;i Miuill i'rcncli (IclachiiK lit. and shortly atUir 
 boMlv l.iei'd i\ strong lorci^ under tlu; coniniand ot' M. d.' \ alreiics. 
 I'Vir tin- I'lill space ot an hour and a haU' did these t'oriiiidal)K' warriors 
 withstand the lln', and repel the. cliargi s of the Caiiadiaii troops, on 
 wlh'iii. altliotii,di iiltiiiiately coiiipelKd to retire, they inllieted ii loss of 
 I'^O iiic'll ill killed and \Voiinde(|. 
 
 No s(j(piier iiad de I'ronteiiae received iiitolllgoncc of this alarming 
 inroad, than ho promptly hastoiied (o Montreal, where, he tonnd a do- 
 spaleli iVoin the (Jovernor of New ^<^!■k, ollering an oxehaiigc of 
 prisoners, and proposing a treaty of nontrality, iiotwitstanding tho war 
 between Franco and (Jreat Britain. IJiil the (Jovernor mistrusting 
 thi-e proposals thoy were not productive of any results, and he shortly 
 afterwards returned to (iiiebcc, litiving first, however, witnessed tlie 
 gathering in of the harvest in safety. 
 Although the Iroipiois had boon forced to retreat, yet fully sensible 
 the heavy loss they had indicted tip.oii the J-^cin'h. they were not 
 )\ any means discouraged. Led by a iavoiilo cliiet. I'dak Caldron, 
 lev continued to make sudden inroads in ( verv direct imi with various 
 
 of 
 
 tl 
 
 re-ulls, aiiil Iieavv losses to tl:e French a- 
 
 we 
 
 as to t!i,-ii,- elves. 
 
 IW'i. ( )n Iheotlur hand the Abriia([!ilsa!id French rava'^n d I he I'r. iiitierg 
 
 .f M 
 
 issacliusoits, and reveinrcd upon its hap!e:-s borderers 
 
 niii 
 
 iries suflered liy the Canadians : detachments (if tniop 
 
 swell 
 
 thi 
 t the 
 
 of 
 
 f'avoi'ite hunting grounds of the iro(|uois along tin; luMiitifiil Hay 
 
 (iiiiule ; and an e\pedili(iii from Montreal, le.l by de Mantel, 
 1()!»:). did eonsiderablo iiijurv t(j llu' Mohawks in tluii- own eountrv, 
 
 but Were severelv liarra- 
 
 >\ Uu 
 
 M[v 
 
 V during tiieir I'ctreat. 
 
 This I 
 
 ierce and desultoi-v contest ivndere<l seed-liine and harvest in 
 
 Canada alike unsafe. Stom; walls uiid aniu'd furtre-ses alone gave 
 security to the Ilabitans, and the Iroipiois' boast th.it -'their enemy 
 
 was almost literally 
 
 should have no rest but in their "ravi 
 
 lt'.!»l. carried out. In the f( 
 
 )llowii;g year. However, tUey app 
 
 th 
 
 appeared to 
 
 grow weary of tlu' long contest and desire peace, 'iho Onon- 
 dagas as usual appoaroil most prominently in this movement, and sent 
 niesseiigors to Montreal to a>k (b>, Ctdliores, now coinmandinir there. 
 
 whet I 
 
 ler d 
 
 eputies from 
 
 the Five Nations bearing 
 
 pacilie overtures 
 
 Would bo received. Thoy got a favoralde answer and returned iiome : 
 but the deputies did not make their a]ipoaranco until the beginning of 
 August, when little was cfFected towards the establishment of peace, 
 owing to the intrigues of the Abeuaijuis, and the desire ofde J-'ruiitcnac 
 hiniself, to use bis iuoreasing jiower in crushing the Iro'puds more 
 cflcctually. The latter were not slow to comprehend the turn matters 
 
 » ' % 
 
 A uA-^ «^ 
 
 '>' 
 
 , ^ 
 
 ..' » 
 
 , • -'I 
 
I . 
 
 78 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [loo.'). 
 
 were taking, and endeavored, hy way of retaliation, to weaken Frctuli 
 influenco among their Chrisliun countrymen of Cauglinawaga, and par 
 tially siieci'odcd. 
 
 Hostilities were again resumed. The Iroquois onee more ravaged 
 the opi-n (country at every undefcniU'il point, and whvu asktd 
 1695. to renew their jiroposilionis for prace, haiigiilily reipiired lli.n 
 lh(! French in turn should now send dcpulii's to treat at thfjr 
 viMagcs, and cease hostilities in tiie meantime, not only against tlicm 
 selves, hut with rcsix'ctalso to the lOnglish. De Fiontenac resolved t(' 
 repair and garrison the fort at Cataraqui, as the hest means toeuih the 
 irofpiois of the Lake, and to form a base for the oil'cnsi ve operations he hat! 
 ))huined against them. He adopted this course contrary to tiie expi'os> 
 commands of his sovereign, and the advice of some of his principal 
 ofiicers, who represented the great expense this fort had formerly en 
 tailed u])on the crown, and the disasters it iiad originated. Hut to tliest 
 reprcseutalions the obstiiuUe old (^'ount paid but very little attention, 
 and in the latter j>art of duly ucspatched (iOO men, |one-tliird of 
 whom were hidians, under the command of the Chevalier Crisasy, to 
 Cataraqui to rebuild the I'ort, who fullllled his orders with »Miei'gy and 
 nkill. The li'(i(|Uois rctaliatid by a descent upon tlie island of Meiit- 
 real, M'liere this time they found the inluiliitants fully prepartnlto receive 
 them, owing to a timely warning rif their approach, and were very 
 roughly handled. Nor wer(> they nnu'e successful towards the west. 
 Cadillac, the commandant at Mackinaw, had induced the Outawas ami 
 JIurons to make an irruption into the Seneca country, whence tliiv 
 brought a number of prisoners. In that diri'ction, also, they sustained 
 a severe defeat from a body of !Miamis and F>ench. On the otlior 
 hand they subsequently formed a peace with tlie Outawas and Ihnons 
 who had become much dissatisfied with the higli jniccs of French nicr- 
 chandise, and desired to participate in the benefits of English com- 
 merce. 
 
 This conduct on the part of his allies was a source of considerable 
 uneasiness to de Frontenac, who used cverv endeavor to detach them 
 from the Iroquois. His cfTorts met with only very questionable j-uc 
 cess, and to check this formidable disafl'ection he now resolved to earn 
 out his project of invading the territory of the Five Nations, for 
 which lie directed preparations to be made. "While these were in 
 progress during the winter, a detachment was about to It 
 1090. marched into the Mohawks' country; but intelligence was re- 
 ceived that this tribe, aided by their luiropean neighbors, had 
 placed their villages in a thorough state of defence, and the design was 
 abandoned. 
 
 I 
 
 1000.] 
 
 In iho IT 
 
 I'Vniitenae 
 
 I.')tN) ft I'Ui 
 
 he arrivt'd 
 
 rcCivsli t|„ 
 
 will. Ii they 
 
 or |i!.'|it l)( 
 
 •liiga Lake, 
 
 tliiit tlie li 
 
 their scollf^ 
 
 an cntrenci 
 
 b.'ig;;age an 
 
 fini.died, th( 
 
 of the Oud 
 
 sfveiity-six 
 
 Callieres C( 
 
 the Oiiojida 
 
 filnillest of 
 
 villages on i 
 
 the recesses 
 
 their crops i 
 
 a tree, and 
 
 retreating w 
 
 invaders. ' 
 
 have taught 
 
 his Indians. 
 
 epithets lie I 
 
 ing^, " as till 
 
 Were more I 
 
 live prisoiie 
 
 iiig"*, these t 
 
 li'i'Iing, and 
 
 On the 1:2 
 
 Ljtii arrivcL 
 
 to Montreal, 
 
 stragglers m 
 
 tribes afterw 
 
 f'^'iind the fro 
 
 im[.oi 
 
 Uil'T. to ni! 
 
 apjH'a 
 
 opened throu 
 
I 
 
 \ « 
 
 FroK'li 
 iiid par 
 
 ra varied 
 I asktd 
 red tli:ii 
 ill tlii'ir 
 St them 
 iolvcil t*' 
 
 cull) till' 
 lis 111' llil'i 
 
 ■ expivs> 
 jiriiit'ipal 
 u'rly on. 
 t to these 
 
 lltiMltioTl. 
 
 ■-thinl (f 
 risiisy, tc 
 u-rjry and 
 ot' Mi'iit- 
 to receive 
 ere very 
 the west, 
 awas and 
 enec Uu'V 
 sustained 
 the other 
 d Huron j 
 eiieli iner- 
 klish com- 
 
 UM.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 711 
 
 In ihc month of .Fiily, every preparation having hoen cmnpletcd, do 
 Kntntonac moved up the St. I.awrenee from Montreal, with iv (orce of ' 
 IfjOO rt^iitar troops, militia, and Indians, ru route for Cafaraipii, where - i 
 he arrived on the iStii. The army remained at this place, to rest and 
 retVi^ii theip.st'lvt's. until the Mtiili, when they departed for ()>\vci,'o 
 whi< h they readied on ilie *-2Sth, ]>ra<.'^ini.' tlu'ir t'aiiocs and hatlcaux, 
 or liidit iioat-i. iii> liie liver, they linally hiiiiiehcd tiicin on the < )nori- 
 dw^ix Lake, oil the shores ot wliicii two l)uudles of cut ru>he.s toM them 
 lliiit the Iroquois knew their numlier to bo lUVl, so vij^dhmt wen; 
 their scouts, 'iho army hiiidcd on the southern side of the Iai<e, and 
 an entrenchment was at once eoiistrtieted of felled trees to jiroteet iho 
 biiti!j;a<^e am' provisions, which I 10 men were left to^iiard. 'J'liis (hity 
 fiiii.>hed, the Kreiicli proceeded cautiously towards the fortillcd villa;j;es 
 
 )i 
 
 of tl 
 
 MMIH 
 
 iJILi' 
 
 IS aiK 
 
 Mieiiias 
 
 ;h 
 
 CC!ll 
 
 de F 
 
 uiteiiac, now 
 
 seventy-six years (d'at,'e, who was carried in an armed-chair, while do 
 Callieres cdiiimaiided the left win,!!, ami do Vaiidreiiil the rii^lit. But 
 the Oiioiidagas, .-atisiied that the French could not make a |iermancnt 
 (■oii([iicst of their country, pursued their oM p(dicy of hiiniini^ their 
 viljiiires on the approach of their formiilable enemies, and retreated into 
 the recesses of the forest, whence they could not bo pursued, leaving 
 their cro[»s of corn to be destroyed. A lame girl, found concealed under 
 a tree, and a feeble old chief, whos^o infirmities prevented him from 
 retreating with his tribe, were the only Onondaga captives made by tho 
 invaders. 'J'iiis graydiaired man, whom liis own advanced years should 
 have taught him to spare, do Fronteiiac handed over to bo tortured by 
 his Indians. Dravely did the withered sachem suffer, and fierce were the 
 epithets he hurled at his tormentors, whom ho derided amid his sufTer- 
 ings, "as the slaves of a contemptible race of foreigners." Tho French 
 were more fortunate among the Oneidas, of whom they captured thirty- 
 five prisoners, lint beycmd the destruction ot their crops and dwell- 
 ings, these tribes sustained veiy little injury. Their loss in men was 
 trilling, and the Cayugas and Senccas remained wholly undisturbed. 
 
 On tho I'ith of August tho army returned to Oswego, and on the 
 15th arrived at Fort Frontcnae, whence they shortly after descended 
 to Montreal, while bands of the Iroquois hung on their rear, and cutoff 
 stragglers whenever an oppt)rtunity presented itself. Nor did these 
 trifjcs afterwards cease their incursions into the settlements, till they 
 fuiind the frontier so strongly guarded, that they could not carry oiTany 
 
 Important i)lunder. rnlikc former times, they wore now iinablo 
 1097. to make any serious impression upon Canada; and in l(;i>7 
 
 appeared disposed for peace, the negociations for which were 
 opened through Oureouharo, still faithful to do Frontcnae, and whoij 
 
 • /• ' 
 
 /'^ 
 
 •■ 1 ' ■ I 
 
 ..♦•• 
 
80 
 
 TIIK HISTORY 
 
 [1007. 
 
 
 O 
 
 // X- 
 
 dcjitli for a wliilc iiifcrriiptcil tlioin. Hut llu'. treaty of FlyswicU ttrmi 
 nutcd the war, in which <M<'at Hrilaiii liad cii^'a^rd without |ioli(y uikJ 
 came oil' without ailvaiita};i', aixl n-iMDVcd every (lilllcuhy in tlie isiali. 
 lishrnc'iit of peace lietween tho French aiul J•]llJ,'li^h colonies an<l llirir 
 allies, 'i'hc llu'^iish w«re the (irst who reeiived inlcjiij^eneu of iln' 
 treaty, and at (Jiiee Bent a deputation to (iuehee, to propose an e.\ehaii;:c 
 of [)risoners bolh as re^Mrded theiiiselvi's and the |poi|iiois. ThedoviT 
 nor, however, jireferred toiie^^oeiate se[)ar;itely with the latter, ant] tliiH 
 iniji\i«,'u their assutned soverei;;nty by the llriti.sh. nf this suvereij^iilv 
 he found the Irtxpiois to he not a little jealous, and did every thini; in 
 his power to improve this fciling to the advaiitaj^o of his eountrytneii.* 
 While busily on<;aged in these transactions, and in takiu",' measures 
 • ' *" otherwise for the benefit of the colony, de J-'rontcnae died in 
 1008. till! siventy-eifflith year of his ajfo, having to the last preserviii 
 the gnat emrgy of ehai'aeler which had enabled hini to over- 
 cnmo the nnaiiy (li(Vi(,'iilties and dangers (d' his most adventurous farcer. 
 Ho died, as lie hail lived, loved by some for his courage and military 
 virtues, hated l)y others for his cruel temper and provid and overbear- 
 ing manner, but respected and fi'arcd alike by fiitiid and foe, and willi 
 the credit of having, with trifling aid from France, supported and 
 increased the st!'( iigth of a colony, which ho found on his re-appointnui;t 
 at the brink <.'t'niin.f 
 
 • StiiilJi'M Hist. (";iii. vc.l. 1. 1'. l-.ir.-115. Doe. Hist. .New York, vol. 1. j>. ;;-:f)- 
 345. HiTJot's Hist. Can. \\ .ni:!-;!! J. 
 
 I Hcriot'.s Hist. Can. p. IllO. Conquest of Can. vol. I. p. liol. Hist. Brit 
 Aiuer, vol. 1. p. 198. U\ rotlierye, vol. 1. p. 110. 
 
 'I 
 
 im).] 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 I'hc Ch( 
 
 \ 
 
 ain 
 
 1 
 
 *(<;•>!». coll 
 
 1 
 'i 
 
 jdV 
 
 i 
 
 ^ntioii hail 
 
 
 ••ciDplete. < 
 
 ' 
 
 llieiu to ac 
 
 'i 
 
 'lie iliiliied 
 
 . - 
 
 IIUW tiilVcl 
 
 
 'lit' Iji'rlisl 
 
 '. 
 
 lire iiii adi 
 
 1 
 
 <jreat lb it;i 
 
 1 
 
 !'oiisi(|(r,.(i 
 
 1 
 
 nilt(le<';iili 
 
 
 'iiplixiiacy. 
 
 '<) the priiic 
 
 1 
 
 "0 settle the 
 
 
 'ics to Can;! 
 
 '.•■ 
 
 despite the 
 
 ■) 
 
 the 
 
 J 
 
 iroo. Moil 
 
 m 
 
 war. 
 
 'it 
 
 ''f water, ii 
 
 f 
 
 which they 
 
 M 
 
 I'iipied a 11 
 
 ■* 
 
 'car makes 
 
 "« 
 
 i'>ve did to 
 
 M 
 
 Aft.T rni 
 
 m 
 
 ^ide, and tli( 
 
 m 
 
 "■ee of jieaf., 
 
» % 
 
 F.<W).] 
 
 rtv rA\Ar>A. 
 
 lA 
 
 4; IT A PIKU V. 
 
 Tlir: COVKIINMKNT Ol' M 1>H » AM.IKIIKS. 
 
 The Clu'valior do Callioros, Cuinniandnnt oC ^^(Ult^l■aI, \\\u> liaii 
 
 already di>tiii;^Mii>lK'd hitiisclf In important, scrvicos in tli. 
 1()J>!». roloiiy, viTcivt'd his foininissioii as (jluvcnior (it (anatia, to ;1m 
 
 joy of the iiihaliitaiits, hy tin' lir>t shi|) liuin Fnuicu aftor iiavi- 
 nation liad opi'iicd. '1 In- iic<focialioiis with tho lro(|iKtis was still in 
 •(iiiipk'h'. owiii^r j)iinri[ially to the intrifiiics of his prcdci't'ssor to l:i'I 
 iIkmi to ac'kiiou 1( <lv;c llif ["'ii'iiih soVi'Viii^'iity ol their soil, and received 
 the itiii.iediati- attention ol'lhe new dovernor. The I'^arl of liellaMioiii. 
 now (ioveinor ot .New Voik, hy insislinij that tlie li'o(|uois as well a-* 
 tho i'jiiilish prisoners shnuM \k> cxehanj^ed at Albany, sotij^ht to pin 
 ';i!n' i;n adnii>?.ion Ironi the Fn^neli that these trihes were suhjeet-i of 
 ♦Jreat liritaiii. "That the Vive Nations,"' said IJellainont, " won' alwa) < 
 f'onsidered sul)jeets cf Mn.'^land, can be niaiiil'e>te(| to all tlw; worh?."' 
 lint (lei.'allieres proved more than a mateh tor the I-]ai"i in this game <i( 
 di[)loina('y. He flattered the pride of the Iroquois, by sending agents 
 to the principal Onondaga village to treat of an exchange of prisoneis. 
 to settle tho preliminaries of peace, and to indiic(! them to send depu 
 ties to Canada ^>r its final I'atilieatioti, acoiirsi; they idtimat(dy pursued, 
 despite the exposHdations and threats of Lord Uellamont. J)urin- 
 
 the summer the Onondagas and tho Senoeas sent envoys tc 
 1700. [Montreal '• to weep for the French who had been slain in tin 
 
 war,"' and " to bury their hatchets, over which should run a stream 
 "f water, in the earth." Their arrival crcatctl a jubilee in tiic town, 
 which thoy entered amid tlie jualing of artillery : a reee])tion whi* h 
 piqued a Huron <'hief not a little, atid who told the by-standers, " tlia'. 
 tear makes the I'^rench show U'lOro respect to their enemies thai. 
 !')vo did to their friends,'' 
 
 Alter rapid iiegociations, peace was ratified l)y the Iroquois on one 
 Mde, and the I'rench and th*ir allies on the other. "1 hold fast the 
 liee of peace you have p!i;i;ted." tiiid the politic dc ("allicres, (ldd!'^*'- 
 
 ,» •■ 
 
 >' V I 
 
I , 
 
 m 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [ITOC, 
 
 ing the deputies in their own fi^^urative stylo, "and will lose no tinit- 
 in dospatc'hiiig an armorer to Fort Frontenac to repair your arms, and 
 will send merchandize lliero aU6 suited fo your wants." "I havi 
 always been obedient to my fallu;r,'' said le Kat, a Ilurc^n ehief, "and 
 I bury the hatchet at his feet." The de[)uties of the Oiitawas and tht 
 other north-western tribes echoed his \v(M-d<. " I have no hatchet bur 
 that of my father Onunthio,"' responded the envoy of the Abenaipiis, 
 '"'and now he has buried it." The Christian Iroquois, allies of France, 
 also expressed their assent to the j)eaoe. A written treaty was nuult 
 to which the deputies attached the symbols of their tribe. The Senc 
 cas and Onondagas, drew a spider; the Cayugas, a calumet; the Onei 
 das, a forked stick ; the Mohawks, a haw ; the Hurons, a beaver; tli( 
 Abenaiiuis, a deer; and the Outawas, a hare. 'J'he numerous prisoners 
 on l)Oth sides were allowed to return. Tiic Indians eagerly sought 
 their homes, but to this conduct the greater part of the French captives 
 presento'l a mortifying ccoitrast. They iiad contracted such an attaeh- 
 ment fur the nnrestrained freedom of forest life, that neither the coin- 
 mands of their King, nor the tears and entriatios of their fiiends, coulii 
 jH-rsuadt: them to leave their savage as<oci;ites. 
 
 'Jlie anlhorities of Xew ^'(irk were liiuhlv indiynant at the succos> 
 of dc C'allieres in thus weakening IJritish inlhieiice with the Five Nations. 
 'J'hey correctly attributed the chief cause of this sncoess to the innuenci 
 of the Jesuit missionaries, who had acquired a strong hold of their 
 religieiis symitathies, and never scrupled to use it lor political pnr|>oses. 
 Their indignation found vent in a law of their legislature, which direct 
 ed the hanging of ii\Qvy " Po])ish priest," who shuuld come voluntarily 
 into the Province. 
 
 The (iOvern(jr promptly informed the French mirnstry of the cdh 
 elusion of this advantageous pt'ace, and urged that it should be irnproN 
 cd t<j the ruin of Diitish influence wiih the Five Nations-. If a faviT 
 able ai-rangenient of' the boundary dispntes ciudd not be made, !;. 
 ui-ged that at least the country of the Iroquois should be declaii'! 
 neutral groimd, and that both nations should not nnike any settlement > 
 among them, lie likewise [)i'oposed that they should be left to tliei; 
 own choice in s[)iritt;al al^.iirs, being fully sali.^fied t'ley would prel< r 
 K'<'ii:anlst to Protectant missionaries. 
 
 Htiil the sovercliinty ot' the Iroquois icniuiiud u 
 
 nd. eided. The II 
 
 tish continuei] to [icnetrate thn)Ugh their countiy, and slia 
 
 le 
 
 \"H)\. tiie Indian eoiumcrcc of the west, f'ut Canada j-rt served tl 
 mastery ol' the great lake-;, and de (."ailieres to slreiiglh'! 
 Freneli hilluenct'. i-i'solvid uii establishing a I'ort and trading jtoiU at TX 
 troit. The 'li'oquoij /fere soon a]'pi\zed -oi this design, and ren;e: 
 
1701.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 83 
 
 strattnl against it in strong terms. The (jrovo.rnoi' roplicd, " that as 
 Deti (tit l)clongod to Canada its sottlctncnt conKl in;Itlu>r in justice be 
 opposeil by the Five Nati(jns nor tlic English; that U'n object 
 ill buihling a fort there was to |»resL'r\'e peace ani) iraniiuillity among 
 all tlie western trilx's ;" ami a<.Mei], '• tliat he was nias-ter in his own 
 ijovcrnnicnt, yet only with a view lo the lia;i[iiness of his children."* 
 'Uu Irocpioi.s weri'. lain to be content wiUi lliis answer, and in the 
 month ot June, 1701, de Cadillac, acconiiianied by a Jesuit missionary 
 and one hundred Frenchmen, was despatched to commence a settle- 
 ment at Detroit. Thus Michigan is the oldest ot'all the iidand Ameri-- 
 can States with the exception of Illinois, whose colonization had already 
 been commenced by the unfortunate la Salle. 
 
 Hut while France was thus grasping a firm hold ot'the west, and es- 
 tablishing her s'lpremacy more securely on the great lakes, events were 
 in progress iu Europe which threatened to (kleat her |dans. James II. 
 had died at St. Germans, and liouis XIV. raised the ire ot' the Uiitish 
 
 iiun 
 
 by recojfiiizing his son as the Ictntimate ruler of tiu 
 
 ih 
 
 ree 
 
 ;mir 
 
 diim>.'' William III., altliouijh on his death-bed. was still true to his 
 
 ruliuii imssidii ot' \n»-\\ 
 
 lit 
 
 to E 
 
 ranee, rallied new allianceiJ 
 
 170'^. governed the policy of Europe, and ^llaped the territorial desti- 
 nies of America. His death iu March, 170:2, did not interrupt 
 the execution of his plans, which the ministersof Anne ably carried out. 
 From the piimaclc of power, and with every prospect of giving law to 
 all Europe, the exploits of Marlboroiigh and lOugene, the bloody fields 
 uf Blenheim and Uamillies, reduced Eouis to the lowest condition, and 
 at one time evG'U seemed to place his very crown in peril. 
 
 But the gallant and prudent de Callieres was not lilted to witness the 
 
 reverses of his royal master, nor to see French influence 
 
 1703. weai.encd in America, ile divd on the 2Glh of May, 1703, to 
 
 the great regret of the people of Canada. Their sorrow for 
 
 his loss was the best trib'ite they could pav to his wcu-'.h. Althoush. 
 
 probably, interior lo his predecessor in brillaiiey of talent, his sound 
 
 common-sense, greater (reedom from jias.sion, honoiable conduct, ami 
 
 cliivalric courage, gave him great influence with the Indian tribes, as 
 
 well as with hi i own people. Whihs far from being their tool he 
 
 wisely preservetl a good under^tanding with the religious orders, now 
 
 liecoming tbrrnldable iu the colony from their wealth and numbers. 
 
 To him, however, ihev chielly owed an edict from the crown, whici 
 
 Jinu 
 
 ted ll 
 
 u ir {<C(iui.- ili<Mi of real estate' to a certain amount. 'J'liis niea 
 Hiu'c was rendered necessary by the ra[ id maimer in which they weit' 
 ue;[uiriiig landed property by purchase, as well as by grants from pri- 
 vate individuals. 
 
 > 
 
 .♦•^ 
 
84 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1703. 
 
 niE CJOVKRNMKNT OF 'niE :\rAllQT^lrt DE VAUDRETJIL. 
 
 The !^^ar(^uis dc Vaiulroiiil, wlio had suococdod do Callicrcs as com- 
 mandant of Montreal, became also his successor in tho government of 
 the colony, agreeable to the earnest jietilion of its inhabitants, with 
 •whom lie had become a great favoiite. Fie began his government 
 at a hazardous period, nor did he prove himself unworthy of the occa- 
 sion. The authorities of New York had no sooner learned the revival 
 of hostilities in Europe, than they endeavoured to persuade the Iroquois 
 to resume their ravages in Canada. This they flatly refused to do, and 
 avowed their intention of respecting the peace they had entered into. 
 Do Vaudreuil promptly met these inti'igues by despatching the 8ieur 
 Joncaire, (long a resident among the Senecas who had adopted him into 
 their tribe,) who was much respected by the Ir(j(|Uois, to the (.)nondagas, 
 to confirm them in their alliance, Joncaire succeeded so well in his 
 mission, that this tribe not only dcelai'ed their intention of maintaining 
 a strict neutrality, iw.d retaining the desiiit J'alluTS among them, 
 but thev' also conceded the soverciiintv of tlu.ir counlrv to the Fr^neh. 
 
 The English, vu the (jlher hand, were less successful in securing the 
 neutrality of the Abena(piis. This fierce tribe, inslignled by the Jesuit 
 missionaries, who made no scruple of their hostility against heretic 
 Massachusetts, and aided by a detachment ol French troops, swept the 
 )nore cx|)Oscd frontier settlements, and carried death and mourning iutn 
 many a \ew I'aigland home. The whole couiUry from Casco l)ay to 
 AVells was ravaged in every direction, and its inhabitants murdered 
 without distinction. In the month of February Ilertel do Hon- 
 
 1704. ville, with two hundred ^Freni-h and one hundred and fifty In- 
 dians, burst upon the settlement at Deerfiold, crossed the palli- 
 
 sadcs on the snow, which had rendered them useless, and massacred or 
 carried off the inhabitants into captivity. 
 
 But while these terrible irruptions brought sorrow to the hearths of 
 
 New England, Canada enjoyed profound repose, and was left to deve- 
 
 lopc her resources as she best might. Freed from th<! apprehensions ot 
 
 Indian warfare, many of its inhabitants showed a greater disposi- 
 
 1705. tion to ruin themselves in law-suits, than to enrich themselves 
 by attending to their occupations. The Intendant, ]M. Iiando;. 
 
 wisely applied himself to diminish this evil by promoting amicable ar- 
 bitrations between parties at variance, and succeeded beyond his ex- 
 pectations. Nor was this the only lu'nefit he conferred uj on the eulo- 
 nists. They raised annually considerable <|nantities of fla.x and hemp, 
 but were iircvcntod bv the most stringent laws from cnirauinc; even in 
 
 ;| 
 
» » 
 
 1700.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 85 
 
 ing tlu- 
 
 the coarsest manufactures, which were jealously reserved to ihc mother 
 oouiitry, uiid whither they were also obiigi^d to send even their wool, 
 to be re-shipped to thcin again in the shape of poor and cosily fabrics. 
 
 IJaiidot now proposed to the French ministry, that the Ilaljitans 
 1700. should be permitted to manufacture coarse stufl's for their own 
 
 consumption. lie stated the price of clothing had become so 
 extravagant, owing to the loss of a vessel laden with goods for Quebec, 
 and the risk of capture at sea, that the poor were utterly unable to 
 provide themselves with even the coarsest apparel, and were almost in 
 a state of nakedness. This appeal was irrcjsistable, and from thence- 
 forth the people of Canada were allowed " to manufacture in their 
 houses, home-made linnens and druggets for their own use," a liberty 
 thcv "ladlv availed themselves of. 
 Trouble was in the meantime brewing among the western Indians, 
 
 and hostilities at length broke out between the Illinois aiid 
 
 1707. Outawas at Detroit, which occasioned do Vaudreuil consider- 
 able troubli". A vigoi'oiis inrtxid into the country of the Illi- 
 nois by Cadillac at the head of 100 men, speedily Ijrouglit those savages 
 to reason, and restored jieaee among the western tribes. During these 
 <liflienlties the Iroquois observed a strict neutrality, to Vvhich the efforts 
 of the Jesuit missionaries somewhat conlribiited. Rut to Joneaire 
 this desirable result was principally owing. His knowledge of their 
 language, which he spoke as well as themselv(>s, his daring courage, his 
 liberality, and afl'able manners, rendered him exceedingly popular with 
 the Iroquois, whom he gradually induced to regaril the I'^reneh with 
 favor. But, if the British lost ground in this direction they succeeded 
 in debauching the loyalty of the Christian Iroquois in Canada, numbers 
 of whom by this time had become conlirrned drunkards, the sale of 
 spirituous liquors to the Indians having been revived in the most 
 shameless manner. 
 
 De Vaudreuil, to prevent the further spread of disaffection, determin- 
 ed to assail the British colonies. In the spring of 1708, at a 
 
 1708. war-council held at Montreal, an expedition was resolved on 
 against New JCngland, to be composed of Indians, and one 
 
 hundred chosen Canadian militia volunteers. After numerous delays 
 these began their march, led by des Chaillons and Ilertel de Kou- 
 ville, the destroyer of Deerfield, who had not yet wearied of slaying 
 women and children. The Iroquois and Ilurons soon deserted the ex- 
 pedition and returned home, and the Abcnaciuis failed to ioin it at the 
 
 appointed place. The d(>sign was to caj-ture Portsmouth ; but des 
 Chaillons and de llouvillo llnding their fcu'ce now unequal to the enter- 
 prize, descended the Mcrrimac to Haverhill, rcEolving to attack a remote 
 
 ; V 
 
 <» 
 
 •. I 
 
86 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1709. 
 
 villago rather than return to Canada as they catne. At sunrise, on the 
 29th of Auj^ust, tliey moved forsvard to storm the fort, j^arrisoned by a 
 few soldiers, which was carried after a fierce assault, wliilo their Indians 
 scattered thetnselves among the hiMises, and commenced their horriil 
 work of murder and death. Thesliarp anil constant ring of the musket 
 and the. snnike of the burning village, alarmed the .surrounding cf)untry, 
 and the inh.ibitants Ixjldly gathered to the rescue. The French now 
 beat a hasty retreat, but had scarcely f)ro('eeded a league, when they 
 fell into an ambush, liy a rapid charge tliey dispersed their antagonists, 
 yet with a loss to themselves of nearly tliirty men. They left Haver- 
 hill, so recently a peaceful and happy village, a mass of smoking ruins, 
 and its green-sward red with the blood of its pastor and brave men, of 
 women and mangled babes. New England bewailed this savage act ; 
 nor did it g<; uiu'eproved. " My heart swells with indignation," wrote 
 honest Peter Sohuyler of Albany to dc Vaudreuil, " when I think that 
 a war between Christian princes is degenerating into a savage and 
 boundless butchery.'' 
 
 During this season of trial and disaster to the people of New Eng- 
 land, many a wi>li was utterei! for the conquest of Canada, as 
 1701). the only means of removing the danger that hovered perpetual- 
 ly over their more exposed settlements. Queen Anne was not 
 insensible to the sufferings of her colonial subjects, and readily listened 
 to a plan by Colonel Vetch, who was well aquaintcd with the St. Law- 
 rence, for the capture of jMontreal and Quebec. Vetch landed in New- 
 York on the ord of JNIay, nnd at once commenced preparations for an 
 invasion of Canada by way of the Kiehelieu, which was to be support- 
 ed hy a fleet from England in the St. Lawrence. 
 
 Dc Vaudreuil receivcil ciirly intelligence of the threatened danger, 
 and resolved to dissipate it by a counter movement against the British 
 colonies. On the 2Sth of July, do Uamsay, Governor of Montreal, pro- 
 ceeded with a strong force towards the British encampment near Lake 
 Champlain. The French scouts brought intelligence that the enemy 
 amounting to 5000 men, were strongly entrenched. The Indians 
 quailed at this news, refused to advance further, and the army retreat- 
 ed to Montreal. Nor were the preparations of the British colonies 
 productive of more important results. Towards the end of September 
 dc Vaudreuil learned that their forces had retired from the lake, 
 owing to sickness and the non-arrival from the mother country of the 
 promised aid. The fleet destined for the attack of Quebec never cross- 
 ed the Atlantic; it was sent to Lisbon instead, to i-:u|po!'t the waning 
 fortunes of I'ortugal against the triumphant arms of Spain. The Iru- 
 t^uois also hud played thorn false. No sooner had they joineti 
 
 1710.] 
 
'V ' ^ 
 
 nio.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Willi mi; 
 
 jouu:u 
 
 the British army, than porcoiviiiir it was siifnciontly stronf» to take 
 Montreal ihoy resolved with their usual cautions poliey to nijiintiiin ihc 
 strength of the European rivals, and thus preserve their own iinpo'* 
 tance, and perhaps their very existenec as a people. A small stream 
 trickled by the camp; into this they nuiig tlie skins of the animals 
 they killed. These, under a hurning sun soon iidecteil the water, and 
 many of the militia died from its use, while not the slightest suspicion 
 was entertained of the true cause of the mortality. 
 
 But Britain had not abandoned the design of aiding weeping !Massa- 
 cliusetts, and humbling the pride of Louis the Magnificent in the New 
 
 World as well as in the Old. In September six hjiglish men- o 
 1710. of-war, and thirty armed vessels and transports of New England, J^ 
 
 with four militia regiments under the command of General Nichol- 
 son, sailed from l>oston fur the conc|uest of Nova Scotia, In six days v , 
 this fleet cast anchor in the noble harbor of I'ort lloyal. ^Vith a gar 
 rison siiflering from famine, and reduced by casuallies and desertion to * 
 If)!) men, Subercase, the Frencli commandant, was speedily forced to 
 siiirend(!r, and marched out with all tlie honors of war, to beg for food the • 
 next hour from liis victors. In honor of t!ie CJiieen the captured set- 
 tlement was called Annapolis, a name it still retains, 
 
 Vaiidreuil saw clearly the danger that tlireatened (^anada, were the 
 nrili>ii to advance their possessions towar(ls the St. Eawrence. He 
 appointed Castin, an energetic oflioer, to the government of Nova 
 Scotia, and during the winter sent messengers over the s-iows, to press 
 upon the Jesuit missionaries the necessity of preserving the zeal and 
 patriotism of the Indian allies and French settlers in that region. Hut 
 Castin was unable to restore the falling fortunes of the Erencli on the 
 sea-board, and from that day to this, the Union Jack has floated over 
 Annapolis, 
 
 Flushed with victory, Nidiolson repaired to England to urge the 
 conquest of Canada, while, at the same time, the (Jnt)ndngas sent depu- 
 ties to de Vaudreuil. to assure him that they remained faithful to their 
 treaty with the French, although their confederates were inclined to 
 make common cause witl; the liriiish. The k'gislatuie of New York, 
 had already appealed to the Queen on the dangerous progress of 
 French dominion in America, and deputed Colonel Schuyler of Albany 
 to present their addicss, '• 'Jhe Frendi juiiclrate,"' it aigiied, '• through 
 rivers and lakes at the back of all your ]\Injesty's plantations on th 
 
 
 P- 
 
 .- <. 
 
 IS 
 
 continent to Carolina, and in this large ti'act of country live several 
 nations of Indians who are vastly numerous. Among these they con- 
 stantly send agents and priests with toys and trifles to insinuate them- 
 Bclves into their favor. Afterwards they send traders, then soldiers, 
 
 /u 
 
 
 (^ ? 
 
88 
 
 THE IlISTOUY 
 
 [1711. 
 
 V- 
 
 1^, f,^*UA 1. <Vt 
 
 c' .' 6 
 
 t^;('„- 
 
 •* i a t 
 
 and at last Ijiilld forts anmiig tlicm." Scluiylor carried five sachems of 
 the Ir(>(|ii(;is wiili liim to LoikIoh. Dres-ed in Idaek sniuli clollies and 
 scarlet niaiilles, coaches carried ihcni in slate to an andience with 
 Qneeii Anne, and ulvin.'^ lur ludts oi" \vain[inin, made of the most bril- 
 liant sliills," they avo\vc(J their readiness to take u[) the hatchet, an<t 
 aid in the i'i'(iucti()n ol Canada. 
 
 IJolingbroke jiianiu'il the cainpa'gii and expressed "a paternal con- 
 cern iov its success." IJut while he could write brilliant treat!- 
 1711. scs on philosophy, and snecessfully oi-iginat(3 taxation of news- 
 papers, he knew little of the colonies he proposed to succor, and 
 lacked the requisite soundness of judgment and powers of combination 
 to make that succor elfectual. 
 
 At midsummer Nicholson arrived in Boston with news that a fleet 
 might soon be expected from ll^ngland to aiiJ in the reduction of Cana- 
 da, and impressed ujioii the diderent colonies the necessity of having 
 their militia contingents in readiness as soon as possible. On the COth 
 of July the wlhde ai'inament sailed from IJoston. The Jilnglish fleet, 
 coiisi.-liug of (ilteen ships of war and hii'iy---i\ transports and st(M'e-ships, 
 was placed uiidi^r tlie command of Sir IJovcnden Walker. The land 
 force, composed (d live veteran regiments iVom ]Mailborougirs army, 
 and two colonial iigiments, was led by Drigadier (Jeneral Hill, bro- 
 ther to Mrs. ]\Iasham. the Queen's favorite. 'J his ainiament Masnearlv 
 as strong as that which snbsetjuently caplined (.Quebec under the intrepid 
 Woif'. ailh(»i!uh its works in the meaulime had been rendered far more 
 formidalde. wliili" its defenders were much \i\rvc numerous. -j- ( )ii the 
 same day in whiedi the fleet sailed from Boston, Cieneral Nicholson 
 procetded to Albany, where in a sluu't time he found himself at the 
 liead of lOOO Provincial troops and 000 Indians, prepared to burst upon 
 JMontreal. In the west, the Foxes, desirous to expel the French from 
 ]Michigai), ap[ieared as the allies of the English to elleet a diversion in 
 tlu'ir iavor. 
 
 IntiTiigenee of the intended expedition was seasonably received at 
 Quebec, and the measures of defence began by a renewal of friendship 
 with the Canadian and north-west Indians, .loncaire. also, was success- 
 ful in retainin<r the Senecas in neutralitv, and the Onondaaas renniined 
 faithful to their promises ; but the rest of the confederates ranged 
 
 '^ Wiiiiipuin IkK.s wore made of bciuls formed from s^lnlls of difl'oront colorf. 
 Tlusi' sliills wcro .ilso used as money l)y the Indiiins. TIic inliabitiuits of llin- 
 doostaii use shells called oowvies in lieu of fiiiull coin at (lie presoiit day. 
 
 fSiiiitli's llisi. t',.iii. vol. l.p. 171. Canada in 1711 oonlaiued about 30,000 
 /^'rcnch iidiabitunts and GUUU Indians. 
 
 * Ailmiii 
 
 Heriol's II 
 
 ^'. Aniei'. ^ 
 
.Mvcd at 
 
 
 1711.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 89 
 
 themselves on tlio side of the lirilisli. TiO;iviiig ^I. do I).)neo;irt to 
 stri'iimlifii tlic defriicoi ofC^iicIx'e, (]v> Wnidreiiil |ir(K\H'iK'd to Mniitrcal, 
 where lie rapidly •'i'ii;aiiiz"d a l')i-e(^ c^f 1)1)00 soldli'is. nillitia, and a lew 
 Indians, and phuMnLj it under tlu' e.ininiaiid of M. d ■ LouLMieil, direct- 
 ed iiini to eneani]> at Chamldy. and tin re await \irlii»|:,o:i. 
 
 Adnnral W allcer arrived in the St. Lawrence on tli.' I l:li of Anifiisl, 
 .ind after lingering a few days in the 15ay of (Taspc, owing loan nnfavo- 
 nibie wind, proceeded np the river. Little was then i<no\\n in l-jighiiul 
 witli regai'd to the peeuliarities of the 8t. Lawrenei', and Walla-r siiar- 
 ing the apprehensions of the vidgar, imagined that a enrrent where 
 vessels flouted on water one hundred fallionis deep, woidd be iVozei; 
 to the bottom during winter, and puzzled his brains to know liow he 
 woidd preserve his ships. "To secure them on the dry groimd lu 
 frames and cradles till the thaw," he sagely imagined to be the true 
 mode of procedure. 
 
 On the c^vcning of the ;2'2nd of August a thick f'oir came oTi ^ith an 
 easterly breeze. Next morning both tlu' Fivneli and I'Jiglish pilots 
 tlioiiglit it right to bring the fleet to with tlieirheads to the vt)ullr«vai'd, 
 as the best course to keep the niid-elianm-l and drive clear ot the 
 iierlli ^llore. The <lay passed salely over, but jn^t ;i ; Walker was 
 gc/mg to bed, the captain of his sliiji came down to say that land could 
 ])C seen, and without guing on ilrek lu', wantoidy ordered the ships 
 to lu'ad to the nnrtli. (inddard. a captain in the hnid serviee. at, the in- 
 sligatinu of the pilot, I'aradis, rn.-hed to the eal>in in great haste, and 
 iiiipoi'tinied the Admiral at lea-t to come on deck ; but the selt'-svilled 
 iiian laughed at his fears and relii ed. A second time (ioddard return- 
 ed. "Tor the Lord's sake come on deck."' cried he, '"or \\c >h;dl cer- 
 tainly be h)st, I see bri'akers all around us." ^\'a!ker ciune on deck 
 and found lie had spoken the truth; "but still," lie' (xelalmed. '• | seo 
 no land Co the leeward." Just then the moon broke tlii'ongh the mist 
 and showed him his eiror. Now he ladievi'd I'araiiis, and madi" 
 sail for the middle of the river, but not Ijcfore eight siiips had been 
 wieeked among the reefs ot the Egg Islands, and 88 I men diowned. 
 As soon as the scattered lleet Avas collecti'd a council of war \vas held, 
 at whieh the craven-hearted leaders voted unanimously that it was im- 
 possible to proceed. aiiJ tliat it was for the interests of her Majesty's 
 service that the 15ritish troo[)o do Ibrlhwilh return to Tnirland, and tiio 
 colonial trooiis to Doston.'^''' 
 
 /I. - 
 
 A,l 
 
 tnira 
 
 Willi, 
 
 licr 8 .n)\iri),ii 
 
 \\ Vl% \±o. Smith's Hist. Cmi. vol. 1, p. 1G7-177. 
 
 Herioi's Hist. Can. \\ ;i'.»'.)-l()t . Con(|lu•^^t of Can. vol. 1. p 
 
 ISrit, 
 
 N. Ainer. vol. 1. \\ 2Ul, '.;U2, 
 
 85o-yii8. 
 
 LiUi. Hist. United Stall.'.-?, London I'.dit.ion, \\ 
 
 s- 
 
 A 
 
 •.. 
 
 ^ 
 
 I.' 
 
90 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [nil 
 
 'I"TiG failure of the cxprdltinn an;ainst Qiic])no compelled N iciiolson to 
 retreat. Tiic French scouts soon l)roii^lit intcliigi'nce of this move- 
 ment to the camp at Chamlily. For the inofneiit the news was doiiht- 
 fd : "it was almost loo good to be triiCj" and Ilcrtel de Uoiiville was 
 <lespatched with 200 men to procure rnorc^ ccitaln information. He 
 inarehed far on the way to Albany till In- was joined by three Frciicli- 
 men, set at liberty by Nicholson on his return, who told him of the 
 vonslernati(jn of the Ibitish ctiioui>ts, Avlicn tiny learned the niis((,r. 
 tuni^ which had befallen tliefliH-t. Iiartjues were soon despatched down the 
 river from Quebec. At the I'^gg Islands the remains of eight large 
 vessels were found, whose cannon ;ind stores had been taken out, and 
 the many dead bf)dies that strewed the shores of the river told unmis- 
 takably the disaster which had befallen the Urilish fleet. 
 
 In the west, however, new dangers menaced J'^rench power. The Foxes 
 resolved to burn Detroit, ami pitched their wigwams near the fort. 
 iTl'2. now defended oidy l)y a score of Frenchmen. But the Indian al- 
 lies of the little garrison came to their relief, and the warriors of 
 the Fox nati'jii, instead of destroying Detroit were themselves besi( g 'd, 
 and r.t la^t compelled to siuiender at discretion. Those who were 
 found in arms were ruthlessly massaercti, and the rest were distributed 
 as slaves among the victors. Ihus did the fidelity of their allies pre- 
 serve Detroit to the French. Cherij-hed as the loveliest spot in Can;i- 
 <4a, its possession secured the road to the upper Indians. Its loss would 
 have been the ruin of the Canadian fur-trade, and !?hut out the French 
 forever from the great highway to the Mississippi. Still, these succs- 
 ses did not alter the gieat current of western commerce, which con- 
 tinued to flow steadily towards Albany and New York. The Indian 
 loved the Frenchman as a companion, but the British merchant paid .1 
 liigher priee for beaver, and self-interest, that great motive power vi 
 human nature among the civilized and the savage, led him to prefer tho 
 trafHc of the latter. 
 
 Weakened by defeat — driven back from the banks of the Danube, the 
 Tagus. and the Po, Louis, now an old and feeble man, earnestly desired 
 peace even on humiliating terms. The debility of France became its 
 i-afcty. England was satiated with costly continental victories, and 
 public opinion demanded a peace. Marlborough, who hesitated not te 
 ^ay " that the enmity between France and I'^ngland was irreconcila- 
 ble," wasdismii-ed from power; the ^Vhigs fell with him, and tlic 
 I'ories took their places to inaugurate a new era of peace. A 
 1713. ccngress of ambassadors assen)bled at I'trecht to regulate its 
 conditions. Louis strove to jireserve his Canadian posf^essions 
 intact, but the sufTerings of ilassachusiitts made Great Britain resolute 
 
 ;<'")sed ili;i 
 
 tliouifh ''V 
 
 i:i8. tic 
 
 coi 
 of ginsing. 
 ^ur a time 
 
«■ > 
 
 [nil 
 
 olson to 
 i move- 
 s doubt- 
 ille was 
 
 nil. Ill- 
 
 Frt'iicli- 
 11 fit' tlic 
 
 down till' 
 ;ht large 
 out, ami 
 d unmis- 
 
 ho I'oxO'^ 
 r the (ovt. 
 Imlian al- 
 arriors of 
 
 l)(>si(irod, 
 \vll(> WOl'O 
 
 istrilniti'd 
 allios pre- 
 . In Cana- 
 Dss would 
 ic Frciieli 
 cso succs- 
 
 hich coii- 
 lie Indian 
 ml paid a 
 
 power ot 
 prefer tbc 
 
 anubo, the 
 tly desired 
 x>canie it^ 
 ories, and 
 ited not tt' 
 rreconcila- 
 1, and the 
 peace. A 
 ogulate its 
 possessions 
 
 •714.] 
 
 OF CAN.VDA. 
 
 01 
 
 to retain Nova Scotia, and it was fully coded to ln'r, with the fisheries 
 
 vif Xiwliniiidlaiid, the va>t iinUii.Avii rogiuiis of Jludsoii's ihiy, and the 
 
 noii'.iiial sovi'rrigiity of the lro(|ii(iis. 
 
 Tlif war ha<l scarcely t(.'nuiiiatod, whrii tho active mind of the Govcr - 
 
 iior began to devise mean-; I'nr st reiigthciiiiig the defences and 
 
 1714. jK'opliitg the c<dony, which instead of increasing, was actually de- 
 
 V that 
 
 creasing in population. II(> .elated to the French ministry 
 I'anada possessed (jiily 4 1^0 inhabitants, between Ibni'tecn and sixty 
 years, able to carry arms, while the rt'gnlar soldiers in the colony barely 
 amounted to (V2S. 'J"nis small number of perscms was spread over a 
 ouuiitry one hundred h agues in extent. He added, the English colonies 
 had ((0.000 men able to bear arms, und that on the first rupture they 
 would make a powerful efFort to get possession of Panada, lie jiro- 
 P'lsed that additional troops should be sent out, and that one hundred 
 and fit'ty convicts should be shipped annually to this country, to aid in 
 the labors of agriculture. Fortunately for Canada the latter proposi- 
 tion was never carried out, and she escaped the indignity and difl'iculty 
 of becoming a penal settlement. 
 The bitter lesson which the Foxes had received at Detroit, instead of 
 
 making the remainder of their Irilie more peacefully inclined, 
 ITIT). thoroughly exasperated them against the Frencli. Not only did 
 
 they interrupt the trappers in -Michigan, their native country, but 
 they infested the routes leading to the distant posts of the colony, and 
 inflicted all the injury possible upon tjie Indian allies of the French. 
 The Governor at lengtli detached a strong force to brine them 
 to reason, 8hut up in their fort, against which two field-pieces were 
 
 brought to bear, they finally oflered favorable terms of accom- 
 1710. niodation, which were accepted. J>ut they soon evinced little 
 
 respect for the treaty they had been forced to enter into, and 
 though greatly reduced in numbers, rendered the routes towards Lou- 
 siaiia unsafe, and ever after remained the deadliest enemies of the 
 French. 
 
 The success of the expedition against the Foxes established peace in 
 all the borders of the colony, and for many years it presents few 
 
 events of importance to record. The attention of the Cover 
 
 1717. nor was turned to the careless and improper manner in wliich 
 notaries frequently performed their duties, and stringent regiila- 
 
 1718. tions were now made to correct these abuses. In the year 1718 
 considerable excitement was caused in the colony by the discovery 
 
 of ginsing, a plant highly esteemed by the Chinese, in the forests, which 
 for a time promised to be a valuable article of commerce, i>ut the 
 lin resolute M H 
 
 . • •: r 
 
f» 
 
 TFTE irfSTORi" 
 
 [17-^0. 
 
 I . 
 
 (.'anaflians wore iinacquaiiitcil with its proper modo of preservation, 
 and it soon became unsalealjlo. 
 
 Tiiu two succee(]in;iT years were alike barren of events. Cliarlcvoix, 
 one of the early historians of (jana'la, came out tVom France, ii. 
 
 1720. 1720, remaincil here diiriiij^ t'.ie sneciHMlin;,' year, and visldd tlic 
 principal scltlcint'nts, wliieh he Jcsci-ihes in his Journal. (2"''h<'C 
 
 1721. embraced even then an L'ppcr anil [jovvfr Town, and contained 
 about 7000 iidiabitanls. Its best society, composed of military 
 
 officers iuid nobles, was extremely agrecal)le, and Ik; states that no- 
 Avhcro was the French lan;,nia,i;e s[)oken in i^realer purity. Under a^ay 
 exterior was concealed a very general poverty. "The I'^niflish," the 
 Canadians said, "knew better how to accumulate wealth, but they 
 alone M'cre aqnainted with the most agreeable way of spending it." 
 The only en^ployment suited to their taste was the fur-trade, the rov- 
 ing and adventurous habits of which they especially liked. They made 
 money by it occasionally, wbich was soon squandered .'.fain in pleasure 
 and display. Many who had made a handsome (iguro In society were 
 now sullering pecuniary distress; still, while they cui'tailed the luxu- 
 ries of their tables, they contitnicd as long as possible to be richly 
 dressed. Agriculture received little attention, and the timber trade 
 was yet in its infancy. 
 
 The banks of the St. Lawrence for sonic distance below Quebec were 
 already laid out in seigniories, and par. "ally cultivated. Some of the 
 farmers were in easv circumstances, and richer than their landlords, 
 
 V 7 7 
 
 whose necessities compelled them to let their land at low quiet-rents. 
 At one point Charlevoix found a baron, holding the oflice of inspector 
 of highways, who lived in the forest, and derived his snpport from a 
 traflic with the neighboring Indians. Three Rivers was an agreeable 
 ]dace, containing SOO inhabitants, and surrounded by well cultivated 
 fields. Its fur-trade had been in a great measure transferred to ^Mont- 
 real, and the iron mines had not yet began to be worked. He found 
 the country thinly peopled as ho ascended the river, till he arrived at 
 the Island of Montreal, the beauties of which he describes in glowing 
 terms. lie does not state the population of the town, but very pro 
 bably it was about 4000. 
 
 After leaving INIontreal he only met with detached posts for defence 
 or trade. Passing viji the river in bark canoes he reached Fort Tron- 
 tenac, which he describes as merely a small military station. After a 
 tedious voyage along the shoves of t!ie lake, he came to a log block- 
 house on llie Niagjira river, occupied by Joncaire and a few oflieers and 
 troops, but saw neither a settlement nor cultivated fields. Passing up 
 { ake Erie he visited Detroit, and several of the stations on the upper 
 
i7-:o.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 l;vkt"f, but bcyoiiil .siiiiiU iradiiiu pi)-, i .icouiitiTiMl iiolliiiii,' worthy \>i 
 t:u! iiiimo of sc'ltleiiieiit. Such was t'anada West oiiu liuinlrcti unU 
 tliii'ty livi! years i\^<>'. it iinw prc^.'iiis a wry diirt-rciit aspi'ct. 
 
 jlilhrr'd the fiiiliricatitiii-; nf (^ucln'c had Itci'ii very iiiLHiiiniK'to, but 
 
 iho l''rL'iii!i ministry now rcsulvvil lo stri'iiLjthcii and oxtciid 
 IT'20. thi'iii, aj^rooablo to lin' phui <>{' .NT. dc Ia'Vy. Montreal was de- 
 
 K'udid l)y woddi'n wiuUs, whidi were in a most dihipidatcd 
 17*J2. couditioii. Orders -wi'rc jLiiveu lo fortify it with stono. Tlie 
 
 King advanced the. money, but the town and si'ininary verc to 
 repay one half in annual in^lalmtnls uf six thousand livres. Barracks 
 were likewise constructed Ibr the re<fnlar troops. No provision was 
 made, however, for the militia, who only existed in the colony from 
 its neees>lties and the will of the (iovernor. As an institution in tlie 
 state they had never been ri-coynized by any i'rcneh law or edict.* 
 Ten years' })eace had added to the trade, and jiopulation of Canada. 
 
 Nineteen vessels sailed this year from Quebec for the ocean. 
 17Qi]. Six new shi])s were built liu* the lui'rehant service, and two men- 
 of-war. Tiie exports to France embraced furs, lumber, staves, 
 tar, tobacco, llonr, pease, and pork; the imports from the mother 
 countrv were wines, brandies, and drv-20ods. 
 
 On the 10th of October, Vt'2'), the Mar(|uis do Vaudreuil closed his 
 
 useful career. 'Jdie sorrow manih-stcd by the people for this 
 17r25. event, was proj)ortioriate to the satisfaction they had displayed 
 
 when ho was first elected (JoverntM-. For the long period of 
 oiic-and-twenty years, had he disehaiju^ed his important duties with 
 {;reat loyalty, ability, and courage. His vigilance, firmness, and good 
 conduct, had preserved Canada to France throngh a disastrous war, 
 and he went to rest from his labors with the blessings and regrets of a 
 grateful people, who had enjoyed all the peace and prosperity possible 
 under his rule. 
 
 ,s 
 
 THE DOVEIJNMENT OF THE .AtAHQT^IS DE IJEArilAKXOIS. 
 
 AVhcn the death of de Vaudreuil become known in France, the Mar- 
 quis de ]]eauharnois, a natural son of Louis XIV., received the 
 172G. appointment of Governor, lie arrived in Canada early in 
 May, and was almost immediately engaged in a warm contro- 
 versy with Governor Burnet of New York, relative to a fort and trad- 
 ing establishment which the latter was constructing at Oswego, with tho 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 185, 18G. 
 
04 
 
 TIIK HISTORY 
 
 fK'Jd 
 
 view of (livcrlinjT still mere dt'lliL' liiili;m tiiidf to Now \uvk. T<» pre- 
 vent this result the (JuviiiHif lii spatciKiI M. Ar Koni^Muil to iIh- Onon- 
 <lngas to ask |ic'rfMi.->.sioii to cri-ft a slore-hoiDst- aiul lint at Niai^ara. 
 The pcrsiiasidiiH of thu .Ii'>iiit mis-ioiiai'ii's nailily iinlufcil tiu'iii to 
 agree to this eoiirso, aiul tlu' I'i'eiicli |ii(iiiiptly applii.'i] Uiirnsclvi's to 
 jirofit liy the. j)riviU'i,'e. r>iiiiict induee'l the Si'iueas to hinder tlic 
 proceedings of the Fremli, and ilii-; triljc at once sent a messenger to 
 Niagara to i'i'(jnin; them iniiiMiliately to tl.'.sisl, as the cioiiiiiy uherc 
 tliey were bi'longeil to tlimi and nn| to the ( )nondagas. lligardless o( 
 tliis demand th(! wtirks were ]tUblK'd forward, while at the same lime 
 Joiu'aire used liis inHucnco succe/isfidly with the Si'neeas to prevt-nt 
 their ueliiolilion. 
 
 Ijurnct, (imling himsilf nnahle U) dispossess the l''riiuli at Niagara, 
 strengtliened the fort at ()sw<'go, which so enraged IJeauhiuiioIs, that in 
 the month of, Inly he sent a written summons to theofliecr in comnumd 
 there to abandon it within lifteeii days. He wrote to JJurnet six days 
 afterwards remonsliating with him on iht; erection of ikis furt as being 
 contrary to the treaty of I'treelit, whieh ]>rovided that the boundary 
 lines of tlie IWitl.^h and Fixneh et»!onies sliould be settled by commis- 
 sioncrs, and elaiming the land on either side of Lake Ontario as belong- 
 ing to his natiiin. The i-'nglish Governor rejijied in a jxilite but reso- 
 lute manner, comj>lctely refuted his arguments, and presented ecnnter 
 remonstrances against the, proceedings at Niagara. Ueanhainois retort- 
 ed by ji fresh summons to the oflicer commanding at Oswego, and 
 anoliier inesr-age to ]Mr lUiinet, staling that hostile measures would be 
 udof>ted ii the fort was not abandoned and destroyed. The latter upon 
 this threat coolly reinforced the garrison, to secure it in the event of 
 attack : and so the matter terminated for the time. 
 
 l^'our years elapsed without producing a single event of note, and the 
 
 I iiioii Jack still floated at OsNTcgo on the bracing breezes 
 IT-'Jl. of the lake. Bcauharnois had notcarrieil out his threat of attack. 
 
 but in order to repress the growitig energies of the Bri- 
 tish colonics he now resolved on the erection of a fort at Crown Point, 
 on Lake L'hamjtlaln. Should a war again occur he saw clearly, that a 
 military jiost there would place the French ti'oops in such close prox- 
 imity to the frontier settlements on the Hudson and Connecticut rivers, 
 that great injury could be easily inflicted on them. At the same time 
 it wa-j an important step towards carrying out the plan, already con- 
 ceived, of restricting the British colonics to the sea-board. 
 
 The (jovcrnment of Massacluiscttsspccdily bccamealarmcd. Bcl- 
 17o"^. clier, who was now at Its head, sent a letter to Vandam, the 
 
 Governor of Now York, ofl'ering to bear one-half the expense of 
 
 
 i 
 
1 ini,\ 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 >, and 
 
 (1 1)0 
 
 upon 
 :\\t of 
 
 id the 
 
 )l''.'CZCS 
 
 ;itla('l<, 
 15ri- 
 I'olnt, 
 that a 
 
 prox- 
 rivcrs, 
 
 le time 
 
 ily con- 
 
 ■u. Bcl- 
 ini, the 
 
 UU£C 01 
 
 -if 
 
 1 
 
 .in c'inl>ia3''y to r;iii;ld;v Id r)i'I)i(l flit> oonstnu'tioil of tli.'i fort, .-iinl prp>»s. 
 in;,' hi(»* to ciMii'^'i' tlw oppoMtioii {>[' tlio lro.pioi-4, now l)i"^'iiiiiiii'^f to In- 
 known a-t (ho '* SI\ Nation-*.'' Windani laid tlm li-tlci" iji'l'mv tlui conji- 
 cil ; Imt ii lon;^ pc u'v> had liliint^'d its vii.'Ihiiu'o ; no acllnu waitalvcn 
 llicrc'in. andllio |"'irni'h rilaiucd piMOial)lo possossimMiC ( Vown I'tiinl. 
 T'/UJi .ini; ju'i'l'iiiiid r<'[M>si>, yi ar al'icr yi'ar now pa-^-'od over the 
 O()!o:iy, wilhont pi'oihu-iii^' scarcv'Iy an event nf iniportanee. '|'|i,. laws 
 (if I'raiico, with trilling; niodlliuatioin l)y royal decivos, wece tiio laws of 
 ("anaila; whieli, unlike iho Car.ad iot'thi- present. (h\y, was n ■verdistiiili. 
 e.l hy till" (piarrels of a h)'.'al pailianieiit. 'I'h.' for|)id ropo^e, which it 
 chained in tliis way. repressed tlio cniT'^ies i<C its inlialiltants, and perpp- 
 tuatt'd lluii' natural ea-y and indohiiL manners, whieh over llireecjnar- 
 tor-* I'Ca century df r.iili-~li hvo(huii lia-^ nut, swHioed to remove. 
 
 All old writer" on Canada liils n[) tlio hi'-lorical blank that now in- 
 toi'venex, Ity detailin;^ how iIil' nuin ot* ih^ (Jeneral lfo>oiial ot' 
 1 '.'!:>. (^)iiel)e('' lie'^'an to adopt tho lax ruannerM of the colony, and nii.v 
 in -iicirty contrary to their vows; and how Louis X\'. reproved 
 lliem therefor, and compelled th.na to adopt a luori' decm'ous lieha- 
 viouf. There was then the dillieulty about tho l{i.sho[)'s I'alaoo, 
 n.'K). which these same nuns claimed as their property; hut royalty 
 discountenanced their pretensions, and they had to succuinh. 
 ^reanwhilo, lleaidiarnois diligently applied himself to forward tho inte- 
 rests of the colony, which now made rapid strides, in projiortion to lier 
 turiner [irogn>ss, in pojinlallon and wealth. Cultivated farms ;L!;radually 
 appeared along the St. riawreiico from (^uehec to ]\[onlreal. as well as 
 upon t'.ie l>anks of several of its tributary streams. 'I'ho absence ot 
 roads prevented settlement in the interior, and water was acoordiuirly 
 the only market highway of tho farmer. This led to the system, tho 
 evils ot whieh is still felt in f.ower Canada, ol'outling up the larmsinto 
 hm^f narrow strips, having from on(; to three acres' frontage on the 
 rivers, and extending inland iVoin forty t^) eiglity neres. 
 
 The French colonists during this long interval of peace, a[)[M-ar to 
 have ei tirely overcome tlic enmity against them, so long treasured u[i 
 by a few of the principal Indian triljes. Their pliant and courteous 
 mariners; their cheerful di-position ; their frer.ucnt intermari'iages with 
 the natives; and, in many instances, their actual adoption of the wild 
 and stirring life of ilie liiuian, rendered them far better fitted to secure 
 
 * Williii'ii S.iiilh, wli') w:n a Mister in ("lianofry ftiid Clerk of tin' Pnrliatiif nt 
 of C;i;!!iil;i iiftor flc ('(inipu'st. His work is very poorly writ ton ; Iml, ho narrated 
 occ'iD'i'oin-c^s lioiK'^tly, tliougli not voiw eloarly nor inetli<nlit'iilly. 
 
 . • - I 
 
96 THE HISTORY [1730. 
 
 his confidence than the staid British colonist. A very favorable change 
 took place also in the fur-trade in which the British merchants had so 
 long had the advantage. The government adopted a more liberal 
 and equi<:able sytem of Indian traflie, -which was released in a great mea- 
 sure from the licensed mondjjolies, which had liitherto so injuriously 
 afTected it. A large annual fair was op'-'ned at Mt)iitreal to which tho 
 Indiuns were invited to resort, and whither many of them came to dis- 
 pose of their furs in preference to going to Albany. 
 
 Still the progress of Canada was far inferior to that of its self. 
 governed Anglo-Saxon neighbors. This was owing to a variety of 
 causes, among the chief of which may be reckoned the absence of a 
 local legislation, the seignorial tenure system, the want of schools, the 
 gay and indolent habits of the people themselves, their numerous reli- 
 gious festivals, and the equal partition of lands among the children 
 of deceased parents, without regard to primogeniture. Not only 
 were the lands of tho seigniors divided in this way, but also the farms 
 of their tenants, Avhich were usually barely largo enough for the sup- 
 port of a sin'gle family. This system, Mhich did not even permit of al- 
 teration by will, proved a most effectual bar to the clearing of wild 
 lands. The children, contented and indolent as their parents, instead 
 of going forth to provide for''themselves in new districts, settled down 
 on the paternal farms, which were divided and sub-divided amongst 
 them to no end. I'he King sought to correct these abuses, by 
 
 1744. directing the Bishop of Quebec to suppress a number of holi- 
 days, which instead of being religiously observed, only led to 
 
 drunkenness and disorder, and by issuing an edict, preventing in future 
 tiic erection of dwelling-houses on tracts less than one and a-hall" 
 
 1745. acres in front by forty in depth, under the penalty of one hun- 
 dred livres and the demolition of the buildings.* 
 
 In the meantime a storm hud arisen in the political horizon of 
 Europe, which once more throaiened the rival colonies of tho New 
 World with the horrors of war. British commerce, now penetrating 
 every quarter of the globe, refused to bruok any longer the restrictions 
 imposed by Spanish jealousy in South America. The English nation 
 became clamorous for war, and the ministry giving way to the 
 
 1738. popular cry, strengthened the forces by sea and land, and pr'- 
 pared for hostilities. In 1700 war was declared in due form 
 
 1739. against Spain. Vernon captured Porto Bello, and destroyed 
 the fortifications with scarcely the loss of a man ; Anson 
 
 swept the coasts of the enemy in tho South Seas, surprised with a few 
 
 I 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vul. 1 i>. I'ja, 1200. 
 
 Jrom 1 
 
 ions. 
 
 1743. 
 1744. 
 
174].] 
 
 OF CAxNADA. 
 
 ©^ 
 
 n 
 
 I 
 
 soldiers Paifa by night, and after spending three days in slripping it of 
 treasure and merchandise set it on fire. lie afterwards proceeded to 
 
 Panainii, and subsequently traversed the Pacific (Jccan till the 
 1740. long looked for Spanish galleon, the treasure and cargo of which 
 
 were valued at three hundred and thirteen thousand pounds ster 
 ling, hovo in sight, which ho carried a prize to England, and thus on- 
 i-iched himself and his oflicers. 
 
 These successes alarmed France, and Flcury, who like Walpolc de 
 sired to preserve peace, was like him also overruled by the clamors of his 
 rivals. Franco soon avowed herself the ally of Spain, whom she pro- 
 mised to aid with fifty ships of the line. But in taking this step all in- 
 tcntions of conciuest were disavowed. " I do not propose to begin a war 
 with England," said Louis XV., " or to seize or annoy one British 
 ship, or to take one foot of land possessed by England in any part of 
 the world. Yet I must prevent England from accomplishing its great 
 purpose of appropriating to itself the entire commerce of the West 
 Indies. France, though it has no treaty with Spain, cannot con- 
 sent that the Spanish colonies should fall into English hands" " It is 
 our object," said Cardinal Flcury, " not to make war on England, but 
 to induce it to consent to a peace." 
 
 Such was the posture of affairs, when, by the death of Charles VI., 
 the extinction of the male line of the house of Ilapsburg, raised a ques- 
 tion on the Austrian succession. The treaty known as the " Pragmatic 
 Sanction," to which Franco was a party, guaranteed the Austrian do- 
 minions to IMaria Theresa, the eldest daughter of the late Emperor, 
 but this did not now prevent the sovereigns of Spain, of Saxony, and 
 Bavaria, from each laying claim to the ompire. The opportunity was toc» 
 favorable to gratify his hereditary hatred of Austria-^ so Louis forgot 
 his pledged faith, neglected the advice of his minister, Fleury, and 
 sought to place his creature, the Elector of Bavaria on the throne of 
 <^'iiarles. Scarcely had the Empress closed the eyes of her father, when 
 the young king of Prussia, Fredrick If., seized Silesia. Saxony de- 
 manded another part of her dominions, and presently Bavaria, backed 
 by France, laid claim to her crown. The latter powers were at first 
 successful in the war that speedily ensued, and Maria Theresa driven 
 from her capital sought refuge with her son in her Hungarian domin- 
 ions. Ifer misfortunes speedily produced a reaction i'.i her fivor. 
 
 iMigland, now ruled by (ieorge II., (who sought to shield hi.s 
 174.J. Hanoverian domiuions), avowed Ih'rsclf as the ally of the I^m- 
 
 press. Sardini;: and Holland soon after declared them?:cl ves in her 
 1744, favour, and her misfortmies thawed even liussiaintoanacknow- 
 
 ledgcnuut of licr claim..-. France in return declared war against 
 
 A 
 
 f •• 
 
98 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [17 if. 
 
 1:1.').] 
 
 England, plotted already acliango, in its dynasty, and t'ac establishment 
 of the Prct(nider, Charles, on its throne. 
 
 In North America, New ICniflnnd sustained the fn-st sliocic of war. 
 While Canada .and the ccnlral Uritish provinces still re])o^ed in tran- 
 quillity, and oven in ifrnoranco oftlie declaration of hostilities, a body of 
 French from ^Capc Ureton- surprised the small I"Ji!i;iisli garrison ot 
 Canseau, and carried eiuhty men as prisoners to Louisbnrg, Annapo- 
 lis, in Nova Scotia, was next assailed l)y a body of French Indians, in-- 
 stigated by the Abbe le Loutre, (heir Jesuit missionary, and as the 
 defences were in a most ruinous condition they were wilh diPiiculty re- 
 pelled. 
 
 New England was speedily alarmed for the saR'fy of her frontior, 
 and icsolved upon the capture of Louisburg, the great strong- 
 1745. hold of France on her borders, as the best measure of protection. 
 A majority of one vote, in the legislature of ^[assachusetts, was 
 cast in favor of the expedition. Governor Shlrliy had already solicit- 
 ed aid from England, and the other colonies were now appealed to. 
 New York sent a small supply of artillery, Pensylvania gave provi- 
 sions, Connecticut raised 510 militia, New Ilampshire JJOi, while the 
 forces levied by Massachusetts exceeded 3000 volunteers. Assistance 
 was asked from Commodore Warren, then at Antigua, but on a con- 
 sultation with the captains of the squadron, it was resolved in the ab- 
 sence of orders from England, not to engage in the expedition. 
 
 A merchant, William Pepperell, of Maine, was appointed to the 
 chief command, and counselled by Shirley to sec that the fleet arrived 
 together at a precise horn', to land the troops In the dark, and take the 
 town and fort by surprise. The ice from Cape Breton was drifting in 
 such quantities as rendered further progress dangerous, and the fleet 
 was detained many days at Canseau, where it was 'joined by W^arri-n, 
 who had in the meantime received orders from ]']ngland to render all 
 fhc aid possible to !^^assachnsetts. 
 
 An hour after sunrise, on the 29lh of April, the armament, in a hun- 
 dred vessels of New England, large and small, came in sight of Loui.-- 
 burg, defended by 1(53 guns and six niorlars, and a ggi'iiion of (500 ic- 
 gular troops and 90(» militia. On the other hand the men of New 
 I'jtglanJ had but 18 cannon and 3 mortars ; but no sr oner did (hey 
 (ome in sicl.t of the town, than letting down their whale boats tliev 
 
 * The Frcncli had cstablis^liod tlicnisolvos hero aflcr Ixin!; tlrivcu from Xov:. 
 Scotia, and stron'i^ly forliiiod I.oiii^Iiiirir, ita priiuijial siillcuniit, situ.itod on un 
 ^xcollciit liai'bor. Tlio works were dtstroy<Ml iift.r it ciunc into llie iitkiio'.vKHlj; 
 o<l poss(.'.«i?ion of tlio Driti-Ii at llio pcaoo of 170y. 
 
 I 
 
 
 ' t 
 
 I 
 
[17 W. 
 
 171').] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 99 
 
 shmo.nl 
 
 ■)t wai. 
 !i Iran 
 boily ot" 
 isoii ot 
 ^uiiapo- 
 ans, in- 
 1 as the 
 ulty ru- 
 
 fcoiitlor, 
 t stronj^- 
 :)tcct'ion. 
 .'tt?, was 
 y solicit- 
 :aled to, 
 c provl- 
 rhile the 
 ssistanci. 
 on a con- 
 l\ the ab- 
 
 d to tiic 
 t arrived 
 take the 
 •iilinj:; in 
 the fleet 
 \VarrL'ii, 
 (.luder all 
 
 in a hiin- 
 
 ot' Loui.-- 
 
 of <)00 re- 
 
 1 of New 
 
 did lliey 
 
 ats thev 
 
 from Xdvii 
 nteil nu un 
 ekiio'.vK''-':.-' 
 
 I 
 
 i)ol(.liy piilUd to tlio slioro, and drove tlu; Freiidi, who carno to oppo-so 
 ihoir laiiiiii,,:Li;, into iho wuikI.-:. 'I'iiat iiiifht tlie fr.irrisoii of a (htai lu'd 
 battery, struck with panic, spiked tlieir <i;iiiis and r. li\ated inlo the 
 
 SMoii (liiih'd out 
 
 it was proinptly seized by the besieifers, wh 
 
 town. 
 
 the cainioi), anel tnrned tlie'iii on the I'reneh work'^. lint thi-i success 
 was counter-bahinccd l)y the defeat of a ui'.dit attack on a battery com- 
 maii<lini.f the entrance of the harlior. 
 
 To annoy this ballery t aitli-woiks were thrown up, ami <rinis phiced 
 in position to ])lay (^i it. whiK^ at the same time trciielK'S were opened 
 within two hundied yards of the town. Still no breaeli was ellected, 
 and the labors of the garrison were making the works slron,!j;er than 
 ever. It was now ajireed that the fleet .shoidd run in and bombard the 
 town, while the land force entered it by storm. l»ut Duchambon, the 
 commandant, was ignorant of his duties, and the garrison were discon- 
 teiitt'd. A French man-of-war, hulen with stores, was decoyed into the 
 English fleet, and captured in sight of the beleagured town. The de- 
 sponding Governor sent out a flag of truce, terms of capitulation were 
 slgnei], Loui;d>urg was siiri'endered with all its munitions of war on 
 the 17th of June, ainl a New England minister soon preached in tlic 
 Trench chapel. With Louisburg the whole island passed into the hands 
 of the British. Wlien intelligence reached Boston, that; the strongest 
 fortress in North America had fallen before the undisciplined mechanics, 
 and farmers, and fishermen of New l-]ngland, the town bells rung out 
 a merry peal, and the people were almost beside themselves with joy. 
 The news of the capture of Louisburg created not a little annovance 
 
 at the French court, Avhichfor the moment vented its ^pleen by 
 IMG. the recall of Reauharnois, and the appointment of his successor 
 
 in the Admiral la Jonquiere, an old man of si.\ty years of age. 
 Orders at the same time were given for the C([uipnicnt of an extensive 
 armament to recapture Louisburg, and lay waste the British colonies. 
 This fleet consisting of eleven ships of the line and thirty smaller ves- 
 sels, was ready for sea by the begiiniing of iMay, but contrary winds 
 detained it in the harbor of llochellc till the 22nd of June, Nvhen it sail- 
 ed for Nova Scotia. It was expected that the French inhabitants of 
 tli'it province, amounting to l.'i.OOO, would declare for the expedition 
 on its arrival, which ]\I. dc Kamsay anxiously awaited on its borders 
 with 1700 Canadian-. 
 
 'Ihe fleet was only a short time at sea when it was ?cparatcd by 
 s-toi'ins, and few of fho sliips arrived together at Chebucto, near Tfali- 
 fax. which had been aj^poiiited as the rendezvous. Here the Admiral of 
 the n 'ct, the Duke (h- Anville, died of apo[ile\y, on the KJth of Sep- 
 
 fk 
 
 I. 
 
 ■ \\'vr, lour davs alter his arrival 
 
 A council of war wa.s now (a!le« 
 
 • I 
 
iOO 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1746. 
 
 
 
 '* . »• 
 
 at which the Vice-Aclmiral proposed returning to France, as only seven 
 ships remainctl, and tlic greater part of the troops were on board the 
 missing vessels. (Governor la Jonquiere, who was with the fleet, on ills 
 way to Canada, opposed this course, and proposed an attack on Anna- 
 polis, to which tho majority of the council agreed. The Vice-Admiral, 
 whoso health was already failing, was so disturbed by tho course pur. 
 sued by the council that he was thrown into a fever attended with deli. 
 rlum, and run himself through with his sword. Jonqulerc succeeded to 
 the command and proceeded to attack Annapolis, but a violent storm 
 separating his ships, he was compelled to return to France. 
 
 These disasters did not, however, discourage the French court, and a 
 
 fresh armament was directed to bo equipped for the attack of 
 1747. the British colonics, the command of which was entrusted to 
 
 Admiral la Jonquierc. With this fleet sailed another from 
 Brest, which was to act against the British settlements in India. Tlie 
 — English ministry, apprised of these measures, despatched Admirals 
 Anson and AVarren to intercept both fleets. This they efiectually accom- 
 plished off Cape Finisterre, on thcGallician coast, where they captured 
 all the enemy's line-of-battlo ships, and nine of the convoy. A consi- 
 derable quantity of bullion fell into the hands of the victors, and the 
 gratitude of their sovereign raised Anson to the peerage, and decorated 
 Warren with the ribbon of the Bath. As Admiral la Jonquiere was 
 among the numerous captives who graced the victory of the British fleef, 
 the Count de la Galissonierc was appointed Governor of Canada, until 
 his exchange could be effected. 
 
 Nature 
 
 or 
 
 1747. ti( 
 
 ledge of t 
 its comm 
 from the i 
 system, \\ 
 years, at . 
 Court to 
 Detroit ti 
 
 I 
 
 of the 
 
 rcstrictcc 
 
 iiany mo 
 
 ;ind pave 
 
 the Frenc 
 
 western 
 
 of tho m.i 
 
 Count's p 
 
 De Ga 
 
 and sensi 
 
 houndari 
 
 tensions 
 
 three hun 
 
 Alh.ojui, 
 
 of the A 
 
 liavin 
 
 »'!ice with 
 
 acx'ompai 
 
 conoonin 
 
 
 u 
 
V ' I 
 
 1747.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 101. 
 
 CHAP TEH VI. 
 
 )urt, and a 
 B attack of 
 itrustcd to 
 )ther from 
 iidia. Tlic 
 . Admirals 
 ally accom- 
 sy captured 
 . A consi- 
 rs, and the 
 i decorated 
 iquiere was 
 Jritish fleet, 
 inada, until 
 
 THE GOVEIIXMEXT OF THE COUNT DIO LA GALISSONIEJlE. 
 
 Nature had denied to Count do la Galissoniere a commanding stature, 
 or a handsome person, but in lieu of these had given him abili- 
 1747. ties of a high order. No sooner had he established himself in his 
 government, than his active mind led him to acquire a just know- 
 ledge of the climate of the colony ; of its population, its agriculture, and 
 its commerce. lie quickly perceived the advantages France must derive 
 from the continued possession and extension of Canada, and proposed a 
 system, which if properly carried out, must have prevented for many 
 years, at all events, its conquest by the British. He urged the French 
 Court to send out a good engineer to construct fortifications from 
 Detroit to the Mississippi, and to colonize the west with ten thousand 
 of the peasantry of France. This course would liavc elTectually 
 restricted the British colonics to the sea-board eastward of the Alleg- 
 hany mountains. Its partial adoption only awakened their jealousy, 
 and paved the way for the conquest of Canada. The firm hold which 
 the French colonists and traders had acquired on the sympathy of the 
 western Indians, and ihe disaster which befell Braddock, are evidence 
 of the many dangers which must have threatened the British, had the 
 Count's plans been ably carried out. 
 
 De Gallissionere, judging that a peace would soon be established, 
 nnd sensible of the importance, in the meantime, of giving well-defined 
 boundaries to Canada, to prevent future disputes and support the pre- 
 tensions of France, despatched an intelligent officer, with a guard of 
 three hundred men, to take possession of the .vast country west of the 
 Alle^^hiuiy mountains. These he desired lo establish as the boundary 
 of the Anglo-American plantations, and beyond which he denied their 
 having any just claims. I'his oflieer was also directed to use his influ- 
 ence with the western Indian allies of the French to induce them to 
 accompany him, in order to give a color of justice, so far as they were 
 concerned, to his conduct ; and further, to get them to promise, if pos- 
 
 •' . I 
 
 tk >. 
 
 .'■- %■ 
 
 , " ■ I' 
 
102 
 
 T[TK IT [STORY 
 
 [im: 
 
 \Ui).] 
 
 sibic, not to ri'linit any lvi:j;Iish tiviiier.s iii future into their coiu,;r\-. 
 TiOalcn iiIhK',-:, on which tlio anus of France wore stamped, win- 
 orJcrt'(| to bo l)iii'ic(l at diirTout point:;, a ! ovideuco that the dlsin\r 
 had 1)00)1 duly taken possession of, wliih; notarial documents wore to !ir 
 drawn u[) on cacli o,'C';i-iioii, to ri'oord, Tjoyoud (li-;pati', the prioi'itv di 
 Froncli sovorc'i'_n!!y. The Count Pv'ut a loiter to }*rr. Ilantilton, tLc 
 (iovoniorof I'm-ylvania, appri.si;i;^ him ofthese measures, and reqin'st- 
 inif him in futuro (o prevent his ]ieo[ile fi'om passing beyond the Alli'i;. 
 lianies, as he had i'('coived onlers from hiseourt to seize those morchni:t< 
 fouml trading in a region incontestibly belonging to France, and to 
 coiiliscate their goods. 
 
 The ''Treaty of rtrecht," wdiieh gave Xova Scotia to Great Britain. 
 contained a stipulation, which provided for the iVec exercise of tlirir 
 religion, on behalf of such of the French IJoraan Catholics as chosiMi 
 remain, ^lany availed themselves of this indu'gonce, took the ontli o!' 
 allegiance, and held quiet possession of their projierty. I)c (Jallissir- 
 
 iere disappointed in procuring an extensive emigration iVnni 
 1T48. France, now conceived the design of m ithdrawhig these seltlrrs 
 
 from under British rule, and forming them into a new colony, 
 on the isthmus connecting Nova Scotia with New Brimswick. Know- 
 ing the attachment of many of these people to their priests, he consid- 
 ered the latter the proper instruments to eflect his object, and readily 
 induced the Jesuit, Le Loutre, and several others, to persuade them to 
 quit the British territory. The Governor had soon the satisfaction of 
 learning the success of his plans. Appealing to them as Fronchmf!. 
 and as Catholics, Lc T.outro speedily induced several families to qui' 
 tluur Acadian homes, and join a settlement near the Bay Verte, wliicli 
 his zeal had already established. 
 
 France regarded with a jealous eye the British, staiion at ITalifax, 
 so rapidly increasing in military importance and population, and do 
 Galissoniere vainly hoped that the colony of Acadian refugees he was 
 forming, would lessen the danger of its neiirhborhood. lie laid liis 
 plans before the French ministry who warndy endorsed them, anl 
 readily rcspon(hxl to his demand for a fund to enable him to carry 
 them out, by an annual grant of eight hundred thousand livres. iliii 
 while busily engaged in the execution of these schemes, the peace >f 
 
 Aixda-Chapelle restored the Marquis de la Jonquierc to liberty, 
 IT 10. when by virtue of his commission he proceeded to Canada i' 
 
 take possession of its govenmient. Before the Count sailed for 
 France he furnished his successor with the fullest information res- 
 pecting the colony, and minutely detailed the plans which he eonceivcJ 
 to be the most benelicial for its advancement and prosperity. 
 
 TJfK GO 
 
 La Jon 
 
 eessor, in r 
 most cull d I 
 lead to a \u 
 left unsctth 
 disjiiite, wo 
 for that pui 
 suiued, sliu 
 reli>!ied by 
 for not cair 
 directed to 
 immediate ] 
 troops, to I) 
 as.->i.stance t( 
 hi conse( 
 despatched 1 
 as being ad\ 
 as well as fr 
 disa])proved 
 lloments ; a 
 St. John, ai 
 the village o 
 Colonel ( 
 reiiionstranc 
 the Acadian 
 iUtention wa 
 defined, he 
 allowed to 
 however hai 
 ;"id Indians, 
 goucho, than 
 I'ies of Nov 
 Cliicgnceto, 
 to Louis XV 
 done toward 
 interval. T 
 
 had 
 nOO. the n 
 uj[)on 
 
 <: 
 
[ui: 
 
 couiitry. 
 10 distric' 
 
 i'Cl'O to li" 
 
 )riority o; 
 
 liltotl, til.; 
 (1 rcqUr-l- 
 
 the Alli';:- 
 
 CO, find to 
 
 at liritiiiii. 
 so of thoir 
 a?^ dioso tii 
 tlio on til (if 
 ', G alii S3' in- 
 ation from 
 CSC settlers 
 D\v colony, 
 ik. Know- 
 , he consiJ- 
 and readily 
 ide theii\ to 
 tii>factionfjf 
 Frcnebmi!, 
 ilies to quit 
 'crtc, wliicli 
 
 at ITalitb, 
 ion, ar.il ilo 
 (Tces ho was 
 lie laid Ills 
 them, aii'l 
 lim to carry 
 ivrcs. But 
 the peace ' f 
 c to liherty, 
 :o Canada i" 
 lit :-aiIed fur 
 rniatiou res- 
 10 conceived 
 
 V. 
 
 1740.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 IOC 
 
 Tin; GOVJOIJiN.MKiNT OF TilK -MAlKirrs DK LA ,IU.N(ilI KKK. 
 
 La .lonqiiierc did not ]i:i>U(' the couifo adopted hy Ids j^rede- 
 cessor, in relei-encc to the A( a'iiau Fivnc-h, as he coii-idereil it would 
 most eondiico to the beiiefit of tho colony, to avoid any act w hivdi niiiiliL 
 lead to a new war. He suj)po.>ed too that llu; limits of Nova Si'utia, 
 left misettled by the recent i)eace, and which w\re already a source of 
 disiuite, Mould bi! iluly arranged by the coininisviuiiorri to bo appointed 
 fur that purpose. This moderate course, it Wuuld naturally be ])rc- 
 sumed, ^should have met with fjoneral ajuirnval ; yet iso little vas it 
 relished by the ministers of Louis, that the Cioveriior was repriniandcJ 
 for not carrying out the plans of his predecessor, which he was now 
 directed to pursue furtiiwilh. In addition, he was instructed to take 
 immediate possession of the Acadian isthmus with a suilieieiit body of 
 troops, to build forts at the most favorable points, and to give every 
 as.sistance to the Abbe lu Loutro. 
 
 hi conse(picnce of these orders, the Chevalier de la Corne was 
 despatched to Acadia to choose a site for a fort, and fixed on Chediac 
 as being advantageously situated for receiving supplies from Canada, 
 as well as tVoin France. But the Governor a.;d Le Loutre, however, 
 disapproved of this location as being too di-tant iiom the Acadian set- 
 llemonts ; and it was resolved to erect one fort near the mouth of the 
 St. John, and another on the north side of the ]\lessagouehe, opposite 
 the village of Chiegnecto, now Fort Lawrence. 
 
 Colonel Coruwallis, the Governor of Nova Scotia, had made repeated 
 remonstrances respecting the course pursued by Lc Loutre towards 
 the Acadians, and his occupation of the Isthmus, to which very little 
 iittentiou was paid. Bjlieviug that the boundaries would be amieably 
 defined, he was loath to jiroceed to extremities, and the Abbe had been 
 allowed to pursue his insidious course without interruptioii. No sooner 
 howeverhad La Corne apfieared on the isthmus with a lorceof 1 100 French 
 and Indians, and avowed his intention of creeling a fort on the Messa- 
 gouch'^, than Cornwallis resolutely determined to maintain the bounda- 
 ries of Nova Scotia intact. The French occupied the village ol 
 Chiegnecto, and compelled the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance 
 to Louis XV., on the beginning (;f winter, but still nothing could hd 
 done towards expelling them till spring. Cornwallis was not idle in the 
 interval. The home government was duly advised by him of what 
 had occurred, and he solicited ]\Lissachusetts for aid to cx|>el 
 1750. the intruders, but n^.et with an mifavorable answer. I'hrown 
 upon his own resources, he could only muster four hundred 
 
 •1'" ': 
 * 
 
 I- 
 
 . • •. I 
 
 
101 
 
 THE IIISTOIIY 
 
 [IToO 
 
 I , 
 
 THi'ii to clic'fk Fivneli ncr.;f('>^ioii on liis ,'^f()v.riiinont. Tlio>c an-ivv'i! oj 
 t!i(; Messagouclic on the ovciiiiiuf of tlic 'iOili A[)ril. La Cunic had already 
 ■withdrawn to ihc north sldt; of tho river, alU'r inducing as many as [mxA- 
 blc of till' AcaiJiaus by threii's and promises to aceuinPuny liim. Still 
 sevei'al of the inliaMtants of ( 'liieLjiiecto clini;;' to thrir homes, and 
 refused to (piit, their f'rtilc firms. The, Fi'eneh ollleer — tlui man of 
 blood, pitied and allowed tinMn to remain. Not so with the Jesuit, 
 Le liontre. No sooner had the nrilisji a]'peared in the ollliig, tlian with 
 his own hands he pacri!cf]jousIy jip]died the torch to tlie village chnrcli. 
 and the flames rapidly spreading from honse to honsc with the aid of 
 his fellow incendiaries, the homeless and desponding people had no 
 resource left but to proceed to the French camp.* 
 
 !Major liawrence, who commanded the force from Halifax, had an 
 interview with La Cornc as speedily as ])Ossiblc, and found liim reso- 
 lutely resolved to retain possession of every post north of the Messa- 
 gouoho, till the boundaries of the two countries should be arranged by 
 commissioners. The J'^rcneh held a strong position : his force was far 
 too Weak to dislodije them, and Lawrence had no resource left but to 
 return. From Halifax news soon spread that the French held posses- 
 sion of British soil, that they had burned a British town, and incited 
 the Acadians to acts of treason. The New England colonies heard the 
 news with little emotion, but in England the Earl of Halifax insisted 
 cfTectually that Cornwall is should receive aid. 
 
 In August a second expedition left Halifax to re-take Chicgnecto. Lc 
 Loutre exerted his influence with the Indians and the Acadian refugees 
 to oppose its landing, and La Come covertly supplied them with arms 
 and ammtmition. Strongly entrenched they swept the beach with a 
 steady fire as the British landed, and six of the latter killed and twelve 
 vounded, proved, although few in number, how resolutely they fought. 
 The French had erected forts at the Bay Vcrte, at St. John's River, 
 and at Beau-Sejour. At the latter fort was La Corne's head-quarters, 
 and here he had a fresh interview with Lawrence. " My orders," said 
 the French oflicer, " do not permit of my crossing the river, and 
 there is plenty of room at the other side for you." The other took 
 the hint, and Fort Lawrence rose on the opposite bank of the ^Messa- 
 gouche ; both commanders remaining in jDcaceablc possession till the 
 next war. 
 
 But these were not the only events which bred bad blood between 
 the British and French, in this part of the world, An armed sloop 
 was despatched from Quebec to St. John's River, with stores for the 
 
 * Smith's His. Can. vol, 1. p. 21-1. Bancroft's Ills. U. S. (Lon.) vol. iii, p. 48 
 
 1T50.] 
 
 garrison ili 
 vessels, hu 
 in the All); 
 iicr after a 
 (Icnincd by 
 supplies to 
 at this indi; 
 zoi? began l 
 
 flu the fai 
 I the 
 
 1751. asse: 
 I sovc 
 
 *, tish colonies 
 with the Inc 
 to interrupt 
 merchants s 
 '', goods were 
 closely rjuci 
 , when they v 
 This hi^h- 
 and indignat 
 i them as sti 
 ■I already beer 
 I settle the I 
 J connnonced 
 I prospect of 
 I tiiat the sw 
 I saw clearly t 
 I be in Amcric 
 • I it was desire 
 I troops and w 
 :| the means at 
 placing the 
 schooner onc< 
 I as far as his 
 I Frontenac, at 
 '; also to wea 
 through the 
 Mohawks, th; 
 prevent them 
 
 I^ut while 
 protection of 
 
[IToO 
 ihwuly 
 
 . Slill 
 
 cs, and 
 
 luiin of 
 ! .Icsuit, 
 lati with 
 
 church. 
 10 tiiil ot 
 J hud no 
 
 :, had an 
 litu rcso- 
 c Messa- 
 vnped hy 
 i was far 
 :ft but to 
 Id posscs- 
 id incited 
 icaru the 
 X insisted 
 
 nccto. Lc 
 
 refugees 
 rtith arms 
 h with a 
 nd twelve 
 
 y (oVA^\\t 
 n's River, 
 
 quarters, 
 Icrs," said 
 ivcr, and 
 
 thcr took 
 he JNIcssa- 
 
 on till the 
 
 between 
 mod i^loop 
 res for the 
 
 1750.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 105 
 
 D 
 
 
 in, p. 
 
 48 
 
 "iirrison ihcrc, the captain of wlilidi was ordered to n >■ •'] all Urltlsh 
 vessel*, but if attacked to defend himself to this last ex.: mity. House, 
 in the Albany, encouiiteri'd tlu^. rrciich vessel on'(rapi! Sable, captured 
 her after a short allnii. and took inr into llalifav, wlu're she was coa- 
 dcniiu'd by tlie. Admiralty court, on lliii jfrouuil that she \va.> taking 
 supplies to an unlawful military post, rriinh aiinfr knew no bounds 
 at this iiidi^mity, and the small cloud of war alreaily dimmin;,' the hori- 
 zon be|2an to expand. 
 In the far west, oeeurrencos were also lran-]>irinu\ which threatened 
 the renewal of hostilities. Despite the claims so positively 
 1T51. asserted by the Count dcla Galissoniere, with respect to French 
 sovereignty beyond the Alleghanies, the governors of the Bri- 
 tish colonies continued to grant pernussion to their merchajits to trade 
 with the Indians of the Ohio. This ti'ado La Jonquierc was instructed 
 to interrupt as far as possible, and he accordingly had three of these 
 merchants seized, and brought prisoners to Montreal, whither also their 
 goods were forwarded. They were examined by a commission, and 
 closely questioned as to their commerce with the -western Indians, 
 when they were discharged. 
 
 Tiiis high-handed exercise of authority created considerable surprise 
 and indignation among the British colonists, and was looked upon by 
 them as still more hostile, from the fact, that commissioners had 
 already been appointed by the French and English governments to 
 settle the boundary disputes. But these functionaries had scarcely 
 connncnccd their duties at Paris, when they perceived there was little 
 prospect of an amicable arrangement of the questions at issue, and 
 that the sword alone could decide them. The Canadian Governor 
 saw clearly that if a new war occurred the princijial struggle would 
 be in xVmerica, and he promptly represented to his government, that if 
 it was desired to retain tlic French jiossessions on the St. Lawrence, 
 troops and warlike stores must be speedily sent out. Nor even with 
 the means at his command, was La Jonquierc entirely negligent of 
 placing the defences of the colony in a better position. A French 
 schooner once more clave the waters of Ontario, and ho endeavored, 
 as far as his insatiable avarice ■would permit liim, to have the forts at 
 Frontenac, at Toronto, and at Niagara kept in repair. lie endeavored 
 also to weaken the attachment of the Iroquois to the British ; and, 
 through the Jesuit missionaries, tampered so successfully with the 
 Mohawks, that it required all the influence of Sir Wm. Johnston to 
 prevent them from openly attaching themselves to the French. 
 
 But while La Jomjuiere was thus careful to provide for the military 
 protection of the colony, ho permitted the grossest abuses to exist in 
 
 . • •. ( 
 
 ■«*• 
 
106 
 
 Tin: II18TUKY 
 
 [i::. 
 
 its civil fidmiiiistratioii. ]Ako iho first sorvanls of tho ]Oiif,'li>h l-^jist In- 
 dill Conipaiiv, tlu; piiii('i['.al ollliials caiiu! to Canada, al tliis ]H'rii)(l. to 
 jiiiiass foihiius if pdssildc, and llicn I'olnin iKinic to enjoy tliuni. Tliis 
 they (MJidd ncviT acc('iii|disli frmu llirir salaries alunc, •.vlucli were lidj. 
 ciiloiisly small, and Juvlilird In soini' nua>uri' llic wlndc-ali! peculation 
 so nMljliisliinj,'ly ]irarliscd. An extensive nicreanllK' lirni of (he ]irL'sent 
 day Would ]iay lai'^er salaries to its conlidential assistants, ilian the ne- 
 3ninal incomes oftlie dijfnitai'les (/f Canada at this period. The Cover- 
 iior received f<n* his services an annual stiiiend ot'some islJJOO; out of 
 which he was expected to clothe and pay a t;nard of twenty seven 
 soldiers ; while the salaries of the whole civil li-t did not amount to 
 5S<*20,()()u ])er annum.* This ]»nldie parsimony pav(>d the way for tlio 
 grossest uhuses. La Jonquiere, himself, heinu; of a narrow afid c.\ccs. 
 slvely avaricious disposition, si't the example of oHieial peculation. 
 Ilo ke[it the nefarious trafllc of supplying the Indians with bi'andy prin- 
 cipally in his own hands, find belonj^ed to a company, consisting chiLlly 
 of the principal oflicials, who monopolized nearly the entire trade of the 
 colony. Ijigot, the Intcndant, imitating the example of liis superior, 
 soon became rich by farming out the principal posts in the Indian 
 country. 
 
 All the government ollicials at tliis time appear to have been actn- 
 {\tcd by the same sordid motives, and we search in vain for jiurity of 
 public conduct, or honesty of intention. The corrupt morals of the 
 corrupt court of Louis tainted Caiuidian society to the core, and the 
 condition of things ofTered the most fitting commentary an the evils of 
 ,er, and the blessinjis ' ' 
 
 inir( 
 
 pow( 
 
 popui 
 
 ty. The Jesuit Lc Loutre even went so far in his greedy thirst for 
 .<iain, as to commit a cowardly murder to obtain the contract for supply- 
 ing the post at St. John's liiver with piovisions; a service lie suLsc- 
 cjuently performed in such a manner, as to yield him an enormous per- 
 centage, while the su])plies were far less than they should be, and of 
 the most inferior quality. f 
 
 Complaint after complaint was despatched to France touching the 
 peculations of the Governor and his creatures, and the ruinous state of 
 things they were fast producing in the province. These complaints 
 were at length so forcibly and ]HjIntedly pressed, that they reached the 
 dull ear of the eensual Louis, and La Jonquiere, drcadinrj an enquiry 
 into his condnc', demanded his recall. Short as his government had 
 
 I ' <■ 
 
 * Ucriot's Travels in fan. p. '78. ^'niitli's liist. Can. vol. 1. p. 219. 
 f Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. j.. 211. 
 
 been he ; 
 
 his wenll 
 
 pensions, 
 II 
 
 1T52. li< 
 of 
 avarice w 
 rios of lit 
 bed-room 
 and wouh 
 the Recoil 
 colony ]ik 
 
 TI 
 
 On the 
 
 officer hi t 
 
 till the an 
 
 on the 1st 
 
 St. John's, 
 
 navy, Majc 
 
 his manner 
 
 Jiial popula 
 
 appointmci 
 
 duties, and 
 
 landed in A 
 
 Du Ques 
 
 were of so 
 
 to hope for 
 
 fore, was t( 
 
 Quebec int( 
 
 of the coun 
 
 manner, ant 
 
 While nil 
 
 more peaces 
 
 the west. 
 
 the country 
 
 Ohio Compj 
 
 tlement bey 
 
 determined 
 
 thirty Preuc 
 
17.V3.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 IC? 
 
 been he amassed, from commerce alone, over a million of livrcs ; and 
 his wealth may judged from the fact, that for many years his salary, 
 pensions, and perquisites had amounted to sixty thousand livrcs annually. 
 
 lie was not fated long to enjoy the riches he had so carefully 
 17r>2. lioarded up, and died at Quebec in May, 1752, before the arrival 
 
 of his successor. During his last illness his ruling passion of 
 avarice was strong as ever. lie grudgeil himself the ordinary necessa- 
 ries of life, and on one occasion ordered the wax tapers burning in his 
 bed-room to be changed for tallow candles, "as they were less expensive, 
 and would answer every purpose equally as well." ITe was buried in 
 the Rccollet church, where those of his predecessors who had died in the 
 colony likewise reposed. 
 
 T7IE GOVERNMENT OF THE MARQUIS DU QUESNE. 
 
 of till' 
 
 and llic 
 evils of 
 lal lilier- 
 nrst for 
 supply- 
 10 subsc- 
 lous pcr- 
 ', and of 
 
 On the death of La Jonquiere, Baron de Longuciul, as the senior 
 officer in the colony, assumed the reins of government for a brief space, 
 till the arrival of the Marquis du Quesne, who had been appointed, 
 on the 1st March, (1752) Governor of Canada, Louisiana, Cape Breton. 
 St. John's, and their dependencies. lie was a captain in the French 
 navy, Major of Toulon, and was possessed of considerable ability : but 
 his manners were austere and haughty, and promised little for his colo-i 
 nial popularity. Tlie Count de la Galissionerc, wlio had procured his 
 appointment, furnished him with the fullest information relative (o hi.-^ 
 duties, and the territorial claims of France ; and thus instructed he 
 lauded in August at Quebec, where he was received with the usual honors, 
 
 Du Quesnc's instructions, with respect to the disputed boundaries, 
 were of so positive and aggressive a character, as to leave little room 
 to hope for the continuance of peace. One of his first measures, there- 
 fore, was to prepare for war. lie formed the militia of Montreal axul 
 Quebec into companies, and had them carefully drilled. The militia 
 of the country parishes were likewise organised in the best possible 
 manner, and the regular troops thoroughly disciplined. 
 
 AVhilc matters on the Nova Scotian frontier gradually assumed a 
 more peaceable appoai-ance, tliey became more and more disturbed in 
 the west. Virginia assumed the right to appropriate to her jurisdiction, 
 the country extending from the Alleghanics to the Mississippi, and tii«. 
 Ohio Company, with her express sanction, were already forming a set- 
 tlement beyond the mountains. The commandant of Detroit promptly 
 determined on their expulsion, and two hundred and forty Indians, and 
 thirty French soldiers, pushed up the Ohio to capture their traders. 
 
 I 
 
 '•• .' 
 
108 
 
 TIIE HISTORY 
 
 [1T5-J. 
 
 I • 
 
 Six of tlioso hail takon rcfugnftmonfTthcriKlianq ofaMiami villft'jo, who 
 rcsoIiit(!ly refused to give tlu'ru up. An action at onco ciisuod, in 
 •which one! I"]nglishrnan and fonrtccn Mi.'unis wv.iw kilUd. 
 
 Intclli^enco of thisaflair alarmed Virf,'inia, and J)in\viddio, its gover- 
 nor, made! an plabr)rate report of thu aggression to the IJrilish Board of 
 Trade, and asked spccitic iiistrnetions to ri';,Milate his condnct in resist- 
 ing tho French, (ieorgo I!,, now almost in his dotage, tliouglit 
 more of Hanover tlian America, and tlui l*rinc(! of Wales had n<jt 
 yet learned to value tht; colonies ; i)ut tlie Lords of 'I'raile resolved to 
 sustain tli;.' claims of Virginia to the valley of the Ohio, and lUtermiiiod 
 on the immediate occupation of the eastern Lank of its river. Iiillu- 
 cnced l)y their representations, the King, in council, decided that \\w 
 valley of the Ohio was in tho western part of the colony of Virginiu 
 and that tho aggression of the French in that quarter was to be resisted 
 as an act of hostility. But still little or nothing was done to place tlii 
 British colonies in a position to sustain tho war, in which it was jilaiu 
 this policy must speedily eventuate. The mother country was unwil- 
 ling to incur expenses in extending the possessions of colonists, who, 
 •while they already resisted the royal prerogative on many grounds, were 
 perfectly disposed to throw the burden of their defence upon the crown 
 Each colony too was a distinct government in itself, and if its own bor- 
 •dors were safe from attack, it gave itself as little trouble as possible 
 about its neighbor. A few guns from the English ordnance stores, was 
 all the aid that Virginia received in her present emergency, and thu 
 English ministry reminding her governor of the numerous militia of 
 his province, left to herself the conquest of the west. 
 
 But, there were many astute minds in the British colonies, which saw 
 clearly tho impending contest, and were desirous to prepare for tin; 
 emergency. Kennedy, the Receiver General of New York, urged 
 through the press the necessity of an annual meeting of commissionerj; 
 from all the colonies at Albany or New York, to adopt measures for 
 the general welfare. From upwards of forty years' observation of tho 
 conduct of provincial assemblies, and the little regard paid by them to 
 instructions from their governors, he inferred that the British parliament 
 must com pel them to pursue this course, and to contribute for the com- 
 mon defence. The clear-headed Franklin, on the other liand, advocated 
 a federal union, voluntarily entered into by the colonists themselves, as 
 preferable to one imposed by Parliament. " It will not be more diffi- 
 cult to bring about," said he, and " can be more easily altered and 
 improved as circumstances may require and experience direct. It 
 would be a strange thing if Sfx Nations of ignorant savages, should be 
 capable of forming a scheme for such a union, and be able to execute 
 
 1753.] 
 
 it iu such 
 bio ; and ^ 
 English e 
 advantagi 
 Such w 
 entered ii 
 Ills instru 
 and i'^'em 
 fnnii \'irj 
 .Sliiu-fcii's 
 red nu'H, 
 
 (.^Jlnpany, 
 
 J'^arly in t 
 
 iVum ]\loi 
 
 the valley 
 
 rence sjtcc 
 
 council at 
 
 occupatioi 
 
 la eii,dit-a 
 
 intclligeiK 
 
 tern allies 
 
 speedily ii 
 
 French in 
 
 afresh me 
 
 threw bac 
 
 chief " tha 
 
 stand up a 
 
 at Erie, a 
 
 occupy till 
 
 Dinwid 
 
 action, ant 
 
 niander of 
 
 invading t 
 
 envoy wlu 
 
 just twent 
 
 M'inter's jo 
 
 <''i3t,the a 
 
 tor and fo 
 
 * Tho Br 
 too much to 
 
1753.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 100 
 
 it ill such a manner, (hat it has siilisistotl for ftgcs and n|>poars hidlssdhi- 
 bio; aii'I yi't tliat a lilit! uiiidnshouhl l»u in)|)racti('ahli.! for ton or ii iloztn 
 Eiii;li>'li colonics, to whom it is more necessary and must In- moro 
 advaiitaiiooiis."* 
 
 Suili was the jxistun'of alVairs in Xnrth America. \\\un \)\i (iucsno 
 entered upon his governiiH iit, iind nvIiom- jirmiiptitiKle in earrviii<; out 
 liis iusfruetions speedily caused :i hostile cullisicin between the; British 
 aii<l rreiieii in the west. In 17*).'$ the Ohio Company opened a road 
 iVdiii Virgiiiia into the Ohio valley, and established a plantation on 
 Shurlee's Creek, but left it exposed to the wavering jealousy of the 
 rod nieii, and without protection a'j;ainst J-'reiieh eHeroaehment, 
 
 ])u (2iio.sne had already been iiitornnd oi' the dc-signs ot llie Ohio 
 (jjiiipany, and prom[)tly resolved to ;iiitieipate and frustrato them. 
 Karly in the spring a strong body of troops and Indians passed u[>war<lM 
 from Monlnal, to reinforce the western posts, and estal)lish forts in 
 tile valley of Ohio. A hunting jnirty of llu; Iroquois on the »St. Law- 
 rence sjicedily conveyed intelligence of this occurrence to their grand 
 council at Onondaga. 'Ihc Si.\ Nations were opposed to the, I'rench 
 occupation of Ohio, wliieh this force evidently was intended to elfect. 
 hi eiglit-and-forfy hours relays of Indian runners conveyed the 
 intelligence to Sir Wni. .lohnson, and urged him to j)rotect their wes- 
 tern allies, the !Miaini and the ti'ibes of the Ohio. These were also 
 speedily informed of the ap[)roach of danger, and their envoy met tho 
 I'reneh in April at Niagara, and warned them to turn back. At Krio 
 afresh messenger desired them to withdraw, but tho French commander ^ 
 threw back his belt of wampum in contempt, and told the astonished 
 chief " that the land was his, and that he would have it, let who would '- 
 stand up against it." True to his word, fortified posts were established 
 at Erie, at Watcrford, and at \'enango, and preparations made to 
 occupy tho banks of the ^lonongaliela and the Ohio. 
 
 Dinwiddle, of Virginia, now felt that the time had come for decisive 
 action, and ho resolved to send "a person of distinction to the com- 
 mander of the French forces on the Ohio, to know his reasons for 
 invading the British dominions, while a solid peace subsisted." The 
 envoy whom he selected for this mission was George Washington, then 
 just twenty-one years of age, who promptly set out on his perilous 
 winter's journey to the rivers of Lake Erie, guided by Christopher 
 '''ist, the agent of the Ohio Company, and accompanied by an interpre- 
 ter and four attendants. On the 29th of November he was present at 
 
 * 
 
 <-V — '<.'. 
 
 * The British Parliament subsequently rejected a union of this form, as tending 
 too much to increase the power of the colonies. 
 
no 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1753, 
 
 I . 
 
 a council of the Delawarcs and Shawnces, at which it was agreed to 
 give a third warning to the French to quit their country, and if they 
 refused, to solicit the aid of the Iroquois to expel them. Washington 
 then proceeded to Venango with the deputies of the Ohio Indians. The 
 French ofUcers there made no secret of the intention to take possession 
 of the Ohio, and intimidated the envoys of the Delawares by boasting of 
 thei r forts at Waterford and Erie, at Niagara, at Toronto, and at Cataraqui. 
 
 From Venango Washington proceeded to Waterford, where he found 
 Fort Le Boeuf defended by cannon. Around it stood rude log cabins 
 which served as barracks for the soldiers, and close by were fifty bark 
 canoes and one hundred and seventy boats of pine, prepared for tlie 
 expedition to the Ohio. The commander, St. Pierre, distinguished for 
 his courage and resolution, refused to discuss the question of the 
 French right of possession. " I am here," said he " by the orders of 
 my general, to which I shall conform with exactness and resolution. lie 
 has ordered me to seize every Englishman in the Ohio valley, and I 
 will do it." 
 
 Washington now turned his face homewards towards Virginia. Pas- 
 sing down French Creek, he reached Venango to find his horses weak 
 and unfit to travel. Heedless of a driving storm he pressed forward 
 on foot, and with gun in hand and a pack on his back, quit the usual 
 path the day after Christmas, and with Gist for his sole coi.ipanion, by 
 the aid of a compass, steered the nearest way across the country for the 
 Fork. An Indian, who had vvavlaid him, fucd at him from the distance 
 of fifteen paces, missed him, and became his prisoner. Gist would 
 have killed the assassin, but Washington spared and dismissed him. 
 They travelled all that night and the next day, and not till dark did 
 they think themselves safe enough to sleep. Clearing away the snow 
 the weary wanderers now built a camp fire, and laid down to repo?e 
 with no shelter but the leafless forest tree. Arrived at the Alleghany 
 they endeavored to cross its waters on a raft, the result of a day's labor ; 
 but before they were half way over they were caught in the running 
 "30, and carried down the stream. Washington putting out a setting 
 pole to stop the raft, was jerked into the deep water, when they found 
 themselves compelled to make for an island, where they built a fire 
 and dried themselves. The night was intensely cold : in the morning 
 they crossed the river on the ice : but not till they reached the settle- 
 ment on Shurtec's Creek were their hardships terminated. 
 
 Washington's report was followed by immediate action. The Ohio 
 
 Company inade preparations to build a fort at the Fork, and he 
 
 1754. was sent to Alexandria to enlist recruits. Governor Dinwiddle, 
 
 in the meantime, appealed to England and the other colonies 
 
 1754.] 
 
 for assist! 
 
 He perse 
 
 lieutenanl 
 
 to hold il 
 
 his way 
 
 Venango, 
 
 awav, fini 
 
 The near 
 
 bark were 
 
 supply th 
 
 An Ind 
 
 occurrene( 
 
 raw rccrn 
 
 and could 
 
 brought th 
 
 them and 
 
 among roc 
 
 and brougl 
 
 and 'sprann 
 
 own nuisk 
 
 An action 
 
 of the Fre 
 
 George W 
 
 fxpulsion ( 
 
 iuilepender 
 
 ooiispicuou 
 
 humanity. 
 
 Contrecc 
 
 made awai 
 
 once assem 
 
 rpvoiifje. 
 
 ^Meadows, 
 
 placed bct\ 
 
 boseiged oi 
 
 Indians, whi 
 
 their sheltc 
 
 ^\ ashingtoi 
 
 dcr till he I 
 
 hud only lo; 
 
 garrision, re 
 
 and westwa 
 
 ileanwhi 
 
1754.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The 
 
 stance 
 
 him. 
 
 ark did 
 
 ic snow 
 
 repose 
 
 e"hanv 
 
 setting 
 
 10 Ohio 
 , and lie 
 mviddic, 
 colonies 
 
 
 for assistance, but received very little from either one or the other. 
 He persevered in his plans, nevertheless, and sent Washington, now a 
 lieutenant-colonel, to finish the fort begun at the Fork of the Ohio, and 
 to hold it to the last extremity. But while Washington was still en 
 
 hi 
 
 down from 
 
 vay thither, the Frencli lod by Contrecour, cai 
 Venango, drove thirty -three Englishmen, who were working on the fort, 
 away, finished what they had begun, and named it Fort dii Quesnc. 
 The near forest trees were fijlle<l and burned ; log cabins covered with 
 bark were built to shelter the troops ; and wheat and maize planted to 
 supply them with food. 
 
 An Indian scout of the ^lingoes soon apprized Washington of these 
 occurrences, and implored his assistance to expel the French. But his 
 raw recruits had iheir few cannon to bring on, deep streams to ford, 
 and could only advance very slowly. On the i25th June another scout 
 brought the intelligence, that a party of French were advancing towards 
 them and to beware. That night this party concealed themselves 
 among rocks, but the sharp eyes of the Mingoes discovered their trail, 
 and brought Washington upon them. They saw the English approach 
 and 'sprang to their arms. "Fire," said Washington ; and he raised his 
 own musket to his shoulder and showed his men how to obey the order. 
 An action of about a quarter of an hour's duration ensued, in which ten 
 of the French were killed, and twenty-one taken prisoners. vVnd thus 
 George Washington struck the first blow in a war which led to the 
 expulsion of France from North America, and paved the way to the 
 independence of the United States. From first to last he was the most 
 conspicuous actor in the drama, which altered the relations of civilised 
 humanity. 
 
 Contrecour, who still commanded at l^ort du Quesnc, was no sooner 
 made aware of the fato which had befallen his detachment, than he at 
 eiico assembled his garrison and Indian allies, and incited them to 
 revenge. Washington had already constructed a stockade at Great 
 Meadows, which he called Fort Necessity, and which he had unwisely 
 placed between two eniinences covered with trees. Here he was 
 boseiged on the Crd of July, by six hundred French and one hundred 
 Indians, who posted securely behind the trees on the heights, fired from 
 their shelter on the troops beneath. For nine hours, however, did 
 Washington animate his raw recruits to resistance ; nor did he surren- 
 der till he had thirty men killed and several wounded, while the French 
 had only lost three of their number. On the 4lli of July the English 
 garrision, retaining all their etlects, withdrew from the basin of the Ohio ; 
 and westward of the Alleghanies no flag floated but that of France. 
 
 Meanwhile, commissioners assembled at Albany from the colonies 
 
 • ♦ 
 
 t 
 
 • "■ 
 
112 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1754 
 
 north of the Potomac, to adopt measures for the general safety in the 
 approaching war. To tliis congress were admitted the deputies of the 
 Six Nations, who indignant at the unseemly squabbles whicli had so lotir; 
 prevailed recomme,n<lcd union and action. " Look at the French,'' 
 bitterly said a Mohawk chief ; "they are fortifying everywhere. But 
 we are ashamed to any it, you are lil<e women without any fortilica- 
 tions. It is but one stop from Canada hither, and the French may 
 easily come and turn you out of doors." The cautious Irorjuois 
 strongly distrusted the result of the approaching struggle, and fully 
 one-half of the Onondagas had already withdrawn, and joined a French 
 settlement at Ogdcnsburg, on the St. Lawrence. But the commission- 
 ers effected little or nothing towards the general defence. Franklin 
 proposed a federal union, which was strongly o])posed by other mem- 
 bers of the congress, but finally adopted with modifications ; yet 
 nothing was done towards the establishment of a general revenue ; and 
 it was evident, that without the aid of Great Britain, her American 
 colonies would not be able to drive the French from the Ohio, or share 
 much longer in the commerce of the great lakes. The mother country 
 gave that aid, and who will gainsay that it was not repaid with ingra- 
 titude. 
 
 When the English ministry were apprised of the capture of Fort 
 Necessity, and the occurrences which preceded it, they were extremely 
 undecided what course to pursue. Newcastle, the Premier, sent pacific 
 assurances to the French ministers, who were now very unwilling to 
 enter into a new war, and left the entire conduct of American aflairs 
 to the Duke of Cumiberland, then commander-in-chief of the British 
 army.* Fond of war, and covetous of military renown, the latter 
 entered on his new career w'dh eager ostentation. One of his first 
 measures was to appoint Edward Braddoek to the command of the 
 American army. It proved an unfortunate choice. A martinet in 
 matters of discipline, Braddoek was fir from being a skilful general: 
 and being of rough manners and despotic temper, he was wholly 
 unsuited to conciliate the colonists. Nor did the Duke apply himself 
 in the least to cultivate their good graces. The idea was foreign to 
 him of a people accustomed to wield fire-arms from boyhood, and ho 
 committed the mistake of comparing the backwoodsmen of Vii'ginia 
 and Pcnsylvania, with the peasantry of England. " He had only confi- 
 dence," he said, "in regular troops," and directed that the generals and 
 field ofhcers of the Provincial forces, should bo ranked beneath the 
 royal subalterns. Disgusted at being thus arrogantly spurned, Wash- 
 
 1755,] 
 
 * Lord Mnlion's Ilist. of England, vol. 4. p. "72. 
 
 ington 
 Gene 
 
 1755. 1 
 
 i 
 Four ex 
 
 alleged, 
 
 tat ion 01 
 
 Nova S( 
 
 Uiver : 
 
 and Indi 
 
 proposec 
 
 himself 
 
 The do 
 
 regiment 
 
 court, dei 
 
 detcrmin 
 
 fleet sailc 
 
 , .'.; hough 
 
 ' ..■ • io: 
 
 '. ..cawcr 
 
 encountci 
 
 land, two 
 
 beinsj a ^r 
 
 guns. 
 
 duo time 
 
 person of 
 
 of that nr 
 
 Bu Quesi 
 
 in the naA 
 
 THE 
 
 The an 
 who hope 
 whicii had 
 they werd 
 
 * From f 
 I'j Wiisliiu 
 <^fti'ried out 
 «n Lis own 
 
I 
 
 1755,] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 113 
 
 ington retired from the service, and his regiment was broken up.* 
 General Braddock arrived in New York towards the end of Feb' 
 ruary, and one of his first measures was to summon the gover- 
 1T55. nors of the different British colonics to meet him at Alexandria, 
 in Virginia, on the 14th of April, to concert a plan of operations. 
 Four expeditions were now determined on, yet not with the view, it was 
 alleged, of making war on France, but to establish the British interpre- 
 tation of the boundary disputes. Lawrence, the lieutenant-governor of 
 Nova Scotia, was to drive the French from the Isthmus and St. John's 
 llivcr : Wm. Johnson was to conduct an army of Provincial militia 
 and Indians against Crown Point : Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, 
 proposed to win laurels by the capture of Niagara, while Braddock 
 liimself was to recover the Ohio valley and the northwest. 
 
 Thodeparturc of General Braddock from England, and that of the two 
 regiments ot the line which accompanied him, alarmed the French 
 court, despiio the pacific assurances of the English ministers, and it was 
 determined to send out additional troops to Canada. The French 
 fleet sailed from Brest in the month of April, and the English ministry, 
 hi bough no declaration of war had yet taken place, resolved to have 
 ■ .. ions watched by a competent force. For this purpose Admiral 
 .\ .Oil wen sailed from Plymouth with eleven sail of the line, and 
 encountered three of the French fleet off the Banks of Newfound- 
 land, two of which, the Alcide and the Lys, were captured : the third, 
 being a good sailor, scudded to Louisburg, and found safety under its 
 guns. The remainder of the French fleet, favored by a fog, arrived in 
 due time at Quebec. It brought out a new governor to Canada, in the 
 person of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, the son of the former governor 
 of that name, and who had been born and served long in the colony. 
 Du Quesne had already resigned, being desirous to resume his post 
 in the navy. 
 
 I ,, 
 
 THE CiOVEr.N:ME]ST' OF TIIE MAEQUIS DE VAUDBEUlL. 
 
 The arrival of de Vaudreuil was gladly hailed by the Canadian people, 
 who hoped to enjoy under his rule, the same prosperity and peace 
 Nvhich had characterised his fiithcr's government. But in this respect 
 they were sadly deceived. The new Governor was too familiar with 
 
 * From tlic positions subsequently held by mnny of the colonial officers, nni\ 
 by Waeliington among tlio rest, it is evident that this order was never strictly 
 carried out. Even Braddock speedily saw its folly, and gave Wablungton a poeli 
 on Lis own staff. 
 
114 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [175u. 
 
 '' .! 
 
 • ■. I . 
 
 I . 
 
 the corrupt manners of the day, to resist the sinister Inflircncc by which 
 lie was speedily surrounded on his arrival, Yor the preceding two 
 years many of the inhabitants had been engaged in expeditions in vari 
 ous quarters, their lands had, therefore, been left uncultivated, and they 
 were now threatened with famine. The company which had monopo- 
 lised the trade of the colony, during La Jonquiere's government was 
 still in existence, and do V^audrcuil was speedily won over to wink at 
 its extortions. Perceiving the likelihood of a scarcity, the company 
 had bought up large quantities of flour, wliich they sold ])ack to the 
 people again at an immense advance, and even sought to increase the 
 prices of food, and consequently their own profits, by procuring the 
 shipments of wheat to the West India Islands. Nor was this the only 
 way in which the people suflfered. Bigot, the Intcndant, who after being 
 for some time in France, had again returned, connived at the robbery 
 of the farmers in the most shameful manner. He issued an ordinance 
 to compel them to sell their grain at a low fixed price, under the pre- 
 tence that they had caused the scarcity, and then sent his creature, 
 Cadet, through the country to enforce it. The latter scoured the settle- 
 ments in every direction, and took the grain by force when the inhabi- 
 tants refused to sell it. Numerous complaints were made against 
 him ; but the Intcndant refused to hear them, and referred the parties 
 to a member of the company, who threatened them with imprisonment 
 if they did not keep quiet ; which the helpless people were thus com- 
 pelled to do.* 
 
 Such was the degrading condition of the inhabitants of Canada at this 
 period. With famine already afflicting them, they were likewise 
 threatened with the miseries of war, and suffered, in addition, all the 
 evils of a most corrupt administration. Happy indeed is the present 
 condition of the Canadian Habitant when compared w^ith the past. The 
 conquest of Canada won true freedom for him, and gives hi ni a more 
 genuine liberty than his race enjoys in any other part of the world 
 Self-ruled, " he sits under his own vine and fig-tree," and no ofBcial, Ilia- 
 the IJigot or Cadet of past times, dare lay an illegal finger on his property. 
 
 On the 5th of ^lay, Braddock joined the main-body of his army 
 near Fort Cumberland, and found himself at the head of a force of 
 2'iOO men, (which embraced the 44th and 48th regiments of the line.) 
 with twelve pieces of artillery. Hero owing to the want of carriages, 
 horses, and provisions, he was detained till the 10th of June, when he 
 pushed forwards towards Fort du Quesne. Learning on the way that 
 its garrison expected speedy reinforcements, he selected 1200 men and 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 2a5~239. 
 

 1755.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 115 
 
 ten guns, ami pushed boldly on through the solitudes of the Allcgh.v 
 nies. Colonel Dunbar, with the rest of the army and the heavy bag- 
 gage, followed as he best might. Braddoek's march was conducted in 
 the most careless manner, and the remonstrances of his officers only 
 made him the more obstinate. Washington, who commanded some 
 companies of Virginian niililia, and acted as his aid-de-camp, pressed 
 his objections to this course so warmly, that the irritated chief ordered 
 him and his men to undertake the inglorious duties of the rear-guard. 
 
 Contrecour, who still commanded at Fort du Quesne, had received 
 early information of all Braddock's movements from his faithful Indian 
 scouts, and detached M. de Beaujeau, on the morning of the 9th July, 
 with 250 soldiers and 000 Indians, to occupy u defile six miles distant. 
 Ijefore, however, he had fully completed the disposition of his foi'ce, 
 the appearance of the British vanguard brought on an engagement. Its 
 flanking parties were speedily driven in by a deadly fire from an 
 almost unseen enemy, Braddoek promptly advanced the 4-lth regi- 
 ment to succor the front, and endeavored to deploy that corps upon the 
 open ground : but a deadly lire from the thick covert swept away the 
 head of every formation. Panic struck by the wild war-whoop of the 
 Indians, which they had never before heard, and the disorder in their 
 front, the 44th staggered and hesitateJ. Its colonel, Sir Peter Ilalket, 
 and his son, a lieutenant, were now shot dead, side by side, while cheer- 
 ing them on. Meantime, the artillery instinctively pushed forward 
 witliort any orders, and plied the thickets in front M'ith grape and can- 
 nister, but in a few minutes all the ofiieers and most of the gunners 
 were lying killed or wounded. The broken remnant of the advanced 
 i.'uarj now fell back upon the disordered line of the 44lh, and threw it 
 into utter confusion. Again and again did Braddoek, with useless 
 courage, endeavor to induce them to present a firm front to the enemy : 
 but this luckless corps, fated to bo massacred at a subsequent period in 
 Afl*ghanistan, were seized with uncontrollable terror, lost all order, and 
 I'cll back in a crowd on the 48th, now advancing to their aid under 
 (.'oloncl Burton, With these fresh troops Braddoek endeavored to 
 restore the battle, and made several desperate eiforts to get possession 
 of a hill, from whence a body of French poured down a most destruc- 
 tive fire ; but trees and rocks disordered his well drilled ranks, which 
 wore also cut up repeatedly by the flanking fire of the Indians. Lack- 
 ing the qualities of the general, his valor was usekss : the carnage 
 increased, and after having five horses shot under him, a bullet shattered 
 liis arm. and passed through his' lungs. He felt his defeat keenly, and 
 Jesired to be left to perish on the field : but Colonel Gage placed him 
 ill a waggon, and hurried him to the rear. 
 
 I • 
 
 V" 
 
 ■I • 
 
 rfc ' ' 
 
 I 
 
116 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1755. 
 
 1 
 
 The remnant of the 41tli and 48th now brol^o and fled in the utmost 
 disorder, leaving tlic artillery and bagiLfago in the hands of the French, 
 and, wliat was still W(jrse, their wounded to ho scalped and murdered 
 by the Indians. Washington with his Virginian companies, who had 
 borne but little share in the action, held the banks of the jNIonongaliehi 
 till the fugitives had crossed over, and then retired him>elf in tolerable 
 order. All iiight did that panic-stricken army Hy, and the following 
 evening joined the force, which had been left behind under Colonel 
 Dunbar, full fifty miles from the, scene of action. Still the retreat was 
 continued, liraddock's sulK'i'ings hourly increasing till his death, which 
 took place on the third day from his defeat. Shortly before he expired 
 he dictated a dispatch acquitting his oflicers from all blame, and recom- 
 mending them to the favor of his country. 
 
 Full three-fourths of the small army Braddock had taken into action 
 were killed, wounded, and missing, including sixty four officers. Fifty- 
 four women had accompanied the troops, and of these only four 
 escaped alive from the dangers and hardships of the expedition. The 
 French, on the other hand, only lost their commander, de Beaujcau, and 
 sixty men in this astonishing victory, while the loss of their Indian 
 allies were still less in proportion. '^^ 
 
 On Braddock's death, Colonel Dunbar assumed the chief command. 
 and continued the retreat in the most disgraceful haste upon Fort Cum- 
 berland. Leaving two militia companies to strengthen its garrison, he 
 pursued his march to Philadelphia despite the earnest entreaties of the 
 governors of Virginia, ^Maryland, and Pensylvania, not to leave their 
 western frontiers unprotected. From Philadelphia, the remains of the 
 army, 1(300 strong, were shipped to Albany by the order of Genend 
 Shirley of Massachusetts, who was now commander-in-chiefs 
 
 While the disastrous events were occurring, which left the French 
 flag floating triumphantly in the valley of the Ohio, Governor Lawrence. 
 of Nova Scotia, was vigorously engaged in driving tht enemy from 
 the Isthmus. Do Vcrgor, now commanding at Beau-Sejour, knew 
 nothing of the preparations for war between the two crowns till spring ; 
 nor was ho fully apprized of his danger, till on the 2nd of June he 
 beheld the British fleet sailing fearlessly into the bay, and anchoring 
 before his eyes. On the ord the militia and regular troops, amounting 
 to loOO in all, were landed without difliculty, as well as a train of 
 artillery. De Vergor had been too busy during the preceding winter. 
 
 * Russell's Modern Euvopo, vol. 2. p. 444, 445 . Conquest of Cnn. vol. 2. P' 
 19-26. Bancroft's Hist. United States, vol. 3. p 129-130. Smith's Hist, of Can 
 vol. 1. p. 233. Bri. North Amcr., vol, 1. p. 211. 
 
Ai 
 
 1755.] 
 
 OF CANADvV. 
 
 ir 
 
 assisting tlio Abbe Lc Loutro in plmidcrlng the Acadian refugees of thu 
 allowances given tlieni by the crown, and in enriching himself by mak- 
 ing fraudulent returns of fn'cwood, and other articles required lor tho 
 liarrisou, to be now prepared to defend liis fort with resolution.* Tho 
 Jh'itish were suffered to cross thw Messagonchi5 without opposition. 
 15eau-Sojour, its garrison weakened by discontent and fear, wa<= r.ir. ren- 
 dered after an inglorious siege of four days' duration, and called Fort 
 Cumberland by its captors, in honor of the commander-in-chief. The 
 little fortress at the IJay Verte, garrisoned by only twenty soldiers, 
 was the next to fall : the French themselves burned the fort at 8t. John's, 
 and retreated to Louisburg. These important successes were cheaply 
 purchased with tho loss of twenty killed, and about the same number 
 wounded. The unfortunate Acadian refugees having 'broken their oath 
 of allegiance to Great I'ritain, and now a second time completely 
 at its mercy, were treated with unwarrantable harshness. 
 
 General Shirley oi'ganized the third expedition determined on by the 
 council of Alexandria, and marched westward from Albany, in the 
 beginning of July, to capture the French fort at Niagara. But the 
 news of Braddock's defeat and death soon reached his troops, and dis- 
 heartened the Provincials, who deserted their colors by squads. Shirley, 
 nevertheless, vigorously pushed forward with all the troops he could 
 keep together, relying on the aid of the Iroquois. But these had also 
 heard of the Freneh victory at Fort du Quesne, and hesitated to com- 
 mit themselves to the doubtful fortunes of tho British. They even 
 remonstrated against the passage of their territory by an army, alleg- 
 ing, at the same time, that the fort at Oswego was only tolerated by 
 them as a trading post. The middle of Aug^^sic was past when the 
 general, after a toilsome march, arrived at Lake Ontario, and the want 
 of sup]:)lies, and the lateness of the season prevented him from attack- 
 ing Niagara. Leaving 700 men under Colonel Mercer to strengthen 
 and occupy the deiences at Oswego, ha commenced, on the 24th of Octo- 
 ber, to retrace his difficult route from Albany. 
 
 To William Johnson, was due the honor of redeeming in some mea- 
 sure the reputation of the British arms, so seriously tarnishoil by the 
 defeat of Braddock, and the fruitless marches of Shirley. An Irishman 
 by birth, he had followed when a youth the example of numbers of his 
 countrymen even at that early day, and sought to better his fortunes 
 in the New World. f Here like Cobbctt, and Ledyard, and Coleridge, and 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 229. 
 
 * Even in the latter part of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth 
 century, the emigration from Ireland to the American plantations was vry cxten. 
 
 
 ■r^ 
 
 ■» '■ 
 
118 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1755. 
 
 
 East Indian Thompson, " who died a Major General," in the Old World, 
 ho began his career as a private soldier. IJut Johnson was moulded in 
 no ordinary stamp. Possessed of a noble form, of strong perceptive 
 powers, and influenced bj an honorable ambition, he gradually worked 
 his way upwards to wealth and public consideration. A settler for 
 many years on the fertile banks of the Mohawk, his manly bearing, 
 social manners, and Irish hospitality, had rendered him exceedingly 
 popular with the aborigines of New York, and he might justly lx> 
 termed the " Tribune of tlie Six Nations.''* Not a single Iroquois had 
 joined the ill-fated liraddock, or the tedious Shirley, but the entire 
 Mohawk tribe attached themselves to the fortunes of Johnson ; and 
 Ilendrick, their bravest sachem, led 300 of tlieir warriors to his camp.f 
 
 Early in July, the militia of Massachusetts and Connecticut, with a 
 few from the other New England states and New York, assembled at 
 Albany to the number of 5000 men, preparatory to moving upon 
 Crown Point. General Lyman led this force to the portage between 
 the Hudson and the head-springs of the Sorel, where they constructed 
 Eort Edward to serve as a safe depot for provisions, and to secure a 
 point of support in case of defeat. Here Johnson joined the army 
 the last days of August, and leaving a garrison of 300 men in the 
 newly -built fort, conducted it to the southern shore of the lake, which 
 the French called the Lake of The Holy Sacrament, but which he now 
 named Lake George. " I found," he said " a mere wilderness ; never 
 was house or fort erected here before." Johnson had never seen a 
 campaign, yet his position for the camp, was chosen with much more 
 judgement than Washington had displayed in the site for Eort Neces- 
 sity. On, the north lay Lake George, his flanks were protected 
 by wooded swamps, and behind him was the secure post of Fort Edward. 
 
 Tidings of the danger which ^hreatened Crown Point, speedily 
 reached do Vaudrcuil, and abandoning the plan of an attack upon Oswego, 
 he despatched Baron Dieskau, a brave and experienced oflicer, with 
 700 veteran troops, 1500 of the militia of Montreal, and 700 Indians 
 to its succor. Dividing his army at Crown Point, and eager for distinc- 
 tion, Dieskau, taking 1200 Indians and Canadians, and 300 regular;;, 
 
 sive in proportion to its population. At one period this emigration was a source of 
 much alarm, as lands in many parts of Ireland were left untenanted. There is 
 not the smallest doubt, that at the present day Irishmen or their descendant?, 
 form the largest portion of tho people of the United States. Vide Russell's 
 Modern Europe, vol. 3. p. I . 
 
 * Memoirs of an American Lady, vol, 2. p. 61. Russell's Modern Europe, vol. 
 2. p. 446. 
 
 f Conquest of Canada, vol. 2, p. 31, 
 
 1755.] 
 
 pushed f( 
 Septombi 
 Indians n 
 willing to 
 neither ar 
 Late th 
 body of ] 
 towards 1 
 liams, anc 
 cil-of-war 
 and postin 
 soon had t 
 the critica! 
 fire upon f 
 ambush, 
 cut off. I 
 liams and 
 which was 
 The clo 
 ongagemen 
 enemy he j 
 intrenchmc 
 fowling pic 
 felled by 
 I»laced alon 
 they could 
 at home. 
 
 Dieskau 
 
 had brouch 
 
 dians and Ii 
 
 intrenched 1 
 
 left, and coi 
 
 flanks of the 
 
 position he 
 
 break Johns 
 
 one hundrec 
 
 soon becanr 
 
 stoutly, the^ 
 
 fire of the ' 
 
 lasted four 1 
 
 their line, di 
 
 supported b 
 
\- ' » 
 
 [1755. 
 
 World, 
 ilded in 
 [•ccptivo 
 worked 
 ttler for 
 bearing, 
 icdinglv 
 ustly Ix! 
 uois ha(l 
 iG entire 
 on ; und 
 3 camp.f 
 t, with a 
 [iibled at 
 ng upon 
 between 
 iistructed 
 secure a 
 10 army 
 in in the 
 te, which 
 li he nuw 
 s ; never 
 seen a 
 icli more 
 Ncces- 
 otcctcd 
 Edward, 
 speedily 
 Oswego, 
 cer, with 
 Indian*. 
 )r distiiic- 
 regulari^. 
 
 a source of 
 There is 
 
 scondant?, 
 Rusicll'j 
 
 rope, vol. 
 
 1755.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 110 
 
 pushed forward to .issault Fort Edward. On the evening of the 7th 
 September, he fo'uid himself within four miles of this post ; but the 
 Indians now refused iu ultack It, stating at the same time they were 
 willing to go against the army on the lake, which was thought to have 
 
 illcry 
 
 -Michmc 
 
 neither 
 
 Late that night it, was told in the camp at Lake George, that a strong 
 body of French and Indians, had landed from South I5ay, and marched 
 towards Fort Edward. Next morning 1000 men under Colonel Wil- 
 liams, and 200 Mohawks, led by Ilcndriek, were despatched by a coun- 
 cil-of-war to its relief. Dleskau's scouts warned him of their approach, 
 and posting his force among the brushwood and rocks of a defile, he 
 soon had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy rashly advance. But at 
 the critical moment the Christian Iroquois of Caughnawaga hesitated to 
 fire upon their kindred, and showed themselves, to apprize them of the 
 ambush. This movement saved the detachment from being entirely 
 cut off. Put on their guard they fought bravely, and, although Wil- 
 liams and Ilendrick were killed, made good their retreat to the camp, 
 which was only three miles from the defile. 
 
 The close roll of musketry made Johnson aware that a sharji' 
 engagement was in progress, and as yet ignorant of the strength of the 
 enemy he resolved to prepare for the worst. The camp had still no 
 intrcnchments. The New England militia were armed with rifles and 
 fowling pieces without a bayonet amongst them, trees were now rapidly 
 felled by the stalworth backwoodsmen, and waggons and ])aggagc 
 jilaccd along the front of their line to form a breastwork. Bohind this 
 they could take deadly aim in comparative safety, and were perfectly 
 at home. 
 
 Dicskau designed to enter the camp with the fugitives, but Johnson 
 had brought up threo guns from the lake, and the moment the Cana- 
 dians and Indians found themselves under their fire, and in front of an 
 intrenched line, their courage failed and they inclined to the right and 
 left, and contented themselves with keeping up a harmless fire on the 
 flanks of the British. Dieskau, although surprised at the strength of the 
 position he had to assault, boldly pushed forward with his regulars to 
 break Johnson's line in the centre, which he assailed at a distance of 
 one hundred and fifty paces, by a heavy platoon firing. The action 
 soon became general, and although the French troops stood their ground 
 stoutly, they melted rapidly away under the well-directed and deadly 
 fire of the New England men. Dieskau finding, after the action had 
 lasted four hours, that he could make no impression on the centre of 
 their line, directed a movement against its right flank, and was now 
 supported by the Canadian militia. Johnson had been wounded in tho 
 
'i» ' 
 
 ■ *t 
 
 120 THE HISTORY [1755. 
 
 beginning of the action, but Lyinmi ably supplied his place, and soon 
 checked tiie flank movement of tiic French. Tiiey wavered and gave way, 
 when the New l^ngland men, lea[)ing over their slii^ht defences, drove 
 them into rapid iuid <ll.s(jrdered flight. Nearly all the Treneh regulars 
 perished, and their gallant leader, Dle-skau, was wounded incurably, ainl 
 remained a prisoner. The entire British loss, in the diirerent actions 
 during the day, was ^1(5 killed, and Of) wounded. The French loss has 
 been variously estimated, but it could scarcely be less than 700 in 
 killeil and wounded.* 
 
 'ilii! Canadians and Indians, who had sidlered comparatively little in 
 the engagement, fuuliug themselves un[>ur.'^ued halted at the scene of 
 William's defeat to plunder and scalp the dead. Here they were sud- 
 denly encountered by a body of New Hampshire militia, under Captain 
 Macginnis, who were marching to aid Juhnson's force, and a fresh en- 
 gagement immediately ensued. It lasted two hours, and resulted com- 
 pletely to the advantage of the New Hampshire men, who lost their bravo 
 leader in the moment of victory. Thus defeated a second time the 
 remnant of the French broke up in disorder, and made the best of their 
 way to Ticonderoga, where a portion of the force left behind by Dieskau 
 had intrenched themselves. 
 
 Johnson has been severely censured for not following up his victory 
 by a movement on Ticonderoga and Crown Point, which was recom- 
 mended by his own couneil-of-war, and the New England Governors. 
 But his n\ilitary experience, brief as it was, had already taught 
 him that however bravely raw militia armed with rifles, and fowling, 
 pieces, might fight behind an intrenched position, where they had 
 no evolutions to perform, and where all that was necessary was 
 swift and well aimed firing, they were, nevertheless, totally unequal 
 to contend on a fair field against veteran French troops, armed with 
 musket and bayonet, and still less to assault fortified positions. 
 Johnson, under these circumstances, felt that he had done sufllcicnt 
 in saving the frontiers of the New England colonies, and that his 
 wisdom was not to risk a defeat by facing trained troops behind 
 intrenchments. He accordingly contented himself with erecting Fort 
 William Henry on the battle field, and detaching Captain Rogers, a 
 daring and active officer, to obtain correct intelligence of the enemy's 
 movements, Rogers performed this duty in the most satisfactory man- 
 
 * Bancroft says their loss was not much greater than that of tho British: but in 
 this estimate ho is evidently mistaken. Smith rates their loss at 1000 killed, 
 wounded, and missing, and AVarburton says 800. Their entire loss throughout the 
 day was probably about f 00. 
 
 1755. J 
 
 ner, cm 
 that a ] 
 posted . 
 Havi 
 garrisoii 
 her, fell 
 thence r 
 had woi 
 ductivc ( 
 accompli 
 grant of 
 While 
 at Lake ( 
 effects of 
 French ol 
 every dir 
 legislatun 
 the clanK 
 and Indiai 
 PhiJadelp] 
 governor, 
 expenses < 
 became m 
 council-of- 
 vornors an 
 safety, a 
 Quebec wr 
 were to be 
 and Niagai 
 I>etroit, ar 
 real, must 
 Ticondero. 
 St. Lawren 
 for succour 
 colonial in( 
 Loudon wa 
 
 Con 
 
1755. 
 
 soon 
 ) way, 
 drovo 
 
 ly, iintl 
 
 actions 
 
 OSS hiis 
 
 '1 00 in 
 
 little in 
 ;ccno of 
 crc Kud- 
 Ca<'>taiii 
 Tcsh on- 
 ted com- 
 cir brave 
 time the 
 ;t of thuii- 
 r Plcskau 
 
 is victory 
 as rccom- 
 ovcrnors. 
 y taught 
 fowling, 
 they had 
 ^sary was 
 y unequal 
 mcd with 
 positions, 
 sufficient 
 that hi? 
 ,ps lu'hind 
 -ting Fort 
 Rogers, a 
 |ic enemy's 
 -tory man- 
 
 ktisli:lJ"tin 
 llOOO killed, 
 toughout tbe 
 
 1755.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Ul 
 
 nor, cut off several of the detached parties of the French, and ascertained 
 that a l)ody of '^000 men, with a proportion of artillery, were securely 
 posted at Ticonderoga. 
 
 Having stroiigtlioniMl Fort I'Mward, and William Henry, \vhioli ho 
 garrisoned with a regiment of luililia, .lohnson, on tli'.i 'illli of Docein- 
 her, fi-'U liuclc to Albany with the remainder of liis forces, who from 
 thence returned to their respective provinces. Although the victory Ik; 
 had won, with untrained and imperfectly armed troo]>s, was not pro- 
 ductive of any hrilliant results, England was grateful (or what he had 
 accomplished, and rewarded him by a biironetcy, and a parliamentary 
 grant of X'.")000.* 
 
 "While .Johnson, and the men of Now I'.nghuul, were winning lanri'ls 
 at Lake George, the frontier settlements of Pen^ylvania felt the full 
 effects of ]»raddock's defeat, and the cowardly IlighL of Dunbar. Tho 
 French of Fort du Qnesne and their Indians, swept the open country in 
 every direction, plundering and murdering the inhabitants. Its (Quaker 
 legislature refused assistance to repel these aggressions, and not till 
 the clamors of hundreds of fugitives proclaimed that 1500 French 
 and Indians had mustered on the Susquehanna only eighty miles from 
 Philadelphia, did these men of peace respond to tho impcjrtimity of their 
 governor, by calling out the militia and appropriating £{')2,()00 for tho 
 expenses of the war. The other colonies, whose frontiers were exposed, 
 became moro and more alarmed, and on the 12th of Decemln'r a grand 
 council-of-wa'r was held at New York, composed of s(;veral of tho Go- 
 vernors and superior oflicers, to deliberate on means for tho common 
 safety. A splendid campaign was no>v planned for the following year ; 
 Quebec was to be menaced by the Kennebec and the Cliaudiero; vessels 
 were to be launched on Lake Ontario from Oswego, and Frontenac, 
 and Niagara, and Toronto to be captured ; and then Fort du (^uesne, and 
 Detroit, and Mackinaw, deprived of their communications with Mont- 
 real, must surrender. A strong force at the saiiie time was to carry 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and to threaten tho settlements on the 
 St. Lawrence by the llichelieu. The mother country was appealed to 
 for succour. This she determined to give, despite her fears already of 
 colonial independence when freed from French aggression, and Lord 
 Loudon was appointed to direct her American armies. 
 
 * Conquest of Can. vol. 2. p. 35. Smith's Hist, Can. vol. 1. p. 235 
 
 » ». 
 
 > 
 
U2 
 
 THE TIISTOUY 
 
 [IIM, 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ■j •■ ' f- 
 
 THE OOVEUNMENT OF THE MAUQl'IS DE VAUDUEUIL, 
 
 CONTrNFKD. 
 
 Despite the hostil,c conflicts in tho New Worlfl, Frftncennd England 
 were still nominally at peace. Contrary to all political conjecture. 
 J^'ranco made no reprisals for the capture of the Alcidc and the Lys^ tho 
 two men-of-war taken oflf the St. Lawrence by Boscawcn, and tamely 
 saw three hundred of her trading vessels, laden in many cases with 
 valuable cargoes of West hidia produce and manned by 8000 seamen, 
 cai)tured and carried into tho ports of England, Prance felt her infe- 
 riority at sea, and had flattered herself that the anxiety of George II. 
 for tho safety of his German dominions, would prevent him from 
 adopting any vigorous measures, notwithstanding her encroachments in 
 America. But the numerous captures of French vessels, soon taught 
 Louis XV. that no dependence need be placed on the promises and 
 peaceable professions of the IJi-itish muiistry, and he unwillingly pre- 
 pared for war. Both (jJrcat Britain and Franco now sought to strengthen 
 themsels'os by new alliances, and to make pi'cparation fur the approach- 
 ing contest, which threatened to involve all lOui'ope. France 
 1750. began hostilities by the invasion of ^Minorca, and war was soon 
 after formally declared by both countries.* 
 In the New World the campaign opened with far tho best prospects 
 on the side of the French, in a military point of view. Theyheld un- 
 disputed j-iossession of the valley of the Ohio and the great west ; Nia- 
 gara and Toronto had been strengtiiened, as well as Fort Frontenac; 
 and their flag floated over Lake Ontario in almost undisputed sove- 
 reignty ; while Crown Point and Ticonderoga gave them the supremacy 
 on Lake Champlain, In addition to these advantages 3000 regular 
 "troops, a hardy militia, already trained to war, and numerous tribes of 
 friendly Indians, ever ready to range themselves on the side of the 
 stronger party, constituted a much more formidable military power 
 
 * Russell'a Modern Europe, vol. 11. p, 447, 
 
17r.(5.1 . OF CANADA. 1^^ 
 
 tliaii tlic ^t•i(i^h col<iiiios, with tlioir jiirrin;* iiitorrst«, nnd indopoiulonl 
 
 coiiinKiiuli'i's, cuiilil |irfsciit. 
 
 iSiil wliili' jiiipaiTi.tly rnriiii'l.ililc in military sircii^ili, CuiiiuliV wa^ 
 worully ilflicii'iit ill all llic ;i(iiiiii;(' inati'i'iah of waitiirc, wlicii corn- 
 
 nil'.' 
 
 w I 
 
 li iii'i' Aii<floS!i\(pi; rivals. Ni'w I'jiuImimI iilniic \<:u\ nuirt 
 
 iiR'ii oapaliU' «»f licariii"^ aims ilini Iirr ciillrc |<o|Milati(iii, which now 
 tiniiilx'l'fil scarcfly NO, 000 souls, whih- the united llriti-h coloilios htiastiMl 
 ofiu'arly ;>,O0O,O00 inlial»ilants. It is tnio thai tli.' niiti>h settlors, like 
 their <li'S('('iukiits (•' (lie jirt'seiil tlav, Avere men nl' peace, ami much het- 
 tor lilte(J hy choico and hahit for {\n\ ()ecii[)aiiiins vt cdnmiorcc 
 and a2;riciilturo, th:iii lor the military life. Still they possessed all 
 the (|iialities whii'h eoiistitiile the trno soldier — eiierj^y, couraj;*', and 
 «nthiriince, air! needed (.niv imion, disei|)|iin>. mid the riuht kind ot' u 
 leader, to drive their rivals sin«f|edianded from this lontiiieiit. On tlie 
 other hand, the Canadians were poor in purse, and siilleriii;^ frtMii a 
 scareity (if food. Their union and military traiiiiiit^ j;ave them the a<l- 
 vaiitn<,'e in the hcgiiniinjf of the eontest — their want ofnumerieal strenj^th 
 and tlu! necessary rcsourees, ruined them in the end. The Uritish 
 colonies prosentod the aspect of a free, Hi'lf-iio\ .rued people, j^rown rich 
 and populous hy tludr iiiti.lli^'enep, their industry, and their love of jus- 
 tice, v'anada exliihited the s|ieetae1e of a military settlement, jrcound 
 down hy lac exactions of a feudal land tenure, dishonest public servants, 
 and knavish cotnmereial monopolies. 
 
 The ice of winter hac' still firm hold of the rivers of Canada, when the 
 Marquis de Vaudrcuil opened the campali^n, hy detachiiifr Lieutenant 
 do Lery, on the 17th of March, witli 'ii')U Frem h and 80 Indians, to cap- 
 ture some small foits, which he learned had heen constructed on the 
 road to Oswego, for the protection of convoys proceedin<^ thither. One 
 of those posts, garrisoned l)y twenty men, was cajiturcd after a stout 
 resistance and blown np. The obstinacy with w hieh the little garri>(»n had 
 defended themselves-., and the loss of some of tht'ir warriors, so > \aspc- 
 rate(.^ th(T Indians, that they scalped and murilered them all with the 
 exception of two men, who were saved with dillieiilty by do Lery. 
 Throe hundred men were also despatched from Fort Frontcnac, under 
 Ca[it; in de X'illier, with instructions to establish themselves at sonm 
 favorable point in the vicinity of Oswego, and iiillict all the ii«,;iiry possi- 
 ble on stragglers fiom its garrison or on convoys proceeding there, 
 and if possible to capture the fort itself by a suddeii assault. Villier 
 erected a small stockaded fu;L in a dense part of (he forest, where la 
 hoped to remain miperceivcd. But it was soon detected by a scouting 
 party of Iroquois, who became not a little alarmed at this unauthorized 
 

 124 tup: history ^ [nsG. 
 
 occupation of their territory. By the advice of Sir William Jolmson, 
 they sent a (Jepiitation to reiiioiistrate witli do Vaudreiiil at Moiitreiil, 
 and to request him to deiiioli>li llio furt. 'J'his lie rot'iisod to do ; but 
 told them if they remained neutral, ;uid would not join the British, tliat 
 lie would protect them from every in-ult. After pro^li^ing to pursue 
 this course, they departed homewards ladfu with rich presents. 
 
 No sooner had de Vaudrouil dismissed the Irofjuois deputies, than 
 he took prompt measures to stren^tlicn the detachment under de Vil. 
 lier, and also for the capture of the British armed vessels, which now 
 bef];an to appear on Lake Ontario. While thus engaged a large body 
 of troops arrived at ^Montreal, under tlie cf)mit)and of Field Mar- 
 shall JNIontcalm, the Chevalier de Levi, and Colonel de Bourleniaquc, 
 three brave and experienced ollieers. After remaining a few days at 
 Quebec, to make himself acipiainted with the condition of matters 
 there, Montcalm directed three regiments of regular troops to proceed 
 to ]\Ionlreal, whither he departed in advance to confer with the 
 (jJoveriior. lie highly approved (»f the measures the latter had t;iken 
 with respect to Oswego, and directed Bourlcmaque to |>nsl: forward to 
 do N'mier's camp with a reiidorccinent, and to take the chief coniiiiaiid. 
 Having comjilcted these arrangements he proceeded to Ticoiideroga on 
 the 27th of dune. Here he remained milking preparations for the de- 
 fence of the frontier, and endeavoring to procure accurate intelligence 
 of the movement of the British at Albany, 'ill the loth of Jidy. when 
 he set out on his return to Montreal. To the Chevalier de Levi and 
 'JOOO men he left the protection of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, aiiJ 
 the maintenance of French siqireinacy on I>ake Ciiamplain and the 
 liichelieu. From ^Montreal he hastened to Fort Frontenac, to make 
 preparations for the capture of Oswego. 
 
 \\ hile thus all had been vigor and action on the side of the French, 
 delay and indecision characteriocd the operations of the British. Lm-d 
 Loudon beiiii; detained by business in J'^ngland. Maior-General Aber- 
 cromby was ordered to precede him, and hold the chief eonunaiid till 
 his arrival. This officer brought out wi;h him the o"»th and 42nd regi- 
 ments, and found himself at Albany towards the latter end of June. 
 .Vbereromby deemed the force under his command too weak to carry 
 i>ut the extensive plan of operations, which had been sketched out by 
 Shirley and the other colonial ofllcers ; and, desirous to avoid resjionsi- 
 bility. resolved to await the arrival of the Coininauder-in-chii'f before 
 undertaking any important operations. Meantime, he marched the 
 Provincial forces upon Fort William Henry, under the command of 
 General Winslow, preparatory to the proposed movement on Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga. 
 
 175C.; 
 
 Wli 
 
 naiitC 
 ducted 
 p II .-I led 
 iiitercej 
 
 C()IU'S(>. 
 
 and boi 
 liis advi 
 tlu! vlvv 
 self ill tl 
 advaiiciM 
 thu wild 
 fire fell \ 
 not l().;e 
 the eiieiii 
 He had li 
 quickly d 
 sion spec 
 bravely b 
 Freiuli IK 
 rate h.uid- 
 Jii'-i galliui 
 third di\ iv 
 to the as. 
 
 Stril<Tnrl(> (|j 
 
 inuiiberdc.; 
 in the lian, 
 men had ^■;. 
 
 Brad>fie( 
 lowing day 
 ^^■ii'< nienaec 
 oi'dcrs for tl 
 interference 
 Lord L„udo 
 sures Were ( 
 
 ^f«'iitcahn 
 Oswego, Ocp. 
 '■'^■ed on the 
 rendezvous < 
 Oil iheOih hi 
 OQ the night o 
 
■756. 
 
 iison, 
 iroivl, 
 ; but 
 1, tint 
 lursuc 
 
 ;, than 
 
 k Vil- 
 li now 
 
 Q \)(nly 
 
 I M;ir- 
 
 ninquc, 
 
 Jays at 
 
 nuiUers 
 
 proceed 
 
 ;ilU ihc 
 
 id taken 
 
 i-wai'il to 
 
 lumiautl. 
 
 leToiia on 
 
 )V iho tic- 
 
 rlliiiencc 
 wlien 
 A'\\ aivi 
 ,n;u, and 
 and tlio 
 to make 
 
 . rrench, 
 Lord 
 
 rai M'CT- 
 
 uand liU 
 
 l2ud regi- 
 
 of June. 
 
 to carry 
 [\ out by 
 
 vcsponsi- 
 L.f before 
 [cbed the 
 
 m-iand of 
 
 lu Ciowu 
 
 175G.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 125 
 
 ilv 
 
 "WliIIo llic hulk of the* army thus remained in idle inaction, Lieiitc^ 
 naiitColoiiel IJrad^treet, witli a detachment of raw Irish reeiuits, con- 
 ducted a h'.i'i^e convoy of ju'ovi^ions in safety to Oswego. De Villier 
 pii-liL'd fiirwaid fcoiii 8ackelt's I farbor, witli 700 Fi'eiieli and Indians, to 
 interci'pt him, but losing liis way in the forest, he did not rcarh the 
 Oiiondaga KivLT, till after the convoy had safely passed down its 
 conrs(>. J)radslreet fearing an a'taek on his return, diviiK'd hi ^ eaiioes 
 and boils into tliri'e dl\ ivions. with an easy interval between, so tliat if 
 his advance was attacked the men behind ndght [)n.sii lor the 1/ank of 
 tlio ri^'er, and meet the enemy on equal terms, (ialhuitly [)Osting him- 
 sell in the (Irst canoe he left O.-wcgo on the ord of duly, and liad only 
 advanced nine miles up the stream, when snddi'uly a shar^i volley, and 
 the wild war-whoop of the savage, rang through the forest. 'Jhe first 
 fire fell with (h'adiy eflert npon the leatling division, still liradsti'eet did 
 not lose his presence of mind, and made for an island, wliieli twenty of 
 the enemy, however, da-hing through the water, gained before liim. 
 He had not a dozen men with hiiti, still lio boldly faced his foc-s, and 
 quickly drove them (Voin the inland. The remainder of his fir.-t divi- 
 sion speedily arriving madt' his strengih np to twenty nun. who 
 bravely bi'at back a i'w>\\ attack by twice their i'.nndier. The cni'aged 
 French now made a third on-et with seventy men, which, abcr a despe- 
 rate hand-to-hand contbet on the i>land, was repelled by ]>rad>treet and 
 his gallant littli' band. Meanwhile, the boatmen of the second and 
 third divi>ions had landed, fornud in good order, anil [lUshed i'orwai'd 
 to the as.-i>tance of tliei:- bard pressed comrades. After a dc.^peratc 
 struggle the French were C(Hn|>leteIy ronted, leaving a hundred of their 
 nundierdead, and sevi'iity prisoners, with a large (pianiity of lire-arms, 
 in the hands of theii' {•on(pierors. On the other hand, lIu; Iri-h boat- 
 men had ^ixty killed and wounded in this fiercidy contested aciion. 
 
 lirail^tret't arrived at Schenectady on the 4th of July, and the fol- 
 lowing day ]iroceeded to Albany, to wai'n Abercroniby that Oswego 
 was menaced by a large French force. 1"lie general at once gave 
 orders for the 44lh regiment to ha-^ten to its ridief, but (^-wing to the 
 interference of some of the I'rovincial governors its inarch was delayed. 
 Lord Loudon joined the arruy on the '^Dth of July, still no active mea- 
 sures were taken. 
 
 ^lontealm having oon-plcted all his arrangements for the siege of 
 Oswego, departed from Fort FroL'tcnac on the 4th of August, and ar- 
 rived on the evening of the same day at Sackett's Harbor, the general 
 rendezvous of his army, which amounted to more than ,'3000 men. 
 On the Oili his vanguard arrived within a inile-anda-half of Oswego; 
 on the night of the lOth hii first division also came up. The second 
 
 '■ ^* 
 
 . » 
 
 I' 
 
 I 
 
I ■' 
 1 ■ 
 
 126 THE HISTORY [1756. 
 
 division followed shortly after, nnd nt micliiij];lit on the 12th he opened 
 iiis trenches fii^aiiist Fort (>ii1ario, Mliirli crowiieJ a height on the oppo- 
 site side of the river from Vovi Oswego, iuid eompletely cominanded 
 the latter. From the followinu day-hreak till eveijing the Hre of the 
 garrison was W(di kept up, when their amminiition beeonnng exliaustcd. 
 they liad no alternative but to spike 'heir pims, and i-etire acres? 
 the river to J'\>rt Oswego. Tiie abandoned fort, which contained 
 eight guns and four mortars, was immediately occupied by ^Montcalm, 
 who now continui'd his parallel down the river side, where a brcacliiiif; 
 battery was s;)eedily erected, and next morning, at six o'clock, nine 
 guns poured a destructive ftre at point blank range against Oswego. 
 At ei^rht o'clock Colonel Mercer, its commanding ofhcer, was killed, 
 and at ten, although its fire was i?till mucli superior to that of the 
 French, the besieged hoisted a white flag and offered to surrender, 
 much to the astonishment of Montcalm and his oflieers. 
 
 The garrison, consisting of Shirly's and Pepperell's regiments, and a 
 detachment of Scluiykr's regiment of militia, was about 1700 strong, 
 and lost 150 in killed and wounded during the brief siege, or shortly 
 afterwards, when 30 men attempting to escape through the woods, 
 were massacred by the Indians. The French had 80 killed and 
 ■wounded. Over I^'>00 prisoners of war, including 120 women, were 
 sent down the St. Lawrence, and ihc colors of the captured regiments, 
 for a brief space, decorated the walls of the churches of Montreal, Three 
 Kivers, and Quebec. One hundred and twenty cannon and mortars, 
 six sloops of war, two hundred boats, and large stores of ammunition 
 and provisions, with £18,000 of money, fell to the conquerors.* 
 
 This was a most fortunate victory for Canada, and established tho 
 already rising reputation of Montcalm : but he stained his trium])h by 
 permitting his Indians to j)lunder many of his captives, and to slay and 
 scalp the wounded who had been intrusted to his care.f Instead of 
 occupying Oswego, he courted the favor of the Iroquois by razing it to 
 the ground, and then retraced his way to Fort Frontenac. 
 
 The cowardly defence, and capture of Oswego, imprinted a deep stain 
 on the rej)utation of British troops, and terminated the campaign of 
 175G completely in favor of the French. "Our trade/', wrote an 
 officer of ]Montcalni's army to a friend, " is now cnlirelv re-established. 
 
 iUl 
 
 • Doc. Hist. New York, vol. 1. p. 488-407' Conq'.icst of Cnn. vol. 2. ]\ 51-54. 
 Bancroft's Ilis). llnitod SUilc?, ].ondon Edition, vol. iii, p. lO'J. Smith's Hist. 
 Cuit. vol. 1. p. t;4;i, 244. 
 
 f Doc. Hist. Kcw York, vol. 1. p. 498. 
 
1756.] OF CANADA. 127 
 
 T.ake Ontario is ours without any opposition. Wc can hardly recover 
 from astoiiisliment at the victory wc luivc achieved." Wei), who had 
 at length advanced with the 44lh regiment to relieve the garrison, when 
 he heard of its captnrc tiu'ned and fl.''' to Albany ; London expressed 
 his fears of an attack while the eneniv wi s (hished with victory. When 
 iho diuigor had passed over, he dis'!ii.-..^ed the militia to their several 
 localilie:*, and (piartered his regulaison the peoph; of Alhniiy and New 
 York. The ha[)less frontier settlers of Virginia, Pensylvania, and New- 
 York, alone experienced the full evils of the recent disasters. Parties 
 (if French and Indians, tVoin the Ohio, swept the settlements in that 
 (liroctiun, and marked their course Wy plunder and massacre. Mad- 
 dened by these injuries, a body oOv' I'ensylvar.ians hastily assembled, 
 pursued a party of Delaware marauders to their village, and slaughter- 
 ed them without mercy. On the side uf New York, a detachment of 
 300 French and Indians from Fort Frontenac, on the 28th of Novem- 
 ber, passing up the Black liiver penetrated into the Palatine settle- 
 ment of the German Flats, "n the valley of the Mohawk, captured fivo 
 small forts which protected the village, killed forty men, and carried 
 ofl'one hundred r.'.id fifty prisoners. An immense ([uantity of cattle 
 and provisions were destroyed, and the French and Indians returned to 
 Frontenac laden with valuable plunder. The disasters which had befal- 
 Ion the Diitish arms, canr-cd even the Iroquois to waver in their neutra- 
 lity, and incline to tiie French. Their young men disdainfuly trod tho 
 English medals under fotit, and it re(juired all the address of Sir 
 William Johnson to prevent them from ofTering their services to Mont- 
 calm. 
 
 Emboldened by their numerous successes, the French did not per- 
 mit their energies to slumber during the winter months. Scouting par- 
 ties of Indians and the hardy Ilabitans swept the frontiers of tho 
 1757. northern settlements, and brought Montcalm the most accurate 
 intelligence of the condition of the enemy. Vast stores oi pro- 
 vij^ions and warlike munitions had been collected at Fort William 
 Henry, on Lake George ; Montcalm nov>f resolved to capture it by a 
 sudden assault, and thus effuctnally cripple the future operations of iho 
 British against Tieonderoga and Crown Point. At midnight on tho 
 lOtli v)f March, 1 100 French and 400 Indians, led by Rigeaud di; Vaud- 
 rcuil, approached thisl"ort to carry it by escalade; but the vigilant sen- 
 trios discoveriMi them in tin;e, and alarmed the garrison, who speedily 
 drove back tlKir assailants villi a l)ri>k lire of cannon and mu-kctry. 
 <*nthe next day the Fruich invested ihe fort, and on the '21>t summoned 
 the commandauf, ^lajor Fyre;), to sumnder, which he promjitly refus- 
 ed to do. Finding himself unable to take the foit, do Vaudrcuil de- 
 
 , .» 
 
i;. •• 
 
 198 
 
 THE IlISTOriY 
 
 [r,'57. 
 
 stroycd the store-houses and buildings around it, and rcturnd to Mont- 
 real. Shortly after his return, Colonol do BDurlemaque was despiitthed 
 with two battalions to stro,tifj;tlu'n the works at Crown Point and Ticcm- 
 deroga, while Captain Pouchot was sent to Niagara to forlify it in the 
 best possible manner, and to take the command. 
 
 While these events were in progress on the Canadian frontier, Lord 
 Loudon was exerting himself to collect a siidiciciit force tt) strike a de- 
 cisive Mow. F(»r the present the attack on Crown Point had been 
 laid aside, and the reduction of Louisburir, in Cape Breton, detcnuiiioJ 
 on. Picparations for this entcr|)rise were rapidly pushed jorward in 
 Enghmd, and towards the end of June seven regiments of infantry, and 
 a delifhincnt of artillei'y, on board a Ikit of fourteen line-of-liattle 
 ships, arrived at Halifax, the port of rendezvous, and were joined hy 
 Lord Loudon, on (he 9lh of July, with six additional regiments, nnd 
 some militia. Here lie reniained inactive till August, when intulli- 
 gencc being received that a strong French fleet had arrived at Cape 
 Breton, the project of besieging Lonisbiiig was tibandoned. 
 
 Lord Loudon's dej)arture for Halifax had not left the colonies by 
 any means unprotected. Colonel Stanwyx, with 2C00 militia and a 
 dUachnient of regular troops, guaided the western frontier; Colonel 
 Bouquet, with nearly the sanii' force, watched the boi-ders of Carolina; 
 towards Lake Champlain, (General AN'ebb defended i\ew York and tho 
 Ni.'W ]-2ngland states; while to Ctdonel ]\I()nro, with 2000 men, the 
 safety of Fort William Henry Avas intrusted. In addition to these 
 forces, the hardy militia of the neighboring states could be rapidly 
 drawn together, in case of an emergency, and w ould be more than sufil- 
 cient for every purpose of selfdetence. 
 
 No sooner had Lord Loudon put to sea for Halifax, than ]Montcalni 
 promptly determined on the siege of Fort William Henry, for which 
 he speedily drew together an army of GOOO legular troops and militia, 
 and 1700 Indians. Among the latter were a body of the Oneidas and 
 Senecas, who had abandoned their promise of neutrality, and attached 
 themselves to the rising fortunes of the Fren(di. It was a season of 
 scarcity in Canada, the inhabitants of whicli now began to feel the full 
 evils of continual military service: and the difllcnlty of collecting sup- 
 plies for Montcalm's army, was increased by the peculations of its 
 commissariat, and the robberies of oflicials of everv class. But ;dl 
 the obsta(Jes to the progress of his troops were soon overcome l.'V the 
 resolute spirit of the French general, who proceeded himself to Ticon- 
 deroga, in the latter part of June, to complete the necessary jirepara- 
 tions. From this point scouting pr.rties weie spread out towards Lake 
 George. One of these, led by ^Marin, surprised a body of British militia 
 

 1757.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 129 
 
 near Fort Edward, and returned with fifty-five scalps: another attacked 
 a fleet <.)f barges on Lake Goorjjo, killed several of the boatmen, and 
 took <inc hundred and sixty prisoners. "To-morrow or next day," 
 said some of the captives to Montcalm, " General Webb will be at the 
 fort with fresh troops." " No matter," answered the intrepid soldier, 
 "ill less than twelve days I will have a good story to tell aljout tlieiri." 
 From Webb there was little to fear. Jle went, it is true, to I'ort 
 Ileni'v, Init took good care to leave it again with a large escort in sufli- 
 ciont tin)e to avoid the sicgo. 
 
 Montcalm had not i-uflicicnt hoats to carry his entire nrniy hy water, 
 and the Iroquois agreed to guide (]c Levi with twenty-five Inmdrcd tneii 
 by liuid. Next day, which was the 1st of August, the main body of the 
 army embarked in two hundred and fifty boats, in front of which ad- 
 vanced the Indians in tlu'ir decorated canoes. The rain fell in torrciits, 
 yet they rowed nearly all night, till at length the three tiiangular sig 
 nal Hres of de Levi broke upon their view, and the fieet pulled into 
 Noitli-west Bay. An hoiu- after inid-ninht two Luglish boats were 
 descried upon the lake, which had been despatched to reconnoitre.. 
 Two canoes of the Algoii([nins btddly pushed out in pursuit, and with 
 such celerity that one of the boats was captured. Of its crew two pri- 
 soners alone were reserved, the rest were massacred. The Algonquin? 
 had one of their principal chiefs killed. 
 
 Next morning no efVort. at concealment was attempted by the French , 
 and the Indians, forndng thi-ir eanocs in a single line aerfjss the water, 
 made the bay resound with their war-cry. The IJritish were almost 
 taken by surprise, and Montcalm disembarked without interruption 
 .1 mile and a-half below the fort, towards which his troo[)s advanced in 
 three columns. The Indians covered his flanks with vigilant skirmish- 
 ers, or pushed on in advance to burn the barracks of the liiitish, to cap- 
 ture their cattle and horses, and to cut off and scalp their stragglers. 
 They speedily succeeded in surprising a foraging party, forty of wliom 
 they slew and scalped, and ca[)tured fifty head of cattle. During the 
 flay they occupied, in connection with a force under La Corne, the road 
 leading to Fort Edward, and interrupted all communication with the 
 ariTiy of AVebb. To the north, do Levi was posted with his regulars 
 and Canadians, -while JMontcalm, with the main body C)f his army, 
 established himself on the west side of the lake. Fort W^illiam Henry 
 was defended by Lieutenant Colonel Munro, of the 3,')th regiment of 
 the line, with less than five hundred men, but 1700 more lay iji- 
 trcnehed at his side on the eminence to the south-east, where now may 
 he seen the ruins of Fort George. 
 
 Montcalm t^pent the Crd of August in reconnoitring the fort an 1 
 
 • .'*'■ 
 
130 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1757. 
 
 I ' 
 
 »«. 
 
 1 I 
 r ■ 
 
 I . 
 
 * «« 
 
 ' » 
 
 neighborhood, and in erecting his batteries. Next diiy he summoned 
 Munro to surrender; but the ualliuit old soldier sent an answer of dc- 
 (iance. " 1 will defend my trust," said he '-to tiieia-t extremity." 
 Tliis bold reply hastened iIk-. preparations of the Freneli, wlioso 
 scanty sup[)ly of provisions must speedily run short. JMoiUealiu 
 felt if he would conrpier at. all, it must be soon, and pressed tbrward 
 his approaches night and day. 'J'he zeal ot their general imparteil itself 
 to tile men, who vigorously di'agged the artillery over rocks and 
 througli forests ; brought gabions and fascines ; and hvbored with uii. 
 tiring zeal in the trenches. The first battery (>f nine guns and two 
 mortars was speedily constructed, and awoke a thousand echoes amid' 
 the surrounding hills,as it opened on the fort amid the wild war-whoop 
 of the savages. \\\ tAvo davs more Montcalm had constructed his 
 second parallel ; and another battery, at a shorter range, poured a de- 
 structivcfire upon the fort, while the (Canadians and savages, swarmin<r 
 into the zig zag of iho trenches, swept its raini)arts with murderous 
 aim. The odds were great against him, still Munro held out willi 
 stubborn valor, in the vain hope that Webb would advance to his aid. 
 But the ci'aven-hoart, who might speedily have collected a strong body 
 of militia to assist his 4000 men in raising the siege, sent nothing but a 
 letter, with an exaggerated account of the French army, and advising 
 him to surrender. Still the gallant old man held bravely out; and not 
 till half his guns were burst, and his ammunition nigh exhausted, did 
 ho unfurl a flag of truce. 
 
 Montcalm dreaded the excesses of the Indians, who thirsted for 
 massacre and plunder, and with the view of making the terms of capi- 
 tulation inviolably binding on them, invited their chiefs to counci!. 
 It was stipulated the British were to depart with all the honors of war, 
 on condition of not serving against the French for eighteen n ontli.-. 
 They were also to surrender evevyihing but their private effects, ami 
 the Canadians and French Indians, taken captive during the war, were 
 to bo given np. On the other hand, Montcalm agreed to supply a 
 sufficient escort for their protection. The capitulation was signed oii 
 the 9th of August, and on the eveninir of the same dav Munro deliver 
 ed up the fort, and retired with his garrison to the intrenched camp. 
 
 Hitherto Montcalm had kept intoxicating liquors from the saviigos, 
 hut now they obtained then>froin the English, who were desirous to court 
 their fin-bearance. But, unfortunately for the latter, this course produced 
 ti wholly dim rent result from what they had expecleil. 1!ie Indians 
 liad been promised the liberty of ]>lundering tho Bi'itish, and tlio 
 greater part of them were dissatislied with the stipulation wliicl; 
 allowed them to carry ofT their private elkct:;.. Thus disappointed and 
 
* • I 
 
 1757.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 131 
 
 maddened by liquor, thoy spirit the iiiylit in rovolry nnd in recounting 
 the, wrongs thoy had sustained IVoin the I'^uiflish. As the day broiu'. iho 
 IJrilish soldiers began to luareh out of their intrencliiu'.'iits and were 
 immediately surroumJed by the Indians who at, onco liegiin the work of 
 plunder and massacre. (Jlliccrs and men, stri[)t of every tiling, sought 
 safety in the recesses of the forest, in the lor^, or in the tents of tho 
 Frcneh. ]3e f^evi rnslud in among the infuriated savages, and endea- 
 vored to appease tlieni, but without ciTeet. A spirit was now arouseff 
 wliieli it was impossible to allay. Many Krencli ollieers were wounded 
 ia their endeavor to shield the IJrilish troops. " Kill me," said Mont- 
 cclin, "but spare them, lluy are under my |iroteetion." I)Ut lii;» 
 prayers and menaces were alike fruitless, and he urged the Hritish to 
 defend themselves. The niai'ch to Fort Ivlward was a disordered 
 flight; not more than six hundred reached it in a body. Four hun- 
 dred more were collected in the French eamj), who were dismissed with 
 a strong escort, while ]\lontcalm despatched an odieer to ransom those 
 who had been made captives by the Indians. 8ueh was tlu terrible 
 occurrence which Cooper luis so eloquently deplete:! in his " Lust of tho 
 Moll leans." 
 
 The Indians speedily returned to their homes, leaving the French 
 busy in demolishing the fori, and in carrying ofV the vast stoics that 
 had been collected there. Montcalm's loss was trifling, only fifty-three 
 of his army had been killed and wounded. Still he forbore to follow 
 up his victory by attacking Fort; Edward, and dismissed the Canadian 
 militia to gather in their harvest. Webb expected to be assailed every 
 moment, sent his baggage accordingly to the rear, and desired to re- 
 treat to the highland fastnesses of the Hudson. The alarm spread in 
 every direction. " For God's sake," wrote the ofiicer commanding at 
 Albany to Governor Pownall, of Massachusetts, " e.xert yourself 
 to save a provinct?, New York itself may full ;" and the inhabitants west 
 of tho Connecticut Kiver were directed to destroy their waggons, and 
 drive in their cattle. Lord Loudon returned from his bootless and 
 costly expcditioii to Halifax, leaving Lonisburg untouched : but he 
 spent tho remainder of the season in quarrelling with tho colonies 
 about the quarters for his troops, and the royal prerogative : so tho 
 French were left undisturbed. Driven from the basin of the Ohio and 
 the great lakes, the western trade eflVotnally checked, with tho 
 American frontiers beset by a vigilant enemy, and hordes of trea- 
 cherous savages, tho false fiieiids of prosperity, I'ritain and her colo- 
 nies were sorely humiliated, and longed to avenge themselves. 
 
 In Fngland, the return of the shattered Heel, which had conveyed the 
 troops to operate againtt Louivburg out to Halifax, and tho hiteliigcnco> 
 
132 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1757. 
 
 •9 
 
 II ; , ■ r 
 
 -' ii - 
 
 !" . 
 
 
 of the fmitlcss operations of Lord Loundon, awoke a storm of public 
 indignation. Tlic discarded iiiiMi.->try of ihu Did<e of Newcastle sliarcd the 
 odium of lailiire with the inconipetont general, and all eyes were now 
 turned on Pitt, who had again assumed the helm of state, in the hope 
 that his wi>d(ini would soon alter matters for ihe better. Nor were 
 they disi|ipointed. The " (Jreat Commoner"' i<i)ew no party but the 
 Bi'ili.^h nation, and sought iis bfuedt with lioni'sty and singleness of 
 purpose, 'ihe great olijeet wiih him was to exalt the power, and estab- 
 lish ihe prosperity of his country on a secure basis, and to protect con- 
 tinental Piolestanti.-m. threatened in the King of l*rns>ia by the formi- 
 dable coalition of the great IJonian Cathoiie sovereigns. No sooner 
 Avas he firmly established in olliee, than wai'Med hy their incapacity, ho 
 urged upon his soveri'ign the necessity of removi.ig the military and 
 naval (jflicers, who had hitherto conducted the opi'rations against the 
 I'rench, The pro[iriety of this course was at once apparent to the 
 King, who promptly gave his consent, and Pitt, with that l<een pcrcep- 
 tion which belongs to a superior giiiiiis, proceeded toselecthisgencrals. 
 Castii.g aside the formalities of military precedent he elevated Colonel 
 Amherst, a man of solid judgnumt and respectable ability, to the rank 
 of maj(n--general, and placed him at the head of the force which was de- 
 signed fur iheattachof L(.iuisl)urg. Under AndiersI, Whiimore. Lawrence, 
 and James Woi.fk were appointed brigadier-generals. The comjuest of 
 the Ohio valley was assigned to Forbes ; while Aborcromby was to 
 operate against Ticondcroga and Crown Point, with Lord IJowe, on 
 whom Pitt mainly relied tor the suecess'of the expedition, for his second 
 in command. Of Abereromby the minister knew very little, and had 
 Soon reascni to regret his appointment. 
 
 Among these ufliccrs Howe and Wolfe, both young men, were the 
 favourites with the minister and the public. Howe, connected with many 
 of the best families of the nol)iiity, vas possessed of a manly and hu- 
 mane disposition, and great quickness of perception in discerning 
 merit. Wolfe had oidy seen thirty-one summers, yet ho had already 
 been eighteen years in the army, and served at Dettinu'en, at Fontenoy, 
 and at Lafleldt. At two-and-twcntv, fnerit had elevated him to the 
 rank of lieutenant-colonel, in which capacity he had won the respect of 
 his oflicers, and the affection of his men, who, while they experienced 
 in him a strict disciplinai'ian, found also a kind and humane fiiend. Con- 
 scions of ability, like every man of sterling talent, his aspirations fur 
 distinction had still nothing of egotism about them, and were clad in the 
 garb of genuine mf)desty. An aulhoritive and fii m couimander, a brave 
 soldier, he was not ashamed to obey his widowed mother, whom he 
 regarded with the utmost afFection j while his gentle nature, even whilo 
 
1758.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 133 
 
 he kindled at the iio.ar prospect of greater distinction, already saw 
 visions of happiness in the pure seoncs of duiiii'stic love. 
 
 On tiio 19th of bVhrnary, a maguificent fli-'ct sailed from 
 1758. Portsmouth, which carrii.d out (fenural Amherst, and an army 
 of 10,000 men. It was lonij dotainn! hy contrmy winds, and 
 after a stormy passage reached Halifax on llu' *^s;li ^A' May, where 
 Bosrawen's (loet was met coming out of the harhor, the pallant Admi- 
 ral bL-ing weary of inaetion. At dawn, on the '2^u] of -Inni', the fiuiro 
 armaini'Ut, embracing '2'1 ships of tin- line, l."> trigates, 1\!0 smaller ves- 
 sels, and 11,000 troiips, ai'iivcd dlf L(niisbnrg. Andicrst indulged in 
 the hc-pe that he would be able to snprise its gairi^oii, and issiieil orders 
 for the silent landing of the troops. 15ut (nr six days a rough sea, and 
 the heavy surf which broke npon th.' niggi'd beach, rendered a disem- 
 barcallt)n impossible. ])uringthis intei'val the Fri'nch toiled night and 
 day to slrengLhen their position, and fired upon the ships at every op- 
 portunity. 
 
 On the evening of the 7th the wind lullc'l, the i'n<r cleared off! and the 
 lieavy sea gradually subsided, but a violent surf still continued to break 
 on the beach. On the following morning, just bel'ore daylight, three 
 divisions of boats received the troops; at dawn Commodore Ourell 
 examined the shore, and reported a landing to he. practicable. >Seven 
 frigates now opened fire to cover the advance to land. In a few min- 
 utes afterwards the left division, leil by I'rigadier Wolfe, began to I'ow 
 in shore, and was speedily followed by Whitmore, and Lawrence, with 
 their brigades, while two small vessels were sent past the month of the 
 harbor, to distract the attention of the enemy, and induce them to di- 
 vide their force. 
 
 The left division was the first to reach the beach at a point about 
 four miles from the town. Wolfe would not allow a shot to be fired, 
 stimulated the rowers to fresh exertions, and on coming to shoal water 
 boldly jinn[ied out into the r.ea to lead on his men. The French stood 
 firm, and retained their fire till their assailants were close to land. 
 Then as the boats rose, on the last swell, which brought them iiito tho 
 surf, they poured in a close and deadly volley from every gun and 
 musket they could bring to bear. Wolfe's flag stafl' was shivered by a 
 bar-shot; many soldiers were killed; several boats were wrecked 
 by the surf; but still he cheered on his men, who had not yet returned 
 a shot, and in a tew minutes, with fiery valor, they had burst through 
 the breast-works of the French, who Heti in disorder. The victors 
 pressed rapidly on in pursuit, and despit3 a rugged country, innicteda 
 severe loss on the fijgitives, captured seventy prisoners, a>ul U) vested 
 Louisburg the same day. 
 
 k 
 
 >k. 
 
 • ■*' ■ 
 
 , .1 
 
134 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 '"« 
 
 II"- 
 
 [1758. 
 
 For tho succocding two days a roiirrh aea rundorod it impossiblo to 
 land llit^ sioi^o artillery, and [>f()visi(,iis wcro c(»iiv('yod to tho army with 
 tln! jirratcst dilli 'iilty. On tlu! I Itli tho weather luodoratcd, whoii t(Mits 
 wore laiidi'd, and soim^ progcoss ni:v I.; in tlio proparalions fur tlio sioL^e. 
 Oil till I'illi M. d • Dnicor, tlio Froncli <ri'Mi'ial. witiidi'ow all his out- 
 posts aii'l oven dostroyo'l a hattory wiilcli oonimandcd tlio cntninec of 
 tho hirl)i>i', lioincr dt'sirniis to rcsorvc all his force for tho dofonco of tho 
 town. Tho garrison of fiOiiishnr;^ was ooni|)osod of JJOOO rojjidar 
 troops and inlliria, with a few Indians. In atldition to this t'orco. six 
 lino-of-lt!itllo ships and two frigates i:rMardcd ilu; harbor, at tlio cntranco 
 of whl<li throe other frigates had been sunk, to prevent tho passage of 
 tho B.ilish fleet. 
 
 Wolffs light troops were speedily in possession of the difTorent posts 
 deserted by tho Freiieh, and on tho '20lh a battery opened upon tho 
 ships and land defonoos. For many days tho slow operations of tho 
 sicgo eonti'ined under great didienlties to tho British, owing to tho 
 marshy nature of tho ground, and heavy rains which flooded the tren- 
 ches. Cut seienco, a siiHi.iiont foreo, union among tho principal ofli- 
 cors, and coirragc anil onduranoe in sailors and soKliers, overeamo 
 every obstacle, and promised speedy success. A sortie on tho 9th of 
 July by tho besieged was speedily repelled, and day and night the 
 batteries thundered against the ramparts, the citadel, and tho shipping. 
 On the 21st three of tho French men of war were set on fire by a shell, 
 the following day the citadel was in a blaze, the next the barracks wcro 
 burned down, while Wolfe's trenches were pushed close to the town, 
 and the French driven fro-m their guns by tho British sharp-shooters. 
 On the night of tho 25th, two captains of Boscawen's fleet swept into 
 the harbor with a squadron ot' boats under a furious fire, and burned 
 one of the remaining men of war and carried off another. Boseawcii 
 prepared to send in six ships ot"-the-linc to attack the other French 
 vessels; but the town was already a heap of ruins, the greater part of 
 its guns dismounted, its garrison without a safe place to rest in, so the 
 Chevalier do Drucor resolved to capitulate at discretion^ such being 
 the only terms ho could get. 
 
 Skilfully fortified, defended by a suflicient garrison aided by a pow- 
 ful fleet, LouisI)urg had been bravely won. Its capture shed f/osh lus- 
 tre on tho genius of Pitt, as well as on the gallant men ho had wisely 
 chosen to efloet it. It was inlvjod a triumph for British arms, so loni; 
 stained by sad revi'"ses: ;Tr)0O soldiers and sailors were made prisoners, 
 an<l eleven ships of war taken cir destroyed. About 15,000 stand of 
 arms and largo quantities of military stores and provisions also fell 
 into the hands of tho victors, as well as eleven stand of captured color;* 
 
1758.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 inn 
 
 being 
 
 pow- 
 
 Hi las. 
 
 Ikvisely 
 
 loiT^ 
 
 juers, 
 
 nd of 
 
 o fell 
 
 coloi'iJ 
 
 Nvliich were laid at the feot of tlui Kritish sovereign, and sid)ipqnoMtly 
 (lopdsited witli due soleniiiify in Si. rivnl's. Willi I.Diiishiir^^ fell Ciiiic 
 Hretoii and rrliice I'Mward's Isl.u.d : and tliiH trrmiii:iU'l tlut power of 
 I'l-aiice for evt r on tlie civlcrn si-ulioaid of North Auurica. Il.ililax 
 bciiii^ till' Uiilish naval station, Lonisliiir;,' was descrli'd ; and, ulllioiij^li 
 the liarltor ^till afTords slicltcr from storms, a tew lio\(.ls only niai l< lliu 
 spot which so ii..ich treasure was expended to fortify, su miuh eoiirajii; 
 and eiidiiraiice needled to eonqiUT. 
 
 While Amherst and Wolfe wore still busily ongaired in the sir^e of 
 IjOiii-^ltiii'jf, the largest army as yet seen on the Amcrieaii continent us- 
 seisihled at Alhany, under the command of Abcreromhy, the sneeessijr 
 of Lord l<oiidoii as Geiieral-inchief, (or the attack of Tieondiiro;'.! and 
 Crown I'oint. It was compoHcd of a strong detachment of tin- royal 
 artiHery, O.'i.')!) troops of the line, and 90()() provincial militia- In the 
 latter end of June this force iiiarehed to liaUe (Jeorjfe, and eneumpod 
 by the ruins of Fort William Henry till the Otli of July, wheii they 
 struck their tents, and embarkiiijj; in lOo'i boats, ])rot -cteii hy artil- 
 lery mounted on rafts, proceeded towards Tleonderoga. AM that day 
 did this flotilla [lull steadily forward, and when evening ell tin; trooj)3 
 landed, and built large (Ires to deceive the French into the hclief that 
 ihey would proceed no further till morning, and to distract their atten- 
 tion, but in the dead of tiie night they were suddenly iv-emharked, 
 and hurried forward to the stream which connects the two lakes. On 
 the left bank of this stream, where it falls into l^ake Chatnplain, rises a 
 bold headland, on which stood Tleonderoga, or Fort Carillon, as it was 
 named by the French. I'rotectcd by the lake and river on the east 
 and south, while to the north it was efVectually covered by marshes, it 
 could only be approached from the west. The fort might thus be said 
 to be situated at the jioint oi an acute angle, the base of this angle p.rc- 
 Bcnting the only way by which it could be assailed by a land force. 
 Across this base, at the distance of half a mile from Carillon, Montcalm 
 marked out his lines, which he fortified by felled trees and intrenclimcnts 
 of earth. 
 
 At 5 o'clock, on the morning of the Gtb, the advance guard of tbe 
 British, composed of 2000 men under the command of the gallant 
 Bradstreet, were safely landed, and meeting no op|)Osition were speedily 
 followed by tho entire army, whicli pushed forward in fmr ccilumns 
 covered by skil•.ni^hers. jMontcalin did not c xpeet to see Abercroud)y 
 so soon ill his immediate neighborhood, and was almost taken by sur- 
 prise. " 'J'hese ])eople," said he, " march cautiously, ye. if ilicy give 
 me time to gain the position 1 have chosen on the heights of Carrilloa 
 1 shall beat them." 
 
 ' 1 • . 
 
13(J 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1758. 
 
 •i 
 
 • «.. 
 
 U- , 
 
 Tlic nritlsli colli mil'*, U'll by {.jniilns who know littlo of tlio lu-iylihor- 
 homl, ht'DAO uiiil jostled (.-ach oIIkt iTpiMtcdly. So ilciisi^ was the 
 forest, iiiiil imevi'ii till! i^rouml lliaL an oiit-lyiii;^ iletaeliiMeiil of IJOO 
 Freiteli troops, calletl in liy iheic <,'iiiei'al, lost their way, and were 
 suddenly eneountcird liy tht' riglil centre ol the British army led l)y 
 Lord Howe. The worn-oiil straj;;^k'rs, who had heeii wamleiMij; twelve 
 hours in the fiiri'>t, liiMnht liravely, Init weii'sonn overwhelmed. Sotne 
 wore killed, others drowned in the stii'ani, and o\]v hundred and fifty- 
 liiiie surrendered. I,ord I lowe, foremosl in tlie skirmi>li. was the Ih'st 
 to (all : piereed liy ii hiiliet, in th." hrcast he i-xpired almost instantly, to 
 thi' {Treat sorrow of iiis tonipaiiioiis in arms, hy whom he was much 
 heloved. His deatli was latal to the army, and infatuation and ilismuy 
 took the place of the cool condiict> and courage, which had hilherto 
 marked its course. 
 
 'J'lu! liriti>h troops passed tho ensuing night under arms in liie fi>rost, 
 and next moii.ing A!)ereronil)y h..d lio heller jdaii than to withdraw 
 tliem to the landing place, aliout two miles distant. Ihil an hour 
 bel'ore noon Diad-treet pudied fmsvard with a strong delaehmeiit tore- 
 build the l)ri.lgin wliiili till' French had thrown duwn, and ta!\e posses- 
 sion ol a strong podtioii at some saw mills, less than two miles iVuin 
 Montcalnrs l/ni'>, where he was speedily joined hy trie entire army. 
 
 At dawn on the morning of the Sih, Colonel Clark, the chiet e'.igi- 
 liei'r, was (l("<patelie(l wiiii several (dtlie principal odlecrs to reconn< "'re 
 the [''reiich lines. Th; >e Clark represented 'Mo he fhmxy in coiislnic- 
 tioii and strong in appearance only;" an opinion from which several of 
 the other ollieers dissented. Ihit. Ahererondiy leaned to the protos- 
 KJonal coniuil of the eiigineer, and having already leariieil from a pri- 
 soner, who deceived him, that M(jntcalm"s Au'co was (iOOO strong, and 
 that M. de Levi was marching to support him with JJOO!) men, he deter- 
 mined to carry the l''reneh lines hy storm, withont evt'ii waiting for his 
 cannon. ])v licvi had, however, joined Montcalm the previous even- 
 ing, and lii'ought only iSOO men to his assistance, hut 4C0 of these were 
 ])icked t roups. 
 
 At an early hour tho I'rcnch drums bent to arms, and Mcntcalra 
 marched his force, whicii did not amount to 4000 men, into the threat- 
 ened intrencliments ; and having instructed them in the positions they 
 were to occupy, the strengthening of liis works was promptly proceeded 
 with, despite! the fire of the British light troops. The French intreneh- 
 ments, a fact discovered too late, were of the most formidable descrip- 
 tion. A solid earthen breast-work protected the defenders from a hos- 
 tile fire ; w hile the slope in front was covered h)r nearly onciiundred yards 
 with an abattis of felled trees laid close together, the pointed branchea 
 
1758.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 137 
 
 of wliicli obstnicfoil tlio iiidvcinciits of mi lulvnncing furoo. Mi>nt(';ilrn 
 do>ij,'iii'il l<> piolcct li N ll.iiikx. uliirli lie Ii;ii| iiiii liiih- ti» iiiti'i'iirli, hy 
 battc'i ii's, l)iii till' ra|iiil iKUancf nl'lln- Urill li |iit\i'iili'il ilnii-ciui^truc- 
 tioii. ami ;n'<<)itliii:.'I}' luitli rinU nl' Ins liiu' conM liavt- Ix-m liinicd with- 
 out (lilUciiUv. 'lliis the Fi'i'iicli iTi'iirral was Well awai'i' nf, ami Ljavo 
 orJiTs that it cilln'i' I'l his (li;il;s wcri- tiinn'il, his ii()(i| s wrio lu ahau- 
 (liiii tin' lii'lil, ami idicat tn ihrir Imat-i as thcv ln'^l inij,'lit. 
 
 Totiilly i,um>i'aiit <i| this cii ( iinistaiicf, wliirli cdiiM in-vcr liavo 
 cscapi'd lh»' sharp cn rs dl a •-killiil <.M'1u lal, AlnTfiMinliV rashly tU'tor- 
 niiiHM.1 to throw his iic^t tmoiis a^aiii^t the ciii'iun's cimiIH'. ainl out 
 thi'ir liiH' ill two, w hilc his (iih.'r iroups asvaijid ijii'ir ii,:;hl ami Ifl't. 
 While llu' army was lIiniiiiiLt li^r llic attach, Sir \\ illiaiii .lnhiison arrl- 
 vcil with 4 10 lr(M|ii(iis, who w en- im^lu'd furwai'd iiilo tin- woods lodis- 
 triU't till' aMcnlioii ol the I'liciiiy. Imt thfy took no aclivr part in tlio 
 
 bloodv action that cii-iuil 
 
 '1 ln' Aiiiciicaii IJaii'ii'i's. r>rad~ti('cl's l»oat- 
 
 incii, and s(Mni' coniiianii's u| li'^jit inlantrv, llinurij Al)rri'i'ouili\ "s lirst 
 
 line; the si'i'oiid lint' was I'oiiiposc 
 
 d" the Mas«.a(hnst'tts niiliiia ; in 
 
 IIr' till I'd wcro tlu' I5rili>li rcLiiinciits ot the line, with Mnri'av's Iliirh- 
 
 laiidri's. tlu; ifallai.t I'li 
 
 'llu' I'l'scrvi! (.'oa-.i- ted of tlu- Coniiccticiit 
 
 and \i'W .K'isi'y militia. \N liiii' the army was tornilnu'. dclaihiiu'iita 
 ofFii'iich came I'nrwai'd and shiiini-lK'd, liut W( ro siicedilv ovi'ri (;\\or- 
 
 cd ai;d driven hack to ih.' cover id tlu'ir inl ri'iiciifni'i) 
 
 At Ol 
 
 c u clocK 
 
 laviii^- rcci ivcd oi'di'i's iii 
 
 to lire till tiiev hail sur- 
 
 niouiiti'd tlu' hreast-work. the jlriiili moved t'orward in three li'avy 
 columns, with skirmi-hers in tlii' iiiiervai-, to joree the French dcl'cnees. 
 Mniitcalin, who stoud ji\>\ wllhin the inU'i'iichmeiits. while A!)crei-oinl>y 
 occupied a seer.re po^t in the rear of his army, threw oil" his ^'I'cat coat, 
 the lu'at (d ihe.Inls' ;;('!( iiioon hciiiLT verv urcat. and ordered his men 
 
 i' the 
 
 not to lire a shot till he eomniamled 
 
 N 
 
 o sooner had t he hcai 
 
 Brili>h columns hccome I'liianifled •iniong thu trees ami ioj^s in iVont 
 of the lireasl-work, than the word to (ire was jfiveii, when a Middeu 
 and incessant discliariie iVotn swivels and suiall-arnis, mowed down 
 brave oOieers and men liy hnndrt'ds. 
 
 The lij^ht troops and militia were now moveil a^id(>, and the grenadier 
 companies of the line, followed li\ Mnriay's J liylilandei's, pushed for. 
 ward with (piick l)iit steady step, and despiti; the heavy [ire of the 
 French, without one hesitating pause or random shot, their cohimu 
 gallantly dashed against th.' iihattis. 'Jdirongh this the grenadiers with 
 desperate valor cndeavoved to force their way, but the cool and well- 
 aimed fire of the French smote them rapiiJly down. Maddened by 
 the del ly, the Ilighlaiiders, who should have remained in reserve, 
 were not; to be restrained, and rushed to the front. For u Uiouieak 
 
 " ■ ■ ;l' 
 
 r 
 
138 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1758. 
 
 I 
 
 tlioy ajipcnrcd more successful, but tlio^' ficiccly won (lioir way throuj^h 
 tho !il)l);ittis to dio upon tlie suininit of tlie broasl woilc, till ere l<ni;f 
 halfdt these <'all;ii)t nion, and tlie ;4reat<r |\Trt of the oflicers, were slain 
 or severely womided. Then frei-li troops pressed on, and Cor nearly 
 fonr hoiM's the attack was renewed ;igaii) and aijainl'y the Uritish ; now 
 fiercely rushing (orward, then luoken and shattered Ity the nuirderoiis 
 fire of the foe, they sullenly retired to reform their i-atd;s for anotlicr 
 •<dc.st;erate effort. l)Ul the valor of thes<! brave men, thus sacrifieed hv 
 an ineom])cteiit commander, were unavailin; 'i.id against that rude 
 barrier, so easily turned, and wliieh one hour of well-plied artillery 
 would have swept away, the (lower of Hrltlsh ehivalry was crushed and 
 ])roken. At length, in the confusion, an J^^nglish colunui lost their way, 
 and fired in ndstake on their eomra les. 'J'his event produced hopeless 
 dejection, and the disorder in a lew minutes bceame irretrievable, and 
 lliglanders and Prc.vincials, IJangers and Grenadiers, joined in one dis- 
 graceful flight. 
 
 During the confusion of battle Abcrcroraby cowered safely at the 
 saw-mills in (he rear. When his preseneo was necessary to rally the 
 fugitives he was no where to be found, and his second in command lost 
 tli'i opportunity of distinguishing himself, and gave no orders. But the 
 disordered troo[is finding the French did not pursue them gradually 
 recovered from their terror, and rallied of their own accord, on a fc\T 
 inibroken battalions whom the general had retained in l)is vicinity 
 most probably witii a view to his own safety. Yet scarcely had confi- 
 dence been partially restored, than iin unaccountable order from Abcr- 
 cromby to retreat to the landing-place renewed the panic. The roldiers 
 concluding they were to embark immediately to escape the pursuit of 
 their victorious enemy, broke from all ordei- and control, and crowded 
 towards the boats. Fortunately the gallant Bradstreet still held toge- 
 ther a small force, whith he now with prompt decision formed across 
 the landing-place, and would not suffer a man to end)aik. Had the dis- 
 ordered masses been allowid to rush into'lhe boats numbers must have 
 peri>lu'd in the lake, and thus to the [irudence of one man the salvation 
 of many lives may be justly attributed. Owing to Bradslrcet's spirit- 
 ed conduct order was in a little time I'cstored, and the army remained 
 on the hdce-shore for the night. It still exceeded the French foree four- 
 fii)|d, yet next nKuning Alieicromby ve-embarked, and did not rest til! 
 he was safe aeross the lake, and even then sent on his artillery and 
 ammunition t(j Albany, to prevent the possibility of its falling into tho 
 hand;; of Monlealm. i 
 
 In this sanguinary battle the Biiti>h army lost lO.oO men in killed, 
 woundetl, and nussing, nearly the wlulo of whom were regular troops, 
 
1758.] OF CANADA. 180. 
 
 with ;\ largo proportion of oflicers. Of (ho French toroc 450 wcrckillod 
 and woiiidjd, ainoiig whom there wore no less tli.m ."8 officers.* Had 
 the Freneli pursued, ihe loss of the Hriti-sh nin.^t have been much 
 greater; and no doubt had they been aware of their complete disorder, 
 they wouhl have (Icne so. No ^I'diier lind tlie tlrinif ceased than ^font/- 
 calin caused refresluiu'nts to lie (li>tiiljiit(M| anioiiifst his exhausted sol- 
 diers, and thaiihjd every reiiinicnt ibr tiieii' inci'i'(lil)h' valor. Dread- 
 inrr a fVesli a<?ault when tlie Hiitidi would briu'r np their ;iins, ho cm- 
 ployed t!ie nigiit in strengthening his lines. Ibit he h;id nothing to ap- 
 preliei;d from Abercroniijy, who .shared the fright, and consternation of 
 
 his niean(!st sentinel. 
 
 11: 
 
 to be-K 
 
 ge ]*'ort Carillon, 
 
 aid 
 
 M 
 
 onr. 
 
 calm, " I woukl ask but for six nuirtars ami two pieces (>t" artillery. "j- 
 The English genei-al had still nn army ol" lt,t)00 nun, and an amply 
 sulTieieut siege train, but he wliiled away the season of action near 
 the site of' Foit William Henry in lining out a new fort, and thus sig- 
 nalised Iii.Viself as one of the many iiicapables, whom die purchase 
 of commissions, and seniority system, in the British ndlitary service, 
 have cltvatcd to the rank of general oflicers. 
 
 But the bravo Bradstroet still persisted in his purpose of atticiung 
 Fort Frontcnac, and was at length supported by a n.,.jority in the 
 council- if war. At the Oneida portage, Brigailier Stanwyx placed 
 under his cmnmand neatly JJOOO militia, and here lie was also jol'^'-d by 
 42 of the Onondagns, led by their chief "' IJed H.ad." Leading hi.s 
 men (lown the river ]iast ilic scene of his brilliant victoi-y in 1750, 
 Bradstreet speedily fuimd himself on Lake Ontario, and landed on the 
 25th of August within i mile of Furt Frontcnac. This lamed position 
 he found to be a (piadrangle, defended by thirty guns, ami sixteen small 
 mortars; but (he wcn-ks were weak, and the gariisou small and 
 dispirited. 
 
 Bradstreet opened his lines at 500 yards from the fort, but finding 
 the distance ttto great, and the fii'e of ihc enemy little to be feared, he 
 twk possession vi an old intrenchment near the defences, whence his 
 guns opeu'^d with efVect. The .',arrison, consisiing of (jidy 120 so'dicrs 
 and 40 Indi;uis, were utterly incaf'a'ile ol'dcleuce, an^i surrendered on 
 the morning of the 27th, finding there was no prospect of the succor, 
 which the ciuomandent, de Nciyan, had alrea'ly asked hn* from tht^ 
 Governor. Sixty pieces of caiumn, sixteen small mortars, nn immense 
 supply of pro\isions and amnumition, and all the shipping on ihe lake, 
 
 troop; 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. aoI. 1. ]>. '2G5. 
 f Bancroft's lli-st United State?, vol. 3. p. 217. 
 
140 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1758. 
 
 1 ' 
 i 
 
 1 . 
 
 i :, !■ 
 
 among •which were several vessels laden with rich furs, fell into the 
 hands of the victors, who had not to lament the loss of a single man. 
 Owing to the orders of Abcrcromby, liradstrect had no choice but to 
 burn and destroy the artillery, stores, and even the provisions he had 
 so easily captured, and to return by the route ho had advanci'd. The 
 shipping, with the cxi'H'ption of two, retained to carry the furs across the 
 the lake, were also destroyed, and the fort blown up and abandoned. 
 It was repaired, however, during the summer by the French, who 
 likewise added to the works at Niagara, and strengthened the gar- 
 rison there. Still, the loss of the largi; supplies of amnnmitlon and 
 provisions, stored up at Frontenac, was a severe blow to the Frcncli, 
 and seriouiily crippled, in connection with the destruction of the Hect, 
 their operations westward. Do N'andrenil endeavored to shift the 
 blame attaching to himself, for not strengthening the garrison, to de 
 Noyan ; and compromised that oflicer's position to such an extent, 
 that he was compelled to retire from the military service alto- 
 gether. 
 
 While Bradstrcet was engaged in the expedition against Fort Fron- 
 tenac, Montcalm, from (lis position at Ticondcroga, lost no opportunity 
 of harrassing the out-posts of Abcrcromby 's army. On the 17th of 
 July, a party of twenty Provincials and three ofiicers were destroyed 
 by the French, light trooops near Fort I^jI ward ; and, ten days after- 
 wards, IK) teamsters wei'c surij^rised and massacred about the ^sanie 
 place. ]\Iajor Rogers was despateh^'d with 700 men, to seek out and 
 punish the enemy. Hardship and desertion soon reduced his force to 
 nearly 500 men, who encountered an equal nunil)cr of French on the 
 Sth of August, and soundly beat theia, killing and wounding 190 of the 
 enemy, while their own loss was only forty. 
 
 The capture of Louisburg and Fort Frontenae, with the bloody re- 
 pulse of Abcrcromby by INIontealm, and the aifair of out -posts just nar- 
 rated, may bo said to have closed the campaign of 17r»S at the norih. 
 Westward, the French power received a severe check in the ca[)tur2 of 
 Fort du Quesne. On the JlOth of June. Brigadier Forbes nia relied 
 from Philadelphia, en rou.lc for the Ohio valley, at the head of 1500 
 regular troops a.nd 5000 militia. Among the latter were two Virginian 
 corps under the command of NN'ashington. 
 
 The march over the Alleghanies was long and laborious, and com- 
 memorated by the construction of anew r( ad totlieOliio. tSeptember 
 had come before the army arrived at, IJaystown, within ninety miles ci 
 Fort du Quesne. Here Forbes, who had been cai ried the greater part 
 of the way in a litter, and whose life was fast ebbing, halted the main- 
 body of his force^ and detached Colonel Bouquet wilh 2000 meti 
 
1758.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 141 
 
 to take post at Lo} al Ilanua. This officer, having learned that Fort 
 du Quesiio was weakly garrisoned, conceived the i '"a of capturing it 
 bet'uro the arrival of his chief, and accurdingly detached Alajor (irant, 
 with 800 ilighlandors andacoin])any of Viriginlan militia, to ellcctarc- 
 couiioisance of the worlcs. Instead of iulfdling his instructions, and 
 retiring on the niain-hudy, (irant posted his nu'U on a hill, and beat ;i 
 iiuu'ch as a cliallcngc to the garrixui. The coniljat was jironiptly ac- 
 cei tcJ, and, alter a severe action, the Highlanders were completely 
 roiilt'd, with a loss of nearly 'JOO in killed, woflnded, and prisoners. !n 
 this alliilr the company of \'irginian militia ui, !er IJullitt, rendert.'d es- 
 sential service, and were publicly e.\tolle(l by J'orbes. 
 
 The whole army now moved forward as rapi'. as the rugged nature 
 of the country, and the unfavorable weather would pernul, the advance 
 led by Washington. Scouting parties of French and Indians endea- 
 voured to iin[)ede the march, but were always prom[>tly repulsed. 
 Finding that resislance to the strong force, so cautiously and securely 
 movir'g against him, could not be made with any in'osjiect of success, 
 the French commandant withdrew the garrison iVoni Fort du Quesnc, 
 after springing a mine under one of its faces, and dropped down the 
 stream of the Ohio to the friendly settlements on the j\Iissis'-ip[)i. it 
 was now the 21th of Xoveniber, and the hills were alre;i.dy wliilc with 
 snow. On the following day the British took possession of the desertcid 
 stronghold, afc once procceu^d to re])air its works, and changed its nanic 
 to Piltsbui'g, in honor of the minister who planned its capture, and of 
 whose glory the city on its site remains iho enduring inemorial. 
 
 The c;iplurc of Fort du Quesne closed the i^ampaign of 1T.">8. \t 
 was an event of considerable importance to tht- IJriti-li. and restored 
 their failing military reputation with the western Indians, while it ellee- 
 tually interrupted the commmiications of the French with their settle- 
 ments in Ljuisiana. Brigadier Foi'ues lived but a brief space to enjoy 
 the credit of its capture : his naturally weak constitution was ruined 
 altogether by the hardships he had undergone during the expedition, 
 and he died at Philadelphia soon after his return, much regretted by 
 his acipiaintance. Although the campaign had been cheipiercd with 
 (lisistcr, still its general results were ennnently favorable to (Jrcat 
 ISrilain, and reflected additional lustre on the great man who guided 
 her councils. The captui'cof Louisburg left France without a safe port 
 lear the 8t. Lawrence, and cflectually closed Canada in on the sea- 
 board, while the reduction vi' Frontenac and ])u Quesne had given all 
 the cerritory lo liritain, lor the possession of which the war had arisen. 
 Aborcromby's defeat only delayed the final catastrophe for a brief 
 space. His overwhelming force still menaced Canada from the tiidt; of 
 
 V 
 
 i 
 

 142 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1758. 
 
 I . ^ . ». 
 
 Lake Champlain ; and Montcalm was fully sensible that it only wanted 
 a skilful general to lead it to victory. That leader, Pitt considered 
 he gave it in the prudent Amherst. lie received his comrission, 
 appointing him Commander-in-chief of the army in America, in De. 
 comber, and at once proceeded to New York to supersede Aber- 
 cromby, who returned in disgrace to England. In the same vessel 
 with the fallen general, sailed the gallant Wolfe on leave of absence. 
 
 1750.] 
 
 .*» 
 
 THE 
 
 I , 
 
 I . 
 
 The y 
 
 i( 
 
 1759. fi 
 
 • "» 
 
 * ■" 
 
 • 1 
 
 ■^ ' 
 

 1750.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 I4a 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TITE GOVERNMENT OF THE IMARQUIS DE VAUDREUTL, 
 
 CONTINUKD. 
 
 Tho year 1759 opond with dangerous menace to French domin- 
 ion ill tiio New World. Pitt, with hands strcniftlioncd bv a vote 
 1759. fr Mil the grateful Commons of England of tAveivc millions 
 f'oi'ling to carry on the war, sketcht'd out, with consummate 
 skill, tiie airangcincnts for the ensuing campaign in North America, 
 in appointing his general olliccrs he entirely disregarded seniority of 
 rank, and selected tho men he considered most capable of carrying out 
 his vijws. To Stanwyx he entrusted the conquest of the French posts 
 from Pittsburg to Lake Erie: Pridca'jx was to reduce Niagara: while 
 Amherst was instructed to assault Canada by I^ake Clianiplain and the 
 Richelieu, to capture ^Montreal, edi.'ot a junction with the expedition 
 against Quebec, and thus terminate FreiU'h power in Norlh America 
 by a single campaign. Cut Wolfe was Pitt's lavoiite general. In him 
 he saw the same noble qualities which were inherent in his own nature. 
 With th(i intuitively sympathetic love of genius for its fellow, he repos- 
 ed implicit trust in the gallant soldier, and felt that he was safely in- 
 trusting the honor of their common coiuitr}^ to his keeping. Wolfe, 
 eager for glory, ghully accepted the command of tho expedition against 
 Quebec. Still, he could liavo found happiness in retirement. Coura- 
 geous, yet gentle; affectionate, though aspiring; of '" !.y cullivatcu 
 tastes, and with a nature formed for the highest enjin-ments of pure 
 domestic love, he could fully appreciate all the charms of a peaceful 
 home. Biit, the noble passion for immortal distincli(jn overcame his 
 fondness for r.poso, and tho day before his departure to join his troops, 
 as Piu detailed his wishes and his ]dans, ho forgot everything but the 
 ardent desire to dcvotj himself to the service of his country. 
 
 The large jirmies that had been set in motion by the British during; 
 the campaign of 1T58, coMvinced the Manpiis do A'audreuil that the 
 total extinction of French power in North America, was designed. 
 M. do Bougainville was accordingly despatched to Franco to soli- 
 
 ,.' .V' 
 
144 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1750. 
 
 «e, 
 
 I . 
 
 cit, provisions and the aid of frosh troops, and preparations were 
 ])roinptly commenced, under tlie vif^ilant superintendence of Montcalm, 
 for the better defence of the colony. A proclamation was issued to 
 the officers of the niiliiia, to increase their zeal in preparations tor ro- 
 sistanc.-e, and directing that all the male inhahilniits of the province, 
 front sixl''t 11 to sixty _v(>ars of a^je, should be enrolled, and hold them- 
 selves reaily to march at a moment's notice. 
 
 Ill addition to the approach of the fiercest ^var they had ever yet on- 
 countered, the unlbrtiiiiate llaliitants ^vere now threatencil vitli all llio 
 horrors (if I'uiiine. The recent harvest had Ix^en below the avenifro, 
 owing jiriiulpally to the aliseneo of the farmers on military duty, and 
 the scarcity Avas still further li;ereased by the peculations and extor- 
 tions oJ'the civil oflicers. The rapacity of these rnen caused the poor 
 peo|.>le to conceal their scanty stores of provisions, and the troops 
 were now (piartered on them by the liitenuaiit, avIio found it impossi- 
 hle to procure the necessary supplies. The scarcity gradually beeann; 
 so great, that horses h.".u to be killed for the use of the inluibitaiits and 
 troops ;it Montreal and Quebec. 
 
 Early in .Tanuary a census was taken of all the inhabitants, who were 
 /bund to number about S."),000, of wh(jm l."),xJ;l9 men were capable ot 
 bearing arms. Of these, however, a lai'gc proportion were nnavaiiable 
 in timeofwar. owingto the necessities of agriculture, aiul the prospects of 
 a still more severe famine if the fields were lift untilled. A detachment 
 ot artillery, eight battalions of French regulars, and thirty-three compa- 
 nies of the UKirine or colony troops, formed the real strength of the Cana- 
 dian arm}'. On the other hand, the British had nearly HO.OOO men 
 under arms, or read_v to take the field ; provisions wer(> abundant in all 
 their colonie-, and the peoj)le prosperous. 
 
 The gallant adonle;ilm saw the net with -which f;>.te v.'as gradually 
 eneh'eling him, still he never faltered in liis ilwly. ll-^ could toll tlic 
 .French mini;- ter plainly, '• that Canada must be taken in this, oi- the 
 nerct camraign, without unexfiected good hu'tnne or great fault in \\w 
 «'iieniy,"" yet lie acted with the same vigor, as though he tVlt seciiru 
 of victory. lie was Indefatigable in his prepara.tio!,., ti)rtl:<,' impending; 
 struggle. Tiio sever;;l {oilKicatlons Mere strengthened, vessels built 
 1i> eonnnand fiake t hamplain, and every e.\<';i.ion made to collect pro- 
 visions, now becoming exci cdinylv scarce. 
 
 Oi' the 1 Ith of May, M. de Bougainville retur!;id from France, bring- 
 ing out with him decorations and p 'omotlons in abundnnce for tlm 
 \)ft'e«'rs vho had distirguislud thenif^uves in tl;e last campaign, and but 
 a shuder supply of u>od, needed much more. The Covernor v.'as in- 
 structed to mal:c the best provision in his power for the defence of 
 
*. • » 
 
 1750.] OF CANADA. 145 
 
 Canada, for (lie conquest of which he was iiiformecl the British wore 
 making vast preparations, ami llic I'l'mch minister wrote to ^Montcalm, 
 •' tliat iho King ri lied npon his zeal and t)listinacy ot'couragt-.'' 
 
 ])e Vaiidrmil unw addressed a circnlar to the militia ddiccrs, requir- 
 ing them to be I'eady fur Tiiarehlng in any direction at a monu'iit's 
 warning ; and, at tlie same time, sought to excite tlicir patriotism by a 
 stiiring appeal. 
 
 " This campaign," sai«l he, " will aflord the Canadians an op- 
 pfirfiinity of signalizing iheui.-ilvts. His ]\raji'sty well knows the 
 (.■initidtiiee I have in them, anil I have not- faiK'il to infoiiii him of 
 their services. His Majesty trusts tliey will inalic those ellbrts thati 
 are to l)(^ looked fur from the most faitht'ul snl)jeets, mure particularly 
 as tli.'y have to defend their religiuu, their wivi\s, and their property, 
 fiotn the cruel treatment to be expected iVom the J'higlish. 
 
 '• \\ ith I'e'^pect to myself, I am resolved nut to consent to any capi- 
 tulation, iu hujios that this le^ululiun m;iy have tlic most ruinous con- 
 sei[iienees to the j'-nglish. It is must indubitable, that it Avuuld b(! 
 more mereifid fur the inhabilar.ts, their wives and chiKhuii, to bo 
 huried under the ruins uf the colony, than to iall into the hands of the 
 English. 
 
 '• It being highly necessary that the most ytrudent precautions should 
 be taken to prevent a surprise, I have establish' d beacons from post to 
 post, along the south shore, below i'oinl Levi, to be set Hre to as soon 
 as the enemy are discovered. 
 
 " We promise every protection to the inhabitants, tlieir wives, chil- 
 dren, and property, to prevent theli' falling into the hands <'\ the J'-^ng- 
 ii>li, who w'.iiid make lhe:a sutler the same hard>!ii|!S and miseries ex- 
 perienced by the Acadians. In addiiiun to whieli, we have the testi- 
 mony uf their late ill cunduct, in lln>ir treatment iA' the; inhabitants of 
 (.'ape liretun, notwithstanding the capitulation, as well as those of the 
 Island of >St. .Juhn. 
 
 '" There hatred is so well known to\...rds every thing that is Cana- 
 dian, that they even niake them responsible for the cruelties of a few 
 hiuians, still forcietliM']; the measures we have taken to nrevent a reiieti- 
 tiou of these aetions, anil lh:;g'iod t'-eatment which the nation has at all 
 tiuies shown to tliem who:: |>risuners. 
 
 " We have a real satis-laction in declaring that we entertain no ap- 
 pnhensions for the safety of the colony, yet we shall adopt the most 
 ellicaciuus mea-an\s, lor scouring to the inhabitants, their rights and 
 j'ronerty." 
 
 liut i';e most remaikable docuinent which appeared in Canada at 
 this pij'riod, was a pastural hotter fruin the Bishop, Henry de Pont 
 Hrianl, to the clergy i)f hi> diocese, wliich gives considerai)!e insight 
 into the civil and religious cuii'.iitiun of the j)coi)le, and which is accotd- 
 iiigly inserted ;it length. It r.an the. > : — 
 
 ■' You are nut nnacquainted, my dear brethren, with the. irnmenso 
 preparations uf the enemy, the i ^Igns formed to attack the colony 
 in four difierent parts, the ntimber of their regular troops, and 
 

 145 
 
 THE IIISTOrwY 
 
 [1759. 
 
 militia, six times at least suporidr to ours. Ncillior arc voii ij^no- 
 rant that tlioy have, sent eiiii-<sarieH to all iIk; liKlian nations to 
 
 incite them to torsaUo 
 
 an 
 
 d roi 
 
 ISO tlioso to (aUe up arms aif;inist 
 
 us who arc \villinf» to preserve; a kind of ncnirality. Yon are se 
 sibic, moreover, tiiat they occnpy those harlioi-s at the lower end 
 of onr river, which hith.rto wo li;ive reirarded a« t-o many hai'i'icM's; 
 you perceive every incitement to Tear and terror, and yon are \u). 
 doubtedly astoni-^hcd thereat, 'lli" nncci'talnly ol"the allairsuf Kinopo, 
 the many dunifci's to which the; succ:)rs we expect ar(! e\[U)-c(l, ilu; 
 
 uimerons (Iccts destined i'nr onr dc^ti'iiction ; thi 
 
 f:;cneral scurciiy 
 
 that prevails of every lliin;i; nccc^ssary f'oi' mir d. 'fence as well us diir 
 
 su 
 
 bsistence even in peace, ontrhl nalnrally to make- the i;reati'st in 
 
 inrcs. 
 
 sion on onr mind-*. Ihit whatonti;hl still to he the cause of the fj;rcat(':t 
 (chagrin, is the little zeal for [liety ol)servcd every where, the injuri;)ii3 
 and wicked speeches i!.aintalnc<1 against those in wlioin we onirliL lo 
 place all our roiilideiicc ; and what may create si ill furlliM- feai- in w^^ 
 are the j^rofane divci\si(ins to which ue are addicted with iri'catcr at- 
 lachmcnt than ever ; tln' instiHerahlc excessis of the i^ames el" chance ; 
 the imjiious hypocrisy in derision vv rather in contempt of reIii:i;Mi; 
 the variiais crimes against Heaven, that have been midliplicd in tln! 
 course of this winter ; all these, my brethren, ought to make us drciifl 
 every tiling, and oblige me to declare to yon, that (iod hims(!lf is 
 enraged, that his arm is prepared to chastise us, and in fact, that wo 
 deserve it. Yea, my tVicnds, we tell it. in the face of the altars and in 
 bitterne-;s of oiir heait. tiiat it is not the number of the I'nem.v, nor 
 their nt;uost elll rts that, allVigiit us, and m:iKe us rclleel ou the 
 
 inir disasters bot.i on tlie state 
 
 ill] Oi 
 
 1 reli'non. I)ut our mam 
 
 mi'M'ini 
 
 sins 
 ,f)i'il 
 
 and wickednesses. l-',igliiecn years Iia\( i.ow ela[)sed, since the 
 called us, thoniih unworthv, to watch over this c\!cnsi\e diocese 
 
 me 
 
 disease. 
 
 and 
 
 we have fre(ptently seen your suflor by fam 
 
 almost coniinual war. Nevertheless, this year it. appears to us. is in 
 
 all respects, the i].')st, aflllcllve and deplorable, because i,i r' 
 
 V \\ e ar. 
 
 most criminal 
 
 (V ere tiiere ever sncli ojicit roljncncs. so ihany iieiiuun 
 
 Wh 
 
 acts ofinjustiee, sui-li shaim'fiil rapines heard 
 
 in this colony, families devoted publicly, it I may so s.ay, to o 
 
 the most odious nature J Whoever beheld so maiiy abominations i 
 
 o lias not .'■cen, 
 
 crimes (if 
 
 In almost all rank 
 
 cent a!.'; I on is nearlv nmversal 
 
 lowevcr, niv 
 
 breth'en. matters are not yet remedil 
 
 luiiher are onr mi-foitiii. 
 
 nTotrieval)le, 
 
 The Christian faith teaches us tlia), a true and sincen; 
 
 eonversion can stop the avenging hand of Divine justice, and tlnit it 
 iven hath tVe(iiiently stayed it. It. is true the disease is great, but tli'' 
 
 _/''(/, 'It /(>:■■< Jmisn/i'i;). r</i.'rn, to v/ocr 
 
 UH'. 
 
 reined V is in 
 
 our own power, 
 
 God: and (iml accordui'i to his promise, fll! dijn to rcUnt ! Ati 
 my dear brelhern, 1 say. r.tone siJcedily for the pa^t, by tears of a sli: 
 ffere repentance ; they will lie aece[Uab!e to the meiifiil heart of (jd'i, 
 who never punishes his ereaUires but with regret. Dear clnldreii, b' 
 diligent therein, sympatl.ize with the ministers of the altar in weeping', 
 'vailing, and prayer. Implore tiie Lm'd with fervency to enlighten sin 
 ners with the misery of their souis, that he w'.W affect and convert thoni ; 
 we mean those of our brethren who run to their own deitruclion ; 
 
1750.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 147 
 
 dread, least you fi'Hl yoursolvos involved in (lu-ir ealamifics; and yc, 
 sinners! wo besoceli yon in tli;; name (jfJosn-i CiirisL sit loint l>o no 
 
 hind ranee 
 
 to th( 
 
 Mlcs^niifs we 
 
 a- k I'dI' von ; eomo rather, wv. roiiinro 
 
 yon l)y all tliat is e'lpahUi of ii(l",-ciinir yon; eonjc and solicit tlu-ni of 
 voni" own nceoi'd, witli a s|)ii'it full ol' ii)',>fl;ii"ss andcontilt' 
 
 ion. 
 
 "or 
 
 these; purposes, aft r eonferriii2 wilii ou!' re-!pectal>le l)i-i'tln'eu tlio 
 Canons of oni" C.ulu'di.il (.'hn;'c:i, iiavint; iiivo!<ed tlic holy name ot'Ciod, 
 we have ord.M'cd and do hei'el)y -.u'der, the due porfornianees ot the ser- 
 viei's herein directed, iinpriniis. In the ("tunlry parishes, on the. first 
 Sunday of every month, shall he a procession, withonL the ho>;t op 
 sftcranienl, to tne pi 
 
 ant 
 
 )()nit. 
 
 1 .".t liie lio:ir each of tite lu'et(»rs shall ap- 
 in that procession shall Uo siiii:^ tiic lilaiiies of llie Saints, thcu 
 
 Afi 
 
 saliu Jhs-crcrc iii:i 
 
 I 
 111 
 
 coniiiion j)iMyer: 
 
 ateiicinent in the nniiv of .-innei-s. which !ic www find jii ilic Kitnal for 
 
 J):iis ; and iniincdl ilcly ai'lcr tln' ancient and 
 e l'i'I>'-;t shall make an hi-iiorahlo 
 
 salutation, tli 
 
 1 
 
 'riiiilv Sundav. 
 
 ^eeonuiv. — ]:^vei'V soeular and rcmil 
 
 ir 1 
 
 rie 
 
 slKl 
 
 II 
 
 •adil to the prayers of th mass, the piayer of the /Av.v Jic/ni/ini/i. 
 Thirdly. — fn all the ben > lietions of the ii- ly sacrament shall lie sung. 
 
 the tract, Djminr noii s 
 iX'inission of sins, b 
 
 o irli. 
 
 '/./Ill, with the vcrslcles and prayer tor the 
 -1.1 the ditr.'i-eiit Clinrches of (.^iKdjec, 
 iioincly, — the Cathedra' the (.'iiiirch of l>iv \'ietoire in the Ijower Town, 
 the Seminary, the T 
 IJ 
 
 niliiu 
 
 •^0 of the .Ic-nils, that of th(> Ueeollets and 
 s, shall be per irmed alternately, a Nona or Ninth: the holy 
 mass shall bo celebrated jit seven oV-lock in the niorninir, tbe litanies of 
 the Saints. ai"d the psalm, J/<,sr ;•('/•<:■ 7i>cl 7A/'.s' slial 
 liniiorable atonement sha! 
 
 be siinu thereat, an 
 
 ic mad'' tor siiiiici's, and the whole; con- 
 
 liiihd with the benediction of t!i 
 
 acraini'iit. in tl 
 
 noiv 
 
 Chal 
 
 ice only : 
 
 on the workinir (lavs, the votive masses ol the licly Aniiels. o( the 
 
 II 
 
 olv irinity, ol' the 
 
 II' 
 
 ( 
 
 ro;- 
 
 of the \ ir'ilii Maiv, tor all necessi- 
 
 ties, for times of war and lor ncaec. si 
 
 [ie said recitii'oca 
 
 ly. Tl 
 
 mass of the patron of the ehiiixh or chai'el shall be said : first, at tl 
 
 .It suits of Saint Frai 
 
 ICOIS 
 
 X 
 
 \y\i'V. Ill 
 
 I 
 
 ,ower 1 own a 
 
 t Ste. CJene- 
 
 vieve, at tiie rrsulines. and at the Seminary iiistirmed for the eonver- 
 sioii of the Indians. What is prescribed foi Quebec, shall be observed 
 n.iueh as possible at Alonlreal ar. 1 at Tlin-e Uivcrs; the camps and 
 
 .'W 
 
 fVir's sliali also observe what is appointed for the conntry Parisho 
 This mandate shall be read after I lie j^ospel of the mass of the parish, on 
 the first Siind ly, imimMlial dy ii.'rer the receipt thereof." 
 
 I) 
 
 111112 tne month o 
 
 1 i\[ 
 
 :iv 
 
 a e(,imeil-(f.\var was held at M^oiitreal, 
 
 which after scvi ral meetiniis det ided that a strotig body ()f troops 
 should be posted at (Miebee uiiTi r i\loiitcalni ; that l>oui]emaqno should 
 take post at Ticoiideroga, and b'ow up the- v.-orks on the approach of tho 
 IJiitish, should lie fi.id himself unable to resist them. Crown Point 
 was to share the same fate, and he was then to retire to an isUtnd aUlio 
 
 head of hake Champlain, and 
 
 here, aid 
 
 by the shipping, to make tho 
 
 most stubborn resistance possible, a.id thus prevent the junctioii of the 
 armies under A;;iherst and Wtdfe. Te v/ithstaiul any force which 
 Tni^ht descend from Lake Ontario, the Ctiovalicr do la Conic, ^vith 80O 
 
148 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1759, 
 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 "Mi : " 
 
 t- •.. 
 
 I I 
 
 rpgiiliirs and militia, was directed to intrench himself ahovc Montreal, 
 and tluTc luud out to tlie bebt ol his power. 
 
 Tile eaiii|iai;;;ii of l"* .")*.) fipeiied witli tlie advance of Brigadier Pri- 
 dcaii\, al. tlie head of nearlv lOOO re;j;u'ar 1i'(>u|is and jiiilitia, and ;i 
 
 h("ly ol lroi[U(iis 
 
 hv 
 
 W 
 
 illiani .iolinson, a'^ainst llie lort af 
 
 Niajfara. i.eaviii'j; a dohi'linnail nndiT Colonel llaidlnuind to (■onstruct 
 a tenaldc post at (.).5\ve,u;o, tlie army emljarlied on f.al<o Ontario tlic l>t 
 of .Inly, and eoastiiij^ its sonlliern slioro landed on llieTlh at one of its 
 inlets, six niiies e;is 
 
 t of Ni.i'-.'ira. Situated at t!u5 a[)ex of tin; 
 
 an'. 
 
 formed liy llr jnncti'Mi ot tin- rive:- wilii tlie 
 
 alee 
 
 the 
 
 fort 
 
 was ea-i 
 
 ly 
 
 invested on tlic land side, wliilc tlie nuh)ei'on:i arun d buats of tlie llri- 
 tish ofFectnally interci'[)ted al! coinninnieation ])y wati. r. 
 
 ]'ouehol,tli>' I'rencdi eoniniand;'.;il, liad no siic)ner learned the apiiroaoh 
 of the I5riiis!i, tlian lie des]>atehed a courier eastward to Frontcnac to 
 solicit aid, and another to ])tiroitarid the other western posts, with 
 orders to their commandants to luistcn to his assistance withall the nun 
 
 1,h. 
 
 y C(juld s[>are, 
 
 art I 
 
 as jiianv Indians as conld be collected. Confi- 
 
 dently expeetina; snceor ho determined to di (cud tlie lort to l! 
 
 a St 
 
 cxtrenniy, an 
 
 d ret 
 
 iinieci a promo 
 
 t rele.sal lo the demand of the ]Jriti^ll 
 
 onji, 
 
 general reqniriiig liini to surrender at discretion, " My post isstr 
 said he, " my .'.rarri on faithful ; and the lon;^;er I hold out, tlie more 1 
 will win the eisteem of the enemy.'' 
 
 Pridcaux planned his approaches with skill, and rapidly advanced tlieia 
 towards the defences, which si.xui be'r:m to ciau 
 
 iiOle under a well iuuik 
 
 and vigorous lire. E 
 
 ncouraii'cd 
 
 th 
 
 arrival o 
 
 f a small body 
 
 l^'reneh and Indians, who succeeded at ni^li!; in getting into the fort 
 unobserved, the besie^fcd made a sally on the lltli, but wer 
 
 e almost 
 
 immediately repulsed and driven in under the shelter of their guns. 
 Or," the night of the l']th the DritiL-h finished their parallels to the lake, 
 ano the next day their lire became so heavy, that tlie besieged coiiM 
 
 on 
 
 ly 
 
 ilK.I 
 
 alotv 111 the coven d wav ani 
 
 1 1 
 
 eliinil tli^-ir ramparts. On 
 
 the ]i)lh the l''r(.'nch schooner /ro.y/o/.v arrived from i'rfintenae, and lay 
 ofl'llic fort, l)ut dare not venture in owing to the l>riti^h guns, which 
 
 ni 
 
 ght and day kept up a harassing and destructiv( 
 
 hre, 
 
 Still Poudiot 
 
 licld bravely out, and watched anxiously for the aid, which the sumnit.T 
 breezes of Eric should bring lo his assistance, and which l*rideaiiA. 
 aware of its approach, had already tal;cu mea-urestoi'.itercept. I)Ut the 
 
 latter was not fated to 
 
 tl 
 
 10 succes>ful issue of his skill and 
 
 courage. 
 
 On 
 
 die eveuiii!:; o 
 
 f the lOtli he was icillcd in the trenches, whih. 
 
 issuinc orders, when the command devolved on Sir Willir.m Johnson. 
 
 Meanwdille M. 
 
 00 
 
 Aul 
 
 rey rapi^lly descended from Detroit, at tho 
 
 head of 1200 Frcachmcn, collected from the diilercnt posts towards thu 
 
1759.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 1U> 
 
 Ohio, and noarly MOO Indians. On tlio iiJJrd funr savajifos madi' tlioir 
 \v;;y into tlu- bi'It'ajiui'ri'd lurt with a letter to I'nnehot, inforininL' him 
 that sncpor was at hand, and lliat the 15iili.>h lines wciiM speedily be. 
 attacked. I)Ut flohn-^on's scruits had jjiven him ample inlelliifeiiee of 
 
 <lo Aid 
 
 ui'V s approaeh, and he eooliy prepat< 
 
 (.r 
 
 llie en||i!,;lt. I.eavin 
 
 sufllcit'llt ll'o'ips tu i,Ml;ird the tfelU'hes, la- threw (niwai'd slri)|i|f piel;els, 
 on tlie ev(niii2J of the '^oid, to uecnpv the woud-! on t'illier side, ui' tlio 
 rmiLrli tiji'i'st road, leadlii':' from ('iiip[iewa to Ni:i";ara, ami ecnneeted 
 ihe-^e iiy ft chain of' Indian skifnii>.hers. 'I'lie'-'earran-'^enuMits enmpl(«ted, 
 iind no oneniy appearin;.r, tlui troojis lay down to I'e^t with tlfeir aims in 
 tlieir hands. It w:;; ;i warm didy niLdl^, and the stars «j;liiinnered 
 lii'iuiill} (hiwn np'iii llio SHiiilire loresl, iii>w iinniini'd hy even tlie I'aintest 
 ln't'r;:i', 'i\v t!ie (•onte!nj>lativo luiiid, tlie scene nni-'t have heeii one of 
 [lociiliar solemnity and ii;randeiir. Closo at hand, the stillness was mi- 
 broken savo by the nionotonons breathings ol't'ie many sloi'[)ers, or the 
 sciitiiiers tread. A little I'nrtherou there was a brief iiansuaroiind the be- 
 loatruored Ibrt, and then its dark sides were, suddenly illuminated by its 
 
 own iillll 
 
 s' 
 
 or revealed by the red liii;htofa salvo lVi>m the li(,i-.tile t 
 
 reii- 
 
 ClK'^. 
 
 loi 
 
 11 the distaii 
 
 tl 
 
 le i|\ 
 
 11 boom of the cataract fell upon 
 die o:ir lik(^ the noon-tidc ro;ir ot life in London, or the rnsh of llu; aj)- 
 |iioa'.liiii,^ storm. The white tents of the bosiiging ^n'lny, the watch 
 lircs of the camp, the bright moon, whoso rays peered s(jrily clown 
 aiiiids the sprays of tlni forest tree to jiliineo from the polished iniiskota 
 of tho sleeping; scntiii'd, or the Indian's tonnihawk, and the soft feathery 
 cloud of spray thai, ro-u upward from tlie .1 iorse-shoe Tails, uli tended 
 to comploto a rscene (d' snrpassi;;;- interost. 
 
 (h\ the following morning, at day- break, doln.son pushed forward his 
 grenadier companies, and part of the ■IGth rop;imcnt, to strengthen his 
 trout, while the lUli regiment were formed in reserve to preserve the 
 communication with tho trooj)S in the trcnche.?, and to act wherever 
 liicir assistance ndght be i;ecd(d. About eight o'clock, tlie iiead of the 
 French column was perceived advancing tliroiigli the woods, with lar'i*; 
 liodies of Indians covering ciihcr f!>ink. As they came on, the British 
 "Ut-posts fell steadily back on the maind.iody without firing, while the 
 [uois pressed foi ">vard to parley with the French Indians, ^vith ft 
 view of inclining them to jioace. The latter refiised to abandon their 
 
 Nations again resumed 
 
 Irof 
 
 S';,. 
 
 r_i 
 
 ftllie.^, and accordingly the warriors of tl 
 their post on the lianks of the British. 
 
 .De Aubrey now s})eediiy formed his force, and advanced to tho 
 attack. Shouting their iippalling Mar-ciy the Indians buri-t through 
 the woods, and fell furiously upon the British line, which coolly awaited 
 their approach, and ywept thcni away with a few rolling volleys. Tht» 
 
 ' I 
 
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 Ay:. 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 |5o "^^ NIH 
 
 14 ill 1.6 
 
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 /!S^ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4S03 
 
 A'^^ 
 
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 ir)0 THE HISTORY [1750. 
 
 close nnJ stcirly firo with whitli llu'y woris received roniplcfely nston. 
 \s\\^^\ tli;^ wostiMMi wjirriors, and so lliormi'^lj wus their diseorri'liiiro 
 ihiU thi-y (li-^appu.'ired uitofrether fVom I he lield of h;iltle. Their nii^ht 
 
 lef. till' flank-; of the Freii:li eomnl 
 
 expo>eil 
 
 aiH 
 
 1 th 
 
 ev were soon 
 
 boldly tiinied l>y llh' Iroijiiois, whi) pressed rapidly forward throiiijlj 
 tliL' woods, while the IJrilish hehl tlu'ir jfroiiiid in irouL with the tiiniost 
 steadiiies-;. Attaekeil on all sides l)y i^rcallv snpeiior iiunihfi's. ihe 
 Freueh lic-iialcd, ffave way, and, al'ier an action of little more. tl;;iii 
 halfan Imur, Itrnkc inio niter rtmle. I )i' Anlircv. and all his sniviv- 
 in^ ulli rrs, willi a ;j;r('at part of his Irnops were taken, while l!ir fn'fi- 
 
 lives w.M'e rapidly p 
 
 mrsni'd. and slain nr driven into the wilderness. 
 
 where the nnnierons dead lay unoo'.inted. 
 
 Jo runnel- had .Idhnsoii willnlrawn his fni'ces from flu 
 
 hatth 
 
 ic 
 
 than he sent an (iIIIiht with a flat: (d' trnee to inlunn I'onehol (d t 
 vielfiry lie had w<in. and exhnrted him to snrreiider withont fui'MuT 
 bloodshed. 'J'he l'"ren(h chlet' donhled the iidiirmation, and reipiesiod 
 t'aat one of his ollieers miiihl he allowid lo see the prisoners, and hear 
 the tale of their defeat (nen llu'ni. The rerpiest was f^ranted. and 
 thus assnred of the liopelessness (d" aid, Ponehot siirrendi'red up the 
 
 fort 
 
 and yarnson. 
 
 he teiMos were liheral. Tlu' French wer/ t 
 
 
 
 iiiareh (Vit with all the honor 
 
 on t 
 
 \e-sliorc 
 
 war. and then to lay down their arms 
 
 f. 
 
 he Women and children were to have side (wmvev 
 
 aneiMothe nearest port o| l''r,uiee. while th,- ,',raiii->oii, (HXI stron:;, 
 
 weri' to Ite c(»n ve\(>( 
 
 I to New Y 
 
 or 
 
 IV the mo'-t convi'iiient route 
 
 Ai 
 
 stores, provisions, and arms, wen* to lie .'iiv.ai up to the |j!'iti>h ;Tein lal, 
 Avho nielertook, on his jiart, to pre-erve his prisoners from every iiijiu'v 
 
 uiul insult, a promi>e, which nnlike 
 And thll■^ did prndenee and valor, 
 
 Montcalm, he (aithlnily redeeiiied. 
 with tridiiiLT ioss of life, win tlir 
 
 most important, post on the jiicat highway of the west. So deci>ivt 
 indeed was the victory, and so cfUelnally did it weaken the west 
 
 crn 
 
 posts of the l''rench, whose garrisons under de Anhrey had cither lu'oi: 
 killed or captiii-ed, that the oflieer and troops, sent from I'iltshnii: hv 
 
 S: 
 .1 
 
 anwyx, took possession o 
 
 I' the forts as fiir ns T']iie withont re.sistann 
 
 olmson s niodcstv was eona 
 
 tol 
 
 Hs in( ri! 
 
 1 have onlv to reirret. 
 
 he writes in his despatch to Amher.-f. '• the loss of (leiicral rrideaii\ 
 and Colonel .lohnson. I endeavored lo pursue the late general's vigo- 
 roiM measures, the uood effects of which he deserved to eiiiov." 
 
 W 
 
 Idle lh<> siege at Niagara was in progress, a strong tiody of ('ana- 
 
 dians and Indians under I,a Come, who had ascended to Frotiten.v, 
 Htration against the detachment h'ft at, Oswego bv Brifra 
 
 made a uemoi 
 
 dicr Prideau.v. On the 51 h of July, La Cornc endeavored lo carry the 
 post by surprise, by rapidly advancing some hidians and Canadians . 
 
1759.1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 ir>l 
 
 •iriMliiro, 
 
 but tliosc wcro speedily repulsed, alilmnirh ilnip ninafleism was incited 
 to tln! iittnosl hy a Jesuit, tlie Ahlit- I'I<|im'1. 'I'hc alUuk was rfiicwed 
 on llic f«il!ii\\iiijr (lay, luil a I'rw cIIm liai-i;i-s of i:ra[n' aii'l inii-Uctry 
 SjK'odiiy couipi'lli'd llic enemy tn ictii-e, and i,a ( 'miic was iiiivl'T llio 
 neces>ity ol'di'|iai-tinu; willidiil a sii!;.fl(' sc.dp, allliniii;li, as sonic d( sellers 
 slated, ho liad oir.:i-e(l ii l.irge snni for a trophy of liiis iioirihlo 
 di;seii|ili<»n. 
 
 Meanwhile, the rotmnander inchicf assctnhh d th(^ main aiinv at 
 Luke (ieni-<rt', and had coiisidiTaldr dilliiMilly in kcepiii-.f tiii- mililiii 
 together. ()s\ ii'i; to ili'scrtion to ihcir luimes. 'I'lircats, anil piomi-es, 
 and moderate piniishnicnts Caiicd to keep them liy linir coIchs. till at 
 lenf^lli a gcniTal eonrl-niai lial scnti'ncrd limr (lc<ci-tcis to he shot ; and 
 even this terrible exampli' did not altouctlici' ali.-.lc the ivil. On the 
 22iid of ,)mie, Aniheist traced o\it the jilan ot l''ort (Iccnj^c. near the s|)ot 
 where Fort William Henry (ornierly stood, and on the '-21sl ol J uly 
 every preparation heiny t'<)mp|etetl, liis army, (tver 1 1,000 ^tronj;, one- 
 half nf whom \vei'(> regulars, wilii M guns, t'mliarked ar.d moved down 
 the lake ill four columns. Next day it landed near the place where 
 AbeicroLihy had disemharked the year het'ore. The IJrilish van<niard, 
 comjiused [nineipally of l;;:ht troops, pushcil rapidly forward into the 
 bush, and soon eiieoinileitil a delaetinu'iit of j'^reiich and Indians, who 
 wore overpowered and dispersi'd. Anilu'rst lollowi-d wilh his maiii- 
 bedy in good o*'der, and halted fitr the night at the Saw-mills, prepara- 
 tory to an assault on th(> I'lcneh lines, which he Uarned from some 
 deserters were guardi'd by (Jeiieral de l)ourlema;pie, with a body of 
 3400 men, composed of regulars, Canadians, and Indians. 
 
 That niglit the llrili-h \-\\ ii|'oii their arms, while every exertion was 
 made to biiiiii "P till- arlillcrv. Ibit, although theii' nunibci- was int'e- 
 rior to Abercromby''s army, the Frcich next morning withdrew from 
 the lines, whieli had enabicil ihem togain lludr victory of liu' [treeeding 
 J ear, and fell back upon Fort Carillon. Tlie l}riti>li greiiadit'rs ininie- 
 diatcly ocen|>ieu ihe deserted iiitrenclniK'nt. and the rest of the aiiny 
 encamped a short distniuH' t(. the rear. A sharp fire was soon opened 
 from the fort on the IJiitish camp, but nc^ lo->s was sustained, owing to 
 the great height and slreiigih of the bica^twoik, which i;ow pmved a 
 most efleetnal shelter. ])e I)oiiib'inaiiU" soon perccivcil that even tlie 
 dcfenec ot the fort was impracticable, and in pursuance of his oich'rs 
 in that case, silently abandoned it on the night ot tlie 'J.'Jrd, leaving 100 
 moil bdiind to eoiitimie such resi>taii(:e as might coiicial his rtlreat. 
 These carried out their orders in the most efle<'tiial manner by making 
 an assault upon the besiegers' trenches, where they killed and wounded 
 sixteen men, and caused cunsiderublc confusion in the darktiess of tho 
 
15^ 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [iim. 
 
 v. 
 
 
 ,1 
 
 • 1 
 
 ' * ' 
 
 night. During the 21lh and 25th they kept up a constant fire on the 
 trenches, and having accurately got the range, caused a good deal of 
 trouble and some loss of life. On the niu;ht of llie 20tii, deseiters 
 brought intelligence to yXnihcrj-t, that the ganisoa iiad altandiMieil the 
 fort, but left ewi-y gun loaded and p(jinted, mines charged to blow up 
 the di'feiiocs. ami a lighted fuse coniinunicaling with the powder inaLM- 
 zinc. Ill a A'W niDiiieiits a tri'nu'udnus e\|ilo-I(iii c('nriniied ihrir 
 statements, and the next liiiiinle the (lanRS ot' the wiodeu bri'astwurk, 
 barracks, ;uid slore-^, fell (ai- and near npnn the lake and forest, tlkir 
 yellow hue deejienid at intervals by the flashes of the bursting guns 
 and cxjtloding mines. 
 
 (jieneral Amherst promptly detached some light ti'onjis in pursuit ot 
 the retreating French, ^\ho captured several boats laden with powder 
 and sixteen prisoners. At daylight a sergeant voluntei'i'cd to strike 
 the French flag, which still floated uninjured above the ruined fort, and 
 raise that of Britain in its place. A detadmient soon after succeeded 
 in extinguishing the flames, when tlie work of repairing the foit was 
 speedily ]iroceeded with, while Captain Loring of the navy raised 
 some French boats wliich had been suid<, and commenced the construc- 
 tion of a brig, ill oi'dei- to strengthen the r>rili>h naval jiower on the 
 lak<', which was mueli inferior to that of the t'lieniy. 
 
 The ca]iture of Crown i'oint was the next important step to ])c 
 aecompli^h^'d, and ^Fajor Rogers was despatched with two luuidred 
 IJangers to examine the position, establish himself in some strong post 
 n(>ar the fort, and hold out, if attacked, till relieved by the advance of 
 the army. Ibif, it was sof)n asci-riained that the French had also dis- 
 mantled and abandoned Crown I'oint, which was accordingly taken 
 possession of by a 15riti-li detachment. On the 4lh of August Andierst, 
 came up with his main-lxjdy, t'licamped, and traced out the lines of a 
 new fort, as a protection against the scoutii.g parties of the French and 
 Indians, who had so long been the terror of the British frontier settle- 
 ments 
 
 ] )e Intui'lemaijue had retreated lo the Isle-aux-Xoix, at the northern 
 extremity of the lak.', where he strongly intrenched himself, ami with 
 a force of 8500 men. 100 [lieces of cannon, and four armed v^•s^eIs 
 commanded by naval oflieers, he deternnned to defend the entrance of 
 the liielielii u to the last extremity. Andierst has been inucii censured 
 for not carrying this jxjst, and efleeting a junction with Wolfat Quebec, 
 but wlieii his position comes to be coolly examined, it is at once evi- 
 dent that he has been unjustly condemned. 'J"he command of the 
 Kichelieu was then absolutely necessary to the descent of an army 
 from Lake Champlain on Canada, it being the only open road, and a 
 
11 army 
 
 1759.] OF CANADA. 153 
 
 land ftM'Cc was utterly helpless before an enemy strongly intrenched on 
 islam], and who held complete comminid ol' the. siiiTniindiii'i; waters 
 th his fh-et, Amherst iHhK'i- tlii'^c cli'i'iinisianct's h.id only two alter- 
 iKvlivus; one was to ()p,'ii a roui] tliro!it;li ihi' t'lrc-t, ai.l push on to 
 M<>iitreal leavlii^r de lliiirlcina'jii.' in his icir ; th' i,t!; r lo (i')tain eoin- 
 
 i-ilinn. 1 1 ' wi-i/Iy ad'i[it('tl 
 
 an 
 
 \vi 
 
 m 
 
 ;ind of the lake, and (hiv.- him iVum hi 
 
 the la-*t eoiirsi'; iict.ii'i', however, it rDuld ]>■• I'liiiy r.u'ii • 1 ont. th.) 
 liKak winds (if (tetolier swept th.- lake, and this ll,e niain-imdy nftho 
 lirili-h invading; army was (■(.mpedh'd In wa-'e its sirenulli in inaetioii 
 uii the veiy threshold nf ( 'ana la. .\n- was t!;' l'>ie> whivli I'rll'aiix 
 h:id led auaiiist Nia'iaiM nmre lortunate. ( )n IfarniiiLC th'd ilh ol 
 tint oflii'^'r, Amherst hid sent Brigadier (ia'^e to ;i<-;ume llie eniuiiand, 
 utid instnieted him to descend from ih-\\ciZ'<. wiih a snilieient foree, to 
 capuire Oj^dcnsburir, oi-, as ii was then called, l.a I'resei.tatien, win re a 
 Jesuit Father, the .Mdie Piipiet, had fonnded a (linri-hinj; Indian set- 
 tlement in IToO. Ihil < ia^^e allowed his harvest-time of honor to jiass 
 away, to Amherst's inlinile (diagrin, and this important op^'ratioii was 
 ileferred till tiie ensuinir year. 
 
 While the balk of the arniy lay inactive at ( Vuv.ii I'uint, a detach, 
 niont of '-200 ranueis nnler tli ■ indel'a'.iL'iilile IJojers, already so distin, 
 finished in border warfare, was d'-spaiehi'd to ]Mi!;ish th'. Indians at 
 Lake 8t. Francis for detaininif an oflieer and some men, who had been 
 
 font with a \\\' ol tra^' • t » olf'r t'lvu pea 
 
 on (• eMiMoii o 
 
 f 
 
 lion- remanumr nen 
 
 iral. i! 
 
 lidic 
 
 »o!i;ers snilereil the »rreatest liardsiiips in 
 trating the nntrolden wiMernos. One-funrth of his men dropped 
 
 !ill liL' iierseverci 
 
 I'cliind fi'om fatigue, or jiei-i hei| in the mareli. 
 
 ;inil ari'ived in ttn* vieinily of hi-; destinallun on \\i.'. cvenin'X ol tli(! 
 
 t2nd Oetolier. and pu-hed f irward, alone to recomioju'e. 'I'lie Indians 
 
 Were eiiL^'iiji'd m th ■ wardance. an 
 
 1 e.\lian-ted bv l'i;i'il 
 
 as inid-iiejilit 
 
 approached, they snnk into a pinfo'ind flund)er. Hut a foe as snlitle 
 as themselves, and infuriated by long years oj' ii,j;ii-y now hovered 
 near, pi'epared to intliet the puni-diment their nnmerons mas-^aei'es of 
 woiaen and (diildrcn so jiistlv nuii 
 tl 
 
 ted. At t 
 
 wo o eloek m the mornm'r 
 
 R' iji'itish burst u[ on the' sleepers with a htuil i'vy ol' veiiu'eanee. and 
 
 m 
 
 warriors were ^peetiilv 
 
 an 
 
 1. but the Women and chiidi'eii were 
 
 spared. Meanwhile, a h'reiieh detachment had captured Rogers's l»oats, 
 and threatened to cut ulf his I'etreat. Jb-eal^iiig into small parties, the 
 Hi'itish sought the shelter of the forest, and underwent the most e.\treinc 
 li:ird.>hips before reaching a friendly settlement. 
 
 On the lOih of ()etober. a brig mounting eighteen guns arrived at 
 Orowii Point from Ticoiid 
 
 eroga, a 
 
 re, 
 
 md u sloop of sixteen guns heinix also 
 ady, the army embarked in boats for lalc-au.x-Noix, and proceeded 
 
164 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [nno. 
 
 •••» 
 
 ' 4 
 
 
 ■" ^ 1 
 
 up llic lake in Auir divisions. 15iil a severe stoiin,ancl niislmps of vari 
 oils kiii(J«, ri'tardtnl its pru^rcss, ainl alllioii^li llie <,reatcr part o( (Ik. 
 KroiU'li (liH'L was ili'strox cd, tlic latciii'ss of lln'. sfasoii rciidiTeil it u-c. 
 less tn advaiH'i', and Anuiersl i\diictaiitly relli\d in place his troups in 
 Nviiitci" (pia: liT.s : a iiiea'UiT llu' more lU'i\'S>ai'y a> tlie I'l'i'viiieials lia 1 
 beeoine iiiicdiiiinonly sickly. 'Jims closed llic campaign of tin; Iliiti.vh 
 furc 's, wliieii iiuMiaeed CaiiaMa lovvaius tlie wc.-L : it now I'eiiiaiii , fur 
 us to trace the o])eratioiis in llie St. Lawniice. 
 
 As s(i(rii as tile ueallier j>erinilted^ Wolfe assembled Iiis army, 
 ainomitini^ to .ahmit !*0<)() men, at Lnui>l)tirtf. It was divided into 
 three 1)i!;;.m'''.'s, led liy IJrifjadiers Moiickicii, Town'-lieiid, and .Miu'i-iv 
 wkile Its .Adjutant ii;eiiei'al was I -aae llaii'e, iMi lii-.liniaii of liiimljle 
 birth, eloipieiit, ambitious, and fearless, to whom tlii' aiiilioi>hip ot tlif 
 letter of .lunius h;is been attributed, very jn^'ly probaljly, and who 
 subseipieiitly perished on his return from the ICast Indies. 'Jhe fleet , 
 cunsi-liii}^ of twenty-two men of war, and as many frigates and armed 
 vessels, was under tho command of Admiral Saunders, a bravo, skilful, 
 and kinddiearted sailor. On board of one of its .ships was Jervis, 
 afterwards ICarl St. Vincent, while .'aines Cook, the celebrated iiaviga- 
 t()i\ wlio siibseiiiiently tr;iversed tho unexplored waters of the Pacific, 
 and threaded his way amidst its many Isles, was sailing-master of 
 another. 
 
 On the 1st of June preparations Were made ,o put to sea from 
 Louisburg, yet fully six days elapsed before the huge armament luul 
 entirely cleared the land. While! spreading sail, the Admiral receivL'(l 
 the unweUdiiic intelligence, that his advanced s(piadron had suf- 
 fered three Freiieh frigates and several store-ships to pass up the St. 
 Lawrence. 'J\vo vessels only were captured, on board of wiiieii woro 
 found charts ot the river, which proVcd of the greatest service to thu 
 British fleet. 
 
 On the '2()lh, the armament arrived safely off tho Isle of Orleans, 
 and preparations were promptly commciieed for tlio disembarkation of 
 the troops, (/reat was now the confusiuii and disfiess at Quebec, where 
 the reverses of the pre(H'diiig year's campaign ha<l ;dready produced 
 the most dismal forbodiiigs. To the clerieal orders especially, the 
 prospect of liiitish rule was particularly niipa!ata1)le. Tins svas t'orci- 
 bly illustrated while the Uridsh fleet was still ascending the river. Tho 
 advance under Durell carried Fieiich colors till they arrived off Bic. 
 Its inhabi'ants imagined in eonsecjuence that the expected succors Imd 
 arrived from France, and messengers wre despatched to Quebec with 
 the intelligence. IJut when the white colors, were struck, and tho 
 Union Jack hoislcd in their place, ihcir constcrralion and grief was 
 
1759.] OF CANADA. 165 
 
 inconceivable, and tlio occiiitliioi- so anVoto!.! ajnli'sl, wlio stood on tho 
 s.liorc with tclt'scoin:: in hand, that he dropiicd down and instantly cx- 
 
 rcii 
 
 .1.* 
 
 P' 
 Karly on tin; morning: of tho 2*',li, the tmops landed on tho i.sland, 
 
 ■wiruh tho inhabitants had abandonid dniiii'^f the pfuvioiis night, and 
 wilii the iVrlility and beauty of which tho soldiers wore dolightod after 
 thtir wearisome voyage. The eye of genius lias often since rested 
 upon the magnitiei nt coiqi d' odl which now burst Ujiun the vision of 
 their young general, from tho western end of the isle, but the scene can 
 hardly ever again awaken tho emotions which then agitated his bosom, 
 in the foreground, tin; white tentii of his camp glanced in the sunshine ; 
 on his left, lay the nuigniticent fleet at anchor; in his front, the clifT of 
 Quebec was seen in the distance rising precijiitously ntrainstthe iiorizon 
 in the midst of on3of the grandest scenes of nature, and apparently im- 
 {ircgnablc. For its defence, the gal hint Montcalm had exhausted, with the 
 moans at his disposal, every plan which ingenuity and skill could devise. 
 Ahove Quebec, the; height, on which iho Ijiper Town is built, spreads 
 out into an elevated tabledand, suddenly terminated towards the river 
 by steep dcc'ivities. In this direction, for nii^ miles or more to Cape 
 IJouge, every landing-placo was intrenched and guarded. Immediately 
 Icluw tho city, tho Kiver St Charles, its mouth then cKiscd by a boom 
 and defended by stranded frigates, swept its rocky base, and expanded 
 into marshes which allbrded additional security. From thence to the 
 Montmorency, a distance of eight miles, extended the position occupied 
 by the French army, protected by numerous redoubts and intrcnch- 
 raents, the shoals and rocks of the St. Lawrence, and almost impreg- 
 nable. Behind lay tho rich valley of the St. Charles, and the pretty 
 villages of Charlcsburg and Beauport, which, with a few other hamlets, 
 gave shelter and hospitality in the rear. For the defence of these for- 
 midable lines Montcalm had l'^,000 French and Canadian troops, and 
 about 400 Indians. 
 
 As Wolfe gazed with intense interest on the prospect, to him at once 
 beautiful and ajipalling, a storm suddenly gathered, and soon the teem- 
 ing rain veiled the opposite shore, while a dangerous hurricane swept 
 over the river with destructive force. Transports were driven from 
 their moorings and cast ashore, smaller vessels were dashed against each 
 other and swamped, while the vessels of war with difficulty held to their 
 anchors. Wolfe retraced iiis steps thoughtfully to the camp, some- 
 
 * Smith's Ilist. Can. vol. 1. p. 291. 
 M 
 
Uyti 
 
 THE TIISTORY 
 
 [n5f». 
 
 I 
 ■ I 
 
 ' » 
 
 li- 
 
 W'hat discouriigocl by tlio ^'i-cat dlfTiL-iiltics, \\h\c\x ho n»\v saw cloarlv 
 bosct the cntcrprizo he hail proiuHod J'itt to accomplish if possihlo, 
 Tho storm passed away ; evening soon merged inlo a night at onee still 
 and dark : nnd now M(jritcalm sent down six lire-shins on the rccediiiT 
 lido towards the ISritish fliu-t. Trum those shi^t anil shell era^llL■lI 
 among tlu; trees and rue: >!, or left long >>i'elhiiig fnriows in the streain. 
 Presently lurid (lames hi rst from their halls, caught the sails, and ran 
 along the masts and si>a,s in thin red lines, lighting n[) the riwr, tin 
 hostile camps, and the < ly in tlie distance. As the bhizo increased ex- 
 plosion after explosion tossed the hnrning vessels hither and thitlie', 
 tho tide, still carrying them steadily towards the fleet. Tho sentries 
 terrified at a sight so mnisiial, and belii;ving that the French were fi'l- 
 vancing in force, fill bat'lv n[>on tlu.'ir pickets, and these in tnrn on the 
 maind)ody, \vhen the drums beat to arms. ])aydight alone restorcij 
 oonfidcnce and order. ^Meanwhile, a numl)er of well manned 1)oat^ 
 had pnt off towards the Hre-shii'-^, ami the sailors, waiting till all llic 
 guns had expUxli'd, fastened gra[ipling irons to their hulls, and tuwcl 
 them lci>urely ashore. 
 
 Findin<r the channel tit tho l-ilauilof Oi'L-ins was noitlicr a safe, 
 nor convenient anchorage in rough weather. Admiral Saunders deter- 
 mined to pass up into the basin, or harbor of Quebec, and learning that 
 the French occupied, with some trnops and artillery, the head-land of 
 Point l^evi, from whence they could seriously annoy his ships, ho rc- 
 ((vu'stcd Wolfe to take possession of it. This duty was assigned to Bri- 
 gadier Monckton, who pushed forward one of his regiments on the evon- 
 ing of the ^Oth, and following next morning at day-break with tlic re.-'. 
 of his brigade soon occu[)ied the point, despite a stout resistance by a 
 body of Canadians and Indians, some I'^OO strong. 
 
 In the possession of this post, JSIontealm felt that tho Ijritish had 
 gained a dangerous ailvantage. From the first he had seen its inipor- 
 tance, for, although it was three-ipiarters of a mile from tho city, heavy 
 guns could play from thence with destructive eflect. In a council-of- 
 war he had urged that 1000 men should be strongly intrenched at Point 
 liOvi, and hold it t(.^ tho last extremity, but was overrulvl by tli' 
 (Tovernor, and from that hour the general regarded the latter with dis- 
 like, lie made a feeble attempt to dislodge the British by attackini; 
 their position with three (loating Viatteries, but these Avere repulsed hy 
 a single broadside from a frigate, which a fair wind speedily carried up 
 to the scene of action. 
 
 Wolfe had already issued a proclamation to the lidiabitants, ofTcr- 
 iug safety in person and property if they remained ncutre. But the 
 counter proclamations and threats of Montcalm, and their owu national 
 
l-r.V.).] OF CANADA. 157 
 
 prcjiiJioos hold tliom fast in their ftll('<j;i;inco. In company with iho 
 iiidiansthoy hung upon the skirts (if the Hriti.sh army, rutting oil' and scalp- 
 in^ sliii.i.'.i,'l"'''S on every opportunity. and Wolfe's soldiers, some of whom 
 luid l)Len at the massacre of Fort William Henry, and well trained in 
 forest warfare, hegan to make reprisals of the same deseriptitjn, and 
 liiirn and plunder on every oppcrtunlty. 'i'iie Uritisli general endea- 
 vi'iired to restrain these exces>es, but was ultimately so I'liraged hy 
 till.' cruel massacni of several ol his men, that- he alloweil iiis liglit 
 troops to retaliate on Indians, or "u < 'aiiadiaiis dl-guised like them, hut 
 firhid them under penalty of d,alh to molest the peaceal)le inha- 
 liitaiit-;. 
 
 A hattevy at Point Levi, aiu.l ar.other at the western [>oinL of the 
 Mo of Orleans, gave suflieie-it security to the fleet. These were, eom- 
 I'leted Iiv till! mi'minLT nf th,' JHh <il dulv, when threi> fiT^ates of liyht 
 iha'iL'lit opened fu-e upon the French lines helow (iueheo. Monckton, 
 ;U llio same time, marehed his brigai.le along the opposite side of the 
 river, in order to distract Monlealm's attention while Wolfe was tak- 
 ing post, with the, main body of his army, on the eastern bank of the 
 Montmorency. lie was thi •. [daced at an angle, with the l''reiieh Hues 
 along the 8t. I.awreiiee, and Ii; their rear, but the rapid euri'ent ot the 
 Moutnioroncy, rushing over its r<jeky bed in iin[as<abl(.' eddies and 
 '.■.i[ids, still separated the armies. Three miles iu the interior a ford 
 was discovered, l)nt the opposite bank was stee[i, woody, and well 
 ii. trenched, and its passage im[iractical)lo in the face of a su'pcrior force. 
 Not a s[iot along the Montnun-eney lor miles into the interloi-, nor on 
 the St. Lawrence to Quebec, was b ft unprcUected by the vigilant 
 Mentcalm, and Wolte began to despair of forcing him to ■• 'ir..ttlo on any 
 thing like equal terms. The French once defeated, he felt .--.sured that 
 Quebec, Misuflieienlly supplied with military stores and threatened by 
 I'liaine, must surrender ; but ti; compel them to light with a lair pros- 
 poet of success to IJriti>h arms was the great dillioidty. Vainly did 
 Wolfe penetrate the dense bush, and rugged country along the Mont- 
 morency, in order to discover some lavoralde point to ti. a Montcalm's 
 fliink, and thus bring on a battle in rear of Lis lines. These rcconnoi- 
 >aiiccs only led to the slaughter of his light infantry, by the Indians and 
 Canadians lurking in the su,-ret [daces of the forest, and the lirilish 
 ironcral soon saw that lie mii.>t look for success in some other direction. 
 
 No iooner had \\'oli'e established himsell at the ^Inntmoreiicy, than 
 .Montcalm, urged by the solieilations of the inhabitants of the Lower 
 iuwn, who dreaded the destruction of their houses, resolved to hazard 
 ti night attack on Monckton'.-} position at Point Levi. It failed com- 
 pletely, the Canadians missing their way and firing upon one another 
 
]M 
 
 TTIK TIISTOUV 
 
 [17r.O. 
 
 k 
 
 
 in fho (lark, \\\\\\ n. lo^s (o llioinsolvos (if sovcnfy killed nud \voun.lt\]. 
 while. tli(! I5rilisli lines wen; left wliolly uiidlstiirltid. \e.\t day th,. 
 battery n[ieiied n|ioii tlu! town, tiie lowiT part «if' wliidi was sodii miirh 
 dairiaf^ed, iiiid on the KJlli a slidl set a house in the ['jipei' '["own on 
 fire. Fanned i)y a strong; west-wind, {\m eonflafirntinn dr^trovdl 
 ni.'iny hnildin^s liefore it was arroslid, and ainonjj others the ^T.a* 
 calluMJral, Avitli all its jiaiiitliijis, images, and ornaments. IJnt tlu- do. 
 fences still remained uninjured, and tin; destruction of property, caused 
 liy the lire fintii IVdnt Levi, only ditninished the value (d'the j)rizc llir 
 ■which the IJritish strive, witliuut hringiiif,' them nearer to its possession. 
 
 Completely foiled in iiis endeavors to force ^lontealm's lines, and 
 briiifT on a haltle lielow the city, Wollo now determined to reeoniiuitre 
 the hanU of the river above it, and ascertain ■whether any thinj^ could 
 bo (iflicled in that direction. To effect this reconnoisance the ]>rotco- 
 tion of a snfllcent force was necessary, and acconlinffly towards mid- 
 night of the iMli, a small squadron under Captain Kous, favored by a 
 fair wind and tide, run the gauntlet of the enemy's batteries without 
 being even discovered by their sentinels, two of whom ^Montcalm limit; 
 on the following dav for their carelessness. The French spi'edilv con- 
 slructed a battery at tSillery, to annoy Kous's squadron, but its fire 
 only had the eireet of causing hiiu to weigh anchor, and to move a little 
 further up the river. 
 
 The French artillerymen had scarcely ceased firing at TJous's frlt;at(s, 
 when a boat was observed skirting the southern shore, the mast ( f 
 which they carried away by a shot. This boat bore Wolfe and Admi 
 ral Saunders on their way to reconnoitre the river's bank above. Thi 
 keen eye of the general traced the outline of the precipitous hill (ii. 
 which stands Quebec, and beheld a natural fastness defended by canncn, 
 boats, and floating batteries, at every assailable point. Matters lookod 
 just as unpromising above the town as below; tlie banks were every. 
 where high and jirccipitous; at every weak point intrcnchraents \m 
 been thrown up, and each movement of an enemy was jealously 
 watched. 
 
 "Wolfe was almost in despair, still he determined to persevere, in 
 the hope that some fortunate occurrence would aid him. To divide and 
 harass the enemy, and obtain intelligence, he directed Colonel Carlclon, 
 who commanded the troops with lious's squadr<^n, to make a descent 
 on the small town of Point-aux-Trcmblee, twenty-one miles up the 
 river from Ciuebec, and to which many of the inhabitants of the city 
 had retreated with their goods, and valuables. A few Indians made a 
 feeble resistance, and a number of useless prisoners, some plunder, and 
 several packets of letters fell into the hands of the Britifch. The latter 
 
1759.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 ino 
 
 Icirnislied linportftnt intt'llijj;em!o. "Tlio Govornor ftinl Montralm lirivc 
 ,li«;i"ii't'l,"' sa'ul ciif; ■■ lull for our priests and the dri'iid of'tlio snv.iycH 
 we wuiil'l Miliiuit," Miitl iiiiothor; ii third stated " wc iirc witliout liopo 
 and fMod, since tlu! l']lll.'ll^ll ll:ive |i;i-i>ed \\w iDVVIl oiir coiiiiillllilciltinn 
 witli Moiitriiil is eiil olV — (iol ii.ilh forsai'ien us/' To iiiercuse tlie 
 misery of ll»e l)esiege<l, orders wero now given to lay waste llie sur- 
 rounding c'oinilry. 
 
 On llie '^.'itli, Wolle proceeded up tlie eastern bank uf lliu ISfontirio- 
 roncv, to examine somh' worlds which tlie l''rcticli were erecting on iho 
 .ifiposite bide. His escort were attaelvi'd, and lor a tiiiu! hardly pressed 
 bv u strong body uf bidians, who were oidy repulsed after a loss had 
 iicon Mistaiued of iil'ly killi'd and wounded. \o,\t, nioi'uiiig the ^Sih 
 lli"hl;uiders surprised a ,l''rench dctueliment, and si. w niu',; of them. 
 Scarcely a day parsed away without skirmi-hcs taking jil.icc. ( )ii the 
 Ili^llt of the '^Sih tlu> I'reuch scat down a lai'u'' (ireialt. but, it was 
 towed ui^hore without doing any injin-y, and W'ollc thi-cat.iicd that if 
 .inv more sucli were nuide, they would In- fastened to those vessels in 
 which were the French iUM><»ners. Tliis threat liad the desiri'd ell'ccf. 
 
 July was now al-iiost gone, and the Ijritish general as yet had eirceted 
 little tuwai'ds the capture ot Quebec. It was true, he had scvei'elv 
 harassed the enemy, that he occupied the most inioortaiit points in 
 the neighborhood of the beleaguered fortress, but ils defi.iices still re- 
 nr.ined untoitehed. l^'foro leaving I'lngland. Wolfe IkhI been taught 
 that his Ibree was incrt'ly auxiliary to Andicrst's army, and another 
 :iuui. with the formidable obstacles which everywhere encountered him, 
 would have awaited its arrival. IJut with tiauntless resolution be 
 hoped on almost agaiu.-it liope, and although his constitution was 
 ra[)idly breaking up, he resolved to make every effort to serve his 
 c'ountrv. 
 
 The Montmorency after falling over a jiorpondieular rock, expands 
 iutu shallows tor a distance of three hundred vards, ami (lows into the 
 St. Lawrence at an obtuse angle. Near the apt'x ol this angle Mont- 
 eahu had placed a four-gun redoubt. The shallows of the Montmorency 
 Were fordable at low tide, and Wolfe now arranged v.illi the Admiral, 
 that one column should wade aerois the stream, and assault this redoubt, 
 while another disembarking from the boats vl the fleet su;ifiorted 
 the movement trom the St. Lawrence. j\Ieanw!iil", tiie butteries 
 Iruni beyond the Montmori'n''y were to sweep t!;e L'leiieii lines. \\ hijc 
 that at Point L:'vi was to play vI;.,(;roi!-ly on tlie city. Ci.iild he 
 jiossess himself of this reiJoulit ;ind turn tli^; light «'l ti. • l''ri wcii ll:ic, 
 Montcalm mu-t then lither light or retr.at. In the lal'.ei- case the ^^l. 
 (.'liarles, defjuJ.>l by a boom and tw' stranded iV'gate; wouLl still be 
 
« » 
 
 ic 
 
 UIO 
 
 TIIK IIISTOUY 
 
 fnr.o. 
 
 • • lru« 
 
 b(! botwotn \V(»lf<) and the town ; but n\w. dilliculty ovorconio, h 
 f() to Ktirniount tlic other. 
 
 On ihu .'Ust .luly, every pivparatinii bi'ini,' iiinde, three vi'hscIs (,( 
 lifiht «Jraii':lif, two ot which howt-vcr grouinh'il. nm in-shnrc. iiul iipcncd 
 fire iiiMiii l!u: I'duubt. 'I'hc itKACinriitH ot th(! Ilrlti>h wafin'il Moiitraln; 
 of their ti'if I'oiiii of attack, and lie promptly inadi'di^povitimi to ImHl.; 
 it by a lla'ik niovcinciit across tlic ford ( it tiie MoiitiiKtrciicy, tocapUir'; 
 their battvrics, while their inaiii bodv waited its streiiL'th nL'aiii,>t li;s 
 
 iiitrenchiiieiitx. '1 lie I'ritiih "eiieral, lK)Wev( r, 
 
 saw Ins iiilt iitiMii ill. 
 
 directed the I*^lli, jei'i ill the woilis at I'uiiit Levi, to pii-h up t!:e ri\ 
 
 as 1 
 
 ft. 
 
 :!;i'k the I-'iviich 
 
 fiosjiicin jibove the city 
 
 ins proct'cdini; 
 
 I'oniptdled Monlca'.ni to rilii:iini>h his Hank inoveincnt. ami ditacli !!,.• 
 two liattaiioiis he intemled sluiiild acetiinpiish it. to oIi>erve tiie -IS'di. 
 Meanwhile, iii;j;ht was coniinf,' on aj'ace, ami a storm ah-eady darkeiir.l 
 the distant liorizoi: ; luit Wolfe, obscrviii'' disorder in the iiu inv's liru*, 
 owing to new forniatioiis of lro(jps, gave tlie si ;!ial to advance at livi 
 o'clock, ami with a loud clkcr tlio sailors Iniit to llii ii- (.>ars, and llu 
 lonj; niotionlesf flotilla s]irvii!<.' into life. Soim.' of the leailing hni.ts 
 ^roi.:uiid on a ro;k ; other.s were swamped hy the gnus of the eiiemv, 
 Wolfe spi :iiiii into a cutter and s(joii di>eovered a safe ['•;'^saiio to the 
 shore, to wli! -h a lew pnlls carri<'d the flotilla. Tln' next nioimnr 
 the eai^er Ironj.s jumped njioii land, wlmillie l''reiieli jrave a parting 
 
 ev 
 
 aiiaiiilon«'( 
 
 1 tie- redoubt, and I'etreated to their inireiioiii 
 
 ni'i 
 
 voll ^ . 
 
 crowniiiji; the cre>,t of tho slope beyond. 
 
 'Ihirteeii eoni['ani»'S of iirenadiei's, and some IJoyal Amerieans, w. n 
 tiie first a-hnri'. These had orders to foriii in four eidiimns on tli^ 
 lieach. avd witit the arrival of the remainder ot the troops from llii 
 boats, and Town-lniid's briirade, already advancing across the .Mniiini". 
 reiiey. I'lil ]ir(.ud of their post of j'relereiici\ exaspt rated at their 
 long delay, and rerranlless of the ordei-s of their ollici'rs, they ru-liol 
 forward to storm the l-'reneh intrenclimcnt. Wolfe saw that this rasli 
 valor had ruined the fortunes of the day, and insteail of supporting tsio 
 advance of his grenadiers, whom he strove to re( all, Ibrmed the remain- 
 der of his troops in admirablt! order on the beach, to cover their 
 fetreaf,. 
 
 M'anwhilo, the storm burst, tlic ground became slippery, raid the 
 tec^niing rain soon spoiled the ammunition r.f the grenadiers. S;lll 
 they pressed «)n, relying upon the Ijayoiiet, although they could scarce- 
 ly kecji their feet; but one close and steady volh-y from the rreneh 
 was sufilcicnt to roll thcni back from the crest of the hill, when th(y 
 sullenlv retired Icaviuir over two hundred of their killed and wounded 
 
 l)ehind at the mercy of the Indians, who speedily swarmed across tl 
 
 10 
 
1750.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 161 
 
 fifld. The cvonlii;; was fiir advancoO, tho t'nh was 1)ogInniii^ to 
 fluW. ih'" amimmition of tlif wliuli- urmy lia<l bt'iii (l.riia<,'fil Ity tlio 
 niiti, till! rriiirli, who li;nl siilliri il litllc ur iio |<iss. while the Hiiti^li 
 wcro WLukiiicJ liy that *( 'A'-l oHiotrs aiiJ llU nun, liu'l tiiiufiitrakil 
 ihcir strciiijth, ainl all that Wulfo couUl iidnv >h) was fo clli'cl an tuiK-rly 
 ntrcat. Sii<;h of tin- woiiikKmI as ccmM vi t lie s;\viii Wfi'o carried from 
 iho fald, tho htraiult d ships wt ic alianddiicd :i'id Kunit, and ih"' fluiiija 
 
 • iribarki'd and roweil away iVfini iho fatal shore, whii<s Tow:.. sluiid's 
 Mid Mnnay's lirifjadis rcoro'^scd tlu' furd without inforriiiition, and n-- 
 suiiK'd thi.'ir P'.i>itiuu on the. hfiohts fusl of th.i Mttntinorimv. 
 
 hi ihc nicantinn', Admiial Ilnlnus liad joini'd lloiis's .s<[iiadron 
 i.bovc the town, and I'JOO miii wt i.- now di'sjiatchi-d under llriira- 
 ilii-r Murray, to aid in tlie destruction of tlic I'liMcJi vessels whiih had 
 ritirrd n|i lIu- river. These avoided the danger of cajiture hy sending 
 tli.ir guns and stores ashore antl takiiig ri(ii-je hi the shallows towards 
 Muiitreal, one brigaiitinc exeoptud, which having grounded was ahan- 
 tjoiied and destroyed. Murray, as the fh'et advanced up the river, 
 luiiiid every hiiiiling place fortifidl, ai:d the I'reiK li on the alert. After 
 two fruitless attempts to discniKirk, he llnally etlcetcd his purpose at 
 the village of I.)"Ksehain1»anlt, thirty-nine miles from Qiielee, whicli 
 was defciiiled l>y some invalid scldiers, and carried without diHuulty. 
 A (rw prisoners of some importance NTcre taUeii, and letters fell into 
 Murray".> hands from which he learned tlie occupation ol Tic(»n<lerogi'i 
 and (.'rown I'oint hv Arnlarst, and the capture of' Niacara hv .hdinson. 
 Finding that lie could ilfcct nothing of imjiortame the hiigadier hast- 
 ned down the river to convey this glad int(dligen"e to Wolfe. He 
 t'u'.ir.d the general, chagrined by the failure at Montmorency, and worn 
 
 • •ut by his exertions, stricken Mith fever, and unable to l^ar the pre- 
 M.iice of his oflloers. .Still the Uritish batteries thunJtred vigorously 
 truin tlic heights of Montmorency on the French lines, while the fire 
 Iron; Point Levi laiil wa^te the city. ' )ii the morning of tln^ KHli of 
 August, at one o'clock, a shell pltdied iiiion the vaulted root of ;i 
 ceilar in the Lower Town, and burst beneath, igniting a large quantity 
 ■ >f brandy, which was stored there, '^llic flames ((uickly spread, and 
 Nearly the whole vi the quarter was biirmd down, including the church 
 'Tccted to commemorate J'hi|''ps''s defeat. A fire broke out at the same 
 'imc in the l'i>per Town, but di<l not do much injury. 
 
 Amherst's and Johnson's .success, though gratifying liy itself, gave 
 nfi hope to Wolfe of aid before the ^losc of the campaign. The dilh- 
 'iiltics which had hitherto inqiedcd his own progress, taught him what 
 'liey had to encounter, and ho saw that he must <lepend solely on hitii- 
 f'lf, nnd struggle on unaided. The numerous body of urnivJ mcti 
 
163 
 
 TIIK HISTORY 
 
 [1759 
 
 1T59.] 
 
 I . 
 
 . I 
 
 iincler Montcalm " coulfl not,'' lie said, " be called an army ;" but tho 
 French had prohably the strongest country in the world to cover tlu> 
 approaches to the only vulneraMe points of the town. The keen eye ot 
 the Indian scout prevented surprise, the pea=^antry, so lon^ as they could 
 bekcpttogellier,l)riiigth(>rouffIily exasperated by the forays of the British 
 troops, and incited by their cltM'gy, vrcre zealous to defend their homes, 
 their language, and their religion. Every one able to bear arms was in 
 the field, and old mc-n and boys fired upon the English detachmoiits 
 from every position Mhieh gave them concealment — from the edges ol 
 the woods, from behind rocks and houses. Still Wolfe ft'lt that every 
 exertion must conliinic to be made, and while yet disabled by sickness, 
 laid a plan before his brigadiers embracing three difTerent and cipiully 
 desperate methods of attacking ^Montcalm in his iutrenchments bi'low 
 the town. They unanimously rejected them all, au'l adopted instead 
 Brigadier T(jwnshenirs plan of landing an army above the town. ;uij 
 thus draw the French from their impregnable position to an open 
 action. " 1 have ae([uiesced in their proposal," said Wolfe in his admi- 
 rable despatch to Pitt of the 2iul Sej)tember, alluding to the course re- 
 commended by his brigadiers, " and we are preparing to put it into 
 execution. There is such a clK)ico of difTieulties, that I am myself at a 
 loss how to determine." Attended by the Atlmiral he once more ex- 
 amined the citadel with a view to a general assault. Although every 
 one of the passages from the Lower to the I'ppcr Town was iiilrenchoi], 
 the gallant Saunders was willing lo join in any hazard fur the public 
 service. But the general saw that the undertaking promised no siie- 
 ccss, and while he had the main force of Canada to oppose, the magiiili- 
 cent fleet could give him no assistance. 
 
 But if Wolfe's difTieulties were great, so also were those which snr 
 rounded Montcalm. He knew not where to turn for a ray of hojn , 
 except to the now rapidly approaching winter. Danger menaced liini 
 on every side. Gage threat ened him from Lake Ontario, Amherst 
 from Lake Champlain, while the stately fleet riding securely at anohur 
 below, left no hope of succor from France. The peculation and miscon 
 duct of the civil oHlcers wasted liis resources, and he hesitated not to 
 tell oven the Oovernor hims(df, that he had sold his country; "hut 
 while I live," exelaimcd the intrepid soldier. '* ! will not deliver it uji." 
 " Of one thing I can assure you," wrote he to a friend, " I shall notsiit 
 vivo tin; probable loss of the colony. 'Jlieiv ;ire times when a genc'd's 
 only resource is to die with honor ; tliis is such a time ; no stain shall rest 
 on my memory." But he found consolation in the fact, that the con- 
 (]uest of Canada must speedily lead to the iiiilopcudcnee of the Brili-h 
 yolonies. Provisions and ammunition were becoming scarce iu In- 
 
 \ *• 
 
1759.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 163 
 
 camp, antl the unhappy peasants stole to their homes hy dozens to 
 gather in tlioir harvest. Jfo scoiir^'od some oiroiiflers, liaiii^eJ others, 
 and threatened their villaires witli the venj;eanec of the savai^es ; still he 
 could not keep them toircther, and was finally obliged to allow "2000 of 
 the militia to depart to gather in their crops, at the most critical period 
 of the campaign. 
 
 The new plan of operations adopted by Wolfe, rendered the concen- 
 tration of his troops at Point Levi necessary, and preparations were at 
 once made to evacuate tho position at the Montmorency. These were all 
 completed by tho 8rd September, when the troops safely crossed over 
 the river. The vigilant eye of Montcalm had anticipated this movc- 
 inent, from the unusual stir among the Brili-^li, and he. marchrd two 
 strong colnnms to attack them while embarking. !Monckton, from the 
 heights of Point Levi, discovered the danger which menaced the retiring 
 briirades. and embarkiiiif a strong detachment in boats, which were pro- 
 teoted by some sloops and I'ligatt-s, rowed towards the IJeaiiport shore, 
 as if about to assault the French lines. Mimlcalm was accordingly 
 compellod to recall his battalions for their defence, and to permit tho 
 Drilish troops at ^Montmorency to emba)k without molestation. 
 
 On the 7lh, Sili, and 9tli, Admiral Holmes constantly man(cuvrc>d his 
 tl:'ot above the town, and harassed tho enemy by threatening their 
 (litlorent po~ts. Wolle had partially recovered, and, in company >vith 
 his biigadicrs, now closely reconnoitred ihe bank of the river, in the 
 hope of discovering some point by which his army could ascend to tho 
 Plains of Abraham. At length, about three miles above the city, he 
 (]iscov(>red a narrow jiath winding up the steep precipice from the 
 M'ater's edge, at a point where the bank curved slightly inward, and 
 which is now know as Wolfe's Cove. Two men could scarcely ascend 
 this path abreast, yet hero he determined his army should disenbark, 
 and take the guard at the summit, which he knew by the number of 
 tents could not exceed a hundred, by sm'prisc. Once above, he knew 
 the French must give him battle. 
 
 Preparations were i)romptly commenced for thf execution of this 
 plan •, and in order to deceive ^Montcalm as to the true point of attack, 
 Cook, the great mariner, and others, were sent to sound the river at 
 Iieauport, and plant bouys along tho shore, as if an assault was intended 
 ill that quarter. But the real design was kej^t carefully secret, as 
 otherwise the treachery of a single deserter woidd have prevented its 
 execution. On the morning of the 1'2\.\\ one of the Koyal Americans 
 did go over to the enemy, but from the caution observed was unable to 
 '■varn them of their danger. At the same time, a French deserter brought 
 iiiost important intelligence to Wolle. " The main force," said he. 
 
164 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1750. 
 
 r 
 
 
 7y • 
 
 ^ , I 
 
 I ' V 
 
 1'* 
 
 •'is still below the city, and our general will not believe that you Tne- 
 ditate an attack anywhere but from the Montmorency side. The Ca- 
 nadians arc alarmed by the fall of Niajjaia, and in great distress for 
 jirovi.>ioiis, ^\. do Levi, willi a larifc detaclumiif, has left us for Mont- 
 real to meet Amherst, and ]\r. de lj(ji!gainville, with 1500 men, watchrs 
 the niuliuns ot yuiir fli't'l in tlie upper ri\er." 
 
 As evc'ning approached, the. liL'avier ships of the line moved towards 
 the Deaiiport shore, and anchored as ns/ar it a-; the water would p^r- 
 init, when the boats were lowered and liiled with bailors and marines. 
 as if to iiKikc a descent on the rivnch intri^'nchments. AVliilc the 
 enemy's attention was thus oeeujiied, all the • mailer ships of the fleet 
 suddenly spread out their sails, and with a fair brreze swept jiroudiv 
 past the batt':ries of Quebec, and soon joined Holmes's squadron at 
 Cape Eouge. 7\t the same time !Alonckton's and !^[urray's brigades 
 pushed up along the river tVoni I'oint Levi, till they arrived opposite 
 the fleet, on board of which they cnibarked without being observed by 
 the enemy. At nine o'clock the first division of the army, KiOO strong, 
 silently removed into flat bottomed boats, and waited the orders of 
 their chitjf. 
 
 It was a pleasant Autumn night, and \].c full lustrous stars of a north- 
 ern firmament, twinkled cheerfully down on the noble current of the 
 St. Lawrence, as Wolfe quietly passed from ship to ship to make his 
 fuial inspection, and utter his last v.-ords of encouragement. In a i>u.-(j 
 and gifted mind like his, the solemn hour could scarcely fail of awaken- 
 ing befitting associations. ]Ie spoke of the poet Gray, and the beauti 
 ful legacy he gave the woi'ld in his *' Llegy in a Country Church-yard." 
 " I would prefer,"' said he, " being the author of that poem to the glory 
 of beating the Trench to-morrow ;"' and, while the cautious dip of tlio 
 ours into the rippling current alone broke the stillness of the night, he 
 repeated : — 
 
 '. n " ♦ 
 
 If 
 
 4 
 
 " The boast of lioraldry, the pomp of power, 
 And all that beauty, all that wealth o'er gave, 
 
 Await alike the inexorable hour, 
 The paths of glory load but to the grave." 
 
 About one o'clock, en the morning t)f the ISth, the order to advance 
 was given, and the fiotilla dropped silently down with the receding tide, 
 Wolfe commanding in person. lie still continued his poetical mus- 
 ings, but his eye at the same time was keenly bent on the outline ot 
 thq dark heights, beneath which he fioated past. He recognized at 
 length the appointed spot, and leaped ashore. Meantime, the current 
 had carried a few boats lower down, which had on board the light com- 
 
1759.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 165 
 
 pany of the 78th Highlanders. These were the first troops to land : 
 witliout a moment's hesitation tlioy scrambled up the face of the wooded 
 precipit-e, clinging to the i'o'>ts anil In-cnclk's of trees. Half the ascent 
 was already won, when l!)r the CrsL time the '-7'// r!rr" ufthe French 
 sentry ahove was irivcu. " J.u France,'' promptly answered M-l>onaId, 
 the llighhuid Captain, wilii leady belf-pos.-es>i(jn, and the sentinel 
 shouldered his mn^kf•t and pnr^ued his ronnd-^. In a few niiniites, 
 liowevei', the nini;^iia! nisiiiDg among liie trees near at hand alarnu'<l the 
 sentinels, their gnard was tniiud out, who iired one hiui'ied volley at 
 the Highlanders, ilien [ anic-strieken turned and (led. I'lV this time 
 another body of troop.^ had pn.'ssed up ihc jnulnvay, and posses=-cd 
 tlicmselve'9 of a foiir-gun redoubt which comniandtd it. As day 
 dawned Wolfe stood with his invincible battalions on the Plains of 
 Abraham, the battle-field which gave a new empire to th(! Anglo. 
 Saxon race. Only one gun, however, could be got up the hill, so dilli- 
 I'ult was the ascent. 
 
 [Meanwhile, ^r(.)ntcalni had been comj^letcly deceived by the demon- 
 stration against his lines behnv the town. All night long boats plied 
 i^fl'and on from the shore, while the ships of war swept the beach with 
 their fire, as if to keep it clear for the landing of troops. Daylight at 
 length came on, still he knew nothing of the danger that menaced him 
 ii: another direction. Pre.-.ently the morning breeze bore along the boom 
 uf a distant gun, and the scattered roll of musketry, from above tho 
 holeaguercd town. "While he yet donbtcil as to their cause, a horseman 
 L'alloped up, and told him the British had ascended to the Plains of 
 Abraham. ''It can be but a small party come to burn a few houses atjd 
 retire," saidArontcalm in amazement. The man persisted that the Dritish 
 were there in force. '•Then," said the general, " they have at last got 
 to the weak side of this miserable garrison ; we must give them battio 
 ;uid crush them before mid-day." 
 
 Leaving (Jcn-ernor de Vaudrcuil behind with lirteen hundred militia, 
 nnd despatchingaconrier to recall !M.de liougainviUe, Montcalm hurried 
 his troops across the valley of the St. Charles, over the bridge, and 
 along the northern face of the ramparts to the battle ground, where 
 Wolfe having already formed his line, calmly awaited his approach. 
 The oulh regiment were posted on the extreme right near the preci- 
 pice. On their left stood the grenadiers of Louisburg; the iJSth, tho 
 •lord, the 58th, the 7f^fth Ilighlandin-s, and the 47lli, completed the front, 
 led by Wolfe and ^lonckton on the right, and ^lurray on the left. Tho 
 feeond line composed of the lOth regiment, and two battalions of the 
 tlOth, or lIoyal"Americans,was led by Town&hend. The 48th regiment 
 in four columns formed the reserve, under Colonel Burton. Colonel 
 
f •• '. 
 
 166 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1759, 
 
 ( . • . » 
 
 •►v 
 
 Howe, with tlieli,<,'ht infantry posted in houses, or scattered tliroiifrh tho 
 neiglil'oring coppicus, covered the left (lank and rear. Tho right fl.iiik 
 was cirL't'lually pr(jte('tc'd by tho precipice. Tlie entire British army 
 was suuicwhat under .jOOO men, but they were all ■well trained 
 veterans. 
 
 About six o'clock small bodies of the French troops deployed on the 
 slopes, near tlu! ramparts of the city; by seven they mustered more 
 numerously, and brought up two field guns, which caused some annoy- 
 ance to the British. Towards eight o'clock Montcalm had arrived with 
 the bulk of his army, which he formed in three distinct masses, on a 
 slope to the northwest of the city, where they were sheltered from 
 Wolfe's solitary but mischievous gun. At nine o'clock he pushed to 
 the front, and began to form his lino of battle, being assured that M. 
 de J3ougainville was close at hand, and whose light cavalry, of which he 
 had o50, already threatened the British left. His centre was formed of 
 720 regular troops and 1200 militia. The right was composed of 1(500 
 veterans and 400 mililia ; on the left were loOO trained soldiers, sup- 
 ported by 2.'>00 of the Canadian levies. His total force thus amounted 
 to 75:20 men, besides Indians, who were not less than 400.'^' Oi those 
 only about one half were regular troops, but the expected arrival of 
 M. de Bougainville would add loOO veterans to his force, and he trust- 
 ed enable him to win the battle and save Quebec. 
 
 Montcalm designed to avail himself of his superior force, by out- 
 flanking the British left, and thus crowding them towards the landing 
 place, wherc^he would assail them again with his own left and centre, 
 while de Bougainville threatened their rear. Thus attacked on three 
 sides of a square at the same time, he considered that tho stubborn 
 courage of the enemy must give way. The British position formed 
 two sides of a square, oikj of which was occupied by their line of battle, 
 the other by Colonel Howe's light infantry, who, as already stated, 
 thus covered the left flank and rear. 
 
 Agreeable to his plan of operations, Montcalm began the battle at 
 ten o'clock, by assailing Howe's position with a strong body of Cana- 
 dian and Indian skirmishers, who speedily drove in the British pickets 
 on their supports. Under cover of the cloud of smoke, which ?oon rose 
 over this part of the battle-field, the French veterans of their right 
 wing passed swiftly at an angle with the British left, and fiercely as- 
 
 '. f 
 
 k 
 
 * IjaiRToft ostiiiiatos tlio French army untlor 5ii0(>, hut quotes no authority 
 in support of tliis statement. tNuith, -wlio wrote shortly after the battle, and had 
 access to the most accurate sources of iuroriiialiou on this Lead, gives the number 
 as iibovc. 
 
1759.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 107 
 
 sauUed their liplit infantry. Howe frit tlie innpoitaiioo of Iiis post, 
 and iiiado a stoi.t resistance. Tlis men fell fast, Lnt in a ffw minutes 
 Townshend with the l.')th refrinicnt, and twn liattalioiis of th<^ <»Oth, 
 came to his aid, and the assailants were speedily beaten back with 
 heavy loss. 
 
 The attempt to ont-dank the liritish left beinc^ thus comidetely de- 
 feated, ^fontcalm's only resource was to attack their rij^ht and centre. 
 Throwing forward a swarm of skirmishers, their lire s|iei'dily dislodj;e(l 
 the few light infantry with which Wolfe had covered ids front, and 
 drove them back in disorder on the main body. This occurrence some- 
 what alarmed the I'ritish troops, but Wolfe, hurrying along the line, 
 cheered them by his voice and presence, and directed them on no ac- 
 count to fire without orders. lie speedily succeeded in restoring con- 
 fijence. Kecalling his light troops, Montcalm now pushed forward his 
 whole centre and left, who, with loud cheers and arms at the recover, 
 moved boldly on to the attack. As the smoke of the skirmishers' fire 
 cleared ofTfrom the battle-field, the long ranks of the French were seen 
 rapidly approaching the I'rltish position. At the distance of I.'IO yards, 
 an oblique m.ovcment from the left gave their lines the appearance of 
 columns, which chiefly threatened Wolfe's right wing. Another mo- 
 ment passed, the French paused, and from flank to flank poured a mur- 
 derous and rapid fire upon the British line. The Soth and grenadiers 
 fell fast, still not a shot was returned. Wolfe was struck in fhe wrist, 
 but wrapping a handkerchief round the wound, he hurried from rank ta 
 rank, warning his men to reserve their fire for a shorter and deadlier 
 range. Not a single trigger was pulled. With arms shouldered as if 
 on parade, and motionless, saved when they closed upon the ghastly gaps 
 made in their ranks by the French fire, these gallant men waited the 
 word of command, with that indomitable endurance, which has ever 
 characterized the British soldier when properly trained and led. 
 
 The French were still unharmed, their confidence increased, and with 
 a loud cheer they pressed forward against the British. A few moments 
 more, and only forty paces separated the combatants. And now the 
 clear voice of Wolfe giving the word to fire rises over the field. The 
 order passes like an electric shock along the British line; its long row 
 of muskets is swiftly levelled ; and the next instant a well-aimed volley, 
 almost as distinct as a single shot, rolls over the hattle-field. J t fell 
 with terrible cfl'ect upon the advancing foe. Numbers of the French 
 soldiers reeled and fell at once, others staggered for a moment, then 
 dropped aside to die; others again burst from the ranks, shrieking in 
 agony. Presently the breeze which blew gently across the battle-field, 
 carried away the smoke of one of the deadliest volleys that ever burst 
 
i6d 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [nsa. 
 
 1 , • . » 
 
 I 
 
 I . 
 
 ! % - 
 
 '. I- 
 
 
 from Hritish infiuury, mid the iissailing battalions wcro seen reduced 
 to nicro jTroups among the slain. 
 
 Scarcely fil'teon minutes had elapsed since ]\[ontoalm had made hU 
 principal attack, and already the battle was lost. The Pirigadier do St. 
 Ours was killed, and ^l. de Senezergucs, the second in command, mor- 
 tallv \,(ijndcd, while the Canadian militia h:id broken and (led in con- 
 fusion. Still tlu^ g:\llant Frenchman was not dismayed. I'iding 
 tlirouirh 'he broken ranks, he cheered the men with his voice, and in- 
 duced t!' 'm to reform. ]\[caiitinie, the British troops had reloaded, and 
 Wolfe iv solving to take advantage of the disorder in tlus French ranks, 
 ordered his whole line to advance, [ilaeing himself at the head of the 
 52'Sth and grenadiers. For a few minutes they move forward steadily, 
 then their pace increases to a run, and with bayonets at the cliargo 
 th(>y rush upon the French. Just then Wolfe was wounded a secoiid 
 time in tlus body, but still pressing forward ho received a ball in the 
 breast. "Support me," he said to an ollieer near him, "let not my 
 brave fellows see me fall." He was carried to the rear, and water was 
 brought him to quench his thirst. 
 
 Still the British pressed forward with fiery valor. On the right the 
 ooth swept all befi)re them ; in the centre, the'iSth and Louisburg gre- 
 nadiers moved firmly on ; on the left, the HSth and 78ih overcame a 
 stubborn and bloody resistance, and the last corps with its terrible 
 claymore followed swiftly in pursuit, and supplied the want of cavalry. 
 This fierce struggle fell heavily on the British, but was terribly destruc- 
 tive to the French. They v.avercd under the carnage ; but Montcalm 
 galloping among his stubborn veterans, called on theni to re-form, and 
 again oppose the advancing foe. His cfTurts were vain; the head of 
 every formation was nnjwed down by the terrible fire of the British, 
 who soon rushing forward at the charge compelled his troops to give 
 way in every direction. At this critical period he fell mortally 
 wounded, and from that moment all was utter route and confusion. 
 
 Wolfe's life ebbs last away ; yet from time to time he essays to 
 look upon the battle, and clear away the dcath-mlst that gathers on his 
 sight. Presently his spirit draws nearer " to that bourne whence ni> 
 traveller returneth;" he sinks backward and gives no signs of 
 life beyond a heavy breathing, and the occasional groan of painful dis- 
 solution. The French fly in all directions. " They run! they run I" ex- 
 claimed some of the oflieers, who stood by their dying general. " Vv ho 
 runs?" eagerly asked Wolfe, like one aroused from sleep. " The enemy, 
 Sir," answered the officer who supported him, '-they give way every- 
 where." ■' Go one of you to Colonel Burton," said Wolfe, " tell him 
 to march Webb's regiment (the 48th) with all speed down to the St» 
 
1750.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 169 
 
 Charles River to cut ofT th^ir ri'trcat." ITi;i volco gr»:!\v fainter atul 
 fainter as ho spnlu*, and ho tiirnod as if to seek an easier position on his 
 side. Four days bt'f()r(; he had loolvcd forward to an early death with 
 dismay, hut he now felt ho would Ijroath his last breath on the firld of vic- 
 tory, and that he had well done his duty tohis country. " Now <}od hi; 
 praised ! I die happy," said the gallant soldier, faintly, yet distinctly ; 
 and Wolfe, who had won a now enijiire tor his race, pass.-d tVoin this 
 material world to iininortiillt}-. I'nt while tongne can tell, or pen re- 
 cord, the atnials uf the past, h; will nevei' h.' fi)rgo;;,'n. In a few brief 
 years he had crowded actions that wunid have refl.'cted lustre on the" 
 longest life. Thv; morning of his career h;i(| given [iroinisc of no ordi- 
 nary greatness, that promise was laore than rea!i->''d at a period when 
 other men only appear proiuinenlly on the world's stage, and hi-, day 
 closed as it reached its meridian in the blaze of one of the most mo- 
 mentons victoi'ics that has ever marked the annals of the human race. 
 
 Grape shot from the ramparts of Qnebi-e, and the fire of the iVigates 
 grounded in the St. Charles, checked the [uir-tiit of tlie 15rilisli, whoso 
 rear was already threatened by tlic near ap]iroaeh of }\\. (b !» jugain- 
 ville's formidable cor[)s of veterans, ^fonckton had been shot through 
 the lungs, and Town-hend, now the scnicn* oflicer, hastened to recall his 
 disordered battalions to opp(>se this new enc'.ny. JI"s arrangements, 
 were strietiv defi'U-ive ; and while tbrminii his line of battle ho ad- 
 vanced the 8.')lh and ISlh, wiiii two field-picees, one of wliieh had just 
 been captured from the. I'rench, to meet the advancing f-rce, anil 
 if possible to cheek its approach. But the news of Montcalm's total 
 defeat speedily reaching M. de Bougainville, he declined meeting a 
 victorious enemy, and hastily retreated to Cape IJouge. On the same 
 day the !Mar<juis do \'audreuil, with his l.")00 Canadians, deserted tho 
 lines below Quebec, and leaving all his artillery, tents, ammunition, and 
 stores behind, nnidc; a hurried reti'eat towards Jacipics Carlier. 
 
 The loss of the Ibitish, in tho memorable battle of the TMains (•( 
 Abraham, amounted to 50 killed, and 507 wounded of all ranks; tliat of 
 the French to GOO killed, and over 1000 wounded and taken prisoners.*' 
 The militia Avere completely disorganised by the defeat, and a largo 
 
 * I liave followed Sniitli iUid rius^ill in giving this cslimatt,' of tlio {'roiicli los.x. 
 Every probability is in favor of it.s oorroctiiess. ]!■ .-idos W(jlf>', thr Briiisli had 
 ofotlioar?, 1 captain, C liculcMiants, and 1 onsigii kill'<b One Brigadier (Monek- 
 ton), tlic Quarter-niastor G(!noral (Barru), ',) .staff otrici'r.-. 1-1 captains, -20 lio\itt'- 
 nants, and II ensi^^ns wcro wounded. Vide War UtVico Return of killed and 
 wounded on 13th September, 1150. Previous to the laili, \Volfe's army had lost 
 182 killed, G55 wounded, and 17 missing. 
 
170 
 
 THE IlISTOUY 
 
 [n.-io. 
 
 V. 
 
 I « 
 
 firoporlion of llicni novci" rojolnc'd tlulr ccilors. As tlicy ran away 
 mIkh llicv saw victdiv iiic'liiilii'' towards ilic IJiiii^li, ilicv suirLTtd much 
 less than tlic rccriilar troops, who were ahnost dt'stroN rd. 
 
 From the (ii'ld ol hattU' iiiid its rt'sults — from llio hist moments of 
 the iniTuoilal AN'oIfc, lit us now turn aside fur a hricf space, and stand 
 at tlu! lit'd-sidc ol'the ifalhuit Mnnleahn. W hiMi his wound wasdressec], 
 ho nsked the sur_^cons if it was mortal, and being answered in tlie allir- 
 mative, calmly said " I am iihul of it; Imw long can 1 survive?" "Per- 
 haps a dozen hours, and perhaps less," was the rejily. "So much the 
 better," I'ejoined the general, " I shall not live to sec the surrender ot' 
 Quebec.'' To a couneil-of-war which hastily assenddcd, he showed that 
 in twelve hours all tin; troops near at hand might be concentrated, and 
 the llritish attacked before they liad lime to intrencli themselves; but 
 liis proposition was overruled,* AVith him tlio hope of France in 
 Canada was (h'parting. De llamsay, who commanded the garrison, asked 
 his orders about defending the city. " To your keeping," he replied, " I 
 commend tlie honor of Franco. I wish you all comfort, and to be happily 
 extricated from your perplexities. As for me. my time is sliort, I shall 
 pass the night withlJod, and prepare myself lor deatli." To another he 
 said, " since it Mas my misfortune to be discomfited, and mortally 
 wounded, it is a great consolation to be vanquished by so great and 
 generous an enemy." lie shortly afterwards ctilled for liis chaplain, 
 who, with the Bishop, administered the last oflices of his religion, and 
 remained with him till he died next day. 'J'hus terminated the career 
 of a great general, and a brave man. Trained from his youth in the 
 art of war ; laborious, just, and self-denying, he otlered a reniarkahle 
 exception to the venality of tiie public men of Canada at this period, 
 and in the midst of universal corruption made the general good his aim. 
 Night, the rushing tide, veteran discipline, and more brilliant genius, 
 had given his rival the victory, yet he was not the less great; and 
 while the name of Wollc will never be forgotten, that of Montcalm is 
 also engraved by its side on the lasting scroll of human fame. The 
 latter has been censured for not abiding the chances of a siege, rather 
 than risking a battle. But with a town already in ruins, a garrison 
 deficient in provisions and ammunition, and an enemy to contend 
 with possessed of a formidable siego train, the fire of which must 
 speedily silence his guns, he acted wisely in staking the issue on a 
 battle, in which if he found defeat, he met also an honorable and 
 glorious death. 
 
 No sooner had his men recruited themselves after the fatigues of 
 
 Raynai's America, vol. 2. p, 128. 
 
1*50.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 ni 
 
 b.ittlo, and tho wounded Itcon cleared from the grov.nd, than Town 
 shcnd promptly proceeded to intrench himself, and secure his position 
 from assault by the construction of redoubts. Tlie coiumunieations ol 
 the city with the country wer(^ next cut olT as fur as possible, and 
 breaching batteries rapidly pushed forward. By the evening of the Hth 
 no less than sixty-one jiicces of heavy artillery, and lifty-scvcn of 
 smaller calibre, had with the united labor of soldiers and sailors been 
 dragged to the camp. To support the land-force. Admiral Saunders 
 had already moved tho whole of his (lect into the basin,'prcporatory to 
 an attack on the Lower Town. The besieged had endeavored to' re- 
 tard these operations I)y constantly plying their guns, but their exer- 
 tions were inefTectual, and to their great dismay tho trenches of the 
 British rapidly rose u[) before them. 
 
 Governor de Vaudreuilhad retreated precipitately, without throwing 
 provisions into the city, and (he small snpv'ly furnished by the cavalry 
 of M. de liougainville, who had established himself at I'cauport, was of 
 scarcely any inipf)rtance. TIedueed to a few ounces of bread per diem, 
 extreme famine now menaced the wretched garrison. The unhappy 
 ritizens pressed Governor de Iiamsay to capitulate, before they were re- 
 iluccd to the last extremity. " \Ve have cheerfully sacrificed our 
 houses and our fortunes," said they, " but we canno! expose our wives 
 and children to massacre." De Levi, at Montreal, had already heard 
 of the death of Montcalm, and by request of the ^Tarquis do Vau- 
 Jrcuil hastened to (Quebec to assume the chief command. IIo arrived 
 at the French head-quarters, in the neighborhood of Jacques Carticr, 
 on the Kith, and immediately convened a council-of war, at which it 
 was determined to raise the siege if possilde. A message was 
 despatched to ^I. do Kamsay, to tell him to hold out to the last extre- 
 mity, as on the 18th the whole army would bo in motion, and a dis- 
 position made to throw in a large supply of provisions, and relieve the 
 town. But this intelligence came too late. On the evening of the 
 17th the terms of capitulation had been agreed on; early next morning 
 they were fully ratified, and Quebec surrendered. In the evening the 
 keys of tho city were delivered up, and the Louisburg Grenadiers 
 marched in, while at the same time Captain Palliser, of the navy, with 
 a body of seamen, took possession of the Lower Town. De Levi heard 
 all this at Cape Kouge, whither he had advanced with his disposable 
 force, and immediately retired to Jacques Carticr, whence he shortly 
 after proceeded to Montreal, leaving M. de Bougainville to watch the 
 enemy. 
 
 Quebec had at length fallen. All the British colonies rung with ex- 
 
 N 
 
l\ « 
 
 t ; ■ 
 I 
 
 172 
 
 Tiir: HISTORY 
 
 [1759. 
 
 uliiilioii; towns were illumiiiiiteil, bonlircs flaslu'd on the hills of Ni'w 
 JC!i,:rlunil ; nncl lc<.;i.slalive halls, the jniljiit, : ' tho prcs?, iv.echoL'il ih" 
 lumultuous sounds of joy iliai aru.^u c>V(.r ihu laud. Wolfe's do^nntch 
 of till' iUh Septi'MdnT had i-iiiscd the llrlti.^h nation to dos|)und oidy loi 
 tA(. Iniof days, whon iiitflliiiencu arrived of iiii victory, his dralh, nn<\ 
 III' :iiiriMidLi' (if (^lulur. Ai,in«'r<jus iHi)|)le Innvalli'd hi; uutimclv 
 t;r.d. whilr lln'y icjuivcd in hl:^ triunii»li. Pailianiont voteil him a nionu- 
 nio'.iL in Wostniiu^ttT Aljl»y. Luid lJaIhou,^ic siultsoinicnlly iToctcd a 
 I'illar in honor of liiin and Ivlonterdni at tiiicl»cc, and f.oi'd Aylni.'r 
 plaocd a memorial wIh.k^ lio fell. J lis body w.is omb.iliued, and con- 
 veyed to Greenwich, whcru it waj placoJ bo-ido hi i father, who hiv! 
 died only a few months before. 
 
 f^- 
 
 U^ 
 
 I 'I 
 
1750.] 
 
 or CANADA. 
 
 178 
 
 CII APTKU IX. 
 
 .>uhi:j:nj)i;u ov canada 'lo (jkkat immtaix. 
 
 Wet, cold, and sUjriiiy wiMllicr, uliitU tlii'iuU'ind ihi' Uritisli titio|is 
 with sickiK'ss, and tho flout with accident, Kd SanndiTs and 'I'ownslicnd 
 to grant vory I'avui'aljlu conditions to ihu pirri^un «ji'Qiicl)iH'/''ani()iniL- 
 iii5 to about 1000 of all ranksi. They wcru peiinillrd to march oat 
 with all tho lK)nor3 of war, to bo aftorwaids conveyed to tho nearest 
 port in Franco, On laying down their arms the inlial)ifants were to 
 be protected in their persuns and jiroperty, and perinitled tho Irceexor- 
 ciso of their religion, while clinrches and convents were to be s?hielded 
 by guards from insult. Those conditions were faithfully fuifdled by tho 
 Ijritish, and so grateful were tho people for tho clemency shown thoni, 
 that numbers camo of their own accord to take tho oath of allegiance to 
 King George II. 
 
 Un tho ISth of October, the entire fleet, with the cxce[ition of tho 
 liucehone o(''20, and tho Porcupine of 18 guns, dei)arted for Halifax or 
 England. Brigadier Townshend at tho same time proceeded home, 
 while Monckton went to winter in tho milder climate of New York, 
 where he soon recovered from his wound. To Murray was intrusted 
 the government of Quebec, with Colonel Burton as his lieulenant- 
 guvernor, and the troops of all ranks and arms, now amounting to only 
 7300 men, for his garrison. The sick and wounded, who were not 
 likely to recover speedily, were taken home in the fleet. Soon after its 
 departure a French vessel, bearing despatches from the Mar(|uis do 
 Vaudreuil and the lutendant, passed secretly down by Quebec during a 
 fog, and after escaping many dangers arrived safely in France. These 
 despatches ware filled with criminations and recriminations. Do 
 Vaudreuil bitterly censured M. de llamsay for his [>recipitate sur- 
 render of Quebec, while others held up his own flight from the lines 
 at tho Montmorency in no very flattering terms. 
 
 * General Townshend'a Letter to I'itt, September 20tli, 175'J. 
 
174 
 
 Tin: iiisToiiY 
 
 [KfiD. 
 
 Y/-'^ 
 
 
 
 ♦.IV 
 
 • » > 
 
 .1 
 *■ I 
 
 
 Tho condition of Canada, so recently tlin most important erilotiy (>( 
 France, liad been complttcly alttTtd by one disastrnus cainpaij^'n. 
 Shut out from Lake ('liamplaiii, l>y the loss of Tieondero^rn and Cn. wn 
 Point, from tho west, by the fall of Nia;,'iira, while theconiinest of (^iio- 
 hoc excluded her from the sea-board, all tho posts of importance that 
 now rcmuined in French hands, were those of Threo Rivers, Montreal, 
 Frontcnac, Detroit, and Mackinaw. The strongest positions had all 
 passed into IJritish hands, and many of the bi'avt!st veterans of ]''ranco 
 had found graves in the land, wliich their valor had vainly striven to 
 dolend, or had been borne away as prisoners across tho Atlantic The 
 condition of the unfortunate Habitants was most deplorable. Kvcry 
 hamlet had its sick or wounded men, provisions became scarcer than 
 ever as winter projrressed, rose to famine prices, and many pi oide 
 ])crislied from want. At length the farmers would scarcely ])art with 
 their provisions at any price ; still IJi^ot and llu; commissary-general, 
 (^adet, managed ])y force at one time, by threats and promises at another, 
 to procure a scanty subsistence for the troops at Montreal. Even al 
 (Quebec, the IJritish soldiers suffered severely from the want of fresh pro- 
 visions. Scurvy broke out amongst them from the ahnost continual 
 use of salt fooj and biscuit, and carried off nearly 1000 men, while it 
 rendered twice that number unlit for duty. 
 
 During the winter Murray maile every exertion to strengthen the 
 defences of Quebec, and provide for the comfort of the garrison. lie 
 erected eight timber redoubts outside the defences towards the I'lainsof 
 Abraham, and armed them with artillery, laid in eleven month's provi- 
 sions in the citadel, ami repaired HOG of the injured houses as barracks 
 for his troops. lie liki'wisc establi died out-posts at favorable points 
 in the neighborhood, which proved of considerable advantage in con- 
 cealing his movements from the enemy, in collecting provisions, and con- 
 firming the country people in their allegiance, eleven parishes having 
 already placed themselves under the protection of the I'ritish. 
 
 Aleanwhile, the French troops at Jacques Cartier were not idle. 
 They harassed the British out-posts whenever an opportunity presented 
 itself, while jM. do Levi, at ^Montreal, steadily pushed forward prepara- 
 tions for the re-capture of Quebec in the spring, before succor 
 17G0. could arrive. The moment the weather permitted, he directed 
 tho French vessels, which had escaped up the river from Saun- 
 ders's fleet, to be refitted, the small craft to be repaired, and galleys 
 built, on board of which he placed stores and ammunition withdrawn 
 from the Forts at St. John's and Chambly, and such other supplies as 
 he could collect. The Marquis de Vaudreuil seconded these exertions 
 by publishing an inflammatory address to tho Canadian people, in 
 
1700.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 n5 
 
 t)n. ITo 
 
 Mains of 
 s provi- 
 )arr;ick> 
 points 
 
 in con- 
 and CDn- 
 
 baving 
 
 iot iJlc. 
 I'csenteil 
 jprepara-^ 
 le snccor 
 Idirccted 
 m Saun- 
 ralleys 
 thdrawn 
 )plics as 
 Ixcrtions 
 
 lople, in 
 
 which till' Injury's ftn<l Injnstico itiflicti'd by tho Hritinh governor df 
 (jucIm-c wcro paiiif»(l in falsi' and li ;^'hly oolorod biti<,'iiai,'»'. 
 
 Oil the 17th ot' April, (ioicTuI do Levi, hiiviiig cumphtivl his prepara- 
 tions, K't^ Montreal with all his flvaljablc furco, and collc(>tiiij» on liis 
 wuv downwards tho several dotuchod (.'orpn scattorL-d at tht> diU'crcnt 
 posts, arrived at Cape Uuugi; wllli cij^ht Ijattalioiis nf rcirular troops, 
 4500 strong, «»000 Canadians, of whom 'KH) were cavalry, and over \iO() 
 bidiaiis. ])o N'aiidreiiil hail sent belts to Mcvcral of the native tribes [o 
 indiiee thcni to join the French army, but the wary sivat^'s held aloof 
 from its failing fortunes, and cither allied ihetnselves with the Uritish, 
 or remained neutrc. Do Levi's heavy artillery, ammunition, and stores, 
 were conveyed down tho river in boats and oilier vessels. 
 
 On the morning of tho 27th, boforo day, a Froneh artilleryman was 
 resoued from the river off a floating cake of ice, who gave Murray the 
 first intelligence of the a[)proach of a hostile foree. IFe stated tho 
 French flotilla had been seriously injured by a storm, as well as by the 
 difliculty of navigation, owing to the river not being free from ice, 
 which still drifted in large quantities. The boat in which he was had 
 been swamped in the storm, and he had great difliculty in saving him- 
 self by scrambling from one piece of ice to another. lie rated the 
 Friinch army at nearly 12,000 men, which was speedily to be support- 
 ed by all the frigates and vessels of war they could collect. The aid 
 of a fleet from Franco wtvs also looked for, as well as the immediate 
 arrival of a frigate, laden with stores, which had wintered at Gaspc. 
 
 ^lurray marched out during the day, with all the troops that could 
 be spared from garrison duty, to cover tho retreat of his advanced posts 
 at Cape Rouge and elsewhere, a duty he performed with tiie loss of 
 only two men, and retired on the approach of evening, after breaking 
 down all the bridges. De Levi, however, pushed rapidly forward 
 down the St. Foy road, and at nine o'clock on the morning of the 28tli 
 was within three miles of Quebec. The British general with an army 
 reduced by disease, desertion, and death, to less than o500 available 
 men, had already formed the unaccountable resolution of giving the 
 enemy battle. In his subsequent report to the Steretary of State, he 
 excused this unfortunate determination. "Having well weighed my 
 peculiiir position," said he, " and well knowing that in shutting myself 
 within the walls of the city I should risk the whole stake on the chance 
 of defending a wretched fortification, which could not be lessened by 
 an action in the (ield." 
 
 Shortly after day -break ^Murray formed his skeleton battalions on the 
 Plains of Abraham, supported by twenty pieces of artillery, planted *at 
 Uie most favorable points. Having completed his on' t of battle, he 
 
no 
 
 THE IIISTOR\ 
 
 
 V . • , '• . - I 
 
 .'!.■ 
 
 ."» 
 
 
 .1 
 
 :.!• 
 
 [noo. 
 
 rodo to llio front, to rooonnoitrc the enemy's position. The previous 
 iiifflit had l)cen wot, so he fi)und tlio French occupied in putting tlieir 
 arms into order, and in other rcsj^ects unprepared, as he supposed, for 
 action. Tliinkin<r (his a favorable opportiniity to as=aii them, lio yave 
 orders for an immediate attaeli, wliieh was pladly olieyed by his little 
 armv, wlio pushed forward in admirable order over the brow of the 
 heights, and into the ]ilains beyond. 
 
 T)e Levi at first could scarcely believe that the Uritlsh seriously in. 
 tended t^ attack his overwhelming force, and they had almost advaiiocil 
 within pun-shot rnuL".' before \n\ called his troops to arms. His line (if 
 battle, after a momentary confusion, was speedily formed, and soinc 
 e(mipanics of (i;renadiers thrown into tlie woods on the right, to cover 
 his flank in that dlreclion. These almost immediately encountered tlic 
 skirmishers and lijilit troops on the IJritisli left, v,ho speedily drove 
 them in on the main-body, and followinrr too far in pursuit got in fiont 
 (^f their own ariilU-ry, and compelled its silence for a time. The a:]- 
 vance of the I'ritisb light trooj'S was soon checkcil, however, by tho 
 steady front of the French supports, whose fire quickly compelled them 
 to retire. 
 
 De Levi's army was l)y this time formed in battle array, and \hc 
 action speei'ily became general. J'^^r an hour and three-quarters did 
 the battle ragt' wi;h iiio utmo?;, fury; but finally the numbers of tlie 
 French jirevailcd. 'i'lie L'ritish left was thrown into disorder and nave 
 way; the right wps also hardly pressed, and Mm-ray was compelled to 
 retreat, leaving nearly tho whole of his gui;s in the hands of the enemv. 
 and oOO dead upon the field. Tlie greater part of the wotnidci', 
 amounting in all to 700, he succeeded, however, in carrying with li'm. 
 
 Nearly a third of the British ar.my were killed or wounded; but still 
 the French h;id dearly purchased their vlcto.y, by a loss, according ti 
 their own admission, of fidly ISOO jiut /lors de comLat. So exas- 
 perated were they at the obstinacy of the contest l)y so small a force. 
 that they stained their triumph by refusing quarter to several Enrrlii^'i 
 oflieers.* and giving up the llrilish wounded, left on the field, to tln' 
 i'ni'v of the Inili;m<. <->nt of nearly 100 of these, unavoidably abar- 
 doncd by I*.Iurr;\v In his retreat, only 28 were sent to hospital ; the rest 
 were massacred by the savages. j 
 
 But, if the Ih'itish general had committed an error in ]ia:rarding a 
 liattle with his inferior force, he amply atoned for it by the resolute 
 maimer in which he prepared to defend the city. On the very evening 
 of the battle he issued a general order to his troops, in which he soinjlit 
 
 Smith's Ilisl. Cun. vol. 1. p. 337. 
 
 f Conquest of Can. vol. 2. p. 2:V2. 
 
 * . *• 
 
[1700. 
 
 previous 
 iiif^ thoir 
 lOsod, for 
 , ho gavo 
 liis liiiic 
 w of lli^ 
 
 iously in- 
 aclvniicnl 
 is line, nf 
 niil soini' 
 to cover 
 itercd the 
 iiy (li'dve 
 t in front 
 The a:]. 
 r, l>_v tho 
 si led them 
 
 ■, and ilio 
 irters did 
 M'S of {\v 
 and pnvr 
 1 pel led to 
 le enemy. 
 M-onnded, 
 1th li'm. 
 but still 
 ordinii t ■> 
 So exa?- 
 11 a force, 
 il lilnnlis'.i 
 d, to till' 
 )lv abaiv 
 ; the rest 
 
 ^avdin;! ^ 
 I' reHOiiil"' 
 y evenii!!: 
 he pout) lit 
 
 17(50.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 177 
 
 to raise their spirits by statin?, " that althoiipfh the moruinG; hat! boon 
 unfortunate to the British arms, yet afl'iirs were not desperate, rlii'.t n 
 fleet miizht soon bo expected; and it only reniained I'ur olHecrs and 
 men patiently tn bear the unavoidable fatii'iies of a siege." The gar- 
 rison was now reduced to '^'^OO enbetivc men, but these were animated 
 by tlie best spirit, and even the v/fumded men, wlio could not walk 
 without crutches, seating themselves on the ramparts, made sanddjaus; 
 t'or the works, and cartridges for the cannon. The soldiers's wives, of 
 whom there were nearly 500, and all of whom with scarcely ;in ex- 
 ception had enjoyed excellent health during the Winter, were abso 
 active in attending the wounded, and cooking for the troops. 
 
 De Levi broke ground on the evening of the 28th, eight huii.lred 
 yards from the ramparts, but several days elapsed before his batteries, 
 consisting of thirteen guns and two mortars, opened upon the town. 
 Murray had in the meantime placed 1-32 guns in position on the walls. 
 and as many of the infantry had been trained to act as artillei'yi'M'ii 
 diuiiig the preceding winter, he was enabled to keep up a fire wlii'h 
 comiilctely overpowered that of the French. Ibit the hopes of ilio l)e- 
 iieged rested thiefiy for deliverance on the arrival of the fleet, I'lie 
 French army looked also for aiil froni an expected scjuadron.'^" Ou tin) 
 iitli of ]\rav. a fricatc was seen rounding the headland of Point lj(;vi, 
 Olid slat^.ding tv'v.-ards the city. Foi- a brief spate, an intense anviety 
 krid Complete possession of besiegers and besieged. Ibit presently ;i 
 (lag is run up to the mizon peak of the strange ship, the Union Jack float ■■! 
 boldly out, and a boat puts off for the Lower Town, when the garris<:!i 
 — olhcers and men, mounted the rampartr in the face of the enemy, 
 nd made the welkin ring with hearty I!riti>h cheers. On the l.jlii 
 two other frigates arrived, under the command of Commodore Swain- 
 ion. Next day the French shipping above the town, consisting ef two 
 (Vigates and several armed ves>;els, were attacked, and forced on -.hr.ire 
 <^r destroyed. 
 
 The fi)llowing night the siege was raised, and ^l. de Levi precipitate- 
 ly retreated, leaving his provisions, guns, tents, ammunition, and in- 
 trenching tools behind. ]\Iurr:iy hsid made preparations for a vigorous 
 sally on the niorning of the 17th, and when informeil of the retreat of 
 the besieu'cr.-i pushed I'apidly out in pin'sui'; with his grenadiers atid lighi 
 infantry, but was only able to capture some stragga;rs from their rear- 
 LMard,, De Levi retreated to Jacques Cartier, and ari;erwards proccede/l 
 
 * Tlii^, consisting of one frigate, two .■'.I'ro-.'diip', and nineteen fmallcr vij-Bi'lf!. 
 wns captured in Clialeur Lay I)y a Briti'iii tqniulon from Louisburg. 
 
178 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1700 
 
 .'l::. 
 
 ! . 
 
 ". * 
 
 to Montreal, where the last stand was to bo made against tho eflbrts of 
 the British. 
 
 The siege of Quebec, short as it had been, furnished many opportu- 
 nities to the oflicers of the difTerent French departments to make money. 
 They felt their time was short; and, resolving to malvc hay while the 
 sun shone, indulged in the most shameful peculations and public rob- 
 beries. The people gradually became more and more dissalistied, and 
 several began to look forward to English rule as a benefit instead 
 of injury. Murray increased this feeling by issuing a judicious procla- 
 mation on the 22nd May. lie stated briefly that the peaceable inhabi 
 tants would be fully protected, as well as those who at once laid down 
 their arms, and remained neutrc. France, her fleets defeated, and her 
 treasury exhausted, could give them no assistance. The bills of 
 exchange of the last year, drawn upon the government by the Cana- 
 dian ofHcials were still undischarged, and the total depreciation of the 
 colonial paper money,* in consequence, must entail a train of misfor- 
 
 * In the early settlement of Canada, there had been but little specie in it, and 
 whatever sums of money that had been imported, were remitted to France, to 
 purchase goods and other articles ■wanted by tiie inhabitants. The Court of 
 Franco, with the view of increasing the quantity of money, issued, in the year 
 one thousand six hundred and seventy, a particular coin for all the French set- 
 tlements in America, and directed, that its value should be one fourth more than 
 it passed current at in France. This expedient had not the eh'cet expected, 
 which led the Government to substitute la papier aux mctaux, which answered 
 every purpose, both in paying the troops and the other expenses of Government, 
 until the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty, when the Government 
 of France, not having made provision for the redemption of the stock, they sunk 
 into discredit and became of little or no value. This cireumstanee again intro- 
 duced the use of gold and silver, but the merchants finding remittances in casli, 
 both hazardous and difficult, presented a memorial to the King of France, I'e- 
 questing the introduction of paper money ; card money was then introduced. 
 On eaeli card was stamped the arms of the King of France, and each was signed 
 by the Governor, Intondant and Comptrollei'. Tlieso bills were of difTerent de 
 nomin.itions, from a thousand livros to fifteen sous, and were prefoi'red by the in 
 habitants to specie, and answered every purpose for which they were inteiulcd 
 In tiie month of October of every year, the holder was at liherty to hring these 
 cards to the Intendant's OHico, and had a right to demand bills of exchange 
 on old France in payment. This right gave the paper currency even a jirefe 
 renee over vaxily cash, for the governnuint would not take cash for bills of 
 exciiange. Although the inhabitants might liave brought all their card?, to 
 the year one thousand seven hundred and fif(y-7iiiie for |iayment, yer, heiiig as 
 current as cash, considerable quantities remained in circulation; as a proof ot 
 which, it may be mentioned, that there were extant, some ot the cards of the 
 year one thousand seven Im idred and twenty-nine, in the year one thousand 
 -■even huadr^j mjj fifty-niuo. It was at iJiis pei'iod that the Inteudant, an ! 
 
 
1760.] OF CANADA. 179 
 
 tunes they could alone escape by adhoriiig to a nation like Britain, 
 abounding in riches and great prosperity. It concluded by informing 
 the inhabitants, " that if they withdrew themselves from the army of 
 M. de Levi, and gave it no assistance, further injury should not be done 
 their homes or growing crops, and that thus the evils of anoUier famine 
 would be averted.*' 
 
 This proclamation, which was widely circulated, had now a most ex- 
 cellent effect upon the Habitants. Several copies were eveu sent to 
 Montreal, which so enraged the French general, that he threatened to 
 hang any person found with one in his possession. But his anger avail- 
 ed him little ; the ardor of the peasantry visibly abated, and it was 
 evident from the progress of events, that the reign of French ofiicial 
 oppression and extortion in Canada was rapidly drawing towards its 
 close. 
 
 By the 22nd of July, Amherst had assembled an army 10,000 
 strong, and 700 Indians at Oswego. On the 10th of August he embark- 
 ed en route for Montreal, and arrived at Ogdensburg on the 19th. The 
 French fort at this place was invested next day. On the 23rd the 
 British batteries opened their fire, which was vigorously replied to by 
 the garrison, who, however, surrendered at discretion on the 25th. 
 Amherst learned that the Iroquois intended to massacre the French 
 soldiers as soon as they gained admissioii within the works. This he 
 sternly forbade, and declared if they attempted such an outrage that 
 he would restrain them by force. They now sullenly threatened to 
 return home, to which course Amherst gave his consent ; but at the 
 same time stated, that if they committed any acts of violence on their 
 way, he would assuredly chastise them. 
 
 others concerned in the government of Cannda, wsucd considerable quantities of 
 bills of exchange, wliicli tlicy pretended were for the use of the government, but 
 ns tlie French court cliargcd them with mal-adiuiTiistration, this ])3int continued 
 in dispute until judgment was )iassed in France on IJigot, and other ])ecuhitors, 
 in the year one tiiousaud seven hundred and Bixty-thrt'O. liigoir was banished 
 from Franco for life, tlio others lor a shorter period. Ihey were moreover con- 
 demned <o make restitution of several sums in ]ii'oportion to tho frauds of which 
 they had been found guilty. As the Canadians had always liad great confidence 
 ill Bigot, who they supposed had been vested with full powers from the Court 
 of France, they continued to take bills as usual, and in general ]iai<l tho full 
 value for them. Upwards of four millions and a-half sterling of this pai)er re 
 mained at the conquest, unpaid. TIksc bills, in)medi;ititly after that event, become 
 of little or no valuo ; but by an arrangement with the French government, at the 
 peace. Great Britain obtained for hor new nubjects three millions in contracts, 
 iiiid six hundred thousand livrcsin money. — Smith'allist. Can. vol. 1, p. 31l-3lp!. 
 
ISO 
 
 THE TTTSTORY 
 
 [1760. 
 
 ",.•'. .:V) 
 
 >.% 
 
 • • • 
 f^ . v.- 
 
 .(• 
 
 .! 
 
 •1 • 
 
 .1 
 
 N . ■.., 
 
 Xr 
 
 Passinrf df,wn the St. Lawrence, the Brlt'sh army, after losing ci^jhtv- 
 foiir men find several boats in the Cedar Kapids, landed on the Islmvl 
 of jNFontreal, abiviil nine miles from the town, the Gth of Septcnil)or. 
 'Meaiitin'ie. 'NEiirray had left Quebec on the iUh of Juno, with a furcc 
 f>f '2 100 men of aM ranks, and ascended the river, sul)duing some small 
 posts on its bank-;, and compelling its inhabitants whenever practicable 
 to submit to the authority of fJreat r»ritain. At 'Sorel he found ls\, de 
 r.ourlomaquc posted with 4000 men, and judged it prudent to await 
 the arrival of an expected reinforcement from Louisburg. This cominr; 
 up he [urfued his way. On the 7th Hept. his troops were disemliarkecl. 
 and pos',cd to the north-east of the town. On tlio following day Colonel 
 ITaviland, who had penetrated into Canada by T^akc Champlain and 
 the Tiiohelicu, also arrived at ^NFontreal with a force of over 3000 men; 
 and thus an army of nearly 1().000 men were assembled under th(; 
 walls of a defenceless town. On the same day the ]\Iarquis do Van- 
 drcnil signed the capitulation,* which severed Canada from Franci' 
 forever. This capitulation included the vast country, extending from 
 the fi>hing stations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to^tlichigan and Illinois'. 
 The regular troops^ amounting to 4000, were to be permitted to inarch 
 out from their several j^osts with all the honors of war, and afterwards 
 conveyed to France. The militia, numbering over 1(3,000, were allow- 
 ed to I'i'turn ui'inolcsted to their homos. To the iidiabitants the fiw 
 exercise of their religion was guaranteed, as well a!4 undisturbed pos- 
 session of their properties and slaves, and the same commercial privi- 
 leges wh'c'i other British colonists cnioved. 
 
 On the loth, ^lajor liogers was detached with two hundred ranger-, 
 and a few artillerymen, to lake possession of the French posts on tlio 
 Lakes. At Kingston an Indian hunting party brought him wild fowl 
 and venison. I'roni thence he ascended to Niagara. The lateness of 
 the season tcrrrdnated his journey at L^etroit, which was promptly sur- 
 rendered bv the French commandant. At the head of Lake Eri.' 
 liogers encountered the great Outawa chief, Pontiae, who had united 
 the surrounding tribes in a confederacy, held supreme sway over them, 
 rtud suiisequently cau^-ed jnuch trouble to the Briti.di. 
 
 Shortly after the ca}Mtulation of ^lontreal. General Amherst estal)- 
 litdied a military government for the preservation of public tranquillity, 
 and the adnunistratiou of justice. Ifo divided the colony into three 
 districts : tlie first, was that of Quebec, over which ]\Furray was placed: 
 the second, three llivers, at the head of wliich was Colonel Burton ; 
 
 Vide Appendix No. 1. 
 
1700.1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 181 
 
 the tliirtl, ^Montreal, was Intrusted to Driga.lior G-?.f:o. Williin tlio?;^- 
 tlistriots wore cstabllslicd soveral courts oi jiis'.ioo, (NMnpn-jed of ( 'aiin 
 fVian militia oflicers, who decided ca-r> l)i-o!ii;liL befltre thciii in a siin- 
 mary manner, v,-Ith rl'iht ofa] peal. ilM^v^'v^ i-, to the Commandant, ']'\u^ 
 Ijrilish ministry apiirovedi oi' this procednr;', and decided that the mili- 
 tary government shonld remain In lore,^ nndl the iwdoration of peace, 
 when. In the event of Canada 1)eln_:; rednqnislied hy Trance, a preiper 
 form ofgDvernment wonld be estal>lished.'" 
 
 At length this country, after years of v.arfare and blood^^diod, war, 
 about to enjoy the blessings of [lea'^ Freed from the terrors of 
 Indian massacre, on cine hand, and th^' fears of l^^i'Itish Inva'-.Ion, on the 
 iithcr, the Inhabitimts once more cultivated lis. Ir fields In ''aiiet. and 
 enjovcd their increa'^e witlio\it fear of (lie extortli'.is and oppressions of 
 a liigot, a Cadet, or the liost of smaller iry., who iiad so r.'cunly 
 onriehed themselves at their evpenso, ^iTany of the iip[ier das^-i^s, It Is 
 true, disgusted at the prospect of lirltlsh rule, returned to France. A 
 jiroiid noljIIIty, howeve;-, was little suited to Canai'a, and the departure 
 of persons, whose idle habits, imperious mann';-.'., ;md poverty of 
 resources, made them of little value to the C'>:ninir.i!ty, was a cause nf 
 no regret, but rather of congratula'Ion.f The b;dk of the people had 
 soon reason to l)Iess the ehrmge wliieh ])!aced tlu m ntuler the dominion 
 of Great Britain. ''To thi; Impenetrably mysterious tran^acflons (d' a 
 cruel In<iuisItion," said tlie Freneii author, Aldie liaynal, '•succeeded a 
 cool, rational, and public trial : and a ti'I'iunal drc-adful, and accnstomed 
 to shod blood, was replaced by humane .i""lg''''S more dispoel to 
 acknowledge innocence than to suppose crlminalliy. '.fhe co;K[uered 
 people have been still more delighted, by finding the liberty of their 
 persons secnred forever by the lamous lav,- of J Tabciis Corpus. As 
 they had too long been viclims of the arbitrary wills of those who 
 governed them, thev have blessed the bene'ieent hand that drew them 
 from a state of slavery, to put them umler the [)roteetlon of just laws."'}; 
 
 •Smitli's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. ?j1r>. f F.ayr.al. \o]. 2. p. ir,2. 
 
 * Ibid, vol. '2. p. 1":5. Ill 1752 ri solilior w:is piibji^cti'd to tli''^ puiii'^luii'nt fit' 
 the rr.ek at Throe Uivor?, iu oivier to make liiin eonfess hir? aceotiipliei .; in an 
 iittompt to burn t'le town. TIio punishment of tlie r;ick avms fi'equently applied 
 to oriniinal.*, and in on'' iiisfaneo ;i female for having hidden the birth of an ilh- 
 gitimate child Avns tortured Jiy it. Tlie r.-ek a\ as actually in use a viry 'hort 
 period before the conqui'>*t. Ciirlstie's Canaik'i, ^•o'!. l. p. 11. 
 
 Duriricf the time- that Canada \va3 a colony of I'l-ance, a ])erson sur-pected ■witli, 
 'ir without, foundation, wa* ?eize'l, tlirown inloja-ison, ar.d inteiroL'ateu without 
 knowinLf tiio cliargo ai;ain.-t, him, and without being confront, d witlilus noeuper : 
 and waa deprived of the a.>-;d!<tanco of relations, friend;', or couiipel. He was 
 
182 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [llfiO. 
 
 •'■• I -J 
 
 'f,. 
 
 
 1 
 
 ' •• ■! 
 
 
 
 ' .1* N 
 
 
 ■!• ' . 
 
 Great r>ritain had bogun the memorable war in which she was now 
 engaged, to establish her own interpretation of the boundary of Nuva 
 Scotia, and her cUiims to the valley of the Ohio. She had suecfijduj 
 to her liciart's content ; had won Canada and (jiuadaloupe in addition, and 
 now desired peace. "The desire of my heart said (ieorge II. to jiarlia- 
 ment, shortly before his death, is to sec a stop put to the eirusion of 
 blood." Pitt was also desirous to terminate a contest vdiich had 
 already given hin\ all he sought for : and the public began to discuss 
 wliieh of their conquests should be retained, and which surrendered. 
 The majority <if the British nation were in favor of keeping Canada, 
 yet many reflecting men doubted the wisdom of this course. William 
 Burke the relative and friend of the great Irishman of that name, in a 
 pamphlet at this time found arguments for retaining Guadaloupe in the 
 facilities it presented for profitable investment, the richness of its soil, 
 the number of its slaves, and the absence of all competition with Eng- 
 land. " If the people of our colonies," he added, to alarm the public 
 mind, " found no check from Canada, they will increase infinitely from 
 all causes. What the consequence will be, to have a hardy, numerous, 
 and independent people, possessed of a strong country, communicating 
 little or not at all with England, I leave to your own reflections. A 
 neighbor that keeps us in some awe, is not always the worst of neigh- 
 bors. There should be a balance of power in America." 
 
 Even from Guadaloupe itself came a warning voice. " A country 
 of such vast resources," it said, "and so distant as North America, could 
 never remain long subject to Britain. The acquisition of Canada would 
 strengthen America to revolt. The islands from their weakness can 
 never revolt; but, if we acquire all Canada, wo shall soon find North 
 America itself too powerful and too populous to be governed by us at 
 a distance." "If Canada were annexed," objected British traders, "thi' 
 Americans will be at leisure to manufacture for themselves, and throw 
 olT their dependence on the mother country." 
 
 Such were the momentous questions, which agitated the minds of the 
 reflecting portion of the British public, on the approach of peace. 
 Franklin, then in England, strongly advocated the retention of Canada, 
 on the grounds that it would promote a perpetual peace in Nortli 
 America,, that the facilities for profitable agricult'.ial ",abor would pre- 
 
 .;r 
 
 
 Bworn to tell the truth, or rather to accuse liimself, and was never confronti'il 
 with the ])erson who had accused him, except at the moment before judgement 
 was* pronoiinc 'd, or when the torture was applied, or at liis execution : anJ 
 judgement in ipital cases was invariubly followed b}' confiscation of properfv 
 !:<ulth'3 llisl. Lau. vol. 2. p. 70. 
 
numerous, 
 
 1700.] OF CANADA. 183 
 
 vent the colonistt from cnga<;iiifT in manufiicturcs, nnd, that the sepa- 
 rate interests of the (lillerenl jioveniinent-!, would always hiiulcr a 
 union a;iauist the mother eounlry. Pitt kanc(l to the same opinions. 
 lie delighted, with a truly liberal ami generous mind, to foster l>rili&h 
 liberty in America, and made it his glory to extend the boundaries 
 throughout whieh it was to be enjoyed. He desired to retain both 
 GuaJaloupe and Canada; but, when overruled in the cabinet, held last 
 to this country. And thus, unwittingly, did this great statesman lay 
 the foundation for the s[)eedy independence of the I'nitcd States. 
 
 On the i25th of October, 17(i0, (ieorgo 11. died suddcidy of a[>po- 
 plexy, after a long reign of over thirty-three years, and his grandson, 
 then but twenty-two years of age, ascended the Dritish throne. Al- 
 though so young, George 111. was determined to rule as a king; he was 
 unfriendly to Pitt, wdiose influence dimmed evin monarchy, and the 
 latter was soon nuide to fee! that he had forced himself into the highest 
 place in the ministry, over the heads of an envious and unwilling aris- 
 tocracy, and that his influence with the crown was on the wane. 
 ITGl. The minister was unwilling to desert the king of Prussia in his 
 extremity. But George 111. caring little about Ilanovei", and 
 the German policy of his predecessor, displayed sniall consideration 
 for Frederick, and desired to negotiate separately with France, Other 
 circumstances, also, conspired to weaken the influence of the ])remier ; 
 and on the 5th of October, Williani Pitt, the greatest minister of the 
 age ; the profound orator — the rival of Demosthenes ; the man who 
 without title or fortune had rescued Great Britain from an abyss of 
 weakness and disgrace ; who had con([uered Guadaloupc, Canada, and 
 the Great "West ; who had preserved Prussia from annihilation, and 
 sustained continental Protestantism ; who had humbled France, gained 
 the supreme dominion of the seas, won an empire, greater than that of 
 the Mogul, in Ilindostan, and had vancpisb.ed faction at home ; this 
 man stood in the presence of his young and inexperienced sovereign to 
 resign his power. A few weeks before, France and Spain had concluded 
 a convention, by which Spain bound itself to declare war against Eng- 
 land, unless peace should be established, contrary to all expectation, 
 before the 1st of May, 17'0"2. Pitt, warned of this treaty, would tain 
 have crushed the whole race of the Bourbons, but a majority of tho 
 privy council had decided against his purpose, and thus compelled his 
 resignation. Pious, and sincerely desirous to stop the elTusion of blood, 
 George 111. felt that the minister alone stood in the way of the peace ho 
 desired, and received the seals without requesting that Pitt should 
 resume his office. Yet tho king was not ungrateful, and desired to 
 bestow some mark of favor on the retiring minister. He was ofTered 
 
184 
 
 THE IIISTOIIY 
 
 [noi. 
 
 ■ i-' ' 
 
 i • t^' , 
 
 I '' 
 
 • ■ * 
 .1 
 
 1 ,r 
 
 * - 
 
 
 ihe goviTiiirient orCan;Kl;i, wi'li :i salary of .t'.jOOO pcrannuui, Init lliis 
 was decliiic'i!, Jlis witV \,as i.-nl.} a jn'crcss, willi a f^raiit of .€.'{000, 
 III \)c \i\.'u\ annually diuii!^' iK.'. lives uf Ik'incK, li-i' liusliaiiil, aui] her 
 ckle.'iL soil. S(; I'ill rLliri.il iVuiii ofli.-t.', liaviii'.' coiifirincil Fruiicr aii'l 
 tSjiaiii in. inijilaciihK', liu.-,iility lu (irrat IJiitain, and dostroyeJ tho 
 Ijalauu'o (jf iht! Eartipijan cohmial s\stL'ni, by llio iiava! [treiMjndt'rancc 
 lio li.il .'^ivcn to lii.scoii!iU'y,an(l l!iocun.[iic-jL ot Canada and (icadaluupi'. 
 
 IkiL L'ilt was ihe inini.-.tcr of llij nation, aiid tin-, puhlic were indig- 
 nant .'^t his lulinnicMt I'li'ju tli^; ;.;'ovcrnniout. 'J'his i;viiit was attri- 
 batjd t') tlio sooivt inlliknco o( tin; Ivr.'l cil" I'uti-, who was ^Tosijly 
 insidlod on hjrl niavci'.s da*- in Lj.idjii : at tluj i<inu) tinio, the kin;: 
 and (i'lL-'cu wcro rccuivi'd with coldness and t-.iUaici', when [lroouedill^ 
 tu di;io in Iho city, while Plit wivj wcI(,'oini.>d with the loudest acehuaa- 
 tiouri, A .still ifreater triumi/h awaited him. The Ibroe of eircutu- 
 stances soon compelled his sucocsiursj to adopt his policy, imd war 
 v.as declared ayaiiist Spain. 
 
 All Europe was now arrayed against Great Dritain, with the oxcef»- 
 lion of'l'russia and Portugal. The latter country was invaded by tho 
 armies of tlu S[>aniards. With thj aid of English auxilia- 
 11&2. iies these were defeated in two decisive engagements, and driven 
 back. But it was in her colonies and commerce that Spain suf- 
 fered most severely. Ilavannah, with plunder to the amount of three 
 millions sterling, was taken by the Earl of Albemarle and Admiral 
 Poeoeke : Draper and Cornwallis captured tho city of ^lanilla : and 
 while the cannon ot the Horse Guards announced the birth of a Prince 
 of AVales, waggons conveyed two millions of treasure to the Tower, a 
 jirizc to the captors of two Spanish vessels. While the arms of Bri- 
 tain thus triumphed in various i)arts of the World, the King of Prussia, 
 after a series of brilliant exploits, was brought to the brink of utter 
 ruin by the junction of tho Russians Viith his inveterate enemies, i'or- 
 Innately the deatli of tho Empress Elizabeth released him from this 
 new danger, and Frederick soon retrieved his disasters. 
 
 The world had now enough of war, and the various governments of 
 Europe were anxious for peaite. France, de]>rived of her colonies, 
 found her commerce on the brink of ruin. Spain had sustained tho 
 most severe reverses, and the Austrians and Prussians were wcaricJ 
 of costly campaigns which produced no territorial additions. The 
 terms ])roposod to France were severe, but she yielded to necessity. 
 " What else can we do,'' said the French minister, Choisel, "the Eng- 
 lish are drunk with success, and we are not In a condition to abase their 
 iiride." Accordingly, ou the 3rd of November, the preliminaries ol 
 
, ♦ 
 
 ^'cre null;;. 
 
 no-,>.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 18: 
 
 j.eaco wore signed by France and Spain, on one haii.l, and by Groat 
 Uritain and I'orUi^cal, on the otliei-. 
 
 Ijy this peace JJritain, besides ishuids in llie West Indies, gained th- 
 Fioridas, Louisiana to the Mississippi, all Canada, (,'ap.^ iJrelun, a:i 1 
 the other islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrenci'. 
 
 and S 
 
 1 
 one' 'a! 
 
 Asia the victories of Cliv 
 
 wlnle ui 
 
 e anl Coote, by 1 iii i, and Watson and 
 
 I'ococke, by sea, had given lur the aicen.lancy in ihj Fast lndie= 
 a suddenly opened to her the promise of untold treasur- , and en^l 
 
 ;ui 
 
 Ijss territorial acquisitions. 
 
 " Never," said Goorgo III., " did England. 
 
 nor 
 
 relieve anv othei 
 
 [lOW 
 
 or m 
 
 Europe, sign such a peace before."' Yel Via oppuM'd the 
 tivaty, on the ground that it did not give his country iho advantaged it 
 was entitled to by coiK^uest. The nation at largo sustahied him in this 
 
 position; yet in parliament ho was out-voted b, a 
 
 oon->iajr 
 
 abli 
 
 17G3. majority. On the 10th day of February, 170:}, the treaty was 
 
 finally ratified ; and peace was also restored, at tl 
 
 le hanie time. 
 
 between Austria and Prussia. The map of Europe remained exactly 
 
 as before the war ; but in Asia, and on this continent 
 
 eve 
 
 changed. In America the Anglo-Saxon elom; 
 'he ascendant. 
 
 ryth 
 
 111'' was 
 
 nt wai immeasurabiv \n 
 
 ' « 
 * ^ 
 
180 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 [nC3. 
 
 ; = J 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1. • . ♦ t 
 
 .■). 
 
 %* 
 
 THE GOVEKNMENT OF GENERAL MURRAY. 
 
 <>. 
 
 i 
 
 h . 
 
 .'. ^ 
 
 
 I'or tlio lonrr jHM'ioil of onc huiulrcil and fifty-seven years — from the 
 first scttlt;incnt of Nuw Franco l)y Clianiplain, to its surrcndtn' to 
 Groat Britain by the ^[arqiiis do Vaudreuil at Montreal, have we 
 traced the fortunes of the i'rencli in this country as faithfully as possible. 
 Wo are now about to enter on the annals of a new era, in which 
 Canada is presented under a totally different aspect, 'jj wit, that of a 
 Hritish colony. Instead ot painting tho vicissitudes of a military set- 
 tlement, ijovcrned by arbitrary law-givers, a sanguinary penal code, 
 and oppressed by a proud and poor nobility,* we have now to record 
 the progress of a peaceful community, in the enjoyment of a larger 
 liberty. 
 
 From 17G0 to 1703, Canada scarcely [.resents a single event of note 
 to recortl. The peasantry had gladly laid aside the musket and sword 
 to devote themselves to agricultural employments, and were soon in 
 the enjoyment of abundance of food. These people had been taught to 
 look for every outrage at tho hands of tho British, and were most 
 agreeably sur[)riscd at the humane manner in which they were treated. 
 Their gratitude was also awakened by the generous way in which 
 large sums of money had been subscribed by British ofliccrs and mer- 
 chants, to alleviate their sufferings during the famine. A disastrous 
 war, the departure of French troops, and the return of many 2:>ersons 
 to France, had reduced the population of Canada to 70,000 souls, and 
 immediately after the conquest, it was supposed a large portion of even 
 these would (juit the country. But the daily instances of lenity they 
 
 * They are extremely vain, and have an utter contempt for the trading part of 
 the colonj. They were usiially provided for in tlie colony troops, consisting of 
 tliirty companies. Tlioy are in general poor except such as have command of 
 distant posts, when they usually made a fortune in three or four years. * * * 
 They were great tyrants to their vassals, -vN-ho seldom met with redress, let their 
 grievances be ever so just. Governor Murray's Report on the state of Canadai 
 Quebec 5th June, 1762. 
 
1763.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 now experienced, tho cheap nnd impartial justice administered to them 
 by the miliiary tribunals, and tho iiKlulgciico shown to llicir religion, 
 soon recuiicik'd ilicm to their new condition, and their only dread was 
 lest they might l»e torn frorn their eoinitry lii<e tl«e Aeadiaiis.* 
 
 No sooner had peace heen estahli^ht'd, than llu attention ot' the Bri- 
 tish niinisfy was turned to the formation of governments in the coun- 
 tries conquered during ilii; war, and wliiuli had been ceded at its termi- 
 nation. In the month of October, 17(5.'{, a pr<jehvrnati«tn was published 
 under the Great Seal for erecting four new civil governnieii's in America, 
 to wit, those of Quebec, Kast Florida, West Florida, and (Jranada. In 
 (his [troelama'ion, the king exhorted his subjects to avail themselves of 
 the alvantages which must accrue, from his recent acquisitions, to com- 
 merce, manufactures, and navigation, it was also stated, that as soon 
 as the circumstances of those ct/ionies would permit, general assem- 
 blies of the people would be convened in the same manner as in the 
 Aniericau provinces ; in tho meantime, the laws of England were to 
 be ill force. Thus all the laws, customs, and jud'cial forms of ft popu- 
 lous and aueient cohuiy were in one hour overturned, and English 
 laws, even the penal statutes against llomari Catholics, introduced in 
 their stead. It was a most rash and unwise measure, and history fur- 
 nishes no instance of greater injustice to a conijuered people, nor less 
 true wisdom on the part of conquerors. The disorders it introduced 
 produced a rc-action, which has perpetuated the French civil law in 
 Lower Canada to the present day, whcrcfto, had changes been at first 
 gradually and wisely introduced, as the altered condition of the peo- 
 pie permitted, the laws of England ere now would have been tlic rule of 
 decision in that province. Shortly after the publication of this procla- 
 mation, General Murray was appointed to the governorship of Canada, 
 or the Province of Quebec, as it was now styled, and proceeded, agree- 
 able to his instructions, to nominate a council of eight members to aid 
 him in the administration of government. 
 
 While the writings of Voltaire and IJousseau penetrated every cor- 
 ner of France, and planted the germs of revolution throughout Europe, 
 —while newspapers and boolis were scattered broadcast over Great 
 Britain and America, Canada remained without a printing press. This 
 medium of intelligence had been jealously excluded by the French gov- 
 ernors as unsuitcd to their despotic suay ; but scarcely had the coun- 
 try been finally ceded to Britain, than William Brown and Thomas 
 Giimore, of Philadelphia, determined to publish a j(jurnal at Quebec. 
 
 • Murray's Report 
 O 
 
ISB 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 rn«M. 
 
 'I f 
 
 ', i/.5 
 
 
 1 
 
 .» 
 
 I . 
 
 A. • 
 
 * •• 
 
 
 Tlicro was thou no typo-romnlor in Ainorioji, so (iiltuoru went to Eu^. 
 
 laiid to |)iiicliii>f lliu iiL'eoss;iry inaloriul, uikI oh tho 'ilsi of 
 
 1701 Jmif, 1701, tlu' liisi imiuljor ol llio Q'lehcc dnzctle iiiiuli! iu 
 
 appearaiict; ; uiid ("aiiiiiJu lia<l Us iiewspapff, a lu-w ami |> >ti'at 
 
 eli!rnciit of civilisaliDii. Tlio Quehcc (i(i:i//c is ..lill in I'xiHleiici', 
 
 altlioii.'^h il hcyaii with only ouoIiuiuIi'imI ami (ii'ty siil)sciil)L'r.s j and it 
 
 la to l)c' hopi'd will Inii^r coiitiiiiie to I'lilightcii tho eoiiimiiiiit y. 
 
 < 'ii till! I7lh of S.'|iloiiil»i'i', a jX'Kclaiiiatioii, basoil on ilir |ii'i'siiiiie"l 
 iutroduc'tioii of J'^n;^li>h laws inio tlu- colony, was issued l)\ tli,- (Juwr- 
 nor in coinicil, establi>hin,ii a ('oiiil, ol Kinif's Ucucli lur tl • trial i>\ all 
 crimiiuil and civil ouscjj a^^roeabic to tin- law ol' Miiu'land, jipd the ordl- 
 liaiioos of the provinco. A Courtof Comiuo'.i I'Ums was aUo insiiaitud, 
 in which the Frcn.'h laws were to bo allowed in all ca-^cs of adiuii, 
 ai'isinj^ bcloro its con^t^^a•li()n, but not aftiTwards. Th.' iiitrcjdiioliou 
 of the J']ngli>h civil hr.v occasioned nuichdisatistaetion anion'; the puljjic, 
 and accordingly, in ilie month of November, the (lovcrnor in coun- 
 cil enacted " that in actions relative to the tenure of Ian i,and the rl^liU 
 of iuherilance, the French laws laid usages .should be observed as l!io 
 rule of decision." A Court ol' Chancery was erected soon after, at iho 
 head of which presided the ( J jvcrnor, as chancellor, ' , illi two masters, i .vo 
 examiners, and one register. 
 
 The Engli>h-speaking iulnbilants of tho colony were few in ininthor, 
 and tho sudden introduction of the English langiuiige, as well as Va\<^- 
 lish laws, into tho courts of jusiioo, wa-i found to be productive of tho 
 greatest disorder. Trial by juiy was of little value to a j .'ople who 
 did not understand a word of tho pleadings uidess through an inter|)n!- 
 ter, and it was soon evident that some change must be made in this 
 respect. 
 
 All public oflices, moreover, were conferred on British born subjects, 
 of which there were scarcely four hundred in the country, exclusive of 
 the military. Many of these came out e.\pres>ly fnMu England, 
 and as they neither knew the language nor customs of the people they 
 were sent to control, much disgust and dissatisfaction were the result. 
 Nor were ofTicials always selected with the sole view to the public f'lod. 
 Tho ignorant, the covetous, and the bigotied, were appointed to oflices, 
 which reijuired knowledge, integrity, and abilities. Several of tlw 
 principal situations were given away by patent to men of interest in Hug- 
 land, who let them out to tho highest bidders. No salary weio 
 attached to these patent places, the value of which accordingly depended 
 upon the fees, which the Governor was directed to establish on tho 
 same scale as in the richest colony. Much extortion and oppression 
 were tho necessary consequences of this order of things, and whicli 
 
» % 
 
 no:..] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 IRO 
 
 iJoveriior Murray found it most, didi 'iilf, to prcvont. Tlis ciidoavoM 
 to proti'ct ffeii ()iio|)lo iii:iilo liim tii.iny I'lioiiiiiH ainoii;» tli.^ I'liijilihli of 
 till! colony, who wc'i't! too ii|»t to sliow ti iM>iitfiM|>t of tliu (tM iiilmbi- 
 taiit'*, not f von e\»f|)fiiijr tho scii^'nior-t. TIk' <iiivi'rnor, linwovcr, con- 
 tIiHU'«l t<» iincviat*^ tlicir coiulition to l!ic bc>it ut his powur, uuJ won 
 their sluc'cii (fratitiidi'.* 
 
 CoMiphiints worn soon sent to I'ln^ljiinl I'flativo to thccstublish- 
 
 17(id. ni.'nt nf th«"->- comts, ilic li;U"-h ciiinliict dl' liuv-olliccrs, and the 
 cuornioii'* fi'cs that, Wi'i-c cmi trd. Thc^c wcri- hild, l»y the 
 
 17(»(i. M' at'dof Trade, hrfori' the I'jiL.'li->h Altnrncy ami SiilicitorlJcni- 
 r.ds who niadi' an cialjiM'ati- rci'di t thereon, 'liiey j^jivc it as thi'ir 
 opininn, that thi' introdnction ot tli*' l'viii,di>h laii'4na;fe into the emirts of 
 Canada was inadvisahle, and that it was unwise and arbitrary at once 
 tualtitli^h all tlu^ French \isu;,'es anil cn>ti)ins, especially tlioso rolatin}; 
 to the titles of land, the. law of descent, of alienatiun, and settlement. 
 They likewi-.e supported the view that < anadian advoeati's, aitornoya, 
 and pmctors, siiould bo pernutted to praeliec; in llie eoiu'ts. f 
 
 l)in'in;5 this year several Canailians who had gone to France relnrned. 
 Bishop do I'ont liriant Hal died in \7o) awl a new l)ishop also catno 
 out. Hn his arrival his friends received him with ;ill ihi^ ceremony ami 
 respect which they had ever paid to i)ishoj)s. These conrLesi(!s, how- 
 ever, he refused on the groiui I of altered circumstances-. In pursuance 
 of this humble determination he wore only a coinmon black gown, like 
 the other priests for some time. But the liberal maimer m which he 
 found liimself treated by the antlior'ties, soon assured him be might 
 adopt a hiirher tone with safety, and lie accordingly assumed all the 
 insignia of episcopal dignity. J 
 
 In the following year, General ^frn'ray proceeded to England, 
 
 1701. leaving Britr;idier Carleton to act in his abseiiec. A more lu- 
 crative post prevented him from returning, and the I'ligadier 
 
 nOS. was accordingly appointed Governor of Canada on the Tith 
 of April. His humanity had made him popular with the pub- 
 lic, who already regarded him as a protector, and looked forward to 
 his administration with confidence. Nor were they disappointed. Sir 
 Guy Carloton ever proved himself their fiii'nd. 
 
 ' In alottor to Sholburnp, 30th Aug., 170(5, Goncnil Miirrny, alluding to tho 
 Engl isli ofKcials, declared thcin to bo the most iaitnoral collection of raeu ha 
 ever know. 
 
 t Yorke iind De Grey to the Lords of Trade, 14th April, 1766. 
 
 t Smith's Hist Can. vol 2. p. 38, 39. 
 
190 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1768, 
 
 THE GOVERNMENT OF SIR GUY CARLETON. 
 
 ; -I 
 
 i ; 
 
 •i.r 
 
 »> 
 
 
 1 •. • 
 I ' 
 
 A' ■." 
 
 .■ \ 
 
 
 • » * 
 
 Montreal, the population of Avliich had now increased tc 7000 souls, 
 suffered severely this year by a most destructive fire, vhich lnolic out 
 on the evening of the 18th April, and consumed nearly one hundred 
 houses. The greatest sympathy was displayed towards the siiflciers, 
 In England a consi !erable sum was raised for their relief, but many 
 were, nevertheless, reduced to poverty. Its citizens suffered also from the 
 arbitrary conduct, and petty extortion, of the Englili justices of the 
 peace, whose irregularities, however, were speedily restrained by the 
 action of the Governor, llitiierfo, they had been allowed a jurisdiction 
 in civil cases to the amount of five pounds currency. This was now 
 taken away, and they were only permitted to decide in criminal inattcrs.* 
 Beyond these events there is not a single fact of moment to record at 
 this period. Although America was already heaving in the ihroes 
 of revolution, the people of Canada remained peaceable, and tolerably 
 contented. Trade was reviving, and the population on the increase. 
 
 Governor Carleton having obtained the royol permission to 
 1770. proceed to England on leave of absence, Mr. Cramahe, as the 
 oldest member of the council, assumed direction of the govtrn- 
 tuent. The Governor had alwaysbeen desirous that the Fionch civil laws, 
 or '"'■Coutume de Paris,'''' should be introduced again into the colony, and 
 he had them accordingly compiled by several Canadian advocates of ac- 
 knowledged ability. This compilation he took with hini on his depar- 
 ture for England, and where, soon after his arrival, it was revised by 
 the principal law officers of the crown, and became the chief authority 
 at once in the Canadian courts,f as regarded questions afffcting 
 land and inheritance. In cases of personal contract, and debts of a 
 commercial character , the Engli^^h laws remained the practical authorities, 
 This arrangement was cheerfully acquiesced in by the people generally ; 
 and although there was no fi.xcd standard of decision, and judgement 
 ■was dealt out sometimes according to French law, and at other times 
 according to English law, still it was evident that justice was alv\aj3 
 intended, and the public were tolerably satisfied with niatters as they 
 stood, until more permanent and better defined arrangements could 
 be effected. The criminal law of England, including trial by jury, and 
 the Habeas Corpus, had been fully introduced into Canada, and 
 
 ^i 
 
 * Debates on the Quebec Bill, p. 128. In one case the costs on suing for lU 
 •mounted to £4 0. 
 
 f Smith's Hist. Can. toI. 2. p. 60. 
 
1770.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 m 
 
 appeared to gtvcgoneral satisfaction among the bulk of the people, with 
 the excepfion that Canadian jurors grumbled a good deal about net 
 being paid for their loss of time. Tiic old Frcncli gentry, however, 
 did not like by any moans that laborers and mechanics should sit in 
 judgement upon gentlonion, ana wondered that the British people should 
 be so fond of trial by jury.* 
 
 The long ]ieace had enabled the Canadian people to recover 
 1773. fully from the effjcts of war. Trade had now beeonic more 
 prosperous than ever. Emigrants returned from I'rance ; num- 
 bers of the Acadians, scattered through t.lii; noighboring colonies, gladly 
 proceeded to this country ; and in the spa(.'c intervening between 1700 
 and 1?/.:^ it was estimated that the population had increased a fourth. 
 In May, 1774, General C^arleton, in his evidence under oath before a 
 committee of the House of Commons, estimated the population of 
 Canada at 100,000 Roman Catholics and 400 Protestants. The latter 
 were chii'fly merchants, officers, and disbanded soldiers, who resided 
 prineipaliy at Quebec and Montreal : in 110 rural parishes there were 
 only 10 Protestants.f With the exception of the change in the laws ; 
 that tht-re was less peculation on the ]>art of public officials ; and, that 
 '.hj country was more prosperous, matters remained pretty much in 
 the same state as they were before the conquest. A Governor and 
 council, although wlih limited powers, still ruled the colony, the com- 
 mon people were as uneducated and simple as ever.J and the clergy 
 
 • Gcnii-iil Carletoii to the ITouse of Common?, May 177'!. Tlie seigniors actu- 
 ally |)etitio;uHl the IJritisli I'arliiunont on this heiul in 1773, andngainst thu gi'Uo- 
 ral introduction of Kiiiilish law. Soe Debutes on the (Quebec Bill, 
 
 t Tiie royal proclamation of the 7th October 1703, ■which jiroviiled for the 
 government of I'aiuula, t^n'antcil to the oflieers and soldiert;, enLCaijed in the -war 
 ill this country, lands in the following iiroiiortioiif*, viz. To a fieldoHicer 600(1 
 ncre.H, captain 3000, subaltern '2000. tie)'geants and otlicr noii-eomniissionod offi- 
 lers 200, and jJiMV-ates 50 aeres. Very few, however, claimed Ihe^-e grants, and 
 soldiers jireferred to keep ]inlilie liou'^es-, than engage in agriculture. Stran- 
 gers to Canadian customs and Il>e language of tlie peojdo, Ijrilish settlers dis- 
 likeJ til.:" colony and did very ])oorly. Jlany left it altogether in disgust. 
 
 i Volney, 11 distinguished French traveller, who visited Caiiada. towards the 
 cli):e of the lust century, does not draw a very tbiltering i)ieture of the llal.ilunts' 
 intelligence. After stating their easy and indolent habits he observes : " having 
 several times (piestioned the frontier Canadians resi>ecting the distances of times 
 and places, I have found tliat in general they bad no clear and precise ideas ; 
 tbal they received sensations without reflecting on them ; in short that tluy 
 knew not how to m.-ike any calculations that were ever so little coniplicuted. 
 riiey would say to me from this way to that is one or two pipes of tobacco ; you 
 •au or you caunot reach it between sunrise or sunset, or the like." Education iu 
 
192 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1773. 
 
 >JrJ 
 
 
 ' ■( 
 
 t^. 
 
 ■«. • , 
 
 ,1 
 
 I 
 
 received their parochial dues and tithes as punctually as during French 
 donf)iniun. Still the peasantry began to feel a stray glimmering of 
 independence, and to resist such exactions of the seigniors as they con- 
 sidered were legally nnjust. 
 
 As the country gradually bccanne more and more prosperous, atu] 
 thinking peo[)le had leisure to look round them and I'cfleet, a gooil deal 
 of anxiety began to prevail as to the future government of the colonv, 
 and whether the French or English Jaws would be permanently estab- 
 lished. As might be expected, the British settlers were unanimous in 
 favor of l^nglish law, and a government based on a popular I'cprosen- 
 tation. The inhabitants of French origin, on the other hand, generally 
 desired the establishment of iheir (;ld civil law, but were divided with 
 regard to a House of Assembly, Some supposed that a representa- 
 tive constitution would give the settlers of English origin, who wore 
 n)uch better ac([uaintcd with this mode of government than them 
 selves, a great preponderance in public aflairs. Others leaned to a 
 o'overnor and council, as the mode of covernmcnt they best under- 
 stood, ^vhile a f.'W of the better informed desired to be ruled by their 
 own representatives, like the other British colonies. Mr. Lotbiiiicre, 
 described by one of the principal law oflicers* of Canada, as a very sen- 
 sible and reflecting man, and a large Canadian landed proprietor, gave it 
 as his opinion, belbre a committee of the House of Commons on tho 
 Quebec Bill, in June 1TT4, that if Roman Catholics were allowed to 
 sit in a House of Assembly, there would be no objections made to its 
 establishment. He also stated, that if a Legislative Council were es- 
 tablished, and composed in part of the Canadian noblesse, it ^vould have 
 the best eflects.f 
 
 Such was the nnfcttled condition of this conntry, when in the month 
 of October, 177o, mc-!tings were held at Queljce to petition the Deputy 
 Governor, General Carleton being still absent from the provi'.ce, to 
 summon a House of Assembly in agreement with the royal proclania- 
 lion of 17G3. Ihc principal Canadians were invited to attend thcsL- 
 meetings, and take part in the proceedings, but on their declining to clu 
 so, the British iiihabitants determined to proceed alone in the mat. 
 ter. and after some delays presented their petition to the Hcputy 
 
 Oanadii before the conqiicst was cntirdj' restricted to Iho oppor classes und 
 clerical onbrs. Common schools were unknown, rnJ few of the peasantry cmild 
 citluM- roail or wrhc. 
 
 • Mr. Masoros, Attorney General, autlior of " The Canadinn FrceholJer," ami 
 wlio was strongly ojiposed to (ho continnation of the French civil law in CaJutuie 
 
 f Debates on the Quebec 13ill, p. IGO, l(jl. 
 
1774.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 19S 
 
 Governor, on the ord of December. Ho replied to it a week after by 
 stating " that the matter was of too groat importance for the coun- 
 cil uf the province to decide npon, and the more so, as the government 
 appeared likely soc.i to be regulated by act of parliament.' A fresh 
 
 draft of tlie petition was soon after presented to the Secretary 
 I7T4. for the colonies, the Earl of Dartmouth, but beyond hints that 
 
 the Province was not yet ripe for a General Asscnibly, no answer 
 wns returned. 
 
 In Great Britain the rcflccMng portion of the community were gra- 
 dually becoming more aware of the fact, that unless parliament 
 rcoediMl from its assumed right to tax the American colonies, their in- 
 lic'pcudenco was very near. The hostile position assumed by their 
 Houses of Assembly, was ill-calculated to make, the IJritisli legislature 
 regard popular colonial representation very favorably, and it was now 
 determined to give Canada a diiTerent form of j^overnment. On tiie 
 2nd of May, 1774, a bill, usually known as the Quebec Act, wasbroiight 
 into the House of Lords by the Earl of Dartmouth, which passed with- 
 out opposition, and was sent down to the Comnuins for tiieir concur- 
 rence.* Tliis bill repealed all the provisions of tlie royal proclamation 
 of 170o, annulled all the acts of the Governor and C(juncil, relative 
 to ibc civil government and administration of justice, revoked the 
 commissions of judges and other existing officers, and established new 
 boundaries for the province, which was now declared to embrnce'ali 
 .'tiicient Cana(\n, with Lalirador and the countries west to the Ohio and 
 Mississippi. The (Jii^bec Act released the Roman Catholic religion in 
 Canada from all penai restrictions, confirmed their dues and tithes to 
 its clergy, but as regarded members of their own church only, (Protes- 
 tants been freed fi'om their payment.) and also confirmed all classes, 
 v.ith exception of the religious orders and communilies.f in the fuil 
 pr. ''-cssion of their properties. The French la-,;s were declared to be the 
 rules for decision, relative to property and civil rights, while the Eng- 
 lish criminrd law was established in perpetuity. I'oth the civil :md 
 crinMual codes, however, were liable to be altered or modified by tlu' 
 ordinancesuf ibeClovernor and a Legislative Council : thiscouncil was to 
 he appointed by the Crown, and to consist of not more than twenty- 
 
 *^ Tlu' Kitig on op^Miing p.'U'li;;m 'nt rocoinmviulol 11;o (|tic<1ion of n f,-'>v^'rii- 
 iiiont foi- Canada to its cnnpi(l(?rati(i;). 'J'lioro can bo litMo doubt tiiat, tliif- bill 
 'jwcd iU' oi'i;';iii priiii'ipally !o Ilir;1^!•li'. 
 
 f V\'i(li (ho o.\cc']ticn of tjie Jesuit;;, wlie.-o order w."s .-upprcsaod b_v tin I'cp-. 
 none of tlio rolisrioiij^ oivlci'P or ooiiiiir.uiitios of Canaila, linvo over Ijocii (lis- 
 turbod ill flic po^jo«s:(iii of tlioir prop( rty. 'ih ir ri^!;li< to tliia property wu-i 
 •■loarly lift an op' n t|uosilo'o by tli'> Q:;iboc .Act. 
 
 , 'I 
 
104 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1774, 
 
 i -i. 
 
 ':.• I ^J 
 
 
 '* '■-''.■ 
 
 three, nor less than seventeen members. Its power was limited to 
 levying local or municipal tuxes, and to making arrangetmnts for the 
 administration of the internal alKiirs of the ])iovince : the Drilissh Par- 
 liament jealously reserving to itself the light ot external taxation, or 
 levying duties on articles imported or exported. Every ordinance pas- 
 sod by this council was to be transmitted within six months, at iurthcst, 
 after enactment, for the'npprobation of the King, and if disallowed to 
 be null and void on his pleasure becoming known in Quebec. 
 
 Such were the j)rincipal provisions of the Quebec Act, under which 
 Canada was governed for a period of seventcin years. Taking into 
 consideration the want of education among the great bulk of the Cana- 
 dian people, their ignorance of popular institutions, and of the English 
 laws and language, there can be no doubt that this bill gave them the 
 mode of government best suited to their condition, and was a real boon 
 so far as tliey were concerned. l>ut to the inhabitants of British origin, 
 who had settled in Canada or the valley of the Ohio,* and were sub- 
 jectcd thereby to French laws; and depiived of the right of a jury iu 
 civil causes, of the Habeas Corpus, and of a constitutional government, 
 the measure was oppressive in the extreme, and at variance with all 
 their ideas and experience of popular liberty. The law was based ot> 
 the supposition that the French would remain the dominant race in 
 Canada, as well as on a desire to restrain the progress westward of tli& 
 Anglo-American population. The American revolution, and the rapid 
 increase of a British-Canadian population, ultimately placed it in error 
 in both respects, find compelled its repeal. Itrnet with strenuous opposi- 
 tion in the House of Commons chiefly on the grounds of its being opposed to 
 the British constitution, and granting too extensive territorial limits to 
 Canada. " You have given up to Canada," said Thomas Townshend, 
 "almost all the country which was the subject of dispute, and for which 
 we went to war; extending, in the words of the bill, southward to the 
 Ohio, westward, to the Mississippi, and northward, to the territory 
 gr mted lo the Hudson's Bay Company. 
 
 1'he bill, however, passed in tho Commons by a majority of oG, and 
 was returned, on the ]8lh of June, to the House of Lords, whither Pitt, 
 now I'-arl of Chatham, went to oppose it, although very ill at the time. 
 " It will involve this country," said he, "in a thousand difiiculties, and 
 is subversive of that liberty which ought to be the ground-work of 
 every constitution." And he prophesied " that it would shake the afTec- 
 
 ; r 
 
 • It was estimated that over 20,000 people hud already settled iu the vnlk-j 
 of the Ohio. They were chiefly from Pcnsylvunia and Yirginiu. 
 
1774] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 19 J 
 
 oG, and 
 Ku- Pitt, 
 the time, 
 lies, and 
 work of 
 the afiec- 
 
 ,be vftllfj 
 
 lions ancl confidence of his Majesty's subjects in England and Ireland, 
 and lose him the hearts of ail the Americans." But the bill passed, 
 nevertheless. Only six siding with Pitt while twenty-six of the Peers 
 voted against him. 
 
 The city of London, always in front of the battle for constitutional 
 liberty, became speedily alarmed ; and, on the 22nd of Juno, the Lord 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, petitioned tlie King not to 
 give his sanction to the bill. lie gave them an evasive answer, and 
 immediately after proceeded to the House of Lords, and signified his 
 assent thereto : observing " that it was founded on iho clearest princi- 
 ples of justice and humanity, and would, he doubted not, li.ive the best 
 effect in quieting the minds, and promoting the happiness of his Cana- 
 dian subjects." 
 
 As soon as the act reached Quebec, the English settlers met in the 
 greatest alarm, and promptly petitioned the king, as well as both houses 
 of parliament, for its repeal or amendment. They complained that it 
 deprived them of the franchise tlv.^y had inherited from their ances- 
 tors, that they had lost the protection of English laws, the Habeas 
 Corpus, and the trial by jury in civil causes, which was disgraceful to 
 them as Britons, and ruinous to llieir properties. 
 
 In the American colonies the passing of this act awoke a storm of 
 indignation. All they had strugu,led for beyond the Allcghanies, almost, 
 was taken from theni at on" swoop, Tlioir Congress, on the 24th of 
 October, endeavored by a frrciblc address to awaken the people of 
 Canada to a just sense of what it deemed '.heir true interests. They 
 were now invited to elect delegates to represent their province 
 in the " Cmtinental Congress," to be held in Philadelfihia on INIay lOtb 
 of the following year.* But this document produced no efTect among 
 the simple Canadians. Not one in a thousand ever saw it, and even 
 if they had, they cared little I'or^tho ; rlvilo-es of l-Tiglish frecmc", and 
 looked upon their own laws and customs, as by far the most desirable. 
 These had now been secured to them, and they were fully satisfied. 
 
 Sir Guy Carleton returned from England in the latter end of the 
 year, (1774) when a meeting of the n.'w council, into which several 
 Roman Catholic gentlemen had been admitted, was held, and such mea- 
 sures taken under the Quebec Act as were deemed immediately neces- 
 sary for the public welfare. The Governor's return was gladly hailed 
 by the people, with whom Lis humane conduct and liberal sentiments^ 
 
 • This Congress enumerated the Quebec Act among its grievancos. Its provi- 
 iions in favor of Roman Catholics gave great oQ'once to tlio Protestant clergy of 
 ihv Amurican colouies, and kd the majuritv of them to support the Rcvolutioa. 
 
196 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1774. 
 
 :-;) 
 
 
 had rendered him deservedly popular. On all possible occasions he 
 had shown himself tin ir frieml, and had interfered in many instances to 
 protect theni from the extortions and oppressions of the English civil 
 
 ofTlCcl's. 
 
 !Meantinie, the final strnjjgle of America for independence was rapidly 
 approaching, owing to the arbitrary and vacillating conduct of the 
 British Parliament, and the lirni drlerniination of the colonies to resist 
 taxation without r( presentation. Lord (.'halham's bill for composing,' 
 all difiiculties and disputes, was rejected ; and, as neither parliament 
 would recede as a body frcjin its assumption of the right to tax the co- 
 lonies, on one hand, nor the latter, on the other, give up the determina- 
 tion to preserve the privileges secured to them by their charters, and 
 their position as British ficemon intact, both parties now looked for- 
 ward to a I'earful contest. For a bi'icf space a calm, with presage of a 
 terrible storm, settled darkly over North America, and the crisis ap- 
 proached with the first days of early spring. On the 10th of 
 1775. April the Americans began the struggle forconstitutional liberty 
 by the battle of Lcxinglon ; and, blood once shed, it was evi. 
 dent that the sword alone could now decide the unnatural quarrel 
 between the mothoi'-counlry and lor oflspring. 
 
 While the New luigland militia besieged General Gage, the British 
 commander, in Boston, a small force was promptly raised in Connecti- 
 cut and elsewhere for the capture of Ticondeioga. Led by Benedict 
 Arnold and Ethan Allan, it crossed Lake Chimiplain on the night of the 
 Dth of jNIay, and succeeded next morning in capturing the fort, in which 
 were only a few men, by surprise, without firing a shot. Crown Poiiit, 
 had only a garrison of a sei-geant and twelve men, and was immediately 
 afterwards taken possession of : and thus the Americans, at the first 
 outset of the contest, ac(juircd two strongly fortified positions, and a 
 large amount of military stores. The-speedy capture of the only Bri- 
 tish sloop of war on Lake Champlain, gave them also complete com- 
 mand of its waters. 
 
 On receiving intelligence of these ofiensive operations. General Carlo- 
 ton at once rcirolved to possess himself, if possible, of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, and regain the command of llie lake. Considering tliat 
 the French feudal law still prevailed in Cai'ada, and that the seigniors. 
 accordingly, as well as their tenants, owed military service to the King, 
 and would forfeit their lands by not rendering it, he resolved to enroll 
 the militia on these croiUids. Many of the seindors took the sanu' 
 view as the Governor of this matter, iuid showed great alacrity in as- 
 sembling their tenants to explain to them the situation of the provinir, 
 the services expected from them, and the absolute necessity of prejiir- 
 
> % 
 
 1775.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 197 
 
 ral Cavlc- 
 
 roga an<l 
 
 irnvj. tliat 
 
 injT for hostilities. But the peasantry, who harl not yet forgotten the 
 hardships tliey had siilR'red during the last war, and whose h)ngalisence 
 from military training had sunk tliem into inglorious and oonfentud 
 ease, stoutlv resisted the claims of tluir seigniors. Tiicv stated the 
 latter had no right to command llicir military s(>rvices-, and, that when 
 tliey had paid them their quiet-rent, and the other seigniorial dues, no 
 further claim on them could be established. 
 
 Tl'.is determination of the Habitants placed the (Jovernor in an 
 awkward position. For the dcrcnet' of tl.e e^'jony, and its numerous 
 frontier posts, ho had only the 7th and 20th regiments, containing to- 
 gether but 800 efleetive men ; and he felt that unless aided by the 
 Canadians, he could oulv make a verv inctfeclual resistance in case, of 
 attack. ITe accordingly endeavored to call out the militia of the 
 province by j)i-oclamation, and declared marshal law to bo in tiirce, at 
 the same time, in his government; but even these measures jirovrd in- 
 efl'ectual. As a last resort the Governor applied to Bishop d(! Briainl 
 for his aid and induence. He promptly responded by a mandate to his 
 clergy, to be read in their churches, exhorting the people to take up 
 arms in defence of their country. J'^ven this aftpeal failed. The British 
 authorities had as yet acquired no influence v.ith the masses, who knew 
 little of the quarrel in progress, and wished to give themselves the least 
 possible trouble about it ; and while they had no leaning whatever to- 
 wards the Americans, they jireferred to remain neutral as long as they 
 could. In .short, they felt like a conquered peojilc; if tlu-ir homes 
 were threatened with danger, they would defend them, but they cared 
 little to take up arms in defence of their rulers. 
 
 Tlic American Tongress, however, believed the Canadian people to be 
 favorable to their cau--e, and resolved to anticipate the British by strik- 
 ing a decided blew in the north. 'Jhcy accoi-dingly despatched a force 
 of nearly ivlOO men, under Sehtiyhir and !^^ontgomery, to penetrate 
 into Canada bv the lilehelieu. After taking the forts alon^ that river, 
 they were next to possess themselves of jMcntreal, and tin ii descend 
 to Quebec, and form a junction there with Colonel Arnold, who was to 
 proceed up the Kennebec with 1100 n\cn, and surprise the capital of 
 Canada if possible. 
 
 On the nth of Sept. the American nrniy arrived at the Isle-aux-Ncix, 
 whence Schuyler and.!MoMtgomery scattered a pi'oelamation among the 
 Canadians, statinii: that tliev onlv came against the British, and had no 
 design whatever on the lives, the properties, or religion of the inha- 
 bitants. Cxeneral Schuyler being unwell now returned to Albany-, and 
 the chief command devolved on Montgomery, who having received a 
 reinforcement invested Fort St. John on the ITth ; and, at tho saraa 
 
198 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1775 
 
 I, . 
 
 *;'• >- * 
 
 ■ ■ • I 
 
 I, 
 
 •»■.•■ 
 
 tlmo, sent Romc troops to jittack tho fort at Chambly, while Ethan 
 Allnn was despatched with a rocoiiMoitriiig party towards Montreal. 
 Allan accordingly proceeded to the St. Lawronco, and being inrorinod 
 that the town was wealdy defended, and believing tho inliabitants wero 
 favorable to the Anieiicans, h■^ resolved to capture it by surprise, 
 although his force was under 2^3 num. (ioneral Carlcton had already 
 arrived at Montreal to nial;c dispositions for the pi'otection of the fron- 
 tier. Learning, on the night of the 24th, that a party of Americans 
 had crossed the river, and wero marching on the town, he promptly 
 drew together 250 of the local militia, ciiicfly Eiigiish ansl Irish, and 
 with ,'}0 men of the 2;)tli regiment, in addition, prepared for its defence. 
 Allan, however, instead of proceeding to attack Montreal, becoming 
 intimidated, took possession of some houses and bai-ns in the neiglibor- 
 hood, where he was surrounded next day, and compelled to surrender 
 after a loss of five killed and ten wounded. The IJritish lost their 
 commanding oflicer, Maji»r Carsden, Alexander Paforson, a merchant 
 of Montreal, and two privates. Allan and his men were sent prisoners 
 to England, where they wore confined in Pendonnis Castle. 
 
 "Whilo these occurrences were transpiring at Montreal, Montgomery 
 was vigorously pressing forward the siege of Fort St. John, which post 
 was gallantly defended by Major Preston of the 2Gth regiment. His 
 conduct was not imitated by Major Stopford, of the Tih, who command- 
 ed at Chambly, and who surrendered, in a cowardly manner, on 200' 
 Americans appearing before the woi'ks wiih two six pounders. This 
 was a fortunate event for Montgomery, whose powder was nearly ex- 
 hausted, and who now procured a most seasonable supply from tho 
 captured fort. His fire was again renewed, but was bravely replied to 
 by the garrison, who hoped that General Carleton would advance and 
 raise the siege. 'Jliis the latter was earnest! v dcsii'ous to do, and drew 
 together all the militia he could collect, and the few troops at his dis- 
 posal. Tor that purpose, and pushed across the river towards Longucil 
 on one of the last days of October. General Montgomery had foreseen 
 this movement, aiul detached a force, with two field-pieces, to ])rcvent 
 it. This force took post near the river, and allowed the Dritish to 
 approach within pistol bhot of the shore, when they opened such a warm 
 fire of musketry and cannon, that General Carleton was compelled to 
 order a retreat on Montreal. Montgomery duly api^rizcd Major Pres- 
 ton of these occurrences, and the garrison being now short of provi- 
 sions and ammunition, and without any hope of succor, surrendered on 
 the 31st October, and marched out with all the honors of war. 
 
 With Fort St. John and Chambly a large portion of the regular 
 troops iu Canada was captured, and the Governor was in no condi- 
 
 
» 
 
 1775.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 190 
 
 •egular 
 condi- 
 
 tion to resist the American army, the main body of which now advano. 
 cd upon Montreal, wliilc a strong dotailnncnt proceeded to Sore!, to cut 
 ofTlhe retreat of the Hiilish towards Qiieheo. General Carlelon, with 
 Brigadier I'rescutt and 120 soldiers, quit Mi)ntreal, after destroying all 
 the public stores possible, just as the Anieriean army was entering it. 
 At Sorel, however, their lli"Jit was elilelu.dly iiUtMcepted by an armed 
 vessel and some floating balteiie-^, and Prescott, linding it impossiblo 
 to loree a passnge , was compelled to surrender, "i he niglit b*.lbrn, 
 General Carleton fortunately eluded llio vigilance of the Americans, 
 and passed d<»wn the river in a boat, with midlled oars. Montgonjcry 
 treated the people of Montreal wilh great consideration, and gained 
 their good will by the ad'ability of ids manners, and the nobleness and 
 generosity of his disposition. 
 
 While the main body of the American invading force had been com- 
 pletely succcss-ful thus liir, Arnold sailed up ihe Kerniebec, and proceed- 
 ed through the vast forests lying l)etween it and the St. Lawrence, in 
 the hope of surprising Quebec. The suflorings of his troops from hun- 
 ger and fatigue, were of the most severe description. So gi-eat wero 
 their necessities, that they were obliged to cat dog's fle.-h, and even the 
 leather of their cartouch boxes; still, they pressed on wilh unfligging 
 zeal and wonderful endurance, and arrived at Point; Levi on the Dili of 
 November. I3ut their approach was already known at Quebec. 
 Arnold had enclosed a letter for Sihuylcr to a friend in that city, and 
 imprudently instrusted its delivery to an Indian, who cariied it to the 
 Lieutenant-Governor. The latter immediately began to make defen- 
 sive prcparaiions, and wlien the Americans arrived on the opposite side 
 of the river, they found all the shipping and boats removed, and a sur- 
 prise out of the question. 
 
 On the 12lh, Colonel M'Clcan, who had retreated from Sorel, ar- 
 rived at Quebec, with a body of Frascr's Highlanders, who had settled 
 in the country, were now re-embodied, and amounted to loO men. In 
 addition to these, there were 480 Canadian militia, 500 British, and 
 some regular troops and seamen, for the defence of the town.* 
 The JIvnter sloop of war gave the garrison the command of the river, 
 yet despite the vigilance exercised by her commander, Arnold crossed 
 over during the nght of the 13ih, landed at Wo'.fe's Cove, and 
 next morning appeared on the Plains of Abraham, where his men gavo 
 three cheers, which were promptly responded to by the besieged, who 
 in addition complimented them wilh a few discharges of grape-shot, 
 which compelled them to retire. 
 
 * Jouroal of an officer of the garrison. 
 
 ,;? 
 
200 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1775. 
 
 ': i \i 
 
 . k 
 
 
 h. 
 
 Finding ho could ofT.'ct notliinjf ngaiiist iho city, Arnold retired up the 
 river to l'oIiit-a\i,\-'rroiriblfs, lo await llie arrival of Mniitf^imicrv. 
 
 On the l!>;h, to thu groat joy ot' tin; garrison, (ioiicral (.'arlcton 
 arriv<'d from Montreal, bringing down with hi'n two armed schooners 
 ■which had liccii lying nt Throe liiv'oi's. Onu of his first nieasnres was to 
 strcngtlu'ii I hi; hands of tlu' loyalists, by ordering those liahh! to serve 
 in the militia, and wIkj refused to be enrolled, to quit tho city wiUiin 
 four days. My this means several disaffeeled |)ersoi;s were got rid ofT, 
 and the garrison speedily rai.sinl to ISOO men, who iiad plenty of [)rovi- 
 sions fur eight months. 
 
 On the IsL of December, ^fonlgoincry joined Arnold at Poiiit-aiix- 
 Trembles, when their united forces, amounting to about 2000 men, 
 proceeded to attack Quebec, in the neighborhood of which they arrived 
 on the 4lh, and soon after quartered their men in the houses of the 
 suburbs. ^lontgoinerv now si'iit a flag to summon the besieged to 
 
 CD V O O 
 
 surrender, but this was fired upon by order of General (-'arlcton, who 
 refused to hold any intercourse with the American ofl'icers. Highly 
 indignant at this treatment, the besiegers proceeded to construct their 
 batteries, although the weather was intensely cold. But their artillery 
 was too light to make any impression on the forti.lcations, the fire from 
 ■which cut thiir fascines to pieces, and dismouu'ed their guns; so Mont- 
 gomery determined to carry the works by escalade. He acco!-diiigly 
 assembled his men on the 30lh of Deccmbei;, and made ihem a very 
 imprudent speech, in which he avowed his resolution of attacking the 
 city by storm. A deserter carried intell'gence of his intention that 
 very day to General Carleton, who made the necessary preparations 
 for defence. On the night of the 31st the garrison picquets wore on the 
 alert. Nothing, however, of importance occurred till next morning, 
 when Captain Fraser, the iield-ofliccr on duty, on going his rounds, 
 perceived some suspicious signals at St. John's Gate, and immediately 
 turned out the guard, when a brisk fire was opened by a body of the 
 enemy, concealed by a snow-bank. This was a mere feint to draw ofT 
 attention from the true points of attack, at the southern and northern 
 extremities of the Lower Town. It had, however, the effect of putting 
 the garrison more completely on their guard, and thus was fatal to the 
 plans of the assailants. 
 
 Montgomery led a column of 500 men towards the southern side of 
 the town, and halted to reconnoitre at a short dibtanco ivom the first 
 battery, near the Pres do Ville, defended chiefly by Canadian militia, 
 with nine seamen to work the guns, the whole under the command of 
 Captain Barnsfair. The guard were on the alert, and the sailors with 
 lighted matches waited the order to fire, while the strictest silence waa 
 
1770] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 201 
 
 preserved. Presently the ofli 'or, wliu \\:v\ mado tlio reconnoisanee, ro- 
 turnuJ uikI reported every lliiii,!^ still. The AinericaiH now rii>li il for- 
 ward to tlie altael<, wlioii Danislair trave the i't):iiina:id to lire, and tlio 
 head of the assailiii;,^ eoliiiiui went instantly down, nnd^r the nnexpeeted 
 and fatal disi'ha';,fe of l, nis and nin>;l<i'try. The survivors inadi; a 
 rapid ri'treat, leaving; thirteen ot tli^'ir drad Ixhind to h.- shrondcd in 
 the fallinj; snow, anioni; wIumii was tli.' ^dlant Mont^^onici'v. « M' n 
 good taniily in tli.i iinrtli of Indand, li(> had scrv.d innhr Woll ■ wiih 
 credit, niai'ried an Aineriean lady, Miss I.ivin::j'<ton, ai'ter the peace, 
 and had joined the oansc of the I nitrd S;ates witli ;L,n'i'at I'nthn-ia-^in. 
 
 At the other end of the I^owcrTown, Arnold at the h'ad of <(<»() men 
 had assaulted the first harrier with 'j:wat iiiiprtno>ily, nici'linLT with 
 little resistanee. JFc was wonnded in the fn'st onsfi and horn • to the 
 rear. But his place was atdy supplied by Captain Morgan, who 
 forced the guard, and drove them baek to a seeoiid harrier, two hun- 
 dred yards nearer the ce:iti'(^ of the town. Owing to the proiTipt 
 arrangeniiMits, however, (d"(ieneral Carleton, who soon arrived on tho 
 ground, the Ainerieans were speedily surrounded, driven out of n 
 strong buihling by the bayo:iet, and compelled to surrender {o tho 
 number of 4'2t), including 28 oHieers.''- In tliis action the gari'isf)n had 
 ten men killed and thirteen wounded; the American Ijss ia killed and 
 wounded was about one huinired. 
 
 The besieging force was now reduced to a few hundred men, and 
 they were at a loss whether to retreat towards home, or continue tho 
 
 siege. As they were in expectation of soon receiving aid they 
 17TG. at length determined to remain in the neighborhood, and elected 
 
 Arnold as their general, who contented himself with a simple 
 blockade of the besieged, at a considerable distance from tlic works. 
 Carleton would have now gladly proceeded to attack him, but several 
 of the Canadians outside the city were disaffeeted, as well as many 
 persons within tho defences, and he consider..'d, with his motley force, 
 his wisest course was to run no risk, and wait patiently for tho succor 
 which the opening of navigation must give him. 
 
 During the month of February a sn^all reinforcement from !Massa- 
 chusetts, and some troops from Montreal, raised Arnold's force to over 
 one thousand men, and he now resumed the siege, but could make no 
 impression on the works. His men had already caught the small-pox, 
 and the country people becoming more and more unwilling to supply 
 provisions, his diflijulties increased rather than diminished. When tho 
 Americans first came into the country, the Habitants were disposed to 
 
 * Journal of an Officer. 
 
. ^3 
 
 
 . *l 
 
 -' 1 • . 
 
 202 TIIR HISTORY [1775. 
 
 Bcll ihom whftt they required at ft fair price, and n few hundred of the 
 latter even joined their arniy. Hut they noon provoked llie hostility of 
 tlie hiilli ot' the people, hy a want of re>ipeet for thi'ir elergy, by com. 
 pellinf^ llieni to furni>li articles below the current prices, and by givip" 
 llieni illt'fial ccTlidoatcs of payment, whicb were rcjcctod by tho 
 American Quarter-masti.-ri^i'neral. In this way tho Canadians began 
 gradually to take a deeper interest in the slru<^i;lo in profjrcss, and to 
 regard llu; l>riti«li as llieir true friends and pmleclors, while lliey came 
 to look upon th(5 Ameiicans as a band of armed plunderers, who made 
 promises they hud no intenliou of performing, and refused to pay their 
 just debts.* 
 
 All the Canadians now required was n pn^pcr leader, and a system 
 of organization to cause them to act vigorously a-^ainst Arnold. F,ven 
 in the absence of these requi>ites they determined to raise the siege, 
 and led by a gentleman of the name ot Heajeau, a force advanced to- 
 wards Quebec, on the tiath of March, but was defeated by the Ameri- 
 cans, and compelled to retreat. This checi<, however, did not dis- 
 courage the Canadians, who now resolved to surprise a detachment of 
 the tneiny at Point Levi. By some means their design became known, 
 and ihey W( re very roughly handled. 
 
 The mon:h of April passed over wi;hout producing any events of 
 iiTiportance. The Amiricans had meanwhile been reinforced to over 
 20CO men, and Major-Gcneral Thonuis had arrived to take the com- 
 mand. The smallpox still continued to rage amongst them, then they 
 could make no impression on the fortifications, and the hostile attitude 
 of the Canadians disheartened them, so nothing was cfTected. On the 
 5lh of May, Thomas called a council-of-war, at which an immediate 
 retreat was determined on. 
 
 On tho following morning, to the great joy of tho besieged, the 
 Surprise frigate and a sloop arrived in the harbor, with 170 men of 
 the 29lh regiment and some marines, who were speedily landed. Now 
 General Carleton at once resolved on olTcnsive operations, and marched 
 out at noon with 1000 men, and a few ficldpieccs, to attack the Anur- 
 icans. But the latter did not await his apj roach, at :d fled with the ut- 
 most precipitation, leaving all their cannon, stores, ammunition, and 
 even their sick behind. These were treated with the utmost attention by 
 General Carleton, whose humanity won the esteem of all his prisoners, 
 who were loud in his praise on returning home. For his services dur- 
 ing the siege, the Governor was knighted by his sovereign. 
 
 The Americans retreated as rapidly as possible, for a distance of 
 
 * Frost'* United Statea^ p. 206. Journal of an Officer. 
 
 '.,**■ 
 
1770.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 20:» 
 
 forty-five miles up the river, but fiiuliiig lluy wore not pursued thoy 
 halU'J fur a fVw days to rest lliomselves. They then proceeded in h 
 very distressed condition to Sorel, where they were joined by some re> 
 iiiforcoinents, and wliere, also, their general, Thonnas, died of the Hmall- 
 |)0X, which still continued to afllict them, lie was succeeded in the 
 cliiff c(»infniind by (reneral Sullivan. 
 
 Meanlirne, some companiis of tlicHth refjimcnt, which were scattered 
 thruiigh the frontier posts on the lakes, liad descended to Ogdensburg. 
 From thence Captain .Forster was detached, on the 1 Ith of May, with 
 \2ij >(tldiers and an equal number of Indians, to capture a stockade at 
 the Cedars, garrisoned by .MJ)0 Aniei'icans, under the command of Colo 
 ncl IJodell. The latter surrendered on the lOth, after sustaining only 
 a few hours' fire of musketry, and the followiiiLf day 100 men advancing 
 to his assistance, wore nltackod by the Indians and a frw Canadians. A 
 smart action ensued, which lasted for ten miiiutes, when the AmericAns 
 laid down their arms, and were inarche<l prisoners to the fort, where 
 they were with difiieulty saved from massacre. 
 
 After providing for the safety of his numerous prisoners, Forstei 
 puslied down the liver towards Lachine, but learning that Arnold was 
 advancing to attack him with a force trebles his own mimbcr, ho halted 
 and prepared for action. Placing his men \\\ an advantageous position 
 on the edge of the river, and spreading the Indians out on bis flanks, he 
 made such a stout defence, that lliu Americans were compelled It; 
 retire to St. Anne's. Forster, encumbered with his prisoners, now pro- 
 posed :i cartel, whieh Arnold at once assented to, and an vxcbange was 
 eflected, on the '27th of ^lay, for 2 mnjcti-s, 9 captains, 20 subalterns, 
 and li:} privates. This cartel was broken by (,'ongress on the ground 
 that the prisoners had been cruelly used, which was not the case. 
 They had been treated with all the humanity possible, when the difii- 
 eulty of guarding so largo a number, with less than .'iOO men, is taken 
 into consideration.* 
 
 ^Vhile these events were in progress above ^Nfonfrcal, a large body 
 of troops had arrived from England, under the command of Major- 
 General Burgoyne. Brigadier Fraser was at once sent on by the 
 Governoi' with the first division to Three Ivivers, While the troops 
 still remained on board their transports off this place. General Tliomp- 
 Bon advanced with 1800 men to surprise the town, and would have 
 effected his objiict, had not one of his Canadian guides escaped and 
 warned the British of his approach. General Fraser immediately 
 
 • Smith's HisU Can, vol, 2. p. 139, 140. Frost's United States, p. 207. 
 
204 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1770. 
 
 landed his troops, with several field-pieces, and posted them so advan- 
 tageously that the Americans were speedily defeated, their general, his 
 second in command, and 500 men, made prisoners, while the retreat of 
 their main-body being cut off, they were compelled to take shelter in a 
 wood full of swamps. Here they remained in great distress till the 
 following day, when General Carleton, who had meanwhile come up, 
 humanely drew the guard from the bridge over the River da Loup, and 
 allowed them to escape towards Sorel. Finding themselves unable to 
 oppose the force advancing against them, the American army, under 
 Sullivan, retreated to Crown Point, whither Arnold also retired from 
 Montreal on the 15th of June. Thus terminated the invasion of Cana- 
 da, which produced no advantage to the American cause, but on the 
 contrary aroused the hostility of the inhabitants, and drew them closer 
 to Great Britain. 
 
 The military operations in the United States during the Revolu- 
 tionary War, do not properly come within the scope of a history of 
 Canada. We have, therefore, only to add, that Sir Guy Carleton fol- 
 lowed up his successes by launching a fleet on Lake Champlaln in Oc- 
 tober, which after several actions wltli the American naval armament, 
 obtained complete command of its waters. He likewise obtained pos- 
 session of Crown Point, evacuated by the Americans, who concentrat- 
 ed all their strength for the defence of Ticonderoga. At the close of 
 the campaign, the troops were quartered, along the Richelieu and St. 
 Lawrence, on the Canadians, who received them as their protectors 
 from invasion. 
 
 General Burgoyne visited England soon after the troops had gone 
 into winter quarters, and concerted with the ministry a plan of opera- 
 tions against the Americans by way of Lake Champlaln. lie 
 1777. returned the following spring to assume the chief command of 
 the army, much to the dissatisfaction of Sir Guy Carleton, who 
 at once demanded his recall, on the ground that he had been treated 
 w 1th injustice, Burgoyne opened the campaign at the north by the 
 capture of Ticonderoga; and after an advance, at first distinguished by 
 victory, but afterwards by defeat, he was compelled to surrender his 
 entire army, amounting to (3000 men, at Saratoga, on the 17th of 
 October. 
 
 The first regular sitting of the Legislative Council, constituted by 
 the Quebec Act, was hold in the spring of 1777. At this session si.v- 
 teen acts were passed, which received the sanction of the Governor, and 
 the appi'oval of the Home Ministry. One of these acts erected a Court 
 of King's Bench, a Court of Common Pleas, and a Court of Probates 
 for testamentary and succession causes. The whole Council was con- 
 
1777.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 205 
 
 sUtuted a Court of Appeal, and any five of their number, with the 
 Governor, or Chief Justice, were declared competent to try all causes 
 brought before thorn. Owing to the ignorance, however, of the judges 
 of these courts with regard to French law, much confusion was caused 
 and matters did not proceed as smoothly as they should. Towards' 
 the latter part of the summer, Major-General Haldimand arrived to 
 take charge of the Government. 
 
 
 ■ I.' ■ 
 
 I ■ 
 
206 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1779. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 THE GOVERNMENT OF MAJOR-GENERAL HALDIMAND, 
 
 
 ■»■ * f I .,*■ 
 
 1 
 
 !^; 
 
 
 ♦■■ * »■ 
 
 Thi\t the British ministry gave all their attention to the war with the 
 American colonies, is the only apparent reason which presents itself 
 for the appointment of Mr. llaldimand to the government of Canada. 
 A military man by profession, a Swiss foreigner by birth, he knew 
 little of the laws or customs of either the British or Canadians, and was 
 wholly unfitted to control the colony. His administration was 
 1770. distinguished by undue severity, and many persons were impris- 
 oned on improper pretences, some of whom afterwards instituted 
 actions against him in England for this violation of iheir liberty, and 
 received damages, which were paid by the British Government. 
 
 But few important events occured during the government of General 
 
 llaldimand. The records of this period are of the most meagre 
 
 1780. description, and chiefly distinguished by the many petitions to 
 
 . the Crown and its ministers from the British colonists, praying 
 
 for au alteration in the laws, so as to make them more in unison with 
 
 the English constitution. The treaty of peace, the preliminaries 
 
 1782. of which were arranged on the 30th November, 1782, which 
 acknowledged the independence of the United States, strength- 
 ened the hands of the advocates of reform, and made them more ear- 
 nest in their demands for a House of Assembly, and the other privi 
 leges they deemed necessary to their welfare. 
 
 But the close of the Revolutionary War, was destined to have a still 
 more important influence on the condition of this country, by adding 
 largely to the Anglo-Saxon portion of the population, a circumstance 
 which soon produced of itself the desired reforms. During the pro- 
 gress of the contest several families removed to Canada; and soou 
 after the surrender of Burgoyne, there was a considerable emigratioa 
 of loyalists from the State of New York. On the close of tho 
 
 1783. war a still larger number followed, and to make proper pro- 
 vision for these devoted servants of the Crown, became a ques- 
 tion of serious momeot with the British miDistr/. 
 
*» " I 
 
 1783.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 20T 
 
 Western Canada up to this period was a mere wilderness, the greater 
 part being wholly uninhabited. A few military posts along the St. 
 Lawrence, and the French settlements in the neighborhood of Detroit, 
 embraced the entire European population, which scarcely amounted to 
 2000. The military post at Frontcnac, or Kingston, as it will in future 
 be termed, had been" abandoned Immediately before the conquest; 
 Toronto had also been long deserted ; there was still a small military 
 post at Niagara ; but with the exception of an occasional trapper, or a 
 few wandering Indians, human being rarely trod the vast and fertile 
 districts, stretching along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, and tho 
 upper St. Lawrence. 
 
 The Homo Government felt that it would not be at all politic, to bring 
 tho two dominant races in Canada closely together, they being desir- 
 ous to preserve tlio French element as a safeguard to future revolu- 
 tionary tciidenciei. They now conceived the idea of establishing anew 
 colony farther ^ve.stward, and at the same time of rewarding tho Ame- 
 rican loyalists, who might desire to join it, by liberal gifts of land. 
 With regard to those who had servel in tho army, the ecale of grants 
 " 1 -ho same as after the peace of 17(»->, with the exception that all loy- 
 i , under the rank of subaltern, now received 200 acres,* In pursu- 
 i.uce of this determination Governor Ilaldimand was instructed to grant 
 patents for land, on applicants taking the usual oath of allegiance, and 
 subscribing a declaration acknowledging the three estates of Great Bri- 
 tian as llie supreme legislature of the province. Jfe was instructed, 
 however, to state, that this declaration had no reference to internal tax- 
 ation, and that Parliaioent only reserved to itself the right of legislat- 
 ing for the regulation of trade and commerce. " I>y this they could not 
 he ad'eeted, or deprived of any indulgence, or encouragement, to which 
 they were entitled."! The grants to royalists and disbanded soldiers 
 were directed to be made free of every expenso.| 
 
 In the following year tho Governor appointed commissioners 
 
 1784. to take a census of the population of Lower Canada ; when the 
 
 districts of Mtuitreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec, were found to 
 
 contain 113.012 inhabitants ;§ 28,0)0 of whom were fit to bear arms, 
 
 »nd had been enrolled in the militia. As this census, however, only 
 
 embraced tho more populous districts, it may reasonably be presumed 
 
 • In 1798, owing to conipliiints of the profuse mauner of granting londs, ihei 
 allowance was limited to a quantity from 200 to 1200 acres, 
 f Lord North to Governor Ilaldimand, 24th July, 1783. 
 t Gourlay, vol. 1. p.. 11. 
 g Smith's UiBt. Can, vol. 2. p. 168. 
 
308 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1784. 
 
 , V . XSt }0 i*. wl 
 
 JH..-C fi 
 
 \v 
 
 ■..4. :.» 
 
 //i<\ 
 
 that the entire population of Canada, at this period, amounted to 
 130,000 souls. At the same time, surveys continued to be made of the 
 lands lying along the banks of the St. Lawrence, from the highest 
 French settlement at Lake St. Francis upwards, and round the Hay of 
 Qulnte, vhioh were speedily divided into townships, and subdivided 
 into concessions and lots. These townships were numbered but not 
 named till several years afterwards. The original settlers long con- 
 tinued the habit, even after distinct names had been given, of describ- 
 ing them by first-township, second-township ; and so on. 
 
 The survey being completed, the American royalists, and disbanded 
 oilicors and soldiers of the 84th regiment, with a few other German 
 "^and English soldiers, took possession of their allotments in the courso 
 of the summer. During the same season, also, a settlement was 
 formed on the Niagara Kivqr, and another at Amherstburg by tha 
 royalists, who had likewise lands assigned them. This was the first 
 effective settlement of Upper Canada, and before the close of the year 
 its population amounted to about 10,000 souls. 
 
 The greater part of these settlers were poor and dependent. Some had 
 served in the army, and from the small pay of a British soldier, amount- 
 ing then to only Gd per diem, nothing had been saved ; others had lost 
 their properties ; so for the first two years government was obliged to 
 assist nearly all with provisions, farming utensils, and clothing.* Al- 
 
 * " 'To put a mark of lionor,' as it is expressed in the Orders of Council, 'upon 
 the fiiiniles wlio had adhered to the unity of the empire, and joined the royal 
 utandiird in Ameriea, before the treaty of separation in tlie year 1783,' a list of 
 Buch jtorsons was directed, in 1789, to bo made out and returned, 'to the end 
 that their posterity might bo discriminated from the then future settlers.' From 
 the initials of two ompluitic words, the unltt/ of tlie empire, il was styled the 
 I'. K. list; and they whose names were entered on it were distinguished as U. K. 
 JoyaiiHts, n distinction of some consequence ; for in addition to the provision of 
 •iich loyalists <iiemselves, it was declared that their children, as well those born 
 thereafter, as those alrcfidy born, should upon arriving at the age of twenty-ouo 
 years, and feniiles upon tlieir nuirriage within that age, be entitled to grants ot' 
 two liimdrcd acres each, free from all expense. In pursuance of tliat declaratiou 
 those gratuitous grants continue to be made. Thousands of acres are thus granl- 
 <.l .'vt I'v yeiir. As the sons and daughters of those whose names are on the I'.K 
 list lioome of age, thoy petition the Lieutenant-Governor, in council, stating tha 
 factJ^, iind vei'ifying them by their own oatl), and afhdavit of one witness, and 
 ii])i)ii suoh ]>etiti()ns obtain orders for land, which thoy locate in some of the now 
 townships and then take out their patents without cost. 
 
 '•'I'o encourage the further population of the province, a lot of two hundred 
 rtoroi' was aiiowod to every settler, upon condition of actual settlement, and jmy- 
 m.iil of tlie exi'onso of surveying and foes of office, amounting in tiio whole to » 
 litthj less than thirty-eight dollars." — Gourlay, vol. 1. p. 1-1, 15. 
 
[1784. 
 
 1784.J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 209 
 
 though cast thus destitute in the wilderness, these courageous people 
 did not despond. The greater part had been bred to agricultural 
 pursuits, and they now speedily adapted themselves to circumstarici-s, 
 and resumed their former occupations. The axe of the backwoodsman 
 was swung as vigorously in the forests of Canada, as it had been in 
 those of New England and New York. Clearings were speedily made, 
 log-houses erected ; in a few years the wilderness blossomed as the rose, 
 and waving fields of grain bent to the summer winds, along the ancient 
 hunting grounds of the Wyandots and the Algonquins. 
 
 It being now desirable to draw as many emigrants to the province 
 as possible, lots of two hundred acres each, were granted to settlers on 
 condition of actual occupation, and the payment of expenses of survey 
 and fees of office, amounting together to about thirty-eight dollars. 
 This soon led to an emigration from Great Britain ; and when the pas- 
 sions excited by the recent war had somewhat subsided, and royalists 
 went back to their old homes among the New England hills, or the 
 more fertile districts farther south, to visit the relations and friends 
 they had left behind, many of the ^atter were induced to settle in 
 Canada. 
 
 The British Government having at length turned their attention to 
 Canadian afTairs, it was soon perceived that General Ilaldimand was 
 not the proper person to rule the province. He was accordingly re- 
 called, and Henry Hamilton sent out to act as Lieutenant-Governor, 
 till a Governor should bo appointed, the ministry being as yet unde- 
 cided as to whom they would intrust this office. 
 
 'I 
 
 •• < ! 
 
 THE GOVlniNMENT OF IIENllY IIAJIILTON, ESQ. 
 
 The new Governor, who arrived in this country in the spring 
 1785. of 1785, had been an officer in the army, but quit it, like num- 
 bers of others, on the establishment of peace. One of his first 
 measures was to assemble the Legislative Council; and, pursuant to 
 his instructions, to recommend to their consideration the introduction of 
 the law of Habeas Corpus into the Province. The Canadians were 
 now well acquainted with the objects of this law, and evinced great 
 satistaction when it came up for consideration in the Council : the Ro- 
 man Catholic clergy, in particular, expressed their approbation, ft 
 was proposed to exclude ihe religious female communities fioiri its 
 bcuefitp at which tlioy expressed no small Indignation, on the ground 
 that ill-disposed persons might suppose the excisption was necessary to 
 retain them in tliulr cloisters. The bill was accordingly extended to 
 t'Mibrace them, and was duly passed. 
 
 t 
 
^19 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [178S. 
 
 Beyond the establishment of a public library, and a great darkness 
 
 which fell suddenly on Canada on the 9th of October, the introduction 
 
 of tho Habeas Corpus into the statute law of the province, was the only 
 
 event of importance which marked the government of Mr 
 
 1786. Hamilton. He was recalled after a single year's administration, 
 
 and the direction of Canadian affairs again committed to 
 
 General Carleton, who had iu the meantime been raised to the peerage. 
 
 I . 
 
 I • >i 
 
 THE (JOVEKN.MENT OF LOUD DOKCIIESTI-n:. 
 
 In the month of Juno, Lord Dorchester received his appointment in 
 England as Governor-General of all the British North American 
 Provinces, and arrived on the 2ord of October at Quebec, where ho 
 was cordially welcomed by the inhabitants. One of his first measures 
 was to assemble the Legislative Council, and farming them into eoni- 
 inittees, directed them to enquire into the state of the laws, the com- 
 merce, the police, nnd the education of the province. An inves- 
 
 1787. tigation by the Chief Justice was also made, at the instance o( 
 the Council, with ri.'gard to the administration of the laws, when 
 
 it "was clearly shown that English Judges followed English law. 
 
 Canadian Judges, French law, and some Judges, no particuhir law 
 
 whatever, but decided according to what they deemed the equity oi' 
 
 the case. Commerce was also represented to be far from in a 
 
 1788. flourishing condition, owing to the active rivalry of the Uniteii 
 States and otl.er causes; education was ,it the lowest ebb. 
 
 3789. The Jesuits had discontinued teaching, and there was not a srhool 
 in the province where the higher branches of learning were im- 
 parted. 
 
 This condition of things, in connection with the rapid increaic of tl;> 
 English-speaking population, strengthened the handj of tli- 
 
 1790. reform party, who finally employed an agent, Air. Lynburner, 
 to advocate their views in England. lie was ultimately suc- 
 cessful in attracting the attention of ministers, and a bill was pr.^paroil 
 by iho Colonial Secretary, Wm. Grenvitle, to give a new constiir.tion 
 
 to Canada, which, after being sent to Lord Dorchester for cor- 
 
 1791, rcction, was laid before Parliament, shortly after it assembld 
 in the spring of 1791. 
 
 Mr. Pitt in introducing the bill briefly stated its provisions, llie 
 Province of Quebec was to be divided into Upper and Lower Canada, 
 ill order to prevent any dissensions between the French-Canadians 
 
 * Smith's Hist. Can. vol. 1. p. 176. 
 
[1786. 
 
 1791.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 211 
 
 and settlers of British origin. Each province was to have its omi 
 legislature, composed of a Legislative Council, the members of which 
 were to be chosen fur life, and a House of Assembly, to be elected in 
 the usual manner by the people. Tho Habeas Corpun act was to bo a 
 fundamental principle of the now constitution. Provision was likewise 
 to bo made for tho muintonance of tho Protestant clergy in both pro- 
 vinccs, by the allotment of land (the Clergy Keserve^) ; and while 
 Parliament reserved to itself tho i-ight of regulating trade and com- 
 merce, the local legi.slaturcs were to have tho solo power of internal 
 taxation. 
 
 Mr. Fox waririly opposc<l tho bill on several grounds. He argued 
 that it would be wiser rather to unite still more closely, than to sepa- 
 rate tho British and French settlers; and, that the liOgislativc Council 
 should be also elective, with a higher quuIKication on the part of elected 
 and electors, th;in was neccssa.y for the Lower Ilonsc. " I'y this 
 means," said hi\ " Canadians w'll have a real aristocracy, chosen by 
 persons of property, fi(jni among per.-ons of the highest property, who 
 would thus havo that weight and indepemlencc necessary to guard 
 against tho innovations of the people, on tho one part, or of the Crown, 
 ou tho other." 
 
 The Quebec reformers were also dissatisfied with tho, bill, and 
 instructed Mr. liVinburner to oppose it, chiefly on the groiaids that tho 
 ijivision of the province would interfere with con'imerce, and would bo 
 really injurious to the inhabitants of I'pper Canada. IMr Lymburner 
 w;is heard at the bar of the Ibjuse of ComuKjm against the bill, on tho 
 2;Jrd of March, and opposed its principles in a long and lucid argument. 
 Hut his elTorts iiiilcd to prevent a separation of the province, and the 
 bill passed into law,* and continued to be the constitution of tho- 
 Canadas until the Union. 
 
 One of the first measures rendered necessary by tho new oruer of 
 things, was the division of both provinces into electoral districts, and 
 giving to each a fair proportion of tho number of representatives fixetl 
 by the act. In making this arranger. .mt regard was had solely to tho 
 number of the male population in each district, the extent of which 
 was not taken into consideration. A careful census made the preccd- 
 ing year (1790) showed that tho males in Canada, above sixteen, 
 amounted to 37,411, while the entire population numbered about 150,000 
 souls.f being an increase of at least 30,000 in the preceding six years. 
 
 * Vido Appendix, Jfo. 2. 
 
 f Mr Smith gives a much larger number, but his estimate was evidenny based 
 ou no correct dat^. A census was only taken oi the adult males at this period, 
 
213 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [I70t>. 
 
 1^ 
 
 h 
 
 
 -,t ■ 
 
 I 
 
 • I ■ 
 
 Having obtiaincd leave of absence, Lord Dorchester departed for 
 
 England on the 17th of August, leaving Major-General Clarke to act 
 
 as Lieutenant Governor. The ^vinter passed over without pre- 
 
 1702. ducing any event of note. On the 1 1th May, writs, returnable 
 on the 12th of July, were issued for the election of re[)resenta- 
 tivcs. The elections took place in June, and in several instances were 
 warmly contested. Among the members returned were some of the 
 principal merchants of Montreal and Quebec. On the 17th of Decern, 
 bcr, General Clarke opened the first parliament of Lower Canada, with 
 a short and appropriate speech. William Smith, the Chief Justice of 
 the province, was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council, while 
 J. A. Panet, an eminent Quebec advocate, was chosen to fill the same 
 office in the Lower House.* 
 
 Shortly after the session commenced, considerable discussion aroso 
 as to the language in which the business of the House should be con- 
 ducted. It was finally decided that the Journals of the proceedings 
 should be kept in both languages, that motions made in English should 
 be translated into French, and vice versa, before being put, and that each 
 member should have the privilege of using his mother-tongue when 
 addressing the House. As the session progressed the subject of 
 
 1793. education was taken up, and an address voted to the King 
 praying for the establishment of a Canadian college ; as well 
 as another, of a loyal character, when intelligence was received of the 
 breaking out of war with the French Republic. Beyond this littlo 
 business of importance was transacted, and the members being weary 
 of attendance. General Clarke, after giving assent to eight bills, pro- 
 rogued the House in the beginning of May, when they all gladly re- 
 turned to their respective avocations. 
 
 While constitutional liberty thus gradually developed itself in this 
 country, events were transpiring in the Old World of the deepest im- 
 portance to civilised humanity. The American colonies had largely 
 contributed to win Canada from France, and thus paved the way for their 
 own independence. To achieve that independence France, in revenge, 
 gave most important assistance. Iler conduct in this matter precipi- 
 tated the revolutionary crisis, originating in the national poverty and 
 distress, brought Louis XVI. to the scaffold, and drove the iniquitous 
 House of Bourbon forth as fugitives. The French soldiers, whilst fight- 
 ing in the cause of American liberty, had gradually imbibed the priii- 
 
 ,ir 
 
 and the proportion of the rest of the population could not be much greater than 
 four to one, 
 * Ch'-stie, vol. 1. p. 126, 127. 
 
1T03.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 213 
 
 ciples of their allios, and rotnriiod to tlicir native country to disscmi- 
 iiatc the arfiuments )f Otis, of Franklin, and of Joflcrson, in favor of the 
 inherent rights of mar.. jl>j\vcver much the Ijulk of the Hritish nation 
 nii^ht have sympathised, at tlie coiuniencement of tlie French Revolu- 
 tion, with the struggles of a gallant people for a larger measure of 
 libortyi the horrid atrocities ot the Jacobins soon produced a most un- 
 favourable impression on their minds. A hostile feeling on both sides 
 was engendered. France declared war against England, and the latter 
 stood forth as theeliampion of legitimacy and aristocracy, and Issued a 
 counter-declaration of hostilities against the new republic. From that 
 period, till Bonaparte became a prisoner at St. Helena, (ircat Britain 
 vas destined to be a stranger to the blessings of peace, and to spend 
 countless treasure in forcing a sovereign on a people by whom ho was 
 afterwards speedily rejected. 
 
 But, although this long war militated seriously against the prosperity 
 of Canada, and checked emigration thither from the mother-country, 
 she was happily exempt from its evils otherwise ; and in the enjoyment 
 of a creator degree of liberty, was left to developc her resources as 
 she best might. In the present age, when our rivers and lakes are 
 covered with floating palaces, which traverse their waters at the rate of 
 twenty miles an hour; when railroads annihilate space, and the electric 
 telegraph speaks with the rapidity of the lightning's flash, it is difHcult 
 to form an accurate idea of the condition of matters in Canada sixty 
 years ago, or what a "slow people" our Canadian ancestors were. 
 It took a month for the mail to travel from New York to Quebec ; the 
 same period was necessary for the transmission of letters to Halifax ; 
 and four months must expire before an answer to a communication 
 could be looked for from England. A mail from Montreal twice a 
 month* to the New England States, was regarded as quit a progressive 
 event ; now the inhabitants of every little hamlet in Canada would 
 grumble if they did not receive their letters and newspapers at least 
 three times a ■week. Still, with all these disadvantages, the commerce 
 and prosperity of Canada were steadily on the increase, and from ninety 
 to one hundred vessels, from British and Foreign ports, annually visited 
 Quebec,! ^^'h'lc the net revenue of the Lower Province from lands, 
 customs' duties, and licenses, was a little less than £5000 sterling.^ 
 
 The prudent legislators of Lower Canada, in those days, travelled 
 fully as slowly and cautiously through the public business, as the mail 
 hags journeyed to Halifax or New York. Lord Dorchester arrived 
 from England on the 24th September, and assumed the reins of 
 
 
 * Quebec Gazette, 20th December, 1792. f ^^'^^- t Christie, vol. 1. p. l[>% 
 
214 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1 794. 
 
 - k' 
 
 government. On Iho 11th of November ho opened tho second 
 1704. session of parliament *, it sat till the 23r(i May, 1794, when it 
 was prorogued, after the royal assent had been given to five 
 hilb. On(! more hill had indeed been passed, relative to a change in 
 the judicature, which was reserved for the royal pleasure. Emisearies 
 from France had arrived in Canada to propagate revolutionary piinci. 
 pies, so tho Assembly, in tho fulness of its loyalty, levelled one of its 
 bills against a. lens who inculcated treason, and gave tho Governor larg<; 
 powers to ferret out and punish such persons. 
 
 The next session commenced in tho January following, when 
 179."). for the first time the public accounts were laid before tho Assem- 
 bly. From these it appeared that the expenses of tho civil ad- 
 ndnistration of tho province iunounted to £19,t)M.'> sterling. To (U'fray 
 this sum the revenue was wholly inadequate; iJ-'jOOO sterling was all 
 tho Assembly could give, tho remainder had to bo supplied by 
 1790. tho mother-country. In tho year ending January, 17!)(j, the 
 revenue of the province had largely increased, and amounted to 
 i;i0,4'2.> currency, while the public expenditure was £"24,711, incluilinj,' 
 £1205 paid to Upp':'r Guiada, as the proportion of tho duties levied on 
 her imports at Montreal and Quebec. 
 
 On the 7th of May, the fir.*t parliament of Lower Canada closed its 
 final session. Lord Dorchester declared himself highly satisfied with 
 the course it had pursued. " In expres-ing my approbation of your 
 proceedings," said he, addressing both Houses, " { must further observe 
 that tho unanimity, loyalty, and di.sinterestedness manifested by this 
 first Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada, have never been surpass- 
 ed in any of his Majesty's colonies." 
 
 On the 9th of July, Lord Dorchester took his final departure from 
 Quebec, greatly to the regret of the inhabitants, all classes of whom 
 presented him with addresses, couched in the warmest and most res- 
 pectful language. From the first he had been a true friend to Canada; 
 and its people had been largely indebted to his humanity, sound com- 
 mon sense, and love of constitutional liberty, for the comparativelr 
 happy condition in which they now found themselves. 
 
 THE GOVEllX^rENT OF "JA.JOR-GENERAL PRESCOTT. 
 
 On tho departure of Lord Dorchester, Major-General Prescott aa- 
 •umed charge of the government of Lower Canada only, but was soon 
 
 after created Governor-General. Writs for tho election had 
 1797. been already issued, and the new Parliament met on the 24th 
 
 of January, 1797. In his opening speech, the Governor alluded 
 
1707.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 216 
 
 to the recent treaty of commerce and nnvigation between Great Britain 
 and the United States, us highly favorable to the [trovincc. " From 
 the flourishing state of commerce," ho observed, "amidst the hazards 
 and obstructions of war, well founded hopes may be entertained of the 
 future prosperity of the colony, when the blessings of peace shall be 
 restored." The returns laid before the House, showed that the revenue 
 for the preceding year had risen to £18,075, while the civil expenses 
 were £25,380 currency. 
 
 During (his year the first execution ior high treason took ])lacc in 
 Canada. David M'Lean, a bankrupt American, formed a chimerical 
 project of possessing himself of Queijec, and tampered with some of 
 the inhabitants. His designs were dl -covered, and ho was accordingly 
 tried and sentenced to be hung as a traitor. With this exceplion no 
 event of much moment characterized the ndmiiii>,tration of 
 
 1799. General Frescott, who, in the year 1700, having obtained leave 
 of absence, departed for England, much regretted by the inha- 
 bitants, with whom he had become deservedly popular. Sir Uobert 
 Shore Milnes now assumed charged of the administration as Lieutenant- 
 Governor. 
 
 A contented community, blessed with peace and abundance in all its 
 borders, presents but fow occi.rrences of importance for the 
 
 1800. historian to record, hi a community of this kind time glides 
 smoothly on, like the })laeid stream whose current is rarely dis- 
 turbed. Such was the state of things in Lower Canada at this period. 
 All classes of the coiimumiry were contented. The inlial)itants of 
 British ori':;in felt thoy had all th'?y could reasonably ex|)ect in a 
 House of Assembly, and a Legislative Council, while the population 
 of French descent, in the full enjoyment of their language, ihSiv cus- 
 toms, and their religion, lived on in an easy and good natured exis- 
 tence, which nothing disturbed. Meantime, the jiruvincc was steadily 
 progressing in population anl wealth. Its civil expenditure had in- 
 creased to about £30,000, but, at the same time, its revenue had risen 
 to nearly £20,000, currency, so • hat the deficit was small in propor- 
 tion to what it had been a few years before. The inhabitants showed 
 their loyalty and devotion to Great Britain by contributing liberal 
 sums to carry on the war. 
 
 During this year died Father Casot, the last of the Jesuits in 
 Canada, and the large possessions of his order now devolved to 
 government. For many years the Father had bestowed his revenues in 
 charitable purposes, and he was, therefore, bitterly regretted by the 
 poor. Down to the present time the "Jesuits' Estates'' produce » 
 separate government fund. 
 
210 
 
 THE IIISTOTIY 
 
 [180.T 
 
 I , 
 
 i f»* 
 
 . .! 
 
 I V 
 
 Slavery, aItliou<;h to a very limited extent, had hitherto existod 
 ill Canada. It prevailed diirinpf the long period of rronrh 
 1803. dominion, antl by Article 4(5 of the Capitidation of Montreal, 
 in Si'ptetnbor, 1700, it had been stipulated that the Negroes of 
 both sexes should remain in their quality of slaves, and in the posses. 
 sion of their respective owners, with the privilege of selling them, when 
 deemed proper. In the census of 1784 the number of slaves in the 
 districts of Montreal, Three Rivers, and Quebec, had been returned as 
 304. There is every reason to suppose that this number had decreased 
 in the interval between that period and 1803, when the decision of 
 Chief Justice Osgoodo, at Montreal, declared slavery inconsistent with 
 the laws of the country, and gave freedom to the persons in that con- 
 dition. From thai day to this Canada has remained '* freo soil," un- 
 tainted by slavery, and the sure place of refuge to the oppressed man 
 of color. 
 
 From 1803 to the departure of the Lieutenant-Governor, who was 
 personally unpopular, for England, in 1805, every thing pro. 
 
 1805. grcssed in the province with the greatest harmony. Tr.ido 
 continued to increase, and the revenue ofllu^year ending in 
 
 January, amounted to £33,033; at the same time, the expenditure had 
 risen to about £40,000 currency ; 140 vessels, of an aggregate tonnago 
 of 25,130 tons, visited Quebec during the season. ' 
 
 Mr. Dunn, being the senior executive councillor, assumed direc- 
 tion of the government on the departure of Sir Robert S. Milnes. 
 His administration was distinguished for the first attempts to curb the 
 liberty of the press in Canada. During the month of March, 1805, a 
 dinner was given by the merchants of Montreal to the representatives 
 of the town and county, at which Isaac Tod presided. The proceedings 
 were reported in the Montreal Gazette, of the 1st April, and tho 
 House of Assembly, considering themselves glanced at by 
 
 1806. some of the toasts, voted the publication a breach of privilege. 
 They accordingly directed their Sergeant-at-arms to proceed to 
 
 Montreal and take Mr. Todd, and the publisher of the Gazette, Mr. 
 Edwards, into custody. Neither of these gentlemen, however, could 
 be found, and so the matter ended with respect to them. While these 
 events were occurring in tho Assembly, tho Quebec Mercury, in an 
 article headed " French Influence" criticised its illiberal proceedings in 
 a manner highly distasteful to the members. The publisher, Mr. 
 Gary, was summoned to the bar of tho House, and compelled to 
 apologize " for having presumed to render an account bf its proceed- 
 ings," when he was released. In the present day, when the action of 
 our parliamentjsso narrowly watched and criticised by the public press, 
 
 ducti\ 
 
». » 
 
 180(5.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 217 
 
 the course ymrsupd on this occasion must appear sudiciontly despotic. 
 But Ciiuatlu was (nily iinitatin;; the inotlior-country, wliore tlio press, at 
 this period, was sliacl\led by the most odious restrictions, and where the 
 proceedings in parliament dare not h-i puldished. JCven in the present 
 day reporters for the press art'adniittcMl to the Houses of I'arliament in 
 England, and also in (Canada, hy sufreranee merely, and not as a matter 
 of right; and may ho excluded at any time tiiey deem proper. 
 
 In those days the members of the Assembly were not paid for their 
 Bcrviees, and tenacious as they were of their privileges, they could not 
 he kept togetlier for the transaction of business, which was fref|uently 
 retarded for tlio want of a (piorum. The novelty of legislation had 
 evidently woiii olT; and, in the absence of excitement of any kind, 
 many of the members prefered staying at home to attend to their own 
 alTuirs, than engage in the dull routine of public business. When 
 Mr. Dunn prorogued the House, on the IDlh of April, ho expressed his 
 dissatisfaction with this state of things, " Ti>e necessary business," 
 said he, " has not been completed, whicli would not bo the caso had 
 not so many members declined giving their customary attendance." 
 
 Hitherto, the newspapers of Canada had been exclusively owned and 
 conducted by persons of British origin, who, as a nierc matter of course, 
 were far from being friendly to French laws or French customs. 
 However prudent the different editors might be, their articles were un- 
 doubtedly biased by their feelings and their prejudices, and the educat- 
 ed portion of the French-Canadian population felt the want of an organ, 
 which would represent their opinions, and repel the aspersions of the 
 other journals. This feeling led to the publication of a newspaper, Le 
 Canadien, exclusively in the French language, the first number oi 
 which was issued at Quebec in the month of November. Had this 
 journal restricted itself to a moderate and sensible advocacy of French- 
 Canadian interests and opinions, matters would have gone on smoothly. 
 But, instead of pursuing this course, it appealed to national prejudices, 
 and regarded the British emigrants as strangers and intruders. Being 
 conducted with ability, it soon became popular, and commenced the 
 reign of agitation and discord between the two races, subsequently pro- 
 ductive of so much injury to the province.* 
 
 Sir Robert S. Milnes, the Lieutenant-Governor of the pro- 
 
 1807. vince, as well as the Governor-General, continuing absent, Mr. 
 
 Dunn again convened the Legislature on the 21st of January, 
 
 and congratulated them on the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, and 
 
 the other successes which had distinguished the arms of Great Britain 
 
 Christie, vol, 1. p. 252. 
 
V 
 
 I , 
 
 218 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1807. 
 
 in the war with France and her allies. In responding to this address, 
 the Assembly expressed their appreciation of Mr. Dunn's personal 
 worth, in very handsome and well -merited terms. The session was 
 chiefly distinguished by a motion to obtain an allowance for the ex- 
 penses of the members residing ai a distance from Quebec, which was 
 negatived by a majority of two, sixteen voting against it and fourteen 
 in its fiivor ; and for the election of Mr. Ezekiel Hart, a Jew, by the 
 people of Three Rivers. On the 19th of October, Lieutenant General 
 Sir James II. Craig, who had been appointed to succeed General Pres- 
 cottas Governor General of British Norih Amei'ica, arrived at Quebec, 
 and immediately assumed charge of the government. 
 
 THE GOVEIINMENT OF SIK JAMES II. CRAIG. 
 
 1808. On the 29th of January, the Governor proceeded in state to 
 
 open the legislature, and was loudly cheered by the assembled 
 
 crowd.* His speech on the occasion was prosy, contained little that 
 
 was rcmarliublc, and was responded to in courteous terms by the 
 
 House. 
 
 A feeling had gradually arisen in the province, and was now pretty 
 generally dillused, that the judges of the difTorcnt courts should not be 
 eligible for election to the Assembly. A bill was accordingly intro- 
 duced to carry out this object, which was negatived by the Legislative 
 Council. The next measure of the Commons was to unseat Mr. Hart, 
 the member for Three Rivers, on the grounds of his being a Jew, al- 
 though there was nothing in the constitution to warrant such a course. 
 He was again re-elected by that con -tituency ; but only, however to be 
 unseated the second time. The militia bill was continued till repealed ; 
 the alien act, and also that for the better preservation of his Majesty's 
 governiu'jnt, were passed for one year. On the whole this session, which 
 terminated \ho. foiirth parliament, pleased the Governor, who signiiied 
 his approval, when proroguing the legislature, on the 14th of 
 April. 
 
 *Craig was slow, sedate, and solemn, and a different person altogether from'Mr, 
 Gore, the Governor of Upper Canada, whose speeches to its legislature were 
 
 alike short and slipshod. Gore was a Icn t?» <??(/, and on one occneion while 
 making merry with his friends, the House passed a resolution he did not like, 
 and he vowed, "ho would send the raseals shout tlieir business." A few hours' 
 •lecp did not alter his determination ; and next morning he was proeeeding alonei 
 find en deshabille, to prorogue the house, with a kIioc on one foot and a boot oi 
 another. Fortunately he waa met by Judge P , who persuaded him !• 
 
 return and proceed to the legislature in a more respectable trim. 
 
 '..♦■ 
 
1808.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 219 
 
 Tho general election took pl.'icc in May. Paiiot, the speaker of tho 
 
 last Ass(.'inl)iy, was rojcctod by one of tho oonstitiioncies of Quebec, in 
 conscijiuMU'c of ills connection with the Citnadicn newspaper, but was 
 rctnrn('(l in another quiireti'. Ma'tersJ progressed qnielly the remain 
 dcT of the yi'ar, during which parliament was not called to^'elher. Au 
 annual session was then defemed siitlieient in both pi'uvinces for the 
 transaction of business. 
 
 On the Otli of April, in the following Spring, the new Assembly 
 1800. was coi^.veiied. It was generally e.\|)eeti>d that 'Mr. Panet wrjuld 
 again be elected speaker, an otlice he had fdled during the four pre- 
 ceding parliaments, and considerable curiosity was excited as to whether 
 the (jovernor, in that ease, would assent to the choice of the Assembly. 
 He wisely confirmed his election, although not in very gracious terms. 
 
 !ii his opening speech to the legislature. General Craig alluded, among 
 othp'' matters, to the prosperous eondition of the province, owing chiefly 
 to the impetus given to the lumber trade, by the American embargo on 
 ill intercourse with (ireat Britain, lie regrelt'd being obliged to call 
 the House together at that busy ]>eriod of the year, but excused him- 
 self on the groiuid of |)ublic expediency. Sonic (jf his remarks implied 
 an indirect censure on the members, and were unfavorably received. 
 
 Tho question of the eligii)ility of judges for election to the Assem- 
 bly was again taken up, as well as the expulsion of Mr. Hart, who had 
 been elected a third time. A bill v/as inti'oduced to discpiality Jews 
 fi'uai a seat in the House, but five weeks h.id already elapsed when it 
 uiiJerwent a S(>eond reading. General Craig's patience became ex- 
 hausted ; and regarding the corps-legislative as a refractory body, who 
 had not a proper sense of their duty, he went down in Ptate from the 
 castle of St. Lewis, on the ir)th of May, and dissolved the Assembly in 
 terms of niiiueasured censure. At the same time, he complimented 
 tho Legislative Council for their general good conduct. 
 
 hi the ensuing month the (jovernor made a tour of the principal 
 towns of till; province ; was well receive<l ; and presented with several 
 very complimi'ntary addresses, which, were criticised with considerable 
 asperity by the Canadiea. The elections took place in October, wl.cn 
 the recent representatives, or others still more opposed to the wishes 
 of the Jie executive, were returned. The (Jovenior iuvd gained noth- 
 ing hy his arbitrary policy. 
 
 Whilethepublicmind was still disturbed by tliedisagreement between 
 tho stern old general and the refractory Assembly, John Molson, au 
 entor)U'ising and s|iirited merchant of Montreal, was l)u>ily engaged \)\ 
 fitting out the first fcteanier that ever ploughed the wnters of the 
 
 Q 
 
ii20 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [isoo. 
 
 1810.] 
 
 . ',i 
 
 St. Lawrence. On the 3rd of November, tlil ever to l>e rememberoj 
 little craft got up steam, bliot out into llie e ii reiit, and alter a vovnco 
 of thirty-six hours' sailing arrived salVly at Queljee, where thj whole 
 city crowded to have a look at the nautical |>henorneiioii. " 'J"he steam- 
 boat AccoDimodutioii has arrived," said the old il/cvr^/v/, in the fuHnes.s 
 of its wonderment, "with ten passengers." " No wind or tide can stop 
 her. Tlie price of a passage is nine dollars up, and eight down. Tlio 
 wheels are jait, and l;cpt in motion, 1)y steam operating within the ves- 
 sel." Fulton s first steamboat ploughed the Hudson, the Acconmodntion 
 cleaved the ni ire magnificent waters of the St. Lawrence, Anew 
 light had burst upon the mind of Canada; a fresh impetus had seized 
 upon her prosperity. It was highly c'-editable to the province, that 
 the second steamer built in the New World was launched at jSIonlreal. 
 The new Assembly met on the 29lh ot Jan\iary, when Paiict 
 1810. was again elected speaker, and confirmed in that ofliee by the 
 Governor. The latteVs' opening speech was prosaic as usual. 
 He alluded to the probable war with the United States, to the neces- 
 sity of checking the forging of bills of exchange, touched upon the disso- 
 lution of the last Assembly, and declared himself prepared to gi\o as- 
 sent, "to any proper bill for rendering his Majesty's judges of the 
 f 'Ourt of Kings Bei'ieh, ineligible in future to a seat in the House. 
 
 The conciliatory tone of the speech, gave fresh courage to the com- 
 mons of Lower Canada. " The Governor had incurred the dis))leasi!re 
 of the Home Ministry," it was said, "by his arbitrary conduct," so the 
 Assembly now determined to become arbitrary in turn. By a vote o( 
 twenty-four to eleven, they decided by resolution, "that the executive's 
 approving the conduct of one part of the legislature, and censuring that 
 of the other, was contrary to the spirit of the constitution, a breach of 
 their privileges, and dangerous to the rights and liberties of his Majcstys 
 subjects in the province. At the same time, an address was voted to 
 the King, breathing the most ardent and devoted loyalty. The Assem- 
 bly likewise offered to defray the expenses of the civil list, now amount- 
 ing to some £50,000 annually. This offer was coolly received by the 
 Governor, and as parliament was dissolved before the estimates were 
 laid before it, no action for the present was taken thereon. The break- 
 ing out of war postponed its subsequent consideration. 
 
 Meanwhile, a bill had been introduced in the Assembly, to disqualify 
 judges from sitting there, and was transmitted to the Legislative Ceiin- 
 ell, who returned it with the amendment that it was not to coine into 
 force during the present parliament. The Assembly now became iiulig- 
 naiit, and declared the seat of A[r. !)e Bounce, a judge, vacant by a vote 
 of eighteen to six. This brought matters to a crisis : and down came the 
 
 i)u.siness. 
 
 This des 
 
 five, nierel 
 
 fated them 
 
 and they c 
 
 i'he old i:k 
 
 -^';iiioc was 
 
 '0 stern nc' 
 
 A thiid c 
 
 "sago, so th 
 
 ^P^^'it, and 1 
 
1810.J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 oo, 
 
 resolute olJ goncral to dissolv- tlietn again. Tie was loudly cheered 
 by tlic people, who were more amused tliau otherwise by tiieso novel 
 occurrences, and the military pi'omptitude of their veteran (xovernor. 
 'L"1r' late m('iii!)ijrs, hou\!Vrr, aidoil by liu'ir ii'iends suuu took measiu'es 
 to aroiiso another I'cL'Jing in ihe niiiids :>i the multitude. Souf's and 
 pas(piinades, suited to the vulgar tastt, ■i.ere written and circulated ; 
 while the Canadicu became more abusive than ever. The breach be- 
 came wider and wider every day. The colonists of Critish origin, 
 almost to a man, ranged themselves on the side of tiie despotic (iover- 
 nor ; those of French descent, stood up for the more constitutional 
 Assembly. 
 
 Lower Canada, at this period, had five newspapers : four of these 
 favored the government and the British minority, while Le Canadien, 
 the smallest of the lot, was the sole advocate of the majority. Its 
 'oiigiie cut keen, and it stoutly stood its ground altliongh there were 
 four to one. This will never do thought the Governor and his council, 
 insubordination must not be permitted in the ranks, and an election 
 approaching. So, on the 17th of March a party of soldiers, headed by 
 amagistiate and two constables, proceeded to the office of Lc Canadien. 
 seized the press, and all the papers they could find, and conveyed them 
 to the vaults of the city court-house. Mr. Lefrancois, the unlucky 
 printer, was also pounced upon; aiid, after an examination before the 
 executive council, conTnicted to prison. The guards were strengthened, 
 patrols scoured the streets, and a miniature " lleign of Terror" had 
 begun. Six French-Canadian gentlemen were apprehended a few days 
 afterwards, on a charge of treasonable practices, and tlie simple Habi- 
 tants looked for the revelation of some terrible conspiracy. But noth- 
 ing was discovered. 'J'he presumed conspirators were released one 
 after another without trial as time progressed ; and although the Gov- 
 ernor issued a proclamation, as long and as prosy as one of his parlia- 
 mentary speeches, on the 21st March, little ever came out of the 
 business. " The mountain in labor brought forth a mouse." 
 
 This despotic and unconstitutional conduct, on the part of the execu- 
 tive, merely daunted the Habitants for the moment. Time had inocu- 
 lated them with a portion, at least, of the spirit of British freemen. 
 and they determined on an independent exercise of their franchise. 
 The old members of the Assembly for the most part were re-elected, 
 Panel was again chosen speaker, and the governor once more submitted 
 to stern necessity, and confirmed him in that capacity. 
 
 A third dissolution would scarcely have been orthodox parliamintary 
 usage, so the Governor met the new Assembly in a more conciliatory 
 *ipii'it, and the members disliking the idea of being uncereaioiiiously 
 
r*. 
 
 222 THE HISTORY [1810. 
 
 turned out of doors a third lime, Cromwell fashion, were disposed to 
 conduct themselves more amiably. A sly war of words took place 
 between the belligcrants, but the Assembly passed, however, the mea- 
 sures recommended by the Governor, with unusual speed, and amonff 
 which was " the continuation of the act for the better preservation of 
 his Majesty's government," under which the late arrests had been made 
 and under which, also, Mr. Bcdard, one of their number, was still 
 held in durance. The pill was decidedly bitter ; but the Asscmhly 
 swallowed it, nevertheless, though with a clause in favor of their own 
 body : but as this had only a prospective effect, the exccuvive still kejit 
 Bedard in prison. The Assembly now passed a resolution declaring this 
 course illegal, and voted an humble address to his excellency, the 
 "Govcrnor-in-chief," praying that Pierre Bcdard Esq., might be released 
 and allowed to take his seat in the House. But the committee appointed 
 to present it, had not sufiicicnt moral courage to beard the old 
 1811. lieutenant-general in his castle of St. Lewis, and the Assembly 
 was fain to sympathise with their want of nerve, and relicvpd 
 them from this duty. The victory was decidedly on the side of the 
 Governor, so ho released this Mr. Bcdard shortly after at his own 
 plca?-ure. 
 
 The session of the legislature, assembled in the beginning of 1811, 
 passed smoothly off. The bill to disqualify judges from becoming 
 members of the House was passed, and received the royal sanction 
 through the Governor. The health of the latter was very feeble ; ho 
 was about to return to his native country ; and, after alluding to the 
 great prosperity of the province, he recommended the legislature to 
 act unanimously for the public good. "1 am earnest in this advice, 
 gentlemen," said he, '• It is probably the last legacy of a very sincere 
 well-wisher ; who, if he lives to reach the presence of his sovereign, 
 would be proud to be able to say, that the people he had found sepa- 
 rated by mistrust and jealousy, he had left cordially united, and rival- 
 ling each other only in the affectionate attachment to your Majesty's 
 government, and in generous exertions for the public good." 
 
 This language bears every mark of sincerity ; and even if General 
 Craig, from previous habit, and a long training in the camp and barrack- 
 room, was arbitrary in his conduct, there can be no doubt that his in- 
 tentions were of the purest character. Although ho had over-step- 
 ped the bounds of constitutional government, and thereby caused some 
 individual sufforing, his firn)ness had a salutary effect ; it repressed iho 
 unwholesome spirit of dissension which had begun to manifest itself in 
 the Assembly, and tended on the whole to the public good. Still, it 
 must be admitted, he could have been equally firm, without being 
 
1811.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 223 
 
 equally arbitrary, and that he would have promoted the public weal, 
 just as cflectually, had he not imprisoned innocent men, and violated 
 the rights ot private property. Having obtained leave of al)scnce, he 
 quit Cunada on the 19th of June, to the great regret of the llritish po- 
 pulation. His frame had long been sinking under dropsy, and other 
 infinuitics. The shadow of death was already falling on liim, and he 
 (lied in England in the January of the next year, at the age of sixty- 
 two, having served his country forty-sevon years, in all parts of the 
 world. Simple, earnest, and honest, there can be little doubt that Sir 
 James Craig was the victim of circumstances, and that his conlldence 
 had been abused by the oligarchy, who, as in Upper Canada, then held 
 supreme sway in the province. An irresponsible executive was at the 
 root of most public disorders, and as time progressed, it became evi- 
 dent that Lower Canada had to pass through the same revolutionary 
 ordeal as its western sister. In both provinces identical causes wero 
 producing precisely similar results, and at nearly the same time. 
 
224 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [noi. 
 
 I ' 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 I . ■ •' 
 
 ' UPPER CANADA FROM 1791 TO 1811. 
 
 THE ADMIN ISTP.ATION OB^ JOHN cniAVES ST:\IC0E, ESQ, 
 
 Wc have already seen that Upper Canada, or Canada West, as it i^; 
 now termed, remained a mere wilderness, witli the exception 
 1791. of a few trifling setlkMncnts, till the termination of the Ameri- 
 can war of Independence, From that period to its separation 
 from Lower Canada in 171)1, it remained a portion of the Province ot 
 Quebec, and was under the immediate control of its government, lis- 
 popnlation had in the meantime slowly increased, and when erccfcJ 
 into a separate province, with a legislature modellud on the same ] ri:i- 
 ciplc as that of its sister government, Upj>cr Canada contained about 
 20,000 souls. These were scattered along the St. Lawrence, from L;;I;e 
 St. Francis \ipwards to Kingston ; thence around the Bay of Qiiihte; 
 along the Niagara fiontier; at Amhersthnrg; in the old French settle- 
 raent on the Thames; and in thu Iroquois' settlement at OranJ Kivcr* 
 The bachwoodsman, whose fortunes are cast in the remote inlaiitl 
 settlements of the present day.i'ar removed iVum churches, destitnteot 
 ministers of the gospel, and medical men, without schools, or road.-, i>r 
 
 * The Mohawk tribo, ahnost to .a man qr.itfo'.l tliyir boautifr.! vnllpy nndretir- 
 <'(1 to Caniida with the loyalist.s, uiubT t!;o leai.K'iv^hii) of tlifiu" coli brati .1 fliii't, 
 John Ilrant, on whom t'ani]ibi 11 coptVvi d an niii'iiviablo, thoiiLh, i( W(<iikl ■■•oiiii. 
 iinjii.-^t inmiurtniify in his " (■Vrtriitle of Wyuniiiig." Sloiio assorts, in lii.- life 
 of IJranl, that ho was not oven pr.'sont r.t tho massacre of "iVyoniiriii:, and v, iih 
 rvcry appearance of ti'iilli. P.rant was a Cln'ii:lii;!i, and a niomber of tli.' <"liiinli 
 of Enghind. In 1T80 ho built a elnii-'di on tin; firand b'iver, for ^vliirh In- co!- 
 Jectinl fr.nd- durii;;; a visit to ]"ii<rland, and ll.ere lie j.Iaoed tlm lii-^t " vliurcli ;:ii- 
 ing bell" r.iat ever tolled in UijuT CiM.ada. Shortly leforeliis death he liuiit 
 !i commodious dwelling-house, two storii s hiL'h, for himself near HurliTiglon h.';'- 
 Here lie died on the 21th Noveinber, icM, ;.' '' o age of (\'t years. a!t( r a p:;i;iM 
 illness borne with Christian ]>:!tier,ee and resignation. ■ II ■ was suei-eedctl in ill" 
 ehiei'tainship of the Moh.awks by his fourth son, John. — Sec .Stone's Life of Li^!'. 
 vol. 2. p. -liM-oOO. 
 
[1791. 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 
 'esl, as it i=; 
 le exception 
 the Asneri- 
 s K^paration 
 Provliu'c v\ 
 
 DllUMlt. ll> 
 
 ■liLMi erected 
 3 same prin- 
 aiiied a'oiiut 
 ', from L;i';o 
 of Quii.te; 
 lu-li settle- 
 a Kivor* 
 ote iuhiin] 
 dostitn.te ci 
 r mad.-, "r 
 
 aiu 
 
 Ik' 
 
 •k^ 
 
 V nr.d rt'tir- 
 
 Wdirul '■■Ollll. 
 
 ill lii.- lii'-' 
 
 iin'l V, iih 
 
 ;r ill,' Cliunh 
 
 uliii-'h 111' I'"';- 
 
 " ,'ln!i'c!i a"- 
 
 th lio Imilt 
 
 ii'j;i,on V>y;- 
 
 Ci 
 
 1)11 
 
 i:t(r (I p:": 
 
 fill 
 
 TCCcloil ill tlw 
 l.ifc of lv.-:ii.', 
 
 1702.] 
 
 the many convonicncics that make life desirable, can alone appreciate, or 
 even understand, the nnmeroiis dillicidtics and hardship^-, that beset the 
 first settler among the aguc-swanips of western (^anada. The elotln's 
 on his back, a rifle or old mnsket, and a welltempored axe, were not 
 iiifrcfiucntly the full extent of his worldly possessions. Thus lightly 
 equipped he took possession of his two-hundred acres of closely tim- 
 bered forest-land, and commenced operations. The welkin rings again 
 with his vigorous strokes, as huge tree after tree is assailed and 
 tumbled to the t'arth; and the sun presently shines in upon the little 
 clearing. The best of the logs arc partially s([uared, and serve to 
 build a shanty ; the remainder are given to the flames. Now the rich 
 mould, the accumulation of centuries of decayed vegetation, is gathered 
 into little hillocks, into whieh potatoes are dibbled. Indian corn Is 
 planted in another direction, and perhaps a little wheat. If married, thu 
 lonely coujtlc struggle on in tlieir forest oasis, like the s<ditary traveller 
 over the sands of Sahara, or a boat adrift in the Atlantic. The nearest, 
 neiizhbor lives miles off, and when sickness comes they have to travel 
 (ar through the forest to claim human sympathy. But fortunately our 
 nature, with elastic temperament, adapts itself to circumstances. By- 
 and-by the potatoes peep up, and the corn-blades modestly show 
 themselves around the eharred maple stumps and girdled pines, and 
 the prospect of suflieieney of food gives consolation. As Winter ap- 
 prnaches a deer now and th.cn adds to the comforts of the solitary jicoplo. 
 Such were the mass of the first settlers in Western Canada. Withlix 
 the brief i^paco of si.vt y-l'our years — ;ix y..irs less than the allotcd lifo 
 of man. how marvellous has been the ehange. 
 
 Vv'hen (Governor Simcoe arrived in Tl^pper Canada, on the 8th 
 179:2. of July, 171)2, beyond a sniall village at Kingston, and another 
 at Newark, or Niagara, with .'in occasional cluster of log-cabins, 
 there was nothing in the countiy that was entitled to the name of 
 town. Newark, being ','..■• juost central, and at tl:e same time the most 
 populous, he detcnnii^.cd shr'.r,j(] be his capital {uv the present ; and hert' 
 he aeeordlngly fiNed his resi.ienc.- in a small fran;e house, about half a 
 mile from the village; and hero, also, he assembled the first Provincial 
 Pariianu'nt of Upper Cati.da on the 17th of S-ptembcr. The Lower 
 House was Composed of sixteen member^, plain farmers or merchants ; 
 the I pper House cf a still smaller num]>er. Yet the acts of the first ses- 
 sion, of th..' first j r.vii.unent of I pper Canada, display great; cniiinion 
 sense, an] an iiit!n:;;ti' a('!p:iiintanee v.itli the nece'^slties of the country. 
 ihey were i i.l;t in liiiin'.-r. < )nc introduced tli-' ICnglish civil law: 
 iUiollur c.itauli.^lkd iiia' by jury; a third provided for the casit'r 
 i;e\ vei'v of siiiall ekbls. 'llKie was an act to regulate the toll to \h: 
 
li'zil 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1792. 
 
 I , 
 
 ^, 
 
 taken in mills; from which wc may gather, that millers were as much 
 disposed to take tnore than their share in thosi; days as at the present 
 time. They were now restricted to one-twelflh as their proportion lor 
 grinding and bolting. Another act made provisio.. fov hiiiUling a jail 
 and court-house, in each of the four districts, into wliich the province 
 was divided. Those comprised the Eastern, or Johnstown district ; the 
 Middle, or Kingston district; the Home, or Niagara district; and the 
 Western, or Dctroitdistrict. These districts were again subdivided into 
 twelve counties. 
 
 Even in tlicse rude times, when men flung down the axe, left the 
 plough to repose, or ceased to swing the scytlic, to mature laws, in 
 what was little better than a log barn, at Niagara, there was more of 
 the spirit of real progress in U[)p(;r than in Eowcr Canada. It took the 
 courtly leigniors of the latter seven months, at their firs!, session of par. 
 liament, to mature eight bills; the home-spun farmers of Upper 
 Canada did ])reeisely the same amount of work in five weeks. 'Jhey 
 were evidently men after Governor Simcoe's own heart, to jndg. from 
 the following speech with which he closed the session on the loth uf 
 October : — 
 
 " It is with very great satisfaction that I have considered the acts 
 which you have found it expedii-nt to frame, and to which, in conse- 
 quence of the power delegated to me, I have this day given my assent, 
 that they shall become laws of Upper Canada. 
 
 '"As the division which his Majesty, in his wisdom, thought proper 
 to make of the lati> prcnince of Quebec obviated all inconviMiifUi Us, and 
 laid the foundation for an establislnnent of ;lie English lawo in the pro- 
 vince, it is natural to presume, that you would seize the first oppor- 
 tunity to impart that bemfit to your fellow subjects; and by an act to 
 establish trial by jury, and by that, which makes the Ent>lisli law the 
 rule of decision, in all matters of controversy, relative to property and 
 civil rights, you have fully juf^tilied ihe public expeclaiion. Your 
 other acts sc(>m calculated to ])ron)ote the general welfare and con- 
 venience of the province. 
 
 "His Majesty, in his benevolence, having directed a seventh from 
 isuch lands as shall be granted to be reserved to the crown, for the 
 jniblic benefit, it will become my duty to take thosj nu•a^5ures which 
 shall appear to be necessary to fulfil his Majesty's gracious intentions; 
 and make no doubt but, as citizens and magistrates, you will give 
 every assistance in your power to carry into full effect a system, from 
 which the public and posterity must derive such peculiar advantages. 
 
 I cannot dismiss yon without earnestly desiring you to promote, by 
 Ttrecept) and example, among your respective counties, the regular 
 iiabits of piety anJ morality, the surest ibinidations of all private and 
 public felicity; and, at this juncture, 1 particularly recommend ti> ,/ou 
 to explain, that this province is singularly blest, not with a vuitlhiicl 
 amsfitvtion, but with a constitution which has stcoj th'^ test of c>;pe- 
 
[1792. 
 
 is much 
 
 •lion lor 
 ig a jiiil 
 [)r"v'iiice 
 rict ; the 
 and the 
 idt'd into 
 
 , left the 
 
 laws, in 
 
 inoif (if 
 ; took the 
 m o( jiur- 
 ^•f Upper 
 ;s. They 
 idg.' from 
 10 15th of 
 
 d the aet3 
 , ill c'onsc- 
 nv absent, 
 
 It proper 
 iiiv's, and 
 the pro- 
 est oppor- 
 an act to 
 hiw the 
 )crty aii<l 
 11. Voiir 
 and coii- 
 
 cntli from 
 ,11, for the 
 ifos which 
 iitciitioiis; 
 will givf 
 cm, <iom 
 a!ita;j;cf'. 
 ,inoto, hy 
 10 regular 
 ■ivate anil 
 liul to ./ou 
 mutil'itt'l 
 of cNpc- 
 
 793.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 227 
 
 rionco. and is tho vcrj/ imnrje nnd transcript nf that of Great Brifaln ;* 
 by which sh(^ has h)iiir cstJiitli^lu-d and secured to hi'i- siil.ject';, as iniieh 
 (rcc(hi!n and happiiic-s as is po-^-^iUie to be enjoyed, iiiideV the sul)ordi- 
 latioii necessary to civili/ed soci^tv.'' 
 
 Governor Simcoo had served in tho American war, still retained the 
 
 ominand of a regiment, anil held besides tho rank of lirigadier. In 
 
 .ddition to Ills pay he owned extensive estates in l-higlaiuKf and it is 
 
 iiflicult to c'CiMceive what could have induced liim to bury himsi'll in the 
 
 uresis of Canada. The enlinditeiied and liberal nu'asures h(> pursued 
 
 cad to the stipposiiion, that hi; was actuati'd by pattiotie motives; but 
 
 vory probably these were imt unmixed with the belief a war would 
 
 'I'c long spring up between Britain and her revolted colonies, in which 
 
 as (lovernor of Cppcr Canada, he must play an im[>ortant part, and 
 
 thus gratify the dislike liu iiad conceived against America. J As a 
 
 :norni)cr of the Uritlsh House of Commons he supported Mr. Pitt's 
 
 t)ill, giving a new constitutinn to Canada, and possibly he de>ired 
 
 :o carry out tlio nieasure la; had advocated., IJut, whatever might 
 
 .lave been his motives, his designs were on a scale commensurate to the 
 
 astnoss of tho country, and were attended with tho n\ost beneficial 
 
 .'onsoquences. 
 
 When Mr. Simooe first came to Canada, ho supposed that tho Home 
 •lovernment would retain possession of the fort on the American side 
 of the Niagara ITiver,^ and which was still strongly garrisoned by 
 British troops. When he found it was about to be surrendered, 
 1703. he abandoned the design of making Newark his oa[)ital, as it 
 would be too near the frontier. "The chief town of a province, 
 must not be placed under the guns of an enemy's fort," said the Gover- 
 nor, and he accordingly turned his attention to procuring a more suit- 
 able site for the metropolis of Upper Canada. In tho summer of 1793, 
 h.i coasted along the U})per shore of Lake Ontario; took a look into 
 Wellaiid liiver, and Twenty -mile Creek ; surveyed Burlington Bay; 
 and filially halted near the ruins of the old French fort, Toronto, so 
 called after the Italian Tiirtiito, ^vherc the inmates of a solitary 
 
 * III making this statement Mr. Siincoc cviJcntlv forgot the irresponsible exe- 
 cutive of Canada. 
 
 t R)(h,;foucault's Travel?. 1795. 
 
 X Gourlay, vol. 2. p. 141. 
 
 § During Siincoo's government tlio construction of Fort George on the British 
 ► iJe of the rivor was coiiiinoncod nearly opposite to Fort Niagara. Another fort 
 was soon aftor commenced at Anihcrstburg to which tho garrison from Detriot 
 w.'is withdrawn. 
 
I • 
 
 . '.» 
 
 r- 
 
 228 TITE HISTORY [1793. 
 
 ■wigwam,* rcprcsorilod tlio Huron nation, on this tlioir anciont limiting 
 ground. Here, a nock of land slrclcliiiig boldly out in'o tlio. \i\\u), 
 foiinc'd a scciiro liarbor for slii|»pii)g. Lako Ontario rolled lhirty--iix 
 miles of its waters between it and liiu Anieri(Uii shore, thus lesseidiig 
 the daiigcrs of invasion ; ;iiiii tin vast forests of beceii and iiia|de, and 
 the other hard-woods of ('an;id;i, that stretched away along t'.io old 
 French track towards Lako .Sinicoo, showed the land to be fertile. 
 The geographical silnatifjii of Toronto was excellent. To the oa-*^ and 
 sonth, and west, the Ijroad lake gave easy aceos.^. To the north, thirty 
 niilos gained the Holland Kiver, navigable for its short iiiterveiiliig dis- 
 tance to the beanllful lake into which it falls. From Lake Simeon it 
 was easy to peneti'ate to Lake Huron, on the one hand, and to the cliaiii 
 of small h.kos lying tow;irds the I'pper Ottawa, on the other. All these 
 considerations no doiil)t presented themselves to the inind of Governor 
 SinK'(K', whose indnstry had already made him aiupiaiiited with 
 
 170L the resources of the country ; and he determined that Toronto 
 
 should be his capital city. The result lias ainply justified liis 
 
 choice. From a localllv, where fiftv years ai;o the beaver ganibolleil 
 
 in solitary streams, rarely visited by human foot;,tej)s, and where fever 
 
 and aj;ue reigned sunremo, has arisen one (A' the ir.o.st beautiful cities 
 
 of iho American continent, with a population, at the present 
 
 171)5. moment, of 50,000 souls. In 17iJ5 the infant city was dcscrlued 
 by the French traveller, Koehefoncaidt, as containing twelve 
 houses, besides the barracks in which Simeoe's regiment were quartered. 
 The inhabi.taiits he stigmatized as not possessing the fairest character. 
 
 But, the liberality with which land was granted to actual settlers, 
 soon induced many persons to emigrate from the United St'iNs to 
 Upper Canada. Its population soon rose to JjO,000 souls, and (/overnor 
 Simcoc now began to dread that the country would be chi'^fly settled 
 by Americans; who, desjiite their oath of alkgianco, might not alwnvs 
 make the most loyal suljei'ts. 'l hey were hard-working. peaee;;!tlc 
 citizen^-, neveilludess, and his desire to se(> tlie country pro. per W(.iild 
 not allow him to thwart their .settlement withiii liisgovernrnent. 1 firo 
 was a new dillk'nlty. If 'J'oron''o, or Yoik, as he nanied it, should he 
 chiefly settled b.y Americans, ho might ju.-.t as well make Newark his 
 cai»ital. He now conceived the idea of establishing the metropolis <it' 
 Canada on a river, named Do la Trcncho in (,)ld French maps, liiit 
 which he re-ehiistened by the name, of Thame.% and on which his 
 London of tir> New World was to arise. A belt of loyal settlers 
 stretched along the coast of Lake Erie was to give additional security 
 
 * Uouclietto's Topography, p. COT. 
 
im^i 
 
 or CANADA. 
 
 220 
 
 lako. 
 
 and 
 
 : nlw 
 
 avs 
 
 c'ac>;; 
 
 .1)1.' 
 
 •r \V( 
 
 ■uia 
 
 t. il 
 
 I ro 
 
 (Uild 
 
 lu> 
 
 i-;irk 
 
 his 
 
 )](ills (if 
 
 af.s. 
 
 l.iit 
 
 hich 
 
 his 
 
 set! 
 
 !l(T^ 
 
 fcourity 
 
 to the fiiliiro, city, as rcpanltil internal disafloclion, and to form un 
 ffnciont miiitiji in time of was. 
 
 Governor Sirncoo's plan'*, howcvor, wcrv". thwarted in a direction he 
 did not anti.'ipatc. In (■ivi! matters ho was dominant in his province, 
 and with ri\!^ard to thftn coinmimioatod directly with tlio Biitish 
 ministry. Hut (Vpcr Canada had little pul. lie. revenue of its own, 
 the Covernor-Gencral, Lord Dorchotcr, held the imp(>rial purso- 
 strin^s, was moreover Command(!r-in-ehii:f of liritish North Ameriea, 
 ind had therefore the disposition of troops, and ve-^scls of war. Ho 
 directed that Kiniiston sdionld be the principal naval ai. 1 military sta- 
 tii)n of Lake Ontario; such it accordini^ly Ineame, and such it remains 
 to the present time. I'orty-tlireo y( ars afterwards, Sir John C(ill)ornc 
 carried out Covernor Simcou's plan in part, by erecting extensive 
 barrioks on the spot he had cho-on for his metrop(,)Iis. llonses ra[)idly 
 spnmg np in their ncighboihood ; and the lionuon of Canada has 
 already expanded into a flonriNliing city of 12,000 inhabirants, the 
 centre of a vast system of railroads, and the capital id' the most fertile 
 district of Britain in the New World. 
 
 The second session of llie Provincial P;;rliam( nt commenced 
 1703. at Xiairara on the ob-it of ]\rav, at wlileli thirteen nsefid bills 
 were jiassed. One of t'lese provided 'iuv the payment of mem- 
 bers, at the rate of two dollar; per day; a very moderate allowance 
 for Icj^dslators, at a time when (irdirary farni-lal.orers received half that 
 "•um for eleven hours' '.vork. I'lit by liir the most important law 
 passed iit this session, was one levelled n<;alnst slavery, which, 
 allliouifh opposed to the spirit of the common law of England, had 
 iievcrtLelcss been permitted to (xist in the (Jan.'idas by act of parlia- 
 ment. This act licensed the imj ortation of slaves into the " Province 
 of Quebec," and under its anthoiity a few negroes had been already in- 
 Iroduccd into Upper Canada, llut slavery was fully as re[)ugnant to 
 its rustic lcci.s]ator as it was to lh(! ^l!i<nia ("iM.i'ta oi' Kiir.: John, and 
 he now declared tliat no more slaves u(>re to be impcjrted into the 
 cok)ny under certain pnins and penalties;, iw.i] that i vcu voluntary cr>n- 
 tracts for personal services were to be limited to nine years. But he 
 did not even think this a suflkient step in t!;e ( .use of human freedom. 
 While the act confirmed the property of m:u t( rs in slaves, imported 
 under authorized licenses, provision was made th-'.t their future ihildren 
 --hould be manumitti'd at tlie age of tweiitv-five viurs. Tims, ten vears 
 i'efore slavery was aboli.dicd iri Lower (^anada, iiv the deei.sion o{ its 
 Chief 'Justice, the farmers of Upper Canada ha-.i struck a blow fatal to 
 »ls existence, and in the lapse of a lew years cvcvy semblance of it had 
 disappeared. 
 
 • 
 
1230 
 
 THE IIIST()r:Y 
 
 I , 
 
 [1795. 
 
 'J'ho parliiviiuiit of I'ppor Cniiada, in llio^o duys, wai olcotod rpiar- 
 
 tciiiiially as at [iri'sciit ; ami tlu> (ir^>tt Assi-mldy aiTunliiij,'!) tcr- 
 
 1705. rniiiatfil with tho session of 17'.)."), held at Nia{;;ara. Tlu- laws 
 
 oiiaott'd wiTf all of a useful and ciiiiiiciilly practical character, 
 
 nnd refleeted consideralile eriMlit on tlu'ir ftaiiiers. 
 
 Heyond the inforiiialion to he pleaned from tho Rlatiito Hook and 
 public ri'Cor(h, little is known of the social {'oiiditioii of Caimda 
 West at this period, nltholl|^ll time stood on the threshohl of the jire- 
 sent gfiieratioii. 'J'he public press of ijio province was limited to a 
 domi sheet, issued as a Government (htzclte at Niagara, not the ft)urth 
 part of the I'xpinse of whieli was ri'paid by its circulation, averaging 
 from T)!) to l.>0 copii's. It was publi>he(l weekly, and contained sliort 
 abstracts from the New York and Albany Papers, as well as from the 
 (2iielu'(r (i(i:e/fc, of news usually a month old. The little press on 
 which it was thrown off, served also to print the acts t)f the Legislature, 
 and the proclamations and circulars issued by the Governor, which gave 
 it the greatest share of employment. What a ilclightful lime that 
 solitary printer of Upper Canada must have hul ! lie had the job- 
 prinling of a province, three, times as large as I'^ngland to himself, and 
 he indited his diminutive editorials, without the fear before his eves of 
 ihcir being erilici-,ed by a sna[)pish and ill-naturod rival. 
 
 Owing to complaints made by the American government with 
 regard to Governor Siincoe's exciting the hostilities of the lro(piois, 
 both in Canada and w<!stern New York, and his plans not being 
 approved of by cither I^ord Dorchester or the British nunistry, 
 179G. he was recalled in 1790, uhen ^Ir, IJussell, as senior mem- 
 ber of tho Executive Council, assumed the direction of public 
 afTairs.* 
 
 ^ No sooner had tho Governor departed, thnn the principal designs he 
 had formed, many of which were most judicious, were abandoned, and 
 several of his engagements with settlers violated. Lands which he 
 designed should be given to actual occupants, were seized upon by tho 
 favorites of men in power for the purpose of speculation. Great injury 
 vas thus inflicted upon settlers whose properties were insulated by 
 forest tracts, which shut them out from mutual intercourse and help, so 
 necessary in a new country; while, at the same time, this condition of 
 things rendered their farms of less valuc.f 
 
 This year Niagara ceased to be the capital of Upper Canada. The 
 
 * For nn oxoollont aeciMint of Canada at this period, sec Appendix, No. 3. 
 f Gourlay, vol. 2. p. 310. 
 
1707.] 
 
 OP CANADA. 
 
 231 
 
 rSovcrninont ofncp^ woro rpmovo<l to Toronto, whoro tlio spoond 
 1797. Parliutiu'iit of tlic provinco ii«is('inl)|t'(l i<\\ tho 1st of .liiiic to 
 hold its sccotid s('s-i((n, at wliieh sovoiitoon nets \v«i'i« ptissi'd, 
 and coiifinncil liy tlic PrcsiilfiU. 
 
 No Governor Imviii^' arrived. Mr. IIiis>^ell still ootifitnied to direct 
 
 the adiiiinislralioii. On the Htli of .Iinie, in tlui tolli>uin:j veiir, 
 
 170S. he njxain t\sseml)led the le<jislHlnre ; and likewisi* pert'irmed tho 
 
 1701). same ofliet! on tli> I'Jdi olMinie, \'iW. Meinwhlle, Miijnr-(Jeno- 
 
 ral IV'ter Hunter hud been a[)|)oihte(l liieutcnant (iovernor of 
 
 the province, and arrived ont in the course of the year. 
 
 THE ADMINIS'IIIATIOX OF riTKIl HINTKI:, I.S(i. 
 
 Canada nnder Frenel donunion, as wo have already frei[iiently seen, 
 was never ablt! t<> C(Mnpeto with the iJrItish eo!(inii>s tbr the 
 1800. western trade. Ihe ra|)i(ls of the St. Lawrence, and the long 
 p(jrta<j;('s they rendiTiul necessary in its ascent, inaile the cijni- 
 munication tedious and dillieult witii theifri-at laUes ; and, a^ide from a 
 restricted trade, placed a forniidalde harriir in tlie v\-ay of inland com- 
 merce. The road to Lake Ontario was e(uiiparativcly ea<y iVnni New 
 York or All)any, and the f,n'eatcr rapidity with whith inerch.iiidi>e eon- 
 scqncntly traversed to and iVo fVcun tli(> sea-ltnard, i^ave the merchanta 
 
 of th 
 
 osc cities an iiiiiiu'ii'^e advaiitaiie over traders o 
 
 f [ 
 
 ower 
 
 anai 
 
 The same state of things pi-eciscly, continued long after the first settle- 
 ment of Up|Hr Canaila, which became alniosi imniedjately tributary 
 to the trade of the State of New York, and so ccjiitimicd till the con- 
 struction of the St. I^awieiice canals removed the nnt'ivoralile tratnres 
 in its geographical posiiion. Western Nesv York dates its settlement 
 from the same period as western Ciiiada. liiit the fl inner had nnicli 
 greater adv.antages on its side, and its jirogress at fir>t was conse- 
 quently more ra[iid. An international commerce!-;. ,.: bciran to spring 
 up across Lake Ontario, the iipi'crSt. Lavvreiice, and the Niagara Uiver. 
 This, the non-specchifying, piaetieal legislators of tlie province, deemed 
 it necessary to regulate, and accordingly in their session couvcikm) by 
 General Hunter, at Toronto, on the ijnd of June, an act was passed 
 
 noil 
 
 or in con 
 
 with that object in view, and which gave the Govern 
 
 power to establish ports of entry, and adopt such other measures a» 
 
 might be desirable. 
 
 Still, it was csident that the commercial intercourse, wdiich had 
 
 sprung up beiween tiie two countries, had not removed the 
 |180L jealousy of Amcrltan desire Ibi' conipiest ; so, in the msuing 
 
 year an act, about to expire, for the better security of ilie pro- 
 
 
H.' 
 
 .'.» 
 
 l- "J 
 
 .\ . 
 
 d: 
 
 
 THE TTISTOUY 
 
 vinco an;>iin=;t lli^ Kinj-'s onomlos was conliimed in forco. 
 
 [1801. 
 To help 
 
 the Crown to (K fray tho iiKTca-it"! cuil oxpi'iiscs, ihu duties colU'ctwi 
 on products hr ...^lit iro.ii liiu I'liileil Suites, being llu', same as those 
 
 liauded over to his Majesty, f u- a certain 
 
 t'Vieo on 
 
 ii_rli.-li ii'iioMs, wt 
 
 term, an(] Cornwall, Jjrockville (Johnstown), Newcastle, Toronto 
 (York), Niau^ai'a. Qiieenston, Fort Erie, Tnrkey Point, Andierst burgr, 
 and Saiidsvieli, declared {>orts of entry. Tlu' (lovernor had the [irivilege 
 
 o 
 
 Lippomtuig collector-, whoso salaries wi 
 
 ;re not to exceed £100 cur- 
 
 rency ; while below tlitt snm, they were paid ^•■'.i: one half the 
 amount of all the duties ihey collected ; IVoni which it may be gathered, 
 
 that this brancli of rev 
 
 enne was not in a very nourishing o 
 
 :ondit 
 
 ion. 
 
 Another act, passed at this session, j)rohibited llie sale of spirituous li- 
 quors and strong waters, in the Indian set.iement on the Thames. 
 
 All this time l^iglish cmigi'ants, lr;?h, Scotch, and Americans, the 
 latter still the most numerous, came to seek a home in the now pro- 
 vince; but the English, as at the present d.iy, were the fewest of all. 
 From Ireland, where the troubles ot " 'J)8"' had left many a hearth de- 
 solate, and many a heart seared and crushed with sorrow, came 
 most of the old country people, iiettcr a free home, even though it 
 were the rndcMt shanty of the backvvoodsman in the sad and sombre 
 forests of Canada, than the cottage in old Erin, where any moment the 
 White-boy might cruelly thrust the crackling turf into the thatch, or 
 the niinions of Castlereagh level its walls to the ground. And thus 
 
 settlements gradually spread on every side. When the legi.la- 
 1802. turo next sat the new district of Newcastle had been formed, and 
 
 an act was passed providing for the administration of ju^tiee 
 therein. Another act opened new p^^rts of entry to meet the wants of 
 thj increasing population. A third grant £750 to encourage the growth 
 of hetnp, with a view to make England indepoident of Russia, and 
 voted £84 for stationerv for the House; a verv moderate sum for 
 writing nniterials, when compared with the present public e.xpencliture 
 
 of Canada in that w 
 
 ^Y' 
 
 Aside from the proceedings of the Legislature there ' is very 
 
 little known of J\Ir. Hunter's administration. lies 
 
 pon 
 
 SI 
 
 ble 
 
 1803. government did not then exist: there was no " opposition 
 
 party ni parliament, nor an mdependetit press to chronicle its 
 sayings and irs doings, and comment on its measures, had the contrary 
 been the case. The fai'mcrs and store-keepers ke|it close to their farms 
 or their shops, and when they had legislated to their hearts' content, 
 
 leavni<r the irrespc 
 
 nisibl 
 
 e cxecu- 
 
 weiit home to look after their bnsine; 
 
 tive to take, care of theirs, without, oneo troubling themselves about 
 
 i'jrming part of the ministry. At all events, in a Commons of si.xte 
 
 tn, 
 
1803.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 0'>«» 
 
 H»\v'li il 
 
 1, 
 
 soniG o 
 
 f ul 
 
 lOSO 
 
 :i'. (il i\ aiiinir aiK 
 
 jini] a Legislative Council of ciiilit or ten in 
 
 litorai'V aciinii'cineiits barely exlei.Jcd to a ki 
 
 wrilini;, u iiiajorily apiiiist nlilli^sl(M■s Avoiild not !)l' a \<.'\'\ tiM rlhlc iiHiiir 
 
 But, tlKM'e were nelllu'r Kefornie'i ■ nor ('Icai' (Jills, r.cr ( '<iu -crNalivcs 
 
 ni tiiosc tiays, so |:)iil)iie (juestinns \\\i\; dcrulrd Mtlciy uu th^ii- niiTits 
 [■arty liad nt^tliing to (!>> willi tlnin one way- or tlie dtln 
 nient hail. 'I'lie Asscnilily rride la\. s to ii 
 
 lu! ^ovcrii- 
 
 inik' 
 
 th 
 
 ('xe;ii! ive. am 
 
 1 th 
 
 executive enforecil tin'iu or not as they deoinc^l |)ropi'r ; su n)at- 
 1801:. ters up to 1S04 had progros-'.ed pretty liarnioniou'-.ly. Wliih^ 
 
 the o()n!itry was very s[)arsely pojiidated, ami iliv pfoph- poor 
 and ill-infornic'd, this niliiht alter al! Ik; llir bcL-t po-^sible stale ol' tilings. 
 Canada had hitherto been too youniji; to admit of a lieailhy oppo-ilion, 
 and faction anivMig a ronuli race ot i);u'k\voodstiH'ii nmst have si^riously 
 retarded tiie progress of tlic conntry. 'J'lic [jcoiile liad icw taxes to 
 pay, and for years had been too Ijiisy tumbling down the huge forests, 
 getting out rails, planting wheat, and ccjrn, an<l |iolatoes, and making 
 their homes more comfortable, to trouble themselves much about the 
 affairs of government. 
 
 Over Iwentv vears of hard and incessant to'l and a.\rage 
 1805. prosperity, at length gave leisure to the early pioui'crs of Canada. 
 
 to look around them, in order to see how matteis had progressed 
 during their long and arduous sti'ugglo with \h<^ forest. 1"h( _ now 
 perceived th:it a new state of things had gradiutiiy arisen, and that 
 while thev had l;cen improving their condition, and the counlrv slowlv 
 
 prosperuig in pioportion to their mdividual success, 
 
 causes had beei^ 
 
 silently operating which laid the foundation of seri(/us |uiblic evils. 
 Among the principle of these was an irresponsible executive (ouncil, 
 which had s[)eedily gatht'red round itself the whole administrative in- 
 fluence of the colony. I'his council was composed of the Governor, 
 and five others, removable at his pleasure, it was, therefore, to nil 
 
 th 
 
 iinent^ and [)urposes a one-man-power, provided tlie 'jovernor was a 
 person of resolution and ability, but i* he was weak or timid tlun the 
 rest of the council became thj supreme power, and acted as they 
 deemed proper. 
 
 In a wi'a!thy and populous community, a House of Assembly, and 
 an intelligent and :nde]H'ndent press, might Bcrve as a counterpoise to 
 an absolute executive of this kind, but in Canada West, at this period, 
 the trifling put)lie revi'Une, wholly ii;adei|uate to mi'cl tli;> current ex- 
 penses o| 'he civil list, had alieady bn-n handed over to the govern- 
 nient, and no check could under these circumstances be e>tabli--lied bv 
 an annual vote of sup[ilies. As for the puldie press of the province, 
 it was still composetl of the solitary Gazette^ which was completely iu 
 
234 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1805, 
 
 ,\. 
 
 
 !t 
 
 tho hands of the govonimont, and accordingly supported ji;fr/f/s a (/(• 
 nr/!/.9 cvory ini-asiifo of the cxfciitivo. 
 
 To understand tlu>. position of C.iniida ;it this period it must l)c 
 rcriifinbiri'd, tjiat in (ircat Britain the. constitiilion had boon the pro- 
 duot of ii^fos, and happily was of so oxpanslvo a character, as jiradiially 
 to adapt itsolf to tho inoi'easod intollij^onoo and noocssitios of tlio peo- 
 ple. Of this intollijrcneo, and these necessities, ^Tagna Ciiarta itself 
 wa-5 tho offspring; at a later period tliev proiliiced the revolution whieii 
 drove the despotic James iVoni the tlnone, and inangurated a new era 
 of e(;n-(itntional liherty with tho acees>ion of W^illiam ill. With hlin, 
 also, came in responsible govornmeiit, and from thenceforth when minis- 
 ters could not command a majoiily tliey retu-ed from ofl'ico. It will, 
 therefore, bo seen at a glance, that the I5riti>h ministry, in framing the 
 constitution of 1701 for Canada, had presumed that its social eonilitiou 
 must rcson)blc that of EiighuHl before tho revolution of 1(588, and 
 gave it accordingly very nearly the form of goveriin-ent existing there 
 anterior to that [HM'iokl. (,'anada had aeeordingly ti>go through the same 
 revolutionary ordeal fu'ecisely, with the ^im[)ie diOereiice, tliat its r!ij)id 
 increase in population and wealth, brought the crisis about in a few 
 years, whieli in England it had taken generations to nnjture. 
 
 Where electors do not exercise an indirect infhu'nee upon govora- 
 mcnt through their representativt-. the elective iVauehiso is of little 
 comp;u'ativ(i valu''. The executive is the only real governing powerin 
 the state, and tho people nui>t be content to be either ruled iiy the 
 king, <.'r his representative, if ho is a de-pot like James II, or Oinor 
 Cromwell ; it «)therwise, by an oligarchy. Thu--, tho CanaiKan consti- 
 tution of 1701 only permitti'(l of two alternatives. To be governed 
 by an oligarchy was the fate of both I'pper and Lower Canada. Cir- 
 cumstances cast the lialance in their favoi', and even iis early as 1805 
 their -elgn had already conuneneed. A pure despotism, wielded by a 
 coe,sci''nlious man of tab lit, would no doubt have been preferable; to 
 this mode of governient, had it not, toi'tunately, been a stepping stone 
 to a better state of things. Had the constitution of 1701 made due 
 pro\isii)n for a change to responsible govei'nment, when tho wealth and 
 intelligence of the people wai'ranted such a stop, much disorder, and 
 some misery, would have been avoided. Still, it had all the progres- 
 sive qualities of its venerablo ancestor: time righted its errors: and 
 as the l-.'ngli-h constitution outlivt'd the revolution of 1(»88. so did that 
 of Canaihi exist after the union of tho two provinces. Its con-'itntioii 
 is now a j crfect transcript of that of the mother-country, and promises 
 to enduie for ages. 
 
 The evils of au irresponsible government, of themselves suffniiently 
 
1805.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 235 
 
 opprcssivo, v,crc increased by causes of a local character, and which 
 could only exist in a new coiinliy. As Canada West became more 
 jirosperous, it also became the refnge of a host ■ f poor gentlemen, 
 half-pay ofTi 'crs and others, who came tliithcr to improve IJKMr fortunes. 
 While under French dominion, this class of per.sons had provt ' a seri- 
 ous draw-back to the prosperity of Lower Canada; and as Ci'.uada 
 West hail no commissions to give in a corps of " Colony Troops," 
 matters W(M'e now worse with tlu-m tlian ever. Some had sold their 
 comiiiissions; their grants of lands were likewise soon disposed of at 
 a dollar or two an acre, and they then became hangers-on of the admin- 
 istration, to be thrust into every Jietty odiec! as it became vacant, whe- 
 tlier tht; were lit for it or otherwise. Others, more prudent, retaiinMJ 
 at least as much of thiMr land as they considered they could ciilti' e 
 to advantage, au'l sotight to preserve by lluJr e.xclusiveness the .>upc- 
 riority, which tln^y S!ip|>o>ed their advantages of education, and \ ., 
 station they had occupied hitherto in society, ought to entitle tli'Mii to. 
 But, in a country where evci\ (iovernor Simcoe could not retain a single 
 male servant; where a man could acquire twodumdred acres of fertile 
 land by simple occupation, or three months' wages; and where a num- 
 ber of small proprietors in fee-simple created a conservative democracy, 
 this claim to superiority was somewhat dilUcult to be established. 
 Hence, this class also came to regard government influence as the only 
 way of preserving their presumed respectability. So theii' necessities 
 gradually drew these poor gentlemen of Canada closer ami closer, till at 
 length ihey became a distinct party in the country. Fostered by an 
 irresponsible government, whicli leaned to the foundation of a Canadian 
 aristocracy, it gradually aerpiired strength and influence: its members 
 intermarried backwards and forwards iinuiug tliems(dves, and at lenglli 
 it emerged into the full-blown, famous, Fanuly Compact. 
 
 But there was a third class of poor gentlemen, who pursued a. 
 wiser and more manly course. Acting on the truism, " that God help-- 
 them who help themselves," they readily adaptee themselves witliout 
 complaint to tiicir altered condition. ^Vhile they learned to wiidd the 
 axe, and swing the cradle, with the energy and skill of I'le roughest, 
 backwoodsman, they relaini'd tiieir polished mainuMs, their lit.'rary 
 tastes, their love for the beautiful and the elegant, and thus exercised 
 the most beneficial influence on their rustic neighbors. In the absence 
 of scho(tls, of churches, of most of the relining causes of civilised so- 
 ciety, this ch.sy of the early settlers of Fpper Canada were foremost 
 !n usefulness. Their superior education, their well-bred Maimers, iheir 
 more refined habits, raised them in the estimation of the rural popula- 
 
 R 
 
23G 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1805^ 
 
 1 • 
 
 
 1 ">•. 
 
 tion, who soon tacitly admitted a superiority, which would never have 
 been conceded were it more directly assorted. 
 
 Thus, as early as 1805, we find two distinct parties cxistin-^ in Can- 
 ada West, which were very closely assimilated to the Tory and \\ hig. 
 parties of Great Britain, anterior to the revolution. The first clung to- 
 an irresponsible executive, as the source of iluir pov/er and even of 
 their very existence; the second, desired a larger measure of constitu- 
 tional liberty. The advantages of government support, more ample 
 means, and superior intelligence, gave the Tory party a long and de- 
 cided superiority ; still the triumph of their opponents remained merely 
 a matter of time. 
 
 A system of favoritism, a desire of parties in power to benefit their 
 friends and supporters, speedily produced many abuses under the easy 
 sway of Governor Hunter. Patents wore refused to actual settlers 
 for lands, which were subserpienlly deeded to non-occupants. Ui)wards 
 of sixty thousand pounds* was annually expended ft)r the benefit of the 
 Indian tribes, and presented a favorable opportunity for peculation, of 
 which many were not slow to avail themselves. The provisions, cloth- 
 mg, and farming utensils, granted by the Uritsli government, for the 
 benefit of poor loyalists, were in many cases handed over to favorites, 
 in others, allowed to become useless, from negligence, in the public 
 stores, f 
 
 Nor was the administration of justice what it might be desired, or 
 wl.at it most undoubtedly ought to have been. Judges did not hold^their 
 commissions for life, if they conducted themselves with propriety, as 
 at the present day, and Avere removable at the pleasure of the Crown. 
 This circumstance weakened their persr)nal influence, and in some 
 cases, poKsibly, swayed their decisions. Ju'-ies :iccordingly disregarded 
 the bench; on one occasion, in the presence of the Chief Justice, 
 the people became tumultuous, and the stocks were publicly broken. 
 Shop-keepers were usually the justices of the peace, and thus armed 
 with the means of extortion, and the power of enforcing payments, not 
 unfrequently used both in their own favor. The courts of appeal were 
 badly constructed ; their practice arbitrary and oppressive. Favorite 
 altot'neys were made deputy clerks of the jteace, so that writs might 
 be more readily obtained, while the Crown-lawyer was '' paid by the 
 job," and allowed about seven pounds for each criminal prosecution, a 
 temptation to frivolous indictments. 
 
 In one instance, an action was brought against a magistrate for an il- 
 legal decision, and ho was mulcted in one hundred pounds. An attempt 
 
 * Gourlay, vol. 2. p. 150, 
 
 f Jacksou'a Vumphlet on Canada, 1809- 
 
1805.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 237 
 
 was made to set this verdict aside in the Kind's Bench, but that failing, 
 the Crown-lawyor ordered the clerk of the court not to issue the execu- 
 tion, wliich was, therefore, refused. A sheriff ai^ain dare not apply for 
 his fees; nor the printer sue for tlie money voted him by the Assembly 
 for printing their journals ; nor tiie public surveyors press their claims 
 for services rendered in laying out new townships. iSuch Wirs the con- 
 dition of matters when ^Ir. 'J'liorpe, a respc'ctablc English lawyer, 
 arrived in Canada West, as one of ihe .Indices of the Court of Kines' 
 Hcnch ; and whose upright conduct tended to allay the irritation now 
 beginning to spread itself among the people. 
 
 TIIE ADlIINISTItATION OK FKANCIS (iOUK ESQ. 
 
 Mr. [Tunter having been recalled, after a brief interregiium 
 180G. by Alexander Grant, as president, i\Ir. Hove arrived from Eng- 
 land to take charge of the province, as Lieutenant-Cilovernor. 
 This gentleman stood high in point of personal worth, was of a manly 
 and generous, though easily influenced, disposition, and no doubt de- 
 sired to govern the province justly. The faults which snhi-equently 
 distinguished his administriition, were evid'Mitly owing to his ignorance 
 of the country, in the first place ; to a subservient legislature, with a too 
 great proportion of arbitrary power, in the second, and wdiieli, unforti:- 
 iiatuly. he soon resigned into the hands of the oligarchv. As might 
 natm'ally be expected ho was almost immediately surrounded, on his 
 arrival, by the leaders of the T(U'y party, and was speedily indueneed in 
 their favor. Compared with these eouilly gentlemen, wdio composed, 
 in a measure, the hest society of the little capital, and enlivened the 
 soirees of the Governor, by the wit and polished manners they had ac- 
 <liiired in refined circles in the inother-country, the fiieze-coated farmers 
 had not the remotest chance of obtaining ministerial influence. 
 
 Still, the people didnotstand the less sturdily up f '" .'..v.ir rights. An 
 iiiiparlial administration of justice had made Judge Thorpe ali'cady po- 
 pular, and when he went on circuit, the several grand juries intrusted 
 their grievances to him to be laid before the Governor. The latter 
 soon became prejudiced against the Judge, and when a constituency 
 almost unanimously invited him vo rv'present them in parliament, for 
 in those days Judges were eligible for the office, every government 
 engine was set at work to defeat him. Thorpe never solicited a vote, 
 «tili he was elected. The solitary newspaper was now loud in its abuse, 
 and denounced the people's favorite in no measured terms. 
 1807. This led to the tsdiblishment of an indispendent journal, the 
 Upper Canada Guardian^ so the war between the rival parties 
 
2n8 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [i8or 
 
 ^;■ 
 
 .u- \ 
 
 liad fairly commencccl.* Tliorpo, however, fell a victim to Lis pojmla- 
 rity. The reproscntations of the Govtriior procured liis rceall oy tliu 
 Secretary of State. f Jle subsequently sued Mr Gore in J'Ji^lanJ for 
 libel, got a verdict in his favor, was discarded by the ininislry on tlic 
 first opportunity, and in old ago and iufirniity consigned to j'oveiLy and 
 neglect. J 
 
 The first session of the Provincial I'urliamont, convened by ]\Ir. 
 Gore, was distinguished by a very lii)eral appropriation of £800 fur 
 the purpose of ]iaying the salaries of iiiaslers of gintninar schools. 
 in each of the eight distrlcls, in'o wliicli Upper Canada had by lliis tinii 
 expanded. The pationage was vested in the government. 'J'hc sum ul 
 £100 a-ycar was an object to a halfpay ollieer, or possibly an onicci 
 without any pay at all, so the greater part of the niastershijis wen; 
 given to this class of persons, wlio, from their previous habits, a!id igiuj.. 
 ranee of the princi])lcsi of tuition, were every way uniit lor th-j onice. 
 Other acts passed this session continued laws about to expire, the niosl 
 important of which was that handing over the customs' duties to tho 
 Crown, for a period of two years longer. 
 
 While wc have been thus careful to trace, as accurately as possible. 
 tlic rise of party in Canada, and the origin of those causes which subse- 
 quently led to serious evils in the state, we do not desire to convey the 
 impression for a moment that the peoj)le, at this period, were dissalia- 
 ficd witl". the princi[)les of the constitution, llesponsibie govei'nnieiU 
 was a question of much later origin. Whatever dissatisfaction wa> 
 felt by the public, M'as chiefly directed against the arbitrary conduct of 
 the executive, the extortions of law oHicers, and individual acts of op- 
 pression. The great bulk of tho people continued to be steadily attach- 
 
 f. 
 
 I- 
 
 * Willcoolvs, tho editor of tliis ]inpor, was nn Iiishnian of rospcotablc pnren 
 lago. lie lifij bf'cn fluTilY of thi^ Homo Dii'ti'iel, but ^vas doi(ri\oJ of bi.-) ottieo, 
 in 1800, for voting ni^aiiist tho wislies of tlio (Jovornor at Thorpe's cloction. lit 
 Boon boeaiiic pojuilar with tho ]iooph>, was oloclod t.> ^sM-vc in tlio Ai^: omblv, 
 which s|ioeJiiy tlii'u.st liiui in tho Toronto Jail, tlion a iiiii'c ahlo loir hut, for mak- 
 ing too free v.lth th.iir allair.?. ]loloasoil tVoin this ]io booaiuo still more pii|)iilar, 
 and for a vhilc was at, tho hcaif of tho majority in tho Assonibly. Tho troubles 
 of 1812 forced him to give up his ] '.per, when ho shouldered a muskot and fought 
 as a volunl.'f'i- against tho Americans at tho battle of (^tnecnstown. Still, govern . 
 ruont treated him harshly, and at longlli lli.)roughly di^li. artoned ami disgiisted. 
 he ilosorto'i to tlio enemy, taking a body of Canadian militia over \,-ilh hin;. The 
 Americans rewarded his treason by luakir.g him a colonel, Ho Avas killed at tli'. 
 siege of Fort l^rie while jdanting a guard. 
 
 f Jackson's i>ainphlot on Canada, 180!). 
 
 X Gourlay, vol. 2. p. Zoo. Bonuycastle's Canada as it was, «to. -vol. 1- p. 51, 1-- 
 
1808.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 2^9 
 
 f(l to Great Britain; anrl, altlioii<fli several desired to connect them- 
 selves willi the Uiiiteij Slates, anil wliose repre^^ei'.talions led in a mea- 
 sure to the invasion oTthe province in l^\2, this treasonable teeling 
 
 icre was 111) desire, as a rule, to euro ex- 
 
 was by no means general. Tl 
 isting evils by superseding the inonarehial institutions of the cnhiny with 
 sx republic. A pure administration nf justiee; a iniider and more im- 
 partial sway on the part of the cxceutive, were all that were necessary to 
 secure the loyalty ot the great mass ot the petjple. Owing to the agi- 
 tation eonneoted with the eleetion of Thorpe, the i'Xj)osures niadt; by 
 
 ll 
 
 le (.ip[><)siiiun 1 
 
 U\'.-< 
 
 and ollii'r oeeuri'i'nees, liivoralih- to libert v and 
 
 free enquiry, C(jneessions of this chiiraetcr were made about this time, 
 and public matters progi-esscd more •-moothly. During the course of 
 the year, Jiiilge Powell, who figured so pi'ominently in the ail'airs of 
 <'an;iua West, became a member (d tin; ]:^xeeutive Council. ■'• 
 
 Meanwhile, the pnnincc hail continued to prosjicr steadily, New 
 settlements hai 
 ISO!), interior, and tli 
 
 id themselves out in evcrv ilireetion I 
 
 11 tl 
 
 le 
 
 e ''Ottuiatioii had iiici'ca'- 
 
 ll t 
 
 o ;i Ml 
 
 ut 70,000 souls 
 
 The eommorce of" tin' (ouiilry had pr >gre.;sed in proportion 
 
 1)V 
 
 an arrangemeiifc wllh the lower |>rovIi', 
 
 i/woi. 
 
 Is I'or Canada West 
 
 Were now entered at Couteau du Lae, and the amount collectdi on these, 
 for tlie, year ending January 5111, exceeileil .flOUO currency. Then; 
 was also a coiwiderable importation by way (^f the I'liitcd .States, and 
 from customs' duties nloiic w; s now nearly £7000. 
 
 th 
 
 e piiluie revenue 
 
 The tiirifl" was vi'i'v low. The duty on liipnu's, oxehisivo of a small 
 impost levied by the Imperial Government, lor the support of the civil 
 administration of the province, was sixpi'iice per gallon ; on winu nine- 
 pence; on tea;^, tVom twopence to for pence peril). The importa- 
 tions chiefly embraced groceries, as the bulk of the inhabitants luanu- 
 iKitered their own wearing apparel. 
 
 No civilized couiitry in the world was le<s l)urdened with taxes than 
 Canada West.atthls perio«!. A i»mall direct tax on property, levied by 
 the District Courts of Session, and not amounting to £;j.jOO for tho 
 whole country, sulliced for all local cx]>.iiscs. 1'here was uo poor-rate, 
 MO capitation tax, no tithes or ecclesiastica! i-ates of any hind. Instead 
 
 of a ! 
 tl 
 
 oai 
 
 1 t; 
 
 IX. 
 
 rev/ oi 
 
 1 1 10 
 
 10 woncnLT man 
 
 ly exaction-; of 
 laiire; while iti [ 
 
 nv 
 
 lys of statute labor annually sufliced. Nowhere 
 find th.e produce of hi . lal)or so little dimini-hed 
 ill. A. < 'ai,ada West literallv tcined \vilh abun- 
 
 H ui 
 
 nil like 
 
 the early rnneliand American settlers, 
 had nothin" to aoorchitid from the I!ed Iilaii. and cnioyed the inert asu 
 
 the earth in peace. j 
 
 * ScveniliG riuvunco Pa'pert, p. ;;u.'}. f (iuurlny, vol. 1. p. 21T-2i;3. 
 
240 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1809. 
 
 A 
 
 ITio chief check to the greater prosperity of the country, at this period, 
 was the want of a paper currency, there Ijeiii^ no Banii in Canada. 
 Gold and silver were the only circulating mediuni ; and as ihe exports 
 did not balance the imports, the little money brought into the colony by 
 settlers, or paid out by the government, was insnnicient to meet the in- 
 creasing want of the comnumity. A system of barter was tiais origi. 
 natcd between the merchant and farmer, highly ])rejudicial to the latter, 
 which frequently led him into debt, and produced some individuiU 
 misery. Nor were the public morals, as much calculated to advance 
 the welfare of the country as could be desired. Intemperance was a 
 very prevalent vice; the rough backwoodsmen, too, were often quarrel- 
 some in their cups; and j)ugilistic encounters very lVc(pUMitIy took 
 place. ^Murders, however, unlike a former period, were now of rar»' 
 occurrence. The ma'^s of the people may be described as a roiigji. 
 homespun, generation, with little religion,''' still less education ; but 
 honest in their general demeanor, sturdy yet simple in thcii maniurs. 
 and exceedingly hospitable in their homes. f 
 
 During this year little of moment occurred. The legislature met, on 
 the 1st of February. To judge from the tenor of their proceod- 
 
 1810. ings, no apprehension was entertained of a war with the ni.igli- 
 boring States, to which, however, evcnits were rapidly ti'iid- 
 
 uig. The sum of £"2000 was granted lor laying out new roads and 
 
 building bridges, Ity one act; anotb.er, was levelled against forgers of 
 
 bills of exchange and fjreisiti notes and ordtrs. These were the most 
 
 important acts out of thirteen. During the summer oftheti;- 
 
 1811. suing year, Mr. (Jore received leave of absence, being desirous 
 to visit Englaiid. lie proceeded thither shortly after, leaving 
 
 the gallant Major-General Brock in temporary charge of the adminis- 
 tration. 
 
 • In 1809 there were only fom- Jiiinistors of tlu; Cliurdi of rnglnnd in Canndit 
 West, r.nd conipiirfitively tew of other rrotosliuit denoininationa. 
 f Gourlay, vol. 1. p. SlT-^iiO. 
 
 ;.*.*• 
 
n84.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 241 
 
 CHAP TEH XIII. 
 
 CAUSES LEADINff TO I'lIE SECOXD AMKIIICAN INVASION 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 U in Cniia<l:i 
 
 Nolhiiig could 1)0 more natural, tlian that tho, American people, after 
 the long and bloody strcgglc wliicli won their independence, should 
 cheribli ii feeling of bitter animosity towards the r)rili>h nation, while 
 they evinced a corresponding proportion of gratitude, with respect to 
 tiioir allies, the Fi'encli. They totally lost sight of the fact, that the 
 Ih'itish parliament were not by any means the British people, the great 
 majority of whom sympathised with the struggle of their relatives in 
 America for constitutional liberty, and bitterly deplored tiie miseries it 
 produced. This feeling intermingled itself with the popular poetry of 
 the country ; and many a mournful ballad, set to the pathetic strains 
 of Celtic melody, commemorated the American revolutionary war 
 among the highlands of Scotia, and the vernal valleys of I'^rin. J'.nt, 
 the leaders of the revolution were not actuated by the hostile fei'ling, 
 which had taken such firm hold of the undiscerning masses. Their aim 
 was to overturn a pernicious system — to achitive their own indepen- 
 dence, not to crush a people whose interests, whose laws, religion an<l 
 language, were identical with their own. They felt America was mere- 
 ly .in elder daughter of the old British family; and, that, although slu; 
 had commenced house-keeping for herself, and had considerable diiTi. 
 culty in escaping from parental tutelage, a vast amount of mutual 
 benefit must still result from friendly intercourse. Jlence, the stn- 
 <K'nt of American history will readily undei stand why the whole elforts 
 of the great Washington and his Iriends, up to the peri(jd of his retire- 
 ment from public life, in 1790, were directed towards repressing the anti 
 Hritish spirit which pervaded the Democracy of their country, and t(.» 
 laying the foundation of a lasting peace with Great Britain. Yet, so 
 ■strong were the sympathies of the Annn-iean people with France an<l 
 revolution, that in 1703 it appeared as i»'the current of popular opinion 
 would sweep even "Washington from its path, and that a war with 
 
243 
 
 TTTE niSTOPvY 
 
 [non. 
 
 ■ I' 
 
 Britain must spociliiy talic iilaco. This true patriot was fipcuseil, in 
 that period of iiileiupcrato national folly, of briiij,' " lii<c the irailor 
 Arnohl, a spy sohl to the l-'iiyiish." Iliii, >\\\\ iimiio\r(', he jinnly pur- 
 sued the course, ho was satisfied would lllo^t C' iiduce t>) liic Ininlit of 
 lii.s country. Tlio ii.-rrors of the Frcneli K«'Voliiliiiii soon cooled the 
 ardor of jVtueriean Dcniocratic adiniratioii ; law-ahiiliii!; citizens etjidd 
 havo no synipatiiy with i'c(l-i('|iulilifan cul-iliro;its. Wa-liiiiL'ton's paci- 
 .'■ ; policy triumphed, and l.e had at length the i;ratilicatioa to see a cum- 
 inercial treaty esfalilishcil witii (ircat Tuiialn. 
 
 lint, although the partiality of tiic Democrats fir I'ranee, had hoen 
 successfuliv thwarted Uv the (irm consin-valivc conduct of the I'rooi- 
 dent, aJid lessened by the horrors of th(! fjnillotine, it had lot by aiiv 
 mcans been wholly removed. As the war between (Ireat Urilaln ami 
 Franco proj.M'Os.-od, durinii the I'resideney of Mv. A(hims, it graihially 
 acfjuired renewed streiinth, despite the haughty tone ot the French 
 Directory, Nor was this feeling very sensibly weakoied by the hos- 
 tilllics which broke out between tlic United States and Fiance in ITOs, 
 and which terminated in a treaty of peace with jiouaparte in IsOO. 
 The election of .Jetlerson to the ['residency, in 1S()1, completely i'>tah- 
 li.-hod the ascendency of the Demoerati(! parly in the I'uioii, and no 
 lonjjer checked by the counteriictiiig inlhience of government, tin- 
 jealousy and dislike of everything llritish, bi gan to show itst'If uuht 
 nninistakaldy than ever. I'he republican sympathy of Ann'iica, wiis 
 hbout to exhibit tlie anomalous spectacle of allying itself to the despo- 
 tic sway of Xapoleoii, and thus spurned the coiistitutioind liberty nt 
 Ijritain, juaL as at the present day it palliates the tyrannical nil: 
 of a Nicholas or an Alexander. 
 
 While the fleets of Great IJritain swept the seas, and completely mi- 
 
 nihllatcd the naval povser of {''ranco and Spain, tho astordshing sueces- 
 
 scs of Bonaparte gave him an eiiual pi-eponderanee on land. Victory 
 
 after victory completely crushed iho power of Austria; the Prussi;ui> 
 
 v/erc irretrievably ruined at the battle of Jena; and the continent el 
 
 Europe was completely at his mercy. England alone now stood in hi- 
 
 way, and Bonap'arle determined to execute the long cherished iimj^ci- 
 
 !;e had formed against her commerce, and thus strike at her power ii: 
 
 the most vital paiT. By the cdebrateil Berlin and Milan di- 
 
 5 80(5. crees, all the continental ports were clo-'cd airainst J'^nglish 
 
 1S07. nianuliietures, the whole British Isianils" d(;( lared in a stale ei 
 
 blockade, and the seizure authorised of all vor.sels bound Iroin 
 
 British harbors, as well, also, as that of Bl■il!^h goods, where\cr siu ii 
 
 could bo found. England retaliated by the iw) b'sn I'ainous •■ Onle:- ii. 
 
 < 'ouncil," which declared all the ports of Franco and her allies-, iVoai 
 
1807. J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 213 
 
 ; "riuiiiiuiv 
 
 lung siK'('t'>- 
 
 mIiIcIi tho IJritish ih^ vv.ih exolmU'd, in a s^vto of rigorniia bloekailo, 
 1111(1 lliiit ii!l triido in articles tin- piodiu'e or mamiliutdre of llui mi'uI 
 I'Oiiiitiii-'-i, ()[' (•(jloiiii's, should he dcriiicti unlaw Tid, and all siuli arliclos 
 
 ( )r(K'i's ill ( 'oiiiicil" wnc in' ii ly adopting 
 
 tnl 2o()' 
 
 HIZi- 
 
 lU'SC 
 
 declai 
 
 IJoimpartL'\s own nicasiin's against liiinsill', and willi him tho ro-[ioii- 
 
 sil)ility 
 
 so t 
 
 ■!y 
 
 rrsti.^ 
 
 'l"l 
 
 10 statu ol tliiiiLCs ai i>In'.t out (I tlu-sr nu a->iifcf 
 
 11 '''a 
 
 IllSt 
 
 I Ml 
 
 pressed liejivily upon in'iitrals, esjieeially on the Aiiieiirans, whoso 
 advciitiiroiis spirit had, during this long war, enahled iheiii to tiigidr^s ii 
 great part of the earr;. ing trade of the glooe. It inight naturally be 
 siippo-ed, tliiit the anger of their governnient wmild In' din eled 
 IJoiiaparte. ri''' the lii>.t aggre.-.-or. lint this course did not snl 
 Jellersou, v.Iio now .-aw a liivoiahle op| tutiiiiily of si ii ring up the na- 
 tional hostility ngain.^t J'^ngland, and tlius gratilying the J )eiiiocralio 
 party of wh'eh ho was the expoiK'Ht. ile retnsed to ratify a treaty ot 
 amity, coiiiineree, and iiiivi_'ation, coiieludi'd Ity the Anuriean minister 
 at Loudon with the ^)^ili^h government ; a^d, on the 27ih of ()et(d)er, 
 conMiuii ie.ited an aiigry iiies-;age to ' 'ongress, inveighing liillerly 
 ngai'.rt tlio ijritish Orders in Council, lii;t not l)real!:;iig a single 
 yyllalile ot (;(>mplalnt against the l»i rliii I );.'eree, to wliiJi they were 
 iiieiely a reply, j'he democratic iiiajoiity i'e;'.ponded to this nies.^agt? 
 In deereeing an einbar;:^ (U' prohibition to American ve-sels to litive 
 
 IL 
 
 eir 
 
 portr 
 
 diieh caused much distress and many nuirmurs, ospcciaiiy 
 
 in the Xew Ilu'^laiid States, who^c t.li!p]'iiig inLerot>ts were as yet tlie 
 most important in tho Union. 
 
 Meanwhile, tho right of searching for I'l'itl^-h deserters In American 
 ships, insisted on by tho Engli.-h government; and olh.r unfavorable: 
 circumstances, continued to widen the breach between tho two coun- 
 tries. Oil the 2ord of June, tlio Amerieau frigate C/iisapcak-e was 
 crai:-ir!g od' \'irginia, and 1) iug known to have somo British deserters 
 
 tlio I.i'ipar'f, of 7-1 
 
 oil boarvl was hailed hv an I' 
 
 ii"'ii 
 
 h mi.n 
 
 ■ol-v,ar. 
 
 guns, comiiianded by Captain ihimpbries, who made u i'ormal re(piisi- 
 liuii lor tbeso men. 'J"he Aiiierican captain denied lie had them, and re- 
 fused to admit the rigiit of search, but; was compelled to strike his 
 colors by a broadside, ^\llen the deserter^, one of whom was aftcr- 
 
 Mard,-3 lum.'i at J lalifax. 
 
 w 
 
 -•re taken out of liis vessel, ijiit the En'disli 
 
 government disavowed this act. raid ofT.red to make reparation, as tho 
 right of search, when applied to ves.:el:i of war, extended o:«ly to a 
 simple r. (;uisition, and should not be carried into cfTect by actual force. 
 
 Ol 
 
 tliii 
 
 Ills 
 
 Whl( 
 
 now existed between Enirland and tho 
 
 I'liit 
 
 lyoy. 
 
 cd Slates, give litilo liojies of an amicable arrangement of difU'r- 
 onces. Tho distresr., however, cau--e,i by the embargo strcngtli- 
 cn;'d the hiinds of the redoralists, or peace party, M'ho iu New 
 

 <*•. 
 
 O^. \^ 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
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 1.25 
 
 
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 M. 1111.6 
 
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 <^ 
 
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 <$>: 
 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 '-1 \8 
 
 '^<- 
 
 V 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 % 
 
 N^ <>> 
 
 
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244 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 J 
 
 I , 
 
 [1809. 
 
 England, csppx'ially, acquired a dcciilcd propoiidoranco. Massnoliiisottg 
 boldly protested aj^ainst the, edict establi>iiin<j, it, demanded its refieal. 
 and it now api)eared as iCtlierc was a prospect of the satisfaetorv adjust- 
 ment of the points at issue, 'i'liis pn)S[)ect was still further advanced 
 
 by tlic (deciion of Mr. ^[adisoii to tiie I'lesidciu'y, l)y th(! 
 1809. repeal of ilu! embargo law in March, ISOi), and the siih^titution 
 
 of an act, proliihitinij; all intercourse with l-'i'ance and England, 
 but wliieli provided, at the same time, that if either of the b(dliaeranta 
 should repeal their hostile edicts, tliis act should ceaso to bo in force 
 with respect to that nation. 
 
 The J-]n;j;li>li ministry, deeming this a favorable time fur negociati 
 
 on. 
 
 despatched !Mr. ]'^r>kine to the I'nited States Ibr that purpose. I'nfor- 
 tunately lie exceeded his instructions. Considering the suspension uf 
 the Non-intercourse act a fair o(inivalent for that of llie Orders in 
 Council, he stipulated that the latter sliould cease to be in t'orco at a 
 certain period. The Kngli-h niiui>lry lelu-ed to ralily this arrange- 
 ment; so a storm of indignation was raised in tin; I'niti'd Slates; tin; 
 hands of the war }>arly slrengLliencd ; and llu Non-intercourse act 
 
 renewet- 
 
 During this period, it can ea>ily be imagined what a i immense injury 
 the commerce of both countries sustained. The (orders in Council 
 Were not v.ilhdrawn, although Uonaparte olllred to suspend the IjeiTin 
 and ?dilan decrees if they were, and the matter now appeared to be 
 reduced to a point of cti<iuette. as to wliieh nation sIhjuM f;rst 
 1810. give in.* During the following \v[\v, matters became more 
 gloomy, and portentous of war between England and the Inited 
 18J1. Slates. The prospect grew still darker in the early part ol" 
 1811. jMr. I'iukney, the American envoy, at the Uritish court 
 took formal leave of the Prince Kcgent on llu^ 1st of JNlarch, and a 
 rupture now appeared inexitable. So entirely were the Amiricaa 
 people of this oj)inioti, that the inlercour^e with i'rance was openly 
 renewed, rreneli vessels crowded into their harbors, were in nume- 
 rous cases fitted out as privateers, and did considerable mischiLf to 
 J}riti?h commerce. The crises was hastened by an nceidentudy ho.-lile 
 collision, on the KUh of May, between an JMiglitli sloop of war, the 
 
 JJiile BclL of 18 a 
 
 ^uns, and the American frigate, J'rcsident, of 4-1. 
 which the former had ihlrty-lwo men killed and wounded. 
 
 ni 
 
 1812. the following January, Congress, by a vote of one ! undred and 
 nine to twenty-two, decided to increase the regular troops to 
 25,000 men, and raise an immediate loan of §10,000,000. 
 
 * Alison's Hist. Kurope, New York, vol. 4. p. 455. 
 
1812.] OF CANADA. 245 
 
 By liastoninr; hostllitios, tho Amorioans honed to soourc iho capture 
 of the lioinoward-homid West India (li'ft, ])i'loro tluMi' dcsitrns would bo 
 discoviTi'd. With lias view, ( "(iii^jrt'ss laiil a rfcucral oriiliarjjo ou all 
 vcsst-is ill the hai-lxjrs of the I'liiteil Stales. 'J'hey thus lioped to con- 
 ceal tlii> intelligence (>( tlu-ir wailikt; preparations fruin spread iiif» ; 
 whil' , at the same time, their idle conunereial marine would ei;al)le, 
 them to mail their (li^ei more easily. In older to W(U'lv the iudij^iiation 
 of members of (Jitiiirrc'ss more elleetually up to the necessary point, the 
 President !ai<l certain documef.fs before them, which he had pureliased 
 from a Captain Henry for NaO.OUO," out of the secret service 
 
 fund. 
 
 This person hati reside^I in (^•lllad:l diiiinif the fjreater part of Sir .lames 
 JI. ( 'raii,f"s administration, and was si'iit !)>■ the latter to IjosIou, in 
 
 1N0!>, 
 
 II. 
 
 without the KiiowlrdiTc ot the I loiiie ijov ci-iimeiit, to ^aui inlor 
 
 Illation ol the condition ot' political parlies in th-.' I niu-d Stat:'S.| The 
 iiitelli^enci' he supplied was oi very little value, ami could have been 
 a('<|iilrcd just as well from tho journals of the <lay.J lie was recalled 
 afler a three months' absence, during which he wrote fourteeii letters 
 
 to 'Jciieral ("i-ilif's secretarv. Not thinliiiiLr lii 
 
 ms( 
 
 Ifsud 
 
 icicii'lv remu- 
 
 toll 
 
 10 
 
 nerated for his services, he went to |]ii;.ilanil in Isj I, and apnlii't 
 rore'iin ( )(]iee lor an additional lewartl, staliiiij that he would be satis- 
 fied with the [)ost of .ludire Advocate of Lower (.'anada, or a perpetual 
 consulate in the I'liited States. He was referred back to the (anadian 
 <;oveiiimcnt ; but having already i,fot nil he could expect in that (juar- 
 ter, he proceeded to the I iiiled Slates, and ollered to sell his papers td 
 Madison. 'Hie hiU<'r expecting important disclosures would be made, 
 hich would .'"t re: 1^1 lull his party, and blacken the Urili-h minislr 
 
 w 
 
 J » 
 
 closed with the i)ro!'()sal, and I'ai.l him th(! eiior 
 
 inous sum aire 
 
 :idy 
 
 stated. Henry, liowever, completely outv.iltcd him. Still, aIthou<rh 
 the I'resiueiit obtained no information of iniportaiicc, he turned what 
 lie did get to the best advantai^e he could ; but tho excitement tho 
 affair j;roduced speedily subsided.^ and the jieaco party suflered no 
 injury. 
 
 Oil the llMli of June, Congress passed an act declaring war against 
 Great l»iitain, and directing that hostilities be Immediately com- 
 menced. About the same time, the Orders in Council were repc?aled, 
 ati occurrence which was known in the I'liited States in a few weeks. 
 Although the cstensible cause of war was thus removed, Congress did 
 
 * Frost's United States, p. 819. 
 
 f Cliristie, vol. 2. p. 9. 
 
 t Aliiioti's Hist. Kurojic, Now York, vcl. 4. p. 450. 
 
 ^ Auclihilcck'a Iliet. of the War of 1812, p. S6. 
 
240 
 
 THE IlISTOllY 
 
 [181' 
 
 not rc'ccilc from llu; hostile po-.iiion it luitl assumed, AVidc as wuro 
 tlu'ir limits, tlic I)(:mocraf'\ of America desired additional territory, 
 and would fain have ^ratiiied tlicir liatreil ot" (Jivat liiitalii, hv driviii" 
 her fruiii the valley ol" tin; St. Lawrence, atnl thus dvpi ivinj^r ln.p ,,( )i,^. 
 soiiree whciiee ;!ie now di-iived her e'liet supply ofliiuher. as well as u 
 most im[iortaiit addition to her hreadslulls. Uut a rll0^t iiifhieiilial party 
 in t!i(^ I'nited States viL'orously dpposed this uidioly lust li)r coiKjUest. 
 Deleiiates from several counties of New York [irute>ted at Allianv 
 agai:i>t th^' war, oii the ;;ri>niid that ih ,• ^anie hijury had lieiu sur-taliied 
 from I'rance ; that ho.^liiilies wiili the latter would e(pially have 
 satislied national di'^iiily, without aiiylhli;'.t lil^e an eiiual ri.-k oliijary; 
 that Eii;^land had ri'voked her Oi'ders in ( Vuiieil ; and that it was 
 rcpu;!;narit to a free people, to ally themselves with the Ijuperor 
 Nai'oleoii, " every action of v.hose lite demonstrated a thirrL for 
 univer>al empire and the extinction ol" human frceihun."'-'' 
 
 In Congress, diando! I h. ofN'ir^du'a, o| [io>ed the im|H)liey of the war, 
 
 in eloo.uent and lorcd)! 
 
 anriuacrc 
 
 It scem.^,'' he said, "this is to h 
 
 a holiday eampaijrn — (."auada is to con'jUi r h •rsel! — she is to he sub- 
 dued \>y the priiicijiles (.f IVateridly. The people; of that country ari; 
 first to be si'dueed (rom their alle^iiUioe, and convei-lcd into trait(,rs as 
 
 a preparation to the m 
 
 \h\uil them !X<iod American eili;<eM->-. lie detest- 
 
 ed this subornation ol" treason. If we lnu^t have ihk ni let lliem iiill by 
 the valor (jf our ai'ins, by fair legitimate compu'-t, not as the victims ef 
 treacherous scducli(tn. I'v this war," he continued, '• von abandon all 
 claims for the unparalleled outraifes, insults, and injuries td' the French 
 
 gOVi 
 
 •rnmcnt. 1)V our own unwise measures, we have so increased the 
 
 trade and wealth of Montreal and (Quebec, that at last \vc bejiin to cast 
 a wi-hful eye on ( ":inada.' '*' You will act absr.i-dly,"' yaid another num- 
 ber I'f Congress, Air, ShefTey, "if you expect the pe(iple oi' Canada tu 
 join you. I ; per Caiiada is chii-lly inhaldted by endgrants fiom the 
 Uiuted States. They will not come l^aelc to you ; they will imt, with- 
 out reasciii, desert the. government to wiiich they have gone for prelec- 
 tion. No, Sir, vou nuist conciucr it bv force, imt bv so\ 
 of sedition and treason among the peojile." 
 
 Sueh were the sentiments of the more honoiable, the more moderate. 
 and, certainly, not the lea -t patriotic of the American people. Tin 
 Democratic faction, in its thirst iuv c(;nquest, wouhl ally itself with the. 
 despotic Napcdeon, against I'lilain, then the last stronghold of liberty 
 in IOuro[te, and avail itself of the most disreputable iKcthoJs to ac.uiic 
 
 WUig the seeds 
 
 * S(!c Trocoedings of Cuiivontijn on tie. Htli and ISth SoitomLcr, ISl? ut 
 Alliuiv. 
 
1812.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 'IV 
 
 Canada. Such, also, won; tlio soiiliinonls of mo<t of (lio cailaiU iin'ii. 
 
 w 
 
 ho had siniuLrK'd lor Irocdoiu with Wa^^hiiiirioii — of fvcii thi- vi 
 
 ■ry 
 
 Slates whirh liad Ikm'Ii thi' craillc of Aiiu'ricaii lilnfiv, an 1 who-c lyyn- 
 lutioiiary Kacrifici'-; had hrcii thi- j,'ri.'att'st. '1 he nu ii oi New Miiiihiiid 
 
 had stiivi'ii too ai'di'tillv for fir>.loin. to allv tl 
 
 ii'!ii-ri 
 
 vi's to (U'spoiisin, 
 
 )r to vi^il the evils ol iiivti-ion ii|i(.ii the uiiof!' iidiii:^ jh 'n;!r of Cajiada. 
 
 ;»ostoii, oil till- (lav war was (li'riari 
 
 tin; s.uiis :u the iiai-oor 
 
 At 
 
 displavi'd (la^^s halfiiiasi hiiili, in token of nioiiniiii;;- ; mid a meet'ii'j of 
 Uic i:dia')itants passi'd re-ohitioiis. sli;:inali>iii'_r the course of the 
 inaj'iilty in Coniiress as unni'ees>ary, ruinous in it^ ('onsc(|iii r.et'>, -.v 
 leadinii; to a eoniiei-tioii wi'ti iiiiinrial Fr 
 
 luec, (|"-.trii< 
 
 live to A 
 
 hi 
 
 inrru"Ui 
 
 lilx'i'ly and indrpiiidrnci'. \\ hil • smh were the calm sciitiiiieiits nflhe 
 free, and nalivr-born iikmi ot' Ni'W Mui^Mand, ih ■ fi'i'i'i^iu pupulaiion ol 
 
 Halt 
 
 soei 
 
 iinoro — the ri t'u^i 
 
 the Iri>h rebellion, (Ircair.ii:''' <icruiar. 
 
 il'.sts, and I'Veiicii [Hij.Ils of the '• Kci-n (if 'I'rir.ir." violatt d the 
 freedom of speecdi, and the riirhts of |icr-()ii and I'lojierly. 'Ihi- edil<u' 
 of \\w. lu'dcral 111 i)i'ljlli-<iii liad rt ndrrcd himself (dinoxious to tiie war- 
 party, ainl a mob asscnibh d to attack his h' 
 
 I 
 
 Hi.M' 
 
 lilsf. 
 
 licUls coilcclf 
 
 lie assaila 
 
 nt-^. At 
 
 to a-->ist in Its dt'teiice, aiid si'\iral limes r^ jiul-cd l 
 
 Jcnirlli a body of military ajp[;eared to whom the editor and liis llIl•nd^ 
 
 surrendered, upon a.-suranee ('f -afety, and were coiidurtcd to pii ■ n as 
 
 a measure ol [ 
 
 f protection. N. 
 
 \[ ( 
 
 av tile mob attai 
 
 tin; |ail, a 
 
 lul 
 
 hur->t in the d"ors. Some ol" tlie ju isim rs es(a|icil, Ijul many wen; 
 severely woini'led ; and (Iciieral Liniran, a man of si'Vciit v, oiice the 
 
 cd in cold b!,ii 
 
 Willie 
 
 frii'iid oi' W'a-liinulon, was criu-Ily imirdcr 
 
 (jciieral Lee. a di UiiiLMii-iied suldiir of the revoliitiuii. ami also an old 
 
 graydieaded veteran, had liis >knll frai'tured. 
 
 Ill rushiuj^ into tiic war. lih' Demoeraey of the I'nilcd States calculated 
 upon an e;'.sy compu si ol' Canada. Tlio riirular iroups in both |ir()vin- 
 ccs anioiiuted to baridy dOOO men, to wlmdi if we add loOO feiieibles 
 and 500 artillery, the fiu'e<' for tlie proleeli(ai ol a va t. frontier of >oinc 
 
 1000 miles in ixl( nt was onlv .').'sOO ne ii. 
 
 '1' 
 
 populal loii 
 
 aT 
 
 Canada was less than bO.OOO smiIs,'-'' while that of Lower Canada did 
 not exceed '^"iO.OOO. On the (.llnr hand, the ]iopuiati"ii ol'lb" I niti'd 
 
 ow 
 
 Slates had prodigiously increased niiioe the icvobition, and v.;:s i 
 8,000,000; while their warlike resources were, cnriiinous, and j_'aveihein 
 immense advanlai:;es in carrvinii; on a v.ar ajiainst a comj.'ara'.ively 
 poor, and sparsely |'o[iulated counlry, like Canada. In jioint of num- 
 bers the od(ls werelha~.as twenty to one against tiie latter. 'Hie I'nitod 
 States had also the advantage, in the commencement of the war, of 
 
 Gourlay, vol. 1. p. 01: 
 
24ft THE HISTORY [1812. 
 
 hc'mrr iho assailinjj party; and ooiild thus [kmk Iraf.o nt loisnro any p.irt 
 of our IdHir front icr tticy pli-asotl, wliili; \vi\ liail to profcrt tlic wliolo. 
 
 l{llt» S\>'\i\r fiKIll all ill 
 
 (•■>(; 
 
 av( 
 
 .ral.l 
 
 <'ir(iiiiistaiici's, ijw 
 
 1) 
 
 t'liiiici'alic 
 
 party rcli.'d upon llic people of Canada llietiis(dves, to ai'' in \vrc>tiii;r 
 this eouiiliy fVoin <ireat IJiitain. 'Ill'' trilling political trdiililcs in 
 I'pper, ami al-nln I,<i\ver, Canada led tlieni to suppose, that tlie inliabi- 
 tants Well' weary of Uriti-li rule, and would readily allv tliciiiselvos 
 on the first op[iorlunii\- to the liiiled States. They were fully as iniieh 
 inistaUen on this point, as they were in supposini; they eoiild euuipi(>r 
 tliese jirovinces liy fjree of arms. !f the people were dissatisfied with 
 the too •jreat power of the cM'eutive, a system of lavoritism, and the 
 arhitrary eondiiet of jiidni 
 
 aim other pul)li(; ollifials, ttiey wor" in no 
 disposition to cure ills ol this liind, liv a recourse to the ^iH.,terevil 
 of unbridled ri'puhlicani.sin. The Itulkoftlie people remained s'r rely 
 attached to coiistituliniial moiiaiehy. and a wry <:;eiieral teeliiii^ of 
 loyalty pervaded liotli provinces. 'J'liis leeiiiiij was decideiily thi- rule; 
 
 a doire ((ir an alliaiiee with the I'nited States was tho excepti 
 
 on. 
 
 r.ut 
 
 comparalivcl V few Canadians joined the American standai'd during the 
 
 war. and lliroii<;liout whi( h none were more u^dlant m rollnif? Iiack 
 
 the 
 
 tide of iiiipiiiicipled invasion, than the emiL'rants tVom New I'viiirlaiul 
 and New \()ik, who, aside li'om the l. !•]. Loyalists, had settled ia 
 the country. 
 
 Apart from the monarclilal predilections of the inhabitants tlicm- 
 selves. Canada, al this period, po>sts>ed another eliMiit nt of strciiiith 
 in the noiil\.\vcslcni Imiiaii trilies, whi> had transferred, at hnuth. the 
 feeliiiu; of retraid the\ once entertained tor the l'"reiich to the IJiitisli, 
 
 and coi'diail v di>liki d llu 
 
 jiiericans. whom thev termed 
 
 lon^- 
 
 inivcs. 
 
 To the important aiti they reinlcreil in the outset of the contest, before 
 
 thi 
 
 c mililKi were properly cugamseU, or reint(jreements h 
 
 f.. 
 
 ad ar 
 
 nvod 
 
 from I"]iifi;!aiid, luixy in a throat measure be attributed tho preservation 
 of westi'iii Canada, 'i he lamims cohlrderacy of tlu; Irorpiois had been 
 broken u[> after the revolutionary war. the Mohawks, and part (/f the 
 Onondauias and Tiiscorcu-as, attaching themselves to the fortunes of 
 the lirilisli, while the rest of the confederates, clung to their ancient 
 hunting grounds, allluiugh closely hemmed in by the advancing tide of 
 civilisation. I'nder ilieir famous chief, JJed Ja.ket, the latter gave 
 most important aid to tho Americans during the war, in whicii the 
 Senecas engaged in the Fall of 1813, after having issued a formal de- 
 claration of hostilities against Upper and Lower Canada.* Nor had 
 
 • Thatcher'a Indian Biography, vol, 2. p. 287. See also Nile's Register, vol. 4, 
 
[1813. 
 
 ly part 
 whole. 
 
 ilili's in 
 : iiilial)i- 
 
 |11SL-1VC9 
 
 lis niiich 
 (•iiH(Hior 
 icil wilh 
 and the 
 
 I'" in no 
 ..UT ovil 
 si- ri'ly 
 
 (•(■lill'^ ot 
 
 thr rule; 
 
 on. r»ut 
 
 urin<; the 
 l.ai'lv the 
 ICniiland 
 
 Bullied in 
 
 ts thcm- 
 stron^lh 
 mill, tlio 
 
 r.rilish, 
 
 ii-luiivcs. 
 
 Ijoforo 
 
 arrived 
 ^^"rvation 
 liad l)Oon 
 art (;f the 
 rlunes of 
 1- ancient 
 ng tide of 
 Iter gave 
 Ahici. tho 
 ornial de- 
 
 Nor had 
 
 1812.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 219 
 
 4. b 
 
 the Iroquois sufT.'Vcd nrunli diininntion in point of nnmliorf:. Thoy 
 were very nearly as nuniiToui in l.sl'i, a-* they \v(>r(i wIhm) Connt do 
 Fr*)nt('iKic invaiK'd ihrir coun'ry, on** hundri'il and sixteen years 
 hcfore.* Thus we see that the I iiiled Slites h:iil as little coinpinretion 
 in availing themselves of Iiidian aid as Carada ; Imt it nm-t hi- rc- 
 menil)ered that the lattei' nsnl it only in self-deCi nee, while the others 
 employed it ill a war ol eoinpiest and aggression. The h(»tile fetding 
 against tho Aiueiieaiis, so sedlllon.^|y fostered by the JSliawiu'e ehiet, 
 Tecninsidi, and his br«ither l"]|>hwalawa, or the Prophet, prevented ;iny 
 part of the north-west hidians t'ldin joining their st;iiidard, and the Iro- 
 quois of New Vorii Stale were, therefore, their only important allies. 
 
 THE GOVKKN.MK.N'l" oF SIi: (lIloKdK I'KKVi »s|-. 
 
 Oil the 11th of September, [.ienfenant (Jenenil Sir (leorgn 
 IHll. I'revost, reeeiilly the popular (ioveriior of .Nova Scotia, airiv(,'d 
 at Ijuebei.', and assumed charge ol the admiiii>tratioii of [,ower 
 Canada, with the siijireiiie military eotiim.and (d bulli pidvinee-:. Ono 
 of his fii>t iiu'asiiies was to \i>it the dilleiciit fioiiticr ] o-ts on tliu 
 Iliehelieii, and to m'.rKe hiiiiNelt aei|iiainted wilh the L'eogiaphiral lea- 
 lures of a position, .so likely t(j liecome >o()ii tie theatre of war. 
 
 Parliament met (<n the '2\^i of T'ebruarv ; and allhoiedi it 
 \H\'2. reln>-ed to renew the "Alien bill." or the statute '• lor tin' better 
 
 ir, servatioii of his Maie-^tv's <j,n\- 
 
 enimelit 
 
 ll 
 
 a-sed a ver 
 
 lihoral militia act. 'J'welve thou-and ]"iiiiids were gi-anlcd lur diiHing 
 I'kmI militia; Iweiitv thiMi-.;uid more lor iniideiital mc;i>iircs ot ddi'iiee ; 
 
 and pounds wa-^ I'laceil at th.' (iover- 
 
 loll: 
 
 Mliile a further sum of thirly t 
 nor"s d'sposal, should war be deelari'il between (Ireat Ibilaiii and the 
 Tli(M'eturns laid before the House, showed that tin 
 
 es. 
 
 United Stat 
 
 revenue fo.- the year ending .i.anuary .^)th amounted to 1'7."). ICri, ilu! ex- 
 
 ared 
 
 es<ris liail eie 
 
 peiises of tho civil list to X'.')l>,0<i7. euirciiey ; i)'.)'2 v 
 
 during the year from the jnu'l of Quebec, of which 'J'J had been built 
 
 there. 
 
 * It is csliiniitod tiwit (iid'o aro 1 I.OoU Iruli:ni-> ill prcsoiit in ('.■uimhi. They 
 are coiistMjuoiitly more nunierdiis than at thi' iniioil of tin; ('()n(|i,'.>(, scinic ruinl.y 
 years ago. The Iroquois liave !^tili (loui-ishiii'^ s(tiK>nioiits in New Vork Mate, 
 tspecially the Sonecas, wlio liave hoeonu, like Uie L'lierokcos, (|uite eivilisfd. If 
 we a(i(! the New York Irocpuiis to the Moliawks on tin- (iiand Uivcr, and tlio 
 Iieo|)le of the same race in Lower Canada, lliey will no douhl he found to bo 
 mueli more numerous now tliaii ever. Tlie irreat Iiid' ■.n ti'ihej liwin 
 
 •Ik 
 
 a win 
 
 ster, vol. 4. 
 
 mueii less slowly than has been imayiueJ, while i. few are actually on tha 
 
 increase. 
 
TIIElllSTOlIY 
 
 [1H1!2. 
 
 'I'Ik^ (lov(Ti)or pursued a wise aii<l <'oii(ilia(nry policy, and many of 
 tlio ]pai'lii's Nslio liad hcfii diprivcMJ of tin ii- (•(>tiiiiii>>itiiis in iIk; militia 
 l>y iiis picdi'('i";->()i', \V( Ti' iiMW ic-iiistai( 'I. 'I iif Ik nt 111 ut iliis ((iiirsc 
 M'a-i soon a;>[iai'< lit. < >ii tin- •Jx'li <i|" M.iy, a irciii'ial oi-dci' '• diri'cifd 
 llitj ('iiil)(».liii!('nt nfjliiir I', ;jiiu<ii!'; <il' miiilia, '.\ lii<'li wvw lilltcl up liv 
 tlui llahitatils willi tli(^ ttrc alu^-l alacrilv. A rc^niiiciit ol Caiiai 
 Volt iixi 'MI'S \\a- 
 
 al-ii rai'^i'il 
 
 llic I'liiiimand ofwliiili was <rivrii tu Ma 
 
 lan 
 jor 
 
 iJc Salal)i'i'i'\'. a Canadian ''cntlcinaii ot' Fi'dnii cxtrai'tioii. 
 
 ()i 
 
 I llu 
 
 Cl'Ii (il'-hiiic, it, was Ixiiowii at Qiicltc-.' liial ('(Hi^'rcss liad 
 
 <Joclai-(d war, so all A iiici'iran nti/'Mis wcfc wanii'd to qml lli 
 vincc liy the .')i'd ol'.ltily. ( )u 'lie o(Mii of .hiiii'. a pi'oclaMiaii 
 
 |ii-<)- 
 
 "U was 
 
 I.s^lll•(i nopo^iiiir Jill r'nihai'LTo on all vosiis mi the harlxu", and c-oiivciniiir 
 llu' li';:i>!atiii'n (or tlio l(');li dulv. I'ailiaiia'iit adrd with tiie L'rralcst 
 
 lila'falil V. A Iiill to jriialisc tin' i^ 
 
 -Ml! 'i! a 
 
 niiv liiils to tin: aiiioiilit of 
 
 £'i.")(). ()()(> was p;i-s('d. in ordtr \<< rrph'nidi tin" pM!)l(' rxdiripu'r ; and an 
 aniiiijil ^I'aut, (■!' i.' I. ").(]( i!) inadc loi' live vrai-. lo pav wliati'vrr inlcrost 
 
 rini/nl arci'in 
 
 (>i 
 
 1 i!h> (')!n (< 
 
 <\ .Inlv, till' wlidlf militia oi" tli 
 
 pro- 
 
 viiu'c liad t ti'ii (iir'.'.'tfd to IkiM tluinsflvi's in readiness to lie enr 
 boilicd, while (lie (laiiU etiinpanies ol'lhe !Montital militia, were Ibi'na'd 
 into !i laittalion aiid arnu'd. 
 
 i\[eanw liilo, (ieiieral I'rock, in rpl'"^'!" C'mada, liad been lnisily 
 cmployeil ill iiiakiiiix prepaiatidiis lur tlie coiitot, wliicii lie saw tleaily 
 
 u 
 
 as approaeliinLf. lie l,ad mmik' IrotiMe with the leiji-lal 
 
 lire. UliR' 
 
 h 
 
 le (a 
 
 I. d t..-i 
 
 •r on tl 
 
 t' oil 
 
 1 ot i\l)rnary, and whieh ret'iiseil to pass 
 
 leas 
 war 
 
 two il" his pi'oposed im'a>U!e'<, naihely, the sn^pen^ion of the Hal 
 Corpus, and a militia supplementary aet, as they did not think 
 
 wxuild u 
 
 Mae(> 
 
 N 
 
 o sooin'r, liowevcT, ( 
 
 lev jiercc'iVL' their error, 
 
 th 
 
 than a virv Ul^ctive militia liill 
 
 was 
 
 lid ll _ 
 a-seil, and .i'aOOO u'riinted to 
 
 dd 
 
 ay trainiitu I'Xpelises. 
 
 Still, l>roek had con.-idti'ablc dilHeulties to 
 
 ci'Mit mu-kets to arm lia;l the luililia ; while, at the same tmu', 
 
 encounter, 'ihero were but few tioojis in the judvincc, and not suili- 
 
 the 
 
 (jloveiiior Cieiioral informed him mi aid lu'ed be looked for iVum laig- 
 laiid for i-omo moiilhs, as the ide;i juH'vailinu thero was, that the 
 Onlers in (^)lnlcll bijini,' rop'^ab'd, war would not be declared by the 
 United Slates. 
 
 llostilii: s sjKH'dily comincncod. On the surrend(T of ^Mackinaw to 
 llie Ameiiean-i, a .'-mall military po>t for the pntteetion of the lur-trade 
 liad been e^tabii^ll(■d loitydive nules to the north-east, on the l.-,land of 
 St. .losei)h. ill Lake Ilui'on. No sooner had (Ieiieral IJrock learned, on 
 the 'Z'Mh of -Iiine, that war had been declared by the United States, than 
 ho sent orders to Captain Roberts, co iimandant of this post, to pctssoss 
 hi/usclf of Mackinaw if possible ; b- t if first attacked he was to defend 
 
Ifll2.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 sni 
 
 himself lo.tlio In<t pxtrcinify, mid ilicii rctn-at upon St. Mary's, n station 
 bc'|nii",'iii^ to t(K' Nmlli-Wi'st ('<.iii[.;iii_v. Hy the l.'itli (•C.liilv, I{«»l)j'rts 
 hiui iiiL'pariMl his liitlc; aniiaiiiciit, coiisisliiij^ of Vi lej^iilars, .'{ arlil- 
 lcr}i!nii, |(»() ('aiia<liaii v(tyai:fiii<. Iialf nl wlitiiii only ucii- aniu'«l with 
 imi-!.fls (ir fowliiit,' |iii'('i's, and ',*.")() Indians. On ih,. tolldw intr morn- 
 ftig l.f ('mltaiUtd, and landrd nu \\u> I7tli iifai- Mackinaw, ^raiiisoticd 
 by si:ty irj.r\dar soldiers, indir llic cininiand uf Lii'iittiianl llancks. 
 lioinTls ininifdijilily siiiiiMKinid liini In siii r« iidcr, w Iii( li was (•<Mii|»ru<l 
 \»itli alh'i- a few niiniiio' di-Lv : and (Inis ;il llic vc: v odtsct (d" war u 
 
 im 
 
 )st inip'H-ianl |inst. vtininiandinji llic cn'riinic into I.auf Mi<lii<i. 
 
 Ma-; ac<|uir('d wiilidiit Inss nf Idund. |{iit, anail f.oiii llic saliicof 
 till.' aciini-ilion /trr sr. iln- occm re nc Imd an I'.xcidlciil. tll'v-cl in retaining 
 till' iii>rtli.w(".t Indians in iIh- lliili-li inlcrcsl. 
 
 A\ liilf llicsc r\ ( iiK u( re liaii-| !; in::, ( Irncral Hull, ulio liad spfiit 
 scvi'iid iiMHilli^ in niixani-in;,' a fiM'cr tin' I In- in\a>!(>n <•! West cm ( 'aiiada, 
 crossed ovcf ilic |)cliMit iJivcr. (Ill ili,' \'2:\\ .Iniv. wiili '2.')0() men to 
 Siiiulwicli, wlicrc lie |il;.' led ilie .Vniciiean slaiidaid, and puldi-«licd a 
 ni<isl iidlahd pin( lanialiiiii eallinii <hi liie inlialiil.ants to surrender, 
 "(ledvdiiiit (line Id a>k llieir a^-<i>lan"c." lie -aid." ac li.ad a (orec wliieli 
 would Iddk <ld'.\ii all dppdsiiidii. and llial I'dice was lint llic \aiii,'uai'd 
 of a nun li Lneiiler. 'llic I iiilcd Stales, he eoaiiaiH'd, '•oiler you 
 peace, lilici'ly. and sceuiily; _\diir eliuiee lies lictuceii ihe-cand war, 
 slavery, and desl 'nelidi'.'" \'ei\ (ew. Iiowcxir. dl" ihe ( 'aiiadiaiis joined 
 liis standard. !• a> ei pu d hi^ dtJeis nt pioieeiidii. On the •^•Jnd ol the 
 fame nioiilli, l!id(k i>-iuil a i oiinler pKu lainaliiii at {•'oit < Ji'oij^c, in 
 Mlii( h he showed llii' <i(lioiis ailiaiiK- of the Aiiu'iicaiis willi (lie tiespo- 
 tie \apo|((.ii^ and tauchi llic people llic ''espiai^^iliili''' -^ they had incur- 
 red hy ilielr oalli el alle^iiaiiei', :in<l I he duly i lic\ o\\ :! lo t heir count ry. 
 
 J'.a;..liU ( n niihslicni Hull's (amp sNdd ilie village of A iidieistlnirir, 
 defended liy Fort M.ddcii. (niilit. lo >laiid a sicijie so imperleet were the 
 Works.) <.'ai I i-oii< d hy JU icrnlar troops, under iIk' ( ommaiid <d Lieu- 
 tciiaiil Cdioiiel St. (Iioi'i-c. 'llic siiiioi;iidiiiir (oiintrv w as diHicii ll to 
 
 traverse, and the IJivcr ('anard, (lowing: a lilt 
 
 iiiL:*', and laiiini; in 
 
 to the |)etr..il ll 
 
 ic (li-taiiec 
 ll 
 
 liellilld the \ il- 
 
 i\ (•!• M'liic I lirec miles above it. 
 
 odeied a la\(iialile |o^ilioii for elieckiii;: llie advance of an enemy. 
 Oll'lhc iiionlh of the (araiid lay llie r)iiti>li -<li op of' war (^iicni i'lHir- 
 Iv/fe. IS iriiiis, whieh eli'eetiially |>reveiilcd the advance of an ariiiauiciit 
 by waicr. 
 
 <^'ii ihe I7lli, Hull pii-lied forward ;i delaehinciit lowauls Anilierst- 
 biir^li to reeoni:oiiie, uliuh was speedily diiven hack 'y the few t roops 
 and Indians St. Gietirue had ambn.-lu'd at the Canard. Ne.\l ilav the 
 
 8 
 

 Tiir: iiisTocY 
 
 [IHIS. 
 
 ! ! 
 
 I , 
 
 AiiHiiiinns, ill sniitcr iiiiiiiliiTs, ji;ti'iii|'ti'(l t'> rm'oo .1 |ia««''np< wIMi no 
 better siiic(-i< ; Jiiiil <ii) ill.' '^l);li tlu'S ucn- ;i lliinl liim- rcfiiilsid. On 
 this o(•(•il^il'll "jOO lit liii'ir Jinny. ;it!rhi]'; iiiLJ Id Ii'IiI iIh- river lilj^iicp 
 lip, Were put 1<> iii'iliiiid.is (lii^lit liv 'J'i liii.iiiii> ; iii;i.,;. in llx'ir linns t 
 c^rupc, tlii'nwinu a'.viu tiieir jnnis iiini ;iee(iiili'rnunt- 
 
 
 
 III 
 
 1)1 i\V l)e"ail 
 
 to he I'liilllliliereil \\ ll!i UDniPl' il, Jili 
 
 .1 ll 
 
 I" \ i'-.-el in w li;rli wel «• tilt 
 
 IIMS- 
 
 pit:il stol-esot liisjiiliiV llisin,' I'eeli (Mpt iirei I, his dinieull ies iiicrenscd. 
 
 In I 
 
 II.- niir 
 
 Mii.k 
 
 iiuiw 
 
 hail t!i!leii. svhl'e Culnni'l I'roetor, « h. hail hen 
 
 Sflit (III IiV iJroik with a Mnall le'nt'.ircemelil, pil-iieil U fmce !ieiti>S 
 the liver, <'pp.()>'ite Aiiilieivx^ltiiiL'. oil iIh' ;"> li '•• Aiit;iiNt, w hiili united 
 
 y(')(» dl' the elieliiv, e.i|itiiteil ;i (niiviiv i>\ pnivi- 
 
 lull- 
 
 ami t 
 
 (Kct 
 
 iial 
 
 111- 
 
 tci'I'lipted his eniiiiniiiiiealinii with Ohio. 1 1 ail I lull pi 1- lied tui uaiil at 
 
 ouco, alter ernssni^ tin* river, wiili re>(i 
 
 ith 
 
 !iilii>ii i.iiil skill, Ai 
 
 iilii'r-Ntlii;r(» 
 
 must have lallen. Ihit llu' ii;iht lime fur aelinii had lieeii aliowi'dto 
 pass, till' Indians wo'V arrivinu; in eon^ideialile luimlieis in aid the jhi. 
 tisli, the militia aUi) hi'iL; . 1 tn mn»ier; and. wursi nt' all, runek \^il^ 
 advaiieiiiii iVom T'lrDnlo. (.)ii llu- 7ili and Slh he rei roused ihe river 
 with the whole ot' his ar. y. I'X'ept a ;iairI-.on ot '^.">'.) men. left in [\ 
 small fort he had erected at Sand with, and e- taMi-hed him-eH at De- 
 troit. From ihelieo he desp.tehed a Imdv i.|' 700 nu'ii to open \m 
 roiniiiiiiiieatioiis with ( )liio, a duly elVprted \\iih heasy loss to ilirin. 
 selves, while llu" Hiiti-h and their Indian allies, allhoiiuh compelled lo 
 retreat, siilVereil vitv little. On the other hand. Liisitenanl IJoih.lle, 
 with the hoals of the Queen Clnnlollc and J/iin/rr, allaelied and cap- 
 tured a boal-coiivoy of the Anieiieans. 
 
 After a fiti<j;iiiii<; jieirney liv land and water, Iboek arrived at 
 Amherstbnrj; on the iiiulit of the lolli. and mil llie Indians in conniil on 
 llio foUosviiig morning. Amoiii^ ihe (liivds present, was Teenmseh, des- 
 tined lo a[>pear io promim ; y in (' 
 
 iiiiaoiaii hi>torv, 
 
 II 
 
 IS tfi'iiei'i 
 
 apficaraneo was |)repos-essinLr; ot';iii aver;iji;e hi'lght, his (injure was light, 
 graceful, and fiiiuly proporiioied ; w;>i!e his liizle eye. and >liirp piMic 
 Iratin^ iiiaiiee, showed him lo ln^ a man of eiierjiy and decision. 
 
 In one of the recent shirmi-hes Ilnll's de-ipatrhes to his govenrnciit 
 were captured. These breathed so <ie<|!oi!iliiig a lone, and painted liis 
 
 position in such unlavoraldo colors, 
 
 that 
 
 liiock determnr d to a 
 
 itark 
 
 liim belore he receive<l succor, a eoiirsi; most amply jiisiified by the 
 result. By the 15lh a battery was coiistnieted on ihe baiiU of the river, 
 opposite Detroit, and three gnn-i and iwo howit/'rs phn;ed in position, 
 vhen IJroek summoned Hull to surrender. lie refused l«» eom]>ly, 
 wlion the battery oiioned Inc. Next inoriiing the British, iinmbering ill 
 
 • Cbristio, vol. 'i. p 28. 
 
x\\\\ no 
 
 ,1. Oil 
 
 iiin \ lo 
 ,v l)r;;aa 
 
 llll- llDSl. 
 
 i;ii! ln'Crt 
 
 li imitiil 
 .\\:\\\\ ii>- 
 iiwnnl at 
 
 lloWl'tl li> 
 
 1 ih.- !iii- 
 
 riick NVii^ 
 
 ilic i'lvcr 
 
 Ict'i ill i^ 
 
 I |P|U'll 111!* 
 
 s to \\um- 
 
 Iju'llfi' iO 
 Jurll.lU', 
 ;\iul r.\\)- 
 
 •rived at 
 •oiiinil ')l^ 
 ni-ii li, dc-i- 
 is <ti.'ncriil 
 was liglit, 
 nr|) l>i'iie.. 
 
 ovoin'iH'i.t 
 jiinti'tl liis 
 1 to altiU'li 
 0(1 l.y ili3 
 \'\\\v river, 
 n posi'.ioii, 
 to comply, 
 inberiiiJi ii^ 
 
 iRia.l 
 
 OF r.\NAir\. 
 
 UfiH 
 
 all TOO r*';,'iilMrs and niililia, and «»ll() jndiaiH, rrti'^scd tln^ river three 
 iiiMr-" lulow till' town. Korniiii;..' Iii> men in eoliimn,and llirowin;:; out 
 the Indian^ to rover liis (la:d\s, <ienenil llroeU advanced steadily to- 
 
 uards the t'oit. W hell at the disiaiu t a mile he hailed to iceoiiiioi- 
 
 Ire, and oli-,ei'unLr that iitlle or no |ireeaiilions I'oi- ileteiiee h.id heeu 
 taiien at the land sidi-, he resolved on an imtm>diate assaidt. ISiil Hull 
 j»revc"iit<'d this movement, liy eapitnl.itin;; ; the garrison and troops en- 
 camped ill the vii iiiity, ainoinilinu' altogether to •.^'»00 men, surreiideiiny 
 to lilile iiKiic. til 111 hall their miniher. With Detroit a lari,'e (|iianlity 
 «i( militaiy stores and pro\i>iuiis wi'iv <;iven up: the territory of 
 ^Iielii;;aii was ;i!mi surrendered, on liie simpUt eoiitlilioii thai lift; aiul 
 pro[ierl\ should he respteled. The militia were permitted to return 
 .( tlhir homes, vhile the regular troops and oHioers, ov^ r (Uie thousand 
 in tiiiiiil,er,* wf.-e sent down to timdiee. 
 
 Thus di»j:raee('ully, on the part of the Amerieans, ended the first at- 
 toiiipt to eoiiipicr I pper Canada. Within the short spaci' t'l'live woj^Us 
 Maekinaw hi I tiilleii. D'iroil had lieeu eapturtvl, and the eiiiel (»art of 
 tluir aiiiiy of invasion eoinpidU'd to .surrender; while their wholi! 
 iiurtli-westein frontier wa-i left e.\|M»sed to hostile, iueursions. TIk' suc- 
 cesses of |>riii>li leuular troops and militia, against a I'oico so much 
 their superior in mimliers, Imd a njost excellent etTeet in rai-ing tho 
 tJfiliit-, of the ( ...ladi.iii people, ami securiiifj; the fidelity of the Indians. 
 Had I III!) Iieeii a mm of' energy and (Jec;ision, matters must hav(! heen 
 Very dilfereiit. Yet, in :iny ease, with the force at his disposal, he rould 
 scarcely have estaldished himself pcrmaiieiiLly in a hostile country difli- 
 
 It to traverse, anil wliii h, as at the river Canard, pn^seutcd many 
 "lalilo positions to ( heclv the pro^^ress of an iiivailinjf force. Hut 
 
 cu 
 fav( 
 
 aside from every cousideral ion, his surreiider was one of the nmst cow- 
 ardly and hdmiliatin^ occurrences, which had ever taken place in North 
 America, llidfs timid and vacillatiuj; conduct apjiears in slraiijie con- 
 trast with the forevight, eiieriry, and deci>i(m of the <;allant IJrock. The 
 rapi<l nnnement on Maclxinaw ; tho advance to Amherstliuii;, after ho 
 had dismissed the leirislaluro ; ami the passage of the Detroit River in 
 face of a siiperio." force, when he had learned the timiility of its 
 I'f, uiupiestionahly stamp him as a man of superior g.iiius, and ro- 
 niinds one of ilie most foriunate days of tho frallant Montcalm. Tho 
 statement that Hrock committed a grave military error, in assuming 
 tho ag;^ressive at Amhc 4!)urg, is simple nonsense. There was no 
 rashness about the movement. He understood iiis antagonist, i ted a9 
 
 th. 
 
 'ad 
 
 • Auchinlcck, p. 59. 
 
354 
 
 TITK IIISTOIIY 
 
 fIH12. 
 
 any pnllaiit ninii would, or slioiilil. Iiiivy actiMl !ii ihi- firi'niixos, nod wn* 
 ftoconliii^ly Mi(fi's«.fiil. I III* ;»riaf firur wmild li.ivc Im'cii, in nut avail, 
 ing iiiniNt'lt' of so ravor:il)l«' an t>ji|)ortniiity, to >li ike ili*.- ini|uitniit 
 blow 111! did. 
 
 On till" siimc day on \>lil(li I)itr(itt •iiirrcndcrcd, (Joncial Urock i'^snoi 
 a pi'orlanialiiin In tin; iididiitanN of Mulligan, ('niiliniiini; tlii'in in tlio 
 full cnjoynicnl ol lluir [►ro|Mitii'>( ; and Hlalini:, lliat llic (•.xi>tiii^ laws 
 would continiM! in luicc mitil I lir pUa^nrc ol' ilic ( Vow n >|innM lie Itimwi), 
 Having' niadr sncli dtliri' ai'ianL.'fMM-nt"' as li ■ dccnicd n Ti^saiN , lie ro. 
 turni.'d Id Toionlo, wln'i'f, on tlit' ITili, lie was rccciv rd liy tlic liiMittcU 
 ucclannitions ul" a ^raiclnl (tcojijc. il,- would liavi- I'dlowcil w|> liis sue- 
 coss"s liy an iinnii'diati- atlcnipt 0:1 |''oi I Nia.;ara, Init was iiicvi-ntcd 
 by liis ins|rnrliun< Tkho S!c (ii-or^c I'ri'vosf. 
 
 Tlic I Innic ( io\ I rnnu'nt was inclined to |iin'-.;i'> a policy of '••ihcar- 
 ancc towards AnxiiiM, nii Icr tlif «.n|>|io-iiio:i lliat ilic < )i (Ki-* in <'iMn>i;il 
 
 hiivniLT ln'cn r.'in'a! 
 
 Ihi' 'in ii'icl w o'lld soon l>i' anal 
 
 •4 -d. A ',"4 
 
 r'.'>sivo 
 
 nicasni'i's woidd only trn I to cNi^in'iMtc ill.; Aini'i',caii«*, widen the 
 brcacli, and liindi r ilic I'stalili-hnicnl ul' pi-irc. In pniMiancc ul' this 
 liiH! of policy, (icni'iMJ l*rcvo,| Ind pi'opoM' I. in the latt>'r part of.lidy, 
 nil armistice, to the ( 'oniniander-in-eliief ofllie I nit.d States' army, 
 Major(ieneral j)earIiorn. in llie lioiie (hit c\;i>;iiiif dillercuees miuht 1)0 
 arnin<fed. Tin: latter agreed to thi-; niiM-iire with llie cxeepllnnof 
 <i('neral llnll's army; lint the American Secretary o|' war (iincriil 
 Arnrslron;;, ri:fnsed to ratify llic arnoHlee, presnmin:: it m i^inated in 
 a sense of weakness and darker mi the part ol the IJiitish <feneral. 
 
 Till' recent invasion «d' Canada had hetii liased on the sami' |nin<ipIo 
 of eondtin.'d moiemeiit pnr-ued l.y Andierst. Ilu'l was to enter lliis 
 country al Detroit, \'an Kaii^alhier at ih'^ .NiaL'ara liiver. while Dear- 
 born assailed it liy way of L ii»e ( 'hamplain and the l!iclK)lie:i. 1. 1 addi- 
 tion to the troops assembled at these points, the American-> liatl e^tab- 
 lisiied military posts at various fa^oralth' po-ilioiis a loi^t; llie Iron tier, 
 w 
 w 
 
 lience il irrassiiijr ii)(nr-ions were freipienlly made across ihe border, 
 liich inll'cted serious iKJiiry on the inhabitants At ( ianaiioipie a pirty o( 
 150 liilided. led by Captain l"'ors\lhe, defeated a -mall body of niltilii^, 
 to(d; ^lossession ot some piiMie stores, and reliri'd altiM' iil-t realini; llio 
 defeliei'Uss people (f the iiei^hlioi hood. Al ( )L!.ilei)sliniir a 1 « v, idora- 
 
 blof. 
 
 oi'ce was .stationed, imder hiii^adier iii'owii, w Inch siannisiy nitor- 
 rupSed ibe conimnnicalioii bi'twceii Kiii<>;sloii and M mtreal. IJeiitc- 
 naul-Coloiiel J.ellilnldL'c, coinniaiidiiiii at Prescott, lormel the desij;n 
 of captiirinii ih's [■osition. and adxanced across the ri\er. on the -llli of 
 October, under ((i\(i- lA' the 'niiis of his own fort. W hen ahont add* 
 chaiinLd llio ciKiiiy o[;ciad a warm and well directed fao u[oi\ llio 
 
ISMl 
 
 or CANADA. 
 
 2.15 
 
 boat**. \N'ii<h "I'l'cdily ronipcllcil liini to ictrciit, wlili rt loss nf ilin<o 
 tneli kill '•! ami Intir wiiiiiiilf*!. On ilit> {Mli. an atlait' of iiiort' inipor- 
 taiicc nicMtfi'tl at I'lirl lOiii-. An Mnii;'il i»ii;r, toj^rtt.cr willi atintluT 
 vt'SM'll.idi'n Willi |»iis.>ii.TH ami i'Mi-'*, linl nnivi'il ilu- |ii>'rfiliiiu' <lay, 
 mill wcr ; ctii (iiif jii^t l»(l'»rf iliuvM lt\ a siiuii'^ |iaity *>( Amciicaii!*. 
 
 n..i 
 
 I V('«*-.l'U (Irit'lcil (luUli llic Cllltrli 
 
 it lil' llir N 
 
 iai.'af;v ii\cr 
 
 aiitl 
 
 Cfiiiiii'li'l lU'iir llii' (i|i|Mi-Ili' sIkiii". vvliiTi' llii" ciTWs ;iriir a ^liarj) roii- 
 U'>1 w i>' m;i'!i' |tri.iiiu'r-. Diiiiiii; a I'l';,' a party n|' |{ritisli lntin I'ort 
 Kric sik'ici'iKmI ill Ituurilini^ and di-iiniiiitliiig the atiiicd Inii:, A (Vw 
 lives WiTf |(i4 dilt'ilii: tlh-M' ocelli icnci's. 
 
 Owiiii: to till.' iiilaliialiiin o( tlie IJoiiie ( iDvenmieiif, wlio < otiUdently 
 looked fur the c-lalili-hiiienf nl' pcaee, and had no idea that the con- 
 quest ol" ( 'an id I w is re;il|\ d •■>ii-ed liv lli-- Aiiieiirans. lln' |0;i feiiimeut 
 and a vcak liattalimi nl' the |*l, nr Ki'\;il S.dt^. wiili a (ew reeniits, 
 were tic mily a--i-laiiie drspatclieil to Sir (iidi^e l'i'evo>t up to this 
 period. Matitrs had in the nieaiiliine a-samed a iimiu' tlirealei.ini,' ap- 
 
 V 
 
 'aiaiii e al'Uiif til,' Ann; ie;!ii Iroiitier. Iifitated. ratliec than di»eoiir- 
 
 ai;ei|, 1)V till' Mtrreiidei- <d Hull, pre| araliniis liy land and water were 
 t'lior^eiieal! y pii-<h.d (nrw.iid ln<: ihe e(iiii|iie«t "{ Ipper ( 'aiiada ixlorc 
 
 th. 
 
 e uii ter st'i III. tiriieiMl iiai'iisoii liaii eoileeteil a lai'ifc ariiiv at the 
 
 t til 
 
 wes 
 
 I t" rev. iiLj.' the .'all ol" |)el;i.it, while 1 )e:irl)('iii in>tnHte(l \' 
 
 un 
 
 IJaiisa'aer to [teiietrate Ilroik's line ol' dclinee on the .Ni.igafa ut 
 QiU'eii toll, ami i'stal)li-|i liiii;>i'If peinianeiilly in the province. For 
 this 0;i 'i'..t ion ihe I'.iive a! his dispo>al was amply siilUcicnt, the lirilish 
 regnl ,is and miiit a cop cii'd f.ir the dere:i(' • of thi> eiil ic' jioiilicr of 
 lit) iiid''~i iieiii'j,- iindiT "JdOO nieii. I'/'it owinu' d' the e\eiiluiis of' (.cUf- 
 ral 
 
 IjIi i k. w lio >aw (■:( 
 
 '..-ii-i 
 
 ii!v the ap,)iii;u liiii'^ s'.orin. tiie^e were in 
 
 tlu 
 
 best possilde state nl" lilieiciicy. and tliiir(,ii-lily on the alert. 
 
 J)iiaii',' the 1'2 h, \ an l.'aii-allaer eomplelid his | , paiations fcr r.t- 
 tackaij^f (^lU'eiisto I, 'ihe i'dlnwinij iiioriiin!X was eoM and slnnny, hnt 
 
 in Itoats at an earlv hour, and everv 
 
 ncveriheli'ss his troop, ciiiliaikct 
 tliiii!^ w.is iiiadc r -adv lo pndi across the livcr widi the Cir-f. Idii-h "f 
 dawn. 'I'li'Mi 111 iVi'i'icnts >.vcre soon diM'o\i j-cd hy flic 15rili>Ii sei!lrii''s, 
 who nave tlie alaiiii. (a-'lain Oi'iinisot the dl^di. \Jio cominnnded ati 
 Qiiei'iisli II, iii.iiu'diatelv coii'cti'd two conipaiiies of his i( uiirejit, aliU 
 ftlioiit 100 <if iIk' ini.i; :a, at tiie lant'.intf place, to oppo-c the enemy, 
 whom he held in < h.'ck i'ni- a eoii-.idL'rahii time, aided hy the firo of nn 
 eij:Iilei'ii poiind'r iii pMs'iidn on the h. isiht s .'-.hove, and a iiia- 
 
 U'ti 
 
 bat 
 
 terv atio.it a in' 
 
 '' w'er ili!W 11. 
 
 poll l>lll f 1 
 
 I the Ameriians. liowevop. 
 
 laiideil l,i<;her i.ji, and a'^cen'ii;:'^ l>y an iin;'iiarJed path, turned the IJri- 
 ti.h ll.ink, capt'ired the so'it.iiv _i:iiii, and speedily compelh'd their re- 
 treat, alter havin;! sui^lai.'Kd cuii,ider;;lde lo-s. to the ii'irlh end of the 
 
25C 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1812. 
 
 , ••■:! 
 
 H I' 
 
 • I ■ > 
 
 *i 
 
 villaj^o. Tfcrc tlicy wcrcmetby (icncral IJroclc, who h.-u] hcnnl the can- 
 nonado.'it Ni;)gara,and pushed forward, i.i company witli liisaid-dc-camps, 
 Major Oh'flj? ai)d Culoiiol McDonnell, to ascertain its cause, IIavinf» 
 leanu^d hnw matters stood he dismounted from his horse, and resolving 
 to carry llie heights, now fully in possession of tlie Aniericaus, hg 
 placed himself at the head i»f a company of the IDlii, and, wavinj^ his 
 sword, led them to the charge in double (piick tinu;, under a heavy Cim 
 from the enemy's riflemen. Kro long one of these singled out llio 
 General, took deliberate aim, fired, and the gallant 15roi.k, without a 
 word, sank down to rise no mere. The 40tli now raised a shout to 
 "revenge the (lencral !" when regulars and militia madly rushed fur- 
 •ward, !uid drovt; the enemy, despite their superior numbers, from the 
 summit of the hill. 
 
 By this time the Americans had been strongly reinforced, and the 
 British, who had never exceeded JiOO altogether, fuid''ig themselves 
 nearly surrounded, were compelled to retire, having su; ainod a loss iu 
 killed, woimded, and prisoners, of al)OUt 100 uic.;, including several 
 oflicci's. They reftKined in front of the one-gun buttery, already staled 
 as being a mile below Queenston, to await the arrival of assi^.tanci; 
 Van lli.nsallaerhad, therefore, made a solid lodgement on Canadian soil 
 with nearly 1000 men, and after giving orders to form an intrenched 
 camp, recrosscd the river to send over i-einforccments. But the Amer- 
 ican mililia, having now seen enough of hard fighting, were sud- 
 denly seized with conscientious, scruples about going out of their own 
 territory. Comparatively lew crossed over to the assistance of their 
 comrades bovond the river, who were thus left to sliift for themselves. 
 Early in ilie afternon, a demonstration was made against the Am rican 
 position in the most gadant manner by young Brant, at the head of 
 some fifty Mohawks. These after a sharp skirmish were compelled to re- 
 tire, owing to the steady front presented by Lieutenaut-Colonel, now 
 Lieutenant General, Scott, who had meanwhile arrived, and assumed 
 the chief command, Wadsworth, u militia general on the field, waving 
 bis right thereto.* 
 
 But the British had no intention of surrendering Quecnston so easily. 
 Major-Gcneral SlicafTe, an American by birth, assumed the cliief com- 
 luand on General Brock's death, and having collected all the troops at 
 Niagara and Chippewa, moved forward in admirable order to drive tha 
 enemy from their formidable position. His force, inclusive of 100 In- 
 dians, was under 1000 men, of whom only 5(30 were regulars: with 
 
 t^tonu's Lift- of Brant, vol. 2, p. 008, 
 
 ,, ♦• 
 
iiviiiL; his 
 
 1812] 
 
 OF CA\ADA. 
 
 257 
 
 two small fimis. After niakinii a !<pii<; dctoiir to the right, to gain the 
 ojH'ii i^roiiiid ill raw <it' I Ik; iioiiiliis, SlR'all'i! licijaii ih.' attack liy an ad- 
 vaiici" <it his li-f't, which alu-r delivering a \uili'y chaigcd with the l)a}- 
 
 onct, and <h'<iv(> in !Scott,''s tiuiit. lie then a( 
 
 ;J\aii 
 
 ced 
 
 IIS niaiii-l)od\ 
 
 an 
 
 alter a sluM-p en 
 
 iifliet 
 
 a iiart of 
 
 tl 
 
 it> eneinv W' re (Inveii 
 
 had 
 
 .'1 
 
 k over 
 
 liie ilr^t ridge (if hcigiits lu Hie mad k'adiiig lo the l'\dls, whih' another 
 prinioii let tlie.'iiselves (h>wi) uilh the ai<l (d tl;e roots and i)iislies to- 
 vai' Is llie river, Icily jtiir^ued liy the hidiaiis wlio were with dillieulty 
 wiliidrawii. 
 
 lesistaiioe was now o;it of the onestion, and the Anierieaiis sun 
 
 en- 
 
 dcri (1 to tlie aniuiint of '.).")() regulars and niditla. So eoinpK'teiy were 
 they scaltered. tiiat scarndy ."()() men remained with Stott wiien he 
 gave hii-iseil' np. 'liieir luss in killed ainl wounded was ilso severe, 
 hut has never Iteeii currcclly aseerlaiiied : it eouM scarcely, however, 
 he unde;' 500 nun. 
 
 Ihii-s ended in total discomtilnre, the second a!tein]it of the Anievi- 
 cans-, to cstal)li^h theinsv'lves nermanesitiv in I pp ■■ Canada. The Uri- 
 tisli loss, ill a nniiieric.d point of view, was cornpaialively s.nall, and 
 did not ill killed and woiinded amount to 10*) nun : Iml the death of 
 the uallaiit IJroek dlmn.ed the lustre ol vietorv, and e; si a ulooin over 
 the eitinitry. Descended liom a respectable family in (iuernsey, he 
 had endiiaced the prolcssion ot {inns at an early age, and served with 
 (liftlincti<iii in some of the principal eampaigns in l^nrope : nnung ihd 
 rest, at Copt'iihagen wiih Lord Nidson. As a civil governor he was 
 firii', prudent, ami just ; as a soldier, brave, skilthi, and humane, and 
 the idol of his troops: while the Indians regarded him as the !ir<iu i'/cat 
 of a g;i.;lant warrior, lie fell at the early ago of forty-two, just as his 
 harvest -time of honor and distinction had hegini, and liis ecuntry had 
 learned to regard his opening career with pride, lie was respected by 
 all che-ses — l)y triendai: 1 foe alike, and minute guns from the American, 
 as well as Urillsh batteries, bore hoiunable Ics'.iniony to his great 
 per oiial worth, as he was buried at Fort George, on the KUh of Octo- 
 ber, sided)y-side with tV>lonel McDonnell, in a grave watered with tho 
 tearij of brave soldiers, and sorrowing citizens. Brock's name has not 
 been forgotten ; the people of Canada ^Vest still cherish his mcirory ; 
 and while the current of the Niag;:r.i speeds past the sci'no of his 
 death, he will occupy an honorable place in the [)ages of its history. 
 
 Oil the day after the battle of Qiieenston, Wan liansallaer requested 
 an armistice of three davs, to enable him to take care of his wounded and 
 bury his dead, which was granted by ISheafTe, on condition of de- 
 stroying his boats, which was immediately complied with. (>n the 15th 
 Wadsworlii, and all the r)rlncipal oflicers were paroled, with the exrep 
 
I; I • 
 
 S58 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 [1812. 
 
 tion of General Sontt, who refused to he lihcratod and was sent down 
 to Montreal with the other piison rs of the regular atmy. Tiu! miH 
 tia were all permitted to ;elnrn to their hnuies, oii eoudition of not 
 serving during th.' war. Among the prisnncis witc t weiity-iini'o men 
 •,vho admitted ihcMnsclvcs to have heen Uriti^li-liDni sniijijets, nm! were 
 sent to I'Jigland to he tried as traitors. The Amei'Ieans siihse.|iiently 
 retaliated, hy threatening to hang an eqnal muivhcr of their prisoiicrH, 
 if any ill hefell tln'se men. 'Jhcy were nitimately rx-leased, so the mat- 
 ter terminated. Seott had iuigry words alioiit them with ihe British 
 General at Niagara, and refused to he [laroled on that arcoinit.* 
 
 On the lOlh W.n IJanallaer, disgusted, as "e said, wiih llie rondiict 
 of the militia, I'erjnestcd permission from ])e.ii'Iinri> to le-igii his coin- 
 mand. The latter assented, and direeted l>rigadier-(ii'i)rial Sn)ylli to 
 assnmc contnd of the army on the Niagara frontier. 'I'lns oflieer it iino- 
 diatcly applied for an ai-mistice of ihirly day^, which Shi-afK- agreed 
 
 to, thongh on what ground does not ap[ 
 
 lear, 
 
 I'rohaldv he antici[ialeJ 
 
 the arrival of reinforcements, and eonsidcred that any eoinse uhicli re- 
 tarded hostilities against his command wonld lie heneficiai to raiiadiaii 
 interests, slenderly guarded as the iVontier was. Ihit the advanfai^c 
 was altom'ther on the eneinv''s side, who was thus allowed hreathiiif 
 space to .'ecrnit iiftc his defeat, and to ma!<e preparations undi^tmhcd 
 for fresh i)]ie.'ation.5. Ilosiilities. however, still erMiti'ined in other di- 
 rcctions. A hodv of Amei'ieans. dOf) strong, led liy Maji.r Young siir. 
 prised the ])ie<Miet at St. IJegls, composed of Can.- ''an voyageurs. lulled 
 their ofllcei- ard sevm mei;. and carried (A twenty-three prisoners. A 
 counter-attach hy the Uri;'-.! was soo:i after made in the same nciTli- 
 horhood, w he; 1 three oHieei-'i and furty-ono privates of the Americans 
 were made |)ri-onc""^ 
 
 The month of N.u-emhcr had now set in, hleak, cold, and cheerless, 
 yet the Americans persistsd in theii- schemes of coi'.rpicst. Dearhorii, 
 at the head of an army o( 10.000 men, hinig iiiion the ccnfnu's of 
 Lev er Canada ; Smyth, with 5.000 men, occaipied the Niagara frontier; 
 while Harrison, th'' bravest and most formidahlc of them all. with his 
 Kcntncky forest-rngers and Ohio sharp-shoott-rs, threatened the weak 
 liritish force nndei ri-oct(n', in the di-.lant west. At the same ;in-ie, 
 
 Commodore Channcey had hy ciiormoe.s exertions equipped a fl-i t 
 Tiakc Ontario, whieli now forced the Canadian si 
 
 on 
 
 n;->!)inrx to rernuia 
 
 un 
 
 der the guns of the forts at Kingston. 'I'oronto. .nnd NiaL'ara. Cf.ai 
 
 111- 
 
 cey was gcnercs as he was hrave. In his first cruise he captured two 
 
 * lie wns 8id)s. Micntly parolod by Sir Cloor^o I'rcvost. !uul most dishonorably 
 broke it. 8cveri': oilier Anicrican oilicurs did the eame^ 
 
 ,, » • 
 
1812.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 250 
 
 sclu^oncMs ; on board of one of iIil'sc he foiiml \ha pl.nto of (leiionil 
 Hi'iick, wlilrli lie. restoroil to hi-; Itii.tluT, C":i[it. I>i-o;-k of thi 4()'li, who 
 had it ill charge, in luslimoiiy of the high icspocl in whic h hu held iho 
 decru'^ed oiTleer. 
 
 D.'ai'hiirii had ostahlishel \\U li vi 1 qinrteis at I'lalt «;l)tii'Lr, find dos- 
 putciu'<l from ihciico ii strong lio ly oC int.iiitry an 1 a tn>op ot" dr'^oons 
 to rnaive a I'ecDimnisanec tnwiii-ds the Ciitish advaiiet'd pnst-s, in tho 
 iiei^dd)iirhoo<l of Rouse's I'oliit. On tho nKMMiin^ of the '^Oili. hefuro 
 day, these troops snri'oun led a Uiiai'd-hiit in uhiili were u f-'W Cana- 
 dians ;urJ Indians, wiio ri'tnnied their lire, and safely es(>api'd in the 
 confnsion. '1 lie Anieii-ans fired upon eaih ollirr in tiie darlv and kil- 
 led and woniuled seveiid of thein-idves. ( )n diseoverinsr their mistaiio 
 tliey I'ctired. Dreading an 'invasion in foi'ee, (I -neral Prevost now di- 
 rceled tlie whole niiliti I of llie pnivlnee, to hold iheniscdvi s prepared 
 fur aetive ser\ iee. 'I'lie <rre it '-r, entlr,nia>ni was nianifesteil, and tho 
 militia of iho Oistrie' of Moitiea! moved cji inaxsc on the point of 
 threateneil invasion, to I'epid Mie enemies of their country. l)ear!)orri 
 now saw the fi nitlessness of ; ttempliuL' a descent o:i Montreal, and be- 
 gan to withdraw his sickly an I enfcebU-d troojis from llie frontier, to 
 j/lace ihoin in wii^fer nnarter- , All prospects of invasion being thus 
 
 toniiin 
 
 ordi 
 
 ated f 
 ll 
 
 I'oin 
 
 tho 
 
 (lirectio! ol 
 
 I. 
 
 <v. (.'haiii plain, tho llrilijh general 
 
 e'-cd 11)0 'roops and iiinita to ritnrn. 
 ^N'hile <.heso events were tiaiisj.irin;:; in T-ower Canada, the armistico 
 between Smyth and Shi-afle, as •e^ardeu their r(>spee!ive co-nmaiiila, 
 had diiiwii to a elo?.o. Every preparanon had meaiiwliile beiMi mado 
 for another descent, npon ( 'aiM la. wifeli, thi; time, was to he efTeetod 
 l)et\reen ."liijipowr. and Foi't Iviii\ Vov \\\r defence of this frontier, 
 liillv twuilvono miles in extent, there wer(! less thin 700 reunlars and 
 
 niiliiia. vdiile tho Aniei I( an 
 
 armv ( 
 
 f tl 
 
 e Centre, as it was m; ijnno- 
 
 qiiontly ilyh'd, was at least .■)i)00 men. AlV r a ^^raseonadiii'j; proclama- 
 
 hien would n'ad one to don 
 
 ticii in tae X;ipolc(»:iie style 
 
 coamioiv sense, a division of fiarteeii smws wi 
 
 btS 
 
 mvtii s 
 
 til ahont 4/)0 men on 
 
 board, crosseil the river, at the ii|>per on 1 o," Orand Ule, before day, 
 on th.e norniuii of the "2s h. 'I hey sneeeed,"! in carryiii'^ a fonr-gnn 
 bnttery defended by 0,') nun of the -lOlh rei,nit»t'nt a; 
 
 three ()irieers 
 
 nrty of these were made pi'isuners, nu'ludin;^ I j.m; teiat 
 
 Its K 
 
 wvj. aiu 
 
 I.aniont. th(; remainder nnler fiientei'.ant lj,r,lh'V male a stout >K 
 
 Mice, 
 
 lilt 
 
 were idlimatolv compelled to reti 
 
 re 
 
 on K o 
 
 f th 
 
 Aiiiov'.ean 
 
 force then returned across Uie river, leaviu^f a t"ew olbeors and forty men 
 beliln<l, who were all ma<le prisoners, after a fe(dde resij-taiic, by a. de- 
 
 tachment from Fort ]^ri 
 
 Al 7, a. m.. ci'^hfeen scows advanced across 
 
 the river to cfl'eit a huidlng. A few lonnds liom a six-poinidcr sunk 
 
1; I ' 
 
 I , 
 
 A 
 
 260 THE ITISTORY [1812. 
 
 two of tbcso, aii'l, with the aid of a stc.\.ly firo of inii^ikotry. threw tho 
 rcniiiiii'lor into confiisicMi, amJ coivipelled tliu oiicmy to rci io. 
 
 Smyth's fiiilun; and disgrace wiis oompk'to. His infliitcd proclama. 
 tions had raised the oxpcctatioiis of the Aineiif;in people to llie hi-diest 
 point, and his want ot sucecss depressed tlieir spirits in prop.);lii)n. To 
 sec their "army of tho centre" held eflTeetnally at liay hy a force 
 scarcely one-sixth of its mnnber, was a sour , of bitter indignntion 
 to the Democracy of the United States. Smyth vas appropriiitely 
 nick-natned General Van liladdi-r. His own soldiers d spised l.im, nnd 
 ho had finally to flee from the canip to escape their indignation. He was 
 univorsally denounced as a traitor and ccnvard, was liootcd and slmt at 
 in the streets of lUifliilo, and the tavernd;- epi.'rs shnt their doors in his 
 face. Government meanly sharing the feeling of the popniacc, ca>h- 
 icrcd him without trial, and was snstained in tliis arliitrary act by the 
 Senate of the I'nilcd States. Yet Sinvth was an oflicer of the regular 
 American army, which is cursed by tbc same seniority system prevail- 
 ing in the British service. Mqu, howevei-, are advanced eonllniially 
 from the raid<s to the grade of commissioned oflicers in the hitter, 
 ■while in the United Siules army no private can rise, ti& a rule, abovo 
 thy posili(.)n of a sergeant. The Anic lican military service is the mosit 
 aristocratic of any in the world ; all its < iTicei's must be favorites of 
 the executive, and graduates of West-point. jNfoney buys cc'nmis>ion3 
 in the English army, politics in the American ! The last system is cor- 
 taiidy tho worst of the two. 
 
 The campaign of 1812 against Canada terminated, as we have seen, 
 in most humiliating defeat and disgrace. Large armies had been repel- 
 led by a few regular troops, aided by tho Canadian militia, whose pa- 
 triotism and unflinching courage did theni the greatest honor. These 
 results strengthened, in no small degree, the influence of the peaco 
 party in the United States. It was now clearly seen, that the Cana- 
 dians, as a peop)le, were sincerely attached to their union with Great 
 Britain ; and, that the war, as it progressed, had assumed mnre and 
 more the character of an unprincipled invasion of an unofTendiiig peo- 
 ple. Shortly after Smyth's defeat, the legislature of Maryland 
 declared, by a series of resolutions, that the war was incompatible with 
 republican principles, opposed to their interests, impolitic ; and, that 
 Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, had acted constitutionally 
 in refusing their quota of milita. In Congress, on the 2nd of 
 1813. January, Mr. Quincey denounced the war in a strain of indig- 
 nant eloquence. " We seized the first opportunity," said he, 
 " to carry the war among the harmless colonists. It was not owing 
 to our government, that the bones of the Cauadlaus were not mixed 
 
181 3. J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 261 
 
 with the ashes of their habitations. Sinee the invasion of the buoom.eers 
 there was nofhmg i„ history more .Ji>irraeeftil thai, this «vir " 
 
 Such wer. the sentiments Nvl.ieh aet.iate.I, at this period, the rir^ht- 
 mnu ed portion of the people of the CniteJ States. i;„t n.fortunarely 
 for the cause ol free.Iom, ji.stiee, and Immaniiy, the Den.ocratic faction 
 8t.I retained a small .najority ,.. Congress, and resolved to indict still 
 further the evils of war <.n the hapless (^anadians, whom it was their 
 interest to have regarded as friends and neighbors. 
 
 t 
 
S( 
 
 l*> 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1813. 
 
 CIIAPTIvH XIV. 
 
 TIIK GOVKUNMKNT OF SIH (IKOIKiK IM'.KVOST, TONTIXrED. 
 
 TiiK (;a.mi>ai«;x of ISi;^. 
 
 'I'lic T.('<ii-l;ifiiro of I.owci' {".iiijkI.i MsscmUlod on l!ic 20;h of 
 
 181'^. Dcccinlii'i', 1111(1 iit iiii <'iiily |i('i'i«i(l tifllu! session tddk iiUMsiirea 
 
 to |H'ovI(ki for llii' iii(i'r;i^('(l cxpiiiilituri', ('iitiiilc'il l>y '.iii! war. 
 
 ]8i;>. 'I'li ■ iiniiy l)ill ;ict was rriR-ucd and cxIciiiIimI ; ami in a'jri'ciiieiit 
 
 witli its |wovisinii<, £7})0(){Y) ucco aiillioii-ird to lie put. into 
 
 circulation. KiltL-i-n tlioiisand iioiinds \vci\' granted to e(]iii|> tin- em- 
 
 IxKlii'i. iidlilla, i'lOOO t<« pro\ide lio-pitals (or their use, and .i,':2.').()00 
 
 for <:(i!eial purposes of (lel'riiec. In addition to these sums, two 
 
 and a-liilf per eiMit. on all iiieic-han(d>e imported into the [iro\inco, 
 
 exeejit provisions, were al-i> i.nM!i!eiI to the governiiienl for tiie support 
 
 of the uar, as wtdl as the sjiie per eciitaue, extra, on broods Lrou^ht in 
 
 bv .rrsdiis not resident tur six iiioiillis in the eoinitry. 
 
 li 'ppiT Canada, the k'i:islatiire was convened iiy (i(>noral SlieafTei 
 on iiK' 2r)tli of J'\l)ruary, and pa-^st'd >;evernl lucessary inoasiircs. 
 Anioiiir these was one to faeilitaa- the cireiilalion in liie province of 
 tlie army 1/ills is>ned in liower ('ana !;v, .Mid ni;ihiii^ tlieni a leijfal 
 Icndi'i- in all pnliliu ofliees. Alio; her act .anihoiized the j^ovriinieut to 
 pr('ird)il. the exportation of grain, and restiaiii distillation iherelVom, 
 ow 
 
 iiig to an appri'lieiided scarei! V of food. I'ensioiis v.t re granted to 
 
 f 
 
 in the war; the sale o 
 
 widows and orphans ol' niililii-inen kil 
 
 li'jiioi" to the Indians was pi'uhiblled for 11 sjieeillc {)eriod ; and several 
 
 otl 
 
 ler iisi 
 
 fid 
 
 lulls fiassei 
 
 !Meiiiiwhile, the campaign liad opened favorably for Canada in tlio 
 west, llierc, (jeiieral Harrison still hovered on the l)or<lers of Mi- 
 cliignn, prepared to strike a h'ow for its vc<'overy on the first oppor- 
 tunity. Colonel ProctO'i", who still conini.'in led at T^etroit, ha<l estab- 
 llslie ] several oiit-po>ts In that neighliorhood, one of wlii<liat French- 
 town, al. out twenty-six miles di-'.-int on lln' llivi'i- IJai.-in. wascotn- 
 post d of thirty ul the Essi x inililia, iiiidi i M;ror llcv m ids, and 200 
 
1813.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 203 
 
 n'lXUED. 
 
 iho 29;h of 
 ik iiu-asiires 
 IV ; ik; \vi\r. 
 I ii^iiH'i'iiient 
 lu! pill into 
 
 li|l till' ('lu- 
 ll hi i'-r).000 
 siiiu-i, two 
 le 1 1 It) \i lice, 
 tlu' sii[ii'(irt 
 s brouiilit in 
 
 IndiiiMH. Winclicslpr, who CDininamJi'il a l)rij:;!i(le of II;uri'*on's army, 
 (lutnclit'tl Ci'loiu'l I.owi-i, willi a strmiij lioily nl" tn-ops mi tlio ITtli of 
 Jaiiiiiii'V, to drive till' l>iili>li .'iiul tlu'ii- allies tVuiii iliis post. Tliis pur- 
 pose was I'lFrctcd alter a sharp aetinn, in w liitli tlie ;\iiH'ii( aii< had 
 12 killed aiul ;">() vvoiiiidi'd. wlim U'esiiolds f\|| hack upon Ui nunstdwii, 
 sixteen miles in his ri'ai. Lewis niainlaiiied his pn-itiop at Fieneli- 
 towii iiiiilistiifl.ed, and was tlu'i'e j-fintd l>v Wiiielie^ter, wiili the 
 remainder ol'lii^ brigade, which miniberid alloLrellief luarlv one ihuu- 
 eaiid regular troops. 
 
 Proetor's pn^ition was daily b<'coiniii;; tnore ei iti(al, and he now re- 
 solved !o attack Winchester befnre 1 larrisoii, w Im was llireeur (i>iir days' 
 inarch behind, came up, aiicl llnis, i| pu-isible, beat the ciieiny in detail. 
 Collecting his di-jiosable t'orce, co!i>i>liiig id ')0) ii'gulais, scaincii. and 
 militia, and (iOO Indians, at IJrowii^town on the "21 >t, lu' pu-hod t'uiward 
 tu Swan Creek, a .diort distance ti'Kiii Ficiichi.iwii, wh/ic he bixonac- 
 od lor the night. Next iiiorning, belbre ilay, lii' made preparalinns I'or 
 
 attai'king the eiieiiiv, wIkhii lie assailed at 
 
 liist lii.1 t t I' dawn, 
 
 b 
 
 rarm 
 
 II v d 
 
 I'l 
 
 ving in his picipiels on the main bodv, when 'he action be^ 
 
 came irciieral 
 
 W 
 
 inuiiof.er s 
 
 •d II, 
 
 ink was speedily turned I'V tho 
 
 Indians, his line was next brolu'ii, and h.' t'liund him^elt" so h.irdly 
 jn-es^ecl, that he was eompclied to retreat, but was speedily e;iplnrc(l 
 ;.y the Wxandot elilef, IIo!!:i lliead, who brought him to I'i'oetor.* 
 Ahuiit 400 of his iiicii I'.ad in the iiu'aiiliiiie thrown themselves into the 
 lioii>es of the village, where they coiiliiined toin.ikca despi rate dideiico 
 till it was threatened to burn llieiii out, when they snrniiilcnd.f 
 
 ill this action the cnemv hist about '2')0 men in killed, ii.clndin" 
 several olTicers; one biigaiiier general (Wiiu heslir), three Held-oHiccrs, 
 nine captains, twent\ snba'teriis, ;ind over ")()() privates were mado 
 prisoners, 'Ihe loss of the Urili^li was ab-o severe, there being 24 kill- 
 ed, and ITiS wounded. J 
 
 The prompt and spirited conduct of Proctor ccnnpletelv checked, for 
 the lime, any forward movement onthepait id" Harrison, who even 
 considered it prudent to ri'lirc liirtlu r lack till he I'eceivt'd ri'iiiforec- 
 
 incntR. 
 
 >or did the gallant ooiidnct of I'loetm' go nnrewaidci 
 
 I'l 
 
 ic 
 
 Legislature of Lower (,'anada, then in session, leiidered him a nnanimoiis 
 vole of thanks for ids skill and intii'jiidily, while (iencial Prevost 
 
 * I'r.ictor's Dcspnicli f o sli,j,nV, Jnnciiry 'JC 1), ]S\". 
 
 t Wiiiclici-tcr to tlie Aiiuricim Sicntiiiy of Wiir, Jiiiiiii'.ry ISIO. H.-irrison to 
 GovoiiKii- sl,,.ll,y^ '_>4tli .Imiufny. 18l:{. 
 i ( liiistj.., vol. '_>. ]'. 70. The -:i. ii!( 
 
 V I nit <'f llio Aincricui wounded were 
 
 mo. 
 
 iiu.fml ly the liidiui.9 in iLVi^j^i; for ihcir owu loss. 
 
204 
 
 Till-: H f STORY 
 
 I ' 
 
 I • 
 
 [1R13. 
 
 raised Iiliii to flm rank of l}i'i;^ai.li(!i*-(»'.'ni'ral, a moasiiro. aftorwards oon- 
 liniHMl l>y till' I'liiici' IJciU'iit. 
 
 DiiriniJf winter, llui St, l/iwri-iuT- ahovi^ flu' rcpiiN is usually so firmly 
 frozen over, that llh' ii -axie-t l)iiiile!)s niay oros-i in saf.'ty. The olHeer 
 cotinnaniliiit.^ thr Anieriems at O^'ileiHljnr^ii, availed liiinscir of this 
 (^ireniiistanee to dc^^pateh niaraidin;^ |)ai'ties into Canaila, who trealiid 
 the peaeealdi! inhal)itants witli erui'lty on several oecasions. One of these 
 forays, made liy two conipanles of rill.Mnen, coininaniV'd !)y ("aplaiii 
 l^'orsythe, on th,' \]\>j\\l of til..' ('»;li l''ol)rnarv, was ilirecred ajfainst the 
 
 er wonndni" a 
 
 vilia^'e of l)roel\viile, tweUo miles up the river. Al't 
 sentry, and firinjf into several iionses, they carriiid ofl" fifly-two of tho 
 inhabitants as prisoners, the greater part of whom, however, they re- 
 leased ill a few days. 
 
 (toiieral Prevo.>t, Ix'insj on a tour tliriMi^h I'pper Canada, arrived at 
 Preseott on the '^Ist, and directi'd Major M'i)oniK'II to make a deinoii- 
 sti'ition against Oifdenshiir^h on the followiu": mornintr, with the view 
 
 jfd 
 
 rawni'j out the iiarrison to asei'rtam its stri'ie'th. 
 
 If h 
 
 touni 
 
 1 tho 
 
 opportunity iavoialde, however, he was allowi-d the. discretionary 
 power ftf converting the feigned into a real attack, to pnni>h the enemy 
 tor their wanton inroads on the frontier.* In piirsnance td' these iii- 
 strnctions. Major M'|)oniiell, after dividing his force, ooinposed of 4S0 
 regulars and militia, into tuo columns, pushed across the ie(! on the fol- 
 lowing morning at day-hreak. llelieving the. opportunity f ivorable, he 
 now determined to assail the American position at once. This he gal- 
 lantly accomplished under a heavy cross fire from their batteries, which 
 lie captured with the bayonet, although the deep snow retarded his ad- 
 vance, and caused grea'er loss tha'i would have otherwise been sus- 
 tained. 1 ho enemy fled across the Oswegatchie, or retired into 
 h(uises, wiience they kept np a galling fire till M-Donnell brought up his 
 field-pieces, whirh speedily dislodged them. 
 
 While these successes were achieved by the main colunm, the other, 
 composed of I'jO men, and led by Captain Jenkins, moved towards 
 Fort La Presentation, and soon flunid themselves under a battery of 
 seven guns, which they gallantly eiideavored to carry. Captain Jen- 
 kins, while leading the charge, had his left arm broken to pieces by a 
 grape-shot. Still he continued to advance with his men, till his right 
 arm was als(t riiidcrod useless by a case-shot, when exhausted by pain 
 and loss of blood he was unable to mokve. At this crisis the main-body 
 of tho British advanced to the aid of their hard pressed comrades, when 
 the battery was carried, and in a few minutes afterwards the old French 
 
 * Major M'Donncirs Despatch to General Prevostj February 23rd, 1813. 
 
1R13, 
 3 con- 
 
 [ irmly 
 (ill'ii'or 
 A \\m 
 roat<!il 
 if llu'so 
 'jiptain 
 list tho 
 idiufT a 
 I of iho 
 liev ro- 
 
 Iveil at 
 ikMnon- 
 ln! view 
 1111(1 the 
 I'lloiKiry 
 p ciu'iny 
 these in- 
 of 4S0 
 tho fol- 
 •:il>lo,hc 
 I he gal- 
 s, which 
 111 his ad- 
 con siis- 
 rod into 
 it up his 
 
 no other, 
 towarJs 
 ittory of 
 i\n\ Jen- 
 ^cs l»y a 
 his right 
 hy pain 
 lain- body 
 |es, when 
 French 
 
 |1S13. 
 
 isuvl 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 nc\K 
 
 105 
 
 f(j;l -harcil the same Tite at llu- iiaii.ls of a coinpaiiv of ih' (ihM:iary 
 lilia anil aiiKtiicr of ici;iilar-i, li.)ih UmI I»v (.'.ipiaiii Ivistaec* 'I'Ihh, 
 
 nil 
 
 ill los lli.'iii an ''Mill'. Mic (iitiic pii>i;i()ii ( 
 
 >t ;h' 
 
 i' 
 I'licmv, (If 
 
 .V noo 
 
 iiicii. was «'a|iliin <l ill lilt' iim^t ^.iHaiil in inner 
 
 In this actinii (lie liiili- 
 
 ha.l 
 
 seven 
 
 vill. 
 
 anil seven ofTi 'ers aiirl 
 
 furtvi'iie wnuiiihil ; 'u' Aim lieaii |()-.s, mi llie .itlier hninl. 
 
 was twenty 
 
 liilK'il, a pK'piii linnale iinnilier wiimnhil, jiinl Minie pi iNoners. 'I'ho 
 greater part ran a. say, Imwever, so niiiiMy, lliat lliev coiiM not ho 
 oveitalxeii | l''iini' brass field ixnns, seven ^nns of irnii, several iiiiii. 
 (Ired stand td arms, jind a cnii-'ideialile tpianlily (ii"sti>tes fell into tho 
 hiiiids of the vieiors* as wtdl as two small seliooner>. and two ^iin- 
 hoats, wliiili w('r(! .inied. 'J'iiis important success luid the clii'Ct of 
 preventing any In! are " ays, njxni that part of the I'roiilicr, during tho 
 rciiiaiiidcr ef the w inter. 
 
 As yet, no assistance of importance ha-1 liciMi received from iho 
 motlici-coiiiiliy, and the defence otCanada rested cliiclly on the militia; 
 who, on every oeeasioii, had acted with ail the gallantly ol'ilie Ix-^t re- 
 gular troops. J'^vcry exertion foiitiiuied to he made, with imalialed 
 roiirage, t(t place the eonntry in the hest state of defence. The three 
 Canadian •.•i-glinents, the (jllengai ies, Fciieildes and Voltigiiers, recruited 
 vvidi diligence and success, and in the month of March mo>t acec[)taldo 
 assistance arrived in the lOlll. regie "iit <il'llie line, who had made u 
 rapid, and most extraordinary join iiey, from X 'W lirunswick, through 
 the wilderness. 
 
 On tho side of t!'0 Anioriean'j, tho most strenuous exertions wero 
 made to insure tho coinpiest of Canada, 'ii the I'lisning campaign. Their 
 plan of operations was again based on the same system of combined 
 inov»'meiit, which had sue('e(!ded so badly wiili th''m the pri'ccdin:; vear. 
 
 Hi 
 
 :lrrl^oll was to rccovi'r Mi'.liigan, and threat en ( aiiada at its western 
 extremity ; while Commodore (Jliaiineey, aided by a strong land force 
 under (jciK 'al Fii\e, was to capture Toronto, and invest Fort (Jeorgo, 
 nt Niagara. Here Pike's force was to form a jiinclioii with anotluT 
 army, to cross from Buffalo and carry the liriii>h posts at l*jie and 
 Chippewa. Vrosteni Canada being thus completely subdued, th(5 com- 
 hilled American armies were to de^cend to Kingston, in the reduction 
 of which they would bo "idid by a lliiid force, under General Dear- 
 bc.:n in per^on. This important position captured, Montreal anJ 
 Quebec were to bo next assailed, and iheold Union Jack forever diivou 
 from the glorious valley oJ tho St. Lawrence, 
 
 • Mdjor M'Donnell to General Prevost, 23rd February, 1813. 
 t Christie, vol. 2. p. '. i. 
 
260 
 
 Tin-: iiisTorwY 
 
 [181.1. 
 
 AgrcrahUi to this plan of opi>i-;Ui<)i\'<, C'haiiiicoy sailed from Sac-Ucti'a 
 Ilairlior, on lliu 2.">tli of A[nil. wiili rumlicii aniicil vcssi-ls, hav lug 
 1(U)() irnops oil lioanJ, and on ilns ovi-niii:; uI'iIk! following day apprar. 
 cd oll'iliu liarlior of Tornnln, iIumi <i;airi«oiii,Ml Ity ii foiro of tmly (iOO 
 n-ffidars and militiii. On ilie (Mi^niii;,' day llii! fnciny c<iiiiiiK'in;fd to 
 diM'niliaiU al)ont. llirt't.' niili's in ilu' wi'st <it tin; tuwn, a movciiu'iit 
 ihi'V at'fonipli>lu'd uitli sunu' (lidi.-nlty, uuin^ |u tlic steady ii'-.iNiaiu'o 
 of llu', ('aiiaiHa;is and n';iiilar ti'<K.[w, '["lu'sc, Ikiwcmt, alu r di- play- 
 iUii "iTat, ira'laiilrv, and siid'riii^ si-vi'ii; In ■;, wcio (.■oiiinrllcd (o 
 Vc'tiiH! <tn till! town, (ii'iii'ial Di'ariiniii. wlm rcmaini-d <'ii l)"ard odo 
 of tlic vt'sst'ls of ilic (I't't. had inlnisii-d liu- (.'niiiiiia:id of his tr.i..|is to 
 lJri;iadiii' I'iiic 'Ilic lalicr unsv Idi'iU'd ii"s nun nii the itcaili. in nrdcr 
 to take llu- iJriti^h pi'-ili'>n in 11. ink, whdu llic (K'l't, uhirii uoikid up 
 into the hai'liiir. >hniiM as>ail it in licnit. 
 
 It api 
 
 irai's, |r<iin a 
 
 I ih.it 
 
 can iir Ljallu'M'd on lIu' snltji>ct, that I'.r do- 
 
 fences uf 'i'l'ioiil'*, at this pciiud, wi'ie ill a nm^l wii'tclied ciindiliiiii, 
 owiiijj; to the ciilpalile iiei>;li;^cn'i' <il ShcaU''. Chaiiiicey 's lii\' fmii lliu 
 shippiii'^ ciMiiplrtely nvel'jiow ii'ed the liatteiie-i oil >liiire. and eiialiu'il 
 Pike to carrv the li^^t line of ihf. 
 
 iie.'s Willi litlie dilli •iill\ 
 
 W 
 
 lell 
 
 nt liie di-t.iiice (if I \V(i hiiiMlii'd \anU fidiii lli>' principal wc-teni hat- 
 tery, its (ire suddenly ceas'd, and lli- ,\ ni.'iiran-; at, <>\\i\', halted, heing 
 inidir the idea tlial the i>riti.-.li were ale.-iit to sniiTiider. 'I'hv- iir\t 
 Tiioiiient the head <if llu'ir ('1111111111 was literally hhtwii iii:u iheair, 
 owinjr to an ai'lillery seiif(aiit, ot ;lie nanu! of iMai'.-.liall, fniiiir ilio 
 ]i<i\V(<ei' mapi/ine to previiil its lallini; inio iheir haiidrt. Had llicy 
 jldvaiicid a liule nearer, ihe ^^realcr [lart nf ihe ciieiiiy inii>t lia\e lu'cii 
 deslioyed; as it was they hail two hiiiidrc<l kiiled and w (unidcd. 
 AiiKiiiii llie lalti'f was (ieiieia! Pike, who died in a few hiuir-. Several 
 Iji'ili.-h soldiers woie a No killi'd ly ilie e\ph»ion, u hit h fhimk the Inuii 
 atid sni ronndiiijj; waters, as thoiii:li it had lieeii an earthipiake. Aiiieri- 
 can writers ceii^nri! ISliealfe fn- Idowin^ np the nia;.iaziiie, and dennunco 
 it. Hi a pi.'CJ of ii:ipai"alleled harltariry ; l»;it, acts ot this kind are perfectly 
 Icilitiieale in warfare, and of freipiciit occiirri'iice. 'I'he Aniciii-aiis 
 Veil! llii'ie solely for 1 lie pnipo- <'s of cf ni|iiest and aiigrandi/eineiit ; 
 and, their iii\a~ioi' was acc(»i(liiitily (d that, odious stamp, a> to make \l 
 only a sidiject (d' regret that the whole cidnmii was not hlowii up. hi 
 .any (ast-. Slieatfe had iiothing lo do with it,ai;dwilh jNlarshall solely 
 rcsi((l the res|()iisiliilily.*- 
 
 It now hecanie evidiiit, that the (ew l>rilish troops and militia uiaild 
 not be aide lo resist an enemy, so \a>ll\ their sii[!erior in nninlHrs and 
 
 Auddnlccdi'd War of ISI'2, [k 1 Jv 
 
Ibl3.] OF CANADA. 2tw 
 
 artilK TV. Tho fiarrisoii was acounlitiuly \vitli.lr;i\vn tt)\var.ls tlio tnwii 
 tlio jKjwiIcr iiiii^'a/itii' blown up, aiul a >\i\\> on tlu' stocks us wi-ll as the 
 naval stoics dotioycil. Tlux: o|ii'rations ootiiplftcil. (JcntTal SlicalH 
 retiivd towartis l\iiii.'>ton with liis (cw icj^iilar tin.,[w, leaving Lii-iit. 
 Colonel Clu'Witt of till- militia to (I'l-al with the cnciiu, who no\N 
 gaincil jiossc>si(in of the town alter an olistin.iti' contest with a torco 
 Si'iU'ccly oiic-tliirii his Miinilcr, not taliinj^ his navy into consid 
 cratiou, <jf sfVi'ii lioiir."<* duration.'" Slicairc however, siitlcrcd miieh in 
 the ]'ublie e-.tiiiiatioii, on aeeoiuiL ol' his lailiire in del'ciidinL' Toronto, 
 and was slmrtly atlerwaids >u]M'r>ed<tl in the chii i coniniand of I |)per 
 Canada hy Major-lieni'ial de Kott. nlieri.'. * hi his ivlnrii to tiit' 
 Lower I'rovince, hu was apiiointed to coniinand the Iroojis in the dis- 
 trict of Montreal.* 
 
 The l>rili>h lo-,s ill the action was severe, l.'IO ha\ :!'" been killed aiul 
 wounded ; that ot'tlic, Annrieaiis was much more sciioiis, and swelle<l 
 up l(i nearly oot). The militia, to the miml)''r of •.>;>;;_ siirii'iidcreil as 
 prixiners o[' war. The i't;j,iil;ir tro<ips. as \\r have alnady seen, 
 tdeetcd an orderlv retreat, and the onU siiriirisc is that Shcatri' did 
 not a'so take the militia with him. in which case t!ic Americans woiiKI 
 have liad no jirisoners to boast of. As it was, they yot jx.-ssessiv a of 
 the militia niusti'r rolls, and endeavored to swell up tho list of 
 captives by including all the iiicn t-iuiniLTatcd, the greater part o( 
 whom Were absent. 
 
 Having siiccectUd in his attack on 'I'oronto, and (b-sfroyod such 
 public stores as he could not carry off, the enemy re-embai»kcd on the 
 2iid of May and sailed for Niagara, the capture of Fort (ieorge being 
 the no.\t part of Ills plan. Having landed iii.s troops in a liivorable 
 position in the neighborhood, (Jhaunccy returned to Sackett's Harbor 
 for reinforcements. These were speedily brought up, and l)y tlie Soth 
 his fleet, with the exception of two vessels left cruising near Kingston, 
 M'cre again assembled otT Niagara. For the (b^fciice of Fort George, 
 now so t^eriously menaced by a large fleet and army, (ieneral N'incent. 
 commanding on the Niagara frontier, had scarcely 1400 men, Hut 
 "what was still worse, the works of Fort George were not by any means 
 strong; the guns were of smaller calibre than they shouM be, and the 
 supply of powder wholly Insufficient, owing to the enemy having 
 complete command of the lake, and the great difficulty of transporting 
 stores by land. 
 
 On the '2Gth, Fort Niagara, on the opf)Osite baidt, opened a heavy 
 
 • Slieaffe's Despatch to General Prevost, Kingston, 5th Mnj, 1818, 
 
 T 
 
2rtH 
 
 THI', IIISToirV 
 
 [1H13, 
 
 * • •' 
 
 Cfinnnnfidc by wlildi Fort (lci)rj,'n was ci.nsiilfrably iiijurfil. Ni-xt 
 rnoniiiit; this caiiiioiiaile was rosiinicd, ami ln-iiif,' siipportfii by spvcrai 
 vcsscIh of llif flcft. till- heavy ciK^s liri! soi'ii rcinhrcil thi- l-'mt uii. 
 toiialjit'. ("hamiroy jitisfid the rtiriaiiithT of his vessels, iij atlvaiita^rdiia 
 posiliiMis, to cover the laiMliii;^ ol" tlii^ Ainciieaii troitps, and swept the 
 beach with a shower ul'sliut ami >heli. Still, tln" I5iili«.h i:allantly held 
 tlair ground, and iei)iil»eil .three attempts of thii oiieiiiy to land, hut 
 Vincent, alter a severt! htniL'irh- of three hours' diiratrou, lim.lin<.' it 
 useless longer to oppose a fone ten times his owii in point ol numlMTH, 
 and siij)ported by a powi rtnl Ihet, direetid the puns to be spiked, tlio 
 ina;j;azine blown np, and retieattd in cxeelk'nt order towards 
 Queonslnn, leavinj,' ihi! Anuiicans to take |)ossessioii of the ruins of 
 Fort (a'orj^e, and a few daniajfed houses.* On the foljowin;,' day, 
 having withdrawn the paiTis<:in from Fort Frie, and all the po^ts down- 
 wards, Vincent, wlntse l'(M'ee was thus inci'eased to l«i()() men. continued 
 his retreat to Forty-mile Creek, (Jiithe road to llanniton. 'i'lie llriti^h 
 loss during the recent action was .Vi killed, and JJOO wounded and taken 
 prisoners. The loss of the enemy was ',][) killed and 1 1 1 woumled.f 
 
 Meanwhile, Harrison, notwithstanding the annihilation of Winches- 
 ter's Hrigade, still persevered in his cU'ternnnation to drive the Diiiish 
 across the J)etroit Kiver, and recover Michigan. With this view he 
 established himself, in the lirst days of Spring, at the foot ol'lhi rapids 
 of the ^Fiami, where he const rueteil a bl(;ckhouse and other works, to 
 form a safe depot fur his stores, as well as a base for olfensive oiiera- 
 tions when his reinibrcements came up. Proctor's jdan was to beat the 
 enemy in detail, and he now ri'^olved to attack Harrison wliib- his force 
 was yet comparatively weak. Collecting WO regulurs, -lOO militia, 
 and ir)00 Jndiaris, with a il'w pieces of artillery, he accordingly pro- 
 ceeded on the '^'ird of April to assail the enemy. As usual, at this 
 season of the year, the roads were very heavy, and presented a serioufj 
 obstacle to the passage of cannon. IJy the 1st of May, however. Fort 
 Meigs was invested and a heavy lire opened on the works, which sua. 
 taincd very little damage, owing to the small calibre of the besiegers' 
 guns. On the morning of the T/th, two American regiments, 1200 
 strong, under Brigadier Clay, having come up, the besieged made a 
 vigorous sally, carried the British batteries, and pursued the Indians 
 who fell back steadily though rapidly. Proctor's main body being 
 speedily under arms, ho succeeded in cutting ofT the retreat of his 
 
 * Vincent's Despatch to Oencral Provost, 28th May, 1813. AlisoD.*fl liis^ 
 Enroj)(>, ^■e'.v York, vol. 4. p. 4C5. 
 t Christie, vol. 2. p. 75, 76. 
 
 . «■ 
 
I8l:ll 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 360 
 
 ussailiiiils by a raj i'l nn<l jtitliciuus inovi'intiit, and after u sliarp action 
 li ;:r( at part uf tlii fiuiny wire citlicr kilK'd or capturtd. I (iwails ot 
 fido pii-iMiit -i wci.' t.iKiii oil tlii-* uccasinii, Several ot wlidiii were 
 afleiwaitls iiia>i.-acie(l \i^ flic liHliaii-^, nil" weri< re-^traiiieil iVoin further 
 fxcess.'s only Willi iho f.'roati'S't *lilVieiilty, ainl tlie prr-uiial iiilliienco of 
 Tceiim-eli. Several »,< l)ie nriti>h soldif r^,*>»i •.'isard MVer the prisDiiors, 
 Weru \\tiiiii(lrd ill einliavd/ Siiir to sliield tluiu funi tin; tiuv of tho 
 s;ivaj{i's ; aii<i one old veteran \\A* ^lll•t tlii'oiii^di tlie heart. 
 
 I'l'dctor's viitorv wu-i iii()«.t I'omjilete. 'i'he iiu'rnv had lost over 
 7<*0 iiiei) ill killed, woiiiiilrd, and prisoners; while the casualties ot 
 the IJriii-ii Were ujily la Killed, .nhl ]."> wniniiled."'' I'u!, half of tho 
 inililia haviiii^ soon alier ihr hattje, iicini^r uiiwilliii'^' ti» uihK r::o tho 
 fatiu'iies of 11 sit-gi", and a <lepiitalioii dt'eliiel's waiting upon the (ieiieral 
 to coiiiisol him III letiiiii, as ihcir people, (as usual after ;in eiij/a^'eiiient 
 of cuiiseiilleiiee), de>ired to iiliini hojiu', to take eaie of their Wounded, 
 and dispose of tiieir iiliiiidcr, ot whieh they had taken a laij,'e ()naiility, 
 I'riii'tor h;;d iioalternative save to raise the sici^e and retire, whieh lu^ did 
 uiulistiirhed, <'ariy;i)if off hi-; ^iiiis and st;ores.|' Slill, the oirelisivc 
 operations of I larriscjii were completely paraly/ed l"or th • time ; and 
 he had to get lVe>li rcinforoeiiieiits l)eh)rc he could resume the initiative 
 in the ea'iipaitrn, 
 
 'I'liis victory raised in some ineasiiro the spirits of tlii- ("aiiadians, 
 consiilerahly depresseil hy the capture ot Toronto and Fort (leorgo, 
 the possession (4' the Niagara frontier hy I )earliorn's large army, 
 and the complete coiiiiiiaiid of Lake Ontario obtained by Chaun- 
 coy's (loet. Matters, howner, soon began to assume a better appear- 
 ance ill central Canada. Sir Jatiics Yeo. a naval ollieer of dir>tinctioii, 
 arrived at Quebec oi; the .')th of May, with several ollieers of the royal 
 navy, and d.")0 seamen lor the lakes. Cajitains lUirclay, I'riiig, and 
 Fiiiiiis, had already camo u[) ovi'rland from Halifax, and were busily 
 engaged at Kingston in [tutting the fleet into a state of preparation to 
 meet the cncniy. Tho ( iovernor-Cienerul accompanied Yeo to Kings- 
 ton, and the public began to look forward to important ollensivo 
 operations. Nor were they disappointed. The enemy's fleet was still 
 at the head of the lake, and it was now determined to make a dash at 
 Sackett's Harbor, the great depot of tho American naval and military 
 Btores. 
 
 On the 27th of ^fay, the British fleet, consisting of seven armed 
 
 * Alison's Hist. Europe, New York, vol. 4. p. 405. 
 
 t Proctor's Despntclios to Governor I'revoyt, 14lh May, 1813. Christie, vol. 2. p- 
 81, 82. Aucbiulcck's Hist, of the Wur of 1812, p. 142, 143, 144. 
 
270 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1813. 
 
 •.i'. 
 
 I • 
 
 vessels, mounting altorrothcr 100 guns, left Kingston, with nearly 1000 
 troops on board led by Sir George Prevost in person, for Saoketl's 
 Harbor, where it arrived at noon next day. The troops were imme- 
 diately plaeed in flat-bottomed boats, or seows, preparatory to advance 
 ing against the. enemy, while Prevost proceeded two miles nearer in- 
 shore to reconnoitre. Deeming the works too strong to be captured 
 l)y his force, he ordered the troops to re-embark, and ihis being ('(rcct- 
 ed the ships wore round and stood for Kingston with a light wind. 
 About 40 Indians had aecon)panit'd the fleet in their canoes ; who, not 
 ,, understanding wliy the troops were ]»reventefl from landing, determined 
 lo elfeet something on their own rcspoii.sibilily. They accordingly 
 rowed towards the land, and their ap|>earance so terrified some seventy 
 dismounted (!rag<ions, that they hoisted a white (lag as a signal in the 
 British shipjiing for protection, and were prom]>tly taken on Itoanl,* 
 
 Prevost now finding that the Americans were not so forniidable 
 after ail, changed his mind, and determined to attaclc them on 
 the following day. Tliis indecision and dehiy were fatal t<i the objects of 
 the expedition. Had the troops pushed boldly on shore at onco, 
 Sackett's Harbor nui^t have been captured, and the immense stores 
 collected there destroyed, which would have efiectually crippled the 
 enemy"' operations on ].a\h\ C>ntario. Ibit, during thv? night tlu- militia 
 collected froin all quarte'r.s, and a sharp action ensued as the IJritish 
 effected n landing. Led by Adjutant-(ieneral Baynes, the latter soon 
 dislodged the Americans with the bayonet, {)ursued them to their fort 
 and blocK-houses, and set fire to their barracks. Their militia now 
 scattered in all directions, leaving about 400 regular troops, under 
 General Brown, to make the best defence they could. f This ofbci'r be- 
 lieving the post untenable, ordered the naval store-houses, hospital, and 
 marine barracks to be set on fire, and prepared to surrender. Unfor- 
 tunately, at this crisis, the fleet had not yet come up, there were, there- 
 fore, no guns to batter the blockdiouses, and Prevost, deeming the dust 
 raised by the runaway militia to be caused by a column advancing to 
 aid the enemy, directed a retreat. This was immediately effected, to 
 the great regret and mortification of the British troops, while not an 
 American soldier dared to show himself. Still the enemy suffered severe 
 loss; and all the plunder taken at Toronto was consumed in the 
 buildings already alluded to. A frigate on the stocks had also been 
 
 * Auchinlcck'g Hist, of the Wnr of 1812, p. 162. 
 
 f Alison's Hist. Europe, New York, vol. 4. p. 405. Frost's United States, p. 
 364, 
 
» . 
 
 t 
 
 1813.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 271 
 
 set fire to ; but on discovering the retreat of their assailants, the 
 Amt'rioaiis returned and extinguished the flames.* 
 
 In this action the Briti^^h lost 1 otlicer and 47 men killed, and 12 
 ofTioers and nearly 200 men wounded and missing ; the loss of the 
 enen)y \vas also heavy. But, severely as they suH'ered. our troops had 
 won a complete victory, and little further loss, if indeed any, would 
 have been entailed in capturing the entire position, and destroying all 
 the enemy's stores.f The juiblic were severely disa[)pointed, 'and 
 prcvost's military reputation suffered a shuck froni which it ticver 
 recovered.! 
 
 The capture of Toronto and Fort George, and the retreat of (Jeneral 
 Vincent towards the head of Lake Ontario, had enabled i)i'arborn to 
 establish himself in a solid manner on the Niagara frontier. Still, these 
 successes effected little, after all, towards the complete tiubjugation of 
 western Canada. Vincent with a small, yet highly ellicieiit force, oc- 
 cupied a good position on Burlington ileights, and was a formidable {oo, 
 although almost destitute of resources, ami with only ninety rounds of 
 ammunition [>er man. JIad ])eari)orn despatched a force in vigorous 
 pursuit of Vincent on his retreat from Fori George, he might have se- 
 riously embarasscd and perhaps defeated him. But his ellorts in this 
 respect were languid in the extreme, and the mouth ol .lune had already 
 set in before he endeavored to retrieve his error, lie now despatched 
 two brigades of infantry, '5000 strong, '2')0 cavalry, with nine field.- 
 pieces, to dislodge the British from their position. 
 
 On the 5th of June, \ incent first receiveil intelligence of the 
 approach of this formi<laltlc force, by the retreat of his advanced picquets 
 from Stoney Creek, where the Americans formed their eani[> lor the 
 night. 'J'he condition of the British (General was now extremely criti- 
 In his rear Toronto had fallen, the lake, on his left flank jrrescnted 
 
 ca 
 
 no prospect <,)(' succoi", and an enemy twice his strength, with a formida- 
 ble train of artillery, threatened him in front, liiftu'tunatt'ly as he 
 was situated he saw that he must hazard a battle. \\' bile still uiidecidcil 
 what course to pursue, he despatched Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey to re- 
 connoitre tb^' enemy's position. This oflicer soon ascertained that the 
 American picipiets were few and negligent, and their line of encamj'- 
 luent long and broken. He accordingly proposed a night attack to 
 Vincent, who at once gave his consent, hoping to accomjilish by 
 
 ited States, p. 
 
 * C!iristi<', vol. '1. p. 70, 80. 
 
 f Biiyiips's lit'jiort to (lonoral Prevost. 
 
 t Ciu'islio, vui. 2. i\ Si. 
 
1 
 
 rt 
 
 272 THE IIISTOnY [1.S13. 
 
 surprise, what his small force find want of ammunition must hinder 
 him from cfTectinfr in the open field. 
 
 Towards midnight th(! Uritish force, consistin:^ of the 4nih ro^fTimciit 
 a part of the Slh, and mustering altogether only 704 hayoncts 
 movi:d silently forward to attack the Ainei'ican camp, distant about six 
 miles. Arrived in its neighljorliood A'incenl iuliaif^'Lcd the command 
 of the assault to ITarvey, who speedily succeeded in surprising and 
 capturing the enemy's onl-Iying picipiets, williout al'^rming his main- 
 body. This duty perfurmed, the little band p^!^lud swiftly, vet 
 regularly, down ujion the centre of the host;Ii> eam[), where in a i'liw 
 minutes all was confusion and dismay, '^fhe Americans were driven 
 from their tents and scattered in all directions by the charges of the 
 British, who fearing to expose their small numbers to vit'W retired ere 
 the day dawned, with Ib-igadicrs Chandler and W'indor, 120 other pri. 
 soncrs, and four captured gims. 
 
 The British did no!, hov.ever, achieve thi". brilliant success without 
 loss. One ofllccr and 2'i men were killed, and 13 ofilcers and ]N() men 
 wounded and rnisslng. But the loss of the enemy was ako severe, 
 aside from the injurious ellects a night attack, so spiritedly cxncuted, 
 had ou the spirits of his men. This was soon evinced by the rapid re- 
 treat he made the same morning to Forty-mile (>reek, ten miKs from 
 the scene of action, where he halted on meeting General J>ewis advano- 
 ins: to his assistance with a strong detachment. 
 
 ATeantime, Commodore Yeo had exerted himself so cffectuallv, that 
 the British fleet, on Lake Ontario, became stronger than the American, 
 and Channcey had retired to Sackett's Harbor. This gratifyinfT event 
 enabled a commr.nication to be at once established v^ith \'incent's little 
 army. On the 'Jrd of -lune, Yeo sailed v.ith his squadron for the head 
 of the lake, having 289 men of the 8lh regiment on board, with soim; 
 much needed clothing and provisions. At daydight on tlio Sth the 
 fleet w'as offForty^milo Creek, when the Commodore summou'^^d Lewis 
 to surrender. This he refused to do, but sliortly ai'Lcr hurriedly 
 retreated to Fort George, leaving his tents standi:ig, and his provisions 
 and wounded behind ; all of v.diich v.-erc soon taken pof-scssion of bv tli>t 
 .ndvanced guard of Yincent's force. Tv/clve large boats, carrvinu' bag- 
 gage, were also captured by one of the vessels of the fleet. 
 
 The tide of fortune had now completely turned against Dearborn, 
 wdio was soon cooped up in Fort George and its vicinity. 8icl:ness, 
 battle, and desertion, had wasted away the large force he had brouuht 
 into Canada to less than .'jOOO men. Ifis own liealth, also, becarr.n 
 more and more feeble. Still, it was strange to see his army hemmed in 
 and intimidated by a force scarcely one-third its number. Nor vrua 
 
1-913.] 
 
 OF CA^^ADA. 
 
 £73 
 
 ;\Yis ;i(lvanc- 
 
 lonecl Lewis 
 
 this owing to the physical iiiforiority of the men who composed it. 
 Nearly all the defeats (;f the Amerieaii army may be traced to its want 
 of discipline, and the incapacity ot' its leaders. 
 
 Hut Dearborn's reverses had not yet terminated. On the 28th ot' 
 June he despatched Colonel Boerstler with a detachment of nearly OOO 
 men, inchulintf 50 cavalry and two fielJ-gims, to dislodge a Hritisli 
 picqiiet posted at a sttjne I'.onse at IJeaver Dam, a place between 
 Qiieenstoii and the village of 'J'horold on the We! land Canal. By some 
 means, ]\[rs. Secord, of Chippewa, whose husband had been W(junded at 
 the battle ot tiuecnston, and her house phnidered and destroyed by the 
 Americans, learned the object of this movement, and walked nineteen 
 miles by a circuitous route, to avoid the American posts, to Heaver Dam. 
 to apprize the ofl'icer commanding thei'e of the danger which threatened 
 him. Thus warned Lieutenant h'ilzgiljbon lost no time in comnnmicat- 
 hig with Captain Ker, who was at the ln'ad of two hundred Indians in 
 the neighborhood, and also with ]\lajtjr (K^ llarcn, commanding a body 
 of troops to the rear. Boerstler's march was soon checked by the In- 
 dians, aided by ot men of the 104th, who lined the woods along the 
 road. After a smart skirmish of two hours' duration the Americans 
 began to retreat, but were attacked in another direction by 20 militia, 
 who were accidentally passing. At this crisis Lieutenant Fitzgibbon 
 summoned Bocrstler to surrender, and, to his great astonishment the 
 latter consented. The Lieutenant was quite at a loss to know 
 what to do with his prisoners, v.ho were double the number of the 
 British and Indians; but luckily JJajor dc ITaren came up in time to 
 take charae of them. This allliir entirelv ruined ])earborn''s military 
 reputation, and ho was soon after superseded in his command by 
 ^Major-General Wilkinson. 
 
 The ill success on this occasion still further dispirited the American 
 army, and enabled Vincent to establl^^h his out-posts closer to itu 
 position. By the 1st of July, the British picquets occupied a line 
 extending from Twelve-mile Creek to Queenston ; thus restrict- 
 ing the enemy to the small angle formed by the river and lake, 
 at the apc\ of which stood Fort (Jeorge. The American army by 
 sickness and casualities had been reduced to 4000 men of all arms, 
 and were now so completely dispirited, as to permit themselves to be 
 held in close blockade by a force barely half their number. 
 
 Tlic favorable condition of the British army, on the Niagara fron- 
 tier, soon enabled it to resume offensivo operations. From Chippewa, 
 a descent was made at day-break, 4th of July, on Fort Schlosser, at 
 the opposite side of the river, under the direction of Colonel Clark of 
 (he militia, which resulted in the capture of the American guard, a large 
 
*274 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1813. 
 
 :r 
 
 *.'■,;•{•'»'; 
 
 f|uantity of provisions, one brass six-poundcr, .i gnn-l)oat, fifty stand of 
 arms, and some stores. Seven days afterwards, Colonel Ilisliopp 
 crossed over to Black Ilock, three miles below Buffalo, with !2-10 
 regnlars and militia, took the enemy completely by surprise, and 
 destroyed his barracks, dockyard, a vessel lyinjf there, and captured a 
 considerable quantity of stores, 7 guns, and 200 stand of arms. The 
 alarm, however, rapidly spread, and General Poller at once drew 
 together a strong Ijody of American regulars, militia, and Seneca 
 Indians, from whoso fire the British suffered severely in th.eir retreat. 
 The gallant IJishopp was mortally wounded, 13 men killed, and a 
 considerable number severely injured. 
 
 These surprises, so rapidly and skilfully executed, alarmed the 
 Americans, and kept them so sharply on the alert, that nothing else 
 was accoaiplished against then- positions, on the Niagara frontier, diir. 
 ing the remainder of July, lor the greater part of August, also, the 
 two armies remained inactive within a short distance of each other. 
 Towards the latter part of the month Sir George Prevost arrived from 
 Kingston, and, on the 2 1th, made a demonstration against the enemy ar, 
 Fort George, in order to draw him out and ascertain his strength, 
 But the Americans kept under cover of their intrcnchments, and it was 
 not deemed advisable to atta( k them there, their number being yet, 
 superior, by two to one. to Vincent's army. Still, the Canadians had 
 become so accustomed to see brilliant victories won against large odd'^, 
 that they felt extremely dissatisfied something was not done by Provost 
 on this occasion. Ills popularity as a civil governor, however, re 
 mained unabated. Meanwhile, Commodore Yco was not idle, au'l 
 sweeping the lake with his fleet supplied \'iiicent's army with alum- 
 dance of stores and provisions. All this timo Chauncey remained at 
 Saekett's Harbor wr.iting the eipiipment of hh new ship, the /V/v 
 Duriiu" the earlier part of Jul v. Yeo fitted out an exnediiion of buaN 
 
 V.-' i. f ■ I 
 
 to destroy this vessel, and would probably have succeeded, but ibr tlu* 
 oscapc of two deserters who apprized the enemy of his purpo:-:', 
 I'owards the end of the month the An;erican fleet, now miuh superior 
 to the British, again appeared on the lake, and with a body ot' troops 
 on board, stood towai'ds Ibirlington Height-^, tlio principal dep( t ot' 
 Vineent's army, ^vith the view ot" destroying the stores collected tlieiv, 
 This design was frustrated by a i-apid movement of the Glengary corp^ 
 from Toronto, which was thus left defenceless. Chauncey accordingiy 
 proceeded thither, and on the 23rd July landed there a liody of troops 
 without opposition, wdio set fire to tin barracks and public, stori-- 
 houscp, liberated the prisoners in jail, ill-treated some of the inliabilatit'--, 
 •uid retired with the few stores thev could find. Ciianncev then re- 
 

 1913.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 275 
 
 turned to Niagara, ofT which Ycd appeared on the Sth of August, with 
 his six ships. Tiio American llcft consisting of fourteen vessels, n-J 
 much superior to its antagonists, also, in truns and men, stood out 
 to attack hiin, but not being able to got the weather guage, retired 
 under cover of the shore batteries after giving a single broadside. 
 During the night two of Chauneey's schooners were lost in a siiuall. 
 Next day the fleets again inanoiivred to get the weather guage. On the 
 lOlh this advantage rested with Yeo, who aided by a good breeze boro 
 down to attack the enemy. Chauncey declined the battle, however, 
 and retired to Niagara, leaving two fnie schooners to be captured by 
 the British Commodore, who now returned to Kingston without having 
 sustained the loss of a man. 
 
 While these events were transpiring on Lake Ontario, Harrison was 
 steadily prosecuting his preparations in Ohio fur the recovery of Mi- 
 chigan, while Captain l*erry exerted himself in fitting out a fleet, in 
 order to obtain the command of Lake Erie, of which the Canadians as 
 yet had the control. Proctor and Tecumseh endeavored to capture Fort 
 ^leigs by surprise the last (hiys of July, but withdrew on finding the 
 garrison on the alert. The IJrirish and their Indian allies next made a 
 dash at Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky liiver, which Proetor after a 
 brisk cannonade endeavored to carry by storm on the "ind of August, 
 but was repulsed with serious loss. Three ollieers and 52 men were 
 killed or captured, and U wouiiiled. Proctor, not luiding his guns 
 sulliciently heavy to overpower the fire of the garrison, and dreading 
 the advance of Harrison to its succor, retreated to Amherstb\ivg.* 
 
 AYliilst the tide of ruthelss invasion thus broke with chefiuercd for- 
 tune along the frontier of Upper Canada, important successes wero 
 achieved against the enemy on the boundaries of the Lower l?rovince. 
 The old fortifications on the Tsle-aux-Xoix, where Lake Champlain nar- 
 rows into the Richelieu Kivcr, had been repaired, a garrison placed tlu'rc 
 under Major Taylor, and three gun-boats sent thither from (Quebec. 
 On the 3rd of June an armed vessel was observed from this post, and 
 her capture immediately resolved upon. No sailors were to be had, so 
 Taylor manned the guu-bor.ts with his soldiers, who promptly pro- 
 ceeded to attack the enemy, while another detachment was directed to 
 push down on each side of the I'iver, and open a cross lire from 
 land. Meanwhile, another vessel hove in sight, and bore up to assist 
 her consort. Both were compelled to strike their colors after a smart 
 
 * Major Croghan'3 Despatch to Harrison, otii An^nist, ISlo. Christie, vol. 'J, 
 1'. 8l», 'JO. rrovost's General Order, Kini,'stou, :U\1 September, 1813. 
 
I ■ 
 
 270 THE HISTORY [1813. 
 
 action, uhcn tlicy proved to be tlio American vessels (frowUr and 
 I'jivih of cloven irnns ami lil'ly men eaci), nndir tlic conimanil ol'l.ieut. 
 Smllli, as eoMunodui'e. In tiiis action the liritisli had only three men 
 Avonnded; the loss ot the Anuricans- was also triniiig; but the Knijle 
 was so much injured as to make it necessary to run her ashore to 
 prevent lier from sinkint;.'''' 
 
 This was a must imjiurtant st:eccss, and it Avas immediately deter- 
 mined to H)llow it u]), liy stiikiii'^ a blow against the naval and 
 mililary d(>pots of the envniy on Lake C'ham|ilain. The Kft'ilc was 
 easily got oil', relitl'd ar.d named the Broke^ while the other captured 
 vessel was named the Shirnnon^ and also jnit in order, as well as tho 
 three gun-boats, for an expedition up the lake. But the didiculty was 
 to man this litllc sfjuadron, asno peanu^n could bi; spared from the fleet 
 on Lal-.e < )nlario. Fortunately at this juncture. Captain Evcrard of tlid 
 brig of war Wasj)^ ly'"-' 'it Quebec, volunteered his sei'viees, utid 
 maimed tho Broke and Shannon v.ith his crew, 
 
 Sullicient batteanx having been procured, and every prcjiaratioii 
 completed, the litllc fleet, v.ith 900 regular troops on board under 
 Colonel ^Murray, sailed from lslo-au\-Xoix on the 29th of July. On the 
 31st the expedition arrived at L'latl;-,bu)'gh, where a landing was elfect- 
 ed without opposition, a considerable body of American militia, under 
 Brigadier Moore, rcli]-ing without firing a shot. A large quantity of 
 military stoi-es was promptly sent on board the shi|>pii)g, and Colonel 
 Murrav then leisnrelv riroeeeded to burn the arsenal, store-houses, and 
 the barracks recently built, and capable of accommodaling 1(100 men.f 
 While the troops were thus mployed, Captain Evcrard, with hi 3 two 
 schooners and one gun-boat, stood across the lake to Burlington, here 
 General Hampton had -Irawn together a strong body of regulars and 
 militia, and where the principal American naval force lay at anchor. 
 But the latter declined to leave the protection of the shore-batteries, 
 and Evcrard, after destroyirig four vessels lying otF the place, rcturu'^d 
 to Plattsburgh.l. Detachments of troops next proceeded to Swantou 
 and Champlaini villages, to deslroy the stores there; when, the ol'ject^ 
 of tho expedition being fidly accomplksliod, they returned to Isle-aux- 
 Noi.x on the 4th of August. >$ 
 
 In the St. Lawrence, on the other hand, two gun ''■■•?^a of the enemy 
 captured, on the 20th of July, a flotilla of lifteoi oattcaux laden witi« 
 
 * Taylor'rt Dosjintch to Stoviii, Crd .Fiinr, ISIH. 
 ■j- Murray's Despatch to Cciu.ral Shoali'o, "rd Aiigusf, 181 IJ. 
 X Evorard's Dcspatrli to General Prcvo&t, 3vd August^ 1813. 
 § Christie, vol. 2. p. 'Jo. 
 
i8i;].] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 277 
 
 provisions, and one gun-lioat convo\ iiii^ ilu'in, a little below Kingston. 
 A iViiilless attempt was made to recover the balti'aiix. The enemy 
 took shelter In Goose Creel<, iiitcrniplnl its pa-sa'ri' l)y iVlling trees, 
 anil lining tiie woods v.jtli his rilleineii. eonipellcd the Di'itish 
 delachineiit to retire, after a smart action In which the latter sustained 
 some loss. 
 
 r>ut, while the campaign thus far had been on the whole eminently 
 favorable to Canada, the enemy irritateil by frefpH'i\t difeat, and the 
 negative and unproductive character of bis yucci^sses, made great 
 exertions, as Autumn apju-oachcd, to tuin the cnri'ent of events in his 
 favor. Taught by r>-]'eatcd failure an.d nii.':ii)itunc, his operations 
 row assumed a more systematic and menacing character. In tho 
 beginning of September, J lampton, with a force of nearly .")0()0 men, 
 crossed Lake Caniiilain and established himself at Pl.itt'-burgh, with 
 the view of penetrating to ]\rontrea!. At 8ackelt's J farbor 10,000 
 men, nnder Wilkinson, were prcpariii'.'' to assail Kingston, while Harri- 
 son, with a formidable army, mustering nearly GOUO of all arms, was 
 ready to attack i'roetor, the moment the fleet lilting out by I'crry 
 could establish its superiority on Lake I'l'ie. ]5nth parties had mado 
 the most strc nnous exertions to angmeiit their naval forces on this lake; 
 but tlic British labored at great disailvnntage, when compared to tho 
 Americans. The sparse population of 1 pper Canada, at this pc-riod, 
 possessed few facilities for shipd)uilding ; and all the necessary mate- 
 rial, with the exception of wood alone, had to be brought from England 
 up tho long portages of tlie St. Lav/rcnce and Niagara Ilivers, at 
 an amount of cost and labor we can have very little idea of at the pre- 
 sent time. Captain I'arelay, who had assumed command of the British 
 (^([uadroii on this lake in the month of May, labored with untiring zeal 
 to fit out the J)rti'Qif,, a larger vessel than any of the other five compos- 
 ing his squadron hitherto, in order to enable hin.iself to meet tho fleet 
 Perry was djuipping at ih-le, on more equal terms. Hut he could not 
 oven obtain the necessary guns from lielow, and had to take some of 
 the cumberous fort artillorv to sunplv the defieiencv. His greatest 
 difheulty, however, was to mon his fleet, as (.'ommodorc Yeo could only 
 spare him fit'ty seamen. The rest of his crews had to be made up of 215 
 soldiers, of Proctor's army, and SO Canadians; while, on the other 
 hand, an idle commercial marine, enalded the enemy to man his fleet 
 with pl(;ked seamen, to the number ofncarly GOO. The Americans, too, 
 iillhough their nuns were fewer, had grcatlv the advantage in wcifdit of 
 metal, besides having two vessels more than the ]Jritish. But in 
 bailors their great sujKuIority rested. For these, the wretched mL\tur» 
 
27S 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1813. 
 
 I- I ' 
 
 t' 
 
 1 
 
 of six landsmen to one seaman on board of Barclay's fleet, oven wero 
 tlioy cijnul in point ot" numbers, would be no match whatever.* 
 
 Proctor, at this period, found himself seriously ombarassed for want 
 of food, and other su])plies ; and it was evident, that if the enemy 
 ol)tained command of the lake, not only Michigan, but Western 
 Canada must l)e abandoned. Harclay, under these circumstances, 
 determined to do his best to succor the army, and with his feeble force 
 blockaded Perrv in Erie harbor, which he could do with safetv, as 
 the sand-bar in front must comind the enemy to take his guns out to 
 cross it. Towards the end of August, however, he was obliged to 
 proceed to Long I'oint f()r su])plies, and the American Commodore at 
 once seized this op|)ortunity to i)ut to sea. The JJritish commander 
 was now blockaded in turn in Amherstburg, and endeavored to im- 
 prove his leisure to advantage, by training the soldiers to work the 
 guns, and the Canadians to handle the ropes. But his provisions soon 
 foiled ; he must either fight or starve ; no other alternative presenteil 
 itself. Tie accordingly jnit to sea on the 10th (^f September, and soon 
 met the enemy, when a most obstinate battle ensued. For a while 
 the British had the advantage, and Perry's own ship, the Law re are, 
 •was compelled to haul down its colors, amid the cheers of the Briti-h 
 squadron. But Barclay had not even a boat to take possession of his 
 prize, so defective was his e(piipmcnt. The firing now ceased for a lew 
 minutes, but a breeze springing up behind the American fleet, Berrv, 
 who ha<l meanwhile shil'lcd his (lag to another vessel, skilfully gained 
 the weather-guage of the principal British ships, while they, from 
 the miskilfulness of their crews, were unable to extricate themselves 
 from their dangerous condition. The result was, that after a desperate 
 engagement of three hours, during which the carnage was fearful, the 
 ontii-e British fleet was taken. Still, it did not surrender till the ves-e'.s 
 had become wholly unmanageable, nor till all the ofllcers were killed 
 or wounde<l, and a third of their crews had shared the samomelanehely 
 fato.f The American loss was '17 killed, and W) Wv)unded.| 
 
 The efleets of this severe I'everse was speedily felt by Proctor. 
 With an enemy on his flank and front, and lacking provisions and sup- 
 plies of every kind, retreat was now his sole alternative, Amherst- 
 
 * Comparative streiigtli of the fleets : — 
 
 Amorienn?. Critisli. 
 
 Weight of metal, His. ii'JS — 459 
 
 Comi>lemeiit of iiioii, 580 — C45 
 
 f Alison's Hist. I'^uropo, Xew York, vol. 1. p. -407. Barclay's Dospatch to Yeo, 
 22iul September, 1813. 
 I I'erry's Despatch to the lion. W. Jones, American Naval Secretary. 
 
 • ..»• 
 
 •-» - 
 
1813.] OF CANADA. 270 
 
 burg. Detroit, and the minor forliri(Ml ]iosts in flio. west woro dis- 
 maiitlod, stores of every kind destroyod. and (lie IJritish, ininil)orinu; 
 f.r>0, commenced to retrciit aiony the Thiuncs towards Lalvc Ontario, ac- 
 companied by r>00 Indians muler 'I'ecnnisch. wlio showod an honorahle 
 fidelity in misfortinic. Harrison (ollowiiiir rapidly in pin-suit, with an 
 army of ;jr)00 men, inehidiiii: several hnndred cavalry, came np with 
 Proctor's rcar-gnard on thu llli of Ortohcr, and siici'ci'di'd in capturing 
 all his stores and ammunition, witli over oiii- hundred prisoners. 'i"lu> 
 Ihitish general had now no resource but to hazard a battle, and tor this 
 pur[)ose he took np a position, on the following day, at the Moravian 
 Village on tlie Thames. Pi'oetor's usual [U'udenee app'cars to h,iv(^ 
 forsaken him. The bridges in his reai' had brtii hl'i ciilii'e; h.' iiiadi' no 
 cfTort to strengtlien his poNiliun by a breast-work; and it is even said 
 that his fiidd of battle was ill chosen.'" Ibit in any easi', his l,w worn- 
 out and hari'assed soldiers, now I'educed l)y ea-ualites to nearly (K(0 
 men, wen; wholly uuivpi.al to a contest with lla^'rison's mmici'ous and 
 ^voll-appointed army. 'I'lie result was what might, naturally be ex- 
 pectcd. The Ib'itish were sp(>i'dily beaten al- all points, and I'roitor 
 fled from the held of battle. leavIuLT the Indians to tlu'ii- fate. Led by 
 their gallant chieftain, thoy fought mant'nlly against enormous odds, and 
 only retired when Tecumseh no longer lived to rally them. The few 
 British soldiers who escaped from captivity or death, fled through the 
 woods to reassemble, to the mmdjer of "HO, at Burlington I [eights. 
 
 Nor did the reverses of the British terminate with this fresh ilisaster. 
 On the same day that Proctor (led before Harrison, six schooners, hav- 
 ing on board 250 soldiers, proceeding from Toronto to Kingston with- 
 out convoy, were captured on Lake Ontario. These losses, in addition 
 to the alarming intelligence that the enemy was making great |)repa- 
 rations for the conquest of Lower Canada, and that Harrison was de- 
 scending Lake Erie to reinforce the army on the Niagara frontier, com- 
 pelled Vincent, whose force was now reduced to 1200 effective men, to 
 raise the blockade of Fort George, and retreat to his old position on 
 Burlington Heights. This movement was cfTected in most excellent 
 order, although his rear was threatened by lirigadier M'Clnro, with a 
 force fully as large as his own. At Stoney Creek, his rear-guard took 
 up a strong position, and checked the further pursuit of the enemy. 
 At Burlington Heights Vincent was joined by the fugitives of Proctor's 
 division, which made up his strength to nearly 1200 bayonets. 
 
 * Proctor wfts subsequently tried by Court Martiul, and severely ceuKurtd fur 
 his conduct on this occasion. 
 
i 
 
 ym: 
 
 280 TTTE IT1ST(^TIY [iBijj. 
 
 Tli(> Aiiicrloans were crcatly cliUod willi tlioso Important successes 
 antl now fi|Tiiil_v avfiwcd tlicir intent imi of invadlni:^ Lower ( 'niiadu, and 
 takini:^ up tlieir ^\ inter (|uaili'rsat Mnntreai. As the first ste[> in this 
 j)lan, Kingston, now slenderly garrisoned, was to be iniiiiediately 
 capluied by AVilKinson's army iVom Saeliett's Harbor. l*reseott w;is 
 next to fall ; and then I he I'oad down the St. Lawrenee would be perfectly 
 open to Montreal, where a junetion was to bt) eliected with Hampton'.^ 
 army. His success in the west, and the retreat of Vincent from Fort 
 George, permitted the enemy to mass his disposable troops at 
 Siickelt'.s JIariior, without dangi'i' to tin; Niagara frontier; and Wilkin- 
 scni's army, by the addition of huge bodies of regular troops, rapidly 
 assumed a more imposing character. On the 'Jlth of (Jetober, this 
 army, amounting to 9000 nu'U, with a well appointed train of artillery, 
 rendi'zvoused at. (Jrenadii'r island, near Kingston, a favorable point 
 for operalI(>ns against that important position. I5iil the Uritish had 
 correctly divined the enemy's intention, and a foi 3 of 2000 men, 
 under Major General dc IJottenberg awaited AViihinson's approach 
 at the menaced fortress. The latter perceiving tliat his prospect of a 
 successful assault on Kingston was now (if the most slender di'scription, 
 determined to shift liis line of attach, descend the St. Lawrence at 
 once, form a junction with Hampton's arniy, and capture Montreal, 
 
 Agreeable to this fresh plan of operations, Wilkinson commenced 
 the jiassago down tlie river (ju the last hiys of October, liis flotilla, of 
 over SCO large boats and schooners, protected by twelve heavy gim- 
 boats. This movement having become speedily known at Kingston, 
 De ilottenbei'g took measures to annoy, and, if possible to check, the 
 advance of the enemy. Two schooners and several gun-boats were sent 
 in ])ursuit, with orders to harass liim as much as possible, and a ''corps 
 of observation," corrjposed of !S50 rank and fdo, was detached for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 Wilkinson's progress was exceedingly slow, and spoke little for his 
 energy of character, a (piality so necessary to success in a military 
 man. At French Creek, some twenty-five miles below Kingston, he 
 halted liis army for several days, during which his flotilla was much 
 annoyed by the teasing fire of the British gun-boats. On the Sth of 
 November, he again pushed down the river, and reached a point six 
 miles above Ogdensburgh, where another halt was made, and a pro- 
 clamation issued to the Canadians. On the 7th, the advance of his 
 army was resumed, and next day the flotilla was ofl' Matilda, where 
 1200 troops were landed under Colonel Macomb to clear the bank of 
 some militia, who had assembled to annoy his progress down the river. 
 Two days afterwards the American general found himself at Williams- 
 
ISlli.J OF CANADA. ni 
 
 burg, whcro he ri'iiifdrtH'd tlic tiMops iindtT ^^;lcotnl) by a sncond 
 brigiuliN Ii'd by Gciifral Brown, aii'l !i bn ly of dniifooiis. (,)ii tho fi>l- 
 lowiiiiz clay aiiotbcr division was laiidi'd iiinlcr (u'lu-ral Hoyd. 
 
 Duriiii,' ibis tiinr tlu' l)iiti--h cori's ut" observation <'oiitinii('d to ad- 
 vance steadily on the rear ot the iiiemy. ( )ii the jOth. a deseeiit was 
 maile by Colonel Morrison on a |)o-,t at tie.'; Aineriean siiie ot the liver, 
 where a considerable rpiantity of jirovisions and stonjs, ami twii gnns, 
 were eaptnred. Colonel llarvey in the iiieanliine toUowed np iho 
 enemy, who towards evening endeavored to cheeU his advance with 
 some light troops and cavalry, which a lew rounds tV(/ni thret; lii'ld- 
 plcces compelled to retire. l)nring the 1 jth. Morrison pi'cs-ed so closo 
 upon General IjomTs division, now Inrming the encniy":i rear- 
 guard, while the lire ofhisgnn-boats severely hairasseil the (lolilla, tluit 
 Wilkinson determined to cheek his further advance, and if possible 
 capture his artillery, lie accordingly directed Moyd to give hiia 
 battle, and tho latter soon drew together a body of fully "21)1)0 regular 
 troops for that [)nrpose, with several guns.* 
 
 The grounil was open and perfectly clear, presenting no ineiiuallitios 
 to favor cither tho assailants or the assailed, and the action, known as 
 the battle of Chrysler's Farm, which now ensued, was a '• a fair stand-up- 
 figlit," with the single exception that tlie Americans were exactly two 
 to one; but this advantage was counterbalanced, in some measure, by 
 their inferiority in disci[)|inc to the British. The enemy began the ac- 
 tion by attacking Morrison's advanced guard, which gradually fell back 
 on tho main-body in admirable order. At half-past two, the battle 
 became general ; and an extremely sharp contest ensued, which lasted 
 fully two hours, and termiiuited entirely in favor of the British, 
 who captured one of the enemy's guns, com[)elled him to retreat, and 
 moved forward shortly alter in pursuit. Onr ios-s on this occasion 
 was 1 officer and 21 men killed, 10 oflicers and loT men wounded, and 
 12 missing.f Tho Americans, on the other hand, had 102 killed, and 
 23G wounded. J 
 
 Meanwhile, the advance of Hampton, with a well-appointed army of 
 5000 men, including a body of cavalry, towards Montreal, compelled 
 the Governor to call out the militia of the district en uiasae^ an ordei' 
 
 * At Wilkinson's Court-Martial it was sworn by Colonel Walb;ick, that tho 
 British numbered about lioi) men, incUuling inililia and a few Indians, while 
 Wilkinson admits in his despatches that the Americans engaged amounted to over 
 2000 men. 
 
 t Morrison's Despatch to De Uottenberg. 
 
 X Wilkiasou'a Despatch to the American Secretary at War. 
 
282 
 
 Tin: iiisTouY 
 
 [iMin. 
 
 V* V. 
 
 ri 
 
 rcHpoii.lod to with \\n\ utmost alacrity. At tlio same time Coluni;! Du Sa- 
 laberry was <ietaL'he(l witii tlin (Jaiiaiiiau V'uitigeura to rocioiiiioitie die 
 enemy. 'J'iiis duty was viry },'allariliy iK'iformi'tl, and J)t' SalabiTry, 
 after a smart skirmish with tlm Aiiu'riciin ailvaiieid ;,Miarcl, fell hack in 
 an excellent jiosiiion on the Chateau^ay river. Hampton, however, 
 not haviii;^ yet leametl lA Wilkinson's a<\vanee liesilaletl to push (op. 
 waril to the Si. iiasvreiiee, ami meanwhile, iiMTihi' to disti'act the atlrii. 
 tion (if llie llrili-^h. detaelu'il ( 'nidi i el ( hirke In the ( 'aiiadian settleniiui 
 on .Missoijuoi ilay, wln'ie the iuhal)itants weiu now plundend and ill- 
 treated hy the Ameriean troops.* 
 
 'I'he, siasou for aelion wui'e rapiilly away, and the Ann. lean ueiierul 
 at leiiylh eomiiielieed a li)rward nioveinenl nu the 2lst of Uetoher. ( »ii 
 the 2flh he arriviil in the neiuhli.ii lemd of lh«; position occupied hy 
 Dc tSalaherry, and made prepaiatiuns |m dl^lmluc him. I)nrin^ the 
 niirliL of llie "J.'Hh a hriyade wa> aeioidini^lv detached l.y a circiiiloiis 
 route to take the iJiiiish po>L in the rear, while the maindjody ol" lln\ 
 army assailed it in Iront. Ihil ( olonel I'urdy who led this hripidi', ^ut 
 Li'wildered in llie woods, and did not arrise in time to take pai't in the 
 l)egimnii^ ol' the lialtle that i'n>ui'd. llamplon, iiriujranl of this eir- 
 cumslaiice, |in>lied lorwaid a (ohiimi ;!."((I0 stroii;:'. at 10 (j\U)ek, eii 
 the nioi uin^ oT till' "idlli, under the coiiiinand ol' l/.zard, to carry the 
 position held by De Salaheriy with less than 400 < 'anadiaiis. It was 
 situated in a (hick wood, the l)riti>h left flank resting on the river, its 
 right, on an extended ahattis, while its front was cinered by a breast- 
 work of log-:. This position was ])enelratcd by a road, which had been 
 broken up and rendered as dillicult to ti'averse as possible. 
 
 The action began by the enemy driving in De Salaberry's advanced 
 picquet, which retired on another a short distance in the rear, and both 
 uniting opened a smart fire upon the hi'ad of Izzard's column. On hear- 
 ing the firing ].)e Salaberry placed his few troops in extended oider in 
 front of the abattis, and directed theni not to fire till he gave the sig- 
 nal by dischai-ging liis own rifle. The engagement speedily became 
 general, and the enemy was efl'ectually held in check, till the retreat of 
 a few skirmishers in the centre of the Uritish line, encouraged him to 
 advance. De Salaberry now dreade<l his small force would be sur- 
 rounded, and by a clever ruse intimidated the American troops. Plac- 
 ing his buglers as far apart as possible, he directed them to sound the 
 advance, which effectually cooled the ardor of the assailants, who ima- 
 gined that the Canadians were advancing in great numbers against 
 them. 
 
 » Christie, vol. 2, p. 123. 
 
 ••■ • 
 
^ri3.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 'i^8 
 
 M«vinwhiIo, r'iir(ly,(lirprto(n)y tli(» firing, udvnncod to cross the river, 
 ^X)^\ take |)t> .SaliilxTry in ihi; r»'ar. lie was, liowcvcr, cotnpleti'ly (\o- 
 featcd by two c'<)rrip!uii(.'s niJvaiitiifjooiHly posted, aiul compelled to 
 retire in disorder. Finding his cfiorts inofrocttial to force the position 
 in liis front, dislilung to resort to tln' bayonet, and seeing I'urdy's bri 
 gado I 'able to eo-oporato with bini, Hampton witlidrew his forces ni 
 two (M ,(K'k ill (he afternoon, b-aving the Canadians eompletely masters 
 of tb(> field, witli very trilling loss to themselves. After a short lialt, tlif 
 Anii-rican army eommtiiiced its r('tr''at on IMattsburg, its roar severely 
 liarassod by the (^unudiuu militia, who speedily collected in consider- 
 able numbers. 
 
 The intelligence, on the l'2th of November, of Hampton's inglorious 
 «lofeat by a more handlal of Canadians, eompletely diseoncertcd Wilkin- 
 son's plans. He at once abandoned all idea of passing the Winter at 
 Montreal, agreoabbj to his first intention, and next day his army cross 
 cd the St. I^awrenee, and proceeded to I'reiu'h Mills, on the Salmon 
 River, whore wooden huts were rapidly constructed for its use. Thu? 
 terminated this invasion of Lower Canada, formidable, however, only in 
 the number of the invaders, who, to the extent of nearly 15,000 men. 
 h,id boon foikvl or beaten back by 1500 regulars and militia, at Chryst 
 Icr's Farm and Chaleaugay. Wilkinson's drunken* descent of the St. 
 Lawrence, was a fit occurrence to take place in connexion with ILamp- 
 ton's 5000 men held in check by Do Salaberry's Spartans. 
 
 .From Lower we have now to turn to Upper Canada, which Pruvost, 
 on receiving intelligercc of Proctor's defeat, had ordered Vincent to 
 abandon as far as Kingston. Fortunately, a council-of-war, held Jit 
 Burlington Heights, decided adversely to the instructions of the Com- 
 mander-in-chief, and determined to defend the western peninsula al all 
 Ivarards. M'Clurc had in the meantime remained undisturbed at 
 Twenty-mile Creek, from whence marauding parties of his troops 
 scoured the surrounding country, plundered the peaceable inhabitants 
 of their cattle and provisions, and burned their barns. The latter repr»'- 
 sented these occurrences to Vincent, who, accordingly, in the beginning 
 of December, detached" Colonel Murray with 500 regulars and Indians 
 ns far as Forty-mile Creek, to drive in the foraging parties of the 
 enemy. M'Clurc, dreading an advance against him in force, now re- 
 treated on Fort George as rapidly as possible, and having learned the 
 
 * At Wilkinson's Court Martial it was proved by Major Birsdall of the Amon- 
 
 «tn army, and Owen Chatfield of Ogdensburg, tliat he was drunk in the hou.«e of 
 
 Daniel Thorpe, eung obscene songs there, and otlierwlso behaved himaelf inots 
 
 improperly. 
 
 U 
 
284 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 ■■j 
 
 \j- .. 
 
 .1 • 
 
 [1813. 
 
 disastrous termination of Wilkinson's and Hampton's movements 
 against Lower Canada, he dotormincd to cross at once to the American 
 side of the river. Even in this movement his terrified imagination did 
 not see sufficient safety, if Vincent's army was permitted to find shel- 
 ter in Niflgara. To prevent this cfroctually he determined to destroy 
 the town. 
 
 Tho Winter had set in unusually early : huge icicles festooned in 
 pendant clusters the rocks rising above the river up to the Falls, where 
 the spray, caught in its ascent by the biting north-winds of ]>cccmbcr, 
 fell back in tiny showers of hail upon the dark seething waters below. 
 The fierce gusts of wind that traversed unchecked over liake Ontario, 
 fell keen and cold upon the homes of Niagara, whose unhappy people, 
 although surrounded by the miseries of warfare, and subjected to hos- 
 tile invaders, still consoled themselves with the thought that at least 
 they had food and shelter. And anxious mothers thanked God that it 
 was even so : and as the fierce Canadian storm raged, and the snow 
 beat thick and fast against door and window, a feeling of gratitude 
 svrelled their hearts, as they felt their babes had a warm home. 
 
 The Americans came to free the Canadian people from what they 
 termed the tyranny of Great Britain ; but found them, on the whole, loyal, 
 incorruptible, and satisfied vvith their condition. They talked to Cana- 
 dians of the rights of humanity ; how all men were free and equal ; 
 while thousands of trembling slaves writhed under the lash in the plan- 
 tations of the South. They boasted of their respect for the rights of 
 property ; yet they plundered the defenceless peasantry of Canada ; 
 burned their fences, and visited their happy homes with the dreadful 
 horrors of invasion. But all this was not enough ; they had not yet 
 sufficiently injured the hapless Canadians. On the lOth of December 
 — the dark stormy December of 1813, M'Clure, by order of his gov- 
 vernment — the Congress of the United States, as expressed through 
 James Madison, President, and John Armstrong, Secretary at War, 
 turned four hundred helpless women and children into the streets at 
 half an hour's notice, and burned their homes to the ground. One 
 house only in Niagara was left standing; and the unfortunate inmates 
 of 150 dwellings were driven forth, in some cases without clothing to 
 shield them from the piercing wind, to find food and shelter where they 
 best might. Furniture, books, household utensils, everything in short 
 that could not be removed in the brief space of thirty minutes, were 
 given to the flames. In one instance a sick women whose husband, Mr. 
 Dickson, was a prisoner in the enemy's territory, was carried out bed 
 and all, and laid down in the snow at her own door, where shivering 
 mih oold she beheld her house, and all tliat was in it consumed to asUcs. 
 
1813.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 386 
 
 No wonder that the people of Canada felt indignant at this act of 
 Manton and unptiialielcd cruelty, and that the Americans were soon 
 made to feci the full effects of the barbarous system of warfare they 
 had thus inaugurated, in the conllagralion of the towns along their 
 own frontier, and in the well-nieiited destruction of their capitol at Wash- 
 ington. The weeping and wailing of the widows and orphans, and af- 
 frighted mothers of Niagara, as they watched the lurid flames leap from 
 rafter to rafk-r of their homes, were portentous of dire disgrace to the 
 American anus. 
 
 While ]\I.'Cluro was Lusy in applying the torch to the houses of 
 Niagara, he neglected duties far more iinporlant, and more necessary 
 to the interests of his country. Now barracks, recently erected on the 
 river, were left untouched; the firt, wiiich had been repaired and 
 Btrcngthcned, he bequeathed to Murray, without blowing up the maga- 
 zine, or springing a single mine ; and tents for 1500 men were left 
 btanding. 
 
 It was not alone in the vicinity of Niagara, that the people suffered 
 from marauding parties of the enemy. Westward, o i Lake Erie, a 
 body of Americans, led by some disaffected Canadians, committed out 
 rages on the inhabitants. Tlie bulk of the militia had been disarmeu 
 on Proctor's defeat, 'u order to prevent their being made prisoners by 
 the enemy : a few, however, were permitted to retain their muskets to 
 protect themselves. Forty five of these were mustered towards the 
 latter part of Octobei', a marauding band of the enemy pursued, 
 overtaken near Dover, several (^f them killed after a smart action, 
 and eighteen taken prisoners. Fifteen of the latter were disaflTected 
 Canadians : eight of whom were executed for high tre;ison and robbery, 
 and seven transported. 
 
 A few days after the rc-occupation of Fort George by Murray. Lieu- 
 tenant-General Drummond arrived at Toronto to assume the military 
 command and civil control of L^pper Canada, Mr. (Jore, the Lieute- 
 nant-Governor, still continuing absent in England. lie was accom- 
 panied by Major-General Riall to aid him in his military capacity. 
 General Drummond lost no time in proceeding to Vincent's head-quar- 
 ters, now removed to the village of St. David, in the neighborhood of 
 Qucenston. Shortly after his arrival, Colonel Murray proposed to 
 capture Fort Niagara by surprise, to which he at once gave consent. 
 
 lucry preparation being completed for this important enterprise, 550 
 men, under Murray, silently crossed the river, three miles above Ni- 
 agara, on the night of ihe 18th December, without being discovered by 
 the enemy. Next morning before day this force moved forward to 
 iissault the fort, the garrison of which was completely taken by sur- 
 
■««iii 
 
 28G 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1813- 
 
 '•I ' * 
 
 .'■ iv,^.; 
 
 . 1 "■• ■ 
 
 prise, and surrendered after a feeble resistance. The loss of the Amer 
 icans on this occasion was severe, and amounted to G5 men and 2 offi- 
 cers killed, 12 wounded, and 300 prisoners. On the other hand, the Bri- 
 tish loss was only G killed and 5 wounded, A large quantity of store? 
 of every description was captured : also 3000 stand of arms, a number 
 of rifles, and 30 guns,* 
 
 General Iliall, who had crossed over with a detachment of 500 men 
 to support Murray, in case of need, on learning his coinplete success 
 pushed up the river to Lewiston, where the enemy had erected batter- 
 ies for the destruction of Quecnston, immediately opposite. These 
 were abandoned on his approach, and Lewiston in revenge for the burn- 
 ing of Niagara was given to the flames, as well as the villages of Youngs- 
 town, Manchester, and Tuscarora, At the same time the auxiliary In- 
 dians and light troops were scattered over the adjacent countr}^, and 
 took ample vengeance for the numerous injuries which had been inflicted 
 on the Canadians, It was a sad sight to see the smoking ruins of a 
 ■whole district : but the Americans themselves were alone to blame. 
 They had commenced this savage description of warfare, and deserved to 
 feel its full effects : they had invaded the happy homes of a people of 
 the same lineage — the same language as themselves, and it was only 
 fitting they should be taught the miseries which they had inflicted upon 
 others, 
 
 M'Clure now called out the militia of Genesee, Niagara, and Cha- 
 tauque counties to defend the frontier, and established his head-quarters 
 at Buffalo, Dreading, ho^'evcr, that the British would carry every post 
 along the Niagara river, and unwilling to face the storm he had pro- 
 voked, and incur the additional odium of defeat, he resigned the com- 
 mand of the district to Major-General Hall. The latter soon found 
 himself at the head of 2000 men, and proceeded to make the best dis- 
 positions he could for the defence of Buffalo and its neighborhood. 
 
 On'themorningof the 28th of December, the indefatigable Drumn-ond 
 was at Chippewa, next day within three miles of Fort Erie, and now 
 determined to assail the enemy's position at Black Rock. Accordingly, 
 on the night of the 30th, Riall, at the head of 540 regulars, 50 militia 
 volunteers, and 120 Indl ms, crossed the Niagara two miles below the 
 post he was to attack, and landed without opposition. Next morn- 
 ing at day-break this detachment pushed briskly forward against Black 
 Rock: at the same time, the Royal Scots crossed the river above the 
 village to effect a diversion in its favor, take the enemy in the leftflank» 
 
 * Murray's despntcli to Drummond, Dec. I9th, 1813, M'Clure's despatch to Ar» 
 ttrong, Dec. 22nd, 1813. Christie, vol, 2, p. 138, 139. 
 
1813.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 287 
 
 and cut off his retreat toward Hufralo. This corps sufTorod severely 
 from the f^iins In battery along the river, and was not able to land in 
 time to take part in the spirited action that ensued. The troops aJ- 
 ready landed moved up to attack the enemy, who was strongly posted, 
 with great spirit, and after an obstinate contest the Americans were 
 driven through their batterio;, and retreated towards Burtalo. The Bri- 
 tish followed closely in [uirsuil, and although the enemy endeavored to 
 check their advance, by throwing a body of cavalry and infantry with 
 a field-gun across their front, they pushed steadily forward. Buflalc*, 
 from which the affrighted iniiabitants had already fled, was given to the 
 flatnes, as well as three vessels of I'erry's squadron. Black lioc!. 
 shared the same fate, together with a vast quantity of stores : and from 
 Lake Ontario to Erie, the An;erican frontier was one vast scene of de- 
 solation. These important successes were not accomplished without 
 loss : the British luid 81 killed, 72 wounded, and 9 missing.'^ The 
 American loss has never been correctly ascertained, but was supposed 
 to amount to nearly 400 killed and wounded, in addition to 130^ 
 prisoners. 
 
 With these acts of retribution, the justice of which was admitted by 
 the sulferers themselves, while they denounced the conduct of their own 
 army in commencing such a mode of warfare, closed the campaign ol 
 1813, which terminated to the c()n>pietc disgrace of American arms. 
 With exception of the extreme portion of western (.'anada, the enemy 
 did not hold a s;..gle position on l]ritish soil, and the possession of Am- 
 herst biu-g was more than counterbalanced by the loss of Niagara. 
 Ills large armies had been beaten back by incre petty detachments ;; 
 and dispirited and discouraged were compelled to retreat into their own 
 territory, the laughing-stock of the military men of Europe. Not 
 only was the conduct of the British regulars much belter than that 
 of the American, but the Canadian niIliLia, of French, British, and 
 American extraction, had also proved themselves infiiiitely superior, both 
 for aggressive and defensive warfare, to the miliiia of the enemy. This 
 oircuinstance goes far to establish the fact, that tlic cli:iiate of Canada 
 is n'lore favorable to tlie growth of a hardy and military population, 
 than the mildi^r and more luxurious regions farther Soulh. 
 
 Nor were American ai'ins more successful, on the whole, at the sea- 
 board than in Canada. Despite the victories won at sea, liy their well 
 manned and admirably ecpiippcd frigates, they were unable to release, 
 their commerce from the close blucKade establi>hed bv the fleets of 
 
 * Riivll's dosi-iatcli to Druinmorid, Jan. Ist, 1811. llaiFa Jospiitcli ta Anuslroiijr, 
 Deo. 31st, 18ia. Chiistie, vol. -1. p. 1^3 — 141. 
 
288 TIIEITISTORY [1813, 
 
 Groat Britain, and their vast merchant marine lay idle in their harbors, 
 while their decreased import revenue had to be made good by other 
 and more direct taxation, to meet the heavy expenses of the. war. Tiie 
 conciuest; of Canada was as remote as ever, and the fact began to force 
 itself on the attention of the An\ericaii people, that they must emerge 
 from the contest with little honor and no profit whatever. 
 
 ./ ,v 
 
 fV 
 
3814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 2bS) 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE GOVERNJrENT OF ^^IIl GEOIKJE I»11EV0ST, CONTINUED. 
 
 TFTE CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 
 
 The Legislature of Lower Canada was convened on the 13th 
 "i814. of Janiiai-y,and congratulated by the Governor, in his speech open- 
 ing the session, on the satisfactory results of the campaign of the 
 preceding year. One of the first measures of the House, was to pass 
 an act increasing the issue of "Army Bills" to fifteen hundred thousand 
 pounds. A Dill to disqualify Judges for seats in the Legislative Coun- 
 cil was next introduced and passed in the Assembly, and sent to the 
 Upper House, where it was thrown out on the grounds that it was un- 
 parliamentary, and interfered with the prerogative of the Crown. 
 
 After passing a vote of thanks to Colonel Do Salaberry, for his gal- 
 lant conduct at the Chateaugay lliver, and to Colonel Morrison for tlic 
 defeat of IJoyd at Chrystler's Farm, the Assembly proceeded to 
 take into consideration the authority exercised by the courts of justice 
 in the province. After some discussion they came to the conclusion, 
 that the " Rules of Court" adopted in the Court of Appeals and King's 
 Bench, during General Craig's administration, were contrary to parlia 
 Mcntary enactment, and subversive of the rights of liberty and pro- 
 perty. For the adoption of these Rules, and other misdemeanors, 
 Cliief Justices Sewell and Monk, were now formally impeached by 
 the Assembly, who employed Mr. James Stuart, an eminent lawyer, 
 and member of the House, to prosecute them in England. They soon 
 after passed a supply bill, which made provision for £2000 to defray 
 Stilfirt's expenses in England. This item was struck out by the Legis- 
 lative Council ; and, as the Commons refused to submit to the amend- 
 ment, the bill was lost. After agreeing to an address to the Prim:e 
 Regent on the state of the province, showing the urgent necessity of 
 early assistance to enable it to resist eirectually the aggressive acts of 
 the United States, and the transaction of some minor business, the last 
 session of the seventh parliament of Canada terminated on the 17th o< 
 March. 
 
wo 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [18K 
 
 -■:i\ 
 
 V •. • ^' :" 
 
 ,1 , . i,^ 
 
 I • 
 
 >* 
 
 In Upper Canada, tho Legislature met at Toronto on the 15lh Febru 
 ary, and enacted several useful statutes. The principal of these were 
 (i more effectual militia bill, an act to provide for the issuing and circu 
 iation of government bills for cno year, and another appropriating 
 £0000 to repair roads and build bridges. 
 
 Meanwhile, tho most strenuous exertions were made to prepare for 
 llie ensuing campaign. Stores of all descriptions were forwarded by 
 sleigh.^, from Montreal and Quebec to Kingston, at enormous expense, 
 in the month of February thu second battalion of the 8th Regiment, 
 marched upwards from New Brunswieic, and 250 seamen for the lakes 
 came by the same route. 
 
 In the month of March, deputies, as in the old days of the French 
 governors, descended from the west to have a conference with the re- 
 presentative of King George at the castlo of St. Lewis. Tlu^y repre- 
 sented their poverty, owing to the Americans having deprived them of 
 their lands, and desired that peace might not be made till they recovered 
 their ancient hunting grounds, " Father," said one chief, " the Ameri- 
 cans have no hearts — they have no pity on us. They take our lands 
 from us every day, and seek to drive us beyond the setting sun. But 
 we hope that our mighty father beyond the great salt lake wi!! not for- 
 sake us in our distress, and will continue to remember his faithful lieu 
 ( 'hildren." After some days' sojourn at Quebec, they were loaded 
 with presents, and sent back to prepare their tribes for the approacii 
 ing campaign. 
 
 The subjugation of the western extremity of Canada, had by no 
 means been completed by the defeat of Proctor. The sturdy militiit 
 of this district were not disposed to submit thcmselvea slavishly to 
 American military despotism, and the appearance of a respectable Bri- 
 tish force amongst them was alone required to rally them again 
 in defence of their country. The successes on the Niagara frontier 
 had enabled General Drummond to turn his attention in that direction. 
 and detachments were pushed westward to drive in the American scat 
 tered parties towards Detroit. The militia, now partially armed, wori 
 immediately on the alert to second this movement, and 28 of them, un- 
 der Lieutenant Mctcalf, captured 31) American regulars near Chatham. 
 Another party, however, were not so fortunate in an attack, near Lako 
 Erie, on a body of American rangers, made in connection with a com 
 pany of regulars, and some Indians, en the 14th of January. Tho 
 enemy secured themselves by an intrenehmcnt and breastwork, ami 
 defeated their assailants with a loss of sixty-five killed and wounded 
 und only eight casualities on their own side. Nevertheless, feeling sii 
 
1814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 291 
 
 tisfied that they owed thuir safety solely to the strength of their position, 
 they decamped after the action as speedily as possible. 
 
 Two disastrous campaigns had not sufliced to cool the ardor of the 
 American Democracy for war ; and with the first days of opening Spring, 
 their generals began to developo their plans fur another attempt at the 
 conquest of the Canadas. Great preparations were maile iu retrieve 
 llieir disasters of the [)receding years: their troops were better drilled, 
 and better oflieered. Among llieir general oflieers Scott now appeared 
 for the first tinie, having been raised to the rank of brigadier. 
 
 The first movements of the campaign commenced in the neighbor- 
 hood of Lower Canada. Wilkinson had descended from Salmon Kivcr 
 to Plattsburg, and anxious to strike an important blow as early in the 
 season as possible, crossed the Canadian frontier, on the 2'2nd of March, 
 and took possession of the village of Phillipsl)urg, just within the lines, 
 on the east side of Lake Champlain. Fruiu this place he proceeded to 
 the west side of the lake, on the 2()th, with the view of attacking a 
 small British force st.itioncd at La CoUe Mill, about 10 miles dis- 
 tant from Rouse's Point-. His army consisted of over 5000 regular in- 
 fantry, with 100 cavalry, and 11 guns.* 
 
 The mill about to be carried, as Wilkinson supposed by the large 
 force under his command, was an ordinary rjuadrangle, fifty feet long 
 by thirty-six wide, and two stories high, with a common shingle roof. 
 The walls, eighteen inches thick, were pierced by several win- 
 dows, now filled up with logs, in which loo[)-holes to fire through 
 had been cut. On the opposite bank of the La Colle River, cross- 
 ed at this point by a wooden bridge, was a small house at an angle 
 with the mill, which had been surrounded with a breastwork of logs. 
 For a distance of 100 yards or so around this position, which was far 
 fi'Oin being a strong one, the woods had been cleared. The ordinary 
 garrison of La Colle Mill was under 200 men, commanded by Major 
 Ilandcock, while the few troops hastily drawn together to support them, 
 on the advance of the enemy becoming known, did not exceed COO more. 
 The latter consisted of the two Hank companies of tlie loth regiment, a 
 corapany of Canadian Fencibles, and another of Voltigeurs. With his 
 slender force of less than 500 men, did Handcock resolve to hold a 
 post, which a few hours fire of well-directed artillery would have le- 
 velled to the ground, against a well-appointed army. 
 
 At one o'clock, p. m., on the 30th of March, Wilkinson, after having 
 
 * In the council of war heUron the 29th of March, Wilkinson stated his force 
 to be 3999 combatants. This force was joined uoxt day by Brigadier Macoiub 
 vith his brigade, which raada the entire force fully up to 5000 men, 
 
292 
 
 THE ITISTOUY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 '.'V- 
 
 , 1 
 
 made n dt'inonstratloii arralnst the outpost at Ijtirtonvillc, occupied the 
 woods close to La Colic Mill with liis entire force, which he deployed into 
 line with the view of siirri)un<liii<f the British position, nnd carrying it 
 with the iKiyonet. IJis troops ehceicd loudly as thoy advanced ; but the 
 well-airiuu! and v:i\)'u\ firo with which they were received, so(jn compel- 
 led thcMi to waver, and retreat back into the wood ftjr shelter. Tlirco 
 guns, eighteen, twelve, and six-pounders, were now brought to hear upon 
 the mill, within point-blank range. Uut these were badly served, and 
 did little injury, while the artillery men suHered severely from the Iki- 
 tish musketry, and the fire of their two guns. The enemy was also 
 held in cheek on the side of the Kiehelien, by the fire of two sloopH 
 and two gun-boats, which luul advanced towards the scene of action 
 from Isle-anx-Noix, but these had to remain too far away to do much 
 service. Desperate as were the odds, the (lank companies of the 13th 
 regiment and the Canadian Voltigeura and I'encibles made two gallant 
 charges, in turn, to capture the enemy's guns, but v.'cre repulsed by the 
 sheer force of numbers, the fire of his artillery, as well of two bri- 
 gades of iid'antry being directed against them.* 
 
 For full four hours did these few hundred gallant men withstand an 
 army. As evening approached their ammunition began to fail. Still 
 they did not quail. Not a man spoke of surrender ; and the daring 
 front they had shown during the day, deterred tlic enemy from assaulting 
 their position with the bayonet. At G o'clock Wilkinson retreated from 
 the Canadian grist mill, completely foiled and beaten, and retraced his 
 steps to Plattsburg. His repulse was infinitely more disgraceful than 
 that sustained by Abercromby, before the lines of Montcalm at Ticoii' 
 deroga. There the British bravely endeavored to storm : the Ameri- 
 can ariny made no attempt of the kind.f 
 
 In the defence of La Colle Mill the British loss was 11 killed, 40 
 wounded, and four missing. The American loss has never been stated, 
 but it must have been much greater. 
 
 The check sustained by Wilkinson led the American government to 
 abandon the idea of subduing Lower Canada for the present, and after 
 leaving garrisons in the principal posts on Lake Champlain, his army 
 was moved to the neighborhood of Lake Ontario, to operate against 
 the Upper province. Hero the campaign was opened, under the most 
 favorable auspices for Canada, by Commodore Yeo and General Drum- 
 raond. On the 4th of May the British squadron, which by the con- 
 traction of two new ships had obtained the ascendancy on the lake, 
 
 " Colonel M'Pherson's evidence at Wilkinson's court-martini. 
 
 f Wl'iruuH:5'tid<.'sp(itcUt'.) i'i'cv'jbt, Aliir(.'ii luiL, ibil. iiaudco\jk (,o William!'. 
 
 .,*■ 
 
1814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 2»3 
 
 with lOSO troops on boanl, I<'ft I\iiii,"<ton for ()s\voi;o, wlioro a landing 
 was en't'ct.Hl on the niorniiij^ of the, <Uh, after a smart action with the 
 oncmy, wlio was completely pnt to flij^dit. Tlie troofis linn proeei'dcd 
 to destroy all stores whieli ef)iilil not be carried off, disinantle the fort, 
 an<l burn the barracks and bridges.* Seven heavy gnus, two of smaller 
 calibre, a (piantily of shot and gunpowder, two schooners and several 
 small craft, and 1000 barrels of (lour, tVe. witc brought away.f 'Ihe 
 British loss, on this occa-'on, amounted to 1 ollieor anil IH men killed, 
 2 officers and (10 men wounded ; the Americans adniit a loss of (U) 
 killed and wounded and 00 prisoners. 
 
 The next operation of Commodore Yeo's (leet was to blockade 
 Chauncey in Sackett's Harbor, and intercej)t the supf)!ies forwarded 
 there from Oswego. On the morning of the 29th of May, 10 boats of 
 the enemy, laden with military and naval stores were discoverc<l in- 
 shore. One of these was captured, the rinnainder took refuge in Sandy 
 Creek, whither Yeo despatched Captains Po[)h;im and Spilsbury, with 
 two gun-boats and five harges, to cut lluin out. They entered the 
 creek on thoUlst ; but were speedily attacked in Hank and IVont by a 
 strong body of the enemy's riflemen, militia, cavalry, and 200 froquois, 
 and overpowered after a desperate defence. Their resistance so irri- 
 tated the Indians, that they were with difliculty withluld from mas 
 sacring the entire party on its surrender. The loss on this occasion 
 was 18 killed, 50 wounded, and lOS prisoners. 
 
 While these events were transpiring at the lower end of Lake 
 Ontario, the American forces were being concentrated along the iXiagara 
 frontier, for another invasion of that part of Canada. Their want of 
 success hitherto by land had taught the Americans experience, and 
 great exertions were made to have thei*' troops better drilled and 
 better ofTicered than ever. Major-Gencral 15rown, who now com- 
 manded, was an officer of much greater resolution and ability than 
 any of those who had preceded him, and the brigadiers under him were 
 of the same stamp. The Americaiis had seen by this time, that their 
 invasion of Canada was a hopeless task ; still they persevered in endea- 
 voring to force their yoke on an unwilling people ; yet, evidently, more 
 now fi'om a desire to restore their tarnished military reputation, than 
 anything else. But the close of the war in Europe by the abdication 
 of Napoleon, and his banishment to Elba, left the British at liberty to 
 give cfTeetual assistance to the Canadian people ; and there was much 
 
 * Drummond's Despatch to Prevoet, Tth May, 1814. 
 f Yeo's Letter to Mr. Croker. 
 
201 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 •■:) 
 
 "• v'^V' 
 
 V. . 
 
 l-k 
 
 more likolihood of the United States being invaded and assailed in all 
 its borders, tliiui that its armies should retain possession of one acre of 
 these provinees. 
 
 The nnsatisfactory prospect now before them, a.s well as the lent,' 
 continuaiiee of a profitless and disastrous war, i^ave renewed strength tu 
 the Anieriean peaee party. 'J'lie heavy taxes iiisposed to defray the 
 largely increased public expenditure, and the almost total stopjiago ot 
 comineree of every kind, added greatly to the popular discontent. 
 The stern pressure of adversity liad already begun to teach the 
 
 1813. American democracy wisdom ; and their murmurs compelled 
 their government to recede, in some measure, from its position of 
 
 inveterate hostility towards (Jreat Britain and the Canadas. hi the 
 month of March, a message from the President to Congress recom- 
 mended the repeal of the Non-importation act. The American House 
 of Representatives, high as their hopes of concpicsthad been, now saw fit 
 to lower their tone of deliancc, and adopting the pacific suggestions of 
 Madison, repealed tlie Embargo as well as the Non-importation act. 
 Sanguine hopes were thus awakened throughout the Union that hosti- 
 lities would speedily be terminated. But the American people were 
 soon undeceived on this head. They had endeavored to grasp Canada, 
 when almost; wholly unprotected by regular troops, and as they sup- 
 posed entirely at their mercy, but had been repelled, principally hy 
 its gallant militia ; they had striven to drive Great Britain from her 
 last foothold in their neigborhood, the attempt entailed defeat 
 and disgrace ; the hour of punishment had now arrived. Never did 
 an unrighteous invasion bring its curse more surely or swiftly with it. 
 than that which the unbridled Democracy of the United States 
 directed against the inhabitants of these provinces. On the 2.')ih of 
 April, Great Britain replied to the pacific overtures of Congress by de- 
 claring the whole American sea-board in a state of blockade. This 
 declaration added largely to the existing discontent, and it appeared fur 
 a time as if the New England States would secede from the Unioi). 
 The direct taxes had advanced fifty per cent, various new imposts hfiii 
 been added, and so low had the credit of the country fallen, that 
 government could not negociate a loan, and was compelled to issue 
 treasury bills, similar to those of some Canadian incorporated cities. 
 and which bore interest in the same way, to supply the want of a cir- 
 culating medium. 
 
 Under these circumstances it might naturally be supposed, that if the 
 American Democracy po.ssessed that largo portion of humanity 
 
 1814. and forbearance they lay claim to, they would leave the peu- 
 plc of Canada to carry out in peace whatever mode of govern- 
 
mi.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 205 
 
 mont tlioy tlccmod prn|)or ; and tlie mnro, cspooially as tlioy now saw 
 Hcnrly tlicy could pnin no ndv.niit!i<i<' I'lom fiirtlicr liostiliiios.* Hut, 
 although war proniisod only Ijloodslicd nnd rnin. limy dcU'nninnd to 
 porsevcro in their projects of invasion. Aceordinj^ly, on llio .'{rd of 
 .luly, two stronj^ hri^ados nniler IJrigadiers Soolt and Kiplcy, crossed 
 the Nia<,'ara river from Iliifllilo to Fort Eiio. Hero a sin.ill garrison 
 of no men had been left, more willi a view of <,'iving a temporary 
 check to the enemy, and allowin;^ time fur troops to concentrate for 
 the protcctiofi of tlio frontier, at any menaced point, than for the pur- 
 pose of a protracted resistance. 
 
 rnforliniately Major Wur.k. of the 8th rej^irnont, who now com- 
 manded there, did not snfileiently weigh the importance of his post, 
 and surrendered without firing a shot, thinking it would be only a use- 
 less loss of life to oppose the large army, fully 4000 strong, besides 
 IndiiUis, which had advanced against him. To resist this formidable 
 invasion, made too by all regular troops, there were only ITSO regulars 
 along the entire Niagara frontier, including the garrisons at the 
 different forts. But Major-Geueral lliall, now commanding at this 
 point, determined nevertheless to cheek the advance of tlio enemy; 
 who, led by General Brown, pushed down the river towards Chippewa, 
 on the morning of the 4th, with the view of capturing that village! which 
 formed the extreme right of the l^ritish position extending to Niagara. 
 During the day, however, Brown made no attempt to carry this post, 
 and contented himself with solidly establishing his troops a short dis- 
 tance above it. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th, Tiiall having been reinforced by the 3rd 
 Buffs, 600 strong, from Toronto, dctorniincd to become the assailant 
 with 1500 regulars, 300 Indians, and (500 militia. Brown had taken 
 up a good position ; his right rested on some buildings and orchards 
 close on the river, and strongly supported by artillery ; his left 
 extended to a wood, with a strong body of riflemen and Indians thrown 
 out on his flank and in advance. 
 
 Rial! began the battle shortly after 4 o'clock in the afternoon, by 
 pushing his main-body in columns of cchellon against the enemy's line, 
 with the view of breaking throuifh, and turning it at three different 
 points. At the same timt; a body of militia, with the entire Indian 
 
 * The American troops had not yet wearied of burning the barns, and destroy- 
 ing the homesteads of the poo|)le they desired to free. On tiie 13th of May Colo- 
 nel Campbell, with 500 infantry, crossed from Erie to Dover in Canada, and 
 burned down the entire village. The inhabitanto did not make the slighteel 
 hostile demonstration of any kind. 
 
200 
 
 TMI-: HISTORY 
 
 [1814 
 
 ^ . . »i 
 
 •■• ♦' 
 
 f% 
 
 forci', woro tlirown to iho rij.'lit to dislod^o liis light troops and savngos 
 Irom the wood. Mill tlu" KciitiaUy lilli-iin'ii fcjii^lil stoutly, wliilo the 
 lro(|in»is I'dlictiiiilly licid tliu (Jiiiiadiaii Indians in cliis U, and noiilior wore 
 disI()d;j[(Mi until nssaJU'd by tlin li<:;lit conifianics of tlio lloyal St'Ots and 
 lOOtli ri'j,'inicnt. Mranwhilo, the heads of ihi^ attackinj^ c\)Uiinns were 
 crushed a^ain and attain, hy tlu! discharges of the long and solid Aine- 
 riean line, which stood its gioimd hravcly, and fired with rapidity niid 
 precision, iiiull at length lindir.g himself unahle to penetrate it, wuj* 
 rehietanlly oiiliged to order ii retreat, having rsnstaint'd ii loss of 157 
 killed, and IVIO wounded. Tho American lois was little more than 
 half as severe. 
 
 This battle was tho m:-9t considerable fought as yet during tho war, 
 and the unusual steadiness and good cot. duct of the American troops, 
 showi'd the. advantago of better disci|>line and superior general-olVicers. 
 Uiall made a serious mistake in attacking an army sti'oiigly posted and 
 Iwleo his own strength, but had doubtless been induced to take this 
 step from the supposition that the enemy would be beaten as easily as 
 usual. His defeat clearly proved that the Hritish had now to contend 
 against alder commanders and better troops, and that a nearer equality 
 of numbers iiuist bo possessed to insure success. Had Uiall been 
 conient to aet on the defensive, and cover himself by intrenchmcnts at 
 tho favorable ground on tho eastern side of tho Chippewa Creek, his 
 position would bo very difllcult to force, and the attempt could 
 scarcely fail to result in the defeat of tho enemy. His desperate 
 bravery, however, had one good effect ; it showed tho Americans, that 
 If they established themselves in Canada, it would only be by very hard 
 fighting. 
 
 Although the British army had been defeated, the enemy took no 
 active stops to improve tho victory ho had won, and seemed as if he had 
 got plenty of fighting for one day. Kiall retreated in admirable order, 
 little disturbed by his cavalry or light troops, and not a gun, nor a 
 prisoner did ho lose, except the wounded ho had been compelled to 
 leave on the field.* A rapid and vigorous pursuit must have seriously 
 ernbarassed him, but Brown attempted nothing of the kind. Taking 
 the smallness of the British force into consideration, and the severe loss 
 sustained in killed and woimded, a retreat such as it now effected was 
 almost ecjuivaleiit to a victory. 
 
 Dreading that the enemy by a flank march would cut him ofT from 
 Burlington Heights, and thus destroy his communication with Toronto, 
 lliall, after a short pause at Chippewa, continued his retreat to Twenty- 
 
 * Riall's Despatch to Druminond, 6th July. 
 
 ,»■ • 
 
Iftlt.] OF CANADA. 21); 
 
 inilo ("rock, llirowing rcIiifdrcctniMits into l''i)rf<j MIssi'^flaG;^, (tonrf^o, 
 and Niaj;aiM, as Im ihhsccJ hy. MitiIii;^', Iidwiwit, with tlio \^)'.W^\ 
 ro^iiiK'iil, ami two (•(iiiipaiiics of the lOlili, liu rouinud towards Nift- 
 -fara, ami I'staMi-lud liiinsiU lu'ar the 'l\vt'lveiniUi ("ri-i'k. 
 
 Mcaiiwhilf, (ioinral IJrowii advaiK'C'(l IfUiii'i-Iy down tho frontinr, 
 fttid occ'iip'u'tl t^iirctiiloii, liiiiii wliciicc 111' iiiaili' dcnioiistratioiiH nijaiiisl 
 l-'orts (ic'orjio, Nia^jaia, and Mississaj^a. lli-f*' he rcinaiiu'd fill llic^IUrd, 
 and during tlic iiiti'i'val lii.sli;^lit tfoops aiitl liidiatis scattered tluinscdvos 
 over tho iicii^hl) n'hood, and plinidiTi'd and hiinu'd dwellings and hams 
 in fVi-fy dirt'ct it'll. On the llMli, Coloind Stoiio ransod tin- villai^cf of 
 St. Daviil, containing some thirty lioiisos, to lie binned down; fcnccj* 
 were next torn n|), (oraj^o carried oil" wltliout paynicnl, wlierovcr it 
 could be laid hands on; and, on every occasion, the Amerieaii outposts 
 acted us if they had liet ii in a country, the inhabitants of which wore 
 Ihoir di-adiiest enemies. The nidl>rlnnale Canadian*!, inadilcii<>d ])y 
 their losses, were driven to desperation, and fired upon the invaders 
 whenever an opportiuiily presented itself. Scarce a foraiiliiL,' [)aity re- 
 turned without leavinjT some of their number, who had been killed or 
 badly wounded, behind.* 
 
 Hrowii had expected to bo supported in the .siojros of Forts (Jcorge 
 and Niagara, by Channcey's fleet. 1'lic Hritish s(|uadron having now 
 the command of the lake, he was disjippointed in this respect, and find- 
 ing the garrisons on the alert, and that n'.)lliing could be eirected by 
 surprise ho retreated to (vhippewa on the ti4lli, followed by Uiall, who 
 established himself at Lundy's Lane, in his immediate neighborhood, 
 on the 25111. 
 
 No sooner had General Drumtnnnd hoard, at Kingston, of the ad- 
 vance of a large Ami'rican army across th(^ Niagara frontier, and of the 
 battle of Chippewa, than h(> hastened to Toronto, and from thence im- 
 mediately proceeded to Niagara, where he arrived on the morning of 
 the2r)lh. Here he learned of the retreat of Urown on the preceding 
 day, and of the advanee C)f lliall, whom he at once determined to sup- 
 port, on his roar. Directing Cf)lonel Tucker to move up the American 
 side of the river from Fort Niagara, in order to disperse or capture a 
 body of the enemy assembled at Lewiston, he pushed forward to 
 Queenston.f 
 
 Brown was speedily informed of these threatening movements, and 
 dreading that Tucker intended to capture his baggage and stores at 
 
 * Letter of Mnjor M'Farlnnd, nn American Officer of Brown's annj. 
 f Drummonds Despatch to rrevoet, 27th July, 1814. 
 
208 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 V,:- 
 
 /•k 
 
 Schlosser, if he was not forced to retreat by a counter advance on his 
 own part, determined to put his army in motion towards Qucenston. 
 He accordingly directed General Scott, with the first brigade, the 
 cavalry, and a battery of artillery, to move in that direction, and if he 
 met the British in force, to report to that effect, when the remainder 
 of the army would march to assist him. In pursuance of these instruc- 
 tions, Scott advanced to the Falls, and finding the British in larger num- 
 bers than had been anticipated, he despatched an orderly with a request 
 that Brown should at once push on to his assistance.* 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy at Lewiston having decamped, Drummond 
 directed Tucker to return to Niagara, and moved forward himself with 
 800 regulars to support Kiall at T.undy's Lane, or Bridgewater, as it 
 is styled by American writers. He reached the neighborhood of this 
 position at half-past 5 o'clock in the evening, and found that RIall, in- 
 stead of occupying the hill he had expected, had already commenced a 
 retreat, his advance, composed of 800 regulars and militia, being a con- 
 siderable distance away on the upper road to Queenston. Despatch- 
 ing an aid-de-camp to recall these troops, Drummond at once took pos- 
 session of the little eminence at Lundy's Lane, on the summit of which 
 he placed five field-guns in battery, with two brass 24-pounders a litUe 
 in advance. His line of battle was formed with rapidity and skill. 
 The 8})th regiment, a detachment of the Royal Scots, ond the light 
 companies of the 41st, he posted in rear of the battery, the centre and 
 key of his position. To the right, the Glengary Light Infantry pro- 
 longed the line; to the left, were posted a body of incorporated militia, 
 and a detachment of the 3rd Buffs, On the road, in rear of the left, 
 were stationed a squadron of the 10th light dragoons. Drummond's 
 entire force, thus formed in battle array, amounted to IGOO men. 
 Scott's brigade advancing against him was 2000 strong, exclusive of 
 cavalry and artillery ; the second brigade under Ripley, soon rapidly 
 pushing up to support the latter, was nearly of equal strength, while 
 the militia, under General Porter, and his cavalry, made up Brown's 
 army to fully 5000 men. 
 
 When J)runimond arrived on the ground, the enemy was already 
 within GOO yards of the advantageous position, of which he at once 
 so promptly and skilfully took possession. He Lad barely time to 
 complete his formation, when the whole front was warmly engaged. 
 But the decision and skill of the British general had already half wou 
 the battle. The battery, so judiciously placed, was admirably served, 
 and swept the field with terrible rapidity, while the sharp rolling 
 
 * Brown's Despatch to Armstrong, 
 
I9li] OF CANADA. 29P 
 
 volleys of the infantry held Scott's superior numbers cfTectually in 
 check. For throe quarters of an hour did the battle rage on some- 
 thing like equal terms in point of strength ; then llipley's brigade 
 came on the ground, with another battery of artillery, and Drum- 
 mond's little army had now to contend against three times its number. 
 Brown at once availed himself ■of his suj-erior force to out-flank his op- 
 ponent's line. The '2r)th Americanro giment swept round the British left, 
 forced it back at an angle with the centre, gained temporary possession 
 of the road, and the cavalry, following behind, made several prisoners, and 
 General liiall, who had been severely wounded and was passing to the 
 rear, among the rest. But the Canadian militia-men of the left gave way 
 no further than the brow of the road ; and there, although pressed hard 
 by immensely superior numbers, did they gallantly hold their ground, 
 and efTectually covered the rear of the centre and right. 
 
 Meanwhile, the battle raged furiously at the centre of the British 
 line, on which the Americans made fierce and repeated attacks, but were 
 repulsed again and again with steady valor, to be afterwards smote 
 down with terrible carnage by the fire of the artillery as they fell back tvi 
 reform. Presently, night drew its sable pall over the battlefield; 
 still the combat raged with desperate obstinacy. The assailants, 
 maddened by their losses, pressed forward repeatedly to capture the 
 British guns, and oven bay onetted the gunners in the act of loading, but 
 wore as often repulsed. They next pushed up their own guns within a 
 few yards of Drummond's battery, and thus maintained a combat of 
 artillery. Atone time, led by Colonel ^Miller, they forced the 89th back 
 and captured several of the British cannon, but a vigorous bayonet charge 
 recovered them again, and took a gun in addition from the enemy, tu 
 gcther with several tumbrils. 
 
 About 9 o'clock there was a brief lull in the battle, while Scott's 
 brigade, which had suffered severely, was being withdrawn by Brown 
 and placed in reserve, and Kiplcy's fresher troops pushed to the front 
 Luckily, at this time, the remainder of liiall's division whose retreai 
 on Fort (Jeorge, as already stated, had been countermanded by Drum- 
 mond, came up, with two guns, and having been joined on its way by 
 400 militia, the hard pressed British combatants were reinforced by 
 1200 fresh troops, with some of whom their line was prolonged at the 
 right, which it was apprehemled the enemy might out-flank ; the I'cst 
 were placed in reserve. The moon now ro-c dimly over the battle- 
 field, and flung its uncertain light from behind a mass of thin foathei'v 
 cloud on the hostile ranks, enabling the eye to scan the slope in iVont 
 of the British position, strewed thickly with the dying and the dead 
 
300 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814, 
 
 I ' 
 
 vv'r 
 
 the plaintive groans of the wounded mingling strangely and chillingly. 
 the while, with the dull, leaden, yet terribly voluminous roar of tlio 
 mighty cataract close by. 
 
 The contest was again resumed. Long thin lines of fire marked the 
 discharges of the hostile infantry, while ever and anon the artillery ahot 
 out a red volume of flame, and then its thunders reverberated across the 
 bloody field, to waste themselves in fitful echoes amid the continuous 
 roll of the Niagara. A momentary pause succeeds, and the cries of 
 the wounded for water fell ominously on the ears of the still uninjured. 
 Till midnight did this terrible combat contmue, when Brown finding alt 
 his efforts fruitless to force the British position, retreated to Chippewa, 
 leaving Drummond in full possession of the battle-field. 
 
 Such was the battle of Lundy's Lane, the most fiercely contested, 
 and bloody in its results, of any fought in Canada during the war. 
 The Americans, as we have already seen, had largely the advantage iu 
 point of numbers; the British the best position. Still, it is difTi- 
 calt to imagine how IGOO men could have resisted an army of 5000 
 for nearly three hours, had the latter been skilfully commanded. The 
 field of battle was open, there was no bush fighting, no breast-work of 
 any kind, a;.(d the eminence, held by the British was only of trifling 
 height and quite easy of ascent. The Americans showed a desperate 
 courage, worthy of their British descent, and had Brown wielded his 
 largo columns more skilfully, Drummond could scarely fail to have 
 been beaten. lie committed a blunder in not knowing more of the 
 British force in his front, and Scott committed a still greater blunder 
 in commencing the battle before Ripley's brigade came up. Had 
 the whole American army been at once thrown skilfully against the 
 hostile line, it must have been out-flanked and hemmed in, and Drum- 
 mond would have been compelled to retreat, or have his small 
 force destroyed. While their troops behaved admirably, neither Brown 
 nor Scott displayed the genius of the skilful military tactician, and 
 literally fought the battle by detachments,* to be repulsed in detail. 
 They sought to win a victory by the mere physical courage of their 
 men, while their superior numbers should have decided the contest iu 
 their favor, with one-half the loss they sustained in being beaten. 
 
 The Americans claim they won a victory at Lundy's Lane, but on 
 what grounds it is difficult to imagine. They did not drive the British 
 army from its position. If for. a brief space they had its guns in their 
 possession, a bayonet charge compelled them to surrender them again, 
 besides losing one of their own in addition. Nor did they remain in 
 
 * Armstrong, vo]. 3, p, 03-95. 
 
IB14.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 301 
 
 possession of the battle-field. That honor rested with the British 
 troops, and the callant Canadian militia. The latter fouizht for their 
 country with illustrious valor, and behaved with all the coolness and 
 courage of the best veteran soldit.-rs. The loss of the American army, 
 also, was the most severe, bciiiu" \H]0 killed ami wounded, and 300 pri- 
 soners ; while that of the ih'itish, prisoners included, only amounted 
 to 870 men.* Generals Brown and Scott had been severely wounded 
 during the battle. Drummond, also, was wounded in the neck, but re- 
 mained upon the ground, nevertheless, till the enemy had retreated. 
 
 The active command of the American army now devolved upon 
 Ripley, who was directed by Brown to make a fresh demonstration, 
 against the British position, at day-break on the following morning. 
 But a reconnoisance soon convinced Ripley that Drummond was fuily 
 prepared to receive him on precisely the same ground, and he, therefore, 
 declined giving battle. Fearing to be attacked in turn. Brown now 
 determined on retreat; and having, on the 27th, set fire to Street's 
 Mills, destroyed the bridge over the Chippewa Creek, to check pursuit, 
 and thrown his heavy baggage, tents, and provisions into the river, 
 .-'red on Fort Erie, while Drummond's light troops, cavalry, and In- 
 '1.: IS followed rapidly in pursuit. 
 
 The destruction of its heavy stores, and the retreat of the American 
 army so soon after the battle of Lundy's Lane, are clear evidences that 
 it felt it had sustained a defeat. But, if additional proof on this point 
 is required, it will be found in the fact, that Brown's vlrforious troops 
 were soon cooped up in Fort Erie, or in intrenchments beside it, by a 
 force little more than half their number. The curious spectacle was 
 thus presented to the world of a larger force besieged by the smaller, 
 aid rendered perfectly useless for the remainder of the campaign. f 
 
 Ripley had made great exertions, during the brief interval of repose 
 allowed him by Drunm^iond, to strengthen the works of Fort Erie, 
 while two vessels of war were placed so as to cover it towards the 
 lake by their fire. These were captured, however, by the British in 
 two boats brought overland for the purpose, on the night of the 12th 
 of August. On the following morning, Drummond's batteries opened 
 on the works, which their fire damaged so much that it was determin- 
 ed to carry them at once by assault. J 
 
 This daring attempt to storm a fort supported by an intrenched 
 camp, in which lay over 3000 men, by a force less than two-thirds the 
 number of the enemy, had very nearly succeeded. The assailants were 
 
 • Alison's Iliat. Europe, New York, vol. 4. p. 473. f Ibid, vol. 4. p. 474. 
 
 X Drummond's Despatch to Prevost, 15th Auguit, 1814. 
 
302 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 • I 
 
 divided into three columns, two of which established themselves before 
 day-light, on the morning of the 15th, in a solid manner in a part oi 
 the Americans' works, and turned their own gmis u[)on them. Unfor- 
 tinmtely the third column under Colonel Fischer, was unable to co- 
 operate, owing to the vigorous defence of the enemy.* Still, the 
 troops already inside, firmly maintained their ground till a great part 
 of them were killed, by the accidental explosion of a magazine close by. 
 when the remainder retreated in dismay. 
 
 In this gallant, but abortive attempt, the British loss was very 
 severe; 157 were killed, 308 wounded, and ISO made prisoners. f Tiie 
 American loss was trifling in comparison, and in killed and wounded 
 scarcely reached 100 men. Nor was this the only repulse sustained by 
 Drummond's force at this time. A simultaneous attack made against 
 the enemy's position at Black Rock, with 460 men, under Colonel 
 Tucker, also failed. Still, the American army, now commanded by 
 Brigadier Gaines, had not the heait to follow up its success; and 
 Drummond being reinfor.ced, on the ITth, by the Gth and 82nd regi- 
 ments from Lower Canada, was enabled to retain his position. 
 
 While the tide of war thus rolled fiercely along the Niagara fron- 
 tier, hostile occurrences were also transpiring in the far west. Early 
 in the Spring, Mackinaw had been reinforced by way of Nattawasaga, 
 and from thence a force of 050 Canadians and Indians were detached. 
 under Colonel M'Kay, for the capture of the enemy's post at Prairie 
 du Chien, on the Mississippi. This duty M'Kay effectually accom- 
 plished without the loss of a man, and thus completely established 
 British influence with the western Indian tribes. 
 
 Early in the season, Armstrong, the American Secretary at War, 
 had planned the re-capture of Mackinaw, and towards the latter part 
 of July a force of 1000 men, under Colonel Croghan, proceeded to effect 
 that object. With a part of this force, Major Holmes made a descent 
 upon the stores belonging to the North- West Company at St. Mary's, and, 
 aft?r taking out all the furs and goods, reduced the buildings to ashes. 
 But Holmos was not content with this robbery and destruction of pri- 
 vate property, at a post where there was not a single military man. 
 All the horses and cattle were killed, and the provisions and garden 
 stuff, which could not be removed, destroyed. 
 
 On the 4tli of August, Croghan arrived near the Fort of Mackinaw, 
 and Colonel j\l*Dowall, commanding that post, at once made disposi- 
 tions with 104 men to check his advance, the remainder of his little 
 
 * Fischer's Report to Drummond, 14th August, 1814. 
 f Alison's nist. Europe, New York, vol. 4. p. 474. 
 
 , »• 
 
• 
 
 1814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 303? 
 
 garrison being required to man the ^wns. But the enemy landed in sv 
 direction diflferent from that anticipated by M'Dowali. His march, 
 however, was ;^allantly chcci\ed by a body of Indians, and Croghan was 
 speedily compelled to retreat to his shipping, having sustained a loss 
 of Oi killed and wounded. Among the killed was Holmes, the 
 destroyer of St. Mary's, who had thus met a well merited fate. No 
 further attempt was made on Mackinaw, which remained in undisturb- 
 ed possession of the British till the termination of the war. Its safety 
 was further secured by the capture, on the 5th of December, of two of 
 the enemy's vessels, left in the neighborhood to intercept supplies for 
 the garrison, by a small party of seamen and soldiers. 
 
 While these events were transpiring in the west, Sir John Shor- 
 brookc, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, was engaged in sub- 
 duing that portion of ihc State of Maine lying nearest to New Bruns- 
 wick. Early in duly, a small force was detached from Halifax, under 
 Colonel Pilkington, which took possession of Moose Island in Passamu- 
 quoddy Bay; the garrison of the fort there, .consisting of seven officers 
 and eighty men, surrendering themselves prisoners of war. On the 
 2Glh of August, General Sherbrooke sailed from Halifax, with all his 
 disposable forces, established himself at Castinc, on the Penobscot Kiver,. 
 on the 1st Septeuibcr, without opposition, the enemy having blown up 
 his magazines and retreated ; and detached 000 troops, with a body of 
 sailors, to capture or destroy the frigate Adams, which had run up to 
 IL:mpdcn for safety. The batteries at this place were gallantly carried, 
 and the enemy compelled to retreat, but not;, however, till he had set 
 fire to the Adams. Bangor was next captured without resistance ; 
 Machias also surrendered; and the whole country from Penobscot to. 
 New Brunswick, was formally taken possession of, and remained 
 under British rule till the end of the war. 
 
 Meanwhile, the arrival at Quebec of 10,000 men of the Duke of 
 Wellington's army, put it in Provost's power to iissume the offensive. 
 Mniv-r (icneral Kempt was accordingly despatched with a portion of 
 this force to Upper Canada, with a vio-w to a descent on Sackett's Har- 
 bor, while a body of 11,000 troops were concentrated on the Ilichelieu 
 frontier, to operate against the enemy's posts on Lake Champlain. 
 But, unfortunately, ihe naval part of this expedition, on which its success 
 mainly depended, was not by any means in the same state of clliciency 
 as the land force. It was coniposed of a frigate, the Conjiance of 87 
 guns, one brig, two sloops, and twelve gun-boats, wretchedly equipped, 
 not one-fifth of the crews being British sailors ; the remainder were 
 a strange medley of English soldiers, and Canadian militia. 
 
 On the lOih August, the American General, Izzard, 'had moved up 
 
304 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 
 ,.'■ iv 
 
 Lake Ontario, with 4000 men, to reinforce the troops besciged at Fori 
 Erie, and enable them to assume the offensive, leaving the posts on 
 Lake Champlain very slenderly defended. Prevost's advance, accord- 
 ingly, met with no opposition ; and on the Gth September his army ap- 
 peared before Plattsburg, then protected by two block-houscs and a 
 chain of strongly fortified field-works, garrisoned^by 1500 troops and 
 some militia, under Brigadier Macomb. The three succeeding days 
 wore chiefly employed in bringing up the heavy artillery. Prevost 
 did not think proper to open fire on the enemy's works, covered by 
 his fleet of 14 vessels, until supported by the British squadron. 
 But so backward was its state of preparation, that it only hove in sight 
 on the morning of the 11th, and the shipwrights were still busily work- 
 ing on the hull of the Conpnice, bearing the Commodore's flag, (Cap- 
 tain Downie) as she moved through the watei'. 
 
 The squadron which the British vessels were now bearing down to 
 attack, was much their superior in men, tonnage, and weight of metal,* 
 besides being supported by powerful land-bntteries. Still Downie relied 
 upon Prevost's assurance, that the enemy's position would be ar^sailcd 
 by land while he attacked his fleet, and bore gallantly down to action. 
 But instead of supporting this movement Prevost directed his men to 
 cook their breakfasts. The result was what might naturally be expect- 
 ed. After a desperate battle the C'oiijiaiice, Linnet brig, and CImb 
 sloop, were compelled to strike their colors. The Finch struck on a 
 reef and was of ns use during the action, and nine of the gun-boats fled. 
 Prevost at length put his attacking columns in motion ; but, on 
 finding that he could not expect succor from the fleet, he inimediaidy 
 withdrew them and resolved to retreat. The works would have bcca 
 easily carried; a success in this way would have been a sc'j ofl' to the 
 disaster of the fleet; and nothing could have equalled th ; indignation 
 of the troops when they wore ordered to retreat. !Many of the otJicers 
 indignantly broke their swords, declaring they would never serve again; 
 and the army sullenly retraced its way to the Canadian frontier, undis. 
 turbed by the enemy. The disgraceful course, pursued on this occasion. 
 etTectually destroyed the military reputation of the Governor-in-chief; 
 
 ompnrativo strength of vessels actually 
 
 engaged : 
 
 
 Bvlthl 
 
 . 
 
 Americans. 
 
 Vcpsols - - .S 
 
 — 
 
 H 
 
 BrojidsiJo guns - 38 
 
 — . 
 
 52 
 
 Weight of metal, lljs. ^(tH 
 
 — 
 
 11<.)4 
 
 Aggregate of Crews 637 
 
 — 
 
 951) 
 
 Tons - - - . H25 
 
 — 
 
 2540 • 
 
1814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 805 
 
 Inc down to 
 
 and as he died before he could he tried by Court Martial, the s'.ain still 
 rests on his mcinor}-. On board the fleet, the loss in killed and 
 wounded was 1*29, while the land force lost about 200. The loss of 
 American fleet was nearly as severe as that of the British. Among (he 
 killed of the latter was the gallant Downie. 
 
 No sooner did the American force invested at Foru Erie, learn the 
 disaster of the British at Lake ('hamplain, than they inade a vigorous 
 sortie on the afternoon of the 17th of September. Owing to the rain 
 falling in torrents, they succeeded in turning the right of the besiegers' 
 picquets, and after a sharp contest obtained possession of two batteries. 
 lUit a reinforcement speedily coming up, thoy were at once driven 
 ])ack, and pursued to the very glacis of the fort whither they re- 
 tired with precipitation, having sustained a loss in killed, wounded, and 
 missing of 500 men. The British loss amounted to 000, of whom one- 
 half, however, had been made prisoners in the trenches at the com- 
 mencement of the sortie. Finding his men becoming very sickly, and 
 learning also the advance of General Izzard's division, Drummond 
 raised the sieijc ou the 21st, and retired totallv unmolested on 
 diippewa. 
 
 During the Autumn months, Chaunceyhad the ad vantage, both in the 
 number and size of his vessels, of the British squadron on Lake Onta- 
 rio. At length, on the lOlh of October, the St. Lawrence, a vessel of 
 100 guns, was launched at Kingston, and the American Commodore 
 imm>;diately withdrew, and was blockaded in turn at Sackett's ILar- 
 bor. The lake freed from the enemy's ships, troops and stores were 
 wnveycd to the army on the Niagara frontier ; and although Izzard had 
 liow a line force of SOOO men at Fort Erie, he blew up its works, re- 
 (Tossed the river, and left the harassed people of Upper Canada to 
 repose. Beyond a foray of mounted Kentucky brigands, who marked 
 llicir course with plunder and destruction, at the extreme west, the re- 
 treat of fzzard was the last event of a war, which completely burst the 
 bubble of American Invasion of Canada. The Treaty of Chent, on the 
 vUth of December, put a Hnal termination to hostilities, and rc-iored 
 peace between two nations, whose language, laws, religion, and inte- 
 rests were identical, and who should, therefore, never have unsheathed 
 the sword against each other. 
 
 The ostensible grounds of the wnr, on the part of the United States, 
 v.ore the Orders in Coiuieil, and ihc right of search ; but its real 
 vause was the desire to acquire Canada. On each of these points thti 
 American Democi'acy had been completely worsted. Peace was con- 
 'huled without a word being said about the (lag covering the merehan- 
 'Hse, or ilio ri/ilit of search ; while Canada remained unconquen'd. ^nd 
 
;ioo 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1814. 
 
 1 
 
 '..1 
 
 hir better prepared to defcnJ herself at the close of hostllilics than at 
 the beginning. 
 
 .From first to last the course pursued by the United States prcsonts 
 low grounds for justification. They had commenced an unholy war Ijy 
 llic invasion of an unofllndiiig and.liarnilcss people. When they found 
 they could not basely seduce thorn from allegiance to their consti- 
 tution, their generals burned their villages and farm houses, and plun- 
 liered them of their properties, l]ut, by a righteous dispensation of 
 I'rovidence they were most deservedly punished. Nothing had been 
 gained by all the lavish expenditure of American blood and treasure. 
 Not one solitary dollar had been added to the wealth of their people, nor 
 one inch of land to their territory. On the other hand, their export trade, 
 from twenty-two millions sterling, had dwindled down, in 1814, to less 
 than onc-and-a-half millions ; and their imports, from twenty-eight 
 million pounds sterling, had been reduced to ihree. Nearly JiOOO of 
 their merchant vessels had been captured, their entire sea-board in- 
 sulted ; two-thirds of the niereantile and trading classes of the whole 
 nation had become insolvent, and the I'nion itself was threatened with 
 tlissolution by the secession of the New l^ngland States.* Then, if 
 ( 'anada suffered much misery — if many of her gallant sons ^vere laid 
 low, by the ruthless blow of the pitiless invader, and lier soil steeped 
 with the blood of her brave militia, fighting in defence of their homes, 
 the war was, nevertheless, a real benefit to her. The lavish expondi. 
 ttire of money enriched, more or less, all classes of her small popula- 
 tion ; and thus gave a vast impulse to the general prosperity of the 
 country. Nor did this expenditure add much to the burdens of the 
 people, being chiefly borne by the mother-country, while the inhabi- 
 tants of the United States were grievously oppressed by taxation, and 
 tiius directly punished for their cngernv;:s to engage in war, and covet- 
 ing their neighbors' lands, while millions of acres of their own territory 
 lay waste. 
 
 But, the most extraordinary feature of this war, was the course pur- 
 sued by the great bulk of the Americans who, aside from the I;, K. 
 Loyalists, had emigrated to Canada. To their honor, be it said, they 
 nobly adhered to their oath of allegiance, willingly enrolled themselves 
 ill the militia, and gallantly aided to stem the tide of invasion. It i^ 
 true that a few Americans joined the armies of the United States, but 
 so also did persons of British origin. Fortunately, the aggregate num- 
 ber of traitors of all descriptions was very small, when compared with 
 the patriotic portion of the population. At the present day, the Anic- 
 
 • Aliaou's Hist. Eurofie, New York vol. i p. 482, 483. 
 
 ,.♦• 
 
1814.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 307 
 
 tics than at 
 
 rican settlers in Canarla form a large and Important t-lass of llic inliahi- 
 tants. As a ri.lo, tlu-y arc slnrcrely attadied to tlie country of their 
 adoption, and make worthy, uscfuljand ]a\v-al)iiliii£^ citizens. Nor have 
 they cause to Miisti fur the laii'l in whidi their lot has been east. Vm- 
 glishmen, liishmen, ScotehiiKMi, I'^'enchnien, and Americans, should 
 never hesitate to i\\<v. tliginselves into a Canadian pcoph-, and help to 
 build up a younfr, vi<:^or()ns, and gallant nation in the valley of the St, 
 Lawrence, and along the liorders of our inland seas. Whether at the 
 Crystal Palace (;f London, at the Paris Ivihibition, at the iStoek 
 Exchanges of the Old World, or in any other part of the globe, no man 
 need ever blush to be called a Canadian, (lallant in war, honest in 
 peace, enterprising in trade and commerce, \\i\ tread " i\-vo soil" as a 
 free people. If wo have not the wealth of I^ngland, neither have we its 
 landed oligarchy, to crusli down the industi'ial classes; it" we lack the 
 population and cotton lields of the ('nited States, we also lack its rab- 
 ble and its slaves. Not a single national stigma rests on Cannda. 'J'hc 
 course of its prosperity rolls on as steadily and as smoothly, as the cur- 
 rent of the noble river, that forms its great highway to the ocean. 
 
 Another war with the Cnited States is a very improbable contin- 
 gency. U the Northern States sought to acquire Canada to make half 
 a dozen new free states, the South would never give its consent. If 
 the Southern States desired to make this a slave soil, the people of 
 Canada would scorn to submit to such a hite. An indepcndiint nation- 
 ality, or, what is still more probable, a continued connexion with the 
 mother-country, on the present easy and mutual advantageous relations, 
 is evidently the destiny of Canada. We would lose immensely by 
 becoming a portion of the United States. Our import revenue would 
 go to the General Government, instead of to purposes of public im- 
 provement as at present ; our Legislature would dwindle into insigni- 
 ficance in the shade of Congress ; and our commercial system would 
 be wholly tributary to that of New York. Taxation, at the same time, 
 would increase, while we would be completely involved in the slavery 
 agitation, and in many other evils, from which we are now hapi)ily 
 exempt. 
 
308 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1815. 
 
 CIIAPTEll XVI. 
 
 . * ,v 
 
 LOWER CANADA FROM LS15 TO 1S2S. 
 THE OOVEHNMENT OF STll GEORGE IMtEVOST, CONTIXrED. 
 
 The Legislature of Lower Canada assoniblcd on the 21st of January, 
 
 and j\[r. I'anct having l)con called to the I'pper House, Louis 
 
 1815. J. Papineau was elected speaker of the Assembly. Among 
 
 the measures of the latter was a grant of .C'J'j.OOO for making 
 
 the Lachin(i Canal ; another of .i'lOOO per amuim, as a salary to their 
 
 Speaker; and a third grant to Joseph Houchette, Surveyor-(iencral of 
 
 the province, to assist him in publishing his maps and topography ot 
 
 Canada. The question of having an agent in Kngland was also taken 
 
 lip, and an address voted to the Govcrnni', requesting him to procure 
 
 the Prince Pegent's sanction to the measure. It was also determined 
 
 to "orosecute their impeachment of Chief Justices Sewell and j\lonk, 
 
 anva as this could only be done in England, the appointment of judges 
 
 entii'ely resting with the linperial Government, the necessity ot having 
 
 an agent there became more pressing. 
 
 While the attention of the Assembly was thus occupied, a message 
 from the Governor, on the 1st of T'Jarch, oflieially announced the con- 
 elusion of peace. Accordingly, the embodied militia v/eie immediate- 
 ly disbanded, olTicers receiving a gratuity of eighty days' pay. Provi- 
 sion was also made for a pension of six pounds per annum to eaeii 
 militia-man, rendered incapable by M'ounds of earning a livelihood. A 
 small gratuity was likewise given to the widows and orphans (jf such as 
 had been killed during the war, and an address voted to the Crown, re- 
 commending that donations of land should be made to the embodied 
 and other militia, who had been engaged in actual service. The returns 
 for the year ending January Otli, showed that the public revenues of 
 the preceding twelve-month amounted to £204,r)r)0, the expenditure 
 to £107,250 currency. Of the latter sum £111,451 sterling had been 
 absorbed by military expenses, £5474 went to I'jipcr Canada as its 
 proportion of the customs' duties; £339 defrayed the expenses of the 
 recent general election, £3003 those of Uie Legislature. 
 
1815.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 309 
 
 The business of tho session having been cotnpletod, the House was 
 prorogued by the (lovcrnor on tlu^ "JSth of March. After alluding 
 to the liberality of the Assembly, ainl the fortunate establislimont of 
 peace, he stated bricOy that he had received the eoinnjands of the 
 I'rinee llegsnt to return to Kngland, " for tiie purposi' of repelling ac- 
 cusations, aflecting his military character," prefeni.d by ("oininodorc 
 Vco, with regard to the loss of the fleet on Lake Cliamplain. He 
 concluded by paying a well-inoriled compliment to the people of 
 (Janada, for the zeal and loyalty they had manifested during his ad- 
 ministration. 
 
 J'rior to his departure on the .'Jrd of April, Sir r.oorge Prevost 
 received addresses from the French citizens of Montreal and (iiiebee, 
 couched in the most flattering terms. With the ihn'ish minority of 
 Lower Canada he was not, however, by any means popular. I lis con- 
 cessions to the French-Canadian majority, had caused them to ri'gard 
 him with the utmost dislike, and his want of success at Sackett's liar- 
 bor and Plattsburg, was eagerly seized upon by the press to lower 
 him in the pui)lic estimation. A . aim review of all the points at issue, 
 while it leads to the conclusion that I'revost was not a great military 
 genius, must accord him the merit of much jiolitieal sagacity and wis- 
 dom. ILi efiectually united a ])opulation ot diniirent origin and an- 
 tagonistic feeling in defence of their common ('oiintrej and thus pre- 
 served Canadian nationality through a period of the greatest danger. 
 In his conduct towards tho Habitants, ho ]>ursiied tho same line of 
 policy followed by Cxenoral ^[urray and Lord ])orchester, to ])oth of 
 whom the Lower I'rovince was largely indebted. I lis bodily health, 
 naturally delicate, was seriously injured by the hanlships of his over- 
 land journey from (Quebec to the sea-board, jiart of which was jteribrm- 
 ed on foot, and the an.xiety of mir 1 consequent on his unpleasant posi- 
 tion, lie died on the I'ith of J; iiiiary, iSl('», deeply regretted by his 
 family and friends. 
 
 THE GOVKllXMEXT OF Sill (iORDOX niU'MMOXD. 
 
 Lieutenant-General Drummond, with whom the reader is already 
 well acquainted, assumed charge of the government of Lower Canada 
 on the departure of Sir George Prevost. J lis first measure of impor- 
 tance, was the redemption of the Army Bills issued during the war. 
 These had passed ei]ually current with gold and silver, aud were now 
 honorably paid off. In the United States matters w(>re very dillerent. 
 Their paper money, of the same nature, had greatly depreciated in 
 value, and thus caused much confusion and loss. 
 
310 
 
 TTIE fllSTOUY 
 
 [IBIG. 
 
 •.' V 
 
 1 1- 
 
 Tlio TiCffislaturo of flio i)rovliico ntjain mot on the tiCith of 
 181G. .liinuivry. In liis opcniiii,' s[)(!L'rh, tho (lovcrnor, after alliniiii^ to 
 his own birlh in Montreal, the itHiisjiosiiion of (Jeoriic III., tho 
 ])attlo. of Waterloo, and the necessity of renewinjj; the niililiii aet about 
 to expire, rocomniendod tho lloiiso to revive the alien net# Tho pond 
 feeling', manifested by tliO address in reply, was of l)rief duration. On 
 the ;)nd of Fobrnary, the Assembly were, eoinpletely astounded by n 
 rnefisagc from the (Jovernor, slatin^f that the impeachment preferrecJ 
 against SewcU and Monk hail been dismissed by tin- I'rinee lu'v'ent. 
 lUil the Assend)ly were not to be so easily foiled. On the •^•itli, tlu-y 
 decided, by resc)|uli(jn, to petition the Crown for permission to b» 
 allowed to substantiate- their eharj^es ajrainst tho Chief rinstices. The 
 Home (jiovomnient, anfieipatinj^ a course of this kind, had instruc- 
 ted tho (lovernor to dissolve tho Assembly, if it persisted in its 
 liostility to the judifes. He accordingly j)roi'0£,'ued the Jfonse on tlic 
 ^iOth, and writs werc^ at onco issued for a now election. The old meiu- 
 bers were returned with a few exceptions. Meanwhile, ISir John 
 Sherbrookc had boon appointed Governor-in-chief of Canada. (Jenerai 
 ],)rummond departed for En*,'!and on tho 1st of May ; and, on the '^Ist 
 of the following duly, the now (Governor arrived at Quebec. 
 
 'i 
 
 ■■*j;"f 
 
 titt: government of sn: joun coaph suehbrooke. 
 
 Sir John Shorbrcoko had conducted the public business of Nova 
 Scotia with much tact and dexterity, and his Canadian reign opened 
 with an augury of success. Early frosts had destroyed the preceding 
 •wheat crop, and famine threatened several parishes : but the Governor 
 took prompt and eflleiont measures to avert the evil, and from thonce- 
 forth became a favorite wi.li the people. 
 
 The Home (jovornment was still resolute in its determination to 
 support the Chief -lustices, although by this time aware that the recent 
 election had proved adverse to their wishes. But Lord Bathurst, the 
 Colonial Secretary, did not by any means find Sherbrookc as pliant a 
 tool as his predecessor. While he avowed himself prepared to cxecuto 
 the strongest measures tho ministers of the crown might deem proper, 
 he plainly stated the hopelessness of any attempt of this nature, owing 
 to tho groat unpopularity of Sewell with the majority of all classes, 
 asked for specific instructions, in case the new Assembly should again 
 take up the matter of the judges, and broadly hinted the sounder policy 
 of permitting the impeachment to have been fairly tried, instead of co- 
 vertly quashing it in the Privy Council. 
 
 These representations con vine-. J the Colonial Oflice, that it could no 
 
1810.1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 311 
 
 longer support tlu! judges openly against the ourn-nt of popular opinion, 
 and the Governor was instructed to pursue n temporising course, and 
 conoiliiito liio liuinan Catholic cli'rgy. IJiit In- speedily undeceived 
 Lord Miitlnirst Ity inforniinLf liini that the latter wore fully as hostile to 
 Scwell as the other elasM's. 'I'u his inlluenco in thi- I,('i,'i>lati\e ('(tuncil, 
 was ascribed the fre(iuent opposiiion it gave to the inea^iures of the As- 
 sonihly. lie was also ri'garded as an enemy to projects of pnhlic in)- 
 provetnent, and his arbitrary conduct in rcfusin;^ a writ of Habeas 
 Corpus to H (lard, had made a most unfavorable impression against 
 him in the pul)lie mind. The Ciovernor advised the Colonial Olliee to 
 compromise by permillin;^^ the Assembly to appoint an agent in l'"iig- 
 land ; or by detaching Mr. fStuart, the ])rincipal I'Uemy ol the judges in 
 the House, from the opposition party, by giving him olliee. Jlealso 
 recommended that the Sjieakerof the Assembly should be cr oj/icio u 
 member of the I^xecuiivu Council. • 
 
 Mr. l*apineau was chosen Speaker of the now Assembly, 
 
 1817. which met on the 15th of .January. 'l"he (jovernor's speech 
 was courti;ously responded to, and the House at once took mea- 
 sures to release him from the responsibility he had incurred, in making 
 advances to the extent of £14,"il(> for the relief of the distressed districts. 
 A sum of £15,500 was appropriated in addition for the same purpose, 
 and i.'20,000 were also voted for distribution in small loans to industri- 
 ous farmers, to enable them to purchase seed for the ciisning Spring 
 sowing. As the session progressed Mr. Stuart was completely fuiled 
 by government intrigue, in his endeavor to revive the impeachment of 
 the judges. The Assembly decided to postpone the consideration of 
 the (piestion by a vote of 22 to 10. They also agreed to the proposi- 
 tion of the Governor, to pay the Speakers of both houses the very 
 large salary of £1000 per annum each, during the present parliament. 
 Chief Justice SewcU was the Speaker of the Legislative C imcil : and 
 his friends thus dexterously managed to reward him lor the trouble 
 his impeachment had caused him. Mr. Stuart was so disgusted by the 
 course of the Assembly, that he retired to Montreal, and did not again 
 appear in public life till appointed Attorney General towards the close 
 of Lord Dalhousie's administration. 
 
 In opening the ensuing session of the Legislature, the Gover- 
 
 1818. nor stated, that the measures taken to avert the threatened fa- 
 mine had been attended with the happiest consequences, lie 
 
 also informed the Assenibly. that its former offer to defray the expenses 
 of the Civil List had been accepted by the Home GovernmenL.* This 
 
 * At thia period tho public iucomc ef Lower Canada arose from three sources : 
 
312 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1818 
 
 » . . .■ r ' 
 
 intelligence j^avc the <Troatcst satisfaction to the morn bcrs, by whom 
 the settlement of the Provincial Civil List, and the control of the public 
 expenditure, had ]on;f been desired. 
 
 The duties levied by the Imperial Government, on imports into Can- 
 ada, had Iteen ibi.nd wholly inadequate to defray the necessary civil 
 expenditure, and prior to l^l'Z the deficiency had usually to be 
 made up from the military chest. Subsecjuent to that period, the unap- 
 propriated reveiuies of the province had been taken for this purpose, 
 and as their expenditure was unauthorised by the Assembly, the Impe- 
 rial Government was in its debt for the sum of £1*20,000 sterling. This 
 condition of things was fully explained to the Colonial OflJ-:e by the 
 Governor,* and as it was desirable to release the mother country from 
 this burden, consent was now given that the Assembly of Lower Can- 
 ada, should provide, in the same way as Nova Scotia, for the civil ex- 
 penditure, by an animal vote of supplies.f In conceding this privilege, 
 however, Lord liathnrst pressed it especially on the Governor's atten- 
 tion, that the concurrence of the Legislative Council should be neces- 
 sary to the validity of all money bills ; and, that in all grants for the 
 payment of clergymen's salaries, the Protestant church should be first 
 considered. J 
 
 The estimates for the civil list, sent down at a late period of the sos- 
 
 fk 
 
 1st. Till! rroini ihitirx, li'vicd under the Britisli statute of the 1-t Geo. III., or 
 tlic itnperuil act of 3 Geo. IV. 
 
 2ih1. Provlneial duties, pnyaLlc in virtue of local laws, proceeding immediately 
 from the provincial legislature, or rendered permanent without their consent, by 
 the lad-montioncd imperial act. 
 
 Old. Tlic (iueeu's casual and territorial roveuuo, which arises from her Majes- 
 ty's landed projierty ; namely, the Jesuit's estates, the Queen's posts, the forges 
 of St. ^tlaurico, the Queen's wharf, droit de quents, lods and vents, land fund, and 
 timber fund. 
 
 With respect to crown duties, levied under 1-1 Geo. III., until they were 
 surrendered in 1831, they were, with the territorial revenue, controlled and dii- 
 penscd by her Majesty's responsible servants, wliile those levied under the impe- 
 rial act of Geo. IV., and all provincial acts, have always been under the disposal 
 of the legislature. As tlie crown duties, levied under 14 Geo. III., had generally, 
 if not always, been inadequate to the support of tlie civil government and the 
 administration of justice, Sir John Sherbrooke was instructed, in pursuance of 
 the general system of retrenchment adopted tliroughout the em|iirc, to call upon 
 the legislature to appropriate, out of the Provincial duties, a sum equal to the 
 annual deficiency. Bubbles of Canada, p. 75, 'ze. 
 
 * Sherbrookc's letter to Bathurst, March 18th, 181*7. 
 
 f Bathurst to Sherbrooke, August 31st, 1817. 
 
 X Bathurst's letter to Sherbrooke, September, 8tb, 1817. 
 
 , ♦■ 
 
1818.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 31 
 
 «> 
 
 sioii ainountoJ to £70,G40 currency, while (he revenue derived from 
 the impcriiil duties, salo of crown hxiuls, &c., was only i!;};>,,'>8o, leaving' 
 a balance to be provided lor by the Assembly, lor the current year, of 
 £43,203. This sum was voted after a long debate : but it was resolve<i 
 that next session the estinnite shuuld be gi\en in un-ler detailed heads, 
 and not in total, and provided lor by bill, in order to place it on a more 
 constitutional Iboting.* 
 
 Governor Sherbrooke's colonial experience made liini dislike re 
 maining in Canada, where he saw that the shulUing policy of nrmisters 
 must sooner or later cause dllliculties. His failing health, also, had 
 tended to make him request his recall, lie left Canada on the I'ith of 
 August, after having received the most gratilying addresses from all 
 quarters. 
 
 THE GOVEUX^IEIS'T OF Till: DUKE OF ]{ICJr:\IOXD. 
 
 L4 Geo. III., 01 
 
 The rank of the Duke of Richmond, as well as the fact, that he had 
 already administered the government of Ireland, cause<l his arrival in 
 Canada, on the 29th of July, to be hailed with gratification by the pub- 
 lic, lie was accompanied out by his son-in-law. Sir Peregrine !Mait- 
 land, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. 
 
 The Duke's popularity was destined to be of VL.ry brief duration. 
 The fact that the annual estimate embraced a provision 
 1819. of £8000 sterling, to be granted in perpetuity as a pension fund, 
 and was besides £15.000 larger than that of the prccetilng year, 
 brought him speedily into unpleasant collision with the Assembly. In • 
 a committee of the whole they fixeil the salaries of all jjublie func- 
 tionaries, from the Governor downwai'ds, with the exception of those for 
 what were deemed useless offices, which were struck olf altogether. A 
 bill was next introduced specifying tlu,' items of public cxnenditure, and 
 making provision for them in detail. This bill was duly i)assed, but 
 rejected by the Upper House, on the ground that the Assembly by spe- 
 cifying salaries in detail, trenched on the prerogative of tiie Crown. lu 
 other words the monstrous and unconstitutional principle was sought 
 to be established, that the executive had a riglit to appoint what officers 
 it pleased, at such salaries as it pleased, and that it was the duty of the 
 Assembly to pay the estimates without enquiry. If this procedure of 
 the Legislative Council was tamely ac<|uiesced in, it was plain that the 
 executive must have it all their own way, and that public economy 
 need not be looked for. 
 
 Christie, vol 2, p. 301. 
 
314 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1819. 
 
 <• . » ki -' 
 
 V---- 
 
 1 
 
 Beyoni] voting £,^,000 to enable the government to survey lands, to 
 be grantcil to the militia who had served actively during the war, little 
 business of importance was trans.vetc^d during the remainder of the ses- 
 sion. The House was prorogued by the (governor on the 24th of April 
 in terms of censure, in consequence of their not having made provision 
 for the civil list, nor reformed the judicature act, which it was consi- 
 dered allowed too much latitude to judges, ami thus gave rise to great 
 public dissatisfaction. In addition to Sewell and Monk, two other 
 judges, IJedard and Foucher, had been impeached for mal-practiccs. 
 But, owing ehieily to the dilliculty of a prosecution, nothing further 
 was efl'ected in either case. Shortly after the session had ter.Tiinated, 
 the Duke drew upon the Receiver General, on his own responsibility, 
 for the sum necessary to defray the civil list. 
 
 The decrease in the value of agricultural produce, and the complete 
 destruction of its linen trade, owing to the jealoun enactments of the 
 Briiish Parliament, and the general introduction of spinning and wcav- 
 hig machinery into England, reduced the now rapidly increasing poor 
 population of Ireland to a deplorable condition. A large'' emigra- 
 tion to Canada accordingly took place during the Summer of this year, 
 A considerable number of persons came also from England and Scot- 
 and, swelling up the total to 12,434, many of whom were in a state of 
 destitution, and drew^ largely npon the charity of the benevolent. 
 
 Owing to the death of the Duke of Richmond,* on the 27th of 
 August, while on a tour of inspection through Upper Canada, the 
 .idministration of government devolved upon Mr. Monk, who 
 ■ j 1820. thought proper to dissolve the Assembly, on the 9th of February, 
 in conscfiuence of its refusal to vote the amount necessary for 
 the civil list. The election as usual resulted unfavorably for the Exe- 
 cutive. Papineau was again chosen Speaker, but the Assembly refused 
 to do business on the ground that the member for Gaspe had not yet 
 been returned, and that their body was therefore incomplete. Matters 
 remained in this state till the 24th of April, when ofTicial intelligence 
 arrived of the death of George III., and Sir Peregrine Maitland, who had 
 meanwhile been appointed to the temporary charge of the province, 
 accordingly dissolved the House. 
 
 THE goveiinm]':nt of tife earl of daliiousie. 
 On ihe 18th of June, Lord Dalhouse, promoted from the L'cutenant- 
 
 * The Duke's death was caused by the Liio of a tamo fox, not suspected to be in 
 a rabid state, with ^vhicli lie was amusing iiiiiiself. This event occurred at Rich- 
 mond, on the Oltawn, where the Duke also died. 
 
i620.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 SI 5 
 
 Govornorship of Nov.a Scotia, to be Governor-in-chlcf of Canada, and the 
 rest of British North Aniorica, arrived at Quebec to assume charge of 
 the administration. The general election took place immediately after- 
 wards, and was particnlarjy distinguished by an al)lc speech from Mr. 
 Pa[)inoau, at the hustings, to the voters of the west ward of Afontreal, 
 in which lie contrasted, in forcibl:^ o.id appropriate language, ti.e happy 
 condition of the inhnbitnnts under British sovereignty with what it 
 had been in the old days of French dominion, "'i'hen," yaid he, "trade 
 was monopolised by privileged companies, public and private property 
 often pillaged, personal liberty daily violated, and the iidiabitants drag- 
 ged year after year, fro in their liomes and families, to shed their blood from 
 the shares of the great lakes — from the banks of the Mississippi and the 
 Ohio, to Nova Scotia, Newlbuiidland, and FTudson's Hay. Now reli- 
 gious toleration, trial by jury, the Act of Habeas Corpus, afford le- 
 gal and equal security to all, and we need submit to no other laws but 
 those of our own making. All these advantages have become our birth- 
 right, and shall Miopo be the, lasting inheritance of our posterity. To 
 secure them let ns only act a^^ British subjects and t\Q(} men.'' 
 
 The new parliament met* on the 14lh of December, and was imme- 
 diately disturbed by a quarrel between its two branches, owing to 
 the maimer in which the su[)[)ly bill was voted by the Lower IIouso, 
 which now made voluntary provision for the pension list, though not em- 
 braced in the estimate. The Ijcgislative Council contended, that this list 
 had already been permanently provided for, and not being included by 
 the Executive, the Assembly had no right to assume its control. In sup- 
 port of this position, the I'pper IIouso agreed to a series of standing 
 orders, to the effect, that they would not entertain any supply bill which 
 should not be applied for, and recommended, by the King's represen- 
 tative J nor proceed upon any bill of appropriation for ihe civil list 
 specifying the expenditure by chapters or items, unless such appropria- 
 tion extended durinc the life of the reiyniny sovereign. 
 
 Thus the breach widened between the two branches of the Legislature. 
 The Ipper House, chiefly composed of members of British origin, who 
 were mostly government dependents, took a position more and more in 
 favor of centralising all real power in the Executive, and so secure for 
 its members, place and pension, while the popular branch, from the very 
 r.i'ture of its formation, leaned to a greater constitutional f\\ odom, a 
 purer administration, and an economical use of the public monies. 
 
 Hitherto, the Crown lands >f the jirovince, had been granted 
 
 'IS21. to favorites of government in the most prodigal maimer. 
 
 •During the ensuing session of the Legislature, this circumstance 
 
316 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1S2L 
 
 
 r 
 
 . 1 
 
 was made the subject of investigation, and enormous abuses brought 
 to light. Enquiry was also made inio the conduct of the Jieeeiver 
 Genei'al of the province, an oflicer aj)pointed by the Crown, and who 
 was suspected to be larg-jly a defaulter, lie wr. . extensively concerned 
 in the lumber-trade, and the possession of the provincial monies by ;i 
 person engaged in commerce, was a source of much dissatisfaction to 
 the mercantile community. The payment of members of the House 
 was again discussed, and negatived in committee. An attempt was 
 likewise made to do away uilh several useless offices, and to compel the 
 Lieutenant-Governor of the province, who drew a salary from it of 
 .i'1500 sterling, to reside in Canada instead i>i in England. Appropri- 
 ations were granted for several [uiblic purposes ; an)ong the rest, one to 
 constru-^t the Lachine Canal at the expense of the province, the incor- 
 porated company surrendering its privilege. As the disagreement still ex- 
 isted between the two houses, no provision was made for the payment 
 of the civil list. (Jovernment, fuiding itself in jvi unpleasant predica- 
 ment, had in the earlier |;art of the session ii. ide a concession to the 
 Lower House by calling ra()ineau to the Executive Council; but was^ 
 nevertheless, unable to carry out its views. * 
 
 Meanwhile, the province had been steadily progressing. The introduction 
 of steamers on the St. Lawrence and the great lakes, had given a vast 
 impetus to trade. Emigrants had rapidly crowded in, and the Eastern 
 Townshi|)s now contained a population as large as that of all Canada 
 ut the Conquest. The revenue had increaSv,'d to £L")0.000 ; the Lachine 
 and Kideau Canals, great public works, were in progress, and the general 
 condition of the country on the whole prosperous. At the same lime 
 party spirit had taken firm hold of the community, owing to the ditFer- 
 ence of origin, the arbitrary conduct of the Executive, and the 
 quarrels v.hich ori5rinated in the Legislature. Confident in their prow- 
 ess, a desire for a distinct nationality began to take firm hold of the 
 Franco-Canadian mind, owing to the intrigues chiefly of the popular 
 leaders, who saw in " La Xadon Cmiadienne " an accession to the 
 place and power, denied thorn under existing circumstances. The Bri.ish 
 minority could not divest themselves of the idea that the French Cana- 
 dians were a conquered people, that they alone had the right to govern, 
 and chafed at their want of legislative innuence. Tiiis feeling, as time 
 progressed, became more and more intense, and displayed itself in a 
 variety of ways, nearly ■ !'. equally offensive to the other party, and 
 tending to unite them s^.il more closely in their di>like to everything 
 British. The bulk of the Hahilants were wholly nnedueated — seveial 
 members even of the Assembly conid not write : they thus be- 
 came the mere tools of the better inlormed and designing, who tbund 
 
 , »• 
 
1821.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 317 
 
 it tlioir interest to foster their inilioiial prejudices, and make the mass 
 of the people more completely French every day. The truth of Mr. 
 Fo.\'.s stiitenient, " tlint it woulil be wiser to unite still more closely 
 the two races than separate them,'' became more an<l more apparent as 
 time progressed. As tiiinjfs ncjw stood, if an l'jiij;lishman, or Irishman, 
 or Scotchman, aspired to a seat in tlie Assembly, he had to divest him- 
 self of his national prejndice , learn the French language, and become 
 a Frenchman to all inients aid purposes. 
 
 While matters remainetl in this unsatisfactory condition, adis- 
 182"2. pnte arose with I pper ('auada, v.lileh now claimed a larger 
 portion of the import duties than it had hitlr'rto received. 
 This dispute, in conmction with the quarrels of the Lower Canadian 
 Legislature, and the tendency to independence, now manifesting itself, 
 determined the huperial I'arliament to interfere. A bill was brought 
 in there whieh provided to" the union of the two provinces ■, conceded 
 all that Cppi'i* Canada had asked for; and made the I'^xecntive, to a 
 certain extent, independent of the Assembly, as regardei.l an annual vote 
 of sup[ilies. J'liis bill prevented the Legislature of Lower Canada 
 from imposing new iluties on imported goods, unless with the consent 
 of the Parliament of the Fpper Province, or that of the Crown. It also 
 contained the very important firovision of permitting fiarties to com- 
 mute, by transaction with the Crown, the seignorial tenure into free and 
 cor.imon soccage. With exception of the clause [ircniding for the 
 union of the provinces, omitlcd till tlie sense of the inhabitants should 
 bo ascertained, it passed into law, and became known as the " Canada 
 Tra.^e Act." 
 
 When the project of a nnion was puhlishcd in this country, it caused 
 very great excitement. The inhabitants of British origin generally, 
 were strongly in llivor of the [iroposal, wliile those of French descent, 
 wore as decidedly opposed to it. Public meetings were, held l)y both 
 parties, at which resolutions I'ov and against tli' measure v.ere adopl.'di 
 and petitions were dratted accordingly, and forwardrd to the Imperial 
 Parliament. The French Canadians dreaded the total lo.ss of their as- 
 condrncy in (he province, and deprecated the project as one of bad faith ; 
 while the Anglo-'"anadians, on the other hand, denounced this very 
 iisccndency as retarding the prosfieiity of the comiti'y, as productive 
 of anti-15riti.'-h feeling, and tending to cluck the growth of international 
 commerce. 1"he signatures and crosses aj»pi.nded to the anli-uuion pe- 
 tition, taken to L^ngland by John Neilson and Louis J. Papincau, 
 amounted to sixty thor.sand. J;imes Stuart carried Ik. me the [letitions 
 of the unltmists. From this agitation the Governor wisely held wholly 
 aloof. 
 
318 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1823. 
 
 I' I ' 
 
 i 
 
 Thoroughly alarmed by the projected union, which was gcno- 
 1833. rally regarded as a cooroivo measure, the Assembly came to- 
 gether, on the 10th of January, in a much more tractable spirit. 
 After electini^ Mr, Villiors as their Sj)eaker in room of Papinean, who 
 still remained in England, the jjroposcd union of tlie provinces was 
 taken into consideration, and rcsolntions passed against it by a majority 
 of fifteen to five. On these rcsolntions were based petitions to the Im- 
 perial Parliamciit and the (y'rown, whifh were transmitted to l'a|)inean 
 and Neilson fijr presentation. Sir Francis N. IJurton, the liientcnant 
 Governor, having arrived in the meantime, his salary was increased 
 from £ir)00 to £;>000 sterling. Th • claims of the Eastern Townships 
 to ft more equal representation, and the establishment of convenient 
 courts of jnstice therein, were taken into consideration. The new district 
 of St. Francis was accordingly erected, and a judge appointed to it with 
 an inferior jurisdiction. ACouit of Quarter Sessions was also estab- 
 lished in these Townships. The great difficulty of the Assembly was 
 the question of a representation in their own body. The Eastern 
 Townships were nearly all settled by persons of British origin, and if 
 formed into counties their representatives must necessarily be opposed in 
 opinion and feeling to French infliiL-ncc. By way of compromise a bill 
 was introduced giving six members to these Townships, but which, at 
 the same time. Increased the representation of the rest of the proviiico 
 so as to preserve a large anti-British majority. This bill was very 
 properly rejected by the Upper House. 
 
 The estimates for the civil list were laid before the Assembly on tlio 
 5th of February ; and after some debating agreed to, and the neces- 
 sary sums voted. Agreeable to instructions from the Home Govern- 
 ment these estimates were of two kinds; one was for the fimd over 
 ■which government claimed the entire and independent control ; the 
 other specified the more popular expenditure, for which the Assembly 
 ■was to make appropriation. Both estimates were given in detail. Se- 
 veral appropriations were also made for public' works ; pensions were 
 granted to judges Monk and Ogden ; and sums voted to the General 
 Hospital at ^Montreal, and the Jlotcl Dieu at Quebec. On the whole, 
 this session, which terminated on the 22nd of Maron, passed off satis- 
 factorily. "It only remains for me," said the Governor, in the clos- 
 ing paragraph of his speech, when proroguing the House, to ofil-r my 
 warmest thanks for your assiduous and laborious attendance. I esteem 
 the result of the session to be at once honorable to yourselves and use- 
 ful to your country. Shortly afterwards it was officially promulgated, 
 that his Majesty's government had relinquished the project of a uuiou 
 for the present. 
 
1823.] GF CANADA. 319 
 
 Owing to the total failure of the TJcceivcr General, John Caldwell, 
 for £90,117 sterling of the pulilic. money, the Executive found itself so 
 embarrassed for funds that the Legislature was called together on the 
 25th of Novemher, to devise some nuasure for its relief Caldwell 
 proposed'to surrender his private property, which he valued at X'J>'.i,000, 
 in liquidation in part of his debt ; and, if he was continued in ofllce, to 
 pay £1000 per annum until (hat portion of it which he considered due, 
 amounting to about £4r),000, was discharged. The balance he asserted 
 ought lo bo allowed liirii, as it amounted to only threi' pvr cent on the 
 whole monies passiug through his hands, tlio IJeeeiver General of Up. 
 per Canada having that allowance. No promise of this nature, how- 
 over, had ever been held out to him ; and his uU'er can only be regarded 
 as a cool piece of banki'n|it oflleial impudence. 
 
 In this light it was t'vidently viewed by the Assembly ; who, very 
 justly, wen^ averse to allowing si;ch an c:,ormous coi;)|iensation for 
 Bcrvices so dishonestly pi'rformed. Alarmed at the additional burden 
 this fiilnre must impost; upon the country, they Bought to shift its res- 
 ponsibility to the Imperial (Government, whose immediate servant Cald- 
 well was ; and establish the sum dedcii-nt as a debt due from it to the 
 province. As they had no control whatever over the llecciver General, 
 who never accounted to them directly or indirectly, the correctness of 
 their position can scai'cely be doubted. It had long been known that 
 Caldwell was likely to prove a defaulter ; and in allowing him to retain 
 oflice under those circumstances, the government had been guilty of a 
 gross dereliction of duty, and was promptly puii.died by the manner 
 in which the occurrence strengthened the hands of ilic Assembly, 
 
 The estimates for the civil list were not laid before the IIouRe 
 1824. till a late period of the session. In going through its details 
 twenty-five per cent were deducted from the salaries of all ])ublic 
 officials, beginning with the Governor, and other measures adopted 
 equally unsatisfactory to the TiCgislative Council, who at once rejected 
 the bill. The Governor now called upon the Assembly to refund tho 
 advances he had made, from the military chest, to the IJeceiver General 
 in 1823-3. This they refused to do on the ground that it was merely 
 a loan of accommodation to the latter, then known to be a defaulter, and 
 whom, instead of thus sustaining, it was the duty of the Executive to 
 have at once removed. As the session progressed, some discussion 
 took place on the claim put forward by the United States to the free 
 navigation of the St. Lawrence, which was steadily resisted. An offer 
 from Upper Canada to raise the tariff on importations was also taken 
 into consideration, and rejected on the ground, that owing to the unfa- 
 vorable state of commerce it would not be advisable to levy ne\r 
 
320 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1824. 
 
 I ' 
 
 1 '^^ 
 
 taxes. An address was voted to the Crown praying the dcvlsion of the 
 Clergfy Reserves of the province among all I'roteslnnt donomiiiaiions ; 
 which emanating entirely from. Roman Caiholi(;s gave great olfeiico to 
 members of the Church of I'^iiiihind, who rogai led the ste[) as an im- 
 proper interference with their concerns. After the tran'^actian of some 
 Other business the Legislatnre was prorogued on th(! Dili of March. No 
 provision had been made for the civil list, and several important mat- 
 ters otherwise left in a very nnsatisfactory state. 
 
 On the Olh of Jnne, Lord Dalhnusie, having received leave of ab. 
 sence, departed for England, leaving Sir Francis Hurton, the Lieutenant 
 Governor to conduct the administration. The general cleetinn took 
 place in July and August, and increased rather than diminished the 
 Anti-Exeeutive \nu'iy in the Assembly. Very few members of British 
 origir. were returned, and of these some were opposed to the extrenio 
 monarchical vit'ws of the Executive. In the fiCgislative Couiieil, CalJ. 
 well, the defaulter, was still permitted to retain his seat, a very 
 questionable policy, and clearly showing how lightly the government 
 regarded the enormous peculation of wliieh he had been convicted. 
 
 The new Assembly met on the 8th of January, and, after 
 1825. choosing Mr. Papincau as its Speaker, proceeded to take into 
 considerali<ni the exi'edienny of having judges rendered more 
 independent by apjiointing them for life, instead of during the pleasure 
 of the Crown as was then the case, and, also by preventing them fi-om 
 sitting in the Legislative or Executive Council, a measure which would 
 wholly remove them from the influence of government. Hut no rle- 
 eided measiu'cs on this head were adopted. 'Jho eitimates were this 
 time laid before the Assembly without any distinction being made be- 
 tween the appropriated funds of the Crow.., ?";d the sum required from 
 the House to make np the deficiency. This seemed to be a tacit sur- 
 render of the Crown revenues to the control of the Assembly, an ad- 
 vantage it had long de.-ired to acquire, and which placed the Executive 
 completely at its mercy. It subsequently appeared, however, that the 
 Lieutenant Governor was neither auihori^;cd, nor intended, to make any 
 concession of the kind. Postponing the use of the new power they 
 supposed themselves to have acquired, the Assembly voted the entire 
 sum necesary for the civil lift without spocifiying details, and in this 
 shape, also, the bill passed the I'jiper House. Here two members 
 strongly opposed it on the ground, that the practice of the IlritiJi Coni- 
 iMons should be followed, namely, to fix the amount of the civil li;t ;it 
 the beginning of each reign, and then to grant th'^ same for the life of 
 the sovereign ; new items of expenditure only ' ■ be made the sub- 
 ject of a yearly vote. Placing public scrvanli^ ■umually, they also 
 
 ..»• 
 
i825.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 321 
 
 urgod, at the mercy of tho Assembly, had a rliroct tcndcnry to repub- 
 licanism. The bill was likcwiso disapproved of by f>iord Uatiiiirst, the 
 Colonial Secretary. In Canada, however, tho results of the session 
 gave very general satisfac^tion. 
 
 Lord Dalhonsie, having returned from England, opened the 
 
 182(5. next sessi<^n of parliament en the 2lst of January ; and pur- 
 suant to his instruelions, Itiid the estimates belore the Assembly 
 in two elasses, as had beeti done before his departure. This produced 
 a good deal of indignation among the members, who persisted in their 
 determination to vote the supply bill as they had done the preceding 
 ficssion, and which, in this form, was now rejected by the Upper House. 
 The usual grants, however, were made for public works, schools, &c., 
 and were accepted by the other House and the (tovernor. A census 
 made during the prceding year, l)y vote cif t'uo Legislature, gave the 
 popiilatioii of the province as tvJiMSiJO souls. 
 
 The next session of the Legislature was still more stormy, 
 
 18'2T. The Home Government adhered to its determination to retain 
 disposal of the Imperial revenues, while the Assembly were 
 equally resolute in their purpose to obtain their contn^l, Hoth parties 
 had gone too far to recede ; and the Freneh-Canadian leaders, having , 
 obtained a firm hold on the minds of the simple Habitants, now plainly 
 desired the establishment of an independent nationality for their coun- 
 try, and to favor that object sough' to push the government to an ex 
 trcnie p<">sitiou, and render it as odious as possible. In this they were 
 eminently succossfid. The uneducated and unreflecting peasantry wcm 
 only too prone to regard all who did not profess their own religion, or 
 ^poak the same language as themselves, with dislike, and this feeling 
 was now sedulously directed by demagogues against everything Bri- 
 tish. The generation of the Conquest had passed away, and the exist- 
 ing one knew little of the e'> ils their fathers had been rescued from 
 The lapse of time had furnished unmistakeable evidence, how unfitted 
 Dritish statesmen were to legislate for a French population whom 
 ihoy did not understand 
 
 In the first place, a great error had been committed in not securing 
 the ultimate extinction of the French laws and language by the gradual 
 introduction of those of England, Failing in this respect, a second 
 mistake was made in altering the administration of Lower Canada from 
 a Governor and Council, with v.hieh the people were well satisfied, to a 
 popular legislature. In making that change, a third, and still greater 
 blunder was committed, in not uniting both provinces, and thus fusing 
 the British and French populations of the Canadas into one complete 
 Nvhole. The fourth error consisted in tho unconstitutional ; and in 
 
»' 
 
 1 
 
 3S2' TflE mSTORY [1827 
 
 many iustnnccs, arl)itrary conduct of tlio Executive, and the endeavor 
 to make the l'| per House represent the Hriti>h popuhuiDii, and act as 
 a check on the Lower, which was almost i-xdusively French. Tiio, 
 antagonism of the two races nii<,'ht, therefore, be said to l)e<;iii iti 
 the very liejiishitnri itself, the lii.-<t phice il should have HKide its ap- 
 pearance. The Ass(U)l>!y regarded the I'ppcr House as the embodi- 
 ment of British intolerance, pride, and exelnsivenoss — ah the standing 
 evidence of their national subJii^;alion. The L'j'fKr Housl- looked upor. 
 the Assembly as the representatives of a concjuered people, jilwiiys pre 
 pared for revolution, and desirous to free themselves from a d<>n;Iciloa 
 tl»ey detested. Hotli parties, to a certain extent, were right. 
 
 The system of gDvernmeut, adopted by the (Jolonlal Departiiinit, 
 led to the almost total exclusion of the Freiieh-tanadians of talent from 
 office; and, thus, made the very men whose supiiiM't was most (K sir 
 able the bitterest enemies of the Executive. The .Miass of the fieople 
 luvd literally no njind whatever of their own. They know little of ordi- 
 nary polities, absolutely nothing of abstract theories of government, iuul 
 wcrecomi)letelv at the beck of the drsi^iiiii<r and better educated orolos- 
 sional men of their several neigboihootJs, who were again sw;iycd ii; 
 turn by the crafty and visionary men of talent of the Pajiineau school. 
 The administration of Sir Georf^ T^revost showed clearly what could be 
 done by admitting the l''ranco-( i" '.in leaders to the confidence of tht, 
 administration, and treating the i i Drilisih subjects, not as conquered 
 Frenchmen. 
 
 In shorr, the government of C; •"'. was one contimu^d blunder from 
 the day in which Andierst signed ' capitulation of Montreal to the 
 union of the provii ^-^s. At the present moment, we are paying the 
 penalty of British legislative folly, in luiying to anglicise a French po 
 pulation of three-quarters of a niillion ; whereas, at the time of tlw 
 Conquest the operation had only to be performed on seventy tliousaml 
 souls. How much more sensibly did tlie Americans act when thov 
 acauired Louisiana, where their laws and language v/ere immediateU 
 introduced into the courts. Had the English laws and langunge been 
 gradually and wisely introduced into Lower Canada after the Conquest, 
 instead of the bungling manner in which the niciisure was attempted 
 to be effected, that province would now wear a very difl'crent aspect 
 from what it docs. 
 
 Finding the Assembly thoroughly untractable, the Governor for tho 
 first time resorted, in the month of July, to a dissolution. But, in 
 pursuing this course, he far \l no better than his predecessors. The Ro- 
 man Catholic clergy held wlioijy aloof from the existing agitation, and 
 ifceir influence alone could h.wo cfl'ectually served the Executive, and 
 
 ,,»• 
 
1827.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 .'123 
 
 enublod tliom to stem tho current «>f popular opinion, now so doscrvodly 
 running counter to liu'ir vii-ws, tlicir places, ainl tinir pocki'ts. 
 
 WIk!!! llic lA^j^isJiituro w.'is comvciumI in XovoniliL'r, tlii> Ass«Mnl)ly 
 once nioro diosi; Mr. I'afiiiiiau tor its Speaker. Hut the latter liad re- 
 cently spoken (lisrespeelfiilly of tlie (iovernor, who accordin^'ly i'e(usp(l 
 to I'atil'y tlu'lr elioiee. Here was anew (iillieully for wliieli lliero was 
 MO ( anadian preeedent, so tlcj House was literally non-f>hissi>(l. A 
 remonsiraneo lo till! (iiivcrMor was voted, hnt lie woidtl iii>t listen to 
 any coninuinieati"ii iVoiu the Asseinldv. until it sliould Ik- Ictrallv 
 organised l)y tlio appointinciit ot" a Spi-aker. i''ur tlin.'i! days did mat- 
 tors rt'inain in tliis unusual coii(litioii, when the (Jovernor released the 
 nioinbers from their emljarrassnu'iit, l»y seiidiii;^ them Ikjiik- for the 
 present. 
 
 The jrre.'it l)iilk of tho Ijrifisli population approve(] oftiie eourso pur- 
 sued by fjiti-d DilliDii-ie oil this oeeasioii, ai,d addresses to that efTect 
 were presented to him tVoni Montreal, tjuehce. and the Ivis'. rii Town- 
 ships. On the other hand, he was violently abused by the opposition 
 jirints, wliieh led to the commencement of sc-veral libel suits. These 
 were not afterwards prosecuted, howi'ver, owiii<^ to the departure of 
 the Governor. The closeof the year was distinguished by the endeavors 
 of the I'rosbytt'rian Church, to (/..tain a sliare of tho Clcjrgy lleservc^ 
 of the province. 
 
 Finding there was little proppcct of the Oovcrnor making 
 1828. any concessions to their demands, the Anti-Kxecutivc jiarty 
 determined to lay their grievances by petition before the Impe- 
 rial Parliament and the Ciown. These grievances were chiefly ' \sed 
 on the unconstitutional course of the Legislative Council, in throwing 
 out useful bills passed by the Lower House, on the arbitrary acts of 
 the Governor, and his expenditure »f the pidilic monies without, au- 
 thority from the Assembly. They were supported by tlic signatures 
 of 87,000 petitioners, of whom, however, only 0000 could write : the 
 remainder, like tho red men of old times when they deseended to hold 
 council at Montr, al or Quebec, made their marks ; a fact which forci- 
 bly proclaimed the want of common schools in Lower Canada twenty- 
 seven years ago. Their complaints affected TiOrd Dalhousie very lit- 
 tle. His appointment to the Government of India was not invalidated 
 thereby, and in his imperial palace at Calcutta, surrounded by princes 
 of Mohomedan and Hindoo dynasties, shorn of their power and splen- 
 dor by the servants of a commercial company, lie swayed the destinies 
 of one hundred millions of human beings from the Decern to tho Sut- 
 lege. There, a greater sovereign than any European potentate, he pos- 
 wbly forgot, for the time, his Canadian difficulties. 
 
324 THE HISTORY [1828. 
 
 Tlio increasing cmharnssmoiit of tlio administr.ition of TiOwor (.'an- 
 adtt, (JeUTUiined iho Mrilisli ministry to nlcixsc itself from ail responsi- 
 bilily in liu; prcinisos, by sul)iiiilliMH ttio rnaltiT to piirliiinitMit-. < >n tfii'lind 
 of iNfay, iMi*. lliiskissuii, now Colonial St'civtary, moved in tlic, llouso of 
 Commons tliata^i-IfoL commilk'i! of twi-nty-ono mcmboi's In; ap|>oi'itod, 
 to cni[niiu into ili(! cjivil condilion of Canada. "The A^s('ml)ly'' said 
 he, ill inirodiu'injj liis motion, '' in ordoi* to cnforco their miroasonablc 
 pretensions, have refused to appropriate any part of llie laijf'- r(>- 
 vcnuo, of which thoy have llie command, unless, also, the appropriation 
 of the ( -rown revemio be i^ivon up to them." 
 
 ]bit, (Icipite the smootli ffjozingover of the mombera of tho ministry 
 or their snpi^orlers, tin; committee, on the ^*'2:id of July, reported in 
 favor of the Canadian petition. 'I'li'-y recommended the. abolition of 
 tho scifTnorial rights of tlie Crown, llu; cstal»li^hment of new electoral 
 districts, more in accordance with the pvogre^;s of jiopulation, ai'd tho 
 surrender of the. whole of tlio puljlio revenue to tho Asscmljly ; mea- 
 sures to be taken, at tho same time, to render tho (Governor, Cxccn. 
 live Council, and the judges independent of an annual vote of supply, 
 Thoy also reported in favor ot allowing the (,'anadians t^.' have an a'^fent 
 in England, and generally endorsed tho prayer of the petitioners. Tim 
 report of thi.'i Committee of the Imperial Parliament gave great sa. 
 tisfaoiion in Lower Canada, and the AsMiembly order.-d four hundred 
 copies to be printed and dislrib\ited among their constituents. 
 
 The success which thus met the Anti-M\ecutivo party was not known 
 in Canada till the 1,5th of September, a week after the departure of 
 Lord Dalhou.ie, and who was, therefore, spared the moitilieation of 
 seeing his policy so unequivocally condemned in presence of the peo- 
 ple of his government. In JJli ;;land he subsequently endeavored to de- 
 fend the course he had pursued, but was not very successful in tho 
 attempt. A coercive policy having so fir completely failed, a concilia- 
 tory one was now determined on, and Lieutenant-(iencral Sir Jainos 
 Kempt, promoted from the government of Nova Scotia, deputed to 
 carry it out. 
 
 ,,»• 
 
1815.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 320 
 
 CllAl'TKU XVI r. 
 
 UPPKli CANAUA l-JioM l8l5 TO 1828. 
 TIIE ADMINISTIIATIOX OF FKAXcrS C.OIIK, 1N(2., (OXITNURD. 
 
 Sir (Gordon Dnimiiioiid having L. on appoinl.fil fiovornnrin-Cliiof of 
 llio (';ui;i(];i>!, llic [nibiio allaii's of llir I'ltpiT Pi'oviiici.; wrro 
 1815. direotod for a briof spaco, by (IcMUM-iils Murray and IJobiiison, 
 till the return of the Lietitenaul-(u)vcrnor, Mr. (!ori\ in liu^ lattor 
 part of 1815. Three years of warl'ire liad taii;4lil [\w pcopli! llu'. bless- 
 ings of p(>acc, and many gladly laid asido the sword, to devote tlictn- 
 selvos a ■siduously to tlielr former occupations, and re])air the losscii 
 thoy had siisiained during the pro^'ress of hostilities. IJiit the recent 
 war had indicted numerous injnries whieh the gently soothing hand of 
 time alone could alleviate. Many a brave man had gone to his last 
 account; and widows and orphans watered with ln.'ir tears the graves 
 of fathers, who would still have protected and supported them, but for 
 the invasion of their country by the pitiless Democracy of the I'liited 
 States. Canada has now little to fear, with her iiiereased population 
 and resourceis, from a second attempt of this kind. We sincerely trust, 
 however, it will never be made, and tliat the rivalry between two 
 nations of the same lineage and language — children of the same great 
 Anglo-Saxon family, will be for ever restricted to the peaceful walks of 
 commerce and agriculture. 
 
 During the early part of this year, a strong cHort was made by the 
 Home Government to direct the current of British emigration to 
 Canada. On the '^^nd of February, a proclamation was issued at 
 E'llnburgh, oiTering a free passage to emigrants of good character, a 
 grant of 100 acres of land to themselves, and a like grant to their sons 
 on coming of age. They were also to receive provisions till their crops 
 were harvested, and the necessary farming utensils at half of prime 
 cost. To prevent any abu?c of these advantages, intending emigrants 
 were obliged to deposit £10 in the government agent's hands as 
 eecurity, but which was to be returned when they had settled perma- 
 
326 
 
 THE IIISTOllY 
 
 [1815. 
 
 i 
 
 nently on tlicir grants of livDcl. Several who came on', on these con- 
 ditions \v( •■" Iccritcd in the nt'ii!;hborh'.)od of P'rth. 
 
 But the emigration was of too [lartial a character to bo of iniich 
 benefit to tlie coinitry, and it soon became a source of regret to many, 
 that government now ^-.teadily set its face against the admission of 
 settlers from the I'nitcd States, refnsing altogether to grant them h'lnds. 
 As an additidnnl measure of precaution they were not pcrmittci] to 
 tidv(! the oath of aHegiance, and wvvq. thus, under 'Mthorlty of a siilitioii 
 act of the liegislatiM'e, liable to be at any time Lamed out of the pro- 
 vince by the goveri.mcnt. 
 
 A singi" year of ()eacegave snfllcient repose to the public mind 
 1810. of Canada West, and attei'li.'n was now turned to the better 
 development of its resources, and improvement of the ficili- 
 tics for education. The Legislature was eoiivem'd on the (ilh (- ' l\b- 
 niary, and passed annmber of necessary bills. One a|iprop''iated i'sOO 
 for the jmi'ehasc of a libi'ary for the use of members of l)L'th Houses; 
 another, gave a salary of .i''200 per annum (o their Speakers. 'A grant 
 of I'lOOO was made to encourage the cultivation of hem]> by !■ unities; 
 and an act, to eoniinue till re]H'aled, gave I'^oOO ]k r annum to help to 
 defray the expenses of the Civil List, still ;i burilrn (ii the Crown, in 
 gratitude, as the preamble stated, for the aid given by I'is j\I;;jesty in 
 defending the C( ' •. liut the most important act by far, passed at 
 this session, wa- In founding tli(^ Common School system of the pro- 
 vince, and grantin 'li sum of £000 per annum to pay the teachers' 
 salaries, in part, ; i lu'ehasc books. It was based on the general 
 principles of the pr n Sehool Act; but its provisions were bimplcr 
 and more direct. 
 
 The rec«.nt war had produced a considerable change in the social 
 condition of the people. During its continuance a large amount of 
 money had been expended in the country, and many persons tins con- 
 tracted habits of expense, little suited to an agricultural community. 
 Several had acquired a fondness for the ndlitary life, and returned dis- 
 contented to the drudgery of their farms, (utvernment, too. had ne- 
 glected to give the promised grants of land to (he volunteers and em- 
 bodied militia, which also created dissatisfaction. Tlius ^'rcum^-tanced. 
 numbers were disposed to ,narrel more pointedly with anything wlii<'li 
 they supposed interfered with their individual prosperity, and to ie- 
 vcstigate more narrowly into causes tending to check the general pro- 
 grcss of the country. In short, the people desired to revive, by some 
 means, the c rent of money into the province, so comph 'ely checked 
 by the tern . dlon of the war, and did not at all like :ne idta of re- 
 turning to t; .. ; MTXG degree of comparative poverty, in which th' vwre 
 
1817.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 327 
 
 Ihe tciiclnTs 
 
 ere fainii'icr 
 
 before its commencement. The war, wliicli in one way or anotlier, 
 drew alinost the entire male populationofl'pju'r Canada into its vortex, 
 had of itself complctc^l)' nnsettled tlit' habics of the people hy its novelty 
 and exeitcinent, and the absence of these mental stimulants, asidi^ from 
 the greater scarcity of money, produced a very general irritation. 
 Insnniciently jihilisopliical to analyse the true soni'ce of this feeling, it 
 naturally tbnnd vent against whadvi'r were deemed abuses, and formed 
 the mieroscopie medium through which the injuries they culaileu wero 
 regarded. 
 
 Such was the idiosyncrasy of Upper Canada, when i!s Legislature 
 met on the 4th of Febru;irv, 1(S1T. 'I'he members ol" Assembly 
 1817. were evidently imbued with the dissati>lied spirit of the musses, 
 and went into committee of the whole, on the .'Jrd ut April, to 
 take into consideration the state of the pi'oviuee, as embrriced under 
 tour heads. These were the impolicy of eheeking emigration liom the 
 United States ; the insufllciency of postal faciiitii'^ ; tlu* injuries sus- 
 tained by the (.'rown aiul C'lei'gy IJeserves interfering with a nioi'e com- 
 plete settlement of the |)rovinee : and the proprlt'ty of the Iv u grant- 
 ing lands to the embodied mllllia \\lio had served dui'iiig the .^ar. 
 
 It was diametrically opposed to the policy of the Ivxecutive, however, 
 to permit an investigation of thisdescription. Seaiddy IkhI the Assem- 
 bly adopted three resolutions, prelimlni.i'v t'^ the discus^' ;: of the 
 questions at issue, than it Avas suddenly prorogned, by the (iovernor, 
 without any previous notice, in a short speech of three paragraphs in 
 length. In the first of these he inlorined ihem the session had 
 been sutriciently protracted, and that no important business demand<>(i 
 their further attention ; in the secinid, he told them he came to close 
 the session; in the third, he declareil his acceptance of the supplies 
 voted to nu;et the def iency in the fund which had hitlierto served to 
 pay the civil Jist. 
 
 This contemptuous treatment of the Assembly, atoidslied its n, em- 
 bers fully as much as it did the public generally, and cansod a good 
 deal of dissatisfaction and discussion. The thiee I'cvolntlons adopted 
 by the House, merely aflii'incd the fact that two acts had been ['assed 
 by the Imperial Parliament, for encouraging emigration to th(> pro- 
 vince, and for the natuiali>-ilioii of foreign Trotestants. Part ol" the 
 resolutions to be proposed were based on these admissions, and went 
 to show that emigrants from the I'nitt'd States might s! dl lawfully 
 settle in the country, and that any iiroliibilion (o the contrary on<:lit to 
 bo rescinded. A ninth resolution averred that the large tracts of ( 'rown 
 and Clergy lleservi! lands, throughout the firovinee, prevented the for- 
 matiou of connected settlements, so necessary for opening and keeping 
 
328 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1817. 
 
 .*» 
 
 the voarls in repair, and ofTc'rcd a. tcinptalion to future wars with the 
 United Slates, l)y presenting; liie, means of inileninif_yin<i; tiiom selves, 
 and rewarding tlieir soldiers, in tlu; event of conquest. Tlie tenth reso- 
 lution ree()in mended the sale (/:" ihe ( Vown reserves, instead of leasing 
 them as was then the pravtiec; while the eleventh c ». denincd the ap- 
 propriating one-seventh of all tlie lands in the province, for the support of 
 a I'rotesiant clergy, as altogether too lavish, proposed that the Imperial 
 Parliament should be petitioned to sell a part (.if the lands already re- 
 served, and that a less (inanlity shoidd be .etained in future. 
 
 These resolutions embodied the opiiuons of the bulk of the people at 
 this period, who accordingly denounced the conduct of the (Jovernor, in 
 preventing their discussion, as arbitrary and unconstitutional. "While 
 in this disposition the question of liesiionsibie (Jovernment began gra- 
 dually to present itself, though as yet very dimly, to the public mind. 
 As time progressed its achievemen* was regarded as the only mode of 
 getting ri 1 of an arbitrary olig. /ehy, which seriously retarded the 
 prosperity of the country. 
 
 While the incipient seeds of discontent r.nd agitation were t.husheing 
 firmly planted in the community. Robert do; ;!ay, destined to figure 
 somewh.it prominently in the affairs of this coimtry for a short time, 
 came out in the month ol" duly. Attracted hither by llie government 
 
 proclamation, inviting respectable cmigraU 
 
 s to settle in Canada ^Vest, 
 
 he had lornucl, however, no de'linile jilan as to his future course, and 
 was desirous, in the lir^-t |)lace, merely to examine the capabilities of the 
 
 country, with a view to a general system of emigration. 
 
 ]\lr. (lourlay was desceiiditd from an old and respectable Scottish 
 family. His lather, at one time an ICdinburgh lawyer of some repute, 
 had purrlui-ed a considerable quantity of landed property, and for 
 several years was regarded as a jierson ('. weallli. The close of the war 
 
 wi 
 
 h lionar>ane re<!ueed the valine of land 
 
 in 
 
 (ireat Brita 
 
 m 
 
 ,-ery 
 
 materially, and fioni tliis circumstance, and some other unexplained 
 causes, tlir I'lder Mr. Gourlay became bankrupt. Hisson, liobert, was 
 fated to be eiiually, if not still more, uiitVn'tunate. In 1800 he leased 
 the De|>tford farm in Wiltshire, England, for twenty-one year.-,, ..nd ex- 
 pended a large sum of money ii 
 
 n makintr imnrovenients. Uat he 
 
 spec 
 
 niv (juar 
 
 relied with his landlord, u<it inv(jlved iii la^'-suits, became 
 
 dlstingui>lu<l lor a litigious and dissati^fled, though licnevolent, disposi- 
 
 tion, and 
 
 !v, to escape the troubles his imirrudence had o;athercd 
 
 round hiui^elt", came out to Canada, leaving liis iVieiids to arrange his 
 enibai l■a^^((l aifairs with his creditors, which ofllee, to judge from bisow.'! 
 account ol tlu' matter, thi'y jierlbiinevl very little to his satisfaction. 
 Robert Courlay possessed very respectable natural abilities; was 
 
1817.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 329 
 
 energetic, restless, ambitions, desirous to distliigiiish himself and ad- 
 vance his fortnnos, but lacked that prndeiice necessary to command 
 success. Ilis gruiu i was (jf a fliulity and errutie, rallur than a sober 
 stamp; he beloiigt'd to a ehiss, I'xistin;.; more or i.ss in every age, fated 
 to iiijurethemseives, while they benelitted humanity at largi". Ilishuher's 
 estimate of him was singularly correct. " Jlobert,"' said he, " will 
 hurl himself, but do genu! to others."' 
 
 AVhile in a moral point of view ^Cr. CJoi'"lay did not occupy by any 
 means a high [position, he was very far troni lu'lnij a bad man. As one 
 wades through the three pundiM-ous octavos, of all manni'r of odds and 
 ends, which he bequeathed to Canada, his coarse abuse of individuals, in- 
 temperate language, thirst for pcrson;d I'cvenge, and self-( .)!:ceit, must 
 lower him seriously in the estimation of the impartial reader. Still, 
 he was evidently more sinned against tiian simiing ; and honi.'st criticism 
 must make due allowance for his dilTuullies and mistbrtunes. Indefa- 
 tigably industrious, enterprising, shrewd, fearless and IkmicsI in dealing 
 with public questions and abuses, he struc'k bohby out lor the wcltareof 
 Canada after his own od>l fashion, and had its liading men snnicient 
 patriotism to turn his aliilities to account, he must h>ive ctHcted some 
 good. But, it is evident they were all more desirous to benefit them- 
 selves iudividuallv, than the province ceneraHv. I'ppcr Canada was 
 
 'J 1 
 
 vv 
 
 too young a country as yet to have its patriots; ami the public v>elfaro 
 was lightly considered, whi-n balanced ai,'ainst pi'rsonal profit. 
 
 AVhi 
 
 m 
 
 Knir'and, Mr. (iourlav engaired in an atritatio i for the 
 
 rcvisai o 
 
 f th 
 
 e )ioor-la 
 
 ws 1 had wiitten K'lters to the ii 
 
 ewspa[iers and 
 
 paitiphlets sii]iporling his views, (which were in some cases of an en- 
 thusiastic ; nd vi.-ionary character), and leaned undoubtedly to the 
 extr> nie opinions advocated by the celebrated Willi.un Cobbett, tho 
 gr-.at stickler for royalty and aristociacy in republican Amciica, for 
 
 the 
 
 pcop 
 
 le and demoeracv. in i 
 
 nonarclncal 
 
 h]n"land. Like him. (iour- 
 
 lay was indefatigable in li-Miting up abuses. Circumstances had tended 
 
 to iiroducc a plenti'd harvest of these in Canada 
 
 ; and, williout slop- 
 
 ing to consider the wisest mode of proeedui'c he r; 
 
 It aiX'unst 
 
 them, offended the prejudices of men in power by the unceremonious 
 manner in which he sj)oke of tlnir conduct, and by other imprudence, 
 likewise, speedily made himself a host of bitter encriiies, wlio (icstroycd 
 •whatever prospects of usefulness lu- might Inivc had. A little more 
 tact would have eiialded him to steer clear of the diOicuIties he met 
 with in this country. Hut the morljid pajsion for ha-ty notoriety 
 which had distinguished him in luigland, and a dispo>itioM to treat tho 
 authorities with contempt, as his infciiors in iritelligeuec, made speedy 
 shipwreck of his hopes. 
 
S30 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1817. 
 
 i'.. 
 
 • X '■','■ 
 
 \'y'' 
 
 ij-. \ " 
 
 Aft^or a residence of a few months in this country, during which ho 
 sedulously applied himself to acquire a knowledge of its natural 
 resources, and the social and political condition of its people, Mr, 
 Gourlay conceived the idea of becoming a land agent, and by tho 
 comf)iiation of a statistical account of Canada West to accjuire the re- 
 quisite iuformatit)n. This information, in the fi/st place, !ie proposed 
 to procure by aiJdressing thirty-one queries to the |>riiieipai inhal)itants 
 of cacii township, the answers to whieh must supply precis(>ly what he 
 sought. 'J'liirty of these <jueries related mcM'ely to agricultural matters, 
 or that description ot' inforn^ation usually einbodii^d in census return-;, 
 and were pei'f'ectly innocent of themselves. Owing to the ngitation 
 already commenced in the province, the 31 st querv, however, pos- 
 sessed a pointed political meaning, and created aii immediate alarm 
 among the Family Compact people. "What," it ashed, "in your 
 opinion, retards the improvement of your towiiship in particular, or of 
 the [)ro\ 'ncc in general ; and what would most contribute to the same." 
 • This (juestion at once aroused a serious opposition U) !Mr. (lonrlay's 
 plans. Govermnent favorites, who had got grants of valuable land, 
 and held it in reserve, (wild lands being tlien unt.i\ed), till tliC 
 labors of the suri'ounding soltlers nnide it doubly valuable, as w^d as 
 all those interested in the preservaticni of land moiiojiolies of every kind, 
 disliked that any light whatever should be thrown on a system, so 
 largely advantageous to themselves. ]}y these parti'.s a feeling hostile 
 to Mr, (jlourlay was immediately excited. lie wus accused of sinister 
 motives, stigmatized as a democrat and disloyal person, and, in sevcra' 
 instances, the people were dissuaded from furnishing the information he 
 sought. In the Home District, w.'icre large blocks of land were held bj 
 govermnent favorites, no return wiiatever was made to his queries, 
 owing to tlie interference of memhers of the E.xecntive, In other quar- 
 ters all his queries were answered but the *>lst. In a majority of cases, 
 however, tliis was broadly rej>lied to, and the Crown, Clergy Reserves, 
 and wild lands held by speculators, very generally stigmatised as in- 
 terfering with loeal prosjK'rity, 
 
 Mr. (Jotulay was not by any means disposed to alli.nv his plans to 
 be thwarted in silence, and his letters to the newspapers, of which seven 
 
 were now published in the province, adding (o the growing dis- 
 181!^. content of the peo[)!e. When the Legislature next itu't a vote 
 
 (f inquiry into the condition of affairs was carried in the Assem- 
 bly. IJetore any action could be taken on this resolution, government 
 seized upon the pretext of a difierence with the Legislative Council, 
 and suddeiily proi'ogued parliameiit, leaving a large amount of public 
 business unfinished. 
 
 J »■ 
 
1818.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 331 
 
 Finding there "w.is little prospect of any thlrg being done by the 
 liegislaturc to remove the evils they complained of, the people readily 
 caught at a scheme, proposed by Mr. (lor.rlay, of petitioning the Impe- 
 rial l*arliainent to investigate the afT'irs of the province, and of em- 
 ploying an agent in I'jigland to suyipoit their views. He further pro- 
 posed that deputies should be selected by the ditlerent townships, to 
 meet at Toronto, and tliere decide on the draft of a petition, and the 
 other necessary measures. This convention met during the Summer, 
 and wholly nnconscious of doing anything wrong or disloyal, had con- 
 cluded its deliberations before the Legislature assembled. Owing to 
 the opposition of governnunt, however, no decisive action was taken 
 upon its resolutio'^s. The agitation, nevertheless, had one good ciVect. 
 The Colonial Oflice determined that the promised grants of land should 
 be made to the niilitia embodied during the war. 
 
 The Executive now became seriously alarmed, and as it was found 
 exceedingly inconvenient to have a person of such a curious and prying 
 disposition as Gourlay in the coiuitry, it was determined to get rid of 
 liirn on the first opportunity. lie had al.eady published a draft of a 
 petition to the Crown, to be adopted by the people as far as they 
 thought proper, and a passage in this was now fastened on as affording 
 grounds for a criminal prosecution for libel. This passage, couched iu 
 the strongest language, alluded to the ignorance of the Colonial Minis- 
 ter of the wants of the c<juntry, the system of patronage and favorit- 
 ism, and the universal corru[,tion of the, Canadian auiliorities. "Cor- 
 ruption, indeed, has reached such a height in tins province," said the 
 obnoxious passage of the proposed petition, " that it is thought no 
 other part of the. British empire witnesses the li':e. It matters not 
 what characters fill situations of public trust at present, all sink beneath 
 the dignity of men, and have become vitiated and weak." 
 
 THE ADMINISTllATIOX OF Sill rEin:GKINE ^'.VITLAND. 
 
 Meanwhile, Mr. Gore had been recalled, and Sir Peregrine Maitland 
 appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. In the interim of his 
 arrival the government was administered by Sanuiel Smith. Sir 
 Peregrine had [xtssibly never heard in his life of Mr. Gourlay till he 
 arrived in his government, in August, but that gentleman lost very little 
 time in attracting his notice. He wrote a letter to h". i stating, " that 
 he was under a charge of libelling the government, that he was a year 
 hi tile country, and would have no objection to wait upon him at any 
 
332 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1818. 
 
 time, and give him the benefit of his experience."* The Governor, how- 
 ever, had no disposition to avail himself of the one year's oxperioncc o 
 the egotistical Mr. Gourlay, who four clays after making, what ho r.o 
 doubt supposed to be a very liberal olTcr, was shut up a close pri- 
 soner in Kingston jail. Here he remained for six days until brought to 
 trial, on the 20th of August, when he succeeded in beating the govern- 
 ment, and was acquitted. The sympathy of the community ran high 
 in his favor. Ten days afterwards he was tried a second time al 
 Brockville for another libel in the same petition, but was again honor- 
 ably acquitted ; and having now twice defeated the government, was 
 apparently in a fair way of oecoming qu'te a popular personage. But 
 his elevation had been too rapid to be lasting. 
 
 On the 12th of October, the Legislature was opened by the Lieute- 
 nant-Governor, with a short speech, one paragraph of which was level- 
 led at Mr. Gourlay. " In the course of your investigation," said Si- 
 Peregrine, " You will, I doubt not, feci a just Indignation at the 
 attempts which have been made to excite discontent, and to organise 
 sedition. Should it appear to you that a convention of delegates can- 
 not exist without danger to the constitution, in framing a law of pre- 
 vention, your dispassionate wisdom will be careful that it shall not un- 
 warily trespass on the sacred right of the subject to seek a redress of 
 his grievances by petition." 
 
 The Assembly were as thoroughly alarmed by the convention as 
 the Government, and regarded the movement as an infringement on 
 the rights of parliamentary representation, and a censure on their body. 
 The term convention, too, was an American phrase, which smacked 
 of republicanism, and of itself alarmed the ?r.cmbers. " We remem- 
 ber," said they, in an address to the Governor, on the 19th of October, 
 " that this favored land was assigned to ouv fathers as a retreat for 
 suffering loyalty, and not as a sanctuary for sedition. We lament 
 that the designs of one factious individual (Gourlay), should have suc- 
 ceeded in drawing into the support of his vile machinations, so many 
 honest men and loyal subjects of his Majesty " Not a word was 
 breathed about grievances, or the condition of the province ; the con 
 vention had all that business to itself. The Assembly were now pre- 
 pared to pass any measure the Executive might recommend, and to put 
 their ban, if necessary, upon the unli'oky Gourlay. On the 28th of Oc- 
 tober, Jonas Jones, of Brockville, introduced a bill to prevent the future 
 assemblage of conventions, under the head of '• An act for preventing 
 
 * Gouj-lay, wl. 3. p. 602. 
 
[1818. 
 
 'nor, how- 
 cricncc o 
 rhat ho no 
 , close pri- 
 brought, to 
 he govern- 
 y ran high 
 nd time at. 
 gain honor- 
 iiment, was 
 mage. But 
 
 the Lieute- 
 h was level- 
 n," said Sir 
 ation at the 
 1 to organise 
 clogates can- 
 a hwv of pre- 
 shall not un- 
 . a redress of 
 
 onvention as 
 
 inffcment on 
 
 •n iheir body. 
 
 lich smacked 
 
 We reniera- 
 ^h of October, 
 a retreat for 
 
 We lament 
 luld have sue- 
 [ions, so many 
 
 a word was 
 Incc ; the con- 
 Ivcre now pre- 
 lid, and to put 
 e 2Sth of Oe- 
 lent the future 
 for preventing 
 
 1818.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 333 
 
 •certain meetings within this province," which was duly passed 
 into law, twelve ont of a House of thirteen voting for it.* 
 
 The c.Ktrcmo position taken by the Legislature, and the efforts of 
 the Family Compact, produced a re-action against Mr, (lourlay in 
 several parts of the country, and many persons were led to believe that 
 ho was really a seditious and disloyal pcrs(jn. Still, considering him- 
 self perfectly safe, and not a little elated at the sudden importance he 
 had acquired as the Canadian Ci>bbett, ho resolved to settle perma- 
 nently in the province as a land-agent. I?ut the Executive determined 
 they should not be so easily foiled. An Assembly man of the name of 
 Isaac Swaize was found base enough to swear, that Mr. Gourlay had 
 not been a resident of the province for six months, and was a seditious 
 person. Tic thus came under the ban of a statute, passed in 1804, 
 levelled against foreigners, and was served with an order, on the 21st 
 of December, to quit the country before the new year. He disobeyed 
 this order, was arrested, and incarcerated in Niagara jail, to the 
 1810. great indignation of his friends, still very numerous. By a 
 writ of Habeas Corpus he was brought before Chief Justice 
 Powell at Toronto, in February ; but the latter refused to permit his 
 fnlargement by bail, and 2'cmanded him to prison. 
 
 In June the Legislature again assembled. In his opening speech 
 the Governor stated he had received instructions from the Crown 
 to grant lands to the militia ; but that he would take the responsibility 
 on himself of refusing them to the members of the recent convention. 
 It was anxiously expected that the Assembly would evince its disap- 
 probation of this part of the address. After a long debate it was en- 
 dorsed by the casting vote of the Spoat-or, and the Upper House con- 
 curred in language the most direct anu submissive. 
 
 This conduct afforded a fresh grievance-text to Mr. Gourlay, and he 
 hurled anathemas from his cell against the Executive, through the 
 colunnis of the Niagara S'occlafo}'. This led to his being refused every 
 indulgence for some time till his health had completely failed. His 
 long confmement, there being then only one goal delivery in tho 
 year, had almost rendced him insane; and when brought to trial at 
 the Niagara Court of Queen's Bench, he was nearly unconscious of the 
 entire proceedings. He was indicted for merely refusing to obey tho 
 order to quit the province, which the act already alluded to made a 
 misdemeanor, and not for sedition; was found guiliy, as a matter of 
 
 • This lawwas repealed two years afterwards. Chief Justice Robinson aloo* 
 TOted against its repeal. 
 
II 
 
 334 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1810. 
 
 course, and compelled to retire immediately Into the United States, 
 •whence he shortly afterwards proceeded to Ei)glatid.* 
 
 Such was the termination of Mr. Goiirlay's conr.eclion with C'anada, 
 Whatever may iiavc been his faults or his follies he moane.l well at all 
 events ; and, at the j>resent day, there can be only one opinii)n of tho 
 treatment he met with, to wit, that it was most unjust, unconstitutional, 
 and despotic, and reflects indelible disgrace on the j.iiblie men whogavo 
 it the sanction of tlieir authority. Tliei people of Canada have reason 
 to thank Providence such an occurrence cannot again di-grnce their 
 country ; and, that the sway of tho oligarchy, who permitted it, has 
 long since passed away, never to return. 
 
 The arbitrary conduct of the Government, with respect to Mr. 
 1820. Gourlay, excited a very general feeling of indignation throughout 
 the province, and a determination to send a dillei'cnt class of 
 members to the Assembly next time, who would be more dis[)oscd to 
 advocate the measures of Koform desiicd by the people. The (iovcrnor 
 "was already becoming unpopular. He surrendered himself completely 
 into the hands of the i'arnily Compact, tlic more dexterous and politic 
 members of which, while, they pandered to his desire for flattery, and 
 apparently yielded to his love of powtr,f took good care to hold the 
 reins of government firmly in their own hands. Of cold, iiaughty, and 
 overbearing manners, with much more of the military n)an about him 
 than the civil governor, he was not adapted by nature for a popular 
 ruler, and leaned, from habit and constitutional temperament, to a sys- 
 tem of arbitrary government. The fiict, too, of his having eloped with 
 the Duke ofllichmond's daughter at Paris, while the allit-d armies lay 
 there after Waterloo, and, that he was merely sent out by the Home 
 Ministry, by way of making provision for him in deference to his father- 
 in-law, and not in consecjuence of his fitness for the oflicc, gradually 
 leaked out, and tended to make him still more unpopular.! 
 
 * Mr. Gourlay puLlisliod Lis work on Canada in 1822. It contains n largo 
 ainount of very useful niattor touchinir this Province; but the bad arrangcnicut 
 renders it much less valuable than it should be. In 1824 he become temporarily 
 insane. Mr. GouWay was in Canada a few years since, but returned again to 
 Scotland. "Wliile in prison in Canada he proposed a tax on wild land as a check 
 to epeculator-s — a plan soon after carried into edcct — and advocated the improve 
 nicut of the navigation of tho St. Lawrence. Vide I\iagara Spectator, 24th 
 Juno, 1819. 
 
 In England he was subsequently imprisoned for striking Lord Brougham in tha 
 lobby of the House of Commons, and on the ground of insanity. 
 
 f Wells's Sketelu'S of Canada, p. 157, 
 
 I Gourlay, vol. 3, p. 493. 
 
1820.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 .S.35 
 
 Brougham in I 
 
 Th(i popuKation of the province had now increased to nearly 120,000 
 souls. Now settlements had been formed in various districts ; and as 
 the country was on the eve of a general election, it was deemed advisa- 
 ble to increase the representation. The Legislature was accordingly 
 convened on the 21st of Fubrnary, when an act was passed which 
 nearly doubled the nuinl»er tif ineiiibers. Another act regulated the 
 commercial intercourse with the United States; and a tliiixl embodied 
 anew School IJill. As the act prohibiting meetings by deputy in con- 
 ventions had caus(>d a good deal of bitter feeling among the people, it 
 was thought prutlLT.t by members to repeal it, before they again asked 
 support from their respective constituencies. One voice alone was 
 raised against the measure, that of the present Chief Justice IJobinson, 
 who, at a sulj^e(]uent period, protest* d still more forcibly against the 
 union of the CanaiJas, a course which showed how little he understood 
 the true interests of the country of his birth, and how personal feeling 
 and party prejudice can inlluencc the wisest and the best. Agitation 
 had also eflected another benefit. Gourlay's suggestion had already 
 been adopt(3d, and a tax laid upon wild lands, to the itifuiite chagrin of 
 speculators. On the 7th of March the House was dissolved, and writs 
 wore soon after issued for a new election. 
 
 Hoyond the establishment of the Bank of ^lontreal, with branches or 
 agencies in the principal towns of the sister provinces, and the 
 labors of the Commission for settling the boundary line between the 
 United States and Canada, little of note occurred during the Summer. 
 In December the new Parliament was summoned to meet, for the 
 1821. despatch of busluess, on the 31st of January following. Before it 
 asscuibledanotict^ In the U'^yper Canada Gaxcttc informed the pub' 
 lie, that five new members had been called by His ^Majesty, King George, 
 to the Honorable Legislative Council of the province. Four of these 
 Were ordinary and evcry-day men ; the other, fii'st on the list, was a 
 n^an of mark, the present Bishop Strachan of Toronto, who was thus 
 promoted from being Chaplain to the Honorable Councillors, to be an 
 Honorable Councillor himsJf. His rise had been equally rapid and 
 extraordinary, and presents an apt illustration of what shrev.'dness, tact, 
 and political sagacity, in connection with even mediocre abilities, can 
 '!o_^furaman in a new country, such as Canada then was, and where 
 society was as vet rough and unformed. 
 
 The story of Bishop Strachan'a fortunes rcinind-; one of the lucky 
 heroes of romance. Descended from a poor peasant family of ScotlaTui, 
 lie was thrown at an early period of life upon his own resources for 
 subsistence. After picking up a little 'classical learning at Aberdeen, 
 he became, in 171>G, teacher to the children 'of a farmer in Angusshire. 
 
336 
 
 THE IIISTOPvY 
 
 [1821, 
 
 »' ' 
 
 .♦^ 
 
 t . .. 
 
 Ho subsequently taught tho parish schools of Duninno and Kettle, in 
 Fifoshirc, at a salary of some £,>\0 per annum. On this small stij)cn(l 
 he ekod out an existence for some lirne, while attendiiii; St. Andrew's 
 College, as an irri'<^ular student, with tho view of l)cin;j; admitted, if 
 possible, into tho I'rcshytcriaii ministry, of tho Anli-Buryher hiaiich nt 
 which Church he was, or had been, a mcml)cr. His ancestors, also, liad all 
 belonged to the Kirk; and possibly some of them, too, in th(! old 
 persecuting times of Laud and Clavcrhouse, had struck boldly for tho 
 Covenant at Drumclog and liothwell Hriih;o. 
 
 Richard Cartwright. of Kingston, being desirous to have the benefit 
 of a good education for his cliildron, solicited his friend. Dr. llamillon, 
 of (iladsmuir, in East Lothian, to send him out a young man (lualifu'd 
 for a family tutor, to whoi\i he would give XoO currency per annvini by 
 way of sali.ry. ]3r. Hamilton oflercd tho situation to Mr. IStraclian, 
 who gladly closed with the proposal, and accordingly came out to 
 I'anada ('uring Mr. Hunter's adu)inistration. After teaching in Mr. 
 Curtwright's family for a time, he became master of the District ►Sdiuol 
 at Cornwall, then a small and vciy poor village of about four Innidred 
 inhabitants. While filling this situation he married a widow wilh some 
 property, and as ho was a person of saving and economical habits, \m 
 condition, in point of money matters, was now materially improved. 
 He still continued a member of the Presl)yterian Church ; and at thii 
 period we find him in treaty, at his own instance, with a congregation* 
 in Montreal to become their minister, he proposing if they paid him a 
 sufHcient salary (£800 a year) to return to ScotlanJ for ordination. 
 The congregation, however, being either too poor or unwilling to niecl 
 Mr. Strachan's views in point of remuneration, the matter terminated. 
 
 'J'ravel usually serves to make one more a man of the world, and 
 l)rushcs away many antiquated notions. Such appears to have been 
 the case with Mr. StJ'achan. His experience in the backwoods of 
 Canada had materiallv dimiiiishcd his venei'ation for John Knox, and 
 he had now by no means iho dread of " black prelacy" and the " Book 
 of Common Prayer," as iu tho days of " Auld lang syne," when, on tho 
 hills of Fifeshire, he inliaied tho grateful fragrance of tlio Calvinistic 
 heather of his native land. But occasionally the sunihine of prosperity 
 makes sad havoc with early associations. The pro.^pectsof the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in Canada were poorer then than they are now-— it had nu 
 
 • This, we bolievo, ■'.vas tho G.iLriel St. Prcsbytrriaii cor.i^rog.'Uioii. Bi'f'oro 
 lliey erected their own ohurcb, tliey were permitted to meet for wor.=ship in a 
 Krench Roman Catholic Church, belonging to one of the lay orders, which, in 
 return , they presented with a pipe of whie. 
 
1&21.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 337 
 
 nortion of the Clergy Roscrvos ; tlic post of a schoolmaster in a little 
 village presented scarcely a ho[)c of prcfertneiit. On the otln-r huiid, 
 one-scvciith of the broad acres of Canada beloii^'id, as it was then sup- 
 posed, to the Cliiircli of Kiij^'laml luitvcr, and as time rolled on it must 
 liecome the wealtliii'st n^Ii-fioiis ctn-poratiou the world ever saw. Then 
 it was also the state cluirrli of iIk- land — its luiniitry j^avo a ready 
 pas.sport into tliu best society ; and to a man, like Mr. Siraclian, poor, 
 friendless, and buried in an obscure little village, three hundred hiilea 
 away fronx the seat of government, it presented the ojily secure road 
 to fortune. The shrewd Scotch school master marked out his course, 
 strutk into it vigorously, and consigning antitpiatcd Presbyterian nos- 
 trums to Lethe, we fuid him soon allrr appointed to bo Hector of 
 Toronto. The riy/itlar graduates of C).\f(Md, and (.'am bridge, and 
 Trinity, who had read themselves half blind "grinding for honors," or 
 to obtain a good place at a collegiate examination, were speedily 
 eclipsed by the inrf/nlar stiidrnt of St. Andrews. Ills course was 
 steadily onward, until wc llnd him, as already stated, a member of the 
 Legislative Council of Upper Canada. 
 
 And yet, this very remarkable success was achieved without any 
 exhibition of brilliant taluut or learning. Dr. Slrachan's 0[)j)ortunitie8 
 could not have suiliccd to make him a profound scholar, nor has he 
 attained to celebritv in anv of the other walks of literature. He is 
 neither a Tillotson, a Jeremy Taylor, nor a Whatcly. The " Sketches 
 of Canada," which he is said to have written, had such slendt-r .success, 
 lliiU, we Lcliev<% he has never since attempted any thing in the way of 
 authorship, lie has been equally unfortunate in acquiring the English 
 language. His sermons, whatever may be their intrinsic merits, are 
 delivered with such a broad Scotch burr as to make them particularly 
 unpleasant to the natives of other countries beside his own. His suc- 
 cess, therefore, nuHt be sought in the facts, that ho is a clever man of 
 the world, a shrewd judge of Ininian nature, and possesses suflieient 
 tact to turn these qualities to the best account. 
 
 With Bishop Strachan's career, subsequent to 1H21, most people in 
 (.'anada are acquainted. Further biographical detail is consequently 
 unnecessary. At once a minister of religion, and an active politician, 
 ho filled a prominent position in the public affairs of this Province, as 
 a Legislative and ICxeeutivc Councillor, till the fmal overthrow of the 
 Family Compact, of which he continued to be one of the most active 
 uiotubcrs. 
 
 Now that the eflcrvescence of Canadian politics has settled down, and 
 that past occurrences can be calmly and inipartially investigated, and 
 events quietly traced to their true causes, it is evidfeht that Tvhatever 
 

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 33R TTTE HISTORY [182!. 
 
 temporal benefit tho Cluirch of England in Canafla West ncquircd for 
 a time, in having its most distinguished member an active politician, 
 this very circumstance, of itself, has inflicted a deep and lasting injury on 
 its weal. The original agitation against the Clergy llcservos did not 
 commence on religious grounds ; there was at first no dislike, on tho 
 I)art of other Protestant churc hes, against the Church of England. Tho 
 people simply complained that the Clergy Keserves, as well as tho 
 Crown Reserves and tho wild lands of speculators, interfered with 
 local and individual prosperity ; but there was nothing said about a 
 State Church, nor the impolicy of endowing it so richly to the detriment 
 of other churches, till Dr. Strachan engaged in politics in 1S17. I*ut, 
 OS tho dignitaries of the English Church allied thetnselves more and 
 more closely with the members of the Family Compact, and were thus 
 drawn deeper into the vortex of political s(juabblcs, from which as min- 
 isters of the gospel they should have kept wholly aloof, an unreasonable 
 feeling arose against the Church itself, as being aristocratic in its ten- 
 dencies, and opposed to popular rights. Thus, to the course pursued 
 by Dr. Strachan, as a p(ditician, may, undoubtedly, in a great measure 
 be traced the fact, that in no part of the I]riti->h Empire, nor in any 
 other country, is tho Clun-ch of England n'garded vith such hostile 
 feelings by other Protestant denominations as in Canada West, and no- 
 where, certainly, has she lost the hearts of so many of her own mem- 
 bers, who have gone to swell the ranks of cotemporary creeds. The 
 Church of England in Canada, as well as elsewhere, has secured to itself 
 the advantages of a refined and well-educated ministry. Ilitherto, un- 
 fortunately, its Canadian antecedents and political position have serious- 
 ly militated against its usefulness. Now that the settlement of tho 
 Clergy Reserve question gives that ministry perfect fair play, it is to 
 be hoped it will assume that position in the alTections of the masses, 
 which had it been truly wise, it would never have forfeited. The very 
 education of Bishop Strachan precluded him from understanding the 
 true temporal policy of the Church of England. lie knew nothing origi- 
 nally of its literature. Since he attached himself to its ministry, his 
 life has been that of the bustling politician, rather than of the scholastic 
 divine or the distinguished savant, lie is felt in bis own generation, to 
 be forgotten by posterity. In an old and settled form of society, ho 
 would never have emerged from the average mass of humanity. Sharp, 
 practical, and clever, Canada was his true element. l']v>. rybody was 
 beginning lif?, there was nothing to keep him down : where learninj^ 
 was a scarce article a little went a long way. From the poor familv 
 tutor, he rose to be the District School Master, another step and be 
 was enveloped in the surplice of the JViscopal Minister. By btiiig a 
 
1821.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 330 
 
 clergyman he becamo a politician, by being a politirian ho became a 
 Bishop. His elevation was not because he was a distinguished author, an 
 illustrious divine, or an establi'^lied litterrateur. Yet evt'ti as a politician 
 he was neither original n<)r prt^fDtmd. He did not create a system, nor 
 originate a new era. He attaclieil himself to a Itody already formed, 
 and can only be regarded as an active partisan. As a partisan his in- 
 fluence was secret anil secure, rather than open and exposed — of a de- 
 pressing, rather than of ;iii elevating character. Half a century niust 
 at least elaj^se bclbre the Kpisco])al Church can have recovered from 
 the evils of his impolitic sway. \\ hatcver advantages it may have 
 derived by his worldiy shrewdness, or business sagacity, have been more 
 than counterbalanced by the fa(;t of its Bishop having been a politician, 
 and lacking that distinguished position in seliolarsliip and jiteraluro, 
 which its divines have almost invariablv arrived at.'^' 
 
 The 8th Parliament of I pper Canada, met, pursuant to proclamation 
 on the 31st of Jai.uarv, for the first time, and the Assembly choso 
 Levins 1*. Sherwood, of Urockville, for its Speaker. The (Jovernor 
 opened the session with a preciseand formal speech. He spoke of the 
 accession of George 1\'., of the happy constitution of the province, 
 advised the Legislature to take- measures to promote the interests of 
 true religion, and alluded to the current of emigration now setting 
 steadily into the Canadas. Within the preceding two years, he stated 
 that forty new townships had been surveyed, and in a great measure 
 bestowed on condition of actual settlement. Hut, it appeared, that the 
 public (mances of the province were in a depressed condition, the 
 militia jir^nsions had been allowed to fall into arrear, and money was 
 not forthcoming for various necessary purposes. 
 
 The debate on the address, in reply, sr »wed clearly the complexion 
 of the House. It was evident that the majority sided with the Execu- 
 tive. The people, whatever might have been their hopes, had chosen 
 the wrong men, as a rule, to cari'y out their views. It was plain that 
 during the ensuing four years, no encpiiry of much moment would be 
 made into the condition of the province; and that the Executive might 
 he as arbitrary as it thought proper. Still there were many good busi- 
 ness-men in the House, anil several useful acts were passed during the 
 session. Among the principal of these was an act to establish a uni- 
 form currency throughout the province ; another, granting a sum of 
 
 • A short tinio giiice n movomoiit was on foot in England to nholish the 
 Doaiieries. The Deans were found to bo all men of great learninsf and talent, 
 ond an honor to the nation ; and the nation, wisely sensible of the honor, left 
 them undisturbed. 
 
 * » 
 
340 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1821. 
 
 « « 
 
 
 money to aid the construction of tin; llidcau Canal ; and a third, speci- 
 fying that no tithes or ecclesiastical rate of any kind should ever bo 
 levied in Upper Canada. 
 
 The L('ifi^Iature was prorogued on the 14th of April, and beyond a 
 tour of the (ioverncjr through several di^slriets of the province, tho 
 Sumnjcr produced little of importance. Money continued scarce, des- 
 pite the eslablishinent of tho Hank of I pper Canada; business M'as 
 dull ; and the prices of agricultural produce very low. Flour only 
 rated from sixteen to twenty shillings ]ier barrel, and wheat was almost 
 unsaleable.* The Legislature again assembled on the '^1 st of November. 
 The opening speech of the (lovernor referred to the dlllerence with tho 
 lower province, as lo the amount of duties it should refund ty I'pper 
 Canada, and regretted that the principal source of revenue should thus 
 be interrupted, to the detriment of the public works then in piogress. 
 
 A vacancy having occurred in the representation of Lennox and Ad- 
 dington during the recess, Barnabas IJidweil was returned. ile had 
 origiiuUly resided in ^Massachusetts, where he had been born, 
 remained there after the termination of tlie War of Independence, took 
 the oath of allegiance to the American (lovernment, became Attorney 
 General of the .State, Treasurer of the County of Buekshire, and was 
 returned to Congress. Bid well, however, was poor, and possibly temp- 
 tation proved too strong for him. A\'c find him accused in 1810 of 
 mis-application of tho public monies, making false entries to conceal 
 the deed, and flying t(^ Canada to escape a trial, a fact of itself which 
 goes a long way to prove the truth of the charges jjreferred against 
 him. He settled in the Midland District, where he taught school for 
 some time in the village of Bath, took the oath of allegiance in It^lii, 
 and prepared the clever " Sketches of Canada" which appear in Gour- 
 lay's work, and form its most valuable portion. Ue was the fast 
 friend of the latter, became jiopular as a lleformer, a name by Mhicli 
 the Anti-Executive party now began to be characterised, and believing 
 that his Massachusetts antecedents were not generally knmvn, or par- 
 tially forgotten, ollercd himself to tho Electors of Lcnuo.v and Adding- 
 ton, and was returned. 
 
 But Bidwell was mistaken in supposing that his ])ast conduct was 
 not remembered. Canada was not a Texas. His election was imme- 
 diately petitioned against on the grounds of his being a person of iiu- 
 raoral character — a fugitive from justice, and having taken the oath of 
 allegiance to tli-. Government of the United States. An agent was now 
 despatched to Massachusetts, who easily obtained copies of his indict- 
 
 • lirockvillc Recorder, July lOtb, 1621* 
 
[1821. 
 
 rd, spcci- 
 cver bo 
 
 oeyond a 
 
 ,iucc, the 
 
 arce, des- 
 
 iiu'ss was 
 
 lour only 
 
 ^•;is almost 
 
 November. 
 
 c wiili tho 
 
 i ty Vpp<-"r 
 
 liould thu3 
 
 progress. 
 
 ox iuiil Ad- 
 He had 
 
 L»ecu born, 
 
 denco, took 
 
 le AUorncy 
 
 re, mid ^va!^ 
 
 ssibly temp- 
 in 1810 of 
 to conceal 
 itself Nshith 
 red against 
 It school for 
 ice in It^l'i, 
 e;u- in ( lour- 
 us the last 
 
 bv which 
 nd believing 
 
 iwn, or pai"- 
 .ud AJJiiig- 
 
 conduct waa 
 was imnie- 
 >erson of ini- 
 
 1 the oalh ot 
 irentNvasnow 
 )f his indict- 
 
 1821.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 341 
 
 ment, and positive proofs of his fliiiht on .i warrant having been issued 
 for his apprehension. IJidwell defended himself wiih i,neat tact and 
 skiH. He contended that the ehar<jo3 against him in Massachusetts 
 originated solely with his political eiieniie.-> ; at all events, as there had 
 been no conviction, the House hhould nut assume the fact of his guilt 
 without a trial. With regard to the oath of allegiance, h(^ maintained 
 that it only embraced the period of his residence in the I'liiled Slates, 
 and did not dis([ualify iiini fnjin taking a like oath in this country. He 
 was expelled tho House, very properly, however, after a long debate, 
 but by a majority of only one, 17 voting for the nioliun of expulsion, 
 and K) against it.* A new wi'it was accordingly issued for Lennox 
 and Addington, and a ^Ir. Clark elected this time by a majority of 1 13. 
 Mr. liidwell's son, who ((llered himself as a candidate, was ol)jecled to 
 on the ground of his being an alien. He was subseijuently returned, 
 however, and became a prominent personage in the arena of Canadian 
 politics. 
 
 The case of Bidwell was a novel one, and to prevent a recur- 
 1822. nnce of anything of the kind, an act was passed, on the ITlhof 
 January, making persons in his position ine!igil)lc to a seat in 
 the Assembly. This act, however, being too oppres.sivo on American 
 emigrants, it was subsequently repealed in IS'2'1, and a residence of 
 seven years made the condition of eligibility to membership in the 
 Assembly on the jiart of foreigners, who had taken the oath of alle- 
 giance to their furnier governments. At the same time, 't continued 
 the dis(]i;ali(ication of persons who had held any of the principal public 
 ofTices of ihe United States. It has since been repealed by the 12 Vic. 
 chap. 2T. 
 
 Owing to the statement in the Governor's speed), with regard to the 
 difVerences with Lower Canada on the matter of revenue, the Legislature 
 determined to send the Attorney (ieneral, Peter liobinsoti, as their 
 agent to Kngland, i_to press their claims on the attention of 
 the Crown and Imperial Parliament ; and voted £2000 to defray his 
 expenses and remunerate liim for the service. Alter the transaetion 
 of some general business, the House was prorogued on the 17lh of 
 January. 
 
 Despite the continued scarcity c-f money, the country was steadily 
 progressing in population, and agricultural and commercial prosperity. 
 Steamboats were now in general use on the rivers and prinei])al lakes, 
 and gave a vast impetus to commerce. But down the current of the 
 
 • See debates in rrovincial Parliament of Upper Canada, and Journals of th« 
 House for 1821. 
 
842 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1822. 
 
 
 St. Lawroncp, bolow Prcscott,tlio old Durham Boat alono continuod to 
 descoiiil, to bo fro'juontly aljandoiitid at Montreal or sold for wliatovcr 
 it would briiijr, us the. o.xpcnsc! of dragging it back against tlio current 
 vould exoeed iti valiio. 
 
 A high tariir. and a lax rcvcniio doparfmont, led to a vast amount of 
 smuggling, which had a most baneful cfFoct on the morals of many of 
 the trading part of ihc community. 
 
 The benefit resulting from the cstablislimnnt of Ba'iks in tho pro- 
 vince, was partially neutralised by the- number of bad bills put into 
 circulation by counterfeiters from tlieCnifed States. Another evil was 
 llic smuggling of American luml)er into the Quebec and Montreal mar- 
 kets, fi>r shipment to England, to the detriment of tho lumberers of 
 IJppci" ^-'Ti'itha, wlio were loud in their denunciations. How changed 
 is matters now in tiiis respect. The United States are at present tho 
 great market for Canadian lumber. 
 
 Owing to the unremunerative prices of produce, the growth of hemp 
 continued to be a matter of attention ; and the advantages of the cul'.urc 
 of tobacco, in tho western part of the province, began to be considered. 
 Agric.il! ural societies had been established in some districts, and aided 
 in improving the modes of tillage. 
 
 Towards tho close of this year, the proposed union with flower 
 Canada created a good deal of agitation, and public meetings were 
 held at which resolutions were passed for and against it. The general 
 feeling, however, was decidedly in favor of tlie measure, as a whole ; 
 but some of its provisicms were strongly objected to, particularly that 
 making the property qualification for members £.')00, and which was 
 then only £80. This clause it was said would disqualify one-fourth of 
 the sitting members * 
 
 The Legislature assembled on the ir)tli of January. The Cov- 
 1823. crnor's speech on the occasion, beyond congratulating the House 
 of Asscm])ly on the success of their agent in England, in procur- 
 ing the passage of tiic " Canada Trade Act," presents no features of 
 importance. The addresses from both Houses, in reply, were mere re- 
 echoes of the speech itself. 
 
 The expediency of having a reporter paid a regular salary was taken 
 into consideration by the Assembly, and decided in the negative. 
 
 A petition was presented from a large body of tho freeholders of 
 Lennox and Addington, praying that the recent election might be set 
 aside, in consequence of Mr. Bidwell, Junr., iiaving been illegally pre- 
 vented from contesting it. The petition assumed the ground that Mr. 
 
 * See resolutions pusscd at a meeting in Brockvillo in October, 1822- 
 
 ,»• 
 
1823.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 34a 
 
 Marshall Spring Bidwcll was a British sul)jePt by birtli, having been 
 born in Massachusetts while still u eolony of (treat Britain, and never 
 having taken the oath ot" allegiance to any olhrr (iovernnnnt. Mr. 
 Bidwell was heard at the l)ar ot the House as counsel tor liie petitioners. 
 The matter was brought up I'or linal consideration on the 17tli n| Feb- 
 ruary, when it was decided by a considerable majority that the election 
 was void and a new writ should be issued, Mr. Bidw. II was subse- 
 quently defeatc iJ, alter a sharply contested election, ,11 which the whole 
 weight ot* the J-'arnily ('onipact was brought to bear in liivur ot' hia 
 opponent, a Mr. (j. llani, whose election, however, was said to be 
 illegal on the ground that the poll was chjscd too soon. Willi excep- 
 tion that provisi(jn was nuide for an assizes twice a year in the; more 
 populous districts, there is little remarkable to distir.gui^h the legisla- 
 tion ol' this session, which terminated on the I'.Mh ot" March. 
 
 During .Summer the proji-et of the Welland Oanjil was brought 
 before the public in a tangible shape, principally through the; exertions 
 of William Hamilton Merritt, who, from fust to last, occupied a pro- 
 minent and most honorable position in connection with this great na- 
 tional work, which has done so much tor the prosperity of Canada. 
 The sou of a U. E. L(jyalist, Mr. Merritt, served iu the militia during 
 the war of 181"2-3 4, and thus aided to preserve his eo'intry from the 
 grasp of covetous American Democracy. Canaila hail originally no dis- 
 tinguished seminaries of learning, and, we believe, a good common 
 echool education was tlic extent of Mr. Merritt"s literary acrpiirfments. 
 He ardently desired to servo his country in peaceful as well as warlike 
 pursuits, and all its great projects ofinlcriuil improvi'inent found in him 
 a firm supporter. The Welland Canal forms the lasting monument of 
 his wisdom and patriotism ; and if he never had accomplished any- 
 thing else, would suffice to give him an honorable place in the annals 
 of his country. 
 
 Beyond the agitation of this project, the journals of Upper Canada, 
 at this period, record little domestic newsof importance. x\mong their 
 items we find that the Governor amused himself by excursions through 
 the province, and drew for his travelling expenses on the Kcceiver 
 •General ; and that the presence cf distress in Ireland sent many set- 
 tlers hither, who were mostly located on free lands in the new town- 
 ships on the Ottawa, 
 
 The country began already to be agitated with the prospect of 
 an approaching election, in which it was evident that the lieform Party 
 would make a strong effort to obtain a majority in the House of As- 
 sembly. A decided feeling wassettiiigin against the Family Com [)act. 
 As time progressed, it became more and more plain that the Governor 
 
344 THE TIISTOUY [1823. 
 
 was tho more tool of this party, wlio now monopolized cvory post of 
 honor and profit in tho conntry. 'J"ho oppo^ili(»n press, however, was 
 roniarkahly rpdet, having evidently the fear of <;<)vcrntnent prosecutions 
 before their eyes, and there being no editor of suflicicnt taU;nt and 
 courage to t;d<e the lead. 
 
 Tliu Legislature, asscinhlcd ontlicllth of November. From the 
 usual speech of the (iovernor it would appear that a spirit of con- 
 tentment and obedience to the laws, was then the eharaeteri.-,tic of 
 Upper Canadian society, and that tho country was slowly recovering 
 from the, reaction caused by the termination ot the war. The revenue, 
 he stated, was still very far from being in ii flourishing condition. He 
 concluded by alluding to the cordial intercourse subsisting between the 
 two Houses. The addresses in reply were couched in thi^ usual com- 
 plitnentary strain. That frotn the Legislative Council was signed by 
 its SpealuT, William Dummer l'owell,thcn a prominent member of the 
 Oligarchy. 
 
 This session of the TiOgislature was distinguished by the effort, now 
 made for the first time, to allow ministers of the Methodist persuasion 
 to solemnize marriage. A bill to that effect was passed in the Assem- 
 bly, but rejected in the Upper House. A most efFective step was also 
 taken tov\'ards securing a portion of the Clergy Reserves for the Pres- 
 byterian body, on the ground that they having been set apart for Pro- 
 testants, ard the Church of Scotland being acknowledged as such by 
 the Statute Hook of England, it had therefore a legal claim to its just 
 proportion. An address based upon this principle was voted to the 
 Imperial Parliament, which alone was competent to decide the issue 
 thus raised, the llescrves' provision being a part of the Constitutional 
 Charter itself, which the local Legislature had no power to alter. 
 
 In the eour.se of the session, the election for Lennox and Addington 
 
 was again declared void, and ^L-. Ham unseated. Tho Welland Canal 
 
 Company was incorporated, and provision made for taking the first 
 
 census of Upper Canada. The House was prorogued on the 
 
 1824. 19th of January, and the country began to prepare for a general 
 
 election. 
 
 About this period a strong feeling against Orange processions, now 
 becoming common in many parts of the province, began to spring into 
 existence, and a fruitless endeavor was made to procure their suppres- 
 sion by legal enactment. As yet, however, these processions had been 
 conducted with order and decorum, gave little room for complaint, and 
 even Dr. Strachan did not hesitate to act as their Chaplain. A good 
 deal of loss and inconvenience, at this time, was experienced by the 
 failure of the Kingston Bank, which had been most frauduiently>managed« 
 
 , ♦• 
 
[1823. 
 
 f post of 
 jver, was 
 )socu lions 
 ilciit and 
 
 I'Voin the 
 it of con- 
 jteristic of 
 recovering 
 revenue, 
 ilion. He 
 ctween the 
 usual com- 
 signcd by 
 mbcr ofthe 
 
 efTort, now 
 , persuasion 
 the Asscm- 
 ,ep was also 
 )r the Pres- 
 vrt for Pro- 
 as such by 
 
 to its just 
 oteil to the 
 
 e the issue 
 institutional 
 
 alter. 
 
 [1 Addington 
 IcUand Canal 
 
 ng the first 
 
 ued on the 
 [for a general 
 
 ^ssions, now 
 spring into 
 licir supprcs- 
 Dns had been 
 Implaint, and 
 lin. A good 
 Inced by the 
 Vly.raanaged, 
 
 1824.] OF CANADA. 345 
 
 Parliament was dissolved on the tilth of Juno, and the writs for a 
 now election made retuniaMe on llie IJUli ot' Aii^nsl followiiiiT. To 
 the usual proclamation on this occasion the signature of .li.lm jjoverley 
 Kobinson was appended, he b( ing now yVttorney (ienmil. 
 
 The Summer was distinguished by the formation ot tin- Canadx Com- 
 pany, a corporation at first pi-oductive of benefit, but subseiiuently of 
 injury to the I'rovinee. It commi'iiced its operations by buying up vast 
 tracts ofthe Clergy lleserve and Crown lands at a trilling fitjiirr, which 
 it sold again in small lots at a large advance, it was in sliort a iiuge 
 land monopoly ; and, like nil monopolies, has proved an injury to this 
 country precisely in proportion to its extent. Thus, without once ask- 
 ing the consent ofthe Canadian I'arliament, a vast quantify of our soil 
 was withdrawn from public pur|>oses, and passed into the hands of pri- 
 vate speculators of tlie London Stock Exchange. 
 
 The new year opened with public disaster. ( )n one of the 
 1825. first days of Janmiry the Parliament House at Toronto was 
 burned down, but Ibrlunately the library and furniture were 
 saved. The loss to the province was estimated at £"-2000. At present 
 a Common School House is being erected in Hrockville, a town of 4000 
 inhabitants, which will cost £3000. Verily, our legislators looked for 
 modest accommodation in these days. 
 
 Parliament was convened on the 11th of January, and a good deal of 
 interest was excited as to the com position of the Assembly. The elec- 
 tion of Speaker tested the strength of the respective parties. John 
 Wilson, of Wentworlh, was chosen by a Reform majority of three. 
 A plain farmer, but a man of sound common sense, calm, temperate, 
 and dispassionate, his election was a popular one with his j'arty. On 
 his side voted, among others, sly and subtle John l'ti['h, burly Peter 
 Perry, and the secret republican, Marshall Spriii;j '^idwell. Tho 
 Family Compact were at length in a minority. The keformers, how- 
 ever, proceeded warily. The address in 'reply to the Governor's speech 
 was agreed to unanimously, and couched in as complimentary language 
 as he could desire. Still, it was evident Sir Peregrine felt an appre- 
 hension of approaching trouble. He fotgot to make his usual gracious 
 reply, an honor vouchsafed to tho Upper House. The long shadows of 
 Canadian Radicalism were already settling down on his adminstration, 
 and the Canadian Advocate, controlled by William Lyon Mackenzie, 
 sadly disturbed his prospects of dignified repose with pungent diatribe."* 
 on packed juries and government abuses, though as yet warily and cau- 
 tiously expressed. Even then the clouds were gathering for the storm 
 of 1838. Mackenzie had only been a short time in this country, where 
 he first begaa his career as a, shopman, and next became a newspaper 
 
) V 
 
 34G TIIK TIISTOTIY [1825. 
 
 p\il)Iii«lirr : but lio had nlrciuly ndoptod l!".> trade of gricvancc-nionf,'cr, 
 urid wns ji keen liuiitcr n|) oCalMiscH. Tlio AsHotiil)ly won; only a f(!w 
 wt't'ks ill sc-<si(»ii wlifU his pclitioii on tlu; siiltjcct, ul iiltiiscs in thi; l*08t 
 Onic'o Dipaitiiiciit was l)i()iiiiliL up Ity Mallliews and McCall. His 
 alN'ifalions wen; supported by llio inveslii^alions of .1 coinmiltee. It, 
 was proved t lull llie. mail iia;^s were ofleii lilled willi goods, letteM 
 opened and niis-seiit, and tliat it would ho ailvisablc tliu I'roviiicial 
 instead of the Imperial Guvcrnin(;nt, bliuuld havo control of this 
 Department. 
 
 'J'liis session of I'arliair.ont was deeiiledly a talking one. After silting 
 till the IJUli of April only seven bills were passed, and to make inatter8 
 yet mor<', uneomfortahle, the annual >^npply l>ill not eoniing up to the 
 estimate, shared the late of ^iniihir bills in Lower Canada, being thrown 
 out by llitj I'pper House. Although the finances of the province were 
 still in a depressed condition, their "JIuiiors" saw no necessity for 
 rctreneliment. 
 
 1'he first iielorin Assembly did not bid fair by any moans for popu- 
 larity. The peoples' bill for legislation was even heavier 1 lian usual, 
 and less value had been given in return. So said they of the Family 
 Compact. This accusaiioii aroused discussion, and it was shown that 
 the estimates were cut down most properly. The Attorney General, 
 for instance, was not content with his regular stipend, and swelled up 
 his inconio by charging the public with tho rent of his private oflice, 
 travelling expenses, legal advice to tho Lieutenant-(iovernor, and so 
 fortli. All of which, and many more like them, had been included in 
 the estimate, although having no lawful business whatever to be there. 
 
 Summer passed rapidly away without ]jroduciiig di;aster to dim its 
 pleasant sunshine, or matter for the [len i>f the historian. The Legis. 
 lative was again convened on the 7ih of November. The opening 
 speech and the addresses in reply were longer than usual, more care- 
 fully prepared, and appeared to give satisl'action to all parties. Tho 
 Lieutenant (lovernor now made a courteous response to the address 
 of tho Assembly, and soon after sent them a message, pursuant to in- 
 structions from the Colonial OfHcc, recommending, that a more liberal 
 provision be made for the naturalization of foreigners of every des- 
 cripiion. A bill was accordingly passed for this purpose, but rejected 
 in the Legislative Council. Resolutions were also agreed to on (he ex- 
 pediency of excluding judges from the Executive Council, and render- 
 ing them independent of the Crown, by ap[ioiiitment during good con- 
 duct as in luigland. An address founded on these resolutions was 
 voted to the King. 
 
 During this Session thirty-one acts were passed ; one of which mado 
 
 ,,»• 
 
1825.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 047 
 
 provision for a liounty of CI 25 to ovory person os(,i))lisliiiifT a pajtcr 
 
 mill. IJiif, tI;.,'lilfoii otlur l)ill.s wuro thrown out liv tin- I.tj^isliilivo 
 
 Council, utiioni^ wliioh was ono rt|H';ilinif tin.; Soilition Act nmlcr 
 
 wliicli (Joiirlav liiid Ixn-n Iimmu-iI out af the ooinitrv. 'I'liia 
 
 1S2<». canso'l n very unplt-asant fi'i'liii>f to sprcail aludail. 'I'lic I'am- 
 
 i!y ('"inpaot still lu'M linn lioM of tln' l,ri,'!s|a(iv(' Coinicil : it 
 
 iilso continued to jrrasp the entire e.\i entive control, altliough (Jcftatcd 
 
 on every important division in the AsseniMy. 
 
 The estimates laid bekire the House showed that the expenses for 
 the current year would amount to t'^}0,.T):{, the revenue to £.'53.5C-() cur- 
 rency I'pper Canada was now in a condition to support its own civil 
 list, ami to release tlio Oown froni all burdens on its account, presum- 
 ing that duo economy was exercised. 
 
 The liCjiislaturo was prorogued on tlie .'{Oth of January, the usual 
 appropriations having heeti first granted tor the puhlie service. In a lew 
 weeks afterwards the (iovernor made a tour througli a portion of tlic 
 province, and was met in every direction with very ilattering addresses, 
 chiefly concocted, liowevcr, by friends of the K.xeeutive. In several 
 instances these addresses were reprobated by tlie opposition prints, as 
 not cor.\'(,'tly conveying the sentiments of the dill'erent communities, and 
 for dishonestly censuring the House of Assembly. 
 
 Steamers had now become numerous on the lakes and rivers of I'p- 
 per (,'anada : tiie construction of the Welland Canal was being ra^'idly 
 pushed forward: and the building of the iSt. Lawrence Canals had be- 
 L'un to be seriously agitated. Despite, the very general depression in 
 linanoial matters the province was steadily progressing. The popida- 
 tion had increased to nearly 170,000 souls ; while the continued stream 
 of emigration was fast fdling up the new townships. 
 
 Beyond the discussion caused by the rojectron of the Alien Dill in 
 the Ijcgislativc Council, which refused to pass it without amendment.s 
 destroying its most important features, there seems to have been very 
 little political agitation of any descri[)tion at this period. Although 
 disliked for his reserved manners, and for surrendering himself com- 
 pletely to the influence of the Family Compact, the (iovernor was ge- 
 nerally respected. The public mind, as a rule, was contented, and the 
 desire was to obtain redress of any existing evils solely by cftustitn- 
 tional methods. As yet the idea of Responsible tiovernment had not 
 resolved itself into a precise form, as a public question, although, 
 doubtless, it was already entertained by many individuals. 
 
 In those days comparatively few of the people read newspaper?, 
 which did not, therefore, by any means exercise the influence on the 
 
 2A 
 
S48 
 
 THE TIISTOIIV 
 
 ilMiif; 
 
 puljlic mimi tluy do at lliu |»nsriit diiy. 'I'ln! pmi^riiil, I'tliUirinU 
 ot Al.ii'ki'ii/ii', NsliDM' [lapcr was now iicail)' two yi-ars in fxisfcin-c, ow- 
 ing to tlu!S(.> crtiiM's, and to tlnir Inini,' rcLJiardi'd as loo cauvti.- and via- 
 It-nl, wcir wvy iitlli' ti It in tlic coinniunily. Ilisalliiirs, consi'iinmtly, 
 were far iVuni Ixin^f in a lloiiiisliin;^' condiliun, and lus was sciionsly 
 lilaliny a r' nioval t<» Monti'cal or tin- Inilcd Stales,'-'' wln-n, dnrini' 
 
 nu'i 
 
 a tfrnporary absence iVom \\n\fv, \\\< printing dllirc was broju-n into by 
 parlii-'s ul' )■ ■spi>clai)b' standinLT, who jiad lalifii olU-nci- at his wrilin>/s, 
 und conipk'lidy wicclu'd, two nuiiristrati's lool<iii^ coolly on. 'I bis cvi-nt. 
 at >'M('i' <^ave him a ino-:(dppuiinn(! noiorictv, and iiad tlic < io\rrnor 
 coiiritonanctfd thu act in any way, his j)opnhirity wonld have bun still 
 UrcattM'. Hilt the hitter, who chanced to be absent Iruiu Toiunlo at ihu 
 time, did notliini; of tlie Unil. On liis n-tiirn lie promptly expressed 
 his stroii;^ disapproval of the onlra^'e, und ut once dismisj^cd one of the 
 clerks of his ollice who had acted as a sort of leader on the occasion : 
 with the renniinder ol" tin; liolers the huv was (puetly ulloW(d to tako 
 its course. 'i"he (lovcrnor's condiu't, in thi-i nnitter, i^'ave irenei;il 
 satisfaction to the public. I'or the moment lie became decidedly popu- 
 lar : and Mackni/ie had not as yet <iot the opportnnity of becomint,' a 
 political martyr, lie sued the ajji^ressors for damages, and on the .'IOlIi 
 of (>i't(d)er, despite all the cloipienco of liafernnin, obtained a verdict 
 in liis liivor for .t'tJvJ.") damau;es and costs. j Tlie snil, however, was 
 brought for {.'"iOOO, on the ground that the stoppage ol his printing; busi- 
 ness occasioned him addilion:d loss. A subscription was set on fool 
 to pay the verdict against the rioters, and tiio greater p?irt of the no- 
 oossary sum was raised by thi.--, means. The ])arti 'S thus escaped all 
 punishment for the ollenee, a circumstance which produced a good deal 
 of [lublic imlignalion, and increased the iiostile feeling against the Fa- 
 mily Compact. Towards the close of the year the publication of llii* 
 Advocate was resumed. 
 
 The Legislature again assembled on the r>tli of December. In his 
 speech, the (Jovcrnor alluded \.() the satisfactory i>rogress of the pro- 
 vince, the advanced state of its great i)ublic woi'ks, and the prosper 
 .oas and contented condition uf the people, all which he had personally 
 witnessed during his recent tour. The address from the Coniniens, 
 for the first time directly censured his conduct, in receiving and reply- 
 ing to addresses during that very loiu'. which reflected on their body. 
 The Governor retorted by declaring, that in this procedure they had 
 
 • Cuniula as it Was &»., vel, 1. p, 121. 
 
 f Miiokcn/io subsoiiueutly ailiuittcd that the actual d amago to hia office w»3 
 Tery trifling. 
 
 , ♦• 
 
t cdiloriaU 
 istciiv*', «jw- 
 ;lif aii'l vio- 
 iiisi'iiiuMitly, 
 
 ll-< solluUvly 
 vlnii. ilui'iii;^ 
 )Ulmi iiit') l>y 
 his wiiliii'js, 
 I. Till-* cviiil 
 he (io\Lrn<f 
 :ive l)Cfn still 
 oiiiiilt) ;il tin; 
 tly I'XjUvsscd 
 .1(1 olU' <jt"llio 
 tlic, o(.'i'ii>l<>u : 
 u\vi 1 1 to taku 
 
 L'f'uludly pnjiu- 
 )l l)(.'Coiniii<; II 
 imI uii tlio r.Oih 
 lined :i voi'dicl 
 however, was 
 , {.viiiliiiy biisi- 
 as set on foot, 
 ,iiil ul" Uk- \w 
 HIS escaped all 
 ed a ^«»od deal 
 lauainst the V\ 
 • lieallou ot llii* 
 
 I'laber. In l>i^ 
 i-;s (it the pro- 
 Ill. Uhe prosper- 
 [had personally 
 the ("nnuiK'HS, 
 Ivinj,' and reply- 
 on tlieir body, 
 ledure thoy had 
 
 [o to his office vfw 
 
 iRart.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 840 
 
 departed from tlio courlosy usual on such oora«-ion9, and sto.itly main- 
 luiiud he hail aefed correefly in the premises. Trouble was evidently 
 brewiufi;. ;\ C'omtiions with snUicieiit eniiratre lo eensiite a < Jovernor, 
 was a ih w thliij^' ill I'pper (,'anada. ^VIlile the l-'aindy ('oin[>a<:t re- 
 tained a majority in llio Iluiise, such an ueoiurenct had never biTii 
 known. 
 
 Apart frora this s.piabblo the session pa««cd^olerably smoothly 
 1H"27. ofT Several bills wore enacted. Amon^,' the rest the Naturali- 
 zation Act : which was reserved, however, bv the (Joveriior lor 
 the pleasure of the Kinir, by whom it was rejected, muoli to the <»ratiti- 
 caliou of the bulk of the people of Canada, who thoroughly dislikeil it, 
 owing to its illiberal provisions. Anionj^ others who ileuounced this 
 bill was llobert (Jourlav, .still conlined in a hou>o of curreotion in 
 Loinlon, fur having assaulted ^[r. ^)rou^dl:lru in the lobby of the House 
 of (,'omnions and beini,' also insane, and who continued at lucid intervals 
 to correspond with the r[)por Canadian pres.s. 
 
 Ah the year [troj^rc^sed, owincj to the exclusive claini'. to the Clergy 
 Roservos, put forward on behalf of the Church of Mncland, consider- 
 able discussion was excited, and the ri^ht iA the Presbyterians to a 
 share therein very strongly tirgcil by the friends of thi- Kirk, loil by 
 William IMorris, member of Assembly for f.anark. The iiatiirali;<a. 
 tioii question, also, was very actively discussed at ]nibllc mec^tiiigs and 
 by the press; audit was evident that the agitation on this matter, 
 must speedily compel its settlement. 
 
 hi ^ray, an occurrence took place at Niagara Falls which created a 
 good deal of public feeling. A reserve of one chain in briudth, along 
 the bank of the river, had been retained by government for military 
 purposes. 'J'liis reservation was expressly stated in the deeds to par- 
 tics holding the adjoining lands.* A ]>erson of the name of Forsyth, 
 however, who then owned the principal inn at the Falls, and considera- 
 ble landed property in the neighborhood, enclosed the Crown rosorva- 
 tion. This act was immediately protested against bv many of tho 
 neighboring residents, who petitioned the (Jovernor.igainst the encroach- 
 ment on tho public domain, and j)articular]y as it left no passage open 
 to see a part of the Falls, but one through Forsyth's own house, (^af*- 
 tain I'hillpots, the engineer ollicer who had the district in charge, was 
 accordingly ordered to see that this space was kept open ; and, as For- 
 syth refused several times to remove the fence, he directed it to be pul- 
 led down. 
 This conduct was loudly protested against by the Iveform press, eager 
 
 * Chief Justice Robinson to Colonel Kowun, Dec Slst 1832. 
 
350 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1827. 
 
 't> 
 
 to seize upon anytliing to tho projudioe of a Governor they disliKcd. 
 If Forsyth, it wus urgL'd, had tiikcn inipropor posscssi(ni of tlio ground, 
 h(^ should l)c ejected by due courso of law and not by military violence 
 This would most niuloulitcdiy havi^ been tlie wisest eoursi", as Forsyth 
 was subsccpii'iitly bt'iitcn in two suits, brought to recover daniagcs froiu 
 l'hill{)utts and another j)erson, fjr trespass. His pretensions to the 
 grounil i:i dis|)ule were likewise set aside by an action against him 
 for intrusion, which resulted in favor of the Crown, and chiefly on the 
 evidence of a Mr. Jones, wdio had made tlie original survt'y. The 
 course pursued by the Governor on this occasion was censured by the 
 Home Government.* 
 
 Tiio Legislature assembled on the loth of January ; and the 
 1828. Governor made his speech to an unusually thin House. In the 
 Assembly some ditbculty was experienced in collecting a quo- 
 rum for the desputch of business, and which was no accomplished 
 till the 18th. It was the last session of the eighth parliament of the 
 province, and members appe;ired to be very indillerent whether thoy 
 attended or not. To judge from the newspapers of the day, many of 
 them were too busy in canvassing for the next general election, to pay 
 3nuch attention to legislative matters, 
 
 x\s the session progressed, the ill-feeling towards the Governor evidently 
 increased. His appointment of a clerk to the Assembly, was regarded 
 by that body as an interfere. ice with their privileges. Forsyth had 
 I)etitioned the House for r(;drcss, and the committee selected to invcs- 
 gate his case, thought proper to suumion tho Adjutant-General, Coffin. 
 and Colonel Givens, superintendent of Indian afiliirs, to give evidence. 
 The Governor directed them not to obey the mandate, on the ground, 
 that the application for their attendance should have been made in the 
 lirst place to him as their superior military officer. A warrant was ac- 
 cordingly issued by the Assembly for their apprehension for contempt. 
 Cofiin denied admission to the Scrgeant-at-arms, but tho latter ilnally 
 broke open the door with an axe, made him a prisoner, as well as 
 Givens, and both, persisting in their refusal to give evidence, were com- 
 mitted to the common gaol, where they remained till the House was 
 ])rorogued. Tho committee reported in favor of Forsyth's petition, 
 recommended that he should bo remunerated for the loss of his crops, 
 caused by the destruction of his fences, and denounced the conduct ot 
 the Governor as arbitrary. 
 
 A good deal of bitter discussion took place with regard to the Clergy 
 Keservcs, and a more decided opposition was shown to the admission 
 
 * Sir G. Murray's despatch to Sir John Colborne, 20th of Oct. 1828. 
 
 ,♦• 
 
1828.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 351 
 
 of the Church of England's claims to their solo possession. A 
 Naturalization liiii was at length passed of a more liberal and satisfac- 
 tory character, which was reserved, novertheloss, for the consideration 
 of the Iloiue (iovernnient, and suhstiqiicntly, on the Sth of May, as- 
 sented to by the Kiiitr in council. The annual supply bill having been 
 voted, the Legislature was prorogued on the •■2.")th uf March. 
 
 Party spirit was now bcroniing more and more intense. A libel 
 suit was conimeneed by the Governor at the S[iring term, against Mr. 
 Collins, editor of a Toronto jiaper termed the Ouuidiitn Freeman, 
 which was not prosecuted, however, owing to the turnier quitting the 
 province on his ajipointnient to the government of Nova H^otia. 
 Mackenzie was also indicted for a like oflence. growing out of the For- 
 syth petition, but his trial, as well as tliiit of Collins, was put olTto the 
 Fall term, the Attorney General not being willing, or prepared, to 
 prosecute. 
 
 Collins was a man of a warm and imprudent temper, and shortly af- 
 ter attacked the Attorney General, on grounds connected with this 
 psn.ling libel suit. The latter prosecuted him for defamation at the 
 Fall term, and obtained a verdict in his favor. Collins was sentenced 
 to one years' imprisonment, a fine of .£50, and to find security for future 
 good behaviour. 
 
 The feeling of animosity against the Executive, was increased by the 
 course pursued with regai'd to Mr. Willis, an £]nglish lawyer of emi- 
 nence, recently appointed one of the judges of the Ipjicr Canadian 
 Court of King's Deneh by the Home (iovernmeiit. Like Thorp, he 
 was unwilling to identify himself with the Family Compact, and a strong 
 feclinsf was soon excited against him amon^ its members. It was 
 coiiNequcntly determined to sacrif'ce hinr on the first opportunity. His 
 refusal to sit in term at I'oronto in .Tune, the court not being legally 
 constituted without the Chief .lustice (Campbell.) then absent in Lng- 
 land, being present, olfering the desired occasion, he Wcas suspended 
 from his office by the Governor. ^Ir. Hagerman was temporarily ap- 
 pointed to the vacant post, an arrangement, however, which did not 
 meet the a[)proval of the Tlome Authorities, and Mr Macauhsy recdved 
 the vacant jiidgesliip. The Colonial OlVwx' subsequently sustained Mr. 
 Willis, in part, in the course he had pursued, but admitted the Governor 
 liud not acted beyond his authority, lie was not sent back to Canada, 
 hawover, and a situation was provided for him in another colony. 
 
 Tills occnrre.rice had a considerable influence on the elections, which 
 aiiain resulted in the return of a Keform majority, among whom was 
 William Lyon jNL'ickenzie. Sir Peregrine Mailland had now become de- 
 cideJIy unpopular with this party, who gladly hailed his departure for 
 
S52 THE HISTORY [1828. 
 
 the government of Nova Scotia, to which he had been appointed, and 
 welcomed the accession of Sir John Colbornc as a boon. Tlie latter 
 a88umed direction of the administration in November, and as he was 
 said to have received instructions to govern agreeably to a liberal policy, 
 much was expected from him. 
 
 i 1. 
 
 ^ 
 
1829.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 ?i55 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 TIPPER CAKADA TV.OM 1820 TO 1835. 
 TIIE ADMINISTRATION OF SIR JOHN COLBORNE. 
 
 The new parliament was convened on the 0th of January, and 
 1829. !Marsliall Spiing Bid well chosen Speaker of the Assembly. Tlitj 
 speech of Sir John Colbornc, on the occasion, was guarded in the 
 extreme, and presents few features of importance. The division on the 
 ufldress showed that the House was almost entirely a Reform one. Ita 
 language was a direct censure pn the Executive, apart from the (jiovornor. 
 "We his Majesty's faithful Commons," it urged, "confiding in the 
 candor of your Excellency, and in your readiness to recognise us as 
 <onslitutional advisers of the Crown, do humbly pray your Excellency 
 against the injurious policy hitherto pursued by the Provincial Admin- 
 istration ; and although we'at present sec your Excellency unhappily 
 surrounded by the same advisers, as have so deeply wounded the feel- 
 ings and Injured the best interests of the country, yet in the interval of 
 any necessary change, we entertain an anxious belief, that under the 
 auspices of your Excellency the administration of justice will rise 
 above suspicion ; the wishes and interests of the people be properly 
 respected ; and the revenues of the colony be hereafter devoted to ob- 
 ji'ots of public improvement, after making provision for the public ser- 
 vice on a basis of economy suited to the exigencies of the country." 
 "It is less diflicult," said the Governor in reply, " to discover the 
 traces of political dissensions, and local jealousies in this colony, than 
 to cfi'ace them. 1 anticipate that the principles of the constitution being 
 kept steadily in view, and the good sense of the people, will neutralise 
 the eflbrts of any interested faction. 
 
 The Governor's answer like the Delphian Oracle could be interpreted 
 ritlier way. The Ueformcrs fancied it favored themselves : they wore 
 Hion undeceived. He refused the petition of the Assembly to extend 
 (he royal clemency to Collins, who was still incarcerated. "I r :5rct 
 
•.• f 
 
 . ' , V 
 
 «l 
 
 854 THE HISTORY [1829. 
 
 exceedingly," said he, " that the House of Assembly should have made 
 an application to me, which the obligation 1 am under to support the 
 laws, and my duty to society, forbid me,'l think, to comply with." The 
 House retorted by a resolution, to the cfFect, " that thoy had not 
 merited the imputation conveyed in his Excellency's message, and that 
 their request was not inconsistent with the due support of the laws, and 
 their duty to society." 
 
 Its beginning seemed to augur a stormy reign for Sir John. Macken- 
 zie was already busy making motions for all sorts of information, as if he 
 had even then conceived the plan of his " Grievance lleport," The Family 
 Compact chuckled over the refusal to release Collins, who had a young 
 and helpless family to provide for ; but a general feeling of indigna- 
 tion spread through the country, and in the town of Hamilton the Gov- 
 ernor was hung in effigy. The exercise of clemency on this occasion 
 would have done much to satisfy the people, and made Sir John Col- 
 borne popular ; but the stern old veteran preferred what he deemed to 
 be the path of duty to the acclamations of the crowd. 
 
 In Upper as well as in Lower Canada, Government still retained 
 the casual and territorial revenues ; and these in addition to a per- 
 manent grant of £2500, made several years previously, had now in- 
 creased sufficiently to make the Executive completely independent of 
 the Assembly, as regarded an annual vote for the civil list. Strong 
 resolutions were passed against this condition of things in the House, 
 and a firm determination evinced to acquire control of all the provin- 
 cial revenues. 
 
 An address was voted to the Crown, setting forth the impure admin- 
 istration of justice in the province, and praying that judges should be 
 madeindopendentof the Executive, and Mr. Willis restored. With very 
 trifling difference the Reformers of Upper Canada and the anti-Execu- 
 tive party of the lower province now sought the attainment of the 
 same objects, but for very diircrent ulterior ends. One desired social 
 progress and greater constitutional liberty in the movement, the other 
 embarked in it with a view to acquire power in order to make their 
 province more exclusively a French colony. 
 
 During this session of parliament, which terminated on the 20th of 
 March, twenty one of the bills passed in the Assembly, were thrown 
 out in the Upper House, which showed the little cordiality subsisting 
 between the two bodies. Among these, was an act repealing 
 that granting the £2500 in aid of the civil list. The province now 
 presented the unconstitutional spectacle of a government re(piiring no 
 monies from the Assembly ; and a Legislative Council of a totally dif- 
 ferent complexion from the popular branch of thj Legislature. No 
 
 .,♦• 
 
[1829. 
 
 have mude 
 ;upport iho 
 riih." The 
 py had not 
 ;e, and that 
 e hwvs, and 
 
 1. ^luckon- 
 lion, as if he 
 The Family 
 iiad a young 
 of uidigna- 
 ,on the (luv- 
 this occasion 
 ir John Col- 
 ic deemed to 
 
 still retained 
 
 ion to a per- 
 
 had now in- 
 
 idependent of 
 
 ist. Strong 
 
 the House, 
 
 the piovin- 
 
 in 
 
 n 
 
 pure admin- 
 cjes should he 
 With very 
 le anti-Exocu- 
 ment of the 
 csired social 
 nt, the other 
 to make their 
 
 ^n 
 
 the 20lh of 
 were thrown 
 ty subsisting 
 ct repealing 
 irovincc now 
 retpiiring no 
 a totally dif- 
 islature. No 
 
 1829.] OF CANADA. 355 
 
 restraint could bo imposed on the Executive by an annual vote of sup- 
 plies. It \va' completely independent of the people. 
 
 The British House of Commons had scarcely recovered from the 
 excitement cunsequfuit on passing the Emancipation IJill, when wo 
 find Mr. Stanley (now the Earl (jf Derby) presenting a petition there, 
 from 3,110 inhabitants of Toronto, [traying that judges in I'ppor 
 Canada might be placed on the same permanent looting as in the m(jther 
 country. '-The pelilinr.'ii-a went on to hope," said he, '• that they 
 might have a load ami rcsponsih/e administration," And thus, for tho 
 first time, the question uf " Uesponsible Government" in Upper Can- 
 ada loomed distinctly on the jmblic view, as the great ['anacea for its 
 many evils. In Lower Canada, the popular party sought to carry out 
 their purposes by having an elective Legislative Council, whieh they 
 knew very well they could construct as they pleased. In I'pper 
 Canada, the same party felt, that if they had the Executive power in their 
 hands, they could very readily coerce the Upper House into their mea- 
 sures. Unlike the French they sought the triumph of constitutional 
 principles and not of a race. 
 
 Towards the latter end of Ju'y. the elevation of the Attorney (xcne- 
 ral, John I3everley Kobinsoii, to bo Chief Justice, created a vacancy in 
 the representation of Toronto, and for tho first timo Robert Baldwin 
 appeared prominently before tho public, as a candidate for the sufFragea 
 of its electors. Of respectable abilities, like his father, Dr. Baldwin, an 
 old and consistent ileformer, who had for several sessions filled a scat 
 in the Assembly, he was attached to popular liberty, while he eschewed 
 the license of extreme democracy, and was destined to occupy a jiro- 
 minent place in tho public councils of his country, during a long and 
 stormy period. 
 
 ThQ only additional event of any importance which characterised the 
 summer of this year, was a tour of the Governor through the province. 
 Numerous addresses were presented to him ; but the honest old sol- 
 dier was no courtier ; he did not evidently understand these kind of 
 things ; and his invariable reply was, " I receive your address with 
 much satisfaction, and I thank you for your congratulations." A cen- 
 sorious Asseml)ly would find it a difiicult matter to quarrel with a 
 speech of this stamp. 
 
 In Autumn we find Egerton Rycrson issuing the prospectus of The 
 Christian Ginirdlnii, a religious newspaper in the interests of tho 
 Wesleyan Methodists, which still progresses in an honorable and useful 
 existence. It made the fourteenth paper then published in Upper Canada. 
 
 Their petition hnving been rejected by the Governor, the Assembly 
 had memorialised George IV^ ia behalf of Collins. His Majesty at 
 
 » « "' 
 
356 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1829. 
 
 . ' ,v 
 
 once directed his release, and also remitted the fine and hail imposed 
 by the ('mirt. Tiiis was a gracious and Kingly act, and (he press and 
 people of I'ppcr Canada felt not a little gratilicd. 
 
 On the .*>Olh of Nove.abcr tin; Welland Canal was formally opened 
 for navigation, and sloops could now descend from the waters of Erio 
 to those of Ontario. It was a gigantic work, undertaken when the pro- 
 vince was thinly populated, and spoke much for the future progress of 
 the country. It benefitted northern New York equally with Canada, 
 and gave a n»'W impulse to the commercial prosperity of ( >swego. The 
 Rideau Canal was also being pushed rapidly forward towards'com- 
 pletion,and steamers would soon be able to ascend from Montreal to 
 Kingston. 
 
 When the Legislature assembled on the 8th of January, the 
 1830. Oovernor informed the House, that not only had the revenue at 
 the disposal of the Crown been sunicient to pay the civil list, but 
 a considerable balance was now at llieir disposal. The Assembly, in 
 its reply, asserted its right to tlu! control of the imperial duties levied 
 under the 14th Geo. Ill, and to the disposal, also, of the other resources 
 of the province. Tlu'v likewise expressed a solicitude for the pure ad- 
 ministration of justice, " Gentlemen of the House of Assembly," said 
 the Cleneral in answer, '• I thank you for your address," 
 
 The TiCgislation during this session was of a common-place descrip- 
 tion, and if the fact is excepted that forty bills passed in the Assembly 
 were thrown out in the Upper House, there was little to distinguish it. 
 Still some useful bills were placed on the Statute Book. Among these 
 was one for the long expected remuneration of war losses ; anothi-r for 
 the repair of roads ; and a third gnaiting a loan for the completion of 
 the Welland Canal, not yet entirely finished, some of the locks having 
 given away. ^ 
 
 During the earlier part of the Summer there were few subject« 
 broached to agitate the public mind, and the bulk of the people, in the 
 rural districts, turnod their attention to the formation of n;>:ricultural 
 societies, and the furtherance of their welfare, aside from politics. Tho 
 death of George IV., and the consequent dissolution of the Assembly^ 
 again produced political excitement, and the country prepared for a 
 general election, which took place in the month of October. Its result 
 showed that a new epoch had arisen in Upper Canada. 
 
 Prior to the war of 1812, what might properly be called political par- 
 ties did not exist in the province. Tho existence of a Reform Party pro- 
 per, cannot be traced farther back than 1820, when it had its origin in tho 
 endeavor to remove existing abuses, the desire to procure the promised 
 grants of lands for the militia, and the agitation aroused by the advent 
 
 ,.♦• 
 
1830.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 Sfi 
 
 r.» 
 
 of the eccentric Gourlay. During the next ton years, the lino of de- 
 marcation between the Family Cotn|iact and the Keforni I'arty was 
 distinctly and broadly drawn. From the close of Simeon's adminihtra- 
 tion to I8'i0, the Ibrnier body Ik'ld a firm and almost lUKiui'Slioned 
 grasp of the administrative power of the provinee. lleeeiving at times 
 fresh accessions to its numl)er9, it establisliL-d itself in nearly all the 
 highest public oflices, maintained a decided influence in the Executive 
 Council, and by wielding the whole powers of government, and thus 
 having the patronage of all the petty posts throughout the province, it 
 long preserved its influence in both branches of the Legislature, but 
 particularly in the I'ppcr House, and whoi'e until the I'nion it continued 
 to hold supreme sway. From Hunter to Colborne, successive Govcr- 
 ernors, in their turn, either at once submitted to its influence, or were 
 compelled to do so after a short and unavailing struggle. Tiie Bench, 
 the Magistracy, the high oflices of the Church of England, were filled by 
 its adherents, who were also numerous among the members of the IJar. 
 I>y grants or purchase this party had liUewise !ici[nircd the bulk of the 
 best located wild lands ; and were all powerful in the chartered banks, 
 in which they shared among themselves nearly all the odices of trust 
 and profit.* 
 
 For a period of over thirty years, the prominent eharaetcristics of 
 the Family Compact had varied very little, if at all. (Originally formed 
 by the majority of the leading men of the U. E. Loyalist emigration, 
 by the Tory half-pay British officers, and by other settlers of the same 
 aristocratic pretension, it continued to admit fresh accessions to its 
 number of this description of persons only, and thus preserved its cx- 
 olusive character. "While it desired to acquire adherents among, what 
 it deemed, the common people, it did so merely for the purpose of 
 stregihening and perpetuating its own position, and carefully excluded 
 them from its inr<'.r circle, and from participation in all real power. 
 Devotedly loyal .o the Crown, attached to monarchical institutions as 
 the source from whence sprung its own obligarchical position, origi- 
 nally better educated, and possessed of more talent and more wealth 
 than the rest of the community, it presented a Tory aspect of a school 
 long scouted in Great Britain for its illiberality, and consigned to meri- 
 ted political oblivion. 
 
 On the other hand, the Reform Party was at first composed of a 
 part of the U. E. Loyalists, and the bulk of the^emigrants from the 
 I'nited States, who had settled in the province before the war of 1812 
 to escape high taxation and improve their fortunes. Many of the latter 
 were shrewd practical men, familiar with the disputes which led to tho 
 
 * Lord Durham's Report^ p. 56, 
 
358 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1830, 
 
 If ' 
 
 . ' ,^ 
 
 I *i 
 
 American war of Independence, and soon desired a larger measuro of 
 constitutional libeity. than existed in the land of their adoption. Few, 
 if indeed any of these, had quit the United States because they (lislii<cd 
 their constitution ; and n(jt frnding [)olitical matters suited to tlicir 
 wisiies ill this country, they naturally considered that a monarchical 
 form of government must bo necessarily arbitrary, regarded republican 
 institutions as the only liberal ones, and desired to see them established 
 in Canada. L'[) to 18:2(), this class of persons iormi'.d fully one-third of 
 the Keform Party, and consiTiuently in many of its movements a covert 
 though very guarded leaning to republicanism can distinctly be traced. 
 Like the Family Comjiact, it also betrayed in its political conduct 
 a jealousy of the emigrants, and a wish to maintain the powers of 
 odice, and the emoluments of the professions, in the hands of persons 
 born or long resident in the colony.* 
 
 Subsctjuent to lS'2(i, the large British emigration which poured con- 
 tinuously into Upper Canada, and which, in ISJJl, had swelled its popu- 
 tion to over a (juarter of a million, produced a complete change in 
 political parties. "While the recent emigrants took dilferent sides in 
 politics — while one class, among whom was a large proportion of the 
 Irish ikoman Catholics, arranged themselves on the side of Keform; 
 and another class, which embraced the great bulk of Irish Protestants, 
 stood up in partial opposition — all, as a rule, were decidedly British in 
 their feelings, and predilections, and had little sympathy with the re- 
 publican institutions of the United States. 
 
 This emigration did not strengthen the Reform Party so speedily as 
 it did their opponents. They had a more decided dislike to strangers, 
 and as they considered they had still a majority of votes in the diflerent 
 electoral districts, they were unwilling to unite themselves closely to, 
 or avail themselves of the aid of, Irish Reformers. On the other hand, the 
 sturdy and independent conduct of Sir John Colborne made the mem- 
 bers of the Family Compact tremble for their influenee ; and they saw 
 that unless they obtained a majority in the Assembly, and thus showed 
 they were popular with the people, they could not long hope to pre- 
 serve their influence in the Legislative and Executive Councils. They 
 accordingly disguised their dislike of emigrants, and courted their sup- 
 port. But, Irish and English Protestants, as a rule, were a well- 
 informed body of persons ; few who could not read and write ; they 
 loved constitutional liberty as a general principle, while they eschewed 
 republicanism in the abstract ; were not opposed by any means to ra- 
 tional reform ; and had not forgotten the revolution of 1GS8, which 
 
 * Lord Durham's Report, p. 69. 
 
1831.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 n:i9 
 
 frceJ thorn from Toryism of tlio extreme school. Honoo, they did not 
 now feel very much disposed, to support the umhio prrtciisiotis o( tjjo 
 Family Compact. They !i;i.l lfa<1er.s of tlu-ir own, too, wiio watiti'd to 
 be no mens' tools, and soutilil place and power tor themselves, by the 
 8uirrai;es of emiiirants like ihenHelve';, and who, it'tliey served flie old 
 Tory I'arty of Canada, expected that the old Tory I'arly should serve 
 them in turn. From these causes gradually arost! the Conservative Party 
 of Cana<la West, and which soonabsorbed the entire I'.imily Compact in 
 its ranks, or pushed it out of tin* way. 
 
 Thus, wc see that from 182»» to IH'M the two great political parties 
 of this country were completely rcconstructt'<l, and the republieuu ele- 
 ment in the iiefurni ]^arty reduced to a mere fractional [iroportion. 
 From that day to this, tlu; causes which produced this change have been 
 constantly at work. Emigration has steadily continued to How into Can- 
 ada from the mother country, and the great mass of its[ieo[)le are now 
 sincerely attached to constitutional monarchy. Settlers from tho 
 United States lind every liberty they can desire, soon U'arn to i)ray for 
 the Queen and constituted authorities, are fused into the great mass of 
 the people, and as a rule, become ocellent citizens. ISubseipient to 
 1820, lieformers and Cmservatives of talent and education poured into 
 tho province from all directions. Tho press grew able and enlightened, 
 both parties became more national, more patriotic, and more conducive 
 to the dcvelopement of rational liberty. The full force of progress and 
 intelligence swept away monopolies and abuses one after another, and 
 made Canada what she is to day, the happiest and most contented 
 country in the world. The only evjls now to be dreaded are those of 
 prosperity — national extravagance, and a desire to grow suddenly rich 
 by unwholesome speculation. 
 
 From the circumstances just noticed, as well as from the fact, thai 
 several of tho constituencies were desirous to try what a Tory Assem- 
 bly (the Conservative party not yet taking the lead) would accomplish 
 for tho country, the Reform Party, on the close of tho general election 
 of 1830, found itself in a decided minority. When the Legis- 
 1831. lature assembled on the 8th of January, their opponents wero 
 able to appoint a Speaker, Mr. M'Clean, of Stormont, from their 
 own body by a vote of 27 to 15. 
 
 There is little upon the Statute IJook to distinguish this session, be- 
 yond an act granting £6500 sterling in perpetuity to the government, 
 to'pay the salaries of the Lieutenant Governor, the three judges, the 
 Attorney and Solicitor Generals, and the five Executive Councillors, in 
 return for the Crown ceding to tho Legislature the control of the Im- 
 perial duties, now amounting annually to about £11,000 sterling. Thus 
 
300 
 
 THE TTISTOllY 
 
 [IHfJl 
 
 . ' ,v 
 
 oiu! causi> of piililic (li-iatiNfaotioii was removed. Tho- opposition prosa 
 pnMiii)ii'i| 11 yooil <lc;il !il)oiit iiul making,' llii- pmit .'iii aiinuai one. IJnl, 
 parliuiiu'iit acti'd widely in iiu'oliiig tin; liiicral adieu ot liio Crown in 
 a corrt'-iioiKlin;? spirit. 
 
 Tlif. |("^i-<Iatinu ot llio onsniii'^ session, wliich was convened on tho 
 ITlliof Xovi'nihir. was also ot an ordinary .stamp, and [uvscnts fow fea- 
 ture ol' inipei'tanco fur historical comment. In tliis session !N[acken- 
 zic at Icn^tii iiad tho satisfaction of boconiinir a political martyr. A 
 caustic article in his ncws[)aper on the composition of tho Assembly 
 was voted lihclloiis and a briach of its privilcirfes by that body. Flo 
 was accordini:;ly cxpelleil by a vote of 'i4 to IT), and a new writ for tho 
 county of ^ ork directed to be issued. 
 
 Hut, as if to make amends for its illiberal expulsion of !^^ackenzio, the 
 Assembly voted an address to tho ( "rown, prayiui^ that the Clorjry Tie- 
 serves nii^dit be sold, and the procce<ls applied to tho purposes of edu- 
 cation. 1'hls was a strong bid tV)r popularity. ]\rackenzi(! was 
 1^32. again elected on tho 2nd of .Tamiary, again expelled, and this 
 time declared ineligible to sit in tho existing Assembly. The 
 excitement increased, and tlu' TiOgisIative Council also declared itself 
 libelled by tho Adroca/c, and prayed the protection of the Lower 
 TIoiiso. 
 
 Public meetings were now held in every direction, at which resolu- 
 tions were passed favorable to tho liberty of the press, and condemn- 
 ing tho course of the majority in the Assembly. The Ttoform Party 
 were thoroughly aroused, became willing to acquire all the support they 
 could, and exhibited a decided inclination to incorporate as many of the 
 recent emigrants into their ranks as possible. 
 
 Towards the close of tho session, a mess.igo from tho Governor 
 stated, that the ITome i\riiustry admitted the Church of Scotland in 
 Canada had a right to share in the Clergy Reserve lands. 
 
 The Legislature was prorogued on the 28th of January. Seven days 
 afterwards ^fackenzie was again elected for the County of York, by an 
 immense majority over two other candidates. Tie was now decidedly 
 the most popular man in the province, and was chosen to act as agent 
 by a large meeting held at Toronto, for a petition, signed I'V 24,500 
 persons, to William IV. This petition prayed that a new provincial 
 parliament might be called, as the present members did not represent 
 tho people, that the Legislative Council might be made elective, tho 
 Lieutenant Governor removed, the Bank of Upper Canada prevented 
 from becoming a monied monopoly dangerous to popular liberty, and, 
 that a favorable answer might be returned to previous petitions asking 
 for a more equal representation, many of the borough towns being 
 
 .,»■ 
 
[1831. 
 
 ilion [>ros9 
 
 ono. Uul 
 
 ( 'rowii in 
 
 no(.l on tho 
 
 Ills f.'w reta- 
 il Muflvcn- 
 iiiirtyr. A 
 . Assembly 
 body. IIo 
 writ tor tho 
 
 ickonzio, tli" 
 Clorj:;y Tlc- 
 
 DSCS of cclu- 
 
 ,cl<enzio was 
 
 I'll, mul this 
 mbly. Tlio 
 C'.clarctl itsolf 
 ■ the Lower 
 
 ,-hicli rosolu- 
 
 condomn- 
 
 brin Party 
 
 support they 
 
 many of the 
 
 Governor 
 Scotland in 
 
 Seven days 
 Yorlv, by an 
 :)\v decidedly 
 act as agent 
 ly 24,500 
 \v piovincial 
 lot represent 
 elective, the 
 la prevented 
 liberty, and, 
 itious asking 
 towns being 
 
 i8:w.J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 '.\CA 
 
 very small. Tlic proinofinnnf rdiicalinn. was also rofpiestod, and tin- ;il)()l- 
 ilinii ol" thi' law i.t prim(in>Miliii-f, ih^' pmpcr r\pt n litiirf of th'' pidt- 
 lic r<'\i'inii', iuid 'ic rcu'iilalioii nt" thi' l.iiid ^'ranlitiij; di-pai'liii'Mii. If 
 the CKi'iiy II^'-iTVo iiue>'i<in, and th.' lu-t ot thr. I'miily ('Dinpact still 
 rotaiiiintr a lirni yiasp on tin.' principal oHifCs ol th'' cnniitry. \\\w ad- 
 ded to this cai.ilii^iii', the micvain'i' li-t of tlu' pruviiicc at tlii-< pi'riod 
 
 would be fu'.h lilird 
 
 up. 
 
 All th 
 
 n'so dill'Tciicos worn capabh" ol' cuii-lilu- 
 
 tl 
 
 10 
 
 tional scUl.'iiii'iit, and allonii'il >lciMlrr pretext lor n.'volutiou. I nhkc 
 Paplncau fiction, llus iu'l'orni Party ut' 1; pcrC aiiada had no disposition 
 to iiunt up new iirievances as old ones were removed ; and had no de- 
 sire, as a i^'eiural rule, to pudi niaiii'is to an extrenn- point, witli an 
 ulteriiir aim to a total independence of ilu' mother counU",-. 
 
 The Sumnnr ol tiiis year wa-J not distinjjiushiMl l)y much I'f'lltical 
 
 oi:^itation. 
 
 numeriiu.-; emigration crowi 
 
 up the S| 
 
 1, 
 
 iwnnee to 
 
 cstabli>h itself in the new townshi])s, and swell the pofudation <>f tho 
 province, it was a sad season for the poor fii!Titivi> tVom Fatherland. 
 The Asiatic Cholera was sweepiuf; with its deadly pla;i;ue breath over 
 aflViifhted Etirope, and deciniati'.-j; the terror-stricken passen<:ers of tho 
 crowileil and ill-ventilated emiLtraiit shins. ^\ iih the ilr^-t suiinv davs 
 of Spring it established itself in tiuebcc and ^Montreal, the ^reat out- 
 
 lets of Canadian commerce, and from the 
 
 nee 
 
 pa-ised up till 
 
 ,aw- 
 
 rence, and round the shores of Ontario and lOrie, carryiny d(';,th and 
 dismay into all the tVonlier towns and hamlets of the comitry. I'ntil 
 the scourge passed .'\linost entirely away with the cool days oi" October, 
 tho terrible word "Cholera"' stared at one continually Irom all tho 
 pul)lie prints, mingled with the matin, ; rime, and vespn^r ori-^ons of tho 
 prayerful, and was ever the ghastly nightmare of the dreamer. 
 
 The Legi-laturc asseml)led on the JJlst of October. In his opening 
 address, the Ciovernor alluded to the rapid increase of population by 
 emigration,"" the completion of the liideau Canal, and the alnn)>^t com- 
 plete disappearance of Cholera. Mr. "Mackenzie still continued absent 
 in England, and was busily engaged in atti'actiug tho attention of tho 
 Colonial Oflice, now^ controlled liy Lord Godcrich. to the affairs of tho 
 provinee. One of tho first measures was his third expulsion from tho 
 Assembly. But he was again re-elected by acclamation, no otiu'r can- 
 didate presenting himself, and the same day the first political union of 
 Upper Canada was organised, on a basis proposed by Dr. ^lori'lson. 
 
 Five times, altogether, was ALickenzie expelled by the Tory majority 
 
 * As ft proof of the respectability of this emigration 300,000 sovereigns woro 
 deposited during tlic summer in tho Bunk of Upper Canada. New York Albi*n, 
 October 1832. 
 
362 
 
 THE IIISTOIIY 
 
 [1833. 
 
 * • r 
 
 . * ,^ 
 
 of llic Assotnlily to l»o ns olU'n ri'-olt'ctod. Th(> flonio (Jov- 
 innn. crnim'iit (lis!i[t|ir<)vc'tl of their oomliK't in tiii* ros|>fct. It was 
 
 'liciikdiy <)|i[i(js(il to its WIiIl,' I'ojicy, to tlio priiuiplos of lie- 
 (iivin proft'ssiMl liy tlm liiiju linl I'liriiaiiu'iil, mid iiltlioiinji avcrsi- to 
 rf)in|i|yiii;; with all thi' |>iay<'rs of {[w jtctitioiis, for which Mackenzie 
 lirtcil as aLjfiit. the iatti'i' had the satisfaction of scciiiii Attorney CJcnc- 
 ral Mouitoii and Solicitor (ii'iiiTal llaficnnan (h'privfd of their situa- 
 tions, for aidinLi proinincnlly in his iVcipicnt o.\pnl>ion, Mr. Ila^'cr- 
 
 man, liowcvci-. proccivlini,' promptly to l'!n;^I,iinl soon procured 
 
 1834. his own restoration to ofVice, while Mr. Monlton got a judgeship 
 in Ni'wtoundland." 
 
 These occurrciici's Jidded largely to tho intensity of [Mrfy spirit, nnd 
 tho ngitation which they aroused reacted to some extent on the Legisla- 
 lure, w hich this year passed the long and much desired act making the 
 judges indepen(h'nt of the Crown, and onalding tlieni to hold their 
 oflioe for lile, provided they behaved themselves jtroperly. This act 
 also declared both branches of the Legislature a com[)i'tent court to 
 try impeachments against judges, giving, however, a liiiht of appeal to 
 the King in council. Thus one serious and long-standing abuse was 
 removed, and the flagrant caso of a Jhorpo or a Willis could never 
 again occur in rppei' ('anada. 
 
 The approaching election was productive of .a larger amount of poli- 
 tical excitement, than any similar event had hitherto produced In the 
 Province. The almost uidooked for majority which the Tories had 
 acquired in the late Assembly, led them to make great exertions to se- 
 sure the same preponderance in the ensuing one. lint their arbitrary 
 course with regard to Mackenzie had lost them many friends. Nor did 
 their conduct otherwise satisfy many of the new emigrant electors, and 
 it was cvidoit as the struggle drew near, that their prospects of success 
 were extremely sliglit. Taught by experienoc the licform Party sedu- 
 lously courted the snjiport of the Irish Koman Catholics, as well as of 
 all those whom they imagined were most likely to assist them, and 
 exerted themselves so eflectually that they secured a majority of 10 in a 
 & House of ns members. Mackenzie was again returned triumphantly 
 for the County of York, and Marshall S. Bidwell, when the Le- 
 
 1835. gislatnre assembled on the 14th of January, was a second time 
 elected Speakci- of the Assembly. The result of this election 
 
 may be regarded as tho last knell of the l^'amily Compact. A new 
 party who disclaimed its extreme political doctrines, denied its exclu- 
 sive right to office, maintained that preferment should be open to all 
 
 * Seventh Grievance Report, p. 81. 
 
[1B33. 
 
 lOmo Gov* 
 t. It was 
 
 I jivi'i'si', to 
 
 Miiclu'iizlo 
 iiMii'y (u-nc- 
 tlu'ir sitii!*- 
 Mr. Il!i<,'('r- 
 III prociirod 
 
 ;i jutli^cship 
 
 V spirit, and 
 llic TiOgisla- 
 t maliiii*; the 
 () hold their 
 y. 'Ihis act 
 flit co\irt to 
 , of appeal to 
 \ir abuse was 
 could never 
 
 lount of poll- 
 diiocd in the 
 Tories had 
 ioi tions to sc- 
 heir arbitrary 
 lids. Nor did 
 t electors, and 
 'Ct3 of success 
 11 Party sedu- 
 . as well as of 
 st them, and 
 rity of 10 in a 
 triumpliantly 
 when the Le- 
 a second time 
 f this election 
 lact. A ncvr 
 icd its exclu- 
 be open to ail 
 
 iftns.i 
 
 OF PANADA. 
 
 ]W\ 
 
 men of talent, and vhm not opposed to measures of necessary Ivcform, 
 while, at the sivmo time, It WiHHincorely attached to Hritish connection, 
 was now rapidly springing into pulifi. aI importance. 'I'liis party dia- 
 (laimeil alilxi' the nanio of Faniiiy t'ompnct or Tory, ami calleil itself 
 Conservative. Its pr:,i( iples dilH red ;h widely from those of the Fam- 
 ily Compact, as the prinii[)|/'s of the IJeCoMn I'ariy of the present <lay, 
 and whose existence commoiierd in IS.'U, differ fi'Ofii the extreme 
 lladical and revolutionary theories of tlio Rolpli and llidwell school of 
 
 isnr-M. 
 
 The first session of the I'^th parliament of Upper Canada, \f^ particu- 
 larly disiiimiiir-luil for its famous "Seventh (Jricvance llcport'' con- 
 cocted chielly by Maeken/ie anil Dr. Morrison, This Keport is a 
 temperate and truthful document, in which the; impartial reader can fimi 
 very little to (piarrel with. After making due allowance for the natu- 
 ral desire to reduce political foes in j)uhlie estimation, all lovers of 
 rational liberty will admit that many grievances are therein exposed 
 to view, wliieii required constitutional remedy ; and a feeling of regret 
 must arise, that any other than oon>titutional means were ever re- 
 sorted to liy way of ol)taining redres-i. Twenty-one out of its forty- 
 eight pages* were devoted to the cpiestion of Kesponsiblo fiovernment, 
 to procure which the members of the IJeform I'arty were concentra- 
 ting all their exertions, sensible, that if they once could control the 
 Executive Council, the lAgislativc Council must speedily adapt itself 
 to their views. 
 
 The great change in the political opinions of (jlreat Britain, and the 
 moderate and more rational tone which now began to pervade parties 
 there, led to the supposition in Tpper Canada, that the High Church 
 party could not much longer maintain its exclusive claims to the Clergy 
 lioscrvo lands; and, that agreeable to the oriizinal statute setting them 
 apart, they must be soon divided among other Protestant denomina- 
 tions, or diverted to the purposes of educatiou. The Executive accord 
 ingly determined while they had yet the power, to make provision for 
 the maintenance of the Church of England, Fifty-seven llectories 
 were set apart from the Clergy Reserves, and put in possession of min- 
 isters, with the view of giving thcni a personal interest in the lands, 
 and thus, it was supposed, preventing them from being ousted by legal 
 enactmcnt.f 
 
 * This is the extent of the Report proper. It is accompanied, however, by a 
 large mass of other and very iiseful information of some 450 pages, 
 t The Trinity Episcopal Corporation of >'ew York, acquired their property 
 
 2B 
 
i 
 
 364 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1835. 
 
 This procedure producr-d a large amount of ill-feeling towards the 
 Executive annong the opposition, and a very violent spirit mani- 
 fested itself on different occasions. In Toronto, which had now ex- 
 panded into a city, of which Mackenzie moreover was Mayor, quarrels 
 took place between the military and the refuse of the Reform Party, 
 which created a good deal of implcasantness. The soldiers, too, were 
 tampered with,* but evidently more with the view of annoying the 
 Governor, than with any ulterior design to rebellion. 
 
 Such was the unpleasant condition of Upper Canada, when the Colo- 
 nial Office, now pledged to a policy of conciliation, and satisfied that 
 Sir John Colborne would not compromise himself by carrying it out, 
 determined to recall him, agreeable to his own request, and appoint 
 Sir Francis Bond Head as his successor. 
 
 ! !• ,. ' 
 
 also from the Crown before the American Revolution, and 'still retain posfcssion 
 of it owing to the decision of (lie Sujiroino Court of the United States. 
 * Canada as it Waf, skc. vol. 1. p. 188-1'JO. 
 
 J 
 
 .,♦• 
 
1828.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 365 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 LOWER CANADA FKOM 1828 TO 1837. 
 THE (JOVEIJX.MENT OF SIR JAMES KEMIT'. 
 
 Licutounnt General Sir James Kempt, selected by !Mr.ITusk- 
 1828. isson to succeed Lord Dalliousie in the government of Lower 
 Canada, was already well ac(|nainted with that province. Dur- 
 ing Sir .]amcs II. (,'raig's administration he had been Quarter-Master 
 General of the army in this country, and came out iiither again in 1814 
 as a general of brigade. His recent direction of the government of 
 Nova Scotia had givenliim, in addition, considerable experience in colo- 
 nial affiiirs. Great reliance was accordingly placed on his tact and pru- 
 dence by the Colonial Oflice, which confidently anticipated his adminis- 
 tration would relieve it from the embarrassing position, in which it was 
 uow placed by the unsatisfactory condition of things in Lower Canada. 
 In pursuance of tht- conciliatory policy now proposed to be adopted. 
 Papincau, o)i the Legislature assembling in November, was conQrmcd 
 in the SpeaHership of the Assembly. Nothing was effected, however, 
 towards arranging the financial disputes between the Crown and the 
 Lower House, who again voted a Supply Bill in a manner which as- 
 sorted their claim to the entire control of all provincial moneys. 
 1899. The Supply Bill forLS'20was also voted in the samcway, and both 
 narrowly escaped being lost in the Legislative Council. Complaints 
 continued to be made against judges, and Wolfred Nelson, returned for 
 William Henry, protested against the conduct of Attorney General 
 James Sluart, his opponent at the recent election, as wholly unbecom- 
 ing an ofli^er of the Crown, llobert Christie, the member for Gasjjc, 
 and (Jhairman of the Quarter Sessions tor the District of Quebec, was 
 expelled the House, principally on the ground of his having procured 
 the dismissal from the magistracy of members of the Assembly, who 
 had voted contrary to the wishes of the Executive. He was also ac- 
 cused of abusing his position as a member of the House, by making 
 Government aware of the votes, and conduct generally, of the leading 
 
300 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1820. 
 
 i "1, 
 
 men of the opposition, a system of espionage which was voted to bo a 
 gross breach of privilege. He was subsequently reelected and expel- 
 led several times for the same causes. 
 
 During the session grievance petitions poured in from various quarters, 
 which were referred to a committee appointed for their investigation. 
 The report of this committee, adopted by the Assembly, recommended 
 the settlement of the financial question on a permanent and economi- 
 cal basis, the independence of judges, and their removal from political 
 business, the proper accountability of public officers, a re-construction 
 of the Legislative Council to make it act more harmoniously with the 
 popular House, the application of the Jesuits' Estates to educational 
 purposes, and the removal of all obstructions to the settlement of the 
 country, particularly the Crown and Clergy Reserve lands remaining 
 unoccupied in the neighborhood of roads and settlements, and exempt 
 from the common burthens. This session was also distinguished by 
 an act increasing the representation of the province to 84 members. 
 
 During the ensuing session of the Legislature, financial raat- 
 
 1830. tcrs remained in the same condition. The Governor informed 
 the Assembly, that an act of the Imperial Parliament was ne- 
 cessary to give it the control of the casual and territorial revenues of 
 the Crown, and until that right was conceded, no permanent arrange- 
 ments for the Civil List could be made with constitutional propriety. 
 He thus ignored the position, on this point, assumed by his predeces- 
 sors. The Supply Bill voted for the year amounted to £02,250 sterling, 
 but was nevertheless £7,500 short of the estimate, the Assembly cut- 
 ting off several items, and among others the salaries of the Chairmen 
 of the Quarter Sessions for the Districts of ^Montreal, Three liivers, 
 and Quebec. The bill had a narrow escape in the Upper House, 7 vot- 
 ing for it and 7 against it, among whom was the Speaker, Chief Justice 
 Sewell. He insisted he had aright to a vote as Speaker, and to another 
 vote as Councillor, and thus managed to carry the measure. The le- 
 gality of his procedure was very properly questioned. Several liberal 
 appropriations were made for public purposes. 
 
 Although dissatisfied with the conduct of the Assembly, in not vot- 
 ing the entire amount of the estimate. Sir James Kempt steadily pur- 
 sued his policy of conciliation. The magistrates dismissed by his pre- 
 decessor were restored to office, as well as the cashiered ofllcers of mili- 
 tia. He added new and more popular members to the Executive 
 Council, and requested the judges to retire from the Legislative Coun- 
 cil.* This the latter refused to do, although they promised to take no 
 
 * Martin's British North America, p. 25. 
 
1830.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 307 
 
 part in its doliborations. "With the carrying out of these measures 
 terminated Sir James Kempt's administration, to the great I'egret of a 
 large majority of the peo[)k'. Lord Aylmer having been appointed as 
 his successor by tlie Wiiigs. 
 
 THE GOVEKNJIENT OF LOUD AYL.MKM. 
 
 Tlie new Governor-in-chief arrived ont in October, and immediatelv 
 
 assumed charge of the adniini.strali<jn of allairs. The general election, 
 
 conseipient on the death of George l\'., had made no change in 
 
 1831. the condition of parties in the Assendily, and Pa[)inoau was 
 
 again elected Speaker, and conlirmed in that olliee by the 
 
 Governor. 
 
 Shortly after the commencement of the session, Lord Aylmer an- 
 nounced in a message to the Assembly, tliat a bill wuuhl be introduced 
 into the hnj)erial Parliament by the IJritish ministry, securing to the 
 Colonial Legislature the control of the. Crown duties and other i-evenuc, 
 amounting to £38,000 sterling per annum, provided it guarantied a Ci- 
 vil List during the King's life, as had been done in lOngland, of 
 £19,000 a year. The timber duties, and other casual and territorial 
 revenue, creating an annual fund of £11,231 a year, were to remain, 
 however, at the disposal of the Crown. This offer was rejected by the 
 Assembly, who on every fresh concession being made, appeared only- 
 move determined to obtain control over every branch of the public re. 
 venue, and now passed a strong resolution to that effect. They next 
 agreed to a series of resolutions detailing the several [uiblic grievances 
 complained of. On these, petitions to the Crown and imperial Parlia- 
 ment for redress were based, which the Governor was re(piested, by a 
 deputation of the House, to transmit to England. Iliis he promised 
 to do, expressing a hope, at the same time, that they contained all the 
 grievances to be redressed, and that nothing of the kind would be af- 
 terwards brought forward. During this session, provision was made, 
 for the first time, to pay members of Assembly the expenses Incurred 
 in attending the Legislature. \ 
 
 As the year progressed, the newspaper La Canadic/i, which had give u 
 so much trouble to Sir James IL Craig, was again established ; the 
 Chambly Canal was commenced ; and a vast emigration, chiefly from 
 Ireland, of over 50,000 souls, passed up the St. Lawrence like a disor- 
 ganised army, leaving the inhabitants to provide for the sick and 
 M'ounded, and to bury their dead.'"' During the season of navigation 
 
 Quebec Gazette, 11th November, 18.'31. 
 
3G8 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1831. 
 
 . ,' ,^ 
 
 •» I 
 
 < , 
 
 1010 vessels arrived at Quebce, trade and commerce continued to in- 
 crease, the province had now a largo surplus rcvjiuie, and the popula- 
 tion of Chaniplain's little colony of 50 souls, had in Lower Canada 
 alone swelled uj) to over 500,000 human beings. 
 
 Despite the unfavorable action of the Assendjly on the question of 
 a permanent Civil T^ist, a bill was introduced by Lord Ilowick, I'lider 
 Secretary for the Colonies, into the British Parliament, handing over 
 to ihe control of the Lower Canadian Jjegislatiire the lmi>erial duties, 
 levied agreeable to 14th (Jeo. ill., cha[>. SS, under the belief tliat this 
 course would still be met by the latter in a corresponding sjiirit of 
 liberality. This act passed botli Houses of I'arlianieiit, and was as- 
 sented to by the King. In its passage through the Lords it was pro- 
 tested against by the Duke of Wellington. In :t(lditii)n to this impor- 
 tant concession the grievance petitions Nvere rejdied to in the most 
 conciliatory s[)irit, tlu; control of the Jesuits' Instates handed over to 
 the Assembly, Mho might now devote them to purposes of education, 
 and the assent of the Crown given to the appointment of judges 
 for life, and to removing them altogether from the political arena, it was, 
 therefore, confidently hoped, thaL the long pending dis[)utes wuidd now 
 be. fully and satisfactorily settled. 
 
 The House of Asscnd)ly, in its first moments of surprise at theso 
 important and beneficial concessions, evinced a feeling of gratitude, 
 which they embodied in several resolutions. This feeling, liow- 
 18o"2. ever, speedily disa]»j)eai'eil, and in the act; making judges inde- 
 pendent of the (lovernmeiit, it was declared their salaries should 
 be drawn from the tinibcr duties and territorial revenue, amoinitiiig as 
 already stated to £11.231, retained chiefly for the, payment of the pen- 
 sit)n list, the su])])ort of the Church of England, and the control of 
 which had not yet been surrendered by the Crown. The permanent 
 Civil List Jiad been fixed in the estimate at the very low sum of C-j.DOO, 
 which included £-1,500 for the (Governor's salary, £500 for that of his 
 Secretary, £400 for Provincial Secretary, £:300 for ihe Attoi-ney Cene- 
 ral, and £'200 for the salary of the Solicitor General. Still, small as 
 this sum was the Assembly refused to grant it, a juost illiberal and un- 
 wise course. It brought them directly into contact with the Home 
 jNlinistry, who now began to discover that fresh concessions oidy led to 
 fresh demands. 
 
 Party spirit was rapidly on the increase. The British portion of tho 
 
 ]iopulation, satisfied that every reasonable concession had been made, 
 
 very generally sided with the E.xccutive; the French-Canadians with 
 
 Ihe Assembly. An election riot at Montreal, in which three were kil- 
 
 cd and two wounded, by the fire of the military in self defence, added 
 
1832.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 3G0 
 
 )!■ thilt of his 
 
 to this antagonistic fooling, scarcely checked l)y the Cholera, soon 
 decimating the principal towns and villages. On the oOth of July a 
 meeting was held in the parish of St. Charles, in which England was 
 denounced for permitting emigration at such a sickly time, and thus ilc- 
 solating the prt)viiice. It was likewise declared at this meeting the Le- 
 gislative Council ought to be eU'Ctive, and, that the conduct of Lord 
 Aylnicr, iu censuring the Assembly for not voting a Supply Uill as he 
 desired, was an insult to that body. A very hostile feeling was also 
 evinced towards British emigrants of L'\cvy description. They were 
 stigmatised as foreigners, and the conduet of the government in selling 
 them lands denounced as an injury to the French population, to whom 
 the soil of the country of jight belonged, and for whose sole use it 
 should be reserved. 
 
 The Whigs, still resolving to carry out their policy of conciliation, 
 conceded to the Legislature the right to vote the Supply Bill by items, 
 which at once terminated the long dispute on this point, At the, 
 same time the Colonial Secretary pressed upon the Assembly the pro- 
 priety of permitting Mr. Christie, whom they had so freijuently expel- 
 led, and who was as frequently returned by the electors of Gaspe, to 
 take his seat. This they reiuscd, however, to do. The session 
 18^3. of 18o2-o was particularly distinguished by a petition to the 
 Crown, praying that the I^ogislativc Council should be made 
 elective ; and for an increasing ill-feeling towards the Executive. The 
 Su[)ply Bill also was £7000 short of the amount required, leaving the 
 vliirerence to.be made up, at the j)leasure of the government, from the 
 small Crown revenue still retained. The Bill was lost in the Upper 
 House, now deeply incensed by the conduct of tiie Assembly in endea- 
 voring to alter their constitution. They had already memorialised the 
 Crown in strong language against the prayer of the grievance petitions 
 »in that head. 
 
 Lord Stanley, now Secretary of State for the Colonies, was decidedly 
 opposed to making the Legislative Council elective, and stated that he 
 deemed such a measure opposed to monarchical institutions, and, there - 
 fure, could never advise his jMajcsty to assent thereto. Tie also hinted 
 that the existing dissensions in Lower Canada might lead to a modi- 
 fication of its charter. 
 
 When the Legislature again met, it was evident that little 
 
 lo.'U. cordiality might be looked for betwem its two branches. The 
 
 Assembly, incensed at the threat held out by Lord Stanley, 
 
 principally occupied itself in preparing the celebrated "Ninety-two 
 
 Resolutions,'' chiefly drawn up by Papineau, enibodying their real or 
 
 i^upposed grievances, on which petitions to the King, Lords, and 
 
370 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1834. 
 
 I' 
 
 1 ^. 
 
 Commons of tho United Kingdom were founded. The address to 
 the King was presented to tho Governor for transmission : Mr. Morin. 
 one of their body, Wcas deputed to eonvey the addresses for the Lords ;uid 
 Commons to England, and hand them to Mr. Vigor, still there 
 as their agent. No Supply Bill whatever was voted, and the Governor, 
 there not being a quorum to transact business, unwillingly prorogued 
 the House on tho l^ith of March. 
 
 The appeal to the Imperial Parliament by the Assembly of Lower 
 Canada, caused Mr. 1'uebuck, on the 15th of April, to move in the 
 House of Commons fi)r the appointment of a committee to cn- 
 t{uirc into the means of remedying the evils wliicli existed in the- 
 form of government of these ])rovinces. This motion, however, 
 lie withdrew on another being made in amendment by Lord Stan- 
 ley for " a seloet committee to eiupiire Into, anil report to the IIous; , how 
 far the grievances, complained of in tlie year 1828, on the part of cer- 
 tain inhabitants of Lower Canada, had been redressed, and whollier the 
 recommendation of tho committee which sat tliereupon had been com- 
 ])lied with." To this committee the subsequent grievances, as embod- 
 ied in the ninety-two resolutions, were also to bo referred. In order 
 that everything might be done that was reasonable, the committee was 
 so formed as to include all the memljcrs then in the House of tho 
 C'anada committee of 1828, and which had reported so favorably for 
 the petition.ors. Among the members of tho new committee was Dnl- 
 wer, the celebrated novelist ; and, the still more celebrated liberal, 
 Daniel O'Connell. Mr. Ilimie, who shrewdly saw that its report would 
 hardly go to sustain the ultra position he had assumed on Canadian af- 
 fairs, and not wishing to l)e under the necessity of censuring his own 
 conduct, managed to have his name withdrawn. 
 
 The committee sat until the 3rd of the fullowing July, exaniine.j 
 the various petitions and documents connected with Canadian griev 
 ances, as well as several witnesses, and spared no pains to acquire ,". 
 just knowledge of the questions at issue. The result of the investiga- 
 tion was a report, which declared in most uno(piivocal language, " that 
 the Governors of Lower Canada had been unremitting in their endea- 
 vors to carry out the suggestions of the select committee of 1828, and 
 that any want of success, on their part, was entirely owing to the quar- 
 rels between the two branches of the Canadian Lcgi^iatiiio, and other 
 local causes." The report further stated, " that it would be inexpe- 
 dient to make the documents public, which had been su])niitted to tho 
 committee ; and, that the interests of the empire would be best sub- 
 served by leaving practical measures for the future administration of 
 Lower Canada entirely in tho hands of the Imperial Government." lu 
 
 ,.♦■ 
 
1834.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 371 
 
 uly, exaniinoti 
 
 other words, tho committee luul come to tho conclusion, that every 
 reasonable concession had been mai.le to the Frencli majority of Lower 
 Canada, and that no fiii'ther measures of conciliation could lie adopted 
 with regard to them, without serious injury to tiie British portion of 
 the inhabitants, now more than a fourth of the entire population, .'Hid 
 representing all its great commercial and moiu'lary interests. They 
 could not fail to see iVom their minute enquiry and the tenor of tho 
 ninety-two resolutions, the extreme views of the Assembly, and the la- 
 tent desire for a total independi'nce which pervaded all their move- 
 ments, as Well as perceive their ihiidy Concealed hostility toGreat Britain. 
 
 AVliile these events were tnnispiriii^^ in I'ligUuiil, a very gcner;.l feel- 
 ing began to jn'i-vail in Lo\\\'r Canada, that a struggle, wliicl; would 
 l)robably terminate in bloodshed, was m^ar at hand. The diflcrcnces 
 between the French and Briti.-h inhabitants became every day more 
 marked and distinct. Soeielies were formed by the latter in (Quebec 
 and ^Montreal to sn[i[)ort the coiistitntion ; while, on the other hand, 
 the French-Canadians oi'ganised associations for purposes evidently 
 hostile to tho goveriunent. The- menacing and revolutionary tone 
 adopted by the French press, added greatly to the alarm of the British 
 population, while the general feeling oi despondency was increased by 
 the second appearance of Cholera, which this time afllictcd Quebec and 
 Montreal with even greater severity than in 1832. 
 
 The lir.st session of the last parliament of Lower Canada, 
 1835. was convened on tho 21st of February, and Air. I'apineau 
 again el'.eted Speaker, by a vote of 70 in his favor against for 
 Mr. Lafontaine. In his speech the Governor stated, that the late period 
 at which he had called the House together, was owing to his waiting for 
 instructions from the Imperial IMinistry. The latter, he added, had 
 directed the advance of i'31,000 from the military chest, for the pay- 
 ment of the salaries of the judges and other ollicers of the Crown, who 
 had been suflering extreme distress owing to no Supply r>ill having 
 been passed for two sessions, and he trusted this amount would be 
 cheerfully refunded by the Legislature. 
 
 The fii'st act of the Assembly showed an uncompromising spirit of 
 hostility to the Executive. It directed that the Governor's speech cen^ 
 suring their proceedings wlien proroguing the last session, be expunged 
 from their journals. The usual address asserted their right to control 
 all the revenues of the province, censured the advance made from tho 
 military chest as interfering with their privileges, declared that the 
 groat body of the people desired an elective Legislative Council, and 
 requested the Governor to inform his Majesty, that they continued 
 to seek the redress of all grievances and abuses. As several new 
 
372 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1835. 
 
 
 grievances had arisen in tlio province, since the passage of the i ucty- 
 two resolutions, a petition to tlic King was prepared, specifying them 
 and [traying tor their removal. 
 
 The refusal of llie (Jovt.Tiuir to advance money for the contingent 
 expenses of tlie J louse, Ijolh in this and the fui'iner session, a responsi- 
 bility ho declined in conse(|uence of their not voting a Supply LJill, 
 produced a very angry feeling among the members. This was in- 
 creased by an ollieial communieation Irom .Mr. Spring Kiee, stating the 
 adverse decision of the Canada committee to their j)elition3, and the 
 intenti(>n of the imperial ['arliumeuL lo adopt coercive mea^jures, if the 
 existing unsiitisfaetdry eondiliun ol tUlliirs should much hMigerconlinue. 
 No Supply' ]jill, however, was voted, and oidy one act passed during 
 the session, which was prorogued lor the want of a ([uorum on the 
 IStii oi jNIarch. 
 
 These occurrences increased the general alarm ; and, vvhile tlu; un- 
 Lhinking )nass of the French-Canadians blindly and rashly followed 
 their ambitious leaders towards revolution, the '• Constitutional Asso- 
 ciations"' of Quebec and Montreal wei'e actively [ireparing for the 
 crisis, now evidently near at hand. 15ranch assoeiations ■svere formed 
 in every direction, where the inhabitants of English, Irish, and Scotch 
 origin were sidliciently munerous to warrant such a course, and circu- 
 lars, explanatory of their views and of the cunditi(;n of the province, 
 scattered in all quarters. 
 
 Such was the condition of matters in Lower Canada on Sir Robert 
 Peel's accession to oliice in lyCo. JJo at once determined on sending 
 out a special conmus.-ion for the examination of existing grievances, 
 and felt disposed to yield u[) ihe casual and territorial revenue, if the 
 Assembly would vote a civil list for at least seven years. Ijetore this 
 arrangement conld be matured, Peel's administration was succeeded by 
 that of Lord Melbourne. His plan v,,is nevertheless carried out, and 
 the Earl of Gosford, Sir Charles ^.^rey, and Sir George (jipps, were 
 appointed commissioners to [troeeed to Lower Canada. Desides being 
 V, commissioner, the Earl of (»osford was to succeed Lord Aylmer as 
 Governor-iu-chief. 
 
 Lord Glenelg, now Colonial Secretary, detcrmine<l to continue a po- 
 licy of conciliation, and stated his readiness to concede the control of 
 the entire revenue to the J^ower Canadian Lejiislature, if an independent 
 provision was made for the judges, and the salaries of the civil oilicers 
 fixed for ten years. He likewise professed his readiness to yield up 
 the proceeds of the sale of wild lands, conceded the ])rinciple that tho 
 Imperial Parliament, unless in very extreme cases, had no constitu- 
 tional right to interfere with the internal affairs of the province j bul 
 
[1835. 
 
 the 1 .iictv- 
 ifyiiig them 
 
 contingent 
 II responsi- 
 upply Uill, 
 liis was iii- 
 , stating tlio 
 uns, and the 
 ,s;ures, if the 
 'creontiuue. 
 Vised during 
 rum on the 
 
 hile lh(! uu- 
 ly I'ol lowed 
 itional Asso- 
 •ing for thu 
 sore farmed 
 and Seuteh 
 e, aud eircu- 
 hc proviuee, 
 
 Sir Hubert 
 
 l1 on seneling 
 
 gricvaneeH, 
 
 K^'nue, if the 
 
 Uolore this 
 
 ueeeeded by 
 
 |i-ied out, and 
 
 (Jipps, were 
 
 U'.vidi'S being 
 
 Ayluier as 
 
 ntinuc a po- 
 
 lie eontrol of 
 independent 
 civil Hie era 
 to yield up 
 
 ;iple that tho 
 no constitu- 
 
 •oviiice ; bul 
 
 1835.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 373 
 
 declared, at tho same time, in general terms, that tho King was opposed 
 to an elective Legislative <,'ouneil, yet willing neverlhek'ss to iiave its 
 e.xncdieney in([uirrd into. Lord Aylmer received numerous addresses 
 on his departure from the Briti>h inhabitants, who deemed him iml'airly 
 dealt by in being recalled. 
 
 THE (SOVEltXAIEXT OK THE KAIM. OK COSKOlM). 
 
 The new Governor, accompanied by the other commissioners, arrived 
 at Quebec on tiie 2')i'd of August, at once assumed direction of the ad- 
 ministration, and snmmtMied the Legislature to meet, for despatch of 
 business, on the "-iTth of October. In the interval he sedulously courted 
 the good opinion of the leading members of the Assembly, Invited 
 them to his table, and declared " that he considered to bo .acceptable to 
 the great body of the jieople, was one of the most essential elements 
 of fitness for public station." 
 
 Lord (josford, on the day appointed, opened the Legislature with 
 the most important s|)eech ever made to that body by a (Jovernor. Its 
 tone was eminently conciliatory, and showed every disposition to meet 
 the wishes of the French majority, even to th.u detriment of the British 
 population. He declared himself the head of a commission to cn<|uirc, 
 upon the spot, into all grievances, and to oiler to his Majesty and his 
 }iiinisters advice thereupon. '" ^t-'ome of their grievances," he said. " could 
 be redressed l)y the Executive ahme, others liy the aid of one or both 
 branches of the Legislature ; but some of their demands could only bu 
 complied with by the act of the Imperial Parliament."' Jle declared 
 himself prepartH.1 to act impartially in every respect, plurality of offi- 
 ces should no longer exist, and French-Canadians of talent and stand- 
 would have the ])alh of oflicial jaH'terment opened to them e(iually with 
 their British fellow-citizens. In future, every inform.ation with regard 
 to public accounts, and all other public matters, should be rendered to 
 the Assembly, and copies of the Blue Book, or general annual financial 
 and statistical return, which Iw invited the aid of both Houses to make 
 in future as complete as possible, would be presented to each branch of 
 the Legislature, Bills should not, unless on tho gravest grounds, bo 
 reserved for the decision of the Crown, nor would any undue partiality 
 be given to the English language over the French, Whatever .abuses 
 might exist in the Law Courts, the members of tho Legislature were 
 themselves invited to remedy^ as well as to regulate by enactment the 
 matter of the Clergy Reserves. In .addition, the Governor ofTered his 
 warrant to both Houses, without any condition attached, for the pay- 
 ment of their contingent expenses. " The Home Government was 
 
174 
 
 THE IIISTOIIY 
 
 [183r>. 
 
 , ' ,v 
 
 ])rt'piircil," ho saiil, " to surrender tlu) control of all public revenue aris- 
 ing I'roni any Canadian source, on condition of a nu)d"rale jirovisiou 
 l)ein!4 luatle for tlie Civil List. Jle trusted, therefore, that a proper 
 Supply Mill would be voted, and the X'.'n,<)»)0, advanced from the niili- 
 Uiry chest, rej)aid."' He informed them that tho suit instituted aj^'ainst 
 Caldwell, tho former Keceiver (Jeneral, had been brou;ii;ht to a favurabh; 
 termination for the pr(»vince, and the larj^o property of the defendant, 
 who was about to relln(jui>h his seat in the I p[»er House, thus ?nado 
 liable for tin; deljt. In conclusion, he recommended the passage of se- 
 veral useful bills ; and emleavored to sootli the asperities of the two 
 races. As regarded the inhabitants cjI' British descent, he urged "they 
 liad nothing to tear on tiie score of commerce, tho main support of tlm 
 empire ;"' while to those of French origin he repeated, " that there was 
 liO design to disturb the form of society, under which they had so long 
 been ('(jutenti'd and prosperous." 
 
 In this liberal manner all real grievances were olfered 1(. he redressed. 
 and every point in dispute, consistent with the retention of Lower Can- 
 ada as a l>ritish province, conceded. This was the view of the matter 
 taken by the more moderate portion of the educated French Canadians 
 themselves, and could the intentions of the IJritish Government have 
 been placed before the several constituen'-ies, so as they could fully 
 understand them, the inlluence of their leaders must have been seriously 
 aflected. But the mass of the people were u • illiterate, as unrctlecting, 
 and as little capable of judging for themselves in 1835, as they were 
 when Andierst descended tho St. Lawrence for the final subjugation of 
 Canada. The clerical order alone coidd have counteracted efTectually 
 the extraordinary influence wielded by the ambitious, talented, yet 
 visionary and imiirudent Papineau ; but they shared in the anti-British 
 prejudices of the masses, and either held aloof altogether from tho ex- 
 isting agitation, or covertly aided in establishing the ascendency of their 
 race. Not till rebellion had raised its head, and matters assumed a 
 threatening aspect with regard to themselves, did they discover how lit- 
 tle they could be profited by revolution, or by a closer connection wiili 
 the United States. Then their great moral power was decidedly and 
 effectually exercised against Papineau and his friends, whose real in- 
 fluence from that moment rapidly dwindled away. The same cause 
 precisely which made Smith O'Brien's rebellion in Ireland, in 184s, 
 alike impotent and ridiculous, paralysed the Lower Canadian rebellion 
 of 1837-8, to wit, the opposition of the lloman Catholic clergy.* 
 
 * A few only of the Freuch-Canaduin Clergy sided openly with the insurgents* 
 during tho rebellion, one of whom was executed at Montreal. 
 
[183:.. 
 
 revenue aris- 
 ,te provision 
 lilt a proper 
 roni the iiiili- 
 lutod ajjiiiiiist 
 u a favoiablc 
 be defontlanf, 
 10, tluis inaJt; 
 )assage of st.- 
 liS of the two 
 > iir<:eJ " they 
 up port of till) 
 that tlirrc \va:i 
 y had so long 
 
 < be vedresscd. 
 of Lower Can- 
 of the matter 
 ;neh Canadians 
 rernmcnt have 
 ;y could fully 
 been seriously 
 unretlecting, 
 as they were 
 subjugation of 
 ted effectually 
 talented, yet 
 le anti-British 
 r from the ex- 
 leney of their 
 crs assumed a 
 cover how lit- 
 onnection with 
 decidedly and 
 whose real in- 
 le same cause 
 and, in 184^^, 
 adian rebellion 
 clergy* 
 
 th the insurgents 
 
 1835.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 T5 
 
 ni 
 
 Tlowovor satisfactory to all mt-xlcrate men and true patriot^, might 
 liave bcfU the conciliatory tone of Lord (Jostord's spofch, it was soon 
 evident that PajiineaM ami his immediate frici'ds had ullrrior vii!\vs, 
 which no concession could possibly .'illect, Tiuir hatred of llritish as- 
 ccndcncy had already reached the culminating point, and tiiey now aimed 
 at total independence. I'apinean intoxicated wiili long continuance of 
 arbitrary moral power, allowed himself to indulge in visions of his 
 prospective presidency of Ln Xation Cund'/lnnic, while his needy 
 followers, the brielless French lawyers and patientless young [diysieians, 
 exulted in the hope they would soon grasp every place of emolument 
 and honor in the country, to tlie exclusion of the much disliked Eng- 
 lish, Irish, and Scotch. Accordingly, one of the first measures of tho 
 House was to pass a bill appointing Air. Roebuck their agent in laig- 
 land, with instructions to press their grievances on the attention of tho 
 Imperial Parliament. In this way thoy utterly ignored the mission of 
 the commissioners ; and whom, in fact, on th(! score of their not having 
 been appointed by tho Lords and Commons of Great Britain, they had 
 already determined not to acknowledge, although fully sensible that tho 
 report of the special committee had left Canadian matters coirijiletely 
 in the hands of the British ministry. In their usual address all men- 
 tion of the commission was consequently avoided. 
 
 !Mr. Koebuck had declared the Legislative (.'ouncil a nuisance. His 
 appointment, as Canadian agent, was in consequence [)arti('ularly unpal- 
 atable to them, and the bill for that purpose was accordingly thrown 
 out. This event increased the hostility of the Assembly towards the 
 Upper House; and Papineau, in the heat of debate, forgot his ordi- 
 nary prudence, and avowed himself a republican in princi|)le. "Tho 
 time has gone by," said he, " when Europe could give monarchies to 
 America, on the contrary an epoch is now approaching when America 
 will give republics to ]*]urope."' Other members used equally violent 
 language, the loyal population became alarmed, deemed the govern- 
 ment criminally supine, and determined to organise for their own de- 
 fence. At ^Montreal a volunteer liiflc Corps was formed, l)ut which 
 was suppressed by the Governor's proclamation, although it was now 
 notorious that bodies of the Erench-Canadians were being drilled by 
 their leaders. 
 
 The unsatisfactory condition of matters in the Assembly, 
 183G. was presently increased by the course pursued by Mr. Bid- 
 well, Speaker of the Lower House of Upper Canada. Lord 
 Glenelg had given instructions to Sir Erancis B. Head which were de- 
 cidedly opposed to the project of an elective Legislative Council. These 
 instructions the latter had communicated to the Legislature of his 
 
370 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1830. 
 
 provinco, nnd scoinp how uiifavfjriiblft tlm policy of tlio Coloniiil 
 Oflioc was to tli(; wishes of the huwur Ciiimdiaiis, IVidwcIl forwardcid 
 extracts from th(Mii to I'apiiu'au. An cicctivi' li<'<,'islativ(! (!(iuii(il 
 would liavo (•nai)|tMl thi! latter to fill hoth llousus willi his adlierentH 
 and thus roinovo tho antai,'onisrn from betwoon them to tlu; IjCffislaluro 
 and the Crown, a conrsLi whieh imist have practically rcsidtcd in French- 
 Cainadiaii iii(li'|ientleiiee. 'I'lie fnin j)osition assumed by the IJritish 
 jnini>try on (his point., left him no hopi's of ueeomplishiii^ his pur|ioso 
 unless by revojulion. and thus forcibly wri'Stiii<; the country fiutn (Jreat 
 Britain. l''ancyinjj; that iIk; Inilttd Stat(>s would (ly ti» liis .-.ssistancc, 
 he determined on this course. It soon l)i'camc evident, therefore, that 
 Lord (iosford's mission was a coin|ilete failure. 
 
 On lilt' "I'lud of Februarv, the Assembly resolved Itself Into a com- 
 jnittee of the whole on tin- public accounts and s.tato of tliu province, 
 »)id speedily determined to vote a Supply l>ill tor six months only, 
 witho\it relundinfj the moneys to the military chest, or grap tin <4 supplies 
 fur Ihc preceding years. They next proC(^eded to vote addresses to 
 the Crown and Imperial Parliament, in which they reiterated their old 
 grievances, and urged several new ones in addition. 'J'he concession 
 of a liCgisIative Onnicil was particularly insisted on, as well as tho 
 abolition of the North American j^and (/Oinpany, established by Imjio- 
 lial charter, and which was already buyinjj up the ( 'ruwu lards. Tho 
 appointment o( Mr. (iale to a judgeship by Lord Aylmer, was next 
 strongly condemned, chielly on the ground of his having in iH'i'Z advo- 
 cated a union of the two provinces, a measure still particularly unpal- 
 atable, and his dismissal required, as well as that also of Judge 
 Fletcher and several other ofiicials. who had likewise become obnox- 
 ious to the Asseml)ly. The administration of Lord Aylmer they cen- 
 sured in the strongest language. 
 
 The Supply Bill, as a matter of course, was rejected by the Upper 
 House, and the Government thus again left without funds to pay its 
 civil servants, while matters were now in point of fact in a more unset- 
 tled condition than ever. The Governor was completely at fault, and 
 when he prorogued the TTouse on the 21st of !March, his speech evinced 
 how deeply his failure had mortified him. "It is to me," said he, "a 
 matter of sincere regret, that the offers of peace and conciliation of 
 which I was the bearer to this country, have not led to the result which 
 I had hoped for. The conseiiuences of their rejection, and of the de- 
 mands which have been made to his Majesty, I will not venture to pre- 
 dict." Lord (iosford in his subsc(picnt despatches to the Colonial 
 Office ascribed his failure to the disclosures made by Sir Francis Head. 
 He was completely in error. Anything he could have done would 
 
 ,.»• • 
 
tho Colonial 
 ill forwiinliMl 
 iilivi! (!(Mmcil 
 his ailliiTi^nts, 
 ic Ii<'<fisl:i(\iro 
 lU'd ill I'Vt'iich- 
 y tilt' IJritish 
 i<; Ills purposo 
 try from (4rcat 
 his ; issistiUlfO, 
 llun-orofo, Uiut 
 
 iclf into a com- 
 f tho province, 
 : months only, 
 wtiii'^ supplies 
 ,0 adili'f'i"''''' to 
 orated their old 
 The concession 
 ;is well as tlio 
 lished by Impe- 
 wn lands. The 
 yhncr, was next 
 " in 1S22 advo- 
 ticularly uni>al- 
 t also of Judge 
 )c'Coinc obnox- 
 ylmcr they con- 
 
 -d by the Upper 
 unds to pay its 
 in a more unset- 
 .ely at fault, and 
 s speech evinced 
 me," said he, " a 
 d conciliation of 
 the result which 
 
 and of the dc- 
 t venture to pre- 
 
 to the Colonial 
 ,ir Francis Head, 
 avc done would 
 
 18M.1 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 317 
 
 merely stavo off tho crisis to a later period, without removing tho chief 
 causes vh'u'h had produced it. 
 
 Tilt British portion of the population wore now thoroufjhly aroused, 
 and (l.tVnsive associations liiriiuMl by tlieiti in various parts of the pro- 
 viiH'c. TJK' tone of the ( lovci'iior's spi'cch on opeiiiiii,' thi' licyisjalure 
 had alari icd thorn for their lilicrties, aiitl thev feared that P'reiichin- 
 flueiiec would speedily be [)araniount in the province, to the detriment 
 of its other inliabilants. 'J'lie close ol' the session, in a measure, re- 
 lieved them iVoiii ajipreheiisions on this score, and this ti . liiij; speoillly 
 gave way to •me of anxiety ft)r tlit; safely of person and properly. An 
 inlcili^Xentand iiiducntial public press fcarlc-jsiy t]ise';sscd I he (jiicstlous al 
 issue, and completely slioweil the aiiti iJriti^li spirit which actiialetl the 
 leaders of the French majorily, ami that it wiis not In iciility iheamoli- 
 oralifjn of their condition as llritish subjects Ihcy desired, but total in- 
 dejiendcnce. and a ilisiinct nationality. 
 
 The Le^^'islature was nfjain convened on the '2'hu\ of September. Tho 
 Governors speech on this occasion was brief, and he did not by any 
 means show the same disposition to court the i^ood opinion of tin; As- 
 Bcmbly, as when opening the preeedin;^ session. lit! staled, ihat his 
 Majesty desired to give thorn another opportunity to rc-considi-r tiie 
 course they had pursued, and trusted lliat thi . time a p!'ii]ui' Supply 
 Bill woidd be voted, and the monev borrowed from the militarv chest 
 repaid. " Tiie course I have hitlierto pursued,"' he said, "has been ap- 
 proved by my sovereign, and I havi- never ceased to remember that 
 the two first objects of my government, were the removal of abuses, 
 and the reconcilement of opposing parties. Hy caulitjn, l>y forbear- 
 ance, and by the exercise of what I believe to be a libera! policy, 1 
 have sought to promote tiie welfare of the country, and to gain your 
 confidence. If I succeed in thi:-. latter object I shall rejoice at it i>rinci- 
 pally because it will afliud me the means of doing the greater good, 
 and if 1 fail of success, 1 shall always be consoled by the consciousness of 
 having labored earnestly to deserve it." The address of the Assembly 
 in reply to this speech, nrgeil the necessity of an Elective Legislative 
 Council, as all measures of reform must be abortive under the existing 
 constitution. But it neither alluded to the c )mmission of encpiiry, nor 
 to a Supply Bill. 
 
 Despatches from the Colonial Secretary were laid before the House 
 at an early period of the session. These, while they expressed a strong 
 desire to redress all reasonable abuses, repudiated the principle of an 
 elective Lecislativc Council, and the richt of interference with the Bri- 
 tish North American Land Company, unless their claims of a corpo- 
 rate character and to their lands, should be declared invalid by duo 
 
I 
 
 1 <!. 
 
 .378 THE HISTORY [1836. 
 
 course of law. As its charter had been granted by tho Imperial Par- 
 linniciit, a procedure of tliis nature would involve the (question, whether 
 it or the Canadian Legislature had tlie right to incorporate such a com- 
 panv .' " \o single complaint had been alleged," added the despatch, 
 " which has not been either promptly removed, or made the subject of 
 impartial enquiry. Yet the House declined a compliance with tho pro- 
 position to provide for the arrears and supplies, pending such enquiry." 
 The despatch di'cw from the Assembly a long address to the Governor, 
 in which they endeavored to sustain the extreme position they had 
 assumed on all the points at issue. The Legislative Council was again 
 denounced in the strongest language, and the executive and judicial 
 authorities stigmatised as " a faction combined against the liberties of 
 the country, and its public property." At the same time, they avowed 
 their determination not to transact any business till the Legislative 
 Council had been made elective. A dissolution was out of the ques- 
 tion, altogether, under existing circumstances, as it would only end in 
 the return of the same members ; so Lower Canada was now virtually 
 without a House of Assembly. The Legislature was prorogued on 
 the 5th of October, the Governor expressing hisregi'et at the embarras- 
 sing position in which the country must remain, "until a remedy was 
 applied by the supreme authority of the Empire." 
 
 The Commissioners, having fully investigated the matters rc- 
 1837. ferred to them, returned to England, w'ith the exception of Lord 
 Gosford, who remained in his capacity of Governor-in-chief. 
 Their report, at once elaborate and comprehensive, convinced the Homo 
 ministry of the necessity of immediate action, if Lower Canada was 
 to be rtitained as a British province. Resolutions, on which were to be 
 based the future Imperial policy, were introduced in the House of 
 Commons on the Oth of ALarch, and adopted by a large majority. These 
 resolutions declared that since 183:2 no provision had been made by the 
 Legislature of Lower Canada for the C'vil List ; and, after adverting 
 to the policy of the Assembly, stated " that it was inadvisable to make 
 '.he Legislative Council of the province elective ; but, that it was expe- 
 dient that measures be adopted for securing to that branch of the Le- 
 gislature a greater degree of public confidence." Authority was given 
 soon at'ter to the Executive to use the public monies of the province, 
 for Lhe oecessary expenditure, by the Imperial Parliament. 
 
 This unqualified rejection of their demands, aroused a storm of in- 
 dignation on the part of Papincau and his party. The Erench-Caua- 
 dians, with fev>' exceptions, were loud in their execrations of the British 
 government, and tho Vindicator^ a paper published in tho English lan- 
 guage at Montreal, was still more hostile in its denunciations. Indignation 
 
 ..»■■ 
 
[183(5. 
 
 iperial Par- 
 011, whether 
 such a com- 
 ic despatch, 
 ic subject of 
 ,'Uh the pro- 
 3h enquiry." 
 e Governor, 
 m they had 
 cil was again 
 
 and judicial 
 e liberties of 
 they avowed 
 3 Legislative 
 
 of the ques- 
 cl only end in 
 now vh'tually 
 prorogued on 
 theembarras- 
 a remedy was 
 
 ic matters vc- 
 ition of Lord 
 ernor-in-ohicf. 
 oed the Homo 
 r Canada was 
 ich were to be 
 Ithc House of 
 |ajority. These 
 n made by the 
 iter adverting 
 Isablc to make 
 .t it was expo- 
 iich of the Le- 
 rity was given 
 the province, 
 
 ht. 
 
 I a storm of in- 
 French-Caua- 
 
 I of the British 
 ^e English lan- 
 19. Indignation 
 
 \mi.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 370 
 
 meetings were speedily held in various parts of the province, at which 
 violent resolutions were passed, and Papineau, the chief orator and 
 actor on these occasions, was escorted by crowds of his countrymen 
 from one district to another. The Governor cndeavorccl to stop these 
 meetings by a prochmuUion pointing out their seditious character, and 
 directing their suppresi^ion. Puit tliey were still continued, and the 
 cry of Vice Fapincau I virc la liberie! poiiil de dcspot'mnc ! was 
 shouted by the simple peasantry, with as inucli eager enthusiasm as 
 thougli they had been Blduses of the Parisian boulevards. 
 
 Wiiile the poi)uIarity of Papineau was thus at its zenith in the coun- 
 try, the better inl'onned ot the Habitants in the towns did not share 
 altogetiier the feeling of the pea.'antry. Their closer intercourse with 
 the British, had given tlicm ju.ster views ^)( the (piestioiis at issue, and 
 of the fierce struggle which must ensue before Preneii-( auadian nation- 
 ality was established, it tliat event indeed was ever to take place. Many, 
 therefore, lield wliolly aloof from tlic (piarrel in ['i-ogress, and soma, 
 startled by the near and tangible approach of civil Avar, and sensible, 
 possibly, of the privileges they enjoyed, attached themselves openly to 
 the government. Nor were the British supporters of the constitution 
 'iiactive. Loyal nieclings of an imposing character took place at Que- 
 bec and ]\Iontreal, at which resolutions were passed avowing devoted 
 attachment to the Crown, and a delenninatiou to support the constitu- 
 lion at all hazards. 
 
 In the midst of this excitement died William IV., the amiable citi- 
 zen King of Ji^nghuid; and, after the lapse of a century and a quarter, 
 a female sovereign aorain sat on the British throne. But the accession 
 of Victoria I. awoke no feelings of gallantry or forbearance in the 
 bosoms of the Papineau faction, and they plotted against her crown aa 
 earnestly as tliey had done against that of her piedccessor. More vio- 
 lent language than ever was uttered at public meetings, and in various 
 parts of the District of 3i[untrcal, the t'ocus of sedition, inagistrates 
 were conqiellcd to resign tlieir commissions, and the laws otherwise 
 violated with impunity. \\\ conscipiencc of these proceedings, Papi- 
 neau and several other militia ufliccrs were dismissed. 
 
 The JIume (iovernnient, very unwilling at the commencement 
 of a new reign to adopt coercive measures, instructed Lord Cos- 
 lord to convoke the liCgislaturo once more, and give it an opportunity 
 to rescind its resolves, and pursue a wiser and more constitutional 
 course. On the 18th of August it accordingly assembled fur the last 
 time at (niucbec, many members of the Assembly, pursuant to a 
 
 20 
 
380 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 . 1 V 
 
 determination, recently agreed upon, to discountenance the use of 
 Kritish manufactures, appearing in homespun clotliing. The Gover- 
 nor's speech was most conciliatory in its tone, hut the Assomhly dog- 
 gcd]y persisting in its determination to vote no Supply I'ill, nor 
 transact any other husiness till their demands were complied with, the 
 Legislature was prorogued by proclamation on the 2(>th. 
 
 These occurrences increased the prevailing excitement. Military as- 
 sociations were organised by the Palriols, as the disaffected thought 
 proper to term themselves, and the determination to establish a " North- 
 West Kcpublic of Lower Canada'' openly avowed. Under existing 
 circumstances legal prosecutions would be of no avail. The bench, the 
 bar, the people, were alike tainted with the spirit of hostility to Gi'cat 
 Britain, and no jury would dare, if they even desired it, to convict a 
 political criminal. The military power alone could effectually grapple 
 with the existing order of things, ]^)ut positive rebellion only would 
 excuse its interventiun. That had not as vet raised its head, so mat- 
 tcrs in the meantime were permitted to take their course. 
 
 The project of a republic, at length effectually aroused the French 
 lloman Catholic Clergy to a sense of their true position, and they now 
 vigorously applied themselves to check the progress of the storm, which 
 they had so long quietly allowed to gather strength, or covertly fo- 
 mented. Bishop Lartiguc addressed a circular letter to his clergy, direct- 
 ing them to oppose the revolutionary spirit, and to inculcate obedience 
 to the laws of their country. At the same time, he painted in forcible 
 language the horrors and misery of civil war. In the excitement of the 
 moment his address had little apparent eifcct : still, from the hour of 
 its publication, a moral inffuencc was steadily at u'ork at the altars and 
 confessionals of the many churches of the province, which gradually, l)iit 
 surely, efTectcd a powerful re-action. Papineau was soon maJc to feel, 
 that the " Church" exercised a mastery over the unlettered Habitants 
 \vhich he had not yet attained to. 
 
 .♦• 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 d8i 
 
 C II A l^ T E 11 X X. 
 
 CAl'SEr^ LKADlXd TO TJIK LOWER CAXADIAN IIKBKLLIOX. 
 
 Uneventful indeed must the pages of that history be, which conveys 
 310 profound lesson of instrnction to tlio pulitieian, the phihvnthro})ist, 
 nor the pliilosopher. Brief as tlie existence of Canada has been, her an- 
 nals are pregnant with import, and their careful and jihilosophical ana- 
 lysis eminently necessary to wise legislation. Tlie system, now so 
 prevalent, of taking up public questions, and discussing thoni in the light 
 in which they alTect society at the moment, is an error of the gravest 
 kind. l>y tracing cllect to cause, Ity a disposition on our part to profit by 
 past cxj)eriencc, much ill-digested and unwise legislation may bo avoided. 
 
 The history oi' Canada solves, in a great measure, if not alto- 
 gether, two important problems in political economy. On one hand it 
 tends to establish . ;ie fact, that the colonial policy of England is I'cvo- 
 hitionary in its effects, and founds communities on a basis which invari- 
 ably leads to political independence of the jiarcat state : on the other, 
 it proves, that tlk- natural temperament of a French cummnnity, is not 
 favorable to the sober and rational exercise of constitutional liberty. 
 
 1. (venerations ivu) the sasres of En£i;land discovered that the inilty of 
 the Empire could only be preserved, and its power consolidated, by 
 fusing the Iciiislalures of the three kinifdoms into one. The Act of 
 Union effected this object with regard to Scotland, the rebellion of 
 "98" accomplished the same purpose in Ireland. Erom 1708 the 
 British parliament has assumed an imperial aspect, and steadily pursued 
 its mission of a nnited metropolitan power. While the astute 0"Con- 
 nell desired a national existence for Ireland, he saw clearly that his 
 project was utterly hopeless so long as his country continued to send 
 niembers to a British Legislature. Hence, he agitated the " Repeal of 
 the Union" as the first grand step towards Irish nationality : but, op- 
 posed alike by Whig, and Tory, and Conservative, he sank to rest with 
 his flithers, leaving his purpose unaccomplished, and every prospect 
 of its attainment blotted out forever by the political insanity of Smith 
 
882 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 '■»' 
 
 
 O'Brien and John Mitchell, the latter the pscudo advocate of liberty 
 in Ireland, the apologist for slavery in the United States. 
 
 When the eloquence of (J rattan was transplanted from the College 
 (irecn of Dublin, to the Westminister of London — from an Irish to n 
 British Parliament, there were over a million of persons in Ireland who 
 could scarcely speak a word of Enjjlish. Numbers beside, wliil* they 
 spoke a little English, could only tiiink in Irisli, and all regarded the 
 Anglo-Saxons as a race of odious fcu'eigners, who neither andcrslooil 
 the language, nor appreciated the religion of the Celt. 
 
 Here, then, was a clear and tangible basis for an Irish nationality ; 
 and O'Cbnnell lonrr stru^uled to preserve It as a distinct social clement, 
 llnfc tiic imperial policy Irimiiphed. The Engli.-h language broke 
 roughly and continually over that of the CVlt, invaded the bogs of Con- 
 naught, and the rude cabins ui Connemara, pervaded the bench 
 the bar, the national school room, and elTectually performed it-i mission 
 of breaking down the " wall of partition" between the tv.o races. 
 A generation or two more, and the tongue in which Carolan sang, Cur- 
 ran apostrophised, and the learned " Four Masters" indited their Amials, 
 will have passed into oblivion, to bo only acquired by the studlou?, 
 
 It must create a feeling of surprl.-e in tlio niind o( the philosophical 
 t'liqulrer, that the policy of a united iiower, so successful in fusing 
 the Celtic elements of Ireland and Scotland into the great xVnglo-Saxou 
 family, was not followed out in the colonial system of Great Britain, 
 Had an imperial representatioji been Iiiterwovcn In the constitutions of 
 the American cob nies, they would sliil, in all probability, have re- 
 mained an integral poi'tlon of tlie ibiti.-h Empire, The indignant feel- 
 ings, conse<{uent on the secondary positions their legislatures occupicti, 
 could not have been excited, and secure in every privilege of the citi- 
 zen of the parent state, iheir Inhabitanis would never have felt them- 
 selves oppressed by colonial inferiority, and the circumstance of their 
 being no longer entitled to the rights of British freemen, when they 
 ceased to Iidiabit BiItiM'; holl. 
 
 Had the principles of an imperial federal union been established from 
 the first, as the prominent charaeLcrlstio of the colonial policy of Great 
 Britain, her power woul.l lie alike s[)icndid and enduring, instead of nov/ 
 being broken into several fragments, in some cases, held together by the 
 most slender ties. But, nnfortr.nately for the unity of the race, a nar- 
 row commercial prtjudlce IiillueneLd the colonial legislation of the 
 mother country, meanly-looking to mercaulilc monopoly and present 
 profit, rather than to the t'uture founding of what nuist bo almost a uni- 
 versal empire. 
 
 The American revolution produced no change in the fundamental 
 
 , »• 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 S88 
 
 principles of Ikltish colonial policy. The surrender of the right of in- 
 ternal taxation by the Imperial Parliament, was merely an abstract 
 measure, and involved onlv a slirilit modification of tlic irencral svstom. 
 The erroneous position was assumed by 15riti>li statesmen that 
 taxation without representation was the chief cause of American 
 independence, and, that by relinquishing such a riirlit, no event 
 of the kind could ever happen again. 'J'ln' result has jiroved how fal- 
 lacious was the supposition. It never occurred to Ih'itish legislators of 
 the last centurv that their whole colonial svstem was utterlv nt fault, 
 and required to be entirely remodelled, in order to secure a lasting 
 union with the vigorcjus young nations, Anglo-Saxon emigration was 
 ]>lanting amid the gentle tides of the Pacific, along the pleasant valley 
 of the St. Lawrence, and in the rforgenus regions towards the rising sun. 
 The political evmts in all the ]n'lnelj>al Piriti^li dependencies for the last 
 fifty years, present unmistahealde evidence how imperfi'ct is our colo- 
 nial f-ystem, and how slightly has it been modified for the better by the 
 lapse of time. Seventy-two years ago it led to the independence of the 
 I'uited States, and in om- own day it Ins ;dl but severed the Capo of 
 Good Hope. Canada, arid Atistralia f;oin Ibilish dominion. To all 
 intents and jiurposes, these ]»i'oviiices are liow ]-i'aci;eal!y as indepen- 
 dent of tlie !Mo!her Counli'v. as the Ainvrleaii liiion. livery ]>ritish 
 colony as ii aii'ives at a certain position of population and ^^(\;]th must 
 occupy the same j or-ition. 'J'his result i^^ the neces-ily of a fnstein, 
 which, mIiIIc it concedes the principle of local colonial legislation, would 
 check the full dcvelopement of constitutional liberty, (which the very 
 concession itself involves) and arrogates to itself an iniperi;d dictation. 
 Hence, so long as this system jirevails, (!reat J'ritain must be content 
 to SCO her colonics become practically independent, one by one, as tl.cy 
 arrive a', an age to care of lliemfclvc? ; whereas, an enlightened course 
 would have enabled her to found an cmt)ire, such as the world never 
 saw. It would seem that the time f )r establishing such an cmjtire has 
 gone by, and that the \inion of opinion and natui'al affection is the only 
 one now can subsist between Great Britain and her principal colonies. 
 2. AVhile a correct knowledge of this subject, is necessary to the 
 Canadian student of historv to enable him to understand a great maiiv 
 points wdilch otherwise might appear cni<:fmatical, it must not be forgot- 
 ten, that the f iture colonial poli^v of Great IJritain can cxereise only a 
 negative, and very ]<artial innuence, on the condition of this country. 
 Its destinies rc-t piincipally with its own citizen-;. Hence, the enquiry, 
 how far the French clement in our social and political system is favor- 
 able to the pro"rcss of rational constitutional lilici'fv ? becomes 
 eminently iaiportant. Its rcjdy necessarily involves an investigation 
 
384 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 
 i' 
 
 »i 
 
 ) ■ 
 
 • ^ , 
 
 into tlic causes which produced the Lower Canadian rebellion, and of 
 wliich that in I 'pper ('ai;ada inay 1)C regarded as a consequence. 
 
 IJelbre the Conquest Canada was purely a military colony, and sub- 
 jected, like France, to a despotism of the most exacting and imperious 
 character. AVliile the customs of the Parisian tribunals, and the edicts 
 of th(! Freneh monardi, were the sUiUite law of the country, its 
 administration was confided to the (lovernor and an Intcndant, who 
 unchecked l)y a public [iress, and having the patronage of the whole 
 colony completely at their disposal, usually acted on the caprice of the 
 moment, and were generally !i')lc to &et piiblic opinion completely at 
 defiance. Having thus the means to provide f<n' the more educated, 
 they either silenced, or enlisted on tlieir side, every person of influence. 
 'J'hc common people, steeped in the ^'rossest ignorance, and oppressed 
 by feudal exactions, sul>mitted witliout a murmur, from long habit, to 
 (he arrogant claims and jirctonsions of their seignior.-?, und the public 
 ollicials. The meanest ollieer of the "ovei'nment was regarded with 
 the most slavish fear, and his mandates promptly obeyed; \vhik? (heir 
 superiors were looked upon as almost beings of a higher order in crea- 
 tion than themselves. By these they were treated v.'ith the greatest 
 severity. In the law courts the torture was frequently a[)[)!ied ; while 
 by the military authorities, they were compelled to serve as soldiers 
 without pa}', and in eVery condition of life taught that the one cardinal 
 virtue was a blind and implieit obedience to those in power. This doe- 
 trine was continually rung in their ears, from generation to generation, 
 by the ministers of religion, by the judicial authorities, and l>y ollicials 
 of every grade. On the other hrnd, there was no c^nc to expose its 
 fallacies or abuses — no iiewspaper to criticise the actions of the supe- 
 rior class. The writings of Montesquieu could not reach tlic inert mass, 
 and awaken them to a justev appreciation of human liberty, nor the 
 imjiassioned eloquence of j^Jiraheau penetrate to the fireside of the 
 Habitant. The people ignoriuit, .'Uid, what wa'-; worse, contented in 
 tlieir ignorance, looked ujwn their own lav, s nnd customs as e([ually 
 admirable and excellent; and, like the Chinese regarded the rest (jf the 
 world. Prance alone exceptetl, as outside barbarians. 
 
 A despotism of this nature was eminently calculated to debase the 
 luimau mind, render a people frivolous and dissipated in their habits, 
 and careless of the future. " \n Winter," said the French writer Abbe 
 Jiaynal, speaking of the Habitants, " with the exception of a few mo- 
 n^ents given to iheir flocks, their lime Avas chiefly passed at publie 
 houses, or in driving about to see their friends. In Spring, they 
 ploughed their ground superfieially, without ever manuring it, sowed it 
 carelessly, and then returned to their former indolent manner of lif« 
 
[1837. 
 
 Hon, and of 
 icnce. 
 
 )ny, and snb- 
 id iinpevious 
 aid the edicts 
 counti'Y, its 
 tcndant, who 
 of the Avliolo 
 caprice of tin' 
 :^omp1etoly at 
 loro. educated, 
 11 of influence. 
 whl oppressed 
 lontr habit, to 
 nd the pnltlic 
 •c^furded with 
 ;i; \vhik' their 
 ovdcr in erea- 
 h the greatest 
 .pplied; will!'-' 
 I've a'> soldiers 
 .0 one cai'diinal 
 'cr. This doc- 
 to generation, 
 uid l»y oflicials 
 to expose its 
 s of the supe- 
 tlic inert mass, 
 )erty, nor the 
 "iresido of the 
 , contcntc<l in 
 jms as eipially 
 the rest of tlie 
 
 to debase the 
 11 their habits, 
 cU writer Abbe 
 
 of a few mo- 
 ssed at public 
 
 Spring, tliey 
 nig it, sowed it 
 manner of lif* 
 
 IB37.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 385 
 
 till the harvest time. The numerous festivals prescribed by their reli- 
 gion interfered with the progress of industry, and a passion for war, 
 l^irposely encouraged amongst them, rendered them adverse to the 
 labors of husbandry. Their nunds wero so entirely captivated with 
 military glory, that they thought only of war although they engaged in 
 it without pay. !u the capital, esjieeially, tlu! inhabitants spent Sum- 
 mer as well as AV inter in a constant scene of dissipation. They hail 
 no taste for arts or science, for reading or Instruction. Th^'ir '.nly 
 passion was amusement." 
 
 Such was the social condition of the (.'anadiau Habitant immcdiatel} 
 before the Conquest, more than forty years afterwards it had undergone 
 no change, if we inay believe the testimony ol a r.^.ost inleiligent 
 French traveller, tho Duke do Ilochefoucault. " No Canadian," said he, 
 " has just grounds of complaint against the British govci'nment. They 
 acknowledge they arc better treated now than ever; but they love the 
 French — t'orget them not, long after them, hope for their arrival, and 
 will ahvays love thoin. In their estimation a Frenchinau is a being 
 much superior to a native of Creat Britain. The farmers are a frug il 
 set of people, but ignorant and lazy. In (jrder to succeed in enlarging 
 and improving agriculture in this province, the English government 
 must proceed with great jtrudence and perseverance, tor, in addition to 
 the unhappy prejudices which the f;irmers of Canada entertain in com- 
 mon with tiiose of all other countries, they also foster a strong mistrust, 
 against everything they receive from the I'ritish. This mistrust is 
 grounded on the iilea, that the latter are their co)H|uerors and the French 
 their brethren." "It is questionable, ''declares ^Ir. Silliman, a distin- 
 guished American scholar, "whether any conquered country was eveT 
 better treated by its conquerurs than Canada : the people were left in 
 complete possession of their religion, and the revenues for its sn])purt, 
 as well as of their property, lav^s, customs, and nuumers, and even the 
 dei'uce of their country is no expense to them. 
 
 N( 
 
 pcoi 
 
 "tic in the wo'v'.d were more deeidedlv Torv, or ever cluncr 
 
 more tenaciously to old customs and abuses, than the I^ower Canadians. 
 Th.'y desired no iimovation — no improvement of r.ny kind, and all they 
 asked fi'om llieir conf|ueror3 was to leave them their j)roperties, their 
 religion, their laws and customs. Never have they been more oppressed 
 under lirillsh rule than iiuniediately after the Conquest. Yet, whatever 
 
 little feelin'j; was evinced on this score, was ea-<ily soothed bv the it 
 
 duction of tlij French laniruage aii.i civil law into the courts 
 
 lUi. 
 
 li co- 
 
 pot 
 
 mitting the Canadian ;Utorneys, the ])arty who gave most trouble, to 
 practice in them. The Qin bee Act of 177 t. which sej^arated litem com- 
 pletely from the other DrI'h colonies, and consigned the proviitce to 
 
38G 
 
 THE IIISTOPvY 
 
 ',' f 
 
 . * .,v 
 
 * 
 
 [1837. 
 
 the authority of a governor and council, as when under French domin- 
 ion, was hailed as the ffreatest possible boon. It continued in force for 
 acventecn years, and although during that time the Urillsh minority 
 monopolised all the principal posts in the country, as well as its com- 
 merce, the mass of the people remained as quiet as ever. However 
 much they disliked the dominant race we hear nothing at this period 
 of grievance petitions. The Canadians still remained thoroughly 
 French. Nothing had been done to educate the peasantry, or lit them 
 for a greater degree of constitutional liberty, and the ]-]iiglish language 
 had made no progress whatever among them. They were as fond of 
 pleasure, as unreflecting, as indolent, and as superstitious as at any 
 previous period. 
 
 Such was the condition of things in liOwer Canada, when the British 
 inhabitants agitated the question of reform in the government, and the 
 establishment of a TiCgislature, in accordance with the constiUitloii,;; 
 institutions of the parent state. The French population, as a rule, 
 deprecated any change of this kind. J3ut obedience was a part of their 
 national characteristics, and they submitted : satisfied, however, that nei- 
 ther their language nor their usages would be aflected liy the alleration. 
 
 Never before was the eh^ctive franchise intrusted to any people less 
 fitted to use it. Nine-tenllis of the male inhabitants conhl neither read 
 nor write, were wholly incapable of political discrimination, and thus 
 completely at the mercy of any designing demagogue, who had siifli- 
 cient talents to excite their passions or arouse their jirejudices. They 
 knew nothing of that sober steady love of constitutional liberty that 
 animates every true Briton, and which npheld the spirits of the 
 American people during their long and desperate struggle for indepen- 
 dence. They neither understood the privileges with which they were 
 invested, nor desired to nnderstand them ; and followed their leaders, 
 under the new system, with the same blind and clannish devotion, as 
 they had exhibited towards their oflioers in the days of Frontenacaii 1 
 Montcalm. 
 
 Never was a greater mistake made, than in supposing that the consti- 
 tutioii of 1701 would remove all tendency to revolution in Lower Can- 
 ada. It brought the two races more closely together in legislative 
 matters alone, and more widely separated them on all others. It 
 revived, in the squabbles it ])roduccd, the national animosities and 
 antagonism, which, unhappily for mankind, had so long existed betweci 
 the French and British nations. Then, the sunny France of their fathers 
 vas still the cherished country of the Canadians' memory. Thither 
 their young men who sought distinction made summer pilgrimages, 
 and there they drew inspiration or instruction from the pages of its 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 ns7 
 
 litcraturo. Tlio dull inert mass of tlio ITabitants, took their mcntnl 
 Impress from their priests or tlu'ir loaJcrs : but all (ho intellect of 
 Lower Canada was French exclnsively. 
 
 ITad the introduction of Ih" l"jiu;lish ]angnag;o into the courts of law, 
 and a system of conmion school education jirejiared the people for the 
 measure, the British ministry would have ])et'ii fully justified in its 
 adoption. IJut no common education, as in Ireland and Scotland, 
 removed or softened the differences of origin and language. These dif- 
 fereiices smidered the races from the cradle to the grave; in childhood, 
 riper youth, and sober manhood. Their language was not more dlll'er- 
 ent than their literature. While one sought wisdom or amusement in 
 the pages of a IJucon, a Newton, or n Scott, the other studied (ho pro- 
 ductions of the Fi'ench sehool, so generally unfavorable to Jiritish 
 interests. Thus, the distinction between (he two i-aees continued to be 
 almost as strongly drawn, as though the channel of the sea that washes 
 (he shores of ]A)ver and Calais, had still rolled between them. 
 
 When (he Jief)rmers of fiower Canada agitated the question of a 
 constitutional government, they had no idra whatever of the division 
 of the province, and expected that (he increase of a British population 
 would give them a fair amount of influenee in (he Legislature. The 
 impolitic desire of (he nome (Tovernment (o juvservc the French ele- 
 ment distinct fi'om (he Dridsh, as a safeguard against revolution, 
 completely destroyed this prospect, and ]irecij)ila{ed the very conse- 
 quence it ^^-as desired to avoid, aside from preventing the gradual amal- 
 gamation of the two races, 
 
 For a brief space, however, the British inhabitants were lulled into 
 security by (he unexpected moderation of the French. The latter 
 knew very little of (he power with which they had been so suddenly 
 invested, and it required a more intimate acquair.tance with its tendency 
 to enable them to exercise it with effect. That Knowledge (hoy dexter- 
 ously managed to acquire through ihe medium of the British themselves, 
 ft larger proportion of whom was returned to the first House of Assem- 
 bly, than at any subsequent period. But no sooner had the Frencli- 
 Canadian leaders become fully aware of the nature of the power with 
 which they had been invested, than they gradually excluded persons of 
 British origin from the ITousc, until only some three or four remained. 
 The French ins(ead of the ]-]nglish now became the dominant language, 
 and assumed the aggressive in the most decided manner. If a person 
 of British origin aspired to political influence, lie had to cast aside 
 every predilection of birth and education, connect himself wholly with 
 the French. Canadian party, and also learn tlieir language.* Very few 
 
 * The Nelsons, nnJ most of tho other persons of British origin who joined tlw 
 
388 
 
 THE IIISTOIIY 
 
 r 
 
 1 >. 
 
 [1827. 
 
 would submit to this, and as tiim; progressed ncai-ly all those, of I5ri- 
 tisli drsccut •who had origi'ially acted witii the Aiitl-h'xeeulive purtv 
 attached tli 'Uiselves to the govenue.ent. 
 
 Pi-ioi* to the I'oruKUion of the rapiiieau party, no sy.sleinatic attnupt 
 had hceii made to (;.\cite the ])rejudice.s ol the masses against the natives 
 of Iji'itish origin. The latter were too few in the rural parishes to 
 awaken the jealousy of the peasantry, and whoic leaders In ihe towns, 
 were ellectually held in cheek hy the arbitrary administration of fiir 
 James 11. Craig, Prevo.'^t's pulley was decidedly rreneh. lie southed 
 the wounded vanity of their Ica.ders, flattered their national p'rejudlces, 
 and thus, while he saved the country from tlie Americans, excited hopes 
 of a future nationality. Nor is there any gruund whatever for the sup- 
 position, that the conduct of the Habitants diu'Ing the war arose from a 
 feeling of loyalty to ("ireat IJritain. Xo such feeling had ever any very 
 general existence among them, nor has it now. They had not forgot- 
 ten Arnold and IVluntgomery's invasion of Canada, nor the rnamier in 
 which the Americans then plundered them, and had no desii-e to submit; 
 a second time to their ilominion. They dislil;ed the Americans Iiill- 
 iiitcly more than they did the 15riti>:h, and the clergy then, even more 
 than they arc now, the great lever of popular opinion, were in favor ot' 
 a nioiKirchy, and detested republicanism. To understand the Habi- 
 tant correctly wc must always descend to the under current : the surface 
 is no criterion whatever. 
 
 Shortly after the war Lower Canada presented a very extraordinary 
 and unusual political spectacle. On one hand was a ei)n([uered people, 
 rapidly regaining their original nationality, with the constitutional meaii>: 
 placed in their hands by the very race which had subdued them : on the 
 other, the latter vaiidy striving to preserve their aseendeney by whal 
 must unquestionably be regarded as unconstitutional methods. The 
 experiment of giving an English constitution to a Trench po]>ulatio'j, 
 to prevent it from being Anglicised, was a novel feature in Imperial 
 legislation, and failed completely in all its leading objects. The lai)!-^. 
 of thirty years from the passage of the constitutioiial act of 1791 fully 
 established this fact, and tlu; Colonial (Jflicc vaiidy strove to preserv.' 
 British ascendency, by making the Executive and Legislative Councils 
 almost wholly English, and by excluding the Trench majority from all 
 posts of real iniluence. The proceeding was pi-rleetly natural. Nc 
 one could possibly be so uureasonalde as to suppose, iliat the lJrili:rli 
 nation would surrender the vantage ground It had acijuired, at the cost el 
 
 Pnpinonu party in the vobellioii, spoke l<'rcncli lluontly, tvnd from long riisidenco 
 muoug the Uabitanta had no doubt aotpiircd inuch of their feeling iind jrejuilice. 
 
 .»• 
 
1837. 
 
 OF CAxNADA. 
 
 ,'!^9 
 
 so much Mood and trcasuro, in tlu; valN-y of the St. liivwrcnro, and 
 consent that a Trcncli colony sshould niono[)(i!lsi' this great outlet ol 
 Norlli- Western eomiiu'ree, to tho prejudice of the inhahitanls of ihi'ir 
 own origin in r[)pcr Canada, as well as to tli.- injury (jt the whole, eni- 
 [lire, Xevcrthtjlesis this was precisely wiiat was desired by l'ai»ineau's 
 
 The very necessities of their condition jilaced llie lirillsh inlunrity in 
 a false and anonnijuus jjosition. hi seeking a CDUstitntioual mode ot 
 government, tJiey had literally in vulgar phrase, '• plucked a rml to 
 \vhl[) themselves," and were now smarting under its ap[dieati()n. They 
 had placed a power in the luuids of the nnijijrity, at lirst unwilling to 
 receive it, which they had no constitutional means of resisting, and In 
 resorting to unconstitutional nuaiis they only added to the existing 
 evils of their pioitioii, and placed the French (.'anadian jiarly completely 
 on the vantage ground. J lad tho latter been nujrc rational in their 
 views, pursued a more moderate course, and aljstained froni rehellion, 
 their a--ceiidency must have rather increased than dimiui.vhed. 
 
 And yet, although the French-Canadians were a[>parently the liberal 
 ]\'uty of Ijower Canada, owing to the manner in whifh tlu-y advocated 
 reforms in (piestions of purely a Dritish character, while at the same 
 time they clung tenaciously to almost every abuse of French origin, 
 the citizens of the other race were the real Reformers. The very 
 constitution itself, the fuvst great measure of reform, was tho result (^f 
 their solicitations, and the fact of the two provinces being divided was 
 not owing to them, as thcable prote^:t of ]\lr. Lymburner clearly shows, 
 hilt to the blind infatuation of the Imperial ( Jovernmcnt. They were 
 foremost in all great puldic nn.-asures of utility, in the building ot 
 steamboats, in commerce, in agricultural im[)r()vement, in liberal edu- 
 cational measures, in the social elevation of the industrial classe?!, autl 
 thus kept lull pace witii the progressive spirit of the age. The French 
 population, on the other hauil, clung to ancient prejudices, ancient cus- 
 toms, and ancient laws, with the unreasoning tenacity of an uneilucated 
 and nnprogrcssive people. They remained an old and stationary socie- 
 ty, in the midst of a new and progressive world, the French of the old 
 regime, and very difllTcnt from the enlightened [H'oplc of France at 
 the present day. 
 
 In these facts lie tho solution of the enigmatical and paradoxical 
 e|Uestion, arising from the political and social condition of Lower (,'an- 
 ada before the rebellion ; while they prove, at the same time, how little 
 rcrl similaritv of feeling there was between French agitation in one 
 jirovince and British in the other. The l^owcr Canadians desired to 
 acquire the legislative and administrative power to enable them to 
 
"*-*-•■ •.•-*M,--)K, 
 
 aoo 
 
 THE IIISTOUY 
 
 
 flR37. 
 
 prosorvo their French natioiuility — their oUl laws nnd old customs more 
 C'iri'ctually, \>y shiitliii:,' (»iit Hritish <Miii^nUioii, eiitorprisc, and coiiipcti- 
 titioti, and by rctainini.' ihc soil coiiiplt'tely in thuir own hand-*, lli-noo, 
 liad they snccoedcd in tlu'ir vit'ws, llu' resnit must liavc been llic c^fah- 
 lishincnt of a sysloni fran^dit witli tcn-fojd more abuses, than uny whieh 
 could possibly exist under ibitish dominion. 
 
 In rp|por Cjinada, on lli.; oilii'r liuil, (ive-sixtiis of tli'i R-for 
 
 m 
 
 J*aily di'sired li> acquire administrative indtii'iu'e, wllli tlie view ot 
 ]ihieinfi, the eonslitnlion on a nn)re sccuri- and permaiuMit b isis, anil not 
 to ovcrtni'U it alloifother. ^\'itll tin- exr-ciitlon of occasional individnni 
 fc("Iinji;s of jealousy, tlicy desired to see tluir new towu'^liijis settled \)y 
 emigration, lofal imjiruvi'ments of evi-ry d* >crij>fion j>uslied forward, 
 international jiolicy jdaced on a moie liberal basis, and (o keep fully 
 up to the pi'ogrcss of the age. Tlio l'''rencli-( 'anailians, on ibe coiitrary. 
 luado emigration a standing grievance, imiinlained they alone had the 
 Fole light to the s^oil, etmlinued their \vret(he<l mode of atrriculturo. 
 
 disliked all nations but Fi'anoi 
 
 an 
 
 1 desired lo snrroinid themselves 
 
 with the most rigi^l circle of e\clnsiven(>s!5. Tliey detcNied the Ameri- 
 cans even more than tln'v did the Ib'iii^^h, au'l eo'irled the fovnuT 
 im .''ly to escape from the dominion of tlie larler, and not froni any 
 feeling of fi'aternity. Once indejiendi-nt, .lonathan, if possible, wotiM 
 be held fully as carefully at arm's-lenglh as .lohn Ihill. 'J'hus, in fact, 
 the oidv real Democrats iu ].(jwer C'iimu'a. if .".i.\ cl;':ss of ]ler^olls 
 there merited the term, \^ore the recent settlers of Ib'itish origin.'* 
 
 * Nor did I find the Bpii-it Mliicli finimalod each jmrly (it all more coinciJonl 
 with Iho ropi'i'POTitalions cui'i'ciit in lliis CDuatrv, tiiaii llu'ir oliji'ds! njipoiuvd, 
 when tried by Engli.sh, or, raOier, European idea> ol' reforming le^'islation. An 
 utterly unoilueateJ and nin^^iidarl^' inert jMipuhilion, inii)lieitly obeying leailern 
 •who ruk'd (lieiii 1)y the influence of a blind coiifidoncc nnd nai'row national pro- 
 judiei's, neo n'ded very litlle w'it)i Ihc rcseniblanee whi'di had li rn diseoviTed to 
 that high spiriti'd democracy whieh efi'eeted tlie Amt'riean I'oa olution. Still le-^^ 
 could I discover in the English population those slaviih tools of a narrow offioinl 
 clique, or a few i»ur3C-]>roud merchants, which their opjionenfs had dcs^cribi-l 
 them as being. I have found the niiiin body of the Englitli jiopulation, consist- 
 ing of hard^- farmers nnd luuuble nu'chaiiies, composing a very independent, lici 
 very manageable, nud, somotlmes. a rather turbident democracy. Thou-h con- 
 etantlyjirnfessing a somewhat extravagant loyally and high jirerogative doctrines 
 1 found them very determined in maiitlaining, in their own ]iersons, a gnat res- 
 pect for piopular rights, nnd eingvdarly ready to enforce their wishes by tli-' 
 etrongest means of constitutional ])ressure on the government, lietween tliem 
 and the Canadians] found the strongest hostility; and that hostility was as mi.dil 
 be expected, most strongly developed among the humblest nnd rudest of tlif 
 body. Between them nnd the small knot of officials, whose influence has been 
 vepresenteJ as formidable, I found no sympathy whatever ; nnd it must 
 
 ,-, t 
 
iistoms more 
 aiiil compoti- 
 
 Un Tv'forin 
 
 tllL' virW ot 
 
 l),isis, and not 
 
 \\[\\ iiidivwlual 
 ips si'ttU'd )>y 
 i^Ik'iI forwarti, 
 I lo Ucop fully 
 1 iln' colli riir>. 
 {iloiie liad till' 
 (if .M^rioultiiro, 
 11,1 llieniSL'lvcs 
 fc.l till.' Aiiieri- 
 L'd tlio I'onnor 
 
 ii(>t fnini any 
 i()--<il)l'>, viitiM 
 
 'I'liiis, ill fact. 
 
 ss of jicri-dii^i 
 
 1 origin.* 
 
 iiKiro p<>iiiciil''iil 
 lijecls nppciireil, 
 Iru'isliition. An 
 
 .licyiiiLT U'adcrp 
 mv imlioiial ]iro 
 en (liscovi'i'Oil to 
 ution. Still Ic-' 
 a narrow oflicinl 
 c hail dcscrilif'l 
 
 uilalioit, coiifiiet- 
 imlopciuloiit, Ml 
 •V. Thou;j:li coil- 
 ocrntivc doctrluts 
 •SODS, n groat rr^■• 
 ii- -wishes hy tli-' 
 Between thorn 
 ility WMsas iiiiilil 
 lurnKlost of tli<> 
 nfliience has been 
 r ; and it nnist 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 801 
 
 Sufli was the contlitlon of mutti-rs in tlio sister provinco previous to 
 1837; and tlio i|\iosfiun naturally arisen, wlictlH'r, nr liuw lar, »lio 
 '• linion" has alti-rcd it Ihv llio bettor. Tho fact is indi>[tufal>lL! that 
 very inip(.)rtant ainclii>ratiii|.5 char.gcs have, in many rcspicts, been 
 iiitroducud. The i'ln<di>h laii'Mi;i";i! has docidcdiv a-i>ntnod the ;i"-i'rus. 
 sivo, nnd is gradually drawlni,' tho muro educated an I conimeniiil of 
 the I'^'Uch |»u|)idalii)n within its iullueiu'i'. 
 
 Mut, although llh! surface n[' Canadian sorieiy wi'ars a unltorni aspect 
 of content at thi! [)rcsunt time, the antagouisin of race? merely >lum- 
 Itors beneath to burst out aiVe-^h at anv moment of <M'cat excitement. 
 Vet nothing can bo more absurd than this Imlxing desiro for a I'reneh- 
 I'anadiau national exi-tciice. JCvcu wero ih ! dt'^iri- accon)[»li^lied, no 
 Frencli nation Would long b.,- [).'i'uiitied {,, e\i-it by llu .\nglo-Sa.\oti 
 n.UloiH surrounding it on all >ide>. '|"lie, tnie pcjli'-y of lli.' I ower ( 'ma- 
 il ians is to t'orm an inilueiuial nation in connection with th,! [iio[dc of 
 the upper province — to fuse tho [)0|)ulilion of both Canadas into uiio 
 compact whole. The intercuts ol all llij inhabitants ot tlu- valh-y ot 
 the St. TiawrencLi are idi'iitical. Their wisdom .should alw.iys be shown 
 ill the surrender ot miilii.d prejiidlee.!, in thj genoiMl ado[ition ol' t!u; 
 English language, and in iheir ellorl i to [ierp"tuat • the nat'onal indc . 
 pendciioe, which, in their connection with (Ircat IJtit I'n, they now ^o 
 happily po.-,se?.s. In miy ca>e ihe Ibid h inhabitants of Cpper 
 sliuuld never desort tlios.; ot Lower (Janada. Tluir true [)o!iey is 
 union if pos.-^ible of idl our North American provinces : if oiherwi-e, 
 at least of tlio Canadas, and re[,re>entation (ii the ba-^i ; (^1 ['opiihition. 
 lu their caso union is ?>freiiglh, na'ioiial iiifl'ieiice, and national ere. 
 dit : while disunion must always lead to disseii-'ion, weakness, and the 
 absence of national im[)in't;uice. T'wo niillious of [>eo[ilo hav.; more 
 weight in the tiiniily of nations, than one could possibly possess. Tho 
 true Canadian [>atriot instead of weakening the in(lnonee of his country 
 by breaking it into I'ragmenl:!, --houM scdiiously a[i['ly himself to con- 
 solidate its btreiiglli, to inerea-e its [Mipnlalioii, '.iiid coiisenueiitly it.; 
 moral and physical [)ower, and, by the col.esii.ii of all its [>aris, to glvo 
 
 Ijo snid, in justieo to tho body of ofl'ioiaLs wlio Imvc been s-o niueli 
 assailed as tho oiiemics of tho Canadiau pcui.!,', ihat', how^'Vcr little [ can cxeiiso 
 tho injurious iiilhioncc of tiiiiL systi'iii ol' adiiiiiiislnilioii, wUifh tlu'y won: called 
 upon to rarry into execution, tin? meinlicrs of llh; t>!ib..-l; and most powerful (^ll'i- 
 oiiil families werr, I'f all the ]'nL;li.-ii in llif country, those in whom I i;vjn. rally 
 founil niwst sympathy Avith, and kindly feeling towards tho I'roneh ]ioiiulution, 
 I could not therefore believe Ihiit the animosity was oidy that subsisting between 
 an oflielal obligarchy and ii people ; and again, I was brought to a conviction 
 
 that the contest which had been represented as a contest of classes, was, lu fatt, 
 
 contest of races. Lord Durham's Report, p. 10. 
 
892 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 it due im2")ortanco in the great family of nations. If this policy 
 is steadily and vigorously pursued, our nationality must continue to be 
 of a positive and aggressive character, and, when the slavery agitation 
 and other causes shall have sundered the American Union, it may 
 possibly absorb the Northern States. 
 
 TIIJO LOWEll CAKADTAIS- IIEHELLTOy OF 183Y-8. 
 
 
 r 
 
 1 
 
 1 1 
 
 r. \ 
 
 THE f;OVKHX:\IEXT OF LOUD OOSFOIJI), COM'INEED. 
 
 !Madam, said the eminent Irish lawyer, Curran, to a lady 
 ISoT. client, to succeed in a law-suit you must have a good cause, a 
 good counsel, and plenty of money to ]>;\y him. The same 
 requisites are essential to successful rebellion. Tlie prudent merchant, 
 before ho embarks In any new speculation, will maturely calculate the 
 prospect of profit; the statesman, before he adopts a novel line of 
 policy, will sagely scrutinise its bearings, and weigh well its probable 
 results, otherwise neither can look for success. 
 
 In driving his slmpls and impulsive countrymen info a contest with 
 Great Uritaln, and a hardy Anglo-Canadian population, it is evident 
 that Louis Joseph Paj)lneau, the great master-spirit of the crisis, had 
 never counted the cost. Like (Au-ran's client he had neither a izood 
 cause, a irood counsel, nor monev to reward his friends. He was a hrlj- 
 llant oratox", but no statesman ; a clever partisan leader, but a miser- 
 able general oflicer ; a brarro-art in the form — a coward in the field. 
 lie excited a storm which he neither knew how to allay nor direct. 
 
 As the Canadian rel)elli(»n difrrred ii\ all respects from the American 
 war of inde])e!idence, so was the impassioned, prejudiced, and impru- 
 dent Louis J. Pajilneau, the antipodes of the sober, impartial, and ])ni- 
 dent Georae Washington. One loved himself, the other his countrv. 
 The Canadian advocate, whose battles had ever been one of words, 
 regardless of his countrymen, desired to raise himself to supreme power 
 in the state, the American soldier, who had faced many a danger by 
 flood and Held, sought only the happiness of his fellow citizejis. 
 
 Nor had Papineau the excuse of youth to plead in extenuation of 
 his folly. In 1837 he was forty-eight years of age, a period of 
 life when the intellect stands at its meridian. He appeared to be 
 formed by nature for the eloquent agitator, but not for the wise or pru- 
 dent legislator — to act upon the passions and prejudices of his ignorant 
 and unreflecting counti'ymen, not to make them happier, wiser, or bet- 
 ter. In height he was of the middle size, with features of a Hebrew 
 cast; wd) lie his large dark eyebrows, shaded, in a higher arch than 
 
 , ♦■ 
 
this policy 
 ontinuc to be 
 •cry agitation 
 nion, it may 
 
 3^-8. 
 
 vn, to a lac]}- 
 L coed cause, a 
 Q. The same 
 clcntinevfhaut, 
 y calculate the 
 , novel line of 
 .'11 its prohahlc 
 
 a contest \Yith 
 it is evident 
 " the crisis, had 
 neither a good 
 le was a hrll- 
 or, but a miser- 
 in the field, 
 nor direct. 
 ,1 the American 
 ed, and inipru- 
 lartial, and ])ru- 
 ler his country, 
 one of words, 
 supreme power 
 ny a danger by 
 citiziuis. 
 
 n extenuation of 
 :e, a period of 
 appeared to be 
 the wise or pru- 
 ; of his ignorant 
 :", wiser, or bet- 
 •es of a Hebrew 
 her arch than 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 303 
 
 » s 
 
 common, a keen lustrous eye, rpiick and penetrating. Deeply read in 
 
 general literature, familiar with the old Canadian lore of Jlcnnepin and 
 
 Charlevoix, and the other learned Jesuit Fatlu-rs who had written of 
 
 La Xom'cllc France in by -gone days, he appoak^d to all the feelings 
 
 and prejudices of his countrymen with irresi: table effect, and carried 
 
 them captive by the force of his oratoi'ical and conversational powers. 
 
 Yet Papineau knew little of the people of Upper Canada after all, a 
 
 knowledge essential to his schemes, and was ignorant of the feeling 
 
 of loyalty to the Queen and constitution which ran like a deep inider- 
 
 current beneath their political srpiabbles. in organising insurrection, 
 
 be only saw that the miliary force in both provinces was very weak, 
 
 and invited rebellion. [\\ Upper Canada, 1,.')00 regular troops, including 
 
 artillery-men, were scattered here and tliere fruin Kingst.>n to I'enc- 
 
 tanguishene : in Lower Canada about '2,000 garrir'oned QulI/CC, or, at 
 
 other points, awed nearly half a million of partially or wholly dir-aflected 
 
 Habitants, Nor was the government better off in other respects, as 
 
 regarded defensive or oireiisive military operations. Twenty-two years 
 
 of profound peace had made sad havoc with gun-carriages, limber 
 
 wheels, and all manner of warlike munition-. The }ii)wder in tlic 
 
 musty magazines was damp ; muskets, swonls, and bayuiiots li:id long 
 
 rusted in inglorious ease ; and beildiug and hlanki.'ts lirl di-a!ii>.':vrod 
 
 before successive generations of moths. Not a royal ship, nor boat, 
 
 nor oar was at Kingston, whei-e Yeo had fitted out his srpKuiron, and 
 
 the government dockyard had 1)ecn converted into a p;isture. 
 
 The appointment, however, of Sir John Ccdborne to the milita 'v 
 command of the provinces, made np for iiiany dcnciencios. This 
 appointment was received, wli^'U, after surrendering the administration 
 of Upper Canada to Sir Francis Head, he had arrived at New York on 
 his M'ay to England. In July he proceeded from Quebec to Williau'. 
 Henry, that he might be nearer the centre of sedition, should necessity 
 for military interference arise during the Fall or Wint(U\ 
 
 As summer progressed, the dark shadows of condng civil war were 
 falling more plainly on the province. Lord Gosford saw the gathering 
 storm; and desirous to avoid thc^ grave responsibilities it must entail, 
 requested his recall. " It is evident," said he, in his letter on the 2nd 
 September to Lord Glenelg, "that the Papineau faction are not to bo 
 satisfied with any concession, that does not place them in a more favor- 
 able position to carry into cflect their ulterior obj(!cts, namely, the 
 separation of this country from England, and the establishment of a 
 republican form of government. The Executive requires more power, 
 and under my present impression, I am disposed to think that you will 
 he under the necessity of suspending the constitution. It is with deep 
 
304 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837 
 
 1 ^. 
 
 's . •■' 
 
 ■• ■■. ' H 
 
 feelings of regret I state this, but duty compels me to communicate it 
 to you." 
 
 During Se|itcmbcr the Patriots continued to hold their meetings, at 
 which Papincau labored to increase their animosity. On some of these 
 occasions a Frenchified P^nglishman, Wolfred Nelson, was also an ora- 
 tor, and warned his heroes to be ready to arm. The dismissed militia 
 oHicers were elected by the peasantry to command them again : at St. 
 Hyacinthc the tri-culorcd (lag was displayed: tavern-keepers in St Den- 
 nis and St. Charles substituted eagles lor their former signs ; and mobs 
 paraded the .streets of Montreal, (now williout a police, its act of in- 
 corporation fur a limited terni having bctii allowed to expire,) singing 
 revolutionary songs. Still, the firm alliUide now assumed by the 
 Konian ("atholic clei'gy in favor of the government, and of obedience to 
 the laws, retained the great mass of the Ualjitauts in sullen neutrality, 
 and reduced l'a[mieau's real supporters to a very small minority. 
 These became more and more restive as they felt ckrieal influence set- 
 ting decidedly against theui. Priests were insulted in the churchc.«, 
 and, v\\ one oecasiuii in the presence of I'apineau himself l^aw and 
 religion wer.' nn ihe side of the guvornment, rebellion ami infidelity 
 on that i)f li:e luckless Palvlots. The rebellion might be said to bo 
 oxlingui.died ere it had begun, and the military had only to trample 
 out the smouldering flame, which had exhausted its strength in the 
 vitals of the Ijuilding ere it burst ibrtli. 
 
 On the Gthuf November, ;i riot in ]S[ontreal brought matters rapidly 
 to a crisis. A lew Con.^litutionalists were attacked by a French-Cana- 
 dian association, called .Lcs Fih Je la Llberte, (the Sons of Liberty) 
 some "250 strong, led by a Thomas Storrow Brown, an American resi- 
 dent for some time in the cily. Stones were thrown, two or three pis- 
 tol shots lired, the Constituiiunalists compelled to retreat, owing to the 
 mimber of their anl;ig<nii>ls, and windows of obnoxious parties broken. 
 Tidings of the all'iay spee(lily sjiread, the Loyalists gathered to the res- 
 cue; but the SciHs of ffilierty had disappeared. They captured their 
 banner, l!<.)wevt'r, in a house, w here also were found several guns which 
 wefe handed over to the authorities. The oHiee of the Vhidicutor was 
 next assailed, and it-; [printing nuiterlal thrown into the street. 
 
 On the L2lh of November a proelanuition was published by the Oover- 
 nor, dii'ceting the. su|i[n'ession of all unlawful meetings; and, on the 
 'ilst, a new •' conimls>ion of the peaee"' lor the District of Montreal 
 was issned, weeding the magistracy of about bixty persons supposed to 
 be disaiieeled. IJoilies of armed men now beuan to assemble near the 
 JJichelieu IJiver, particularly at St. John's and Chambly ; and Sir John 
 Colborni", perceiving that the crisis was near, moved to Moutreal. 
 
 , »• 
 
[1837 
 nmunicate it 
 
 meetings, at 
 iomc of these 
 s also an ora- 
 uisscd militia 
 again : at St. 
 ii's in St Dcn- 
 iis ; and moba 
 , its act of in- 
 «cpire,) singing 
 uuiod by tho 
 )f obedience to 
 Hen nentrality, 
 nail minority, 
 d influence sct- 
 i the chiux-hcs, 
 ;L'lf. [.aw and 
 antl inlidelity 
 lit be said to bo 
 only to trample 
 strength in the 
 
 matters rai^idly 
 a iM'cnch-Cana- 
 ■^uns of Liberty) 
 I American resi- 
 wo or three pis- 
 at, owing to the 
 parties broken. 
 K'red to the rcs- 
 j eapturcd tlR'ir 
 1,-eral iiuns which 
 \'indtcalur was 
 s^treet. 
 
 led by tho Govcr- 
 gs ; and, on the 
 ict of :Montrcal 
 Lson:; supposed to 
 Issemble near tho 
 ly; and Sir John 
 t-od to Montreal; 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 305 
 
 where he had gradually been concentrating the troops withdrawn from 
 Upper Canada, and all that could be spared from Quebec. At the 
 same time, volunteer companies of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, 
 were formed, and rapidly filled up by tiie loyal inhabitants, while 
 addresses, and offers of assistance, poured in from the militia of the 
 sister province. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick the same loyal 
 spirit prevailed. 
 
 Meanwhile, warrants had been issued, on the IGth of the month, for 
 the apprehension of Papineau, Brown, O'Callaghan, the editor of the 
 defunct Vindicator, and some others on charges of high treason. The 
 lliree first managed to evade the oflicers charged with their apprehen- 
 sion, and fled to the liichelieu, where the insurgents were now fully 
 prepared to rise at the bidding of their chiefs. At the same time, a 
 party of eighteen volunteer cavalry were detached to St. John's to cap- 
 ture two persons there, accused of treasonable practices. They 
 quietly efFected their purpose, but as they returned next day were 
 attacked by a body of armed Habitants, securely posted behind a fence, 
 ^vho, after wounding four of their number and several horses, compel- 
 io h 'HI to retreat, and rescued the prisoners. 
 
 • his success greatly elated the insurgents, and the flight of Papineau, 
 and several of their other chiefs from JMontreal, becoming known, they 
 collected in considerable numbers at the village of Debartzch, in the 
 Parish of St. Charles, where Brown commanded ; and at St. Denis, on 
 the Richelieu, where Doctor Wolfrcd Nelson, who had thrown by the 
 scalpel and taken to the sword, directed their movements. The Doctor 
 was a person of importance among the Habitants of this ncigliV)orhood. 
 lie owned an extensive brewery and distillery, and thus, as a manufacturer 
 ofbcer and whiskey, produced many diseases, which he was aftewards 
 called upon to cure in his medical capacity. One trade created employ- 
 lacnt for the other. Ill-natured people said that he found neither very 
 profitable, and verified the homely old adage about having " too many 
 irons in the fire." 
 
 The disputes touching the Maine boundary line, and the number of 
 persons thrown out of their ordinary mode of living in the United 
 States, by the late commercial disasters there, led the rebel leaders to 
 be very sanguine of succor from that direction. Both St. Charles ami 
 St. Denis M'cre favorably situated for keeping open their communica- 
 tion with tho frontier, and General Colborne, being aware of this 
 advantage, determined to check the movement ere it became more for- 
 midable, despite the wretched state of the roads and bad weather. 
 Colonel Gore was accordingly detached from Montreal with '200 infan- 
 
 2D 
 
S96 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 . .* .,v 
 
 try, a party of volunteer cavalry, and three guns to attack St. Denis. 
 While Lieutenant-Colonel Wetherall, recently stationed at Chanibly, 
 was directed to move down the Richelieu against St, Charles. The 
 positions to be attacked were about seven miles apart. 
 
 A steamboat conveyed Gore's detachment to William Henry, on the 
 afternoon of the 22nd. At this point it was reinforced by a company 
 of infantry stationed there, and at ten o'clock at night, amid stormy 
 showers of sleet and rain, which froze as they fell, proceeded along a 
 wretched clay by-road to St. Denis, distant sixteen miles. This route 
 was taken in order to avoid the intermediate village of St. Ours, where 
 a body of insurgents were strongly posted, and several bridges along 
 the principal road, which it was supposed had been broken down. 
 During all that night did the troops march through mud and half-frozen 
 slush, at the rate of a mile and-a-half an hour, and next morning, at 
 half past nine o'clock, found themselves in the neighborhood of St. Denis. 
 
 Meanwhile, Wolfred Nelson had been apprised of the simultaneous 
 movement against his post and St. Charles, and threw out scouting par- 
 ties, before day, on the morning of the 23rd, to watch the approach of 
 the troops, and break down the bridges, which were of wood, to retard 
 their advance. About two o'clock on the preceding night, Lieutenant 
 Weir, charged with despatches for Wetherall, was captured by the 
 insurgent guards, and taken to Nelson's house. Ho was dressed in 
 colored clothes, stated his name and rank Av'th considerable reluctance, 
 and after declining to partake either'of refreshment or retire to rest, was 
 given in charge by the Doctor to " three trust-ivortluj Habitants'''' to be 
 retained as a prisoner.* 
 
 Shortly before day the alarm spread far and near, and bodies of 
 insurgent peasantry pushed rapidly in from the surrounding country to 
 support their comrades already in the village, where a force of three 
 or four hundred menf was soon collected, and posted with great judge- 
 ment in buildings flanking and covering one another. In reconnoitring 
 the advancing troops, breaking down bridges, and taking up defensive 
 positions, Nelson showed considerable military skill, and was evidently 
 better adapted by nature for a partisan leader, than for a physician or 
 a distiller. He had decidedly mistaken his vocation. The courage of 
 the Doctor appeared in strange contrast with the cowardice of Papi- 
 jieau, who since his flight from Montreal had lurked at St. Denis. 
 Here he remained as Nelson's guest till the appearance of the troops, 
 when, instead of heading his misguided followers like a brave man, and 
 
 * Wolfred Nelson's Niirralive. 
 
 f It docs not a]:)poar that at any period of the attack there was a lai'ger tivxs.- 
 btr tban 600 Habitants in the village. 
 
 ,,♦•. 
 
[1837. 
 
 ;k St. Denis, 
 at Chaiiibly, 
 arlcs . The 
 
 [enry, on the 
 y a company 
 amid stormy 
 cded along a 
 ;. This route 
 . Ours, where 
 ■bridges along 
 )roken down, 
 md half- frozen 
 it morning, at 
 d of St. Denis, 
 i simultaneous 
 t scouting par- 
 he approach of 
 vood, to retard 
 Tht, Lieutenant 
 ptured by the 
 k-as dressed in 
 ible reluctance, 
 tire to rest, wa3 
 tbitants" to bo 
 
 and bodies of 
 Ing country to 
 X force of three 
 ith great judgc- 
 u reconnoitring 
 g up defensive 
 was evidently 
 a physician or 
 The courage of 
 vardice of Papi- 
 at St. Denis, 
 c of the troops, 
 brave man, and 
 
 ft-fts a iM'ger cure- 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 397 
 
 showing them that he could fight as well as talk, he abandoned them in 
 themomcntof danger, and fled to Yamaska on the St. Ilyacinthe river, 
 whence he subsc([uently made his w^ay into the Tnited States. No 
 excuses — no sophistry can palliate this act. No consideration should 
 have made him desert his friends at such a time. 1 lad ho gallantly 
 stood his ground, and borne himself like a man, the circumstance would 
 have atoned in the opinion of posterity for much of his folly, whereas, 
 the fact of his cowardly flight must stamp him with enduring ignominy. 
 A stronj5 loop-holed or many windowed dwelling house, or building 
 of any kind surrounded by others alTording positions for a flanking or 
 cross-fire, is always an admirable defensive position, when an assailing 
 force lacks heavy artillery. Colonel Gore found this to be the case to 
 his cost in the attack on St. Denis. The single field gun he had been 
 able to bring on, made little impression on the buildings of the village, 
 and although he attempted again and again, from ten o'clock in the 
 forenoon till four in the afternoon, to turn the insurgents' position, he 
 was completely foiled, and thought it prudent to retreat as the peasan- 
 try were now rapidly collecting, having sustained a loss of G killed, 
 1 officer (Captain INIarkham) and 1(3 men wounded. Five of the latter 
 were left behind, and treated with the utmost humanity by Nelson. 
 After endeavoring for several hours to drag it through the horrible 
 roads, the gun, a brass one, was spiked and abandoned. 
 
 The loss of the insurgents was much greater than that of the troops, 
 beiUj^j 13 killed and several wounded. Still, the victory was decidedly 
 on their side, and they had cflectnally prevented the Sheriff from cxe- 
 cnting the warrants for the apprehension of Nelson and others. But 
 they stained their triumph by the cowardly and cruel murder of the 
 unfortunate Weir. When the firing commenced his guard pinioned his 
 arms with a rope, and put him into a cart, with the view of taking him to 
 the rebel head-quarters at St. Charles. Possildy disliking his uncom- 
 fortable position, or fancying he might be able to make his escajjc, he 
 jumped from the cart ere it had quit the village, and, as it is said in 
 defence of the barbarous act of his murder, struck at his guards, 
 though how, unless with his feet, it is difficult to imagine, as his arms 
 were still bound. In the scuflle he was mercilessly shot, sabred, hacked, 
 and stabbed, as though he had been a mad dog, and not a pinioned and 
 defenceless human being ; and when the wretched man, maimed and 
 bleeding from numerous wounds, sought shelter beneath the cart, he 
 was dragged forth and foully murdered in the presence of a crowd of 
 spectators. No more savage act marks the whole annals of Canada. 
 A-ud yet, one of the barbarous villains who perpetrated it, was subse- 
 quently acquitted, at Montreal, by a perjured jury of his countrymen. 
 
398 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 1 
 
 « 4 
 
 
 H 
 
 Such was the dcvellish spirit aroused by the Papincaus and Mackcnzies 
 of 1837-8. May a merciful Providence preserve this fair Canada of 
 ours evermore from such liorrid atrocities. 
 
 Their victory at St. Denis raised the courage of the insurgents, and 
 their scouting parties swept the country in every direction. The stea- 
 mer Varcnncs, laden with supplies for Gore's harassed force, was fired 
 at from St. Ours, and compelled to put back ; and the communication 
 with Montreal was extremely difficult and irregular. But the insur- 
 gents had achieved their last success in this ill-advised and wretchedly 
 organised rebellion. Wetherall, pursuant to his instructions, moved 
 down the Richelieu from Chambly, with some 300 infantry, a small 
 body of cavalry, and two guns, to assail the intrenched position of the 
 enemy at St. Charles, At St. ITiliare he learned of the repulse of 
 Gore before St. Denis, and halted to await the arrival of some other 
 troops, whom he directed to join him, and fresh instructions from !Mon- 
 treal. But receiving no new orders from head-quarters, he pushed for- 
 ward to attack the insurgents. Desirous to avoid the shedding of 
 blood, he sent them word if they dispersed peat eably they should not 
 be molested. Their general. Brown, sent a message in return, to the 
 cfTect, that if Wetherall's troops laid down their arms they should be 
 permitted to pass unmolested.* His conduct immediately afterwards 
 did not correspond with this piece of braggadocio. He fled ere the 
 action had almost begun, leaving his followers, who might number 
 1000,f to take care of themselves. 
 
 A few rounds from WetheralTs guns breached the poorly constructed 
 intrenchment, when his troops swept rapidly through, and scattered 
 the wretchedly armed insurgents with the bayonet. Fifty -six of their 
 dead was counted on the ground, and several others died miserably in 
 the burned houses. Their wounded and prisoners were few in compar- 
 ison. The troops gave little rpiarter, and bitterly revenged .he mur- 
 dered Weir : their loss was 3 killed and 18 wounded. 
 
 On the following day AVetherall dispersed a body of armed Habi- 
 tants at Point Olivier, and captured two small guns. On the 2nd of 
 December Gore paid another visit to St. Denis with a stronger force 
 than before. He found it abandoned : Nelson had fled ^nd his build- 
 ings, as well as the others from .which the troops had been ilred at, 
 were given to the flames, and sacked by the enraged soldiers and vol- 
 
 * Narrative of Thomas StoiTow Brown. 
 
 f Brown appears to say in his statement that the number was mueh smaller. 
 But as he endeavors to conceal his own cowardice, it is difBcnlt to believe hiKU 
 The number seems to have been as above. 
 
 ' ,.»• 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 39f) 
 
 unteers. The abandoned gun was now recovered, as well as the body 
 of the unfortunate Weir, which had been thrown into the river, and 
 kept down hy largo stones. 
 
 On the 5th Deceniber the Governor issued a proclamation, declaring 
 martial law in force in the District of !^[ontreaI. Large rewards had 
 been already oflbred for the capture of Papineau, and divers others 
 charged with the crime of high treason. X'oOO were, now offered for 
 the apprehension of the murderers of Weir, and i.oOO for the capture 
 of the persons who liad l)arbarous]y killed Joseph Cluu'traud, a vulun- . 
 teei" private of the pari;5h of !St. John. 
 
 The i)rornpt measures taken by Sir John Colborne crushed out" rebel- 
 lion, for tlie tin-.e, in the counties along the llicholiua, and before it 
 couhl receive aid from the Unitetl States. ^Meanwhile, a body of sym- 
 pathisers froni Hwauton in Vermont, composed principally of ri'fugec 
 Canadians, had taken post at St. Armauils, under the conxmand of Hon. 
 chette and Gagnon. Lieutenant CoIoik'I lluglies, of the 24th, was 
 directed to dislodge these with 000 troops ; but the loyal volunteers of 
 the frontier townships had already defeated and dispersed them, and 
 captured a few prisoners, among whom was Bouehette, before he could 
 march from St. John's. The disalfected Counties were now swept in 
 every direction by the military and volunteers, and the gaol of Mon. 
 (real was soon crowded nith prisoners. Among these was WoltVed 
 Nels(Mi who, after travei'sing by-roads and woods for ten days, swim- 
 niing rivers, and sleeping in the snow, was captured in the Kastcrn 
 Tuwnshijis, tlu; militia of which, having obtained arms from the govern- 
 ment, were now thoroughly on the alert. 
 
 In Quebec, the British inhabitants had come forward unanimously to 
 ofler their services to the government, and were promptly formed into 
 volunteer companies. A portion of these were embodied in a corps. 
 Olio thousand strong, which with the other volunteers were soon able t(; 
 perform th;' garrison duties of the city, and allow the troops to be 
 withdrawn to Montreal. Aided by this reinforcement, and the insur- 
 gent gatherings on the liielwdieu having been effectually suppressed, 
 General Colborne now resolved to niake a movement against St. Eus- 
 tache, lying nineteen miles to the north-west of Montreal, wheru 
 a considerable body of the disallected had established themselves, under 
 the Icadershli) of Aniury Girod, appointed by Papineau to'command 
 north of the St. Lawrence. A large number of the loyal inhabitants 
 in this direction had been ])lundered by the insurgents, still ignorant of 
 the disasters on the Kielielieu, threatencil in many oases with massacre, 
 and compelled to take rofiige in ^Montreal. 
 
 Every preparation having been completed, Sir John Colborne. <ju 
 
400 
 
 TITE HISTORY 
 
 . ' ,,V 
 
 [1837, 
 
 tlio loth Doocin1)or, quit Montroal nmid the cheers of its loyal citizens, 
 at the liead of 'JOOO niou, iiicludinf,' a Lody of cavalry niid artillery. 
 Th(! ensiling niglit \vas passed at St. Martin's, and next mornini,' the 
 troops crossed tlic (Jttawa on the ice to St. Eustaciie. Tlie principal 
 position of the rebels, -who numbered about 1000, was at tiii' village 
 church, now surrounded by a strong barricade, which was soon breached, 
 however, by thn fin; of the arlilk-iy, when it was promjitly carried by 
 storm, and its defenders slain, captured, ov driven out. The parsonage 
 and manor houses, also occupied by llie enemy, shared the same fate, 
 and all these were soon wrajit in flames. A fresh wind blew at 
 the time, and sixty adjoining buildings were speedily enveloped in one 
 general conflagration. Some of the insurgents had taken refuge in 
 the steeple of the church, and jierishcd miserably in the flames, to the 
 horror and distress of the spectators, who were unable to rescue them. 
 Their entire loss was upwards of 100 killed, nearly the same number 
 wounded, and 118 prisoner. Their leader, Girod, like Brown at St. 
 Charles, deserted them soon after the firing commenced, under the pretence 
 of bringing up reinforcements ; but fuiding it impossible to escape, so 
 narrowly was he pursued, he shot himself in the head, four days 
 afterwards, a short distance below Montreal. 
 
 General Colborne next moved upon St. Benoit, which had been the 
 hot-bed of sedition in that quarter, where 250 men, drawn up in line, 
 with white flags, surrendered and implored clemency. W^ith exception 
 of their leaders they were all humanely dismissed. Detachments of 
 regulars and volunteers were also sent to other parts of the district, to 
 disperse any bodies of insurgents which might still keep together. 
 Several of the volunteers had been injured, in their projierties, by the 
 insurgents, and now took vengeance on the latter by burning their 
 dwellings. Having comjdetely dispersed the armed assemblages, and 
 awed the disaffected, Sir John Colborne returned on the ITth to 
 Montreal. 
 
 The firm attitude assumed by the government, and the success which 
 now so invariably attended the military movements, made a salutary 
 impression on the Habitants ; and, in several quarters, meetings were 
 held at which loyal resolutions were passed, in Vermont a jiroclama- 
 tion was issued by Governor Jemison enjoining strict neutrality on the 
 population : but it had very little effect in subsequently restraining the 
 turbulent and ungovernable brigands, who had no\y collected on the 
 frontier, and were ready for anything which promised plunder, or un- 
 punishcu obbery. 
 
 In accordance with his wishes, the Colonial Secretary while fully 
 endorsing the course he had pursued, recalled Lord Gosford; 
 
 ..»• 
 
[1837. 
 
 loyal (•Itizcns, 
 
 mi<l (irlillfry. 
 
 ; inorning the 
 
 The prliici])al 
 
 at tlu- vilki;i;o 
 
 iOOll 1)l'eilcllC(J, 
 
 illy carried by 
 riie parsonage 
 the same fate, 
 wind blow at 
 vcloped in one 
 ikcu refuge in 
 ) flames, to the 
 to rescue them. 
 i same number 
 Brown at St. 
 der the pretence 
 le to escape, so 
 cad, four days 
 
 ;'h had been the 
 awn up in line, 
 With exception 
 Detachments of 
 the district, to 
 kco}) together, 
 operties, by tlic 
 ning their 
 semblages, and 
 n (he 17th to 
 
 le success which 
 nade a salutary 
 meetings were 
 ont a ])roclama- 
 entralitv on the 
 y restraining the 
 llected on the 
 plunder, or nn- 
 
 1838.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 401 
 
 
 
 ;. while fully 
 Lord Gosford'. 
 
 of which I'.icasure intelligence reached Quebec on the lJ]lh ot 
 1838. .Janiuiry. He left for Jjoston, en route to l-'ngland, on the 'li\i\\ 
 of I'V'ljrnavy. receiving suvoral addresses pricn* to iiis departure. 
 Sir John Colhornu assuiiied ihe reins of civil power till another Gov 
 crnor should be a]»poiiited. 
 
 Martial law was still continued in the District of Montreal. On the 
 22nd of February a general order was issued, directing the Habitants 
 of the counties of Lapraire, Chandjly, and L' Acailie to deliver up their 
 arms to the nearest justices of the peace, or militia ofllcers, within one 
 month. 
 
 On the 2.Slh, a body of GOO Refugees, who liad fled the pro- 
 vince in December, re-crossed the frontier under the leadership o( 
 Iiobert Nelson, a brother of Wolfred, and a Dr. Cote, with l.'jOO stand 
 of arms and 3 field pieces, to organise another outbreak. But finding 
 the gallant frontier militia, and some troops, gathering to oppose them, 
 they returned into the United States, were met by General Wool, who 
 had pursued them from Plattsburg, (the American government being 
 at length shamed into active interference,) and compelled to surrender 
 their arms and warlike munitions. Nelson and Cote were arrested, and 
 delivered over to the authorities of their State, but were soon again at 
 liberty. " A declaration of independence" was issued during this brief 
 inroad by Nelson, to which he appended his name as " president of the 
 provisional government." 
 
 I\[canwhi!e, \\\\ act had been passed by the Imperial Parliament, in 
 the beginning of February, suspending the constitution of Lower Can- 
 ada, and making temporary provision for its government, by the crea- 
 tion of a Special Council, whose decrees were to have the same force 
 as the acts of a legislature. At the same time, the b2arl of Durham 
 was appointed Governor General, and her Majesty's High Commis- 
 sioner, " for the adjustment of certain important aflairs affecting the 
 provii'uces of Upper and Lower Canada." On the 21)th of March, the 
 " Act suspending the Constitution" was proclaimed in the Quebec Ga- 
 zette by authority, and, on the 5th of April, the Special Council, com- 
 posed of an eijual nun-iber of persons of French and British origin, were 
 summoned to meet at Montreal on the 18th. This Council at once 
 decreed that their ordinances shonld take efll'ct immediately on being 
 passed : their next step was to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act 
 until the 14th of the i^jlh>wing August, in order to allow Lord Durham to 
 adopt more summary measures with regard to the insurgents in prison. 
 
 Matters having by this time assumed a more peaceable aspect, the 
 volunteer militia were permitted to return to their homes. On the 
 3rd of May a proclamation discontinuing Martial Law was published. 
 
405 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1838. 
 
 . ' ,v 
 
 It 
 
 i: 
 
 THK G0VETIN:«ENT of TITK >:AUL OV J)V\IU\M. 
 
 Tho Earl of Durham arrived at Quebec on the 27th of i\ray, as- 
 sutned charge of tho govei'iuncnt, and two days afterwards issued a 
 proclamation, briefly stating tho policy ho proposed to pursue. " 'I'ho 
 honest and conscientious advocate of Kefovm, autl of the amelioration 
 of defective institutions, will receive from nic," he 8ai<l, "without dis- 
 tinction of party, races, or politics, that assistance and iMieourngoniont 
 which their patriutism has a right to c(jinniand : but the disturbers o( 
 the public peace will fuid in mc an uncompromising oppont.'Ut. Peo[)lo 
 of British America I beg you to consider me as a friend and an arl)i- 
 trator, ready at all times to listen to your wishes, complaints, and gi'Ic- 
 vanccs, and fully determined to act with the strictest impartiality. If 
 you, on your side, will abjnre all party and sectarian animosities, and 
 unite with me in the blessed work of peace and harmony, I feel assured 
 that I can lay the foundation of such a system of government, as will 
 protect the rights and interests of all classes, allay all dissensions, and 
 permanently establish, under Divine Providence, the wealth, greatness, 
 and prosperity, of which such inexhaustible elements are to be found 
 in these fertile countries." lie amply redeemed his promise. Never 
 did any public man act more disinterestedly than Lord Durham. TTis 
 celebrated Jvcport is a lasting monument of elaborate research, impar- 
 tial scrutiny, and histoiical worth. 
 
 Considerable reinforcements had already arrived from England and 
 Halifax, as well as several vessels of war, and the prospect of success- 
 ful revolt was now more slender than ever. Still, disallection had not 
 yet ceased to exist, and T'apineau\s partisans were already organi-^ing 
 .wother armed force with a view to the establishment of the Republic of 
 Lower Canada. 
 
 One of Lord Durham's first measures was to procure an accurnf' 
 return of the prisoners in the several gaols of the ]>rovince, with th > 
 depositions against each, and a list of tho unexecuted warrants against 
 parties who had fled the countr}-. The old Executive Council was next; 
 dissolved, as well as tho Special Council recently constituted under tho 
 Suspension Act. A new Executive Council was, however, soon ap- 
 pointed. A commission formed to eni[\iiro into tho mode of di^jpos- 
 ing of Crown lands brought many abuses to light. Its report was 
 favorable to the squatters, and recommended that thoy should be al- 
 lowed the right of pre-emption. 
 
 Up to the present, no persons had been tried for high treason, and 
 
 large numbers still remained in the Montreal gaol to be disDOsed of. 
 
 . ♦• 
 
[183S. 
 
 HAM. 
 
 I of ^fiiy. ns- 
 
 r.siio. " Tho 
 >, amelioration 
 
 " withoul (lis- 
 iicouratjomont 
 I distil flxTs o( 
 :)n(Mif. Po()[ilt) 
 (1 aiiil an arbi- 
 litits, and i:;rio- 
 ipartiality. if 
 limositio^i, au'l 
 , I feci assurcil 
 •nincnt, as will 
 i-ismision'^, aiiil 
 alth, greatness, 
 ro to be found 
 omisc. Never 
 Durham, TTis 
 
 search, impar- 
 
 n England and 
 
 lect of sueeoss- 
 
 ction had not 
 
 \dv oro-anisincf 
 
 the Republic of 
 
 iro an accurnf' 
 )vlnce, with thot 
 arrants against 
 nuieil was next. 
 :uted ur.der th ; 
 ever, soon ap- 
 mode of di:=po.^- 
 Its report was 
 'V should be al- 
 
 nrh treason, and 
 be disposed of. 
 
 1838.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 403 
 
 In tho excited state of the public mind, it would bo dillu'iilt to faid an 
 impartial jury, should they be brought to trial, and Lord Durham'.-^ 
 mission being one of peace, he was unwilling to resort to Court Mar- 
 tial. In tliis dilemma he had recourse to an ex[)edient m hich being at 
 variance with all establislu'd [irecedent and law,creat(Ml a large amount 
 of criticism both iu Canada and England. It was dctenniiied to I'deaso 
 the minor olfrudcrs, and llu; principal ones were indnci'd U) place 
 themselves at the disjiosal of tho (iovernor General, waging all right 
 to a trial. A new Sjtocial Coimcil was aceoi'dinuly summoned, in 
 order to give its sanction to the line of policy Lord J)urham now deter- 
 mined to [)ursue. ( )n the "JSLh of June, the day in which this council 
 assembled, they issued an edict biinisliing WoHVed Nelson, Houchette, 
 (iauvin, \'iger, and live others of the learliiig insurgents, then in [irison 
 at Montreal, to Ijermuda, and threatening the penally of death on l*a- 
 pineau and others, if they returned to (.'anada without permission. Thirf 
 was certainly a highdiainled j)roeedure : l)Ut, at the same time, it 
 released the (iovernor (General Ironi a seiimis dilemma, leaned to 
 mercy's side; and, although it established an arijitrury and dangeruu:* 
 precedent, was, therefore, to a great extent excusable. 
 
 The Home Ministry approved of these measures. Not so with the liri- 
 tish Parliament which subsef|uently annulbnl the ordinance, while, at the 
 same time, it passed an act of indemnity to shield the Governor and 
 his Special (,'ouncil, from any future proceedings which might arise out 
 their illegal course. In Canada the general feeling was that the act ex- 
 iling the principal olfendtirs,' and releasing the others, on giving security 
 for good behaviour, was one of clemency, and necessitated by the con- 
 dition of the country. The trial of the murderers of Chartrand, and 
 their acquittal in the face of clear evidence against them, in the course 
 of the Summer, went far to exonei'ate the Governor, as did also the ac- 
 quittal 01 cnie of the murderers of Weir at tiie following term. 
 
 The censure passed upon his comluct by the Imperial Parliament, 
 led Lord Durham to determine on his iraniediate resignation. After 
 elevating ^Ir. Stuart to the position of Chief Justice of the province, 
 vacated by the retirement of !Mr, Sewell, he departed for J^igland, on 
 the e'jrd November, leaving Sir John Colborne, wdio was soon afterwards 
 appointed Governor General, in charge of the government. 
 
 Princely in his style of living, indefatigable in business, energetic 
 and decided, though haughty in manner, and sincerely desirous to bene- 
 fit the Canadas, Lord Durham's departure was deeply regretted by a 
 largo proportion of the inhabitants, who looked upon him as the man 
 adapted for the crisis, Yet, short ao his administration had been no 
 individual ever benefitted Canada more. His admirable Report led, to 
 
401 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 1 « 
 
 
 [1838. 
 
 a groftt cxtont, to the siibscfuiciit iiniuii of tlicjo proviiicos, by which 
 bolli li.ivo !L;;iiii('<l so hiri^fly, coiiuiU'iu'cnl tlio fusion of llio two races, 
 wliicli slioiilil have Ix'miii 111 the <Joii([iicst, led to lli'spoiisiljjo (Jovem- 
 ru'iit, ami ii ^a-iicriil atiu'lioratioii of thi- oolcjiilal policy of (Ircat IJri- 
 tain. 'J'ho pn-sfut prosperous c(jnilitioii of this country allijrds the 
 best conimoiitary on his wisdom and disinterested patriotism ; and the 
 almost total absence of political excitement, ainl the contented condition 
 of the peoj)lo at larf,'e, oonsiitute the most durable monument to his 
 momory. lie did not Ioul; siu'vive his mission to (Aiiiada. His heallh 
 was naturally delicate. The voyages to and fi'om J'jigland, and the 
 censure on his administration by the Imperial Parliament, increased the 
 irritation of his system, and he died on the 28th of July, 1810, regret- 
 ted by many friends. 
 
 THE GOVEHN:\rENT OF SHI .TOIUNT COLBOHNE. 
 
 Countenanced by the unprincipled portion of the American border 
 population, secret associations had been formed along the frontier of 
 both Canadas, and a combined system of insurrection organised. The 
 departure of Jjord ])urham would appear to have been the signal for a 
 second outbreak, which this time was headed in Lower Canada by Dr, 
 iJobert Nelson, who was to be presid(>nt of the new republic. It com- 
 menced at Beauharnois, on the evening of the JJrd of November, with 
 an attack on the Henry Brovgliam steamer, which had put into that 
 place as usual, by 400 insurgents, who made prisoners of her passen- 
 gers, and injured her machinery to prevent her from proceeding. They 
 next surrounded the house of the seignior, Mr. Ellis, made prisoners also 
 of its inmates, and captured sixteen stand of arms. The rising was 
 general throughout the whole District of Montreal, owing to pre-con- 
 certed arrangement, and from all directions the British inl.abitants 
 flocked into the city for protection. Near L.-v Prairie a man of the 
 name of Walker, who had became particularly obnoxious to the rebels, 
 ■was murdered in his house, but his wife and family were enabled tu 
 escape, owing to the sudden appearance of a party of the 7th Hussars, 
 The rails on the St. John's railroad was torn up for some distance to 
 prevent the passage of the cars, mail carriers were stopped, and bodies 
 of men assembled at dillerent points on the RichoJieu, expecting to be 
 there supplied with arms. Being disappointed in this respect tht' 
 greater part returned home : a fev/, howevor. pushed on to Napierville, 
 a short distance within the Canadian froiitier, v.here Robert Nelson had 
 established his head-quarters. On 'uo following day (Sunday) a well- 
 armed body of insurgents, moved from Chateaugay, against the Indian 
 
 ,.♦•■ 
 
[isas, 
 
 icos, hy whicli 
 till) two races, 
 islhlt! (lovcrn- 
 
 of (iltlll lU'i- 
 ry uiroi'da the 
 )tisin ; and the 
 •utcd condition 
 iHiurnont to his 
 la. His lii'allh 
 gland, and the 
 it, increased the 
 f, 1810, regret 
 
 morlcan border 
 
 the, frontier ot 
 iruanised. The 
 the sif^nal for a 
 Canada by Dr. 
 mbllc. It com- 
 S^ovcmber, with 
 id pat into that 
 s uf lier passen- 
 oceeding. They 
 ile prisoners also 
 
 The rising was 
 ving to pre-con- 
 tish inl abitants 
 ie a man of the 
 )us to the rebels, 
 Merc enabled U> 
 the 7th Ilnssars. 
 some distance ti> 
 
 iped, and bodies 
 , expecting to be 
 
 his respect the 
 n to Napierville, 
 
 bert Nelson had 
 (Sunday) a well- 
 
 cainst the Indian 
 
 18ns.] 
 
 OF CAN.\1)A. 
 
 405 
 
 village of Cntighnawaga with the view of seizing tlie nrms and stores 
 there, rortiniately ihi-ir approai'h was disooviM-ed by u siniaw, who 
 returned swiftly to a|>priso the warriors, then al chnrcli, of the a|>prna(h 
 of a hostile [(»!•(•('. 'J'li('S(> proniptly rushed ont, sei/cd the mnskets, 
 tomahawks, axes, and pitclifbrkx. next to hand, and raising their terrible 
 Iroquois war-whoop, charged tho •invaders, put them to iliglit. and dis- 
 armed and captured sixty-four of tlnir iiuni!)er. This gallant action 
 materially dainpecl the arddc of the insurgents, and inspired the loyal 
 with renewed conlidcnci.! and courage. 
 
 I\lartial law was now put in I'urco a second tinn^ In the District of 
 Montreal, and a niiinher of parties arrested on suspicion of dlsallection. 
 On the yth tho Special Council again assembled, and passed an ordi- 
 nance suspending tho Habeas Corpus law throughout^ the province, 
 while the rebellion continued ; giving a discretionary power to tho 
 (iovernor, however, to restore It in any, or all, of tho districts when he 
 deemed proper. 
 
 Meanwhili'. (Jeneral ('olbornc havlntc previously directed tho move- 
 ment of troops against Napierville, where Nelson had now collected a 
 largo body of insurgents, and also issued a second declaration of 
 independence, which caused a run on the Montreal banks, proceeded on 
 the Oth to take the command in person. On the St. liawrence tho 
 rebels still retained possession of I'eauliarnois : but this post tho Gene, 
 ral left to be disposed ol'l)y the gallant (J lengary militia, two regiments 
 of whom \mder Colonels jM'Donald and b'raser, were already moving 
 down against it, together with a detachment of the 7lst regiment. 
 
 While these prom[)t measiu'cs were being taken for the immediato sup- 
 pression of this second rebellion, the brave militia of Odelltown had 
 organised themselves, with the view of interrupting the communication 
 of Nelson with IJouse's Point in his rear, and from whence he expected 
 to receive both reinforcements and supplies. Cote and Gagncji two'of 
 the rebel loaders, collected liere a considerable body of American sym- 
 pathisers and Habitant insurgents, and resolved to dislodge a body of 
 the Odelltown militia who had taken post at La Colic Mill, the scene 
 of Wilkinson's defeat in 18bt, and thus open a communication with 
 Nelson. They accordinirlv a<lvanccd ac"inst the Mill at o'clock on 
 the morning of the Glh, with a force HOO strong and one small gun, and 
 speedily drove in an outlying ]>Icqnet of the militia. But, a reinforce- 
 ment of the Ilcmnilngford militia soon coming up, to aid their com- 
 rades, the insurgents were gallantly charged, their gun, 400 stand of 
 arms, and a quantity of ammunition captured, and their whole body 
 driven into rapid and inglorious flight across the lines, leaving 11 dead 
 
400 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1838. 
 
 . ' ..\ 
 
 and 8 prisoners behind. On the side of the loyalists 2 were killed, and 
 3 wounded. 
 
 Nelson's position at NapierviUe now became extremely eritical. In 
 his rear was the vietorious frontier militia ; while Sir John Colborne 
 was steadily advancing against his front, with an overwhelming force of 
 regular infantry and cavalry, lie accordingly determined to fall back 
 upon Odrlltown with part of his forces, disperse the militia, 200 in 
 nnmbor, posted there, and thus open his line of communication with 
 the I'nited States, so as to secure a safe retreat in case of necessity, lu 
 pursuance of this resolution he moved against Odelltown, on the morn- 
 ing of the Oth, with 800 men armed witii muskets and fowling pieces, 
 and 1200 more with jiikes and swords. Fortunately as this formidable 
 force Wiis about to enter the village, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor, an offi- 
 cer sent out expressly from England to organi'^e the militia, arrivcij 
 on the ground, assumed command of the 200 loyalists, and posted 
 them ill tlic ^[ethouist ehiu'ch, or in good positions close by. 
 
 Nelson began the battle at 11 o'clock by driving in Taylor's advanced 
 picquet, and then moved his force in solid column against the churcli. 
 The gun captured at La Colle now did good service. Loaded with 
 grape, its first discharge raked the advancing enemy with deadly effect, 
 and opened a long lane through his ranks. Two other discharges 
 were also given with success : but the insurgents puslicd boldly od, 
 and soon compelled the guiniers to abandon it, and retire to the churcli, 
 on the road immediately by which it was posted. Again and again did 
 the enemy endeavor to capture this gun: but the militia, although har- 
 rassed and fatigued by long and arduous duty fought stoutly, swept 
 them back with close and well-aimed volleys, and even sallied out ami 
 made repeated charges with the bayonet. For two hours and-adialf 
 did the action continue, and then repulsed in every attempt to carry 
 the church, the appearance of a body of 100 militia, advancing to aiil 
 their comrades, on their Hank, completely disheartened the insurgent;*. 
 who fled in every direction — part back to NapierviUe, another across 
 the lines into the United States. Among the latter was Robert Nelson, 
 who soon procuring a horse rode full speed to Plattsburg. Previous 
 to the battle some of the insurgents suspected he was about tc desert 
 them, and were with difficulty prevented from giving him up to Sir 
 John Colborne. He gladly seized the first opportunity, therefore, V> 
 escape from his Patriot associates and leave them to their fate. In this 
 action the loss of the rebels was nearly 00 killed, besides a large nutn- 
 ber wounded. The loyalists had I captain (M'Allistcr) and ■! men 
 killed, and 1 Lieutenant and 9 men wounded. 
 
 A considerable body of insurgents still remained at NapierviUe ; but 
 
 , ♦• 
 
[183S. 
 Bro killed, and 
 
 ly critical. In 
 Jolm Colborne 
 cliuing force of 
 led to fall back 
 militia, 200 in 
 aunication with 
 jf necessity. In 
 n, on tlie morn- 
 fowiing picccH, 
 tills forniiilablo 
 [ Taylor, an offi- 
 mililia, arriviMl 
 3ts, and posted 
 ti by. 
 
 lylor's advanocii 
 ainst the chunti. 
 '. Loaded with 
 ith deadly effect, 
 3ther discharges 
 .slicd boldly on. 
 ire to t!ie chnrch. 
 \in and again did 
 ia, althongh har- 
 t stoutly, swept 
 n sallied out and 
 hours arid-a-hal( 
 ttcmpt to carry 
 advancing to aid 
 d the insnrgenls. 
 3, another across 
 kS Robert Nelson, 
 burg. Previous 
 ,s about tc desert 
 ig him up to Sir 
 ity, therefore, t-) 
 K'ir fate. In Lln> 
 
 los a large nuin- 
 
 1838.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 407 
 
 on the approach of rioncral Colborne they betook themselves to flight, 
 with the British cavalry^ who made several prisoners, rapidly in pur- 
 suit, and which was cuntimicd from daylight till the evening of the lOlh. 
 
 On t!ic same day on which these occurrences took place, 1000 (irlen- 
 gary men, and a detachment of the 71st, landed eai-ly in the morning 
 near the village of l>eauharnois, upon which they immediately marched. 
 The rebels after a brief resistance a' andoncd the position and fled. 
 A small body of insurgents assembled near Chambly was next dis- 
 persed by tvyo companies of the 0th regiment : and, thus, in the brief 
 space of seven days, ended the second Lower Canadian rebellion. Yet 
 short as had been its existence it produced a full harvest of misery and 
 sin. At its commencement the Habitants had abused their temporary 
 power by driving the loyalists from their homes, burning their barns 
 and houses, and plundering them of their cattle and provisions. 1'ho 
 latter bitterly retaliated towards its close, and the firc-'-harred ruins of 
 many once happy homes throughout the County of Laprairie, long bore 
 witness to the miseries of civil war. Nothing but the sliarpest injuries 
 can justify an appeal to the sword. Posterity must stigmatise the 
 Canadian rebellion as a causeless one. All the injuries sought to be 
 redressed could have been removed by constitutional agitation. Civil 
 war should never bo resorted to, in order toVemedy political evils, save 
 in the last and direst extremity. 
 
 But, the short though bloody and misery inflicting drama, had not 
 yet been brought to a close. The lenity shown during the previous 
 rebellion had been decidedly abused, and was attributed l)y tho.se who 
 even benefitted the most by it, to the weakness of the government. 
 Trial by jury was out of the question. Martial Law, the code of the 
 sword, still prevailed, so a Court Martial was now directed by a gene- 
 ral order to assemble for the trial of the captive insurgents. It is an 
 impartial tribunal, however, and only admits of the most p'. sitive and 
 direct proof. The unfortunate insurgents had a fair trial. Twelve suf- 
 fered the extreme penalty of the law, and a number of others were 
 sentenced to transportation. Subsequently, during the winter, bands of 
 insurgent robbers occasionally crossed the frontier into Lower Canada, 
 and committed depredations upon the loyal inhabitants, but every sem- 
 blance of rebellion had now disappeared in that province. On each 
 occasion it was trampled out almost as soon as it reared its head. 
 
 ster) and -t me 
 
 en 
 
 Napierville ; but 
 
480 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1830. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 UrrER CANADA FIIOM 183G TO 1838. 
 
 THE ADMIIN^ISTKATION OF Sill FKANCIS BOND HEAD. 
 
 ) • 
 
 General officers, in the persons of Sir Peregrine Maitland and Sir 
 John Colborne, had not made popular Canadian Governors by any 
 means. Their stern military habits — their stiff and unhending man- 
 ners, were little adapted to win favor with a community verging 
 towards democracy ; and the Home Government were nearly at their 
 wit's end as to who should be the pacificator of Upper Canada, and carry 
 out there the same Jl..<^. of policy to be pursued in the other province 
 by Lord Gosford. At Icngtli their choice fell upon a man wholly 
 unknown in the arena of politics, a half-pay major in the army, and the 
 Assistant Poor Law Commissioner for the District of Kent, at a salary 
 of £500 per annum, whose public reputation rested solely on his author- 
 ship of the " Rough Notes of a ride over the Pampas," and " The Bub- 
 bles from the Nassau Brunnen." In November, 1835, this individual, 
 destined to be suddenly elevated to the governorship of an important 
 province of the Empire, and to achieve a large measure of public noto- 
 riety, was suddenly awakened one night in a little village inn, on the 
 confines of Romney Marsh, by a King's messenger. To his great sur- 
 prise Major Sir Francis Head was presented with a despatch offering 
 him the government of Upper Canada, on the strength, no doubt, of his 
 presumed liberal Whig principles, and his being the most pliant indivi- 
 dual within reach at the time. If any one could possibly conciliate the 
 Bidwells, the Mackcnzies, and the Rolphs of Upper Canada, a poor half 
 pay major, a dashing superficial author, and an outside liangcr-on of the 
 ministry, must, be the man. It was an equally strange and imprudent 
 appointment, and had a fitting counterpart in the comic mistake the 
 Colonial ^Ministcrhad made, in takingan inconsistent Tory for a consistent 
 liberal Whig. 
 
 Sir Francis Head knew as much about the people of Canada, their 
 past condition, and present wants, as the bulk of the English people, 
 
 <>• 
 
[1830. 
 
 183G.] 
 
 OF aVNADA. 
 
 409 
 
 ) HEAD. 
 
 tland and Sir 
 mors by any 
 ibcnding man- 
 unity verging 
 nearly at their 
 lada, and carry 
 other province 
 1 man wholly 
 b army, and the 
 ont, at a salary 
 y on his author- 
 and " The Bub- 
 this individual, 
 f an important 
 of public noto- 
 lage inn, on the 
 'o his great sur- 
 espatch offering 
 no doubt, of his 
 )st pliant indivi- 
 y conciliate the 
 iula, a poor half- 
 liingcr-on of the 
 and imprudent 
 nic mistake the 
 y for a consistent 
 
 3{ Canada, their 
 English people, 
 
 and that was nothing whatever. But then, from tho moment he had 
 consented to accept of the government Upper Canada, for at fu-st ho 
 shrank from the produrcd lionor, ho had studied ^lackonzic's Grie- 
 vance Book with great attention,, avi.-l had the benefit besides of Lord 
 Glenolg's information and instructioi s. Thus posLed up in Canadian 
 literature, politics, and history, the oiever half-pay major, with a sharp 
 eye no doubt to another book, and a light purse;, set out, via Liverpool 
 and New York, to supersede Sir John Colborne in the Lieutenant-(jov- 
 ernorship of Upper Canada. He arrived in his province the last days 
 days of January, having crossed the river at Niagara. Posting to To- 
 ronto he found the Legislature, which had been convened by his prede- 
 cessor, on the 14th of tho month, in full session ; and was thus brought 
 into immediate and direct collision with political parties he knew very 
 little about. His appointment had been highly acceptable to tho 
 Reform Party. Its press was loud in his praise, and fully disposed to 
 give him a good reception, pursuant to tho suggestion of Joseph Iltirao 
 in a letter to Mackenzie. He was accordingly elevated by the public 
 voice to the position of a di,5iinguishcd politician., who must, as a mero 
 matter of course, renovate and remodel the whole social and political 
 system of the province. 
 
 Sir Francis's own narrative of his gubernatorial fitness, supplies a 
 curious commental'^' on the sagacity of Mackenzie and Co. " As I was 
 no more connected with human politics," said ho, speaking of his first 
 entrance into Toronto, " than the horses that were drawing me — as I 
 never had joined any political party, had never attended a political dis- 
 cussion, had never even voted at an election, nor taken any part in one 
 —It was with no little surprise I observed the walls placarded with 
 largo letters which designated mo as Sir Francis Head, a tried Refor- 
 mer." On tho other hand, the Conservative Party, which at this 
 period was tolerably well organised, regarded his advent witli consider- 
 able apprehension, and all looked forward to coming events with the 
 deepest interest. 
 
 The political struggle in Lower Canada, and the extreme position as- 
 sumed by the majority of its Assembly, had undoubtedly tainted the 
 ultra section of the Reform Party of tho upper province, with a 
 desire for republican independence. Sir Francis Head consequently 
 soon found, that he was completely astray in supposing he had all 
 the grievances of Upper Canada in the " Seventh Report," and that 
 Lord Glenelg's remedies were the genuine nostrums for tho occasion. 
 Mr. Bidwell's language to him during a private interview, shortly after 
 his arrival, completely undeceived him on this head. Ho stated "that 
 there were many grievances not detailed in that book, wiiich the people 
 
410 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [i83c;, 
 
 ,' V 
 
 had long endured with patience ; tltat there was no desire to rebel, but a 
 morbid I'eeliiig of dissittisfaction was daily increasing. The fact thab 
 Sir J-'rancis Head was the bearer of new instruclionsj had alone induced 
 him and his iViends to alter llu-ir determination never to meet in the 
 AsscmVdy again." INTacken/ie was e(|ually indisposed to abide by his 
 own report * and it was plainly evident that his and Bidwell's imme- 
 diate party, like J'apineau in Lower (.'aniida, had already caught at the 
 idea of a total independence of Great l>ritai)i. 
 
 Sir Francis Head was a tolerably shrewd judge of human nature, and 
 thus let completely behind the scenes by Bidwell and Mackenzie, he 
 had little difliculty in discovering they had an ulterior object in view. 
 It was unfortunate for the credit of the Uefbrm l*arty, and for his own 
 reputation, that he was thus immediately brought into contact with the 
 leaders of its extreme section. ^Vith respect to Canadian questions, 
 the Governor's mind was little better than a mere Idank. Naturally 
 superficial, imprudent, and impulsive, he was consequently, to a great 
 extent, completely at the mercy of first impressions, which he fre- 
 quently earried^out with that dogged ptu'sistence, so peculiar to English- 
 men in general. Circumstances, at the time, unfortunately tended to 
 elevate men like Bidwell and Mackenzie into the post of popular 
 leaders, and to throw such rational and constitutional lovers of liberty, 
 as Robert Baldwin, and others of the same moderate school, into the 
 shade. Sir Francis Head committed a grave error in supposing, that 
 the bulk uf the Reform Party was tainted with the same spirit of dis- 
 loyalty to the Crown, which he had so quickly detected in its ostensible 
 leaders. The conclusion which he thus jumped at, so rapidly and ineon- 
 sidcrately, materially contributed to shape his future policy. His first 
 concessions to the Reform I'arty may, therefore, be safely regarded as 
 being made more with the view to cloak and justify his course, in a 
 seeming desire for moderation, than with a sincere purpose to concili- 
 ate the dissatisfied, or ameliorate the evils complained of. He was 
 destined to exhibit to much more advantage as a galloping, bubbling, 
 halfpay Major unattached, than as a Lieutenant-Governor of Upper 
 Canada. The statesman, after all, is not made by natural intuition, 
 and must receive a thorough training to be really valuable to hia 
 country. 
 
 One of Sir Francis Head's first public acts was as singular as his 
 appointment to the government, and was evidently the result of his 
 Mackenzie and Bidwell impressions. Instead of making known the 
 authority with which ho had been invested in the usual manner by 
 
 
 Sir Francis Head's Narrative, p. 33-35, 
 
[1830. 
 
 rcbelj but fi 
 he fact that 
 one induced 
 meet in the 
 [ibide by Ins 
 .veil's imme- 
 auglit at the 
 
 I nature, and 
 [ackenzic, be 
 )jcct in view. 
 1 for bis own 
 .tact witb tbc 
 xn questions, 
 .. Naturally 
 ly, to a great 
 vbich be fre- 
 ar to English - 
 cly tended to 
 It of popular 
 3rs of liberty, 
 bool, into the 
 apposing, that 
 
 spirit of dis- 
 
 its ostensible 
 Jly and incon- 
 lev. His first 
 y regarded as 
 course, in a 
 >ose to concili- 
 
 of. He was 
 ing, bubbling, 
 
 nor of Upper 
 tural intuition, 
 aluablo to bis 
 
 singular as his 
 result of his 
 112 known the 
 lal manner by 
 
 1830.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 411 
 
 message to the Legislature, he wont down to the Council Chamber, 
 summoned the Assembly before him, and made them a second " open- 
 ing si)ccch " during the same session. Thu speech itself was almost 
 equally singular with the course pursued in making it. After announc- 
 ing his accession to the gubernatorial dignily of the provinci,', he in- 
 formed the House that he hada eoniinunicatlcnto make llieiii, (alluding 
 to Lord Glenelg's instructions to himself.) "This communication I 
 shall submit to you in a message" said he, '• which will at once inform 
 you of the didlcult and most important duties, about to devolve upon 
 me as well as yourselves. As regards myself, 1 have nothing either to 
 promise or profess, but I trust ( shall not call in vain iqiou you to givo 
 me that loijul, constitutional, tmbiased, and fearless assistance, which 
 your King expects, and which the rising interests of your country 
 require." 
 
 The singularity of this speech caused some merriment, and a good 
 deal of doubt among both parties. The Conservatives wavered in their 
 preconceived notions of the (Jovernor: but they, as well a.3 the IJefor- 
 mers, were puzzled by the contradictory and singularly uncertain tone 
 of his instructions. One thing, however, was clear, ni'ither the princi- 
 ple of rcponsible government nor that of an elective legislative 
 council was conceded. On all other points Lord Glenelg professed the 
 disposition of the Crown to redress the grievances complained of. The 
 Reform majority in the Assembly were dissatisfied with the policy of 
 the Colonial Ofiicc, a feeling evinced by their iustituling an enquiry a:s 
 to whether a breach of their privileges had been committed by the 
 Governor, in coming down to make thera n speech instead of send 
 ing a message I One precedent was Ibiind in the whole experience oi 
 the English House of Commons, and so the matter en^^^^. 
 
 From the tone of his speech, and the general tenor of tlio Governor'?: 
 conduct, the astute members of the almost extinct Family Compact, 
 who still continued iu public life, and now aimed at l!ie leadership ot 
 the Conservative Party, speedily saw they had gained some avlvantage 
 With its nature, however, they were as yeb wholly unacquainted, not 
 being aware how effectually Bidwell and ALackenzie had Ijeen second- 
 ing their views, by alarming Sir Francis with tlie pos;-:ible contingency 
 of rebellion. They industriously endeavored, nevertheless, to improve 
 their presumed, though indistinct, advantage, by presenting llie actioi 
 of the Assembly touching their cnquiiy, whether his speech was not n 
 breach of privilege? in the most unfavorable light. That this move- 
 ment met with some success, was evident by their endeavoring, 
 shortly afterwards, to induce the Governor to slrengthen the Execu- 
 
 2E 
 
412 
 
 THE IIISTOilY 
 
 [1830. 
 
 ■*•■ 
 
 r vv 
 
 live Council from their ranivs, ihrv.o of the old iiaembors having beeu 
 dismissed,* 
 
 Although there can be little doubt that Mackenzie & Co, had already 
 frightened Sir Francis from presumed Wbigism into old fashioned 
 Toryism, the latter shrank from the indecency of at once running coun- 
 ter to every principle of his appointment, and allying himself with the 
 remnant of the Family Compact, Little as he admitted he knew about 
 politics he instinctively disliked such a course, until, at least, he could 
 conceal its move repulsive features, by a show of seeming moderation, 
 and an apparent desire to conciliate the majority of the Assembly. 
 He accordingly offered the vacant places in the p]xecutive Council to 
 Robert Baldwin, John Rolph, and John Henry Dunn, the Jieceiver 
 General, Mr. Baldwin was eminently popular with Reformers of all 
 grades — moderate, middle, and extreme — and Messrs. Rolph and Dunn 
 were also high in the confidence of their party. 
 
 These gentlemen at first refused to take office unless the old Tory 
 Councillors, viz., Peter Robinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands, G. 
 IL Markland, Inspector-General, and Joseph Wells, Bursar of King's 
 College, who were also Legislative Councillors, should be dismissed. 
 This, however, was no part of Sir Francis's plan, who, aside from 
 other considerations, fancied that by pitting three Tories against three 
 Reformers in the Council he would elfectually retain all real power in 
 his own hands. In defence of his refusal to dismiss the old councillors, 
 he urged that he had other interests besides those of the Assembly to 
 consider, that they already possessed their own legitimate power, and 
 that to impart to them in addition an exclusive influence h: the Council, 
 would be unconstitutional and unjust. " The step," he said, " would 
 also have a tendency to connect him with party feeling, fiom which as 
 the representative of Majesty he should stand wholly aloof" After 
 maturely weighing their position, Mr. Baldwin and his friends decided 
 to take office, and were duly sworn in. 
 
 But Sir Francis Head's policy was a sui)erficial one at best, and the 
 attempt to acquire the arbitrary control of the executive power speed- 
 ily recoiled upon himself The old members of the Council had too 
 long ruled Governors to be now ruled by a Governor in turn, and the 
 new ones had no disposition, for the sake of the mere emoluments of 
 office, to make themselves odious with their party by ostensibly giving 
 their countenance to unpopular measures, with which they had in reality 
 nothing to do. The attempt showed a thorough ignorance of his men, 
 was a blunder of the shallowest kind, and tended to draw him into 
 
 * Lord Dui'linin's lleport, p, 60. 
 
 < ,,»• 
 
[183G, 
 aving beeu 
 
 lad already 
 i fashioned 
 lining coun- 
 ijlf with the 
 knew about 
 ist, he could 
 moderation, 
 ; A.s?eml)ly. 
 e Council to 
 he Receiver 
 ivmers of all 
 ph and Dunn 
 
 the old Tory 
 ,vn Lands, G. 
 sav of King'3 
 be dismissed. 
 0, aside from 
 
 against three 
 real power in 
 Id councillors, 
 
 Assembly to 
 te power, and 
 r. the Council, 
 
 said, " would 
 from which as 
 aloof." After 
 'riends decided 
 
 t best, and the 
 a power speed- 
 ouncil had too 
 n turn, and the 
 emoluments of 
 tensibly giving 
 y had in reality 
 lU'O of his men, 
 draw him into 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 41 a 
 
 183G.] 
 
 a position which at once compromised him with tlic people of Upper 
 Canada, as well as with the Home Ministry. 
 
 Fancying that the Executive Council would retain place at any price, 
 Sir Francis began to duvelopo his policy, by appointing, on his own 
 responsil);i;ty, some members of the Family Compact to vacant oflioes. 
 These appointments were censured by the Assembly ; while the Council, 
 finding their duties were restricted to land matters, and, that they were 
 apparently to be kept in ignorance of all those public measures, which 
 popular opinion, nevertheless, attributed to their advice, remonstrated 
 privately <m the subject with the Governor. lie requested them to 
 make a formal representation of their views. This they accordingly 
 did, on the 4lh of March, in a firm and temperate manner, and the reply 
 thereto left them no choice but to resign.* Four other Councillors! 
 were immediately appointed, who were more tractable, and took office 
 on the Governor's own terms, whom, however, they managed in a short 
 time to subject to a very considerable extent. The irresponsiblo oli- 
 garchy were accordingly again in the ascendant. 
 
 The arbitrary course pursued by the Governor, was apparently as 
 unpalatable to the Conservative minority, as to the Reform majority of 
 the Assembly. On the 14lh of March, a resolution was passed by 51 
 in a House of 53 members, censuring the dismissal of the Council, and 
 asserting the principle of responsible government in the strongest and 
 most unequivocal terms. On this resolution, an address to the Gov- 
 ernor was based, on the 24th of the same month, regretting the dismissal 
 of the old Council, and declaring a want of confidence in the recent 
 executive appointments he had made. 
 
 The excitement now waxed fjist and furious, and a recriminatory war 
 of words took place between Sir Francis and the ^Lssembly. But, at 
 this game the former proved an overmatch for his opponents., lie 
 bored them with long speeches in reply to addresses, appealed to the 
 sympathy of the puolic by proclamation, and skilfully created a falso 
 and specious issue of the questions at stake. 
 
 Never was an author in such a congenial element before. The 
 Lieutenant Governor proved himself an adept at agitation, fairly beat 
 Mackenzie at public meetings, by means of his numerous partisans, and 
 the latter defeated at his own trade, by another liltle man like him- 
 self, was ultimately driven to shelter his dignity in rebellion, and thus 
 
 * Executive Council to Sir F. Head, March 4, 1836. Lord Durham's Report, 
 p 60. Sir F. Head's Narrative, p. 50-60. Canada as it Was, Ac., p. 182-186. 
 f These were Robert B. Sullivan, John Elmsley, Augustus Baldwin, and W'il- 
 
 Umm AUau. 
 
414 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1830. 
 
 ..'...,v 
 
 • :f- 
 
 justified tho singular gyrations of his gubernatorial antagonist. Tho 
 people wore really made to believe that the constitution was threatened 
 with imminent danger, that the Crown was menaced in the person of the 
 Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada : so forgetful of every other 
 consideration they determined to stand by him to the last. 
 
 Sir Francis Head proved himself an excellent actor, and found his 
 hands so strengthened by his growing popularity, that he felt himself 
 in a position to regard with cool indifierenco an address from the 
 Assembly to the Crown, praying to be relieved of their despotic Gov- 
 ernor, and whom they now impeached of sundry misdemeanors, as well 
 as statements in the House, which stigmatised him as a tyrant and 
 impugned his veracity. Having thus been successful in hoodwinking 
 the people of Upper Canada, he labored to produce the same results at 
 the Colonial Office. " It is out of my power," he writes to Lord 
 Glenelg, " to describe the joy and gladness expressed to me by all par- 
 ties at the constitutional resistance I have made. Cut, there is one 
 question in everybody's mouth, will tho Lieutenant Governor be sup- 
 ported by the Home Government 1 On your Lordship's decision rests 
 our possession of Canada." 
 
 The ostensible leaders of the Reform Party, while they felt their 
 position becoming more and more weakened, owing to the clever slash- 
 ing demagoguisin of Sir Francis, appeared to be quite unequal to the 
 crisis iij v/hich they now found themselves. The more prudent, alarmed 
 by the gathering storm, kept in the back-ground, while the conduct of 
 Bidwell, Mackenzie, and some others of the same school, plaeed 
 them daily in a worse, and more embarrassing, position. Had 
 they assumed a sound constitutional stand, refrained from all overt 
 acts, which could possibly be construed into a tendency to physical 
 violence or rebellion — in short, had they rested solely upon moral sua- 
 sion, they must in the end have succeeded in defeating the Lieutenant- 
 Governor and driven him from the field, to " bubble" in some other part 
 of the world. Nothing, certainly, could have been more impolitic than 
 Mr. Bidwcll's act in laying Papineau's seditious letter before the House 
 of Assembly, and in the endeavor to identify the progressive British 
 Reform Party of Upper Canada, with the non-progressive, French, 
 Anti-British Party of tho other province. It showed clearly, as the 
 sequel proved, how little he understood the party of which he wa* 
 ostensibly the leader, and that he lacked the rare powers of mind, 
 the tact and physical courage, necessary to direct successfully a great 
 social and political movement. 
 
 The people of Upper had no real sympathy with the Anti-Executive 
 party of Lower Canada, and however they might have squabbled among 
 
 ,.♦•• 
 
1830.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 415 
 
 themselves, did not desire the interference of Papineau. Hence, the 
 impolicy of Mr. Bidwell in making his letter public. Sir Francis in- 
 •tinctively seized upon the occurrence, as most favorable for his purpose, 
 and skilfully dovetailed this letter into one of his addresses with con- 
 siderable dramatic effect. "The people of Canada," said ho "detest 
 democracy, revere their constitutional charter, and arc consequently 
 staunch in their allegiance to their king." Alluding to I'apiiicau's 
 threat, that the people of the United States would assist a n -tublicHn 
 movement in Canada, ho added " in the name of every regiment (jf 
 militia in Upper Canada, I publicly promulgate led them come if they 
 dare," This was a clever climax, certainly, and so the curtain dropped 
 on the first act of Sir Francis Head's rebellion. 
 
 Had this dramatic outburst — this skilful acting, for such it undoubt- 
 edly was, been properly met, the excited loyalty of the stalworth yeo- 
 manry of Upper Canada, unused to such strange and stirring appeals, 
 would have settled down into its wonted sober and steady love of 
 liberty, and the people would have taken care equally well of them- 
 selves. Unfortunately, however, for the country, the majority of tht^ 
 Assembly completely lost its temper, thus giving the Executive the 
 vantage ground, hurled anathemas at the head of the clover little Gov- 
 ernor, and stopped the supplies, the last resort of an indignant Com- 
 mons, unless they buckle on the sword. IJut, if they stopped the 
 supplies of the Government, the Government retorted by stopjiing 
 theirs. Sir Francis refused his assent to every money bill passed during 
 the session, — even to that for their own contingencies, so they had 
 .no wages to get this time. He followed up his recent advantages by 
 proceeding in state to the House, on the 20th of April, and proroguing 
 parliament in a speech which severely amimadverted upon the course 
 •pursued by the Assembly, and still further reduced thcni in the esli- 
 mation of the public. 
 
 Sir Francis Head had been only a few weeks in the country, still ho 
 had created more political excitement than all his predecessors put 
 together. For a man who admitted he knew little of politics, still less 
 of the science of government, and nothing whatever of Canada, till ho 
 set foot on its soil, his progress in statesmanship was, nevertheless, 
 alarmingly rapid. He never reflected that great popular, like indivi- 
 ■ dual, excitement never lasts long, and that the period of re-action comer, 
 sooner or later, when the calmer judgement again acipiires full scope. 
 
 In short, he sowed the wind, in exciting the passions of the masses, 
 and reaped the whirl-wind, in the petty rebellion, of which he must 
 ever stand convicted as the chief promoter. Had he taken time to 
 acquire a just knowledge of the condition of the country — had he acted 
 
416 
 
 THE TIISTOPtY 
 
 [183G. 
 
 ••' 
 
 4 4 
 
 .• •• t 
 
 , ' ^ 
 
 . A 
 
 with calm ami impartial wisdom, presuming; that knowleilf^o to have 
 hocn acijiiirecl Tppcr Canada would not have known tlu; stign^a of I'von 
 partial rclyoUion. In dcalinfj with the present he lost sight of the future ; 
 and in endeavoring; to ai'i^uirc a temporary advantage, ho rashly ne- 
 glected a solid and secure sueeess. The calm and temperatcn'oiMluet of 
 Lurd (Josford, forms a striking contrast to the course pursued by Sir 
 Francis Head. That conduct made rebellion ten-fold more odious and 
 unnatural, while the singular acting of the latter, in a very gr^-.^t mea- 
 sure, produced and justified insurrection. His essay in government 
 was decidedly of the galloping and bubbling school, and failed so com- 
 pletely that no British ministry has since allowed him to repeat it. 
 
 While almost every step, taken by Sir Francis Head, tended to com- 
 j>licato the public questions at issue, between the Ivcform^l'arty and the 
 Colonial Oflice, more and more, he considered his administration had 
 completely succeeded — that he had knocked the hydra of responsible 
 government on the head at last — chuckled over his success, and vainly 
 fancied he was about to become the pacificator of the province, and 
 thus win golden opinions for himself in Downing street. "I earnestly 
 entreat you" he writes to Lord Glenelg, " to put confidence in me, for I 
 pledge my character to the result, 1 have overcome every difliculty, the 
 game is won, the battle is gained as far as relates to this country. I 
 would therefore request your Lordship to send mo no orders on the 
 subject, but to allow me to let the thing work by itself." This confident 
 language could only be used by a superficial man, and was very unlike 
 the sober and common-sense despatches of his predecessors. 
 
 The stormy ter'" 'nation of the recent session of the Legislature, the 
 stoppage of the road and common school moneys, the disallection in 
 Lower Canada, and his own exciting proclamations, produced such a 
 ferment of loyalty throughout the province, that Sir Francis Head con- 
 sidered he tnight safely appeal to the people to rid the Assembly 
 of those persons, whose views ho considered were opposed to British 
 i'onnecLion. Numerous addresses were at this crisis presented to him, 
 expressing confidence in his administration, and requesting him to 
 dissolve the House. 
 
 It seems as if he had taken measures to secure the presentation of ad- 
 dresses of this character, for some time before he wrote to Lord Glenelg, 
 that he anticipated such a course would be adopted. " 1 fully expect,'' 
 said ho, ''that before a month has elapsed, the country will [jetitiun me 
 to dissolve the present Ilouse of Assembly ; but until the feeling is 
 <|uite ripe J shall not attend to it." In pursuance of this policy the pio- 
 vincial parliament was dissolved on the 28th of May, and writs issued 
 fur a new election, in which the whole influence of the Extcutive was 
 
[1830. 
 
 !(|rr(! to have 
 Cir.a ot'i'veu 
 i thi> future ; 
 rashly ne- 
 to coin 1 act of 
 I'sui'd by Sir 
 c odious and 
 y gr^.vt mca- 
 jfovonunent 
 liled so com- 
 •epcat it. 
 ndcd to com- 
 L*arty and tho 
 listratioii had 
 if responsible 
 is, and vainly 
 )rovince, and 
 " 1 earnestly 
 :e in me, for I 
 diflieulty, the 
 s country. I 
 orders on the 
 This confident 
 IS very unlike 
 
 I'S. 
 
 ejiislature, the 
 isallection in 
 )duci-'d such a 
 cis Head con- 
 he Assembly 
 ised to British 
 icnted to him, 
 'stiuii him to 
 
 Illation of ad- 
 Lord Glcnelg, 
 
 fully expect,"' 
 ill petition me 
 
 the feeling is 
 loliey the pro- 
 1(1 writs issued 
 Exi cutive was 
 
 \ SnO.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 417 
 
 brought to boar against the lleform Parly. Tho result was that nearly 
 all its principal leaders, including Mackenzie, iJidwell, and Haldwiu, 
 wcrebealiii at the polls, and thus cxclmled from the IFouse. The fol- 
 lowing extract from Lord Durham's lli'[tort, gives an excellent f)icture 
 of the state of [loiilieal feeling iu lipitcr (Jaiiada at this period : — 
 
 " The contest which appeared to be tlujs commenced on th<! (piestion 
 of the responsibility of tliii h^xociitive Council, was rc^'dly dec.iilcd on 
 vei-y dilForent grounds. Sir l'\ Head who appears to have thought that 
 tho ma'ntenanct! of the coiMuu'tion with Creat IJritain depemled u|tou 
 his triumph over the majority of the Assi-inbly, emharkcul in the contest 
 with a determination to use every influence in his power in order to 
 bring it to a successful issue. He suc(H'(Kled, in fact, in putting the issue 
 in such a light before the; j^rovince, that /i great portion v„!' the peoi)le 
 really imagined that they were called upon to decide the question of 
 separation by their votes. The dissolution, on which he ventured, when 
 he thought the public mind sulliciently ripe, com])letely answered his 
 expectations. The British, in particular, were roused by the proclaimed 
 danger to the connection with the mother conntry ; they were indignant 
 at some portions of the conduct and speeches of oei'tain members of the 
 iat(; majority, which seemed to mark a determined [(reference to Ameri- 
 can over British institutions. They were irritated by indications of 
 hostility to British emigration which they saw, or fancied they saw, in 
 some recent proceedings of the Assend)ly. Above all, not oidy they, 
 but a great many otlieis, had marked with envy tho stupendous ]»ublic 
 works which were at that period producing their elfectin the almost mar- 
 vellous growth of the we.nllh and iiopuiation of tlu^ ncighborir.g state; of 
 New York ; and they reproached the Assembly with what they consi- 
 dered an unwise economy, in preventing the undttrtaking or even com- 
 pUitiou of similar works, tliat might, as tliey liincied, have produced a 
 similar developeinent of the resources of U|)per Canada. The general 
 support of the Ib'itish determined the elections in favoi' of the govern- 
 ment ; and tliouLrh vcuy large and close minorities which in many cases 
 ,sup])orleil the iJefeated can(li<]ates, nuirked the Ibrce which (Iu; liefoi-m- 
 (M's could bring into the Held, even in spite of the disadvantages under 
 v.iiicli liiey labored from the momentary prejudices against them, and 
 tlie iniusnal i.iaiii.er in which the Crown, by its representative, appeared 
 to make itself a parly in an electicuie(-riiig contest, the result was the 
 rciurii of a very large majority hostile in politics to that of the late As- 
 
 ."^cmols' 
 
 'J'lie Keform Party was not a little surprised at the unexpected jiosl- 
 oii In w hieiiit found itself placed by therccenteleetion, and the Executive 
 
 was s[)ee(lily at 
 
 r,n 
 
 V- 
 
 sell) hi V 
 
 I'sed of using undue induence to procure the return of 
 
 iv.ii'able lo lis views, it was stated that patents i\)V lands 
 .1.. 
 
 Y'ere iss!;e(| to iiia'ce voters for the oecisiun, ami other measures ta!;en 
 of nil e^iiaUy ;:.!pro[ier cliuractcr to s( eiii'e a mjijority at the jhiIIs. 
 ])i'. ] )iincoinb" ^ifoci'eded to Lngland. in order to press these facts upon 
 • Ik; i!o;.ico dl t'.u' Colonial ]Minist'.-r, but without success. Sir Fi'ancis 
 1 Lad's rtpi'eser.'alions continued to be received with, considerable con- 
 
418 
 
 THE TlISTr)P.Y 
 
 [18.%. 
 
 • ' 
 
 . '. ,^ 
 
 1 V 
 
 fidonco by Lord dlcnol^' ; nml it. would jvppoar from statoinonts subso- 
 qucntly luiuU; (I8.'i(l) hi tlio Hrili^ih Commons by Charles Ihillcr, chief 
 secretary to Loid Dtirhaiu'.s iiiissioii, that the charges inado against 
 him on this point could not be, nor iiatl never been, sid)staiiliatod. 
 
 The [)leasant sunshine of the Canadian Himimur, templed the Lieute- 
 nant (iovcrniir to nialce a tour of tlie most interesting portions of tht! 
 provinee. He desCL'UtK'd tlie tranquil current o( the niagnilieent St. 
 Lawrence, w here it meanders amidst its Thousand Irilands ; sped along its 
 rapids ; shot down the timber slides of the Ottawa; bivouaeed on the 
 islands of Lake Huron; and held solemn conclave with Indian sachems 
 at the ^rand council fire, in the Great Manitoulin Island, and there pro- 
 cured the cession of a Jargo tract of fertile land,* much of which lias 
 siineo been settled. 
 
 The triumph which Sir Francis Head had won at the recent election, 
 was speedily clouded by the conduct of the Colonial Ollicc, which, even 
 ignorant as it was of Canadian matters, began gradually to arrive at 
 the conclusion, that he had not ])ursued the wisest course. This was 
 owing in some measure, if not altogether,, to the representations of the 
 Gosford commission, which recommended a responsible executive, a 
 political doctrine distinctly repudiated by Sir Francis, who (Inding him- 
 self in this contradictory position olfcred to resign. f His apparent suc- 
 cess, however, puzzled Lord Glenelg, and it was resolved to retain him 
 in his post for tho present. Still, it soon became evident, that the 
 principle of responsilde government must ere long be conceded. The 
 liberal party of New Brunswick was taking tho same ground, to a very 
 great extent, as tho Kefcnia Party of Upper Canada, and in the course 
 of Summer, instructions were sent to the governor. Sir Archibald 
 Campbell, to surrender the casual and territorial revenues to its Assem- 
 bly, and to form a responsible executive. Proceeding on the ground, 
 that a concession to one North American province must necessarily be 
 made to all, the (Jolonial Oflice, on the 20th Se[)temlK'r, forwarded a 
 despatch to Sir Francis Head, instructing him to consider the directions 
 to the Gove.nor of Now Brunswick, as also applicable to Upper Can- 
 ada. J Sir Archibald Campbell resigned sooner than carry out these 
 measures, and Sir Fraiu Head, being equally unwilling to adopt them 
 for hii? guidance, liie Co.v,. .d Olbco had not sutlicient nerve to insi!:it 
 Btronulv on the execution of its resolves, which were i)i:rmitted ti> 
 remain in abeyance for a time. 
 
 The new parliament assembled on tho 8th of November. One of its 
 
 • Tho Emigrant, by Sir F. 15: Iload, p. lai-lSH. 
 f Sir F. F. Head's Narrativo, p. 105-1 00. 
 X London Quarterly Review, April, 1831). 
 
[1830. 
 
 incuts siihso- 
 r.iillcr, chief 
 iniulo against 
 aiiliatotl. 
 3d tho liieutc- 
 urtions of thu 
 agiiiliciMit St. 
 sped along its 
 •iiaced on tho 
 iidiau saeiiems 
 and there pro- 
 of wiiich has 
 
 occnt election, 
 ;c, which, even 
 y to arrive at 
 rso. This was 
 iitations of tho 
 le executive, a 
 ho fluiliug him- 
 s apparent swe- 
 ll to retain him 
 dent, that tlu- 
 onceded. The 
 )und, to a very 
 d in the course 
 Sir Archibald 
 s to its Asseiii- 
 oa the ground, 
 necessarily be 
 r, forwarded a 
 r the tlirectious' 
 to Upper Can- 
 arry out these 
 r to adopt th(.Mn 
 nerve to insist 
 ; pi;rniitted to 
 
 )er. One of its 
 
 18S0.] OF CANADA. 419 
 
 firat measures was to pass i\ Siippiy Hill. A number of other bills 
 were also enacted during the session, among which was that iTccling 
 tho first Court of Chancery in I'pper Canada. Many of the bills passij 
 were of a very liberal and progressive character, and highly creditable 
 to the Industry and talents of tho Legislature. Still, owing to 
 1837. tho violent agitation kept up by Mackenzie and others, of tho 
 same e.vtreme school, the lieform Party continued indignant 
 and dissatisfied, and the Assend)ly soon found lluir j)opuIarity was 
 rapidly on tho wane, and that tho Conservative Party, should another 
 election shortly occur, could scarcely hope for n majority. Tho 
 rapidly declining health of tho King, rendered a dissolution before the 
 four years' term of tho existing Assembly had expired, a very probable 
 contingency. Accordingly, the novel expedient was rcsor; :d to, of 
 passing an act to prevent the dissolution of parliament, in tho event of 
 his death. The only precedent of tho kind on record, is that of tho 
 parliament which brought Charles I. to tho scaffold. The session tor- 
 minated on tho 4th of March. The Governor's speech when prorogu- 
 ing the House, contained little that was remarkable. 
 
 The close proximity of Canada to the United States, led to very 
 intimate commercial relations between the two countries. The severo 
 blow which the monied interests of the latter country sustained, in 
 the earlier part of 1837, reacted unfavorably upon these provinces. 
 While Canadians jealously contemplated tho rapid progress of tho 
 United States, and drew conclusions unfavorable to a monarchical form 
 of government, as not presenting equal facilities with a republic for the 
 detelopement of national prosperity, they had little idea of the sandy 
 foundation on which a portion, at least, of their neighbors' success was 
 based. They accordingly beheld with astonishment their commercial 
 system completely prostrated, banks refusing to redeem their own 
 notes, states repudiating their sovereign monetary ' ngagements, hun- 
 dreds of mercantile houses becoming bankrupt, and distrust, disorder, 
 and ruin, spreading in every direction, like a black cloud, over the 
 much vaunted prosperity of the Union. 
 
 In Lower Canada, the Banks imitated the example of similar institu- 
 tions in the United States, and suspended payments in specie. The 
 result was that their stocks decreased in value, and public confidence 
 in their solvency was somewhat shaken. Jn Upper Canada, however^ 
 a contrary course was pursued. The banks continued to redeem their 
 notes with specie, cojitracted their discounts, and boldly and honestly 
 confronted the gathering storm. 
 
 Their course, in this respect, led to much dissatisfaction on the part 
 of the mercantile community, and the general feeling was that payment 
 
420 
 
 THE IIISTOnY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 >*..,:, ^ 
 
 .. ,■«. 
 
 • > 
 
 in specie shouiu be suspended, and discounting rccumed. To his great 
 credit, Sir Francis Head was opposed to a procedure of this kind, as a 
 rotten system of bank accommodation, wliich must sooner or later 
 prove injurious to the community, and produce a re-action of the same 
 disastrous character, as that then in progress in the United States. Still, 
 he deemed it advisable to summon parliament to take the modification of 
 the charters of the banks into consideration, so as to :.']ow them to sus- 
 pend specie payments. The Legislature was accoiuiiigly convened on 
 the 19th of June, and the matter at issue placed fully and fairly before 
 it in the opening speech of the Governor, which was distinguished by 
 much practical sense, although mixed up, it is true, with not a 
 little of its opposite. One of the firs'u measures of the Assembly was 
 to elect Sir Allan McNab as their Speaker, in room of Archibald 
 M'Clean, who had accepted a public situation, and resigned his seat. 
 They then proceeded to take the banking question into consideration, 
 and were at first disposed to chyme in with the popular humor, and, in 
 many instances, with their own necessities. Fortunately, howevci", fur 
 the credit and good name of the province, the Governor's policy 
 triumphed. Specie payment was continued, the banks safely weathered 
 the storm, redeemed their bills when presented, and thus preserved the 
 credit of the province untarnished,* The results of this bold and hon- 
 est policy, was for a short space very trying to the banks. Theic notes 
 were eargerly purchased in the United States at from two to five jicr 
 cent premium, and sent into the province to be cashed. Still, the small 
 agricultural community of Upper Canada, composed of some 450,000 
 souls, withstood the whole monied power of the Union, conlinuid 
 calmly and honestly to meet the heavy drain upon its industry and its 
 purse, and came out from the ordeal comparatively unscathed. 
 
 As the Summer progressed, ^Mackenzie, like Papineau, sougli*^ Id 
 increase the existing excitement by holding meetings, and makinij; 
 iiidammatory speeches, in various parts of the province ; but, moio cspe 
 cially in the Home District, where his pr.rtisans were most numeroii.-. 
 He was far, however, from being as successful in this way as the popu- 
 lar leader of Lower Canada. At some of the meetings his resolutions 
 were even negatived by majorities. 
 
 Still, few suspected that the province was on the eve of rebcllior, or 
 supposed, for a moment, that the endeavors of Mackenzie and Irs 
 friends to create a sympathy in favor uf the Papineau ]iarty, were to 
 
 * During tlio subsequont disordorod coiitlilioii of the provinci' find (Miimii('v,i;il 
 doprossioTi, pro,luccd by tlie robcHion, tlio 'mnks wore allowed to di:ooiii;ii',!i' 
 paynicnts.in specie, but chiefly on politicid j:roi;i,d?. 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 421 
 
 result in violence antl bloodshef]. The l^eft)rm Party imagined that 
 these agitators were still desiring the redress of grievances solely by con- 
 stitutional means, which accounts for the support its press gave them 
 up to the latest moment. 
 
 Four-iifths of the Uefcjrm Party were attached to constitutional mon- 
 archy, and never imagined that AfackiMizie, llolph, and other " red 
 republicans" hud formed the design of eshililishing a republic by a 
 I'ecourse to rebellion, and in this way abandon the legal position, they 
 had hitherto occupied, for an illegal and treasonable one. 
 
 Many persons, at the present tin'C, erroneously suppose, that 
 the principles contended for in that rebellion have been conceded. IJut 
 such has not been the case. The leaders of the extreme section of the 
 Keform Party, in resorting to violence, no longer sought the removal of 
 abuses bv constitutional agitation, but aimed at the establ'shment of an 
 independent republic, and completely failed in the attempt. The true 
 Reformers, however, continued to adhere to legal measures for the 
 removal of grievances ; and to their efforts, when the storm had .massed 
 over, and not to the insane attempts at rebellion of Macken/.ie and 
 others, equally wicked and n)ischievous, may be ascribed the enviable 
 political condition iu which Upj)er Canada now fmds iiself. 
 
 The months of September and October passed off quietly, s, iar as 
 outward ajipearances were conciirned ; but, nevertheless, the crisis 
 rapidly apjtioaehed. .\ constant secret correspondence M'as kept; up by 
 the republican leaders of Upper with those of Lower Can;id;i, and :v 
 line of operati(>ns agreed upon -.* while vigilance committees were 
 organised, and ('her incipient jneasures of rebellion quietly taken. 
 
 The Lieutenant Citvei-nor was now completely at issue wiih the 
 Colonial Ofiioe, on diiilMviit jxiints. The prineij>al of these was his 
 refusal to ]>l:iec Mr. Dlilwcll uu the 1 cneh, and to restore Mv. Kidout, 
 the district judge o[' Niagai'a, to his post, of which Sir Francis had 
 recently deprived him, owing tohis having used violent and disrespectful 
 language towards himself at ruMic meetings. His Exeeiitive Council 
 likewise proved relrncit^ry, and the report of the Lower Canada 
 commissioners, now published, placing his position compK'tely at fault 
 with the public, he was induceil. a sieond time, to tender his l■e^ignation. 
 
 Siieh was the coiuliiiou ol' idliurs in I pper Canada, when, ir. the 
 mi>nth of October, Sir .lolin Colhoi-ne withdrew the troops from 
 Toronto to Kingston, in order to !)e more fully pre])ared lu make head 
 against the insurrection, which the Papiiieau faetion was ra[)idly 
 fonieuiing, lie oll'ered to leave two con^paiiies, as a gu;ud, with. Sir 
 
 * >'.u'e Miiclverzii's Narrative. 
 
AlO 
 
 THE IIISTOPtY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 f '" 
 
 . ' .\ 
 
 Francis Head, but the latter, believing the province to be perfectly 
 safe from rebellion, and that the "moral power" he possessed was 
 sufficient to prevent any overt act, requested those also to be withdrawn, 
 and the troops likewise removed from Kingston.* 
 
 In conserpieiice of these measures, nearly four thousand stand of 
 arms and accoutrements, had been left unprotected at Toronto, and 
 were handed over for safe keeping to the corporation of the city, who 
 had them transferred to the Town Hall, and guarded there by a few 
 volunteers. This step was certainly well designed for effect, and a 
 clever piece of dramatic acting ; but, at the sane time very unlike the 
 cautious prudence, which marked the proceedings of Sir John Colborne. 
 Had Sir Francis Head at once supplied the place of the troops, by 
 embodying a regiment or two of militia for the protection of these 
 arms and of the capital of the province, no charge could bo brought 
 against him on the score of imprudence. As matters remained he was 
 wholly unprepared for the coming storm, and continued in blind security 
 to the last moment, f 
 
 The withdrawal of the troops was the signal for more prompt 
 rebeUious.action, on the part of Mackenzie and his immediate associates. 
 During the month of November, rumors prevailed that bodies of men 
 assembled for the purpose of military drill and target practice, in the 
 vicivlfiiy of Loydtown, and at other places along Yunge Street, the focus 
 of sedition in the upper province, as the counties along the Richelieu 
 were in the lower, Uifles were brought in secretly from the United 
 States, pikes made, and other measures taken for the organisation of a 
 revolutionary force. 
 
 The rumors of approaching insurrection in its neighborhood caused a 
 very general feeling of "alarm at Toronto, and the Governor was 
 solicited to nip it in the bud by the arrest of Alackenzie, the prime 
 mover in the niatter; Bidwell,J Rolph, and others, of the same timid 
 
 * Head's letter to Colborne, Oct. Slst. 1837. The Emigrant, ]>. l.^i). 
 
 f See his speech to tlio IjCjrislature on the 28tli Decen.lier. 1S37. !Si." ^ IToati".-' 
 account of bis pos'lion iit tiiis period is very coiitradit'tory. In the (ibov .-^peecli 
 he .-itates ln' v ;■ - taken wholly unawares, as was evidently the case ; while in \ve 
 " Einigi nt" 1: » -serts, that he knew of the approaching rebellioi), allhuugh 
 unac(juaint.d ■, : ii its details. 
 
 I Many persons suppose that Mr. Didwell knew nothing of the violent jiurposes 
 of Mackenzie, and who.'e extreme principles and ]irac(ici-s herepudii'ted, tlirougl' 
 the public press, on liit-- arrival in the United States. Tliero can be little doe' it, 
 however, that ho was fully conscious of tlio extreme views entertained by ft.« 
 republican section of the Kcforin Party, and that he wt)\ild have, been gratilied 
 had this province ))een wrested from Great Britain. An innocent nuxn could 
 Bcurcely have pronouuced u voluntary sentence of expatriation on himself, ue Le 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 423 
 
 character, retiring into the back-grouiul as the moment of real danger 
 approaelied. ^Miickenzie as yet, however, had coinmittcd no open act 
 of treason; and conscrjuently it was not deemed prudent to caust' his 
 arrest. Sir Fj'aneis still persisted in supposing that no insurrection 
 would break out ; took, therefore, no active measures for its suppression, 
 nor to acquire any correct knowledge of the treasonable measures in 
 progre-:s. His conduct in this respect lacked the appearance o( even 
 ordinary common sense, and showed how ui.iit he was for the post ha 
 filled. It wa-i not, most decidedly, owing to his prudence or good 
 management, that the rebellion was suppressed. Had ho bestirred 
 himself, he conld scarcely have failed to get proof positive of Mackenzie's 
 treasonable intentions, and had this mischievous person been arrested, 
 there is every reason to suppose no insurrection would havo taken 
 place, and the province would thus have been spared much bloodshed, 
 trouble, and expense. 
 
 At length, Ondinghimself embarrassed by the representations of many 
 persons, and b^ tl:c general feeling of alarm, which he seems now to 
 have shared in himself, the Lieutenant Governor direct id that colonels 
 of militia should hold themselves in readiness tor any emergency. He 
 was still, however, in utter ignorance of the insurrection already 
 organised ,'•'■■ and of the hostile preparations making in various parts of 
 the Home District. 
 
 The calling out of the militia ([uickened Mackenzie's movements. 
 Boldly pulling off the mask, he published a list of nineteen successful 
 strikes for freedom, on record in the history of the world, and in plain 
 language called upon his followers to imitate these glorious examples. 
 The Attorney General now informed the Governor, that ^Maclcenzie was 
 within reach of the law, and it was determined to arrest hina on a 
 charge of treason. But he fled ere he could be apprehended, and at 
 the head of a band of armed followers, was speedily advancing to attack 
 
 did; and however timii"' he might naturaUy bo, lie well knew thrvt llu <,'uilty 
 only had anything to dioaJ from l^ntish law iiud Ci'Itish jaitice. Mr, IJidwi ir.-i 
 father, as well :i.; liiaisclf, most certahily hecamo Cauudiaucitizoas nwu necubfity , 
 and not from choice, and still continued republican at heart. There can be little 
 doubt, on the other hand, that Sir Francis Iler.d desired to force him into exile, 
 to sustain the course he had ]nirsucd in refuGir.g to raise hiui to the bench ; bxit, 
 there seems, at the saiMO time, to have been a secret cor.Kcioiu ness of guilt^on tho 
 part of Mr. Bidwell, With respect to tho Bta'emouts made with regard to tho 
 cause of Barnabas Bidwell leaving Ma?sachu?ettp, the author took tho trou- 
 ble to wait on his son in New York, in order to ascevtain vhethiir he coidd 
 produce'any documents to clear his fathers' reputation. Kothing of the kind has 
 been produced, and the author has unwillingly come to the conclusion that the 
 charges againat him were correot, 
 * Emigrant, p. 164. 
 
"f!lr~"~""' 
 
 424 
 
 'fTE IIISTOllY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 . ' V 
 
 Toronto. Tho following n.irrativo of the occurrences, at this period, 
 drawn up by Mackenzie wnile at Navy [shiiid, appears to he correct, 
 with some few exceptions : — 
 
 " On the 3lst of.) uly hist, tho Ueformers of Toronto responded to the 
 request of tlu'ir fellow sulfc-ers in Lower Canada, by tho appointment 
 of ward coniiitittees oi' vigi'ancu, the passage of r(!soluti<jas of sympathy 
 and cooperat'on, and the adoption of a declaration of rights ami grie- 
 vances, which only difUired from your great declaration of 177G, in that 
 it did not at once proclaim the Province independent, nor enumerate, in 
 all cases, the same com[)laints. 
 
 " The Ueformers had taken great pains to inform the British Govern, 
 ment of the true state of alfairs in Upper Canada, and many believed 
 that Sir Francis Bond Head would do what h<; could to remove the 
 chief causes of discontent, until the })!"oceedings of the executive previous 
 to and at the last general election of the House of Assembly, convinced 
 them that nothing but a revolution would relieve the country. This 
 opinion I was coniirmed in, by observing that when the Assembly of 
 Lower Canada deferred granting supplies unlH their wrongs would be 
 redressed, the House of Commons of England, by a vote of about 10 
 to 1, and the Lords unanimously, (Lord Brougham alone dissenting.) 
 resolved that the proceeds of the revenue raised in that colony, both 
 by Provincial and British Statutes, should be expended without the con- 
 sent of the representatives of the people, or the form of law, in keeping 
 up a costly foreign government in which the governed had no share. 
 
 "In the Declaration of Grievances of the 31st of July, tho British 
 Government were distinctly given to understand that revolt might be 
 the consequence of its duplicity. And that declaration was read, con- 
 sidered, and approved at 200 public meetings in the country ; 150 branch 
 associations, agreeing to its principles, were speedily organized, and Sir 
 F. B. Head was informed through the i)ress, that tln^ officers of these 
 societies 7/u</ht be used as captains and lieutenants of coujpanies, for 
 resistance by force, in case a change of his measures did not soon take 
 place. 
 
 " The many scenes of violence and outrage which occurred at our pub- 
 lic meetij/gs between .^\\\y and December I need not recount. Let; it 
 .suflice to say, that we kept up a good understanding with the reformers 
 of Lower Canada ; and concluding that abitrary iniprisonnients and a 
 declaration of military execution would Tollow the anticipated outbreak 
 at Montreal, we resolved to second the Lower Canada movements by 
 others, equally prompt and decisive. 
 
 " Some of the members of our branch societies were kept in ignorance 
 of the intended revolt. OLhers witc; fuMy aware of it. Some wlu)>;e 
 names were attached to no associations wi-re leaders in the revolutioii 
 — oilier very active republicans took no part. The presses under my 
 control sent forth nearly 3000 copies of a ])eri()dical (il'ed with reasons 
 for revolt, and about the third week in November it was determined 
 that on Thursday, the 7th of December, our forces should secretly 
 assemi)'e at Alontgomery's Hotel, 3 miles back of Toronto, between (> 
 and 10 at night, and proceeding from thence to the city, join our friends 
 
[1837. 
 
 t Uiis pcrioJ, 
 3 be correct, 
 
 ponded to tlio 
 appointment 
 of symi)iithy 
 hts and gric- 
 177(3, in that 
 enumerate, in 
 
 •itish Govern, 
 nany believed 
 to remove the 
 utive previous 
 jly, convinced 
 ountry. This 
 ) Assembly of 
 ongs would be 
 ite of about 10 
 ne dissenting,) 
 ,t colony, both 
 fithont the con- 
 law, in keeping 
 xd no share, 
 uly, the British 
 evolt might be 
 
 was read, con- 
 ,ry ; 150 branch 
 [anized, and Sir 
 officers of these 
 
 conipanies, for 
 1 not soon take 
 
 rrcd at our pub- 
 rcount. T^et it 
 h the reformers 
 siMinients and a 
 pated outbreak 
 movements by 
 
 :ept in ignorance 
 Soim' \vho<e 
 n the revolution 
 ("sses under my 
 led with reasons 
 was determined 
 
 sh >iild secretly 
 onto, between «j 
 
 join our friends 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4>5 
 
 there, seize 4000 stand of arms, which had been placed by Sir Francis 
 in the City Hall, take him into custody, with his chief advisers, place 
 the garrison in the hands of the liljerals, dechue llie province free, call 
 a convention together, to frame a siiital)ie eonstitulion, and meantime 
 appoint our fri^'ud. Dii. Uolimi. pcovincial administrator of the govern- 
 ment. We expected to do all this wiJiout shedding b'ood. well know- 
 ing that the viceregal go/ernmcni was too unpojudar to have many real 
 adherents. 
 
 "Only in one instance did we forward a notice of the intended 
 movement beyond the lIiiiUs of the county of York, and to Whitby ami 
 some other towns in it no circulars were sent. We never doubted the 
 feeling of the province. Sir F. admits in "his speech from the throne," 
 that we would have chrerfully submitted the whole matter to a conven- 
 tion of the people. 
 
 " Twelve leading reformers in the c'ty and country agreed, one day 
 in November, that on Thursday the 7th of ])eeend)er last, between tiie 
 hours of six and ten in the evening, the friends of freedom in the several 
 townships, led l)y their eaptains, would meet at Montgomery's, march 
 to Toronto, seize the arms we so m.ich wanted, dismiss Sir Francis, and 
 'prodaim a Republic. The details wei- left entirely to my manage- 
 ment ; and an executive in the city was named to correspond with Mr. 
 Papineau and our other friends below, afford intelligence, aid our efforts, 
 and finaily, to join the army at Montgomery's. It was also stipulated 
 that no attempt should be made by that executive to alter the time on 
 which we were to revolt, without cor.::nlting with me in the first instance. 
 " The country was rife for a change, asid I employed a fortniglit pre- 
 vious to Sunday the 3rd December, in attending secret meetings, assist- 
 ing in organizing towns and places, and otherwise preparing for the 
 revolution. On that day, I rode from Southville (where 1 had two 
 private meetings on Saturday) to Yonge street; and arrived at Mr. 
 Gibson's in the evening. To my astonishment and dismay, I was in- 
 formed by him, that although 1 had given the captains of townships sealed 
 orders for Thursday following, the I'xecutive, through him, by a mere 
 verbal jnessage, had ordered out the men beyond the ridges, to attend 
 at Montgomery's with thjir arms next da\ , I\londay, and that it was 
 probable they were already on the march. 
 
 " 1 instantly sent one of Mr. Gibson's servants to the north, oounter- 
 nianding the Monday movement, and begged of Col. Lc^unt not to C(.:ne 
 down nor in any way disturb the previous regu? ■ ...lungement, because 
 neither of the other towns, nor the citizens of Toronto, were in any way 
 prepared for an alteration wiiieh if persisted in would surely ruin us. 
 The servant returned on Moiulay, with a message from Mr. Lount, that 
 it was now too late to stop, that the men were warned, and moving with 
 their guns and pikes, on the inarch down to Yonge Street, (a distancv^ 
 of 30 to 40 miles on the worst I'oads in the world.) and that the objecc 
 of their rising could therefore be no longer concealed. 
 
 " I was grieved and so was Mr. Gibson, but we had to make the best 
 of it ; accordingly I mourited my horse in the afternoon, rode in towards 
 the city, took five trusty men witli me, arrested several genllcmen ou 
 suspicion they were going to Sir Francis with information, placed a 
 goard on Yonge Street, the main northern avenue to Toronto, at^ 
 
426 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 . ' ^ 
 
 Montgomery's, and another guard on a parallel road, and told them to 
 allow none to pass to the city., I then waited some time expecting the 
 executive to arrive, but waited in vain — no cmc came, not even a message 
 — I was therefore left in entire ignorance of the condition of the capital; 
 and instead ot entering Toronto on Thursday, with 4000 or 5000 men, 
 was apparently expected to take iton Monday with 200, wearied after a 
 march of 30 or 40 miles through mud, and in the woi'st possible humor 
 at finding ihey had been called from the very extremity of the county, 
 and no one else warned at all. 
 
 " About 8 or o'clock I accompanied Captain Anderson ofLoyd- 
 town, and ihroe othcra on horseback down Yonge Street, intending if no 
 one came with tidings from the city, to go there and ascertain how far 
 an attack and seizure of the muskets and bayonets we much needed, 
 was praclical)le. There were warrants out for my apprehension, but I 
 did not mind them much, 
 
 " We had not proceeded far when we met Alderman John Powell , 
 (now the Mayor,) and Mr. Archibald McDonald, late of Kingston, on 
 horseback, acting as a sort of patrol. J rodo up to them, presented a 
 doubjo-barrolled pistol, informed them that the democrats had risen 
 in arms, that we wished to prevent information of that fact from reach- 
 ing the city, and that they would have to go back to Mongomery's as 
 prisoners, where they would be well treated, fod, and lodged, and in no 
 way injnrod in person or in purse. — but they must surrender to me their 
 arms. Tluy both assured me they had none, and when I seemed to 
 doubt, repeated the assurance; on which I said, " Well gentlemen, as 
 you are my townsmen and men of honor, I would be ashamed to show 
 that I cjuestion your words by ordering you to be searched ;" and turn- 
 ing to Lfes^rs. Shephard and Anderson, 1 bade them place the gentlemen 
 in the guard room, and see that they were comfortable, after which I 
 proceeded again towards the city. 
 
 " Not many minutes afterwards I was overtaken by Alderman Powell, 
 riding in great haste. I asked him what itn^eaut, and told him he must 
 not ]>rocc(Ml except at his peril, lie kept on, I I'ollowed and fired over 
 my hoi'se's head, but missed him. lie slackened his pace till his horse 
 was beside mine, and while I was expo.stuhating with him, he suddenly 
 dapt a pistol Quite clone to my breast, Init the priming flashed in the pan, 
 and thus 1 was saved from instant death. x\t tliis moment McDonald 
 rode back seemingly in great affright, and Powell escaped from me by 
 the side bar, and by a circuitous route roach Toi-oiilo. * * * On arriv- 
 ing at ]\Ioutgomery's, I was told by the guard that (.'oloncl Moodie of the 
 army had altempted to pass the barrier, that they told him what guard 
 they were, (hat he had persisted in firing a pistol at them, on which one 
 of the men levelled his riilc and shot him. Tic died in an hour or two 
 after. 1 Ihid it stated in many papers th.at I killed Col. Mocdie, aUhough 
 Ht the time of his death I was severa' miles distant, as those then pre- 
 sent well know. But I fully approved of the conduct of those who shot 
 him. 
 
 " Sir Francis Head admits that l.c was entirely ignorant f "^ our in- 
 tended movement until awaked out of his bed that night. His inform- 
 ant, I believe to be Captain Bridgeford. He had the bells set » ringing 
 
1837.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 427 
 
 -ant f ''our m- 
 
 took up his abode in tho City Hall, dclivorotl out a few rusty guns, 
 made speeches, and was in great trouble. Of all which particulars our 
 executive neither brought nor sent us any account whatever. 
 
 " About midnight our iiunil)ers increased, and towards morning I 
 proj)oscd to many persons to march to Toronto, join such of the reform- 
 ers there as were ready, and endeavor to make ourselves masters of 
 the garrison and muskets. 
 
 "To this it was objeeted, that I was uninformed of the strength of 
 the fortress, that the other (ownsliips had n(.>t yet joined the men I'roni 
 the u}>per country, that v.e were ignorant of tho state of tho city, and 
 that gentlemen who had a<lvised and urged on the movements, and even 
 the executive who had ordered this premature Monday rising, stood 
 aloof, and had neither joined us nor commnnieated with us. 
 
 "Next day (Tuesday) we increar-ed in number to .>00, of whom very 
 many had no arms, others had rifles, old fowling pieces, Indian guns, 
 pikes, &e. Vast numbers came and went ofT again, wiien they found wc 
 had iieitlicrniusketsnorbayonjts. Had they possessed my feeling in favor 
 of freedom, they Vv'ould have :;tood by us even if armed but with pitch' 
 forks and broom handles. 
 
 " About noon we obtained correct intelligenco that with all his exer- 
 tions, and including the College boys, .Siv FriiiiclL' could hardly raise 150 
 supporters in town and co'.nilry ; and by one i\ y.. a flag of truce i-eaehed 
 our camp near the city, the messengers being the Ilonorables Messrs. 
 Kolpli and Pnildwin, dep'.-.ted by Sir Francis to ask what would satisfy 
 us. 1 replied " indep-ende;ice ;" but sjnt a verba! message that as wc 
 had no confidence in Sir F's word, ho v/ou'd have to send his messages 
 In writing, and within one hour. I then turncLl to Colonel Lount, and 
 advised him to march the men under his coivnnand at once into the city, 
 and take a ]iosition near the Lawyers ll;il!, and .'o;le westward to Colo- 
 nel lialdwin's where the bulk of the rebels were, and advised an instant 
 march to Toronto. We had advanced as far as the College Avenue, 
 when anclher Hag of truce arrived, by the same messengers, with a 
 message from Sir F. declining to cop 'ily with our previous request. 
 We were proceeding to town, when Ciers from the executive arrived, 
 that we should not then go to Toronto bi.i; wait till six o'clock in the 
 evenii;';; and then take tho city. 
 
 " T.'ue to the principle on which the compact was made for our rising, 
 the order was *.>beyed, a;;d at a quarter to six the whole of our forces 
 were U'^ar the toll bar, oa Yonge Siree!:, on our way to the city. I told 
 them that 1 was certain there could be no difficulty in taking Tor-.tnto ; 
 that both in town and country tho people had stood aloof from Sir 
 I'raneis ; that not 150 men and boys could bo got to defend l;im ; that 
 he was alarmed and had sent his fiimily on board a steamer; that GOO 
 reformers were ready to join us in tho city, and that all wo had to do 
 was to bo firm, and with the city would at once go down every vestige 
 of foreign government in Upper Canada. 
 
 "it was dark and as their mightboan ambush of some sort, I therefore 
 told six riflemen to go ahead of us a quarter of a milo on tho one side 
 of liie sti'eet, inside the fences, and as many more on the other side, and 
 
 2F 
 
428 
 
 '11 IE lllorOllY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 , ' k 
 
 to f'r.; in the diioction in wliich they mi^Iit sec any niipononts stutinncJ. 
 W!i"'! within half a mh' of iho town, \Vf took {irisoncrs ' ipMin of 
 thei. .iilillcry, a la\\'yf!i', and tho shuriirs horso. Oar ' Ifl ., " a! .ad 
 saw somo 20 or oO o! the enein^ in the road, and firod at then., i..e 20 
 or oO, or some ol' tht ni, iivvi\ at ii-^, and instantly toolc to tlicir hools 
 and r;tii toward-; the \<i\vn. Oiir rillfnn.'n were in trout, after \hv\a the 
 pikcinen, then thosi> who had old gunsof variuns Ivimls, and In'^tly those 
 who carried only cinbs and \val!;inu; stidcs. Colo- ' [,,. m v.,i.atthc 
 licad of th(! ridenien and he and those in llie l\on' v\k fn'e 1. ;iii.l in lead 
 of stopiiing to one side to make room for th( 'I'liiiid to ']■ . f,.!| Hat 
 on their faees, the next raidc flreii and did tii< .same ......g. i >.c. .,.:hcr 
 
 in front when tiie firinc' hi^iian, and s'j)od 'i more danger from the rifles 
 of my friends tlian the mnskets of my ^'nemies. I stept to the side of 
 the road and bade them stop firing, and it ap|)eared 1o ni<' '^'at < no of 
 
 ou 
 
 .vii men. 
 
 our pi'ople wlio was killed was sliot in this way l)y 
 Certainly it was nc^l by the enemy. 
 
 " Some persons from town, friendly to u-^, but not very brave, had 
 joined us during; the inarch, and they, unknown to me, told awlrd stories 
 about the preparations the lories had made in several streets, to lire out 
 of windows at us, protected l)y feather beds mattresses, &:c. These re- 
 present r.lions terrified many of tlu; country ]>cople, and when tliey saw 
 the rifliMiien in front falling down, and heard tho (iriiij:;, they imaixiiied 
 that those who IVII wei-e the killed and wcjunded ])y the enemy's fire; 
 and took to their heels with a speed and steadiness of purpo>e that would 
 have baflled pursuit on foot. In a short time not twenty persons were to 
 he found below the toll bar ! 
 
 "This was almost too much for liuman patience. 'J'he city would 
 have been ours in an hour, proi)ably willK)Ut firing a sliot ; luiiidredsof 
 our friends waited to join us at its entrance : the oflirials were' -I'or 
 struck; Governor Head had few to rely on; tho colony woulu nave 
 followed tlic city ; a convention and a democratic constitution been 
 adopted, and a Idoodless chanjfe from a contemptible tyi'anny to free- 
 dom aceom[)lished. J>ut !S00 ran where no one pursued, and luifortun- 
 atcly ran the wrong way. 
 
 "I rode ha'^tily back until T got in tho rear of the main body, stopt 
 a number of them, and im[)lored theiu to return. J explained niattcrs 
 to them, told them to fear nothing, olK-red with half a dozen men to go 
 between them and all danger, ari.j rendnded them that the opportunity 
 of that night would be their last, lint the moment it was known in the 
 country that the ri'lormers were timid and fearful without cause, Sir F. 
 would in-tantly gain numbers. Ijut it was ui' no u>(\ 'J'o successive 
 groups 1 spoke in vain. JVeither threats nor coaxing v.oidd induce them 
 to <xo to the citv. 1 tried to find even fiftv or forty to i^o to tin; town, 
 but the reply was, "we will go in the light but not in tlu' dark." Of 
 the-e many went home that evening, and although aliont "JOO joined us 
 during tiie night, we Averc 200 less numerous on the Wednesday morning. 
 " With the steamers in the hands of the Government, the city, 4,000 
 muskets and bayonets, perhaps CO experienced military officers, tho 
 well-paid officials and their sons and dependants, abundance of amma- 
 nilioa, a park of artillery well served, the garrison, and the aid of all 
 
 , >■ 
 
[1837. , 
 
 ,s stiitioncd, 
 , > aptain of 
 i-Mi. 1' a! ;id 
 licth, ciiii *^0 
 ) ilicir Ik'oIs 
 U'l- thcia Uie 
 lii'itly thoso 
 ,1 V, , ' :it the 
 
 . ;iM.i ill ll'illl 
 
 , ii! . IMI ilat 
 1 .w. ...licr 
 'om the I'i Ill's 
 to tlio aide of^ 
 )(• '''ivt ' '10 uf 
 
 •y bravo, liad 
 1 iiwtnl stcn-ios 
 ',ts, to lii'c out 
 ,:c. These rc- 
 vhcu they saw 
 they iiuagliiod 
 (MU'iiiy's lu'C ; 
 )o-;e that would 
 >crsous were to 
 
 rhe oity would 
 t; hundreds of 
 s were ' "I'or 
 V wo(da nave 
 Vitulioii l)ccn 
 ranuy to frec- 
 aiid uutortun- 
 
 .iu body, stopt 
 )1:iUk'u liia.A<-tJ 
 
 (l/iMl UU'll lO '1,0 
 
 tlie oppoi'luuity 
 known in the 
 at e;\nse, Sir F. 
 'J\) successive 
 1,1 in.il.Mce them 
 <ro to the tov/n, 
 tht' dark." Of 
 It -200 joined us 
 u-sdav morning. 
 , the 'city, 4,000 
 \ry ollieers, tliC 
 idaiice of ammd- 
 nd' the aid of all 
 
 11 
 
 isar.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 420 
 
 who arc prejudiced ill favor of Coh^nial (ioveriiniciit, it liail Leromo a 
 diilicult ta>k for ;v ('(jlU'ctioii of undisciplined and hall'arnieil coiuitryinen, 
 witlioi'.t cannon, scarce c)f ifunpuwder, not [)osses«i('d of a sini^h; hayonct, 
 not even of 1,'inis or [likes lor half their innnlicr. to eonfeiid sueeessfidiy 
 against llic enemy f(ir the city ; wo therel'ore sldod on the .leteiisivc on 
 Wednesday, (ieiitlemen of inllu^'uee, who woi-e pledLfed to join us. an(l 
 oven the executive who coninianded ns to make the preinatur.' and un- 
 fortunate niovemeni, neiihei' eorre-ipon<ii'd with us nor joined i 
 
 explam their conduet was bevond my [jower, 
 tl ■ " 
 
 II 
 
 discor.raged many 
 
 and 
 
 unut 
 
 our ranks. 
 
 < >n \\'e(lne-^day forenoon, I took a party with ine to 1 )inidas Street, 
 
 iliterce|)ted the ureat western mail stage and to(jk a mimln'r of pri- 
 
 ers, wi 
 
 thti 
 
 le sta^e, mans and driver, up to our camo 
 
 on- 
 
 lie editors 
 
 state that money was laki'ii iVom the mail, wlii'^ii 
 But the letters uf Mr. Sullivan, rreNldfiil ol" llu 
 Huchanan, and others, 
 
 was 
 Aeciitiv. 
 
 not 
 
 lie case. 
 
 thoy 
 
 expected soon to have strength enough to attack us in the country, and 
 
 nveved u<elul ililoriuatioil. 
 
 W 
 
 oniieil 
 found 
 
 I 
 
 wrote to the executive m the citv to give us timely notice ot aiiv 
 
 such 
 
 uttack. Some of the leading reformers in tlie city had left it, />?// /«?< 
 to ji.in Its — other;5 seemed to have lost their eiiergii's; neither messenger 
 nor letter reached our camp; the executive was not there. One man on 
 horsehack told \is we might be attacked on 'riiursilay. 
 
 '•My chief hope lay in this, that if we were not attacked till Thurs- 
 day night, vast reinfurooineiits wonld join us from the outer town>hips, 
 and 'hat retiirmers at a distance would march to our aid, the moment; 
 
 they heard thai we had struck for s<'lfgo\-ernmenl 
 
 \\ 
 
 i(h this view, 
 
 I 
 
 ■sought to connne the attention of the enemy to the defence cif the city, 
 and on Tlnirsday moining selected 40 riflemen ainl '2t) others to go 
 down and burn the Don iJridge, the eastern approach to Toronto, and 
 the house at its end, to take the Montreal mail stage and mails, and to 
 
 draw out the forces in that quarter if ] 
 
 10SS1 
 
 bh 
 
 [ also proposeil that the 
 
 rest of our men who had arms, should take the direction to the right or 
 left, or retn-at to a strong position as prudence m''iht dictate. At 
 this moment (olonel \ an ]-]gmond. a native of Ifolland. owning l.'),000 
 acres of land in tlu' lliirun Tract, a tried patriot, and of u'reat military 
 
 exiX'rieiice under .vapolcon, loiin 
 
 council to be held. 
 
 which was 
 
 du.- 
 
 and one ot the Capiains de<ireil a 
 
 done. C'ol. \' 
 
 pproved of my plan, a 
 
 party went otf, set lire to the bridge, hurnt the hoU';e. to(.ik the mails, 
 and Went through a part of the city unmolested. IJiit the conneilling 
 and discussing of my project occasioned a delay ot tw'(j Ik iirs, which 
 proved our ruin, fm- the enemy having obtained large' reintbrcements 
 
 unilton, resolved to at- 
 
 lUari 
 
 an(t 
 
 by the steamers Irom Cobuurg. Ni; 
 tack us ill three divisions, oin.' of thcia to march uj) "^'onge Street, and 
 the others by ways about a m\U\ to tlu; right and left of the road. Dad 
 our forces started in the nioriiing, the party at the lu-idge wt^iild have 
 intertered with and broken up the enemy's planuf attack, and we would 
 have heen in motion near Toronto, ready to retreat to some of the com- 
 manding positions in its reir, or to join the rillemen below and there 
 enter the city. 
 '' We were still at tho hotel, discussing what was best to be done, 
 
480 
 
 THE TlISTOTiY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 
 • ' \ 
 
 '« 
 
 when one of tho gu.irds told us that tlit? enemy wns mardiin^' up with 
 music and fiftillcry and within a mile ot iis. Our people irnTnt'iliatcly 
 prepared for lnUtlc, [ rode down towards the enemy, donlttiiii^ tlii! in- 
 telligence, until wlicn williin a short di^taiiec I saw thciii witli my own 
 eyes. I rodi; (jiiicUly back, nski'd onr men if they were ready to fi<^ht 
 a f^reatly superior force, well ai'nied, and with artillery well served. 
 Tlii'y were ready, and 1 bade them togo to the wood^ and do their best. 
 They did so, an<! never diil men fijfht more cournjjeously. lu the faec 
 of a heavy fire of grape and cannister, wilh l)i'oad>ides of niu>l<etry in 
 rapi<l sueeession, they stood their gi'ouml liiinly ainiUilleil and wonuded 
 a large niunber of llii! enemy,* but wereiit length compelled to I'eU'cat. 
 In a more favorable position, 1 liave no doubt but they windd have 
 beaten the assailants willi imnien-<e loss. As it, was, they had only 
 three kilK'd and three or lour wounded. f I felt anxious to go to Mont- 
 gomery's for my portfolio and jiapers, w liieh were important, but it was 
 out of the (piest'on, so they fell h\\o the hands of Sir Francis. All my 
 papers previous to the event of that week I liinl (U"^troyed, except a 
 number of bus'ness letters, and these it took niy fiimily upward-; of an 
 hour and a quarter to Ivuni. I5ut with all my caution, some letters 
 fell into their hands to thc! injury of* thers. 
 
 "The maidy courage wilh which t\\o hundred farmers, miserably 
 armed, withstood tho fornudable attack of an enemy ixJOO strong, and 
 who had [ilenty of ammunlllon, with inw muskets and l)ayonel><, arlil- 
 Icry, first rate I'Airopean ofliccrs, and the choice of a position of attack, 
 ■convinces me that discipline, oi'der, obedience,and subordination, under 
 competent leadi'i's -would enal)le them speedily to attain a eoiifidencc 
 suflicient to foil even the regulars from ICurope. Al)ont 200 of our 
 friends stood at the tavern during the battle, being unarined. 
 
 " Mr. Fletcher, Co\. Van Egmond, myself and others, held a consul- 
 tation near Hogg's Hollow, and eon(duded that it would be useless to 
 re-assemble our seattereil forces, for that without arms success would 
 be doubtful, and I deterndned to pass over to the I'nited States, and 
 accomplis!ied my purpose in three days, travelled 125 miles, was seen 
 by 2000 jOersons at least, and with a reward of 4000 dollars as adver- 
 tised for my head, speedily reached IhitValo. 
 
 " It is said we were cruel to our prisoners. 5t in number, but nothing 
 could be further from the truth. 1 hey had the largest and best rooms 
 in the hotel, twelve bed chambers were appropriated to their especial 
 use, and bedding, while our volunteers lay in their wearing clothes on 
 the floor of the bar and other apartments — they fared as we fared ; and 
 for their amusement 1 sent them up European, American and Canadian 
 papers, often without reading them mysi'If. j\Ir. McDonald wrote to 
 his family that he was kindly treated, and it is unjust for any British 
 ofTicers to allow such slanders as have appeared in the newspapers to go 
 uncontradicted." 
 
 * This is untrue, only tliree loyalists were slightly wounded, ' and none were 
 killed. 
 
 f Tliia is also incon-ect. 36 were killed. Seo Brockville Recorder, Dec, 3l8t» 
 1837, 
 
[183T. 
 
 18-' 
 
 OF CANADA, 
 
 481 
 
 1? "P 
 
 with 
 
 mu'ti lately 
 tiii^ tlic in- 
 [\\ ii>y own 
 uly l*> ti<;ht 
 ^cll scrvrtl. 
 ) I heir lu'st. 
 In tln> face 
 mi-krtry in 
 111 wi>\iiuUmI 
 (1 to li'U'eat. 
 WUlllil IlilVC 
 
 L-y hafl (inly 
 
 <r() to ^lout- 
 it. i)iit it was 
 ;is. AH my 
 cd, except a 
 pwar<N of an 
 some letters 
 
 •s, iniscra>)ly 
 
 stroii<i, ami 
 ivoiH'1'^, arlil- 
 luii (4" attack, 
 mation, muler 
 
 1 !i ci'iifulenoc 
 It 200 of our 
 ed. 
 
 lulil fi consul- 
 bi- useless to 
 lu'coss would 
 
 ed States, and 
 lies, was seen 
 lars as adver- 
 
 r, Init nothing 
 ud best rooms 
 
 their especial 
 
 in<x elothes on 
 
 we fared ; and 
 
 and Canadian 
 onakl wrote to 
 \>v any British 
 wspapers to go 
 
 and none were 
 uordcr, Dec, 3lBt» 
 
 Till! following; stalemriit liv Sir l''rauci.s U. IK ad. is .ilso iiiscrti'd 
 
 as 
 
 3Uoi)lviiiy the siihstaueo of tlio olliciul vel'siuu of Maeiieiizie's advance 
 against 'J'oi'(iiitt> : — 
 
 " I liad taken to lied a hatl siek iiead-aeiie, and at inldiilitlit n( iln>lili 
 of I )cernilier, was la-"! a-^jccp with it, wlun I was siiddiidy awakened 
 by a j)erson wlio iiildrnied me tlial Mr. Ma' ktii/ic was cuiidiicting a 
 large body of rebels upon Toronto, and that lie was witliiii two or three 
 miles of the city. 
 
 " A few fiitlil'id Iriends kindly eoiiducted my faniily to a place of safe- 
 ty, and eventually to a sU'anier IlialiuLf in tln' liai'lior, nnd wliije. 
 tliey were proceeding there, 1 walketl along King Sirc'i.), to iIil- po.^ilior. 
 1 liad ju'epared in tlic mai'ketdionso. 
 
 .\« 
 
 tn a> I readied the luarkeldioiisc | jomid :isv,.niMed tin I'e the 
 
 W' 
 
 irincd guard ot' llm town, and a small liody ol' liii-<ty iiieii, atnoii<,f \\ hota 
 ere the live judges, a force ipiilt^ snllicii'nt to have ri'|)clled and pun- 
 is!i"d any ;iltack which we were likely at that HHJiiiciit (o expect. 
 
 '• W'e, however, lo-.L no time in unpacking eases uf inii>kets and ot 
 ball-cartridiics. and in dislrihutlni; ihcm to lii 
 
 osi' \v 
 
 ho k 
 
 epL joining our 
 
 party. That, however, ann)iig ns we had at least, f)ni' v.hose zc:il ex- 
 oceded his discrt'liou, I soon learned liy a miiskel-Iiall, whieii, passing 
 through the tloor ol a Miiall room in which I was consiUling with Judge 
 Jones, stuck in the wall (dose beside ns. 
 
 " III a very short lime we organized our little foree, and as we had 
 detached, in advance, picquels ot observation, to prevent our being sur- 
 
 1 ' 
 
 )riseil. w< 
 
 av tlowii on the floor to sleep 
 
 About ei<dit (/elo(;k ill the nxjrning 1 inspected mv followers iu the 
 square in whudi the marketdiousu slamls. We were of course a n-otley 
 group. I had a short double-barrelled gun in my belt and I'nollu.'r on 
 my sliouhlei-. Tin; Chief Justice had iibout thirty n^unds of ball -car- 
 ti'idge in his cartoueh, the rest of the parly were eipially well armed, 
 and the two six-pountlers were comfortably tilled with gra|ie-sliot. 
 
 '•Still, however, our " lainily eompaci'' w:is but a small one, and as 
 Mr. Mackenzie's I'orces were much e.xaugeral'd, and as IJuiuor, will; 
 her usual posltiveiie.s^, of eonrsi. declared that rebels were Hocking to 
 him by hundreds from all directions, and as he had already committed 
 murder, arson, and robbery toa C(tiisider;i!)le amount, it was evident tc 
 lis all that a problem of serious importance to the civilized worhl was 
 about to be solved. 
 
 "The sun set without any succor, or any intimation of it.', approach, 
 ^[y confidence, liowever, in the peo[ !e of L'|)por ( anada sliil remained 
 in the zciiilh, and I liavi' nov/ ih'j pleasure t(j show that in that position 
 it was not misplaced. 
 
 " At two o'clock in the r.t'ternoon, Sir Allan ^[cNab received intelli 
 gence, at Hamilton, a consideral)!e town at tlie head of l^ake Ontario, 
 and sitiiat( 
 
 al)ont f(n-ly-live miles from Toronto, that I was iu the. 
 market-place. invi.--ted by Afr. .Macken7,ic and his band of rebels. 
 
 '• lie immediately mounted his horse and rode to the wharf, seized a 
 steamer that was lying theiv, put a guard on board of her, despatched 
 mcssengei's in various directions to the Canadian farmers, yeomen, &c., 
 in his iKighborhood, and at live o'clock sailed, wiih the vessel heavily 
 

 r.? 
 
 V] 
 
 ^a 
 
 
 '/ 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET {MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 2.2 
 
 I.I 
 
 ^ lis llilio 
 
 L25 ■ 1.4 
 
 1.8 
 
 1.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 
 /. 
 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 /a 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
) 
 
 .<lf 
 
 *i 
 
 1 
 
 '4^ 
 
 
 
 fc 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 6^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 » 
 
432 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [183t. 
 
 lailiiii witli "//'C men of O'on;'' u|)\v;ir(|s of a tlioii«an(l of whom liailliut 
 lately s[ioiitaiu'ously procLH'dt'tl to 'I'orunto to f.\[)rfss to >Sii' Joliii Col- 
 horin! their aUhorroiicc of a Icttor ])iibli^hecl by a (crlain nioinbcrof the 
 IJritisli House of ('(Jiiiinoiis, in which he had dcsifiiiated tlieir jiloiious 
 coiiiu'xioii with (treat IJiitaiii as '• Mc bdncfid douiinallon cf lliv nio/her 
 coun/rij '^ 
 
 " 111 all \K\v\-i oi iho provinee similar cxovtious were made ; and thu? 
 without a moment's (hl'iy wlmle eomiianies, small detaelmients, strat;. 
 gliiig i)arties, and ii.dividuals. without waiting to eoiiiun't'gale, had left tlieir 
 tarms and families, and were eonveri!,in<f in the dark throujfji the forest, 
 from all direelions, upon the market-itlaee of Toronto. Poor felhnvs! 
 they eould not, however, CDiniiete with the [lower of steam, and aceoi- 
 dingly "the men of Gore" first came to the goal for which all were 
 striving. 
 
 " 1 was sitting by candle light in llic large hall, surroimded by my 
 comrades, wlu'ii we sudilenly heard in the direction of the lake shore a 
 distant cheer. In a siunt timr, two or three peojile rushing in at the 
 door, told us that " a stear.ier full of the men of («ore ha(i just ai rived !" 
 and almost at the same moment 1 had tlic pleasure of receiving this in- 
 telligence from tlieir own leader. 
 
 " 1 have saiil that my mind had been trampiilly awaiting the solution 
 of a great problem, of the truth of which it hail no doubt ; but my 
 philosophy was fictitious, for I certainly have never in my life felt more 
 deef>ly alfected than I was when, seeing my most ardent iiopes suddenly 
 realized, I olTeivd my hand to Sir Allan McX^d). 
 
 "1 had, of eour.-e, rea'-dii to be gratified at the attachment of any one 
 to the cause it was my duty to nplioM ; but of all the individuals in the 
 province whom i couid most have de.-^ired to bee combined with me in 
 urms to defend it, was the very one wlio first came to the Ibitish stan- 
 dard — namely, the S])eakcr of the Commons' House of A.ssemljly, the 
 constitutional repre^elltative of a free and loyal ])eople ! 
 
 " 'I'he next nioiiiing regim<nts of' tired farmers and leg-wcaried yeo- 
 men flocked in iVom all directions. On their arrival, I of c(miisi' went 
 out and thanked them, and tlieii ti'hi those who had no (owling-pieces 
 that they should immcdialcly recei\e muskcis and ammunition. 
 
 '• V>'e had nov,- t-i.Hieicnt forces to attack !Mr. Mackenzie and his gang, 
 who had taken tip tiu'ir position in }ilonlgomery"s Tavein. a large buiUI- 
 ing flanked by oulhonse-, j-iiuated on the summit of Callows JJill, and 
 ab(jut four miles from 'i'oroiito: and accordinijlv my comicil. wlio had 
 o[)porl unities of li^tening to various ojiinions, very strongly urged me 
 to do so. 
 
 " Lower Canada, however, w;',s in o] en rebellion ; and as success in 
 the iipjier jiroviiice would, of cour.^c, be prodiwtive i>\ sei'ioiis moral 
 consequences iij-on the other, and rice rcrsa^ I determined that nothing 
 shouhl indiico me to i-isk losing a game, the court cvrds of which wei'o 
 ovidi'Mliy in my hands. 
 
 " However, on the morning of the 7th wc had such an overwhelming 
 force that there remained not the slightest reason for delay; and accor- 
 dingly, leaving a detachment to guard the market house and pro'ect the 
 towii^ he remainder of our force which, during the period of cle .v, had 
 
mm had l)ut 
 
 if .lollll ( 'ol- 
 
 •iiibfi'ui ihe 
 u'ir glorit.ius 
 >f the mo /her 
 
 U' ; and lliii? 
 lU'Uts, strag- 
 had Utltla-ir 
 
 rh lllC I'lil'CSt, 
 
 'our fellows! 
 n, and acooi- 
 lich all ^vcl■o 
 
 nided by my 
 lake shore a 
 lunij; in al the 
 list anivod 1" 
 eiving this in- 
 
 rr the sohitlon 
 
 )iibt ; but my 
 
 lil'c fill more 
 
 opes suddenly 
 
 (lit of any one 
 ividuals ill Uie 
 cd with nie in 
 ')rili>h slan- 
 \.-?sembly, the 
 
 -wearied yeo- 
 
 ■ eourse went 
 
 owling-pieees 
 
 lilion. 
 
 and I lis iL'anir, 
 
 a lariic build- 
 
 luws ilill. and 
 
 mieil, who had 
 
 !;;ly urged me 
 
 d as suect-ss in 
 sii'lmis moral 
 
 d that nothin<; 
 of which were 
 
 overwhelming; 
 ay ; and aceor- 
 md proU'Ct. the 
 
 ISG-i.J 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4a?} 
 
 been orjxanized into companies, w.i-; assembled for the object they had 
 so eaiferjy desin !. 
 
 •' As the attack of ^Montgomery's Tavern has already ollieially been 
 deserii)ed, I will only here mention a few triding details, which, of course 
 could nut be stated in a formal account. 
 
 "1 was sitting on liDrseback waiting to hear the ofhcer comnnuiding 
 the assi'iublcd force order his men to advance, and was wonder!ii<r why 
 he did not do so, when one of the principal leaders rodo u[' to me, and 
 told iiu! that the militia wished me to give them the word of command, 
 which I accordinly ilid. 
 
 " As the companies were very small, and only occupied ;he bri>adth 
 of the macailamized road, our force had an imposing appearance, and we 
 Were scarcely uut of the town when the ridjels, must have seen this 
 m.iss of bright arms glittering in the sunshine. 
 
 "The enthusiasm and joy of this column was bi'yond all description. 
 Any one who had nut l^'em would have fancied they were all going to 
 a wedding; or rather, that evei'y one of them were walking to be mar- 
 ried. 'J\) this universal grin, lunvevcr, there was very j)ropcrly con- 
 trasted the serious, ihonghtlul, careworn countenances of the minii^ter? 
 of re!igi(jn, ol various pcr.iuasiuns, who accompanied us until we received 
 a few allots l'r(,'m the dark forest which boundeil a narrow strip of eulti- 
 vati^l liind on each side of the road. 
 
 " Many among them, and especially the bold diocesan of the Church 
 of England, would willingly have continued their course, but with be- 
 coming dignity they deemed it their duty to refrain ; and, accordingly, 
 giving us their blessing, which I trust no one more reverentially appre- 
 <.:iated than m_\se!f, they one after another retired. 
 
 '■ Oin- men air v:ilh /Aci"," i-aid ilu ."" oected ndnister of the Weslcyun 
 ]\[elhi)dist-: ; '• tlir priajcfK of <iitr "'o •<, n alk'ud /hce]"' 
 
 '' i\Iontgomcry"s Tavern was now but a mile before ns, and the shots 
 from the furest on e leh side increasing, it was deemed advisable 'o let 
 loose a strung |»;irty ol'skirniishuis upon the rebels, who were liring o\\ 
 us. 
 
 " The word was no sooner given than I saw .Fudge !^^aclc•an, a higli- 
 niinded (^ma'iian Ilighlaiider, vault over the suake-feiice by my side : 
 but (he men in both delaehmeiits did the same ; and the manner in 
 
 whii'li they rusijcd into the fui'est ri'Sfiii 
 
 ded tl 
 
 ic oe^criih lo 
 
 nsll 
 
 lave reatl 
 
 of a pack of highdtred t'u.\ hounds dashing into an J-]iiglIsh furze cover. 
 '• \Ve had hillierto list<'iied to the iiiiiig of i-illes, but the honest dei p- 
 
 h musket ckarlv annoiinci'd the superiority ol 
 
 foiii'd voices ot (lie f.iiiilis 
 
 that noble wea|)on over the " little j^ea" instrument tliat was opposed 
 to it. and wliieli gradually sid)siding. v( ry soon became silent. 
 
 A^ 
 
 in as ilu' head of tlie coluuin arrivi'd within musket shot of 
 
 eii- 
 
 ^Niontgomerys Tavern, which was evidently occii]iied by ^Ir. ^lack 
 /le's principal force, it halted nniil our tw<> gmis cotdd come up. The 
 rebels fired, as if disposed to iiiaiiilaiii the position, but as soon as a 
 couple of round shot jiiissed through the buihling, they were seen e\utl- 
 
 iii"' from tlie door like bees < 
 
 rom 
 
 tbe little Inde of iheir hive, and then 
 
 d of d. 
 
 had 
 
 in search of the honey (lying in all directions into the deep welcome 
 recesses of the forest. 
 
434 
 
 TTTE rilSTORY 
 
 [1837. 
 
 . ' \ 
 
 , ■* 
 
 " Tho bubble had ooinplofcly burst, and noililiirr i-oinaincci to tell nfhi- 
 past liistory but Mr, Miiclveiizit-'s llai; — his l)a<_', full of letters and papers 
 advoeatiiii? " respoiisihjc <.ri)Vi'rniiu'iil.*' and tin- heaps of <lirty straw on 
 •whi<'h he and \\'\h fjanj^ had hi'cn sleeping. 
 
 "Shortly after tlie ef)liinin had halted in fi\>iit of thl>; biiililini;, jii. 
 party from tho skirmishers l)ronLdit, to me a coiipU^ of ]iri»oni'rs iliey 
 had captured in the bn>h. They had come IVoIji the interior of the pro- 
 vince, iuid been told all sorts of stories, had Ixt n diduded rather than 
 seduced, and now they stood tremi)linii-, as it the only remaininu; pro- 
 blem in this world of any im]u)rtance wa-;, on which ot'the innnnierai)le 
 tall trees arouml us they shoid<l he hanged; indeed 1 think I never he. 
 held two men so arrantly fri;.ditened. 
 
 "They were all that remainetl of >rr. Mackenzie's army, and as I had 
 already ofTi'red larire sums for the apprehension of him and of all his 
 le.itlers, I felt at that moiiient — rij.dilly or wronirly it is now too lato 
 to consider — that 1 couM not celcliiate our triumph moi'e appi'oiiriitdy 
 than by telliu'^ these poor treml.lin'^ hehiifs. alter halt a <lozcn of words 
 of admonition, that " in their Sovereign's name I pardomd thi-m.'" 
 But tho sentence came upon them so unexpectedly, that althoufih tiny 
 were released, they could neither niovi- nor s[Mak, indiid, they ver} 
 nearly fainted away. 
 
 " It was, however, i. ressary that we should mark and reeonl, by 
 some act of stem venireanet^, the impoilant victory that had hccn 
 achieved; and I therefore determined, that in the preseni'c of the assem- 
 bled militia I would burn to the ground Montgomery's Tavern, and also 
 the house of Mr. (libson, a memiier of the l'i'ovin<'ial House of Assem- 
 bly, who had commanded I\lr. Mackenzie's advanced ixuard, and who 
 with him had ju-t absconded to the I uited States. 
 
 " Mr. Montgomery had also been one of the principal ringhaders ; 
 his tavern had long been the rendezvous of the disaliected ; it hail just; 
 been their fortress from whicli they ha<l fired u]>on lur Majesty's suh- 
 jects; but far above all, its floor was stained with the blood, and its 
 walls had witnessed the death of Colonel Afoodie. 
 
 "'J'his gallant old soldier, who had highly distinguished himseifiii th;; 
 Peninsular war, was residing three or f'(»ur miles up tlu> road on whicli 
 wo stood ; and as soon as Mr. Afackenzie's body of armed rehds ha 1 
 passed his house, he iL'termined that — on/fr (j>il rot:/:' — he would i-iile. 
 through them, and give me inlbrmatiuu that they were maivhing oi-. 
 Toronto. 
 
 " As ho approached Afontgomery's Tavern his fearless ]\.i\' clear!)- 
 oclaitned liis object. The rebels called upon him to pull up. hut lind- 
 
 ■ coMlinned 
 shots from 
 
 ,1. 
 
 procl 
 
 ing that he was " on her Majesty's service," he prnt'essional 
 his course, until ho fell to the grouiul, pierced by sovi'ra 
 their rifles. 
 
 '■'On being carried into Arontgomery's Tavern, mortally woinn,..,, 
 ho was treated with barbarous indignity. 'J'lie r. hels called hin) "a 
 Blooflii 2'(>r;i r and the appidlation was correct ; but ho dietl as he had 
 lived, an honest, brave, loyal suliject of the Crown. 
 
 " The whide fbrc which Mr. Mackenzie and his assistant. Dr. IJolph, 
 » praclisinjf midwife, were eiialded to collect, amounted only to 500 men. 
 
[1837. 
 
 1 to toll of its 
 rsainl |):ipt'r3 
 rty straw on 
 
 is hiiililiii!:?, i\ 
 riaoiuTs ilioy 
 or of till' pro- 
 
 .[ IMtluT tliiin 
 
 •iiviiiiiiig pvo- 
 
 imiuiiu'r;il)lr 
 
 ik 1 iifViT b<> 
 
 , ami !i^ I liii'l 
 1111(1 of all liis 
 
 1 now too liltf 
 
 ap|)ro[iri:it(ly 
 
 (iZi'll of wnrds 
 li)!it'<l thi'in." 
 !\ltli(Mii!;h tlK-y 
 ■ul, tlu-y wv) 
 
 n<l reooi'tl, by 
 hat had bffu 
 • of till- asscin- 
 IVI.T11, ami also 
 use of Assctn- 
 iurd, anil who 
 
 ,1 vintrh-adcrs ; 
 (1 ; it hail just; 
 
 Maji'sty's sub- 
 blood, and its 
 
 liiin^.'if in lh;i 
 I'Dad oil whicli 
 
 u'd iH'l)i'ls had 
 -liL' woiiii! riilo. 
 '0 marching oi; 
 
 ;s ]\.iH- cK'avly 
 iiM. bnt fi'i'l- 
 lallv colli iiiiiiMl 
 ■ral shols froip. 
 
 tally woiiiuK'd, 
 called him " (■(■ 
 died as he had 
 
 .nt, Pr. lo'lpli, 
 liy to 500 nion. 
 
 ISnT.l 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 435 
 
 " M 
 
 Mow at this moment llu' |)0|iiila;loii of ri)pi'r ( anada was 4r)0,000, 
 Toronto contaiiii'd 10,000. ami tlie lloi-ic Di-trlrt C.o.ndO. 
 
 '• Oil the f until day alter the oiilbreali, siuh niiinbers of loyal men 
 were (lockiiiif towards 'I'.in.iito from al! din ■tioii-., that I was obliged 
 to piibli>h [ilaciirds thi'Mii;:hoiit the |irovIiiee aiimMineinMT ih.-it | had no 
 occasion tor their ser\ie,'s; and on the seventh day alter the oMihi-cak 
 I issued ii Mfiieral order, plaiiiiLt (besides Irr Male ty's ti'^Kp-. who 
 had already dcjiarled) the militia of seven coiiii;i.s of I pprr ( 'aiiada at 
 the disposal oi' Sir .lolm ('alboi-ii.; tor the det'encr nt the Lnwer I'ro- 
 vinco. 
 
 " I mention tlie<e Ia''ls tn piove that, the ad^■o(^■ltes <\' '■• rrsjinDs!/,'-' 
 f/irrniiiKu/" \\:\i\ ph\-iea!!y lie^'ii defeated a>- coiiiplctrly as their de- 
 maml had sev.'ial months aL;o been morally defeated throiiirlioiit the 
 Province at the iin>tin!;s." 
 
 Ininn'dialely after the action at tlallows Hill, Mackenzie fled disij;iii-ed 
 ill fi'iiiale attire lowarJs the Nia;i;;!i'a troiifl 'r. which al'ler several hair- 
 breadth C'^ca] es !;c --ncccedid ill ri ;;( liiii^f.and was soi'H -afeiy Imii-ed in 
 Diillalo. A reward of XIOOO had b^'eii <in"']'. d I'o" hi> apprehen-inn, ami 
 .L'.lOO each for the captiiie of David <iil)son, !~^amnel l.ount, Silas 
 Fli'tcher, and Jes-^e T.oyd, i1k' other I'l'iiicipal rebel leaders. A day or 
 two before! the defeat of the rebels, |)r. llolph fled the province, and ."j 
 few 'days afterwa"d , was liarani^iiini!; an andieueo at Lewi-ton, and 
 exciting them to aid in the rebellion ;'" while Mr. IJidwell voluntarily 
 e.\iled himself, became a citizi.'U of th.; I iiited States, and is now an 
 eminent lawyer in Ni;w York city, having been admitted to tho 
 New York liar by courtesy. 
 
 The country was now in a compK'te ferment. Although it was the 
 middle of s\ inter, 10,000 gallant militia crowded from all ipiarters 
 towards 'J'oroiito, aninuiti'd with the mo^t loyal and devoteil ze.il. 'i'hc 
 want of transport in mmierous case-, (d beddiiiLT, and of even warm 
 clothing, was unheeded by these brave nn n ; who thus showed iheiii- 
 selves to be aiiimate(| by the sani*> indoniiiable spirit, whieli had 
 sustained the Canadian mil'ti.i, during iho trying campaigns of the 
 three years' war with the I niteil States. The loyal fei;!iiig so genera'ly 
 manil'csted alike bv Conservatives and Reformers, soon freed Sir 
 f'rancis Head from, all apprehen.--ions with regard to th> safety of 
 Toronto, ;uid he directed the militia of (jlengary. and of the other 
 districts next to the. lov/er province, to hold themselves in readiness to 
 mai'ch to the aiil of Sir John CVilborno, should he require their Si'rvices. 
 Kingston, as well as Toronto, was speedily placed in a condition of 
 perfect safety, by the arrival of several n;iilitiix corps, whicli under the 
 command of Sir liicliard Bonnycastle, the principal military oHicer 
 
 U!)por Ciimidft Herald Dec. lltii, 1838. 
 
, ' \ 
 
 I -♦ 
 
 430 THE HISTORY [1837. 
 
 there, soon t'oiistitutcd a ifiillaiit and most (.'(liciont force. Never in 
 sliorl was u hcltor sjiirit cvinoeil. I'ikKt exislint; circumstances, 
 sncccsrtfiil rfl)i'llioii was an iinpossibiiity in l'|ij)er Canada. Even tlic 
 eaptnrc of Toronto coiilil nuiv have, made llic stni'^tile nioru bloodv, 
 tln' I'esnlt, in the end, must liave l>een the same. 
 
 In tli(! Lontlon J)istriet, J)r. Dimcondie, I'ecentiy reliUMied from 
 England, was extremely active in s|iriadin<f disallection, ami got nj) a 
 farcical rebellion. Sir Allan McN'ab was accordingly directed tu 
 
 It, ^vitil 500 milili 
 
 marcti upon tins ponit, ^vlth ouu militiamen ana volunteers, ami suppress 
 wliatevt'r armed treason he might encounter, Tiiis duty was ])erformed 
 in tiio most gallant and enectual manner. ])r. J)iintf)mbe, like 
 I'apincau, liol[)li, and others of the same staiii]), iK'd when he found 
 danger ajiproachiiig, leaving his deluded followers to take care of them- 
 selves. The bulk of these were disarmed and pardoned, but the leaders 
 AS'cre sent prisoners to Hamilton. Large numbers joined the loyalists, 
 and Sir Allan McNab declared that he had soon ten times the force lie 
 required. 
 
 The city of BiiUlilo, standing as it does at the termination of the great 
 canal traversing the Slate of New ^'ol•k, and at the foot of the upper 
 lake navigation, has always been characterised l>y a transient j)opiila- 
 tion of boatmen, sailors, and " loafers," of very questionable reputation. 
 Mackenzie had little dilliculty, accordingly, in soon enlisting a body of 
 American svmitathisers and Canadian refugees under his standard. 
 The wretched attempt againstToronto — the ill-planned commencement of 
 a miserably organised n'bellion, had not yet cured him of his folly, and 
 in conjunction with Koljih, and some others, he concocted another 
 invasion of Canada from the liiiti'il States. This invasion was not 
 made as in 1^12 by their government, but by a robbei- border rabble, 
 ready to cut any man's throatfor a d(dlar.* which that government was 
 unable to restrain, [.ands, and other inducements, wei'e odlriMl to 
 these ; while i\laekeiizie put tiie climax on his fully, by also ollering 
 £500 for the aj^prchension of Sir E. 15. Head. 'J\) the command o( 
 this gang, 1 )r, ]{(dpli, ^Mackenzie, and the otli,ei- jiersons, who formed 
 the Canadian " executive committee" at Hiillijo, elevated a clever 
 though worthless scanip, of the name of Van JJen^selaer. 
 
 Some two miles .above the Ealls of Niagara, and op[>osite Chippewa, 
 is a small island belonging to Canada, which at this period was densely 
 wooded. Here it was determined that Van IJensselaer should take 
 post with his Ibrce, preparatory to a descent u])on Canada. l?eiiig 
 without the territory of the United States, nothing need he ajijjreheiided 
 
 * Buffalo newspaper, January 22iul, i '.8. 
 
[1837. 
 
 '0. Never in 
 ■ircuinstaiiccs, 
 la. JCvi'ii tlic 
 iimrc l)loody, 
 
 •ctuniccl from 
 ami got up a 
 ^- ili reeled tu 
 s, niul suppress 
 ,vas j)er('oruied 
 imeoiube, like 
 wlieii lie found 
 :i care of them- 
 but the leaders 
 d llu' loyalists, 
 1C3 the force he 
 
 ion of the great 
 it t.f the upper 
 •aiisient j)0[iula- 
 able repulatiun. 
 .Liuii; a l)oi1y of 
 r his standard, 
 iiinenc^enu'iit of 
 I his foUv, and 
 edcted another 
 vabion was not 
 border rabble, 
 )verninent \vas 
 ere oillred to 
 )y also olHriniZ 
 e eon\uiand ol 
 , who formed 
 vated a clever 
 :\er. 
 
 osite Chipj)ewa, 
 od was densely 
 ler should taUft 
 Canada. 15eing 
 be apprehended 
 
 1837.] 
 
 OF CANAD.A. 
 
 •I 
 
 ri«r 
 
 from any Interference on the part ol its auth'>fiiics, while it was most 
 conveniently situated fi>r n-eei^inji; reinforcem. iils and supplies fioni 
 lUilfalo. At the same lime, a.s no force had bei n assemlded lor the 
 ])roteetlon of ihe Canadian Iroiiller, little I'l iislance to their sehemes 
 was feared t'roni that direction. 
 
 The position was jiidlcloiisly chosen, and nund)ers of the fi'ontier 
 vagabonds sp(«edily Ihnlu'd to \'an IJeiisselaer's standard, who were 
 supplied by Ann'i'ican ellizens of wealth, interested in the niovenient, 
 with provisions ai:d military stores. 'J'o lurnish this force, which was 
 some 1000 struni;;,*^ with the necessary artillery, the gnus were taken out 
 of the tState Arsenals in some of the fiontler towns, and thirteen were 
 soon in position on dlllcrent juiits of the islaml, which was likewise 
 further secured bv Intrenchnients and lou breastworks. N'erv few 
 Canadians joIiumI \'an Kensselaer, allhonirh he had been led to suppose 
 that lie woidd be strongly snp])orted by them.f 
 
 No sooner did Sir frauds Head (who at length appeared to under- 
 stand his position more correctly,) become aware of thesis occuiTcnces, 
 than a body ol' mi!Ili;i was hastily eoUeetcd at Chippewa, mider the 
 Command of Colonel Cameron, {o jirevent a lioblile descent In that 
 direction, 
 
 Reiidcu'cemcnts of volunteers and milllia soon gathered at the 
 point (jt threatened attack, and Sir Allan M"\al>. who presently arrived 
 with his corps, as>umc(| ihc chief ctuiimand. anil f'uuid himself at the 
 head of "J.')(iO nun. ( >ne of his lir.-t ine.asui'cs wa . to form an intrenched 
 cam]) In the Alclnlly ol' Chippewa, and to jirovide the necessary shellcr 
 lor the militia : his next was to rcn)onstratc with the American 
 aulhorlllcs, wilh respect to tlu-ii- jicrmllling s»ij-»plles to be fuinishod 
 to the lawless lui'cc on Navv Island, lie ui'i;cil. thai if this force received 
 no succ(U' of ihl- kind, the all'aii- would be closed witlmul bloodshed. 
 JIIs humane rciiiiinstraiices. however, were wholly IiU'freclual. ( >pen 
 aid Ciintiuuetl to be I'lii'iilslcd to the j'ufrin/s ; ami in bmad daylight 
 a small sti'amboat. the Ciinil'nK'. was cut out ol tin; ice at Ihilfalo, and 
 proceeded down the river, to conviy men and stores from the main- 
 land to Navy Island, ^seventeen American citizens, openly and publicly 
 signed a bond to Indcmiilly her owner, In case she should be captured ; 
 autl the collictor of tile Ihiflido cusloms, pandering to the mob, gavv 
 her the necessary charance license. J 
 
 Meanwhile, \'an licnssehu'r's artillery had opened upon the c>ppositc 
 
 • United St.ilfs' :Miuv-li!dl to I'rcsiik'iit Van Bnrcn, Di'fcinlicr 28tli, 18;>8, 
 f See Vim Konssdacr's narrative in Albany Advertiser ol" March 30th, 1638. 
 X The Emigrant, p. 234. 
 
438 
 
 TIIK IIISToiiY 
 
 [1.SJ7. 
 
 . .., 
 
 . ' k 
 
 Ciiiiadian shoro, wliioli was thiclJy sdllid : hut beyond piitliiiij si'Vcial 
 shot llii'tiiiifli a liouso opciipifil liy iiiililia, ami killing a liorsL- cui wliicli 
 ii man svas ridinix at llu- tinii-, wlio tortunalrly i^-ic'apcd injury, llifir fn-c 
 was pi'il'i'ctly liarndcss. A iii'ii was likfwi-c t>iiL'n('d on llu^ l)oats, sunt 
 from time to tinir, liy Sir Allan M'N'ali. to rrcnnnoltro the t-ni iny's 
 j'o^itinn, without. liowi'Vcr, in(lii'!,I;ii any loss ot lilc. 
 
 Till' galliuriiiij; at Navy Ulaiid pi'iidiiccd e(>u>idfral»U' alarm at 'J'oi'i'Ul<> 
 and ill*' < lowrnor, l)y advict; of liis council, |irocccdcd to (dii|i|)«'wa 
 1 li-rc lu" jnuni 
 the (irand Kivci'. and a liodv ot cohtrcd nioii, cumo to IlLdit tor the triu 
 
 1 the militia, (now sii|.ji()rtcd Wy tlu^ .Mohawk Indians I'in^iu 
 
 lainl ol' lilicity,) in the best |to>sil>U' spirits, and was oarn(;stIy pressed 
 
 to allow tlirni to cl( ai' the i--land at 
 
 )oint ol the bavouct, II 
 
 e. was 
 
 unwiiiiii'.'; to adi'pt this cnurse : but gave his cou'^cut f'or the capture of 
 
 the ( 
 
 iK'.wttw ooenlv emiiloved in th'- service ol the /'.'// 
 
 r 
 
 to this period not a '-hot had been lind by lli'' ('anadian militia, who 
 had renuiined sii'iclly on the delen>ive." At the same lime, not oidy 
 had thoy been lireil upon from Navy Islanrl, but also from (rrand Island, 
 belonging to the I'nited States, where a body of the Aunriean n:Hili;i 
 Avas posted to preserve neutrality. 'Ihey were likewise tired ii[>un 
 from Sehlosser o\\ the maiidand.f 
 
 On the !28th of December, Colonel ^IWab directed preparations to 
 be made for the capture of the Cdro/iiw, and intrusted tiie comnnnid of 
 the party, detailed for that purpose, to Lieutenant Drew, of the lioy.il 
 Navy, who most gallantly pertbrmed his duty. 'J'he Cam/inc was 
 boarded, despite the hrc of her guard, at Fort Sehlos.ser, where she -'./as 
 
 m 
 
 oored for the night, and giillantly cari'ied after a snnirt action 
 
 in 
 
 which five of the J'afriot j)irales were killed, and seviual wounded. On 
 the side of the Canadians only two or three Mere badly wounded, and 
 none were killed. It was attenijUed to tow the steamer aci'oss tiii 
 river; but owing to the strength of the current it was found neci'ssary 
 to abandon her. She was accordingly set on lire and permitted to rush 
 over the Falls in a shei't ol llame, a nntsi nnignilictiit spectach-.J 'i lie 
 Americans wwv. loud in their coiideninali(Vii oi" the violatit)n of their soil, 
 committed in cutting out the Carolinr. alihough every circumstance in 
 coiniection with that event was of the most e.xlejniafing character. A 
 person of the name ot M'Leod, who falsely avowed himself to have bed. 
 one of Lieutenant Drew's party, was subse(juently tried in the L nitid 
 States for being concerned in the all'air, but was aecpiitted. !n Isl'J 
 
 * Sir Francis lloiul's Jcspiiteli to the t'rili^h iniiiisti r at AVasliiiiytoii, .liuuiary 
 8th, 18;i8, 
 
 f Christian Giinrdian, Jan. liiid, IS.IS. Licutcnnnt Elmslt^y to Caloncl ^^^'lll). 
 X Toronto Patriot, Jan. 2ai1, 1838. 
 
iitlini; several 
 t)rsi; oil which 
 jury, iheli- Cw- 
 llie l)():its, sell' 
 
 the eiK nivs 
 
 riu ill 'J'drmito 
 
 1 lu ('hi|i|>"\va 
 
 ■|v llltliiUlS iVoiiv 
 
 ;;ht tor thi' true 
 •iieslly |)ressetl 
 oiiet. lie, was 
 thi' eaplui'e o( 
 e I'iilrhil.t. I'p 
 an mililia, wlm 
 : lime, not only 
 II (rraiul Island, 
 hierifan ip.ililia 
 vise llreil upon 
 
 preparations tr) 
 tlic conunand )f 
 w, ol"ihe Royal 
 he, Carnlliic was 
 , where she •was 
 smart action, in 
 1 wonnck-d. On 
 wounded. aU'l 
 aiiier across tlu 
 found necessary 
 eriuitted to rush 
 pcctacle.;[; 'ilie 
 lion ot' their soil. 
 circiMristance in 
 f diaracter. A 
 sell' to have lieil. 
 ed in the L'nitnl 
 , lilted. !n lM-2 
 
 i^liiiigtoii, Jiduian' 
 
 to Colonel M'^■Ml). 
 
 1807.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 1.10 
 
 iir 
 
 the flisputo arisiny nut of the destruction of the Caroline, was settled hy 
 the Hritish ministry a[ioh.gisint: lor the act. 
 
 On the 'istli Dee. tlio f jei,'i datiire was convened, in order that proper 
 measures should l)e taki-n in the present cnier;,'eney. The opeiiinrr 
 spoeeh of the (ioveriior was a long one, ami ol a more sober and sensi- 
 ble description than tho«o \w had previously inadeon similar oei ,is|oiis. 
 Alhidinti to tiic recent iiiterrereiK'e ol Ameriraii loreiijiiers in ('anadlan 
 politics, he declareil, that it was not to lie eiidun d l)y tlie pe-'p],. ,if a 
 i'rcc country. " I entertain" he addeil '• no t'eelini^ of anxiety fur lliu 
 result. The peaceful inhaliilaiits ol I pper Canada will not be lelt to 
 defend their coiintrv ahjiie, fnrthev beloiiir to an empire \\hieii does not 
 sufler its subjects to hv. injiireil with impunity ; and il a national war, 
 which it Vests with the American Covirnmeiit to avi'it, should be the 
 unhappy oonsefjuences of an intolerant iii\a>ii'ii of our iVeidum. tho 
 civilised world, while it sympathises with our iii>t cause, will \ic\v with 
 fooliiiixs of astonishment and abhorrence, this attempt ot" a IkmIv of 
 American citizens, treacherously to attack and plunder, in a moment o\ 
 prf)foiiiid peace, their oMest, most iiitimale, and their most natural 
 ally." One of the first measures of the session was the suspension ot 
 the Ifabcas Corpus Act. 
 
 ^Meanwiiile, the prudi-nt Sir John ColViorne perceived, thai the [.ieii- 
 tcnant Covcrnor of Upper Canada had not formed a projier I'stimatc 
 of matters there, and that he had better attend to the prescrvaficn of 
 that province himself', lie accoidinjily diiccli'd the nuirch of troops up 
 the St. Lawrence to occupy the more exposed frontier posts. Mhile lie 
 still, however, relied upon the local militia as the cliiel" I'oro' lor tho 
 defence of their several districts. l-'ortunattdy the season was most 
 unusually mild. The river St. Lawrc; ; i.- remained open till the 
 1838. middle of January. The upper lakisai I rivers al'-o contimied 
 free from ice, and thus presented the nece.-sary l.icililies for 
 removing troops to every threatened jioint of attack, it being the plan 
 of the American sympathisers to assail the country at dillerent places 
 at the same time, as had been done in all the former invasioi\s of Can- 
 ada. A strong force of artillery was soon assembled at Chippewa, as 
 well as a body of troops ; and Cleneral Van lieiisselaer finding Navy- 
 Island becoming more diflicult of occupation, when a lire of heavy 
 guns and mortars was directed against it, evacuated it on the 14lh of 
 January, and retired with his force to the American mainland. The 
 loas of the Canadians, was only one man killed and one wounded 
 during tho siege. 
 
 While these occurrences were transpiring on the >Jiagara frontier, a 
 Scotchman of the name of Sutherland, who had become an American 
 
440 
 
 TFTK IIISTOUY 
 
 fi)^n^. 
 
 I -» 
 
 citlzon. pronocdcd iri>\\\ riufl'ilo to (.'Iivt'I.itii). at the upper cinl ot' 
 
 f,!lkc Im'Ic, to ()l'<:!lllisc 11 (li'scriit ilpiili Alilli " 'Mlf!.'. Opposite this 
 
 town i-^ tlie Cimdiliaii islainl nt' linis llijiiir, in tl. . .li'oit I'ivcr, wiiii-h 
 firc-iii! (l ;i fiivur.ibii' i'i'IhIczvimis tor the svinpiithiiicrs : on this a Imdy 
 of them movnl tVdiu Cii'vrlainl, the 7lli ol .laiiirirv, iimh'r the li^ad- 
 crship of u prr-iiiii ol" the name <jl Dmli'i', Ai, (JiUrallcr vilintri' ihi-y 
 wcri- jiiiiii'il hy Sullicrhiiiil. w Ilh sr vcral Ik ■' ■■ . I ■^cnw-^, on Imanl of 
 whicii wi'vr '\ firM |ii(M'c's, '^.')0 s!af 'I Mrni< >A a vi r_v hirj^i' Hiip[ily 
 ot' |ii'(t\ i^ions. A lliio s.lioMiii'i'. I,. A, I,, I V... !i iia'l hcell optlily 
 loaded at Detroit with caminii and several hnndr-'d iniislu'ts, taki'ii 
 iVoni tile Stale Arsenals fd i\Iieiiii,'an, liroiiiiht down anotlier d( tacli- 
 iiienl of Canadi.'ni rel'nifees anil Aniurican s; rni'>atliisor«. So great was 
 tile I'eeiini; niauilesUd in I'lvcir (d tln'-e men, ,liat llu- Unitotl States' 
 Mai>liall wasiilleily nnalde to pre\-ent tlieir prueredinifs, so opeidy in 
 violation of the treaty of peace and aiiiily of lii-^ uuveriinient with (ireat 
 Britain. 
 
 'I'hei'o wore! no troops of any arm at Andier.-thm'i; at tins period, and 
 Iho iniiilia hastily drawn tntrctliei- lur its (leleno(>, wi're indiscrihunately 
 armed with rllle ;. fowling pieees, and |iilid)foi'!;s. Al't.er this inotloy 
 force had l)e',ii di-iids-.(| fimn p.irade at ■) i,i"elnek, on the Nth, tlio 
 aiai'in spread that. Smhei'Iaud's tsnw;^ was adxanein:,' I'roni Snirar Island, 
 be!on,i.dnt( to ijie I'nited States, wjicre it had tempocarily taken post 
 •with the view ot' imnn'diately (d)taininj^ possession of jjois Hlanc. 
 This it was res(dved to prevei'J. and oOO militia, aiMong wdiom wero a 
 troop of dismounted cavalry I'rom the London J )i>triet. hurried into 
 boats and on iioard a schooner, then Ivinir at the town, took posso.ssion 
 ol til" i^lai.d, and piouiptly a<iopted niea-ni'cs to jirevent the hnidiiigot' 
 iineiieiiiy. Sniherland's llotilla, now con.-i-tinLT <d the ^lvo<r, a sloop, 
 tilt! (i<nri/c S/miHf^ with sevi'i'al boats and scows, havini; some <>00 men 
 on boanl, when it was discovered that pre[iarations were nnide to repcd 
 n landini,', sheered oll'afier lirinir two ji^uns at the iniiitia. It was next 
 supposed from his movements, tint tlie enemy woidd attempt to land 
 on the main-shore, and capture Ainher.-ih'irM'. dt t'cudeii bv onlv 100 
 inv\). It was accordiiiLily deteniuueil to (juil the island, and ri'tiirn to 
 detend the town, Ihit Siilheiland's couraue faih'd him wlii ii the 
 monnait of aelion came, and in.-tead ol making a descent either against 
 Bois Diane or Andierstbnrg, he directed his boat (lotilla to pull fur one 
 of the American islands.''* He sent a messairc* to Theller. now coni- 
 mandini: the Aiinc, acquainting him with this movement, and directing 
 
 .'.um to jom hun. 
 
 * Thellor's Caimda hi 1S37-8, vol. 1. p. 130. 
 
ippor cii'l of 
 
 )|i|insiti' tllii 
 
 1 liver, which 
 11 this ii Imdy 
 idtT lhi> Kiid- 
 [• vilhif^'i- tiny 
 , on Imiinl of 
 ■ lar;."' sii|.[ily 
 
 hrell (>li<llly 
 
 misUfts, takfU 
 lothci- th'tach- 
 So •^veal wus 
 L'niti-'il Stall's' 
 <, so opi'iily ill 
 out with (ir('at> 
 
 his poriod. ainl 
 Klisc'riinliiatL'ly 
 :i' this inotlcy 
 
 I the Mil, llio 
 
 II Su|iar Ishmd, 
 ilv taken post 
 of \)n\\ IManc. 
 r wliDUi wii'c a 
 
 . liiirried into 
 ink possfssiou 
 
 till' landing ot" 
 A'nitc, a sloop, 
 sonu' <'»<)0 men 
 
 niauc to vepc'l 
 I. It \va^ ntxt 
 itemiit to land 
 
 hy only 100 
 
 and I'i'turii to 
 him whtii the 
 eilluT airainst 
 
 to pull foi- ono. 
 
 luT. now coni- 
 !, and diroeting 
 
 183S.1 
 
 or CWADA. 
 
 n 
 
 Instead of sailintr round I'ois rdam". whii h wi.uld have involved :v 
 cou'sideralde In-s "I lime, 'riieller liujdly determined \>i run ii|> the 
 channel brtwi'iu it ,'.ud AnduTslhiu'^, ihiTc lieiiii: a 'jood liree/e in hi'^ 
 fivvor. Ill; was repeattdl} llied upon hy the militia uilli lilies, liu! 
 tho distaui'e was too jireat to do niurh injury with snrill arms, and otil^ 
 ono of his crew was killed ami ii few wounded. 'I he Canailinns had no 
 
 at'tillery, oi- he would have .sullered much more severely. The AinlC 
 
 rt.'[ilie(l to their li.-e hy a I'ew di~eliar'ies ol >.jra|H' and round >liot. with- 
 out, liowi'Viu', duini,' any mischief. She also lired upoutlii.' /"////m/, a 
 small steam I'errvdtoat, which u^uallv ran hetweeii j Jeiroit and W'indxu". 
 On the tollowiuir iiiorniii;^ the (nnri/r S/i'm;/, which ciintiiiued t > lie 
 under Hois I'dano, was cajiluri'd. and shortly after the Ai-uc airaiu niado 
 her appearance, and opened lir.- up'>u the heart I't'lhi town oi' Amlurst' 
 burir, with I'ni 
 
 'r' 
 
 IIKl 
 
 hi'l and u'l'ape : lull prnvideutially wiih'Mil, injury tu 
 the iuhaliitants, althoiiirh ~.evt'i'al hnildiiii^s were struck. 
 
 ^K'anwhile, Sutherland had taken possession uf IJni^ IManc: soduriiif^ 
 
 the dav the moveiiuiits of the J 
 
 nil' Wt 
 
 re tiarrnwlv watclied hv th 
 
 liiiliiia. A- iii;iht a[>jtroaehed. the wind tVesheiicd, and hiew diifclly 
 on the raiiadiai: -hore. ThelU'r ih'termiiied In run pa-t the tuwii. hciiij!; 
 
 now ahove il', aud ea-l aiieh"r at the foot of the isjai 
 
 ■ ut shai'p and 
 
 repealed volleys, were poured into the A/mc hy tlh' mllilia. I lei- r.ipes 
 and sails were cut up hy their Ii.' •. hei- li'IuHiaau slmt dnwii, aud 
 she s(Kin drifted helpK's^ly on the lee-<hiu-i>. Her ciew, liuwevcl', still 
 oontiiiued to keep up a di>eharLje, «if cannon and mu^lveti'v. The v.ihiii- 
 teers of the militia. iievei'th(dess, alter i.dvih'_f them another vi)l!,'y, 
 plunL,"'d into the water, hoarded, and cairied hu' in the mo-t Lrallant 
 
 iiiaiuier, 
 
 iirisdUers were eaiiluren 
 
 'iece> ot' canic'ii upward-; o( 
 
 300 stand nl' arms, a lanre i|uanlily of ammunition, with some mi>ni>y 
 
 stores, and provisions. 
 
 The crew had 'A i 
 
 iieii killed n 
 
 nd \'l WoUlid< 
 
 some severely. Tlie (^aptui'i> of the Aniic convinced Sutherland how 
 
 thii Canadian Iroiitii'i'. a.nd 
 
 little inipre^ 
 
 ui he was likciv to mai;e on 
 
 he aeeoi'(i!iiii;ly retired to Suixar Ulaiid, wluu'e lu; was vi-^iti d l>y (Jov- 
 nor Ma-(Ui of ^MiehiLran, ami induced to conduct hi-, ncn In the 
 
 cr 
 ni 
 
 ain land, where they wen 
 
 di-^iH' 
 
 I'sed, while he wa^ arre-teil. hut soon 
 
 ajrain set at liherty, alter the liirce ot liriii'^dug hiiii to trial had ij< eii 
 gone throuiih with. 
 
 Thus terminati (I the attempt of Suthcrlainl to obtain jios-essii.n ol 
 Amhersthurc. The conduct of thi> ii;allant militia was heyoii'l ail 
 praise; and the exertions of several wealthy citizens of the iielLrhhor- 
 
 rU 
 
 hood to provision and furnish them with arms and aminuniti'iu, me 
 the warmest gratitude of post(!rity. Among these citizens was a Mr. 
 Dougall of Windsor, who gave *>10,000 to the commissariat ; while 
 
Wl 
 
 TIIK insTOUY 
 
 [in.'is. 
 
 several others came foiward to eiidorx^ iiotoH to pay the inenhaiits of 
 Detroit for the pork and flour, which (his p(jrtioii of Canada was then 
 unahle to furnish. 
 
 'J'he ea[»tiiri' of the .I/z/n* supplied the f^inis and niuski i i so much 
 iK't'dcd. Two of lii'i' cannon wt re nionntcd on Kort Maiden, 
 which was, huWfVcr, in a wretched condition, havini; In-cn permitted 
 to ;^o to rnin : the olhcr was plaeeil on hoard a schooner, filled uj> hy 
 
 ,at)tani 
 
 Vidul, 
 
 a retired naval ollicer. rc>i 
 
 di-nl 
 
 in ihe district. 
 
 militia (Tuwdi'd lo protect the fiNinllcr in cxpiictalioii of another 
 invasion, and nearly lOOO were soon po-ted at various points aloii;,' tho 
 Detroit IJiver. Anioii'' these were "JOt) Indians fioin I )t;laware, and a 
 
 l)(j(iv of eolori'd men, sclljcd in tli 
 
 c western part ot llie province, the 
 poor hunted fiij^ilives from Anieriean /iftcrf//, who at Iciiylh found 
 true liliiitv and securilv under the i'.ritish ll.i''.* 
 
 Their ill Mic('e:^s iiitli.rto had not taiiuhl the psiibjo J\(frin/s wlsd 
 
 om, 
 
 aiu 
 
 I allhi'iii.h lln' Jails nf lioth [iiovinei.'s were crowded with prisoners, 
 ■wailiiii,' their doom, others wei'i; not warned hy tlu^r unhappy CMnditioii. 
 Sec-ret soiadics, tcriiied lliiiiters Ijodifes. Were formed a!oii'4 the Ameri- 
 can l)order ill order to ri'Voliitioiii^e (.'anada, and iiKiintaiiud an active 
 correspoiidi nee with llie repiiljlicans at this sidt' o| tin- line. Mackenzie, 
 who had iiN'Ved eastward lo \\ aUilowii, and who diil not, yet consider 
 he had doiij snlliciciit mischief, and the other jn^iiieipal rcfiij^oes, were 
 active in or^anisinif another comlniie,! inva-ioii of their connirs — afresh 
 drama ol'hiood and misery ; and so certain were some of tin.'ir followers 
 of success, (liat farms in Canada were jdayi'd for as stakes, and onlline 
 maps prc|'are(l of the towiishipslhey tholl^dlLtlK'y were ahont to receive. f 
 
 Jviily in llie month ol' J'chrnary, the Palrioln di'icrmincd to make 
 four simultaneous moveineiils against Canada iVom Detroit, Sandusky, 
 "W'atcrtown, and Nermoiit. 'llie last of these has already been des- 
 cribed, in the narrative of the rel)eIlioii in Lower Canada, 'fho 
 ex[iedilion from Waterlown rendt'zvousod at French Creek, to the 
 number of some xIOOO men, nndi'r the command of the same Van 
 liensselaor, who had liffiircd at Navy Island, and of Dill .folinson, a most 
 notorious border vagabond. l''iiidir,g, however, that the militia garrl- 
 son of Kingston was fully prepared for their reception, the courage 
 of these brigands failed them completely, and they speedily dispersed. 
 
 The movement from Detroit, led by a Canadian refugee of the name 
 of !M"Leod, was also unsiieoessful. He took possession of a small 
 island in tiu; Detroit liiver, from whence, on the the 24th of February, 
 
 * Rntlclitf's D.'ppatdi, Jan. 10th, 18;{8. 
 f Canada as it V/as, ic, vol, 2, p. 69, 
 
 ,»• 
 
idu wus ihuii 
 
 kii'4 so much 
 ort MaMi'ii, 
 •II permit titl 
 
 liiircl up l»y 
 llsiricl. Tin; 
 I of nnnihor 
 ntrt aloii^' th« 
 iiwari', iiiul a 
 province, llie 
 
 hiiglh found 
 
 frin/s wis'lom, 
 villi prisoiu-rs, 
 pjiy ci'iidil/nHi. 
 inti the Amcri- 
 lint'd an active 
 le. Maclvfiizio, 
 ot, yet consider 
 refujfees, were 
 uitrv — a fresh 
 tlu'if followers 
 es, and outline 
 out torcceive.f 
 nined lo make 
 it, Sandusky, 
 idy l)ecn dos- 
 anada. The 
 "reek, to the 
 the same Van 
 hnson,a most 
 e militia garri- 
 n, the courage 
 ily dispersed. 
 of the name 
 on of a small 
 h of Tebruary, 
 
 \H'.\>.] 
 
 or CANADA. 
 
 44n 
 
 Ke, was di.-.lod ;,'('! 1 ' ih» |'-" of artillery, ami returned to the Cnited 
 States, where hia to»< , >v., dispersid and di>arined l»y the autlioritios, 
 MOW l)eginning to exert themselves ellectually. 
 
 The rati-'mt force from Sandusky, under the dlnotion o( Sutlu'r!an<l 
 and oihers, e,-,taltli>hed itself on I'oiiit J'ele, a C'.-madian island, ei^ht 
 juiles I-"" ai- ' ■ . w'dr. situated some forty miles Irom Amherst- 
 l)ur;_' ;, ' L,^ :(._. i • n^ •• iiiniidaiKl. 'JVoops had meanwhile reached 
 thei<.:. i..;i. .' Meiisures were i)romptly taken hy Colonel 
 Mail land, of the :;-.'nd iffjinient, to dislod^'t! the eiicmy. Tindin" lliat 
 the ire was sunirieiiily strotiir, lie crossed from the mainland to I'oint 
 I'cle, with a forc" of r"_"dar4 and militia, and j-laeed detaehinents at 
 fiilVerenl points t. cut olV the J'atriul.i^ retreat. Tlieir main Im»Iv 
 howevei", alter heitiLr chased throui,'}i the woods, siicceeded in lighlinur 
 lluir way to the American mainland: hut with seven' lo-.s to them- 
 selves, l:j b'-'in;^ killed and dO wcumd.d. Several of them also werr^ 
 taken I prisoners. On the lede of the C'anadiatiM, M r.oldiirs of the ."'ind 
 were kill(;d and "2*^ wounded. The /Vi'r/o^, im'.jshuringsorue ftUO men. 
 were Wi'll aimed, and louidit desperately lor tlMir liv« s, whm they 
 found tlieir retrcjit cut olf by a deUiehment ot the .'»'2nd and some 
 militia under ('a]>ta:n I'rown. iVday or twi» after this allair, Sntherlaiiil 
 was aceideiilally met on the ice by Colonel John I'rinee, and lH•oll^ht 
 a jirisoiier to the shore.* 
 
 ^reauwhile, till' Iloire Ministry iiad reealhd Sir J'^ranels 15. I lead, 
 and aj>pointed Sir (rjor^^v! Arthur as lils' successor. 'J'he former jiroro- 
 gued the Legislature on the <;th of Mr.reli, in along and inllate.l speech, 
 iu which he reviewed the recent «ireurrrnce:\ justified hi-i course, and so 
 dropped the curtain on liis excej;!".:' dy unfnrt'.'nate administration. 
 On the '2:>rd the new LieMteiiant (Joverrior, who lud arrived out (roro 
 Kngland by way of New York, was sworn in at Toronto, and Sir 
 I'^rancis li. J lead wa^^. ieliev.d of iiis aliuinlstrative cans for ever. Me 
 imniediately prej^arcd for his departure to l-'ng!and,and being informed 
 that pai'lies had determined to assassinate }iim, should he travel over- 
 land to JIalilax, he residved to ]^rocecd to New Y<.)rk, via Kingston and 
 Walertowii, and emijark at that city. lie Kueeeeded in saA'iy aeeom- 
 plishing his jourUi'}'. though not witliout considerable personal risk, 
 having been recognised at Watertown,and pursued from thence toward-' 
 I'lica. Ijcing a good horsemen, however, he soon distanced his j)ur- 
 sucrs. Once at New York he was perfectly safe, although an objeet ot 
 
 Miiitland's Despatches, 4th aud Gth March, 1808. Kingston Chronuh', March. 
 
 ISS3, 
 
 l'& 
 
'♦ 
 
 444 THE HISTORY [1838. 
 
 considerublc |Mil)lic curiosity, a very largo body of its citi/cr.s assem- 
 bling to see him embark. 
 
 TIIE ADAUNKTEATION OF SIR GEOIIGE AimiUII. 
 
 , ' \ 
 
 TIj' <■.".'• ( ^' Hamilton and Toronto were now crowded with prisoners. 
 in the loum i town a Special Commission was sitting for the trial of 
 political ofienders ; in the latter a Court Martial had assembled for the 
 same purpose. The " Constitutional Itcfonners " of Toronto presented 
 a numerously signed address to Sir George Arthur, congratulating him 
 on his accession to the government, and asking nicrcy fur the 500 political 
 prisoners held in durance. His answer embodied a sharp rebuke. lie 
 stated reform had been made the cloak of the crimes committed by 
 these prisoners ; and, that at the present crisis, it was imprudent to 
 adopt su-ih an appellation. At the same time, he t. vowed his determi- 
 nation lo let impartial justice take its coui'se. 
 
 Having been completely foiled in their combined movement to 
 revolutionise the Canadas,, the Pc.triofs adopted no further ofTensive 
 measures during the months of ISIarch and April. Secret associations, 
 however, continued in full operation along the American frontier. 
 " Hunters Lodges" were organised in every direction, by which covert 
 steps were taken for another attempt against this country. Meanwhile, 
 Sir John Col borne made prompt preparations to meet every emergency 
 — even a war with the United States, now a possible contingency, 
 owing to the ill-feeling excited by the destruction of the Caroli/ic, and 
 the Maine Boundary disputes, on the one hand, and the numerous acts 
 • >f aggression against Canada, committed by American citizens, on the 
 iithcr. Engineer ofliccrs were sent to overy point where troops or for- 
 tifications were required. At Amherstburg, in the course of the ensu- 
 ing summer, Fort Maiden was repaired f).nd strengthened ; extensive bar- 
 racks were commenced ut London ; Fort IMississuga, at Niagara, was put 
 into a good position for defence; the works at Kingston were strength- 
 ened ; additional barracks begun at Toronto ; and Fort Wellington, at 
 Prescott, rendered impregnable to sudden attack. 
 
 No sooner had navigation opened, than a large fleet of men-of-war 
 and transports, which had brought troops up the St. Lawrence, crowded 
 the spacious harbor of Quebec. These troops were soon di-^tributed 
 iilong the frontier, and being supported by 40,000 of the most eflieient 
 militia ])robably in the world, Canada was in a better position to repel 
 liostile invasion than at any former period. 
 
 Up 'to the month of ^fay, liOunt and Matthews, two leaders of 
 Mackenzie's attack upon Toronto, had jvlonc been executed for treason. 
 
[183S. 
 
 /cr.s assem- 
 
 th prisoners, 
 the trial of 
 ibled for the 
 ito presented 
 itulating him 
 500 political 
 rebuke. He 
 ammittcd by 
 imprudent to 
 1 his determi- 
 
 movement to 
 ther offensive 
 t associations, 
 ican frontier. 
 r which covert 
 '. Moanwhile, 
 n*y emergency 
 ; contingency, 
 CaroJljic, and 
 numerous acts 
 citizens, on the 
 troops or for- 
 sc of the cnsu- 
 cxtensive bar- 
 ;i?ara, ^vas put 
 were strength- 
 AVellington, at 
 
 of men -of- war 
 rence, cro^vded 
 )on distributed 
 e most efficient 
 osition to repel 
 
 t^Y0 leaders uf 
 ted for treason. 
 
 1838.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 445 
 
 Several others had been sentenced to death at Hamilton and Toronto ; 
 but Sir George Arthur, blending mercy with justice, transferred the 
 greater part of them to the Penitentiary at Kingston. Several politi- 
 cal prisoners were acquitted, as being Innocent, or for want of proof ; 
 and many of the lesser actors in the drama of rebellion, were released 
 on giving security for tlielr future good conduct. In Lower Canada, 
 martial law liad been abolished, and matters generally, in both pro- 
 vinces, Ijore every appearance of returning tranquillity. 
 
 Ibit, as the month of May progressed, rumors prevailed that the 
 Puti'iois were about to make anotlier attempt against the province, for 
 which Mackenzie, Duncon^be, and M"Leod, were activelv en^aacd in 
 making ]»roparatlons. The more secure cojidition of the frontier, how- 
 over, left them not the slightest chance of success, and very little 
 apprehension of the result was entertained. AV'hile matters were in 
 tills state, a most atrocious act was committed, in the burning of the 
 Sir liohert Peel, one of the finest steamboats plying on the St. Law- 
 rence, by the notorious UiU Johnson, at the head of a gang of some 
 fifty men, who boarded her before day on the '20tli, while taking in wood 
 at Wells Island, seven miles from French Creek, which belonged to the 
 United States. 
 
 The passengers, among whom were several females, were compelled 
 to rise from their beds. After dressing hastily the latter were put on 
 shore, and left to shift for thiMnselves on a most Inelement night, while 
 the men were confined in the cabin, through the skylights of whieh 
 muskets were pointed to prevent them from luterfering. At length, 
 when the pirates had satisiled themselves no danger was to be appre- 
 iiended, a panel was broken in the eal)in door, through whicli their 
 prisoners were allowed tr pass, one by one, and go ashore. The ves- 
 sel was then rifled and set on (ire, when Johnson and his gang, betaking 
 themselves to their whaleboats, niade their escape. The crew of the 
 'Sir lioberl Peel lost all their batriraue, and the passengers were able to 
 save very little of their efreets. 
 
 Governor !Marcy, of New York State, on receiving intelligence at 
 Albany, of this barbarous outrage, immed' lely de[iaried for the fron- 
 tier, and took active measures to discover the perpetrators, some of 
 whom were apprehended and lodged in gaol, but afterwards escaped 
 punishment for the want of suHlcient })roof against them. A reward 
 was ollered for the a[>prelienslon of Johnson ; but the labyrinth of the 
 Thousand Islands aflbrded him and his gang a secure refuge, and ena- 
 bled him to elude every step taken for his capture. (J\\ the 7th of 
 June a descent was made by him on Amherst Island near Kingston, and 
 three farm houses plundered of money and valuables. On the 10th he 
 
446 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1838. 
 
 1 ■ 
 
 . ' \ 
 
 issued a most impiu-lcnt proolamatiuii, avowinij that he had commanded 
 the expedition wliicli destroyed the So' JioUrl I'cel. His opportunities 
 to do farther mischief wore, ho\V(!ver, restrietcd \>y Sir .lolin Culborne, 
 who direetcid a body of sailors and marines to scour the Thousand 
 islands, and strcnuftlicncd llie various military posts along the Upper 
 St. Lawrence, witli troojis and picked militia. The American ffovern- 
 ment also sent troops to their iVouticr to ]ireservc the peace, and pre. 
 vent the furllier organization of armed expeditions against the Canada?. 
 JJespito all these jn-ecautionary measiu-es, a Lody of sympathisers 
 crossed over the iS'iaiiara frontier, overpowered some Lancers, and 
 plundered a liousc at the Short Hills of a large sum of money and 
 some valuable property. 'I'hirly of those ruflians, who had concealed 
 themselves in a swamp, were afterwards taken, as well as Morrow their 
 leader who was subseijuently executed for the crime. In consequence 
 of these occurrences, Sir George Arthur issued a proclanuition, for- 
 bidding all persons iVona travelling in the province without 2>ropcr 
 passj)orts. At the same time, it was also determined th;it jier- 
 sons found unlawfully armed, or aiding In or abetting acts of treason, 
 should be deemed prisoners of war, and treated accordingly. Simultane- 
 ously with the afliiir at the Slioi't Hills, bodies of I'atrlols j^cnetratcd 
 into the Lond(ju District, where a number of state prisoners were res. 
 cued from durance, and the store of a French ti'adcr at Delaware 
 plundered. From this point they were juirsued by the Indians, who 
 overtook, routed, and captured several of their number. At (ioderlch 
 a body of these pirates nuide their appearance in a. sloop, and after 
 comnutting some robberies in the shops there, escaped in a I'nited 
 States' steamer. Such were the scoundrels sent to liberate Canada by 
 Mackenzie and his relugee confederates. 
 
 The remainder of the Summer passed quietly away, and was chiefly 
 distinguished by Lord Durham's tour through the province. Some 
 attempts were made to get up sympathising expeditions in the adjoin- 
 ing states; but these avcj-c suppressed by the American military 
 authorities, now exerting themselves most efhciently. With respect to 
 the numerous political prisoners, the same lenient policy was pursued 
 fls in Lower Canada : the leaders alone were to be punished, the rest 
 were released. The Iieform press again began to agitate the constitu- 
 tional redress of grievances •, and the old machinery of party was 
 gradually coming into full play, in the belief that rebellious and sym- 
 jtathising troubles liad terminated. Towards the end of Summer, some 
 excitement was caused by the escape of several prisoners confined at 
 Kingston. Theller and Dodge, captured in the Annc^ likewise elTccted 
 their escape from prison at Quebec. On the 22nd of October a pro- 
 
 ,,«■ 
 
[1838, 
 
 commandc;! 
 ipportvinities 
 m Culborno, 
 u' 'rhousand 
 g the I'ppor 
 •lean trovurn- 
 acc, ami pro. 
 the Canada?. 
 
 Lanccvs, and 
 f muiic'V and 
 lad concealed 
 Morvow tliolr 
 1 cunscquenoc 
 luiuation, (or- 
 thout proper 
 ;d tli;it por- 
 •ts of treason, 
 y. Simultane- 
 ous pcnL'trated 
 uevs Mere res. 
 
 at Delaware 
 3 Judiaus, who 
 
 At C.udorlch 
 lop, and after 
 ;d in a United 
 
 io Canada by 
 
 nd was chielly 
 tvinoe. 8omc 
 
 in the ailjoin- 
 
 ican military 
 V ith respect to 
 y was pursued 
 
 shed, the rest 
 tc tlio constitu- 
 
 of parly Avas 
 lious and syin- 
 Summer, home 
 ers confined at 
 kcwisc effected 
 October a pro- 
 
 ISnft.] OF CANADA. 447 
 
 chimation, offering amnesty to ceriaiii political offenders, was published 
 by Sir George Arthur. 
 
 JNIeanwhilc, Hunters liOiTires oontinueil to exist i\\on<s the border ; 
 
 and 
 
 preparatiiins were mad^' for 
 
 aim 
 
 'he I- y 
 
 'iifri'i 
 
 I iuvaMiou ot the Cana- 
 
 f th 
 
 esc 
 
 das. Sir John Colljorno hail received minute intbrmatiou o 
 proceedings, and the necessary defensive yiroiiarations were accordingly 
 made, fn Ippcr Canada, Sir Ci.'org^; Arthur caUeil out a portion of 
 
 of (Jetuher. by proelamatinii. At the same 
 now oil f.alce i-jji- ain! Ontario, were jmt into 
 
 iio militia, on tin: 
 
 t:me, flic arnieil vess(^ 
 
 the most cirn.'ient eonditioii for aeiive serviee. 
 
 Th'j final Palr'iot invasion of Cana.la, like all the preceding ones, 
 was made on the prineiplc of combined movement, in F.ower Canada, 
 
 Wobert Nelson esttiblished hinisflf at Naniervilh 
 
 wfiilo 111 
 
 r 
 
 pner 
 
 Cai 
 
 I, Ilia, 
 
 an 
 
 !t(ni[>t was made to obtain pos-^essinii (. 
 
 if J-"..rt W el- 
 
 hnirto;). at 
 
 J 
 
 resciitt 
 
 on 
 
 th 
 
 L 
 
 iwrniee, and of Tort T^ralden, at 
 
 Amherstburg. 
 
 ()\\ the lOtli of Xov. a liody of armed men emi)arkeil at Oswego oil 
 boiifd the I'li'ikd Shi.k'--i,ix large steamer plying from < >gdensburg west- 
 ward. At tiio same time, two schodu.Ts ooiivcyrii a detaehmenl; ot 
 /\>/i-<i>'.: down llio St. fiawrence, \\hleh were laicen in low by this stea- 
 mer. a> she tlesoeinb-'d lli>! rive;-, Un tin; ni'jlit ot'tlui lllli they wen- oil 
 Di'oekvilh^, and eon-idLrable ahirni was iMt lest these men might laiut 
 ■md aflavk that town. This, hnu-evei', t'M'nied iiO part of their plan, and 
 thev lU'oeeedi'iJ to I'reseoit, midv/av b-iweiu wlii>li tuwn ani.l ( >'j.-dens- 
 iiiirg the .schooiu'i's east anchor. IIitc next morning they were attacked 
 by a small British ;irmeil steamer, the Exji: ru.v ni. nin:niling two guns, 
 and eoin|ielled to move iiearei" tlii." Aiaei'ier.u shure. The J-j.fpci'uia:)ii 
 lik(<wise lire. 1 upon the I'nited^Sl.ij.-^. ',\!i;eh came out from ( >gdens- 
 l)iirg lijirbni-, a;.'[iai'e!!tly witii llio oljjeet o\ t;iiung the si-hooners again 
 ill low an. I of laiidingtiio sympathisers she hail on board at I're^-cott, and 
 conipelled her to sheer off. Having injureil one of her guns, the />'.'/)('''<■ 
 /«(';;Mvas unler the neoessitv of riinninii; into I'rescott to refit, when 
 the Putrlnt^ promptly !ande(l a body of some '250 men. led by \'ou 
 Sehnifz, a I'olish a'l venturer, a little fnrliier down the rivea*. at Wind- 
 mill Point, wiiieh was iieyond the rar.ge of the guns of' l''ort Welling- 
 ton. This was an excellent deti'nsivc position, 'i'he Windmill, a 
 buildiii2; of ""reat streii'ith, was ilinke<i bv several stone dwellins; houses 
 and walls, the latter forming good breastworks; and as the road ran 
 close by this post it commanded both the laiii] anl water approaches. 
 Having thus mil Ic a solid lodgement on Canadian soil, they expected 
 to be joined by many of the inhabitants; but were completely disap- 
 pointed. Scarcely any one aided them 0[X!nly, whihi tho militia of the 
 
448 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1838. 
 
 . • ^ 
 
 ncigliboring counties wero soon swarming towards Prcscott, from 
 all directions, to drive these pirate invaders from their country. 
 
 I'y the morning of the l.'Jtli, a force of over 400 militia, and 80 
 regulars hail been drawn together, und supported by the Vktoria and 
 Co/)<>iiri/ armed steamers, moved forward at 7 o'clock under the command 
 
 M 
 
 it out from' England t( 
 
 oi iMajor loung, one or tne military olliccrs sent out from bngiandK* 
 organise the miliila, to dislodge the enemy from the breastwork he had 
 formed, by connecting (he stone walls around the mill witli intrench- 
 luents of earth. The J'a/riola fought desperately : but were gradually 
 (Irivcn from point to ])oint, and finally compelled to take shelter in the 
 stone buildings and mill, whore, as the attacking force liad no artillery. 
 and the guns of the, steamers had made no impression on them they were 
 permitted, for the present, to remain. Strong pic(iuets, however, were 
 posted so as to prevent their escape during the ensuing night. The loss 
 of the Canadians during this action W'as severe. Two ofliccrs and six 
 men .were killed ; and three ofliccrs and thirty -nine men wounded. 
 The Palriols sutlered still more severely. Tw'o of their ofliccrs and 
 eleven men had been killed, a largo number wounded, and thirty-two 
 taken prisoners. During the battle, several boats filled with men had 
 attempted to cross from llu; opposite side ; but were pcvcntcd by the 
 armed steamers. The Aniirican shore was crowded with spectators, 
 who cheered vigorously whenever they sup[iosed their countrymen had 
 the advantage of the Canadians, ;^[eanv.■hile, the schooners, which had 
 sought shelter near the American shore, were taken possession of by a 
 United States' Marshall, aided l.iy some troops. The steamer United 
 States was also seized, and the unhappy adventurers at Windmill Point 
 left to their fate,* although they repeatedly bogged to be taken ofT.f 
 During the 14th, the enemy was permitted to retain his position 
 undisturbed, the E.vi)er'nncnl\iw.\^mgi\. sharp watch to prevent his escape. 
 On the following day heavy artillery was forwarded from Kingston, 
 as well as a body of troops, under Lieutenant Colonel Dundas ; but 
 owing to some delays those did not reach Prescott till the afternoon of 
 the 10th. As night approached the troops and militia moved forward 
 to the assault, and being supported by the fire of their suns, iha Patriots 
 were soon driven from the dwelling lionses, and compelled to retreat 
 to the mill. This efiTectvially resisted the fire of the artillery, but its 
 destruction being apprehended by the Patriots, they surrendered at dis- 
 cretion, to the number of upwards of 100. Several others were after- 
 
 * Major Young's Despatch, Nov. Uth, 1838. Brockvillo Recorder, Nov, 16th, 
 1318. 
 f See Von Schultz's statement 
 
[1838. 
 
 [•cscott, from 
 nitry. 
 
 liliti.'i, and 80 
 ; VktorUi. and 
 thoconmiand 
 m' England to 
 stwork he had 
 with intrcMich- 
 ,-ore gradually 
 shelter in the 
 d no artillery, 
 horn they were 
 however, were 
 ight. The loss 
 aflicers and six 
 neu wounded, 
 oir oftlcers and 
 and thirty-two 
 [ with m(ui had 
 evented by the 
 ,'ith spectators, 
 ountrynien had 
 lers, which had 
 session of hy a 
 iteamer United 
 Vlndmill Point 
 be taken ofT.f 
 in his position 
 vent his escape, 
 rom Kingston, 
 Dundas ; but 
 the afternoon of 
 moved forward 
 ms, the Patriots 
 elled to retreat 
 irtillcry, but its 
 rendered at dis- 
 hers were after- 
 
 ?corder, Nov. 15th, 
 
 1838.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 441 
 
 wards captured, who had hidden in the vicinity, so that I.jO were 
 taken altogether, of whom several were* wounded : their loss in killed, 
 was probably about oO, there being no certainty on this point, many of 
 the dead being burncil iu the Iniildings, On the side of the Canadians 
 only 1 soldier was killed, and a few wounded. 
 
 The attempt to obtain possession of Andierstburg terminated equally 
 unsuccessful for the Patriota with that against I'rescott. C)u the 4th 
 of December, a body of about •I.'jO strong, crossed over from Detroit 
 to tlie Canadian shore, marched upon the village of "Windsor, captured 
 the few militia guarding it, burned the steamer Thames, lying at the 
 wharf, and two buildings, murdered a negro wdio refused to join them, 
 and then prepared to march against Sandwich, a village two miles dis 
 ta)it, on the road to Amhersthurgh. 15ut the captured militia soon 
 managed to eflect their escape, after shooting the leader of tlie enemy. 
 
 During tlieir march towards Sandwich the advanced guard of the 
 Patriots brutally murdered Surgeon Hume, of the regular army, who 
 happened to meet them and oll'ered his medical aid. ills dead body 
 was shockingly niutilati'd. 15ut his melancholy tate was speedily 
 aveniied bv a detacluueut of 170 militia from Sandwich, actin'f undci 
 the orders of Colonel Prince, who attacked this portion of the enemy, wh(j 
 had meanwhile established themselves in an orchard, coni])lctely routed 
 them, and killed twentv-onc of their number. Uut Colonel Prince 
 stained his victory, by ordering four prisoners, brought iu immediately 
 after the action, to be shot. Twenty-six prisoners were shortly after 
 taken. These were reserved for disposal by the proper tribunal. The 
 loss of the militia in this action was trilling : only one rnau was killed 
 and two wounded. 
 
 The Patriots, however, still retained possession of Windsor, from 
 which Prince did not think proper to dislodge them, as a part of their 
 force, which had meanwhile made a flank movement towards Sandwich, 
 threatened his rear. He accordingly retired upon that village, where 
 he was soon after joined by a detachment of regulars with a field piece, 
 and again proceeded to seek the enemy. But finding that none of the 
 inhabitants would aid them, and having already had enough of fighting, 
 they had in the meantime cither re-crossed the river to Detroit, or 
 concealed themselves in the surrounding woods. Nineteen of the latter, 
 destitute of food, and unable to cross to the opposite shore, were shortly 
 after found frozen to death, around the remains of a fire they had 
 kindled. 
 
 Thus terminated the last Patriot invasion of Canada. Like tho 
 inhabitants of Ogdensburgh, those of Detroit lined the bank of the 
 river during the action at Windsor, and cheered the robber band who 
 
450 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1833, 
 
 . ' \ 
 
 1 \. 
 
 A 
 
 had crossed to assail our gallant militia wiih such disastrous results to 
 tlicinsulvcs. Ijut, the horrid drama of blood iiad not yet terminated, 
 Mercy had been too long nhown to tho cilizens ol" a friendly C(nnitry, 
 wllh which we were at jjeace, who had invaded our soil I'ur piu'itoses ot" 
 rapine and bloodslifd. Court Marlials were acconliiiuly assembled at 
 Kingston and London, tor llie trial nl' the prisoiu-rs taken In arms at 
 Prcscott and Windsor. Ol' llic loriui r, the. I'olc \'on Schnlt/, anil nine 
 other.-5, ehicdy Americans, wer.; executed at Kingston. Tline weio 
 executed at London foj- tho Windsor outrage ; sevtral wi're also exe- 
 cuted ill Lower Canada: and a large number from butli jn'ovinces 
 transported to the penal settlements of New Jrolhuid. Mure tlianhalf 
 of the prisoners taken at Prescott, being youths inuler agt-. were par- 
 doned by Sir George Arthur, anil |>ermitli'd lo r(;tnrii lionie. 
 
 filk(! all rebellions, that of Canaila had jirudiu'i d Its I'uli harvc-t of 
 'lisortler, caused a lar.'rc outlay to the state, and eheckcd the progress 
 of the country ; a.>Idc from arousing Tiiens' rvil [.assiuiis, and drawing 
 a gallant militia from their honies to tlu^ Injui'v of t!i>'ir business. 
 
 I'jvcry true lover of liberty will aumit, I'.at rebellion Is ui'ce-sary 
 and justiliablr, iu eertain circumstances. Vvlim a nation has iict srcu- 
 rity for lite and property, when ih;' rights of person are vIoIalAMl arbl- 
 Li'arily and unjustly by tho pow.'r; tliat bv', wlicn iiiv :i suii'r -harp 
 v.Tongs, .and ih^'Ir liberties ;ire tranvpli'd on daily bv the Ii'mii ji-'id o{ 
 op})res.>ion, then rclieHidu is a virtue not a frime. !t Is j'ar [in'fcr- 
 al)le to die the dcatli of the bravo man, than to live the life of the slave, 
 "^llius, the Swls^-, rrlii'llioii against Austrian tyranny was jiisfliiable, a^ 
 V, as also that of the Stales of ilolhniil, and of the I nlted State's of 
 America. Ibic there was no analogy \\liati'v<'r hetwem ihecondition 
 of ih.ese countries, jn'ior to their rebellion, and that <'f Canada. Ifere 
 trial by jury existed, the law of Habeas ( 'urpus virotected personal 
 rights, and internal taxation was vested in lh>"i local jarliauirut. bi 
 liOwer Canada, the Preneh inhabitants enjoyed a largv'r llboi'ty than 
 their I'ace possessed in any other j>;irt ot die. woi-Jd ; while. In Ij.nrr 
 (^'anada., the few political evils which exit-tod must soon havL' disappeared 
 before tho pressure of constitutional agitation, the progress of national 
 intelligence, and the increase of national ])opnlation and wealth. 
 
 There can bo very little dou])t enterlained, by any impartial or 
 iniprejndiccd person, that the singular and very imprudent conduct of 
 Sir Francis lb Head, produced in a groat measure the wretchedly 
 organised rebellious outbreak in I'jipcr Canaila. Ills injudicious 
 administration, iu tho first place, created a large amount of political 
 dgltation : in tho second, the absence of all military preparation to 
 repress armed riots of any kind, invited the vebellion of a few disaf-^ 
 
[1333. 
 
 s results to- 
 te nuinatcd, 
 ly country, 
 purpo-^i's ot' 
 5si.'ial)lr(.l at 
 ill jirnis at 
 tz, and nine 
 riiiTO woro 
 re ai>o f.xo- 
 
 I jn'ovlneoa 
 )V0 than half 
 c. \VLTC par- 
 
 0. 
 
 II liai'vc-t ol 
 llu; pro;j.i'os.s 
 v.iJ I'niwin'.^' 
 sino-->;. 
 
 is ncce'j'^ary 
 
 io'nlnl ai'lii 
 sulll'i' --har;) 
 ii'M!) h'.'i'l of 
 s i'ar [TriVr- 
 ofllio slave, 
 Lisliiiablc, as 
 il Sl.at>'>! ul 
 lio comlltion 
 ail a. ITon' 
 eil pcrsunal 
 ianniit. In 
 iocrty than 
 If. in I'l'Tu'i- 
 uisappcarc^ij 
 s of iialiona! 
 ealth. 
 impartial or 
 it con tl net of 
 
 wrotehodly 
 inJLiJicions 
 t of political 
 eparation to 
 
 a fe\Y disaf-, 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4'A 
 
 1838.] 
 
 fectcd persons, such as must always exist in the best govcniid conn- 
 trius. J>u(, tlu'so elrcunistanci'S, nevertheless, do n.it l.ssrit thr < ilini- 
 ualty of the eonrso ()ursik'd hy William f-yon .Mackrn/Ie, win) was 
 decidedly the Icadin:,' evil >[/uit of lli< crisi-:, ;ind who is iiuu'ally 
 rusponsihh; f(ji' nnicli, if not ail, (jf the blooiKIieil in Ipptic Canada at 
 this period. His career s.'.'ms to have brcn ever i fTectivi' fur rni--chief, 
 and powerl'.'vs f((i' irood. Taken all toLTlhcr, tli;it carer stamps him a-i 
 an iii'liffeivui 
 land, if 
 
 |;'.i'k Ui al 
 
 ra'Ics. 
 
 i'revio'is Ik his iMnI'''i'al '"V- lVo)n S( 
 
 id, if riunor sp, a.cs coi'reetly, Ik; was snai'.y an nnlucivv poillrr : m 
 Canada he has heen an indiilVrcnt shopman; an imsueeesslnl news- 
 paper pulili -her; more iiijiirlou; to hisfrieiil; thin his taiendi's as rv 
 mcniiier of parliament ; and a scrry rebel '^'ii 'r.il. Iff. has failed, in 
 8hort, hi (jverylhluL; nf ini[M_irtani;e ho has eviT nnderlaken ; and in no 
 respect iimre :jo lh;ui in his attemiit to eslal)II-.!i ;i re'iiibllc In llils [ ro- 
 vince. His ear a' in thf. T'liled States was iM^nally \nisnccs -,-tul ; and 
 at length s[inrnod liy the peo[)h.' lu; h.id mlsl-d wilh faUo nprescntatlons, 
 he was f,!ad once more to siieiter his foitines under the, old Inioii 
 Jack, which hi had so iinpotenlly essayed 1) tvaiap'.; in llie dnsl. \or 
 since his I'cliiin to < 'anada ii is hi ; career be mi one whit more, fortmiatp. 
 Instead of retiring- frcnn [)iib';i',; view, and devoting the <.kelIno of li(o 
 to mei-t penitciico and sdrrow ibr all tlh-. ml--ery he caused— in the 
 desolated Ik-.irihs, the ehihiiess ]iarents, the widows ani.l or[ihans his 
 folly hail maiie — lie a.rain thrusts hiinself promin ntly bef)rc the, com- 
 munity, (juarrels with his furiner associates In eiim'^, pnb'islies a news- 
 paper which dies o It for want of support ; and In his idd ;il'.'. with (>nc 
 foot already in the irrave, mm round the country advoiMting the 
 repeal ol" ilu- union bet'.veen the two province-., the wvy la-i, nieasuro 
 which any one at all acnuainied with the ];a-t lii>toi'y of this country 
 should siij»poit. ^Mackenzie's popularity wi-s ba-^eil upon the pa-slnns 
 and prejudices (.f the hour, and was n(./t the i-e-.uit i.f steriliig virtue, 
 sincere patriotism, n'U' innate nol)leness of .,alur'\ ibiblie pnnularlty 
 to be lastlnix nnist bi' [lure; and mi'U lil;e hiia wlio see!; inlluenee by 
 pandering t.> the [las.-ions and prejudices of the masses, nuist becmlent 
 to descend to Ih.eir oi'Iginal position, If not even lower, when those pas- 
 sions and prejuijices shall have teased to exist, and w'len cool rcdeclloa 
 induces sorrow both fin- one and the other. William [.von ^Nfaekenzic 
 and Sir Francis Bond Head, were probably the two greatest enemies, 
 in the respective policies they pursued, this [irovince has ever had, 
 lint the errors of the latter were the result of inexperience and incapa- 
 city for government — the criiiics of the former originated in constitu- 
 tional perversity and a natural turn for mischicl*, characteristics which 
 r«c«iveJ additional developemcnt from the position, to which the 
 
452 
 
 , ' \ 
 
 '■■ . << 
 
 cxcitomcnt of the times, and fho 
 clovat('(l him. 
 
 TFIE HISTORY [183a 
 
 paucity of talent in a new country, 
 
 Mi 
 
 lacKonzie.'s ahilitics arc all of a very motllooro s(ani)) : he Is equally 
 an liidiflt'ri'nt writer and a commoii-[)la(.'c speaker. I'lider ordinary 
 circumstances he. could never occupy a distinjfuished position in any 
 community. AVhilo decidedly superior in al)ility to his countryman 
 Gourlay, like him ho lacked the mctliod and perseverance necessary 
 to command success in any undertaking, and ever showed a disposition 
 to run from one thing tu another. Ifc ilits changefully before the eye 
 as an itinerant vender of wares in Scotland, as a shopman, a newspa- 
 per editor, a bookseller, a member of parliament, an agitator, a politi- 
 cal agent to England, a fomcnter of rebellion, and a rebel general. 
 Jn the latter ca})acity ho was chiefly distinguished for the masterly 
 retreat ho effected to Lewiston, not at the head of his defeated forces, 
 ■whomho niaf/iianiiHons/i/ left to take care of themselves, but ignomi- 
 niously disguised in womens' clothes. In the United States he shifled 
 his occupation with the same cliamelion rapidity as in Canada, induced 
 many foolish men to jeapordise their necks, while he was remarkably 
 careful of his own precious existence, having received a lesson on the 
 uncertainty of war at Gallows Ilill, and disgusted at length as mugh 
 with the Americans as they wore with him, he came to Canada to avow 
 that sad experience had convinced him a constitutional monarchy, after 
 all, was superior to a repnblic. Since his return to this country his 
 mediocrity has become more and more apparent. While newspapers 
 are carried on in every town and village of Canada successfully by 
 others, whose support is much less than that which ho received, his 
 3lcssaffc had. a brief existence, and while alive was not distinguished for 
 ably written editorials, such as appear in our leading journals ; but, on 
 the contrary, for snappish and ill-natured articles, querulous complain- 
 ings, and for being a receptablc for all manner of outre odds and ends, 
 the fungus of an energetic, yet diseased and i^l-balanced, intellect. 
 
[183a 
 
 iK'W country, 
 
 he is equally 
 lor ordinary 
 isitiou in any 
 
 countryman 
 ICC necessary 
 a disposition 
 leforc the eye 
 an, a newspa- 
 :ator, a politi- 
 obel general, 
 the masterly 
 cfeatcd forces, 
 s, l)Ut ignomi- 
 itos ho shifted 
 .nada, induced 
 IS rcniarlcably 
 
 lesson on the 
 igth as much 
 niada to avow 
 onarohy, after 
 s country his 
 ile newspapers 
 icccssfully by 
 
 received, his 
 5tinguished for 
 rnals; but, on 
 ous complain- 
 »dds and ends, 
 iitcUcct. 
 
 453 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 [ism 
 
 cirAPTEii xxir. 
 
 THE VSIO-^ OF ri'I'KU AM) LOWETJ CANADA. 
 
 Internal rebellion and piratii.'al invasion, had been aliko 
 1839. rcprossod l)y the gallant iniUlia of llu^ Canadas, and the lirni 
 attitude assumed by its civil govenunont and military author- 
 ities. (.)[)on violence, and the 'vtu-like sUvnglh (,)f 8.000,000 uf peojdo 
 in the rnilu.l Stalos, had failed to sever this country from (Jreat 
 Britain in tho Three Years' War of lSl2-o— 4: secret treason and 
 partial internal disaiToction had ]n'oved equally impotent. The people 
 of the Amei ieaa border, who h;id hoped to see Canada, in being con- 
 nected with their country, a fruit ful source of speculation and profit to 
 themselves, had at length discovered their mistake in expecting that 
 connection, and saw how egregiou^Iy they had been deceived by the 
 representations of the; niisehievous ^raekiiizie and others of the same 
 stamp. Their eager thirst for gain had blinded them to the true con- 
 dition of this country, and led them to twaddle about Canadian free- 
 dom, with the shackles of three million of their own slaves — their 
 human chattels, clanking in their ears. The result of all their secret 
 border associations to revolutionise the Canadas, and annex them to 
 the United States, had their finale in the wretched attempts on Sand- 
 wich and Prescott. They now sought to cover their defeat, and 
 remove the stigma their improper conduct had cast upon their govern- 
 ment, by organising public meetings to prevent further aggression on 
 Canada, as if such a result could be accomplished by the frothy 
 declamations of place-hunting demagogues. 
 
 But Canada needed no questionable aid of this stamp; and was just 
 as independent of the public opinion of the United States in 1839, as she 
 was of their military prowess in the Three Years' War. During the 
 course of this year the various military works in progress were com- 
 pleted. All the important defensive positions were re-established ; and 
 the entire Canadian frontier, from Maine to Michigan, thus placed in a 
 state of security. A re-organisation of the militia substituted perma- 
 
, ' \ 
 
 , <♦ 
 
 4r.4 Tin-: histotiy [isso. 
 
 iiont corps for u certain iinmhrr ol ycjus' scrvlco, for tliosn liitliorto 
 esfablislK'tl fur !i tlw iimiitlis or a i)articiihu' omcrgfiicy. 'J" 'niniiu 
 army HnI tiir rppcr Canada aloiu' sliowi'il 100 oi>iii|il(ti« ro!iiiiuiits, 
 witli (1k! full coiii|i!riii(.'iit ofollirrrs and hlaiij tlic iiaMit;.s of the two lat- 
 ter grades filliiiL' ^^5 closely priiiled oetavu pa'^es. Tin re were I hut- 
 talions of liicMi'poi'ated .\[ilitia, (.rL.Miii<ed and clolhel like tlie lr()o[is of 
 til.' liiu! ; \'l l>all;ilioiis of I'i'ovincial militia, on duty fir a stated 
 period : ,"1 corjis of arlillery, cavalry, eolonil compann-!, niid rillc- 
 iiun; while ino^t of ilie militia cor[).s ha I a troo[) ot cavalry attacliod 
 to tlk'in. Thus, wiih a population of 'l')0,0()0 soiiN, Tpiur Canada 
 could easily asscniblo 40, ()()(> im n in arms without serioU'-ly distres- 
 sing^ tlic ctjuiitiy. She has )M>\y alioiit l.'^.'jO.OOO inhaMlanls, and a 
 militia forco 100,000 stron;r. could at any t nicrjfency he readily raised 
 /'or defeii'-ive purpo-("^. Mevcr was thi< eounlry In a hetter po>;ilion lo 
 resist foreign aj^^ression than at llio pi'escnt uiouient, presumin.^" that 
 resistance was hased upon i'!ghte(^us ju ini'i[iles. 
 
 The regular army iu Canada, in l^-'j'.', con-istcd of 17 reL;inu'nt.'i 
 of the line, 1 re,!.Tiiiii'nt of calvalry, and a pro[ier [troportiou of the 
 Jloyal Artillei-y, ,S;ijipei's, ^[iiier-, and i'oyal i-liiLiiiu'eis," On f-akt-j 
 (.Ontario ami h^rie, a n.ival force lia 1 been eslalilijiied, under the orders 
 oi Captain Sandom, K. X., to man which seanii a an! marines were 
 sent out from Knirland. i la! ultitiKh; thus a;--nnied hy Canada checkeii 
 itirlher orLrani<ed invasion ; ami heyoi.i! i-olaied hurnini;s of tlio 
 dwelli'n!:js of loyalists and out raises on llieir persons, notliin^f oocuirel 
 further to d'stuih the public pi aci', th.e di-pute-^ about iho iMainc boun- 
 dary e\ce[ited. l)ut, oiir iiei'^hbors' blustcriiit,', cviu on this [o"nt, 
 was gradually overboriie by their good common s(n<''; the matter was 
 left to bo pcttled by arbitration ; and ihternationa.l cominerco was 
 again oommeiioed between these provinces iind the I nited State:^ two 
 (oinitries who-<e true policy !^hould over be to remain on the moit 
 friendly terms, while such a course is couaisteut with national honor 
 and independence. 
 
 On the 27 th of February, the I.ogisjiiture of Tppcr Canada was 
 again convened. The opening speech oi !Sir (Jeorgc Arthur was a long 
 one : it reviewed the recent painl'ul occurrences, and pointed out tlio 
 measures which he deemed necessary for the welfare of the country. 
 Ho recommended the settlement of the Clergy IJcsei'vo question, on 
 whicli there was still much bitter agitation, and the promotion (if ed\i- 
 cation by an improvement in the Common School system. The (iov- 
 ernracnt, he stated,'looked for speedy resumption of specie payment by 
 
 * Canada as it Was, &.Q., vol. 2, p. 187, 189, 
 
3S0 Ijitliorto 
 
 ']" 'i.lllilii 
 
 ' I'eiriuniitH, 
 
 iho two lut- 
 
 Wi'Vi' l l>llt- 
 
 In; troo[is of 
 II If ;i statoil 
 ■>), iiii'l rillo- 
 Iry ultaoliod 
 \[K'V (':;nai1a 
 jU'^ly ilistros- 
 lanls!, ami :i 
 LWilily raised 
 ■f [ni-^ition lo 
 L'siuiiiii.^" that 
 
 irtioii (if the 
 '•■ ( )n [..ikoij 
 I r ill'.' oTilcrs 
 iii:ifiii(.'S wi'i'.' 
 n;ii!;i i-hccki'i't 
 liiiiL:'; of tliJ 
 
 llllio- OOl'llllV I 
 ]M;iii,v; lioiiii- 
 
 >n tliis [ ohit, 
 
 10 inattci' was 
 
 mmiM'co. was 
 
 Stall':-, two 
 
 ,11 th*'. most 
 
 ational honor 
 
 CaiKula wa-! 
 ur was a long 
 nted out the 
 the country, 
 fjnc^tlon. on 
 oticn of eJiJ- 
 1. The (}ov. 
 i payment by 
 
 is;j'.). 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 455 
 
 the hanks (susponded dinlnir ll"> recent troid)les) ut an c.iHy period, 
 and tni-i'cd that no dlilladlies on ih.l In ad would be i x|ierieneed. He 
 also alluded to till' depri'ssed eondillun of tiie linanoes of the proviiieo, 
 and the necessity, ncverthi'li'^s, of sustaining hini in the large disburse- 
 ments, not provided Un- by act if parlianiriit, which he had been cnui- 
 jtcUed to make in eoinu'> ilo'i wi''' llu- di f' nee i>t llh' oiuntiw. 'J'iierc 
 were t)thcr claims, h' . ' .i ■ ■ , o\ Ideij tor ; intelligence which 
 
 was unlavorably rr(i'i\v ' ^y lii. i h ... e. 
 
 The linanees ol the upper piuvin.'.'. at this jierlod, were far li'om 
 being in a flouri^liing condition. 'J'he eon>truelion of tlie great works, 
 undertaken in various direelloi;', had inina-i d the jaiblie debt so 
 largely, that the amnial iuteri st thereon amoinitrd to .I'tlJj.OOO. The 
 civil expenditure of llie ])recedlng year was i;'^0,()00 larger than the 
 usual amount ; and thr deficiency in the resources of the [uovince, 
 (now annuaily about ct'SO,OuO,) to meet tlu' exptudlture for the current 
 year, would amount to over :C'9U,000 or >^;»(!U,(Ki(>.'^'' Inlets some 
 means wrre devisL-d lo reiiunly this state of things, it was evident that 
 sooner or later there must be a national bankrii|itcy. 
 
 The publication of Lord Durham's report dui'Ing the f^prlng, led 
 thinking men to look forward to the union of the sister provinces, as 
 the panacea for manv of the evils under which both were laboring. 
 Kcsolutions np[iroving of this \inion wvw introducc.l into the Assem- 
 bly and passed there, but thrown out In the I pper House by a majority 
 of two. The srr,sIon of parliament, wlileh termiiaited <jn the Mlh of 
 May, was chielly distinguished tor lln.so resolutions, the as>ujnjilion of 
 the Welland Canal by the government, and an abortive attempt to set- 
 tle the Clergy lie^erve (juestlon. 
 
 Isleanwhile, ^Mackenzie, who had made an unsuccessful attemjit to 
 t'stabri>h a newspa])er in New ^'ork, had removed to Itochcster, \vhcrc 
 he speedily became so mipopular with the community, that he was 
 finally arrested, indicted, and tried for promoting armed c.\peditioua 
 against rp[)er Canada to overturn its govermcnt. He grounded his 
 defence in part on the presumj)lion, that this jtrovlncc was in a state of 
 anarchy at tiio time of the outbreak at Toronto, and thatno government 
 consccjucntly existed. Alluding, during his trial to the present (2necn, 
 ho said '• 1 aflirm that the girl has Ibrfelted all right to rule over any 
 part of what she claims as her dominions. I was born in the reign of 
 her uncle, and have long been tired of their usurped tyranny."' ])es- 
 jpite all his quibbles, and all his endeavors to pander to the anti-15ritish 
 prejudices of his audience, the jury found him guilty, and he was sen- 
 
 * Christian Guardian, 2li'h. March, 1839. 
 
4&0 
 
 Till;: IIISTOUY 
 
 I H 
 
 [1839. 
 
 tonocd to eighteen months' imprisomncnt in the juil of Monroe County, 
 and h) pay u lino of ton clollurs.* It wiis t\ tiinly |iii'co of justice, 
 l)roiiji;lit ubout cliiolly by liiuiscilf, mnl was doenKMl tlu; casiijst way to 
 get rid of him hy his foiinL-r admirers. I*uor and friendless they 
 iiindtf him tho scapi'f^oat of others sins as well as his own. 
 
 Lord Durham's Jt('|tort had imineiisi'ly strengthened the hands of 
 the friends of rosponsilde ^^ovcrnini-ut in I'pper Canada. Meetings 
 were held at which resolutions were jiasse(| in favor of its establish- 
 ineiit, and it was eviiloiit tiiat in future no Canadian administration 
 need lo<)k for much public supi»ort, \ndess it was based on that princi- 
 ple. Matters, in the meantime, were gradually assuming their wonted 
 H[)prarnnce of <iuiet ; while, in addition lo tiiis blessing, a most abun- 
 dant harvest gladdened the hearts of the community. 
 
 Meanwhile, Sir John Colborne had been ijipointed (iovernor Gene- 
 rnl of the Canadas, and continued to lake the accessary steps fur their 
 pacification. But his long and arduous exertions for the benefit of 
 this country, and in the service of his sovereign, led him to desire 
 repose, and ho accordingly requested his recall. On the 17th of Octo- 
 ber, Mr. Poulett Thompson, his successor, arrived at Quebec, and 
 relieved him of the cares of government. On the 2i]ix\ ho sailed for 
 England, where, for his eminent services, he was raised to the peerage 
 by the title of Lord Scaton. I'rior to his de[)arturo ho received the 
 most flattering addresses faom all parts of Canada. 
 
 THE GOVEllXMENT OF LOIII) SYDENIFAIM. 
 
 The apjtointmcnt of a plain untitled civilian — a simple British mer - 
 chant, to be Covernor Ccnci'al of these provinces, was unpalatable to 
 many of its inhabitants. Mr. Thompson, too, had long been concerned 
 in the timber trade of the IJaltic, the great rival commerce of the 
 Canadas, and this made him unpopular for the moment with some of 
 their principal merchants. And yet, he was the very man suited to 
 the emergency ; and, as it subsequently proved, fully equal to extricat- 
 ing these provinces from the critical condition in which they were now 
 situated, (lifted with talents of a high order, deeply versed in matters 
 of finance, and well read in the subtle ])ages of human nature, it was 
 fortunate for the Canadas that ho accepted their government, instead of 
 the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, oflered him by the Melbourne 
 Administration. 
 
 The union of the two provinces had now been determined on by the 
 
 * llocliestor i>fffzoc'rfl^, June 2Gth, 1835, 
 
[1839. 
 
 iroc County, 
 J of justice, 
 isli!st way to 
 jiidloss they 
 
 ho hands of 
 I. Mc'ctlnga 
 its cslaljlish- 
 Iministnition 
 n that [>rinci- 
 their wonted 
 a most abun- 
 
 vcrnor Gcno- 
 teps for their 
 he benelit of 
 liim to desire 
 17 th of Oelo- 
 (iuebcc, and 
 ho sailed for 
 o the peerage 
 ; received the 
 
 c British mcr - 
 nipalatable to 
 ecn concerned 
 inercc of the 
 with some of 
 man suited to 
 ill to cxtricat- 
 icy were now 
 sed in matters 
 nature, it was 
 ent, Instead of 
 le Melbourne 
 
 ned on by the 
 
 1889.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 a::7 
 
 Homo Ministry, fts well ns the. concession of responsible pnvcrnment 
 to the Ihitisli niiijoriiy, which that unii)n must create. The rucoiil 
 re})ellion had shown cit arly tlK- attachnicnt of that majority to the 
 mother country, and how sufily it could bo truste(l with i-very privlK-go 
 which couUI 'h> regarded m the birthright of i!riti>h frccjuen. Tho 
 following t'Xlnw f from Lord J"hu Uusseil's 1 )is]iatch, of tho 
 14th October, 1S31), ilJustratosclearJy iho viowsof the Ibiiish ministry 
 on this head : — 
 
 "Tilt! (^lU'cn's fJov(>rinncnt have no <lesire to thwart thi' r>'prosonta- 
 tivc nssenibles (it Uritish Nortii Americtk in their nn-asures of relbriu and 
 improvement. They have no wish to make those provinces tin; re- 
 source f(>r patronat,'e at homo. 'I'lu'y are earnestly intent on giving to 
 the talent ami character of leading persons in the colonies, advantages 
 similar to those whieh talent and character, employed in the jiuhllc 
 service of the I'nited Kinfidom, o])tain. Her ^laiestv has no desire 
 to maintain anv svstem in i)oliev amoiiif her Ndrth American subjects 
 which opinion condemns, in receiving the (Queen's commands, there- 
 fore, to protest airainst any declaration at variance with the honor of 
 tho Crown, and the unity of the empire, I am at the same time instructed 
 to announce her Majesty's gracious intention to look to the alTectionato 
 attachment ol her jieople in North America, as the best security Ibr 
 permanent dominion. 
 
 "It is necessary for this purpose that no ofiicial misconduct should be 
 Bcreened by her Maji!sty's re[)resentativi! in tin; pnivinces; and that 
 no private interests should be allowed to comix'te with the gtmeral 
 good. 
 
 "Your Excellency is tully in possession of tho princijiles wliiili have 
 guided her Majesty's advisers on this subject ; and you must be aware 
 that there is no surer way of earning tlie apjirobation of the (incen, 
 than by maintaining the harmony of the (jxeculive with the legislativo 
 authorities, 
 
 " ^^'hile [ have thus cautioned you against any declaraliou from 
 which dangerous conse(pienccs might heri'afrer (low, and iii>Lrueted you 
 as to ihe general line of your conduct, it may bo said that I have not 
 drawn any sprcilie line beyond which the powi'r of the (iovernor on 
 the one hand, and the jirivili.-gcs of the Assembly on the other, (-nght 
 not to extend. lUit this must be the case in any mixed governnient. 
 Every political constitution in which dlirereiit boilles share the siijiremo 
 power, is only en;ibied to exist by the Ibrbearance oi those aniou'j; wlioni 
 this power is distributed. In this respect thuexamiile ot J'lngland may 
 well be imitated. The sovereign using the prerogative of the Crown 
 to the utmost extent; and the J louse of Commons exerting its ]U)\ver 
 of the purse, to carry all its resolutions into immediate ( ti'ect, would 
 produce contusion in the country in less than a twelvemonth. 8o in a 
 colony : the (Governor thwarting evei'y legitimate projiosition of the 
 Assembly; and tho Assembly continually recurring to its power of 
 refusing supplies, can but disturl) all political I'elations, embarrass trade, 
 and retard the prosperity of the jieojile. Each must exercise a wise 
 moderation. The Governor must only oppose the wishes of tho As- 
 
458 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 1.1839. 
 
 . ,,| 
 
 , H 
 
 Ecin bly M-licrc the honor of tlio Crown, or the intcrosts of tl; t-mpiro 
 are deeply eoiieei-!!''! ; anil thi- Assembly must be ready to modifjr 
 some of its measures inv the sake <if harinniiy, and from a reverent 
 altaeliment to tl)0 authority of Great IJi'itain." 
 
 In these vie\.s ]\Ir, Thomii.son lullv concuri'ed. JFe saw olearlv the 
 necessity of ji>;iAlng the hlxeeutive Cuuiieil harmonise witli the 1 louse 
 of Assembly, by vcnderinu' its princijKil membt'rs dependent for their 
 j^ositioii, as in I'.niiland. on the niiijni'ity in the latter. In this way the 
 Canadian ministry would be direetly responsible to the people, who in 
 their (■lifii(.'o of representatives, j'h'dged to support the ministry or 
 otherwise, could declare at the polls whether they placed conlldencc in 
 or distrusted the .l']xcoutive. That he had a most diliicult task to 
 aceom})lish will readily be jierceived. 'J'lu're was no party in the 
 country on whom he could roniidciiliy rely for support. The Family 
 Compact majority iu the I^riiislative Council, had already shown by 
 their vole they were oj>[tosed to the union; an alteration in that council 
 must lead to mdavorable comnient in England and Canada, while he 
 >vas unable to aseerlain how far the Jveform Party might be disposed to 
 second Ins views, ]Many of them werc^ opposed to a union, and there 
 M'as accordiiigly no settled party in the country, on whom ho could 
 rely to su]iport the jKilicy ot his administration. Jle, therefore, went 
 to work with the means already at his disposal, and made no altera- 
 tion eithei' in the Special Council of Lower Canada, or in the lA'gisla- 
 tive Council of the sister ju-ovince. Tliis course sludtercd him from • 
 all imputalious of using sinister or imjiroper m'"'ans to carry out 
 his p<'liey, and gave additional weight to the decision of the Canadian 
 Jegi<lalive bodies in England. His pc'licy was a manly and straight- 
 forward one, and deserved the great success which it ultimately met 
 Avith. 
 
 Ou the Covernor (ieiierars ai'rival at (^uelice he was ])rescnted with 
 several addnsses frcan the inhabitants, ((Ue of which urged upon liis 
 notice the proj>riety vl' making that city the seat of govei-nment. lie 
 made, no stay there, however, and immediately proceeded to Montreal, 
 Mhere he convened the Special Council on the 11th of November, and 
 shortly after directed tlieir attention to her Maje>ty's message, of the pre- 
 ceding ord of ^la\, to both Jlouses of the liritish Parliament, relative 
 to the legislative re-union of Vpper and Lower Canada, lie exidained, 
 at the same time, the views entei'tained by the Home Government 
 on this head, and their desire to have the existing suspension of the 
 constitution }>ut an end to. that the resources of the country might be 
 more fully developed, and the peace and happiness of all clssscs of its 
 inhabitants etlectually secured. '" Mutual sacrifices, said his Excellency 
 ''' were undoubtedly required, mutual concessions would be demanded j 
 
[1839. 
 
 oftl: cmpiro 
 ly to iiiodifj 
 la a reverent 
 
 iw cloiivly the 
 illi tlio House 
 lent Ibr their 
 1 this way the 
 tcoplo, who in 
 ! ministry or 
 
 conlidcncc in 
 ioult task to 
 party in the 
 'J'lic Family 
 ly shown by 
 n that council 
 lada, wliilc he 
 Ije (lisjiosed to 
 ion, au'l tlicre 
 ,honi ho could 
 lorcforc, went 
 \de no altera- 
 n the Leuisla- 
 ivd hiui Irom • 
 
 fo carry out 
 
 the Canadian 
 and straight- 
 
 Itiinateiy met 
 
 irosentod with 
 rged upon his 
 nincnt. He 
 to A[oiitrcal, 
 )voml)er, and 
 igo, of thepre- 
 nient, relative 
 lie explained, 
 ! Government 
 pension of the 
 itry might be 
 1 clssscs of its 
 lis Excellency ^ 
 be demanded ', 
 
 lfi39.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 459 
 
 bnt I entertain no doubt that the terms of the union would be finally 
 adjusted by the Imperial Parliament, with fairness to both provinces, 
 and with the utmost advantage to their inhabitants." 
 
 The Governor General met with little difficulty in inducing the Spe- 
 cial Council to second his views, by their favorable action on the union 
 question. On the loth, the following resolutions were agreed to by 
 the majority, as the basis on which they were willing to unite the lower 
 with the upper province: — 
 
 " 1. licso/i'C'/, That ur:der existing circumstances, in order to provide 
 adequately for the peace and trantpiillity, and the good, constitutional, 
 and efficient goveniiuent of the piovincies of Upper and Lower Canada, 
 the re-union of these provinces under one legislature, in the opinion of 
 this Coimcil, has heconie of indispensable and urgent necessity. 
 
 "2. Rcsoloi'd. That the declared determination of her Majesty, con- 
 veyed in her gracious message to Parliament, to re-unite the provinces 
 of Upper iind Lower Canada, is in accordance with the opinion enter- 
 tained by this Council, and rect.'ives their ready acquiescence. 
 
 " o. licsiolvcd. That an\oiig the principal enactments, which in the 
 opinion of this Council, ought to mai\e part of the Imperial Act for re- 
 uniting the provinces, it is expedient and desirable that a suitable civil 
 list slxudd be provided for securing the independence of judges, and 
 maintaining the exeeulive government in the exercise of its necessary 
 and indispensable functions. 
 
 "4. liesolved, That regard bein;^ Jiad to the nature of the public debt 
 of Upper Cana<la, and the objects for whieh principally it wan contracted, 
 namely, the improvement of internal communications, alike useful and 
 beneficial for both provinces, it would be just and reasonable in the 
 opinion of this Council, that such [)art of said debt, as has been con- 
 tracted for this object, and not for defraying expenses of a hjcal nature, 
 should be chargeable on the r. • eiuics of both province*. 
 
 "5. Baaoli'cd, That the adjur^tment and settlement of the terms of 
 the re-union of the two province*, may, in the opinion of this Council, 
 with all confidence be submitted to the wi»ilom and justice of the Im- 
 perial Parliament, under the full asHurauce that provision of the nature 
 of those already mentioned, as well as such others as the measure of 
 re-union n)ay re()uire, will receive due consideration. 
 
 "0. Hcsolved/l hat in the opinion of this Coimcil, it is most expe- 
 dient, with a view to the security of her Majcjity'* North American pro- 
 vinces, and the speedy cessation of the enormous expense now incurred 
 by the parent state tor the defence of Upper and Lower Canada, that 
 the present temporary Legislature of this provinee should, as soon as 
 practicable, be succecfded by a permanent Legislature, in which the peo- 
 ple of these two ])rovinces may bo adequately represented, and their 
 constitutional rights exercised and maintained." 
 
 This important question being thus disposed of, so far as regarded 
 Lower Canada, the Special Council was discharged from further atten- 
 •Jwice for the present. In this settlement, so agreeable to persons of 
 
 all 
 
460 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [183^. 
 
 . ' A 
 
 British hiit'i niJ origin in Lower Canniliv, the wishes oi the French 
 popula..w;^ vvere not consulted. They were still, so fiir as tlie great 
 jnajority were concerned, as much opposed to a union wilh rp;)er (.'an- 
 ada as over; but, by their recent dis;itT«.'Cli(Mi, thry li;id lorfcltod every 
 just ■/'it fo ')i; consulted in the inattei', 'i'he fcclinif of the loyul 
 Inl.- 'i!;...L : ..>-re, therefore, alone taken into eonsiiJeration, ;nid how the 
 inti u;r,-: i. liie Canadas, and o! the Empire at large, could be best sub. 
 sci". J .' V.;l, tiiero can be i.o doubt, that this policy was fully as 
 beneficial to the French population, as to any other class of the com- 
 munity. 'J'h'^ benefits and privileges it secured, belong to them eijually 
 wi.i'. ' ii;...i.T' -1 of British origin, and in the sol)er exercise of constitu- 
 tiuna. Jbert), they are far happier and better evury way, than they 
 could possibly be as a province of France, as an independent republic, 
 
 like Mexico, or, as a state of the American Uni( 
 
 )n. Itie course pur- 
 sued hitherto by the majority of the French-Canadians, clearly showed 
 they were unfitted for the sober exercise of constitutional government, 
 and that the peace and prosperity of these provinces could alone be 
 oflectually secured, by uniting them more intimately wilh the inhabi- 
 tants of British descent. The governmental hypothesis assumed by 
 Mr. Pitt, in 1791, had in short been found by experience to be com- 
 ple'.ely in error, and the policy of union, advocated by his great rival 
 Fox, was at length about to triumph.* 
 
 * The f ' ving letter from Mr. Tlioinpson to Lord Jolin Russell, iinJer date 
 Nov. 18th, 188'J, presents ii correct picture of liow laatters stood at tiiis period:— 
 
 " My Loud, — I have the honor to inform your lordihij), that having summoned 
 the Special Council by proclamation, to meet on ]\[onday, the lltli instant, I then 
 ^'ubmittcd to them the question of the re-union of tlie two provinces of Upper 
 and Lower Canada, and solicited their opinion respecting it. 
 
 "On Thursday, the lith inst., I rt^coived from that body the address, ofwliieh, 
 and my answer, I liavc tlie honor to enclose copies; and I likewise transmit an 
 extract from tlie journals, from wiiich your lordship will learn Iheir proceedings. 
 
 " I beg your lordship to remark, that the meml)er3 composing the Special 
 t^ouncil remain the same as during the administration of n^y prolecessor. It may 
 he necessary hereafter, in the exercise of my discretion, to make some altera- 
 tions, with a view to increase the efficiency of that body ; but I felt that, as the 
 opinions of her Majesty's Government in regard to the union are well known, it 
 was extremely desii'al)l«! that I shouM if possible, submit the ccisidcration of that 
 important question to a council in whose selection I hail myself had no voice. 
 
 "It appeared to me that to secure the due weigiit in the Mother Counti-y to the 
 judgement of a body so constituted, it was im'ispensable to avoid even tlie jiossi- 
 l)ility of an im])utation that I had selected for its members those only whose ojiin- 
 ions coincided with my own, 
 
 "I had moreover every reason to believe, from the motives -which guided my 
 [iredeeessor in liis choice that the (^ouneil contains a very fair representatioa of 
 ;Ue state of feeling in the dilFerout districts of the province. 
 
[183^. 
 
 the French 
 
 ,s ihc grorit 
 
 rp;)cr dan- 
 loltod every 
 jf the loyiil 
 antl liow the 
 
 be best sub- 
 ,-as fully as 
 
 of the com- 
 hom ei]U!illy 
 1 of conslitu- 
 ly, than they 
 ent rer)ir.tlic, 
 
 co\irsi- pur- 
 :!f\rly showed 
 
 ffoveninient, 
 )uld alone be 
 ih the inhabi- 
 
 assiinied by 
 .>e to be corn- 
 is great rival 
 
 1839.] 
 
 OF C\NADA. 
 
 461 
 
 •11, uihIl'I- date 
 it, this pt-riod:— 
 iii;^ siitiunoned 
 instant. 1 then 
 inces of Upper 
 
 dress, of which, 
 ise transmit an 
 ir proceedings. 
 iijjj the Special 
 cos?ov. It may 
 Ue some altera- 
 tVlt that, as the 
 well known, it 
 idoration of that 
 [id no voice. 
 Country to the 
 oven the possi- 
 ily whoso opin- 
 
 liieh guided my 
 iMtreseutation of 
 
 S 
 
 The preliminary stops towariN t'to union having been fully accom- 
 p]iJ^ht'(l in fiiiwer Canaila, the (lOVLM-nor General proceeded to the ii[iper 
 province, and arrived at 'loronlo or the 21st of Xnveniber. On the 
 followinir day he assumed tenipor.i.. •harj^e of tlr; administration, ;\nd 
 was sw^>rn in at the ('(luncil ( liaml. r, in pri'sence of the heads of 
 departrneiits and si'Vci'al of the nriiici|ial inliai)it:uiLS, when the Lieu- 
 tenant (Governor, .Sir (JcMrp;i' Arthur, still tln' dcei'i'jd en>'hiy of re^pon- 
 sihle government, [ilacfd the great si'al cd" the province in his hands. 
 The fjegisjaturc of Tpper Canada had already be. mi siimm.mcd to meet 
 
 "For ilxese reasons [ dcti rinined <.in makiri;^ no aUrratimi whatever; and it is 
 with grout satisfa''lion thai I can now refer to the opinions of this body, adopted 
 almost inianiniously. Their views as to the urgency of tlie union, and the advan- 
 tages likely to residt fron\ it t" the prosince, are set f(»rth in tlieir address in 
 terms Ko forcilile, as to leave me nolhing to f-ay with reference to their opinion. 
 But I must add. that it is my deeid<'d ci>nvielion, gi-ouiided ujion such oilier op- 
 portunities as I have enjoyed since my ai'iival in this couiilry, of asci-rtaining the 
 state of |uil)Iic feeling, the speedy ado|itiiin of that measure by Parliament is in- 
 dispensable to the future peace and ]>ros|>erity of this jirovince. 
 
 " jVU ]iarties look with extreme dissatisfaction at tiie present state of Govern- 
 ment. Those of British origin, attached by feeling and education to i constitu- 
 tional form of govcnmcnt, altliougli they aciiuieseed nt the time in the estab- 
 lishment of ariiitrary powei", as a refugci from a yet woi'se despotism, suhmit with 
 ini]iatience to it-; continuance, and r>"^retthi,' Inss, through no fault of their own, 
 of what tliey consider as their Ijirthri: lit. Those of the French Canadians who 
 remained loyal to their Sovereign and ti'uc to the liritish connexion, !:hare the 
 same feeling ; whilst anumg those who are less well all'eeted or nioi'e easily de- 
 ceived, the suspension of all constitutional I'ights aii'ords to reckless and unpa'inei- 
 pled agitators a constant to])ic of cxciteiiient. 
 
 "All ])arlics, therefore, wiiho\it exceiilion, demand achan-jfc; on the nature of 
 that change, there inidouhtedly exists some <lilferi'nce of oiiiniori. 
 
 " In a counlry so lately ccuivnlscd, and where j^assions are still so much ex- 
 cited, extreme o|)inions cannot hut exist; and aeeordimdy, while some ptrsonB 
 advocate tin immediate return to the former con,~titution ol' the jirovince, others 
 propose either the exclusion frein political jirivileges of all of French origin, or 
 tlie partial dismendierinent of the ]>rovince, with the view of confei-ring on on« 
 portion a representative system, wiiile maintaining in the other a despotism. 
 
 "I have observed, however, that the advocates of these widely ditl'erent opin- 
 ions have generally admitted them to be their as]iirations, rathei- than nu'asures 
 which could jiractically be ailopled, and have heeu unahle to suggest any courKo 
 except the union by which that at which they aim, namely, constitutional gov- 
 ernment for the.nselves, could he pernumently and safely estalili.-heil. 
 
 "There exists, too, even amongst tiieso persons, a strong and pre\iiiling desire 
 that the Imperial Lcgishituro tlnudd take the settlement of Caruidian ail'airs at 
 once into its own bauds, rather than that it shouhl be delayed by reference to 
 individual opinions, or to those ]^ut forward by different sections of local i)artic.s. 
 
 "Tlie large majority, however, of those whose opinions I have had the oppor- 
 tunity of learning, both of tlie British and French origin, and of those, too, whoso 
 
V « 
 
 46i 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [183». 
 
 
 . ' t 
 
 .■ «. 
 
 :•■:. A 
 
 for the despatch of business on the 3rd Dceennbcr. On that day, the 
 last session of the last parliament of this province, was opened by the 
 Governor General, with the following spe.ili, which showed the inti- 
 mate knowledge ho had already acquired of llio condition of affiiirs: — 
 
 " In discharge of the duties of Governor General of British North 
 America, confulcd to mo by our gracious sovereign, I have deemed it 
 advisable to tai<o tlie cailiost opportunity of visiting this province, and 
 of assembling Parliament. 
 
 "lam commanded by the Queen to assure you of hor Majesty's 
 fixed determination to maintain the coimexion now sul)sistiiig botween 
 her North American possessions and the United Kingdom, and to ex- 
 ercise the high authority with which she lias been invested, hy the favor 
 of Divine Providence, for the promotion of their hanpines, and the 
 security of her dominions, 
 
 " It is with great satisfaction I can inform you, that I have no grounds 
 for apprehending a recurrence of tliose aggressions upon our frontier 
 which we had lately to deplore, and which affix an indelible disgrace 
 on their authors. 
 
 " If, however, unforeseen circumstances should again call for exer- 
 tion, I know from the past, that in the zeal and loyality of the people 
 of Upper Canada, and in the protection of the parent state, we possess 
 ample means of defence, and to those 1 should confnlently ii^peal. 
 
 "J earnestly hope, that this state of tranquillity will prove favorable 
 to the consideration of the important matters to which your attention 
 must be called dm'ing the present Session. 
 
 " It will be my duty to bring under your consideration, at the ear- 
 liest possible moment, the subject of the legislative re union of this 
 province with Lower Canada — recommended by her Majesty to the 
 Imperial Parliament. I shall do so in the full confidence that you will 
 see, in the measure which I shall have to submit, a fresh proof of the 
 deep interest felt by the Queen, in the welfare of her subjects in Upper 
 Canada ; and that it will receive from you that calm and deliberate 
 consideration, which its importance demands. 
 
 character and stiition ontitlo them to tlie greatest authority, advocate warmly 
 the establishinont of tlie union, and that, iqion terms of perfect faii'ness, not mere- 
 ly to the two provinces, but to the two races within these provinces. Of the 
 extent to which this feeling with regard to the upper province is carried, your 
 lordship will find a most conclusive jiroof in the resolution of the Special Council 
 respecting the debt of Upper Canada. ])y this resolution a large sum, owing by 
 that province on account of public works of a general nature, is proposed to be 
 charged on tlic joint revenues of the united provinces. Upon other details of 
 the arrangement, the same feeling prevails. It would be, however, useless for 
 rae to trouble your lordship with respect to them, until I have had the opinions 
 •ntertained by the people of Upper Canada. If, however, as 1 trust, the princi- 
 ple of re-union should meet witli their assent, I am of opinion that it can only be 
 in consequence of demands of an unvt-arrantable character upon their part, thai 
 difficulty will arise in settling principal terms. I have, ste. 
 
 C. PCULETT TlIOMPSOK, 
 
bat day, the 
 ;ne(l by the 
 od the iiiti- 
 )f aftUirs : — 
 ritish North 
 e decincd it 
 rovince, and 
 
 or Majesty's 
 iiig hotwcen 
 n, and to cx- 
 l)y tlifi favor 
 lies, and the 
 
 3 no grounds 
 J our frontier 
 ,ible disgrace 
 
 call for exer. 
 ot tlio people 
 0, we possess 
 ii^peal. 
 ove favorable 
 ;our attention 
 
 m, at the oar- 
 union of this 
 lajosty to the 
 that yon will 
 1 proof of the 
 ects in Upper 
 uid deliberate 
 
 Ivocate wnrmly 
 rnoss, not nicre- 
 ovinees. Of the 
 is cnrriod, yonr 
 Special Council 
 e sum, owing by 
 5 proposed to be 
 otiier details of 
 ever, useless for 
 had tlie opinions 
 trust, the princi- 
 iit it can only be 
 1 their part, that 
 
 .r.Tr TiioMPSOK, 
 
 1839.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 463 
 
 " The condition of the public departments in the province, will re- 
 *quire your be>t attention, in compliance with the address of the House 
 of Assembly of last session, the Liouteiiant (Jlovernor appointt-d a con^- 
 
 missioii to investig.i'c 
 )f tl 
 
 iiid r"poi't upon the manner in which the duties 
 
 oi those (IciKU'tmeiits are pcrlorn 
 
 icd 
 
 Th 
 
 e commissioners tiavcaii'i 
 
 conducted their eiiquiricis to an advance 
 
 (I si aire 
 
 am 
 
 ady 
 
 1 the result of them 
 
 will be communicated to you as sumi as lliey shall be coiujileteil. 
 
 lam liapj\v to iiifona you that her Majesty's ( iovcnimeiit have 
 
 concluded an arranrxemeiit for cneiiiiKf a eoiiiiiiuiiieatiiui by steam 
 
 be- 
 
 tvveeii Great ijritian ami the Dritish possessions in Xorth America. 
 In the completion ot this arrangement, her Majesty's (jlovernmeut 
 have allowiMJ no consideration to inlertere with tlie paramount object 
 
 of 
 
 .lent 
 
 liidresses. adujiled bv von 
 
 promoting the public advantage, aiul conveiiu'iiee. I leel conli 
 that the liberaiily wiih which llie parent slate h.is assunieil he whole 
 expense of the underrakiiig will be duly appreciated by you 
 
 '■ The answers ot hei' M;ije-1y to vaiioii 
 during your last scssivm, and Iit Majesty's di'cisi iii-< on the bills 
 passed bv voii. but r(>':erveil bu- the siuiii;ieai ion uf her ruval pleasure, 
 •will be made kii'.'Wij lo you without loss ot' time. 
 
 "The financial condition of the province will claim vonr early and 
 most attentive consideration. 'J'o pre-erve jmblic credit is at all times 
 a sacred obligatioii ; l)nt in a country so csstMitially dependent upon 
 it (or the means ol't'uture impiovcmeiil, it is a matter no less of policy 
 tli.iii of duty. It is indispeiisubie, then, that measures should be at 
 oiico ado[)ted, lor enabling the ju'ovincial revenue t(j I'ullil its cli iga- 
 lions, and to det'ray the iu'ces--ary e.\p<iises of the government. It will 
 be niv anxious flesire to co I'p.'ir.le with yon in eill'cling this object ; 
 and I f\-el coiilldeiit thill, by the a;loplion of measiii'cs calculated to 
 promote the t'liil develo;-;nent of the rtsoiirces ot ibis line country, the 
 ditllcultv may be overcome. The oilicer by wliom, under your aiithor- 
 itv, these obliiialioiis have been conlracted, will be a!)ie to allord von 
 every inloriiiation ; and I shall direct a statement of your llnancial 
 condition to be iiiimedial eiy siibmit'ed to you. 
 
 '• The estimates for the ensuing yiar will be prepared with every 
 regard for econonjy, compalible with the duj execution of the service 
 of the in'oviiice. 
 
 '• it is with great ratislalion I find, (hat notwiilistaiiding coinnii reial 
 dilTicullies which ju'cvail in the neighboring ^>tatcs, the banks of thif' 
 province have resumed specie payments; ;!n<l I congratulate you upon 
 the giiariin'e'c thus all'irded oftlr.'; greater se-iirily and -tabilily of our 
 pecuniary transactions — a circumstance which camniet- fail U) be at- 
 leiidt'd wiili ihe most hcnefieial resiills. 
 
 " [ am coi);m;ini!ed again to submit to _\ on tlie snrie'ndcr of the casual 
 .Tud territcM'ial r: v 'iiues of the crown, in exchange foi' a civil list ; and 
 1 shall take an c;irly opportunity of explaiinng the grounds on which 
 iier j\[aiesty's Covcrnmeiit fJt ju'eeluded from assenliiig to the settle- 
 
 ment, whieli \ 
 
 Oil 
 
 ately pruposcu 
 
 liev 
 
 ol" a nature wliich lead 
 
 nie to anti.a;)ate vonr ready assent to their removal, and to the final 
 settlement of the (Hiostion. 
 
 " In a-jsaming the administration of the government of these pro- 
 
464 
 
 THE Jnn'ORY 
 
 [1839. 
 
 vinces, nt (lio pr. •■■owt tinio, I have imt di^fTnisod froin rnyself tlio ar(lu- 
 ous tii^k wliich I have iiiidci'lakcii. 'I <\'j allairs ol' thr (.'aiiadas have, 
 forniMn years l),i'i<, fK'cii|iiril iniK.-h of tli(^ iM tiiitidfi (<t" tlu; Imperial 
 Paii;..:.i>'nt, and ot the froveniment ; and tlu'ir setfieiiu'iit upon a fii'in 
 and ronipn heiisive l)a>is, ailiMit-< of no further dehiy. 
 
 " 'J'o I'ili'ct that settlement. \i[)()n t<'rins satisfaetoiy to tlie people o( 
 these, pi'ovince-i, and atliiiMliii'^ steni'ily for their eeiitiiiiied e(.nne.\iori 
 with the l>riti>li Minpiri', will Ije my eiiiK'avor ; and 1 es.ididenlly ap- 
 peal to yonr wi^doni and to llie loy;i!ty -nd 1:00(1 sl•n^:e of lln- people 
 of this pi-ovinee. to eo-oper;ite witli me f."- the pi\pai;i;io!i and adoption 
 of suel) ineasnre.> as iiiay, nndi-r Div'ne ] /(ividence, re&u>rc to this coun- 
 try, [)eaee, C'oneo: i. iiid j):-u;-[.ei'ty." 
 
 Tho (jovernor <u,iei'al speedily diseov-rod, on liis arrival in I ppcr 
 (]!aiiada, that eonsideralde. dillieidty vji-mli hi' expi'rieiiced i'.i [iroeuring 
 the {vssent of its Lej^islutnre. to the Lnion. However favorably disposed 
 the Assembly iid^ht he to that irioa^uiv, the inajority of the I'ppcr 
 House were decidv;d!y opposr 1 to it. Jlesponsible jj;overnnient mnst 
 follow in its wake, and iu llio le-urganl.-atlon of the Council, the Family 
 Com[)act saw that the last remn;'.nt ol' their power nuist forever disap- 
 pear. Hitherto, the prineipal ofiioes of .jrovernment, and the seats 
 in the Legislative Conm il were I'ecjarded, almo>t, as the hereditary- 
 rights of a few leadiiifr fumilies, Jdcmhers of the l:]xecntive wlio hap- 
 pened to belong to the Leulshitnre, had usually spoken and acted in their 
 individual capacity, without the slightest reference to the views or 
 wishes of the (lovernor. All this woidd ])e cluniifod by the system 
 now proposed to be adopted, which must improve the position of tho 
 representatives of the Crown, as well as elevate the people. The oli- 
 garcl.j .il')n.» would sutTer by the change, asul they, accordingly, now 
 felt indis[*osetl to sidjuulli) the loss of power it must enlail. The Gov- 
 ernor Ceneral saw at once tho critical position of matters, and with 
 great tact pub!i--hed at ll'.e right time a despaleli from Lord John Rus- 
 sell, which as it placed th.e. majority oj'the Legislative C<;unoil in oppo- 
 sition to the ( 'I'own, niu.t neees-.^arily, in consequence of their loyal 
 attaehnieiil thereto, compel tlieir sniuniM-ion. Agi'ccable to the tenor 
 of this despaleli, also, such of the rjer.ibers of tlie Mvecuiive, as 
 belonged to the Legislature, were under the necessity of snjiporting the 
 Union or of rcsigr.ii'.g th'.ir places. '! he n^ajoiity of tliern jav (erred the 
 former course, and the Lnion Dill was accordiiigly inlrodue'cd as a gov- 
 ernment measure, i laving smoothed the way u.ns lar, his Excellency 
 transmitted the following message to the Legislature on the 7lh of 
 December : — 
 
 " In jnirsuanoe of the intention cxprcpscd in his speech from tho 
 throne, the (iovernor (Jeneral desires now to bring under the considera- 
 tion of the House of Assembly, the subject of the re-union of this pro- 
 
[1839. 
 
 :'lf till! ardu- 
 
 uiii'liis liavt.', 
 
 tlu> Imperial 
 
 ti[ii)n ii fii'in 
 
 [lie people ol 
 ,■(1 (M.niii'.xinri 
 lifulfiilly ap- 
 )f iIk' p»'(iple 
 mill ,'!iN)ption 
 to this cuuii- 
 
 val ill rppcr 
 ill pidciiriiig 
 ibly dispoHud 
 ;)t" llic r])pGr 
 'iinieiit must 
 il,thc Family 
 forever disap- 
 md the scats 
 lie liorcditary 
 ivc who liap- 
 •m:[vi\ ill their 
 the views or 
 ly the system 
 jsition of tho 
 >lc. The oli- 
 I'diiiizly, now 
 11. The Gov- 
 (M':5, and with 
 ii'd John Rus- 
 .iiieil ill oppo- 
 )t' their loyal 
 11 to the tenor 
 VKOcu'iive, as 
 mporiiiiij the 
 \'i\ (erred the 
 lecd as a gov- 
 is Excellency 
 ;n the 7th of 
 
 'oeli from tho 
 the oonsidera- 
 on of this pro- 
 
 1839.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4C;; 
 
 vincc with Lower Canada, recommended by her MnjcNtv in lu, gracious 
 messjifre to both Houses (tf J'arliaiiient on the Srd iA ^<iay last. 
 
 " i'or several \\'ar-^ the eoiidilioii of the Canada-- has ovriipied a larcc 
 portion of the allcntion ot' Parliament. Thai they should he eontenterl 
 and prosperons — that (he lies uliieli liliil them to the pai'i'iit state 
 shonid he slretiulhened — tliit their adiiiini^t ration should It" eoiidiicted 
 ill aeeor(!an(;e with llie wi-lies of the people, is tin; ard lit desire of 
 Gverv Jjiiti>h statesman — am.' the experiei.ee of the, last few vcars 
 .•im|dy testilies that l*arliameiit has been sparing neither ot tlu' time it 
 has th'voted to the investigatioii of thtir atliiirs, nor of the expenditure 
 it has sanctioned (op their proteelioii. 
 
 '• The events which iiavc marked the recent history of l^ower Canada, 
 are so fainiliar to the lloii'c of As-einlily, [hal it is unnecessary for 
 the (Joveriior <I '.UTal liirthei' to alhide to them. There, tlie constitu- 
 tion is sii>|ieiided, but the powers of the i.';overnmcnt are iiiatlef|uate to 
 permit t)f the enaelineiit of sucli permanent hiws as are required for 
 the benefit of th ■ [leople. 
 
 " Within this |ir(jviiice the finances are deraiip;ed — ])ublic im]irovc- 
 JTicnts are suspended — private enterprise is checlvcd — Mie tide of emi- 
 gration, so essential to tlie prosperity of' tho country ni.J to the Urilish 
 connexion, has ceased to flow — while by many, the general system of 
 government is declared to be uiisatisliictory. 
 
 "After the mo t attentive o.id anxiou.. consideration of th-^. state 
 of these pretvinces, and the difVienlties nndi'r whieii they rci vOtivcly 
 labor, her Majesty's advisers came to the conehision, that bv their 
 re-union alone could these dUrieiilties be removed. During the last 
 session of the Imperial fiegislatnre they indeed refrained from pressing 
 immediate lepislation, but their hesitation .proceeded fi'om no doubt as 
 to the measure or its necessity. It arose solely from a d..sire to ascer- 
 tain more full}' the o|v,nions of the Legislal;;re of I'pper Canada, and to 
 collect iiifbrma'iion from which the details might be rendered more 
 satislaclory to the peoj>le of hoth provinces. 
 
 '• The time then is now arrived beyond which a settlement cannot 
 be postponeil. In Lower Canada it is indispensable to aflurd a safe 
 and |iraeticable return t(j a constitutional government, and so tiir as the 
 feelings of the inhabitants can he there ascertained, the measure of the 
 rc-nnion meets with appr()b;ition. 
 
 " In Ipi/cr Canada it is no less necessary, to enable the province to 
 meet her linaiicial embarrassments, and to proceed in the development 
 of her natural resource-;. Tlie.e are eviileiitly no m aiis in this j)ro- 
 viiice ol I'lilliiliiig tho pecuiiiary ol)liif;r"ons which have been contracted, 
 hut l)y a gi-'at increase, in the l-u-al revenue-;. Ihit so loiig as Lower 
 (-anada remains under her pre ent form of government, neither pro- 
 vince possesses any power over tho only source from wdiich that ii'.'rease 
 can he drawn. Nor even, were it possible to r-' tore a I'opresciitativc 
 constitution to TiOwer Canada, unaccompanied by the union, would tho 
 position of this province he much improved : since past exiterience has 
 sliowii the diilienltv of procuring assent to anv alteration of the customs 
 laws suggested from lieijce. 
 
 " 'J'ljis province has engaged in undertakings, which reflect the high 
 
466 
 
 niE HISTORY 
 
 [183^, 
 
 . ' \ 
 
 < H 
 
 est honor oti the enterprise and industry of herinhabitnnf . The public 
 works vhich she has completed or coniinenced, have been conceived in 
 a spirit worthy of a successful result. JJiit additional means are indis- 
 pensable to avert the ruin of some, and secure; the complrtiun of others. 
 Nor will that alone suflice ; Lower Canada holds the key to all those 
 improvements. Without lier co-operation, the navifratinn for which 
 nature has done so much and fur wl;ich this province has so deeply 
 burthened itself, must remain incomplete, and a barrii'r l)o opposed to 
 the development of those threat natural resources which the hand of 
 providence has so lavishly bestowed on this country. 
 
 '• With a view to remove all those didieullies : to relieve the fuianciiil 
 etnbarrassments of Upper Canada : to enaijje her to cotnplete her pub- 
 lic works and to develop her airrieultural capabilities: to restore con- 
 stitutional government to Lower Canaila : to establish a firm, impartial, 
 and vigorous government for both: and to unit(> the people within 
 them in one common feeling of attachment to Urilish institutions and 
 ]}ritish connexion, the union is desiretl by her Mnieslv's Government: 
 and that measure alone, if based upon just principles, appears adequate 
 to the occasitm. 
 
 "Those principles, in the opinion of her i\Iajesty's advisers, are, a 
 just regard to the claims of either province in adjusiing the terms of 
 the u lion — the maintenance of the three estates of the I'roviiicial Le- 
 gislature; — the settlement of a permanent civil list for securing the 
 independence of the judges and to the exeeutive government that free- 
 dom cf action whifh is necessary for the public good, and thi^ estalilish- 
 rncnt of a system of local government adapted to \hv wants of the iKMij)!e. 
 
 " it was with great satisfaction then tliat her jNfaji^sty's (lovernmenl, 
 learnt, that upon the question of the union itself the House of Assenilily 
 had pronounced their deeide<l judgement during their last scs.^iou; and 
 it will only remain for the (Tovcrnor General now to invite tli.'ir assent 
 to the terms upon which it is sought to be elleeted. Their deci-^.ion was 
 indeed accompanied by reeommend," lions to which the goVv-rnment 
 could not agree •. but the Governor (General entertains no doubt that. 
 under the altered circumstances, they will no more be renewed, it will 
 be for the Imperial Parliament, guided by their intimate knowledge ot 
 constitutional law, and, i'vca from tiio bias of local feelings and iuteiests, 
 to arrange the details of the measure, 
 
 '• The first of the terms of re-union, to which the Governor G'uera! 
 desires the assent of the House of Assenibly, is ecpial represi'nt.ilinn of 
 each province in a united legislature. Considering the anuimt of the 
 population of Lwwer Canada, this proposition might seem t> place that 
 province in a jess favoi'ablc position than I'pper Canada: Imr. under 
 the circumstances in which this province is placed, with the im i-easing 
 population to be expected from immigration, and having regard to the 
 commercial and agricultural enterprise of its inhabitants, an equal ap- 
 portionment of representation appears desirable. 
 
 "The second stipulation to be made is the grant of a sufllcient civil 
 list. The propriety of rendering the judicial bench indepeiidciit jiliko 
 Qt the Executive and the Legislature, and <;f the furnishing th • means 
 t-C carrying ou the indispensable services of the government, admits of 
 
[183^, 
 
 The public 
 1 conceived in 
 ';ins arc iiidis- 
 tiun of others. 
 >y to ill I those 
 ion for which 
 has so deeply 
 1)0 opposed to 
 1 the li;ind of 
 
 vc the financiiil 
 pleto her piib- 
 
 restore con- 
 riii. impartial, 
 pei)[»lo withiil 
 istitutions and 
 (vovcrmnent ; 
 lears adecjnatc 
 
 idviscrs, arc, a 
 v the t<Tms of 
 I'l'oviiii-ial Lo- 
 r sceiiridix tho 
 iiient that free- 
 .1 the estaljlish- 
 s of the people. 
 's (Toverntnent 
 ;c of Assenildy 
 ;t F;es,-«i(in : and 
 ite thoir assent 
 ir decision was 
 le liov.'i'iimoni 
 no doubt that, 
 lewed. It will 
 hnowleduc of 
 3 and interests, 
 
 .•ernor (^I'nera! 
 presontalioii of 
 aincinit <if tlin 
 n t. iijace that 
 da: I'.iit. under 
 
 1 the ini i-ca^inrr 
 •X reuard to the 
 s, an equal ap- 
 
 i sufl'ii-ient civil 
 U'pendi'iit alik(» 
 hing t!i:' means 
 nent, aiJunts of 
 
 467 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 [ISfW. 
 
 no question, and has been anirmed by the Parliament of Tpper (,'anadit 
 in the acts passed by them l'>v elK'Cti.i'i those objects. In deternnuin;» 
 the amount of the civil list, the House of Assembly may be assured 
 that the salaries and expenses to be paid from it will be caleulale<l by 
 her Majesty's (jroveriimeut with a strict regard to eci^noniy and tlnj 
 state ol the provincial finances. 
 
 "Thirdly, the. (iovernor (ieiUM-al is prepared to rcconirneiid to Parliu- 
 inent, that so much of the existing debt of I'pper Canada as has been 
 contiaeted fur pidilic works of a ijcneral nature, should, after the union, 
 be char<,'ed on the joint revenue of the united province-!. Advcrtin<5 tf 
 the nature of the. works for whieh this debt was contracted, and the 
 advantage \vhi(h must result iVom them to Lower ("anaiJa, it is nut 
 inijii-t. tliat. tliaf province ^hol||l| bi'ar a projiortion of thdr expenses. 
 
 " Oil tliese prin''iples, tlu; (jovernor (/ciieral i;> of ojiiniou that a rt-- 
 unioii of the two provi'H'es nuiy lie i-ileeteil — ciiuitable and sati>taetory 
 in its terms, an 1 lienelicial in its rc.-,iilts to all elasses. lie sub\iiits 
 them to the considi-ralion of lli>' Ibmse ol' As^iMultJy, in the full convic- 
 tion of thi'ir importance, and in the hope that tliey will ri>eeive the 
 assent of that llousi'. Fortifinl by the expression of their opinitui, her 
 Majesty's (iovei'ument and Paillamciit will be able at onec to apply 
 themselves to the full devfiopmeuL (;." tiie scheme, and to tlu; consi- 
 deration of the )>rovisiun by whieh it may be carried into i:irect with 
 the greatest advan*""'e to the people of both provinc*-. 
 
 " If in the coui'-e uf tlicir proeecdin;^'^, tiic House of Assembly should 
 desire any irdbrmatIo)i which it is in (he power of 4lie ( iovernor (icmral 
 to alftU'd. they will llrid him iH'ady and anxious to communicate Nvith 
 them frankly and fully, and to aid, by all the means in his power, that 
 settlement on which he firmly belit^ves that the future prosperity and 
 advancomcnit of these colonies maiidy depend.'' 
 
 1'his message led to the [las^ai^c of the following resolutions in the 
 Legislative Council by a large majority : — 
 
 '• UcsolcciL 1 — That the events which have lately marked the h'story 
 of Lower Canada — the conscnitent necessity for a suspension of her 
 constitution, and inadequacy of the powers of the government existing 
 ther(% for the enactment of p;'rina:icnt laws, siudi as are required for 
 the benefit of the peop](>, |ii\'-^c;it a state ot' [utblic iiilairs in the slstc^r 
 province, deeply to be de|iloreil by this House;, as well tioin a di-intiu'- 
 esfed anxiety for the welfare of a people so nearly connected v, illi I'p- 
 per Canada, as in consideration of the injurious consei|Ueiu\s resulting 
 to this community, from a contiiiuance of the unsettled ciolitioal condi- 
 tion of the lower ]U'ovince. 
 
 *' Rraolrc:!. 'Z — ^fhat the present uerangemont of the finance's of ('ppcv 
 Canada — the total sus|)ensi<jii of her pui)Vie imjirovements — tho para- 
 lyzed condition (»f private enterprise — the ces-ation of emigration, and 
 the aiqiarent impossibility of tlu^ removal of these evilsj without tha 
 united efforts of both the Canadian provinces — make the adoption ol 
 tome great measure necessary, which will restore ju'ostierity to th« 
 Canadas, and renew cc)nfidence at huiiic and abroad iu the stability of 
 tlicir political institutions. 
 
408 
 
 THE IflSTOUY 
 
 [1839, 
 
 ^' T^csuh'fd, a — li...i coiisiclei'iii^ tlio liupcli'ssnoss arisinfr from past 
 experience, jiiid frotn a view (iCllic poliiiciil CMiKlItinii oi' I^owur ('iiiiiKla, 
 ol ever realisip" in snnai'afo l''j:is|ii'jir<N. tli" iiiiily of feeliii^jj or action 
 in inca-'iircs jili'rciin;; (•((unlly llu- inlcrots of liotli provinces, on wliich 
 tile prosperity or safety ot eiilicr may e:isent;iiliy ih'peni!. a re-nnloii of 
 '.he pro\ iiiees ot I'jipcr aini i,o\ver ('i.i,.'eia lii-^, in the itpinion of lliis 
 lloii-c, l)ecf)me iii(lesneiisiil)!c for tile re^loral ioii of jioix] ii;oveiiimeiit 
 M'illiiii these cuh iiics, iii,..! for the pre.ervalioii of in-.liliuioii3 in connex- 
 ion with the [larem st:iU;. 
 
 " Ins'i/rei/. i — That for tlioso ni'ife",<- reasons, the assent oft'nis house 
 be expressed to the ena' nent of the i ijiorliint mea^nro ol re iniion of 
 the |)roviiices (f I'lipor and Lowei' Canada, iTcoiiim!'n(K'il l)y her 
 Mi.j' sty to lioiii Houses of l';iiHaiii( lit, and to thi' I louses ot tlie l*ro- 
 vii rial I.ejfislatiiro by his I .•.eellency the (lovci'iior (it'iieial ; and t'.iat 
 aueh as^.eiil, on the jiaiL ot this I louse, be ifiveii on the following terms ; 
 
 /'irsf — 1'liat there 1 c an equal representation ot each jirovinee in the 
 united l.e^i-Iiture. 
 
 Sccoinlli/ — 1 hat a suCleieiit permanent civil list be granted to her 
 Majesty, to enalde her Majesty to render the iu<li vil bench indepen- 
 «.lant alike of executive [ ower and po[iular intlueiic;., and to carry on 
 the iiidispen'-able services of irovernment. 
 
 Tltinlhi — 'Hiat the public del:t oi' this province, tontractcd for pnhlic 
 Avorks ol ii o;eiieral miture, shall, alLer the union, be clla^^ed on the joint 
 revenue of t!i" united provinee. 
 
 " /tV.vf///-«/, 5 — 'i h;it, in yieldin.': this ready concurrence to the mea- 
 snre o( tlu^ i-e-unioii of the provinces, strongly recommended by her 
 Majesty, the Legidative Council of Tjipcr Canada rely ufion the wisdom 
 and justice of llicii- most gracious (■■ycrcign, and (>f her jNIajesty's 
 Parliament, f-jr devising the details of the plan of re-union, and (or the 
 ostabli-hmeiit of s'uch a system of government in the united [irovlnce, 
 ns will tend to the development of its natural resoui'ces, and enable it, 
 with th(> blessing of ])ivino I'rovidence, to jairsue steadily, and free 
 from the distractions by wliieh the. country has lately bem divideij, the 
 course of prosperity and hapi['iness, which tlie best interests of tl;e peo- 
 pic of (anada, and of the cn;pire, alike require not to be longer 
 impedijd.'' 
 
 The (juestlon of the union of the provinces of Tpper and Lower Can- 
 ada, having been sali d'aetorily di.jioscd of in the Upper House, tlu>!'0 
 was no further diiiiculty to be apprehended. The House ot Assembly 
 had already favous'.dy ooH.siuered the measnro. As its proccidings, 
 however, forcibly illustrate tl;c condition of Fpper Cana<ta at this 
 period, anil the emharrasscd j^^ituatlor, in v.hlch it was pl.;ced, the follow- 
 ing resolution:^ and addres;:., agreed to in C(>nimlttee of the whole, are 
 inserted : — 
 
 *' Jicooh'cJ, — That the^IIonse of Assembly, at its last sopsion, declared 
 that, in their opinion, a nnited legislature for the <.'anadas, on cortahi, 
 terms, was indispensable, and that further diday must prove ruinous to 
 their best interests, and that his Excellency, the Governor General, by 
 
 ,»• 
 
[isao, 
 
 1839.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4(\9 
 
 n; frntn past 
 \si r < 'aiiJKla, 
 11^ <>r action 
 I's, on wliich 
 I rc'-iiiiioii of 
 iiiioii of Uii.s 
 ^n)vcriiineiil 
 IS in coiiucx- 
 
 oftl.i'^ liousc 
 I I'l' liliioil of 
 iKil hy lu.'r 
 s of tlie ] 'ro- 
 ll ; 1111(1 t'.iat 
 u in;^ tiTin.s ; 
 oviiU'c ill the 
 
 uiii'd to licr 
 ich iiiflopon- 
 
 to carry on 
 
 od for pnLlic 
 on llu- joint 
 
 to tlic nica- 
 lick'd by lior 
 1 the wistlom 
 n" j\liijc'sty's 
 , and for ihe 
 cd provlnco, 
 nd enable if, 
 iiy, and froo 
 
 divided, the 
 s of the pco- 
 be longer 
 
 Lower Can- 
 iIou.se, thei'C 
 :;t Assembly 
 proceedings, 
 ada at this 
 , the follow- 
 ^ whole, are 
 
 ion, declared 
 ;, on certaht, 
 e ruinous to 
 General, by 
 
 his iiie«;snrre to this house, has annoniieed, that w.ih a vi( \» .o r* V». ■» 
 the difllriilties ot" tlii's,' provinee-i, to relie\e llic financial r-inbarnm** 
 ment of Tjiper Canada, to enable Inr to cmnplcle hi r public v^' ' s, 
 nnd develop her airricultural eapnliillilcs, to le-^tore eon-tiliitionaf i, w- 
 erniucnt to F,o\vcr ('anada. to e>tal'li->li a linn, iinpiutial. Mid \i'ii fus 
 govcrniutnl loi' bolli, and lo \i:>''r ilic prnpjc wiihin tbeni in oin. cuni- 
 liion feeling ot'atlachiiifiit to l)rili--h in 'lilntici-i and I5rili>h eoniii'x'..iii ; 
 the K'HiNlalivc union of I pper and Liwcc Cinada has been reeoui- 
 Jueiid d by lu'i' .M:ij.'-.ty tn the Imperial rarliain/iil ; and liis l^xcol- 
 leney till! (bivi'i'imr (jcneral has invited the av-vnt i>f tins house to 
 certain sjiceilii'il tci'in-:, iip'iu wbicli that i;i;Ioii may la; established. It. 
 tlierelbre, bceomes the. duty ot' the rcpri'sciilativi's of the people of this 
 province eanl'nlly Id eoiisider the pidvi-ions by wbicli this measure 
 may bc^ carried into eili'Ct, with the i.rriiite'^L seeiirity to their future 
 peace, welliire, ai;d jjood fj;overnineiit, aiiil the periuaiieiit eoniie.\ioii of 
 these colonies wiili the Urilish Junplre. 
 
 Yeas, 47 : Nays, ('». 
 
 " Jxcsnh<c'\ — I'hat this house ciau'ui' in the propfKitioii that there be 
 an e(jual repre^.'iitation of each province in the uniled legi.-lature. 
 
 Yeas, :5:!. X.'iys, "iO . 
 
 " 7iV's'o/(V''/, — '1 hat this house eor.eur in the proposition, that a sufTi- 
 pient civil list b'.( ixranted to lu'r ^[aje^ty, for secnrii!!; the iiidepiiideiicc 
 of the judiri''. and to the executive' <:overnmeiit that fri'edom ot action 
 ■which is necessary tor the public good. The jjiant Ibr tlii' person ad- 
 inini..i.i'rinir the ti'overiuiient, an! t'or the jmlues of ihi' several su[urior 
 courts to be j (I'liiancht, a;:d for the oliiecrs eondnetinjf the oilier de- 
 partments of llui [lublie service, to be Ibr the life of the bovereigii. and 
 for a period of not les., than ten years. 
 
 Yeas, dn : Nays, 8. 
 
 " 7iV.s'o//v(/, — That Ihe public debt of this province shall, after the 
 union, be charged on the joint revenue of the united province. Unani- 
 mous, 
 
 In aeoordanci' with those resolutions thc! following ad'lress was voted 
 to her Majesty, aiid transmitted to lOnghuid through the (iovernor 
 General • — 
 
 ',►■ " We your ^[.ijesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons 
 of Upi-'er Canada, in ri'ovineial I'arliament as-emblcd. beg pern.ission 
 to atiproaeh your ^fajesty with reiievi-cd e\pres-;io!i of our niiwavering 
 attaelimKiit lo your Majesty's royal pei'son and government. 
 
 '• JJuriiig the pre:-ent session of your I'rovineial r;ir!iament, a subject 
 more im])oi'tant iii.'in any ihiU h;:s ever enii.iged the attention of tlic 
 reiiresentatives of tiui peo|)]e, has been bnui'dit undi r their considei'ation 
 in pursnane;', of the eomnnnuls of your j\lajesty, by your j\Iajesty's 
 Governor General of these ]U'ovinces, namely, the legislative re-union 
 of Upper and Lov.er (,"aiiada. in tlu; message, of his ]v\ce!!er.ey to 
 the two branches ol' the Legislaturi', they ai'e inforuKd that '"after the 
 most attentive and anxious consideration of the state of these provinces, 
 and of the difliealties under which tlu'y respectively labor, your IMajes. 
 ty's advisers came to the conclusion that by their rc-unlon alone coujj 
 
470 
 
 Till-: IllSTOUY 
 
 [imo. 
 
 k I 
 
 , ' t 
 
 , •* 
 
 llu>sf>, iliOiciiIl'KiS 1)1! removed : tluil Jiiiiii^' the hist sossion of the Impc 
 rial Fj',';.'i-^hitiiri! tht.}' rt'lViiiiicd Iimiii |)iH's>iii<,r inumMliiitc h'uish'itiun, hut 
 their hi.'sitaliuii proct'i'ih-il fVoiii no ihmht us to thi' |iriii(i|ih' of ihf 
 
 Jiioiisiirc, or its in s^iiy ; il ato,-,(! sohly from the desire to iisccrtain 
 
 iiior»! Iiilly [\h' o|iiiiii)iis of the liri^I-hiliirc of r|i[n.'r Cadfuhi, iiiiil to col- 
 lect iiifoniiiitioii fioiii whirh the th'tuiis might bo remJered ruoro salJH- 
 faetory to thi- pioph' ot liolli pi'ovliiees." 
 
 " 'i he House ot A><eiiili|y dueply feel thi-< additional proofolyoiir 
 Majesly's solieitiidi- for their happiness mid prosperity ; and it will over 
 he hehl l)y them in iL'ialefn! renn'niln'aiii'e. 
 
 " In pursuance ol the niessaye reterr<'(l to, the House of Asseinltly 
 lost no time in takinii into enn^ideratioii three distin't propioitions 
 snbmiitcd hy your Majesty's (iovt.rn<»r (K'Herai as ijie basis on which 
 the I'c-uiilon nii;4iil, i)e ostahlished, namely ; fir-t — eipial repi'esentft- 
 (ions ot eaeii province in the imiled Ie!;is|aliire ; — st'condh — the 
 .i;rant of a bullicient civil li^t; — and thirdi} — tliat the jiuhiic,' debt of 
 this province b>? charjied on the joint revenue of the nnilcd provini'e, 
 
 " In the d; -^ens-idu of lliesi- projio-itious, it liaji|)ened that some of 
 ihi' member-, ot' lhl> I lt>u-e ..pprehendiiig the greatest danfrer to uur civil 
 and political in>litulioiis, and even to our comiexio:i with the parent 
 stale, Were opposed tu thv( union on any ternts, while of iho^e who 
 snp[)ortcd the nn-asure, there were many who were not wholly free 
 iVom apprehei:-ioiis as lo the I'esult, and v.ho rej^ai'ded it as n hazanluus 
 (ixpi-riment, mdis^ in addiilon to term.4 i-ubnutlid by the (Jovernor 
 (Teneial, ccrlani details calculate<| to secure their comie.Nion willi the 
 Imperial Crown, should areompany their concurrence wlili tlio terms 
 propo>ei|. A majority, howevt'r, ^ave their nncoiidiiional aseiit to the 
 proposiiioiis above mentioned, in the fuHest coiifidenci', that your Mu- 
 jesty, in ealling the attention of the Imperial rr.rliament to the imion, 
 would at the same time recommend the adoption of every iii c-sary 
 sale^uard to the mainli'nance of jjiitish interest^ and Ijritish supremacy. 
 It is in this coniideuce that we now Inmdily siiSniiL to your .Nlajesty's 
 most graeion:i consideration the Ibllowiu'^ propositions which in tho 
 opinion ol this lion e, are eal''u!aleil to secure llie great (nd. in e\pec 
 lalion whereot tlie assent to tlie union wa-; given : — 
 
 '■ And fii'st, we re.-peelfully eulreat your Majesty, that the n*e of 
 the l\ngli-h language in all judicial and legi-!ative rec(jrds lie torlhwilh 
 introdue(M.l ; and that at the I'lid of a spaci' of a 'riven nnnd>er of years, 
 .after the union, all deljates in the [jcgisjatu' ■ shall be in I:]nglish. And 
 fts 11 nuitter of justice to your Majesty's sidj fis in I'pper Canada, we 
 carnt:stly and c onfideiitly appeal to your ?v1aje-ty to admit their I'ight 
 to have the seat of tho I'roviucia! Government estal)lisl!ed within lhi> 
 province. It cannot be denied to the [Udple of this colony, that il 
 favor is to Ije shewn to either I'ppei' or Lower C'.nida, their claim stands 
 pre-eminent; independent <if w!i!vh, the moral and political advantagi-s 
 of 0;C concession are too obviou.s iind nndc iiable to adndt of ili.spnte. 
 
 " It is wirli tho most sincere satislaction that this House has received 
 from your ^Majesty's veprcYentative thf assniance that the bill introduci'(l 
 into the House of (.'ommons during the hc-t session of the Imperial 
 Legislature, is not to bo " considered as embodying the provisions which 
 
(tfllio Itnpi'- 
 L'isllUioH, hut 
 n(l|ilf of tin- 
 • to ;isc('i'tiiin 
 u, Jiiid to col- 
 tl more sali«- 
 
 proof ot your 
 1 1 il will ever 
 
 (;t Assciuhly 
 
 propositions 
 
 isis on wiiich 
 
 I rtpi'e«.enta- 
 
 ecoiujlv — llin 
 
 'iil)li(' di.'l>l of 
 
 fil proviin.'O, 
 
 that sonu' of 
 
 •r to our civil 
 
 til tlie pait'iit 
 
 of tho'C wlio 
 
 t, wholly i'wc 
 
 s a lia/aidous 
 
 ho (Jovcinor 
 
 Nioii with the 
 
 iih tho terms 
 
 !IS cut to (h(! 
 
 hat your M;i- 
 to the ii:;ioii, 
 
 cry hi (.•'■-sary 
 
 ;h siipninacy. 
 
 lur .Nlajcsty's 
 which ill thi; 
 
 (lul. in cxpec 
 
 at tiio 11*0 of 
 : bo forthwith 
 ihor of years. 
 hlf|;li^h. And 
 .■r C'ana<lii, wo 
 nit their ripht 
 ed within thi-; 
 'olony, that it 
 Ir claim stands 
 ■al advantairoM 
 : of di.spnte. 
 (> has I'coeived 
 »ill introdiifcd 
 the Imperial 
 ovisiuHri wliiuh 
 
 ISSft.j 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 471 
 
 may horeaffor ho ndopfpd by tho Imperiiil Parliament." And. " thai 
 it is his Ivxeelleiioy's iritenfirtii to recommend to her .Majesty's (Jov- 
 prfrnciit, in the fh'W jneasnie that must lu^ inlrodneed, to adhert' us 
 much as possil»le to oxistinjj territ(»rial divisions (or electoral piirposoM, 
 »nd to maintain tho principle of the constitutional act of 17!)l, with 
 rt'jzard to the tenure o! i-cuts in the Le<ri-.!ative ('oiineil."' 
 
 Wft would further res[)cctfnlly siihmit the necessity of providiny 
 thai the memhers of the le>fislatiire should posses^ ;\ stake in the couu- 
 t'ry C(pi;d to that now rcfiuiied hy tlu; laws ot this province, that, to 
 the call of [nihlic duty, that of j)rivato iiitcre«iL may he added, as an 
 iridiiCi.nu'iit to wise and careful le;.'islalioii ; and for this piirfioso we» 
 trust that a snflicient i|iialillcalioii in real estate will ho required tVom 
 any person holding a seat in the h'!il-.lature. 
 
 " Wo would also respectfully siiiri^est to your Majesty the p.aramouni 
 suhjcct of emij^ration from the Uriti-h I>les. which we c,,u^ider the Iic^t 
 calculated to reiid'-r the united province liiili>h in liici as well as in 
 name. No time, in our humlde opinion, should he lo,i, in thi- csiah- 
 Jishinonl ami viirorons [Ji-oseeiition of a well or^fanised system <'f emi- 
 gration, calculated to afliu'd every possihio facility tt) the settlement of 
 that extensive domaiiu the proceeds of which have hecii pro[)(jsed toh« 
 surrenderfd to the control of the l*rovii)cial I.eyislalure, upon eertain 
 terms and cotiditions, which in ('(iper and Lower Canada, is at present 
 hi riijht ot the Crown, at your Majesiy's dispo-al. 
 
 *' We have no desire to intcrfi^ri! unnecessarily in questions of detail, 
 which more immediately afTect tin- sister proviiiei' ; lint we cannot 
 omit respectfully solicitiiii; your Majesty's atteiilion to the intiixluclion 
 of a system of municipal jjovernmeiit into Lower (Jaiiada, in order to 
 provide fov local taxation, and under local manaifemcnt, on tin; samu 
 principles as liave obtained in I pper Canada, where the sysieiu estah- 
 lished hy the Provincial Lepishitiire, after repeated and carctul revision, 
 has in its operation proved hitthly satisfactory to the people. 
 
 " We would, lastly, desire hnnihly to assure your Majesty, that to 
 the priiicipl(-s on which our con-<litulion has been cstal)li>lied, to the 
 representative mode of <fovernment under a monarchy, and to a perma- 
 nent connexion with tho P)ritisli Kmplre. and a diitil'ul alle(;ianee to oiir 
 sovcreijfn, tho people of I'pper Canada must faithfully and firndy 
 adhere. 
 
 " It is only from apprehensions of dann;cr on these most important 
 matters, that doubt (u* dilliculty has bei'ii felt in as-^eiitinjr t(j the union ; 
 and wc therefore now humbly trust that your ^fajesty. fully a((|uainted 
 with our situation, will not confine your royal consideration to the 
 daims that arc refoi'red to in this address, or in any other proceeding: 
 of this House, but that continuing to us that gracious and <^eiierous pro- 
 tection we have hitherto experienced from your Majesty and the Ibitish 
 nation, your IVfajesty will add such fiitui-e safeguards as in your wisdom 
 may be thought necessary and desiral)le to protect your faithful sub- 
 jects in the peaceful enjoyment of their laws and liberties, and to perpe- 
 tuate, their connexion with your Majesty's Crown and Empire." 
 
 Thus satisfactorily terminated in Canada the question of a union of 
 
472 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1840. 
 
 . ' t 
 
 H 
 
 the provinces. Tlio aolion of tlie Imperial Parliament was 
 now alone iiceessary for k^^ final ai'coiiipli^lnnont', and the 
 
 1840. Governor (i('ni.'ral lo^t no time in Iran- Miittiiiif lo luiirjanfl an 
 aceomir of iiis sueccss, and a draft, of a wii'dm l/ill* prinri[)al!y 
 
 pro[>ar:'d l>y Sii- Jarn^s Siiinrt. 'I'll.- Inijx'ria! I*,ii-lia;iiiMit wa-; tli-'ii in 
 
 sesiiuii, and liord .l(>Iin IJiisscll, on ri'Ci'ivini; inliHiii- \n:r of tli" pro(:eed- 
 
 * It pi'dviiK'i lor tilt' I'aioii uiiJertlio imnio of Tin: I'kovinci'; ok Canada. 
 
 For tlu! ('iiiibtil ii( ion of (iiii' Lt'^j^isliitivo Council mid oii'.- House of Assembly 
 uiuler l,li;^ tiili' of "Tlic3 Ji 'i^'isliitivt.' Council and Assi.Miibl y of Cariada. 
 
 The Co'.iucil not to be coniboscil of fewer lliaa twenty natnr.il born or nntu- 
 rall:;(;d snbjjct^of tiie (^u.-en, llie teiiuri; of sueli otilee b.'in:^ for Hie, oxeeptiug 
 the iiieinii.r cIiooa.'.-! to resii^n, i;-; absent from ins duties without cause or permis- 
 sion for two sueeos: ive sessions, sliiili beeonio a citizen or subjt'ct of nuy foreign 
 power, or become t)aiikrui)t, an insolvent deiitor, public defaulter, or attainted of 
 treason, or be convicted of felony, or of any infamous crime. 
 
 The Spealver of the Legislative Council to be anpoinli'<l by ttio Ciovernor, who 
 may remove him and ai»[)oint another. Ten members to constitute a quorum, 
 iucludiiiLi; the Speaker. 
 
 The House of Assembly to consist of members chosen from the same places as 
 heretofore divided into C'ounties and Iiidiiiirs in r|i|ier Canada; but that the 
 Counties of ll.ilton, Northumbt'i'laiid, and bincoln. shall each be divided into two 
 liidiu'^s, and return one Member for each Itidin^. 
 
 That, the City i>f Toronto shall have two Members ; and th(^ Towns of Kingston, 
 Broekville, I[;iuiiltou, Coi'iiwali, Niagara, Lomlon, and Bytown, one each. 
 
 That in Lower Canaja every County, heretofore represented by one Member, 
 ehall continue \o be so represented, exceiiting ilontmoroncy, Orleans, L'x\ssomp- 
 tion, La Ch 'sna3'e, L'Aeadia, I>a T'rairif, Dorchester, niid I'leauee. Thesr to be con- 
 joined as follows: ^[ontmorency and (,)rlei.!is into the County of Montmorency; 
 r/AssompI ion and La ( hesn;iy<', to be the (.'ounty of Leinster; L'Aeadia and La 
 Prairie, that, of lluntii:;diui ; ;.rid Dorchester and Beauce, that of Dorchester : 
 and each of these four new Counties to return one Member, 
 
 The Cities of Quebce and Montreal, to return two members each ; and the 
 Towns of Three Rivers and Sherbrooke, one each. 
 
 The (lualilicatious of a Member to be those of honajldc possession of landed 
 estate M'orth -STjOn sterliiiuf. 
 
 The l•]nL;li:^h language to be oidy used in all written or printed proceedings of 
 the Legislature. 
 
 The [lassing of any Bill to repeal the ]irovision of the llth George TIL, or in 
 the Acts of ;}lst of the same i-eign, relating to the Coverument of the I'l'ovince of 
 Quebec, and the dues and riiihts of thc^ eler<xy of the Church of Rome; the allot- 
 ment or apprc.priation of hinds for the sujiport of a Protestant clergy; the en- 
 dowments of the Church of Riigland, or its iiit<'rnal disei])line or establishment; 
 or aU'ecting the enjoyment or exercise of any form or mode ol religious worship 
 in any way whatever; or which may affect her Majesty's prerogative touching 
 the Waste Lindsof the Crown, must be first submitted to the Imperial Parlia- 
 ment previous to the declaration of the Sovereign's assent, and that if the Impe- 
 rial Legislature shall petition the tiueen to withhold iier assent within thirty days 
 
 ,»■ 
 
[1840. 
 
 imcnt was 
 it, and the 
 lCii;^lan(l an 
 '' princi[ially 
 wa-i lli.'ii ill 
 t,h.' |.r(U:oc(.l- 
 
 'anaka. 
 
 • of Assembly 
 
 iilii. 
 
 !)i)rii or imtu- 
 
 lifc, oxecpl'mg 
 
 uso or porinis- 
 
 ot' any foreign 
 
 or uttiuntcil of 
 
 Jovornor, who 
 ito a (^iionim, 
 
 same placos as 
 i; Init IliiiV the 
 iviJtd into two 
 
 lis of Kingston, 
 
 ne eaeli. 
 
 )y OIK' Aloinbcr, 
 ms, L'A'^somp- 
 
 rhi>sf to be con- 
 Mont nioroney; 
 Acadia and La 
 
 of Dorchester : 
 
 each ; and ihf. 
 
 ssion of hvndcd 
 
 1 proceedings of 
 
 oorgo TIL, or in 
 the Province cf 
 ;oine; the ailot- 
 elergy ; the en- 
 
 establishnient; 
 li^fious worship 
 L'ative toiR'liing 
 
 nperiiil Parlia- 
 lat if tiio Impe- 
 Lhin thirty days 
 
 
 1S40.] OF CxVNADA. 473 
 
 ings in tln.^ TiO£rlslaturc of rppor Canada, laid tlic i)ill befuro the Com- 
 mons ; wliicli witii tlic cxci'filin'.i of clauses for tlic creation ot mniii ipal 
 coni:cils, passed both llon-ies, and received the r<iy; ' assent om the l-ivd 
 
 after such Act >ha]l liavi' been I'eceived, it sli.ill not lie hi\i ill to alllx the iloyal 
 assent tlnrflo. 
 
 The b'vying of imperial and eoloninl dii'ii's; th(~ appoinlrtn'nl, of a Court of 
 Appeal; the ailiiii:ii^tralion ofllie civil and eriiuiiial law.-; tiic tixal ion of tho 
 Court of (Queen's Heiieli within the late Province of I'pper (,'anada ; the r<":;ula- 
 tion of trad(! ; tiie consolidation of all the revenues d.-rivable from tlje Colony 
 into one fund, to be appropriated for flic public service of Canada. 
 
 Out of this fund ,£4.j onu to he pnyalile to Hrr Majesty. h,r heirs and sicces- 
 eors, for thi' ]iui']'ose of defrayiiiir the expe;ises for the administration of the gov- 
 ernment and the laws on the Civil List, as follows: — 
 
 Governor, £7,00u; Licutennnt-CJoveriior, £l,(»i)0. 
 
 i'/ip'T, or W'c.ttcrn Cinindn, 
 
 One Chief Justice. ,£1,500; Lour Puisne Judges £'JUO each, £;?,C00; One Viee- 
 Chaneellor, £],l-J5. 
 
 Loti'cr, or Jui.strrii funada. 
 
 One Chief Justice, £l,u()0; Three Puisne Judges, (Juebec, £1J00 each, £2,700; 
 One Chief Justice, ^Inntreal, £1,100; Three ruisne Judges, Jbiiitreal, £',I00 cnch, 
 £'2,7oO; One Resident Judge at. Three IMvvrs, fiUiO; One Judge of the Lifci'ior 
 District of Gnsi.e, £.'^()(l; One Judge of the Inferior Distriet of S\ Fran<Ms, £,iOO ; 
 Pensions to Judges, Salaries (jf the Attorr.ey^ and Soiiciiors-Geiierul, and Contin- 
 gent and Jliscidlaneous i-I.\|ienses of the administration of Justice thrnii^^lnmt the 
 Province of Canada, £jO,875. 
 
 And a further sum of £30,000 out of f'c s.dd Consolidated Pievenue Fund for 
 defraying the under-mentioned expenses of the (Jeivernmeut. 
 
 Civil Secretaries and their OtHees, £S,000; Provincial .Secretaries and their 
 Ortices, £:i,(pOO; llecciver-Oeiieral and his (MVice, £:i,iini); Inspector (iciieral and 
 bia OtHcc, £2,000; Executive Council, £;],O00 ; Loard of Woi-ks, £20(in; Lmigrant 
 Agent, £700 ; Pensions, £o,000 ; Contingent Ivxpcnses of I'ublic Othees, X'n.IiuO. 
 
 Both sums to be paid by the Kcceiver-rienei'al, upon the (Governor's warrants, 
 and the Ilcceivcr-deneral to account to thi' Lords of the 'I'reasui'v ; and all tho 
 expenditure thereiui to be laid bcf<ire the Provicial Parliament within thirty days 
 after the comiiiencenieiit of each session. 
 
 '■ The total sum of £75,000 thus raised and paid foi the Civil i-isf, to he accepted 
 and taken by her JIajesty by way of Civil List, instead of all territorial and 
 other revenues then at the disposal of the Crown. 
 
 The tii'r-t charge iijion the consolidated revenue fund to be its collection, man- 
 
 agement, and receijit ; ih 
 
 >nd the public d(bt of tiie two Provinces at tho 
 
 time of the Union ; the third, the payment of the cleriiy of the Church of Kng- 
 land, Church of Scotland, and the ministers of other Christian denominations, 
 agreeably to previous laws and nsnges; the fourth charge, to he the Civil l>ist of 
 £45,000 ; and the fifth, that of £;50,()(10, payable during the life-tinu- of Ibr Ma- 
 jesty, and for five years after her demise. The si.:th eh..,'ge to be that of the 
 •xpenses and charges before levied and reserved by former Acts of the iwo Pro- 
 Tiaces, as long as they are payable. 
 
, ' \ 
 
 474 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1841. 
 
 July. Owing to a suspending clause it did not take'effect, however, 
 1841. till the 10th of February, 1841, when it was declared in force 
 by proclamation. 
 
 All BillH for a]ipropriiiting any part of Iho revenues of the United Province, to 
 •orii^inatc with the Governor, who shall haA'o the rij^lit of initiating the same, as 
 well as of recommending the appropriation of any new tax or impost, and that, 
 having thus been recoinuicnded, the Legislative Assembly shall first discuss the 
 same. 
 
 The formation of new townships to originate with the Governor, as well as 
 the appointment of township officers. The power vested in the Queen to annex 
 the Magdalen Islands to the Government of the Island of Prince PMward, in the 
 <jrulf of .St. Lawrence ; and the njipointment of Governor of the Province of Can- 
 Ada to be understood as meaning Governor, Lieuteniint-Governor, or person 
 .tuthorised by her Majesty, her heirs, and gucceesorp, to execute tho office of 
 tJoyemor of that province. — Canada as it Was, ic. p. 205-210. 
 
 '. . ^ 
 
 I 
 
[1841. 
 
 1840.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 475 
 
 ect, however, 
 ared in force 
 
 'd Province, to 
 ig the same, as 
 post, and that, 
 rst discuss th« 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 or, as well as 
 iueen to annex 
 Idward, in the 
 ■ovince of Can- 
 lor, or person 
 e tho office of 
 
 GOVERNIMENT OF LORD SYDENHAM!, CONTINUED. 
 
 The most important Canadian question after the union, was 
 1840. that of the Clergy Reserves, and it was, therefore, determined to 
 dispose of it if possiljle. A bill was accordingly introduced by 
 Mr. Draper, now Solicitor General, early in January, empowering the 
 Governor to sell these Reserves ; part of the proceeds to be a^^plied for 
 payment of the salaries of tho existing clergymen of the Church of 
 England, to whom the faith of the Crown had been pledged. One-half 
 of the remainder was to go to the chui'ches of England and Scotland, 
 in proportion to their respective numbers, the other half, to all other 
 denominations of Christians, recognised by the existing laws, in a ratio 
 to their annual private contributions for the support of their ministers. 
 This bill passed the Assembly by a majority of eight. The measure, 
 however, did not satisfy the Reform Party, and long continued to be a 
 fruitful sou: c of agitation. 
 
 Meanwhile, an address had been presented by the Assembly to the 
 Governor General, in order to elicit a distinct expression of his views 
 on the question of responsible government. On the 14th of January 
 he sent down a message in reply, which declared " that he had been 
 commanded by her Majesty to administer the government in accor- 
 dance with the well understood wishes of tho jieople ; and to pay to 
 their feelings, as expressed through their representatives, the deference 
 that was justly due to them." 
 
 Thus, at last, was the principle of responsible government interwoven 
 with the constitution of Canada, a coiisutnmatidn so long struggled for 
 by the Reform Party. The Governor General's message on this head 
 was followed by the removal of Mr. Ilagerman, the Attorney General, 
 who had voted against the union in the Assembly. Mr. Draper was 
 appointed to the vacant post, while Rubert Baldwin, the principal 
 leader of the constitutional Reformers, was made Solicitor General. 
 
 Mr. Hagermau for his long services was raised to the Bench. 
 
 31 
 
 The 
 
76 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1840. 
 
 • "t 
 
 , ' \ 
 
 > '4 
 
 '4 
 
 busincF- 0^ lin .iv ,.1 having been satisfiictorily concluded, the House 
 was prorogued on the 10th ot February. The Governor General 
 shortly after proceeded to Montreal, where he summoned the Special 
 Council to meet,, and induced it to pass several useful laws. 
 
 On ' ^^ !i;s, near where the gallant Brook had fallen in 
 
 181"\ . ; iic Canadian people had raised a beautiful hollow 
 
 colli <ii . ri''v, in the base of which his remains, and those of 
 
 his ui<i-de-Cii..i^, Lo.uuel M'Donald, had been deposited, having been 
 removed thither from Niagara. This column was ascended by 170 spi- 
 ral sV'])r,. T«-q c-v -iiit commanded a prospect of the noblest character, 
 stretchinr^ u- < . r.iie l^'.io expanse of Lake Oiitar'.') in one direction — in 
 others, over an interminable succession of cultivaU'd fields, and magni- 
 ficent woods. On the 17lh of April, as day dawn-'U, some rnflian, lost 
 to every principle of honor, and innucnced only with diabolical hatred 
 to Canada, endeavored to blow uj) this column with gunpowder. The 
 explosion seriously injured the building. Although a large reward was 
 offered at the time, no clue to the perpetrator has ever been discoverd. 
 But the people of Canada West would not consent that Brock should 
 be without; a memorial. A grand and imposing meeting, presided over 
 by Sir Geoigc Arthur, was held by the militia and others, to the num- 
 ber of 50j0 persons, beneath the shattered column on the 30lh of July, 
 and a subsci'iption entered into to rebuild it.* 
 
 The return of j . -e and order, had again directed the current of 
 emigration up the St. Lawrence, to add to the population and wealth of 
 the Country. During the Summer Mr. Thompson made a protracted 
 tour through the several British provii.ces, and was very favorably 
 received. While popular with the majority of the Canadians, his mea- 
 sures had also given entire satisfaction to the Home Government, and 
 the Queen was accordingly pleased to raise him to the peerage, by the 
 title of Baron Sydenham of Kent and of Toronto. 
 
 Tov/ards the close of the year, the imprisonment in the United States 
 of Alexander M'Leod, who had been Deputy Sheriff of the Ningi'.ra 
 District, for his presumed share in the destrucfion of the Caroline, 
 threatened to involve this country in war. His acquittal, how- 
 1841. ever, although by a court which had no jurisdiction in his case, 
 released Great Britain tVom a most unpleasant dilemma, and ter- 
 ininated the excitement on this head. As the new year progressed the 
 Conservative and Reform parties began to prepare for the general elec- 
 tion, expected to take place immediately on the union of the two pro- 
 vinces being officially proclaimed. 
 
 * Another noble column is now being erected «ifer many delays, and will 
 shortly be coinplctcd, 
 
 ,♦■ 
 
[1840. 
 
 , the House 
 lor General 
 I the Special 
 
 liiid fill Ion in 
 Lilifiil hollow 
 and those of 
 
 liaving been 
 i V)y 170 spi- 
 'St character, 
 liroclion — in 
 
 and magni- 
 i rnflian, lost 
 lulical hatred 
 owder. The 
 c reward was 
 en discovcrd. 
 Brock should 
 presided over 
 , to the num- 
 SOihof July, 
 
 the current of 
 and wealth of 
 ! a protracted 
 ry favorably 
 ians, his mea- 
 crnment, and 
 erage, by the 
 
 United States 
 the Ningi'.ra 
 the Caroline^ 
 [^quittal, how- 
 )n in his case, 
 mma, and ter- 
 )n)<iressed the 
 general elec- 
 ' the two pro- 
 
 olays, and will 
 
 1841.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 477 
 
 This iniport&nt event took place on the 10th of February. Kingston 
 was to be the seat of government, and preparations were promptly 
 made cherc for thu residence of the Governor General and accommo- 
 dation of the Legislature. On the l.'Jth, writs returnab'.;^ on the 8lh ot 
 April, were issued for a new election. An Fvvecutive Council for 
 united Canada* were also summoned, and other ajipointmcnts made at 
 the same time. AVith the new order of things ended the Lieutenant- 
 Governorship of Ippcr Canada. Sir (ieorge Arthur's rule accordingly 
 terminated. The administration oi' the Canadas has since l)eeii directed 
 by one individual, in the person of a Governor (jciu'ral or his rupre- 
 sentative. 
 
 The elections, at which considerable excitement took place, resulted 
 in the return of a small JJeform majority in Upper Cana-la. The Con- 
 servatives returned a large proportion of menibers, and it was evident 
 that these two part-ies were of very nearly e«[iial strength. The Family 
 Compact were oidy able to elect seven members. The French mem- 
 bers, numbering 24, held the balance of pow .r completely in their 
 hands, and thus occupied a j>osition somewhat analog(jus to that helel by 
 the U"Connell party in the British House of Commons. 
 
 The Legislature was convened at Kingston on the L')tli of June. The 
 Assembly chose Mr. Cuviilier, a French-Canadian JJeformcr as its 
 Speaker, The session was opened by the (governor General in a 
 clever, practical, speech, alik^' distinguished for moderation and good 
 sense. It stated, with regard to ^FLeod, whose case was still U'ldecided, 
 that her Majesty was fully determined to protect her Canadian sub- 
 jects to the utmost of her power, itrecommendi'd a new arrangement for 
 the post office department, the completion of the public works of the 
 province, for which purpose Great Britain was prepared to pledge her 
 credit for one and a half million sterling, the encouragement of emigra- 
 tiion on an extended scale, the creation of nuniieipal councils, and a 
 better provision for education. it also stated, that a large sum would 
 be annually expended by the Home Government for the military 
 defences of the country, and declared the fixed determination of the 
 Queen, to maintain at all hazards, the existing liritish provinces of 
 North America as part of the Empire. It concluded with a prayer 
 that Providence might sodirect their Councils as to insure to the Queen, 
 
 * This Council was composed of Mossrs. Sullivnn, (rresidont,) Dunn, Daly, 
 Harrison, Ogdon, DrnjiLT, BiiKlwin, and Day ; all holding tlu; liighcr uflicors of 
 the state apart from their position of Executive Councillors. Under the system 
 of Responsible Government members of Assembly accojiting office are obliged to 
 go back to their constituencies for re-election. If rej»'ctcd as a matter of course 
 iixcy cmmot hold office. 
 
> I 
 
 478 
 
 THE IirSTORY 
 
 [T842, 
 
 . ' > 
 
 .* !* 
 
 attached and loyal subjects, and to United Canada, a prosperous and 
 happy people. 
 
 But, the fiery political ordeal through which Canada had so recently 
 pas;:'..]. ■ "dcred the wisdom and nioderation of Lord Sydenhanri 
 unavailing in at once removing every trace of dissension. He had tO' 
 contend against lingering Tory prejudice, on one hand, and extreme 
 Reform cxpet'tatioii, on the otiier, looking at once fur sweeping ultra 
 measures. Mr. Baldwin, finding himself at issue on matters with the 
 rest of the ministry, resigned, and joined himself to the opposition, 
 former ■■ ■ some twenty French members, and fifteen Upper Canadian 
 Reformers. Lord Sydenham hiid another difiicnlty to contend with, m 
 the composition of a new Legislative Council, into which many mem- 
 bers were now introduced, whose pui)lic reputation had yet to be 
 formed, whilst others were CNcIuded who had long been members of 
 former Councils. Some gentlemen, accordingly, refused to sit in the 
 new Council altogether, and others delayed being sworn in. 
 
 But, [iOrd Sydenham was not a man to be deterred by the difficulties 
 which met him in every direction, and sedulously applied himself to- 
 release Canada from its depressed condition. lie procured the transfer 
 of the Welland Canal stock from the private holders to tiie government,, 
 introduced, into the Legislature, through the Executive meu)bers, bills for 
 revising the customs' laws, regulating the currency, promoting education^ 
 creating an eflieient Board of Works, and erecting municipal cc^rpora- 
 tions. In addition, he did much to heal th i soreness of pai'ty feelings 
 and to cause the Assembly to unite on measure^j'for the public good.. 
 But this benefactor of Canada, and of the Empire at large, was not 
 fated to witness the triuniphant results of his labors, in the great 
 j)rosperity they were destined to jiroduce. Incessant labor, for the 
 preceding two years, had undermined a naturally delicate constitution^ 
 The fall of his Ixu'se under him, while out riding on the 4th of Sept- 
 ember, fractured his leg arid caused a severe wound al)ove the knee. 
 His weak frame was unable to bear up against these injuries, and Can- 
 ada, on the 19th of that month, lost the ablest (Jovernur which had 
 hitherto guided its councils. 
 
 Short as his administration had been, his wise and vicorous policy- 
 had efPected an immense improvement in the condition of these pro- 
 vinces. He found them snilering from ri'cent intestine rebellion and 
 foreign lawless aggression, their ex(hei[uer empty, their inhabitants- 
 mistrusting one another, and left tlnni in the enjoy mint of peace^ 
 mutual confidence in a measure re-established, restored credit, and the 
 possession of a system of government, which promised the most bene- 
 ficial results ; while, the union with the iiiolhcr country was placed oa 
 
 ■ji^r.,. 
 
[T842, 
 
 perous and 
 
 so recently 
 Sydciiliam 
 
 lie luid to 
 id ox t re me 
 'cpinji ultra 
 •rs with the 
 opposition, 
 er Canadian 
 end with, in- 
 nany inem- 
 
 yct to be 
 members of 
 y sit in the 
 
 ledifTicnltics 
 1 himself tO' 
 I the transfer 
 (rovernment^ 
 iters, bills for 
 Mil eUneatioHj 
 i[)al corpora- 
 3arty feelings 
 
 public good, 
 ■(re, was not 
 
 in the great 
 ibor, for the 
 
 constitution^ 
 
 4lh of Sept- 
 ve the Ivuec, 
 •ios, and Can- 
 jr which had 
 
 enrolls policy 
 of these pro- 
 rebellion and 
 ii- inhabitants- 
 nit of peace^ 
 ■rctlit, and the 
 he most bene- 
 was placed, oa 
 
 1841.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 470 
 
 the broad and secure basis of mutual interest and natfirnl ane'tionv 
 The name of Wolfe is a great one in Canadian annals — that of Hrock 
 will never l)e forgotten by its pe<»i)lo ; the memory of Sydenham — tiic 
 raerehant |)acirieatoi' of Canada, is equally worthy of reverence and 
 honor. His re|iutation was a Canadian and not an English one, and 
 when he desired to bo buried at Kingslon, he, felt lie was about to lay 
 his ashes amid a people, with whoso history he must be forever asso- 
 ciated. Nocoliiiiin as yet has ari>en to honor him; but the union 
 itself is a lilting monument to his memory ; and the nati<jnal peace 
 and prospeiity, which it has produced, should teach every true patriot 
 to cherish that menTi(»ry with gratitude and respect. 
 
 On the 18lh the Legislature was prorogued by General Clitheiow, 
 appointed by the dying Governor General for that purpose. "All 
 is finished !" said the Kingston Ilcrnld three days afterwards, " Parlia- 
 ment is prorogued, and the (Governor General is no more. Sic transit 
 gloria muiiill! Let us now be calm and reflect on these occurrences as 
 men and Christians. The first I'arliamoit of United Canada has ended 
 well — well beyond all expectation, and much good has been aehievcd. 
 The main positions of the new government have bei'U sustained, and 
 some of th.e most essential measures of reform efl'eeted. Conflictinii 
 opinions have not been cariicd out ♦^o an injurious extent, in any way, 
 and the members have all parted in good humor.". 
 
 It appears as if Providence had decreed, that the pact of union 
 «hould be solemnly sea'ed by tha death of him who had so trium- 
 phantly effected it. iNo sooner had his hand subscribed the instruments 
 of its first Legislature than it speedily slidcncd in the cold grasp of 
 Inexorable death. It seems like sacrilege to sunder a union thus so 
 strikingly accomplished. Men should pause ere they rashly make the 
 attempt, and seek lessons of wisdom in the past. 
 
 THE GOVEKNJIENT OF Sill CHARLES BAGOT. 
 
 In England the Whigs had been recently driven from ofilcc by their 
 political opponents, and the latter selected Sir Charles Bagot, des- 
 cended from an ancient family, and a High Churchman and Tory, to bo 
 G(ivernor General of Canada. He arrived at Kingston on the 
 18-t'2. 10th of January, and w^as very favorably received by the inhabi- 
 tants. 'J'he government had meanwhile been administered by 
 Sir Richard Jackson, the commander of the forces. 
 
 The new Governor General's antecedents, led the Conservative lead- 
 ers to imagine that he W(mld speedily lend himself to their vlevvs, and 
 uid, as far as his position would permit him, in establishing their ascen 
 
480 
 
 TriE IIFSTORY 
 
 [1842. 
 
 1 1 
 
 . • t 
 
 • ^ 
 
 dancy in tlio ministry. Instead, however, of tlirowing himself at once 
 into the hiiiids of cither party, he passed the Winter and Spring in 
 making himself acquainted witli the condition (>f the country generally, 
 and of its political afTiirs in [)articnlar. I^ord Sydenham, the IJefurm 
 (iovernor (leneral, had lioen unwilling to admit any persons at all con- 
 nected unfav()ral)ly to the Crown with the recent rebellion to his coun- 
 cils. ]Jut Sir Charles Hagot, the old fashioned Tory, had no scruples 
 ■whatever on this head, lie determined to use whatever party he fomid 
 capable of supporting a ministry, and accordinirly made overtures to 
 the Frencli Canadians and that section of the IJeform Party of Upper 
 Canada, led by Mr. Baldwin, who then formed the opposition in the 
 Assembly. 
 
 There can be no question this was the wisest line of policy ho could 
 adopt, and that it tended to remove the difTerenecs between the two 
 races, and unite them more cordially for the common weal. The 
 French-Canadian element was no longer in the ascendant — the Eng- 
 lish language had decidedly assumed the aggressive, and true wisdom 
 consisted in forgetting the past, and opening the door of preferment 
 to men of talent of French, as well as to those of British origin. The 
 necessity of this lino of policy was interwoven with the Union Act ; 
 and, after that, was the, first great step towards the amalgamation of 
 the races. A dififorrnt policy would have nullified the principle of 
 responsible government, and must have proved suicidal to any minis- 
 try seeking to carry it out. Sir Charles Bagot went on the broad 
 principle, that the constitutional majority had the right to rule under 
 the constitution. 
 
 ' The course adopted by the Governor General necessarily caused 
 some changes in the ministry. Mr. Draper resigned the Attorney 
 Generalship for Canada West ; Mr. Henry Sherwood, Solicitor 
 General for the same province, made way for Mr. Aylwin. Mr, 
 Tlincks was created Inspector General of Public Accounts ; Mr. Lafon- 
 taine became Attorney General for C. E., Mr. Baldwin for C. W. 
 ■and Mr. florin Commissioner of (^Jrown Lands. The decided suppor- 
 ters of the new niinistrv in the x\sseniblv amounted to GO mcnibers, 
 the opposition to only '-if. The members of Assembly who accepted 
 oHice, agreeable to the responsible to the people practice of the British 
 ] louse of Commons, went back to their constituents for re-election. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Legislature had been convened on the 8lh of Sep- 
 tember, an<l was opened by the Governor General with a satisfactory 
 speech. He alluded to the great change for the better which had taken 
 place in the country, stated the very improved condition of the revenue, 
 the advancement of the public works, the progress of educational fact'li- 
 
[1842. 
 
 iself at once 
 I Spring in 
 y generally, 
 the Itefurm 
 s at all con- 
 to his coun- 
 no scruples 
 rty he found 
 A'ortiires to 
 ty of ITpper 
 sitlon in the 
 
 icy he could 
 icn the two 
 weal. The 
 it — the Eng- 
 a'ue wisdom 
 preferment 
 >rigiii. The 
 Union Act ; 
 Igamation ot 
 principle of 
 D an}^ minis- 
 1 the broad 
 rule under 
 
 irilv caused 
 le Attorney 
 d, Solicitor 
 ylwin. Mi\ 
 , Mr. Lafon- 
 
 for C. W. 
 ided suppor- 
 50 mcrhbers, 
 'ho accepted 
 f the r.ritish 
 -election. 
 
 8lh of Sep- 
 i satisfictory 
 ch had taken 
 
 the revenue, 
 itional fficiU- 
 
 1842.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 481 
 
 ties, and the spirit of peace and contentment 'vhioh ^ c* v. idcd society. 
 After a short session the House was proiw-^ued on lliu 22nd of 
 October. 
 
 Towards the close of the year, Sir Charles IJagof's f.Jliiig healtii 
 induced hitn to i'cr|'iest his recall. After a long and evere ili- 
 1843. ness, he died on the lOlh of May, in the following year. 
 
 (iOVEUNlMENT OF LOliJ) 3lETC'ALFE. 
 
 On the Home Ministry receiving Sir Charles Bagot's resignation, 
 Sir Charles Metcalfe was appointed Governor (jleneral of Canada, and 
 arrived at Kingston on the 2r)th of March. Like Lord Sydenham he 
 had worked his way upwards by the I'orce of his natural abilities, and 
 business tact, and not by the influence of great family connections. In 
 1800 he began the world as a writer in the civil service of the East 
 India Company, and rose step by step from this humble position, till 
 he became, in ISoi. Acting Governor (jleneral oT India, a post he filled 
 for two years. In ISoO he became Governor of Jamaica, which he 
 relinquis^hed in 1842, owing to his ill health and the appearance of a 
 cancer in his face. His partial recovery, however, ii.d iced him soon 
 after his return to England to accept the government of Canada. 
 
 Little of importance occurred during the Summer. It gradually 
 drew towards its close, and nothing was as yet known of the course Sir 
 Charles Metcalfe might ultimately pursue — whcthei he would support 
 or repudiate the policy of his predecessor. On the 28th of September, 
 he opened the Legislature with a speech, which was received very gene- 
 rally with favor and responded to in courteous terms by both Houses. 
 As the session progressed, he began gradually to develop his future 
 policy, and exhibited a decided inclination to attach himself to the Con- 
 servative Party, of whom Sir Allan M'Nab was now the acknowledged 
 leader. Some appointments from their ranks led to an open rupture 
 with the ministry in November, and they accordingly tendered their 
 resignations. 
 
 In this condition matters remained till after the termination of the 
 session, on the 9th Di'cember ; when, the Governor General, while he 
 declared that he recognised ll;e just power and privileges of the peo- 
 ple to influence* their rulers, and to regulate, through their representa- 
 tives, the administration of government, Tv.aintained he had the right 
 to select the executive officers of the Crown. He accordingly now 
 received the resignations of the ministry, and sought to form a provi- 
 sional, or irresponsible, cabinet for the present. Even this he soon 
 found to be a most diflicult task, as in the present composition of the 
 
482 
 
 THE TTISTORY 
 
 [1843. 
 
 \\ 
 
 , ' t 
 
 fTousc of Assembly, all tho Coii'sorvntivc Iciulors were unwillinrr to 
 take ofiico. His conduct, at the same time, croatod much political 
 excitement, and was vigorously denounced by tho lletbrm Press, as 
 well as by the leaders of the lloforni Party. 
 
 The determination having been come to, during the recent 
 
 1844. session of the Legislature, to remove the seat of government to 
 Montreal, that event .accordingly took place after the opening of 
 
 navigation. Monklands was fitted up as the residence of the Governor 
 (jcneral, and ho removed thither in the month of June. 
 
 After considerable difficulty, a ministry was at length formed, of a 
 complexion to suit Sir Charles !Metcalfe, and it was determined to 
 resort to a dissohition of parliament, and appeal to the people for the 
 support of which there was not the most remote chance as the Assem- 
 bly was then constituted. Writs were accordingly issued for a new 
 election on the 24th of September, and made returnable on the 10th of 
 November following. The election resulted in the return of a small 
 Conservative majority. 
 
 On the 28th of November, the Legislature was convened at Montreal, 
 when Sir Allan M'Nab was chosen Speaker of the Assembly by a ma- 
 jority of 3 votes. The speech of the Governor General was very 
 moderate in its tone, and chiefly distinguished for its allusions to tho 
 continual improvement in the finances of tho country and in its allairs 
 otherwise. The debate on the address was a very warm one ; but 
 the opposition, led by Mr. Baldwin, were finally defeated, on a motion 
 to amend it, by a Conservative majority of six. About this 
 period the Governor General was raised to the peerage, by the title of 
 Baron Metcalfe, in consideration of his long and meritorious services. 
 At the same time, the course he had pursued was fully sustained by the 
 Tlome Government. 
 
 The following year was chiefly distinguished by two most disas- 
 
 1845. trous fires in Quebec, which took place successively on the 28th 
 of May, and on the night of the 28th of June. Several lives were 
 
 lost during these conflagrations, and the dwellings of 24,000 inhabitants 
 destroyed. Many of the sufferers were reduced to the greatest desti- 
 tution. To relieve these unfortunate people, many of whom had been 
 reduced from afHucnce to the most extreme poverty, £100,000 sterling 
 was raised by subscription in Great Britain, and £35,000 collected 
 in Canada and elsewhere. Sheds were promptly erected to shelter the 
 houseless citizens, who gradually took courage, and before the 
 close of Summer, the city again began to rise from its ashes more 
 beautiful than ever. 
 The progress of this year produced no change m the Conservative 
 
 
[1843, 
 
 inwilliiifj to 
 oh political 
 1 Press, as 
 
 the recent 
 V eminent to 
 
 opcniiiff of 
 le (Jovcrnor 
 
 ormcd, of a 
 orminod to 
 oplo for the 
 
 the Asscm- 
 1 for a new 
 
 the 10th of 
 1 of a small 
 
 at Montreal, 
 ily by a ma- 
 il was very 
 sions to tho 
 In its allhirs 
 m one : but 
 on a motion 
 About this 
 T the title of 
 ous services, 
 ained by the 
 
 most disas- 
 on the 28th 
 •al lives were 
 3 inhabitants 
 reatest desti- 
 5m had been 
 ,000 sterling 
 00 collected 
 shelter the 
 before the 
 s ashes more 
 
 I!onservative 
 
 1845.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4Kt 
 
 character of the ministry which still continued to conduct the govern- 
 ment, although supported by a very feeble niiijority in the Assembly. 
 Lord ^letealfe saw that his line of policy hail completely failed, and 
 very possibly did not regret, that the eircu instance t>f illness covered 
 his retreat to lOiiglaiid in the month of November. The cancer on hi;* 
 cheek had again re-appeared, and of svlilrli lie dii'd shortly after his 
 return home, iuiiver>ally I'l'grctteil. Although his govirninental 
 policy in this country was not a successful one, his kindness of disposi- 
 tion and private liberality, had rendered him generally respected. 
 
 THE GUVKllX.MKNT OF TJIK EAUL OF CATIIC'AUT. 
 
 On Lord Mc^tealfe's resignation, Lieutenant General Earl Cathcart, 
 commanding the forces in Canada, was appointed administrator of the 
 government. He took no part in the, dis[)utes between the rival pijliti- 
 cal parties, and whatever might be his own predilections, left them to 
 
 settle their (piarrels themselves. His administration was ehielly 
 lb40. distinguished by an agitation with regard to the payment of 
 
 losses, caused by destruetlon ol property in Lower Canada dur- 
 1845. ing the rebellion. In the preceding year tho Conservative 
 
 ministi'v had recommended tin- payment of these losses, and 
 proposed that the special fund arising from tavern and other licenses, 
 should be handed over to the dbferent County Muniei|)alilies, which, as 
 regarded Upper Canada, should be charged, in the first place, with 
 their liquidation The Frcneh-Canadian party in the !>egis]ature 
 supported this measure, wliit'h ])ut the question at rest in the 
 upper province, on condition, that steps should be taken to pay ^ms/ 
 losses also in Lower Canada. 
 
 To this course the ministry agreed ; and, accordingly, on the 24th of 
 November, six commissioners were appointed by I^ord Metc:ilfe to 
 enquire into the losses sustained by her ilajesty's Icijal subjects in 
 Lower Canada. Lord Cathcart, subsequently, on the 1 2th of Decem- 
 ber, renewed this commission to the same persons, who were now 
 instructed to " classify carefully the cases of those who may have joined 
 in the said rebellion, or who may have been aiding or abetting therein, 
 from the cases of those who did not ; stating particularly, but suc- 
 cinctly, the nature of the loss sustained in each case, its amount, and 
 character, and as fixr as possible its cause," In the course of their 
 investigation, a difficulty arose in the minds of the commissioners, as 
 
 to the mode of procuring the necessary evidence. On the 27th 
 1840. of February, the ministry decided, "they were to be guided 
 
 solely by the sentences of the courts of law, and that they had 
 
4H.; 
 
 TITK TllSTOUY 
 
 [184fl. 
 
 < 
 
 . • I 
 
 no powers to cull for cither persons or papers." riulor these oircum- 
 stniit'fs it would seutii, that uisicss piirtios hail been K'{{;iily c(jtivicli!cl of 
 pnrticifxition in the rehellion, their innocence was id he presumed, and 
 their losses, where any had heen sustained, taken into eonsichration. 
 
 On the iHth of A[n'il, the report «>l the eonunissioners was made. It 
 statetl, that lliey had reeoffniscd *i,170 claims anmnntiii^' in tlie ajij^re- 
 gato to X)H\,*.H\'t. These claims were classilicd under three heads, viz., 
 [lersonal property l'lll,l''i7, real property .i'(i(),tMil, and danni^es, 
 not comprised in either ot the-e classes, .C(>1,H7»>. In the last class 
 were included .it) ,000 for inteust, .l'i2,0()0 lor (juartering troops, and 
 i;30,000 for imprisonment, temporary hanishment. Interruption of 
 business, loss of j^oods, account books, ar.d so forth. Tht^ commission- 
 ers, however, were of opinion, that the sum of X'100,000 would he suf- 
 ficient to pay ; 11 real losses. Some of the claims, they deemed to be 
 alto<rether inadmissable, and others apaiii as entirely too extravagant. 
 Their want of legal authority to investigate methodically and strictly the 
 losses in (luestion, had left, them wholly dependent on tin- stalemenls of 
 thtr claimants themselves. 
 
 This rej)ort j)reseiited a vei'y unsati'-liictory basis for legislation, being 
 altogether of too indefinite and uncertain a character. Nevertheless, 
 the Conservative ministry, with Mr. iJraper for its leader, feeling the 
 necciisity of IVench-Cariadian support, introduced a bill into the lA'gis 
 laturo for the partial payment of the rebcllii)n losses in Lower Canada 
 and which empowered the issue of .Ci).OH() in debentures for that 
 purpose. 
 
 TIFE OOVEirNMKNT OF 'I'lIE KAKL OF ELGIN. 
 
 I 
 
 On the 1st of October, the Earl of KIgin, the successor of Lord ^fet- 
 ealfe in the government of .lamaicaas well as in that of Canada, received 
 the appointment of (jloveriior (Jeneral. Like his father, who was so 
 distinguished in the matter of the KIgin marbles, Lord Elgin is a per- 
 son of high educational attainments, and a natural aptitude for public 
 affairs. When member of Parliament for Southampton, an eflective 
 speech on the address gave promise of political success, and opened 
 the door of ofiice to him while in England. The death of his father, and 
 his consequent accession to the earldom, removed him from the House 
 of Commons. tStilJ, a slender and embarrassed patrimony for a per- 
 son of his rank, rendered him desirous to obtain political employment, 
 and the liberal salary of the Governor Generalship of British North 
 America, led him to accept that post very readily. 
 
 Lord Elgin arrived at Montreal on the 30th of January, wai 
 
[i84(;. 
 
 ihcsc oircum- 
 convicted ot" 
 'osiiniud, and 
 idinitidii. 
 \m nuulc. It 
 ill ihc iiggre- 
 !C ht'Jids, viz., 
 11(1 daiiia^^i'S, 
 lie lust cluss 
 troops, and 
 crruption of 
 commission- 
 Aould he suf- 
 lec'incd to bo 
 extravagant, 
 d strictly the 
 jlatcint'Uls of 
 
 ilatlon, l)i'iiig 
 ^Jcverthclcss, 
 r, feeling the 
 ito the lA'gis 
 :)wer Canada 
 ires for that 
 
 IIX. 
 
 jf Lord Met- 
 ada, received 
 
 wh') was so 
 Igin is a per- 
 de for public 
 1, an ed'octive 
 
 and opened 
 hi father, and 
 in the ITouso 
 ny for a per- 
 imployment, 
 Iritish North 
 
 anuarv, wa^ 
 
 1847.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 485 
 
 mot at the outside of the city by a initneroiis corte<;e heiidid 
 1847. l)y the mayor, and firesented with llic usual complin fiiiary 
 addresses. The violent party spirit t'xhibitcd during the niunicipal 
 eleetion-i of ^^ulltl•eal, in February, showed him ilearly the licrce social 
 elements he had to soi;th and reconcile, and the dillieiillieH wITu'li beset 
 the gubernatorial task he had assume(|. The Draper ailmiiiistration, 
 too, narrowly watched by the liefortn j)ress, led on hy the J'i/o/. now 
 edited by Mr. llincks, was tottering towards its fall, and v;viiily eiidea- 
 vored to derive support from one section or annlher of the opposition. 
 About this periovl, also, the IJeform I'arty showed a di.s[tositioii to 
 ignore Lord Sydenham's settlement of tin; Clergy lleserves' question, 
 and to agitate for their appropriation to secular purposes. 
 
 IJut, if the people rd' Canada were divided on political questions, 
 they were uiiaiiiiiious on one ot philanthropy-in a desire to relieve their 
 suH'ering fellow-creatures, l-'rom amiil the Scottish Highlands — from 
 Ireland's Coiniemara and Skibbereen, and even from her more fertile 
 districts, arose the a]i[ialling cry of t'amiiie and the prayer for succor. 
 (Ainatla did lutt ^hut lier ear to the appeal. .\ " Li'liei" i'liiid" was 
 oj)encd, and from every tlireelioii — t'roni old-fashioned Tories and 
 jnodi'rn Ladieals, from (.'onservatives and Keforniers — from the Iro- 
 quois Indians (d" Canghnawaga, and the Huron and Delaware of wes- 
 tern Canada, and from her colored citizens, came contributions in money 
 or in food. And from many a household altar, also, prayers went up 
 to a merciful i'rovidence, that a sinful and sufl'ering people might 
 receive the aid, which their fellow-men, however liberal, were unable to 
 extend sullieiently. 
 
 On tho 2nd of June the Legislature was convened at ^[ontreal, and 
 the session opened by liOrd Elgin in a short, practical, and clever non- 
 committal speech. He stat(,'d that the Imperial (lovernnient was 
 prepared to surrender to th(^ Colonial authorities the control of the 
 Post Oiliee department ; and that the TTiMise was now (^mi)owered by 
 Imperial statute to repeal the ditierential duties in favor of [iritish manu- 
 fiictures. He alluded to the necessity of [iroviding increased ware- 
 house, facilities at inland ports; (o tlie imperial survey of the inti'iided 
 railroad from Queliec to Halifax; to the proposed alteration with 
 respect to the Uritish copy -light questi(»n ; and to the mea>;ures ^\hich 
 had bi;en adopted to provide tor the large emigration, expected to take 
 ]>lace to this country. 
 
 The emigration thus alluded to had already commenced, and was 
 throwing a large number of destitute pers(>ns upon the charity of the 
 citizens and the humanity of the authorities. Ar.my after army of sick 
 and suffering people, fleeing from famine in their native land to be 
 
48G 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1847. 
 
 . ' » 
 
 ■H 
 
 struck down by death in the valley of the St. Lawrence, stopped In 
 rapid succession at Gross Isle, and tlicre leaving numbers of their dead 
 behind, pushed upwards towards the lakes in over-crowded steamers, 
 to burthen the inhabitants of the western towns and villages. Up to 
 the Till of August, 70,000 emigrants had landed at Quebec. 
 
 The session of the Legislature terminated on the 28lh of July, after 
 the transaction of a large amount of business. The ministry still con- 
 tinued to hold office, though defeated on some important measures, and 
 it was evident they could scarcely hope to carry on the government 
 much longer. The leaders of the Ileformers saw clearly the ministry 
 would hardly dare to meet another session of the Legislature, with a 
 " no confidence vote"' staring them in the face, and warned their party 
 to be ready for a new election, now evidently near at hand. Ucforni 
 conventions were accordingly held in every direction, Candidates 
 decided upon, newspapers started in their interest, and every measure 
 taken necessary to success. 
 
 In this active state of preparation did the fleform Party meet the 
 dissolution of parliament on the Gth of December. The writs for the 
 election were iiiade returnable on the 24th of the following 
 184S. January. From the general tone of the public mind, it was 
 confidently expected by Reformers that the Conservative minis- 
 try had exhausted its popularity, and would scarcely be sustained at 
 the polls. The result ju'^tificd this expectation. The Conservative 
 Party was so complelely defeated, that it was evident the Reformers 
 were in for a long continuance of place and power. All their principal 
 leaders were returned. Ilincks for Oxford, Baldwin for the Fourth 
 Riding of York, Price and Blake for the first and second Ridings, and 
 Malcolm Cameron for Kent. Wolfred Nelson was returned for the 
 County of Richelieu, the scene of his exploits during the rebellion ; and 
 Papineau, who had meanwhile come back to Canada, was chosen as 
 their representative by the Habitants of St. Maurice. Papineau had 
 better have remained in privacy. He soon found that he had outlived 
 his once great popularity, and was bearded even as a coward by his 
 former associate in crime, Wolfred Nelson, infinitely the better man 
 of the two; and who has lived suflicicntly long to regret his for- 
 mer folly, and to honor the same Victoria against whose troops he so 
 stoutly contended at St, Denis. 
 
 Parliament was convened on the 25th of February, and Mr. Morin, 
 a Lower Canadian, was chosen Speaker by the Assembly, on the motion 
 of Mr. Baldwin, seconded by Mr. Lafbntaine who had effectually sup- 
 planted Papineau in the consideration of the French population. Thi* 
 
[1847. 
 
 ', stopped in 
 of tlu'ir dead 
 cd steamers, 
 Up to 
 
 ages. 
 
 A July, after 
 
 try still con- 
 
 neasures, and 
 
 government 
 
 the ministry 
 
 atiire, with a 
 
 id their party 
 
 nd. Itcforni 
 
 1, Candidates 
 
 very measure 
 
 arty meet tho 
 writs for the 
 the following 
 mind, it was 
 rvative minis- 
 c sustained at 
 Conservative 
 ho Keformers 
 their principal 
 or the Fourth 
 1 Ixidings, and 
 jrned for the 
 cbellion ; and 
 vas chosen as 
 Papincau had 
 }. had outlived 
 toward by liis 
 e better man 
 !gret his for- 
 troops he so 
 
 d Air. Morin, 
 on the motion 
 (Toctuaily sup- 
 ulation. Thi* 
 
 1848.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 487 
 
 speech of the Governor General was again of abrief and non-committal 
 character. 
 
 Immediately on the opening of Parliament, the old mitiistry, whose 
 principal member, Mr. Draper, had meanwhile been elevated to the 
 Bench, resigned, and the task of forming a new one was intrusted by 
 Lord Elgin to Messrs. Baldwin and Lafontaine, who found little difTi- 
 culty lu accomplii-hiiig it. Air. Ilincks again became Inspector 
 General, Air. Cameron was selected to fill the post of Assistant 
 Commissioner for Public Works, and Air, Blake, the present Chancellor, 
 became Solicitor General of Canada West. The entire cabinet was 
 composed of eight members of British origin and four of French. The 
 latter wore Alessrs. Lafontaine, Caron, Vigor, and Taclic. Thus calmly 
 and constitutionally, under the priiici[ile of responsiljlo government, 
 was formed one of the most able cabinets, which has ever directed Cana- 
 dian afliiirs. After a -hort session the House was prorogued on the 
 23i'd of Alarch. 
 
 While Canada was thus peacefully and prosperously pursuing her 
 onward and upward destiny, the continent of Europe was agitated by 
 revolution. Louis Phillip was driven from Franco into exile; while a 
 rebellion broke out in Ireland, nnder the leadership (;f Smith O'lbien, 
 John Alitchell, and others of tho " Young Ii'oland Party," to be iiiglo- 
 riously suppressed by 40 policemen at Ballingary. In watching the 
 course of the^e stiring events, party fooling in Canada was forgottm for 
 the moment. Towards the close of the year, howovei', the r('[)eal of 
 the Imperial Navigati(jn Laws created some dii-cussion and public 
 excitement. 
 
 Parliament was again convened on tho 18th of .lanuary. The 
 
 1849. opening speech of tho (iovernor ficiicral alluded to the trancpiil 
 
 condition of the country, tho sjieedy ciunplction of ihi' St. 
 
 Lawrence Caiuils, and tho transfer of the Post Olliee Department to the 
 
 Provincial authorities, as soon as tho ])reliminary arrangements should 
 
 be completed. 
 
 Up to this session of tho Legislature, no action had been taken by 
 the new ministry, with regai'<l to the report of the commissioners 
 appointed to en(|uiro into the losses sustained in Lower Caiiaila dui'ing 
 the rebellion, liesolutions weri' vow introduced by Mr. Lafontaine, 
 on which to base a bill for the [laynieiit of these losses, wliieh were 
 passed with some amendments. The bill itself was subsiMpiently 
 broutiht in, and on a motion for its second readinir on the liJlh of Feb- 
 ruary, a stormy debate ensued. It was contended by the opposition, 
 that parties implicated in tho rebellion must receive [laymeiiifor losses 
 under its provisions; and, that it was unjust to charge this payment on 
 
» ' ■■ •« 
 
 488 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1849. 
 
 ■y >. 
 
 V i 
 
 <\-l"r^ 
 
 the consolidated fund of the country, thus making Upper Canada liable 
 for its proportion. On the other hand it was urged, that it was not the 
 intention to pay one shilling to parties concerned in the rebellion, but 
 only to reimburse those whose properties had been wantonly destroyed ; 
 th:K ■h^^ present ministry wore merely carrying out the views of their 
 Cono> rvative predecessors in oflice ; and that, as the payment of the 
 Up[vr Canada losses had been drawn from licenses forming part of the 
 consolidated fund, it was no injustice to make that fund also liable 
 for the same purpose in the sister province. 
 
 However correct these representations may have been, they had lit- 
 tle ortl'ct in allaying the excilemout, which rapidly spread t'vnm Mon- 
 treal westward, ^[uetings were liuld in every direction, at which min- 
 isters and ;heir adherents were denounced in unsparing terms. " No 
 pay to rebels" became the watchword of the Conservative, and of 
 a proportion of the licform, Party, and the old antagonism of races 
 burst out with extraordinary virulence. To escape from French domi- 
 nation, as it was termed, the more violent Tory members of the Con- 
 servative Party, declared they were prepared to go to any lengths — 
 even to annexation with the United States, a measure which in the pas- 
 sionate excitement of the moment was openly advocated. Thus parties 
 who had long made boast of their loyalty to the iJritish Crown — of 
 their hatred of republican license and extreme djmoL'racy, were now 
 seen supporting the same treasonable measures, precisely, f^r which so 
 many in 1838 had perished on the scaffold. It was a rash proce - 
 dure, and forms a mortifying epoch in the history of Canadian parties. 
 When the excitement died away, and reason and reflection again 
 resumed their sway, this annexation position was abandoned ; but not, 
 however, till the Reform Party had retorted the accusation of treason 
 and disloyalty on their political foes. 
 
 But, fierce as the storm was, the ministry, sustained by a majority of 
 both Houses, determined to face it and put the matter finally at rest. 
 The passage of the bill was the condition of support from French mem. 
 hers to Upper Canada Reformers ; and if it was abandoned, aside from 
 the moral cowardice this course would involve, that support could not 
 be any longer looked for, and the loss of office must consequently fol- 
 low. The bill was accordingly pushed through its several stages, and 
 finally carried in the Lower House by 48 votes to 33, and likewise 
 passed the Legislative Council. 
 
 The preamble of this bill recited the different measures already taken 
 
 sessions, to pay the losses in 
 
 precedi 
 
 question, and authorised the issue of debentures chargeable on the con- 
 solidated fund, to the amount of £100,003, for their final liquidation. 
 
[1849. 
 
 /anada liable 
 t was not the 
 cbellion, but 
 y destroyed ; 
 cws of their 
 Miient of the 
 g part of the 
 1 also liable 
 
 they had lit- 
 i from Mon- 
 ,t whicli mln- 
 ?.rms. " No 
 itive, and of 
 isra of races 
 French domi- 
 s of the Con- 
 ny lengths — 
 uh ill the pas- 
 Thus parties 
 h Crown — of 
 5y, were now 
 f.>r which so 
 1 rash proce - 
 idian parties. 
 Ijctiou again 
 ed ; but not, 
 on of treason 
 
 a majority of 
 liialiy at rest. 
 
 French mem. 
 cd, aside from 
 )ort could not 
 sequentiy fol- 
 al stages, and 
 
 and likewise 
 
 already taken 
 the losses in 
 le on the con-' 
 1 liquidation. 
 
 1849.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 489 
 
 Alluding to the loose and unsatisfactory report of the commissioners, 
 the preamble further declared " it is necessary and just that the parti- 
 culars of such losses, not yet paid and satisfied, should form the subject 
 of more minute enquiry under lef/ialatire au(horif>/, and tb:it 'he same 
 so far only as they may have arisi'U from the total or partial, unjust, 
 unnecessary, or wanton destruction of the dwellings, buildings, property, 
 and effects of the said inhabitants, and from the seizure, taking, or car- 
 rying away of their property and effects, should be paid and satisfied ; 
 provided that none of the persons who have been conekted of Itirfh (rea- 
 son, alleged to have been committed in that part of this province for- 
 merly the province of Lower Canada, since the first day of November, 
 1837, or who, having been cliarr/cd ivilh high treason or other offences 
 of a t!'\^asonable nature, and having been committed to (he custody of the 
 sheriff in (he gaol of Monlreal, submi(tcd (honsc/rcs (o (he will and plea., 
 sure of her Majes(i/, and were thereupon (ranfipor(ed to her Majesty's 
 Island of Bermuda, shall be entitled to an indemnity for losses sus- 
 tained during or after the said rebellion, or in consequence thereof." 
 
 The passage of the bill was the signal for rioting and confusion 
 through the upper province. In Toronto, scenes of this description 
 were coupled, by some of the city authorities,* with the recent return 
 of Mackenzie to Canada, and excused on that ground. I'akhvin, Blako, 
 and Mackenzie, were burned in efligy, and the windows of the house in 
 which the latter was stopping broken l;y fl.i inl'iiriated mob. The 
 dwellings of Dr. Rolph and Mr. Brown, (editor of the 6r/uit' newspa- 
 per) were also damaged. 
 
 The belief, that Lord Elgin would cither relVisc his assent to this 
 bill altogether, or reserve it for the consideration of the Home Govern- 
 ment, which would no doubt have been the wisest course, as the public 
 mind would have time to cool in the interval, tended considerably to 
 allay the popular excitement. In this respect, however, those who 
 inveighed against the measure were completely disappointed. Naviga- 
 tion had opened very early, and it was deemed advisable that the Royal 
 assent should be given at once to a customs' bill, finally passed on the 
 20th of April. Lord Elgin accordingly proceeded to the Parliament 
 House, formerly St. Ann's market, on that day, escorted by some cav- 
 airy, and gave his assent to the bill in question, and also to the Rebel- 
 lion Losses Bill, at the same time. 
 
 Intelligence of this procedure was speedily circulated, and as Lord 
 Elgin was re-entering his carriage, he was received by a crowd with 
 hootings and groans,^while a knot of well-dressed individuals pelted his 
 
 * See proceedings of Toronto City Council, March, 28th, 1849. 
 
> t 
 
 490 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 [1849. 
 
 : '.' i 
 
 •■ "I 
 
 I 
 
 carriage with the missiles next to hand. Notwithstanding all this out* 
 side excitement, the Assembly still continued in session, the majority 
 supposing that no violence would be offered to themselves. But Sir 
 Allan M'Nub held a ditrurent opinion, declared a riot might be looked 
 for, and stated that it was advisable to call for military assistance. 
 
 Matters remained in this state till evening, no measures having been 
 taken in the meanwhile to suppress a riot, presun)ing it should occur, 
 owing to the imprudent confidence of government. Towards 8 o'clock 
 the fire bells were rung to create an excitement, and a large number of 
 persons speedily assembled, at the Champ (\e Mars, where several inflam* 
 inatory speeches were made. Presently a cry was suddenly raised : 
 '* To tlie Parliament House !" Thither the crowd immediately pro- 
 ceeded, in a stale of great excitement, and encountering neither police 
 nor military to olioeU their progress, thrir loud shouts and yells gave 
 the first information to members, now discussing the judicature bill for 
 Lower Canada, of the commencement of what was evidently a formid- 
 able riot. A few moments more, and a shower of stones dashed in at 
 the windows, when the strangers' gallery was immediately deserted. 
 Some of the members also made their escape by this gallery, while 
 others took refuge behind the Speaker's chair. 
 
 Meanwhile, stones contined to be thrown, till nearly all the windows 
 were broken. Presently, this mode of attack was discontinued, and 
 the mob began to force tht'ir way into the building, A few soon after 
 made their appearance armed with sti ks in the Hall of Assembly, at 
 the (>ppo':,ite end of which the remaining members and clerks now dis- 
 appeared as ra[ii(lly as possible. One of the rioters tln'U seated himself 
 in the Speaker's eli;iir, and waving his hand said, " I dissolve this House." 
 The work of destruction was then rapidly proceeded with. Benches 
 were imlled to pieces, and piled in the middle of the floor with papers 
 from the members' desks. Chandeliers and globe-lights were next bro- 
 ken, and the Speaker's mace seized and carried olF. despite the exertions 
 of the Sergeant-at-arms, who had the courage to remain. 
 
 IMossrs. Kobiiison andCngy did their best to expel the rioters ; and 
 Sir Allan M'Xab emjiloyed himself in saving the Queen's picture, 
 painted by Partridge, and for which £."300 lii'.d l)een paid. Presently, 
 the cry was raised " that tlie Parliament House was on fire!" and a 
 lurid glare from the baseuient story bore painful truth to its correctness. 
 Several gentlemen now exerted themselves to save some of the valua- 
 ble books in the library of the Assembly ; but the flames spread so 
 rapidly, that they were socui compelled to seek safety in flight. Some 
 of them, however, remained so long in the binning building, that they 
 were injured by the fire, and had to be rescued with ladders. 
 
[1849. 
 
 all this out* 
 the majority 
 ■s. But Sir 
 ht be looked 
 iistance. 
 
 having been 
 ihould occur, 
 irds 8 o'clock 
 re number of 
 )veral inflam* 
 lonly raised : 
 lediately pro- 
 leither police 
 nd yells gave 
 mature bill for 
 ;tly a forniid- 
 ; dashed in at 
 tely deserted, 
 gallery, while 
 
 1 the windows 
 ontinued, and 
 ew soon after 
 Assembly, at 
 leiks now dis* 
 seated himself 
 e this House." 
 th. Benches 
 )r with papers 
 vcre next bro- 
 ! the exertions 
 
 } rioters ; and 
 jeen's picture, 
 J. Presently, 
 n fire !" and a 
 its correctness, 
 e of the valua- 
 incs spread so 
 flight. Some 
 Jing, that they 
 ders. 
 
 1840.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 491 
 
 The military, who had at length been sent for, were available in 
 keeping t)ack the dense crowd ; but nothing could be done to arrest the 
 connagi-ution, or save the valuable libraries and public records, the 
 destruction ot which inflicted a lasting disgrace and irreparable injury 
 on the couuti'y. The Paris mobs, in the midst of revolution and 
 anarchy, respected public buildings, the libraries, and works of art ; and 
 it remained for the vandalism of ^lontrcal rioters to inflict a public 
 injury on themselves, of a (;liar,icter adopted by the Saracens and Iluns, 
 and other barbarians of the middle ages, to piminh theii' enemies. Some 
 fire-engines made a useless attempt to suppress the flames, which speed- 
 ' idly illuminated the whole city, and threw out dense volumes of smoke, 
 borne by the breezii tcnvards the dark mountain, dimly visible in the 
 background of the magnificent though ])ainful spectacle. When the 
 morning sun arose, the (iiv-charred and still smoking ruins of the Par- 
 liament JJouse, were all that remained of a vast amount of public pro^ 
 perty-equal in value, it was estimated, to the sum about to be expended 
 under the Kebellion Losses Bill. 
 
 Having thus wreaked their vengeance in this quarter, a part of the 
 mob conveyed the mace to Donegani's Hotel, where it was finally depo- 
 sited, after some quarrelling among themselves, in the room occupied 
 by Sir Allan M'Nab. The Pilot office, where the ministerial paper was 
 printed, was also visited by the mob, and the windows demolished, 
 when the work of destruction terminated for the night. 
 
 Next- day, the commander-in-ihief, Sir Benjamin D'Urban, came into 
 the city from his country-seat, and made arrangements for the suppres' 
 eion of further riot. Several arrests were made of parties accused 
 of inciting the mob to violence. The latter threatened to rescue 
 them, and insulted and beat several Reform members, who were so 
 unfortunate as to come in their way. The mob nest beset the old gov. 
 ernmeni house, where the members of the ministry had assembled in 
 council, but were forced back by the bayonets of the military. 
 
 After nightfall the mob received large accessions to their number, 
 and presently a large body moved . townrds the St. Antoine Suburb, 
 where they completely wrecked the dwelling of the Premier, Mr. Lafon- 
 taine, and burned down hi?* stables. The windows of ^lessrs. Baldwin's 
 and Cameron's boarding houses were next broken. Dr. Wolfred Nel- 
 son's house shared the same fate ; as well as the houses of Messrs Hincks, 
 Holmes, and Charles Wilson. Objections being made, next day, to the 
 military doing police duty, a body of French and Irish constables were 
 sworn in, and the rumor that these were being armed and drilled at 
 the Bonsecours Market, threatened for a wiiile to produce a fresh rioW 
 
 2/ 
 
> I 
 
 492 
 
 Tin: HISTORY 
 
 [1849 
 
 > "I 
 
 . ' » 
 
 •.. -i 
 
 During thc2Sth, tho Assemhiy agro(Ml upon an adJrcss inconnoction 
 with the riots, and it was ai raii;jfed that ih(.' (lovcrnor General should 
 receive it at the Govcrnnient House, on the GOth, instead of at Monk- 
 lands. The foilowing extract from tho Montreal Herald presents a cor- 
 rect picture of what tool; [)hiCG on tlie [tresentalion of this address : — 
 
 "On the ITonsc going to present the ar.dress votei] on Satnr^iy to 
 the Governor G(!neral, sliovors of stones ite., were thrown over the 
 heads of the soldiers. Ca|)t. Weatheral, who was ipounted on a white 
 charger and Mr. ijcblanc were tho only magistrates presi-iit. Tl^e latter 
 proceeded to read tho riot act which he drew fi'oii) his [>oeket. ijeing a 
 small piece of paper. Dut in our (([iluion before he could read more 
 than two lines the order 'vas given for tho troops to charge, whiidi they 
 did the crowd falling hack in double (piiek time. No damage was done, 
 and the crowd returned shortly alter an 1 gave the soldiers th'-ee eheers. 
 The members ot the Assembly returned to the house soon after when 
 his Excellency's re|)ly was ri'ad. ami tho Hon o adjourned. 
 
 " A long oai' e oeeurred i>i the street while the Governor was in; 
 which was diversified by several small street lights, at the foot of lanes 
 and streets running from Notre Dame St. to tho river side. "J'ho peo- 
 ple till expected in vain the egress of the Governor General. At 
 length the tro(^ps were ordered " to the right about face," and the men 
 in the street first learned that the Governor General had 1' ft the House. 
 They were immediiitely on the alert, and with that instinctive '-ecision 
 with which street rowdies discovei their olijeet, learned in a mnment 
 that, instead of ri'turninii through Notre Dann; street to the Place de 
 Armes, the carriage had proceeded in the other direction, and was 
 travelling at a fast pace- toward^ Sluirbroke Street. Some of the per- 
 sons who had been standing about Go>ford street, were aware of what 
 was going on and these fi)lluwed tho carriage as speedily as possible. 
 Others took cabs, caleches, and every thing that could run. It was a 
 chase. At len'];th his Lordship was overtaken at Molson's corners, 
 between Sherbroke St. and tho main-street of the St. Lawreiice suburbs. 
 At this poiiit a furious attack was made with st(>'ies on the carriage ; 
 the back of it was completely smashed in, and its course v hieh appeared 
 first to be directed to Sherbroke street, was changed to ho road which 
 goes round the back of tho mountain. In this sad mann m- did his Ex- 
 cellency depart from the capital of her ^Majesty's dominijus in North 
 America. 
 
 " In addition to the foregoing particulars wo learn that tne Governor 
 General on coming to Town was pelted in Great St. James Street ; 
 and on entering the (iovernment House he carri'^'^ in his hand a large 
 stone taken from the buttom of tlie carriage; and that Cid. Bruce 
 received a contusion on the back part of the head by stones thrown into 
 the 
 
 carnage. 
 
 
 A dinner given by the ministerial party produced a fresh riot 
 shortly afterwards ; but which was soon suppressed l)y the military,. 
 Mr. Lafontaine's house was also again attacked ; but this time a volley 
 ot muskeay compelled the mob to retreat ; not, however, till one maa 
 
 .. I 
 
[1849 
 
 in conn eel ion 
 iiicral slinuld 
 of ivt Moiik- 
 Tcsoiit.s a cor- 
 s ai-ldrcss : — 
 
 I Saturday to 
 wii ovt-r the 
 ■d on a white 
 ;. Tl^e hitter 
 x'ket, i)('infT a 
 kl rcail more 
 0, which they 
 ago was (lone, 
 thv(>o I'hcors, 
 >n after when 
 1. 
 
 rnor was in ; 
 i foot of lanes 
 In. 1'he p co- 
 General. At 
 and the men 
 i't the [louse, 
 ictivc ''eoisiou 
 in a moment 
 I the I'laec de 
 ion, and was 
 Tie of tlie per- 
 iware of what 
 y as possible, 
 nn. It was a 
 son's corners, 
 eiK'e siilmrbs. 
 the carriage ; 
 hieh apiM'ared 
 le road which 
 M- did his Ex- 
 li'-His in North 
 
 ine Governor 
 lames Street; 
 hand a large 
 It (^)l. Brace 
 es thrown into 
 
 a fresh riot 
 • the military,. 
 
 time a volley 
 , till one man 
 
 1849.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 493 
 
 was killed. At the inquest an attempt was made to Hre the hotel 
 where it was being held, and to do violence to Mr. Lafontaine during 
 the confusion, hut he was saved by a party of the 71st Highlanders. 
 
 These oecurreiices in Montreal caused immense excitement in the 
 country, and numerous addresses were presented to Lord Elgin, chiefly 
 by the lleform Party, expressing confidence in his government, and 
 regret for the dangers and insults to which ho had so i:'cently been 
 subjected. 
 
 The riots which had so rapidly followed in succession, and the inse- 
 curity of life and property at Montreal, induced the liCgislature to 
 determine on the removal of the seat of government to Toronto, fortho 
 next two years, and for the ensuing four years, to (Quebec. Thus, Mon- 
 treal was n)(jst desorvodly punished for the insane folly of its mob, 
 instigated by a portion of its press ; and at present there is very little 
 prospect of a Canadian Parliament ever again being convened in a city 
 which from its natural advantages should be the capital of the state. 
 The remainder of the session was held in a building temporarily fitted 
 up for the purpose, and on the 30th of M;iy a most eventful sitting, 
 during which a large number of measures were passed, was closed by 
 the Di^puty Governor, Lieutenant-General Rowan. 
 
 The disgraceful riots in Montreal, and the personal insults to which 
 he had been subjected, led Lord Elgin to tender his resignation to the 
 Home Government. But the Queen and her ministers promptly 
 expressed their entire approval of his conduct, and urgently requested 
 his retention of the position he filled.* Their course in this respect was 
 approved and ratified by the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, and 
 by whom the Rebellion Losses Bill was sustained. Sir Robert Peel's 
 ministry, also, subsequently signified their approbation of his conduct, 
 and continued Lord Elgin as (governor General. 
 
 The action of the British ministry and Parliament, placed those who 
 opposed the Rebellion Losses Bill completely at fault, and immensely 
 strengthened the hands of the Reform Party. The feeble cry for annex- 
 ation, speedily raised, had the same tendency. In these occurrences 
 the Conservative Party received a blow, both in Canada and in England, 
 from wdiieh, up to the present time, it has not recovered. But, under a 
 constitutional form of government one party cannot retain power for a 
 very lengthened period ; and some public question may yet possibly 
 restore its forfeited popularity, and place it again in the ascendant. 
 
 The occurrences connected with the Rebellion Losses Bill, were the 
 great Canadian events of 1849. Parliament did not again assemble 
 
 * See despatch from Secretary of the Colonics, 18th May, 1849. 
 
> \ 
 
 404 
 
 THE IIISTOPtY 
 
 •V"l 
 
 . ' » 
 
 [1840. 
 
 during the year, and towards its close the country was rapidly recov- 
 ering from thu injurious results of the violent political ordeal it had 
 undergone. Mueh bitter feoliirg it is true remained. Mngistrates wcro 
 dismissed for undue opposition to government, some rioting occurred 
 at public meetings, got up to vote addresses to Lord Elgin, and a Con- 
 servative League was organised to give a systematic opposition to 
 ministers. Yot, as the new year appi'oaehed, time was gently laying 
 its Lethean .'inger on political asperities, and the sound common-senso 
 of the Canadian people, so practical in their dispositi()n, was gradually 
 reconciling them to the new epoch, which had evidently opened on their 
 country. Meanwhile, a fresh source of agitation had sprung up in tho 
 numerous " Sons of Temperance associations," now forming in everjr 
 direction, and which promised to be of much benefit to tho country. 
 
 .: TV 
 
[1849. 
 
 1850.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 40 & 
 
 rapidly rccov- 
 1 ordeal it had 
 ngistratcs wcro 
 iotiiig occurred 
 g'm, and a Con- 
 5 opposition to 
 * gently laying 
 
 coiiimon-sonso 
 , was gradually 
 opened on their 
 :)rung up in tho 
 rming in everjr 
 the country. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 CONOLrSION. 
 
 Tho final stop having been talicn for the seltlomcnt of (he Ion" 
 1850. quarrel of races, in passing tho " (ndeiniiity Uill," \hv ministry 
 applied themselves to develop the resources of the (•duntrv. An 
 agent was despatched to Washinglon to " press IJcciprocity,'' or the fi-ec 
 interchange of agricultural products between Canada and the United. 
 States, on the notice of the American authorities, and measures wcro 
 also taken to establish our credit on a broader ba is in the London 
 Stock Exchange. Mr. Ilincks's exertions in the latter diivetion met. 
 with considerable success, and Canadian securities began to be fjnotcd' 
 in the ]-^nglish market. The Montreal riots as yet, li(iwi'V(-r. prevented 
 the extensive investment of foreign capital in these st'cmiiies. 
 
 The Legislature assembled on the 14th of May. 1 he opening speech 
 presented no very remarkable features; exciting ])(ilitieai lopies were 
 wisely avoided, and a prudent dedirc to let the j>ast be ii)rg(iiten was 
 apparent. l)\iring tho progress of the session, ^fr. I'ajrimau agiun 
 renewed his advocacy of an elective Legislative ("oiiiieil ; while a dis- 
 position was shown by mend)ers to succumb to the cry tif retreiiclnnent 
 in the public expenditure, now raised outride of tht- Ibujso. "^riie agita- 
 . tion on the Clergy Reserves' question was again revived, and a stron:^ 
 inclination shown to set Lord Sydenham's settlenu'iil ot the matter 
 aside, and to devote the Reserves to secular pui po-^es. ]\lr. liafon- 
 tainc, Mr. Baldwin, and others of the older Rt lorn:, r.i, opposed tho 
 revival of this agitation, and maintained that things (uight to be left as 
 they were. But the press of their party, led on by the Ghbe, the 
 Examiner, and other able journals, persisted in theii- discussion of the 
 question. This state of things speedily produced a split among Refor 
 mers, and a new party arose into influence, which had ah'eady been deno- 
 minated, in American party phraseology," Clear Crcits." 
 
 Still, although the Reformers had quarrelled among themselves, min- 
 isters were sufficiently supported to enable them to hold the reins of 
 power firmly In their hands during the session, which after uiajh useful 
 

 . ' i 
 
 .' »\ 
 
 496 THE IllSTOUY [1850. 
 
 legislation terminated on tlie lOtli of Aiij^'iist. Tlio romaindm' of the 
 year was not distinguished hy any inifMiitaiit local events, 'I'lio (pies- 
 tion of a federal nnion of all the liritish North Atneriean Provinces 
 was revived by the Conservatives ; and as .January ap|)roaeln'd, iho 
 prospect of an approaching^ jfcneral election bef^an to ercatd some 
 excitement. Among the candidates already in iIk; Held was the noto- 
 rious Mackenzie, whose ri'sidence in the I'liitcd States had cured hitn 
 of a great many republican notif)ns, and fully rccdnciUil him to the 
 sway of Queen \'ietoria, touching which lie was whiloine so indignant, 
 and to the lessor political evils of constitutional monarchy. 
 
 The earlier part of the ensuing year was ehicfly distinguished 
 
 1851. by the elVorts of tin; Koman (. atliolic population to procure 
 separate eornmon schools, under a recent statute, wherever their 
 numbers were sufliciently large to warrant such a procedure. A very 
 general movement was also taking place in favor of the construi'tion of 
 railways, in various parts of the sister provinces. Hitherto, Canada 
 had been too young a country to provide these costly modes of loco» 
 motion. Her noble canals and vast water frontage had also rendered 
 them to a yreat extent niuieccssarv : but tin; r;reat increase in the 
 inland population within the preceding t\'\v years, and the diHicuIty ♦jf 
 conveying farm j>roduee and lumber to the i'ront, now rendered rail- 
 ways necessary to develop the resoiu'ces of the interior. The l\)st 
 Oflicc had at length been transferred to the Colonial Government, and 
 great improvements had been made in 'that department. Letter rates 
 had been reduced, and a single, or half-ounce, letter was now conveyed 
 to any part ot Canada for three-pence currency. In the Spring, pre- 
 payment letter stamps wore issued, as in ICngland and the United 
 States. Thus, the country was steadily progressing, and from the 
 numerous improvements observable in every direction, it was evident 
 that the Canadas were rajiidly recovering from the effects of partial 
 rebellion and violent political agitation ; and that a long vista of na- 
 tional prosperity was now indeed gradually opening on the view. 
 
 Parliament assembled on the 20th of May. The occurrences of tho 
 session showed that the " Clear Grit" agitation was besinninj; to tell 
 upon the House, and, that to satisfy it, more radical changes must bo 
 made. Mr. Baldwin fell the first victim to this state of things. De- 
 feated on a measure connected with the Court of Chancery by the 
 Reform members, he resigned his seat in the Cabinet as Attorney Gene- 
 ral for Canada West. ' The Clergy Reserve cjuestion continued to be 
 the cause of much discussion and ill-feeling. As the session progressed 
 the project of a Grand Trunk Railway was fully developed by Mr. 
 Hiucks in a series of resolutions. 
 
[IH50. 
 
 aiiulcr c)f the 
 Ls. Tlio (pios- 
 L\an I'loviiicos 
 proiiclird, tho 
 » crratd some 
 was llic iioto- 
 liad ciirt'd him 
 leil lilm to llio 
 > so UHligiiimt, 
 
 y- 
 
 • (.listiiif,MiiHhcd 
 m to procure 
 whorcvcr ihelr 
 ]\m\ A very 
 •oiistnu'tiiiii of 
 hfi-lo, (ViiiaJa 
 modes of loco* 
 1 also rendered 
 tic'ii'ase in the 
 he didieulty ♦jf 
 reiulrred rail- 
 r. The Post 
 verninent, and 
 
 Letter rates 
 now conveyed 
 
 Spring, pre- 
 
 id tho United 
 
 and from tho 
 
 it was evident 
 
 beta of partial 
 
 ig vista of na« 
 
 he view. 
 
 Lirrencos of tho 
 
 •ginning to tell 
 
 anges must bo 
 
 f things. Do- 
 
 ncery by tho 
 
 Attorney Geue- 
 
 ontinued to bo 
 
 lion progressed 
 
 eloped by Mr. 
 
 I8r>i.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4U7 
 
 On the JJOih of August, tcrtuiiiatrd the fourth session of the third 
 parliaincut of I uilud (,'anaiia. Lord Ligin's spccfji, wl en proroguiiiy 
 tlu- Il<Mise, gave a eorit'ct iiidix to tlu; cMiidiiiun of iht country, ilc 
 alluded to tlie grants for tlu! erection of light houses, iniprovetnents in 
 the navigation ol the St. Lawrence, remission of ilght-liousc dues, 
 reduetiou of the emigrant tax, and to tho favorable state of the revenue, 
 which eircum.vlance had [lermitted these mea>ures. Ho congratulated 
 the House on the steps they had taken for the fostering of railway 
 enterprise, on tlivi creditable appeauun.'o of Canadian industry at tho 
 London Crystal I'ahici', on the liarmo-iy whiih prevailed in the three 
 branches of the L'-gislaturi', and on the r 'moval of prejudices and mis- 
 givings engendered liy ye'ars of disquiet. On his part he dec'ared his 
 rest)luti(H to coiitimio to adminisi(3r the government in conformity with 
 the wishes ot th(! pe()j)lo, as e>:[)res>;ed through their representatives. 
 
 The increased pros[ie.ity of Canada was now rapidly attracting tho 
 attention of tin; other countiies. With ihe Inited Ntates, especially, a 
 large iiiter'iati<inal trafliu had sprang up; and Canadian jjoods, passing 
 in bond over the northern railroads of the I'nion, formed au important 
 item of their business. The close communion of interests led to tho 
 interehaiige of mutual civilities. In the month of September, Bos- 
 toii di-tiiiguish J herself by giving a grand lete to numbersof tho prin- 
 cipal Canadian merchants and public men, at which Lord Elgin Mas 
 also present, and supported his reputation f t r oratorical ability by a 
 most hap[)y speech, tending to cement the mutual good-feeling engen- 
 dered by the occasion, as well as by tho more lasting bond of identity 
 of interests. 
 
 In October, the Clear Grit element in politics pressed m embarras- 
 singly on the old Kcform Ministry on the eve ot a general election, 
 that it led to the rc-consiruction of the Cabinet, into which Dr. Rolph 
 and Malcolm Cameron were now received as the cxponcnti of the new 
 party. Tin . • changes tended to throw more power into tho hands of 
 Mr. Ilincks, as the mosi able of the new Cabinet. lie now became 
 Premier, and exercised a large amount of inllucnce on the destinies ol 
 his country. 
 
 In the general election, whicli took place in November and Decem- 
 ber, many new names made their appearance in public, and some old 
 ones disappeared into private, life. Among the latter was Robert Bald- 
 win, who was now most ungratefully discarded by the Fourth Riding 
 of York f r a ^Mr. llartman. A. id, such has ever been the fate ol'poli- 
 licians from the days of Aristidcs down to the present time. Demo- 
 cratic communities have always been imperiously exacting and emi- 
 nently ungrateful. The election resulted in the return of a Reform 
 
im 
 
 'niF.iiisToriY. 
 
 [1851. 
 
 . ' I 
 
 mnjority in nnitod Ciniulii, but., in the iippor province parties wort 
 pnitty ociiialiy Imliinci'il. 
 
 An act tiivoriihli) to tlii^ forniMlion of JDliitslock corn pan ii's^ 
 • 18r»2. for tlic purpose of pul)lii! inipr(»viiit'nt., Iiail already f^ivcn a <iro.it 
 impetus to liic construction of plank ami Miacadainiscil roads. 
 Improvements had also hcen elV.'cted in tli'* <'onitnon mIiooI system, 
 the worUii)"' of which was now directed l)v I)i'. II\er>*on ; aiul a nor- 
 inal school at 'Toronto aHordcd tlir r<M|uisito (acilili"s tor ll:o traininu; of 
 competent teachers. K'eciprocity with llie I'niti'd Slates contiiuicd to 
 occupy a lar<,'e share of pulilie attention, as well as the construction 
 of raihvays. ('anada was evidently hecomintj eminently uiilitai'ian. 
 Mr. IlineUs haii alri>ii(ly diparted to Mn^land to jiu-li I'orward iho 
 scheme of a (iraiid Ti'mik I'ailway. His letter to Sir .lolm l';iekin;,'ton on 
 this head in.Inne, will yet he rcMuemhered hy the coie.nuniily. Tin: loca 
 tion of this road eontiinu'd to he u I'ruitrul source of puhlie diNcussion. 
 
 hi July a terrihh' lire laid a lari^e part of Montreal in ruins, and Icfu 
 nearly 10,000 [leople honioless. Cireat exertions wcnv. n\a'ie to reliovu 
 the sufferers. 
 
 The new parliament assemhled at Qitelx'O, whither the seat of p;ov- 
 firnment had been riMnoved, on the '31sL of Auiu-f, wlu'u Afr .lohn 
 Sanfield "M'Honald was chosen s[n'aker iA' tlu- .\s>eiMMy. Thi' (lover- 
 nor (jrcneral's spt-eeli alludeil to thi' nece-;s!ty of a cl;;inL^i> in th.'. Sc^ifrn 
 f»rial Tenure system, the expedieney of having; a line of steamers from 
 Canada to England, an alteration in the t'liricney. aiid tlii' propi'iety of 
 increasing the representation. M<!asures \vhicli have sim-e been carj-ied 
 out. 
 
 Durinj]; the session, ^fr, Ilincks introduced a series of resolution"? 
 withreganl to the Clergy lioserves which passed, and declared that ho 
 felt conlident tlie lloujc Government would soon bring a bill ii)t(» 
 the Imperial Parliament, permitting the Canadian Legislature to dis- 
 pose of this question. An address was nnanimonsly agreed to by tho 
 House, requesting the Home Ministry to make no concessions to thu 
 American government in the matter of the j.^'ishery dispute, unless in 
 connection with reciprocity. A desire was also shown to retaliate on th«.^ 
 United States, for not conceding this reciprocity, by ade)ptiiig differen- 
 tial duties in favor of British commerce, and shutting the Canadian 
 canals to American shipping. This suicidal policy, however, was not 
 even attempted to be carried out. The income returns for the year, 
 ending in January, showed that the public revenue had now increased 
 to over $4,000,000, National prosperity had given a vast impetus to 
 Canadian credit, and Canadian government securities, bearing six per 
 
[1851. 
 
 partlos wcr» 
 
 ■k compiinios, 
 
 iinilsctl roads. 
 L'hool system, 
 
 ; .'iiiil !i nor- 
 tl:.' ti'iiiiiiii'j; of 
 , contimiiMl lo 
 i> collet nictioti 
 
 ly militiirian. 
 1> tuiwai'd tlio 
 
 l';i(kinjiU)n on 
 lii V. Till- locft- 
 Ulif disni^^sion, 
 
 niiiis, jiiul left. 
 uu'Il' lo relievo 
 
 III- soat (if ffov- 
 
 \\i.'\\ Mv .loliu 
 
 w Tlu> (lover- 
 
 :c ill tile. Soign 
 
 stcaiiuTs (VOMI 
 
 10 pro|>riL'ty of 
 
 heon cnrried 
 
 of resolution 9 
 (.'(•lart'il that lie 
 riiifj; a bill into 
 i^ishituro to <lis- 
 ,;ie'od to by tlio 
 lu'osslons to tho 
 
 [Hito, unless in 
 
 retaliate on the 
 [lopting difToreri- 
 T the Canadian 
 wevcr, was not 
 IS for the year, 
 d now increased 
 
 vast impetus to 
 bearing six per 
 
 ) 
 
 185ti.j 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 4l)» 
 
 cent interest, were quoted at ft pretnlnrn of sixteen per rent in the Knp[- 
 liisli iiiarki't. 
 
 'J'lic period oceiirriiig lu'fwei'ii the elose of Is.'r) :ii;d tlic Autumn of 
 1855, termiuiited a mo>t, iinjMirliuil e|io(li in ("aiiadlan history. All 
 the great pnlilic i|Ue'«tioiis which havo agitated ihi- coiuitry lor yeari 
 were at la-t (inally di-^po'.rd of'. Tim re|ireM'iit;iiIon has lircu largely 
 initreusi'd on the ha>is o| po|pii!allon, and new I'h'itcMal di ;tri(ls lornied. 
 A large part ol' ihe < ir.ind Trunk IJailway lia-i lu'l'n huill ; whih-lho 
 (ireat, WeNtnn Itallroad is In fidi operation, as will as srveial others. 
 Seignorial Tiiiuri- has hccu almli-hd. and llir ( 'liTj;y Ki s/rve (|ih'stior» 
 
 fuiallv 
 
 Hied ; ill.' I.Lfalilv of tl 
 
 ■tolas e-.taMi'-lit'd 
 
 liV 
 
 Mr .lohn 
 
 (Jolhoiiic is h'ii to l;i- dccldcil l>y th' hisv roiirl-, and rciprocity has 
 been cuiu'eded hv ill" I nilrd Siat( -s. I'aily liillrrii'-v has di'aj'peareti, 
 
 HI 
 
 id the lilli 
 
 •iiiai'ealioM h'i'veen ( 'onsi-rvaliviM and Keforuifirs lia4 
 
 been >o iiaiioAed do.vii as to reinler it diirieull to he di-!in;!:ni- h.d. In 
 point of Cael there are no iioliiieal pai'ies in (.'aim la as \v.> write. ; and 
 ft eoalilioii inini'-ii'V. 1 d hy ^'il• Allan M .Naii. coiidiiet Hi" 'roveriinielit 
 of the eoinit ry. Dr. Kolph has ceased to h" ;; per>(iii ol politiealini- 
 pt)rtance ; .Afaleoli;! ( 'anuToii, del'aten in K mI Iiv Mr. I'liowii, ban 
 shrank into the ohsciirity ol pi'i\ali> li!e. Cjeir (Iiliti-m is deliincf. 
 Mr. lliiK'ks, driven from |i(iwer \t\ his own lViriid>', (or ( inieavoiliig to 
 profit in a |ieeuinary point of view l)y his position, alter siippoiiing for 
 
 a v\ 
 
 nor 
 
 hile t' 
 
 le coalilloii iiillil-lrv, li:is 
 
 •11 el( vat'd into a eohmial ijovcr- 
 
 Inle Maelieiizie, iiiiahK' to liiid |'al I'ciiji^.' as a iicwsp.iper editor, 
 has adopt'd tlie repeal of t!n> nnioi! agitati'ii as a la-t le-ort. J*api- 
 ncaii linding that his political prostigi; had lie-ever departed, ([iiit Mie 
 public arena for life. WoKred Nelson, as Ma} or of Moiil real, has 
 beeoine an-(!"iil citizen, and signs a ['I'.iclainalion calling upon tdl loval 
 
 vhile Lord ]]!<nn, 
 
 su 
 
 hjei'ts to illnniiii.'ilo for the fall of S( hastop 
 
 after a vv'\'jn In ,'.;Mn in stoi'in and endli 
 
 !■; Ill sii; 
 
 Sir !■ 
 
 iliiiiii'iii 
 
 lead 
 
 (»l 
 
 le (lark sta 
 
 hitie, has jdveii phicc to 
 :ii alone rosls poiiihis period of 
 
 Canadian IJi.story — the (Javazzi lliots of jMontroal ainl ( 
 
 lleiieC. 
 
 r.«»*4 
 
 The author has now redeemed his promise, and tiic people of Canada 
 have a continnons lii>tory of their eountry— the result of a long |)eriod 
 of arduous and constant labcir. If it falls short of what might bo 
 expected, he would plead, in self defeiKje. the peculiar po-itiwn in which 
 he has l)een placed. Ohiiged to atteml closely to his hiHine^s of Book- 
 seller and Printer, to support his family, he possessed no literary leisure, 
 and his ordinary avocations have thus Ikh'U daily mixed up with his his- 
 
 torical lahors. Aside frt>m these unfavorahio circumsta 
 
 nees, he 
 
 had 
 
 neither the assistance of a literary friend to assist him in the work of 
 nevi^ilon or correction, nor of a proof reader to weed out typographical 
 
500 
 
 THE HISTORY. 
 
 [1855. 
 
 I 
 
 errors. All this labor lio had to perform, hiinst-lf, in a'hlilion to that 
 of rt'soairli and coiiiposilioii. The cdiicahMl rcack'r when Ik; ini'cls with 
 an iiu'k'iraiitJy rumidrd |iciiod, or an idea or a word iii:j)rt)pi'rly re- 
 peati'd, should lieur tluvse liicls in iiiiiid. 
 
 'Jlicre is siill aliiiiidaiici! of room for historical lakoi-, in connection 
 v.'itli I p[)cr ("nna;la, by some ta!cn!ed ("anadian who has h'isnre and 
 inclination to devote liimseif to ilie taNi<. 'J'lie aii!lior only dcs:j:;ned to 
 make a history of his country Ibr the i^eneral reader, proenlintf as cor- 
 rect a picture as possil)le, of the events, in insular siicces.don. which 
 have Miarl<c<l its pro!j;reNS in infancy, childhood, and youth. How ho 
 has lidfdle(l his purj)ose it. rests wilh ihe puMIe to delerndne. 
 
 In writing a iiistory ot I pper Canada, especially, one is writing a 
 histoi-y ot only Iwo generations, hieveral even of the firsl settlers of 
 1781 are still alive. 'J'he author has, therifoi'c, ionnd il impossible to 
 avoid occasional |iersoiialities. At, the same lime, he has acted consci- 
 entiously and in ;ieeord;uice with t!ie fads which pi'csented themselves tO 
 his nolice, an<l disclaims every desiri|>tio:i ot sectional or party-feeling. 
 A\ liile satisfied that lie hasavoidcd nnmeious iiiacciiracies into \\hich 
 other writers on Canada have I'allcn, the auUua- dot s not by any means 
 claim, on his part, a total iVot dom from errors. Should any member 
 ot the press, or other gcnth man, detect tlies(( and ]>oint tin''n out, he 
 will have much i>ieasnre in making lln' ni'cessary coirections in a second 
 edition, if the libciality ot the (Canadian peopl(M'na!)Ksliim to pul)lish it. 
 Canada i-.w.nires a l!t<'r:Unre ot its own — a sound, ]iracti;'al, instruc- 
 tive, and usclul literature, adapted i\jr its School and ])islrict Libraries. 
 Tiiero is abundance of talent in the c<Mintry to accom[disli this dctiidcra' 
 iuni it it were only turned in tiie light direction. A literature of our 
 own wonid retain a lai'ge amount of money in tlie country, wljich is now 
 expended for the purchase of books in the United States and J'^iigland. 
 lint, to have a literatuie of this kind wo must lirst have respcctablo 
 publishers, and to have respectable publi.-liers with capital, the inteiests 
 of the present booksellers ot the country nnist be losteied. Hence, 
 nothing can bo more suicidal than the policy of a government book 
 establishment, such as that now in existence at Toronto, under the 
 direction of Dr. IJyerson. IJy it the (Tovernment is meanly taking the 
 bread out of the months of a deserving class of men, and seriously in- 
 juring the literary prospects of the country for a small pecuniary 
 advantage. The policy is eminently a penny wise and pound foolish 
 one. 
 
 We arc now arrived at a period wlicn (he Canadas are sufFicicntly 
 populous and wealthy to have their own authors and llieir own publish- 
 ers. One large publishing establishment would be of more benefit to 
 the country, than the whole of the ])altry sum saved by the present 
 government bookselling system. Will Dr. lJyerson,or the government, 
 purchase copyrights fiom the young men of talent now being educated at 
 our colleges — will either give them literary employment of any kind? 
 Most certainly not. The government bookselling system is accordingly 
 most destructive to a national literature, and should be abandoned 
 before it inflicts further mischief. 
 
 The author has suffered from this system in common with other 
 
[1855. 
 
 m to that 
 meets with 
 I'tipei'ly rc- 
 
 coniioction 
 .■i>.iii-i' and 
 Irsij^lK'i.l to 
 iii^ as oor- 
 ,iuii. wliich 
 lluw ho 
 
 i writing a 
 settlers of 
 
 |M»SNil)lc to 
 
 L'teel eciisci- 
 I'lnsflves to 
 irlV-l'eelin<j;. 
 ; into \yliich 
 any means 
 ly nien»bcr 
 u'M) (tut, he 
 in a second 
 ) ])ul)li^h it. 
 ;'al, instruc- 
 t Lii)raries. 
 [lis (U'fiidcra' 
 nre of our 
 hieh is now 
 i\ l^igland. 
 rt'speetablc 
 lie interests 
 1. Hence, 
 nient book 
 un''er tho 
 \; taking the 
 erioiisly in- 
 )ee\iniary 
 und foolish 
 
 1855.] 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 501 
 
 (Canadian booksellers. His tra<lc has been seriously injured by Dr. 
 Uycrson's governtnent book eslablislnuent, sustained by the i)ul)lic 
 moneys — by taxes, too, taken from liim and other booksellers. Had 
 tho books suj)plied to this district been procured through him, allowing 
 him a fair per-eeutaixo thereon, it would have enabled him, possibly, to 
 employ a prooi'reader, in putting this work through tho press, and he 
 would thus have escaped from an additional labor which has seriously 
 injured his sight. 
 
 Canada may ros*t assured that it can have no authors without pub- 
 lishers : an(J there can bo no pu'jlishers if tho [)ubl;c money is eiu- 
 ployed to ruin them. 'I'hu author could have disposed of the copyright 
 of this historv advantageously in Kniiland. but ho deto'mined to retain 
 it in his own hands, and thus aid tj establish a system of Canailian 
 IJook nuuiufacturing, and to keep the money paid to printers and !)Ook- 
 binders in the coimliy. On the fu'st edition alone, ot I'ZOO copies, tiiat 
 will amount to l':^00, a sum which the wi'iter is satisfied Dr. liyerson has 
 not yet saved to this country, by all the Ixjoks issued in the district sur- 
 rounding IJrockville. Ijook.^ellers form an important oart tif every 
 civili.-,cd community — ihey arc tho printers' greatest help, and any 
 injury done to them must inflict oijual if not greater injury on the public 
 at large. If the public desire to sec Caiiailiaa autlujrs become emi- 
 nent in the worldof lelters-if they desire to see a national literature estab- 
 lished — if they deaire to see employment given by printers and publish- 
 ers to numbers ol respectable young men and women — if tlu^y desire to 
 see much money retained in this country, now spent in England and 
 the I'nited Slates — it they desire all this, then they will suppress this 
 odious bookselling monopoly. This (juostion atlccts publishers of 
 newspapers more intimately, too, than they may suppose. They can 
 print books as well as newspapers — will they aid in enabling book- 
 publishers to cnijjloy and pay them. Even in Mnglanil and Ireland a 
 sytstem of this kind in connection with the National Scliocds, had to be 
 abandoned. Nothing of the sort exists in the I nited iStates. Shall it 
 be said that Canada is the only nation where such a monopoly is per- 
 inittcd to exist, and where the public money is taken to flood the coun- 
 try with an outside literature to the prejudice of native industry and 
 native talent. 
 
 sufficiently 
 wn publish- 
 e benefit to 
 the present 
 
 vernment, 
 edu':aied at 
 
 any kind? 
 accordingly 
 
 abandoned 
 
 ^Ylth other 
 
soa 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 APPENDIX. No. 1, 
 
 . ', * 
 
 1 •< 
 
 EXTiiACTs Fuo:\i atittcl::^ of capititlation. 
 
 • 
 
 27. Tho free exorcise of the Catholic. Apostolic, and Roman Religion^ 
 shall subsist entire, in snch manner that all the states and the people 
 of llie towns and conntries, places and distant posts, shall continue to 
 as'i-eni!>le in the churches, and to ("rcf|uent the sacraments as heretofore, 
 without bi^in^lf niolesii'd in an> manner, directly or indirectly. /J'hese 
 people shall he oljlitrcd, l)y th.- J-^ii^lish Government, to pay their 
 J*ries!s the til lies, and all the taxes they were used to pay under the 
 Government of his Mo4, Gracious Rraje^ty. — " Granted, as to the ireo 
 "overcise ol'llii.'ir reli^'l'iii : the (d)ii„ration of pavin;; the tithes to tha 
 ''Priest* will do;i(>nd on I he Kings pleasure." 
 
 28. Tlu^ Cha[)ter, Pi'ie-ts, Guiates, and Missionaries shall continue, 
 with an entire li!)eriy, their exercise and functions of cures, in tho 
 pai'ishes of the to\rns and (^omili'y. — ''GraiKed." 
 
 2!). The (irand Vicars, named by the Chapter to administer to tho 
 dioci'se during the vacancy of the epi-u'o])ai see, shall have the liberty 
 to dwell in the towns and country parislies. as they shall think proper, 
 they shall at all limes be free to visit, the diireient parishes of the dio- 
 cese with the ordinary ceiemoiiies. and exercise all the jiu'isdiclion they 
 exercised under the French dominion. They shall enjoy the samo 
 rights in case of the death of the future Bishop, ot' which mention will 
 be made in the following article, — -'Granted, except what regards the 
 " following article." 
 
 'AO. If by the treaty of peace, Canada should remain a l^)ritish 
 colony the French King shall continue to name the Bishop of the colony, 
 who shall always be ot the IJoman Comnumion, and under whose au- 
 thority the people shall oxi-rcise the Roman Religion. — "Refused." 
 
 31. The Bishop shall, in case of need, establish new parishes, and 
 provide for the rebuilding of his eathredal and his episcopal palace ; 
 and, in the mean time, he shall have the liberty to dwell in the towns 
 or parishes, as he shall judge proper. He .-"hall \>q at liberty to visit 
 
 his diocese with the ordinary ceremonies, and exercise all the jurisdic- 
 tion which his predecessor exercised under the French dominion, save 
 that an oath of fidelity, or a promise to do nothing contrary to his Bri- 
 tannic ^fajesty's service, may be required of him. — " This article i« 
 "comprised under the foregoing." 
 
 32. The communities of mms shall bo preserved in their constitu- 
 tions and privilege* •, they shall continue to observe their rules, thej^ 
 
IN. 
 
 an "Religion, 
 tlic people 
 continue to 
 i heretofore, 
 itly. /J'liese 
 .1 pay tlieir 
 y unJer the 
 s to the free 
 /ilhes to the 
 
 ill continue, 
 uies, in the 
 
 nislcr to tho 
 i the liberty 
 liink proper, 
 of tho dio- 
 sdioiion they 
 y the samo 
 mention will 
 
 rcgav 
 
 lis the 
 
 in a British 
 f the colony, 
 cr whose au- 
 lofused." 
 parishes, and 
 opal palace ; 
 in the towns 
 Derty to visit 
 I the jurisdic- 
 •minion, savo 
 ry to his Bri- 
 his article i« 
 
 heir constitii- 
 iir rules, ihejf 
 
 OF CANADA. 
 
 503 
 
 shall be exempted from lodLniig any military ; and It shall he forbid to 
 molest them in tlieir religions exercises, or to enter their monasteries • 
 safeguards shall even he given them, if they desire them.— -Miranted.''' 
 
 40. The Inhahitanfs anj Mereliants shall enjoy all the privileges of 
 trade, under the same tin. v.-s arid conditions granted to the suhji^'ts of 
 his Britannic .Majesty, a- w.-U in the countries above, as the interior of 
 the Colony. — "Granted.' 
 
 47. The Negroes jmd Panis of lioth sexes shall remain in their qual- 
 ity of slaves, in tho possession of the French and ("aendiims to whom 
 they belong; they shall lie at libeiiy to keep them in their service in 
 theCoIony or to sell them ; and they may alsocontinne t«) bring ilicni 
 up in the Ptornan llcligion.— " Gr^mtod, except those v\ ho have been 
 made prisoners." 
 
504 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 APPENDIX, No. 2. 
 
 THE cvnadia;^ constitution- of 1791. 
 
 , • I 
 
 The conslitnlinnal act repealed so much of the Quebec act as related 
 to the ap[)()iiif ineut of a council top the alTairs of the province ofQiiebec, 
 and the powers given to it to make ordinances for the government 
 thereof. 
 
 His Majesty's message expressive of his intention to divide the pro- 
 vince of Quebec into two separate provinces, as previously noticed, to 
 be called I'pper Canada and Lower Canada, being recited, it was en- 
 acted tliat a Ijogislative Council and Asseml>ly should be established in 
 each province, with power to make laws for the peace, welfare, and 
 good government thereof. 
 
 The nieinbers of tli'i Legislative Council were to be appointed by tho 
 king for life, and in Upper Canada to consist of not fewer than seven, 
 and in r^owcr Canada not fewer than fifteen persons. No person not 
 being of the full age of twenty-one years, and a natural born subject of 
 his Majesty, or naturalised by act of the British Parliament, or a sub- 
 ject of his Majesty, by the conquest and cession of Canada, could be 
 appointed to it. His Majesty was authorised to annex to hereditary 
 titles (.if honor, the right of being summoned to the Legislative Council 
 in either province. 
 
 The governor had the right of appointing a speaker to the Legislative 
 Council. Each province was to be divided into districts or comities, or 
 cities, or towns, or townships, which were to return representatives to 
 the As:ieml)lies, the governor fixing the limits of such districts and the 
 number of representatives to be returned for each. The whole number 
 of members of the Assembly in V pper Canada was to be not less than 
 sixteen, and in Lower Canada not less than fifty, and to be chosen by a 
 majority of votes. The county members were to be elected by owners 
 of land in freehold or in fief or roture, to the value of forty shillings 
 sterling a year, over and above all rents and charges payable out of or 
 in respect of the same. Members for the town or township were elect- 
 ed by persons having a dwelling-house and a lot of ground therein of 
 tho yearly value of five pounds sterling or upwards, or who having 
 resided in the town for twelve calendar months, next before date of tho 
 writ of election, shall bona fide have paiil one year's rent for the dwel- 
 ing-house in whidi he shall have resided, at the rate of ten pounds 
 sterling per annum, or upwards. 
 
 ,!• 
 
OF CANADA. 
 
 505 
 
 IS related 
 )f Quebec, 
 )venunont 
 
 le tlie pro- 
 noilced, to 
 it was en- 
 ablished in 
 clfare, ami 
 
 ited by tho 
 than seven, 
 person not 
 \i svibjcct of 
 
 or a sub- 
 |a, could be 
 
 hereditary 
 live Council 
 
 |Lea;islativo 
 :o\nities, or 
 bntativcs to 
 tots and the 
 lole number 
 lot less than 
 }hosen by a 
 by owners 
 [ty* shillings 
 lo out of or 
 were clcct- 
 |l therein of 
 x\\o having 
 date of the 
 1)1- the dwel- 
 I ten pound a 
 
 No person boin'r a T.enrlslative Councillor or a elerfryman of the 
 ohureh i)f lvi'4l.ind <»r li iiin', or a tcarlior of any olli.-r ri'li'4ious profes- 
 sion, was eliifihlu to ill,' lious(> of AssiMihly in eltli.'r provinci-, nor was 
 any person luidor lawful a'j;>;, to voti^ al- any clcrtioii of a nn'inbiM- to 
 servo in tin; Ass.'inlily. nor eli^nble lii M\'to ; nor was any prr>^(>n t'iii^i- 
 blo as sui-li wlio was not, a natural horn sulijccl, or naturalised as afore- 
 said, or a .sul)il•.•^ of liis Miijosty Ity llu" conipn'^-t. 
 
 r 
 
 ower w.t-. ;iiv('ii tlm uovci'noi- to ir 
 
 llinr 
 
 an 
 
 )ia('i"'s (> 
 
 f lioldinjr 
 
 in- 
 
 thc lirst and every other session ot the I.e^isJati ve Council and Asse 
 bly in each province, uiviiiif dui'. notice thereof, and to proroLruc the 
 
 I snch 
 
 same lro;u tiine U) tiint 
 
 au'l to rhs-olvi' it whenever he (h'eniei 
 
 expedient. Tlii'V were to he coiiMiked once at least, in evei-y twelve 
 monllis, and ea-'ii Asseinhlv wa-; to continue fonr years from the day of 
 the retui'u of the wi-its for choosinii; the members •, snl)ie<'t, however, to 
 
 )0 SOI 
 
 >ner p 
 
 roro fnei 
 
 I and dissolved, at the pleasni'e of the 'governor, 
 
 Thecjoveriior was antliorised lo iiive or wilhlio'd his M.ije-ty's assent 
 
 iLiht 
 con. ( 'ooieg 
 
 l)V the two oraiu'lies, ai:d to reserve sncji as lie m 
 
 to all hills, pass 
 
 think lit, t'or the siiiinifiealion of liis Nfajesty's pleasnre tliei 
 
 of 
 
 all huls Ik! niiiilit assent to, wen- also to tyy torwan 
 
 to till'. se<'re- 
 
 tary of state ; and his Mnjesty miu;lit, at anv time wlihin two years 
 after receipt by the secretary, disallow them if he tlionuht lit. 
 
 Bills reserved by the ffovernor for his .Majesty's ))leasure, were not 
 to liave efVeet till saiictioni'd ami notice tlu'reol' iriven by message lothe 
 two houses of till! provincial parliament, or bv proclamation ; iioi' conld 
 the royal assent to bills so resei-ved be jfiven, unless within two years 
 next alter tli ■ dav when presenti-d to tiu' c;overnor for tlie roval assent. 
 
 Al 
 
 aws, statutes and ordnianees ni force in eirlier province, except 
 
 repealed or altiu'cJ by that act, were to remain in force, as they 
 
 as 
 
 miixht 
 
 i)e at the lime of its comin^^ into opera! ion. 
 
 Tlui governor and executive coniicil, wlJih, by ;in ordinance of llio 
 province of Qiiebec. had been coiistitut(Ml ji court of appeals were, 
 
 each 
 
 province, t(» continue so 
 
 liabl 
 
 m 
 e. however, to 'iich otiier nruvisions 
 
 as nii^lit be deemed i 
 
 tecess; 
 
 :U"v bv the new Le;L,ds|ati:re, 
 
 P 
 
 It was enacted that an allotment of crown lands, in each province, 
 should hi', made for the sU[>port and maintenance of a protestant cleriry 
 within the same, and sneh aMotment was to be as nearly as circutu- 
 
 ise woidd fiermit, ecpial in value to a 
 
 stam 
 
 an 
 
 d the nature of the c; 
 
 se 
 
 venth part of tli. 
 
 .1111 Is ijranted, and to l)e granted 
 
 Ins provisioa 
 
 of the act bec.ime, au'i. indi-ed, still is a soiirci^of much aifitation and 
 discord in Canada, i'ar better for it liad it been, if such enactment had 
 never taken [ilace. 
 
 His Majesty w;is antliorised to empower the ^^overnors in eacli pro- 
 vince, to erect parsoiia;ies and endow them, and to presi^nt incumbents 
 or ministei's of ; he chiindi of ICiiiiland, snbjeet and liable to all liiihts of 
 inr,titutioii and ad other spiritual and ecclesiastical jiirisdietion and au- 
 
 thorit 
 
 y. lawlullv ijranteil to the IJi-Nhop ( 
 
 if N. 
 
 )va Seotia. 
 
 Power was given t > the I'rovincial Iiej;islaturt; to vary and repeal 
 the provisions reiatin;' to such allotments for the support of a Protes- 
 tant clei'ijy, pai i iges and nictories, an.] presentation of incumbents 
 or ministers ; but it was provided that no bills in this behalf were to 
 
500 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 I ■ 1 
 
 t' 
 
 
 ••V H 
 
 bo a-i'^oiitod to hy his MMJcsty, niiiii thirty day^ after thpy hairhecn 
 laid l)(;i";)i'o l)(ji.h lloiisfs ol' ln.|)iji'i;il l';irli;iininit, iici" was his Mi'esty 
 to a^seiil to any r,\fA\ u\\\ in t'a-^CDf an aiLltos- troiii citlu'i' of thii 1 louses 
 diirii)'4 ill, It |)crioil, i\''|ii!'stiiitr iiim to wiihliold ili' foyal assi-iit iVom it. 
 Thi.' intent ot'thc.^" |irivilc;_M's was io [n'csri'vc ihc rliilits and iutci'ivsls of 
 lh(! csti'oli-.lii'd ("hiirrh ot' Hngknul in bolli proviiicL's from iuvasiun by 
 their rL'-iiuctivo Lr;ii>la'iires. 
 
 All Ian, is Io he ilivicalU'r <i;raiitt'd in ['ppcr CV.nada, wi-re to be in 
 frt!C and coninKjn ^■Gt■l■ag^', and so in Lower Canada, when the grautco 
 reqnlreil ir, 
 
 Tli;' I),ali-li l^arlianient, reservet] to itself ;h.> rl/d't <>f' P''"vidIn;T rojiu- 
 hit-ioMs or proliibitions, i!ii|io-inif, lev_>, inir, and eollectini^ duties, for tho 
 roiralalion of navii^ation, or for tin; repidaiion of (■oinnicree, to l»c car- 
 ried on between the said two provinces, or between eillier of iheni, and 
 any otlier part of his ATajesty's d(jniinions, or any foreign country, or 
 for appointing and directing iho tiayinent of duties so impo-ied ; leaving, 
 however, the c.Ncliisivo ap[)ropriatioii of all monies so levied, in either 
 province, to the Legislature thereof', and a|)plicable to such public uses 
 therein, as it might ihink lit to ajiply tlu'in. 
 
 The governor, pursuant to the King's instructions, uas to fix upon 
 and declare the (\:iy when tlu' act slmidd commence, which was not to 
 bo later than the 3lst December, 1701 ; nor was the calling together 
 of the Legislative Council ,".nd Assembly.^ in each province, to be later 
 than the olst December, 1792. 
 
 The above are the prinei|uil provisions of tho act. which conferred a 
 constitution u[)on the new provinces of tapper and Lower Canada, res- 
 pectively, or as much of them at least as it is necessary to quote. By 
 a proclamation datt'd at the Caslle of St. Louis, Quebec, ISlh Novem- 
 ber, 1791, of his excellency the lieutenant governor Alured Clarke, Esq., 
 it was declai'.'d tliat the act should commence within the said provinces 
 of Upper and Lower' Canada, respectively, on tho 20th December, 
 1791. Tlie proclamation issued on the occasion stated, that by an order 
 of the king in Council, in August previous, the two provinces was sepa- 
 rated by a division line " commcneing at a stone boundary on the north 
 bank of the Lake St. Francis, at the cove west of the Point au Bmidct, 
 in thi^ limit between the township of Lancaster and seigniory of new 
 Longueuil, runidng along the said limit in the direction of north thirty- 
 four degrees west to the westmost angle of the seigneurie of new Lon- 
 gueuil, thence along the northwest boini(hiry of the seigneurie of Vau- 
 dreuil, running north 25 degrees east, umil it strikes (lie Ottawa river, 
 to ascend the said river into lake Tomiscanning, and from the head of 
 the said lake, by a line drawn due north until it strikes the boundary- 
 line of Hudson's Cay, including all the territory to the westward and 
 southward of the said line, to the utmost extent of the country com- 
 monly called or known by the name of Canada. Christie's Hiat. Can. 
 vol. 2. p. 118-124. 
 
r [hpy bairbecn 
 vas his M Testy 
 or of th-^ 1 louses 
 il iissont from it. 
 ■; ami iiitricsls of 
 ruin iuvasiuii by 
 
 a, wiTo to be in 
 A hvii thr "raiitee 
 
 f providing ro^n- 
 \'j, (lilt it's, for the 
 iii'rci', to be ear- 
 lier of ihi'in, and 
 iMgii country, or 
 ipo-u'd ; K-aving, 
 i k'viid, ill either 
 such public uses 
 
 uas to fix upon 
 which was not to 
 
 calling together 
 vince, tu be later 
 
 vhich conferred a 
 iwer Canada, res- 
 [•y to quote. By 
 ec, 18th Novem- 
 red ('larke, Esq., 
 he said provinces 
 20th Uccend>er, 
 , that by an order 
 )vin<'es was sepa- 
 lary on the north 
 Point an Jiuvclct, 
 seijfuiory of new 
 n of north thirty- 
 Mi rie of new Lon- 
 eigneiirie of Vau- 
 ihe Ottawa river, 
 from the head of 
 kes the boundary 
 he westward and 
 he country com- 
 ristio'b Iliat. Can.