IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 *ii 1111121 12.5 III32 m 12.2 2.0 U nil 1.6 P^' w W s-m s^ ^w w Photographic Sciences Corpcjration ^ iV « :\ ^\^ €^ m \ €<• ^ >> % A> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y 14580 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques Tl t( The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D n D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers rastored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ n D D D D D D D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagies Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages ddtach^es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quaiitd indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel supplementaire Tl P o fi b< tl si 01 fi si 01 Tl si Tl w M di ei b( rii r( n I I Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6x6 film6es & nouveau de fapon 6 obtenir la meilleure image possible. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; / This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est fiimi au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X v/ 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire filmd, et en conformit6 avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last pbige with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol ^^- (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol y (meaning "END "), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirePv included in one exposure are filmed begini j in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 / < n Canadian Archeology. AN ESSAY. BY WILLIAM KINGSFORD. I u MONTREAL : WM. DRYSDALE & CO., 232 ST. JAMES STREET. 1886. Entered according to Act of Parliament, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun.lred and eighty-six, by Wm. Dkvsdale & Co., in thelottice of tlie.Minister of Agriculture. i/' This Essay, in a different and a less extended form appeared in a Toronto newspaper last Autumn, with the disadvantage of having been divided into two parts with an interval of eighteen days between them. Much of the interest it might claim was lessened by tliis mode of publication. The present Essay has been entirely rewritten, and made to embrace a wider field of examination, and specially to include the con- sideration of the Archfeology of the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It attempts to place in an accessible form much information scattered over many volumes, journals and MSS. Moreover, it brings to public notice the creation of the important public department of Archives, with some account of its establishment : a department by which the study of Canadian History must be greatly advanced, and any inves- tigation of past events honestly and systematically directed. It is hoped that the information which the Essay attempts clearly to set forth may be not without advantage to the student of our Annals. Ottawa, W. K. 2nd January, 1886. Ach Gott ! die Kunst ist lang, Und kiirz ist un&er Leben. Mir wird, bei meiiiem kritiHchen Bestreben, Doch oft um Kopf und Busen bang. Wie schwer sind niclit die Mittel zu erwerben, Durch die man zu den Quellen steigt ! Und eh' man nur den halben Weg erreicht Musz wohl eiii armer Teufel sterben. Goethe, Faust. Ah me ! but art ia long And human life is short. Oft in the throes of critic thought Have head and heart ceased to be strong. How hard the means which in our effort lie To reach the sources of what mortals know, But ere a man can half the distance go Verily, poor devil, nuist he die. Your home born projects i)rove ever the best ; they are so easy and familiar ; they put too nuich learning in their things now-a-days. Bkn Johnson, Bartholomew Fair. Ist das Licht das Eigenthum der Flamme, wo nicht gar des Ker- zendochts? Ich enthalte mich jedes Urtheils iiber solche Frage, und freue mich nur dariiber, dass Ihr dem armen Dochte, der sich brennend verzehrt, eine kleine Vergiitimg verwilligen wolt fiir sein groszes gemeinniitziges Beleuchtungsverijienst ! Heine. Is the light the property of the flame, if it in no way be of the tai)er wick ? I abstain fi-om any judgment over such a question, and I only rejoice that you are willing to make some slight amends to the poor wick, which consumes itself in burning, for its noble, universal, merit- orious service of enlightenment ! Canadian Archeology. Few aro aware that in the last decade an important department has been formed in Ottawa, which in an indirect way will have no little influence on our political future. A people become to a great extent what their education makes them, and education in no small degree consists in the just appreciation of past experience. Certainly such is the process of political development. For however fascinating the narra- tive of history, the profit of its study lies in its teaching. There is but one mode of assuring historical truth, and that is by the collection of contemporary documents systematically arranged and kept in such security that they cannot be tam- pered with or destroyed. Archaeology is not an old and established science in the Dominion. Practically it can trace no remote date in the Province of Quebec. In Ontario it has had scarcely a quarter of a century of active life : in the Eastern Provinces it may claim a somewhat longer existence. ]]ut the study was con- fined to few, although there have been spasms of effort to deal with it satisfactorily and systematically. As early as 1787 the matter was repeatedly brought before the Council, and in 1790 an Ordinance was passed at Quebec for the pres- ervation of ancient documents ; those which bore upon tho French regime. A commission was appointed and a report made to Lord Dorchester on the subject ; a list of the Decrets, Arrets and Ordou7iances in existence was appended. The object in view a^ pears to have been the preservation of all documents bearing upon the history of French Canada. 6 Little thought was then given to conteniporiiry docunionts of the period, and it is precisely the epoch of which there is the least published record. The events of the first twenty years after the Conquest are even to-day but mistily known. They are repeated as first narrated by writer after writer without examination ; or they are somewhat modified by a running commentary to meet a jirhri conclusions and to aid the party views of those w'\o make a prosperous efat out of printed opinions. Possi1)ly many have honestly believed all they express. They found admitted authorities with a ready- made collection of facts, antl they had only to follow in the beaten track. Even where the scei)'ical spirit was aroused it became crushed or dormant from its want of exercise. The collection of original documents, like any other collection, is a matter of slow, careful, and systematic labour. In no place is there a greater division of positive work. The accumu- lation of a mass of aay material, say money, and then theo- rize upwards or downwards as you will, is an art of itself re(piiring special capacity. When the effort is a collection of National Archives you have to (establish what is re(iuired, what is indispensably necijssary, to know where to seek for it, to take means to obtain it, and to be careful not to pay twice over for the same commodity. Tiie second stage is to assort all this matter, to classify it, to place it in such a form ami to give it such reference that on necessity immediately it can be found. The third condition is to draw up a calendar of it, to describe it, and in short to make it available to the ordinary inquirer. One, therefore, who sees a collection of any kind brought to the hammer feels a twinge of pain as he thinks of the enthusiasm, the sustained effort, the fre- quent sacrifices which have gathered it only by slow degrees. Among the many monuments of Imperial London none is so striking, so impressive, as the reading-room and library of the w Uritish Museum, offering to view one of the largest known printed collections of books and pamphlets, accessible to the poorest and humblest inhabitant of the realm ; admission to the room being oidy contingent on good manners and decent conduct. It is from this great centre tliat much of the im- petus of thought and intelligence is given, and the sentiment established as a matter of national faith that in large Pro- vincial centres, a collection of books is as essential to the well- being of the people to raise them from mental degradation, superstition, and extravagance of thouglit, as the air tliey breathe, and the food they take to strengthen and refresh their bodies. There is no point on which history so much repeats itself as in the exhibition of that charlatanism which urges itself forward without a scruple, without truth, without principle. And as a community, or more properly perhaps to speak, the teachers of that community, have the training and the knowledge to bring past examples of this nefarious success before the world, so is there the greater or less cer- tainty of men being warned against the viper, seeking to secure its nest in the national bosom. The Historical Society of Quebec is deserving of lionour- able notice by the publication of many important documents from time to time issued by its members. It was formed in 1824. Lord Dalhousie, then Governor-General, took a prom- inent part in its establishment, and presided at the first meeting held on the 6th January at the Chateau of St. Louis, when the society was organized. There is an Historical Society of Montreal ; its fortunes a[)pear, however, to have some- what waned. It never reached the distinguished position of that of Quebec, which, undoubtedly, has made many valuable contributions to our history. But the best well-wisher and friend of the latter must acknowledge that its operations have been fitful and uncertain, and of late unimportant. A ! 8 Moreover, its views and aims embraced general history. It was not a Canadian Historical Society, and in a social point of view wisely so. It was institiited in a time when railways were not even dreamed of. If in those days of rigorous winter some sanguine entliusiast had prophesied the power of steam* ; if lie had fon-'tnid that a train would await the passenger, witli a saloon heated to the attractive atmosphere of a drawing-room, with a lounge too easy for a practical and (*; One of the eurlioHt to expresH an opinion with repard to the influence of Railway.s on thought and life was Heinrich Heine. The following jinsMage appears in Lutezia, Zweiter Theil, No. 67. Paris, r) May, 1K4.S : - The o))ening of the two new liailways, one of which takes us to Orleans, the otlier to Ko\ien, [7") and 84 miles : Translator] caused here a coniuiotion with which each individual person sympathizes if he does not by chance stand on a chair of isolation. The whole po|mlation of Paris at this moment forms a chain by which one conveys to the other the electric shock. But while the great crowd, bewildered and con- founded, stares \ii)on the outward form of the immense motive power, an awe-creating dread takes possession of the thinker, such as wo feel when the most prodigiritish Museum were searched by Mr. Brymner. Some difficulties at first arose with regard to copying documents. Regula- tions were enforced which limited the reference ; judicious enough with regard to individuals, they can scarcely, Avith justice, be applied to the Dominion with four million people. After some correspondence these restrictions were to a great extent removed. The Public Record OtHce, for instance, had very definite rules. No papers between 1760 and 1802 could be examined witliout special permission. This regulation indeed is generally ap})lied to all depart- ments. In order to have these restrictions removed, Mr. Brymner submitted a memorandum through the High Com- missioner, and on this representation an order was given by which information up to 1842 could be obtained. As one reads Mr. Brymner's Reports one must feel a better opinion of human nature. Possibly it was no little owing to his tact and judgment ; but everybody appears to have received him in the kindest and most genial manner. In Paris. ISIr. pi 16 Plunkett, since ai)pointed Ambassador to Japan, was mosfc obliging. Ho took a personal interest in the success of the work. Lord Lyont; was absent. ]]ut Lord Grenville had done all that was necessary on tlie point of accrediting the Archivist. ^Ir. Marmette, of the Archive department, tells us how in Paris he was charmed with the French officials, M. de Rielle and M. Aval. Mr. ]>rymner gives us a long list of the eminent men in England and Scotland who aided him with advice, help and sympathy. He seems indeed to have found the touch of nature which makes the whole world kin. Why should not we chronicle their names herd Why should not the renown of their hospit- able virtues cross the Atlantic 1 The Earl of Derby relaxeil the stric<-est rules. Mr. Meade, of the Colonial Office, was unvaryingly courteous. Mr, Vincent, of the Royal Institution, offered his personal help in obtaining copies of documents. The distinguished Arabic scholar, Pascual de Gayangoz, " is happy to help us at Madrid in our researches," and so it goes on. [Page 16, Report 1883. J Independently of those above-mentioned there Avere M. Marshall, liibliotheque National, Paris ; Mr. W. Hardy, Dejjuty Keeper of Records ; Mr. Alfred Kingston, Public Record Office ; Mr. Garnet, Mr. Kensington, liritish Museum ; Mr. Overall, Guildhall Library, London ; Mr. Stair Agnew, Registrar General ; Mr. T. Dixon, of the Register House, Edinburgh j Dr. Eraser, Deputy-Keeper of Records of Scotland. Surely it will not be unpleasant for these gentlemen to learn that their kindness and expression of sympathy are known and appreciated throughout the Dominion, and that they may take from our heart all thankfulness. But one comes to hold one's breath as we have to record the magnificence of the Master of the Rolls. He presented to the Dominion a full set of the State papers published by 17 the Imperial Governinent — 367 volumes — an act of muni- ficence whicli needs only to be mentioned in order properly and worthily to be estimated. Mr. Brymner vibited the several Provinces in the hope of obtaining historical ]>apers from public and private sources. In Montreal he discovered important documents in a damp vault where examination was a matter of difficulty. The papers at Quebec were in a cellar under the Court House. An objectionable temperature was accompanied by the risk of destruction by fire. Otherwise these documents had been carefully looked after, and there seems to have been son^e sense of responsibility as to their value. At Halifax the public papers had been systematically kept, and in good order. As late as 1864, 200 volumes of MSS. had been selected, arranged and bound. In 1869 a volume of Provin- cial documents was issued, bearing upon the establishment of Halifax under Cornwallis in 1749. Further, they con- tained original papers as to the continual French encroach- ments after the Peace of Utrecht, the siege of Beausejour, the expatriation of the Acadians in 1755 with the official correspondence from 1755 to the establishment of Responsible Government. It was at Halifax that the military papers from 1779 were deposited. Many are of great value. They constitute the military correspondence alluded to, transferred to the Archive Branch. At Fredericton no papers of importance were found. At the Seminary of Quebec there are several im rtant historical documents. They are, however, considered to be private property. There must be doubtless many valuable archives equally in the Seminary of Montreal. Ought not copies to be obtained of such as are of value 1 In London Mr. Brymner commenced his investigation of the Hudson Bay Company's papers. In the Public Record B 18 Office he found many of the French and English papers written badly and hard to master. His next visit was to the Record Koom of the Tower. He came to the conclusion that the latter contained few papers appertaining to Canada of value. At the War Office, amid an immense collection ot returns, orders, remisitions for stores, states of strength, details of routine, outpost duty, and regimental every day life, there are many documents of positive historic value. They em- brace a period from 1756 to 1856. which includes some of the principal and most striking events of Canadian history, being marked by the closing events of the Conquest, includ- ing the miserable proceedings at William Henry at the head of Lake George and the gross, glaring, blundering of Aber- crombie at Ticonderoga. We there can penetrate the want of generalship and the miserable failure of Burgoyne, although these facts are well known, and the verdict of history has been long unmistakably pronounced. We gain likewise additional facts of the War of Independence, and the events of 1812. Among the memorials of the latter, in the Archives Office at Ottawa, is the letter written by Gen- eral Ih'ock a few hours before his death at Queenston Heights. No Canadian can look upon this paper without emotion. At the Public Record Office, where, as has been said, special examination was ])ermitted through the inter- vention of the Colonial Office, the papers extend from the earliest period. In the British Museum Mr. Brymner found the Haldimand and Bouquet papers. The latter, a Swiss officer in the British service, played a marked part in the closing campaign on the Ohio. These papers extend from 1757 to 1765. Colonel Bouquet's name frequently appears in the histories of that date, and his career must be familiar to the readers of Parkman's two last volumes ; and who has not read them 1 ' 19 I Sir Frederick HaMimand, a Swiss by birth, was Governor of Canada from 1778 i 1784. When in 1763 Gage was transferred to New York, Burton, then Governor of Three Rivers, was removed to Montreal, and Haldimand took his place. In 1765 he proceeded to England. In 1766 we hear of him at Pensacola, Florida. In 1773 he returned to Canada, and on the retirement of Sir Guy Carleton, afterwards Lord Dorchester, he was appointed Governor of Canada, t' Inch office he held until 1784. The Haldimand papers consist of 232 volumes ; the Bouquet papers of 34. There are few portions of our history of which we are so ignorant as that of the years intervening between the Con- quest and the passage of the Quebec Act in 1774, and of the further interval to the Constitutional Act of 1791, which divided the country into Upper and LoAver Canada, and extended Eepresentative Institutions to the two Provinces. The first years after the treaty of 1763, was a period of somewhat arbitrary and uncertain law ; but there is every ground of belief that attempts were made in good faith to <'xtend justice and equity to both the old and new subjects. There is no room for suspicion to detract from the personal honour, probity or ability of either Murray or Carleton. There is ground for belief that Burgoyne had no little to do with Carleton's retirement from the Government, and that the former endeavoured to throw much of the weight of his failure on the want of support he had received from Quebec. The subject is too intricate to enter into in this place. Bur- goyne himself, agreeable, pleasant, witty, unexceptionable as a man upon town, with courage and resolution to make him an excellent sabreur, or to fit him for the leader of a forlorn hope, was utterly deficient of all the qualities of a general. He was the last man to send as a leader of such an expedi- tion which had its only chance of success with a careful, ; (] '■ !. ' a 20 thoughtful man, of capacity, enterprise, and judgment, a born soldier. The one feature which redeems Burgoyne i» his courage. The creek is still pointed out near Schuyler- ville, on the Upper Hudson, along the hanks of which ]>urgoyno walked to arrange the terms of surrender with General Gates, He was scrupulously dressed as if to attend a royal levee, and he astonished the Provincial officers who were at the late breakfast given on the occasion, by his excellent appetite, and the perfect unconcern with which he accepted the situation ; undoubtedly assumed, for ho was vain, ambitious, and self-assiirting, and must have felt keenly his defeat. Like all men of his class, he had every one to blame but his own want of conduct ; and being a brother-in-law of my Lord Derby, a great supporter of the Royal pretensions, and coming within the shade of Royal fa\'Our, he could strike down better men than himself. It was after this campaign that Carleton retired, or was re- called. The Quebec Act of 1774 had then been passed. Quebec was governed by a Council to enact ordinances for Government, the inhabitants having authority to tax them- selves for municipal purposes. Of the Canada from 1764 to 1790 there v.i a groat deal to he learned. Much weight has been laid on the statements of Du Calvet, a French Protes- tant. The extent of t'.ie trustworthiness of his statements is a matter of doubt. He certainly was not marked by judg- ment, and his political views were by no means warranted by the situation of events. It is he who has principally given us our ideas of Haldimand. It must be recollected that Haldimand succeeded to the Government in a period of trial during the AVar of Independence with the States. We know something of these difficulties in the Memoirs of Madame Riedesel, and the Memoirs of her husband, the Major-General who commanded the Hessian troops in B\ir- ii^ ! 91 goyne's expedition, by Max Von Eking. We learn from the lady that it had been represented to tlieni that Haldimand was a man difficult to jj^ct along with, as nobody could please him. The lively little IJaroiiesa conveys the impression that lie was an excellent person, kindly in nature, with a high sense of duty, and resolute in his purpose. Papet, a Hessian •officer, speaks of Ilis Excellency as one not fond of great formalities, but liking a good dinner, and ever ready to smoke a pipe with a friend. Another JJrunsvvick officer vere freely distributed declaring that English rule was at an end on the continent. The consequence was a system of espionage throughout the Province. Men sus^KJcted were watched. If they became or were considered mischievous, they were imprisoned. Haldimand felt that it was a time for no superabundant delicacy, and as he held power he- exercised it. This fact is remembered better than any other part of his administration ; and doubtless a great many arrests took place. Haldimand's duties were certainly marked by great difficulty. He had to i)reserve public tran- quillity, and at the same time defend the Province froni United States sympathizers within it. Haldimand's principal assailant, Du Calvet, had been engaged in the fur trade in the days of French domination. After the conquest he at once accepted British rule. It is on the writings of Du Calvet that the feeling against Haldimand has been created. There is more than probability that Du Calvet was even an fictive partisan of the Americans. He was certainly im- prisoned for treason by Haklimand, and on this ground sued the latter in a court of law in England. Du Calvet may have been a patriot or an agitator. It rests for some dispassionate investigator to determine which. One of the difficulties under which Haldimand lived was that he seldom received news from the seat of war. The information which he could gather was only by means of spies. No doubt a study of these volumes now being copied for the Canadian Archives, will give a totally different view of Haldimand's administration. One fact is undoubted, he was a man of unblemished personal honour. 23 * One particular point involved in obscurity is known as tlio "Walker affair. So far as can bo made out, in 1764, no barracks being in existence, troops were quartered on tho inhabitants of Montreal. A Captain Frazor, leaving his billet, a Captain Payne took po.«session of the rooms, by more or less of force, it would appear, ngainst the protest of tho landlord. Payne was notified that the rooms wore let, but he would not give them up. The case came before Mr. Walker, a magistrate, who ordered Payne to leave the rooms, and on the latter declining to comply with the warrant, com- mitted him for contempt. A writ of habeas corpus olitaincd Payne's release on bail. And now followed the f)rocnoding which has more or less remained a mystery, with tho addi- tional doubt which it casts upon tho character of tho society at that date. Whoever dictated the proceeding, a niimber of individuals masked, witli blackened faces, and otherwise disguised, forced themselves into Walker's dwelling, and personally chastised him so severely as to leave him uncon- scious. Several parties were arrested, among them some military men. None were punished. There are statements of the misconduct and Insolence of the garrison which even now should be investigated. It may be looked for that the facts may be found in the papers which are being gathered. Murray spoke of the event as " that horrid affair." A strong reproof came from England, addressed to the Cana- dian garrisons. One Captain Disney, of the 44tli, was tried ; but his innocence was established — • by an alibi. French Canadian writers state that ^Eurray was recalled, owing to the feeling entertaineil against him by the military. It is to him we owe the first census. He records the jiopu- lation as 76,725, Indians included. He has loft a remarkable letter on record, addressed to Lord Slielburne, dated 20th August, 1766. [Canadian Archives, Haldimand B. 8, p 1.] 1 24 It first was made more generally known by its publication in Lambert's Travels, 1814. Since that period it has almost been forgotten. He describes the British population at that date, a few half-pay officers excepted, as: — "Traders, mechanics and publicans, who reside in the two towns of Quebec and Montreal. Most of them were followers of the army, of mean education, or soldiers disbanded at the reduction of the troops. All have their fortunes to make, and I fear few of them are solicitous about the means when the end can be obtained. I report them to be in gener?' " 3 most immoral collection .>{ men I ever knew ; of course, little ctV ilated to make the new subjects enamoured with our laws, religion and customs, far less adapted to enforce these laws and to govern. . " On the other hand the Canadians, accustomed to ai'bitrarj' and a sort of military government, are a frugal, industrious, moral race of men, who from tiie just and mild treatment they met with from His Majesty's military otficers, who ruled the country four years, until the establishment of civil government, had greatly got the better of the natural antipathy thej' had to their conquerors. "They consist of a noblesse who are numerous, and who pique them- selves mucli upon the antiquity of tlu'ir families, their own military glory and that of their ancestors. The noblesse are seigneurs cf the whole country, and though not rich, are in a situation, in that plentiful part of the world, where money is scarce and luxury still unknown, to support tJieir digti^'ty. The inhabitants, their tenaiiciers, who pay only an annual quit rent of about a dollar for one hundred acres, are at their ^ase and coinfortable. They have been accustomed to respect and obey their mo^/cs-nc, their tenures being military in the feudal manner. They have shared with them the dangers of the field, and natural affection has been increased in proportion to the calamities which have been common to both from the conquest of their country, as they have been taught to resjiect their superiors, and not yet intoxicated with the abuse of liberty, they are shocked at the insults which their noblesse and the King's officers have received from the English traders and lawyers since tlie civil Government took place. It is natural to suppose they are jealous of their religion. They are very ignorant. It was the policy of the French Government to keep them 80. Few or none can read. Printing was never permitted in Canada till we got possession of it. Their veneration for the priesthood is in proportion to that ignorance. It will probably decrease as they become enlightened. For the clergy there are very illiterate, and of I 25 mean birth, and as they are now debarred from supplies of ecclesiastics from France, mat Order of men will become more and more contempti- ble, provided they are not exposed to persecution Disorders and divisions from the nature of things could not be avoided in attempting to establish the Civil Government in Canada, agreeable to my instructions. The same troops who conquered and governed the country four years remained in it. They were com- manded by an officer, who by the civil establishment had been deprived of the government of half the Province, and who remained in every respect independent of tlie Civil Government. Magistrates were to be made and juries to be composed from four hundred and fifty contemptible sutlers and traders. It is easy to conceive how the narrow ideas and ignorance of such men must offend any troops, more especially those who had so long governed them, and knew the meanness from which they had been elevated. It would be very unreasonable to suppose that such men would not be intoxicated with the unexpected power put into their .hands, and that they would not be eager to show how amply they possessed it. As there were no barracks in the countrj', the quartering the troops furnished perpetual opportunity of displaying their importance and rancour. The Canadian noblcuse were hated because their birth and behaviour entitled them to respect, and the peasants were abhorred because they were saved from the oppression they were threatened with. The presentments of the Grand Jury at Quebec puts the truth of these remarks beyond a doubt, the silence of the King's servants to the Governor's remonstrance in consequence of these presentments though his secretary was sent home on jmrpose to expedite an explanation, contributed to encourage the disturbers of the peaoe. The improper choice and the number of the civil officers sent over from England increased the disquietude of the colony. Instead of men of genius and untainted morals, the reverse were appointed to the most important offices, \inder whom it was impossible to communicate those impressions of the dignity of Government, by which alone man- kind can be held together in society. The Judge pitched upon to conciliate the minds of seventy five thousand foreigners to the laws and government of Great Britain, was taken from a gaol, entirely ignorant of Civil Law and the language of the people. The Attorney-General, with regard to the language, was not better qualified. The offices of the Secretary of the Province, Register, Clerk of the Council, Commis- sary of Stores and Provisions, Provost Marshal, &c., were given by patent to men of interest in England, who let them out to the best bidders, and so little considered the capacity of their representativea 26 that not one of them understood tha lan^^age of the natives. As no salary was annexed to these Patent places, the value of them dependedl upon the Fees, which, by my instructions, I was ordered to establish equal to those in the richest ancient Colonies. This heavy tax, and the rapacity of the English lawyers, was severely felt by the poor Cana- dians. But they patiently submitted ; and though stimulated to dispute it by some of the licentious traders from New York, they cheerfully obeyed the Stamp Act, in hopes that their good behaviour would recommend them to the favour and protection of their Sovereign, As the Council Books of the Province, and likewise my auswers to the complaints made against my administration have been laid before your Lordship, it is needless, I presume, to say anything further on that subject than that I glory in having been accused of warmth and firmness in protecting the King's Canaaian subjects, and of doing the utmost in my power to gain to my royal master the affections of that brave, hardy people, whose emigration, if ever it should happen, will be an irreparable loss to this Empire, to prevent which, I declare to your lordship, I would cheerfully submit to greater calumnies and indignities — if greater can be devised — than hitherto I had undergone." We have crude ideas of this period. "We know that what law was administered immediately after the conquest, was based on the Koyal proclamation of 1763. ".3 Admiralty law and English commercial law appear to hav. furnished the principles on which Justice was administered. There was great dissatisfaction. Accordingly deputations composed of British and French Canadians proceeded to the Imperial Centre, London, to complain of this unsatisfactory condition of things. The appeal to the Home Government led to the report of 4th April, 1766, by Yorke, afterwards Lord Hard- wick, and DeGrey, afterwards Lord AValsingham. This fact must stand prominently out as a mark of the actual liberty enjoyed in Canada, and of the desire of the Imperial authori- ties to act generously and justly. At this date there was no talk of American independence. The proceeding could only have its source in the desire to establish a healtliy syste n of government, and to make Canada prosperous and happy. 27 There is much to learn of these clays. There can be no- more interesting investigation than such a narrative written temperately and honestly ; not to prove foregone conclu- sions, but to establish the real and true position taken towards the people of Canada, coming for the first time- under British rule. Whatever faults there may have been in the system, whatever incompetence or misconduct on the part of individuals, so far as the known documents bear witness, it is established that the desire on the part of the Home authorities was to extend to the conquered Provinces- sound and just principles of government. One point is- indisputable: the" immediate appreciation by the French Canadian population of the greater protection extended by the administration of English criminal law : although it has^ been said that the Seigneurs, with others of the higher class^ accepted with repugnance the Jury system which extended jurisdiction over th.^ lives and liberties of men in high rank to those hitherto considered in a humbler position. The main difficulties existed with regard to the laws bearing upon pro- perty and the undefined protection granted to civil rights. The litigous character of the French Canadian is well known. He has an abstract love of law, and is ready to have recourse to it on the slightest encouragement. There is no reason ta think that this spirit was less active a century back than at present. Montreal appears at this epoch to have been pre-eminent in the abuse of what was called the administration of Justice, in the exaction of unlawful fees, and in having a race of bailiffs who knew how to charge for their services. It is said that on each case heard, a demand was made for rent, for use of the ^Magistrate's rooms. It would be profit- able precisely to know to what extent these assertions are based on fact. That the abuses in the administration of 28 II justice were serious is established. It is not equally certain to what extent the character of them has been exaggerated. The limits of the Province of Quebec were defined in 1764. There had been disputes as to what constituted its •extent. With the memory of the war just closed, it could not be looked for i-hat the British Provinces would abandon their pretensions to territory which they had hitherto claimed •and which had to be defined with regard to a conquered Province. The country from Ticonderoga to Crown Point •and northward along Lake Champlain had fallen into their possession before the close of the war. Accordingly the southern boundary of Canada was established at the 45th parallel until it touches the St. Lawrence, which it was to follow westward. An examination of the discussions which led to this determination would still be of profit. There is another doubtful point, which would repay exam- ination. The attack on Fort Detroit in 1764 by Pontiac is well known. Pontiac hated England with an inexplicable inten- sity. The attack was foiled by the courage and determination of the garrison. The Indians abandoned further attempts on the Fort. Peace was made. During tlio contest 600 French Canadians were enlisted in the district of Quebec. Their sympathies were called forth by the danger of their •compatriots of Detroit. When they arrived peace prevailed. It has been said that their services Avere ill requited. Was such or not the case 1 Hitherto, little evidence has been brought forward to sustain this half-made assertion. The conviction is strongly forced upon all who in any way refer to original documents, that much of the history of Canada should be rewritten. The search of Mr. Brymner in bringing to notice the extraordinary letter of Charles I. 12 June, 1631, throws a perfectly new light on the restitu- tion of Canada to France at that early period of its history. 29 Two years previously Champlain capitulated to Kirke. It is now established that the country was avowedly surren- dered back by Charles, on condition that France would immediately pay him the one-half of the marriafje portion of Henrietta Maria, which he had not received. It is hard to get over language of this character : " What wee chiefly understand to put in balance yf not in contract against the- porceon money is the rendition of Quebec in Canada." We (juote the letter to Sir Charles Wake, the English ambas- sador at Paris from the King. This letter is published at length in the Archive Report of 1884. Of Kirke, who took Quebec, there have been strange misapprehensions. Ho is represented by French-Canadian writers as a renegade Frenchman. He was of an English family which still exists in Derbyshire. His father had' commercial relations at Dieppe, and some of his children were born there. Kirke started from London, one of the- merchant adventurers, with a patent of Charles I. Quebec was taken July, 1629, to be returned to France by the treaty of St. Germaine en Laye, 1632. There is one point on which it is desirable to lay some stress, and at the same time express the hope that the matter will be thoroughly investigated, and that is the career of the French in Hudson Bay. Undoubtedly it is mixed up with much fable. One writer has followed the other, and we have ended by accepting as historical facts what are really matters of great doubt, and what certainly, in one instance,, cannot possibly have happened. Charlevoix may be named as the authority for the assertion that Raddison and Des Grosseliers passed from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay in 1667. Charlevoix, like any other writer, is simply an authority for what came within his own knowledge and experience. What on the other hand, is narrative of a pre- 30 tIous period, is only of value as it accords with the testimony- bearing upon that period. A very little examination of dates will show that any such proceeding was simply an impossi- "bility. If the journey was made it must have been by Michipicoten and Moose River. As early as 1641, the Jesuit::, Jogues and Raymbault, were at the mouth of Lake Superior, but it was not till 1669 that the mission of the Sault S'3. Mary was established ; that of La Pointe, the modern i^>ayfield, in 1670. Within the previous ten years the country about Lake Superior had been explored. The •Jesuits' map was given to the world in 1671, and it is evident by the record of 1667, that at that date no white men had settled on Lake Superior. It was in 1665 that Tracy reached Canada ; the date when the French Government commenced to take a direct part in its history. When he arrived the country was on the verge of ruin ; its commerce had disap- peared ; its inhabitants, few and scattered as they were, were divided, and the country was so subject to the attacks of Indians, that the daily labourer going to work had to be guarded. In 1666, Tracy undertook his celebrated expedi- tion against the Iroquois. It was not until 1668 that the mission of the Bay of Quinte, near Kingston, was com- menced, and not until about 1680 that Du Luth constructed the Fort at the mouth of the Kaministiquia where Fort William now stands. The Jesuit relations extend from 1635 to 1672. No mention is made of any such expedition up the Michipicoten. Had there been such an expedition it could not have escaped their observation, and certainly it would not have passed out of their control. In 1669, Joliet was sent by Talon to explore Lake Superior for minerals. In 1673, in company with Marquette, he discovered the Missis- sippi. In 1682, LaSalle was sent out on his explorations, which on this occasion ended with the discovery of the Ohio, 31 and during the whole of these events we hear nothing of a definite and detailed statement of this expedition from Lake Superior to James' Bay in 1667. Indeed, hazardous as it is to assert a negative, the remark may be ventured that it ■could n^ver have taken place. The connection between Quebec ana Hudson Bay at that date was solely by water, following tl e St. Lawrence, coasting Labrador, and entering Hudson's Siiraits. What French writers have been desirous of proving was that the French held possession of Hudson Bay prior to Gilliam's voyage in 1667. It was not until 1686 that the party from Montreal under the Chevalier de Troyes attacked Fort Hayes, on Moose River. Never dream- ing of an attack its sixteen inmates were in bed. The expedition proceeded thence to Fort Rupert to repeat the attack under like conditions. The whole aifair was a sur- prise. The merit did not lie in taking the fort from a handful of men, but in the expedition itself, which was carried out through an untrod wilderness known in its main •distance only to the Indian. It ascended the River Ottawa to its head waters, and crossing the height of land, followed the Abbitibi River to Hudson Bay. It called for endurance, valour, and determination of no ordinary character. The Archives Report for 1883 contains, among many documents of value and interest, " Transactions between England and France relating to Hudson Bay, dated 1687." This paper is made public for the first time, having until now been buried in the Record Office, London. The Treaty of 1686, by virtue of whicli these negotiations -were carried on, has long been known, but not the Memo- randum in question. The claims of England and France are •elaborately set forth in statement, reply, rejoinder, and co- rejoinder. Every argument possible is adduced in the reponse of the French to give weight to their claim to the I lis 32 II ii territory. No such claim is put forth as a discovery of Hudson Bay waters by the way of Lake Superior. The names of Raddison and DesGrossehers are mentioned on three occasions certainly. No claim of such discovery Ly them is advanced, although their treason to French interest* and their subsequent pardon are named. What the French did claim was that in 1656 Jean Bourbon sailed to Hudson Bay and took possession of it; that in 1661 Per^ Dablon,. with Sieur do la Valliere, with five soldiers, was sent back, from Quebec with some Indians who had arrived from the' Baye du Norde (presumably Hudson Bay) and planted a cross there ; tliat in 1663 the Sieur Couture, with five men made the journey from Quebec to the Baye du Nord, and planted a cross. In 1671, however, St. Lusson, accom- panied by Nicolas Perrot, as interpreter, went to Sault St. Mary to meet the Ottawa and Northern Indians to receive homage from them ; in ^^self presumptive evidence that nO' overland journey previously had been made from Lake Superior. The document in question clearly establishes that at that date there was not even mention of a journey having been made in 1667 from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay by Raddisson and DesGrosseliers. This docuiuent is of great value, and requires to be carefully studied. Nothing appears to be known of the narratives of La Valliere and Couture. It is believed that this criticism is now made for the first time, find it is to be hoped that it will lead to a further in- vestigation of the career of the French in Hudson Bay, much of which is given with exaggeration. We almost seem to be again wondering at the mythical labours of Her- cules as we read the feats as they are recorded. 33 In tlius liaving described the present satisfju^tory condition of our Canadian Archives, we must C(|ually bear in mind that the early jirojifress of the Province of (Quebec in the palli of Archaeology claims honourable mention, and tin; iiKjuircr will meet the names of many engaged in its study command- ing respect and attention, l^rinting was simply uidrk, exercised no little in- rtuence on the legislation of the new Province. The Archives Report 1883, p. 1), alludes to this "Plan of a Code of Laws," and points out that several of the Law Reports of the Law officers of the Crown are missing in the volumes bearing upon Canadian History from the Conquest to 1774, at the same time suggesting that they may be found at the Privy Council Office. Mr. Brymncr pertinently remarks, "A» the various reports and other documents relate to the Quebec Act of 1774, it is very desirable that they should be all accessible here togetlier with the other papers as bear uiwn the same subject," We are, how- ever, acquainted with nuich of both Wedderburn's and Thurlow's. Reports, extended extracts being given in Christie's History, vol. 1. pp. 43, 45, and pp. 40, 03. 39 The war of Independence followed to throw its gloom over Canada. The one thought then became to defend llu; country from aggression. The Peace of Versailles of 1783 first furnished breathing time to the Province. Material interests alone were thought of, and what mental activity was called into being, was entirely devoted to the considera- tion of the political requirements of the hour, the discussions concerning which, to some extent. Were silenced by tlu; Quebec Act of 1791. In 1792, 17th December, the House of Assembly met f(->r the first time in ]»ritish America, and from that date tin; literary activity of Canada may be traced. The first produc;- tion the writer has seen was the " Quebec Magazine or useful and entertaining Repository of Science, florals. History, Politics, &c., partici'^arly adapte I for the use of lU'itisli America, by a society of gentleme.i in Quebec." The lir.st number appeared 1792, 1st Aug'.ist. The last number seen by the writer is February, 1794. It forms three volumes, and was published by Samuel Neilson, Quebec. Le Godi , :r de Quebec appeared 3rd January, 1807, by Mr. Young, Quebec. It was published on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is not known that it existed for more than half-a-year. One volume only has been met with. Le Canadien belongs to this date. Its lirst numb(!r appeared on tlie 22n(l November, 1801^, tlie last, 14th ^lartli, 1810, Avlien under warrant >f Chief Justice Sewell a i)arty of soldiers witli a magis^ra^i' i>ii>V possession of tlu; printing office, presses, type and o.ij "r. It Avas su[i[)r('sse(l. Tlic prhiter and three mem1)ers of the Assembly Avere arrested as the owners of a treasonable journal. The oiu; arbitrary, unprovoked, discreditable act which isa stain on the escutchetju of r)ritisli rule in Canada. ;Mr. H. jNIeziere commenced VAbe.ill". Canadicnne Journal de Lifteraiure et des Sciences, 1st August, 1818. /v 40 (( (( Eight journals are spoken of by the editor at that date as being published in English and French in Canada. They were as follow to the number of seven : — Quebec Gazette, established 21st June, 1764. 5th January, 1805. 12th August, 1817. 3rd August, 1795. 1st June, 1813. 19th October, 1811. 1st October, 1816. <( (( (( 3Ie7'C7iri/, La Gazette de Trois Rivieres, Montreal Gazette, Spectator, IL'rald, Aurore, The eighth must be left for the examination of the readers of this essay. Ko trace can be found of it, unless it be the AJieille itself, Le Spnctateur Canadien was published by Messrs. C. B, Pasteur ife Co. The first number appeared on the 1st June, 1813, it was continued until 3rd February, 1821. It has been said that the Montreal Gazette was first pub- lished in 1795. There were, however, two unsuccessful attempts to estal)]ish it ten years previously. There d(jes not njipear any note when an English printing press was cstablislied in Montreal. " Bibaud Jeune," in his Inditations de Vliistoire mentions French printing to have commenced in 1777, — the Gazette Litteraire* de Fleury Mesplet ap])eared in 1778. The various journals and papers of Lower Canada are marked l)y the s))irit of three epochs, into Avhich the history of Canada is divided, viz. : — from tlie Conquest and settle- *L'a]Tivee en Canada de M. Fleury Mesplet impriineur Frangais qui avait exerco son art h, Philadelphia fmu'nit aux Canadiens Tocca- sion de faire voir qu'ils n'etaient pa3 auasi strangers h, la litt^rature et aux sciences, qu'ou Tavaient cru ou feint de le croire. La proposition qu'il fit de publier une feuille hebdomadaire fut accueillie favorable- inent et le premier num^ro de la Gazette Litteraire (pour la ville et le 41 ment of Government on the establishment of the new regime to the Constitutional Act of 1791 ; from this date until the events of 1837-38 and to the Union of 1841: thence to Confederation in 1867. Until the first meeting of the Legis- lature little can be traced of literary effort. The Quebec Gazette of 1764 is the one record remaining. From the date of Parliamentary Government there lias been a continual increasing political and social literature. The first efforts are by no means petty or mean. They can be read to-day with profit. There are few volumes of that date published in any country superior to the Quebec Magazine of 1792. Its writers were men of education, and wrote with ability, and discretion. With a larger public it would have gained a support permanently to sustain it. It failed, not from want of ability, but from tlie narrow field of its circulation, district de Montreal) parut le 3 juin 1778. Plusieurs des essais qui rem- plirent les colonnes de ce journal jiendant la duree de sa jiublication qui fut d'une annee font honneur au jugcment et au bon godt de leurs auteurs. BiBAUD, Histoire du Canada, II, p. 78. The first book published in Canada is generally believed to be CaUchisme da Diocese de Sens imprime a Quebec, chez Brown et Gilmour, 1765. The latter were the proprietors of the Quebec Gazette. A copy was exhibited at the Caxton celebration, at Montreal, 20-29 June, 1877, by Mr. Justice Baby. The first book published in Montreal is sup- posed to be Ileylemt. ( de la Coti/rerie de f Adoration PerpetucUe da ^aint Sacrement et de in Bonne Mort, chez F. Mesplet et C. Berger, Montreal, 177C. Three copies were exhibited at the Caxton Exhibition by the Numismatic Society of Montreal, by M. Latourand Mr. Sheriff Chauveau. If the date be correct, there was a printing iiress in operation in 1776. The second book published in Canada has relation to the Walker affair, and the o[)inion is forced ujxin the student of our history, that the publication was dictated by the political exigencies of tlie period. The very title is suggestive of this theory. "The Trial of Daniel Desney, Esq., Captain of a company in His Majesty's ■^\i\i Regiment 42 that it could not possibly be remunerative. It will be felt by all who turn to these early productions that the tone in language, style and matter is really of a higher horizon than the general press writing of to-day. One curious production of a somewhat later date is the Free Press, published at Burlington, Vermont. It bears the name of Lewis Luke ^lacculloh. The first number was dated 10th October, 1822, —No. 47, 4th September, 1823,— No. 48, 24th June, 1824. It is believed that this number is the last. Of the same character is the Scribbler, " A series of weekly Essays published in Montreal, L.C., on Literary, Critical, Satirical, !Moral and Local sulyects, interspersed with pieces of Foot, and Town Major of the Garrison at Montreal, at the Session of the Supreme Court of Judicature holden at Montreal on Saturday, the 28th day of February, and thence continued by adjotirnments to Wednesday, the 11th day of March, 17G7, before the Honourable William Hey, Esq., Chief Justice of the Province of Quebec, \ipon an indictment containing t\i'o charges, the one for a burglary and felony in breaking and entering in Mr. Thomas Walker's house, at Montreal, on the night of the ()th day of December in the year 17C4, with an intention to murder the said Thcmias Walker ; the other for feloniously and of malice aforethought, cutting off the right ear of the said Thomas Walker, with intention thereby to disfigure him, against the form, of the Statute 22 and 23 Car. II, Cap. I, in that case made and provided. (Quebec, printed by Brown & CHlmour, 1707." It consists of 46 pages. !Mr. Francis Masbres prosecuted on i)art of the Crown as Attorney- ( General. Mr. Morrison, Mr. Gregory and Mr. An tell were counsel <"' »• the prisoner. The prisoner was found not guilty by the Jury, "after withdrawing for about half an hour." The ojjening address and reply of Maseres are given in full. According to Nova Scotian writers, printing was introduced in Halifax, seven years after its foundation by Cornwallis, 1749. Isaac Curry estaVilished a printing press in 175(). The first Nova Scotian newspaper was the Nova Scotia Chronicle or Wcckh/ Gazette, published January, 1709, by Anthony Henry, edited by Captain Buckley. Henry subsequently became Queen's Printer, the first apjiointment of the kind in British America as it is now constituted. He died only in 1800. 43 of poetry by Lewis Luke Macculloh, Esq. : published by James Lane in Montreal, and to be had of the proprietor by Samuel H. Wilcocke in Burlington, Vermont in 182n." The writer can find no other trace of Macculloh. It appears, however, not unusual at that date to have pamphlets pub- lished in Burlington. The writer is in possession of a short treatise on the *' jNIetrical Systems of Horace, arranged on a new and simplified plan by the Rev. F. J. Lundy, S.C.L., Late Scholar of University College, Oxford, and Head-master of the Quebec Classical School, published at Burlington, Vt., by Chaunccy Goodrich, 1838." Le Spedateur Canadien was a weekly paper published in Montreal by C. B. Pasteur ^ Co. No. 1 appeared 1st June, 1813 — the last number 3rd February, 1821. James Lane, publisher ; M. Bibaud, editor. Lane was the pub- lisher of the Scribbler. Could Lewis L. Macculloh be a nam cle plume of the versatile elder liibaud ! V Aurore weekly appeared in Montreal in October, 1816, the last number, 12th September, 1818. The first Medical journal was published in Quebec in the latter half of the year 1835, Journal de Medecin de Quebec. The first editor was Doctor Xavier Tessier. La Bibliotheque Canadienne, published monthly, extends to nine volumes, from June, 1825, to 15th June, 1830. It Ijears the honoured name of Michel Bilxuid. It was followed by L'Obscrcateu)' ci decant La lUblioflu'(pie Ganadienui'. The first number appeared 10th July, 1830, the last 2ud July, 1831. Le Ma;/ami du Bas Canada Journal Littevaire et Scicn- tifique consists of two volumes : January to December, 1832. VEncydopedie Canadienne Journal Littcraire ct ^cienii- Jique commenced March, 1842, and closed February, 1843- r 44 The Vol. I. seen by the writer bears the additional note of Mr. Jacques Viger " et unique." The Canadian Magazine and Literary Repository, Mont- real, printed by N. Mower, was published in 1823 from July to December ; six numbers. The Canadian Revieio and Literary and Historical Journal consists of four volumes, and extends from July, 1824, until February, 1826, These volumes contain much of the political history of Canada. Previous to turning to those names which stand out from the writers of that date reference may Ijo made to the early histories of Canada. The first historical treatise is the memorial of Boucher to Colbert in advocacy of the necessity of retaining Canada by France, after its compicst by Kirke. It appeared in 1G61. Hixtoire veritable et natnrelle des mceiirs et i)rodnctions de la nonmlle France vahjairement dit le Canada. This treatise was translated by the late Mr. Montizambcrt, of tlio Senate, one of the descendants of Boucher. It has been published for private circulation In Memoriam of the translator ; a man held in all respects of life in the highest estimation. The ccX^hxAte'l Relations des Jesiiites extend from 1632 to 1672. They were published at various dates in Rouen and Paris, the last appearing in 1673. Subsecpient additions, 1672 to 1679, which remained in IMS. have been published by Mr. Shea, of New York. The father of our early history is Charlevoix, and he has been followed implicitly by most writers. Charlevoix: wrote with the advantage of knowing Canada well, and lie had access to many documents which, with his own observations, enabled him to judge events with discrimination. He was a man of genius, power and keen penetration, and as a practised writer his history must ever 45 occupy a distinguished place in our annals. It has been the coil around which all subsequent writers have entwined their narrative. Of the early days of Canada, up to 1629, we have Chani- jilain's own remarkable productions, together with the works of Sagard, 1636, who was present at the surrender of Quebec to Kirke. L'Escarbot narrates what he gathered together from other sources, for out of Port Royal he is no direct authority. There is no responsible historical writer until 1691, Christien LeClerq, whose " Etablissement de la Foi" was published at that date. There is a story that this work was suppressed by the. Jesuits, and that only a few copies remain : some six or seven are named. The work is undoubtedly scr.rce, but there is nothing in its pages to support this as- sertion for the destruction of this volume could not do aAvay with the fact that the Recollets came to the country in 1615^ the Jesuits in 1625. The advent of the latter was not an agreeable event to any one in French Canada, Champlain included. Le Clerq tells us how the Recollets were warned that precedence would be obtained by the new comers, ' erant novissimi primi ' and that P^re Noyrot made '■Houtes les promisses de reconnaissance et icnion.'^ This history carries us up to 1675, when Bishop Laval came to Canada, with Duchesneau as Intendent. It gives also the discoveries of La Salle, of the mouth of the Missis- sippi, and his death in 1687. It closes with an account of the repulse of Phipps before Quebec, 1690. It is dedicated to Frontenac, the best known of French Governors, who died in Quebec, 1698, 28th December, and whose bones lie in the Church of the Recollets. His heart, he directed should be sent back to France, which, it is said, his wife refused to receive, with the remark that as she did not possess it living, she could not accept it lifeless. So it was returned to Canada. 46 lii. The well-known history of Charlevoix appeared in 1744, and consists of three volumes. The History of Canada by M. L'Abbe Belmont, Superior ■of the Seminary, Montreal, between 1713-1724, was pult- lished, for the first time, among the historical documents of the Historical Society of Quebec. Tt is mentioned Ijy Charlevoix. Commencing at the foundation of Quebec in 1603, it is continued till the peace made by M. de Callieres in 1699. It may be said to close with the death of Fron- tenac. It is a work without the least pretension, consisting •of only thirty-six l)ages, and is little more than a mere series of paragraphic memoranda, probably written as an aido memoire for himself and the ecclesiastics of *^^he Seminary. Mention must be made of the missing volume of the Memoirs of Bishop Laval. The work is known to have con- sisted of two volumes. It was written by the Abbe Latour, sometime Vicar-General of Quebec. M. Latour is also known to have corrected the MS. of the Histuire de V Hotel Dieu de Quebec, published at Montaubon in 1751. The avowed author of the latter is the Soeur Juchereau de St. Ignace. The first volume of the Life of Bishop Laval was published nominally at Cologne, 1761. The second volume known to be written has never appeared. The question has often been asked, Has the book been deliberately suppressed ? If so, who were interested in the suppression 1 It has been said that the family of the second Bishop St. Vallier were opposed to the publication. The first history after the Conquest is that of Herriott. *' The History of Canada from its first discovery, comprehend- ing an account of the original establishment of the Colony of Louisiana by George Herriott, Esq., Deputy Postmaster- General of British America, Vol. I. London, 1804." 47 liook I to VIII takes up the narrative to the death of ^M. e Vaudreuil. Book IX to XI is devoted to Louisiana proper. Little need be said of it beyond tliis description to show its character. It was followed by the " History of Canada from its first discovery to the year 1791. By William Smith, Esq., Clerk of Parliament, and Master in Chancery of tlie Province of Lower Canada. John Neilson, Quebec, 1815." This history, so far as the first volume is concerned, M'as of use to those who were unable to read the French of Charlevoix. It contains, however, few new facts, how much soever the colouring of them may have been varied. The second volume dwelt on the events following the Conquest, and by linking them together tended to the preservation of their record. It is to Mr. Smith we owe the account of the AValker affair, and to the extraordinary mutiny at Quebec in 1763 j and at that day its production had doubtless no little influence on historical research. Its appearance, more- over, was of value in drawing attention to the early history of the country at a period when the struggle for existence of Great Britain in the Continental wars of the first years of the century, with the colossal genius of Napoleon made every fact subordinate to the thought arising from that struggle. The book, however, must be regarded rather as a monument of past than of present service.* *There is a tradition in the family with which the writer is con- nected by marriage that Mr. Smith borrowed an important MS. from Mr. Lindsay, then Collector of Customs at the Port of St. John's on the Richelieu, on the History of Canada, which, from having been lost or mislaid was never returned. ,«,iy«ff* 48 * : There is another history of Canada, by Mr. Perrault,. exceedingly unpretending, but of merit, and at this date, but indilferently remembered. It was published at intervals. Its title desi ibes its character, Ahrege de Vliistuire du Canada, Premiere I'artie. Dcpnis m deamvertc jusqu' cl sa amquete par les Anglais en 1759 et 1760. liedige par Joseph F. Ferrau/ty Fronotairc, a Vasage des Ecoles Elementaircs. Quebec, 1831. The second part was published in 1830 \sic\ From the- establishment of a Legislative Assembly until 1815. Part three and four appeared in 1833. From the departure of General Prevost, to that of Lord Dalhousie. Part five inl 836. From the departure of Lord Dalhousie ta the arrival of Lord Gosford and tJie Royal Commission. When nearly eighty, Mr. Perrault published his Autobiography — *' written without glasses " — at the request of Lord Aylmer, to whom it is dedicated. Mr. Perrault's name frequently is met in the political literature of this date, and mention of him conveys tlie idea of his being in all respects an hon- ourable and estimable man. Mr. Bibaud's history appeared at various intervals. The first volume in 1837. Histoire du Canada sous la domina- tion Francaise. The second volume in 1844. Histoire dit Canada et des Canadiejis sous la domination Anglaise. The third volume, edited by his son, Dr. Bibaud, in 1878. It includes the administration of Lord Aylmer and Lord Gosford.. Mr. Bibaud's name, with that of his friend, Mr. Jacques- Viger, must always occupy the highest place in Canadian literature ; and with all his multifarious writings, it is on the second volume of his history that his fame will chiefly rest. It is, as its title sets forth, a history of Canada and the Canadians, and we know many facts which he has chronicled which otherwise might have passed into oblivion ; and he i» 49 careful to include incidental notices of the progress of tho country, and much which bears upon the habits and tone of thought of that period. "Writing of the events whicfi sprung from the disputes concerning the vote on the revenue fmni 1818 to 1835, he records these events with judgment, temper and moderation. The motto he a])plied to his history showed that he did not hold the French-Canadian party as a perfectly blameless band of patriots, " Iliacos intva muros peccatur et extra. The italics are the writers. From the judicial tono of Mr. Bibaud's mind, his memory is not popular with French-Canadian writers. But his honourable and useful life furnishes an example, worthy of imitation, to men both of English and French descent. Mr. Bibaud was born in 1782. He died in 1857. Ho lived in a time when it was thought something to have the education of a gentleman, and he attained to the position of a good scholar. He was early cast into literary pursuits, and ho followed them to the very last days of liis life. His industry was remarkable. He literally died in harness, for at the ago of seventy-five, ho was engaged to translate into French Sir "William Logan's Geological Reports, a work which could only be performed by one knowing the subject on which he was writing. Mr. Bibaud published a volume of poems, and it is really difficult to say on what subject of the day he did not touch. Ho was one of the first who desired that French should be writ- ten in purity in Canada,* and not be a hanjuinage of imported *En consequence de Tignorance ou de la negligence de nos premiers traducteurs* nos livres de statuts, nos journaux parlementaires et nos autres documents officiels sont farcis de termes qui ne sont rien moins que fran(;ais la oti ils se trouvent. Au lieu de chercher dans un bon dictionnaire la signification des mots anglais (ju'lls avaient sous lea yeux ces nonchalants traducteurs se sont laisso guider par la simple ressem- blance du son ou de I'orthographe. Chez eux lietoiir (traduction litt^rale de return) signifie rapport officiel; Mappeler (de to repeal) r^voquer, 50 ! i phrases, and lio ondoavouroAl so to mould his own stylo. Mr. Jjibiiud's account of tlio Clovernmont of Lord Didliousio, cxtundin<,' from 1820 to 1828, may bo ranked among the most valuuhle of his contributions to history.* ^Ir. Christie's history is the only additional work to be mention(;d within this date. The hrst volume was published in 18-48 ; the sixth and last in 1855. It may however with pro[)riety bo included within the limits of the period ol the histories alluded to, marked by the character and the tone of the political ethics which then prevailed. It is little more than the narrative of events, intcrs[)ersetl with documents of importance. The last abroger, annuler ; Aitpoiiitvr (do to appohit) noinmer h im eniploi ; Dimtttre (de to denmiKit) dcstitucr ; Iiixtuiice cxeniplo, occasion, etc., vol. II, J). 215. M. Bibiiud, on one occasion, certainly erred in the oit[)osite direction, " dej.\ pliisiturs belles barques ?i vapeur vaguaient Hur le Saint Laurent entro (Quebec et Montreal : " (sic) dea pyroscopes de nioindres dimensions sillonnaient les eaux, etc., p. 217. Mr. Bibaud evidently disliked the, term bateau H vapeur. So ho turned to the (in-ak ])nr({\vv) xkaphiniix skill") for a word he could introduce. He gives a par.agraph shewing the style of that date, " M. Lee et M. Blanchet out ete pour la liste civile et ont ett^ jmur Ics niesuros pottr la defense de la province ot (mt ettS pour qu'il filt prit des mesures pour I'education," etc., p. 208. * We are indebted to him that the following is ])laced on record. La haine que certains journalistes nourrissaient et paraissaient vouloir inspirer contre Lord Dalhousie, leur faisait accueillir comnie plaisanteries de bon gofit et du bon ton, des (juolibets ou calembourgs que sous une impression diffcrente, ils n'auraient pas crus recevables. En voyant ce matin (12 Novembre) la ceremonie qui a eu lieu a I'occasion du monument que Ton ^Ibve a Wolfe et Montcalm, j'ai songe comme suit ; si jiar une figure de rht^toriquo Wolfe et Montcalm reve- naient en ce monde ne diraient-ils pas ; " Helas ! vanit6 des vanitds, nous esperions une i)lace parmi les heros, et Ton fait de nous en Canada des admiratours de patatea, des planteura de choux et des gardes-ldgumes dang le potager du gouverneur : " " Jadis dans les combats balan^ant le destin, Voilh. Wolfe et Montcalm priapes d'un jardin. A moi la medaille otferte." Vol. II, p. 357. 51 volume, imletMl the most valuablo of the collection, consists entirely of public docunionts, which extend from the time of Mr. Masiires to 1855. They princii)ally relate to the times of Sir James Craig and Lord J)alhousie. The history is of value from the information it gives with regard to the earlier legislation, and the many notes appertaining to pass- ing events, and fro(|uent minor statistical notices. It also contains much gtmoral information. Mr. Christie leaves tln» im]M'ess of his perfect truth and lioncsty of purpose. Prominent in the list of writers after the Conquest, is Francis Maseres, for some time A'orney-Cfcneral of Quebec. lie was of a Huguenot family, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-three, dying on the 19th May, 1S24. A Cam])riilgi' man, he was a mathematician of researcli and ability. In Canada, he is known by his political writings, especially by the " Freeholder." No one who pretends to write the history of Canada can ignore the evidence of much which ho records i\s passing in the Canada of his day. There is a remarkable essay on the nohlesse of Canada, llis theory was that tlu! French language should in no way be encouraged, autl that French institutions should be gradually moulded to the spirit of the British constitution. Any discussion regarding these opinions is out of place in this essay, llis works extend over seven volumes. They were publisluid between 1772-71). Among the archaeologists of a later date, Dr. Fisher de- serves marked mention. lie was a man of unusual attain- ments, and as the author of the well-known epitaph on AVolfe and ^lontcalm'^ will not soon be forgotten. He Avas a *AlthouS. R. is fre(j^uently met in the Bihliothe