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T }
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE
or THE
-ii
BRDMWICK AUXILIARIES
» -H
moM'
^SVOLFENBUTTEL
to
QUEBEC
BY
F. V. MELSHEIMER,
CHUPLMH TO THE DUKE OF DRUNSWICK'S DRDGOON REGIMENT,
* -
(iiNDBN, 1770.
: r i ':,-■%
. I . .
' QUEBEC: I
'MOKMINO CHBblilOLB" StBAM PBIimKG EsTABLISMMBMT.
1891.
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ii i':A
JOURNAL OF THE VOYAGE
OK THE
BRUNSWICK AUXILIARIES
moM
TVOLFENBUTTEL
TO
'I
I''
QUEBEC
IJY
F. V. MELSIIEIMER,
CHAPLAIN TO THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK'S DRAGOON REGIMENT,
MINDBN, 1776.
QUEBEC :
"MoRNisG Chronicle" Stkam Printing Establishmext.
1891.
10
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PREFACE.
Thi, Journal was presented fo the Society by William
L. Stone. Esq.. of Jersey City. N. J.. U. S. A., author of the
Lrfe and Times of Sir Wm. Johnson. &e.. &o.. together with
the translation from the German, of the second part. The
first pari having been translated by William Wood, Esq
Council Secretary; to both these gentlemen the thanks of
tHe Society are tendered.
Melsheimer was Chaplain of the Brunswick Regiment
Of Dragoons and was present at the battle of Bennington
where it seems his regiment suiTered severely, and he was
wounded in the arm shortly before being taken prisoner.
The Journal of the Hessian Regiment Von Huyn states he
was. in October. 1778, at Newport on parole with other
xfrunswick officers.
\
1
PAl^T I.
The 22nd February, 1770, was the day appointed for the
marchhig of the first four regiments of Brunswick auxiliaries
from Brunswick and Wolfenbiittel. The regiments march-
ing with the lirst Division were : 1. The Duke of Bruns-
wick's Dragoons, under Lieut.-Colonel Baum. 2. Riedesel's
Foot under Lieut.-Colonel Von Speth. 3. Prince Frederick's
Foot under Lieut.-Colonel Pretorius. 4. The Grenadiers
under Lieut.-Col. Breymann : all under the command of
Major General Von lliedesel.
Our route from Brunswick almost to Stado lay entirely
through moors, an unpleasant one for those who wore
accustomed to better districts highly cultivated by an in-
dustrious peasantry. No fruitbearing field, no pleasant
meadows, no happy hamlets, but everything miserable;
everything dismal, an unvarying monotony and 27 miles
of it without a break ! Whoever could go through this with-
out melancholy must be far above the reach of pleasure.
The route taken by the Dragoons (the corps was divided on
the march) lay by Grossen Schwiilper, the first Hanoverian
village, the property of Herr Von Wahrenholz and situated
2 miles from Wolfenbiittel, from here to Isenbiittel (2 miles)
and Wahrenholz (3 miles), where we had our first rest,
which, on account of the good arrangements of the Hano-
verian government, refreshed us very much. The first
camp after this was at Nettelcamp (4 miles), then Linden
(2 miles), and lastly Amolunghauson (2J miles), w^here we
rested another day. The Major General and Staff joined us
here, and from this time on our regiment had the honour of
seeing the General continually with it. We left the wretch-
ed village behind us with joy, and our next billet in
188
I
i
138
X ^,.r Iho \>e8t was III
1 \ was much be"^^' ". . , _^ account
of its favourable «'« ^ custom h'""«-.^,he t„rtift.'»-
citizens. Hote h.te ^^^^^ ^^^^ ®' v ' e a mile wide
,,,o„g fori ou »^« ^'^/l. The Elbe 'f^-;^' J^i„« on
tious ate '"f "^ *^,„,H.rs of iBlands, the goo B ^ ^^^^
,„d is dotted v,>th^.«»^^^^ ,„„ -"""'Tosrpowettul
which is much sou^n Germany » »<» ' ^ ^a
Tight than the vtev^■ of o,^ ^^^^^^^^ , the ^^
commercial toNvn^. ^^^^ 8^ ^ „ther pl^JJ " „, ^iU
ri,e..,andyouha^etoo'. j^. It wa« ag«n5^,,,^„de
-"' ^n SSace -d took our;-* ^f 'liugh this
that we left *^".^'„„ over a day lor rest. ,* ^ tg ate
<'-*""'t::uXted- Haarln.rS^He^.^ab^^ ^^^
place IS as well 8 by RshmS-. ^ ^^ched on
Ustly POO' ""'V; stade (24 miles), whtch we re
our last march to ^^e (J_^^ ^ ^.^^,„ rtra-PO^'"
the 5th March with ^^ ^.^^^„^^,. As i* ^j^^
„ent either by deser^^ ^^^^ 1"«*^''^„lrrest on their
had not yet ^l^'l^l^i at having -«'°j!\j; g„od tort-
-^^'"^ '^fdet a fairly large place "^^^^l^j, the
'"""'ft is oted to the Elbe by » J*J^, ., ,«, small i
Si;eAo.l.oodshavetobeb ^^^^^^^^^
"clnel Eaucet ha^ ^^ rSgUe^o ^^^^
corps was mustered and ^ ^^ ^arch <>« J'^/ora-
of England taken ^'^^^^barcation began With th
{^^^^^^^' ^U Colonel Baum.
(2) Minerva *.'.** Major Van Meibom.
(3) TJnlon
139
was iA
account
eU to do
h i» i^^ *
, fortiR<-a-
mile >N'ide
grazinff on
ine a finer
t powerftti
^ the broad
p around to
.nst out vriU
u Buxtebude
IthougH this
habitants aie
made
Lcn vre
,e reached on
from the regi-
the transports
(4) John uud Jumos Lt.-C*olonel Broymanu.
(a) Laurie Captain Von Biirtliiig.
(0) Apollo CaptiiJii Von Schick.
(7) Uoyal Briton Captain Voii Lohneisen.
(8) Harmonic Lt.-Coloncl Von Spoth.
(0) Elizabeth Captain Von Toclnitz.
(10) Polly Captain IIar»)ort.
(11) Nancy Major Von Mengo.
(12) Prince of Wales Lt.-Coloncl Pretorius.
(18) Providence Major Von Ilille.
(14) Lord Sandwich Captain Rosenberg.
{lit) Beggy Captain Dieterich.
( 16) Martha Lieutenant Wolgast, which was
told off as a horse-transport.
the town;
Considering that we were at sea, whtire the comforts of
land life are necessarily al)seni, our quarters were very
good. The vessel I found myself in was the '• Minerva,"
102 Rhenish feet long by 24 beam ; the cabin was an un-
commonly good one with two side rooms fitted up with
beds. We had a crew of 143, who were provisioned for
six months. The soldiers' sleeping quarters were very
good, clean and in good sanitary condition. Every soldier
got the very first day a mattrass, a small pillow and a plain
and a coloured coverlet, with all which he could make
himself very comfortable. The daily rations consisted of
the "tn , pulse, biscuit, salt meat, butter, cheese, small beer, brandy
lance to the IS-i b . j^^j water, which were divided into proper portions. We
h our transp ^ j^^^^ hardly been two days at sea before we had become so
ran "With the V (accustomed to our new way of living that we almost forgot
leVs and the i (that there was anything new in it at all. At last the day
•ked. T^^® ^* f of departure broke in upon our pleasures, pleasures for
^which we were chiefly beholden to the leading families of
ill Kiedesel, (fitade. Eleven A.M. the 19th March we all, with the ex-
)ragoon8. jlception of the Flagship and four others, set sail for Frey-
)auin. i)urg, where we again anchored, being thus enabled to still
ileibom.
the
test on their
^as a good fort-
tributary, tne
kt in very small
on
I 1
140
' c.u T?lhP • a litU« lower iown tW
„,e Ae sweet waters of he Elbe ^^^ ^^ ^^^
became brackish. Ou this our ^ „an-ot-wai in
GWckstadt, a Dan-^ town Aj w ^^^ ^^^ ^^
the little harbour, it being '"^"^ " ^ ^^,^ i^st chance of
of the customs. Asl ^-^^^^,^1 also to settle some
enjoying myself f^««, "^f, ^oVreyburg on the afternoon
afi'airs at m, inn, I 7«»* .°;" .i, either a village han »
of the 20th. The pl-<=^.' .^^^'K,,, ^nd fisher folk. By
town, the people are cb.efly^ ^f^j,, .hips coming on fro™
«y ,eturn the sailors hai^'S^e^ ,i„ weighed anchor
Stade and elsewhere. Ihe ""^J =g ^Ues), the wind
aud dropped down only to ^-f^H ,^, „ight prepara-
bein" not very favourable , he e w i ^^ ^ suburban
S;°toan early start thenext ay. Cuxh^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^
part of Hamburg, «'t"***^\;\riJor clearing. Its citizens
Ling convenient for «h.P« - -;= ^, , a.m. the 23rd of
are prosperous and !>"* >^tle *axed i^ the officer in corn-
March, the wind being moreja ^^ ^^^ ^.^^^^ f ,
..andorderedaguntobefi^ed, ^^^ very fast J^
our putting oat. ^^^ '^^ J„,„^erck, with its Ught-house
leaving behind the Island of N^»^ ,,,^el was m
and straggling bui^-|^- J «- ,, t,e pilots off; ours
waiting opposite the isian manner.
Taking leave of us in .lU J= an aff cUn„^^^ ^^^^
The commencement "f °« /;/j aid we glide throagl
SO light was the -'"^^"^^ Wer part of the day m JO V
the water that we spent *« -'« J^^^^ ^y ^ sea like
converse on deck. We ^"e^"' of the sun. Sue
^inor which was lit "P^^^f ^^^ul imP^ession on ar
Tsi-ht never fails to make a P^^^f ^ ^j^.^g so subta
on? previously -rrTti^e^-^oJoi Heligola.
0„e?.M.wesightedthered nds^er ^^^^ ^
and at 5 P.M. were so "J^J^^^^^t objects to strike
everything very f f y-. .^^te and then a little town
,Ja church and a^h^o-^^^ down by the wat
the clitfs and some tistitrme
141
edge. There is a little white-sand island between which
and the mainland lay a large number of ships, some refit-
ting, others victualling the port, for no corn grows there.
We sailed away so slowly that at 4 A.M. on the 24th we could
still see the island. The wind then changed and freshened.
The lively motion of the ship soon made both officers and
men very sea-sick; Cornet Grraef and Surgeon Vorbrod
were not sick, and as for myself I never felt the slightest
touch of it. We were now alone and the captain could
not make out one of our companions.
Before you have been to sea yourself you have terrifying
ideas of a gale. Waves as high as the highest towers, bot-
tomless abysses, and so on, who can help a shudder at all
this on reading it in a book of travel. It is true enough
that our ship was often borne up on the crest of an immense
wave and then fell back with a plunge into the trough.
However there is no real danger, the ships rising and fall-
ing with the sea is the most natural way. From time to
time we would ship a sea, or, to speak more correctly, a
drenching shower of spray which some great wa^e would
dash against the bulwarks; I have often observed this. If
those kind mothers whose love compels them to torture
their children by rocking them in a little cradle could only
be tossed about for a day as we were they would hardly
aiiiic*- . -^..R take such severe measures again to put their babies to
, xnost auspicioub. o I
ri ihrouffh sleep; for even the strongest of us, though not actually
^ u' A in ioUy is^^^» ^^1* * giddiness and headache as well as a soreness of
^ K^g a fthe limbs the whole time we were on board.
Sucli 1 The 25th we had a stiff and favourable wind, so that we
on an^ Jhad hopes of soon sighting England. How we rejoiced the
down they
yje passed
an-of-war in
le protecting
st chance of
> settle some
the afternoon
rillage than a
jherfolk. By
omingonfrom
weighed anchor
les), the wind
night prepara-
n is a suburban
the Elbe, and
ing. Its citizens
L.M. the 23rd of
e officer in com-
,s the signal for
very fast, soon
ith its light-house
ilot vessel was in
pilots off; ours
anner.
a sea
8 of the sun
impression
thing
so
subHm« 5iiext morning on seeing our hopes fulfilled. The English
/w liffolan^ |coast, on account of its chalk formation, is most dazzling to
^^^^ A' fnffuis^^® ®y®*^ when the sun is shining on it. First we sighted
^^® *° ^^trike x^ Forelands, then a little town, and then about 10 A.M.
)bjects ^^^^Lq^ into the Channel proper. We bogged our captain to
then a i ^^^ ^j^^ shore, so closely as posf^ible, in order th-U. we might
own by tne w» ^
4 +v»is he did for us. We
Uve a good view of ^^^XlnA^ cliff for some time;
had seen Dover Castle P^^^^^ "''^ther parts. In the dis-
Lw we could d^tingmsh many oth^^ ^ ., ,„ as
tance the castle aPP«»'*'\*° ^^ „[ high antiquity- TJ»4«^- '
.e conldjudge it seemed t be fM^^.^^^ ^^^^^.^
neath lay the town, f^rly 1«S ^^ji ,,,vice be-
aodem in appearance ahere i ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ly
tween Dover and C^-. -J ^e. ^he same boat often
twenty-one English miles wi ^^ g^^j^^^ = i
crosses and recrosses « '^^^^ J ,^,y^s the Frencl
German miles.) A ^S P^j;; ^1 rf different kinds kep
coast. A great number of s^ tow ^^^^^ ^,,ti„g on ih
continually oirfnS -^^^Je ,os; sight of Dover, an
raaste and yards. At 1 F* f . eonsiderabl
from this on the Channe kj on ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^
Soon we lost s.ght of France a ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^
. talked much that day abouMhePPy^^^^ ^^^^.^1 ,
rest in peace. ^^^ ,, the captain thai
Although we had ^«" P ^ ,„^ that evening,
would drop -2\lg d L«^ ^y -~''*^y Tt
were di«»PP°^.f t' ^ ' i^^ found ourselves opposite the
,, t A.M. on tl'^ 26th we tou p„t,^outh we
of Wight. Asthowmdwas^a^^^^^.^^^j^.j^^^,„
to go on tacking till 1 ^^ • , prosperous vc
7 we dropped a'^^^J"' f ^i^^ ,- ,„d " Laurie " were
from Cuxhaven The Unio ^^^^^^^ ^^
the evening before, the rest to o J ^^^ ^_^^^^^
in on the 2Mh. As we were e^ S ^^ ^.^j^^^
tr- ti ttt. .i"^ ^'.- "• •"
iu
id for us.
"We ' is safe for the largest ships, and is very well buoyed. Be-
f T some tiiue ; sides several others .aere was a man-of-war here all ready
. Yn. the dis- for sea which protected the roads. The town itself is of
vinff * so ^*^ *^ ^^^ ^^^ appearance towards the sea ; the houses are small
'auitv. Uuder- and nearly all one-storied, the streets are narrow, >vith the
wealthy uor exception of High Street. The side-walks are flagged with
ail service be- big stones and the carriage ways well paved. The arsenal
rhannel is only and dockyard are splendidly equipped. You can view
boat often them except on Sundays and at meal timefi. The ramparts
IPQ English =15 (are lined with fine trees and form a favourite promenade
. nff the French for the townsfolk. They are mounted with 142 iron
ff nt kinds kept cannon which command the roadstead. We had the plea-
\ n resting on the 'Bure of seeing a great warship still on the slips. She is the
\\t of Dover, an(3 1* Britannia," of 120 guns, 220 ft. stem to stern and 52 beam,
' nff considerably with a crew of 700. She is to be more powerful than any
f England. W* foreign ship afloat — power is her strong point, as she can
lot of England, o^nly sail with a good breeze.
aken especial cart . rpj^^ Marine Hospital, which strikes the stranger's eye
[rh south coast is ||[iore than anything else, is on the other side of the har-
of invaders, and s|^m, (Opposite lies Gosport with its ramparts and bat-
seas her people marries.) It is a large copper-roofed building excellently
adapted for its purpose. Here those who have served their
the captain that loountry by sea for many years may calmly pass the rest of
da that evening, ^!Eeir days in peace, not forgetting to bless the King who, if
contrary winds, yj;^ has done little else in a philanthropic way, is at least in
'Ives opposite the liiijys instance of the Marine Hospital entitled to the heartfelt
Portsmouth "We hjjanks of his subjects. What reflexions the mere sight of
wind shifted and fjis building gives rise to — the perils of battle, of the sea,
prosperous voya|ie loss of ship mates, the glories of victory. The inhabi-
" Laurie " were th|(|its' manners are mid-way between the lightsomeness of
rreat delight, all caMg French and the gravity ot the English. The continual
? for America vi,||^gence of so many strangers has undoubtedly altered the
seeino" the sights, .jltional character here. They are open-hearted, wide-
Iv situated, the harb^ake, ready to oblige if you only win their confidence by
north and east (^y unaffected goodfellowship. Goods of all kinds are
WigM. Theentrar;
i,vs
I
144
dear6t than in Gl-efmany, but much better ; if it was not 1
the heavy duties there would be little difference in pric(
The English troops haying embarked, and also the Hesi
Hainault Regiment, which was in Major Greneral Rie(
sel's command, we waited for our sailing orders. We g
them at 5 P.M. the 4th of April ; but had to come to aga
as the wind was ahead. Our fleet was now of twenty-ni
sail, including two frigates of thirty-two guns each, whi
were to convoy us across. The 5th the wind shifted ai
we weighed anchor and stood out at 7 A.M. (W. by N. 3
We were astonished at the change in the colour of t
water ; the North Sea appeared bright green, this blac
On this account we could now see clearly the phosphon
cent wake we left behind us. (W. ^ N. 38.) The 7th }
were off Plymouth, where we ran in according to ordei
So bad was the wind that we spent the whole day tackif
up the roadstead. (W. by N. 40.) At 5 P M. we savvj
tender, which brought General Burgoyne fresh ordeif
these shattered all our hopes of seeing this famous port a^
closer. "We were very much disappointed at missing i^
chance of seeing this place which, cur captain assured (
possessed many advantages over Portsmouth. [
Our fleet was now thirty-seven strong. Ten A.M. on^
8th (W. by N. 58) we could still see the English ooast ; \
thenceforth we had nothing but sea and sky around ^
The 9th S. W, by W, 48, 10th W, S. W. J W. 101, 11th
68, 12th W. 110, 13th W. ^ N. 90, 14th W. 74, 15th A\V
S. 115, Up to the 16th nothing noteworthy happei,
(W. by S. 141.) The wind being nearly always good,',
were able, by the help of the weather and the Grace oi!
to promise ourselves a prosperous voyage. 17th (S.
S. 85) one of the sick died in the night. The same dayi
parations, and those of the simplest kind, were made>|
the burial. They tied the corpse up in two bits of caijj
put a stone at his head, anoth^^r at his feet, and slid
into the water — this is the custom on board ship. Sti-
145
; if it was not io|Jideed for those accustomed to mourninjo:, tolling of bells
ierence in price. j^d wakes ! The same day we sighted a fleet holding the
id also the Hess^iHiue course as ourselves. At first we could not make them
r Greneral Riedt^^t as British transports ; the following day, the 18th (W.
orders. We gfSJL W. 78) we discovered them to be friends, thirty-seven
to come to agai^^ii in all, out from Cork w^th fresh regiments bound for
)W of twenty-nn^^ebec on board. How we rejoiced at this addition to our
runs each, whic^gt. (19th W. S. W. J W. 17.)
wind shifted an The 20th (W. by N. 40) a ship out from America met us,
.M. (W. by N. 3(,nt brought no important news. The 21st TV. N. W. J N. 80,
the colour of tlj^nd W. N. W. J N. 78. The 23rd (S. W. 73) a dead calm.
green, this blacj^yeral grampuses amused us very much with their gam-
ly the phosphore»^ls ; one monster must have been ten ells long. He was
. 38.) The 7th Hfown with a horizontally placed tail, and was 'spouting with
Lccording to ordej^^eat force ; we saw him well as he was half above water.
whole day tackii^he 24th (W. by N. 67) we had a miserable day, a heavy
; 5 P M. we sawterm and driving mist, compelled us to keep our berths ;
royne fresh ordeiQon after however it cleared and the wind fell. The Irish
his famous port a.^et had lost us and we did hot sight them again. 2.5th
tted at missing 4 by N. 81, 26th W J N. 29, 27th W. 82, 28th W. 134,
captain assured Qth, 6 P.M., wind very strong. A clumsy sailor let slip
Qouth. he tiller, the helm swung to, and everything and every-
Ten A.M. on i^dy were knocked about by the violence of the shock.
En«"lish coast ; ^e then found out that we had been in danger, having
Mid sky arounda^en a tremendous list and shipped a great deal of water.
^ W. 101, nth fThe 29th (W. S. W. 84) we had good weather and good
W. 74, 15th TVVJnd ; but the nearer we came to America the coldar it
eworthy happei^. The sea water now changed back from black to green.
y always good/^j-day we saw gulls again w^hich, no more than fishes, we
md the Grace ol ip not seen for some time. With some probability we now
rao'e. 17th (S. Idfessed that we were not far off land. The captain con-
The same daytjaed our opinion by telling Wj that we were now only
and, weremade»iie 220 English miles off .Newfoundland. The 30th
n two bits of cai4 W. 74) a contrary wind and tacking all day long in
feet, and slid •der to keep our course ; 10 P.M. the wind shifted but
board ship. Strrjig j;qo light to do us much good. This evening, May day
1
146
eve, our thoughts went back to our Fatherland, 1000 Gei
man miles awajr, to where the spectre appears on th
Brocken. Oh ! how we blessed the future that should re
store us to our home !
The 1st of May (N. by W. 31) came in darkly To-da]
if anything convinced us that we were breathing the air o
a new land. No magic song of the nightingale awakenini
the listener to new felt joys and then drawing forth sigh
from his breast with its sweet complaint ; none of th(
strengch and the splendour of spring born Nature, no sof
warm rays of the summer sun calling again the fruits of th<
earth to life and filling our hearts with thankfulness t(
God ; but all is waste and dead, nothing stirring save th(
melancholy wind sighing through the shrouds. A thicl
fog lay like a great white pall upon the sea, shutting in th
view on every hand. Truly this day has been our worst
we can see scarcely twenty paces ahead ; all day louj
there is the booming of cannon which serves to mark ou
position and to keep the fleet from scattering. A dea(
calm and cold so penetrating that we can hardly support i
for two minutes together on deck. To-day our captai
caught what he called a young sword fish ; it was barely
foot long, the head being half its total length, and sharpl
pointed, the belly was uncommonly thick and inclose
with two flaps of hide, the tail was thin, broad and shor
its skin resembled frog's spawn and its flesh was like whi
jelly. We could discover only one bone, a very broad or
and hinged on to another one which was sickle-shapec
Two big eyes situated at the juncture of head and bac
were the only outward things visible to the naked eye.
According to our captain we might expect many moi
days of calm and fog before landing at Quebec ; wou
that we had reached the end of our voyage ! At 10 P.5
the skv cleared, the wind blew and the moon shone oi
brightly, so we looked forward to better weather, but
vain.
14t
land, 1000 Qer- The 2nd of May was as bad and as foggy as the first,
appears on the (W. N. "W. J W. 52.) The signal guns were again fired to
that should re- keep us together. A great number of sea-fowl were flying
tbout us. The English call them sea-pigeons ; they seem
larkly To-day 4o be some sort of diver about as big as a quail, thick-
ithinc the air of headed, with a pointed bill, white breast and black wings ;
o-ale awakening tfieir cry was not unlike a throstle's. The spoon-bills too
Jinff forth sighs were visible in these waters, and although a couple were
t • none of the shot by the officers it was impossible to get them on board.
Nature no soft The 3rd of May (W. N. W. 96) was as foggy as the two
the fruits of thepjreceding days ; the wind, however, was stronger; there
thankfulness terras a very heavy fog on the Banks. To-day a one-masted
trrin"" save theBnglish ship, bound for the fisheries, passed us. England
h ouds A thickws reserved the fishing rights for herself, making prison-
hutting in th0|s of all who do not keep the statutory distance from land.
\ / Q^y worst riiese fisheries are to England what Peru is to Spain or
a • all day lonf^va to Holland. "We were now on the Great Banks, and
-es to mark ou*l H o'clock the weather clearing, and the Commodore ob
tterin"". A deadflffving that some vessels had already got out of their
hardly support i>ljices and were straggling off, gave the signal to make
J our captaiiwy slowly. Our captain wishing to give us some thing
it was barely Wsh for dinner began trolling astern. A great big fish of
crfH and sharplW ^^- was caught, all running aft to see it, the English
■\ and inclose!^ it Cod, we Laberdan ; it had some mussels and a small
* V^ oad and shoTllf digested fish inside. I could see the sinker on the bot-
^ Vi was like whit><i ten to fifteen fathoms down every time a cast was made,
broad oii^ captain, English fashion, had given us the head of the
ickle-shape(i'^ ; we found the flesh excellent ; but we missed a Ger-
'f"li ad and bac*l|i cook, for the fiery English power of reducing hard food
\\\ ked eye. 'liigestibility is lacking in the G-erman stomach. How-
i. «««^ Tnn/ir we fortified ourselves against all this with a good
xpect many naor^ x, , .
,t Quebec; woui-j v u • i>* ^ • *u ^
\ At 10 P liP^®^ ^*y "^® ^^^ ^^^ right our captain was ; the fog
y*°® • ^^^^ oT***iii^ed, and the 4th of May (N. by N. 112) was like
,. iu^^ jjilember. A New Jersey fishing smack met us and
e were all very much pleased to feel so near our journey's
S
I
I I I
148
ond, and to seo the first native American. Several gan
ling grampuses kept us amused on deck for two houi
spite of the biting cold. At 3 A.M. on the 5th I rose to
a bright May sun streaming in on me ; what was my
prise to find the deck covered with ice ! Even the hi
sailor said his "very cold morning" with a shiver,
sun rode majestically in the Heaven, but soon withd
behind thick banks of clouds as if ashamed of looking
such a May morning. At 4 P.M. we could have sig
Newfoundland had the weather only been a little cleai
This morning, the 6th of May, the captain pointed oi
me the coast of Newfoundland. The weather was f<
good, but the wind contrary. (W. N. W. by W.) We
a long talk with the captain about the wonderful dev(
ments of the art of navigation, he showing us many c\
and instruments which he was in the habit of using. ]
astonishing is the industry and activity of those who
low the sea — no spot in the ocean that they do not ki
no sand-bank they have not measured, no coast they ca:
accurately describe. The Englishman, proud of his <
mand of the sea, despises danger on it, trusting U
knowledge of his profession and knowing that in a moi
he can find his position and his path across the trac
waste of waves. Though the heavens may be hid in c(
he knows the way and follows it without swerving a '
breadth to right or left. This day and the next we
hindered by contrary winds.
The 8th of May the wind was favourable and the w
tolerably fine. A two-masted ship spoke the Comm(
but we could not hear. The 9th we had a good]
which soon increased, and from 4 till midnight
half gale. A Nova Scotian fisherman, whom we recoj
as an American by his clothes, met us. The lOtl
winds and not very favourable. We fished and
two cod, one of which the English cook did for us
German fashion. At 2 in the afternoon the wind
1
149
Sevorai g ^^^ became stroni^er and more favourable. The air was
for two no ^^.jj ^jj^^jy j^^^j foggy. As the ship was not pitching or
e 5th 1 rose lulling much we went early to bnd to get a good rest ; but
^'hat was y ^^ worst possible night awaited us and banished all rest
Even the *^*^°^iid hope. The " Pallas," either through the negligence of
th a shiver. '^^ seamen or through the look-out not discovering us soon
ut soon wit aiiough, bore down lull on us, and then crash went both the
ncied of ^o^^^^S o^^ipg together. The shouts of the crew, the roaring of the
•ould have sig ijfiri^ and the darkness of the night made every thing still
jen a little c e jnore terrible. But Providence watching over us guarded
ptain pointe ^1 ^^^^ danger. Chilled to the marrow and almost with-
weather was ^nt clothing of any kind we ran to the cabin, and there,
W.by W.) ^ 'lie danger past, gave thanks to God for his protection,
woiiderlul Tlom midnight till 8 the next morning a great gale blew ;
ving "US many ^ helm was lashed and there we lay at the mercy of the
habit of ^sing.^ Ho^jj^^g ^^^ ^^^^^
^^-y ° . ^j^Q^ The 11th and 12th contrary winds carried us hither and
t they ^g^jjj^hither with much buffeting. We longed for our journey's
' 110 coa nr^^'^t ^or our food was nearly finished and the water be-
n, proud of his co^ ' ^
"n U, trusting to ?f'^S bad.
that in a mome |t was an indescribably joyful moment when for the first
the trackl*>6 for five weeks we sighted land, at 8 on the morning of
be hid in cloii® 13th of May. Cape Breton lay like a blue cloud in the
pTvinff a haivBtance ; the wind was contrary, so we kept the same po-
V -.gxt we wtion all day. The morning of tho 14th at 5 o'clock we
itted Cape Ray and the Island of St. Paul with a favour-
u nd the weatw wind ; we could see both coasts easily with the naked
^ ^r +h Commodo^and both were covered with snow. Cape Ray -'^~"^-
^^ \> A a ffood vsipoldly and mountainously, and has a grand loc
we had a good
"dniffht ble*^8iter. St. Paul Island, twenty to twenty-five miles off,
, reco"'ni*lfc very low in the water. The distance between the
The 10th li<|l mainlands is about thirty-five miles. At midday we
1^ r ii bed and caii^pg^t of both, and an hour later entered the Grulf of St.
V rid for us iiiV^rence. The wind was favourable all day, and the
^^ ih wind shl'^^ cheered us with the information that with such a
stands
look from
11
150
wind wo should make Quebec in five or six days. '
16th was also a day of good winds, and as the weather \
bright and fairly warm, and the sea smooth, we co
reckon this day among the few pleasant ones spent at i
There was much sea-weed floating about of difl'erent kii
some with red berries, some with a kind of long lea^
others with stems of such prodigious length that the
lost them in trying to follow them to their end. Some tm
birds, not unlike sparrows, came aboard ; they had a w
stripe on each side of the head. A hungry bird of p
seized one of these and carried him off from one of
masts.
The 16th we were wafted over the water very gently i
almost imperceptibly ; but there was a good deal of
hanging about, and so signal guns were continually li
by the two frigates. An English ship who had damaj
her steering gear sailed at random through the fleet and ]
a collision with another vessel. We saw this accident fi
a distance ; it was not very serious, though a great dea
the rigging was brought away ; happily, too, the wind '
light and the sea smooth, otherwise in the fog we would Y
got separated. At 11 o'clock a strong contrary wind
and kept swinging us clear out of our course. At
sighted the Island Bonaventure about thirty-six miles
but the wind being so strong we stood out well to sea
were well knocked about till 10 P.M. During the r
the Aurora Borealis lit up the sea with great splendou
At 6 A.M. on the 17th we sighted Anticosti ; the
rather good, the weather bright and warm, the sea ca
we approached the island till at 3 o'clock we were onlj
miles distant. The bushes and scrubby trees growin
the rocky hills were not yet out. At the foot of the
we saw some snow still remaining which surprised u
a little. The wind becoming contrary again compell
to tack. We had hoped to be in the mouth of the riv
this time. The 18th still found us off" Anticosti, the wel
151
>r six days. The was liiu^ and the wind jjood thoui^h lij^ht. At midday a
J the weather wm ohaiijjfe took place, ji^reat black cloudH rolled up, audit camo
mooth we couul on to snow so heavily that soon our decks were quite cover-
ones spent at sea ed. Soldiers and sailors snow-balled each other, wonder-
; of dill'erent kinds jng at such a snow storm in May. What, we asked our-
id of long leavi's pelves, is to become of our troops in such a changeable
\\<Tih that the ey plimate? At 5 o'clock it cleared up and became fine and
T end. Some timal warm again. We could now see another coast, but it was
. ^yiey had a whit |o distant as to be scarcely distinguishable from a cloud ;
ii<Try bird of pre ^he next morning however it was in full view. It was Cape
tf from one of ou feosier, whose lofty summit is almost lost amid the clouds.
Never have I seen a finer sight — the Cape crowned with
iter very gently aiv glistening snow, overgrown with innumerable trees and
a (Tood deal of fo lighted up from base to summit with the fitful rays of the
re continually lire i|iorning sun which made an indescribably grand play of
who had damage IJghts and shadows over the whole of that tall rocky face,
a"-h the fleet and ha Truly a day to be reckoned among the best we ever had !
iw this accident fioi j^j. j^^^ q^ ^\^q morning of the 20th we entered the mouth
lough a great deal q( {\^q River St. Lawrence, the weather fine and a favourable
ly, too, the wind W|£ ^qq light wind. The Nova Scotian coast, here and there
he fog we would luv jjgi^g boldly into pyramidal mountains, but generally keep-
contrary wind TO ing of one level, lay ou our left ; parts of it recalled to us
ur course. At 5 ^places we had left behind at home. At 4 we sighted land
thirty-six miles Oqh q^^ right and knew for certain that we were well in the
d out well to sea aViver. Lt.-Colonel Baum and the rest had a long talk with
During the nig^j^ose on board the " Union " ; they, like us, wishing for a
;h great splendour, jp^^^y. disembarkation. We exchanged our superfluous
Anticosti ; the wr|,gj|.iQjjg ^ith theirs (sp does the sea promote goodfellow.
v&xm, the sea calm^i^ipj ^^ 9 ^j^g wind freshened but remained favourable,
ock we were only t' ^^^ 2ist, at 10 ki the morning, the wind was still strong,
by trees growing^j^^ ^^^ weather v^ery dirty, so that we lost sight of land.
; the loot o ^g could now notice the ebb and flow of the tide and
rhich surpri nflged ourselves to be one hundred and twenty miles from
y again compelle -^^^^^ j^^ ^2 it cleared, but the wind was contrary and
mouth 01 - e u^^ weather turned cold. We could now distinguish both
Anticosti, the weatl .\
I, :
i ■ I
152
shores plainly, that of New Britain lower than that of
Scotia; ))oth darkly clothed with pine forests. The
the wind still contrary. We were opposite the mouii
called Notre-Dame, which are in Nova Scotia ; they
snow-covered except their rui^ged summits, which
bare; some were tlose together, others standing in h
isolation and just visible through clefts between the
the shore. In the evening the wind became i'avoi
again and took us along in grand style. Two Englisl
diers fell overboard, and in spite of all efforts were d
ed ; we all bewailing their sad fate. We now expec
get fresh water, but on the 28rd were still drinking
water. During a dead calm the ships drifted hithe
thither, meeting and parting apparently as if on the t
terms. At noon a strong contrary wind forced us to
ground somewhat. The 24th again we had that abomj
and hostile west wind more furiouslv than ever. On
content being of no avail, we had to wait patiently
change. The change came sooner than we expecte
on the 2oth the wind was so good that we pressed foi
under full sail, leaving the Notre-Dame range behi
and rejoicing in the now continual change of view
passed an island which was partly hidden by fog.
evening we found ourselves between the Capitioi
Bic Island, and as the weather W'as still dirty and
and sandbanks abounded here, the pilot signalled
anchor. Had we run on most likely we would hai
dashed against the cliffs, which are very dangerous.)
The 26th the wind still kept us at anchor. Dur
night we heard a great roarin^^ of water, and in thj
ing discovered the cause to have been the dashin*
waves against the rocky cliffs. These cliffs run o\\\
water in the form of very dangerous reefs. Somt
we saw made us think it highly probable that th(
some men about. We wished to find out all a1
smoke, but our captain, who was as much a stranj
, X r Vr^v IP ourselves, wouldn't he
*''? Thl -> officer, on tho "Un
. ..*.,;i,*t«niiiff gave us a jrlowi
ato the mountain ' » »
Scotia; they NN^'i
15S
ourselves, wouldn't hear of a closer approach. :Some of
nion " howevt^r landed, and that
. • jB^ening gave us a glowing account of the mannerH and
the inhabitants they had found; making us
puuii" , '■" ' ^^.^,j|ieen with envy of their luck. According to their account
^"^^ r ■ barr«''^*^ peoi>le were French Canadians living under English
stan 1 S ., ^„^ ^mh. They Haw two little houses which stood open for
u between those o "• / *
^^ ,. .o^Y.vl.Jwsn* to enter. Curiosity compelled them to go into one,
V lish si^^*^'^*^ *^*^y fonnd a large wooden box unfa.stened, contain-
^^ " .^vr^^^'lff clothcs, llshiug tackle and other necessaries of their
1 efforts were clro\N •© ' o
'^ L^ if, on either hand stcod cowsheds and all kinds of imple-
We now expecteu ^* *
•1 1 • U' <*• shii^*"^** ^^y ^^^^^^- »^oon the man appeared out of the wood
e ^*^^! "^""^"^^j^^y ,^^ by his little children. He made inem come into his
*^ r ih^ u^gt^*^llJng-house, where everything was clean, neat and art-
as 1 ^^^^ rp^Q pleasant-looking girls welcomed the visitors.
ma lorce :„„alk and bread was brought. The good man said that
;e had that abommar-- , u , i ,u ^ Ui
^^^ ^ Q ^;ree days belore lifty-two sail had passed up ; these doubt-
er than e\ t • ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^j^^^ Irish ileet ; and added that the Americaiis
wai I ' ^ ^ been forced to raise the siege of Quebeir with great loss
4 had retreated to Montreal — all which was good news
than we expe ^
^lat we pressed forw ^^
k«»Yin Tan"'0 behind
^amt la n rpjjg ^,jj^^ changing at 3 A.M. on the 27th we weighed
change ot view. ^ a u • u. • -a r i a
K ' f <r Ab^^'* bright morning promised us a line day, and as
, At •^;^tia '••t we had one finer by far than the bad ones were bad.
een the Capitiona J-
n A' -t and sh^'^y^S® ^* f'lghty miles up a great river with constantly
^ ^ . n J +^ rifting panoramas on either hand ; the river itself alive with
I Dilot signalled to c '^ » i > , i ^
^ ^^ have ^S^ animals, porpoises, grampuses, beavers and seals, to
y , „^„o »■ iiiothing of birds, was indeed a pleasure never to be for-
^ very dangerous. e^ ^
at anchor. Durino'««n-
There are many islands, among the principal ones
, . x^g ^ l^assed were Hare Island, White Island and Red Island.
^* ® ' , Kin"" of*^S ^^^ New England shore lay scattered one-storied
rtf" 1 out in**^' ^^^ alike, and covered with gray slates ; some, whose
^®®® f Some sr""*^^ were probably old and well-to-do settlers, had
^^^ Ki +Vi t there ^^^ outhouses. This settler-life is very happy, free from
^^' ^A t 11 about ^Is both of poverty and of wealth. They have fish
h a stran""er 1^ €*^®' cattle and agriculture lor their wants. This
I
164
:i,i
I
evening We anchored by a little island in mid-stroam. C
the left shore lay a hamlet on a hill, there was a neat litl
church with a tiny tower closer to the river. On i]
right shore range upon range of barren mountains rose <
the horizon, in places still covered with snow.
The 28th we sailed bravely on till 1 o'clock, when a co
trary wind stayed us. We anchored near Isle-aux-Coudi
and at 4 crossed to the mainland to anchor for the nigl
Here was another little village and another little churc
built in the same way pis the last. At evening a sloop car
down with the Quebec pilot on board, a man whose S(
vices were much needed, as the river is full of reefs ai
sand-banks. The 29th, yesterday's contrary wind still he
strongly. We were obliged to leave our moorings whe
we had twenty-three fathoms for others where we had on
ten. The short, choppy seas made the ship's motion jerl
and uncomfortable. At 1 o'clock on the 30th our pil
weighed anchor and very nearly took us on to a sand-ban
the tide saved us. A contrary wind again brought us
anchor, a very unpleasant thing for us, as well as for t
overworked sailors. At 11 we sailed with a north-w
wind into the elbow made by Isie-aux-Coudres and the sho
The passage is here very dangerous ; a transport carryi
some English troops ran on a sand-bank. As we
under full sail, and as there were boats enough there to ss
every one, we hadn't the satisfaction of seeing the rescu(
The country hereabouts is the pleasantest the eye can
upon; great abrupt rocks, impenetrable forests, roari
cataracts ; little plantations part begun, part finished h
and there. Especially beautiful is Bale St. Paul, near wh
w^e passed. It lies within the arms of a vast and splen
amphitheatre, and the little village on its shore has a rom
tic situation enjoyed by very few. We had to hug
North shore because the channel is there at its deep
after a pleasant day we came to anchor off Cap Reel,
wind was fairly strong at night and at 3 A.M. we set
1^5
mid-stream. On fjut a calm followed, and the tide ebbing we again came td
:> was a neat little nhchor. At 10 the wind was better and our captain tried
li river. On the {^ain. We passed Goose Island on our left and some reefs
mountains rose on on our right. A small streak on the water — and we were
now. ^ ^ bank! but setting all sail we dragged away again. As
3lock, when a con- we drew fourteen feet of water and were sailing in from
r Isle- aux-Coudres three to six fathoms it was dangerous work. After much
^hor for the night, difficult tacking we cleared this treacherous place. To-day
ther little church, we had real fresh water for the first time, a perfect Godsend
enin*'' a sloop cametq us all. We never know how great Heaven's commonest
a man whose ser- blessings are until w^e are deprived of them. So it was
is full of reefs andvHth us as we drank our lill and returned thanks for the
•ary wind still heldaaercy of God.
ir moorin"'s where This evening we anchored off the Island of Orleans. It
where we had onl)Was still early and our captain wanted to go ashore ; he
ship's motion jerkyisked me to be of his party, and I, nothing loth, cheerfully
he 30th our pilotamped into his gig. We found a parish here with the
s on to a sand-bank ,>astor a Frenchman by birth and a Protestant by religion*
o-ain brou^-ht us toUprightness and simplicity in all his ways made this good
as well as for thenan of sixty-two a true father to his parishioners who num-
with a north- wesDered fifty-four families. These islanders live in noble sim-
)udres and the shore»licity. They are nearly all natives and live happily under
transport carryindi6 British dominion. Their houses are scattered along
ank As we werthe shore, each man having his garden and plot of land.
enouffh there to savt'hey raise all kinds of crops as peas, oats, wheat and
seein"" the rescue, arley, nor do they want for all the market garden produce
te'st the eve can res/^e see in Germany, except for fruit trees, which are very
^le forests roarin uncommon. On asking the reason they told me that they
Dart finished heit>^d make little out of fruit-farming. They possess horses,
St Paul near w^hicl»ttle, sheep and all kinds of fowls. They have shingled
a vast and splendiiM^storied wooden houses which are both roomy and com-
t shore has a romaiT'table. Everything was in full bloom : and all had to
Vp had to hug thp^ii in their four months' summer. We bought some
here at its deepeste«h food and at 10 returned on board.
oft' Cap Reel. TliThe 1st of June we again had to tack, sailing at 2 A.M.
t 3 A M. we set saiith the Island of Orleans on our right. There are several
HI
i:!
I 'IM
156
two and three-storied houses with churches here and tnf
At 5 we saw Quebec and at 7 cast anchor in the harbo
The town is built upon a hill, on which too is the citac
Here and there were burnt patches reminding us of
late presence of the rebels. The harbour was protected
a man-of-war under Commodore Douglas, and there w
two English regiments in garrison. Not a single ship
our fleet was lost on the voyage. Some had arrived bti
us, others kept coming in during the next two days. Of
in danger, so often rescued by the hand of Providence. (
captain, Atkinson, is an experienced seaman, who, so s(
as he understood his passengers, gave them every evidei
of his care and good-will.
The present Commandant of Quebec, General Carlet
together with Major Greneral Riedesel, marched with
their mobile forces to Montreal, and left the command
that excellent man, Lt.-Colonel Baum. The Brunsw
Dragoons and Prince Frederick's Foot remain here till i
ther orders, which, though scarcely yet disembarked,
expect to arrive every hour
If the further adventures of the Brunswick Drago
have any interest for those at home, I shall take the
good opportunity of recording them.
Quebec, 3rd June, 1776.
[Translated by William Wood— Quebec, Slat May— lat Jane, 1891
H'
les liere and tnere
lor in the harbour
too is the citadel
ninding us of th(
r was protected by
IS, and there weit
►t a single ship o
had arrived btion
tt two days. Ofte
[)f Providence. Ou
iman, who, so sooi
liem every evidencj!
PA.I^T II.
At the end of my last Journal, I mentioned that i nme-
ptely upon our arrival at Quebec we received news that
r regiment and that of Prince Frederick were to encamp
re for some length of time. We had wished for a good
ile before this that some time might be given us for rest
d recuperation ; for notwithstanding our long enforced
eness, we perceived a marked diminution of our strength,
though the actual number of those suffering from scurvy
, General Carletoi^|jyg gmall, yet the food, the air and the constant motion of
, marched with ajj|g vessel easily made sick those who were not accustomed
ft the command t^^ ^vLch. experiences. It may, therefore, easily be imagined
a. The BrunswictJiat we were delighted when the orders of General Carle-
remain here till f^t^ were enforced on the 6th of June. According to these
et disembarked, ^A^^ders, the officers were at liberty to hire rooms in the city
[Quebec) as might best suit their convenience ; while the
runswick Dragooollvates were sent into barracks, which, although some-
shall take the fiiwhat dilapidated, had been put somewhat into repair. The
alter meanwhile retained the same rations as if they were
>il ship-board — in fact, paying one-half pence less. Eight
lays later, viz : on the 14th, Prince Frederick's Kegiment
vas disembarked, and was admitted to the same advantages
kS our own regiment.
May— 1st Jane, 1891.] On the 8th, as General Carleton and the other Generals
a0yed forward with their respective regiments as far as
f Ontrea), Lt.-Colonel Baum was appointed Commander not
idy of the City of Quebec itself, but of the entire surround-
Qg country. At the same time, two hundred men of our
robps were detached to the other side of the St. Lawrence^
8 the loyalty of the inhabitants was still doubted ; while,
t the same time, such measures were taken as should make
•nrprise entirely impossible.
,jt
m
' ^^Vil
!l,
15§
Quebec, tlie capital of all Canada, is a place of consiA
able importance, especially when the two suburbs, whi
were burned during the last siege * are taken into consid
ation. It is built on the side of a hill, and presents, frc
the water, a very pretty view. But its very situation mat
locomotion in the city very tiresome : since one has now
ascend and again to descend. On the North and East si
it is bounded by the St. Lawrence Kiver ; and on the Son
it is connected with tho main land. On the West, the I
Charles River flows close to the city, and near which en
ties into the St Lawrence. It has, therefore, as far as co
merce is concerned, immense advantages over other citii
for even the largest ships can come close up to the wa
and discharge their cargoes. Although the St. Char
River is not navigable (for it is not more than th;
fathoms wide, and in most places only one fathom dee
yet it is of great advantage to the city on account of its (
liciously flavored and beautiful fish.
The city, itself, is divided into the " Upper" and " Lov
Tov,'n," each of which communicates with the other bj
gate. The *' Upper Town " consists really of the fortifl
tions, and is almost entirely surrounded by a rampart a
high walls. There are only three gates in the " Up
Town " which really deserve that name, viz. : that of
Louis, St. John and the Palais Grate (a demolished cast
which derives its name from the French, and which
destroyed at the time of the English siege. The " Lo>
Town " has no gates whatever, for most of the streets
minate at the river's edge. It is a good three quarter!
an hour around the city ; but there are a great many un
cupied lots, which, on account of the favorable locatior
the city, it was formerly supposed would greatly increas
value and be built upon. This space was enclosed by a w:
and without doubt the name " Canada " has hitherto b
* Referring to the attack by Montgomery and Arnold.— S.
, i
i£d
place o^ consider*!)|ly a hnidi-ance to these lots rising in value. And for
'o suburbs, whichUjis reason those Europeans who come to America with
;aken into consider-oljBans choose for themselves other and better Provinces
uid presents, froni9^ere they can make their fortune with greater certainty
erv situation makcsiiid without hard work. It cannot truly be said that the
ace one has now tonhabitants of Canada are poor ; but it is nevertheless true
orth and East sidehiftt scarcely any one meets here few persons of means,
• • and oU the Southillce there are in Canada but few domestic products which
the West, the St.;ati be exported. The streets in the city are very irregular,
d near which empoarticularly in the " Lower Town," where they are so nar-
tjfore, as far as coniow that two carriages can hardly be driven abreast. Most
»s over other cities ;>f the houses consist of but one story. They are, however,
ose up to the walhtrongly built and covered with shingles, which, when new,
rh the St. CharUiOOk from a distance like plates of lead. The interior of
b more than threchese houses are divided into rooms, according to French
one fathom deep)a$te, by thin wooden boards. In summer, all of the stoves
»n account of its der^ taken out of the rooms, for every one uses wood fur-
aces ; and should there chance to be a few^ cold days, lires
„ J ., T _re built in the chimney. These chimnicu are in all the
Jpper and " Lowei ^
f tVi f fill ^ ^^® ^^^^ there are five monasteries ; of which, one is
., ^ L >r~the Jesuits, and one for the Kecoilets of the Franciscan
• iVi *" TT ^''4®^' *^^ other three, viz: the General Hospital, the Hotel
. . <i i. r s^/ieu, and the Ursuline Augustine, are convents. Besides
' " " , ,1 a^e, the Catholics have three other churches for their
- , . , ^ 3]?Yices. Two of these, the Cathedral and the Seminary
TVi " T '.'^^^^» ^^® ^^ the " Upper Town," while the other, St.
, ° ' . .Bllie's Church, is in the "Lower Town." The head of all
ic|Catholic Priests in Canada is a Bishop, who generally
^ Ji^^s in Quebec, and is sanctioned by the English Parlia-
*= / i®|t. Of the English Churches there are here a Presby-
, . jmn and an Episcopalian. The former have a church of
Id ffreatly mcrease 1 j^ .,..,, . -^u ^u n *i> r j.
^ ^ .liar own and the latter one m common with the Uatholics.t
^^^ , . , . 1 hise of the Lutherans who have settled in this city attend
has hitherto beo^^
•hold.-S.
The Reeollet Church.— F, C, W,
'I < M
\\i
' ■ ,
m
the Elnglish Churcli, as there is no Lutheran preacher in ihe
parts. At present, we have Divine Service in a chapel bu
for sailors. We hope, however, that another church will
given us for our use.* There is in Quebec but one librai
which belongs to the Seminary and consists only of a fe
Latin, and a large number of French books. There are
printing offices here, unless one would call a book-bindei
printer, and who by the way, has to manage the Quebe
Gazette. The Catholic Priests, who are in the majority, s
not as zealous and intolerant as they generally are ; yet, o
of the nuns in the General Hospital told us to our face th
it were a pity that our soldiers, who were so good and mor
should remain in error, and that we ough*^^ therefore, as t
had such a good opportunity, to turn them over to the
for conversion !
Among the most noted buildings in Quebec is : Tst, t
" Castle," which is only one story high and small at thti
2nd, the Citadel, on top of the Hill — an old buildir
which threatens at any time to tumble over, and is not
habited. This part of tho mountain is called Cape Diamoi
very likely from the stones that are found here and whi
were at first thought to be real diamonds by the discovere
They are a kind of a glass-stone, are of different sizes, a
are almost invariably four or six cornered and as smooth
if they had been polished. These stones are hardly e
found in a pure state, but have generally black spots, a
are, consequently, of no value, otherwise, they are so hs
that glass can easily be cut by them. 3rd. The Gene
Hospital outside of the city and the Hotel Dieu in the c
— both large, extensive and imposing buildings that hj
recently been turned into hospitals, in which the sick hi
every attention and accommodation.
There has been also, in Quebec, a Post Office for the 1
six years, through which one can send overland letters
• It will be remembered that tbe writer was a Lutheran chaplain.— W. S.
161
n preacher in ihese i| ^f ^ho English Provinces. The present Postmaster, Mr.
50 in a chapel built finley, has, himself, brought about this splendid state ot
her church will be ||iing.s^ and although stopped for the present by the (3ommo-
ec but one library, ^^^g of ^j^jg ygj^^^ j|. jg ^^ ^^ hoped that his efficient postal
ists only of a tew ^j-vice will soon again be resumed. One can now, even as
)k8. There are no ^ -^^ ^^^^ ^^^ .^^^ ^^^ ^^^ answer back from Montreal twice
all a book-binder a ^ ^g^.^
inage e «<»; I The secular courts, which are composed of the Lieut-Go v.
in the major y, ^^ twenty-four councillors, meet twice a week and are
erally are ; yet, ov'^ ^^^ ^j^^ ,, ^^^^^ Council." There are under judges in the
. us to ou * dffferent Parishes who decide cases of minor importance,
so goo an j^s a general thing, however, Canada is still governed by
rh tnerelore, as t j^j^nch laws for the reason that the habitants are familiar
them over to their ^.^j^ ^^^^^ r^^^ ^^^^.^^^ French like these laws and cling
tp them, whereas the English, on the contrary, would be
Quebec is : 1st, th^j^^ if they were abolished. In suits of importance both
I and small at that pj^^^ies have the right of appeal to the English Parliament,
—an old building j^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ dissatisfied with the rulings of the " Great
over, and is no in Q^^m^^il . >» jj^ ^hich case, however, the amount at issue
ailed Cape Diamond^^g^ involve at least jEIOO sterling. But, as a general
md here an w ic ^jjjg^ j^ jjj3y ]^q gj^^^j ^^^^ there is no country in which the
s by the alSCO^ eie j^jj^^g ^^ issue are decided more justly and in accordance
different sizes, ^^^ natural right than in Canada. The innocent win, no
ed and as smooth i^jj^^^-gj, j^^^ lowly and poor he may be ; and the guilty loses,
les are hardly e\ ^'|^a^ge ^j^g distortion of the law by legal quibbles is here
ly black spots, aii^ gj^tirely unknown trick.
'« T mi ^ „ )The most respected occupation of the people is that of a
3rd. The Gener; ,,^^ .-xj . ^ . ^
. • ^u „:|iil(Brchant. Every one is m trade, since every one is at
buildings that bar
l^erty to make a living in what seems to him the easiest
. , ?*, ' u u. ,iBianner. But all the goods must come hither by way of
England. By this channel they receive cloths, linen, porce-
rkffi f fVi 1' ^^' sugar, tea, coffee, lemons, spices, ete , etc., for which
1 *i 1 f f t^®y P^y ^^ ^^^^' ^^^ ^^^ flour. There is, however, a total
Vftmt of real manufactures. Indeed, all the various trades
n chRpiain — w, s. ^^^ *^^ susceptible of great improvement, although there
162
I
t I
Is a distillery and a few sugar refineries which fully sup)
the iity in their respective liiies. Those of our people [i.
soldiers,] who have learned trades are greatly in dema
and are well paid. Through an impression (perhaps w
no foundation) that the Canadian climate, especially in
vicinity of Quebec, is too raw and the winters too sev<
agriculture is entirely neglected. But it only require;
limited knowledge of farming to see that in this thecoun
people are mostly to blame. The soil is rich and w^oi
amply repay the labor spent to make it productive if it w
only manured and thoroughly worked. Of such lal
however, nothing w^hatever is known here. Should <
spot be no longer productive, it is left fallow for ten
twenty years, during which time another piece of land
cultivated. This habit arises from land being so pier
and also from the fact that it can any day be bought of
Government at the lowest price.
This much, however, is certain, that if two hund
Brunswick or Brandenburg farmers had soil like this
cultivate, it would not look the same after fifty years. Wli
bread is most commonly used for food ; at iirst, it did
suit our troops, as it is sweet ; but gradually they bees
used to it, and now' they like its taste. One sees here
other vehicle except carts and caleches, horses, tho
small, have a good and staying disposition, and travel a 1
distance without becoming tired. Light loads are t
sported by dogs from place to place, those animals ha^
been taught to draw small carts. On this account moi
the mechanics keep two or three of such trained anin
which can easily be guided by a child in any direc
Although heat and cold are said to be a few* degrees hii
or lower than with us at home, yet there has never bee
instance of a dog going mad. Vegetables are abun(
and as well flavored as they are in our fatherland. Eng
men care very little for vegetables ; and in this respec
would seem as if they were imitating the French, as ga:
168
which fully suppl} iroducts are seldom seen on their tables. Thoy all, how-
joiour people [i. e, j^ver, are very fond of meat and fish, which arc both cheap
greatly in demain |nd plentiful, and can be had daily.
jion (perhaps will., The domestic animals, namely : cattle, sheep, pigs, goats,
;e, especially in th |hickens, pigeons, geese, etc., are brought into the city by
winters too seven |he country people for sale. We ourselves find them still
it only requires ^heap, although the inhabitants, themselves, assure us that
t in this the countr i^eat, butter and milk has not been so high for a long time,
is rich and woul „ jt may thus be seen that Canada is not so unproductive
roductive if it wer ||nd barren as it is commonly made out to be in descriptions
3d. Of such labo ^^f travels: and, further.it can be surmised what it may yet
here. Should on p^y^ ^q \^q under English rule.
[t fallow for ten c Fruit trees are very scarce, not because thoy would freeze
er piece of land jjj ^he winter, but on account of fruit being at a discount,
ad being so pleut; Nevertheless, great quantities are brought here from Mon-
lay be bought of tli lyg^i ji^ little sloops ; and I have seen in the woods cherry,
chestnut, mulberry and walnut trees which increase greatly
[lat if tw^o hundn notwithstanding that these are of a kind injuied most by
tiad soil like tais i ftost. Inasmuch, also, as the city lies on the banks of
er fifty years. "Whe^ilH^o rivers which abound in fish, it may readily be seen that
; at first, it did ii there is no scarcity of that article of food. The most common
adually they becaiimfe pickerel, trout, salmon, white fish, smelts, lobsters and
One sees here inp kinds of sea fish which are caught by the inhabitants
hes, horses, thousfi^m out of boats. The fur trade is undoubtedly the most
ion, and travel a loi important industry, and, indeed, it is this w^hich makes
iight loads are tra Quebec so celebrated.
hose animals havii Jn the woods there are bears, wolves, elk, reindeers, wolf-
this account most Ijgnxes, deer, does, and different species of martins, which
uch trained animajj|ter are as highly praif ed as Russian sables. In the
ild in any directicrt^ers are otters and becvers, the latter of which, except
a few degrees hight||)se for home consumption, are shipped to England,
ere has never been |^ good beaver hat costs at present in Quebec 5 piastres
itables are abundao|| in our money, about 7 Reichsthaler. It is therefore a
fatherland. Englisna|stake to suppose that such a hat can be bought in Ger-
nd in this respect, lanny for 5 or 6 Reichsthaler, as they are sold in a coun-
ihe French, as gardtjj-, where the beaver lives, for a higher price. Of wines,
Ip!
1 ' , '!J
1 , I
1«4
none can be had except those of Spain and Portugal
French wines are forbidden by the Government,
are heavily taxed should they come by way of Engh
A bottle of white port wine now costs 8 shillings (21 gj
red, 2 shillings (14 ggl.), and the ordinary Spanish 1 shill
In addition to English beer they have here another d]
which is called by the inhabitants Epinette beer. T
brew it from a species of pine which is common in
woods.'iJ' It has a disagreeable and pitchy taste, and is (
sidered an excellent remedy for scurvy. It certainly pre
beneficial when taken by those of our troops who v
suffering from that disease. Others, however, tried it \
no benefit. Upon first using it, it caused a violent diarrl
which, however, abated on the second or third day, witl
producing any other effects. I have lately, with the J
of some of our soldiers who understand it, been experim
ing in the making of German beer. So, possibly, we i
be able, if successful, to produce a good drink, for the v
of which we now suffer !
The larger portion of Canada is covered by a priin
forest, composed of an indescribable number of the n
and best timber such as oaks of uncommon diameter
height, and pines suitable for the masts of ships. It
therefore, readily be seen w^hat an immense source of
nue these forests would be for England were it not fo
great distance. Vessels are built here, it is true ; but
one and two masters of from 100 to 160 tons burden,
ships which are damaged on the voyage from Englai
here repaired ; for which purpose the necessary timl
furnished free from the Royal Magazines.
Persons, who are familiar with herbs and plants, coi
themselves amply repaid for the fatigue of a tramp thj
the forests and over the mountains of Canada. Sarsap|
herha capillaris, annisroot and many other herbs co^
• Undoubtedly Spruce beer.— S,
P8BP
>
i
165
a Portuiral, as If ^^^ ^^ *"d ^^® medicinal qualities of which are well known
r ' rnment, and V^ frequently met with in these woods, and are eagerly
of Enffland iO^^g^it after both by the Indians and the country people.
ViU'nffs (21 ffKl) ' These Indians — our nearest neighbors— are the remnants
<5 ish 1 shilling ®l *^® S^®'^^^ ^^^^ celebrated nation of the Hurons. There
nother drinl^f® ^low only one hundred and twenty families left. They
beer Thei^"*^ ^^ New Lorette, a village three French miles distant
mmon in thw^ Quebec. They have all embraced the Roman Catholic
u t te and is coii^#^S'ion ; in 1720, a church was built for them and a priest
Tt rtainlv provefW^^is^fid from the Jesuit order. This priest resides among
who wer''^®™' I^ addition to the French, they also speak among
tried it witi^^™'^®^^'^^ ^^® ^^^ Huron language, a tongue which, as the
•' I'pnt diarrha^^®'^^ himself assured us, is so difficult that no one, unless
kW A day withoil^^ and brought up among them, can ever learn it per-
1 with the hel^^iptly. Their men are all large, stalwart and well formed.
•+ K n exDerimenrbey have a longish face and black hair cut close to the
^ ' iblv we ma3"9*^' Their color is generally red ; for, in order to be
;i A' k for'the wai^^^^P"'*® ^^ their own opinion, they paint themselves with
hat color. Their ordinary clothing consists of a shirt, a
, 1 -;«»or9at made of coarse cloth, a woolen blanket, which they
(vered by a prime v ^7 ' » •'
« the fine?i^S ^^'^^ their shoulders, cloth stockings, sewed together
^ /I' ter ai'r*^^^ ^^^ which reach up to the fleshy part of the leg,
^"^ . T^ gjjad shoes of leather without heels. They know nothing
^^ ^ ^f ,nif ffousers, using in the place of that article a linen cloth
mense source ol reA jr . ° ,,^,. ^ , . . ,, .
. . p tfl|ch IS bound across the hips. Some have rings m their
and noses, others, again, cut off the outer edge of the
to such an extent that it only just hangs together
e upper part looking like a long strip of flesh.
usually have on their right side a linen pouch
nimented with pearls, and fastened by a long band
g on the shoulder. Around the body they also
a belt, also decorated with pearls, in w^hich they
a ]ong knife in a sheath. On the breast, they always
, mm"™" either a white shell or a brass breastplate shaped like
° ihiQll. The dress of the women (squaws) is essentially
12
ad were
, it is true ; but on
SO tons burden. Thr
age from England ij
necessary timber
le
sines
rbs and plants, consid
STue of a tramp throii*'
Canada. Sarsaparif
1^:
166
similar, except that the pouch and knife are forbidden them.
Instead of one woolen blanket they have two, one around
the shoulders, the other around the hips. These squaws
have long hair which hani»s over their shoulders without
being tied together ; when in their houses, men, women and
children are bare headed. Indeed, the women and children
are obliged to do this always, even on a journey ; and only
the married men have the right to wear a hat or a cap.
Still, now a days they are not so particular, for one often
sees women in the city with caps painted on the top. They
are great lovers of ornaments, such as trinkets, bracelets,
neck-laces of pure silver, and strings of beads, which are
worn by all of them. Their shoes, i)ouches, hats, clothing,
stockings— in short every article of clothing — are richly
decorated, which give to their dress a very rich appearance.
Their choicest amusement is the chase. With the most
marvelous swiftness, thoy pursue on their snow-shoes an
elk or reindeer, never failing to overtake it. They all now
use firearms, only making use of the bow and arrow, when
powder is too dear. In the summer they are idle, doing
nothing, unless it may be to aid their wives and children
in the cultivation of their fields and gardens — for to the
squaws is delegated this business, as well as all the domes-
tic economy of the household. They yet have their chief,
who is distinguished from all the rest of the tribe by a large
silver medal, on one side of which is ti^e picture of the King
of England, and on the other the coat of arms of Great
Britain.* The position, or rather the office of chieftain, is
hereditary ; and if the father dies before his son has reached
his majority (which with them is the 12th year), then, the
brother of the deceased chieftain, a sachem, or his nearest
relative, must be the guardian till the heir reaches his
majority. This, too, is the case even at the present time.
* In the same way, Red Jacket always wore with pride tlie silver medal given
him by Washington, having on one side the iiictnre of the. " Futher of liH
pountry," greeting him, and on the other a Legend,— S.
ti thorn,
around
squaws
vithout
Leu and
hiidren
id only
a cap.
often
K They
acelets,
lich arc
othing,
richly
arance.
6 most
Loes an
ill now
, when
doing
tiildren
to the
domes-
r chief,
a largo
,e King
Great
tain, is
cached
m, the
nearest
les his
ime.
3al given
er of liH
187
."^ho" 'hoy ha,-« resolve,, t
Our two T. V ^"'8' «P arms for „" ^ ""' *»«« Per-
viJlage. wit' .y P«'<' « visit to .K "^ ^«''^«a-
"•"door J^i"" ^^-^--y'h'nff n It anS r"'°" '» *i<"'
'»? the fate, eo^tL °''*'"ning some inforl^ ° '*'*""•
forefathers • b°, "k'"' ""«'"»«. habits a„<j7,"°" "°°<=«™.
^vith tJie n!',VKu ^"* *''«y have, bv m ''*'*'=««ded from
f 'Wffuished by W J ^'°P'« °f this .^jiT ^"'■°P««'«.
«•> aptitude if. TrnTtT' °'''"'''«^. «n mventK "' '*"^ •^'^■
*he name of s! * *'"■«• -fn sJiort tu « *'"''^» «hey
dross a^d Cr^"*^^ «°% from theS t""''"^ «'«««»■«
♦'^n^- Formeriv ^t ' f "''' ''^"er, than th k "' ^^'y
Morty French miferfr;- '" """'-^ " °'
/^----obe^aeo;:t^:r^-;;^^
^
^
168
know no more of them than what is found in all travels —
as the distance from here is too far for observation. Our
friend among the Indians, named Oteeses, has promised to
take us to them without danger, as they are friends of the
English.
Among the most prominent sights of Quebec is unques-
tionably the waterfall of Montmorency — a village some
two * miles distant from here. A small stream — about three
fathoms wide — falls, judging from appearances, 100 or 150
feet from a rock with a noise that, with a north-east wind,
can be often heard very plainly at Quebec. A mist rises on
the heights from the w^ater, and turning into a strong driz-
zling rain, prox'ents a near approach to the Falls. Indeed,
no more beautiful sight can be imagined than when, on a
clear day, the rays of the sun fall directly upon this water-
fall, thereby forming most beautiful rainbows. The coun-
try people of this region have certain signs whereby they
prophecy the weather of the next day according as the cata-
ract makes a greater or less noise ; and their conclusions
are said to be invariably correct.
One feature of Quebec is especially noticeable. This is
a number of tremendously large stones in different localities
on the surface of the ground, which leads to all sorts of re-
flections. One often sees three or four of these stones very
close together. Sometimes they are situated in a small
cavity. They are most frequently met with near the St.
Louis and John's Gates, whence they gradually dis-
appear and aic .arely seen. The hill, upon which Quebec
is built, consists of a rock of black chalk slate ; and these
stones or boulders (a kind of grey sand-stone) are not met
with elsewhere except in the bed of the river at ebb tide.
Whence do these stones come ? Surely not by the efforts
of men ; for the hands of thousands would have to toil
* The Qerman mile is equal to 4.60 English miles, but the chaplain had evi«
deutly miscalculated the width ot the Falls, as he hag done the height.
Width 90 feet, height 250 feet.— F 0. Witrtklh.
169
even to move one of them.'*^ It is, however, most certain
that very great changes have taken place here at some
time ; but what were the nature of these changes can only
be told with certainty by those who were eye-witnesses of
them. I must also add that the St. Lawrence River is still
considered as the boundary of Canada ; and it may further
be said, that after the most accurate surveys it is found that
the country extends forty French miles beyond that river,
and comprises numerous parishes — all under the Govern-
ment of Quebec.
I will now briefly mention what has taken place during
our stay in Canada.
On the 11th of January (lt76) we received news, by a
messenger from G-eneral Carleton, that a rebel Greneral
named Thomson, and several other officers, together with
a large number of privates, had been taken prisoners, and
transported to this place for safe-keeping.
On the 17th the first detachment of our troops crossed to
the opposite bank of the river. It consisted of one staflT-
officer, two captains, five subalterns and two hundred
privates.
On the 18th another messenger arrived from Q-eneral
Carleton. From him we learn that the Rebels are said to
have evacuated Montreal and all other posts in that vicini-
ty ; and, without awaiting our troops, had fallen back upon
Crown Point. Canada, it thus appears, is entirely free from
the enemy ; and one cannot but flatter himself with the
hope that the other rebellious Provinces will soon follow
suit.
To-day, the 27th, we had the first opportunity of inform-
ing our friends in Europe of our fate ; for the transport-ship
'* London," having on board Geiiera^ Carleton's Brigade
Major, sailed for England.
mit
•' m.
* The writer, evidently, was not familiar with the " glacier theory," — but,
bow could be have been, since this has been promulgated since he lived.— S.
■^
wm
170
The weather now begins to be very hot, though it is
still bearable— the Parisian thermometer ranging, on the
28th, from 31 to 32 degrees. Scurvy made its appearance
among many of our men, and was almost invariably accom-
panied by a maglinant billions fever which generally turn-
ed into a wasting fever. Whenever this took place the
patient was gone (i. e. died). By the request of the English
doctor, Mabane, Lieut.-Colonel Baum issued an order that
no one should drink of the well-water here. It is, to a large
extent, impregnated with minerals, and causes a bad diarr-
hoea» which soon brings on great debility. We had con-
stantly in our regiment alone, from twenty to thirty sick in
the hospital, of whom fourteen died within two months.
The prisoners arrived at Montreal in vessels on the 4th of
July ; but they were not landed, as they were to be sent
on still further. General Thomson was brought to this
city, where he was treated with all respect. He is a young
man and by birth a Frenchman,^ who, like many others,
has, perhaps, joined the Rebels to make his fortune. We
have lately had seven thunder-storms accompanied by hail
and strong winds. The heat, however, has not been so
unbearable as we were led to expect it would be by the
citizens on our first arrival. The same, perhaps, may be
the case with what they told us of the cold.
All the news we have received from Montreal is that our
troops were encamped at La Prairie — a village above
Montreal. From this entire region laborers were sent to
the army ; for it was determined to cross Lake Champlain
before the end of this Summer, and to drive the Rebels from
their fortress at Crow^n Point.
On the 22nd G-eneral Carleton arrived here from Mon-
treal with the intention of remaining with us for a time ;
for the army was still employed in cutting a road two miles
• A mistake, General Thompson (not Thomson) was born in Ireland, and,
died near Carlisle, Pa., Sept. 4tb, 1781.— S.
171
long through the woods, in order that the lavge boats could
be transported on rollers to Lake Champlain. Hannibal
crossed the Alps with his army — a daring undertaking for
Europe— here, in America, they carry ships two miles
through woods and make roads where no roads were
before !
On the 6th of August, those prisoners which had lately
arrived and also those that had been captured during the
last siege and had been kept in the prisons here, sailed for
Halifax. On their arrival there, Greneral Howe will desig-
nate the place of their future imprisonment. <
On the 15 th a detachment, consisting of two staff officers,
three captains, six officers (lieutenants V), and three hundred
privates were sent to the opposite side of the River St. Law-
rence, in order to bring into submission some of the inha-
bitants who had lately proved refractory.
Two savages of the Sioux nation, who dw^ell on the Mis-
sissippi river, arrived here from Montreal, after a journey of
2,400 English miles. Capt. Carleton, a relative of the Grene-
ral, came with them from Montreal as their guide.='<= They
asked for an audience, which was granted to them on the
morning of the 16th. The officers of both regiments, and
also a few English officers w^ere as usual gathered at the
Greneral's quarters ; w^hen, accompanied by their guide and
an interpreter, thv\V' entered the room.
I was not present on this occasion myself, but the follow-
ing account was nur ated to me bv Lieutenant Reitzen-
stein, X who paid strict attention to everything which
occurred. I will therefore relate to you his whole story : —
One of the chairs was moved a few paces in front of the
others, on which General Carleton seated himself. He then
* Capt. Carleton was a nephew of Gen. Carleton and married a sister of the
latter' a wife. He married (Indian fashion) an Indian squaw and lived with the
Indians for some time, adopting their dress, etc., etc. For a long account of him,
see Haddev^: Journal, edited by Gen. Rogers, and also, " Letters of Hessian and
Brunswick officers," translated by Wm. L. Stone. — S.
X Gottlieb Christian. He remained by permission, in 1783, in America. — S.
172
requested us all to be seated also. Behind his chair
stood his adjutants ; and, on his left, his interpreter. The
Indians were then ordered to be also seated by the side of
the interpreter. After sitting a few moments, one of the
savages, the chief of the entire nation, arose, shook hands
first with the General and then with Captain Carleton, and
addressed the former as follows :
" My Father :
" Thy word, which thou hast sent to all the world, has
also reached my ears ; and as soon as I heard it, my heart
and my ears were united. I would have brought with me,
also, my young men who are as willing, as I am, to obey
thy word ; but. My Father, thou, as the ruler of the world,
knowest better than I, that it could not be done. The long
distance, the dangers of the journey, also the great hardships
which I had to endure, would not have kept back one of
my men from seeing thee, the father of the world ; but they
had to remain behind to protect our children, our cattle,
and our sick brothers. This, my father, we owe to them.
For this reason, therefore, I started with only a few of my
nation to obey thy word and see thee ^ ^ ^
" "We had much to endure on onr journey, but no diffi-
culty could deter us, and we came to thy city (Montreal),
where I saw a man whom you. My Father, must know,
who had orders from thee to reveal to me thy will. I
wished to see thee, and said so to the man whom thou
knowest. He answered me. The Father of the World comes
to-morrow : he comes day after to-morrow ; but thoa
camest not. My Father. The man told me to be quiet and
I was quiet, and enquired every morning after thee but in
vain. I resolved, therefore, to look for thee ; and the man,
whom thou knowest, was satisfied and sent me hither ; but
to him, who stands by thy side (Capt. Carleton), I owe it
that I have met thee, for he led me. I am, above all of my
n tion, glad to be present on this occasion ; for I can see
173
H^i
thee, My Father ; can talk, with thee and can invoke thy
mercy. Thou, My Father, hast given me your hand, and
as thou hast touched my hand, so may I hope that thy
heart has been moved in pity towards me, and dost now
recognize me as thy child. Although, as a man who has
nothing but his ears, I am not able to be of as much service
to you as many others of thy ch'ldren, yet, thou art never-
theless My Father ; for all under the Sun are thy children,
and I, above ail others, have reason to pray thee for mercy
and pity. A few years ago, two of my servants («. e., young
men of his nation) entered a French tavern and demanded
brandy. The landlord said, ' I have no brandy,' and my
young men killed him. The Father of the Province, whom
thou hast given us, said it was a great crime. I do not
know what a crime is ; but this I do know, that it was a
disgraceful deed, which soils our honor ; and this disgrace
falls particularly upon me, also, as the king and head of the
nation. I must, accordingly, come to thee, that thou, as the
Father of the World, may wipe this stain from me, and
acknowledge me as thy child. I am told that thou art not
in need of our services. I will therefore return, when it is
thy pleasure, to my own people, and tell them of the
happiness I had in speaking to the Father of the world.
"Although I do not know if I shall see my brothers
again — for on the long journey home I may have to face
many dangers from our neighbors, who are continually
seeking to take our lives — still, should I be so fortunate as
once more to meet them, it shall be my greatest pride to
tell them that I have seen thee, my Father ; and that thou
hast acknowledged me as thy child."
The King of the Savages thereupon took a pipe, which
his follower had filled towards the end of his speech, and
handed it to G-eneral Carleton. His companion then placed
fire upon it, and the General was obliged to smoke. Mean-
while, the Savage, through the interpreter, told the Greneral
that tobacco-smoke w*as a means of purifying the hearts of
^
174
men, and would incite the General to pity and paternal senti-
ments. As soon as the General had started the pipe, the King
of the Savages handed it to Capt. Carleton ; and after the
latter had also taken a few whiffs, the Indian chief, through
the interpreter, asked the General who, after him, was the
highest in f ank in the company ? Whereupon, the General
pointed to Lieut.-Colonel Baum. Thereupon, the chief gave
the pipe to his follower, who presented it first to Lieut-
Colonel Baum and then to all of us, to be smoked in turn.
The interpreter told us that we must all take the pipe, at
least into our mouths ; for it was a sign of peace and friend-
ship with this nation ; and that they would consider it as
a great insult should any of us refuse to accept it. Finally,
after we all had smoked, the Indian chieftain handed the
pipe to General Carleton as a token of the new bond of
friendship, and then a^ain addressed him as follows : —
" My Father :
" The feathers on this pipe are not as white and clean as
they ought to be ; but it is not my fault. I gave to the
Father of the Province, whom thou gavest us a few years
ago, w^hen I made a Treaty with him, a pipe, the feathers
of which were as white as snow. But, upon my c«sking
him, before my departure, to give it back to me in order to
take it to the Father of the World, he gave me this one,
w^hich is not as white. It is, however, the same pipe I re-
ceived from the Father of the Province ; and although I
am only a man who has nothing but his ears, yet thou
may est believe me when I say that I always tell the truth."
This pipe was richly ornamented. The bowl was made
of a black stone, which has greatly the appearance of serpent
stone, and of which substance the Indians make their pipe-
bowls The stem was about one and a half yards long, and
of wood bound around with the bristles of the porcupine.
It was also decorated with long bird feathers of all colors
which gave it more the appearance of a spread out peacock's
tail than that of a pipe stem.
175
'%M
The Indian King thereupon sat down with his companion
and the General told them, through the interpreter, that ho
was greatly pleased to see them, and that he thanked them
for the trouble they had taken to come here ; that he should
always be glad, when an opportunity offered itself, to do
something for them ; and finally, that they might be
assured of his care for them. Then Gren. Carleton arose,
shook hands with the two Indians and retired to his room.
The Savages, having also shaken hands with us, took their
leave with Capt. Carleton and the interpreter.
On the following day, the 18th, these same Indians were
for a second time with the G-eneral. The King, mean-
while, had received a large silver medal as a present, and
his follower, one a little smaller. These they carried on
their breasts attached to a blue ribbon around their necks.
On the front of the medals w^as the bust of the King of
England, and on the reverse the coat of arms of Great Bri-
tain. In addition to these presents a shirt of fine linen was
given to each, which they at once put over their old ones.
The King then once more gave his reasons to the General
for beseeching his interest for himself and his nation, that '
he (the General) w^ould give them his protection in their
own country. These were chiefly that their Savage neigh-
bors w^ere so treacherous that after coming to them and
most solemnly pledging friendship, they would, should they
chance to meet one of the children of his nation away from
home, cut it in pieces and scattei them along the path ; or
if one of his people was intercepted on a journey, they
would, in a most treacherous manner, take his life. Conse-
quently, they were in continual danger of their lives, and
were coi.stantly in fear of such treacherous attacks. To this
appeal the General responded that he would do all in his
power to obtain for them safety and quiet ; and that he
wished nothing more than that all the Indian nations would
live together in harmony. The General then again shook
hands with both of them and said that Captain Carleton
^1
^
176.
was expecting them to breakfast on the man-of-war " Isis."
Upon which Captain Carleton and the interpreter accom-
panied them on board of the vessel, when the Indian King
was saluted with the discharge of twelve cannon. Accord-
ing to the statement of the interpreter, this nation (the
S^oux), is a very wild one (numbering about 1200 warriors),
which has its own laws, morals and customs. The men
are brave, but most cruel towards their conquered enemies,
whom they skin alive.
General Carleton left for the main army on this same day,
and on the 21st we had the pleasure of seeing General
Riedesel, who, after reviewing for two days the regiments
stationed here, returned to Montreal. At the same time we
received the pleasing intelligence that part of our regiment
this P'all, and the whole of our regiment certainly by next
Spring, would receive cavalry horses.*
To-day, the 26th, an English transport ship arrived, hav-
ing on board the Hesse-Hanau Artillery which, on the fol-
lowing day, continued its journey to Montreal. They
informed us that the second division of our troops had sail-
ed from Portsmouth on the 27th of June, and would cer-
tainly be here within eight days. Indeed, for the last four-
teen days we have confidently looked for the arrival of our
brotherrf-in-arms, knowing well by experience that a long
sea- voyage is not a very desirable pleasure. By the middle
of this month, the days began to be pretty cold, a circum-
stance which gave us much concern about the future. But,
towards the end, it again grew so warm that, on the 1st of
September, we had heavy thunder storms.
On the 10th of September, preparations were made to
execute a soldier of Prince Frederick's Regiment, who had
deserted while on sentinel duty at Point Levi. He was
accompanied to the place of execution by two preachers and
* The regiment to which the writer was attached was a Dragoon Regiment,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Baum. They came to Canada dismounted.— S.
177
led into the circle. After the death warrant had been again
read to him, he was blindfolded, and a heart faotened to his
breast. But by special favor and very strong influence at
head-quarters, his life was given him at the very moment
that the sharp-shooters had taken their position ready to fire
at the signal.
On the 14th, the Regiment of Prince Frederick received
orders to get in readiness for immediate marching, as it was
to accompany the second division of our troops to the main
army as soon as that division arrived. It was also given
out that only one hundred men of that regiment (Prince
Frederick's) were to remain here as a garrison. One hun.
dred men each of the Regiments Rhetz and Specht were
also to be left here for the same purpose. "We have receiv-
ed no further news from Montreal, except that the Rebels
were very vigilant ; that they had many armed vessels on
the Lake (Chaliiplain) ; and that they still continued to
strengthen themselves at Crown Point.
On the 16th the frigate, having on bor^rd the second divi-
sion, arrived in this harbor. This leads us to believe that
the transports will also be here either to-day or surely to-
morrow. Although the voyage from Portsmouth hither
has taken thirteen weeks, yet the troops were never in want
of the most necessary provisions ; and even the water kept
very fresh on some of the ships. The latter, during the
voyage, experienced generally either contrary winds or no
wind at all, which is usually the case at this time of the
year.
The transports have at last all arrived safely and undam-
aged, excepting the " East Friesland." This vessel became
separated from the rest of the flp-et by a little storm, and has
not been seen for the last seven weeks. Since, however, it
is very seldom that a vessel is shipwrecked on the voyage
from Portsmouth, we expect the " East Friesland " daily.
Scurvy, before the end of the voyage, assumed large propor-
tions among the troops, and our hospitals are already filled
#;
'%i
178
with their sick. Voyages would be delightful if it Were
possible to banish this tedious disease from the ships. Even
I, after enjoying the land breezes for so long a time, still
have attacks of this deleterious poison which remains in the
system and makes one feel its ell'ectson the slightest cause.
The order issued on the 12th, (sic) =*^ to Prince Frederick's
Regiment, was rescinded on the 20th. It will therefore re-
main here in garrison, and, in its place, our Regiment will
go to the army. The march is set down for the 24th, and
all the necessary preparations for it are now being made.
Our men are much gratified that this is to be their fate, as
they prefer serving in the lield to doing garrison duty.§
Since a new chapiter begins here in our American exper-
iences, I will at this point close the second portion of my
"Journal ;" and will give, in my next continuation, every-
thing which is worthy of being recorded in the future.
Quebec, Sept. 21st, 1776.
* Melsheimer makes the order (see ante) ns having been issued on the 14th. — S.
§ Those readers who would like to follow the interesting march of this Regi-
ment are referred to '' Stone's Letters from Urunswick and Hessian officers during
the Revolution," or to " The Military Journals of Major-Genl. Riedesel," trans-
lated by Wm. L. Stone.— S.
1 x> '
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