1815 in Canada

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Here are events and incumbents from 1815 in Canada.

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Incumbents

Federal government

Governors

Events

  • The Great Migration from Europe begins.
  • January – Unaware of the Treaty of Ghent, General Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) wins the Battle of New Orleans.
  • February 9 – A bill to give the speaker a salary of 1,000 pounds is read.
  • February 18 – The United States ratifies treaties signed in December 1814.
  • March 25 – Governor George Prevost informs Parliament that then-prince regent George IV has ordered him to England to answer charges of the naval commander.
  • March – Parliament allocates 25,000 pounds for a canal from Montreal to Lachine.

Births

Historical documents

Text of "Treaty of Peace and Amity Between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America"[3]

"Satisfaction [after war is not great in U.S.A.] when the whole cost in lives lost, in property destroyed and in property expended" is tallied[4]

John Quincy Adams tells Pres. Madison that larger U.S. Navy would make British better assess "the value of the Objects [in] a new War"[5]

U.S. peacetime army includes 14 companies of infantry and riflemen stationed at Detroit and artillery companies at Niagara and Sacket's Harbor[6]

Editorial: "The commencement of the war[...]and the manner [it was conducted in should be] engraven on the minds of[...]British North Anmerica"[7]

William Claus of Indian Affairs department gives words of condolence to Indigenous leaders for loss of many friends and relations[8]

Chief asks for articles necessary "to raise provisions for ourselves" and that whites (including traitors) not be allowed among Six Nations[9]

Red Jacket asks peace between New York State and Grand River Haudenosaunee, who are "not of the same Nations only, but of the same Families"[10]

John Norton would accept proposed pension for war service, though "all the regret [he] ever had was that [he] was not able to do more"[11]

Pres. Madison expects returning Michilimackinac to U.S.A. will end "the confidence and hostility" of British-allied First Nations (note: "Savages" used)[12]

Long war in Europe might spread to America because "neither party has abandoned [policies that were] the ostensible causes of the late war"[13]

Summary of U.K.–U.S. "Commercial Treaty" includes prohibition on British trade with Indigenous people in any part of U.S.A.[14]

Editorial: "Crowds of great and illustrious personages, in addition to gamblers, sharpers [etc.]" are in Vienna to settle European concerns[15]

U.S. "envy [of] the superior quality of the soil" in Canada, compared to impressment of its seamen, was "stronger stimulus" to start war[16]

"To secure us the possession of Canada," suitable vessels will be built on Great Lakes; arms and equipment for them are being prepared[17]

Commercial/political threats from U.S.A. include future Erie Canal, fort on Lake Champlain and probable fort on St. Lawrence River[18]

Foreword to book on British and U.S. trade says it is important to stop U.S. interference in British North American fishery and shipping[19]

John Quincy Adams summarizes negotiation with British over their expulsion of U.S. fishers from British North American waters[20]

Boston source notes Pres. Madison recommending only U.S. sailors crew U.S. ships, and suggests saying that 4 years ago might have averted war[21]

John Strachan chastizes Thomas Jefferson with accounts of U.S. depredations in Upper Canada during War of 1812[22]

"Ill-fated" Sutherlandshire sees hundreds of families emigrate to Pictou and Red River, "banished to make room for more" sheep[23]

British and Irish settlers can get land grants of 100 acres in Upper and Lower Canada by supplying testimonials and redeemable deposits[24]

Deserting British regulars in Upper and Lower Canada are pardoned if they surrender to officer or magistrate (does not cover militiamen)[25]

Demise of army bills prompts praise for their benefit to "the Canadas as an easy and an abundant circulating medium" better than gold[26]

Map: "A Plan of the Route from Halifax to the River Du Loup on the St. Lawrence," with Chaleur Bay and Minas Basin on right edge[27]

Lower Canada

"Lower Canada has not only been exempted in a great measure from the scourge of war but actually blessed with an uncommon degree of prosperity"[28]

"The termination of the war has already had a wonderful effect on our markets; many articles have fallen 50 pr. cent"[29]

Letter to the editor simply and clearly alleges effect of taxation on merchants and its consequences for others in society[30]

"The circulation of the army [bills] on equal terms as with dollars is a proof that [provincial] Bank paper would meet complete confidence"[31]

"Vaccine inoculation" to be supported with £1,000 shared among appointed physicians in Quebec, Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Gaspé districts[32]

Physician finds inoculation of Indigenous people led to high fever he believes "was occasioned by inebriety, their sole delight"[33]

Eastern Townships farmers are not "sufficiently careful and neat" because uncleared land is near, labour is expensive and winters severe[34]

Details of third infanticide since "the provision made by the Legislature for[...]reception at the Hotel Dieu" for illegitimate infants[35]

Wounded militia members' annuity is to be raised to £15, and widows and children of members killed in war are to receive £25–100 payment[36]

Disbanded soldiers are to be granted land to settle on, with officers receiving 200 acres and men 100 acres that must not be sold for 3 years[37]

Editor supports settling ex-soldiers on frontiers near U.S. border as best defence against invading armies, as was proven during war[38]

"The scene of alarm, confusion and despair may be readily imagined" - army transport catches fire at night at Quebec City[39]

Four British regulars, kneeling on coffins by their graves, are executed for desertion before crowd of "multitudes[,] particularly of women"[40]

Louis-Joseph Papineau's political talents: among ablest orators, "profound knowledge" in committee and "uncommon facility" in Assembly[41]

Praise for John Molson, "one of the most valuable members of the community" in Montreal, who plans huge wharf and large ballroom facility[42]

Note on free school in Quebec City expresses surprise that, in city of 20,000, there has been no public elementary school before now[43]

Quebec City "seminaries of learning" praised, including Mrs. Goodman's, where young ladies excelled in geography, "use of Globes" etc.[44]

Montreal school for "Young Ladies [teaches] Plain and Fancy Needle-Work, English Grammar, Writing, Arithmetic, Frh. Grammar [and] DANCING"[45]

Editorial links excessive number of taverns with such crimes as theft and riot, as well as families reduced to begging and prostitution[46]

Letter to editor hopes "every friend to humanity will now come forward[...]to free this country from the growing evil of street begging"[47]

"Severe" examination of current state of dentistry, pointing out dentists' "neglect," aims to "heighten your ideas of its utility"[48]

Montreal Florist Society offers prizes for methods of preventing caterpillar damage, mildew damage and "Black or Turnip-Fly"[49]

R. Quirouet of Côte Déléry, Quebec "makes and distills all sorts of Creams, Liqueurs and Cordials for wholesale and exportation" and retail[50]

In best-of-three one-mile heats at Chambly Race Course, Mr. Rawlin's mare takes on 1st, Capt. Blake's mare Sally and 2nd, Blake's mare Jane[51]

English furniture for sale includes cane "sophas," mahogany and cane chairs, "wash hand stands compleat," portable desks etc.[52]

Print: "View of Long's Farm on Lake Temiscouata at the extremity of the Portage(....)" between Rivière-du-Loup, L.C. and Edmundston, New Brunswick[53]

Upper Canada

Assembly agrees to "deliberate upon the expediency of further continuing the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act"[54]

Persons suffering war damage should report to commanding officer at one of five locations around province to apply for compensation[55]

With return of people who left U.C. during war, call comes to enforce "An act for better securing this Province against all seditious attempts"[56]

Those who "prescribe for sick persons or practice physic, surgery or midwifery" (except female midwives) must get Board of Surgeons licence[57]

Kinaybicoinini, Aisaince and Misquuckkey are promised £4,000 plus "one Pepper Corn" yearly rent for ca. 250,000 acres west of Lake Simcoe[58]

Letter says Kingston has "central position, commodious harbour and [commerce with] Lower Canada," U.C. and U.S.A., but needs improvements[59]

Proposal for Kingston school supported by $10 shares allowing subscribers to send one child per share with 10% discount in school fee[60]

For sale: "Webster's Spelling Books, Murray's Grammar, and a Great Variety of Books for Children"[61]

Montreal Gazette hopes Kingston - Prescott steamboat heralds links from Montreal to Upper Canada, which is seen as future continental emporium[62]

Lake Ontario 4 ft. higher than normal and perhaps highest since 1784, with water also higher in Lake Erie and Ohio and Mississippi rivers[63]

Kingston expresses gratitude for "indefatigable zeal, consummate prudence and incessant exertions" of Commodore J.L. Yeo during recent war[64]

Militia members (officers and men) are to receive 6 months pay for their "important and meritorious services[...]during the late war"[65]

Andrew Jackson is to assist establishing posts at Green Bay, Wisconsin River, Prairie du Chein and St. Anthony Falls to keep peace with Canada[66]

Tailor new in Kingston will make greatcoat and surtout, lady's pelice, or "Habit and Riding Dress" for £1 5/-, and pantaloons for 12/6[67]

Trick rider will perform "Surprizing Feats of Activity" including picking up small objects and dancing while riding horse at full speed[68]

Nova Scotia

"Much, yea, very much depends instrumentally on their upbringing" - Baptist ministers offer advice on raising children[69]

Thomas Jefferson learns plaster of Paris is quarried along coast of head of Bay of Fundy and brought to water's edge for $1/ton[70]

Halifax bridewell is to be for, among others, "stubborn servants, apprentices and children" and anyone shirking their own or family's support[71]

Letter says "negroes have grown up under a system of oppression and cruelty" leaving them "depressed and debased below their natural level"[72]

Letter to editor says freed Blacks brought to Halifax in war will be hard to assimilate "for their minds are debased by slavery"[73]

Inquest on person-of-colour Nancy Stevenson's body hears she was beaten to death "by and in the presence of" 10 people (7 of them are jailed)[74]

Newspaper editor says coming trial "will determine whether a Free Press may exist in these Provinces" and if people may enjoy British rights[75]

Newspaper editor mocks both people "cajoled into admiration of any idol" and "the faint tinklings of their drowsy journalists"[76]

Shelburne, which had population of more than 12,000 not 30 years ago, is down to little more than 300 because of prosperity of rival Halifax[77]

Library "has a few New Books" including Walter Scott's "The Lord of the Isles," Waverly and Guy Mannering and Louis Bonaparte'sMaria[78]

Someone with letter for England has just missed ship departure when Indigenous man takes it and walks across Halifax harbour ice to ship[79]

"Confectionary and Pastry Ware-House" sells raisins (3 kinds), figs (2 kinds), almonds and walnuts plus "500 bottles superior Mushroom Catchup"[80]

Side-by-side ads show breadth of commerce: green olives (10 shillings per gallon) and seal oil (by pipe, hogshead, barrel or gallon)[81]

Defeated at Waterloo, Bonaparte is rumoured to have been taken to Newfoundland, which Halifax editor believes "is likely to prove true"[82]

Hoped-for cattle showings, "country sports and rustic simplicity" at Windsor Fair are drowned out by noisy and drunk city people[83]

Spoof of men's clubs invites "strangers having an elastic indian-rubber-conscience" to join "the Rebel Shark's-Spear lodge of Hod Fellows"[84]

New Brunswick

Dead judge's adult unmarried daughters are left unprovided for, and their education has not "prepared them for the trials they [will] undergo"[85]

"Notorious" Catharine Here is sentenced to 20 lashes for stealing one gentleman's clothes, and for stealing another's watch, branding on hand[86]

Newfoundland

MP Newport seeks to limit U.S. encroachment in Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, which ship 1 million quintals worth £2.7 million[87]

Since opening in 1814, charitable Newfoundland Hospital has treated 200 "distressed persons," but patients must now pay 3s/day "for Diet"[88]

Court of Sessions orders "all dogs[...]at large in or about[...]St. John's be forthwith destroyed" because of widespread rabies[89]

Charity sells religious books, including "that excellent summary of Christian truth and[...]practical devotion, 'The Book of Common Prayer'"[90]

Fishery workers, "very lowest order of society," make lots of money and then spend winter in "dissipation, drunkenness, debauchery" etc.[91]

In "Court of Oyer and Terminer," man found guilty of knowingly receiving stolen watch chain is sentenced to 14 years transportation[92]

Unusually severe winter creates 1 foot thick ice in St. John's harbour, requiring sawing of channel to admit vessels[93]

Red River

Selkirk's Red River prospectus reports 50–60 Europeans in main settlement and 2–3 detached settlements of formerly wandering Canadians[94]

Selkirk's analysis of effect of North West Company domination of Europeans and Indigenous people in Red River region and elsewhere[95]

Elsewhere

Merchant in Mackinac regrets traders bring whiskey "before the Indians have been[...]fully satisfied as to the mode of their future dependance"[96]

Work pressure sends St. Joseph man into melancholy, writing farewell letter, hiding in woods for week, and seeming "to be in great trouble"[97]

Instructing Indigenous peoples in HBC territory might have "a prospect of more extensive success" than elsewhere in British North America[98]

Hudson Bay Indigenous people are "mild, affable, and charitable," but also "cunning, overreaching, and thieves" (Note: "savages" used)[99]

Out of self-interest, "a certain association of Fur-traders" have said Red River farming is not possible, and people there are cruelly treated[100]

Mackenzie River fur trader suggests "the natives have taken a dislike to the whites" is possible reason so few fur pelts have been brought in[101]

References

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