1757 in Canada explained
Events from the year 1757 in Canada.
Incumbents
Louis XV
George II
Governors
Pierre François de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal
Louis Billouart
Charles Lawrence
Richard Edwards
Events
- Thursday March 17 to Tuesday March 22 - In four nights 1,500 Canadiens and Indians destroy the out-works of Fort William-Henry.
- Saturday July 30 - Seven thousand men are collected to attack Fort William Henry.
- Tuesday August 9 - The Fort, garrisoned by 2,200, capitulates. Violating the terms of capitulation, Indians kill, or recapture, many of the garrison, whereupon Montcalm exclaims: "Kill me, but spare the English who are under my protection."
- Of the 5,000 French soldiers expected, only 1,500 reach Canada.
- December - The troops, in Canada, complain of being fed on horse-flesh and too little bread.
Births
Deaths
Historical documents
After three "melancholy" years of fighting in North America, outlook for British arms in 1757 is not encouraging (Note: "savage" used)[1]
Returning to Lake George from action on Lake Champlain in January, Rogers' Rangers are ambushed but hold off and escape larger French force[2]
Lord Loudoun, with intelligence that French will sit tight at Quebec, advises his Lake George commander to attack nearby French garrisons[3]
Because of French fleet's strength and British fleet's delayed arrival, Loudoun's council of war cancels Louisbourg expedition[4]
In August, Montcalm takes Fort William Henry on Lake George, then his Indigenous allies plunder and kill most of garrison, women and children[5]
Loudoun's detailed plan (equipment, provisions, transport) for winter offensive against French on Lake Champlain[6]
Detailed description of Quebec City's physical and defensive arrangement, plus advice on navigation, landing and French fire rafts[7]
Nova Scotia needs civil government of fewer officers, and also fewer lawyers, they being "not esteemed the best Friends to an infant Settlement"[8]
Pennsylvania Assembly complains about £2,385 it expended "in supporting the Inhabitants of Nova-Scotia, which[...]ought to be a national Expence."[9]
Board of Trade sympathizes with Nova Scotia over attacks by remaining Acadians, and deportees that other colonies are letting return north[10]
John Knox learns 48 Acadian families of Annapolis River had escaped to mountains and were supporting themselves with "robbing and plundering"[11]
Mi'qmaw siblings Clare and Anselm Thomas from "Pan-nook" near Lunenburg arrange reconciliation with British (Note: "squaw" and "savages" used)[12]
Newcomer Knox at Fort Cumberland finds early October weather not too hot or cold, but oldtimers know "rigorous winter" will come[13]
Notes and References
- https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.20222/38?r=0&s=1 "Let us now turn"
- Robert Rogers, "From this account of things" Journals of Major Robert Rogers (1765), pgs. 40-4. (See also Rogers' "rules or plan of discipline", and description of rangers) Accessed 26 January 2022
- https://archive.org/details/militaryaffairsi00cumb/page/370/mode/1up "Loudoun to Daniel Webb"
- https://archive.org/details/militaryaffairsi00cumb/page/391/mode/1up "Loudoun to Cumberland"
- https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.34808/431?r=0&s=1 "This was not the only misfortune"
- https://archive.org/details/militaryaffairsi00cumb/page/400/mode/1up "On which it occurred to me"
- https://archive.org/details/militaryaffairsi00cumb/page/411/mode/1up "A Description of the Town of Quebeck Its Strength and Situation"
- https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.37528/25?r=0&s=1 "the most Infant Settlement of Nova Scotia"
- https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0019 "Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on Grievances"
- https://archives.novascotia.ca/deportation/archives/?Number=ONEII&Page=304 "Extract from Letter Board of Trade to Governor Lawrence"
- John Knox, "3d (December 1757)" An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pg. 84. Accessed 1 February 2022
- John Knox, "The old garrison embarked to-day" (October 17, 1757), An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pgs. 61-4. Accessed 2 February 2022
- John Knox, "October 1st (1757) An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pg. 50. (See "We have had the most whimsical weather" for description of "right Nova Scotia weather," and also see "The Charming Molly schooner" brings news of heavy losses to British fleet from September storm off Cape Breton Island) Accessed 31 January 2022
