1775 in Canada explained

Events from the year 1775 in Canada.

Incumbents

George III[1]

Governors

Guy Carleton

Francis Legge

Robert Duff

Walter Patterson

Events

Births

Deaths

Historical documents

American Revolutionary War

"We are involved in all the Horrors of a Civil War" - Bostonian on April 19 "general Engagement" between troops and militia, fearing many more deaths[3]

Quebec Act mandated authority of governor means "he is possessed of absolute and despotic Powers" limited only by his need of Council majority vote[4]

Gov. Guy Carleton offers $200 reward for person who disfigured King George bust in Montreal and attached "False and Scandalous Libel" about him[5]

Continental Congress resolves to end exports to Quebec, Nova Scotia, Island of St. John's, and Newfoundland, as well as to British fisheries[6]

Finding "the protestant and catholic colonies to be strongly linked together," Congress calls on "oppressed Inhabitants of Canada" to join it[7]

Carleton says Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by Benedict Arnold, who also got Navy sloop, bateaux and military stores at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu[8]

"We have been puzzled to discover what we ought to do with the Canadians and Indians" - John Adams sees need for Canadians (Note: "savages" used)[9]

Gen. Israel Putnam gets support bid "from one of the Indian Nations near Canada," while Carleton is said to find "the People in general" won't fight rebels[10]

Carleton laments "impotent Situation" of only 600 soldiers and no militia, and Quebeckers' minds poisoned by "Hypocrisy and Lies" from other colonies[11]

Alexander Hamilton

"King, through[...]his creatures, the Governor and Council may[...]mould the criminal laws of Canada[...]to the most tyrannical views"[12]

Congress orders Gen. Philip Schuyler to take St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Montreal if "practicable [and not] disagreeable to the Canadians"[13]

"We are this day informed in Congress that the six Nations and Canada Indians are firmly disposed to observe a strict neutrality"[14]

Congress has "received certain intelligence that General Carleton[...]is instigating the people of [Canada] and the Indians to fall upon us"[15]

Chiefs with families (numbering 1,600) in Montreal to declare "they are unanimous" in leading their people against "the Bostonians" (Note: "savage" used)[16]

Call for men for Royal Highland Emigrants regiment "to engage during the present Troubles in America only," for grants of 200 acres rentfree for 20 years[17]

"Neutrality and your present blessings are incompatible with each other" - Canadians must expect worst if Colonies' "arm'd and numerous rabble" invade[18]

Lake Champlain skirmish north of Quebec boundary leaves rebel captain dead and later decapitated by Indigenous men with British soldiers[19]

Report that Canadians "highly approved" Congress's letter, and are uneasy about possible scarcity of grain products because provisions go to Boston[20]

Gen. Schuyler summarizes intelligence about British, his eagerness to invade, and Gen. Richard Montgomery's departure plans (Note: "savages" used)[21]

From Cambridge, Washington sends "(though late in the Season)" detachment of 1,000 men under Arnold to Quebec City by way of Kennebec River[22]

Account of battle near St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu in which small British force of mostly Indigenous men drives off several hundred rebel invaders[23]

British regulars and Indigenous men ambush part of force under Schuyler near St.-Jean but are routed, while Ethan Allen's force cuts link to Montreal[24]

Accounts of Battle of Longue-Pointe near Montreal in which Ethan Allen and some Chambly Canadians (who had prospect of plunder) were captured[25]

Thomas Jefferson notes "intrepidity" of Canadians helping besiege St.-Jean but sees they can get discouraged; mentions "bitter enemy" Luc de la Corne[26]

Gen. Richard Montgomery reports Chambly capitulation after mostly Canadian siege (Note: "St. John's" is Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu)[27]

Gen. Montgomery reports artillery assault of St.-Jean, followed by surrender when garrison learns relief from Montreal is defeated[28]

"Pitiful and humorous spectacle" - Col. Arnold's bedraggled regiment arrives at St. Lawrence River near Quebec City from Maine[29]

Congressional agents ordered "to exert your utmost endeavours to induce the Canadians to accede to a union with these colonies" and send delegates[30]

Schuyler relates Carleton's escape from Montreal before its fall to Montgomery and looks ahead in hope of Quebec City's capture[31]

Arnold reports he has too few men to storm Quebec City, and they lack sufficient clothing and ammunition, so he has retired to await Montgomery's force[32]

Arnold reports that Montgomery has joined him and they are at Quebec City, "which has a wretched motley Garrison[...], the Walls in a ruinous Situation"[33]

Death of Gen. Montgomery at Quebec reported by rebel general in Montreal, who begs for reinforcements to sway impressionable Canadians to his side[34]

Canada

Physician "commodiously lodged for treating all Kinds of Diseases" if people send him their case in writing, and poor helped gratis if postage paid[35]

Upper Town, Quebec City "Doctor of Physic" offers advice gratis and medicines at reasonable rates, inoculates for smallpox and treats venereal disease[36]

Mary Barnsley denies husband's accusations and says "bad Usage and ill Treatment from him were the Cause of my Elopment [''[[sic]]]"[37]

Select Society for "literary Intercourse" resists "present rapid Torrent of Gaming, and devote[...]their Leisure to so rational and useful an Amusement"[38]

In "Mathematical Thesis," natural philosophy students Panet, Perrault and Chavaux will "resolve such Problems in Algebra and Geometry" as put to them[39]

For sale at Anne Taylor's distillery: "Essense of Spruce" for making 30 gallons of beer, as well as spruce beer "for Family or Ship's Use"[40]

John Robinson, gelder, "cuts Horses with the Greatest Security, splays Heifers, and gelds and splays Pigs [with] utmost Care and constant Attendance"[41]

Nova Scotia

Following raid on Saint John River by "Rebels from Machias," Gov. Legge proclaims Nova Scotia militia subject to "Service in Time of War" act[42]

Ships from Nova Scotia carrying provisions to Boston risk capture, including by "Spider Catchers," 8-10-ton boats based in New England seaports[43]

Two Nova Scotia House members deny being "factious and rebelliously disposed," but one reported to Gen. Gage, who has list of "disaffected" in N.S.[44]

Governor's proclamation warns Nova Scotians "not in any Manner directly or indirectly [to] aid or assist with any Supplies whatever, any Rebel or Rebels"[45]

Noting "a most unnatural and dangerous Rebellion" in America, treason in Canada, and home "Invasion," Nova Scotia to collect rate of 5s to £5 for militia[46]

Refugees to take loyalty oath and enter province as inhabitants, but those refusing oath may be jailed, and "traiterous Correspondence" will be punished[47]

Refugees to be provided food and granted land free of rent for 10 years, and Nova Scotians encouraged to supply lumber and coal to Caribbean market[48]

Nova Scotia farmer and former Army officer imprisoned by Massachusetts General Court after he visits Boston with no good reason for going there[49]

Scores of patients, age 50 down to under 1, inoculated for smallpox, are "save over the Disease; without having had one bad, or unpromising Symptom"[50]

Detailed "advice and instructions concerning innoculation, by self-applying "pocky matter" in scratches, addressed to the industrious poor of Halifax"[51]

Provincial treasury audit has found books and papers "of high Concern" missing; £100 reward offered for their return, and £500 for whoever took them[52]

"To be Sold, A likely well made Negro Boy, about Sixteen Years old,---Enquire of the Printer."[53]

Any Nova Scotia resident may bring livestock and vegetables into Halifax for sale in street or building, even during Market hours[54]

"Paltry artifice" - Reader criticizes Nova Scotia Gazette publisher for reprinting "trash" contrived in Philadelphia papers by Continental Congress[55]

"She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness" - Mrs. Jane Chipman of Cornwallis, who died after falling from horse[56]

Charles Wright disavows wife Hannah's debts after she keeps "bad Company," sells some of furniture ("to my great Distress and Damage") and runs off[57]

Prince Edward Island

Leaving for Britain, St. John's Island governor Walter Patterson says he will "try to rouse the proprietors [to] promote" their own interest[58]

"I never saw better grass, white clover, wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, and all kinds of garden stuff[...]altho' they are very bad farmers"[59]

Charlottetown raided by privateers in November and governor, surveyor general and many public and private papers carried off[60]

Newfoundland

Three 20-gun ships and several sloops to be added to naval force "to prevent the Americans carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland"[61]

Navy frigate on Newfoundland station "destroyed a number of stages which the French had erected beyong the Limits allowed them for[...]the Fishery[62]

Labrador

"Very unpleasant situation" - Trapped at edge of snowy Labrador precipice, George Cartwright and friend drop down using length of cod line in his pocket[63]

Indigenous nations

New "Indian Affairs" rules include sending superintendent annually to check on local officials, who will act as JPs and admit Indigenous evidence in court[64]

Local "Indian King" Solomon says he is given "Liberty" to join rebels by Kanien’kéhà:ka, who will "hold 500 men in readiness to join us on the first Notice"[65]

Using metaphor of son (colonies) injured by "proud and wicked servants" (ministers) of father (King), Congress tells Haudenosaunee to stay out of war[66]

With presents and talks, Continental Congress has created northern department of Indian affairs covering Six Nations "and all to the Northward of them"[67]

In Albany, 700 Kanien’kéhà:ka and Onondaga declare friendship and hope to bring over Canadian relations, despite "all Governor Carleton's endeavours"[68]

Members of St. Francois tribe offer services to Americans, and say Indigenous people and French generally are "determined not to act against us"[69]

Superintendent of Indian Affairs Guy Johnson in Montreal and expected to sail for England, "the Season being too far advanced for [Indian] Operations"[70]

Haudenosaunee sachems refuse Johnson's war feast and song at Montreal; Kanien’kéhà:ka are rebuked for not sending for their people in Canada[71]

Alexander Henry describes people in Cree village on Lake Winnipeg, where women not only "beguile" his men, but are lent for year's service to them[72]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kings and Queens of Canada . aem . 24 February 2021 . 11 August 2017.
  2. Book: Greenwood . Frank Murray . Wright . Barry . Canadian State Trials Volume I: Law, Politics, and Security Measures, 1608-1837 . 15 December 1996 . University of Toronto Press . 978-1-4875-9790-0 . 139 . en.
  3. "Halifax, May 2; Extract of a Letter from[...]Boston" (April 24, 1775), The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 251 (sic; May 2, 1775), Page 3 of 4. (See also "Salem, April 25" for description of April 19 fighting) Accessed 22 August 2022
  4. "Extract of a Letter from Quebec, April 27, 1775," The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle (July 11, 1775), Page 1 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022 (See also "Instructions to Governor Carleton, 1775")
  5. "By His Excellency Guy Carleton" (May 8, 1775), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 539 (May 11, 1775), pg. 3. (See also additional reward in advertisement just below this proclamation) Accessed 30 August 2022
  6. https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:1:./temp/~ammem_K4UL:: May 17, 1775
  7. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/contcong_05-29-75.asp "Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada; May 29, 1775"
  8. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_03425/85 "Carleton to Dartmouth"
  9. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0012 "From John Adams to James Warren
  10. "Watertown [(near Boston)], June 5," The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle (July 4, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022 (See Carleton's letter to Gage including this subject)
  11. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_03425/85 "Carleton to Dartmouth"
  12. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-01-02-0058 "Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part One"
  13. https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:2:./temp/~ammem_K4UL:: June 27, 1775
  14. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0022 Letter of Richard Henry Lee to George Washington
  15. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/contcong_07-06-75.asp "A declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North America(...)setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms; Final Form"
  16. "Quebec, August 3; Extract of a Letter from Montreal" (July 30, 1775), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 551 (Cahier 1, August 3, 1775), pg. 3. (See also further details on pg. 3 and also "Cagnewaga" chief willing to assist invaders, and Schuyler inviting Indigenous people to conference, but not confronting Sir John Johnson) Accessed 30 August 2022
  17. "Quebec, August 10; Conditions to be given to such Soldiers as will engage[....]" (August 3, 1775), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 552 (August 10, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  18. "To the People of Canada," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 553 (August 17, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  19. "Quebec, August 31; A Correspondent has sent us[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 555 (August 31, 1775), pg. 3. (See also Gen. Schuyler's mention of this "Imprudence") Accessed 30 August 2022
  20. "New-York, Aug. 31" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 4 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022 (See also "Extract of a Letter from Montreal, September 18 (pg. 3) saying Canadians not fooled by "false promises of Friendship and Union")
  21. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0266 Letter of Philip Schuyler to George Washington
  22. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0343 Letter of George Washington
  23. "Quebec, September 14; Account of the Battle happen'd near the Camp at St. John's[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 557 (September 14, 1775), pg. 3. (See also Gen. Schuyler's account and Lt. Gov. Cramahé's mention of this fight and difficulty "to bring the Canadian Peasantry to a Sense of their Duty") Accessed 30 August 2022
  24. "Hartford, Sept. 18" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 4 of 4, continuing on Page 2 of 4. (See also Gen. Schuyler's account) Accessed 25 August 2022
  25. "Quebec, October 5; On the 25th of September[....]" and "Extract of an authentick Letter from Montreal, dated September 28," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 560 (October 5, 1775), pgs. 3-4. (See also another account of skirmish under "To the Printer of the Quebec Gazette" (pg. 3)) Accessed 30 August 2022
  26. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-01-02-0130 Letter of Thomas Jefferson
  27. Richard Montgomery, "Extract of a letter from General Montgomery, dated camp before St. John's, October 20, 1775" Library of Congress. Accessed 5 September 2022
  28. "Extract of a Letter from Gen. Montgomery, dated Camp near St. John's, Nov. 3, 1775" http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/bds:@field(FLD001+90898003+) (scroll down to "My Dear General;" see also Schuyler's summary of challenges in invasion of Canada) Accessed 5 September 2022
  29. Abner Stocking, "November 8" An Interesting Journal of Abner Stocking of Chatham, Connecticut (1810; 1921 reprint), pgs. 23-4. (See also Letter to Washington from Arnold reporting his arrival) Accessed 5 September 2022
  30. https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:3:./temp/~ammem_K4UL:: November 8, 1775
  31. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-02-02-0409 "To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler"
  32. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-02-02-0370 "To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold"
  33. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-02-02-0445 "To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold"
  34. "(Published by Authority)," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 569 (March 14, 1776), pg. 1. (See also print of "The Death of General Montgomery") Accessed 31 August 2022
  35. "The Sieur Le Cerclé, Surgeon" (Terre-bonne, May 15, 1775), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 542 (June 1, 1775), pg. 4, right column. Accessed 30 August 2022
  36. "Advertisement; J. McAulay, Doctor of Physic," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 561 (October 12, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  37. "I Mary Barnsley" (June 20, 1775), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 545 (June 22, 1775), pg. 3. (See also John Barnsley's statement against her on same page, right column) Accessed 30 August 2022
  38. "Montreal, April 13," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 536 (April 20, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 29 August 2022
  39. "On Friday the 26th Instant," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 541 (May 25, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  40. "To Be Sold," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 542 (June 1, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  41. "Advertisements; John Robinson, Gelder," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 543 (June 8, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
  42. "By his Excellency Francis Legge" (September 5, 1775), The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 261 (September 5, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 24 August 2022 (See also George Washington's objections to any attack on Nova Scotia)
  43. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0180 "To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry"
  44. "Province of Nova-Scotia. In the House of Assembly, June 16th, 1775," The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 258 (June 20, 1775), Page 4 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022
  45. "By his Excellency Francis Legge," The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle (July 4, 1775), Page 2 of 4, first column. (See also proclamation ordering magistrates to require everyone entering Nova Scotia to swear "Fidelity and Allegiance to his Majesty" (Page 4 of 4, first column), and proclamation ordering all Nova Scotians 16 and over to take allegiance oath (Page 4 of 4, third column)). Accessed 23 August 2022
  46. https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-raising-tax-inhabitants-province-defraying-expence-maintaining-and-supporting "An Act for raising a Tax(...)for defraying the Expence of maintaining and supporting the Militia of (Nova Scotia) and for the Defence of the same"
  47. https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-ready-admission-such-his-majestys-subjects-colonies-continent-who-may-be-induced "An Act for the ready Admission of such of his Majesty's Subjects in the Colonies on the Continent(...)to take Refuge in this Province, from the Anarchy and Confusion there(....)"
  48. "Halifax, October 17" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  49. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0214 Letter of Andrew Hamilton to George Washington
  50. "Halifax, August 8" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 256 (August 8, 1775), Page 3 of 4. (See also in this issue "The happy Effects of inoculating" (Page 4 of 4) in inoculation house with cradles and beds, medicines and nurse) Accessed 23 August 2022
  51. "To Mr. Henry, Printer; Halifax Yard, August 24th, 1775" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 260 (August 29, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022
  52. "Halifax, Jan. 10, 1775" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 135 (January 10, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 22 August 2022
  53. "To be Sold" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 145 (March 21, 1775), Page 1 of 4. Accessed 22 August 2022
  54. https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-further-regulating-market-halifax-0 "An Act for further regulating the Market at Halifax"
  55. Castigator Falsi, "Halifax, August 25th, 1775," The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 261 (September 5, 1775), Page 1 of 4. Accessed 24 August 2022
  56. "Halifax, April 18" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 149 (April 18, 1775), Page 1 of 4. Accessed 22 August 2022
  57. "Halifax, September 12th, 1775" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 262 (September 12, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  58. "Island of St. John, July 27th, 1775" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 260 (August 29, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022
  59. "Extract of a genuine letter from the Island of St. John[...]dated April 24th, 1775" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 264 (September 26, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  60. "An Act to confirm, and make valid in Law(....)"
  61. "May 30," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 554 (August 24, 1775), pg. 2. Accessed 30 August 2022
  62. "London, July 4; A Letter received from Newfoundland[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 566 (November 16, 1775), pg. 3, near bottom. Accessed 31 August 2022
  63. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Sunday, December 10, 1775," Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pg. 185 Accessed 18 August 2022
  64. Clauses 14-16, "Plan for the Future Management of Indian Affairs" (January 3, 1775), Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada; 1759-1791; Part II (2nd edition; 1918), pgs. 615-16. Accessed 31 August 2022
  65. "Cambridge, May 18; Extract of a Letter from [western Massachusetts]" (May 4, 1775), The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 257 (June 13, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022
  66. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/contcong_07-13-75.asp "A Speech to the Six Confederate Nations, Mohawks, Oneidas, Tusscaroras, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senekas(...)"
  67. "Watertown, August 21" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  68. "New-York, Aug. 31" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 4 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  69. "Watertown, August 21" The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 267 (October 17, 1775), Page 2 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
  70. "Quebec, October 26," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 563 (October 26, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 31 August 2022
  71. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-02-02-0509 "To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler"
  72. Alexander Henry the elder, Travels and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories[....] (1809), pgs. 246-9 Accessed 19 August 2022 (See also Henry's Map of the North West Parts of America)

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