1778 in Canada explained

Events from the year 1778 in Canada.

Incumbents

George III[1]

Governors

Guy Carleton then Frederick Haldimand

Lord William Campbell

John Byron

Walter Patterson

Events

Births

Full date unknown

Historical documents

American Revolutionary War

"War seems to them an expedient measure, and[...]a treaty with the rebels is forming" - Britain suspects France will ally with U.S.A.[3]

French and U.S. diplomats sign treaty that guarantees two nations will make "common cause" against enemy if France goes to war with Britain[4]

Congress's Board of War instructs Lafayette to capture Montreal and either attach Canada to U.S. if Canadians agree to it or retreat if they don't[5]

Report requested by Washington details possible routes, timing, and provision sources for invasion of Canada[6]

Congress approves certain preparations (laying up provisions, preparing clothing) for invasion of Canada[7]

Congress sends Benjamin Franklin at Versailles highly detailed attack plan to link U.S. troops coming from Lake Ontario with French from Quebec City[8]

With "a prospect of our wants and our weaknesses," Washington argues at great length against Congress's plan for U.S. and France to invade Canada[9]

Intelligence report from Vermont says Canadians "very Much In favour" of U.S. cause and their "Preists mouths are Shut" on U.S. dispute with Britain[10]

"Too much in the field of conjecture" - In letter to Maj. Gen. Schuyler, Washington weighs pros, cons and unknowns of invading Canada[11]

Washington to recruit "a Body of four hundred Indians" and believes Oneidas, who have "the strongest Attachment to us[,] will be most numerous"[12]

Intelligence report from New Hampshire says "Joseph Louie the Chief of Saint Francois Tribe" claims all are willing to join United States[13]

Letter with enclosures alerts Washington to security problems in New York, especially with Cherry Valley massacre (Note: "savages" used)[14]

Senecas' "predatory war" in New York makes them chief enemy of U.S. among Haudenosaunee, though Joseph Brant also cited (Note: "savages" used)[15]

Molly Brant writes she has few details of Joseph's "brush with the Rebels," and her hope is soon to "return to our habitations on the Mohawk River"[16]

Sergeant from 8th (King's) Regiment "with a party of Indians from Detroit" take five Pennsylvania riflemen, who are "conducted safe to this city"[17]

Though situation unlike that of previous war, Maj. Gen. Schuyler argues at length usefulness of Lake Ontario route for fighting British in Canada[18]

Canada

"The government of Quebec is a legal parliamentary despotism" - Governor and any "nine of the most profligate persons" can rule (Note: "savage" used)[19]

Gov. Haldimand extends deadline of former Quebec governor Carleton's order to seigneury owners to swear allegiance and register deeds or land rolls[20]

"It is absolutely necessary that the grain be got in dry" - Reader offers method of harvesting in wet weather that avoids grain sprouting[21]

Mulatto woman, 28, for sale; has had measles and smallpox; can cook and keep house, "work at her needle, and is remarkably careful of young children"[22]

Enslaved mulatto girl Bell is sold to Quebec lieutenant governor after twice escaping her Quebec City owner[23]

Montreal merchants offer $8 reward for capture of "Negro man named Jack" who has "Guinea accent" and "was lately purchased of Captain Covells"[24]

Small howitzer shell left on Handsel Monday wounds Margaret Callender's hands and eyes, for which she asks customers' and suppliers' consideration[25]

New husband's misogeny toward letter writer and his friends' "Attachment to the Bottle" leave her doleful and "terrified to death" for his welfare[26]

School to open with instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, bookkeeping, four languages etc., with emphasis on "exterior deportment and behavior"[27]

Quebec City stay-maker advertises products, skills, and knowledge of "the most early and newest fashions"[28]

Nova Scotia

"Province will be an object of the first consideration to the French" - Anticipating war with France, troops added to 2,800 infantrymen in Nova Scotia[29]

Treaty made on Saint John River by Superintendant of Indians Francklin and Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy and Mi'kmaq, who warn off Machias raiders[30]

Nova Scotia Council thanks Maj. Gen. Massey for defence of province, improving Halifax defences and erecting "important post" on Saint John River[31]

Taken to Boston by privateers, Benjamin Marston is re-imprisoned after brief house arrest, but learns "that a man may enjoy himself in prison"[32]

"Inhuman and cruel; poor miserable sick; suffered and died" - Remarks from account of mistreatment of imprisoned U.S. privateers in Halifax in 1777[33]

British deserter gives much useful information to U.S. commander in New York on naval and military comings and goings, mostly in Halifax[34]

Edward Winslow feels "noble indignation" seeing "scoundrels" who persecute loyalists in committees, Congress and "places confidential & lucrative"[35]

Late Margaret Green "was so mortified to the Vanities[...]as to have little or no Relish of[...]Amusements[,] Pastimes, and useless frothy Entertainments"[36]

Prince Edward Island

Accused fraudster from Canada is questioned in Charlottetown and released on his parole for lack of evidence plus his depositing "295 clipt half Joes"[37]

Map: St. John's Island, northern Acadia and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence[38]

Newfoundland

Irish success in Newfoundland fishery "has raised such a spirit amongst them, that it is said" twice as many ships will sail from Waterford this year[39]

Labrador

Privateers out of Boston, aided by Labrador locals ("traitors"), plunder £14,000-worth from George Cartwright's properties and take his Inuit servants[40]

"The finest sport that man ever had" - Cartwright hunts bears hunting salmon at rapids, pools and beautiful cascade on Eagle River, Labrador[41]

After Cartwright slaps Inuk servant Tweegock "for some sluttish and dirty tricks," he stops her from completing attempts to stab herself in heart[42]

Elsewhere

Open Hudson's Bay Company trade to public because Indigenous people accept low-quality goods and supply skins used in wares for foreign trade[43]

Map segment of former New France from Moose Factory on James Bay to Mississauga territory on Lake Huron[44]

James Cook's Pacific expedition is in Nootka Sound, where trade with locals is conducted with "harmony and integrity," but human parts are "horrid"[45]

Indigenous people's "ingenious[...]manufactures and mechanic arts" are quite unexpected, given "what little progress they have made in civilization"[46]

Illustrations: "Drawings by John Webber of Natives of the Northwest Coast of America" (1778) include people on Nootka Sound[47]

Etc.

Song: "Barrett's Privateers" has unfamiliar lyrics like "letter of marque," "list to port," "scuppers," "loose in stays," "two cables," "main truck"[48]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kings and Queens of Canada . aem . 24 February 2021 . 11 August 2017.
  2. Web site: Drexler . Ken . 24 March 2021 . Treaty of Alliance with France: Primary Documents in American History . 3 March 2024 . Library of Congress.
  3. https://archive.org/details/britishdiplomati49chan/page/175/mode/1up Letter to British ambassador at Versailles from Court of St. James
  4. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fr1788-2.asp Treaty of Alliance Between The United States and France
  5. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-13-02-0290#GEWN-03-13-02-0290-fn-0001-ptr Footnote 1
  6. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0597 "To George Washington from a Board of Officers"
  7. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-17-02-0024 To George Washington from Henry Laurens
  8. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-27-02-0600 To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress
  9. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-27-02-0600 To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress
  10. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-18-02-0164#GEWN-03-18-02-0164-fn-0001-ptr Letter of Brig. Gen. Jacob Bayley
  11. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-18-02-0252 George Washington to Philip Schuyler
  12. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0133 George Washington to the Commissioners of Indian Affairs
  13. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-18-02-0164#GEWN-03-18-02-0164-fn-0001-ptr Letter of Col. Timothy Bedel
  14. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-18-02-0196 "To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand"
  15. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-15-02-0373 Commissioners of Indian Affairs to George Washington
  16. http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=3098187&lang=eng "Letter by Mary (Molly) Brant to Christian Daniel Claus regarding a recent encounter with rebels"
  17. "Quebec, January 1," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 644 (January 1, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
  18. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-18-02-0368 Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler to George Washington
  19. David Hartley, "Letter II" (September 24, 1778), Letters on the American War[....] (Sixth edition, 1779), pg. 65 Accessed 25 October 2022
  20. "By His Excellency Frederick Haldimand" (November 30, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 692 (December 3, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
  21. "To the Printer," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 693 (December 10, 1778), pg. 2, and continued in several issues. Accessed 19 October 2022
  22. "To Be Sold" (February 11, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 650 (February 12, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
  23. "Ran away from my service[....]," pg. 3, The Quebec Gazette (August 20, 1778) and "Advertisements; Run away from Mr. George Hipps[....]," pg. 3, The Quebec Gazette (November 5, 1778) and "Transcription: Bill of Sale for Isabella/Bell (1778)," Bills of Sale for Enslaved People: Quebec, Canada (2020) pgs. 8-10 (PDF pgs. 10-12). Accessed 25 October 2022
  24. "Advertisements; Run Away[....]" (Montreal, May 13, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 664 (May 21, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
  25. "To the Publick; Whereas I Margaret Callender[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 649 (February 5, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
  26. "To the Printer of the Quebec Gazette" (Montreal, February 4, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 650 (February 12, 1778), pg. 1. (See also letter to Gazette (pgs. 1-3) from young woman assessing winners and losers among men seeking her hand) Accessed 18 October 2022
  27. "Advertisements; Academy and Boarding-School" (Quebec, November 19, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 19 October 2022
  28. "Advertisements; George Blacktin[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 644 (January 1, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
  29. "London, April 16; Two battalions of foot[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 678 (August 27, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
  30. "October 6," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 689 (November 12, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 19 October 2022
  31. "Halifax, August 25; To Major-general Massey[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 2. Accessed 19 October 2022
  32. Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787 (September 8, 1777), University of New Brunswick Archives. https://web.lib.unb.ca/Texts/marston/marston3_mod.html (scroll down to Tuesday Sept. 8 1778-09-08) Accessed 17 October 2022
  33. "Boston, Feb. 5," The Providence (Rhode Island) Gazette and Country Journal, Vol. XV, No. 737 (February 14, 1778), Page 1 of 2. Accessed 17 October 2022
  34. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-17-02-0162#GEWN-03-17-02-0162-fn-0004-ptr Deposition of British deserter from Halifax
  35. https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord_trails.cgi?id=200&level=2 Letter of Edward Winslow
  36. John Seccombe, "A Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Margaret Green[....]" (Halifax, February 1, 1778), pg. 13 Accessed 25 October 2022
  37. "Island of Saint John, Gulph of St. Lawrence" (Charlottetown, October 9, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 4 (right column). Accessed 19 October 2022
  38. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3425.ct008258 "Plan de l'île de St. Jean au nord de l'Acadie et dans le sud du golfe de St. Laurent"
  39. "London, April 16; The success which the Irish[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 678 (August 27, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
  40. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Thursday, August 27, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pgs. 240-7 Accessed 17 October 2022
  41. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Wednes., July 22, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pgs. 228-36 Accessed 17 October 2022
  42. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Wednes., February 25, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pg. 223 Accessed 17 October 2022
  43. "London; It is said[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pgs. 1-2. Accessed 19 October 2022
  44. Antonio Zatta, La Parte Occidentale della Nuova Francia o Canada (in Italian; 1778), McCord Stewart Museum. Accessed 17 October 2022
  45. "Transactions with the natives of North America[....]," Captain Cook's Third and Last Voyage, to the Pacific Ocean[....] (abridged), pg. 117. (See also "Such of the natives as visited us daily" supply fish and oil) Accessed 13 October 2022
  46. "The design and execution[....]," Captain Cook's Third and Last Voyage, to the Pacific Ocean[....] (abridged), pg. 125. Accessed 13 October 2022
  47. https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/from-drawings-by-john-webber-of-natives-of-northwest-coast-of-america-1778-nootka interior 1
  48. https://stanrogers.net/the-music/song-archive/barretts-privateers/ "Barrett's Privateers"

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