1790 in Canada explained
Events from the year 1790 in Canada.
Incumbents
George III[1]
Governors
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester
Thomas Carleton
John Parr
John Elliot
Edmund Fanning
Events
Historical documents
- Gov. Gen. Lord Dorchester has been asked by British officials for comments on proposed bill to create Lower and Upper Canada provinces[2]
- Britain allows families from U.S.A. to bring into North American colonies "any negroes," furniture, farm tools and clothing duty free[3]
- Comment on buildup of British army generally and minister's "determination that a strong force shall be kept up" on North American frontier[4]
- Dorchester is asked to return British-held frontier posts, but they are "considered as a kind of guarantee for the discharge" of U.S. debt to Britain[5]
- Montrealer says Dorchester expects U.S. move against frontier posts, but neither fur trade nor Canada is worth going to war over[6]
- U.S.A. may want British-held posts but will be disappointed by them, as "spirit of rivalship" will make fur trade no advantage to them[7]
- Agricultural Society in Canada publishes advice, including on growing hemp and manuring with plaster of Paris[8]
- Formation of U.S. militia anticipates "an attack from the sea-side by an European power, aided by our sworn enemies settled on our extreme left"[9]
- Expected war between Spain and Britain might include latter's request to march troops across U.S. territory to attack Spain's Mississippi posts[10]
Map: North and Central America divided into territories claimed by Britain, Spain, U.S.A., and France[11]
Lower Canada
- Chief Justice says "Heaven has[...]smiled upon [us with] plenty and peace" and prospect of constitution "uniting us more closely to Great Britain"[12]
- Anticipating "long-looked for House of Assembly," letter-to-the-editor suggests club "to discuss public questions, and so train ourselves up"[13]
- "Great smallpox mortality amongst the inhabitants, particularly the younger part," is because of "aversion of the lower ranks to inoculation"[14]
- "Citizens of the Province of Quebec" sign petition calling for creation of university to teach "learned Languages and Sciences (excepting Theology)"[15]
- Newly arrived Gen. Clarke formally opens his commission as lieutenant-governor and takes "usual Oaths [and] his Seat at the Council-Board"[16]
- Alliance of U.S.A. with Spain prompts reinforcement of Quebec City garrison; Canadian militia among at least 10,000 men ready for action[17]
- In their petition, millers, bakers and others in bread trade note "years of scarcity and distress" ended with last harvest's "abundance"[18]
- Coadjutor bishop Charles-François Bailly de Messein openly criticizes Bishop Jean-François Hubert, claiming support of "Clergy and Citizens"[19]
- Back country land granted to French emigrants motivated by "distracted state of France" and "free exercise of their religion" in Canada[20]
- Gov. Gen. Lord Dorchester decides Gaspé is part of lower Canada because of commercial connection and current remoteness of Fredericton[21]
- "A great success" - St. Lawrence River North Shore fisheries report taking 10,723 seals to produce 97,579 gallons of oil[22]
- Quebec City fire society's new reservoir near Bishop's Palace holds 200 hogsheads of water and sits beneath building with "one of the largest Engines"[23]
- Editorial notes hanging with dissection carried out in Montreal for first time, and hopes it will be crime deterrent as well as medical lesson[24]
- All 3 prisoners in Quebec City jail, in close confinement for 3+ years without friends or assistance, "are really starving" on 1 lb. of bread each per day[25]
- For sale: "Young Healthy Negro Woman capable of most kind of business; good cook and house-maid, understands milking cows and making butter[...]"[26]
- Moses Israel Levi of Quebec City cites "very scurvy appellations [bestowed] on my predecessors the Jews" in anonymous letter-to-the-editor[27]
- Edward Conway says Mary Warren has left him and "as a Prostitute I recommend her to the Universe, I being the Fourth Man she has elop'd from"[28]
- Among many school books for sale is "The Academic Speaker, or a selection of parliamentary debates, orations, odes, scenes and speeches[....]"[29]
- Offering free tuition to 6 "scholars," teacher cites civil servant salaries that "may not be adequate to the numerous exigencies of a large family"[30]
- Premiere of "Liberty Asserted, or Canada Restored," historical play set "among the five nations of Iroquois; the plot is very interesting"[31]
- Quebec City perfumer has lavender, rose and musk essences, but also "bears grease" for hair and "Prince of Wales's opiate for the teeth"[32]
Upper Canada
- Dorchester intends to create "loyal Aristocracy [in Upper Country] by opening the road to affluence and honors to all [who have] diligence and fidelity"[33]
- Leader of Upper Canada to be John Graves Simcoe, not John Johnson, whose connection to U.C., including much property, would be "not desirable"[34]
- John Johnson reports incomplete surveying has "greatly retarded the settlement of the Country," with would-be settlers discouraged and gone[35]
- Six Nations of the Grand River leaders request deed to set territory's boundary, citing Haudenosaunee in U.S.A. wishing to come over to join them[36]
- George Clinton calls Joseph Brant "a Man of very considerable Information, Influence and Interprize, and[...]his Friendship is worthy of Cultivation"[37]
- Dorchester on Indian Department "irregularity" (disobedience, private sale of royal presents, absence without leave) and Kanien’kéhà:ka discontent[38]
- Former Queen's Rangers commander Simcoe proposes similar "corps" for U.C.; interesting details of commission-buying and soldiers moonlighting[39]
- Surgeon's mate of 60th Regiment, asked to settle in area lacking "medical assistance," petitions for 2,000 acres of land (and receives grant)[40]
- U.S. Secretary of War advises governor of Northwest to assure British posts that campaign against Indigenous nations is not aimed at them[41]
- John Butler advises Haudenosaunee of New York not to enter, even individually, any conflict between U.S. and either British or "Southern Indians"[42]
- Former missionary among Indigenous people on north side of Lake Ontario suggests U.S. mission on border to influence "Northern Indians"[43]
Nova Scotia
- Disagreement between Council and House of Assembly over latter's sole right to handle money bills threatens government's expiring spending authority[44]
- Provincial agriculture society wants county societies formed to learn best ways to grow grains, peas, Indian corn, potatoes, turnips etc.[45]
- U.S. Treasury Secretary learns of Nova Scotians caught smuggling fish into Boston, and difficulty telling their fish from U.S. crews' catches[46]
- Assembly committee reports 83 "transient Poor" in Halifax, and is "at a loss what Remedies can be applied" to lessen their number or expense[47]
- Bishop of Nova Scotia consecrates Shelburne's Anglican church in ceremonies including 6th Regiment's "exceeding good Singers and Powerful Voices"[48]
- Bishop Inglis, reminding Lt. Gov. Parr of promise of 1,000 acres of bishop's choosing, asks 967 acres bordering his "Aylesford Mountain" property[49]
- Shipwrecked brig's master believed holding "considerable Sum of Money" owner had on board; $100 reward offered plus 5% of money recovered[50]
- Missing "Negro Boy Slave Named Dick," about 20, "stoops a little in walking, and has lost [part] of his great Toe of the left Foot;" 40 shilling reward[51]
- Middle-aged man seeks job as groom or coachman; "can learn Ladies and Gentlemen to ride or break Horses for any Purpose"[52]
New Brunswick
- "The probability of a War with Spain" means preparing some younger provincial militia members for active service, even with regular troops[53]
- Thomas Peters, sergeant in Black Pioneers, petitions for land for Black people, as they are "Suffering [and] incapable of paying the poor tax"[54]
- Brief description of Madawaska settlement by surveyor on field trip[55]
Hudson's Bay Company
- Albany chief factor wants Henley House officers to adopt "spirit of harmony [to] enable us with one mind to resist[...]our antagonists the Canadians"[56]
- "Captain Pauchagee" is "a very good Indian," but keeping him at Eastmain post "very tiklish" as he is leader at "Canadian Settlement [Manicouagan]"[57]
- "Resident" at York Factory avoids hiring Indigenous men, "for Indians are [so dissatisfied], they think themselves never sufficiently paid"[58]
- Red Lake post men row batteaux with goods to Lac Seul, hauling boats on hundreds of fresh-cut rollers and earning "a little extra groag"[59]
- Indigenous hunter at Severn, stabbed in quarrel and stitched up, has recovered enough 6 weeks later to take family trapping but is soon reported dead[60]
- From "his great propensity to Liquor", Severn first officer Moore is sick with convulsions, sometimes speechless or "troubled in mind"[61]
- Moose Factory worker shoots himself in thigh by stumbling across wire of "set gun" trap and dies week later of "a mortification"[62]
Pacific coast
- "This place[...]is become important from the circumstances which are likely to arise from the trade" - Profile of Nootka Sound and its people[63]
- Spanish forces that captured British traders at Nootka Sound have killed Callicum ("second person in rank at Nootka") and favour U.S. traders[64]
- Spain willing to make restitution for ships taken in Nootka Sound, but insists on exclusive right to fur trade there and "southern whale fishery"[65]
Labrador
- Proposal to print by subscription poem "Labrador, being a descriptive daily instructor how to [operate] in the various businesses on that coast"[66]
- Using words "sin," "evil" and "wild," Moravian Church missionaries at Hopedale report most "of our Esquimaux" reject church's teachings[67]
Elsewhere
- Hundred convicts transported to Newfoundland and secretly dumped there make it to St. John's in bad shape and fighting over poor food supply[68]
- Report of mutiny on HMS Bounty, with Captain Bligh, Fletcher Christian and whole cast of characters[69]
Notes and References
- Web site: Kings and Queens of Canada . aem . 24 February 2021 . 11 August 2017.
- https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=984&level=2 "Letter from Lord Dorchester to Thomas Carleton"
- "Anno Tricesimo; Georgii III Regis; An Act for encouraging new Settlers[....]," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 75 (August 24, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, middle column). Accessed 7 July 2023
- "Albany, July 15," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 74 (August 17, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, right column). Accessed 7 July 2023 (See also Dorchester's summary of Canada's porous defences (PDF frames 13-14) and Grenville's request that Dorchester anticipate U.S. attack (PDF frames 22-3))
- "London, January 6; The report of a requisition[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1289 (April 22, 1790), pg. 3. Accessed 18 July 2023
- "New-York, July 27; Extract of a letter from Montreal, July 6," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 42 (September 6, 1790), Page 4 of 8. Accessed 13 July 2023
- "From the Albany Register; Extract of a letter from Quebec, Feb. 1790," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 33 (July 12, 1790), Page 7 of 8. (See also Grenville consulting Haldimand about changes in trade after evacuation, and also "State of the Fur Trade in Canada" (PDF frames 32-4)) Accessed 13 July 2023
- Agricultural Society in Canada, Papers and Letters on Agriculture(....) (1790), Baldwin Collection of Canadiana. Accessed 19 July 2023
- "Foreign Intelligence; United States; A Plan for the General Arrangement of the Militia[....]," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1285 (March 25, 1790), pg. 2 (near bottom of column). Accessed 18 July 2023
- https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-20-02-0242 "To John Adams from George Washington"
- https://digitalarchiveontario.ca/objects/346918/papers-and-letters-on-agriculture-recommended-to-the-attent?ctx=5dc51166f351d2f2cb4f6c92d478abbcac470ff1&idx=43 "North America in its present Divisions, agreeable to the Peace"
- "Extract from the Chief Justice's Charge to the King's Bench Grand Jury, Tuesday, 2d November, 1790," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1318 (November 4, 1790), pg. 4. (See also argument of "a Citizen of Quebec" against constitutional reforms) Accessed 19 July 2023
- "Lower-Town, 8th Dec. 1790; Mr. Moore[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Total No. 108 (December 13, 1790), Page 1 of 8. Accessed 14 July 2023
- "Quebec, November 18; A Correspondent[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1320 (November 18, 1790), pg. 3. Accessed 19 July 2023
- "To His Excellency the Right Honorable Guy Lord Dorchester[....]" (October 31, 1790), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1318 (November 4, 1790), pg. 1. (See also Coadjutor bishop's thoughts on education (click on PDF and scroll to image 11)) Accessed 19 July 2023
- "Quebec, October 14," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1315 (October 14, 1790), pg. 1. (See also Clarke quizzing former governor Haldimand in London about Quebec, including if he can live "respectably" on £1,500/year) Accessed 19 July 2023
- "The garrison at Quebec[....]," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 89 (December 14, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, right column). Accessed 7 July 2023 (See also general orders to militia for defence of province)
- "The Petition and Memorial of the Merchants[...]interested in the Flour and Biscuit branches of commerce in the City of Quebec," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 50 (November 1, 1790), Page 7 of 8. Accessed 14 July 2023
- "Quebec, April 29; To Monseigneur the Bishop of Quebec" (April 22, 1790), Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1290 (April 29, 1790), pg. 2. (See also disapproval by several clergymen and dozens of laymen of Bailly de Messein's letter) Accessed 18 July 2023
- "Halifax, Nov. 30; Extract from a London Paper, dated Oct. 2," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 89 (November 30, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, left column). Accessed 7 July 2023
- https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=981&level=2 "Extract of a letter from(...)Dorchester to(...)Grenville, dated Quebec 8th Feby. 1790"
- "Quebec, June 24; Two weeks ago[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1298 (June 24, 1790), pg. 3. Accessed 18 July 2023
- "Quebec, August 26," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1308 (August 26, 1790), pg. 2. Accessed 19 July 2023
- "Quebec, July 15, 1790; A correspondent observes[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 34 (July 15, 1790), Page 2 of 8. Accessed 13 July 2023
- "Quebec, Nov. 22 1790; An Humble Address to the Public," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Total No. 54 (December 2, 1790), Page 6 of 8. Accessed 14 July 2023
- "To Be Sold[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 23 (May 3, 1790), Page 2 of 8. Accessed 12 July 2023
- "To Mr. Robustus" (April 13, 1790), (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 21 (April 8, 1790), Page 6 of 8. (See also letter referred to (Pages 6 of 8 and 3 of 8) submitted by "Robustus") Accessed 12 July 2023
- "This is to inform the Public[....]" (July 5, 1790), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1302 (July 15, 1790), pg. 4 (bottom of column). Accessed 18 July 2023
- "For the Use of Schools and Academies," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1305 (August 5, 1790), pg. 2. Accessed 18 July 2023
- "Quebec, Sept. 9, 1790; Free-School," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 43 (September 9, 1790), Page 8 of 8. Accessed 13 July 2023
- "For the Benefit of Mr. Worsdale," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 11 (February 1, 1790), Page 5 of 8. Accessed 10 July 2023
- "Quebec, May 28, 1790; Francis Lehoullier, Perfumer[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 28 (June 3, 1790), Page 4 of 8. Accessed 13 July 2023
- Letter of Dorchester to Grenville (May 27, 1790), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 28-9. Accessed 21 July 2023
- E.A. Cruikshank (ed.), "From W.W. Grenville to Lord Dorchester" (June 3, 1790), The Correspondence of Lieut. Governor John Graves Simcoe, with Allied Documents(...); Volume I, 1789-1793 (1923), pg. 13 (PDF frame 12). (Base URL: https://archive.org/details/correspondenceof01simc/page/n5/mode/2up) Accessed 26 July 2023
- "Sir John Johnson to Lord Dorchester" (September 13, 1790), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 53-6 (see last paragraph on 55). Accessed 24 July 2023
- "From David and Aaron Hill to Sir John Johnson" (April 15, 1790), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frame 20. (See also Dorchester's objection to encouraging "the Indians to abandon their country" in New York (PDF frames 25-6) and his reference to conflict among Kanien’kéhà:ka at Grand River (PDF frame 31)) Accessed 21 July 2023
- https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0335 "To George Washington from George Clinton"
- Letter of Dorchester to John Johnson (January 21, 1790), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 4-6. (See also Johnson's reply (PDF frames 7-8) and John Butler's explanations (PDF frames 9-11)) Accessed 20 July 2023
- E.A. Cruikshank (ed.), "Proposals for a Corps of Troops [for Canada]" (November 12, 1790), The Correspondence of Lieut. Governor John Graves Simcoe, with Allied Documents(...); Volume I, 1789-1793 (1923), pg. 16 (PDF frame 17). (Base URL: https://archive.org/details/correspondenceof01simc/page/n5/mode/2up) Accessed 26 July 2023
- "Muirhead, James; Undated Upper Canada Land Petition of James Muirhead[....]," Land Petitions of the Niagara Settlers "Mortan to Mustard" Accessed 26 July 2023
- https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/40881 "Instructions for Mounting Militia Against Wabash"
- "Speech by John Butler to the Indians" (April 8, 1790), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 17-18. (See also Indigenous people's reply (PDF frame 18)) Accessed 20 July 2023
- https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0359 Letter to George Washington
- "Journals and Proceedings of the House of Assembly of the Province of Nova-Scotia," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 56 (April 13, 1790), Page 1 of 2 (front page) and Page 2 of 2. Accessed 6 July 2023
- "To the Printers of the several News Papers in Halifax," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 43 (January 19, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page). Accessed 5 July 2023
- https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-06-02-0403 Letter to Alexander Hamilton
- "Journals and Proceedings of the House of Assembly of the Province of Nova-Scotia; Saturday 6th March; The Committee appointed to examine into the present State of the Poor-House at Halifax[....]," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 51 (March 16, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, left column). (See also text of act (Page 1 of 2 (front page, middle column)) authorizing commissioners to manage transient poor, and call to Haligonians (Page 1 of 4, lefthand page) to meeting to vote support money for resident poor people) Accessed 5 July 2023
- "Halifax, August 10," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 73 (August 10, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, left and middle columns). (See also report (Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, left column)) of bishop's visit to Lunenburg) Accessed 6 July 2023
- https://archives.novascotia.ca/land-papers/archives/?ID=1415&Doc=memorial "Inglis, Charles - 1790 - Kings County; Memorial"
- "One Hundred Dollars Reward[....]" (August 10, 1790) The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 73 (August 10, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, right column). Accessed 6 July 2023
- "Forty Shillings Reward" (August 2, 1790), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 72 (August 3, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, middle column). Accessed 6 July 2023
- "Wants a Place" (August 24, 1790), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 75 (August 24, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (righthand page, right column). Accessed 7 July 2023
- "General Orders," The Saint John Gazette, and Weekly Advertiser Vol. V, Numb. 226 (September 10, 1790), Page 3 of 10. Accessed 5 July 2023
- https://preserve.lib.unb.ca/wayback/20141205172745/http://atlanticportal.hil.unb.ca/acva/blackloyalists/en/petitions/browse/view.php?id=Peters_Thomas_1790_04&mode=dpl "Petition of Thomas Peters, 18 April 1790"
- Park Holland, "Account of a 1790 trip to the St John river; Oct. 1st" The Upper St. John River Valley. Accessed 24 July 2023
- "From Mr. Edward Jarvis, Chief at Albany Fort" (October 4, 1790), Henley House post journal; 1790-1791 PDF frame 33, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 27 July 2023
- "1790; Sept.; 11," Eastmain post journal; 1790-1791 PDF frame 6, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 28 July 2023
- "1790; Sept.; 10," York Factory post journal; 1790-1791 PDF frame 6, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 28 July 2023
- "Aug'st 1," Red Lake post journal; 1790-1791 PDF frame 5, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 28 July 2023
- http://pam.minisisinc.com/SCRIPTS/MWIMAIN.DLL/321631291/2/15/10820?RECORD Severn post journal; 1790-1791
- http://pam.minisisinc.com/SCRIPTS/MWIMAIN.DLL/321631291/2/15/10820?RECORD Severn post journal; 1790-1791
- http://pam.minisisinc.com/SCRIPTS/MWIMAIN.DLL/321631291/2/26/17017?RECORD Moose Factory post journal; 1790-1791
- "London, May 15; Nootka Sound," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1305 (August 5, 1790), pg. 1. (See also more details here (Page 3 of 8) and here (pgs. 2-3)) Accessed 18 July 2023
- "Nootka Sound," The Saint John Gazette, and Weekly Advertiser Vol. V, Numb. 226 (September 10, 1790), Page 1 of 10. Accessed 5 July 2023 (See also "Reasons which may have stimulated Spain to her present Conduct")
- "London, June 25," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 77 (September 7, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, middle column). Accessed 7 July 2023 (See also Official Papers Relative to the Dispute)
- "Quebec, April 8, 1790; Proposals[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 20 (April 8, 1790), Page 1 of 8. Accessed 12 July 2023
- https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/32909/rec/1 "III; From Hopedale, dated August 25, 1790"
- "Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, Nov.14," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 53 (March 30, 1790), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, middle column). Accessed 5 July 2023 (See also "London, Nov. 26" report (Pages 6 of 8 and 7 of 8) that transport's captain is in custody in England)
- "Mutiny on Board the Bounty Armed Ship," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 29 (June 10, 1790), Page 4 of 8. Accessed 13 July 2023