1798 in Canada explained

Events from the year 1798 in Canada.

Incumbents

George III[1]

Federal government

2nd

Governors

Robert Prescott

Thomas Carleton

John Wentworth

John Elliot

Edmund Fanning

John Graves Simcoe

Events

Births

Deaths

Full date unknown

Historical documents

Commissioners fulfilling treaty between U.S.A. and Great Britain decide in favour of river claimed by G.B. as Maine-New Brunswick border[4]

Rundown of treaties between European powers since 1648 Treaty of Westphalia provides background to current affairs and "vicissitudes of the year"[5]

Lower Canada

"Let us exhibit the great fundamental of Masonry, as well as of all civil Society, our Love of Order" - sermon to Montreal Masons rejects revolution[6]

Gov. Prescott gives Executive Council directions for disposal of "waste lands," including preference for associated grant applicants seeking townships[7]

Convicted of burglary in Court of King's Bench (Criminal), Black woman named Elizabeth Baker is sentenced to death[8]

Indigenous person is "convicted of an assault with intent to murder, and sentenced to six months imprisonment"[9]

For assaulting wife with "intent to murder," man gets £25 fine, pillory, and 6 months in prison plus "security for his good behaviour for 2 Years"[10]

Book-lending service will send books to subscribers anywhere in L.C., and they may read latest newspapers in "well warmed room" at library[11]

First French settlers on St. Lawrence River were restricted by Intendant Picard to one can of spruce beer a day, causing them to say "Can-a-day!"[12]

Etching: Canadian calash[13]

Painting: sleighs on ice in winter view of St. Lawrence River at Quebec City[14]

Upper Canada

Noting his loyalty to British, Joseph Brant says their aim for ownership control of all Indigenous land seems "to put aside the old covenant chain"[15]

Black man Henry Lewis writes one-time enslaver that he wants to purchase his freedom in £16 annual payments, and begs his pardon 10,000 times[16]

Adolphustown Quaker meeting reports people try "to keep[...]in plainness of Speech behavior and apparel" and avoid "unnessary [sic] use" of liquor[17]

Nova Scotia

"True British Spirit [of] the Parent country operates with resistless energy" in its dominions, causing Haligonians to raise £4,000+ for war effort[18]

Courteous visit by U.S. Navy ships to Halifax signals "a return of harmony and reciprocal friendship"[19]

Rev. John Wiswall says war makes farming glebe difficult because of high price of labour (with so many men away) and other things (except grain)[20]

Halifax emergency caused by "immense quantities of Snow [in] few days" cutting off food supplies is ended by citizen and army efforts[21]

Resident aliens ("not being natural born Subjects[...]or Denizens, nor Persons duly Naturalized") are required to get special permit from government[22]

"Hurricane" strikes Halifax, driving ships on shore, dragging away wharves with ships moored to them, and destroying stores containing merchanise[23]

Map: Halifax harbour, including approaches, Bedford Basin, and nearby communities (Note: north is at bottom of page)[24]

Having built house, storehouse, shipyard and 5 wharves on Sissiboo River, petitioner requests land for grist and sawmill[25]

Where 1792 freshet shifted Truro channel, 50 acres of marshland created could be secured "with Proper Materials," to public's and petitioner's benefit[26]

Castaways on Sable Island survive 3 winter months in hut with chimney that they cover and line with cloth from wreck, living on ship provisions[27]

Lady Wentworth's departure leaves N.S. deprived of her high accomplishments and her mind "informed for instructive and pleasing conversation"[28]

Young Dartmouth man, having "discovered an attachment to Miss Russel," enters her family home, and when stopped, kills her with butcher knife[29]

At Theatre Royal "will be Performed, A celebrated Comedy never performed here, called The Tempest, or the Inchanted Island"[30]

Three turkey hens, one "of a very remarkable Large Size," are stolen in daylight from Prince Edward's Halifax quarters; 5 guinea reward[31]

New Brunswick

Government extends suspension of controls on U.S. imports to allow in grains, flour etc. because of "public emergency and to prevent distress"[32]

No one in Saint John allowed to board ships from places with "Yellow Fever, Putrid Billious Fever" etc., with master paying £50 for each infraction[33]

Saint John River flooding caused by ice breakup; 20+ French families have evacuated their homes above Fredericton; cattle, hay etc. are swept away[34]

Fredericton church congregation petitions for "a Glebe and other publick grounds" such as land granted to two men but abandoned[35]

For sale: hull of ship lying on Sandy Island; has four 9-pounders, much merchandise and 40 tons of iron (ship is bolted where others have trunnels)[36]

Elsewhere

"In the House of Commons April 3, Mr. Wilberforce moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the abolition of slavery; Ayes 83, Nays 87"[37]

"Every virtuous man will rejoice to hear that a Negro standard is now floating" - Britain recognizes and will defend St. Domingo's independence[38]

Saint John's Island becomes Prince Edward Island to stop its mail going to Saint John, N.B., St. John's, Newf. and "St. Johns on the Labrador Coast"[39]

Hudson's Bay Company concerned that Canadian traders are in "the very heart of York & Severn Bungee Country," making two posts "great sufferers"[40]

Moravians in Labrador find "some time is required before these poor heathen, so deeply sunk in the mire of sin, [truly [[Conversion to Christianity|accept] our Savior]]"[41]

"Admiral Nelson, in consequence of the loss of his arm, is to return from actual service" and go on rear admirals' superannuated list[42]

France's gathering invasion force includes 50 "Philosophers [who] are to be furnished with instruments[...]for making discoveries" in Britain[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kings and Queens of Canada . aem . 24 February 2021 . 11 August 2017.
  2. Web site: Archives of Manitoba Keystone Archives Descriptive Database . 2023-05-13 . pam.minisisinc.com . en.
  3. Book: Easterbrook . W.T. . Canadian Economic History . Aitken . Hugh . 1988-12-31 . 168 . 10.3138/9781442623279. 9781442623279 .
  4. "Rhode Island, Oct. 22," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1752 (December 6, 1798), pg. 3. Accessed 26 February 2024
  5. "Sketch of Europe," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1755 (December 20, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 26 February 2024
  6. James Tunstall, A Sermon, Preached on St. John's Day, before the Lodges (of) Ancient York Masons(....) (1798). Accessed 21 February 2024
  7. "2d," "Extract from the Minutes of Council(....)" pgs. 4–5, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Accessed 28 February 2024
  8. "Quebec, Thursday Morning April 5; At the same Session[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1716 Cahier 1 (April 5, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 23 February 2024
  9. "Quebec, Wednesday September 27; Wakenhue, an Indian[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1742 Cahier 1 (September 27, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 26 February 2024
  10. "Quebec, Wednesday, March 28; Claude Triganne[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1715 Cahier 1 (March 29, 1798), pg. 3. Accessed 23 February 2024
  11. "Circulating Library" (Quebec City, January 1, 1798), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1702 Cahier 1 (January 4, 1797), pg. 3. (See also "Catalogue of Books for Sale" (pg. 2)) Accessed 22 February 2024
  12. "Curious Etymology," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, Number 639 (August 17, 1798), pg. 1 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). Accessed 14 February 2024
  13. Isaac Weld, "Canadian Calash or Marche-Donc'" (published December 22, 1798). Accessed 22 February 2024
  14. George Heriot, "View of Quebec taken from the Pont near Point Levi" (March 1798). Accessed 22 February 2024
  15. https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/aj/id/17889/rec/43 "Speech to British Government Concerning Indian Land Claims, Niagara, March 25, 1798"
  16. https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/slavery/henry_lewis.aspx Letter of Henry Lewis
  17. "At a preparitive Meeting held at Adolphus Town this 26th of 9th mo 1798," "Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes 1798–1813" (frame 4), Canadian Friends Historical Association. Accessed 27 February 2024
  18. "Halifax; May 15," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 537 (May 15, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). (See also list of subscribers (pg. 3) and meeting (pg. 3 (3rd column)) in Cornwallis to assist "in repelling the ravages of the licentious, intoxicated rabble of France") Accessed 16 February 2024
  19. "Halifax, November 13; Sunday came up the Harbor[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 563 (November 13, 1798), pg. 3 (1st column). Accessed 20 February 2024
  20. Letter of John Wiswall (October 29, 1798), Journal of Rev. John Wiswall image 114, Esther Clark Wright and Atlantic Baptist Archives, Acadia University. Accessed 22 February 2024
  21. "Halifax; February 27," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 526 (February 27, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 15 February 2024
  22. "Halifax; June 26," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 543 (June 26, 1798), pg. 2 (1st column). Accessed 16 February 2024 (See also report of Alien Bill to thwart "Emissarys [of] His Majestys Enemies," and reference (footnote 7) that France had agents in Lower Canada "to lay the groundwork for revolt")
  23. "Halifax; October 2; On Tuesday last[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, No. 557 (October 2, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 16 February 2024
  24. Thomas Backhouse, The Harbour of Halifax in Nova Scotia (1798), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 21 February 2024
  25. James Moody memorial, "Moody, James – 1798 – Digby County" (April 16, 1798), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 21 February 2024
  26. David Archibald 3d [sic] memorial, "Archibald, David - 1798 - Colchester County" (April 16, 1798), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 21 February 2024
  27. "The St. John Gazette; St. John, Friday, February 16; Extract of a Letter[....]," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, Number 613 (February 16, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). (See further details of rescue (Page 2 of 2, righthand page)) Accessed 12 February 2024
  28. "Halifax; March 13; About 10 o'Clock[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 528 (March 13, 1798), pg. 3 (4th column). (See John Wentworth letter (pgs. 3–4) re his wife's and son's ill health) Accessed 15 February 2024
  29. "Halifax; October 2; On Thursday evening[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, No. 557 (October 2, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 16 February 2024
  30. "Theatre Royal," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, No. 558 (October 9, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 16 February 2024
  31. "Five Guineas Reward" (April 17, 1798), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, No. 534 (April 24, 1798), pg. 4 (1st column). Accessed 15 February 2024
  32. "By His Excellency Thomas Carleton[...]; A Proclamation" (June 25, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, Number 643 (September 11, 1798), pg. 1 of 2. Accessed 14 February 2024
  33. "A Law for the more effectually guarding against the introduction of Infectious Distempers into the City of Saint John" (September 15, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, Number 64? (September 21, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). Accessed 14 February 2024
  34. "The St. John Gazette; St. John, Friday, April 20; We are sorry to learn[....]," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, Number 622 (April 20, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). (See also report of scores of cattle lost, Edward Winslow's experience of the flood (frame 439), and report of autumn flooding on N.B. rivers with many haystacks underwater) Accessed 13 February 2024
  35. https://preserve.lib.unb.ca/wayback/20141205202642/http://atlanticportal.hil.unb.ca/acva/blackloyalists/en/petitions/browse/view.php?id=Parish_Westfield_1798_02&mode=dpl "Memorial of the Church Wardens and Vestry of the Parish of Westfield, 8 February 1798(....)"
  36. "By His Excellency Thomas Carleton[...]; A Proclamation" (June 25, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, Number 643 (September 11, 1798), pg. 1 of 2. Accessed 14 February 2024
  37. "Quebec, Tuesday June 12; In the House of Commons[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1726 Cahier 2 (June 14, 1798), pg. 1. Accessed 23 February 2024
  38. "November 28; Interesting," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIII, Number 667 (March 8, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 1st column). Accessed 4 March 2024
  39. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_01818/242 "An Act for altering and changing the name of this Island, from Saint John to that of Prince Edward Island"
  40. Letter of J.P. Whitford (February 25, 1798), "York Factory - Correspondence Book" (frame 9). Accessed 27 February 2024
  41. Letter from Hopedale (August 20, 1798), Periodical Accounts Relating to the Missions of the Church of the United Brethren, Established among the Heathen, No. XXV, pg. 217 (frame 235), Memorial University of Newfoundland Digital Archives Initiative. Accessed 27 February 2024
  42. "London Sept. 12," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, Number 607 (January 5, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (lefthand page, 4th column). (See later newspaper issues with news of Nelson's active duty) Accessed 12 February 2024
  43. "Halifax; June 26; The French are preparing[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, No. 543 (June 26, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 16 February 2024

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