CONTENTS—Simcoe—His arrival in Canada—Up the St. Lawrence—An old
house—“Old Breeches’ River”—Simcoe’s attendants—The old veterans—
“Good old cause”—“Content”—Toasting—Old officers—Executive Council
of Upper Canada—First entry—Simcoe inducted to office—Religious
ceremony—“The proceedings”—Those present—Oath of office—
Organization of Legislative Council—Assembly—Issuing writs for
elections—Members of Council—Simcoe’s difficulty—At Kingston—
Division of Province—The Governor’s officers—Rochfoucault upon
Simcoe—Simcoe’s surroundings—His wife—Opening Parliament in 1795—
Those present—Retinue—Dress—The nineteen counties—Simcoe’s
designs—Visit of the Queen’s father—At Kingston—Niagara—A war
dance.
ORGANIZATION OF THE UPPER CANADA GOVERNMENT BY SIMCOE, 1792.
Colonel John Graves Simcoe, the pioneer Governor of Upper Canada, and
the Lieutenant-Governor under Lord Dorchester, entered upon the duties
of his office, July 8, 1792.
His arrival in Canada was signalled by much rejoicing, as he passed
along in a fleet of bark canoes from Lower Canada, by the St. Lawrence.
A writer, in 1846, relates some interesting facts respecting this
passage. He speaks of one house then remaining in Johnstown, which
remained in all its original proportions. “It is built in the Dutch
style, with sharp-pointed roof, and curious gables.” This house was
framed of oak of the finest growth; and, considering that it has been
drawn from lot to lot, until it has traveled almost the entire extent of
the bay, (at Johnston) within the last half century, it certainly is a
remarkable edifice. It is now a hostelrié, as it has always been, and no
sign of repentance can be yet seen in its huge sign-board, exhibited at
the top of a taper pine, on which some cunning disciple of Michael
Angelo, hath depicted a tolerably sized square, and a pair of
exquisitely expansive compass, striding classically, in imitation of the
Collosus of Rhodes, with the staring capitals of “_Live and let live_—
St. John’s Hall—_Peace and plenty to all mankind_”—thrown in as a sort
of relief to the compass, and as a sweet inducement to the weary and
dust-begrimmed traveler to walk in, and make himself as comfortable as
the little peculiarities of the lazy-eyed landlord, and the singular
temperament of the land-lady, will allow.
“This house is Governor Simcoe’s house. In it John Graves Simcoe, the
first Governor of the U. E. Loyalists, himself a hearty, brave old
colonel, who fought in the cause of these men, held his levee, on his
first arrival in Upper Canada. Time hallows all. Young Canada has her
antiquities—although she may be more prone to look forward to the future
with hope, than back on the past with regret. Yet the house in which
John Graves Simcoe reposed himself, and cast his martial eye over the
gracefully curving bay, the sparkling river, and the dilapidated
fortifications of the old French fort, built during the French
ascendancy; on the point and islands below, may still be an object of
interest to more than those who reside in the vicinity, in a Province,
which owes so much of its present prosperity to the good commencement
made by one possessed of his historic heroism, humanity, and noble
self-denial in the cause of an exiled race. The house stood on a point
of land formed by the bay, and a small stream which passes from the
north westward, called formerly by the French, “Riviere de la Vielle
Culotte,” which being translated, probably means “Old Breeches’ River.”
Governor Simcoe had, but a short half-hour previously, taken his
departure for Niagara, in one of the large bark canoes with which the
passage on the St. Lawrence, and along the shore of the lakes, was then
generally made. A brigade of smaller canoes and boats followed him,
conveying his suite, and a few soldiers; and never since the year 1756,
when Montcalm led his army upward to the attack of Oswego, had the
swelling bosom of the wild forest river borne so glad a sight as on that
sparkling morning.
“The old piece of ordnance, obtained from the island fort below, had
ceased to belch forth its thunders from the clay bank; whereon, fort
want of trunnions it had been deposited. The gentry of the surrounding
country, collected together for the occasion, and looking spruce, though
weather-beaten, in their low-tasselled boots, their queer old
broad-skirted military coats, and looped chapeaux, with faded feathers
fluttering in the wind, had retired to the inn, and were toasting in
parting goblets, the “good old cause for ever,” previously to betaking
themselves to their woodland path homeward, or embarking in their canoes
to reach their destinations by water, above or below.
“Now I am content—content, I say, and can go home to reflect on this
proud day. Our Governor—the man of all others—has come at last—mine eye
hath seen it—drink to him gentlemen—he will do the rest for us,”—cried
Colonel Tom Fraser, his face flushed and fiery, and his stout frame
drawn up to its full height at the head of the table.
“We do—we do!” vociferated young Kingsmill, emptying his glass, and
stamping to express joy. “Bonhomme” Tom Fraser then got on his legs, and
shouted a brawny young soldier’s echo to the toast of his relative.
The mild, placid countenance of Dr. Solomon Jones, was lighted up by the
occasion, and he arose also, and responded to the toast, recounting some
of the services performed by the newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor in
the late war.
Captain Elijah Bottum, a large portly person, having at his side a
formidable basket-hilted claymore, then addressed them in brief military
phrase, and gave one of the old war slogans. Major Jessup followed in
the same strain, and proposed a sentiment which was received with
vociferous cheers by the younger portion of the company. Captain
Dulmage, Captain Campbell, Pay-master Jones, Commissary Jones, Captain
Gid. Adams, Lieutenant Samuel Adams, Ephraim Webster, Captain Markle,
Captain Grant, and numerous other captains and officers, managed to make
themselves heard on the joyful occasion, until finally the meeting broke
up, and the company separated not to meet again until the next fourth
day of June, in the following year.
The first entry in the journals of the Executive Council of Upper
Canada, gives an account of the induction of Colonel Simcoe into the
gubernatorial office at Kingston. The event was made one of solemnity
and religious observance, the proceedings taking place on a Sunday, in
the old church of wood, which stood opposite the market-place. We quote
an extract from the proceedings of the Executive Council.
Kingston, July 8, 1792.
“His Excellency John Graves Simcoe, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of the
Province of Upper Canada, colonel, commanding the forces in the said
Province, &c., &c., having appointed the Protestant church, as a
suitable place for the reading and publishing of his Majesty’s
commissions, he accordingly repaired thither, attended by the Hon.
William Osgoode, Chief Justice; the Hon. James Baby, the Hon. Peter
Russell, together with the Magistrates and principal inhabitants, when
the said commission appointing his Excellency (Grey) Lord Dorchester,
Captain-General and Governor-in-chief, &c., &c., of Upper and Lower
Canada, and also the commission appointing the said John Graves Simcoe,
Governor of the Province of Upper Canada, were solemnly read and
published.”
The oaths of office were then administered to his Excellency. According
to the Royal instructions to Governor Simcoe, he was to have five
individuals to form the first Executive Council. The five named were
William Osgoode, William Robertson, James Baby, Alexander Grant, and
Peter Russell, Esqs. The next day, Monday, Osgoode, Baby, and Russell
were sworn into office, as Executive Councillors. Robertson was not then
in the Province; Grant was sworn in a few days after.
Upon the 17th of July, a meeting of the council was held at the
Government House, at Kingston, when the first steps were taken to
organize a Legislative Council, and assembly writs were issued,
summoning the gentlemen who were to form the first Legislative Council.
These were, in addition to those forming the Executive Council, Richard
Duncan, Robert Hamilton, Richard Cartwright, Junr., John Munro, and we
believe, Thomas Fraser. These constituted the Legislative Council.
Two of the nine, it would seem, never took upon themselves the duties of
the high place thus allotted them. One was Richard Duncan, who lived at
Mariatown, County of Dundas. He was a captain, and had, in 1788, been
appointed Judge of the Lunenburgh district. When Upper Canada became a
separate province, Judge Duncan, as well as Cartwright, Judge of
Mecklenburgh, were appointed Legislative Councillors. Duncan was a man
of extensive business, and highly respected; but “some transactions in
connection with banking business, were so imprudent,” that “he left the
country somewhat abruptly for the United States,” and “never dared to
return,” (Croil). This unfortunate affair, whatever its nature may have
been, probably occurred about the time of the above mentioned
appointment, as he shortly after removed to Schenectady, New York, where
he continued to live until his death. The other was Mr. Robertson, a
resident of Sandwich, where he had become a successful merchant. He
never took his seat in the council, the reason of which does not appear.
It is stated that, according to the despatches of Simcoe to the Imperial
Government, he found no little difficulty in obtaining suitable persons
to fill the offices of the Executive and Legislative Council, who would
absent themselves from home for the purpose.
The Executive Council continued to hold meetings at Kingston up to the
21st July, when Simcoe proceeded westward, and determined to make the
village at the mouth of Niagara River, his capital.
Upon the same day that the Governor and Council issued summonses to the
gentlemen of the Legislative Council, the 16th July, a proclamation was
likewise issued, forming the Province into Counties, and specifying the
number of representatives to be elected by the people to constitute the
Legislative Assembly. And these proclamations were speedily conveyed and
posted in every settlement.
The following were the officers connected with the Governor while at
Newark. “Military Sec. Major Littlehales; Provincial Aide-de-Camp,
Thomas Talbot; Solicitor General, Mr. Gray; Clerk of Executive Council,
Mr. Small; Civil Secretary, William Jarvis; Receiver General, Peter
Russell; Surveyor General, D. W. Smith; Assistant Surveyor General,
Thomas Ridout and William Chewitt.” The Council Chamber was a building
near to Butler’s barracks on the hill, where the Episcopal and Catholic
Churches assembled occasionally, and alternately. The first meeting of
the Executive at Newark, was held on the 29th September. Ten days after
this was the opening of Parliament. Peter Clark was appointed Clerk of
the Legislative Council; John G. Law, Usher of the Black Rod. The
superintendent of the Indian department, was Colonel John Butler, of
Butler’s Rangers of the Revolutionary war.
John White, the first Attorney-General of Upper Canada, came to the
country, accompanied by Thomas Ward, in 1792.
The Duke de la Rochefoucault, Linancourt, a French nobleman, traveling
in America, in 1795, visited Governor Simcoe, and remarks in his
writings that “Upper Canada is a new country, or rather a country yet to
be formed. It was probably for this reason General Simcoe accepted the
government of it. He was fully aware of the advantages which his native
land might derive from such a colony, if it attained perfection; and
imagined that means might be found adequate to this purpose. This hope
was the only incitement which could impel a man of independent fortune,
to leave the large and beautiful estates he possesses in England, and to
bury himself in a wilderness, among bears and savages. Ambition, at
least, appears not to have been his motive; as a man, in Gen. Simcoe’s
situation, is furnished with abundant means of distinguishing himself by
useful activity, without removing to a great distance from his native
country. But, whatever have been his motives, his design has been
attended with consequences highly beneficial. The plan conceived by
General Simcoe for peopling and improving Upper Canada, seems, as far as
he has communicated to us, extremely wise and well arranged.” The same
writer says, that Simcoe had a hearty hatred against the United States,
that he had been a zealous promoter of the war, in which he took a very
active part. “In his private life Governor Simcoe is simple, plain, and
obliging. He inhabits a small miserable wooden house, which formerly was
occupied by the Commissaries. His guard consists of four soldiers, who
every morning come from the fort, and return thither in the evening. He
lives in a noble and hospitable manner, without pride. Mrs. Simcoe is a
lady of thirty-six years of age. She is bashful, and speaks little, but
she is a woman of sense, handsome and amiable, and fulfils all the
duties of a mother and wife with the most scrupulous exactness. The
performance of the latter she carries so far as to act the part of
Secretary to her husband. Her talents for drawing, the practice of which
she confines to maps and plans, to enable her to be extremely useful to
the Governor.” “The Governor is colonel of a regiment of Queen’s
Rangers, stationed in the Province. His servants are privates of this
regiment which is stationed elsewhere.”
“During our residence at Navy Hall, the Session of the Legislature of
Upper Canada was opened. (This was 1795). The Governor had deferred it
till that time, on account of the expected arrival of a Chief Justice
from England, and from a hope that he should be able to acquaint the
members with the particulars of the treaty with the United States. But
the harvest has now begun, which in a higher degree than elsewhere
engages, in Canada, the public attention. Two members of the Legislative
Council were present instead of seven; no Chief Justice appeared who was
to act as Speaker; instead of sixteen members of the Assembly only five
attended. The law requires a greater number of members for each House,
to discuss and determine upon any business, but within two days a year
will have expired since the last Session. The Governor has therefore
thought it right to open the Session. The whole retinue of the Governor
consisted in a guard of fifty men of the garrison of the fort. Dressed
in silk, he entered the Hall with his hat on his head, attended by the
Adjutant and two Secretaries. The two members of the Legislative Council
gave, by their Speaker, notice of it to the Assembly. Five members of
the latter having appeared at the bar, the Governor delivered a speech,”
&c.
When Simcoe undertook the administration of the newly established
Province, a proclamation was issued which divided the Province into
nineteen counties. In the creation of this division, Simcoe had a view
to military organization. Rochefaucault says, “The maxims of government
professed by Gen. Simcoe are very liberal and fair; he detests all
arbitrary and military government, without the walls of the fort; and
desires liberty in its utmost latitude, so far as is consistent with the
constitution and law of the land. He is, therefore, by no means
ambitious of investing all power and authority in his own hands; but
consents to the Lieutenants, whom he nominates for each county the right
of appointing the Justices of the Peace, and Officers of the Militia.”
“A Justice of the Peace could assign, in the King’s name, 200 acres of
land to every settler, whom he knew to be worthy, and the surveyor of
the district was to point out to the settler the land allotted him.”—
(Rogers). Simcoe desired to populate the Province as speedily as
possible, no doubt he felt anxious the United States should not get too
far ahead. The schemes conceived by him for the settlement, government,
and defence of the Province, have received the approval of most men
capable of judging. But he remained not to carry out the plan intended.
In 1796, shortly after the close of the first session of the second
Parliament, he was instructed by the Imperial authorities to repair to
St. Domingo, to assume the same duties; and the Hon. Peter Russell,
President of the Council, was delegated to discharge the duties
belonging to the office of Governor, and he enjoyed all the emoluments
and perquisites arising therefrom.
During the occupancy of Simcoe, an event came to pass which may be here
appropriately referred to. It was a visit to Upper Canada of the Duke of
Kent, father of our much loved Queen. Prince Edward was stationed at
Quebec with his regiment, having arrived a short time before the
division of the Province of Quebec, and consequently before Simcoe came.
Desiring to see the Upper Province, he set out in a _calash_, drawn by a
French pony, accompanied by his suite. At Montreal he took a batteau,
manned with Frenchmen, for Kingston. At Oswegotchie, “the royal party
was met by a pleasure barge from Kingston, manned by seamen and
military, accompanied by Peter Clark, of the Naval Department at
Kingston.” From thence they were speedily rowed to Kingston, where the
King’s schooner, the ‘Mohawk,’ Commodore Bouchette, commander, was in
waiting to receive him. The Prince went on board, and after a tedious
passage, safely reached Newark, where he was received by the firing of
guns. As soon as horses and saddles could be mustered, the royal party
wended their way by a narrow river road on the high banks of the Niagara
river to the Falls. The only tavern, or place of accommodation, was a
log hut for travelers to refresh themselves. There, the party alighted,
and, after partaking of such refreshments as the house afforded,
followed an Indian path through the woods to the Table Rock. There was a
rude Indian ladder by which to descend to the rocks below, 160 feet.
This consisted of a long pine tree with the branches cut off, leaving
length enough at the trunk to place the foot upon, and hold on by the
hands, in ascending or descending. (This Indian ladder continued in use
several years later, when it was superseded by a ladder furnished from
money, given by a lady from Boston to the guide). Our illustrious
traveler availed himself of this rude mode of descent. The Prince and
party lunched at the Hon. Mr. Hamilton’s on their way back. In the
evening, the Prince was amused by a war dance by the Mohawks, headed by
Brant himself. The next day, the Prince re-embarked, and proceeded to
Quebec. There is a tradition in Marysburgh that he stopped on his way
down in Smith’s Bay, to admire the beauty of that place.