A Fraser! A Fraser forever, my friends;
While he lives how he hates, how he loves till life ends;
He is first,
Here's my hand,
Into grand
Hurrah burst--
Are you ready?
SIMON FRASER.
DISCOVERER OF THE FRASER RIVER.
The life-work of the discoverer of the Fraser River illustrates the
pioneer spirit which animated the early settlers of Canada. There was
the pluck, the love of adventure, the endurance, the prompt response to
the call of duty, the expansive idea which kept abreast of ever opening
possibilities, and the rare tact displayed in new, embarrassing and
important transactions. Simon Fraser was in many respects a great man
and one of whom his clansmen may well feel proud. His grandfather was
William Fraser, of Culbokie, whose wife Margaret Macdonell, of
Glengarry, was the possessor of the famous _Balg Solair_ in which was
stowed away a manuscript of Ossianic poetry, which figures in the
dissertations on the authenticity of MacPherson's Ossian, and regarding
which the following interesting passage occurs in the correspondence of
the late Bishop Alexander Macdonell: "I myself saw a large MS. of
Ossian's poems in the possession of Mrs. Fraser of Culbokie, in
Strathglass, which she called "_am Balg Solair_" (a bag of fortuitous
goods). This lady's residence being between my father's house and the
school where I used to attend with her grandchildren, at her son's,
Culbokie House, by way of coaxing me to remain on cold nights at her own
house, she being cousin to my father, she used to take up the _Balg
Solair_, and read pieces of it to me. Although a very young boy at the
time, I became so much enraptured with the rehearsal of the achievements
of the heroes of the poem, and so familiar with the characters,
especially of Oscar, Cathmor, and Cuthchullin, that when MacPherson's
translation was put into my hands in the Scotch college of Valladolid in
Spain, many years afterwards, it was like meeting old friends with whom
I had been intimately acquainted. Mrs. Fraser's son, Simon, who had a
classical education, and was an excellent Gaelic scholar, on emigrating
to America in the year 1774, took the _Balg Solair_ with him as an
invaluable treasure. On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, Mr.
Fraser joined the Royal Standard, was taken prisoner by the Americans
and thrown into jail, where he died."
William, of Culbokie, and his wife Margaret Macdonell had nine sons. Of
these, Archibald and John fought under Wolfe at Quebec. John settled at
Montreal, and became Chief Justice of the Montreal district. In 1774, or
more probably in 1773, Simon left home, and settled near Bennington,
Vermont. Here his son, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1776. His
mother and her family came to Canada after the death of his father (as
stated above), and settled in Glengarry. Simon was the youngest of the
family. He was placed in school in Montreal, where he resided with his
uncle, the Chief Justice. In 1792, at the age of sixteen, he became an
articled clerk with McTavish, Frobisher & Co., to the North-West Fur
Trading Co., which had its headquarters in Montreal. In 1802 he became a
partner, and subsequently went out to the far North. In 1805 he came
down from Fort Athabasca to Fort William, and was then nominated to
cross the Rocky Mountains, to extend out-posts and form trading
connections with the Indians. He responded at once to the call. He said
he would undertake the expedition provided they gave him a sufficient
outfit. This the Company were only too glad to do. It was a very
hazardous undertaking. He crossed the mountains with thirty men--clerks,
axemen, guides and interpreters. He soon found himself in a wild and
desolate region. As he went on he built block-houses, and took
possession of the country in the name of the King. In 1806 he discovered
the river which takes its name from him. He discovered many rivers and
lakes which he named after different members of the Company. He traced
the Fraser river to its source, and met many different tribes of
Indians, some friendly, others hostile. At one time they met different
tribes who were very friendly and made a great feast for them; they
killed their _fattest dog_ for him, which of course he feigned to eat;
but at the same feast the chiefs held a council and decided to put him
to death, which the interpreter, who understood their language, told
him, and they stole quietly away. He first named the river now known as
the Fraser river, the "Great River," and called the place "New
Caledonia." Here he left some of the party, and crossed westerly into
the open country, and built another house near a lake, which he called
Fraser's Lake. He was now with four men in the midst of Indians who had
never before either seen or heard of the "pale face." On the border of
this lake he witnessed an Indian ceremony. He was brought by the Indians
to where they had a large burying-ground, where one of the Chiefs of
their tribe was being buried. An immense number of warriors were
assembled, and after a most solemn and impressive ceremony, Mr. Fraser
was invited by signs to approach the grave. He did so, and gave immense
satisfaction by engraving his name on a post which had been planted over
the remains of the departed warrior. In July, 1807, he received fresh
supplies from the North-West Co., who at the same time urged him to
trace with all possible speed the "Great River" to the Sea, they being
apprehensive that the Americans would get ahead of the British in that
quarter, as in the previous year 1806, Captains Lewis and Clarke had
gone down the "Columbia," and were extending American authority along
the western coast of America, and Astor, on the part of the Americans,
was also looking anxiously towards the northern section.
The North-West Co. therefore urged Mr. Fraser to spare no expense in
achieving the object of their desires.
Mr. Fraser built another trading-house on the "Great River" in 1807, and
reached the Ocean in July, 1808. He remained but a short time there on
account of the hostility of the Indians.
Returning he again met numerous and large bodies of Indians speaking
several different languages. They assembled to see the wonderful pale
faces who had come among them. An idea of how they regarded white men
may be formed from the fact that when hundreds of them were congregated
together, at the discharge of a single rifle they would fall prostrate
on the ground, so great was their astonishment. Had it not been for Mr.
Fraser's wonderful energy and enterprise, there would not be a railroad
to-day from ocean to ocean over British territory.
SIMON, LORD LOVAT.
BEHEADED ON TOWER HILL.
[Illustration: The Right Honourable Simon Lord Frasier of Lovat, Chief
of the Clan of the Frasers &c.]
No Fraser chief has achieved more notoriety than Simon, the fourteenth
Lord Lovat. His enemies avenged themselves for the failure of their
nefarious plots against him by supplying, at a cheap rate, the charcoal
with which prejudiced historians have blackened his memory. But while
his fate is still held up as a warning to evil doers, it has been
proved, beyond peradventure, that his character has been much maligned,
and that he appears rather as a man of inexhaustible resources, availing
himself of whatever means lay nearest to his hand to extricate himself
from enormous difficulties and to attain objects which, though of
personal advantage to himself and Clan, were as honorable as they were
just, and wholly in keeping with the customs of his day. His efforts to
secure the chiefship and the honors of his house, and to extend the
power of the Clan, were genuinely patriotic. His Lordship certainly was
a man of learning and ability. He was an admirable letter writer, and
passages in his correspondence show that he had wonderful facility in
writing and a capital style.
The picture here given is from a mezzo-tint in possession of Mr. B.
Homer Dixon, from a painting of Lord Lovat, by David Le Clerc, a Swiss
who was in England in 1715 and 1716. The picture which is supposed to
have been taken in 1715, when Lord Lovat was about forty-eight years
old, is marked: "Le Clare, _pinxt_. J. Simon, _fecit_." Although armour
had been disused before Lord Lovat's time, it was the fashion at that
period for gentlemen to be painted in armour. The mezzo-tint is very
rare.
BRIGADIER SIMON FRASER.
[Illustration: BRIGADIER-GENERAL FRASER, YOUNGER OF BALNAIN.]
Among the officers of Fraser's Highlanders were several clansmen
destined to rise high in military distinction. Of them few are better
known in the Clan than Captain Simon Fraser of Balnain, afterwards
Quarter-Master General in Ireland, a post which he quitted to serve as
Brigadier-General in Burgoyne's Army in America. He had served in the
Scotch regiment in the Dutch service, and was wounded at Bergen-op-Zoom.
He spoke French perfectly and to this accomplishment and his coolness
was due his signal service at Quebec, where he saved the transports from
discovery at a critical moment before the precipice was scaled.
Smollet relates the incident as follows:--"The French had posted
sentries along shore to challenge boats and vessels and give the alarm
occasionally. The first boat that contained the English troops being
questioned accordingly, a captain of Fraser's regiment, who had served
in Holland, and who was perfectly well acquainted with the French
language and customs, answered without hesitation to _qui vive_?--which
is their challenging word--_La France_; nor was he at a loss to answer
the second question, which was much more particular and difficult. When
the sentinel demanded, _a quel regiment_? the captain replied, _de la
reine_, which he knew by accident to be one of those that composed the
body commanded by Bougainville. The soldier took it for granted this was
the expected convoy (a convoy of provisions expected that night for the
garrison of Quebec), and, saying _passe_, allowed all the boats to
proceed without further question. In the same manner the other sentries
were deceived; though one, more wary than the rest, came running down
to the water's edge and called, _pour quoi est ce que vous ne parlez
pas haut?_ 'Why don't you speak with an audible voice?' To this
interrogation, which implied doubt, the captain answered with admirable
presence of mind, in a soft tone of voice, _tai toi nous serens
entendues!_ 'Hush! we shall be overheard and discovered.' Thus cautioned
the sentry retired without further altercation."
At the time of the Revolutionary War, Brigadier-General Simon Fraser was
second in command of the British army, under Burgoyne. He fell at
Saratoga under circumstances which prove his great ability as an
officer. The American historians say that General Burgoyne had lost his
head, and the American General Morgan perceiving it, called two of his
best riflemen and said: "You see that fine fellow on the white horse? It
goes against my heart to do it, but you must pick him off, or we lose
the battle." They watched their opportunity, shot General Fraser, and
the Americans won the day.
The picture here given is said to be a good likeness. It has been
produced from a mezzo-tint in the possession of Mr. B. Homer Dixon,
Toronto.
SECOND ANNUAL GATHERING.
"Three triumphs in a day; three hosts subdued in one:
Three armies scattered like the spray, beneath one common sun."
The second Annual Gathering and Dinner of the Clan Fraser in Canada was
held on the 25th day of February, 1895, that date having been selected
in honor of the Scots' victory at Roslin on February 25th, 1303, when
the army was commanded by Sir Simon Fraser, the patriot (p. 48). The
place of meeting was the Rossin House, Toronto. The gentlemen were
accompanied by lady friends, a departure from the custom generally
observed on similar festive occasions, that contributed greatly to the
pleasure of the evening. The committee in charge of the arrangements was
composed of Dr. J. B. Fraser (Chairman of Programme Committee),
Professor W. H. Fraser, Messrs. G. B. Fraser, R. L. Fraser, Alexander
Fraser (Fraserfield), Alexander R. Fraser, W. P. Fraser, Andrew Fraser,
Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh), Chairman; and W. A. Fraser,
Secretary. Those present were Rev. Dr. Mungo Fraser, Hamilton; Mr. W.
Lewis Fraser, New York; Mr. Donald Fraser, Kingston; Mr. R. I. Fraser,
Barrie; Mr. Andrew Fraser, Barrie; Messrs. Robert Lovat Fraser, George
B. Fraser, and Miss Fraser; Professor W. H. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Dr.
J. B. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Alexander Fraser (Fraserfield), Mrs.
Fraser and Miss Kate Fraser; Alexander R. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser;
Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh), Mrs. Fraser, Miss Fraser, Mrs.
Georgina Fraser-Newhall, and Mrs. Ramsay; Mr. W. A. Fraser and Mrs.
Fraser; Dr. Pyne and Mrs. Pyne; Alexander Fraser (Parkdale), and Miss
Fraser; W. P. Fraser, Donald Fraser, Charles Fraser, Mrs. C. G. Fraser
and Master Norman Fraser, James Fraser, Henry Sandham Fraser.
Letters of regret at their inability to attend were read from Messrs. E.
A. Fraser, Detroit; D. Fraser, Montreal; Ex-Mayor Fraser, Petrolea; O.
K. Fraser, Brockville; A. Fraser, Hamilton; P. M. Fraser, St. Thomas;
Rev. R. D. Fraser, Bowmanville; and Rev. Dr. J. B. Fraser, Annan.
Mr. Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh) presided, and the vice-chairs were
occupied by Messrs. George B. Fraser and R. L. Fraser, and Mr. W. A.
Fraser acted as Secretary.
The after-dinner programme was interesting and varied. Besides the usual
toasts it included the "Fraser's Drinking Song," composed by Mrs.
Georgina Fraser-Newhall, and sung by Mrs. Alexander Fraser; readings by
Prof. W. H. Fraser, bagpipe selections by Pipe-Major MacSwayed, and
Highland dancing by Master Norman Fraser.
The speeches contained a great deal of information regarding the Clan,
and were very interesting. Most eloquent was the speech delivered by Mr.
W. Lewis Fraser, of New York, who entered into the history of the Clan
at considerable length; and that by Mrs. Georgina Fraser-Newhall, in
response to the toast of her health.
A group photograph was successfully taken of the company by the aid of a
flash-light, which will remain a memento of a very pleasant gathering.
Before dispersing the report of the Committee on the Organization of the
Clan was read. It set forth that meetings had been held at which the
Clan had been organized, and the annexed Constitution and By-laws
prepared:
THE CLAN FRASER IN CANADA.
(_Instituted May 5th, 1894._)
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
[Illustration of the Crest of the Clan]
ARTICLE I.--NAME.--The name of this organization shall be: "The
Clan Fraser in Canada."
ARTICLE II.--OBJECTS.--The objects of the Clan shall be:
The cultivation of friendly intercourse and social relations among
those bearing the surname "Fraser," and the promotion among its
members of love for the Clan, and increased interest in its history
and traditions:
The collection of Clan records, traditions and anecdotes; of
documents bearing upon the Clan history; of information relating to
notable clansmen, especially with reference to the early history of
the Clan in Canada; and the compilation of an album of portraits
and biographical sketches of Clansmen in Canada:
The furtherance of the interests of clansmen, whether in Scotland
or in Canada, and the giving of such assistance to clansmen in need
as may be within the power of the Clan.
ARTICLE III.--MEMBERSHIP.--Persons bearing the surname "Fraser," by
birth or by marriage, shall be eligible for membership in the Clan.
Honorary membership may be conferred on distinguished clansmen, or
on persons, not clansmen, who have rendered conspicuous service to
the Clan.
ARTICLE IV.--ARMS, MOTTO AND BADGE.--The arms of the Clan Fraser in
Canada shall be the same as those of the Clan proper, with the
difference of a wreath of Canadian maple leaves intertwined (a
fac-simile of which is impressed on this Constitution); the "Motto"
and "Badge" shall be that of the Clan Fraser--motto, "Je Suis
Prest"; badge, a sprig of yew--_Taxus Baccata_.
ARTICLE V.--(_a_) EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.--The Executive Officers shall
consist of a Chief, Chieftains (as hereinunder provided for),
Secretary-Treasurer, Historians, Curator, and a Bard.
(_b_)--TRUSTEES AND COUNCILLORS.--There shall be three Trustees,
six Councillors, a Pipe-Major and Pipers.
(_c_)--HONORARY CHIEF AND CHIEFTAINS.--The Chief of the Clan
Fraser, "Mac-Shimi," shall be the Honorary Chief, and Honorary
Chieftainship may be bestowed on clansmen who merit very high clan
honor.
ARTICLE VI.--GATHERINGS.--The Clan shall gather once a year, on a
day to be decided upon by the Executive Committee, for the
transaction of business. That gathering shall be known as the
Annual Business Meeting of the Clan. On the evening of the same day
a Clan Dinner, or other form of Entertainment, shall take place.
ARTICLE VII.--At the Annual Business Meeting of the Clan the
Executive Officers, Trustees, Councillors and Pipers, Honorary
Chief (when vacant), and Honorary Chieftains (when Honorary
Chieftainship is conferred), shall be elected; and the roll of
members, prepared by the Executive Committee, shall be revised.
ARTICLE VIII.--The principle upon which Chieftains and Councillors
shall be elected shall be as follows: The Province of Ontario shall
be divided into five Districts, viz.: Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto,
Hamilton and London, from each of which and from each of the other
Provinces of Canada, a Chieftain shall be elected. A Chieftain may
be also elected from each of the States of the American Union, as
an interest in the Clan may be manifested. The Ontario Districts
shall comprise the following counties:
OTTAWA.--Glengarry, Prescott, Stormont, Dundas, Grenville,
Carleton, Russell, Renfrew.
KINGSTON.--Addington, Lennox, Frontenac, Hastings, Prince Edward,
Leeds, Lanark.
TORONTO.--Northumberland, Peterborough, Haliburton, Victoria,
Durham, Ontario, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, York, Peel,
Toronto.
HAMILTON.--Wentworth, Lincoln, Welland, Brant, Waterloo, Simcoe,
Dufferin, Grey, Wellington, Halton.
LONDON.--Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldimand, Kent,
Lambton, Essex, Bruce, Huron, Perth.
There shall be at least one Councillor elected to represent each
District in Ontario.
ARTICLE IX.--The Executive Officers, Trustees and Councillors shall
form a General Committee, which shall prepare the business for the
Annual Meeting. The Executive Officers shall form the Executive
Committee of the General Committee. The General Committee and the
Executive Committee may appoint Sub-Committees with power to
transact business on behalf of the Clan.
ARTICLE X.--DUTIES OF OFFICERS.--The CHIEF shall preside at all the
meetings of Committees, at the Annual Business Meeting, and at the
Annual Entertainment of the Clan; in his absence the duties of the
Chief shall devolve upon the CHIEFTAINS in order of seniority, and
in the absence of all of them the clansmen present shall elect a
Chairman _pro tem_. The SECRETARY-TREASURER shall keep a correct
minute of the business transacted at the meetings of Committees and
at the Annual Meeting of the Clan; he shall keep a roll of the
membership of the Clan; with the Chief he shall convene the
meetings, and shall conduct the correspondence and general business
of the Clan; he shall submit his accounts to an audit annually or
on the demand of the Executive Committee. The HISTORIANS shall
compile the Clan Album, and shall edit any papers containing
information regarding the Clan or clansmen which may be secured for
the Clan. The CURATOR shall have the custody of all property
belonging to the Clan, including papers and books not in use by the
proper officers, and shall account for the same to the TRUSTEES in
whom the property shall be vested on behalf of the Clan, and who
shall submit a report of their stewardship to the Annual Meeting of
the Clan.
ARTICLE XI.--The roll of membership shall be compiled by the
Executive Committee, and shall be subject to revision at the Annual
Business Meeting.
ARTICLE XII.--The officers shall wear insignia of office; and an
officer holding the same office for three terms (not necessarily
consecutively) shall become the possessor of the insignia as his
own property.
ARTICLE XIII.--The Constitution and By-laws may be altered or
amended at the Annual Business Meeting of the Clan, by a two-thirds
vote of the membership, personally or by mandate; but notice of any
such alteration of amendment in specific terms must be lodged with
the Secretary-Treasurer at least two months before the date of the
Annual Business Meeting so that members may be notified when the
announcement of the Annual Business Meeting shall be made.
BY-LAWS.
1. The fee of membership shall be one dollar annually for
gentlemen, and the sum of fifty cents for ladies and minors.
2. The Annual Meeting of the Clan shall be held on a date to be
decided upon by the Executive Committee; in deciding upon the date,
however, the convenience of the greatest number of the membership
shall be the chief consideration.
3. Twelve members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at the Annual Meeting.
4. A member may be expelled from the Clan for a transgression of
any of its rules, or any other sufficient cause. Notice of intended
expulsion must be given to the Secretary-Treasurer, who shall lay
it before the Executive Committee for report at the Annual Business
Meeting, and to the member whom it is proposed to expel. Voting
shall be by ballot, and a majority must vote "yea" before a member
can be expelled. The annual revision of the roll of membership
referred to in the Constitution, Article XI., shall in no way be
understood to imply expulsion from membership.
5. The following shall be the order of business: 1st. Reading of
minutes of previous meeting; 2nd. Reading of communications and
action thereon; 3rd. Unfinished business of previous meeting; 4th.
New business; 5th. Election of officers; 6th. Adjournment.
Signed on behalf of the Committee.
ALEXANDER FRASER, _Chairman_. W. A. FRASER, _Secretary_.
The above Constitution and By-laws were duly adopted and ordered to be
printed.
THE OFFICERS.
The following Officers were elected for the term 1895-'96:
_Honorary Chief_,
LORD LOVAT.
_Honorary Chieftain_,
MR. CHARLES FRASER MACKINTOSH, Inverness
_Chief_,
MR. ALEX. FRASER (MACFHIONNLAIDH), Toronto.
_Chieftains_,
District of Ottawa: MR. ALEX. FRASER, Westmeath.
Kingston: MR. DONALD FRASER, Kingston.
Toronto: MR. G. B. FRASER, Toronto.
Hamilton: REV. DR. MUNGO FRASER, Hamilton.
London: EX-MAYOR FRASER, Petrolea.
Provinces--Maritime Provinces: D. C. FRASER, M. P., New Glasgow, N.S.
Quebec: MR. DONALD FRASER, Montreal.
Northwest Territories: MR. J. G. FRASER, Regina, N.W.T.
British Columbia: MR. W. FRASER, Vancouver, B.C.
State of Michigan: MR. E. A. FRASER, Detroit, U.S.A.
New York: MR. W. LEWIS FRASER, New York.
_Councillors_,
Ottawa: MR. A. W. FRASER, Ottawa.
Kingston: MR. O. K. FRASER, Brockville.
Toronto { MR. ALEX. FRASER (Fraserfield), Toronto.
{ DR. J. B. FRASER, Toronto.
Hamilton: MR. R. I. FRASER, Barrie.
London: MR. WM. FRASER, of Port Stanley.
_Secretary-Treasurer_,
MR. W. A. FRASER, Toronto.
_Chaplain_,
REV. DR. MUNGO FRASER, Hamilton.
_Historians_,
PROF. W. H. FRASER and MR. ALEX. FRASER, Toronto.
_Curator_,
MR. ALEXANDER FRASER, Toronto.
_Trustees_,
MESSRS. R. L. FRASER, Toronto; ABNER FRASER, Hamilton; A. G. FRASER, London.
_Bard_,
GEORGINA FRASER-NEWHALL, Omaha.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:-
Page 7 Page reference for "Constitution and By-laws of the Clan"
corrected from "110" to "109".
Page 20 "the Emperor Charlemange" changed to "the Emperor Charlemagne"
Page 30 "the childdren of the chief," changed to "the children of the chief,"
Page 39 "whose sister Margaret was Malcom's Queen," changed to "whose sister
Margaret was Malcolm's Queen,"
Page 41 "the Highlands of Scotlands," changed to "the Highlands of Scotland,"