a petition was presented to the king, signed by eighty-seven thousand
inhabitants, complaining of the conduct of successive governors. The
subject was brought before parliament, and a committee reported the
expediency of a thorough and effectual redress, admitting, generally,
that the grievances complained of were well-founded. Sincere attempts
appear to have been made to carry out the provisions of the report, or
measures of reform which had been promised; but, in the course of the
colonial government, the claims of the crown and those of the assembly,
on certain points, proved to be conflicting. The breach which was hoped
to be closed, now became wider than ever. The assembly began to specify
conditions on which certain salaries should be paid to the colonial
officers; and, as a fundamental reform, next demanded that the
legislative council, hitherto appointed by the crown, should be
abolished, and a new one, like that of the American senate, substituted
in its place, composed of members elected by the people. A petition to
this effect was transmitted to the king, early in 1833, signed by
Papineau. The British ministry, however, scouted at once such a
proposal, and hinted the possibility of summary measures on the part of
parliament, in order to compose the internal dissensions of the
colonies. This was an imprudent intimation.
Both the refusal and the inuendo but added fuel to the flame. The
assembly refused to pass any bill of supply whatever for the year
1834, and in a more resolute manner than heretofore, insisted on an
elective legislative council. The next governor who was sent out, the
Earl of Gosford, professed conciliatory views; but his real object was
otherwise, as was accidentally discovered. The real instructions with
which he was charged, were common to him and to the governor of the
Upper Province; but the latter had made public a part of those
instructions apparently without the knowledge of Lord Gosford's
intentions. The rage of the popular leaders now knew no bounds; they
complained not only of the disappointments they had experienced, but
of the deception which had been practiced upon them. The assembly, as
before, withheld the supplies, and made no provision for the public
services.
_Disturbances and Insurrection._--A crisis had now arrived. Ministers
determined no longer to postpone measures for counteracting the
proceedings of the popular party, and placing the executive government
in a state of regular action. The death of the king, meanwhile, the
necessity of a dissolution of the parliament, and the unwillingness to
begin the government of a young and popular queen by a scheme of
coercion, caused a delay in the execution of the designs of government.
The expedient of advancing the amount required for the public service,
by way of loan from the British revenue, was substituted by ministers,
in the prospect of being ultimately reimbursed from the provincial fund.
The ball, however, was set in motion, and such was the momentum, that it
could not be stopped at once. Meetings were held in the counties of
Montreal and Richelieu, in which it was affirmed, that the votes of the
Commons, (declaring the elective legislative council and the direct
responsibility of the executive to the assembly, inexpedient,) had put
an end to all hopes of justice. A general convention was proposed, to
consider what further means were advisable, and a recommendation was
made to discontinue the consumption of British manufactures, and of all
articles paying taxes.
This state of things put the government on the alert; preparations
were made to have in readiness for the public service an additional
regiment from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. A proclamation, also, was
issued, warning the people against all attempts to seduce them from
their allegiance. Meetings of the friends of the government were held
in Montreal and Quebec, condemning the house of assembly, declaring
attachment to the British connexion, and deprecating disorganization
and revolution. Notwithstanding all the attempts of the governor to
effect a compromise, an agreement in respect to the topics in dispute
could not be brought about. A recourse to arms appears now to have
been determined upon by the popular leaders, with the avowed object of
effecting an entire separation from the parent state. The efforts made
to arouse the spirit of independence were considerable, though more
secret than formerly, until an association was formed, under the
title of the Sons of Liberty, who even paraded the streets of Montreal
in a hostile and threatening manner. Other measures of defiance, in
different parts of the country, were resorted to, having in view still
more directly the ultimate object of resistance and independence. The
recent appointments of the two councils, designed as an alleviation,
in part, of the people's complaints, were declared wholly
unsatisfactory, while the introduction of an armed force into the
province was stigmatized as a new and outrageous grievance.
The government could not overlook these incipient steps of an
insurrection. Additional military force was called into
requisition--loyal volunteer associations were formed as an offset to
those of the other party, and the Catholic clergy were zealous in
their endeavors to preserve the peace. A scene of violence occurred in
the streets, November 6th, 1837, between the two parties, in which the
loyalists proved to be the stronger body. That event, as might be
expected, increased the ferment; so that the government, as the most
effectual course to put a stop to the aggressive movement of the
people, arrested at Montreal a number of the most conspicuous leaders,
with the exception of Papineau, who had disappeared. A part of these,
however, were subsequently rescued--a fight ensued between the militia
employed on this occasion, who amounted only to thirty, and a body of
three hundred well-armed men, protected by a high fence. The former,
of course, was overcome.
In adopting the prompt measures which were now deemed necessary by the
government, strong detachments under Colonels Gore and Wetherall were
sent to the village of St. Denis and St. Charles on the Sorel, to rout
the armed bodies of insurgent assembled in those places, under
Papineau, Brown, and Neilson. Gore was repulsed; but Wetherall, on the
26th of November, attacking a force of one thousand men, came off
victorious, having killed and wounded nearly three hundred of the
enemy. This latter affair decided the fate of the contest in that
quarter. Terror seized the minds of the peasantry, and they began to
consider themselves betrayed by their leaders. A few days
subsequently, Neilson, one of the commanders of the insurgent forces,
was taken in a barn, conveyed into Montreal, and thrown into prison.
Papineau, however, could not be discovered.
In other portions of the province, where the insurrection had been
still more formidable, the government forces were successful. At St.
Eustache and the village of St. Benoit, the most bloody scenes were
enacted; and there seems to have been at the latter place, after the
regular battle, a wanton and barbarous destruction of human life, on
the part of the enraged royalists. At the close of the year 1837, the
whole Lower Province was reduced to a state of tranquillity.
In the mean time, Upper Canada had become the theatre of interesting
events. A party had arisen, influenced by inhabitants who had
emigrated from the United States; who, advancing from step to step in
discontent, at length, scarcely made any secret of their desire to
separate from the mother-country, and join the American Union. In
1834, this party, for the first time, obtained a majority in the
assembly, and after making or finding causes of disagreement with the
governor of the province, Sir Francis Head, at length stopped the
supplies, after the example of the Lower Province. Sir Francis then
reserved all their money bills for her majesty's decision, and
rejected application for the payment of their incidental expenses. To
settle the difficulties, if possible, he made an appeal to the people
by a new election. This resulted favorably to the constitutional side,
and restored tranquillity till the time of the outbreak in the Lower
Province. That occasion was seized by Mackenzie, one of the chief
leaders at the head of five hundred men, to put his plans in
operation, and attempt a separation of the province from Great
Britain. His design of taking Toronto by surprise was, however,
defeated. Upon the manifestation of force on the part of the loyal
inhabitants, he retired, his followers were easily dispersed, and a
number of them taken prisoners. A large body of the militia had
assembled for the defence of the government; but they were given to
understand that they might now return to their homes. Only such a
portion was retained, under Colonel M'Nab, as was wanted to bring
Duncombe, another leader, to terms, which was effected.
Mackenzie, fleeing to Buffalo, created an interest in favor of the
patriots among a portion of the American people, who, on the northern
frontier, had been accustomed to sympathize in their attempts at
independence. Bodies of men with their leaders, from the American
side, took possession of Navy island, situated in the Niagara channel,
between Grand island and the British shore. This they fortified with
cannon, and designed as the seat of offensive operations. But Mr. Van
Buren, the American president at that time, interposed his authority
at once to arrest these hostile proceedings, so far as his countrymen
were concerned, and sent General Scott to the scene of action, that a
strict neutrality might be enforced. It was during this period that
the small steamer, named Caroline, as has been already related in the
present work, was burned by the British. This attack had nearly proved
fatal to the peace of the country; it did not, however, arrest the
vigorous measures adopted by General Scott to fulfil the objects of
his mission. The force now collected against the insurgents, became so
far formidable, that they evacuated the island on the 14th of January,
1838. The spirit of insurrection was now laid, but much remained to be
done to effect a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties between
the government and the disaffected. The great reputation of Lord
Durham, who was appointed governor in May, 1838, it was hoped would
render his action favorable to such an object; but he was soon called
upon to decide upon a delicate and difficult question, viz: the
treatment of the prisoners taken in the rebellion. Upon a confession
of guilt, he sentenced them to be deported to Bermuda, and to be kept
there in strict surveillance. Should they ever return to Canada
without leave of the governor, they were to suffer the penalty of
death. The same was awarded to Papineau and others, implicated in the
late insurrection, but who had fled the country. This procedure
created not a little excitement in the home government, it being
deemed an usurpation of power not belonging to the governor-general of
a province. A grant of indemnity, however, was passed in his case; but
Lord Durham was not of a temperament to brook this interposition, and
he soon threw up his administration, and left for England on the 1st
of November. No sooner had he departed, than fresh troubles arose. The
spirit of disaffection was rife, and hopes were inspired through the
aid which American sympathizers might afford. Communications were
secretly kept up with the latter. But miserable success attended the
operations of the insurgents. Dr. Robert Nelson, at the head of four
thousand men, failed completely to make an impression, and, threatened
by the government forces at his quarters at Napierville, he and his
company dispersed without firing a shot.
In Upper Canada, Sir Francis Head had already resigned. His successor,
Sir George Arthur, soon found himself involved in difficult
circumstances. Bands of lawless individuals, to the number of several
hundreds, on several occasions crossed from the American side; but
were, in general, effectually repulsed with little loss to the
British. The captives taken were treated with a severity which had not
before been exercised towards that misguided and unfortunate class of
people. They were generous in their sympathy, but they had violated
the laws of civilized communities, and were liable to a just
retribution. A considerable number of the most conspicuous were
immediately shot, and the rest condemned to severe or ignominious
punishments. The "Canadian Rebellion," was closed by these
occurrences. The whole history of their efforts showed that the Canada
people were unprepared, at that period, for an undertaking of such
vast magnitude and imminent peril.
In 1840, by an act of the imperial parliament, Upper and Lower Canada
were united into one, under the name of the Province of Canada. Some
changes were made in the form of the government; but only a few of the
causes of grievance have been removed, and the great body of the
people are still abridged to a considerable degree, in respect to the
choice of their rulers, or the free enactment of the laws of the
state. Still more recently, the province has been thrown into great
excitement by an attempt to pay, from the public exchequer, the losses
sustained by those who took part in the Canadian rebellion. What the
result of these stormy times will be, the future only can disclose.
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES:
[83] For the principal events of Canadian history during the French
and Indian war--the invasion of Canada by the United Colonies, in
1775, and by the United States in 1812-15--the reader is referred to
the prior portions of the volume, where these events are detailed.
[84] Murray's British America.
II. NOVA SCOTIA.
[Illustration: NOVA-SCOTIA.]
LIMITS--Conquest by the English--Settlement--Annexation to the
British Crown--Policy of England in relation to the
Country--Situation of the English Settlers--English Treatment
of the Acadians--State of the Province during the Wars of the
United States--Results of the War of 1812.
_Limits._--Nova Scotia is a large peninsula on the south-eastern part
of British America, united to the continent by a narrow isthmus,
between Chignecto bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is three
hundred and eighty-eight miles in length from north-east to
south-west, and contains an area of sixteen thousand square miles. It
is a rough, mountainous country, barren on the sea-board, but very
fertile in some of the interior parts.
_Settlement._--De Monts, a French gentleman, sailing from France with
a view to settlement in this part of America, touched, in the first
instance, at Nova Scotia, on the 16th May, 1604; but no settlement was
effected until the year after, and that was at Port Royal (now
Annapolis). The whole country, including New Brunswick, was then
known by the name of Acadia. The settlement above spoken of was soon
after, in 1614, broken up by Argall, an English captain, engaged in
the Virginia settlement. The whole region was viewed with indifference
on the part of the English, because it did not contain gold and
silver. They, however, made an attempt, under Sir William Alexander,
to occupy it, some years after Argall's success against Port Royal;
but were obliged to desist, from finding it in possession of the
French. In 1628 and 1629, the English succeeded in taking Nova Scotia
and Canada; but by the terms of a treaty in 1632, the whole country
was restored to France.
_Conquest by the English._--A period of several years was passed in
the infelicities of a deadly feud between the rival chiefs who held
possession of the country. But amidst their contentions, an expedition
was sent against Nova Scotia in 1654 by Cromwell, who had then
declared war against France; and the result was the reduction of the
warring parties, and the submission of the whole country to the
English authority. This was but a temporary acquisition. By the peace
of 1667, Nova Scotia was again ceded to the French.
In the course of a few subsequent years, Nova Scotia was twice invaded
and taken by the English from the colony of Massachusetts; the first
time under Sir William Phipps, and the second time by a body of five
hundred men from Boston. Acadia was now held by the British until the
treaty of Ryswick in 1697, when it again reverted to France.
_Permanent Annexation to the British Crown._--There was a speedy
return of the war between France and England, and the reduction of
Nova Scotia was again left to New England. The first expedition, under
Colonel Church, and a subsequent one, three years after, effected
little for the object in view. The determination of the New
Englanders, however, could not be shaken. After two years spent in
preparing, they assembled a large force of five regiments; and under
the command of General Nicholson, they arrived at Port Royal on the
24th of September, 1716, which in its weakness capitulated without
resistance. The month following, when the deed of surrender was made,
forms the era of the permanent annexation of Nova Scotia to the
British crown.[85] The Indians of the country, who were strongly
attached to the French, were not satisfied with the transfer, and for
many years became extremely troublesome to the English, frequently
surprising them, and carrying off their property. It was in the course
of these disturbances, that the Massachusetts troops in 1728 defeated
the tribe of the Noridgewocks; among the results of which invasion,
was the death of the celebrated Father Rolle, their missionary.
_Policy of England in relation to the Country._--After the treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle 1748, which had been preceded by disasters to the
French possessions in America, particularly by the taking of
Louisburg, Great Britain began to pay more attention to Nova Scotia.
Hitherto, it had been quite a French country, peopled and cultivated
throughout by that hostile nation. It was suggested, that of the large
number of soldiers and sailors discharged in consequence of the peace,
a part might with great advantage be located as agriculturists, and
thereby provide the colony with an English population. This project
was embraced with ardor by the Earl of Halifax.
Fifty acres were allowed to every private, with ten additional for
each member of his family. A higher allowance was granted to officers,
in proportion to their rank. By this arrangement, three thousand seven
hundred and sixty adventurers with their families were induced to
embark in May, 1749. They were landed, not at Annapolis, but Chebucto,
named henceforth Halifax, after the patron of the expedition.
_Situation of the English Settlers._--As munificent provision was made
for them from time to time, a town, with spacious and regular streets,
was soon reared; where they were as comfortably situated as they could
be with a hostile population in their vicinity, and the difficulties
arising from the French claims. The boundaries of the country were in
dispute between the two nations--the encroachments of the English, as
the French settlers deemed them, alarmed the fears of the latter; and
the Indians, excited by French emissaries, committed upon the English
numerous outrages. At length, the French arose in rebellion against
the British rule; but it was not until after many attempts to subdue
them, on the part of the English, that the object was effected. The
success of the last expedition, under Colonel Monckton, in 1755, from
New England, secured the tranquillity of all French Acadia, then
claimed by the English under the name of Nova Scotia.
_English Treatment of the French Acadians._--The English, in consequence
of the war which now raged between France and Britain, did not feel at
ease. They had reason to believe that, in the event of an invasion of
Nova Scotia by the French, they would find not only the Indians, but the
Acadians, friendly to the invaders. A cruel expedient, hardly justified
by the circumstances, was adopted to prevent the danger and evil. It was
determined to break up the homes of the latter, and disperse them
throughout the British colonies, so that they might be unable to unite
in offensive measures. They were comfortably situated, and attached to
their homes; were a quiet people, only a few of them ever having been
openly engaged in arms against the British; and, consequently, they
could not but keenly feel the greatness of their wrongs. They submitted
to them, but with moans and pathetic appeals, though occasional forcible
resistance was offered.
"Notwithstanding the barbarous diligence with which this mandate was
executed, it is not supposed that the number actually deported
exceeded seven thousand. The rest fled into the depth of the forest,
or to the nearest French settlements, enduring incredible hardships.
To prevent the return of the hapless fugitives, the government reduced
to ashes their habitations and property, laying waste their own lands
with a fury exceeding that of their most savage enemy. In one
district, two hundred and sixty-three houses were at once in a blaze.
The Acadians, from the heart of the woods, beheld all they possessed
consigned to destruction; yet they made no movement till the
devastators wantonly set their chapel on fire. They then rushed
forward in desperation, killed about thirty of the incendiaries, and
then hastened back to their hiding-place."--Such is the account given
by an eloquent historian of this barbarous proceeding.
[Illustration: DESTRUCTION OF ACADIE.]
_Condition of the Acadians._--By the peace which was concluded at
Paris, in 1763, France was compelled to transfer to her victorious
rival all her possessions on the North American continent. After the
peace, the case of the Acadians was necessarily taken into
consideration. The severe treatment to which they had been subjected
brought no advantage to the country, as it had not become the theatre
of war, and there no longer remained any pretext for continuing the
persecution. Though transportation was advised by the governor, yet
the administration at home, with a more equitable spirit, allowed them
to return to their original places of abode, receiving lands on taking
the customary oaths. Yet the justice rendered was imperfect, inasmuch
as no compensation was allowed them for their plundered property.
It, however, pleased a number to return, though in 1772 the whole body
was found to be only two thousand one hundred; an eighth-part,
perhaps, of what had constituted once a flourishing colony. They have
since, by their industry, brought themselves into a thriving state.
_State of the Province during the War of the United States._--The
condition of Nova Scotia, as indeed of the adjoining British provinces
on the North, was highly critical during the war of the American
Revolution; but the fears indulged from this source proved unfounded.
The province remained loyal to the crown during the whole of that long
and arduous contest. At its close, there was a large influx of
refugees into the province. The number that arrived, prior to
September, 1783, was reckoned at eighteen thousand, and two thousand
more landed in the following month.
"Many of these new citizens possessed considerable property, as well
as regular and industrious habits, so that they formed a most
important acquisition. Several additional townships were erected;
Shelburne, before nearly deserted, rapidly acquired upwards of ten
thousand inhabitants; emigrants from Nantucket established a
whale-fishery at Dartmouth; while saw and grist mills were established
in various parts of the province. A considerable proportion of these
emigrants directed their course to the region beyond the peninsula;
which thereby acquiring a great increase of importance, was, in 1784,
erected into a distinct government, under the title of New
Brunswick." Cape Breton, from the above date, after having been
separated from Nova Scotia until 1820, was rëannexed to the latter.
_Results of the War of 1812._--The war between the United States and
Great Britain, which broke out in 1812, materially advanced the
prosperity of Nova Scotia, and showed the importance of Halifax as a
naval station. Into this port numerous prizes were carried, by the sale
of which large fortunes were realized. The evils of war were almost
unknown, for a neutrality was observed by the government of Maine and
the British authorities on the New Brunswick frontier; so that although
the militia were kept in readiness for service, they were not called
into it. A long succession of able governors since, has been the means
of giving to the province a desirable increase of wealth and prosperity.
The importance of Halifax has, within a few years, been greatly
increased, by becoming a touching place for the royal English steamers
(Cunard line) in their transit across the Atlantic.
FOOTNOTE:
[85] Murray's British America.
III. NEW BRUNSWICK.
EXTENT--Physical Aspect and Soil--Settlement and Progress--Signal
Calamity.