1803 in Canada

Incumbents

• Monarch: George III

Federal government

• Parliament of Lower Canada: 3rd
• Parliament of Upper Canada: 3rd

Governors

• Governor of the Canadas: Robert Milnes
• Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
• Governor of Nova Scotia: John Wentworth
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: Charles Morice Pole
• Governor of St. John's Island: Edmund Fanning

Events

• Thomas Jefferson completes Louisiana Purchase extending U.S. control west of the Mississippi River; federal plans to resettle Eastern tribes beyond the Mississippi soon begin.
• John Colter becomes the fourth man selected by William Clark to join the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
• The XY Company is reorganized under Alexander Mackenzie's name.
• First Canadian Paper Mill is built in Quebec. | access-date = 20 May 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240222213437/https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/sunday/index.htm | archive-date = 22 February 2024 | url-status = live

Births

• October 13 – Augustin-Norbert Morin, lawyer, judge, politician and Joint Premier of the Province of Canada (d.1865)
• March 24 – Egerton Ryerson, politician, teacher, principal, Methodist minister (d.1882)
• December 6 – Susanna Moodie, writer (d.1885)

Full date unknown

• John Kinder Labatt, brewer and founder of the Labatt Brewing Company (d.1866)

Deaths

• Nathaniel Pettit (1724 – March 9, 1803) a political figure in Upper Canada.
• Rev. Johann Samuel Schwerdtfeger (1734–1803) The first Lutheran minister in Ontario. | access-date = 20 May 2024 | archive-url = http://web.archive.org/web/20050328091222/http://www.waynecook.com/astormont.html | archive-date = 28 March 2005 | url-status = unfit

Historical documents

War returns as British government orders naval ships as well as vessels commissioned by letter of marque to seize ships belonging to French Republic

Keeping troops "upon their present footing" in Canada and other northern colonies costs about £200,000, but "there are considerable colonial funds"

Trade is discouraged because colonies are not allowed to directly import wine, oil, fruit etc. in exchange for their fish, lumber etc.

U.S. envoy Robert R. Livingston has told French "it was necessary to interpose us between them and Canada [to prevent] an attack from that quarter"

Report in London says U.S.A. has purchased Louisiana from France for $40 million

Jurisdiction of courts of Upper and Lower Canada is extended to "Indian Territories or Parts of America [outside U.C., L.C. and U.S.A.]"

Lower Canada

With smallpox spreading through city, Gazette recommends "speedy" inoculation with cowpox matter possessed by Quebec City physician

Reading or writing is limited on average to 5 men in country parishes; only priests, clerks, notaries, attorneys and soldiers need those skills

All resident men 18–60 must enroll in militia and those 40 and under must muster annually and give account of all firearms they have

Government to pay bounties for hemp production (highest being $10 for ½ arpent, grown and dressed) and sets prices for hemp and hempseed

To Catholics considering us "Schismatics" and "Protestant Sectaries" thinking us "slaves of authority," Anglicans should offer "superior goodness"

Treason law is against subverting constitution and "introducing the horrible system of anarchy and confusion which has so fatally prevailed in France"

When required, "every Rector, Curate, Vicar, or other Priest or Minister doing the Parochial or Clerical duty of any Parish[...]" must read acts publicly

Suspecting arson in recent Montreal fires, government offers £500 reward for information leading to conviction of arsonist

Cargo going from Montreal to Michilimackinac includes 9 kegs gunpowder, 3 bags shot and 2 cases guns, all for export via "Ouisconsin" portage

At Kahnawake mass, "Indians sing or chant very well & the Women in particular have excellent Voices;" clothing has quillwork and beadwork

"Private Lectures on Geography &c. for Young Ladies only[...]with Globes, Maps, Charts &c. together with a Planetarium, Lunarium, Tellurium &c."

"A woman of colour lately arrived" advertises in Quebec City to "attend one or more Ladies to any part of Europe"

At Quebec City, "we were struck with the Grandeur & elevation of the Banks of the River especially where Upper Town's height commands the River"

Upper Canada

Among exports to Lower Canada in 1802 were 11,400+ barrels of flour and 18,500+ feet of black walnut boards and planks

Howard Township successful hemp production brings in $1,127 profit from 12 acres of hemp, comparable to income from 65 acres of wheat

Missionary reports "the 25,000 acres allotted by the British Government for the use of the Christian Indian Congregations [are to be] secured to them"

Print: "York, the New Capital of Upper Canada, As it appeared in the Autumn of 1803"

Drawing: Queenston, Upper Canada

Nova Scotia

House of Assembly resolution that £200 be paid to "distressed Indians" at £20 per county is not agreed to by Council

Our first fault "is that in the fall of Adam we lost [the] most prevailing characteristic of [God's] nature and essence, love"

Politician James DeLancey sues Halifax merchant for harbouring escaped enslaved man Jack, employing him and refusing to return him

Incoming University of King's College students must have knowledge of Greek and Latin, including Virgil, Horace, "the Greek Testament," Homer etc.

Mission schoolmaster, praised for his many years of devoted service, is said in early years to have slept on straw and eaten herring and potatoes

Sable Island commissioners request detailed report from its superintendent on likelihood of growing food and fishing and sealing there

New Englander, resident in Horton Township (Wolfville) since 1760, dies at age 107 and leaves more than 100 descendants

New Brunswick

Four "descendents of the Ancient Chiefs of the pockmouche tribe, which are now reduced to only two famillys," receive 200 acres of land each

Survey of Northumberland County gives population as 479 families (with about 100 in Miramichi) and status of hay crop, fishery, and timber resources

Legislature news includes bounty paid for hemp and Council voting down bills to finance schools and allow Methodist clergy to perform marriages

Charlotte County needs help supporting indigent people crossing U.S. border and "sick and maimed Seamen" left on shore "in a suffering condition"

£200 from Indian fund would spur "man of eminence" to be mathematics professor in proposed academy "of the highest importance to this Country"

Labrador

Moravian missionaries upset about "the injury [nearby Europeans] would do to our baptized Esquimaux" drawn to "their uncontrouled behaviour"

"Esquimaux[...]are not all so firmly rooted[...]in the faith, that they might not[...]enter into some of the ways of the heathen when left to themselves"

Cape Breton Island

"The Island of Cape Breton is replete with natural advantages far exceeding any other British settlement in North America"

Names of residents with property qualification for grand or petit jury will go on individual slips of paper to be drawn when needed for jury duty

Man fathering child with woman he is not married to must provide support or face fine or jail, and any woman making false claim faces whipping

Hudson's Bay Company

Churchill post blacksmith found walking in snow complains "of great lowness of Spirits" and "having but little sleep for 14 nights"

Gardens at Churchill post produce 6¾ tons of "excellent" turnips and 6-700 small but "very fine quality" cabbages

Elsewhere

Chief Maquinna's anger at insults from captain of British trading ship in Nootka Sound leads to his revenge on crew (Note: "savages" used)

References

References

1. (31 December 2015). "George III". Royal Household.
2. "From The London Gazette, May 17, 1803," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268592 July 14, 1803] pg. 1. (See also lengthy [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268594 declaration] (pgs. 1–4) against "aggression, violence, and insult" of French Republic) Accessed 29 May 2024
3. Henry Brougham, [https://ia800207.us.archive.org/0/items/inquiryintothec01brouuoft/inquiryintothec01brouuoft.pdf ''An Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers; Vol. I''] (1803), pg. 547, University of Toronto. Accessed 5 June 2024
4. [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullimagerecord.cgi?id=11373&level=3 "Letter from Governor John Wentworth to Edward Winslow"] (June 10, 1803), pg. 2, University of New Brunswick Library. Accessed 27 May 2024
5. [https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-04-02-0405 Robert Livingston to James Madison] (February 18, 1803). Accessed 5 June 2024
6. "London; May 18; It was yesterday reported in the city[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268592 July 14, 1803] pgs. 3–4. Accessed 29 May 2024
7. [https://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/PreConfederation/cja_1803.html Canada Jurisdiction Act, 1803] (August 11, 1803). Accessed 22 May 2024
8. "Quebec, 17th March, 1803; We are informed[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268561 March 17, 1803] pgs. 3–4. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268601 statement] by physician introducing "Vaccine Inoculation" and [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268600 editorial] (pgs. 3–4) casting inoculation as professional requirement for physicians) Accessed 28 May 2024
9. "Letter on Canada," The British-American Register (February 12, 1803), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_06241_6/11 pgs. 90–1] (See bottom of right column, pg. 90). Accessed 23 May 2024
10. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-better-regulation-militia-province-and-repealing-certain-acts-or-ordinances-therein An Act for the better Regulation of the Militia of this Province, and for repealing certain Acts or Ordinances therein-mentioned] (April 18, 1803), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 22 May 2024
11. "Notice is hereby given[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268550 January 27, 1803] pg. 3. Accessed 28 May 2024
12. Jacob Mountain, "A Charge Delivered to the Clergy of the Diocese of Quebec in August 1803," [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.89224/14 pgs. 9–11] (Images 14–16). Accessed 23 May 2024
13. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-better-preservation-his-majestys-government-law-happily-established-province-11th An Act for the better preservation of His Majesty's Government, as by Law, happily established in this Province] (August 11, 1803), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. (See also [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-establishing-regulations-respecting-aliens-and-certain-subjects-his-majesty-who-0 "An Act for establishing Regulations respecting Aliens and certain subjects of his Majesty, who have resided in France, coming into this province"]) Accessed 22 May 2024
14. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-more-ample-publication-certain-acts-provincial-parliament-11th-august-1803 An Act for the more ample publication of certain Acts of the Provincial Parliament] (August 11, 1803), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 22 May 2024
15. "By His Excellency[...]A Proclamation" (August 10, 1803), The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268600 August 11, 1803] pg. 1. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268607 Quebec district magistrates] (pgs. 1, 4) offer $1,000 reward, and Montreal district magistrates (pg. 4) do same) Accessed 30 May 2024
16. [https://collections.aglmh.net/mackinac/109465/data "Canoe, Manifest, 16 Jun 1803"] Detroit Public Library. Accessed 31 May 2024
17. John Grew, "Sunday Augt. 7th [1803]," [https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/internal/media/dispatcher/2153034/full ''Journal of a Tour from Boston to Niagara Falls and Quebec''] pgs. 96–7 (frame 99), Toronto Public Library. (See also author's brief note (pg. 101) on French Catholics' worship) Accessed 23 May 2024
18. "Evening lectures[....]" (November 17, 1803), The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268628 November 17, 1803] pg. 1. Accessed 30 May 2024
19. "Wanted a place to attend one or more Ladies[....]" (July 11, 1803), [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268593 The Quebec Gazette Supplement] pg. 4. Accessed 29 May 2024
20. John Grew, "It was about six o Clock[....]" (August 11, 1803), [https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/internal/media/dispatcher/2153034/full ''Journal of a Tour from Boston to Niagara Falls and Quebec''] pgs. 104–5 (frame 107), Toronto Public Library. (See also Q.C. district's "Grand & romantic" scenery described (pg. 106)) Accessed 24 May 2024
21. "Upper-Canada, York, March 5," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268566 April 7, 1803] pg. 2. Accessed 29 May 2024
22. "The following was communicated[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268566 April 7, 1803] pg. 2. Accessed 29 May 2024
23. "Extracts from Reports made to the Brethren's Society[...]; Of Fairfield, in Canada" (August 24, 1803), ''1801-1805, vol. 03: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen'', [https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/2011/rec/3 pgs. 269-5] (frame 291 of 562), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 31 May 2024
24. [https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/354740/looking-east-along-front-street-east-from-northeast-corner?idx=1 "Looking east along Front Street East from north-east corner Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario"] (1803), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 24 May 2024
25. Edward Walsh, [https://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.01656/ "Queenstown (i.e. Queenston), Upper Canada on the Niagara"] ("Created / Published between 1803 and 1807"), Library of Congress. Accessed 5 June 2024
26. [https://archives.novascotia.ca/assembly/archives/?ID=2153 "Resolution of the House for a grant of £200 for the relief and support of distressed Indians for 1803"] (July 3, 1803), Nova Scotia Archives. (See also documents stating conditions of Mi'kmaq [https://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/archives/?ID=132 here] and [https://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/archives/?ID=133 here] and [https://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/archives/?ID=134 here] and [https://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/archives/?ID=135 here]) Accessed 24 May 2024
27. Thomas Shreve, "Sermon Preached at St. Paul's Church, in Halifax, before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient Masons[....]," (June 24, 1803), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.92041/12 pg. 8] (Image 12]. Accessed 23 May 2024
28. [https://archives.novascotia.ca/africanns/archives/?ID=63 "DeLancey v. Woodin (plaintiff's statement of claim against the defendant for harbouring 'Jack', a fugitive slave)"] (August 20, 1803), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 31 May 2024
29. [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.88952/28 "Title 16; Of the Scholars"] The Statutes, Rules and Ordinances, of the University of King's College, at Windsor, in the Province of Nova-Scotia (1803?), pg. 16 (Image 28). Accessed 23 May 2024
30. [https://archives.acadiau.ca/node/869 Journal of Rev. John Wiswall] letter (January 14, 1803), frames 125, 127. (See also mission society's intention to benefit teacher (frame 130)) Accessed 24 May 2024
31. [https://archives.novascotia.ca/sable/archives/?ID=2216 "Copy of letter from Commissioners to James Morris, Superintendent of Isle Sable"] (April 20, 1803), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 1 June 2024
32. "Extract of a letter from Horton, dated Nov. 2, 1802," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268546 January 13, 1803] pg. 3. Accessed 28 May 2024
33. [https://preserve.lib.unb.ca/wayback/20141205152149/http://contestedterrain.lib.unb.ca/petitions/view/deboss_deny_1803_01 "Petition of Deny Deboss, 9 October 1803, Charlotte County"] University of New Brunswick Libraries. Accessed 24 May 2024
34. Alex Taylor, [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1665&level=2 "A summary of the state and situation of the County of Northumberland, 1803"] University of New Brunswick Library. (See also similar surveys for [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1652&level=2 Queens County] [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=2389&level=2 Kings County] [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1664&level=2 Charlotte County] [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1673&level=2 Sunbury County] [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullimagerecord.cgi?id=11534&level=3 Westmoreland County] [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1675&level=2 upper York County] and [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1623&level=2 Woodstock parish] and [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=2390&level=2 St. Mary's parish]) plus [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1671&level=2 second survey of Northumberland County] Accessed 27 May 2024
35. [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1638&level=2 "Letter from Hugh Mackay to Robert Warren"] (April 26, 1803), University of New Brunswick Library. Accessed 27 May 2024
36. [https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/RS24/DocumentViewer.aspx?culture=en-CA&record=874 Petition] of Charlotte County residents (February 4, 1803), Legislative Assembly: Sessional Records (RS24), Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Accessed 31 May 2024
37. [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1630&level=2 "Letter from Edward Winslow to (Ward Chipman)"] (March 1803?), University of New Brunswick Library. Accessed 27 May 2024
38. Letter from Okkak (August 16, 1803), ''1801-1805, vol. 03: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen'', [https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/1986/rec/3 pgs. 244-5] (frame 266 of 562), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 31 May 2024
39. Letter from Hopedale (October 3, 1803), ''1801-1805, vol. 03: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen'', [https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/1996/rec/3 pg. 254] (frame 276 of 562), Memorial University of Newfoundland. (See also [https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/1997/rec/3 "Account of the last illness and happy departure of Benjamin"]) Accessed 31 May 2024
40. "State of the Island of Cape Breton from the Year 1784 to the Present Time," [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044010161826&seq=52 ''A Caveat against Emigration to America; with the State of the Island of Cape Breton''(....)] (1803), pg. 38 (frame 52), Harvard University. Accessed 5 June 2024
41. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/ordinance-regulating-grand-petit-juries-declaring-qualifications-jurors An Ordinance for regulating Grand & Petit Juries & declaring the Qualifications of Jurors] (February 14, 1803), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 22 May 2024
42. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/ordinance-provide-support-maintenance-bastard-children-and-punishing-mother-and An Ordinance to provide the Support & Maintenance of Bastard Children, and for punishing the Mother and Reported Father] (February 17, 1803), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 22 May 2024
43. "December [1803]," [https://pam.minisisinc.com/DIGITALOBJECTS/Access/HBCA%20Microfilm/1M33/B42-A-129.pdf "Churchill Post Journal; 1803-1804"] frame 7, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 4 June 2024
44. "September [1803]," [https://pam.minisisinc.com/DIGITALOBJECTS/Access/HBCA%20Microfilm/1M33/B42-A-129.pdf "Churchill Post Journal; 1803-1804"] frame 5, Archives of Manitoba. (See also "October" (in same frame) hunts for deer that yielded 4,168 lbs. of meat) Accessed 4 June 2024
45. ''The Captive of Nootka, of the Adventures of John R. Jewett'' (1841), [https://archive.org/details/captiveofnootkao00jewirich/page/43/mode/1up pg. 43], University of California Libraries. Accessed 5 June 2024