1809 in Canada

Incumbents

• Monarch: George III

Parliaments of Canada

• Parliament of Lower Canada: 5th (April 10 – May 18)
• Parliament of Upper Canada: 5th (starting February 2)

Governors

• Governor of the Canadas: James Henry Craig
• Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
• Governor of Nova Scotia: George Prevost
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Holloway
• Governor of Prince Edward Island: Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres
• Governor of Upper Canada: Francis Gore

Events

• On August 17, the foundation of Nelson's Column, Montreal was laid.
• November 3: John Molson's steamboat, PS Accommodation, starts for Quebec City. It is 85 ft overall, has a 6 hp engine, and makes the distance in 36 hours, but stops at night and reaches Quebec on November 6. The Accommodation is the second steamboat in America, and probably the world.
• From 1809 to 1811, Tecumseh, Shawnee chief, and the Prophet campaign to unite tribes of the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Southeast against the United States. His brother Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet, is defeated at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
• Napoleon's continental blockade cuts British access to Scandinavian timber.
• The North West Company builds Fort Gibraltar.

Births

• January 31 – Lemuel Allan Wilmot, lawyer, politician, judge, and 3rd Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick (d.1878)
• March 27 – Jean-Louis Beaudry, entrepreneur, politician and 11th Mayor of Montreal (d.1886)
• May 15 – Pierre-Eustache Dostaler, politician (d.1884)
• June 15 – François-Xavier Garneau, notary, civil servant, poet and historian (d.1866)
• July 25 – Jonathan McCully, politician (d.1877)
• October 11 – Modeste Demers, missionary (d.1871)
• November 15 – Charles La Rocque, priest and third Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe (d.1875)
• November 24 – Amos Wright, politician (d.1886)

Deaths

• July 3 – Joseph Quesnel, musician (b. 1746)

Historical documents

Map: British North America and northeastern U.S.A. (Lake Superior to Newfoundland and James Bay to Virginia, with names of Indigenous nations)

Quebec editorial warns that U.S.A. has such strong home advantage that even were its seaports "laid in ashes," it would be "unvanquished"

New Hampshire Congressman says "the zeal of the inhabitants of the U.S. as to marching into Canada is very much diminished"

Town meetings from coast to interior of Massachusetts and New York are resolved against embargo, even though it is good alternative to war

Satirical editorial laments embargo repeal and blames Jefferson for "the storm he has so jacobinically raised among the starving Sans culottes"

Indication from Congress is that embargo will be lifted on March 4 (note: that was last day of President Jefferson's administration)

President James Madison informs Congress of growing U.S.-U.K. reconciliation and hoped-for resumption of trade on June 10

Michigan's Gov. Hull advises "Ottawa and Chippewa Nations" at Michilimackinac not to listen to British advice

Map: British North America (including Hudson Bay and Baffin Bay)

Lower Canada

Gov. Gen. Craig tells L.C. parliament to extend benefits from U.S. embargo by ending "causeless jealousies and suspicions amongst yourselves"

After controversy in 1808, Assembly resolves "that Ezekiel Hart, Esquire, possessing the Jewish religion, cannot sit, nor vote in this House"

Craig orders election to replace current Assembly, citing members' "fruitless debates" and "private and personal animosities"

"The pertinacious obstinacy and deep rooted prejudices of the lower classes" against smallpox vaccination are crimes against their children

Models are being made in Trois-Rivières for iron machinery for steamboat that is to begin service from Montreal

"The [ice] road across the river was hardly made when the streets of Montreal were crowded with American sleighs," with 500 more bringing farm products

Road to Quebec City from head of Connecticut River would allow supply of beef that would drive down price "one or two pence on the pound"

Obituary of Jean Baptiste Lahaille says his teaching in Seminary of Quebec "enabled his young auditors to follow him[...]almost without effort"

Saint-Roch brewery thanks Quebec City garrison and citizens for so successfully containing malt house fire with their fire engines

Thief awaiting pardon right up to his execution was mistaken believing Crown issues reprieves that would compromise public welfare

At trial of dueller, judge explains homicide, manslaughter and murder, plus "Point of Honour" as extralegal but valid consideration

Two Ste. Famille parish men are fined £20 each for hiding deserter, but regiment returns £15 to one called extremely poor and contrite

Details of "the most daring robbery we ever heard of in the province, surpassing for hardihood every thing [likely in] persons of this country"

Praising Parliament bill protecting animals, especially overrun, overdriven and overburdened horses, editorial sees need for same in L.C.

Canadian Courant reports 200 "hardy Americans" have arrived or are coming to seigneury near Montreal to fulfill lumber contracts

"A Steady respectable Young or Middle aged man [is wanted] as an Out-Door Clerk" residing summer and fall on timber grounds at Wolfe's Cove

Just imported: men's beaver, silk and "Beaver water proof" hats, servants' camel hair hats, and hats for children, ladies and "Country merchants"

"Othello" to be performed "with entire new Dresses, &c.;" gentlemen are requested to buy tickets in lobby and not give money to doorkeeper

Review of performances in The Honey Moon range from "a Chef d'œuvre of theatric Art" to "get rid of a languishing drawl"

Literary Society of Quebec will give silver medal to "the best verses in the English, French or Latin Languages" on King George's birth

Scenes in new wax museum in Quebec City include "the death of Lord Nelson, in his last moments, attended by his Captain and Lieut."

Masked ball at Government House and terrace includes people dressed as "a Gentleman Jew[,] an old French Lady of the last century" etc.

L.C. resident has vision of three golden carriages, three angels and God's warning

Upper Canada

"[In] Soil, Climate and Government, Upper Canada may vie with any part of the globe [and will soon] become one of our most flourishing Colonies"

Quaker Timothy Rogers notes epidemic of typhus that on and near Yonge St. kills "about thirty[...]and considerable numbers in other places"

Six Nations chiefs tell William Claus that "the cause of our misfortune" is land and "we have been very foolish & parted with our lands"

Petition of 8 justices of the peace for remission of 7 jailed men's fines which they can't pay, or "they must suffer a perpetual imprisonment"

Watertown, N.Y. report that 50 "Canadian Tories" came over from Kingston, U.C. and forcibly took 80 barrels of potash seized by officials

Salt storage offered along Niagara because "carriers[...]on the British [and] American side of the river[...]leave salt exposed to the weather"

Quakers' right to affirm or declare (instead of swear) in any case where oath usually is required is extended to "Menonists and Tunkers"

John Strachan's lectures on natural philosophy are for "young Gentlemen who [want] a knowledge of this, the most[...]interesting of all the Sciences"

Nova Scotia

Anglican minister says he has many congregants but few Church members in Rawdon, but is happy with Newport though "the Baptists are numerous"

Glebe rent is not higher given how much pasture is needed to fatten one ox, how long it is (12 years) before stump land can be plowed, etc.

Commission declares Halifax merchant "a lunatic" and he, his property and his debts are to go under protection of his wife and two others

Minister says new schoolmaster has clear voice, is good reader and "compleat master of psalmody" and has much better education than most

New Brunswick

Jonathan Odell states that no purchase or lease of Indigenous land is allowed unless "with the full consent of every Man of the tribe"

Mi'kmaq Julien, Viense and other families petition government for "vacant" 2-mile stretch of Nipisiguit River near Bay of Chaleur

Charlotte County report notes "great loss of timber" since price rose on greater demand, with 20,000 tons of squared pine amassed

School will teach girls reading, writing, sewing and embroidery, and boys reading, writing, arithmetic and "Merchant's Accounts"

Labrador

Some Inuit maintain Christian habits while out on land, including singing hymns, praying together and saying "what the Lord had done for them"

Labrador missionary suffers swelling in legs accompanied by "St. Anthony's Fire" (which might be shingles or ergotism or erysipelas)

Elsewhere

Funding set for "Proper Buildings for[...]General Assembly, the Supreme Court and its Offices" and other uses in Charlottetown and other P.E.I. counties

Several ships coming from St. John's are dismasted or missing in heavy gales, and ones that left last winter and fall are not heard of since

References

References

1. (31 December 2015). "George III". Royal Household.
2. (1870). "Ville-Marie, Or, Sketches of Montreal: Past and Present". G. Bishop.
3. (1966). "Dictionary of Canadian Biography". Springer Science & Business Media.
4. [https://digitalarchiveontario.ca/internal/media/dispatcher/2131381/full "Map of Canada, &c."] ("published July 6th, 1809"), in ''Letters from Canada, Written during a Residence There in the Years 1806, 1807 and 1808''[....] Accessed 15 October 2024
5. "Quebec, January 9, 1809; From so great a part[....]," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660735 January 9, 1809] pg. 15, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
6. "Congress; House of Representatives; Debate on raising the Embargo, and authorising Letters of Marque and Reprisal--Continued; Thursday, Feb. 2; Mr. Durell's speech concluded," National Intelligencer, & Washington Advertiser (February 17, 1809), [https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ndnp/dlc/batch_dlc_forest_ver01/data/sn83045242/print/1809021701/0002.pdf pg. 2] (column 2), Library of Congress. Accessed 17 October 2024
7. "The Quebec Gazette; The anti-Embargo town meetings[....]" The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269149 February 9, 1809] pg. 1 (column 4 bottom), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 October 2024
8. "Quebec, February 27, 1809; At our last[....]," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660742 February 27, 1809] pgs. 70–1 (bottom of column 3), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also "Reasons of Mr. Randolph for Repealing the Embargo," [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660744 pg. 83]) Accessed 7 October 2024
9. "New-York, Feby. 3; It is said in letters from Washington[....]" The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269151 February 16, 1809] pg. 2 (column 3 top), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269158 "Substance of the Non-Intercourse Act"] article (pg. 2, column 1) quoting several sections of new law, and also U.S. Treasury circular (in [https://digitalarchiveontario.ca/internal/media/dispatcher/2125123/full Documents Accompanying the Message of the President] (frame 4)) saying embargo will continue) Accessed 10 October 2024
10. "Yesterday's Burlington Mail; Washington, May 22" The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269182 June 8, 1809] pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 October 2024
11. "Gov. Hull's Address to the Indians, Aug. 1809" (August 29, 1809 text), pgs. [https://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/SixNPL/SixNPL002693927pf_0003.pdf 3] and [https://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/SixNPL/SixNPL002693927pf_0004.pdf 4] Six Nations Public Library. Accessed 15 October 2024
12. [https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/w9505s23z "The British Possessions in North America from the best Authorities"] (1809), Boston Public Library. Accessed 17 October 2024
13. "Provincial Parliament of Lower Canada; I might be thought insensible[....]" (April 13, 1809), The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660749 April 17, 1809] pg. 125, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
14. "The order of the day[....]" (May 5, 1809), Journal of the House of Assembly, Lower-Canada (1809), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_00938_18/241 pgs. 242, 244, 246, 248] (See also next day's failed attempts (pgs. 250, 252) to amend resolution barring Hart, and [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660756 letter to the editor] ("Mr. Editor," pg. 156) calling for free enjoyment of every religion, and provincial election [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660806 results] (pg. 350) showing Hart lost by wide margin) Accessed 4 October 2024
15. "And then His Excellency was pleased to make the following Speech[....]" (May 15, 1809), Journal of the House of Assembly, Lower-Canada (1809), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_00938_18/301 pgs. 302, 304] Accessed 4 October 2024
16. "It is with the greatest grief[....]," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660744 March 13, 1809] pg. 87 (left column), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
17. "Extract of a letter from Three Rivers," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660742 February 27, 1809] pg. 71, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660807 description] (pg. 358) of steamboat and its maiden voyage and [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269191 another] on Lake Champlain that serves St. Jean sur Richelieu) Accessed 7 October 2024
18. "Montreal, Jan. 9," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269143 January 12, 1809] pg. 1 (right column), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269148 "Boston, January 14" report] (pg. 2, column 2) of 700 sleighs on road between Montreal and western Vermont, and [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269146 "The Land Embargo; Comment"] (pg. 1, column 3) reporting glutted Montreal market) Accessed 10 October 2024
19. "Communication," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660806 October 30, 1809] pg. 349, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 9 October 2024
20. "Died," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269179 June 1, 1809] pg. 2 (column 4), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 October 2024
21. "Mr. Young[....]" (January 7, 1809), The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660735 January 9, 1809] pg. 15, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
22. "Quebec: Thursday, October 19, 1809; On Friday last[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269215 October 19, 1809] pg. 2 (column 4), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 11 October 2024
23. "Major Campbell; There is still another point[....]," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660736 January 16, 1809] pg. 20, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
24. "Quebec Gazette; Two inhabitants[....], The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269194 July 20, 1809] pg. 2 (column 4), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 11 October 2024
25. "Daring Robbery," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660775 July 24, 1809] pg. 238–9, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
26. "Quebec, July 15, 1809," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660773 July 17, 1809] pg. 227, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
27. "Montreal, March 6" The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269154 March 9, 1809] pg. 2 (column 3 bottom), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 October 2024
28. "Wanted" The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269152 February 23, 1809] pg. 3 (column 1), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 October 2024
29. "Hat Warehouse" (June 27, 1809), The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269193 July 13, 1809] pg. 1 (column 1), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 11 October 2024
30. "Theatre," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660744 March 13, 1809] pg. 87, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
31. "Theatre," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269215 October 19, 1809] pg. 3 (column 1), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 11 October 2024
32. "The Literary Society of Quebec[....]" (April 5, 1809), The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660748 April 10, 1809] pg. 120, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
33. "New Museum of Wax Work," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660754 May 8, 1809] pg. 151, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
34. "Communication" (May 4, 1809), The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660757 May 22, 1809] pg. 163, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 8 October 2024
35. [https://digitalvermont.org/items/show/4735 "A Dream or Vision, By Samuel Ingalls, of Dunham, in the Province of Lower Canada, on the night of Sept. 2, 1809"] Vermont Historical Society. Accessed 17 October 2024
36. "To the Right Honorable Lord Castlereagh one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, &c. &c. &c." (October 24, 1809), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.42221/18 pg. 13] Accessed 3 October 2024
37. [https://cfha.info/journalrogers.pdf ''The Journal of Timothy Rogers''] pg. 117 (frame 131), Canadian Friends Historical Association. Accessed 15 October 2024
38. "Proceedings of a Council with the Six Nations" (March 10, 1809), [https://www.notlmuseum.ca/research/download/81/3/47 Records of Niagara; 1805–1811] images 61–2, Niagara Historical Society. (See also details (image 64) of problems with settlers on their land) Accessed 15 October 2024
39. "Petitions of Magistrates of Niagara" (June 5, 1809), [https://www.notlmuseum.ca/research/download/81/3/47 Records of Niagara; 1805–1811] image 58, Niagara Historical Society. Accessed 15 October 2024
40. "British Aggression," The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660744 March 13, 1809] pg. 85, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 October 2024
41. [https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/2634/data "Portage"] Geneva (N.Y.] Gazette (June 21, 1809), Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Accessed 15 October 2024
42. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-relief-menonists-and-tunkers-certain-cases-passed-9th-march-1809 "An Act for the relief of Menonists and Tunkers in certain Cases"] (March 9, 1809), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 2 October 2024
43. "An excellent Philosophical Apparatus[....]" (September 21, 1809), The Quebec Mercury, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3660797 October 2, 1809] pg. (313), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also Strachan's book [https://digitalarchiveontario.ca/objects/342972/a-concise-introduction-to-practical-arithmetic-for-the-use-o?idx=56 A Concise Introduction to Practical Arithmetic for the Use of Schools] (1809)) Accessed 9 October 2024
44. "An Abstract of the Proceedings of the Society; The Rev. Dr. Cochran[....]," A Sermon Preached before the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts at their Anniversary Meeting[....] (1810), [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.64879/42 pgs. 37–38] (Images 42–3). Accessed 28 October 2024
45. [https://archives.acadiau.ca/node/869 ''Journal of Rev. John Wiswall''] (June 16, 1809), frame 148, Acadia University. Accessed 3 October 2024
46. [https://bnald.lib.unb.ca/legislation/act-authorise-sale-part-lands-and-tenements-samuel-hart-halifax-merchant-lunatick-or "An Act to authorise the sale of part of the Lands and Tenements of Samuel Hart, of Halifax, merchant, a lunatick, or insane person, for payment of his Debts, and for his maintenance and support"] (1809), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 2 October 2024
47. [https://archives.acadiau.ca/node/869 ''Journal of Rev. John Wiswall''] (June 17, 1809), frame 150, Acadia University. Accessed 3 October 2024
48. [https://web.lib.unb.ca/archives/finding/ia/trans_35.html Transcription for Indian Affairs; Document #35] (June 6, 1809), University of New Brunswick Archives. Accessed 15 October 2024
49. [https://preserve.lib.unb.ca/wayback/20141205154334mp_/http://contestedterrain.lib.unb.ca/petitions/view/julian_andrew_1809_01 "Petition of Andrew Julian, 8 May 1809, Northumberland County. Transcription"] University of New Brunswick Libraries. Accessed 16 October 2024
50. [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullimagerecord.cgi?id=14057&level=3 "Letter from Captain Hatch to Edward Winslow"] (truncated; July 23, 1809), University of New Brunswick Library. (See also [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullimagerecord.cgi?id=14143&level=3 letter] with details of jump in timber market because of Baltic blockade, and [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=2043&level=2 letter] reporting "a great and destructive havoc [in Westmorland County] Pine timber [for] his Majesty's Use") Accessed 17 October 2024
51. "Education," The (Saint John) Times; or True Briton (August 24, 1809), [https://newspapers.lib.unb.ca/serials/46/issues/242/pages/1111 pg. 1] University of New Brunswick Libraries. Accessed 3 October 2024
52. Letter from Hopedale (August 4, 1809), ''1806-1810, vol. 04: 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/1005/rec/4 pg. 447] (frame 495 of 574), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 16 October 2024
53. Letter from Hopedale (August 4, 1809), ''1806-1810, vol. 04: 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/1004/rec/4 pg. 446] (frame 494 of 574), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 16 October 2024
54. [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_01818/298 "An Act for raising the sum of Sixteen Hundred Pounds, for the purpose of erecting Buildings(....)"] (1809), ''The Statutes at Large of Prince Edward Island'' (1834), pgs. 298–302. Accessed 2 October 2024
55. "St. John's, Newfoundland, May 13," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4269191 July 6, 1809] pg. 3 (column 1), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 11 October 2024