Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective

1775 in Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1775 in Canada
Remove ads

Events from the year 1775 in Canada.

Quick facts Decades:, See also: ...

Incumbents

Governors

Events

  • April 19 – The American War of Independence begins, at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts.
  • May 1 – A bust of George III is found, in Montreal, adorned with beads, cross, and mitre, with the words "Pope of Canada: Sot of England." A reward of 500 guineas does not lead to apprehension of the culprit.[citation needed]
  • May 10 – Ethan Allen takes Fort Ticonderoga.
  • June 9 – Martial law is proclaimed in Canada.[2]
  • August 21 – Generals Schuyler and Richard Montgomery, with 1,000 American Patriots come to Canada, and invite the inhabitants to rebel.[citation needed]
  • September 17 – Montgomery besieges Fort St. Johns.
  • September 25 – Attempting to take Montreal, Ethan Allen and many of his 150 followers are captured, at Longue Pointe, and are sent to England.
  • October 18 – American Patriots capture Chambly.
  • October 25 – On Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec from New England, his force begins crossing the height of land between Maine and Canada for the descent to the St. Lawrence River.
  • November 3 – Hindered by Colonel Warner, of Vermont, Governor Guy Carleton cannot relieve St. Johns, which surrenders to Montgomery.
  • November 12 – General Montgomery tells Montrealers that, being defenceless, they cannot stipulate terms; but promises to respect personal rights. He demands the keys of public stores, and appoints 9 a.m. tomorrow for the army's entrance, by the Recollet gate. (see "Nov 12, 1775 Articles of Capitulation")
  • November 13 – The invaders appropriate royal stores.
  • December 31 – At the Battle of Quebec, British forces repulsed an attack by the Continental Army to capture Quebec City and enlist French Canadian support.
  • Having captured Montreal, American Patriot troops fail to take Quebec City or elicit local support, and withdraw within a year.
Remove ads

Births

Deaths

Historical documents

Summarize
Perspective

American Revolutionary War

"We are involved in all the Horrors of a Civil War" - Bostonian on April 19 "general Engagement" between troops and militia, fearing many more deaths[3]

Quebec Act mandated authority of governor means "he is possessed of absolute and despotic Powers" limited only by his need of Council majority vote[4]

Gov. Guy Carleton offers $200 reward for person who disfigured King George bust in Montreal and attached "False and Scandalous Libel" about him[5]

Continental Congress resolves to end exports to Quebec, Nova Scotia, Island of St. John's, and Newfoundland, as well as to British fisheries[6]

Finding "the protestant and catholic colonies to be strongly linked together," Congress calls on "oppressed Inhabitants of Canada" to join it[7]

Carleton says Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by Benedict Arnold, who also got Navy sloop, bateaux and military stores at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu[8]

"We have been puzzled to discover what we ought to do with the Canadians and Indians" - John Adams sees need for Canadians (Note: "savages" used)[9]

Gen. Israel Putnam gets support bid "from one of the Indian Nations near Canada," while Carleton is said to find "the People in general" won't fight rebels[10]

Carleton laments "impotent Situation" of only 600 soldiers and no militia, and Quebeckers' minds poisoned by "Hypocrisy and Lies" from other colonies[11]

Alexander Hamilton: "King, through[...]his creatures, the Governor and Council may[...]mould the criminal laws of Canada[...]to the most tyrannical views"[12]

Congress orders Gen. Philip Schuyler to take St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Montreal if "practicable [and not] disagreeable to the Canadians"[13]

"We are this day informed in Congress that the six Nations and Canada Indians are firmly disposed to observe a strict neutrality"[14]

Congress has "received certain intelligence that General Carleton[...]is instigating the people of [Canada] and the Indians to fall upon us"[15]

Chiefs with families (numbering 1,600) in Montreal to declare "they are unanimous" in leading their people against "the Bostonians" (Note: "savage" used)[16]

Call for men for Royal Highland Emigrants regiment "to engage during the present Troubles in America only," for grants of 200 acres rentfree for 20 years[17]

"Neutrality and your present blessings are incompatible with each other" - Canadians must expect worst if Colonies' "arm'd and numerous rabble" invade[18]

Lake Champlain skirmish north of Quebec boundary leaves rebel captain dead and later decapitated by Indigenous men with British soldiers[19]

Report that Canadians "highly approved" Congress's letter, and are uneasy about possible scarcity of grain products because provisions go to Boston[20]

Gen. Schuyler summarizes intelligence about British, his eagerness to invade, and Gen. Richard Montgomery's departure plans (Note: "savages" used)[21]

From Cambridge, Washington sends "(though late in the Season)" detachment of 1,000 men under Arnold to Quebec City by way of Kennebec River[22]

Account of battle near St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu in which small British force of mostly Indigenous men drives off several hundred rebel invaders[23]

British regulars and Indigenous men ambush part of force under Schuyler near St.-Jean but are routed, while Ethan Allen's force cuts link to Montreal[24]

Accounts of Battle of Longue-Pointe near Montreal in which Ethan Allen and some Chambly Canadians (who had prospect of plunder) were captured[25]

Thomas Jefferson notes "intrepidity" of Canadians helping besiege St.-Jean but sees they can get discouraged; mentions "bitter enemy" Luc de la Corne[26]

Gen. Richard Montgomery reports Chambly capitulation after mostly Canadian siege (Note: "St. John's" is Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu)[27]

Gen. Montgomery reports artillery assault of St.-Jean, followed by surrender when garrison learns relief from Montreal is defeated[28]

"Pitiful and humorous spectacle" - Col. Arnold's bedraggled regiment arrives at St. Lawrence River near Quebec City from Maine[29]

Congressional agents ordered "to exert your utmost endeavours to induce the Canadians to accede to a union with these colonies" and send delegates[30]

Schuyler relates Carleton's escape from Montreal before its fall to Montgomery and looks ahead in hope of Quebec City's capture[31]

Arnold reports he has too few men to storm Quebec City, and they lack sufficient clothing and ammunition, so he has retired to await Montgomery's force[32]

Arnold reports that Montgomery has joined him and they are at Quebec City, "which has a wretched motley Garrison[...], the Walls in a ruinous Situation"[33]

Death of Gen. Montgomery at Quebec reported by rebel general in Montreal, who begs for reinforcements to sway impressionable Canadians to his side[34]

Canada

Physician "commodiously lodged for treating all Kinds of Diseases" if people send him their case in writing, and poor helped gratis if postage paid[35]

Upper Town, Quebec City "Doctor of Physic" offers advice gratis and medicines at reasonable rates, inoculates for smallpox and treats venereal disease[36]

Mary Barnsley denies husband's accusations and says "bad Usage and ill Treatment from him were the Cause of my Elopment [sic]"[37]

Select Society for "literary Intercourse" resists "present rapid Torrent of Gaming, and devote[...]their Leisure to so rational and useful an Amusement"[38]

In "Mathematical Thesis," natural philosophy students Panet, Perrault and Chavaux will "resolve such Problems in Algebra and Geometry" as put to them[39]

For sale at Anne Taylor's distillery: "Essense of Spruce" for making 30 gallons of beer, as well as spruce beer "for Family or Ship's Use"[40]

John Robinson, gelder, "cuts Horses with the Greatest Security, splays Heifers, and gelds and splays Pigs [with] utmost Care and constant Attendance"[41]

Nova Scotia

Following raid on Saint John River by "Rebels from Machias," Gov. Legge proclaims Nova Scotia militia subject to "Service in Time of War" act[42]

Ships from Nova Scotia carrying provisions to Boston risk capture, including by "Spider Catchers," 8-10-ton boats based in New England seaports[43]

Two Nova Scotia House members deny being "factious and rebelliously disposed," but one reported to Gen. Gage, who has list of "disaffected" in N.S.[44]

Governor's proclamation warns Nova Scotians "not in any Manner directly or indirectly [to] aid or assist with any Supplies whatever, any Rebel or Rebels"[45]

Noting "a most unnatural and dangerous Rebellion" in America, treason in Canada, and home "Invasion," Nova Scotia to collect rate of 5s to £5 for militia[46]

Refugees to take loyalty oath and enter province as inhabitants, but those refusing oath may be jailed, and "traiterous Correspondence" will be punished[47]

Refugees to be provided food and granted land free of rent for 10 years, and Nova Scotians encouraged to supply lumber and coal to Caribbean market[48]

Nova Scotia farmer and former Army officer imprisoned by Massachusetts General Court after he visits Boston with no good reason for going there[49]

Scores of patients, age 50 down to under 1, inoculated for smallpox, are "save over the Disease; without having had one bad, or unpromising Symptom"[50]

Detailed "advice and instructions concerning innoculation, by self-applying "pocky matter" in scratches, addressed to the industrious poor of Halifax"[51]

Provincial treasury audit has found books and papers "of high Concern" missing; £100 reward offered for their return, and £500 for whoever took them[52]

"To be Sold, A likely well made Negro Boy, about Sixteen Years old,---Enquire of the Printer."[53]

Any Nova Scotia resident may bring livestock and vegetables into Halifax for sale in street or building, even during Market hours[54]

"Paltry artifice" - Reader criticizes Nova Scotia Gazette publisher for reprinting "trash" contrived in Philadelphia papers by Continental Congress[55]

"She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness" - Mrs. Jane Chipman of Cornwallis, who died after falling from horse[56]

Charles Wright disavows wife Hannah's debts after she keeps "bad Company," sells some of furniture ("to my great Distress and Damage") and runs off[57]

Prince Edward Island

Leaving for Britain, St. John's Island governor Walter Patterson says he will "try to rouse the proprietors [to] promote" their own interest[58]

"I never saw better grass, white clover, wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, and all kinds of garden stuff[...]altho' they are very bad farmers"[59]

Charlottetown raided by privateers in November and governor, surveyor general and many public and private papers carried off[60]

Newfoundland

Three 20-gun ships and several sloops to be added to naval force "to prevent the Americans carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland"[61]

Navy frigate on Newfoundland station "destroyed a number of stages which the French had erected beyong the Limits allowed them for[...]the Fishery[62]

Labrador

"Very unpleasant situation" - Trapped at edge of snowy Labrador precipice, George Cartwright and friend drop down using length of cod line in his pocket[63]

Indigenous nations

New "Indian Affairs" rules include sending superintendent annually to check on local officials, who will act as JPs and admit Indigenous evidence in court[64]

Local "Indian King" Solomon says he is given "Liberty" to join rebels by Kanien’kéhà:ka, who will "hold 500 men in readiness to join us on the first Notice"[65]

Using metaphor of son (colonies) injured by "proud and wicked servants" (ministers) of father (King), Congress tells Haudenosaunee to stay out of war[66]

With presents and talks, Continental Congress has created northern department of Indian affairs covering Six Nations "and all to the Northward of them"[67]

In Albany, 700 Kanien’kéhà:ka and Onondaga declare friendship and hope to bring over Canadian relations, despite "all Governor Carleton's endeavours"[68]

Members of St. Francois tribe offer services to Americans, and say Indigenous people and French generally are "determined not to act against us"[69]

Superintendent of Indian Affairs Guy Johnson in Montreal and expected to sail for England, "the Season being too far advanced for [Indian] Operations"[70]

Haudenosaunee sachems refuse Johnson's war feast and song at Montreal; Kanien’kéhà:ka are rebuked for not sending for their people in Canada[71]

Alexander Henry describes people in Cree village on Lake Winnipeg, where women not only "beguile" his men, but are lent for year's service to them[72]

Remove ads

References

Loading related searches...

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Remove ads
Remove ads