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 1791
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Events from the year 1791 in Canada.

Incumbents

Federal government

Governors

Events

  • 1791–95 – British Captain George Vancouver explores Northwest Coast exhaustively with two ships, but finds no Northwest Passage.
  • Edmund Burke supports the proposed constitution for Canada, saying that: "To attempt to amalgamate two populations, composed of races of men diverse in language, laws and habitudes, is a complete absurdity. Let the proposed constitution be founded on man's nature, the only solid basis for an enduring government."
  • Charles James Fox declares that "Canada ought to remain attached to Great Britain through the good-will of the Canadians alone."
  • Lord Grenville, denying that Canadian attachment to French jurisprudence is due to prejudice, says it is founded "on the noblest sentiments of the human breast."
  • George Vancouver leaves England to explore the west coast; Alejandro Malaspina also explores the northwest coast for Spain.
  • In response to Loyalist demands, the Constitutional Act of 1791 divides Quebec into Lower Canada (mostly French) and Upper Canada (mostly English who recently migrated from America). In so doing, the Crown hopes to create a stable society that is distinctly non-American. Although French-Canadians retain the privileges granted by the Quebec Act, the Anglican church receives preferred status, including the clergy reserves.

An Anglo-French colonial aristocracy of rich merchants, leading officials, and landholders is expected to work with the royal governors to ensure proper order. Legislative assemblies, although elected by propertied voters, have little real power.

  • Population of Lower Canada is 160,000. Population of Upper Canada is 14,000.

Births

Deaths

Historical documents

Bill to create two provinces in Canada is meant to end "great competition" between French and English in "various questions of law"[3]

Act creating Upper Canada and Lower Canada provides each with council of lifetime appointees and assembly elected by property owners[4]

British commander at Fort Niagara explains "critical situation" of Six Nations and Delaware as U.S. forces move against "Western Indians"[5]

Defeat of U.S. offensive prompts hope that new boundary along Ohio and Genesee rivers will replace "present lines[...]of constant Contention"[6]

List: "Warriors" in each Indigenous nation include 1,500 "Assiniboiis," 3,000 "Christianeaux," 2,000 "Messesagues," and 1,500 "Round-headed Indians"[7]

Conservative French revolutionary calls on English to abandon "frivolous pretext" of Nootka Crisis for going to war with Spain[8]

Despite expectations, Nova Scotia and Canada are unable to supply many products to British West Indies, which instead import them from U.S.A.[9]

Scottish author of tour book including New Brunswick and Lower and Upper Canada says British laws drive his countrymen to "asylum" overseas[10]

Map: "Sketch of the Western Countries of Canada; 1791" from Mississippi to Tadoussac and James Bay to Lake Erie, with Indigenous nations' names[11]

Lower Canada

New constitution brings hope that people will not split into parties and will reject "ridiculous distinction of old and new subjects"[12]

Observance of holidays, labelled "idleness" costing nation and families of those not allowed to work, is declared voluntary by Bishop of Quebec[13]

As "part of the Provisions sent out from England[...]for the Relief of this Province," sale of flour is restricted to families and local bakers only[14]

Visitor to Lower Canada declares "Canadians are perhaps the worst farmers in the world," with worst cattle but best horses[15]

Farmers should grow potatoes because of their long season, success in all soil types, food value to humans and cattle, etc., etc.[16]

Elizabeth Monney, 15, guilty of stealing 16 shillings, is liable to death penalty but, on jury's recommendation of mercy, is sentenced to 15 lashes[17]

"Young Negro Lad" for sale, about 18 or 19, "strong and very healthy, has had the small pox and measles," and speaks English, French and German[18]

Novena held in Quebec City includes Monseigneur's "eloquent and strong sermon upon fasting[, and] nothing so pleases the people as to hear him"[19]

Besides school with classes in English, French, geography etc., James Tanswell is to publish English grammar and exercise book for francophones[20]

"Montreal Society united for free Debate [is founded for] the investigation and discussion of the most useful moral and political Truths"[21]

Reader wants all lawyers to take oath to seek justice, act only on facts "founded in law and truth," and never "mislead the minds of a jury"[22]

"Far from having an immoral tendency," young men's theatre activities prepare them "for the world, by the ease, confidence and grace they inspire"[23]

Unusually strong earthquake followed by 10 days of aftershocks hits Baie-Saint-Paul area[24]

Upper Canada

Brief description of Upper Canada with its "industrious, hardy race [of] excellent farmers" and its "fish, particularly trout, of an incredible size"[25]

Golden Horseshoe soil: "no wonder then that such an amazing [benefit] should bring to maturity every vegetable common to temperate climates"[26]

Rich soil, warmer climate, coal and lead - "The English may certainly render West Canada through time a most delightful country"[27]

Government to get "Civil Officers [who make their offices] respectable and useful" and governor "esteemed for[...]good sense [and] professional merit"[28]

Joseph Brant and other chiefs agree that Haldimand Tract will be centred on straight line from "Mohawk Village" to Grand River bend near Lake Erie[29]

Visitor to Kingston meets Captain Thomas, "the principal man" in Kahnawake, and learns about his fur trade business (including smuggling)[30]

Nova Scotia

Revenue now inadequate to pay government expenses and interest on debt will increase with income, profession and head taxes of 1–10 shillings[31]

Acadian communal cooperation helps revive their society after Deportation[32]

"Petitioner Peters" welcomes Secretary of State's announcement of plan to give Blacks land in "free settlement" in Sierra Leone, Africa[33]

John Clarkson recruits Blacks to emigrate to Sierra Leone on basis of taking only those of good character, despite pressure to take all, or none[34]

Clarkson notes Preston Blacks' "strong sense, quick apprehension, clear reasoning, gratitude, [and] affection for their wives & Children"[35]

Recruiting notice to "All able bodied Free Negro Men who are willing to serve His Majesty in the Black Carolina Corps now in the West-Indies"[36]

Readers of guide to farming warned not to dismiss printed agricultural advice as "mere Theory and Speculation, without practice"[37]

John Clarkson describes people of poor settlement at Port L'Hebert, Nova Scotia[38]

Description of 18–20-foot "Indian canoe" records nature and shape of various parts and interaction with Indigenous people who came in it[39]

Detailed record of Lunenburg murder case, with charge to grand jury, arraignment of accused, and their trial and sentencing[40]

Margaret Murphy executed for murdering Maria Ball; "black fellow" gets 6-month sentence plus pillory for "assault with intent to commit a rape"[41]

Shelburne grand jury indicts Jesse Gray for kidnapping free Black woman Mary Postell and her daughters from East Florida and enslaving them[42]

Bishop of Nova Scotia to deliver charity sermon for benefit of Sunday school children suffering lack of shoes, stockings and other clothing[43]

Stud horse "Admiral," with his lengthy pedigree, advertised as available in Cornwallis[44]

New Brunswick

Description of Fundy coast reflects notion of "terra nullius" by calling it "in the rude state of nature, and without an inhabitant"[45]

Many Indigenous people canoe Saint John River, taking their children to schools with teachers hired by government, which clothes and feeds children[46]

Lt. Gov. Thomas Carleton told to look into Thomas Peters' complaint about land owed to Blacks, but also interest in Sierra Leone and Black corps[47]

Nine Black men request Kingsclear land allotments to end their being "of little use to their family's and less to the Community"[48]

On recommendation of Lt. Gov. Carleton, "New England Company for propagating the Gospel among the native Indians" recruits Edward Winslow[49]

Hudson Bay

Canoe trip from Osnaburgh House to Rainy River to Albany complicated by unusually cold weather and potential violence with Indigenous people[50]

Joseph Colen of York Factory describes "wandering" of "Homeguard" Indigenous people and "Bungees" to detriment of Hudson's Bay Company trade[51]

Colen suspects sailors are stealing HBC's trade goods and ship stores, including half of mainsail "to make themselves trousers"[52]

Elsewhere

Britain and Spain sign convention allowing trade in each other's recent and future Pacific settlements north of Spanish America[53]

As stock prices skyrocket in U.S.A., causing fears of bubble, discussing problem may dampen "a spirit which may be productive of a calamity"[54]

After defeating U.S. forces, Indigenous nations in "Miamis Country" ask Indian Department's help or they will "go over to the Spanish Lines"[55]

Red Jacket tells U.S. officials his people rely on British advice because it comes with wampum, and that British explain U.S. texts they cannot read[56]

With news of murderous riots in Paris and Birmingham, Quebec Gazette will assess "degree of anxiety the public may testify" before printing more[57]

St. John's Island's Lt. Gov. Fanning tells Council and House of Assembly "want of cash[...]seems to be a difficulty very generally felt and lamented"[58]

Alexander Mackenzie asks Roderick to seek trade possibilities with "Red Knives," "Slaves" and "Beaver Indians," including on "River Disappointment"[59]

Calling practices of Labrador Inuit "heathenish," Moravian missionaries "wish to see in this poor people[...]a desire to be redeemed from sin"[60]

References

  1. ↑ "Kings and Queens of Canada". aem. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. ↑ "Biography – BETHUNE, JOHN (1791-1872) – Volume X (1871-1880) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". www.biographi.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  3. ↑ "House of Commons, March 4; The bill followed the intention of His Majesty[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1345 (May 5, 1791), pg. 3. (See also "Papers leading to the Constitutional Act, 1791") Accessed 15 August 2023
  4. ↑ "The Constitutional Act, 1791" (June 10, 1791). (See also article-by-article commentary on constitution bill by pro-reform Quebeckers, and parliamentary debate on April 8 (Page 2 of 6), April 9 (Page 8 of 8), and May 12 (Page 3 of 8)) Accessed 1 August 2023
  5. ↑ "From Colonel A. Gordon to Lord Dorchester" (July 4, 1791), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 85–6. Accessed 17 August 2023
  6. ↑ Anonymous "Letter from Niagara" (November 24, 1791), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frames 89–91. Accessed 17 August 2023
  7. ↑ "General Account of the Characters, Dispositions and Numbers of the Indians in North America," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, Num. 20 (April 11, 1791), Page 1 of 8 (left column; note: article begins on Page 5 of 8). Accessed 10 August 2023
  8. ↑ "An Address to the People of England[....]; Englishmen! we desire to live in peace[....]" The Saint John Gazette, and Weekly Advertiser Vol. V, Numb. 250 (February 25, 1791), Page 2 of 2 (lefthand page, centre column). Accessed 1 August 2023
  9. ↑ "Nova Scotia and Canada" A Brief Examination of Lord Sheffield's Observations on the Commerce of the United States (1791), pgs. 20–2. Accessed 1 August 2023
  10. ↑ P. Campbell, "Preface," Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America in the Years 1791 and 1792 (1793), pgs. v–viii (PDF pgs. 14–18). Accessed 23 August 2023
  11. ↑ "Sketch of the Western Countries of Canada; 1791" Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter and Trader[....] (1791), unpaginated. Accessed 3 August 2023
  12. ↑ "Quebec, December 22; A correspondent[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1381 (December 22, 1791), pg. 4. Accessed 16 August 2023
  13. ↑ "Quebec, April 28," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1344 (April 28, 1791), pgs. 1–2. (See also Agriculture Society's approval of this step) Accessed 14 August 2023
  14. ↑ "For Sale by Davison & Lees[....]," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1328 (January 13, 1791), pg. 1. Accessed 11 August 2023
  15. ↑ Patrick Campbell, Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America; In the Years 1791 and 1792 pgs. 128–9 (PDF pg. 128). Accessed 28 December 2023
  16. ↑ "Agriculture; On the History, Culture and Qualities of the Potatoe, Recommended to the Farmers of Canada," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1328 (April 28, 1791), pgs. 5–6. Accessed 11 August 2023
  17. ↑ "On Thursday last the Sessions of the Court of King's Bench[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1347 (May 19, 1791), pg. 2. Accessed 15 August 2023
  18. ↑ "Quebec, March 17, 1791; To Be Sold[....]," (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, Num. 17 (March 17, 1791), Page 5 of 8 (front page). Accessed 10 August 2023
  19. ↑ "Letter of Monsieur Joseph O. Plessis to Monsieur —— Marchand, Principal of the College at Montreal" (March 13, 1791), The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents; Travels and Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France; 1610–1791; Vol. LXXI; Lower Canada, Illinois; 1759-1791 pgs. 107–11. Accessed 18 August 2023
  20. ↑ "Evening School" (October 13, 1791), Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1372 (October 20, 1791), pg. 1. Accessed 16 August 2023
  21. ↑ "Quebec, September 15; Communication of a Correspondent," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1366 (September 15, 1791), pg. 4. Accessed 15 August 2023
  22. ↑ "Quebec, March 3," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1336 (March 3, 1791), pg. 3. Accessed 11 August 2023
  23. ↑ "Quebec, January 20; It is with no small satisfaction[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1329 (January 20, 1791), pg. 2. (See also further praise (pg. 2) for young Canadian actors) Accessed 11 August 2023
  24. ↑ "Quebec, December 22," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1381 (December 22, 1791), pgs. 3–4. (See more earthquake news (pg. 4)) Accessed 16 August 2023
  25. ↑ "New Government in Canada," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. I, No. 33 (April 26, 1791), Page 6 of 9 (left column). Accessed 3 August 2023
  26. ↑ Patrick Campbell, Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America; In the Years 1791 and 1792 pgs. 170-1 (PDF pg. 170). Accessed 28 December 2023
  27. ↑ "Foreign Advices; Dublin, March 28" The Potowmac Guardian, and Berkeley Advertiser (June 27, 1791), pg. 2. (Base URL: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038410/1791-06-27/ed-1/seq-2/) Accessed 10 August 2023
  28. ↑ "Quebec, April 21; New Settlement in Canada," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1343 (April 21, 1791), pg. 4. Accessed 14 August 2023
  29. ↑ "Proceeding of Land Board" (February 1, 1791), Records of Niagara; 1790-1792 PDF frame 60. (See also letter (PDF frame 72) re "the full accomplishment of Governor Haldimand's promise") Accessed 17 August 2023
  30. ↑ Patrick Campbell, Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America; In the Years 1791 and 1792 pgs. 157-9 (PDF pg. 156). Accessed 28 December 2023
  31. ↑ "An Act to raise a Revenue for the purpose of paying off all such Debts as are now due by the Province(....)" (1791), 31 George III, Chapter 12, British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 1 August 2023
  32. ↑ "Rev. Hugh Graham to Rev. Dr. Brown" (September 9, 1791), Collections of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. III, Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 1 January 2024
  33. ↑ "Halifax, Sept. 27; Extract of a letter from the Honourable Henry Dundas[...]6th August 1791," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. III, No. 131 (September 27, 1791), Page 2 of 3 (left column). (See also notice (Page 2 of 8, lower page, right column) to Blacks wishing to leave to gather in Halifax in December, notices (Page 3 of 4, centre column) of shipping requirements and timeline, and illustration (following PDF frame 112) of town in Sierra Leone) Accessed 4 August 2023
  34. ↑ "42 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792; Dear Sir" (October 19, 1791), in Clarkson diary Black Loyalist: Our History, Our People. (See also his explanation of Sierra Leone plan and its alternatives to people of Birchtown (53 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792); generally, see table of contents of Clarkson's Mission to America for details of Sierra Leone project) Accessed 18 August 2023
  35. ↑ "81 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792 (November 28, 1791), Black Loyalist: Our History, Our People. (See also Clarkson's warning that emigrants must "either work or starve" (93 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792), and his feelings of happiness and awe in helping "these oppressed people" (43 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792)) Accessed 21 August 2023
  36. ↑ "Black Carolina Corps" (October 11, 1791), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. III, No. 134 (October 11, 1791), Page 3 of 4 (centre column). Accessed 21 August 2023
  37. ↑ "To the Farmers and Land-Holders in the Province of Nova-Scotia" (February 28, 1791), Letters and Papers on Agriculture(...)in the Province of Nova-Scotia Vol. I (1791), pg. 4 (PDF image 7). Access 11 August 2023
  38. ↑ "October 22nd," "48 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792 Black Loyalist: Our History, Our People. Accessed 21 August 2023
  39. ↑ "November 15th," "69 Clarkson's Mission to America 1791-1792 Black Loyalist: Our History, Our People. Accessed 21 August 2023
  40. ↑ "The Whole Proceedings" The Trials of George Frederick Boutelier and John Boutelier for the Murder of Frederick Eminaud[....] (1791), pg. 1. Accessed 11 August 2023
  41. ↑ "Friday last at the Supreme Court of this County[....]," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. III, No. 135 (October 18, 1791), Page 3 of 4 (centre column). Accessed 11 August 2023
  42. ↑ "R. v. Gray (indictment of Jesse Gray for selling Mary Postell as a slave and kidnapping Flora Postell her daughter)" (July 5, 1791), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 18 August 2023
  43. ↑ "Halifax, January 4; On Sunday next[....]" (January 3, 1791), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 94 (January 4, 1791), Page 3 of 4 (centre column). (See also "On Sunday the 9th inst.(....)" (Page 3 of 4, centre column) describing children receiving charity, and announcement of charity sermon (Page 7 of 8, centre column) on St. Patrick's Day) Accessed 2 August 2023
  44. ↑ "To Cover, The ensuing Season at Cornwallis, The Elegant Horse Admiral" (April 4, 1791), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. II, No. 109 (April 19, 1791), Page 3 of 3 (centre column). Accessed 3 August 2023
  45. ↑ Patrick Campbell, "St John's River and Town" Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America; In the Years 1791 and 1792, pgs. 19-20. Accessed 18 December 2023
  46. ↑ Patrick Campbell, "October 9 [1791]," Travels in the Interior Inhabited Parts of North America; In the Years 1791 and 1792 pgs. 90-2 (PDF pg. 90). (See also comment (pgs. 96-7) on students' "wretched masters, who teach them to despise their parents") Accessed 28 December 2023
  47. ↑ "Petition of Thomas Peters, 18 April 1790" Black Loyalists in New Brunswick. (See also Carleton's lengthy reply) Accessed 11 August 2023
  48. ↑ "Memorial of Jihn Rezel and Company, 2 September 1791, Fredericton" Black Loyalists in New Brunswick. Accessed 11 August 2023
  49. ↑ "Letter from George Leonard to Edward Winslow" (October 11, 1791), University of New Brunswick. Accessed 23 August 2023
  50. ↑ Donald Mackay, "Journal from Osnaburgh House toward River Lake Lapluis(....Sep.-Dec. 1791)" Accessed 25 August 2023
  51. ↑ Letter of Joseph Colen ("J.C."; July 25, 1791) received "1791; Aug'st 10th," Journal of Occurrances and Transactions at Severn House(....) pgs. 3-4 (PDF pgs. 5-6). (See reply to letter on pg. 11 (PDF 13)) Accessed 24 August 2023
  52. ↑ "October 4th" and "5th," A Diary of Occurrances and Transactions at York Factory(...)1791-1792 pgs. 3-4 (PDF pgs. 6-7). Accessed 25 August 2023
  53. ↑ "Convention between His Britannick Majesty and The King of Spain; Article V" (October 28, 1790), The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 94 (January 4, 1791), Page 1 of 4 (front page). (See also editorial "Spanish Convention" (Page 3 of 4) detailing immense value of rights obtained on Pacific coast, and "London, December 4; Nootka Sound" report (Page 3 of 4, centre column) that Royal Navy is to seize Spanish fort and claim territory "northward of Santa Fee") Accessed 2 August 2023
  54. ↑ "From the Gazette of the United States," Supplement to The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1369 (October 6, 1791), pg. 1. Accessed 16 August 2023
  55. ↑ "Quebec, December 2," The Royal Gazette: and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser Vol. II, No. 100 (February 15, 1791), Page 3 of 4 (centre column). Accessed 3 August 2023
  56. ↑ "New-York, Aug. 2; The Speech of Tsekuyeaatbaw[...]commonly called red Jacket[...]In Reply to a Charge of Partiality for the British," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1367 (September 22, 1791), pg. 3. (See also that Six Nations chiefs tell British they need help reading U.S. documents (PDF frame 69)) Accessed 15 August 2023
  57. ↑ "*** These very important news[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1369 (October 6, 1791), pg. 3 (bottom). Accessed 16 August 2023
  58. ↑ "British America" (November 12, 1790), (Quebec) Herald, Miscellany & Advertiser, Vol. II, Num. 17 (March 17, 1791), Page 5 of 8 (front page). Accessed 10 August 2023
  59. ↑ Letter of Alexander Mackenzie to Roderick Mackenzie (March 2, 1791), Images 45–7, Letters of Sir Alexander MacKenzie University of Saskatchewan Libraries. Accessed 18 April 2023
  60. ↑ "I; From Okkak, dated August 25, 1791" 1790-1795, vol. 01: Periodicals Accounts Relating to the Missions of the Church of the United Brethren, pgs. 85-7 and after (frames 93-5+), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 18 August 2023


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