1757 in Canada

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Events from the year 1757 in Canada.

IncumbentsEdit

GovernorsEdit

EventsEdit

Thursday March 17 to Tuesday March 22 - In four nights 1,500 Canadiens and Indians destroy the out-works of Fort William-Henry.
Saturday July 30 - Seven thousand men are collected to attack Fort William Henry.
Tuesday August 9 - The Fort, garrisoned by 2,200, capitulates. Violating the terms of capitulation, Indians kill, or recapture, many of the garrison, whereupon Montcalm exclaims: "Kill me, but spare the English who are under my protection."
Of the 5,000 French soldiers expected, only 1,500 reach Canada.
December - The troops, in Canada, complain of being fed on horse-flesh and too little bread.

BirthsEdit

June 22: George Vancouver, naval officer, explorer (d.1798)

DeathsEdit

November 2 : Louis Coulon de Villiers, military officer.

Historical documentsEdit

After three "melancholy" years of fighting in North America, outlook for British arms in 1757 is not encouraging (Note: "savage" used)<ref>"Let us now turn" An Enquiry into the Causes of our Ill Success in the Present War (1757), pgs. 33-41. (See "When I look back to the year 1757") Accessed 26 January 2022</ref>

Returning to Lake George from action on Lake Champlain in January, Rogers' Rangers are ambushed but hold off and escape larger French force<ref>Robert Rogers, "From this account of things" Journals of Major Robert Rogers (1765), pgs. 40-4. (See also Rogers' "rules or plan of discipline", and description of rangers) Accessed 26 January 2022</ref>

Lord Loudoun, with intelligence that French will sit tight at Quebec, advises his Lake George commander to attack nearby French garrisons<ref>"Loudoun to Daniel Webb" (June 20, 1757), Military Affairs in North America; 1748-1765 (1936), pgs. 370-2. Accessed 28 January 2022</ref>

Because of French fleet's strength and British fleet's delayed arrival, Loudoun's council of war cancels Louisbourg expedition<ref>"Loudoun to Cumberland" (August 6, 1757), Military Affairs in North America; 1748-1765 (1936), pgs. 391-4. (See also "Treachery suspected" in abortive plan to attack Louisbourg, and second attempt on Louisbourg in 1757 put off by French ruse) Accessed 28 January 2022</ref>

In August, Montcalm takes Fort William Henry on Lake George, then his Indigenous allies plunder and kill most of garrison, women and children<ref>"This was not the only misfortune" The General History of the Late War (1763), pgs. 394-402. (See also "Letter from Father * * *, Missionary to the Abnakis" who witnessed massacre) Accessed 26 January 2022</ref>

Loudoun's detailed plan (equipment, provisions, transport) for winter offensive against French on Lake Champlain<ref>"On which it occurred to me" (October 17, 1757), Military Affairs in North America; 1748-1765 (1936), pgs. 400-2. Accessed 31 January 2022</ref>

Detailed description of Quebec City's physical and defensive arrangement, plus advice on navigation, landing and French fire rafts<ref>"A Description of the Town of Quebeck Its Strength and Situation" (1757), Military Affairs in North America; 1748-1765 (1936), pgs. 411-15. Accessed 31 January 2022</ref>

Nova Scotia needs civil government of fewer officers, and also fewer lawyers, they being "not esteemed the best Friends to an infant Settlement"<ref>"the most Infant Settlement of Nova Scotia" A Letter to a Member of Parliament, On the Importance of the American Colonies[....] (1757), pgs. 20-2. (See also "10. There is a Post Office in Nova Scotia" in instructions to post office comptroller) Accessed 26 January 2022</ref>

Pennsylvania Assembly complains about £2,385 it expended "in supporting the Inhabitants of Nova-Scotia, which[...]ought to be a national Expence."<ref>"Pennsylvania Assembly Committee: Report on Grievances" (February 22, 1757), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 2 February 2022</ref>

Board of Trade sympathizes with Nova Scotia over attacks by remaining Acadians, and deportees that other colonies are letting return north<ref>"Extract from Letter Board of Trade to Governor Lawrence" (March 10, 1757), Nova Scotia Documents; Acadian French, pg. 304. Accessed 27 January 2022</ref>

John Knox learns 48 Acadian families of Annapolis River had escaped to mountains and were supporting themselves with "robbing and plundering"<ref>John Knox, "3d (December 1757)" An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pg. 84. Accessed 1 February 2022</ref>

Mi'qmaw siblings Clare and Anselm Thomas from "Pan-nook" near Lunenburg arrange reconciliation with British (Note: "squaw" and "savages" used)<ref>John Knox, "The old garrison embarked to-day" (October 17, 1757), An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pgs. 61-4. Accessed 2 February 2022</ref>

Newcomer Knox at Fort Cumberland finds early October weather not too hot or cold, but oldtimers know "rigorous winter" will come<ref>John Knox, "October 1st (1757) An Historical Journal of the Campaigns in North-America, for the Years 1757, 1758, 1759, and 1760; Vol. I, pg. 50. (See "We have had the most whimsical weather" for description of "right Nova Scotia weather," and also see "The Charming Molly schooner" brings news of heavy losses to British fleet from September storm off Cape Breton Island) Accessed 31 January 2022</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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