1799 in Canada

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Events from the year 1799 in Canada.

IncumbentsEdit

Monarch: George III<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Federal governmentEdit

GovernorsEdit

EventsEdit

David Thompson marries Charlotte Small
North West Company establishes a fur post at Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. The nearby Hudson's Bay Company fur post which is also established at this time is called Acton House.
Alexander Mackenzie resigns from North West Company
George Vancouver's Journeys to the North Pacific Ocean published in London
Handsome Lake, a Seneca chief, founds the Longhouse religion
Russian-American Fur Company chartered; launches aggressive policy in Aleutians and on Northwest Coast.
American competition for West Indies trade kills Liverpool, Nova Scotia's merchant fleet.
Alexander Baranov establishes Russian post known today as Old Sitka; trade charter grants exclusive trading rights to the Russian American Company.
Vermont answers Indian chiefs, in Canada, that their claims were extinguished by treaties of 1763 and 1783 between France, Great Britain and the United States.
Two cases are filed challenging slavery in New Brunswick: R v Jones and R v Agnew.

BirthsEdit

September 8 – Sir William Young, Premier of Nova Scotia (d.1887)
October 30 – Ignace Bourget, bishop of the Diocese of Montreal (d.1885)

Full date unknownEdit

Joseph Cunard, merchant, shipbuilder and politician (d.1865)

DeathsEdit

January 15 – Alexander McKee, agent for the Indian Department (b.1735)

Full date unknownEdit

Philip Turnor, HBC inland surveyor (b.1751)

Historical documentsEdit

Lumber is rafted from Upper Canada to Montreal for shipment overseas, and carrying grain or potash, which can be kept as dry as in boats<ref>A Short Topographical Description of His Majesty's Province of Upper Canada[....] (1799), pgs. 9-10 (frames 18-19), University of Alberta. Accessed 20 March 2024</ref>

Joseph Brandt gets intelligence from Delaware about French attempts to recruit "Southern and Western Indians" to invade Canada<ref>Letter of Joseph Brandt to Peter Russell (January 27, 1799), Indian Affairs; Lieutenant-Governor's Office - Upper Canada; Correspondence, 1796-1806, pgs. 261-3 (frames 298–300). Accessed 1 March 2024</ref>

"It is evident to every honest man, that it must be the wish of the people of the provinces, to be at peace with the people of the States"<ref>J.C. Ogden, A Tour through Upper and Lower Canada (1799), pgs. pgs. 84–5, 86 Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

President Adams' remarks on "first instance of" British impressment of U.S. sailors, and his orders to U.S. Navy to resist such action by force<ref>"United States; American Congress; Tuesday, January 8; President's Message [and] Circular," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIII, Number 669 (March 22, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 1st column). Accessed 4 March 2024</ref>

Prince Edward to replace Robert Prescott as General and Commander in Chief of the Forces in British North America, occupying Halifax headquarters<ref>"With the truest Pleasure[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 603 (July 30, 1799), pg. 3 (3rd column bottom). Accessed 7 March 2024</ref>

Map: British North America from Atlantic Ocean to Rocky Mountains and Hudson Bay<ref>John Russell, "British colonies in North America(....)" (1799), Boston Public Library. Accessed 20 March 2024</ref>

Lower CanadaEdit

While hoping fever in L.C. is in decline, Gazette publishes "Rules of Prevention and Suppression of Epidemic[...]for the use of the Poor"<ref>"Although there is great reason[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1805 (November 28, 1799), Cahier 1, pgs. 2–3. Accessed 14 March 2024</ref>

After recounting legal history of slavery, Montreal petitioners ask that "whenever any Panis or Negro Slave" escapes, they shall be jailed and returned<ref>"Friday, 19th April, 1799; A Petition from sundry persons(....)" Journal of the House of Assembly, of Lower-Canada; From the 28th March[...]1799 (in English and French; 1799), pgs. 122–8. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

"[With] our Mother Country [opposing] the enemies of religion, rational liberty and good government, [it is] our duty to aid according to our abilities"<ref>"Montreal, 29th May, 1799; The Province of Canada," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1781 (June 20, 1799), Cahier 1, pg. 4. (See also other fundraising here (pgs. 1–3) and in later issues) Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Auction sale: "937 Ship Timbers, 130 Oak Knees, 3,461 feet Pine Plank, and 8,346 feet Oak [plank, enough for 2 vessels of about 150 tons each]"<ref>"By Auction," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1781 (June 20, 1799), Cahier 2, pg. 1. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Call for bids to build court house, including masonry, carpentry, labourers, and Pointe-aux-Trembles, Beauport and Ange Gardien, and Cape stone<ref>"The undersigned Commissioners[....]" (June 20, 1799), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1781 (June 20, 1799), Cahier 2, pg. 1. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Visitor admires Catholic churches' "historic scripture paintings," providing rich, instructive scenes that Protestants stripped from their own churches<ref>J.C. Ogden, A Tour through Upper and Lower Canada (1799), pgs. 43–4 Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Gazette print shop offers for sale "Patent Piano Fortes with French frame,[...]German Flutes, Fifes, Clarinets and Hautboys and Reeds [for same]"<ref>"Books, Stationary and Musical Instruments[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1780 (June 13, 1799), Cahier 2, pg. 1. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

For sale: "About 50 Boxes Lemons and Oranges, just arrived[...]from Fayal [Azores]. The vessel having a short passage, they are in excellent order"<ref>"For Sale by Auction without Reserve; This Day [on] Wharf," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1780 (June 13, 1799), Cahier 2, pg. 1. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Quebec City furrier advertises "Gentleman's and Lady's Muff and Tippets" in wolf, bear, wolverine, fox, lynx, marten and other kinds of skin<ref>"The Subscriber takes the liberty[....]" (September 3, 1799), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1792 (September 5, 1799), Cahier 1, pg. 3. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Owner of mineral spring in "St. John Suburbs" of Quebec City publishes Dr. Nooth's certificate that waters may be remedy for various diseases<ref>"The Subscriber possessor of the Mineral Spring[....]" (July 29, 1799), The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1788 (August 8, 1799), Cahier 2, pg. 2. Accessed 13 March 2024</ref>

Upper CanadaEdit

"Dreading revolutions," Britain encourages U.S. farmers and labourers more than clergy and teachers, limiting new congregations and schools<ref>J.C. Ogden, A Tour through Upper and Lower Canada (1799), pgs. pgs. 55–7 Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Persons occupying land without "any Authority, Licence, or Title" must vacate it, and failing to do so will disqualify them from land grants<ref>"York, Council-Office, July 8, 1799" (See also anti-fraud procedure requiring supporting documents with land petitions) Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Widow whose eldest son left country wants late husband's deed put in her and other children's names in case son returns to claim father's land<ref>"Cohoe, Deborah (Topham)" (April 20, 1799), Land Petitions of the Niagara Settlers "Cockrel to Cook" Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

"From unavoidable events," woman wants to sell Yonge Street lot granted her, but must get permission, which also includes 200-acre grant elsewhere<ref>"Mattice, Sarah" (June 25, 1799), Land Petitions of the Niagara Settlers "Mattice to McDade" Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

Woman's husband's land was taken in 1778 and he imprisoned, she escaped to U.C. where she is "old & infirm & very poor;" petition for land rejected<ref>"Burtch, Elizabeth" (received June 6, 1799), Land Petitions of the Niagara Settlers "Buck to Bush" Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

York, "beautifully situated" and "increasing very rapidly," has beach "considered so healthy by the Indians, that they go there whenever indisposed"<ref>D.W. Smyth, A Short Topographical Description of His Majesty's Province of Upper Canada in North America (1799), pgs. 22–4 Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Dereham and Norwich townships, between Thames River and Lake Erie, are to be divided and sold in 3,000-acre lots, with bidders paying 50% down<ref>"Upper-Canada; Council-Office, September 24, '99" Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Joseph Brant says Lt. Gov. Simcoe's obstruction of land rights promised Six Nations when Haldimand gave them Grand River causes "much anxiety"<ref>Letter of Joseph Brant to Lieut. Gov. Peter Hunter (September 6, 1799; damaged, and page missing), Indian Affairs; Lieutenant-Governor's Office - Upper Canada; Correspondence, 1796-1806, pgs. 268-9, 271 (HTML pgs. 305-7). Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

Brant glad high Indian Department official is willing to send provisions to at least 90 "distressed" Indigenous people on Grand River<ref>Letter of Joseph Brant to Capt. Claus (March 14, 1799), Brant Family Correspondence, 1791–1885, Joseph Brant and family fonds, Library and Archives Canada. Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

Brant wishes to sell 69,120 acres to government for transfer to Count de Puisaye, or "it would appear that our former freedoms is taken from us"<ref>Letter of Joseph Brant to John Johnson (May 10, 1799), Brant Family Correspondence, 1791–1885, Joseph Brant and family fonds, Library and Archives Canada. Accessed 18 March 2024</ref>

Visitor to Kingston profiles Molly Brant as "a faithful and useful friend in Indian affairs, [and who] receives a pension and compensation for losses"<ref>J.C. Ogden, A Tour through Upper and Lower Canada (1799), pgs. pgs. 61–2 Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Town wardens can take into apprenticeship any child whose parent has died or abandoned them, though children age 14 and older must consent<ref>Chap. III; An Act to provide for the Education and Support of Orphan Children (1799), The Statutes of His Majesty's province of Upper-Canada[....], pg. 147 Accessed 1 March 2024</ref>

Nova ScotiaEdit

Doctors' offer to inoculate Haligonians against smallpox turned down, but any wanting their children inoculated are to be permitted (away from town)<ref>"In Council, Halifax May 13th, 1799," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 592 (May 14, 1799), pg. 3 (2nd column). (See also "An Act to regulate the Practice of innoculating for the Small Pox" (pg. 3, 1st column)) Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

Loyalist Thomas Henry Barclay arrives at Halifax from Annapolis en route to New York City to be Consul General for the Eastern States of America<ref>"Halifax; May 21; Yesterday arrived[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 593 (May 21, 1799), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

"God is marvellously visiting" - Ministers in N.S. tell of great revival of Protestantism, with scores of baptisms and one church lengthened<ref>Extracts 12 and 13 (May 25 and July 15, 1799), A Brief Account of the late Revivals of Religion(....) (1799), pgs. 16–17 (frames 23–4), Library of Congress. Accessed 20 March 2024</ref>

Wilmot minister notes "wild spirit of Enthusiasm [in] greater part of the people in this neighbourhood" and "swarm of lay teachers" upholding it<ref>Letter of Rev. John Wiswall (November 1, 1799), PDF frame 116, Esther Clark Wright and Atlantic Baptist Archives, Acadia University. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Rev. Houseal, "Missionary to the Germans," dies at age 71 after 47 years of ministry to "Dutch" (Deutsch) of Maryland and then Halifax<ref>"Halifax, March 12; Died[....]" (March 12, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 583 (March 12, 1799), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

Reward of £300 offered by government, plus another £300 from admiral commanding, for information on persons trying to burn Halifax dockyard<ref>"Proclamation" (August 19, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 605 (August 20, 1799), pg. 3 (4th column). Accessed 7 March 2024</ref>

Digby man offers $20 reward for return of "Negro" Frances Zebb (28) who "has lost all the Toes off one of his Feet, and walks somewhat lame"<ref>"Twenty Dollars Reward" (June 16, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 597 (June 18, 1799), pg. 3 (4th column). Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

Newfoundlander John Richards and Irishman Edward Power deserted Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Halifax; 10 guinea reward for each<ref>"Deserted" (December 2, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 620 (December 3, 1799), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 8 March 2024</ref>

Call for proposals to deliver materials for new government buildings, including 30,000 square feet of "free-stone" and 80,000 bricks<ref>"Materials Wanted[....]" (March 18, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 584 (March 19, 1799), pg. 3 (4th column). (See also enabling legislation (pg. 2, 1st column)) Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

Inspector of hospitals will no longer pay for articles he has not ordered or received<ref>"The Subscriber about two years ago[....]" (August 27, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 606 (August 27, 1799), pg. 3 (1st column bottom). Accessed 7 March 2024</ref>

Day labourer, "a very poor man" unable to support 6 children under 12 years old, wants 500 acres outright or by occupation until he can pay for it<ref>"Trerice (Treerice), John – 1799 – Cumberland County" (1799), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Day labourer asks for land grant to help support half-siblings he has taken charge of since his father died and mother remarried<ref>"Dart, Job - 1799 - Colchester County" (1799), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Louisbourg veteran, 35 years in N.S., has spent last 17 years on land abandoned by rebel but pays latter's mother £3/yr., and wants that land granted<ref>"Kinslow, Patrick – 1799 – Lunenburg County" (March 27, 1799), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Windsor Township gristmill for sale or lease has barley shelling mill and oat kiln on 300-acre farm with soft and hard wood and freestone quarry<ref>"To be Sold[....]" (March 26, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 584 (April 2, 1799), pg. 4 (2nd column). Accessed 6 March 2024</ref>

Margaret Doucett of Clare claims to have cured cancer "with the most trifling pain to the Person afflicted"<ref>"Cures for the Cancer" (July 2?, 1799), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. XI, No. 597 (July 16, 1799), pg. 2 (2nd column). Accessed 7 March 2024</ref>

New BrunswickEdit

Ward Chipman and S.S. Blowers agree that slavery has no basis in either statute or common law, but that it persists because courts favour enslavers<ref>Letter exchange of Ward Chipman and S.S. Blowers (December 1799), in I. Allen Jack, The Loyalists and Slavery in New Brunswick (1898; unpaginated). Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

"Principal Mechanics of Fredericton" resolve that work day will amount to 10 hours, 6am–6pm with breakfast and dinner breaks<ref>"New-Brunswick, 31st January, 1799), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, Number 658 (February 15, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (lefthand page, 4th column). Accessed 1 March 2024</ref>

To keep out "Desolating Disorders," persons coming from U.S. places with yellow fever or other disease must have JP's written approval to land<ref>"A Bill to prevent the Importation or Spreading of Infectious Distempers within this Province" (February 5, 1799), Legislative Assembly: Sessional Records, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Miramichi fishers ask Assembly to amend law allowing large nets in lower river and bay that kill so many fish that they can't support their families<ref>"Petition of inhabitants of southwest, northwest and middle districts of Miramichi relating to fisheries" (January 23, 1799), Legislative Assembly: Sessional Records, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. (See also similar petitions from Miramichi here and here) Accessed 11 March 2024</ref>

Indigenous man Lewis Joseph granted land on Grand Lake to make harbour for his vessel carrying coal for government<ref>"Petition of Lewis Joseph, 5 April 1799, York County Contested Terrain, University of New Brunswick Libraries. Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

Saint John mayor asks those "who wish to become Freemen of this City" to take "Oath of a free Citizen" before aldermen at city hall<ref>"Those Persons who wish[....]" (January 4, 1799), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, Number 658 (January 4, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 4th column). (See also Horatio Nelson's letter (pg. 2, "Vanguard[....]") referring to his being freeman of the city of London) Accessed 1 March 2024</ref>

Young ("about 19") Black woman and child for sale; she "is well acquainted with a Dairy, and understands all kinds of House-work"<ref>"For Sale, a Negro Wench and Child" (March 1, 1799), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIII, Number 668 (March 15, 1799), pg. 1 of 2 (lefthand page, 3rd column). Accessed 4 March 2024</ref>

Because of "jibing the sail," five men drown in mail boat that is upset while crossing to Saint Andrews<ref>"Melancholy Accident," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIII, Number 669 (March 22, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). Accessed 4 March 2024</ref>

Hudson's Bay CompanyEdit

HBC canoeists at Edmonton House refuse to work, some demanding higher wages, even when chief factor explains punishment they must expect<ref>August 1 and after, 1799, "Edmonton - Post Journal; 1799–1800" (frames 10, 11–14). Accessed 19 March 2024</ref>

Ship supplying Fort Albany runs aground, leaving that post without any shot, which they try to make until supplied by other posts<ref>"October 2 [1799]," "Albany - Post Journal; 1799–1800" (frames 6–7). Accessed 19 March 2024</ref>

Albany post cow led out "to endeavour to entice home the Cattle," but only old bull comes - "the rest are as wild as ever"<ref>"December 2 [1799]," "Albany - Post Journal; 1799–1800" (frame 12). Accessed 19 March 2024</ref>

ElsewhereEdit

Moravian missionaries pray "Esquimaux nation" in Labrador will be as "generally desirous of hearing the Gospel" as people in Antigua and St. Kitts<ref>"Letters(...)from the Settlements on the Coast of Labrador" 1797-1800, vol. 02: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen, pg. 325 (frame 357), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 15 March 2024</ref>

HMS Zenophon (22 guns) assigned 23 ships to convoy from England "for the Davis's Straights and Greenland trade"<ref>"The Zenophon of 22 guns[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Num. 1776 Cahier 1 (May 23, 1799), pg. 4. Accessed 12 March 2024</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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