1807 in Canada

Events from the year 1807 in Canada.

Incumbents

• Monarch: George III<ref name="rh">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Federal government

• Parliament of Lower Canada: 4th
• Parliament of Upper Canada: 4th

Governors

• Governor of the Canadas: Robert Milnes
• Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
• Governor of Nova Scotia: John Wentworth
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Holloway
• Governor of Prince Edward Island: Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres

Events

• The slave trade is abolished in the British Empire, although slavery continues in the colonies.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• The Embargo Act aims at keeping US ships out of European conflicts.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>
• David Thompson crosses Rockies and builds a trading post at headwaters of Columbia River. NWC Upper Kootenay House is built by David Thompson.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
• In the spring John Colter joins Manuel Lisa at the Platte River who winters on Yellowstone River at the mouth of the Bighorn River.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• The British ship Leopard searches the U.S. Chesapeake for deserters, kills some of the crew and takes Radford, who is hanged.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Pending satisfaction, the United States close their ports to British ships, though reparation is tendered.
• Thomas Jefferson signs bill banning all foreign trade following British attacks on American shipping.
• Election of Ezekiel Hart in Trois-Rivières during a by-election on April 11.
• Horse racing was introduced to Quebec, following the arrival of Sir James Craig. The first race took place in July 1807.<ref name=":0" />

Births

• May – William Workman, businessman and municipal politician (d.1878)
• August 31 – John Young, 1st Baron Lisgar, Governor General (d.1876)
• October 4 – Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine, politician (d.1864)
• December 14 – Francis Hincks, politician (d.1885)

Full date unknown

• Joseph Casavant, manufacturer of pipe organs (d.1874)

Deaths

• July 20 – Jean-Marie Ducharme, fur trader (b. 1723)

Historical documents

Imported from Canada at Port of London "last week" were skins of 216,000 deer, 186,000 beaver, 125,000 raccoons, 54,000 marten, 15,000 wolves etc.<ref>"From a late London Print; There were imported[....]," National Intelligencer, and Washington Advertiser (May 8, 1807) Library of Congress. Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Some "paragraphs relating to the differences with Great Britain[...]extracted from the Official paper of the American Government" allude to war<ref>"Quebec, Sept. 3, 1807; The following paragraphs[....]," The Quebec Gazette, September 3, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also U.S. article (pg. 4, bottom) saying Canada not worth keeping by British nor winning by U.S.A.) Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

Boston report says U.S. force ready for foreign duty is smaller than Canada and Nova Scotia forces, and French resist raising Canadian militia<ref>"Extract from the Boston Repertory[....]" / "Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Canada[....]," The Quebec Gazette, October 29, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 29 August 2024</ref>

Publication of Heriot's Travels through the Canadas is timely because it shows what would "in all probability" be lost in war with U.S.A.<ref>"Analyses of New Voyages and Travels, Lately Published in London" Travels through the Canadas (1807?), pg. 1 (Image 6). Accessed 20 August 2024</ref>

Michilimackinac reports revolt led by man assuming "the character of a Manitou or prophet" to rouse Indigenous people (Note: "savages" used)<ref>"New York, September 16; Extract of a letter from[...]Fort Michillimakinak[....]" (July 24, 1807), The Quebec Gazette, October 8, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 4, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also in message to Congress (pg. 4, right column top), President Jefferson says "military precautions" not necessary among Indigenous peoples) Accessed 27 August 2024</ref>

Quebec Gazette reports on "good authority that the whole of the Indian nations" in U.S.A. would seek to ally with Britain in case of war<ref>"Quebec, Sept. 3, 1807; (To the above intelligence[....]," The Quebec Gazette, September 3, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

Britain reluctantly signs treaty with U.S. that does not let Canadian and Hudson's Bay Company traders operate in Louisiana<ref>Letter to James Madison from James Monroe (January 3, 1807), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 6 September 2024</ref>

Canadian Courant says British traders are harassed at U.S. inland ports with "extortionary Duties" and "quibbling difficulties"<ref>"Subjects of complaint against the United States relating to British America[....]," The Quebec Gazette, October 29, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 29 August 2024</ref>

Halifax court-martial finds Royal Navy sailor guilty of deserting while his ship was in U.S. port (which had led to Chesapeake–Leopard Affair)<ref>The Trial of John Wilson, Alias Jenkin Ratford, for Mutiny, Desertion, and Contempt(....) (1807?). (See also initial coverage (pg. 2, under "Quebec, 2d July, 1807") of incident by U.S. newspaper, and Quebec Gazette editorial (pg. 2, under "Quebec, 23d July, 1807") on incident, and (...)Enquiry into the Question of the Chesapeake, and the Necessity and Expediency of War (1807)) Accessed 20 August 2024</ref>

Lower Canada

Argument for bank in L.C. includes need to supplement cash with banknotes (especially for trade with U.S.), and for "punctuality" in merchants' deals<ref>"To the Editor of the Quebec Mercury," The Quebec Mercury, January 5, 1807 pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also criticism of this argument) Accessed 22 August 2024</ref>

Quoted in translation, Le Canadien says "Anti-Canadians, who have an interest in misrepresenting us," falsely claim they are not loyal to King<ref>"Montreal, November 19, 1807," The Canadian Gazette, November 19, 1807 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 30 August 2024</ref>

U.S. preparations for war have prompted similar measures in L.C., including 20% of militia (men 18–50) levied, their "zeal manifested"<ref>"Quebec, Sept. 3, 1807," The Quebec Gazette, September 3, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also "A gentleman from Quebec(....)"(4th column) reports "plains before" Quebec City are cleared, cannon and military stores are collected and soldiers are paid "to encourage them") Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

Exporting "Gun-powder, Ammunition, Arms and warlike Stores" to non-British territories prohibited and approval required to remove from any magazine<ref>Proclamations (August 12 and 19, 1807), The Quebec Gazette, August 20, 1807, Cahier 1 pgs. 1–2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

Upcoming weekly Montreal newspaper is announced "to every patriot and friend of his country who sincerely wishes its welfare and prosperity"<ref>"Proposals for Printing in the City of Montreal, a Weekly News-paper[....]" (March 30, 1807), The Quebec Mercury, April 6, 1807 pg. 112, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also first issue of The Canadian Gazette) Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

Montreal Island farmer says wheat exports are limited by European supply (except during "scarcity"), lack of Canadian shipping, and poor quality<ref>"Mr. Brown[....]," The Canadian Gazette, November 12, 1807 pg. 4, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 30 August 2024</ref>

Insurance allows fire victims to rebuild and "re-establish themselves;" premium is lower in generally stone-built Montreal and Quebec City<ref>"Phoenix Assurance Office, Montreal[....]," The Quebec Gazette, May 7, 1807, Cahier 2 pg. 4, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also breakdown (pg. 4) of premiums in timber-built towns) Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

Their employer's ad in newspaper says 5 indentured servants have left him, taking tools and owing him money, and that no one should employ them<ref>"Whereas Robert Knox, Millwright[....]" (April 30, 1807), The Quebec Gazette, April 30, 1807, Cahier 2 pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also Quebec Mercury (pg. 144) in which five answer that employer has given too little money for provisions and firewood, and made other breaches of contract; and also see statement (pg. 4) denying what five stated) Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

"Engaged and bound" – Contract ties 20-year-old worker to Northwest Company for five years<ref>"Before the Subscribing Public Notaries for the Province of Lower Canada[....]" (April 22, 1807), Pioneer Papers – No. 1 (1908), pgs. 45-6 (frame 118). Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Master carpenter Jean-Baptiste Bédard is granted exclusive right to erect bridges according to his two government-approved designs (described)<ref>An Act to grant to Jean Baptiste Bedard the exclusive right and privilege of erecting Bridges in this Province, according to the models therein mentioned (April 16, 1807), British North American Legislative Database, 1758–1867. (See also painting of "new bridge") Accessed 19 August 2024</ref>

Law authorizes Quebec Benevolent Society, whose members pay to support themselves in "Sickness, Old Age and Infirmity," and widows and children<ref>An Act for the encouragement and relief of certain persons therein named and others, and authorising them to associate themselves by the name of the “Quebec Benevolent Society,” under certain Restrictions, Rules and Regulations(....) (April 16, 1807), British North American Legislative Database, 1758–1867. Accessed 19 August 2024</ref>

"Le Canadien affects to dread being falsified, alias anglified; that is, he objects to his base metal being plated with gold"<ref>"Le Canadien affects to dread[....]," The Quebec Mercury, January 26, 1807 pg. 7 (right column), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also Boston newspaper's advice (pg. 55, bottom centre) that "tranquil and happy" Canada adopt "a spirit of forbearance, conciliation and candour") Accessed 22 August 2024</ref>

"The Canadians find that they have got the whiphand of the English" in L.C., with their majority in and right to speak French in assembly<ref>"The Canadians find(....)" (March 1807), Letters from Canada written during a residence in the years 1806, 1807, and 1808[....] (1809), pg. 101 (frame 118), University of Michigan. Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

New York dentist at Quebec City coffeehouse transplants teeth, sets "Natural and Artificial ones" and arrests "decay of those partly destroyed"<ref>"D. Rosseter, Dentist[....]," The Quebec Gazette, September 3, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 4, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 26 August 2024</ref>

New Quebec City resident is tired of servants, whether rural women or soldiers' wives, who are incompetent and impertinent<ref>"Mr. Cary, Sir --[....]" (April 7, 1807), The Quebec Mercury, April 20, 1807 pgs. 123–4, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

Frances Brooke's "fine drawings of the happy state of Canada [are] wondrous captivating in a novel," but her times were as scandalous as now<ref>"Mr. Editor[....]," The Quebec Mercury, April 27, 1807 pg. 130, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

In December in Quebec City, "we have all assumed our winter dresses; furs and flannels are substituted for nankeens and muslins"<ref>"Letter XIII" (December 1807), Letters from Canada written during a residence in the years 1806, 1807, and 1808[....] (1809), pg. 164 (frame 182), University of Michigan. Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Former backwoodsman, now living in Montreal, blames his earlier vanity and lack of manners for his ill-success in beau monde<ref>"Mr. Cary, I am one[....]," The Quebec Mercury, April 20, 1807 pg. 124, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

Painting: French Canadians in circle dance<ref>"La Danse Ronde, Circular Dance of the Canadians (Québec)" (1807), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

Painting: French Canadians dancing minuet<ref>"Minuets of the Canadians (Québec)" (1807), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

Painting: view of Quebec City from Cap Diamant<ref>"Quebec from Cape Diamond" (1807), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

John Jacob Astor's China trade includes "considerable" and "increasing" exports of tea ("about 2000 Chests" annually) to Upper and Lower Canada<ref>Letter to James Madison from John Jacob Astor (July 13, 1807), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 6 September 2024</ref>

Map: Upper and Lower Canada by English cartographer John Cary<ref>John Cary, A New Map of Upper & Lower Canada (1807), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 30 August 2024</ref>

Upper Canada

U.S. official calls U.C. "fertile, pleasant, and even opulent," contradicting "Southward" opinion that it is "cold, sterile, and unprofitable"<ref>Letter to James Madison from Augustus Woodward (January 31, 1807), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 6 September 2024</ref>

Eight districts in U.C. are each to have 1 public school with 1 teacher, hired by government-appointed trustees and earning £100 annually<ref>An Act to establish Public Schools in each and every District of this Province (March 10, 1807), British North American Legislative Database, 1758–1867. Accessed 19 August 2024</ref>

Grand River chiefs request Lt.-Gov. Gore not allow transactions without their consent, including sale of land and "curtailment" on remaining land<ref>"The chiefs of the Five Nations to Lieutenant-Governor Francis Gore, Onondaga, Grand River, 25 Mars 1807" Library and Archives Canada. (See also John Norton admonish (frame 277) British government for not respecting treaty rights) Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

At "Head of Lake Ontario," Joseph Brant thanks Gore for cowpox vaccination offer to "Indians in this vicinity," but "it is too late in the season"<ref>Letter of Joseph Brant (May 11, 1807), Library and Archives Canada. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

Detroit man warns his correspondent (both slave owners) in Upper Canada that "bad set of people" is advising enslaved people to flee<ref>"Recovery of Fugitive Slave" (August 2, 1807), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796–1820 (1931), pgs. 561-3. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

Unable to pay debt because of debts owed him, Sandwich merchant not likely to sell slave in Detroit, where slavery "not much in favour"<ref>"Indebtedness of John Askin" (November 1807), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796–1820 (1931), pgs. 581-3. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

Petition of 70-year-old, after two years in prison for debt, asks that law "which gives a creditor power unto death, often unjustly," be changed<ref>"Difficulties of William Monforton" (1807), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796–1820 (1931), pgs. 559-61. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

"We have not at any time within our knowledge, witnessed so much illness in" York – influenza, "cough, lassitude and obstructed respiration"<ref>"York, Upper Canada -- Sept. 26," The Quebec Gazette, October 29, 1807, Cahier 1 pg. 2, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 29 August 2024</ref>

"As late as 1807, [the population of York was] 580, who resided in two brick buildings, four block houses, and a few log huts[....]"<ref>Four Years on the Georgian Bay, pg. 25 (Image 34). Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

John Strachan advises young men to reject arguments of "enemies of the Gospel"<ref>John Strachan, The Christian Religion, Recommended in a Letter to his Pupils (1807). Accessed 20 August 2024</ref>

Wolf bounty laws are repealed because they are "not found beneficial in proportion to the expence incurred"<ref>An Act to repeal the several acts now in force giving Bounties for Destroying Wolves (March 10, 1807), British North American Legislative Database, 1758–1867. Accessed 19 August 2024</ref>

Nova Scotia

Slave owners petition both legislature houses to either secure their right of "property in their Negro Servants" or compensate them for loss<ref>"Petition of John Taylor and other slaveholders" (December 4, 1807), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

Anglican minister's summertime congregations can be "pretty numerous," but then "small[...]whenever a new light or methodist preacher" is around<ref>Journal of Rev. John Wiswall (October 31, 1807), frame 145, Acadia University. Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

"Long and very deep-rooted prejudices have subsisted in (Digby) between the Irish and poor Yankees," says uninvolved "blue-nose"<ref>"Elkanah Morton to Edward Winslow" (January 27, 1807), Winslow Papers; A. D. 1776–1826 (1901), pg. 574 (frame 588). Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

New Brunswick

Edward Winslow asks new lieutenant-governor be appointed, as present one lives in England while "crisis" situation exists with U.S.A.<ref>"Judge Edward Winslow to Lord Sheffield" (August 20, 1807), Winslow Papers; A. D. 1776–1826 (1901), pg. 588 (frame 602). Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Winslow is unable to find work for his commerce-trained son, saying "the whole trade of [N.B.] would not give bread to five men of ambition"<ref>"Judge Edward Winslow to Sir John Wentworth" (July 25, 1807), Winslow Papers; A. D. 1776–1826 (1901), pg. 584 (frame 598). Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Persons accused of felony or capital crime have right to see indictment one day before trial and have one or two lawyers assigned to their case<ref>"Bill for regulating trials in cases of felony" (February 9, 1807), Legislative Assembly: Sessional Records (RS24), Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Accessed 21 August 2024</ref>

Buyers of smuggled goods are to pay 10% duty on them, such goods will be seized if not reported, and if goods not found, buyer will pay £100<ref>An Act to prevent illicit and clandestine Trade, and for imposing a Duty upon Articles illegally imported(....) (March 5, 1807), British North American Legislative Database, 1758–1867. Accessed 19 August 2024</ref>

Guoa Newellis and 11 other Malecite people sign agreement allowing them half-mile deep section of land on Saint John River for village and farming<ref>Transcription for Indian Affairs; Document #31 (July 29, 1807), University of New Brunswick Archives. Accessed 2 September 2024</ref>

Thomas Costin asks Edward Winslow's help in dispute with Catholics over land granted to him "and to all other School masters after my Decease"<ref>"Thomas Costin to Edward Winslow" (January 3, 1807), Winslow Papers; A. D. 1776–1826 (1901), pg. 572 (frame 586). Accessed 9 September 2024</ref>

Mail from Halifax to Quebec City is lost when courier's canoe is overset at Grand Falls on Saint John River; attaching buoy would have prevented it<ref>"The last mail from Halifax[....]," The Quebec Mercury, June 1, 1807 pg. 174, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. (See also "Instructions for a Journey from Fredericton to the River St. Lawrence" (pg. 584, frame 598)) Accessed 23 August 2024</ref>

Labrador

Inuit put up flesh of dead whale found in July in outer islands off Nain for following winter and barter blubber for "many necessities"<ref>Letter from Nain (September 1807), 1806–1810, vol. 04: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen, pg. 207 (frame 233 of 574), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 2 September 2024</ref>

Moravian missionaries find Inuit are particularly impressed during Passion-week by prayer contained in John 17 of New Testament<ref>Letter from Nain (September 1807), 1806–1810, vol. 04: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen, pg. 206 (frame 232 of 574), Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed 2 September 2024</ref>

Elsewhere

U.S. official says British have dominated commerce in western interior, even though most valuable trade is in U.S. territory (Note: "savages" used)<ref>Letter to James Madison from Augustus Woodward (January 31, 1807), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 6 September 2024</ref>

Mackinaw resident says The Prophet turns local Indigenous people away from liquor, hats and other settler goods, and merchants suffer<ref>"Influence of Shawnee Prophet" (September 1, 1807), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796–1820 (1931), pgs. 568-9. Accessed 5 September 2024</ref>

Photograph: Indigenous burial ring near site of Fort Kootenay<ref>"Fort Kootenay, built by David Thompson in 1807; indian burial ring in forefront" BC Archives. Accessed 2 September 2024</ref>