1804 in Canada

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Events from the year 1804 in Canada.

Incumbents

Federal government

Governors

Events

Full date unknown

Births

Deaths

  • July 6 – Simon McTavish, fur trader and dealer in furs, militia officer, office holder, landowner, seigneur, and businessman (b.1750)

Historical documents

In France "no tyrant could ever be so cruel in his own name as in that of 'the people;' [we see the greatest impostor] throw away the last of his masks"[2]

"No two countries in the world, at this moment, feel a more natural inclination to remain at peace with each other than Great Britain and America"[3]

Map: northern North America with "areas of Native American habitation, some major settlements, and coastal configuration of major waterways"[4]

With order that military provisions be product of North American colonies, commissary calls for proposals for supplying flour, pork and pease[5]

New women's biographical dictionary briefly mentions Frances Brooke's novel Emily Montague, considered first novel written in Canada[6]

Glass dress satisfies "lover's eye with the sight of charms hitherto invisible" yet protects from "wind and weather" - satire of sheer fabric in dresses[7]

Lower Canada

Sermon claims "the present war is not merely [about] a right to certain extent of territory [but] a contest between civil order and confusion"[8]

"The greatest attention must be given to the marching, which is the fundamental and essential part of military instruction" - militia manual[9]

Bishop consecrates new Anglican cathedral in Quebec City before lieutenant governor "and many respectable persons of the Congregation"[10]

After failures, Gaspé JP experiments on children to show neighbours that cowpox inoculation protects against smallpox, and then treats newborns[11]

Death notice for Simon McTavish notes "His talents and exertions had secured him fortune [and he was] a man of a generous and dignified character"[12]

People suggesting James Wolfe epitaph "wish'd it not to reflect on the nation he opposed [because] this might not only hurt feelings" but be inelegant[13]

Defence of missionary Clark Bentom against prosecution for practicing as clergyman without authorization[14]

"From Quebec to Montreal [are] beautiful landscapes, the banks being in many places very bold and steep, and shaded with lofty trees"[15]

"A Course of Chemistry, in eighteen Lectures, will commence at Doctor Blanchet's;" admission: ½ guinea each[16]

School will prepare "Young Men, in the shortest time, for the Counting house and business in general" (with free classes evenings and Sundays)[17]

School for young ladies will teach "French and English grammatically with Plain and Muslin Work" and writing, arithmetic, geography, arts etc.[18]

Alterations to building near Hope Gate, Quebec City will complete Patagonian Theatre, which will open with opera "The Castle of Andalusia"[19]

"The Excellent Comedy of "Speed the Plough"[...]is to be presented on Tuesday evening for the benefit of the Poor"[20]

Upper Canada

"Persons of respectability" (including solicitor general, judge and members of legislature) are assumed lost with schooner on Lake Ontario[21]

Newcomers may be arrested "to protect His Majesty's subjects[...]from the insidious attempts or designs of evil minded and seditious persons"[22]

John Norton's translation of Gospel of John into Kanien'keha has English version on opposite pages[23]

Woman convicted for keeping "disorderly house for reception of loose, vicious and lewd persons" gets 6 months in jail, including 4 hours in pillory[24]

Nova Scotia

"'Tis not the province of unqualified individuals to inquire whether any act of power be abusive or not; [...]simple obedience is their indispensable duty"[25]

Simeon Perkins' schooner uninsured because he had agent seek insurance at 7–8% premium at most when French privateers make 15% lowest rate[26]

"The country swarms with Anabaptist + Methodist preachers," some backed by man with status one would assume favoured established church[27]

Wanting his children educated, Perkins puts his daughter in school to "give the others an Opportunity to gain Something from her to advantage"[28]

New Brunswick

"Enormity of their Ignorance" and "Poor distressed and discontented" state mean more Indigenous people's schooling needed (note: "savages" used)[29]

Men walk to Quebec City (including 300 miles on snowshoes) where, despite uncooperative officials, they recruit 100 men for military service[30]

Labrador

"Fire from the Lord" begins in Hopedale and spreads through Labrador Inuit, causing them to more genuinely accept missionaries' teachings[31]

Missionaries urge Inuit to love, know and "devote themselves to [Jesus] with soul and body as his blood-bought property"[32]

Inuk writes that he has changed from being "bad" to turning "with my whole heart to Jesus" and feeling "His forgiveness is my only comfort"[33]

Elsewhere

Profile of agricultural and other resources of Prince Edward Island includes one property for sale there[34]

Country from Lake Superior "to the Stony or Chipewan mountains" has cold of Siberia, and wells are impracticable because land is frozen year-round[35]

Fort Albany staff barely contain fire spread by sparks from chimney of large "Mens" fireplace, which is pulled down afterward and replaced with stove[36]

References

  1. ^ "George III". Official website of the British monarchy. Royal Household. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  2. ^ "London, May 16; We might form this wish[....]," The Quebec Gazette, June 26, 1804 pg. 1. Accessed 13 June 2024
  3. ^ "November 28; Much has been said[....]," The Quebec Gazette, February 23, 1804 pg. 4. Accessed 12 June 2024
  4. ^ "British Possessions in America" (1804), University of Texas at Arlington Library. Accessed 20 June 2024
  5. ^ "The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury[....]" (June 4, 1804), The Quebec Gazette, June 7, 1804 pg. 4. (See also call for proposals to deliver 3,500 gallons of West India rum (next ad below)) Accessed 12 June 2024
  6. ^ Matilda Betham, "Brooke, (Frances)" A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804), pg. 156, University of Toronto Robarts Library. Accessed 19 June 2024
  7. ^ "From London Papers, to Dec. 2; A good artist[....]," The Quebec Gazette, March 8, 1804, Cahier 1 pg. 4; continued in Cahier 2 pg. 1. Accessed 12 June 2024
  8. ^ Alexander Spark, A Sermon Preached in the Scotch Presbyterian Church at Quebec (February 1, 1804), pg. 13. Accessed 7 June 2024
  9. ^ Rules and Regulations for the Formation and Movements of the Militia of Lower-Canada (1804), pg. 6. Accessed 7 June 2024
  10. ^ "Quebec, September 6," The Quebec Gazette, September 6, 1804 pg. 2. Accessed 14 June 2024
  11. ^ Theophilus Fox, "Mr Neilson[....]," The Quebec Gazette, April 5, 1804, Cahier 2 pgs. 5–6 (Note: first page of letter is difficult to read). Accessed 12 June 2024
  12. ^ "Montreal, July 9," The Quebec Gazette, June 12, 1804 pg. 3. Accessed 13 June 2024
  13. ^ "To the Printer of the Quebec Gazette" (May 26, 1804), The Quebec Gazette, June 7, 1804 pg. 3. Accessed 13 June 2024
  14. ^ Clark Bentom, Statement of Facts and Law Relative to the Prosecution of the Rev. Clark Bentom(....) (1804), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 17 June 2024
  15. ^ "Canada, Lower," The American Gazetteer, Exhibiting a Full Account of the Civil Divisions, Rivers, Harbours, Indian Tribes, &c. of the American Continent(....) (1804), frame 93. (See also "View of Quebec, the Capital of British America" engraving) Accessed 7 June 2024
  16. ^ "Chemical Lectures" (December 12, 1804), The Quebec Gazette, December 13, 1804 pg. 4. Accessed 17 June 2024
  17. ^ "A New School" (July 18, 1804), The Quebec Gazette, June 26, 1804 pg. 3. Accessed 13 June 2024
  18. ^ "Quebec Boarding School for Young Ladies[....]," The Quebec Gazette, May 3, 1804 pg. 4. (See also "Wanted" ad (pg. 3) for young woman who knows needlework to take charge of two children) Accessed 12 June 2024
  19. ^ "The Alterations[....]" (September 19, 1804), The Quebec Gazette, September 20, 1804 pg. 2. Accessed 14 June 2024
  20. ^ "Theatrical Communication," The Quebec Gazette, June 12, 1804 pg. 3. Accessed 13 June 2024
  21. ^ "From the Upper Canada Gazette, November 8, 1804," The Quebec Gazette, December 20, 1804 pgs. 3–4. Accessed 17 June 2024
  22. ^ An Act for the better securing this Province against all Seditious attempts or designs to disturb the Tranquility thereof (March 9, 1804), British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867. Accessed 7 June 2024
  23. ^ Nene Karighwiyoston tsinihorighhoten ne Saint John; The Gospel According to Saint John (1804?). Accessed 7 June 2024
  24. ^ "At a Court of Oyer and Terminer[....]," The Quebec Gazette, March 8, 1804, Cahier 2 pg. 2. Accessed 12 June 2024
  25. ^ Letter of Instruction to the Catholic Missionaries of Nova-Scotia[....] (1804), pg. 6 (Image 11). (See also "examination" of Letter of Instruction) Accessed 7 June 2024
  26. ^ "Monday, June 18th [1804]," The Publications of the Champlain Society; The Diary of Simeon Perkins; 1804-1812 (1978), pgs. 40–1 (See also (in next diary entry) that, his schooner having arrived Charleston, S.C., he has it insured with no limit on premium, but that, in June 25 entry, he finds trading "Gloomy" because of high risk and low markets) Accessed 20 June 2024
  27. ^ Journal of Rev. John Wiswall letter (December 1, 1804), frame 134. Accessed 7 June 2024
  28. ^ "Wednesday, Octo. 17 [1804]," The Publications of the Champlain Society; The Diary of Simeon Perkins; 1804-1812 (1978), pg. 70 Accessed 20 June 2024
  29. ^ "Letter from Thomas Costin to Edward Winslow" (February 29, 1804), University of New Brunswick Library. (See also notes on past and proposed education plans and background to plans) Accessed 10 June 2024
  30. ^ "Letter from Dugald Campbell to Edward Winslow" (February 29, 1804), University of New Brunswick Library. (See also newspaper recruiting ad (pg. 3)) Accessed 10 June 2024
  31. ^ Dangers on the Ice Off the Coast of Labrador; with Some Interesting Particulars Respecting the Native of That Country (1804?), pg. 7 (See also missionary diary (pgs. 342-4; images 366-8)) Accessed 8 June 2024
  32. ^ "Extract of the Diary of the Mission at Hopedale, on the Coast of Labrador; 1804," 1801-1805, vol. 03: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen, pg. 340 (frame 364 of 562), Memorial University of Newfoundland. (See also "If we only feel in our hearts[....]" quote (pg. 342)) Accessed 19 June 2024
  33. ^ Letter from Jonathan to William Turner (translation; Hopedale, October 1804), 1801-1805, vol. 03: Periodical accounts relating to the missions of the Church of the United Brethren established among the heathen, pgs. 279-81 (frame 301 of 562), Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Compare letter stating "power of Satan is but too often visibly exerted to pluck up and destroy the good see[d] sown into their hearts" (pg. 328 (frame 352 of 562)) Accessed 18 June 2024
  34. ^ General Idea of the Qualities of Prince-Edward-Island and of An Estate which is to be sold there (1804). Accessed 7 June 2024
  35. ^ Quoted in C.F. Volney, View of the Climate and Soil of the United States of America (translation; London, 1804), pg. 155 (frame 187), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 17 June 2024
  36. ^ "[November] 2nd [1804]," "Albany - Post Journal; 1804-1805" frame 9, Archives of Manitoba. Accessed 20 June 2024