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Events from the year 1817 in Canada.
| | This article needs additional citations for verification .(September 2023) |
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| Decades: | |||||
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| See also: | |||||
| Part of a series on the |
| History of Canada |
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Events from the year 1817 in Canada.
"Old England [is our] most respected Parent, and [we] are not to be taught by[...]Washington what our duty to that parent or to ourselves [is]." [3]
Prince Edward Island lieutenant-governor says "the storm of war which has so long raged [has left] an agitated and troubled political Sea" [4]
War gives wealth to few, but peace "disseminates comfort to all[;] these are not ideas quite in unison with the state of mind of this society" [5]
Vice admiralty court refuses to condemn U.S. vessels found fishing in Nova Scotia waters because U.S.A. and U.K. have not settled on fisheries [6]
Perhaps 700 people have come from U.K. to settle in Canada, with equal number arriving in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick [7]
We have much satisfaction[...]that some hundreds of settlers have [come] from Britain to Canada [-] a more effectual remedy for poor times" [8]
Defence is made of Hudson's Bay Company's rights, including its charter and territory, in competition with North West Company [9]
Albany Argus reports that U.K. and U.S.A. have agreed to limit armed craft on each of two Great Lakes to two revenue cutters each [10]
"Five Minutes' Advice to Young Tradesmen" includes: "the conversation of men of trade brings trade; men first talk then deal together" [11]
Newspaper editor notes types of news covered in papers, and how much space goes to advertisements but how little is given to death notices [12]
"Total failure of the late harvest" requires appropriating £20,000 at most to provide seed grain and potatoes to "the most indigent husbandmen" [13]
At least 1,500 people in Quebec City suburbs are "reduced to actual distress" because bread and fuel cost too much for hundreds of families [14]
Editorial: With recent revival of trade ended, wants of British labouring classes grow daily; emigration is no alternative if arranged without assistance, and even 12 months' rations leave farmers with no means of living until harvest; but potatoes yield early crop on unplowed land and wheat and rye are now well advanced; farmers should understand that many in town are just as wretched and have no harvest to look forward to; disbanded soldiers should recall privation they suffered in war service; "let them think of these things and bless their kind stars that, scanty as their fare may be, yet composed (sic) with that of many others, they live in the midst of abundance" [15]
Editorial: "Better [to] find employment for the poor than hang them for desperate acts, the natural effect of want" [16]
"Religious Ladies of the General Hospital of Montreal" ask Assembly to help them as "they are in want of the bread necessary to eat" [17]
Abundant supply shows embargo on flour should be lifted; Speaker Papineau says sales loss to Montreal district is £100,000 [18]
Colonial government must be given authority "to manage our affairs with our own internal resources" to increase L.C.'s commercial prosperity [19]
To gauge work output of "common Labourers,[...]a small weak Boy of 15" shovels soil and rock into wheelbarrow, moving 120 loads in 10½ hours [20]
Mi'kmaw Pierre Quatre Pattes dies on Quebec City ice because of his lameness and "his being very thinly clothed, from his extreme indigence" [21]
Topics that should be most urgent to Assembly: improvement of travel routes, commerce, and local reform (banks, insurance companies etc.) [22]
Assembly Speaker Papineau speaks with "masterly style and manner [and] profound erudition" in criticism of distressed parishes bill [23]
Articles of associates creating Bank of Montreal with capital stock of not more than £250,000 in 5,000 shares of £50 each [24]
Quebec Agricultural Society will reduce "the very backward state of agriculture in this Province, particularly in the District of Quebec" [25]
Guide to what European emigrants coming to farm in Canada should bring (including tools and seeds) [26]
Owner of seigneury on Chaudière River puts up dozens of sponsored German families (wearing their one-century-out-of-fashion clothing) [27]
Citizens group report on proposed incorporation of Quebec City by Assembly says its increasing size requires local government [28]
Quebec City people with fever who can't get to "good air" in country can apply to health officer to get medical treatment outside of city [29]
"Insane" are made comfortable in their 8 ft. x 9 ft. cells, but they tear their clothing and bedding and relieve themselves on beds and floor [30]
"Bathing machine" in St. Lawrence River includes separate men's and women's facilities and "a Warm and Shower Bath on board" [31]
Steam mill at Saint-Roch has 3 gangs of saws and gristmill with 10 pairs of stones (Note: see definition of gang (Noun no. 7)) [32]
Steamboat of 310 tons burden and 28 horsepower, with rudder at each end, will cross St. Lawrence River at Quebec City in 8 minutes [33]
Proposed transportation contracts include improving canoe landing at Point Levi and seeing if Chaudière River can be made navigable [34]
British-trained civil engineer, experienced in factories and mills, is "acquainted with levelling Canals, Water-Courses and Mill Falls" [35]
U.S. tourist describes journey from Montreal to Quebec City based on "a more historical and scientific form" [36]
Eastern Townships will be rich and fruitful "as soon as good roads, a court of judicature, and clergymen and school-masters" come [37]
Petition to legislature from dogs and cats asks that no tax be put on them, as they are already massacred to make caps, mitts and gloves [38]
Man is fined £5 for severely beating his half-starved horse when it couldn't pull overloaded wagon up hill between lower and upper Quebec City [39]
Severe winter weather lasts until May Day, and maypoles are set up on ice off Quebec City for first time in perhaps 40 years [40]
Military mathematics course includes "practical Exercises on specific Gravity, Weight and dimensions of Balls and Shells;" also nautical course [41]
New singing school, "which, although much neglected here, is in some countries considered an almost essential part of the studies of youth" [42]
Gooseberry, "this most delicious fruit, has of late years been much regarded by all the Gardeners in this vicinity" [43]
"Wild African Urus" and rattlesnakes on display in tavern's theatre for 1/3, kids half price (Note: Urus displayed may be gemsbok) [44]
"Greatly extended commerce has succeeded the din of war on the Lakes of Upper Canada from Prescott and Ogdensburgh [to St. Marys River]" [45]
Being in prosperous province, not "young colony," U.C. Assembly must provide support beyond what Imperial Parliament supplies [46]
"Grand Canal" will expose U.C. to attack, so St. Lawrence River navigation should be improved and alliance with Indigenous people cherished [47]
On Drummond Island "the Indians, notwithstanding their fidelity and gallant behaviour in the war, are[...]renounced," and whites forget promises [48]
Augustus Jones and 16 other "Grand Inquest" members report years of lawlessness (including murder) among Indigenous people along Grand River [49]
John Strachan explains purpose and work of Society for the Relief of Strangers in Distress [50]
Perth settlers come with £30–100, which they spend on clearing land, buying cows, and food, then go hungry because of frosts and rust [51]
Lt. Gov. Gore objects to Assembly's resolution "in favor of American settlers" – but might their skills be more critical than their politics [52]
U.S. has military advantage in ban on Great Lakes warships; after declaring war, it can easily launch warships before British forces can arrive [53]
Ernestown Township (west of Kingston) has good harbour and steamboat industry, but could benefit farmers and merchants with new wharf [54]
U.S. Army officer reports U.C. is fertile, "but there is withal an air of inefficiency, a pause after surmounting the necessities of life" [55]
British settler encourages Upper Canadians to take advantage of their riches, but poor immigrants create "unambitious and weak" society [56]
Upper Canadians are commoners, and primogeniture "is not congenial with their circumstances, interests, habits and feelings" [57]
Minister in new town finds those in congregation "who did nothing were most industrious in finding fault with those who [did] all in their power" [58]
Father in Midland District reports schoolmaster severely beat his six-year-old daughter "for looking off her book;" she has recovered [59]
Duel between Samuel Peters Jarvis and John Ridout, sons of important U.C. families, leads to eighteen-year-old Ridout's death [60]
Besides reading, writing and English grammar, Kingston academy will teach "a knowledge of the French Language" to boys and girls [61]
Kingston will have series of 36 evening lectures (3/week) on chemistry, mineralogy and geology, with experiments and specimens, for 3 guineas [62]
Guests cross York harbour ice to storage schooner HMS Charwell to feast on deck amid stoves under tented sails, then dance until 4am [63]
Capt. and Mrs. Daniel Pring host ball at Naval Establishment on Grand River, including production of "She Stoops to Conquer" by naval staff [64]
"Welcome, little stranger! welcome/To your parent's fond embrace,/Welcome, gift of bounteous Heaven,/Added to the human race!" [65]
Lt. Gov. the Earl of Dalhousie reports to legislature "the failure of the Crops in many districts of the Province during the last two years" [66]
Up to £8,000 to be appropriated for grain, corn, flour and meal to lend by county to "indigent settlers" (Sydney and Pictou get highest amounts) [67]
Lord Dalhousie: "Government has [authorized distribution of] seed potatoes to the Refugee Negroes, to the amount I dare say of 800 families." [68]
Voter must have at least 40s/year income or own dwelling house or 100 acres (with at least 5 acres under cultivation) in fee simple [69]
"Handsome" bounty for grain farmers, and heavy duty on U.S. grain and bread, can after "a few years" make N.S. self-sufficient in bread [70]
Concern about 2,500 U.K. emigrants arriving, many of them mechanics ("Taylors, Cordwainers and Weavers") with no prospect of work [71]
Samuel Cunard and 3 others suggest settling immigrants across N.S., "that their labour may be more valuable to themselves and to the country" [72]
"O let us think of the comforts that we enjoy and of which the poor are destitute" - words of Halifax Methodist Female Benevolent Society [73]
Wealthy people need not forgo "amusements and pleasures [unless] they take such compleat possession of the mind" that they ignore poor people [74]
Mother of triplets "in very indigent circumstances" will put babies on display and "receive any small Donation with thankfulness" [75]
Army auctions about 50,000 forage cakes made of ground oats, bean meal and linseed - nutritious for horses and, as gruel, for soldiers [76]
Firefighting should include small "engines" (pumping machines) that 4 or 6 men can take into houses and even play on neighbouring houses [77]
Black servant Rino Matthews, blamed for house fire, comes from "a race [with principles] repugnant to the dictates of gratitude and morality" [78]
John Adams says Blacks settled in N.S. will provide "recruits to invade the Southern States to entice and Seduce other blacks to desert" [79]
Corporation will be formed in Halifax to put reservoir on town common and pipe water under all streets in town and suburbs [80]
Commissioner of Sable Island learns from resident of ship unable to anchor for 8 days because of gales, and his boats stove in reaching her [81]
During congregational dispute in Halifax, Thomas McCulloch says "keenness of debate" can cause debaters to miss important points [82]
Physician will take 4 students, who will use medical library, compound medicines, observe diseases and be regularly instructed and examined [83]
Reader claims temperance preserves health and cures maladies; without it, acute pain and distemper, enfeebled legs and lung pain result [84]
After receiving 1 month's wages, 5 men from ship in Antigonish steal boat with sails and oars and are last seen at Arichat [85]
Brief nature book briefly describes 13 mammals (some in predator-prey matches) and many bird species [86]
Signals, instructions and orders for Halifax to send by telegraph [87]
Halifax "Liquor Store" sells "Wines, Cognac Brandy Holland Gin, Jamaica Spirits, Rum, Shrub, Peppermint, Anniseed, Brown Stout and Ginger Wine [88]
Long review of Halifax Theatre's production of "The Tempest" praises boy playing Ariel, including his abilities, great judgment and taste [89]
Halifax production of "Macbeth" has extremely embarrassed and inconfident actor playing Macduff, but then he sings 2 "incomparably executed Songs" [90]
Praise for actor's dying scene: "the stings attending [a] guilty conscience were so forcibly exhibited that[...]the audience were delighted with horror" [91]
"And is it so?/The anxious doubting look of friendship - the enquiring how, and where,/Too soon were answered. 'Tis true, his sadden'd looks declare" [92]
There is terrible May weather in central N.B., with no grass growing and frost in garden soil, writes Frederick Dibblee of Woodstock Parish [93]
To address "extraordinary distress" in N.B., each county will appoint commissioners to lend grain seed, corn or potatoes to "indigent inhabitants" [94]
Having to pay yet more for poor makes people "grow hard hearted[...]because they think they have already [given] more than their share" [95]
Because province has large number of immigrants, free smallpox vaccine will be administered to population that has rarely had that disease [96]
For missing apprentice, twopence reward offered not being "tempting, it is hoped the lad may get out of the country without molestation" [97]
St. John's "principal Inhabitants" aid "extraordinary numbers [suffering] present scarcity of provisions," with only 3 weeks' worth of food left [98]
House of Commons committee on Newfoundland reports famine has led to "violations of private property and the destruction of civilized order" [99]
Editor is so distressed by major fire that "the powerful emotions which agitate our minds" leave him unable to describe calamity to readers [100]
For sale: "Fishing Room [with] Dwelling House[,] Fish House, Store, Shop, Fishermens' Houses, [and] Flake that will spread 250 Qtls. Fish" [101]
St. John's boy passes at King's College, Windsor, N.S., having made "excellent examination[...]in Virgil, Horace, the Greek Testament and Homer" [102]
P.E.I. has gained little in agriculture, trade and commerce because "the absent Proprietors of Land in the Colony and its Inhabitants" don't cooperate [103]
For sale: 10,000 acres (½-township) in Prince County, granted to late owner, to be sold together or in lots; contact Samuel Cunard, Halifax [104]
Charlottetown amateur theatre begins season in new location with box seats for 200 (gallery closed) and paintings of Thalia and Melpomene [105]
Land along lower Red and Assiniboine rivers is transferred by five Saulteaux and Cree chiefs to Lord Selkirk for annual rent of 200 lbs. tobacco [106]
Lord Bathurst says dispute between Hudson's Bay Company and North-West Company has sunk to "outrages of every description" [107]
Reward of £100 offered for arrest of Cuthbert Grant and/or 3 others for murder of Owen Keveney, and £50 offered for giving information [108]
Lengthy defence of Lord Selkirk is "in consequence of the repeated misrepresentations made with respect to the occurrences[...]at the Red River" [109]
Map: territory between York Fort and Mississippi River headwaters and between Qu'Appelle River and Sault Ste. Marie, showing First Nations [110]
Map: northwestern North America between Arctic Ocean and Missouri River headwaters and between Pacific Ocean and Great Lakes [111]
