« previous - next »
The Haldimand Collection is a valuable resource for the study of events in North America from the beginning of the Seven Years War to the end of the American Revolution and the early period of Loyalist settlement. The Papers contain the correspondence and records of Frederick Haldimand’s various commands at Trois-Rivières, Florida, New York, and Quebec. Included is correspondence with such military commanders as General Jeffery Amherst, Thomas Gage, Sir John Burgoyne, Henry Bouquet, and Sir Henry Clinton; various civil and military officials such as the Earl of Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty; Lord Barrington, Secretary at War; Lord Dartmouth and Lord George Germain, Secretaries of State; the Governors of Quebec, James Murray and Sir Guy Carleton; British ministers, including the Earl of Shelburne and Lord North; officers of Loyalist Corps such as Robert Rogers, James Rogers, Sir John Johnson, John Butler, and many others; Indian Department officials, Sir William Johnson, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus; several governors and lieutenant governors; and many letters by Robert Matthews, Haldimand’s military secretary.
1766/08/20 – London – Governor Murray Letter to Lord Shelburne
Refers to the order for his return, to give an account of the state of the Province of Quebec, of the disorders there and of his own conduct, introductory to the papers in the volume.
The statements in the letter give the statistics of divisions, of population, British, French, and Indian ; the British chiefly men of mean education, and the most immoral he ever knew ; the Canadians frugal, industrious, and moral, and reconciled to British rule ; describes the Noblesse, the Tenants and the good understanding that exists between them ; they are shocked at the insults which the Noblesse and King’s officers receive from the traders and lawyers since civil government took place. They are very ignorant, an venerate their priesthood who are, however, illiterate. Is not aware of any remarkable disorders, the outrage on Mr. Walker, the magistrate at Montreal, excepted. Disorders naturally arose from the attempt to establish civil govt. by which military officers were deprived of power, and magistrates and jurors selected from 450 contemptible sutlers and traders ; sets out the abuse of power of those people, who hate the French Noblesse and abhor the peasants. The silence of the Ministry encourages them. The improper choice of civil officers from England has intensified this, added to by the pay being derived from fees, &c. (Page 1) – SN: 008001
1764/10/16 – Quebec – Presentment of the Sessions held at Quebec 16 October 1764
Presentment of the Sessions held at Quebec 16 October 1764, by grand jury. Complaining of the number of inferior Courts and of the number of unqualified justices ; ask that three justices decide cases not exceeding £10, without jury or appeal. The nuisance of permitting the occupancy of stalls in markets by men who ought to be employed in industrial pursuits ; allowing King’s batteries &c. to become private property. For the better observance of sabbath . .Ask that the grand jury be consulted before any ordinance is passed ; that all public accounts be submitted to it and settled every six months; that there should be an appeal from military to civil court, if the Bum exceeds £10. Object to the ordinance establishing Courts of Judicature. The presentment enumerates also regulations as to measurement of wood &c., and the carrying of lanterns at night. (Page 128)
An addition to the presentment demands that no Roman Catholic should act as grand or petty juror, the same being unconstitutional and tending to subvert His Majesty’s power &c. (Page 131)
Presentment of session. Protest of the French members of tbd grand jury against the presentment of 16 October, 1764, and against the attempt to disqualify Roman Catholics from serving in various capacities. (Page 133) – SN: 008002
1764/12/13 – Montreal – General Burton to Governor Murray.
Enclosing letter respecting outrage on Walker, submitted for His Excellency’s directions. (Page 146) – SN: 008003
1764/12/10 – Montreal – Capt. Mitchelson, 28 Regiment.
Complains of the illegal arrest and imprisonment of soldiers, on suspicion of being concerned in the Walker outrage. (Page 147) – SN: 008004
No date (evidently Dec. 1764) – Mrs. Walker to General Burton
Two letters respecting not granting of guard asked for by magistrates in form. Containing severe reflections on the military. (Page 142) – SN: 008005
1764/12/12
Petition from merchants and traders of Montreal, praying that steps be taken to discover the authors of the outrage on Walker, complaint the magistrates dare not act except in danger of their life. (Page 143) – SN: 008006
No date (evidently Dec. 1764)- Letter from Mrs. Walker to Genl. Burton
Asking that a guard should be placed on her house, and also on the gaol, to prevent the escape of the soldier lodged there on suspicion of being concerned in the outrage. Answer from General Burton, 28 Dec.1764, that he is willing, but that application must be made by a civil magistrate. (Page 141) – SN: 008007
1764/12/7th, 9th and 19th – Montreal
Copies of warrants against Sergeant Rogers and Private James Coleman, of the 28th Regiment, for being concerned in the Walker outrage. (Page 148) – SN: 008008
1764/12/13 – Montreal – Letter from General Burton to Governor Murray
Enclosing letter from Capt. Mitchelson, 28th Regiment, respecting outrage on Walker. Letter from Capt. Mitchelson, 10th Dec., 1764, complaining that the soldiers of the Regiment are arrested and sent to prison illegally, and on mere suspicion. The difficulty of maintaining order in the regiment under these circumstances. (Page 146) – SN: 008009
1764/12/14 – Montreal – Thomas Walker, J.P.
Deposition of, as to the outrage committed ou him. 24 Decm., 1764, deposition of Mrs.. Walker. Same date, deposition of George Walls, tailor. 8 January, 1765, deposition of William Lewis, Grenadiers, 28th Regiment. 25th Decm., 1764, deposition of Sergeant Mees. Same date, deposition of Private James Coleman. 9th December, 1764, deposition of Sergeant Rogers. 9th December, 1765 (sic), deposition of Private Philip White. 25th December, 1765 (1764), deposition of Mrs. Mees. 5 February, 1765, deposition of Corporal Joseph Renny. 4th Feb., 1765, deposition of Private Hamilton. 5th February, 1765, deposition of Private Thomas, 8th February, 1765, deposition of Private Roxborough. 5th Feb., 1765, deposition of Private Coleman. 8th February, 1765, deposition of Private Ashman. 3rd February, 1765, deposition of Capt. Skene (latter bound over on 12th February.) Deposition of Lieutenant Carleton (bound over), 4th February, 1765 Deposition of Lieut. Dow (bound over), 8th February, 1765. Deposition of Ensign Dilks Harding (bound over), 3rd February. Deposition of Lieut. Tottenham, 17th December, 1764. Deposition of Provost Marshall Jones, 2 February 1765. Deposition of Ensign Cole (bound over), 8 February, 1765. Depositions of Messrs. Waldron and McNeal, 2 February. Depositions of Mr. Thos Christie, .Mr. James Price and Mr. J. Croquet, same date. (Page 181) – SN: 008010
No date (1765)
Quebec Traders Petition to the King. Sets out their loyalty, and submission to military rule till civil government established. The poverty of the ancient inhabitants and the destruction of inland trade by Indian wars. The want of money, except paper currency of doubtful value ; sets forth charges against Governor Murray of tyrannical, unconstitutional and oppressive conduct, of which numerous instances are given. Prays for new Governor and for a House of Representatives. exclusive of military officers. (Page 6) – SN: 008011
No date. London Merchants.
Petition to the King. In support of petition from Quebec Traders (see pages 6 to 10). (Page 10) – SN: 008012
1765/02/10 – Quebec – Governor Murray to Thomas Walker
Respecting the trial of accused for outrage on him. (Page 80) – SN: 008013
1765/03/02 – Quebec – Governor Murray to the Board of Trade.
The jealousies, heartburnings and strife that exist ; the outrage on Mr. Walker ; the insubordination of the 28th .Regiment at Montreal. The improper grants to men for conducting affairs at Labrador, highly prejudicial. Is anxious for a judgment in his case. The poverty of the Judge and officials whom there is no revenue to pay. (Page 82) – SN: 008014
1765/03/10 – Montreal – Inhabitants of Montreal
Petition to the King from the new subjects (in French). Settinp; forth their grievances ; amongst others, billetting of soldiers in private houses, new registration of titles to property at great expense ; vexatious regulations respecting Indian Trade; gun license ; the doing away with Assize Courts ; the thirty days’ registration of those intending to leave the Province on business. The excessive issue of tavern licenses ; the monopoly of civil offices by the military, $c. (Page 11a) – SN: 008015
1765/04/09 – Quebec – Grand Jurors
Representation against the Ordinance changing the terms of summoning the grand jurors, so as to bring them from all parts of the country instead of selecting by vicinage as hitherto. (Page 150) – SN: 008016
No date (about April 1765) George Suckling, King’s Prosecutor
Explaining the irregularities of summoning jurors and the cause of the failure of the prosecutions at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, especially that regarding the Walker outrage. (Page 152) – SN: 008017
No date – Walker, Agent
Anonymous paper left by him at the Secretary of State’s Office, containing list of charges against Governor Murray. (Page 14) – SN: 008018
No date – Governor Murray
Answers to the charges and complaints against him. These contain the statistics of revenues derived from duties, seignorial dues, &c., in 1757, (prior to the Conquest) imposed by Edict of the King of France. The Articles are answered in detail, and the appendices contain documents and statements in support of the Governor’s defence. (Page 19) – SN: 008019
1765/05/14 – Thomas Walker J. P.
Protest and accompanying documents. (Page 68) – SN: 008020
1765/06/24 – Governor Murray
Enclosing ordinances, issued as a temporary measure. The ignorance of the London merchants, who object to certain of these, as to the condition of the Colony. The reason of Walker’s pains to baffle the investigation, so as to excite the sympathy of the London merchants ; the pains taken to secure a fair trial and his refusal to attend at Three Rivers. The Council determined he shall be removed from the magistracy, which Murray averse to doing. (Page 93) – SN: 008021
No date – Protestants list of, in the District of Montreal
Total number 136. (Page 96)
Acts of the Privy Council relative to the assault on Thomas Walker, J.P., with evidence adduced as to the failure to bring the trial to an issue, &c. The Acts relate to proceedings extending from 10 December, l764. to 22 June, 1765. (Page 101) – SN: 008022
No date – Petition from French Inhabitants
Acknowledging the justice of the laws passed by Governor in Council, when under military rule. The overturn when lawyers, not knowing the language, were substituted ; complain of exclusion from all professions (even those of surgeon and apothecary) on account of their religion, at the instance of about 30 shop-keepers, only 15 of whom are domiciled ; pray that the laws established by Governor in Council may be confirmed ; that jurists, notaries, advocates, &c., may be preserved in the functions, that family affairs may be settled in their own language, that they may be allowed to follow their own customs, so long as these are not contrary to the general good of the Colony, and that the laws should be promulgated in their own language. 62 signatures. (Page 121) – SN: 008023
1765/09/02 – Whitehall, London – Board of Trade (Report signed by Lord Dartmouth)
Soame Jenyns, Sir John York and J. Dyson. That the Lords of the Privy Council have now before them all matters respecting the constitution and form of government of Quebec, civil and ecclesiastical, of the greatest importance, but submit the propriety of calling a general assembly and second the consideration of the complaints of merchants and traders. State the objection to the first, and ; propriety of dividing the country into three districts with Quebec ; Montreal and Three Rivers as Capitals respectively. Governor Murray to return to answer to the complaints. (Page 12) – SN: 008024
No date (evidently 1766)- Seigneurs of Quebec and Montreal.
Address to the King, bearing testimony to their feeling of respect and esteem for General Murray, for the kindness and justice he showed them and all their countrymen. The evils arising from the establishment of civil government, by which the French Canadian inhabitants have been oppressed. (Page 191) – SN: 008025
No date (evidently 1766) – Seigueurs and Proprietors of Fiefs in the District of Montreal.
Petition (in French) to do away with the new Registry of title, the expense of which exhausts the Colony, and is of no advantage ; and to open all offices, without respect to religion, the only test being qualification. (Page 199) – SN: 008026
1766/04/14 – Quebec – Governor Murray to the Lords of Trade
Relative to the suspension of Mr. Allsopp from his office of Clerk of the Council and Clerk of the Inrollment, Allsopp’s seditious designs, the evil effect of his being restored, both on the new subjects and on the old (British) subjects. (Page 63) – SN: 008027
1766/04/14 – Murray to Mr. Ellis patentee of Allsopp’s offices.
That Allsopp is an unfit person. Copy of Article 24 of Instructions as to suspensions from office. Extract of Govr. Murray’s letter to the Lords of Trade dated Quebec, 24th April 1764, on the state of the country and the character of the British settlers; Protest by Thomas Walker, J.P., against a resolution of the Governor in Council, dated 3rd January 1765, not to hold a Court of Assize in Montreal, as also against an ordinance, changing the manner of calling Juries, for, among other reasons, the great injustice to him (Walker) and others by having to attend the Court of King’s Bench at Quebec. (Page 64) – SN: 008028