Historical documents
American Revolutionary War
"We are involved in all the Horrors of a Civil War" - Bostonian on April 19 "general Engagement" between troops and militia, fearing many more deaths[3]
Quebec Act mandated authority of governor means "he is possessed of absolute and despotic Powers" limited only by his need of Council majority vote[4]
Gov. Guy Carleton offers $200 reward for person who disfigured King George bust in Montreal and attached "False and Scandalous Libel" about him[5]
Continental Congress resolves to end exports to Quebec, Nova Scotia, Island of St. John's, and Newfoundland, as well as to British fisheries[6]
Finding "the protestant and catholic colonies to be strongly linked together," Congress calls on "oppressed Inhabitants of Canada" to join it[7]
Carleton says Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by Benedict Arnold, who also got Navy sloop, bateaux and military stores at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu[8]
"We have been puzzled to discover what we ought to do with the Canadians and Indians" - John Adams sees need for Canadians (Note: "savages" used)[9]
Gen. Israel Putnam gets support bid "from one of the Indian Nations near Canada," while Carleton is said to find "the People in general" won't fight rebels[10]
Carleton laments "impotent Situation" of only 600 soldiers and no militia, and Quebeckers' minds poisoned by "Hypocrisy and Lies" from other colonies[11]
Alexander Hamilton: "King, through[...]his creatures, the Governor and Council may[...]mould the criminal laws of Canada[...]to the most tyrannical views"[12]
Congress orders Gen. Philip Schuyler to take St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Montreal if "practicable [and not] disagreeable to the Canadians"[13]
"We are this day informed in Congress that the six Nations and Canada Indians are firmly disposed to observe a strict neutrality"[14]
Congress has "received certain intelligence that General Carleton[...]is instigating the people of [Canada] and the Indians to fall upon us"[15]
Chiefs with families (numbering 1,600) in Montreal to declare "they are unanimous" in leading their people against "the Bostonians" (Note: "savage" used)[16]
Call for men for Royal Highland Emigrants regiment "to engage during the present Troubles in America only," for grants of 200 acres rentfree for 20 years[17]
"Neutrality and your present blessings are incompatible with each other" - Canadians must expect worst if Colonies' "arm'd and numerous rabble" invade[18]
Lake Champlain skirmish north of Quebec boundary leaves rebel captain dead and later decapitated by Indigenous men with British soldiers[19]
Report that Canadians "highly approved" Congress's letter, and are uneasy about possible scarcity of grain products because provisions go to Boston[20]
Gen. Schuyler summarizes intelligence about British, his eagerness to invade, and Gen. Richard Montgomery's departure plans (Note: "savages" used)[21]
From Cambridge, Washington sends "(though late in the Season)" detachment of 1,000 men under Arnold to Quebec City by way of Kennebec River[22]
Account of battle near St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu in which small British force of mostly Indigenous men drives off several hundred rebel invaders[23]
British regulars and Indigenous men ambush part of force under Schuyler near St.-Jean but are routed, while Ethan Allen's force cuts link to Montreal[24]
Accounts of Battle of Longue-Pointe near Montreal in which Ethan Allen and some Chambly Canadians (who had prospect of plunder) were captured[25]
Thomas Jefferson notes "intrepidity" of Canadians helping besiege St.-Jean but sees they can get discouraged; mentions "bitter enemy" Luc de la Corne[26]
Gen. Richard Montgomery reports Chambly capitulation after mostly Canadian siege (Note: "St. John's" is Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu)[27]
Gen. Montgomery reports artillery assault of St.-Jean, followed by surrender when garrison learns relief from Montreal is defeated[28]
"Pitiful and humorous spectacle" - Col. Arnold's bedraggled regiment arrives at St. Lawrence River near Quebec City from Maine[29]
Congressional agents ordered "to exert your utmost endeavours to induce the Canadians to accede to a union with these colonies" and send delegates[30]
Schuyler relates Carleton's escape from Montreal before its fall to Montgomery and looks ahead in hope of Quebec City's capture[31]
Arnold reports he has too few men to storm Quebec City, and they lack sufficient clothing and ammunition, so he has retired to await Montgomery's force[32]
Arnold reports that Montgomery has joined him and they are at Quebec City, "which has a wretched motley Garrison[...], the Walls in a ruinous Situation"[33]
Death of Gen. Montgomery at Quebec reported by rebel general in Montreal, who begs for reinforcements to sway impressionable Canadians to his side[34]
Canada
Physician "commodiously lodged for treating all Kinds of Diseases" if people send him their case in writing, and poor helped gratis if postage paid[35]
Upper Town, Quebec City "Doctor of Physic" offers advice gratis and medicines at reasonable rates, inoculates for smallpox and treats venereal disease[36]
Mary Barnsley denies husband's accusations and says "bad Usage and ill Treatment from him were the Cause of my Elopment [sic]"[37]
Select Society for "literary Intercourse" resists "present rapid Torrent of Gaming, and devote[...]their Leisure to so rational and useful an Amusement"[38]
In "Mathematical Thesis," natural philosophy students Panet, Perrault and Chavaux will "resolve such Problems in Algebra and Geometry" as put to them[39]
For sale at Anne Taylor's distillery: "Essense of Spruce" for making 30 gallons of beer, as well as spruce beer "for Family or Ship's Use"[40]
John Robinson, gelder, "cuts Horses with the Greatest Security, splays Heifers, and gelds and splays Pigs [with] utmost Care and constant Attendance"[41]
Nova Scotia
Following raid on Saint John River by "Rebels from Machias," Gov. Legge proclaims Nova Scotia militia subject to "Service in Time of War" act[42]
Ships from Nova Scotia carrying provisions to Boston risk capture, including by "Spider Catchers," 8-10-ton boats based in New England seaports[43]
Two Nova Scotia House members deny being "factious and rebelliously disposed," but one reported to Gen. Gage, who has list of "disaffected" in N.S.[44]
Governor's proclamation warns Nova Scotians "not in any Manner directly or indirectly [to] aid or assist with any Supplies whatever, any Rebel or Rebels"[45]
Noting "a most unnatural and dangerous Rebellion" in America, treason in Canada, and home "Invasion," Nova Scotia to collect rate of 5s to £5 for militia[46]
Refugees to take loyalty oath and enter province as inhabitants, but those refusing oath may be jailed, and "traiterous Correspondence" will be punished[47]
Refugees to be provided food and granted land free of rent for 10 years, and Nova Scotians encouraged to supply lumber and coal to Caribbean market[48]
Nova Scotia farmer and former Army officer imprisoned by Massachusetts General Court after he visits Boston with no good reason for going there[49]
Scores of patients, age 50 down to under 1, inoculated for smallpox, are "save over the Disease; without having had one bad, or unpromising Symptom"[50]
Detailed "advice and instructions concerning innoculation, by self-applying "pocky matter" in scratches, addressed to the industrious poor of Halifax"[51]
Provincial treasury audit has found books and papers "of high Concern" missing; £100 reward offered for their return, and £500 for whoever took them[52]
"To be Sold, A likely well made Negro Boy, about Sixteen Years old,---Enquire of the Printer."[53]
Any Nova Scotia resident may bring livestock and vegetables into Halifax for sale in street or building, even during Market hours[54]
"Paltry artifice" - Reader criticizes Nova Scotia Gazette publisher for reprinting "trash" contrived in Philadelphia papers by Continental Congress[55]
"She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness" - Mrs. Jane Chipman of Cornwallis, who died after falling from horse[56]
Charles Wright disavows wife Hannah's debts after she keeps "bad Company," sells some of furniture ("to my great Distress and Damage") and runs off[57]
Prince Edward Island
Leaving for Britain, St. John's Island governor Walter Patterson says he will "try to rouse the proprietors [to] promote" their own interest[58]
"I never saw better grass, white clover, wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, and all kinds of garden stuff[...]altho' they are very bad farmers"[59]
Charlottetown raided by privateers in November and governor, surveyor general and many public and private papers carried off[60]
Newfoundland
Three 20-gun ships and several sloops to be added to naval force "to prevent the Americans carrying on any Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland"[61]
Navy frigate on Newfoundland station "destroyed a number of stages which the French had erected beyong the Limits allowed them for[...]the Fishery[62]
Labrador
"Very unpleasant situation" - Trapped at edge of snowy Labrador precipice, George Cartwright and friend drop down using length of cod line in his pocket[63]
Indigenous nations
New "Indian Affairs" rules include sending superintendent annually to check on local officials, who will act as JPs and admit Indigenous evidence in court[64]
Local "Indian King" Solomon says he is given "Liberty" to join rebels by Kanien’kéhà:ka, who will "hold 500 men in readiness to join us on the first Notice"[65]
Using metaphor of son (colonies) injured by "proud and wicked servants" (ministers) of father (King), Congress tells Haudenosaunee to stay out of war[66]
With presents and talks, Continental Congress has created northern department of Indian affairs covering Six Nations "and all to the Northward of them"[67]
In Albany, 700 Kanien’kéhà:ka and Onondaga declare friendship and hope to bring over Canadian relations, despite "all Governor Carleton's endeavours"[68]
Members of St. Francois tribe offer services to Americans, and say Indigenous people and French generally are "determined not to act against us"[69]
Superintendent of Indian Affairs Guy Johnson in Montreal and expected to sail for England, "the Season being too far advanced for [Indian] Operations"[70]
Haudenosaunee sachems refuse Johnson's war feast and song at Montreal; Kanien’kéhà:ka are rebuked for not sending for their people in Canada[71]
Alexander Henry describes people in Cree village on Lake Winnipeg, where women not only "beguile" his men, but are lent for year's service to them[72]
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