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Events in Upper Canaoa..—Supineness
of Sir Francis Head —A Typical Address from the Loyal Men of Lochiel —His
Characteristic Reply.—Toronto in Serious Peril. —Rescued by Colonel MacNab
and the "Men of Gore." Murder of Colonel Moodie.—Navy Island.— Cutting out
or the "Caroline."—She is sent over the Fails of Niagara. — "General" Van
Rensellaer dislodged.—Trouble on the Michigan Frontier.—A Specimen
"Proclamation."— Attacks at Amherstburg.—Rendezvous at Watertown.—Further
Attacks in the West.—Departure of Sir Francis Head. — Advent of Sir G.
Arthur.— Execution of Lount and Mathews.
With the exception of the
occurrence last mentioned the Province of Upper Canada east of Toronto was
not troubled either with insurrection or the attacks of brigand
"sympathizers." In the west, however, it was different, yet as the Glengarry
Regiments were employed in Lower Canada and in protecting the frontier of
the eastern portion of the Province, I need not enter at any considerable
length into a narrative of these events, as they will be found elsewhere in
Lindsey's Life of William Lyon Mackenze, in Dent's two volumes of the Upper
Canadian Rebellion, and other works. Early in December, 1837 the insurgents
had narrowly missed capturing Toronto, owing to the supineness of the
Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, who could not or would not
believe that affairs had reached such a crisis, and this in spite of
remonstrances while he had received from almost every district in the
Province. Warnings had accompanied the loyal addresses of the well disposed,
and yet Mackenzie and his fellows had been allowed to make deliberate
preparation for revolt, to write what they chose, say what they chose and
virtually do what they chose. The number and ardour of the address may have
misled him. Mr. Christie quotes one, probably more or less typical of them
all, from "the loyal and true-hearted Highlanders of Lochiel," forwarded
shortly after the attack on Toronto, in which abhorence was expressed of the
late foul and unnatural rebellion, and the signers declared "by the memory
of the past, by the hope of the future, by all that is worthy of ourselves
and of being transmitted down to posterity," that they were all ready to a
man and at a moment's warning to march against the rebels of their adopted
country. The following is the characteristic reply of His Excellency to this
spirit-stirring address :
Brave and loyal Highlanders
of Lochiel,
The few remaining rebels who
dared to insult the authorizes of this noble portion of the British Empire,
have absconded from its dominions, and the only enemies we have now to
encounter are a band of pirates, who, under American leaders, have invaded
our territory, for the avowed object of plundering our lands and subverting
our revered institutions.
I feel confident, if this
unprincipled aggression should continue, that, in one body, you will advance
to exterminate the perfidious invaders of our liberties, or, like
Highlanders, perish with your backs to the field, and your feet to the foe,
And leaving in battle no blot on your name, look proudly to Heaven from the
deathbed of fame!
Government House, January 13,
1838.
All this was very well in its
way, and tallied with the dedaration of the somewhat dramatic
Lieutenant-Governor, when, alluding to Papineau's threat that the people of
the United States would assist a republican movement in Canada, he stated,
"In the name of every regiment of militia in Upper Canada, I publicly
promulgate. let them come if they dare." When Sir John Colborne withdrew the
troops from Toronto to Kingston he offered Sir Francis Head to leave two
companies as a guard for the capital of the Province, which Sir Francis
rashly declined. It was then determined by the insurgent leaders that early
in December they should assemble their force, which they anticipated would
number about 4000, at Montgomery's tavern, about three miles north of
Toronto, and proceed thence to the city, capture 4000 stand of arms which
Sir Francis had left with the civic authorities for protection, seize the
Lieutenant-Governor and his chief advisers, place the garrison in the hands
of the Liberals, declare the Province free and proclaim a republic. They did
accordingly assemble at Montgomery's, and but for some disarrangement of
their plans as regards the date of attack, which was changed from the 7th to
the 4th of December, their programme would probably have been carried out in
its entirety. They were within half a mile of the city when some shots were
fired by some of the people of the town from behind a fence. Both parties
then took to their heels, the rebels leaving one man killed and two wounded.
They rallied at Callow's Hiil, near Montgomery's tavern, but fortunately the
"men of Gore," with gallant Colonel —afterwards Sir—Allan Macnab at their
head, had arrived from Hamilton, numbering some 600, and a brisk fire from
their artillery, a few volleys of musketry and a bayonet charge was
sufficient. The rebels retreated in greatest confusion, with a loss of
thirty-six killed and fourteen wounded, of the Loyalists only three being
slightly wounded. Colonel Moodie, who had previously commanded the 104th
Regiment of Foot, was cowardly murdered by the rebels when passing
Montgomery's tavern on his way to warn the authorities of the rising on the
previous day, and a leading "patriot" named Anderson was shot by Alderman
John Fowell on attempting to make that gentleman a prisoner near
Montgomery's, while a flash in the pan of the pistol in the hand of the same
gentleman alone saved Mackenzie the same fate. Colonel Moodie was killed by
a man named Ryan, who probably is now dead or he would in all likelihood
have been pensioned by the same Legislature which recently handsomely
compensated Montgomery for the burning of his hotel, which, with the house
of Gibson, a Member of the Assembly, and who had a command under Mackenzie
in the Rebel force, was ordered to be destroyed by the Lieutenant-Governor.
Montgomery, I may mention, was subsequently tried for his share in these
events, found guilty and sentenced to death, when his sentence being
commuted to transportation, he escaped from Fort Henry, Kingston, when en
route to Bermuda. It would seem incredible that he should have been
compensated to anyone not fain liar with the views which find expression in
the Assembly when the question of rewarding the surviving volunteers who
suppressed the rebellion comes up.
After the affair at Gallow's
Hill, Mackenzie escaped to the States by way of Niagara, a reward of £1000
being offered for his apprehension and £500 for that of Gibson, Lount,
Fletcher and Loyd, the other leaders of this movement. Colonel Macnab and
his loyal "men of Gore" were then ordered to the London District, where a Dr
Dunseomb had actively encouraged isurrection, which Colonel Macnab's force
quelled in the same satisfactory manner that they had dispersed the rebels
at Gallow's Hill and saved Toronto when in such imminent peril. Mackenzie
then raised the standard of rebellion on Navy Island, opposite Cuippewa, in
the Niagara River, offered a reward of £500 for the apprehension of the
Lieutenant-Governor, issued a ridiculous proclamation, appointed a scamp
named Van Rennselaer "commander in chief" of his ragged force of refugees
and Yankee sympathizers, which soon amounted to over a thousand men, and
generally attempted to foment trouble, though his efforts in that direction,
further than naturally producing considerable alarm in the neighbourhood,
were as futile as might be expected. A steamer, the famous "Caroline," which
was employed in their service, was captured by Colonel Macnab, Mr. Elmsley,
formerly of the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Drew, R.N., and a force of volunteers
on the night of the 29th December, set fire and sent over the Falls of
Niagara. Just where she was taken appears somewhat doubtful, though the
weight of testimony seems to show that she was cut from her moorings at the
wharf at Schlosser, on the American side, by the occupants of the attacking
boats, some seven in number, each containing about nine men, five of her
crew being killed and several wounded. It was intended to take her across
the river, but owing to the strength of the current that was found
impossible, and she had to be abandoned to her fate. Her passage through the
rapids and over the falls, a mass of flame, was a grand spectacle. The
Americans professed great indignation over the affair, though their conduct
in permitting the Canadian refugees to outrage the rights of asylum and
practically allowing their own citizens in sympathy with them to engage in
open war with a neighbouring country with which their Government was at
peace, would seem to have stopped them from complaint, and the fact that the
"Caroline" was ostentatiously and undeniably in the service of the rebel
force on Navy Island, carrying articles contraband of war, to have rendered
her destruction entirely justifiable.
Colonel MacNab was knighted
for his services in this affair, and the House of Assembly tendered its
thanks to the force engaged and voted swords of honour to Colonel Macnab and
lieutenant Drew. It very nearly led to war between Great Britain and the
United States. In 1842 the British Government expressed regret at the
circumstance. The steamer "Sir Robert Peel" was burnt in retaliation on the
29th May, 1838, while taking in wood at Wells' Island, on the St. Lawrence,
eight miles from French Creek, by a band of armed ruffians from the American
shore, the passengers wantonly insulted and a large amount of money and
other property plundered.
Sir John Colborne now
determined to adopt in Upper Canada the same effectual methods by which he
had suppressed the rebellion in the Lower Province. Although the season was
mid winter, it was remarkably open, the St. Lawrence being navigable until
the middle of January and the upper lakes and rivers free from ice. He
accordingly forwarded from Lower Canada a sufficient number of troops to
garrison the more exposed frontier posts, thus allowing the militia to
attend to their respective districts.
Early in January, 1838, the
American Government made a show of doing its duty in suppressing the
outrageous proceedings on their frontier by arresting Mackenzie. He entered
into a recognizance in $5,000 for his appearance and immediately returned to
Navy Island, where he remained until Van Rensellaer and his ragamuffins were
driven out under a fire of heavy guns and mortars directed against it by the
artillery from Chippewa on the 14th of that month. Mr. Lindsey claims that
the Buffalo "Committee of Thirteen" and not the "Provisional Government"
directed the evacuation. I strongly suspect that the artillery men had more
to do with it than either those high sounding organizations. The British
loss during the seige was one killed and one wounded I cannot find that of
the "patriots.'*
In the meantime another band
of ruffians, under the leadership of a person named Sutherland, an American
citizen, who styled him self "General of the Second Division of the Patriot
Army," had assembled on the Michigan frontier, to the number of 1000 or
1200,, and a proclamation was of course in order. As this precious document,
while containing the usual and appropriate lies, had the one merit of
brevity, I give it as a specimen of what a long-suffering people had to
endure: proclamation to the patriotic citizen's of upper canada.
You are called upon by the
voice of your bleeding country to join the patriot forces and free your land
from tyranny. Hordes of worthless parasites of the British Crown are
quartered upon you to devour your substance, to outrage your rights, to let
loose upon your defenceless wives and daughters a brutal soldiary.
Rally, then, around the
Standard of Liberty, and victory and a glorious future of independence will
be yours.
Thomas J. Sutherland,
Brigadier-General.
Headquarters, 2nd Division,
Bois Blanc, U.C., Jan. 9, 1838,
Associated with
"Brigadier-General" Sutherland were the following distinguished warriors
with their titles: Henry S. Handy, of Illinois, who before the advent of
Sutherland was "Commander in Chief," Mr. Lindsey assuring us that his
command extended over "the whole of Western Canada"; James M. Wilson,
Major-General E. J. Roberts, "Brigadier-General of the First Brigade;" Dr.
Theller, "Birigadier-General commanding the First Brigade of French and
Irish troops to be raised in Canada; "Colonels" Dodge, Davis, Brophy,
Bradley and others. Their object was a descent upon Amherstburg. They
rendezvoused at the Island of Bois Blanc, in the Detroit River, on the
Canadian side, secured cannon and several hundreds of muskets from the State
arsenals of Michigan, which were placed on board the schooner "Anne" at
Detroit without concealment, which vessel also brought another large
detachment of Canadian refugees and their "sympathizers." So great was the
feeling manifested in their favour on the American side that the United
States marshal was utterly unable to prevent their proceedings, though
plainly a violation of all international obligations. The Canadian militia
were hastily summoned for the defence of the neighbourhood, and were found
quite equal to the occasion. Several feints were made before they came to
close quarters, which resulted in the capture of the "Anne," which had
grounded, the militia plunging into the water, boarding and carrying her in
the most gallant manner, taking twenty-one prisoners, three pieces of
cannon, over 300 stand of arms, some money and a large quantity of
ammunition, stores and provisions, the crew having three killed and twelve
wounded. Sutherland, who had kept safely aloof, then retired to Sugar
Island, off the American side, and procured a visit from Governor Mason of
Michigan, who dispersed his men and arrested him, only of course to be set
at liberty after the farce of a trial had taken place.
Van Rensellaer, who had
figured at Navy Island, from which he had been driven in January, turned up
in the following month at Watertown, in the State of New York, with his
colleague Mackenzie, where with one "Bill" Johnson, a most notorious
ruffian, they organized some 2000 men for an expedition against the St.
Lawrence frontier. They had a rendezvous at French Creek, but the strength
of the garrison at Kingston frightened them, and after considerable bluster
they dispersed. Johnson, however, continued in the neighbourhood for some
time and committed many depredations, the burning of the "Sir Robert Peel,"
one of the finest steamboats plying the St Lawrence, being his chief
exploit. Alter this event he issued the inevitable proclamation. I do not
know his ultimate fate, though I don't think he was ever captured, and thus
escaped what he deserved, nor so far as I know has he had Montgomery's good
fortune in being compensated for the "losses" he undoubtedly sustained.
A Scotchman named Donald
McLeod, who was of course a General, was associated with a Colonel Vreeland
in another expedition from the neighbourhood of Detroit. They crossed to
Fighting Island, in the Detroit River, on the 24th February, where they met
a small force of regulars and retired quickly with five wounded. They were
then taken in hand by the United States authorities and dispersed.
Sutherland again gave
trouble, a force under his directions numbering about 500, establishing
itself at the end of February at Point au Felee, about forty miles from
Amherstburg. They were dispersed by Colonel Maitland. of the 32nd Regiment,
with a loss to the patriots of thirteen killed and forty wounded, in
addition to a number taken prisoners, while of the British two were killed
and twenty-eight wounded. Sutherland himself was taken prisoner. He was not
convicted, however, owing to some technicality in his trial, and his release
was ordered by the Government.
On the 6th March, 1838, Sir
Francis Head prorogued the Legislature in a lengthy review of recent
circumstances, and retired; being succeeded by Sir George Arthur, who was
sworn in on the 22nd March. Sir Francis had some narrow escape in his
journey to New York via Kingston and Watertown, where he was recognized and
pursued to Utica. He was enabled to escape simply by distancing his pursers.
In the spring of 1833
executions for high treason commenced, the first to suffer being Samuel
Lount and Peter Mathews, who were hanged on the 12th April at Toronto, their
execution being witnessed from the windows of the gaol by Montgomery and
others, twelve in number, whose sentences were commuted through the mistaken
leniency of Lord Glenelg and the home authorities, and who eventually
succeeded in escaping from Fort Henry. A special commission sat in Hamison
for the trial of political offenders, while courts-martial assembled at
Toronto and Kingston. Petitions were in order on behalf of those who had
been taken red -handed and by those who still were in league with the
Hunters' lodges and other kindred organizations, yet who bitterly complained
when Sir George Arthur properly stated in reply to the "Constitutional
Reformer of Toronto," that he was fully determined to allow impartial
justice to take its course, that commodity being precisely what they did not
want administered to their friends. |
