May 1 – A bust of
George III is found, in
Montreal, adorned with beads, cross, and mitre, with the words "Pope of Canada: Sot of England." A reward of 500 guineas does not lead to apprehension of the culprit.[citation needed]
August 21 – Generals Schuyler and
Richard Montgomery, with 1,000 American Patriots come to Canada, and invite the inhabitants to rebel.[citation needed]
September 25 – Attempting to take Montreal,
Ethan Allen and many of his 150 followers are captured, at Longue Pointe, and are sent to England.
October 18 – American Patriots capture Chambly.
October 25 – On
Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec from New England, his force begins crossing the height of land between Maine and Canada for the descent to the St. Lawrence River.
November 3 – Hindered by Colonel Warner, of Vermont, Governor
Guy Carleton cannot relieve
St. Johns, which surrenders to Montgomery.
November 12 – General Montgomery tells Montrealers that, being defenceless, they cannot stipulate terms; but promises to respect personal rights. He demands the keys of public stores, and appoints 9a.m. tomorrow for the army's entrance, by the Recollet gate. (see
"Nov 12, 1775 Articles of Capitulation")
November 13 – The invaders appropriate royal stores.
"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]
"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 Champlainskirmish 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]
Thomas Jefferson notes "intrepidity" of Canadians helping besiege St.-Jean but sees they can get discouraged; mentions "bitter enemy"
Luc de la Corne[26]
Congressionalagents 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]
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]
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]
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 5
s to £5 for militia[46]
Refugees to take
loyaltyoath 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]
"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]
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]
Navyfrigate 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]
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]
^"By His Excellency Guy Carleton" (May 8, 1775), The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 539 (May 11, 1775), pg. 3. (See also additional reward in advertisement just below this proclamation) Accessed 30 August 2022
^May 17, 1775Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Library of Congress. Accessed 5 September 2022
^"Carleton to Dartmouth" (June 7, 1775), Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada; 1759-1791; Part II (2nd edition; 1918), pgs. 663-4. Accessed 31 August 2022
^"Carleton to Dartmouth" (June 7, 1775), Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada; 1759-1791; Part II (2nd edition; 1918), pg. 665. (See also
Carleton's proclamation raising militia (June 9, 1775)) Accessed 31 August 2022
^June 27, 1775Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Library of Congress. (See also
Washington's comments on diversionary expedition through Maine to Quebec City) Accessed 5 September 2022
^"Quebec, August 3; Extract of a Letter from Montreal" (July 30, 1775), The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 551 (Cahier 1, August 3, 1775), pg. 3. (See also further details on
pg. 3 and also
"Cagnewaga" chief willing to assist invaders, and
Schuyler inviting Indigenous people to conference, but not confronting Sir John Johnson) Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Quebec, August 10; Conditions to be given to such Soldiers as will engage[....]" (August 3, 1775), The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 552 (August 10, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"To the People of Canada," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 553 (August 17, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Quebec, August 31; A Correspondent has sent us[....]," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 555 (August 31, 1775), pg. 3. (See also
Gen. Schuyler's mention of this "Imprudence") Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Quebec, September 14; Account of the Battle happen'd near the Camp at St. John's[....]," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 557 (September 14, 1775), pg. 3. (See also
Gen. Schuyler's account and
Lt. Gov. Cramahé's mention of this fight and difficulty "to bring the Canadian Peasantry to a Sense of their Duty") Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Quebec, October 5; On the 25th of September[....]" and "Extract of an authentick Letter from Montreal, dated September 28," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 560 (October 5, 1775), pgs. 3-4. (See also another account of skirmish under
"To the Printer of the Quebec Gazette" (pg. 3)) Accessed 30 August 2022
^Abner Stocking,
"November 8" An Interesting Journal of Abner Stocking of Chatham, Connecticut (1810; 1921 reprint), pgs. 23-4. (See also
Letter to Washington from Arnold reporting his arrival) Accessed 5 September 2022
^November 8, 1775Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Library of Congress. Accessed 5 September 2022
^"(Published by Authority)," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 569 (March 14, 1776), pg. 1. (See also
print of "The Death of General Montgomery") Accessed 31 August 2022
^"The Sieur Le Cerclé, Surgeon" (Terre-bonne, May 15, 1775), The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 542 (June 1, 1775), pg. 4, right column. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Advertisement; J. McAulay, Doctor of Physic," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 561 (October 12, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"I Mary Barnsley" (June 20, 1775), The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 545 (June 22, 1775), pg. 3. (See also John Barnsley's statement against her on same page, right column) Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Montreal, April 13," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 536 (April 20, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 29 August 2022
^"On Friday the 26th Instant," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 541 (May 25, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"To Be Sold," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 542 (June 1, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"Advertisements; John Robinson, Gelder," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 543 (June 8, 1775), pg. 3. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"By his Excellency Francis Legge,"
The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle (July 4, 1775), Page 2 of 4, first column. (See also
proclamation ordering magistrates to require everyone entering Nova Scotia to swear "Fidelity and Allegiance to his Majesty" (Page 4 of 4, first column), and
proclamation ordering all Nova Scotians 16 and over to take allegiance oath (Page 4 of 4, third column)). Accessed 23 August 2022
^"Halifax, August 8"
The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 256 (August 8, 1775), Page 3 of 4. (See also in this issue "The happy Effects of inoculating" (Page 4 of 4) in inoculation house with cradles and beds, medicines and nurse) Accessed 23 August 2022
^"Extract of a genuine letter from the Island of St. John[...]dated April 24th, 1775"
The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. VI, No. 264 (September 26, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 25 August 2022
^"An Act to confirm, and make valid in Law(....)"] George III, 16th Year, Chapter 4, The Statutes at Large, of Prince Edward Island[...]1773 to 1833, inclusive (1834),
pg. 30 Accessed 23 February 2023
^"May 30," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 554 (August 24, 1775), pg. 2. Accessed 30 August 2022
^"London, July 4; A Letter received from Newfoundland[....]," The Quebec Gazette,
Nomb. 566 (November 16, 1775), pg. 3, near bottom. Accessed 31 August 2022
^C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Sunday, December 10, 1775," Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911),
pg. 185 Accessed 18 August 2022
^Clauses 14-16,
"Plan for the Future Management of Indian Affairs" (January 3, 1775), Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada; 1759-1791; Part II (2nd edition; 1918), pgs. 615-16. Accessed 31 August 2022
^"Cambridge, May 18; Extract of a Letter from [western Massachusetts]" (May 4, 1775),
The Nova-Scotia Gazette: and The Weekly Chronicle Vol. V, No. 257 (June 13, 1775), Page 3 of 4. Accessed 23 August 2022