Events from the year 1811 in Canada.
Incumbents Monarch: George III
Federal government Parliament of Lower Canada: 7th Parliament of Upper Canada: 5th
Governors Governor of the Canadas: Robert Milnes Governor of New Brunswick: George Prevost Governor of Nova Scotia: John Wentworth Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Thomas Duckworth Governor of Prince Edward Island: Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres
Events John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company establishes a post at mouth of the Columbia River. British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and cartographer David Thompson follows Columbia to Pacific and finishes charting entire length of the river. William Price Hunt, leading Astor's overland party, explores Snake River Valley and much of future Oregon Trail. When Governor Craig leaves for England, British Canadians detach the horses and draw his carriage to the place of embarkation. U.S. President James Madison, in his message to Congress, says: "We have seen the British Cabinet not only persist, in refusing satisfaction demanded for the wrongs we have already suffered, but it is extending to our own waters that blockade, which is become a virtual war against us, through a stoppage of our legitimate commerce."
Births January 9 – John Ferris, businessman, explorer and politician (d.1884) March 11 – John Young, politician (d.1878) May 29 – William Pearce Howland, politician (d.1907) July 20 – James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, Governor General (d.1863) August 16 – Luc-Hyacinthe Masson, physician, businessman and politician (d.1880) October 6 – Eulalie Durocher, catholic nun (d.1849) December 2 – Jean-Charles Chapais, Conservative politician considered a Father of Canadian Confederation for his participation in the Quebec Conference to determine the form of Canada's government (d.1885)
Full date unknown Isabella Clark, first wife of John A. Macdonald, premier of the Province of Canada (d.1857)
Historical documents "The iniquity of the [slave] trade is now publickly acknowledged by all parties;" it requires "a speedy and vigorous attempt to indemnify" themA sermon preached before the incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts(....) (February 15, 1811), pg. 14 (Image 19). See also census data (pg. 2, 2nd and 3rd columns) including almost 1.2 million enslaved people in U.S.A. Accessed 1 January 2025
In addition to economic penalties, Parliament has made slave traders subject to 5 years' imprisonment at hard labour or 14 years' transportation"From a Late London Paper; Slave Trade," The Quebec Mercury, August 26, 1811 pg. 269, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 12 January 2025
Colonization is easier to get into than out of for "a great nation;" thus Britain pays more annually for Canada and Nova Scotia than they are worth"From Bell's Messenger of October 15; Colonial Conquests," The Quebec Mercury, March 25, 1811 pg. 90, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 9 January 2025
Trade is greatly increased between British ports and British North American colonies, which "have been so long considered[...]of little value""From a London Paper; Shipping," The Quebec Mercury, August 26, 1811 pg. 269, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 12 January 2025
Pay "serious attention" to report (pg. 2) on Hudson River - Lake Erie canal; our "prospects of prosperity [may] vanish, perhaps for ever""Quebec; Thursday, April 18, 1811; The extracts in this day's Gazette[....]," The Quebec Gazette, April 18, 1811 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 15 January 2025
U.S.A. allows Bonaparte to govern his conquests but denies Britain "the right to make any laws on the ocean which we have conquered"The Quebec Mercury, April 8, 1811 pg. 108 (right column bottom), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. See also "United States; Non-Intercourse" (pg. 2) for sections of Non-Intercourse Act, supplementary act (pg. 2, 2nd column), editorial (pg. 286, left column) noting British squadron headed to America and stating "there is nothing like negociating well armed," and Thomas Jefferson's linking of Britain's taking possession of Atlantic and forcing trade through British ports with its need to finance Royal Navy. Accessed 10 January 2025
"If the United States[...]waged war for territory and ultimate safety, the possession of Canada would[...]be a sufficient inducement for hostility""The following Extract is from a writer in the American papers[....]," The Quebec Mercury, November 11, 1811 pg. 356, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 14 January 2025
"Reinforcement of British Regulars in Canada" shows Britain means war; it recalls Thomas Jefferson's earlier advice to nation: "feel power and forget right""Benjamin Galloway to Thomas Jefferson" (September 12, 1811), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 28 January 2025
U.S. government calls British policy toward U.S.A. "[a] blow at the independence of the U. States," as well as stabbing, violation and mockery"Halifax, Jan. 4," The Royal Gazette, and Newfoundland Advertiser (February 21, 1811) pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). See also An Appeal to the People, on the Causes and Consequences of a War with Great Britain (Boston, 1811). Accessed 31 December 2024
"Hostility in the [U.S.] administration towards Great Britain [and] the appalling demands of France[...]must issue in a British war [with] no glory or security""An Appeal to the People, on the Causes and Consequences of a War with Great Britain" (1811), pg. 4, Toronto Public Library. Accessed 23 January 2025
House of Representatives hears foreign relations committee say that British policy "ought to be resisted by WAR""From Washington, December 6; Foreign Relations," The Quebec Mercury, December 30, 1811 pg. 414, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 14 January 2025
"When Jefferson quit the chair of state / He left to Madison his cloak / Impregnated with deadly hate / Against old England's hearts of oak[....]""The Blessings of Non-Intercourse" (January 7, 1811), The Quebec Mercury, January 7, 1811 pg. 6, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 7 January 2025
Bostonians say Congress, by "coercing the only European nation with whom we have any safe or honorable intercourse," deeply wounds U.S. commerce"Boston, April 2; At a very full assembly[....]," The Quebec Mercury, April 22, 1811 pg. 122, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. See also on pg. 126 (right column) Mercury comment that "the seaman, the farmer, the tradesman, the labourer, all must feel the shock[...]against the source and being of trade," and Boston broadside (April 1811) warning "war is coming upon you! because your rulers[...]hate Englishmen." Accessed 10 January 2025
Though U.S. leaders are "anxious" for war, "offensive policy [toward British navy] would be madness[...]; but surely it is time to prepare for defence""From the Boston Gazette of June 7; Is our country prepared for war?" The Quebec Mercury, June 24, 1811 pg. 197 (left column), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 10 January 2025
Embargo has sent U.S. citizens "pouring into the Canadas[,] proof of the folly and madness of the measures of our government""Emigrations to Canada," The Quebec Mercury, April 1, 1811 pg. 100, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. See also Hartford, Conn. merchants say "our enterprizing merchants and industrious mechanics" have moved to Canadas. Accessed 9 January 2025
Virginia newspaper fears "wisdom and firmness will not be a match for the prejudices and the back stairs influence" members face in Congress"The Virginia Patriot[....]," The Royal Gazette, and Newfoundland Advertiser (February 21, 1811) pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). Accessed 31 December 2024
News comes that 5 ships of the line and 10 frigates under command of Joseph Yorke have sailed for America"Sunday, August 4th (1811)" The Diary of Simeon Perkins; 1804-1812 (1978), pg. 326. Accessed 4 January 2025
Rejected British proposals "are the last sacrifices to the spirit of conciliation which has so long prevailed in England towards the United States""Quebec; Thursday, August 15, 1811," The Quebec Gazette, August 15, 1811 pg. 3, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 16 January 2025
Summary of Pres. Madison's address to Congress calls his language "irritating" and his arguments regarding Great Britain "extremely insulting""Halifax, Nov. 25," The Royal Gazette, and Newfoundland Advertiser (December 5, 1811) pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). See also Quebec Gazette's opinion (pg. 2, 4th column) that British policy affecting U.S.A. is justifiable given French efforts to destroy British trade, and text of Madison's address, "American Intelligence" pg. 2 of 2 (lefthand page, 3rd column). Accessed 31 December 2024
U.S. ambassador to Russia John Quincy Adams says French ambassador "hinted to me that with[...]about five thousand Frenchmen, we could easily take Canada""10 November 1811" John Quincy Adams Digital Diary, Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 29 January 2025
Madison accepts British reparations in Chesapeake Affair"Nov. 16; Adjustment of the Affair of the Chesapeake and the Leopard," The Royal Gazette, and Newfoundland Advertiser (December 19, 1811) pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 1st column). See also opinion from Freeman's Journal (pg. 2, 2nd column bottom) "that the War Hawks in Congress" rage against the Chesapeake settlement. Accessed 31 December 2024
Besides Battle of Tippecanoe coverage in Kentucky newspaper is its assertion that U.S.A's "Indian war" is really with British - "Greater Savages""Frankfort (K) Nov. 6, 1811; More of the Indian War," The Quebec Gazette, December 19, 1811 pg. 2 (2nd column), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. See also editorial (same page, 4th column) alleging theft, intimidation and hypocrisy in U.S. policy. Accessed 17 January 2025
George Heriot says war is "the principal occupation of mankind," with peacetime used "in multiplying, inventing and improving" weaponsLetter of George Heriot (July 3, 1811), Winslow Papers; A. D. 1776–1826 (1901), pg. 671 (frame 693). Accessed 28 January 2025
British Bible society supports anyone who considers "Holy Scriptures the proper standard of faith [to spread] divine truth over all the earth""British and Foreign Bible Society; London" (October 14, 1811), The Quebec Mercury, November 4, 1811 pg. , Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 14 January 2025
Lower Canada
Gov. Craig's final speech to legislature laments fact that members are "divided among themselves, viewing each other with mistrust and jealousy"Quebec Mercury Extraordinary, March 21, 1811 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. Accessed 9 January 2025
New Gov. George Prevost is to tolerate "the free exercise of the Religion of the Church of Rome," but not recognize it as "an established Church""Extract of Instructions(...)to George Prevost Bart. as Captain Genl. & Governor in Chief in & over(...)Lower Canada(...)22 Octo. 1811" Musée McCord Stewart Museum. Accessed 6 January 2025
In his sermon, Alexander Spark contrasts accepted separation of Church and State with needed link between religion and civil societyThe Connexion between the Civil and Religious State of Society(....) (1811), pg. 4 (frame 8), Toronto Public Library. Accessed 2 January 2025
Montreal merchant has trouble recognizing his city now that most of his friends are dead and newcomers from U.S.A. are doubling its population"American Invasion of Montreal" (February 10, 1811), The John Askin Papers; Volume II: 1796-1820 (1931), pgs. 673-5. See also May 5 letter to Upper Canada governor saying New Yorkers plan to move to U.C. Accessed 7 January 2025