1786 in Canada

Events from the year 1786 in Canada.

Incumbents

 * Monarch: George III

Governors

 * Governor of the Province of Quebec: Frederick Haldimand
 * Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
 * Governor of Nova Scotia: John Parr
 * Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Byron
 * Governor of St. John's Iñjsland: Walter Patterson

Events

 * New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland allowed to import goods from the United States.
 * Gerassin Pribilof discovers the rookeries on the islands now known as the Pribilofs.
 * John Molson founds his first brewery in Montreal.

Births

 * April 16 – John Franklin, naval officer, Arctic explorer, and author (d.1847)
 * June 17 – William Thompson, farmer and political figure (d.1860)
 * October 7 – Louis-Joseph Papineau, lawyer, politician and reformist (d.1871)
 * October 30 – Philippe-Joseph Aubert de Gaspé, lawyer, writer, fifth and last seigneur of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli (L'Islet County) (d.1871)
 * October 31 – William Morris, businessman, militia officer, justice of the peace, politician, and school administrator (d.1858)

Historical documents
Stated in Commons debate that Loyalists wish government to set date for their compensation so that they can borrow against that security

In answer to John Adams' "requisition" regarding British posts on U.S. soil, Lord Carmarthen lists Loyalists' grievances state by state

Despite sense of justice due Loyalists for their losses, "their property was given up as the price of peace for their fellow subjects"

Congress orders Secretary of Foreign Affairs to make up lists by state of "negroes" taken away by British at end of war

John Adams says trade "more necessary" to British colonies than to U.S.A., and British policy is "Sowing the seeds of disquiet and discontent" in them

Guy Carleton appointed governor-in-chief over Quebec, Nova Scotia (including St. John and Cape Breton islands) and New Brunswick

Lower Canada
Mixture of French and British laws, making business "uncertain and insecure," should be ended by creation of provincial house of assembly

Rejected bill to reduce power of governor and government, allow jury trial option in civil cases and increase size of Legislative Council

John Jay says "variety of Considerations and some Facts" point to "understanding" between Shays Rebellion and "some leading Persons in Canada"

Acadians settled on ungranted lands in Chaleur Bay should submit their claims to such land "with or without any written titles"

Notice of 44th Regiment's departure includes summary of service in Seven Years War, Revolutionary War and fighting Quebec and Montreal fires

"Montreal has sent home this year, 1786, the greatest quantity of furs that have been imported into England from thence since[...]1776."

Paris-trained physician/midwife will treat "diseases incident to the pregnant state," and assist labour "and[...]delivery to the end of the month"

As Company of Comedians sails for Quebec City, Montrealers say they have for 4 months "been indebted for a very rational amusement"

"To be Sold, a Circumferentor," warranted good. Enquire of the Printer."

Upper Canada
About 8,000 Loyalists are settled in "upper parts" and at Chaleur Bay, with former making "astonishing progress in clearing[...]most fertile lands"

After 1,113 acres and "all his moveable property" were confiscated and he was long imprisoned, Loyalist with 10 kids arrives with 7 shillings

People of Cataraqui echo other settlers welcoming Lord Dorchester to Canada, and hope they will get support given to "other new formed settlements"

Joseph Brant urges British pay Kanien’kéhà:ka for their losses and loyalty, that they might stock their farms and settle in new country

John Butler and Daniel Claus advise rewarding Six Nations with £12,000 (half in cash to buy cattle) rather than pay them for losses in U.S.

Lord Sydney tells Lt. Gov. Hope that Kanien’kéhà:ka losses are "really nothing more than the usual effects of War," but will be addressed

Report 40 Indigenous people including "a chief of the Ottawas and Chippewas" are supposedly going to treaty talks with John Johnson and Six Nations

John Butler finds Indigenous people at Niagara "much dissatisfied" and has little to give "poor distressed creatures" beyond Johnson's promises

Dorchester wants Butler to assess Six Nations' attitude to Upper Posts: do they want British to stay in them? defend them against U.S. attack?

In consideration of their friend Alexander McKee, Odawa and Ojibwe chiefs transfer 7-mile-wide tract of land on south bank of Detroit River to Crown

Nova Scotia
Commissioners of American Claims set deadline for receiving Loyalists' claims of losses, including any title, deeds etc. they can produce

Loyalist ex-soldiers claiming compensation say they took "to industrious Labour in Order to Support themselves and repair their Constitutions"

Commissioners report 2,178 claims for £7.2+ million, of which £876,421 has been paid out; no debt, benefice or professional claims included yet

"Free Negroes" in Manchester petition for land, farm tools, clothing, ammunition and boards "we are intitled to" after two years

Word has reached London that wealthy U.S. residents (mostly Quakers) have come to Nova Scotia "to escape anarchy and confusion"

Petition and related documents of grant to Mi'kmaw chief Philip Bernard of 500 acres (not within Crown Reservations) on St. Margarets Bay

List of commissioners appointed for "the Distribution of Bounties and Premiums" on hemp, flaxseed, potash, sawmills, shipbuilding and whaling

Imports from U.S. restricted to flour, wheat, rice, "Indian Corn [and] Meal," rye, and white oak staves, all carried only in British vessels

Letter-to-the-editor signed by 53 men asserts ability of province's farmers to supply its needs for meat and vegetables on reasonable terms

Ship has departed with "a valuable Cargo" of 135 tons spermaceti oil, 40 tons whale oil, 8,759 lbs. whalebone and 1,257 moose and caribou skins

British naval officer sells "One Negro Man Named Sambo[...]and also One Brown Mare and her Colt now Sucking" to Truro physician for £40

For sale: "A likely Negro Wench, between Ten and Eleven Years of Age, has had the small Pox and Measles[....]"

Reward of 40 shillings for return of "Negro Man who answers to the Name of James," is 28 and has "a Nose rather acqueline"

Missing indented Black man Henry Jones, tanner by trade, "has a remarkable impediment in his speech [and] is very artful"

New Yorkers should not ridicule Nova Scotians, as they come to buy goods with ready money, which is "much wanted in these states"

In Supreme Court, 3 men convicted of "Burglary and Felony" are sentenced to death, while 2 others will be burned in hand, it being first offence

Before death sentence, judge addresses convicted in "most pathetic and moving manner" and many in court shed tears for "unhappy culprits"

Repeal of prohibition on Catholic schools; their teachers must be licensed and take prescribed oath; no Protestant under 14 to be enrolled

Charitable Irish Society members called to meet at O'Brien's Tavern, along with "all Irish Men or Sons of Irish Men" seeking membership

Long-time Lutheran chaplain to Germans settling in N.S. takes holy orders in Church of England, it being "the English of the system of Luther"

Lunenburg's Peter de la Roche calls on "Reverend Brethren" of all denominations to establish fund for relief of destitute widows of clergymen

News of boy's drowning includes London Humane Society's advice for more gentle "Recovery of Persons apparently dead by drowning"

Pasture for rent by week; note says "Cattle are frequently swam across the river [and driven] only half a mile from the landing"

"Salmon Manufactory" opened, same "as those of[...]North Briton," for families and retailers' orders that say which "Market they design them for"

Prince William Henry's Halifax welcome includes residents illuminating their houses in "general tide of joy [among] all ranks of people"

"Dr. Templeman" announces 3-week stint of dental services including tartar removal, curing gum "scurvy" and "Plumbing caries Teeth"

Governor and magistrates tour Halifax schools and are "well pleased with the conduct of the Masters and the performances of the Scholars"

Books for sale include Robinson Crusoe, Paradise Lost, The Vicar of Wakefield and (in large type) Henry's Commentary on the Bible in 6 Volumes

"To the Gentlemen of the Navy and Army. The Dock Yard and Town (if approved of) will play the Game at Cricket for the Sum of 25 or 50 Pounds."

"Very great walking" - "Gentleman and his servant" walk 76 miles of Pell's road (Annapolis Royal to Shelburne) in only 1½ days

Snow light in Shelburne, but temperature fell 24°F in hours, leading to belief "the Halifax Shaver had paid us a visit" (Note: compare Alberta clipper)

New Brunswick
Commissioner of Loyalist claims finds good conditions and prospects in New Brunswick, though he criticizes "industry" of ex-soldiers

N.B. asks Nova Scotia for payments made by N.B. residents to N.S. before provincial division, but N.S. says not until N.B. takes share of debt

In 7 months of 1785, Saint John exported more than 1.1 million shingles, 530,000 feet of boards, 85,000 staves etc. to West Indies

Provincial revenue to be generated from liquor and merchandise duties and liquor licences, except where rights of Saint John prevail

"The state and condition of the poor" to be submitted to court of general sessions in each district for assessment of funds for their support

Certificate of manumission in Saint John for mulatto Joshua Moore, born in New York City "in a state of slavery" in 1766

Edward Winslow says Indigenous people are intimidating judge regarding some case before courts (Note: "barbarous" and "savages" used)

Former New York minister claims compensation for 1777 banishment in which he lost "a Considerable Real and Personal Estate" and income from land

Former New York Volunteers sergeant major makes claim for losses, including "Father[...]barbarously executed for [loyalty] to the Royal Cause"

Only Anglican clergy allowed ecclesiastical office and must conduct service at least monthly; others may pick ministers and build "meeting houses"

Leader of 11 or more persons with petition or declaration for governor, council or assembly is liable to penalty of £100 and 3 months in jail

Indented servants and apprentices must receive discharges at end of their terms, and those hiring any undischarged person are liable to £5 fine

Loans with interest rates above 6% per year are prohibited (with exceptions), and bonds, contracts etc. void if paid at any higher rate

Grand jurors must possess freeholds with annual value of £10 or estates worth £100, and petit jurors likewise with 20s freeholds or £10 estates

No one to be "held to special bail" on process of supreme court for matter of less than £10, or less than 40s if process from lower court

JPs empowered to jail persons with no visible means of support and who "live idle and refuse to work for the usual wages" or "beg alms"

Because "inhabitants of this province have frequently left fires burning which[...]have done great damage" to woods, fines of £3 to be assessed

No keepers of inns, taverns or alehouses, or retailers, are to sell liquor on credit of more than 5s, or accept "pawn or pledge" for that amount

All money and securities (including some mortgages) shall be forfeit if won in games of cards, dice, "tables," tennis, bowls or other game

Law enacted against killing moose for their hides only, which causes "wanton destruction" and could possibly "extirpate that useful animal"

Prince Edward Island
Charged or jailed debtor owing less than £100 may petition court for release upon submitting list of property for creditors to divide

Office of sheriff created to replace provost marshall, which role did not provide gentleman's salary, possibly leading to use of extortion

Gov. Patterson tells Loyalist claims commissioners that few Islanders have claims big enough to warrant trip to Halifax to testify

Elsewhere
"French writer computes" 62,000 Blacks bought in Africa annually, of whom 40,000 are taken by England, depopulating African coast

Granville Sharp draws up rules and regulations for proposed settlement in Sierra Leone for Blacks returning to Africa

Brant tells nations under U.S. attack what their forefathers knew: "'They were the Lords of the Soil' and that all the White people were invaders"

Alexander Mackenzie: "I have not a single man in my fort that can make Rackets. [...] See what it is to have no wives."

Edward Umfreville describes lower Saskatchewan River, and time in 1786 when it rose 10 feet in 24 hours, causing traders to sleep in their canoes

While exploring, Hudson's Bay Co. sloop master says "two oldast [Inuit] Layd hold of me by the arms and handed me about to Every place I went"

"Prince William Henry is to make a regular naval tour on the coast of Labradore[...]during the whole course of the summer[....]"

Making the Bastille "a civil prison" where inmates can see friends "is the first beam of liberty that has shone on France for many years"