Title

Chapter 17

Identifier

http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/show.asp?b=1&ref=oo&id=298173

page

182-193

Bibliographic Citation

1812; the war and its moral : a Canadian chronicle / William Foster Coffin.

10167813

1812; the war and its moral : a Canadian chronicle / William Foster Coffin.

Type

Text

extracted text

182

LOYALTY OF LOWER CANADIAN LEGISLATURE.

CHRONICLE OF THE WAR.

perhaps, seditiously reviewed. He seized on the newspaper, and
sent the editor to gaol. This might have been the usual practice
at Cape Town or Madras, at Gibraltar or Messina, but it was not
suited to the climate or constitution of Canada. These acts brought
him in direct antagonism with a majority in the assembly, which
' being French Canadian, fastened upon him at once the imputation
of hostility to the Canadian people. This, no unusual ruse in politics,
was nothing but a ruse. As Sir James said, with much pathos, " For
what should I oppress you ? Is it from ambition ? What can you
give me ? Is it for power ? Alas ! my good friends, with a life
ebbing not slowly to its period, under pressure of disease acquired
in the service of my country, I look only to pass what it may
please God to suffer to remain of it, in the comfort of retirement
among my friends. I remain among you only in obedience to the
commands of my King."* The fact is, that he was an honest,
earnest man ; but too much of a martinet to be a useful civil
governor. He returned home and died.
Sir George Prevost was made of more malleable material ; and
happily so, for the country and for the empire. Not all the power of
England could, of itself, at that conjuncture have saved Canada,
had not Canada been true to England and to herself. The
preservation of the country depended on the support of the
legislature, and on the good will of the masses. He identified himself with the masses ; and, at a most critical moment, secured their
cordial co-operation. The acts of the legislature—their ready
contributions to the conduct of the war, bear witness to his success
as a civil administrator. He was politic as well as just. But under
a form of government which rules by parties, he could not please
both, and in his turn he incurred an hostility which was neither
blind to his faults nor kind to his errors. There can be no stronger

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183

proof of the influence he exercised and of the earnest loyalty of the
people than the liberality of the Legislature. At this time it was
all important to provide a currency as a substitute for gold, which,
if put in circulation, would have found its way rapidly to a better
market in the United States. It was desirable to be prepared with
an expedient to counteract an accidental dearth of gold. Banks,
and Bank notes were unknown in Canada. To many of the inhabitants a paper currency was unintelligible—to some obnoxious,—
the recollections of the paper currency of French rule—the ordonnances or assignats of Bigot and his compeers were yet rife. In the
face of these popular prejudices the Legislature legalized the
issue of a paper currency. They authorized the issue of what was
termed an Army Bill, analogous to the Exchequer Bill in England.
It was a bank note bearing interest. These notes were made a legal
tender. They were more than legalized, they were popularized by
the example of the Legislature. The issue amounted to $2,000,000.
The Legislature provided for the expense of the operation and the
temporary payment of interest. These Bills were redeemed 133T
the Imperial treasury at the end of the war, but the action of the
Legislature of Lower Canada at this critical time was declaratory
of confidence in British rule and of a 'determination to uphold it.

* In 1658 the people of Canada were informed that the Royal Treasury of
France was in no conditionto repay the advances the Canadians had made to
the Government. That the payment of Colonial Bills drawn upon it was suspended for a time. Vaudreuil and Bigot were apprized of this measure by ans
official circular. * * • This news startled those concerned, like a thunderbolt ; there was owing by France to the Colonists more than 40 millions of francs
(say 11,600,000 stg.) and there was scarcely one of them who was not a creditor
of the State. "The paper money amongst us" wrote M. de Levis to the Minister
"is entirely discredited and the people are in despair about it. They have

sacrificed their all for the conservation of Canada to France ; now they find
themselves ruined, resourceless, but we do our best to restore their confidence."
• Morgan, Celeb. Can., p. 160.

--Garneau, History of Canada, Vol. II, p 68.

184

CHRONICLE OF THE WAR.

If Great Britain had failed in the contest, the Legislative endorsers
of these notes would have been responsible for the paper.*
The example of the Legislature was worthily sustained by the
exhortations of the Catholic clergy. In no Catholic country in
christendom does the clergy exercise a stronger or more healthy
influence than in Canada. They are the domestic chaplains of
every farm-house. In devotion and loyalty to the British Crown
they are second to none. It has been shown on all occasions which
justified their interposition. In 1775 Sir Guy Carlton declared
publicly, that if the Province of Canada had been preserved to Great
Britain, it was owing to the Catholic clergy.
In 1812 the Catholic church in Canada was under the guidance
of the Rev. Joseph Octave Plessis, Bishop of Quebec. This able
Ecclesiastic was contemporary with the treaty which ceded Canada
to England. He was a native of Montreal, born in 1763. He
became Bishop of Quebec in 1806. His services, in the protection
of his church, and in the promotion of the best interests of his people,
were most honourable ; but, among them all, none do greater credit
to his heart and head than his constant adherence to the British
Crown.
• Exchequer Bills—Macaulay explains what they were. "Another and at
that conjuncture, a more effectual substitute for a metallic currency owed its
existence to the ingenuity of Charles Montague. He had succeeded in engrafting on Harley's Land Bank Bill, a clause which empowered the government to
issue negotiable paper bearing interest at the rate of three-pence a day on a
undred pounds. In the midst of the general distress and confusion appeared
the first Exchequer Bills, drawn for various amounts from a hundred pounds
down to five pounds. These instruments were rapidly distributed over the
kingdom by post, and were everywhere welcome. The Jacobites talked
violently against them in every Coffee House and wrote much detestable verse
against them, but to little purpose. The success of the plan was such that the
Ministers at one time resolved to issue twenty shilling Bills for the payment of
the troops. But it does not appear that their resolution was carried into effect.
History of England, vol. iv, p. 608.

ARCHBISHOP PLESSIS—HIS OPINIONS.

185

Nor was the Prelate a blind or an unreasoning adherent. He
gave good ground for the faith that was in him. " In considering
the system of vexatious tricks organized against the church and
people of Canada, by chiefs and subordinates who were sent from
the Court of Louis the XV., at that time under the sceptre of
Madame de Pompadour, he admitted, frankly, that under the English
Government the Catholic clergy and rural population enjoyed more
liberty than was accorded to them before the conquest ;" and after
having praised the English nation, " which had welcomed so gener, ously the French Ecclesiastics, hunted out of France by the Republicans of 1792," he added, " that the capitulation, as well as the treaty
of 1763, were so many new ties of attachment to Great Britain, and
that religion itself would gain by the change of domination."
It was in the spirit of this manly avowal, that he issued his mattdement or episcopal proclamation, read in every church in his diocese, and concluded in the following eloquent language : " auerriera,"
said he, " it is to you that belongs the task of opposing yourselves,
like a wall,t to the approach of the enemy. They will cease to be
formidable when the God of battles fights on your side ; under his
holy protection, march to combat as to victory : sustain that reputation for obedience, for discipline, for valour and for intrepidity
by which you deserved your first success. Your confidence will
not be vain, if in exposing your lives for the defence of your country
and your hearths, you take care before all things to make your peace
with God."
These sentiments of the Bishop were enforced by his clergy with
a quiet undemonstrative earnestness, which is energy, without the
pretence it often assumes. It pervaded, encouraged, emboldened

• Life of Mongrandeur Plessis, by L'Abb4 Ferland. Translated by D. B.
French, p. 14. Vide ibid., p. 23.

t The expression of Stonewall Jackson was here anticipated.

186

MILITIA SYSTEMS—THE VOLUNTEER AND THE CONSCRIPT.

CHRONICLE OF THE WAR.

all men. A remarkable incident, hereafter, on the battle-field of
Chateauguay will exemplify its influence.*
Sir George Prevost applied, vigorously, the resources at his command to the protection of his threatened frontier. He had, at this time,
cantoned in the districts of Montreal, Laprairie, St. John's, and
Chambly, about 3,000 men ; two-thirds of which were Voltigeurs and
embodied militia. It is curious to observe the varying characteristics
of the races, in the terms of service most acceptable to each. The
French Canadian preferred to be a conscript ; the Anglo-Canadian
insisted upon being a volunteent
.

"Human story reproduces itself. Let us take the testimony of Burke, given
twenty years before. " When the English nation seemed to be dangerously, if
not irrevocably divided—when one, and that the most growing branch, was
torn from the parent stock, and ingrafted on the power of France, a great
terror fell upon this kingdom. On a sudden we awakened from our dreams
of conquest, and saw ourselves threatened with an immediate invasion, which
we were, at that time, very ill-prepared to resist. You remember the cloud
that gloomed over us all. In that hour of our dismay, from the bottom of
the hiding-places into which the indiscriminate rigour of our statutes had
driven them, came out the body of the Roman Catholics. They appeared
before the steps of a tottering throne with one of the most sober, measured,
steady and dutiful addresses that was ever presented to the Crown. It was
no holiday ceremony, no anniversary compliment of parade and show. It was
signed by almost every gentleman of that persuasion, of note or property in
England. At such a crisis nothing but a decided resolution to stand or fall
with their country, could have dictated such an address ; the direct tendency
of which was to cut off all retreat, and to render them peculiarly obnoxious
to an invader of their own communion. The Address showed what I had long
languished to see, that all subjects of England had cast off all foreign views
and connections, and that every man looked for his relief from every grievance
at the hands only of his own national government.—Burke, Speech before the
Bristol Election, Sept., 1784.

f It was the boast of the soldiers, as we find it recorded in their solemn
resolutions, that they had not been forced into the service, nor had enlisted
chiefly for the sake of lucre ; that they were no janzzaries, but free-born Eng-

187

Both Briton and Gaul made good soldiers in the field ; but the
one stood on his independence, and accepted bounty-money; the other
eschewed soldiering en amateur, yet cheerfully obeyed the draft.
Both acted in accordance with their traditions. Since the days of
Cromwell, the Englishman has been free to fight for whom he pleases.
He enlists for reasons best known to himself ; and " takes the shilling," because he chooses. The Frenchman has been a feudal follower of his lord and of his king from his earliest to his latest history.
The terms of his tenure in Canada revived a system not then extinct
in France, and perpetuated habits of thought and action derived from
his ancestors. He obeyed with the same devotion with which he would
have followed a Montmorenci or a Cond6 ; and with an inborn recollection of the discipline of Royal Roussillon or Guienne. It was
necessary to devise and adapt a system suited to the genius of both
races of the population ; and Sir George Prevost did so.
In no part of Canada have the two peoples so much amalgamated
as in the district of Montreal. It would be more correct, perhaps,
to say assimilated : each race still retains its distinctive features ;
Each gives to each a double charm,
Like pearls upon the Ethiop's arm.

But commerce and constitutional government have exercised their
influence ; and we see that tendency to a union of the Norman and
Saxon elements which, in the course of ages, has made England
what she is. On this occasion, as ever since, in questions of
national defence, a generous rivalry animated both races. The
Frenchman bore no love to the puritanical " Bostonnais," whose previous visits were not held in pleasant recollection. The Englishman
rankled in the face of a nation which heaps upon him and his
lishmen, who had; of their own accord, put their lives in jeopardy for the
liberties and religion of England, and whose right and duty it was to watch
over the welfare of the nation which they had saved.—Macaulay, Vol. II, p. 94.

188

CHRONICLE OF THE WAR.

country, contumely and vituperation. Hard words may break no
bones, but they offer a poor salve to old sores. Thus, with the cordial aid of an united population, Sir George made vigorous
arrangements for the defence of this frontier.*
About ten miles below the outlet of Lake Champlain, barring
the channel of the Richelieu, stands the military post of Isle aux
Noix — now a fortress, then a swampy island, protected by rude
breastworks and a wooden block-house. In 1812, when the only
means of communication was by water, Isle aux Noix was regarded
as a bulwark of the frontier. The country on each side of this fortalice
was, for many miles, an impenetrable forest. It is now cleared and'
cultivated ; traversed by roads, and seamed with railways. In those
days it was regarded as the portal of the district. Here was
stationed a small regular garrison. Here, not long before, Sir
James Craig had caused to be conveyed three gun-boats, built at
Quebec. In the summer of 1813 the garrison consisted of detachments of the 13th and 100th regiments, and a small party of
artillery, under command of Major Taylor, of the 100th.f
The Americans, shortly after the commencement of the war, had,
on their part, built and equip * a small flotilla, to watch the
entrance to the lake, and protect its waters from insult. This object
is now secured by a strong but small work, called Fort Montgomery,.
which, on the verge of the frontier, and at the margin of the river,
preyents the British from getting out, as effectually as Isle aux
Noix prevents the Americans from getting in. It may be questionable if, in the event of a war, either work would, under the present
• In September was embodied another battalion of militia, called the Fifth
Battalion, afterwards Canadian Chasseurs ; while the merchants and traders
of the 1st Montreal Sedentary Militia organized themselves into four companies
of volunteers for garrison duty, and field service in case of emergency.—
Christie, Vol. II, p. 41.
James, Vol. II, p. 239.

ATTACK ON ISLE AUX NOIX---CAPTURE OF EAGLE AND GROWLER.

189

circumstances of the frontier and conditions of warfare, prove aught
else than a mere man-trap, in which soldiers are confined alive, to
be disposed of at leisure. A few scows filled with stones and sunk
in the muddy channel, would probably answer the purpose, at a less
expenditure of men and money.
Little apprehension was entertained at Isle aux Noix of an
attack from the lake, when at day-break on the morning of the 1st
June, a sentry on the southern rampart discovered trucks, and
streamers, and the masts of tall vessels rising above the mists,
which at early morn, and at that season of the year, settle down
upon the marshy banks of the river. The alarm was given—the
garrison was roused—the gun-boats manned, and got under weigh;
and, feeling their way through the fog, came upon two armed sloops,
of from 90 to 100 tons each, armed each with 10 guns—eighteenpounder carronades and long sixes ; and each mounting on a pivot
an eighteen-pounder Columbiad. The object of the incursion was
never made intelligible. It was venturesome, but indiscreet.
Without the co-operation of a land force nothing could have been
effected. The armed vessels could only have approached the works
to their own assured destruction. From the nature of the channel
they could not bring their broadside guns to bear: following in file,
the fire of the one impeded the fire of the other. As it was, the gunboats had them at their mercy, and raked both. Major Taylor, perceiving his advantage, landed men from the boats and batteaux, and
lining the bushes on either side of the stream, kept up a galling fire of
musketry. After a contest of three hours and a half, they struck
their colours ; and proved to be the Growler and Eagle, armed
sloops, with a complement of fifty men each, and commanded by
Captain Sidney Smith, late of the Chesapeake. The Growler was
brought to the garrison in safety ; the Eagle was so mauled by her
puny antagonists, that she was run ashore to save her from sinking,
but was got off, afterwards, and repaired.
-so

;

.

190

CHRONICLE OF THE WAR.

This unexpected attack and its results, exposed the hospitals,
barracks, and stores in preparation on Lake Champlain for " Montreal service," and encouraged the British to attempt their destruction. Sir George Prevost, in a despatch to Brock, in July, 1812,
had remarked most justly, that " our numbers would not justify
offensive operations, unless calculated to strengthen a defensive
attitude." There can be no doubt but that, at this moment, the best
defence was to be found in disarming further attack.
Preparations were made accordingly. The prizes were reequipped ; the three gun-boats put in the best order ; a flotilla of
row-boats and batteaux provided for the conveyance of troops. But
the movement was paralyzed for the want of mariners. Fortunately,
there was then lying at Quebec H. M. brig of war, Wasp. Her
gallant commander, Everard—Pring, his second—and their whole
crew volunteered to man the vessels on Lake Champlain. The service
was readily accepted—the men transported to their destination—
and on the 29th of July, the expedition left Isle aux Noix for
Lake Champlain. The military force consisted of'detachments of
the 13th, 100th, and 103rd regiments—about 1000 officers and
men, under command of Lieutenant Colonels Williams, Taylor, and
Smith. A small artillery force, under Captain Gordon, and a few
embodied militia were added ; and the whole placed under Lieutenant Colonel John Murray, of the 100th, one of the most prominent
officers of the war. On the following day the flotilla reached Plattsburg—landed—dispersed the militia under General Moore—and destroyed the barracks on the Saranac, which were preparing for the
reception of 4,000 men.* They upset Pyke's encampment, burned
the arsenal, hospital, store-houses ; and removed a large quantity of
naval and military stores. Everard then stood across the lake to
Burlington, in the Growler—now re-named the Broke—acdbmpanied
by one gun-boat. He was close in on the 2nd August : found two
* Murray's Despatch, 3rd August, 1863.

THE BRITISH SWEEP LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

191

sloops, one of 11 and the other of 13 guns, ready for sea ; and a
third, somewhat larger, lying under protection of a battery of 10
guns, mounted on a high bank, while two floating batteries and fieldpieces, on the shore, strengthened the position.* Everard captured
and destroyed four vessels under the eyes of this very superior force,
which he very wisely abstained from attacking. The barracks and
stores of Swanton, on Missisquoi Bay, were destroyed, as were also
the barracks, block stores, and buildings at Champlain town ; the
contemplated mischief was frustrated for a time, and the expedition
returned to Isle aux Noix. This irruption, which was essentially
a military movement of great importance, was denounced by the
American press as an outrage. The British were stigmatized as
" faithless ruffians, unprincipled invaders."f They forget that on
the following day was perpetrated the second descent by Commodore
Chauncey on York, a place already plundered, half depopulated,
and where there was, at the time, no military establishment.
This bold stroke, on the part of the British, disconcerted for the time
the American project to invade Lower Canada by the most natural and
accessible channel, and with the aid of a naval force ; and it now
becomes necessary to explain the circumstances which had about
this time much facilitated their naval preparations on the northern
lakes. The Government of Washington had made the best use of
adversity. Driven to bay upon the sea-board, they devoted their
energies, their men, and material to their inland waters, and from
a new stand of vantage dealt forth strenuous blows.
* Everard's Despatch, 3rd August, 1863.
t James, Vol. II, p. 244.

NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS--PELICAN AND ARGITS.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Stung by reverses the British Admiralty acted with vigour—Ships were equipped of a
calibre to meet the Americans—Anteridans blockaded in their own harbours—Commerce
destroyed, revenue ruined—Seanlen useless on the ocean, transferred to the Lakes—
Naval engagements—Dominica and Decatur—Pelican and Argus—Boxer and Enterprize—Cruise of the President under Commodore Rodgers—Detroit frontier— Unpleasant vicissitudes—Story of the Frontier--Squire Reynolds — His narrative—Early state

of the Detroit Frontier—Building of Fort Miami—Who paid for it—Surrender of
Michigan Territory and Detroit to Americans under Jay's Treaty 1796—British warvessels on the Upper Lakes allowed to rot—Brook's interview with the Indians—June
1812—First scalp taken by the American McCulloch—Indian exasperation—Resolution
to retaliate — Declaration of war received 28th June, 1812 — Capture - of the. Cayuga
Packet by Lieut. Rolette.

We will, therefore, return to the ocean, which we left on the 1st
June, after the successful issue of the contest between the Shannon
and the Chesapeake. Long before this event occurred—early in
- the year—the British admiralty, stung into activity by previous re, _verses, had despatched, to the coast of America vessels of a class, and
in such strength, as to sweep the sea of the American.eruisers, and
compel the best and bravest of their ships and officers to take refuge
--in- their own harbours. In Feb. 1813, Sir John Borlaser Warren,
ha_ving established a vigilant blockade of the American coasts, intercepted their carrying and eoasting trade, and ruined theircommerce.*
The public revenue sank from $24,000,000 to $8,000,000. The
Bays of the Chesapeake and Delaware were scoured by Admiral Cockburn and a light squadron ; great damage inflicted on naval stores
and arsenals, and the towns on the coast kept in a continual state
of harassment. A few comments which it is proposed to make on
the occurrences of this naval campaign, and on the atrocities charged
,

iL

Alison, VOL IV, p. 462, Am. edition.

193

against Cockburn and his crews, are postponed to a later and more
opportune occasion in the course of this narrative. The effect of
the blockade was to shut up the American frigates in the ports of
the Atlantic, and to transfer their officers and crews to Lakes Champlain, Ontario, and Erie. Thus it was that Captain Sidney Smith,
late of the Chesapeake, was found and captured at Isle aux Noix.
Thus it was that Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, and later still,
Commodore Macdonough, on Lake Champlain, were enabled to do
such good service to their country.
But, not to interrupt the even tenor of our inland way hereafter,
it may be as well to note here a few remarkable events of maritime
war which signalized the summer. On the 5th August, the Dominica,
a British schooner of twelve guns, 67 men, and nine boys, was captured by the American privateer Decatur, Captain. Dominique Diron,
mounting half the number of guns; but one, an 18-pounder, on a
pivot, of more value than all the guns engaged, and supplied by a
complement of 120 men. The American, confident in his numbers,
carried the Dominica by boarding. The obstinacy of the contest
is best shown by the list of casualties. The Dominica lost her
captain, Lieutenant Bare 0, purser, two midshipmen, and thirteen
men killed, and forty wounded. Out of a crew of seventy-six souls,
fifty-seven were hors de combat before she surrendered.
On the 12th of the same month, the Pelican, a British eighteen
gun brig, just in from a cruise, was despatched from Cork before
she furled sails, to encounter an American war schooner, known to
be committing depredations in St. George's Channel. She proved
to be the Argus, of 20 guns. After a sharp action of forty-five
minutes, the American was carried by boarding. Her captain,
Allen, was killed in the action. The Pelican was the superior vessel
of the two. She was heavier in tonnage, and threw a broadside
341bs. more than her adversary, but the Argus had the advantage
in crew by about 20 men.
.

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