# 1792 in Canada

Events from the year 1792 in Canada.

## Incumbents

* Monarch: George III

### Federal government

* Parliament of Lower Canada — 1st
* Parliament of Upper Canada — 1st

### Governors

* Governor of the Canadas: Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester
* Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
* Governor of Nova Scotia: John Parr
* Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Elliot
* Governor of St. John's Island: Edmund Fanning
* Governor of Upper Canada: John Graves Simcoe

## Events

* Catherine II grants a monopoly of furs in Alaska to Grigorii Shelikov.
* Captain George Vancouver begins his explorations of the British Columbia Coast.
* Many Black Loyalists in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia migrate to Sierra Leone in West Africa, mainly because the promises of land in Canada were not kept by the British.
* May 7 – Lower Canada is divided into 21 counties.
* August – the 1st Parliament of Upper Canada is elected.
* October 15 – The law of England is introduced in Upper Canada.
* December 20 – A fortnightly mail is established between Canada and the United States.
* December – A bill to abolish slavery in Lower Canada does not pass.

## Births

* February 9 – Thomas Cooke, missionary, and the first Bishop of Trois Rivières (d.1870)
* August 29 – James William Johnston, lawyer, politician, and judge (d.1873)

## Deaths

* November – Samuel Hearne, explorer, fur-trader, author, and naturalist (b.1745)

### Full date unknown

* Marguerite-Thérèse Lemoine Despins (March 23, 1722 – June 6, 1792) was a mother superior of the Sisters of Charity of the Hôpital Général of Montreal. (b.1722)
* Thomas Peters, black Loyalist and founding father of Sierra Leone (b.1738)

## Historical documents

Negotiation topics British envoy George Hammond discusses with Alexander Hamilton include frontier posts, U.S. debts to Loyalists and commercial links
Brief profile for Canadians of new governments in Upper and Lower Canada to show how they will protect liberty and prevent despotism
Immigrants' farming prospects not as good in U.S.A. as in Upper Canada and New Brunswick, which need farm labour and pay much more for it
"It is a war with the British king, under cover" - Pittsburgh writer sees British hand in Indigenous nations' war with U.S.A. (Note: "savages" used)
Report from Albany that Joseph Brant pleased with visit to Pres. George Washington and intends to promote peace between U.S.A. and "hostile tribes"

### Lower Canada

Grand jurors told to guard "the common tranquillity" against threats of impatient reform to Constitution's balance of King, Lords and Commons
"What a fountain of hope is opened to the industrious Poor!" by creation of scores of townships away from St. Lawrence River to north and south
Controversy that pits "British Merchants" against "Canadians" in 1792 election is addressed by writer who opposes "illiberality and falsehood"
"Having experienced great inconvenience in Canada from the deficiency of Specie," businesses intend to set up deposit bank in Montreal
Because it is found only in U.S.A., wampum ("Beeds, Moons or shells") may be imported for "Indian Trade," but must be entered at customs house
"Au secours (help)" - Intending to walk with his wife on ice-filled St. Lawrence River, J.G. Simcoe slips into water and nearly passes under ice
Setting up lower courts in each county will enlighten Canadians, draw them together in new villages, and cause them to support good government
"Nothing could exceed the Horror excited in the[...]large audience" - Man indicted for raping daughter (convicted) and attempting to rape two others
Constitutional Club formed in Quebec City to "acquire and diffuse a knowledge" of Constitution and of "Commercial and Agricultural industry"
Editorial: education is essential to "the peace of a free people," and "an enlightened series of patriots" hands it down through "ages unimpaired"
Berthier teacher wishes to end "profound ignorance that reigns in the country parts" of L.C. by providing free tuition, but needs financial support
May example of Plato and other ancients "light up in these western wilds that sacred enthusiasm so necessary to extend the empire of science"
Advice on how to develop better memory comprises understanding, sensibility, study habits (order, moderation, repetition) etc.
Proposal for updating Charlevoix's history of Canada to end of French regime and adding second volume covering then to 1791 Constitution
Uneducated habitants don't benefit from agricultural society's instruction, so members in each county must teach by example
Advice to farmers not to "hack" but to bore maple trees for sap, replace trees cut down, and make sugar by boiling sap with egg whites
Stopping in Cap-Santé en route to Upper Canada, Simcoes impose on cottagers just going to bed, who clear 2 rooms and feed them bread and eggs
Concert of Haydn's Grand Symphony in D, Avison 5th Concerto, two Pleyel works, Devienne clarinet and bassoon concertante and Gyrowetz finale
At Franks' Tavern, Quebec City: "feats of tumbling," slack rope "attitudes," and dogs that "go through an astonishing variety of exercises"

### Upper Canada

"Laws of Canada" regarding property and civil rights are replaced by "laws of England" with their rules of evidence (testimony, legal proof)
Lt. Gov. Simcoe tells Council and Assembly that British constitution and spirit will guard and spark industry, wealth, commerce and power of U.C.
Simcoe satisfied with Assembly, "considering that it is composed of Persons of not very restricted notions and newly acquainted with power"
Candidate in Essex County for Assembly urges election organizing include "entertainment" of rum, beef and plum cake
Calling him "by far the principal french Settler" in Detroit area, Simcoe appoints James Baby to Council seat reserved for "Canadians"
Assembly member Richard Cartwright comments on provincial matters, including location of capital, export and settlement
Simcoe suggests policy toward Indigenous people should include encouraging them to actively trade in furs (Note: "savages" used)
In long letter to Simcoe, Montreal merchants go over reasons British frontier posts should not be given up plus other points for negotiation
Simcoe encourages movement of people from U.S.A. to Upper Canada and comments on which of them should be considered British subjects
In welcoming letter to Simcoe, 54 residents say "we are just emerging from the Indigence and Obscurity which constantly surround new Settlements"
Clearcutting described: cutting down and burning "small wood," letting wind knock down girdled large trees and leaving stumps for years to rot
Letter from Quebec says regiment is coming to Upper Canada, which New York newspaper says will have 1,600 men and should draw U.S. attention
Resident of Kingston, U.C. says that by request Lt. Gov. Simcoe has removed ban on trade to U.S.A.
Report by Richard Cartwright on state of marriage and of various Christian denominations in Upper Canada
Simcoe wants "immediate and due provision for the education of the superior classes," or they will attend U.S. schools and lose British values
Wabakanyne and 4 other Mississauga leaders sell tract lying between lakes Ontario and Erie and stretching to Thames River for £1180 7/4
Lengthy description of Joseph Brant's family's and neighbours' hospitality, ceremony, dancing and drinking
Mississaugas icefish on Cootes Paradise using spears, lures, and blankets to cover ice holes, and catch pickerel, muskellunge and pike
Toronto Harbour is very safe for ships of little draft, it being "Perfectly Shut up" from winds by hooked peninsula and entrance bar

### Nova Scotia

New lieutenant governor John Wentworth tells Assembly agriculture, commerce, fisheries and government revenue "must reciprocally aid each other"
Farmer notes progress in farming, once done "without system [or] principles," but now practised "seriously [and] to the most advantage"
"Nov. Scotus Verus" happily notes province's great population increase, with about 3,400 births and immigrants v. 1,800 emigrants and deaths
"Last Sunday sailed the Sierra Leone fleet, consisting of 15 sail, with a fair wind"
Appeal to Henry Dundas to help N.S. offset its losses from departure of Blacks, land grants to absent Loyalists, and province's poverty
Gideon White learns fire near Shelburne has destroyed his hay and oat crops and almost all his fences, and threatened buildings
Annapolis Valley flood in September raises river level 16 feet, carrying off bridges, mill dams, sheep, grain and hay of already poor farmers
Residents of Annapolis County township, almost all 1784 Loyalists, seek funding and land for Anglican church and school
Rector, wardens and vestry of Trinity Church in Digby need funds for church spire and pews and grant of farm land for church revenue
Discouraged that his preaching is ineffective, Boston King prays for conversion of one person, and gets it
"Musical Concert Once a Fortnight; None but Ladies and Gentlemen can be admitted; Any Gentlemen Performer may be at Liberty to Play in Concert"

### New Brunswick

Edward Winslow explains N.B. appointments and elections (courts, government, sheriffs) practice to Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe of Upper Canada
To save parish from supporting any child born out of wedlock, child's mother can have its father jailed until he gives support security or recognizance
Owner of dog that kills sheep must either kill dog or pay owner for their loss; owner of dog that repeatedly kills must do both, and pay fine
Road from Saint John to Westmorland County shows latter is "one of the most valuable parts" of N.B. and "might furnish[...]meat at the lowest prices"
Three Maliseet "savages" petition on behalf of entire nation for land on Saint John River in Madawaska district
"Encouragement to British Seamen[...]to man about 30 sail of vessels mostly square-rigged, which are now building in this Province"
Call for capture of indented servant Dick Hopewell (about 40) and enslaved mulatto woman Statia (about 30, pregnant and with two small children)
Sheffield minister will teach 6 students grammar, writing, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, arithmetic, sciences and "experimental Philosophy," and shorthand
Touring New Brunswick, Bishop of Nova Scotia consecrates churches at Maugerville, Gagetown, Kingston and Saint John and confirms 500+
Acadians new to Madawaska ("with the Indians") petition Bishop of Quebec for permission to build church to replace "poor bark hut"

### Western interior

Disagreement between Charles Isham and his men doesn't surprise Philip Turnor "after seeing the Anarchy which Pervade the Interior parts"
Difficult convincing Hudson's Bay Company to send trade goods to Indigenous people of Lake Athabasca, Great Slave Lake and Peace River
Two men drown in waterfalls near Osnaburg House despite near-successful attempt of one to save himself
London society for arts, manufactures and commerce offers gold medal to discoverer of land passage from Upper Canada to Pacific coast
"The atmosphere became so warm that it dissolved all the snow" - Alexander Mackenzie describes December 29 chinook on Peace River

### Pacific coast

Vancouver calls Strait of Georgia landscape "dismal," and "forlorn" and "gloomy" at place that grows only onions, samphire and "indifferent berries"
Vancouver's men inspect village on seaside rock so skillfully defended that it is hard to believe it was built by "untutored tribes" met so far
Seeing clothes and mats, and baskets so tightly woven that they carry water, causes Vancouver to call women "not less industrious than ingenious"

### Elsewhere

As Shawnee and Lenape plan confrontation with U.S. forces, they ask Detroit commander to advise them and provide for their families
U.S. war secretary is told Joseph Brant has lost "much" influence with Indigenous people, who are divided over "what course to take" after U.S. defeat
"From Canada, some few of the Six Nations, the Chippeways, Ottaways, Hurons, Potoways, &c." will defy U.S., while Joseph Brant mediates
Death penalty in P.E.I. to be given for treason, murder, maiming, stabbing, killing "bastard" child, "buggery," rape, burglary, robbery et al.
Black 14-year-old Diana Bestian dies in childbirth of twins after being raped by Cape Breton Council member George More at Government House
British trapper and trader praises Labrador Inuit as sincere, gentle and just while calling Innu treacherous and quarrelsome, lying and stealing
Newfoundland Chief Justice says merchants' agents have "set themselves against every Attempt to introduce Order and Justice into that Island"