1778 in Canada

Events from the year 1778 in Canada.

← 1777 1776 1775 1778 in Canada → 1779 1780 1781
Decades:	1750s 1760s 1770s 1780s 1790s
See also:	History of Canada Timeline of Canadian history List of years in Canada

Incumbents

• Monarch: George III^[1]

Governors

• Governor of the Province of Quebec: Guy Carleton then Frederick Haldimand
• Governor of Nova Scotia: Lord William Campbell
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Byron
• Governor of St. John's Island: Walter Patterson

Events

• February 6 – The United States allies with France, and joins the American Revolutionary War.^[2]
• March 29 – April 26 British Captain James Cook explores Alaskan coast, seeking Northwest Passage back to the Atlantic. On the last of three voyages to the west coast, he travels as far north as the Bering Strait and claims Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island for the British. While there, he trades for sea otter pelts. On the way back to England his crew almost mutinied, desperately wanting to go back to the Pacific Northwest, after stopping in China and discovering how much sea otter pelts were worth.
• The English overrun the southern states, but are weakened by a French blockade of shipping.
• After landing at Nootka Sound in August, former British naval captain John Meares arrives from Macao (sailing under the Portuguese flag) with 70 Chinese carpenters. He supervises the building of another ship and housing at Nootka Sound as the post becomes the centre of the pelt and fur trades in the Pacific Northwest.
• The original form of hockey is explained to pelters by the indigenous and soon after leads to the form of hockey seen today.
• Spinning mule invented to spin multiple strands of yarn.
• First treaty between the United States and an Indian nation is negotiated with the Delaware; they are offered the prospect of statehood
• British and Iroquois forces attack and massacre American settlers in western New York and Pennsylvania.

Births

• April 12 – John Strachan, first Anglican Bishop of Toronto, Born in Aberdeen, Scotland (d.1867)

Full date unknown

• David Willson, religious leader and mystic (d.1866)

Historical documents

American Revolutionary War

"War seems to them an expedient measure, and[...]a treaty with the rebels is forming" - Britain suspects France will ally with U.S.A.^[3]

French and U.S. diplomats sign treaty that guarantees two nations will make "common cause" against enemy if France goes to war with Britain^[4]

Congress's Board of War instructs Lafayette to capture Montreal and either attach Canada to U.S. if Canadians agree to it or retreat if they don't^[5]

Report requested by Washington details possible routes, timing, and provision sources for invasion of Canada^[6]

Congress approves certain preparations (laying up provisions, preparing clothing) for invasion of Canada^[7]

Congress sends Benjamin Franklin at Versailles highly detailed attack plan to link U.S. troops coming from Lake Ontario with French from Quebec City^[8]

With "a prospect of our wants and our weaknesses," Washington argues at great length against Congress's plan for U.S. and France to invade Canada^[9]

Intelligence report from Vermont says Canadians "very Much In favour" of U.S. cause and their "Preists mouths are Shut" on U.S. dispute with Britain^[10]

"Too much in the field of conjecture" - In letter to Maj. Gen. Schuyler, Washington weighs pros, cons and unknowns of invading Canada^[11]

Washington to recruit "a Body of four hundred Indians" and believes Oneidas, who have "the strongest Attachment to us[,] will be most numerous"^[12]

Intelligence report from New Hampshire says "Joseph Louie the Chief of Saint Francois Tribe" claims all are willing to join United States^[13]

Letter with enclosures alerts Washington to security problems in New York, especially with Cherry Valley massacre (Note: "savages" used)^[14]

Senecas' "predatory war" in New York makes them chief enemy of U.S. among Haudenosaunee, though Joseph Brant also cited (Note: "savages" used)^[15]

Molly Brant writes she has few details of Joseph's "brush with the Rebels," and her hope is soon to "return to our habitations on the Mohawk River"^[16]

Sergeant from 8th (King's) Regiment "with a party of Indians from Detroit" take five Pennsylvania riflemen, who are "conducted safe to this city"^[17]

Though situation unlike that of previous war, Maj. Gen. Schuyler argues at length usefulness of Lake Ontario route for fighting British in Canada^[18]

Canada

"The government of Quebec is a legal parliamentary despotism" - Governor and any "nine of the most profligate persons" can rule (Note: "savage" used)^[19]

Gov. Haldimand extends deadline of former Quebec governor Carleton's order to seigneury owners to swear allegiance and register deeds or land rolls^[20]

"It is absolutely necessary that the grain be got in dry" - Reader offers method of harvesting in wet weather that avoids grain sprouting^[21]

Mulatto woman, 28, for sale; has had measles and smallpox; can cook and keep house, "work at her needle, and is remarkably careful of young children"^[22]

Enslaved mulatto girl Bell is sold to Quebec lieutenant governor after twice escaping her Quebec City owner^[23]

Montreal merchants offer $8 reward for capture of "Negro man named Jack" who has "Guinea accent" and "was lately purchased of Captain Covells"^[24]

Small howitzer shell left on Handsel Monday wounds Margaret Callender's hands and eyes, for which she asks customers' and suppliers' consideration^[25]

New husband's misogeny toward letter writer and his friends' "Attachment to the Bottle" leave her doleful and "terrified to death" for his welfare^[26]

School to open with instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, bookkeeping, four languages etc., with emphasis on "exterior deportment and behavior"^[27]

Quebec City stay-maker advertises products, skills, and knowledge of "the most early and newest fashions"^[28]

Nova Scotia

"Province will be an object of the first consideration to the French" - Anticipating war with France, troops added to 2,800 infantrymen in Nova Scotia^[29]

Treaty made on Saint John River by Superintendant of Indians Francklin and Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy and Mi'kmaq, who warn off Machias raiders^[30]

Nova Scotia Council thanks Maj. Gen. Massey for defence of province, improving Halifax defences and erecting "important post" on Saint John River^[31]

Taken to Boston by privateers, Benjamin Marston is re-imprisoned after brief house arrest, but learns "that a man may enjoy himself in prison"^[32]

"Inhuman and cruel; poor miserable sick; suffered and died" - Remarks from account of mistreatment of imprisoned U.S. privateers in Halifax in 1777^[33]

British deserter gives much useful information to U.S. commander in New York on naval and military comings and goings, mostly in Halifax^[34]

Edward Winslow feels "noble indignation" seeing "scoundrels" who persecute loyalists in committees, Congress and "places confidential & lucrative"^[35]

Late Margaret Green "was so mortified to the Vanities[...]as to have little or no Relish of[...]Amusements[,] Pastimes, and useless frothy Entertainments"^[36]

Prince Edward Island

Accused fraudster from Canada is questioned in Charlottetown and released on his parole for lack of evidence plus his depositing "295 clipt half Joes"^[37]

Map: St. John's Island, northern Acadia and southern Gulf of St. Lawrence^[38]

Newfoundland

Irish success in Newfoundland fishery "has raised such a spirit amongst them, that it is said" twice as many ships will sail from Waterford this year^[39]

Labrador

Privateers out of Boston, aided by Labrador locals ("traitors"), plunder £14,000-worth from George Cartwright's properties and take his Inuit servants^[40]

"The finest sport that man ever had" - Cartwright hunts bears hunting salmon at rapids, pools and beautiful cascade on Eagle River, Labrador^[41]

After Cartwright slaps Inuk servant Tweegock "for some sluttish and dirty tricks," he stops her from completing attempts to stab herself in heart^[42]

Elsewhere

Open Hudson's Bay Company trade to public because Indigenous people accept low-quality goods and supply skins used in wares for foreign trade^[43]

Map segment of former New France from Moose Factory on James Bay to Mississauga territory on Lake Huron^[44]

James Cook's Pacific expedition is in Nootka Sound, where trade with locals is conducted with "harmony and integrity," but human parts are "horrid"^[45]

Indigenous people's "ingenious[...]manufactures and mechanic arts" are quite unexpected, given "what little progress they have made in civilization"^[46]

Illustrations: "Drawings by John Webber of Natives of the Northwest Coast of America" (1778) include people on Nootka Sound^[47]

Etc.

Song: "Barrett's Privateers" has unfamiliar lyrics like "letter of marque," "list to port," "scuppers," "loose in stays," "two cables," "main truck"^[48]

References

1. "Kings and Queens of Canada". aem. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
2. Drexler, Ken (24 March 2021). "Treaty of Alliance with France: Primary Documents in American History". Library of Congress. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
3. Letter to British ambassador at Versailles from Court of St. James (January 30, 1778), British Diplomatic Instructions, 1689-1789; Volume VII, France, Part IV, 1745-1789 (1934), pg. 175. Accessed 17 October 2022
4. Treaty of Alliance Between The United States and France (February 6, 1778), Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale Law School. (See also Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between The United States and France and King George's statement of his negative reaction) Accessed 17 October 2022
5. Footnote 1 to Letter to George Washington (January 24, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Lafayette's many problems with project, Washington seeing no prospect or value in it, Gen. Schuyler's criticism of it, and Quebec Gazette report that "The so much talked of Northern expedition" is called off (pg. 3)) Accessed 20 October 2022
6. "To George Washington from a Board of Officers" (September 10, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Schuyler's preferred route and letter of George Washington listing his needs for intelligence from Canada, with reports received) Accessed 21 October 2022
7. To George Washington from Henry Laurens (September 16, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Washington decides against preparations) Accessed 21 October 2022
8. To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress (October 26, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Washington's fear that French army in Canada will reclaim it for France) Accessed 21 October 2022
9. To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress (October 26, 1778), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 21 October 2022
10. Letter of Brig. Gen. Jacob Bayley (November 7, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also intelligence reports in French) Accessed 24 October 2022
11. George Washington to Philip Schuyler (November 20-21, 1778). Accessed 24 October 2022
12. George Washington to the Commissioners of Indian Affairs (March 13, 1778), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 20 October 2022
13. Letter of Col. Timothy Bedel (November 5, 1778), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 24 October 2022
14. "To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand" (November 18, 1778), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 24 October 2022
15. Commissioners of Indian Affairs to George Washington (June 9, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Schuyler's advice to suppress Senecas and Cayugas before invading Canada) Accessed 21 October 2022
16. "Letter by Mary (Molly) Brant to Christian Daniel Claus regarding a recent encounter with rebels" (Niagara, June 23, 1778), Library and Archives Canada. (See also Schuyler's advice that Kanien’kéhà:ka, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas intend to attack U.S. forces) Accessed 20 October 2022
17. "Quebec, January 1," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 644 (January 1, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
18. Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler to George Washington (November 30, 1778), U.S. National Archives. (See also Washington's positive reply to Schuyler, and Washington's request for information on Lake Ontario) Accessed 24 October 2022
19. David Hartley, "Letter II" (September 24, 1778), Letters on the American War[....] (Sixth edition, 1779), pg. 65 Accessed 25 October 2022
20. "By His Excellency Frederick Haldimand" (November 30, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 692 (December 3, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
21. "To the Printer," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 693 (December 10, 1778), pg. 2, and continued in several issues. Accessed 19 October 2022
22. "To Be Sold" (February 11, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 650 (February 12, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
23. "Ran away from my service[....]," pg. 3, The Quebec Gazette (August 20, 1778) and "Advertisements; Run away from Mr. George Hipps[....]," pg. 3, The Quebec Gazette (November 5, 1778) and "Transcription: Bill of Sale for Isabella/Bell (1778)," Bills of Sale for Enslaved People: Quebec, Canada (2020) pgs. 8-10 (PDF pgs. 10-12). Accessed 25 October 2022
24. "Advertisements; Run Away[....]" (Montreal, May 13, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 664 (May 21, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
25. "To the Publick; Whereas I Margaret Callender[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 649 (February 5, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
26. "To the Printer of the Quebec Gazette" (Montreal, February 4, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 650 (February 12, 1778), pg. 1. (See also letter to Gazette (pgs. 1-3) from young woman assessing winners and losers among men seeking her hand) Accessed 18 October 2022
27. "Advertisements; Academy and Boarding-School" (Quebec, November 19, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 19 October 2022
28. "Advertisements; George Blacktin[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 644 (January 1, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 18 October 2022
29. "London, April 16; Two battalions of foot[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 678 (August 27, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
30. "October 6," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 689 (November 12, 1778), pg. 3. Accessed 19 October 2022
31. "Halifax, August 25; To Major-general Massey[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 2. Accessed 19 October 2022
32. Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787 (September 8, 1777), University of New Brunswick Archives. https://web.lib.unb.ca/Texts/marston/marston3_mod.html (scroll down to Tuesday Sept. 8 1778-09-08) Accessed 17 October 2022
33. "Boston, Feb. 5," The Providence (Rhode Island) Gazette and Country Journal, Vol. XV, No. 737 (February 14, 1778), Page 1 of 2. Accessed 17 October 2022
34. Deposition of British deserter from Halifax (September 28, 1778), U.S. National Archives. Accessed 21 October 2022
35. Letter of Edward Winslow (May 2, 1778), pg. 4, Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick. Accessed 25 October 2022 (See also Banishment Act of the State of Massachusetts (1778) which marks Winslow for banishment, and worse if he returns)
36. John Seccombe, "A Sermon, Occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Margaret Green[....]" (Halifax, February 1, 1778), pg. 13 Accessed 25 October 2022
37. "Island of Saint John, Gulph of St. Lawrence" (Charlottetown, October 9, 1778), The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pg. 4 (right column). Accessed 19 October 2022
38. "Plan de l'île de St. Jean au nord de l'Acadie et dans le sud du golfe de St. Laurent" (Paris, 1778), Library of Congress. Accessed 25 October 2022
39. "London, April 16; The success which the Irish[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 678 (August 27, 1778), pg. 1. Accessed 19 October 2022
40. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Thursday, August 27, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pgs. 240-7 Accessed 17 October 2022
41. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Wednes., July 22, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pgs. 228-36 Accessed 17 October 2022
42. C.W. Townsend (ed.), "Wednes., February 25, 1778", Captain Cartwright and His Labrador Journal (1911), pg. 223 Accessed 17 October 2022
43. "London; It is said[....]," The Quebec Gazette, Nomb. 690 (November 19, 1778), pgs. 1-2. Accessed 19 October 2022
44. Antonio Zatta, La Parte Occidentale della Nuova Francia o Canada (in Italian; 1778), McCord Stewart Museum. Accessed 17 October 2022
45. "Transactions with the natives of North America[....]," Captain Cook's Third and Last Voyage, to the Pacific Ocean[....] (abridged), pg. 117. (See also "Such of the natives as visited us daily" supply fish and oil) Accessed 13 October 2022
46. "The design and execution[....]," Captain Cook's Third and Last Voyage, to the Pacific Ocean[....] (abridged), pg. 125. Accessed 13 October 2022
47. interior 1 portrait 1 interior 2 portrait 2
48. "Barrett's Privateers" composed by Stan Rogers. (See (hear) performance of song) Accessed 18 October 2022