Toronto of Old Part 48

In the _Gazette_ of Sept. 11, 1796, a proclamation from Peter Russell announces that "His most gracious Majesty has been pleased to grant his royal leave of absence to his Excellency Major General Simcoe," and that consequently the government _pro tem_. had devolved upon himself.

In the November following, Mr. Russell, now ent.i.tled President, comes over from Niagara in the _Mohawk_. The _Gazette_ of Nov. 4, 1796 (still published at Niagara), announces: "Yesterday (Nov. 3), his Honour the President of the Province and family sailed in the _Mohawk_ for York. On his departure he was saluted with a discharge of cannon at Fort George, which was answered by three cheers from on board." (Fort George, afterwards famous in Canadian annals, and whose extensive remains are still conspicuous, had now been constructed, on the west side of the river, close by Newark or Niagara, as a kind of counterpoise to the French Fort on the east side of the river, immediately opposite, which had just been surrendered to the United States.)

It is briefly noted in the _Gazette_ of the 26th of January in the following year (1797), that the President's new house at York had been destroyed by fire. This may account for his being at Niagara in May (1797), and sailing over again in the _Mohawk_ to York, apparently to open Parliament. The _Gazette_ of the 31st of May, 1797, says: "On Sat.u.r.day last, sailed in the _Mohawk_ for York, his Honour the Administrator, and several members of the Parliament of the Province."

(The _Mohawk_ had come up from Kingston on the 27th of April. On the 28th of that month a vessel had arrived at Niagara, bearing the name of the late Governor. The _Gazette_ of May 3, 1797, thus speaks: "On Sunday last, arrived from Kingston his Majesty's armed vessel the _Mohawk_; and on Monday last, the _Governor Simcoe_, being their first voyage.")

The _Gazette_ of the 31st, in addition to the departure of the _Mohawk_ for York, as above, gives us also the following piece of information whence we learn that in the trade of the Lake, a compet.i.tion from the United States side was about to begin:--"On the same day (the day when the _Mohawk_ sailed for York), arrived here (Niagara) a Deck-boat, built and owned by Col. John Van Rensselaer, of Lansingburg, on the North River. This enterprising gentleman," the _Gazette_ says, "built and completed this and one other of the same bigness (fifty barrels burden), and conveyed them by high waters to Oswego, and arrived there without injury this spring. They are to ply continually between Oswego and this place and Kingston."

On July the 3rd, 1797, the return of President Russell to Niagara in the _Mohawk_ is announced. (The exact situation of Mr. Russell's house at Niagara may be deduced from a memorandum in the papers of Augustus Jones, the surveyor, dated Aug., 1796. It runs as follows:--"S. 61 W., 34 chains, 34 links from the north-west corner of the Block-house above Navy Hall to the S. E. angle of the Hon. P. Russell's house: at 24 chains, a fence.")

During the stormy season at the close of the year 1797, a momentary apprehension was felt at Niagara for the safety of the _Mohawk_. In a _Gazette_ of December in this year we read: "West Niagara, Dec. 2. Fears for the fate of the _Mohawk_ are entertained. It is said minute guns were distinctly heard through most of Thursday before last; but we hope she has suffered no further than being driven back to Kingston. The _Onondaga_," it is added, "which was aground in Hungry Bay at our last intelligence, was in a fair way of being gotten off." In the next _Gazette_, the number for Dec. 9, it is announced that "since our last, arrived here the _Simcoe_, from Kingston, by which we learn that the _Mohawk_ had returned there, after having her bowsprit and a considerable part of her sails carried away in the storm." It is also stated of the _Onondaga_, that "she had gained that Port without material injury sustained in Hungry Bay."

In the _Gazette_ of May 19, in the following year, 1798, the _Simcoe_ again appears. At the same time the name of the commander of the vessel is given. "West Niagara: By the arrival of the schooner _Simcoe_, Capt.

Murney, from Kingston, we are informed that upwards of a hundred houses in the Lower Province have been carried away by the ice this spring."

The Capt. Murney here mentioned, as being in command of the _Simcoe_, was the father of the Hon. Edward Murney, of Belleville. He built and owned in 1801 another vessel named the _Prince Edward_, capable of carrying 700 barrels of flour in her hold. We are told of this vessel, that she was built wholly of red cedar.

In the _Gazette_ of May 26, 1798, we hear of a "good sloop" constructed of black walnut. She is about to be sold. "To be sold," the _Gazette_ says, "on the stocks at the Bay of Long Point (near Kingston), at any time before the 28th of June next, a good sloop ready for launching, in good order, and warranted sound and masterly built. She is formed of the best black walnut timber, 38 tons burden, and calculated for carrying timber." We are told further in respect to this sloop, that "she will be sold by consent of Mr. Troyer, and a good t.i.tle with a warranty given on the sale. The conditions are for cash only; one-half down, and the other in three months, with approved security for payment. Wm. Dealy." J.

Troyer adds: "I approve of the above." Again, it is subjoined: "All persons having demands on said Dealy are requested to exhibit them before the 28th of June, that the same may be paid one month thereafter.

May 24, 1798."

On Monday, the 14th of October, in the year just named, a Mr. Cornwall was drowned by falling out of a boat into the Lake, near the Garrison at York. In the _Gazette_ of the 27th it is noted that "on Monday last the body of Mr. Cornwall, who was unfortunately drowned the 14th instant, by falling out of a boat into the Lake, near the Garrison, was taken up at the Etobic.o.ke. The coroner's inquest sat on the body," it is added, "and brought in a verdict 'accidental death.'" (In this _Gazette_ Etobic.o.ke is curiously printed Toby Cove.)

Boisterous weather gave rise to the usual disasters and inconveniences in the autumn of 1798. "During the heavy gales of wind," says the _Gazette_ of Nov. 24, "which we have had, a vessel loaded with sundry goods was drove on sh.o.r.e at the Mississaga point at Newark (Niagara), and another vessel belonging to this town (York) was drove on a place called the Ducks, where she received considerable damage."

In August, 1799, Governor Hunter, lately appointed, arrived in York Harbour in the _Speedy_. The Niagara _Constellation_ of Aug. 23, 1799, gives us the information. It says: "His Excellency, Governor Hunter, arrived at York on Friday morning last in the _Speedy_. On landing," we are told, "he was received by a party of the Queen's Rangers; and at one o'clock p.m. was waited on at his Honour's the President's, by the military officers, and congratulated on his safe arrival and appointment to the government of the Province."

On the 5th of September he has gone over to Niagara. The _Constellation_ of the 6th thus notices his arrival there: "Yesterday morning, arrived here from York his Excellency Governor Hunter. He was saluted by a discharge of twenty-one guns from Fort George. His early arrival in the morning prevented so great an attendance of inhabitants to demonstrate their joy, as was wished by them." He probably crossed the Lake in the _Speedy_.

The departure of Governor Hunter from Niagara is noted in the _Constellation_ of the following week. "On Sat.u.r.day last," the _Constellation_ of Sept. 13 says, "His Excellency sailed for Kingston and the Lower Province (probably again in the _Speedy_). On embarking,"

we are informed as usual, "he was saluted from the Garrison;" and it is also added that on pa.s.sing Fort Niagara "he was saluted by the American flag, which had been hoisted for the purpose." On which act of courtesy the _Constellation_ remarks that "merit is respected by all countries."

It is then added: "We learn that his Excellency has committed the administration of the Government, during his absence, to a committee composed of the Honourable Peter Russell, J. Elmsley and aeneas Shaw, Esquires; and the Hon. J. McGill, Esq., in the absence of either of them."

Under date of York, Sat.u.r.day, Sept. 14th, 1799, we have mention made in the _Gazette_ of a new vessel. "The _Toronto Yacht_, Capt. Baker," the _Gazette_ announces, "will in the course of a few days be ready to make her first trip. She is," the _Gazette_ says, "one of the handsomest vessels of her size that ever swam upon the Ontario; and if we are permitted to judge from her appearance, and to do her justice, we must say she bids fair to be one of the swiftest sailing vessels. She is admirably calculated for the reception of pa.s.sengers, and can with propriety boast of the most experienced officers and men. Her master-builder," it is subjoined, "was a Mr. Dennis, an American, on whom she reflects great honour." This was Mr. Joseph Dennis; and the place where the vessel was built was a little way up the Humber. (The name Dennis is carelessly given in the _Gazette_ as Dennison.)

The effects of rough weather on the Lake at the close of 1799, as detailed by the Niagara _Constellation_ of the 7th of December, will not be out of place. "On Thursday last," the _Constellation_ says, "a boat arrived here from Schenectady, which place she left on the 22nd ult.

She pa.s.sed the _York_ sticking on a rock off the Devil's Nose: no prospect of getting her off. A small deck-boat also, she reports, lately sprung a leak twelve miles distant from Oswego. The people on board, many of whom were pa.s.sengers, were taken off by a vessel pa.s.sing, when she instantly sank: cargo is all lost." The narrative then proceeds to say: "A vessel supposed to be the _Genesee_ schooner, has been two days endeavouring to come in. It is a singular misfortune," the _Constellation_ says, "that this vessel, which sailed more than a month ago from Oswego, laden for this place, has been several times in sight, and driven back by heavy gales."

In the same number of the _Constellation_ (Dec. 7th, 1799), we have "the well-known schooner _Peggy_" spoken of. A moiety of her is offered for sale. Richard Beasley of Barton, executor, and Margaret Berry of York, executrix, to the estate of Thomas Berry, merchant, late of York, deceased, advertise for sale: "One moiety of the well-known schooner _Peggy_: any recommendation of her sailing or accommodation," they say, "will be unnecessary: with these particulars the public are well acquainted, and the purchaser will, no doubt, satisfy himself with personal inspection. For terms of sale apply to the executor and executrix."

In the _Constellation_ of the following week is the mysterious paragraph: "If Jonathan A. Pell will return and pay Captain Selleck for the freight of the salt which he took from on board the _d.u.c.h.ess of York_ without leave, it will be thankfully received and no questions asked."

The disastrous effects of the gales are referred to again in the _Gazette_ of Dec. 21st, 1799. "We hear from very good authority," the _Gazette_ says, "that the schooner _York_, Captain Murray, has foundered, and is cast upon the American sh.o.r.e about fifty miles from Niagara, where the captain and men are encamped. Mr. Forsyth, one of the pa.s.sengers, hired a boat to carry them to Kingston. Fears are entertained for the fate of the _Terrahoga_." (A government vessel so named.)

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

x.x.x.

THE HARBOUR--ITS MARINE, 1800-1814.

On the 15th of May, 1800, Governor Hunter arrives again in York Harbour.

The _Gazette_ of Sat.u.r.day, the 17th, 1800, announces that "on Thursday evening last (May 15th), his Excellency Peter Hunter, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of this Province, arrived in our harbour on board the _Toronto_; and on Friday morning about 9 o'clock landed at the Garrison, where he is at present to reside." On May 16th in the following year Governor Hunter arrives again in the _Toronto_, from Quebec. "Arrived this morning, Sat.u.r.day, May 16th, 1801," says the _Gazette_, "on board the _Toronto_, Captain Earl, his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, his Aide-de-Camp and Secretary, from Quebec. We hear," continues the _Gazette_, "that his Excellency has ordered the Parliament to meet on the 28th instant for the actual despatch of business."

In the _Gazette_ of Aug. 29th, in this year (1801), we have the appointment of Mr. Allan to the collectors.h.i.+p for the harbour of York.

Thus runs the announcement: "To the Public.--His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor has been pleased to appoint the subscriber Collector of Duties at this Port, for the Home District: as likewise Inspector of Pot and Pearl Ashes and Flour. Notice is hereby given that the Custom House for entry will be held at my store-house at the water's edge, and that I will attend accordingly, agreeably to the Act. W. Allan, York, 25th Aug., 1801."

In this year, it is noted in the Niagara _Herald_ (Nov. 18th, 1801), the people of Niagara saw for the first time flying from Fort George the British Flag, as blazoned after the recent union of Great Britain and Ireland. "On Tuesday, the 17th instant, at 12 o'clock," the _Herald_ says, "we were most agreeably entertained with a display from Fort George, for the first time, of the flag of the United Kingdom. The wind being in a favourable point, it unfurled to the greatest advantage to a view from the town. Its size, we apprehend, will subject it to injury in the high winds that prevail here." It was possibly the Royal Standard.

In the following year, 1802, Governor Hunter arrives at York on the 14th of May, and again in the _Toronto_. "It is with infinite pleasure,"

(such is the warm language of the _Gazette_ of May 15th, 1802), "we announce the arrival of his Excellency Peter Hunter, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, and suite, in a very short pa.s.sage from Quebec. His Excellency arrived in the harbour late yesterday evening (May 14), on board the _Toronto_, and landed at the Garrison at 9 o'clock. We understand he left Quebec the 27th ult." The officer in command at York on the occasion of Governor Hunter's visit in 1802 was Captain aeneas Macdonell. We have before us a note from him, dated York Garrison, May 15th, to Lieut. Chiniquy at Fort George, in which he speaks of this visit. "General Hunter appeared off this harbour," he says, "at 4 o'clock yesterday, with a Jack at his main-top-mast head. A guard of two sergeants, two corporals, and thirty men," Capt. Macdonell continues, "was soon ready to receive him, which I had the honour to command; but I had not the pleasure to salute him, as he could not land before 9 o'clock last night." (At the close of his note, Capt. Macdonell begs Mr. Chiniquy to send him over from Niagara some b.u.t.ter,--such a luxury being, as we must suppose, difficult to be procured at York). "If you will be good enough to take the trouble," Capt. Macdonell says, "to procure me a few pounds of b.u.t.ter and send it over, I will willingly take the same trouble for you when in my power."

In the _Gazette_ of the preceding April a boat is advertised as about to make trips between York and the Head of the Lake. This is the advertis.e.m.e.nt: "The subscriber will run a boat from York to the Head of the Lake once a week. The first departure will be from York the 31st instant (on Wednesday), and from the Head of the Lake on Sat.u.r.day, every week. Any commands left with Messrs. Miles and Playter, and Mr. Beaman at York, and at the Government House, Mr. Bates; and Richard Beasly, Esq., at the Head of the Lake, will be attended to with confidence and despatch. Levi Willard, York, 30th March, 1802."

So early as Jan. 18, in this year (1802), the following notice appeared in the Niagara _Herald_;--"The sloop _Mary Ann_ will sail from this town (Niagara) on first favourable day."--In August of this year a young Scotchman falls from the sloop and is drowned. The Niagara _Herald_ of Aug. 21, 1802, notes the incident:--"On Monday last, James McQueen, a native of Scotland, aged about 20, fell from the _Mary Ann_ and was drowned. The vessel being under sail, with wind and current in her favour, could not put about in the very short time he remained above water."--In 1802, "Skinner's Sloop" was plying occasionally between York and Niagara. We have a letter before us from Capt. aeneas Macdonell to Ensign Chiniquy, dated York Garrison, 28th March, 1802, acknowledging a budget of news received by "Skinner's Sloop."

In 1803, on the 13th of May, the arrival at York of a Government vessel named the _Duke of Kent_, with troops, is announced in the _Gazette_.

"This morning arrived at the Garrison the _Duke of Kent_ from Kingston, having on board a detachment of His Majesty's 49th regiment, which is to do duty here in place of the 41st regiment, ordered to Lower Canada."

This same vessel arrives again in the harbour on the 27th of the following July. She now has on board "The Right Reverend Jacob, Lord Bishop of Quebec."--"On Thursday, the 27th," says the _Gazette_ of the 29th of July, 1803, "arrived here (York), the _Duke of Kent_, having on board the Right Reverend Jacob, Lord Bishop of Quebec. We understand,"

the _Gazette_ adds, "his Lords.h.i.+p intended first to visit Detroit, but, owing to contrary winds, was necessitated to postpone his journey. His Lords.h.i.+p will leave town for Niagara shortly after the Confirmation, which will immediately take place."

We hear of casualties on the Lake towards the close of the year. We read in the _Gazette_ of Nov. 16, that "it is currently reported, and we are sorry to add with every appearance of foundation, that the sloop _Lady Was.h.i.+ngton_, commanded by Capt. Murray, was lately lost in a gale of wind near Oswego, on her pa.s.sage to Niagara. Pieces of the wreck, and her boat, by which she was recognized, together with several other articles, are said to have been picked up. It is yet uncertain," the _Gazette_ says, "whether the crew and pa.s.sengers are saved; among the latter were Messrs. Dunn and Boyd, of Niagara."--Again: the _Gazette_ of Dec. 10, 1803, reports that "a gentleman from Oswego, by the name of Mr. Dunlop, was on Wednesday last accidentally knocked from on board a vessel near the Highlands by the gibbing of the boom, and unfortunately drowned."

The disappointment occasioned to merchants sometimes by the uncertainty of communication between York and the outer world in the stormy season, may be conceived of from a postscript to an advertis.e.m.e.nt of Mr. Quetton St. George's in the _Gazette_ of Dec. 10, 1803. It says: "Mr. St. George is very sorry, on account of his customers, that he has not received his East India Goods and Groceries: he is sure they are at Oswego; and should they not arrive this season, they may be looked for early in the spring." It was tantalizing to suppose they were so near York as Oswego, and yet could not be had until the spring.

The princ.i.p.al incident connected with the marine of the harbour of York in 1804 was the loss of the _Speedy_. We give the contemporary account of the disaster from the _Gazette_ of Sat.u.r.day, Nov. 3, 1804.

"The following," the _Gazette_ says, "is as accurate an account of the loss of the schooner _Speedy_, in His Majesty's service on Lake Ontario, as we have been able to collect. The _Speedy_, Capt. Paxton, left this port (York) on Sunday evening, the 7th of October last, with a moderate breeze from the north-west, for Presqu'isle, and was descried off that island on the Monday following before dark, where preparations were made for the reception of the pa.s.sengers, but the wind coming round from the north-east, blew with such violence as to render it impossible for her to enter the harbour; and very shortly after she disappeared. A large fire was then kindled on sh.o.r.e as a guide to the vessel during the night; but she has not since been seen or heard of; and it is with the most painful sensations we have to say, we fear is totally lost.

Inquiry, we understand, has been made at almost every port of the Lake, but without effect; and no intelligence respecting the fate of this unfortunate vessel could be obtained. It is, therefore, generally concluded that she has either upset or foundered. It is also reported by respectable authority that several articles, such as the compa.s.s-box, hencoop and mast, known to have belonged to this vessel, have been picked up on the opposite side of the Lake.--The pa.s.sengers on board the ill-fated _Speedy_, as near as we can recollect," the narrative goes on to say, "were Mr. Justice Cochrane; Robert J. D. Gray, Esq., Solicitor-General, and Member of the House of a.s.sembly; Angus Macdonell, Esq., Advocate, Member of the House of a.s.sembly; Mr. Jacob Herchmer, Merchant; Mr. John Stegman, Surveyor; Mr. George Cowan, Indian Interpreter; James Ruggles, Esq.; Mr. Anderson, Student in the Law; Mr.

John Fisk, High Constable, all of this place. The above named gentlemen were proceeding to the District of Newcastle, in order to hold the Circuit, and for the trial of an Indian (also on board the _Speedy_) indicted for the murder of John Sharp, late of the Queen's Rangers. It is also reported, but we cannot vouch for its authenticity, that exclusive of the above pa.s.sengers, there were on board two other persons, one in the service of Mr. Justice Cochrane, and the other in that of the Solicitor-General; as also two children of parents whose indigent circ.u.mstances necessitated them to travel by land. The crew of the _Speedy_, it is said, consisted of five seamen (three of whom have left large families) exclusive of Captain Paxton, who also had a very large family. The total number of souls on board the _Speedy_ is computed to be about twenty. A more distressing and melancholy event has not occurred to this place for many years; nor does it often happen that such a number of persons of respectability are collected in the same vessel. Not less than nine widows, and we know not how many children, have to lament the loss of their husbands and fathers, who, alas, have, perhaps in the course of a few minutes, met with a watery grave. It is somewhat remarkable," the _Gazette_ then observes, "that this is the third or fourth accident of a similar nature within these few years, the cause of which appears worthy the attention and investigation of persons conversant in the art of s.h.i.+p-building."

Two of the disasters to vessels probably alluded to by the _Gazette_ were noted above. In 1802 the _Lady Was.h.i.+ngton_, Captain Murray, foundered in the Lake, leaving scarcely a trace. And three years previously, the _York_, in command of the same Captain Murray, was lost at the point known as the Devil's Nose, not far from the entrance to the River Genesee. And again, some years earlier, in 1780, before the organization of the Province of Upper Canada, the _Ontario_, Capt.

Andrews, carrying twenty-two guns, went down with all on board, while conveying troops, a detachment of the King's Own, under Col. Burton, from Niagara to Oswego. One hundred and seventy-two persons perished on this occasion, Capt. Andrews was, at the time, First Commissioner of the Dock Yard at Kingston, and Commodore of the small flotilla maintained on the Lake, chiefly for transport service. (For several of these particulars we are indebted to Capt. Andrews' grandson, the Rev. Saltern Givins.)

As to the apparent fragility of the government vessels, on which the _Gazette_ remarks, the use of timber insufficiently seasoned may have had something to do with it. The French Duke de Liancourt, in 1795, observed that all the vessels which he saw at Niagara were built of timber fresh cut down and not seasoned; and that, for that reason, "they never lasted longer than six or eight years. To preserve them for even this length of time," he says, "requires a thorough repair: they must be heaved down and caulked, which costs, at least, from one thousand to one thousand two hundred guineas. The timbers of the _Mississaga_," he says, "which was built three years ago, are almost all rotten."

A particular account of the homicide for which the Indian prisoner, lost in the _Speedy_, was about to be tried, and of his arrest, is given in a subdivision of one of our chapters, ent.i.tled "Some Memories of the Old Court House."

Of the perils encountered by early navigators of Lake Ontario we have an additional specimen furnished us by the _Gazette_ of Sept. 8th, 1804.

That paper reports as follows: "Capt Moore's sloop, which sailed from Sackett's Harbour on the 14th July for Kingston with a load of pot and pearl ashes, struck on Long Point near Kingston in a gale of wind; and having on board a number of pa.s.sengers, men, women, and children, he was under the necessity of throwing over forty-eight barrels of ashes in order to lighten the vessel." It is then briefly added: "She arrived at Kingston."

We hear of the _Toronto Yacht_ in 1805, casually. A boat puts off from her to the rescue of some persons in danger of drowning, near the Garrison at York, in November of that year. "On Sunday last, the 10th,"

says the _Gazette_ of Nov. 16th, 1805, "a boat from the River Credit for this place (York), containing four persons, and laden with salmon and country produce, overset near the Garrison, at the entrance of this harbour; and notwithstanding the most prompt a.s.sistance rendered by a boat from the _Toronto Yacht_, we are sorry to add that one person was unfortunately drowned, and a considerable part of the cargo lost." At this date, the _Toronto Yacht_ was under the command of Capt. Earl.