Events from the year 1777 in Canada.
| |||||
Decades: |
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
See also: |
Detailed strategy for British invasion via Lake Champlain includes comment that it's "a mistaken Idea of Humanity" not to employ Indigenous fighters[2]
Garrisons, military stores, cantonments: Gen. Burgoyne on how invasion of eastern New York should be arranged in Canada (Note: "savages" used)[3]
United States willing to conquer Britain's possessions jointly with France, giving U.S. Canada and Atlantic colonies plus half of Newfoundland fishery[4]
"Aukwark (sic), ignorant, disinclined to the service, and spiritless" - On arrival, Burgoyne finds some Canadian troops not ready for duty[5]
Burgoyne's orders to invasion army warn that enemy "is well fitted by disposition and practice for the stratagems and enterprizes of little war"[6]
Burgoyne tells Indigenous allies on Boquet River that they must not shed blood after battle or harm prisoners or civilians or scalp any but corpses[7]
Estimating size of Burgoyne's army, Alexander Hamilton assumes troops guarding Canada are not Canadians, "many of whom are notoriously disaffected"[8]
Oneidas and "Caghnawagas from Canada" tell Gen. Schuyler that "Missesaques, Hurons & Chippeways" are with John Johnson (Note: "savages" used)[9]
Failed Fort Stanwix siege and Oriskany battle report mentions allied "chiefs Joseph and Bull," Indigenous impetuousness, and Mississaugas' "slackness"[10]
Burgoyne blames his failure in part on "the total defection of the Indians [and] the desertion or timidity of the Canadians and Provincials"[11]
Gov. Carleton reports "turbulent Faction" is behind independence movement, but "Noblesse, Clergy, and [much] of the Bourgeoisie" help restore order[12]
All men 16 to 60 must serve in Quebec militia and can be penalized for refusal, absence, or disobedience; some over 60 must supply carts and sleighs[13]
"For the speedy administration of justice" - Quebec governor and council set up civil and criminal courts[14]
Quebec ordinance prohibits selling rum and other strong liquor to Indigenous people, buying their clothes and arms, and unlicenced trading with them[15]
Proclamation prohibits export of livestock, grain, flour or "bisquit[...]until it can be exactly ascertained whether [it] may be with safety permitted"[16]
Quebec City regulations require owners to clean street in front of their buildings weekly, and prohibit on-street slaughtering and other nuisances[17]
In Quebec City, "a Piece of Rock fell from the Ramparts over Sault-au-matelot Street, forced its Way through a Stable and killed two Horses therein"[18]
Alexander Simpson of lower town Quebec City seeks return of "A Panese woman named Mary Ann" and offers 40 shilling reward[19]
"M. Crofton has taken a House[...]where she proposes keeping a School for young Ladies, little Girls, and such little Boys as wear petticoats"[20]
£4 reward offered for "a Negro man called Bruce[...]since absconded" and suspected of break and enter and theft of "a great quantity of Liquors" etc.[21]
Gazette printer William Brown offers $4 reward for capture of "A Negro Lad named Joe, born in Africa, about twenty years of age"[22]
Call for contractors to supply firewood to these garrisons: Quebec City (4,000 cords annually), Montreal (2,000), Trois-Rivières (1,000), Chambly (600)[23]
Benjamin Marston arrives in Halifax after months of detention in Boston, happy to see his Eliza and hoping "to be able to provide for that dearest Girl"[24]
Nova Scotia JPs to set "Artificers and Labourers" wages, "taking into Consideration the Circumstances of the Times and Prices of Provisions"[25]
Concealing "any Stranger or idle wandering Person" can bring fine of £10-20 or 2-4 months in jail, and £40 or 1 year in jail for advising desertion[26]
Backed by light infantry, Nova Scotia Council member convinces all along Saint John River (including Indigenous people) to take loyalty oath[27]
In engagement west of Cape Sable, HMS Flora (its crew of "brave British Tars" out-numbered 4 to 1) retakes Royal Navy man of war from two privateers[28]
Despite Royal Navy protection of Newfoundland trade, London believes Boston's "fleet of privateers" wants to take many ships and destroy rest[29]
Colonies should not have access to Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, which employ artificers, shippers and poor people of Britain and Ireland[30]
After Royal Navy convoy commander improperly presses one of his crew and fails to shepherd ships, George Cartwright sails alone in privateer zone[31]
"Young fool of a deer caught at last" - When Cartwright's "poor Indian boy Jack" steps on deer trap, Cartwright is fortunately there to release him[32]
Map: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador south coast and Gulf of St. Lawrence islands (with numerous rivers and fishing banks)[33]