Rebellion Of 1837 In Lower Canada

The culmination of a long

agitation, on the part of the French-Canadians, for a larger measure of

popular government. The older and more experienced of their leaders

refused to overstep the bounds of constitutional agitation; but

Papineau, Wolfred Nelson, and a few more hot-headed enthusiasts

determined to resort to armed rebellion. A series of violent speeches

and demonstrations, in the summer and autumn of 1837, in w ich Papineau

was the central figure, led to incipient riots in Montreal and

elsewhere, and the decision of the authorities to arrest Papineau blew

the smouldering embers into a fierce blaze. Nelson and Brown gathered

their followers together at St. Denis and St. Charles on the Richelieu,

and Colonel Gore and Colonel Wetherall were sent to disperse them.

Shortly after, Amury Girod raised the flag of revolt at St. Eustache,

and Sir John Colborne led a force against him. In every case the rebels

were dispersed. Papineau, Nelson, Brown, and the other leaders fled.

Papineau and Brown escaped over the border. The others were captured and

exiled to Bermuda. The next year Robert Nelson and Dr. Cote made a final

attempt at Napierville. Nelson managed to escape, but his misguided

followers were captured, twelve executed, and eighty-seven transported

to Australia. =Index=: (Sir Georges E. Cartier era) Responsibility of the government for, 2;

Cartier's part in, 7; defence of, 9-10; the aftermath, 11; suspension of

the constitution of 1791, 11; origin of, 121-122. (Lord Sydenham era) In Lower Canada,

57. (George Brown Era) Attributed by Durham to racial animosity, 11; his remedy, 12.

(Louis Joseph Papineau era) Responsibility of the bureaucrats for, 24-25; street fights in

Montreal, 127; Demaray and Davignon arrested, and rescued by Bonaventure

Viger and party of Patriotes, 128; rebels gather at St. Denis and St.

Charles, 128; Colonel Gore's expedition up the Richelieu, and Colonel

Wetherall's against St. Charles, 128-132; the fight at St. Denis,

130-132; at St. Charles, 133; death of Lieutenant Weir, 134; the fight

at St. Eustache, 135-137; leaders sent into exile, 138-139; outbreak of

1838 crushed, 139-141; causes of the Rebellion, 143-161; O'Callaghan's

version, 146-149; Bouchette's views, 149-153. (Baldwin / La Fontaine / Hincks era) Papineau's connection

with, 45-46; history of, 45-49; its lessons, 51; general pardon,

287-288. (Mackenzie / Selkirk / Simpson era) Governor Simpson and Hudson's Bay Company influence

strongly against Papineau, 243. (Joseph Howe era) Its effect on popular party in Nova

Scotia, 49. (Lord Elgin era) Its causes, 17-21; Durham on, 18, 25-26; aftermath of

the Rebellion, 62-63; contrasted with the disturbances of 1849, 75-76;

spirit of its leaders, 91-92. (Sir John A Macdonald era) Cartier involved in, 7; takes

advantage of amnesty, 7; passions kindled by, 13; and responsible

government, 23. See also Ninety-Two Resolutions; Papineau; Nelson;

Rebellion Losses Bill. =Bib.=: Christie, History of Lower Canada;

Kingsford, History of Canada; Carrier, Les Evenements de 1837-1838;

David, Les Patriotes de 1837; Globensky, La Rebellion de 1837;

Theller, Canada in 1837-38.