Du Calvet Pierre
Under the French regime engaged in the fur trade,
and, having acquired considerable wealth, remained in the colony after
the conquest. In 1764 made a magistrate and justice of the peace.
Vigorously opposed an ordinance of 1770 regulating the administration of
justice, and on several subsequent occasions clashed with the executive
authority. Suspected by Haldimand of having been in secret
correspondence with the United
tates, and arrested in September, 1780;
from November, 1780, to May, 1783, kept in confinement without the
opportunity of a legal trial. In 1784 went to England, where he
denounced Haldimand and sought redress before the British ministry. In
this connection published an "Appel a la Justice de l'Etat," setting
forth his personal grievances, but concluding with a carefully prepared
plan of government, which was considered as the basis for that adopted
in the Constitutional Act of 1791. Complaints were not favourably
received, and returned to Canada. In March, 1786, left New York for
London on board the Shelburne, which is supposed to have been lost
with all on board. =Index=: (Sir Frederick Haldimand era) Arrested on suspicion of treason,
279-280; evidence against, 281; his resentment against Haldimand, 282;
being released, enters action against him, 283; his memorial to Lord
Sydney, 284-288; his misstatements, 288; supported in his action against
Haldimand by Maseres, 290; demands a Legislative Assembly and the
Habeas Corpus Act, 291; drowned at sea, 292; praised by Frechette,
292; blames Mabane for ill will of Haldimand, 305; serves writ against
Haldimand, 310. =Bib.=: Morgan, Cel. Can.; Cyc. Am. Biog.; Shortt
and Doughty, Constitutional Documents of Canada. For full titles of
his Appel a la Justice de l'Etat, and The Case of Pierre Du Calvet,
see Morgan, Bib. Can. See also Haldimand, Sir Frederick.