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.