Rebellion Of 1837 In Upper Canada

Almost the exact counterpart of the

revolt in the lower province. The leaders here were William Lyon

Mackenzie, Samuel Lount, Van Egmond, and Rolph. The plan was to march

upon Toronto, seize the city, and proclaim a republic. This was early in

December. On the night of the 5th, the insurgents marched on the city,

were met on the outskirts by a small body of Loyalists, and

ignominiously fled. The following day, having g ined reinforcements,

they made a stand at Montgomery's tavern, and were completely routed by

the militia under MacNab. Mackenzie, Lount, and Rolph made their escape.

Lount was afterwards captured, tried, and hanged. Spasmodic efforts were

made in this and the following years, with the aid of American

sympathizers, to keep the Rebellion alive, but the movement had no

serious support in Canada, and in every case ended in disaster to the

rebels. =Index=: (William Lyon Mackenzie era) Excuses for, 12; history of, 12-13; Globe

justifies, 13; J. S. Willison's view, 14; Lord Durham on the power of

rebellion, 14, 15; Lord Dalling and Bulwer on, 15, 16; Goldwin Smith's

view, 18, 27; how far justified, 23, 24; Edward Blake on, 26-27;

Chamberlain's view of, 28-30; Laurier's view of, 30, 31; "first low

murmur of insurrection," 300. (George Brown Era) Attributed by Durham to ascendancy of

Family Compact, 11. (Mackenzie / Selkirk / Simpson era) Responsibility of Family Compact, 242; Hudson's

Bay Company influence supports government, 242. (Baldwin / La Fontaine / Hincks era) Mackenzie's and

Rolph's connection with, 43-45; Van Egmond leads rebel forces, 43;

attack planned at Toronto, 43; rebels gather at Montgomery's tavern,

43; and are dispersed by loyal troops under MacNab, 44; Baldwin's and

Lount's connection with, 44-45; general pardon, 287-288. (Lord Elgin era) Its causes,

17, 18-21; the Sherwoods and Sir Allan MacNab take a conspicuous part in

suppressing, 31; aftermath of, 62-63; contrasted with disturbances of

1849, 75-76; spirit of its leaders, 91-92. (Egerton Ryerson era) Mentioned, 113, 143. (Sir John A Macdonald era)

Militia and volunteers called out, 7; John A. Macdonald serves at

Toronto, 7; trial of Von Schoultz, 8-9; passions kindled by, 13; and

responsible government, 23. See also W. L. Mackenzie; Rolph; Lount;

Grievances. =Bib.=: Dent, Upper Canadian Rebellion; Head, Narrative;

King, Other Side of the Story; Ryerson, Affairs of the Canadas;

Glenelg, Despatches to Sir F. B. Head; Read, Rebellion of 1837;

Lizars, Humours of '37.