Greetings All!
Seems there is finally some real interest in the "War To End Once and For
All, Any Remaining Vestiges of British Aggression in North America"
Just made that up. Pretty good, no?
If you travel above the US/Canada border, you find a vastly different point
of view with respect to the Patriot War. I find I can draw many parallels
between the Patriot War of Canada and our own Civil War. Just like the
Civil War being known by names as varied as "the "War between The States"
to "War of Northern Aggression" depending on where the speaker's loyalties
and loves reside, so is the situation in Canada with respect to the
"unpleasentries of 1838". Having recently toured Fort George at Niagara on
the Lake, Ontario, as a U.S. citizen I was quite surprised to learn that
the U.S.A was the aggressor in the War of 1812 and that the reason we went
to war was to conquer the Canadian territories for our own use. Obviously
we were valiantly repulsed by the citizenry. Hmmm. Seems I remember
something about British impressment of American citizens on the high seas
that had something
to do with that disagreement, but that was conveniently left out of the
informational materials at the fort. I guess it makes sense to them that
the fledgling U.S.A. would choose to take on the most powerful country of
that era just because we wanted to wrestle Canada from them. My point?
In learning about any historical period, the information available is
slanted with respect to the sympathies of the creator. As a result,
sometimes you must dig deep in several places to learn what is most likely
the whole truth.
My interest is and has been for some time, specifically the life and times
of a greatly misunderstood and maligned man, Pirate William "Bill" Johnston.
For nearly a decade I have endeavored to try and find a living direct
descendant. My Don Quixote type quest! Lots of "almost" and false leads.
Close, but still no cigar.
I'm willing to accept any help anyone out there wants to offer. It's
impossible
to learn much about this man without also learning about the Patriot War.
So I have acquired a bit of knowledge on the subject that I am happy to
share.
Co-incidentally, I have recently begun correspondence with a gentleman who I
believe is likely a descendant of one of the pirate's brothers. He knowing
little about his ancestor, I have been sending him a bit of biographical
materials via email. Since there seems to be an interest, with but a few
changes, I shall post to these groups, also. That said,
Voila!
The mid to late 1830s were a time of huge troubles for our northern
neighbor. Politically the country was fractured in many different ways,
among them were language, political, religious and economic lines. These
wounds still festered through the 1800s. Seems there was always some kind
of upheaval up there.
One can see many parallels with the time leading up to our revolution.
Inflation, discord, religious persecution, distrust, hard times, excess
taxation, no representation, rights ignored and grievances ridiculed.
England learned nothing from our nation leaving the fold. Being one of the
few "powers" in the world at the time, you might say they were the "super
power" of that era. With respect to those that she governed, she
maintained
heavy emphasis on the "power" and never acted very "super". Ask the
Irish.
For that matter, ask the majority of people now living in almost any
possession they ever held. This may shock many but due to their varied past
indiscretions toward mankind, I consider the government of England
historically to be no better than that of Nazi Germany or Communist Russia.
But, I
digress.
In Canada the power was held by a very few, all appointed and supported by
the crown. Those few took care of themselves and their own. It seems
that whenever they did try to solve some of the social ills, their
incompetence only exacerbated the problems. Once everyone is pitted against
someone else, progress and conciliation dies. I fear for this country right
now and our new found politics of distrust & envy nurtured so well by the
Clintonions.
See "The Family Compact" for more details on Canada at the time.
Due to the selfish economic decisions of those then in power, inflation was
at an all time high. Refugees by the thousands were pouring across the
border into the United States, especially those of Irish descent.
Religious persecution by those known as the "Orangemen" was
brutal toward the French speaking Catholics in "Lower Canada" and the Irish
Catholics in "Upper Canada". Much was made of disputes over land. The
"gummmint" routinely confiscated lands owned by the Catholic Church which
long after the Patriot movement died out was still a major bone of
contention. While at the same time the government insisted on taxing all
the people to support the Church of
England. Irrespective of religion, those citizens that were not following
the "party line" in Upper Canada were treated with equal abuse. For a great
commentary of the times, written by descendants who somehow actually have
pride in such division, I suggest you check out:
http://members.tripod.com/~Roughian/index.html
(especially "Stories and Articles" Don't miss the write up on
William Lyon Mackenzie)
http://members.tripod.com/~Roughian/index-9.html
Frankly, I need not write any more on that subject. They indite themselves
by their own
words.
So voting was a right but secret ballot was not permitted. If you voted
your conscience, all your "Orangemen " or Loyalist" neighbors knew it.
Citizens had a right to vote their choice to seats in legislative type
branches, only to see those choices forcibly removed by the British backed
powers. Mackenzie was voted back into office a number of times by the
people after being expelled by representatives of the crown! Reform was a
dirty word. Those legislative bodies could petition,or ask, or suggest, but
had no real power. Sound familiar? I believe the same situation existed
in the "Crown Colonies" and the appointed governor had similar powers. Did
we not ask for our grievances to be redressed and were not such advances
ridiculed before we finally took up arms?
Worse yet, the prejudices were so strong that when brute force was used
against the reformers, the powers simply stood by and let it happen.
Reminds me of our south and the appalling things done to blacks prior to the
sixties.
In the north, the French Canadians in Lower Canada revolted under Pompineau.
It was
literally pitchfork carrying farmers up against armed militia. Obviously
the reformers were routed. Anyone who was even suspected of supporting the
reformers was then rounded up by the government. Accusations of treason,
with subsequent death penalties or banishment to such places as Van Damiens
Island were common. Did I mention the crime of treason always got your
"lands and properties" confiscated by the state? In Upper Canada the same
things began to happen and Mackenzie was forced to retreat to the US side of
the border at Buffalo. Only difference was that Mackenzie supporters were
better armed. Skirmishes occurred in the Toronto area between his supporters
and British regulars. Pompineau also escaped to the U.S. In later years
pardons were issued and Mackenzie again became active in Canada politics.
This message is getting too long!
To be continued.
Jim Eagan