The Journal of Negro History
Chapter 270 : Note. If apprehended at Quebec, apply to Mr. Wm. Laing, Merchant, or to the subscriber

Note. If apprehended at Quebec, apply to Mr. Wm. Laing, Merchant, or to the subscriber at Montreal.

(Signed) JOHN MITTLEBERGER.

MONTREAL, 4th July, 1782.

_Quebec Gazette_ 1782.

Ran Away from the subscriber, on Thursday evening the 21st instant, an Apprentice Boy named JOSEPH POWERS, a Shoemaker, about fifteen years of age, of a fair complexion short hair, speaks English and French, had on when he went away a Blanket Coat, light blue Waistcoat and Breeches very dirty, a Check s.h.i.+rt much wore, a round Hat, and a pair of Slippers: this is to give notice to the public that they are not to harbour the said Apprentice in their houses or families, otherwise they will be prosecuted as the law directs.

ALEXR. WALLACE.

QUEBEC, November 27, 1782.

--_Quebec Gazette_, 1782.

Ran-Away from the Printing-Office, On Monday night last, an Apprentice Lad named Duncan M'Donell, about 19 years of age, about five feet five inches high, of a fresh complexion; speaks English, French and Erse: all persons are hereby forwarn'd from harbouring him, as they may depend on being prosecuted to the utmost rigour of the Law, and whoever will bring him back shall have One Guinea Reward from the

PRINTER.

QUEBEC, April 17, 1783.

--_Quebec Gazette_, 1783.

TO BE SOLD.

A NEGRO WENCH about 18 years of age, who came lately from New York with the Loyalists. She has had the Small Pox--The Wench has a good character and is exposed to sale only from the owner having no use for her at present.

Likewise will be disposed of a handsome Bay Mare.

For particulars enquire of the Printer.

--_Quebec Gazette_, 1783.

A Gentleman going to England has for sale, a Negro-wench, with her child, about 26 years of age, who understands thoroughly every kind of house-work, particularly was.h.i.+ng and cookery: And a stout Negro--boy, 13 years old: Also a good horse, cariole and harness. For particulars enquire at Mr. William Roxburgh's Upper-town, Quebec, 10th May, 1785.

--_Quebec Gazette_, 1785.

To be SOLD together.

A Handsome Negro Man and a beautiful Negro Woman married to one another: the man from twenty-three to twenty-four years of age, between five and a half and six English feet high: the woman from twenty-two to twenty-three years of age; both of a good const.i.tution. For further information, such as may be desirous of purchasing them must apply to Mr. Pinguet, in the Lower-town of Quebec, Merchant.

--_Quebec Gazette_, 1788.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Canadian Archives_, B. 163, p. 258: _ibid._, B. 163, p. 324.

[2] _Ibid._, B. 163, p. 258.

[3] As Britain kept possession of Detroit until 1796, many United Empire Loyalists settled on the west side of the river at that point.

A few remained on the east side of the Niagara River as Fort Niagara was held in the same way.

[4] _Canadian Archives_, B. 168, p. 42.

Different detachments of disbanded regulars on Tp. 5 Cataraqui, detachment of Germans under Baron Kritzenstein on Tp. 5 Cataraqui and Rangers of 6 Nations Department settled with the Mohawks on Bay of Quinte return no servants. _Canadian Archives_, B. 168, p. 42. Report dated Montreal, July 1, 1784.

[5] _Canadian Archives_, B. 168, pp. 44, 47, 48, 51, 55, 61, 63, 67, 68, 71, 77, September, 1784. See also B. 168, pp. 81, 88, 92, 95, 99, 100, 101, 102. These may be found in the Report for 1891 of the _Canadian Archives_ Department, pp. 5-20.

[6] _Ibid._, B. 169, p. 1. There is a column for "Male Slaves" and one for "Female Slaves." Thomas McMicken has the proud monopoly, he had one male slave. The other fifteen householders had none. But then he had 20 hogs to look after and no one else had more than 14; most many fewer.

[7] _Canadian Archives_, B. 225, 2. p. 406. Ma.s.sicotte B. R. H. _ut supra_.

[8] Lafontaine _ut supra_, pp. 21, 22.

[9] Those in the text are taken from Mr. Ma.s.sicotte's Article B. R. H.

_ut supra_. The letter of Campbell is _Can. Arch._, B. 162, p. 351.

That of Doty, _ibid._, p. 365: the Report is _ibid._, p. 385.

[10] In a letter from Henry Hope, Lieutenant-Governor dated Quebec, November 6, 1786, to Captain Enys, 29th Reg't., we read:

"I am by desire of His Excellency the Commander in Chief (Lord Dorchester) to require that no negro slaves shall be permitted on any account to pa.s.s into this Province by the Post under your command."

[11] Lafontaine _ut supra_, pp. 22, 23, 24, 44, 45, 46. _Le Monde Ill.u.s.tre_ December 9, 1893. Ma.s.sicotte, _Bulletin des Recherches Historiques_ for November, 1918, pp. 348 sqq.

[12] Lafontaine _ut supra_, p. 43. The advertis.e.m.e.nts spoken of are on p. 21.

[13] _Can. Arch._, B. 217, p. 397. What if anything was done on the pet.i.tion does not appear.

[14] (1790) 30 George III, c. 27.

[15] The division of the Province of Quebec into two provinces, that is, Upper Canada and Lower Canada, was effected by the royal prerogative, Sec. 31, George III, c. 31, the celebrated Const.i.tutional Act of Canada. Technically and in law, the new province was formed by Order in Council, August 24, 1791, but there was no change in administration until December 26, 1791.

[16] These I owe to the kindness of the officers of the Canadian Archives Department of Ottawa.

CHAPTER IV

LOWER CANADA

The Province of Lower Canada continued the former law--in criminal matters, the English law, in civil matters the French law. It was not long before the status of the slave became a burning issue. At the first session of the first Parliament[1] of the new Province Lower Canada, Mr. P. L. Panet, a member of the House of a.s.sembly, moved (January 28, 1793) for leave to introduce a bill for the abolition of slavery in the province and leave was unanimously given. On the twenty-sixth of February, Panet introduced a bill pursuant to leave given, and it was read in French and in English. On the eighth of March, Mr. B. Panet proposed the first reading of the bill and it was so read. On the nineteenth of April Mr. P. L. Panet moved that the bill be taken into consideration by the Committee of the Whole on the following Tuesday. The motion was debated and Mr. Debonne moved an amendment to table the bill, which was carried 31 to 3.[2] There was no further effort toward legislative dealing with slavery until 1799.[3]