1798 in Canada

• Monarch: George III{{cite web |title=Kings and Queens of Canada |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-family/kings-queens.html#e2 |website=aem |access-date=24 February 2021 |date=11 August 2017}}

• Parliament of Lower Canada: 2nd
• Parliament of Upper Canada: 2nd

• Governor of the Canadas: Robert Prescott
• Governor of New Brunswick: Thomas Carleton
• Governor of Nova Scotia: John Wentworth
• Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Elliot
• Governor of St. John's Island: Edmund Fanning
• Governor of Upper Canada: John Graves Simcoe

• David Thompson travels to Mandan villages and charts headwaters of Mississippi River.
• A new fur trading company is formed to compete with the North West Company. Confusingly called the New North West Company, it is nicknamed the XY Company later on. {{Cite web |title=Archives of Manitoba {{!}} Keystone Archives Descriptive Database |url=http://pam.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PAM_AUTHORITY/WEB_AUTH_DET_REP/HEADING%20%22XY%20Company%22?SESSIONSEARCH |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=pam.minisisinc.com |language=en}}{{Cite book |last1=Easterbrook |first1=W.T. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/9781442623279 |title=Canadian Economic History |last2=Aitken |first2=Hugh |date=1988-12-31 |pages=168 |doi=10.3138/9781442623279|isbn=9781442623279 }}
• Indian chiefs, in Canada, claim from Vermont an equivalent of the greater part of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties. They get their expenses to-and-fro.

• February 19 – Allan MacNab, businessman, soldier, lawyer and politician (died 1862)
• April 3 – Louis Lacoste, politician (died 1878)
• April 20 – William Edmond Logan, geologist (died 1875)
• April 26, – Charles-François Baillargeon, Archbishops of Quebec (died 1870)

• May 10 – George Vancouver, naval officer, explorer (b.1757)
• December 25 – Elias Hardy, lawyer and office-holder (b.1744)

• Esteban José Martínez Fernández y Martínez de la Sierra, naval officer (b.1742)

Commissioners fulfilling treaty between U.S.A. and Great Britain decide in favour of river claimed by G.B. as Maine-New Brunswick border"Rhode Island, Oct. 22," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268147 Num. 1752] (December 6, 1798), pg. 3. Accessed 26 February 2024

Rundown of treaties between European powers since 1648 Treaty of Westphalia provides background to current affairs and "vicissitudes of the year""Sketch of Europe," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268150 Num. 1755] (December 20, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 26 February 2024

"Let us exhibit the great fundamental of Masonry, as well as of all civil Society, our Love of Order" - sermon to Montreal Masons rejects revolutionJames Tunstall, [https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.61815/6 A Sermon, Preached on St. John's Day, before the Lodges (of) Ancient York Masons(....)] (1798). Accessed 21 February 2024

Gov. Prescott gives Executive Council directions for disposal of "waste lands," including preference for associated grant applicants seeking townships"2d," [https://fishercollections.library.utoronto.ca/islandora/object/broadsides%3ACAP00745 "Extract from the Minutes of Council(....)"] pgs. 4–5, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Accessed 28 February 2024

Convicted of burglary in Court of King's Bench (Criminal), Black woman named Elizabeth Baker is sentenced to death"Quebec, Thursday Morning April 5; At the same Session[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268086 Num. 1716] Cahier 1 (April 5, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 23 February 2024

Indigenous person is "convicted of an assault with intent to murder, and sentenced to six months imprisonment""Quebec, Wednesday September 27; Wakenhue, an Indian[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268131 Num. 1742] Cahier 1 (September 27, 1798), pg. 2. Accessed 26 February 2024

For assaulting wife with "intent to murder," man gets £25 fine, pillory, and 6 months in prison plus "security for his good behaviour for 2 Years""Quebec, Wednesday, March 28; Claude Triganne[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268084 Num. 1715] Cahier 1 (March 29, 1798), pg. 3. Accessed 23 February 2024

Book-lending service will send books to subscribers anywhere in L.C., and they may read latest newspapers in "well warmed room" at library"Circulating Library" (Quebec City, January 1, 1798), The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268059 Num. 1702] Cahier 1 (January 4, 1797), pg. 3. (See also [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268067 "Catalogue of Books for Sale"] (pg. 2)) Accessed 22 February 2024

First French settlers on St. Lawrence River were restricted by Intendant Picard to one can of spruce beer a day, causing them to say "Can-a-day!""Curious Etymology," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980817&printsec=frontpage Number 639] (August 17, 1798), pg. 1 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). Accessed 14 February 2024

Etching: Canadian calashIsaac Weld, [https://collections.musee-mccord-stewart.ca/en/objects/3701/caleche-canadienne-ou-marchedonc "Canadian Calash or Marche-Donc'"] (published December 22, 1798). Accessed 22 February 2024

Painting: sleighs on ice in winter view of St. Lawrence River at Quebec CityGeorge Heriot, [https://collections.musee-mccord-stewart.ca/en/objects/161272/vue-de-quebec-depuis-le-pont-pres-de-la-pointe-de-levy "View of Quebec taken from the Pont near Point Levi"] (March 1798). Accessed 22 February 2024

Noting his loyalty to British, Joseph Brant says their aim for ownership control of all Indigenous land seems "to put aside the old covenant chain"[https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/aj/id/17889/rec/43 "Speech to British Government Concerning Indian Land Claims, Niagara, March 25, 1798"] Wisconsin Historical Society. (See also Mississauga chiefs [https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/aj/id/17896/rec/38 renewing their promise] to consult Joseph Brant as "sole guardian of our nation") Accessed 28 February 2024

Black man Henry Lewis writes one-time enslaver that he wants to purchase his freedom in £16 annual payments, and begs his pardon 10,000 times[https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/slavery/henry_lewis.aspx Letter of Henry Lewis] (May 3, 1798), "Henry Lewis Seeking Freedom," Archives of Ontario. Accessed 28 February 2024

Adolphustown Quaker meeting reports people try "to keep[...]in plainness of Speech behavior and apparel" and avoid "unnessary [sic] use" of liquor"At a preparitive Meeting held at Adolphus Town this 26th of 9th mo 1798," [https://cfha.info/AdolphusO-2-1.pdf "Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes 1798–1813"] (frame 4), Canadian Friends Historical Association. Accessed 27 February 2024

"True British Spirit [of] the Parent country operates with resistless energy" in its dominions, causing Haligonians to raise £4,000+ for war effort"Halifax; May 15," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980515&printsec=frontpage No. 537] (May 15, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). (See also [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980522&printsec=frontpage list of subscribers] (pg. 3) and [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980605&printsec=frontpage meeting] (pg. 3 (3rd column)) in Cornwallis to assist "in repelling the ravages of the licentious, intoxicated rabble of France") Accessed 16 February 2024

Courteous visit by U.S. Navy ships to Halifax signals "a return of harmony and reciprocal friendship""Halifax, November 13; Sunday came up the Harbor[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17981113&printsec=frontpage No. 563] (November 13, 1798), pg. 3 (1st column). Accessed 20 February 2024

Rev. John Wiswall says war makes farming glebe difficult because of high price of labour (with so many men away) and other things (except grain)Letter of John Wiswall (October 29, 1798), [https://archives.acadiau.ca/node/869 Journal of Rev. John Wiswall] image 114, Esther Clark Wright and Atlantic Baptist Archives, Acadia University. Accessed 22 February 2024

Halifax emergency caused by "immense quantities of Snow [in] few days" cutting off food supplies is ended by citizen and army efforts"Halifax; February 27," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980227&printsec=frontpage No. 526] (February 27, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 15 February 2024

Resident aliens ("not being natural born Subjects[...]or Denizens, nor Persons duly Naturalized") are required to get special permit from government"Halifax; June 26," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980626&printsec=frontpage No. 543] (June 26, 1798), pg. 2 (1st column). Accessed 16 February 2024 (See also [https://archives.novascotia.ca/africanns/archives/?ID=57&Page=200402107 report of Alien Bill] to thwart "Emissarys [of] His Majestys Enemies," and [https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-12-02-0229 reference] (footnote 7) that France had agents in Lower Canada "to lay the groundwork for revolt")

"Hurricane" strikes Halifax, driving ships on shore, dragging away wharves with ships moored to them, and destroying stores containing merchanise"Halifax; October 2; On Tuesday last[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17981002&printsec=frontpage No. 557] (October 2, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 16 February 2024

Map: Halifax harbour, including approaches, Bedford Basin, and nearby communities (Note: north is at bottom of page)Thomas Backhouse, [https://archives.novascotia.ca/maps/archives/?ID=226 The Harbour of Halifax in Nova Scotia] (1798), Nova Scotia Archives. Accessed 21 February 2024

Having built house, storehouse, shipyard and 5 wharves on Sissiboo River, petitioner requests land for grist and sawmillJames Moody memorial, [https://archives.novascotia.ca/land-papers/archives/?ID=1815&Doc=memorial "Moody, James – 1798 – Digby County"] (April 16, 1798), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 21 February 2024

Where 1792 freshet shifted Truro channel, 50 acres of marshland created could be secured "with Proper Materials," to public's and petitioner's benefitDavid Archibald 3d [sic] memorial, [https://archives.novascotia.ca/land-papers/archives/?ID=1793&Doc=memorial "Archibald, David - 1798 - Colchester County"] (April 16, 1798), Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Accessed 21 February 2024

Castaways on Sable Island survive 3 winter months in hut with chimney that they cover and line with cloth from wreck, living on ship provisions"The St. John Gazette; St. John, Friday, February 16; Extract of a Letter[....]," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17970216&printsec=frontpage Number 613] (February 16, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). (See [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980302&printsec=frontpage further details] of rescue (Page 2 of 2, righthand page)) Accessed 12 February 2024

Lady Wentworth's departure leaves N.S. deprived of her high accomplishments and her mind "informed for instructive and pleasing conversation""Halifax; March 13; About 10 o'Clock[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980227&printsec=frontpage No. 528] (March 13, 1798), pg. 3 (4th column). (See [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullimagerecord.cgi?id=8967&level=3 John Wentworth letter] (pgs. 3–4) re his wife's and son's ill health) Accessed 15 February 2024

Young Dartmouth man, having "discovered an attachment to Miss Russel," enters her family home, and when stopped, kills her with butcher knife"Halifax; October 2; On Thursday evening[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17981002&printsec=frontpage No. 557] (October 2, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 16 February 2024

At Theatre Royal "will be Performed, A celebrated Comedy never performed here, called The Tempest, or the Inchanted Island""Theatre Royal," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17981009&printsec=frontpage No. 558] (October 9, 1798), pg. 3 (2nd column). Accessed 16 February 2024

Three turkey hens, one "of a very remarkable Large Size," are stolen in daylight from Prince Edward's Halifax quarters; 5 guinea reward"Five Guineas Reward" (April 17, 1798), The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. X, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980424&printsec=frontpage No. 534] (April 24, 1798), pg. 4 (1st column). Accessed 15 February 2024

Government extends suspension of controls on U.S. imports to allow in grains, flour etc. because of "public emergency and to prevent distress""By His Excellency Thomas Carleton[...]; A Proclamation" (June 25, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980911&printsec=frontpage Number 643] (September 11, 1798), pg. 1 of 2. Accessed 14 February 2024

No one in Saint John allowed to board ships from places with "Yellow Fever, Putrid Billious Fever" etc., with master paying £50 for each infraction"A Law for the more effectually guarding against the introduction of Infectious Distempers into the City of Saint John" (September 15, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980921&printsec=frontpage Number 64?] (September 21, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 3rd column). Accessed 14 February 2024

Saint John River flooding caused by ice breakup; 20+ French families have evacuated their homes above Fredericton; cattle, hay etc. are swept away"The St. John Gazette; St. John, Friday, April 20; We are sorry to learn[....]," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980420&printsec=frontpage Number 622] (April 20, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 2nd column). (See also [https://web.lib.unb.ca/winslow/fullrecord.cgi?id=1265&level=2 report] of scores of cattle lost, [https://ia801305.us.archive.org/12/items/winslowpapersad100raymuoft/winslowpapersad100raymuoft.pdf Edward Winslow's experience] of the flood (frame 439), and [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17981002&printsec=frontpage&hl=en report] of autumn flooding on N.B. rivers with many haystacks underwater) Accessed 13 February 2024

Fredericton church congregation petitions for "a Glebe and other publick grounds" such as land granted to two men but abandoned[https://preserve.lib.unb.ca/wayback/20141205202642/http://atlanticportal.hil.unb.ca/acva/blackloyalists/en/petitions/browse/view.php?id=Parish_Westfield_1798_02&mode=dpl "Memorial of the Church Wardens and Vestry of the Parish of Westfield, 8 February 1798(....)"] Black Loyalists in New Brunswick, 1783-1854. Accessed 21 February 2024

For sale: hull of ship lying on Sandy Island; has four 9-pounders, much merchandise and 40 tons of iron (ship is bolted where others have trunnels)"By His Excellency Thomas Carleton[...]; A Proclamation" (June 25, 1798), The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIV, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980911&printsec=frontpage Number 643] (September 11, 1798), pg. 1 of 2. Accessed 14 February 2024

"In the House of Commons April 3, Mr. Wilberforce moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the abolition of slavery; Ayes 83, Nays 87""Quebec, Tuesday June 12; In the House of Commons[....]," The Quebec Gazette, [https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4268102 Num. 1726] Cahier 2 (June 14, 1798), pg. 1. Accessed 23 February 2024

"Every virtuous man will rejoice to hear that a Negro standard is now floating" - Britain recognizes and will defend St. Domingo's independence"November 28; Interesting," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XIII, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17990308&printsec=frontpage Number 667] (March 8, 1799), pg. 2 of 2 (righthand page, 1st column). Accessed 4 March 2024

Saint John's Island becomes Prince Edward Island to stop its mail going to Saint John, N.B., St. John's, Newf. and "St. Johns on the Labrador Coast"[https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_01818/242 "An Act for altering and changing the name of this Island, from Saint John to that of Prince Edward Island"] Chap. I, "Anno Tricesimo Octavo Regis Georgii III; 1798," The Statutes at Large of Prince Edward Island (1834), pgs. 242-4. Accessed 12 February 2024

Hudson's Bay Company concerned that Canadian traders are in "the very heart of York & Severn Bungee Country," making two posts "great sufferers"Letter of J.P. Whitford (February 25, 1798), [https://pam.minisisinc.com/DIGITALOBJECTS/Access/HBCA%20Microfilm/1M256/B239-B-60.pdf "York Factory - Correspondence Book"] (frame 9). Accessed 27 February 2024

Moravians in Labrador find "some time is required before these poor heathen, so deeply sunk in the mire of sin, [truly accept] our Savior"Letter from Hopedale (August 20, 1798), Periodical Accounts Relating to the Missions of the Church of the United Brethren, Established among the Heathen, No. XXV, [https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_permorv/id/32532/rec/2 pg. 217] (frame 235), Memorial University of Newfoundland Digital Archives Initiative. Accessed 27 February 2024

"Admiral Nelson, in consequence of the loss of his arm, is to return from actual service" and go on rear admirals' superannuated list"London Sept. 12," The St. John Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Volume XII, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QhmGFXoqNHAC&dat=17980105&printsec=frontpage Number 607] (January 5, 1798), pg. 2 of 2 (lefthand page, 4th column). (See later newspaper issues with news of Nelson's active duty) Accessed 12 February 2024

France's gathering invasion force includes 50 "Philosophers [who] are to be furnished with instruments[...]for making discoveries" in Britain"Halifax; June 26; The French are preparing[....]," The Royal Gazette, and the Nova-Scotia Advertiser, Vol. IX, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=YFjsv_pBGBYC&dat=17980626&printsec=frontpage No. 543] (June 26, 1798), pg. 3 (3rd column). Accessed 16 February 2024

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