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In this old post office may be seen, framed, William Lyon Mackenzie's declaration of "Independence," 1837; an address to the free and independent electors of the Counties of Durham, Simcoe, and the East riding of the County of York; another, bearing the date: "York, 14th July, 1800. Signed Wm. Jarvis," and other mementoes of historic interest.

While Sir William Mulock was in charge of the Post Office Department of Canada, the annual deficit, of which there had been a series, became an annual surplus, and this notwithstanding a reduced postage rate and Imperial penny postage.

Churches at Richmond Hill.

The frame of the first Presbyterian church was raised in the month of July, 1819, when a large gathering of the inhabitants of the village and surrounding country were assisting at "the raising.' At noon, on the day of the gathering, the Duke of Richmond with his suite, stopped in the village, then known as "Mount Pleasant, " to dine, as he was on his way to Penetanguishene. In honor of the Duke's visit, the inhabitants decided to change the name from Mount Pleasant to that of "Richmond Hill." The church was completed in 1821. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Jenkins. The present brick church was erected in 1880.

The first Methodist church was a frame building, erected in 1847; the first person to hold service in it was a Mr. Robert Campbell, a devout local preacher. That building was destroyed by fire on 21st December, 1879. In 1881, the present brick edifice was erected on the corner of Yonge and Centre street.

The first Roman Catholic church was a frame building, erected on Mill street, in 1858; pastor, the Rev. Father McNulty. This building was taken down, after thirty-six years, and the foundation of a brick church was laid on another site on Yonge street, on 17th June, 1894; it was completed and blessed by Archbishop Walsh on 25th November following as "St. Mary's."

The first Anglican congregation assembled for divine service in a public hall, fitted for the purpose; it was served by the Rev. D. Blake, of Thornhill. The building was damaged by fire, but subsequently was repaired and services resumed. In 1870 a brick church was erected on a new site on the west side of Yonge street; pastor, Rev. R. Shanklin.

In

Schools.-The first school house of which there is any record, is "the old log school house," which served its purpose as early as 1810. 1847, a brick building was erected on the old school site; additions have been erected as circumstances required. A "grammar school" was established in 1852, Mr. W. Clark being the first master.

Postscript.-Richmond Hill became dry about three years ago (1906), having passed a By-law in favor of "local option." In earlier times, thirsty folk had a choice of four taverns within the village limits. From Toronto to Holland Landing, a distance of thirty-two miles, in the early fifties, there were over sixty-five such places of entertainment.

II.

SOME UNPUBLISHED LETTERS FROM GENERAL BROCK.

Introductory Note.

The following letters from Brock have never been printed and seem to have escaped the notice of all his biographers. Those written from Fort George at Niagara were addressed to Major (afterwards Lieut. Colonel) James Green, Military Secretary to Lieut. General Peter Hunter, who was Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 17th of August, 1799, until his death, which took place at Quebec on the 21st of August, 1805. Their interest is mainly personal. Soon after his return from England in the summer of 1806, Brock succeeded to the command of the military forces in Canada, vacated by the departure of Colonel G. Foord Bowes. The letters addressed to the Hon. Thomas Dunn and Lieut. Governor Gore and the instructions to Lieut Colonel Pye were written while exercising this command under the apprehension of imminent hostilities with the United States arising out of the attack on the Chesapeake. They throw considerable light on the military situation at that time and his scheme of defence. The original or official copies of all these documents are preserved in the Dominion Archives at Ottawa.

Calgary, Alberta, 6th Sept., 1909.

E. A. CRUIKSHANK

From Lt. Col. Brock to Major Green.

Fort George, October 26th, 1803.

Sir:

You will find enclosed the papers respecting the lots granted to Messrs. W. & J. Crooks and Mr. Forsyth, signed and corrected in the manner directed in your letter.

I found the garrison on my arrival in the same quiet state as when I left it.

The Camden has arrived at Fort Erie by which Lt. Colonel Vincent has announced the desertion of three men of his detachment. These are disagreeable events which in our present situation we must submit to with patience. They were three fine lads, had been six years in the Regiment, and one (Walsh) was Captain Harris's servant. It's really difficult to determine upon whom to place confidence

Since writing the above the desertion of two men is reported from Chippawa

(C. 513, Pp. 98-9.)

Dear Major:

From Lt. Col. Brock to Major Green.

Fort George, November 27th, 1803.

Mr. Burch sent me the packet of letters with which he was entrusted four or five days later than I was made to expect to get it, however, no opportunity offered for Amherstburg, it did not much signify. Enclosed I return agreeably to your desire the letters addressed to Lt. Colonel Vincent and Captain Clerk.

The Indian express only got here yesterday. I beg you will offer the General my grateful thanks in sanctioning my taking a rope from the store. The net has not been idle, though we cannot boast of much success, and it is so mierably rotten that every haul is sure to create considerable expense. Skinner will have charge of a few white fish but I am told the latter has not yet arrived to perfection.

The Adjutant has been directed to write to Captain Harris to wait on General Hunter with my best respects for his permission to send the drummers to Fort George.

I am sorry beyond expression to state that Captain Dennis was the day before yesterday so very ill as to leave very little chance of his recovery. Besides the great loss which the 49th unquestionably will sustain by his death, it will produce a certain dread on the minds of the ladies and make them particularly apprehensive when they engage in a matrimonial scheme with any individual of the Regiment when they learn that those who made the experiment were left to lament their fate. It seems to be decreed for some unknown sin that an officer of the corps seals his early death at the time he bestows his hand and heart on a female. As you esteem us you will keep this fatal secret locked up in the utmost recess of your heart. Hum!!!

You must see I have nothing official to say after reading this nonsensical digression. Believe me in which I include friend Carry.

(P.S.)-Since writing I have seen your note to Captain Claus to whom I have given the letters for Amherstburg and St. Joseph's to be forwarded by the first opportunity. I shall thank you to forward the enclosed to its address.

(C. 513, Pp. 111-3.)

Sir :

From Lt. Col. Brock to Major Green.

Fort George, December 22nd, 1803.

I have the honor to inform you that in consequence of receiving intelligence of the arrival at Newark of a young man who was suspected of being a Frenchman, I thought necessary to question him on the subject

and found that he was born at St. Domingo and had come into this country as clerk to Mr. Wilson. This gentleman, it appears, is an Englishman, but has for a long time been employed by the Americans as a commissary or in some such other office. Three of his clerks have come in here in charge of a large assortment of goods with which he proposes to establish a store at this place, Presqu'ile, and Detroit. Houmon, of whom I wish to speak, is one of these. His Excellency will naturally believe from what I have said that I entertain too great apprehensions in regard to any mischief this young man would commit, but, notwithstanding, I conceived it my duty to call on the magistrates to summon this foreigner before them in order that his real object for coming to this country might be formally investigated, in the hope some slight restraint might be put to his going at large until he obtained His Excellency's permission.

This was done on my part with a view of convincing all Frenchmen they were liable to interruption in case they presumed to enter the Province without a regular passport. I was, however, greatly disappointed by being told by Messrs. Hamilton, Kerr, and Edwards that no power rested with them to summon a stranger of whatever nation he might belong unless accused of a specific charge in breach of the law. This doctrine, which appears to me so very strange, I think it is my duty to lay before His Excellency that he may know the sentiments of the principal magistrates in regard to a point which I cannot avoid considering at this juncture of the utmost importance.

These gentlemen say that since the expiration of the Alien Bill there is no law which authorizes a magistrate to take cognizance, much less obstruct a Frenchman coming into this country.

I have inadvertently turned this sheet, but as time will not permit my copying it, have the goodness to excuse the accident.

(C. 14, Pp. 130-1.)

Dear Major:

From Lt. Col. Brock to Major Green.

Fort George, December 22nd, 1803.

The vessels which I informed you had arrived at Fort Erie with an intention of returning this season to Amherstburg have since given up the idea. What renders the disappointment particularly distressing is that the post which left this last Saturday for Amherstburg is gone without taking any of the letters which I had in charge for that post. This was owing to the neglect of the postmaster, Mr. Edwards, who gave no public notice of the day on which the mail would be made up, and who, I suppose, conceived it beneath his dignity to give me the least intimation on the subject. I am very happy in being able to say that the men of this garrison behave with uncommon propriety. I trust in

God they may long continue in the same disposition. The commander of the American vessel, Adams, a blunt, disgusting fellow who commands on Lake Erie, represented to me the other day that three or four soldiers of that nation who were doing duty on board his vessel, having deserted, were immediately received on board the Camden. He therefore wished to know whether it was our intention to countenance such a proceeding.

Without giving him any direct answer to his enquiries, I was so very attentive and polite that he left me seeming highly satisfied. I, however, think proper to mention the circumstance. He observed in the course of conversation that if we could find no method of procuring men for our vessels but by distressing his government, he would be under the necessity of retaliating. The Engineer is getting on pretty fast with the different works which he has to finish during the winter. My letters from England are of an old date; your kind communications were therefore very gratifying. Colonel Sheaffe observed that he had received a letter from the Duke of Northumberland, who was busily employed in training 1500 of his tenantry whom he had armed and clothed at his own expense and given the command of them to his son, the gallant Percy. It is pleasing to hear of the exertions of men of such amazing influence, as their energy must diffuse itself to all around. I now look upon England as placed beyond a possibility of danger.

The Major White, whom you mention in your letter, was, if I mistake not, adjutant of the 32nd. In that case he was an officer esteemed to possess great military merit.

I

We are at a loss what to allow the field officers who have been deprived of their companies. They are certainly entitled to more than the twenty pounds which the order mentions, as it states they are to be allowed the same as captains, but what that is, it is difficult to decide. shall thank you, since the charge must be made in this month's pay list, to give me what insight you are able on the subject. Doctor Walsh, it should appear, has taken his abode for the winter at Montreal to the extreme inconvenience of poor Buchanan, who having lately lost his wife, would be happy to go to the assistance of three infant children. I shall try to prevail on the Indians to take charge of a few fish which are now coming in tolerably plentiful. With every sentiment of respect to the General and kind remembrances to Carry, I remain.

(C. 513, Pp. 114-6.)

Sir:

From Lt. Col. Brock to Major Green.

Fort George, December 31st, 1803.

In consequence of the directions contained in your letter of the 28th instant, the Frenchman, Simon Hamot, and not Houmon, as I first wrote it, has been ordered to quit the province. It now appears from his own

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