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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract from a letter describing the economic plight of Canadians in Montreal after France's bankruptcy, rendering their remittances worthless and leading to poverty; they welcome British rule for property security, contrasting past abuses by Governor Vaudreuil. Also notes on the town's architecture, hospital, and residents' lavish dress.
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Extract of a Letter from Montreal.
The Case of the poor Canadians is really deplorable, occasioned by the bankruptcy of the crown of France. Many of them who had, with great danger and labour, acquired estates worth 20,000 l. sterling by the fur trade, or otherwise, can now scarce procure a dinner. All their remittances from their mother country, consisted in bills on the French King which are not now worth one farthing, as no body whatever will accept of them in payment. It is computed there is above the value of 300,000 l. sterling of these useless paper scraps, circulated through the colony, which, as a reward to the wretched inhabitants for all their hardships and fatigues, must now supply the place of affluence and independence. Most, if not all of them, are perfectly reconciled to the British government, as they can now with security enjoy any little property they have; whereas formerly, Governor Vaudreuil made no ceremony of seizing the produce of their lands, their merchandize and manufactures of every kind, and after conveying them to the King's store house, paid to the proprietors any price he pleased. If the owners thereafter had occasion for any of their own commodities, they could not procure them under twenty times the price they had received.
Montreal in general is a well built-town, but incapable of any defence. The churches are elegant, and the houses of some of their principal men are really magnificent; though few in number. The Hotel Dieu is by far the finest hospital I ever saw, every thing in it is extremely neat and convenient.
The people here are extravagantly fond of dress; a stranger would take Montreal to be a city inhabited by none but the rich and idle: they are all finely powdered, walk with their hats under their arms, and wear long coats, adorned with tinsel lace, and buttoned down to the extremity. Since I came here, I have not seen one man dressed like a tradesman. The ladies in general are handsome, extremely gay, and well bred.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Montreal
Key Persons
Outcome
many former wealthy canadians now impoverished and unable to procure basic needs; over 300,000 l. sterling in worthless french bills; reconciliation to british government for property security, contrasting prior seizures and unfair pricing by governor vaudreuil.
Event Details
The poor Canadians in Montreal face deplorable conditions due to France's bankruptcy, with remittances in worthless bills on the French King totaling over 300,000 l. sterling; many who acquired estates via fur trade now struggle for dinner. They are reconciled to British rule for secure property enjoyment, unlike under Governor Vaudreuil who seized goods and paid arbitrarily low prices, forcing owners to repurchase at twenty times the value. Montreal is well-built but indefensible, with elegant churches, magnificent houses of principal men, and the finest Hotel Dieu hospital. Residents are extravagantly dressed, appearing rich and idle, with handsome, gay, well-bred ladies.