Sir George Etienne Cartier, bart., his life and times : a political history of Canada from 1814 until 1873

Front matter

Accession

Class .

°l ^Lh BC

Dedication

To all Canadians, irrespective of race, language or creed, I dedicate this work — the history of the life and times of one of the greatest of French-Canadians, written by an English-speaking Canadian — with the earnest hope that it will prove a stimulus to patriotism and that it will preserve for future generations the record of the eminent services of one of the greatest Fathers of the Canadian Con¬ federation.

“The first law of history is, not to lie; the second, not to be afraid to tell the truth.” Leo XIII.

“After the political feelings of the present days have faded away, the sterling merit of Sir George Cartier’s services— the real service he per¬ formed in joining with the English speaking inhabitants of the country in working up the great problem of Confederation— will be seen in its true light.” — Sir John A. Macdonald.

Chapter I

St. Antoine, Cartier’s Birthplace — House of the Seven Chimneys — Birth and Bap¬ tism— The Cartier Family, Its Origin and History— A Picture of Habitant Life — The Richelieu Region and Its People — Cartier’s Boyhood at St. Antoine — At the College of Montreal — Distinction in Various Gasses — Praise of St. Sulpice— Begins the Study of Law— Admitted to the Bar— Youthful Activity and Energy — Takes Part in Founding of the St. Jean Baptiste Asso¬ ciation — Visits to St. Antoine — The Calm Preceding the Storm . . i

Chapter II

Position of the French-Canadians at the Time of the Cession— Agitation for Par¬ liamentary Institutions — First Parliament of Lower Canada— Joseph Papineau and His Associates — Responsible Ministry Advocated by Bedard — Arbitrary Conduct of Early Governors— Louis Joseph Papineau, His Career and De¬ mands — The Ninety- two Resolutions — Demands of the People’s Representatives Refused — Assembly Stops Supplies and Deadlock Follows — The Russell Reso¬ lutions — Summary Prorogation of the Legislature — Activity in the Richelieu District — Confederation of the Six Counties — Papineau Acclaimed at Great Meetings — Prelude to the Rising . 27

Chapter III

Popular Discontent — The Sons of Liberty — Cartier’s First Appearance in the Political Arena — A Disciple of Papineau — Active Member of the Sons of Liberty — Conflict Between Sons of Liberty and Doric Qub — Warrants for Popular Leaders — Cartier Repairs to St. Antoine — Opening Skirmish of the Rising — Col. Gore’s Expedition Against St. Denis — Wolfred Nelson, the Patriot Leader — The Fight at St. Denis — Bravery of the Patriots — Cartier’s Part in the Engagement — His Coolness, Courage and Determination — Nelson’s Tribute to Cartier — Tragic Death of Lieut. Weir — Defeat of the Patriots at St. Charles — xill

XIV

Valour Displayed by the Habitants — Cartier’s Resourcefulness and Daring — Leaves St. Denis with Nelson — Finds Refuge at Vercheres — Death Reported and Loss Deplored — Reaches the States — Returns to Montreal — The Rising, Its Proportions and Meaning — Law and Order Supported by Roman Catholic Bishops and Clergy — Cartier on the Rising . 45

Chapter IV

Dark Days for the French-Canadians — Lord Durham’s Mission — His Report and Its Recommendations — Union of Upper and Lower Canada — Louis Hipolyte LaFontaine, His Career and Character — Auguste Norbert Morin — LaFontaine Joins Forces with Baldwin — Career and Character of Robert Baldwin — Attitude of the French-Canadians to the Union — Divergent Views of Papineau and LaFontaine — Repeal of the Union Demanded by Papineau — Parliamentary Duel Between LaFontaine and Papineau — LaFontaine’s Policy — Papineau’s Merits — Struggle for Control of the Executive Power by the People’s Representatives — Union of English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians — Principles of Re¬ sponsible Government Promulgated in Parliament — Cartier’s Part in the Struggle — Urged by LaFontaine to Stand for Parliament but Declined — Letter Addressed by Cartier to LaFontaine — Cartier Supports LaFontaine’s Policy on the Hustings — Defeat of Denis Benjamin Viger — Victory of the Liberal or Reform Party Led by LaFontaine and Baldwin — The Second LaFontaine- Baldwin Ministry — Triumph of Responsible Government — Cartier’s Debt to LaFontaine — His Tribute to LaFontaine — The Country’s Debt to the Re¬ formers . 6 7

Chapter V

Beginning of Cartier’s Public Career— Elected to Represent Vercheres in Assembly

of United Canada — Address to Its Constituents — Personnel of Parliament _

Cartier’s First Appearance in Parliament — The Rebellion Losses Bill — Violent Scenes and Burning of the Parliament Building — Annexation Movement Op¬ posed by Cartier— The Elgin Reciprocity Treaty— Cartier as a Constitutional Reformer — Transformation of Parties — The Clear Grit Party and the Parti Rouge — Retirement of LaFontaine — Cartier Declines Cabinet Office — The Elec¬ tions of 1854 and the Position of Parties— Cartier Defeated for the Speakership —Fall of the Hincks-Morin Government— John A. Macdonald and His Rise in Politics— Birth of the Liberal-Conservative Party— Cartier’s Attitude Defined — The MacNab-Morin Government — Morin’s Retirement — Cartier En¬ ters the Cabinet— Master Spirit of Lower Canadian Section— Re-elected in

Vercheres After Warm Contest — Tache-Macdonald Government _ Cartier

Attorney-General for Lower Canada— Succeeds Tache as Leader of Lower Canada— Macdonald-Cartier Government, Its Record and Defeat— Short-lived Brown-Dorion Administration— Cartier’s Opportunity .

xv

Chapter VI

The Cartier-Macdonald Ministry — The Double Shuffle — Cartier Announces Govern¬ ment’s Programme — His Able Leadership — Mission to England on Confedera¬ tion — Honours Paid to Cartier — Guest of Queen Victoria — Return to Canada — Supports Ottawa as Seat of Government — Work Begun on New Parliament Buildings — Visit of the Prince of Wales — Cartier’s Part in the Reception Ceremonies — Parliamentary Session of 1861 — Dissolution of Parliarment — Gov¬ ernment Sustained — Session of 1862 — Reconstruction of the Cabinet — Militia Bill Presented to Parliament by John A. Macdonald — The Government De¬ feated — Cartier in the Minority from His Own Province — Cartier and His Colleagues Resign — Sandfield Macdonald-Sicotte Government — Macdonald- Dorion Ministry — Cartier Heads Majority from Lower Canada — Resignation of Macdonald-Dorion Government — Tache-Macdonald Government, Brief Existence and Defeat — Deadlock — A Critical Situation — Formation of Coalition Government . 116

Chapter VII

Cartier’s Legal and Judicial Reforms — His Practical Grasp of the Country’s Re¬ quirements — Codification of Civil Laws and Laws of Civil Procedure — What This Great Reform Involved — Work of the Codifiers and Consummation of the Reform — Judicial Decentralisation — Extension of the French Laws to the Townships — Liberty of the Roman Catholic Church — Other Legal Reforms — The Seigniorial Tenure System — Its Earlier Advantages and Later Draw¬ backs — Preservation of French-Canadian Nationality — Great Part Played by the Roman Catholic Bishops and Clergy — Agitation for the Abolition of Seigniorial Tenure — Measure Introduced by Louis Thomas Drummond— Credit Due to That Statesman — The Seigniorial Act and Its Provisions — Strongly Supported by Cartier — Reform Completed Under Cartier’s Government — Secu¬ larisation of the Clergy Reserves — Representation According to Population Advocated by George Brown — Cartier Successfully Opposes Any Change in the Basis of the Union — Educational Reforms Inaugurated by Cartier — Im¬ portance of Cartier’s Work as a Reformer . 133,

Chapter VIII

Early Means of Transportation— Inauguration of Canals— Beginning of Railways— Early Railway Legislation — Inception of the Intercolonial Railway — Organisa¬ tion of the Grand Trunk Railway Company— Cartier’s Interest in Railway Development— Speeches in Favour of Railways— Secured Incorporation of the

XVI

Grand Trunk Railway Company — His Appointment as Solicitor of the Com¬ pany — Supports Company in Parliament — Secures Construction of Victoria Bridge — Early Financial Difficulties of Grand Trunk Railway Company — Opposition to Undertaking — Desperate Condition of Enterprise — Cartier Se¬ cures Government Assistance — Saves Company from Bankruptcy — William Wainwright’s Striking Tribute — Benefits of Cartier’s Work for Railways — Advocacy of Canal Improvements — Interest in St Lawrence Navigation — Views of Commercial Life — Work for Montreal’s Interests — Foretells Georgian Bay Canal — General Benefits of Cartier’s Policy . . 151

Chapter IX

Failure of the Political Machinery of the Union — Rise of Canadian National Spirit — Genesis of Confederation Idea — Proposals in Parliament — Union Urged by Alexander Tilloch Galt— Included as Part of Cartier Government’s Pro¬ gramme-Mission of Cartier, Galt and Ross to England— Memorial Addressed to Secretary of State for the Colonies Urging Confederation— First Practical Step to Action— Attitude of the Imperial Authorities— Lord Carnarvon’s Letter to Cartier— Crisis in Canada— George Brown, His Career and Attitude- Patriotic Course at a Critical Juncture— Secures Appointment of Constitutional Committee— Negotiations for Formation of Coalition Government— Cartier’s Part in the Negotiations— Brown’s Declaration in Parliament— His Tribute to Cartier— The Coalition Ministry— The Charlottetown Conferences— Quebec Conference — Basis of Confederation . I7I

Chapter X

Cartier the Dominant Political Force in Lower Canada— Cartier and George Brown— Their Respective Attitudes on Great Issues— Cartier Holds the Key of the Crisis French-Canadians Looked to for Justice — George Brown’s Notable Declaration Cartier, Galt and Brown and the Confederation Move¬ ment-Alliance of Cartier and Brown— John A. Macdonald and His Attitude at the Outset of the Movement— As Leader of Government— Great Part Played by Cartier— George Brown’s Testimony— Cartier’s Course Justified— Cartier at the Charlottetown Conference— His Notable Speeches at Charlottetown and Halifax— Cartier’s Part in the Quebec Conference— His Grave Responsibilities —Insists on a Federal Instead of a Legislative Union of the Provinces— Legislative Union Favoured by John A. Macdonald— Triumph of Cartier’s Idea — Safeguarded French-Canadian Interests Whilst Helping to Establish Con¬ federation— Cartier’s Pride in His Work— Justified His Alliance with George Brown— Project of Confederation Defended— Mutterings of a Storm in Lower Canada

. .

XVII

Chapter XI

Discussion of Confederation Project in the Legislature of United Canada — Person¬ nel of the Chamber — Cartier’s Strong Opponents — His Historic Plea for Union — Reviews Steps to Confederation — Situation Which Made Confederation a Necessity — Alternative to Annexation — Imperative Demand for Defence — Various Objections Refuted — The United States’ Desire to Acquire Canada — Attitude of the French-Canadians — How They Repulsed American Overtures — Washington’s Proclamation— Loyalty of French-Canadians to the British Crown — D’Estaing’s Appeal Unsuccessful — Loyalty of the Roman Catholic Clergy and the Seigniors — Superiority of the Canadian to the American Con¬ stitution — A New Nationality — The Race Question — Distinction of Races an Advantage — Justice to Minorities — The Federal System the Most Advantageous — Closing Plea for Confederation . 210

Chapter XII

Attack on Confederation Project Opened by Holton — His Denunciations of the Project — Antoine Aime Dorion, Cartier’s Great Antagonist — His Career and Policy — Opposed to Confederation Scheme — Believer in the Confederation of the Two Canadas as a Preliminary — His Speech Against the Quebec Confer¬ ence Measure — His Objections to the Project and His Fears of Its Effects — Supported by Other Prominent Members — Joly’s Fears for French- Canadian Nationality — Arguments of the Opposition — Attacks Upon Cartier — One of Cartier’s Followers Opposes the Measure — Campaign Against the Project Out¬ side of Parliament — Manifesto by Dorion — Scheme Denounced on the Hustings and the Press — Appeal to the People Demanded — Cartier Persists in Face of Bitter Opposition . 227

Chapter XIII

Cartier Replies to Criticisms — His Defence of French-Canadian and Roman Cath¬ olic Liberality — Position of the English Protestants in Quebec — John Rose’s Tribute to Cartier — Position of French-Canadians in Federal Parliament — French Language Guaranteed as One of the Bases of Confederation — Union Project Meets Reverse in New Brunswick — Hailed by Dorion as Justification of His Attitude — Passage at Arms Between Cartier and Dorion — Dorion’s Final Appeal Against the Measure — Moving of Previous Question Meets with Opposition — Protest from One of Cartier’s Followers — A Critical Situation Saved by Cartier — Notable Addresses on Behalf of Confederation— A Dramatic Incident — Joly’s Attack on Cartier — Langevin’s Striking Defence of His Leader — Langevin Foretells Cartier’s Place in History — Amendments to the Project Voted Down— Solemn Declaration by Cartier — Confederation Measure Adopted — An Historic Division . 241

Chapter XIV

Hostility to Confederation in Maritime Provinces — Howe’s Attitude — Cartier One of a Delegation to England — Speech at Halifax — Success of the Mission — Car¬ tier’s Speech at the Fishmongers’ Dinner — Death of the Canadian Premier — A Crisis Averted — Parliamentary Session of 1865 — Cartier’s Speech on the Mission to England — Removal of Seat of Government to Ottawa — Enthusiastic Reception to Cartier at the Capital — Retirement of George Brown from the Coalition Government— Cartier’s Unsuccessful Efforts to Retain Brown— Last Session of the Legislature of United Canada — The Provincial Constitutions — Cartier on the Quebec Constitution — The London Conference — Cartier’s Re¬ sponsible Role — Birth of the Dominion — A Disputed Question — Honours Paid to Cartier — Special Audience with Queen Victoria — Visit to Rome and Audience with the Pope— Return to Canada— Cartier on the Accomplishment of Confederation — Credit Due to Cartier . 2^7

Chapter XV

First Dominion Administration— Cartier Minister of Militia and Defence— Declines a C.B.— His Reasons— Charles Tupper’s Action—' Tupper’s Letter to the Duke of Buckingham— Statement by Sir Charles Tupper— A Baronetcy Conferred Upon Cartier His Arms and Device — Letter of Acknowledgment to Tupper — First General Election Under Confederation— Cartier Secures a Triumph in Quebec— Re-elected in Montreal East— Triumph of the Confederation Cause— Cartier s Work for Consolidation of the Dominion — Cartier and the Inter¬ colonial Railway— His Militia Bill— A National Policy of Defence— Speech on Militia Measure— His Services as Minister of Militia— His Part in the Ac¬ quisition of the Northwest Territories— Visit to England— Notable Speech at

Inaugural Dinner of Royal Colonial Institute — Gladstone’s Tribute to Cartier _

Earl Granville’s Praise— Cartier the Queen’s Guest at Windsor Castle— Return to Canada— The North-West Revolt — Cartier’s Part in the Creation of the New Province of Manitoba — His Calmness in a Time of Passion — Prevents Wolseley from Being Appointed Lieutenant-Governor — Admission of British Columbia to Confederation— Cartier’s Advocacy of Canadian Pacific Railway— A United Canada .

Chapter XVI

Vicissitudes of the Latter Part of Cartier’s Career— Politico-Religious Questions— The New Brunswick School Question — Washington Treaty — Macdonald’s Course and Justification— Cartier’s Attitude— His Last Speech in Parliament— Appeal to His Followers to Support Macdonald— General Elections— Cartier’s Defeat in Montreal East— A Bitter Election Contest— The New

I xix

Liberalism — Expressions of Sympathy for the Defeated Statesman — Lord Dufferin’s Tribute — Cartier’s Reception at the Capital — His Election for Provencher, Manitoba — Failing Health— Departure for England to Consult Specialists — A Pathetic Leave Taking — Last Public Utterances in Canada — Arrival in London — The Canadian Pacific Railway Charges — Last Days of Sir George Etienne Cartier — His Last Letters to Sir John A Macdonald — Death of Sir George Etienne Cartier — Message of Queen Victoria — Announce¬ ment of Cartier’s Death in Canadian Parliament by Macdonald — Tributes in Parliament — An Impressive Funeral — Cartier’s Last Resting Place . . 310

Chapter XVII

Cartier the Successor of Papineau and LaFontaine — Essentially a Man of Action, Organisation and Execution — What He Desired for the French- Canadians — To Be Faithful to the Religion and to Maintain Their Nationality and Language — His Wish That French-Canadians Should Play a Large Part in the National Life of the Dominion — A Champion of Justice — Rights of Minorities — Cartier’s Tolerance and Broadmindedness — The Diversity of Races An Advantage to the Dominion— Union Not Fusion of Races Basis of Confederation — Cartier’s Ideals for the Dominion — Canadian Nationality — His Ideas of the Future — A Strong Believer in British Institutions — His Admiration of Great Britain and the British Flag as the Symbol of True Liberty — Cartier’s Economic Creed — Pro¬ tection of National Industries — Cartier’s Grand Conceptions . . . 347

Chapter XVIII

Cartier’s Strong and Self-reliant Character — Description of His Person — A Man of Action — His Frankness — Testimony of His Intimates — A Great Worker — His System and Habits — As a Speaker — His Power as a Debater— A Famous Parliamentary Passage at Arms — Cartier’s Optimism — His Daring, Fearlessness and Pluck — His Retort to Howe — Impressions of Cartier by an Old Parlia¬ mentary Associate — Cartier’s Geniality and Good Spirits — Reunions at His Ottawa Home — His Fondness for Young People — Personal Kindness — His Courage, Personal and Political — His Visits to Ontario and Replies to Attacks Upon Him and the French-Canadians — His Attachment to His Church — Testi¬ mony to the Liberty of Roman Catholics in Canada — Cartier’s Personal Habits — His Close Friends and His Hobbies — Fondness for Poetry — Cartier’s “O Canada, Mon Pays, Mes Amours,” and Its History — Honours and Dis¬ tinctions — His Family . 361

Chapter XIX

Macdonald and Cartier and Their Relations — The Macdonald-Cartier Alliance and Its Significance— Sir John A. Macdonald’s Tribute to Cartier— Tupper and

XX

Cartier — Impressions of Cartier by the Last Surviving Father of Confedera¬ tion — George Brown and Cartier — A. T. Galt’s Tribute — Cartier’s Support of Minority Rights — His Desire for Justice — Thomas D’Arcy McGee on Cartier — Francis Hincks’ Testimony— Eulogistic Reference to Cartier by John Henry Pope— Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s Striking Appreciation of Cartier— Notable Declarations by Sir Lomer Gouin, Prime Minister of Quebec — Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux’s Appreciation of Cartier— Cartier and His Services— A Striking Appre¬ ciation by Right Hon. Sir R. L. Borden, Prime Minister of Canada . . 389

CHAPTER XX Epilogue — The Lessons of Cartier’s Life . 408

Appendix I. St. Antoine and the Cartier Family and Genealogical

Table . 412

Appendix II. The Cartier Memorial . 420

Appendix III. Text of Autograph Appreciations of Cartier .... 422

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Sir George Etienne Cartier — (Photogravure) - Frontispiece

FACING PAGE

House of the Seven Chimneys at St. Antoine, Cartier’s Birthplace - 4

Cartier’s Parents and Grandparents ------- -20

Historic Church at St. Antoine in Which George Etienne Cartier Was

An Old Seigniorial Mill in the Richelieu District ----- 60

Fac-simile Autograph Letter from Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., Sole Sur¬ viving Father of Confederation - -- -- -- -90

Cartier When Prime Minister of United Canada ------ 120

Fac-simile Autograph Letter from Right Hon. Sir R. L. Borden, Prime

Minister of Canada ---------- - 150

The Charlottetown Conference - -- -- -- -- 192

The Fathers of Confederation — Quebec Conference ----- 204

Cartier in a Speaking Attitude - - - . - 220

Fac-simile Autograph Letter from Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier - 246

Fac-simile Autograph Letter from Sir Lomer Gouin, Prime Minister of

Portrait of Cartier Standing ---------- 312

Fac-simile of Last Letter Written by Sir George Cartier to Sir John A.

Fac-simile of Queen Victoria’s Telegram of Condolence on Sir George

Profile Portrait of Cartier - -- -- -- -- - 362

Lady Cartier and Daughters . 388

Genealogical Chart of the Cartier Family ------ - 412

The Cartier Memorial, Montreal - -- -- -- - - 420

House at St. Antoine Where the History of the Life and Times of

Cartier Was Completed -- . . 424

xxi

Chapter I

Thirty-six miles from the city of Montreal, picturesquely situated on the historic Richelieu River, lies the ancient village of St. Antoine. It is a typical French-Canadian hamlet. Skirting the shore of the peaceful river which flows slowly northward to join the more turbulent waters of the mighty St. Lawrence, extends the main thoroughfare with its clusters of trim wooden cottages, embellished here and there by a more pretentious edifice of brick or stone. In summer neat flower beds add a touch of beauty to the comfortable dwellings. Dominating its surround¬ ings stands in the centre of the village the parish church, a massive stone structure with each of its twin spires surmounted by the emblem of the Catholic faith. From the village smithy may be heard the music of the blacksmith’s anvil, often the only sound upon the restful stillness. Peace¬ fulness and repose seem to cast their benison over the whole region. Ad¬ joining the village and extending over many goodly acres, are well-tilled farms, which in numerous cases have been in possession of the same families generation after generation, the descendants of many of the original settlers still living in the neighbourhood.

The entire district is replete with historic memories. Almost directly opposite St. Antoine, on the south bank of the Richelieu, is St. Denis, the scene of the patriots’ victory over the British troops in the initial engage¬ ment of the rising of 1837. Seven miles to the west of St. Denis lies St. Charles, where a few days after the St. Denis engagement the patriots were crushed by the British soldiery. Nine miles from St. Charles, or sixteen miles to the west of St. Denis, is St. Hilaire, with Richelieu village twelve miles further west, and twenty-eight miles distant from St. Denis. To the east of St. Denis, at a distance of seven miles, is St. Ours, while twelve miles from the latter place, or nineteen miles to the east of St. Denis, lies the thriving town of Sorel, the former Fort William Henry. Opposite St. Ours on the north bank of the river is St. Roch, miles east of St. Antoine. At a distance of seven miles west of

I seven

St. Antoine is St. Marc, facing St. Charles. Nine miles to the west of St. Marc is Beloeil, opposite St. Hilaire, while at a distance of twelve miles from Beloeil, or twenty-eight miles from St. Antoine, lies Chambly, an historic military fortress of olden days. A chain of villages thus ex¬ tends on either side of the river, divided only by the width of the stream. Communication from one village to another is furnished by small ferry boats propelled by pulley cables extending under the water from shore to shore.1

The Richelieu River meanders through one of the most beautiful and fertile districts of the whole Province of Quebec. Though the country is generally flat, many picturesque scenes greet the eye, and on a clear day may be discerned in the distance the outlines of Rougemont and Beloeil, two of the highest peaks of the province. Extending back from the river and for miles along its banks are the fertile farms of the habitants who reap an easy and profitable living from abundant crops of hay, now the staple product of the district.

In such secluded spots the devastating influence of so-called modern progress makes scant headway, and St. Antoine is but little changed from what it was a century ago. There is one exception which must ever be a cause of regret. Situated about a mile from the centre of the village and a short distance from the shore, there stood until a few years ago a large building known to all the countryside as La Maison aux Sept Cheminees (the House of the Seven Chimneys). Erected in 1782 by Jacques Cartier, a rich merchant of St. Antoine, and intended by him as a permanent homestead for his descendants, it was a veritable landmark for the whole district. A massive stone structure nearly one hundred feet in length and resembling a fortress in its proportions, it comprised a basement, a ground floor, and an upper or attic storey. Some idea of the extent of the house may be gathered from the fact that, apart from the basement or cellars, the two storeys contained no less than seventeen rooms, many of them of an unusual size.

It was in a small room on the ground floor of this house that there was born on September 6th, 1814, to Jacques Cartier and his wife, Mar¬ guerite Paradis, a son, who was destined to make the name of Cartier forever illustrious in Canadian history as that of one of the founders of the great Dominion. On the day of his birth, in accordance with the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, he was baptized by the cure of St. Antoine, Messire Bonaventure Alinotte, receiving the baptismal names of Georges Etienne. The second name was from his godfather, Etienne Gauvreau, while the first name, Georges, which had not been borne by

1 For detailed particulars regarding St. Antoine, the Cartier family, and the Cartier homestead, see Appendix I.

any of the family, is presumed to have been given to the child from the name of the reigning sovereign.

The Cartier family, as the name implies, is of distinctively French origin. The direct ancestors of George Etienne Cartier hailed from Prulier, a small place in the diocese of Anger, France, where in the seventeenth century lived one Pierre Cartier. According to a family tradition this Pierre Cartier was a brother of Jacques Cartier, the cele¬ brated navigator of St. Malo and the discoverer of Canada. But there are no positive proofs to substantiate this tradition, which, however, was firmly believed by him whose career was to add greater lustre to the name. Towards the middle of the 17th century, Jacques Cartier, a son of Pierre Cartier, by his wife Marie Beaumier, emigrated to Canada and settled at Quebec, where he was known as Cartier L’ Angevin. He en¬ gaged extensively in trade, dealing principally in salt and fish, the field of his operations covering not only Canada but several European coun¬ tries. On July 6th, 1744, this Jacques Cartier married at Beauport, Quebec, Delle Marguerite Mongeon, and from this marriage there were born, in addition to four daughters, two sons, Jacques and Joseph, who were the progenitors of the two Cartier families of St. Antoine. To¬ wards 1768 the two brothers were sent by their father up the Richelieu River as far as Chambly to dispose of his merchandise and to open trade with the settlers. Impressed by the fertility of the district and the opportunities that it afforded for commerce, the two brothers decided to settle on the banks of the Richelieu as merchants. Jacques took up his residence at St. Antoine, while Joseph settled at St. Denis on the opposite side of the river.

Jacques Cartier, from whom George Etienne Cartier was directly descended, was born at Quebec on April nth, 1750, and married at St. Antoine on September 27th, 1772, Delle Cecile Gervaise, daughter of Sieur Charles Gervaise by his wife, Dame Celeste Plessis-Belair, and niece of the first cure of St. Antoine, Messire Gervaise. Jacques Cartier was a man of substance and high standing in the community. He en¬ gaged extensively in commerce and in addition to a general business exported large quantities of wheat to Europe, the Richelieu district being then noted for its production of that cereal. In 1782, or ten years after his marriage, the enterprising merchant, who had made consider¬ able money, constructed the massive stone dwelling which was to be the home of the family for many generations. Noted for his public spirit as well as for his enterprise, he took a lively interest in public affairs, and from 1805 to 1810 he represented the electoral division of Surrey, subsequently known as Vercheres, in the old Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. He was also active in the militia, holding a commission for many years as a lieutenant-colonel, and was generally recognised as a man of the greatest public spirit. He was the father of numerous children, all of whom died young, with the exception of a son also named Jacques, who was destined to be the father of one of the most illustrious men that the French-Canadian race has produced. Born at St. Antoine on August 29th, 1774, Jacques Cartier the younger married at St. Antoine on September 4th, 1798, Delle Marguerite Paradis, daugh¬ ter of Joseph Paradis by his wife. Dame Josephe Lavoie. Of this mar¬ riage there were born five sons and three daughters, of whom George Etienne was the youngest son and the seventh child.

I have traced Cartier’s ancestry thus minutely because heredity cer¬ tainly played its part in the formation of his character, which, as in the case of many others who have attained distinction, may be said to have been the result both of his heredity and of his environment. Therefore to fully understand Cartier’s career and the salient features of his char¬ acter and policy, it is important that the reader should have a clear and comprehensive idea of his environment, of the lives, modes and customs of the people of whom he was one and amongst whom his early life was spent. Though Cartier’s father and his immediate ancestors were en¬ gaged in commercial pursuits, they were also landowners and belonged to the habitant class in the broad meaning of that term, being essentially inhabitants of the country. What manner of people were those old time habitants amongst whom Cartier’s lot as a youth was cast ? Though the habitants of the present retain many of the characteristics of their an¬ cestors, their mode of life has to a considerable extent been affected by the changing times, and many features of the patriarchal life which pre¬ vailed in Lower Canada during Cartier’s youth and for some years afterwards have disappeared. Fortunately, from the vivid description of De Gaspe and other native writers and of travellers, such as Lambert and Heriot, who visited Lower Canada at this period, we are able to reproduce a picture of the times. De Gaspe in his “Memoires” and his “Anciens Canadiens,” one of the most charming books in all literature, portrays for us habitant life as it existed under the old regime, but his descriptions are largely applicable to an even later period. Lambert and Heriot have left us accounts of the habitant as he appeared at the very time when Cartier was born. The old-time habitant emerges from these recitals as a unique, interesting and wholly admirable character.