Trees and Food

Dear You,

In the last blog post I have forgotten to mention a few things. Now agriculture (food) and timber (wood) are the most important industries here in British North America. In my last post it looked as if I implied that the fur trade was the biggest industry (which it was in 1770's) but now these two industries are the two largest exports from Canada! It is quite shocking considering now that only 9% of exports are fur after it used to being the most exported item to Britain ... It's actually pretty funny how much things can change after time!

In Upper and Lower Canada, farming was extremely important. There were many farms established and many of those families were there since New France (You remember that?)! Many plant crops such as wheat and oats. It is a lot of work her because most of the work on farms have to be done by hand because lack of technology. I know personally because I still work on a farm. We have fallen trees on a section of land and just recently they removed the stumps that have been rotting and weakening. Finally we can actually plant something other than wheat!

The timber industry was thriving. Right now wood is being used for.... everything! They use it for eating utensils, shoes, jewellery, buildings! The part that made the timber industry do so well was the war in Europe. England wanted wood. A lot of it. Because of the war they can’t get any wood so they go to British North America to get it. I personally like it because it helps the economy here and a lot of people are cashing in on this booming industry! The only bad part is that you cannot have that supporting you alone because you cannot work during the winter time. That's why many farmers work part time in the timber industry.

PS If you guys had not realized I have been back in time for a long time (no one bothered saving me yet) and haven't aged. No, I am not a vampire (I don't sparkle in the light either ....)  I realized that maybe since I'm back in time that I do not age until I get into 'my time'. Boy, time travel is very scary. Oh yeah, SAVE MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Love

Catherine

Article Attempt #3

Voila! My magnificent, amazing, breath-taking, superb, gratifying third take at a well written article is completed and will be shared with you. Your eyes will be allowed to feast on my marvelous piece of writing once again! Be pleased. Behold, Article Attempt Number Three!

North West Company and HBC Become One

The long lasting rivalry between the two companies come to an end when the join together under the name of Hudson’s Bay Company.

Since 1670, fur trade has expanded immensely. They still follow the two systems of trading created and set up by the British and the French. First Nations arrived at HBC posts with furs to trade. The French on the other hand, used Montreal as their base to travel west in search of furs to trade. 

These systems were used even after 1760 when Britain took over New France. The trade was run by small partnerships of the English and Scottish people. They and the HBC competed with each other to find the best furs to find the best furs. 

In 1776, a group of traders from Montreal decided they would do better if they worked together and became the North West Company. By 1783, the North West Company was dominant. The reason for the success was that the company had access to the rich furs near Lake Athabasca.

The price to transport furs for the HBC was lower but the North West Company always had the better furs. The HBC was forced to leave Hudson Bay to make their own trading posts in the West due to their extremely successful opponents.

The second reason for their great success was that most people working for the North West Company were the Métis. The Métis were the children of French coureurs de bois and their mothers with First Nations and had connections with the First Nations got them the best fur.

The competition was intense and both companies would not stop. Finally in 1821 the finally join together under HBC's name. The long lasting rivalry finally ends.

He he he ... I tried.

York!!!

Dear You,

          Greetings from York!!! I somehow ended up here after going to the United States on vacation. This all happened because of a man named John Graves Simcoe. Mr. Simcoe led a Loyalist unit (the Queen's Rangers) during the American Revolution. He visited Newark (the capital of the colony). He believed it was unsuitable as a capital due to fear of conflict with the Americans. He then wanted to turn York into a military stronghold and in 1793, they moved there with his wife, servants and members of the Loyalist unit. He then had to convince the other government officials to move to York and to make York the colony's capital. This is where I come in. 

          He needed settlers but there was yet ANOTHER war in Europe so this prevented Europeans from going to York. Simcoe then recognized that the United States were a potential source of new settlers even though he distrusted them. He bribed the Americans into coming to Upper Canada with land. I, going on vacation/getting scoop in America, happened to receive one of those offers. So here I am! In York! I really do miss modern Toronto though. I can’t be too sad because this is Toronto in the future anyways. I must look forward!

          Mr. Simcoe (have to show him respect. He gave me land of course!) wanted to make an 'upper class' so they (wealthy people with business government and military connections) get up to 5000 acres of land! I may not be upper class but I got a good chunk of land which is about 1200 acres of land. It really does not matter to me how much land I get though. I am planning on selling all of the land I received anyways. I will sell it to one of my wealthy neighbours and use about a quarter of the profit to buy a horse and ride my way home. The rest of the money will be for me to spend back in Quebec. I am really excited to go but I want to spend a little more time in York before I go back from my vacations.

          That’s all of the latest news for now. I’ll update you all soon!

Love,

Catherine

Another Found Diary

Hey! It has been a little while since I last posted ... 14 years? Anyways, I was walking home from work when I saw a diary. Boy, I'm good at finding diaries, journals etc .... I think it can explain the current events better than I can. Without further ado, here is the diary written by a now grown up Sarah (from an earlier post remember?):


Cher Père,
Désolé je n'avais pas été écrit ces derniers temps. Vous nous manquez beaucoup de choses ici. Mère se porte bien et James a bien grandi maintenant. Il a dix-sept en ce moment. Ai-je vous dire? Nous avions déménagé au Bas-Canada il ya quelques années.Nous vivons mieux maintenant. Je nettoyais la maison quand j'ai trouvé ce journal l'intérieur d'un vieux coffre plus tôt et j'ai pensé que je devrais écrire pour vous. Nous n'avons vraimentvous manquez de mal.

Là, j'ai entendu dire qu'il y avait des erreurs et des problèmes avec un achat de terres par la Couronne. Il est très drôle si vous pensez à ce sujet! Tout d'abord, le lieutenant-gouverneurJohn Graves Simcoe voulait York pour en faire une forteresse militaire parce qu'il était plus loin de les Américains que par Newark. York est très importante, car elle est fréquemment utilisée par les Premières nations pour de nombreuses générations. Il y avait même un village Seneca là aussi.

Quoi qu'il en soit, en 1787, il était contrôlé par Mississauga. Sir John Johnson a rencontré leMississauga et ils ont convenu de la vente de la terre, mais ils ne savaient pas combien de terres que la Couronne a acheté! Le plus drôle, c'est des années plus tard, ils ont trouvél'acte ... vierge! Ha! Comme c'est drôle Ils fixé en Août. La chose même Funner était que Mississauga a donné des terres plus qu'ils avaient convenu en premier lieu! Ha! Je ristrès fort en ce moment.

Désolé. Je dois aller nettoyer et faire le repas avant que James et de la Mère à la maison! Je vais vous écrire bientôt père!

Sarah


TRANSLATION


Dear Father,
Sorry I had not been writing lately. We miss you a lot here. Mother is doing well and James has grown up now. He is seventeen now. Did I tell you? We had moved to Lower Canada a few years ago. We live better now. I was cleaning the house when I found this log inside an old chest earlier and I thought I should write to you. We really miss you a lot.

There I heard there were errors and problems with a purchase of land by the Crown. It is very funny if you think about it! First, the Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe wanted to make York a military stronghold because it was much farther from the Americans than Newark. Anyways,York is very important because it was frequently used by First Nations for many generations. There was even a village Seneca there before.

Anyway, in 1787, York was controlled by Mississauga. Sir John Johnson met with the Mississauga and they agreed to sell the land, but they did not know for sure how much land that the Crown purchased! The funny thing is many years later, they found the act ... blank! Ha! How funny! They fixed it in August though. The funny part was Mississauga gave up FAR more land they had agreed in the first place! Ha! I'm still laughing right now! The whole situation is very humorous.

Darn it! Sorry. I have to go clean and make dinner before James and Mother at home! I'll write to you soon Father!

Sarah

And Even MORE Changes

Dear You,

           Apparently I missed a huge part of the Constitutional Act! The Loyalists wanted 'to have a significant voice in their government". I personally don't mind because this is a nice change I guess but it will take me a little while to get used to it. They only thing I must complain about are that why is only the Legislative Assembly (the assembly that gets the least influence as possible) voted? Also, WHY ARE ONLY MALE PROPERTY OWNERS ALLOWED TO VOTE!!! What about the FEMALE property owners! What about the other males who don't own property! Everybody (well at a certain age) should be able to vote for the Assembly that are deciding the taxes that THEY have to pay! Logically, now we (females and non property owning males) do not have a significant voice in the government either way. Only the 'property-owing men" do... I'm raging right now!!!! ARGGGG!!!!

          Well, I have not explained the whole situation properly yet. Okk so it is like a chart I guess.  First on the list is the Sovereign. He is the king, supreme ruler of all that got his place there by hereditary of course. Then is the Governor who controls the government (Upper and Lower Canada). They appointed by the King . Then comes the Executive Council and the Legislative Council. The Executive Council manages government business. The Legislative Council makes laws. Both councils are appointed. Then comes the Legislative Assembly. the propose laws to the Legislative Council and approves taxes. Only the Legislative Council are elected. And last is the voters. This is why I'm so ticked. Just because we are women we cannot vote! Even if we own property? Why only the men? Whats with the discrimination here!?

          Here in Quebec, it is getting more and more confusing. Loyalists, in my opinion, are causing a lot of trouble here. Especially with that rude letter they sent to the king. Darn! Sorry, I have to go! I recently got a job here in Quebec. I have to support myself too. Anyways, there I get all of the latest gossip from the fellow workers. Shoot! I have to go now or else I'll be late for work! I'll write soon.

Love
Catherine

Even MORE Laws

Darn you, Loyalists.

Ugh, I am so ANGRY! The British Government had just passed a few more laws just hours ago and I am RAGING!!!! Read this little girl's journal to find out why (by the way, I did not steal this but merely picked it off the ground when it 'fell').

Cher Père,
Comment est-il en France? Mère et moi avons été très bien. Récemment, de nombreux loyalistes sont arrivés au Québec. Je suis toujours heureux d'avoir des enfants un peu plus àjouer avec! J'ai parlé avec eux et ils m'ont dit que leurs parents n'aiment pas nos lois autant quenous le faisons. Au moins j'ai fait quelques amis ici, je suppose!

Mère semble très inquiet. Certains des Loyalistes ont écrit une lettre au roi d'Angleterre. Ilsn'étaient pas très heureux avec les modes de vie ici. Le gouvernement avait répondu avec de nouvelles lois et je ne suis pas sûr si la vie ici sera la même. Il ya maintenant une Basse et Haute-Canada et que le Bas-Canada peut continuer le système seigneurial français. Nous vivons dans le Haut-Canada. Ma mère avait toujours vécu avec les anciennes façons del'agriculture. Elle ne supporte pas cette nouvelle façon. En outre, c'est à dire mère, dans le Haut-Canada, il ya beaucoup d'endroits contrôlés par certaines personnes (comme l'Eglise (mais pas celui que nous croyons en)). Mère m'a aussi raconté comment il devait y avoir une assemblée où ils peuvent augmenter les impôts. Il est déjà difficile ici parce que la mère n'a pas seulement pour me soutenir, mais aussi (mon petit frère) James.

Nous avons vraiment envie d'aller au Bas-Canada, le Père. Maman dit que ce sera mieux pour nous là-bas. La seule chose qui nous retient, c'est que dès maintenant nous ne sommes pasdans la bonne position pour passer au Bas-Canada. James ne pourrait jamais faire le long voyage. Nous ne savons pas quoi faire! Je vais écrire bientôt pour vous le Père.

Sarah

Translation

Dear Father,

How is it in France? Mother and I have been doing well. Recently, many loyalists had arrived in Quebec. I am always glad to have some more children to play with! I spoke with them and they have told me that their parents do not like our laws as much as we do. At least I made a few friends here I guess!

Mother seems very worried. Some of the Loyalists have written a letter to the King of England. They were not very happy with the ways of life here. The government had replied with new laws and I am not sure if life here will be the same. There now is a Lower and Upper Canada and only the lower Canada can continue the French Seigneurial system. We live in Upper Canada. My mother had always lived with the former ways of farming. She cannot stand this new way. Also, in Mother's words, in Upper Canada, there are a lot of places controlled by certain people (like the Church (but not the one that WE believe in)). Mother has also told me about how there were to be an assembly where they can raise taxes. It is already hard here because Mother not only has to support me but also (my little brother) James. 

We really want to go to Lower Canada, Father. Mother says that it will be better for us there. The only thing holding us back is that right now we are not in the right position to move to Lower Canada. James could never make the long journey. We don't know what to do! I will write soon to you Father.

Sarah


It's so heartbreaking! Anyways, I'll update you all soon!

RAGEEEE!!!!!!

Dear You,

Why is everybody here so upset with everything. I had just received some angering news.I have to keep this letter short otherwise I will probably ruin my phone screen with my anger.*HULK SMASH*. Oops ... OK Now that my anger is out I can fully explain the story.

The allies of Britain during the American Revolution are really ticked. I'll start off explaining the First Nations situation.

Believe it or not, the First Nations (the Haudensosaunee in fact) to support Britain. Before, they had a treaty of neutrality with the Patriots. Then Thayendanegea (born in Cayahoga 1742) convinced them that Britain would honour them more than the rebels would. Then they fought with the British for many battles. Then Britain decided to ignore its allies. In the Treaty of Paris, Britain had given the right to the First Nations land to the United States. HOLY ... ! They had ignored the people that helped them fight. Those cowards. Then the worst part was that Thayendanegea had to go all the way to London just to petition for his people. Gosh! The more I speak of this the more my anger rises! FINALLY, then they get their land.
Britain and their ... unwise (?) choices ...

OK, that was a little while ago though. Now the big thing that has been happening lately! The Loyalists had arrived for a little while now. You know how Britain was finally being respectful and allowing them to keep their civil law and seigneurial land-holding system? Apparently its OFFENSIVE to the loyalists. Offensive!? Oh Please! Those Loyalists! To believe I was excited for their arrival! Anyways, the way it works is that, farmers get tenure and has a right to occupy the land but does not have full ownership. Apparantly that's a GOOD reason to petition to the king of England that said that they ad been used to the Government and Lay of England and I quote " by Your Majesty's kind actions that they will be 'freed' from French Tenures". HOW RUDE!!! *smashes the wall* Honestly!!!! 'FREED' FROM FRENCH TENURES!!! They have absolutely no manners!

Anyways I must go now. The British government is about to announce some new laws and I believe it's important for me to know (1. for me to know 2. for you to find out 3.for future reference) I'll see you next time (not really)!

Love
Catherine