Part 6
Like General Brock, this noble red man, as a leader of his kinsmen, also sacrificed his life in the cause of his king and country. And sad is it to say that not even a heave of the turf marks his last resting-place.
It is not for me to laud or unduly magnify the important part the Indians have played in wars that have marked our country's history-making: but should such an emergency again present itself, I feel confident that the Indians will never be found wanting.
MR. CHARLES R. McCULLOUGH
Honorary President of the Association of Canadian Clubs
I tender my thanks to the Committee for honouring the hundred clubs of the Dominion by inviting their honorary president to take part in the proceedings of this great day.
The real celebration of the centenary of the battle and the fitting remembrance of the hero who gave up his life for Canada one hundred years ago, has already taken place in the six thousand schools by six hundred thousand scholars of this premier Province of Ontario. By this vast army of patriots in the making there has been celebrated within the past few days in song and story the splendid heroism of the immortal Brock, and the work done by him for our common country a century ago.
In that great work he was nobly seconded by the brilliant young Glengarrian Macdonell, who, like his illustrious leader, fell on the slope of this sacred hill.
In this dread contest there fought side by side regular soldier and militiaman; the noble red man and the freed black man contended against a common enemy to that freedom and that constitution that every Briton loves so well.
It was indeed a proud thing for Canadians to remember that whilst there was a great Imperial officer to lead the little band, close beside him in the great struggle there ever stood a valorous Canadian aide-de-camp. Yes, for every regular that contended for the maintenance of British law and authority in this Canada of ours there were fighting by his side the farmer and the tradesman of those heroic days.
Was not this prophetic of that future co-operation between mother and daughter states? Was it not full of the deepest meaning for us of the twentieth century? Could we not say "Thy people are my people and my people thy people"? As in the days of yore, so in these days of Canada's abounding prosperity and increasing national greatness, there would be found men and means for any national or Imperial emergency that the future might have in store for us.
Our magnificently proportioned Canada must have a magnificently proportioned soul if she would fulfil her high destiny of eventual leadership in the band of sister nations within an Empire indissolubly bound by ties of love and sacrifice. In enlarging the soul of our people such celebrations as these have their sure and certain part, and the thrill of Brock's great name will stir this people's soul so long as Canada shall endure.
* * * * *
A brief and eloquent speech was also made by Mr. W. M. German, M.P., Welland, Ont.
APPENDIX I.
HIGHLAND HEROES IN THE WAR OF 1812-14[1]
By Dr. Alexander Fraser, Toronto
While with a fine sense of fitness the part taken by the men of Glengarry, Ontario, in the 1812-14 war is rarely referred to by the descendants of those who fought so well and fell for their country, it is but meet on a centennial occasion as is now being celebrated that the distinguished services of the clansmen should not be forgotten. Much, indeed, could be said of the Macdonells, Macdonalds, Macleans, MacMillans, Chisholms, Camerons and Grants, as well as of other kindred families, who displayed all the ardour of the Highland mountaineer in defence of home and country, and who occupied second place then nor subsequently when the war-note sounded. These brief lines, however, must deal only with Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell, who fell mortally wounded at Queenston Heights, and whose name cannot be disassociated in history from that of Brock, the chief hero of the war.
[Footnote 1: Reprinted from the Toronto _Globe_ and _Mail and Empire_ of the 12th of October, 1912.]
The many intermarriages in the course of generations between members of different houses of the Glengarry branch of Clan Donald have created genealogical intricacies not always threaded by the general reader. The identity of Colonel John Macdonell, the Queenston hero, however, need never have been in doubt. He was descended from Angus Macdonell of Greenfield, a grandson of Ranald, the ninth chief of Glengarry--in Gaelic, styled "Mac-ic-Alasdair." The Macdonells of Greenfield are nearer the main line of the Glengarry family than the cadet branches of Aberchalder, Cullachie and Leek--many of whom settled in Canada, who left the parent stock at an earlier period. They might reasonably be regarded as representative of all the Glengarry Macdonells of Canada.
Angus Macdonell of Greenfield had one son, Alexander, who came to Canada in 1792. He was married in Scotland to a daughter of Alexander Macdonell of Aberchalder (Captain 1st Battalion, King's Royal Regiment of New York), and among the issue of that marriage were Duncan, who succeeded his father, John, who fell with Brock, and Donald, who figured at Ogdensburg, 1813.
John Macdonell (Queenston) was born in 1785, in Scotland, and with his family came to Canada when seven years of age. In due course he became member of the Legislature for Glengarry and Attorney-General for Upper Canada. He was a Colonel of Militia, and on the outbreak of the war of 1812 acted as Military Secretary and Provincial A.D.C. to General Sir Isaac Brock. His legal talents were regarded as of high order, and of his military abilities Brock entertained a very good opinion indeed. As President of the Council and Administrator of Upper Canada, General Brock occupied the highest civil position in the Province, and the chief military position as General of the forces under his command.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell, as Attorney-General, filled the next highest civil position to Brock in Upper Canada, and, as Military Secretary and P.A.D.C., was next highest in importance, if not in rank, to his chief in the field. Testimony was warmly borne by some of the most capable to judge, of his dominance in the military operations, and the subsequent negotiations, at Detroit, and the papers in connection therewith, which he is said to have drafted, bear the mark of his patriotic and generous mind. The Prince Regent, in expressing his regret at the loss which the country must experience by the death of the Attorney-General, declared that "his zealous co-operation with Sir Isaac Brock would reflect lasting honour on his memory." Like Brock, he died unmarried; like him, too, he was engaged to be married at the time of his death. His fiancée was Miss Powell, daughter of the Chief Justice.
The story is told that at the commencement of the war, before making his will, Colonel Macdonell told Miss Powell that, though he had only a little estate to dispose of, about £300 in money, his books, papers and personal effects, together with ten acres of land on Church Street, Toronto, he wished her to have first choice of either the money and effects, or the land, for herself; the other part to go to a relative. She chose the money and the personalty, and the ten acres of land on Church Street went to his relative and godson, James Macdonell, son of his host, the Hon. Alexander Macdonell, Toronto, in whose family the title still remains.
Colonel Macdonell's father, Colonel Alexander Macdonell, commanded the 2nd Battalion, Glengarry Militia, in the war, and two of his brothers also had commissions, Duncan Macdonell, as a Captain, commanding a company at Ogdensburg (under Colonel George Macdonell), and Donald Greenfield Macdonell, who also commanded a company at Ogdensburg. Duncan, the elder brother, succeeded his father as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 2nd Battalion, Glengarry Militia, until 1857, when he received the thanks of the Governor-General "for his long and valuable services dating from the last war." His son, Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald J. Macdonell, was also commanding officer of his grandfather's and father's regiment from 1857 to 1804. He was a barrister, and a Bencher, and Recorder at Kingston, and for many years a partner with Sir John A. Macdonald, Prime Minister of Canada. His only son is the well-known Lieut.-Col. John A. Macdonell, Alexandria, Ontario, now the head of the Greenfield family, whose patriotic sentiments and antiquarian tastes have often found eloquent and useful expression. He is a grandnephew of Colonel Macdonell (Queenston) and fifth of Greenfield.
Donald Greenfield Macdonell, who commanded a company at Ogdensburg (brother of Colonel Macdonell, Queenston), became D.A.Q.M.G in the war, was a Colonel of Militia and Deputy Adjutant-General from 1846 to 1861. He had the honour of laying the corner-stone of the monument to Sir Isaac Brock at Queenston in 1853. Among his grandsons are Donald Greenfield Macdonell, barrister, Vancouver, heir male, after Lieut.-Col. John A. Macdonell, Alexandria, Ontario, and A. McLean Macdonell, K.C., the well-known barrister of Toronto.
The connection of Mr. A. McLean Macdonell, K.C., of Toronto, with the War of 1812 is perhaps unique. Not only had his paternal great-grandfather and three sons, the Macdonells of Greenfield, commissions in the War of 1812, as above stated, but his maternal great-grandfather and three sons also held commissions in that war, viz., the Honourable Neil McLean and his three sons: 1st, the Honourable Archibald McLean, afterwards Chief Justice of Upper Canada. It is said that when Colonel Macdonell fell, McLean was near him, and he called out to him: "Help me, Archie." 2nd, John McLean, afterwards Sheriff of Kingston; and 3rd, Colonel Alexander McLean, who shows an excellent military record, and whose daughter married John Macdonell of Greenfield, Mr. McLean Macdonell's father. Thus, Mr. McLean Macdonell had two great-grandfathers, two grandfathers, and four granduncles, all holding important commissions in the only war which has vitally threatened Canada.
The connection between A. Claude Macdonell, M.P., Toronto, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell (Queenston) is by intermarriage in the families of Aberchalder and Cullachie. The Aberchalders gave a father, Captain Alexander, and three sons, John, Hugh, and Chichester, to the American revolutionary war. John was a Captain in Butler's Rangers and was the first Speaker of the first House of Assembly of Upper Canada, in 1792. Hugh was an officer in the King's Royal Regiment and in the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment. He was one of the members for Glengarry in the first Legislature of Upper Canada. He afterwards served at Gibraltar, and as British Consul-General at Algiers. Chichester served in Butler's Rangers, and became a colonel in the British army, winning distinction at Corunna.
Allan Macdonell of Cullachie (closely related to Aberchalder) was a captain in the 84th Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, and his son, Alexander, an officer in Butler's Rangers, was prominent in the military-political life of Upper Canada, and at the time of the 1812 war was a colonel of Militia and Deputy Postmaster-General. His son, Angus Duncan Macdonell, who died in 1894, was the father of Mr. Angus Claude Macdonell, M.P. for South Toronto.
When Colonel Macdonell (Queenston) came to Toronto as a young man in connection with his profession, he resided with his relative, the Honourable Alexander Macdonell, Mr. Claude Macdonell's grandfather, and it was from his home he went to the front. Needless to say, Colonel Macdonell's memory is sacredly cherished among these and many others of his kith and kin in Canada, as it is indeed by all lovers of the heroic in Canadian history.
APPENDIX II.
TORONTO GARRISON CHURCH PARADE
In commemoration of the Centenary of the Death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock at the Battle of Queenston Heights
Massey Hall, Sunday, October 13th, 1912, 3 p.m.
Major-General W. H. Cotton, Commanding
The musical portion of the service was rendered by the massed bands of the garrison under the direction of Bandmaster G. I. Timpson, Queen's Own Rifles.
ORDER OF DIVINE SERVICE
OPENING VOLUNTARY
GRAND PROCESSIONAL MARCH
"The Silver Trumpets" _Viviani_ Band of the Queen's Own Rifles
Hymn, "SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE" _Put on the whole armour of God_
Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armour on; Strong in the strength which God supplies, Through His Eternal Son;
Strong in the Lord of Hosts, And in His mighty power; Who in the strength of Jesus trusts Is more than conqueror.
Stand then in His great might, With all His strength endued; And take to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God.
From strength to strength go on, Wrestle, and fight, and pray; Tread all the powers of darkness down, And win the well-fought day.
That having all things done, And all your conflicts past, Ye may obtain, through Christ alone, A crown of joy at last. Amen.
GENERAL CONFESSION
(To be said by all, standing)
Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy Holy Laws. We have left undone the things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; according to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober life, To the glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen.
PRAYER FOR PARDON
O Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live, pardon and accept, we beseech Thee, all those who truly repent and unfeignedly believe Thy Holy Gospel. Grant us true repentance and Thy Holy Spirit; that those things may please Thee which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to Thy eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER FOR THE KING'S MAJESTY
(All standing)
O Lord, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartily we beseech Thee with Thy favor to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King George; and so replenish him with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline to Thy will, and walk in Thy way; Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech Thee to bless our gracious Queen Mary, Alexandra the Queen Mother, Edward Prince of Wales and all the Royal Family; Endue them with Thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with Thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to Thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR SOLDIERS
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who are called to the service of our Empire, may ever remember the honour which we uphold and the privilege which is entrusted to us, to defend our Sovereign, our homes and our country. Enable us at all times to do what is right, and so to conduct ourselves, that we may bring no disgrace upon the uniform which we wear, nor upon the flag under which we serve. Make us faithful, brave and true to our duty, and especially to Thee, our God, as soldiers of Christ and soldiers of the King. Keep us, defend us and save us at all times; fill our hearts with courage and love, and may we never be ashamed to confess Thee before men, as good soldiers and servants of Thine. And this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
OFFERTORY
VOLUNTARY
"In the Chapel" _R. Eilenberg_ Band of the Queen's Own Rifles
SERMON
By Captain the Rev. Dr. Llwyd, Chaplain to the Queen's Own Rifles.
HYMN, "STAND UP FOR JESUS"
_Quit you like men, be strong_
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the Cross; Lift high His Royal Banner, It must not suffer loss; From victory unto victory His army He shall lead; Till every foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The trumpet call obey; Forth to the mighty conflict In this His glorious day; Ye that are men now serve Him Against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus; Stand in His Strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own; Put on the gospel armour, And watching unto prayer, Where duty calls, or danger, Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, The next the victors' song; To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be; He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally. Amen.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
God save our Gracious King, Long live our noble King, God save the King. Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us; God save the King.
Thy choicest gifts in store, On him be pleased to pour; Long may he reign. May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the King.
BENEDICTION
RECESSIONAL
The "Priests' March" from "Athalie" _Mendelssohn_ Band of the Queen's Own Rifles
APPENDIX III.
INDIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BROCK'S MONUMENT
(Communicated by the Editor.)
The indignation aroused by the destruction of the first monument erected to General Brock was fully shared by the Indians of Ontario. Meetings of the Bands were held at which expression was given to the feelings which stirred their hearts. They asked the Government to allow them to join with the White Men in contributing to the Fund for the reconstruction of the monument, and this having been most cordially granted, a sum amounting to £207 10s. was raised among the Indians in sums varying from £7 10s. to £15 and paid over to the general fund on behalf of the following Bands:--
The Chippewas of the Upper Reserve, on the River St. Clair.
The Chippewas of the Lower Reserve and Walpole Island, on the River St. Clair.
The Hurons and Wyandotts of Amherstburg.
The Chippewas of the River Thames.
The Munsees of the River Thames.
The Oneidas of the River Thames.
The Six Nation Indians of the Grand River.
The Missisagua of the River Credit.
The Chippewas of the Saugeen River, Lake Huron.
The Chippewas of the Township of Rama, Lake Couchiching.
The Chippewas of Snake Island, Lake Simcoe.
The Missisagua of Alnwick, Rice Lake.
The Missisagua of Rice Lake Village, Otonabee; and of Mud and Balsam Lakes.
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
The following petition from the Missisagua of Rice Lake, shows the spirit in which the Indians acted:
"_To_ SAMUEL P. JARVIS, _Esquire, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs_.
"Father: "We have heard of the wicked attempt to destroy the Monument of our old Chief, Sir Isaac Brock; and are also informed of the intention of the White Man to rebuild it.
"Father: "We respect the memory of the brave, and are sorry to find that there are any who do not.
"Some of us fought on the same field on which the gallant general fell. We then felt the same sorrow in our hearts that our loyal brothers in arms, the White Men, felt, and we still unite with them in the deepest regret at our common loss. These feelings urge us readily to contribute our share to the expense of re-building that Monument which was designed to perpetuate the fame of such noble deeds.
"Father: "We, who are thus ready to assist in the present exigency, will never be backward in testifying our loyal principles by still more substantial proofs, whenever our Great Mother, the Queen, shall lay her commands upon us. We will never refuse to hear her words. Our Great Fathers, her Royal predecessors, have been very kind to her people. We are not unthankful. We do not wish to be idle; but whenever we may be called upon to defend the honour and rights of the British Crown, we will most heartily strain every nerve, and do all the service in our power.
"Father: "We authorize you to subscribe from our monies the sum of Fifteen Pounds, in aid of the praiseworthy work about to be performed; and may the blessing of the Great Spirit make it prosper.
"Dated at Rice Lake Mission, Otonabee, January 7, 1841.
"GEORGE PAUDASH, Principal Chief. "JOHN CROW, Chief. "JOHN COPOWAY, Chief. "JOHN TAUNCHEY, Chief.
"Read over to the Chiefs and signed by them in presence of--
HENRY BALDWIN, Jun."
The generous action of the Indians was much appreciated by the British Government and the following acknowledgment was made by Lord John Russell, on its behalf:--
"Downing Street, "6th May, 1841. "No. 372. "My Lord:
"I received by the last mail from Canada a pamphlet, containing the correspondence, addresses, etc., connected with the subscription of various Indian Tribes in Upper Canada, in aid of the funds for the reconstruction of Sir Isaac Brock's Monument on Queenston Heights.
"The feelings evinced by the Indians on this occasion are much to their credit. I have to request that your Lordship will convey to them the thanks of the British Government and nation for their zealous co-operation, and renew to them the assurances of the Queen's regard for their welfare.
"I have, etc., "(Signed) J. RUSSELL.
"The Right Honourable Lord Sydenham."
APPENDIX IV.
MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Brock Centenary was held on the 16th October, 1912, there being present: Col. Ryerson, Dr. James L. Hughes, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. C. E. Macdonald, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and Miss Helen M. Merrill, Secretary.
It was resolved:--
That the thanks of the Committee be conveyed to the Right Honourable R. L. Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, and his Government for the military arrangements that had been made in connection with the celebration of the Centenary; and to the Honourable Dr. Pyne, Minister of Education of Ontario, for so cheerfully complying with all the suggestions made by the Committee with respect to the holding of patriotic exercises in the public schools.