Sir Guy Carleton was a heroic figure
During the American Revolution, Sir Guy Carleton; (the 1st Baron of Dorchester) was one of the British Military Leaders. He was the 21st Governor of Quebec. Also, he helped Canada grow into a United, self-governing Country.
Between 1776 and 1786, he became ‘Sir’ Guy Carleton, whom was a Public Servant of Canada.
A little about Guy Carleton and his younger years
He was born into a Protestant Military Family on September 3, 1724, at Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland. He had two brothers (William Carleton and Thomas Carleton); and one sister (Connolly Crawford). Carleton seems to have had a mysterious childhood.
At the age of 14 his father died; his mother remarried a man named Reverend Thomas Skelton. They supported her children and their education. However, Carleton himself had very limited education.
At the age of 17
He was commissioned as an Ensign into the 25th Regiment of Foot. After that, he became a close friend to the Major General, James Wolfe, who was a British Army Officer. Wolfe took him as a Quartermaster General on the expedition against Quebec. Three years later, he became a Lieutenant in the 25th Foot (Rothes’s).
Moreover, James Wolfe suggested him to the Duke of Richmond as a Military Trainer; and also recommended his services for the Siege of Louisbourg after 6 years. Aggravated by Carleton’s criticism of the Armed Forces of Germany, however, George II of Great Britain protested; which needed to be involved with William Pitt the Younger; (who was a former British Politician and a former Prime Minister – the youngest); before Wolfe could obtain the Quartermaster General and Engineer he had required for the Battle of Quebec.
Sir Guy Carleton joined the Seven Years War in Germany, Canada, France and Cuba; which were named the ‘Battle of Hastenbeck,’ the ‘Battle of Quebec,’ the ‘Capture of Belle Île’; as well as the Battle of Havana.
After that, in 1764, he was transferred to the 93rd Foot (Rothes’s).
Between the years of 1759 and 1763
Sir Guy Carleton contributed in two Campaigns. During these campaigns, he was seriously wounded on Port-Andro. He suffered another injury in the Siege of Havana; while acting as the Quartermaster General. His friend, and leader, James Wolfe, was killed in that Battle.
Carleton was named “Lieutenant Governor and Administrator” of Quebec in 1766. But for James Murray, who continued to be in-charge of Carleton, was not commissioned until 1768 as “Captain General and Governor-in-Chief”.
Carleton has no practice in the Civil Government whatsoever
But he had some very controlling connections. In 1766, he started to study the demonstration of those who wanted to see fewer restrictions on the Fur Trade and Fisheries. After that, in the Western Territory, Carleton recommended the Removal of Restraints.
Carleton suspended the Bankruptcy Law in England; which a number of merchants were objected. He was determined to establish control over the entire Council.
On May 22, 1772, Guy Carleton, at age 48, took Lady Maria Howard‘s hand in marriage.
In 1774, Carleton returned to Quebec
Nonetheless, he faced many difficulties with the Council. They threw many instructions at him. But he handled these typically. He passed The Quebec Act in the year 1774; which was beneficial for the Roman Catholic Church as well as the Seigniors. Carleton was also accountable for the Defeat of Arnold and Montgomery in 1775-76. Also, for the preparation of the Protection of Canada.
There was trouble that had occurred in the Legislative Council. In 1777, Carleton re-convened. In 1780, he appointed as the Public Accounts Commission. After 2 years, he got a recommendation by the King. He succeeded against General Sir Henry Clinton as the Commander-in-Chief in North America.
Carleton’s other concerns were to evacuate 30,000 troops; and up to 27,000 refugees. He helped thousands of former slaves to emigrate to Nova Scotia and the Caribbean. In 1782, when the American Revolutionary War was coming to an end, Carleton was asked for retirement. However, he took charge to help the British Loyalists and the Troops in Canada; (Canadian Armed Forces). Carleton arranged the evacuation of New York City.
Sir Guy Carleton’s major achievements were to not antagonize the French
However, to restore the objection of the American Loyalists. Between the English Protestant and French Catholic populations; Carleton promoted tolerance, acceptance and cooperation. The Constitutional Act of 1791 was passed successfully under his leadership.
As Sir Guy Carleton carried an impressive manner of his duties, he becomes the 1st Baron of Dorchester, and appointed the Governor in Chief of British North America. Until 1796 he served his role. Then he retired for his personal life. First, he lived in the Estates of Kempshott, near Basingstoke after his retirement; and then near Maidenhead at Stubbings.
He suddenly died on November 10, 1808, at Stubbings.
There is an island named after Sir Guy Carleton; which is located at the Saint Lawrence River, just North of New York.
Even to the present day, there is a historical society called the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada; which was founded in 1914. Their branch of members has moved, from using this website to using a new website at http://www.uelac.org/Carletonuel/
Guy Carleton traveled a lot, with his wife and children
He said, sometimes they would have to take two jets. Simply because with all of the people in one, it would be too heavy. But I think his wife was just nervous about plane crashes. I’ve heard, some people travel on separate flights; so a whole family wouldn’t be lost if one plane crashed.
Nonetheless, I imagine it is pretty expensive doing that; and a pain in the butt. So he always had to tell his children to exercise a few weeks before going on the plane; so they wouldn’t have to take two.
They would use this specific weight loss calculator to keep track of their shedding. They would even go on a vegetarian diet; which they absolutely hated, according to Guy.
But this one time…
Their grandma was getting sicker from metastatic breast cancer. She didn’t have much longer to live. They had to pack up all of their things and head to Ireland for a couple weeks. It was pretty much last minute; so they didn’t have time to shed any pounds. So they all crammed onto the jet, and off they went. For little bits at a time….
They had to stop repeatedly on the way, as the plane would slow down, lower, rock back and forth. This was because it would be so heavy from all the passengers. It took 4 days; with 174 stops to finally arrive to their destination.
When they got there, that’s the story they told their grandma. She laughed and laughed so hard; that her cancer was magically cured, she said. (Although, I suppose she probably died sometime later.) But it makes a nice story, from a bullshitter I met in an airport waiting room.
Click here to check out the first article about the French Influence in Canada and North America.
