Events from the year 1785 in Canada.
Incumbents
Monarch: George III
Governors
Governor of the Province of Quebec: Frederick Haldimand
Governor of Nova Scotia: Edmund Fanning
Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland: John Byron
Governor of St. John's Island: Walter Patterson
Events
North West Company strengthened far west trade through such forts as Athabasca and English River. May 18: The city of Saint John, New Brunswick is incorporated. Fredericton opens a Provincial Academy of Arts and Sciences, the germ of the University of New Brunswick (1859). New Brunswick is separated from Nova Scotia Du Calvet proposes Canadian representation in the British Parliament, three members, each, for the Districts of Quebec and Montreal. To a proposed Elective Legislature, it is objected that French Canadians do not wish to change their customary laws, and that there are not enough fit men to compose a Legislature. Isaac Brock takes command of the 49th Foot, which would be the backbone of the British Empire forces in Canada during the War of 1812. Mohawk Chapel, the oldest church in Ontario, was constructed near Brantford, Ontario.
Births
January 4: Louis-Théodore Besserer, notary, soldier, politician, and businessman (d.1861) January 30: Charles Metcalfe, 1st Baron Metcalfe, colonial administrator (d.1846) February 4: Frédéric-Auguste Quesnel, politician, lawyer, and businessman (d.1866) February 15: William Crane, merchant, justice of the peace, judge, and politician (d.1853) April 27: Amable Éno, dit Deschamps, political figure (d.1875) September 17: Jacob De Witt, businessman, politician, and justice of the peace (d.1859) November 25: Andrew Stuart, lawyer, politician, office holder, and author (d.1840) December 14: Michel-Louis Juchereau Duchesnay, army and militia officer, seigneur, jp, and office holder (d.1838)
Full date unknown
William Abrams, businessman, jp, judge, office holder, and militia officer (d.1844) François Lesieur Desaulniers, farmer and political figure (d.1870) John Heckman, political figure (d.1871) Caleb Hopkins, farmer and politician (d.1880) Peter Robinson, politician, Peterborough, Ontario renamed in his honour (d.1838)
Historical documents
In Commons debate, one speaker says claim Canada and Nova Scotia can supply all West Indies' needs is "groundless," and another totally disagrees
Massachusetts report calls cod fishery in Nova Scotia "inconsiderable;" Newfoundland too dependent on U.S.; and French "no great hand" at it
British Americans warned that British preference for colonies' whalers and trade to West Indies will be lost if U.S. is allowed same advantages
Get-rich-quick hopes of exporting to U.S. "are evaporating in bankruptcy;" Americans are "inhabitants of an exhausted country [never] able to pay"
John Adams says U.S. issues with Britain, whether western posts or other matters, are made worse by states' treatment of loyalists
Prime Minister Pitt receives Commons support to pay £150,000 (raised through lottery) to Loyalists to cover some of their various claims
Charleston, S.C. gives Loyalists 3 extra months beyond what's allowed under peace treaty to regain their property before they must leave
Albany newspaper on punctuality of return of Indigenous-held captives compared to British withholding western posts (Note: "savage" used)
Lower Canada
Petition from "greatest part of the inhabitants" of Canada asks for house of assembly, though spirit of independence is "much to be feared"
John Adams speculates that Carleton, Haldimand, Hamilton and Brant are in London to discuss various issues with British government
Comprehensive ordinance mandates jury trials "in actions of a commercial nature and personal wrongs to be compensated in damages"
Lt. Gov. Henry Hamilton thanked by 80 Montreal merchant and trading firms for jury trial ordinance and facilitating "Trade to the Indian Country"
65th Regiment will relieve 8th in Canada, and join 29th, 31st, 34th, 44th and 53rd regiments
For sale: Mont-Louis seigneury about 100 leagues below Quebec City, considered "best on the river St. Lawrence for carrying on the Cod Fishery"
More than £540 was raised for poor in 1784 to care for 71 people in Hôtel-Dieu, with medical expenses of £187+ and £166+ for food, bedding etc.
London fund of £40,000 "ready for immediate advancement" in loans of £200 or more based on security of borrowers' life insurance policies
Quebec City barrister offers to assess security of funds anyone wishes to lend for 1-2 years or provide in form of annuity