Section II., 1903 [ 29 ] Trans. R. S. C. 



lU.—The Hon. Henry Caldwell, L.C., at Québec, 1759-1810. 

 By SiK James M. LeMoine, D.C.L. 



(Read May 19, 1903.) 



Capt. Hy. Caldwell serving under Wolfe, at Quebec .. .. 1759 



Commander of British Militia, at siege blockade 1775 



Called to Legislative Council 1782 



President Provincial Agricultural Society 1789 



Receiver-General for Canada 1794-1810 



In June, 1759, there landed in Canada from Admiral Saunders' 

 fleet, a youthful British olhcer, destined to fill, at Quebec, a long, 

 active and very distinguished career: Capt. Henry Caldwell of 

 Colville's regiment, whose promotion dated from January, 1759. 



At the memorable fight of 13th September, 1759, on Abraham's 

 Heights, the youthful captain, aged 24, acted as Assistant-Quarter- 

 master-General to General Wolfe. His bravery brc-ught him a step in 

 rank; he became Major Caldwell, under which title were won his 

 brightest laurels. A portion of the British forces, after the battle of the 

 Plains, were recalled; the 78th Higlilanders were disbanded in 

 Canada ; the Major cast his lot for Canada and settled at Quebec. Major 

 Caldwell, by his active business habits, seems to have preserved the 

 esteem of General James Murray, who remained in Quebec, as its first 

 English Governor, until 1766. 



A few years will elapse, and we will find the Major the trusted 

 agent, and subsequently the lessee of the GeneraFs extensive Canadian 

 estates. Major Caldwell continued to fill military duties in the army 

 of occupation until 1773, when Lord Barrington, Secretary of War 

 allowed him to sell out. 



In virtue of a notarial deed of lease, bearing date 7th April, 1774, 

 he was named agent and lessee of the great Seigniory of Lauzon, and of 

 numerous other properties acquired by General Murray. The General, 

 like many other distinguished British officers, had been bitten by the 

 earth hunger, so prevalent in the first years of British rule. Many dis- 

 tinguished Frenchmen the owners of large seigniories in Canada, 

 resolved to return to France in 1760, such as those of Longueuil, 

 the Seigniories of Lauzon, Terrebonne, Foucault, la Prairie, la Chenaye, 

 Belœil, etc. 



Governor Murray was not by any means the only British officer 

 craving for land; Sir Thomas Mills, Cramahé, Major Samuel Holland, 

 Major Caldwell, Capts. Fraser, Nairne, Laughlin Smith, the Hales and 



