George Prevost

Sir George Prévost (May 19th 1767 - January 5th 1816) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. He was governor of Canada at the time of the Guerre of 1812.

Beginning of career

The father of George Prevost was French-speaking Switzerland engaged in the British army (just like Frederick Haldimand). George entered the army in 1779 and was useful in the the Antilles against revolutionary France in 1794 and 1795. In 1798 he becomes lieutenant-governor of St Lucia, and in 1802 governor of the Dominique. He returns to Great Britain in 1805 and obtains commandemant it of the district of Portsmouth and is created Baronnet.

Governor in Canada

In 1808 Prévost governor of the Nova Scotia is named. A soldier is selected for this position because the war with the the United States seems imminent (it will be the Guerre of 1812). He tried to reinforce defenses of the province. In 1808-1809, it directed a forwarding which captured the Martinique within the framework of the Napoleonean Guerres.

Prévost has in May 1811 to replace the general governor James Henry Craig who must leave his station for health reasons. It takes the title of governor as a chief of the British North America and ordering British forces in North America in October of the same year. Its first concern relates to the preparations of war: the British forces count: 5600 men, and few reinforcements can be waited of Great Britain, strongly committed in Europe. The militia amounts with: 60000 men badly equipped and undisciplined.

It is also important in Prévost to make sure of the honesty of the French Canadian majority, honesty who was strongly compromised by the open hostility of his Craig predecessor. It operates skilfully by naming several Canadians with the Legislative council, while moving away Pierre-Stanislas Bédard, leader of the Canadian Parti, by appointing it judge, and by considering moderate the Louis-Joseph Papineau as leader of the Canadians. It also tries to gain the benevolence of the catholic clergy, and in particular of the archbishop of Quebec Mgr Plessis.

Having made a success of its demonstration of good will, Prévost obtains Assemblée a new law of militia and money for defense.

War leader

In June 1812 the war with the United States is declared. The strategy of Prévost is before any defensive, essence being to protect the fortified town from Quebec. In 1813 Prévost makes carry the action on the territory of the High-Canada and the Big lakes, and it is satisfied with the gained victories in September with Châteauguay and Crysler' S Farm. In 1814 the Americans take again the advantage, but the abdication of Napoleon i in April makes it possible Great Britain to send reinforcements of: 15000 men. Extremely of this help, and in particular of veterans of the war of Spain, Prévost launches an offensive against Plattsburgh, on the Lac Champlain, but this forwarding is a failure and Prévost tries to minimize its responsibility.

Opposition

As from this moment the opposition to Prévost grows in the British mediums of Canada. In addition to his behavior less than heroic with the lake Champlain, one reproaches him his conciliation towards the Canadians and the Catholic church. Its principal detractors are the clerk Hermann Witsius Ryland and the bishop Anglican Jacob Mountain. Complaints are sent to London, and lead in March 1815 to the recall of Prévost in Great Britain and its replacement as governor. Its departure of Quebec he is applauded by the Canadians and is insulted by the British. He dies in London less than one year later.

See too

List of the governors of Canada before the Confederation.

External bonds

Article on the biographical dictionary of Canada

Random links: