The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volume 3 (of 4)Dent, John Charles
History
The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volume 3 (of 4)
Dent, John Charles
Canada -- Biography
the high military reputation which he had achieved on the continent of
Europe had not been undeserved. There is no need to go through the
minutiae of the Lower Canadian Rebellion, nor to tell in detail the
story of St. Denis, of St. Eustache, and of St. Benoit. Sir John has
been accused of unnecessary cruelty in putting down the insurrection.
Suffice it to say that the emergencies of the occasion were such as to
call for determined measures, and that Sir John employed measures suited
to the emergencies. He soon succeeded in extinguishing the flame of
rebellion in all parts of the country, taking the field himself in
person in several engagements. Papineau was compelled to retreat, as
also was Wolfred Nelson and his colleagues; and when Robert, the
latter's brother, presented himself, he was totally routed by the able
regular and militia forces under Sir John Colborne's command. On the
recall of Lord Gosford, Sir John was temporarily appointed
Governor-General of British North America, which high office he vacated
on Lord Durham's arrival in May, 1838. He was appointed to it again on
that nobleman's sudden and unauthorized departure in November of the
same year. He continued to administer the Government until 1839, when he
earnestly solicited his recall, in order that he might be enabled to
repose from his great labours. The Hon. Charles Poulett Thomson was
appointed his successor, and arrived at Quebec to relieve him of the
cares and anxieties of Government. On the 23rd of October Sir John
sailed for England. On his arrival there new honours awaited him. He was
created a peer of the United Kingdom, as Baron Seaton; received the
Grand Cross of the Bath, of Hanover, of St. Michael, and of St. George.
He was also created a Privy Councillor, and a pension of £2,000 per
annum was conferred upon him and his two immediate successors by Act of
Parliament. In 1838 he was appointed Lieutenant-General, and in 1854
General, as also Colonel of the Second Life Guards. In 1860 he was
raised to the highest rank and honour in the British service--that of
Field-Marshal. He died on the 17th of April, 1863, leaving behind him a
numerous progeny, the eldest whereof, James Colborne, succeeded to, and
now holds, the family titles and estates. The latter are of considerable
extent, and are situated in Devonshire, in London, and in the county of
Kildare, Ireland. It is worth while mentioning that the present
incumbent served his father in the capacity of an aide-de-camp during
the Canadian Rebellion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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