Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
25 November 2011
Attempted Invasion of Canada
A group calling themselves the New York Hunters,
who don’t seem to have been too smart,
decided to invade Canada in 1838
The invaders convinced themselves that Canadians would rise up and join them in throwing out their British rulers.
Under the command of one Nils Von Schoultz, about 200 Americans crossed the St. Lawrence River landing just east of Prescott, Ontario. They could hardly have picked a spot in Canada that was more loyal to the British Crown; so, no uprising.
Von Schoultz decided that a windmill, with its height of 26 metres, would be a great
place for snipers. With its thick stone walls it made quite a fortress.
But, the mill was a terribly uncomfortable place and the invaders began to run out of supplies.
By now though, the mill was surrounded by 2,000 British soldiers and Canadian militia.
The shooting began and it was a bloody business for so small a battle. Before it was over and the remaining Americans captured, 48 men were dead and 89 wounded.
Nils Von Schoultz was captured and taken to Kingston for trial. His defence counsel was a young man who was just setting up his law practice, John A. Macdonald.
Despite his renowned eloquence, Mr. Macdonald was not able to save his client from the hangman’s noose.
The trial loss seems to have weakened John Macdonald’s enthusiasm for legal practice and he began to look around for another line of work. He chose politics.
He went on to become the main architect of Confederation and, in 1867, he was elected the first prime minister of Canada.
© Canada and the World, November 2011
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“Surely no more delightful or respected scoundrel ever set foot in Canada or left as much of an impression there in such a short time as Nils von Schoultz.”