THE HIGHLAND LANDLORDS OPPOSE EMIGRATION—MR. M’DONELL, NOTWITH­STANDING ALL DIFFICULTIES, BRINGS HIS PEOPLE TO CANADA IN THE YEAR 1803-4—APPOINTED TO ST. RAPHAEL’S—HOW HE LANDED—INCIDENT AT KING­STON—OBTAINING PATENTS FOR EARLIER SETTLERS; AND THEN FOR HIS OWN—THE MOSES OF HIS PEOPLE—PROVIDES CHURCHES—PAPAL ENVOYS— THE PRESS FAVOURS THEM—NARRATIVE OF REPEAL IN ITALIAN—THE POPE THANKED FOR OPENING HIS PORTS TO THE BRITISH FLEET AND ENTERTAINING BRITISH TROOPS—A GOLD MEDAL TO EVERY OFFICER—MR.HIPPISLEY— STUDENTS—BISHOP HAY IN LONDON—EMIGRANT FRENCH CLERGY ON DUTY IN SCOTLAND—CASE OF A FRENCH PRIEST—BISHOP GEDDES ABLE TO APPLY TO LITERARY PURSUITS—BISHOP HAY ON SOME OF THE CLERGY—MR. CHARLES GORDON—BISHOP GEDDES’ DIFFICULTIES.

At length, in March, 1803, Mr. McDonell obtained the sign manual for a grant of land to every officer and soldier of the Glengarry regiment whom he should introduce into Upper Canada. Such good fortune must meet with opposition. As soon as the fact became known the Highland proprietors took alarm and endeavoured by every means that could bethought of to prevent their people from emigrating. The regulations of the Emigrant Act were rigidly enforced, and many of the poor men, after selling their effects and repairing with their families to the ports of embar­kation, were not permitted to leave the country. Such was the effect produced by the fears and threats of the Highland lairds on the Home Ministry, that even Lord Hobart, Colonial Secretary of State, urged Mr. McDonell to conduct his emigrants to Upper Canada, by way of the United States, in order that the odium of directly assisting emigration from the Highlands might be avoided, there being at that time a Provincial Law which granted 200 acres of land to every loyal subject entering Upper Canada from the United States with the intention to settle in the Prov­ince. Mr. McDonell could not be guided by this advice; and, heedless of opposition, made his way to Upper Canada with his followers, as he best could, in the years 1803-4. H e may be said to have actually smuggled away his people, so numerous and so vexatious were the restrictions that stood in the way of their departure.

Mr. McDonell landed in Quebec in 1803, and was immediately appointed to the mission of St. Raphael, Upper Canada. A remarkable incident occurred at his landing. There were no wharves in those days at Quebec. What happened in consequence may well be alluded to as showing the extraordinarily powerful physique which characterized the Highlanders of a generation or two ago. The ship lay out in the river, and Mr. McDonell was considering the best way of getting ashore, when, as he himself related to Chevalier W. J. MacDonell, of Toronto, “a fine strapping young fellow waded out to the ship, took me in his arms as if I had been a. baby, and carried me ashore.” This “fine strapping young fellow” was the Chevalier’s uncle, John McDonell, in his day a renowned “North Wester,” who died about forty years ago, at his residence, Point Fortune, on the Ottawa. It has been well remarked: “there were giants in those days.” Mr. McDonell, the chaplain, was himself a man of herculean stature, six feet four inches in height and stout in proportion. What then, must not the fine fellow who carried him so easily have been? Bishop McDonell related, as the Chevalier informs us, that Colonel John McDonell, the father of the young fellow, John McDonell, one Spring morning, when the ice was breaking up, ran into his son’s room and cried out, “John, you are a pretty fellow to be lying abed at this time of day, while a poor man is being carried clown the river on a cake of ice.” John at once leapt from his couch, hastened down to the river, plunged in, “unaccoutred as he was,” rescued the man who was on the point of perishing, and returned in triumph to the paternal dwelling.

The ex-chaplain’s strength and courage were not inferior to his stature. Later, when Bishop at Kingston, which was at that time a hot bed of Orangeism, he was called upon, together with his Vicar-General, Mr. William McDonald, one 12th of July, to assist in quelling a riot. His splendid figure was conspicuous. A worthy disciple of King William (unworthy we should say, for King William opposed all he could the enacting of the penal laws), in a state of great excite­ment, pressed through the crowd, declaring his intention to have “a hit at that big anti-Christ.” The Bishop looked at him, and in his calm, deliberate manner, jerked out: “It would be the dearest blow that ever you struck.” The pretended disciple instantly subsided.

On arriving in Upper Canada, Mr. McDonell presented his credentials to Lieutenant-General Hunter, who was at the time Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, and obtained for his followers the land allotted to them according to the Sign Manual. He took up his residence in the County of Glengarry, and had there his chief dwelling place for a quarter of a century. Very few of the emigrants who had previously arrived in the country had procured legal tenures for the lands on which they were settled. In consequence of this state of matters, he repaired to York, and, after a good deal of trouble, obtained patent deeds for 160,000 acres of land in favour of his new clients. After some further delay, patents for the lands of his own followers were also secured. Thus, Mr. McDonell, the Moses of his people, if he did not conduct them through a wilderness, brought them in safety over the great ocean, notwithstanding the most formidable opposition, and established them, although not in a land actually flowing with milk and honey, in a country that abounds in every product conducive to healthful life. His next care was to provide churches, of which there were only three in the whole Province on his arrival, two of wood and one a stone building. There were no more than two priests, one a Frenchman who knew not a word of the English language, the other an Irishman who soon afterwards left the country. There was, thus, a vast field for Mr. McDonell’s missionary labours; and he devoted himself to them during the remainder of his days.

Having seen our Catholic Highlanders, under the guidance of Mr. McDonell, securely and permanently settled in Canada, we go back a few years and find an English gentleman, Sir John Hippisley, who was a member of Parliament and a Protestant, laudably endeavouring to estab­lish diplomatic relations between the Courts of Rome and Great Britain. It was no secret that Papal envoys, although not publicly recognized as such, had been already received at the British Court. Such was Mgr. Erskine; and Sir John Hippisley had been similarly employed. The news­papers of the day, in alluding to these well-known facts, expressed no disapprobation. It was in contemplation, even to introduce into Parliament a measure for establishing official relations between the British and Roman Courts. In order to prepare the way for so great a change, Mr. Hippisley had charge to ask the Scotch agent at Rome, in the name of his Government, to supply any documents proving the desire of Propaganda that the British Catholics should live in submission to the established Government, especially in the years 1715 and 1745. It was of great importance to secure the favour of the Pope to the proposed measure. Mr. Hippisley, accord­ingly, asked for an Italian translation of a narrative of the repeal of the penal laws in England which Mr. Macpherson had given to Cardinal Antonelli. This translation, Mr. Hippisley deliv­ered with his own hand to the Holy Father. Although not at Rome in the quality of an ambas­sador, Mr. Hippisley possessed more influence than all the foreign ambassadors together. The envoy from England was in high favour with the British Catholics at Rome. The clergy, secular and regular, joined in a public address to him, testifying their appreciation of his strenuous endeavours to establish anew friendly relations between the British and Roman Courts, whilst at the same time showing much friendliness to Catholics generally. The British Catholics resi­dent at Rome, in like manner, expressed the gratification afforded them by the conduct of the Pope in opening his ports for the supply of the British fleet, and by causing a British regiment of cavalry to be honourably received and entertained for three months in the Papal States. The Pope, moreover, as a mark of his special esteem for the British nation, presented each officer with a gold medal. The negotiations conducted by Mr. Hippisley, no doubt, largely contributed towards these friendly intercommunications. This was expressed in the address, which also alluded to the approbation by the British Cabinet of Mr. Hippisley’s diplomatic services and the esteem which they had won for him among all the members of the Roman Court. Parties who took a deep interest in these matters, now hoped to see the diplomatist speedily appointed British Minister at the Papal Court. It was suggested that the Bishops of Scotland should present to Mr. Hippisley, a complimentary address. Mgr. Erskine, however, advised that a private assur­ance of their gratitude for his services would be more to the purpose in the actual state of matters. Bishop Geddes, accordingly, addressed to Mr. Hippisley a polite private letter. In reply, the diplomatist assured him of his own friendly dispositions and those of the British Govern­ment towards the Holy See and the Catholics of Great Britain, in whose behalf he hoped to see substantial justice finally meted out by the nation.

Some students from Douai, who were destined for Valladolid, may be mentioned here, as their names were long familiar to many Catholics of more recent times. They were William Wallace, so long chaplain, afterwards, at Traquair; Alexander Badenoch, known, for several years, as an able and edifying priest at Edinburgh, and George Gordon, for a long time highly esteemed in the North, as the priest of Dufftown. In their voyage from London to Spain they were driven, by stress of weather, as far as the coast of Brazil. They were three months on their passage; and it cost the mission too, in addition to the expense of their journey from Oporto to Valladolid. The Principal there did not think that the talents of Mr. Wallace were equal to those of his two companions. But he described him as solid, very exact in the performance of his duties, and, withal, a friend of his books. This was a moderate estimate. If Mr. Wallace had applied his abil­ities to general literature he would have figured among the lights of his time. Some controversial writings which only he produced, like most works of the kind, are now forgotten. The Principal gave Mr. Badenoch credit for talents as well as uncommon application; and, what was even of more importance, he possessed the art of securing the affection of his companions and the confi­dence of his superiors. Mr. Gordon he spoke of as a boy of talents who would advance in learning. (Letter of Principal Gordon to Bishop Geddes.)

About this time Bishop Hay, after visiting his invalid coadjutor at Aberdeen, repaired to London, where he was hospitably entertained at the house of Bishop Douglas. He paid a visit to Mr. Burke, who had so ably advocated in Parliament the cause of the Catholics. This celebrated statesman, together with Mrs. Burke, received the Scotch Bishop with the utmost cordiality; and the visit was repeated the following week. He also visited Monsignor Colbert, Bishop of Rhodez, who had done signal service in the dispute with Principal Gordon. This excellent Prelate introduced him to the emigrant Bishop, St. Pol de Leon. At their interview was discussed the subject of employing some of the French emigrant priests on the Scotch mission. Several of them were already labouring with much acceptance in Bishop Gibson’s district. There was a second interview on the subject; but Bishop Hay would come to no determination without consulting his coadjutor. There had been no falling off in Mgr. Erskine’s friendship. The Bishop dined at that Prelate’s house in company with Bishops Gibson and Douglas. On his return to Scotland Bishop Hay considered anew the question of employing some of the emigrant clergy. Shortly before his visit to London two of them were engaged in teaching French and drawing in the University of St. Andrews. From what he had heard and seen of the emigrants in London he was much inclined to have some of them on the mission. He had a long conversation with one of them whom Mgr. St. Pol de Leon had introduced to him. The Bishop represented to the young priest the difficulties and hardships both as regarded food and labour that must be encountered in the mission. It came to his knowledge afterwards that the young emigrant had been hurt by his observations, as they seemed to imply a suspicion that the difficulties referred to would discourage him. All that those unfortunate exiles desired was that they should be independent of public support. In return for their services they asked only food and clothing. Many of them were applying diligently to the study of the English language. Bishop Hay met with some whose proficiency was very great. The opinion of his coadjutor appears to have been in harmony with his own; for, before the end of the year, there were six emigrant French priests on duty in Scot­land. From their anxiety to make for themselves an independent livelihood, many of the emigrants sought to subsist by teaching in parts of the country where there were no Catholics. One of these applied to Bishop Hay for permission to say Mass without a server and without any person being present. This good priest, who was formerly Vicar General of Lisieux, taught French in a part of the country where it was impossible to hear Mass, and where there was not a single Catholic. Considering the circumstances, the Bishop gave him permission, according to his application, on Sundays and holidays. But afterwards, doubting his authority in the. matter, he applied specially to the Holy See.

Bishop Geddes, meanwhile, although the weakness in his arms and hands was increasing, continued to apply with his usual diligence to literary pursuits, and completed this summer his paper on Catholic affairs in Scotland in the years 1745-46.

He contemplated writing a life of Boscovich and was expecting from Rome some materials for the purpose. The agent there informed him that a fellow-countryman of his was collecting matter for a biography of the admirable Creighton. Perhaps the Bishop could throw some light on his history? To this the invalid replied that the life written by Sir Thomas Urquhart, which he had read long ago, was of suspicious authority; and some of the statements were proved abso­lutely false by their anachronisms. The late Lord Hailes had published a life of Creighton. There was also an account of him in the British Biography. But the most authentic history of him that Bishop Geddes had ever seen, was inserted in the dedication of Cicero’s Paradoxa (inscribed to Creighton by Aldus Minutius the younger,) and in the annotations of that work. It was published about the year 1581, when Creighton was actually at Venice.

The small chapel house at Aberdeen, in which the invalid Bishop resided, was now well filled. Beside the Bishop’s nephew, Mr. John Gordon, who was the officiating priest of Aberdeen, there were Mr. Farquarson and three Douai students who had been lately boarding in Glenlivat with Mr. Paterson. These four occupied the upper story. This last arrangement had not proved satisfactory, owing chiefly to the impracticable character of Mr. Andrew Carruthers, who, when Bishop Hay remonstrated with him, wrote a long reply “taking to pieces all that the Bishop had said.—(Bishop Hay to Bishop Geddes, Jan. 10th). This little seminary was shortly joined by Mr. Andrew Scott, who had passed the preceding winter with Bishop Hay at Edinburgh. Mr. Farquarson’s office was that of preparing the four youths for ordination. One of them soon aban­doned his studies. Another was Mr. Charles Gordon, so long known afterwards as the worthy priest of Aberdeen. Mr. Farquarson, in communicating these facts to the agent at Rome, informed him, at the same time, that his worthy and afflicted friend, Bishop Geddes, suffered much at times, and that he signed his name with difficulty. It would melt a tiger’s heart, he added, to see the best of men thus exhausted before his time. His days are full, though less numerous than might have been expected. He retained, however, Mr. Farquarson thought, his mental faculties better than ever. In addition to his bodily affliction three or four years of his Spanish pension remained unpaid, and he was involved in church affairs. His allowance from Rome was inconsiderable; and hence he was in straitened circumstances.