The Toronto Project - A History of Toronto

1795, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, meets with Simcoe

6/22/1795

 
In June 1795, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, met with Simcoe in Niagara during his travels in the United States and Upper Canada.
Frédéric learned a great deal about the country, "the attainment of which was greatly facilitated by the generous openness of Governor Simcoe."
The plan conceived by General Simcoe for peopling and improving Upper Canada seems, as far as he has communicated it to us, extremely wise and well arranged.
...
A chief town or capital must not be seated on the frontiers, and much less under the guns of the enemy's fort. He has since thought of York, situated on the northern bank of Lake Ontario, nearly opposite to Niagara; it is in this place he has quartered his regiment, and he intends to remove thither himself when he shall withdraw from the frontiers.
York, from its extent, security, and situation, offers an excellent road. The communication between Lake Ontario and Lake Huron is facilitated by several rivers and small lakes. The surrounding territory possesses a good soil, and affords all possible means to improve the trade on the lake. Even in a military point of view its situation is very advantageous. The banks of Lake Ontario are likely to be first peopled by the Americans, and to become most populous; and Lower Canada will always prove to them an object of jealousy and evny rather than Upper Canada. On this ground it is extremely important, to choose a situation, which renders it more easy to succour such points as are most exposed to an attack. Yet Governor Simcoe seems to have relinquished the idea of establishing his residence, and the seat of government, at York.
Frédéric then described Simcoe's plans for the establishing of a capital, London, to be located on a river he has renamed from De la Franche to the Thames. Later on, he wrote that:
Governor Simcoe intends to make York the centre of the naval force on Lake Ontario.


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    1200s
    1600s
    1680
    1680s
    1688
    1690s
    1694
    1700s
    1750
    1750s
    1754
    1755
    1759
    1760
    1760s
    1761
    1780s
    1788
    1790s
    1793
    1795
    1797
    1800s
    1870s
    1876
    1900s
    1930s
    1935
    1950s
    1956
    MAPS
    PEOPLE
    PLACES
    Pre-1600s

CHARITY AND DONATIONS

The Toronto Project is a registered Canadian charity, advancing education by increasing the public's knowledge and appreciation of the general history of the city of Toronto, and in particular its social, cultural, architectural, geographical, and natural heritage, specifically through:
(1) the operation and development of a history of Toronto website;
(2) research to provide accurate educational information to the public; and
(3) networking with other charities with compatible aims.
Charitable Registration Number: No. 863000386 RR 0001

If you appreciate our work, please consider donating. We use PayPal to accept donations. Official income tax receipts are issued by email for donations of $20 or more. Thank you.

HELPFUL LINKS

The Tollkeeper's Cottage (tollkeeperscottage.ca)


DISCLAIMER, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK

This website is provided for informational purposes only. Content may not be accurate, complete or current, and we make no representations or warranties of any kind.

No part of this website may be reproduced without first obtaining express written permission.

TORONTO PROJECT is a registered trademark.


CONTACT

We can be reached at hello@torontoproject.com