Such was the posture of affairs, when to the general joy, our gallant
Governor Guy Carleton, returned and rejoined his dauntless little army
at Quebec, having succeeded, thanks to Captain Bouchette and other
brave men, in eluding the vigilance of the enemy in possession of
Three Rivers, Sorel and Montreal.
Turn over the records of those days
and yon will see the importance our fathers attached to the results of
the Sault-au-Matelot and Pres-de-Ville engagements.
For more than twenty-five years, the 31st December, 1775, was annually
commemorated, generally by a club dinner given at Ferguson's Hotel,
(Freemasons' Hall?) or at some other hotel of note - sometimes a
Chateau ball was added by the Governor of the Province. In 1778, we
find in the old Quebec Gazette, a grand fete champetre, given by
Lady Maria Carleton and her gallant partner Sir Guy, at the Red House,
a fashionable rustic Hostelry, kept by Alex. Menut, the prince of
Canadian Soyers of those days, who had been Maitre d'Hotel to
General Murray, and selected that year by Their Excellencies. It stood
on the Little River road, (the land is now owned by Mr. Tozer) about
two miles from Quebec. It reads thus in the Gazette of 8th January,
1778:
Quebec, 8th January, 1778.
"Yesterday, seventh night, being the anniversary of the victory
obtained over the Rebels in their attack upon this City in the year
1775, a most elegant Ball and Supper were given at Menut's Tavern by
the Gentlemen who served in the Garrison during that Memorable Winter.
The Company, consisting of upwards of two hundred and thirty Ladies
and Gentlemen, made a grand and brilliant appearance, and nothing but
mirth and good humour reigned all night long. About half-past six, His
Excellency, Sir Guy Carleton, Knight of the Bath, our worthy Governor
and Successful General, dressed in the militia uniform, (which added
lustre to the Ribbon and Star) as were also all the gentlemen of that
corps who served under him during the siege, entered the assembly room
accompanied by Lady Maria, &c., &c., and the Ball was soon opened by
her Ladyship and the Honorable Henry Caldwell, Lieutenant Colonel
Commandant of the British Militia. The dancing continued until half-
past twelve, when the Ladies were conducted into the supper room,
where Mr. Menut exhibited fresh proofs of that superior excellence in
the culinary art he so justly claims above his Peers.... The
company in general broke up about four in the morning, highly
satisfied with their entertainment and in perfect good humour with one
another. May that disposition prevail until the next and every
succeeding 31st of December, and may each return of that glorious day
(the event of which was not only the preservation of this garrison;
but of the whole Province) be commemorated with the same spirit and
unanimity in grateful remembrance of our happy deliverance from the
snares of the enemy, and with grateful acknowledgements of those
blessings of peace and tranquility of Government and Laws we now enjoy
in consequence of that day's success."
The Gazette of the following year carefully chronicles the gathering
of the Veterans of 1775.
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