Part 78 (1/2)
=Vancouver, George= (1758-1798). Entered British navy, 1771; sailed in the _Resolution_ with Captain Cook on his second voyage, 1772-1775, and in the _Discovery_ on his third voyage, 1776-1780. Lieutenant on the _Martin_, 1780; and served in the West Indies with Rodney, taking part in the battle of 1782. Appointed to the _Europe_, 1784; and to the _Courageux_, 1790, and promoted commander. In 1791 sent out in command of the _Discovery_, to survey the coast from lat. 30 N. to Cook's River, and to carry out the terms of the Nootka Convention. Through differences of opinion with the Spanish representative, Quadra, the latter part of his instructions could not be carried out, but the survey of the North-West Coast was carried out with such zeal and accuracy as to make it a permanent and very important addition to geographical knowledge. Returned to England in 1795, and spent the rest of his life preparing his journals for publication. =Index=: =D= Outline of his voyages to North-West Coast, 17; his skill, courage, and endurance, 19; search for North-West Pa.s.sage, 19; meets Quadra at Nootka, 33; makes thorough exploration of entire Pacific coast from San Francisco to Bering Sea, 1792-1794, 34; finally leaves North-West Coast, Oct. 16, 1794, 15; meets Galiano and Valdez at Point Gray, 35. =MS= Mackenzie hears of, from Coast Indians, 85; his s.h.i.+ps on the Pacific coast at time of Mackenzie's journey, 86. =Bib.=: Works: _Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, 1790-1795_. _See also_ Bancroft, _History of North-West Coast_; Begg, _History of British Columbia_; Laut, _Vikings of the Pacific_; Meany, _Vancouver's Discovery of Puget Sound_; _Dict.
Nat. Biog._
=Vancouver Island.= The largest island on the west coast of North America. Named after Captain George Vancouver, who explored this coast in the years 1792-1794. The island was first named Quadra and Vancouver in honour of the two naval officers who met at Nootka in 1792 to carry out the provisions of the Nootka Convention. The first authentic landing on the coast of the island is that of Captain James Cook in 1787.
Captain James Hanna landed at Nootka in 1785; and Captain John Meares in 1788. From this time trading and exploring expeditions spent more or less time at Nootka. In 1843 the Hudson's Bay Company made their first establishment on the island, Fort Victoria, at first known as Camosun.
The island remained under the control of the Company until 1849, when it became a crown colony. Representative government was introduced, 1856; and in 1866 the island and mainland were united under one government.
=Index=: =D= Organic existence since 1849, 1; first named Quadra and Vancouver Island by Vancouver, 35; only nominal possession at end of eighteenth century, 62; handed over to Hudson's Bay Company, Jan. 13, 1849, 194; terms of grant, 194; colonization and the Company, 194-195; first settler, 196; other arrivals, 197; population in 1853, 198; quarrels between Company and settlers, 198-199; recommendation of committee on Hudson's Bay Company, 1857, 201-202; history of early settlement, 203; first governor, Richard Blanshard, 1849, 203; relations with Company, 203-204; succeeded by James Douglas, 205; Hudson's Bay Company secures renewal of grant, 1854, 207; establishment of representative government, 1856, 208-210; meeting of first Legislature, 210-211; governor's inaugural speech, 211-215; Company's rights acquired by crown, 229; road-building, 249; early legislation, 271; Clergy Reserves, 273-274; history of legislation, 274; railway built, 327.
=Bib.=: Begg, _History of British Columbia_; Bancroft, _History of British Columbia_; Macdonald, _British Columbia and Vancouver's Island_; MacFie, _Vancouver Island and British Columbia_. _See also_ British Columbia.
=Van Egmond, Anthony.= Commander of the Upper Canadian rebels in 1837; a native of Holland; had been a colonel in Napoleon's army, and had seen much active service. In 1819 emigrated with his family to America, settling first in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he had a farm and a store. In 1827 moved to Upper Canada, and rented a farm near Waterloo; in 1832 possessed a mill at Egmondville, near Seaforth, and a farm within five miles. Invited by William Lyon Mackenzie to command the forces of the insurgents. In this capacity took part in the fight on Dec. 7, 1837, with the Loyalist troops, near Montgomery's tavern, on Yonge Street, Toronto, when the rebels were badly defeated. Later captured, and placed in jail; afterwards removed to the hospital, but died early in 1838 from disease and exposure. =Index=: =Mc= Commander-in-chief of the rebels, 1837, 360; arrives late, 376; indorses Mackenzie's plans, 376; in charge at Montgomery's farm, 379; captured, 382; dies in prison, 382. =Bib.=: Dent, _Upper Canadian Rebellion_; Read, _Rebellion of 1837_.
=Vanelly.= =Ch= Merchant, compensation awarded to, for goods seized, 221.
=Vanfelson, Judge.= =E= Member of Seigniorial Court, 187.
=Van Horne, Major.= American officer. =Index=: =Bk= Force of, dispersed by Tec.u.mseh's Indians, 237.
=Van Horne, Sir William Cornelius= (1843- ). Born in Will County, Illinois. Educated at the common schools. In 1857 entered the railway service as telegraph operator on the Illinois Central Railway. After serving in various capacities on railways in the United States, and rising rapidly through all the grades, appointed in 1881 general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway; and since that date the vast extension and financial success of the railway has been due largely to his energy and resourcefulness. Became vice-president, 1884; president, 1888; chairman of the board of directors, 1899-1910. In 1894 created K.C.M.G.
=Index=: =Md= Made president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 1888, 238.
=Bib.=: Morgan, _Can. Men_; _Canadian Who's Who_.
=Vankoughnet, Philip Michael Scott= (1823-1869). Born in Cornwall, Ontario. Studied law and called to the bar, 1843; practised in Toronto; appointed Q.C., 1850. In May, 1856, president of the Executive Council, and minister of agriculture, in the Tache administration, and in November, 1856, first member of the Legislative Council for Rideau. From 1858 to 1862 chief commissioner of crown lands in the Cartier-Macdonald government; amongst some of his important measures was the system of selling towns.h.i.+ps _en bloc_, and the opening up and improvement of roads. In 1862 appointed chancellor of Upper Canada. =Index=: =T= Delegate to England on Intercolonial matter, 55. =Bib.=: Morgan, _Cel.
Can._; Read, _Lives of the Judges_; Dent, _Last Forty Years_.
=Van Rensselaer, Rensselaer= (1802-1850). Son of General S. Van Rensselaer of Albany, New York; for some time employed as a clerk in the post office, Albany. In November, 1837, while on a trip through the west for the _Albany Daily Advertiser_, came in contact with the Canadian revolutionists and was offered and accepted the position of commander-in-chief of the rebel forces. After a few months' desultory fighting, arrested on Feb. 28, 1838, at Syracuse, by the American authorities, for violating the neutrality laws. Tried on Oct. 18, 1839, and convicted; sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $250.
After serving the six months, the fine was remitted. =Index=: =Mc= Fights under Bolivar, 412; given command at Navy Island, 413; arrives there, 415; his habits, 417; evacuates island, 424; plans attack on Kingston, 429; failure of, 429; blames Mackenzie, 430; exonerates Mackenzie, 430. =Bib.=: _Cyc. Am. Biog._; Dent, _Upper Canadian Rebellion_.
=Van Rensselaer, Solomon= (1774-1852). Born in Rensselaer County, New York. Entered the army in 1792 as a cornet of cavalry, later becoming captain. In 1794, while commanding a company of volunteers, severely wounded at the battle of Maumee Rapids. In 1812 adjutant-general of New York militia, and arranged the armistice which enabled the Americans to make use of Lake Ontario as a highway for the transportation of troops and stores. In 1812 commanded an attacking party at Queenston Heights and seriously wounded. Member of Congress, 1819-1822; and postmaster at Albany, 1822-1839. =Index=: =Bk= Aide-de-camp to General Van Rensselaer, 284; wounded in crossing river at Queenston, 300. =Bib.=: _Cyc. Am.
Biog._; Lucas, _Canadian War of 1812_.
=Van Rensselaer, Stephen= (1764-1839). Born in New York. Graduated at Harvard, 1782. In 1786 major of militia, and in 1788 colonel. In 1789 elected to the a.s.sembly as a member of the Federal party, of which he soon afterwards became leader; state Senator in 1790-1795; lieutenant-governor in 1795, and returned to the a.s.sembly in 1798 and 1808-1810. In 1801 promoted major-general. In 1812, on the outbreak of war with Great Britain, commanded the United States forces on the Niagara frontier. Resigned his command, Oct. 24, 1812, and left the service. In 1816 elected to the a.s.sembly, and from 1823 to 1829 served in Congress. =Index=: =Bk= In command on Niagara frontier, 284; correspondence with Brock, 285; force under his command, 287. =Bib.=: _Cyc. Am. Biog._; Lucas, _Canadian War of 1812_.
=Varin, J. B.= =E= Commissioner under Seigniorial Tenure law, 187.
=Vauban, De.= =F= French engineer, prepares plans for defence of Quebec, 326.
=Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de= (1698-1778). Born at Quebec, son of Philippe de Vaudreuil (_q.v._). Entered the army at an early age, becoming ensign, 1708; lieutenant, 1712; and major, 1729. The following year gained the coveted honour of chevalier of the Order of St. Louis. Appointed governor of Three Rivers, 1733; and of Louisiana, 1742; governor of Canada, 1755. Continually at odds with Montcalm, and hampered him in his defence of Quebec. After the battle of the Plains retired with the army to Jacques Cartier, and took no part in the subsequent operations before Quebec. On his return to France arrested and thrown into the Bastile on charges connected with his government of Canada, but released after trial before the Chatelet de Paris. =Index=: =WM= Governor, his first interview with Montcalm, 28; considered the sending out of Montcalm unnecessary, 28; birth and personal qualities, 29; his inveterate hatred for Montcalm, 62; popular with Canadians, 63; his military views, 80, 81; activity of, 127; congratulates Levis on victory of Montmorency, 144; prefers his advice to that of Montcalm, 145; thought Le Foulon (Wolfe's Cove) insufficiently guarded, 160; writes Bougainville that safety of colony is in his hands, 161; gives orders for disposition of troops along the heights, 162; his uneasiness about Le Foulon, 162; would not risk engagement between French and British fleets, 167; learns of landing of Wolfe's army, 189; begs Montcalm not to precipitate an engagement, 193; takes no part in battle, 201; prepared, according to Chevalier Johnstone, for immediate capitulation, 208; holds council of war, 211; decides on retreat to Jacques Cartier, 212; his letter to Levis on loss of battle, 212; letter to Montcalm, 214; gives instructions respecting capitulation of Quebec, 214; his lack of energy, 215; promises a.s.sistance to Ramezay, 226; Quebec having fallen, he marches with Levis to retake it, 241-242; maintains spies in Quebec, 243; congratulates Levis on victory of Ste.
Foy, 267. =P= Extent of his responsibility for defeat of Montcalm at Quebec, 143. =BL= His capitulation at Montreal in 1760, 1. =Hd= Last French governor of Canada, 36; Amherst's letter to, 38, 39. =Bib.=: Doughty, _Siege of Quebec_; Wood, _The Fight for Canada_; Parkman, _Montcalm and Wolfe_; Bradley, _The Fight with France_.
=Vaudreuil, Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de.= Came to Canada, 1687, in command of eight hundred troops, and, leaving his men behind, pushed on alone to join Denonville in his expedition against the Iroquois. In 1696 commanded a division of Frontenac's army against the Iroquois, and led a detachment to destroy the Oneida town. Appointed governor of Montreal, 1698; administrator of the colony, 1703; and governor, 1705-1725.
=Index=: =L= Acting governor of Montreal, 223; succeeds Callieres as governor, 235. =F= Acts as chief of staff to Governor Denonville, 209; acting governor of Montreal, 225; surprises and destroys band of Indians at Repentigny, 308. =Bib.=: Parkman, _Frontenac_ and _Half Century of Conflict_.
=Vauquelin, Jean= (1726-1763). Born in Caen, France. Entered the navy, and in 1745 successfully engaged a British frigate off Martinique. In 1754 did good service in reconnoitring the English ports, and subsequently given command of the _Arethuse_. In 1758 despatched to Louisbourg with reinforcements and stores for the French troops and got into the harbour, although many of his crew were killed and wounded. In 1759, with three frigates, sailed to the relief of Quebec. After the capitulation endeavoured to escape with his s.h.i.+ps, but they were destroyed or captured by the British, and Vauquelin taken prisoner. On his release returned to France, and was arrested. =Index=: =WM= Hero of Louisbourg, 81; in charge of frigates _Atalante_ and _Pomone_, 243.
=Bib.=: Doughty, _Siege of Quebec_.
=Vaux, Mme. de.= =WM= Grandmother of Montcalm, 4.
=Vendremur, Corneille de.= =Ch= Clerk, returns to France, 209.
=Ventadour, Henri de Levy, Duc de= (1595-1651). Viceroy of Canada, 1625-1627. Served for a time in the army, and is said to have taken holy orders. In any event took a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of Canada, and after acquiring the viceroyalty instrumental in sending out the first Jesuit missionaries in 1625. In 1627, on the formation of the Company of New France by Richelieu, purchased the viceroyalty from De Ventadour. Pointe Levy, or Levis, opposite Quebec, was named after him.