MACKENZIE'S GAZETTE

by [Canadian Rebellion of 1837]:

Price: $3,750.00
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Book description: New York and Rochester, N.Y. November 10, 1838 - May 4, 1839.. Pages 209-348. Volume 1, numbers 27 to 52 (numbers 39-40, 41-42, and 43-44 being combined issues). Folio. Contemporary three quarter sheep and marbled boards, paper label on front board. Neatly rebacked in calf, leather label. Edges of the first few pages with small chips or tears, but no loss of text. The issues themselves in very good condition. A nice run of a scarce and little-known but important newspaper, helmed by William Mackenzie and used by him as an organ for his movement to sever Upper Canada from the British Empire. The Scottish-born Mackenzie (1795-1861) had a long and tumultuous career in Canadian politics. His push for greater Canadian autonomy led to the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837-1838, during which Mackeznie wrote a new constitution (modelled partially on that of the United States). The rebellion was quickly suppressed by British troops, and Mackenzie and his allies fled to Buffalo. The United States became embroiled in the affair when the S.S. Caroline, an American ship that was supplying the Canadian rebels, was destroyed by British forces on the Niagara River. Despite his setbacks, Mackenzie proclaimed the Republic of Canada and declared himself head of a provisional government. He settled in New York City, found financial backing, and launched MACKENZIE'S GAZETTE with the issue of May 12, 1838. Mackenzie asserted that the newspaper would report on and defend the patriot cause, and also describe issues in the Maine boundary controversy, relations between the United States and Great Britain, the Caroline affair, and other related issues. The first issue present here leads off with the text of Governor John Colborne's proclamation of martial law in Lower Canada, followed by a proclamation by Robert Nelson "Commander-in-Chief of the Patriot Army," calling on Canadians to join in the patriot cause and rebel against British authority. Each issue is filled with news and opinion regarding the rebellion, from reports of war on the frontier to discussions of the ongoing Caroline affair, the "Aroostook War" between the United States and Great Britain in Maine, stories of British governmental and military cruelty, articles regarding Ireland, and expressions of support for the patriot cause from America. Mackenzie also used the GAZETTE as an organ to criticize his former allies, and to compare the movement in Canada to the American Revolution. In all, the newspaper provides an incredible storehouse of information on Mackenzie's movement, and on this important episode in Canadian and American history. While in the United States Mackenzie was tried for violating American neutrality and spent just under a year in prison. Through the newspaper, Mackenzie grew increasingly vocal regarding American politics, weighing in on banking issues, the 1838 election, Anglo-American relations, and other issues. Mackenzie eventually moved the paper to Rochester and financial support for the GAZETTE began to diminish. The final issue was published on December 23, 1840. OCLC lists twenty-four institutions with issues of MACKENZIE'S GAZETTE, but only a few of these are complete runs and several are microfilms. Rare and fascinating. OCLC 10405601. Lillian F. Gates, AFTER THE REBELLION: THE LATER YEARS OF WILLIAM LYON MACKENZIE (Toronto. 1988), pp.35-46 & 73-84.

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