The Quebec Mercury 1824-29 in 5 vol. plus The Quebec Gazette 1823-26 in 3 volumes - a total of 8 rare and historically important early Canadian newspapers by RAMSAY, George, 9th Earl of Dalhousie [1770-1838] provenance - 1824

Quebec: Thomas Cary, George-Paschal Desbarats, 1824. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. QUITE RARE CANADIAN NEWSPAPERS WITH SUPERB PROVENANCE. The Quebec Mercury & The Quebec Gazette Published: Mercury: 1824-29 WITH Gazette: 1823-26. In eight volumes. [Cary, Thomas] & [Brown, William] Dimensions (height / length / width ) 31.5cm / 35cm / 26cm Contemporary half tan calf over original marble boards with both raised and ruled gilt banding and crimson morocco title labels; green stained edges; 4to. The Quebec Gazette, 1823-26, 3 bound volumes: One hundred and sixty-four issues bound in three volumes: #1) Volume 1, nos. 1-55*, 746pp. (Oct. 30, 1823 - Oct. 28, 1824)  *plus 8pp supplement in No. 3 not numbered *includes Extraordinary in No. 5  *includes Extraordinary in No. 21  #2) Volume 2, nos. 1-55*, 720pp. (Nov. 4, 1824 - Oct. 27, 1825) *includes Extraordinary in No.11  *includes Extraordinary in No.22  #3) Volume 3, nos. 1-54, 768pp. (Nov. 4, 1825 - Oct. 26, 1826)         *No. 49 not labeled, possibly p.631/632 which are unassociated * p.380 oversize insert, not numbered *includes Extraordinary in No.13 *includes Extraordinary in No.23  The Quebec Mercury, 1824-29 bound 5 volumes: Five hundred and fifty-one issues bound in five volumes:  #1) volume 20, nos. 1-103, 648pp. (Jan. 6 - Dec. 31, 1824) #2) volume 21, nos. 1-106, 648pp. (Jan. 4 - Dec. 31, 1825) #3) volume 22, nos. 1-103*, 646pp. (Jan. 3 - Dec. 30, 1826)        *Missing No. 36 #4) volume 23, nos. 1-105, 664pp. (Jan. 2 - Dec. 31, 1827) #5) volume 24, nos. 70-104, 222pp. (Sept. 2 - Dec. 30, 1828)        volume 25, nos. 1-101* 648pp., (Jan. 3 - Dec. 19, 1829) *Pamphlet inserted after p586, not numbered but dated Nov.21,1828 this is same content as printed in No. 3, Nov.22, 1828 newspaper. The Lord Dalhousie provenance has an additional collection attraction beyond the obvious importance and rarity of these volumes relating to Canada's early history. Dalhousie is considered the first patron of the arts in Canada. This is supported by an exhibition organized by René Villeneuve, Associate Curator, Canadian Art, at the National Gallery of Canada - Lord Dalhousie: Art Patron and Collector 15 Feb 2008 - 11 May 2008. George Ramsay, ninth Earl of Dalhousie, served as Lieutenant- Governor of Nova Scotia (1816-1820), then as Governor-in-Chief of British North America (1820-1828). During his twelve years in Canada, Dalhousie both commissioned and collected a stunning variety of artworks. Featuring some 135 works from his collection, this exhibition consists of an array of watercolours and wash drawings, engravings and lithographs, silhouettes, architectural drawings, models, and decorative pieces, all evidence of Dalhousie's unique point of view as patron and collector, his diverse interests, and his influence on the development of art in Canada. These now rare and historically important Canadian printed newspapers include many laws and legal issues reported for the first time publicly relating primarily to Lower Canada. Add to this, the excellent provenance of Dalhousie who as the Governor -in-Chief of Canada (1819-28) the top "law maker" in Canada. A beautiful set in very good+ condition! George Ramsay (1770-1838), 9th Earl of Dalhousie, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia and subsequently Governor-in-Chief of Canada (1819-28), entered the 3rd Dragoon Guards in 1788; in 1794 he became Lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Foot; in 1809 he attained the rank of Major-general, and in 1830 that of general. He fought throughout the Revolutionary and Peninsular Wars, and was present at the battle of Waterloo after which he began a career in administration. In 1816 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia; and from 1819 to 1828 he was governor-in-chief of Canada. Known for his authoritarian views, Dalhousie clashed with the French Canadian majority led by Louis-Joseph Papineau. He was recalled in 1828, and a British parliamentary committee was formed to deal with the Canadian situation. During his tenure he founded Dalhousie College (later Dalhousie University, 1863) in 1818 and he was instrumental in founding in 1824 the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, the first learned society in Canada. After leaving Canada he was appointed commander-in-chief in India in 1829; and in 1830 he was elected captain-general of the Royal Company of Archers, the king's bodyguard for Scotland. He died at Dalhousie Castle on March 21, 1838. It is interesting to note that the start date of the newspaper sequences coincide with Dalhousie's decision to take a leave of absence. The permission for this leave was granted in 1823, but he postponed it until June 1824. It is possible therefore that his subscription was taken out initially to keep him abreast of political developments in Canada while he was away from the country, and they were thus an important source of political intelligence to him during this period. W. Stewart Wallace, ed., The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. II, Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948, 411p., p. 174. David Evans: The Canadian Encyclopedia. The population of Canada in 1821 the population of Lower Canada is 397,600; of Upper Canada is 129,100. The Quebec Mercury On November 19, 1804, the editor of the future 'The Quebec Mercury', Thomas Cary, published a prospectus announcing a new English-language weekly paper. He explained that the paper would be published every Saturday evening beginning in January 1805. Subscription information, advertising rates and the paper's content were indicated in the prospectus. It also explained the general principles that were to guide the new paper: veneration of the British Constitution, respect for and submission to the local laws and colonial governments, respect for social order, and respect for the individual. From 1828 to 1848 the Mercury was owned jointly by Thomas Cary and George-Paschal Desbarats. It was to become a key political tool for the Tories, vigorously denouncing the initiatives of the Canadian Party and ran until 1863. In addition to 'Le Canadien' (1806-1893) it was the first really political newspaper printed in Canada. The Quebec Gazette, founded by William Brown in 1764, is the oldest newspaper in north America. It had semi-official status and continued until 1823, when it was replaced by the Quebec Official Gazette. Brown, born in 1737 at Nunton, Dumfires and Galloway, received an annual payment of £50 from the colonial authorities for official publications, and went on to publish numerous books, pamphlets, catechisms and the rare Quebec almanacks. Lande 2104.