66 discussion of general business affecting the Society constitute the chief work of these meetings. The minute books of fifty to sixty years ago, indicate that at the monthly meetings the great majority of the members attended, and "like great Anna, whom three realms obey, sometimes counsel took, and "sometimes tea"-the accounts presented from time to time for refreshments, look formidable to us to-day. The history of the Society since 1824 given in this volume, was compiled and edited by Dr. Henry Ievers, who is Chairman of the Publication Committee of the Society; he has gathered from various records the historical data comprised therein. The section on Unique Quebec by Colonel William Wood was issued by the Society this year as a "separate" and was presented in that form to each member of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Canadian Historical Association. To Dr A. G. Doughty, Dominion Archivist, we are indebted for matter contained in the "Dalhousie Papers", as well as other matter on interesting subjects of one hundred years ago relating to this Society, and also for The Duke of Wellington's Report on the defence of Canada from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, etc., etc., etc. QUEBEC, August 20th 1924. J. C. SUTHERLAND INTRODUCTION BY THE EDITOR The first Section of the CENTENARY VOLUME OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC is issued to set forth the objects of the Society to record its Transactions both such as have been published and those yet awaiting publication: together with references to occurrences of especial interest, pertaining more particularly to Quebec. Partly owing to the many histories of the Great War-both Naval and Military-that have been written, little allusion is made to the supreme effort put forth by Canada: yet Quebec and its environs played a most important part on both land and sea. When the great emergency arose the Military Camp at Valcartier sprang into existence almost in a night, and from our harbour, the transports bore away the legions of our Best. Levis became a hive of industry, building vessels both for England and for France, and the mammoth dry dock with its extensive workshops gave needed aid, to stem the tide of German atrocities and save the world from bondage. The Society is indebted to Dr. A. G. Doughty, Dominion Archivist, Ottawa, for copies of letters and papers connected with Lord Dalhousie; Report of Duke of Wellington; Defence of Quebec; Royal Mail Schedule for 1824, and many other papers. The Council of the Society decided last winter, to publish Unique Quebec, then being prepared by Col. Wm. Wood, and also to include it in the Centenary Volume:—it is given in full at end of book. FOUNDATION OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL The formation of this Society was conceived by the Earl of Dalhousie, Governor-General of British North America in the year 1823, as evidenced by the following letters written by him to: The Hon. Wm. Smith, 27th April, 1823. Mr. Vallières de St. Real, 27th April, 1823. LETTER, Lord Dalhousie to the Hon. Wm. Smith. My dear Sir, QUEBEC, 27th April, 1823. I have not lost sight of the conversation I had one day with you in last winter, on the subject of the early history of this Province, and the materials that are supposed to exist in the repositories of individuals or Public Institutions neglected and wasting. The History and language of the Indian tribes would form a principal branch of this interesting subject, and these are fast losing by neglect or decay. I should be highly gratified, could I induce you and the Chief Justice to join efforts with me in the formation of a Society, not entirely "Antiquarian" but Historical rather and Canadian. Our first field may be narrow but I am sure we [11] |