VIEWS AMERICA NORTH

Rare view of Cap-Rouge on the St Lawrence River near the city of Quebec depicting the scene the evening before the Battle of Quebec, a turning point in the Seven Years’ War. The area between Cap-Diamant and Cap-Rouge was defended by French troops under the command of Louis Antoine de Bougainville. Quebec had been placed under siege for three months before the battle began on 13 September, during which the young James Cook surveyed the St Lawrence River, a feat which gained him the attention of the British admiralty and would later contribute to his selection for the Endeavour voyage. The commander of the British forces at Quebec was Major General James Wolfe, who became known famously as the ‘Conquerer of Canada’ for his victory at Quebec. Wolfe chose L’Anse-au-Foulon as the landing site for his surprise attack, ordering 1500 men to land by night on the north shore, climb the tall cliff, seize a small road, and overpower the garrison that protected it, opening the path to Quebec for the rest of his army. The plan succeeded and the following day, the British won a decisive victory, the battle lasting only fifteen minutes. It is notable for the fact that the military leaders of both sides were killed during the battle.

As a result of its victory over France in the Seven Years’ War (1754-63), Britain acquired all North American land east of the Mississippi river, which included most of Canada and New France. The region north of the Thirteen Colonies was then named Quebec and remained largely French-speaking. Following the American Revolution, numerous British Loyalists fled north from the United States and settled in Canada, significantly changing the demographics of the region. The Constitutional Act of 1791 separated Quebec into two provinces along the Ottawa River; predominantly English-speaking Upper Canada in the west and the French-speaking Lower Canada in the east. They remained separate provinces until the Union Act of 1841, which created the United Province of Canada. The Act was a direct result of large-scale rebellions (1837-8) which had swept across the provinces in response to the British colonial authorities’ rejection of the desire by settlers for responsible government. A small number of the rebels were later arrested and transported to Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales. The landscape, engraved by Captain Henry Smyth, was included in a collection of views published by John Bowles, which are known collectively as Scenographia Americana (1768).

A native from Nootka Sound, from, “Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's ships Resolution and Discovery, during years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780”, by William Ellis; published in London.

A man of Nootka Sound, British Columbia.

French edition of third voyage.

A view of the habitations in Nootka Sound. British Columbia.

French edition of third voyage.

A woman of Prince William's Sound. Alaska.

French edition of Cook's third voyage.

Views of the land on the west coast of America, to the westward of Cook's River.

Eight engraved coastal views on 1 sheet. Contents: View of the land to the Nd. of Foggy Island ... W. Bligh del -- View of the land to the westd. of Pinnacle Point ... View of the land when Pinnacle Point bore N. 1/2 W. or 7 leas. dist. -- View of the islands and main land on the N. of Schumagin's Strait when passing them -- View of the coast of America when Hallibut Head bore N. 43 W. dist. 3 leas. -- View of the land on the coast of America when the volcano bore N.N.E. 1/2 E. and the sou. part of Oonemak N. 40 W. dist. 7 leas. -- View of the land N. of Round Hill Island ... View of Gore's Island when Cape Upright bore N.N.W. 3 miles dist.

French edition of Cook's third voyage.

1. Eskimo woman (from Labrador). 2. Mexican (of the coast). 3. Mexican (of the Highlands). 4. Mexican Woman of Yucatan. 5. Ecuador Indian. 6. Peruvian Indian. 7. Ipurina (of Brazil). 8. Sioux. 9.10. Apaches (of U.S). 11. Bellacoola or Bilchula. 12.13. Pueblos (of U.S). 14.15. Zapotecas (of Mexico). 16. Bororo. 17. Caraya. 18. Botocudo woman. 19. Umaua or Omagus (of Brazil). 20. Araucanian woman (of Chili). 21.22. Woman of Tierra del Fuego, with child. 23. Patagonian woman.