VAUDREUIL

On ne peut rien ajouter à un éloge aussi flatteur.

M. Raymond Baby ne vécut pas assez longtemps pour être témoin des valeureux exploits de ses enfants. [l mourut au mois de mars 1737. Depuis longtemps son père et sa mère étaient descendus dans la tombe. Son épouse lui survécut quelques années et décéda aux Trois-Rivières entre les bras de la mère Thérèse de Jésus, l’une de ses filles, qui s'était fait religieuse chez les Ursulines de cette ville, où, après avoir rempli les diverses charges de sa communauté et donné les plus beaux exemples de vertu, elle s’endormit dans le Seigneur dans un âge très-avancé, Les autres demoiselles Baby restèrent dans

le monde. L'une épousa M. Claude Benoist, chirurgien à Villemarie ; l’autre est devenue l’aïeule de M. J. F. Perrault, qui, à la prière de Lord Aylmer, mit par écrit, quoique âgé de quatre-vingts ans, le récit de ses intéressantes aventures. Une troisième devint l'épouse de M. Jean-Baptiste de Niverville, seioneur de Chambly. De leur côté, les MAL. Baby, à part Antoine qui ne se maria point, s'étaient donné chacun une épouse. Louis, l’un d’eux, était entré dans la famille de Couagne. Le 24 juillet 1758, il avait épousé Mile Louise de Couagne, fille de M. Jean-Baptiste de Couagne, capitaine d'infanterie, et de dame Marguerite LeNcuf de Falaise, les deux autres, Jacques et François, formèrent lies deux branches qui suivent.

lo. JacQuES BABY.—M. Jacques Duperron Baby, second fils du précédent, fut le chef de cette branche. Après s'être signalé, fort jeune, de concert avec ses frères, à la Monongahéla, sur les Plaines d'Abraham et à Sainte-Foye, le Canada ayant été définitivement cédé à la Grande-Bretagne,

APPÉNDIOE. 237

il passa au Détroit qui faisait encore partie intégrante du Canada. Alors bien des existences étaient brisées; bien des avepirs ctaient compromis. Dans le but de réparer les brèches que le malheur des temps avaient faites à sa fortune, il s’appliqua au commerce des pelleteries, à l'exemple de MM. de Lotbinière, de Verchères, Celoron de Blainville, ete. Les rapports que ce commerce néceskitait avec Jes sauvages, lui :equirent en peu de temps une immense influence sur les tribus des pays d'en haut. Charmés de ses bons p:'océdés, frappés de Ja loyauté de ses tran- ‘sactions, ces sourçonneux enfants des forêts mirent en lui toute leur confiance, M. Baby en profita pour leur donner de “sages avis et se rendre utile à son pays.

En vue de reconnaître les services que M. Baby avait rendu à la couronne britannique, Lord Dorchester le nomma juge au Détroit. Le nouveau gouverne- ‘ment ne pouvait compter sur un sujet plus dévoué. Lorsqu'éclata l'insurrection dans les colonies anglaises, loin. d'embrasser-le

238 APPENDIOP.

parti des insurgés, il mit tout en œuvre, d’abord pour les dissuader, et ensuite pour faire échouer leurs desseins sur le Canada, Il avait à cette-époque des propriétés con:

sidérables : elles furent confisquées. Les promesses brillantes que l'on avait fait entendre à ses oreilles, n'avaient pu ébranler un instant sa fidélité : les mauvais traitements dont il fut alors l'objet, pe purent davantage abattre son courage, pi diminuer sa constance. Il demeura le modèle parfait du citoyen intègre. C’est däns ces sentiments qu'il termina son utile mais trop courte carrière en 1789, à Sandwich, n'étant encore âgé que de cinquante-huit ans.

Trente-six ans auparavant, le 20 novembre 1750, M. Baby avait épousé au Détroit, Mile Suzanne de la Croix Réaume, personne des plus remarquables par la fermeté de son caractère et la beauté de sou esprit. Cette dame snrvécut plu:

sieurs années à son mari. Elle profita de son veuvage pour achever l'éducation de ses enfants auxquels elle sut inspirer, avec

l'esprit d'abnégation et de sacrifice si nécessaire à cette époque, l'amour du foyer, l'éloignement des plaisirs dangereux, la fidélité aux devoirs, le respect des convepances et l'attachement aux nobles traditions que leur avaient léguées leur père et leur grand-père. Ses enfants étaient au nombre de onze : sept garçons et quatre filles.

Les demoiselles firent toutes des mariages avantageux. L'une épousa M. Caldwell; une autre devint l'épouse de M.

Allison, et a été, comme on l’a dit, bellemère de M. P. de Gaspé. Des deux autres, l’une fit alliance avec M. Ross-Lewin ; l’autre contracta mariage avec M. Bellingham, devenu depuis Lord Bellingham.

Pendant que les demoiselles Baby formaient ces unions dans le monde, leurs frères se faisaient un nom à l’armée.— Daniel, après s'être signalé en Espagne, sous Wellington, en qualité de lieutenant dans je vingt-quatrième régiment d’Infanterie, acheva de se couvrir de gloire au siége de Badajoz. Plus heureux que les

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deux de Salaberry, ses compatriotes, qui y trouvèrent la mort, il eu revint sain et sauf, ct parvint quelque temps après au grade de lieutenant-général. Il est mort tout récemment à Londres, après avoir eu le plaisir de recevoir la visite de son cousin, l'Honorable François Baby.—Antoine, ayant aussi pris du service, passa aux Indes, où sa bravoure iui mérita le grade de Major dans son régiment. Ayant alors épousé une demoiselle d'origine française, il quitta le service et vint se fixer à Tours, où on le voyait encore en 1860.— Louis suivit également ses frères aux Indes. C'est là qu'il fut promu au srade de capitaine dans le vingt-quatrième régiment d'infanterie. Il en remplissait les fonctions, lorsqu'il trouva la mort, en combattant à la tête de ses troupes.— Pierre, un autre de leurs frères, embrassa la carrière médicale. Comme il possédait de rares talents, on l’envoya à Edimbourg, en Ecosse, suivre les cours de médecine en cette ville. De retour dans son pays, le jeune docteur se fixa dans le Haut-

Canada, où il s’allia à une famille d'origine écossaise.

ITo. Jacques BABy.—M. Jacques Baby, frère des précédents, continua Ja lignée. Il était l’aîné de la famille, et il peut en être considéré comme le plus marquant

La notice biographique suivante fut écrite à sa mort par son ami, le lord bishop Strachan, de Toronto :

‘James Baby—It is with extreme concern that we announce to the public, the loss of so valuable and respected a member of this Society, as the Hon. James Baby, who after a very short but severe illness, breathed his last, on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 19th inst., in the 71st year of his age.—As very few persons had heard of his illness, the report of his death produced a great sensation, for he was much beloved by all who knew him. His disease was at first attended with excessive pain and repeated convulsions, and when they abated, he was reduced to a

state of great debility, and had lost the power of articulation. He was nevertheless quite sensible, knew what was said to him and recognised his friends when they approached him. He seemed fully aware of his approaching dissolution, and bearing his illness with great fortitude and eomposure, he looked forward to the awful event, with tranquil resignation.

« Those animating hopes with which he had always rested in humble confidence on the mercies of his God, enabled him to contemplate death without dismay ; and his last moments were marked with that elevated serenity and pious submission, which well became the conclusion of à life in which the great duties of a man and a Christian, had been conscientiously discharged.

‘ [n every thing that relates to the life and character of a person so extensively known through both Provinces and deservedly beloved, the public will naturally feel a lively curiosity ; and We lament that we are unable to meet this laudable desire

with any other than a hasty and imperfect sketch of both. Yet short as our notice must of necessity be, there will be found something to stimulate to moral improvement, something to recommend and inspire the love of virtue and to exemplify the rewards of rectitude and the consolation of religion.

‘ James Baby was born at Detroit in 1762.—His Family was one of the most ancient in the colony and it was noble.

His father had removed from Lower Canada to the neighbourhood of Detroit, before the conquest of Quebec, where, in addition to the cultivation of lands, he was connected with the fur trade at that time, and for many years after, the great staple of the country. James was educated at the Roman Cathoïic Seminary at Quebec, and returned to the paternel roof soon after the peace of 1783. The family had ever been distinguished (and indeed all the higher French Families) for theiradherence to the British erown; and to this more than to any other cause, are we to

attribute the conduct of the Province of Quebec during the American war. Being a great favorite with his father, James was permitted to make an excursion to Europe, before engaging steadly in business, and after spending some time, principally in England, he rejoined his family.

‘ Infortunately the limits assigned by treaty to the United States, embraced within it the larger portion of his father’s property, and the family attachment to the British Government, being well known, they were looked upon with little favour by the American population, and found it necessary, after much loss and disappointment, to remove to the north side of the River Detroit, which constitutes the boundary of Upper Canada. When the province of Quebec was divided into two distinct governments, Upper and Lower Canada, the subject of this notice became an Executive and Legislative Councillor of the former, and continued in the regular and efficient discharge of the high and important duties of these eminent

stations, to the day of his death.

‘ Soon after his return from England, he became extensively concerned in the fur trade, and other commercial pursuits ; but war with the United States having broken out, all business was suddenly and completely stopped by a hostile invasion.

Previous to this, he had experienced very serious losses in his commercial dealings, and also in the erection of mills, on the property still retained with the territories of the Uuited States, and was endeavouring to make such arrangements as would relieve hin to attend to his farm and orchard, and his promising family. The sudden war, and the cilimities which it occasionod him were not the only evils which befell him. About the same time, he lost an actionrie wife, leaving five sons and one diughter, a!l very young.

To this Laiy, à woman of excellent name, unbloni-hclworth, and attentive to every con uuil aud domestic duty, he had been married severul yeoTs, :nd in her society, had eujoyed the greatest happiness.

Her death gave him a great shock; nor did he perhaps everwholly recover from the blow, for there were moments when he felt the loss, even to the last, most deeply, and he never married again. The death of Mrs. Baby appeared to blast his hopes, and derânge his purposes, and to throw him as it were adrift on the ocean of life.

“ The commencement of the war was perhaps fortunate for him under his heavy bereavement, for he was immediately called to active service. He commanded the Militia of the Western District and performed many services highly essential to the preservation of the Province. The people were anxious to win his favour ; they had the most unlimited confidence in his judgment, and at his request their provisions, their cattle, and personal services were ever ready to support the King's forces in making head against the enemy. When it was in contemplation to withdraw the troops from the Western part of the province, he sent his children

to Quebec ; and when this event took place, he found his health so much impaired by fatigue and privation, and the grief which still consumed him, that he found it necessary to adopt the advice of his Physiclans, and to retire to Lower Canada. !

‘There he remained with his children till the re-cstablishment of peace, but not in the enjoyment of health, nor wasit till after he had been some time at Sandwich that his strength and energy returned.

‘ His merits had been so conspicuous during the war —his services so disinterested—his losses and privations so great, that government was anxious to confer upon him some mark of approbation, and knowing that his means had been very much impaired by the sacrifices he had made, it was determined to confer upon him the first office that became vacant, if worthy of his acceptance. As if to meet these views, the office of Inspector General

1 Ce ne fut qu'après le rétablissement de la paix, en 1815, qu’il descendit à Québec.

a place of great responsibility, was in a short time at the disposal of government, and was immediately bestowed upon M.

Baby. The last 17 years of his life have been spent at York (aujourd'hui Toronto), in the discharge of the duties of this office, and never has there been the slightest shadow of complaint—a fact, the more remarkable as he had to check every other office in the province, and to pronounce in a variety of questions, in which numbers were decply interested, but such was the public confidenec in his integrity

and honor, that not a murmur was ever heard.

‘ As a member of both Couneils he displayed the most uncompromising probity and no influence could induce him to give up an opinion, which, after mature examination, he eoncluded to be right. Owing to his havins cultivated both languages, French and English, and sometimes speaking in the one, and sometimes in the other, he seemed, at times, slow of apprehension, and after having made up his mind some.

what pertinaceous, but it was the result of high principle—there was nothing of levity or selfishness allowed in forming his conclusions.

“ There was a primitive simplicity in M. Baby's character, which added to his polished manners and benignity of disposition, threw a moral beauty around him which is very seldom beheld. His favorite amusements partook largely of this simplicity. He was fond of fishing—The solitude with which it was attended was congenial to his mind—it gave him exercise, fresh air and an appetite. For this amusement he had always à strong predilection.

—Ït required hope ard much patience ; and indeed, few can sit quitely on the flowery bank of a calm river, separated from the cares and business of the world, without falling into such contemplations «8 shall benefit their souls.

He had, perhaps, still greater pleasure in attending to his garden—to prune, to bud and graft, to sow and plant were among his most agreable employments—

he delighted in watching the progress of his labours—and was anxious to discover new methods of improving fruits and plants, and ascertaining the most approved methods of cultivation. We would frequently find him hastening in the morning to enjoy his garden, and no man can be fond of its fruits and flowers, and the delightful enjoyment which they yield both te eye and ear by their perfumes and colours, without having his heart touched with gratitude to God, their Creator and was evident in every thing around him.— He had a number of canary birds, which he tended with great care and rejoiced as much in their increase as if he had received some great reward, and when the room resounded.with their songs, expressive of their joys, their loves and their happiness, he appeared to participate in their innocent delights. We might proceed to mention the interest which he took in the comfort and happiness of all the domestic animals which he kept about him, but we must hasten to a close.

a ere

‘“ His external accomplishments and manners were highly adapted to win affections esteem. To an address pecularly engaginge from its dignity, urbanity and ease, was united a cordiality and kindness of deportment which induced one to desire a more intimate acquaintance.

‘ In his social intercourse he was an universal favorite for the sweetness of his temper, and innocence of his heart opened the affection of all in his favor. It was not that he was distinguished for his colloquial powers, for he was by r2 means the leader in conversation, but there was the polish of the most refined manners ripened by innate benevolence, which made him s0 acceptable in all companies, that those only who have had the happiness of meeting him often in society, can form a just conception of the pleasure of his presence.

But highly as this excellent man was to be admired and loved for his engaging manners and virtuous sentiments, the exalted qualities which dignified his moral nature are still more worthy of approba-

tion. There were the gems which shed around his character, that lustre which made him so great a favorite. A strict probity and inviolable love of truth were perhaps the most prominent of his moral virtues. From these his conduct derived such a purity and elevation as could only spring from a mind in which the finest sensibilities of virtue had ever remained uncontaminated by the consciousness. ”