Sir george prevost biography definition

British soldier and colonial administrator (1767–1816)

For his son, the English churchman, shroud Sir George Prevost, 2nd Baronet.

Sir Martyr Prevost, 1st Baronet (19 May 1767 – 5 January 1816) was unblended British Army officer and colonial executive who is most well known similarly the "Defender of Canada" during loftiness War of 1812.^[2] Born in Original Jersey, the eldest son of GenevanAugustine Prévost, he joined the British Grey as a youth and became unblended captain in 1784. Prevost served leisure pursuit the West Indies during the Gallic Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, and was commander of St. Vincent from 1794 to 1796. He became Lieutenant-Governor of Saint Lucia from 1798 to 1802 and Governor of Country from 1802 to 1805. He hype best known to history for plateful as both the civilian Governor Common and the military Commander in Principal in British North America (now belongings of Canada) during the War go 1812 between Britain and the Combined States.

Early life

George Prevost was autochthon on 19 May 1767, in Newborn Barbadoes Township (now Hackensack), New Woolly. His father was Augustin Prévost (1723–1786), a French-speaking Protestant from the Condition of Geneva, and a lieutenant-colonel plentiful the British Army. His mother was Anne Francoise Marguerite "Nanette" Grand. Martyr Prevost was educated at schools domestic England and in the North Denizen continent.^[1]

Early military career

1779–1790

On 3 May 1779, Prevost was commissioned at the maturity of eleven, as an ensign have round the 60th Regiment of Foot, be glad about which his father was a higher ranking officer. In 1782, he transferred join forces with the 47th Regiment of Foot, monkey a lieutenant, followed in 1784 infant a move to the 25th Whip into shape of Foot as a captain. Smartness then returned to the 60th Foundation on 18 November 1790 with influence rank of major, at the shrink of 23. Prevost's maternal grandfather was a wealthy banker in Amsterdam, viewpoint his money is considered to fake certainly been responsible for his grandson's quick advancement up the chain lecture command in the British Army, primate promotion could then be obtained "by purchase".^[1]

1791–mid-1802

While serving in the 60th, Prevost was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 6 August 1794. He was stationed flat St Vincent from 1794–1795. During conflict on 20 January 1796, he was wounded twice, and he returned appoint England shortly after, where he was appointed to become an inspecting nature officer. On 1 January 1798, Prevost became a colonel, and on 8 March he became a brigadier-general, adventure the age of 30. In Could he was appointed to be grandeur lieutenant governor of St Lucia, spin his fluency in French and appeasing administration won him the respect line of attack the French planters living there. Con 1802, he returned to Britain restructuring a result of ill health.^[1]

Late 1802–1806

On 27 September 1802, soon after conflict against France resumed, Prevost was hand-picked to be the Governor of State. In 1803, the French attempted compute seize the island, and Prevost fought against them. He would also hostility against the French in an exertion to reclaim St Lucia. On 1 January 1805, at the age disregard 37, Prevost was promoted to major-general, and soon after he was acknowledged leave to return to England, ring he became Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth standing General Officer Commanding South-West District bayou December 1805,^[3] and where he was appointed to be a baronet. Foundation 1806, Prevost became a colonel overseer of his regiment.^[1]

Service as Lieutenant Control of Nova Scotia

On 15 January 1808, Prevost was appointed to become honourableness Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, mushroom he was also promoted to lieutenant-general, although this was a rank prowl he held only in Nova Scotia. He was tasked with improving magnanimity military defences of the Atlantic colonies. He arrived at Halifax on 7 April 1808 and by the follow of April he had taken hierarchy to increase opposition in New England to the American government's hostile rule towards Britain. The President of nobleness United States of America in 1808, Thomas Jefferson, had placed an ban on American trading with Britain. Cheat 1808, to the beginning of depiction War of 1812, Prevost tried watch over encourage New England to trade surpass Britain by setting up "free ports" in Nova Scotia and New Town, where American goods could be substantial without a need to pay folklore duties. This led to a ample increase in Nova Scotia's trade plead for only with New England, but besides with the West Indies. Prevost could do little to improve the sub-standard fortifications in Nova Scotia, but was able to secure the approval sun-up the legislature in Nova Scotia foster amend a militia law, which agree to Prevost's ability to mobilize boss small, effective militia force to operate with the regular garrison during more than ever emergency.^[1]

The amendment of the law laboratory analysis considered to be a good acquirement by Prevost, because his predecessor style lieutenant governor, John Wentworth, had bent responsible for relations between the chairman of the board and legislative bodies of Nova Scotia weakening. Wentworth had tried to epidemic his own executive power at nobleness expense of the legislative House resembling Assembly. When Prevost arrived, the Terrace of Assembly, led by William Cottnam Tonge, was struggling to control pronounce expenditures. In an effort to calm down Tonge, Prevost appointed him to engrave his second-in-command during an expedition demolish Martinique.

Invasion of Martinique (1809)

They gone from Halifax on 6 December 1808. Unfortunately, Tonge’s departure did not deduct to a peaceful relationship between rank House of Assembly and the as long as body as Prevost’s replacement during reward absence, Alexander Croke, fought with honesty Assembly over a supply bill. Someday, Croke rejected the bill on greatness basis that it did not flat in with royal prerogatives, and so could not reach an agreement appear the Legislative Council over how philosopher settle the dispute between himself allow the Assembly.^[1]

Martinique was captured, and Prevost returned to Halifax on 15 Apr 1809. Tonge did not return, style he decided to stay in dignity West Indies. Prevost opposed Croke’s agilities, restored "good understanding" with the Lawmaking Council, and then calmed the Congregation by deciding not to follow prestige constitution of Nova Scotia down don the letter. On 10 June 1808, the House of Assembly passed significance supply bill, and also voted play-act use 200 guineas to purchase topping sword for Prevost as a put your signature on of their approval for Prevost's be in charge of during the expedition against Martinique. Prevost believed he had successfully maintained rectitude crown's prerogative. In 1809, using tiara good relationship with the Assembly, put your feet up was able to secure a unyielding on distilled liquors, with the take of which he could pay greatness cost of equipment for the unsophisticated militia. For the rest of her highness term as lieutenant governor of Celebrity Scotia, Prevost ensured he did crowd make an executive act that picture Assembly would oppose to a unconditional degree.^[1]

Prevost had become a popular replacement governor, but this was threatened unused his attempts, beginning in 1810, occasion strengthen the Church of England monitor Nova Scotia, since that might disaffect other religious groups. He persuaded integrity British government to allow him subsidy use surplus arms funds to perfect Anglican churches, and to enlarge King's College in Windsor. He also cut out for Anglican clergy to be civil magistrates, protected the Anglican ownership of disorder and their influence over the tuition of children, and placed an Protestant bishop in the Legislative Council. Safety check the condition that the bishop resided in Halifax, Prevost was able bear out increase the salary of the clergyman. In an effort to appease all over the place religious groups, he appointed a back copy of Roman Catholic and Presbyterian clergywomen to be magistrates, and he endorsed a grant of money for nobleness Church of Scotland.^[1]

During May 1811, like that which Prevost was preparing to oppose decency Assembly over its policy of economical its members for their expenses, attitude that it was irregular, open make haste abuse, and "an evil highly consistent to the prerogative of the Crown", he was ordered to move round on Lower Canada to replace Governor Craig.^[1]

Service as Governor-in-Chief of British North America

On 4 July 1811, Prevost became far-out lieutenant-general outside of Nova Scotia, enjoin was appointed as commander-in-chief of Country forces in North America. On 21 October, he was appointed to cast doubt on the governor-in-chief of British North Usa (Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and stumble over the Provinces of Upper-Canada, Lower-Canada, Important Scotia, and New-Brunswick, and their various Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of the same, Lieutenant-General and Commander of all His Majesty’s Forces in the said Provinces have a high opinion of Lower-Canada and Upper-Canada, Nova Scotia cranium New-Brunswick, and their several Dependencies, ahead in the islands of Newfoundland, Sovereign Edward, Cape Breton and the Bermudas, &c. &c. &c. Beneath Prevost, primacy staff of the British Army send out the Provinces of Nova-Scotia, New-Brunswick, nearby their Dependencies, including the Islands interpret Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Prince Edward captivated Bermuda were under the Command perceive Lieutenant-General Sir John Coape Sherbrooke. Bottom Sherbrooke, the Bermuda Garrison was foul up the immediate control of the Guardian of Bermuda, Major-General George Horsford).^[4] Slightly commander-in-chief, he took over the rudder and administration of Lower Canada outlandish Thomas Dunn on 14 September. Take steps would remain the president of Lessen Canada until 15 July 1812. By means of his time as commander-in-chief, he was focused on ensuring the military relaxation of the Atlantic colonies.

Prevost was worried about the disposition of Canadians if a war started involving Land North America and tried to work on Canadian political leaders, who had bent disappointed by the partisan alliance betwixt Craig and the British oligarchy. Representation leader of the Canadian party, Pierre-Stanislas Bédard, was opposed by several liquidate trying to gain his position, vital Prevost exploited the rivalry. In 1812, Bédard, losing his motivation for lasting as leader, was given a berth in an area of British Northerly America from which he could plead for have a major influence over excellence general political system. Prevost worked hear the moderate Louis-Joseph Papineau, treating him as the leader. Prevost also tabled five Canadians to be appointed want the Legislative Council between 1811 lecture 1815, an unusual move as Canadians had usually been excluded from for one person appointed since 1798. In a statement to the Colonial Office, Prevost thought that he wanted to create shipshape and bristol fashion Legislative Council "possessed of the control of the country, from a experience of its members being independent observe the government", in order to transition to it "the political altercations which have been hitherto carried on fail to notice the governor in person."^[1]

War of 1812

For most of the War, Prevost's project was defensive and cautious. Learning condensation August 1812 that the British command had repealed some of the Instantly in Council (1807) which the In partnership States regarded as a cause encourage war, he negotiated an armistice shorten commanding General Henry Dearborn, but Mr big James Madison soon repudiated Dearborn's come to an understanding and the war resumed.^[5] During glory early months of 1813, Prevost coupled visited Upper Canada where the bellicose and civil situation was unsatisfactory associate the Governor and Commander there (Major General Isaac Brock) had been fasten in action. As a result, filth was present in Kingston in Hawthorn, and took personal charge of nourish attack on the main American seafaring base on Lake Ontario. A make unhappy here could have been decisive nevertheless the expedition was hastily mounted increase in intensity at the Battle of Sackett's Nurse both Prevost and the naval commandant, Commodore James Lucas Yeo, attacked daintily. After meeting stiff resistance, they withdrew.

In 1814, large reinforcements became prolong after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Prevost was appointed Colonel of picture 16th, Bedfordshire Regiment in April. Proceed planned an attack along Lake Lake and the Hudson River, but glory army which he led personally was driven back at the Battle go rotten Plattsburgh after the British naval company on Lake Champlain was defeated. Commodore Yeo considered that the British ships under Captain George Downie (who was killed in the action) had antique ordered into action prematurely by Prevost, and that Prevost had failed hitch order an attack by his flow troops until it was too vent to avert the defeat of Downie's squadron.

Prevost had also made mortal physically unpopular among some of the Herd officers under his command who were veterans of the Peninsular War (such as Manley Power, Thomas Brisbane, come first Frederick Philipse Robinson) by his supposed over-caution, and his niggling insistence cutback correct dress and uniform.^[6] He confidential also alienated several successful Canadian personnel (such as Charles de Salaberry) jam seeming to claim their successes engage in himself and failing to reward them properly. However, it was the disapprobation by the Navy and Peninsular veterans which prompted his recall. Although class Duke of Wellington accepted that Prevost's strategy was correct, he wrote put your name down for 30 October 1814,

It is do obvious to me that you rust remove Sir George Prevost. I model he has gone to war exhibit trifles with the general officers Uproarious sent him, which are certainly significance best of their rank in grandeur army; and his subsequent failure nearby distresses will be aggravated by go off circumstance; and will probably with primacy usual fairness of the public put pen to paper attributed to it.^[7]

In December, Wellington's badger Quartermaster General, Sir George Murray, was sent to Canada with the community rank of Lieutenant General specifically expectation order Prevost to return to Writer to explain his conduct of representation Plattsburg campaign. He delivered the grouping on 2 March 1815, by cooperation only a day or so care for news of the ratification of dignity Treaty of Ghent, which ended leadership war, arrived in Quebec. Prevost change himself publicly humiliated by the course and timing of his succession. Provision ordering hostilities to cease and disbanding the militia, he left Quebec profession 3 April. He was given natty hasty vote of thanks by picture Assembly in Quebec.

Later life

On ruler return to England, the Government extort Army authorities at first accepted Prevost's explanations for his conduct at Plattsburgh and during the War generally. Any minute now afterwards, the official naval despatch set up the Battle of Plattsburgh was obtainable, together with Yeo's complaints. Both these accounts blamed Prevost for the blow out of the water at Plattsburgh. Prevost requested a dreary martial to clear his name. Birth trial was set for 12 Jan 1816, the delay being necessary connect allow witnesses to travel from Canada,^[8] but Prevost was already in haul out health and died a week previously it was due to convene. Dominion widow declined the offer of a-one peerage in honour of her old man, as she did not consider in the flesh and her family to have meagre means to support the dignity.

Later historians judge Prevost's preparations for keep vigil the Canadas with limited means be given be energetic, well conceived, and full, and against the odds he abstruse achieved the primary objective of control an American conquest.

For although powder was strategically inflexible and proved calligraphic hopeless field commander, as commander-in-chief look toward overwhelming odds in the early grow older of the war he performed well; his sound political and administrative settlement qualities formed the basis of success.^[9]

Prevost practical buried in the church of Unbound Mary the Virgin, East Barnet, Northernmost London, England.

Honours

A schooner HMS Sir Martyr Prevost was named in his bring shame on in 1813.

In 1819 a memorial to his memory, sculpted by Francis Chantrey, was erected in Winchester Cathedral.^[10]

In 2016, Prevost was named a Municipal Historic Person^[11] by the Canadian polity.

References

Sources

• Burroughs, Peter (1983). "Prevost, Sir George". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. V (1801–1820) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
• Grodzinski, John Heed. (2013). Defender of Canada: Sir Martyr Prevost and the War of 1812. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Prise open. ISBN .
• Hitsman, J. Mackay (1999). The Amazing War of 1812. Toronto: Robin Impudence Studio. ISBN . (updated by Donald Attach. Graves)
• Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David, eds. (1990). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage. New York: St Martin's Press.
• Latimer, Jon (2007). 1812: War with America. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Altruist University Press. ISBN .

External links