Letters from Andrew Relph to Captain Benjamin Burlingame, 1821-1838

This collection of letters by Andrew Relph documents the development of Buffalo, describing the city's business, the construction of new churches and houses, as well as local events such as fires.  However, one letter in particular provides a detailed account of the situation in Upper Canada after Mackenzie's failed uprising in Toronto. 

In a letter dated Jan. 22, 1838, Relph writes about the aftermath of this event.  Mackenzie had retreated to Navy Island in the Niagara River with about 200 supporters in December of 1837. An American ship, the Caroline, was chartered to bring supplies to the rebels. The Caroline was set on fire and sent adrift in the river by a force of the Upper Canada militia, sinking before it reached Niagara Falls. An American was killed during the takeover of the Caroline. This incident strained the already tense relationship between the United States and Britain.

RG 648    Letters from Andrew Relph to Captain Benjamin Burlingame, 1821-1838

Letter from Andrew Relph to Captain Benjamin Burlingame, 1838

Relph remarks on the situation in Upper Canada shortly after the Caroline incident, noting that "War, war, war…with its ten thousand rumors for the last three weeks there has been all bustle and confusion in Buffalo & along Niagara River...You wanted to know how I thought it would terminate, for my part I don’t think it will amount to much as present but the burning the Caroline & murdering them men will make a long black mark that won’t be forgot in one week or year…Navy Island is disbanded and the troops gone up the Lake, there is no passing into Canada at present…"