Diary Entry: 6

June 29, 1785
Dear Diary,
I am here to talk about this...Quebec Act. It's all anybody would talk about. Quebec still remained governed by this act. I hear people say that this act meant the colony used French civil law and the seigneurial land holding system. But for some reason, this system was offending the Loyalists that moved in. This meant that the farmers had a right to occupy land, but the didn't have a full title. I still don't know what that means...

April 17, 1791
Dear Quebec citizens, 
I would like to inform you that I am passing a Constitutional Act:

• Quebec will be divided into two colonies: Upper and Lower Canada
• Each colony has to have an elected assembly with the power to raise taxes. 
• Lower Canada was allowed to continue its seigneurial system of land ownership.
• Upper Canada was guaranteed the English freehold system of land ownership. This means that farmers could fully own their land.
• One seventh of all land in Upper Canada was to set aside as clergy reserves, which were sections of land controlled by the Anglican Church.
• One seventh of all land in Upper Canada was set aside as Crown reserves, which were sections of land controlled by the lieutenant governor.

Sincerely,

Your Governer

 

Diary Entry: 5

 March 17, 1776
Dear Diary, 
I am here at Cayahoga, visiting one of my friends, although I forgot his name, but don't blame me, it's pretty long. I don't know how to spell it, so I'll try to pronounce it...Something like...the-end-knee-gee, or like the-end-a-knee-gee...Oh right! It was Thayendanegea!


March 30, 1776
Dear Diary,
So many things have happened to my dear friend Thayendie - I like to call him that. He has gone through so many adventures, that it took all night form him to tell the whole tribe about it while we were enjoying some caribou around the campfire.


April 1, 1776
Dear Diary, 
Something has gone wrong! Thayendanegea is no where to be found! The whole tribe tried to look in the tents and forests for him, thinking that he is trying to fool us. After all, it is April Fools Day. I entered a tent, and found an old man meditating to their 'God.'He said that Thayendanegea traveled in disguise to some Haudenosaunee that rebelled against the British. 

April 23, 1783
Dear Cayahoga tribe,
Sorry about the worry. I had to travel in disguise, so I didn't want anyone to know. Although I have convinced the Haudenosaunee tribe to help the British. and they have helped Britain in many successful battles. Although, the British didn't really respect us First Nations. They gave the Haudenosaunee's land to the United States! So I'm going to France to petition them.

Wish me luck,

Thayendanegea

But you can call me Joseph Brant if it's easier. 

Diary Entry: 4

March 24, 1782

Dear Diary,

Man has it been rough these past years. It was horrible, it was a major chaos, a nightmare, it was even...disturbing. I mean, the blood on the ground, flying pieces of people's bodies, ugh, speaking of it wants to make me barf. I...I really...don't want to talk about  it. I'm lucky that I'm alive right now.

But ever since the war was started, I was banned from my diary. Well, not really, because I have been fleeing from village to colony to tribe, day and night, provided with the least amount of water and food. I couldn't write in the diary on my horse, even when I thought I was in a safe place, because there was danger in the air, and who knows, someone can just sneak attack me and I would've been killed.

But I shouldn't take pity on myself, I should give it to some of the Thirteen Colony people; some of them tried to support the British, but that wasn't the smartest move. Anyways, if they had been caught, and most of them did, they would be horribly tortured by the Thirteen Colonies, I don't even want to talk about it. Even people who didn't want to take sides, who wanted to stay neutral, like me, were also targets. It's a good thing that I didn't get caught.

The people who took the side of the rebellion against the British are called Patriots...I think. Anyways, they were so aggressive, I don't even know how to explain it, I guess they were just so tortured by the British and they wanted to win this war so badly, that they had to act this way.

But the war finally ended, and I used to be so happy about that, but things just got worse. (Well, not really.) The people from the Thirteen Colonies who have took Britain's side in the war, were forced to leave, and some of them chose to, due to the torture that the Thirteen Colonies have caused because of their...I don't even want to say it..but I have to...fine. ...have caused because of their 'victory.' The people who were forced to leave, by their neighbours, the ugly Patriots, (OK, maybe they aren't that ugly, but still, they were just so mean,) they were called Untied Empire Loyalists, Loyalists for short.

May 11, 1783

 Dear Diary,

Almost 70, 000 refugees have left 'United States,' and most of them headed to 'Canada.' Almost 2000 of these people were First Nations, but luckily for them, when they allied with the British, they were granted with land from their assistance in the war.

Anyways...I have been ordered to send Loyalists' letters, and they were all about the reason that they betrayed the Thirteen Colonies, which was their colony...before. I have also heard stories from them in person (I am traveling with them.) Well, I'll get back to you if I can, but don't get your hopes up. I've got a lot of things to do. (And one of them is reading other people's confidential letters. Well, don't blame me, I'm just so tempted to read it. I learn a lot from doing so.)

Love,

Kristen Taylor

Diary Entry: 3

December 19, 1774

Dear Diary,

Wow, it's been a really long time since I wrote, but I have been very busy. The Thirteen Colonies are causing much trouble to the British:

Dear King George III,

Us, Thirteen Colonies, are very upset with your government. We dislike your lack of freedom for us North Americans and how you have started taxes. And also how you have disagreed with our wishes from expanding our colony and moving west. We are warning you that we are not pleased with your government. So if you do something that does not please us, you better watch your back.

Sincerely,

The Thirteen Colonies

Well, that wasn't the most pleasant letter, but I guess that they are just upset with Britain's behavior to them. 

The British were struggling to hold North America together, and seeing this letter, their government passed some laws. I am not sure what they were though...

January 3, 1775

Happy New Year!!! Considering all the trouble that has passed last year, I'm pretty happy that it's all over. But I wouldn't be too sure of that, because already so much conflict has been in the air this year, and only 3 days have passed. 

March 28, 1775

Wow, so many things have happened this year. There were some laws that the government has passed, and most of these laws have included taxes. These laws have affected most colonies, but have affected the Thirteen Colonies most. And they were planning to revolt. Here is a letter that was sent from the Thirteen Colonies to Nova Scotia and Quebec:

Dear people of Quebec/Nova Scotia,

We would like to inform you that we will be hosting a Continental Congress, where we will discuss our plans to revolt against the British. 

Sincerely,

The Thirteen Colonies

But Nova Scotia and Quebec didn't want to attend this meeting, because they weren't harmed by the British legislation.  

I hope this war doesn't start soon, I was already horrified by the battle against New France and Britain.

I'll write to you as soon as possible.

*No promises*

Love,

Kristen Taylor

 

Diary Entry: 2

October 7, 1763

Dear Diary,

Sorry I didn't update you. I was really busy. There were some teens in some tribes that were just constantly mailing each other back and forth and back and forth. I'm pretty sure that they only had one word on the letter, and it said Hi. I mean, what's wrong with saying hi once? I'm pretty sure they did that only to make me get frustrated. Anyways, none of the letters were that interesting. Most of them were just about fur trading, and other things. But right now, after King George III read all the complaints that I sent to him, he is writing a letter to each tribe/village/colony, issuing a Royal Proclamation, to prevent more problems in North America. This time, I'm allowed to read it because I'm part of North America, too. So here it is: 

Dear fellow North American citizens,

I would like to inform you that I have issued a 'Royal Proclamation' to organize the territories that had been gained by us, British, in the Treaty of Paris:

• British law was to be established in the colonies
• The governor was to organize a general assembly, which could include French Catholics, to help make laws for the colony
• A large area of land in the West was to be reserved for First Nations. Only I, King George III, would be allowed to negotiate to obtain these territories. Any non-First Nations people already living there would have to leave. 
• Anyone wanting to trade with the First Nations needed a license from the governor of their colony.  

October 20, 1763

Dear Diary,

Many things have changed since the establish of the Royal Proclamation in the West (First Nation's land.) You see, the European settlement was still crowded, and wanted to move to the West. The group sent a message to the King:

Dear King George III,

Greetings, my wonderful king. I am sorry so state this, but after the establishment of the 'Royal Proclamation,' we have been ordered to move out of the west, our home. We are having trouble looking for a European colony to settle into, but all of them have been overcrowded, and we are struggling to settle down in a decent location with enough water, and food. We would appreciate it if you negotiate with the First Nations, as you said in your Royal Proclamation. We would do anything to move back to the west. 

Thank you

That was it. Although I feel really bad for them, though, getting kicked out of their homes must be a horrible nightmare. 

When I bowed to the king, and handed the paper to him, after he read it, he immediately stood up, and headed to his carriage.

"We are heading to those European settlers. And since I don't know where they are located, you must bring me there, with your horse. Come on. I've got no time to lose," he ordered me. 

I quickly walked to my horse, and attached him to the carriage. It was a really awkward ride, though, because I didn't know what to say to the king. If I made one little mistake or insult, I would get decapitated. 

We are finally here, I thought that awkward silence would never end. The King got off the carriage, and walked up to the group. He pulled out a paper, and started talking.

He was talking about how they had to hold certain promises, and also pay annual fees. 

Now I have to go deliver some more mail, so I'll try to update you on the BIG news.

Love, 

Kristen Taylor

Diary Entry: 1

September 31, 1763

Dear Diary,

Today, I have received a job. Sending messages from one tribe, to one colony. It's not the best job in the world, but without education, this job is pretty decent. Right now, I am in the Thirteen Colonies, waiting for a group of settlers to finish writing their letter to the First Nations to Ohio Valley. Hold on, they are calling me...

OK, I'm heading to my horse, Angel, and on my way to Ohio Valley. Great! Another place to check out the scenery! That's why I love this job. I looked down at the letter. It's so tempting. It's calling my name. Kristen. Kristen. Read me. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but still, I really wanted to see what they sent. I know this is wrong, but I opened up the letter, and read it. This is what it said:

In the Thirteen Colonies, there are many overcrowded areas, and us settlers were very restless to move into Ohio Valley, your valley, and after the French were defeated, there is nothing that could stop us, not even you. So we will be on our way to your valley, and we will see you soon. If you have any rejections, just wait until we get there.

Well that was really...forward. That was actually pretty rude, they just invited themselves to their valley, I know I would never do that. I'm curious to see what the First Nations would say to that.

I'm at Ohio Valley, and it's a beautiful place, and the scenery is so attractive, I can stay here my whole life. When I gave the letter to the First Nations, the moment the chief of Ohio Valley translated it into their language to read to his tribe, they all widened their mouths, and raised their eyebrows. They quickly wrote a letter back, and handed it to me.

“Tell dem dat dey cennot do dis,” the chief informed, “Tell dem dat dey should go write home at dis moment. Now go, before dey come here.”

I quickly climbed onto my horse and was off. I looked down at the paper. I couldn't wait to see this. Again, I know this is 'confidential,' but I read the other one, and it triggered my curiosity, and also, nobody will know this.

I don't find your settlement very pleasant. We are not finding this settlement as a conquered victory. We won't give up our village that easy. But if you still think that you can just invite yourselves to this village, we just have one thing to say, expect the unexpected.

But there was another letter under that. It was to the British conquerors. I quickly opened it up.

We are very disappointed in your victory against the French. This is because you are cruelly disrespecting us. Here's one example: You are allowing the settlers in the Thirteen Colonies permission to our village, without telling us in advance. This is the last straw.

Suddenly, my horse stopped, without me commanding him. I looked up from the paper, and noticed that the settlers from the Thirteen Colonies have arrived. I quickly put the letters into their envelopes and gave them theirs. When they were done, they shook their heads and threw it on the ground. And they kept on walking. That was unbelievable. I jerked my horse and started heading back to the tribe. I had to warn them about this.

When I entered Ohio Valley and told them the news, they weren’t worried at all. A leader of the Odawa First Nation named Pontiac, and his followers formed a truce with the First Nations in Ohio Valley, because they wanted to defend the Ohio First Nations from the settlers.

Pontiac and his followers ruled over many British forts that were strangely close to the First Nation's Ohio frontier. Soon after, the First Nations left to go to their wintering grounds, and leaving their forts behind, Pontiac decided to form an alliance with the British.

Thankfully, the argument was over abruptly, but there were other problems the British conquerors have to look after. I would know, because I read all the complaint letters from all over Upper Canada. I’ll update you on what happens next.        

Love,

Kristen Taylor