George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie fonds [textual record (chiefly microform), graphic material] Archives / Collections and Fonds
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George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie fonds [textual record (chiefly microform), graphic material]
Hierarchical level:FondsContext of this record: -
Finding aid Textual records Finding aid no. MSS0399 Finding Aid 399 has two principal parts and two smaller subdivisions to the introductory notes in the first part. Those notes include a shelf list summarizing the contents for each microfilm reel (pages 1-2), with notes on items filmed out of sequence; plus a table correlating the volume numbers I-XXV as identified in the published calendar of the transcriptions with the modern volume/container numbers 1-44 (pages 3-4), plus a 1961 essay on the content and arrangement of the Dalhousie archives (pages 5-14). There follows (pages 16-66), a file-evel listing of the 680 bound volumes, bundles and files selected for microfilming, in numerical order, based on the SRO/NAS catalogue, with annotations identifying the microfilm reel numbers on which they appear. The second major part of MSS FA 399 takes the form of a calendar: an item-level listing in chronological order for the transcriptions, as published in the Report of the Public Archives of Canada for 1938, Appendix II (pages 1-144), supplemented by a subject and nominal index thereto (pages 145-175). (Paper) (90: Open)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000001467.pdf -
Record information George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie fonds [textual record (chiefly microform), graphic material]
Date:1746-1839.Reference:R4950-0-3-E, MG24-A12Type of material:Textual material, ArtFound in:Archives / Collections and FondsItem ID number:98649Date(s):1746-1839.Place of creation:Various placesExtent:15 microfilm reels : positive.
1.7 m of textual records.
1 reproduction photograph of a printLanguage of material:EnglishScope and content:This fonds contains selected records relating to the family and career of George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie and his career in the colonies of British North America, copied in two formats: microfilm, 1789-1839, and transcripts, 1746-1836. The order of the documents on the microfilm reflects their original arrangement, as preserved at the National Archives of Scotland, while the transcripts follow an essentially chronological order for the manuscript material designated volumes I to XXIII, then separate sequences for maps and plans and for printed works in volumes XXIV-XXV.
Some 680 bound volumes, bundles and files records relating to Dalhousie's terms as governor of Nova Scotia and Lower Canada, and his travels through British North America, form 14 series, some of which include items dated before and after his service in British North America. The first two series are the largest: letterbooks recording civil and military correspondence sent, 1816-1828; and letters, memoranda, reports and other documents received , 1789-1834 (see reels A-525 to A-532). Next follow documents relating to public finances and commerce, 1812-1829; documents concerning relations with the USA, 1819-1828; military and naval records, 1813-1830; documents relating to agriculture, forestry and communications, 1815-1828; ecclesiastical matters, 1818-1828; education, 1818-1828; Indians and the Indian Department, 1817-1828 (see microfilm reels A-532 to A-535). These are followed by Addresses to the Earl, 1817-1828; personal journals, documents and accounts, 1816-1836; printed materials, 1819-1833 and notes on printed works; plus maps and plans, 1822-1839 (see reels A-535 to A-538 and A-581). Correspondence with imperial authorities is concentrated in the first two sseries; some correspondence exchanged with officials and individuals within the colonies appears scattered amongst the subject-oriented series.
The selection criteria which guided the transcriptions resulted in a less comprehensive range of copying. However, researchers may find some items included in the transcriptions were not subsequently microfilmed. Certain printed works (volume XXV) acquired with the transcripts were subsequently transferred to the Archives Library, thence to the National Library of Canada collection, while reproductions of selected maps and plans (volume XXIV) were transferred to the cartographic collection (and have not yet been reconnected to this fonds.)
In addition to the cartographic material found within the microfilmed selections, the fonds includes a photographic reproduction of a print depicting the 9th Earl of Dalhousie, by an unknown artist.Provenance:Biography/Administrative history:Dalhousie, George Ramsay, Earl of, 1770-1838 : George Ramsay, born 22 October 1770 at Dalhousie Castle, Scotland, the eldest son of the 8th Earl of Dalhousie, received his education at the Royal High School and the University of Edinburgh. He succeeded his father as 9th Earl in November 1787. The following July he purchased a cornetcy in the 3rd Dragoons and pursued an active military career in Europe and the West Indies, attaining the rank of Major General in April 1808. Following service during the Iberian campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars, he was commissioned Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and took the oaths of office at Halifax on 24 October 1816. His endeavors to improve conditions in the colony included promotion of agricultural methods, assistance to settlers, creation of an independent university, road construction and efforts to reform the militia. From the outset of his term in office, he toured the jurisdiction and neighboring regions, recording his impressions in detailed journals. Further, he engaged John Elliott Woolford to accompany him and create a graphic record in sketches and paintings. On 1 June 1820, Dalhousie relinquished office to Sir James Kempt in order to take up the office of Governor-in-Chief and Captain General of Lower Canada
Dalhousie received a comprehensive set of commissions in 1820, the first naming him Governor General of the several colonies of British North America and serving to confirm his status as senior to the various Lieutenant Governors but not directly responsible for the administration of those colonies. Pursuant to his commission as Governor-in-Chief of Lower Canada, he swore the oaths of office at Quebec on 19 June 1820. Dalhousie continued his unremitting championship of economic and intellectual improvement. He engaged in agricultural enterprises and with his wife began a botanical garden. The viceregal couple also actively promoted the arts and sciences, patronizing cultural and social institutions, most notably the establishment of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. Dalhousie also continued his practice of summer tours, extending them through Upper Canada as far as Lake Superior, as well as visiting to the Atlantic provinces. His concern for the development of land and water communications through construction of canals and roads, both to foster settlement and to support the defence of the territories, rested on first-hand observation. Political circumstances and personality clashes in Lower Canada frustrated his efforts, and the temporary administration of the colony by Sir Francis Nathaniel Burton, 8 June 1824 to 17 September 1825, while Dalhousie took leave in Britain, exacerbated the situation. British ministerial confidence in Dalhousie waned, but he retained sufficient supporters in London to receive appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the army in India. On 8 September 1828 he relinquished office as governor to Sir James Kempt and departed for England, intending to defend his conduct and obtain vindication. After many frustrations there, he left London in July 1829 for India, only to find his health unequal to the responsibilities. He resigned command and returned home in April 1832. His health continued to decline and he died at Dalhousie Castle on 21 March 1838. His much beloved wife died on 22 January 1839.Additional information:General note:Lord Dalhousie's personal journals, edited by Marjory Whitelaw, were published in 3 volumes between 1978 and 1982.
Graphic material: A copy of the original print is held by Library and Archives Canada.Location of originals note:Both the transcriptions (completed in 1938) and the microfilm (produced in 1961 and 1963) are based on the original records in the custody of the Scottish Record Office (subsequently renamed the National Archives of Scotland [NAS]) at Edinburgh. The original records housed at the NAS are found as series GD45/3 of the Papers of the Maule Family, Earls of Dalhousie, archival reference GD45.Related material:The exhibition catalogue "Lord Dalhousie: patron and collector / Lord Dalhousie: mécène et collectionneur (Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2008) identifies records relating to his career and family preserved in British and Canadian archival institutions, as well as graphic works commissioned by Lord Dalhousie during his residence in British North America, now in private and public collections.Subject heading:- Canada - Foreign relations, [1812-1839] Lord Bathurst, [1816-1828]
- Indians of North America - Canada, [1812-1839] Sir Robert Wilmot Horton, [1816-1828]
- Colonial administrators - Nova Scotia, 1789-1834 Upper Canada, n.d., 1824
- Colonial administrators - Canada, 1789-1834 Lower Canada, n.d., 1824
- Economics - Canada, [1812-1839] Rideau Canal, n.d., 1824
- Lieutenant governors - Nova Scotia, [between 1789 and 1834]
- Military administration
- Canada
Source:PrivateFormer archival reference no.:MG24-A12 -
Ordering and viewing options Conditions of access:Textual records: microform[Consultation Open]
While selected documents may be reproduced from the microfilm for reference purposes, requests to reproduce entire reels must be referred to the National Archives of Scotland.Microfilm reel [MG24 A 12][Consultation Open]A-525--A-538;[Consultation Open]A-581;[Consultation Open]Textual records[Consultation Open]Volume [MG24 A 12] 1--44[Consultation Open]Finding aid box [FA 399] 43[Consultation Closed]Graphic (art)[Consultation Open, no copying]Terms of use:Graphic material: Item is available for research purposes only; not to be reproduced. Copyright unknown. Credit: Library and Archives Canada.You can order materials in advance to be ready for you when you visit. You will need a user card to do this.
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