The Revolt of Pontiac and the American Invasion

The American Tyranny

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Poor Canadian/American Relations

In fact relations between Americans and Canadians were worsening, particularly in Montreal. At the suggestion of English merchants who had rallied to the American cause, General David Wooster, the commander, had a dozen distinguished Canadians arrested on the grounds that they were suspected of having remained loyal to the British. Following a protest movement they were released, but Wooster's soldiers then took hostages, disarmed some of the Canadians and caused all sorts of oppression. A "political prison" was even set up in Fort Chambly. Goods were seized without compensation, and some merchants were paid in worthless paper money. A Canadian doctor was derided and humiliated when he submitted his bill after caring for American soldiers. As a fervent Protestant commanding in a Catholic country, Wooster pushed his arrogance so far as to have the churches closed to prevent the people from attending Midnight Mass. It was not long before secret pamphlets began to circulate in Montreal decrying "the most cruel tyranny." 41