The regiment continued in garrison at Quebec, detaching 100 rank and file to the Isle aux Noix and St. John's, with a proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers.
1831
The regiment moved to Montreal on the 3rd of May of this year, continuing its detachments.
1832
On the 21st of May, 1832, Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, commanding the regiment, and Commandant of the Garrison of Montreal, was called upon by the magistrates of that place to be prepared to assist the civil power in the event of a riot occurring at a contested election for the west ward of the city, which was to terminate on that day. Captain Temple was the captain of the piquet on the occasion, but when it was turned out, Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh took command of it in person. At the close of the poll, several acts of violence were perpetrated both on persons and property, when it became necessary to require the co-operation of the piquet in restoring order. The Riot Act having been read, the Lieut.-Colonel was authorised by the Magistrates to take such steps as might appear to him necessary. The piquet was immediately marched in the direction of the rioters, who assailed the party with stones and other missiles, when the order to "fire" was given, not, however, until every effort had been exerted to cause them to disperse. The front rank alone, consisting of about sixteen men, discharged their pieces in quick succession, the consequences of which proved fatal on the spot to three of the rioters; several others were severely wounded, but the disturbance was effectually checked. The regiment remained under arms in different parts of the town during the night.
A company of the Royal Artillery stationed at the Island of St. Helen's, under the command of Captain W. C. Anderson, brought over two nine-pounders in the short space of twelve minutes from the time the signal was given for their services, and remained on duty with the regiment until the next day. This was remarkable, as the river is nearly a mile broad, with a very rapid current, and the guns had to be shipped in bateaux after the signal was made, and re-limbered on landing at the Montreal side.
The conduct of the troops, particularly that portion under the immediate orders of Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, was marked by great steadiness and forbearance, notwithstanding that they had been harassed by continual alarms for some days previous to the riot. On the day of the 21st the rain fell in torrents, whilst the men were exposed to it for hours before the riot commenced.
The following documents are deemed worthy of a place in these Records; the conduct and discipline of the corps, on the occasion referred to, being highly estimated by the civil and military authorities.
Presentment of Grand Jury.
'The grand jury humbly represent to the court, that, in the investigation of the occurrence upon which were founded the bills for murder against William Robertson and Pierre Lukin, esquires, Colonel Macintosh and Captain Temple, they have fully and impartially examined into all the circumstances of the case, and the result of their proceedings is the conviction, that no ground exists for any criminal charge against those individuals. In such an instance as the present, where violent agitation has convulsed society, the grand jury are compelled by a sense of duty, beyond the mere rejection of the bills, to endeavour at allaying excitement, by an expression of the knowledge at which they have arrived after a severe inquiry into the transaction.