Membertou, Henry (1510?-1611). Micmac sagamore; became a convert to Christianity in extreme old age. In 1604 De Monts and his band of colonists landed in Acadia, and the chief received them hospitably. Assisted the French against hostile Indians, and in 1607 with a force of Micmacs defeated the Armouchiquois Indians. In 1610 baptized, with his family and other Indians; and was counted a zealous son of the church. Is reputed to have been over a hundred years of age at his death. Index: Ch Aged Indian who claimed to have known Jacques Cartier, 36. Bib.: Parkman, Pioneers of France.
Membré, Zenobius (1645-1687). Born in France. The first novice in the Récollet province of St. Anthony. In 1675 came to Canada; in 1679 a member of La Salle's expedition to the West; and in 1682 accompanied La Salle on his voyage down the Mississippi. In 1684 again associated with La Salle on his second expedition to the mouth of the Mississippi. Killed at Fort St. Louis, in an Indian attack. Index: L Récollet missionary, 149, 150. Bib.: Parkman, La Salle.
Menneval, Robineau de. Governor of Acadia in 1689, with headquarters at Port Royal. In 1690 Port Royal was attacked by the English, and after vainly attempting to defend it, captured and sent as prisoner to England. Index: F Governor of Acadia, 272; surrenders to Phipps, 274; carried prisoner to Boston, 276; released, 277. Bib.: Charlevoix, History of New France; Murdoch, History of Nova Scotia.
Mercier, Honoré (1840-1894). Born at Ste. Athanase, Quebec. Educated at the Jesuit College, Montreal. In 1865 called to the Quebec bar; and in 1872 elected to the Dominion Parliament for Rouville. In 1879 appointed solicitor-general in the Quebec provincial Assembly; and in 1883 elected member for St. Hyacinthe, and liberal leader in the House. In 1887 premier of Quebec and held office until Dec. 15, 1891, when the ministry was dismissed because of the Baie de Chaleur Railway scandal. Introduced the Jesuits' Estates Act in the Quebec Legislature. Index: C One of the founders of Le Parti National and its organ Le National, 30; eulogizes the clergy, 30. Md Heads an agitation in favour of Riel, 243; incorporates the Society of Jesus, 286; introduces and passes the Jesuits' Estates Act in Quebec Legislature, 186, 287. Bib.: Legendre, Honoré Mercier in Men of the Day; Willison, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party.
Mercury. Newspaper of Quebec, established, 1805. Index: BL Voices sentiments of dominant faction in Lower Canada, 20. P Antagonistic attitude to French-Canadians, 28; makes merry at expense of Papineau's followers, 122-123. Bk Editor of, forced to apologize to Legislative Assembly, 93; opinions expressed in, 93, 116.
Meredith, Sir William Collis (1812-1894). Born in Dublin, Ireland. Emigrated to Canada; in 1836 called to the bar of Montreal, and in 1844 appointed Q. C. From 1849 to 1859 a judge of the Superior Court for the province of Quebec; in 1859-1866 judge of the Queen's Bench; in 1866 chief justice of the Superior Court; retired in 1884. During Lord Elgin's administration as governor-general of Canada (1847-1854), one of the judges of the Seigniorial Court. In 1886 knighted. Index: E Member of Seigniorial Court, 187.
Meredith, Sir William Ralph (1840- ). Born in the county of Middlesex, Ontario. Educated at the London District Grammar School, and at the University of Toronto. Studied law, and called to the bar, 1861. Sat in the Ontario Assembly, 1872-1894; leader of the opposition, 1878-1894. Appointed chief justice of the Common Pleas Division of the High Court of Justice, 1894. Knighted, 1896. Chancellor of the University of Toronto. Bib.: Morgan, Can. Men; Canadian Who's Who.
Merritt, William Hamilton (1793-1862). Born in Westchester County, New York. Came to Canada with his parents, 1796. Served during the war of 1812-1814; took part in the capture of Detroit and the battles of Queenston Heights, Stony Creek, and Lundy's Lane. The principal promoter of the Welland Canal, opened in 1830. In 1832 elected to the Legislative Assembly; and in 1845 projected the Niagara Falls suspension bridge. In 1848 president of the Council in the La Fontaine-Baldwin administration; in 1850 commissioner of public works; and in 1860 member of the Legislative Council. Index: Bk Commands troop of cavalry at Queenston Heights, 310. E Elected in 1848, 50; Welland Canal due to his enterprise, 97; a member of the La Fontaine-Baldwin ministry, 97. Mc President of Welland Canal, 265; sues Mackenzie for libel, 265. Bib.: Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Merritt, Hon. W. H. Merritt.
Mesnard, Father. L Death of, 11.
Mesnu, Peuvret de. L Clerk of the Sovereign Council, 158, 167.