Mesplet, Fleury. Hd Publisher of first books printed in Canada, 276; founder of Montreal Gazette, 276; publishes scurrilous sheet in French, and is arrested, 277. S Prints Simcoe's first proclamation, 80, 173.
Metaberoutin. See St. Maurice River.
Metcalfe, Charles Theophilus, Baron (1785-1846). Born in Calcutta, India. Educated at Eton. Resident of Delhi, 1811-1820; in 1820-1827 resident of Hyderabad; and member of the Supreme Council of India, 1827. Provisional governor-general, 1835-1836; and lieutenant-governor of the North-West Provinces, 1836-1838; governor of Jamaica, 1839-1842. In 1843 appointed governor-general of Canada, and held the position until 1845. Index: Sy Did not believe that Sydenham was really in favour of responsible government, 312; his reactionary policy, 313. C On the union of 1841, 14-15; his high-handedness, 17; his political schemes, 18; constitutional battle with La Fontaine as to meaning of ministerial responsibility, 97. R Ryerson's defence of, 126, 129-130, 163; opposition to, 126-131; confers with Ryerson on popular education, 163. B Reasons for his selection as governor, 18-19; Hincks on, 18-19; rupture with his advisers, 19; his character and attitude towards responsible government, 19-20, 23, 24; defended by Ryerson, 22; wins elections, 26; leaves Canada, 27; his death, 27; Brown refuses to drink his health, 27-28. H His narrow views and arbitrary conduct, delays full development of responsible government, 55. BL The great political controversy during his administration, x; on responsible government, 138; his arrival in Kingston, reception, and appearance, 155; his character and views on representative government, 156-166; his birth, 158; difficulties of his position, 166-168; relations with Baldwin and La Fontaine, 169-176; 199-214; defended by Daly and MacNab, 214-215; forms provisional government, 216; defended by Wakefield, 219, 220; agitation of the Reform Association, 221-223; attacked by the Globe, 224, 225; public addresses, 226-228; supported by Stanley, the colonial secretary, in his quarrel with the Reformers, 230-234; and by Lord John Russell, Peel, and Buller, 234-235; attempts to form a Cabinet, 235-236; defended by Ryerson, 240-242; Sullivan's reply, 243-244; Ryerson's rejoinder, 245-246; forms Cabinet, 246-247; uses personal influence in elections, 1844, 249-250; wins the election, 250; elevation to peerage, 256-257; his recall, 263, 265; his illness and death, 265; succeeded by Cathcart, 265; his mistaken policy, 272, 274, 285; refuses La Fontaine's request for amnesty, 288, 291; and Baldwin's University Bill, 293; and the Indemnification Bill, 308; La Fontaine's reference to, in his farewell speech, 356. E Succeeds Bagot as governor-general, 32; his defects as governor, 32, 33, 39; comes into conflict with La Fontaine and Baldwin, 33-34; his views on patronage, 34-35; attempts to form a ministry, 35-36, 66, 119; and Ryerson, 36, 90; Kaye's views on, 36; raised to peerage, 37; his death, 37; Macaulay on, 37-38; Hincks on, 38; succeeded by Cathcart, 38; and the Rebellion Losses question, 64; rebels allowed to return from exile, 91. Md Succeeds Sir Charles Bagot as governor-general of Canada, 18; previous appointments, 18; disagrees with Baldwin and La Fontaine on question of patronage, 18, 19; difficulty in forming administration, 19; his high-handed policy, 20; carries on government with three ministers, 20; his administration sustained in general election, 21; resigns, 24; leaves Canada, 24, 25. W New Brunswick House of Assembly presents address to, 74; attacked by Wilmot and Fisher, 74; addresses from St. John and county of York, 74-75; his unconstitutional attitude, 75, 76. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.; Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Kaye, Life and Correspondence of Lord Metcalfe; Ryerson, Story of my Life; Pope, Memoirs of Sir John A. Macdonald.
Methodist Church in Canada. Can be traced back to 1772, when a party of Yorkshire Methodists settled in Nova Scotia. The first provincial Methodist Conference was held at Halifax in 1786. In 1814 the British Conference appointed missionaries to Quebec and Montreal; and in 1807 the first Methodist Conference was held at Elizabethtown (Brockville). In 1828 the Canada Conference became independent of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States; and in 1833 the Canada Methodist Episcopal Church united with the British Wesleyans. In 1874 the Wesleyan Methodist Conference of Canada, the Canadian Wesleyan New Connexion Conference, and the Wesleyan Conference of Eastern British America became one as the Methodist Church of Canada. The first session of the General Conference was held the same year. In 1883 the Primitive Methodist Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church also became part of the Methodist Church in Canada. Index: R History of church in Canada, 38; without civil rights, 40; independent Canadian church established, 81; English Methodism in Canada, 87; Wesleyan missionaries, 89; Canadian bodies united, 287-288. S Bishop Mountain's low opinion of Methodist preachers in Upper Canada, 159; their earnest labours, 162-164. Bib.: Sanderson, The First Century of Methodism in Canada; Ryerson, Canadian Methodism; Carman, Historical Sketch of Canadian Methodism in Canada: An Ency., vol. 2.
Methye Portage. Also known as Portage La Loche. Named after the methye or loche (Lota maculosa), which has always been abundant in neighbouring waters. This portage was an important point in the palmy days of the fur trade. It leads from the Churchill to the Clearwater, and so to the Athabaska and the immense systems of northern and western waterways that lie beyond. It was noted for its beautiful scenery, which has been described or mentioned by Mackenzie, Franklin, Back, and other northern travellers. It was first crossed by Peter Pond in 1778. The route has now been abandoned for some years, supplies for the northern posts of the Hudson's Bay Company being transported overland from Edmonton to Athabaska Landing, and thence down the Athabaska. Bib.: Burpee, Search for the Western Sea; Bryce, Hudson's Bay Company.
Métiomègne. L Algonquian chief, joins Dollard at Long Sault, 69.
Métis. Md Or Half-breeds, view with alarm the prospect of annexation of territories to Canada, 157; their complaints as to division of lands, 240; their sympathy with Riel, 243.
Meulles, Chevalier Jacques de. Intendant of New France, 1682-1686. The son of François Meulles, seignior of the forest of Montpensier, in Poitou; held the office of grand bailiff, or magistrate, of Orleans, before coming to Canada. Married a sister of Michel Bégon, intendant of Rochefort, and father of Michel Bégon, afterwards intendant of New France. Index: F Intendant, opposed to popular representation, 69; arrival of, 171; criticizes La Barre in despatches, 173, 174; on La Barre's expedition against Senecas, 188; recalled, 207; visits Acadia, and makes census, 271. L Succeeds Duchesneau as intendant, 68; incapable and conceited, 186; the king's instructions to, 186, Bib.: Roy, Intendants de la Nouvelle-France (R. S. C., 1903); Parkman, Frontenac.
Mexico. Ch Visited and described by Champlain, 4.
Mézy, Augustin de Saffray, Chevalier de. Governor of New France from 1663 until his death in 1665. Index: F Appointed governor on Laval's recommendation, 48; quarrels with Laval, 50; death of, 50. L Governor, sides with traders on the liquor question, 10; succeeds D'Avaugour, 41; supports the bishop at first, and then quarrels with him, 51; death of, 51. Bib.: Parkman, Frontenac and Old Régime.