Somerville, Alexander (1811-1885). Born in Scotland. Served in the regular army. Came to Canada, 1858. Took up newspaper work; for a time editor of the Canadian Illustrated News. Present as a volunteer at the battle of Ridgeway. Bib.: Works: Diligent Life; Narrative of the Fenian Invasion of Canada. For biog., see Rattray, The Scot in British North America.
Sorel. A city of Quebec, at the mouth of the Richelieu River. Named after Pierre de Sorel. A fort was built here by Montmagny in 1642, of which Senneterre was commandant in 1645. It was abandoned in 1647, and a new fort built by Sorel in 1665. Haldimand fortified the place in 1778, in view of another possible American invasion. Index: WM Two French frigates load stores at, 243. Dr Name of, changed to William Henry, 240. L Fort erected at, 53. Hd Situation of, 125; Haldimand at, 132, 259, 298; made depot for stores, 134, 183; inhabitants of, praised for their courage and loyalty, 135; Haldimand's proposition for purchase of seigniory of, 135, 183; lands allotted to Loyalists in district of, 255; Protestant mission at, 256; hospital at, closed, 269; dispute over wood-cutting at, 274; Riedesel stationed at, 296. Bib.: Lovell, Gazetteer of Canada.
Souart, De. F Physician of the Seminary at Montreal, 91; presents bell to Bonsecours Chapel, 177.
Souel, Father. L Dies a martyr, 62.
Sovereign Council. F Created, 1647, at Quebec, 37, 49; reorganized, 105-106; resembles a Parliament in French sense, 131; Frontenac claims to be styled president of, 133-140; fixes prices of goods, 153. L Creation of, 41; expresses preference for settlers from north of France, 78; makes decrees respecting sale of liquor, 113; members of, 158, 166; deals with case of Perrot, 160; reconstituted and enlarged, 165; question as to title of president, 166. Bib.: Parkman, Frontenac and Old Régime.
Spain. Dr Her action in the Nootka matter, 250. Hd Her rule in Louisiana, 64-81; war imminent with, 81; recovers Florida, 81; Hamilton's opinion of, 167; Rodney's victory over, 189. D Lacked genius for colonization, 4.
Special Council of Lower Canada. Sy Summoned to consider question of union, 192; legislation by, 255, 256; summoned for last time, 272; passes ordinance for establishment of municipal institutions, 273, 276; passes bill for registry of titles, 278; established board of works, with H. H. Killaly as president, 333. Bib.: Christie, History of Lower Canada.
Speedy. Bk Government vessel, foundering of, in Lake Ontario, 69.
Spence, R. E Postmaster-general in Hincks-Morin government, 140.
Spencer, John Charles, third Earl (1782-1845). Entered Parliament, 1804, and sat almost continuously to 1834; chancellor of the exchequer and leader of the House of Commons, 1830-1834. Index: Sy Chancellor of the exchequer, 25; on his father's death becomes Earl Spencer, 45; declines governorship of Canada, 58. W His death, 37. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.