Dawson, George Mercer (1849-1901). Son of Sir J. W. Dawson (q.v.). Studied geology and palæontology under Huxley, Ramsay and Etheridge at the Royal School of Mines, London. Geologist and botanist to North American Boundary Commission, 1873-1875. Appointed to staff of Geological Survey, 1875; assistant director, 1883; director, 1895. One of British commissioners in Bering Sea Arbitration, 1892. Bib.: For his numerous reports and papers on geological and allied subjects, see General Indexes to Geological Survey Reports, 1863-1884, and 1885-1906; and Bibliography of the Royal Society (R. S. C., 1894). For biog., see Morgan, Can. Men.
Dawson, Sir John William (1820-1899). Born at Pictou, Nova Scotia. Educated at Edinburgh University. Accompanied Sir Charles Lyell on his geological explorations in Nova Scotia. Appointed superintendent of education for Nova Scotia, 1850. Principal of McGill University, 1855-1893, and mainly instrumental in building up the institution from a small college to one of the first rank. Elected F. G. S., 1854, and F. R. S., 1862; knighted, 1884. First president of Royal Society of Canada. Author of many works on geology and palæontology. Index: T Commissioner to investigate King's College, 48. Bib.: Works: Acadian Geology; Story of the Earth and Man; Science and the Bible; Dawn of Life; Origin of the World; Fossil Men; Change of Life in Geological Times; Chain of Life; Egypt and Syria. For biog., see Dict. Nat. Biog.; Dent, Can. Por.; Taylor, Brit. Am.; Morgan, Can. Men; Cyc. Am. Biog.; Dawson, Fifty Years' Work in Canada.
Day, Charles Dewey (1806-1884). Born in Bennington, Vermont. Came with his parents to Canada, 1812. Called to the bar of Lower Canada, 1827; created Q.C., 1837. Assisted in the prosecution of the insurgents who had been arrested during the Rebellion of 1837-1838. Appointed solicitor-general and called to the Special Council, 1839. Summoned by Sydenham to the Executive Council, 1840, and subsequently elected to the Assembly for the county of Ottawa. Appointed judge of the Court of Queen's Bench, 1842; transferred to the Superior Court, 1849; resigned, 1862. Acted as commissioner for the codification of the civil laws of Quebec; as representative of Quebec on the Arbitration Commission appointed under the British North America Act to settle the claims of the provinces; and as chairman of the Royal Commission to investigate the charges against the Macdonald government in connection with the granting of the charter to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. Held the office of chancellor of McGill University from 1857 until his death. Died in England. Index: BL Solicitor-general for Lower Canada, 1841, 76; represents British interests, 78; Baldwin's attitude to, 80; introduces School Bill, 107; elevated to bench, 122. Sy Solicitor-general for Lower Canada, 283. E Judge of Seigniorial Court, 187. Bib.: Taylor, Brit. Am.; Dent, Last Forty Years.
Dean. Bk Private of the 41st, gallant conduct of at Canard bridge, 236; praised by Brock on parade, 258.
Deane, Silas (1737-1789). Delegate from Connecticut to Continental Congress, 1774. Sent to France as secret political agent, 1776. Instrumental in negotiating treaties with France, and bringing Lafayette to America. Index: Dr Advocates canal to complete navigation between Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence, 230, 231. Bib.: Cyc. Am. Biog.
Dearborn, Henry (1751-1829). Served through War of the Revolution; accompanied Arnold's expedition to Canada. Secretary of war, 1801-1809; appointed major-general, 1812, and assigned to command of northern department in War of 1812; captured York, 1813, and Fort George, same year. Minister to Portugal, 1822-1824. Index: Bk Commanded United States troops in War of 1812, 192; at Plattsburg, 285. Bib.: Cyc. Am. Biog.
Dease, Peter Warren. D In charge of New Caledonia for Hudson's Bay Company, 285. MS Succeeds William Connolly, 224; chief factor, 1828, 224; his explorations of Arctic coast, 224-225. Bib.: Narrative of Discoveries on the North Coast of America; Bryce, Hudson's Bay Company.
Debartzch, P. D. Engaged in journalism. First elected to the Assembly of Lower Canada, 1810; member of the Legislative Council, 1815. Index: P Accepts Papineau's leadership, 34; urges him to accept mission to England to oppose union of the Canadas, 46; his daughters, 46; withdraws his support of Papineau, 86; interview with O'Callaghan, 146; attacked by Papineau, 169. Bib.: Morgan, Cel. Can.
De Bonne, Judge. Bk Resolution of Assembly excluding, 126.
Debt, Public. Sy Arrangements for, under Union, 115, 193, 204, 205, 206, 207; estimated amount of, 319.