Demers, Joseph. P Urges Papineau to accept mission to England to oppose union of the Canadas, 45.
Demers, Modeste. First Roman Catholic bishop of Vancouver Island, 1847-1871. Index: D Missionary on Vancouver Island prior to 1846, 269; visits upper Fraser, 269; made bishop, 269.
De Mille, James (1833-1880). Born in New Brunswick. Educated at Horton Academy and at Brown University, Rhode Island. Subsequently professor of classics at Acadia College and at Dalhousie College. Bib.: Works: Elements of Rhetoric; Helena's Household; A Tale of Rome in the First Century; Young Dodge Club Series.
Déné Indians. A group of tribes, of Athapaskan stock. The name means men. Morice includes four tribes in the Western Dénés: Sekanais, on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains; Babines, who occupy the shores of the lakes of the same name, and the neighbouring country; Carriers, whose villages extend from Stuart Lake to Alexandria on the Fraser; and Chilcotins, who occupy the valley of the river of the same name. Index: D In New Caledonia, 97. Bib.: Morice, The Western Dénés; Déné Sociology; Notes on the Western Dénés.
Denison, George Taylor (1839- ). Police magistrate at Toronto since 1877. Commanded Governor-General's Bodyguard in Fenian Raid, 1866; and in Riel Rebellion, 1885; in 1877 won the first prize offered by the Czar of Russia for the best History of Cavalry; president of the British Empire League in Canada since 1896. One of the founders of Canada First Party. Index: Md Opposes commercial union, 295. Bib.: Works: Fenian Raid on Fort Erie; Modern Cavalry; History of Cavalry; Soldiering in Canada; Struggle for Imperial Unity. For biog., see Morgan, Can. Men.
Dennis, John Stoughton (1820-1885). Born near Toronto. Educated at Victoria College; commissioned as surveyor of public lands, 1842. Assisted in the organization of the Canadian militia, 1855; raised and appointed to the command of the Toronto Field Battery, 1856; brigade-major of the 5th Military District, 1861-1869; saw active service during the Fenian Raid, 1866. Sent to Red River Settlement to organize system of surveys, 1869, but was forced to withdraw. Surveyor-general of Dominion Lands, 1871; deputy-minister of the interior, 1878; retired, 1881; created C. M. G., 1882. Index: C His surveys held responsible for first Riel Rebellion, 69-70. R Surveyor-general, graduate of Victoria College, 144. Bib.: Denison, The Fenian Raid on Fort Erie and Soldiering in Canada. See also Riel Rebellion, 1869-1870.
Denonville, Jacques-René de Brisay, Marquis de. Eleventh governor of New France. Colonel of Dragoons in French army; spent thirty years in military service before coming to Canada, in 1685, as successor to La Barre. Although a capable officer, found himself in a difficult situation owing to the condition to which the country had been brought by the failure of La Barre and the intrigues of the English governor of New York. Adopted a severe policy with the Indians, and was condemned for his treacherous seizure of Iroquois at Fort Frontenac in 1687. The horrible massacre of Lachine was one of the consequences of his maladministration. Succeeded in the government of the colony by Frontenac in 1689. Died in 1710. Index: F Succeeds La Barre as governor, 189; comes out in same ship with Saint Vallier, 191; gives unfavourable account of Canadian people, 192; his piety, 197; asks for more troops, 198; corresponds with Dongan, governor of New York, 198; desirous of constructing a fort at Niagara, 199; proposes to French king to buy colony of New York, 202; instructed to cultivate peaceful relations with English neighbours, 203; sends expedition to Hudson Bay, 205; receives reinforcements, 206; determines to march against Iroquois, 207; crafty policy, 208; complains of French troops, 212; erects fort at Niagara, 213; asks for more troops, 217; receives visit from Big Mouth, 221; in attack by Iroquois on Lachine, orders troops to remain on defensive, 225; recalled, 228; orders Fort Frontenac to be blown up, 228; stimulates Abenaquis to attack New England settlements, 249. L On liquor question, 175; succeeds La Barre as governor, 193; his measures for defence of Canada, 213; seizes certain Indian chiefs, 214; builds fort at Niagara, 216; recalled, 218; conduct in Lachine massacre, 226, 227. Bib.: Girouard, L'Expédition de Marquis de Denonville (R. S. C., 1899); Parkman, Old Régime and Frontenac.
Dent, John Charles (1841-1888). Born in England. Came to Canada at an early age; studied law and called to the bar of Upper Canada. Went back to England and for a time engaged in newspaper work in London. Returned to America, 1847, and spent three years in Boston; came to Canada again, 1870, and became one of the editors of the Globe. Index: B On the "Double Shuffle," 108. Bib.: Works: Last Forty Years; Upper Canadian Rebellion; Canadian Portrait Gallery. For biog., see MacMurchy, Canadian Literature.
Denys, Charles, Sieur de Fronsac. Ch Settles in Miramichi, 237.
Denys, Nicolas (1598-1688). Born at Tours. Early took to sea and in 1633 became interested in the fisheries of Nova Scotia. A short time after made one of the lieutenants of Acadia under the Company of New France, and settled at Miscou. In 1647 his fort seized by D'Aulnay, who had just been made lieutenant-general of the colony. In 1650 his establishment in Cape Breton captured and he himself taken prisoner. A second attempt to settle in Cape Breton frustrated by Le Borgne. Returned to France in 1653, and received a grant of the islands of the St. Lawrence, including a monopoly of the fur trade, and shortly after became governor of that territory, together with Newfoundland. In 1667 obtained a confirmation of his rights, but in the winter of 1668-1669 his establishment at St. Peters completely destroyed by fire. In 1671 returned to France and engaged in the preparation of his work on Acadia. About 1685 returned to Acadia, but his closing years darkened by the scattering of his vast estates. Died three years later, at the age of 90 years. Index: Ch Abandons Chedabucto and goes to Cape Breton, thence to Miscou and Gaspé, 236. Bib.: Description and Natural History of Acadia, ed. by Ganong. For biog., see Parkman, Old Régime.