ferry: a six foot giant alone could
have been equal to such a task. In 1775, Sergeant Thompson, as overseer of
Government works, was charged with erecting the pali sades, fascines and
other primitive contrivances to keep out Brother Jonathan, who had not yet
learned the use of Parrot or Gatling guns, and torpedoes. Later on, we
find the sturdy Highlander a subject of curiosity to strangers visiting
Quebec—full of siege anecdotes and reminiscences—a welcome guest at the
Château in the days of the Earl of Dalhousie. In 1827, as senior Mason, he
was called on by His Excellency to give the three magic taps with the
hammer, when the corner stone of the Wolfe and Montcalm monument was laid,
in the presence of Captain Young of the 79th Highlanders, and a great
concourse of citizens. About New Year’s day, 1776, Mr. Thompson became
possessed of Gen. Montgomery’s sword ; it has since passed to his
grandson, James Thompson Harrower, whom I see here present, and to whose
kindness we are indebted for exhibiting it to you to-night. You will also,
no doubt, learn with pleasure that the Society has become possessed of the
Thompson M.S.S. letters and papers. Mr. James Thompson left several sons,
some of whose signatures are affixed to the document before us. John
Gawler was Judge for the District of Gaspé from 1828 to 1865; George
received a commission in the Royal Artillery; a third was Deputy
Commissary General James Thompson, who died in this city in 1869, and whom
many can recall.
Old James Thompson expired in 1830,
at the family mansion, St. Ursule Street, now occupied by his grandson,
Mr. James Thompson Harrower.
When we name John Greenshields, D.
Munro (the partner of the Hon. Matthew Bell) J. Blackwood, Matthew
Lymburner, Peter Stuart, William Grant, John Mure, John McNider, J. G.
Hanna, John Crawford, David Stewart, (the David Stewart of "Astoria"
described by Washing-