20 Facts About Stewart Derbishire

Stewart Derbishire was the first elected representative for Bytown in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada.

Stewart Derbishire later worked for a time as a journalist.

Stewart Derbishire's conclusion was that the habitants of Lower Canada had "no practical grievances" and that the rebellion had been triggered by "the malaria of political agitation".

Stewart Derbishire acted as press agent for Durham, encouraging journalists to write favourable articles about Durham and his inquiry.

Stewart Derbishire continued to provide his views on the possibility of unrest to the colonial government, but was seen as alarmist.

In 1840, Stewart Derbishire returned to Montreal as editor of the Morning Courier.

Stewart Derbishire re-established connections with the colonial government and became a supporter of the new Governor-General of the Province of Canada, Lord Sydenham.

Stewart Derbishire used his editorial position to support the government in the Morning Courier.

Stewart Derbishire recruited candidates who would support the union, and Derbishire was one of those candidates.

Four other individuals from Bytown had declared that they sought to be elected, starting with William Stewart Derbishire, who announced his candidacy in August, 1840, followed by three others over the course of the next month.

Stewart Derbishire met privately with the other three candidates, who all announced the withdrawal of their candidacies shortly afterwards.

Stewart Derbishire immediately issued two public protests, accusing the returning officer of partisanship in conducting the poll, but did not formally contest the results.

Stewart Derbishire later commented that Johnston was one of the most effective members of the House in debate.

Stewart Derbishire did not stand for election in the general election of 1844, having been appointed Queen's Printer for the Province of Canada.

Stewart Derbishire's appointment was published in the first edition of the Canada Gazette, on October 2,1841.

Stewart Derbishire held the position from 1841 until his death in 1863.

Stewart Derbishire eventually bought the sword, and in turn gave it to Major Alexander Roberts Dunn, VC, of Toronto, whose father, John Henry Dunn, had served with Stewart Derbishire in the Legislative Assembly.

Stewart Derbishire gave the Wolfe sword to Major Dunn when he left with the regiment for Britain.

Stewart Derbishire was considered very generous to his friends and was often in financial straits, in part because of his generosity towards the poor and his strong hospitality for his friends.

Stewart Derbishire was declared an outlaw in Britain in 1841 for failing to pay his debts.