• January 14 –
Malcolm Cameron visits
Washington, D.C. about a trade reciprocity agreement. • September 7 – After tense negotiations, the first of the
Robinson Treaties, the
Robinson-Superior Treaty, is signed. This treaty between
William Benjamin Robinson and an assembly of
Ojibwe chiefs from the shore of
Lake Superior creates a system of
Indian reserves and ultimately opens up the area to European settlement. • September 9 – The second of the Robinson Treaties, the
Robinson-Huron Treaty, is signed between Robinson and the
Ojibwe chiefs of
Lake Huron. The Lake Huron chiefs, led by
Shingwaukonse, are more resistant to the signing of the treaty as they are more familiar with the treaty system and are more threatened by encroachment from Europeans, as well as having tense relations with the
Canada West government following the
Mica Bay Incident. • October 11 – The
St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad opens.
Full date unknown • In the United States, the
Fugitive Slave Act is passed. It provides that even free persons can be made a slave if suspected of being a runaway. As a result, more fugitive slaves and free Black persons come to Canada. • The site of
John By's headquarters during the construction of the
Rideau Canal is incorporated as
Bytown. •
Gold discovered in
British Columbia, and
coal on
Vancouver Island. • The Canadian government passes the
Railway Guarantee Act. ==Births==