Robert Randal
Encyclopedia
Robert Randal was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born Robert Randall in Maryland
(Virginia
in some sources) around 1766; after 1809, he spelled his surname Randal. In 1795, he was part of a partnership which wished to buy the lower Michigan
peninsula from the United States
government. In 1795, Randal was part of a partnership with Ebenezer Allen
and Charles Whitney of Vermont and several British subjects in Detroit including John Askin
and William Robertson
, which planned to buy the entire lower Michigan peninsula from the United States government. He was cited for contempt for attempting to bribe members of the United States Congress
in conjunction with this scheme. In 1798, he petitioned for a 999-year lease on land near the Niagara River
on which to build a foundry. He also bought a sawmill
and gristmill
on adjoining land. In 1800, he signed two-thirds of the business over to his creditors in Montreal
. In 1802, that company, now bankrupt, sold its interest to a company in London
who sent their agent, James Durand
, to collect on their debt. In 1803, Randal set up business near Cornwall
, building a tannery and potash works on the American side of the Saint Lawrence River
and setting up a ferry service. In the meantime, although Randal had not reliquished his one-third share of the operation, Durand sold the Niagara operation to Samuel Street
and Thomas Clark
.
Now experiencing financial difficulties, Randal attempted to set up a new iron works at the Chaudiere Falls on the Ottawa River
. However, in 1809, he was thrown into prison for his debts. In 1815, released from prison, he sued for damages in the Niagara District court. Although damages were awarded, the amount was appealed and the case went back to court. Randal's large property on the Ottawa River was sold at a substantial loss to cover legal costs. The property was purchased by John le Breton and Levius Peters Sherwood
. The legal costs were owed to Henry John Boulton
, who never represented Randal in court because his father D’Arcy Boulton was the judge hearing the case. In 1819, Randal was forced to present his own case at the appeal; the attorney general John Beverley Robinson
represented the defendant. The presiding judge William Dummer Powell
threatened the jury with a writ of attaint
if they found for Randal, who subsequently lost his appeal.
In 1820, Randal was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
in the 4th riding of Lincoln
. He served as a member of the assembly until his death in 1834. In 1827, Randal presented a petition in London
protesting certain conditions imposed on resident immigrants from countries, such as the United States
, who wished to become citizens, one example being that they would need to swear against any continued allegiance to their former country; the colonial government was instructed to correct these problems in the legislation. Although he had originally opposed government aid to the Welland Canal
, in 1831, he supported a measure to increase aid because, after participating in a commission to report on the state of the canal, he considered it to be important to the development of the Niagara region.
Despite measures introduced by the assembly to attempt to inquire into his case and Randal's ongoing appeals, he never recouped his losses. All too frequently, judges and political figures charged with looking into Randal's claims had a vested interest with respect to the outcome. Randal's case was viewed as an example of the abuse of power exercised by the so-called Family Compact
in Upper Canada.
He died at Gravelly Bay in the Niagara District.
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born Robert Randall in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
(Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in some sources) around 1766; after 1809, he spelled his surname Randal. In 1795, he was part of a partnership which wished to buy the lower Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
peninsula from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government. In 1795, Randal was part of a partnership with Ebenezer Allen
Ebenezer Allen
Ebenezer Allen was an American soldier, pioneer, and member of the Vermont General Assembly. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on 17 October 1743. His parents were Samuel Allen and Hannah Miller ....
and Charles Whitney of Vermont and several British subjects in Detroit including John Askin
John Askin
John Askin was a fur trader, merchant and official in Upper Canada.He was born in Aughnacloy in Ireland in 1739; his ancestors are believed to have originally lived in Scotland with the surname Erskine. He came to North America with the British Army in 1758. After the British took over New France,...
and William Robertson
William Robertson (politician)
William Robertson was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Scotland around 1760 and settled in Detroit in 1782. By 1788, he was an important merchant in the fur trade in the area and he was appointed to the district court and land board of the Hesse District of Upper...
, which planned to buy the entire lower Michigan peninsula from the United States government. He was cited for contempt for attempting to bribe members of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in conjunction with this scheme. In 1798, he petitioned for a 999-year lease on land near the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
on which to build a foundry. He also bought a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
on adjoining land. In 1800, he signed two-thirds of the business over to his creditors in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. In 1802, that company, now bankrupt, sold its interest to a company in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
who sent their agent, James Durand
James Durand
James Durand was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Abergavenny, Wales in 1775 and came to Upper Canada in 1802 to deal with delinquent accounts on behalf of a group of London merchants. Having seized the Bridgewater Works at Chippawa, Durand purchased the operation...
, to collect on their debt. In 1803, Randal set up business near Cornwall
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
, building a tannery and potash works on the American side of the Saint Lawrence River
Saint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence is a large river flowing approximately from southwest to northeast in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the primary drainage conveyor of the Great Lakes Basin...
and setting up a ferry service. In the meantime, although Randal had not reliquished his one-third share of the operation, Durand sold the Niagara operation to Samuel Street
Samuel Street, Jr.
Samuel Street was a businessman in Upper Canada.He was born in Farmington, Connecticut in 1775. In 1787, after his father's murder in New York state, he came to live with his uncle, Samuel Street, in Chippawa. He worked with his uncle and later entered business on his own, forming a partnership...
and Thomas Clark
Thomas Clark (Upper Canada)
Thomas Clark was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Scotland and came to Upper Canada in 1791 to seek employment with his cousin, Robert Hamilton. In 1796, he opened a store in Queenston. He then formed a partnership with Samuel Street to transport goods around...
.
Now experiencing financial difficulties, Randal attempted to set up a new iron works at the Chaudiere Falls on the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
. However, in 1809, he was thrown into prison for his debts. In 1815, released from prison, he sued for damages in the Niagara District court. Although damages were awarded, the amount was appealed and the case went back to court. Randal's large property on the Ottawa River was sold at a substantial loss to cover legal costs. The property was purchased by John le Breton and Levius Peters Sherwood
Levius Peters Sherwood
Levius Peters Sherwood was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at St. Johns in Lower Canada, the son of Justus Sherwood. He studied law and was called to the bar in 1803. In 1804, he was appointed registrar for Grenville, Leeds, and Carleton and customs inspector...
. The legal costs were owed to Henry John Boulton
Henry John Boulton
Henry John Boulton, QC was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at Little Holland House, Kensington, England, the son of D’Arcy Boulton, in 1790. Some time later, the family settled in New York state and then moved to Upper Canada around 1800. He studied law at York ...
, who never represented Randal in court because his father D’Arcy Boulton was the judge hearing the case. In 1819, Randal was forced to present his own case at the appeal; the attorney general John Beverley Robinson
John Beverley Robinson
John Beverley Robinson was elected mayor of Toronto in 1856. He was the fifth Lieutenant Governor of Ontario between the years 1880–1887....
represented the defendant. The presiding judge William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell
William Dummer Powell was a Loyalist lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.-Early life and education:...
threatened the jury with a writ of attaint
Writ of attaint
A writ of attaint is an obsolete writ in English law, issued to inquire whether a jury had given a false verdict in a trial.In criminal cases, the writ of attaint was issued at the suit of the Crown, and in civil cases at the suit of either party. The correctness of the verdict would be determined...
if they found for Randal, who subsequently lost his appeal.
In 1820, Randal was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
in the 4th riding of Lincoln
Lincoln County, Ontario
Lincoln County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was formed in 1792. In 1845, the southern portion of Lincoln County was separated to form Welland County....
. He served as a member of the assembly until his death in 1834. In 1827, Randal presented a petition in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
protesting certain conditions imposed on resident immigrants from countries, such as the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, who wished to become citizens, one example being that they would need to swear against any continued allegiance to their former country; the colonial government was instructed to correct these problems in the legislation. Although he had originally opposed government aid to the Welland Canal
Welland Canal
The Welland Canal is a ship canal in Canada that extends from Port Weller, Ontario, on Lake Ontario, to Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie. As a part of the St...
, in 1831, he supported a measure to increase aid because, after participating in a commission to report on the state of the canal, he considered it to be important to the development of the Niagara region.
Despite measures introduced by the assembly to attempt to inquire into his case and Randal's ongoing appeals, he never recouped his losses. All too frequently, judges and political figures charged with looking into Randal's claims had a vested interest with respect to the outcome. Randal's case was viewed as an example of the abuse of power exercised by the so-called Family Compact
Family Compact
Fully developed after the War of 1812, the Compact lasted until Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1841. In Lower Canada, its equivalent was the Château Clique. The influence of the Family Compact on the government administration at different levels lasted to the 1880s...
in Upper Canada.
He died at Gravelly Bay in the Niagara District.