DCHP-1 Online

Patriot Hist.

• 1a n. See 1958 quote.

  See also: rebel (def. 1)  Sympathizer  

  • 1837  For the attainment of these important objects, the patriots now in arms under the standard of Liberty, on _{NAVY ISLAND, U.C.} have established a Provisional Government. . . .
  • 1881  It had been for some time apparent to the Governor and the Colonial Office that the "patriots" were not to be satisfied by concessions.
  • 1958  Patriots, a term generally applied to supporters of the Rebellion of 1837-38. . . .

• 1b n. one of the American sympathizers with the Canadian rebels of 1837-38, who mounted several abortive raids against Canada in the latter year.

  See also: hunter  

  • 1833  (1953)  When the news arrived from Detroit of Dr. Theller's preparations to attack Upper Canada with a strong contingent of American "Patriots," Radcliff led his regiment to meet them. . . .
  • 1838  On Wednesday Last there was a "pretty considerable" kind of kick-up, on the frontier, caused by a ridiculous rumour, that 15,000 rebels and "Patriots" were about to cross over into Canada and lay waste the country.
  • 1926  In ordinary conversation the members of the order were referred to as "Hunters" or as "Patriots."
  • 1958  Patriots, a term generally applied to supporters of the Rebellion of 1837-38 but more specifically to American sympathizers who actively aided the rebels in exile and participated in several abortive raids against the British colonies in 1838.

• 2 n. a follower of Louis-Joseph Papineau and a supporter of the Ninety-two Resolutions which set forth the political grievances of the rebels in Lower Canada.

  See also: Ninety-two Resolutions  Patriote  

  • 1838  The acquittal of the murderers of the ill-fated Chartrand by a "patriot" Jury, has elicited the deepest hatred and prejudice against the French inhabitants in the bosoms of the loyal British party.
  • 1863  (1873)  The sundering of the colonial tie, for attempting which, the "Patriots" of 1837 were gibetted by the score, when not exiled or plunged in dungeons, seems of late years, to have been considered by many Imperial statesmen, but a question of time or expediency.
  • 1900  From this the coins are called "Habitant pennies," but among the French Canadians, "Papineaus," because the Hon. L. J. Papineau, the leader of the patriots, affected this costume.
  • 1952  (1965)  The Patriots. From the French "patriotes," the name assumed by Papineau's followers in Lower Canada who were associated in the rebellion of 1837.