Augustus d’Este (1794-1848), who appears as the boy Prince Augustus elsewhere on this site (see References) saw active military service in Canada and the USA during the war of 1812-1815. Later in life, when his mobility was increasingly limited by multiple sclerosis, he took an active part in the affairs of the London-based Aborigines Protection Society formed in 1837. He took a particular interest in the affairs of first nation Canadian populations, receiving their emissaries in his London home and using his access to government ministers to advance the petitions they brought seeking recognition of their land rights which were being eroded by European immigrant settlers supported by the colonial government of Canada.
The
letter transcribed below shows him taking on financial commitments on behalf of
an indigenous person named La Graisse who was prosecuted for some unclear but
serious crime but acquitted. I have been unable to discover details of the case
or of La Graisse’s tribal allegiance. His employment by the Hudson’s Bay
Company opens the possibility that he is a native Inuit, a community often in
conflict with the Hare (a sub-group of the Dene) mentioned in the letter. The
writer of the letter, the Reverend Lusher (c 1787- 1849), is a prominent
Methodist minister, writer, and newspaper editor. Wesleyan Methodist
missionaries were deeply embedded in Canadian indigenous society and were the
foremost defenders of native rights. They encouraged agricultural innovation and
promoted schools (including higher level schools) for both boys and girls.
*
Transcription
Addressed
to: Sir
Augustus d’Este Connaught
Square London
Datelined:
Montreal Nov 6 1840
Honoured
and dear Sir
I
have the pleasure to inform you that the Indian La Graisse in whose behalf you
have so kindly interested yourself has at last been brought to trial, and
acquitted, on the ground of the moral incompetency of the witness – the one
only witness which appeared against him. I immediately took him under my care,
and wrote to James Keith Esqr. of the Hudson Bay Company, resident at La Chine
requesting that he might be again taken into the Company’s employ; but that he
should be sent to another part of the Territory than that where the Massacre
took place, as he would be in danger from the Hare, among whose tribe the
outrage was committed. Mr Keith at once saw the propriety of this, and has sent
him down to one of the Company’s posts below Quebec.
La
Graisse is in good health and I believe very deeply feels the obligation he is
under to you for all your kindness. I asked him what I should say to you about
him when I wrote to inform you of his acquittal? He said he wished me to assure
you of his gratitude – that he would strive to avoid all wicked practices in
future – that he hoped to be enabled to love and serve God, and finally that he
should happy if he might spend the rest of his life as your servant. I
believe him to be sincere and grateful.
I
am sorry however now to have to inform you that in consequence of his trial
being for various reasons postponed from time to time, the Fee and Expenses of
Counsel will amount to nearly £90. Messrs Fisher & Smith assure me that in
consideration of the nature of the case, they have made the charge as low as
possible. I am not sure whether it is their intention to draw on you for the
amount or wait until we have the honour to hear from you. I shall request them
to await your answer.
I
feel greatly honoured and obliged by the favour of receiving two or three
London papers for which I presume I am indebted to your kindness. Most
earnestly do I hope that the just claims which your illustrious birth and
connexions entitle you to urge, will speedily prevail to secure to you that
high and Princely rank and consideration which are legitimately your due.
Pardon Most Excellent Sir, so humble and obscure an individual as I am,
venturing to express to you these sentiments. I do it in the sincerity and
fulness of my heart, and from not only a profound respect for you as a member
and Prince of the illustrious House of Hanover, and of the Royal Family of
England, my beloved country; but also from admiration of your Christian condescendion
and philanthropy which has led you to compassionate the case of a poor despised
Indian, and at so much trouble and expense, seek to promote his temporal and
eternal welfare. May “the blessing of him who was ready to perish
come upon you”.
Waiting
your further commands, I have the honour Illustrious and dear Sir to be
Your
obedient Humble Servant
R.
L. Lusher
Docketing
note:
No. 5 From the Revd. Lusher stating the amount of the Attorneys Bill £90 – for
La Grasse’s defense. Dated November 6 Received December 16th 1840
References
Wikipedia:
Augustus d’Este
Wikipedia:
Aborigines Protection Society
Dictionary
of Canadian Biography: Robert Langham Lusher [author: Nathan H Mair]
Aborigines
Protection Society: Report on the Indians of Upper Canada (1840) – a
detailed and highly informative short work available as Print on Demand
https://www.otherpeoplesletters.com/2026/07/lady-augusta-murray-duchess-of-sussex.html
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