Why was the Governor General in such a big hurry?
Governor-general Charles Thomson hired William Weller, The Stagecoach King, to drive him from Toronto to Montreal in under 38 hours on urgent government business. Political opinion in Quebec was turning against his reforms and, if he wanted a peerage, he needed to pass legislation to modernize government in Lower Canada, same as he had done in Upper Canada.
Take a Road Trip from Toronto to Montreal in 1840
Governor General Charles Poulett Thomson was in a big hurry. In response to the Rebellion of 1837-38, he was urgently tasked by his masters in England to modernize and improve the governments in the Canadian colonies. In just three months in Toronto, the governor general has managed to pass all the required legislation, but with politics heating up in Quebec and his bosses in England dangling a peerage over his head, now he must get to Montreal as fast as he can to do the same thing there.
Enter “The Stagecoach King,” William Weller, of Cobourg, who is famous for operating the Royal Mail Line of stages between Toronto and Montreal. Weller utilizes a complex system of stage stops staffed with experienced workers and is confident he can take the governor general to Montreal in under thirty-eight hours. So confident, he signed a contract!
Driving a very unique sleigh, specially modified for this trip, Weller pilots the governor general and his aid-de-camp, Captain Thomas Le Marchant, over 370 miles of snowy, muddy roads, avoiding dangerous obstacles and constantly moving forward.
In a meticulously researched account of this epic trek, author Dan Buchanan spins a road trip you won't forget. Sit on the bench with Mr. Weller and see the buildings that existed then, many still there today. Find out about each town and village along the way. Who were the movers and shakers in 1840? What hotel might have provided a stage stop? And, dare we ask? Where did the road go in 1840? Come along for the ride and see for yourself!
Enter “The Stagecoach King,” William Weller, of Cobourg, who is famous for operating the Royal Mail Line of stages between Toronto and Montreal. Weller utilizes a complex system of stage stops staffed with experienced workers and is confident he can take the governor general to Montreal in under thirty-eight hours. So confident, he signed a contract!
Driving a very unique sleigh, specially modified for this trip, Weller pilots the governor general and his aid-de-camp, Captain Thomas Le Marchant, over 370 miles of snowy, muddy roads, avoiding dangerous obstacles and constantly moving forward.
In a meticulously researched account of this epic trek, author Dan Buchanan spins a road trip you won't forget. Sit on the bench with Mr. Weller and see the buildings that existed then, many still there today. Find out about each town and village along the way. Who were the movers and shakers in 1840? What hotel might have provided a stage stop? And, dare we ask? Where did the road go in 1840? Come along for the ride and see for yourself!
Buy The Book:
Lighthouse Books in Brighton.
Kerr Corner Books in Campbellford.
Order the paperback from FriesenPress Book Store or Amazon or Indigo.
Lighthouse Books in Brighton.
Kerr Corner Books in Campbellford.
Order the paperback from FriesenPress Book Store or Amazon or Indigo.
Please Note: If your book store does not yet have 38 Hours To Montreal in stock, please request it using this info:
Title: 38 Hours To Montreal: William Weller and the Governor General's Race of 1840
Publisher: FriesenPress, Vancouver
ISBN for the paperback: 978-1-5255-1989-5
ISBN for the hardcover: 978-1-5255-1988-8
Or send me an email at danbuchanan@cogeco.ca.
Title: 38 Hours To Montreal: William Weller and the Governor General's Race of 1840
Publisher: FriesenPress, Vancouver
ISBN for the paperback: 978-1-5255-1989-5
ISBN for the hardcover: 978-1-5255-1988-8
Or send me an email at danbuchanan@cogeco.ca.
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