American Revolutionists in Canada

C.W. Jefferys' notes about this picture from The Picture Gallery of Canadian History Volume 2

Thomas Walker, a merchant and magistrate of Montreal, and his wife were active sympathizers with the American invaders. Walker, in Governor Murray's time, had made himself obnoxious to the authorities over the billetting of officers of the British army in private houses. He was the victim of an assault made by several soldiers, who were never identified, who invaded his house at night. In the struggle he was severely beaten, and a piece of one of his ears cut off. On the return in May, 1776, of the American delegates, Carrol, Chase and Franklin, to the United States from their unsuccessful mission to Canada, the Walkers thought it wise to leave Montreal with them. Franklin, in a letter concerning their journey, says of them: "The Walkers took such liberties in taunting at our conduct in Canada that it almost came to a quarrel. We continued our care of her, however, and landed her safely in Albany with her three wagon-loads of baggage, brought hitherto without putting her to any expense, and parted civilly, though coldly. I think they both have an excellent talent in making themselves enemies, and I believe they will never be long without them."