Incumbents Prime Minister - John A. Macdonald Governor General - Viscount Monck of Ballytrammon then Lord Lisgar Premier of New Brunswick - Andrew Wetmore Premier of Nova Scotia - William Annand Premier of Ontario - J.S. Macdonald Premier of Quebec - Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau Events February 2 - Lord Lisgar replaces Viscount Monck of Ballytrammon as Governor General February 11 - Patrick James Whelan is hanged for the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee October 9 - Sir Francis Hincks becomes Minister of Finance October 24 - The Canadian Illustrated News is founded in Montreal November 19 - The Deed of Surrender recognizes the purchase of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory from the Hudson's Bay Company: the lands are placed under the direct control of the Crown, but do not yet formally belong to Canada Timothy Eaton opens his first store in Toronto Newfoundland rejects Confederation with Canada Red River Rebellion begins George Hunt founds Huntsville, Ontario 1869 to 1870 - Smallpox epidemic strikes Canadian Plains tribes, including Blackfeet, Piegan, and Blood. Births March 18 - Maude Abbott, feminist November 25 - Herbert Greenfield, Premier of Alberta December 30, Stephen Leacock, author Deaths