His mother, Jane Dies, was a teacher and daughter of an important land owner in the New York area.

The leaders of the Patriotes voted for the quick establishment of a provisional government and the launch of an attack from the United States.

Robert Nelson was made General of the army and elected future President of the Republic of Lower Canada.

A clandestine paramilitary association, known as the Frères chasseurs, was set up to overthrow the British colonial governments of Lower and Upper Canada and establish sovereign and democratic republics in their place.

[1] Nelson and others were eventually granted amnesty by the British colonial government and allowed to return home.