British Headquarters Papers : 1747-1783.

Guy Carleton, the third son of Christopher Carleton, a modest Irish landowner, and Catherine Ball, was born in Strabane, Ireland. He married Lady Maria Howard, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Effingham. In 1742 when he was seventeen, he was commissioned an ensign in the 25th Foot. Three years later he became a lieutenant, and later rose through the ranks of the 1st Foot Guards and the 72nd Foot. James Wolfe succeeded in having him appointed as quartermaster general and engineer for his assault on Quebec, and he led the Royal Americans (60th Foot) in that decisive battle. From 1763 until 1768, he continued his army service, and in that year was commissioned Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of Quebec. In July 1776 he was awarded a knighthood and the estate of Charlesmount in Ireland for his efforts in the defense of Quebec. On 27 June 1777 he tendered his resignation as Governor of Quebec but remained in command until his successor, Frederick Haldimand, arrived in June of 1778.

Two years later he was recommended by the king to succeed Sir Henry Clinton as commander-in-chief in North America but did not take up his duties in New York until 1782. With the war drawing to a close, one of Carleton's major concerns was to organize the evacuation of thousands of troops, Loyalist refugees and Blacks from New York to Nova Scotia, Quebec and the West Indies. Carleton urged Governor Frederick Haldimand in Quebec and Lieutenant Governor Sir Andrew Snape Hamond and later Governor John Parr in Nova Scotia to grant the Loyalists free land and a year's provisions. With the evacuation complete, Carleton sailed for England in December of 1783, only to return three years later in 1786 as commander-in-chief over all of British North America, as well as Newfoundland, and with the title Baron Dorchester. It was not until 1796 that Lieutenant General Robert Prescott arrived to take office as his successor, even though Dorchester had tendered his resignation two years earlier, and he left Canada for good. On his return to England, he maintained his military connections, but spent most of his time at his country homes. He died at Stubbings House, near Maidenhead, in his 85^th year. After his death, Dorchester's widow burned most of his personal papers.

The commander-in-chief was a British military position that held responsibilities for British land forces in certain regions of British control. The commander in chief, North America was a singular position from 1754 to 1775; thereafter it was split into two positions: commander-in-chief, America responsible for troops from West Florida to Newfoundland, and commander-in-chief, Quebec responsible for the defence of Quebec. During the American Revolution, the commanders-in-chief, America were Lieutenant-General Sir William Howe, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, and Guy Carleton. The commanders-in-chief, Quebec were Guy Carleton (twice), and General Frederick Haldimand.