interested and urged by their constituents to obtain as much money as possible for this important purpose. On the other hand, the public officers and councillors, who were all residents in Halifax, felt the necessity of such an appropriation less-had no constituents to face or re-elections to look for, and besides had an interest in securing revenue for salaries, public buildings, &c. Disagreement on this subject was continual, and it had much to do with the contests of the two chambers, the upper house ever seeking to cut down the sum for roads, while the lower was always ready to increase it. Sir John Wentworth appears to have identified himself with his council. Indeed, while the same men formed the executive or privy council, whom the governor was bound to consult on all public business, and were also the provincial upper chamber or house of peers, it was almost impossible for a governor to escape this. Sir John tells lord Hobart that the session of assembly began with great good temper, but that a party soon came forth under the lead and guidance of Mr. Tonge,—that this party exerted every nerve to create a dissention between the council and house of assembly. He charges them with "violent language and speeches," tending to unsettle the public mind, and do mischief in this and the other provinces. He says the officers and men of both land and sea service crowd the lobby (of the house) daily, and hints his fears that they may be misled. He eulogizes the council, and seems to depend on the majority of the assembly as loyal and wise. He says the opposition have been "increased by the addition of William Campbell, esquire, "H. M. attorney general, counsellor and coal contractor, of" "the island of Cape Breton, who has signalized himself in " "this reprehensible opposition," (afterwards Sir Wm. Campbell, chief justice of Upper Canada.) He then urges the secretary of state to remove Mr. Tonge from the post of naval officer, and to appoint John Beckwith, esquire, an English officer, in his place. (Beckwith married a daughter of the hon. John Halliburton. Dr. Halliburton's wife was a sister of judge Brenton.) 25 July. Sir John accuses Tonge of obstructing the passage of the appropriation bill. Speaks of his machi

are"

nations and virulence. He says: "Various falsehoods are "circulated, tending to excite jealousys, suspicions and dis"sentions, both in the legislature and among the people at large. These calumnys are daily refuted, and others circu-" "lated and dispersed, which will also be exposed. In the" "meantime much mischief is done to society." In a letter to the same, 6 August, he treats the £10,000 gift to the crown as a stratagem, hinting that it was passed under the presumption the council would disagree to it, and so seem illiberal. He also says "it is supposed those gentlemen are endeavor"ing to create dissentions, with a view to obtain an elective "legislative council, which would make two popular assem"blys, instead of three distinct branches in the legislature, "which obviously changes the form at present established, "and goes directly to reduce the influence and control wisely "connected and hitherto exercised for the good of the people, "who sincerely wish to be easy, quiet and right if these "patriotic orators would mind their own business and their "duty."

:

In September, the desertions from the troops, particularly from the 60th regiment at Halifax, were numerous. General Bowyer offered to pardon such as would surrender. The lieutenant governor sent a circular to the magistrates of the shore counties, urging their apprehension, and menacing impressment of an equal number from the boats and vessels of the coast, unless they gave aid to bring them in. 14 September. An epidemic being prevalent at New York, quarantine of all vessels from the United States was ordered by the lieutenant governor and council.

Mr. Butler about this time produced a mandamus, appointing him one of the council. It was dated 1801. Instead of admitting him to be sworn, Sir John writes to lord Hobart 10 October, renewing his objection to Mr. B. as being a commissary. He also remarks that the date would give him precedence over others in council. Mr. John Howe seems to have been postmaster at this date. In November, Sir John sent circulars to each county, to enforce the alien act, passed in 1798. 24 December he writes to lord Hobart. He charges

the opposition with a desire to pass extravagant votes and empty the treasury, and insinuates a hope they had of fingering some of the money. (This could hardly be, as all the commissioners to expend money were named by the governor and council.) He argues points all through for the council, as an advocate on their side.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XVIII.

(1.)

8 January, 1803. Sir J. Wentworth sends to Scrope Bernard, esq'r., 414 lbs. Nova Scotia dumb salt fish, and in a deal box 18 quarts American hickory nuts.

(2.)

In council, 22 February, 1803. Grant to S. V, Bayard and 4 others, loyalists, of 4737 acres in county of Annapolis; B. Dodge and 3 others, 1495 acres.

(3.)

In council, 2 April, 1803. Accounts of R. N. S. regiment, for levy money, cloathing and contingencies, from 25 June, 1801, to 1 April, 1803. Amount, £3290 9s. 94d., were passed.

(4.)

30 April, 1803, saturday. Press warrant for 50 men, to be in force ten days, granted captain Bradley, H. M. S. Cambrian.

CHAPTER XIX.

1804. In February, Sir John Wentworth wrote to the secretary, lord Hobart, that 70 or 80 cargoes of timber would be exported from Nova Scotia this year, and that 600 cargoes might be sent if encouragement were given. He adds: "The "growth of provisions, the indispensible basis of all other 'industry, increases greatly, and will soon be abundant, good "and cheap, except in bread corn, for which there are suffi"cient lands of proper quality to produce a superabundance of every sort as any in America, but from want of encourage"ment is not sufficiently attended to, and of course consider"able sums of money are continually drained from hence to "the United States of America, to purchase bread and flour "for the inhabitants of the sea port towns, and to supply the king's stores."

Several strange Indians having been among the Micmacs, Sir John Wentworth suspected that mischief was intended, as some of our Indians appeared in war paint. He says the Micmacs can only bring 200 men to any purpose they may have. Ideas of a French conquest seem to have been spread among this tribe. The Mohawks, their ancient foes, whose name was still a bugbear, was made the pretext for their preparations for war, in building canoes, &c.—In April he tells lord Hobart that the trade of the province has suffered by numerous captures, and other losses of its vessels-from low prices obtained for fish in the West Indies, "where they "found the Americans underselling them, even in fish pur-" "chased from Nova Scotia." The timber trade had pros

pered, and 20,000 tons would be ready for exportation. The export of plaister of Paris and grindstones to the States would amount to £8000 or more. Fish and oil would also be sent abroad. The country was capable of producing more corn and bread than it required, but the want of agricultural skill and attention compelled an import of flour.

General Brunet and his suite were sent here on their way to England. They became prisoners to the English, at St. Domingo, and were placed by the lieutenant governor at an Inn, near the Lodge, on Bedford bason, (the Rockingham Inn.)

Sir John Wentworth was using precautions for defence in case of an invasion, in getting the militia organized. He also recommended gratuities to the Indians, to the extent of £500 per annum.

Saturday, 19 May. By command of his majesty, John Butler Butler, esquire, was admitted and sworn as member of H. M. council, to take his place according to the date of his mandamus. He was placed in precedence accordingly, next to judge Brenton. Lawrence Hartshorne, esquire, on this, resigned his seat in council; and Sir John Wentworth tells lord Hobart "that upon this occasion there appears much "less solicitude among the most respectable people to suc"ceed to an appointment at the board than heretofore."

On thursday, 21 June, the assembly met, (8th general assembly, 5th session.) Chief justice Blowers, president of council, and Richard J. Uniacke, speaker of assembly. S. S. Poole was returned and sworn as member, in place of Nathan Utley, deceased, for the town of Yarmouth. By the public accounts, the amount of money and securities for revenue in hand was £13,690 4s. 10d., from which £5,358 4s. 4d. appropriated before being deducted, the sum left at disposal of the assembly of revenue to December 31, 1803, was £8,322 os. 6d. – 29 June. A committee of the house recommended the pulling down the old market house in Halifax, and erecting a building thereon as a court house, &c. The old building was of wood, on the site of the present city court house. 4 July. A message from lieutenant governor Wentworth was sent by the