66 CHAPTER XXII. MR. ERSKINE, the British envoy extraordinary in the United States, notified Sir John Wentworth, through vice admiral Berkeley, that a war with that country was likely to arise. Sir John tells lord Castlereagh, "Notwithstanding Mr." Emmett, a noted Irish innovator, now at New York, rely-" "ing upon co-operation of the Irish inhabitants of this pro"vince, proposes to conquer Nova Scotia with 7000 men. "In both these points he will be completely deceived. The" "defences of Halifax are capable of great strength and oppo"sition to an invading enemy, especially with the aid of ships "of war." He says 40,000 militia could be made available, and suggests the necessity of augmenting the garrison with at least three well disciplined regiments. 24 August. The lieutenant governor and council, by proclamation; forbade the export of all provisions until I November. This was done to prevent speculators advancing prices in consequence of the arrival of a fleet; and Sir John recommended president Ludlow, in New Brunswick, to adopt like measures there. Rear admiral Sir Alexander Cochran was now at Halifax, with two ships of the line, three frigates and a sloop, which were nearly complete, by September 19, in repairs and provisions. Five deserters from H. M. S. Jason had been protected at New York by the mob, and the crew of that vessel had acted mutinously there. Every exertion was being made here by the lieut. governor, general Hunter, general Skerret, admirals Berkeley and Cochrane, for the possible event of an American war. The 98th regiment and the Newfoundland Fencibles were sent to Quebec, by order from England. 1000 militia. were placed in garrison in their stead; and in October, on the request of major general Skerret, 500 more were to be drafted from the country to strengthen the place. Sir John tells the general that the situation of Margaret's bay and' Cole harbor would be probably the points of an enemy's 'attention,' but he thought, if defended, the foe would find insuperable difficulties in advancing. By the 26 October, part of the reinforcements of militia had come in. Halifax militia were working on the fortifications. Admiral Berkeley designed to employ 140 men, accustomed to boats and vessels, in two gun brigs, for defence; and Mr. Monk was directed to secure the aid of the Micmacs. "Two companies of militia (150 men)" "under good and well-informed officers, are well clothed, " "trained and skilful—frequently exercised in the batteries" "to which they are attached, and instantly repair upon any " "alarm." In the other militia regiments there were at least 150 more good artillery men, and a company of 50 free blacks were also engaged. An agent was also despatched to the States, by joint order of the governor, the general and the admiral, to obtain information. In November, Sir John tells lord Castlereagh that the 101st regiment and the embodied militia had been employed under general Hunter in repairing the defences of Halifax harbor.-At this time he expected to receive 5000 stand of arms, for use of the militia. Monday, 30 November. In council, the appointment of Sir James Henry Craig, K. B., as governor of all the British provinces in North America, was officially communicated. Chas. Hill, esquire, under a mandamus, dated 15 June, 1805, was sworn in, and took his seat as a member of H. M. council. The exports of fish in the year 1807 are stated to have been 65,164 quintals dry fish, and 51,561 barrels pickled fish. Thursday, 3 December, 1807, the assembly met, (9th general assembly, 2d session.) As lady Wentworth was dangerously ill, Sir John did not attend in person at the opening, but his speech was read by chief justice Blowers, president of the council. It referred to existing differences between Great Britain and the United States, --the calling out the militia, recommended a grant to give the men warm clothing, and inculcated "diligence, moderation and mutual forbearance," also all proper despatch. Mr. Robie, who, it seems, was absent the last session, was now sworn in for Halifax county, and Mr. Lent for county of Shelburne. Monday, 7 December. Hutchinson, Archibald and Robie were the committee to prepare answer to governor's speech. Joseph Aplin, esq'r., was appointed to draft bills. The answer adopted by the house, 8 December, condoles with Sir John on his domestic affliction, and expresses the hope it will terminate favorably, --promises attention to his recommendation to find warm clothing for the militia, and promised to strive to conduct business with moderation and dispatch. Friday, 11 December, the house voted to address the hon. vice admiral Berkeley, expressing regret at the prospect of his removal from the station, and their sense of the value of his services to the trade and maritime interests of Nova Scotia. They also voted 100 guineas to buy him a piece of plate or a sword, "as a testimonial of the respect and " "esteem of this province." Messrs. Robie, Tonge and Haliburton were the committee to prepare the address. The vote for the money was sent to the council for concurrence, and on the 15th was returned agreed to. 16th. Robie reported address "to the hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, vice admiral of the white, commander-in-chief of H. M. ships and vessels on the Halifax station," &c. Robie, Tonge, Archibald, Wells, Lawson, Collins and Pearson, were committee to present it. (A piece of plate is mentioned in it.) On motion of Mr. Tonge, the house appointed messrs. Pyke, Archibald and Marshall a committee to wait on the lieutenant governor, on the subject of the money vote. He answered them thus: 'Gentlemen. As this is the first communication had with 'me upon this measure, and understanding it had occupied the 'attention of both houses several days, with various effect, it' 'becomes me, from a due and most cordial respect to all con- ' 'cerned, to consider the vote with the same deliberation as has been exercised in its progress: As soon, therefore, as' 'my determination can be properly prepared, it shall be regu-' larly communicated.' Friday, 18 December. Robie reported ' that the committee had waited on vice admiral Berkeley, with the address of the house, and received his written reply, (in which he expresses himself flattered and honored by the address and gift.) On 1 February, 1808, Sir John sent by Mr. Gautier, deputy secretary, this message: Gentlemen of' 'the house of assembly. Having fully considered the vote' 'communicated to me for granting one hundred pounds to 'vice admiral Berkeley, for a sword or piece of plate, it ap-’ pears to me objectionable in so many respects that I feel it' 'my duty to decline giving my assent to it.' J. Wentworth. -In his letter to lord Castlereagh, 2 January, 1808, the lieutenant governor says: 'The first week or more of the sessions,' 'Mr. Tonge, patronised by vice admiral Berkeley, engaged' 'the attention of the house in procuring an address and vote ' of 100 guineas to buy a piece of plate for the admiral. After' 'much contention among them, a vote was obtained. The ' 'next day it was rescinded. The third day recovered in a' 'very thin house, and sent up to the council, where the vote' 'for a gift of one hundred guineas prevailed by one only.' 'But as it evidently appears to be far from a general senti-' ment, and I believe would not now be carried in either' 'house, or even in a town meeting, I have not concurred the ' ' vote, more especially as the address from the assembly, and' 'the admiral's answer, published, involve in them an opinion' 'upon a subject which appears to be negotiating by his' 'majesty's ministers with a foreign nation. After the spirit' 'which was engaged in this business had evaporated, the real' 'business of the sessions was attended to,' &c. It is to be remarked that the non-concurrence of his excellency was not notified to the house until 30 days after the date of this despatch. The revenue in hand or secured to 31 Oct'r., 1807, is stated at £18,870 13s. 10d,, from which deducting £6,632 18s. 6d. before appropriated and not drawn, left £12,237 15s. 4d. to be now disposed of. The expences of Sable island for the year ending 4 Dec'r., 1807, were £619 19s. 7d. 18 Dec'r. Allen Chipman, returned member for county of Sydney, instead of Edward Irish, deceased, was sworn in; but 4 Jan'y., 1808, his return was set aside for various irregularities, and a new writ ordered. Same day the house voted £7250 for civil list and miscellaneous services; £5000 roads and bridges: £2000 to encourage agriculture; £1000 for bounty on salt; £2000 fishery bounties; £1600 to provide great coats for the new battalions of militia, now embodied; £845 to make up agricultural bounty to 14s. per acre ;—Total, £19,695. 2d February, 1808, they voted £15 to the widow of every militia man (embodied) who should die while on actual service, and £450 for repairs of the Sambro and Shelburne light houses. Monday, 28 Dec'r., 1807. Mr. Hutchinson presented a bill to prevent officers employed to collect or take the charge and care of public monies from holding or exercising commissions for expending such monies. It was read a first time then, and finally passed, and was sent to the council on friday, 1 Jan’y., 1808, who returned it disagreed to on the 6th. Wednesday, 30 Dec'r. The house ordered the speaker to apply again to the lieut. governor for a new writ for Annapolis, in place of Walker, vacated. 1808. Thursday, 14 Jan'y. Mr. Hutchinson reported from the committee of privileges, respecting the vacant seats for Annapolis and Sydney. They could find no instance where an appeal from the decision of the house had been made to any other power in case of a contested seat in the assembly; that the house in many instances did not think it necessary to put the reasons for declaring a seat vacant on their journals; that the attorney general, (Uniacke), who had been speaker of several houses, informed them by letter "that he never com"municated the reasons of the decision of the house to the " governor when he applied for a new writ, and that he never" "knew an instance of a writ not being issued upon an appli"cation for that purpose." They referred to a resolution of 31 March, 1789, and many precedents on the journals of 1759, 1762, 1764, 1766, 1772, 1775, 1785, 1789 and 1800. It was then resolved unanimously, on motion of Mr. James, that all attempts to draw the examination, discussion or determination. of the qualification of electors, or persons elected, or the pro |