History of Halifax City

by Thomas B. Akins

FOOTNOTES:

[37] The inscription to be placed on this monument is given at full length in the Gazette of that day, but it was not to be found among those which cover the walls of old St. Paul's. There is, however, an escutcheon with the arms of Lawrence on the east gallery.

[38] Now Northup's corner, Buckingham and Argyle Streets.

[39] At this period there was a fence on the north side of what is now called Jacob St. and a gate near the opening of Brunswick St., in front of the North Barrack old parade, some say further north.

[40] The situation of the south gate is uncertain: there were several south gates. It was along Salter Street, probably in a line with the old forts known as Luttrell's and Horseman's Forts.

[41] Note.—This document is not to be found among the papers preserved in the Secretary's office at Halifax.

[42] It must be understood that M. Maillard did not leave the Roman Catholic Church, but there being no priest of his own persuasion in Halifax at the time, he availed himself of the pious offices of his friend, Mr. Wood, whom he no doubt esteemed as a good Christian.

[43] Among the various exhibitions of public feeling at this period was the erection of a gallows, on the Common, with a boot suspended from it as a token of disapprobation of Lord Bute's Government.

[44] The engravings of the town published in 1777 show the Common, west of the Citadel, and Camp Hill covered with tents, where a large part of the troops appear to have been encamped.

CHAPTER V.

At the commencement of the year 1781 many of the Loyalist refugees who came to Halifax after the evacuation of Boston by the British Army, had left the town, and the price of provisions was beginning to come down. The constant influx of strangers, however, from the revolted colonies, with the prisoners taken in the prizes brought into the port by the privateers and ships of war, tended again to augment the population. Captains of men-of-war, when vessels were in port, in order to fill up their complements of men, undertook to impress in the streets of the town without authority from the civil magistrate. On the 6th January an armed party of sailors and marines assisted by soldiers and commanded by naval officers, seized in the streets of the town, some of the inhabitants and several coasters belonging to Lunenburg, who had come up in their vessels to sell their produce; bound their hands behind their backs, carried them through the streets and lodged them in the guard houses, from which they were conveyed on board the ships of war in the harbour. The Grand Jury were in session at the time and presented the outrage to the Sessions, who requested the Governor, Sir Richard Hughes, to interfere. The Governor issued his proclamation declaring all such impressments, without the sanction of the civil authority, to be illegal and an outrageous breach of the civil law, and calling upon all magistrates, etc., to resist such proceedings and to bring the offenders to justice. It does not appear, however, that the proclamation was sufficient to procure the release of the unfortunate coasters. The names of the Grand Jury on this occasion were William Meaney, William Graham, Robert Kitts, Peter McNab, John Boyd, William Mott, William Millett, junior, John Moore, William Carter, James Creighton, John Cleary, Richard Jacobs and Charles Hill.

On the 13th January, this year, died Malachi Salter, Esq., aged 65 years. He was one of the first members of Assembly for the town. His colleague in the representation was Joseph Fairbanks. Mr. Salter came from Boston to Halifax, very soon after the town was commenced, and carried on business as merchant. He is said to have visited Chebucto Harbour while engaged in the fishery, several years before the arrival of Cornwallis in 1749. The old building at the corner of Salter and Barrington Streets, formerly the residence of the late Hon. William Lawson, afterwards owned by John Esson, was originally built by Mr. Salter, and was his residence for many years. This is one of the oldest houses now remaining in Halifax. It received improvements, and was enlarged by Mr. Lawson, about 60 years ago.

The School Lottery, before mentioned, was carried on this year. It was divided into two classes. The first to consist of 5000 tickets, at 20s. each, was advertised on the 25th September. The highest prize was £2000. The prizes in all came to £4,250, leaving a balance of £750 for the purposes of the school.

The most exciting occurence of the year was the arrival of the Charleston Frigate, the sloop Vulture, and the armed ship Vulcan, in July, after a sharp conflict with a French Squadron. The Charleston had left the harbour a short time before in convoy of some transports, and while out had taken several prizes, which had been sent in a few days previously. On the 10th July, the Charleston discovered near Spanish River, Cape Breton, two French Frigates, of 40 guns each. Captain Francis Evans, of the Charleston, having thrown out signals for the transports to make for a port, bore down upon the enemy. The Little Jack, convoy to the Quebec fleet, being in company, supported the Charleston and the Vulture. Some time after the action began, Capt. Evans being killed by a cannon shot, Lt. McKay, the succeeding officer of the Charleston, under the direction of Capt. Dennis George,[45] of the Vulture, continued the action with the greatest coolness and bravery. Nor was the Vulcan, armed ship, in the least deficient in giving signal proof of the resolute determination of the troops on board, under command of Capt. Ewatt, of the 70th Regiment. But notwithstanding the superiority of the French, after an obstinate resistance they were enabled to sheer off and bear away, and Capt. George conducted his much-shattered little squadron into Halifax Harbour. The Little Jack stuck to one of the French Frigates of 42 guns, but was afterwards recaptured. On the 31st, the remains of Captain Evans, were interred with military honors, under St. Paul's Church, where his monument is still to be seen on the east side of the chancel. He was a young man of great promise, and his premature death was a loss to the service, and shed a gloom over the town, in which he had made many friends.

This year (1781), Lord Charles Montague, who had been Governor of one of the West India Islands, arrived at Halifax, with 200 of his disbanded corps from Jamaica. This nobleman died at Halifax, from the effects of fatigue, in travelling over land from Quebec to Halifax, in winter. He was buried under St. Paul's Church, where a monument to his memory is to be seen near that of Capt. Evans. He was a younger son of Robert, Duke of Manchester.

1782. The continual intercourse at this time carried on with the revolted colonies, rendered it necessary that a more strict system of inspection should be adopted with respect to vessels and passengers entering and leaving the port; accordingly Capt. Thomas Beamish was appointed Port Warden. His duty was to grant passes to all vessels and boats leaving, and to visit all those entering the harbour. No vessel or boat was allowed to pass George's Island, in the night time, or leave the harbour without sending a boat to the island, and also producing a pass from the Port Warden; and all vessels coming in were to be hailed from the island, and ordered to send their boat on shore to the Market Slip, or public landing, to be examined by the Port Warden before landing in any other part of the town. The Port Warden's office was in the old building which formerly stood at the corner now known as Laidlaw's Corner on Water Street, just above the Steamboat Wharf. At this time the water came up as far as the spot on the wharf, where Bauld and Gibson's store or shop now stands.

The Governor, Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, went to England this year, and was succeeded by Governor Parr. He received a very flattering address from the inhabitants of the town. Hammond was esteemed a good Governor, and had gained the good will of the people by his courteous manners and desire to meet, as far as possible, the wishes of the inhabitants in all municipal matters.

This summer 57 transports with troops, and the Renown, a fifty gun ship, put into Halifax on their way to New York and Canada. In October the Renown sent in a prize, laden with a rich cargo of silks, etc. The naval ships Adamant and St. Lawrence made their trips this season in 35 days.

Among the occurences this year was the conviction and sentence of a man named William McLean, for street robbery, and the murder of a Mrs. Ann Dunbrack in July, by persons unknown. The grand Jury recommended McLean to mercy, but the Governor and Council saw no reason to grant a reprieve, and he was executed. Street robberies were at the time of frequent occurence in the town.

Articles of peace between Great Britain and the United States of America were signed in November of this year, and with France in January following.

The principal public amusements in the town during the year were subscription assemblies, held at the Pontac, and at Mrs. Sutherland's Coffee House, every fortnight. The latter establishment was in Bedford Row, opposite the Commissary offices. The national societies dined together, and levees were held and parties given at Government House on all public holidays. The Garrison consisted of the 70th, 82nd and 84th Regiments, with Baron de Seitz's[46] Germans. Night riots were frequent, and continual complaints appear to have been made before the Sessions, of signs being removed from shops, and windows broken.

The views of the town and suburbs at this time show the fortifications at Citadel Hill, Fort Needham and Point Pleasant. They were supposed to have been taken by one Colonel Hicks, and were engraved and published in London. These views were mere outlines. Copies of them are to be seen at the Provincial Museum, where there are also a series of views, very neatly executed in copper plate, of the Government House, St. Paul's Church and other parts of the town. These latter were published about 1776, some six or seven years before those of Colonel Hicks.

Governor Parr and family came out in the ship St. Lawrence, and assumed the government in October.

Benjamin Green, Esq., son of the Hon. B. Green, one of the first members of Council, was elected member of Assembly for the town in February, without opposition. Mr. William Shaw was at the time Sheriff of the County.

In December, 1782, a large quantity of heavy ordnance was brought to Halifax from Charleston, South Carolina; also 500 refugees, men, women and children, arrived about the same date.

In August, 1783, a number of Negro refugees arrived from New York. It was resolved that they should be settled in different parts of the Province; however, not a few remained in Halifax, and became servants and labourers.

The Loyalists continued to come from the old Colonies, many of them in a destitute and helpless condition, until the population of the town was increased to three times its former number, and much temporary suffering in consequence prevailed. Yet many intelligent and enterprising settlers were at this period added to our population, giving new life and spirit to the town. Many spacious and commodious buildings began to be erected, taking the place of the low gamble-roofed and picketed buildings of an early day. It is very remarkable, however, that in the year 1791, only seven years after this great influx, the population had again so decreased as scarcely to exceed 5,000. In 1783, Governor Parr estimated the population at only 1,200. This was before the Loyalist emigration from New York. In 1784, one hundred and ninety-four Negro men, women and children arrived in Halifax from St. Augustin's, in a destitute condition; they did not remain in the town, but were distributed by the Government throughout the interior parts of the Province.

Governor Parr in his letter to England of November 20th, 1783, says, "upwards of 25,000 Loyalists have already arrived in the Province, most of whom, with the exception of those who went to Shelburne, came to Halifax before they became distributed throughout the Province."

Again in his letter of 15th January, 1784, he says, "In consequence of the final evacuation of New York,[47] a considerable number of refugee families have come to Halifax, who must be provided for at the public expense. They are in a most wretched condition, destitute of almost everything—chiefly women and children, all still on board the vessels, and I have not been able to find as yet any place for them, and the cold is setting in very severe."[48]

On the 20th October, 1784, an advertizement appeared in a Halifax paper, for sale, "All that land near the entrance of the harbour and opposite to Cornwallis' Island, called Mauger's Beach, containing by particular grant 5 acres according to the plan attached to the grant." This beach had been formerly occupied for curing fish, and had buildings erected thereon for that purpose.[49]

The Penal Statutes had been repealed in 1783. The Roman Catholics in the town, chiefly emigrants from Ireland, having become numerous, purchased a piece of ground in Barrington Street, where they built a Chapel, which was dedicated to St. Peter. The frame was erected on 19th July, 1784, and many of the inhabitants, both Protestants and Roman Catholics, attended the ceremony. This building stood in from the street, directly opposite the head of Salter Street. It was painted red, with a steeple at the western end. It was removed in or shortly after Bishop Burke's time, on the completion of the new stone church, now St. Mary's. The Rev. Mr. Jones was the first officiating priest. The Rev. Edmund Burke, who came from Canada, officiated at St. Peter's for many years before he was appointed Bishop.

A number of emigrants arrived in Halifax this year from England. Three hundred passengers came in the Sally transport, in a great measure destitute of clothing and provisions. Fresh provisions became very dear, and the merchants of Halifax had flour up to £3 10s. per cwt. The Governor and Council, in consequence, ordered the admission of provisions from the United States to afford relief to the inhabitants.

The House of Assembly was dissolved this year; it had sat fourteen years without being dissolved, in consequence of the American troubles. The only alteration in the Halifax representation was the return of Capt. William Abbott for the County. Mr. Francis Green, second son of old Councillor Green, was again chosen Sheriff of Halifax in 1784.

1785. January 3rd, Mr. Sampson Salter Blowers, a barrister from Boston who came among the Loyalists, was appointed Attorney General in the place of Mr. Gibbons, who had received the appointment of Chief Justice for the Island of Cape Breton, then a separate province.

The Orphan house being no longer in use, was ordered to be let on a lease for one year.[50]

In September, 1785, a number of whalers from Nantucket came to Halifax; three brigantines and one schooner, with crews and everything necessary for prosecuting the whale fishery, which they proposed to do under the British flag. Their families were to follow. A short time after they were joined by three brigantines and a sloop from the same place.

On the twentieth of October following, the Chief Land Surveyor was directed to make return of such lands as were vacant at Dartmouth to be granted to Samuel Starbuck, Timothy Folger, and others, from Nantucket, to make settlement for the whalers. The Town of Dartmouth had been many years previously laid out in lots which had been granted or appropriated to individuals, some of whom had built houses, and others though then vacant, had been held and sold from time to time by their respective owners. Most of these lots were reported vacant by Mr. Morris, the surveyor, and seized upon by the Government, as it is said, without any proceeding of escheat, and re-granted to the Quakers from Nantucket, which caused much discontent, and questions of title arose and remained open for many years after.

At a Court of Admiralty held on Friday, the 27th August, 1785, for the trial of piracies committed upon the high seas, M. Buckley and Belitham Taylor were tried, committed and sentenced to death for running away with the schooner John Miller of Chedabucto and her cargo. Two men were also hanged this year for robbery committed to the eastward of Halifax.

The death of the Chief Justice, Bryan Finucane, having occurred this year, Judge Isaac Deschamps filled the office until the appointment of Chief Justice Pemberton. Judge Finucane was buried under St. Paul's Church. His escutcheon is in the gallery.

A general election occurred in 1785, when Mr. S. S. Blowers, John George Pyke, Richard John Uniacke and Michael Wallace were returned for the County, and John Fillis and William Cochran for the town.

The whale fishery was the chief subject which engaged the attention of the public during the year. Much advantage was expected to accrue to the commerce of the place from the Quakers from Nantucket having undertaken to settle in Dartmouth. They went on prosperously for a short time, until they found the commercial regulations established in England for the Colonies were hostile to their interests, and they eventually removed, some of them, it is said, to Wales and other parts of Great Britain, where they carried on their fishery to more advantage.

A petition was presented this autumn to the Governor and Council from a number of merchants, tradesmen and other inhabitants, praying for a Charter of Incorporation for the Town. This was the first occasion on which the subject was brought prominently before the public. It was, however, not deemed by the government "expedient or necessary" to comply with the prayer of the petition. The reasons are not given in the Minute of Council, which bears date 17th November, 1785. The names of the Councillors present were Richard Bulkeley, Henry Newton, Jonathan Binney, Arthur Goold, Alexander Brymer, Thomas Cochran and Charles Morris. The functions of His Majesty's Council at this period of our history embraced all departments of executive authority in the Colony. They were equally supreme in the control of town affairs as those of the province at large. The magistrates, though nominally the executive of the town, never acted in any matter of moment without consulting the Governor and Council. The existence of a corporate body having the sole control of town affairs would in a great measure deprive them of that supervision which they no doubt deemed, for the interest of the community, should remain in the Governor and Council.

1786. It was customary at this period to celebrate the Royal birthdays and almost all public holidays by a levee at Government House, a review of the troops in garrison on the Common, and occasionally a public ball, either by the Governor at Government House or by the inhabitants of the town at the public assembly room. This custom continued in Halifax until about the year 1844 or 1845, when it was broken through by Governor Falkland. On the 18th June, 1786, Queen Charlotte's birthday was celebrated in the town by a levee and review, and in the evening by a ball in the old Pontac building. The confectionery on this occasion was very superb. It was prepared by one Signor Lenzi. The ball commenced at half-past eight, supper was announced by the elevation of a curtain that separated the two rooms. In the middle of the table there arose an artificial fountain, with the temples of Health and Venus at the top and bottom, all constructed of sugar. The Gazette of the time says, they "did not go home till morning."

A regular post communication was opened this summer with Annapolis; a courier was engaged, who went through once a fortnight with the mail between Halifax and Annapolis. John Howe, who had lately come to Halifax from Boston and had established a newspaper, was at this time postmaster; he succeeded Mr. Stevens. The following spring (1786) the town was so enveloped in smoke for many days as almost to impede business, caused by a great fire which raged in the woods in the neighbourhood.

On 10th October, 1786, arrived His Majesty's Ship Pegasus, commanded by His Royal Highness Prince William Henry. He was received at the King's Slip by Governor Parr and Major General Campbell, then in command of the Garrison, and conducted to the Government House, which stood in the square now occupied by the Province Building, where he was waited upon by the military and the principal inhabitants. The Prince expressed a desire that all display should be laid aside, but the people illuminated their dwellings, and by 8 o'clock the whole town was lighted and the streets crowded with people.

In the Gazette of the 9th February, 1786, appears a resolution and engagement entered into by the merchants and others at a public meeting lately held in Halifax, wherein they pledged themselves neither to buy nor sell articles imported from the United States, prohibited by the Governor's proclamation. The document is signed by 75 persons.

On 28th February, a German Society was formed in Halifax, when John W. Schwartz was chosen President, Doctor F. Gschwint, (pronounced Swint) Vice-President, Godfrey Schwartz Treasurer, Henry Uthoff Secretary. In 1790 Adolphus Veith was secretary of this Society.

On 4th March, the jail was broken open and the prisoners, six in number, all escaped, of whom five were re-taken. Mr. Green was then Sheriff. Inquiries were instituted, but no information obtained. The delapidated and insecure state of the jail at the time was the subject of public comment.

The money collected for Liquor Licences in the town, between 31st May, 1784, and 31st May, 1785, amounted to £531. Mr. Francis Shipton was Clerk of Licences.

Three vessels were fitted out during the summer of 1786 for the whale fishery,—the schooners Parr and Lively, and the ship Romulus.

This year the merchants and shipowners formed themselves into a society called the Halifax Marine Association, for the benefit of trade. The following year Nova Scotia was erected into a Bishop's See. The Right Reverend Charles Inglis was appointed Bishop. He arrived from England on 16th October, and made Halifax his residence.

On the 3rd July, 1787, the Pegasus, frigate, commanded by Prince William Henry, arrived again at Halifax, 15 days from Jamaica. On Friday, at half-past two o'clock, the troops were drawn up in double line from the wharf to Government House. The Prince landed at the slip under a salute from the artillery on the King's Wharf. He was accompanied to Government House by the Governor and Council, where he received an address from the inhabitants. There was a dinner and ball at Government House in the evening, and a brilliant illumination of the town.

This month two whalers returned bringing 1,060 barrels oil and 72 cwt. whalebone. It is not mentioned whether these vessels belonged to the Quakers or to some of the merchants of the town.

On the 24th June, the Freemasons had a grand procession. They walked to St. Paul's Church, where they heard a sermon from the Rev. Mr. Weeks. The Prince reviewed the troops in garrison on 30th July, consisting of the 57th and 37th Regiments, and the first Battalion of the 60th Regiment.

On the 7th July the fleet, consisting of the Leander, Commodore Sawyer—Pegasus, Prince William Henry—Ariadne, Capt. Osborne, the Resource, and the Brig Weazel, Commander Hood, fell down to the beach, intending to proceed to Quebec the first fair wind. They sailed on the 14th. The Pegasus, with the Prince, returned to Halifax early in November. He received an address on the 6th, from the House of Assembly then in Session. At two o'clock on that day, the barge of the Pegasus with the Royal Standard flying, preceded by the Commodore in his barge, with his pendant, and the Captains of the other ships of war in their barges, proceeded slowly in procession from their ships to the King's Wharf, where the party landed under a salute of 21 guns. They were received at the stairs by the Governor, Council and Assembly, and the troops, under General Ogilvie, being ordered up, they proceeded to Government House, where a number of members of the Legislature were presented to him. They then proceeded through the lines of troops to the Golden Ball,[51] where a handsome dinner was prepared, and where the Prince dined with the members of [52]Assembly and the principal officers of Government. He retired at 6 o'clock, after which a ball was given in the evening at Marchington's new building in Water Street, adjoining the Ordnance Yard, called the British Coffee House. The Prince entered the ball room a little after 8 o'clock, and at 12 the company were conducted into the supper room. The table was handsomely decorated and contained places for 200 people. The Prince is said to have displayed great affability in conversation on the occasion.

An Act was passed this Session authorizing the sale of the Orphan House, the Court House, the Public Slaughter House, and the Old Jail, and to erect a Jail, and also to erect on the Lower Parade a Public Hall, a Province House of Brick or Stone for the setting of the Legislature and Public Offices. The Commissioners appointed for this purpose were John Newton, Richard John Uniacke, John George Pyke and Mr. Taylor. Such parts of this Act as have been executed were afterwards repealed by Act of 1797.

1788. An Election for Members for the Town took place this winter, which was attended with extraordinary excitement. On the 20th February the poll opened, at the Court House, in Halifax; the candidates were Mr. Charles Morris and Jonathan Sterns. It closed on the Friday following, when it stood: Morris, 415; Sterns, 274. Majority for Morris, 141. Mr. Morris was carried through the Town and then taken home to his father's house. Hand-bills had been posted up reflecting on the government. Serious riots at the election occurred and many persons were hurt, some of whom received fractures of the skull and other severe injuries. Armed persons paraded the Town assaulting individuals. As this was a very remarkable election, and resulted in more turbulence and riot than had ever before occurred in the town on such occasions, we here copy the following extract from Anthony Henry's Gazette of 25th February:—"The unwearied and spirited exertions of a number of respectable gentlemen in a great measure calmed the minds of the people, and prevented their violence being carried to any very great length; nevertheless it was utterly impossible, in such confusion, to prevent many persons from being wounded and hurt, two of whom, we are sorry to inform the public, remain in a dangerous state; one having his skull fractured by some persons who rushed out of Laycock's house on the beach, and the other having been dangerously wounded by a shot from a window in the same house. We are likewise sorry to inform the public, that Mr. Benjamin Mulberry Holmes and his son, have been much beaten and abused by the populace on Friday night, and were it not for the very fortunate and timely interposition of Mr. Tobin's man and some others, it is probable they would have fallen a sacrifice to an enraged multitude."

The excitement had been caused partly by certain proceedings on the part of the judges of the Supreme Court against Mr. Sterns and Mr. Taylor, two practising lawyers in the town, whose names had been struck off the roll by Chief Justice Deschamps. One of the gentlemen, Mr. Sterns, was the defeated candidate at the election.

On the 3rd June, Bishop Inglis held his primary visitation of his Clergy, when he delivered a charge, received an address, and held a confirmation in the afternoon at St. Paul's, when one hundred and twenty young persons went through the ceremony of confirmation.

A heavy rain-storm occurred on Saturday, 5th July, when the streets of the town were very much injured by the torrents of water which poured down the hills. It was estimated that the rainfall was upwards of 186 tons of water to an acre, which, allowing the rain to have fallen equally on the whole peninsula, would make the fall of water on that small space equal to 345,000 tons, in four hours.

July 30. Arrived five sail of whalers, having on board the following valuable cargoes:

• Sloop "Watson," Danl. Ray, Master, 150 bbls. sperm, 50 do. headmatter.
• Brigt. "Lucretia," J. Coffin, Master, 250 bbls. sperm, 300 bbls. black oil, and 3000 cut bone.
• Brigt. "Somerset," S. Gardner, Master, 230 bbls. sperm.
• Brigt. "Sally," P. Worth, Master, 200 bbls. do.
• Brigt. "Industry," W. Chadwick, Master, 84 bbls. do. 26 bbls. headmatter, and 300 do. black oil, also 3000 cut bone.

The "Andromeda," frigate, commanded by Prince William Henry, from England, arrived on 17th August, 1788; he was again received with the usual honours and the town was illuminated. The Prince attended a sham-fight on the Common, on 10th September, in which, the 4th, 37th, and 57th Regiments took part. Three soldiers were wounded by bursting of their muskets during the performance.

On 21st October, the new Chief Justice Jeremiah Pemberton, took the oaths and his seat on the bench, and his patent was then read in open Court.

Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, was launched at the south end of the town, a handsome brig, the property of Messrs. Gouge & Pryor; she was the first vessel of the size ever built in the town.

The following gentlemen composed the Magistracy of the town this year, viz:—Benj. Green, John Cunningham, John Newton, Charles Morris, George Smith, William Sherlock, John George Pyke, Thos. Cochran, Anthony Stewart,[53] W. Taylor, Stephen N. Binney, J. M. F. Bulkeley, Revd. Michael Houseal, James Gautier, William Morris, Charles Morris, junior, Daniel Wood, junior; Matthew Cahill was High Sheriff.

It appears that the rank of Esquire was not applied to any person, at this or any previous period, except Magistrates and high public functionaries, and persons to whom it was accorded in consequence of their personal wealth and rank in society. Being a member of the House of Assembly did not confer the title.

There was then no regular police establishment in the town, the Magistrates, by turns, attended to police duties with the aid of the town constables, who were annually appointed. All special matters were discussed and settled at the special sessions, which was generally a private meeting of Magistrates in the back office in conjunction with the Clerk of the Peace. Criminal charges of a delicate nature, or when private character was likely to be affected, were usually investigated with closed doors, and no information made public until found to be necessary for the ends of justice. This system continued until Mr. John George Pyke received the appointment of Police Magistrate, about 60 years since. His duties were merely to relieve the Magistrates from the more onerous duties of attending daily at the Police office. Colonel Pyke became incapacitated by age about the year 1825 or 6, when Mr. John Liddell was appointed, who had to his aid three or four Police Constables, two of whom had attended his predecessor, and the valuable assistance of David Shaw Clarke, the clerk of the peace. Such was the arrangement until the Act of Incorporation in 1848.

The "Royal Gazette" was published by Anthony Henry, until about 1801, when it fell into the hands of Mr. John Howe, from Boston.

The "Weekly Chronicle," another paper, was at this time established by Mr. William Minns, stationer, in Barrington Street, opposite the north-end of the Grand Parade. It was commenced in 1787, and continued to exist until about 1828 or 9.

Among the merchants who advertized in these papers we find the names of James Vetch, opposite the woodyard; David Hall & Co., in Hollis Street, opposite Government House, (Crown Prince Building); and George Bell, Granville St. The shops appear to have contained both groceries and dry-goods, like the country stores of the present day. A. & R. Leslie were at the corner of Duke and Water Streets, near the Pontac. Lawrence Hartshorne, Hardware, corner of Granville and George streets, between the market house and the parade. This old corner, so many years known as Hartshorne & Boggs' corner, had a gun at the corner of the platform which extended down the hill to the lower corner, occupied by one Hart, a Jew, afterwards known as Martin Gay Black's, and now occupied by the new building of the Merchant's Bank; this walk was the resort of the merchants in the morning, and the fashionable and idle in the afternoons.

1789. On the night of Friday, the 23rd January, Cochran's buildings, a range of three-storey buildings in the market square, were totally consumed by fire. Firewards were John Fillis, J. G. Pyke, R. J. Uniacke, Michael Wallace, Geo. Bell, Lawrence Hartshorne, William Lawlor, Charles Hill.

On 9th February, an advertisement appeared in the "Gazette," as follows: "I am directed by His Excellency the Governor, to acquaint the several gentlemen called upon on Friday last to form a Fire Company, that he desires their attendance at the 'Golden Ball' on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock, to agree to rules and regulations. (Signed) Jas. Gautier."

On 15th August, the jail was broken open, and a prisoner for debt, one Livesay, who had been imprisoned at the suit of William Stairs, escaped, for which Sheriff Green was prosecuted; Green stated that he had repeatedly represented to the Council the insecure state of the jail. Mr. James Clarke succeeded Mr. Green as Sheriff of Halifax, this year.

The Dockyard at this period was in full operation. The Commissioner in charge was the Honorable Henry Duncan, who was also a member of His Majesty's Council. Doctor John Haliburton, father of the late Chief Justice Sir Brenton Haliburton, was Surgeon of the Naval Hospital, Mr. Provo Wallis was Master Superintendent, Elias Marshall, foreman of shipwrights, William Lee foreman of carpenters, Alexander Anderson and Provo F. Wallis, Chief Clerks.

A great scarcity of bread was felt in the town this summer. Vessels sent to Canada for wheat, returned empty. On the 9th July, the Governor received a letter from the Governor of Canada, stating the great scarcity of provisions in the Province of Lower Canada or Quebec, that a famine was dreaded, and requesting him not to obstruct the exportation of corn and flour from Halifax to Quebec. But the Justices of the Quarter Sessions presented a memorial which had been laid before them by the bakers of Halifax, setting forth that there is not more of flour in the town than sufficient to provide bread for three or four days, whereupon it was ordered by the Council that no vessel be permitted to clear out with bread or flour to Quebec, except the brigantine "Ceres," until further consideration.

There were amateur theatrical performances this winter at the Pontac. It would appear that the old theatre in Argyle Street, in the recollection possibly of some of the oldest inhabitants, was in operation this year. We find plays advertized to take place there in February and March. This building stood on the spot on which the present Acadian School was afterwards erected. It was the only theatre in the town during the time of the Duke of Kent. It was afterwards occupied by Walter Bromley as a public school upon the Lancaster plan, until removed to make way for the present building, in the year 1816.

The first Agricultural Society was formed in Halifax in the year 1789; the Hon. Richard Bulkeley was the first president, and Mr. James Clarke,[54] (afterwards Sheriff Clarke,) was the first secretary.

The old Block House on the Citadel Hill being in a ruinous condition, was taken down this year, but the flag and signal staffs which were on it, were preserved.

June 1, 1789. The old gaol and garden were offered for sale at auction. This old building was in Hollis Street, nearly opposite the present Halifax Hotel, and was formerly the property of the late Mr. Robert M. Brown.

On the 16th June, in conformity with the Act of the Legislature formerly passed, the Governor was pleased to nominate Hon. Henry Newton, Hon. Thos. Cochran, James Brenton, John Newton and R. J. Uniacke, Trustees of a Grammar School forthwith to be erected in the town. "These gentlemen chose Mr. William Cochran, of Trinity College, Dublin, and lately Professor of the Greek and Latin languages in Columbia College, New York, to be master. Mr. George Glennie, who was regularly educated in the University of Aberdeen, to be usher, and Mr. Thomas Brown, already well known in this town, to be teacher of writing, arithmetic and mathematics. It is thought proper to give this early notification to the public, but until a suitable building can be provided, the school will be opened without delay in the room where the Assembly of the Province meets."

The Legislature after this met in the building known as Cochran's building, which was erected at the Market Square after the fire before mentioned, and the old building appropriated permanently for the Grammar school, which remained so until lately, when the school was removed to the private residence of Mr. Gilpin, the head master, and the old building sold.

The following advertizement appeared in the "Royal Gazette": "Information for Masters of Vessels. The Block House on Citadel Hill, which was a conspicuous object, is removed, having been in a ruinous condition. The flag and signal staffs remain." "The hulk of the large ship, sometime since stranded at the back of Thrum Cap, was beaten to pieces in the last gale."

On the 15th October, Charles Hill advertized for sale at auction, the ground where the Court House stood, now known as Northup's Corner; measuring on Buckingham Street, 94 feet, and on Argyle Street 43 feet. On the 17th July previous, the old Court House, and the building adjoining, known as Kirby's soap-house, and other buildings, were destroyed by fire.

1790. In the month of July, this year, the whaling fleet arrived, after a successful voyage. The brig "Prince William Henry," Capt. Pinkham, with 110 barrels of sperm oil; brig "Hibernian," Capt. Worth, 100 barrels sperm and 32 black oil; ship "Parr," Capt. Chase, 480 sperm and 100 black oil, and brig "Harvest," Capt. Kelly, with 200 sperm. In August following arrived the "Romulus," with 170 bbls. sperm oil.

Among the chief merchants of the town at this time were William Forsyth, Philip Marchington,[55] Brymer & Belcher, Hardware merchants, successors to Thomas Robie; Michael Wallace, retail store-keeper; James Moody, Hollis Street; Sabatier, Stewart & Co., Chas. Geddes, dry goods, lower side of the Parade; Richard Kidston, general merchandize; George Deblois, William Millet, Charles Hill, Hugh Kelley, all auctioneers. John W. Schwartz kept store at the corner of Granville and Buckingham Streets; Lawrence Hartshorne, at his corner, had a general assortment of cutlery, etc., D. Hall & Co., in Hollis Street, opposite Government House; Ann Bremner kept a dry goods shop at the north-west corner of the parade; Peter Lynch kept a hat store at the sign of the "King's Arms;" C. C. Hall & Co. was the chief dry goods store in the town; Benjamin Salter, Ship Chandlery, Water St.; John Fillis & Son and G. & J. Thirlock were among the wholesale dealers; Linnard & Young were the fashionable tailors; Richard Courtney had a shop at the lower side of the parade, William Sellon in Granville Street, King & Story in Marchington's buildings, John Butler Dight, wholesale store in Marchington's buildings; C. C. Hall & Co. had this year removed to Marchington building; Winkworth Allen, general dealer, in Cochran's new building. Mr. Wm. Millet the auctioneer, on the 9th Sept. advertized for sale, "a negro man and sundry other articles." In the following year, James Forman & Co. occupied a store on Copeland's wharf, also Benjamin Salter. The British Coffee house was kept by John Gallagher at the head of Marchington's wharf. Mrs. Sutherland's coffee house, was at this time, one of the chief places of resort for Public Committees and Societies, as well as for Public entertainments; concerts were held here throughout the winter, commencing in September. The Halifax Marine Society, which had been established in Halifax for several years, held their quarterly meetings at this house. There was a house of entertainment then kept on McNab's Island by one Mary Roubalet, for tea parties in the summer. It was called the Mansion House.

On the 12th day of January, 1790, James Clarke and George Geddes, Church Wardens of St. Paul's, advertized that in consequence of the inclemency of the weather on Sunday there was so small an attendance in church, that the contributions towards the clothing of the children in the Sunday Schools in the town, were so small, that they desired to invite contributions from the inhabitants for the relief of the orphans and others attending the schools. In February following, the church wardens again advertized the distribution of clothing to the poor children of the Sunday Schools: 15 great coats, 64 shirts and shifts, 70 pairs stockings and 35 pairs strong shoes, which cost £30 7s. 2d. The St. Paul's school had nineteen boys and sixteen girls in attendance.

On the same day, there was a visitation of the Halifax Grammar School by the Governor, the Bishop, the Trustees and others. The attendance during the winter was usually about 60. The school was addressed on this occasion, by one of the elder boys, and after the examinations in the Latin classes, writing and arithmetic, several scholars repeated pieces and dialogues. Mr. Cochran was the headmaster; he shortly afterwards accepted the charge of the Academy at Windsor; and the Rev. George Wright was appointed in his place. His salary was £150 per annum from the Legislature, with what he could get from the pupils. The number of scholars was 68. He states his loss in the shape of discount on his Treasury warrants amounted to from 15 to 20 per cent., in consequence of the delay in payment.

The winter was very severe; The harbour was frozen over, and the destitute condition of the poor very great. The gentlemen amateurs of the theatre, sent £25 to the Rev. Mr. Weeks, of St. Paul's, Dr. Andrew Brown, of the Presbyterian meeting house, and Mr. Houseal of St. George's in Dutchtown, for the poor of their respective parishes. The overseers of the poor, Jonathan Tremain, James Gautier, James Kerby and Andrew Belcher, met at the "Golden Ball," to assess the inhabitants of the town for the poor rates.

The Court House having been destroyed by fire, the Quarter Sessions held their sittings on the 19th February, in the long room of the "Golden Ball," for the trial of offenders. The "Golden Ball" was kept by Edward Phelan this winter, who occupied the north end of the building as a store for general merchandise.

An Act of the Legislature had been passed this year, and was published early in May, reciting that the destruction of the Court House by fire, and the inconvenient situation of the present Assembly House, made it necessary that a more suitable place should be provided, and the state of the Province finances not being such as to admit of the expense of erecting a proper and suitable building, it was therefore enacted, that Commissioners be appointed to treat with Thomas James and William Cochran, for their building opposite Government House, for £200 per annum, and to expend £100 in furniture for the purposes of the meeting of this Legislature and the Courts of Law. This building lately erected after the fire, stood on the spot now occupied by the new Dominion Public building, and continued to be the place of holding the General Assembly, the Courts of Law, etc., until the Province Building was completed for their reception in 1820. The building in which the Legislature formerly held its sittings, and which was now appropriated for the Grammar School, was this year repaired at the public expense.

In June, the Grand Jury addressed Chief Justice Strange on his arrival from England. The names of the Jury were:—Richard Kidston, foreman, William Millet, Lawrence Hartshorne, Godfrey Schwartz, Winkworth Allen, John Davis, J. Forbes, James Lewis, Benjamin Salter, James Strachan, William Lawlor, Martin Shier, John Boyd and Alexander Copeland.

In the autumn, the Secretary of the Province announced to the people of the town, that in the event of a war with Spain, and the withdrawal of the troops from the Province, it would be necessary to call out the Militia for the defence of the town, and the Colonels of regiments were called upon to hold themselves in readiness, and to make returns of the state and condition of their respective regiments.

About this time, Captain Stack was a regular trader between this port and Ireland, and sold his cargoes of beef, salt pork, lard, etc., at auction, at Charles Hill & Co.'s rooms.

The Halifax Bar addressed Chief Justice Strange, on his leaving for England on a visit, this autumn. The address was signed by S. S. Blowers, R. J. Uniacke, James Sterns, E. B. Brenton, James Stewart, Daniel Wood, Foster Hutchinson, J. Prout and W. H. O. Haliburton.

At a Court of Quarter Sessions, held at Halifax, in June term of this year, the Sheriff, pursuant to law and by virtue of a warrant directed to him by the Justices of the Sessions, to lay out a road in the north suburbs of the town, reported that he had laid out the road by a jury, in the manner following, viz:—Beginning at the north-east corner or angle of Lot No. 2, on the road leading from the Dockyard to the Naval Hospital; thence to run north 28 west, 40 feet; thence north, 59 east, 238 feet, which leaves a road of 40 feet wide, between Allbright's ground and the Hospital fence; thence north, 28 west, 660 feet; thence north 20 west, 664 feet to the road leading to Fort Needham, leaving the road 50 feet wide between the shore at the Narrows at high-water mark, and the Lots Nos. 3 and 4. This notice was published, that all persons who might think themselves aggrieved by the laying out of the road might have an opportunity of being heard before the sessions, on Tuesday, the 5th September, 1790. It was signed by Thomas Wood, Clerk of the Peace.

This road was intended as a continuation of Water Street northward, to meet the road which leads up from the water to Fort Needham, but it does not appear to have been on the line of the present road, but to have gone through the northern end of the Hospital grounds, along the water side, below the site of the old magazines.

At the session of the House of Assembly in 1790, several articles of impeachment against the Judges of the Supreme Court, as before mentioned, passed the House, which were laid before the Executive Council by the Governor, on 7th April. It was proposed to suspend Chief Justice Deschamps and Judge James Brenton, in conformity with the request of the Assembly.

1791. Governor Parr died on 25th November this year, in the 66th year of his age, and the ninth of his government. He was buried with military honours, under St. Paul's Church, on the 29th of the month. The procession moved from Government House to St. Paul's Church, in the following order:—All the Lodges of the Freemasons, (His Excellency having been the Grand Master,) the 20th regiment as the firing party, the Church Wardens, the Physicians of deceased, the Clergy, the Bishop, the body covered by a pall adorned by eight escutcheons, Pall-bearers, Hon. A. Brymer, Major Boyd, the Commissioner of the Dockyard, the Admiral, the Hon. S. S. Blowers, Hon. Thomas Cochran, Major Rawlinson, the General, the relatives and servants of deceased, particular friends, the Sheriff of the county, members of Council, viz., Morris, Bulkeley and Newton, Judges Brenton and Hutchinson, the treasurer of the province, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Custos of the county and Justice Binney, Magistrates of the town, the bar, staff of the army, officers of the navy and army, officers of militia, gentlemen of the town, and the whole garrison all under arms, lining the streets. Minute guns were fired by the men-of-war in the harbor and by the Royal Artillery, during the procession. The service was performed by the bishop, Dr. Charles Inglis, and the body was buried under the middle aisle.

During the autumn and winter, a number of black people from different parts of the province were brought to Halifax, to be removed to Sierra Leone. Michael Wallace was agent, who on 5th December, advertised for 1000 tons of shipping, for the purpose. Ships "Venus," "Parr," "Eleanor;" Brigs "Betsy," "Beaver," "Mary," "Morning Star," "Catherine," "P. W. Henry;" Schrs. "Liberty," and "Two Brothers," the whole commanded by Lieutenant Clarkson, having on board the colored people, all sailed for Sierra Leone on 15th January, 1792. The hire and damages amounted to £3965 8s. 0d. sterling. This expense was borne by the Sierra Leone Company. These colored people were chiefly those who came from the old provinces with the Loyalists. They formed a colony in Africa, called the "Nova Scotia colony,"[56] which still exists, and about 15 years since several old negroes were living who recollected the removal from Halifax, when children. The fleet arrived at their destination after a passage of 40 days. The number embarked was 1139. The day of arrival was 28th March, and the 28th March in every year is still kept up by the adherents of the Lady Huntingdon Congregation at Sierra Leone, as the anniversary of the arrival of their fathers in the colony.

Until these Nova Scotian adherents of Lady Huntingdon's connection could erect a chapel for themselves in their new home, they united with the other coloured congregations of Methodists and Baptists. Mr. Zachary Macaulay, who was at one time Governor of this colony, says: "There were five or six black preachers among the Nova Scotians raised up from their own body, who are not without a considerable influence." Among these, was John Ellis, who was Superintendent of the churches; he was succeeded by Anthony Elliot, a young Nova Scotia negro; he acquired several of the native dialects and became an active Christian missionary in Africa. He died in 1854 at the advanced age of 80. Elliot followed the avocations of a fisherman and pilot as the means of livelihood, and on the Sundays he preached to the people the word of Life.

The population of the city and suburbs, in 1791, had fallen to 4,897.

The returns on the census this year, are as follows;—

1301	males over 16 years of age.
935	" under " "
2209	females.
422	black people.

The Agricultural Society of Halifax, offered premiums this year, and published a volume on husbandry.

A gold medal and 10 guineas was offered for the best essay on the natural history of the Hessian fly, and the method of stopping its progress in the wheat crop. A volume of the Society's proceedings, was this year published at Halifax by John Howe.

1792. On the 17th April news arrived of the appointment of Mr. John Wentworth as Governor. He had resided in Halifax for seven or eight years, having held the office of Ranger of woods and forests, and had been Governor of New Hampshire. On 12th May, the "Hussar," frigate, Capt. Rupert Denis George, arrived, having on board Governor Wentworth, etc. He landed at the King's wharf under a salute fired from the parade and a guard of honour from 21st regiment. On the 14th he was sworn into office. In the evening the town was brilliantly illuminated.

On 17th August a fire broke out in the property of John Welner, soap-maker in Granville Street. Six tenements and the Ordnance laboratory were consumed; Welner and his wife, two aged persons, were burnt to death. The sum of £140 was raised by subscription for the sufferers at the fire. The principal sufferers, however, declined to receive any aid, and a committee was appointed to examine the claims and distribute the fund.

Folger and Starbuck, the Quaker whalers, who settled at Dartmouth a year or two since, left Halifax this year, for Milford Haven, in Great Britain, where they expected to carry on their whale fishery with greater facilities than at Dartmouth.

Died at Halifax, on 27th September, 1792, Mrs. Hester Godfrey, aged 101 years.

The Grand Jury at Halifax, for 1792, were as follows, viz:—George Smith, foreman, Andrew Liddell, John Masters, Philip Marchington, Benjamin Mulberry Holmes, Rufus Fairbanks, Peter Smith, Michael Wallace, John Steeling, Richard Jacobs, John Kirby, Thomas Filles, Charles Hill, J. W. Schwartz, William Cochran, John Butler Dight,[57] Thomas Russell, Alexander Brymer, George Grant, William Williams and George Deblois.

Several petitions were presented this year to the Governor and Council, from the merchants and others of Halifax, on the subject of trade regulations and the collection of debts. Among the signatures to these petitions, we find the names of James Forman & Co., James Moody, William Veitch, George Grant, Winkworth Allen, William Kidston, Samuel Rudolph, Benjamin M. Holmes, James and Alexander Kidston, Chas. Geddes, Wm. Forsyth & Co., Thomas Russell, Hall, Bremner & Bottomry, William Taylor, Burnes, Liddell & Co., P. Smith, Jonathan Masters, Williams & Lyons, Geo. Deblois, John Moody, and S. Hall & Co.

Again 1793: Brymer & Belcher, Forman & Grassie, John Steeling, Jonathan Tremain, P. Marchington, Andrew Liddell, George Sherlocke, Francis Stevens, Geo. Bell, Geo. Moren, Edward Butler, Nathan Hatfield, Thomas Watson, Peter McNab, Benjamin Salter, Frederick Major and John Brown.

The town Assemblies were held this winter in Mrs. Sutherland's rooms in Bedford Row, opposite the Commissary offices.

On Thursday evening, Dec. 20th, 1792, Governor and Mrs. Wentworth gave a grand ball. The decorations in the supper room were very elegant. The ladies sat down and the gentlemen waited on them. Among the decorations were the exact representations of Mr. Jonathan Tremain's new flour mill at Dartmouth, of the windmill on Halifax Common. A model of the red light house at Shelburne, and the tract of new road from Pictou, was delineated in the most ingenious and surprising manner, as was also the representation of our fisheries.

To all these inimitable ornaments, corresponding mottoes were attached, so that not only taste and elegance were conspicuous, but encouragement and genius were displayed. Such was the description of this affair as it appeared in the newspapers of the day.

Cochran's buildings were again on fire, 30th January, 1793, but the fire was extinguished without much damage.

War with France was announced by letters from the Secretary of State to the Governor, dated 9th February, 1793. Orders were also received to raise a provincial regiment. This regiment was to be called the Nova Scotia Fensibles; they were to be raised in Halifax, but were not to have half pay, and the Commissions were to be given to half pay officers. Young Haligonians were thus excluded. It was about the same time decided on embodying a part of the Militia force for the defence of the town. 1050 effective men were accordingly marched into the town from the country, who were to receive pay from the British Government while on duty. The Governor published his thanks to the militia on 2nd November, for the alacrity with which they obeyed his orders in marching to Halifax. By the month of May the number of men enlisted for the Nova Scotia regiment, amounted to 100, the enlistments were afterwards increased to 600 men.

Apprehensions appear to have been entertained of an attack on the town by the French fleet. Every precaution appears to have been taken by Governor Wentworth for the protection of the Capital. In his letter to the Secretary of State of 23rd July, the Governor says, "In twenty minutes I could put under the command of General Ogilvie, 900 militia men, and in a few hours a second battalion of 600, who reside in the neighbourhood of the town."

The Halifax Militia Artillery, commanded by Capt. J. Tremain was a most effective body of men. It had been this year formed and consisted of sixty freeholders of the town. The Town Regiment of Infantry was commanded by Col. John George Pyke. 550 men of the Town Militia assisted the Garrison in repairing and mounting the batteries on Citadel Hill and elsewhere. On the 2nd April, two French Prizes were brought into the harbour by H. M. Ship Alligator, with cargoes valued at £40,000.

Among the events of the War was an expedition fitted out at Halifax to attack the Island of St. Pierre, in Newfoundland. It consisted of the Alligator and Hussar, men-of-war, with a body of troops under General Ogilvie. Before leaving, the two ships of war received permissions from the Governor and Council to press through the town and complete their crews. The place surrendered without fighting, and the Governor, M. Danseville, with several hundred prisoners and stores were brought to Halifax. They landed on the 20th of June. Governor Danseville was placed on parole, and resided at Dartmouth for many years in the house known as Brook House, now or lately the residence of the Hon. Michael Tobin, junr., about a couple of miles or more from Dartmouth town. The old gentleman displayed some taste in beautifying the grounds at Brook House. He built a fish pond and laid out walks among the beech and white birch groves near the house. The pond still remains, but the walks and most of the trees have long since disappeared. He remained a prisoner with an allowance from Government until the peace of 1814, when he returned to his own country a zealous royalist. Mr. Mizanseau was his aide-de-camp; he married a farmer's daughter in the South East Passage, and left a family who bear his name in that neighbourhood.

Governor Wentworth proposed to place the French prisoners who had been brought to Halifax from time to time, on an Island in the North West Arm, afterwards known as Melville Island, but the General preferred the Cornwallis [58]Barracks. The Island was not the property of the Government at this time, but hired by Governor Wentworth for this purpose of a prison. It afterwards became Admiralty property.

A poll tax existed at this time. It had been imposed by Act of the Legislature in 1791. One shilling per head was imposed on all males above 21 years of age. The law also contained a tax on cattle, with an extra tax on certain trades and occupations. It was ostensibly for the purpose of reducing the provincial debt. It does not appear, however, to have been regularly collected in the town.

1794. On the 10th May, His Royal Highness Prince Edward arrived at Halifax in the Blanche Frigate, twelve days from St. Kitts. He landed immediately under a salute of 21 guns.

A levee took place on the 14th and an address was presented to him couched in the most fulsome and ridiculous language. On the 24th there was a garrison review under the command of General Ogilvie.

On the 22nd January, the following year, he set out by land for Quebec. He was at Boston on 5th February, where he remained 10 days and then embarked for the West Indies. It appears, however, that he was in Halifax on 25th February.

1794. This year a number of merchants of the town agreed to underwrite policies of insurance on vessels and goods, and appointed Benjamin Salter the broker, who, on the 10th May, advertised attendance every day during "change" hours at the "Coffee Rooms."

The town was again harassed by press gangs from Admiral Murray's ship. The Admiral had persuaded the Governor and Council to allow him twenty-four hours power over the inhabitants to man his fleet—though Capt. Home had been previously refused the privilege in January.

In December the Marine Society, which had been established by the merchants of Halifax several years previously, was re-modeled and extended in its operations. About this time a project had been formed by Governor Wentworth for uniting the waters of Halifax Harbor with the Bay of Fundy by a canal from the River Shubenacadie, and rendering the river navigable. Suggestions on the subject had been made to Governor Wentworth by persons whom he supposed competent to judge of the feasibility of the project, and was very sanguine of success in the work if not interrupted by hostilities. It does not appear, however, that any attempt was made this year towards effecting the object, but three years after (1797) the sum of £250 was voted for a survey of the projected canal.

All public lands in the town were this year granted to trustees. A grant of part of the King's Stores for a fishmarket was made, also the Province Building ground and the Grand Parade. The old English burial ground opposite the present Government House on Pleasant Street had been originally set apart, in 1749, as a general burial place for the inhabitants of the town. It consisted of two acres and a quarter, but the title had not passed out of the Crown. It was this year granted to the Church Wardens and Vestry of St. Paul's Parish. They have been considered to hold it in trust for the original purpose for which it was dedicated. The old poor house burial ground was also included in this grant.

The French prisoners brought from St. Pierre and Miquelon, who had been lodged in the town with others who had been taken in prizes, were sent, in the month of July, to the Island of Guernsey.

We find Captain George of the Hussar receiving permission from the Council to fill up the complement of his men by impressment. In July following a similar application from Capt. Knowles of the ship Daedalus was refused. Admiral Murray, it appears, obtained another license in September to press through the town for seven days.

Commodore George informed the Governor that intelligence of the state of the defences of the town had been, or was likely to be, communicated by the French prisoners, through persons from the United States, to the French ambassador at Washington, and suggested an embargo on all vessels going to the United States for the present until he should receive intelligence from Admiral Murray. The Collector of the Customs at Halifax was accordingly ordered not to clear any vessels to the United States until further orders.

The following gentlemen were added to the Magistracy of the town: Michael Head, M. D., George Sherlock, Francis Green, J. M. F. Bulkeley, J. B. Dight, John Phillips, M. D., Johnathan Tremaine. James Clarke was Sheriff. Among the advertisements which appeared in the newspaper this and the previous year was a notice that sedan chairs would stand for hire in Barrington Street, also at the Court House, for the convenience of the public. The principal merchants and ship owners in the town between 1787 and 1795 were Geo. Bell, Hardware and Glass Store in Granville Street, near the town guard, then kept in the old house behind Masons' Hall; Peter Smith, Wines & Groceries; James Veitch, Groceries and General Store, shop opposite the wood yard; David Hall & Co. Dry Goods Store in Hollis Street, opposite old Government House; Charles Handesayde, Boot & Shoe Maker in Granville Street; Alex. and Robert Leslie, Dry Goods Store at the corner of Duke & Hollis Streets, near the Pontac; Lawrence Hartshorne, Hardware Store at corner of Granville Street, between the Market House and the Parade; Wm. Forsyth & Co., Importing Merchants; Linnard & Young, Tailors, in Marchington's Buildings, Upper Water Street; George DeBloise, General Dealer; John Butler Dight, Importing Merchant, and Winkworth Allen and the Messrs. Cochran. William Minns, Stationer, Benj. Salter, Importing Merchant, Chas. Geddis, Watch Maker & Jeweller, lower side the Parade; John Hill, Cutter, Hollis Street; Edmond Phelan, "Golden Ball" tavern, Hollis Street; Wm. Brindley, Wines, etc., Forman, Grassie & Co., Importing Merchants, store on the Long Wharf (late Copeland's); Hall, Bremner & Bottomley, Dry Goods, etc.

Between '95 and '99. James Romans, Boot & Shoe Maker, corner of Duke & Granville Streets; Wm. Dickie, Dry Goods, Phebe Moody, Dry Goods, Matthew Richardson, General Store, Robert Chrisley, Dry Goods, John McMasters, Dry Goods, Edward King, Livery Stable, John Kidston, General Dealer.

In 1798 the firm of L. Hartshorne & Co. was changed to Hartshorne & Boggs.

Moody & Tidmarsh, Dry Goods, Thos. Wallace, Dry Goods, etc., opposite wood yard; J. Hemmington, Grocer, near the Navy Yard; Lyon & Butler, General Dealers, Saml. Leddiet, Soap Boiler from Liverpool, kept the London Porter House above the Grand Parade; Philip Garrell, Tailor, Fraser, Thom & Co., Importing Merchants, Marchington's Wharf; Robert Scaiff, successor to Wm. & Thos. Williams, Hardware, Jewellery, etc., Forsyth, Smith & Co., Importing Merchants, James Leaver, Lower Water Street, Dry Goods, David Seabury, Auctioneer, Joseph Davis, Dry Goods, Michael Head, Apothecary, Saml. Hart, Dry Goods, D. Marshall and D. Fraser, both Importing Merchants, Wm. Annand, Groceries, etc., Saml. Greenwood, Mast Maker, Ed. Bartlett, Dry Goods, Marchington's Wharf; Jacob Miller & Son and Philis, Boyd & Philis, Importing Merchants, Tremain & Boggs, opposite the fuel yard, Hardware, etc., Thomas Roby, Merchant, Granville Street, Brymer & Belcher, John Grant, Wm. Forsyth & Co., Jonathan Tremain, Merchants, James Moody, Grocery & General Store keeper, Hollis Street, Michael Wallace, Wines, Groceries, etc. C. C. Hall & Co. appear to have been the leading dry goods shop keepers; their store was in Marchington's buildings near the Ordnance. Charles Hill, Auctioneer, James Forbes, Wine, Groceries, etc., Water Street, near Fairbanks' Wharf. Andrew Gallagher kept the British Tavern opposite Marchington's Wharf. Sabatier, Stewart & Co., General Merchants; their firm was dissolved in 1790. William Millett, Auctioneer, King & Stoe, Shop-keeper, No. 6 Marchington's buildings, near the British Tavern; Thomas Russel, shop-keeper, store near the Coffee House; Alex. Morrison, Bookseller, Thos. Donaldson, Confectioner, Etter & Tidmarsh, corner of the Parade, British Merchandise, D. Curry & Co., Dry Goods, James Frame, Cabinet Maker, Jonathan & John Tremain, Hardware, etc., David Rudolph, near the Golden Ball, Dry Goods & Groceries, Richd. Woodroffe, Furrier, near the South Barracks.

1795. At the request of Prince Edward, the men of the Militia were employed on the fortifications in the neighborhood of the town during the summer. At this time the French prisoners in the town became very riotous; they were ordered to be removed to a place of confinement and none to be permitted at large. Several French prizes were brought in during the summer by Capts. Cochran and Beresford, of the Hussar and the Thetis, Sloops-of-War. An armed Snow named the Earl of Moira was kept by the Provincial Government for the protection of the coast. The most stirring event of the year was the arrival of the Hussar and Thetis after a long cruise bringing with them two French ships-of-war which they had captured; part of the enemy's squadron bound from the West Indies to Virginia.

Several Halifax ship masters lost their vessels and were made prisoners by French privateers in 1795. The names of Capts. Jacobs, Lloyd, Ewing and John Pryor appear among them. They suffered much hard usage at Guadaloupe where they were detained. A project for building a bridge across the Narrows was contemplated about this time. A petition was presented to the House of Assembly dated 11th March, 1796, from a number of persons praying for an Act to authorize the building of a bridge across the Narrows.

Between January, 1795, and January, 1796, the Halifax markets appear to have been well supplied. The newspapers of the day mention that 786 head of fat cattle, 30 cows and calves, besides sheep and swine had been brought into the town.

1796. St. George's day was celebrated with much festivity by the English Society. They had a dinner in the evening at which Governor Wentworth and Prince Edward were present. Among the decorations were sixty variegated lamps. Genl. Ogilvie and Chief Justice Strange were among the guests. The Prince arrived and departed under a royal salute and, during the dinner, sat under a canopy of white satin and gold lace.

During the spring of 1796 Halifax suffered from a scarcity of provisions. The inhabitants were indebted to Messrs. Hartshorne and Tremain, whose mills at Dartmouth enabled them, through the summer, to obtain flour at a reduced price and to afford a sufficient supply for the fishery.

The 4th June, old King George's birthday, was celebrated this year with the usual ceremonies. There was a levee and a review of the troops, and Sir John Wentworth entertained the Prince and a number of the principal inhabitants at a Ball, when the old Government House was brilliantly illuminated. There was a dinner the same afternoon among the merchants at the British Tavern, Marchington's buildings.

St. Patrick's day, this year, was also celebrated by a levee at the Government House and a dinner at Gallagher's hotel. The society sat down to dinner at five o'clock. His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Governor Sir John Wentworth, several members of Council, the Speaker and a number of members of the House of Assembly attended. The Prince and the Governor retired early, but the society kept up their festivities to a late hour.

On July 21st, vessels arrived in the harbor with five hundred Maroon negroes from Jamaica. The Maroons were the descendants of a number of African slaves, who, when Jamaica was conquered from the Spaniards, took refuge in the Island. They continued in a state of insubordination, but occasionally made treaties with the English. At this time they were in open hostility, but had been conquered, and it was arranged that a number of them should be sent as settlers to Canada. They put into Halifax on their way. They were under the superintendence of Colonel Quarrell of Jamaica, who had letters from the Governor of Jamaica to Sir John Wentworth. Prince Edward was commander of the garrison at the time, and on inspecting the people was so much pleased with the athletic proportions of the young mulatto men that he proposed to detain them to work on the fortifications of the town, which were then in progress under his direction. The French squadron under Admiral Richery was then off the coast, and it was expected that he would visit Halifax. The fortifications at the mouth of the harbor having fallen into decay were under repair, but, not sufficiently forward to afford protection in case of an attack. The proposal was accepted by the Maroons; some were accordingly accommodated with sheds, and others placed in barns and such places of shelter as could be found in the town for their temporary accommodation. A number were sent to work on Citadel Hill, and one of the bastions there was called the Maroon Battery. The assent of the Secretary of State having been obtained for their settlement in Nova Scotia, land was assigned them in the Township of Preston. Col. Quarrell did not like the treatment they received. Many of the Maroons were permitted to come to town and seek work among the inhabitants. It was about this time that Sir John Wentworth proposed, as has been before mentioned, to open communication between Halifax and the River Shubenacadie which was to be performed by Maroon labor. This was the first proposal to be met with in reference to the Shubenacadie Canal which, in after years caused so much loss and suffering by its failure. Differences arose between Col. Quarrell and the Governor, the Maroons refused to work, and discontent increased. Sir John and Prince Edward had a project of forming them into a corps of militia, and bestowed militia commissions on several of the young men among the Maroons, and two of their leading men, Montagu and Johnson, were appointed Colonels. Jarret, Bailey, Mayers and others were made Majors and Captains, which gratified their vanity.

The winter of 1796-7 was very severe, the want of provisions was felt, and the scarcity of flour threatened a famine in the town. The expenses of supplying these people had hitherto been borne by the Jamaica Government. Land had been purchased at Preston and the large building known as Maroon Hall, afterwards the property of Lieut. Katzmann, was erected as a residence for the superintendent. Some difficulties arose with the Jamaica Legislature. Quarrell left Halifax in the spring of 1797, leaving the Maroons discontented and refractory. It was finally arranged that they should be sent to Sierra Leone. Eight years previously a number of negroes had been sent there from Halifax. The Maroons were to be united with them in the hope that the union would be a check on the turbulent conduct of the Nova Scotia colony, which at that time had been the source of some trouble to the Sierra Leone Company. They were accordingly embarked in the autumn of 1800, and arrived on the coast of Africa in October.

Sir John Wentworth had received intelligence in September which led him to apprehend some attempt on Halifax by the French forces now in Newfoundland. At the close of the year the harbor defences were brought into good condition, and capable of affording a tolerable defence in case of invasion. Two press warrants were issued this year by the Council; one on 31st January to Admiral Murray for twenty-four hours in the town, and another in October to Admiral Vandiput for two months through the province.

On the night of the 21st March a fire broke out in the range of houses opposite St. Paul's Church, in Barrington Street, which consumed the property of Dr. Greaves. The trees around the Church escaped uninjured.

The sudden death of James Michael Freke Bulkeley, the Secretary of the province, on the 12th November, threw a gloom over the community. He was a young man of pleasing address and highly esteemed. He had been for some time member for the county, which he held in conjunction with that of Provincial Secretary. He had succeeded his father, Richard Bulkeley, in the office but a short time before his death.

In November, the fleet, under Vice Admiral Vandiput, sailed from Halifax on a cruise. It consisted of the Resolution, 74, bearing the Admiral's flag, Capt. Ledmore; Assistance, 50 guns, Capt. Mowatt; Andromeda, 32 guns, Capt. Taylor; Ceres, 32, Capt. Otway; Lynx, 18, Capt. Hall, and the Hunter, 18, Capt. Tucker.

1797. During this summer the town was enlivened by the presence of four or five hundred embodied militia who did garrison duty. Several battalions were enrolled in the country with the intention of their being removed to Halifax for the protection of the town in the absence of the regular troops. They were, however, not required, and were discharged in the latter part of October by order of the Governor.

At this time Dr. Robert Stanser was rector of St. Paul's, Dr. Archibald Gray, minister of St. Matthew's, at the corner, Mr. Michael Bernard Houseal, missionary to the Germans and minister of St. George's, north suburbs. Chief Justice Strange resigned this year and was succeeded in the office by Mr. Sampson Salter Blowers, who remained Chief Justice until 1835, when he was succeeded by Sir Brenton Halliburton. Chief Justice Blowers died in 1842, at the age of 100 years. His monument is in the south-east corner of the east aisle of St. Paul's. He built the house at the corner of Barrington and Blowers Streets, lately occupied by Mr. Romans as a hotel, and known as the Waverley House, where he resided for about thirty-five years.

Mr. Shaw was Sheriff of Halifax this year; he was succeeded by Lewis M. Wilkins, afterwards a Judge of the Supreme Court, and father of the late Judge Wilkins of that Court.

Prince Edward, who was Commandant of the garrison, appears to have patronized almost all the public entertainments in the town. He dined with the national societies, and honored the balls given by Governor Wentworth with his presence. His manners were affable, and he was, in consequence, quite popular with all classes in the town. He was very much affected by the sudden death of Lieutenant Charles Thomas of his own regiment, the 7th Fusiliers, who was accidentally shot by a brother officer while on a hunting expedition in August of this year. Lieut. Thomas was the son of Nathaniel Ray Thomas, a magistrate and collector of the customs of Windsor, and a cousin of Governor Wentworth. He was a favourite and protegé of Prince Edward, who attended his funeral and erected a monument at his own expense over his grave.

On the 23rd November, this year, H. M. Ship La Tribune, Capt. Baker, was lost in coming into the harbor. The following authentic account of this disaster is from the newspaper of the day:

"La Tribune was one of the finest frigates in His Majesty's service, mounted 44 guns and had been lately captured by Captain Williams in the Unicorn frigate. She was commanded by Captain S. Barker, and sailed from Torbay the 22nd September, as convoy to the Quebec and Newfoundland fleets. In Lat. 49° 14´ Long. 17° 29´ she fell in with and spoke His Majesty's ship Experiment from this place, out 12 days. She lost sight of all her convoy October 19th, in Lat. 46° 16´ Long. 32° 11´. On Thursday morning last, they discovered this Harbour about 8 o'clock. The wind being E. S. E. they approached it very fast, when Captain Barker proposed to the master that they should lay the ship to till they could obtain a pilot; the master replied, 'he had beat a 44 gun ship into the harbour—that he had been frequently here and that there was no occasion for a pilot, as the wind was fair.' Confiding in these assurances Captain Barker went below and was for a time employed in arranging some papers he wished to take on shore with him. The master in the meantime taking upon himself the pilotage of the ship, and placing great dependence upon the judgment of a negro man by the name of John Casey, (who had formerly belonged here) whom he had placed forward to con the ship. About 12 o'clock the ship had approached so near the Thrum Cap Shoals, that the master became alarmed and sent for Mr. Galvin the master's mate, who was sick below. On his coming on deck he heard the man in the chains sing out 'by the mark five,' the black man forward at the same time singing out 'steady.' Galvin got on one of the carronades to observe the situation of the ship, the master in much agitation at the same time taking the wheel from the man who was steering with an intent to wear ship, but before this could be effected or Galvin able to give an opinion, she struck. Captain Barker instantly came on deck and reproached the master with having lost the ship. Seeing Galvin also on deck, he addressed him and said (as he knew he had formerly sailed out of this harbour) that he was much surprised that he could stand by and see the master run the ship on shore. Galvin informed the Captain he had not been on deck long enough to give an opinion. Signals of distress were instantly made and answered by the military posts and the ships in the harbour. Boats from all the military posts, from His Majesty's ships and from the Dockyard, proceeded to the relief of La Tribune. The military boats and one of the boats from the Dockyard, with Mr. Rackum, boatswain of the Ordinary, reached the ship; but the other boats, though making the greatest exertions, were not able, the wind being so much against them, to get on board. The ship was immediately lightened by throwing all her guns, except one retained for signals, overboard, and every other heavy article, so that at about half-past eight o'clock in the evening the ship began to heave and about nine she got off from the shoals. She had before at about five or six o'clock lost her rudder, and on examination it was now found that she had seven feet of water in the hold. The chain pumps were immediately manned and such exertions made that they seemed to gain on the leaks, and by advice of Mr. Rackum the Captain ordered to let go the best bower anchor. This was done but it did not bring her up. The Captain then ordered them to cut the cable, and the jib and fore topmast stay sail were hoisted to steer by. All this time the violent gale, which had come on from the south east, kept increasing and carrying them to the western shore. In a short time the small bower anchor was let go, at which time they found themselves in about thirteen fathoms water. The mizzen mast was then cut away. It was now about ten o'clock, the water gaining fast on the ship, little hope remained of saving the ship or their lives. At this critical period Lieut. Campbell quitted the ship. Lieut. Nooth was taken into the boat out of one of the ports. Lieut. James of the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment, not being to be found was so unfortunate as to remain, and to the great distress of his worthy parents and friends shared the general fate. From the period when Lieut. Campbell quitted the ship all hopes of safety had vanished, the ship was sinking fast, the storm was increasing with redoubled violence, the rocky shore to which they were approaching resounding with the tremendous noise of the billows which rolled toward it, presented nothing to those who might survive the sinking of the ship, but the expectation of a more painful death from being dashed against those tremendous precipices, which even in the calmest day it is almost impossible to ascend.

Dunlap, one of the survivors, informs us that at about half-past ten, as nearly as he could conjecture, one of the men who had been below came to him on the forecastle and told him the ship was sinking; in a few minutes after, the ship took a lurch as a boat will do when nearly filled with water and going down; immediately on which Dunlap began to ascend the fore shroud, and at the same moment casting his eyes towards the quarter deck saw Capt. Barker standing by the gangway and looking into the water, and directly after heard him call for the jolly-boat. At the same time he saw the Lieutenant of Marines running towards the taffrail, he supposed to look for the jolly-boat, as she had previously been let down with four men in her—but instantly the ship took a second lurch and sank to the bottom; after which neither the captain nor any other of the officers was seen. The scene, sufficiently distressing before, became now peculiarly awful—more than 240 men, besides several women and children were floating on the waves making their last efforts to preserve their existence. Dunlap, whom we have before mentioned, gained the fore top. Mr. Galvin, the master's mate, after incredible difficulty, got into the main top—he was below when the ship sank, directing the men at the chain pump. He was washed up the hatchway, thrown into the waist and from thence into the water, and his feet as he plunged, struck a rock. On ascending, he swam to gain the main shrouds when he was suddenly seized hold of by three men—he was now afraid he was lost. To disengage himself from them he made a dive into the water which induced them to quit their hold. On rising again he swam to the shrouds and arrived at the main top and seated himself on an arm-chest which was lashed to the mast.

From the observations of Mr. Galvin from the main-top and Mr. Dunlap in the fore-top, it appears that near one hundred persons were for a considerable time hanging to the shrouds, the tops and other parts of the wreck; but from the extreme length of the night and the ferocity of the storm nature became exhausted, and they kept at all periods of the night dropping off and disappearing. The cries and groans of the unhappy sufferers, from the bruises many of them had received and as their hopes of deliverance began to fail them, were continued through the night; though as morning appeared from the few that then survived they became feeble indeed. The whole number saved from the wreck amounted to eight persons and several of them so exhausted as to be indifferent whether they were taken off or not. Mr. Galvin mentions that about twelve o'clock the mainmast gave way; at that time he supposes there were on the main-top and on the shrouds upwards of forty persons. By the fall of the mast the whole were again plunged into the water, and of that number only nine besides himself regained the top. The top rested upon the main yard, and the whole remained fast to the ship by some of the rigging. Of the ten persons who regained the main-top four only were alive when morning appeared. Ten were at that time alive on the fore-top, but three of them had got so exhausted and had become so unable to help themselves that before any relief came they were finally washed away; three others perished, and four only were also finally left alive in the fore-top. The place where the ship went down was only about three times her length to the southward of the entrance into Herring Cove. The people came down in the night to the point opposite to which the ship sunk and kept large fires, and were so near as to converse with the people in the wreck.

The first exertion that was made for their relief was by a boy, thirteen years old, from Herring Cove, who ventured off in a small skiff by himself about eleven o'clock the next day; and this truly deserving young lad with great exertions and at extreme risk to himself ventured to approach the wreck and backed in his little boat so near to the fore-top as to take off two of the men, for the boat could not with safely hold any more; and here a trait of generous magnanimity occurred which deserves to be noticed. Dunlap and Munroe had, throughout this disastrous night providentially preserved their strength and spirits beyond their unfortunate companions, and had endeavoured to cheer and encourage them as they found their spirits sinking; they were now both of them able to have stepped into the boat and put an end to their own sufferings, but their other two companions, though alive, were unable to help themselves. They lay exhausted on the top, wished not to be disturbed, and seemed desirous to perish as they lay. These generous fellows hesitated not a moment to remain themselves on the wreck and to save, though against their will, their unfortunate companions. They lifted them up and by the greatest exertions got them into the little skiff, and the manly boy rowed them triumphantly to the Cove and instantly had them conveyed to a comfortable habitation. After shaming, by his example, older persons who had larger boats, he put off again in his little skiff, but with all his efforts he could not then approach the wreck. His example, however, was soon followed by the men in the Tribune's jolly-boat and by some of the boats of the Cove, and by their joint exertions the eight men were preserved, who, with four that escaped in the jolly-boat make the whole number of survivors of this fine ship's company.

Some have been disposed to blame Capt. Barker as exhibiting too much obstinacy in not abandoning the ship and preserving his crew, as a violent storm was evidently approaching, but on examining the men who have survived we find (though other officers in the same situation might have formed a different judgment) that the conduct of Capt. Barker was throughout the trying scene completely cool and collected. Though from the manner in which the ship had been run ashore, no blame could attach to him, yet he could not reconcile it to himself to lose so fine a ship without making every exertion to save her. Having by the greatest efforts considerably lightened her, he had reason to suppose she might get off before high water. She made no water while she lay aground, there was therefore great hopes, if she could not that night have been got up the harbour that she might with safety have been brought to anchor and have rode out the gale. When she finally got off, universal joy was diffused throughout the ship—every man thought the object of their joint efforts was attained—but the rapid manner in which the water poured into her, soon damped their joy and plunged them into despair. Had the ship been finally saved by the great exertions which were made to effect it, every man would have praised Capt. Barker, and, notwithstanding those exertions failed, we think we may justly say, in the language of Mr. Addison,

"'Tis not in mortals to command success
Barker did more; he did deserve it"

To his memory therefore and that of his brave fellow-sufferers, the commiseration of their countrymen is justly due. From every generous heart they will receive that commiseration; and while the mind runs over the whole trying scene the tears which must involuntarily flow will embalm their memory.

Having closed the general scene, we think it will not be unacceptable to our readers if we notice the conduct of some individuals. A quartermaster belonging to the ship, by the name of McGregor, had his wife on board; they were a respectable couple and greatly attached to each other. McGregor from his affectionate solicitations for her safety, endeavoured to persuade her, while the ship lay on the shoals, to go ashore in one of the boats which came off from the Island, as his mind would be more at ease, could he put her in a place of safety. To his solicitations she replied, 'that she never would abandon him; if it was his lot to perish, she wished not to survive him.' Finding it in vain to urge her further, he desisted from the attempt and she afterwards shared the common fate. A considerable time after the ship had foundered a man was discovered swimming towards the wreck. On his approaching near it was found to be McGregor; he informed his comrades who were hanging by the wreck, that he had swam towards the shore; that he had ventured as far as he could with safety into the surf, and found if he went further he should be dashed to pieces, and he cautioned them all to avoid making a like attempt, but if possible to hold by the wreck. He himself gained the main shrouds and remained there till the mast gave way, and then met the same fate as his unfortunate consort, whose death he was continually deploring while on the shrouds.

Dunlap relates another instance which occurred, which though it may appear ludicrous after the distressing scenes we have noticed, is so descriptive of that cool thoughtlessness of danger which so often distinguishes our British tars that it would be inexcusable to omit it. Daniel Munroe, one of the survivors had as well as Dunlap got into the fore-top. After a while he disappeared and it was concluded that he had been washed away with many others; after an absence from the top of about two hours, he suddenly popped his head up through the lubber hole to the surprise of Dunlap, who enquired where he had been; he said he had been cruising about for a better berth; and it appeared that, after swimming about the wreck for a considerable time, he had returned to the fore shrouds, and crawled in on the cat-harpins and had actually been to sleep there more than an hour, and he said he was and really appeared to be greatly refreshed.

Mr. Brennan of the Dockyard, who had gone aboard with Mr. Rackum, after the sinking of the ship, had got on the maintop and remained there till the mainmast gave way and was never after seen.

While noticing the immediate disasters of the ship, we forebore to mention the fate of one of the boats which had gone from George's Island. About nine o'clock as the ship went off, the boat got under the ship's bow and was upset; by this circumstance a part of the men, consisting of two sergeants and four privates of the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment were unfortunately drowned; the remainder were taken up by the boat belonging to the Eastern Battery. Too much praise cannot be given to the men who manned these boats, and particularly to Sergt. Bourke, and the boat's crew who persevered in following the ship, and finally brought off Lieuts. Campbell and Nooth of the Royal Fusiliers.

Great praise is also due to the dock-yard boat which carried Mr. Rackum on board. They followed the ship at a short distance till she foundered, and with extreme difficulty at length reached Herring Cove. We are sorry to mention that Mr. Rackum, whose exertions on board La Tribune to preserve the ship were gratefully acknowledged, perished with the unhappy ship's company.

Having mentioned all the disastrous circumstances which have attended this distressing scene, it is with pleasure we now notice the attention which has been paid to the widows and children of the unfortunate sufferers. His Royal Highness Prince Edward with that uniform generosity which has distinguished his Royal Highness during his residence in this province, directed immediate provision to be made for the bereaved families, and there is reason to hope through his Royal Highness' representations, that provision will be made as permanent as their sufferings. Actions like these dignify even kings and add splendour to the highest rank.

Besides the attention shown by his Royal Highness a liberal subscription has been made by the garrison and gentlemen of the town for the widows of the soldiers who were drowned and for the men who manned the boats.

There is another instance of generosity, which the occasion seems to require, and it seems to be the earnest wish of the men who were saved from the wreck; it is that some reward may be bestowed on the boy who first came off to them. They attribute in a great measure their deliverance to him, and they mention with the warmest gratitude, not only his exertions to save them from the wreck, but his kind and hospitable attention to relieve them after they had reached the Cove. Surely if a subscription were set on foot there is not a man in the country who would not give something to reward and encourage so young an instance of humane and heroic magnanimity.

Mr. Club, the master of La Tribune, was master of the Active, frigate when she was run ashore on the Island of Anticosti.

Mr. Fennel, first lieutenant, and Mr. Galvin, the master's mate, were both formerly prisoners at Guadeloupe with Colonel Wetherall, and were all for a considerable time chained by the legs together. Lieut. Fennell declared to Lieut. Campbell that his only motive in coming out in La Tribune was to have the pleasure of seeing Colonel Wetherall; and such appears to have been the attachment of Galvin to Lieut. Fennel that, though he speaks with becoming feeling of the fate of the ship's company, the loss of Lieut. Fennell seems peculiarly to affect him. On enquiring of him if he saw Lieut. Fennell after the ship sunk, he replied, he did not, for if he had, though he was himself in a place of apparent security, he would again have risked his life to preserve him, and would have effected it or perished with him. A similar attachment to each other appears among the men who have survived the wreck, and these circumstances unite to prove that the virtues which render human beings the most pleasing are those they are taught in the trying school of adversity.

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List of the officers lost in La Tribune:—Captain, Scory Barker; First Lieutenant, Thomas Fennel; Second do., Thomas Clarke; Third do., Thomas Sheirp; Master, James Clubb; Lieutenant Marines, James Cregg; Surgeon, —— Jones; Purser, —— Stanford; Carpenter, James Jurd; Boatswain, John Franklin; Master's Mate, William Stacey; Midshipmen, John Dennington, Charles Belcher, John Clowdsley, William Crofton, —— Nops; Captain's Clerk, William Foley; Surgeon's Mate, James Mulquinney; Gunner, William Thomas.

List of officers and men saved from La Tribune:—John Galvin, Master's Mate; Seamen, Abraham Wanhill, James Crawford, Robert Parker, Daniel Monroe, E. Knowles, Richard Best, James Green, Henry Husley, Chris. Dowling, Robert Dunlap and John White.

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We have been favored with the following extract of General Orders dated Halifax, November 26, 1797:

Lieutenant General, His Royal Highness Prince Edward thinks it his duty to return his particular thanks to Lieutenants Haliburton, Campbell and Nooth of the Royal Fusiliers, also to the several non-commissioned officers and privates of the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment, who manned the boats sent to give assistance on Thursday last to His Majesty's frigate Tribune, unfortunately wrecked by getting on shore at the mouth of this harbour.

His Royal Highness most sincerely laments the loss of Lieut. James and two non-commissioned officers with four privates of the Royal N. S. Regiment, who were unfortunately drowned in executing the first of all duties, that of giving succor to brother officers and men in distress.

His Royal Highness directs that the Commissary-General will serve free rations to the widows of the non-commissioned officers and privates lost, as follows:—

To the wife of Sergt. Baker, and two children, two rations.

To Sergt. Mullen's wife, one ration.

To the wife of John Bush and two children, two rations.

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Tuesday last the body of Lieut. James was found and brought up to town to his disconsolate parents—and Wednesday was interred with military honors."

Michael Wallace was appointed Treasurer of the Province in October of this year on the resignation of Benning Wentworth. Mr. Wallace remained treasurer until 1827 or 1828, when he was succeeded by his son. Mr. Wallace administered the government as senior councillor several times during the absence of the Governor, Sir James Kempt.

The old playhouse lot in Argyle Street was granted, about this time, to James Putnam, from whom it came into possession of the trustees of the Acadian School. The grant from the Crown of part of the King's Stores for a fishmarket, before referred to, was, on 29th August, signed by the Governor and the Prince as commander in chief of the troops. This is what was called the new fishmarket. The old market had formerly been private property, and the rents of stalls at this time were received by Mr. Cochran, but it was subject to town regulations. Commissioners were about the same time appointed to purchase land and to erect buildings for the accommodation of the Legislature and Courts of Justice as soon as peace should occur and the price of labor should be lower. The Act formerly passed for erecting buildings for this purpose on the "lower parade" was repealed, and that of 1797 was amended in 1799 and the Commissioners were directed to purchase land in the south suburbs, and build a Government House.

The winter of 1797-8 was again very severe. The heavy falls of snow rendered the road from Halifax to Windsor impassable. The Prince ordered the troops to clear the road between the town and his residence on the Basin. The supply of fat cattle from the country for the troops was retarded for a long time by the state of the roads.

It was proposed to raise a fund in the town to be at the disposal of Government for the purposes of war. The inhabitants subscribed a sum approaching £4000 towards this fund; the officers of the Royal Nova Scotia Fencible Regiment, £200. The boys of the Grammar School contributed about £24, and the regiment in garrison and the officers in the public departments, including the contributions of the Nova Scotia Regiment, amounted to £2097. Much enthusiasm on the subject prevailed, and great loyalty was displayed by the people.

A general fast was proclaimed on 21st May, which was kept at Halifax with much solemnity.

A commission was issued in July to William Forsyth, Andrew Belcher, William Cochran, Lawrence Hartshorne, Charles Hill, Richard Kidston, John Bremner, William Sabatier and Michael Wallace, as directors for the Shubenacadie Canal. A survey and report was made by this committee which was printed and published.

There were several regular traders at this time between Halifax and Boston. The principal and most regular one was the Schooner Nancy, Captain Tufton.

In the month of January, 1798, a boat arrived in the harbor with Capt. Wyatt and several passengers of the Brig Princess Amelia, bound to Halifax, which had been wrecked on the south side of Sable Island on 9th November. The wreck had been reported by an American schooner, who saw signals of distress on the Island. Sir John Wentworth immediately sent a vessel to the Island with clothing and provisions for the relief of the sufferers. Capt. Wyatt equipped his long boat and, having got over to the north side of the Island, embarked with four of his crew and Lieut. Cochran of the Fusiliers, one of the passengers, intending to seek relief. He arrived safe in one of the harbors to the eastward of Halifax, where he obtained a pilot who brought him to Halifax. Capt. Parker, who had charge of the vessel sent to the Island, brought off the remainder of the crew and passengers in safety.

1798. On the 8th August, this year, Prince Edward received an injury by a fall from his horse while riding on one of the streets in the town. The horse broke through a defective wooden bridge over one of the street gutters. The horse rolled over him hurting one of his legs; it did not, however, prevent him from attending to his military duties. He was recommended by the physicians to go to England for further advice. An address subscribed by about four hundred of the inhabitants was presented to him on his departure, which took place on the 21st October, when he embarked in H. M. Ship Topaz, Captain Church. The House of Assembly had previously voted five hundred guineas to purchase a star of the order of the Garter to be presented to His Royal Highness.

Among the events of the year was the arrival in the harbor, in November, of the United States Squadron, consisting of the Sloop-of-War Herald, Capt. Stevens, and the Pickering, Capt. Chapman, with the Brig Commerce, Capt. Childs. Salutes were exchanged, and the captains landed and paid their respects to the Governor, Admiral and General, and were hospitably entertained. The United States was at this time at war with France.

On the 25th November news of Nelson's victory at the Nile arrived in Halifax. The town was illuminated in the evening. Salutes were fired and other demonstrations of joy occurred throughout the day. A number of prizes were brought into the port during this autumn.

Mr. James Stewart, afterwards Solicitor-General, was this year elected without opposition for the county.

On the 25th September a tremendous hurricane visited Halifax and continued through part of the night. Nearly all the wharves in the town were swept away, and most of the shipping in the harbor damaged. The tide rose to an unprecedented height, overflowed Water Street and did much damage to property. The water came up to the old market house where the city brick building now stands. The market wharf and King's wharf were partially destroyed, and the market slip or public landing swept away. The loss of property in the town, including the shipping, was estimated at above £100,000.

Among the names of persons engaged in business in the town this year we find, James Kidston, Wholesale and Retail Dealer, Matthew Richardson, at the foot of Prince Street, James Moody and James Tidmarsh just entered into co-partnership; Forman & Grassie, Fraser, Thom & Co., Shipping Merchants, Lyon & Butler, Shopkeepers, near the market house; Thomas Moody, Dry Goods, etc., corner of Marchington's wharf; James Leaver, opposite the Dartmouth Mill Flour Store, in Water Street; John McMasters, Benjamin Etter, Watchmaker and Hardware Store at the corner of George and Barrington Streets, lower side of Grand Parade (Crosskill's corner); Phoebe Moody, Dry Goods, opposite the Parade, in Barrington Street. In the following year the names of Jonathan and John Tremain, Samuel Hart, Tremain & Boggs and William Annand appear.

The members of Assembly for the county were: Michael Wallace, Jonathan Sterns, Lawrence Hartshorne and Charles Morris. Mr. Sterns was replaced by James Stewart.[59] William Cochran and J. G. Pyke were still members for the town. Mr. Benning Wentworth was Provincial Secretary. The Hon. Richard Bulkeley, the senior councillor, was Grand Master of the Masons.

The papers of the day are filled with long advertisements about the Government Lottery.

1799. The chief event which occupied the attention of the good people of Halifax during the autumn of this year was the arrival and movements of His Royal Highness Prince Edward, who had now been created Duke of Kent. Having received the appointment of commander-in-chief of the troops in British North America on 6th September, he arrived in H. M. Ship Arethusa, Capt. Wooley, forty-three days from England. The Prince landed in state. A procession of boats was formed from the frigate to the King's Wharf under a royal salute from the ships, and on reaching the wharf, by a salute from the Citadel. A double line of soldiers, including the militia, lined the street from the King's Wharf to Government House, through which the procession passed. The Governor and Council, Admiral Vandiput, General Ogilvie, the officers of the staff and public departments and a number of the principal citizens, attended. On his arrival at Government House the bells of St. Paul's and the old Mather Meeting House rang out a merry peal, and a large number of the inhabitants crowded around to bid him welcome again to Halifax. In the evening, bonfires were lit on the Grand Parade in honor of his arrival. The Duke soon after removed to his villa on the Basin, six miles from town. This beautiful little retreat had been erected by Prince Edward on the land of the Governor, Sir John Wentworth. The grounds were laid out and improved at considerable expense under his direction. The Rotunda, or music room, on the opposite side of the road, next the water, surrounded by the rich foliage of the beech groves, and surmounted by a large gilded ball, flashing in the sunlight, presented a beautiful and picturesque appearance on the approach to the Lodge. The villa was built altogether of wood, consisting of a centre of two stories containing the hall and staircase, with a flat roof. There were two wings containing the Duke's apartments. In the rear was a narrow wooden building with pointed gothic windows, resembling a chapel, containing the kitchen and offices, which extended some distance southward beyond the main building. The grouping of the beech and birch trees in the lawn and around the house was well arranged. They were the original forest trees, selected and permitted to stand in clearing away the space for the buildings. The rooms were not spacious, and the ceilings low, which appears to have been the fashion of building in Halifax at the time. The woods around were very beautiful. They were traversed by walks, and in several places by a carriage road with vistas and resting places where little wooden seats and several imitation Chinese temples were erected. Several of these small summer houses were in existence in 1828, and probably later, and portions of them could be seen through the openings in the trees on passing the main road. The Duke erected a range of low buildings on the edge of the Basin, a little to the north of the Rotunda, which were occupied by two companies of his regiment, and contained the guard room and a mess room for the officers. This building was afterwards known as the Rockingham Inn, a favourite resort in summer, when tea and ginger beer were to be had under the piazza which ran along the edge of the water. This hotel acquired the name of the "Rockingham," having been for a long time after the Prince's departure the place of meeting of the Rockingham Club. This club was established either while the Duke was resident here, or very soon after his leaving for Canada. It was composed of Governor Wentworth, the members of His Majesty's Council, the Admiral of the station, several of the principal military officers, and a number of the leading citizens of Halifax. Dr. Stanser, rector of St. Paul's, was one of its members; also the Hon. Andrew Belcher, both of whom had villas on the Basin, the former at Sherwood, afterwards the property of the late Mr. Thos. Kenny, and the latter at Birch Cove, now in the occupation of the family of the late Peter Donaldson.

The Rockingham Club was partly literary and partly social. The members dined together at the hotel, which was styled the Rockingham House, in compliment to Sir John Wentworth, the head of whose family, the Marquis of Rockingham, was about that time in, or at the head of the British Ministry. The large room which extended along the south wing of the building, east and west, with the end to the water, was hung with the portraits of many of the members of the club painted by Field, a portrait painter of considerable talent who, at that time and for several years after, resided in Halifax, and from whose brush the portraits of many of the then principal citizens and their ladies still remain.[60]

In 1799 the prices of provisions in Halifax markets were as follows: Beef, by the quarter, from 4d. to 5d. per pound, pork, 6d., mutton, 7d. to 8d., veal, 8d. to 9d., fowls, from 3s. to 4s., oats, 2s. 6d. and 3s., butter, 1s. 3d. and 1s. 6d.

In 1798 the number of illegitimate children in the Halifax Poor House was fourteen, in 1799, seventeen, and in 1800, fifteen. The total cost of the establishment during the three years was £570 16s. 1d. Fines received at Halifax, 1798, £60; 1799 and 1800, £82 10s. Fresh Water Bridge was renewed and completed in 1798.

In 1799 the Legislature made some amendments to the Act for the erection of public buildings. The Commissioners appointed by the Governor and Council were authorized to purchase land for the site of a new Government House. The old House to be appropriated to the House of Assembly and Courts of Law. The Commissioners were Messrs. Wallace, Cochran, Hartshorne, and John Beckwith. The House of Assembly voted £10,500 for the building, etc. The old Government House having been found unfit for the accommodation of the Legislature, was sold and the block of buildings known as Cochran's, before mentioned, was leased this year for £300 per annum for the accommodation of the Law Courts, the Legislature, and the public offices connected with the Provincial Government. Commissioners were also appointed to build a new market house for the butchers and for a vegetable market. This was the wooden building which was removed during the administration of Governor LeMarchant, to make way for the present brick structure. A clerk of the market was appointed. There being then no convenient accommodation for the vegetable market, the country people were permitted to sell in the streets and the square in front of the market house.

This has once more become the custom; the portion of the new market appropriated to the country people having been lately taken for city offices. The want of sufficient space in the central parts of the town for the convenience of markets and the erection of public buildings, has been always an impediment to the improvement and embellishment of the city. The small dimensions of the lots as originally laid out, being only forty feet by sixty, and the short space between the streets, the narrow spaces allowed for the public landings, and the small size of the water grants for the erection of wharves in the old town, have been a continual drawback to the convenience of trade and the progress of improvement in front of the town. And it is a subject of regret that at the present day so little attention is paid by the public authorities to the future welfare of the city in respect to laying off building lots and streets by private owners and speculators.

The regular packet between Halifax and Boston, the Schooner Nancy, usually occupied three days in her trips. She was commanded by Capt. J. Huxford. He was afterwards known in Halifax as Crazy Huxford. He was on board the Shannon, frigate, in the engagement with the American ship Chesapeake, and had been wounded in the head, from which he never fully recovered. He was one of the best pilots on the coast and was, until his death, a naval branch pilot attached to the Dockyard. When under the influence of liquor he became frantic and was continually shouting through the streets of the town without hat or coat. This poor old man died about twenty-five or thirty years ago at a very advanced age.

In May the small pox made its appearance in the town and strict quarantine regulations were enforced. Dr. Gschwint (pronounced Swint) was appointed health officer.

The elections took place this autumn. Messrs. William Cochran and John George Pyke were again returned. The former polled 104 votes and the latter 346. At this time the electors were confined to freeholders only. The franchise was not altered till about the year 1836. Mr. Cotnam Tonge, Edward Mortimer, Messrs. Fulton and Morris were elected for the county. Only two resident in the town succeeded, Tonge and Morris; Wallace, Stewart and Hartshorne were rejected by the Pictou votes.

On Saturday, the 11th August, attempts were made by persons unknown to set fire to the Dockyard, Government house and the engine house. The Governor and Council offered a large reward for discovery. A night patrol of militia and inhabitants was ordered out under the superintendence of the magistrates.

The Rev. Bernard Michael Houseal, minister of St. George's, in the north suburbs, died on the 9th March, this year, in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a native of the Duchy of Wurtemberg, was educated at one of the German universities, and was esteemed a good scholar and a pious minister of religion. He had been chosen by the learned consistory of Stuttgart for the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and embarked for America in 1752. After being several years in the ministry he took charge of a congregation of Germans in New York, and came with the Loyalists to Halifax in 1783. He was buried in the old German burial ground attached to his church in Brunswick Street, and his tombstone remains there. Mr. Houseal was succeeded in the Church of St. George by the Rev. George Wright, who was also principal of the Halifax Grammar School and chaplain to the garrison. The Round Church, in Brunswick Street, was at this time only in process of erection and was not finished until the year 1811, or thereabouts.

On the 30th October, H. M. Ship Porcupine, Capt. Evans, arrived from New Providence, having on board the Duke of Orleans and his two brothers, the Duke of Montpensier and Count Beaujolie, attended by Count Montjoye. They had been waiting for a passage to England and had proceeded here in the Porcupine in hope of meeting with an opportunity of going to Europe. Finding no immediate opportunity to England, they both took their passage in a merchant ship for New York. Though considered as prisoners on parole, they dined with the Governor, and paid a visit to the Duke of Kent at the Lodge. They also attended a public ball at Government House on the 17th November. The Duke of Orleans was afterwards elected to the French throne as Louis Philippe, King of the French, and eventually died in exile in England. After he became king, on meeting with several persons from Nova Scotia, he very kindly enquired after several gentlemen of Halifax by name and spoke with much feeling of the kindness he experienced while in Halifax. On arrival he was found to be in very straitened circumstances and the Duke of Kent was believed to have given him pecuniary assistance to enable the party to proceed on their voyage.