"PROVINCIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, "HALIFAX, 10TH JULY, 1838.
"SIR,—It appearing by the report of the Local Authorities at Amherst that the prompt arrest of the supposed perpetrator of the atrocious murders recently committed in the County of Cumberland is mainly attributable to your zealous exertions, I have it in command to request you to believe that His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor and H. M. Council highly appreciate the important services which, at much personal risk, you rendered in pursuing, for upwards of 100 miles, and apprehending the Prisoner; and it is my pleasing duty to request you to accept of the best thanks of His Excellency and the Council for your admirable conduct on that occasion. I have the honor to be
"Sir,
"Your most obedient
"Humble Servant,
"RUPERT D. GEORGE.
"JOSEPH AVARD, Esq., J.P.,
"Westmoreland."
Mr. Avard's reply.
"WESTMORELAND CO., WESTMORELAND,
"N.B., July 18th, 1838.
"SIR,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 10th instant conveying to me in a most gratifying manner the approbation of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and Her Majesty's Council of my conduct in pursuing and apprehending Doyle, the supposed perpetrator of the murder in the County of Cumberland, and beg leave through you to acquaint His Excellency and Her Majesty's Council that were it possible for me to possess any stronger sense of my duty (as a magistrate) to Her Majesty and the Government than I formerly felt, I must do so from the very handsome manner in which they have been pleased to appreciate and acknowledge my services on that occasion.
"I have the honor to be
"Your obedient
"Humble Servant,
"JOSEPH AVARD.
"THE HONORABLE
"RUPERT D. GEORGE,
"Provincial Secretary,
Halifax, N.S."