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.