History of Halifax City

by Thomas B. Akins

The project for the removal of the Dockyard to Bermuda was found in many respects not to have realized the advantages contemplated by the change. It was removed at the time that one of the Admirals on the Station had taken offence at some occurrences in the town and had used his influence to effect the change.

A few years afterwards the Shears, a gigantic apparatus at the Dockyard, for throwing down vessels, was demolished. The Shears was a very conspicuous object, and stood so high that it could be seen from most parts of the town. It is still in the recollection of many of our older citizens. The Royal Standard floated from the staff which surmounted the Shears on the King's and Queen's birthdays and other public holidays. The Dockyard of Halifax, as mentioned in a previous chapter, was first established in the year 1758. The present wall was first erected in 1769 and bears the date of 1770 over the gate, but it has been improved and some portions rebuilt since that time.

Anthony H. Holland built a paper mill at the head of the Basin this year, on the stream near the opening of the Hammonds Plains Road. The paper made here was used for his newspaper, and the various pamphlets which issued from Holland's press and occasionally by other newspapers. It was of a very inferior quality. The brown paper, however, used for shop purposes, was of a tolerably good description. It was the first paper manufactory set on foot in Nova Scotia. It was kept up for many years after the death of Holland.

On the night of the 11th of November a fire broke out in the Naval Hospital adjoining the Dockyard, which destroyed several buildings. In consequence of the removal of the Naval Station the space remained unbuilt on for many years.

The Magistrates of the town, in session in December, voted a portrait of Chief Justice Blowers. It was painted by a Mr. Drake in full dress, wig, and scarlet gown. This picture occupies a place in the Legislative Chamber, with that of Chief Justice Sir Thomas Strange, by Benjamin West, late President of the Royal Academy.

Among the promotions which appeared in the Royal Gazette this year we find the appointment of Mr. Hibbert N. Binney[85] to His Majesty's Council.

An event occurred in the month of July which cast a gloom over the whole community. Mr. Richard J. Uniacke, junior son of the Attorney-General of that name, a member of the Bar, in his address to the jury at a trial before the Supreme Court, made some observations offensive to Mr. William Bowie, of the firm of Bowie and DeBlois; a challenge from Mr. Bowie was the consequence, and on the morning of Wednesday, following the 21st July, the community was startled by the announcement that Mr. Bowie had been mortally wounded. The duel was fought in the grove at the Governor's north farm, near the Lady Hammond Road. Mr. Bowie was carried to the house at the corner, then or afterwards occupied by Mrs. McNeil as a tea house, where he died in a few hours, the bullet having entered his right side below the rib. Mr. Uniacke and the two seconds, Stephen W. DeBlois and Edward McSweeny, were indicted for murder and tried the same term, and were acquitted by the jury of the capital offence. This was the first criminal trial of importance which took place in the Province Building. The Court Room at the time, now the Legislative Library, comprised the three rooms overhead, lately used by the keeper of the building. A large gallery then surrounded the Court Room on three sides. This gallery was removed in 1827 or 1828, the height of the Court Room reduced, and the upper space made into three rooms, which were appropriated to the Law Library, Admiralty Records, etc. This unfortunate duel excited much feeling in the town, and some blame was attached to the seconds who promoted or advised the parties to fire a second time, when a reconciliation might have been effected. The combatants were both gentlemen highly esteemed for their amiable qualities. Bowie was a handsome young man and very popular for his social qualities. He was buried from his lodgings in town, and his funeral was said to have been more numerously attended than any within the recollection of the oldest inhabitants. Mr. Uniacke afterwards became a Judge of the Supreme Court. The recollection of the sad event is supposed to have shortened his life. He died at the early age of 45. Judge Uniacke was one of the handsomest men Halifax ever produced, was more popular than any other of his family, several of whom were in public positions.

1820. On 7th April, King George IV. was proclaimed at Halifax. The ceremony was performed by the Governor, Council, and such Members of the House of Assembly as remained in town, together with the Magistrates, the Grand Jury, and a number of private citizens, proceeding to the Council Chamber, where the proclamation was signed by the Governor, Councillors, and others. David Shaw Clarke, the Clerk of the Peace, acted as Herald, accompanied by the High Sheriff in a carriage, escorted by a body of troops. The proclamation was read by the Herald in the Market Square, at St. Paul's Church, and on the Military Parade in Brunswick Street in front of the officers' old barracks. A royal salute was fired and the procession then returned to the Province Building, where the proclamation was again read. The Royal Standard, which had been flying on the citadel, was then lowered to half-mast and minute guns fired from George's Island, there being none mounted on the hill at the time on account of the decease of the late King George III. Sermons were preached in all the places of worship and the inhabitants of the town went into mourning.

The House of Assembly being dissolved by the death of the Sovereign, a public meeting of the freeholders of the Township was held at the Exchange[86] Coffee House on the 3rd May for the nomination of the candidates to represent the town. Richard Tremaine, Esq., was called to the chair. Mr. Stephen W. DeBlois nominated John Pryor and George Grassie. Mr. Cogswell, the former member, retired, also Mr. James Forman and Mr. John Young, both of whom had been suggested. John Albro', one of the former members, led the poll at the close of the election, Pryor and Grassie stood even. Captain Maynard, the Sheriff, made a special return of the facts. It was said that the last vote polled was that of the Sheriff, who first declared the poll closed and then voted for Mr. Grassie, which placed the candidates even. On the validity of his vote rested the question of the majority. The election lasted three days and closed on Saturday evening. At the close the poll stood, Albro, 453; Grassie and Pryor, each 395. Freeholders or owners of real estate only had the privilege of voting at this period. The new House met on 12th November following, and Mr. Pryor having died in the interim the House ordered the return of Mr. Grassie.

William Lawson, Simon B. Robie, Samuel G. W. Archibald, and George Smith were returned for the County. Mr. Robie was elected Speaker of the new House. Mr. Smith resided in Pictou, the other three in Halifax. Pictou and Colchester then formed part of the County of Halifax.