Peace having been proclaimed upon the 2d of February, 1749, the
liberal policy of Government was soon after conspicuous towards its
disbanded servants.
The settlement of Nova Scotia, hitherto a neglected spot, presented
itself to the enlightened mind of the Earl of Halifax as a proper
field for improvement, and it readily occurred to him, as a fit
occasion, for rendering useful to the State a body of men, that
might have otherwise been let loose upon society.
Accordingly grants of land in that Province, were tendered to
every rank of his Majesty's land and sea forces, and as a spur to
immediate population, an extension of privilege and property was
allowed to him, who should embark his family, in proportion to its
numbers.
Some of the liberal professions, and mechanicks of different
descriptions were also invited to become adventurers, under similar
inducements, and the plan of a happy Civil Government emanating
from a British fountain, was early framed for the permanent
happiness of these military colonists.
Under such assurances above 4000 bid adieu to their native shore,
and upon the 21st of June the whole anchored in the bay of
Chebucto, upon the southern coast of the Province, where a town
was quickly raised, fortified, and divided into lots, which was
named Halifax; a monument of the liberal and humane views of its
noble patron. The occasion merits many a reflection which I am not
allowed to indulge.
While it is the wisdom, it is also the interest of every Country
to frame employ for those who have served it faithfully in war. A
distinction between the industrious and the profligate would soon
be marked by Society, and the worthless wanderer roaming about
unpitied, would be compelled to contribute to his own support, and
thus promote the general good.
Every circumstance after the peace tended to shew that it was only
a temporary expedient on the part of France.
Alternately they continued to inflame and negociate during nearly
the whole interval of public repose, and by their extensive Naval
preparations, which were not confined to their own Country, they
obviously evinced the intention of renewing hostilities when they
felt themselves in sufficient power.
Upwards of six years provocation and remonstrance had elapsed,
when repeated insults aroused the Nation. Early in 1755 our
armaments began, at which time a levy of 50 Companies of Marines,
was ordered, and the following appointments of Officers to them
appeared in the Gazette of the 5th of April:
Lieutenant Colonels.
James Patterson,
Thomas Drury,
Charles Gordon,
Majors.
Richard Bendyshe,
Charles Leighton,
James Burleigh.
Captains.
Hector Boisrond,
Gabriel Sediere,
John M'Kenzie,
Charles Repington,
Alexander Cumming,
Sir Robert Abercrombie,
Alexander Douglass,
Edward Rycaut,
John Wright,
Thomas Dawes,
John Tufton Mason,
Thomas Sheldon,
Thomas Moore,
John Gordon,
Richard Baker,
James Dundas,
George Maxwell,
James Robertson.
First Lieutenants.
Daniel Campbell,
Dudley Crofts,
George Langley,
James Hill,
Alexander Cathcart,
Francis Hay,
Donald M'Donald,
John Shuttie,
Edward Howarth,
Robert Duglass,
John Phillips,
John Brown,
Colin Campbell,
Robert Ewer,
Archibald Campbell,
George Ord,
Laucelor Willan,
William Fraizer,
Captains.
John Campbell,
Claud Hamilton,
John Bell,
John Dennis,
Thomas Dalton,
Thomas Whitwick,
James Hamilton,
Robert Barker,
John Groeme,
John Beaghan,
Samuel Prosser,
Patrick M'Donal,
Alexander Irons,
Charles Webb,
William Stacy,
Richard Brough,
Henry Smith,
John Johnston,
Leathes Johnston,
Christopher Gauntlett,
Tooker Collins,
Walter Canuthers,
John Vere,
William Picton,
Richard Shuckburgh,
Richard Hawkins,
First Lieutenants.
James Short,
George Bossuque,
James Mercer,
John Frazer,
W. Ayton Douglas,
Dennis Bond,
Thomas Backhouse,
Gerard Dennet,
Thomas Troy,
Edward Shyffin,
George Gulston,
Richard Dennison,
William Thompson,
John Elliot,
John Pitcairne,
James Perkins,
William Dennis,
Ralph Teasdale,
Pierce Deut,
Robert Shirley,
Daniel Campbell,
John Blinkhan,
William Lutman,
Thomas Wright,
William Rowley,
Thomas Stamper,
Captains.
George Maddison,
Charles Grey,
Robert Burdet,
John Yeo,
Robert Packhurst,
Alexander Leslie,
First Lieutenants.
Thomas Airy,
Thomas Smith,
---- Waller,
Charles Fletcher,
Benjamin Edwards,
Enoch Markham.
These, formed into three divisions, were placed at Chatham,
Portsmouth, and Plymouth, under the controul of the Board of
Admiralty, and an Act was passed for their regulation while on
shore.
Some of the names detailed, still live, while others, like them,
survived to hold distinguished rank, and to prove ornaments to
their profession, and the British Army.
From this era the Marine Corps has ever constituted a branch of
the peace establishment, the sale of Commissions was abolished,
although a transit between the Army and it, was still kept up,
which, from the casual introduction of men of influence, animated
promotion. But this system was soon changed, by which reform all
Officers rose in regular rotation, and what is the regulation of
the present day. Every appointment in the Marine Corps was notified
from the Admiralty, and appeared in the London Gazette; a practice
for reasons I know not, has been since discontinued.
Although no declaration of war had taken place, still hostilities
of a serious nature had been committed in America, and captures to
an immense amount were made by our cruizers during 1755. Even since
the signature of peace, indeed, the French maintained a spirit
of inveteracy in the East, which aimed at universal dominion.
Preparations were at last commenced, and the country at large began
to feel their wrongs.