CHANGE.
We now arrive at the period when many changes are about to take place.
The gayest and most gallant regiment ever stationed in Fredericton was
under orders to be in readiness for departure. This was a source of much
regret to the citizens, who shared in the extravagant scenes of gaiety
so lavishly furnished. The sportsmen of Fredericton lamented the fact
with deep regret. We cannot let this opportunity pass to relate an
incident showing to what excess horse racing was carried in those days.
Captain H----, an officer of the above named regiment, a true sporting
character, owned a stud of the best thorough-breds in America. He
annually spent an immense income in horse racing and various sports. In
the meantime there lived in the city of St. John a coachman named Larry
Stivers. If ever any individual sacrificed his entire heart and soul to
the management, training and nature of horses, it was the self same
Larry. Though possessed of limited means, no privation was too great in
order to gratify such demands. A race was finally agreed upon between
Captain H---- and this remarkable individual, which in the horse records
of New Brunswick has no precedent, the case being unparalleled at home
or abroad. One fine morning in March, 1826, the magnificent team of
horses, driven by the captain, made its appearance in the market square,
St. John. After the lapse of a few moments a second team arrived and was
drawn up aside the former. No inquiry was made as to the ownership of
the latter. Everybody recognized it as the turnout of Larry Stivers. But
the most remarkable feature of the proceeding, that excited curiosity,
was the slight construction of the sleighs. It could scarcely be
conceived that they would stand the trying test of the proposed race.
But they did. Each driver having purchased a bundle of whips, jumped
into his seat. The word was given. Off they went at full speed, going
the first nine miles over bare ground. The news spread over the city of
St. John with almost incredible rapidity. Excitement filled the mind of
everybody. No telegraphic despatches could furnish details as at the
present. On they trotted side by side over the smooth surface of the St.
John river, which course had been taken after the first nine miles.
Whips were freely used upon the flagging animals. Sometimes Captain
H---- kept ahead, in another minute Larry was quite a distance in
advance. On, on the infuriated animals raced to the heavy lashes of
their merciless drivers. Whip after whip was broken; still on they went
over the glittering surface, the only sound the ceaseless crackling of
whips and the ring of hoofs upon the still frosty atmosphere. About nine
miles from Fredericton, as those heartless sportsmen were madly urging
on their jaded beasts, a well-known lumber merchant of the town was
accosted by the leader demanding a whip, which, one is sorry to
acknowledge, was given. They had used the whole bundle, and mercilessly
begged for more. Still on they came, the exhausted animals panting and
ready to fall. The goal must be reached. Fredericton must be the only
stopping place. One at least was to be disappointed. Four miles have yet
to be passed. Larry Stivers is ahead, with visions of hopeful victory
before him. He is suddenly stopped. One of the brave animals dropped
dead on the spot. Hope instantly vanished. Captain H---- wins the race,
while the former arrives shortly after his contestant with the dead
animal upon the sleigh. Fredericton is reached. A distance of
eighty-five miles is trotted in six hours and thirty minutes, inclusive
of twenty minutes for rest and dinner. This wonderful feat caused
general astonishment. Hundreds drove from Fredericton to meet the
contestants, while crowds gathered to see the effect thus produced upon
the poor exhausted animals. Soldiers were in attendance upon their
arrival, almost dragging them up the bank. Being rubbed and dosed they
were soon restored. The horse that dropped had been substituted for the
famous "Tanner," and not having sufficient training was unequal to the
task. The surviving animal, belonging to Larry Stivers, afterwards
became one of the best and fastest horses in the Province. This incident
is not introduced to interest horsemen, but merely to show how far men's
judgment may be led astray by the force of such ruling passions.
To return to our narrative. Hearty demonstrations were participated in
by the citizens in testimony of the appreciation of the military. Balls
were given, dinners, speeches and testimonials. No efforts remained
untried to express deep sympathy. Great was the joy at Government House
when Captain Douglas informed the family of Lieutenant Trevelyan's being
transferred to the succeeding regiment. Colonel Trevelyan had obtained
this change at the request of Sir Howard and Lady Douglas. Though a
favorite in the 52nd regiment, Lieutenant Trevelyan's character did not
harmonize with those of his brother officers--a circumstance that did
not escape the notice of His Excellency. The matter formed the subject
of correspondence between the latter and Colonel Trevelyan, resulting in
the announcement previously made by Captain Douglas. Much delight shone
on every countenance. Lady Douglas congratulated her young friend. Mary
Douglas testified her joy with childish gaiety. Pioneer Johnnie looked
forward to another sylvan pilgrimage with boyish glee. Merriment had
exchanged places with murmuring and regret. The secretary alone remained
in a state bordering on hesitation. He would indeed miss his boyish
companion, yet the sense of his presence gave pain. Though not expressed
by word or action, he was aware of the deep and passionate attachment
which Lieutenant Trevelyan had formed for Lady Rosamond Seymour. He was
aware of the hopeless result of this knowledge, and felt a sense of
relief in the thought that changing scenes and new acquaintances might
claim attention and heal the wound which otherwise would remain fresh
and painful.
The arrival of the 81st regiment was, as customary on such occasions,
celebrated by a general muster of the citizens.
The York County Militia presented a fine soldierly appearance. The
grenadiers were indeed worthy of the tribute paid to their manly form
and graceful bearing. Conspicuous was the rising favorite, Vivian Yorke.
His flashing eye, regular features, broad, intellectual forehead, and
firmly chiselled lips, received many compliments as he stood beside his
companions. Lieutenant Trevelyan, in the military staff of His
Excellency, also was not allowed to pass unnoticed. It was a remarkable
coincidence that on this occasion, as the crowd bore down upon the
company, Lieutenant Trevelyan was nearly in line with the young
grenadier officer. A thoughtless young lady, standing near, exclaimed
hastily to her companion: "Fanny, how much that young officer resembles
Mr. Yorke." The remark being overheard by both parties, caused slight
embarrassment, accompanied by a boyish blush from Lieutenant Trevelyan.
Though an intimacy was formed between those young gentlemen, no allusion
was made to the circumstance until many years afterwards, when Mr. Yorke
was in England transacting some important political business, he was
laughingly reminded of the affair by a gentleman in the prime of
manhood--no longer a blushing young officer. Mr. Yorke and Sir Guy
Trevelyan joined heartily in the joke, the former remarking that this
young lady must have been colorblind in respect to their eyes. Many such
comparisons were made rendering defective the perception of the fair
judge, and causing much amusement to the assembled company. But this is
a digression which the reader will excuse.
Lieutenant Trevelyan was now serving in H. M. 81st regiment under the
command of Colonel Creagh--a veteran of Waterloo--who was highly pleased
with the flattering testimonial he had received from Major McNair,
relative to the irreproachable character borne by the young favorite.
A heavy cloud lowered over Government House. Its inmates were once more
wrapped in gloomy thought. Mary Douglas already felt the pang of
separation. Lady Rosamond was to return home. Her visit had been
lengthened beyond the term allowed; now she must obey the summons
without further delay. Painful thoughts crossed her ladyship's mind as
she made the necessary preparations. Her fate was already sealed. She
could not turn aside the resistless torrent that marked the course over
which she must be borne by the skill of the fearless and merciless
pilot, Lady Bereford.
In the outward conduct of Lady Rosamond none could detect the spirit
which actuated her feelings. Lady Douglas closely watched every
movement. Were it not for the emotion which the former betrayed on
receiving the contents of Lady Bereford's letter, would it not have
occurred to her to suspect the heart of Lady Rosamond. It was this
circumstance which gave concern to Lady Douglas. She kept her own
counsel, yet was impressed with the belief that Sir Thomas Seymour, in
conjunction with Lady Bereford, was forcing her favorite into a marriage
that was distasteful to her wishes. The longer her ladyship dwelt upon
the matter the more deeply she felt concerned; but knowing the
inflexible temper of Sir Thomas and the influence of Lady Bereford, she
concluded that the case was indeed a hopeless one.
Mary Douglas was the only being to whom Lady Rosamond had confided the
secret relative to her father's wishes. Some days preceding her
departure the beautiful features of the young girl bore traces of grief.
In the arms of her fond companion she had wept sad and bitter tears.
"This shall be the last exhibition of my feelings," vehemently cried
Lady Rosamond, "you will never again see a tear of mine, at least from
the same cause, but darling promise me now that you will never divulge
my secret?"
"Accept my promise, Rosamond," returned Mary, impressing a fond kiss
upon the lips of the gentle and loving girl.
The promise thus made was faithfully kept to be referred to in after
years as a dream of the past which was still fresh in the beauty and
loveliness of true friendship.
Lieutenant Trevelyan bore the knowledge of Lady Rosamond's departure
with firm composure. He was kind, genial and entertaining. The strange
and uneasy expression came and went with no remark save that it gave
much annoyance to the kind hearted secretary.
The latter saw that no advances were made on the part of the young
lieutenant. Her ladyship would depart while the story would remain
untold.
It is needless to enter into the details attendant upon Lady Rosamond's
removal from Government House. Sad and tender were the scenes. Mary
Douglas could not repress the stifling sobs and outbursts of grief. True
to the previous determination, her ladyship had schooled herself for the
trying moment. Under the tender care of Sir Howard, the lovely girl took
leave of Fredericton, leaving behind those whom she fondly loved. She
carried with her many reminiscences of the scenes and trials through
which she had passed never to be forgotten throughout her lifetime.
In the meantime a question arose in political affairs which required the
mature deliberation of Sir Howard. The boundary dispute was now argued
within every district with an earnestness that showed the importance of
the cause. The present grievance had grown out of a former one.
In the treaty of 1873, the description of boundary limits between the
United States and the Colonies was vague. Owing to a want of proper
procedure, England and America merely took their limits from a certain
point on the coast, one choosing to the right the other to the left.
The interior boundary was the watershed dividing the sources of the
Connecticut and St. Croix rivers from those which emptied into the St.
Lawrence. By this the Americans gained all the land bordering their own
rivers, while the British had the banks of all the rivers extending to
the sea coast. Breach after breach was made, yearly inroads upon British
territory were effected, until the free navigation of the St. Lawrence
was claimed, leaving the colonies without a frontier.
In the State of Maine, a hostile feeling influenced the entire
population. A spirit of fiery independence asserted itself in the face
of the British government. Sir Howard kept his eye on the stealthy
movements of his disorderly neighbors. He was not to be outwitted by
such aggressions; he was determined that neither Colonist nor American
should transgress; his rights were to be respected. A New Brunswicker
had been prosecuted for attempting to interfere. Equal justice was to be
extended to all. The filibusters were not to be pacified; they abused
England and her representatives in the most violent and abusive terms.
The grievances of Maine must be redressed. Governor Lincoln ordered out
the militia to the frontier, while an army of filibusters was ready to
take possession of the territory. They thought to work a plan to throw
blame upon Sir Howard, in the hope that the English troops might be led
to engage in a conflict with the American militia; but the experience of
the British representative served him aright, as on former occasions.
Baker, an unprincipled filibuster now resolved to force proceedings,
rushed into British ground and tauntingly hoisted the American flag. At
this juncture of affairs it was expected that English troops would
interfere and a general fight would be the result.
Sir Howard had kept the troops at a respectable distance, where he could
order them up at short notice; but he had no such intention. Imagine the
surprise of both parties when a constable, having arrived, knocked down
the flag and took Baker prisoner. Heavy imprecations fell upon such a
course of conduct. Federal troops marched to the frontier, a
circumstance of which the colonists took no notice. Sir Howard took
further steps; he ordered the prisoner to be brought to trial before the
Supreme Court at Fredericton, where he was found guilty, with sentence
of a heavy fine.
Threatening attitudes were assumed by the leaders of this dispute, but
to these Sir Howard paid not the least attention. Messages were sent by
Governor Lincoln with urgent demands for Baker's release without any
effect. They had to treat with one whose character was marked by firm
determination. An American officer was also sent urging the necessity of
the release of the prisoner. He was not granted an interview, but was
kindly cared for in the mess-room of the 81st, where the officers gave
him a hearty reception by a grand dinner, ordered expressly for the
occasion. Despite the swaggering and menacing tone of this guest, the
evening was spent in successive rounds of mirth and exciting gaiety.
Songs, toasts and speeches greeted the ears of the envoy, and amidst
these he almost forgot the object of his mission. At last the fine was
paid. It was not until the matter was finally settled, by the decision
of the king of the Netherlands, that comparative peace was restored.
This chapter now ends, having described the principal events that marked
the year 1827.