SIR HOWARD DOUGLAS.
In order to follow up the brilliant career of this great man while
connected with the administration of New Brunswick, we will endeavor to
give a few facts to prove the marvellous ability he displayed in
carrying out his plans.
On the passage homeward Sir Howard and family encountered many dangers.
During the whole voyage there was kept up a constant gale, sometimes
threatening the destruction of the rudely constructed brig of war named
the _Mutine_. Amidst these daily mishaps and perilous exposures the
Douglas family maintained the utmost self-possession. Sir Howard was
always ready to offer advice and assistance with a coolness that nerved
the whole crew, and gave fresh hopes at the darkest moments. During the
six weeks that elapsed, while braving the dangers of the deep, Mary
Douglas never lost an opportunity to make the most of the occasion. She
became interested in the stormy elements, learning lessons that served
her to breast the struggling conflicts of life. Observation was largely
developed in the mind of the gifted maiden. Nothing was presented to her
eye that did not afford food for study and reflection.
The joy with which they were received in England was boundless. Friends
gathered around with heartfelt demonstrations. Sir Howard was once more
surrounded by many of his former companions. The Duke of Wellington gave
him a hearty welcome, while statesmen could scarcely refrain emotion on
beholding one who had taken such deep interest in the welfare of the
nation and showed such firmness and decision in the boundary question.
But another more distinguished honor awaited him. The University of
Oxford were ready to recognize such greatness by conferring the degree
of D. C. L. Sir Howard was called upon to be present at the
commemoration of 1829, where crowds jostled each other to get a glimpse
of this honored man. Patriotism has been, throughout history, the
leading spirit governing the Universities of Great Britain and the
present occasion proved no exception. Students were animated by the
presence of a true patriot. Cheer upon cheer greeted the announcement of
Sir Howard. Applause was boundless as he received presentation from the
public orator. That the spirit which prompted such action on the part of
this dignified body may be seen, we insert the following oration, taken
from the life of Sir Howard Douglas:
_Most illustrious Vice-Chancellor, and you, learned Doctors_,
I present to you a distinguished man, adorned with many virtues and
honors, belonging to military and civil affairs, as well as to
literature--Howard, a Knight and Baronet, a worthy heir of the
latter order from a renowned father, the former richly deserved
from his own king and that of Spain; a member of the Royal Society
of London, on account of the fame of his writings; for many years
the Governor of New Brunswick, followed by the admiration and favor
of his country and the reverence and love of the Province; lastly,
Chancellor of a College in that Province, built under his care and
direction, to which its patron, the king, gave his name and a
University's privileges. Behold the man! I now present him to you
that he may be admitted to the degree of a Doctor of Civil Laws for
the sake of honor.
Further comment upon the above is unnecessary, it being sufficient to
convince one of the degree of popularity which Sir Howard had attained.
The next place in which he plays a most conspicuous part is in the
presence of royalty at the Dutch court, where he was received with all
the honors his rank, position and claim demanded. His Majesty entered in
a lengthy and earnest conversation regarding the important question now
to be settled by his decision. Sir Howard stated clearly every
circumstance in connection with the affair from beginning to end. To
every question he gave a prompt reply, showing the clearness of judgment
by which every argument had been maintained. In order to explain why
such a question should be brought up forty-seven years after the treaty
had been signed, he showed that it was founded on some indefinite or
ambiguous clauses of the treaty of 1783, but not proposed until 1820.
Here was a delicate point for His Majesty to settle without giving
offence to either English or Americans. But Sir Howard was resolved to
support the claim which contended for the rights of his nation--for
justice and for truth. He was not desiring territory, but protection and
security to the interests of his people, _security_ to prevent the
Americans from claiming the privileges of the St. John river or
classifying the Bay of Fundy rivers with those emptying into the
Atlantic. However, a decision at length was given which did not meet the
wishes of either party, but the matter was set partially at rest.
Soon afterwards Sir Howard was engaged in discussing the cause and
events of the Belgian insurrection. He showed to the British Government
the design which France had contrived to her aggrandizement by the
dissolution of the Netherlands, and urged intervention on the part of
the British Government. The measures taken in determining the strength
of the Dutch territory and the trouble thus averted which must have
involved war and bloodshed, secured the hearty thanks of the English
monarch who acknowledged the debt of gratitude in terms of deep
sincerity.
The colonists were now awaiting Sir Howard's return with great anxiety,
watching his movements with deep concern. Hope once more filled their
hearts as news spread abroad that their ruler was making preparations to
return to New Brunswick. But a new source of uneasiness arose. The Home
Government raised a question abolishing the protection on colonial
timber. Sir Howard was aroused to a sense of the situation. By the
abolition of such protection the trade of New Brunswick and the other
colonies would be ruined, while the Baltic trade would reap the benefit.
Was he to tamely submit to measures injuring the resources of the people
whom he represented? No, he would appeal in a manner that would have
public sympathy. Hence was produced the well written pamphlet bearing
his name, setting forth the grievance in a way that could not fail to
prove the justice of the cause. Every point was discussed with clearness
and based upon the most reliable facts and statistics. Newspapers took
up the subject and complimented the author in the most flattering terms.
A general excitement was now raised and the question was discussed on
every side. In the House of Commons it gained much popularity. Great was
the joy of Sir Howard when the result of his work was announced by the
defeat of the government. This proved the patriotism of Sir Howard. He
could not sacrifice the interest of his country to those of himself and
family. He purchased his country's welfare with the resignation of the
governorship of New Brunswick!
Where do we find such true nobility of character, such brilliant genius,
and such unsullied virtue? Well might the Colonists have exclaimed with
one voice when tidings conveyed the news of Sir Howard's resignation:
"He was a man, take him for all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again."
However, some recognition must be made to show their gratitude to one
who had made such a sacrifice. Meetings were held in different parts of
the Province resulting in a general subscription towards the purchase of
a valuable service of plate which was presented him in England,
accompanied by an address, breathing the spirit of heartfelt regret at
the loss of their much beloved ruler. Sir Howard never forgot this
circumstance. He often referred to his stay in New Brunswick with
feelings bordering on emotion. Years afterwards his heart beat with
quickening impulse as he fondly recognized the familiar face of a
colonist or received some cheering account of the welfare of the people.
Through the remaining years of his life he never ceased to keep up a
faithful correspondence with several of his former friends, particularly
the Rev. Edwin Jacob, D. D., who received the presidency of King's
College through his kind patron,--the tie of friendship which bound them
was only severed by death.
Much more might be said regarding this great man, but we must now leave
him to the active duties of a busy and useful life, surrounded by his
family in the comforts of an English home and enjoying the true
friendship of the philosopher, the historian, and the poet. Among the
most intimate in this list was Sir Walter Scott--the friend of Mrs.
Bailie, the foster mother of Sir Howard. Doubtless the name of Douglas
was sufficient to awaken in the mind of the Scottish bard a feeling
worthy of the friendship of Sir Howard. Together they spent many hours
in conversing upon the scenes which had formed subjects for the poet's
pen and awakened a deep veneration for the legends of Scottish lore.
Perhaps in no other way can we better pay a parting tribute to the
memory of Sir Howard Douglas than by inserting the following letter
which had been forwarded when the latter had arrived from New Brunswick:
"Abbotsford, Near Melrose, 21st July, 1829.
"_My Dear Sir Howard_,--
"I have just received your most welcome letter and write to
express my earnest wish and hope that, as I have for the present no
Edinburgh establishment, you will, for the sake of auld lang syne,
give me the pleasure of seeing you here for as much time as you can
spare me. There are some things worth looking at, and we have
surely old friends and old stories enough to talk over. We are just
thirty-two miles from Edinburgh. Two or three public coaches pass
us within a mile, and I will take care to have a carriage meet you
at Melrose Brigley End, if you prefer that way of travelling. Who
can tell whether we may ever, in such different paths of life, have
so good an opportunity of meeting? I see no danger of being absent
from this place, but you drop me a line if you can be with us,
and take it for granted you hardly come amiss. I have our poor
little [illegible] here. He is in very indifferent health, but no
immediate danger is apprehended. You mention your daughter. I would
be most happy if she should be able to accompany you.
"Always, my dear Sir Howard,
Most truly yours,
Walter Scott."
Here is an instance of genuine simplicity and hearty friendship existing
between men of like nature. The true greatness of Sir Howard was
appreciated by one whose themes of poetic beauty and fervent patriotism
kindle a glow of inspiration that will burn undimmed while time shall
last. And now we close this chapter by bidding the noble, great and good
Sir Howard Douglas a fond farewell!