Notwithstanding the advantages held out by Government to the settlers at
Halifax, and the repeated large grants of money by Parliament, the
people were rapidly removing to the old Colonies. Little progress had
been made in clearing the country. The fishery, one of the main
inducements of the settlement, was almost altogether neglected, and the
population was reduced to much less than half its original number. They
subsisted chiefly on the money expended by the Army and Navy, and were
dependent on Boston for their provisions and many other necessary
supplies.
In 1755, Dr. Breynton, the minister at St. Paul's, estimated the
inhabitants of Halifax at 1,300, eight hundred of whom professed
themselves members of the Church of England; and again in 1763, eight
years later, according to the Doctor's returns to the Propagation
Society, the number was still found not to exceed one thousand and three
hundred souls; nine hundred and fifty of them being of the Church of
England, and three hundred and fifty Protestant Dissenters and Roman
Catholics.
Up to the year 1757, the enormous sum of L.560,000 sterling had been
expended on the settlements, and though in some respects the Colony had
been considered a failure, yet in a military point of view it was of
incalculable importance to Great Britain, and to its position as a naval
and military depot may be ascribed in a great measure the downfall of
the French power in America.
On 30th June, 1757, Lord Loudon with his transports and 12,000 regulars
and provincials arrived at Halifax, and on July following, Admiral
Holborn arrived with his fleet. This armament, which was destined for an
attack on Louisburg, left Halifax early in August, but having proved a
failure the fleet returned to England in September, but Loudon returned
with his army to New York; they both left Halifax on the same day, 16th
August. Holborn arrived at Louisburg on 20th, where finding the French
fleet superior to his own, he continued to cruise off Louisburg harbour
until 24th September, when he encountered a severe gale of wind which
scattered his fleet, several ships were lost, eight sail got safe to
Portsmouth, and the rest got to New York. This powerful armament
consisted of 13 sail of the line--the Newark 80 guns, Invincible 74,
Grafton 68, Terrible 74, Northumberland 68, Captain 68, Bedford 64,
Orford 68, Nassau 64, Sunderland 64, Defiance 64, Tilbury 64, Kingston
60, Windsor 54, and the Sutherland 50, with several others which
afterwards joined them, and 16 smaller vessels of war. The naval forces
amounted 10,000 men, and the land forces to 12,000, six thousand of whom
were provincial troops. Loudon left three regiments at Halifax, and
several of the vessels remained to winter here.
In May of this year the Governor and Council offered a bounty for sowing
land with grass on the peninsula of Halifax, also for the erection of
stone fences around the lots, and for raising grain and potatoes.
Loudon was succeeded in the supreme command by Abercrombie, another
incompetent--a debilitated old man who remained in command for a short
time. He was succeeded by Sir Jeffrey Amherst.
In the following spring about 12,000 troops arrived at Halifax, under
the command of General Amherst. They were soon followed by Admiral
Boscawen from England with a large fleet consisting of 23 ships of the
line and 18 frigates. This great fleet arrived in Halifax harbour in
May, 1758, accompanied by 120 transports. The land forces amounted to
12,260 men. On Sunday, 28th May, they set sail from Halifax, 157 vessels
in all. They were met by General Amherst, with part of the force, as
they went out of the harbour. Governor Lawrence accompanied the army and
took command of one of the Brigades, Colonel Monkton being left in
command during his absence.
After the siege, which was protracted for two months, part of the fleet
and army returned to Halifax, and some of the vessels remained to refit.
The colony was sacked for provisions and the town turned into a camp for
the troops. A number of the provincial soldiers and others, having
enriched themselves with the spoils at Louisburg, became settlers in the
town. All the ammunition and stores, with a quantity of private
property, were removed to Halifax, and the town once again began to
assume a prosperous appearance.
This year was also memorable as the one in which Representative
Government was established in Nova Scotia. The subject of calling a
Legislative Assembly had undergone much discussion. It had been
represented by the Governor and Council, to the authorities in England,
that such a step at that particular time would be fraught with much
danger to the peace of the colony. Chief Justice Belcher, however,
having given his opinion that the Governor and Council possessed no
authority to levy taxes, and their opinion being confirmed in England,
it was resolved in Council on 3rd January, 1757, that a representative
system should be established and that twelve members should be elected
by the province at large, until it could be conveniently divided into
counties, and that the township of Halifax should send four members,
Lunenburg two, Dartmouth one, Lawrencetown one, Annapolis Royal one, and
Cumberland one, making in all twenty two members, and the necessary
regulations were also made for carrying into effect the object intended.
Much discontent prevailed in the town, and also in other parts of the
province, in consequence of the opposition of Governor Lawrence to the
calling of a Representative Assembly. Hitherto the Government had been
carried on solely by the Governor and Council, who possessed both
Legislative and Executive authority. Under the Royal instructions the
Governor was directed to call a Representative Assembly as soon as the
circumstances of the country would permit, but the Governor was of
opinion that it would be injudicious to proceed to a popular election
until the country was better prepared for it. After repeated
remonstrances from the people of Halifax and some pressure from his
Council, it was on the 7th January resolved in Council that an assembly
should be called, and a plan was drawn up and submitted to the Board of
Trade for the sanction of the home government. We find, however, that in
February following it was resolved by the inhabitants of Halifax to
petition the Crown against the conduct of Governor Lawrence, not only as
regards his unwillingness to establish a representative government, but
his oppressive and overbearing conduct in other respects to many of the
leading inhabitants. This petition was entrusted to one Ferdinando
Paris, a gentleman in London, accompanied by affidavits and a power of
attorney, conferring on him authority to represent the subscribers
before the Privy Council and the Board of Trade and Plantations. A
subscription was set on foot, and about L.120 sterling subscribed, to
meet the expenses of the application to Government. These documents were
certified by Chief Justice Belcher as authentic, on 14th March. As these
proceedings bear date in February, 1757, it is probable that the
resolution of the Council of the 7th January had not been made known.
The petition and power were signed by the following residents of the
town who reputed themselves as a committee appointed by the people for
the purpose of forwarding their views: Robert Saunderson, William
Pantree, Malachi Salter, Jonathan Binney, Otto Wm. Schwartz, Robert
Campbell, Henry Ferguson and John Grant. These papers were also
accompanied by a copy of an address from the people of Halifax to Lt.
Governor Robert Monkton, praying that certain sums of money, collected
as rum duties, etc., might be expended on the fortifications of the town
as a protection to the inhabitants, and offering to contribute both
labour and money for the purpose. It also complains of the "miserable
management of those who have had the direction of the defences." This
petition bears date 19th October, in the same year. The language of one
of the letters addressed to Mr. Paris, the request on the subject of the
Halifax grievances and the overbearing military rule of Governor
Lawrence, bespeak much excitement to have existed in the town on the
subject. The feeling appears to have prevailed principally among the
leading inhabitants. We find that the list above referred to was signed
by Mr. Binney, Mr. Salter, Mr. Pantree, Mr. Schwartz, Dr. Grant, Mr.
Saunderson, Mr. Fairbanks, Mr. Robt. Campbell, Mr. Butler, Mr. Suckling,
Mr. Vanput, Mr. G. Gerrish, Mr. Gibbon, Mr. Wiswell, Mr. Mason, and many
others.
On the first of November following, the Grand Jury of Halifax petitioned
Governor Lawrence that some immediate steps may be taken to fortify the
town so that the inhabitants might be placed in a more secure position
in case of invasion. They refer to a petition presented to Lt. Governor
Monkton on the same subject, to which no reply had been made, and
concluded by asking that they might know without further delay what they
were to expect; that if no further security is to be provided for the
settlement they may have an opportunity of conveying themselves, their
families and effects to a place of greater safety in some of the
neighbouring Colonies. The names of the Grand Jury were Robert
Saunderson, Joseph Rundell, John Anderson, Paul Pritchard, Hugh McKay,
Joseph Fairbanks, William Schwartz, Robert Campbell, William Pantree,
John Killick, John Brooks, Henry Wilkinson, Walter Manning, John
Slayter, Richard Catherwood, Joseph Pierce, Alexander Cunningham,
Richard Tritton, Jonathan Gifford and Benjamin Leigh.
On Monday, the 2nd of October, 1758, the newly elected members met in
the Court House in Halifax, pursuant to summons from the Provost
Marshall; their names were as follows:
Joseph Gerrish, }
Robert Saunderson,}
Henry Newton, } Esquires.
William Foy, }
William Nesbitt, }
Joseph Rundell. }
William Best, }
Alexr. Kedie, }
Jonathan Binney, }
Henry Ferguson, }
George Suckling, }
Robert Campbell, } Gentlemen.
Willm. Pantree, }
Joseph Fairbanks, }
Philip Hammond, }
John Fillis, }
Lambert Folkers, }
Philip Knout. }
They sent Messrs. Nesbitt, Newton and Rundell, to wait on the Governor,
who sent Messrs. Morris and Green from the Council to swear them in.
They then chose Robert Saunderson their speaker, which was confirmed by
the Governor, who addressed them as follows: "Gentlemen of the Council
and House of Representatives: His Majesty having been most graciously
pleased by his royal instructions to his Governors of this Province to
direct the calling an assembly of the freeholders to act in conjunction
with his Governor and Council as the Legislative Authority, when such a
measure should be found essential to his service; I am to assure you
that it is with particular pleasure I now meet you convened in that
capacity, in consequence of a plan some time since formed here for that
purpose, with the advice and assistance of His Majesty's Council, and
by me transmitted to the Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations to
be laid before His Majesty for his approbation.
"Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
"I entertain the most sanguine hopes that you are come together
unanimously disposed to promote the service of the Crown, or in other
words, the real welfare and prosperity of the people whom you have the
honour to represent, in every point to the utmost of your authority and
capacity.
"This, I presume, you will conceive is justly to be expected, not only
from the immediate regard due to the Civil Rights and Interests of your
constituents, but likewise from the unspeakable obligations you are
under to demonstrate in their behalf your dutiful sense of His Majesty's
paternal concern for the prosperity and security of those his subjects
in those distinguishing marks of his royal favour and protection which
we have from time to time so happily experienced in the fleets and
armies sent out for our immediate preservation when we were under the
most imminent danger of being swallowed up by a merciless enemy; also in
the ample supplies of money for so many years annually granted for the
support and encouragement of this infant colony; and moreover still, in
the continuance of His Majesty's royal bounty for that purpose, when
from the seeming inclination of the inhabitants to have an assembly
convened some time ago, it might have been presumed, and indeed by an
article of His Majesty's Instructions, which I shall order to be laid
before you, it has been judged that the Colony has become capable of
providing for the necessary support of government here, as has been
usual in all His Majesty's other American Dominions.
"Gentlemen of both Houses:
"As my Military occupation requires my attendance as early as possible
upon the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces to the Westward, and as the
Lieutenant Governor is now necessarily employed, and will be for some
time to come, upon an enterprise of importance in a distant part of the
province, there is not at present an opportunity of entering upon such
particulars as might otherwise call for your attention; I am therefore
earnestly to recommend to your serious consideration the expediency, or
rather the necessity of unanimity and dispatch in the confirmation of
such Acts or resolutions of a legislative nature, as the Governor and
Council under His Majesty's Royal Instructions have found expedient,
before the forming of an assembly and indispensably necessary for
promoting the welfare and peaceable Government of this people.
"You may depend upon it, Gentlemen, on my return to the Government you
will find me perfectly disposed to concur with you in enacting such
further laws, making such amendments to the present ones, and
establishing such other regulations as shall appear upon more mature
deliberations to be consistent with the honour and dignity of the Crown
and conducive to the lasting happiness of His Majesty's subjects where I
have the honour to preside.
"CHARLES LAWRENCE."
The House then resolved that the members should all serve without pay
for the session. The calling of the Legislature had been delayed till
the autumn in consequence of both the Governor and Lt. Governor being
absent with the Army at Louisburg. Governor Lawrence came up to Halifax
from Louisburg specially to meet the Legislature.
The Governor in his letter to the Board of Trade about this time noticed
particularly the serious effects on the settlement of the enormous
importation and retail of spirituous liquors, and expressed a hope that
the Legislature would check it.
On 2nd July, 1761 (second session) the House voted L.50 for a public
clock in the Town.
The following year (1759) Halifax was again the rendezvous for part of
the fleet and army both before and after the siege of Quebec; not a few
of the more enterprising settlers followed the camp and enriched
themselves during the war, Admiral Darell with 4 ships of the line
arrived in Halifax Harbor in April and left for the St. Lawrence on 5th
May.
At the news of the victory, the town was illuminated, and fire works,
bonfires and other public entertainments lasted several days.
Between the years 1759 and 1763 the harbor had been the constant resort
of the squadrons under Lord Colville and others; the place was
enlivened by the presence of a large army and navy, and at the close of
the war several gentlemen of condition were induced to become settlers.
Peace having been proclaimed in 1763, the 28th day of December of that
year was solemnized at Halifax as a day of thanksgiving on account of
the termination of the war. Though the town possessed all the advantages
to be derived from the presence of the naval and military forces, the
resident population did not increase. From the notitia parochialis of
the Rev. Dr. Breynton, the Rector of St. Paul's, the number of
inhabitants in the town did not exceed 1300 souls. However, in 1769, six
years after, the Doctor makes the following return: Inhabitants in and
about Halifax including Garrison, Acadian French and fishermen, by the
late public survey 5000 souls, of which 200 are Acadians and 55
protestant dissenters. The number of births that year was 200 and the
deaths 190.
Among the local occurrences of the year 1759, was the trial of Thomas
Lathum, baker, for the murder of Lieutenant Collins of the Royal Navy.
It appeared that Mr. Collins, Captain Sweeney, Doctor Johns, Mr. Fulton
and others of the Navy, had been sipping at the house of one John Field,
and late in the evening proposed to go out in search of some women with
whom one of them had made an engagement. They knocked at the door of one
Hewitt, and inquired for Polly. On being refused admission, it appeared
that Thomas Lathum, the brother-in-law of Hewitt, who lived in the
neighbourhood, hearing the noise, came to his own door and demanded of
the gentlemen in the street whether they intended to rob Mr. Hewitt.
They replied that they were gentlemen and not robbers. Some further
words provoked a scuffle, in which Fulton was dragged by Lathum into his
house. The affair terminated in Lathum discharging a gun after the
party, and mortally wounding Collins. Captain Sweeny had previously
called the guard, who shortly after the affair arrived and took Lathum
into custody. Lathum was tried on the 24th April, 1759.
The names of the grand jury, who found the bill of indictment, were
Michael Francklin, foreman, Charles Proctor, Abraham Bowyer, Walter
Manning, James Quinn, Nathan Nathans, J. Pernette, John Craig, Terrence
Fitzpatrick, John Kerby, Jonathan Pierce, James Porter, Henry Sibley,
J. Flanagan, Michael Moloney, Robert Cowie, Charles Terlaven, Jonathan
Gifford and James Browne.
On the 11th March, 1760, the following gentlemen were appointed Justices
of the Peace for the county of Halifax, viz.: The Hon. Jonathan Belcher,
Hon. Benjamin Green, Hon. John Collier, Hon. Charles Morris, Hon.
Richard Bulkeley, Hon. Thomas Saul, Hon. Joseph Gerrish, William
Nesbitt, John Duport, Joseph Scott, John Creighton, Sebastine
Zouberbuhler, Edward Crawley, Charles Proctor and Benjamin Gerrish, and
on 30th December following, Malachi Salter, Alexander Grant, Johnathan
Binney and John Burbidge were added to the number. Messrs. Morris,
Duport, Scott, Gerrish and Crawley were appointed Justices of the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas.
Governor Lawrence, who had been for 7 days ill, died of inflammation of
the lungs on the morning of the 19th October, 1760. The Council were
immediately summoned, and Chief Justice Belcher sworn in to administer
the Government. A question had arisen on a previous occasion, between
Mr. Belcher and Mr. Green, as to the eligibility of the Chief Justice to
the office of administrator of the Government, which was decided in
favour of the Chief Justice, but some years after, the question was
determined by the British Government declaring that the two offices of
administrator of the Government and Chief Justice, should never be held
by the same person.
It was resolved in Council, that the funeral of the late Governor should
be at the public expense, and a monument to his memory was afterwards
voted by the Assembly to be placed in St. Paul's Church.[37]
[Footnote 37: The inscription to be placed on this monument is given at
full length in the Gazette of that day, but it was not to be found among
those which cover the walls of old St. Paul's. There is, however, an
escutcheon with the arms of Lawrence on the east gallery.]
The funeral of Governor Lawrence took place on the Thursday following,
24th October, at 4 p. m. The procession began from Government House as
follows:--
The Troops in Garrison, the Military Officers, two field pieces 6
pounders, the Physicians, the ministers, the corpse in a coffin covered
with black velvet, and the pall, to which were affixed escutcheons of
His Excellency's arms, supported by the President and the rest of His
Majesty's Council.
The Mourners, the Provost Marshall, the House of Assembly, the
Magistrates, the Civil Officers, the Freemasons and a number of the
inhabitants. The Bearers, Clergy, Physicians and all Officers, Civil and
Military had linen and cambric hat-bands.
The corpse was preceded near the church by the orphans singing an
anthem. The pulpit, reading desk and the Governor's pew, were covered
with black and escutcheons, and a most pathetic Funeral Sermon was
preached by the Reverend Mr. Breynton, Rector of the Parish, after which
the corpse was interred on the right side of the Communion Table.
Minute guns were fired from one of the batteries, from the time the
procession began, until the interment, when the whole was concluded with
three volleys from the troops under arms.
The Supreme Court, which began on Tuesday following, was hung in
mourning and escutcheons.
The following fulsome eulogium, to the late lamented Governor, appeared
in the newspapers of the day: "The Lieutenant Governor was possessed of
every natural endowment and acquired, accomplishment necessary to adorn
the most exalted station, and every amiable quality that could promote
the sweets of friendship and social intercourse of human life.
"As Governor, he exerted his uncommon abilities with unwearied
application, and the most disinterested zeal in projecting and executing
every useful design that might render this Province and its rising
settlements flourishing and happy. He encouraged the industrious,
rewarded the deserving, excited the indolent, protected the oppressed
and relieved the needy. His affability and masterly address endeared him
to all ranks of people, and a peculiar greatness of soul made him
superior to vanity, envy, avarice or revenge.
"In him we have lost the guide and guardian of our interests, the
reflection on the good he has done, the anticipation of great things
still expected from such merits, and circumstances which, while they
redound to his honour, aggravate the sense of our irreparable
misfortune."
About the end of October, Commodore Lord Colville arrived in the harbor
with the Northumberland and three other ships of the line and several
frigates from Quebec. The Sloop-of-War England also arrived from England
with dispatches and next day sailed for Louisburg and Quebec. Several
transports also came in about the same time with Col. Montgomery's
Highlanders to relieve the two battalions of the 60th Royal Americans.
Among the advertisements in the Halifax Gazette of 1st November, 1760,
is the following:
"To be sold at public auction, on Monday the 3rd of November, at the
house of Mr. John Rider, two Slaves, viz.: a boy and girl, about eleven
years old; likewise, a puncheon of choice old cherry brandy, with sundry
other articles."
1759. Among the town officers nominated by the Grand Jury this year
were, John Fillis, Richd. Wenman, Richd. Gibbon and Wm. Schwartz as
Commissioners of the poor for the town.
Surveyors of Highways, Chas. Morris, Esq., Chas. Proctor, Esq., Mr. Wm.
Prescott and Mr. John Rider.
This year an Act of the Legislature was passed to regulate the Sambro
Light House at the entrance of Halifax Harbor, which had been erected
the previous year at the expense of L.1000. The Work House was also
erected this year. Firing guns within the town and peninsula was
forbidden in 1758 under a penalty.
The accession of King George the Third was proclaimed at Halifax on the
11th February, 1761, with great ceremony. The proclamation was first
read at the Court House door,[38] then at the north gate of the
town,[39] at Government House, at the south gate,[40] and lastly on the
Parade, where the troops were drawn up and a salute fired by the
artillery. Lord Colville's fleet being in the harbour at the time, "each
ship fired a Royal Salute, beginning with his Lordship's flagship the
Northumberland."
[Footnote 38: Now Northup's corner, Buckingham and Argyle Streets.]
[Footnote 39: At this period there was a fence on the north side of what
is now called Jacob St. and a gate near the opening of Brunswick St., in
front of the North Barrack old parade, some say further north.]
[Footnote 40: The situation of the south gate is uncertain: there were
several south gates. It was along Salter Street, probably in a line with
the old forts known as Luttrell's and Horseman's Forts.]
The order of the procession on this occasion was as follows:--1st, A
Company of Grenadiers; 2nd, Constables of the Town; 3rd, Magistrates;
4th, Civil Officers of Government; 5th, Constables; 6th, The Provost
Marshall with two deputies on horseback; 7th, a Band of Music; 8th,
Constables; 9th, The Commander-in-Chief of the Province, the Honorable
Jonathan Belcher, with Admiral Lord Colville and Colonel Foster,
commandant of the Garrison, and the members of His Majesty's Council;
10th, the Speaker and the members of the House of Assembly, followed by
the principal inhabitants. At three o'clock the company waited on the
Commander-in-Chief at Governor Lawrence's head tavern, where a very
elegant entertainment was provided for them, and after dinner His
Majesty's health was drunk under Royal Salute from the Batteries, also
other toasts, and the evening concluded with great rejoicings and
illuminations, bon-fires and artificial fire works, played off by the
Royal Artillery. A sermon was afterwards ordered to be preached (13th
February, 1761) in St. Paul's Church, on account of the decease of the
late King, and all public amusements were ordered to cease for one month
from that day. The 17th was accordingly set apart and the sermon
preached by the Rev. T. Wood, the Curate. Part of St. Paul's church was
hung in black, and minute guns were fired for an hour and a half, and
the flags on the Citadel and George's Island were half-mast during the
day.
On the 11th day of February, 1760, two Indian Chiefs of the
Passamaquoddy and St. John River tribes, came to Halifax with Colonel
Arbuthnot and appeared before the Council, and by their interpreter,
settled with the Governor terms of peace, renewing the Treaty of 1725
and giving hostages for their good behaviour. At their request truck
houses were established at Fort Frederick. Benjamin Gerrish, John
Collier and Thomas Saul were appointed a Committee to prepare the Treaty
in French and English, which was to be taken back with them to be
ratified by their tribes. It was arranged that Colonel Arbuthnot should
accompany them, and that they should be sent back at the public expense,
after which His Majesty's health was drunk and the Chiefs returned to
the quarters assigned them by the Governor. On the 13th the Treaty was
ratified in Council and the Indians and the Governor and Council settled
the table of the prices to be established at the truck houses. The
Indians stated that the number of their tribes, men, women and children,
was about 500. During the sitting of the Council on the 13th, Roger
Morris, one of the Mic-Mac Indians, appeared and brought with him three
Frenchmen who were lately arrived from Pictou, and another Indian called
Claude Renie, who said he was Chief of the Tribe of Cheboudie Indians.
He stated that he had left 70 of his people at Jeddore; the men were out
killing moose and their families were in want of provisions. It was
arranged that provisions should be sent to them and that the men should
forthwith come up and conclude a peace.
Treaties of peace were afterwards concluded on 10th March following with
three Mic-Mac Chiefs, viz., Paul Laurent, chief of the Tribe of LaHave,
Michael Augustine, chief of the Tribe of Richibucto, and the
before-mentioned Claude Renie, chief of the Cheboudie and Musquodoboit
Indians; the treaty was signed in Council on that day and they received
their annual presents. Another treaty of peace was signed in Council on
15th October, 1761, with Jannesvil Peitougawash, Chief of the Indians of
the Tribe of Pictock and Malogomish, and the merchants and traders were
notified that the Indian trade to the eastward would be thrown open
under regulations in the following spring. The following summer Joseph
Argunault, Chief of the Mongwash Indians, with a number of followers,
appeared before the Council and executed a final Treaty of peace. The
members of Council and Legislature, with the Magistrates and public
officers, attended on the occasion.
The Abbe Mallaird being introduced, interpreted the treaty to the Chief,
who was then addressed by the Hon. Mr. Belcher, the Commander-in-Chief.
The treaty was respectively signed by the Commander-in-Chief and the
Indian Chief, and witnessed by the members of the Council present, the
Speaker of the Assembly and Mr. Mallaird.[41] The Chief then addressed
Mr. Belcher in the following manner: That he had formerly paid obedience
to another King, but that he now acknowledged King George 3rd for his
only lawful Sovereign, and vowed eternal fidelity and submission to him;
that his submission was not by compulsion, but that it was free and
voluntary with his whole heart, and that he should always esteem King
George 3rd as his good father and protector. That he now buried the
hatchet in behalf of himself and his whole tribe, in token of their
submission, and of their having made a peace which should never be
broken upon any consideration whatever. The Chief then laid the hatchet
on the earth, and the same being buried the Indians went through the
ceremony of washing the paint from their bodies, in token of hostilities
being ended, and then partook of a repast set out for them on the
ground, and the whole ceremony was concluded by all present drinking the
King's health and their Haggas. This ceremony is said to have been
performed in the Governor's garden, westward of the old English burial
ground, where the Court House now stands. Benjamin Gerrish, Esquire, was
appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and additional truck houses
were built and other arrangements made throughout the Province for more
effectually carrying on the Indian trade.
[Footnote 41: NOTE.--This document is not to be found among the papers
preserved in the Secretary's office at Halifax.]
On the 30th December, 1760, Malachi Salter, Alexander Grant, Jonathan
Binney and John Burbidge were appointed Justices of the Peace for the
Town of Halifax. Mr. Burbidge was a member of Assembly; he afterwards
removed to the country and settled in Cornwallis township, where his
descendants now remain.
The French having invaded the British settlements in Newfoundland, and
captured the fort of St. John, a council-of-war was called at Halifax,
for the purpose of consulting on means of the defence of the town in
case of an attack. This Council was composed of Lt. Governor Belcher,
Col. Richard Bulkely, Halifax Militia, Major General Bastead of the
Engineers, Col. William Foster, Lt. Col. Hamilton, Lt. Col. Job Winslow,
and the Right Honorable Lord Colville, commander-in-chief of the
squadron. They met on the 10th July, 1762, and continued their sittings
until 17th August. They recommended to Government the embodying a
portion of the militia force, and that the Batteries on George's Island,
Fort George, Point Pleasant and East Battery should be put in repair and
guns mounted, and the erection of such works around the town and at the
Dockyard as might be considered necessary for the protection of the
place. The whole to be placed under the superintendence of General
Bastead of the Engineers. Some of the old works were put in repair and
others added on this occasion, but the cause of alarm having subsided,
further expense was deemed unnecessary.
At the first settlement it had been found necessary to occupy not only
every elevated position in the vicinity, but also large spaces around
the town as at first laid out, for the purposes of defence and other
military objects. After the necessity for those defences had ceased, it
frequently occurred that the military commanders would lay claim to the
grounds as military property, and in this way obstacles had continually
arisen to the extension of the town, a grievance which has continued to
be felt until the present time. Those whose duty it was to plan and lay
out the town appear to have been guided more with a view to the
construction of a military encampment than that of a town for the
accommodation of an increasing population. The narrow blocks and small
dimensions of the building lots have been found to be a continual
drawback on the comfort, the health and the convenience of the
inhabitants, and of late years these inconveniences have been severely
felt in the business parts of the city. This, however, was not the case
in laying out the north and south suburbs; here the lots were of ample
dimensions, and though the streets were not of the width frequently met
with in modern cities, yet of sufficient dimensions to ensure comfort.
It is to be regretted that the town and city authorities, during the
last 35 years, have not, as in other places, exerted their authority in
the arrangement and laying off of building lots, and by wholesome
regulations, prevented the crowding of buildings on pieces of land not
sufficiently deep to admit of proper ventilation. It is also a matter of
the utmost importance to the future welfare of the city that those lands
now in the hands of the military and naval boards in various directions
around the city which are not immediately required for military works
should be handed over to the Civil Government for public promenades and
other useful purposes.
July 18th, 1768. The Chiefs of the tribes of Indians of St. John's
River, named Pierre Thomas and Ambroise St. Aubon, appeared before the
Council with the following requests: They said the use of rum and
spirituous liquors was too common among them, and requested that a
remedy might be thought of to prevent it. They also required lands for
cultivation, and that they should not be required to bear arms in case
of war with any of the European powers. That some further regulations of
prices in their traffic should be made, and several other matters, all
of which appear to have been granted them. They desired to return home
as soon as possible, that their people might not be debauched with
liquor in the town.
This year (1768) Mr. Joshua Mauger retired from the office of Agent of
the Province in London. Mr. Mauger came up from Louisburg with the army
and resided in the town as a distiller of rum, and followed the camp for
several years. He received grants of land from the government in various
parts of the province. The bench at the south-west extremity of
Cornwallis Island, now known as McNab's Island, was named after him. Mr.
Mauger was afterwards elected a member of the British Parliament.
In the month of May of this year was presented to the Legislature the
celebrated revolutionary document known as the Massachusetts or Boston
Letter. This was a letter addressed by Speaker Cushin of the House of
Representatives at Boston, to the Speaker of the Assembly in Nova
Scotia. It bears the date February 11, 1768, and was on the subject of
the differences existing between the British Government and the American
Colonies, then on the eve of revolt. This letter is couched in very
moderate but firm language; it appears to have been received, however,
with great indignation by the House, who declined to have it read. A
memorial was presented to the Governor and Council in March, 1767, by
Colonel Dalrymple, then commander of His Majesty's troops at Halifax,
complaining of the undue occupation of grounds about the town, on which
there had been palisaded forts and lines of defence. It appeared that
Governor Lawrence had granted certain small tracts of land on which a
palisaded line of defence had formerly been, and that such tracts of
land could not be supposed to come into use on any future occasion for
fortifications. That Colonel McKellan of the Engineers had advised the
situation of the Work House with an enclosure, in the front of said
line, and that a whole bastion of two curtains of Lutterell's fort were
covered by it, and that Governor Lawrence had further laid out more of
such grounds on which part of the palisading of Horseman's Fort formerly
stood, all of which it appeared he did by an undoubted right of the
power given him by the King's Commission, to erect and demolish
fortifications, and therefore to convert the ground to other uses, it
being no more serviceable for the former purposes. But it also appeared
that none of the Barracks were ever granted or admitted into private
occupation. That Governor Lawrence had admitted the occupation of some
of the ground reserved for fortification, on condition it should be
surrendered when the King's service should again require it, by which it
was evident that the King's rights in their lands had been sufficiently
secured. Horseman's fort occupied the ground in the vicinity of the
present Roman Catholic Cathedral. Lutterell's fort stood where the old
Poor House and County Jail formerly stood. In June, 1763, the Council
recommended the Governor to make a grant of the Common for the Town of
Halifax to trustees for the benefit of the inhabitants. The Trustees
were John Collier, Charles Morris, Richard Bulkeley, William Nesbitt,
Charles Proctor and Richard Best. Some question having arisen as to the
limits of the common, the Council were unanimously of the opinion that
the lands which had been granted without the town were not within the
limits of the Common as appeared by the plan thereof laid before the
Lords of Trade, and which had not been disapproved of by their
Lordships. No copy of this plan is now to be found.
The number of families residing in and around the town in 1763 was
estimated at 500, which would make the population about 2500 souls.
There was also supposed to be, at this time, about one thousand Acadian
French in and about the town.
In June, 1763, the Hon. Montague Wilmot was sworn in Lieut. Governor in
place of Mr. Belcher. In the following year he received the appointment
of Governor-in-Chief.
On the 29th day of September, 1766, the Germans, who had been located to
the west of the peninsula, the settlement now known as the Dutch
Village, petitioned the Government that a convenient road should be laid
out for them to their settlement. The Surveyor was ordered to report on
the petition. He reported that he found the road from the north German
lots to the southward of George Bayers' stone wall, now laid out, in the
most convenient place, and that the road should be at least four rods
wide. That from George Bayers' stone wall the road should be on the
south side of said wall and thence to run until it meets the public road
leading to the town.
About this time, at the request of the Magistrates, the Hospital was
granted for an alms house. This hospital was established very early for
the use of the settlers, and stood on part of the land now occupied by
the Government House, to the north of that building.
The church of St. Paul's had now been for some years finished, and the
Town and vicinity had been, by an Act of Legislature, constituted into
a parish with corporate powers in the church wardens and vestry. After
the death of Mr. Tutty, the Reverend Thomas Wood, from the Province of
New Jersey, was appointed to assist Dr. Breynton, and he and the doctor
were jointly inducted into the parish in 1758; Dr. Breynton as rector,
and Mr. Wood as vicar or curate, to assist. Mr. W. continued at St.
Paul's until 1763, when he was removed to Annapolis Royal with the
consent of the Governor and the church wardens and vestry, when the
whole duties of the Mission at Halifax devolved upon Mr. Breynton. Mr.
B. was in the habit of officiating to the Germans in their own language.
In 1761, he preached in German and English to the small congregation in
the old Dutch church in Brunswick Street, on occasion of its being
dedicated as the church of St. George. In 1770, at the solicitation of
the Governor and Council, the Chief Justice and the congregation of St.
Paul's, he received from the University of Cambridge the degree of D.
D., to which he was entitled from his standing in the University. Early
in his ministry the Doctor established in the Town an orphan school, and
provided for the tuition of 50 poor children, through the assistance
afforded him by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Mr. Ralph
Sharrock, a discharged soldier, was his first schoolmaster. In 1776, Dr.
Breynton mentions in his report to the Society, having administered the
Lord's Supper to 500 men of the Baron de Seiltz's German regiment in
their own language "whose exemplary and regular behaviour" he says, "did
them great honour." The following extract from a document, in reference
to Dr. Breynton, said to have been written by a Dissenter, is given by
Mr. Hawkins, from the records of the Propagation Society: "As a person
who, during a residence of upwards of twenty years in this Province, has
deservedly gained the good will and esteem of men of all ranks and
persuasions. He preaches the Gospel of peace and purity, with an
eloquence of language and delivery, far beyond anything I ever heard in
America." He lived to a good old age, preserving the esteem of his
fellow townsmen to the last. He appears to have lived on terms of
Christian fellowship with the clergy of other denominations, as we find
that at the annual meeting of the Church Society, which took place in
St. Paul's in 1770, the dissenting ministers all attended at the Church
to hear the doctor preach his Visitation Sermon. One of the last acts
of his ministry was the establishment of a Sunday School in the city.
This was about 1783, perhaps a little later, and was the first Sunday
School instituted in Nova Scotia.
In the month of July, 1769, a large number of Indians, many of whom at
this time appear to have been Protestants, attended divine service in
St. Paul's Church, when prayers were read by the Reverend Thomas Wood,
in the Mic-Mac language, the Governor and many of the principal
inhabitants being present. The Indians sang an anthem both before and
after the service. Before the service began a Chief came forward, and
kneeling down, prayed for the prosperity of the Province and the
blessing of Almighty God on King George, the Royal family and the
Governor of the Province. He then rose up, and Mr. Wood, who understood
the language, at his desire explained the prayer in English to the whole
congregation. When service was ended the Indians returned thanksgivings
for the opportunity they had of hearing prayers in their own language.
In the following year Mr. Wood again performed divine service at Halifax
in the Mic-Mac language at the residence of Colonel Joseph Gorham, where
a number of Indians were assembled. He had obtained great influence with
the Indians through his friendship with the Abbe Maillard, and
particularly from his behaviour to him a little before his death. He was
in consequence frequently called on both by the Indians and French to
baptize their children and visit the sick in the absence of a priest of
their own church. In one of his letters to the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel, in 1762, he mentions having attended the Abbe
Maillard during his illness of several weeks, and at his request, the
day before his death read to him the office of visitation of the sick in
presence of many of the French, and having performed the funeral service
of the Church of England, in French, on his remains in the presence of
the principal inhabitants of Halifax and a number of French and Indians.
The Governor and all the public functionaries attended the funeral of M.
Maillard, who was highly esteemed and beloved in the community, and the
members of His Majesty's Council were the pall bearers.[42]
[Footnote 42: It must be understood that M. Maillard did not leave the
Roman Catholic Church, but there being no priest of his own persuasion
in Halifax at the time, he availed himself of the pious offices of his
friend, Mr. Wood, whom he no doubt esteemed as a good Christian.]
Mr. Wood was shortly after removed to Annapolis Royal, where he died in
the year 1778. While there he applied himself to a closer study of the
Mic-Mac language, and by assistance of papers left him by M. Maillard
was enabled to prepare a Mic-Mac grammar and dictionary. He sent the
first volume of his grammar, and a Mic-Mac translation of the Creed and
Lord's Prayer to England in 1776. He continued occasionally to minister
to the Indians in their own language until his death.
February 26th, 1769. Halifax harbour was so full of ice that vessels
could not come in, which had not been the case for (says the Gazette for
that day) ten years. The cold was intense, snow between four and five
feet deep in the woods and on the peninsula, an instance of which had
not been known for several years.
May 9th, 1769. Major Leonard Lockman died after a lingering illness in
the 73rd year of his age; he was interred under the old German church in
Brunswick Street, and a monument to his memory, with coat of arms, is
yet to be seen in that church. Major Lockman was one of the leading
settlers among the Germans. The street running between the German lots
and Water Street in the north suburbs bears his name.
In the fall of this year the town was visited by a severe gale of wind
from the S. W., which caused the destruction of much property and some
loss of life.
Among the principal merchants in Halifax in 1769, the Hon. John Butler,
uncle to the late Hon. J. Butler Dight, Robert Campbell on the Beach,
John Grant, Alexander Brymer, Gerrish and Gray appear most prominent.
Among the shopkeepers and tradesmen who advertized during the year were,
Robert Fletcher on the Parade, Bookseller and Stationer, Andrew Cunod,
Grocer, Hammond and Brown, Auctioneers, Robert Millwood, Blockmaker, who
advertized best Spanish River Coal at 30s. per chaldron.
The period between 1770 and 1776 was one of great public excitement,
emissaries from the revolted colonies were numerous, and the Governor
and Council deemed it expedient as early as 1770, to prohibit all public
meetings of a political nature.[43] The same spring the general
election took place, after which the House sat for fourteen years
without being dissolved.
[Footnote 43: Among the various exhibitions of public feeling at this
period was the erection of a gallows, on the Common, with a boot
suspended from it as a token of disapprobation of Lord Bute's
Government.]
In 1771, Governor Lord William Campbell issued a proclamation forbidding
horse races as tending to gambling and idleness.
October 8th, 1773. Governor Legge was sworn into office.
The subject of fortifying the town came under the consideration of the
Council in the following year. It was considered that the ground being
rocky in many places around the town, it would not admit of
entrenchments being made, and that the only practical fortifications
would be temporary blockhouses and palisades, and it was resolved that
the Engineers under Col. Spry do immediately proceed to fortify the Navy
Yard in that manner, which may be defended by the people of the town,
and afford a retreat for them. Any attempt at fortifying the Citadel
Hill this season was thought to be out of the question, the season being
too late, the scarcity of workmen very great, and there being no troops
for its defence.
The Governor proposed and it was agreed in Council to collect a force of
1000 men with pay and provisions, and that four companies of light
infantry now forming at Lunenburg be ordered up, and that 100 Acadians
from Clare and Yarmouth, and two light companies from Kings County do
march immediately to Halifax. The public authorities appear to have been
kept in a constant state of apprehension of invasion, while a continued
suspicion of many of the leading inhabitants being favourable to the
revolt, seemed to have taken possession of the mind of Governor Legge,
who, having differences of opinion with some of his officials,
attributed their disagreement with him on subjects of finance, etc., as
marks of disloyalty. He at length became so obnoxious to those in
authority, that it was deemed advisable to remove him from the
Government. His quarrels with Jonathan Binney, Governor Francklin and
other leading men of the town, are disclosed in the official letters and
minutes of Council of that day.
It was found necessary to remove the Military Stores to George's Island
for safety, and additional batteries were erected there. The officers of
the Town Regiment of Militia were called on to subscribe the Oath of
Allegiance before going on duty. Those who subscribed were Col. Butler,
Major Smith, Captains Vanput, Brown, Finney and Millet, Lieutenants
Pyke, Piers, Solomon, Clarke and Fletcher, Second Lieutenants Tritton,
Jacobs, Schwartz and Kerby, and Adjutant Peters. Among them we recognize
several family names, the grandsires of some of our present citizens.
Among the magistrates appointed in 1771 were Joseph Gray, John Amiel and
Captain Thompson of His Majesty's Ship Mermaid.
The bureau of Governor Legge, at the Government House, was broken open
in 1744, and a reward of L.100 was offered for the detection of the
thief.
The condition of the Orphan House, and the children therein, was
considered bad, and an order was issued for immediate steps to be taken
for its being put on a better footing.
During the winter of 1774, Sambro Light House was without light for five
successive nights in consequence of Mr. Woodmass, the contractor, not
having sent down a supply of oil, for which he was dismissed by Order of
Council.
The following year William Nesbitt, speaker of the House of Assembly,
was appointed Custos of Halifax County, and the names of Thomas Bridge
and Thomas Proctor added to the Commission of the Peace.
Col. Butler, commanding the militia force, reported that the sickness in
the town, together with the daily labour of the inhabitants, rendered it
difficult to make up the number of men ordered for the town guard, which
duty the people considered a hardship. The guard was accordingly ordered
by the Council to be discontinued.
The scarcity of provisions in the town was at this time so great that
the government found it necessary to dispatch the Snow Elizabeth to
Quebec for flour for the inhabitants.
The impressment of men for the Navy had been a great grievance; the
trade of the country was not only injured, but the town was becoming
deprived of fish and fuel in consequence of the scarcity of fishermen
and labourers. The merchants petitioned the Governor and Council on the
subject. The memorial was sent to the naval commander of the station; it
does not appear, however, that any further attention was paid to the
remonstrance.
In September, 1775, it was proposed to throw up some temporary works in
addition to the old works on Citadel Hill, and to entrench about the
naval yard. On consideration, it was thought too late in this season to
do any earth work on Citadel Hill. Col. Spry, however, proposed the
erection of Blockhouses in the neighbourhood of the town. It is probable
the old Blockhouses at Fort Needham and Three Mile House, the remains of
which are within the recollection of many of our citizens, may have been
originally constructed about this time. They were in full repair during
the war of 1812.
A continual influx of strangers from the old colonies caused Martial Law
to be proclaimed on the 30th of November of this year, and it was deemed
necessary by the Council that a proclamation should be issued requiring
all persons not being settled inhabitants of the town, who had arrived
since September, to give notice of their arrival and names to two
Magistrates, and all inn and tavern keepers were required to report
arrivals at their houses, and vessels were forbidden entering the North
West Arm without license. One thousand militiamen were ordered for the
defence of the town. The constant arrival of loyalist refugees from the
revolted colonies, during this and subsequent years, rendered provisions
scarce, and in addition to these troubles, the small-pox broke out in
the town about the middle of July. The King's troops had all been
removed from Nova Scotia to the revolted provinces, and the Governor was
informed by the home authorities that no troops could be spared, and
that the inhabitants themselves must defend the town. The town guard was
accordingly again composed of militia.
1775. The fifth General Assembly held this year its seventh session from
12th June to 20th July. Mr. Nesbitt was Speaker. Chief Justice Belcher
presided at the quarter sessions this summer, and gave a very loyal
address to the Magistrates and public functionaries present; all
Magistrates and town officers took the Oath of Allegiance. The general
feeling throughout the town appeared to have been eminently loyal; some
of the leading citizens, however, though firm in their allegiance to the
British Crown, yet thought that self government in the Colonies in
fiscal matters was the correct policy. This threw several under
suspicion; Mr. John Fillis, Mr. Malachi Salter and Mr. Smith, who were
natives of Boston, were among the number.
Mr. Legge, the Governor, proposed to raise a regiment in Halifax, to be
commanded by himself, but was unsuccessful owing to his unpopularity.
In the autumn of the previous year, a difficulty had arisen regarding
the importation of some tea, in which Mr. Smith and Mr. Fillis were
concerned; and it having been understood that Fillis had said the
measures of Government were oppressive, these two gentlemen were ordered
to be removed from all offices under Government. The year previous a
quantity of hay belonging to Joseph Fairbanks, intended for the King's
service, had been burned. Some one in Halifax sent to Boston a statement
charging Fillis and Smith as being privy to the act. They complained to
the House of Assembly, then in session, when the following resolution
was passed: That this House do esteem Mr. Fillis and Mr. Smith to be
dutiful and lawful subjects to the King, etc., and that the "House is
unanimously of opinion that the said reports are base, infamous and
false, and that the authors thereof merit punishment." The garrison
having been reinforced by King's troops, the Governor concluded on
bringing no further drafts of militia to the town.
1776. This was a memorable year for Halifax. The British forces under
General Howe having evacuated Boston, a fleet of three men-of-war and 47
transports arrived in the harbour on 30th March, with troops and a
number of inhabitants of Boston. These were followed on 1st April by
many more transports, nearly 100 in number, with the remainder of Howe's
army and a number of Loyalist refugees. Howe demanded accommodation for
200 officers and 3000 men, and about 1500 loyalists with their families,
with supplies of fresh provisions, etc. Rents of houses in the town were
consequently doubled and the town soon presented the appearance of a
military camp.[44] Many complaints appear against the soldiers for
pulling down the fences and demolishing the stone walls on the
peninsula. One Christopher Schlegall had been killed in one of the
numerous affrays with the soldiers. Three soldiers were arrested and
tried for murder, but no convictions occurred. Several persons were
called on to give security for their good behaviour in the town.
[Footnote 44: The engravings of the town published in 1777 show the
Common, west of the Citadel, and Camp Hill covered with tents, where a
large part of the troops appear to have been encamped.]
Among the events of this year was the appearance in one of the Halifax
newspapers of copies of treasonable articles from the Rhode Island and
Boston papers. The printer was brought before the Council and
reprimanded and cautioned against permitting any such publications again
to appear in his paper.
The names of the Members of Assembly for Halifax County and Town in 1776
were Wm. Nesbitt and Henry Smith, and Thomas Bridge and Joseph
Fairbanks. Mr. Fenton was still Provost Marshall with jurisdiction
throughout the province, there being then no County Sheriffs at this
time. Henry Newton was Collector of Customs at Halifax, James Burrows,
Comptroller, Lewis Piers, Gauger of Liquors, etc.
The Magistrates of the town were John Creighton, John Burbidge, Malachi
Salter, Benjamin Green, John Cunningham, George Cotnam, John Newton,
Winkworth Tonge, Jos. Desbarres, Charles Morris, Junior, George Smith,
J. Gray, Giles Tidmarsh, George Deschamps, Dan. Cunningham, Thomas
Proctor and Thomas Bridge.
The death of Chief Justice Belcher occurred this year. Mr. Morris, one
of the assistant judges, was appointed to fill the office of Chief
Justice until another should be appointed.
1777. The jail at Halifax was at this time in a very insecure condition.
Criminals were continually escaping from it, several of whom had been
found guilty of being in arms against the King. The jailor was infirm
and his wife took charge. There were no regulations enforced for
visiting the prisoners at night, and the shackles on the prisoners were
found not to be sufficient. The Provost Marshall was suspended and Mr.
Bridge appointed to act in his place.
Malcolm McIntyre, Thomas Crow, John Chalk, John Sewlock, Samuel Miller,
Robert McMullen, Tulley McKilley, Cornelius O'Brien, Thomas Whitteny,
John Cribben and John McIntyre, all fishermen of Herring Cove, were this
year rewarded for attacking and taking a shallop and apprehending seven
persons, being part of the crew of an American privateer which had been
driven on shore and destroyed by the armed brig Hope, off Canso, from
which they had made their escape in the shallop.
1778. The names of John Hosterman, Thomas Stevens and Edmund Phelan
appear as Commissioners of the Poor, John Woodin, Keeper of the Poor
House, and Thomas Brown, Schoolmaster at Halifax.
On the 13th July, 1779, the Revenge, privateer, Capt. Sheppard of
Halifax, was taken and destroyed by two American armed vessels. In
December following, H. M. Sloop-of-War North and the armed sloop St.
Helena, in coming into the harbour from Spanish River, Cape Breton, the
night being very dark and a south-east storm, were driven on shore about
a league from the light house; both were lost and 170 persons perished.
1780. This year the following gentlemen were in the Commission of the
Peace at Halifax: William Nesbitt, Winkworth Tonge, John Burbidge,
Benjamin Green, John Cunningham, John Newton, Isaac Deschamps, William
Russell, W. Phipps, J. F. W. Desbarres, Charles Morris, junior, George
Smith, Enoch Rust, Joseph Gray, Giles Tidmarsh, John Fillis, George
Deschamps, Daniel Cunningham, Thomas Proctor, Thomas Bridge, George
Sherlock and John George Pyke.
A public slaughter house was erected this year in the town and John
Woodin, senior, made keeper.
March 12, 1780. John O'Brien advertizes as keeper of the tavern known as
the Golden Ball, formerly kept by Edward Phelan. The Golden Ball was
situate at the corner of Hollis and Sackville Streets, opposite the
building now called Variety Hall, occupied by W. Harrington. The hotel
called the Pontac, at the corner of Duke and Water Streets (now Roger
Cunningham's corner) was at this time kept by one Willis. It was here
the Town Assemblies, Public Balls and Entertainments were held.
The Court House stood at the north-east corner of Buckingham and Argyle
Streets, where the store of Messrs. Northup & Sons now is. Chief Justice
Belcher presided here when first appointed. This building was, some
years after, burned down and the lot on which it stood, sold.
On the 15th January, this year, the town was illuminated and there were
great rejoicings throughout the day for the success of the British
troops in Georgia.
The Governor being informed from England that a large armament was
fitting out at Brest, it was resolved in Council that the town militia
should be called out for duty and a portion of the country militia got
ready to march to Halifax if required. General McLean, then in command
of the Garrison, was directed to put the fortifications in working
order. The Halifax militia was employed in the erection of bomb
batteries. Drafts of militia from the country came down and were
employed for three weeks on the works.
At this period the means of communication between this country and
England had been very uncertain. The intercourse of Halifax with the old
colonies having been cut off, Governor Sir Richard Hughes urged on the
British Government the necessity of a line of packets being established
between Halifax and England. Several privateers, during this and the
following years, were fitted out at Halifax to cruise in American
waters. The Revenge, Capt. James Gandy, and the Liverpool, Capt. Young,
the former mounting 30 and the latter 8 guns, sailed for Halifax early
this spring. They were accompanied by the Halifax, Robert E. Foster,
master, owned and fitted out by Alexander Brymer, one of the principal
merchants of the town.
The 18th of January being the Queen's birthday the citizens and militia
had a Ball at Willis' rooms in the Pontac.
In May, the Revenge brought in a richly laden Snow, bound from Cadiz to
Chesapeake Bay, the Blond Frigate and an armed sloop both brought in
American prizes.
For several years two large ships, the Adamant and St. Lawrence, were
regular traders between Halifax and Great Britain. They were regular in
their trips, spring and fall, and the merchants of Halifax depended
chiefly on them for their supplies of British merchandize.
A government armed vessel called the Loyal Nova Scotian, and several
other small vessels, were kept to cruise off the mouth of the harbour to
prevent surprise from the pirates and privateer cruisers which infested
the coast. Several were captured and brought into Halifax during this
and the two following years.
In May, 1779, an election for the County took place in Halifax. John
George Pyke and Francis Boyd were the candidates. Pyke was returned.
General McLean left Halifax in June with a force for the reduction of
Penobscot. In August, a squadron, consisting of several men-of-war and
some merchant vessels, among which were the Adamant and St. Lawrence,
sailed from Halifax for his relief. The town continued to be infested
with Press Gangs for the ships of war. The inhabitants complained to the
Governor and Council. Several riots on the wharves having occurred in
consequence of the press, proclamation was issued demolishing all
impressments except under the sanction of the Governor and Council.
October 26th, 1780. The committee of the House of Assembly, at this
date, reported the sum of L.1500 to be granted for the erection of a
"proper and convenient building in the town for a public school, and a
sum not exceeding L.100 per annum for a master, and L.50 for an usher when
the number of scholars shall exceed forty." The trustees were to be five
in number, to be appointed annually by the government, and the L.1500 was
to be raised by lottery. This lottery was carried into effect, but the
building does not appear to have been erected. How the proceeds of the
lottery were disposed of is not mentioned. The Halifax Grammar School
had its origin from this proceeding. It was established in the old
building at the corner of Barrington and Sackville Streets, from which
it has only lately been removed to the private residence of the Rev.
Doctor Gilpin, the Head Master. This building was originally occupied as
a place for the meeting of the Legislature, and was previously at one
time used as a Guard House. It appears to have undergone very little
alteration since 1780, until sold a year or two ago. It is one of, if
not the oldest building in the city, except St. Paul's Church, and the
old Dutch Church on Brunswick Street. The Rev. William Cochran,
afterwards Vice-President of King's College, was the first head master.
He was succeeded by the Rev. George Wright, who was Garrison Chaplain
and minister of St. George's. On his death, in 1819, the Rev. John
Thomas Twining received the appointment. He retired from the school in
1848, when the Rev. Edwin Gilpin, succeeded him.