**

Chesapeake, which surrendered; and out of which several English deserters were taken, one of whom was tried by a court-martial, and hanged at Halifax.

The war commenced on the part of the Americans, by a squadron of the United States ships chasing and firing into his majesty's ship Belvidera, on board of which the captain and eighteen seamen were wounded and two killed. Letters of marque were soon after granted; and the privateers fitted out from the ports of Nova Scotia were very successful in making captures. Eastport was taken, in July 1816, by a squadron commanded by Sir Thomas Hardy, and the 102d regiment, and a detachment of artillery from Nova Scotia; and in August following, an expedition, commanded by Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, sailed from Halifax for Castine, on the river Penobscot, which immediately surrendered. The John Adams, an American frigate, which lay at anchor in the harbour, was set on fire, to prevent her falling into the hands of the English. Machias soon after surrendered; and the militia and inhabitants of the coast, about one hundred miles in extent, on agreeing not to bear arms against his majesty during the war, were not further molested. This district of country was restored to the United States by the treaty of Ghent.

Whatever want of gallantry and bravery may be attributed to the American soldiers, during the last war, and which, no doubt, arose from the absence of discipline and subordination-for no one can charge the Americans generally with cowardice-they cer

tainly displayed no want of heroism and bravery in their naval actions. They fought as if determined to evince that they had not degenerated from the stock they grew from, and as if proud to have an opportunity to prove the same by personal prowess and moral courage.

The most brilliant action perhaps on record, is that between his majesty's frigate Shannon, and the United States frigate Chesapeake, which only lasted eleven minutes.

Neither were there wanting instances of polite observance and humane consideration. The frontier inhabitants of Maine, being aware that carrying on hostilities against the frontier inhabitants of New Brunswick would answer no purpose but the destruction of private property and the calamity of private families, expressed their disposition not to enter into such warfare; and the governor of Nova Scotia issued his proclamation, forbidding the subjects of his majesty in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to injure those on the frontiers of Maine. The bodies of Captain Lawrence and Lieutenant Ludlow of the Chesapeake, who were buried at Halifax, were also allowed to be disinterred, during the war, and carried to Salem, and afterwards to New York, where they were re-buried with great pomp and solemnity. Mr Munro, the president, ordered that no British vessel going to the station at Sable Island should be molested.

Sir John Coape Sherbrooke was promoted to the chief command in Canada in 1816. His administra

tion was altogether distinguished by great and useful measures. No man's integrity could be more inflexible, nor could any governor be more indefatigable in all public duties. The legislature of Nova Scotia voted L.1000 for purchasing a sword, to be presented to him.

The Earl of Dalhousie, who succeeded to the government, held the administration until 1820, when he was appointed to the government of Canada.

His administration was exceedingly agreeable to the people of Nova Scotia, and his conciliating manners, and amiable, benevolent disposition, made him generally beloved. The excellent character of the amiable Countess of Dalhousie, will also be long remembered in Nova Scotia. During his lordship's administration, the central board of agriculture was formed at Halifax; he founded Dalhousie College; and the agricultural resources of the country, under his patronage, first began to be properly appreciated. He also granted L.1000 of the Castine fund, to establish a library for the use of the army at Halifax. On his departure, the House of Assembly granted L.1000 for the purchase of a sword and star for his lordship.

Sir James Kempt, who succeeded Lord Dalhousie in Nova Scotia, and afterwards, in September 1828, in Canada, is considered to be better acquainted with -business in detail, than any of his predecessors. From the time he entered upon the administration of Nova Scotia, the agriculture, trade, and general prosperity of the province, have maintained a regular and thri

ving progress; and various undertakings, connected either with the internal improvement of the colony, the encouragement of agriculture, or whatever may be considered beneficial to the common and general interests of the country, have been accomplished, or are in the progress of being completed.

Cape Breton was re-annexed to the province; a bank established at Halifax; a commercial society, and chamber of commerce founded; the cutting of the Shubenacady Canal commenced; Courts of Session formed in the counties; a line of packets established between Halifax and Liverpool; and a South Sea whale-fishery commenced, during Sir James Kempt's government.

Scotia.

Sir Peregrine Maitland, lately lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, is the present governor of Nova His administration, although yet of too short duration to justify an opinion, seems to be mild, just, and agreeable to the inhabitants.

The people of Nova Scotia have, perhaps more than those of any other British colony, united earnestly with their governors in carrying forward and accomplishing any measure of public utility which they undertook; and to this co-operation may, great measure, be ascribed the absence of political difficulties, and the harmony for which this province has been so long and so justly distinguished.

in a

From the foregoing pleasing retrospect of its government I have to advert, with great pain, to intelligence that I have since received of a most serious misunderstanding-I hope I am right in naming it

such-between the Legislative Assembly and Council, which arose from a novel right claimed by the latter in money bills, and by which the usual provincial revenue has, for the present year, been lost to the colony. If ministers determine that the Legislative Council shall arrogate to itself more than it constitutionally can, the measure will be the cause of general discontent throughout the colonies; and if the representative legislature of Nova Scotia has erred, it has done so agreeably to the immemorial usage of the British House of Common's.

Three years ago, the council of Prince Edward Island attempted to claim much the same right in money bills as that which has lately been assumed by the council of Nova Scotia, and the opinion of Mr Huskisson, then secretary of state for the colonies, was, that the council was claiming a privilege to which it had no right whatever. This opinion set the matter at rest in that colony; and it is to be hoped that the same example will be adopted to restore tranquillity to the legislature of Nova Scotia. On every other subject of importance, the most perfect and cordial understanding prevails between the different branches of the legislature; and the members of each house, who are generally men of ability and education, will likely, before long, wave the observance of mere formal privileges when the public good is at hazard.*

* Note D.