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Foreign News
January 16, 1808
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 1807, the Council and House of Representatives addressed Lieutenant Governor Sir John Wentworth, expressing regret for his illness, support for militia mobilization amid US tensions, and commitment to governance. He replied appreciatively. Inhabitants addressed departing Vice Admiral George Cranfield Berkley, praising his naval protection of commerce and loyalty to Britain against US threats; he responded gratefully.
Merged-components note: These two components continue the same foreign news story from Halifax, N.S., covering government addresses and a public meeting, in sequential reading order.
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HALIFAX, (N. S.) Dec. 15.
On Tuesday last his majesty's council waited on his excellency the lieut. Governor, with the following address, in answer to his speech at the opening of the present session of the General Assembly:
To his excellency Sir John Wentworth, bart. L. L. D. lieutenant governor and commander in chief in and over his majesty's province of Nova Scotia, and its dependencies, &c. &c.
BY ORDER OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL.
His majesty's council beg leave to return your excellency their thanks for your speech, delivered at the opening of this session of the general assembly; and to assure you that they deeply lament the afflicting circumstance which has prevented your meeting them in person on this occasion.
At the same time, that they sincerely regret the existence of any differences between his majesty's government, and that of the United States of America, threatening an interruption to the harmony and good understanding which have so long, and so happily subsisted between the two countries: they cannot but most cordially approve of those salutary measures of precaution, and of aid to the garrison, which your excellency has thought proper to adopt, by calling out a proportion of the militia into actual service: and confident as they are of the courage, zeal and tried loyalty of that respectable body, they will most cheerfully concur in every measure for promoting their comfort, when on duty, during the severity of the approaching winter.
Convinced as they are, with your excellency, of the propriety and expediency of rendering perpetual such of the temporary laws as have been found, by experience, to be useful and advantageous to the public interests, they will readily unite in any measure for that purpose.
Your excellency may rely upon the concurrence of his majesty's council in making an adequate provision for the support of his majesty's government for the ensuing year; and upon their sincere and zealous endeavors, by cultivating a spirit of moderation, harmony and diligence in their deliberations, to promote the welfare and true interest of the province: well assured that for these important purposes they will meet with your excellency's most cordial support.
To which his excellency was pleased to return the subsequent reply:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Council,
I return you my best acknowledgments, for your obliged address, from which I derive great consolation in my severe domestic affliction.
I feel so highly sensible of and most perfectly confident in your intentions to promote and expedite every measure for the king's service and prosperity of the province; more especially so, in this time of dubious appearances, when the best energies are indispensably necessary to be in active preparation and instant readiness for exertion.
J. WENTWORTH.
Government House, December 8, 1807.
On Wednesday the representative body, presented the subsequent address to his excellency, in reply to his speech at the opening of the session:
To his excellency sir John Wentworth, bart. L. L. D. lieutenant Governor and commander in chief, in and over his majesty's province of Nova Scotia, and its dependencies, &c. &c.
The address of the House of Representatives in General Assembly:
May it please your Excellency—
We his majesty's faithful commons of Nova Scotia, respectfully assure your excellency of our sincere sorrow for the great domestic affliction which prevented your excellency's presence at the opening of this session of the general assembly; but we feel our sorrow much alleviated by cherishing the hope that your indisposition hastens to a favorable termination.
The differences between his majesty's government and that of the United States of America, which have rendered necessary the calling into actual service a proportion of the militia of the province, not being yet accommodated, the assembly will deliberate on your excellency a recommendation of the grant of a sum of money to provide warm cloathing for the men who may be employed during the winter.
When the public accounts shall have been examined, and the state of the revenues ascertained, we shall cheerfully grant those supplies which the exigencies of the government, and his majesty's service, may require for the ensuing year.
We shall cause a careful revision to be made of the temporary laws, and shall consider the expediency of rendering perpetual such of them as have long been tried, and appear to be of public utility, & we shall strive to conduct the business of the session with moderation and dispatch.
HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY:
Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
I am much obliged in your address, & feel great consolation in your kind considerations of my domestic affliction & friendly wishes for it's relief.
I am also truly sensible of the wise intentions you express towards his majesty's service, and that you will further manifest it, in zealous endeavors to promote the interests and safety of this province, at this eventful crisis, which most indispensably demands the animated energy and liberality of every faithful heart.
J. WENTWORTH.
On Saturday last a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, was held at the court house, to consider of an address to the hon. vice admiral Berkeley, on his approaching departure from this station—when the following gentlemen were appointed to prepare an address accordingly—viz. the hon. Andrew Belcher, the hon. Edward B. Brenton. Brenton Hulliburton, James Fraser, and John Black, esquires.
The address was prepared, signed and presented to the admiral at 2 o'clock yesterday, it is as follows:
To the hon. George Cranfield Berkley, vice admiral of the white, and commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels on the North American station.
THE ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF HALIFAX.
SIR,
We have heard with extreme regret, that you intend sailing from this port in a few days, and that it is probable you will return to England without revisiting us; and, though we earnestly hope that this report may prove unfounded, we cannot permit you to depart without assuring you that you carry with you the most sincere good wishes of the inhabitants of this town.
The urbanity and hospitality you have displayed during the short time you have resided among us, will long be a subject of pleasing recollection. The moderation, judgment and attention with which you have directed that part of the public service more immediately connected with our commerce; the readiness with which you have granted convoys for its protection, and the disposition you have uniformly manifested to refrain from incommoding it by any unnecessary impressment of our mariners, have ensured you our esteem and respect; and we beg you to believe, that we regard you as a real friend and encourager of this infant colony.
It belongs to that government, whose decisions we are bound to treat with respect & obedience, to pass its opinion upon the most prominent feature of your conduct as commander in chief on this station: but feeling that the security, peace, and happiness we have enjoyed during a period in which almost the whole civilized world has been desolated by the arms of a nation, as powerful as it is ambitious and unprincipled, are chiefly owing to the heroic exertions, & high character of that profession to which you have the honor to belong, we cannot omit expressing our approbation of the principles upon which you have acted, as these blessings would soon vanish if a neighboring country is permitted to give so vital a stab to our navy, as to seduce from our service, and receive into theirs, the seamen which compose its strength.
If, unfortunately for us, the report of your final departure from this station should prove true, and we are now to bid you farewell, we beg leave to express to you our earnest hope, and confident expectation, that your recall will only be for the purpose of placing you in a situation where your abilities can be more actively exerted for the benefit of your country; and to assure you of our most ardent wishes for a long continuance of health to yourself and your amiable and exemplary family; for a safe and pleasant passage to your native country; and that the favor and approbation of your sovereign may there attend you.
Halifax, 14th December, 1807.
To which he returned the following answer:
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA.
Dock Yard, Halifax, N. S. 14th Dec. 1807.
GENTLEMEN—Highly gratified as any individual must be, in receiving the approbation of so respectable a body as the inhabitants of this place: I cannot but feel more sensible of their partiality, from the particular circumstance alluded to in the address I have been honored with this day; a circumstance which, although it may unfortunately deprive me of much valuable society and of those means, by which I can best testify my gratitude to this province, will never raise a blush on my cheek; and I have the satisfaction to think, when the causes are properly known and understood, that my endeavors to promote and defend the dearest interests of my country, and to support the dignity and honor of its flag, will meet with that approbation which you have stood forward in bestowing: and while I have so convincing a testimony of the rectitude of my conduct, as that with which this province has honored me, I shall feel that period, a proud one, in which I am called to account; the triumph of equity and justice, must have its day, and when that day comes, the first sensation of my heart, will be gratitude and affection to this colony and its inhabitants.
If however, my recall from this command should not be determined upon, and that I shall again have the happiness of returning among you, it will be, with a renewed gratification from a due sense of your partial opinion of my conduct; and although I can scarcely feel more pleasure than I have done in executing my trust, with fidelity, and to the approbation of a loyal people, yet that satisfaction will be considerably enhanced in my mind, if my exertions can contribute to the increase of your commerce, your prosperity and your general happiness. And I remain,
Gentlemen,
With great truth and esteem,
Your very faithful and obliged friend
And humble servant,
G. C. BERKLEY.
On Tuesday last his majesty's council waited on his excellency the lieut. Governor, with the following address, in answer to his speech at the opening of the present session of the General Assembly:
To his excellency Sir John Wentworth, bart. L. L. D. lieutenant governor and commander in chief in and over his majesty's province of Nova Scotia, and its dependencies, &c. &c.
BY ORDER OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL.
His majesty's council beg leave to return your excellency their thanks for your speech, delivered at the opening of this session of the general assembly; and to assure you that they deeply lament the afflicting circumstance which has prevented your meeting them in person on this occasion.
At the same time, that they sincerely regret the existence of any differences between his majesty's government, and that of the United States of America, threatening an interruption to the harmony and good understanding which have so long, and so happily subsisted between the two countries: they cannot but most cordially approve of those salutary measures of precaution, and of aid to the garrison, which your excellency has thought proper to adopt, by calling out a proportion of the militia into actual service: and confident as they are of the courage, zeal and tried loyalty of that respectable body, they will most cheerfully concur in every measure for promoting their comfort, when on duty, during the severity of the approaching winter.
Convinced as they are, with your excellency, of the propriety and expediency of rendering perpetual such of the temporary laws as have been found, by experience, to be useful and advantageous to the public interests, they will readily unite in any measure for that purpose.
Your excellency may rely upon the concurrence of his majesty's council in making an adequate provision for the support of his majesty's government for the ensuing year; and upon their sincere and zealous endeavors, by cultivating a spirit of moderation, harmony and diligence in their deliberations, to promote the welfare and true interest of the province: well assured that for these important purposes they will meet with your excellency's most cordial support.
To which his excellency was pleased to return the subsequent reply:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Council,
I return you my best acknowledgments, for your obliged address, from which I derive great consolation in my severe domestic affliction.
I feel so highly sensible of and most perfectly confident in your intentions to promote and expedite every measure for the king's service and prosperity of the province; more especially so, in this time of dubious appearances, when the best energies are indispensably necessary to be in active preparation and instant readiness for exertion.
J. WENTWORTH.
Government House, December 8, 1807.
On Wednesday the representative body, presented the subsequent address to his excellency, in reply to his speech at the opening of the session:
To his excellency sir John Wentworth, bart. L. L. D. lieutenant Governor and commander in chief, in and over his majesty's province of Nova Scotia, and its dependencies, &c. &c.
The address of the House of Representatives in General Assembly:
May it please your Excellency—
We his majesty's faithful commons of Nova Scotia, respectfully assure your excellency of our sincere sorrow for the great domestic affliction which prevented your excellency's presence at the opening of this session of the general assembly; but we feel our sorrow much alleviated by cherishing the hope that your indisposition hastens to a favorable termination.
The differences between his majesty's government and that of the United States of America, which have rendered necessary the calling into actual service a proportion of the militia of the province, not being yet accommodated, the assembly will deliberate on your excellency a recommendation of the grant of a sum of money to provide warm cloathing for the men who may be employed during the winter.
When the public accounts shall have been examined, and the state of the revenues ascertained, we shall cheerfully grant those supplies which the exigencies of the government, and his majesty's service, may require for the ensuing year.
We shall cause a careful revision to be made of the temporary laws, and shall consider the expediency of rendering perpetual such of them as have long been tried, and appear to be of public utility, & we shall strive to conduct the business of the session with moderation and dispatch.
HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY:
Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House of Representatives,
I am much obliged in your address, & feel great consolation in your kind considerations of my domestic affliction & friendly wishes for it's relief.
I am also truly sensible of the wise intentions you express towards his majesty's service, and that you will further manifest it, in zealous endeavors to promote the interests and safety of this province, at this eventful crisis, which most indispensably demands the animated energy and liberality of every faithful heart.
J. WENTWORTH.
On Saturday last a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, was held at the court house, to consider of an address to the hon. vice admiral Berkeley, on his approaching departure from this station—when the following gentlemen were appointed to prepare an address accordingly—viz. the hon. Andrew Belcher, the hon. Edward B. Brenton. Brenton Hulliburton, James Fraser, and John Black, esquires.
The address was prepared, signed and presented to the admiral at 2 o'clock yesterday, it is as follows:
To the hon. George Cranfield Berkley, vice admiral of the white, and commander in chief of his majesty's ships and vessels on the North American station.
THE ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF HALIFAX.
SIR,
We have heard with extreme regret, that you intend sailing from this port in a few days, and that it is probable you will return to England without revisiting us; and, though we earnestly hope that this report may prove unfounded, we cannot permit you to depart without assuring you that you carry with you the most sincere good wishes of the inhabitants of this town.
The urbanity and hospitality you have displayed during the short time you have resided among us, will long be a subject of pleasing recollection. The moderation, judgment and attention with which you have directed that part of the public service more immediately connected with our commerce; the readiness with which you have granted convoys for its protection, and the disposition you have uniformly manifested to refrain from incommoding it by any unnecessary impressment of our mariners, have ensured you our esteem and respect; and we beg you to believe, that we regard you as a real friend and encourager of this infant colony.
It belongs to that government, whose decisions we are bound to treat with respect & obedience, to pass its opinion upon the most prominent feature of your conduct as commander in chief on this station: but feeling that the security, peace, and happiness we have enjoyed during a period in which almost the whole civilized world has been desolated by the arms of a nation, as powerful as it is ambitious and unprincipled, are chiefly owing to the heroic exertions, & high character of that profession to which you have the honor to belong, we cannot omit expressing our approbation of the principles upon which you have acted, as these blessings would soon vanish if a neighboring country is permitted to give so vital a stab to our navy, as to seduce from our service, and receive into theirs, the seamen which compose its strength.
If, unfortunately for us, the report of your final departure from this station should prove true, and we are now to bid you farewell, we beg leave to express to you our earnest hope, and confident expectation, that your recall will only be for the purpose of placing you in a situation where your abilities can be more actively exerted for the benefit of your country; and to assure you of our most ardent wishes for a long continuance of health to yourself and your amiable and exemplary family; for a safe and pleasant passage to your native country; and that the favor and approbation of your sovereign may there attend you.
Halifax, 14th December, 1807.
To which he returned the following answer:
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA.
Dock Yard, Halifax, N. S. 14th Dec. 1807.
GENTLEMEN—Highly gratified as any individual must be, in receiving the approbation of so respectable a body as the inhabitants of this place: I cannot but feel more sensible of their partiality, from the particular circumstance alluded to in the address I have been honored with this day; a circumstance which, although it may unfortunately deprive me of much valuable society and of those means, by which I can best testify my gratitude to this province, will never raise a blush on my cheek; and I have the satisfaction to think, when the causes are properly known and understood, that my endeavors to promote and defend the dearest interests of my country, and to support the dignity and honor of its flag, will meet with that approbation which you have stood forward in bestowing: and while I have so convincing a testimony of the rectitude of my conduct, as that with which this province has honored me, I shall feel that period, a proud one, in which I am called to account; the triumph of equity and justice, must have its day, and when that day comes, the first sensation of my heart, will be gratitude and affection to this colony and its inhabitants.
If however, my recall from this command should not be determined upon, and that I shall again have the happiness of returning among you, it will be, with a renewed gratification from a due sense of your partial opinion of my conduct; and although I can scarcely feel more pleasure than I have done in executing my trust, with fidelity, and to the approbation of a loyal people, yet that satisfaction will be considerably enhanced in my mind, if my exertions can contribute to the increase of your commerce, your prosperity and your general happiness. And I remain,
Gentlemen,
With great truth and esteem,
Your very faithful and obliged friend
And humble servant,
G. C. BERKLEY.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Naval Affairs
Diplomatic
What keywords are associated?
Nova Scotia Assembly
Lieutenant Governor Address
Militia Mobilization
Us Tensions
Vice Admiral Berkeley
Naval Protection
Halifax Inhabitants Address
What entities or persons were involved?
Sir John Wentworth
George Cranfield Berkley
Andrew Belcher
Edward B. Brenton
Brenton Hulliburton
James Fraser
John Black
Where did it happen?
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Event Date
December 1807
Key Persons
Sir John Wentworth
George Cranfield Berkley
Andrew Belcher
Edward B. Brenton
Brenton Hulliburton
James Fraser
John Black
Outcome
support expressed for militia mobilization and naval protection amid us tensions; addresses and replies affirm loyalty, governance provisions, and commendation of admiral's conduct; no casualties reported.
Event Details
The Council and House of Representatives of Nova Scotia presented addresses to Lieutenant Governor Sir John Wentworth, regretting his illness, approving militia call-up due to US differences, committing to perpetual useful laws, government support, and moderation in deliberations. He replied thanking them and urging readiness. Inhabitants met to address departing Vice Admiral Berkley, praising his urbanity, commerce protection, convoy grants, minimal impressment, and naval principles against US seduction of seamen; wishing him well. He replied expressing gratitude and defending his conduct.