Some Account of the Public Life of the Late Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart Part 13

_Address from the Inhabitants of Halifax, p. 12._

_To His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._

"Sir,

"Your Excellency intending shortly to leave this Province, the inhabitants of Halifax cannot omit expressing to you their unfeigned regret on the occasion, and, at the same time, testifying their grat.i.tude for the many real benefits which the province has derived from your short administration of the government.

"We have often been induced to come forward to manifest our esteem for many valuable and respectable characters, who have filled high stations in this country, for it has been our good fortune to have had many men of tried worth at the head of the civil, naval, and military departments here; but believe us, Sir, we use not the language of flattery, when we say, that we have never felt more sincere regret, than for your departure from us.

"Equity has been the ruling principle of your administration, and the most unremitting attention to public business its invariable practice: your indefatigable zeal carried you into the most remote parts of the province, and you became early acquainted with our situation and our wants. The confidence with which you inspired the legislative body, induced them to provide ample supplies for the different branches of the public service.

The wisdom with which they have been appropriated, equals the liberality with which they were granted, and must produce extensive and permanent benefits to the country at large.

"Your ears have been open to the pet.i.tioners of every cla.s.s, and your ready attention to their wants and their claims, has left no cause for complaint.

With the sentiments of affectionate and respectful regard which you have excited in our b.r.e.a.s.t.s--while we deplore our loss, we cannot but derive consolation from the justly merited honours that cause your removal.

"We consider your appointment to the supreme command of British North America, as an earnest of the blessing which His Majesty's subjects, on the western side of the Atlantic, are to enjoy under the government of the august personage, the anniversary of whose birth we this day a.s.semble to commemorate. At this critical period, when the prejudices and misguided councils of a neighbouring nation render it not improbable that we may be called upon to defend the invaluable privileges of Englishmen, it must be a source of satisfaction to every loyal subject, that His Royal Highness, in the name of our venerable sovereign, has entrusted the defence of these colonies to an officer, who has so frequently proved himself worthy of commanding British colonies. May he ever, Sir, be thus influenced in his nominations to offices of great trust and high responsibility, by the merit of those on whom they are to be conferred. We thank you for your condescension in permitting your portrait to be taken and left with us. It will be a perpetual memorial of a personage, whose public conduct and private virtues have been so beneficial and endearing to His Majesty's subjects in this province.

"You go, Sir, to a more exalted station; but you cannot go where you will be more beloved or respected. In taking our leave of you, permit us to a.s.sure you of our warmest wishes, that every blessing may be yours, and every happiness attend your amiable and exemplary lady, and each individual of your excellent family.

"_Halifax, 12th August, 1811._"

No. XX.

_Addresses from the Clergy of Nova Scotia, &c. &c. to Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c.

&c. p. 12._

"Sir,

"Although the clergy of the established church of Nova Scotia most cordially join in the general tribute of respect, which is now offered to your Excellency; and very largely share in the sincere regret, so universally excited by your intended departure from this province; the important benefits which you have rendered to the sacred objects of our profession, by your Excellency's exertions in their behalf, impel us to a more particular expression of our grat.i.tude, and our grief.

"Your Excellency has a claim upon the best acknowledgments we can offer, for every mark of respect to our office, and every condescending attention to ourselves, that we could receive at your hands; accompanied by continual endeavours to promote the cause of literature and religion in this colony.

"Through your Excellency's attentive kindness, and your representations to the throne, the most benevolent a.s.sistance has been extended to our churches, and in every part of the province they are now receiving improvement and enlargement. While our dutiful and affectionate grat.i.tude is directed towards the royal source of these great benefits, we cannot be wanting in warm and grateful respect, for the channel through which they have been obtained.

"Nor are we under less obligation, for the uniform and exemplary attention of your Excellency, and your family, to the public and private duties of religion. You will permit us, Sir, though duly sensible of your other numerous and distinguished merits, to consider this among the brightest ornaments of your character. It supplies us with most gratifying evidence, to an important truth, that the ablest and best servants to their King and country, must be sought among those who are most faithful to their G.o.d.

"Feeling as we do the extensive and peculiar benefits of your Excellency's residence among us, it is impossible that we should not have the deepest regret for your departure. But it will be our duty to seek for alleviation for our sorrow, in grateful recollection of the benefits we have already received, and in humble hope that the influence of your example will remain, when we can no longer enjoy the advantages of your presence. We have unfeigned satisfaction also, in the increased honours, and more extensive command, to which you are called, by the discerning favour of your Prince; and we shall have much comfort in reflecting, that although your Excellency will be advanced from the particular charge of this province, we shall still have the happiness of being under your general government.

"Permit us to a.s.sure you, Sir, that our sincerely affectionate respect and esteem will ever follow you; and that our fervent prayers are now offered, and will be long continued, for every blessing to yourself and family; for every honour you can now enjoy; and for unfading glory when all the honours of the world shall have pa.s.sed away."

"_Halifax, Aug. 15th, 1811._"

_His Excellency's Reply._

"I received with sentiments of peculiar satisfaction, the address of the Right Reverend the Bishop and the clergy of Nova Scotia.

"My fervency in that important cause they especially promote, renders their favourable consideration of my government, an act at once gratifying for the past, and encouraging for the future, under whatever situation my sovereign's commands may place me. I am well aware, that if our revered and pious King could investigate the course of my administration in this province, there is no part of it which would ensure me his royal favour, equal to the testimony with which I am honoured in this address.

"GEORGE PREVOST."

"_Government House, 15th August._"

_Halifax, August 19._

The following addresses were presented to his Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart. last week.

_The Address of the Council to his Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart.

Lieut.-Governor of Nova-Scotia, &c. &c. &c._

"Sir,

"His Majesty's Council cannot take leave of your Excellency at this Board, without an expression of those sentiments which they cordially feel upon the painful eve of your departure.

"The general regret of the province upon this occasion, pervading every cla.s.s, and flowing from the purest of sources, must afford you, Sir, the most satisfactory evidence, that you have lived here in the hearts of His Majesty's subjects;--and that you have well merited the affection they manifest: to us who have had the honour of a closer communication with your Excellency, and have, thus, become intimately acquainted with your talents and your virtues, you have been more perfectly known;--by us, you will of course be doubly regretted.

"We early discovered your vigilance, and energetic zeal for the good of the province,--your acute discernment of its best interests,--your perseverance in the pursuit of every object that could lead to its welfare,--and your unwearied attention to its minutest concerns;--we soon discovered that excellent understanding, which has so well fitted you to govern, and that integrity and independence, which have rendered your government so beloved, and so respectable.

"It is, however, to these talents and virtues, that we are to impute our present loss;--the discerning mind of our excellent Prince has called you to a higher appointment, and our fellow subjects of a sister colony will have the satisfaction of receiving that boon, with which we are now parting;--we have a consolation, however, in reflecting, that we are still to remain within the influence of your valued abilities, and that we may feel the effects of their spirited exertions, in a contiguous, and more extensive quarter of the British empire;--wherever your duties, civil or military, may call you, to the cabinet as a statesman, or to the field as a soldier, we are confident you will deserve well of your country, and justify, to the fullest extent, the very high opinion upon which your preferment has been founded.

"As your council,--with whom you have ever advised, upon terms of the most unreserved candour and harmony,--as your friends,--with whom you have ever a.s.sociated, upon terms of the most affectionate condescension; we, Sir, with feelings of the purest regret,--and with the sincerest wishes for the welfare of yourself and your family,--earnestly bid you farewell."

_Answer._

"Gentlemen,

"The expressions of general esteem and approbation, with which I have been honoured, concurring with the sentiments of His Majesty's Council, is a circ.u.mstance peculiarly gratifying to me. You, gentlemen, are intimately acquainted with the principles upon which my conduct has been founded, others can only judge from the effects produced by the measures pursued during my administration.

"If my endeavours in the public service have been successful, I may ascribe much of that success to the able a.s.sistance I have received from you.

"Your advice, ever springing from a perfect knowledge of the true interests of the province, a due regard to the just rights of the people, and a zealous attachment to His Majesty's person and government, has enabled me to accomplish objects of much promise to the future prosperity of this province.

"Having expressed the obligations I feel on public ground, I am not the less sensible of those of a personal nature.

"I shall ever reflect with satisfaction on the happy state of our intercourse during the period of my administration.--It is, therefore, with feelings of the sincerest regard, I repeat your farewell.

"GEORGE PREVOST."

"_Government House, 16th Aug. 1811._"