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16 - History of New Brunswick by Peter Fisher · History of New Brunswick

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Speaker 1: Section sixteen of History of New Brunswick. This LibriVox recording
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Speaker 1: is in the public domain recording by Roger Moline. History
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Speaker 1: of New Brunswick by Peter Fisher, Section sixteen, Appendix number one,
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Speaker 1: Speech of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor at the meeting
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Speaker 1: of the General Assembly at fredericton February first, eighteen twenty five.
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Speaker 1: Mister President, and Gentlemen of His Majesty's Council, Mister Speaker
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Speaker 1: and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, I have much
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Speaker 1: satisfaction in meeting the Legislature of New Brunswick. I am
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Speaker 1: well persuaded that you will continue to promote and support
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Speaker 1: the interests and institutions of the province in a manner
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Speaker 1: that will not fail to receive from me that ready
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Speaker 1: and cordial concurrence, which it will be my greatest pleasure
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Speaker 1: to bestow upon all measures that may be calculated to
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Speaker 1: advance the public good. It affords me great pleasure to
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Speaker 1: have it in my power to congratulate you on the
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Speaker 1: very prosperous state of the provincial finances. The revenue of
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Speaker 1: the last exceeds greatly that of any former year and
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Speaker 1: yields a large surplus beyond the charges incurred within the
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Speaker 1: corresponding period. Mister Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,
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Speaker 1: I shall direct the Treasurer's accounts to be laid before you.
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Speaker 1: I rely upon your making the usual provisions for the
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Speaker 1: ordinary services of the province, and I am happy to
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Speaker 1: acquaint you that the state of the treasury is such
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Speaker 1: as to enable you to provide for other objects of
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Speaker 1: public interest and utility to which your bounty has already
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Speaker 1: been extended, and also to promote other important services, which
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Speaker 1: I shall hereafter bring before you, Mister President, and Gentlemen
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Speaker 1: of His Majesty's Council, Mister Speaker and Gentlemen of the
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Speaker 1: House of Assembly, watching assiduously over the public interests, I
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Speaker 1: shall have to submit to you by message various measures
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Speaker 1: which it will be necessary to bring under your consideration
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Speaker 1: in the course of the session. But whilst I reserve
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Speaker 1: matters of detail for that mode of communication, important considerations
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Speaker 1: and general views which require to be fully and forcibly
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Speaker 1: put to the country, and which could not be properly
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Speaker 1: treated in partial or very concise form, render it expedient
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Speaker 1: on this particular occasion to lay before you such a
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Speaker 1: statement of public affairs as may embrace generally all interests,
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Speaker 1: and leave nothing in doubt as to our real situation
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Speaker 1: in the more important branches of our well being. I
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Speaker 1: have a great pleasure in stating to you that I
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Speaker 1: find the affairs of the Province to be generally in
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Speaker 1: a very prosperous condition. It will be useful, however, to
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Speaker 1: observe closely how far this prosperity depends upon adventitious circumstances,
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Speaker 1: and in what degree it rests upon our own inherent
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Speaker 1: means and resources. For it is necessary to contemplate the
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Speaker 1: condition in which the country might be placed by alterations
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Speaker 1: in such of her transactions as may be deemed precarious
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Speaker 1: to feel with due effect the necessity which I earnestly
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Speaker 1: represent of attending zealously to those internal resources which are
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Speaker 1: not of that uncertain description. The trade of the province
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Speaker 1: is at present very active, but much of that activity
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Speaker 1: depends obviously upon external circumstances, on the permanency of which
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Speaker 1: it were imprudent to continue to stake so exclusively the
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Speaker 1: well being of the country. It will be prudent, therefore,
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Speaker 1: to endeavor to open channels by which we may make
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Speaker 1: our commerce more general, consequently less precarious, and particularly to
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Speaker 1: establish and improve commercial intercourse with our sister colonies, taking
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Speaker 1: from them what we require. We may make returns by
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Speaker 1: some important operations of our industry, and particularly by the
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Speaker 1: proceeds of an advantageous trade, which this transaction would greatly extend,
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Speaker 1: contributing thus to each other's wants in a way mutually
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Speaker 1: beneficial and in a union of interests, promoting and consolidating
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Speaker 1: strong and lasting ties. Other channels for commercial operations of
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Speaker 1: very advantageous natures invite us to cultivate with increased activity
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Speaker 1: that rich source of wealth, one of our natural advantages
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Speaker 1: which our fisheries present. These, if rendered more productive, will
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Speaker 1: afford us great additional facilities in trade with the new
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Speaker 1: States of South America. And there are favorable openings in
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Speaker 1: the liberal policy of the present times which should incur
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Speaker 1: or just to cultivate by every means commercial intercourse with
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Speaker 1: those states. By your wisdom and bounty, the fisheries have
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Speaker 1: been improved on remote parts of the coasts of British America.
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Speaker 1: But I recommend you to consider whether the home or
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Speaker 1: coast fisheries might not be brought more under the fostering
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Speaker 1: and stimulating influence of your bounty by some extension of
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Speaker 1: its provisions. The main branch of our manufacturing industry, ship building,
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Speaker 1: has increased prodigiously, and is now carried on to an
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Speaker 1: extent beyond that of any former period. But it is
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Speaker 1: submitted to your consideration whether it is not accompanied by
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Speaker 1: some disadvantageous circumstances which detract vastly from the great value
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Speaker 1: it might be made to produce and to leave in
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Speaker 1: the province, and for which I have no doubt you
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Speaker 1: will adopt prudent remedies that will render this branch of
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Speaker 1: industry more staple as well as more beneficial. Vast sums
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Speaker 1: are sent from this province in specie for the purchase
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Speaker 1: of foreign agricultural produce. This enormous burthen, operating in fact
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Speaker 1: as a tax raised by foreign industry on our food,
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Speaker 1: contributes to raise high above the rate of surrounding countries
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Speaker 1: the wages of labour here, and to lay the province
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Speaker 1: under corresponding difficulty and disability in every branch of its industry.
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Speaker 1: It comes home to us grievously in various forms in
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Speaker 1: every operation of our domestic and political economy. And I
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Speaker 1: appeal to your wisdom, to your patriotism, to the real interests,
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Speaker 1: and to the public spirit of the country, for zealous
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Speaker 1: cooperations in the measures and exertions necessary to relieve the
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Speaker 1: province from this most serious difficulty. Agricultural, emigrant and other
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Speaker 1: societies should be encouraged to extend and exert their influence
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Speaker 1: in every way that can tend to promote, improve, circulate
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Speaker 1: and distinguish the modes and means most favorable to augment
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Speaker 1: the production of subsistence. By such means, too, we may
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Speaker 1: reasonably expect soon to possess a population sufficient for the
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Speaker 1: operative parts of all other branches of industry. And when
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Speaker 1: these several operations shall all be executed by British subjects
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Speaker 1: and British colonists, the province will feel and exhibit in
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Speaker 1: her condition the good effects of having closed those drains
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Speaker 1: that have long carried off much capital which otherwise would
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Speaker 1: have been laid out in the merchants, stores, in the
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Speaker 1: cultivation of the soil, and in other productive enterprises of
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Speaker 1: vast advantage. Large sums have been expended on the great
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Speaker 1: roads of this province, but their condition shows the inefficiency
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Speaker 1: of the present system in appropriation and execution rises chiefly
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Speaker 1: from having tried too much, and in such attempts dispersing
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Speaker 1: limited means to superficial and endless labour on works far
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Speaker 1: too numerous and costly to be all substantially improved. At
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Speaker 1: the same time, such appropriation, therefore should be made of
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Speaker 1: the sums which may be allotted to the great roads,
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Speaker 1: as may ensure effectual exertion upon them in succession and
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Speaker 1: in the order of their importance, and at the same
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Speaker 1: time preclude those partial and general alterations in the lines
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Speaker 1: of roads from which vast sums of public money have
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Speaker 1: been uselessly expended. The public service has been exposed to
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Speaker 1: very serious inconvenience by irregularities incident to the present line
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Speaker 1: of communication between the seat of Government and the city
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Speaker 1: of Saint John. To remedy this, whatever it may be
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Speaker 1: necessary to do in other times and seasons, I earnestly
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Speaker 1: recommend the expediency of completing some such a communication with
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Speaker 1: Saint John for a winter traveling and post road, as
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Speaker 1: may not be subject to those serious interruptions and dangers
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Speaker 1: to which the present line must always be exposed during
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Speaker 1: the greater portion of the year. Fully impressed with the
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Speaker 1: importance of attending to the efficiency of the militia. I
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Speaker 1: have derived much satisfaction from what I have witnessed of
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Speaker 1: their appearance and public spirit. The militial law will have
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Speaker 1: to pass under your revision generally, and I recommend the
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Speaker 1: amendment of those clauses which press so severely upon the
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Speaker 1: militiamen in regard to the distance of travel to their drill,
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Speaker 1: and also with respect to age at unnecessary cost of
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Speaker 1: time and inconvenience to the people. I earnestly recommend to
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Speaker 1: your continued patronage the several institutions for the education of
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Speaker 1: our youth, and I may have occasion hereafter to recommend
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Speaker 1: measures for giving security and encouragement to those provident institutions
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Speaker 1: which I am happy to acquaint you have been established
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Speaker 1: in this province under very promising circumstances, highly advantageous to
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Speaker 1: the country. I have great satisfaction in acquainting you that
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Speaker 1: our most gracious Sovereign has condescended to patronize the College
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Speaker 1: of New Brunswick with his gracious favor, and to bestow
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Speaker 1: a grant from his royal revenues in this province to
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Speaker 1: place that institution upon a very improved establishment, and I
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Speaker 1: rely upon such gradual provision being made hereafter. In addition
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Speaker 1: to your last vote, as may enable the Governor and
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Speaker 1: Trustees to proceed in the erection of a suitable building,
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Speaker 1: His Majesty's Secretary of State has further dispensed the grace
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Speaker 1: and favour of the Crown in a manner that cannot
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Speaker 1: fail to be duly and fully appreciated, and to sustain
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Speaker 1: those principles of attachment and loyalty which distinguish the origin
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Speaker 1: and course of this colony. In addition to the provision
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Speaker 1: made for the Madras schools generally, and to that of
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Speaker 1: the African School at Saint John, I recommend some provisions
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Speaker 1: for a similar establishment at the seat of Government, to
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Speaker 1: bring more generally within the influence of these excellent institutions
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Speaker 1: a portion of the human race to whom we owe kindness,
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Speaker 1: charity and benevolence, and for whom we should provide religious,
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Speaker 1: moral and industrious education. In the very prosperous condition which
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Speaker 1: the affairs of this province may now permanently take. I
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Speaker 1: perceive that the period has arrived for entertaining enlarged views
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Speaker 1: and scope of system necessary to supersede some very disadvantageous circumstances,
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Speaker 1: which should be gradually corrected, and to raise the province
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Speaker 1: to that consideration, value and importance which it will soon
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Speaker 1: assume if the management of its affairs proceed upon sound
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Speaker 1: views and estimates of her truth situation, and be conducted
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Speaker 1: according to fixed and solid general principles. But great misery
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Speaker 1: and embarrassment may be inflicted on young and advancing countries
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Speaker 1: if disturbed by doubts or exposed to quick transitions arising
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Speaker 1: from different schemes of temporizing policy. And I desire to
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Speaker 1: point out the errors and dangers of all contingent measures
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Speaker 1: and pursuits made only to comply with chant circumstances, temporary interests,
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Speaker 1: and adventitious excitements. To that solid course, then, which may
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Speaker 1: best embrace all of those interests of which the public
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Speaker 1: good is made up, and upon which the permanency of
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Speaker 1: your prosperity depends, I shall endeavor to look and on
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Speaker 1: it encourage the exertions of the whole population to push
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Speaker 1: their special interests with spirit and enterprise, under the sober
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Speaker 1: guidance of general measures calculated to produce a steadyess, healthfulness,
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Speaker 1: and solidity of progress, which, under Divine blessing and the
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Speaker 1: powerful and enlightened protection of our parent State, will gradually
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Speaker 1: conduct this happy province to a very high degree of
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Speaker 1: value and prosperity. At a general meeting of the members
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Speaker 1: of the Legislature and other respectable gentlemen from all parts
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Speaker 1: of the Province, assembled in one of the Committee rooms
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Speaker 1: of the House of Assembly on Thursday, the seventeenth of
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Speaker 1: February eighteen twenty five, by request of the Lieutenant Governor
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Speaker 1: to take into consideration some propositions to be submitted by
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Speaker 1: his Excellency Relating to the improvement of agriculture, etc. In
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Speaker 1: this province, when his Excellency was pleased to open the
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Speaker 1: proceedings of the meeting with the following speech. The purpose
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Speaker 1: for which I have caused this meeting to be convened
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Speaker 1: is of the first importance to the country, and I
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Speaker 1: am delighted to find myself surrounded on this occasion, as
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Speaker 1: I hope to be on every occasion, by those distinguished
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Speaker 1: persons from whose station stake and consideration in the country,
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Speaker 1: I may expect the most powerful aid in promoting the
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Speaker 1: great objects I have in view. If we are all
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Speaker 1: fully impressed with the expediency and necessity we are under
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Speaker 1: each in our several stations of doing all that may
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Speaker 1: depend upon us to accomplish the purposes which I am
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Speaker 1: now to bring more particularly under your consideration. The purpose
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Speaker 1: for which we are met is to inquire whether some
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Speaker 1: encouragement and excitement may not be applied to agricultural pursuits
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Speaker 1: to operate discreetly and gradually, in a manner to relieve
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Speaker 1: the country from the great difficulty in disability under which
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Speaker 1: it is laid by the vast sums which we pay
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Speaker 1: for our food, and from the very disadvantageous effects which
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Speaker 1: this produces on the cost of labour and consequently in
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Speaker 1: os all branches of our industry. Under ordinary circumstances, the
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Speaker 1: high price occasioned by deficiency in the supply of any
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Speaker 1: article in general demand operating as a premium upon increased
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Speaker 1: production has a direct and natural tendency to remedy its
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Speaker 1: own evils. This, in fact, is an effect which is
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Speaker 1: working here, though slowly, to cure the malady of which
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Speaker 1: we complain. And if other branches of industry were not
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Speaker 1: in an excited, forced, and somewhat unnatural condition, it would
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Speaker 1: be unnecessary, superfluous, or perhaps disadvantageous to interfere with the
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Speaker 1: sources and currents of supply, which ultimately accommodate themselves in
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Speaker 1: the most advantageous and fittest way to meet demand. But
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Speaker 1: these are peculiarities in the circumstances of this country, which
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Speaker 1: must appear very obvious to all persons who have correct
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Speaker 1: notions of the extent of her business and deep compared
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Speaker 1: with the limited population and capital we possess, which, occasioning
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Speaker 1: powerful competitions in other branches, would appear to demand some
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Speaker 1: additional encouragement and adventitious aid to draw labor and capital
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Speaker 1: in greater quantities to the cultivation of the soil. To
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Speaker 1: consider properly the best modes and means by which we
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Speaker 1: may augment the production of subsistence, it will be proper
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Speaker 1: to resolve the question into the consideration of the elements
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Speaker 1: of production viz. Labor, capital, and land, and to inquire
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Speaker 1: in what way we can give to those constituent parts
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Speaker 1: of production the facilities and encouragement they require to compete
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Speaker 1: with other branches, which are obviously under the influence of
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Speaker 1: adventitious excitement. With respect to land, we possess it in
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Speaker 1: abundance and in quality, ready to yield what we may,
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Speaker 1: in a judicious manner, require of it. And it will
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Speaker 1: be one of my main objects to endeavor to lay
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Speaker 1: open to agricultural pursuits extensive tracts which have long been
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Speaker 1: locked up in reserved superabundance. This measure has in one
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Speaker 1: case been heretofore sought and petitioned for, but it was
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Speaker 1: not accorded to at that time in consequence of doubts
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Speaker 1: entertained by His Majesty's government as to the value of
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Speaker 1: the standing produce of that land for other purposes. But
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Speaker 1: it is an advantage arising from a late appointment to
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Speaker 1: a high situation in the province, that powers are given,
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Speaker 1: subject to certain conditions and regulations, which I may sanction
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Speaker 1: to throw open portions of those reserves to meet the
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Speaker 1: improving circumstances of the country. And this will be speedily
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Speaker 1: observed in a way that will open considerable tracts of
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Speaker 1: valuable land to the operations of agriculture. Proceeding next to
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Speaker 1: the concer iteration of capital, it has appeared to me
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Speaker 1: to be very desirable that some new measure should be
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Speaker 1: taken with a view to attract the enterprises of capitalists,
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Speaker 1: not only to the cultivation of fresh tracts, but likewise
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Speaker 1: to that of the waste lands of the province generally.
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Speaker 1: And I entertain the intention of bringing this proposition under
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Speaker 1: the consideration of the high authorities elsewhere upon whom this
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Speaker 1: will depend. But the creation and accumulation of small capitals
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Speaker 1: sufficient to enable the workingman to enter with advantage on
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Speaker 1: the cultivation of a grant of land of the usual
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Speaker 1: extent is a matter in degree and practicability much within
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Speaker 1: the influence of our own measures, And it becomes therefore
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Speaker 1: subject of very fit consideration. For this meeting, composed of
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Speaker 1: so many distinguished persons, who, returning soon to their respective countries,
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Speaker 1: may give information respecting those institutions which are constituted and
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Speaker 1: likely I trust to be protected to provide for the
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Speaker 1: safe custody and accumulation of the small savings of the
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Speaker 1: industrious classes of society. The greater part of such accumulations
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Speaker 1: may be considered as funds rescued from unproductive consumption, to
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Speaker 1: be laid out productively in various important branches of industry.
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Speaker 1: And whilst therefore, in this view, the provident institutions deserve
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Speaker 1: encouragement from all classes. They more particularly suggest to the
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Speaker 1: gentlemen acting in the different emigrant and agricultural societies, and
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Speaker 1: to the employers of agricultural labors generally, the cooperation which
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Speaker 1: may be expected from savings banks in encouraging by enabling
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Speaker 1: all industrious persons soon to enter with advantage on the
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Speaker 1: cultivation of the soil as proprietors of land. The poor emigrant,
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Speaker 1: for instance, who comes to the destitute of pecuniary means,
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Speaker 1: and who should always be met and welcomed with a
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Speaker 1: great deal of charitable attention and protection, should be told
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Speaker 1: that to enter in the laborious enterprise of clearing a
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Speaker 1: lot in the wilderness without capital would be to entangle
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Speaker 1: himself in very considerable difficulty. The best course which such
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Speaker 1: a person can pursue would be to avail himself of
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Speaker 1: the assistance which it should be a main object of
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Speaker 1: all emigrant societies to provide, to procure advantageous employment in
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Speaker 1: which to acquire experience of the climate, habit of labor,
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Speaker 1: and best modes of culture, and whilst acquiring these, to
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Speaker 1: accumulate his savings in the savings banks in the manner
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Speaker 1: that any person who is not burdened with the large
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Speaker 1: family may soon do in farm service in summer and
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Speaker 1: in other pursuits in winter. This object will perhaps be
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Speaker 1: best person ensued by the emigrant societies in the different parts,
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Speaker 1: taking active measures to become acquainted with the circumstances and
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Speaker 1: description of emigrants, so soon as they arrive and entering
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Speaker 1: in a book their names, age, trade or occupation, objects,
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Speaker 1: and the means they may possess of pursuing these. From
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Speaker 1: those entries of the circumstances and condition of the individuals,
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Speaker 1: emigrant societies would be competent to give them counsel and protection.
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Speaker 1: If the emigrant's desire should be to agricultural pursuits, which
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Speaker 1: will commonly be the case, but that he has no
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Speaker 1: capital to commence with, he should be advised to put
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Speaker 1: himself to farm service, and his attention should be drawn
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Speaker 1: to the facilities which savings banks provide for receiving, securing
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Speaker 1: and augmenting his savings. If this measure meet concurrence in
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Speaker 1: its objects and practicability, it will be received as an
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Speaker 1: appeal to the agriculturists of the country to keep correspondence
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Speaker 1: with the nearest emigrant societies for the purpose of procuring
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Speaker 1: laborers of their recommendation. But although it may not be
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Speaker 1: expedient for a person without capital to enter at once
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Speaker 1: on the cultivation of his tract, yet it appears to
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Speaker 1: me that some inducement should be applied to excite his
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Speaker 1: industry by a prospect of an advantageous location, so soon
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Speaker 1: as he finds himself capable of undertaking it. And in
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Speaker 1: this view I see no difficulty in the arrangement, and
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Speaker 1: on the other hand, great public advantage in securing for
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Speaker 1: persons thus working for their capital locations upon the lots
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Speaker 1: they may prefer, subject to a condition that within one
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Speaker 1: year the emigrant society in whose books they may be
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Speaker 1: registered report favorably of their proceedings in a manner to
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Speaker 1: give fair expectation that at the end of a further
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Speaker 1: short period they should be able to enter upon their
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Speaker 1: location and pay a proportion of their fees, in aid
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Speaker 1: of which the society should provide some donation or loan.
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Speaker 1: But when the emigrant has pecuniary means or is resolved
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Speaker 1: to enter at once on his land, the emigrant societies
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Speaker 1: will be enabled to let him choose his situation in
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Speaker 1: the plans of unoccupied lots reserved for emigrants, which plans
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Speaker 1: will for this purpose be transmitted to the emigrant societies,
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Speaker 1: and to whose recommendations a quick return of location tickets
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Speaker 1: will be made. And I am happy to say that
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Speaker 1: this measure will be observed and promoted with much ability
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Speaker 1: and zeal by the distinguished persons on whom it will
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Speaker 1: severally depend. When we reflect that one of the greatest
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Speaker 1: difficulties under which we labor in accomplishing the great purpose
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Speaker 1: of independence with respect to our food, arises from the
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Speaker 1: want a working population sufficient for all operative parts of
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Speaker 1: our industry, and consequently the very high rate of wages
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Speaker 1: and food which lays the agriculturist under disadvantages of the
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Speaker 1: most serious description. In a climate where the productive powers
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Speaker 1: of the earth are so long dormant, we must all
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Speaker 1: concur in the necessity of aiding societies by whose means
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Speaker 1: so many able hands can be procured, and for want
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Speaker 1: of properly supporting which so many have passed to a
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Speaker 1: foreign land. An increased competition or supply of labour, then
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Speaker 1: will be much influenced by arrangements such as I have indicated,
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Speaker 1: whilst in its modes intelligence and material means, it may
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Speaker 1: be greatly promoted by agricultural societies. These under the designation
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Speaker 1: of Agricultural and Emigrant societies, I should wish to see
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Speaker 1: formed in every county in the province, and sub societies
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Speaker 1: organis under them to carry their benefits to all parts
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Speaker 1: of the country. I trust indeed that ere you depart,
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Speaker 1: the foundation, or rather the reorganization of such a system,
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Speaker 1: will be completed. And I call upon the gentlemen of
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Speaker 1: distinction from the different counties who are now present, to
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Speaker 1: concur in this measure, and when they return to their
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Speaker 1: respective counties, to engage to organize such societies to be
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Speaker 1: composed of persons who would be most likely to cooperate
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Speaker 1: in this great purpose. I feel confident that whenever society
25:35
Speaker 1: shall be so organized in any county, they will meet
25:39
Speaker 1: the provision which I trust will be made by the
25:41
Speaker 1: liberality of the country for their support and efficiency. And
25:46
Speaker 1: I perceive with much satisfaction that the public spirit of
25:50
Speaker 1: the country is, in many parts exhibiting itself in the
25:53
Speaker 1: form and for the purpose which we contemplate for general adoption,
25:59
Speaker 1: for the purpose of improving, circulating and distinguishing the modes
26:03
Speaker 1: and means most favorable to increased production, and of drawing
26:07
Speaker 1: to a focus that information which it may be desirable
26:11
Speaker 1: to possess here in the seat of government. For myself
26:14
Speaker 1: and for you. It will be proper that some provision
26:18
Speaker 1: should be devised for the laborious part of that purpose,
26:21
Speaker 1: which will depend upon a secretary, who should be appointed
26:25
Speaker 1: to manage the correspondence of the Central Committee to report
26:29
Speaker 1: proceedings to the General Meeting. The General Meeting should be
26:33
Speaker 1: composed of all members of the Legislature, of all presidents
26:38
Speaker 1: and vice presidents of county societies, and of all member
26:42
Speaker 1: subscribers in the regulated amount. The Central Committee should be
26:47
Speaker 1: named in the General Meeting to carry on the correspondence
26:50
Speaker 1: during the recess and to arrange the general accounts. But
26:55
Speaker 1: the appropriation of public funds should be made direct to
26:58
Speaker 1: the County Society and subject only to the audit of
27:02
Speaker 1: the Central Committee. These reports will thus exhibit a general
27:07
Speaker 1: statement of the sums expended and whether commensurate progress has
27:11
Speaker 1: been made in the improvement of agricultural implements, machinery, modes
27:16
Speaker 1: of culture, augmentation of production and breed of cattle, all
27:21
Speaker 1: of which should be under the influence of these meetings
27:26
Speaker 1: with views such as these. So soon as I discovered
27:30
Speaker 1: in studying your affairs the disabilities and difficulties which the
27:34
Speaker 1: province might have to contend with from deficiency in the
27:37
Speaker 1: supply of food, and aware that it would require pecuniary
27:41
Speaker 1: means on my part to put into activity the plans
27:45
Speaker 1: which I then formed and now lay before you, I
27:49
Speaker 1: submitted to His Majesty's Secretary of State the importance of
27:53
Speaker 1: sanctioning a small grant from the funds at the disposal
27:57
Speaker 1: of the Crown to meet the liberality and public spirit
28:01
Speaker 1: with which I am persuaded elsewhere and everywhere the great
28:06
Speaker 1: object now under our consideration will be supported. I have
28:11
Speaker 1: great satisfaction in showing how readily this has been dispensed.
28:16
Speaker 1: I will read the terms of it, and hasten to
28:18
Speaker 1: say that the use I shall make of it will
28:21
Speaker 1: be to place a sum which I hope will be annual,
28:25
Speaker 1: at the disposal of those county societies that are or
28:29
Speaker 1: may be organized to meet the views which I here
28:32
Speaker 1: lay before you. In communicating this grant from His Majesty's
28:38
Speaker 1: revenue to the agricultural societies, it is, however, my duty
28:43
Speaker 1: to state that the continuation of this grant for future
28:46
Speaker 1: years will depend upon the report which I may have
28:50
Speaker 1: in my power to make of the advantages which it
28:52
Speaker 1: may have produced, and these will mainly depend upon the
28:56
Speaker 1: liberality and zeal with which this provision is second in
29:00
Speaker 1: the country generally. The society having been formed and organized,
29:06
Speaker 1: the President communicated to the meeting that he had received
29:10
Speaker 1: a message from his excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, that it
29:14
Speaker 1: was his intention to attend the meeting in person to
29:17
Speaker 1: communicate his sentiments on their proceedings and his acceptance of
29:21
Speaker 1: the office of patron. Whereupon his Excellency entered, and, having
29:26
Speaker 1: taken the chair, addressed the society as follow mister President,
29:32
Speaker 1: Vice President, and Gentlemen of the Agricultural and Emigrant Society.
29:38
Speaker 1: I evinced the satisfaction and cordiality with which I receive
29:42
Speaker 1: your address by placing myself in this chair as your
29:45
Speaker 1: patron on the very instant the distinguished seat is offered
29:49
Speaker 1: to me, and the first sentence I shall deliver from
29:53
Speaker 1: it is to assure you that my most zealous exertions
29:57
Speaker 1: shall be used to promote the great objects we have
30:00
Speaker 1: in view in every way that may depend upon me
30:04
Speaker 1: I am gratified for the present, sanguine and confident for
30:08
Speaker 1: the future when I look around me and perceive the
30:11
Speaker 1: distinguished persons of whom the society is composed, and the
30:15
Speaker 1: interest which it has excited. And it is particularly pleasing
30:19
Speaker 1: to me to find myself supported by the distinguished person
30:22
Speaker 1: whom you have placed in the President's chair. I congratulate you, gentlemen,
30:28
Speaker 1: upon such an election, and myself on having such coadjutors.
30:33
Speaker 1: The agricultural and emigrant societies being now about to go
30:37
Speaker 1: into immediate and as I hope, successful operation, it may
30:42
Speaker 1: not be useless to express to you, and through you,
30:45
Speaker 1: to convey to the public some appeals to those exertions
30:49
Speaker 1: which will be required to realize the benefits which we
30:52
Speaker 1: here contemplate, and for attaining which the course is now
30:57
Speaker 1: so clear. This fine and as I have hitherto found
31:02
Speaker 1: it happy province is advancing rapidly, with growth, almost exuberant,
31:08
Speaker 1: to a station the real intrinsic character and condition of
31:11
Speaker 1: which in other times will depend mainly upon the manner
31:15
Speaker 1: in which we who are now directing its affairs. In
31:19
Speaker 1: certainly a critical period of its advancement, when it is
31:22
Speaker 1: daily developing its resources and forming its system may discharge
31:27
Speaker 1: our several duties by doing all that may depend upon
31:31
Speaker 1: us to train, sustain, and correct the principles, habits and pursuits,
31:36
Speaker 1: and to regulate the exertions by which, unquestionably it may
31:41
Speaker 1: be conducted to a state of great prosperity. To consider
31:45
Speaker 1: these duties with reference to all the obligations we owe
31:48
Speaker 1: to the country in the several branches which contribute to
31:52
Speaker 1: its most political and statistical progress, would lead us away
31:56
Speaker 1: far beyond the sphere of our present purpose. I shall
32:00
Speaker 1: therefore only consider the duties we have to fulfill in
32:04
Speaker 1: regard to the institutions now completely organized. The several purposes
32:10
Speaker 1: contemplated by those institutions call upon us to promote habits
32:14
Speaker 1: of frugality, domestic economy, and useful industry, as training a
32:19
Speaker 1: rural population to settle and labor on the soil, and
32:23
Speaker 1: to assist them so to exert themselves in the modes
32:26
Speaker 1: and means of culture, as to improve our agricultural condition,
32:31
Speaker 1: to make us more independent, at least for our food,
32:35
Speaker 1: and subsequently to set free other branches of industry which
32:38
Speaker 1: are now under great disability. The foundation of systems which
32:43
Speaker 1: may produce such benefits has now been laid. I have
32:47
Speaker 1: had much satisfaction in recommending and promoting them. My views
32:52
Speaker 1: have been cordially and ably seconded everywhere. The measures they
32:56
Speaker 1: call for have now been adopted, and they have been
33:00
Speaker 1: liberally endowed by the legislature with pecuniary means to animate
33:04
Speaker 1: and quicken the system. The Savings Bank Bill, the organization
33:10
Speaker 1: and endowment of the body I now address open to
33:13
Speaker 1: the industrious classes of society and to the interests of
33:17
Speaker 1: the country generally. A distinct view of the progress that
33:21
Speaker 1: may be made from foundations laid first in habits of
33:25
Speaker 1: frugality in domestic economy, onwards through moral and provident conduct,
33:31
Speaker 1: to security and accommodation, productive application, improvement in agriculture, increase
33:39
Speaker 1: of population, competition in labor, encouragement and development of industry,
33:45
Speaker 1: and augmented production. The acts and the system of this
33:49
Speaker 1: session have laid the foundation of much improvement to the
33:53
Speaker 1: country on solid grounds and seeds which should blossom hereafter
33:59
Speaker 1: are planted in the fertile soil. But whether the superstructure
34:04
Speaker 1: is to be raised or them seeds are to spring,
34:07
Speaker 1: depends not on those who have labored on the foundation
34:11
Speaker 1: or who have provided the means that may quicken the process.
34:16
Speaker 1: Whether the Savings Bank Bill or this most admirable institution
34:20
Speaker 1: are to be effectual in doing good depends upon the
34:24
Speaker 1: degree of public spirit with which our exertions here may
34:28
Speaker 1: be supported and extended in the country. Generally, all public
34:33
Speaker 1: institutions live only by public spirit in any country, but
34:38
Speaker 1: this is particularly the case in young countries, where man
34:42
Speaker 1: owes to fellow man a greater contribution of his concern
34:45
Speaker 1: and of his aid. Look at the progress of an
34:48
Speaker 1: individual case. When a settler goes singly to encounter the
34:53
Speaker 1: difficulties and the labor of a solitary location in an
34:57
Speaker 1: unsettled district, and with the out of his own brow,
35:01
Speaker 1: to shelter his family and to clear space to receive
35:04
Speaker 1: the seeds which are to yield his immediate subsistence. We
35:08
Speaker 1: all know what fortitude, power and time are required to
35:12
Speaker 1: accomplish such beginnings. But should he undertake his enterprise on
35:16
Speaker 1: a site near to where former settlers have experienced such difficulties,
35:21
Speaker 1: the recent sense brings to his aid the little community
35:25
Speaker 1: to labor for him, and by the exertions of that
35:28
Speaker 1: public he is speedily established in a way that he
35:32
Speaker 1: might never have accomplished by his own solitary powers. This
35:37
Speaker 1: is public spirit. So may it be with the edifices
35:41
Speaker 1: we are now raising. They are, in some respects partially
35:46
Speaker 1: and in others wholly new settlers in this country, and
35:51
Speaker 1: they are well deserving of public exertion to complete the
35:54
Speaker 1: useful fabric we are here entirely dependent upon public space.
36:01
Speaker 1: What can these systems do without it? They would languish
36:05
Speaker 1: from this day and might expire even in their cradle. This,
36:10
Speaker 1: I do trust will never happen. I know not how
36:13
Speaker 1: long I may be the witness of their progress. But
36:17
Speaker 1: sure I am that the intensity of interest which I
36:19
Speaker 1: feel in this province, and which I have imbibed paternally
36:24
Speaker 1: for the success of these institutions which I have been
36:27
Speaker 1: instrumental in bringing forward, will always be felt with such
36:31
Speaker 1: solicitude as shall give me pleasure in their success, but
36:36
Speaker 1: which from that very interest will suggest reproach. If which
36:40
Speaker 1: cannot be, they should fail from want of public exertion.
36:46
Speaker 1: But remember that time, labor, and arrangement, and management must
36:51
Speaker 1: be contributed gratuitously for the chief offices of these institutions.
36:56
Speaker 1: I am confident that those sacrifices will be cheerfully tendered
37:00
Speaker 1: by the public spirit of the country in a way
37:03
Speaker 1: that shall produce advantage to it and reflect everlasting credit, honor,
37:09
Speaker 1: and substantial enjoyment upon the patriotic persons who may offer
37:13
Speaker 1: their aid. It cannot fail to do so. For the
37:18
Speaker 1: man who feels the real impulses of public spirit is
37:21
Speaker 1: usually the happiest, because he is the best of beings.
37:26
Speaker 1: Public spirit contains in it every laudable passion and every
37:31
Speaker 1: fine affection. It comprehends our duties toward our parents, to
37:36
Speaker 1: our kindred, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our
37:41
Speaker 1: fellow man in every degree, and to everything deared a
37:44
Speaker 1: mankind in the public institutions formed of them. Public spirit
37:50
Speaker 1: is the highest of virtues and affords the highest degree
37:53
Speaker 1: of satisfaction, steadfast in good, purpose, fidelity and trust, impartial
38:01
Speaker 1: to all, a passion to promote universal good with personal
38:06
Speaker 1: labor pains, and the sacrifice of every selfish feeling to
38:11
Speaker 1: endeavor to maintain society in peace, tranquility, plenty, and security.
38:17
Speaker 1: It is, in short, as I feel it, one man's
38:21
Speaker 1: care for the many, and as you I am persuaded,
38:25
Speaker 1: feel it the concern of every man for the good
38:29
Speaker 1: of all. This sentiment binds us together in the pursuit
38:33
Speaker 1: of public advantage, to a cooperation from which I am
38:36
Speaker 1: convinced none will shrink in any difficulty which these institutions
38:42
Speaker 1: may have to encounter. And onward let us go with
38:45
Speaker 1: the determination that when we meet again in this place,
38:49
Speaker 1: we may receive and record reports which shall prove that
38:54
Speaker 1: our schemes have prospered. I have now the pleasure to
38:59
Speaker 1: announce that from the funds which His Majesty's Secretary of
39:02
Speaker 1: State has put at my disposal from the King's casual revenue,
39:07
Speaker 1: I shall appropriate twenty five pounds to each of the
39:10
Speaker 1: county societies for the present year, subject to the regulations
39:15
Speaker 1: and conditions already established. And I will not fail to
39:20
Speaker 1: intercede for continuance of this royal bounty if I can
39:23
Speaker 1: report success in our labors. End of Section sixteen. Recording
39:31
Speaker 1: by Roger Moline