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To the Honorable the General Assembly of Nova Scotia, now convened at Halifax.

      The Petition of the Reverend Robert Willis, D.D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, on behalf of the Colored People in Halifax.

      Humbly Sheweth,

      That for some years past there has been an anxious desire among many persons in this community, which was particularly encouraged by the Right Honorable Lady Sarah Maitland, to make some provision for a suitable education of the People of Color in Halifax, the number of whose Children, under sixteen years, now amounted to three Hundred.

      That in pursuance of this charitable object, Contributions to the amount of Eighty Pounds Currency, have been obtained in Halifax; and to the amount of Two hundred and thirty five Pounds, Sterling, in England.

      That a convenient lot of Ground, in the Centre of the Colored Population, has been purchased, at an expence (sic) of Seventy Pounds Currency; and a School House erected thereon and completely finished, at an expence of Three hundred and eighty three Pounds Currency:—That the Building contains a convenient School Room, and sufficient and comfortable apartments for the Master and Mistress, who have been selected with great care, and are particularly well qualified by their attainments, benevolence, and pious and exemplary character, for the charge they have undertaken.

      That the School was opened at the commencement of the present year, and in one month, Fifty three daily Scholars, and Ninety nine Sunday Scholars were admitted;—which number will probably be greatly increased, when more can be received; as it has been judged necessary to the perfect organization of the School, and its good order and regularity, that Scholars should be received only in the first week of January, April, July and October.

      That all the cost of the Ground and Building has been paid, with the exception of a balance of Eighty Pounds, due to the Carpenter and Mason.