Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

21 November 1806

Petition of John Henderson, mason, of Halifax, who contracted to build a stone arch and repair the Sackville bridge before the 1st September, 1806. "That your Petitioner proceeded in the work, and on Saturday the 23rd day of August, had actually so far completed the Arch, that not more than ten feet square remained to close it, and which would have been closed and finished at noon on the following Monday, if the work had not been impeded. That on Sunday the twenty-fourth and during the whole of the following Night, so great a body of Water fell in Rain, as to raise the River to height unknown before for many years; in consequence of which large Quantities of Logs, Brush and Hay from the neighbouring Meadows ledged against the Centre and the Arch being, (as before stated) incomplete the whole Fabrick gave way and fell." Commissioners would not allow him to go on with his contract, the time limit having been reached before the flood subsided. "Your Petitioner humbly submits that when the accident happened the work was in sufficient forwardness to have been completed before the time limited to his Contract expired; that the misfortune happened in consequence of a visitation from Heaven; and at a Season of the year when such floods, as he is informed have never before been known, by the oldest Inhabitants of this Province." Prays release from contract and "such other relief towards his losses" as the House sees fit to provide. Signed.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 13 number 61