Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

13 January 1807

Letter from Michael Wallace, acting commissioner for building the new Government House to the Speaker on the subject of his accounts. "as the Accounts relating to this Building and my Agency therein, are drawing to a close; it is my first and earnest Wish, that if any doubts have heretofore arisen, or now appear on the face of the vouchers, as to the justness and fairness of the Accounts, either as they respect the Public, or individuals with whom I have had transactions during the Course of this undertaking, they may be made known to me, so as to put in my power, while parties are yet alive, and to be come at, - at acquit myself!...Having a proper sense of the Confidence that has been reposed in me by the Legislature in the Annual Grants of money for carrying on this Work, I feel it an incumbent duty to satisfy the public mind in the fullest manner that the funds placed in my hands have been apply’d to the purposes intended , and to the best of my Judgement. – And, that I have never, from the moment the first pick ax was put in the ground, to the present hour, received any advantage or emolument whatever, directly or indirectly by the disbursement of the public money for this service." "While I regret that this Building has exceeded the expence originally Contemplated, I receive much Consolation in the reflexion, that no exertions or assiduity of mine, or those acting with me have been wanting, unceasingly for upwards of seven years, to accomplish it on the strictest principles of Oeconomy; and also when I consider, that no other public service of the Province has been delayed or abated, nor its resources affected during the progress of this object; and that the money has all be expended amongst His Majesty’s Subjects in the Province fairly & with impartiality – I flatter myself every liberal mind will view the subject with candour, and receive Satisfaction in seeing a Building erected in this comparatively infant province, equall’d by few, perhaps exceeded by none in the Western Hemisphere and worthy of the Capital of this Important and highly favour’d British Colony." (Holograph)

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 9