Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

30 November 1809

Petition of Robert Pagan and other inhabitants of the district of Pictou describing the impressing of Edward McCray and Matthew Allen while they were going peacefully about their own affairs. "Your Petitioners have the fullest Confidence in the Justice and Humanity of Our most Respected Governor Sir George Prevost and in his uniform disposition to guard his Majesty’s Subjects in this highly favored Colony from Oppression; and they trust that the Honorable House, upon investigating the Facts involved in this affair, will take such way to make them known to his Excellency as may seem to them most proper, Earnestly soliciting, That the Honorable House, whose Duty it is, to watch over all attempts to destroy our Liberties, will institute an inquiry and minute investigation of this iniquitous Transaction and take such measures as may cause two of their fellow subjects to be restored to their Liberty; and direct punishment upon all the Members of this illegal Conspiracy and finally to prevent the recurrence of such unprincipled and malicious outrages in future." Signed with 42 names. Attached is certificate of the magistrates to the truth of the petition.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 16 number 38