Voices of the People

Nova Scotia House of Assembly Petitions and Correspondence

26 February 1813

Memorial of Jonathan Graham and other innkeepers complaining of being obliged to lodge militiamen on the march. "That in times past when Meat and other provision were Cheapest and in the greatest plenty, Every notice to provide for a large part on its March Became to the Innholder an assurance of certain loss, Accompanied with more or less Apprehension of Waste and harm according to the Character of the Troops and the Reputation of the Officer Commanding, On Whose Dicipline Justice and Humanity, the Innholder placed his chief Reliance – And although Compensation has Been Divers times Encreased It ever pressed hard the Innholder who must find it hard and Difficult to procure Refreshment from a line of Far Distant Dwellings Where Plenty is Almost a Stranger. Or Purchase at Reasonable Rates Any Provisions Destined for the Better Market of the Metropolis. But now your Memorialists find thiere Prospects Changing from Bad to Worse, as Flour Is at Seventeen Dollars the Barrel and the Price of all Provisions will be doubled by an unexpected War with our neighbouring Colonies that will Convert many Cultivators into Soldiers – And Require provisions for many more Thousand Consumers Expected in the Ships, Troops and Captured Vessels – Under Such Circumstances how can Your Memorialists Provide Entertainment For Troops and at What Price, This is a Subject of which Merits the Most Serious Consideration, On Which Your Memorialists will not Now enlarge. But with all Due Submission They trust that the Honorable Legislature will take into Consideration This their Humble Petition and Representation and Ordain it Compinsation Adequate to the Burden Imposed, with protection for their Propertys, Against Licentious Behaviour On a March." Signed with seven names.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 19 number 42