3 December 1807

The petition of John Taylor and other proprietors of negro servants in the province. Petitioners were inhabitants of the revolted colonies. "That, when His Majesty’s authority began to be opposed in those Colonies, your petitions adhered to their allegiances, and received the Royal assurance of full protection to their persons and security to their properties; That, at that period, throughout all His Majestys Colonies (without any exception) a property in Negroes was maintained and acknowledged if not encouraged; And your petitioners know not of any public act since that time, whereby such sort of property has been declared untenable – On the contrary, the Royal Proclamations and the Acts of Parliament admitting and encouraging persons of Your petitioners political principles to remove out of the United States into this province, expressly authorise them to bring their Negro Slaves, - Your petitioners are far from pretending to advocate Slavery as a System – With the creation of that System they had nothing to do – The introduction of Negro Slaves into His Majestys Colonies was at a time long before your Petitioners were born – It was authorised by the controuling authority of Parliament, in which authority the Colonies had not by representation any share – But, when Your petitioners came to the age of discretion, they found that His Majestys Colonial subjects possessed the right of holding a property in Negroes upon the same grounds that they possessed the right of holding any other species of property, and conceived that right to be as strongly guarded by law as any other of their rights or privileges whatsoever – But, unfortunately for Your petitioners, owing to certain doubts now entertained by the Kings Courts of Law in this Province, such property is rendered wholly untenable by Your petitioners, whose Negro Servants are daily leaving their service and setting Your Petitioners at defiance. For, if it be no longer incumbent upon the Negro who claims his liberty within a Colony, to produce the Certificate of his emancipation; or to shew that he was born of free parents – or, at least to prove that at some former period of his life he exercised the rights of a free person, it is in vain that his possessor attempts to litigate with him – Negroes, universally thro the Colonies, passed like other chattels; sometimes by Bills of Sale, at other times by mere tradition. As in the case of other chattels, possession was a proof of property till the contrary was shewn – And Your petitioners are prepared to prove their property in the Negroes they possess against all adverse claimants – But, as Negroes are transitory, Your petitioners are not (nor from the nature of the thing is it possible they should be) prepared with a legal course of testimony, for deducing such negros Pedigree from an African Slave Ancestor, - Much less (as Colonists) are prepared, or (as they humble conceive) in reason called upon, to maintain the legality of a System which the Parliament of Great Britain has authorised, and the Parliament of The United Kingdoms doth still allow. Leaving all subtle reasoning to better heads, Your petitioners rely, and must rely, in this, as in many other cases, upon the long established usage in His Majestys Colonies, and must humble hope for the same rule and measure of justice here, as might, in their case, be hoped for by His Majesty free colonial subjects of any other of his transmarine dominions – Perhaps however, the peculiar circumstances of this Province, or perhaps the true interests of Humanity, may require in this Colony, the abolition of that particular species of property claimed by your petitioners, (these however are problems that your petitioners presume not to solve) But if so, it seems but reasonable and just, that you petitioners, and others under like circumstances with them, should bear only their proportional parts of the loss or expence attending such abolition – Upon the whole therefore, Your petitioners confiding in the chaste manly and deliberate wisdom of this House; and fully relying upon the justice integrity and honor of this Assembly, Most humble pray: That their Case may be taken under your Consideration, and that either such regulations may be made as in your wisdom shall be deemed expedient for securing Your petitioners property in their Negro Servants, - Or, that, if such property is to be sacrificed to the public good, Your petitioners may, from that public, receive their equitable compensation". 26 names signed. (See bill no. 56, for regulating negro servitude in the province, deferred).

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 49

9 December 1807

Draft of Journal of the House from the opening of the session to 9 December 1807.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 50

7 December 1807

Petition of Evan Lewis, David Black, Isaac Tucker and Andrew Murdoch, debtors in the Halifax jail, stating that the £50 grant for their relief has been expended, and asking for further relief. Signed.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 51

8 December 1807

Draft of address of the Assembly in answer to the Lt.-Governor’s address on opening the session.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 52

9 December 1807

Reply of the Lieut.-Governor to the Assembly’s answer to his address on opening the session. Signed.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 53

17 December 1807

Petition of William Blair, contractor for building a bridge over North River, Onslow, asking to be relieved from his contract because of the damage done to the structure by the elements. Signed.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 54

11 December 1807

Resolution for granting 100 guineas for purchasing a piece of plate for Vice-Admiral Berkeley "as a testimonial of the respect and esteem of this Province." 2 copies. Division of House on the vote on Mr. Pool's motion regarding the Admiral and a draft of resolution expressing regret that Berkeley is leaving the province.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 55

11 December 1807

Affidavit of John Crow, junior, regarding William Blair and damage done to the bridge over North River, Onslow.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 56

12 December 2007

Report of the committee appointed to examine of public accounts.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 57

14 December 1807

Petition of Robert King, asking the aid of the House to extend his improvements and keep a house for the accommodation of travelers and a certificate as to the truth of his petition.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 58

16 December 1807

Two drafts of the Assembly’s address to Vice-Admiral Berkeley. Compare with the final address, (Assembly Journal 1807-1808, p. 14), to see modification of statements. The House wish to acknowledge the "Benefits received from your Protection of its Trade, your great Attention to the Promotion of its maritime Interests, and the uncommon regard you have ever manifested for the Liberties of the Subject and the Individual Wellfare of the People of this Country who will long retain a grateful sense of your Conduct in these Particulars." They hope that the King will approve his conduct in every particular. (Second draft as RG1 volume 303 number 89).

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 59

17 December 1807

Petition of Rufus G. Taylor, merchant of Halifax, asking for the return of duties paid on wine imported from St. Domingo. Signed.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 60

16 December 1807

Petition of Jonathan and John Tremain, merchants of Halifax, requesting a refund of duties paid.

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 61

17 December 1807

Petition of Samuel Hart asking for the return of duties paid on rum imported from Jamaica in 1804. The produce of the province which he sent in exchange for two-thirds of the rum was shipped in another Nova Scotian vessel, that which carried the rum not having returned to Jamaica. "Dismissed 17 Decr."

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 62

17 December 1807

Lieutenant-Governor’s answer to the message from the House respecting the address and vote to Vice-Admiral Berkeley. "As this is the first communication had with me, upon this measure, & understanding it had occupied the attention of both Houses for several days, with various Effect – It becomes me, from a due & most cordial respect to all concerned to consider the Vote with the same deliberation as has been exercised in its Progress. As soon therefore as my determination can be properly prepared, it shall be regularly communicated." (Holograph).

Reference: Nova Scotia House of Assembly Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series A volume 14 number 63