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That previous to the commencement of the present war, the ancient Inhabitants of this Province, who called, or had been taught to call themselves neutrals, were expelled on account of their refusing that allegiance due from subjects to
* Jonathan Belcher was second son of Governor Belcher, of Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard, Cambridge, and was educated for the profession of the law. He afterwards went to England to complete his studies, where he became a member of the Society of the Middle Temple. He received the appointment of Chief Justice of Nova Scotia in 1754. Soon after assuming that office he urged upon Government the necessity of calling a Representative Assembly, being of opinion that the Governor and Council, under the Governor's commission and instructions, did not possess the power of passing ordinances for levying taxes. The early enactments of the Legislature, which form the groundwork of the statute law of Nova Scotia, were prepared by him. Chief Justice Belcher was President of Council, and administered the Government of the Province on the death of Governor Lawrence in October, 1760. He died at Halifax in 1776, aged 65, leaving a son and daughter. The House of Assembly allowed a pension to the daughter until her marriage. His son, the Hon. Andrew Belcher, was for several years a member of Council. He was father of Vice Admiral Sir Edward Belcher, distinguished for his nautical surveys on the coast of Africa and the Arctic seas. Sir Edward was born at Halifax, and educated at the old Grammar School, in Barrington street, under the Rev. George Wright. — N.S. Council Minutes; N.S. Almanac, 1776; Chief Justice Belcher's Letters among N.S. Archives.
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