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as they had been already indulged with Six Years to form a Resolution thereon. They then desired they might return home and consult the Body of the People upon this subject as they could not do otherwise than the Generality of the Inhabitants should determine, for that they were desirous of either refusing or accepting the Oath in a Body, and could not possibly determine, till they knew the Sentiments of their Constituents.
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Upon this so extraordinary a Reply they were informed they would not be permitted to Return for any such purpose, but that it was expected from them to declare on the Spot, for their own particular, as they might very well be expected to do after having had so long a time to consider upon that point. They then desired leave to retire to consult among themselves, which they were permitted to do, when after near an hour's Recess, They returned with the same Answer, That they could not consent to take the Oath as prescribed without consulting the General Body, but that they were ready to take it as they had done before, to which they were answered, That His Majesty had disapproved of the manner of their taking the Oath before, That it was not consistent with his Honour to make any conditions, nor could the Council accept their taking the Oath in any other way than as all other His Majesty's Subjects were obliged by Law to do when called upon, and that it was now expected they should do so, which they still declining, they were allowed till the next Morning at Ten of the Clock to come to a Resolution. To which Time the Council then adjourned.
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CHAS. LAWRENCE.
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JNO. DUPORT, Sec. Con.
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At a Council holden at the Governor's House in Halifax on Fryday the 4th July 1755.
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PRESENT —
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The Lieutenant Governor.
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Benj. Green, Councilor
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* Jno. Collier, Councilor
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Willm. Cotterell, Councilor
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Jonn. Belcher, Councilor
* The Hon. John Collier was a retired officer of the army. He came out with the first British settlers in 1749, and was soon after his arrival appointed by Governor Cornwallis a justice of the peace for the new settlement. He
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