142 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



tracts, the council at tirst was composed almost exclusively of the oificers 

 of the garrison and public otticials. The governor, in his instructions,' 

 was ordered " neither to augment nor diminish the number of the said 

 council, nor suspend any of the members thereof, without good and 

 suflScient cause/' which he was required -'to signify to his Majest}' and 

 to his Commissioner of Trade and Plantations," who then had the 

 administration of colonial affairs. In case of the absence of any one of 

 them for twelve months without leave from the governor, or for two 

 5'ears Avithout his Majesty's leave, their places were to be vacated. They 

 were also to be suspended in case of wilful absence from their oflScial 

 duties. Jn the absence of the governor or lieutenant-governor, the eldest 

 councillor was directed to act as president of the council. This council 

 had advisory and judicial functions, but its legislative authority was of a 

 very limited scope. Their acts did not go beyond temporary regulations 

 relative to trade in grain in the Bay of Fundy, or else local rules touching 

 the people of the village of Annapolis. To preserve some form of govern- 

 ment in the Acadian settlements, where the people had no acquaintance 

 with English laws and customs, they were required to choose annually, 

 in their several parishes, several deputies to act in their behalf, and to 

 publish the orders of the governor. These deputies were authorized to 

 act as arbitratoi'S in small matters of controversy^ between the French 

 Acadians. and from their decision an appeal was allowed to the governor- 

 in-council, who sat for this purpose three times a year.- 



IV. Foundation of Halifax and Establishment of 

 New Civil G-gvernment. 



This sy.stem of government — merely provisional — -lasted until 1149. 

 when the city of Halifax was founded, and the imperial government 

 decided to give special attention to the English settlement of the province. 

 Encouragement was given to otHcers and men who were retired from the 

 army and navy, and who Avere desirous to settle with or without families, 

 in the province. Halifax henceforth became the seat of the new civil 

 government.' " For the better administration of justice and the manage- 

 ment of the affairs of the said province," (rovernor Cornwallis, b}' his 

 commission and instructions, had "full power and authorit}' to choose, 

 nominate and appoint such fitting and discreet persons as you shall either 

 find there [in the province] or carry along with you, not exceeding the 

 number of 12. to be of our council in our said province.'" All members of 

 the council held office during pleasure. The governor had full ])ower " to 

 suspend any of the members from sitting, voting and assisting'' in the 



' Canada Sessional Papers, }S^'.i, No. 7(1. 



- Haliburton's " History of Nova Scotia," I., 9(). 



^ Selections from Nova Scotia Documents ( Akins), 49.^. 



