30 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
in the transaction “any further,” says the Duke of Kent, “than that 
your Lordship should know he is extremely anxious, that whatever 
indulgence can be shown Colonel Talbot should be afforded him, and 
that he will consider himself personally obliged to you, by anything 
done in his favour. The object, therefore, of this application is to 
solicit your Lordship’s good offices, that an instruction may be sent, 
if not contrary to established rules, to the Lieutenant-Governor of the 
Province of Upper Canada, to make a Grant of the Township to Colonel 
Talbot, and preferably of that which he himself has pointed out, ex- 
empted from Government fees.” The Duke adds that the application 
is made on two grounds: In the first place General Simcoe’s omission, 
and in the second, “that the services he rendered Gen. Simcoe while 
in that country, and the opinion entertained of him by that excellent 
officer render him very deserving of this small indulgence.” 
“I have now only to add that in meeting my Brother’s wishes 
upon this Subject, Your Lordship will also oblige me, and I therefore 
flatter myself, that as far as in your power lays (sic), you will be 
good enough to attend to this application in behalf of Colonel Talbot. 
With sentiments of high regard and esteem, I remain, my Dear Lord, 
ever your most faithfully and sincerely, Edward.” 
The strained relations between the King and his sons were at this 
time aggravated by the former’s mental condition. Alluding perhaps 
to this circumstance, the Duke mentions Talbot’s “ignorance of the 
difficulty there is for any of His Majesty’s sons to address him with a 
request of any sort, but more especially of the nature of that which he 
points out.” ; 
How long Talbot remained at Skittiewaaba is uncertain. It was 
apparently long enough, however, to enable him to ascertain that Yar- 
mouth soil was well adapted to the growth of hemp. But it would 
appear that further efforts were necessary before he could secure his 
grant. In October of the following year, we find him back in London. 
He addresses a letter to the Government, giving information and advice 
as to the soil, climate and inhabitants of Upper Canada. He extols 
the character of the country, but reflects on settlers from the United 
States, and complains of hardships often caused by magistrates. He 
proposes, if his grant is made free of fees, to use his capital in the 
establishment of agricultural works, especially the cultivation of hemp, 
would like to divert emigration to Upper Canada instead of the States, 
and suggests payment by government of their passage, tools, ete. Talbot 
would himself provide persons to take charge of settlers to their destina- 
tion. He urges that in any case he should have his grant of land. 
