PROCEEDINGS FOR 1897 XXXVII 



a small grant for printing purposes, as we ah'eady have other historical 

 documents to print. It may thus be seen that we have much work 

 before us. Let us all then enter on this new year with renewed zeal, 

 ■each trying to advance the interests of the society, helping it to make 

 history, to encourage the young, to inspire the old, to develop love of 

 ■country. Let us sink minor differences and follow our motto, " The 

 Love of Country G-uides." The great apostle gives in the same breath 

 the command, " Fear God, Honour the King," and Moses and Paul 

 breathed out the truest patriotism when they wished to perish to save 

 their country. We are not asked now to die for our country, but let us 

 work for her, let us live for her. We feel that as a society we have 

 much reason for thankfulness for what we have been able to accomplish 

 in less than a year, and should the same zeal, the same hearty support, 

 be given in the ensuing year as in the last, we shall have no reason to 

 feel ashamed of our record. 



IIL — From The Kingston Historical Society, through Mr. E. V. Eogers. 



Our society was formed because it was believed that in Kingston 

 and its vicinity there was much hist(mcal material which it was important 

 to collect and preserve. Kingston has been in the past and may still be 

 said to be an important military, commercial, social and political centre. 

 From the earliest times it was regarded as an important strategical point. 

 It was established by the French as a military post for the protection of 

 the country and the commerce of the lakes from the ravages of Indians 

 and hostile neighbours, and the forts and defences which were erected 

 and maintained attest the importance which they attached to its posses- 

 sion. It was associated with the names of Frontenac, La Salle, and other 

 great Frenchmen whose adventures read like a chapter of romance. It 

 formed the basis for warlike expeditions and journeys of discovery, and 

 up to the time of the cession of Canada to England was held with a 

 tenacious grasp. When the country fell into the hands of the British it 

 became their chief naval station on the lakes and the base of their mari- 

 time expeditions, and it was fortified with jealous care so that its con- 

 tinual possession might be assured. When the Loyalists came to Canada 

 it formed the basis of their settlement in the Quinte district. It became, 

 too, an important educational and commercial centre, and in later years 

 was selected and used for a short time as the seat of government. It has 

 trained and sent forth many men who have become famous in the 

 councils of their country, and altogether it has acquired an importance 

 not to be measured by its size and population. It was therefore to be 

 expected that those who appreciate the importance of preserving its 

 historical a,ssociations should unite in the foundation of a society for that 

 purpose. We can, I think, review the work of the past three years with 

 satisfaction, and claim that our expectations have so far been fully 



