130 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



extended towards it; and the paternal solicitude which Your Majesty 

 so eminently evinces for the welfare of all Your subjects, leaves us as- 

 sured, that whenexer any change, essential to its happiness, and com- 

 patible with tlie principles of our admirable constitution is required, 

 our humble Petitions will not be neglected. 



Whilst the subjects of Mighty Empires are borne down by the 

 weight of heavy taxes, distracted by internal commotions, and afflicted 

 with many real grievances; the inhabitants of this settlement, in com- 

 mon with their fellow subjects of .Upper Canada, gratefully acknowledge 

 that they enjoy, through the blessing of their Almighty Father, a greater 

 portion of rational freedom, civil and religious liberty, and peaceful 

 contentment, than as they believe, any other people on earth. Their 

 Taxes are light and applied to useful purposes; their Laws contitution- 

 ally made with the assent of the representatives of their own free choice, 

 impartially administered, and their commerce encouraged and protected 

 by the Mighty Arm of Britain. , 



The Talbot Settlement, Your Majesty, comprises a large extent of 

 Country, the soil of which is inferior to none in the Province of Upper 

 Canada; many parts of this valuable tract present a cheering prospect 

 of successful industry, and many improvements are in progress to deve- 

 lope its abundant resources. Thus happily situated, we view with satis- 

 faction the increase of population arriving from the land of our Fore- 

 fathers to share with us the plenteous gifts of Heaven. 



The Administration of His Excellency Sir John Colborne, we beg 

 most respectfully to state to Your Majesty, has ever been marked by the 

 most conciliating deportment ^ the most unwearied zeal and the most 

 indefatigable exertions to promote and maintain the true interests of the 

 ('ountry over which He so ably presides. 



Fully relying upon the wisdom of Your Majesty's Government for 

 a continuance of the great privileges we possess as British Subjects, and 

 duly appreciating the prosperity we have thereby attained to : 



We pray, the Almighty Dispenser of every blessing, that Your 

 Majesty may long continue to wield the Sceptre of Your Royal An- 

 cestors rpiirning in the hearts of all Your Subjects. 



This address was answered with the most enthusiastick and reiter- 

 ated cheers, not one of the. Black Sheep adverted to in the Hon. Colonel's 

 Speech daring to raise his voice against it. It was unanimously 

 adopted ! ! ! When the cheering had ceased Col. 'Talbot signified to his 



1 For examples of this " most conciliating deportment " see Dr. Egerton 

 Ryerson's Story of My Life, pages 98-99. 



