[COYNE] THE TALBOT PAPERS 138 



ing 13 years of exile, has fallen to our lot to behold. For the first time 

 were we fully, fairly, and unequivocally convinced that we lived in a 

 truly British colony — for the first time were we entirely satisfied, that if 

 the day should ever come when it would be necessary to support those 

 principles, sword in hand which has been the study of our life to instil 

 into the minds of our children we could enter upon the task with un- 

 shaken confidence — for the first time were we. satisfied that the people 

 knew how to appreciate the inestimable political blessings which they 

 enjoy — and for the first time did we hurl from our mind the bitter 

 thought that rebellion might yet desolate the land of our adoption, and 

 lay waste the fair fields of this highly favored colony. 



The Col. on ascending the platform raised his hat from his head, 

 and after viewing the immense assemblage which crowded around him 

 commenced his address in the same original, eccentric, and peculiar 

 strain in which he is wont to indulge in his own mansio)n. Wei 'regret 

 exceedingly that we had not taken notes of his speech, and still more 

 that we were unfortunately placed " hip and shoulder " by the only 

 drunken man which we saw at the meeting, for by his braulings we were 

 frequently precluded from catching many expressions which we doubt 

 not, are essential to a true report of this pithy orration. 



Proceeding to the front of the platform he said — gentlemen I feel 

 it to be necessary before we enter into the business of this meeting, to 

 refute, a base slanderous and unprinciple calumny which has been cir- 

 culated about me, by a set of infamous and worthless ruffians, who from 

 motives of disaffection and rebellion have labored to convince you that I 

 called this meeting for the purpose of overawing and browbeating my 

 settlers into the adoption of such sentiments as I might think proper to 

 propose to them. This is a base and infamous falsehood — I called this 

 meeting not with a view of attempting to influence you to adopt my 

 sentiments, but with a view of ascertaining the nature of your own — I 

 called it in order that every man of you might have an opportunity of 

 publicly declaring what he is, in order that I may know who to trust in 

 the hour of danger, in order that you may well know who you may safely 

 esteem as friends or regard as enemies to your peace and happiness — 

 (loud cheers.) 



When I commenced the settlement of this country, between twenty 

 and thirty years ago, my most anxious desire was to form a truly British 

 Colony. To the attainment of this object I have devoted all the energies 

 of my mind, but notwithstanding the most vigilant exertions, I find 

 that some black sheep have crept into the flock, and that many of them 

 have got the rot too; laughter and much cheering, while the colonel 

 paused, took his snuff box from his pocket, and giving it the usual tap. 



