J 86 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



John Eolph held the oince of Paymaster, from Sept. 35, 1813, to 

 Dee. 84, 1814, in the Norfolk Regiment of Militia, and is said also 

 to have acted as clerk or secretary to Colonel Talbot. The confidential 

 relations thus established between the two men continued for many 

 years, until severed by the wide divergence of their political views, Eolph 

 becoming prominent a,mong the Reformers, to whom Talbot was fiercely 

 opposed. Rolph's acquaintance among the settlers was a wide one, as 

 may be supposed; and therefore his connection with the Talbot anni- 

 versary is easily understood. At the same time, Burwell, who was the 

 representative of Middlesex in the legislature, had ample reason for 

 regarding with suspicion the growing influence, of his youthful rival in 

 their patron's confidence and in popular favor. At the second general 

 election thereafter, Rolph began his parliamentary career by defeating 

 Burwell at the polls. 



It was Rolph who was the moving spirit in the institution of the 

 Talbot Anniversary. He was the medium of communication between 

 Talbot and the settlers. The address printed in the text purports in 

 the original M.S. to be " Signed in the name of the meeting by J. Wil- 

 son P., L. Patteirson V. P." But the voice was the voice of Rolph. 



It was Rolph who transmitted it to the Colonel, accompanied by 

 the following letter: 



Yarmouth. 6th March 1817. 

 Sir 



I am directed, as secretary, by a numerous meeting on the Talbot 

 Anniversary, on the 8th March, to transmit the inclosed address to you. 

 I am further directed to inform you, that a chair is to be left perpetually 

 vacant in your name, which is to be filled by you only, or by your de- 

 scendants in future ages. 



In assuring you of the warmth and cordiality with which the above 

 motions were approved, I individually express the very particular respect 

 with which I am. 



Sir, 

 Your most obedient 



and humble servant 



James Nevills, 



Secretary 

 To the Hon. Colonel Talbot 

 Port Talbot. 



Rolph writes Nevills, " I sent the above letter in your name." 

 Colonel Talbot's answer, given in the text without date, but which bears 

 date Port Talbot, 10th March 1817, was also delivered to Rolph, who 



