prepared a dutiful address to their Sovereign, expressive of their strong attachment to his Majesty's person and government, and praying him to extend, in due time, the blessings of a British constitution to Trinidad. The framers of this address were Messrs. Sanderson, Shaw, and Higham; the former a respectable physician, and the two latter engaged in mercantile pursuits,-all of them Englishmen born, warmly attached to the constitution of their native country, and of considerable experience in the colonies. As great pains have been taken to represent this address as the violent production of an intemperate party, calculated to disturb the peace of the colony, and to render the Governor the object of public odium, I am happy in the opportunity of doing justice to the framers of it, by furnishing an exact copy; and I think will agree you with me in pronouncing it as loyal, constitutional, and temperate a petition as ever was framed on a similar occasion. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, WE the principal freeholders, merchants, and other British inhabitants of the island of Trinidad, approach your Majesty's throne with the most dutiful respect and affectionate loyalty, begging leave to present our unfeigned and earnest congratulations on the happy change which has taken place in the political affairs of Europe, among whose nations none have been so distinguished as your Majesty's Imperial Kingdom, for that perseverance and success which have dignified your Majesty's councils, and have impressed the world with an appropriate opinion of their wisdom and penetration. That so long and extensive a war should be closed by such a signal series of unparalleled successes, both by sea and land, and end in a peace so honorable in its terms and so vauable by its addition to your Majesty's dominions, is a consideration which must excite the proudest exultation in every British bosom, but more particularly affects the hearts of your Majesty's most loyal subjects in this Island, who feel, with inexpressible gratitude, the immense obligation which your Majesty has been pleased to confer on them by your gracious solicitude to confirm this most valuable conquest, and add it to the other colonies so happily placed under your Majesty's paternal care and protection. In this venturing to address your Majesty, we are emboldened by that gracious condescension and regard which it has been your Majesty's pleasure to extend on every occasion to your dutiful and loving subjects; and we most humbly beg leave to represent, that next to our most anxious prayers, which will be continually offered up to Heaven for the long life and perfect health of the best of kings, and for the continued blessing of peace, we most earnestly hope your Majesty will be graciously pleased, as speedily as in your Majesty's wisdom may seem expedient, to complete the happiness which we already begin to feel under the cession of this island to our mothercountry, by extending to your faithful and affectionate subjects in this colony the privileges and protection of the British constitution, as experienced by a free representation in a House of Assembly, and in a Trial by Jury: privileges which we inherit in common with our countrymen under your Majesty's mild and benevolent government in Great Britain and its numerous colonies. We most humbly beg leave to lay at your Majesty's feet our warmest protestations of loyalty and attachment to your Majesty's person and family, while we cherish the recollection of the happy events which confirmed the liberties of Englishmen, by placing your Majesty's illustrious ancestors on the throne. That the blessing of Almighty God may continue your Majesty's health during a long and glorious life, and prolong the happiness and prosperous influence of your Majesty's family over your Majesty's united kingdoms to the remotest ages, is the devout and fervent prayer of your Majesty's most faithful and affectionate subjects. Signed as follows, viz. John Sanderson,M.D. Thomas Law Alexander Williams Townsend Pasea Thomas Higham William Perry Thomas Kenny Thomas Emery William Woolward Phil. Camm Chas. A. Gellineau Hugh Monnaghan Daniel Park James Johnston Thomas Higham, Jun. James Hogg John Wethered William Swinden John Calvert James Bourke Thos. G. Tyler William Tolmie Benjamin Niblett James Reddoch James Fisher William Dayle Jasper Lyon Charles Brough Edmund Devin David Black James Dickfon John Edmundson Thos. R. Robinson Anthony Moore George Wardell George Rome J. Buckley *Mr. Winterflood was at that time Comptroller of the Customs, and had the care of providing for four orphan children of his deceased brother. When Governor Picton heard that his name was to the address, he swore he would ruin him if it was not erased from it. Mr. Winterflood stated this circumstance to Mr. Higham, adding, that in his ruin the poor innocent orphans would be involved. Much as Mr. Higham wished to forward the address, he felt the force of X The promoters of this loyal document communicated their intentions to some of their friends; and it was resolved that all their measures should be taken in the most public manner, to avoid every imputation of a clandestine nature; and to give to all parties a fair opportunity of coming forward on the occasion, an advertisement appeared in the Trinidad newspaper to that effect. The meeting was held at the Tavern on the appointed day, and a considerable number of British inhabitants assembled on the occasion. William Harrison, Esq. was appointed the chairman. This was a wise measure, and does credit to the judgment and moderation of the parties. Mr. Harrison had been for many years resident in the colony; as a merchant his character and connections were highly respectable; as a member of the community he was much esteemed for an unoffending and friendly disposition which marked his general conduct; and to do away all spirit of party, he was known to be extremely moderate in his opinions, and lived on terms of intimacy with the Governor. The address was voted unanimously, and signed by every person present, the chairman and president excepted, whose signatures were reserved for the conclusion. In the course of the meeting a motion was made, that the address should be forwarded to two respectable merchants in London, whỏ should be instructed to present it, in a proper way, to the Sovereign. But this motion was lost by a majority of one; and it was afterwards voted to be forwarded by the Governor. Every thing was conducted with the most perfect decorum, and a second advertisement was insert 』 Mr. Winterflood's appeal, and his name was erased accordingly. This occurred in the presence of a respectable witness, and Mr. W. thanked Mr. H. with tears in his eyes!! ed in the public papers, for the information of all those who were inclined to assist in promoting the intentions of the meeting, stating that the address to his Majesty had been ordered by the chairman to be left at the store of Messrs. Thomas Higham and Co. Accordingly the inhabitants resorted to Mr. Higham's store to subscribe the address; and in a few days it was signed by those whose names appear in the copy already furnished. On the 10th of that month (December) about fifty of the most respectable British merchants and other inhabitants subscribed to dine together, to celebrate the cessation of hostilities, which in this part of the world took place on that day. Mr. Higham's store was obtained for the purpose of assembling to dinner; preparations were made accordingly, and the gentlemen anticipated much loyalty and conviviality on the occasion. And surely, at the close of a long and successful war, to find Trinidad annexed to the British empire, was no common cause of exultation, and might reasonably be expected to produce at least a convivial subscription dinner in honor of so important and auspicious an event; but the restless spirit of Governor Picton defeated their honest expectations. On the 9th, official letters were sent from government-house forbidding the intended dinner. One letter was sent to Wharton, keeper of the tavern, an old man, whom the gentlemen employed to provide the dinner from motives of charity. To this poor man Governor Picton addressed an official order, stating, " that his Excellency should hold him personally responsible for any seditious meeting, that might be held on his premises on the 10th." I declare, while I record this shameful stretch of authority, my blood boils with indignation at the meanness of the wretch, who could so far forget whose representative he was, as to descend to such contemptible |