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had learned with much pleasure of the unanimity of their resolve to be loyal to government, but was surpised they should suffer a few incendiaries to disturb the public tranquillity. He hoped the word "Committee" had nothing so terrible in its sound as to frighten a majority of the loyal people; "why not," he adds, "form a Committee in favor of Government and see which is strongest. I will throw myself into your scale and make no doubt but we shall soon over-balance these mighty Law givers." Colonel Goold closed his letter by saying he proposed to be on the river the next day with the olive branch of peace, but added significantly, "a force may subsequently follow and employ a different argument." The force referred to was a detachment of the Royal Fencible Americans, under Brigade Major Gilfred Studholme. Some of the principal disturbers of the peace attempted to dissuade the people from taking the oath of allegiance and Colonel Goold wrote from Maugerville on the 19th May to Major Studholme who was still at the mouth of the river with his troops:—
"As notwithstanding every measure which I have taken to reclaim some of the principal people concern'd in the late defection, amounting to Rebellion, on this River has proved fruitless, and they still continue obstinately bent on quitting their houses and Families rather than submit to his Majesty's Gracious offers of Clemency. I think it my duty to give you their Names [Seth Noble, Elisha Nevers, Jacob Barker[1]] that you may act on the occasion agreeable to the orders you may have received from Major General Massey."
Colonel Goold having administered the oath of allegiance to all but a very few of the inhabitants, charged them not on any account to suffer "those who inconveniently absented themselves" to return without first proceeding to Halifax to make their submission to government, and as for "those Gentlemen who lately stiled themselves your Rulers," said he, you are not
- ↑ These names are given in the margin of Mr. Goold's letter.