James S. MacDonald

“ During Parr's administration of nine years from 1782 to 1791, the welfare of the people was his study and care. His name will be ever associated with the coming of the Loyalists to Halifax and the province in 1783. His deep solicitude for their relief, welfare and settlement should never be forgotten by their descendants. He was not brilliant, but was the very man to suit the time he lived in, a plain, upright soldier, who prided himself on his attention to duty, and who endeavoured to discharge the obligations of a distinguished position with integrity and honour. ”

“ Meanwhile in the new Republic, the career of persecution went on without pause, and violence and imprisonment and starvation awaited all, who were even suspected of loyalty to Britain. In many places, men and women were tarred and feathered, and even hanged for daring to remain or even claim their property. The Loyalists had no other course open to them, thank to leave the country, and their homes where they had hoped to die. ”

“ But there is one consolation, neither Hell nor Halifax [2] can afford worse shelter than Boston or New York to-day." The rebels at Boston heard with delight these tales of discontent from Nova Scotia. They nicknamed our province, "Nova Scarcity." It was a land, they said, which belonged neither to this world nor the other. It was enough to give one the palsy just to look at the map. However it is no more than the Loyalists deserve. ”

“ From Nova Scotia some of the Loyalists who had come to Halifax on the outbreak of the Revolution, sent back most favorable accounts. There were, they said, great business opportunities as well as the mere necessities for subsistence. Saw-mills could be erected, and a great business carried on, with the West Indies. The fisheries would develop into a great industry. In fact they were assured, they might in our loyal province quietly enjoy a comfortable life, freed from the detested tyranny of seditious and rebellious demagogues. ”

“ At this period, Frederick the Great was making himself famous, by his ambitions and his aggressive campaigns, and Britain with her trammeling connections with Hanover, was often drawn most unwillingly into the Continental imbroglios. For fifty years, our country poured out its blood, and treasures, to preserve the balance of power in Europe, among nations, with whom she had but little in common. To-day we appreciate these sacrifices of our forefathers at their true value. ”

“ In 1790-91 there was scarcity of bread in Halifax. A famine existed throughout Canada, and flour and bread-stuffs went up in fabulous prices. Fish and potatoes saved Halifax, supplemented by hard sea-biscuit imported from England, Newfoundland and Jamaica. These articles of coarse provender, saved many from starvation as they had done on many previous occasions. Rum was to be had in abundance, and that active agent appeared to balance the scarcity of flour. We look in vain through old files of our papers for a scarcity of the ardent. ”

“ Many of the mercantile men were becoming wealthy.
The Scottish Guild of Merchants of 1761, had been reinforced in numbers by many Scotch Loyalists who at the beginning of the troubles leading up to the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, had for the past eight years, been gradually settling in Halifax. With Scottish prudence, they could only fore-east disturbance and ruin, for many years ahead, for communities in revolt, and so came from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore to this great centre of loyal Britons, where they could find a field for their enterprise and energies. ”

“ A looseness of conduct and an open indifference to moral, as well as religious law prevailed to a fearful extent. In social life the greatest laxity of conduct had sprung up. Sacred ties were broken without remorse, and men learned to smile and applaud the most unhallowed scenes of dissipation. Our proximity to these days is even yet too close to admit of a searching scrutiny into the morals of the community, but it would be unfair to pass over in silence a subject of so much moment. ”

“ The flour mills at Sackville were kept at work night and day, to provide bread. Parr worked steadily, and methodically, as he had done all his life and being a seasoned veteran, it is said, was able to work at times twenty out of the twenty-four hours at the task of providing and arranging for the subsistence of such a host. The great problem was how to have them housed, before the severity of winter set in. The troops came by shiploads, and the vivid experience of Halifax at the declaration of war was repeated. Every shed, outhouse, store, and shelter was crowded with people. ”

“ Before the close of the year, after the evacuation of New York, 25th November, 1783, 200 more Loyalists arrived at Halifax, and 400 Negroes from New York. Many of these were slaves, and preferred following their owners to Nova Scotia; they proved a curse to the province for generations. Parr and the Secretary Bulkeley [4] worked night and day, without rest, in the endeavour to meet the emergency. At this day we cannot form the faintest idea of the magnitude of the task of caring for so many helpless people, almost paralysed by despair at their changed circumstances in life and ruined prospects ”

“ The healths of the after meeting by the gentlemen were superb. The toast of the evening was Miss Sarah Gray, the beauty of the Assembly, a New York lady here on a visit to the Newtons. The tradition is that 700 bottles of different brands and vintages of fine wines were consumed at this rout. The gentlemen retired at 11 o'clock on the morning of January 6th. This little scene of enjoyment and relaxation was designated at that day in Halifax "the lively abandon of harmless mirth." ”

“ A petition was presented by the inhabitants of Halifax, praying for a charter of incorporation for the town, but Parr by the unanimous voice of the Council led by Bulkeley, refused this request, on the grounds, that it was neither expedient, nor necessary. The existence of a separate body, having the sole control of town affairs, would have in a great measure the effect of depriving the Council, of the supervision, which they no doubt deemed for the interests of the community, should remain with the Government. ”

“ The lands on the north side of the Bay of Fundy were to be erected into a new government under the New Brunswick. Colonel Thos. Carleton was to be governor of the new province, Cape Breton, and the Isle of St. John, subsequently called Prince Edward's Island were to be separate provinces under Lieutenant-Governors, subject to the control of the Governor of Nova Scotia; and a Governor-General would reside at Quebec and preside over all the British provinces in North America. Thus was Nova Scotia divided and shorn of much of her past importance and prestige. ”

“ When in Halifax he appeared to be a good-natured nonentity, but was feted and flattered and slobbered over by officials to that degree, that he could not help fancying at times, he must be a creature of superior intelligence, "as they all told him so, and they could not be all wrong." ”

“ The winter is of insupportable length and coldness, only a few spots fit to cultivate, and the land is covered with a cold spongy moss, instead of grass, and the entire country is wrapt in the gloom of perpetual fog. ”

“ Several thousands of the Loyalists, who had come to Halifax in 1782, and had been forwarded to St. John River, and formed a settlement there, which they named Parr Town, in compliment to Governor Parr who had exerted himself so generously in aiding their location, were joined between 10th and the 20th of May 1783, by several thousands from New York direct. They suffered greatly during this winter of 1783, which was frightfully severe. Many lived in bark camps and tents, covered with spruce, rendered habitable only by the heavy banks of snow, piled up to keep the wind away. ”

“ Meal and molasses sustained the negroes. Codfish exported to Jamaica, by our merchants, had to be sent for and bought back to sustain life in the people but in spite of all this trouble, Halifax quietly progressed. Many homes were erected on the principal streets, replacing the old shacks which had survived the early days of the settlement, the rotten material of the torn down hovels being eagerly seized by the poor people without shelter of any kind, and re-erected on the side of the Citadel Hill. There was a large amount of money sent out from England to help the refugees. ”

“ Many received annuities, and half-pay officers, large grants of land, and offices in the province.
In August 1783, Parr received instructions from Governor General Carleton, to hasten, if at all possible, preparations for the reception of a further arrival of a large number of Loyalists.
"The merciless treatment of many innocent old Loyalists, by the Boston people, shamed humanity itself by the ruthless destruction of property, necessary to their support." ”

“ Vast fortunes had been made in this manner, and Halifax had become famous the world over for the success of its merchants. Its population during these times of war and peace had come and gone like the tide. If war was active, and the Court of Admiralty busy, and prize money plenty, thousands of cormorants were attracted to the plunder,?if a brief breathing spell of peace came, the population faded away like a dream, and our streets became empty. With Parr came a long peace, 1782 finished a long war. ”

“ Fanning proved a popular and sensible official. He was an Irish Protestant of Ulster, possessing great estates. How he came to accept such a troublesome appointment was long a mystery, but it has since transpired that he had hopes of eventually being promoted to the position at Quebec, in other words Governor General of Canada. He proved himself a most practical official, and gave Parr great aid in the settlement of the Loyalists. ”

“ Another address at the tavern and the inevitable dinner to a large concourse of officials, House of Assemble, 185 in all. Only thirty bumper toasts were drunk by half-past sex, pretty slow work for a public dinner; but we must explain the function was not half over, perhaps the company were only half sears over. The Prince and Parr retired. In the evening at 9 o'clock the Prince and suite entered the ball-room of the British Coffee-House, a new and elegant tavern that day opened by Mr. A. Callendar adjoining the north end of the Ordnance Wharf, Upper Water Street. ”

“ The health of the King, and prosperity of the town an district of Shelburne was drunk amid cheers from the Loyalists and a general salute from the ships. Justices of the peace were appointed, an elegant dinner was served, and a supper was given. Parr made a good impression and he sailed from Shelburne amid many testimonies of satisfaction from the inhabitants, who at this date numbered 5,000, augmented a few months after by the arrival of another 5,000. ”

“ With all our prejudices in favor of the advancement in intellectual efforts of the present day, we fear our speakers to-day would cut a sorry figure in competition with these worthies of 120 years ago, were it possible to have such a tournament of culture, wit, and expression. ”

“ Resolved that this town will at all times, as they have done to the utmost of their power, opposed every enemy to the just rights and liberties of mankind, and that after so wicked a conspiracy against these rights and liberties, by certain ingrates, most of them natives of these states, and who have been Refugees and declared traitors to this country. ”

“ In the interval, a large number of wealthy men had left Halifax for Britain. They had accumulated wealth and retired from business, but at this time there were many who had been fortunate, and preferred to remain. The greater part of the large fleet and garrison was ordered home, and the inhabitants having time to spare, engaged in a ceaseless round of dissipation. It began with a levee and reception on January 1st, 1786,
The 5th January, Queen Charlotte's birthday, was celebrated by universal drinking, and by a grand ball at the Pontac. ”

“ Many perished from the exposure. In the spring of 1784, the snow covered the ground until May, and the difficulties of the settlers were increased and aggravated by doubts as to location of their promised grants of land, and the coldness and jealousy with which they were received by the old settlers on the St. John River. However the mass of the new-comers were a clever people and worked intelligently. ”

“ For some years after the foundation of Halifax, the British authorities passed various laws, which prevented Irish or English speaking Catholics from holding titles to land, building churches, or obtaining the ministrations of their own clergy, although a large number of Irish, nearly all Roman Catholic, were living in Halifax. ”

“ It is impossible to tell exactly, how many persons altogether became exiles. All the men who had taken an active part in the war, and were consequently most hated by the revolutionists, certainly left the United States. ”

“ During Parr's administration, several important settlements were made through the province, notably Shelburne in 1784, and Parrsboro in 1786. Guysborough was also settled under the guidance of Sir Guy Carleton, with several disbanded regiments of veteran soldiers. Our exports of lumber and dried fish increased. Our merchants, particularly Brymer and Belcher, Michael Wallace, Black, Forsyth & Co., and the Scottish Guild of Mercantile men, sent large consignments to teh Mediterranean and the East. The deep-sea voyages were founded. ”