, 1854-10-14
Father Rev. r. J. Staines,


employ OF lHe HON. II. D. ", was uclu
short time since, and that certain rcsolu-
tions were passed by these persons, the pur-
port of some of which having been whS-
pered abroad, we pronounce to be most de-
rogatory to them as men, and most cruel
and insulting towards yourself as q minister
Of Gods word
And, we, in order that you may be con-
vinced of our high esteem for you, and of
our indignation at this secret attempt to-
Tillify the character Of an upright man, do
deem it our duty to present to you this ad-
dress.
The resolutions passed by the II. B. Cos.
clerks already alluded to having never been
made public, we are unable to meet them
as we would have desired, with contradic-
tory statements attested by facts but We
can and will certify by your untiring zeal
and energy in the duties attaching to your
position as q clergyman, and also to that
Of colonist.
The sick and afflicted have at all times
met from you the kindest and most con-
slant attention.
Your clerical duties have been performed
with an unwearied care, aud with a judg-
ment, which, in a country and among
community where many individuals are so
deplorably in the dark respecting the pur-
port of those holy ordinances Of the chris
tian religion to which we all owe such deep
and heartfelt devotion, is deserving Of the
greatest praise.
We thank you for the zeal and uncon-
querable spirit which you have evinced du-
ring the whole time of your residence in
this colony, in opposing all and every en-
deavor to encroach on the rights of the
poor man, and in protesting against every
attempt at oppression on the part of those
in authority. In this we believe you to
have acted solely with desire of benefit
ing the colony, course of action which we
deeply regret should have entailed on you
the series Of petty annoyances TO which
you have been subjected, and finally within
the last few weeks should have exposed
you to an indignity Of the most outrageous
and insulting description we allude to the
charge Of felony against you, received by
Mr.. David Cameron in his capacity as mag
istrate and the proceedings instituted there
on by that person.
So far, however, from this attempt at
detraction injuring your reputation or af-
fecting your chaTacter, it has but excited
feeling of the most unmitigated contempt
and disgust towards its authors, and we
do now most unhesitatingly assert that the
whole tenor Of your life and conduct, during
the time that we have had the gratifca-
ton Of being acquainted with you, has been
honorable to yourself and useful to the col
ony. And so much are we impressed with
this fact, and of the benefit the country
will reap by your residence among US, that
we are unanimous in our desire for your
continued stay, and we hope that you will
not under the influence of your aggrieved
and insulted feelings, fly from us but that
receiving the esteem and regard in which
you are held by the greater portion of the
community, Of which this address is but a
faint expression, you will crafty us by
continuing to act as our minister, and thus
afford us the constant benefit Of your ex-
ample aud advice.
We remain, Reverend and Dear Sir,
your affectionate and attached
FRIENDS AND WELLwIsHERs.
Rev. R. J. SrAIxEs: Dear Sir, Circum-
stances involving interests of the deepest
moment to ourselves, and to those who may
come after us; events, whose offspring, il
they be allowed once the light, will be a
pleasure to every man on this Island who
would be free.
Measures Of the grossest illegality and
indecency, insulting to our sense of homes
ty, and dangerous to our liberties with
which you are too well acquainted to ne
cessitate more than the passing allowance
by us, and which, under the shelter Of that
authority intended as our safeguard, have
been forced on the community have so
alarmed and appalled, the people that We
appeal to the throne for aid, has been unan-
imously decided on and, as our Interests
are great, so must our cry be loud. 1t has
therefore been,
Resolred, That our petitions be supported
by tho presence Of one of ourselves, and
one to whose abilities, integrity and energy
we can confidently entrust our cause, with
well assured hope Of snccess.
You, sir, are that one-you are the most
proper person to whom we can confide q
mission, whose issue, inestimable, if success
attend our prayers, will assuredly be as
fraught with evil if they be unheeded.
And we now, in the name of the whole
OF those residents of the Island, who are
unshackled by the present Governor, Jas
Douglas, Esq, in his capacity 'of Chief
Factor Of the Hudson's Bay Company, and
by virtue Of the authority vested in us as
committee select at public meeting held
on the 4th February, last, do most earnest
ly beseech you for the sake Of the colony
for the sake of the interests of ourselves
and children, for the sake of those vet un-
born who will one day claim this as their
native land-ln the name of our reputa-
tons, in the name of our rights, in the
name Of our liberties, we entreat that you,
foregoing all other matters, will proceed
by the first opportunity to England and