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A meeting to consider the question of erecting a fitting monument to the Loyalists on the King’s Square, was held in the Mechanics’ Institute on Saturday evening. The Meeting was called by His Worship the Mayor in response to a requisition signed by about 300 citizens. When the hour for calling the meeting to order arrived there were less than 100 persons present, but at 8:30, when His Worship took the chair, there were about 150 present.
His Worship said that he had called the meeting in response to a numerously signed petition, but it appeared that the most of these had changed their minds, as he failed to see them among the audience. As Mayor of the city he did not think he would be doing justice to the office which he held in presiding over a meeting so thinly attended. If those present wished to go on they should elect a chairman.
Mr. D. D. Kerr, who had been very active in the matter of getting a monument, said he thought the proposition made by His Worship the Mayor was a reasonable one. A great many people had apparently been very anxious to have the monument but very few had attended. He thought the better way to do would be to adjourn the meeting for the present, as he wanted to see the monument sanctioned by a full meeting of citizens.
Mr. C. N. Skinner moved that Mr. C. W. Weldon take the chair.
Mr. Weldon – I did not sign the petition and I beg to decline taking the chair.
Mr. A. C. Smith agreed with the remarks of Mr. Kerr, whose suggestion for an adjournment was a politic one. He moved that the meeting adjourn to be called together again by His Worship when he deemed it necessary.
Mr. Kerr – I second that motion.
At the request of several gentlemen the Mayor put the question and declared the adjournment carried.
Mr. Skinner thought the motion to adjourn was lost.
The Mayor, Judge Palmer, Mr. Kerr and Mr. George Stewart, who had seats on the platform, then withdrew, and on motion of MR. Skinner, Mr. A. C. Smith took the chair.
Mr. Smith said he had had the honor of moving the resolution to adjourn, which Mr. Skinner had said was lost. Yet he thought as it had been seconded by Mr. Kerr it should have been carried. He had come to support Mr. Kerr and announced that the meeting was open for business.
Mr. Kerr and Mr. Stewart returned to the platform while Mr. Smith was speaking and at the request of the chairman, Mr. Kerr, proceeded to move the first resolution which is as follows:-
Whereas, The United Empire Loyalists of our late sovereign, George III., in the war of His Majesty against the thirteen British Colonies of North America, in 1775, most honorably distinguished themselves throughout the battle, by their unflinching loyalty and bravery, but in a peace improperly concluded in 1782 they were deprived of their homes and valuables most dear to them, reduced with their families to the saddest state of poverty and distress, and, finally, brought in 1783 by their King (about thirty thousand in number) to various parts of Nova Scotia and the wilderness of this Province, the first comers landing at Parr Town, (previously laid out for them) in St. John on the eighteenth day of May, 1783, and New Brunswick erected chiefly on their account in 1784, when they numerously settled and inhabited about Saint John and generally throughout this Province, from whence, however, as from Nova Scotia, this Province and the States, about ten thousand, at different times, removing, resided in various parts of Canada, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and other British possessions; and
Whereas, In the war declared by the United States of America against Great Britain, in 1812, while England was deeply involved in war with the tyrant Bonaparte, and other powers of Europe, the whole of the British North American possessions of His Majesty was aimed at by the United States, and with tenfold force attempted to be wrested from the Crown of England, and the sons of the Empire Loyalist were largely instrumental in defeating the enemy and preserving such possessions to His Majesty, numerous of those brave and daring sons having fallen in the fierce conflict-most gallantly fighting for their Sovereign and country, but nothing to mark their deeds of valor or places of burial. And it is just and meritorious, not only to record the above events connected with the early history of our province as due to our ancestry, to ourselves and to posterity, but also to present an honorable and lasting tribute to the memory and worth of those noble Loyalists and to their gallant sons, that a suitable public monument of granite, with proper inscriptions, be erected where the Bell Tower formerly stood, in the City of Saint John, their place of landing, such proposed monument being at the head of King street and adjoining Charlotte street, so named after the King and Queen for whom the Loyalists and their sons fought and suffered; therefore,
Resolved, That- be a special committee to contract with some fit and responsible person to build a Provincial monument of granite, to be erected where the Bell Tower formerly stood in the City of Saint John, with such particulars as may be specified, not to exceed 110 feet in height, exclusive of the ton roof or covering, nor to cost above $10,000-to be built:
(1) By subscriptions and donations of the inhabitants and others of the City and County of Saint John;
(2) By the inhabitants and donors of Fredericton and the County of York;
(3) By the inhabitants and donors of the several counties throughout the Province;
(4) By such aids from the corporations of Saint John and of Fredericton as may be given;
(5) By a grant from the Local Legislature of New Brunswick;
(6) By a grant from the Dominion or Government of Canada;
(7) By a grant from the Provincial Board of Agriculture of this Province, if necessary; and
(8) By such special donations at home and abroad as may be generously given for that purpose.
The work to proceed with all quickness according as funds may be supplied; the monument to be completed on or about the first day of October, 1883.
As he read the resolution Mr. Kerr commented on it and explained the several points. The United Empire Loyalists had come to what are now five provinces. They had undoubtedly organized the province of New Brunswick, which had been separated from another province for them. As the Loyalists had settled in five provinces, each of these provinces should give towards the erection of a memorial. The sons of these Loyalists had also defended their country in 1812, and their valor should also be celebrated. It is true that a monument has been raised to General Brock, but none had been erected to the soldiers, all of whom were brave men. Regarding the ways and means to provide for the building of this monument, he said that $10,000 would be required to erect such a monument as he proposed. It would be a graceful and ornamental structure and a credit to the city. He argued that the Dominion Government, as representing the five provinces, should pass a grant to aid the monument. It was also proposed to get a grant from the Local Government. The remainder was to be obtained from private subscriptions. He was willing to go to the various counties in the province and hold meetings and solicit subscriptions. He explained that the largest part of the subscription would not be required until next year. The stone could be got out during the winter, the corner stone could be laid on the 18th of May next, and the monument opened in October. It was expected that the Princess Louise would be present at this ceremony. Five gentlemen had consented to enter into a contract for the erection of the monument, expecting, of course, that if they did they would be supported by the citizens. It was necessary to proceed at once, as the stone would have to be quarried during the winter.
Mr. George Stewart seconded the resolution, which was put and carried after some delay,
Mr. Kerr then moved that Mayor Jones be one of the building committee, stating that His Worship had consented to act.
The motion was put and declared lost by the chairman.
Mr. Kerr protested against such irregular proceedings. He said he had wished an adjournment, but the meeting wanted to go on. If people wanted to turn the meeting into ridicule he would move an adjournment. He felt very deeply in the matter and had not attended the meeting to be ridiculed. He moved for an adjournment.
Mr. E. T. C. Knowles said that a gentleman of Mr. Kerr’s age and ability was certainly deserving of a respectful hearing at the hands of the citizens of St. John. He has shown great interest in this project, which is worthy of grave and sober hearing. He did not think the meeting should be interrupted by people whose minds were evidently in their boots.
Amid some confusion the resolution to adjourn was put and lost. The chairman said the resolution was lost, but under the circumstances he would adjourn the meeting as he certainly would not be made a fool of. The meeting was therefore adjourned.