HISTORY. 365

hood to express in court, when the members of the committee, who were brought to the bar, had been ordered into custody without being heard, that it was novel law to him to hear an order made for com- mitting gentlemen who had the misfortune to be brought to the bar of court on an implied charge, without being allowed the privilege of defending themselves, except by the tardy course of petitioning, while they must at the same time remain in custody.

After this, Governor Smith remained within the barrack gates, apparently inactive as respected the local affairs of the colony, until he left the colony on the arrival of his successor, Colonel Ready.

The Attorney-General was soon after reinstated in his oflice. Writs for a new election of members for the Representative Assembly were issued; and Mr Stewart, who returned to the colony in the same ship with the Governor, was chosen speaker of the House of Assembly. During the first session of which, twenty—three acts of great importance to the country were passed, and added to the code of colonial laws.

Governor Ready has since been in England, but has returned again to the island, the improvement and prosperity of which appeared, with him, paramount to every other consideration. The roads, all over the island, have been widened, and rendered fit for car- riages. New bridges have been erected, and the old ones repaired. The legislature have appropriated money for aiding the support of schools in Charlotte Town, and the county settlements. Agriculture, and

the breeding of cattle, are encouraged ; and what has