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years, to have wearied of his efforts here, and to have sought for other fields. His name is well known in the history of Manitoba and the northwest, .where .he made his strong personality felt, and whither he directed his efforts after leaving this Island.
Although Fanning had many difficulties to contend with, and had continual trouble with the proprietors over the quit rents, and encountered opposition and friction in nu- merous ways, he yet managed affairs with reasonable success. He was firm, but also conciliatory. When his term of office closed in 1805, his successor found matters run- ning with comparative smoothness. Fan- ning himself had gained the good will of the Island people, and the approbation of the home government. The latter granted him a life pension equal to his salary, as a proof of their appreciation. The people, who had not been favorable to him when first he came among them presented him with a most laud-
' atory address, signed by a hundred and twen— ty-five of the leading men when he retired from office, to which he made a feeling reply, from which the following passage may be quoted:
“I came hither with the‘strongest preju- dices against both the Island and its inhabi- tants; but, on my arrival, my former opin- ion has been done away with, and eighteen years’ continued residence has had the happy effect not only utterly to remove these ill- founded prejudices, but, on the contrary, to excite, with each revolving year, an increas- ing partiality in favor of the Island, and a warm attachment to its inhabitants; and at
~ present I have no other expectation or in- : tention, but of returning to pass the remain- der of my .days with you in this flourishing } and delightful Island.” " The address and reply were publishedon
PAST AND PRESENT OF
the 16th of February, 1805, in the fourth number of the “Royal Herald.” The edi- torial business notice in this early Prince Ed- ward Island journal is in itself interesting, as showing the conditions which prevailed at that date. The paper, which was printed by James Bagnall, printer to the King’s most excellent majesty it was announced, would be published regularly once a week, from Ist May to Ist November, the remainder of the year once a fortnight. “The price to be sixteen shillings a year, to be paid, one-half in advance, at the time of subscribing, or on the receipt of the first number in each half year. The paper to be punctually forwarded by every conveyance, to those who may not have the benefit of living in the town. Coun- try produce and furs will be taken as pay- ment, from those that cannot make it con- venient to pay cash.”
Until the coming of Lord Selkirk’s set— tlers, little increase in population had taken place in Fanning’s time. In fact, there was, as already intimated, an amount of emigra- tion from the Island, which caused the au- thorities concern. Still, the Island was be- coming more prosperous, and was beginning to develop a trade, while agricultural opera- tions were being successfully carried on. Mr. Stewart, who was thoroughly well informed on all matters relating to the Island, and an acute observer, informs us that: “Our fish- eries, which had been gradually reviving since I 784, promised to become again con- siderable, and afforded the means of recom- mencing a trade with the West India islands, by which we were abundantly supplied with their produce, upon very moderate terms; several cargoes of fish were also annually shipped for the European market, for which British manufactures, salt and wine were brought in return; besides the cod fishery, _