PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 03 part of it. On opening the session, he con¬ gratulated the Legislature on the increasing industry and tranquility he had everywhere witnessed. It seems curious that the " Act declaring that Baptism of Slaves shall not exempt them from Bondage," passed in 1781, was not repealed until this session, having re¬ mained a blot on our statute book for forty- four years. A petition from the Roman Catholic inhabitants for the right to vote at elections for the House of Assembly was brought up on 20th October, but, owing to the advanced state of the session, was deferred until the next, "when the same ought to have, and is entitled to, the serious consideration of the House." The Assembly , during both these ses¬ sions, gave much consideration to the im¬ provement of means of communication, and urged the extension of the roads and their widening and improvement. In the Lieu¬ tenant-Governor they found a man able and willing to forward their views to the utmost. The General Assembly met next on 20th March, 1827. During the recess, Colonel Ready had spent some time in England , where he interested himself intelligently and practically in the welfare of the province. While there, he purchased a number of valu¬ able horses, cattle and sheep, which he im¬ ported to the Island, and which did much to gain for this province the high reputation it long held for good live stock. Though His Excellency himself, in his speech, did not refer to this matter, yet the Assembly , in their reply, recognized its value, and ex¬ pressed their thanks and their appreciation of its importance to this Island. Into his speech the Lieutenant -Gover ¬ nor breathed an optimistic spirit. He men¬ tioned his strong impression of the improv¬ ing state of the Island. Referring to the improvement in internal communication since last session, he said: "The western line of road has been completed up to Prince Town . Surveys have been made for the purpose of carrying on this line to Cascum- ■ peque and the , its final object. "The roads to Georgetown , the Bay of • Fortune, and other settlements, have under¬ gone, material improvement." Reference was made to the benefit that would be afforded by an inland post He strongly recommended the formation of an agricultural society. Encouragement to a commencement of Georgetown and Prince Town was recommended, especially the former, as being particularly eligible for a fishery. He also congratulated the Assem- ' bly upon an increased revenue. The House of Assembly , by resolution, asserted its sole right to originate and grant supplies, and to limit and direct the ends and purposes of such grants, which ought not to be changed or altered by the Council. The petition of the Roman Catholic in¬ habitants, which had been brought up in the ' last session, was brought up again, but the resolution to grant their request was lost, by the casting vote of the speaker. The Assembly took up the matter of bland mails, and recommended His Excel¬ lency to take such steps as he thought proper to have an inland mail to Prince Town , at least once a week in summer, and once a fortnight in winter, returning by Travel¬ er's Rest ( Kensington ) where a postmaster might be appointed, thence by Bedeque and Tryon river, to Charlottetown , and also to¬ wards East Point , and to Three ; and that this House would make good, in a future session, any expenses attending the 1 ."*