FANNING IN OPPOSITION TO PATTERSON . 43 " Were it even possible for me, at so few clays' notice, to quit -the island, even with the total ruin of my family, I should be obliged to accumulate ruin on ruin by being obliged to stay a whole season in England to wait for evidence from home, and in place of expediting, it must delay my hearing. But if I cannot go from hence prepared to answer my accusers, after my arrival my fate may be soon decided; and if I have not been guilty of ■what will deprive me of my liberty, I may. return in the course >»of the summer to cultivate my farm. *' His Majesty is full of justice. He is the father of his people, ■ rand therefore cannot wish the ruin of a subject, much less of an ■old and faithful servant. Then I doubtless shall have justice. '. I wish no more. Afford me only an opportunity of clearing my character, and I shall instantly resign. I have long and anx¬ iously wished to do it, and most certainly shall the moment I < can with honor. " I cannot even guess at the nature of my present accusations; but be they what they may, I wish to meet them; and I shall do .•so, my lord, with a confidence and certain knowledge that they rare as unfounded as the last. I know I have done no wrong, ;and therefore court inquiry; but I also know my enemies, and must go prepared among them. A conscious rectitude of heart forms, my lord, arms of adamant,—a shield which admits no :fear. '• I am, my lord, &e., " Walter, Patterson." But Patterson had a large number of friends in the island "who backed him in his opposition to Fanning ; and the ■council, consisting of men of his own selection, and the •assembly being ready to act according to his dictation, he was in hopes that representations proceeding from these ..sources would secure his restoration to a position to which lie was now clinging with tenacity. During the winter the government of the island remained in this anomalous condition ; but early in April following, Governor Fanning issued a proclamation notifying his appointment, and calling