MILITARY AND CIVIL. 85

In February, 1843, a disaster in connection with our winter’s mail service occurred at the Capes. The boats left Cape Traverse for Cape Tormentine on the morning of'the 20th, with the mail and a few passengers, and had arrived within two miles of the mainland when the wind accompanied by a fall of snow and a severe frost arose from the north-west, causing such a furious drift that it was impossible to effect a landing; while to attempt to return was useless; they had therefore no other alternative but of remaining on the ice and shelter themselves as best they could until the morning. After a consultation they turned the boats over and kindled a fire endeavouring to keep themselves from perishing during the night. On the arrival of day-light they found that they had drifted eastward a distance of some fifteen miles. The Island shore being in sight they directed their course thither, landing about 3 o’clock in the afternoon at Rice Point, Lot 65. The whole party were badly frost-bitten, with the exception of Capt. Philip Irving. Two of the passengers, Messrs. Hodgkinson and Butters, were brought to town, where under skillful treatment they soon recovered, being able to return to their homes in the United States, in April.

Finding it necessary to assemble their various official depart- ments under the same roof, the government resolved on building a free stone edifice of a capacity sufficiently large for the carrying out of that purpose. The old Market House on Great George Street being removed, it was decided to place the foundation on that site, and as Parliament had voted the means the work of construction began at once.

The laying of the corner stone took place on the 16th May. The morning was dark and lowering, but about Io o’clock the clouds dispersed and 01d Sol shone forth in all his splendor. At the appointed hour, the Members of the Council, Heads of Departments, Magistrates, Members of the Bar, the Temperance Society and St. John’s Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, formed in procession and marched from Government House Avenue along the west end of Kent Street. While in front of the site of the building, the Artillery under Captain Mabey, had planted two field guns, and a guard of honor was drawn up under Lieutenant Dawson of the Rifles. At 2 o’clock His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, who was dressed in superb uniform, and mounted on his charger, surrounded by