Petition of Jacob Barker

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The Petition of JACOB BARKER, ISRAEL PERLEY, PHINEAS NEVENS, DANIEL PALMER, MOSES PICKARD, EDWARD COYE, THOMAS HARTT, ISRAEL KENNEY, ASA KIMBALL, ASA PERLEY, HUGH QUINTON, and OLIVER PERLEY, a Committee chosen in behalf of the Inhabitants of the River ST˙ JOHN' S, in NOVA SCOTIA, humbly showeth:

That we, your petitioners, have for some time past beheld with grief, the calamity brought on this nation and land by a ruinous and destructive civil war. Our situation being somewhat remote from the seat of these troubles, and our land producing most of the necessaries of life, we have not been so immediately affected as many parts on the Continent, and therefore have taken no part in the present unnatural quarrel, but have quietly suffered a suspension of trade, hoping that God, in his Providence, would point out a way for the amicable settlement of these unhappy disputes; but our hopes have hitherto proved abortive, and troubles are rather increased. Our Governour hath thought proper effectually to prevent our being supplied with arms and ammunition, by ordering a large penalty. Many of those articles being shipped (or water borne) in the Province,

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We now, in behalf of the inhabitants, openly declare, that we could never see any shadow of justice in that extensive claim of the British Parliament, viz: the right of enacting laws binding on the Colonies in all cases whatsoever. This system, if once established, (we conceive,) hath a direct tendency to sap the foundation not only of liberty, that dearest of names, but of property, that best of subjects. And as tyranny ought to be resisted in its first attempts, we are convinced that the United Provinces are just in their proceedings in this regard. The inhabitants of this place, after mature consideration, have thought fit to submit themselves to your government, and desire your protection, and that you would esteem the river St˙ John' s as a part of your Province, which would add thereto a valuable extent of territory, though at present but few inhabitants. And we promise, in behalf of the inhabitants, to adopt such measures as you shall propose for our future conduct; and we are ready, with our lives and fortunes, to share with you the event of the present struggle for liberty, however God, in his Providence, may order it.

We, therefore, humbly ask your protection as a defenceless people, and that you would grant us such relief and assistance as you in your wisdom shall think proper, hoping that you will not tamely see us butchered or plundered for showing ourselves friendly to your cause.

That God would speedily restore peace to America, and that you will be led to such measures as will be most to His glory and the good of His people, is the earnest desire of your humble petitioners.

Maugerville, on the River St˙ John' s, May 21, 1776.

JACOB BARKER, ISRAEL KENNEY, PHINEAS NEVENS, HUGH QUINTON, DANIEL PALMER, OLIVER PERLEY, EDWARD COYE, ISRAEL PERLEY, ASA PERLEY, MOSES PICKARD, THOMAS HARTT.