"We the merchants and inhabitants of this His Majesty's Island of Saint Christopher, beg leave to approach your Excellency with the warmest congratulations on your arrival in this colony; and to assure your Excellency that could any circumstance enhance the satisfaction we receive upon this occasion, it must proceed from the happy contemplation of the recent success which has crowned the exertions to which you have so pre-eminently contributed in the reduction of the Island of Martinique to His Majesty's arms: a conquest which has at once given additional splendour to the British name, and added another signal example of your merit, perseverance, and intrepidity. "Although pre-eminent as your Excellency is viewed, by every class of your heroic brothers in arms, we cannot, however, but assure your Excellency, that the high and general estimation which every inhabitant of the sister colony (hitherto entrusted to your command), feels toward you, (and which colony you so gallantly defended against a superior force), contributes most powerfully to endear you to every individual of this island, in the united character of a brave soldier and a good citizen. "We trust your Excellency's stay amongst us will be protracted for a time equal to the wishes of this community, who anxiously express the most ardent desire of offering to your Excellency every testimony of the high consideration they entertain of you, and the brave soldiers under your command. "A great and good King, who can appreciate merit and bestow reward, will add stability to our expressions, and pronounce to the world, by his commendations, that we have not presumed to announce your merits, but from the truest heralds of your fame--men who have shared your dangers and received your smiles--the British soldiery." "_Basseterre, March 21st, 1809._" * * * * * _Reply of Sir George Prevost._ _To the Merchants and Inhabitants of the Island of St. Christopher._ "Gentlemen, "Highly flattered as I feel by the address of the merchants and inhabitants of His Majesty's Island of St. Christopher; the gratification I derive from this testimony of their consideration, increases my very sincere regret that the interest of the public service deprives me of the opportunity of indulging my private feelings in making a longer stay than my duty will in the present instance permit;--I shall ever most eagerly and joyfully avail myself of every occasion of testifying to this island, my sincerest and best wishes for its welfare and prosperity. (Signed) "GEORGE PREVOST." "_Basseterre, March 21st, 1809._" No. XIX. _Address from the Inhabitants of Halifax, p. 12._ _To His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._ "Sir,