[Americana] [Canada] Belcher, Jonathan, and John Collier, and William Nesbitt. Manuscript Document, signed

"An Event so important and interesting to the liberties of Mankind": The British Colony of Nova Scotia Congratulates King George III on the Birth of Future King George IV

Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 28, 1763. One sheet folded to make four pages, 12 1/4 x 8 in. (311 x 203 mm). One-page manuscript document, signed by Jonathan Belcher as Lieutenant Governor, John Collier as Speaker for the Council, and William Nesbitt as Speaker for the Assembly, of the Province of Nova Scotia, congratulating King George III on "the Birth of a Prince Royal and Heir Apparent...an Event so important and interesting to the liberties of Mankind." Dated and amended in another hand at bottom left; docketed on verso. Creasing from old folds, short separations along central horizontal fold; wear and chipping in top edge; scattered spotting to recto, upper portion of verso toned and soiled.

Faint traces of the word "May" appear in manuscript under "April" in the date at bottom. The month of May conforms to Canadian government archives, which records Belcher sending this to the Secretary of State on May 29. See Brymner, Douglas, Report on Canadian Archives, p. 242 (Ottawa, 1893).

Less than two months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris that ended the French and Indian War, and only six months before the Royal Proclamation of 1763 that would redefine Canada's borders lay the seeds for future discontent with the British colonies to the south, the British colony of Nova Scotia sends this declaration of congratulations to King George III upon the news of the birth of his son, heir, and future king, George IV. The "Prince Royal" was born on August 12, 1762, and it had taken some time for the news to reach Nova Scotia, and then for the legislature to issue their congratulations.

The document is signed from the newly-created capital Halifax by the Lieutenant Governor Jonathan Belcher (1710-1776), the son of the eponymous Governor of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Jersey. As the first formally-trained law officer in Nova Scotia, Belcher established the Supreme Court and promoted an English-style legal system. He is credited with drafting the laws passed by Nova Scotia's first and subsequent legislators. He held the post of Governor from November 1761 until September 1763. 

This lot is located in Philadelphia.