146 HISTORY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. payment of principal and interest. In plain English, the aggrieved parties were made practically responsible for op¬ pression in the production of which they had no hand, and for which, therefore, they could in no legitimate sense be held responsible. On the assumption that the British gov¬ ernment were not accountable, the award of the commis¬ sioners was admirable ; but, assuming their responsibility, the cost of rectification was recommended to be borne by the wrong parties. Let it not be for a moment supposed that it is intended by these remarks to foster discontent in the island, to weaken the bonds which unite it to the old country, or to generate a spirit of disloyalty to the Crown or dissatisfaction towards good landlords. Were the writer inspired by so criminal a de¬ sire, his efforts would fail in the production of any such consequences. The people have learned to put no confidence either in governments or princes ; but, under Almighty favor, by economy, temperance, and hard work, to trust to their own efforts in sweeping from the island the remnants of a pernicious system, and of attaining that measure of independence and prosperity to which such formidable ob¬ stacles have been presented, but the ultimate realization of which the capabilities of the island warrant. Since the island became British property, not a petition or complaint has been laid at the foot of the throne which lias not breathed the most devoted loyalty ; and the people, under trials which might have tested the patience of Job, have borne them with a degree of meekness and patience to which few parallels can be produced ; and at this moment the beloved Queen of Great Britain has not more sturdy, faithful, and resolute defenders of her throne and person than the inhabitants of Prince Edward Island . Loyalty must be indigenous to a soil where, under such adverse con¬ ditions, it has taken such deep root and flourishes.