The Privy Council's usage of the phrase "and its dependencies", referring to the province of Scotia, was derived from the 1786 arrangement that saw Sir Guy Carleton , Lord Dorchester , become the Governor - General of all the British colonies, with the exception of Newfoundland . Under that arrangement, Carleton, now become Baron Dorchester , was not given a single commission as governor general, but separate commissions as governor-in-chief of each of the provinces. For the maritime provinces he received two such commissions, the one for New Brunswick and the other for " Nova Scotia and its dependencies." These commissions had to be deposited by Dorchester at the seats of government in the maritime provinces. Were he to visit the maritime provinces he would take the oath of office and become the head of the province during his stay. In practice this operated as a positive deterrent to making such visits.54 The First "Bishop of Nova Scotia " Charles Inglis , a United Empire Loyalist clergyman, was consecrated as the first "Bishop of Nova Scotia and its dependencies" at Lambeth Palace on August 12th, 1787, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. John Moore . Inglis received two Patents in his capacity as Bishop of the See of Nova Scotia . The first, dated August 9th, was valid for the duration of his lifetime. It appointed him as the first "Bishop of Nova Scotia ". The second, received on August 13th, granted him "jurisdiction, spiritual and ecclesiastical" in and over Quebec , New Brunswick and Newfoundland . This second Patent was valid only during the Royal pleasure and could be revoked or altered at any time, dependent only on the will and pleasure of the Monarch. Charles Inglis was quite happy with this arrangement, in fact, he wrote to his good friend Bishop White of Philadelphia in December of 1787 explaining the complicated features of his office. Nova Scotia is properly my . I have the same authority given me over the Clergy that Bishops have in England over their Clergy; but the temporal powers vested in English Bishops by the Constitution are withheld; & this by my own choice, for I drew up the plan that was adopted. By another Patent of a later date, directed to me as Bishop of Nova Scotia the same authority over the Clergy of New Brunswick , Canada & Newfoundland, is given me, that was granted before over the Clergy of this Province. For there are two patents, which I should have mentioned before - one is during my life, by which this Province is constituted a Bishop' See, & I am appointed the first Bishop; the 54. Whitelaw, W.M. The Maritimes and Canada Before Confederation. ( Toronto , OUP1934) note 1, p.52. 35