to the _Gazette_ on the insult offered to
the American people by such a proceeding. This called for a reply
from the Rev. Mr. Cridge in defence of his sexton. Also Mr. Gibbs
wrote a very caustic letter, in which he handled the gentleman
without gloves. This Mr. Gibbs, after leaving Victoria, rose to a
high position in the United States, having been appointed minister to
Hayti. He kept a grocery here on lower Yates Street in connection
with Peter Lester. Many of these colored people returned to the
United States after the Civil War was ended. The fire department
was modelled after the San Francisco department, and was composed
principally of Americans. On the formation of the hook and ladder
company several colored men sent in their names for membership. All
were black-balled. As they saw by this that there was a dead-set
made against them, they then decided to form a volunteer military
company. In this they were encouraged by the Hudson's Bay Company,
who lent them muskets. This move on the part of the Hudson's Bay
Company was supposed to have been made on the promise of the support
of the colored military in case they were required to maintain
order.

On the installation of Governor Kennedy, later on, this volunteer
company stated they were going as a guard of honor. This, I believe,
was discouraged by the press, but they put in an appearance with a
band of music. In reply to an address, Governor Kennedy advised them
to disband, as they were illegally organized, there being no
authority for their organization. This was a great disappointment to
them, as they had been to the expense of uniforms and band and drill
hall; in addition to which they had been drilling for months, and now
all for nothing. But there was nothing for it under these
circumstances but to comply, and so the colored military were
disbanded. They were succeeded by a company of white volunteers, who
wore white blanket uniforms trimmed with blue. They used to drill on
Church Hill in the evenings, and were a great attraction. This was
the beginning of the volunteer rifle movement, which was eventually
merged into the Canadian militia. I was one of the riflemen so
merged.

CHAPTER XXXI.

JOHN CHAPMAN DAVIE, M.D.

Sincere will be the regret at the announcement of the death of the
subject of this sketch. As I have known him since he arrived in the
colony with his father (who was also John Chapman Davie), and his
three brothers, William, Horac