26 ACADIENSIS
people from encroachments by the English and from assault by the Americans until " worn out with expectations," his stores and wharves, neglected during the war, remaining in ruins, he judged it improper to crowd the Secretary of State with " further communications" until he had "some assurance that they would be received without inattention."
But he soon resumed courage and again laid his views before government; " that the Crown alone without our consent had no right to tax. us and no right to sever Campobello from Nova Scotia by the erection of the Province of New Brunswick, in which Campobello was included, and that no provincial act can oblige an inhabitant to go off his land for duty elsewhere." Valiantly did he defend the firing from Indian Island upon privateers, for were not the privateers equally subject to prosecution for having entered the narrow seas contrary to the intent and purport of their commission and for firing on an island without necessity for their defense or otherwise? Such firing was not more hostile than the firing of muskets from Eastport sentries on empty boats and should receive like indulgence. "Whoever did the first wrong must satisfy the other party," is his judicial decision.
With these words can well be left the honor of David Owen, who, in his rough, even-handed manner, did justice to friend and foe. To-day he would have contended with the joint commission of Canada and the United States for the settlement of the fishery questions and for reciprocity in trade on that basis, which would be best for Campobello without regard to the larger interests of either country.
KATE GANNETT WELLS.
From the year 1770-71 when Captain William Owen, R. N., the principal grantee of the Island of Campobello, and the founder of its first considerable settlement, resided there, the name of Owen has been associated with the history of the Island.
More than a century passed away before the Owen family finally withdrew, leaving a wealth of history and tradition behind them.
