The following transcriptions courtesy of Kevin Wisener - [email protected]

Governor Edmund Fanning, the second English Governor of the Island from the year 1787 was replaced as governor in 1804 by Col. Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres in May of that year. The following testamonial was written by some of the citizens of the day. Are your ancestors included?

ADDRESS

To His Excellency Edmund Fanning, L.L.D. Lieutenant General in the Army, Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Island Prince Edward, and the Territories adjacent thereunto, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same &, &, &.

May It Please Your Excellency.

We His Majesty's Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Inhabitants of King's County, having lately been informed that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to allow your Excellency to retire to the tranquil enjoyments of a private life, after a long experience of your faithful and eminent service in the no less dignified than arduous station of his own representative in this Island, beg permission to address your Excellency with an affection never before so acutely felt by us, because a like occasion never happened.

When we reflect on the impediments which lay in your Excellency's way on your accession to this government now more than eighteen years ago, your perseverence in its cause, your wife and impartial administrator of justice, your conciliatory manners, and your unremitting exertions in promoting the advancement and prosperity of this Colony, we beg leave to assure you, Sir, in the pure and genuine language of our hearts, that we cannot sufficiently express our deep regret at your retirement, having invariably experienced in your Excellency an amiable assemblage of those virtues and talents which enable and adorn your elevated station, and make happy those who live under so mild and upright an administration.

The proof of how well that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to direct to be in future made for your Excellency, distinguishes at one view the Royal benificence and justice of our beloved Sovereign and the high diservings of your Excellency

We ernestly solicit that your Excellency will be pleased on your return to England, to report with all possible humility to our most gracious Sovereign, as Faithful and Loyal Subjects of his Majesty, who though at a remote distance from his Sacred Person, who are excelled by none in a zealous and steady attachment to the King and his Royal Family, and Loyalty and Obedience to his Majesty's Government, under our happy Constitution in which your Excellency has ever shone our bright Example.

May we hope Sir that you will still make us happy by returning and residing amongst us, and that you will then enjoy the domestic happiness with your amiable Family which is found only in the cool and peaceful shades of retirement, unless his Majesty for the public benefit, shall in his wisdom think fit to continue in activity those eminent talents, and abilities your Excellency is endowed with, in some station of more importance to the Crown and greater emoulument and advantage to your Excellency.