Kingston Chronicle (Kingston, ON), April 21, 1832

p.2

Presentation of a Service of Plate to Capt. Richardson.

The humane and spirited conduct of Captain Richardson, of the Steamer Canada, and of the seamen under his command during the last season, in their successful exertions on several occasions in rescuing persons from drowning, and particularly their very gallant conduct in saving the crew of the Schooner Prescott, wrecked at the entrance of the harbour in April last, having often been gratefully remembered by the inhabitants of York, it was proposed, that the high estimation entertained of their laudable exertions should be expressed by requesting Captain Richardson to accept of a Silver Tea Service, which might be used on the table of the Canada, with suitable inscriptions, and placing at his disposal a sum to be divided among the men who assisted him on these occasions.

This proposition being very generally concurred in, the presentation of the Plate, together with an address, was, by desire of the inhabitants, entrusted to the honorable and venerable the Archdeacon of York, and the honorable the Chief Justice, together with the honorable Messrs. McGill, Crookshank and McDonald, as three of the oldest inhabitants of the town.

The service consists of a Silver Tea Pot, Sugar Basin, and Cream Jug, with Tongs and Spoons; the three larger articles having the following inscription:

"Presented to Hugh Richardson, Esquire, Master of the Steamer Canada, by the inhabitants of York, in Upper Canada. In testimony of their warm approbation of his intrepid and humane conduct, in rescuing persons from drowning on several occasions, under circumstances of imminent peril.

9th April, 1832."

These were presented to Captain Richardson on board the Canada on Monday morning; - a purse of £20 being at the same time placed in his hands, with a request that it might be divided at his discretion among the men who shared with him in the perils to which their gallant conduct exposed them.

The following is the address to Captain Richardson, on the presentation of the Plate, which was delivered by the honorable the Chief Justice, accompanied by the honorable gentlemen mentioned above, together with Captain Richardson's reply.

To Hugh Richardson, Esquire, Master of the Steamer Canada, York.

Sir, - In behalf of a large number of the inhabitants of York, and for ourselves, we request your acceptance of some articles of Plate, which are of small value, otherwise than as they serve to record the high sense which your townsmen entertain of the manly and humane conduct so characteristic of a British Seaman, which you have exhibited on several occasions in rescuing persons from drowning, under circumstances of great danger; and particularly in saving by a very gallant exertion the crew of the schooner Prescott wrecked last year in the entrance of this harbor, in a tempestuous morning, of which this is the anniversary.

We beg to convey to you the sincere good wishes of the inhabitants of this town, for your success and happiness.

John B. Robinson, John Strachan, John McGill, Geo. Crookshank, Alex. McDonald.

York, Upper Canada, 9th April, 1832.

Captain Richardson's Reply.

Gentlemen, I beg you will accept, and allow me to convey, through you to the inhabitants of York, my grateful acknowledgements for the very flattering manner in which they have been pleased to express their approbation of my conduct, accompanied by a present of valuable plate, for assisting in rescuing from drowning several of my fellow creatures:- and when I see the high and venerable persons who have condescended to be the organs to confer this honor on me, I can easily imagine, by my own feelings, what gave such inestimable value to the simple wreath of the ancients. Not to feel pride upon this occasion, would be a libel upon human nature.

To the skill and seamanlike conduct of my boat's crews, I owe much of my success, and particularly in the case of the Prescott; a reliance upon their skill, firmness and obedience, disarmed the undertaking of much of its peril.

I am happy to have this opportunity of publicly acknowledging the many heavy obligations I am under to the inhabitants of York, and under the guidance of Divine Providence, I trust I shall never prove ungrateful.

9th April, 1832. Hugh Richardson.

[York Courier]

p.3 Lake Ontario Steam Boats - We have seen a letter from John Hamilton, Esq. the enterprising proprietor of the steamboat Great Britain, to a gentleman of this village, stating that this vessel will commence her trips between Prescott and Niagara, touching at Kingston, Oswego, and York, about the 25th inst.

We are also informed that the new and splendid steamboat United States of 160 horse power, now building at Ogdensburg, will be in readiness for navigation about the 1st of May, and will be a regular visitor at this port.

Also, that the British steamboat Alciope, a vessel of the first class, intends making regular calls at this port the ensuing season, on her trips up and down the lake.

[Oswego Palladium]

New Line of Packets - A new line of packets will be in readiness to commence running daily between this village and Utica, on the opening of the canal. This, together with the additional facilities for travelling on the lake by steamboats, will render the Oswego route equal, if not superior, in point of expedition and comfort, to any other, and far more attractive, from the variety of scenery which it presents to the eye of the traveller. [ib]

The Great Britain steam boat arrived here from Prescott on Wednesday evening, being her first trip this season, and proceeded on her route to Cobourg, York, Niagara, etc. on Thursday morning. This splendid vessel has undergone a thorough embellishment in painting and furnishing, displaying considerable taste in every thing that respects the comforts of the passengers of all ranks. No alteration has been made in her enginery; but additional strength and security have been given to every part of the machinery that is most liable to accident, by the application of strong double braces, rendering her the safest, most substantial, and elegant vessel that sails upon these lakes. She had a cargo of 400 barrels of salt, and twelve cabin, besides many fore-cabin and steerage, passengers. The Toronto made her first trip to Prescott on Thursday morning.

If any evidence was wanting to prove the superiority of the port of Kingston over that of Prescott for sailing craft, the following fact, which occurred this week, may be fairly adduced. The Britannia, Telegraph, and Lady Colborne schooners arrived here from Grimsby and Burlington on Tuesday the 17th, laden with pork, flour, and wheat. The Britannia, consigned to Mr. Archibald McDonell discharged her cargo and returned the same day to Burlington, with a fair wind. The other two schooners, bound for Prescott, remained weather-bound here till the morning of the 20th, being delayed nearly four days - confirming the well known fact that two trips can be made from Burlington to Kingston in the time that it requires to make one from the former harbour to Prescott.

Mr. Drummond's new schooner, The Lady of the Lake, of 100 tons burthen, which has been building at Mississagua Battery, will be launched at 2 o'clock this day. She is a beautiful model, reflecting equal credit upon the enterprising owner and the scientific builder.

Welland Canal - By a letter from a gentleman at St. Catharines, we learn that the Welland Canal will be open for navigation on the 15th inst. [York Courier]