Sir.

The absurdity of calling the District Town of Prince Edward by two names, has long been conspicuous. A narrow bay divides it into two sections. The inhabitants living on one side call the town by the name of Hallowell, while those living on the other, persist in calling it Picton. Hallowell is everywhere acknowledged as the name of the District Town, and one would naturally expect that the courts of law would be held in it. By a strange inconsistency however, all the papers which proceed from the Court-House are dated Picton. The inconvenience and trouble to which this double appellation has put people at a distance in transacting business, have been of frequent occurrence, while the low jealousies and petty quarrels, to which it has given rise have been almost incredible, and make the words of the poet,–

Lands intersected by a narrow frith
Abhor each other. Mountains interposed,
Make enemies of nations, who had else,
Like kindred drops been mingled into one.

I am no stickler for names, being well convinced that “the rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The words Hallowell and Picton are good enough in their way, and had the place been originally designated by either, the name would have been altogether unobjectionable. But after it has been once recognized as Hallowell I do not see what right or authority any individual has to alter or change that name. The attempt indeed is an insolent aggression upon the rights of the proprietors by whom the place was originally settled and designated.

Rather than continue to indulge in needless altercation, many respectable individuals seem now to wish that both names Hallowell and Picton are dropped altogether and that a new name were adopted instead. The only difficulty seems to be, the selection of a title which would be at once appropriate and agreeable to all parties. Indian names have of late become quite the rage. In conformity with the prevailing taste I have put myself to some trouble to learn how this place is denominated by the Mohawks and how by the Mississaguas. I find that it is called Newmawketongzank, Sturgeon Cove, by the Mohawks and Tsiyodenhoewadadi, Head of the Bay, by the Mississaguas. No European tongue could learn to articulate these names under six weeks hard study. Convinced that neither was likely to be adopted I applied to a friend who is intimately acquainted with several Indian languages for another. He writes me that he is extremely sorry to find the inhabitants of Hallowell are so hard set to find a name for their flourishing village, and that neither the Mississauga nor the Mohawk appellations will suit their taste, (as indeed what taste would they suit) he suggests the propriety of inquiring how it was named by the Adawes, a tribe which is now extinct by whom the Bay of Quinte was originally possessed.

I have made the inquiries pointed out by my friend but I am sorry to say my efforts have hitherto proven proved abortive. Since then neither the Mohawk, the Mississagua, nor the Adawe, can furnish us with a name it would perhaps be as well to apply to our vernacular tongue. A title at once appropriate, harmonious, and expressive of the attachment entertained by the inhabitants of this local district to the Crown of England has been pointed out by a person whose name, were I permitted to mention it, would carry some weight along with it. Victoria is that name. It will be remembered that this this District was called Prince Edward in honor of his late Royal Highness Prince Edward Duke of Kent. What name for our district town then could be more appropriate, than that of his only child the accomplished Princess who is now presumptive heiress to the throne of Great Britain.

I am sir yours
J. A. R.

P.S. Since the above was written a meeting of the inhabitants of Prince Edward was held in the Court House, at which it was resolved that a petition be presented to the Legislature praying that the villages of Hallowell and Picton be united under the name of Port William, in honor of our present most gracious sovereign, that the limits thereof be accurately [defined] and that a Police be established therein for preservation of the public peace.
J. A. R.