Soon afterwards Sir Howard was engaged in discussing the cause and events of the Belgian insurrection.  He showed to the British Government the design which France had contrived to her aggrandizement by the dissolution of the Netherlands, and urged intervention on the part of the British Government.  The measures taken in determining the strength of the Dutch territory and the trouble thus averted which must have involved war and bloodshed, secured the hearty thanks of the English monarch who acknowledged the debt of gratitude in terms of deep sincerity.

The colonists were now awaiting Sir Howard’s return with great anxiety, watching his movements with deep concern.  Hope once more filled their hearts as news spread abroad that their ruler was making preparations to return to New Brunswick.  But a new source of uneasiness arose.  The Home Government raised a question abolishing the protection on colonial timber.  Sir Howard was aroused to a sense of the situation.  By the abolition of such protection the trade of New Brunswick and the other colonies would be ruined, while the Baltic trade would reap the benefit.  Was he to tamely submit to measures injuring the resources of the people whom he represented?  No, he would appeal in a manner that would have public sympathy.  Hence was produced the well written pamphlet bearing his name, setting forth the grievance in a way that could not fail to prove the justice of the cause.  Every point was discussed with clearness and based upon the most reliable facts and statistics.  Newspapers took up the subject and complimented the author in the most flattering terms.

A general excitement was now raised and the question was discussed on every side.  In the House of Commons it gained much popularity.  Great was the joy of Sir Howard when the result of his work was announced by the defeat of the government.  This proved the patriotism of Sir Howard.  He could not sacrifice the interest of his country to those of himself and family.  He purchased his country’s welfare with the resignation of the governorship of New Brunswick!

Where do we find such true nobility of character, such brilliant genius, and such unsullied virtue?  Well might the Colonists have exclaimed with one voice when tidings conveyed the news of Sir Howard’s resignation: 

    “He was a man, take him for all in all,
     We shall not look upon his like again.”

However, some recognition must be made to show their gratitude to one who had made such a sacrifice.  Meetings were held in different parts of the Province resulting in a general subscription towards the purchase of a valuable service of plate which was presented him in England, accompanied by an address, breathing the spirit of heartfelt regret at the loss of their much beloved ruler.  Sir Howard never forgot this circumstance.  He often referred to his stay in New Brunswick with feelings bordering on emotion.  Years afterwards his heart beat with quickening impulse