SAVAGE, ARTHUR, first secretary of the Province of Nova Scotia; fl. 1720–31.

A merchant from Boston, Savage moved to Annapolis Royal, N.S., early in 1720. In that year he was appointed secretary to the new council established by Governor Richard Philipps* to provide a form of civil government for the province. In addition he was given the post of naval officer, a minor function involving the registry of vessels trading in provincial waters.

Although he seems to have been a quiet, business-like man, Savage became embroiled in petty quarrels between the New England traders, the officers of the garrison at Annapolis Royal, and the council members. He successfully refuted the charges of Lieutenant John Washington, who accused him of exacting high fees from the Acadians and of monopolizing with Philipps the sale of provisions to the garrison. The atmosphere at Annapolis not being to Savage’s liking, he returned to Boston, probably early in 1722. In 1724 he petitioned the authorities in England for his pay as secretary, claiming that Philipps had withheld his salary. He did not return to Nova Scotia, apparently holding the appointment in absentia until 1731.

Maxwell Sutherland