On Friday last the Wesleyan Ministers representing the Societies of that denomination in this Colony, presented the following address to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, by a deputation of the following gentlemen: -

To His Excellency Sir John Franklin, Knight, commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, Knight of the Greek Order of the Redeemer, and a Captain in His Majesty's Navy - Lieutenant Governor of the Island of Van Diemen's Land and its Dependencies.

THE ADDRESS of the Wesleyan Ministers representing the societies throughout the colony of Van Diemen's Land.

With sentiments of gratitude to a kind Providence, we sincerely congratulate Your Excellency on the safe arrival of yourself and family in this colony; and gladly avail ourselves of an early opportunity to offer our humble expression of respect to Your Excellency's person and character, as the representative of our beloved Sovereign.

It is most gratifying to us, to have the assurance, that the important and onerous duties of the administration of this rapidly improving colony, have devolved upon so distinguished an individual - one who duly respects the ordinances of religion, and holds the ingrafting of religious principles as essential to good government, and the best interests of the people. We are inspired with the confidence, that under Your Excellency's auspices, and liberal patronage, the great object christian society will be promoted; and that the means of general education and religious instructions, will, ere long, be commensurate with the pressing necessities of the scattered population of the country; regarding which, we have favourable opportunities of judging, from the character of our itinerating ministry.

The missionaries of the Wesleyan society, under the direction of the conference and the general committee of the parent institution, have been employed in this colony about sixteen years; during which period they have had the happiness to enjoy the countenance of the ruling authorities; with the encouraging assurance, that their humble endeavours have not "been in vain in the Lord."

Continuing to recognise the important truth, that "the powers that be are ordained of God," we hope to be enabled, so to inculcate, and exemplify the principles of christianity, as to adorn our holy religion, by a consistent deportment, and respectful submission to lawful authority; and that the devoted services of the ministers of the Wesleyan society, to the spiritual interests of the people under Your Excellency's charge, will continue to merit the fostering attention of his Majesty's liberal government; accompanied with the blessings of "Him by whom Kings reign and Princes decree justice."

That Almighty God (whom Your Excellency acknowledges as "the Governor among nations") may bless you in your person - in your family - and in your government shall be our united and continued prayer - "That peace and happiness - truth and justice - religion and piety, may be established among us;" and crown Your Excellency's propitious administration.

I have the honour to subscribe myself in behalf of the Wesleyan Ministers, and the Societies throughout the colony of Van Diemen's Land, Your Excellency's very humble and most obedient servant,

Government House, January 13, 1837.

REV. SIR AND GENTLEMEN, - I am much gratified by your address, and beg to assure you that I am fully aware of the zealous and devoted labours, which ever since your early establishment in this colony you have bestowed on the spiritual wants of its scattered population, wherever you have conceived them to be most needed.

Disposed as I am to regard with good will and approbation the efforts made by Christians of all denominations, for the furtherance of moral and religious instruction, and the promotion of true piety, I am bound to countenance with unhesitating satisfaction, the conscientious labours of your Society, as being one which has I believe invariably proved itself at once the firm and energetic supporters of good government, and the humble and tolerant disciples of a religion which is essentially a religion of peace and love.

I conclude by thanking you, gentlemen, for your kind expressions of respect to me, individually, and by uniting with you fervently in the prayer, "that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations."

To the Rev. Joseph Orton, and Wesleyan Society.