PL/pgSQL RAISE EXCEPTION ignores escape characters even with new E'' string syntax

PostgreSQL 8.1.9

According to the release notes, PostgreSQL still handles escape characters =
in strings as it has in the past, yet PL/pgSQL functions that use escape ch=
aracters within the string definition for RAISE EXCEPTION are ignored, unle=
ss the function is created using the old style quote definition (not $$).


Observe the following four test functions using PL/pgSQL.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION test_func_exception() RETURNS void AS '
BEGIN=20
     RAISE EXCEPTION \'This is an error message.\nThis is a message on a ne=
w line\';
     RETURN;
END '=20
LANGUAGE 'plpgsql' VOLATILE SECURITY DEFINER;


CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION test_func_exception2() RETURNS void AS
$BODY$
BEGIN=20
     RAISE EXCEPTION 'This is an error message.\nThis is a message on a new=
 line';
     RETURN;
END $BODY$
LANGUAGE 'plpgsql' VOLATILE SECURITY DEFINER;

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION test_func_exception3() RETURNS void AS
$BODY$
BEGIN=20
     RAISE EXCEPTION E'This is an error message.\nThis is a message on a ne=
w line';
     RETURN;
END $BODY$
LANGUAGE 'plpgsql' VOLATILE SECURITY DEFINER;


CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION test_func_exception4() RETURNS void AS
$BODY$
DECLARE=20
     smessage text;
BEGIN=20
     smessage :=3D 'This is an error message.\nThis is a message on a new l=
ine';
     RAISE EXCEPTION '%',smessage;
     RETURN;
END $BODY$
LANGUAGE 'plpgsql' VOLATILE SECURITY DEFINER;

Out put from the four test functions are as follows:

1)
select test_func_exception();
ERROR:  This is an error message.
This is a message on a new line

2)
select test_func_exception2();
ERROR:  This is an error message.nThis is a message on a new line

3)
select test_func_exception3();
ERROR:  This is an error message.nThis is a message on a new line

4)
select test_func_exception4();
ERROR:  This is an error message.
This is a message on a new line

You will note that even using the new E'' string format syntax for the RAIS=
E EXCEPTION appears to be broken (test_func_exception3()).
I can't find anything in the documentation that suggests this should be the=
 observed behaviour.

Regards
Donald Fraser=