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REPORT

or THR

SPECIAL COMMITTEE

OM THB

MAGDALEN ISLANDS,

AND THB

WESTERN PART OF THIS PROVINCE,

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ABOVH

LAKE HURON.

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printrir bi) 9titt of tjie l^rgislatfair <3i00nit||li).

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MOUNTAIN STRBBT.

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REPORT

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SPECIAL COMMITTEE

ON THE

MAGDALEN ISLANDS,

ASD THB

WESTERN PART OF THIS PROVINCE,

ABOVB

LAKE HURON.

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QUEBEC:

PBINIED BT JOHN LOYELL, AT HIS STEAM PBINTINa BSTABUSHMBNTr

MOUNTAIN STBEEX.

1853.

/ - 2 ^ ;/ /

J^ffl

in ^11

REPORT

OF THE

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS,

&c. (fee. &c.

(TVanslatwn.)

Legislative Assembly, Committee Hoom,
Wednesday, 23rd March, 1853.

Present :

Mr.

C. J. Fournier, Chairman,
Colonel Prince,
Mr. Christie of Gaspe, and
Hon. Mr. DeSales LaTerriere.

The Special Committee appointed to make inquiry into the following matters
in reference to the Magdalen Islands :

1st. Under what tenure the lands are occupied by the inhabitants cf those
Islands ;

2nd. What is the present condition of their agriculture, trade, fisheries, and
other branches of industry, whether mines, minerals, or otherwise, and what
would be the most ellicient means of improving the same, should that be deemed
necessary ; , ;, •..,...

3id. Whether lhos.e Islands a^e generally ad,\5antageous to this Province In a
commercial point of view or otherwise ; Lastly, into air matters having reference
thereto; as also to make inquiry concerning the Western part of this Province,
situate above Lake Huron ; and to whom was referred the Petition of A. Pain-
chaud. Esquire, and others, Merchants and Traders in the Magdalen Islands, — have
the honor to present the following Report :

In order to proceed as nearly as possible in conformity with the views which
Your Honorable House appeared to entertain in referring to them the two Resolutions
and the Petition above mentioned, and in order to secure the greatest amount
of evidence which they possibly could obtain. Your Committee sent circulars to
various persons who were considered most qualified to afford information con-
cerning these two extremities of the Province hitherto so little known.

With a full and deliberate consideration of their testimony. Your Committee
have arrived at the conclusion that the Government being better able than they to
obtain local information, they should avoid offering any suggestions, which a
subject of such great importance to the future prosperity of the Province may
seem to require.

Nevertheless, Your Committee do not consider it their duty to suppress their
humble opinion, that the Magdalen Islands being situate at the entrance of the
Gulf, between the Islands of Newfoundland and Cape Breton, and Prince
Edward's Island, &c., affording, moreover, the only harbour of refuge for fishermen
and coasting vessels from Labrador, Upper Canada or elsewhere, in their traffic
with the Eastern Provinces, ought to be preserved, even at the cost, in a certain
degree, of the revenues derived from the Customs.

The population of these Islands, according to the last census, consists of
nearly 2,500 souls.

The Imports and Exports for the last two years were :-
Imports. Exports.

1851— £1,421 3 7 £> 4,896 8 4

1852— 3,248 17 10 11,096 3 6

Duties.
jClU 11 0
303 4 6

Our fisheries on Lake Superior ought, if possible, to be protected from the
encroachment of our neighbours.- That part of the Province will, by the aid of
the mines and fisheries, make rapid progress. Prisons and Courts of Justice,
both Civil and Criminal, should be established at certain distant stations, out
of the Consolidated Revenue, for the benefit of the settlers residing in parts
remote from the chief Towns of their several Districts, who are frequently injured
by persons against whom they are unable to obtain a remedy, on account of the
remoteness of the power from which they might hope for suitable redress and
protection.

Your Committee likewise lay before Your Honorable House, the evidence
and the plans which they have procured, in order the better lo enable Honorable
Members to form their judgment of the resources and the wants of tiiese two
extremities of the Province.

The whole, nevertheless, submitted.

(Signed,)

C. J. FOURNIER,

Chairman.
JOHN PRINCE,

DeSALES LATERRIERE, M. P.
ROBERT CHRISTIE.

. • • • • I «
' • • •
t • •

...♦.

Magdalen Islands,
.: :''2\af October, 1852.

Sir, — I have to ackncrwledge* redeifjr of your circufar dated 9th September,
and hastily submit a few suggestions in reply to same, which, if carried into
effect, might prove as beneficial to the inhabitants of these Islands as to the Pro-
vince of Canada, generally.

The Seal and Cod Fisheries of the Magdalen Islands are its staple article of
export, and both of which, I am sorry to say, are in a very languishing stale ; the
p3ople engaged in them are yearly lacking energy. The Merchants who afford
them supplies to carry on this half expiring trade, are also forsaking the business,
and consequently a great portion of the trade is falling into the merchants and
traders on the Labrador Coast. This is an evil which ought to be remedied. Turn
again to the Seal Fishery, a branch of trade capable of being increased to a very
large extent — yet at present, from the repeated failures in the sealing season, to
be attributed, in fact, to the miserable description of vessels that follow the busi-
ness, it is almost becoming a dead letter. There is also a valuable Mackarel
Fishery around these Islands, (carried on with much enterprize by the Americans)
yet for fear of loss by following the pursuit, not a single vessel of the Islands are
engaged in it. To remedy all this I would say, grant a bounty on the Cod,
Seal and Mackarel Fishery — give to the inhabitants (who have bone and sinew
equal to any race of people under the sun,) a little encouragement, prop up these
expiring yet valuable branches of commerce, and you would soon see great re-
sources daily developing themselves.

I would say £1000 judiciously expended in the shape of bounties to the
vessels employed in the Seal, Cod and Mackarel Fishpries. Imitate the Ameri-
cans, and give a tonnage bounty of 20s. per ton on all vessels engaged in the
above pursuits for the season, and I hesitate not to say that after a very short

1

period, the Fisheries of the Magdalen Islands would vie with those of any part
of the world, and the Province of Canada could. not fail but participate in the
general benefit, by an increased consumption of the agricultural produce.

Next in importance to this, is a Mail communication with the Province ; I,
myself, have labored under the want of such an arrangement, having now before
me a letter of consequence received from the Committee of Lluyds, in London,
that has been nearly twelve months on its way.

Having personally visited, the past summer, a portion of the District of Gasp6,
I should certainly say that a line could be easily established between this and
Perce, running monthly, at a cost of not more than £15 per month, commencing
on the 1st May and ending of 1st on November. Indeed, should no lower offer be
submitted, I wopld engage to place a suitable vessel on the line for the sum above
mentioned, say fifteen pounds per month, free of all other charges whatsoever.

I am,

Sir,
Your obedient servant

(Signed,) JOHN J. MANCE.

Committee Room, No. 4,
Thursday 23rd Sepicmbcr^ 1852.

Robert Christie^ the Member for the County of Gasp6, was called before the
Committee and examined as follows : —

Under what tenure do the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands hold iheir
lands? — In answer to this first question, all I can say is, that never having visited
these Islands, and acquainted personally with but few of the inhabitants, I can
only speak from report, by which I understand that they hold their lands, in some
instances, by lease from the former proprietor, (the late Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin,)
or from the present one, his nephew and residuary legatee. Captain Coffin, U.N. ;
in others, by mere occupancy and improvement of the ground upon which they and
their forefathers, after their forced retirement from L'Acadie, the land of their
nativity, located themselves at a period long antecedent to the grant of these
Is'ands by the Crown to Sir Isaac Coffin.

What is the present condition of agriculture and trade in these Islands, the state
of the Fisheries and other industrial resources, whether mines, minerals or other-
wise, and what would be the most efficient means for their improvement, should
such improvement be deemed necessary ? — I am unable to answer satisfactorily
to the second question, for the reason just given ; (not having ever visited those
islands). I think they are useful to this Province, and may, with attention from
the Government and Legislature, be rend ..'red of incalculable benefit to it. It
would at any rate, in my opinion, be a reproach to us, it certainly would be a
public misfortune to us, if we were to lose those Islands by their annexation to any
of the Lower Provinces, in consequence of our neglecting their interests or indif-
ference to their prosperity.

What would be the most efficient and at the same time the least expensive
mode of establishing a postal communication between the Capital and that part
of the Province ? — I am of opinion that a weekly or fortnightly Mail should be
exchanged between Quebec and these Islands, to pass either by way of Perc6 or
Prince Edward Island. I presume that £150 would suffice to defray the expenses
of a small vessel for this service, (which would only last during the summer
months or season of navigation,) say from the first of May to first of December
annually.

6

Magdat.kiv Imt.anoh,

To ll)c G(Mill(!inoii of tin* Committco appointed totaku into consideration thestute
of ulluirs in the Magdalen iNlunds, &."., &o.

GioNTLKMEN, — Tli(! Hiil)scril)ed ii'iswers to the queNlions snbniillrd to rne hy
you taken nunu'rieally, are re^^i'onded t) afli^r due deliberation (to the be.-*l of my
judgment) on the (subject.

Qni's/ion \s1. — Leases", and Location Tieketn, and some arc S(iualtors.

Question 2nd. — Agriculture is in a v<;ry backward slate ; in iacf, the people
liere do little or nothing towards the furtherance of that branch of science wliicli
forms a country's pride, save on Entry Island, when; there are a himdh'd soids,
who live altogether by the produce ol their farms. The remainder of iIm* inhabi-
tants, generally, are wholly dependent upon the coiUingcMieles of the Fitsheries.
Commerce is rutlier in a flourishing state. The Islands abound with li.sh of dif-
ferent kinds, such as (Jod, Mackarel, llrrring. Seals, &e., &c. The only thing
which has as yet been discovered undt^r the head of minerals are Plaster ol I'aris
and Oehrt'; these we have in abundance.

Question ord. — I think they are, or might be rendennl useful, not only in a
commercial point of view, but also, from their situation, tln'y form ilie oidy
protection which wr. have for the Gulf. They are at i)reseut a regular rendezvous
ibr schooners from all parts of the Country.

Question \fh. — During seven or eight moirths in tl i year, i,i'. from the first
of May till the last of November or middle of December, a vessel could ply
between this and Pictou and this and Gaspe, thus establishing a Postal coounu-
nication betwe( n (laspe and Pictou, this and Gaspe, and tliis and Pictou. A
vessel could be obtained (which would i)erform the route monthly) for about a
hundred pounds yearly.

Wc are (|uite destitute of roads here, and of laws to protect the inhabitants;
or rather, if the laws be sullieient we have no means of putting them in force.

Believe me to remain,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient and humble servant,

FELIX BOYLE-

( Translation.)

Magdalkn Islands,
I2fh October, 1852.

Honorable Gentlemen, — As you have done me the distinguished honor of
condescendiiig to take ray advice relative to the different subjects of inquiry
which you have addressed to me on the subject of the Magdalen Islands, I shall
state to you frankly all my knowledge on those different [joints.

1. Under what tenure are the lands occupied by the inhabitants? — This is a
question which appears to me rather difficult to solve. A certain number of
these lands have been occupied ten, twenty, thirty, forty years, without
any tenure at all, the inhabitants having hitherto refused to acknowledge any
Seignior; others hold their lai s by paying to Captain Isaac Coifin, or hh agents,
an exorbitant rent, especially for that land which is indispensably necessary to
them for the purpose of drying their fish, for a few feet of beach often over/lowed
by the spa, for sanrl-banks (des dunes) which I should compare to the moving sands
of Arabia, and which are scattered and dispersed by the smallest gale of wind,
without having hitherto been able to obtain a lease in due and proper form ; fa»

T-»V"

^

i

all the leases that have been given are scarcely worthy of being read, as Judge
DeBlois has often remarked to me ; you will scarcely bo surprised at this when you
consider that most li these leases were written and signed on the top of a herring
barrel, in the presence of a bottle and glass, by persons who were often devout wor-
shippers of Bacchus. Persons have even been stopped and compelled by force
to sign these leases against their inclination ; you may judge for yourself if you
take the trouble to read the specimen hi.'re annexed (page 9) which is indubitably
one of the best. Sin'^e the granting of this lease, more than half of the land men-
tioned therein has been sub-let, and instead of the rent being diminished, it has
been doubled.

2. What is the state of agriculture there ? — It is only a few years since atten-
tion was first paid to it, and to this day it has received no encouragement; wc
have not even a Mill to enable us to turn to account the little grain we produce.
Being convinced that a Mill is indispensably necessary, and that it would be u
means of encouraging the inhabitants to greater industry in farming, I have in-
duced them by every argument which I could use, to enter into a subscription
among themselves, in order to erect one. They all shewed themselves very zea-
lous in the undertaking, but being for the most part but little favored by fortune,
they have as yet been imable to bring it about ; we still persevere, however,
trusting to the capture of seals which probably we shall never ca|)ture ; if that
resource fails us, and if nobody lends u^^ a helping hand, some years will proba-
bly pass before wo attain our object. I think that for our relief in this particular
a little money from Government woidd not be misapplied, and would be a great
advantage to iis ; we do not ask for thousands — from ii30 to £50 would be
suiHcient.

3. Commerce does not flourish among us, because provisions and especially
the necessaries advanced for the fisheritss being exorbitantly dcfir, the poor fisher-
men cannot subsist, and find themselves compelled either to seek a market abroad
for their produce, or to remain at home overwhelmed with debt beyond all hope
of redemption. Every day 1 am asked why our poor fishermen go to Labrador to
carry on their fisheries, while hundreds of American and other vessels come
here to catch fish of every kind which abounds at our very doors. The main
reason of this is, that in order to carry on the fishery, particularly of the Cod,
good sails and good cables are requisite, both which it isdiflicult, sometimes even
impossible to procuve here. I have myself seen some of thes* pioor fishermen in
the height of the season compelled to lose a f jrtnight or more in order to go to
Prince Edward's Island to procure a cable; o jrs obliged to lose two days fishing
(that is to say, fifteen or sixteen quintals of Cod,) in order to procure a fishing
grapnel which was not worth five shillings, or a pound of nails, to mend
their boats. As to the Labrador Fishery, with a wretched sail and a chain, they get
on very well. Again, they have to pay here for salt, fourteen, fifteen, and some-
limes even twenty shillings, and obtain for their Cod not more than ten or twelve
and three pence while at Labrador they get it for a quintal the cask, arid other
articles for the fishery in propcu'tion. According to this view, there is no reason
to be surprised that the poor inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands leave their
homes, to seek their living afar off*.

4. The fisheries. Perhaps no place exists in North America, which ofTersso
many advantages to fisheries on a large scale as the Magdalen Islands. First,
for the Seal Fisiiery, next for Herring and Mackarel, whic'» in turns s warm in our
bays every spring; lastly, Cod, which abounds all around our islands. Here is
assuredly a mine of wealth, I might say inexhaustible, from which the Province
might derive grert advantages, if it knew how to turn it to account. We find in
these islands, likewise, plaster in great abundance, and red ochre. And now in re-
ference to the means of introducing some degree of improvement, the first would in

8

my opinion, be the granting of a certain bounty to fishing vessels ; the second, the
exclusion of the Americans from the right, which they arrogate to themselves, of
coming every spring with a great number of seines and.other nets to catch the
fish in our bays. For the latter purpose, a vessel should be stationed here from
the opening of the navigation to the beginning of July, to drive them away.

5. Lastly, you wish to have my opinion in reference to the most beneficial,
and, at the same time, the most eco^/omical plan of establishing a postal line.
Every one who has not some particular interest, (in this as well as other matters)
in disguising the truth, will tell you, as I do, that Mouse Bay (le havre de la
Sourts) situated near the eastern end of Prince Edward's Island is unquestion-
bly the most advantageous, and at the same time the least expensive, and accord-
ingly that which ought to be selected. The other gentlemen, who have, as well
as myself, had the honor of an application from vou, recommend, they toll me,
Pictou and Gaspt*. You will not be surprised at their sentiments on this head, if
you reflect that all these gentlemen, except one, are engaged in trade, and find it
much more convenient and profitable for their own business to have the mail at
Pictou, in order to communicate more readily with Halifax whenever their com-
mercial concerns require their presence ihere, and the same may be remarked of
Gaspe. For in short, why ask that it be at Piclou rather than at Prince Edward's
Island, the distance being twice as great, ^nd the communication more diflicult ?
To them it is more convenient, no matter that the expense to Government is increased.
It is not on this point only that thfise gentlemen dissent from me. On Agriculture
for instance, they are inclined to observe the strictest silence ; this involves their
interest. In fact, if it ^ /ere at all encouraged here, instead of two barrels of flour
which they now sell, as we should only require one, so also they would sell a few
pounds of pork the less. If you know all the difficulty which the inhabitants ex-
perience every autumn in conveying their grain to Prince Edward's Island to be
ground, you will easily conceive who are right, those who are silent on this im-
portant topic or those who speak frankly to you, with a view not to their parti-
cular interest, but to the general welfare. I tell you candidly. Gentlemen, I am
not a man to belie my feelings, and to disguise the truth, either out of deference
to Mr. This or Mr. That, or out of a base love of lucre, but to tell you the plain
truth, particularly on points so important as those in question.

There is, in my opinion, one thing which is absolutely necessary here — an
r'lthority at once respectable and imposing, capable of maintaining order, and
enforcing respect for the laws, for, as to the justices of the Peace whom we now
have, their authority is null ; and very certainly if some change be not
made in this respect, we shall have to deplore distressing scenes, not among the
inhabitants, but among the strangers who consider that they are here in a land
of liberty. Thus, no longer ago than last year, son;3 half-intoxicated Americans
were on the point of depriving a poor inhabitant of his life, without any provoca-
tion, while no one attempted to protect him. It may have been a matter of sur-
prise to you. Gentlemen, that the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands have
petitioned for a change of government ; but if you knew all the injustice which
has been inflicted on them in the last few years, your astonishment would
cease.

Finally, I consider that some encouragement is necessary for good road-
making.

Your very humble servant, &c.,

(Signed,) CHARLES N. BOUDRFAI iLT, Ptre.

To the Committee appointed by

the Legislative Assembly to inquire

into the state of the Miagdaleu Islands.

1

I

i

9

■I

1

(Translation.)

In presence of the undersigned witnesses . —

Came and appeared, Pierre Doucel, Esquire, acting in his capacity of Attor-
ney in due form of law appointed to Sir Isaac Coffin, Baronet, Admiral of the Red
in His Britannic Majesty's Navy, proprietor of the Magdalen Islands, which said
Pierre Doucet hath acknowledged and confessed lo have leased, in his said capa-
city, subject to annual rent from henceforth and for the period hereafter mentioned,
the said rents carrying difaut whensoever the same may accrue, with warranty
against all troubles and hindrances generally whatsoever, unto Benoit Boudrot,
an inhabitant of the Magdalen Islands, hereunto present and accepting thereof for
himself, his heirs and assigns during the continuance of the present emphytrotic
lease of fifty years or more, if the said lessee shall continue to pay regularly as here-
inafter mentioned, that is to say : — a parcel of land, w\\\\ a house thereon construct-
ed, consisting of meadows situate on the North and South of the Highway of
Amherst Island, and now in his possession ; bounded by vacant land, and by the
lands of Thomas Chaisson on the West, by the lands of Firmin and Louis Boudrot
on the Couth-east ; together with a beach lot bounded on the East by the lands of
Michel Borne, Esquire, on the West by the lands of Dominique Cormier, with a
stone house thereon erected, together with his claims to the sand bank of the
Martinique Islet ; all minerals being reserved for the Admiral.

This lease is transferred to Genevieve Boudrot, his wife : —

As the said land now stands, in full and peaceable possession of the said.Benoit
Boudrot, and with which he declares himself content and satisfied, to hold to the
said lessee, his heirs and assigns during the said period, as he may think proper;
without authority, however, to the said lessee to sub-lease the said land to several
individuals ; the said lease being made for and in consideration of the sum of
thirty shillings currency, annual and emphyteotic rent; the said rent being irre-
deemable, and payable to the said Proprietor or his Attorney residing in Amherst
Island, one of the Magdalen Islands ; and which said rent the said lessee doth
promise and bind himself to pay in each year to the said lessor^ or his successors
at the said place, and the first yearly payment whereof shall 1 icorae due on the
first day of September next, that is lo say, the sum of two pounds {sic) currency.
The said lease being also subject to the following condition, that if the said lessee,
his heirs and assigns shall neglect during two consecutive years to pay the said
rent, then and in such case this deed shall be null and void.

Done in duplicate at the Magdalen Islands, this twenty-fourth day of August,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two; the said Agent and the
said lessee having both signed, these presents being first duly read.

(Signed,)

G. Gabouri.

(Signed,)
( " )

PIERRE DOUCET,

Agent.

BENOIT BOUDROT.

Gaspe, ^Oth September, 1858.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated
Quebec, 9th Sentember, 1852, by order of a Special Committee of the Legislative
Assembly, to enquire in the state in which the Magdalen Islands are at present.

The following are my answers : —

\st Question. Nearly the half of the inhabitants have possession of their
lands in virtue of leases for sixty years or upwards, provided they pay regularly
within two years their rents of ten or twenty shillings per annum to Sir Isaac

10

Coffin, the proprietor, by Letters Patent in free and common soccage, bearing date
3rd April, 1798.

2nd Quesiion. Agriculture has made very little progress since the permanent
establishment of the Islands in 1750 or 60 up to the year 1846, ploughs became
then in general use, and grain is generally sown by every inhabitant, they being
perfectly satisfied of tiie production of their lands if they were disposed to attend
more attentively to that branch of industry. A fisherman and seaman is not dis-
posed to pay the necessary attention to Agriculture, considering it beneath
himself; however, twenty or thirty families live exclusively cut of the production
of their farms.. The Islands are very advantageously situated for an extensive
fishery, abundant in fishing production almost of every kind, from the commence-
ment of March the Seal Fishery, to the month of November and December, Fall,
Mackarel and Cod Fish.

The exportation for seven years, including 1851, in fishing production of the
Islands, averages £l£,000 pounds per annum, besides from forty thousand to
eighty thousand barrels Herrings ; two to five thousand barrels Mackarel, caught
by strangers, foreign and others in the harbours of the Magdalen Islands annually.

The Cod Fish is also abundant all round the Islands. I have no exact know-
ledge as to the Mines and Minerals, however, I am led to believe that a Lead
Mine exists at a short distance from the L'Etang du Nord Settlement. L-on
may also be found near Amherst Harbour, which is the opinion of Captain
Baddeley of the Roval Engineers. The Magdalen Island inhabitants are consumers
ol a very large quantity of provisions and merchandize of eveiy description;
therefore the trade is very extensive with Canada and all the Lower Ports.

Zrd Question. There is no doubt that those Islands are advantageous to this
Province in a political and commercial point of view, by their position, as a place
of safety to the numerous vessels frequenting the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and as a
place almost commanding the entrance of the Gulf whilst belonging to this Pro-
vince, the principal trade will be with the Ports of Gaspe, Quebec, and Montreal.

4ih Question. A small schooner running twice a month to Prince Edward
Island, distance sixty miles, or to Gaspe Basin, distance one hundred and fifty
miles, would be sufficient at present in carrying the Mails to the Islands. The
expense to the Government would be from one hundred and fifty^ to two hundred
pounds per annum.

bth Question. The agriculture, fisheries and commerce have not been very
prosperous on the Islands these few years past, owing to the indolence, careless-
ness, extravagance and disaffection of the inhabitants, they being a Sovereign
people, having lived nearly a century without any authority but their own will;
buying and selling from whom they thought proper. The establishment of a
Court of Justice by which they were made to pay the merchant for his advances,
and the proprietor of the Islands, to demand the payment of his rents, (for none
had ever been paid), brought out two or three disaffected individuals with a view
of seeking popularity to agitate the Islands, and advised the people to resist the
legal authority ; also with the assistance and commands of an extensive Com-
mercial House in Halifax, Nova Scotia, then in negociation for the purchasing
or leasing the Islands from the present proprietor, they were urged to agitate,
and demand annexation to the Province of Nova Scotia. This is a true and cor-
rect account of the annexation move, which has very much subsided this summer,
owing to the Commercial House in question having actually become the lessee of
the Islands.

In conclusion, being sorry that my time does not permit me to enter into
further details, having reference to the state of these Islands, I will briefly state
what I think is required to make the inhabitants of these Islands prosperous,
happy, and contented ; it would be the erection of a Gaol oh the Islands, the per-

11

mancnt residence of a stipendiary Magistrate, or Circuit Judge, to see and cause
the laws to be executed, and the presence of an armed Cutter during tiie months
of May and June, to protect the Revenue, and prevent the numerous outrages
during that period, whilst one hundred and fifty sail at least arc engaged in trad-
ing and fishing in the two Harbours of the Islands.

This, in my humble opinion, would put an end to all complaints and dilBcul-
ties, and restore peace and happiness, and security to all parties concerned.

I have the honor to be. Sir,

Your most obediejit servant,

J. C. BELLEAU.

T,

1

Magdalen Islands, October 2\st^ 1852.

To the President and Special Committee appointed to inquire into the wants and

state of the Magdalen Islands.

Gentlk.ven, — I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 9th Sep-
tember ult., in answer to which I beg leave to notice that as the subject has been
treated upon at length by other respectable persons here, I shall of necessity be
brief.

In answer to your first question as to how the lands are held and occupied,
I will say that the lands are held by leases granted by the different aj^ents of the
proprietors. It being the private property of the lute Sir Isaac Collin, now J.
Townsend Coffin, Esquire, of Bath, in England.

2nd. The stale of agriculture at present is not very flourishing, owing in a
great measure to the want of knowledge and energy on the part of the inhabit-
ants, as a great portion of the land offers every facility for the purpose. The
population at present amounts to nearly 3000 souls. The greater number of which
exist wholly by the fisheries which are in a very flourishing state, and an incredible
quantity of Avhich are taken annually by the Americans, New BrunsAvickers,
Nova Scotians, and others who come some hundred miles from home for that
purpose ; in fact, there are few places where the Herring and Mackarel are so
abundant as on these shores, especially in the months of May, June, and July,
during which thne we have frequently from 150 to 200 sail of vessels fishing in
our Harbours and Bays at the same time, and as they are strong in numbers, our
fishermen and inhabitants have very little chance among them^ and are exposed
to the good or bad will of these people, who sometimes gather to the number of
1000, go on shore and commit whatever depredation they choose, and we are left
without protection or any authority here to apply to for satisfaction or to check
them.

3/*d. As to these Islands being useful to the Province there can be no doubt
from the fact that our neighbors would be glad to accept us, had they the opportu-
nity of so doing. They would be valuable were sufficient protection given us
to enable the authorities here to execute their several duties. The Customs
Returns shew the value of imports and exports by vessels who make legal
entries; but one half of the vessels who visit and trade here (especially Americans)
make an entry or acknowledge the Custom House at all, and as the Collector is
alone, without one person to assist him, and poorly paid, it is a mattter of surprise
how he collects what he does. The amount of produce of the Islands exported
which we have an account of, will, this year, reach to nearly £15,000 value, but
this does not say any thing for the great quantity of fish and oil taken away, of
which we have no account, by reason that many of the strangers who visit here
bring foreign produce to trade and smuggle it, on shore to the great injury of the

12

Province, the fair trader and merchant who reside here, and supply the inhabitants
during the severities of the winter; and such proceedings cannot be put tl stop to
until the Collector of Customs shall have assistance from Government to enable
him to make an example of these unlawful traders.

4th.' The most advantageous mode of establishing a post communication
would be via Pictou^ and would be very desirable. A small vessel would be
had for £125, to run once a month, from the 15lh May to the 1st November, and
commissioned by Government, and could be obtained by tendering for the same
through the neighboring Colonies, she could touch occasionally at Gaspe to accom-
modate the Judge or the Counsel that may require to attend at the Court.

bth. As the isolated position of these Islands together with ignorance and stuh-
bornness of the inhabitants require that assistance and protection shojild always be at
hand to aid the authorities in the execution of their duties, I would recommend
that a small cutter be commissioned to cruise (during the summer) around the
Islands, from the 1st May or the opening of the navigation for their protection and
to act conjointly with the Collector here to enforce the payment of the legal duties
to be made by these unlawful traders who do so much injury to the Islands generally.
The same vessel could also carry the mail as when on mail service. A boat's crew
(4 men) coiild be left on shore to render any assistance that may be required, as the

f)resence of Policemen would have the desired effect. A small Gaol is also abso-
utely necessary in brdcr to check the increasing vice and had conduct of the growing
population. There should be two Courts held during the year, say the 21st May
and 15th November, or what would be preferable a Stipendiary Magistrate, with
power to hold Quarterly Sessions of the peace and then no Judge would be required
on this Circuit. The Court is now held on the 1st July, at a time when all the
male portion of the Islands are absent upon the fishing grounds, consequently the
merchant has no appeal for the collection of his debts, when they return with produce
in the months of August and September ; the transient trader then reaps the benefit
with his contraband goods, he collects the merchants produce who have paid legal
duty. If these things should be granted, I have every reason to believe our little
Colony will flourish, and be as a bright gem to the east end of this Province. If
nothing is done for us, discontent will continue to grow among us, and there will be
no end to strife and contending for annexation to cur Sister Province ; praying you
may intercede on our behalf.

I have the honor to be.
Gentlemen,
Your most humble and obedient servant,

^f

t ' ♦

(Signed,)

JOHN FONTANA.

( Translation.)

Amherst Harbour,
Magdalen Islands, \2th Oct.y 1852.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication
dated Quebec, 9th September last, from the Legislative Assembly, requiring, for
the information of the Special Committee appointed to inquire concerning the
State of the Magdalen Islands, certain details and suggestions in answer to ques-
tions therein contained.

1. The lands are held in these Islands by the inhabitants, subject to the pay-
ment of an annual rent which varies from ten to twenty shillings currency for
the land occupied by them. Some pretend that they are not bound to pay,
having acquiredthe land by prescription or otherwise. This has given occasion to

4

Id

several proceedings at Law which have been had in the Court of Queen's Bench
at Perc6, in the County of Gaspe. The documents which relate to the holding of
these lands are emphyleotic leases and location tickets, signed and issued by the
agents of J. T. Coffin, Esq., Proprietor of the Islands, who resides in England.

2. Agriculture is at a low ebb amongst us. The soil is rather poor and unpro-
ductive, except in the valleys and amongst the woods Avhere the soil is light and the
winds are less prevalent.

Trade, burthened with duties so considerable as those now levied, is not very
flourishing, inasmuch as with the intention of avoiding that tax, the majority of our
Fishermen have for some years been in the habit of going to fish off Labrador, and
of there purchasing their supplies from the Jersey Houses. Trade might be ren-
dered more flourishing, were some encouragement afforded to it by the absolute and
entire withdrawal of the duties on articles imported for the use of the Fisheries ;
and by a bounty proportioned to the quantity of fish or oil being awarded to the
proprietor of the ship, barque, barge, &c.

The most considerable Fisheries are those of the Herring, and the Mackarel,
ini May and June, and of the Cod during the whole of the summer. The Her-
ring Fishery alone would afford the means of a comfortable living to the inhabi-
tants, and increase the trade by several thousand pounds, if the Americans did
not possess the right of running into the bays, and particularly upon the
beaches for the purpose of drawing the seine net, a mode of fishing which proves
very fatal and destructive to the fish wherever it is practised. The Mackarel is
also taken by these foreigners, at the entrance of our Bays and Harbours. But
for this impediment, the rigiit of selling this same fish to the Americans, would
create a considerable traffic, as they are able to pay for it a higher price than
we can, putting into circulation both money and merchandize. The Seal Fishery
which is carried on in March, April and May, is of all hunting and fishing the
most profitable, were it not attended by so many risks and dangers ; and accord-
ingly, all Governments by whose subjects it is carried on, have evinced a dispo-
sition to encourage it, by a bounty of about £1 cy., per ton measurement of each
vessel, in order to indemnify the proprietor for the risk incurred. In prosper-
ous places, a system of Mutual Insurance prevails, for the same purpose.

Plaster, which abounds in these islands, and in some parts forms the staple
produce of the soil, is the only mineral known. Its quality is excellent, and a
great quantity was formerly got out for the markets of Quebec and Montreal.

3. I do not know whether these Islands are now of any advantage to the Pro-
vince, but I believe that, by the encouragement of trade and the fisheries, they
would become profitable. Their remoteness from all other parts of the Province
would seem to require, in order to the due administration of justice and the law,
the erection of a prison, without which neither can work properly.

4. The most advantageous, and the least expensive direction for a Postal Line,
would be to Pictou, in Nova Scotia, distant about 36 or 40 leagues, and in the
event of disappointment by contrary winds the mail might be left at George
Town, (Prince Edward's Island) in order to be subsequently forwarded to Pictou
with the Prince Edward's Island Mail. This is the present arrangement. This
line of communication would be open one month earlier and one month later
than any other, either with Gaspe or the Bay of Chaleurs.

5. Formerly, the morals of the inhabitants of these Islands were so pur6, that
without law or judicial institution other than the decisions of the missionaries
and a few of the older inhabitants every difference was settled and determined ;
but now, the greatly increased population being brought into contact with stran-
gers who have settled, and also with those who come and go, and whoare ever prone
lo disorder and regardless of law and justice, where not enforced, in a place so much
frequented, stand in urgent need of a gaol as a means of securing due respect

•%

14

r i!

for justice and good order. A Municipal Council, which might in this place have
been produciive of great good, failed by being neither respected or obeyed, after
the occurrence of some ottences which they were unable to visit with punishment,
being without an adequate protecting force. I myself acted as clerk to that
Council, and I may assert that the institution had a good beginning,.had there ex-
isted any means of enforcing the obedience of some, -'hose aim was the de-
struction of every thing. Nevertheless, more was done in a few days for the amelior-
ation of the roads, than has been effected in all the time which has since elapsed.

Without a gaolj neither the Municipal Council, nor any well-ordered prin-
ciple, can work in this place. Magistrates cannot command respect for law
and justice ; for after causes have been heard and determined, they cannot enforce
execution, and are sometimes set at defiance.

A wretched fellow who has received assistance when in a stale of total desti-
tution, being asked for paypient, when in funds, will overwhelm his creditor with
insults and foul language, and proceed to sell his produce to a stranger. My
experience in such payments has cost me more than a thousand pounds' worth of
provisions and other goods, which I have advanced to persons for the most part
destitute and in the lowest stage of misery, and it is to labour and industry only
that I look for an indemnification.

Justice being duly supported, and improvements introduced, these Islands
would become a flourishing Colony, and at coiT^naratively trifling cost.

A Government warehouse, for the storing ol ti;oods and merchandize, imported
here, liable to Custom Duties, would be of great utility. The want of this has
frequently caused dissensions between the Collector and the Merchants, when
the latter had not money sufficient for the payment of their duties, (high as they
are.)

A dep&t of provisions, in case of shipwreck in the autumn, such as we have
often experienced, would be of great utility and advantage, as oven when not
required for the purpose of relief in such a case, such provisions might be sold
by public auction for the benefit of Government, and purchased by the inhabi-
tants and traders as a resource in time of need. My opinion is, that generally,
such articles would pay more than the original cost and expenses, except in the
event of a general scarcity. Formerly, or some time ago, the inhabitants and
tr?iders were put to inconvenience in consequence of the shipwreck of numerous
crews on the Islands, too late in the season to communicate with the mainland.

Education is here at its lowest ebb, and in consequence of the poverty of most
of the inhabitants, it is impossible with our allotment of the money granted, to
find competent masters, especially for so many school districts, (eight). If Gov-
ernment should be disposed to assist us, and remunerate four brethren of the
Christian doctrine for their time and labour, education would soon be seen to
flourish among us.

There is generally a great deal of natural capacity in our youth. Hardly can
the inhabitants support the burthen of supporting the teacher, and that of heating
the school house. For nearly a year past, we have not had a single school in
operation, (an alarming state of things !) and the children are forgetting the little
they know. Oi what use can Inspectors be, where there are no school-masters?
The want of education is the most urgent of all, the supply of it most indispensa-
ble. This want. is the cause of our benighted condition.

Agriculture, to which I return, might be encouraged by the erection of a mill.
The greatei: part of the materials have been contributed, as well as a very small
fund for that purpose, and the business advances at a halting-pace, on account of
the inadequacy of the means. It appears indeed that the people are ready to do
their utmost, but I am morally certain, that the end will not be achieved.

,1

I

I

^

i

15

Submitting the foregoing answers and questions to the consideration of yout
Committee, with the most profound respect.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most faithful and obedient servant,

(Signed,) ALEXANDRE CORMIER, J. P.

Pro. JOS. CORMIER, J. P.

! I

(Translation.)

PerciS, dth October, 1852.

Sir, — Your letter of September last, only reached me on the last day of tha*
month, having been erroneously addressed to me at " Gaspe " instead of at
Perc6, causing thereby a week's delay, but for which you would have received
my answer al an earlier date. Taking a lively interest in every matter tend-
ing to the advancement of the district ol Gaspe, a district of which so little is
known, and which is consequently so neglected, I hasten to answer to the best
of my ability, the questions you have done me the honour to submit as Chairman
of the Special Committe, appointed by the Legislative Assembly of this Province
to enquire into the present condition of the Magdalen Islands, and to add such
suggestions as in my opinion may be useful in the matter.

The advantageous position of the Magdalen Islands as regards the fishing
trade, was the same as previous to the reign of Louis XV., king of France, and I
think it was in the course of his reign that they were grantecl or conceded for
that purpose by the French Government ; they were, however, only occupied
during the fishing sedson, for it appears that there were no permanent inhabitants
on these islands at the time of their cession to Great Britain, and no one having
since claimed possession thereof, they again became the property of the Crown.

In the year 1798, these islands forming part of the Province of Lower Canada,
were conceded by order of His Majesty King George III., under Letters Patent,
granted by Lord Dorchester, at that time Governor of the Province, to Isaac Coffin,
Esquire, Captain in the Royal Navy, (subsequently Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin,) sub-
ject to certain charges and reservations, and among others that these Islands should

be held in free and common soccage, (Jranc aleu) as lands held in Great Britain,

that every English subject should be at liberty to fish there, &c. — Clergy Re-
serves, &c.

Afew years previous to this last concession, several families having immigrated
hither from Acadia, established themselves here ; this little population gradually
increased in number, partly by the ordinary course of nature, and partly by the
arrival of new emigrants from Nova Scotia, St. Pierre Miquelon, &c. Each party
then established themselves as they pleased, without regard to the rights and
even in despite of the proprietor and his agents, and it was only shortly before
or about the year 1830, that a considerable number of them consented to pass
title deeds. Up to that time the inhabitants only paid what they pleased by way
of rent or acknowledgement, but their tenure was in no wise determined.

The titles granted are of two kinds, that is to say, long leases on fixed terms,
not exceeding 99 years, or emphyteotic leases, and leases or concessions with-
out any fixed term, at a perpetual and unredeemable ground rent, {d, rente, fon-
dre perpetuelle et non rachetable, ) The rents fixed by either form vary from 5s
to 30s. a lot ol* emplacement, with reservation of minerals in accordance with
the Letters Patent, subject to the public charges and conditions and revokable for
non payment of rent.

16

The present proprietor is John Townsend Coffin, of the Isle of Wight, Cap-
tain in the Royal Navy, under and by virtue of the Will of the late Admiral Cotiin,
which contains various substitutions, the first of which is made in favour of
Isaac Tristram Coffin, eldest son of the present proprietor.

An agitation fermented and renewed from time to time, during the last thirty
years by a few turbulent inhabitants, has caused considerable difficulty. They
pretended to deny the rights of the proprietor ; proceedings were on this account
instituted against some of the principal movers, and they at length saw thfe folly
of resistance on these grounds. The proprietor is now generally recognized.

About 200 concessions have been granted since 1830, the greater part of them
by the late Pierre Doucet, Esquire, at that time agent for Sir Isaac Coffin. These
concessions are not subject to any feudal charge, and ought to rank under the
tenure of Free and Common Soecage, which is the same thing as our franc aleu
roturier.

There are persons who raise doubts as to whether or not the inhabitants of
these Islands are Electors according to the true meaning of the Election Law, which
requires that the Electors of Counties should be proprietors. I think that no
doul;)t exists as to their right of voting, inasmuch as by our laws, a lease at a

Eerpetual ground rent, {d rente foncUre el perp^tuelle) and the emphyteotic lease,
ave the eflect of an absolute transfer of property during the period of the dura-
lion of these leases, and property thus leased is subject to the laws relating to
real estate held in absolute property. If these doubts, however, have any appa-
rent foundation, it would be advisable to provide therefor, for it would be un-
just that a population of 2200 souls, should any longer be disfranchised.

So far, as respects the tenure. Upon this point, I may be permitted to add, that
the greater part of the inhabitants having settled upon the land as squatters,
without any authorisation, the result has been that the greater part of the lands
occupied are of all imaginary shapes, circular, triangular,' &c., &c., leaving here
or there small or large vacant spaces, according to the nature of the soil. After
several years occupation, and having in the course of that time destroyed all the
wood in the neighbourhood, the settlers remove to the rear of the other
inhabitants ; by these means the lands are divided into patches, a circumstance,
"v^hich is in my opinion, a great obstacle to agriculture, from the fact that it is
impossible to form a good farm in localities where the inhabitants are so much in
each others way. The woods are being destroyed in an alarming manner, by
fires imprudently kindled at all seasons of the year, in clearings made by the
inhabitants either for the sole purpose of insuring possession, or to prevent persons
who change their residence annually, or other new comers from taking possession
of their rear property, or from settling immediately alongside their enclosed
lots. If this state of things continue, all the timber and all the wood in the
vicinity of the fishing establishments will be destroyed in a few years, and unless
coal be discovered, the inhabitants will be forced to abandon these islands.

The agents of the proprietors have endeavoured to introduce order, but this is
beyond the power of a single individual, for the number of law suits he would
be obliged to institute would ruin him. A Municipality is wanted, with special
powers to make rigorous regulations which may be summarily enforced. The
law indeed allows them a Council, but does not provide for the election of Coun-
cillors. I shall refer again to this subject.

With regard to agriculture, it has been acknowledged that the soil and climate
are such, as to render these islands capable of producing whatever is grown
within the District of Quebec and Kamouraska. I have seen excellent grain of
all kinds, and as fine wheat as is grown in any part of the Province ; delicious
butter is also made here. The soil of Isle Entree and Isle Brion, are of a supe-
rior quality. On the other habitable idands the soil is very good ; such as it is,

I

.

17

agrealpartmighlbc rendered good by cull ivation and draining, by iiicansof ditches,
a great part ol' it also being sandy, requires incessant labour to keep it properly
manured and to render it productive.

The habits oi" \\\v. inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands tvithdraw their atten-
tion from agricuhure ; they arc either seamen or lishermen ; ihc consequence may
be easily inferred, that the lands cultivated are not in proijortion to llic extent of
counlry occupied, nor to the population.

I p.'re.L'ive that I shill be obliged to defer until my next communication, my
answers with reference to the commerce, the fisheries and the imporlance of thcso
islands. For the present, I will only remark, that they arc of great value.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,

(Signed,)

P. WINTER.

» ^

{Translation.) ''~^

Continuation of the answers of the undersigned, to the questions suhmltcd tc him
bif the Special Committee of the Legislative Assembly, on the subject of tht
Magdalen Islands.

The Herring and ]\Iackerel Fisheries are carried on almost exclusively by the
Americans, and by some few schooners principally from Nova Scotia. All foreign-
ers, as if they were British subjects, come unrestrictedly, not only into the vicinity
of, but absolutely touch at the islands, and evou within the harbours ; take Herrings
and Mackerel with the seine, thereby causing a great destruction among these fish.
It would, perhaps, be advisable to prohibit the use of the seine in this vicinity,
an opinion, however, which I would not venture to give absolutely. Forty or
fifty cargoes are thus made every spring, for the most part by foreign vessels.

It may be asked how it happens that the merchants, shipowners and inhabit-
ants of these islands pay so little attention to the Fisheries. This question applies
also to the traders and inhabitants of the mainland of this County, and indeed
of the District of Gaspe. I shall endeavour to answer this question.

Dry Codfish, Whale, Seal and Cod Oil are, so to speak, the only production
of our Fisheries, for which wc have any considerable markets in the British and
Foreigh markets, that is to tiay, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Brazil, to which we
can go with any advantage. With respect to pickled fish, that is Herring and
Codfish, out of the Province, there are not, I believe, any markets except the West
Indies, which are easily supplied by the fishermen of Nova Scotia, Newfound-
land and the United States of America, whence an extensive trade is carried on,
almost entirely, however, by their own fishermen, who derive the more profit
from the fact of their being protected by a Bounty, and an almost prohibitive
duty of 20 per cent, on for-^ign cured fish, thus making a difTerenee against us
of at least 25 per cent., and these Fisheries having never been attended to by our
shipowners and traders, they care little about making the experiment under such
disadvantageous circumstances. This is one great reason that they pay so little
or no attention to these Fisheries. They would, however, be the source of a con-
siderable traffic, if we had markets to which we might take their produce
with advantage.

This branch of our Fisheries, (Herring and Mackerel or pickled fish) being
so to speak in its infancy, it would, in my opinion be advisable to adopt some
means for its encouragement. That object might, as I have before stated, be at-
tained by premiums, to be paid directly to the fisherman or shipowner, to coun-

B

I9i

terbalancp at all evpnts in part, the prohibitivp<1uly I have just mentioned, or else
that they should obtain admission for the produce? of their Finheries on the same
footing as Ameriean subjects. Let us, in order to that end, grant them unrestricted
liberly for their Fisheries, and the free navigation of the St Lawrence, and in
despite of the bjunty or premium which they receive, we should be enabled to
oppose them in the market. Our gulf contains immense and inexhaustible
richest, which are a subject of profit and enjoyed almost exclusively by foreigners,
by reason of the too great liberty they have hilherfo enjoyed on our waters, and
of the protection and encouragement they receive from their own government.

I am in favor of Free Trade, but subject to reciprocity. If the United
States refuse this, we ought to protect our commerce, and our industrial
resources as they do theirs.

With respect to the Fisheries then, let them be rigorously kept, as they
have been during the past summer, within the limits fixed by the Treaty or Con-
vention of 1818, which even now gives them too great advantages, and let the
industrial resources which I have just mentioned, be encouraged directly by a
Bounty, and I would venture to predict that their 30,000 fishermen will very
soon, like, ourselves be praying for RECiPRociTr. When thIs is gained, Bounties
WILL NO longer be REQUIRED. This is a matter worthy of attention. I am of
opinion that encouragement of this nature, extending over the whole District of
Gaspe, would be productive of immense adantages, and more particularly to the
said Islands; it would give a new stimulus to the trade of this District; two-
thirds of the number of hands employed in the Cod-fisiheries, would take the same
amount of fish as now, for hardly more Cod is now taken, than when but half the
number of vessels were employed thatare now engaged ; the remaining third and
more of these hands would been engaged in these new branches of trade and in
the Whale Fishery, which, were itfollowed and carried on as it ought to be,
would in a few years double the produce of some of our fisheries.

As to the mines, minerals or natural productions, which might be of some ad-
vantage to trade, it would perhaps be desirable that the Provincial Geologist should
visit th"*se Islands. If it be true, as some pretend, that plaster or gypsum indicates
the presence of "oal, the Magdalen Islands would merit particular attention in this
respect. The plaster which is here found in great quantities, is not so white as
that found in Nova Scotia. If this is a reason why it could be employed so
advantageously for building purposes, it does at all events render it inferior for
manuring purposes. Several cargoes of it are annually exported to Quebec and
Montreal. Another natural manure also exists here, shell marl of a very fine
white, which is also made use of by the women to whiten their houses instead
of whiting, there are also ochres and red chalk, at the Isle d'Entree.

Little progress has been made in agriculture, in the Magdalen Islands, but
they must sooner or later profit by the encouragement which our Government ap-
pears to be so desirous of afTording throughout the Province ; in the meantime they
form a very considerable market for the agricultural produce of other parts
of the country, the greater part of the provisions being generally imported hither
from Quebec and Montreal.

It has been a question for some years past, whether or not it would be as well
or even expedient to transfer these Islands to the care of the Government of Nova
Scotia, or to that of Prince Edward's Island, either of which which would feel
honoured by the offer, and if we render no assistance to these Islands they would
gain by the change, for they would receive a much greater share of attention than
has hitherto been bestowed upon them. The inhabitants, however, prefer our
Government. The Government is now I believe convinced of their importance,
taking into consideration not only their present commerce, but also the exten-
sion of which that commerce is susceptible. It would be frittering away this part

19

of Lower riuiad.'i, fCiiispc'') :in(l have a lirul cfU'ct upon tlin trade of lliis District,
by opposing; to ns ilic coiiipctilion of llu* (isln'muMi of llu' nei^hbourifi!^ Provinces,
our nli;ir(^ ol'tlio gulf is so to speak, dciwigiialcd by thcsu Islunds', and we ouLjht to
retain I hem.

Let our fisheries be encouraged, cither by reciprocity with the United States,
or by Bounties, and h?l them be properly carried on und this District, (if these
Islands be retained,) will take an important position in Canadian Commerco.

The Custom House revenues collected at tliesc Islands, must not as else-
whore, be taken as a rule to estimate the value of the commerce carried on there,
inasmuch a><, Ist. Tlujir provisions come almost exclusively from the Province,
and conse(|uently pay no duties ; these provisions are considerable. 2ndly.
Their trade is in a great measure carried on with Quebec and Montreal, whence
they reeeivc merchandize liable to duties which they, as consumers, really pay,
but which being paid at these Cities, do not appear to their credit in the accounts
of the revenue. 3rdly. The Collector of these Islands not having adequate aid at
his disposal, cannot enforce respect for the laws nor protect the revenues ; the con-
sequence is, that ships from Foreign ports or from the neighboring Provinces can
trade there with impunity, without payingduties ; this takes place every year, not
only in the neighbourhood of the islands, but absolutely in the harbours, in contempt
of the laws and of the Government, and to the great detriment of the revenue
and of tho resident traders who complain that although they pay duties, they
are not protected against Foreigners. To protect the revenue by placing sulFicient
aid at the disposal of the Collector, woald have the cfTect of protecting the
trade.

A judge resident at these Islands, with the powers of Surrogate of the
Admiralty, (with a Court Iloust; and Gaol) would contribute largely to this
end; iheir population, their commerce, and more particularly their position
remote from all protection, would justify them in that respect.

Shipwrecks frequently take place at the Magdalen Islands, but very rarely
in the case of ships coming up the Gulf, which may be attributed to the lighthouses
situate beyond these Islands, and by which seamen make their courses, thus avoid-
ing Bird Islands and others. The vessels wrecked are almost exclusively those com-
ing down the River St. Lawrence, or out of the Bay des Chaleurs, whence it may
be concluded that a lighthouse erected on the west point of the principal Island,
Amherst or Magdalen Island properly so called, with a dep6t of provisions for
persons shijp wrecked, would be of great utility, vessels thence taking
their course, would avoid the long flat sounds which are met with in many
places, the Isle Brion and the Bird Islands ; the building might be constructed in
such a manner as to serve for several purposes, that is to say, a Gaol and Court
house, and the keeper of the lighthouse might be the Gaoler; the maintenance of
the lighthouse might be in a great measure defrayed by an anchorage duty, pay-
able by the numerous Foreign and other vessels coming into port.

The Magdalen Islands, though forming part of this Country, and having
commercial transactions with difterent sections of the Province, and although
their inhabitants are under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, (Civil and
Criminal) for this District, held at Perc6 and New Carlisle, are without any
means of communication, other than that afllbrded by accident, a circumstance
which must be very detrimental to their commerce ; the laws of the Province fre-
quently do not reach them for a long period after they have come into force. To
have no communication with the chief places of jurisdiction, is an absolute de-
nial of justice. There is no communication with the mainland of this County,
except when the Judge goes to and returns from these Islands, to hold the Circuit
Court. It would be then of great utility, and even just and niecessary to estab-
lish a mail conveyance, and thus afford means of commmhicalidn whh the nearest

n !

)'

looalily on tho mainland, ami llio chipf plnrn of iho County 'PorcC'.) Thry
miylil bv. allowcil ii mail, (j^'oini^ iwid rrlnrtiinuf) l\vi(<> a tiioiith (Inriiiuf ihr navi-
gation. I am of opinion lliat a si-rviccahlr Hclioon<'r niii^lil \h' piocmcjl lor from
ten to rifiocM |).)unils por voyai^c. i Know of no moru flli-clivL' or Iohw oxpcnsivo
means of rcnrlcrin^ an rfrectivo nnd nscfnl Hcrvi(!o to pommorcf. Tho receipts
would not pay the costs for u lomi;tin)('; biittiincoHt would Ix! a triiliti5';(;()n8idera(ion
in compurisun with lliu uUvantagcs which would result to coiiinierce nnd justice.

(Signed,) P. WINTER.

28lh October, 1852.

{Translation)

Continuation of the Answers of the undersigned to the Questions submitted to htm
by tlie Special (himmitlee oj the Legislative Assembly on the subject of the
Magdalen Islands.

I slated in my last communication that a Municipal Council was giv^n by
law to the Magdalen Islands, but lliat the law did not ])rovi(lo for the election
of Councillors. It is imdoubtedly strange that by the Act 10 and 1 1 Vic. Cap. 7,
by which tho County of Caspo was divided into three Municipalities, establishes
tho chief places, ancl among tlicm Amherst Harbour, in the said Islands, us chief
place for division No. 3, nnd that it was never remembered that these Isiandn
have not been subdivided for any civil or legal purposes whatsoever, and that
consequently the 3rd Section of tlie said Act does not nj)ply thereto, and cannot
be carried out. Two Councillors cannot there bo elected for each Parish or Town-
ship as neither the one nor the other exist. Thus, although they are recognized
in law as a Municipality, it is only in name the inhabitants are unable to
exercise the powers granted to them; they must then citlier have been subdivided
for municipal purposes, or a fixed number of Councillors should bo elected
eollectively at Amherst Island.

Tho last census furnishes the information following for the year one thousand
eight hundred and fifty one.

Population : — P\cnch origin, natives of the Islands or Canadians,. . . . 1743

])o. do. ofotherProvinccsofUrilish North

America, 163

, French origin, of France and St. Pierre Miquelon 40

Of French origin, •..

Of British origin, natives of the Islands, 133

Natives of other Provinces and of the Brifsh
Islands, 123

1946

256

Total population, 2202

Statistics: — Number of Schooners belonging to the Islands, 37 ; tonnage,
1222; number of fishing boats employed in 1851, 100, Dry Codfish taken, 8000
cwts. ; Mackerel, 600 barrels; Seal oil mmufactured, 80O0 gallons; Seal skins,
2000.

These productions, the value of which may be estimated at seven or eight
thousand pounds currency, include those only the amount of which could, as
nearly as possible, be ascertained. We must add the green Codfish, Cod oil, and
Herrings, the amount of which could not be procured, but which are without doubt
very considerable. I am informed .that the produce of the Seal Fishery this year,
is more than double what it was last year.

163
40

256

tl

•"♦

Tin* niunlicr of scliooiirrs s!iiliti!i[ from if'.csc I^;^lt^(ls, Ijcin^'conslrwiily rtt)|)Ioyp(l
for the most pm in the (iMiicrii'M, irmst miM considciiiljly to ilic iicms ;il)(i\«> mni-
tioticd, l)iil 1 iiMi iiii:il)l(! to st:il(! ill wliut |ii'o|)i)rliolis. 'I'iicsc si juxtiicis, instrud
of iisliiiiir in tilt; iitiiiiodiatt! vicinily ol tlio l>laiid.s, ^o lo Si. Ctorgc'H Itiiy or
Labrador, and llicrc pass the i»r«'atcr part of ilio Siimincr, tlicii' llicy r('i«'iv(' cxtru
Buppli«!.H of provisions, salt, lisliinfjj lacdilc, Hlv.. ; they llicrt* dispose of u great
portion of itic tisli they liavc^ taUori, and iIkmi roUirii to tin; Islands \ itii the haliinco.
This is not owinj?, Iiowovcr, to tli« c;ir(Miinstuncc that the nri/^dihorhood of the
{nlund is not a ^ood fiwhinc^ station ; on the rontrury, Mackrrid and Cod abound
(hero, and the (|iiality of Codfish caught in that locality is superior to that of tho
fish taken at lial>iador, so mneli so that the Americans, 1 um given to understunci,
give the preference to tlu?se fishing grounds.

The (M)ridiict of the inhabitants in this recpeet may lie attributed lo varionn
causes, first of all these Islands have never enjoyed the a(lvanta.,'es arising from
rivalry in trade ; this has always been in the hands of a very small tmrnber, who
hav(5 always upited in following the most pernicions and denioralizing system
possible, that is to say, the system of fdrnost unlimited advances on credit,
(as long as th:^ lisliories were abundant) causing of necessity sales of pmduce at
extravagant prices, at I may say 50 lo 100 per centum more than on the mainland of
this County, where the pricx's ar(5 high enough.

TIkj honest and industrious man, as well as the man of an entirely contrary
disposition, allured by ihc offers of credit made them, nolwiihstanding they may
have been unlu(d<y forone or two seasons, alike remain in del)l, and happy is the
niau who by hard labor can continiu; cXL'.n|)t from debt, and it is much to be
regretted that tlie;<e constitute by far the smallest number. 'J'he scanty harvest of
the last few years has contributed much to retard their progress. They are con-
sequently for the most part on the wrong page of the account book, and
their credit beiuir flfone, ihey can, with dilliculty, procure the equipment
and articles nec;»'sisary for their calling, which, as well as llieir energy, is thereby
paralyzed, and though surrounded by the sources of weallh, th(>y reiuain in a state
of poverty.

In order to carry on fisheries in the vicinity of the Islands, vessels and
equipments of strong and superior quality are requisite, inasmucdi as they arc
there exposed to heavy weather, while, to pursue the same calling at Labrador or
at St. Georg(!'s Hay, equipments of inferior quality suffice ; moreover there thry are
not under the eye of their creditors, and arc thus enabled to obtain equipments,
salt, &c., on better conditions. These are some of the reasons which induce the
inhabitants to fish at a distance, and abandon the best part of the produce, while
the American fi-shormeu (always numerous in these latitudes) carry on successful
fisheries in the iuuncdiate vicinity of the Islands.

The resources of the Magdalen Islands are infinitely more important than
those of the mainland of this County, where wc have virtually nothing but the
Cod Fishery. It only requires that these resources shoi^ld be known,' in order to
their being taiten advantage of. Were these Islands to be transfeited to the
United States, their commerce would be ten times what it now is in a very few
years. The inhabitants of tho United States indeed well know how to take
advantage of that part of the unlucky Treaty of 1818, which permits them to
fish on the shores of these Islands.

About the end of March or the beginning of April, the seal hunting begins,
either upon Ihe ice which extends from three lo six miles or more around the
Islands (the chase is then made on fopt) ; or when the ice has become detached
the chase is carried on in schooners, which are, however, for the most part very
badly rigged ; it is thought that, after the departure or breaking up of the ice, seals
might still be caught by means of nets or lines, as is done in the north. Afterwards,

22

or immodiatcly after the departure of the ice, the Harbours and Bays are filled
wilh Ueninijs lo the whole depth of the water ; after them comes the Mackerel,
occasionally in great abundance, and last of all the Cod fishing as in the other
parts of this County.

These Islands being almost in the centre of the Gulf are admirably adapted
for a sailing station and rendezvous for vessels or ships engaged in the Whale
fishery- They are enabled lo gtart at least a month sooner than from any
other part of this County, which would be of great advantage if it be true, as
some assert, that the Whale is less fierce and consequently more easy to kill
immediately after the disappearance of the ice. This important branch of oar
commerce, however, is unknown here, no one having ever attempted to introduce
it. Our whalers all come from Gasp6 Bay, whence they ^an only start late in the
month of May, and yet, nevertheless, make prosperous voyages.

It is a matter of surprise that while surrounded with so many resources the
inhabitants of these Islands are not ricl: Whence does this arise ? The result of
monopoly which, with the system of credit combined with it, has been, a contracted
system of commerce carried on on selfish principles, and which binds down the
inhabitants and saps their energy. They must be encouraged by direct bounties
to the fishermen, and the establishment of new mercantile houses abundantly
provided wilh all kinds of rigging, &c. at low prices ; they must be paid liberally,
thereby establishing a liberal and enlightened commerce.

I shall return to this subject in my next.

Perc§, October 21, 1852.

P. WINTER.

!•

(Translation)

Conclusion of fhe Answers bf P. Winter to the Special Committee of the Legislk'
iive Assembly appointed to make inquiry concerning the Magdalen Islands.

In the course of the preceding remarks, I have suggested the expediency,
1st. Of enabling the Magdalen Islands to avail themselves of the privileges
accruing to them by the Municipal Law, by providing for the means of electing
Councillors and for the preservation of the timber ; 2nd. of removing all doubts
whi« h may exist respectir?g their qualifications as Electors; 3rd, of encouraging the
fisheries by means of bounties, or otherwise ; 4th. of protecting the revenue, and
thereby the honest merchant vAo pays duties, by providing means of rendering
the laws respected, and to that end placing a suiBcient force under the orders of
the Collector ; (six men would suffice both to navigate the boat and to form ti
rural and river police); 5th. of establishing there the residence of a Judge, who
may also be Surrogate to the Admirality ; 6th. of erecting a lighthouse calculated
also to contain a Court-house and Gaol.

I thiult it my duty to subjoi i the foUowitig suggestions, viz : 1st. In the matter
of the Election of a RepresentJitive in Parliament, to provide for the case of a
Writ of Election for the County of Gasp6, being iss-ued or being made w'loliy
or in part returnable in winter, but in such a mann-^r that the inhabitants
of these Islands may not lose the exeicise of the elective franchise as heretofore ;
2nd. To extend to these Islands the provisions of the Act 14 and 15, Vic. Cap. 92.
Although the lands ihen are held en franc aleu (free and common soccage,) that
Act does not, however, appear to apply to.them, being applicable in fact only 16
lands situated within the " Townships," and these Islands not being erected into
t'ownships.

I consider it my duty to add to what I have stated on the subject of a postal
communication with the Islands, that a few pounds might perhaps be saved by

%

establishing it in connexion with Prince Edward's Island or Plclon, but that the
length of time in the transmission would be greatly increased by these round-
about/outes, and that the diflerence in the expense would be no economy;
moreover, the Islands would have no direct communication with the chief Towns
within the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of Gaspe.

I have now to offer a few remarks on sor^e of the above sugi»estlons.

la/. When the Municipal system was adapted to Parishes, or places reputed
to be Parishes, a certain number of Councillors were elected collectively, and then
there existed a Council duly constituted in these Islands, but since the law now
in force came into operation, there has been no Council, for the reasons above
recited.

2nd. With reference to the quality of the Electors, some might, perhaps,
have a low opinion of them, judging only of their fiiness to enjoy so valuable a pri-
vilege, by the contents of the last poll books. It is, however, to be borne in mind,
that before the last General Election they were altogether disfranchised. Having
never before been called to the exercise of that privilege, not only because the
elections usually look place without any contest, but because they were never
notified or invited to take a part in the nomination. It was to 1 hem a new, nay, a
str,ange occurrence ! and accordingly but few votes were polled in each of the
two polls held, from a population of 2200 souls ! On account of the difFicully of
communication, the time allowed being too short, the election law formerly
could not be put in execution in this County. Being appointed by law
Returning Officer, I informed the Government of these facts last year, and a Bill
wa? shortly after, during the last Session, presented to the Legislature to obviate
the difficulty. That Bill became law (vide 14 and 15 Vict. cap. 87,) but like
most of the laws relating to Gaspe, it is defective and does not effect the purpose
intended ; several instances of this defectiveness might be cited. Declaruig m
the preamble that the Magdalen Islands are inaccessible at certain seasons of the
year, and difficult of access at all other times, no provision is t.iade for the seasons
when they are accessible, that is to say, six months in the year, the writ being
made returnable in three mohths or ninety days after da'e. In its present shape
this law is in operative, except when the writ is issued and made returnable at the
opening of the navigation ; and no kind of provision is made for the expense
of ail express to the Islands; (for the future, indeed, that difficulty will be
removed, if a direct postal line be established between the mainland of the
County and the Islands) but if the writ were issued in winter, the Returning.
Officer would be unable to execute the writ as the law requires, and he would
be.obliged to return, that he could not act for want of the means of coramunicatipii,
with a part of the County.

3rd. A Gaol and a Court-h'Ausc are indispensably necessary, as are also
General Sessions of the Peace. Wanting these things, the life, honor and pror-
petty of a population of 2200 persons are unprotected ! and yet they are Britisbi
subjects as much as ourselves. Consider their situation. Living nearly 150 miles
(it may be said in the open sea) from the mainland, without a Judge, or.
prispn, or any medium of communication with the rest of mankind during one
ho'r of the year. And even during the navigation, should a person be brought
before a Justice of the Peace, chargec' with some oflence, what can he do with
hiigv.? He has not always a schooner at his command, nor the necessary funds
to :l^ve him conveyed to the Gaol at Percy, (the nearest,) he is hardly inclined ta,
inqm that expense on his own responsibility, and he knows, moreover, that thOo
Profl^utor could not proceed with the prosecution, even though the Sessions were.toi
be; b^ld at ^ercy during the navigation. On complamts and prosecutions ii^
Spspial Sessions, the Magistrates- can. indeed impose fines or penalties and;
sentence to imprisonment in default of payment. But wj)A( ^^eao^ haver ihi^joJ^,

ii-l

24

i u

i

! (

! !

f 1 i-

M S

1i

giving effect to their decisions ? And in case of contempt of their authority, and
contumacy (either in civil or criminal matters) or refusal to submit to their orders
or decisions, what is the remedy ? They nny be laughed at with impunity.
The Magistrates feel themselves to be powerless. Moreover, not being well
informed of their powers and their duties, for want of legal knowledge, appre-
hensive of iWinr^ loo much or loo little, they are obliged to overlook crimes and
misdemeanours which are committed. It is surprising that with unlimited
impunity no great crimes arc committed. Yet there, ac well as elsewhere,
the primitive virtues and primitive manners have well nigh disappeared
have assault and battery, selling liquor without license, false ' '

weights

We

and

lRj<

measures, thefts and robberies, and other infractions of the law.

It is certain that offenders have evaded justice through the absence of suffi-
cient means of bringing ♦hem to trial. Not only then are a prisoti and Sessions
of the Peace required, but also a Circuit Judge, charged with the duty of assisting
the Ma<'istrates in the execution of their duties, and of causing their authority
to be respected, as well as that of other public officers, from the Collector of
Customs to Bailiffs and Constables. With respect to the latter class of persons,
several of them having been threatened with ill treatment, and even with
death itself, if they persisted in retaining their office, have resigned and refused
to execute any order, and none are found in the Islands willing to fulfil their
duties in the absence of all protection and support in the exercise of ihem.

A Circuit Judge resident there might be Chairman of the Sessions, Surrogate
ot the Admiralty, (iu matters having reierence to the Customs and Maritime
affairs) and one of the Judges of the ."Superior Court of Gaspe. This would facil-
itate the holding of two Terms (spring and autumn,) at which he might attend
more readily and conveniently than <he Judges of Quebec. If we are to have two
terms of that Court, as authorized by law, the travelling charges of the Judges from
Quebec would amount to £160 per annum. That sum would pay a large part of
the salary of the third Judge who should reside on the islands. Advantages would
arise from this measure to other parts of the District, for instance, besides facili-
tating the holding of two terms of the Superior Court, the practice and the
system of jurisprudence, &c., would be uniform, while nov/ every Judge who
comes to us from Quebec, has his own peculiar views, opinions and favorite rules
of practice, all differing more or less from those of his predecessors. What has
been said by one to be good and wise, is declared by his successor to be nonsense
and absurdity t and this is not all that might be said about them. Three Circuit
terms in the Islands and as many General Sessicns of the Peace, in the first 15
days of January, May and September, and the terms of the Superior Court at
Percy and New Carlisle being fixed in June and October, the Circuit Judge from
the Islands might attend them. As to the Sessions in the Islands, I believe that
for a few years. Juries might be dispensed with, and that the jurisdiction,
accorded to those Courts (with Juries) might be granted to the Judge, he being
assisted by at least iwo Justices of the Peace, saving always the right of appeal
to the Superior Court, if need should arise. However, if it were thought more
prudent to grant no such jurisdiction without the assistance of a Jury, the venire
facias for the summoning of a Jury might be executed by the Clerk of the Peace
instead of a Sheriff, that is to say, that Officer might be charged with the execu-
tion of this duty of a Sheriff, because the performance of this double duty would
not be too onerous for a single person, at least for some years to come He
might also have the superintendence of the Gaol, and nothing need prevent
these several duties being confided to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, until circum-
stances may permit a division of these Offices. This combination* of several
Offices is suggested only with a view to economy, and to form an amount of
remuneration sufficient to secure the services of qualified persons.

^r

25

The isolation and the toilsome voyages which would be the inevitable lot of
the Judge resident in the Islands, might render it difficult to find a person qualified
for the office. To obviate this dilficuUy, I think it would be advisable to hold out the
expectation of promotion on the occurrence of any vacancy in the District, that
is to say, that he would have the option of succeeding either of the Judges residert
at Perc6 or New Carlisle, in case of a vacancy by death or otherwise.

I have heard complaints from respectable persons that no inquests have ever
been held on sundry cases of death from unforeseen causes, apparently sudden
or accidental, either by shipwreck or otherwise. Would it not be advisable
either to authorise the appointment of a Coroner (who might also act as Sherriff )
or to direct the Coroner of the County to appoint Deputies for the remote parts
thereof?

I have now submitted to you. Gentlemen, all the information, and made all
the suggestions which appear likely to be of use. If they are worthy of your
attention and are productive of any beneficial effect, I shall hold myself fortunate
in having furnished them.

I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,

Your obedient servant.

Perc6, 9th November, 1852.

(Signed,)

P. WINTER.

Answers of Mr. Louis Th4riault to certain questions put to him by the Committee.

(Translation.)

Legislative Assembly,
Committee Room, 'ZQth October^ 1852.

1. My name is Louis Th6riault, and I am aged 35 years ; I reside at the
Magdalen Islands and was born there ; I am a farmer and a fisherman, and
owner of a schooner ; I reside at Havre aux Maisons.

2. The lands are only ic; or leased to the inhabitants, and an agent collects
the rents. These lands have been leased at various rates of rent by different
agents for many years past, which has caused a ^ \t deal of dissension and
discontent among the inhabitants of these Islands.

3. Agriculture is not in an advanced stage of improvement. Wheat is not
very productive. The sea breezes and the high winds of the month of September
diminish its yield. Oats, barley and vegetables succeed very well. All the trade
proceeds from the Seal Fishery, and the Cod, Herring and Mackerel Fisheries.
Plaster is found.

4. I consider them to be of great advantage to the Province.

5. They are about 50 leagues from Gasp§, or rather from Carlisle ; and a small
schooner might be chartered to make the voyage every fortnight or every month,
during the season of Navigation. The expense would be about £15 to £18 each
voyage.

6. In the first place, I consider that it would be to our advantage to remain
united as we are to this Province ; that if an Inspector of fish, for salted
fish only, were appointed, a native of- the Magdalen Islands and well
versed in our traffic, to inspect our fish before its exportation, either to this
Province or to other parts, we should sell our fish at a higher rate, whereas at
present the fish of Newfoundland, which is of the same quality as our own, is
sold at higher prices, being subjected to inspection ; that it would be of g^^
benefit to us to obtain some encouragement, either by way of bounty or drawback

C

M

S6

for our fisheries, inasmuch as our resources are not equal to those of olhiT parts
of the Province in the raising of wheat, and as we are cut off from communicat-
ing with the mainland.

That trade would be more beneficial, if there were no Collectors of duties at
those Islands ; for in their absence the inhabitants would be able to dispose of
their fish with more profiit, and their means of living would be greater than they
now are.

Joseph Lafrance has resided at the Magdalen Islands 15 years, and his age
is 47. Having heard the evidence of Mr. Louis Th^riault read, he corroborates
it in every particular.

( Translation)

Magdalen Islands, \Ath October., 1862.

Gentlemen, — I could have wished that the Committee appointed to inquire
into the stale of the Magdalen Islands, had applied to any one but me, for I have
always avoided mixing myself up with the affairs of these islands, long involved
in difficulty, but as the Committee are desirous of learning my opinion, I will
communicate my ideas on the subject, frankly and sincerely.

The Committee are desirous of knowing by what tenure the lands are held
by the inhabitants. I believe that they are generally required to pay from nine
pence to a shilling per acre, and in default of payment, for a year or two, the
tenant loses his rights altogether, and can be turned out of his dwelling. This
rent, which would not, in my opinion, be too high in a situation where land«is
worth anything, appears excessive in the Magdalen Islands, which are not all
adapted to agriculture. The sight alone of these Islands would wring tears from
the eyes of the farmers round Quebec, if they found themselves reduced to cultivate
such land. We number about 350 inhabitants, occupying lands, and I estimate
the whole of the Islands as capable of forming seven or eight farms such as are
occupied by the best class of farmers around Quebec. The rents demanded will
amount to about £350 or £400, perhaps more. Where shall such a sum be found }
On the Magdalen Islands? Why they cannot support their inhabitants ! Where then
shall that sum be found ? In the bosom of the ocean or upon the ice, if Providence
guides a hungry cod to the hook of the fishermen, or a. blind mackerel to the nets
which are set for him, or in short a seal within reach of the hunter. — to these means
of supply the poor people of these Islands are compelled to resort to .make up the
amount of their rents without the assurance of success. In addition to this evil, the
timber necessary for house and ship-building is no longer found upon the Islands, so
that the inhabitants are driven *o seek their supplies elsewhere, or compelled to wait
until the storm casts upon their shores some unfortunate vessel laden with timber,
thenthose who have had the good fortune to be able to save afew pence, are welcome
with their slender purses. In his frequent visits to his Islands, I think Adm" /al Sir
Isaac Coffin was right in saying, that every thing had to be brought to the Mag-
dalen Islands and nothing taken from them in exchange. At that day he was far
from demanding the payment of rent by the inhabitants. Perhaps if Captain John
Townsend Coffin paid a visit to the Islands, he would form an opinion similt^ir
to that of his predecessor.

If I consider the Magdalen Islands as of so little value, in respect of theiy
soil, I form a different estimate of them in connection with their fisheries; I
venture to aflfirm that in all the Gulf of St. Lawrence, there exists no place bettex
adapted to be a fishing station than these Islands where herring, cod and mack-
erel abound. With a little (Encouragement, as a small bounty awarded to ships

97

which are regularly engaged in the fisheries — the poor fisherman would
thus be enabled to repair the losses which lie is constantly suffering, as the loss
of anchors, cables, and other like articles. These conlinually recurring losses
discourage the poor fishermen, for after having toiled all the summer, they find
themselves, when all the expenses of the fishery are paid aad the losses repaired,
destitute of resources for the winter. I believe that the Province would derive
ffpeat advantages from the Islands, if this encouragement were afforded to the
fisheries, and if it were possible, without violating the strict rights of any, to keep
away Foreigners, particularly the Americans, who do great mischief by fishing
for mackarel at a short distance from the shore, perhaps fifteen or twenty arpents,
and who assume the right of setting their nets for mackerel in the very interior
of the bays ; thus preventing many persons from taking the fish which they
absolutely require for their families. The Seal Fishery, which is carried on in
vessels from the tenth of April to the fifteenth or twentieth of May, deserve
particular attention, for it is the principal resource the Islands, and the
prime object of the trade of the place ; but in order to render it lucrative to the
Province some encouragement is necessary ; the season when it is carried on
shewing clearly enough that it has its perils and its accidents, and those very
deplorable ones. How many fathers of families have found their death in this
fishery, and suffered the loss of their entire property, leaving their poor orphans
in the most complete destitution ; yet this pursuit of the seal is undertaken and
carried on for the Province, and the latter has never yet thought of rewarding the
poor fisherman nor of relieving his orphan left without support. I see this branch
of the fisheries encouraged by our neighbors, and they are well repaid for the
encouragement which they extend to it. They thus enable the fisherman to con-
tiime his exertions, and to contribute to the resources of the Province.

With reference to the means of establishing a postal line, the least expensive
would, in my opinion, be with Isle Si. Jean, for the distance is only eighteen
leagues ; but on the other hand the communication of intelligence would be more
expeditious by Pictou, although the distance is twice as far as that of Isle St,
Jean. Finally, I shall observe to the Committee that the most. certain means of
acquiring an exact knowledge of the Magdalen Islands would be to send thither
a confidential person, qualified to form a correct opinion concerning them, and to
collect on the spot whatever information he might consider necessary. These
are my ideas in reference to the Magdalen Islands. Those of another person
may be entirely different, and be blameless in my opinion. I am a bird of passage
in these Islands, and I have no interest either in undervaluing them, nor in making
them of more importance than they are.

(Signed,)

CAJETAN MIVILLE, Ptre,.

Circular transmitted to several Merchants by the Commitee. ■ ,, ^

LSOISLATITS AsSXiMALT,

CoMMiTTBE Room, No. 4, lltk Sept., 1^8..

" \at. Are you engaged in commerce, and for what period of time? Havfr
you had occasion to extend your commercial transactions to the Magdalen Islands ?

2nd. Under what tenure do the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands hold their
lands ?

Srd. What is the present condition of agriculture and trade in these Islands,
the state of the fisheries, and other industrial resources, whether niines, minerals,
or otherwise, and what would be the most efficient means iot their impravemeUt
flhould such improvement be deemed necessary.

28

' jf

4th. Are these Islands of any advantage to the Province generally in a com-
mercial point of view or olherv'ise ?

bth. Which would be the most efficient and at the same lime the least
expensive mode of establishing a postal communication in that part of the
Province ?

Bth. Be so good as to give the Committee all the information in your power
relative to these Islands, and to make any suggestions, which, in your opinion,
would be of use and service, in accordance with your knowledge and practical
experience of the Magdalen Islands ?

J. P. LEPROHON,

Clerk of Committee.

{Translation)

Quebec, 25th September , 185S.

1. For these twelve years, I have had commercial relations with several of
the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands.

2. These Islands are under the Seigniorial Tenure.

3. Although the soil is generally good, but little of it is under cultivation ;
the inhabitants being engaged almost exclusively in fishing and taking seals.
The oil and fish of these Islands are generally disposed of ihere to traders who
export either to Halifax or to Quebec.

I have often heard inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands complain of the high
prices demanded by the agents of the Seignior (Coffin) for the concession of
lands.

4. I consider that these Islands are useful to this Pirovince in a commercial
point of view. Almost all the produce coming from them is taken in exchange
for provisions and merchandize of the Province.

6. I consider that the most advantageous and the most economical plan for
establishing a postal line between these Islands and this Province would be to
send the letters and papers by post to Gaspe, and to cause them to be conveyed
from thence by a small vessel chartered for the purpose.

6. I have frequently heard the inhabitants of these Islands complain of the
injury done to them by the American fishermen coming to take fish in the bays
and harbors of the Islands.

VITAL TETU.

( Translation.)

1. I have been in trade forty years, and have transacted a great deal of
buiness with the Magdalen Islands.

2 On that point I know nothing but from hearsay, on which I do not place
suffif It reliance to. feel able to answer the question.

I know that there has been abundance of fine plaster, but I do not know
that Ui. , other minerals exist ; the produce of the fisheries and plaster constitute
the export trade of these Islands.

4. These Islands are extremely important in a commercial point of view ;
but we do not receive a twentieth part of the produce ; for the traders of Halifax
holding articles which are not charged with heavy duties, like those held by the
Quebec merchants, are able, in barter, to pay higher prices for the produce of the
Islands. That produce I consider to amount, in an average year, to at least

£50,000. -^ ..,■',,.■>,;,;-■:.,.,..-;.,. ".....■ri-.',

■ ■•* -.•

n a corn-
he least
rt of the

iir power
opinion,
practical

mittee.

, 186S.
several of

Itivation ;
ing seals,
iders who

f the high
cession of

:)mmercial
exchange

il plan for

•uld be to

conveyed

ain of the
n the bays

ETU.

at deal of

3 not place

3 not know
constitute

t of view ;
of Halifax
leld by the
dace of the
to at least

29

5. I sec no other plan than that of a small schooner to make a voyage from
Aubert Harbor to Charlestown on St. John's Island, a distance, I believe, of twenty
leagues. The vessel which twice a week convoys the Mail from the latter
place to Pictou would take charge of that for the Magdalen Islands.

6. I possess no further information on the subject.

(Signed,)

F. BUTEAU.

(Translatian.)

Quebec, 9th Marchy 1853.

1. I have been engaged in the Magdalen Islands trade about fifteen years.

2. The Magdalen Islands are subject to no regular or even legal tenure. A
part only of the inhabitants have obtained from the agents of Admiral CofHn,
resident in those Islands, titles or contracts which are merely engagements on the
part of the inhabitants to pay a certain annual rent, generally disproportioned to
the extent of land occupied, (such extent being for the most part unascertained)
but rated by the value which its situation might give to it. Of the inhabitants
who have become parties to such engagements with the proprietor of the Mag-
dalen Islands or his agents, some few have continued up to this day to make the
annual payment to which they had pledged themselves ; the rest have continued
to hold their lands, without fulfilling their engagements, and the proprietor or his
agents, too distant from the Courts >f Justice to be able to adopt legal proceedings,
permitted them up to the last few years quietly to enjoy their possessions.

3. Agriculture is not in a prosperous slate in the Magdalen Islands, although
the soil is very fertile, and manure of all kinds very abundant. The inhabitants
being all fisherman pass the whole summer season on the fishing banks. I may,
hov/ever add, that for several years past, a few have devoted themselves to the
cultivation of their land, and have afforded a proof that they may gather in a
harvest on the land without prejudice to that which the sea yields. The
trade of the Magdalen Islands is very considerable, in comparison with their
extent and population. It is carried on by two classes of persons, one class
of whom have fixed establishments while the others only carry on an itinerant
traffic. The first are subject to great injustice. They it is who make advr.nces
to the Inhabitants — who furnish to them in the spring all things necessary for their
fishing season, and in the autumn all that they require for their support during
winter. They ought, therefore, to be the first paid at the close of the fishery ;
and yet the inhabitants very frequently carry their produce to the itinerant trader,
who can afford to sell his goods at a cheaper rate for cash, leaving ihoir outfitters
to wait until the next season, and sometimes longer, for payment of their advances.
Another injustice to which the resident trader is subject, is that the Collector of
Customs at the Magdalen Islands, often finds himself unable, for want of the
force necessary for the exercise of his duty and the execution of the law, to
compel the payment of the duties imposed on merchandize imported by the
itinerant traders, and this gives greater facility to the latter to undersell the resi-
dent merchants who can in ho way escape payment of the duties.

The fishery is carried on in every direction round the Magdalen Islands, and
yields an ample harvest not only to the inhabitants, but also to the fishermen of
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the United States. The seal fishery is very
productive and supplies in a great measure the oil which is imported to the
markets of Quebec and Montreal. No where is the herring more abundant ; it
is only to be hoped that an American flotilla will no more be permitted to come
every spring and take possession of the principal anchorage of the Magdalen
Islands. The masters of those schooners make use of seines to complete their
lading in a shorter time, and thus contribute to the destraction of the fish. It

».' :

SO

would be too long to enter into a detail of the depredationH which they comnnit,
in taking possession of the beach, wharves, and whatever suits their convenience ;
while the proprietors have no power to prevent them.

Cod, mackerel, herring and the seal oil and seal skins afl'ord the principal
articles for exportation from the Magdalen Islands and attract thither a crowd of
American, English and French vessels.

4. My humble opinion is, that the Magdalen Islands are at present of very
great service to the Province, that they will become of the greatest importance to
Canada, and that it is the interest of Government to preserve them and watch
over their prosperity.

6. In the winter season, all communication with the Magdalen Islands is
cut off"; the land nearest to them is Prince Edward's Island, the crossing to which
may h^ made in eight or ten hours, and might be the medium of a mail line
during the summer season, if it should not be found more advantageous to form
a commnnication between those Islands and Gasp6.

6. The inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands, having always lived, until a
very recent period, independent of all civil authority, are now bi t little disposed
to submit to established law or to assist in its execirtion. In most cases it is
totally impossible for the Magistrates and the Collector of Customs to fulfil their
duties or to carry the laws into execution. As the Circuit Court holds its sittings
but once a year, and that in the summer season, when most of the inhabitants
are absent, it is not of much use.

The Islands accordingly require a judicial establishment on a more effective
footing; the appointment of a stipendiary Magistrate, a professional man, having
a perfect knowledge of law, and authority to enforce it in certain cases, and
provided with a force or constabulary of a few men to cause the law to be
respected and to give assistance to the Collector in the collection of the Customs.

Ihe erection of a Gaol has already been frequently submitted to the con-
s' deration of Government, and is of the most urgent necessity inasmuch as the
nearest is that of Gaspe, with which place there is no communication in the
winter season.

The vessel despatched by the Canadian Government for the protection of the
fisheries, ought be sent to the Magdalen Islands at the opening of the navigation
to remain there about a month (May) that being the season when the Americans
come to fish for herring with seines, after that month, the north side of the Gulf is
free of ice, and then the Government vessel might visit the Coast of Labrador to
return and make the circuit of the Magdalen Islands before the autumn.

These are, in my opinion, some of the means by which Government may
protect and encourage this part of the Province, which has remained too long
unknown and neglected, and which, by its situation in the centre of the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, will become the commercial harbor {entrepdt) of all its fisheries,
being, as it is already, the rendezvous of all fishing vessels from the Lower
Provinces and the United States.,

A. PAINCHAUD.

QjTEtiVC, 6th Ifovemheff 1S52.

Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, requiring
of me to furnish certain information respecting the Maadalen Islands, to the Legisla-
tive Assembly, and in answer thereto, permit me to iurnish you with the following
information, as the vessel in which I have taken my passage is immediately about to
proceed to th^it place, and which will prevent me waiting personally upon the Com'
mittee :

In answer to your ^t question, I beg to reply in the affirmative;. . ^^

■; i

2nd. The lands arc held by the Admiral Coffin individually, by Letters Patent,
the tenure of wliich is held by leases granted in the name of the Admiral by the Agent.
I am not aware whether the leases arc valid in law or not; the inhabitants complain
of the heavy rents they are obliged to pay for the quantity of land occupied, con-
sidering that no quantity is specified in these leases ; it is also to my knowledge,
that a new Agent arrived this spring, and who, in the name of the Admiral, notified
the inhabitants to take out new leases ; some consented and the others refused.

Zfd. The agricultural resources of the Islands would be pretty good, if the inha-
bitants were provided with grain for sowing ; and the trade would be good enough,
if the merchants were not obliged to give so much credit during the wmtcr to a part
of the inhabitants, by reason of their neglect of the cultivation of their lands, and
trusting entirely to the produce of the Fisheries, and should the seal fishery be a
failure, they are then very badly off. I know the Islands to be the best fishing
places, herring, mackerel, codfish, and seals abound in large quantities. I know
that there is excellent plaster, and a sort of red paint or ochre to be found, some of
which I have used ; I have seen yellow and while minerals, the value of which I am
utterly unable to state ; and I consider that it would be very beneficial if govern-
ment were to grant a bounty on the tonnage of vessels during the time they arc
employed in the Fisheries, as in the United States.

Ath. I consider the Islands to be very useful and advantageous to the Province
in every sense, more particularly if the government would assist in making roads
and doing something towards the Fisheries, and I also consider a resident Judge for
some years, to establish the law, and put the same on good footing, would be of great
benefit.

6th. I consider as the best means, a schooner or vessel during the season of
navigation, from the 1st May to 20th December, to communicate with Paspebiac in the
Bay des Chaleurs, in the County of Bonaventure, with the Magdalen Islands, and
from thence to Picton, New Brunswick ; by reason of the trade with New Bruns-
wick, the vessel would also be of great service in transporting shipwrecked mari-
ners and others.

6th. I consider that an armed vessel should be sent down immediately upon
the opening of the navigation, on account of the Americans and others, coming there
to trade, without paying any duties, or such a sum only as they wish, and I have a
personal knowlege that this last spring, an American was condemned by a magis-
trate for stealing mackerel of the inhabitants, but on account of the insufficiency of
the laws, he was allowed to go at large ; the vessel would be moreover of great ser-
vice in preventing the Americans taking herrings and other fish with the seine instead
of a net, and I have no doubt of the beneficial result, if a law could be passed pro-
hibiting the use of the seine altogether, and it would be of much greater benefit, if
the money annually set apart for the Schools, were to go to the improvement of the
Fisheries.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your very obedient servant,

J. P. Leprohon, Esquire,

&c., &c., &c.

HILAIRE NADEAU.

*:>'!.

.♦>•:•

32

Quebec, 80//* September^ 1862.

Sir, — I have the honor to enclose answers to the questions that have been siib-
mittcd to uic by the Outnniittec appointed tu inquire into the state of tlie Mugdalcn

Islands.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

J. P. Leprohon, Esquire,

Committee Room, No. 4,

House of Assembly.

H. LeMESURIER.

i.i.

li

Answers,

1. I have carried on business in Quebec as general merchant since the year
1823, and during nearly the whole period have had extensive transactions with some
of the fishing establishments in Gasp6 and the Coast of Labrador, but more directly
with those of the Magdalen Islands.

2. I believe in free and common soccage. The lands are held by Captain CofHn,
under a grant from the Crown, made to his uncle. Sir Isaac Coffin.

8. The soil and climate are not favorable for agricultural purposes, and the
inhabitar ' .., numbering about twelve hundred, are chiefly employed in the Fisheries,
and perhaps the best means of improving their condition, would be to grant a bounty
upon fish. There are no mines or minerals in the Islands.

4 I do not think they are of any great service to the Province. The tr^de
with them being confined to a few supplies of breadstufl^s in payment of fish and
gypsum.

6. These Islands are so distant, that I know of no means of establishing a Postal
communication, except at a great expense. Perhaps the best mode would be to run
a line of Packets between Charlotte Town and Prince Edward Island, and the
Islands.

6. Answered above.

H. LeMESURIER.

Quebec, 30th September, 1852.

Quebec, 29th September^ 1862.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 22nd instant, desiring information regarding the Magdalen Islands, and regret
it is out of my power to furnish the same, for beyond a few shipments made annu-
ally of flour, &c., for account of Halifax Houses, I have no business connections
in that quarter, and am totally ignorant, (personally) of their capabilities or wants,
but I have always understood that their Fisheries are of the most valuable descrip-
tion, and only reqviire to be cultivated, and Postal communication extended to the
Islands, to make them a source of Revenue to oiu: Province.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

To J. P. Leprohon, Esjj.,

Clerk to Committee,
House of Assembly.

H. J. NOAD.

33

( Translation)

Province of Cannda,
District of Gape,
Mugdulcn Lsluiids.

Gextli:sien, — The Committee appointed by the liCgisIutivc Assembly tocnqiiirc
conccrtuiifj; the present condition of the Mi«}r(hden IshiiulH, desire tobuvc my o|)inion, .
and consult meiiiaseriesof(|iie9tionsto\vhich I consider myself l»onnd to f^iveuiiswers,
and I shall consider myself sufliciently lumored, if my suf^gesliotjs ntcet the views
and contribute to the good contemplated by the Commiitce. llcsiding at a great
distance from that important locality, they could not, of course, decide and settle in
a judicious manner certain questions recpiiring a practical knowledge and study of
the places themselves, concerning the ccmdition of which the opinion of the princi-
pal inhabitants is desired. Having the honor to be one of the latter, I shall endea-
vour to answer as briefly and explicitly as 1 am able, in order to fulfil the task which
the Committee has imposed upon me, to the advantage of tlic popula'.ioii of those
Islands, and for the information of the Committee.

It is enquire J, under what tenure the lands in the Magdalen Islands arc held
by the inhabitants.

The Magdalen Islands arc not held under the Seignioral Tenure, but
in Free and Common Soccage. They are the private property of Mr. John Townsend
Cofhn, a Caplain in Her Majesty's Itoyal Navy, residing in England. The proprie-
tor has long had an agent in these Islands, who delivers certain titles or leases on
annual rent in virtue of which a small number of irdiabitants huld their lands ;
but these titles, under private signature, are so negligently drawn up, and often
informal, that their legality becomes more and more doubtful every <lay, and the
agency being greatly neglected by the lute agt its, and the payments irregidarly
made by the inhabitants, the rents have accrued and considerable arrears have
accumulated.

The inhabitants insist upon a certain right of possession which has for a long
time been a sul)iect of dispute with both parties. It is worthy of remark, that
scarcely one half of the holders of property have such titles, leases on annual rent
or emphyteotic leases. They hold their land without any title whatever, except
that of possession for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years. These difficulties between the agents
and the inhabitants on the subject of their lands which they hold without any title
but that of possession, are an old faffair, which it is important to settle as early
as possible, because it diminishes the real value of the land, fetters trade and agri-
culture, impedes the improvements which the proprietors might make on tlieir ,
rcspcctivo lands, and generally is a bar to progress. These difficulties, I repeat, /,
keep a population of 2700 souls in a state of uncertainty, uneasiness and anxiety,
with respect to the right of holding property on which every inhabitant has erecteci.
hw. buildings, and possesses improvements more or less considerable. >"or;

Agriculture is in its infancy ; the islanders cultivate no more than vrhat is juEt-
sufficient for their own consumption ; the soil is, however, fertile, but it would need
to be improved by the ordinary means. It is not by their agricnltural. produce that
the population are generally supported and maintained. Their means of subsistence
depend almost entirely on the produce of the Fisheries.

Trade is on the increase, and ought to be encouraged by the same means, and
the same protection which are accorded by our neighbours the Americans, '^esc'
Islands export every year to the value of £15000 in produce, viz : oil. Seal-skins,
dry and green Cod-fish, Herring, Mackerel, &c. exportt. 'it the most part to tKe
United States and the neighbouring Provinces of Nova Scotia, and our own Canada^ ^
and the importations are received in exchange from the same Provinces.

%>

34

'ill

I

I

i!

'I

too

M '.

When I say that the Islnndd have exported to the vahic of XlAOOO, I only otatc
the amount of which an account hiw been kept, for the Atnericun and Foreign Fiuh-
men take fish without rendering any account of it to the Officer appointed to coHect
it for the Cu<4to(Ti lltuiHC, and this is a reason why the iinrnonae (piantity of produce
exported indirectly to foreign connlricH remains unknown. Tlie reason why ho hu'^
a quantity of produce U exported to the neighboring ProvinccH and to the Unite
States in American fishing vessels, is found in the fact, that their Fishermen are t(
often Canadians who find greater advantages witli them in favour of that l)ranch of
commerce which is especially encouraged l>y their (iovernment. This entices, on
board their vessels all Fishermen, purticnlarly tiios<> of these Islands, whose activity
and skill in this pursuit is greatly appreeialeu by them.

In consecpiencc ut certain measures of encourugement in the shape of bounties,
foreigners carry off every year a considerable portion of our Fishermen, the fruits of
whose labours become theirs. The reason of this, I repeat, is that those Cjovern-
mcnts bestow more cncouragmcnt on that particular branch of commerce than does
ours, which holds the principle of not favouring one branch of industry more than
another.

The Fisheries of the Magdalen Islands arc abandoned to Foreigners, who fish,
and destroy, without ceasing, one of the finest and most productive Fishing-grounds
in the world, and make the most of it without restriction or hindrance of any kind.

It is full time to put a stop to this, and to puss regulations binding
on all; without these, not only the Fisheries will be ruined, but their immense pro-
duce will be carried away to other parts, to the great loss and damage of this
Province,

The least encouragement by moderate bounties would keep our Fishermen at
home, and the ])roduec of their skill and enterprise would remain in the Province.
The American Fishermen have every advantage over ours; their bounties enable
them to provide themselves with fiihing-tackle and complete outfit to ensure suc-
cess in thoir fishing, while our Fishermen are left wholly unaided, *' unprotected
even in their persons" in these Islands. These are reasons why our most produc-
tive Fisheries are not properly turned to account by our own people, and remain
unavailable to this Province, while they are eminently useful to Foreigners, who
profit by them while they ruin them with the destructive mne-net, a means of taking
nsh which is strictly forbidden in other Fishing-grounds.

The condition of our Fisheries is indisputably alarming to any one acquainted
with these matters ; for if the drawing of irtw^-nets U not immediately prohibited
and forbidden, I predict, that in ten years the Herring and Mackerel will be destroyed
in those parts. Five or six hundred sail of American vessels have been seen in our
Gulf in pursuit of the Mackerel, which have become of late years the most impor-
tant of Fish, selling at excessive prices in the United S ates. Notwithstanding the
absence of all protection to our commerce, the traders and inhabitants find a toler-
able subsistence, and would certainly be better enabled to do so if they received a little
remuneration, by way of bounty or otherwise. If such were the case, I venture
to predict that, ere long, this part of the Province would equal Upper Canada in
point of improvement and prosperity. No mines are known to exist here, no minerals;
Plaster is worked to a trifling extent but it exists in great abundance, and is turned
to great account on the lands of the Province.

11x3 question is put, whether these Islands are of use to the Province in a
commercial sense or otherwise.

I reply without hesitation, that if the Government should allow them to pass
under the dominion of another Province, I should consider the Act as a great calamity
to this Province, and q fortunate acquisition for the Province which should welcome
them to its protection, for as regards Canada, being duly protected, they would
fi>rm the key and mart of Canadian Commerce. What induces me to say that these

■lii'i

#

05

iHlands arc of thv. liij^IicHt ittiportanoc, is, iliat llic AnioricnnH ctidonvotir to g(.'t a
footiii;^ (HI tlicin n\u\ arc desirous of cstahli-^liini; clairiis to rIghlH, which hy Treaty
do not I). loiii{ to thiMii. IJiircstraiticd liy that, uc hhould hoc ihorn arrive in swarms
to make thctiiHcIvfH riiaatcrHof the; Fishint^-groiiiulH on which ihcy always look with
an envious eye.

Even in their present state, our KishtM-ies are sufficient to Hupply our whole
Province with every kind of fish; what would they become then if tluly protected
and encoura;;ed like the Kretieh and \jnerican Fisheries? They, with one or two
small armed vessels, effect a strikiuj; ditfcrence hetwi'cn their Fisheries and ours.

Should a War occur, you have these Islands as a key, as a rampart, and they
might, by their aid, check and repulse every hostile attempt at an insignificant cost.
Do you rcfpilre fish, and a suitable place for curing it? that you have in the
Magdalen Islands. Do you want skilful and experienced Fishermen in order to
establish some great lade in fish, whether with llrazil or with the West Indies, you
may still have recor ic to the Islands. The proximity of ihc Fishing-grounds is u
great thing ; the Americans and others are forced to ht out at great cost, hundreds
of ships, to catch the fish which swims at your doors. With this they carry on their
trade with Brazil and the Indies, while we, profiting by our proximity, could curry
on the same trade as they do, and to better advantage than tliey can.

The great consumption of Canadian pr(-<luce in these Islands renders them
highly beneficial to the Province, whereas if they did not belong to the Province,
American articles would bo preferred, on account of their superior cheapness, and
the profit which the traders might extract from our native productions given in ex-
change for their produce and merchandise. These they can sell very cheap, on
account of the demand which they find for our proluce in their country. Besides,
is our (Janada so extensive as to give rise to the strange idea oflF certain of the
insulars, d's^t t'sficd and visionary persons, that of cutting <;(? from it one off its finest
portions ? its richest part ? a part which must necessarily increase in value when-
ever it becomes known ?

Inquiry is made as to tlie most advantageous and most economical means of
establishing a postal line to these Islands.

I should propose a lin . to be estallished by means of a small, light and fast
sailing vessel which would receive the mail and transport it to Pictou, touching, from
time to time, at Gaspe, for the convenience of communicating with that port for
judicial purposes ; but as to the mail, I should propose the route by Pictou, by which
you can communicate more speedily with the whole continent.

I think that a suitable scliooner might be procured for the sum of £150, per
annum, that is to say, from 10th May to 10th December in each year. If this postal
line were once established, I am convinced that it would open trade and become the
foundation of a measure of protection which is greatly needed.

It is requested that I should ofller all suggestions and communicate all iuforraa-
tion which 1 may consider useful or necessary.

I shall begin by asking, in the first place, for an important object, wanting
which nothing can be done efFectually in these Islands — a common gaol. For
many years this has been called for ancl acknowledged to be necessiary as the popu-
lation increases, and we have seen and do still see around these Islands, 600 oroOO
fjreign vessels carryirg nenrly 4500 msn, onehalf of which mo:)rin our harbours where
the crews commit ruinous depredations. These things have been experienced in
late years on the neighboring Island of St. John's, and these Fishermen are looked
upon as being the scum of the people. Judge by that, whether we roquire a
gaol. Should the Magistrates convict an individual of this class, where can 'hey
place him in custody ? The mere name of a gaol would protu?e a great effect on
our rising population. At present, foreigners, knowing thesituationof these Islands^
pu« no restraint upon their actions; and too frequently the Americans, when in suffi-

f^i

30

li^

15 ;

i

cient nunihcre, are our masters, and to illustrate thia we havo 'sccii tUings done by
them whic'i arc ho;r Lie to be ticscribcd.

A part of this gaol :iiii;lit be used as a Court House, for on this Circuit it is
difficult to find oiic ; such a building should be solid, and proof r- '"'nst all violence^
yet would not cost more than £450 or £500.

We should necessarily require a Stipendiary^ Magistrate, with a few men, (four)
cue of whom might act as Gaoier, and the remamder as Peace Officers.

They would be serviceable to the Collector of Customs, by assisting him in the
collection of the public revenue of the Islands ; for at present that officer is a cypher,
as any one would be without protection, and their presence would be sufficient to
quell all resistance offered Ly strangers refusing (as they often do) to submit t6
the demands of the Officer of Customs ; the public revenue suffers much from this
daily resistance to its claims ; the anchorage dues might j»1so be collected, which are
payable on every entry of a foreign vessel, and this would at the close of the year,
produce a handsome sum, particularly when so many foreign vessels visit us.

The Magdalen Islands have never rccei\ ed that pprt of the public money which
was voted some time since uy Orovernment, for the improvement of roads, bridges,
Ac., in the District of {jaspe ; and, in this respect I should remark and call atten-
tion to the fact, that, cur roads and I ridges greatly need such aid, for they are in a
state which proclaims the want of the mciey, and moreover, these Islands have
been, through the carelessness of the parties concerned, unjustly deprived of that
grant.

Education is in a lamentable slate here from the impossibility of finding teach-
ers, who on account of the remoteness of our position, cannot be prevailed upon to
banish themselves so far from hom''.

This is, gv itlemen, a succinct account of what my experience and practical
observations on the spot have enabled me to rep )rt to you (according to your de-
sire,) very rapidly written it is true, in order that I might avail myself of the last
opportunity offering to convey it to the mainland ; but, if at any lime, you should
desire to receive from me any information or suggestion i olative to any point soever
connected with tji^se Islands, I shall furnish it with the greatest of pleasure, and
shall consider mysllf highly honored.

The whole nevertheless, humbly submitted, by your obedient servant.

(Signed,) J. B. F. PAINCHAUD.

(ij/V

(SVonsMon.)

I/eed of lease producsd ly Mr, J. B. F. Painchaud,

Before the undersigned Witnesses came and appeared Pierre Dnucet, Esquire,
acting in his capacity ot Agent to Sir IsaacOoffin, Baronet, Admiral of the Red, in the
Service of Hei- Britannic Majesty, propiietorof the Magdalen Islands, by virtue of a
f )rmal power of Attorney in due form ; which said S'eur Doucet hath acknov. ledged
and confessed to have leased ia the same name and capacity, subject to an annual
rent from henceforth and for the period hereafter mentioned, the said vents cai'ty-
tngdifautvi\\eTisi:eyer the same may accrue, with warranty ag? inst all troul'.js and
hindrances generally, whatsoever, unto Mr. Alexis Painchaud, Ship Captain, reolding
in the said Magdalen Islands, hereunto present and accepting thereof tor himself, his
heirs and assigns, during the continuance of the present emphyteotic lease of twenty
years or more, if the said lessee shall continue to pay regularly as hereinafter men-
tioned, that is to say : —

A parcel of land called (?rt;V«, situate on the shore of Artiherctt Island, bereto-
fi»e occup'ed by M .lilm Bourque, having who had a kase on the 25lh day of July,

in the year cij^hlccn hundred and thirty-two, which lease is hereby annulled, he
havini^ failed to tiiUil the conditions and to pay the rent as hiid down in :hc said
lease, as the said land now stands inf'iill and pcacea!)le possession ot'thc tiic said Captain
Alexis Painchaud, with which he delares himself con ♦^nl and satisfied ; to cnji y the
same by the said lessee, his heirs and assigns during the said period, as he may think
proper, without authority, however, to the said lessee to sub-lease the said land to
several individuals, the said lease being so made for and in consideration of one
quintal of merchantable codtlsli, or ot the sum of ten shillings currency, annual
and emphyteotic rent ; the said rent being unredeemable, and payable to the
said Proprietor, or his Attorney residing in Amherst Island, one of the Magdelcn
Islands, (or at Quebec) ; and which said rent the said lessee doth promise and bind
himself to pay in each year to the said lessor or his successors at the said place, and
the first yearly payment whereof sliall become due on the first day of September
next; the said lease being also subject to the following conditions: that if the said
lessee, his heirs or assigns shall neglect to pay the said rent during two consecutive
years, then and in such case this deed shall be null and void. "

Done, in duplicate, at Quebec, this 15th day of May, one thousand eight hun-
dred and forty, the said Agent and the said Lessee having signed.

(Signed,) PIERRE DOUCET,

Agent,

( « ) A. PAmCIIAUD,

Lessee.

(S'gned,) J. 0. Brunet,

( " ) F. W. BRUN3T,

Witnesses.

A true Copy of the original in the possession of the Lessee.

J. B. F. PAINCIIADi^,

N. P,

{Translation.)

Committee Room, Legtslatite Assembly,

nth tSepUmbetj 1852.

Questions suhm'Hcd to certain officers of the Crown Lands Department.

1. What is your office or employment in the Crown Lands' Department?

2. Are yon able to furnish any information relative to the Magaalen Islands t '

3. Under what tenure are the Lands held by the inhabitants of the Magdalen
Islands?

4. What is the stale of Agriculture, Commerce, the Fisheries and other sources
of wealth, as Mines, Minerals, &c., and what would be the best means of effecting
improvements therein, if improvements should be necessary ?

5. Are these Islands useful to the Province in general, commercially or other-
wise?

6. What would be the most advantp^ous and economical mode oi establishing
a Postal line in that part of the Province ?

7. Have the goodness to state to the Committee all you know concerning these
Islands, and to furnish all ihe information and suggestions which you consider to be
useful and necessary, accordiug to the experience which you have had of those
Islands? ^
.,„ .. v'- i ' ^ ' '/^;;? P- LEPROHON,

Cierk to the Ci^mtniittB.

38

(Transkiion.)

Answt, s of Jean Langcvin^ Esquire^ to the above questions.

1. Corresponding Clerk for Lower Canada.

2. I know very little about these Islands, having been there only once, about
the year 1809.

3. Those who have taken titles from the Proprietor, pay .Am, I believe, an
annual rent, in codfish, of one or two quintals. There are others, who have taken
uo titles, on account of the high rates of rent.

4. I have no positive information on these different subjects, but it is a matter
of public notoriety that the inhabitants of these Islands are frequently molested and
even piling jd by the foreign fishermen and other persons ; and this, together with
the high vate ot rents, paralyzes their industry, and from time to time has the effect
of cauoing many to go away and establish themselves in other places. I should
recommend that a small armed vessel, well-manned and equipped, be stationed dur-
ing the season of navigat'on, to afford to the inhabitants of these Islands the neces-
sary protection to their person and property ; to the Officer of the Customs the means
of collecting the Provincial revenue in a reguuir manner, and to Justices of the Peace
and Officers of Militia a means of securing general respect for the Laws.

5. These Islands, being favorably situated in the midst of the Gulf of St. Law-
rence, from their excellent harbo',:rs, the minerals which they contain, and the
abuiidanoe of fish in the waters which wash their shores, ire capable of great im-
provement, as regards industrial and commercial enterprise, and of becoming a
valuable dependency of this Province.

6. It would be, I should think, by way of Prince Edward's Island.

7. I have nothinof cither t.. communicate or to suggest the following : The
Government should t.ideavour again to become proprietor of those Islands, by paying
an indemnity in money or by a grant of public lands in some other part of the
r.'ovince to the present proprietor; it should then grant licerscs to occupy the land
on certain conditions, (but rent free,) to the present occupiers and to all other persons
who are desirous of settling thereon. The right to these licenses which should not be
transferable ought to be forfeited after a certain absence. No license should be
granted for more than a certain width of land in front and a certain extent in
superficies.

The Clergy Reserves, made on these Islands, should be conceded according to
this plan, and other lands granted to the Clergy in exchange, I am inclined to
believe that by the adoption of this plan, the productions of these Islands and the
produce of the Revenue, would in a short time be so greatly increased, that the
outlay in carrying out its execution, would be amply though indirectly repaid.

(Signed,)

JEAN LANGEVIN.

Crown Lands Office,

Quebec, 24th SeptemWr, 1852.

Ansioers of P, L, Mbritif Esquire^ to the same questions.

, - Crown Land's Office,

Quebec, Stth October , 1852

1. I am a Sworn Surveyor, and employed in the Crown Land's Office as
Draughtsman.

2. I do not know under what tenure the lands in the Magdalen Islands are
held. . ■•:.. v ■,.,-.:

39

3. Neither do I know what is the present state of Agriculture, Commerce, and
the Fisheries there.

4. I think that improvements are needed in these Islands, bccausa it is said
that the inhabiiauts of that region are not very well off.

6. With reference to their geographical position, &c., I certainly believe that
these Islands are very important to the Province of Lower Canada.

(Signed,) P. L. MORIX,

Principal Draughtsman to the Surveyor General's Office,

Crown Land's Department.

SlB,-

QuEBEO, 27lh October, 1252.

I have the honor to inform you that the Special Committee composed of Messrs.
Fournier, uhairinan, Prince and Chris^ij, and of the Ilonorablcs Messrs. Cameron and
La Terri^re, appointed by the Legislative Assembly to inquire into the existing
state of the Magdalen Islands, with instruction to make like inquiry and take the
like steps to acquire information concerning the Western part of this Province above
Lake Huron, are desirous of procuring irformalion and suggestions from you in
answer to the following questions : —

1st. What should be the means to adopt to have a prosperous Commerce and
Agriculture above Lake Huron, either from below or above the Sank St. Marie to
the western extremity of the Province, not only along the shore of Lake Supe-
rior, but in the interior part of the country to the furthermost limit of the Province?

2nd. Is any portion of that country susceptible for the settlement of Emigra-
tion, and if so, what portion ?

3rd. Of what importance arc the Fi-shcries on Lake Superior at present ?

Will you have the kindness to transmit your answers to the above queries, as
well as any suggestions or information you may be possessed of, that will conduce
to the prosperity of that part of the country.

I have the honor to be.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,

J. P. LEPROIION,

Clerk of Commiltee.

Sault St. Marie,

2lst January J 1853.

Sir, — I have the honor, for the information of the Special Committee appointed
to inquire into the state of the Country in the neighbourhood of Sault St. Marie, to
give the following information and suggestions in audition to my reply of the 9tfc:
instant, to yours of the 22nd September.

I beg leave to enclose herewith a statement of the traffic carried on between
hA'ies Huron and Superior, on the United States side, for the year 1851. I have
UKs yet l>cen able to procure that for 1852, but have good rea.son to believe that the
gross amount of business exceeds that of 1851. A large quantity of copper has
remained at the mines in consequence of the scarcity of freight ; another large
Propeller has been transported over the Portage this winter. With regard to the
Fisheries on Lake Superior, I have ascertained from the best authority that 30,000
barrels offish might be put upyearly on the North Shore of that Lake. The difficulty

', ii

40

of transport from Lake Superior to the market prevents men of capital frpm engaging
extensively in the Fislierics. The Americans are ruining some of our best tishing

f grounds on Lake Huron ; British subjects being at the same time strictly prohibited
rom fishing in American waters.

I would respectfully suggest, the survey of the land on the St. Mary's River,
lying between the N. W. boundary of the Garden Ilivor Reserve, and the S,E. end
of Mr. Vidai's survey, that the front lots be 50 acres, with a front of 4 chains; that
the price of land for the present should be 4s. per acre for front lots, 2s. 6d. inland
lots, Village lots, from JCi upwards, terms cash.

All descriptions of timber are now getting scarce at the Suult. Firewood can-
not be obtained nearer than from 2 J to 3 miles, this scarcity has not arisen from the
consumption in the Settlement, but by the inhabitants transporting large quantities
of valuable timber of all kinds (yearly) to the United States, very much to the injury
of the Crown Lands; as Agent for the Department,! lan do very little to protect the
timber, as in the present state of affairs Magistrates are mere ciphers.

I would, most res[)ectfully, recommend to the Committee, aninmediate settle-
ment of the Land Claims at the Sault ; some of the inhabitants have been on the
land for 40 years, all might be settled in a short time, as out of upwards of 50 claims,
there are only 6 conflicting ; the parties wou; ' Se glad to obtain titles at 4s. per acre,
the price valued by an Order in Council son. i ago.

A G;iol is very much required at the Sault; ring my residence, of nearly 10
years, all manner of crimes, from theft to murder, uave been committed with impu-
nity.

For information regarding the wants and resources of this part of the Province,
I wojild respectfully recommend to the Committee the Ilonorables W. B. Robinson
and J. Ross.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

J. P. Leprohon, Esquire,

Clerk of Committee,

Legislative Assembly,
Quebec.

JOS. WILSON.

Return of Goods, Provisions, &c. transported over the Portage at Sault St. Marie,
Mich., U S. to Lake Superior, and the amount of Copper which was trans-
ported from Lake Superior during the season of 1851.

Barrel
Bulk.

Cattle

and

Horses.

Hay.

Bricks.

Lumber.

Shingles.

Steel and
Iron cast-
ings.

Copper.

Fish.

Iron Ore.

62847

370

Tons.
322

M.

76

M.
418

M.

182

Lbs.
370,000

Tons.
1585|^t

Bbls.
3590

Tons.
383

Sault Ste. Marie, 9ih NovemheTf 1852.

SlB,-^

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of vour letter of the 22nd ultimo,
(received yesterday,) requesting certain information for a Committee of the House,
concerning the Western part of the Province above Lake Huron, &c. I have Ui9
honor to submit to the Committee the following answers to the queries, viz : —

41

Ist. The passing of an Act by the Parliament for the administration of Justice,
there being at ])rcsent no security for either life or property. — An immediate set-
tlement of all the Land Claims at Sanit Ste. Marie, offering for sale at moderate
prices all the unoccupied lands in the neighbourhood of the Sault. — A Survey of all
the Lands bordering on Lakes Huron and Superior, and offering the same for sale ;
Mineral locations not to exceed in size 200 acres ; all Mineral and other lands to be
obtained at the Agency, at the Sault. — A Ship Canal to connect Lakes Huron and
Superior.

2nd. The Lands which are susceptible of settlement are the Island St. Joseph's
and a considerable Tract in the neighbourhood of the Sault ; there are also small
Tracts along the shores of Lake Superior, which might be made available for culti-
vation, but the climate and seasons are very uncertain; the interior towards the
height of land is rocky and barren.

3rd. The Fisheries on Lake Superior are most extensive and of considerable
importance ; but at present these, as well as those in Lake Huron, are fished prin-
cipally by the Americans, thus protection by the Government is much required to
prevent their destruction. — There are, beyond a doubt, extensive and rich deposits
of Copper and Silver on the shores of Lake Superior ; but the present system of
selling locations is a bar to the development of the country. I could have disposed
of a number of locations last summer, had their size been reduced to 150 or 200
acres. — I would also respectfully suggest to the Committee (as a means of improv-
ing this part of the Province), settling at the Sault and Isle of St. Joseph's, 100
Pensioners with their families. The Lands are good, and a ready Market for ail
descriptions of Farm Produce. Their presence wou:d be most beneficial in enforciiig
law and order, neither of which have ever been felt there.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

(Signed,) JOS. WILSON.

P. S. — I would also lespeetfully draw the attention of the Committee to the
^eat destruction of Timber in this neighbourhood ; large and valuable quantities
are carried to the United States' side every winter. I would respectfully urge that
some steps be iaimediately taken to save the timber on the Crown Lands from being

totally ruined.

(Signed,) J. W.

St. Joseph, 16th November, 1853.

Sir,— I hasten to reply to your letter of the 22nd September, (only received
last mail) to answer the questi(ms proposjd by the Committee of the Legislative
Council according to the best of my knowledge.

The only situation on the northern coast of Lake Superior where there is any
cultivable land, are Michipicoton, Bic, and Fort William, each having a narrow strip
on the banks of the rivers, perhans the whole may amount to 1500 acres, already in
possession of the Hudson's Bay Company. The same may be said of the northern
shore of Lake Huron, merely narrow strips on the rivers, a short distance up the coun-
try, fit for fishermen's gardens. The Manitoulin and St. Joseph Islands, on the cod'
trary, contain a good half of fair cultivable land. Fall and spring wheat does wellj
barley, oats, turnips, timothy, potatoes and clover, perhaps, better than any other pari
of Canada. I have for several years grown from seeds of my own production in the
open air,melons, cucumbers, capsicums and tomatoes, there nte not been a case of
i^ue or potato disease here. It is impossible for me to calculate the iiMmenae
^tuuitity of aalmoa trout, white fiih, Sic, &c.,the wateM df lidfl^e Superior and

42

! "lii

Iliiron teem wtih them, many thousand barrels may be put up — to sum up, there is
no place for sctllcincnt of a^iiicuhuMl t-niif^raiits cxccplhig iu ilie ubavc iiumcd
IslauiLs. I cannot speak toolii{;hly of the Fislierics.

I am not cap:iblo of a|)j):cjiatin«2; the vahie of mines, tliry must be a source of
profit to tlie Country, whuicvcr they may be to the shareholJcrs.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

W. K. RAINS.

I m

The Park Farm, near Sandwich, C. W.

24//i January, 1853.

Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 8th November last, addressed to mc
as one of Mr. Fournier's Committee, I beg to answer thus :

The first point to be considered, is whether the region above Sault Ste. Marie is
susceptible of yielding a prosperous commerce, whether its natural advantages arc
such as as to render it possible by public Works, or legislative enactments, to foster
or produce a paying trade ? My impressions tend to a favourable reply, but I should
conceive it imperative, that any considerations relative to the establishment of such
a trade on Lake Superior, should have a reference to the vast coniUry now thrown
open for settlement on the South Shore, where success for mining operations are
leading to a large influx of population, partly agricultural, and where an immense
tract of excellent land in rear of the high and barren range which bears the native
silver and copper, affords the means of growing many of the rccpiisitcs for its in-
creasing thor.s inds.

Two '^.'eamers, three Propellers, and several sailing vessels, barely now suffice
for the regular transport of stores and copper, and though perhaps no very accurate
ratio can be pointecl out, there must be a constant increase — wild and visionary
speculati(m have given way to steady enterprise ; Copper Companies which wor/e,
have taken place of Copper Companies on paper, where busi.iess (a)- in shares ; and
it is not likely that an insane rush, or an equally ruinous depression will again take
place.

No, it is almost impossible to conceive that the boundless mineral wealth
which continued search seems only to establish on a ilrmcr basis, should be confin-
ed to the South Shore of Lake Superior, and its present thriving trade may form
no incorrect ground vvork for a calculation of that which may soon, from the same
causes, flow from our own territory, (see Appendix, page 45.) Professor Agassiz (no
mean authority in such matters) considered the whole region incalculably rich, but
requiiing mr.ch attentive and scientific exploration. Three years he asserted (with
the means l:e had at command) would barely suffice for a full and satisfj.ctory ex-
amination, and it would, therefore, seem requisite to adopt some system for placing,
beyond a doubt, the present speculative value of these lands in order to secuie a cer-
tain investment of Capital, and consequent settlement. — Money is abundant in Eng-
land in the hands of the Cornish firms who are only awaiting something positive,
to embark largely in the matter ; and I have learned from the best authority that
one of their mjst eminent practical men will, next season, cxjilorc these shorts most
carefully.

But at the same time that the bosom of the earth offers its varied treasures to
the cdventurous miners, it is to be regretted that its surface throughout the whole
extent of the co-st, affords no resting place for an agricullnral population. High
And larren rocks, scantily clohed with stunted firs or poplar, or covered with grey
ichenF, often the iood or the miserable aborigines, rise from the very verge of the
jdark grecu waters and run far inland. It is only here and there, along tlie borders

43

IS

of some brook or larprcr stream, that a few narrow strips of nllinial flats furnish the
inhabitants with soil sufficient for (growing a few potatoes and Indian corn ; thcsamo
is the case on L ikc Huron, and though the rocKs there 1)C neither so hi^h nor so
abrupt, all ihu is consumed in an extent of full seven hinidred miles of coiist, must
be brought from a distance.

Nature has not, however, left the future settler in these sterile regioiis without
an equivalent to offer in exchange for the many articles he may recjuire. The clear
waters of the hike are his harverl field, and from the.-c he imist gather his yearly
crop. White fish, trout and pickerel, of the finest dcscripticm, abound along the
shore, and though now forming no source of profit or revenue might readily bo
made to do so. The Fisheries on Lake Huron are c(|nally extensive and not less
productive ; and it would only require monicd capital and experience to establish a
new branch of trade in Canada, which has long been lucrative in Michigan. Many
hundred thousand barrels of fish could readily be put up every season for exporta-
tion. The trout of the cold clear water is little inferior to the salm<m, and I do not
see any reason why we should not carry to other shores the produce of our lakes,
and divide a trade which the sister colonics have hitherto monopolized.

The Lake with its fish, the land with its mines, could well maintain a hardy
population, who would form a home market for much of our surplus produce, whilst
our shipping would find constant and profitable cmph)yment on their new and more
northern career.

Ist. Tiien an examination of the shores, such as would place government in
possession of accurate information respecting the mineral capabilities of the North
Shore, would tend to a ready sale-, and what is of more importance, to a
rapid settlement of the lands in question, especially should we form any opiniuo
from the fuds in Michigan, immediately opposite.

2nd. To render available the very extensive Fisheries of the two lakes, by letting
at a low rate, offering encouragements, commensurate with the risks to those who
are willing to embark in a speculation hazardous, (and I really think hazardous only
because it is new,) would, in no inconsiderable manner, promote the prcsnerity of
that part of Canada, and open a conunercial intercourse with its eastern portions
very profitable to all concerned.

By cutting a canal round Sault Ste. Marie at once, we s^.iould secure the carry-
ing trade of the Americans through- our own canals to the Atlantic; offer to those
who might be inclined to embark on either of the above named pursuits, increased
facilities, and consequently increased incentives ; and probably accomplish the ob--
ject of the present incjuiries. This canal, I am fully persuaded, cannot be con-
sidered of too much importance ; and it is only the conflicting interests of the few,
(so far fortunate for us) which have prevented the accomplishment of a work of
so much consequence to the many. Every ton of goods or copper has to be trans-
shipped and conveyed over a rude railroad, about a mile in length, at a very con-
siderable expense to the public and profit to the owners, who strenuously oppose
the contemplated improvement ! Passengers arc frequently detained at the Sault
many days by the non-arrival of vessels, and the innkeepers look with jealousy on-
a canal which would carry the rich harvest pjist their doors. Landholders fear the
depreciation in value of their property should the Sault cease to be (as it then
must) the dep6t for transhipments ; and all these ca.ises have hitherto arrested the

{)rogress of a work, for which the Federal Government has granted 750,000 acres of
and. It cannot, however, be supposed that the general good will long be permit-
ted to give way to such selfish and local considerations, and if we do not seize the
moment, we shall, in my opinion, lose both the honor and profit, for they will assur-
edly go together in an undertaking which completes our line of water connnunication
from Lake Suparior to the sea ! No inconsiderable portion of the trade of the fertile
and &st settling Minisola, will I presume, soon flow through this its natural channel ;

44

■i

li

^ ^i; \

and with our own prospective Fisheries and mines, we surely need not hoflitntc to
expend a sum for whicn even now we should got n pnving r urn. Mv opinion on
this point is derived from accurate and disinterested persons, and from my own
deep reflections.

I am not aware that I can sujmly any more information relative to the regions
west of Sault St. Marie ; b'lt this I am fully aware of, that the interior is as had as
the coast, and as unfit lor belli ;nent in an agricultural point of view. The Hudson's
Bay Company might, however, afford a thorough description of the " Red River
Settlement," and difficulties to be encountered between *' Pigeon Iliver " and the
Pacific.

One word more about the Fisheries. The very moment the icc gives way at
the mouth of very many of the small streams whicn empty into Lake Huron, the
pickerel begin to spawn and are easily caught in nets or speared ; the numbers are
almost beyond belief, and the fish itself much esteemed in the American market,
indeed more so than the trout, the pricj varying little from it. After this, the deep
water affords a constant supply of white-fish and salmon-trout (caught in gill nets)
during the summer, until, in the autumn, the regular season commences, (about the
middle of September,) and these fine fish are literally caught in shoals by the few
French and Half-breeds who devote their .ime to that occupation. There are many
places now well known as valuable Fisheries ; but I have no doubt that the whole
coast and outside islands are equally well supplied. The places of most general
resort are now Isle-au-sable, Sh6aw6nega, Isles-aux-tetes, Meganetawang, Pointe
Grondine, Shibadnaning, Le Qrand Chcnail, and le Petit Chenail, formetl by Cock-
burn Island, Duck Island, south of the Manitoulin, the Grande Batture (as the Cana-
dians call it,) near Mississagua, and Point Thessalon.

The French Canadians rcoiding on the American side at Sault St. Marie, the
Half-breeds in the employment of American merchants, with their barrels and salt,
are in the habit of resorting to many of those places, and on one occasion, within
the knowledge of my informants, a schooner with a complement of fishermen spent
the summer at the Duck Islands. These encroachments very naturally exasperate
the Indians and our own people ; and it would be desirable, that soniv; measure
should be taken to protect them. The same intrusions by people from the United
States yearly occur on our coast ; at Point Pelee in my own County, (Essex,) where
citizens from the United States occupy our fishing grounds with a dozen seines, and
bring over their salt and barrels /rec yt/w/y, and return " scot free " with fish taken
in our waters 1 But such intrusions ought to be put an end to, by the Government
leasing or granting licenses of occupations during pleasure to our own peo])le.

There is one other matter to which I beg leave to refer, and which the pullic
consider, and I too consider, of the utmost importance to the well-being and good
government of the Country, ai)d upon which 1 desire to have the honor to report to
the Committee. It is hardly conceivable that amidst all the population, and busi-
ness, and prospective advantages which I have endeavoured to portray, there is not
in these Northern regions (in British Territory too) a single Court of Lmo for the

Srosecution of criminals, or for the redress of grievances, or for the recovery of
ebts I Within my own knowledge, only a few years ago, a murderer (from a
foreign land,) of one of our own subjects, on our own shores, on Lake Superior, wad
allowed to escape for want of a Magistrate to issue a warrant, and a Constable to
apprehend him I In short, there is no practical law in this vast and interesting
Cfountry, to which my Report applies ; and it is a fact, that for the recovery even
of small debts, suitors are compelled to resort to the Town of Barrie (300 miles off)
to get justice ! and this too in one of the finest Colonies of England, and within three
weeks reach of England, purely these circumstances prove, (and they are capable
of proof,) that a Jiuikiiiry ought t9 h^ eaXabhahed in \hai remote, though rich and
splendid region without 4e^)[.

45

The SiiuU Ste. Marie being a place of general resort, nncl wliicli must be a

Erand focus uf altrtiction, if not of domicile for all the Miners and oihrr ^('tller8 on
akes Huron and SnptMior ior many years to come, it is apparent, and it adniits of
no doubt that, in common justice to the Queen's subjects and the people ibcre, a
Court of Record (be it Queen's Bench, Conmion Pleas, or a J{e(:vr<lri\s C>utt, a
Counly Court, or a Division Court, or all comhiued), presided over by a Jltirn^tcr
of admitted competent knowledge in the ])racticc and profession of law and ecpiity,
ought to be erected there without further delay ; and vutrtij^ miviy coin plaints have
been made to me by our own people as well as by tin citizens of the United Slates,
that no legally constituted Tribunal exists there, for the protection of persons or
property, for the punishment of crime, for the redress of grievances, and the reco-
very of debts ; the nearest Court being some hundreds of miles off, which distance
amoimts to nothing mora or less than an absolute denial of justice on British soil to Bri-
tish subjects, as loell as to frieudly foreiffneri, ! In conclusion, I beg leave to inform the
Committee, that for the substance of the foregoing Weport I am mainly itukbted to
J. W. Keating, Esq., of Chatham, in Kent, who is an English gentleman of standing
there and of an accomplished education ; one who rpcnks the Indian hmyimijcs flu-
ently, as well as French and German, and who having been only a few years past
connected with the Indian Department in Upper Canada, is well known to the Pro-
vincial Government, and is also very popular with and much looked up t») by the
Tribes of Indians from Lake Superior to Amherstburg; and I am happy to inform
the Committee, that the opinions and intelligence with which Mr. Keating has so
oblipingly favored me on these important and interesting matters, have been satis-
factorily confirmed by many Americans and others to whom I snlnnitted them, and
who expressed themselves too happy to afford me all possible information on these
subjects.

You will be good enough to lay this paper before the Coininuice.

I remain, Sir,

lours, very truly,

To Mr. Leprohon,

Clerk of Committee,

Assy. House, Quebec.

40IIN PRINCE, M. P. P.

APPENDIX.

I beg to subjoin a few of the statistics of the South Shore of Lake Superior
which I have obtained from most reliable sources in Michigan.

The exact amount of " up and domi " freight cannot be obtained at Detroit be-
cause large quantities of goods are also shipped from Cleveland and BuflTalo, but aa
estimate can be formed from the fact that in 1851, the amount of itnports for the
South Shore of Lake Sujierior, was ^100,000, whilst that of exports reached $700,
000 ; 2500 tons of copper alone were sent away, independently of any iron ; and one
mine alone produced during that year, $100,000, worth of copper. The ratio of m-
crease in the trade at present cannot be considered as less than 6 per centum ]ier
annum, and the shipping on Lake Superior will be increased early in the spring by
one large steamer of Messrs. Ward.

There are or were in operation on the first of January, 1852, when the last re-
turns were made, 22 mining companies, employing capital to the amount of $426,
894, and whose operations are reported at the Auditor General's Office. There are
also 17 other companies who have hitherto Diade no report, but who are in active
operation, the amount of revenue derived by the State (from taxation) from the re-
porting companies (22) was for the year 1851, $426,894 1

JOHN PBINCE.

41

LEniSLATIVE As.«KMni,Y,
Committee Room, No. 4, Vlh iManh, 1853.

Sir, — I have the honor to inform you tl>at the Comn>ittcc, to whom were
referred the rrsohilioiis rchjlivc to the Magdtilcu LhuuLs ami Lake Superior, will
consider themst'lvo'i obliged to you if you will transmit to them u f<i]>y of the plan
of Lake Superior .i;iii of the Ishuuls therein, lying bclween L.ike Cuorjre jind the
supposed limits of the Province to the north and west, shewinjj: the di (it rent grants
of land, whether for settlement, mining purposes, or belonging to (he Indians, or to
the Crown, in that direetion ; also a copy of the map of the Magdalen Islands,
together with a copy of the reports, or such extracts therefrom as you may con-
sider expedient, of Joseph Bouchettc and C. F. Fournier, Escpiires, Surveyors,
on the subject of these Islands. They arc desirous of receiving the above
documents in as short a time as possible, as they intend making their report iamic-
diatcly on the receipt thereof.

] have the honor to he, Sir,

Your most obedient scrvarc.

The Honorable John Rolph,

Commissioner of CrowD Lands.
&c., &o., &c.

J. P. LEPROTION,

Clerk of Committee.

Crown Lands Department,
Quebec, lG//i Mf/r//, 1853.

Sir, — Li compliance with the desire of the Committee conveyed in your letter
received 9th instant, to whom were referred the resohuions relative to the Magdalen
Islandj ail Lik? Superior, I have the honor to transmit herewith for theCcmunittcc,
copy of the map oftlie Magdalen Islands, extracts of Mr. Louehette's Report, dated
in April, 1849, description of the Geographical position and the natural and
commercial resources of those Islands ; also copy of the Report of C. F. Fournier,
Esq., of his late survey of the Isle Royal, one of the Islands reserved for the support
of the Protestant Church, under the Imperial Act 31, Geo. 3rd, Cap. 3J.

I have the honor to be. Sir,
Your obedient servant,

J. P. Leprohon, Esq.,

Clerk of Committee, &c., &c.

JOHN EOLPTT,

Com. of Crown Lands.

. ' ^ Crown Lands Department,

Quebec, 12ih Marck, 1853.

Sir, — ^In compliance with the request conveyed in yoi:r letter, requesting " a
** plan of Lake Superior and the Islands therein, lying between Lake George and the
" supposed limits of the Province to the north and west, shewing the different Grants
"of Land, whether for settlement, mining purposes, or belonging to thu Indians, or
" to the Crown, in that direction," for the use of a Special Committee of the Hon.
the Legislative Assembly, a copy of Captain Bayfield's Chart of the Lake is trans-
mitted herewith, on which the mining locations, which have been surveyed, are
marked by a yellow border. No .lands have been granted for settlement on *he

47

shorcH of liiVc Superior. A hUcIcIi of the Lalvc, on n rcilnccd scale, niso nrcompa-
nic9 this k'ttcr, slicwiii;^ the supposed uortluMii and western limits of ilie I*rovincc
in that direclioii ; for the position of whieh, however, tliis Depirtinent has no data
on wliieh rclianee ean he pliiced ; the only Ueeords of Surveys iu that neetion of the
Province hein^ Captain JJaylield'.s chart referred to, and the plans and fuld notes of
the mininfT locations. These Surveys being limited to the Coast, contain no infor-
mation rcsjieeting the interior.

The whole of the Territory lying between the northern shores of Lakes Huron
ond Superior, and the height of land which separate the T'.-rritory, covered by the
charter of the Honorable Iludson'a Bay Company from Canada, and the Inlands in
these Lakes, within the boundaries ot the iJritish Possessions therein (cimtaining
about 80,000 s(piare miles), with the exception of certain reservations', was surren-
dered to the Crown by the Indians in the year 1850. See Appendix U, to the
Journals of tho Legislative Assembly for 1851 for the treaty, and a statement of the
mining locations.

It app?ars from the Report of the Provincial Geologist, W. E. Lognn, Esq., in
Appendix C, to the Jojirnals of the Legislative Assembly for 1847, that the Cana-
dian shores of Lake Superior are generally bold and rocky, afturding but little land
fit for agricultiu'e, the timber also being in general inferior both in kind and quality.
The only land fit for cultivation is on the Island of Michipicolen, and in some of
the valleys, and jit the mouths of s(mie of the principal rivers.

The fisheries and metalliferous minerals are, if not the only, the chief sources
of wealth which this region affords.

I have the honor to lie, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(Signed,) JOHN ROLPH,

Commissioner ot Crown Lands.
J. P. Lcprohnn, Esq.

Clerk of Committees,

Legislative Assembly.

Exirarts of Ihc Tiqiort respecting the Magdalen Islands, prcparca and compihd hj Jos.
Boucheiky Esq..

Crown Lands Department,
QuEBLC, 24//« March, 1851.

rence, collectivelv known as the Magdalen Islands.

These Islantls, with the countries bordering on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were
subsequently involved in the various conflicts between England and France, and
were the snljcct at different periods of treaties and conventions, trantforring them
from under one of those sovereignties to the other, until finally, by the treaty of Peace,
they were together with all the countries known as La Nouvcllc France or Canada,
Nova Scolia or Arcadia, the Island of St. John, now Pri-ve Edward Island, ceded
by France to Enghmd, and in virtue of the Royal Proclamation of 7th October, 1763,
annexed to I'lj Government of Newfoundland, to which they remained attached,
until by the imperial Act 14 Geo., 3, Chap., 83, commonly called the "Quebec Act,»*
they were defsiched from that Province and annexed to the Province of Quebec,
thereby erected.

48

l\y the Itnporial Act lU (7co. 3, cnp., 8, rcpcnliiij^ ccitnin pnrfs of 14tli oi
the rturnc rei^u, iirul wliich divided the I'rovinee of C^lcllt•e into the IViiviiices ol
Lower and Dppor CiinmH, the Mnjcdalcn Islands were altiielietl to the County o.
OaHpu, a^reealjly to the IVoelatnatioa of Sir Ahired Chuk, dated, IHih Novetiilier,
17Di, aiui oil the division uf llic said Oountj^ of Gaspe into the CounlieH uf Gu8p6
and Bonaventure, in virtue of the Provineial Act 9, Geo. 4, cap. 73, the said
Islands were de( lared to form part of the first named County, to which they have
remained attacheil under the Union Act already recited.

To the Nations of Europe who first discovered the northern Continent of Ame-
rica, or who became acquainted with the valuable fisheries on the Banks of New-
foundland, or in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, tlie fisheries were an object of special
attention in an cccmoniical ond commercial point of view, and have, at different
times, when England, France or Spain, and more recently the United States have
been involved in negoeiations, formed a subject of paramoimt interest.

Agreeably to the 13th Article of the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, (by which
Treaty, Newroniidland, with the exception of the Island of Cape Breton and the
adjacent Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were left in the exclusive jxjsscssion of
Gr^-at Britain,) France rctaine<l the right of fishery on the Banks, and of usinjr for
purposes of curing fish, the Northern and Eastern Shores of Newfoundland, which
right the Treaty of 1703, of (5th Article,) confirmed to France, and extended the
right of fishing to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, at the distance of three leagues from all
coasts bi'longing to Great Britain, whether continental or insular.

In ih.' ncj;o'jiali()ns with Great Britain, inider the Treaty of 1783, the United
States laid clain to a sliare of the Fisheries on the Banks of Newfoundland and in
the Gulf of St. L.iwrencc,* and accordingly, in the 8rd Article of the Treaty, it was
agreed as follows : *' That t! o people of the United States shall continue to enjoy
" unmolested, the right to take fish of every ki id on the Great Bank, and all
"other Banks of Newfoundland, and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and all other
" places in the sea, where the inhabitants of both Countries used, at any time
" before, to fish, and also that the inhabitants of the United Stales shall have
** liberty to take fish, of any kind, on such part of the Coast of Newfoundland as
** British fishermen shall use, (but not to dry or cure the fish en that Island,) and
" also, on the bays and creeks of all other of Ilis Britannic Majesty's Dominitms in
" America, an<l that the American fishermen shall have liberty to dry and cure
" fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours and creeks of Nova Scotia, Magdalen
" Islands and Labrador, so long as the same shall remain unsettled, but so soon
" OS the saaie, or either of them, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said
" fishermen to dry or cure fisl at such settlement, without a previous agreement
*' for that purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of that ground."

The Americans have, accordingly, enjoyed the privileges granted by the Treaty
of 1783, and subsequently confirmed and extended to them in the Ctmvention of
the 20th October, 1818, (with the liinitatons and restrictions, nevertheless, contained
in the above recited 3r(l Article of the Treaty of 1783,) under the following terms:
" Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by the United
** States, for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry and cure fish on certain coasts,
" bays, harbours and creeks of His Britannic Majesty's Domini(ms in America, it is
" agreed between the high Contracting Parties, that the inhabitants of the United
" States, shall have for ever, in connection with the subjects of His Britannic Ma-
** jesty, the liberty to take fish of every kind on that part of the Southern Coasts of
** Newfoundland, which extends from Cap Ray to Rameau Islands, on the Western
" and Northern Coasts of Newfoundland, from the said Cap Ray to the Quiperon
** Islands, on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, from Mount Joly, of the Southern
** Coast of Labrador, to and through the Straits ofBelle Isle, and thence northwardly

*Oulondi Buuchette'a British Dominiuns in North Ameriea, VoL 2,

40

*• itnUlinlfivcly, iilonpf the coast, without prejudice, however, toanvol the exclusive
*' rij^hts of the Ihulsou's iiuy Coiiipuny. And that tliu Aincricun (Irthennnu shall
" also have lil)eiiy, for ever, to tlry niul cure fish in any of the unHcltled bays, har-
" hours and cnjeks of the Southern part of Ncwfoiuidlund hcreabove deHcrihvd, and
'* of the Coast of Labrador ; but so hood ns the same, or any portion (hereof, shall
'' be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such
** portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose with the inhabi-
" tants, proprietors or possessors of the ground. And the United States hereby
** renounce, for ever, any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inhabitants
** thereof, to take, dry or cure fish, in or within the above mentioned limits ; pro-
** vided, liowever, that the American fishermen shall be admitted to enter such bays
*' or harbours, for the purpose of shelter, and of repairing damages therein, of pur-
" chasing wood, and of obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever. But
** they snail he luider such restrictions as may bo necessary to prevent their taking,
** drying or curing fish therein, or in any manner whatever abusing the privileges
*' hereby reserved to them."

The Americans did not, however, coQfinc themselves to the rights above
granted, as they supplied Newfoundland wltWsttJrcs rerpiisite to carry on the Fish-
erics, and it was consocpicntly deemed expecljeni to enact the 26 Geo. III. , which
confined the importation of bread stuff's and.B,>i|c cattle to British shipping, lo the
exclusion of American vessels. •* . ;

The facilities, nay, the right of the lattef.'of entering our harbours, and lying
close in with our shores offered, however, fop/fVcqucnt opportunities for evading the
statute, which led to the enactment of tlie •/•Imperial Acts, 3 Geo. IV., cap. 44,
and 6 Geo. IV., cap. 114, imposing certain cluticstuon provisions and certain goods
imported into Newfoundland or the Islands* in the < <iilph of St. Lawrence, and re-
quiring the exports to Foreign Countries* l«. be made exclusively in British bottoms.

Notwithstanding these enactments, intended to retain in British hands the
trade and commeacc afforded by these cotcigial possessions of Great Britain, the laws
appear still to be evaded,* whilst the injury committed on the inhabitants and the
loss sustained by the Province is one of. itV. staple principal sources of revenue, will
render expedient the enactment of some more stringent Acts, before it shall derive all
the advantages of which the trade arising from the Fisheries, under judicial manage-
ment, is susceptible, especially if, combined with that branch of commerqe, more
attention be devoted to the pursuits of agriculture by the inhabitants of these
Islands.

Shortly after the cession of Canada to Great Britain, under the treaty of 1768,
the Honorable the late Major 8amuel Holland, being appointed (1764) by His
Majesty George HI., Surveyor General of the Northern District of the British
North American Provinces, received orders from the Lords Commissioners " of
Plantation, to execute a survey of the Magdalen Islands and the adjacent Islands,
situate in the Gulph of St. Lawrence.

This service being assigned to Lieutenant Frederick Haldimand, by whom it was
performed with great care and considerable talent, as will be apparent on a com-
parison of his map, (A) hereunto subjoined, with the more recent chart of Captain
Bayfield, of the hydrographical department, an enlarged copy of which chart is
likewise hereunto annexea.

Agreeably to this survey of the Magdalen Islands, Major Holland returned a
description on the 2nd April, 1798, called for in Mr. Secretary Byland's
letter, dated, 13th December, 1797, in compliance with the directions re-
ceived by the Governor of this Province, from His Majesty's Ministers, to make a
grant to Captain Isaac Coffin, of the Magdalen Islands, as a reward for his naval
services, to comprehend Entry, Deadman's, Shagg and Bryon Islands, and the Bird

'Gfluier— On the Fisheriee of KoVa S«otiA.

F

,i

60

Rocks; t'.ie grant to contain, however, the usual reservation for the maintenance of
a Protcstan; Cle;gy in Lower Canada, required under the Inrpcrial Statute, 31
Geo. III., cap. Jii. (4)

According to the ahove mentioned description tho aggregate of all the above
enumerated Islands would appear to amount to about 60,000 acres, propor-
tionate to vhich, was appropriated-to the maintenance of aProtestan:Clergy, all that
certain purt of the Magdalen Islands, called " Isle Royale " or " Coffin's Island,"
in the manner represented on the official plan A, hereunto annexed, as being equal
in quantity and quality to the seventh of the land to be granted a,^reeably to the
provisions of the last mentioned Statute.

The area stated in the foregoing appropriation falls somewhat short, however,
of the computation now made of the Magdalen Islands, based npor. the survey of
Mr. Dcsbarrrs in 1778, and the later surveys by xiioutenant ^'oUins, rlated in 1833,
forming part of the series of Captain Bayfield's chart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,
but it is presumed that the area of the extensive and nu.nerous sand bars, which con-
stitute a peculiar feature of the principal Island of the Magdalens, in connecting its
different elevated portions and tocming together the terrd firmd of that Island, was
not taken into estimation in compotihg the contents of that and the adjacent Islands,
which may account for the apparent discrepancy between thui report and the herein
reported are of the Magdalen Islands, at 78,000 acres of land.

The Magdalen Island is the largest of the Magdalen group, and comprises under
distinctive natural divisions, designated in the primitive as well as in the later nau-
tical surveys of the Gulf of St. Lawrence as Islands, serving likewise to distinguish
the different parts of the Island, namely, Amherst, Grindstone, Aliight, Wolfe,
Coffin or Isle Koyale, and Grosse Isle, all more or less connected together, as in a
chain, by long narrow sand bars, heroinsfter more particularly described.

The length of the Island from the • south-west to the north-east cape, is about
42 miles, by a breadth varying from half a mile to about four mil .s, its south- ats-
temmost point on Amherst Island, being in Latitude 47° 13 10" north, and Longi-
tude 62° 3' west of Greeiiwich, and the north-easternmost point on Coffin Island, in
Latitude 47 37' 45 '' and in 62° 4' 5'' JjOii*itude, west from Greenwich.

It is relatively, situate with some of the principal head lands of the continental
or insular countries aroimd the Gulf cf St. Lawrence, as follows : namely, the south-
west cape on Amherst Island, aboat 52 miles, nearly due north from East Cape,
Prince Edward Island, from St. George Cape, Nova Scotia ; 100 miles from Pi<,'tou,
one of the principal towns of Neva Scotia; 110 miles, and 133 miles 3° north of east
from Point Escuminac light house. New Brunswick ; Sandy Hook, at the entrance
to Amherst Harbour, lies due west 77 miles from St. Paul's Irland light house, 60
miles sontli-west and by south from Cape Lawrence, Island of Cape Breton, now
part of Nova Scotia.

The Western Coast of Gi iudstone Island, Etang du Nord, lies abont south 63 ®
east, 133 milts from Mount Joliff, Perc6, in the District of Gaspe, and 120 miles
nearly due south from the East Point of Anticosti, and about 193 miles from Nwtash-
quan Harbour, t'le Hudson's Bay Company's post, on the north shore of the River
St. Lawrence ; an 1 the Northeast Point aforesaid on Coffin Island, lies about 96
miles nearly uuxo west, from Cape Ray, Newfoundland, the opposite and northern
head land to Cape Lawrence, forming the entrance of the Gnlph of St. Lawrence,
and 170 miles from Mount Joli, on the North Coast of the Gulpn of St. Lawrence.
The Magdalen Island, in the first instance mistaken for the mm land, as observed
from Bryon Island, Jacques Cartier describes in his account of his first voyage, as
follows : —

" A quatre*lieues de I'ile Brion est la terre ferme vers oueiU sur-ouest, laquelle
" semble 4trc comme une ile environn6e d'ilettes de sable noir. La il y a un beau
** cap que nous appellames le cap Dauphin pour ce que la est le commencement
" des bonnes terres." •

3,60
now

as

uelle
beau
ment

61'

*' Le vingt septi^me de juin nous circutmes ces terres qui rcgardcnt vers
** onest-sur-ouest et paraissent de loin comm*^ coHincs ou montngncs dc sablon,
" bien que ce soicnl terres basses ct dc pen dc fond. Nous n'y pAincs aller et
" moins y descendre, d'autant que le vent nou? etoit contraire, et cc jour nous finics
" quinze lieues."

" Le lendemain allamcs le long dcs dites terres environ dix lieuca jusqu'JSl un
" cap dc terre rouge qui est roide et coupe comme un Roc, dans lequel on voit un
" entre-deux qui est vers le nord, et est un pais fort bas et y a aussi comme une „
" petite plaine entre la mer et un 6targ, et de ce cap de terre et etang, jusqu'a un
" autre cap qui paraissoit, y a environ quatorze lieues, et la terre se fait en fa^on d'un
" demi cercle tout environnee de sablon comme une fosse sur laquellc Ton vjjt dcs
" marais et etangs aussi loin que se peut etendrc I'ceil. Et avant que d'arriver au
" cap I'on trouve deux petites iles assez pr6s de terre. A cinq lieues du L>ccond
*' cap il y a une ile vers sur ouest qui est tres haute et pointue laquellc ftlt nommee
" " Akzoy.^^ Le premier cap fut appele "de Saint Pierre" parce que nous y arrivames
" au jour et f&te du dit saint." *

Champlain j^ives this Island and the adjao^nfe, Islands, six in number, including
Brion Island, the name of "Ramces Brion," .utitler which name they are idcntifiea
in the Convention of 1818 with the Uni' jd St^si - r- ; :-j .-^f^sj

Charlevoix represents these Islands; in bis.'pliarts, but does not appear to make
any other mention of them, otherwise thaji in* alluding to the concession of those
Islands, together with the Islands of St. Joho,''jyiiscou, &c., made by the King of
France in the year 1719, to Monsieur Lecli^rjite de St. Pierre, f This concession
does not, however, appear enumerated amtjnw'st the official extracts of the conces-
sions granted by the French Government.

In proceeding to describe severally th'cf subordinate divisions of the Magdalen
Island, characterised vs Islands, upon ancient, as well as 1 iter charts of the Ciulph,
from the insulated asp^^ct which its elevated parts present above the Sand Bars that ?
link them together ; the order of the refatLve position of those divisions on Islands
in the chain they form from southwest 19 northeast, will be followed, beginning
accordingly with Amherst Island, the soUttbrnmost in the chain. - t ■«

Amherst Island. * .,. , . ^. , . ,,. i,

This Island, which is most probably the one to which Jacques Cartier, in sail- '
ing along the western coast of the Magdalen Island, gave the name of " Alezay," ^
situate in mean latitude 47 ° , 14' 30" (Amherst harbour), and between 61 '^ 60' and
62 ® 4', west longitude, is considered the most important of the group, from its
larger dimensions, its natural advantages of a fine harbour, and its geographical

Eosition, and as contairing more arable land than either of the other divisions or
slands comprehended i.\ tne group of the Mar^dalens. Its greatest length, lying
nearly east and west, is about 11 miles, varying in breadth from less than half of a

* Four leagues W. S. W., from Isle Brion lies the mainland which seems like an Island surrounded
by Islets of sand. There lie» a noble cape to which we gave the name of Cape Dauphin, because there
the ^ood soil begins.

On the 27th June, we coasted along the land, facing W. S. W., and which, at a distance, looks like a*
chain of sand hills, althoug'^, really, it is low and flat. Wti could not go close in, still less land, partica-:
larly as the wind was contrary, and that day we made fifte^i leagues.

Next day we coasted about ten leagues along this land, as far as a headland of red earth, abrupt and
scarped like a rock, in which we perceived a ravine opening to the north, where the land is very flat ;
there stretches also a sort of little plain between the sea and a pool, and from this headland and pool to
another headhind in sight the distance is about fourteen leagues; the land lying in a half moon girt in with
sacd banks, like a dyke, on which the eye meets swampa and poole of water as far as it can reach. Before
we reached the Cape we fell in with two little Islands, close to the shore. Five leagues S. W. from flie
second Cape is an Island which is high and peaked, this is named " Aleiay," the second Cape was Bamed
"St, Peter's " because wo arrived there on the festival of that Sidnt ii^iy v ■> r:? : ^r ; t 'xfJlfiMj

f CLtflevoix .

i£

52

mile to about four miles, containing, exclusive of the Basin, about 18,500 acres of
land.

The general surface of the country is hilly, especially in the southwest part
where the Coast presents some hi^h and abrupt cliffs to the sea. In the eastern
and northern parts, with the exception of the Demoiselles Hills, the land is gene-
rally low, intersected by marshes, bogs, small shallow lakes, quick sands and dten-
sive 8,"n(ly ridges, which form the principal characteristic feature of the physical
structure of the Magdalen Islands.

The hills on the south-west part of the Island rise towards the interior to an
elevation of about 600 feet, the principal summit being 550 feet above the sea :
spruce, dwarf-pine occasionally intermixed with white birch and some poplar, con-
stitutes the principal growth of timber in favorable situations.

Along the southern base are situate the settlements called " Anse a la cabane **
and " Pointe du Moulin " consisting of some forty inhabitants scattered along the
coast, a school-house, grist mill, andf the fishing establishments of the fishermen,
who, for the most part, combined with the pursuits of the fisheries cultivate patches
of ground to a greater or less extent he the land proves favorable.

in the north easterly part of tKe' Island, and overlooking Pleasant Bay, are the
hills called " Demoiselles,'' thqir higlt^st summit attaining about 280 feet above the
sea, and forming conspicuous land ni^rks for vessels entering the Bay or Amherst
Harbour. *. «,'

The face of these Hills, towards.thd Bay, is bold, rocky and acclivious, whilst
on the south and south easterly decli^^jes, towards Amherst Harbor and the Basin,
the descent is more gradual, and althoiigh generally rocky, offers some rich pasture
land for sheep and cattle. On their southern slope and scattered round the Harbor,
stands the settlement called " Amherst;*" from the name of the Harbor also called
by the settlers " Havre Aubert," concistatig of some 50 or 60 houses, a Catholic
Chapel, P-esbytery and school-house ;. the merchants, stores and fishing establish-
ments, cjnsistingof the rooms, flakes or^tf^es as they are variously called, required
for curing, drying and preparing the f?sh fpr market, lie along the beach or shore
of the Harbor and along the narrow neck, or'sand bar, connecting a flat Island Kock
called in the nautical survey under Major Holland, " Mount Gridley," from the
name of the first settler at the time of the cession in 1763.

On a patch of alluvium at the eastern extremity of this Peninsular Rock are
situated, the stores and establishments of Captain A. Fainchaud and those of other
traders.

Between Amherst Harbor and the settlement of Anse k la Cabane and Pointe
du Moulin, at South Point already mentioned, there is a road of communication
leading through the interior, and parsing by the northerly margin of the Basin
alone which there are some tolerable settlements, the land being generally of an
tauuic description.

The Basin which is of large dimensions, was at an early period of the pursuits
of the fisheries in the Gulf, and even remembered by some of the oldest inhabitants
to have been a fine harbor for vessels, at which time there was a good channel or
entrance from the Gulf to the Basin, now since almost choked by quick-sands,
fuid aflbrding scarcely depth of water sufficient to admit boats whilst there
are still two or three fathoms of water in the Basin. There are several fishing
establishments and settlements scattered around the Basin which obtains that
iocali'hr the name of the ^' Basin Settlement."

The settlements on this Island, which are estimated to contain in the aggre-
gate about 150 families, or between 900 and 1000 souls, compose the mission of
Havre Aubert, in charge of the Bevd. Chs. Nectaire Boudreault, Missionary, ap-
pointed under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bight Revd. Bishop of Prince

58

£dward Island, as appears stated in the communication on the subject from the
Bcvd. Mr. Edmond Langevin, Secretary to His Grace the Archbishop of Quebec.

About 16,00 acres of land are under culture in the united settlements of
Amherst Island, producing oats, bailcj, and some wheat, colltctively estimated at
6000 bushels of grain, besides potatoes and other esculent plants, in ample suffici-
ency for the consumption of the inhabitants. The fishermen and Merchants of
this Island own 14 crafts, averaging from iO to 12 tons each, and employing about
ont hundred and forty or fifty persons.

Marshes.^ swamps, sandy alluviums, intersected with small shallow lakes or pools,
constitute the general character of the low ground, in tue easterly and north-westerly
parts of the Island. Of the latter description especially, is composed the sandy
ridge, leading to the Hook of Amherst Harbour, forming by its projections, averag-
ing 6 feet high, an extremity of the harbour, and presenting likewise a chain of
diminutive sand or trap hills, which serves as a good protection to the harbour.

A quantity of coarse grass, grows on these marshes, and along the beach
(many of them susceptible of being converted into good naturt^l meadows) which is
cut by the inhabitants for their cattle.

The timber on these low tracts consist chiefly of white spruce or fir, cedar,
some whJte birch and aspin. It is worthy of remark, that the spruce which grows
on the Islands is of a superior and more end^ring description, and is much used by
the inhabitants in the construction of their hpi^ses, &c.; there is, however, no timber
fit for merchantable purposes, or for the use of Her Majesty's Navj', growing on
this or any of the Magdalen group of Islands ; they also produce great quantities of
berries, especially cran-berries, (which ^r;^ articles of export) and a variety of
flowers and shrubs, which grow to great perfection.

There are numerous fine fi-esh wa<:er springs in various parts of the Island,
which never freeze in the coldest winter ;*. there is also a mineral spring near Point
a la Cabane^ which may upon analysis be found valuable,

The geological features of this Isknd ^ well as of all the Islands forming the
group of the Magdalen Islands, as examined by Lieutenant Baddely, in 1833, ap-
pears to be similar,* and from the nature', of the rock foiination evidently indicate
the prevalence in the soil of ingredien' Cavoinable for purposes of cultivation.

This able and scientific geologist, lavorably known from the impo't; t explora-
tions of the Saguenay Country and in otber parts ot the Province, ( ju&iders these
Islands to be of igneous origin.

In the lower sections along the shores, the for; lation is ii w red sand stone,
clays, gypsum, covered more or less with a deep sandy alluvium, whilst the rock for-
mation of the hills in the interior is secondary trap. Ochres of vari us colors, the
red chiefly, and plaster of Paris or gypsum are found in abundance about the base
of the hills, and compose several miles of the cliffs on the .- a board of the Magda-
len Islands.

As before mentioned Amherst Island is connected with Grindstone Island by
sand bars of a similar structure to that of Sandy Hook, varyin" a breadth from a
few chains to half a mile, enclosing the Lagoon called "Basqi ilarbour;" the sand
bar on the easterly side, is intersected by two or three channels which formd, it is
said in former years, as many good entrances into the harbour from Pleasant Bay,
now all but one of them is closed at ebb tide, capable of admitting boats or very «mall
crafts. The sand bar on the westerly side forming the wesi?rly coast of the Magdalen
Island, is sufiici'^ntly continous at low water to permit a land communication between
the two Islands.

" Lieutenant Baddel/s Map — Historical Sodety of Qa«bec

'"Ui

'i'i
I*

u

w

\( :i

' > ' Qrindstone Island,

This Island, the next m tlic chain of the Magdalen divisions, already enume-
rated, which nniy be easily indcntified from the red cast of the rock formation, to
be " Le Cap dc Tcrre llouge," to which Jacques Cartier gave the name of " St.
Pierre," which the settlement on the Island still retains, lies in 47 ® 22, mean lati-
tude, and longitude (Etang du Nord) 62 ® West from Greenwich.

Its figure is irregular, approaching to the oval, whose longest axis lying from
south-west to north-east is about seven and a-half miles, and its lesser four and
a-half miles, contaming about 17,360 acres of land.

T)ie surface of the Island is uneven and broken, the hills rising from the sur-
rounding coasts towards its centre into separate summits, the highest of thetn attain-
in" the elevation of 550 feet above the level of the sea, occasionally exposing the
bare surface of the rock and sandstone with a thin covering of vegetation, consist-
ing of stunted sprflbe and white birch. The land at the base of those hills, especially
on the south-west and and north-easterly coasts is much of the same character as
that of the clay and alluvium, part o^ Amherst Island. The coast is here indented
by small bays and coves, accessible for boats from the Gulf on the south-west side,
and from Basque harbour on the soutjv Jwid from House or Haywood Lagoon on the
Nojth side ; the shores and beaches Uo'uig well adapted fot the purposes of the fish-
eries, whilst towards the north-west and e^istthe coast present bold mural cliffs and
high capes, such as the north-west capjE!^ I'Hopital capo and cap le Trom, on the
West side, and Cape Grindstone or Cap Au.Meule and Red Cape on the East, render-
ing the approaches to the Island in stoi;iji'}' and foggy weather very hazardous and
perilous, as the many wrecks that have' occurred on the Island too unfortunately
manifest.

There are some good settlements and," fishing establishments located in those

f>arts of the Island first mentioned. The. principal settlement lies around a small
ake or indentation of the West coast of the islands, which probably obtained it the
name of *' Etang du Nord," given to it by tne French. It is small, but offers a safe
shelter for boa^s in 3 and 4 feet water at low .tide, its entrance between the sand
bars is narrow and intricate. Seal Rock lyi-o '^^ ^^^ South-west of the entrance
about half a mile, offers good shelter to small crafts ivnder cover of the Island during
strong westerly gales : this Island rock is also called " Gull Island" from the num-
bers of those birds which flock to it.

The Settlement of St. Pierre de I'Etang du Nord consists of some 70 houses,
a Chapel, Presbytery, school-house and the rooms, stores, flakes, &c., of the fishing
establishment belonging to A. Fainchaud, Esquire, and others. Tho inhabitants are
estimated at between 550 and 600 souls, and have about 800 acres of land under
culture and improvement, last year's produce approximaiing to about 4000 bushels
of grain, consisting two-thirds of oats and the remaing one-third of wheat and barley,
besides potatoes and other vegetables in considerable abundance, the potatoe
crops appear, however, to have failed last year, at least of half the usual average.
In addition to the cultivated land, a quantity of hay is obtained from the mea-
dows, besides wild grass from the marges in abundance, many of these being sus-
ceptible by proper drainage of being converted into rich meadows and pasture lands..

The fishermen of this Settlement own about 60 boats and two crafts, which
employ between 200 and 300 persons in the pursuit of the Fisherit .

The Settlement of St. Pierre de I'Etang du Nord, with the Settlement on the
northerly part of Grindstone Island, attached to the Settlements of Ha vre aux Maisons,
from part of the Mission of Ste. Magdalen du Havre aux Maisons on Alright Island,
in charge of the Rev. Mr Cajetan Miville Dechesne.

The northern Settlement of Grindstone Island fronting upon House or Haywood
Harbour, from Cap au Meule to the north-east point in the inner harbour, forming

55

part of the Settlement called " Havre aux Maisons," and consists of fishermen's
nahitations scattcrcu along the slope or base of the hills, and their fishing establish-
ments, rooms, stages, &c., along the beaches. The land in this part of the Island in
many respects is favorable for cultivation, consisting of argillaceous loam, clay, gyp-
sum and alluvial deposits of more or less fertility, which has induced many of the
fishermen to corr.bino some farming with their pursuit of the Fisheries, whilst the
abundance of grass and course hay obtained from the marshes and meadows, supply
ample means for rearing cattle, horses, &c. It may be observed that the geological
features of Grindstone Island are similar to those of Amherst Island.

To the north-east of Grindstone Island, on the opposite side of House Harbour,
is Alright Island, lying between the parallels of 47 ® 23, 45, and 47 ® 33, 45, noi ib
latitude, and between longitude 61 ® 30, (entrance of Grand Harbour), and 61 °
63, (entrance of House Harbour), west from Greenwich.

It is of a triangular figure, its breadth at its south-west base being about four
miles, and then irregularly tapeiing towai'ds its north-eastern extremity, where it
terminates by a sand Bar, and contains about 12,360 acres.

The Eastern Coast of the Island for some miles north of Cape Alright, p-osents
abrupt and dangerous cliffs of some 400 feet in height. The hills, which attain an
elevation of 480 feet above the sea, are frequently rocky and barren, clothed with
dwarf pine and spruce. The land along the south and south-west base or slope of
the hills and along the entrance of the harbour, is generally susceptible of cultiva-
tion ; some of the inhabitants carry on some small farming joined to their business
of the fisheries.

The Settlement of Havre aux Maisons, favourably situate at the south-west
extremity of Alright Island, Oi. the north side of the harbour, and extending round
the southerly shore of the Island, within House or Haywood Harbour contains, toge-
ther with that part of the Settlement on Grindstone Island, about 100 houses, a Cha-
pel dedicated to St. Magdalen, in charge of the Eev. Mr. Miville Dechesne, Mis-
sionary, already mentioned, a Presbytery and two School-houses. The Merchants'
establishments, two in number, consisting of their store rooms, &c., lie along the
beach, and are easily accessible for boats and small craft ; vessels can lie pretty near
shore and in good anchorage.

The two Settlements contain together 800 to 900 inhabitants, and own 25 crafts
and 5 boats, which give employment to about 250 persons.

Alright Island, although one of the enumerated divisions of the Magdalen
Island, should more properly be considered a distinct Island, being separated at its
extremities from the Magdalen Island, by the channels, of House and Grand Entry
Harbors, and on the north-west from Wolf Island by Haywood or Grand Entry
Lagoon. Its geographical features are much the same as those of Amherst Island.

Wolfe Island.

This Island connects Grindstone and Grosse Isle Islands, and forms a large por-
tion of the north-westerly coast of the Magdalen Island, namely, from Hospital Cape
to North Cape, a distance of about 22 miles, and contains about 9,120 acres.

Nearly equi-distant between these extreme points lies Wolfe Cape, called
« Wolfe Island," on Bayfield's Chart, in latitude 47 ° 32' 10'', north, a bold and
abrupt rock or bluff, rising to the height of about 200 feet above the sea, and serv-
ing as a conspicuous landmark to the fishermen in pursuing the fisheries in the Gulf
or in the approaches to the Island.

The sand Bars, or alluvial ridges, which thus connect Grindstone and Grosse
Isle; bear the same physical features as those of Sandy Hook, being intersected by
marshes, pools, with occasional sand or trap hills, presenting towards the Gulf side

m^

almost straight shores, averaging six feet high above the sea, without any indents
capable of affording the least shelter, whilst on the side of the Lagoon the shores are
deeply indented, and reduce the breadth of the sand bars in some places to less
than a quarter of a mile, generally sloping continuously into deep marshes, produc-
ing wild grass in abundance, which is often cut by the inhabitants of the Havre
aux Maison for their cattle : on these sand ridges grow spruce, cedar, fir and pop-
lar, and a variety of berries, especially cranberries.

' . ' Groase Isle,

Grosse Isle, also called " North Cape " in the mariner's chart, is the northernmost
of the natural divisions of the Magdalen Islands herein enumerated, lying in latitude
47° 38' north, und mean longitude 61° 84' west, and containing about three thousand
one hundred and sixty acres. The North Cape, towards the sea, presents abrupt
cliffs rising to the height of two hundred and fifty feet.

The hills on the southerly side of Grosse Isle, fronting on Grand Entry Harbour,
rises to an elevation of three hundred feet, and likewise fornri prominent land marks,
which are seen at a considerable distance at sea. It is presumed that the North Cape
was the land first descried by Jacques Cartier from Bryon Island, which he mistook
for the mainland, and gave it the name of "Cape Dauphin."

There are some eight or ten English or Irish families settled on this Island on
the Gulf side, who carry on some farming combined with the fisheries.

Cojin Islandy or Isle Royale.

To the eastward, and connected with Grosse Isle by sand bars, lies Coffin
Island, the north-easternmost of the Magdalen Islands, and extending south-westerly
something in the shape of the letter S, to the entrance of Grand Entry Harbor, its
greatest length being about eleven miles, and the breadth varying from half a mile
to two miles, containing about nine thousand eight hundred acres.

This Island is represented on Bayfield's Chart as two Islands, the Northern,
called East, and the southern. Coffin Island ; the former contains some elevated hills,
presenting under certain bearings, perpendicular cliffs forming the headland, called
North-east Cape, which attains the height of two hundred and fifty feet above the

sea.

At their base lie extensive alluvial tracts, intersected by marshes, bogs, plains
and numerous shallow lakes, the larger of which it is said, once admitted vessels by
channels from the Gulf, which have since closed up, by the constant deposit of allu-
vial matter washed down by the rains from the hills, combined with the sand thrown
up by the waves.

The southern part of the Island called Coffin Island, beginning at the. Bluff,
called Old Harvey Head, and extending to the south-easternmost point of the Island,
at the entrance to Grand Entry Harbor, is high and barren, presenting steep,
rocky, and dangerous shores. The hills rise steeply to an elevation of three hun-
dred feet close in along shore ; at their base lies a large pond upwards of a mile long
and half a-mile broad, capable of ^ordmg shelter to fishing boats.

The geological structure of this Island being reported similar to that of the other
divsions of the Magdalen Islands, and therefore partaking of the favorable indications
already mentioned of the soil in many parts for purposes of cultivation, the circum-
stance would surest the propriety of a careful and scientific exploration and exami-
nation of itssurrace, and of its mmeral resources. As a public reservation, it could
be rendered available for purposes of settlement, or in other respects improving
the &cilities ctmnected with the pursuit of the fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Of the Islands adjacent to and detached from the Masdalen Island, yet com-
prehondw'd in the gruii]) under that name, may first be mentioned the Island known
as Entry Island, lying to the cast of Amherst Ishmd, its north-westernmost point or
spit bearing north-east three miles from Sandy Hook, and in a direct line with the
highest summit of the Demoiselles, already mentioned. It is somewhat the figure
of a five sided irregular polygon, lying between the parallels of 47* 16' 16" and 47'
17/ 20'' north latitude, and its highest summit (rather west of the centre of the
Island) in longitude 61 84' 15^' west from Greenwich, and containing about three
thousand two hundred acres of land.

The North-easterly and South-easterly parts of the coast of this Island are hish
and elevated capes, the cliffs rising perpendicularly in some places, to the height
of four hundred feet above the sea, and may be seen at sea in clear weather at a very
considerable distance. This part of the Island is surrounded by dangerous rocks, and the
greatest precaution is required to approach from any quarter ; close in on the "INorth-
easterly coast lies a high rock, called " Shaggy," from the innumerable quantity of
birds that nestle on its surface.

On the westerly side of Entry Island, the shores are considerably less elevated,
and in some parts accessible. The north split in favorable weather affording a good
landing for boats.

From the summit of the hills the land slopes gradually toward the western part
of the Island, which is well adapted for cultivation and pasture.

Of this some ten or twelve English and Irish families have availed themselves in
occupyiuT; the arable land in the Island, which they cultivate to considerable advan-
tage, besides rearing horses, cattle and sheep. About >>ne-sixth part of the Island is
under culture, producing wheat, oats and barley, averaging together about three
thousand bushels, besides quantities of potatoes and other vegetables, which the
inhabitants disposs of to great profit and advantage.

The inhabitants of Entry Island, estimated at between eighty and one hundred
souls, chiefly follow agricultural pursuits, joined to some fisheries, and are properly
the most easy and ir:depcndent of that class of the inhabitants of the Magdalen
Islands. New red sandstone and trap appear to constitute the geological structure
of Entry Island, gypsum or plaster of Paris, and a variety of ochres of different
colors are found in the Island which might be rendered profitable articles of
export.

,t I

Shagg Island. ^

Nearly due north from Entry Island fourteen miles, latitude, 47* 19' North,
lies a small rocky island, called " Shagg Island,'* about one mile from the East
shore of Alwright Island, which also is a great resort for seafowls or gulls ; great
quantities of eggs are annually obtained from the clifls. There is about one fathom
of water at low water between the Island and the shore, affording a good and safe
shelter for small crafls or boats during easterly gales.

Deadman^s Island.

of Amherst Island, bearing due west b^ north, eight miles
lerst Island, lies Deadman's Island, in latitude 40* 16' 15" in

On the west side
from West Cape, Amherst

longitude 62 15' West. It is a high and steep rock, its highest elevation attainuig
one hundred and twenty feet. It is only accessible towards the east and south.

This Island was formerly the great and favorite resort of the walrus or sea-cow,
fix)m which the fishermen would endeavour to drive them to the different strandg in
the Magdalen Islands, often successfully.

0

sii-iti-* »w«

■vi''

5$

Situate abont due North ten miles from the North-eaHt Cape, on Ccffin Island.
Keg Br^run Island, the name given to it by Jacques Carticr, in honor of Adniirai
Brion, under \^hose auspices he sailed on his first voyage of discovery to America.

" Ces isles," remarks Jacques Cartier,"8ont dc meilleure terrc que nous eussions
*^ oncques vues en sorte au*un champ d*icelles vaut plus que toute la Terre-neuve.
** Nous la trouvames pleine de grands arbres, dc prairies, de campugncs pleinct

^ de froment sauvage et de pois, L*on y voyait aussi en «^rande quantity dn

** raisin, dcs fraises, ruses, incarnates, persil, &c.'' *

The Island is situated between the 47* 47' 6') ' West Point) 47" 48' parallel of
Itforth Latitude, and 61' 27' 30", and 61» 33' 30" West L »ngitude from Greenwich^
its length being about six miles by a breadth varying from half to one and a quarter
miles, ^lul containing about three thousand five hundred acres of land.

It is, for the most part, surrounded by high capes, the hills gently undulate in
the interior, and attain an elevation of about two hundred and nt\y teet above the
lea; the timber growth being chiefly spruce, pine, birch, poplar and aspin. The
land on the northerly and westerly part of the Island is generally of a good quality,
and presents a far more favorable aspect than the Magdalen Island generally docs.
There is also some good land on the south-easterly side, but to a limited extent, the
iFemaining part of the Island, with few exceptions, consists of sandy plains or allu-
vium, producing quantities of whortel-berries and cranberries.

The rock formation, like that of the Magdalen Island, Is chiefly trap, and new
red sandstone, which form the principal deposit over laying clay, gypsum, and occa-
^onally compose the clifl^s along the coasts of the Island.

There are two small coves on the Island, one on the north and the other on the
south, where fresh water is to be obtained from the springs, which are, besides,
abundant on the Island. These coves can aflbrd safe or temporary shelter (under
fkvorable circumstances of the wind,) for boats and crafts ; but in general, the
approaches to the Island from the sea are dangerous, as the currents are regulated by
(no winds. Should any vessel wreck on this Island, and there arc, unfbrtuaately,
many wrecks to record, it is scarcely possible any lives can be saved.

On the northern side of the Island lie the clearance and improvements of Mr.
Ifunsy, who it is stated nas a large tract under cultivation, which produces abun-
dantly oats, wheat and other grain, besides potatoes, &c. The meadoT^rs and pastures
enable him to rear numerous live stock.

This Island was also a great resort of the walrus or sea-cow, which visited it
at certain seasons in vast numbers. Jacques Cartier observes in reference to this
sHimal.

" A I'entour de cette isle (Bryon Islands) il y a plusieurs grandes B^tes comme-
*' grands boeufs^ qui ont deux dents en la bouche comme d'un Elephant, et vivent
" mftmes en la vr.er." f

These animals had abandoned Bryon Island and the Bird Rocks some yeani'
previous to Major Holland's survey of the Magdalen Islands, owing, it appears^
to the reprehensible practice pursued by American Fishermen, of shooting at them
with fire arms, and to which cause principally joined to the incessant pursuit of this
animal by the resident fishermen ot those Islands, and of the Islands of Miscou fnd
Prince Edward, without any restrictive regulations in carrying on this productive
ttnincfh of the Gulf Fisheries, may be attributed the subsequent total disappearance
«tf' the Morse or Walrus from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

* The soil of this Islftnd was much better than any we had yet sceD, so much so, that, one of its fieldC'
i» woith more than the whole of Newfoundland -, we found it covered \nth large trees, meadows and plains
atMudmgia wild wteeot and peas,., .... threat quatatitles of grapes^ stMWtories, eartuttion-roses, parsley,
^, t^ara idso to fep.'fVund there^

f About these Islands there are sereral large animal* memUing^reatiOzen; they are furoialMd'wUkt
.tv» tnaks lik« an Elephant, and live aa well in the aea ak <Mi lud.

61

Th$ Bird Rocks.

To the castw \rd of Brvon Island, bearing nearlj cast and by north, distant
twelve miles, He t'i3 Bird ujcks, the rtonthcrnmost and hir^cst of the two, called
'♦Great Bird Ruck," situate in 47° 60' 30" north latitude, and longditudc 01° 11' 16,"
and the northernmost in latitude 47° 51' 6" and longdiluJc Gl° 12' west from
Chreenwich.

Thoie Islands were first discovered by Jacques Cartier, in his first voyage in
15S4, and afterwards by Champlain in 1667, to which the former gave the name of
" Margaux " observing

** £lles 6toicnt au nombres de trois et plus remplies d^oiseaux que nc seroit uop
«pr^d'herbe.»»

Champlain called them " Isles aux Oiseaiuc " which they
•till retain, from the innumerable quantity of birds and sea fowls that flock to th«ia i
hb excellent description of thoae Islands may appropriately be introduced here.

" Du Can de Uaye qui est par les 47 ® degr68 et demy dc latitude, jusq'uca
** au Cap de St. Laurent, qui est par les 46 ® d^gr6s 55 minutes, il v a dix-sept
" k dix-huit lieues; cet espace est rune des embouchures du dit Golphe St. Laurent;:
** de cc lieu aux Isles aux Oyseaux, il y a dix-sept k dix-huit lieues, qui sont itn uei|
" plus dc 47 d6gr68 et trois quarts ; cc sont deux rochers dans Ic dit Golphe, ou U
*' y a telle quantity d'oyseaux apnellez tangeux, qui ne se pent dire dc plus ; lei
** vaisscaux passant par li^ quand il fait calme, avec leur batteau vont k ces Isles, et
'* tuent de ces oyseaux k coup de b&tons, en telle quantity au'ils veulent ; ils aonii
*' gros comine des oyes, ils ont le bee fort dangereux, tons blancs hormis le bout
** des ailcs qui est noir,f ce sont de bons pScheurs pour le poisson quMls prennent
" et portent sur leurs ailes, pour manger au su de ces Isles, et au su et sua-ouest y
** en a d'autres qui s'appcllent " Ram6es Brion," au nombre de six ou sept tatM^
** petites que grandes, et sont une lieue ou deux des Isles aux Oiseaux."

♦* En aucunes de ces isles y a de bons ports, oil I'on fait p6sche de poisson \
** elles sont couvertes de bois comme pins, sapins et bouleaux, aucunes sont plates^
** autres un pen eslev6es comme est celle de Brion qui est la plus grande. La
** chasse des oyseaux y est k command .'ment en la saison, comme est la p^sche duk
** poisson, des loup-marins et bestes k la grande dent qui vont sur les dites isles,
** elles sont esloignees de douze ou quinze lieues, qui est le Cap St. Laurent, atte-
" nant k I'lsle du Cap Breton." 1

The southernmost or Great Bird, hearing South-east three quarters of a mile
from the Little Bird, is surrounded by steep perpendicular cliffs one hundred and,
forty feet in height and almost inaccessible ; its surfiice is nearly flat, covering aboult
ten acres.

^ Th«M w«r« tbrw iq ounber, and var* eovered vith naore Uid* then a meadow wHh graM,

f Tb»rt ia a ine ^Moimea of thMe Urda ia the vftluable c-oUeotiun qf Mr. McCuUoolg tlaquir^
y^ptin'ali

1 Belkweien 0ap9 Bay iirfaioh ta in lalltiide 47 ^ SO/ and Oam St Lawirence wbieb ia in latitude 46 ^
45', the distance ia from aeventeen to eighteen leagues. Tliia pdee is one of the outlets of tte Oulf of Sk
Lawrence ; from this place to thie Bird Isliin^s. w^iQh «)re in liwude 41 ^ 46', \lk» distaaoe is from sevea-
Itaa t« eigbtieen leagues ; they eonsi^ of tvo rocks situated in tlte Qulf. There is 90 immeuae (juautitr ^f
Pirdy oiUed. T^iMrewx on theaa Islands. Vessels tailing by them send their bofts ashore in calm Wcauierji
and a great nunper of these ^rdssf* kilLed with ftieks; ^y are as Urge aa ga«ss{ thsir beak is rUf
dangerous; they are perfectly whi^e with the exception of the tip of the wings whicb is Mack ; they are
very expert in catching fish which they carry onuieir wings to the south of the Islands where they eat
them. In the South and south-west there are other Idands which are oalled "R&mC'es Brion :" tiiere aj«
six or seTen of them altogether, some of thsm araabuJi, othei* of great extent ; they lie at a distance of.
one or two leagues from tjie Bird Islapda.

There are good harbora at all these Islands where ther* is good fisting, they are eovered with wmm^
«)f|i as piof, fir and whit* biret^ fome of thefn arai low ; irfihata, aiioh as B^oa Island which is th« taivesfc,
•Its of sonie el^ratio^ Pmpg t^e m*<m the ^ufwti^ of Bir^s is t^wj gr^tk sad Ik* Mi, aMlkU M.
anhnalawith lusks about these Islaadi are yery uumeroua; tluw ara at a distance of fwabrv.flfti^ (fvl;
Ij^pisa from Oapt St. Lawrenes^ rt one of Ute axtremitiea of Uia Maud of Chy fliUlit'

I'

I:

;■■.*

II . 1 I

■:*^i

>'
m

>».!

m;

fill

;ii1i

'fff!

;:>;

The North Bird is conniderablv sinaller, and is likewise surrounded by steep
clifls, and about one hundred feet high; their flattened summits exhibit n rcsplcndant
whiteness produced by the quantities) of ordure with which they arc covered ** from
the immense fliKsks of birds, which in suuimer take pusHcssion of tlic apertures
in the pcr|)endiculur cliffs where they form their nests and produce their young ;
when alarmed they hover above the rocks and over shadow their tops by their
numbers.

** The abundance of their eggs affjrd to the inhabitants of the neighboring
coasts, a material supply of food/' (Buuchcttc's Dictionary.^)

Intermediate between these Islands is a very high ledge of rock with six or
seven fathoms close in shore. This ledge is not of the three Islands enumerated
by Jacques Gartier as composing the Bird Rocks.

The navigaHon of this part of the Gulf in the approaches to those Islands is
rendered dangerous from the states of the current, whicn are regulated by the wind
and weather; and until improvements for lighting up the Gulf, so as to secure its
safe navigation, be effected, too much precaution cannot be paid to the sailing direc-
tions contained in Captain Bay field's charts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Taking a general view of'^thc extent of const presented by the Magdalen Island
with that of the Gulf shores of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Gasp6, the superior
natural advantages the former possesses over the latter as regard the number and
importance of its harbours, will appear striking, apart from any consideration of its
superior advantage for maritime purposes, whether in respect to its position in the
Gulf or to the navigation of the St. Lawrence, being nearly in the direct line of the
ships' course f om St. Paul's Island to mid channel, between the heights of Gape
Rosier and the Island of Anticosti.

There are four principal harbours in the Magdalen Islands, namely. Grand
Entry, Amherst, House ana Basque Harbours, which, like most of the harbours on
the Gulf shores of the St. Lawrence, are called bar harbours, having almost invari-
ably a sand bar at their entrance, on which there is a greater or less depth of water
at ebb spring-tide, rendering such harbours accessible or commodious in propor-
tion as there is a greater depth of water on the sand bar to admit the entrance of
vessels adapted to the trade of the fisheries.

Orand Entry Barboun

Grand Entry, formerly called Jupiter Harbour, is a spacious harbour or Lagoon
of some eight or nine miles long, and about three miles wide, having its entrance in
latitude 47°, 80, 40, on the south-easterly side of the Magdalen Island, between the
S. W. ' xtremity of Coffin Island, and the northerly extremity of Alright Island.

The inner harbour or Lagoon is bounded on the south-east by Coffin Island, on
the the north-west by Wolfe ^larid, on the north by Grosse Isle, and towards the
south-west, connects by a narrow and shoal channel with Haywood or House Har-
bour, affording a convenient communication, at high water for fishing boats, and
shelter fiom the storms in the Gulf.

On the bar at the entrance, there are about ten or eleven feet of water at low
water, in the inner harbour there are two, three and four fathoms water, whereas
vessels may lie at anchor perfectly safe, against the worst gales in the Gulf.

IW

Amherst Harbour, ;r^, ; ;»

The next Harbour of importance, is Amherst Harbour, already noticed, lying
on the northerly side of Amherst Island and opening upon Pleasant Bay, on the
east side of Madgalen Island ; although small it is highly commodious for the ord-

* Brituh Dmniniou^ Vol. t. . ~

nary crafta ntrl vsssoU en2a:50(l in tho Oiilf Fisheries, whilst the lnrp;or vessels in«j
lie on the oiilcr harbjur iti s.ifl>ty, with good aachurazc in three, fuiir, five and six
fathoms at low water. There arc ahout seven foct of water on t!ie bar at ebb tide,
and tw.) and three fathotn!^ in the harbour, whilst the facilities of access to it by invari-
able land inu'ks and good soundings, super-added to the secure gui«le of the buoys set
in th(> cliaanci, render it a favorilu liaDJui* fjr the Fishermen, and a resort or ren-
dcz vous for vessels of all countries or nations engaged in the trade of the Fisheriei.

nou<,c JIarbour.

House Harbour, formerly called Haywood, but more generally known by the
French name of Havr^ aux Maisons from the name of the French Settlement situated
at the south-west extremitv of Alright Island, has its entrance from the Gulf on the
fouth-easterly side of MagJalen Island, in latitude 47" 24' 13'' between Alright Island
and Grindstone Island, and as a safe atid fme harbour for small crafts and boats, that
can clear the bar on which there is otdy five feet depth of water at low water,
while there are two, three and four fathoms within the harbour. Some dredging to
obtain an increased depth of water on the bar might render this a highly valuable
and important harbour for small crafts engaged in the pursuit of the Gulf' Fisheries.

The Lagoon or inner Harbor extends north-easterly from the north-east point
of Grindstone Island, between Wolfe and Alright Islands, and unites by a shallow
channel, having in some places less than three feet water at low water, with Grand
Entry Lagoon, forming an inland water communication of about twenty-four miles
between Grindstcme and Grosse Isle Islands, well adapted for fishing boats.

The outer Bay of House Harbor, in front of the sertlcment of Havre anx Mat-
sons, between Cape Alright and Cape an Meule, or Grindstone Island, affords a fine
shelter for the vessels engaged in the fisheries. Its approach is endangered by some
reefs and shoals, for which it is indispensably necessary to hold a good look out,
especially in foggy and stormy weather.

Captains of vessels navigating the Gulf should on all occasions, whether to
make the Magdalen harbours, or the harbours generally, in the Gulf of St. Law-
rence, constantly consult the sailing directions on charts of Captain Bayfield's
hydrographical surveys of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In the absence of these charts (but no navigator of these waters should be
without them), a copy of Major Holland's Report, containing sailing directions and
a variety of usefid information relative to the Magdalen Islands, collected during his
survey of <me thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, is hereunto subjoined under
Appendix 9. *

Basque Harbour.

Basque Harbour, the last of the enumerated harbours in the Magdalens, althoueh
formerly a very superior harbour, having had three deep entrances to it from the
east, has at present all but one, shoaled at low water, but is still an excellent harbour
for boats or shallops that can clear the bar ; at the only remaining entrance to it
(in latitude 47° 17* 30") there are barely four feet water on the bar at low water,
and about one fathom water within the harbour, affording a sheltered water commu-
nication between Amherst Harbour and settlement of Etang du Nord, on Grind-
stone Islands.

In this and Grand Entry Harbour, were placed the principal echouries or
strand), whereon the morse or walrus, called by the fishermen sea-cow, were taken

M

m

iind killed in great numbers, ovon at the period of the itirvcy in one thousand seven
hundred ami (tixtv-fuur.

This uniiiiul uclun^cd, in all appearance, to the class of ainpliibions animals,
tppcars to be, in the words of Lieuiunaiit llildimund, the most utiwictJy and ugl/
cruaturcs imagin(i!>lc, wcijfhing, when jonng, about ri>l)r ponndu, and attaining when
at in ilui.< ^:/i', iipw tr.U oT twj thjuju.iJ p'juiulii weight. It htu two long wirv teeth
in its upper jiw eighteen inches long, by which with the aid of its fins, it climbcs the
banks and rocks, sometimes reaching as high as sixty feet. Its teeth aUo serve in
turning over clams and shells, its principal food. These animuU are valuable fur
their skins, ivory teeth, and the quantity of oil obtained frum their blubber. This
branch of tho Fi:ih^>ries in the Oalf of St. Liwrencc was, at an early p^'riod, a very
lucrative pursuit, and was curried on by a French Comp.iny. Since this the morse or
walrus have abandoned the Oulf upwards of fitly years, and appear to have retired
\t} Baffin's Buy and the Pulur Seas.

Ai a deicriptio.i of the walrus or sea-cow, and the m:)dc of taking and killing
tjiem in the strunJs or echouries of tha MigJalcn Islands may not bj, even now
uninteresting, particularly as they have been seen of lute years in the Gnlf and in
t^e vicinity of the Straight of BjIIc Isle, a copy of Lieutenant llalditnund's desorip-
^on, as registered in the official records of the Department, is subjoined under
AppcndAX 12.^

Characimr of ths SMI.

The aggregate area of the Magdalen Islands hat thus been set down at 77,980
acres, or in round numbers at 78,000 acres, including the various sand bars and
ridges which link toj^other on the elevated parts of the Alugdalen Islands.

The varied surface which this area presents, descending from highly elevated
and rocky summits either to the verge of the mural clifts, which characterize part of
the coasts of these Islands, or to the level of the marshes, bogs and sand bars, which
constitute another feature in their general structure, will be found to exhibit a wide
diversity of soil from barren and uncultivable to that of highly fertile and arable^
•omprising frequently, however, between these extremes, ridi or ptwr soil, in pro-
portion as they are derived from the disintegration of rocks containing fertilising
dementi, and according as Cie fertilizing deposit rests upon substrata favorable for
a^icultural purposes.

Now the decomposition of trappean rocks is considered by Geologists highlj
fertilizing, from their containing with feitz pathick and silicious matter, aluouna,
potash and soda, &c., &c.

These rocks, as well as the new red sandstone, together with the substrata of

Srpsum, marl and clays of various richness, compose, as has been already observed,
e principal formations of these Inlands ; the detritus of which rotks brought down
by tne rains and melting snows, bringing with it on the one hand the fertilizing allu-
vial soils deposited along the flanks and base of the hills, and enriching the marshes
and alluviums.

On the other band, the constant surf and heavy sea to which the surrounding
coasts of these Islands lie exposed, leave, at each receding tide, alluvial substance*
and sand drifl, which combine to form the deep bogs, b«rren8 and saKne marshes,
tlipo the sand bars and ridges, (the latter sutgeet to frequent transformations and
shifting by the violence ofthe winds,) which render those parts of the Islands quit«
unfit for cultivation, although in many instances producing, abundantly, cran-
berries, juniper-berries, shrul^, flowers, ftc.

*Nol Uid before the CommiUee.

— arimiM r— i^ea—

Upon a gcnrrn! rovjpw of the forep;oinf? rcmnrlcji it would nppcnr evitlcntfram
(he nntnrc tuul dcHcrintioM of the rock formation of the Mti^daUn iMlaiuU, that the
ftrncrnt fhanu'tor of tlic soil for pnrpoHcn (»f rnltivntion han been undcrrnted in thtf
Kcport of Major Holland nnd Lieutenant lluldirnand, No. 2, aH he prohablj foriped
his jud^^ment from the barren aspect which the elevated partH of these Islands frc-
qnently present.

The area and general surface of the Magdalen Island may accordingly lit
divided into three classes, namely :

1st. The unarablc and barren, composins the rocky summits
of the hills, coasts, plains, sandy-riugcs and quicksands,
about one-third 2CO0O acrca;

2nd. The arable and cultivnbic,c(>mposing the Blo|)es or flanks

of the hills, intervales and meadows, about one-third ... 26000 **

8rd. The tolerable and available, those marshes or swamps
which are convertable into meadows by dykes and
drainage, one-sixth 18000 **

And unavailing, those low saline marshes, swamps, bogs, which
cannot be retrieved or rendered tillable, although pro-
ducing abundance of berries, which as articles oi' export
renders those tracts still productive, one-sixth 18000 "

According to this distribution or classification of the soils of the Magdaleh
islands, upon an average about half their area would appear barren and waste, and
the other half adapted to the piirpoi s of cultivation and pasturage, capable uhdef
i proper system of agriculture, oi sustaining, joined to the Fisheries, a considerable
population and raising live stock to a large extent.

In support of those conclusions, the undersigned would, by reference to the
highly important Report of His Excellency Sir Charles Fitzroy, dated twenty-eighth'
Septeml)cr, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, Lieutenant Governor of
Prince Edward Island, appended to the Report of the Tate Eurl of Durham, Gover-
nor General of Canada, which will again be referred to, for the valuable infbruiatioiY
it contains on the commerce and resources of the Magdalen Islands.

In corroboration of the above statement may her? be inserted the following extract
of a communication (Appendix 15''^) from Captain A. Painchaud, a Magistrate an<f
Merchant Trader of these Islands, wherein he states " that the soil is remarkably
rich and fertile, pasture abundant, the return for gram generally from fifteen to
twenty minots to one sown, and this by poor cultivation."

Tne undersigned considers this the fitting occasion to express the mtmf
a<iknowledgments he owes to Captain Painchaud, for much valuable and interesting
infbrmation concerning the agricultural and commercial state, as well as the present
statistics of these Islands.

PopulfUioh.

# The earliest inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands appear to have been Fretld»
oi* AcadianB, which, at the period of tn« ces^on, in the year one thousand ^cven
hiittdred and sixty-three,- numbered about ten families, occupying the Amherst
ditiHion of the Magdalen Island; they lived principally by fishing, the cultivation of
tll^ ground beinor limited to raising some potatoes and vegetables ; their clothiti^
ieiebrding to Lieutenaiit Halditnand's account at the time of his survey, was, howr^
ever, of domestic manufacture, from which it wotdd appear that they raised soilm
cattle and sheep, which the abundance of grass on the marshes, and pasture on the

* Not laid before the Oommittee.

64

15

!f

i

hills, enabled tlicm to rear without much trouble ; besides, about ibia period, the
morse or sea-cow fishery, as the inhabitants called it, was highl}' prcfitable and pro-
ductive from the trade its skin, oil arid ivory teeth afforded, and which formed, with
the cod fishery, the chief pursuit of the inhabitants.

Ihe population appears subsequently, however, to have rapidly inrreased by na-
tural causes joined to immigration from the countries around the Gulf shores, and
from Guernsey and Jersey, including some English and Irish families. At the period
of the granv of the Magdalen Islands to Sir Isaac Coffin, in the year one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-eight, the resident inhabitants numbered about one-hun-
dred families, chiefly Acadians, whose principal support was derived from the fisher-
ies, combined with the cultivation of a few acres of [ground on which they raised
principally oats, barley and potatoes. More attention seems to have been
paid to the raising of live stock, from the facilites the m«irshes, meadows and moun-
tain pasture afforded for the supply of fodder ; the morse or sea cow fishery waa
about this time, greatly o;i the decline, and the seal fisheries, for the skin and oil ob-
tained, were tlien becoming highly productive.

From this period to the year one-thousand eio;ht-hundred and thirty-one, the

{)opulation of the Island seems to have augmented but slowly, the inhabitants in the
alter year numbering about one hundred and fifty or sixty families, or one thou-
sand and fifty seven souls ; however that increased about sixty per cent in about
thirty years. Its agriculture and live stock were, however, much augmented, whilst
the fisheries, with the exception of one or two bad years, had proved productive.

In the above interval the inhabitants we j called upon by the proprietors or
grantees of the Islands to pay an annual rent for the lands they occupied, and for
a per ccntage on the fisheries, demands which produced great discontent and
strong remonstrances from the inhabitants, who set forth the hardships of their
case in Petitions to the Governor and Legislature of the Province, whilst on the
other hand, the proprictoi a, for the recovery of their rents had their only legal re-
course before the tribunals at New Carlisle, or Perce, and even when judgment
\yas obtained it could not be executed foi want of sufficient power to carry outthc>
law ; inconveniences of the last mentioned description similarly attended the reco-
verv of debts contracted by the inhabitants with the resident merchant.

Since that period, an Act 4th and 6th Vic, chap. 22, wa§ passed, to provide
temporarily for the administration of justice in the Magdalen Islands, and establish-
ing the Commissioners' Court to sit at Amherst Island. This Act was afterwards
repealed, and the provisions of the Provincial Statute, 7th Vic, cap. 17, establishing
Courts for the summary trial of small causes in Lower Canada, extended by the 5tn
section of 9th Vic, cap. 15th, to the Magdalen Islands. Whether the mere exten-
sion of the aforesaid Act to the Islands, under the circumstances of their groat dis-
tance and insular position adequately meets, as contemplated, the necessities of the
inhabitants, is at best doubtful, as the want of a resident Judge or of some modifi-
cation, the existing law appears to be much felt by that community.

The census of the Province in the year 1844, obtained by the latest ofTicial sta-
tistics of the Magdalen Islands, according to vhich the population of these Islands is
set down at 1,738 souls, shews an increase since the '•ensus of 1S31, of 64 per cent
in thirteen yerrs. •

Comparing the amount of population given by the last census, with the esti-
mated population of these Islands in the year 1850, set down from a mean of esti-
mates at 2,500 sou's, it will shew an increase of about 43 per cent, in six years;
and that the ])opulation during the last half century has quadrupled itself, whilst
the increase in agricultural produce, small as it still is, will have far exceeded that

ratio.

65

•

8ti-
sti-
nrs;

This state of the Islands would indicate a steadily increasing population, which
under an improved condition of the Islands in their present agricultural resources
and in their natural advantages, such as their extensive fisheries are capable of
affording under proper management and protection against the encroachments and
aggressions of foreign nations, would insure to its inhabitants a fair share of prospe-
rity and easy independence, whilst the absence of this protection in the fisheries,
joined to domestic sufferings (real or presumptive, remains to be ascertained), enu-
merated in their Memorial to Her Majesty, have operated in divesting them from
that due attention to agriculture, which the favourable character of the soil should
have induced.

Notwithstanding, however, the limited extent and insulated situation of these
Islands, and their great distance from the County of Gasp6, to which they belong, it
will be found upon examination of the statistical data obtained of the County by the
census of the years 1831 and 1844, that the population of the Magdalen Islands is
more dense than that of the aggregate of the old settled parts of the country situate
on the Gulf shore of the St. Lawrence, not only in regard to the territorial extent
respectively of the County and the Magdalon Island, but in regard to the extent of
cultivated land in either of those localities, besides exhibiting a greater density of
population in proportion to the amount of cultivable land in that Island, than in
given by the population of Lower Canada, to the amount of land under culture.
The proportion in the latter case being five acres and a-half to one soul per census
of 1831, and by the census of 1844, four acres to each person.

The Census of 1844 having been taken by Municipalities of Counties, as estab-
lished under the 8th Vic, cap. 40, the Statistics of the County of Gasp§ are given in
the census, in the order of the ten Municipalities into which the County was organ-
ized, since, however, reorganized into three Municipalities, under the 10th and 11th
Vic, cap. 7, agreeably to which the Magdalen Island forms at present the Eastern or
Third Municipality of the County.

Under the former Municipal Act, the first nine Municipalities consisting of the
Parishes, Townships and Seigniories, or union of them, occupy the Gulf shores of
the St. Lawrence frora Chat, easterly, and round the Peninsula of Gaspe to Point
Magueseau or eastern boundary of the County of Bona venture, presenting an ex-
tent of sea coast exceeding two hundred and twenty miles, and containg about thre2
hundred and seventy thousand acres within surveyed limits.

These nine Municipalities, containing, by the Census Return of eighteen hun-
dred and forty-four, five thousand five hundred and eighty souls, and distributed
among upwards of twenty -seven Settlements scattered along the different coves,
bays, rivers and harboers, including the Towns of Perc§ and Douglas -ontained five
thousand five hundred and fifly-four acres under culture and improvt ivients, that is,
in the proportion of one soul to each acre of cultivated land, whilst the density of
population as regards the whole surveyed area stands in proportion of one soul to
every sixty-seven acres, and proportionally to the area of the County as one and a
balf to every square mile.

According to the Census of eighteen hundred and thirty-one, the County of
Gasp6, exclusive of the Magdalen Islands, contained a population of three thou-
sand nine hundred and forty-eight persons, and there were four thousand four
hundred acres under culture, representing one person to one and one-tenth of an
acre, whilst the Magdalen Island, contp ning a population of one thousand and
fifty-seven souls, or equal to one-fifth of the population of the County, had two
thousand one hundred and ninety-three acres under culture, nearly equal to one-
third of the land under culture in the whole County, thus allowing two acres
nearly to each person ; but the produce in grain did not amount to six hundred

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bushels, whilst, potatoes exceeded twenty-five thousand five hundred bushels, and
live stock numbered two thousand eight hundred and twenty-three heads.

Then again, the Magdalen Islands, forming the tenth Municipality of the
County, contained according to the census of eighteen hundred and forty-four, a
population of one thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight souls, and had two thou-
sand three hundred and thirty-five acres under culture, shewing a density of popu-
lation with regard to cultivated land, of one person to one, and one third of an acre,
and in respect to the whole area of the Magdalen Islands, as one person to forty-
five acres, whilst in other respects, upon inspection of the statistics of the settlements
within tho Gulf shore Municipalities, the Magdalen Islands is found to contain more
population, more land imder culture, as well as agricultural produce, live stock, and
domestic manufactured cloths, than any three or four of the Municipalities of the
County of Gaspe together, the Municipality of Perce containing some of the oldest
settlements and fishing establishments on the Gulf shore of the St. Lawrence,
excepted.

A not less prosperous condition of the Magdalen Islands, if not in the in-
creased extent of land under culture, at least in the amount of agricultural pro-
duce, &c., will be apparent, from the comparative statement of these statistics,
see (Appendix No. 16) manifesting an evident increase of the means of subsis-
tence derived from agricultural produce and live stock from the period of the
last census to the year eighteen hundred and fifty, inclusive, viz : whilst the
population appears nearly forty-three per cent more last year than in eighteen
hundred and forty-four, and the land under culture appears to have increased
only thirty-three per cent, the agricultural produce of grain appears to have
increased ninefold, and the live stock augmented by thirty-five per cent, shewing
not only an increase of land under culture, in proportion of population of one
and a half acres to every person, (instead of only one to one, and one-third of an
acre of land in culture, in the year eighteen hundred and forty -four,) but that the
inhabitants of the Islands have (probably under the apprehension of a continued
decline in the production of the Fisheries) of later years bestowed greater atten-
tion and pains in the cultivation of the soil and raising of live stock, whicji latter
article it will appear upon inspection of the Custom House Returns, for the last
five years, is becoming an important article of export.

The foregoing illustration of the comparative statistics of the Municipalities
of the County of Gasp6, as well as of the general statement of population and
statistics of the Magdalen Islands obtained from the census of eighteen hundred
and thirty one and eighteen hundred and foity four ; and from reliable source of
information consulted in their preparation, will, it is hoped, readily exhibit the
value and importance of these Islands in an agricultural point of view as an
appendage to this Province, even perhaps independently of the value of its
fisheries, its present chief source of maintenance and staple article of trade and
export under a proper system of culture.

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Character of the Inhabitants.

The Inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands are in general of a cheerful and
amiable character, and as remarks Sir Charles Fitzroy, in his Report, appears " to
be a peaceable and well disposed people." They are remarkably hale and
healthy. The men are capable of enduring great fatigue and labor, and are
expert and able fishermen and not surpassed as seamen. Many of the able
bodied men commonly engage themselves in spring on board of American and
French vessels engaged in the fisheries on the coast of Labrador or the Banks of

67

Newfoundland, at low wages, whilst they should have greater inducements to
carry on the fisheries on their own account at home which would be of advan-
tage to the Islands generally.

The females arc a moderjt and industrious class of the inhabitants, upon-
whom commonly devolve (wiih such assistance as may be obtained from the
superannuated inhabitants) during the absence of the men at the fisheries, in the
fishing season, generally from June to October, the whole care of rearing large
familici>, the culture of the garden, and attention to the farmini^ stock.

It is not uncommon for families to consist of eight and nine persons ; the
inhabitants live generally to an advanced age, and the grandfather and grand-
children are frequently congregated in one habitation.

The houses Eye commonly built of wood, and of similar construction to the
usual farm houses of our seigniorial population. The chimneys are built of clay
or earth of a reddish colour, whilst the cleanliness and order of these habitations
in general do not yield in that respect to the general character of the populatipn
of Lower Canada.

The Fisheries.

It is generally admitted, that there is no part of the American Continent
where fish is more abundant in all its varieties, whether as deep sea or in shore
fisheries, than in the Gulf of St, Lawrence. Rushing periodically in certain sea-
sons from the Atlantic, whether by the passage of Canso or by the entrance of
the (iulf, between Cape Ray and Cape Lawrence, the cod, herring, haddock,
mackerel, and the various gregarious finny tribes in immense shoals, spread and
disperse along the vast extent of coast that offer the Gulf shores of Cape Breton,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Gasp6, the North Coast of the St. Lawrence and
Labrador to the Straits of Belle Isle, then along the Western Coast of Newfound-
land to Cape Ray, presenting upwards of 2,000 miles of in-shore fisheries, besides
the numerous Rivers and Streams, which are ascended for miles by salmon, ale-
wives, as well as a variety of fresh water fish, which form a very productive
branch of the fisheries of these Provinces.

From either of the above-mentioned points of ingress into the Gulf, the vast
shoals of deep sea fish, whether in their direction from the Gulf of Canso tov/ards
the Banks, the Gulf or the Coast of Labrador or Gasp§, or whether from the
entrance of the Gulf towards the coast of New Brunswick, or Bay of Chaleurs
and Gasp6, are intercepted or arrested by the Magdalen Islands, which in certain
months (August and September), surround the Islands, spreading towards the
well known Banks in the Gulf, called the Gradelle and Orphan Banks, which
intervene between these Islands and the Coast of Gaspe. In addition to these
deep sea fisheries, should be mentioned the Seal fishery, which is prosecuted
with considerable success by the inhabitants of the Magdalens, and has been
found from the value of the skin and oil to supply a very productive and staple
article of export, besides other fisheries, consisting of almost all the varieties of
fish which frequent the Gulf shores of St. Lawrence.

A favourable idea of the Fisheries of the Magdalens may be obtained from
an inspection of the Custom House Returns of the District of Gasp6 and those
of New Brunswick, for the year eighteen hundred and forty-nine, in respect
to the value in pounds sterling, of all articles, the produce of the Fisheries,
exported from the Ports of Gasp6 and from the Ports of New Brunswick, within
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from which it would appear that the value of similar
exports of the Magdalen Island amount to one-sixth of the exports of the County
of Gasp6, and about equal to one half the amount of the exports from the Ports
of New Brunswick, within the Qulf of St. Lawrence, taken in the aggregate.

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The Report already alluded to, of the Governor of Prince Edwards Island,
states the amount of Exports in eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, at ten thou-
sand pounds currency, and the imports at a like sum ; this amount of exports is
still sustained and is even exceeded, according to the Returns of the Custom
House, for the years eighteen hundred and forty-five to eighteen hundred and for-
ty-nine. There appears, however, to be an evident and gradual decline in the
produce of the Fisheries from the year eighteen hundred and forty-five to eigh-
teen hundred and forty-nine, apparent upon inspection of the Returns of J. C.
Lelleau, Esq., Sub-Collector at the Port of the Magdalen Islands, established in
eighteen hundred and forty-four, and further confirmed by the Custom House
of Quebec, for the year eighteen hundred and fifly.

The shores of these Islands are highly favourable for the jsuccessful pursuit
of both in shore and deep sea Fiherics, producing abundantly of the varieties of
moluscus and marine animals and sub-marine plants, upon which the fish feed,
whilst the numerous Bays, Lagoons, and Lakes offer secure retreat to the ova of
those varieties of fish that visit the Island ; among the former clams are much
sought after by vessels engaged in the Fisheries, which resort to those Islands
from Isles St. Pierre and Miquelon, and the banks of Newfoundland to obtain
them for bait. The gathering of clams generally employs the women and boys who
sell them to the resident merchants.

But as already noticed in the early part of these remarks, the Magdalen Is-
lands, in common with those British Colonial possessions on the North American
Continent, suffer much injury by the encroachments of the French and Americans
upon our Fisheries, who avail themselves of every means for evading the stipula-
tions of the treaties and conventions which restrict them within given limits, from
approaching our landing or curing fish on cur shores, only in certain cases and
under specified conditions, with the unchecked course of aggression of those pow-
ers whose vessels are better built and superiorly equipped for the Fisheries than
Colonial vessels generally, and they exercise almost absolute sway over the waters
of the Gulf, driving away in numerous instances our Fishermen fiom the banks,
whether on the Gulf of St. Lawrence or those of Newfoundland or on the Coast
of Labrador, and frequently deprive them of bait, against which they are una-
ble to offer any resistance.

American vessels sometimes to the number of four or five hundred sail annu-
ally, visit these Islands, anchoring in our bays and harbors with impunity, from
which there are no means or sufficient power of compelling their departure.

These Islands, reports the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
" are the principal resort of the commerce of American Fishermen and the French
" from the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon and although nominally under the
" Government of Lower Canada, they have been left for some years entirely to
"themselves, without Magistrates, public Officers of any description, a consequence
" of which no law is observed by the inhabitants or the thousands of Americans
** and others who swarm in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the harbours of the
" Islands during the fishing season, except as was observed to me, the law of le
**plusforV* " The depredations committed by those strangers were loudly com-
" plained of, as well also as the absence of any means to enable creditors to re-
" cover theie just debts and the advantages taken of their unprotected state by the
" Americans and French."

Many of the foreign vessels, especially American, carry on an extensive illi-
cit trade with these Islands, while thus anchored in shore of its Bays and Har-
bours. The inhabitants, in exchange for flour, tobacco, tea, sugar, mm, and a
variety of articles used in the fisheries, barter or sell their codfish, oil, seal skins,
live stock, and such of the natural productions of the Islands, as cranberries, plas-
ter, ochres, &c. The Mavters of vessels paying neither duty or anchorage .aues,

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wliilst this contraband trade on the one hand operates prejudicially upon the
regular resident merchants, who may have during the rigour of a severe winter,
supplied on credit those inhabitants with provisions from their stores ; and on the
other lignd, producing a sensible loss to the revenue of the Province ; unless there-
fore the strongest and decisive measures be not soon adopted either by the inter-
vention of Imperial enactments or by the interposition of Colonial authority, for
the suppression of so notorious a contraband trade, not only in those Islands but
along all that part of the north coast of the River and Gulf of St, Lawrence, com-
monly called Labrador, from Pointe DesMonts to AnseMont Sablon, lying within
the territorial limits of this Province, these valuable fisheries, the preservation
whereof is of vital importance to the maintenance of a large portion of the popu-
lation and a source of wealth to the Province at large, will eventually be ruined
as commercial products.

In the remarks under the heads, "Character of the Soil, Agriculture, Popula-
tion, and the Fisneries," it has been shewn that the soil of a large portion of the
Magdalen Islands is susceptible cf cultivation and capable of sustaining, with
the advantages of the fisheries, a large population, whilst its extensive meadows,
mountain pastures and rich marshes, may enable them to raise farm stoci;, uot
only for home consumption but for exportation : that these Islands, compos iig
one of the three Municipalities of the County of Gaspe, under the last Municipal
Act 10th and 1 1th Vic, chap. 7, does not even, under its present rude an<' imper-
fect system of agriculture yield, in the amount of its lands under culture, its agri-
cultural produce, live stock or domestic manufactures, to either of the other
Municipalities on the Gulf shores of the St. Lawrence ; but the population of
these Islands has accrued in a favourable ratio of increase, that is doubling in
twenty-five years, whilst according to the increase since the last census, the
population would double in less than eighteen years : at the same time that ♦he
increase of subsistence derived from the cultivation of the soil and farming gene-
rally, joined to the pursuit of the fisheries, cannot fail of securing to the inhabi-
lants ease and independence in circumstances, if not absolute wealth ; and
lastly, that the highly favourable position of these Islands, nearly central in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, render them for the facilities they eminently possess for
carrying on the fisheries of every description, whether of in-shore or deep sea
fisheries, unrivalled in those respects and of the highest importance for the trade
and commerce these staple productions afibrd The advantages of which,
however, the inhabitants of these Islands are unaUe fully to avail themselves,
until effectual steps for repressing the encroachments and continued aggressions
of foreign vessels upon our fisheries shall be adopted by the Imperial or the
Colonial Government.

Similar encroachments of American fishermen on the fishing grounds of Nova
Scotia, having given rise to the complaint preferred in an Address to the Queen by
the House of Assembly of that Province, and praying her Majesty to es'.i blish by
an Order in Council, general regulations for the protection of the Fisheries in that
and the adjoining colonies, the subject was referred to Her Majesty's Attorney Ge-
neral and Advocate General of England, for their opinion, as to whether there was
anything in the code of regulations accompanying the said address, which would be
inconsistent with the stipulations of the convention of the twentieth October, eigh-
teen hundred and eignteen, between Great Britain and the United States of
America.

According to the opinion of these high legal functionaries of the Crown,

given in their Keport, dated at Doctor's Commons, thirtieth August, eighteen hun-
red and forty-one, to the Right Honorable Viscount 'Palmerston, Secretary
of State, as the result of their deUberations in replying to the Queries sub-
mitted to them, it would appear in substance ; First, toat me Treaty of seventeen

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hundred and eiffhty-thrce, is annulled by the war of eighteen hundred and twelve,
and that the rights of fishery of the citizens of the United States must now be de-
fined or regulated by the Convention of eighteen hundred and eighteen.

2nd and 3rd. That by terms of the Convention, American citizens are exclu-
ded from any right of fishery, within three miles of the coast of British America,
and that the prescribed distance of three miles is to be mcasuercd from the head
lands or extreme points of land next the sea, of the coast or the entrance of bays
or indents of the coast, and consequently, that no right exists on the part of Amer-
ican citizens to enter the bays of Nova Scotia, &c.

4th. That by the Convention of eighteen hundred and eighteen, American
citizens have the liberty of fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and within certain
defined limits, in common with British subjects, &c., and, independently of treaty,
no Foreign Country has a right to use and navigate the passage of Canso, &c,, that
casting bait to lure fish in the tract of any American vessels navigating the passage
would constitute a fishery within the negative terms of that convention.

5lh. That with reference lo the claim of a right to land on the Magdalen
Islands, and to fish from the shcAres thereof, &c, that the American citizens have
no right to land or conduct the fishery upon the shores of the Magdalen Islands.

6th. That by the Convention, the liberty of entering the Bays and Harbours of
Nova Scotia, (or any other harbours of Her Britannic J\'ijesty's dominions in
America,) then stipulated for the purpose of purchasing wood and obtaining water,
is conceded in general terms.

7th. That the rights of fishing ceded to the citizens of the United States, and
those reserved for the exclusive enjoyment of British subjects, are to be defined
altogether upon the Convention of eighteen hundred and eighteen, the only exist-
ing treaty on the subject between the two countries.

Upon an attentive review of the construction of the Convention of eighteen
hundred and eighteen, as coming from such high legal authority, the Executive
Government of this Province, under the circumstances of the numerous com-
plaints from the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands and the Labraclor Coast,
against the aggression of foreign vessels in the Fisheries on those coasts, would,
it is humbly submitted, feel justified in adopting protective measures against a
continuance of these evils, which threaten to destroy our Colonial fishery, and
also to establish restrictive regulations against the aggressions of Masters of
vessels belonging lo the neighboring Provinces, likewise complained of.

The insular situation of these Islands, the limited extent of their agricultural
resources even prospectively shut out or excluded during four or five months of
the year from any communication with the Settlements on the shores of the Gulf,
exposed, as its inhabitants are, to maintain the unfortunate shipwrecked mariners,
crews and passengers of vessels stranded or shipwrecked on its barren but hos-
pitable shores, are circumstances which powerfully call forth the sympathies
of humanity on behalf of the inhabitants of these Islands, while they merit the
attention of the authorities of the Province.

It may here be remarked, that there is a wide difference between the circum-
stances of these Islands and those of the inhabitants of the continental part of
the County of Gasp6 ; in the former they compass, as it were at sight, the
habitable or cultivable portions of their sea girt territory, which contain no other
resources but what good husbandry or the pastures will yield, there is no timber
for trade, no rivers affording water power, no extent of country to promise future
markets for agricultural produce, whilst in the latter case, the extensive territory
composing the vast interior portion of the country offers a multitude of resources
of the descriptions found so deficient in the Magdalen Islands, affording an
almost unlimited latitude in the culture and settlement of the waste lands and in
agricultural productions, superadded to the commercial benefits arising and to

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arise from the manufacture of timber for domestic use and exportation. These
advantages from which result a surplus amount of export over the imports, enable
the inhabitants oi the District to bear with comparative ease the pressure of the
duties imposed npon articles of provisions and implements required to cany on
the Fisheries, whilst they tend to oppress, from the absence of equivalent resources
the inhabitants and traders in the Magdalen Islands.

Then again the inhabitants of the peninsular part of the District of Ga8p6
have had the lienefits of repeated Provincial Acts, which obtained them legal
possession of the lands they occupied under location or improvement ; namely,
the 59 George III, cap. 3, (April, 1819,) appointing Commissioners for the
settlement of the land claims in the District, to which Commission the under-
signed had the honor of being professionally attached, and the Statute 10 and
11 Vic, cap. 30, which, among other provisions, grants free to settlers the land
occupied by them for twenty years. These enactments could not reach the inha-
bitants of the Magdalen Islands as occupying lands belonging to a grantee of the
Crown, who, on the contrary, imposed certain rents on the occupants of the land.

These annual rents and dues have in many instances accumulated into
arrears which the poorer class of the inhabitants, unable to pay, are being sued
for, thus aggravating by heavy costs the pressure which they are subject to in
other respects.

A consideration of the foregoing relative features of advantages of productive-
ness and trade between the continental and insular parts of the District of Gasp6,
so much in favor of the former, cannot fail to lead to the conviction of the justice
and propriety of extending to the inhabitants of the latter section of the District
some counterbalancing aid in their present circumstances ; and there occurs none
that would be so effectual or beneficial as a remission of the duties upon articles
indispensably necessary to carry on their fisheries, which would prevent the
smuggling and contraband trade now carried on, so demoralizing in its effects,
especially on a small community, while injurious to the revenue of the Province.

On the other hand th*? continuance of the existing duties will be productive
of discouragement and discontent among the inhabitants, resulting in the neglect
of their favorite pursuit, the fisheries, and the cultivation of the soil, entailing
ultimate poverty and producing the desire of emigration to other countries more
fostering than their own.

The report of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island already
cited as conveying a correct idea of the condition of the JNlagdalen Islands at the
time of his official inspection, in 1838, is under the present circumstances of the
inhabitants, deserving of special attention for the mode of relief suggested in
the event of these Islands being annexed to that Government.

The nature of those suggestions (enlarged in the accompanying communica-
tion of G. R. Goodman, Collector of Customs of Prince Edward Island) appears
however, to apply more especially to the introduction in these Islands of an
effectual method of collecting a revenue, protecting its fishery, and while afford-
ing general relief to its inhabitants suggesting the adoption of measures for the
strict enforcement of the revenue laws.

Suggestions for the relief of the inhabitants of the Magdalen Islands.

Upon a review of the present condition of the Magdalen Islands and of its
inhabitants, the unprotected state of its Fishery, the inefficiency of the present
system for the administration of justice, and want of power in the resident magis-
trates to impose respect for the laws, the loss sustained in the revenue of the
Province under the powerless state of the Preventive Service, the following sug-
gestions, as appearing best calculated to afford relief to the inhabitants of that

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remote and insular section of the Province, are humbly submitted for the consi-
deration of the Government.

1st. The protection of the fisheries against the aggression of foreign vessels.
To carry out this object effectually, it would be expedient that an armed vessel
(a steamer would be preferable from the facility afforded of moving at a required
time from any point, Harbour or Bay in the Gulf to another) which, furnished
with all the necessaiy authority and provided with a sufficient force, should at
different times, and frequently during the period of navigation in the Gulf, keep
a strict look out after all foreign vessels fishing along those parts of the Gulf
shore of the St. Lawrence and around the Magdalen Islands, being the Territory of
Canada ; such foreign vesseb to be vigilantly restricted to fish at those distances
from the coast directed in existing treaties between the nations they belong to
and Great Britain.

That this armed vessel should, at all times, when required, be subject to the
authority of the Collector or Sub-Collector, or Justice of the Peace, whether for
matters connected with the revenue, or for assisting in maintaining peace and
order in the Islands ; that Amherst Harbour should be the principal station for
8uch Government vessel.

2nd. That as an encouragement to the Merchants and Traders of the Islands,
that a bounty be granted by the Provincial Government on all fishing crafts or
vessels of not less than per ton on the burthen of such crafts ; that

to entitle the owner to such bounty, he must bring his fish and oil to the Islands
to be sold there or in other parts of the Province, and to that eirect obtain a certi-
ficate from the Sub-Collector at the Port.

3rd. An exemption of duties upon all articles required to carry on the fish-
cries, enumerated in the 10th and llth Vic, cap. 31, (repealed by the 12th
Vic, cap. 1.)

4th. A modification or amendment in the Act extending the provisions of
the 9lh Vic, cap. 15, to the Magdalen Islands, to the effect of altering
the time of sitting of the Court of Circuit at Amherst Island, from the month of
June to Autumn, or the appointment of a resident Judge or Stipendiary Magis-
trate in the Islands.

6th. The erection of a Court House and Gaol ; the building might be so con-
structed as to answer for both purposes, besides affording room for Registry
Office, and other public purposes.

6th. That anchorage dues be levied on all foreign vessels resorting to the
Ports of the Magdalen Islands, and the proceeds be applied to the expenses atten-
ing the preventive service, the erection of the Court House and Gaol, &c.

7th. That the Sub-Collector or Revenue Officer have at his command a boat
and crew of six armed men, to enable him to enforce the laws and assist when-
ever it may be required by the Magistrates, in the maintenance of order in the
Magdaleu Islands.

Conclusion.

Having endeavored to embrace in the preceding pages such information
relative to the Magdalen Islands, as could be arrived at from the Records of this
Department, and from other official documents, besides such as could be obtained
from reliable sources, ^most of them mentioned in the accompanying Appendix)
so as to' present, as called upon under the order of reference he was honored with
from you, in transmitting the Petition of the inhabitants of these Islands, desiring
their annexation to the Government of Nova Scotia, such a Report as could com-
prehend an historical and full account of these Islands ; the undersigned, in repre-
sendng the value and importance of these Islands, has taken occasion to submit

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the natural and commercial resources they offer in their inexhaustible fisheries,
coiiiu'ctlvely with the advantages of favorable soil for purposes of agriculture, as
the grounds on which he would recommend their continuing to remain an
appendage to this Province, and in conclusion, he would beg leave to urge, for
the consideration of the Government, the importance of these Islands in a mari>
time point of view.

The completion of our Public Works for the improvement of the Navigation
of the River St. Lawrence, enabling sea-going vessels, drawing eleven and twelve
feet water, to bring down their cargoes (the produce of the Countries bordering
the great upper Lakes) without breaking bulk, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and
thence to the market of the British Isles or of foreign Countries ; the vast and in-
creasing trade, in the way of Imports, which the facilities our inward canals will
induce throughout our inland navigation fron) the Ocean to Lake Superior, on the
one hand, and the progressive increase in the imports and exports growing out of
a rapidly increasing population, accelerated by Immigration, will doubtless even-
tually render, with the accession of Free Trade with the United States, the Saint
Lawrence, the greatest, as it is the shortest thoroughfare between the Continent
of North America and the Ports of Europe.

In this prospect of a vastly enlarged trade, not only with trans-Atlantic Ports,
but the markets of our Sister Colonies, the West Indies and United States, (the
latter under the contingency of reciprocity,) the Geographical position of the
i\Iag(lalen Islands, its almost centjal location in the Gulf of St Lawrence, in the
line nearly of the vessels track to the River St. Lawrence, whether entering the
Gulf from the passajje of Canso, or from the entrance of the Gulf between Cape
Ray and Cape St. Lawrence, cannot fail to be appreciated as one of paramount
importance, and as offerrng a favorable station to serve as an out post to the Pro-
vince, and as such, well adapted to become a Depot for the Export Trade, gene-
rally, from the territories bordering on the Upper Lakes and the St. Lawrence.
Th'j late period of the season, namely, in December, at which outward bound ves-
sels can leave the ports of these Islands in perfect safety and without any appre-
hension of being obstructed by ice, render them highly suitable for the purpose
above stated.

In a time of war, the Magdalen Islands would be found of importance as a
Naval depot, as ships of the line and sloops could find safe shelter and good
anchorage in Pleasant Bay and the channel between Entry Island and the
Hook, whilst inferior crafts could reach with safety the harbors the Islands
afford, according as the draught of water would permit.

To render the approaches to these Islands safe in all weather, and otherwise
to improve the navigation of the Gulf in connection with the River St. Lawrence;
also with a view of diminishing, if not of obviating the shipwrec ks that almost
every year unhappily take place on the coasts of these Islands, there appears to
be an urgent necessity for the erection of two Light Houses on the Magdalen
Islands, namely, one at the East Point to direct vessels entering the Gulf from
the Island of St. Paul ; and another on the South-west Point, for those entering
the Gulf from the passage of Canso ; and complete the chain of lights to the River
St. Lawrence, there should be a Light House on Gaspe Point or on the height of
Cape Rosier.

At each of these Light House Stations, there should be a sufficient depot of
provisions to supply the ship-wrecked sufferers, in order that they should not be
a charge upoh the inhabitants of the Islands.

The United Slates spare neither trouble nor expense in lighting their whole
extent of coast from ZiOuisiana to Maine, which an inspection of their Marine
charts will most satisfactorily manifest. Their example in this respect is worthy
of being emulated, especially where its effects are calculated to benefit our most

■"»'•»■■ -ly-

74

productive sources of trade and commerce, while in the causa of humanity hun-
dreds of lives may be saved from the awful accidents of shipwreck.

The expense of maintaining the establishments on the Magdalen Islands
might, it is submitted, be borne by this Province Jointly with the sister Provinces
of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, which arc all equally
interested, and employ numbers of ships and seamen in the Gulf fisheries.
Even in an international point of view, French and Americana (who have their
hundreds of ships engaged in the Gulf fisheries, and training thousands of men
for their Navy), might be called upon, as participators in the common bene-
fit to arise from lighting up the Gulf, to bear a share of the burden of supporting
these establishments ; at least the circumstance appears a fit subject for negocia-
tion under the existing commercial relations of these countries.

The confidence which the erection of these light houses would naturally create
either in the approach to, or making any of the ports of these Islands, would ma-
terially lead to an increase in the number of Vl'SscIs, that now visit them and the
general traffic of these Islands, whilst such highly desirable improvements being
effected, joined to the subjects of relief to the inhabitants that have herein been
suggested, being conceded, as far as may be deemed expedient, in leaving them
nothing to desire by annexation to the neighboring Province of Nova Scotia, the
circumstance would materially tend to conciliate the inhabitants, and reconcile them
to remain attached to the Government of this Province.

All which is nevertheless respectfully submitted.

JOS. BOUCHETTE,
D. S. G.

(Translation.)

Report of Charles Francois Fournier, JSsq., Provincial Land Surveyor, of the survey and
measurement of certain Clergy Reserve lands in the Magdalen Islands, in ohedienu
to the instructions from the thoum Lands Department, dated 2Sth June, 1852.

To the Honorable John Rolph, Commissicner of Crown Lands, &c., &c., &c.

Sir, — Immediately m>on the receipt of your instructions I proceeded with all
due diligence to Coffin Island or Eastern Island, one of the Magdalen Islands,
where I had the honor of meeting the Reverend Mr. Felix Boyle. The Reverend
y^r. Milne, it appears, resides for the present at Bale des Chaleurs.

Having communicated to him the instructions I had received, he offered to
accompany me and shew me the part of the Island which he was desirous of having
surveyed, for a Protestant Episcopalian Church and burial ground, which I approved
pf and surveyed in his presence, as stated in my journal.

This. Island contains only three dwelling houses, whose owners occupy all the
land in that part of the Island suitable for agricultural purposes, consisting in part
of white sand, the rest being uncultivated and partly occupied by stunted trees.
Hay, however, is grown in a few places along the shores of the marshes, but here,
as m the other parts of the Island the soil is worthless.

If this Island is set apart as Clergy Reserves and considered as a seventh of the
grant made to Captain Isaac Coffin of all these Islands, it is certain that with
respect to valvie, this Island is not of one twentieth part the value of the other
Islands, for the latter are much more valuable in every respect.

With respect to the value per acre of the lots occupied as stated in my Jour-
nal,^ I am of Qpinion th^t one shilling currency per acre is a price more than
aqfiicient fof the lands occupied by three persons, and also for the reserve I sur-
veyed for the Reveiend Mr. Boyle, and for the places where hay might be grown.
That is the price ^^^ed by Government for landsi in the District of Gasp§, which
are superior in quality to those of this Island.

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(Translation.)

Report of Charles JVai
measurement of .
to the instruction.

To the Honorable Jq]

Sir, — Immediat
due diligence to Co
where I had the hon<
A(r. Milne, it appean

Having commuc
accompany me an4 i
surveyed, for a Pro^
pf and surveyed in |^

This. Island cont
land in that part of t
of white sand, the rp
Hay, however, is grp^
ap in the other pvtf

If this Island i&ii
grant made to Capta
respect to valvie, thit
Islands, for the laXX&t ...o-.^-— ~- ;^^, ..^mi^^

With respect to the value per acre of the lots occupiied as Statea in my Jour-
nal, I am of opinion th^t one shilling currency per acre is a price more than
spffioient fof t^e lands occupied by three persons, and also for the reserve I sur-
veyed for the Reyeiend Mr. Boyle, and for the places where hay might be grown.
That is the pric»e ix;e4 by Qovernment for lands in the District of Gasp6, which
aie superior ^n quality to those of this Island.

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All which is

(TVanslation) |

Report of Charles J
measuremefU
. >^ to the instruct

To the Honorable

Sir, — Imme:
due diligence to
where I had the I
llfx. Milne, it app<

Having coms
accompany me ui
surveyed, for a Jn
pf and surveyed i

This.lslan4 c
land in that part <
pf white sand, tj^c
Ha^, however, 19 j
ajs m the other pa

If this Island
grant made to Ca
respect to val^e^
Islands, for the I^

With respect
nal, I am of ppii ______________

l^^T l^ *5' l^n(^,ojeupied by tK^rjirsons, 'and also /or tlie rese'i^I "^llir
iSLf i» tl J^^l'fe^d Mr. Boyle, and for the places where hay might be grown.
^^J!J^^ P."«* Sf.^4 by Govermnent for lands in the District of Gasp§, which
are superior in quality to those of this Island. ** » **"**-"

76

-—■^^ 1. . -1,

•rr r- J- . srjr .—

In accordance with the instructions you communicated to mc, ut the same
lime I have the honor to submit for your information the following remarks :

Ist. I found that ihe variation of the magnetic needle in these Islands, is

I am convinced that there is no magnetic attraction in
this Island ; I can offer no information on this subject, us to the other Islands.

2nd. I did not lay out a Village in this Island, for there never will be a
population sufficient to establish it ; the Village will always remain at Grossc
Isle, which is near this Island, where a beginning has already been made, and a
Protestant Church in course of erection.

3. The entire population of these Islands isabout 3,000 souls, who live for the
most part by hunting and fishing. Barley, oats, and potatoes however, are grown,
and ripen very well ; wheat does not succeed, or very rarely. The horses,
horned cattle, and sheep are, generally speaking, superior and large, more parti-
cularly at I'Isle d'Entr6e. They are sometimes exported to St. John's or Prince
Edward's Island, 'vhere they sell to advantage.

4th. I have procured some plaster and some earth of various colours, with
which the inhabitants of the Islands colour their houses and some black and red
lead, and various stones and pebblea from the different Islands, wh'?h I
have the honor herewith to transmit to you.

5thly. From the information I obtained from the inhabitants, it is worthy of
remark, that there are neither snakes, adders, toads or frogs in any of the Islands.
Much might be said respecting these Islands and their inhabitants, with refer-
ence to their Commerce, their Fisheries, and the Administration of Justice, the
manner of selling or leasing the Lands, &c. ; but as that would be exceeding the
limits of my instructions, I think it advisable to be silent on these points.

The whole respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your very obedient servant,

Quebec, 15th Sept., 1862.
, True Copy.

Quebec, 16th March, 1853.

(Signed) C. F. FOURNIER,

Provl-Surveyor.

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(Signed,) JOS. BOUCHETTE,

For Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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PRINTED BV JOHN LOVELL, AT HIS STEAM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT,

MOUNTAIN STREET.

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