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H .1 •'VI'; WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS EDINBURGH AND LONDON ' MDCCCL II N PRIXTliO nv «ir.MAM BLACKVrOOD AND 80XS, KUINRUnflH. k PREFACE. ui 'i ' Peobably few men, of reflective or considerate mind, will, at the present day, deny the advantage of colonisa- tion, and the necessity of an extensive system of emigra- tion from Great Brit^^in. As the subject is beginning to attract much general attention, I have been induced to publish collectively the following series of letters, which lately appeared in some of the Glasgow newspapers. Although there are large tracts of land, capable of cultivation, and still unoccupied in England, Scotland, and Ireland, it may be safely asserted that population is increasing in a greater ratio than the production of food ; and that the increase is greater than the cultivation of these lands is likely to maintain, under present circum- stances. There has, indeed, been a severe check to the progressive augmentation of our numbers by the fearfiil epidemical disease by which the country has been lately afflicted, and squalid poverty is also acting powerfully in the same direction ; but I trust that there are none 4 PREFACE. r' who do not earnestly deprecate such causes of counter- action, and deplore the miseries which are checking the expansion of our industrial powers. I consider it, therefore, unnecessary to enter into any discussion on the propriety of emigration from our small insular territory, already so fully populated, or on the benefit of transferring as many as possible of the thou- sands of able and deserving people, whose circumstances and means of living are yearly becoming more limited and precarious, and of many who are now on the verge of destitution, to countries where, by their own labour, they may soon become independent, and attain to com- fortable circumstances — where every well-disposed family may soon become producers of food and consumers of our manufactures ; while the expense of their removal would not, for each individual, amount to half a year's mainte- nance in this country even on the poorest and most stinted allowance. Nor need I point out to people of a superior class, possessed of small capitals or limited in- comes, with young or increasing families, the inestimable advantages attainable by removing to countries where they may immediately become proprietors of fertile lands, and, by prudent application of their means, increase their comforts — indeed, not merely maintaining, but raising the position of their children in society. The question which presses itself upon all who take an interest in emigration, either for their own sakes or for those of their fellow-countrymen, is. What colony PREFACE. funter- ing the to any r small on the thou- stances limited } verge labour, com- family \ of our [ would nainte- 1 most ►le of a [ted in- timable re they is, and, ie theh' raising iio take 1 sakes colony should they settle in ? Some conspicuous writers have recommended one for the man of means, and another for the poor labourer ; but I think that a little consideration will lead to the opinion that the country which is desir- able for the one class must be eligible for both — at all events, that that which is most suitable for the occupation of the labourer, is the most advantageous for the employ- ment of capital ; — for of what avail would it be to place the capitalist in any land where he could not, with his money, procure a sufficiency of hands (or at extravagant wages) to develop the resources of the soil, the forest, or the mine ? I am aware that the feeling at present amongst advo- cates for emigration is greatly in favour of South Austra- lia and New Zealand ; and it is far from my wish to draw invidious comparisons when I attempt to procure for our North American colonies a due share of public considera- tion. Much has been written in commendation of the former, although fiiUy ten times the distance of North America from the mother country, and nr er a word said of the drawbacks and disadvantages, tiom which few, if any countries, can boast an exemption ; while British America seems to be nearly forgotten. This arises entirely from the astonishing ignorance at home of the soil, climate, minerals, and even the geography of these provinces. It may be objected by people of means, to investments in these provinces, that their tenure by Great Britain is :l I % 6 PREFACE. uncertain — that already more than equivocal 83rmptoms of discontent have appeared in Canada, to indicate its separation from us. From my intimate knowledge of our American colonies, I would answer that, were such an unfortunate event to take place, I should prefer risk- ing my prospects with them, to remaining in Britain if she is really to be deprived of them. Our late commercial policy has been most injurious to the interests and offensive to the feelings of the colonists, by placing them on the same terms with foreigners. Every one who has visited these colonies must have observed, with gratification, the affec- tionate attachment manifested by all to the mother country — which is still called " home " even by those who have never been in it. It is little else than this strong national regard which now binds them to us ; for we have been assi- duously severing the very roots of connexion, by depriving them of all commercial advantages, as fellow members of our great empire, in our excessive liberality to foreign nations — none of which have shown any disposition to reciprocate the favours which we have so needlessly be- stowed. On the contrary, they have been raising their tariffs against us, laughing at our prodigality all the while. I put no value on the promised privileges to British vessels, by countries who have all to gain and nothing to lose by the abolition of our Navigation Laws. If they really intended to meet us on fair terms, they would have reduced their duties on our manufactures. I trust that the good sense of this nation will not long allow PREFACE. such a state of things to continue — that we may be con- vinced, ere it is too late, of the damage and inutility oi giving witliout receiving returns, which we might well stipulate for, and which the recipients can bestow ; and that the present trial, by which we are now suffering, may lead to an improved policy, under which the whole empire may be more strongly united than ever, in a bond of common interest and mutual prosperity. A well-digested system of emigration would prove of most essential benefit to this country, as well as to the colonies : population and labour are what they require, and what we can well spare. A treble benefit would be conferred — first, on the colony where the emigrants are required ; secondly, on the emigrants themselves, in being removed from a state of penury to healthy and remunera- tive employment; and, thirdly, in this country being relieved of their injurious competition in the labour- market, and the clamorous demands of multitudes now sinking into pauperism, who might thus become respect- able consumers of our manufactures. It has more than once struck me that well-disposed children from theKagged Schools might be removed, under the superintendency of a company, to colonies where they might be trained to agricultural employments ; and be so engaged, by proper previous arrangements, from the time of their arrival, that they might not only support themselves from the first, but even repay, very soon, the expense of their transit. I have, for many years in succession, travelled over a ¥. 8 PREFACE. large portion of North America, and resided in the British provinces, in various localities, for several months at a time. I trust, therefore, that I may be permitted to offer an opinion on the comparative circumstances of these colonies ; and, in sincerity of my own judgment, I recom- mend Nova Scotia to the favourable consideration of intending emigrants, to all who feel interested in the sub- ject of emigration, and especially to those who desire the maintenance of British control in the western hemisphere, on account of its commercial as well as its political im- portance: J. OUTRAM. Glasgow, January 1860. British IS at a o offer - these recom- ion of le siib- ire the phere, d im- NOVA SCOTIA. M. LETTER I. POSITION, &c. Before visiting the American continent, I was under an impression — as many still are — that Upper Canada was the only portion of our northern colonies worth the attention of agriculturists. I soon found cause to form a very different opinion, and met with many who en- tirely concurred with me — indeed, I never found one, who had impartially examined and experienced them, who dissented from me. I have resided in Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, at various seasons, in the course of several years ; and in respect to soil and climate — taking all advantages and disadvantages into consi- deration — I do not consider Canada by any means before New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which last are much better adapted to British constitutions, and, as far as regards bodily health and vigour, appear greatly pre- ferable. Then, the advantages which they possess in point of situation are eminent. In Canada, the naviga- tion is closed during one half of the year ; in these, com- !i i t i I ii 10 NOVA SCOTIA. monly called the " Lower Provinces," it is open all the year round. Canada is at a greater distance from Great Britain than a considerable portion of the United States is ; while New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are nearer than any other point of the American continent — conse- quently the voyage is shorter, and the expense of freight and passage to and from this country less. In mineral wealth they are unquestionably more abundant than Canada. But, as a country for agricultural emigrants, I venture to say that Nova Scotia is preferable to New Brunswick. For the accuracy of this opinion I would appeal to the judgment of any person who has had an opportunity of visiting and inspecting the two provinces. I do not mean to say that all the lands in Nova Scotia are VTorthy the settler's occupation, (and I do not think that any o «} will venture to say so of Canada, or even of Britain) — a considerable portion along the coast being rocky, which is the main cause of this country having been occasion- ally stigmatised by superficial observers, who ha e never visited its interior, where there are large tracts f very superior soil, some of which cannot be surpassed y any country that I have ever seen. I have known atives of the province, who have been Induced to rer )ve to Canada and the United States, bitterly reg? X the change which they had made; and others, moiv. pru- dent, who had made a tour of inspection, invariably return more satisfied with their own country, and con- vinced of its general natural superiority to the others which they had visited. Nova Scotia possesses a much better geographical position than New Brunswick. It would puzzle one to discover a point in it where he could place himself above thirty-five miles' distance from the sea. It is sur- rounded by magnificent natural harbours, such as, I NOVA SCOTIA. u believe, no other country on the earth can boast of in the same abundance. What an advantage this is to a farmer, in the conveyance of his produce to any market in the world, compared with the long land, canal, and river carriages which the most of the Canadian farmers are subjected to the expense of, before their grain or flour can reach Montreal for shipment! Nova Scotia also abounds in streams, and there is no lack of water- power in any part of it. I have already noticed the salubrity of the climate. An impression somehow prevails that Nova Scotia lies in at least as high a northern latitude as we are in, and is colder in temperature ; while the fact is that it is much nearer the south. Edinburgh stands in lat. 55° 58' N., and Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, stands in lat. 44° 44' — just about 670 miles nearer the equator ; and certainly the heat of summer there considerably exceeds what we experience here, although, from the comparative dryness of the atmosphere, it is seldom more oppressive. Notwithstanding the prostration of commerce for the last two years, there has been little or no suffering in Nova Scotia. All who are willing to work are able to make a living, and impartial observers consider that it is now in a better condition than Canada or New Bruns- wick. The projected railway from Halifax to Quebec will have the effect of developing all the natural wealth and resources of the province, and raising Halifax to the eminence of one of the first cities on the Atlantic coast of America. The present time appears the most favourable which has as yet occurred for the purchase and occupation of the vacant lands in Nova Scotia, which are capable of supporting a very large population. At no period in this century could they have been procured on cheaper or easier terms than they may be now. At no period I ii ■ '. ■r\\ i "4 i f: 12 NOVA SCOTIA. did we ever stand so much in need of a near and suitable country, as an outlet for our increasing and deserving population, who are capable of working out the benefi- cent designs of Providence, by occupying and subduing the earth, but who, from excess of competition or other causes, cannot succeed, or provide comfortably for their families at home. And at no period in the history of Nova Scotia did its prospects of rapid advancement appear so decided as at present. LETTER 11. CLIMATE. In my last letter, I stated briefly the reasons for my opinion of Nova Scotia being the most eligible colony as a field for emigration from this country ; and I now beg to condescend more particularly upon its climate. I have already noticed its peculiarly advantageous posi- tion, and nearness to Europe — being, as I have heard an American observe, a portion of the American continent sticking out as a sort of intermediate country, command- ing the advantages of both hemispheres. I have also mentioned its numerous splendid harbours, rivers, and streams, and the important circumstances of its navigation being always open. The climate — which is a most important matter of consideration, in every case, to all intending emigrants — I have already stated as salubrious and congenial to British constitutions. It is peculiarly so, and conducive to health and longevity. In describing its effects, I can- not do better than quote the words of Judge Haliburtoij, in his account of the province. He says : — NOVA SCOTIA. 13 " The air of the forest, notwithstanding the density of the wood, is far from being noxious. The infinite num- ber of streams, the aromatic effluvia of balsamic trees, the invigorating north-west wind, and the varied surface of the country — all conspire to render it pure and whole- some. A very great proportion of the inhabitants live to a very advanced period. It is not uncommon to see people ninety years old, and many have attained to the age of a hundred. " The summers, although hot, are not characterised by that poisonous decomposition of animal and vegetable matters which engender pestilential diseases in other countries, nor do its marshes generate that miasma which, in the United States, is the productive cause of inter- mittent fever." The season of spring is extremely short, and may be said to commence about a month or five weeks later than we have it usually in the south of Scotland. But, as vegetation proceeds with extreme rapidity, this defect is compensated for. In May the weather is pleasant, and all the migratory birds, which leave before winter, return early in that month — the fields and trees assume their verdure, and many indigenous and exotic flowers blow. In June the weather is warm, but occasionally there is a cold and rainy day to interrupt the usual temperature and sunshine, although not quite so cold as we are usually accustomed to here at the same season. In July and August it is very hot, the mercury being sometimes, in the latter month, from 90° to 100° Fahrenheit. Showers from the southward occur about once in every ten or twelve days, which commonly shift the wind to north- west — producing, for a short time, an agreeable coolness during the day, which coolness is always common in the mornings and evenings. In September, the weather is to many pleasanter than m Vf I 14 NOVA SCOTIA. during the two preceding months, the noon-day heat not being so great. But, after the autumnal equinox, a few days of high wind and rain may be calculated upon ; thesCj however, seldom amount to above three or four. From the beginning of July, until the middle or nearly the end of September, the nights exceed in splendour the finest that are experienced in Europe. Mr M^Grigor, in his work on British America, thus describes them : — " To portray them in their true colours would require more than any language can accomplish, or any pencil, but that of imagination, can execute.- The air, notwith- standing the heat of the preceding day, is always pure ; the sea generally unruffled, and its surface one vast mirror, reflecting with precision every visible object either in the heavens or on the earth. The moon shines with a soft silver-like brilliancy, and, during her retirement, the stars are seen in their utmost effulgence. . ishes of various species sport in the water ; the singular note of the whip-poor-will is heard from the woods ; the fire-fly floats in the air, oscillating its vivid sparks ; and where the hand of man has subdued the forest, and laid the ground under the control of husbandry, may be heard the voice of the milk-maid, or the ' drowsy tinkling of the distant fold.' In another direction mj»y often be seen the light of the birch torch, which the Mic-Mac Indian uses in the prow of his canoe, while engaged with his spear in fishing." During October the weather continues pleasant — moderately warm at noon — the mornings and evenings cool — with sometimes, towards the end of the month, slight frosts at night ; and now and then, but not fre- quently, a stormy day. The leaves of the trees begin to change their verdure into bright colours of red, yellow, violet, purple, and brown, blended with green — imparting a peculiar splendour to the landscape, altogether un- NOVA SCOTIA. 15 at not , a few upon; four, nearly ►ur the gor, in •equire pencil, >twith- pure; e vast either with a nt, the hes of lote of fire-fly where dd the heard ing of ben be ic-Mac id with jant — enings nonth, ot fre- }gin to rellow, )arting er un- known in Europe. In November it is colder, but still very pleasant, generally with frosts at night. This season is called the Indian summer, and is invariably calculated upon. In December the frosts become more severe, and occasional snows alternately with thaws; about the end of the month, or beginning of January, the hard frost of winter commences; which continues, with commonly the exception of a day or two of mild weather, during February and the early part pf March — the ground being covered with snow, the northerly winds prevailing with great keenness, and the trees frequently covered with silvery spangles of ice, which, when the sun shines, produce a most brilliant appearance. March is cold and variable, with a good deal both of sunshine and blustery weather. At the end of this month, or in the first week of April, a storm frequently comes on, and severe and disagreeable weather lasts for two or three days, as it usually does here at the same period ; after which the temperature becomes warm, and spring and summer begin. Vegetation proceeds so rapidly that a few days change the whole face of nature, and the fields afford sufficient food for cattle by the end of May or 1st of June. I must, however, observe that the weather is sometimes difi^erent at the same period in different years, arising from the winter or summer commencing earlier or later ; but we are not unaccustomed to the same vicissitudes here. The winter cannot be said, on any occasion, to last above four months ; and I have met with none who did not give it a decided preference to the winter of Scotland or England ; for though the cold is severe for six or eight weeks, the air is clear and dry, and much more tolerable than the chilling humidity which we experience here. The spring is too short to be designated a season ; but the summer and autumn are longer than we enjoy in %!t \! r\} I'll U 16 NOVA SCOTIA. J Britain, and the latter is the most agreeable portion of the year. LETTER III. SOIL. In my preceding letter, I briefly, but, I hope, com- prehensively, discussed the climate of Nova Scotia; and I now desire to offer a few remarks upon the soil, as next in importance to agricultural emigrants, and a matter of indifference to none. The soil of Nova Scotia will bear a favourable com- parison with that of most other countries — at least with all those in Europe and America which I have visited, in as far as I am capable of forming an opinion. It will pro- duce, in great strength and abundance, all the vegetable productions of England, and its climate will effectually ripen them in perfection ; others, also, which do not properly ripen in Great Britain — of which I may notice maize, or Indian corn, as one example. The hop-plant is generally grown — more, at present, as an ornament than for utility — and the grape-vine might be successfully cultivated in many districts. The province contains upwards of 9,000,000 acres, (exclusive of all land covered with water,) of which only one-sixth part has, at the most, been computed as incapable of cultivation, but is still valuable as affording a good deal of pasturage. I am, however, persuaded that, when property becomes more valuable, a respectable proportion of this description will not be held in so light esteem as at present ; for, in much of it, even where it appears forbidding, the large stones lie only on the surface of th ' ground, which is far from NOVA SCOTIA. 17 ■ 1: •f ^M H »ortion , com- ; and I s next tter of e com- st with ited, in ill pro- oretable ctually do not notice p-plant nament essfuUy ontains covered le most, is still I am, IS more ion will n much stones ar from being bad around and below them, and can be easily removed at a little expense and trouble, as has been done to some extent in the neighbourhood of Halifax within the last ten years. The most rugged and sterile part is along the Atlantic coast, but does not extend far in- land. Of the remaining five-sixths, little more than one can be called inferior ; and about four consist of very good and prime land, the best of which are denominated " Marsh- land^'' and " IntervaV The first is composed of alluvial sediment from the uplands, and deposition by rivers at their juncture with the salt water, and also by large tracts from which the tides are shut out by embankments ; the second by the deposit of large brooks and rivers when swollen by rains. These are exceedingly fertile, espe- cially the former, yielding, for many years, without any manure, heavy crops of wheat, with other grain and hay. I have often observed, besides, on the margins of lakes, marshes of many acres in extent, covered with natural grass, the soil of which was of much greater depth than I had the means of ascertaining. From one of these I had the curiosity of having a sample submitted to chemical analysis, by which it was found to contain, when dry, about 90 per cent of vegetable organic matter with phos- phates, requiring only an admixture of lime and sand (which are as abundant as here) to render it exceedingly fertile. The poor lands (about one-sixth) are argillacious and silicious, but, in many instances, by no means inca- pable of great improvement, at moderate expense. Agriculture has been strangely neglected in Nova Scotia, not a little from an unfortunate idea that the cultivation of the soil was a degrading employment ; but, previous to the American Eevolution, wheat was a current article of export to Boston by the Acadians, or original French settlers. No one can look upon the meadows, B Vi ^;-/^\, 18 NOVA SCOTIA. com fields, and orchards, in the settled districts, and turn their eyes tc the rich variety of luxuriant woods, hills, dales, and streams, everywhere within sight, without being stnick by the conviction that Nova Scotia must yet become a most productive agricultural country. Other causes have also contributed to the neglect or agriculture. The disposition of the country-people to engage in the fisheries, and the restless' practice of lum- bering j (as the cutting of large timber is called,) distract their attention from farming, which is, with extremely few exceptions, still in a rude and neglected state. The means of living are perhaps too easily obtained, and hence there is too commonly an absence of industrial enterprise amidst luxuriant vegetation. The thoughts of almost the entire population seem to be exclusively bent upon fishing, lumbering, trading, or any other pursuits, rather than husbandry, as the objects of gain, by which wealth may be acquired. Consequently, the attention of the country-people is divided and drawn away from its sober and proper pursuits. They are easy, and might be com- fortable, as many are ; but not a few feel discontented that they are not wealthy, which they think that they can only become by means of fortunate speculations, and very often ruin has been the consequence. There is but a very small portion of Nova Scotia under cultivation of any kind ; and upwards of 4,000,000 acres are still ungranted, and held at the disposal of the pro- vincial government, which are well worth the attention of the advocates of emigration, and of the thousands who now contemplate removing themselves and their families from their native country, which it resembles, and cer- tainly surpasses in many respects. Agriculturists might give part of their attention to the growth of flax and hemp, which can be produced there, of the best qualities, in the greatest abundance. And acl NOVA SCOTIA. 19 dturn hills, ithout ist yet ect or pie to • lurri' istract •emely The hence erprise almost ; upon rather wealth of the ;s sober )e com- itented it they ns, and El under acres he pro- tention ids who families ad cer- II to the 1 there, . And thus a share of the millions which we annually pay to foreigners for these commodities, might go to enrich future emigrants who are now struggling with difficulties at home, while the goods of our manufacturers will doubt- less find their way in payment for the imported material, the producers of grain and raw material reciprocally in- creasing their consumption of home manufactures. The general character of the scenery of Nova Scotia is pleasing, rich, and varied ; and, along the shores, the bays, headlands, and islands often present as beautiful views as the imagination can depict. LETTER IV. FISHERIES. The fisheries of Nova Scotia have been long considered, by the mercantile community, as the national wealth of the province, to the exclusion of its other resources — merely because they have hitherto furnished the principal articles of export. It is well known that all the coasts of British North America abound with fish in far greater quantities than frequent ours, and particularly with those kinds which appear most adapted for the use of mankind. Nova Scotia particularly participates in this source of wealth and support, from its configuration, and from its being the chief resort of the mackerel, which, excepting the salmon, are the most valuable fish. The farming popu- lations, all along the shores, have regarded their agricul- tural pursuits as merely secondary interests, in conse- quence of the very large " takes " which they frequently accomplish in extremely short time, as the swarms or i 20 NOVA SCOTIA. h ! shoals approach their vicinity. They are, in fact, more fishermen than farmers; and it is not an uncommon thing to see a field of grain, in process of reaping, deserted in half an hour, on a shoal of mackerel appear- ing, and left to lie exposed to any chance of the weather, or other assailants, for two, or perhaps three days. The descriptions of fish claiming special notice are the mackerel, salmon, cod, herring, and gaspereau or alewife. The mackerel appear in June ; but they are then, although much larger than our mackerel, poor, and rated by the inspectors as No. 3 quality. As the season advances, they improve, and, in July and August, No. 2 are brought to market. In September and October they are very rich, and in the best condition, and generally then the fishing is most successful; these are branded No. 1. The salmon appear about the middle of May, and before July are remarkably fine. They are caught in rivers ard at the mouths of rivers, and the fishing is very rarely deficient. Their price is frequently raised by the Americans purchasing large quantities for their markets, but at no time does the value approach what we would consider moderate in Britain ; and I am confident that, if they were properly cured and packed, they would command as high a price here as any taken in our rivers, and prove a very valuable article of export to the pro- vince. The codfish are chiefly taken on the eastern shores ; but, although they come in large shoals, they are still more abundant on the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts. The herring appear early in May in overwhelming abundance; and again in autumn, when they are very fat. They are larger than those which are taken on our coasts ; but there is a small rich description taken on the NOVA SCOTIA. 21 pro- north-west side of the province, principally in the vici- nity of the town of Digby, from which circumstance they have been called " Digby chickens." They are smoked, packed in boxes, and sent to all parts of the American continent, and have now found their way to the Clyde, where they are sold as *^ Nova Scotia herrings." There are, however, some taken in the Bay of Fundy, of infe- rior quality, occasionally shipped under this name. The gaspereau immediately follows the herring, which they resemble, but are coarser, and of inferior quality, although they eat very well when fresh. I have seen them taken with a pole-net, at the mouths of rivers, by men standing on the shore, lifting out their nets full, and as rapidly as they could repeat the immersion, which was only deferred by as much time as was necessary to empty the net. Probably the fishing was never more plentiful in Nova Scotia than it has been during the last two years. Suffi- cient salt and barrels could not be got to cure and pack the fish ; and, in many instances, large piles of mackerel and herring have been spoiled on the seaside. In such quantities are fish taken, that the fishermen too commonly neglect to put them soon enough in salt, and, consequently, they are often destroyed; at all events, they do not keep so long as they would do, were proper care taken in the curing. Much of this evil is attribut- able to the carelessness of some of the inspectors at the out-ports, whose duty it is to examine the fish, reject such as are unmarketable, and brand those which they pass with the name of their district. Hence it is very common to consider the character of the inspection as the most important point in determining the value or quality of the fish. The retiuTis to the province for the fish exported have diminished very much for some years back, from the high !.•< 1*1 Vii I') ■* I hf NOVA BCOTIA. protective duties imposed by the Americans, on purpose to encourage their own fishermen, who are permitted, by the unrequited liberality of the British Government, to fish so near as three miles' distance off the coast, beyond which privilege they are constantly trespassing, by com- ing nearer when not watched ; and also by the ruinously depressed condition of the West Indian colonies, which used to be their most extensive markets. Now, a pro- posal on the part of the Americans, that they should be allowed to approach nearer, and even to cure their fish on some parts of the coast, has been seriously listened to; while they, at the same* time, are gradually raising their tariff on all articles of British produce and manu- facture. The idea of such an innovation — without even the thought of requiring any reciprocal advantage — is most repulsive to the feelings, as it would be to the inte- rests, of our fellow-countrymen in that colony. It may not be uninteresting to give a statement of the exports of fish from Nova Scotia in 1846, which I can rely upon as certain : — Codfish, 302,520 quintals. Henirgs, 23,200 barrels. Mackerel, 49,235 do. Salmon, 203 tierces. Do., 7,814 barrels. Do., 336^ do. Do., 224^ do. I regret that I am not able, at present, to give also a statement of the exports of fish from the neighbouring provinces of Newfoundland and New Brunswick. This trade is of far greater importance than any conception is formed of in Great Britain, and is carried on to various foreign countries, both in Europe and America. With Canada, although a near sister province, this trade is onjy commencing. The seal-fishing I am less acquainted with ; but it is NOVA SCOTIA. 23 prosecuted to a considerable extent, in small craft fitted out in the spring for the purpose. With Kn increased sea-going population, the fiaheries might be augmented to an incalculable extent. And it is to be hoped that our legislators may see the advantage of at least retaining sucli a valuable branch of enterprise to the benefit of our own people, instead of giving away their rights to other nations who will give nothing in return. LETTEK V. MINERALS. It is long since the importance of the minerals in Nova Scotia has been recognised, even by those who, from prejudice or ignorance, have depreciated its soil, climate, and agricultural capabilities; and the Crown making reservations in the grants of land in this colony, is a proof of the appreciation of their presumed value. These re- servations differed at different times. The older grants only reserved gold and silver ; the next in time reserved also copper, lead, and tin ; afterwards iron and coal, and latterly, all minerals, without exception. The impolicy of these reservations need hardly be discoursed upon. They have rendered the owners of lands, under the more recent grants, not only careless about the discovery of minerals on their properties, but actually anxious to con- ceal the information in their possession of benefits which they cannot, for the present at least, enjoy — the right of which is invested in a company claiming under the late Duke of York, to whom, upwards of thirty years ago, a sixty years' lease of the minerals, then under control of ;; IH 24 NOVA SCOTIA. the Crown, was granted. The validity of this lease has been recently questioned, in consequence, it was said, of certain conditions which were attached to it nOt having been fulfilled. But, as any movement towards its reduc- tion has not been effectually followed up, I doubt if the objections have been founded on sufficient grounds. There are, however, several portions of the province which are free from any encumbrance^ where the lands were granted previous to the American Revolution, on which there are no reservatimis^ except of the precious metals, and the company to which I have alluded have no claims upon them. The counties of Annapolis and Colchester, in particular^ have free grants. Iron and coal may claim the first f^ttention ; and of these, rich and extensive fields of the best qualities have been discovered in various localities, commonly associated with each other, and accompanied by vasts deposits of carboniferous limestone. A respected friend of mine has a specimen of specular iron ore, from a mine recently opened, weighing 549 lbs., which is well known to be the richest of the ores of iron. This character is more or less applicable to all the veins which have been observed, all of which can compete with the best Swedish ore. Iron pyrites is universally distributed, and is found in crystals of various forms, also in amorphous and globular masses.* The coal, of which inexhaustible fields have been dis- covered, is of a highly bituminous quality, and each dif- ferent variety has its peculiar property for domestic or manufacturing purposes : they cake after the smoke and flame have passed off, retain heat, and furnish a good fire for a long time. They are much valued in the United * Since this letter was written, I am in possession of the result of the examination of several of the iron ores by Mr Mushet and Mr Cairns, for which see Note appended to this letter. NOVA SCOTIA. 25 States, to the principal cities of which they are regularly shipped. Some of the descriptions possess a peculiar quality in working malleable iron — the properties of wood-charcoal in a more condensed form. And, to give some idea of the extent of what has already been dis- covered, I may notice, that in tlie Island of Cape Breton alone^ which forms a part of the province, it has been calculated, and with care, that there are 120 square miles of land containing workable seams of coal ; nine of which, at least, are ascertained to be distinct and unconnected with each other, ranging from 3 to 11 feet each in thick- ness ; one of them, being submitted to analysis, was found to contain not so much as one per cent of extrane- ous matter : and I may mention that the thickness of the seams in certain other localities is reported to exceed these very considerably. Limestone is abundant, and in all its loc.'^lities of ex- cellent quality. I have been informed, by men who are practically competent to judge, that it is much superior to what we have in Great Britain or Ireland. Gypsum is also exceedingly abundant, and forms an article of very extensive export to the United States. It is found in many places sufficiently compact for archi- tectural purposes. Copper has been found in various places as sulphuret and carbonate, and in very rich specimens of gray copper ore, a sample of which yielded 75 percent of pure copper; but these do not appear in sufficient quantities to induce extensive operations. They are considered to be ramifica- tions of an immense vein which has not yet been reached. Lead ores have not yet been discovered in any quantity, but fine massive specimens of the sulphuret have been found ; also, some argentiferous ores, yielding about 30 oz. of silver in the ton. The oxides of manganese are also known to exist in various districts. 26 NOVA SCOTIA. M I formerly observed, that only a very small proportion of Nova Scotia is under cultivation. The rest is still in the primeval state of nature, under the dominion of the forest; and consequently mineralogical researches are attended with considerable obstacles. But, if we may judge by the small proportion which has met with scien- tific investigation, the mineral wealth must be indeed immense: these investigations have disclosed so much treasure, that a very large field appears open to the enterprise of the present and future generations. What- ever the extent of the coal-fields Tway be, en( ngh has been already discovered to supply America for centuries ; and I need hardly hesitate to apply the same remark to the iron. Nothing but capital and population is required to develop riches from under the soil to an incalculable extent. The Americans, who have heard of these trea- sures, are astonished at the apathy of the British ; but the want of sufiicient capital, and the absence of enter- prising men practically acquainted with mining opera- tions, have hitherto prevented the mineral wealth, which Providence has bestowed upon this country, from being in any suitable degree developed. The United States obviously present the best markets for iron ; and there the consumption is increasing year by year. I cannot attempt, in the abridged limits of a letter, to detail the various localities in which the coal, iron, and other minerals have been discovered ; nor is it of impor- tance to enter upon these particulars. It is enough for the present purpose to state, that they do exist there in great abundance, indicating still greater, and of such qualities as cannot be surpassed. The gradual improve- ments and opening up of the country will, doubtless, afford the means of farther discoveries ; and the mines of Nova Scotia must, at a future, but perhaps not distant period, become sources of immense wealth. Two iron- of NOVA SCOTIA. 27 r, ion of n the the 58 are may scien- ndeed much the ^hat- h has iuries ; ark to quired julable trea- but enter- opera- which L being States . there tter, to m, and impor- igh for here in >f such iprove- iibtless, mines distant iron- works are at present in process of construction by private companies, and it is only a wonder that many similar undertakings have not been sooner commenced. This very circumstance shows how very little the country is known, how much it has been overlooked and neglected. I had nearly omitted to notice, that slates have also been discovered in abundance, and that indications of antimony and culinary salt are evinced by specimens ob- tained, which induce a more minute research. Freestone and granite occur in profusion, and suitable for building purposes. Excellent grindstones are obtained from a stratum of sandstone between the coal-measures: they are much esteemed in the United States, where they are called " Nova Scotia blue grits." These important resources show the bountiful hand of Providence in bestowing for the use of a population, which must continue increasing for ages to come, com- bined advantages which are yet unknown in any other parts of the globe. Note. — Mr Mushet, who is so well known for his researches in iron ores and other minerals, says : — " From an examination of the samples of iron ore forwarded to me from Nova Scotia, I am enabled to pronounce that no ore of equal excellence has hitherto been discovered in tho United Kingdom. On reviewing all my experiments, I may remark, that I have never before met with any ore of iron which has produced results of such even and uniform excellence, excepting only the Indian Wootz ore ; and with this latter the results obtained were no way superior to those now under consideration, from the specular or micaceous ore. " I have no hesitation in affirming that the smelting of these ores, which are said to be inexhaustible, and the manufacture from them of pig-iron, bar-iron, and especially steel, must prove, under the most mediocre management, a lucrative under- taking, and one, indeed, as respects the manufacture of steel, of the greatest national importance. " Hitherto Great Britain has been dependent on Russia and ■!ll 28 NOVA SCOTIA. Sweden for her supplies of superior iron for particular purposes, requiring an article such as cannot be produced from coke-iron, and especially for the manufacture of steel of surpassing excel- lence. The opportunity now offers to shake off this dependence upon foreign nations for a supply of this essential commodity ; and from her own colony of Nova Scotia England may, if she chooses, henceforth look for her supply of steel or steel iron." Mr William Cairns of Glasgow has kindly permitted me to quote the following from a letter on the subject of the Nova Scotia iron ores, which I recently received from him : — " I was induced last year to pay a visit to that province, with the view of inspecting certain iron deposits; and although I had certainly formed a very high estimate of them, previous to leaving this country, from specimens, or rather samples, which I had obtained and tested on a large scale, yet I had conceived no adequate idea of what I witnessed on visitmg the spot, where I found a variety of valuable iron ores, in rich profusion, inter- spersed with limestone beds, and plainly traceable for miles along the unbroken surface of the ground. " I am aware of other localities presenting similar appear- ances, but, from want of time, I did not visit them. Good malleable iron was produced in a few minutes over the half- hour, and cast-steel in somewhere about three hours — each by a single process — ^and both of such a quality as to convince any one that these ores can produce iron and steel equal in every respect to any of Swedish manufacture, and at a widely diffe- rent price. The extreme facility, too, with which they can be worked, precludes all necessity for embarking large capital in such gigantic works as we are obliged to have in this country. I am quite convinced that no more than a fair trial is required thoroughly to establish their immense value. Some very fine specimens of the steel were prepared by Mr Mushet of Coleford, from which, among other instruments, some lancets were made ; and the manufacturer of these, who requires the most superior of all steels for his purposes, and who has paid as much as ^80 per ton for it, declared that he never had in his possession finer steel than this that he made the lancets from. " Compared with the present tedious and expensive manner of producing cast-steel — requiring, as it does, the highest-priced foreign irons to work upon — the Nova Scotia ore will provide an equal article, and at a very different figure — in my opinion, cer- tainly under ^20 per ton. The saving in erections that applies to the manufacturing of malleable iron, will also, in a great measure, NOVA SCOTIA. 29 [irposes, ke-iron, ; excel- ndence lodity ; , if she on." d me to e [Nova ;e, h with I had ious to , which iiceived ;, where inter- miles appear- Good le half- jach by nee any n every \y diffe- r can be pital in lountry. •equired ery fine !oleford, 3 made ; superior I as ;£80 on finer manner t-priced )vide an ion, cer- ^plies to aeasure. apply to this branch of the trade. My estimate of the iron ores of Nova Scotia is veri/ high ; but I believe they have only to be examined by any person who can appreciate their value, to lead to the same conclusion that I have come to." In Mr Cairns' report on the particular deposit which he crossed the Atlantic to inspect, he gives the following statement as the result of his examinations : — " Mine. — The iron ores are very abundant, the extent of the vein not yet ascertained ; but enough has been exposed to show that the deposit, as regards mining operations, is inexhaustible, can be worked with great facility and economy, and the quality of the ores suits them for the manufacture of iron of every description. " Flux can be had plentifully along with the ore. " Fuel. — There can be no scarcity of timber in the vicinity for a long period of years. The description of wood is suited to the smelting of iron, as well as to the manufacture of charcoal for iron purposes. " Coal develops itself in various places, and, from specimens obtained, it promises to be of fair quality ; while a correct esti- mate on this point cannot be given till it is perfectly opened up and examined in bulk — ^at present it appears to be extensively distributed over the property. " Fire Clay can be procured in large quantities with compa- ratively liiitle labour. A quantity which I saw dug out appears to be of a superior description, well adapted to the manufacture of fire brick and steel melting pots. This description of clay is of the greatest importance, as it is of this material the various kinds of furnaces for the manufacture of every class of iron and steel are constructed." LETTEE Vl. CONCLUSION. My letter on the Minerals of Nova Scotia con- cludes my remarks on that colony. I shall, however, make a cursory review of the subjects of my several ' L 30 NOVA SCOTIA. letters, that I may be the better enabled now to offer a few observations on what I conceive to be a matter of no small importance — the judicious selection of a field for emigration from this country. In my first letter, I invited the public notice to Nova Scotia on account of its proximity to Great Britain, (it being the nearest point of the American continent to Europe,) its nearly insular condition, and the vicinity of every district in it to excellent harbours, with which it is surrounded, its numberless streams and rivers, its advan- tages in geographical position, and an uninterrupted navigation at all seasons. In my second letter, I called attention to the salubrity of its climate, its adaptation to British constitutions, its conducing to health and longe- vity, and its ability to ripen in perfection all the vegetable productions of England, and others, also, which do not, in Britain, reach maturity. In my third letter, I showed how large a proportion of the land is suitable for agri- culture, and of how very superior quality a considerable part is ; stating, also, some of the causes of the neglect of agricultural pursuits in that colony, (which would form no obstacles to emigrants from England or Scotland,) and the immense tracts which have never been touched by man, still remaining in a state of nature. In my fourth, I gave a brief account of its extensive and valu- able fisheries. And, in my last, I endeavoured to convey some idea of Its vast mineral wealth. It is very far from my intention or wish to depreciate any other of our colonies, or to use urgently persuasive arguments in favour of Nova Scotia. My object has been to state only facts, and to give the community every opportunity of judging for themselves in a question of so great moment at the present day, when the necessity of emigration is so generally and perceptibly felt, and when the splendid provinces of British America are so miser- NOVA SCOTIA. 31 offer a r of no eld for ) Nova am, (it lent to nity of eh it is advan- rupted '. called ition to longe- getable do not, showed )r agri- derable neglect lid form otland,) touched In my id valu- convey preciate rsuasive ject has y every on of so jssity of id when ) miser- ably neglected and midervalued — never understood, and now almost forgotten — in consequence of the public journals and interested writers declaiming upon the merits of more distant lands. If vicinity to the mother country is agreeable to the emigrant, as it must be to his interest, in as far as the shortness of the voyage and economy in passage-money are appreciated, then the situation of Nova Scotia speaks for itself— there is no room for a word of argument on this point. If the manners, customs, and habits of his native land may be agreeable to his condition in that of his adoption, he will meet with them in Nova Scotia as perfectly as in removal from any one portion of Great Britain to another. If he ha^ any anxiety for the pre- servation of bodily health and vigour, in his change of residence to a distant or untried land, in Nova Scotia he will meet with a climate certainly at least as wholesome, and in many respects much pleasanter than ours. A very grievous misapprehension has obtained respect- ing the climate of British America, in that it is colder than ours. It is no easy matter to dispossess men's minds of prejudices, and many cannot imagine a climate differ- ent from their own, except in the extreme of tropical splendour on the one hand*, or hyperborean austerity on the other. Many years ago, when in the Island of Sicily, taking a walk with a friend in the neighbourhood of Messina, a sudden shower drove us to take shelter in a country wine- shop. We sat down at one of the tables, and, while par- taking of the fruit and wine which we had ordered, entered into conversation with the landlord and another person (a native of the country) present. One of them asked us of what country we were ; and, when we answered that we were from Scotland, he inquired if oranges and lemons grew there ? We replied in the negative, and his 32 NOVA SCOTIA. I. I . friend immediately rejoined in observing that Scotland was a cold, bleak country, where it was always snowing and freezing. The Sicilian was much more excusable in his error respecting this country than our people are in theirs respecting British America. He knew that Scot- land was much farther north than his country, and, hear- ing that oranges and lemons (as common in Sicily as cabbages and turnips are with us) would not grow there, naturally concluded that the climate must be severe and forbidding : while the people of England and Scotland, knowing that the most northern cities in British America are farther south than the latitude of London, and that we have been regularly supplied from them with wheat and other grain, have still less reason for supposing that the climate of that extensive region can be any worse than their own. Nova Scotia is farther south than Lower Canada or New Brunswick, and being besides almost an island, participates much less in the severity of winter than these provinces do, and enjoys a more equable and milder summer temperature. It is only during the months of January and February, with part of March, that the cold there is more intense than we experience it ; and it must not be forgotten, that the air, although colder, is clear, and, being free from that iKsagreeable and unhealthy moisture which infests our atmosphere, is much more tolerable than the cold damp weather of Great Britain. The testimonies of those who have lived in this province ought to be of some weight ; and I have never heard one express a wish to change their place of residence. Those who have experienced its climate, for fifteen or twenty years, observe a very great improvement, during that period, in a diminution of the severity of the winter. It may not be out of place here to call attention to the well-known fact, in the history of climate, that the rigours of winter are abated, and the fierce heats of summer are M NOVA SCOTIA. 33 cotland nowing able in are in ,t Scot- 1, hear- cily as 7 there, re and Gotland, merica ad that wheat Qg that 7 worse I Lower nost an ;er than I milder nths of the cold it must 3 clear, healthy h more Britain, irovince lard one Those twenty ng that ter, n to the \ rigours mer are very considerably mitigated and influenced, by the amount of cultivation bestowed upon a country. The records of Great Britain furnish an eminent proof of this, and the same may be said of Germany and the north of France. The removal of the forests of a country produces a very appreciable elevation of the thermometer in winter, and brings the scale of variations through the year more nearly to the mean. Tillage and draining also improve a country, by breaking up of the land, and allowing any accumulated moisture to be evaporated by the heat of the sun. If relief from taxation is an object, I may safely assert that there is no country more favoured in this respect than Nova Scotia is. There are no direct taxes, and thf revenue is raised by very moderate import-duties on goods — so light as hardly to be felt by the consumer. If cheap living is a desideratum, there the necessaries, \ and many of the luxuries of life, can be had at less than half of their cost in this country — if we except bread, which is now nearly as cheap here as anywhere. If the harmless ambition of the emigrant is to possess a farm of his own, to which he may direct his study and labour, and on which he may spend his life in ease and comfort, in no country — not even in the United States — can he attain this position on cheaper or easier terms than in Nova Scotia; and nowhere out of Great Britain can he be nearer a good market for his produce. No industrious man, with ordinary prudence, is beyond the reach of the acquisition of property in a very short period. To the agriculturist. Nova Scotia presents a more favourable opportunity for successful enterprise than any of the other provinces, or any of the States of the Union which I have visited, on account of its combined advan- tages of position and extensive seabord — with its highly available climate and soil, and its adaptation to the modes C 34 NOVA SCOTIA. of procedure customary in Great Britain. To those who have been engaged in the fisheries on our coasts, or in our rivers, there cannot, in all the world, be a more suit- able choice ; and there is no part of the American conti- nent that can compete with it in wholesome, suitable, and cheap timber for ship-building ; for, besides othfer descriptions, I consider the Nova Scotia oak, when pro- perly seasoned, as good as any for this purpose except British or African oak. The vicinity of all sorts of wood to the coast reduces the prices to little more than the mere expense of cutting. To the enterprising capitalist, the vast mineral wealth offers a source of unbounded and richly remunerative occupation. The Americans are aware of this, and would rejoice more in the annexation of Nova Scotia than^of any other province to their Union. As it is, I am authen- tically informed that several have been recently peram- bulating the country with the secret purpose of ascertain- ing where the richest and most workable deposits are situated, and on what terms they might secure, them by purchase, but ostensibly with a different object in view. They will not now long allow these valuable treasures to remain useless or hidden in the earth, if continued to be neglected by those who ought naturally to use th o means of developing them. I would not be tedious, although I could enlarge much more on every point, did I consider it necessary. Other countries may hold out greater inducements in some single respects, but there are none that can offer so many aggre- gate advantages, especially to British emigrants. There we have a home prepared, suitable to all our habits and pursuits, in every respect adapted to our constitutions and mode of living, and comparatively quite at hand. It is no argument to ask why such a country has been neglected so long — there is a time appointed for every ^ NOVA SCOTIA. 85 purpose and event, although many sufficient reasons can be given. I have studied, in all my letters, to adhere strictly to the truth ; and those who may read them, who have visited the province, can say with what fidelity I have done so. 1 do not fear contradiction in any one of my statements ; and whether my object may be accom- plished or not, in any beneficial result of my humble endeavours, which I have ventured to hope for, I am sure that the time cannot be distant when that province, evi- dently prepared for most important purposes, and ready for the peaceful and happy occupation of mankind, must be brought forward to that position in the world for which it is so eminently qualified and assuredly destined. THE END. PRINTKD BV WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, UDINBrROH.