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I by errata med to nent une pelure, fapon d 9. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 S 6 VINDICATION ol» GOVERNOR PARR AND HI^ COUNCIL, ^GAIN$^ J^%' '»-«■• Gomplaints of certain. ip^rlonSi Mrho fought to engrofs 175,000 Acresof I.9i||d in ibTo^ Scptla* at t1)(l E^tptnce of Government,^ and to the great BfiCiudi^ of th^ JPro* vince and LoyaIifts.in general. J'ounded on various authentic LETTER'S and PaperSiI herein inferted. Jy a GENTLEMAN of HALIFAX, , OyAM REM yXTid DENT, QU^^O, ANIMADVERTS. '' Tm. And* w GOV] FROM IS TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT, Firft Lord of the Treafury, &c. 5cc. THIS VINDICATION OF GOVERNOR PARR AND HIS COUNCIL, FROM THE ASPERSIONS OF A RESTLESS PARTY, IS WITH ALL DEFERENCE INSCRIBED, BY HIS MOST RESPECTFUL, HUMBLE SERVANT, A LOYALIST OF NOVA-SCOTIA. V A 178. and and fully has GoV( bold Engl rica. fons, *i mi dccia and ; " po A Letter, faid to be from Nova Scotia, having appeared in the Morning Chronicle of June 21, 1784, reprefenting Governor Parr, the Chief Juftice, and the Members of the Council, to he weak, ignorant^^ and deftgning men, the affairs of the province unfkil- tully managed, and the new fettlements difcouraged, has made the following publication neceffaiy, that Government and the Public ma)' not be mifled by bold and unfupported charges from a Junto fpread in England, Nova Scotia, and the United States of Ame- rica. This junto is compofed of fifty-five vifible perr fons, '* of the moft refpedlable charaders, who for* '* merly had great influence in his Majedy's American ^* dominions," [if credit is to be given to th .ir own declarations in their letter to Sir Guy Carleton, No. II. j and an invifible C )pany, f* policy, ■p< 3rt »» s nei: The ( c ) The foundation of, perhaps, all the conipblnt? againft Governor Purr, and the Council of Nova Scotia, will appear to originate from the difappoint- nienc of the Junto, who ungeneroully and privately deferted the original propofals of the whole body of Loyalills, and endeavoured to cngrofs to themfclves a difproportionate and an unmerited ftiare in the lands allotted by Government for the benefit of the whole. The following letter from Sir Guy Carleton to Sir Andrew Snape Hammond ftatcs the expedlations of the Loyalills in common : No. r. SIR, Kcw-Tork, 22 Sfptemher, 1782.' JN conformity to the obfervations I had made in my Utter of the 25th ult. concerning the Retuj^ees her?, and their juft claims upon the public for giants of unoccupied lands in any part of 'he empire, imd likewife to thole communications which have been made me of his Majtfty*!> gracious intentions in this refpect, and with which, I prefume, )ou have ulfo been made acquainted ; 1 now inciofc a lill of fuch families or in- dividuals as, relinquifhing all hopes of repollefling their for- mer proper.y in the revolted provinces, are defirous of emi- j};rating into Nova Scotia, and of accepting there fuch grants of land as the prtfent condition of the province will enable you to grant; and which, confidercd as well- founded claims of jullice, rather than of mere favour, it is their very rea'on- able expeftation Ihould be done without payment of any fees, or any reiervaiion of quit rents, or any pecuniary obligations whatever. I am given to underftand, that upwads of 600 perfons (women and children inclufive] are delirous of embarking from n, and a much l.rger number the enfuing )cnce thi IS autum fp'ing; but I do not think 1 iliall be able to with Ihipping, &c. above 3Q0 perfons. In the im accom mean time odafte lai thofe many be abl furth( tion f\ obtair the a| ftron| JOU u am ( 7 ) Nova ppoint- rivately [)ody of illlvcs a e lands vho!e. \ to Sir lions of »r, 1782; y Utter of and their 1 landi in unication$ intentions alfo been ies or in- ; their for- s of emi- uch grants i\\\ enable ded claims ery rea'on- if any fees, obligations 00 persons rking from he enfuing commodafte ean lime, I am am to recommend to your favour and protection MeflVs. Amos, Botsford, Cvimmings, and Haufcr, Agents for tlie Loyalilh, as well for thofe that go this autirv.n us for thofe that follow after (a more pcrfcdl litl of whofe names, and the number of each family, as far as can now be afcertaint d, they will hive tht' honour to prtfent): and I am to deiire you, Sir, to give them the necefTary afTilance in exploring the country, in order that thev may be able to fix on proper places for fcttlements ; and for this end it will be nccefTary alfo, I prefume, that they ihould have fuch acccfs 10 the Records of the Province as mny be jull and proper. Their expedlation is, that they fliall be accommodated with fuch trafls 01 unappropriated lands as they fhdl chufe to fettle in, and 5 or 600 acres be granted to a family, and 300 to a fingle man. You will find likewife, that provifion will be made by the Agents for grants of land for the ufe of the Church, and for Schools ; and that it will be dcfired that 2000 acres may be appropriated to the former, and loo^ to the latter j which i cannot but very earneftly recommend. Thefe perfons are to be confidered as real efficient fettlers, already acquainted with all the necefTiry arts of culture, and habituated to fettltmcnts of the like kind ; and who, inde- pendent of their juft claim:;, will bring a large acctiTion of llrength, as well as of population, into the province. And as they have merited much by their exertions in fupport of Go- vernment, fo they will not only, in my judgment, be well entitled to grants now dcfired (exonerated of .ill prefent and future pecuniary demands), but 10 all fuch advantages (>f every fort as may have heretofore been proniifed, by proclamation or otherwife, to perfons invited to fettle in that province. I am to inform you, Sir, that it is my intention to ftirnifh thofe who mean to pafs into your province this fall w.th as many neccffaries and accommodations of every kind as I ft-all be able, in order to fupport them during the winter; and I »ini further. Sir, earneftly to recommend them to your confidera- tion for fuch other aid and fypport as they can only locally obtain; I mea,-, more particularly, materials for building, and the aid of fuch workmen, as, in fo jurt a caufe, and fo ftrongly recommended from home, your own zeal will enable jou to fupply.— -f or the reft, I mull refer you, Sir, to thofe B z gentleman ( 8 ) gentlemen already named, who will acquaint you more at large of the vifws and cxpei^aiions of tlicir eniployers. J am, Sir, your nioll obedient, And molt humble fervant, ^ true Ccpy, M. Mo CAN, Secretary. GUY C A R L E T O N. 5/r Anihi'-w Snape Hammond, ijfc. l^c, Halifax. This letter was delivered by Mcir B'>tsford, Cum- nilngs, and Haufcr, Agents for the whole body of Loyalifts, to explore the lands, and conduct their in- tercft in Nova Scotia, and to correfpond with their Committee at New-York, viz. Rev. Mefi'. S. Seabnry and John Sayre -, Satnpfon S. Blowers, Samuel Hake, John Dole, George Leonard, Efqrs. and others. — The fame year, 1782, Major Ward failed from New- York wiih 300 emigrants to Nova Scotia, The affairs at Nova Scotia and New-York wTnr on amicably among the LoyaliUs till Auguft 1783, when it was difcovered that the Rev. John Sayre, with fifty-four other perfons, had privately prefentcd la Sir Guy CarleLoi^^ the following letter : No. II. SIR," NervTork, July 22, 1733. Y^UR Exctllency'a kind attention and offers of your fupport to us, demand our warmcft thanks, which we beg the fa- vour of you to accept. The unhappy termination of the war obliges us, who have ■ e'ver been Jit aJy in our duty, as loyal fubjeiis, to leave Oiir homes ; and being dcllrous of continuing to enjoy the benefits of the Eriiifli hi Lr hi be at at large TON. Cum- body of their in- ith their Seabiiry cl Hake, rs. — The m Ncw- c went on 83, when yre, with fentcd iQ > 22, 1733. our fupport beg the fu- , who have our homes ; lefits of the Brltifli J ( 9 ) Eritili conditution, we mean 'o feck an afylum in the province of Nova Scotia. Confnicring our fcv' ral charadlers, and our former fituation in life, SVC iruil you wi!l j fubmiitcd for your Extellency's confideration. 1. That a traiJl or trails of land, free from difputed titles, be laid out for us in Noia Scotia, in fuch part of that province as one or more gentlemen, wl om we propofe to fend forward for that purpofc, being firll appioved of by your Excellency, ihall pitch upon for us. 2. That this tra^ be fiifficient to put us on the fame footing with field-olHcers in hia Majelty's army, with refped to the number of acres. 3. That, if ioHlble, thefc lands may be exonerated of quit- rents. 4. That they be furveyed and divided at the expence of Government, and the deeds delivered to us as foon ai poffible, feml'.ting the fees of ofnce, 5. That, while we make this application to your Excellency, we wifh not to be underftood as foliciting a compenfation for the lofles we have fullnined 'during the war, begaufe we arc humbly of opinion, that the fettling of fuch a number of Loyalills of the moft refpecflable charaders, who have conjiantly had great influence in his Majefty's American dominions, will be highly advantageous in difFufing and fupporting a fpiiil of attachment to the Britifn conllitution, as well as to his MajeOy't royal perfon and family. We have only to add our carnefl requeft of your Excellency's aid and fupport in carrying this matter into execution, as foon as it ihall r "'•port with your leifure j and to aiTure your Excel- lency, ( 10 ) hitcy, that we are, with great reipciEl, your Excellency's moft hcmble and molt obedient fcrvants. \ Signed by Addifon, Henry ilnderfon, James Billopp, Chriflopher Bell, Andrew Barrel!, Coiban Blane, ! homaa B uden, John Bannifter, Thomas C mpoell, Coiin CamjJLcIl, Wi'l:am Camp, Ab'athar Crannell, Bartholomew Chandler, Rufus Chand,'';;, Nathaniel Coffin, Nathaniel Chaloner, Walter Clarke, James Chjpman, Ward Ca telyou, Aaron Davi?, Benjamin Pcna'dfon, Samuel Fe- ley, James Goldlberry, Samuel Henderfon, Hugh Horfefield, Thomas Ing^s, Charles Knox, Thomas Livingfton, P. J. I.utwyche, E. G. Lonr^worth, Ifaac Maudfley, John Moore, John Peters, James Peters, Henry Pan ton, George Potts, John Roome, John Le Chev. Seabury, David Seaman, lUchard Seaman, Benjamin Sayre, James Sayre, John Skinner, Stephen Smith, John Stewart, Anthony Taylor, Jofeph Taylor, William Taylor, Jofeph Taylor, William Taylor, George Watfon, John Wanton, William Wilkins, Ifaac Willard, Abijah Willard, Abtl. Upon this letter, Sir Guy Carleton wrote to Gover- nor Parr in the manner mod agreeable to the fifty-five figners, recommending the following perfons, the Rev. John Sayre, and Anthony Stewart, Philip J. Livingfton, and Nathaniel Chandler, Efqrs. to Go- vernor ( >I ) vernor Parr, as Agents to the Fifty-five, who were recommended alio for 5000 acres each, and to the privilege of locating their lands wherever tiey pleafed. Thefe Agents failed from Sandy Hook, Auguft 8th, 1783, to Nova Scotia, leaving at New-Y^''k Thomas Knox and Williaxi Taylor, a Committee of Corre- fpondence. The Loyalifts about this time difcovcred the art and defigns of the Fifty-five : a meeting of them was held immediately ; when they agreed upon, and appointed a Committee to prefent, a Memorial to the Commander in Chief, of which the following is a copy : No. III. To His Excellency Sir GUY CARLETON, Knight of the Moll Honourable Order of the Bath, General and Commander in Chief, &:c. &c. The Memorial of the Subfcribers Humbly flieweth, T^HAT your Memoriallfts, having been deprived of verjr va- luable landed ellates, and conliderablc perfonal properties, without the lines, and being alfo obliged to abandon their poflcf- iions in this city, on account of their loyalty to their Sovereign, and attachment to the Britifli conrtitution, and feeing po profpeil ol their being reinftaced, had determined to remove with their families, and fertle in his Majeily's province of Nova-Scntia, on the terms which thiy underllood were held out equally to all his Miijelly's perfecuted fubjccts. That your Memorialifts are much alarmed at an application which they are informed Fifry-iive perfons have joined in to your Excellency, foiiciting a recommendation for trails of land in that province, amounting together to tivo hundred and feventy five thoujand acres^ and that they have difpatched forward Agent* to furvey the unlocared lands, and feleft the mofl fertile foots and defiiable fuuations. That, ( 12 ) That, chagrined 33 your Memorialifts are at the manner in which the laie conteft has been terminated, and difappointed as they find themfelves in being left to the Ipnity of their enemies, on the dubious rrcommcndation of their leaders, tlu y yet hoped to find an afylum under Britilh protertion, little lufpetiing there could be found, among their fellow- fufferers, perfcns un^ienerous enough to attempt engrolhng to themlelvLS fo difpropurtionate a (hare of what Government has allotted for thetr common be- nefit, and fo difF-i-rent from the original propofals. That your Memorialifts apprelumd feme mifrepreftntations have been ufed to procure fuch extraordinary lecommendaLions, the applications for which have been mod ftudiouOy concealed, until now that they boaft its bcin;.; too late to prevent the etFccl. Nor does it lelfen your Mcmorialills furprize toobfeive, that the perfons concerned (feveral of whom are faid to be going to Britain) are moft of them in ealy circumftances, and, with fome exception?, more diftinguiflied by tl'.e repeated favours of Go- vernmenr, than by either the greatnefs ot their fuffcrlngs, c,r the importance of their fervices. That your Memorialifts cannot but regard the grants ia queftion, if carried into efFei!i>, a"* amounting neatly to a total exclufion of themfelves and families, who, if they btcome fet- tlers, muft either content thetnfclves with barren or remote lands, or fubmit to be tenants to thofe, moft of whom they con- fidcr as their fuperiors in nothing bat deeper art and keener policy. Thus circumftanced, Your Memorialifts humbly implore redrefs from your Excel- Itncy, and that enquiry may be made into their refpc dive IcftVs, ftrvices, fituations, and fufferings ; and if your Mcmoiialifts fliall be found equally entitled to the favour and prottdion of Government with the former applicants, that they may be all put on an equal footing ; but ftiould thofe who firll applied be found, on a fair and canJid enquiry, inore dcfcrving than your Memorialifts, then your Memorialifts hunibly rcqueft that the locating their extenfive grants may at leaft be poftponed, until your Memorialifts have taken up fuch fmall portions as may be allotted to them. And your Memorialifts, as in duty bound, (hall ever pray, &c. Av:y- fork, Aug. 15,1783. Signed bv Samuel Hake, and above 6oo others. Tq manner m )|)ointed as lir enemies, yet hoped ^(tting there uniienerous opuitionate rominon be- refcntations Tieiiilations, :c»nct'aled, t the etfccl. ve, that the )e going to , vviih lorae urs of Go- iffcrings, or e grants la ily to a total become fet- 1 or remote m they con- and keener your Excel- c £live Icll'tP, McinaiialiAs rotedion of ' may be all t iipplied be ig than your eft that the :poned, until IS as may be >d, fhall ever ! 600 Others. To i ( 13 ) To this Memorial His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton was pleafed to rettirn an anfwer to the following ^ffedt : No. IV, 'pHAT his Excdiency, within thefe few days, has had reafbn to believe that no one perfon will obtain a larger grant of lands in Nova Scoiia than one ihoufand acres— That the power of iffuing patents for lands there refides folely in the Governor, to whom hia Excellency will immediately forward the Memorial, which he apprehends will arrive before patents can be made out for the trad of land mentioned in it — And that it was his opinion no perfons fhould be allowed to take up lands in that province, but thofe who mean to refide there, till the Loyalifts are firft ferved ; and that his Excellency will do every thing ia his power for the Memorialifts, and believes ibey will have no caufe to complain. The Committee were alfo informed, from.tlie moil refpeftable authority, that the report of all the lands being occupied about Port Rolevvay was groundlefs ; Governor Parr, who was ex- tremely folicitous to do jullice to every individual, having made a referve of a fufficient quantity of lands there, for the accom- n\odation of thofe Loyaliiis who ilill propofcd to embark for that place. From this Ahfwef of Sir Guy Carleton to their Memorial, the Loyalifts had reafon to hope that the Cruel defigns of the Fifty-five " moft refpedtable cha- racters" would give wa;y to the Intereft of the whole body of their fuffering brethren : but they foon found there was no favour to be expedted from th6 generofity andjuftice of the Fifty- five, who purfued their ob- jedt with an eagernefs that few of them ever (hewed in behalf of his Majefty's government and fervice. The following Journal of their Agents in Nova Scotia (hews their activity and zeal in the important C bufinefs ( u ) f ! ! bufinefs of obtaining five thoufand acres to the ufe of each member of the affociated Fifiy-five ** moft re- ** fpeftable chara(5lers." ji Journal of the Proceedings of the yfgents for the AJJociated Loyal Jisy from the Sth day of Auguji to the 2^th day of September , 1783' JOHN SAYRE, Philip J. Livingfton, and Nathaniel Chandler^ left Sandy-Hook on Friday the 8th day of Auguft, and ar- rived at Annapolis the 17th. — They forwarded, by the Grand Duchefs of Ruffia, Captain Holman, a letter to Thomas K.nox and Williatn Taylor, Efqrs. Committee of Correfpondence at New-York, which was in the words following : GENTLEMEN, JmapoIiSf AuguJl 19, 1 783. 'IIIT'E have the pleafure to Inform you, that we arrived here on Sunday laft, after a paffage of te« days, having; left Sandy- Plook the 8th inflant, and that we (hill proceed to-morrow dn our way to Halifax. As Mr. Sayre is going to St* John's, and does not expe6l to return to this place on public bufinefs within a fortnight, and as we entertain no hopes of feeing Mr. Stewart at Halifax within the above time, we have thought it advifeable for our mutual interefl, agreeable to the powers of fubftitution delegated to us, to folicit the Honourable Stephen Skinner^ Efquire, to be a joint Agent with us in the important truft com- mitted to our care, which he has been pleafed to accept of until his return to New- York. We have done this from a conviition; that the meafure will be perfedlly agreeable to the AfTociation, and that no delays but fuch as are unavoidable fliould be fufFered in the profecution of an enquiry which, we hope, will prove of great benefit to us all. "We are, Gentlemen, with due rcfpecSt and regard. Your moft obedient humble fervants, PHILIP J. LIVINGSTON. NATHANIEL CHANDLER. JOHN SAYRE. Tlfmrns Knox and William Taylor, E/(/rs, Coiumittee of Correfpondcncc to ^Jjo-^ iiated Loynlijis, Stephen w «< he ufe of moft re- AJfociated .ih day of 1 Chandler^ il, and ar-' the Grand •mas Knox indence ac i9» ^7^3- ed here on left Sandy- morrow On John's, and nefs within ^r. Stewart \ advifeable "ubftitution n Skinner^ tfuft com- pt of until conviftiort Aflbciation, be fuffered ill prove of mts, jSTON. ANDLER. '* t Stephen ( 15 ) Stephen Skinner, Philip J. Livingfton, and Nathaniel Chan- dler, left Annapolis on Wednefday the 20th of Augull, and ar^ rived at Halifax, after a journey of 130 miles, on Sunday the 24th, about twelve o'clock ; the Reverend John Sayre intending to embark from Annapolis, with Captain Holman, for Sr.John*8 River, with his family, when they left it.— —On Auguft 24, the day of our arrival, delivered the recommendatory letter, his Exreilency Sir Guy Carleton was pleafcd to favour us with, to his Excellency Governor Parr, who was pleafed to exprefs his^ earned dcfires to ferve U3 in the bulinefs of our appointment.— On Thurfday the 28th, prefented to his Excellency Governor Parr a Memorial in behalf of the AlTociation, in the words fol- lowing, viz. To his Excellency JOHN PARR, Efquire, Captain- General^ '" and Governor, &c. The Memorial and Petition of Anthony Stewart, Nathaniel Chandler, John Sayre, and Philip J. Livingllon, in behalf of themftlves, and as attornies to Abijah Willard, and 50 others. Humbly (heweth to your Excellency, '■pHAT the unhappy termination of the war in America will foon compel your Memorialifts, who have ever been fleady in their loyalty to the bed of Sovereigns, and attachment to the B;iti{h conftitution, to feek an afylum in fome part of his Majefty's dominions, leaving their property in the hands of their enemies. That under thefe hard circumftances, and with thefe views, your Memorialifts beg leave to prefent themfelvea 9nd their Adbciates to your Excellency ; and to (hew that their former charafters and fituations in life have been fuch as to make them feel the reverfe of fortune which now awaits them > with a poignancy of diftrefs your Excellency's humane heart will more eafily conceive than they can defcribe. That, under the patronage of his Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, and from a perfect convit^ion of your Excellency's well-known generous and cordial regard to all his Majefty's loyal fubje£ts fufFering by the late rebellion, your Memorialifts embarked for this province, in the fulleft confidence that every wi(hed-for aid would be af- forded them by your Excellency, in promoting all their reafon^ ^ble views and expectations of obtaining a fubfillence in this C ^ |>rovince. ( i6 ) province. Your Memoriallds, for the above rcafons, with all deference, humbly requeft that your Excellency will be pleafed to diredl that a trail or traits of vacant land may be located for tfeem in the proportion oi five thoujivid acres to each of them, with the ufual allowance lor wade laiul, and land covered with water. That the quantity of land pr:iyed for may be afllgned thetn iri the Bay of St. Mary, extending on each fide the river Sifllbou into the back country, and towards a great lake lyir)g between Port Rofeway and the fa id Bay of St. Mary, i.ntil the quantity prayed for fliall be complemed, or fuch part thereof as (liall be found vacant, fituated as above-mentioned; and, in cafe of a deficiency of land in the Bay of St. Mary as above menrifuicd, that they may be favoured with your Excellency's orders to locate the refidue in any other part of the province where va- cant lands may be found. That the trail or trails of land fo by them located, may be exonerated of quit-rents, furveyed, di- vided, and granted to them, in like manner as lands are granted to other his Majefty's loyal fubjefts in the like circumftances. Your Mcmorialifts, intreating your Excellency's favourable re- gard to this earcell petition, as in duty bound, fliall ever pray. Signed PHILIP J. LIVINGSTON. Halifax, AugnJ} zZth, NATHANIEL CHANDLER, '- 17S3. On Friday the :29th, in the prefence of Charles Morris, Efq. ^urveyor.General, and Richard Buckley, Elq. Secretary of the i^iovince, his Excellency Governor Parr fignified in writing, at the foot of the Perition, his approbation of the fnme, and di- rected a warrant of furvey purdiant thereto. — On Saturday the 30th, a warrant of furvey was delivered to the Surveyor General, and is in the words following : JOHN PARR, Efquire, Cnpt.itn-Gcneral and Governor in and over his IMajelly's Province of Nova-Scoria and its Depend^rn- cics, Vice-Admiral of the fame, S:c. &c. &c. to Chaiics Morris, Efq. Chief Survevor of Land. Y^U are forthwith, by yourfelf or your Deputy, to admeafiire and lay our Anthony v^rewari, Nathaniel Chandler, John Sayre, Pliijfp Livingrton, &'c. &c. &c. &c. each a plantation containing five thoufand acres of land, upon St. Mary's B-iy, the nver Silliboo, and the land adjacent, obferving that they do vni lai hi{ as na th tra k ( '7 ) ns, with all i be pleafed located for them, with with water, ed thetp in iver Siflibou irig between be quantity f as (liall be in cafe of a menrioned, s orders to ce where va- of land {o by "urveyed, di- s are granted ircumftances, avourablc rc- 1 ever pray. NGSTON. :handler, Morris, Efq. cretary of the in writing;, at fame, and di- Saturday the eyor General, •)vcrnor in and its Deppndrn- :. to Chailts , to aJmeauirc landler, John a plantitinn :. Mary's B.x miles diftant, at two o'clock P. M.— — Monday 1 Jth, went in a boat five miles to the Falls of Sifliboo river, landed and walked two miles beyond the Falls, and exa> mined the country j where we found the lands high, and a great proportion of pine and fpruce in the woods, fome beech and maple, and the water too (hallow to pafs a fmall boat. The land below the Falls appears of a good quality, particularly the high lands, and contains a great proportion of hard wood, fuch as beech and maple, is well watered by fmall ftreams, and is navigable for fmall veiTels to the Falls.— —Tuefday 16, crolfed the river to view the lands refcrved for a town-plat, which we traverfed in various diredions, and found it every way fuitablc for this purpofe, the bank not more, in general, than 20 feet Iti height, apd in feveral places not more than lo, and convenient ■ -. - • .... ^^ ( i8 ) J for bmld'me 'vharfs ; the bench free from ftones, and with t perfc(5t good bottom, on which vcflfels may ground with fafety, 'The tide riles in this river, in 'ommon, about 20 feet; the channel is narrow ; ;ind oppofite the town piar, and for fomc diltance bevond, i^ fn)m 1 4 to 18 porue Ihore, at Sandy Cove. The breadth of the river at low-water mark is by cotTjputation 35 lods. This river has within it, and in the bay before its mouth, cod, pol- luck, lobders, bafs, troaf, falmon, flounders, fmelt, torn cod, and a fi(h called connor, rather fupeiior to the feabafs; with plenty of vyild fnvls in the ftafon ; and at its mou.h a ledge of flones, which forms a bafon lufficient to admit a (neat number cf fifliing-ciatt and fmall velTcls, in which they may lie with perfeft fecurity during the winter feafon. This ledge is ufed by the fiOiermen to dry their cod on, and is faid to be very cxr cellent for ihat purpofe. F'om the mouth of the river to the grand palTage is 18 miles, eftcemed excellent ground for cod- fifli, and reforted to as fuch bv the eadcn colonifts, as well a$ the fifhermen of this bay and the bay of Fundy, The petit palTage, diftunt nije niiles, is alio tfteemed a good fifhery, and, OL account of its vicinity, is more frequeiKed by the fettlers of this bay. Tt mufl alfo be mi*niioned^ thgt fogs, fo troublefome in the bay of Fundy, feldom infeft this river, and are never known to continue a whole day. Wednefday 17th, went up the river Sifliboo to Indian Creek, about two miles and ari half from its rnouth, ftretched acrofs the country to the Acadiai) fettlements on the Bay of St. Mary, to examine the lands back of the towp plat. In this journey of about four miles, we found the lands generally good j the timber chiefly beech, birch, and maple. Thurfday i8th, walked fix tiniles along the bay to the extent of the Acadian fettlements ; then ftruck into the woods, back of the fettlements, between three and four miles j then walked parallel to the bay the fame diftance, and returned to the head of the fettlements. This traft, for the greater part, confifts of two funken lands, feveral fmall lakes, the timber generally fpruce and hemlock : on the high grounds, the land^ tolerable j and the timber birch, beech, and maple. From the beft G and with t vith fiifety, o feet; the id for fomc ater. The th-eaft, and ig hills and ;id a fccure breadth of ods. Thijj , cod, pol- 3m cod, and bafs ; with h a ledge of teat number lay lie with id^e is ufed be very cxr ; river to the nd for cod- s, as well a; The petit iifhery, and, e fettlers of rroublefome are never 17th, went lies and ati the Acadiat^ |e lands back r miles, we eecb, birch, ong the bay ick into the four miles; nd returne4 'jeater parr, the timber s, the land^ From the beft I ( 19 ) Uh information here received of the vacant lands on this bay beyond us, we were fully convmced they do not merit our at- tention, the (hore bcmg very rocky, and the lanJs back, in gc neral, unfit for cultivation. Friday 19th, left the Acadiau fenlemcnti, and walked to Holman's Point, along the beach, 11 miles, where we lodged. Saturday 20th, left Holman'a Point' about teno'clock, after a very harrafling walk of 18 miles, through the worfl of roads. Sunday 2 lit, took paffage for Annapolis, where we arrived in the afternoon, and found Mr. Sayrc, who had juft arrived from St. John's. September 24th, this day refigned our agency, and gave the book of proceedings, power of attorney, and the balance in our hands, to the Rev. John Sayre, to be by him delivered to Anthony Stewart, Efq. at Halifax. Signed PHILIP J. LIVINGSTON. 2^ Sept, 1783. NATHANIEL CHANDLER. ' AnnapoUSf Sept. 23, 1783. GENTLEMEN, ^E had the pleafure to inform you, in ours of the 19th of Aiiguft laft, of our arrival here on the 17th of the fame •/ month, and of our entering immediately on the bufinefs of our agency. The journal copy inclofed will give you fuch a detail of our tranfadlions as can claim your attention. We have now to fug- geft our difappointment in not finding as yet tracf>s of land to locate equal to your reafonable cxpe6lations. You will pleafe to obferve, that the bed lands in the province bordering on na- vigable waters have been granted many years ago, and that very few trails, but fuch as are efcheatable, are now to be obtained, which merit our notice. You will therefore confider,whethcr, under thefe circumftances, your Agents are to apply for lands of this dcfcription, conceiving from their inflruftions they cannot now attend to them. To aid you in this enquiry, we enclofe you an aft of alfembly of this province rcfpefting cfchcata *; which, we think. * An A61 for enconraglng the improvement of lands In the Penln- fula of Halifax, and further quieting PoiTeflrion. Whereas great inconveniences and prejudices have arifen on account of not improving the lands on thePeninfuIa of Halifax ; and whereis, by I C 20 ) think, will Ihew you in how loofe and vague a mode this buff- ncfs is determined. That no time, however, may be ,loft, wC have to propofe that the towiifhip of (Jheller be explored, ly- ihg on the South fide of the peninfala, about 35 miles Wtft of the town of Halifajt ; Which, by info rion, is one of the bcrt cfcheatible tracfls on the fea coaft, and vcd until we hear of your determination on this head. W.* oeg to know, whether the tradt on Silfiboo river is confidered as an object worth your regard. We flatter ourfclves that the vacant tracf^s on Sr. Mary's bay would have been entirely acceptable. We preferred hy the abfence of feveral of the grantees, and the neglc5^ and death of Others, many of the lots lie walte : in order, therefore, to encourage the improvement of the land withm the laid Peninfula, be it enn^ed by his Excellency the Governor, Council, and Affsmbly, and by the authority of the fame it is hereby enafled, that, in all cafes where the grantees of lands within the faid Peninfula have been abroad fiom the province, or have lived thereon, for the fpace of feven years, and no improvement! made thereon for that time, and likewife, in fuch cafes where any grantees have claimed laid land, it fliall and may be lawful, upon an inqueft of office, on the oath of twelve men (worn for that purpofe, held before the commiflioner of efcheats and forfeiture*, ac- cording to the commiflion to him granted, and duly returned in the office of regifter of the court of chancery for the Governor and Commander in Chief for the time being, with the confent and advice of his Majefty's Council, to make grants and conveyances of Aich lands fo returned, which grants and conveyances (hall be good, valid,' and effe£lual, to all intents and purpofes whatever. Provided that it (hall and may be lawful for all perfons, intereded or intitled to fuch lands comprized in faid office, to traverfe the fame within twelve months fiom the date of fuch inqueft; and if the faid office not being traverfed within the faid time, the grant of fuch land, by virtue of fuch inqueft, by the Governor or Comrhander in Chief, with advice as aforefaid, (liall be abfulute, according to the form and effeft of fuch grant. And whereas it may be doubtful, whether the regiftry of lots of land, granted fimply as lots, without any formal conveyance under the feal of the Province, within the Peninfula of Halifax, or elfcwhere, in this Province, import a conveyance in fee fimple to the perfon in whofe name the fame are regirtered j for the quieting fuch perfons in their pofl'effions, be it enu6^ed, by the authority aforefaid, that all and every perfon having a right to claim by virtue of fuch regiftry, excepting the perfons abfent and neglefting to improve as aforefaid, ihall be entitled to a full and ahfolute eltate in fee fimple in the lands fo regiftered, any want of form in the faid registry notwtthftanding. u fituatioh proviiK trada sdc this bufi- y be jloft, wc explored, ly- iiilcs Weft of nc of" (he bcfl: III we hear of lOvv, whether •t worth your raifls on Sr. We preferred 5> and death of ;, to encourage 1, be it enr»£^ed ily, and by the cafes where the broad fiom the i years, and no s, in fuch cafts' may be lawful, (worn for that forfeiture?, ac- remrncd in the Governor and fent and advice ^yances of Aich be good) valid, fons, interefted averfe the fame and if the laid nt of fuch land, ander in Chief, to the form and iftry of lots of nveyaUce under IX, or elfcwhere, 3 the perfon in fuch perfons in irefaid, that all of fuch regiftry, ^ve as aforefaid* iple in the lands wUhftanding. u fituAtioh ( «i ) a f.to.ition on this bay, on account of the pcrfei^ cafe and fafety of the navigation, and its vicinity to the fidicries ; and, had the bnck land from Sifliboo, as far as wc explored, boen corrcfpon- dcnt to the two tlioufand acres in front (circumll.aiccd as ic . uas^ wo fhould not have hcfiratcd a moment in determining the location, it being one of the mod agreeable and convenicnc fiuations we have fccn ; and do therefore ftiU recommend a fur- ther exploring of this back country for at leaft 12 miles from Sidlhoo towards (be gieat iaite, and a refervation of this tra(5V, until your determination is known. If ihefe lands {hould not apply to our purpofe, we prtftr a location on the South fide of the pcninfula, on account of its nuircrous harbours and fi(heries» sind (he compara(ive fafety of its navigation. We have to ob« fervc, that the difiiculty and danger of the navigation within the B.iy of Fundy continually increafes from Cape Blowmindown, thro' the bafon of Menei, to Cobequid, at the head of one arm of the Bay, and through Chignedlo to Cumberland, at the head of the other arm of the Bay, with fcarcc any good harbours. The tide in this extent rifes from forty to eighty feer, and with futh rapidity as to form a column of water near the heads, four feet or more in height, called the ^oar, which together with the quickfands often prove deftrudlive to veiTels when grounded ; which often happens, as the ebb leaves the fl.ores and channels entirely dry for fome miles below high -wa- ter. Add to this, that all the valuable lands in that part of thd ■ province have already been granted, and that the few good trafts liable to cfche it are owned by per/ons of wealth and infu- encr ; and you will eafJy believe there is nothing in that quar- ter ix:orthy our purfuit. If, however, the original intention of the Allbciation is adhered to, and no lands are to be fouoht for but fuch as are free from difputcd claims, we, in this cafe^ (fuppofing the location on Sr. Mary's Bay not fuitable,) recom- mend fuch trails as may be vacant on St. John's River, the claims of the Provincial Corps as promifed by Government, being fir ft fatisfied ; which will carry Us about 125 miles from the mouth of the river. Amidft this choice of difficulties, it it not eafy to feledl the leaft : vye therefore only prcfume, Gen- tlemen, to f\are fafts with impartiality for your confideration j and ftill hope that the more accukteandinduftrioua inveftlgatioit I! 1; ( »» > of McfTrs. Stewart and S.iyrc will throw new llglit on the fubjcd, nnd hold up to your view a tra£t of country eligible and convenient. As Mr. Sayrc is juft arrived from St. John's River, and is going to- morrow to Halifjix, where wc hope he will find Mr. Stewart, we have rcfigncd to them ihe charge of exploring Cheftcr, and fuch other places as they may think proper, for the ufe of the AiTociation, and rcqucft you will be plcafcd to nominate other Agents in our Head, if mnre fliould be deemed proper, as we are under a necefllty of religning our appointment from this time, being well convinced that MefTrs, Stewart nnd Sayre will perfcft the agency as far as pofliblc, and therefore recommend that all letters from you in future be diredlcd to Mr. Stewart at Halifax. We fliall immediately clofc our expences from the fund, which unavoidably have been tery heavy, and remit the balance in our hands to Mr. Stewart, and lodge with him all the public papers, which weihall to-^ morrow deliver to Mr. Sayre for this purpofe. We have the honour to be, with much regard, , Yoar nioll obedient, and very humble fervants, PHILIP J. LIVINGSTON, NAT. CHANDLER. Tho'nas Knox and William loylor^ E/qrs. Committee of Correfpomlence for AJjo* elated Loyallfis, P. S. We have alfo enclofed a rough fketch of the lands aC SifTiboo as formerly .^id out. cc The Journal fpeaks its own meaning \ and tl^e map, with its curious remark on the public lots laid out at Siffiboo in the town-plat, points out the honour and public fpirit of the Fifty-five **moft refpeftable " charaders," — viz. " The refervations for the public ufcs may be divided into fmall lots for the benefit of the Fifty-five, and the church and frhool, the mill ( ^i ) lig'it on the untry eligible )m St. John's wc lope he che charge of •y may thlnfc you will be more fliouM religning our J that MelTrs. ar as pofliblc, LI in future be lediately clofc ly have been Mr. Stewart, we (hall tO'' ich regard, ible fervants, ^GSTOxN, ER. ^ the lands at :i and tl^e lie lots laid the honour : refpedtable T the public the benefit frhool, the mill mill and minifter, may take their iharcs in the back lands." Such condu^ was never thought of by Sir Guy Carleton, who had taken fpccial care of the church and fchool in his letter to Governor Farr, which were pointed out by the whole body of Loyalifts, and which Governor Parr had duly noticed. On the arrival of Livingflon and Chandler at Ha- lifax, the 2bth of August, 1783, they modeftly applied to Governor Parr for five thoufand acres of land, to be located, furveyed, and granted to each of the Fifty-five alibciatcs ; on the 29th the Governor complied with their requeft, and on the 30th he granted his warrant to the Surveyor General to ad" mcafure and lay out 5000 acres to Stewart, and to each of the Fifty-five aflbciates, although General Sir Guy Carleton had declared, in his anfwer to the Loyalills on the 20th of Auguft, '* that he had rea- *' fonto believe that no one perfon would obtain larger " grants of Lands in Nova Scotia than one thou- , ** fand acres." Be this as it may. Governor Park's readinefs to comply with the petition of the Fifty-five, fiievvs he did not feek to difcourage the Loyalifts fet- tling in his province. The furvey went on rapidly, and the patents for 5000 acre lots would have been granted without delay, had not Sir Guy Carleton tranfmitted to Governor Parr the remonftrance of the whole body of Loyalifts, and figned by more than 600 pcrfons, whofe fufferings, fervices, loyalty, and loil.3, were not inferior to thofe of the Fifty-five. a^ Governor € »4 ) Governor Parr, on receiving the faid remonftrancc and other information concerning the merit of the Fifty- five, very prudently refolved not to grant lands tq any perfon not refident in the colony, and that a thou- fand acres were fufHcient for one man. Livingfton and Chandler, feeing their plan of making tenants of their fuffering brethren could not be carried into execution, refigned their agency on September 24, 1783, and left Sayre and Stewart the Agents for the Fifty five. On Odober j6, I'J^^y thfir Aflbciares 9t New- York, being fully acquainted with what had been done in Nova-Scotia, held a meeting, and ap- pointed Samuel Goldlberry their agent and attorney to aft with or without Sayre and Stewart, to furvey the lands according to Governor Parr's warrant, and to obtain a patent thereof. The following inflrudions y/ere g;iven to Mr. Goldfberry \ , ' No. VI. 'PlRSTj— ~That, on your arrival in Nova- Scotia, you repair with all convenient Tpeed to Annapolis, or Conway, and re- queft the faiJ John Biddle to make every difpatch in his power to compleat the furvey of the lands mentioned in the faid war- rant J and in doing this, that you afford him every alTiftance in your power— That return be made of the lands fo furvcyed, and letters patent obtain-fd for the fame, as foon a? poffible. Second.— 'And, in ca^e the lands Co ordered to be forveyed Jhould be found inadequate to the purpofes of the application, and by you adjudged in fuiiicient to, anfwsr the prayer of our Mtniorial to His Excellency Governor P.ur, then and in fuch ^afe we recommend to you, v/ith or without the faid John Sayre ^nd Anihony Stewart, to make application to his Excellency tbQ GoTeruor i^ ( ^5 ) trance and the Fifty- t lands tq lat a thou- Livingfton ng tenants carried into ember 24, Its for the r Affociares , what had g, and ap- nd attorney , to furvey arrant, and : inftrudions a, you repair mvay, and re- ^ in his power ihe faid war- rv alTiftance in furvcyed, and ffible. o be furveyed \t application^ prayer of our en and in fuch aid John Sayre Excellency thQ Qoteruor Qorernor for tht: dine being for fuch other warrant or warranti of farvey for fjch other travfl or trails of land as will amount in the whole to the quantity of five tUoufand acres for each and every of the fu'^fcribers to the faiJ requeft or application to His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, as aforefaid. Third— -l>jeiven by thtir Excellencies the Commanders in Chief of his Majefty's Forces, and the countenance they have been pleafed to afford on the occafion, has greatly contributed to .people a country wrhere we have every reafon to hope loyalty and virtue will flourifh, to the honour of the parent flaie, as well as the happinefs of the fettler^. Encouraged by Sir Guy Carletqn, myfelf and fifty -four other gentlemen addreflcd his Excellency, flaring our lituation, and ihe Utile profpedt we had of returning to our former places of refidence, and praying his recommendation to Governor Parr for a grant of a tradl of laqd of five thoufand acres to us refpec- tively. His Excellency was pleafed to recommend the granting our requed, and we appointed the Rev. Mr. Sayre, Anthony Stewart, Philip John Livingfton, and Nathaniel Chandler, Efqrs, cur Agents to compleat the bufinefs in Nova Scotia. Meffrs, Sayre, Livingfton, and Chandler, left this place in Auguft laft ; but the fetilemeiit pf his family prevented the former of thefe gentlemen from paying immediate attention to the fubje«^. The other gentlemen however proceeded to explore the country, and obtained a warrant of furvey for the quantity of lands prayM for, to be laid out on the Bay of St. Mary and River Sifiiboo ; and, after having done this, religncd their agency to Meffrs, S lyre and Srevvarr, before the lands were furveyed. On receiv- ing their reflgnation we immediately met, and, conlidering the objcdl, r h head. ju(ltc« k^ 5, >78^ afe arii- r to youv >ur to be faithful s, in the my of us the very anders ia hey have ributed to pe loyalty .e, as well jour other ition, and places of rnor Parr IS reffiec- granting Anthony er, Efqri. Meffrs. gutt laft ; of tiiefe ; fubje<^. : country, ds prayM Sifiiboo ; Meffrs, n rtceiv- ering the objc£l| { 27 ) 6t)jca, mad€ choice of Mr. Samuel Goldlberry, a very worthy Loyalift, and one of our affociated, to procted in compleating the objed of the application. With proper powers and inftruc- tions on this head, he will fail with the firll fair wind for Pore Roleway, wheie he will leave his family, and proceed acrofs the country to Annapolis, in the hope of meeting with Mt . Biddle, to whom the execution of the warrant has been committed. I mart, however, take leave to mention to your Excellency, that, after wc had made our application to Sir Guy Carleton, a number of perfons were induced, from the mifrepreftntations of fome very turbulent people here, to prt- fent a memorial in oppo- fuion to our requeft. In this memorial they have mifreprefented fafts, and from falfe infinuations induced numbers to fign their rhemorial who would otherwife have declined ir, J beg leave to alTure your Excellency, that the affociated Loyalifts, intercfted with me in the application, are worthy of every attention, from their fufferings in pcrfon and property on account of their at- tachment to his Majefty's government; and, on the whole, I can truly declare, that the Affociation is compofed of geiitle- inen loyal to a degree, and worthy the protection of Govern- ment. ■ In behalf, therefore, of thofe gentlemen, permit me to folicit your Excellency's kind attention and countenance in perfefting the furvey, that letters patent may be obtained for ihofe landa pointed out in our warrant, as many of the Affociation will be ia Nova Scotia this fall and winter. Thofe gentlemen who go to England will be our in the fpring or fummer, and all wiO to have their lands marked out, fo that they may be enabled to fix themfelves as foon as the feafon will permit. Mr. Stewart, now at Halifax, will wait on your Excellency on the fubjeft : to him I beg leave to refer fot any other information you wifli on the head. With every feniiment of refpedl and regard, I have the honour to be, * .* • Sir, Your Excellency'* mofl obedient and - Moft humble fervant, • Signed ABIJAH WILLARD. . la ( ^8 ) In this letter are two aflertions worthy of the fup- pofed author, viz. " After we had made our applica- " tion to Sir Guy Carleton, a number of perfons ** were induced, from the mifreprefentations of fome ** very turbulent people here, to prefcnt a memorial " in oppofirion to our requeft — they have mirrepre* '* fented h6is," &c. &c. — *' I affure your Excellency, " that the aflbciated Loyalifts, intercfted with me in ^' the application, are worthy of every attention, from " their fuffcrings in perfon and property on account '* of their attachment to his Majefty*s government." — The fadts are, thofe *' very turbulent people,'* as Mr. Willard terms Samuel Hake, and other agents for the whole body of l.oyalifts, remonftrated to Sir Guy Carleton againft the infidlous Junto having 5000 acres each, wherever they might pleafe to locate them, not chufmg to be tenants to fuch fyndics, whofe ferviccs and lofles were not extraordinary in confe* quence of their loyalty. Sir Guy Carleton's anfwer, No. IV, proves the fafls had not been mifreprefented by Mr. Hake, &c. &c. &c. for his Excellency fent forward their memorial to the Governor of Nova Sco- tia, to prevent that fuccefs which the Fifty-five unjuft- ly expcdted ; and aflured the Loyalifts in general, that he believed no one perfon would obtain more than 1000 acres. , V. Notwithftanding the anfwer of Sir Guy Carleton, Mr. Willard and his Aflbciates refolved to deceive Go* vernor Parr, as they had done the Commander ia Chief, Ct r 29 ) Chief, ind obtain their wifhes ; but, for want of art honeft man unconneded with the fifty-five " aflbciated . ** Loyalirts worthy of every attention from their fufferings *' in perfon and property," the Commifiary of frefli Pro- vifions at New York was employed in the bufinef^ af . mifinformation, A bij ah, however, by ** afiuring Mr. Parr that the aflbciated Loyalifts interefted with hiniy^ &Ci &c. convinced the ignorant Governor and his defigning Council that the fifty- five aflbciated Loyalifts were much indebted to their trumpeter, who exalted them above meafure, becaufe he was " in- *^ terefled with" them.— Mr. Goldfberry, in procefs of time, with the help of other Agents, completed the furvey, and made a return thereof to the Surveyor General, with the expences attending it. Mr, Morris, the Surveyor General, certified the charge to be rea- fonable, and the Governor ordered it to be paid.-^ The agents then applied to Governor Parr for 275,000 acres to be granted to the fifty-five aflbciated Loaylifts, which would be 5000 acres to each perfon. — Go- vernor Parr refufed to make them the grant, till h« ihould know where the fifty-five petitioners were. The agents wrote to the Governor, that fome were in England, fome in Nova Scotia, and fome in the United States of America, endeavouring to recover their property. The Governor, no^ fatisfied with this an- fwer, called on the Agents to return the names of each perfon, and where each perfon refided* The Agents E • made ( "O ;> ) made a return according to the Governor's requifitiori. The number in Nova Scotia appearing to be very difproportionate to the whole Fifty-five, occafioned the Governor to anfwer the Agents after this manner : *' I am not authorized to give fo large a quantity of ' land as 5000 acres to one man, and therefore could not juftify myfelf in fo doing ; but I am able and ready to grant 1000 acres to each perfin, belonging to the company of Fifty- five, adually refident in Nova Scotia, and no more.'* The Agents, by the in- ftrudtions, could not accept of lefs than 5000 acres to each perfon ; they therefore refufed the fingle 1000 acres, and wrote to their Affociates in England that all hopes of doing any thing with Governor Parr were at an end ; at the fame time requeuing, in the warmeft terms, that their cafe might be laid before the Miniftry, as it was an objed: worth purfuing, and as the lands are the moft fertile and eligible of any in the pro- vince. The inferences naturally arifing from this plain narrative of facts are, 1. The Fifty-five " moft refpectable charadlers" have deferred their fuffering brethren, and fome of them betrayed their truH, by accepting an agency for t'.ie whole, and clandeflinely adting for a part. 2. They abufed Sir Guy Carleton bv their pom- pous but *' humble opinion of their former great in- " fluence in his Majefty^s American dominions," and thereby ( 3' ) quifitiori. be very ioned the manner : lantity of >re could able and )elonging jfident in )y the in- * acres to igle 1000 id that all rr were at warmeft Miniftry, the lands the pro- his plain larafters" fome of n agency a part. eir pom- great in- ons," and thereby thereby obtained his recommendation to Governor Parr, to the great prejudice of other Loyalifts, whofe fcrvices, lofles, and loyalty, preatly exceeded thofe of the Fifty-five, and who never claimed more than to be on a level with their fuffering countrymen, 3. The Fifty five, by endeavouring to fupplant their brethren in afflidion, as d:d the Dutch Pataroontf at New York in 1664, haveraifed a jealoufy, and form- ed a divifion among the Refugees in Nova Scotia, de- trimental to the colony, and dangerous to themfelves. 4. Governor Parr has adted with candour and wifdom in retufing to grant 5000 acres to one per- fon ; as 600 acres are abundantly fufficient in any new country for one family during thirty years. Large patents would depopulate Nova Scotia, as they have done Carolina, the Ifland of St. John, and Ca- nada. 5. Governor Parr has not injured the Fifty-five by withholding a grant of 5000 acres, on a fuppofitlon that his Excellency had power to comply ; bccaufe 1000 acres were offered to each of them that adually refided in the province, which is ample fatisFaction tor the trouble and expencc the company has been at in exploring the country. 6. Governor Parr granted a warrant to the Sur- veyor General to lay out 5000 acres in a plantation to each of the Fifty-five petitioners, upon Sir Guy ^arlcton's recommendation, and, after the fiirvey and E 2 returns ( 3i ) returns were made, coulJ not grant but looo acres toi each man — Tliis very extraordinary condudl in the King's Governor, to fpeak in the language of the Fifty-five, is accounted for in Sir Guy Carleton's an- fwer, No. IV. — viz. *' His Excellency, within thefe •^ few days, has had reafon to believe that no one " perfon will have more than looo acres,'* This declaration was publilhed in New York Aug. 15 1783, and the Fifty-five knew of it, as appears by Mr. Willard's letter, No. VII. Neverthelcfs, the Fifty-fivo purfued their objeft of 5000 acres each, vainly hoping Governor Parr would attend to his warrapt of furvey for 5000 acres, although forbid by his Majefly to grant more than 1000 acres to any one perfon — and it appears that the prohibition arrived after the war- rant for furvey was grafted, and before the return was made of the furvey. 7. A$ the Fifty-five folicited for the 5000 acres, npt as a compenfation for lolles, but for loyalty, the whol^ body of Loyalifts in Nova Scotia agree with Governor Parr and his Council, that 1000 acres of vvilderncfs land in Nova Scotia is ec^ual at lead to the Loyalty of thofe who offered to transfer their allegiance fro;ii the King to Congrefs at a lefs valuable price. 8. Suppofing Governor Parr could have granted 5000 acres to each of the Fifty-five, it would have injured the real Loyalifts who acflually refide in Nova Scotia ; whereas one fifth of the Fifty-five are refidents ( 33 ) ranted have refidcnts in the United States, in whofc fcrvice many pf them have been employed, and from whofe paft condud it is fair to conclude they will not be very ufeful " in diffufing and fupporting a fpirit of *' attachment to the Britilli Conftitution, and to his *' Majcfly's Royal Perfon and Family;" (vide No. II.) which affcrtion being true, has made many people floubt the authenticity of the words in the letter figned A. Willard, viz. ** 1 can truly declare, that the Affo- " ciation is compofcd of gentlemen loyal to a degree, " and worthy of the protedion of Government." 9. The Fifty. five (in No. II.) fpeak of a contrail between their former and prefent occupations, as rendering them unable perfonally to obtain a decent fupport, unlefs they may have 5000 acres each to cultivate with vaflals from Africa, Ireland, or Ame- rica. — ^What thofe moft refpedtablc charadlers mean by the word occupations muft be this or nothing ; That we were farmers, clergymen, lawyers, or tradef- men, but fince the war have been merchants, com- rniffaries, clerks, chaplains, and now fome are become rich gentlemen, and therefore cannot perfonally in future fupport ourfelves by induftry ; but if Govern- ment will enable us to inflave our fufFering brethren, we are humbly of opinion, that fuch a number of loyal fubjedts as the Fifty-five will amply pay the acres, enable coft. They then modcftly requefted 275,000 ;o be exonerated of quit-rents, in order to Fifty* ( 34 ) Fifty- live to fupport his Maje(ly*s Royal Perfon ai^cj Family, and to diffufe Loyalty through Nova-Scotia. lo. The Fifty-five declare they have had great influence in Americi, which may be true, if their influence is confined to the Britiih commanders, who have fo well paid them for their influence, that nearly half of the Fifty-five have been gainers, and not lofers, by the rebellion. Upon thi"5 ground, or becaufe fome of them were rebel committee-men, they modeflly requefled Sir Guy Carleton to put them on the fame footing with Field Oflii ers in refpefl to the number of acres, and to furvey and convey the land at the ex- pence of Government. — Whatever influence thofe gentlemen of the Fifty-five ever had in the now United States of America, it appears they have now none in Nova-Scotia with the ical Loyalifts, with Governor Parr, and his Council *, and it is prefumed the Miniftry will confider them in the fame manner, fliouKi they be humbly of opinion to f^licit Govern- ment for 275,000 acres of land in Nova Scotia, to be divided between the faid aflfociared Loyalifts. Government may, without much hazard, refufe giving lands in Nova-Scotia to thofe mofl: refpedable cha- racters, and reft the whole matter 'jvith Governor Parr, who has done all in his power to have the lands ef- cheatcd, and to give indifpiitable titles to indufl:rious people, whofe perfonal fervice is ufeful to themfelves, and whofe Loyalty and Fidelity cannot be TRANS- FERRED, I Fl va Vi fiv va hi: Sc or Jul . ( 35 ) FERRED to Congrefs or the United States for the value of twice 275,000 acres in New-England or Virginia. ir. Hence this conclufion— This Junto of Fifty- five, and iheir invifible AlTociares, are fecking to ad- vance themielves, at the expence ot- Governor Parr, his Council, and the whole body of Loyallfts in Nova Scotia ; and from them originate all com])laints made or publifhed againfl: Mr. Parr, whofe humanity and judice are as confpicuous as his name and candour. F I N I S.