IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) Y // {/ 4^ ^9 ^ ///// V' ^ y&- ^^ u. V] <^ /i ^> 1.0 |iO ""^^ 1.4 iil 1— IIP. Ii4 I.I 1.25 A." ► l^i o Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 . :t\ ..^ ■"! REPORT. TO HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SIR WILLIAM MACBEAN GEORGE COLEBROOKE, K. H. Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New-Brunswick, ^c. Sfc. ^c. :a 'I- *■ # May it please Your Excellency, — It has been deemed proper to divide the Report, which 1 have now the honour to lay before Your Excellency, into two parts ; and to give a topographical, as well as a geological account of the districts explored during the past season. It will be observed that almost the whole of the country to which my labours have been recently devoted, is in a wilderness state, and still remains the ungranted property of the Government. In consequence of the demand and price for the timber of the Province having been reduced, a great number of the in- habitants have been compelled to seek a livelihood by cultiva- ting the waste lands; and one of the objects of the topographi- cal part of this Report, is to supply information in regard to such districts as are best adapted for immediate settlement The knowledge heretofore possessed of some vast and important tracts of land within the Province, was confined to a few lumbermen, whose observations were directed to the timber found growing uiiou the surface ; it was, therefore. ^ 4 A PREFACE. necessary tlmt as much information as possible should be acquired of the interior of a Province, winch had never been evnlored, with reference to the discovery of its natural produc- tions, the quality of the soil, and the advantages it offered for settlement. .^ ^ . ^.t In the topographical part of the present Report, the soil, forests, and indigenous plants of the tracts explored, will be briefly noticed ; also the rivers and lakes, with the facilities thcv offer for internal communication. Sites for canals, rail- roads, bridges, mills, &c. will also receive a passing remark, with a view to make the country better known and to deveiope its true features. . It will be seen in the body of the Report, that an immense extent of country, penetrated by fine navigable rivers, two of which are a hundred and fifty miles in length, is still uninhab- ited, and millions of acres of excellent land are unoccupied even bv the native Indians. The geological part of the work will contain a description of the rocks, minerals und soils of the country examined, with some remarks on the numerous fossils contained in many of '^^ It was observed that the inhabitants in the new settlements were unacquainted with any proper method of burning lime, which may be advantageously employed in «g"-" "^e ; au^l therefore, directions for calcining and -fVh^^^^^'V^'^ «oil, have been appended to the geological par of ^e Report. 4n incomplete Geological Map of the Province xs also siib- mitted for Your Excellency's consideration. By this it will be observed that the labour of another season will be requi^^^^^^^^^^ bring the geological survey to a conclusion ; and it is very Ue Se that the undertaking should be finished m the same spirit in which it was commenced. In the per.x,rmance of the duty I was called upon to un- dertake in reference to the exploration of the temtory recently in dispute between Great Britain and the United States, I have been able, with the assistance of my son, to <=«rry «n the S^^^" gical reconnoissance of the upper country; «»d' ^^^J ''"; allowance for the difficulties and hardships 'Attending the sur vey of an uninhabited wilderness, I have no doubt that the whole will meet with a favourable consideration. )S8ible should be h had never been ts natural produc- tages it offered for nt Report, the soil, i explored, will be with the facilities s for canals, rail- a passing remark, vn and to develope •t, that an immense gable rivers, two of th, is still uninhab- nd are unoccupied •ntain a description itry examined, with itained in many of the new settlements d of burning lime, n agriculture ; and, jplying lime to the part of the Report, 'rovince is also sub- I. By this it will be 1 will be required to n ; and it is very de- Rnished in the same IS called upon to un- the territory recently United States, I have 3 carry on the geolo- y ; and, under a due ps attending the sur- e no doubt that the ration. INTRODUCTION. The numerous advantages that have resulted from the detailed written accounts of Canada, Prince Edward Island, and other North American Colonies, are now seen in the flourishing conditions of those Provinces ; and it is evident that New-Brunswick, whose soil and climate have been much under- rated by persons abroad, only requires to be better known, when they would be justly valued, and the Province would rise to that state of strength and prosperity her resources are capa- ble to sustain. After the geological exploration was commenced, the at- tention of farmers was directed to the application of marl to their lands. Since the discovery of that useful substance, a great number of specimens have been examined besides those found by myself. Many of these have proved to be of a good quality, and their employment as a manure is yearly increas- ing, the benefit derived from their use being admitted by all who have given them a fair trial. Limestone has also been discovered wheis tt was not pre- viously known to exist, and a number of kilns have been erect- ed during the last yjar to supply lime for mai .re. A similar remark will apply in regard to peat, which, with other vegeta- ble matter, is finding its way into use, being employed in com- posts in tlifferent parts of the Province. Daring the last four years a general spirit of inquiry has been infused into the minds of tht inhabitants, who have begun to search for all the valuable natural productions of the country, INTRODUCTION. and to employ them whenever practicable in the arts and agriculture. ^ , i- r We have found persons endeavouring to make lime from rocks containing but little of that mineral, while the good lime- stone at hand was neglected. The directions for burning lime in the appendix to this report will be useful to those who have not hitherto paid sufficient attention to the const^'uction of kilns and a proper mode of calcination. We are not acquainted with an instance where marl was used as a manure in the Province previous to the commence- ment of the geological exploration ; it is now employed in dil- ferent parts of the country, and successfully applied to all the sandy soils and mixed in composts. The discovery of marl along the shores of Gloucester and Restigouche Counties is highly important to the farmers in that quarter ; and the excel- lent crops of wheat raised from marled land during the past season, are the best recommendations of its virtues. Lime- stone, marl, peat, sea-weeds, and decayed vegetables are the natural manures of the Province, and the success of agricul- ture in some districts will greatly depend upon their judicious management and use. The geological inquiry instituted by the Province, has been the means of affording information, respecting the coun- try, to persons abroad, and now that the difficulties are remov- ed in reference to the settlement of the Boundary dispute, Bri- tish and American capital will be introduced and the resources «f the country opened. The same inquiry has brought into use granite, freestone, limestone, &c. with other substances of the mineral kingdom. From the great expense of opening mines, the advance from their first discovery to their successful and profitable oper- ation, is necessarily slow. Preparations are in progress for opening the Coal Mines of New-Brunswick, and the period will arrive when both her coal and iron will be extensively worked. The great depression which has existed in the com- mercial affairs of almost the whole world during the past year, has retarded the advancement of mining in all the Colonies ; but this circumstance does not render it less necessary that the resources of those Colonies should be examined, and their na- ture understood. Since the geological exploration was com- ill the arts and 3 make lime from liile the good lime- 8 for burning lime to those who have e construction of e where marl was to the commencc- f employed in dif- y applied to all the discovery of marl (ouche Counties is ter ; and the excel- id during the past its virtues. Lime- vegetables are the mccess of agricul- )on their judicious the Province, has >specting the coun- Hculties are remov- ndary dispute, Bri- d and the resources r has brought into other substances of nines, the advance and profitable oper- ire in progress for ck, and the period will be extensively existed in the com- uring the past year, in all the Colonies ; is necessary that the nined, and their na- vploration was com- tNTROniTCTION. 7 nirnced in Ncw-llrunswick, a similar M-ork has been begun in ('nnada, and there can be no doubt that the TJnited Provinces will reap great benefits from the undertaking. In the interior of the Province there are millions of acres of excellent lands still remaining in a wilderness state. The nature and character of these lands have not been known ; and the value of the soil, with the advantages offered for settlement, have heretofore been but very imperfectly understood. Seve- ral of these uninhabited districts have been explored during the past season, and wide tracts of superior land which possess every advantage for immediate cultivation, have been discover- ed. The valleys of the Tobique and Rcstigouche, with large tracts situated upon their tributaries have been examined, and, besides their mineral wealth, the quality of the soil, the facili- ties of communication, and other particulars connected with their improvement, have been ascertained. By these surveys the inhabitants of the Province will acquire a better knowledge of the country, and the same kind of knowledge, by being car* ried abroad, will be the means of directing a respectable class of settlers to New-Brunswick. It is thus that the materials for a complete work on the statistics of the Province are collected, the publication of which would remove many erroneous opinions held by those who are unacquainted with the country. Several writers might be quoted who have stated that New-Brunswick, from the coldness of the climate, can never become an agricul- tural Province, and some have endeavoured to make it ap- pear that it enjoys scarcely any summer, and that there is no autumn on this part of the globe. Such opinions have been set forth without any correct knowledge of the country, or its climate, and would be contradicted by an appeal to the true character of the Province. In the Counties of Gloucester and Restigouche, the most northern parffi of the Province, excellent crops of wheat were raised last season, and there was scarcely an instance found where the crop of grain of any kind had failed. Compared with the former year a double quantity of bread stufis has been produced throughout the Province, a circumstance that may be justly ascribed to the greater attention paid to agriculture. For the production of potatoes, and other nutritious roots, New- *• iNTnonrctiON. Brunswick cannot be excelled. If heretofore the crops of grain have been uncertain, a defeciivc system of farming has been the chief cause. Negligence in sowing early in a coui.'.-y where the season is short and vegetation rapid, will be follow- ed by disappointment at the harvest. It may appear surprising to many, that from the great num- ber of emigrants, who yearly land in North America from Great Britain, so few of them remain in New-Brunswick, where as many advantages are offered to the agricultural settler as can be found in any part of America; and where all those liberties are enjoyed which arc so congenial to British subjects. But upon inquiry, it will be found that the tide of immigration gen- erally flows into any country, in proportion to the amount of employment offered to those who are under the necessity of labouring for their daily bread. The great number of settlers who have emigrated to Canada during several past years, have found employment on public works, or they have been assisted in procuring lands through the benevolence of the Government, or companies formed for the purpose. From the great number of public works carried on in the United States, by the inhabitants, and by the expenditure of British capital, employment has been given to thousands of Irish labourers, who finally become settlers. The vast sums of money advanced by persons in England to open canals and railroads, or to be expended upon other public works, have not only been the means of facilitating the improvements in that country, but they have also increased the strength and popula- tion of a foreign power. Of the great number of immigrants who yearly land upon the shores of New-Brunswick, almost all depart for the United States. The few that remain are of the most indigent class. This current of human beings cannot be checked until inducements, similar to those alluded to, are held out in the Province. Public works are not only useful for their intrinsic value, but they bring with them money and la- bour. The numerous writers on Canada have spared no pains in their descriptions of the topography, climate and productions of that country ; and' that kind of encouragement has been offered that the emigrant requires, before he leaves the home of his fathers. But this kind of stimulus to emigrate has been i i INTRODICTION. the crops of grain urming has been irly in a coui.'.'y id, will be follow- ">m the great num- inerica from Great nswick, where as iirnl settler as can all those liberties ^h subjects. But immigration gen- to the amount of • the necessity of number of settlers al past years, have have been assisted )f the Government, carried on in the he expenditure of ;n to thousands of The vast sums of open canals and lie works, have not irovements in that rength and popula- ber of immigrants Brunswick, almost at remain are of the n beings cannot be alluded to, are held lot only useful for lem money and la- spared no pains in te and productions ■agement has been le leaves the home 1 emigrate has been neglected in New-Brunswick and Nova-Scotia. Wliatcver merits the histories of these Provijices may possess, as works of literature, they contain but little that has been exclusively devoted to the topography, productions, and resources oQ,the Provinces. It cannot, therefore, be surprising that so little is known in the mother country of the advantages these Pro- vinces possess for affording the elements of iiuhistry, comfort, and independence to her overflowing population. In the Bri- tish Parliament emigration to the United States is often noticed, and Canada is spoken of in glowing terms; while New-Bruns- wick is passed by as being almost nnknown as a part of the British Empire. A full, clear, and accurate account of the physical geography, climate, soil, natural productions, and re- sources of the Province is still a desideratum. The extent and value of the country are almost unknown on the other side of the Atlantic, and, until very lately, scarcely any attention has been paid to her real worth to the nation, as an asvlum for the overgrown population of (Jreat Britain. Another reason why a more respectable class of emi- grants than that which has hitherto appeared, has not been directed to New-Brunswick, arises from the lack of manufac- tories and mining. Thousands of tradesmen when they land upon our shores afterwards depart for tliL United States, be- cause they cannot find employment in their particular occupa- tions. The progress of manufacture in all new countries must be slow; and so long as the price of land remains low, and soil for tillage can be obtained by the industry of a labouring man, the price of labour will check manufacturing enterprise. The remedy for the impediments to the introduction of a sound and healthy emigration into the Province, evidently con- sists in supplying correct information in rcgiird to her physical features, soil, climate, and resources, and the nudiuni through which it offers employment, livelihood, and independence to every temperate and industrious settler. Immigration to be successful must be voluntary, and legislation is only required whenever it may be deemed necessary to assist those who are without the means of raising themselves to a situation in which they would be able to live without public or private aid. One of the objects of the topographical part of the present report, has been to afford information upon the physical cha- nsr i' •^nqi fm 10 INTRODICTION. ractcr of New-Brunswick to persons resuhng beyond thAtlan tic and to such as are already mi th. country who may be do i o„s to purchase and to settle upon "-""l^'fl^'^"^;' _ The sn veys of tracts of ungranted lands in d.flerent par s of tl^ Province, and the increased facilities lor obtanung the n htrodu ed by Your Excellency, have produced already the r So Jets anticipated, and greatly l--ted the^^^^^^^ lion of the soil. The new settlements opened thiough tl e ixiiofthe .ove •;---ri:==i:;i '^-T:^^:^^^^^- - and cleared with '' " At- "^l^^t-s who, IVom a depression in the timber' trade and the demand for ships, were depi^ved o cmplovment, have embarked for the forest, and are iasUa mg the foundation of future independence and -- °f '. .^^^/^^^^^^^^^ also many instattces of persons retui^tng from ^ « ^""^^^^^^^^^^^ to cultivate the soil of New-Brunsw.ck. A ""f «' « /^^^^^ ^ able immigrants have also had their attention dn-eced to this quarter, ^?hile the general improvement of the agriculture of the Province has received a new impetus. Dur ig the geological exploration, I have had an oppor- tunity to examine the chief part of the unoccupied leuids m he Province, and much of my time of late has been devoted to givTng information to persons who are anxious to purchase ""'T"::!k^Ui:h had been commenced on rtie topography, geology, agriculture, and statistics of the Province, is advanc- h!g Ki"tonded to embrace all the information acquired uHng U geological reconnoissance. This work will be laid ei^rcYoui Excellency as soon as possible after the explora- tons completed, and it is very desirable that >t ^l^-^^ -n- tiin an account of every section of New-Brunswick, as well a. .TeoTogi^al map of the whole country, objects which can only b'^l^'by ^completion of the survey which is «,w far "^' T^^eological survey of the Province had been exte^ided westwa^'and northward, ^s far as Woodstock, and -m thet^e in a no theast direction to Boiestown and Newcastle, «P°" ^^e Mil^umichi River. During the past season the exploration was INTRODUCTIO.V. 11 beyond the Atlan- try, who may be cupietl laiuls. I in diflerent parts or obtaining them uced already the motcd the cuUiva- mcd through the encouragement to It inhabitants hind- » and cleared with depression in the were deprived of and are fast laying amfort. There are (n the United States number of respect- )n directed to this the agriculture of ave had an oppor- cupied lands in the las been devoted to iixious to purchase on the topography, •rovince, is advanc- formation acquired lis work will be laid e after the explora- that it should con- •unswick, as well as ects which can only f which is ni^w far ; had been extended )ck, and from thence Newcastle, upon the L the exploration was advanced from Woodstock to Madawaska, and all the strata have been carefully examined wlierover they ;>ve intersected by the main river, or its tributaries in that (piartcr. Ihe Tobique is a large stream upwards of a hundred miles in length, a.i.l it extends into the interior of the Province through an uninhabited but beautiful valley. The geology of this district has also been ascertained. The gypsum along its banks has been examined, and vast quantities of limestone, iron ore, and other minerals have been discovered. The whole of the strata from Madawaska to Dalhousie, along the courses of Grand River and the Restigouclie, have also been explored, with a part of the coal field discovered at the entrance of that river. The shores between Dalhousie and Bathurst, with the numerous deposits of limestone and marl in tliat quarter, have been but partially examined, and the latter part of the autumn was devoted to a further exploration of the coal field situated northward of Ten Mile Creek, in the County of Saint John. The chief parts of the County of Northumber- land, Gloucester, Restigouche, and the western territory still remain to be examined, and, from their great extent, they would require the labo.r of another season, which would complete the geological survey of the whole Province. PART I. TOPOGRAPHICAL REPORT. As the physical features of every country are the result of geological events, which have taken place upon the earth's sur- face, it would, perhaps, be more in accordance with the order to be observed in all scientific inquiries, first to give the details of geological structure, and then to advert to the general con- ditions of the district under consideration ; but it has been found more convenient, in the present instance, to make the general character of the country understood, and then to describe its geological peculiarities. „ From the unsettled state of the boundary between New- Brunswick and the United States, the North-western limits of the Province were undefined, nor has there been, up to the present time, any fixed line of separation between Canada and New-Brunswick. Of late years the Restigouche River has been assumed to be the boundary between the Provinces; but it will be seen hereafter that this river would be an inconvenient line for that division. High mountainous and broken ridges of land are far better adapted for such boundaries than navigable rivers. It will be observed, in another part of this Report, that, from the little that was known of the country, a branch of the Restigouche has been mistaken for the main stream, the sources of which are near the Metis Lake in Lower Canada, and Lake Tainisquata on the portage between the Saint John and the TOPO<;RAI'intAI. REPORT. 13 PORT. ry are the result of pon the earth's sur- iiice with the order t to give the details to the general con- ut it has been found make the general then to describe its clary between New- :h-western limits of ire been, up to the etween Canada and as been assumed to but it will be seen \renient line for that ridges of land are 1 navigable rivers, of this Report, that, try, a branch of the 1 stream, the sources 1- Canada, and Lake Saint John and the Saij.. oawrcncc. If the'maia Rcstigouche be taken for the di- visionul line between Canada and New Brunswick, a vast tract of uninhabited country will be attached to the latter, which was formerly sujiposed to be within the limits of the neighbouring Province. It is very desirable that the boundaries between the Pro- vinces should now be adjusted. The western limits of the Counties of Carleton and Restigouche have never been fixed, and it will be necessary to form two or three new Counties in the western part of New-Brunswick, since the dispute of the national line has been settled. Between the Saint John and the Bay Chalcur and the sup- posed limits of Lower Canada, there are no less than ten thou- sand square miles of uninhabited country, and one half of this area is yet unexplored. One of the objects of the exploration of the present season was to ascertain the character of a part of this immense tract, and the labour of a whole year would be required to complete the work. Viewed altogether, the western part of the Province pre- sents great diversity of character. The surface of the country between Woodstock and the Presq' Isle is undulated, but not high. In ascending the Saint John it becomes more elevated, and mountains of considerable altitude begin to appear.— Among these is Mars' Hill, upon the American boundary. Be- tween them and the Grand Falls, the surface is raised into long parallel mounds, while at Madawaska the land is comparatively level. A branch of the Alleghany chain of mountains passes through the Northern States. Cataadan, in Maine, is the loftiest eminence on their western borders, being five thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea. It belongs to that range which crosses the Saint John and enters the Pro- vince, in the same range, there are Mars Hill, Moose and Bear Mountains near Des Chutes River. The same chain of moun- tains extends in a northeast direction to the sources of the Miramichi, Nepisiguit, Upsalquitch, and Tobique Rivers, where the mountains are upwards of two thousand feet in alti- tude. This mountainous district gradually disappears, as it approaches the Bay Chaleur, and the lands along the coast be- tween Bathurst and Dalhousic are comparatively low and level. U\ m^ irlr 1 « 1, 14 .orOOKAPlIICAI. nEPORT. I- I ( Another alpine ridge extends through tlic district of Gaspe, and separates the waters that fall into the St Lawrence from those that descend into the Saint John and Bay Ohaleur. The Tobique, Nepisigiiit, and Upsalquitch Rivers all take their rise in the termination of the New-BriinsHick range, and having descended over numerous falls and swept along the valleys, they are at last lost in the larger streaiiiS that commu- nicate with the ocean. The chief part of the wilderness country explored during the past season is well adapted for agriculture, and in many tracts the soil is of a superior quality. Even among the high- est mountains there are many slopes and valleys of good land, watered by the rivulets of the hills as they pursue their down- ward course. The scenery in these regions is beautiful beyond description. Excepting the tops of the mountains and the sides of perpendicular clifTs, the whole face of the country is covered by one close unbroken forest. The spruce, fir, pine, and other evergreens are thinned ofl* towards the summits of the highest peaks, until the naked rock appears, and the high- land valleys are buried in one dense mass of stately trees. In the interior there are many lakes, which are frequently united by channels sufficiently deep to admit of the passage of canoes. The Restigouche and Tobique are without falls, ex- cept near their sources. The Nepisiguit has a splendid fall of seventy feet The whole of these rivers abound in salmon, trout, and other kinds of fish, and they frequently run through fine tracts of intervale. It is remarkable that a district so ex- tensive and possessing So many advantages, with a good soil, should have remained in a wilderness state up to the present time. But it is necessary to proceed to a more detailed account of the country examined, before entering upon a description of its geological features. It may here be remarked, that in consequence of the late dispute between Great Britain and the United States, with reference to territory situated between New-Brunswick and the State of Maine, it was necessary to obtain as much information as possible in regard to the nature, resources, and value of the district claimed by each of those powers. In the Report of the Land Agent of the State of Maine, it was proposed that all the territory south of the Saint John should be surrendered to the ■*^. I'OPOGRAPIIICAL RKPARVt 5h tlie distvict of to the 8t Lawrence I aiifl Bay Chaleur. itch Rivers all take imswick range, and id swept along the treaiiis that comniu- try explored during ilture, and in many en among the high- alleys of good land, pursue their down- i is beautiful beyond mountains and the ;e of the country is he spruce, fir, pine, ards the summits of pears, and the high- of stately trees. \ liich are frequently nit of the passage of are without falls, ex- lias a splendid fall of abound in salmon, quently run through that a district so ex- es, with a good soil, ite up to the present tiore detailed account upon a description of sequence of the late United States, with w-Brunswick and the as much information i-ces, and value of the In the Report of the proposed that all the be surrendered to the Iff raited States, for land situate*! northward ofHhiitD'ivcr. My observations were therefore fii*st directed to thfH qtiarter, the reports of which have already been submitted to Your Excel- lency. The tract under consideration extends along the banks of tlie Saint John from Eel River to the Grand Falls, a distance of eighty miles, and upon it are situated the town of Woodstock and a number of flourishing settlements. It is bounded on the cast by the main Saint John, on the south by Eel River and its lakes, and on the west by a due north line from the Monument to the Grand Falls. It embraces the Parishes of Woodstock, Wakefield, Andover and Wicklow, — contains three hundred and sixty thousand acres of excellent land, with a population of about eight thousand souls. There are five rivers flowing into the Saint John through this tract ; they are. Eel River, Meduxnakeag, Presq' Isle, Des (vhutes, and the A rocstook ; besides these there are several smaller streams. The sources of Eel River are within the Pro- vince of New-Brunswick, bnt the sources of the other rivers are within the State of Maine. All the timber cut along the courses of these streams must pass through channels which belong exclusively to the Province. Eel River is about thirty -five miles in length, and proceeds from a lake ten miles long. Between this lake and the North Cheputnecticook Lake the distance is only three miles. It was along this river and these lakes that the Indians formerly pur- sued their route from the Saint John to the Penobscot. Eel River and its beautiful lake are navigable for boats and rafts of timber, excepting the rapids near the river's mouth, and the Ledge Falls near the lake. The former might be much im- proved ; at the 1 itter place it is necessary to make a portage. At its upper part it passes through a tract of good land, and its banks are skirted with intervales. The good quality of the liuids here have induced a number of settlers to establish them- selves in the forest, and villages are springing up in this part of Carleton. Tbe forests consist chiefly of hard wood ; the pine that still reijaains i% remote from the river. The intervales abound in elm a^id maple. Salmon, trout and perch are abtm- (hmt, and wiU supply a considerable quantity of food to the new settler. ^A j^r^fc tract of excellent laud still remains un- 16 TOPOGRAPIIICAI. REPOnT. I I granted. Tlic feara that were eiitertainotl by tlie first settlers, in regard to early frosts, have been removed, and Indian corn ripened well last season upon lands that were cleared in the spring. The Meduxnakeag passes through the town of Woodstock, where it is crossed by a substantial bridge, a short distance from its mouth. At the site where it empties into the St. John, excellent saw and grist mills have been erected. The lands on the sides of this river have been granted, and, being of an ex- cellent quality, they are nov inder cultivation several miles above the town. The river is navigable for canoes and rafts of timber to the distance of twenty miles, and it forms a water com- munication from Iloulton, a small town and military post twelve miles west of Woodstock, on the American side of the line. The town of Woodstock contains about two thousand in- habitants. From being situated at the extremity of the Houlton road, the thoroughfare between the Province and the State of Maine, and from its advantageous position with respect to the timber trade, it has rapidly grown into a place of some import- ance ; and, from being surrounded by a fine agricultural coun- try, its steady advancement appears to be certain. The villages of Richmond and Jacksontown, with the settlements extending from them in every direction, give this parish an ancient appearance. Thirty years ago the principal part of its surface was covered with a dense wilderness. The lands are remark- ably fertile, and the town is very pleasantly situated on the west bank of th» Saint John. Directly below the town there is a large tract of high ter- raced intervale of a superior quality. This intervale, and the uplands adjacent, are in a fine state of cultivation. The terraces have been noticed in a former Report, and the causes by which they have been produced are explained by the evidences that exist of the river having from time to time chang- ed its level. There is a road extending from Jacksontown, three miles west of Woodstock, to the Big Presq' Isle, and thence into the State of Maine and to the main river. The laiids along this part of the American boundary are also very fertile, ajid capable of immediate improvement. Both banks of the Saint John are settled from Woodstock to the mouth of the Tobicjupy fifty miles above. A number of TOPOCRAPIIICAI. REPORT. 17 Ijy the first settlers, d, and Indian corn vere cleared in the own of Woodstock, fe, a short distance )s into the St. John, ted. The lands on lid, being of an ex- ition several miles canoes and rafts of forms a water coni- military post twelve side of the line. It two thousand in- mity of the Houlton ce and the State of with respect to the ace of some import- ; agricultural coun- (rtain. The villages ttlemcnts extending parish an ancient i\ part of its surface e lands are remark- situated on the west fe tract of high ter- s intervale, and the cultivation. The lort, and the causes explained by the I time to time chang- from Jacksontown, Jig Presq' Isle, and e main river. The ndary are also very lent. ed from Woodstock lOve. A number of r 1 the settlements are however only in their infancy, and there I are distances of several miles where clearings have only been commenced. A few miles above Woodstock the intervale becomes nar- row and scanty. It is terraced along the whole course of the stream ; sometimes five different steps are seen on the shore, whereby the same number of changes in the level of the stream is indicated. The valley through which the river passes is diminished in width, and the stream runs between banks of sand and gravel from thirty to fifty feet in height. Great num- bers of logs and pieces of pine timber are collected during the winter and piled upon the brink of the river. In the spring they are launched into the stream. We were placed in a very dangerous situation in ascending the Saint John, by reason of our canoes being unperceived by the lumbermen on the cliffs. An avalanche of timber was made at the moment wc were beneath, but, by the quick and well-timed exertions of our Indians, the range of the logs was passed, and the rolling mass of wood was plunged into the water a few feet astern of our canoes. The village of Wakefield, twelve miles above Woodstock,'^ is pleasantly situated. It is surrounded by a number of excel- lent farms, and roads have been opened to Jacksontown and other new settlements remote from the river. The soil is of the most fertile kind, and its cultivation is yearly improving. The river, with its wooded Islands and high terraced border, sur- mounted by cultivated uplands, is well calculated to strike the traveller's eye after he has ascended from the tamer scenery below. The Saint John is here a furlong in width, and it runs smoothly along at the rate of six miles per hour. The timber on the uncleared lands consists of spruce, fir, and cedar, inter- spersed with groves of birch and maple. The ungranted lands are situated from three to six miles from the river, and they are generally of an excellent quality. Restricting our observations to the west bank of the Saint John, the above remarks will apply still farther upwards to the Presq' Isle. This is a considerable stream, but froru the num- ber of its rapids, it is scarcely navigable for canoes. It is use- ful in affording a channel whereby timber is floated down to the main river. One of its branches bends around the base of 3 i,;i :; •> ! 18 ToronnArinrAi, report. a-- t\ '4 Mars Hill, and receives a number of small rivulets that desecucl from the side of the mountain. Ik'twcen the Prcsq' Isle and the River Des (Suites therr is an abundant supply of limestone, but the few kilns that havr been erected for burning the rock arc altogether unfit for the purpose. A description of a proper lime kiln is annexed to this Report. The Des Chutes is but a small stream. Excellent mills have been erected at its mouth by Mr. Terley, of Wood- stock. At some former period this river had a fall of sixty feet : the water has worn down the rocks, so that a fall of only ten feet remains. The terraces above the mills are sixty feet above the present level of the main stream. Mars Hill, of boundary notoriety, is situated about five miles from the Saint John, southward of Des Chutes River, which passes along its northern base. A lumber road com- mences at Mr. Pomphrey's barn, and meets a path cut by the American Commissioners in 1841. As the whole surface is shaded by a thick growth of lofty trees, the hill cannot be seen at any great distance, and a guide is therefore necessary. Notwithstanding the sides of the hill are very steep, they I are covered with a heavy growth of white and yellow birch, beech, and hard maple. No rocks were seen until we had ap- ' proached very near to its summit, where the soil reposes upon fragments of conglomerate, of which rock the whole eminence is composed. The top of the highest peak was cleared by the commissioners under the treaty of 1794. It contains about six acres, and is now covered with an undergrowth. Fragments ofthe old wooden observatory still remain, with the relics of another erected by persons employed to explore a railroad line from Saint Andrews to Quebec. It was curious to observe the terms of defiance, which have been written both by American and British subjects upon these remains, but whose hostile feelings are now fast subsiding. The height of Mars Hill, according to the Report of Messrs. Featherstonhaugh and Mudge, is 1688 feet. From its summit there is a most extensive and interesting view. The lofty Cataadan, sixty miles distant, appears quite near ; Moose Moun- tain and the chain of high lands already mentioned are seen stretching away to the northeast. The valleys of the Aroos- TorooiiAi'iiiLAL REronr. 10 i rivulPts that (Icsreiid or Dos (Chutes tlioir e few kilns tliat have ogctlier unfit for tlio ; kiln is annexed to im. Excellent mills r. rerley, of Wood- ad a fall of sixty feet : : a fall of only ten feet e sixty feet above the s situated abont five f Des Chutes River, A lumber road com- ets a path cut by the the whclc surface is le hill cannot be seen •cfore necessary. I are very steep, they ite and yellow birch, seen until we had ap- the soil reposes upon k the whole eminence ik was cleared by the It contains about six rgrowth. Fragments in, with the relics of explore a railroad line :urious to observe the en both by American IS, but whose hostile > the Report of Messrs. jet. From its summit ing view. The lofty te near ; Moose Moun- f mentioned are seen valleys of the Aroos- took and Tobiquc arc also seen cxtcndinj; in opposite direc- tions, but excepting the village of Iluulton and a small clear- ing on the JSaint John, the view is one of a vast wilderness, which seems to be too extensive to be removed by the industry of imman beings. The old British line strikes the hill near the centre ; the line run by the American Commissioners in 18 11 also touches (he mountain, but not at its highest part, being nearly half a mile farther eastward than the original one. The whole of the lauds in the vicinity of this eminence are of the most fertile kinds, the soil being a deep rich loam. They iu-e covered with a heavy growth of hardwood. But in conse- ((ueuce of the large grants individuals have obtained of these ' grounds, they remain uncleared, and the improvement of the country is retarded ; because, few settlers will approach a large tract, whose proprietor will not improve his grant, nor contri- bute to the opening of roads by which the value of such pro- perty is greatly increased. The mountain chain, of which Mars Ilill is only an insula- ted point, pursues its course to the northeast, having, within its range. Bear Mountain, Moose Mountain, and the hills of the Monquart. Blue Mountain, near the Tobique, is the next eminence of any considerable altitude in this branch of the Apalachian chain. The surface of the country between the River Des Chutes and the mouth of the Aroostook, and from thence to the Grand Falls, is very uneven, being traversed by those long parallel ridges common to the flanks of the chain alluded to. These ridges also cross the Saint John in a northeast direction. Not- withstanding the unevenness of tiie surface, the lands are of an excellent quality, and there are many fine level tracts along the bases of the hills. The soil contains an admixture uf lime, and is admirably adapted to the raising of wheat and other kinds of grain. There is still a large quantity of ungranted land in the rear of the river lots, whose fertility is not surpass* cd by any in the Province. The Aroostook or Restook is an important tributary of the Saint John. It rather exceeds the Tobique in size. It takes its rise in Lakes Millinoket and Millinoketsis, near the head « utcrs of the rcnobscot. in the State of Jlainc. Mr. E. Holmes, ,, „- *iV 20 TOPOUBAPIIICAL REPORT. f:^i v:-. V' I I who Has employed by the State to explore tl»«5'\"'r^' I'o the diHtauce between one of the tributaries of the Penobscot and the Aroostook is only two hu.ulred and eighty-six rods.- The river falls into the Saint John from the westward, and is navigable for rafts of timber and canoes upwards of one hun- dred miles. In its course it receives ten minor streams ; they are the Presq' Isle, St. Croix, Umqualqus, Limestone Stream, Little Madawaska, Salmon Stream. Beaver Brook, lattle Ma- chius. Great Machias, and Mooseluck. The main river and several of its tributaries run through an expanded valley of ex- cellent soil, and the streams are skirted with intervales The pine forests in the vicinity of the above river have not been felled, and for a number of years they will afford a great annual supply of the best timber. " About forty miles above the mouth of the Aroostook, an ex. tensive bed of excellent iron ore was discovered by Dr. Jackson during his geological survey of the river. This ore is situated on hnds belonging to the Hon. William Black, Mayor of Saint John, who has expended a considerable sum of money m mak- ing improvements on this part of the Aroostook. By the ratification of the late treaty in the settlement of the boundary question, the whole of the Aroostook territory is transferred m the State of Maine. The river, and the and on both of its sides, at its mouth, to the distance of five miles from its exit into the Saint John, belongs, nevertheless, to the Pro. vince of New-Brunswick. and all the natural productions of the country must descend into the Province, before they can be conveyed to market. • . V Fort Fairfield is situated on the boundary line, where it crosses the Aroostook, about five miles from the Saint John.- Fifteen thousand tons of pine timber were ready to be removed down the former stream in July last, having been detained until the border difficulties were removed. About two miles below the fort, and on the British side of the boundary, the Aroostook passes through a narrow gorge where there is a frightful rapid. At the lower part of the rapid there is a fall ol seventeen feet, by two steps, into a beautiful basin. A rock situated in the middle of the falls divides the stream, and the cliffs on each side are forty feet high. These falls have retreat- ed some distance, and now offer a very interesting spectacle. TOPOaRAPIIICAI, REPUnT. SI this river, states that es of the Penobscot ml eighty -six rods.— the westward, and is ipwards of one hun minor streams ; they 8, Limestone Stream, er Brook, Little Ma- The main river and ixpanded valley of ex- vith intervales. The river have not been I afford a great annual ■ the Aroostook, an ex- (veredby Dr. Jackson, . This ore is situated Black, Mayor of Saint sum of money in mak- tostook. n the settlement of the kroostook territory is river, and the land on mce of five miles from vertheless, to the Pro. ural productions of the :e, before they can be oundary line, where it from the Saint John. — re ready to be removed having been detained ved. About two miles e of the boundary, the orge where there is a ! rapid there is a fallof jautiful basin. A rock ;s the stream, and the rhese falls have retreat- if interesting spectacle. Between the fulls and the river there are two dangerous rapiiis. Ill one of these we were placed in imminent peril, and one of our can«.. was nearly filled with water in passing over an un- expected " pitch," which, in descending, was not seen until every exertion to avoid it was rendered unavailing. A few (lays previous, a stranger in a log canoe passed the upper rapids, and was on the brink of the falls, when, perceiving his danger, he sprang from his canoe, laid hold of a rock and with great exertion saved his life. The canoe was carried down the falls and torn to pieces. The above locality ofiers an ex- cellent site for mills, and, from the trade that will result from the settlement of the boundary, a town will soon be built at the mouth of the river. The distance between the Aroostook and the Grand Falls is eighteen miles. The Saint John here runs at the rate of eight miles an hour, and between banks of gravel and clifls of rock from forty to sixty feet in height. The sides of the river are not cleared, and there is scarcely an inhabitant along the shores. Three and a half miles below the Grand Falls there is a powerful rapid called Rapid de Femme ; above this there is another called the White Rapids. The lands on each side of the Saint John at this point arc hilly, the soil is, nevertheless, fertile, and there is a quantity of good land, sufiicient for many large settlements, still ungrarted. Extensive surveys have recently been made in the neighbourhood of the Grand Falls, in order to facilitate the settlement of new lands. The Grand Falls of the Saint John are situated two hun- dred miles from its mouth, and one hundred and twenty-five miles above Fredericton. Between Saint John and Fredericton the river resembles a lake, and the current is moderate. Be- tween Fredericton and the Grand Falls the current runs at an average rate of six miles an hour. The stream is, nevertheless, navigable for steam boats of proper construction throughout the whole of the above distance. Above the Falls the river bends away to the southwest, and finally terminates in small lakes at the head of Connecticut River, having traverseil a tract of country upwards of four hundred miles in length. The majestic Saint John having received its numerous tributaries above, and swept along the Madawaska District, expands into a beautiful basin where the current is inconsider- ^>'A- ♦>Q TorooB.vriucAL BEronx. U ^ i I able. TliiH basin affords a safe laudiiiK place for rafi< -f tiin ber, caiiocH, dtc. Iiniuediately below, the basin is comracted, and the river makes a sudden detour to the Month, and the whole mass of water is ponred into a deep rocky gorge, aver- aging only two hundred and fifty feet in w idth. From a peculiar notch in the rock, the water descends into the gorge from the front and on each side, and the river falls fifty-eight feet over a perpendicular clifl' of calcareous slate. — In the mist that ascends from the bottom of the gorge, there is an every -varying rainbow arching the roaring vortex, and jets of white spray seem to sport over tlie troubled pool. On the brink of the fall the water descends six feet, and it runs so smoothly that its surface appears to be oiled. With these there is the deafening noise of a falling river, which many may imagine, but few can describe. The gorge is three quarters of a mile long, and is flanked with perpendicular and overhanging cliffs froii eighty to a hundred and fifty feet high. It is a narrow and frightful chasm, lashed by the troubled water, and excavated by the boiling eddies and whirlpools always in revolution. At last the water plunges into a basin below in an immense frothy sheet, where it becomes more tranquil and the stream resumes its original features. The river seems to be swallow ed up by the earth, and again poured forth from a dark subterranean channel too narrow to give it vent. The water also descends fifty-eight feet in passing along this rocky gorge, making the whole fall of the river at this place no less than one hundred and sixteen feet, which is the differ- ence of level between the upper and lower basins. The height of the perpendicular falls had been stated by different writers to be seventy-four to seventy-five feet. The measurement I have adopted was taken by an order of Major Graham, one of the American Commissioners, and although it differs a little from our own, we believe it to be most correct, and for it we beg to offer that gentleman, Mr. F, Schroeder, and the whole of the exploring party, our sincere thanks. For the benefit of travellers, it may be remarked that the above falls are on the great road from Fredericton to Quebec. We had an opportunity of witnessing the descent of a quantity of pine timber over the falls ai the liim.' of our exjdo- TOPOOnAPIIICAL REPORT. 93 »cc for rafts ^f tim- l):i.siii is coiiuacted, the NOiitli, and the rocky gorge, uvi-r- idth. water dcaccnds into ', and the river falls ' calcareous slate. — ■ tlic gorge, there is iig vortex, and jets of pool. On the brink it runs so smoothly these there is the many may imagine, ong, and is flanked Fs frora eighty to a irro-.v and frightful lI excavated by the revolution. At last an immense frothy the stream resumes be swallowed up by I dark subterranean 'ct in passing along the river at this place , which is the differ- basins. The height by different writers The measurement I [ajor Graham, one of gh it differs a little t correct, and for it feeder, and the whole i. For the benefit of ovc falls are on the ig the descent of a lie liiin.' of our exj>lu- inlion. I'lrrcs of pine i-i.rt^;^*^<*^^'*^^i*^''"^^ TOPOGRAPHICAL UEPOIIT. 39 I lam on the east side ilt a dam across the ut before the mills was carried away. rith the intention of 27,000 were expend- 1 been cut have also ablishment now ap- should be erected sage for salmon and lere is scarcely a bet- affords. Fredericton and the hould cross the To- aey was expended in •icton. But a quick up, and from a series bably be abandoned. e at the above place, A small cloud rose self so as to produce gan to dart from the led along the valley, ce as large as musket shelter in a clearing, ■ ice lasted only five )wed by the blast of a p the trees from their ground. The width mile, and it followed If; an open space of es of this description ds and the Wapskane- ique, is about twenty and Ottella and three liese is the Otelloch or anguage. This tribu- tary extends in an easterly direction, and through some good intervale and upland. The main river is here extremely beau- tiful, and contains a number of Islands of intervale. It is also skirted with deep and rich alluviums, covered with elms and a luxuriant growth of wild grass and other plants. The rocks are bright red sandstones and red marls, which, in almost every part of the world, support a strong and pro- ductive soil. The uplands in general are level and well water- ed, and the banks on each side of the river slope gradually down to the water. The Wapskanegan is a stream of considerable size. At its mouth there is a perpendicular cliff sixty feet high. The Indian name of the river is Aw-kee-auc-waps-Jca-nee-gan, which signifies a river with a wall at its mouth. The lumbermen call it the Wapske. This stream also runs through some good intervale and upland, and is navigable for canoes twenty miles. It ap- proaches one of the branches of the Miramichi, into which a canal might be opened for a moderate sum. Along this stream gypsum and limestone might be transported down the Mirami- chi, where they have not yet been discovered. At Plaster Island, two miles above the Wapskanegan, also on the banks of that stream, and so far as we could discover in a district comprising several thousand acres, there are inex- haustible deposits of excellent gypsum. At the Island on the left bank of the Tobique, the gypsum occurs interstratified with red marl and sandstone in a cliff one hundred and thirty- five feet high. This plaster has already been transported on sleds to the Saint John, where it has been applied as a manure to great advantage. The crops of wheat have been greatly improved by its use. It is of the compp< ? and fibrous varieties, and some of the gypsum is of a brick red colour. About a mile farther up the stream, I discovered a ridge of limestone, which probably crosses the river. This limestone is stalactical, like that found in the interior of caves. Appa- rently the river has broken into a cave at this place, as the stalactites are found scattered along the shore. From the deep chasms and fissures concealed beneath fallen trees and other vegetable rubbish, it is dangerous to walk over this rock, and it is probable that the earth is cavernous beneath. Above Plaster Island the river becomes very serpentine, J ..l-^i-irtai^-S- 30 TOPOGRAPHICAL BEPOIIT. t-' ' and its banks are elevated from fifty to a hundred feet in height. The stream, although it runs at the rate of seven miles an hour, passes smoothly along. There are a number of places where all our strength was required to force the loaded canoes up the river. These are called by the Indians » quick waters." The stream however does not break, as in the ordinary rapids, where it passes over an uneven surface, and large tow boats may ascend it without difficulty. About thirteen miles above the mouth of the Wapskane- gan, there is another large stream called the Agulquac, which enters from the east. Between the mouths of these two tribu- taries, there are Long Island, Diamond Island, and others, consisting altogether of rich alluviums, covered with elms and balsamic poplars. There are also fine intervales on each side of the river. At one of these Islands we were deserted by one of our Indians. The intense heat of the weather and the stings ofthe mosquito and black fly were almost intolerable, and required a little more fortitude than is possessed even by the natives themselves. It should, notwithstanding, be re- marked, that these insects are not so Uoublesome where the country is cleared. All the uplands in this quarter are of an excellent quality. Sisson Ridge, a short distance above Long Island, is an exten- sive forest of sugar maple, yellow birch, &c. The soil is a dark coloured loam, and will equal in fertility any upon the banks of the Saint John. Brooks and springs of water are abundant. Thi iver here will average eighty yards in width, and is less rapid than it is farther towards its mouth. The Agulquac is a muddy stream at its mouth ; it enters the Tobique from the eastward, and it is navigable for canoes about twenty-fiv„ miles. It nearly meets the Little South West Miramichi. This stream also passes through a fine tract of country and strips of intervale. A large area in this district was overrun with fires a few years ago. It is probable that this was the same conflagration that destroyed the towns and villages of Miramichi in October, 1825; but as there are no in- habitants in this quarter, the exact period of its occurrence has not been ascertained. The dreary appearance of this part of the country has been produced by fire, which redness the bright green forest to \ lifeless waste. It is fipm the desolation TOPOORAPIIICAL REPOnT. 31 I a hundred feet in ; rate of seven miles ! a number of places c the loaded canoes ins " quick waters." the ordinary rapids, nd large tow boats 1 of the Wapskane- le Agulquac, which I of these two tribu- Island, and others, vered with elms and !rvales on each side rere deserted by one 16 weather and the > almost intolerable, 1 is possessed even withstanding, be re- ublesome where the an excellent quality. I Island, is an exten- c. The soil is a dark any upon the banks ' water are abundant, irds in width, and is luth. its mouth; it enters navigable for canoes the Little South West ■ough a fine tract of area in this district It is probable that •oyed the towns and ut as there are no in- of its occurrence has arance of this part of , which reduc3s the is fipm the desolation thus produced that the lumbermen have supposed that the soil is barren. Upon examination, we found that the tract thus overrun consists of superior lands, and the large half-burnt (alien trees upon its surface are evidences of its efficiency. The forest is sometimes fired by lightning. The Indians are careful to extinguish their fires when the season is dry, know- ing that a conflagration in the woods destroys the game, and sometimes the people of their own tribe. We here observed that our map of this part of the country was exceedingly incorrect. It is certainly desirable that a cor- rect survey should be made of the Tobique and its tributaries. Four miles above the mouth of the Agulquac, there is a place called by the Indians Che-aa-qita-as-cook, which signifies " Big Jam." The lumbermen call the same place " Graball Island." From the peculiar direction of the current, a small island arrests the progress of all the floating timber, and a "jam" is produced. A sudden turn in the river is called Blue Mount 'n Bend. The stream is here about seventy-five yards in width, and the intervales are covered with a lofty and thick foliage. The river passes along the base of Blue Mountain, a beautiful eminence, running up to a sharp point. This mountain is nearly two thousand feet high. On its river side there are perpendicular clifls, and a large brook descends through a deep narrow chasm at its southern base. The whole country, from this eminence to the mouth of the Tobique, is comparatively level ; but from this point, northward, it assumes new features, and becomes elevated. Still proceeding northward, the character of the river, with its intervales and islands, remains unchanged, and its beauty is increased by the lofty hills seen in the distance. All the lands are fit for cultivation, and many tracts are of a superior quality. Along the whole course of the stream there are excel- lent alluvial soils, covered with the elm, balsamic poplar, ash, alder, &c. ; wild hay is abundant. Besides these, we found indigenous grapes, wild plums, currants, gooseberries, mint, rhubarb, and wild onions, with all ihose plants that only flour- ish on the richest soils. It has been already stated, that at the distance of about eighty miles along the course of the river, the Tobique is divi- 32 TOrOQRAPHICAI- REPORT. ded into four branches. The Little Tobique, Mainmoxekel called by the Indians, Epee-cectu.sis, (brook.) The eft hand rranch. and the right hand branch, known m the Mel.ce e la.. Kuage by the name of Qua-quops, or d.rty brook. There are fxteLive'intervales where these streams meet, and the conn y around them possesses every advantage ^^ .-"l^^ ' .f,^^ five miles up the right hand branch there is a fall of six feet. ThehMe Tobique continues its course to the northward, and finally meets a lake at the head of the Nepisiguit. The streams thich descend from the lakes situated to the northeast, are blocked up with fallen cedars and "jams" of trees, and one of them is «o much broken by falls and rapids as to render m na- '^'^'Z^'^^i^r northward becomes exceedingly ,„ountainous and broken. There are lofty ridges of rock, and fields of granitic boulders, which the industry of man can never render ffrtile. nor the art of agriculture improve. It .s amc^g these mountains, far in the interior, that the harmless native wild aXals of the country still find a retreat, and the beaver Hvps aafelv within his dwelling. The extreme sources of the Tobique wind their way among naked and aZst inaccessible mountains. Bald Mountain is 2240 feeriigh, and is surrounded by several lofty peaks, but Hule inferior in altitude. It was my intention to have visited aUhese mountains, but the streams had become too dry fo canoes, already shattered in the rapids-one of our Indians Tad d erted, Ind those who remained refused to proceed any f^rtherTnU, L wilderness. Our stock of provisions was also ^uch reduced, and our faces and limbs were swollen from the incessant stings of the black fly and *« ™«f^^"«^^ . ^ . . The whole surface of the country, in the d.rection of he ' Tobique River, from its mouth to the distance of eighty miles Illard, is c'apable of the highest degree of cultivation :^^^^^ soil is equal to, and sometimes surpasses, the best kinds I have seen in the Provinces. , j • „ Formerly there were immense groves of white and red pine in the vicinity of this stream, but most of these have been re- Itd'r destroyedby fires. At present there i«. comparative^ ly, but a small quantity of pine. Spruce, cedar, l^^ch' an^ hemlock are abundant, and there are fine groves of beech, birch, and maple. \- >-,- ■4l-,i'V^'"^i<^ii^f'ritf'i e^i^^t-r-' .•O^^^V^.^ 5^;-Wiiiti--'ivii»i;viSafc - ) liundrecl families of )m Nova-Scotia dur- ildings of these pco- times seen in French and fishing, pursued ir their slow advaucc- stone in this village. [? to their lands, and Island. Their kilns struction. The direc- ne contained in the live consideration, nexhaustible deposits re is a very valuable The stratum is two four feet of peat and ract of forty acres. I m Thomas M. Dcblois, ving submitted it to a t. It has since been ved with wheat, and I provement in the crop 1 to the most beneficial laces, and will hereaf- of the Province, dour, and strongly re- lonate of lime, and is f discovered the same liar kind has also been instances the marl bed — a circumstance fully er shells contained in narl was not employed ncement of the Geolo- ition alone, will render all the expense of the int, there are some fine TopoaRAraic. x repurt. .']? groves of birch and other kinds of hard wood : cedar and spruce are common. The lauds in general are stony, but the soil is strong and productive. The next stream of any importance is Jacquet River. It tnkes its rise among the mountains already described, and opens into the Bay, about nine miles from Belle Dune. It is a rapid stream, and is scarcely navigable for canoes. The lands near its mouth are of a good quality, and a short distance from the shore they arc still ungranted. The chief part of the pine timber that formerly grew along its borders has been removed. On the north side of the mouth of this river, and extend- ing towards Nash's Creek, I discovered a thick bed of excel- lent blue marl. This marl bed is eight feet in thickness, and, from the abundance of uiarine shells contained in it, the inhabi- tants had given it the name of the clam bed. It is of a light blue colour, and contains the carbonates of lime and potash. The application of this substance to lands in its neighbour- hood will greatly improve their fertility. The inhabitants were made acquainted with its situation, and have already be- gun to remove it for use in the ensuing season. This part of the shore is but thinly inhabited. The popu- lation consists of Provincials, Scotch, Irish, and French Aca- dians, who appear to live together in c'^at harmony. Not- withstanding the settlements are only in their infancy, the in- habitants have cleared some fine fields, and since their atten- tion has been directed to husbandry they have been rewarded with good crops. It is very desirable that the road between Ba- thurst ind Dalhousie should be completed, and a bridge is re- quired over the Jacquet River. A bar of sand at this place is almost as great an -impediment to travelling as the narrow paths and causeways running along the very margin of the sta, or the collections of sand thrown up in imitation of turn- nikes. At Nash's Creek, there is a small settlement a mile and a half from the shore. From this place to Dalhousie the distance is nineteen miles. In approaching the Restigouchc, the soil improves in quality. Benjamin River, North and South Rivers Charlo are small rapid streams, being chiefly useful in affording easy passages for timber procured in the interior. At the bridge over the i .v,-',*i,-^-S?-J'-. 38 TOPOCjnAPlIICAI- KEPOUT. North River Charlo, I discovered another bed of excellent marl. It will be seen in the bank just above the bridge, where it has been exposed by the stream. Across the mouth of Eel River, the .sea has thrown up a bank of sand a mile long, and thus offered a site for a road, which has been duly improved. A bridge has been erected to connect this bar of sand with the opposite side of the river. The remainder of the distance to Dalhousic is four miles. The road passes over three sharp ridges of trap rock and some very steep hills. Eel River is a long narrow stream. It commences near the Nepisiguit, and runs through a fine level district of fertile land. There is here a large tract of superior soil, almost sur- rounded by mountains. The Colebrooke Settlement is situat- ed upon this tract, six miles from the Restigouche. There are new settlement;, each side of the river near its mouth. A great quantity of these lands remains ungranted, and there are few lo- calities where a respectable class of settlers would meet with greater encouragement. The shores between Bathurst and Dalhousie afford excel- lent fisheries for cod, pollock, haddock, halibut, herring, sal- mon, sea trout, and other kinds offish. Capelin are so nume- rous in the early part of summer, that they are taken in immense quantities, and spread upon the soil for manure. The practice of manuring land with fish is common along the whole of the north shore of New-Brunswick, and in the District of Gaspe. Experience has proved that this kind of manure, although it gives a good crop for a single season, is ultimately injurious to the land, which becomes sterile as soon as this dressing is dis- continued. This great destruction of small fish reduces the quantity of food intended for the larger ones, and, if continued, will destroy the fishery altogether. Providence never intend- ed that any of her gifts should be thus abused, and in a coun- try where limestone and marl are abundant, the practice is inexcusable. The fisheries on this coast should be protected by law. Seals are numerous in the Bay Chaleur, and they are fre- i quently seen in considerable numbers along the coast.. They iwere taken by the early inhabitants of New-Brunswick, who carried on a considerable trade in seal skins and oil. At pre- sent the seal fisherv is not attondrd to. ,tf-.«CS^— : 4'-^iSc 5 t^.^rfi'g^^.M.S.,-^ «.V.- ■ TOrOGRAPlIIOAL IlEPORT. 39 I of excellent marl, idge, where it has I has thrown np a a site for a road, as been erected to side of the river. is four miles. The 3ck and some very commences near 1 district of fertile ir soil, almost sur- jttlement is situat- luche. There are :s mouth. A great id there are few lo- 8 would meet with ousie afford excel- ibut, herring, sal- )elin are so nume- taken in immense ire. The practice 5 the whole of the District of Gaspe. anurc, although it nately injurious to lis dressing is dis- 1 fish reduces the and, if continued, nice never intend- ed, and in a coun- it, the practice is lould be protected , and they are fre- f the coast.. They v'-Brunswick, who s and oil. At prc- The Bay also abounds in various kinds of wild ducks and geese, — of the latter, flocks, containing several thousands, were seen feeding on the shore. The principal sources of the Restigouche are situated in a mountainous range that extends through the whole District of Gaspe, The course of the river, from its mouth to the distance of sixty miles, is to the southwest ; it then turns at a right angle to the northwest. Extending towards the Saint Lawrence, one of its branches reaches to within a short distance of the Metis Lal^e, and another approaches Lake Tamisquata, on the por- tage between the Saint John and Quebec. Another large branch extends to the southwest and nearly meets the streams that flow into the Saint John. The whole length of the river is estimated to be two hundred miles. The Bay Chaleur having extended deeply into the country, finally terminates in this fine river, which opens a wide district to all the advantages of trade and internal communication. The bank.') of the Restigouche are not settled more than thirty miles above its mouth. The upper part of the stream and all its branches pass through a dense wilderness. The Upsalquitch, another large tributary, descends from the southward, where it meets the heads of the Tobique and Nepisiguit, which are also uninhabited. It was up to that branch of the Alleghanys which extends throughout the District of Gaspe, that the American Govern- ment laid their claims before the question of disputed territory was settled, and, until that period, the Restigouche formed a temporary boundary between New-Brunswick and Canada. But since the termination of that dispute, the range of moun- tains separating the rivers that flow into the Saint Lawrence from those that fall into the Bay Chaleur, the Restigouche and Saint John, will form the best divisional line between the Pro- vinces. Such a line would give to each Province all the rivers that flow and open into their respective districts, and would agree with the physical geography of the country. The Restigouche and its branches pass through a tract of country diflfering in its principal features from any other part of the Province. This part of New-Brunswick may be called Alpine, its scenery being varied with lofty hills and deep val- leys. Mountain after mountain is seen rising in the distance. ,''',nu*rS^^-^^'W •->- »Hr-^ L-.ii-rS^ii^fk ||, TOPOGRAPHICAL IIEPOIIT. and the horizon is indented with lofty cones of surpassing grandeur. It is only along the shores of New-Brunswick and Canada that any settlements have been made ; a short distance from the coast, on each side of the Bay Chaleur, the country remains unexplored and unknown. It nevertheless appears, from accounts received from the Indian hunters, that even among those mountains there are large areas of table lands, capable of being extensively cultivated. These are the great reserves of territory destined to receive the redundant popula- tion of the Mother Country, at some future period. The town of Dalhousie is situated at the base of a high ridge of trap rock, on the south side of the mouth of the Resti- gouche River, which at this place is three miles wide. It con- tains one hundred buildings, with wharves and large timber ponds. The mountainous character of the country on the opposite side of the river, the wide bay above the town, termi- nating in the deep valley of the Restigouche, render the scenery very bold and picturesque. The harbour is very spa- cious, and sufficiently deep for the largest ships of the navy. During the lasi few years, an extensive timber trade has been carried on from this port. The supplies of provisions are chiefly received from Quebec. Since the recent decline in the price of timber and ships, the cultivation of the soil begins to form a part of the occupation of the inhabitants. 1 am indebted to Mr. Joseph Hunter, of this place, for information respecting the lands and the river above. ^ ,, • Campbelltown is situated sixteen miles above Dalhousie. The lands on each side of the river are high, and frequently broken and rocky. There is, nevertheless, a narrow flat of good soil along the edge of the river, which still continues wide and navigable for ships of the largest class. Point Le Guard and Battery Point, on the Gaspe side, are bold promontories; they were the sites of batteries erected by the French, in their early struggles to possess the country.--- The ancient clearings and breastworks are now covered with trees. Several large pieces of ordnance have been seen in the sand of the beach. Muskets, pistols, and swords have also been dug up from the old fortresses. . , a About a mile and a half above the town, there is a lofty hill called the Sugar Loaf. The side fronting the river is a > a-v4Jaf«rtaH*-/JS-r *>*!■ >v->-w-ir!i.si3*v-<4i-<-ij>--«' TOPOORAnilCAI- RF.POnT. 41 mes of surpassing »w-Bruii8wick and e ; a short distance laleur, the country vertheless appears, lunters, that even reas of table lands, 'hese are the great redundant popula- period. the base of a high mouth of the Resti- miles wide. It con- is and large timber the country on the ove the town, termi- gouche, render the [larbour is very spa- ships of the navy. ve timber trade has lies of provisions are recent decline in the of the soil begins to tants. lam indebted formation respecting les above Dalhousie. (ligh, and frequently ess, a narrow flat of vhich still continues St class. n the Gaspe side, are ' batteries erected by )sses8 the country. — are now covered with [lave been seen in the rivords have also been town, there is a lofty renting the river is a perpendicular cliff, with a slope debris at its base. The hill is in the form of a cone. The perpendicular cliffs and collections of enormous boulders, rendered our ascent from the western side diflicult and dangerous. Visitors arc recommended to climb the hill on its east side. It has been stated by some that the Sugar Loaf is inaccessible at the point where we gained its summit ; and we can assure those who have written upon the subject, that such an opinion may be considered correct. From its top, the mountain appears to rise from the valley like a lofty tower, and those who are not accustomed to ascend heights not relieved by descending angles, will experience the giddiness felt on the tops of steeples and towers. The apparent altitude of this eminence is much reduced because it rises from a valley surrounded by hills. The Tracadegash, and other mountains of Gaspe, are seen rising into the air in great grandeur, and the whole country, to the north, is covered with majestic cones. The Bay Chaleur and Restigouche, with their infant towns, fill up the scenery below. To the south there is a wide area of table land, covered with a living mantle of evergreens. The Sugar Loaf is three miles in circumference, and, ac- cording to the measurement taken by Sir Howard Douglas' reflecting circle, it is 844 feet high. About three miles above Canipbelltown there is a large es- tate belonging to Robert Ferguson, Esquire, one of the first set- tlers on the Restigouche. His establishment is situated upon a tract containing two hundred acres of intervale, the chief part of which is under cultivation. The example and industry of this gentleman, and a few others, have mainly contributed to the improvement of this part of the country. The river is naviga- ble for ships two miles above this place. The lands on the Gaspe s' 'e of tiie Restigouche are high and broken. The river is ski. ted with a few level tracts, and small quantities of marsh alluviums. The largest of these level tracts is Mission Point, the an- cient residence of the Missionary to the Micmac Indians. It /\ contains upwards of one thousand acres of good land, being' situated upon a coal field, to be noticed hereafter. The Point belongs to the Indians, — two hundred families of whom ar^ settled upon it. They have a large Chapel and Mission House, and small parcels of land under cultivation. >. i - '*-> r'**^t^^>^"''-»-«^'^"^'5B tlA.^I-^&'^-'S*^ ^'^< 43 TOPOGRAPHICAL REPORT. Hi Point au Bourdo, the residence of Thomas Busteed, Egquire, about three miles above the Mission Point, was. once the site of a French town called Petit Rochelle, and the shores on each side of the river were formerly occupied by French villages. The mouth of the Restigouche affords an interesting sub- ject in the history of the Province, having been settled by the early adventurers into New-Brunswick. It was the interest of the first habitants to associate with the aborigines of the coun- try ; their muskets and swords are now found in the earth with the stone tomahawks and spears of the Indians ; and their bones are mingled in one common grave. In 1770 the French Governmont made an attempt to re- gain Quebec, and to strengthen their forces in Canada. A number of store-ships, under a strong convoy, were sent out from France, and reached the Gulph of Saint Lawrence, when information was received that a British squadron had preceded them up the river. Upc the receipt of this intelligence, the Commander of the French fleet took shelter in the Bay Chaleur, where he was followed by Captain Byron, the Commanding Officer of the British ships at Louisburg. The British squadron consisted of the Fame, Dorsetshire. Achilles, Scarborough, and Repulse. In proceeding up Gaspe Bay, the French ship La Catharine was captured, and another vessel was taken near Caraquet. , The French Commander, finding he was pursued, took shelter in the Restigouche River, under the batteries of Battery Point and Point Le Guard. His fleet consisted of the Marchault, 32 guns, Esperance, 30, Bienfaisant, 22, the Marquis de Malose, of 16 gune, and several sail of small privateers. Captain Byron, with much difficulty, worked his ships up the river to the batteries, which were soon silenced. A general engagement then took place. The French fought bravely, un- til Monsieur Bourdo, the Captain of the Marchault, was killed, and a powder vessel blew up. Almost all the French vessels were either taken or sunk. The few that escaped were after- wards captured near Port Daniel. The town of Petit RocbcUe and all the forts were destroyed. The remains of two French vessels may still be seen at low water near Mission Point, where several pieces of cannon remain partially buried in the sand. Near one of the ancient batteries, one of the guns was recover- % . -' -^SSt^"^ ^aWi». .*iaS»SfeiSSaft=.S>S«S.lBr- ''JtSS^Sr i,*MasS*«af6»s5»«w« isBusteed.Egqixire, tva»once the site of the shores on each ' French villages, an interesting suh- been settled by the ; was the interest of igines of the coun- nd in the earth with ins ; and their bones le an attempt to re- rces in Canada. A nvoy, were sent out int Lawrence, when ladron had preceded his intelligence, the r in the Bay Chaleur, n, the Commanding 'he British squadron lilies, Scarborough, lay, the French ship Bssel was taken near ! was pursued, took B batteries of Battery ited of the Marchault, B Marquis de Malose, teers. worked his ships up silenced. A general li fought bravely, un- [archault, was killed, 1 the French vessels ; escaped were after- )wn of Petit RocbcUe >mains of two French Mission Point, where y buried in the sand, he guns was recover- TOPOGRAPUICAL REPORT. m ed by Robert Ferguson, Esquire, and it is now mounted near his rosidencc. It is a long French eightecii pounder. At the site of Petit Rochelle or Point aw Bourdo, now own- ed by Mr. Busteed, muskets, swords, bomb-shells, with a variety of other warlike instruments have been dug up, and among the ruins of the town, china, silver forks and spoons, and other articles of luxury have been discovered. The walls, cellars, and foundations of houses may still be traced where, like many other towns. Petit Rochelle was sacrificed to secure the country to the British Crown. The entrance of the Metis or Kempt Road is about a mile above the Point, and twenty-four miles above Dalhousie. This road was intended to reach across the District of Gaspe from the Restigouche to the Saint Lawrence. It has never been opened to any great extent, notwithstanding it is the only land communication between Gaspe and Quebec. A mail passes here once a week. The mail carrier rides on horseback about sixty miles from the Restigouche to the Matapediac Lakes, where he feeds his horse on wild hay ; he then walks upwards of forty miles to the mouth of the Metis River. This country is uninhabited, and the line of road runs through a mountain- ous and broken tract of country. The most direct route for the Great Road from Gaspe and the Restigouche to Quebec, is from the Matapediac River to Tamisquata Lake, where it would meet the road from Freder- icton to the Saint Lawrence. This line would be seventy miles shorter than the present route to the capital of Canada. The opening of a road from Fredericton to some part of the Restigouche is a matter of much importance to ihe Province The tide flows about six miles above Campbelltown, and immediately above the mouth of Little River, the Restigouche becomes more narrow, and is studded with upwards of twenty small but beautiful Islands. The current is rapid and the water is remarkably limpid. The Flat Lands are ten miles above Campbelltown. At this place the settlements on the river may be said to terminate, notwithstanding there are a (gw families scattered along the l)anks of the stream still farther up. At the Flat Lands there are five hundred acres of excellent terraced intervale, similar to that in the neighbourhood oi' VVoodstock. The ^o\\ also, jefti^ai^SSSsE»s5.-4Srf(i^ ' •"I'll *14^Sie^*«sW«S^^i^i?'*=<»-'^-V*t.* . 44 TOrOCnAPUKAI, HEPORT. i' from being derived from calcareous rocks, resembles the mel- low covering of Carleton. Limestone is also abundant. Among the most lofty eminences on the side of the river is Ben Lomond, a mass of trap rock eleven hundred and forty feet high. The lands are covered with ridges of hard-wood and cedar swamps ; and, notwithstanding the surface of the earth is so much broken by hills or mountains, the soil, wherever it is sufficiently deep for cultivation, is remarkably fertile. The river runs along a narrow channel, and between high cliffs of calcareous slate and limestone, and the whole dis- trict surpasses, in the grandeur of its scenery, any of the south- ern parts of New-Brunswick. There are a number of flourishing settlements on the Ca- nada side of the Bay Chaleur and Restigouche, but the remote- ness of the district from the seat of Government, and the want of a land communication to the Saint Lawrence, has retarded the advancement of its civil and moral institutions. All the timber cut upon the tributaries of the R.stigouche is shipped from Campbelltown and Dalhousie, on the New Brunswick side. The range of mountains separating the rivers that flow into the Saint Lawrence from those that fall into the Restigouche and Saint John, would be, in my opinion, the best divisional line between Canada and New-Brunswick. Such a line would give to each Province all the rivers that flow into their respective districts, and would agree with the physi- cal geography of the country. About two miles above the Flat Lands, a large stream en- ters the Restigouche called the Matapediac. It takes its rise from Lakes on the Saint Lawrence side of Gaspe, and descends through a chain of mountains and between perpendicular cliffs of rock ; its principal branches are the Us-men-ta-qua-gum, Ca-sops-coult, and Me-la-ga-na-took. Tow boats may be drawn up the Matapediac fifty miles. There is but little intervale on the sides of the stream, and the whole district is broken by high hills and deep ravines. There is, notwithstanding, a good supply of pine timber in this quarter. Six miles above the mouth of the above stream, the Upsal- (luitch enters the Restigouche from the New-Brunswick side. It proceeds fiorii the iiiouiitains at the heads of the Tobique and Nepisigiiit, Iji-iiim a very rapid !«trcaui with jiumerous branches. m -i. -«;««> -Si^o, ■.!P»a^ «^r^..^!N^--«.^#^^^^?^-^s^'fi-*^ ^ TopocnAriiic.M- kei'okt. 45 I, resembles the mel- so abundant. le side of the river is hundred and forty -idges of hard-wood 5 the surface of the lountains, the soil, ation, is remarkably lannel, and between e, and the whole dis- ;ry, any of the south- ittlements on the Ca- iche, but the remote- timent, and the want I'rence, has retarded titiitions. ! of the R-stigouche lousie, on the New [tins separating the from those that fall Id be, in my opinion, ind New-Brunswick. II the rivers that flow Lgree with the physi- i, a large stream en- ic. It takes its rise Gaspe, and descends ! perpendicular clifls e Us-men-ta-qua-gumt boats may be drawn lut little intervale on [Strict is broken by withstanding, a good ve stream, the Upsal- ^cw-Brunswick side. Is of the Tobique and I jiuiiuTous blanches. Its tributaries also run between perpendicular clifls, which greatly inc -ease the danger and difficulty of procuring the pine timber still remaining along the borders. From tie Upsalquitch to the mouth of the Patapediac, the distance is twenty-nine miles ; eight miles above the mouth of the former stream, a ledge i>f rocks crosses the river and forms the " chain rock rapids." Still farther up the land has been overrun with fires, and the country has a peculiar gloomy appearance. The river will average sixteen rods in width, and passes through a deep channel cut through the mountains, and between clifls of calcareous slate from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet in height. The Patapediac is a stream of considerable size. It extends to the northwest, and it is said by the Indians that it approaches within a short distance of the Metis Lake. The same general features that have been described pre- vail upwards to the mouth of a river called by the lumbermen the Tom Kedgwick, fifty miles above the mouth of the Upsal- quitch. The lands here become less mountainous, and are fit for cultivation. . In order to explore the upper part of the Restigouche and Grand River, a tributary of the Saint John, my son ascended the latter stream, and having procured canoes and provisions, with a guide, he crossed from Grand River to the Restigouche. Grand River is a quiei stream, navigable for canoes and rafts twenty miles. The large boulders at its mouth might be removed. It passes through a level tract of good land and narrow strips of intervale. After ascendi"g the river twenty miles, and one of its branches called the Waagan, a portage was made of three miles to a branch of the Restigouche, also called the Waagan. The portage path is across a ridge of land a hundred feet above the level of the sea. The country here was overrun by fire three years ago, and from the great number of fallen trees, there was much difficulty in transporting the canoes from one river to the other. This ridge divides the waters of the Saint John from those of the Restigouche, which nearly meet in a swamp in the neighbourhood of the portage. A canal might i)e opened bttweeu these two streams at a moderate ex- peusL'. IP 46 TOPOGRAPHICAL REPORT. The diiHcuhies of descending from the sources of the river in the autumn are very considerable. We were compelled to drag our canoes nine miles along the bed of the stream. And so great is the difference of climate in the wilderness that ice was frozen half an inch in thickness on the upper part of the Restigouche, on the 13th September, while at the mouth of the river no frost had been seen, and luxuriant crops of wheat were in full harvest. Between the Waagan or Hunter's Brook, on this branch of the Restigouche and the " Little Forks," the distance is about twelve miles. There are some alluviums on the side of the stream, from which the uplands rise gradually to a moderate height. At the " Forks," the river is eighty yards wide, and another branch of considerable size extends to the northward. The due north line of the Americans, according to their former claim, crosses the stream three miles below Hunter's Brook. It is run very correctly, and cleared of underbrush fourteen feet wide. Twenty-seven miles farther down the stream, this branch joins the main river. Five Finger Brook is also a large tributary on the New-Brunswick side, where there is a consi- derable quantity of intervale, and land fit for cultivation. "We were surprised to observe that the stream which has generally been understood to be the Restigouche, and is so called by the English inhabitants, is only a branch of the main river. The main river, on some of the maps, is called the Cadamkiswa, which the lumbermen who visit the place have changed into Madam Kedgewick or Tom Kedgewick. The Indian name in the Micmac language is the Pec-tam-kcdge-toee, The southwesterly branch of the river above its junction with the larger stream is called by the Micmacs A-waan-jeet. The former stream is one-third larger than the latter, and is eighty yards wide where it meets its chief tributary. The distance from the mouth of Grand River, along the A-waan-jeet, or south-west branch of the Restigouche, to its entrance, is one hundred and fifty miles. The Restigouche is navigable for tow-boats and rafts one hundred and twenty miles. The Matapediac is navigable fifty miles, and the Upsal- qnitch about seventy miles. All these streams are situated in an uninhabited and almost unexplored country. The district examined abounds in marl and limestone, and notwithstanding g 1, ' ir'-'":^i^-'S^J~ ■^'i^^-^ki: 'i'^^fi^^'^S^'^^^"^^^"^^*^^ Si^ TOPOrniAnilCAl. BEPORT. 47 I sources of the river were compelled to if the stream. And wilderness that ice upper part of the at the mouth of the :rop8 of wheat were k, on this branch of e distance is about on the side of the lally to a moderate ity yards wide, and s to the northward, ding to their former Hunter's Brook. It •brush fourteen feet II the stream, this 3rook is also a large re there is a consi- for cultivation. e stream which has igouche, and is so , branch of the main maps, is called the isit the place have 1 Kedgewick. The e Pec-tam-hedge-wee, ve its junction with 8 A-waan-jeet. The latter, and is eighty ■y- tid River, along the Restigouche, to its The Restigouche is mdred and twenty fiiles, and the Upsal- iams are situated in mtry. The district nd notwithstanding the lands at the entrance of the main river are mountainous and broken, the soil in general is good, and produces excel- lent crops of all kinds of grain. When the extent and resources of this j...rt of New-Brunswick are considered, it may appear surprising that it has so long remained in its pre- sent state. But it can never be supposed that any district will bb settled so long as its natural advantages remain unknown. PUBLIC LANDS. The Province contains about 1G,.'>00,000 acres ; of this quantity 12,000,000 acres are capable of immediate cultivation, a-ul 1,000,000 may be reclaimed in a more advanced state of Agriculture. I have estimated thai, including the great marshes of Wesmorland, only 440,000 acres are cleared.* lly obtaining a credii of the Government for fifty acres of land, any person, with a family, having a capital of £12 Currency, (£9 12s. Sterling,) can maintain such fauiily until the first crop is produced, and, with sobriety and industry, in six years they can pay for the land with the interest on the first pur- rliase, and purchase fifty acres more on credit. The above may be performed in a less time than six years, but I have taken this period as i. medium estimate. The lands along the southern coast of the Province are in general much less fit for cultivation than those of the inte- rior and northern shores. The settlers are also exposed to the dense fogs of the coast, but which seldom reach more than twenty miles from the seaboard. The soil, from being derived from granite and other hard rock, is more scanty along the southern coast, and it is frequently too stony to be extensively cultivated. There are, nevertheless, many small tracts of good upland, and some fine intervales along the rivers and smaller streams. Twenty miles from the southern seaboard the lands im- prove, and the whole northern side of the Province may be said to be capable of being tilled to advantage. The quality * From official returns, 3,634,280 acres have been granted, and 13,793,273 remain at the disposal of the Crown. • ^M^V:^?mm^-^?:y^-^r^HM'i^'i^^^^^>^'^-^^'^-"'^--'^' ^^"'■■" T 4B TOPOOnAPHHAI. RKPOUT. l: of the soil, however, differs in .liffereut districts, tiiul there arc innny extensive tracts of waste lands of a snperior quality. The several Counties have been classed in regard to the lands they contain fit for immediate settlement, in the following order : — Saint JoAn.— There is but a very limited quantity of good ungranted land in this County. The lands eastward of Quaco, anil those recently laid out between Quaco and Hammond Ri- ver, are in general broken and stony, and the gravelly nature of the soil is seldom discovered until the land s cleared of its timber ; there are but few intervales* in this Co.nty. King's Countif.— There is a large area of snperior land for settlement southward of Sussex Vale, and at the head of the Mill Stream. Westmorland.— In the County of Westmorland there still re- main some fine ungranted tracts. They are chiefly situated at the heads of Pollct and Coverdale Rivers, and Turtle Creek, and also at the sources of the Washademoak. The soil in ge- neral is a sandy loam, and it is easily worked. There is some intervale still ungranted. Queen's.— In Queen's County there are a number of tracts of excellent ungranted land. There is a large tract between the Nerepis Road and Gagctown, including the Victoria Settle- ment. Also southward of the Nerepis Road, upon both sides - of the Washademoak River, above Long's Creek, and between Salmon River and New Canaan Setdemcnt. Some of these soils are a deep red loam. Limestone was found to be abun- dant on both sides of the Saint John : it will be seen at the farm of Mr. Merritt, and at the south entrance of the Washademoak. Charlotte.— The best ungranted lands in this County were seen in the direction of the Magaguadavic River ; and there are intervales along the principal streams. The northern part of this County abounds in granite rocks. The lands in the Tryon Settlement are in general rocky, and a part of the soil is meagre. • Alluvial flats adjacent to Uie rivers, which are annually overflowed, and yield abundant liny crops. . ^f the Washademoak. in this County were vie River ; and there . The northern part I. The lands in the md a part of the soil annually overflowed, and ToponnvpurcvL nEPonr. 49 Siinhuri/. — Almost all the nngranted land in this County is of a good quu;i;y, ami probably not more than one half of its surface is disposed of. There arc some good intervales. Y'ork. — TIio best iingrautod lands in tiiis CJoiinty are sitn- •,itod on the soiitli-east side of the Nasliwaak, and near the main South-West Miramiclii and Taxas River. ^ Carldon. — Almost all the lands in this Coimty are of a su- perior quality. Between the Saint John and the Main South- West Miramichi, there is an immense tract of fertile soil, with belts of intervale along the streams. Very extensive settle- ments might be opened in this quarter. Farther westward tlicre is a mountainous ridge ; even here there are some supe- rior lands, and the scenery is truly Alpine. The Tobiqiie River passes through a fine country for agriculture, where gypsum and limestone are abundant. The river is skirted with excel- lent intervales. These lands are not granted, and offer every advantage for settlement. Near the banks of the Saint John, the Grand Falls, and at Grand River, the land is good, and limestone is plentifully scattered over the County. Kc«<.— There arc some good soils in this County, many of them are, however, light and sandy. Northumberland.— T^ic good land in this County is too ex- tensive to require any particular description, and there is much intervale along the streams. Gloucester. — The above remark will apply to the north- eastern part of Gloucester. There are, nevertheless, some low and swampy grounds in this quarter. Rest'tgnuche.— The lands near the mouth of the Restigouche arc mountainous and broken. Southward of Dalhousie and Campbelltowu there is a large tract of superior land ; upon a part of this tract the Colebrooke Setdement is situated. There are good lands upon the upper part of the river. The interior of Gloucester and Restigouche Counties have not been ex- plored. i >l if t4 n St) TOPOCnAnilCAL REPOnT. m Tlicrc is another subject that requires some consideration. It is the manner of making surveys. It is not possible for any survey to be made correctly, where the variation of the Mag- netic Needle is not attended to, ... In a country where the variation is constantly increasing, and there arc numerous causes of local attraction, care shou d be taken to ascertain the true variation, and back sights shoiild always be had to discover any local attraction that may exist. 1 have tried the variation of the Magnetic Needle '" d'ff"«m parts of the Province, and find that it varies from 17 to 24 '"^"""r' would be highly advantageous to establish several Me- ridian Eines in the Province, to aid the surveyors in each dis- trict ; and their compasses and circumferenters should be com- pared on one of these Meridians, in order to determine their correctness. * , . .u u uu, k-. After the Canada line has been fixed, it will probably be considered necessary to lay out one or two new Connties in the Northern and Western part of the Province.' My abridged Report of the Tobique will shew the agricultural capabilities of a large tract of country in that quarter. I am happy to learn that the Coast Survey of Captain Owen will extend up all the Rivers of the Province, so far da they are navigable for boats, and I beg leave to ofier the opinion, that it would be of great advantage to the Province to possess an accurate survey of the principal Streams running into the in- . lerior. . , , Few, if any, of the County or Parish Lines have even been explored or run, and serious difficulties have arisen from the ■ want of knowleuge in regard to distinct boundaries. A Geographical and Geological Survey of their boundaries might be continued after the manner of the Ordnance Survey now going forward in England. A work of this kind would be important to science, and in opening of the resources of the Country ; nor would the expense extend beyond the means which would naturally fall to so useful an object. ' The Township laid out at the Great Falh would be favorably situated for a Beat of Magistracy. some consideration, not possible for any iriation of the Mag- (nstantly increasing, traction, care should d back sights should ction that may exist. : Needle in different ies from 17 « to 24» establish several Me- urvcyors in each dis- nters should be com- er to determine their I, it will probably be new Connties in the ince.* My abridged •icultural capabilities r. rvey of Captain Owen ace, so far om they are )ffer the opinion, that rovince to possess an 1 running into the in- Lines have even been have arisen from the boundaries, ey of their boundaries the Ordnance Survey L of this kind would be f the resources of the id beyond the means n object. mid be favorably situated for PART II. i . GEOLOGICAL REPORT. Geoloot, as a science, in the most comprehensive meaning of the term, signifies a knowledge of the structure of the earth. It embraces all the operations that have taken place in the globe, from its surface to its deepest centre ; and all the differ- ent changes that have occurred in the organic kingdoms of nature. The rocks and minerals, forming the crust of the earth, are not only interesting as objects of science, but they arc also invaluable in the different arts, and, next to the vegetable kingdom, they are necessary to the support and happiness of mankind. The great variety of soils spread over the globe have had their origin in the rocks forming its exterior part ; and there- fore geology is a most important auxiliary to agriculture. Vegetables, from being influenced in their growth by soil and climate, are governed by a variety of circumstances of a geological nature, and as the earth is the basis upon which all are fixed, every change in its surface produces a correspond- ing change in the character of plants ; and even animal nature accommodates itself to the geological conditions of the earth's crust. I ^■99 1 52 GEOLOOKAl, REPORT. The physical features and scenery of every individual dis- trict have been derived from geological causes, through whose agency the sublime grandeur of the mountain and the beauty of the valley have been produced. In pursuing a study so wide and important, the labours of an individual are indeed insignificant; but they may be so applied to a particular district as to render them hig lily useful ii an economical point of view ; and, by the u«;.f "" -ti^ of a great number of persons, a vast collection of facts is ob- tained, which establish the science and explain many of the mvsteries of nature. . , 'in continuing the Geological Survey of New-Brunswick our labours were commenced where they had terminated last season, and to the discoveries previously made others have ^'''Thtteological exploration of the Province had been ex- tended to all the Southern and Eastern Counties, and Nor h- ward to a line drawn from Woodstock to Boiestown, and along the Miramichi River to its mouth. ,„ , . , , During the past season the rocks between Woodstock and the Grand Falls were examined, and explorations were made of the Tobique, Grand, and Restigouche Rivers, and also of a part of the coast between Bathurst and Dalhousie, along the Bay Chaleur^ seen hereafter that these districts offer a most interesting field of inquiry, being valuable to the Province on account of the minerals they contain. „ , ^ In taking a general view of this part of the Country, it may be remarked, that its geology is by no means simple. The number and variety of the formations, and their i-elation to each other, afford subjects for very extensive research. The stratified rocks at numerous places abound in lossUs, and therefore offer an ample opportunity for the exercise of that part of geological science which inquires into the nature of animals now only known by the relics they have left of their existence. . • i *„ The tract of country under consideration may be said to extend from the River Saint John, between Woodstock and Madawaska, to the Bay Chaleur and the Restigouche. A sec- tion has been made across this tract, one hundred ami fiil> i r.EOLOOIC.M, UEPnUT. S3 every individual dis- mses, through whose ntaiii and the beauty ortant, the labours of but they may be so !r them highly useful y the united industry ection of facts is ob- explain many of the y of Psew-Brunswick, y had terminated last ily made others have 'rovince had been ex- Counties, and North- Boiestown, and along tween Woodstock and ;plorations were made ; Rivers, and also of a Dalhousie, along the ■ districts offer a most ible to the Province on part of the Country, it by no means simple, ons, and their relation xtensive research, laces abound in fossils, lity for the exercise of uquires into the nature elics they have left of leration may be said to }tween Woodstock and le Rcstigouche. A sec- one hundred aud fifty miles in length. It was penetrated on the Tobiquc to the dis- tixuce of eighty miles, and its l)orders were examined to con- sidcral)le extent ; but as almost the whole of the district is co- vered with the native, forest, and is not inhabited, the facilities of examination are much diminished, while the labour and ex- pense of exploration arc gready increased. For general purposes it may be stated that the rocks along die Saint John, between Woodstock and Madawaska, consist of argillaceous and calcareous slates, grauwacke and grau- wacke slate, limestones, sandstones, and conglomerates be- longing to the transition series of the older geologists. The strata are penetrated by numerous dikes and veins of trap. The same kind of strata, with the accompanying dikes, were found to occupy a part of the State of Maine to the south- west, and, crossing the Saint John, they were seen along the whole of Grand and Restigouche Rivers, and the shores of a part of the Bay Chaleur. They appear also in the district of (jiaspe, and were followed from the southwest to the northeast two hundred and fifty miles. These strata are not, however, perfectly continuous ; for about midway between Woodstock on the south and Dalhousie on the north, there is a chain of mountains consisting of granite and other rocks generally admitted to be of igneous origin. This extensive group of transition strata appears to have formed an original surface, which was broken up by the up- heaving of a chain of mountains and hills. It is interrupted by lofty masses of granite and trap. The veins of these rocks seen penetrating the slate, grauwacke and limestone, are evi- dences of their subsequent protrusion. The same group is also overlaid by deposits of red sandstone at Eel River near Dalhousie and at other places. On the Tobique River, they are surmounted by red sandstone, red marl, limestone and gypsum. Above these there are tertiary deposits, contain- ing both marine and fresh water shells, and on the surface there is a general distribution of sand, gravel, loam, and boulders. It will appear in a more detailed account of the geology of this part of the country, that very extensive districts are com- posed of the rocks denominated transition. They consist of strata now known as the "Silurian," which have been sepurat- m 54 GEOLC)(;lCAL UKPORT. ed from the older schistose rocks into a new group, and ably do- scribed by Mr. Murchisor.* These abound in fossil corals and shells, and afford another instance of the identity of American and European strata. We may enter upon the consideration of each of these different classes of rocks in the order they occur, descending from the upper to the lower deposits. When the geological exploration of the Province is completed, a full chronological arrangement of the rocks will be given, with a map and illus- trations. The order of chronological succession in the stratified rocks and superficial deposits, as it has been discovered in the northwestern part of N nv-Brunswick, may be represented in the following manner :•— Recknt Alluvium. 4^ ' AsciE.NT Alluvium. ,„ < Tertiary deposits, containing fresh water shelU. 1 EnTiARV ^ Tertiary doiiosit!!, containing marine shells. ' ' ' Red sandstones and congloiueratci. Limestone. Rxu SiXDSTONE^ Red sandstone and gyp >jOUS moirls. Gypsum. .Red sandstones, red marls and conglomerates. Coal Measurcs — Sandstone, shsje and coal. a.. .,-..„$ Upper Silurian. S"-"""" J LiArer Silurian. I^AMBRiAs J Argillaceous slate. . CAMBRIAN ^ Grauwacke. ■ ' " - Umtratificd Rocks. Granite. Sienite. Trap. Serpentine. Veins of granite have been found intersecting the lower grauwacke and argillaceous slates. Dikes of trap extend through the Cambrian and Silurian strata, and may be discover- ed hereafter in the red sandstone in the manner they exist in *"The Silurian System, founded on geological researches in the border Counties of England and Wule?, with descriptions of the Coiil Fields and overlie- ing forinntion», by Roderick Impey Murchison, Esquire, F. R. S., &c. : R«yd 4to.: London : 1831}." GEOLOGICAL REPORT. ■group, .md ably do- d ill fossil corals and dentity of American in of each of these y occur, descending Vhen the geological a full chronological vith a map and illus- ion in the stratified en discovered in the ay be represented in /(\ter shellj. shells. ItCJ. ttitif, coiiglomcratcs. itersccting the lower likes of trap extend and may be discovcr- inanner they exist in researches in the border the Colli Ficlila aud overliu- Hiirc, F. R. S, &c. : K«yd the southern parts of the Province, and in some of the sand- stones of Nova-Scotia. The general direction of the strata is from the southwest to the northeast. The strike of the beds is, nevertheless, variable, and the upturned edges of the layers are sometimes bent in salient angles. The minerals contained in these rocks will be noticed at the close of the Report. RECENT ALLUVIUMS. The operations of the atmosphere, rain, dissolving snow, frost, and other agents, are constantly wearing down the hardest rocks, and modifying the surface of the earth. The materials forming the most solid parts of the globe are thus disintegrated and sometimes decomposed ; and being carried downwards by streams of water, or upwards by the tides, they are deposited along the rivers and in the estuaries of the sea, in the form of gravel, sand, clay, or loam. These are called allu- vial deposits. The fine alluviums skirting the Saint John and other rivers of the Province have chiefly resulted from the overflowing of the streams whereby a layer of fine sediment is periodically deposited over the lower grounds. The fine tracts called intervale have been produced by similar causes ; and they aflbrd a kind of history of the streams that pass through them, which from time to time have had their levels lowered ; whereby the steps or terraces on their sides have resulted. In no part of the Province are these terraces more beautifully displayed than at Woodstock, and on the banks of the Saint John, between that place and the mouth of the Tobique River. The formation of terraces has been explained in the Fourth Report on the Geological Survey of the Province, page 64.— Since the publication of that Report, terraces on the Tobique, Restigouche and other rivers have been observed. At Mr. Henry Shaw's farm, a few miles above Woodstock, there are four of these steps ; the same number appear at Hay- den's Ferry. Two miles below the mouth of the Presq' Isle, there are five terraces, and the river at this place has worn REOl.OfiU AI, KEPOIIT. down its bed to the tJoptli of sixty feet. At the Flat Lands, on the Uostigouche, there are four terraces. Alhivial flats and basins arc sometimes formed by obstruc- tions in the streams, from rafts and jams of timber, which result in dams, and cause the lands to overflow. lii the basins, thus formed, the fine sediment collects, and rich alluviums arc formed. In the country, and near the sources of the rivers, Buch alluviums are by no means of rare occurrence ; and there are instances when they have been produced by the dams built by the industrious beaver. Of the alluviums of the sea, only a few small tracts occur, within the district explored during the past season. They are situated at the mouth of the Restigouche, and being very small collections, they are not to be compared with the great marshes of Westmorland, where the great elevation of the tide is highly favourable to the production of this kind of soil. 5 ' all these alluvial deposits there are great quantities of logs, leaves of trees, &c., and soaietimcs the bones and horns of wild animals. From the great length of the Saint John, the rapidity of the current, and the yielding nature of the rocks through which it passes, extensive alluvial tracts have been formed upon its sides and along the low grounds upon its borders. The Rcsti- g(/uche is also a rapid stream, but the rocks of its mountainous region supply but little sediment, and during the summer months its waters are pure and limpid. The alluviums along its borders are therefore scanty. ANCIENT ALLUVIUM. The several deposits arranged under this I'^id, are fre- quently called" Terrainsdc Tramport:' These terms are intended to include all the loose mineral materials which are spread over the surface. They consist of erratic boulders, gravels, sands, and clays. The lowest of these beds generally consist of blue and yellow clays : then there ai-e collections of gravel, often a hundred feet in thickness, diednctly stratified and marked with water lines. That these stratified beds were deposited through the agency of water there can be no doubt, as they exhibit all those peculiar marks seen in the sands at the mouths of rivers the Flat Lands, on formed by obstruc- iinber, which result lii the basins, thus •ich alluviums are iirccs of the rivers, urrence ; and there jdby the dams built small tracts occur, season. They are id being very small ;h the great marshes [)f the tide is highly f soil. 5 ' all these !s of logs, leaves of rns of wild animals. I, the rapidity of the ks through which it n formed upon its lorders. The Resti- i of its mountainous luring the summer 'be alluviums along • this I'"nd, are fre- e terms are intended hich are spread over ders, gravels, sands, ■rally consist of blue ns of gravel, often a led and marked with e deposited through t, as they exhibit all the mouths of rivers GEOLOGICAL REPORT. m k and on the sea shore ; but they appear upon a scale far greater than can be comprehended by reference to the largest rivers or bayp where the tides are most violent. Above those beds there is another deposit of boulders, sand and gravel mixed indiscriminately, and seldom exhibit- ing any marks of stratiHcation. In the production of these three different kinds of deposits there appear to have been the same number of causes in operation. The clays were doubt- less the fine sediment that fell from the tranquil waters. The stratified beds of gravel and sand offer every kind of evidence of having been fixed in their present positions by the action of water in motion ; while the confused heaps of boulders and gravel must be ascribed to some cause of which drift ice offers the best explanation of the phenomena that can be afforded. In almost every part of the Province, boulders of different kinds of rock, with collections o( debris, are scattered over the surface. In many instances, I have traced these boulders to their birth-places — to the hills and mountains, whence they were drifted. Whatever might hav6 been the cause of their tranciportation, in almost every instance, they have been carried from the north to the south ; and the same current that forced them away from their original sites, has swept over the whole Continent of America, its course having been modified by the hills and valleys over which it passed. On ihe '^.orth side of the Province, there are erratic blocks, which have been evidently transported across the Gulph of Saint Lawrence and Bay Chaleur, and the granite boulders of Bald Mountain are found a hundred and fifty miles to the south. In New Brunswick there is an extensive tract of level country, where boulders and drift blocks of stone are numerous, and where the surface f the rocks is deeply furrowed and scratched with parallel strm. It has been supposed, by some Geologists, that these stria, as they appear in other parts of the globe, were produced by glaciers, which also transported the boulders. But there are no mountains within the distance of two hundred miles from which glaciers could have descended to the eastern parts of the Province ; and, in order to have reached the sites where the loose drift blocks of stone now appear, they would necessarily have had to cross the Bay Chaleur, or large rivers, and to have pursued their courses up 8 J* ■ ^-« J-Siw^i. iSf > V' 58 cnoi.ofiicAi. nEronr. some steep acclivities, before they arrived at the places of their tlestinatiou. However certain it may be that the vast quantities of debris, found at the bases of the Alps, and other lofty moun- tains, have been carried downwards by glaciers, the transpor tation of boulders and the striated surfaces of the rocks in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia cannot be cxpiained by the glacial theory. At Saint John, Hampton Ferry, Saiirt Stephens, Grand Falls, and numerous other places in New Bininswick, the paral- lel grooves and strifs are sCen extending horizontally along the sides of the highest hills. Their direction is from the northeast to the southwest, varying from 20® to 40° eastward of north, and from 20° to 40® westward of south. The hills and the valleys are farrowed in the same direction, being covered with the same cn-atic masses. All the facts, when taken together, will not support that theory which applies to countries whose mountains are covered with "eterttal snow," The fields and masses of ice that float in the great Bays of North America during the spring, and the icebergs of Baffin's Bay, and the ocean still farther north, offer i far better solution of this question than can be derived from the other source. These icebergs and fields of ice, from freezing fast to the shores, become loaded with rocks and gravel ; they are then lifted by the high tides, and drift to great distances, carrying with them great quantities of rocks, debris, gravel, sand, &c. From being urged over the rocks and shoals by t" e currents, the protruding masses scratch and furrow the rocks beneath in the direction of the current. In the spring, the heat of the sun gradually dissolves the ice, nntil the weight of the rocks, gravel, &c. predominates, and the remainder of the reduced mass sinks. Such as are stranded on the shore at high water, and arc there dissolved, leave a collection of stones, gravel, and sand, and sometimes soils with plants. Frequently these confused collections of mineral and vegetable matter arc trans- ported by the winds and tides several hundred miles. The close resemblance of these collections to those of the ancient alluvial and boulder formation, is such as can scarcely be mis- taken ; and although the erratic collections, called diluvial, are far superior in magnitude to the ice deposits upon the coasts, they possess many similar features. V2A. CEOLOOIC.II, KEPOIIT. SO at the places of their at the vast quantities nd other lofty moun- acicrs, the transpor- s of the rocks in New liained by the glacial itt Stephens, Grand Jininswick, the paral- oriiontally along the I is from the northeast eastward of north, . The hills and the 1, being covered with I'hen taken together, s to countries whose low," t in the great Bays of e icebergs of Baffin's ;r fi far better solution [>m the other sonrcc. freezing fast to the ravel ; they are then it distances, carrying ris, gravel, sand, &c. oals by t" e currents, >w the rocks beneath pring, the heat of the weight of the rocks, inder of the reduced 1 shore at high water, ion of stones, gravel, its. Frequently these able matter arc trans- hundred miles. The those of the ancient s can scarcely be mis- tions, called diluvial, ce deposits upon the res. It is not doubted that the whole of this northern continent was once l)encath the sea. The transportation of rocks, gravel, and sand is therefore in the order of natural events. Mr. Lyell, in his Principles of Geology, has treated this sub- ject with great care and ability, and the views he has therein set forth, are in accordance with the facts as they may Ijc seen in these Northern Ck)lonies. It TERTIARY DEPOSITS. Upper Tertiary, containing Fresh Water Shells. In former Reports,.! have described the tertiary strata of vlic southern Counties, which agree with the others situated along the shores of the Counties of Restigouche and Glouces- ter ; but all thefie deposits difl'er materially from those I have called upper tertiary. The latter were first seen near Belle Dune Point, on the farm of Mr. James Galbraith. They are strata of yellowish white marl two feet in thickness, and proba- bly occupying an area of forty acres. They are situated be- neath five feet of peat, containing the trunks and roots of de- cayed trees. This marl is almost a pure carbonate of lime, and closely resembles chalk. It abounds in the remains of several species of fresh water shells, all of which still exist in the Province. This deposit is near the Br.y, and is only elevated above the sea about fifteen feet. Its site appears to have been a fresh water lake, and the white chalky marl now contained in it has probably been derived from the decomposition of lacustrine shells. Near Dalhousie there is a similar deposit, and I had previ- ously discovered the same kind of formation in Nova-Scotia. — When the country shall be more cleared of its forests, other beds of shell marl will probably be discovered. Lower Tertiary, containing Marine Shells, These strata consist of brown and buff-coloured clays ajid blue and lead-coloured marls, containing great jKiuibcrs of .nariiic shells. r :^,fe> '^'.ifS-^.J>i' GO GEOLOGIC .VL REPORT. M- About four miles north of Bathurst, on the shore, and re- posing upon red sandstone, the tertiary beds appear in the fol- lowing order: — Soil, . - • ■ Stratified sand and gravel, Blue marl, contaiuiiig marine shells, Brown clay, with shells, Sand >ind gravel. 6 inches. 5 feet. 4 feet. ■ • 2 feet. Depth unknown. The same strata have been penetrated in sinking wells m the town of Bathurst, Petit Roche, and other places along the shore. On the north side of Jacquet River at its mouth, and extend- ing along the shore to Nash's Creek, the tertiary deposits are e.xposed, and present a steep embankment towards the sea. At this place the bed of blue marl is eight feet hick be mgsur lunted by the stratified sand as before mentioned Iromthe ureat numbers of the mya mcrcenaria contained m the marl stra- fuT, Sie inhabitants call it the "clam bed." The valves of lalani are very numerous, and far exceed in sue any that now inhabit the coast. Two species of n^ytiH, pectcn e»ncen.nc«. vems mercenaria, and other shells, are common With these there are the remains of marine plants, which yield the pecuhar odour of marsh mud. . u • i„» «!.« Mhp At the north River Charlo, just above the bridge, the blue marl stratum is fourteen feet in thickness, «"d is situated be- neath seven feet of sand and pebbles. At other situations along the coast it offers few other characters than those already described. /-et„^„ The height of the tertiary strata is on an average fifteen feet above the level of the sea. They are ^""Jemporaneous with the tertiary deposits along the shores of the Bay of Fundy . notwithstanding, on the latter coast they have an average ele- vation of twenty feet. The similarity in the mineral charactei of the beds and the identity of the shells, are proofs ^Jt jhese strata belong to the same period, and have been elevated by the same movement. , . , i « ♦„- Of thirty different species of shells found in the lower ter- tiary deposits of the southern Counties, twenty-four still inhabit the present shores. The remaining six are probably extinct m this climate. Sufficient time has not been allowed to examine the tcstacca and Crustacea of the northern marl beds ; they arc, v!--.Y. '";-,jn^!p^TK^'^"^V-L- REOLOGICAL REPOnT. 01 )n the shore, an [| re eds appear iu the ful 6 inches. 5 feci. " 4 feet. 2 feet. Depth unknown. i sinking wells in the laces along the shore, its mouth, and extend- ! tertiary deposits are It towards the sea. At feet thick, being sur- mentioned. From the lined in the marl stra- bed." The valves of J in size any that now fi7/, pectcn conccntricus, :ommon. With these hich yield the peculiar ire the bridge, the blue !8S, and is situated be- . At other situations ters than those already ( on an average fifteen are contemporaneous isoftheBayofFundy; f have an average ele- 1 the mineral character s, are proofs that these ve been elevated by the found in the lower ter- twenty-four still inhabit are probably extinct in een allowed to examine n marl beds ; they are, notwithstanding, known to be similar to those of the south, already described.* Above these tertiary strata, there are the ancient alluvial rieposits, with boulders and other drift masses. From all these circumstances, it is evident, that while the animals of the tertia- ry strata were in a living state, the sea occupied a higher level than it does at present. These animals were buried beneath l)ed8 of gravel and sand, mixed with erratic fragments of rocks. Finally the whole surface of the Province was lifted up, or the sea was withdrawn from it, and the whole of these formations, with their living marine animals and plants, were elevated above the sea, where they still remain. We have the indisput- able evidence that New-Brunswick has been subject to those remarkable geological changes which are also known to have taken place ii? other parts of the world. -* *" RED SANDSTONE. The next formation in descending order is the red sand- stone The exact limits of the rocks belonging to this group could not be ascertained in an uncleared and uninhabited coun try They are, notwithstanding, supposed to extend over sa area of four hundred square miles in the western part of Ue Province, and they have been coloured on the geological ir ap as correctly as the circumstances would admit of. The rocks belonging to this system an situated on both sides of the Tobique River, between the Red Rapids and the Blue Mountains, and they extend several n^iies west m the di- rection of the Grand Falls and Grand River, and eastward along the courses of the Agulquac and Wapskanegan. This group ol strata consists of red sandstones, conglomerates and marls, associated with limestones, gypsum, and salt springs, and they repose unconformably upon the silurian rocks. From being unable to discover any organic remains in the formation by which alone its relative age can be correctly determined. 1 have hesitated to affix to it the term of either new or old red "I ' Sec Third Report m Uic Goolosicul Survey of the Trovmce of New-Bruns- wick— page 16. i m 63 tiCOI.OGir.VL REPORT' Handsloiic. The presence of gypsum or salt ilocs not decide tl»o age of the group, for Mr. Murchison, in his travels over Russia, found those minerals contained in the old red sand- atone or Devonian system, and from some facts pointed out to me by Mr. Lyell during his recent visit to this country, it does not yet appear certain to what group the gypseous sandstones of Nova-Scotia and New-Brunswick belong. I am, notwith- standing, of the opinion that they will, upon extensive research, be found to constittitc the group known as the new red sand- stone, which has not been always duly distinguished from the Devonian system beneath the coal. The rocks of the group under consideration present many varieties in composition and colour. The conglomerates in general are hard and compact, and the cementing matter is both argillaceous and calcareous. The sandstones arc both fine and coarse-grained, with a prevailing colour of brick red. But occasionally the strata are grey, and even white, the whole being streaked with patches of green. With these there arc layers of indurated clay and red marl, gypseous and calcareous marls, slaty sandstone and red shale. Some of the strata arc filled with nodules of limestone. UYPSUM. iPi About two miles above the mouth of the Wapskanegan, on the Tobique, the Red Sandstone, interstratified with Gypsum, presents a perpendicular cliff one hundred and thirty-five feet in height. The Gypsum is of the compact and fibrous varieties. The former occurs in beds from one to six feet in thickness. Its prevailing colours are red and dark chocolate colour. The fibrous variety is in thin scams of a beautiful white and straw colour. The strata dip northeast by east 5*. The Gypsum also occurs in the sides of the Wapskanegan, and at other places in its vicinity. This Gypsum will be very valuable to the agriculture of this part of the Province, and small quantities have been already successfully applied to lands in the upper parishes of Carleton. It may be transported along the stream before mentioned, across a short portage, and down the Miramichi to the Northern Counties of ihc Province. m ClKOLOrjCAT. REPORT. n3 ' salt docs not dvcidc , in his travels over in the old red sand- ? facts pointed out to > this country, it does gypseous sandstones long. I am, notwith- 3n extensive research, as the new red sand- istiuguishcd from the leration present many rhe conglomerates in s cementing matter is sandstones arc both g colour of brick red. even white, the whole With these there are pscous and calcareous Some of the strata arc the Wapskanegan, on [ratified with Gypsum, ed and thirty-five feet t and fibrous varieties. six feet in thickness, hocolatc colour. The utiful white and straw ist 5*. The Gypsum inegau, and at other : to the agriculture of quantities have been in the upper parishes )ag the stream before I down (he Miramichi ICC. ' ' -I " " SALT. ' "'" About half a mile above the (Jypsnm clifl", u small brook of l>rackish water enters the Tol)iquc from the eastward. — This brook proceeds from a salt-spring, situated about a mile from the river. LIMESTONE. Half a mile farther northward, the red sandstones and marl are succeeded by a coarse white sandstone, and thin Limestone. The surface of the Limestone is much broken, and the formation is evidently cavernous. The rock is fre- (liiontly cellular, and the cells are often filled with stalacti- cal concretions. The red sandstone and marl cover the Limestone to the north-east. The order of succession in these strata may be represented in the following manner, iloscending : — Red Saiidstorto and CongloineratCs. Limestone. , * ffjifS Kcd Sandstone and Red Marl. (iypscous Alurlsi. - , '' Gypsum. Red Sandstone, with nodular Linietitone. •' Red Conglonierato. The whole of the country occupied by diis group of rock*i is remarkably fertile. The soil in general is a deep red loam, admirably adapted for all kinds of grain. The same descrip- tion of land in Nova-Scotia is most favourable to the growth of fruit trees, and there can be no doubt that apples, plums, and other kinds of fruit, might be successfully cultivated ou the level grounds of the Tobique. COAL FORMATION, On the sides of the Restigouchc River, between Dalhousie aiidCampbelltown,the rocks of a coal formation skirt the shore; they do not, however, extend far from the margin of the river, being met along the line of the road and at the base of a chain of hills by trap rock. They are sandstones, shales and cou- glomerates. i m oEOLoaicAL nF.ponr. At Point La Nim, four milcH above Dalhotisic, and along the shore to the distance of two miles, grey sandstones and soft shales are concealed on the side of the river. The shore is low and the I'ocks much exposed by the soil and shingle. Near the farm of Mr. John Currie there is one seam of coal two inches, and another four inches in thickness, contained be- tween strata of shale, in which I observed the remains of atigmaria> It is stated by the oldest Indians that the early French settlers obtained near this place a great supply of coal, but I was unable to discover any valuable stratum of that min- eral at this placci It may, nevertheless, be found by a more careful exploration than the time allowed could accomplish. The shales are met by a coarse breccia consisting of large boulders firmly cemented together. These, from their prox- imity to the trap rock at hand, have been evidently acted upon by heat, and they exhibit many of the characters of an igneous rock. The conglomerates and sandstone appear at Camp- belltown, and other localities along this part of the Res- tigoiiche, being frequently cut through by dikes thrown out from the adjacent trap. The same soft shales appear at Point Le Guarde and Battery Point— and at the latter place there are indications of coal. All the rocks of Mission Point on the Gaspe side of the Restigouche are conglomerates, sandstones, and shales of the Coal Measures ; the latter contain fossil plants, and thin seams of coal have been discovered. Crossing the harbour at Dalhousic, and on the Gaspe side of the Restigouche below Escuminac Bay, I found the shore lined with a coarse conglomerate. Farther eastward the rocks are light blue sandstones and shales, containing the remains of vegetables. They present perpendicular cliffs from fifty to a hundred feet high, and extend along the shore a mile and a half. The shale is very soft and yielding, and the cliffs are yearly retreating before the tides and currents of the river. At this place the dip of the strata is north by east 13 =• . and the strike of the bed is east by south. In these sandstones and shales, I found the remains of fish, and a small species of tortoise with fossil foot-marks.' — These strata are succeeded by a brick red sandstone, which forms the crest of the high hills in the rear. Still farther east- ^Vp^r^-'^r* =-.^^t3i^ Iiousic, and along py sandstones and vcr. The shore is md shingle. Near seam of coal two >88, contained he- ld the remains of ana that the early fcat supply of coal, tratitm of that min- le found by a more lid accomplish, consisting of large !, from their prox- idently acted upon cters of an igneous appear at Camp- part of the Res- ' dikes thrown out : shales appear at at the latter place I Gaspe side of the , and shales of the Its, and thin seams I on the Gaspe side I found the shore eastward the rocks ning the remains of :liff8 from fifty to a shore a mile and a and the cliffs are tits of the river. At r east 13 ° . and the nd the remains of bssil foot-marks.' — 1 sandstone, which Still farther east- i r.intooTrAt. rfpout. G5 ward, the light blue sandstmaes and shales present a cliff seven- ty-five feet high, and the strata dip east 13 o . They are then overlaid by a coarse conglomerate two hundred feet in thick- ness, and the conglomerate is again succeeded by red sand- stone, the strata of which conform to the shales beneath. — Heron Island appears to consist of the same red sandstones which occupy a considerable part of the District of Gaspe. Another tract of red sandstone examined during the past season, is situated in the County of Restigouche. It comrtiences a short distance westward of River Charlo and extends to the mouth of Eel River, where it is met by trap rock. It also reaches in a southwest direction about twenty-five miles, or near the Upsalquitch, forming a fine level agricultural dis- trict. The even surface and fertile soil are characteristic of this rock. The strata repose unconforn- bly upon the Silurian rocks, and consist chiefly of dark red sandstones, 'n which gypsum has not been discovered. No organic rem^xins have yet been found in this rock, whereby its r latjve age might be determined. SILURIAN SYSTEM. It has been already stated, that between tht Meductic, or Woodstock, and the Madawaska Settlement, on the Saint John, and occupying a large tract of country on each side of that river, there is a group of argillaceous, calcareous and siliceous rocks, to which the term transition has been applied. The same kinds of strata appear on the shores of the Bay Chalcur, between Bathurst and Dalhousie. To the northeast, they are also seen at Port Daniel, and other places in the District of Gaspe. The Saint John passes through this vast group of rocks upwards of one hundred miles, running obliquely through the strata. The distance across the strata at right angles, so far as it has been explored, is about sever... ^ 'riUes. Between Bathurst and Dalhousie the same rocks oc Vi,- along the coast to the distance of fifty miles. The interior of this part of the Province has not yet been explored. These rocks, therefore, may be said to occupy an area only exceeded in its dimensions by the Great Coal Field of New-Brunpw'ck, as described in former Reports. 9 66 CEOLOalCAL REl'OItT. m nm^ At the Medtictic, Eel River, and head of the Nackawick this trroup of strata is found reposing upon and dipping from granite. At the sources of the Upsalquitch, Nepisiguit, and Tobique Rivers, granite, trap, and other rocks ot volcanic origin, form an anticlinal ridge, or axis. The stratified rocks dip from the mountains which have been evidently elevated since the formation of the sedimentary deposits. The slates are also seen reposing upon granite near Bathurst, being pierc- ed by veins of that rock. The formations referred to repose upon granite, and, taken altogether, may be considered the oldest rocks in the district under consideration. ^ , • /• .i. The direction of this great system of rocks is from the southwest to the northeast, and the strata in general are highly inclined. . .. From the general agreement of these extensive groups ot strata to those of parts of England, which have been admira- bly described by Professor Sedgewick and Mr. Mnrchison, I have been induced to use the names employed by those gentle- men, not only because their important divisions have been sanctioned in Europe, but from the applicability of the descrip- tions attached to them to the rocks of New-Brunswick. The term "Silurian" will, therefore, be applied to the upper divi- sion of the transition strata of the Province. -• Beginning with the upper " Silurian" rocks, the descrip- tions will be given in the order of the examinations. The rocks that it is my object now to describe, consist of: ORGANIC REMAINS. Producta,Spirifera,Orthocera,Trilobites. Crinoidea, Cyathojihyllum Turbiimm. Atrypa A»pera— with numerous other Testucea and Corals. STRATA. Itnpiue grey and blue Limestone. Calcareous and Argillaceous Shales. Earthy rotten Shale. Wenlock Limestone. Compact blue Limestone. Friable Sandstone. Shelly Limeijtono. Compact blue and grey impure Lime- stone. Black, blue and red Shale. Grey and brown Sandstones. Compact Limestones. Gra\iwacke. Argillaceous and Calcareous Slates. Coralline Marbles. Conglomerates. Clay Slate. Producta, Terebratnla, Cyathophyllum Turbinum, Cyathophyllum He.\a- goiium. Encrinal Remains, &c. Tentaculites Omatus, Producta, Tere- bratnla, Corah. Encrinal Remains. Corals. No Organic Remain.'*. Nc Organic Remains, ^■■■^.>i.,?^A GEOLOGICAL REPOUT. 07 the Nackawick, this I and flipping from itch, Nepisiguit, and r rocks of volcanic The stratified rocks II evidently elevated eposits. The slates lathurst.beingpierc- n granite, and, taken rocks in the district of rocks is from the in general are highly e extensive groups of ch have been admira- nd Mr. Mnrchison, I loyed by those gentle- divisions have been lability of the descrip- 3W-Brunswick. The ed to the upper divi- ce. i" rocks, the descrip- examinations. The e, consist of: GANIC REMAINS. pirifera,Orthooera,Trilobite9. Cyathojihyllum Turbiimm. jera — with numerous other iicea aud Corals. rerebratiila, Cyathophyllum lum, Cyathophyllum Hexa- emnins, &c. a Omatus, Producta, Tere- ., Corah. emaiiia. c Remain.4. c Reiuaius, From tlio great extent and thickness of the above beds, 1 have been unable to take more than a cursory view of them, and the organic remains given are only such as were readily recog- nized in the beds examined, without reference to particular strata. They form but a part of the specimens obtained. I was at once struck with the similarity of these fossils to those of the " Silurian System" of the United States, received from Professor Shepard, and others from Loekport, near Nia- gara. The formations at the latter place are described by Mr. J, Hall, employed in the Geological Survey of the State of New York, and the fossils have been examined by Mr. T. A. Conrad, of the Palfeontological Department of that Survey.* It is my intention to examine all the beds of the " Silurian System" in the Province in succession, and to give in detail t|j J organic remains found in each stratum. ■>'• "• "_>■- RIVER SAINT JOIJN. Commencing about fourteen miles above the town of Wood- stock, on the River Saint John, the older slates and grauwacke, containing but few organic remains, are succeeded by dark- coloured clay slate, sandstones and flagstones. The strike of the strata is northeast by east, and dip 60 ® northwest. The sandstones are fine-grained and commonly siliceous ; the slates are of various tints of red, grey and blue, and are remarkable for the contortions they present, being curved and bent in all directions. These rocks contain veins of white quartz, and sometimes thin seams of white iron pyrites. At Flannagan's Hill, below the mouth of the Presq' Isle, the strata consist of dark-coloured slates and impure limestones. In the latter, I discovered beautiful masses of cyathophyllum basaltiforme, columns of encrmi7es, and casts of producta. These fossils, with others, may also be seen in the drift blocks near the road. At the mouth of the Presq' Isle, the slates become more argillaceous, and gradually pass into limestone containing veins * Sec Report ou the Gcologicul Survey ol" the State of New- York, 1810— pngc* 300 and 35S. I H .%7riT^iVSrTtVJc^.Ji^?-U^''iS*^vai"»li'.^^^^ ' G8 GEOLOGICAL nr.PORT. of calcareous spar. On the farms of Sanmcl Lovely and Roger Thompkins.tbere is some good limestone, and the slate is highly impregnated with calcareous matter. These beds are variably indurated and crumble down before the frost and the atmo- sphere. The only fossils found in them were a few pieces of corals. Near the mouth of the Shictahauk there are buff- coloured slates. About two miles above, and on the farm of Nathan Milberry, the slates are succeeded by thick strata of limestone. The strata here run north by east, and dip east by south 60®. They are sometimes laminated and broken by faults, especially when they are near the trap dikes. The only organic remains found in this limestone were the rings of encrinites. Above these beds there is a thick deposit of clay slate and ferruginous sandstone, in which no fossils of any kind were discovered. Near Carr's Inn, the slates are soft and de- compose rapidly whenever they are exposed to the weather. They arc filled with veins of carbonate of lime. Blue limestone, argillaceous limestone and calcareous slate are the prevailing rocks in the distance of six miles to the mouth of the River Des Chutes. About five miles from the Saint John at this place is the eminence called Mars Hill, sixteen hundred and eighty-eight feet in height, with a base of about five miles in circumference. On the opposite side of the river there are Bear and Moose Mountains, belonging to the same range of high lauds. These mountains are composed of rocks similar to those already de- scribed, excepting a solid and compact conglomerate which forms their crests. The strata of these mountains, so far as it was possible to examine them in their uncleared state, belong to the class under consideration, having the same course, dip and general features. These mountains appear to have been produced by extensive denudation, and not by upheaval, for there were no volcanic rocks seen along their flanks or at their tops. From the mouth of the Aroostook to the Grand Falls, and thence to Madawaska, a distance of forty niilep^ the strata ex- hibit a continued succession of blue limestone, red and black shales, argillaceous slates, red, chocolate-coloured, brown, and grey grits, sometimes intcrstratified with cenglomerate. Many of the schistose beds arc so little indurated, that they yield bc- ■fl^--"^ I AUt 1 Lovely and Roger id the slate is highly le beds are variably rost and the atmo- ere a few pieces of Ilk there are buff- and on the farm of 1 by thick strata of ist, and dip east by ed and broken by p dikes. The only were the rings of lick deposit of clay 1 fossils of any kind les are soft and dc- sed to the weather, me. md calcareous slate )f six miles to the at this place is the jd and eighty-eight '8 in circumference. re Bear and Moose ligh lauds. These those already de- >nglomerate which s it was possible to elong to the class le, dip and general been produced by 1, for there were no their tops. ; Grand Falls, and iiilep, the strata ex- tne, red and black loured, brown, and iglomeratc. Many that they yield bo- CCOLUGICAI. REPOnT. 69 fore the elements, and crumble down wiicuever tlicy are unco- vered. There arc but few situations where the strata can be examined to advantage. At the deep gorge of the Grand Falls, they cannot be approached from the abyss below. The siluria deposits contain veins of quartz and the calcareous strata veins of calcareous spar. Throughout the whole series, there are numerous dikes of trap rocks of all dimensions ,u netrating the strata at all angles, but most frequently insinuat "i between the beds. With these I observed a number of faults or dislocations by which the strata have been displaced. Besides the fossils already mentioned, I found at several places undeterminable stems, crinoidca, encrinites, a proditcta, resembling the proditcta dtpretsa of the Wenlock limestone. The above rocks, characterised by the same fossils, were explored up the Tobique River to the distance of ten miles above its mouth, where they dip beneath the red sand- stone already described. Near the sources of this river the older nonfossiliferous slates and grauwacke are met by moun- tains of trap rock and granite. SILURIAN ROCKS OF THE BAY CIIALEUR. I have not had an opportunity to take more than a cursory view of the rocks between Bathurst and Dalhousie. Near the former place the older slates meet the granite, and, so far as my own observations extend, they contain no organic remains. After passing a high ridge of trap rock near the entrance of the Little Nepisiguit, the Silurian strata begin to appear an present a few fossils peculiar to the group. Near Petit Roche there are red and brown shales, red and grey sandstones, succeeded by strata of compact and slaty limestone, in which I found the remains of testacea and corals. Similar rocks o^upy the shore to Belle Dune, except where tliey are broken through, pierced and overlaid by trap and serpentine, common along the whole coast. Wherever these rocks appear the strata are more or less broken and displaced, and the stratified beds arc frequently changed in their charac- ,i3 W CEOLOGtCAL REPORT. te;*8, where they are adjacent to those ancieni volcanic pro- ductions. Near Belle Dune Point, the strata consist of red and brown phale, pure and impure limestone, and beds of grey grit. The shales and limestone contain the casts and remains of spirtfera, proilucta, and other shells, with stems of encrinites, favositen, gothlandku, cyalhophyllum turbinwn, and unknown species of corals. I found a fossil coral at this place resembling si/ringo- pora genkulata, and another variety, a mass of which was nearly three feet in diameter across the base. Between Belle Dune ai)d River Charlo, blue and white limestone, calcareous and silicious grits, red, brown and blue shales are interrupted by trap dikes. The general direction of the strata is from S. S. W. to N. N. E. with a general dip to the W. N. W. The dip is very variable, and many cf the strata are almost perpendicular. On the south side of the River Charlo near its mouth, a compact limestone, with the shales, again appears. The lime- stone abounds in fossil testacea and corals. Some of the masses are almost identical with the Wenlock limestone of England, and whole strata are composed of fossil shells and corals, among which there is one resembling the atrr/pa reticu- laris. Similar rocks extend to near the entrance of Eel River, where they are overlaid by the red sandstones before men- tioned. Near Dalhousie, and half a mile southward of Demerisque's farm, the Sihirian rocks again appear in a Cove about half a -mile long. These rocks are met on each side of the Cove by the trap rock which forms the high hills and shore in the rear of the town. Southward the same rocks pxtend a milt? towards Eel River, where they present lofty and perpendicular cliffs. The strata of the " Silurian" group are only exposed to the distance of two hundred yards, the remaining part of them being buried beneath debris and shingle. The strike of the beds here is N. E. and S. W. and the general dip is 45 ® to the N. W. These beds belong to the group we h»ve attempted to describe, but at this place they have been broken through and covered by the before-mentioned ridge of trap. These beds were examined by W. J. Hcnwood, Esquire," who has describ- ed them in a commuuicalion to the Geological Society of Lon- ■1 'I .i.--<>iai'rf!i«sfei4«"»*.-2 ' Proceedings of the Geological Society of London— Vol. III., Part II.— pnge ^f 72 GF.Ol.OfiirAT. nEPORT. The coral roefs, with their wiile lagoons and all their shelly inhabitants have been converted into limestone to invigorate the soil of the earth in its present condition, and the sand and mud of former ages are now rendered subservient to the wants of man, who safely inhabits ih^^ surface of the earth, and brings to his use the objects produced by the. wrc k of former Conti- nents, and thus the l>ottoK? of the ancieui ocean is rendered fertile by his care and indutiivy. >^::^'% ■ v^:;-;f ■ CAMBRIAN SYSTEM. Tl'.i-'. name lias been ?ipplied to a group of rocks situated beneath the "Silurian" strata, from hici> it is not always separated by any very distinct line oi demarcation, so far as its lithological character h toiK^nied. The few organic re- mains, however, foiuid in l!;is groMo are sufficiently character- istic to make it appear that the forms of animal life during the period of the accumulation of its strata were diflerent from those found in the upper Silurian rocks. The rocks of this group extend from the American boun- dary line, and crofeo the Saint John a little above the Meductic, and proceed in a northeast direction towards Bathurst. They have been followed to the Main Nortlj West Miramichi, and probably continue to the Nepisiguit, which has not yet been explored. The same rocks appear near Bathurst, and on the Tete-a-gouche and its neighbouring streams. The strata consist chiefly of grauwacke, grauwacke slate, and clay slate. The grauwacke may be compared to a very compact sandstone. There are also beds of conglomerate, containing boulders and pebbles of almost every variety of rock. The cementing matter is generally calcareous or argil- laceous; but it is sometimes silicious, and the beds change imperceptibly into quartz rock. The slates are of different colours : red, blue, and green are often seen. Many of them contain lime, and others will supply roofing slate. On the Tete-a-gouclve river the slates are very diversified in their colours, and remarkably compact. The rocks of the Cambrian group of the district explored during the last season are highly metaliferous. Below the J*" GEOLOGICAL REPORT. n lis and nil llieir sliell y lestone to invigorate )n, and the Rand and servient to the wants the earth, and brings f'k of former Conti- it ocean is rendered l. lip of rocks situated iici.1 it is not always marcation, so far as 'rhe few organic re- mfficiently charactcr- nimal life during the were diflerent from 1 the American boun- I above the Meductic, irds Bathurst. They iVest Miramichi, and ich has not yet been Sathurst, and on the ms. ;ke, grauwacke slate, compared to a very ids of conglomerate, lost every variety of y calcareous or argil- ind the beds change lates are of different leen. Many of them ng slate. s are very diversified t. ' the district explored iliferons. Below the Meductic thoy contain the sulphurets of iron and copper in small veins. At Woodstock there are three deposits of iron ore, having an united thickness of seventy feet, being inter- stratified with red slate. The ore itself is distinctly stratified, and the beds conform to the strata in which it is contained, being evidently a part of the same formation. The beds of ore were found to extend aaross the river. Narrow seams of quartz and carbonate of lime pass through the grauwacke and the slates in almost all directions, and many of the beds are metalifcrous, being pierced by veins of iron and copper pyrites, and more seldom manganese. GRANITE. Beneath all the stratified deposits we find granite. This rock is well displayed where it crosses the Saint John at the Meductic. It also occurs beneath the slates at the sources of the Tobique, where it is associated with sienitc and trap. In the County of Gloucester it sends veins into the super- incumbent strata. And in the District of Gaspe it rises from beneath the Cambrian group into lofty mountains. The gra- nite presents several varieties. At the Pokiok, the feldspar, one of Its constituents, is red ; the mica, also, is very vari- able in colour. The quantity of its minerals is also irregular, and it passes into _.. SIENITE. The most common varieties of sienite consist of hornblende, feldspar and quartz, but both the granite and sienitc are so variable in their mineral composition, that a perfect description of them would be difficult, and is scarcely necessary in the present Report. Besides quartz, feldspar, hornblende and mica, these rocks sometimes contain other minerals in a crys- tallized state ; and they are fi'equently so nearly allied to trap rock that it is difficult to decide where one of them terminates, and the character of the other is fully established. 10 'I' i i T4 »iEOI,O0ir.VI. REPOnT. TRAP. The principal localities of tliis rock in the district explor- ed during the past season, have already been noticed. It forms the chief part of Blue Mountain, near the Tobiqne ; and be- tween Daihousie and the Flat Lands on the Restigouche, there is a high broken ridge of that rock running parallel to the river, being met on its south side by the red sandstone of Eel River. The whole of the strata of the " Silurian" and «• Cambrian" systems are penetrated by many dikes and veins of trap. These dikes are of different ages, as masses of various kinds are seen Ciossing each other in them, having been thrown up at different periods. On the Restigouche River, there are a numb.-r of instances where lofty hills of this kind of rock have been apparently forced upwards through the slates and older stratified rocks. Hornblende and feldspar are the chief minerals m the trap. The rock is always of a crystalline structure, and the pre- vailing colour is green, from which the term greenstone has arisen. SERPENTINE. W$4 (11. i7i Between Bathurst and Belle Dune Point, there are masses of serpentine elevated in naked ridges above the soil. lob- served that this rock was more common m limestone districts than elsewhere. It sometimes contains talc and narrow seams of asbestus. Occasionally where the serpentine is in contact with limestone, it sends small veins into that rock, and thereby forms a beautiful varietv of marble called Verde Antique. In concluding this part of the subject, it may be remarked, that the topography and characters of granite and other rocks supposed to be of volcanic origin, have been but briefly touched upon, as only a very limited part of the districts oc- cupied by those rocks has been examined. A more perfect account of the unstratified deposits in the interior can only be produced by a careful survey of the country where they are situated. the district explor- II noticed. It forms Tobiqne ; and be- ? Restigouche, there parallel to the river, Istone of Eel River. I "and '•Cambrian" and veins of trap, es of various kinds ng been thrown up River, there are a is kind of rock have the slates and older minerals in the trap, cture, and the pre- :erm greenstone has )int, there are masses ibove the soil. I ob- n limestone districts Ic and narrow seams •pentine is in contact tiat rock, and thereby Verde Antique, ;, it may be remarked, auite and other rocks Lve been but briefly rt of the districts oc- led. A more perfect ; interior can only be intry where they are OKOI.OCICAL nErORT. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 75 It has been deemed proper to arrange the useful rock.? fov llr* inaiuifacliiic of Klass. A fine white sandstone wan observed onthcTobiqiio River which wouKl also probably afford good glass. , ■ ;■■ '^- '" " SALT. ," ; '' '.-; Only one of many salt-springs in the Trovincc was visited by myself during the past season. It is situated about a mile above Plaster Island, on theTobiquc. The water of this spring is salt, but as it has not been submitted to any analysis the quantity contained in it is yet unknown. There can be no doubt, however, that salt may be made by evaporation of the water from the above spring, and its situation far in the interior of the Province renders it very valuable. The price of salt at the mouth of the Tobiquc is seven shillings and sixpence per bushel. I am of the opinion that it might be made at the salt-spring for two shillings and sixpence per bushel. GYPSUM. The situation of the gypsum on the Tobiqne has been al- ready described. This mineral is destined to be very advan- tageous to the agriculture of the Northern and Western parts of the Province. It has already been employed in small quanti- ties to lands bordering on the Saint John, but in no instance has it been calcined. The advantages derived from its use in its native state are said to be considerable. The inhabitants . are, nevertheless, recommended to burn and grind the gypsum, for experience has proved that calcination renders it far more eflicacious as a manure than it can be in its native state. The plaster of the Tobique may be readily calcined and ground at the quarries, and from thence transported to any part of the Province. LIMESTONE. Limestone is abundant on the banks of the Saint John, be- tween Woodstock and the Uraud Falls and on the Tobiquc iifacliirc of glass. A Tobiquc River whicli Province was visited situated about a mile lie water of this spring to any analysis the I. There can be no by evaporation of the ition far in the interior Ic. The price of salt hillings and sixpence might be made at the e per bushel. Tobiqne has been al- lied lo be very advan- n and Western parts of iloyed in small quanti- :n, but in no instance lerived from its use in ble. The inhabitants and grind the gypsum, on renders it far more I its native state. The alcined and ground at :cd to any part of the s of the Saint John, bc- j and on the Tobiquc ^ :^;? e head of the Little >ut I have not had an rovince. There are che River. )f the Tete-a-gouche ivhere it was recently [re. At this place a ■ Mining Association, e have already been ; thousand pounds, ivith many difficulties > xpended in raining, or clearing the ore at g has proceeded the k^eins, but as these are t is probable that they itest credit is due to I it is to be hoped that 1 be finally successful- >ar Bathurst. In one idstones of the Coal ;ed by infiltration. It i-gouche River, where ' useful as objects of CEOLOairAL REPORT. m In concluding the present Report, some alhision may be made to the mineral wealth of the Province, as having been in a great degree made known by the Geological exploration. The great extent of the Coal Fields of New-Brunswick alone, are sufficient to secure that degree of importance to the country its position among the North Amencff.n Colonies is so well adapted to sustain. But besides the Coal, there are inex- haustible supplies of Iron, with Copper, Manganese, Lead, and other useful ores. The Province abounds in Granite, Freestone, Marble, and all those rocks employed in orn.imental and dura- ble architecture. There are also numerous substances em- ployed in the arts and manufactures, which are ready to be brought into operation when the state of the Province sbf U re- quire them. In addition to vast stores of mineral wealth, the fisherie* are extensive, the soil is fertile, and the climate such as to ad- mit of the most luxuriant growth of all those grains and other plants for which Canada has been celebrated. For the beauty of its natural scenery and number of its in- teresting objects, New-Brunswick can scarcely be surpassed, and whether considered in reference to objects of science or the increase of human happiness and coutent.nent, the bounties of nature ai'e every where to be seen, and the gifts of a kind Providence for the support of the human race have been boun- tifully bestowed over the land. I have the honour to be. Your Excellency's most obedient, And very humble Servant, ABRAHAM GESNER, Provincial GEOtoGier. Sainf John, N. J3., Ut January, 1843. APPEHDIX. LIME IN AGRICULTURE. It is well known that lime in its pure state, or quicklime, will destroy plants ; but lime when combined with carbonic acid is a most useful ingredient in soils. When quick or slak- ed lime is mixed with moist vegetable matter, a new compound is formed which is soluble in water, and thus inert substances are rendered nutritive. Quicklime iu its progress to a mild state brings insoluble matter into such a condition that it is di- recdy applicable to the growth of plants. It renders peaty soils and such as abound in roots, or any kind of vegetable matter, fit for cultivation. Soils which do not effervesce in acids are generally improved by lime, whether they are clays or sands ; but when a soil deficient of calcareous matter abounds in solu- ble vegetable manure, quicklime should be avoided. Lime should never be applied with animal manures, or common dung, for, by rendering the extractive matter insoluble, it is injurious under such circumstances. In New-Brunswick lime will be found a valuable manure for the light sands, and stiff clays which are generally deficient in calcareoi;.r( mUter. It will also completely renovate the peaty «oils ; and by being mixed in composts may be made generally applicable to lands of almost every description. The l>ef.t limestones will effervesce briskly when a little su'.i uric, nitric, or muriatic acid is dropped upon them. Each of the acids should be diluted with one part of water before it h \^h-'^' r APPENDIX. 87 T U R E. e state, or quicklime, ubined with carbonic When quick or slak- itter, a new compound thus inert substances its progress to a mild condition that it is di- It renders peaty soils d of vegetable matter, ffervesce in acids are ey are clays or sands ; latter abounds in solu- Id be avoided. Lime ures, or common dung, isoluble, it is injurious nd a valuable manure are generally deficient tely renovate the peaty may be made generally ription. briskly when a little ped upon them. Each >art of water before it ii used as a test for limestone, and either will aflbrd a suAicicnt guide in determining the quality of the rock previous to the erection of a kiln, or actual burning. Lime is obtained from the native rock by exposing it to a strong heat in a kiln by which the carbonic acid of the lime- stone is expelled and quicklime produced. The best form for a kiln is that of a cylinder largest at the bottom outside and smallest at the bottom inside. This foi-ra aflbrds ample support for the kiln, and from the decreasing di- ameter of the circular cavity on the inside the charge is kept up, the arch relieved of weight, and the heat more equally distributed. , The dimensions of a kiln of moderate size would be ten feet in diameter on the outside at the bottom, seven feet in di- ameter at the top outside, with a height of ten or twelve feet. The archway may be four and a half or five feet high, and two feet four inches wide, as represented by the following wood cut .^v-^ > < r / /^^. The bore or hollow of the inside should diminish in size from the top of the archway downwards equal to one half the diameter at the bottom. The kiln must be built of rocks that are capable of enduring a strong heat. Clay slate, grauwacke. m' 88 APPr.MDlK. and some of the freestones and flagstones of the Province are well adapted for the purpose. The rocks should be laid in mor- tar, and the inside of the kiln should be plastered, the air being excluded on all sides except at the archway and top. Near the kiln there should be a shed to keep the lime after it is burned from the rain and weather. In charging the kiln the limestone is broken into pieces of a few pounds weight. An arch is built opposite the arch- way to admit the fuel. After the arch is completed the kiln may be filled with broken limestone to the top. The arch be- ing filled with wood, and the fire kindled, the heat must be gradually increased until the limestone be sufficiently burned to slake readily. In general, when the charge is sufficiently burned, the smoke at the top of the kiln disappears, and the flame of the fuel rises in its stead ; the charge also sinks down a few inches. Some kinds of limestone require a stronger heat than others, a little experience is therefore necessary to accomplish the work well and with precision, and it may be remarked that the rock when it is first taken from the quarry requires less heat hr its calcination than when it has been exposed some time to the sun and the weather. If the heat should be too great, the limestone will melt and nin into skg ; but after burning a kiln or two of any kind of limestone, •«> ny person of observation will acquire that kind of knowledge v/hich is necessary in all practical operations.— T'le gases that escape from kilns while the limestone is burn- ing are unwhol isome, and it is desirable that all kilns should be at some distance uom dwelling houses. \s soon us the lime is sufficiently burned^ time should be allowed for it to cool, when it must be removed from the kiln, for it expands with great force during the process of slaking, and if it should be exposed to rains or moisture in the kiln, it will force the walls apart or greatly injure them. o ^v.i■■ of the Province are ould bu laid in mor- itered, the air being ay and top. keep the limo after broken into pieces t opposite the arch- ompleted the kiln top. The arch be- , the heat must be sufficiently burned arge ia sufficiently lisappears, and the 'ge also sinks down stronger heat than jsary to accomplish ly be remarked that niarry requires less been cxjiosed some ;stone will melt and two of any kind of icquire that kind of ctical operations. — e limestone is burn- :hat all kilns should nedy time should be lOved from the kiln, process of slaking, isture in the kiln, it them. ■"""^ L.