^> ^^«^ .^.:%% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I Ill 1.8 1.25 1.4 |,.6 ■• 6" ^ ► V] <^ c^. /a m ■em *^i > /^ 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation d 4" \ ,v ^\ '% V 4^ #y^ ^^^ o^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SB0 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Inst'tute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproauction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D n n m Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde I I Ccver title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la dfstortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. D D D D 2^ D D D n Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; Map is a photoreproduction. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolor^es, tachetdes ou piqu6es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualit^ indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t^ film^es d nouveau de fa9on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. The to t The pos oft film Ori( beg the sior othi first sior or il The shal TIN whi MaJ diff^ entij beg! righ requ rnetl 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'exemplaire filmi fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de: La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec te plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commen^ant par ie premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par Ie second plat, salon Ie cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon Ie cas: Ie symbole — »> signifie "A SUIVRE", Ie symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche' il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ,A^ „ 4^\2^^ -^ ' .^ ^ V -»'^ ...vu i2<^A. F-»- " ' I 'I ' ' I t ■ 1?^»A i ' I ■ ' i > r I I ) NARRATIVE Ol' THE IBU^IB ^ IPIB(J)(BIBIB^S OF EMIGRATION, rUOM THE COUNTIES OF LANARK & RENFREW, TO THE New Settlements in Upper Canada, ON GOVERNMENT GRANT; COMPRISING THE jtJroteetrinss of tTje (illasa^^ Committee FOR DIRECTING THE AFFAIRS AND EMBARKATION OF THE SOCIETIES. WITH A MAP OF THE TOWNSHIPS, AND A Plan of the Ship Earl of Buckinghamshire. ALSO, j^NTERESTING LETTERS FROM THE SETTLEMENTS. By ROBERT LAMOND, GLASGOW, Printed by James Heddcrvuick, For CHALMERS & COLLINS, 68. WILSON.STREET. ^^ %« «^ «/% «^^^ 1821. I U.jmt ll LlJ IB l.WJ IIl ' > 'i ' ' ' jgl' 11 »l "> M TO The Right Honourable Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies-LoRD Arch. Hamilton, M.P. for the County of Lanark-JoHN Maxwell, Esq. M.P. for the County of Renfrew-and the Gentlemen of the Glasgow Committee on Emigration — THIS PUBLICATION IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED, BY their most obliged SERVANT, ROBERT LAMOND. f - c^il a»!HBDlI>i3li}ll»I!^il. To the Public in general — to those Families who have Emigrated to British America— and, in particular, to those Individuals and Families who expect to follow their relations and friends, already settled in Upper Canada, — this Publication is presented with dutiful respect. As the most part of the materials have already been published in small, detached pieces, and through different mediums, it has been recommended to us to collect those scattered fragments, and present them in a connected form, in order that they may be preserved as instructions for future Emigrants; being the history of the foundation of a Scottish Colony, at present rising in the Perth or Johnstown District of Upper Canada. On the success of that Settlement, depends the temporal happiness of no less than two thousand nine hundred souls, who emigrated during the years 1820 and 1821. The removal of this body of people from the land of their forefathers, was voluntary, and at their own special request. They had shared, for several years, in those privations which the mother- ■ \ i M 6 country experienced, from the great declension of commerce, and the consequent fall on every article of produce and manufactures, which bore heavily on those families that had nothing else to depend upon but their labour, for their support. This class of people, particularly within the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew, had suffered much, during the years 1816, 1817, 1819, and 1820. About the month of April, 1820, a consider- able number of individuals and families, formed themselves into Societies, for the purpose of peti- tioning Lord Bathurst and His Majesty's Ministers, for liberty to emigrate with their families to Upper Canada, and that Government would be graciously pleased to grant them one hundred acres of land, free of any charge, along with aid in money, imple- ments of husbandry, and building materials, to enable them to get over the first year, until they could raise a crop for their support. The petitions of these Societies were presented by Members of Par- liament, who knew the distress which existed in Glasgow and the neighbourhood at that time, and were well acquainted with the situation of the petitioners. During the winter of 1819 and spring of 1820, from ten to fifteen thousand individuals were relieved by the bounty of the humane. And we would not discharge our duty, if we allowed our- selves to pass over, without notice, the humanity of the Magistrates of Glasgow, who employed a great number of the people who could not obtain work, during the summer and autumn of 1819, in public 1 #< improvements, particularly in the Green, which is now one of the finest parks belonging to any city in the kingdom. The winter having set in early, pre- vented out-door work from being carried on; but the liberal subscription which was raised about the close of the year, enabled the Committee for the Relief of the Industrious Poor, to commence their laudable operations, on the 1st day of January, 1820. To the Gentlemen who formed that Committee, the suffering poor have been much indebted. The applicants were mostly of that class, who were per- fectly able to support themselves by their industry, had there been employment for them, and wages in any measure adequate to the support of their families; but it is a well-known fact, that many of the weaving part of the population could not obtain work, and many of those who had work, were not averaging more than five shillings, when their ex- penses for loom -rent, dressing, &c. was paid. In this state of things, a spirit of discontent was fos- tered, by those improper characters that are to be found in every society, who, in place of showing sympathy, and aiding in the relief of the poor and needy, often aggravate their sufferings. Under the above -stated circumstances, the petitions from the Societies were received by Lord Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies; and their cause was powerfully advocated by Lord Arch. Hamilton, M.P., Kirkman Finlay, Esq. M. P., John Maxwell, Esq. M.P., and other gentlemen friendly to this measure of relief. Their application procured grants of land. i 8 f. ,4 hi and aid for those heads of families, and individual petitioners, who were entered on the lists, to be transmitted to the Colonial office, provided the means could be raised to pay their passage and provisions to Quebec. From nine to ten hundred individuals in the County of Lanark, were enabled by the assist- ance of the district in which they resided, to avail themselves of this offer: and a small subscription was raised in Glasgow, which was applied to aid those emigrants residing in Glasgow and the Barony Parish. The sum given to each individual, was one pound; which was paid to the owners of the vessels, as part of their passage- money, after the agent had examined he customhouse entry list. The vessels which car- ried out those people, were the Commerce and the Prompt. Shortly after this, five hundred pounds was raised in London, to be applied in taking out as many families from the remaining members of the Societies, who, from want of means, were unable to proceed that season, had not that money been procured. The families who shared this bounty, were decided on by ballot, and most of them had no means to help themselves, as not more could be raised, among one hundred and forty-nine individ- uals, than one-tenth of the expense. An agreement was entered into for those persons, with the owners of the ship Broke, for one hundred full passengers, at three pounds ten shillings each ton and half of the ship's register. The provisions were laid in and shipped in bulk. This arrangement was much in favour of those Emigrants, as it gave them a right 9 dual be eans to the provisions on hand, when the ship arrived at Quebec, which enabled them to pay a debt of f/ty-two pounds owing to the owners, and secured by an obliga- tion from the heads of families, twenty-six in number, for two pounds each, to be paid out of the remaining provisions on hand, when they arrived at Quebec. The Agent for the Committee also granted his letter, to secure the owners from any loss in that transaction. The vessel made a quick passage; the people paid their debt; and the above twenty-six heads of families received about twenty-six shillings each, of a balance. This placed them in a very different situation from those Emigrants, who had previously sailed in the two former vessels, who arrived at Quebec, deeply indebted to the owners, for part of their passage and provisions; and, being in this situation, it had nearly lost them the Government aid and countenance, which would have ruined the whole scheme. We would here remark, that no Emigrants should ever go out, whether on the Government grant or on their own account, in debt to the owners or cap- tains of vessels. It has been frequently held out, to persons intending to emigrate to Upper Canada, " That they could get their passage much cheaper in the timber ships, which sail earlier in the spring, for the lower ports; and that they would find no difficulty in getting a passage up the River Saint Lawrence." This is a complete delusion, and has often been the source of much misery to Emigrants. Quebec or Montreal are the only ports for Upper Canada; and it often happens, that ships for the B .«. 10 i i Art I ft* 'i( I' latter port, will require ten days or a fortnight to make the passage from Quebec to Montreal. The steam-boats are the proper conveyance; and no time should be lost, in proceeding to the place of settlement as fast as possible. We give this infor- mation chiefly for the benefit of such families as may emigrate individually, without the aid of Go- vernment. We shall give in detail, the proceedings of the Committee who superintended the Emigration So- cieties, which followed in the spring of 1821, annex- ing such information and letters from the settlers, as, we conceive, will be found interesting and use- ful; and which may be considered to be a fair re- presentation of the situation and success of the settlers, for which they are at once grateful to the Government, and to the Gentlemen who assisted them in removing themselves and families to their present place of residence, where they have the ra- tional prospect of being able to provide for their future wants, by their own industry. As this public effort for the relief of our labouring population, may find a place in the annals of Bri- tain, we may be allowed to express our desires, that our countrymen may have carried those moral and religious habits in which they have been educated, into that new country whither they have gone, and that in their prosperity, they may recollect, " That the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: the world, and all who dwell therein;" and that though removed, in the course of Divine Providence, 1 I • (B 11 from their native shores, they can take up the lan- guage of our sublime Poet, and, in humble depend- ence, exclaim: — " Should fate command me to the farthest verge Of the green earth, to distant barbarous climes, Rivers unknown to song; where first the sun Gilds Indian mountains, or his setting beam Flames on the Atlantic isles; 'tis nought to me: Since God is ever present, ever felt, In ihe void waste, as in the city full; And where He vital breathes, there must be joy." To tender such acknowledgments as our feelings would dictate, to all those friends, who, in the cause of humanity, assisted in forwarding the late salutary emigration, would swell out this Introduc- tion to an improper length. But we cannot omit noticing the liberal conduct of the Editor of the Glasgow Chronicle and Journal, who readily ad- mitted into his columns, such letters and papers as were useful for giving information, and leading public attention to the many thousands of acres of uncultivated, but excellent land, in the province of Upper Canada. A few years, it is hoped, will show the friends of these infant settlements, that, in a temporal and spiritual sense, the work has not been in vain. •""^■Mi Vil 12 h < •e/ k (:< If 4 Sir, [CIRCULAR.] Government having, at the solicitation of Lord Archibald Hamilton and Kirkman Finlay, Esq. proposed liberal assistance, in order to the set- tlement of a few hundred persons, belonging to this city and neighbourhood, on ground to be allotted to them in Upper Canada ; but on this express con- dition, that such persons pay the expense of their own transport to Quebec; — a number who intend to take the advantage of this proposal, are able to pay their passage without any assistance from the public, and have accordingly made an agreement with a ship-owner J but a number more require some addition to their own means: — it is proposed to assist them to the extent of One Pound for each person. For this purpose a subscription has been begun, to which we request you will have the good- ness to affix your name, with such sum as you think proper. Some of the persons themselves will wait upon you for this purpose. No subscription papers will be issued but what are signed by us, and a collector will be appointed to receive the money; so that you need not pay it till you are again called upon. We think there is no doubt that by assisting a few hundred persons in this way, the condition of those who remain will be rendered more comforta- ble, as they will more easily find employment, and adequate wages. — We are, &c. GILBERT WATSON, ROBERT DALGLISII, W. IVrCAVIN. Glasgow, Jimc 3d, 1 820. i litation Finlay, fie set- Ito this (llotted fss con- f their intend able to m the eement re some sed to for each as been le good- )u think nU wait 1 papers and a money; n called assisting ition of mforta- nt, and SON, ILISII, 13 [From thy Glasgow Chronicle.] EMIGRATION TO UPPER CANADA. To the Editor of the Glasgoxv Chronicle. Sir, I OBSERVE a paragraph in your paper of yesterday, giving a hint to the public, that the Emi- grants, who are to proceed this season to Upper Canada, would be much obliged by donations of Bibles, and other books. As the iive Societies are to sail in the course of this and next week from Greenock, in number about two hundred families, such donations, I have cause to know, will be received with the greatest gratitude; and the happy effect which may be produced by such gifts, may be of such a nature, as to make their children's children recollect and bless the givers. The Committee of Management for procuring the subscriptions of One Pound for each individual in the families of four of these Societies, belonging to Glasgow, the Gorbals, and Barony Parish, — about four hundred persons, who will require that aid to enable them, along with their own means, to pay their passage, — have appointed me to act as Agent for them. Acting, therefore, in that capacity, I have visited many of those families, and, as far as I can judge, I consider them fit persons for establish- ing a colony; and that, in process of time, a little Glasgow may be built in that quarter of the world. How cheering it is to think, that, by the aid of a generous public, they will be enabled, after the daily labour of cultivating their new fields, to retire t I I 14 J.: J .'t-i i\ I :l and cultivate the best of fields, the human mind, the highest and noblest part of our nature. That they will have many privations to encounter for a few years, we all know, but these may be lessened by well-timed reflection and study. Should there be any of our fellow-citizens who may hesitate, on the plea that those men may carry away with them the science and intelligence of old Scotia, I would beg leave to remind them of what uncle Toby said to the fly, " Poor creature, there is room enough in the world for thee and me." The present generation need be nowise alarmed, for any evil consequence of that nature being produced by emigration to that quarter. Donations of Books will be received for the fol- lowing Societies, viz, Glasgow Emigrating Society, Bridgeton Canadian do. Abercrombie do. do. Bridge- ton Transatlantic do. and Anderston and Rutherglen do. by Messrs. Chalmers & Collins, Booksellers, Wilson-Street. The Glasgow and Abercrombie are the smallest in number. The names of the donors will oblige. I am, &c. Glasgow, 14:tk June, 1820. ROBERT LAMOND. [From the Glasgow Chronicle, 13th July, 1820.] We are informed by a correspondent, that the ship Broke sailed from the East Quay, Greenock, on Sabbath morning, at eight o'clock, with about 17^ H 15 n mind, That er for a lessened Id there tate, on |ith them I would oby said lough in deration uence of to that the fol- Society, . Bridge- itherglen )ksellers, smallest oblige. MOND. .] hat the lock, on out I7G passengers. The greater part of them belonged to the Abercrombie, Transatlantic, and Bridgeton So- cieties, (members and their families who had been ballotted out of the said Societies,) and, being all poor, they were unable to pay for their own trans- port, not having raised more money amongst them than about one-tenth of the expense, the fund which enabled them to proceed, being raised in London, with a little assistance here. Sabbath morning being fine, and the wind fair, the ship lay to for a short time, until tlie passengers were all got on board, and mustered on the deck. Our correspondent left them in high spirits, a short way below the Clough, after having expressed their gratitude to all who had befriended them. Amongst the last remarks he heard, while they were watching the boiling pots, was, that they had sailed quicker than they had expected, and had not got time to get breakfast; but the beef was good, and nearly ready; and that they had seen little of that kind of food for some time past. To Mr. Robert Lamond, Agctit for the Glasgow Committee on Emigration. Greenock, Qth July^ 1820. Dear Sir, Having not a moment to lose, we hasten to return you our sincere thanks for the particular attention and care manifested by you, for our ac- commodation and comfort. At the same time, we fondly hope, that you will be so kind as to return If) N A. our thanks to Lord Archibald Hamilton, Kirkman Finlay, Esq. M.P. Mr. Wilberfbrce, M. P. and Henry Monteith, Esq. M.P. likewise to Mr. Maxwell, M.P. as well as the other Honourable Gentlemen, who man- ifested a willingness to assist in removing a few of their distressed countrymen, to a place where they have at least a prospect of receiving the fruits of the earth, as a compensation for their labour. Dear Sir, — It would be unnecessary for us to re- capitulate the privations and misery which the most of us have experienced for years past; at the same time, there is nothing that shall ever erase from our minds, the kindness manifested to us by Mr. M'Ga- vin, and particularly for his frankness and readiness in serving even the meanest of his countrymen. We request that you would likewise remember us to Robert Dalglish, Esq. James Oswald, Esq. and Baillie Watson. Sir, by publishing these our grateful acknowledg- ments, you will add one more to the many obliga- tions which we already owe you for your attention. We add no more, but remain yours, in the name and behalf of the Emigrants, JOHN M'LACHLAN. THOMAS WHITELAW. \ ■m 17 ' >'i Kirkman 1(1 Henry ell, M.P. ivho man- a few of lere they ts of the us to re- the most the same from our Hr. M*Ga- readiness men. We ber us to Esq. and knowledg- ny obliga- attention. name and [LAN. TELAW. At Glasgow, ^4flh October^ 1820, wiihin the Black Bull Inn — PRESENT, LORD ARCHIBALD HAMILTON, Preses. Col. Mure, of Caldwell. Kirkman Finlay, Esq. James Oswald, Esq. Robert Dalglish, Esq. William M'Gavin, Esq. Robert Brown, Esq. There was laid before the Meeting, the following Lists of Emigrant Societies: — Individuals. Cambuslang, and ^^^Ig^? Govan, 4"3> Kilbride, 40 Stoneho]Lise, No. 1, 70 Do. No. 2, 89 Strathaven, 70 Wishawtown, 81 Hamilton,' 295 Lesmahagow, 112 Glasgow Highland and Lowland, 167 Brownfield and Anderston, 395 Glasgow Wrights*, - - - 200 Do. Junior Wrights*, 205 North Albion, 127 Barrowfield Road, 269 Carried forward, 2347 c j.»M*WWWiM>M»I^I IAlTl ii I 18 ''4'1.| "i ^ Individunls. Brought fbrwiird, . - . - - 232 St. John's Parish, 202 Glasgow and Tradeston, 214 Kirkman Finlay, 158 Lanarkshire, 153 Parkhead, 14'.5 Glasgow Union, 119 Paisley Townhead, • 603" Cathcart, ----- 100 Emigrants from Renfrewshire, not belong- ^891 ing to any Society, who allege they all have the means to carry out themselves, 188 Glasgow Canadian, 234 Abercrombie, lOO Bridgeton, 284 Bridgeton Transatlantic, 225 Mile-End, 225 Spring-Bank, 139 Total number of individual applicants, 6281 1^- I A letter from Mr. Goulburn, Colonial Office, to Mr, Finlay, was read to the Meeting, stating, that Government was disposed to allow the same terms as given last year, to Emigrants to Canada, from the West of Scotland, to the extent of eighteen hundred 19 souls, in the next spring; from whence it appears, that the number of applicants far exceeds the num- ber that ran be sent out. The Meeting therefore resolve: — 1st, That no furtlter applications can be received, after ihh day, till all the lists now given in are dis- posed of by the Committee, to be hereafter named. 2d, That the terms agreed to be given by Govern- ment, with an estimate of the expenses necessary, shall be printed and communicated to each Society, in order that they may say how many of each So- ciety can comply with the terms required by Go- vernment, and that their number may be reduced to the numbei that Government are willing to send out. — The Report must be given in to Mr. Robert Lamond, 43, Ingram-Street, before the 1st of De- cember next. 3d, That a Committee shall be now appointed, to receive the Reports of the Societies, and to concert with them the necessary measures to be pursued, and particularly to see that the money for transport to Quebec, from each Society, shall be provided and lodged in a bank, in sufficient time before the ves- sels sail in the spring. 4th, That the Committee for the above purposes, shall consist of the following Gentlemen: — Coil. Mure, or, in his absence, the Clerk oi' Lieutenancy for Renfrewshire, Mr. FiNLAY, Mr. M'Gavin, and Mr, Brown. I -••Til* i / 1 V ■It' 20 And they elect Mr. Robert Lamond to be Secre*. tary to the Committee, and Mr. M'Gavin to be Convener. (Signed) A. HAMILTON, Preses. Aid granted hy Government to Emigrants from the West of Scotland [^Lanarkshire ^ Renfrewshire,'} The Government are ready to assign to the Set- tlers, on their arrival in Upper Canada, land at the rate of 100 acres for every family, under the usual conditions of residence, and nartial cultivation within a limited period, on failure of a compliance with which, the land will, in this, as in all other cases, be resumable by the Crown. The expense of sur^ veying the land, amounting to 15*. per 100 acres, will be defrayed by the Government. Estimated at 4^1, a-head. — It is proposed that the Emigrants should themselves arrange the means, and defray the expense, of their conveyance to Quebec. Estimated at 9.1. a-head, — That the charge of their removal from Quebec, to the place of actual settle- ment, should be borne by Government, or that the Government should provide the means of transport for the Emigrants and their baggage. That, on their arrival at the place of settlement, the leaders of the several parties should receive an advance of money, not exceeding SI. per head for every Emigrant. That another advance of SI, per head, should be made to them, at the expiration of three months 4 1, «. 21 Secre- te be Preses. rom the d, . 42 do. 132 do. 6 do. 6 do. 3 do. . £0 6 . 7 . 1 2 . 1 . 5 . 1 Biscuit 2J. Oat- Meal, ... Qd. , Barley or Pease, . 2d Butter, . . . 10^*. Molasses, . . .4c?*. £2 2 The above quantity must be laid in for each indi- vidual above 8 years old. Each individual from 2 to 8, must have 3-4ths of the above quantity, which is equal to a€l 11 Children under 2 years old, must have i of the above quantity, which is equal to 1 1 6 Fo The Lowest Rate of Passage -Monet/ to Quebec, this Season, was — r each individual Passenger above 14 years old, £S 10 For each individual Passenger under 14 years, l-3dt, 13 4 * 1821. — The Committee petitioned the Lords of the Treasury, that they would be pleased to dispense with this regulation, and allow the parents, at their own discretion, to lay in porter, tea, sugar, &c. .- t' i> were more suitable for the mothers and children; at sanie time, allow the Butter to be 3 lbs,, and the Mo- lasses ()' lbs., which was granted. f The Act of Parliament requires, that all children under 14 years, be reckoned as 5 to 1 full passenger, and could not to be altered. oke, in e meal, ) 6 ) 7 . o ^S0 1 5 1 '2 2 ach indi- n 11 6 1 1 luebec, €3 10 13 4 iry, that they irents, at their iuitable for the and the Mo- s, l)e reckoned I 27 The Expense of Passage and Provisions, from Green- ock to Quebec, on the above Calculation, will be — All Emigrants above 14 years of age, For Passage, £3 10 Provisions, 220 5 12 All Emigrants from 8 to 14 years. For Passage, 134 Provisions, 220 3 5 4 All Emigrants from 2 to 8 years, For Passage, 134 Provisions, 1 11 6 2 14 10 All Infant Children under 2 years, For Provisions, 110 The Members of the Societies enumerated in the Minutes of the Meeting, will be, by the above state- ment, enabled to judge if they can furnish the means for the transport of their families to Quebec, which is the terms on which Emigration is to take place in the spring. The Report from each Society, of how many fa- milies they have, who are able to raise the means, with the running number in which they stand on the roll, the name of the head, and the total in the family, signed by the Preses and Clerk, to be de- livered in any time before the 1st of December. » :i M ! i hi hi 111 28 Those Societies in the country, who have not re- ceived regular forms for the Society roll, may have them, on making any of their friends call at No. 43, Ingram -Street. Every family must bear in mind, that no cooking is allowed on board, while the vessel is at the quay, and the provisions must remain un- broken until the day they sail. Arrangements will be made, that the family shall sleep on board the first night of their arrival. The expense of conveyance to Greenock, with a few days' board there, and a few small necessaries for the voyage, must be added. Persons who reside in the country, and who may have an opportunity before the spring, should turn their attention to out-door work, if it does not inter- fere with better employment; and the girls should be taught to knit coarse woollen stockings; also to spin woollen and linen yarn, suited for family pur- poses; also to be able to cut out men and women's clothes, is very necessary. The boys who are not employed, should be taught to make small fishing- nets, and to prepare fishing-tackle, suited for lakes and rivers. A knowledge of these little arts in the family, will fill up the winter nights in Canada with useful work, and what of these things the family may make more than is necessary for their own use, can be exchanged for their value in something else. In fact, to succeed well, those parents who have been brought up in the country, should call to mind the days of old, the precept and examples so beauti- fully exemplified in Scotia's cottages, where the daily worship of God might have been heard in i V k not re- ay have No. 43, mind, e vessel nain un- nts will the first iveyance 3, and a e added, who may uld turn lot inter- s should ; also to tnily pur- women's ► are not 1 fishing- for lakes rts in the lada with le family own use, ing else. I'ho have [ to mind o beauti- here the heard in 29 every family. See that you do so likewise, and, with the blessing of God on your exertions, the difficulties which may bear hard on you for a little time, will gradually pass away like a cloud. Ai Glasgow, 15/ Dec. 1820, within the Counting- House oJ^Wu, M*Gavin, Esq. Convener — MET, The Committee on Emigration from the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew, to His Majesty's Settle- ments in Upper Canada. PRESENT, Col. Mure, of Caldwell. KiRKMAN FiNLAY, Esq. and William M'Gavin, Esq. The Minutes of last Meeting being read, and, in conformity to the same, the Return Lists of the fol- lowing Societies, who say that they can furnish the means for their transport to Quebec, at the time to be hereafter appointed by the Committee, at this Meeting, were produced, viz. Heads, Individuals. Cambuslang and Govan, ^2 155 Stonehouse, No. 1 and 2, l6 83 Strathaven and Kilbride, 13 74 Wishawtown and Cambusnethan, ... 18 72 Hamilton, 13 97 Lesmahagow, 17 112 Glasgow Highland and Lowland, . . 22 124 Carried forward, .... 121 716 I 'i S: ♦. f 1\ if i 1 ,-^': 'k /(I ■ 111! I ! . ?■ 1 I ' \ 42 Bible Society of London, for tiieir ready attention to their Secretary's petition, for a grant of Bibles and Testaments suited to the wants of the Emigrants under their charge; and also, return their thanks to the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, for his communications on this subject; and hereby appoint William M'Gavin, Esq. their Convener, to take the earliest opportunity of transmitting the same. The Committee now instruct their Secretary to proceed upon the same principles as he has been going on, and to despatch the business as quickly as possible. N. B, The Societies will please hand in their lists, (applications for Bibles,) that they may be laid be- fore the Committee. (Signed) KIRKMAN FINLAY, Preses. Greenock, 30th Jmmary, 1821. The Owners of the ship, Earl of Buckinghamshire, will engage to carry out Emigrants in said ship, to Quebec, this spring, on the following terms, viz. If the number is limited to 250 full passengers, at 275. Qd, per ton register *. 300 do. do. at 305. do. do. 350 do. do. at 325. 5rf. do. do. If extended to 400 full passengers, at S5s. per ton register. The ship, fore and aft, to be laid betwixt decks; and sleeping-births, cooking -hearths, fuel, water- * That is, 21s, 6rf, multiplied by the total of the vessel's toimage. I I 43 casks, and water, for 63 days, to be provided in the following proportions, viz. To persons 15 years and upwards, 6 pts. p. day each. Do. 10 to 15 years, 5, . 4 do. do. Do. 5 to 10 do. i, . 3 do. do. Under 5 do. y, . 2 do. do. At date of agreement, 205. of deposite- money to be paid for each passenger. The remainder of the passage- money to be paid previous to the ship's sail- ing, which is calculated to take place betwixt the 20th of April and the 1st of May. This ship will not be entered at the Custom-house for goods out- wards; consequently, passengers will have abundance of room for luggage, &c. &c. The passengers to appoint their own agent, to get the store of pro- visions examined and passed by the Custom-house officers. Apply to Q. & J. LEITCH. Mr. Robert Lamond 43, Ingram-Street, Glasgow ow.^ Greenock, 21s; Feb. 1821. Mr. Robert Lamond, Sir, We hereby offer to charter to you, to carry Emigrants to Quebec, the ship Earl of Buck- inghamshire, of 600 tons, and the ship George Can- ning, of 486 tons, now in this harbour, to sail any time in course of the month of April, at the option of the Committee who have the management of the \ j'< ■ r ff 1 I j' fl, 44 business, on the following conditions, viz, — SO*, for each register ton ; we finding bed-births, water-casks, cooking-hearths, and fuel. Provisions of all descrip- tions to be furnished by the passengers themselves, or those acting for them. As the Government tonnage-duty will not be paid on the ships, no goods can be put on board, on freight; the whole accommodation will therefore be at the disposal of the passengers, for baggage and provisions, with the exception of what is necessary for the officers and crews of the vessels. One-half of the freight to be paid down, on this engagement being formally gone intoj the other half before the ships sail from Clyde. If the ships are taken up for this service, we would prefer having the George Canning first despatched. We are, respectfully. Sir, Your most obedient Servants, Q. & J. LEITCH. b I i! f Greenock, 6tk Aprils 1821. Mr. Robert Lamond, Sir, Agreeably to your request, we have inspected the ships, George Canning, Earl of Buck- inghamshire, and Commerce, and find them strong and staunch, and in every respect well fitted for the conveyance of Emigrants to Canada. They are like- wise commanded by sober, expert seamen, who are 45 iOs. for r-casks, iescrip- fiselves, be paid ird, on fore be ge and icessary ne-half gement ore the e would tched. ants, ITCH. 1821. e have • Buck- strong for the re like- 'ho are I well acquainted with the navigation of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. — We are, Sir, Your most obedient Servants, JAMES OUGHTERSON. ROBERT LUSK. CHARTER FOR THE SHIPS. 43, Ingram-Street, Glasgow, March 6M, 1821. Messrs. Q. & J. Leitch, Gentlemen, In the name and on the behalf of the Committee on Emigration, and with the concurrence of the Preseses of certain Societies, intended pas- sengers for Quebec, per your ship, the Earl of Buck- inghamshire, We hereby accept of your offer of the said ship, at 30^. per ton register, as she stands on the books for keeping such records. And you hereby engage to land these Emigrants, (excepting casualties,) free of any other charge whatever, on the Quay of the Port of Quebec. And that no debts shall be con- tracted on board of the ship, betwixt the Captain and the Emigrants. In all cases where rum or other necessaries are provided by the Captain, the same must be paid for on delivery. The preceding and following are the conditions of this mutual engagement. 1st, That the compliment of persons to be shipped on board, must be equal to an adult passenger for ■^ h.^ 4(i +! ^ h every ton and ti half of the ship's register, as entered on the books for recording the same. 2d, That all persons to be put on board, under the age of 14 years, shall be rated in bed-births, as three to one full passenger. 3d, That water shall be put on board, in good and well -seasoned casks, in sufficient ([uantity to the number of persons, as by law established, for a voyage to Quebec. 4th, That the water shall be served out daily, in small casks for measuring the quantity, to be pro- vided by you, as is customary in transports hired for carrying passengers. This service to be agree- ably to the regulations of the Emigrants in the for- mation of their messes, to be hereafter arranged. 5th, That the quantity of fuel necessary for the voyage, shall be put on board, agreeably to the stated regulations. 6th, That sufficient furnaces for cooking victuals for the number of passengers on board, shall be erected on deck, with pots, and a cast-iron plate at- tached to the furnace, for baking oat-meal bread on. 7th, That a small temporary cabin, containing about eight births, shall be fitted up, for the use of married females, who may have occasion for retire- ment during accouchement on the passage. And, if agreed to by the Societies, that all adult females (unmarried) shall have a part of the vessel assigned to them, secluded during the hours necessary for rest, by a temporary partition, either of deal boards or canvass. sh r n 8th, That sucli passengers who may incline to sleep in hammocks, shall have liherty to hang the same in the iiohl, the passengers providing the ham- mocks themselves. 9th, That the surgeon shall be allowed a free cabin passage, with the use of the ship's medicine chest, when recjuired. He or the Emigrants to |)ro- vide his provisions, as may be afterwards agreed upon. 10th, That the Captain shall establish regulations for good government, particularly with regard to cleanliness and moral behaviour, and that they shall be strictly enforced, in unison with the Committee to be appointed for said purpose; the Captain re- serving his authority in all matters, as commander of the vessel. These regulations to be posted up in proper places, for the information of all concerned. llth, That, on the Sabbath-day, public worship shall be held on deck, when it does not interfere with the management of the vessel, and when the weather will permit; at other times, family worship may be held on the same prmciples. 12th, That the regulated quantity of provisions for the number of passengers to be carried out, shall be laid down, by the Committee on Emigration, on the Quay, beside the vessel, and delivered over to the Captain, or to you, to be put on board at the ship's expense. 13th, That the Custom-house business, in taking out a provision bill, passing, and taking on board passengers' baggage, entering and clearing the Emi- 11 t fl- •■•'h 'i J . I 48 grants, shalJ be done at the ship's expense, without any charge to the Committee or Emigrants what- ever. 14th, That a letter shall be granted by you to the Committee of Emigrants, for the Buckinghamshire, before she sails, testifying that the said Emigrants are free from any claim whatever by the vessel or Captain, on their sailing from the port of Greenock. This is to be done, on this engagement being for- mally entered into, and the charter- money paid, before the vessel sails, 15th, That the Buckinghamshire must be ready to take on board the provisions by the latter end of this month, or, at furthest, the 1st of April, and clear for sea before the 10th of April j and that the bed- births must be all ready for the passengers to sleep on board the first day of their arrival in Greenock. I6th, That, on arrival at Quebec, all articles of provisions belonging to the Societies, and remaining on hand, after it is no longer necessary to subsist the Emigrants on board the ship, shall be delivered over by the master, to a Committee of their number, to be appointed for the purpose. ROBERT LAMOND, Secretary. Messrs. Q. & J. Leitch, Greenock. %% %^ %^ %^ %% %% v^ v^ ^^ Greenock, \9th March, 1821. Mr. Robert Lamond, Sir, We hereby engage to hire to you, the ship, ^ A ie^ I u dt)- W -c ch yj v-\ 3^ / c-y l1 1:1 M > Lary. "T P/^ /^. ^. J 2 y^ <^ "^/^'/"-S^CX^^J? /^ / .^ ,^ i_ >^5//| ;^/A^ Z V^;? c '^ •« -J !^ J'. i I t < I l*^! I I M ^ JkO. ^Q.. >a>l- yrczTT A^'J/f'oA' JVJ^ TV^e odd. jivLm 6 frj H n> /- 'a^i>t^', wu? \ ^ ...i i ^j^^ Ij^RBo^'i \J} -4^=r=. - ? Jfatch *^ zj-6-^^6\ /A^H^ u.: \Foyc I ; //jfrAi >5) -\ " ^' — \ r- '/y^ I /f ^M jy /^i- j r'^/f4 1 J. ;j;;^^^/.-^^-^^^ _j- L__i. //j- /"jOJJjyV'J /■o2Y''<>d cjj cac/i Sjdc jjic/tisjyc' jsr^/JfjJ r/?^^ (B/^Tu///us^^^^gei's ^a^cJ? js 2SS c/o Uo 7S ^2 do fa J ^o each js do do JS, 9^ da (^ Z do eacj, j's TZhe odd. jivLm Sers %%% Upper Canada, New Lanark, Wth Dec. 1820. To KiRKMAN FiNLAY, Esq. M. P. Honourable Sir, According to promise, I take this opportunity of writing for the information of your Honour, in re- lation to the Societies who emigrated from Scotland. Sir, the lateness of the season has rendered our location unusually difficult, as well as hazardous for the health of the women and children. Your Honour anticipated this, when I last saw you in London; however. Captain Marshall, to whom our location is entrusted, has spared no trouble, in having the people into their houses, on their different lots, be- fore the severity of the season would be felt by them. This he has now, I may say, effected. He has been particularly careful to see, that nothing, in his powei, be wanting, in making one and all of them comfort- able. Blankets, of a good quality, have been served out, as well as other necessary articles, such as im- plements of husbandry. The people appear to be in good spirits, and I hope they will all do well: if they do not, it will be their own fault. The land in this township is in general hilly, and particularly well watered. As for the soil, I can say 5''.i f f I- I * The other three vessels were chartered on the same principles, except the David, which was charged 2s. 6d. per ton higher. 50 ■ v„ little about it as yet. The weather is much colder here than it is at home, at this time of the year. The snow has been on the ground since the 1st of November; it is now about six inches deep. The frost has been very severe these few nights past; and the people who are acquainted with the country, anticipate a long winter. Our people, in general, remain healthy. I would advise all who int?nd com- ing out next season, to come out as soon as possible in the spring. I expect to be able to give your Honour more particular information, in the course of a few months. Honoured Sir, I remain your humble Servant, (Signed) JOHN M*LACHLAN. Lanark, 23d Dec. 1820. Dear Sir, As your correspondent is rather meagre in his account of the Settlement, I take this oppor- tunity of adding a little to it. The Settlement consists of three townships, each ten miles square, situated immediately behind the Perth Settlement, named Dalhousie, Lanark, and Ramsay. The vil- lage of Lanark is 14 miles from Perth; a Govern- ment store and dwelling-house have been built there. There are already three respectable merchants* stores, and a dozen houses in the village. We are 50 miles north-west of Brockville, on the St. Lawrence, and that town is about 150 miles higher up than Mon- treal, and 65 from Kingston. i Icolder year. 1st of The past; [untry, meral, com- )ssible more onths. LAN. 1820. igre in oppor- ement quare, ;ment, le vil- Dvern- there. stores, miles I, and Mon- I 51 As 1 learn from these people, you have taken a great interest in their welfare, and are a strong ad- vocate for emigration to this part of the world, permit me to suggest the ne'^3ssity of sending out people of this description earlier in the season: they ought to be here in July. Also, that when they do arrive, they ought not to be under the necessity of expend- ing any part of their instalment -money in clothing: they require the whole of it for their supply of pro- visions, until they raise something themselves. Many of them have also arrived in debt for their passage, and provisions on the voyage. Government cer- tainly expected them to arrive upon their lands, free of any debt of this kind: the money is quite little enough, without deductions of this nature: it may ruin the whole scheme. I shall probably write you again. — I am. Yours, faithfully, (Signed) W. MARSHALL, Supermtendeni Lanark Settlenient. ^^%%%^v%%>^%%%^«^%^ Glasgow, 21th Feb. 1821. Robert Dalglish, Esq. Sir, Agreeably to your request, when I left thig in August last, I made very particular inquiry, while in Canada, regarding the settlers who sailed last year from the Clyde, under the direction of the Committee in Glasgow. I had several interviews on the subject, with , Quebec, to whom the settlers are certainly much in- >< (I ii 52 J A ..c m i ¥ h debted for the anxiety he showed, to give every in- formation that might be at all useful to them; which is the more valuable, as they fall all under the charge of his department, and its correctness may be relied upon. The settlers alluded to, are located in the township of Lanark, Upper Canada, the situation of which may be seen from the map. The soil and climate are both good, and being removed from the lake, will not be troubled with ague, to which those on the immediate borders of it are liable. Government has reserved lots, of ten acres each, round the vil- lage, which are to be granted to mechanics onlt/y to the cultivation of which they can turn their attention, when not fully occupied with their respective em- ployments; the remainder of their grant, say 90 acres, they receive in another part of the township. The Government allowance of 10/. was not pay- able to the heads of families only, but to every man, woman, and child. Government found the means of transporting them to the place of settlement, but had no intention of furnishing them with provisions, till their arrival there. Many of them, however, arrived indebted to the Captains of the ships, to discharge which, they were obliged to dispose of what little they had, and were consequently without any means of subsisting themselves. In order to get over this difficulty, , (who is very anxious to encourage them, and pro- mote their interest by every means in his power,) although it was contrary to the intentions of the f 53 Government at home, ordered rations to be issued to them, from the Government stores, upon the ex- press understanding, that they were to be paid for, from the advances to be made to them. Complaints have been made, in the most severe terms, of the very great trouble and expense thrown upon Government; and also, of the serious injury the settlers have done themselves, and those who may follow them, by bringi'ig out large quantities of old and useless luggage. Ti^e Government at home, estimated the expense of conveying them to the place of settlement, at 2/. per head; whereas, in consequence of this, it has actually cost about 8/., as they had been obliged to transport for them old and worm-eaten boxes and chests, and these mostly empty, together with old wash-tubs, and other arti- cles of furniture, which might be purchased for half the expense of transportation. Had Government taken these articles from the settlers, on their ar- rival at Quebec, paid double their value for them, and burned them, they would have been considerable gainers. It is therefore stated, that if the agents at home permit the settlers to pack such quantities of lumber on board the ships, it is the determination of , not to allow the expense of transporting it up the country to fall upon Government; and if the people are unable themselves to do it, they must abandon it at Quebec, or remain and lose their lo- cations. It will, therefore, be much for the interest of the settlers, that some person should be appointed at the different places of embarkation, to see that they are not permitted to put such articles on board. 1i ft 54 •|!' The settlers have also suffered great loss, from foolishly taking with them different descriptions of manufactured goods, in the full hope of deriving a profit from the sale of them. The contrary has al- most universally been the case; in addition to which, they lose much time, which might be profitably em- ployed, by being obliged to stop in Quebec or Mon- treal, till they have disposed of them. They ought, on no account whatever, to invest their money in this manner, but take what they have, either specie, a draft upon some respectable house there, or pay it into any of the banks, taking a receipt for it; only, in the latter case, they will require to have at least two or three copies of the receipt along with them, and they will find no difficulty in disposing of them, the same as bills of exchange. (Signed) WILLIAM THOMSON. Vv Glasgow, 2lst March, 1821. Mr. Robert Lamond, Sir, The Clyde Shipping Company will engage to take down Emigrants and their families (going to America) to Greenock, at the rate of One Shilling each, for men, women, and children above twelve years of age; from four to twelve, at half-price; and under four, Jree; at same time, will take the lug- gage at Sixpence barrel bulk. — I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, JAMES MILLER, Manager. !■ 55 Particulars of the Provisions shipped on board of the Earl of Buckinghamshire, on account of the Emi- gration Societies, and in conformity to the Govern- ment regulation for the year 1821. lb. "J Salt Provisions, 24 tierces Beef, each tierce 300 lb. i barrel do. do. 100 7 barrels Pork, each bar. 200 Biscuit, 192 bags, . . 192 cwt. . . . 21,504 Oat-Meal 319 barrels, . . 482x1^ bolls, . . 67,483 700 lb. Eng. do. do. Barley and Pease, 6 barrels 6 do Cwt. Qr. Lb. 1 els Barley, . . 11 14 v.^ 35^ . Pease, ... 9 3 26J do. Butter, 23 casks, 13 1 21 1,505 do. Molasses, 3 casks, 27 1 4 3,056 do. As Potatoes are not allowed to be substituted in part of any of the provisions, the Societies or Emi- grants may take on board, for their own use, what quantity they please; and the Societies for the Buck- inghamshire, agreed to ship 61 bolls 12 pecks, which was paid for out of the money returned to them. On the arrival of the ship at Quebec, after a pas- sage of 48 days and 10 hours, the remaining part of 1' ■f I Ir 56 the provisions was delivered over, for the Societies* account, to the Lady Sherbrook Steam-Boat, viz* 171 barrels Oat-Meal, about 276J bolls. 92 bags Biscuit. 1 puncheon Molasses. 4 barrels Barley or Pease. 4 tierces Beef. 2 firkins Butter. The provisions for the other vessels, were on the same ratio; but the Societies by those ships, would not consent to ship any Potatoes, as they preferred taking the money to divide amongst them. Rations per Week, for every Passenger 8 Years and upwards, calculated for a Passage of 84 Days or 12 Weeks. l\ lb. Beef or Pork. 3J — Biscuit. 11 — Oat-Meal. ^ lb. Barley or Pease. \ — Butter. h — Molasses. f \s Children from 2 to 8 years, two-thirds of the above quantity; — under 2 years, are left to the discretion of their parents, who must lay in Porter, Tea, Coffee, Sugar, &c. for the mothers and infant children. Water * per Day, English measure, calculated for a Passage of 9 Weeks, or 63 Days, To persons 14 years and upwards, 6 pints each. To do. 8 to 14 years, . . 4 do. To do. 2 to 8 do. . . .3 do. To do. under2 do. . . 2 do. * Great care ought to be taken of the water, that none of it be wasted. I 57 GriKKNoik, 13/// April, 1821. Mr. RoBRiiT LaiMoni), Secretary to Ike Kmifiratlun Committee, Sm, Our ship, the George rannin«j^, being now on the eve oF saiHng for Quebec, with the full com- pliment of passengers agreed to be taken on board — in compliance with the lith article of our agreement, we do hereby testify, that as you have paid us the full amount of passage -money, we have no claim whatever against the said Emigrants, who are to be landed (barring accidents) at Quebec, without any additional charge being made by us. It is, however, understood, that should any of them have occasion to purchase from the Master, any supplies from the stores belonging to the vessel, he is to have it in his power to demand payment of the same, if he thinks proper. Sincerely wishing a good passage to the ship, and a safe landing to her numerous passengers, we remain. Sir, Your most obedient Servants, Q. & J. LEITCH. The letters given from the owners of the other vessels, were to the same tenor as the above. r » 'I I 1 Y *■ i k%^V%%^%%%% H t 4 58 i h GouRocK Bay, 14/// ^^^r//, 1821. To Col. MuRi:, of Caldwell, KiRKMAN FiNLAY, Esq. of Auchciiwillan, Robert Brown, Esq. Hamilton, John Wylie, Esq. Clerk to the Lieutenancy of the County of Renfrew, and Wm. M'Gavin, Es{j[. Glasgow, The Committee on Emigration from tlic J Vest of Scotland^ Gentlemen, We, the heads of families on board the George Canning, feel it to be a duty incumbent on us to return our most grateful acknowledgements to the Committee who managed the business for us in Glasgow. We are well aware of the trouble that you have been at on our account, and we hope that Providence will reward you for your conduct. Your Secretary, Mr. Robert Lamond, has dis- charged his duty to our satisfaction, in every par- ticular; and we hereby return to him our warmest thanks, for his attention to our interest. We also take this opportunity of expressing our thankfulness to Messrs. Leitch, the owners of the vessel, and also to Captain Potter, for their humane and kind attention to us and to our families, since we arrived at Greenock. Signed, in name of the Societies, William M'Ewaii, James Borrowinan, .lolin \MMu'rs()i], Waller Black, l)imc;iii M'iimt's, John Kilpatrick, .I."!Ms HiMi(!u(.()(l. Koht. M'Lartii, and '^'. ■'!, Juii. JaiiiLa Ailkenlicad, .Tamjs Paul, Preseses. { i ,ts 59 "«!^ -I ^ \_From the Grccjiock Advertiser^ May 2^, 1821.] On Sunday morning, the Earl of Buckinghamshire, Captain Johnston, sailed from hence, for Quebec, with Settlers, drawn from the various Associations of this and the adjacent County. The total number of passengers, old and young, by this hip, is 607, of which about 320 are from this County, and the rest from Lanarkshire. Although, in the provision- ing of the vessel, nothing was omitted which could be conducive to the comfort of the voyagers, a con- siderable sum, as in the case of the George Canning, remained over, of the money previously lodged, after liquidating all cliarges, which was, of course, pro- portionally divided amongst the passengers. From the accommodations of the Earl of Buckinghamshire, which are as excellent of their kind as they are ex- tensive, and the great height of the ship between decks, it promises to afford to the Emigrants, at least as satisfactory a conveyance to their destina- tion, as any vessel hitherto fitted out from the Clyde> for a like purpose, notwithstanding the vast number on board. The Emigrants, generally, have a most respectable appearance; and amongst them, are va- rious artificers, sucli as smiths, joiners, &c. whose labours, in their respective occupations, must prove peculiarly valuable to the other Settlers, in their agricultural operations, to which the whole purpose to devote themselves, under the encouragements held out by Government, whose bounty, we are well persuaded, has, in few instances, been more judi- ciously bestowed. f 'I l! Ill t| \ 60 '*!> 5 r? On board the Ship David, of London, at Greenock, for Qiiehec, May \9th, 1821. Mr. Robert Lamond, Secretary to the Committee on Emigration, We, the undersigned, Members of the Committee of Management on board of said ship, in tlie name and on behalf of the several Societies we represent, beg to return our most sincere and humble thanks to Government, for the grants and other advantages graciously conferred upon the Members of our So- cieties going to Canada; and we humbly request, that you will be so kind as to communicate the same to the Secretary of State for the Colonial Depart- ment. We also beg as a favour, that you will be pleased, in our name, to express our gratitude to the Gen- tlemen forming the Committee of Emigration in Glasgow, for their unremitted exertions in forward- ing the general views of the Societies. And having examined and compared all your intromissions on our account, we find every article correct, and regu- lar discharges produced for all the sundries com- posing our provisions on the passage, and chartering the ship. We feel it, therefore, our duty to return you our warmest gratitude for your indefatigable services in the station you are placed; and amongst all your kind offices to our Societies, we especially thank you for applying to the British and Foreign Bible Society, ibr granting to so many of us that inestimable treasure, the Word of God, of which we rccoivtHl so nuuiy copies, the perusal of which, we 61 ecnuckf Tiittee name esent, hanks ntages >ur So- jquest, e same )epart- leased, e Gen- ion in irward- having ons on 1 regu- > com- rtering return tigable nongst ecially oreign IS that ich we :h, we I - hope, by the blessing of God, will be attended with the happiest eifects. We have also to express our warmest thanks to the Owners and Captain of the ship David, for their unwearied attention to our comfort. (Signed) Samuel Stevenson. John Blair. David Young. George Bremner. Archibald Paterson. The ship David left the East Quay, on Saturday, about one o'clock, p.m. with 364 passengers. She was towed out by a steam-boat, and immediately proceeded to sea with a fair wind, under very fa- vourable auspices. The David was left by the owner and friends of the passengers, about two miles below the Cloch Light-house, at six o'clock, p.m. with three hearty cheers from the passengers and crew, which was immediately returned from the boat, and repeated from the ship: a general smile of satisfac- tion closed this parting scene. The money lodged for the outfit of the vessel, for provisions and freight of the Societies, was 1198/. \\s. Sd.; and, after pay- ing all charges, the Emigrants have received, to be divided amongst them, agreeably to their respective interests, 93/. lis, Sd., which will be of more use to them in Canada, than if it had been spent here. The passengers by this vessel, are chiefly country people, from the Counties of Lanark, Dumbarton, Stirling, Clackmannan, and Linlithgow. #h: If I 62 2 Bl e o p:; •pojitihO}! SllOJ, o *i tJO ■ . = r! O ■« =3gS«^.2 b. EpH-g.^S t<3 -W c §5 If ^^ c vit;joj 00 Q jz; -a o 1— t x: o H S -5l b4 O o 1 C-5 1— 1 hJ ^ •3 •* < "^ O) Pt. ^ •"^ O S r~ "S Pi ■<• o . o U CI S fe &H a o 1 1 g's J 0-" o J-t- C> o ^ c = 1 o "^ 5, > ^? rt o ^ W •oSy s,u>)tuo^w ?? •o3v s.uoiv; ? (« '/) • is 1 ■4-* ct3 ■H.:2^ o < O 1. rt ff ., IT O O o ^■3 >< CJ ^S - O "^"tt «!iiiui;,.i,io-o\ - o . Ml w o c H D U Pm O o x; I §3 x: n ■•-J' ll i U = = ■:=« Or; >%i3 5 S - c nil " C '- t. ? -^ o « £Li !; > " r o cs jj &5 e o 3 O (J 3 3a a O o u 3 " C-H tJ'-S to ;5 c CI S bi Si s n o o l* ~ 3 O x: u 'tl - 3 SP — C( Cl <0 c o •H CO CO (M •sipjig CO C ■* CO I-H • 1— 1 • c 3 6 c 6 a 3 3 3 > •r •-5 •-5 >-i i: «■> J2 r^ r- < c« •«-■ 4-1 «-a •O o »0 i-H CM G^l — : rd 1 ■■■ 1 >^ >. 1 1 c ;-i (-■ Cl « <3 <: § k— I C« ^ ^ r- J= ■^ 4-J 4^ C/J ^ CT) I-H cn i-H Ol I-H I-H 13 . ^ c^ o o X I-H 1-H !3 *-• 3 CJ J, '^ >0 00 Ol >0 fc- o "^ r-< I-H I— I-H -co 3 a o -a r •> ^ 00 oc CO t- i; ^ G^ t}- I-H G5 00 ^-4 I— 1 "* <1 2 rrt • « ?2 1: -^ 2 I-H I-H o CO 10 r^S O 'O .z cu O CO tn ^ O 2 0? ^ 50 rH CN I-H I-H I-H lO ^£h C" CO CT OC 01 o '-•^ ^ fr > CH ^H CT 1- §^§ ) 05 GQ r— (Ji •" I-H r-H •" lO C 1^ (M '* CO •s[enpiAipui CT o CO CN -* CO 00 I-H •d|ij<5 qoea ui sauaiaog f— « t- a C CO JO aaquuii]^ ccf^ cM* u f/2 a. cfl : S 0) t -a C (-* 4J Cm O c c c: - 'S ■4— » o H c i as c rt ^ . w ^ ) c -4 4^ 11 0- w Ft o 3 ^ £ » t ^ "'5 ll B "s f 3 3 g g ss a , 2 3 •3 x: il o £ U •2,2 o 3 il ■" 1) "a 3 1 ■s s tU >. £ 3 •^2 O c 3 s^ =; J3 s s is •-3 55 '^ ■« li 1 3 a •1 ^ 5 c« ■s* P3 § ^■ 5 =- > I •a 3* 1 3 S 3 .3 r-3 3 Cm o So 3 4^ a *•> 3 O — O J S •o > g 1 (3 •Si J3 5 ■A n -3 3 2 3 J? is c to 1S2 1 5} '^ f -» 1- "- 5 to -a 2 - s t-4 ■■B ^ •2^ c <2 •!** = 5 'to s o i: 3J2 1-1 So '*^ ,0 04 5 '3 :3 3 o o O^ bcc; C 1^ i:;3 O H5 ij 'y; •^ s a few 3-3 et = "w ,illi 1-1 3-^ -3 -3 ;» , _!) E o i: '5 III frl^ 2 . — * •r * CU w" IH O J3. M II 3 X 2 r ?,-! rt C i 5 S = a = 23 1 1, d 2 'tfl cam ^^3 ? M ■^J= « c.^ y .3 O 3 i; " S c •— 5^^ =f- ^2 2^^ >- 3 :i; ^' — wg 6£ £."■3 c o IS 10 ^2" 5— Sja 3 ^ C "^ ^:ii fl -c.r .3:2 o ;ii . Zj ■"^ CJ ►- CJ 9 CJ^ Ch:= o ShSh ■§ 2 li 64 »• I; t ; I I • , r. s'i* At Glasgow, 15/ JuiiCy 18^1, and xvithin the Counting -House of Wm. M*Gavin, Esq. Convener — MET, The Committee on Emigration from Scotland, to His Majesty's Settlements in Upper Canada. PllESENT, KiRKMAN FiNLAY, Esq. Preses, Colonel Mure, of Caldwell, and William M'Gavin, Esq. Mr. Robert Lamond reported to the Committee, that the four chartered vessels had sailed, viz. The George Canning, The Earl of Buckinghamshire, The Commerce, and The David, Carrying out, in whole, 1883 souls. A settlement having been made with each Society, of their re- spective accounts, and a balance of 487/. 155. \\d» having been returned to the parties, after paying for their passage and provisions. The Committee, in closing their labours, cannot omit noticing the remarkable and highly pleasing alteration which has taken place in the value of labour and employment for working people, since this measure was first undertaken; it now appearing to the Committee, that many of the persons who have lately embarked, have been induced to do so, from other considerations, rather than the want of employment at home. Notwithstanding this state of things, such is the desire to emigrate, that it consists with the Commit- V S' thin the NT, Esq. land, to :1a. nnilttee, z, ' ittlement their re- L55. y\d. lying for I, cannot pleasing value of le, since ppearing ions who to do so, ; want of :h is the Commit- (j5 tee's knowledge, that douhle the number of means of transportation :nowJ would have embarked, ii had been afforded. The Committee think it their duty to add, that it appears to them, the state of labour and wages, which first induced the Government to afford the liberal assistance which has been given to Emigrants from this district, no longer continues to exist herej and although the Committee are ready, on any fu- ture occasion, to lend their best services for any simi- lar transaction, yet they cannot withhold the opinion they entertain, that the reasons which first led the Government to adopt the measure, no longer exists. The Committee desire to record their sense of the conduct and management of their Secretary, Mr. Robert Lamond, in the discharge of a duty of a very laborious nature, requiring the greatest patience in the arrangement, and accuracy in the accounts; and they feel convinced, that this difficult duty could not possibly have been performed in a more satisfactory manner, at once advantageous to the Emigrants, and creditable to Mr. Lamond. Ordered, that a copy of this Minute, and of the Charters, and other papers, be transmitted to Henry Goulburn, Esq. to be laid before the Right Honour- able Earl Bathurst. Note. — There may occur some cases, where por- tions of families may have already gone out, to whose remaining relations here, it might be desirable that the former advantages might be extended next spring. (Signed) KIRKMAN FINLAY, Preses. (I # Ii <( r ()() REFERENCES TO THE PLATES. ■■'i [I H 'it N 1. A Hut or Wigwam — is generally the first habitation in the woods, and the most simple kind of building. It may be constructed either of a conical or oblong form. The timbers should be spruce poles, or any similar kind; six to eight inches diameter are sufficient, and are easily handled. Take, for instance, four poles, of about fifteen feet in length: place them from eight to ten feet asunder, and sink the lower end of each pole about two feet into the ground: with four pieces of timber, form a square sufficient to let out the smoke: incline the poles to the small square at the top; and, if nails are not to be obtained, they may be bound together with xvijf/ie rods, birch-bark, or by green birch-wood, strung out as lopes; or thick twine niay be used for the purpose: tiie sides can be filled up on the easiest principle, with the branches of trees or spars. The fire to be kindled in the centre of the floor, on fire-dogs, of cast or wrought iron, to admit of air to allow it to burn.- 2. A Shade or Shantie — built of rough logs, or boards, and roofed with hollow bas-wood, resembling a tile roof. The fire may be kindled on the floor, or, if it is wished, on the side of the house: the chimney must be built of stone, brick, or such incombustible materials as can be found at hand. Small Canadian stoves, of cast-iron, would be very useful, if the Emigrants could afford to take them along with them. A pit may be made in the floor, for preserving potatoes, &c. from the frost, du' ing winter. 3. A Cottage — built of squared logs, laid horizontally, cut into proper lengths, so as to fit betwixt the doors and windows, which may be either notched at the corners, or tenoned and mortised into one another alternately, or fastened by hard- wood pins; and roofed with shingles, resembling slates, or by boards laid over each other. The fjround to be excavated two or three feet, to serve as a cellar, the entrance to which may be niade by a trap-door in the inside of the house; and the hearths and chinnievs must be made of stone or brick. 4. Plan and P^levation of a Log-Cottage, or Framj-House. — The upright corner-posts ought to be strong, and built up 61 between the corner-posts, with s()utired logs, to the level of the joists, and filled up with friinie-work, or with split wood, with the bark on it, which may be plastered over, when the means will alFord. The roof may either be framed, or of common spars, to project about two feet over the walls. 5. A Frame-Cottaf^e, similar to No. 4'. — The ends of the ceiling-joists must project over the walls. The windows should all be made to open in the middle, and fold back. 6. A Log or Frame-C'ottage — lined externally with boards: tiie wiiuiow-dressings may afterwards be put on, and the por- tico formed of two trees in their natural atatc. 7. A Frame-Cottage — lined with boards, iio/izontally and perpendicular, or which may be built of dressed logs. If the pavilion roof were raised higher than is shown in the plate, good lofts could be matie, to enter by a trap-door from the lobby, which would be found to be very useful. 8. A Fancy Frame-Cottage — with the roof projecting over the walls, from lour to five feet, supported on pillars, made of the trunks of trees, so that a shaded walk can be formed around the house, the floor of which should be three feet off the ground; underneath the shaded walk will be an excellent retreat for the poultry; a rustic railing is also shown. 9. A Plan and Elevation of a Farm Establishment — con- sisting of dwelling-house, barn, loft, stables, and offices. In the plan of the dwelling-house, a stove or chimney is repre- sented in the centre, to serve the kitchen and other apart- ments: this plan is recommended, as being best adajited for the j^reservation of the house from fire. The barn and offices are shown distinctly back from the house, about forty feet: a fence might be useful, to run across from the barn to the offices, and a garden might be made around the house. Divide the barn and oilices into three parts, and make partitions of planks, with small doors: the middle parts will serve for threshing-floors, or as a shelter for carts or waggons. The doors of both must be lofty, to admit carts loaded with hay, &c. The upper flat may serve as a loft, and the lower as a stable: in the former, not only the corn may be kept, but also the hay, as exposure out of doors is said to deteriorate the quality: in the latter, the catUe may be stalled; but, instead of using racks and mangers, their necks may be confined be- tween two pieces of wood, contrived for the purpose: this will save halters, and adn)it more cattle, than if racks and mangers were used. The warmer the stables are kept, the better; and a small window, about eighteen inches square, should be made f < It I I i 68 I- (r 1^? II: in each, for the purpose of throwing out the dung. Proper drains must also be made, to carry off the moisture, or the wooden floor will soon rot; indeed, superior attention must be given, or the cattle will get diseased by confinement. On the outside of the zigzag fence, which is shown as formed of logs, plant a live hedge as soon as possible; the woods, no doubt, abound in a variety of shrubs proper for that purpose: a gooseberry hedge, or, if it is preferred, a beach or thorn one, may be used: perhaps apple-trees might be planted in the hedge-rows, as well as in the orchards. The children might be well employed, in collecting young shoots or plants in the woods, and planting them in the hedge-lines. Were a part of the ground and garden allotted to the boys, it would give them an interest, which would create emulation, and teach them useful practical knowledge; the cultivation of which might be attended to, when the usual hours for work are over *. As soon as possible, the roots should be extracted from the ground surrounding the house, and a garden laid out, and cultivated with the spade. It is presumed, that a dry situation, near good water, has been selected, as a site for the house and offices. Such trees as may serve as an ornament and shelter, ought to be preserved, in laying out the fields. All the maple trees in the lines of the divisions, ought to be preserved; and, occasionally, when a few good maples occur in the corners, or even in the centre of fields, they ought to be allowed to stand, as a shelter both for the cattle and the fields. In the designs given, the Emigrant will be able to select the one most adapted to his peculiar circumstances; and, while no person ought to neglect the more important matters of clearing and stocking his farm, a good taste displayed by a few leading families, whose exertions and increasing means may place them in a situation of extending their accommodations and conveniences, will gradually induce others to follow their example. * In former times, it was customary for the farmers in Scotland, to give their daughters a piece of land, for cultivating flax; and the female servants were usu- ally hired, on the principle of being allowed to sow a fourth, a half, or a peck of flax-seed, and they seldom left the family until married. Before marriage, it would have been a disgrace to a young woman, if she had not had a feather-bed, ,and plenty of bed-linen, and a web for shirts for her husband. ill /-^ ■m ~ J*.^ 1' be elds. lect hile i of few may lions their their usu- leck of r-betl, H jfti ji.?ntcii settlers, Its, who are y credit the ent extend. )t being any 3n; but tiie mely fertile. s great; but .^xtent. The ^ay, a beau- is one mile ; about one re tlian two V hills here, en heard of es, although tocked with ies between n, n[)on an From Andrew Bell, son of the Rev. IViUiam Bell. — Perth, 1 1th May, 1819. When I last parted with you, little did J think that it would be so long before I wrote you; but if you knew how far we are from Montreal, and the dillieulty and expense attend- ing a comnnmication between this and that, you would be none surprised at my delay. I have embraced the first o|)por- tunity I have had, of sending my letter by any person going to Britain. You know I promised to send you an account of our voyage, but as my journal would exceed the bounds of a letter, 1 will only give you a short sketch here. That day we left you, we went to Blackbmn, and the next to Leith; here we stopped a few days, till the wind should bo favourable for getting out. We set sail on Satmclay the 5th of April; but we had not gone fai-, before the wind got a-head, and tlrove us all back ajjain. The wind was not favourable till early on Monday morning, when we again set sail. We soon passed the island of Incl.keilh, of which I took a drawing. We got out of the Frith by mid-day; and at night, we were as far north as Aberdeen; and by morning, we were nearly at the north of Scotland: but a most terril)Ie storm arose, and our main-yard was broken: we had to go back to yVberdeen to get it mended. The storm still continued; and it was not till we had been out from Leilh two weeks, that we reached Stromness, a town in one of the Orkney isles. All this time, I was very sick, and was not able to get out of my bed. We sometimes wanted meat for two days, as the cook could do nothing whilst the ship was rolling so terribly. The water was extremely bad, and we were allowed but little of it. The ship stopped here a few days, till the storm should be over; and took on board some more fresh water. During this stay, we went on shore sometimes, to see the island. It is a poor, barren spot, and its inhabitants are as poor. Out in the country, they are living in small huts, built of loose stones; and flags, instead of slates, are their covering: they have no outlet for the smoke, but the door; antl, the conse- quence is, the inside of their huts are covered with soot. They have nothing to burn but turf: and the cows, swine, and sheep, are their fireside companions. We saw the women carrying dung on their backs, and milk-cows working in carts, with straw collars and saddles. As soon as the wind was favourable, we set sail, and soon lost sight of Scotland. We sometimes had little storms; but on the 3d of May, a most terrible one arose, HM 72 i ;hten you to look clown between them. Or. iie 15lli, the captain, ju(l^nn.' 1.0 I.I 1.25 128 m 12.0 111= U ill 1.6 1^ 1^ Hi Ui ^ 1^ — 6" V] <^ /2 /: >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAiN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ,\ !> ^ \\ % V ^ # 6^ 74 1," I -m m* m size of a turkey bean; I think it woukl grow bigger, if planted in open air, and dunged. We make plenty of sugar, from the mapple-trees, in the following manner; in the end of March, and beginning of April, when the sap is in the trees, we bore a hole, an inch and a half or two inches wide, in the south- side of the trees, and put a spout below it; the sap comes out at the hole, and runs down the spout, and is caught in wooden troughs; it is tlien boiled, and it takes near 15 Scotch pints to make 1 lb. sugar: the trees generally run four weeks each spring; and the longer they run, they grow the richer every year; and when it is frost in the night, and sunshine in the day, each tree runs as much in a day, as will make 1 lb.; some have 300 trees running at once. In the woods, we are terribly troubled with musquitoes, a kind of small flies that bite our faces and hands; their bites swell for two or three days. The only kind of dangerous animals, are bears, wolves, and snakes; these are very seldom seen, and do no harm but when pro- voked. The others, are, deer, martins, otters, fishers, beavers, foxes, squirrels, hares, musk-rats, racoons, geese, ducks, eagles, partridges, woodcocks, and a great many small birds and beasts. The country abounds with small rivers and lakes, which swarm with fishes of all sorts and sizes; in the spring, when they are so fat that they wont take bait, we spear them: the spears resemble a potatoe grape, only not half so large, and have barbs on each prong, and have a handle 12 feet long. They are caught with nets too. The governor has given my father 500 acres of land, and two town lots, one acre each. On some of our land, we have, the best fishing stations in the settle- ment. Besides our two town lots, we have 10 acres of land cleared; we have 3 cows; and my father is going to get a horse before winter. My father has divided one of his town lots among four of us. I am now planting my quarter with pota- toes and Indian corn, which I am to sell, and get the money to myself. Our new church will be ;xady in a short time; we have got a nice new school-house here; we have been in it four or five weeks past. The country houses are built of logs, and covered with planks, or bark of trees. The town houses are frames, covered with planed boards, lapped over one ano- ther, to send off' the rain, and covered with pieces of wood about the size of slates; when they are put on in the same manner, and painted blue, they very much resemble them; these are called shingles: some of the houses are painted white, some yellow, and some red. The town is a mile long, and two-third*^ of a mile broad; the river runs through it. There is an ^^ if planted from the •f March, i, we bore he south- comes out n wooden h pints to ch spring; ery year; the day, lome have terribly bite our lys. The id snakes; ivhen pro- i, beavers, ks, eagles, birds and ind lakes, he spring, ear them: ' so large, I feet long, given my each. On the settle- 3s of land ;et a horse town lots with pota- he money ; time; we aeen in it ilt of logs, wn houses ' one ano- > of wood the same lem; these hite, some two-third'^ jere is an 75 island in the river opposite the town, containing 8 or 10 acres. There are about 200 acres clear in the town, which is about one-half of it. Here, are residing a great many officers of the British army, on halt-pay, and other persons of respectability. It is very pleasant in the town, and the settlement, in general, is very healthy. The settlers are now getting their difficulties over; they have plenty to keep them on their lands, and will have to work but little, by and by. Provisions are cheap, and wages high. In this settlement there are three townships, each 10 miles square; these are all settled, and the Richmond settle- ment, a new one, lately formed, on the north-east of us, is also settled; a new settlement is also to be formed on the north- west of us. I like the place extremely well, and wish you were here, to be my companion. Tell my grandmother, that we were never in better health, nor happier in our life, than we are now. From Archibald Philips. — Aj'gyle Settlement, Upper Canaduy December 2^th, 1819. We were eight weeks and three days on our passage betwixt Oban and Quebec, without any danger; and five weeks be- tween Quebec and this place. We are now settled near to Duncan; our land joins each other, and we are all well satis- fied. The king's land that was expected to be given to settlers, has not been given us yet; therefore, we are settled on Colonel Talbot's land, with the rest of our acquaintances, and have got 50 acres each, free of all expenses, except the settling du- ties. We have to build a house, and to clear 5 acres, with half of the road; then we shall get a right to it for ever; and we are to get 100 acres of the king's land besides. Wheat, rye, Indian corn, and potatoes, are the produce of this new place; besides pumpkins and garden stuffs, you know nothing of. It is understood that we will have here, double the crop of wheat, that will grow upon an acre in the lower end of the province. We expect from 20 to 30 bushels upon an acre of land, well prepared. We think this is the best climate in any part of America, for North Britons. The summer is warmer than at home, and the winter is milder than in the lower province. I am much happier in working here, with my axe, than I was at the fishing, at home. Aunty is well pleased, and would be more so, if she had her friends beside her: she can make her soap and sugar, gather her tea, 'i m 76 and grow her tobacco. The old settlers that have been here several years, have as good a table as the Laird of K . Land is the main object here: we have every kind of wood that you have, besides mapple, walnut, chesnut, baswood, hickery, &c. There is plenty of game here, such as deers, turkeys, &c.; but our time is too precious to be spent after them. You need not be afraid to come here; it is easier for a poor man to get inio a good way of living, than in Scotland. Bring as much good wearing cloth and fustian with you, as you can; and bring 12 yards for me; also, red flannel shirts, shoes, and a pocket compass: buy your axe in Montreal, and your gun-powder and lead. Hired men have, in general, from 10 to 15 dollars per month; but it is better for every man to work on his own lands. The trees are not thick here: a man that is well acquainted with cutting wood, will cut an acre in six days. Those who are to come here, the sooner they arrive, the better; for, the longer they stay, the farther they must go to the back settlements. This is a beautiful country, where they have large clearings and good orchards. Tell Donald and his brother, that they might do well at their trade. If you and your father's family were here, you must do well. A strong family is better than a good purse. The reason that I did not write sooner, was, that I wished to know a little of the nature of the country. Eobert P~ From Donald Philips to Duncan M'G — afid Brother Neil M^A . You may understand from what has been said, that this is a good country. If you have a mind to come here, you need not be afraid of the main ocean; but be sure to have a good ship, and all your agreements in writing. Bring some coffee and sugar, with some spirits, to help you during sea-sickness; and keep all the provisions you have over in the ship, to help you up the river. Although we did not think of applying to Government, for assistance at Quebec or Montreal, I would advise you to do it. The expense of every grown person in my family, from Montreal to this place, was two guineas, be- sides our provisions. This is a healthy country; I ought to be thankful I have my health better here than at home. We have a good climate, and good water. I was very happy when I came here; I had nothing to do but sit down in my son's hoube: he had two cows, and plenty of provisions of his own 77 )een here PK . of wood baswood, as deers, )ent after easier for Scotland. I you, as lel shirts, real, and general, for every lick hero: ill cut an le sooner le farther beautiful orchards. II at their you must se. The i to know ,t this is a you need ve a good me coffee i-sickness; p, to help plying to , I would person in ineas, be- ought to tme. We ppy when I my son's f his own raising. I am now in my own house, beside him, the size of which is 28 feet by 20, and 15 feet below the rafters, of good timber; it was raised in one day, by 26 men, which they did free for their kindness to me. I bought two cows, and two oxen, which cost me 120 dollars. I repent of nothing, but that I was so long without coming out; but yet, if the Lord will spare me two or three years now, I will not envy any of the farmers in the parish of G . Heavy hard ware and coarse cloth, are the dearest articles that I know of here. Any man that will come here, that is able for work, and can maintain himself for one year, may live very well afterwards. From A. D. to his Friends. — Bayham^ Upper Canada^ 12th July, 1820. I now, according to promise, give you a description of my success in America. I arrived at New York, 12th October, 1819, 39 days from London, had a very pleasant passage, ar- rived in Canada, 7th November, met my brother on the 12tb, and went immediately in search of land, and found a place to please us, on the SOth; got up a house directly, and got into it, 4th January, 1820. I have 200 acres of excellent land; and George has his just beside mine. We were very fortu- nate in getting it in a well settled place, with good water upon it. My brother and I went to work, and, with our own hands, cleared 10 acres, by the 1st of May. We sowed two and one- half acres of spring wheat. May 18th, which now looks well, and is in the ear; we also planted three and one-half acres of Indian corn, which looks well; likewise, three quarters of an acre of potatoes, with a plot of pease and turnips. We expect to put in 10 acres of wheat this fall; so you hear what progress can be made in clearing land. I shall give you my opinion of America, as candidly as I can. As lor the United States, I think, from all the informa- tion I could collect, they are about as badly off as the people in Scotland. Money is very scarce, and no business doing: but in Canada, we are much better, as the taxes are very small, and no dependence on a foreign market, for produce. Our markets are, wheat, 1 dollar per bushel; Indian corn, 3*. 4^od farm lave Go- want it p 20 dol- ypu save that an d to his is, sugar- as kettles ither the requires LS for my agement, us: the have a cher. 79 From William Miller^ to his Father. — Paih^ 3d Oct. 1820. I have got my land and money, and every thing, as was said. My farm is 20 miles from this town, and 5 miles from Lanark town: it is in the township of Dalhousie, No. 14, 2d Conces- sion. I am just going off on Monday to build my house: it is a most nice lot of ground: I have got 10 acres of meadow hay in it. If I had been here two months sooner, I would have had a cow this winter: if I have time, I will cut some hay yet, and get a cow; but this I cannot say, till I get up my house. I am very sorry, father, that I did not take you out with me, and if you had come, you would have got the same as I; for if you do not get into some society, as I got, the expense will be great to take you from Quebec, as they impose upon strangers so much; but, coming under Govern- ment grant, we were well assisted, and great care taken of us: 21, a-head is just what we paid from Quebec to Perth Go- vernment settlements. In this town, there are 6 or 8 large stores, where you can get any thing, as you or I could get in Glasgow; but cast-metal is very dear, and crockery-ware. It is only four years since Perth was a wilderness of wood: there are three churches in it. Let my brothers Robert, James, and Andrew know, that I wish they would come here, if tliey can, as I think this is the country to- live in. Let Robert A. and his mother and sister, know, that there are farms to buy here every day: you will get them from 15 to 20 acres, cleared, and a good house, for 25/. or 30/., which is allowed to be very cheap, all which you will get for ever and ever; and there are none less than 100 acres to a farm. I like the country; and you may make my compliments to John B., John R., Mr. M', and all the Church Session; to Thomas W., and all you know, on my account. I will write to you as soon as I can, to give you more information what to do. The distance from Quebec to my farm, is 409 miles. I in- tend to keep my family in Perth, till I have my house up, and provisions for them. The winter beef is 3d. per lb., pork 5c/., butter Is.t potatoes 2s. per bushel, tea 4s. per lb., sugar 9c?., tobacco Is. 3c?. per lb., rum Is. a bottle. When you write me, direct to William Miller, farmer, No. 14, 2d Concession of Dalhousie, by Lanark. I have called my farm Whitelee, but it will not be known by that name for some time. A descrip- tion of the country is, that it is healthy, and, for its beauty, I never saw the like of it, particularly 300 miles from Quebec towards us. I have nothing more to say, but that I never thought such a country was here; and I wish that I had been 80 m > Mi •I I . (I 'hi % ' i # t f ■I .i'ii !■' i- c"^ ■■■' •i . : I: some years sooner. You may tell my friends, and all that you know, they need not come here but for farming; no trades- man is wanted mostly at all: you may let John B. younger, know, that I think he would clo well if he was coming, for his trade (a miller) is much wanted. We came from Quebec to Montreal, in a steam-boat; and land-carriage from that to Lachinc; and from that in boats to Prescot; and from that to Perth in waggons; and such hors- es for running, I never saw in my life: Mr. D.'s horses, that is, the chaise-horses, would not keep in sight of them. I got my wife, family, and baggage, on one waggon, and I thought, when they started, that the men were mad, for they went off like shot out of a gun, and up hill and down hill was all alike. They were most of them farmers; and I told the man that was with me, that if we were to run our horses that way, we would kill them; but he said, no fear of them. They are the most mettlesome creatures I ever saw; not so heavy as yours, clean-boned, lively creatures. I can tell you, and you may tell all you know, that my wife bakes me loaves as good as the best risped loaves in Glasgow. I thought that I would miss the oat-meal greatly, but I do not. If you come, or your sons, or your good-brothers, or any you may show this letter to, be sure to get into some so- ciety, if possible, and, by so doing, it will lie a great saving. A pot which you will get for 45., will cost 2/. here; and a ket- tle that costs 6s. with you, costs 21. here. Pots and pans be sure to fetch, and a grindstone: this you may get, if you come in societies; but, if you come on your own account, it will be very dear to you. A set of tea-dishes, which you will get for 35., will cost 1/. here. I am very sorry that I did not take more of these things with me, that I have mentioned to you; but there is no help for that now. But I tell you, that a 45. Gd, dollar is 55. here, and one of your shillings is 13 ''»'i L« IF't' t'r amongst the good, particularly the swamps, whicli they gene- rally reserve For fire and rail-wood: there are some incum- brances in the most oF land, but they arc easily cleared away. There are large tracts of land without any timber at all: |)eo- plc do not choose to take it, as they cannot do without timber: there is nothing else for fire. It is said, that there arc coals to be had in different parts of the country, but they do not wish to encourage them, while wood is so plenty. They manufacture all their wood with the axe, and only use the cross-cut saw for logs which are to be sent to the saw-mill. A man will cut down an acre in a week, ready for burning. When set by the acre, they used to have five dollars; but after that, it is all to be piled up in large piles for burning, which requires a yoke of oxen to draw the logs together, when all is burned and clean. They sow their wheat the first year, without any ploughing at all, only to drag it. The only thing which you could raise the first year, would be potatoes, and some vegetables: it would be too late for Indian corn. The first thing which settlers have to attend to, is the putting up of a log-house, which they are generally assisted with by whatever neighbours are near them; and they get it up very quickly, and, with a little extra pains, they can make it very comfort- able and warm. There is plenty of stones in various parts of Canada: about Kingston, it is all rock together, and at many other places up the lake. There is an acquaintance of mine who has a lot about thirty miles from York, where he says there is plenty of free-stone: but there are other parts of the country where there is no stone; such as Colonel Talbot's set- tlement, and upon the river Thames, which is said to be as fine a country as is in Canada; but I believe there is no part of the country where there is not clay to make brick. All along the side of the lake and the river, the ground is cleared, and for some way back, only there are some large trees hang- ing on the banks of the river, and some barren spots here and there, not worth the cultivating. The articles of agriculture are not altogether the same as with you: the plough is not just the same, neither are the horses' harness, and the axes are different: there is but little difference in other articles. As to what articles you should bring with you for sale, I am at a loss to say. I have been told, that Quebec and Montreal are the principal places which you could expect to sell any goods at, and these markets are quite full, and there are veqdues at each of these places every day: many people say, that they can purchase goods almost S3 [^y gcne- inciitn- ^d away, ill: pco- : timber: ire coals do not They use the iavv-mill. burning. lar.s; but burning, er, when irst year, ily tiling oes, and n. The ing up of whatever quickly, comfort- parts of at many of mine he says ts of the 30t's set- to be as no part ck. All cleared, es hang- lere and same as are the 3ut little 1 should ve been ?s which kets are es every almost as cheap there as at home. I cannot really state the price of iron; but I have been told, tu.U it could be hati at cither of the before-mentioned places, nearly as cheap as in Glasgow, only the worknianship is considerably iiigher: when I got tools made at Kingston, which were principally of steel, 1 paid Is. 3d. a II). for them. There are iron-works in Lower Cana- da; and it is proposed to have one erected in the Upper Pro- vince, somewiiere betwixt Kingston and York. Blacksmiths, as well as other tradesmen, are quite plenty in the country, and wages of all kinds are greatly reduced. 1 would adviae no person to come here to follow a trade; although it may be useful and profitable at some times, yet it tloes not do to de- pend wholly upon it. If a man is once out of employment, he may travel hundreds of miles before he can fall in again; and there are but few places where he can get money for his work. A farmer will pay him with the produce of his farm, and a storekeeper will pay principally with store goods. I would advise you and your friends, if you come here, to bring with you plenty of clothes, and all such articles of small house- hold furniture as you can bring conveniently. It will be un- necessary to bring chairs, bedsteads, or tables: you might bring some iron chains, for logging and dragging wood with; also, a quantity of nails, hammers, hand-saws, and chissels. You might bring some garden seeds and clover seeds; and if you are to find your own provisions on the voyage, be sure to bring plenty of potatoes with you: you will find them to be more precious than ever you did on land. John , who came out last year, is 50 miles south of Y'ork, and works a farm upon shares: he is highly pleased with the place, and happy that he has come to it: he says the place is quite healthy, and the climate much the same as it is in Scotland, both in summer and in winter: he wished me to go and sec him, which I would have done, had I been in health this winter. As to the title-deeds of the lands, I believe they are to be had at every township. I have never heard of any complaint on that subject. Government has always acted honourably in their engagements; but persons must be on their guard when they purchase from individuals. There are always a number of improved farms to be sold, both in Canada and in the States. A man who could give a little money in advance, could pur- chase to great advantage, and he would be allowed plenty of time to pay the balance. As to the state of religion in Canada, it appears to be very low in many parts of it: you would see very little difference •I 1^ 84 on the 8abbath-(Uiy, from the otlirr days of the week: so far as I have seen, tlie people are all remarkably addicted to drink- ing spirits, vet there are a few individuals of a dillereiit descrip- tion. Methodists are tlie most numerous; they push them- selves into every new settlement. There are also several Burgher preachers in the country. There is one Baptist Ereacher, Mr. 8 , formerly a student with Mr. H : e and a number of his brothers have got a large settlement of land for themselves, some considerable distance from York. Governor Maitland, who, it is believed, is a religious man himself, and gives particular favour to all such characters; and, I think, if you and your friend obtain a particular re- commendation to hini, it might be in your favour. As to the Indians, you have nothing to fear: I have never heard of any injury they do to any person : as to any attempts to instruct them, I have never heard of any such attempt amongst the Canadians; but the Baptists of the United States have had missionaries amongst some of their tribes, and seem to 8|)eak of some success. Those Indians which I have seen about King- ston, were almost always drunk: they will not work to any person; but they are sometimes employed in catching fish, and in making baskets, which they sell, 'in order to get money to drink. I would not advise peoj)le to go on Perth settlement, as I know different persons who have drawn land there, and who have given it up: it is the place where all the old soldiers draw their land, and many of them would sell it for a few dol- lars. I forgot to mention cloth for bags, to hold your meal and corn: there are none of them larger than to hold three bushels: the stronger that you can get the stuffi the better. If it is so, that you are determined to come out, I can safely say, there never was a better time for emigrants who have a little money, as labour is remarkably cheap. There has been flour bought at Kingston, for three dollars a barrel; and every thing else is in proportion: the crop this year exceeds that of last year. Cattle are also very cheap. II* a iiiun had a little clear land upon his lot, he could soon raise a stock of cattle, as they are very prolific in this country: sheep, cows, and hogs, have all young by the time they are two years old. There is a periodical publication commenced this season at York, much the same as the magazines with you. [The writer of this letter has been about three years in the country.] if J « ;.. 85 k: so far to (Irink- t (Ic'scrip- scveral Baptist H : L'ttlcnient »in York, ous man aracters; cular re- Ah to tlie (1 of any instruct gst the lavc had » speak of ut King- i: to any fish, and noney to ttlcnicnt, lere, and 1 soldiers few dol- our meal )ld three e better, an safely o have a has been ind every Is that of lear land they are have all season at rs in the From an Emir shirts, Ty short i are for )d which hoes are and the all wear ery easy, per pair • cept that ', and we I have was very working possible, 1 as you and hoes : coming out from Kirkfield-Bank, I wish you would send me a Scotch- made spade, and I would pay them when they arrive here: a scythe and scythe-hooks are much wanted. How the people are doing here, I cannot say much from personal observation. There are a great many old soldiers, and they drink all that will drink. I saw a lot of land, on Saturday last, go to a store- keeper for drink, at 35/., allowed to be worth 200/. If a man drinks all, and works none, he will not do well any where. All that I will say is, that I think as much of this country as ever; and, in a few years, my 100 acres will make me inde- pendent of man; at the same time, a man with a little money, by taking a store, if careful, will make a fortune. A man of my acquaintance assured me, that, in five months, he had turned 2500/., one-third of which was profit. We have all gone through a great many hardships, as we did not expect to go so far into the woods to look for land, and then to cut roads, which a number of those who come out next year, will not be troubled with, as there are a good deal of good lots here not taken up. If any person has a friend or acquaintance coming out, they get a lot for them, till they arrive: any per- son likewise gets a town lot, provided he puts a house on it in eighteen months, which, when the town becomes thriving, the half will sell for 100/. If you will be so good as write me, how trade is doing in Scotland since we left it, as I still wish old friends well; but, if they cannot live at home, there is plenty of land here; and although they will not make much money, they may get their meat well, by industry, and, if the canal was made to Lanark, the lands will be of great value. Trom John Climie, to his Brother and Sister. — Dalhousie, Upper Canada, 8th February , 1821. Although it is out about six months since we had the plea- sure of seeing one another, and enjoying one another's con- versation, spiritual and temporal, I trust to our mutual benefit, and although at the distance of about 5000 miles, we rejoice to know, that we can meet, day by day, at a throne of grace, and also in our night visions, and almost every day you form a part of our conversation. The vast vicissitudes that we have gone through since part- ing, we can hardly with pen and ink relate. All has been new, and all has been a wonder, from the porpoise that tum- bles in the sea, to the sturdy oak that grew on Stirling-Place, which the boys and I cut down the other dayj and which M « II 90 m I h^ J 1 i: i. i I m measures, in circumference, ten feet six inches. I do not know whether you are in the same mind as you were when we were together, or not, about this country; but I can safely say, that I have seen nothing contrary to what we anticipated, save that the winter is far milder than we imagined. All the Emigrants agree with us, that winter is pleasanter here than at home; however, I would not advise any to come here on my testimony, only I can say, that I bless the Lord that I have come here, and am obliged to those who were the means in his hand to the obtaining of it. May they find mercy of the Lord in that dav. But if any come from your quarter, I wish them to get into a Society, as I did, for it is very expensive coming from Que- bec to this place, and maintaining a family, until a crop is got off the land. Indeed, there are a good deal of hardships to overcome, before obtaining the prize; such as selling our ar- ticles for halt-nothing — leaving our country and friends we held so dear — crossing the Atlantic — meeting with gales of wind — sometimes sea-sick — too much - choked up in our births — sometimes loathing our food, though good and whole- some — wearying for a sight of land, but, with bad navigators and contrary winds, going faster back than forward — and, to crown all, associating with profane swearers and Sabbath- breakers — then landing in a strange country; and, if you are not on your guard, you will be taken in, in making merchan- dise — jogging in waggons — going up the river in small boats — landing at night at the side of a wood — kindling a fire — cooking our victuals — making our beds — every one running faster than another, to find the lownmost spot — then hurried up by the break of day, by the conductor crying, get into the boats, scarcely giving us as much time as to collect our chil- dren and bed-clothes (for there is no casting off body-clothes on these occasions) together, till the boats arc off' — then ply- ing and rowing with oars, till coming to the strict running of the rivers, which they call rapids, on which poles and oars have no effect — then the male passengers, with all the sailors but one who is left to guide the boat through, whilst we are pulling with ropes, till we get it through the stream, which is sore work: in- deed, you must understand, that the boats sail by the sides of the river, so as that we are on land, while pulling the same. Then, after water-passage, the land-carriage, which is about 60 miles, which they accomplish in about two days, with four-wheeled car- riages with two horses, load ten cwt. The road is very rough, and they go with such fury, that sometimes, going down a hill, !', i^ 91 'S •! all is upset; however, the driver is forthcoming for any damage. The families are left in a village, while the husbands are sent away to view their land, at a distance of 15 or 30 miles farther up the country; and the most of the road, no other thing to guide us, than a spale off the side of the trees, and, if not properly attended to, are sure to wander. You will recollect of a Robert F that called on me, and who gave himself out to be somebody that thought, on account of his knowledge of Amer- ica, that any Society would be a profiter to take him with them: I am sure Joseph B will remember him, for he was in Mr. B 's with him two or three hours, while they waited for me coming from Glasgow: he was about five days lost in the bush; and your cousin Peacock was two days, and lost his watch while wandering among the trees. Lying in a wigwam, and nothing but a blanket about you, and' perhaps not a change of clothes for two or three weeks, and all this time absent from your wife and children, until our houses are up; and carrying provisions on your back for about three months; and, worst of jjll, separated from religious society. You will be saying, after reading this catalogue. Oh! America is not for us ! but hooly, hooly, stop a wee, I am not done yet. Do you know, that I have got up my house, which is 16 feet by 20, and two stooped beds, of my own makings and a case for j my library, and a shelf for the dishes. We hope you will bring a good supply of them with you, for they are a dear article here: a bowl you will get at home for 2(L, you will pay 9d. for it here: we would have liked to have had more, seeing we have got them so well preserved. We have got about two acres of our land chopped, and we hope to get twice as much by seed-time; and you know, that the house, and rent, and fire, are free, along with a well-furnished house, and plenty of provisions within it, without the fear of a grocery balance coming on, or a laird to say, it is Martinmas. Our first in- stalment is not exhausted, ^nd we expect every day our next, which will do more than serve us till our next payment, which will be in April. Of said money, wc intend to buy two milk cows, which will cost about 10/. With their milkness, and our crop, we think, if Providence bless us, we will have as much as keep you and us comfortable, till we get more off the ground: and will you still say, America is not for us? Surely not; and to tell you more of our comforts, we, in this Con- cession, have formed ourselves into a religious society, and two of our number are appointed to lead the worship; and we intend to meet in our several houses, till we get a house built for the !■ I n ! I ]> * h f f.' 92 purpose. But we are convinced, that except the Lord build the house, &c. — Your prayers, along with the rest of our brethren, are requested. A pot-metal oven, which you will get in Glasgow for 4>s. 6^., you will pay 17^. 6d. here. We have not got one yet, hoping you will bring one along with you to us, as they cannot well be wanted here, for the purpose of firing loaves. We are very sorry that we sold our large pot, as it would have been for great use here, for boiling our sugar, as every one that likes, can make from 100 to 300 pounds a-year. A few tools would be very useful, also, for, although we get some from Government, yet not sufficient for our need. If you can get a jack, hafling, 'and hand-plain, ahd a pair of ploughs, for a door, or flooring with, a screw-huger or two, and a few chis- sels, from one-fourth to an inch, and a gouge or two, and a dozen or two of files, for hand, pit, and cross-cut saws, with a few spoke-sheaves, and water-of-air stones, as they are very dear here, you could get them sold to great advantage. The only thing for clothing here, is woollen; it stands the wooden fire best. You will see the oldest female, to the youngest, dressed in a woollen frock, which they pay 45. a-yard for: you will buy plaiding in Glasgow at 2s. a-yard, which I think will do far better. You will be so good as let Mr. R know, that we are prohibited from paying away any of the Govern- ment money, by order of the Commissary here, on the penalty of losing all our Government grant, which would render us miserable indeed, on account of which, he will see the imprac- ticability of paying our bill. When I got the money from hira, I had no thought but that I would be able to pay it; but I am very sorry, that it has turned out otherwise. He spoke of sending a few tracts; I will be very glad, if he would be so good as send them. Books of a religious nature are of great value here, to a sober mind, for there are troubles here as well as at home. Ftvm H. L. to his Correspojident in Glasgow. — Mo)itrealf 23d Mai/, 1821. Having now experienced a revolution of the seasons, since my arrival here, I am much satisfied with the climate, as highly conducive to health. The summer-heat averages from 75° to 80°. In the towns, it is sultry, dazzling, and scorching; in the country, exhilarating and pleasant; except when a thunder-shower beclouds the sky, the visible horizon, the ?-i ■ m 93 rd build of our r 4>s. 6d., hoping not well We are ive been one that ew tools ne from can get IS, for a hw chis- 0, and a , with a are very e. The wooden oungest, for: you link will — know, Govern- 3 penalty ender us imprac- ley from y it; but ie spoke lid be so of great here as IS, smce nate, as ^es from )rching; when a on. the whole expanse is, week after week, without a cloud; the air pure, and without a dark and noisonu'; vapour; vegitation abundant, and almost seen growing, .") great is its rapidity. The Lower Province has a superiority over the Upper, in point of pure air, not being interspersed with so many lakes. The St. Lawrence, the king of rivers, is crowded with rafts, flat-bottomed boats, from great distances; large long boats and canoes, with their various traffic, to Montreal and Quebec; fleets of brigs, sloops, and schooners, coming up with their wares, and to receive wares in return. Harvest, incorporated with summer, allows the farmer to gather in the produce of May, June, and July; latter end of July, and beginning of August, without a drop of rain : towards the end of Septem- ber, we have heavy rains, and cold sometimes commences in October, but seldom intense, until the latter end of December. The lowest the thermometer was last year, was 26" below zero, on the 25th and 26th of January. I travelled a few miles in a sleigh, on the 26th, with exquisite satisfaction: except these two days, the average was not under 14"; but, mark ye, owing to the total absence of chilling damp, the intensity of the cold has not the same effect: the fact is, the winters are the health- iest part of the season. The people here travel night and day, and you never hear a cough or hoarseness among a churchful of them. In the Upper Provinces, there are a great deal of fevers and ague; but the country, as a whole, has a vast su- periority in produce, particularly the sides of Lake Erie (from which a canal will shortly be made to New York, which will only be three days sailing). Here, peaches, vines, &c. grow luxuriantly in the open air: a profusion of every thing but virtue and good society. I thought proper to halt here, to look about me, and I bought land, which I am nowise anxious about the cultiva- tion of, as it did not cost me above a dollar per acre, and as it is to a certainty to increase in value. No part of the United States is so healthy as Canada; and I prefer this country: their mode of government may be more congenial to the na- tural rights of rational beings, (which I question,) but it be- ing the most delicate, is, of all others, most liable to abuse. Among the native Canadians, there is a simple, respectful in- tercourse with one another; and, towards the emigrants, there is rather a flippancy, that argues a consciousness of superior accomplishments, and, although there may be often little sin- cerity in all this, it renders intercourse less irksome. The Canadians are, in general, as simple, harmless, and hardy a set V I h 94 ^ ''■7 1 1 V) I* III; ill ■t! i It: jl-' of people, as lives, and the Indians more so; in both cases, the adventurous fugitives and emigrants from Europe, have griev- ously corrupted them. The natives of this country are wonderfully ignorant; the female sex get a little education: but the priests discountenance learning, ignorance being with them " the mother of devotion." I never saw the face of an exciseman or a tax-gatherer in this country: all a person enjoys is his own: perhaps no country pays less taxes, and enjoys more real rational freedom than here. I have seen the manner in which justice is administered, having been on the jury for fourteen days. The crimes are numerous. Those generally committed by Canadian natives, arc, except in a few instances of a petty kind, misdemeanours, committed under the influence of in- toxication. The more wicked, daring, and atrocious crimes, fall to the share of Britons and Irishmen, particularly the latter. The immoderate use of spirits, is one of the greatest curses in this country. The Canadians dabble continually in rum; but the greater part of them are never insensibly drunk. But those who have been in the habit of paying 6d. for a gill, get- ting it here for l^d., often indulge in it to the utmost extent of their voracious appetite. I do think, that if a man chooses to live agreeably to nature, if he can possibly scrape together what will keep him alive, till he gets the first crop off' the ground, that he can enjoy in this country, not only competence, but abun- dance, and no person to trouble him. He raises on his own lands, Indian corn and oatmeal, milk, butter and cheese, beef, mutton, wool, soap, and candles, in fact, any thing that nature requires. The mapple-tree affords him abundance of sugar; his bees give him honey; tea, spirits, wines, &c. are refine- ments on nature, or rather the reverse. The seasons have been described in almost poetical exagge- ration: but picture to yourself, a slight fall of snow, rendered dry by frosi, setting in at the commencement of winter: and, in- stead of a howling boisterousness, a clear serene sky, a bright vivid sun, in latitude 45°, in whose rays you can bask with pleasure, when shaded from the north wind. This state of weather continued for two months, December and January, (January was the most exhilarating month I have spent in the whole period of my life,) February and March were more windy, and the snow in those months got thicker, but from November till May, except two days, there was no damp. In fact, there is nothing so much wanted, as a few men of talent I I;' H the 95 and property, to give a zest to society, and, by patriotism and public spirit, set local and public improvements in motion. There is another happy circumstance, — the clergy arc not a dead weight here upon property. They have lands assigned to themselves, and they have no claim on the other landholders, neither tithe nor ticnd. Wishing to be particular, — the laws are probably well executed, but miserably deficient. A bill here, is not so summary as an open account in Glasgow. Judgment seldom ever passes on a claim, the first court: that time six months, if a litigating cavil is agitated, the dcfendcnt can traverse it till another term; then it is conclusive: but, if the person has an acre of land, or a chair, you cannot touch his person, till you enter a process to sell these: before that is constituted, he buys another bit: the expense of constituting a right to sell, is much more than the value of what is to be sold. The only mode by which a man can be imprisoned, is, by swearing that he is going to leave the province; and the law, which is, to excess, lenient to put a man in jail, is ecjually cruel and unrelenting, to keep him there: if his prosecutor chooses, he can keep him there till he die; no provision to re- lieve an unfortunate honest man, from the hand of an unrelent- ing oppressor: the law, after I know not how long, allows him 5s, a- week. A sum of llZ. cannot be constituted at less than 9Z. of expense. This state of things has one good tendency, it deters the prudent from giving any credit at all, and makes the adventurer more cautious. I shall close my narration, by giving an account of markets here; beef, 6d. per English lb., mutton and pork, the same at present, in summer it is 3d., and in winter, 2^^. and 3<^., eggs, 6^. per doz., hens, Is. to ls.6^.a-pair, a goose, 2s. 6d., barley, 4(/. per lb., rice, 23s. per cwt., good raw sugar, 6^/., best, 7d. per lb., tea, best Hyson, 8s. per lb., the kind generally used is Twankey, 5s. per lb., soap, 7d. per lb., rum, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per gallon, brandy, 5s. to 8s., gin, 6s., wines, port, 12s., Tencriffe, 5s. to 10s., Madeira, 18s., crystal, and window-glass, Is. 6d. off the home price; fire for a family requiring two fires, 14/., rent of an ordinary house, say four apartments, 30/., a servant's wages, 1/. per month; all the above is Halifax currency. Froin William Pur die, to Mr. Robert Lamond. — Qiiebec, 30th June, 1821. I take the opportunity of the bearer, Mr. M'Limont, the se- cond mate of the ship David, to hand you this note. We have I ^i 1 f ! 11 96 . i If: been well used by the officers and men, during the passage, for which I feel thankful, and I beg you will say so to Captain George, when yon find an opportunity. I have also to inform you, that we met with the greatest civility and despatch at the Government office here, and we were served out with bread and meat, the day following our arrival, to carry us up to Montreal. We were five weeks and two days on the passage; we had a fortnight of rough weather, and, most of the voyage, contrary winds; but our vessel was the finest sailer I ever saw; we passed every vessel on the same tack. We were just four weeks without seeing land: the St. Lawrence is a majestic river; it is spotted with a vast of beautiful islands, (on some of which, our people went ashore, and got milk, bread, and vegetables,) but, amongst these, the island of Orleans is the largest, and most beautiful; it is 30 miles long, and, in general, about four miles wide: it has a gentle rise, from the water's edge to the centre, which is about two miles: on the top of the ridge, it is studded with trees; and it is thicker studded with houses, than any country place I ever saw in Britain; and, what strikes the eye of a stranger, is the universal whiteness of all the houses. The south bank of the St. Lawrence, for 100 miles below Quebec, is equally populous, and the houses equally white; but they seem to be behind their neighbours on the island, as to clear land: the main land seems to be one continued forest, except near the river. We saw no towns below Quebec, but a thick peopled country, all living at a little distance from one another. I intended to send you a copy of my journal, but it was put on board the steam-boat, when I was ashore on the Society's business, and carried up the country. I have been necessarily detained behind the Society these five days; but I go up this evening to Montreal. Our provisions were all very good; but we could not prevail on our people to eat the biscuit: we sold them here at a trifle, as it was unnecessary to carry them with us. If you ever send out any more emigrants, if you could substitute potatoes, at least a large proportion of them, instead of bread, it will be doing the people a singular service, as they eat potatoes, when they can eat nothing else: pork is also much preferable to beef. If I am spared to arrive, I still intend sending you a copy of my journal, then you will have the particulars of the voy- age; this, however, you need not now expect, until I be able to give you farther information. 97 passage, Captain inform di at the til bread LIS up to passage; ) voyoge, 2ver saw; just four mojestic 1 some of cad, and ns is the I general, le water's tie top of Ided with lin; and, whiteness ence, for be houses pighbours be one no towns ing at a t was put Society's ccessarily [O up this ood; but we sold hem with ^ou could instead e, as they is also )u a copy the voy- 1 be able Quebec is a large place: all seem greedy of gain. Provisions are cheap, and very good; bread, 5^,(1. per (luartern loaf. The adjacent country has a fine appearance, but all kinds of grain appears to be later at present, than they arc at the same season at home; but I am told they ripen faster, and, of * course, the harvest may be equally early. They are evidently bad farmers in this neighbourhood. Mr. M'L signifies to me a wish to come out as a set- tler, next season: if he continues to be of the same mind, I conceive he will be of great service to our settlement, as he is a thorough-bred seaman: and I now learn, that we will be settled in the immediate vicinity of a navigable stream, that flows into the Ottawa *. From James Gibnoicry who sailed in the Buckinghamshire, last Spring, to his Brother in Glasgow. — Lanark, \st Aug. 1821. We sailed from Greenock upon the 29th April, at five o'clock, a.m. The ship got ashore upon Wednesday, 2d of May, at midnight, about twelve miles south of Dublin, near the mountains of Wicklow. I was awake at the time, and felt the shock: I was instantly on deck: it rained hard, and so dark, we could not perceive an object at arm's length; but, in a few minutes, the stars appeared, and, to our horror, we saw the rock twice mast high. I gave up all for lost, but concealed my apprehensions, and seemed not concerned, that I might encourage those about me, whose condition is easier conceived than described; however, we got off next day, at eleven o'clock, a.m., in a miraculous manner, with the assistance of two officers, and two boat's crews, belonging to the revenue cutter on the coast, who came on board at day-light, armed to de- fend us from being plundered, not knowing our strength. We suffered no damage, but the loss of two anchors, which was cut away. We then steered our course, and, upon Sa- turday the 5th, we were overtaken by a storm, which lasted ten days, and the whole got sick: the storms were very fre- • Montreal, 7th August, 1821. — William Purdie was with me here five weeks since, in good health, and stout. In going up the river, he had caught cold, which brought on inflammation, which terminated his existence in four days. I am sorry for his death, poor man, as he would probably have been of great use to the colony. — H. L. [We have been informed, that he died at Prescot, while the emigrants were detained there, for want of waggons to take them over-land to the settlement.] Ed. N , t 98 1 ■ ,. > ji-.: I' k \: fi ,1 ;t, qucnt, often twice n-week, as wc had no fair wind. We nr- rivetl at Quebec, upon 8utur{lav» IGth June, at tour o'clock, afternoon, making a disagreeable passage of fortv-eight days and ten hours. We had scarcely come to anchor, when a boat came alongside, to inform us, that a steam-vessel would be alongside, on Sunday morning, at six o'clock, to carry us to Montreal. I was ashore upon Sunday almost the whole of the day, at the governor's office. On Wednesday, wc went from Montreal to Lachinc: it rained incessantly, and every article of bedding was wet: the Commissary allowed us a day to dry our clothes, which was very acceptable, and, on Friday, at twelve o'clock, we proceeded up the river, in twenty-seven boats. A boat will carry three ordinary families, with their luggage: wc were the first boat, and kept our station, with hard labour: we arrived at Prescot in seven days, and the Commerce's passengers arrived the same evening. Here we lay for sixteen days, for want of waggons to carry us up; and we were five days afterwards on the way: we might have gone in three days, but the roads arc such, as you could not con- ceive. Ten cwt. is a waggon-load, and they were often lying in the mud. There are a great number of people lodging here, in temporary huts. There is a great deal of trouble, and a number of deaths, owing to the heat of the weather, and change of food *. We are all in good health, except little James. My health is better than it has been for some years pa^t: I laid off my flannels at sea, and felt no incon- venience: I have had no rheumatism since. I have got set- tled on my land, in Sherbrook township, 2d Concession, No. 14, about fourteen miles from Lanark, to the south-west; but we intend to proceed, by water, to the middle of the settle- ment, where there are about thirty of us, who have agreed to help each other. We have built two boats, and cleared the river of trees, for the purpose; and the boats went up yester- day, and I intend to set out to-morrow, with part of my lug- gage. I can say very little of the country: the weather is fine, and the crops look well; but the people are generally poor, because they are lazy. An independent farmer in America, is quite a different thing to what he is in Scotland: • Some of the causes of the sickness, is ascribed to drinking spirits to excess ; and, from the emigrants l)eing heated, they have recourse to the drinking of water, in improper quantities, which brings on the flux, and frequently fevers. In warm weather, they ought to be extremely careful of themselves, if tliey value the happiness of their families, and their future comfort. The sickness has not been so mortal as has been reported, and mostly confined to children. — Ed. ■ i> '- 99 Wc nr- o'clock, t days when a would :arry us hole of wc went every IS a day Friday, ty-st'veii til their [)n, witli uid the I ere we up; and ive gone not con- en lying lodging trouble, weather, , except for some o incon- got set- lion, No. vest; but le settle- ;greed to ared the p yester- my lug- eather is generally irmer in Scotland: :s to excess ; drinking of ?ntly ffvers. f they value ness has not .—Ed. oflcr him monoy, and lie will sell vou any article, even to his oxen and waggons. I have seen James Lindsay, and all his family are in good health: he will do well, although a num- ber of the last year's settlers are in a poor state. J. Cohju- houn, and W. l*eacock, I have not seen, but they arc both doing well. My ac(juaintanccs have all gone to llamsay township, so we are about twenty miles separate. I can give no advice as to coming heri, until I »ee better rtbout me: the want of roads is the greatest evii Flour ht'fe is 7 dollars per barrel, 5 at Perth, and 3j at Prestot; 3 dollars at Kingston, but the carriage makes up the differeiue. As the farmer ipUs all his wheat or flour at the fall of the season, it is at present in the hands of the merchants: we expect it will bt* lower in the fall of the year, when the sledges are going on the snow. Every article is double price. An axe ol 5 lb. weight, costs eleven or twelve shillings: our axes, thev say, is for no use, the tem))er will not stand. I bought good tobacco, at one shil- ling per lb.; it is two shillings here: good whisky, at two shillings and twopence per gallon: rum, four shillings. Any person coming out, should lay in a good stock of necessaries, such as potatoes and porter: seu stores are of no use, during the sickness: we lost all our porter, which was a great loss. Another great evil is filling up ships with passengers, to the extent of their tonnage: they ought not to have above two- tliirds. Although our acconnnodation was better than most of the ships, there was not a sufficient quantity of cooking uten- sils, which was the occasion of discord and bustle, from six in the morning to eight at night. We had six births on the passage, and no deaths but one, which was the eficct of pre- mature birth. There arc a great number who have not got land yet, and they say, that tney will not get it until another township is surveyed; and the evil is, in going so far into the woods at a late season, it will be impossible for them to get their heavy luggage with them, as they will have to carry every thing on their backs; even their provisions carrying is a great toil. I hope, through the blessing of God, if the first year was over, I will be very easy. From an Emigrant in Dalhousic Seitlemenf, to an Acquaintance in KirJcfield-BanJc.—llth August, 1821. I could not write sooner, to satisfy myself, far less to satisfy either friends or acquaintances in Scotland: indeed, no man can do it at an early period after his arrival here. I was de- 100 p I. '1 I il"* . :j- it*; 1- n termined not to write before the end of October, but your let- ter presses for information, and I now give all I can, to keep sure of truth; and you will communicate the following to all niy friends, and to every person who wishes for information, as it is the best of my knowledge and observations; and as William's letter and yours requires nearly the same answer, you and he must club for this time. Letters are very expen- sive to us, even in sending away, and they will be so to you also. I am very sorry that your attempts to come over this sea- son, has proved abortive; but you know, chance may spoil a single aim, but perseverance must be sure. My answer to your queries are — Ist, I think the soil is good in general, and deep; but mark, many imagine, that what is meant by good soil, is, that it is deep, dark, and rich, whereas the opposite is the case: it is indeed deep, often about two feet, without change: I cannot think it very strong, except a few inches on the top; but the same work, and very little manure, will make and keep it equal to the best land in your neighbourhood, after the roots are got out. Some have men- tioned three years, for getting out the most of the roots; others five years; but I will give the large ones ten years: a plough will gQ amongst them long before that time. 2d and 3d Queries. — The brushwood is in some places very thick, and other places not so thick. The cutting of the large wood is very laborious; rolling it together for burning is more so; and sowing and planting amongst the roots, is very heavy and pushing work, for the first two or three years. 4th Query. — I do not think all these should terrify a wilt- ing, healthy family or individual. 5th Query, — I think there is a great proportion of the land well watered, although my own is rather scarce, on the one side. 6th Query. — I had nothing done in the way of cleari»;g, before the 1st of January, 1821, and, by the 1st of April, I had (with my own family) cut down five acres, besides making upwards of 100 lbs. very good sugar: if I had had a larger pot for boiling, we would have made four times as much. We have cleared off the whole five acres, and planted and sown upwards of four acres, nearly as follows: 1^ Indian corn; better than 1^ potatoes; ^ wheat and rye; the rest in pease, beans, turnips, &c. In the garden, greens, cucumbers, melons, cabbage, and other small seeds; but the small seeds are not doing so well, in general: I must have in with the spade for them, and then they are sure of doing well. 101 will. 7th Query. — If you come here, the greatest dependence will be on the youngest branches of the family. If you are healthy, you will be very useful; but youth and strength are best for the first onset. To my , say, that there would be little dependence on himself; but his family should do very well, if willing and hearty in the cause. J 's family would do better here than at the loom, if willing. 8th Query. — The winter set in middle of December, and the snow was mostly off the ground by the middle of April. For about ten days, at different times, the weather was se- verer than I ever saw it in Scotland; but the air is so dry, that we can take a shirt off the bush, put it on, and feel no damp. The summer is very warm: musquitoes, and other flies, are very troublesome. Our crops are looking well. I will cut my wheat and rye in about a fortnight: it was sown the 24'th of May. I would not come back, although you would pay my passage, and set me on my feet in Scotland, unless I had my land along with me. We are all well. A. N. is settled on 1st Concesssion of Dalhousie. Great numbers of the new settlers have the flux: there are some deaths, but I think the place healthy, on the whole. From William Gourley, — Lanark^ January 'i^th^ 1821. We are getting over the winter easier than we expected: we have not that fretful anxiety of mind how to get through, as we had in the old country. We have no landlords nor tax-gatherers here. Every Briton, on making application for land, receives it, with the necessary implements, whether sent out by Government or not; and tradesmen are entitled to a town lot of one acre, besides the hundred acres. We still get im- plements by degree^. I have got an axe, spade, hammer, pick-axe, auger, frying-pan, camp-kettle, and three blankets. I have also laid in my seed potatoes: it takes eight or nine bushels to an acre, and three and a half quarts Indian corn: the same quantity of oats, and three quarts of wheat. Pota- toes are half a dollar a bushel; oats, 3s. 6c?.; wheat, from 5s. to 7s. The weather is pretty sharp, but the air is clear and dry: the snow is not above one foot on the ground. It has never been so cold, but a man might work out all day, only a little in the mornings: it is not so cold as it was in Scotland last winter: the old settlers tell us, it is as cold as ever it has been since they came out. I have got three acres under- 102 11 \ i (1 ■lit', •■! I! n H' brushed, and one chopped: now is the time to be employed, that we may get our crops in the ground by the spring. We are all getting quite comfortable to what we were. All who hold land, and have been in possession of it for three years, are entitled to the deeds, and have a vote for a member, which is every four years: the election was at Perth in May last. There are a great number of new townships, the names of which I have omitted at present; however, Lanark is the best settled, and we expect, in a short time, that it will be a flour- ishing place. I am very uneasy to know how all the poor peo- ple with you have got through the winter. I wish that many of them were here, for they would be able to make themselves comfortable in a short time. Let our friends know, that they would do well by taking land: come out yourselves; also, if it be possible, bring Janet and Mary, for they could get ser- vice quite fast: servants are very much wanted, and get from three to five dollars a-month. Get into some Societies, for it would take more to bring you up, than to bring you over: you shall not be so badly off as we were, for a house to put your head in. Bring pots and pans, and a pot to bake loaves in, wearing apparel, needles and pins, and worsted. Needles are 7d. a quarter of a hundred, and every thing of that na- ture is equally dear. From the Same. — January 2%th, 182L There is one very great want that we labour under, and that is, the want of the means of grace; but I trust the Lord, in his infinite goodness, will open up a way in this respect. I have only heard one sermon since I left you; however, I trust much good will be done in this place, by the hand of the Lord, as it has every appearance to be flourishing in other respects. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Bell, of the Presbyterian church at Perth. Some of the friends of re- ligion were cutting down wood for a church and school-house, last Monday ; and some more are going to-morrow, to help to build a log-house for that purpose. 1821, May 1th. — I have wrote two letters, some time ago, and the person who carries this will have them *. We have • Mrs. Bulloch, formerly of Campsic, now of Lanark, who was in Glasgow in July last, for the purpose of arranging private affairs. R. L. showed to her several letters from the settlements, particularly those from William Gourley, and she considered them to be a fair statement of the situation and progress of the settlers. There are a few families who have not succeeded so well, but the 103 )loyed, We 11 who years, which ay last, mes of he best a flour- or peo- nany of mselves lat they also, if get ser- ;et from s, for it u over: 5 to put e loaves Needles hat na- ler, and e Lord, respect. veveVf I hand of in other Bell, of Is of re- l-house, to help ne ago, Ve have 1 Glasgow ed to her Gourley, irogress of 1, but the received all the instalments promised by Government, with all the implements. We got the winter more favourably by than we expected, and it was not so severe as it was represented : the weather is pretty warm at present. I have got about four acres chopped, and we are to burn it off immediately. I have bought all my seed, and a heifer two years old, with her young calf, she cost me eighteen dollars; and two young oxen, one year old, cost seventeen dollars: they will be able to work a little next year. From A. Boag, to Ms Sister. — Lanark, Upper Canada, 2^th August, 1821. My father and I are settled on the 11th lot of the Gth Con- cession of Lanark township: he is on the front, and I am on the rear: it was a 200 acre lot. The land is pretty good: we have cleared together, and have seven to eight acres in crop: we will have between five to six hundred bushels of potatoes. I intend to clear on my lot this winter. I never was so happy in my life. We have no desire to return to Glasgow to stop there, for we would have to pay a heavy rent, and here we have none: in Glasgow, I had to labour sixteen or eighteen hours a-day, and could only earn about six or seven shillings a-week, — here, I can, by labouring about half that time, earn more than I need: there, I was confined to a damp shop, — but here, I enjoy frush air: there, after I had toiled until I could toil no more, I would have the mortification of being a burden, — but here, two or three years' labour will give me more than will keep me in sickness, as well as in health: there, it is all dependence, — here, it is a fair prospect of independ- fault must rest with themselves. Economy, patience, temperance, with steaily perseverance, is the best foundation for success. Tlie school is built in Lanark, and the Rev. Mr. Uell will occasionally go to preach, and '>aptize the younf^ children. There are five stores, and about fifty houses in the town. A grist and sawmill have been built. There is a fall on the Clyde, about seven miles higher up the country, of about forty feet; and a mill will be built before the harvest. Some of the people have employed men to cut down the heavy timber, after the underbrush has been cleared ; expense, six dollars or eight dollars, if the brush- wood has not been cut: the expense to clear an acre, and fence it from the na- tural state, ready for the seed, is twenty dollars. Fresh butcher-meat was to be had every week; mutton, 3^d.; beef, 4(1. a lb. English: tlie sheep and oxen were drove up, and killed in the settlements. The instalments were paid in paper currency : notes, from one to fifty dollars; small change is jjlenty. The most of the ground will be sown with oats, and [jlanted with potatoes; and wheat, in the fall of the year. Every farm, except the outside ones, forms a sfjuare: the outside farms contain five acres on the line, and twenty back. — Ud. 104 1 iU !i If i !l: ..'I ence. Now, dear sister, if I had to come here again, I would come readier than before. r;f' From a Scottish Emigrant. — KirJcmanhillf Lanark, 5th May, 1821. We have got all our land, and are situated in the new formed townships of Lanark and Dalhousie, distant from Perth, at the nearest point, ten miles, and my own lot is seventeen miles, the village of Lanark thirteen miles. From Quebec to Perth, the country is a level: with us there is much hill and dale, mixed with rock and swamp, and an abundance of running streams, lakes, and springs of excellent water. Some lands excellent, others poor; but every man who draws a lot, satisfies himself as to quality, situation, &c. The weather rarely prevents us from working. I am very well pleased to handle the axe, instead of the shuttle, and would not, for a good deal, give up my present for my past employment. I have to struggle here for a year or two; I had to do so always at home. My mind here is seldom relieved with news, and no politics; but it is as seldom pained with disagreeable news. I am relieved from taxation, rent, and crushing ill-paid work: at same time, owing to the peculiar situation we are placed in as new settlers, we are for a time deprived of the instructive discourse from the pulpit, and social intercourse with intelli- gent friends, which we formerly enjoyed; but we hope soon to get round in this respect. People who have been settled for ten years or more, are in a snug and comfortable situation, more so than work-people at home can ever expect to reach. The land in York district is said to be richer, and the cli- mate warmer, but not so healthy as this. So far as I see, or can learn from settlers around Perth, I consider this place more healthy than the old country. In general, members of Societies, whose families amount to five or more, have got cows, the prices of which run from fifteen to twenty-eight dollars. A man coming to this country, without means, will have his difficulties; but, with perseverancci will succeed, in a very few years, particularly shoemakers, tailors, wrights, smiths, &c. From an Emigrant (brought over by his Brother, who has come for his Wife and Family). — New Lanark, July 6th, 1821. I write you a few lines, to let you know how we are coming on with regard to our crops. We have planted one acre of 105 would Indian corn, and two acres of potatoes. We put in the last of our seed on the 1st day of July, and we expect to be raising them about the latter end of August. Archibald, and my mother, and us, stop together, and my sister Janet is out at service, and is doing well. She is getting four dollars a-month, and she has bought a cow, and sent it up to us, and we are in the way of doing well. We have got the most of our hard- ships over. We know, that we will not have to carry our provisions this winter, as we had to do the last, which will make us a great deal easier. We live all very happy together. We are very anxious to know if your trade be doing well with you, or how you are coming on. We wish to know if you have any wish to be here, for we think, as you have a large family, you would do well. My brother, when he comes to see you, he can give you any particular word you wish to know about this country. From John Tosliacli^ to Alexajider Sinclair, Wright, Calton, Glasgow. — Lanark, September 11th, 1821. I gladly embrace this opportunity of writing you, by Mrs. Graham, who has lost her husband, and is returning to Scot- land. Our family are all well now; by the mercies of God, they ar'j recovered : we had four of them in the fever since we came here, Margaret, Andrew, Flelen, and Eneas. Many have died since arriving in Canada; some, of the fever, others of the flux, and others from the effects of fatigue. We have got land in the township of Ramsay, near the Mississipi river, which runs into the Ottawa, about fifteen miles from our land: we are only half a mile from it. There are always plenty of good fish to be got in it, but especially in spring, when I am informed they are caught in very great abundance. William, John, and James Bennie, and I, have got each 100 acres together, in a square. It is most beautiful land, and resembles Dalmarnock haughs; and, according to what I have seen on other land, it will produce abundantly of all which is necessary for the support of a family; but the land is by no means generally good. There is much rock and swamp, in many lots: indeed, I would not exchange the land that we have got, for any other I see; but it is at a great distance from this, about twenty miles by land, and near forty by water: had it not been for the water conveyance, we could not have at- tempted to go so far. We have built two flat boats, of fir O 106 boardS) at one inch thick, which we got from the saw-mill, at 3s, 6d. per hundred feet. I have got up a house, twenty-two feet by sixteen, which will do to begin with. Our land abounds with beautiful ^vood, of elm, maple, birch, beech, pine, and bass: the latter is somewhat like your saugh. I often think, if you had a few scores of the trees that we cut down to burn, you would turn them to better account. I hope to have all my luggage ancf family on the land, in .ibout ten days; you will say, why not sooner? but it would require a long re- cital to satisfy that inquiry. Suffice it to say, I am equal to any who came out with me. Government has been very honourable. Besides conveyance from Quebec to Lanark, and rations, (the rations consist of one lb. of bread, and one of pork, for a man, one-half each for a wife, one-third for a child above seven, and one-fourth for those under,) I have got one blanket for myself, one for my wife, and one for every two children, and one for the odd one; also, an axe, a hand-saw, a bill-hook, an iron wedge, two pair hinges, a thumb-sneck, two files, a stock-lock, two gimlets, a pick-axe, a hammer, a scythe and stone; and among us four, we have got a pit and cross-cut saw, and we will get a grindstone, when we want it: there are also nails, and other things, still to be got. The gentlemen here, and all the way from Quebec, who had the charge of forwarding us, seemed to vie with each other in dis- cretion and kindness. This is the most merciful action that ever I knew the British Government perform: it affords many poor industrious families the means of obtaining the necessaries of life, who had no such prospect before. You will observe, I am writing only from information and observation: it will require twelve months to come, to enable me to write from experience. I think the emigration is likely to be carried on at least another year. There are three townships to be surveyed, beyond Dalhousie, Lanark, and Ramsay, near the grand river. I will, if spared, write you more particularly afterwards, and hope to give you more information. Give my love to all your family, and all inquiring friends. Fl ; 107 EXTRACTS l^rom Facts and Observations respecting Canada^ by Charles F. Grece. — London, 1819. The quantity of land in Canada, yet in a state of forest, is capable of containing and supporting souie millions of souls. Its quality is equal, if not superior, to any in the Eastern States, and its price far below that of the Western Territory. The land is in general covered with timber, the greater part of the trees being from two to three feet in diameter. The larger the timber, the better the soil, therefore the choice of land is directed by the growth of timber on it. Where beech, maple, hickory, butter-nut, and chesnut grow, it is a sure sign of a good soil; it is either yellow or hazel loam. Where elm, white ash, white oak, butter-nut, and red oak grow, the soil is strong. Where white pine, hemlock pine, birch, and spruce grow, the soil is sandy. Cedar swamps, though often com- posed of good soil, are not desirable, unless easy to drain. Black ash, soft maple, or plane swamps, are mostly on a clay or marl; if easy to drain, they make very lasting meadows. Where there are small poplar, and small white birch, the soil is poor, being light loam, on white clay. A spot being chosen for a settlement, a place is selected near to a constant and certain supply of good water, to build a log-house; trees are cut about eighteen inches in diameter, to build it; if a saw- mill be near, where boards may be had to cover it, that is done; if not, the bark of ash becomes a substitute for boards. It is not desirable to lay out money ac first to build a fine house, because, when the land becomes unencumbered from trees, it often happens, that a more advantageous spot is dis- covered to build upon. Large cellars are made under the house, for the deposite of vegetables, and other articles suscep- tible of injury from frost. Log-stables and a barn ought to be erected, and care taken to make them shelter the cattle from the north and north-west winds, which are the coldest in that country. The clearing can be done by the acre. As Euro- peans are not acquainted with this species of labour, it would be best, in the first instance, to let it out by the job to the woodsmen, who are very expert in clearing. It requires some time and experience to become acquainted with the method of 108 clearing new land. The work is begun, by cutting the small > '' ij il ' il) "I I trees, or under-growth; then the large ones are chopped, about three feet from the ground. The method is to cut them on the side they lean to, which is always observed before they begin the work. The incision is continued, until it passes two-thirds of the tree; then on the opposite part, when it falls. Many of these trees are from fifty to eighty feet, without a branch. When on the ground, the branches are cut off, and thrown in heaps; then the body of the tree is cut into lengths of twelve feet. Thus the work is continued over the piece under operation. When done, an immense heap of trunks and branches is scattered all over the land. It lies in that state for a month or two, and, when dry enough to burn, fire is put to it, and people attend to throw the branches and small wood into the fire, that it may all be burned. The fire having passed over every part of the land, it is a favourable sign for the future expectation of the farmer, as it kills all the under- growth. The trunks of the trees being thick, are not all con- sumed, and oxen are employed to draw them to a place, where they are piled up and burned by themselves. The ashes are collected, and converted into pot or pearl ash, or sold to the manufacturers of these articles. If any of the logs are fit to make fences of, they are selected for that purpose; if not, other wood is got to fence the field, to secure it from the inroads of cattle. In a few days, the earth will be in a state to receive the grain, which is harrowed in, with a triangular harrow, among the stumps of the fallen trees, which remain in the ground for fifteen or twenty years, before they decay, accord- ing to the species of the timber. But although they appear to be, and are, impediments to the plough, they are not of much consequence to people who are acquainted with the American hog, or, as some call it, the Dutch plough, which implement performs very well on lands incumbered with stumps or stones. This plough is used in all new settlements. The best practice, is to lay the land down in grass with the first sowing, which grass will last six or seven years. The culture of Indian corn is managed with a hand-hoe, by earthing up the plants as they grow. The potato crops are managed as follow: — Four or five sets are laid on the ground, about four feet distant from each other: the earth is then drawn over them, forming a heap about the size of a bushel measure. Nothing farther is done to them, until they are ready to take up in the autumn, which is performed with the American hand-hoc. The highways are kept up by each i .1 1 I' ' 109 c small lopped, It them re they passes it falls, thout a >fF, and lengths e piece trunks at state c is put 11 wood having sign for under- all con- where lies are to the i*e fit to t, other roads of receive harrow, in the accord- appear s not of ith the I, which ?d with iements. /ith the ,nd-hoe, o crops on the earth is ze of a itil they led with by each farmer, as far as his premises extend, that being the only statute-duty the farmers are subject to. The scarcity of hands, and high price of labour, have hitherto prevented the farmers from getting the trees up by the roots; nor does it appear that it can be done to advan- tage for many years to come, except on spots intended for gardens or orchards. The latter improvement is but too much neglected in the new countries. The soils most congenial for orchards, are light loams or gravel. Apple trees thrive very much on rocky or linie-stonc land. Emigrants intending to proceed to Upper Canada, take their departure from Montreal to La Chine, a distance of 9 miles: from thence they go to Prescot in boats. 111 miles: from thence there is a steam-boat to Kingston, where there are other steam-boats proceeding to York, the capital and seat of government for the Upper Province. After landing pas- sengers, the boat proceeds to Queenstown, on the Niagara frontier. Between Queenstown and lake Erie, there is a port- age of 1 8 miles. The total expense from Montreal, is gene- rally considered to amount to about 51. each person. Government has, sometimes, been led to hold out consider- able inducements to settlers, in grants of lands, &c. How far this practice is continued at present, may be known, by an application to the office of His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, in London; to whom, if I might be permitted, I would recommend, that orders should be issued to the pro- vincial government, to prevent unnecessary delays to the emigrant; but that, immediately on his application for un- appropriated lands, they may be granted, according to his own selection; and, besides, that the one-seventh part of a township, now reserved for the future provision and main- tenance of a Protestant clergy, and the like reservation for the benefit of the crown, be differently arranged, as the present mode of distribution is found to be productive of great incon- venience to the settlers. With regard to these suggestions, most respectfully recom- mended to the Secretary for Colonies, it may be sufficient to call to the recollection of persons in office, that delay and suspense consume the limited resources in cash, which every emigrant must possess; and that, when once persons have formed a resolution to leave their country, and have made up their minds as to the place of their destination, the least delay, arising from any appearance of neglect in those who have no V ¥'1 y \ jjv: '■ ' i^■^ raised expectations of assistance in so momentous an enterprise, has a tendency to excite suspicion, fear, and distrust. A whole year may be very until inkingly lost, under such circum- stances, because the labours of the farmer must depend on the season. Many, in consequence of delays of this kind, have been tempted to emigrate to the United States, who might otherwise have been induced to settle in our own Colonies. Instructions to Strangers Settling in the Woods or Forests. It will sometimes happen, that people lose themselves in the woods. Cloudy weather operates to deceive, but the sun will always direct, by observing its rising and setting from the dwelling-place, which Europeans ought strictly to attend to, on their first beginning in the forest. Swamps are the most difficult, from the thickness of the green timber: in such a case, let the person avoid flurrying himself, because fear agi- tates the mind, and leads to frenzy. If fatigued, sit down and examine the trees: the north side of large trees is covered with moss: the branches are longest on the south and south- east sides: these will serve as a compass. Birch trees are the compass for the Indians, their strongest branches pointing eastward. Should you come to a river or brook, its course will lead to some settlement. The brooks, many of which are lit- tle rivers in the spring at the melting of the snow, become dry in summer; but their course may be discovered, by observing the way that the growth of wild herbs, grass, and roots of trees, lie; their heads will point to the outlet of such waters: the stones will be cleaner on the side next the source, J^han that next the outlet. These observations are easier under- stood than heights, falls, &c. &c. Sometimes cattle are met with, miles from home: by starting them, they run from a stranger, and generally go home: that will lead the lost person to a settlement. There being little to fear from wild beasts, food is a primary object. As berries are not always to be had, any more than nuts, herbs become a consideration. The colts-foot, called by the Americans, snake-root, has a leaf formed like the foot of a colt: it is of a deep green colour; the roots run horizontally, and are of the thickness of a to- bacco-pipe: they taste like lemon peel. By gathering of that root to eat, a person might exist for some time. This plant produces many lat^al roots: it is in greater abundance than most other herbs; it delights in moist situations, and is easy to discover. It is taken as tea, to remove violent colds, when a little sweetened. ill CONCLUSION. In the preceding pages, is detailed the orgatiization of a System of Emigration, which has been carried into eU'ect, and in which the expense of embariting a considerable body of persons, has been reduced to nearly one-half of what it cost those emigrants who went out singly, in the spring of 1820, and which embraces within its range, many facilities in favour of the poor emigrant, which had been formerly overlooked. The salutary work of emigration, has not as yet been ac- complished to that extent which is absolutely necessary for the relief of the industrious poor, within the Counties of Lan- ark and Renfrew, and which also may be requisite in other districts, where the population has increased, within the last ten years, in a ratio far beyond the increase of the means of profitable employment for the industrious poor. It is a well-known fact, that many families have, of late years, been reduced to poverty, by a succession of losses and disappointments, arising from causes over which they had no control; and at present, numerous large families, who are em- ployed, or partly employed, cannot jointly earn the price of scanty food, for their daily wants, leaving nothing for clothing, education, furniture, rent, and other necessaries. They are therefore liable to be rendered dependant upon pub- lic or private benevolence, on almost every fluctuation in trade, or on the fall of the value of labour. Parents who have sons fit for labour, cannot employ them, neither can they find ap- prenticeships, where they might be bound, for five or seven years, to a master who would pay attention to their morals, and fit them for being good members of society. Masters, owing to the low state of wages, and the decline in their busi- ness, find it for their interest rather to employ journeymen, who can be dismissed at any time, when not wanted. In ware- houses, offices, and counting-houses, a reduction of clerks, salesmen, porters, and other servants, has also taken place of late, and to find a situation, in any line, is at present scarcely possible. The number of juvenile delinquents to be found in the streets, committing depredations on society, in many cases, may be attributed to the distresses of parents, who are pre- vented from watching over their families as they would wish to do, by the necessity of working, for sixteen or eighteen hours, every lawful day, before they can earn a scanty sub- sistence for their offspring; and, when the Sabbath arrives. 112 i ^f \ : >i p t the stiito f)f tlic family clothiiij^ is such, that they cannot ap- pear at church, even if they could pay for seats. Such was the situation of some ol those emifrrants, whose letters from Lanark, Dalhousie, 8ic. have now been given to the public. They have found, that their large families, which were a source of misery to them in this country, are a blessing to them in their new situations. Tile average expense for 188;} men, women, and children, who sailed last spring from Greenock, was '21. IS.?. 3(1. for each individual, and that sum included provisions and passage to Quebec, and left besides, sulficient provisions to serve tne Societies to their place of settlement. Much praise is due to the Government, for their aid and humam'ty to the emigrants, in having advanced money for their support, for the first year, and blankets, with implements of husbandry, &c. for the cultivation of their n«w farms. We would venture to state our humble opinion, that no method of relief is ccjual to emigration; for it not only removes the sur- plus labourers from largo and populous districts, but puts them in a way to provide for themselves and their posterity; and it also betters the condition of those who remain at home. As many families were divided last spring, on account of their inability to raise money sufficient for emigrating, but who may now have procured the necessary assistance, we cannot doubt, but Government will graciously afford them an oppor- tunity of joining their friends, ne. i spring. To continue the same encouragement for a few years more, as has been done for the two past years, seems absolutely in- dispensable, to remove the existing difficulties amongst the distressed labouring poor, in the manufacturing districts of Scotland. It seems, above all things, to be the direct interest of the wealthier classes, to make a serious effort to relieve their pro- perty from the permanent burden of maintaining a large num- ber of poor, by systematically promoting the emigration of the very poorest class of labourers; and thus, by an advance of one or two year's purchase of the poor's rates, in every parish, those who receive help, and are able for work, might be transferred from a condition of hopeless dependance, and established in comfort and prosperity, and the landed interest be relieved, in a great measure, from a heavy tax. % M It James Hedderwick, Printer, '26, BcU'Street, Glasgou'. miot ap- 8, whose given to ?s, whicli blessing children, . 3^/. for 1 passage serve the 1 aid and oncy for plements lis. We letliod of tlie sur- uts them r, and it e. count of but who » cannot 1 oppor- rs more, utely in- igst tlie tricts of it of the leir pro- ye nuin- n of the ^ance of n every , might ce, and interest