HHUMi 
 
 
A 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 
 OF 
 
 
 NEW- BRUNS WICK, B.N.A. 
 
 WITH 
 
 ADVICE TO EMIGRANTS. 
 
 BY 
 
 2Tf)e Meb. ©ijiistopticv atitutaoit, 
 
 FASTOn OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MASCREKN, ST GEORGE’S. 
 
 THIRD EDITION, GREATLY IMPROVED AND CORRECTED. 
 
 Ka. ot'roxgiGtis o j$cc.eri\ivii otirois' A Xiyu vfjuy, $$'o<rev e(TOir,a’ctn ivt 
 rcitTUv ruy otdiXQaiv /xou raiv iX<x,^i<rettr Iluo'i trr oiitrotT'c'* — MATTH. xxv, 40. 
 
 “ Porro ne bencfaciendo segnescamus : tempore enim suo metemus, si non 
 frangamur animo.” — G al. vi. ix. 
 
 Here is information, both accurate and honest ! 
 
 ' EDINBURGH: 
 
 PRINTED BY ANDERSON & BRYCE. 
 
 j 
 
 MDCCCXLIY. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Spirit of Emigration^ — What the Colony must depend 
 upon for its prosperity— Latitude and Longitude of the 
 Province— Disease— the Climate— its Water— Convey- 
 ance— the Extent and Situation of the Great Coal Field 
 the Sea Coast — the City of St John— by ^IVhom. and 
 When it was first Inhabited —its Rise, Progress, Popu- 
 lation, Buildings, Churches, Banks, Inhabited Houses, 
 
 Tides, and of the several Fires that have taken Place in 
 the City— Portland— its Business— Places of Worship- 
 Inhabited Houses— Families and Persons— Carlton, its 
 Bridge, Locality, Trade, Churches, Inhabited Houses, 
 Families, and Acres of Cleared Land— Lancaster, its 
 Mills, Inhabitants, Acres of Cleared Ground, &c 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 St George’s, its Falls, Mills— Mascreen, Le Tang, Le Tete, 
 Settlements, Churches, Inhabited Houses, Families, Per- 
 sons, and Acres of Cleared Land— Pennfield, Inhabited 
 Houses, Families, and Acres of Cleared Land— Winter 
 Campaigns of the Lumber Men, &c — St Patricks, its Si- 
 tuation, Inhabited II ouses, Families, and Acres of Cleared 
 Land— St Andrew’s, its Locality, Soil, Churches, Inhabit- 
 ed Houses, Families, Acres of Cleared Land— St David’s, 
 
 St James’, St Stephen’s with their Situation, Inhabitants,' 
 Families, Acres of Cleared Land, &c.— the Islands in the 
 Passamaquoddy Bay, their Length, Breadth, Fisheries, 
 
 Timber, Soil, Inhabitants, Acres of Cleared Land, &c. 42 
 
 l2l 
 
 
- 
 
 IV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Fredericton, its Situation, Size, Progress, Trade, Build- 
 ings, its Advantages, Inhabited houses, Families, Persons, 
 Acres of Cleared Land, Horses, Neat Cattle, Sheep, 
 Swine, distance from St John’s, St Andrew’s, Chatham, 
 Quebec, and Halifax. — Chatham, Douglas, Bathurst, 
 Dalhousie, Richibucto, Shediac, Petitcodiac, Hopewell, 
 Sackville, Dorchester, Sussex-Vale, Dutch-Valley, Lon- 
 donderry, Ten-Mill Creek, Black-River, Hampton, 
 Kingston, Sheffield, Gagetown, W^ oodstock, Keswick, &c. 
 —Prince William, Jackstown, Wakefield, with an ac- 
 count of their Soil, Public Buildings, Churches, Mills, 
 Families, Acres of Cleared Land, Ac 
 
 Remarks on the Forests, their Growth— Different kinds of 
 Wood growing in the Province— Maple Sugar, and the 
 way of obtaining it— the Hackmatic, its quality and pur- 
 p 0ses _the Soil— Intervale— effects of Fire on, the For- 
 ests, Ac.— Manure— time of Planting— Manner of Reap- 
 ing Objects of Natural History— the Moose, its size, 
 
 nature, and quality — the Caribou, its size, nature, Ac.— 
 the Bear, its colour, size, nature, &c. — the Otter, Fox, 
 Mink, Fisher, Woodcliuch, Racoon, and Porcupine— 
 the Beaver, the manner in which they build their houses, 
 and the means they make use of to escape from their ene- 
 mies — the Musk-Rat, and the Squirrel. Fish, Whale 
 and Shark species, bony and castilagenous, found in the 
 waters of New-Brunswick, 
 
 The New-Brunswick Coal Field — Introductory Remarks — 
 its Division, Extent, Deposits, Quality, Ac.— The Salmon 
 River, Ac. — Coal Mines, their Deposits, Quality, Ac. — 
 Minerals of the Province — Iron, its uses — Copper Ore — 
 Lead Galena— Magnesia — Limestone — Gypsum— Rock 
 Salt — Granite — J asper— Calcedony — Amethyst — Agate 
 — Ileulandite— Stilblite— Apophylite— Slates, &c. ........ 157 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Y 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Account of the Rivers, Islands, Bay of Fundy, &c.— Falls 
 at St John's, Lakes, Streams, &c. — American Indians— 
 the Grand Falls — the White Rapids — Grand River, &c. 
 Alluvium along the Banks of the St John — Action of the 
 Sea on the Coast of New-Brunswick — the Relative Ex- 
 tent, Elevation, and Depth of the Great North American 
 Lakes, 193 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The subject of Emigration — Directions to Emigrants in 
 preparing for Embarkation — Medicines Required for 
 the Voyage — Instructions on Landing — How to obtain, 
 select, and cultivate Land — Directions how to Build a 
 House, Barn, &c. — Public Functionaries — Insurance and 
 J oint-Stock Companies — Banks — Societies — Counties — 
 Parishes — Roads Information to Travellers — State of 
 the Weather in each month in the Province — Remarks 
 on the North-East Boundary Question — the Extent of the 
 
 British Territory in British North America 232 
 
 Poetry, 274 
 
 Appendix, 281 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Were it not that a Preface is considered by 
 many persons an indispensable accompaniment 
 to a work, the Author would prefer laying it 
 before the world without one ; but to omit 
 complying with general custom, might seem to 
 indicate indifference to public opinion. 
 
 The history of every country in Europe com- 
 mences in the region of fable. At what period 
 they were severally discovered, and by whom 
 settled, is equally uncertain, and the accounts 
 which are given of the early ages of all, are, at 
 best, but plausible conjectures. The situation 
 of America is, in this respect, just the reverse ; 
 the discovery of this immense Continent, is an 
 event of modern occurrence, and -was accom- 
 panied by the infant art of printing, which, by 
 multiplying the copies, preserved the journals 
 of those who explored and settled the New 
 World. 
 
 But if the materials of American history are 
 unlike those of Europe, the events are more 
 
Vlll 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 different. — the progress of man from a state of 
 nature towards civilization, is always slow, and 
 generally similar. But the operation of an 
 enlightened people upon uncultivated nature, 
 which was first displayed in the new settlement 
 of America, affords a most interesting subject 
 of contemplation. The portion of American 
 history, filled by New-Brunswick, though small, 
 is not altogether unimportant, and as one of the 
 minor links in the great chain of events, can- 
 not, with propriety, be omitted. 
 
 The favourable ^prospects which have been 
 presented to our American dependencies, have 
 been materially improved by the final settlement 
 of the “ Boundary Question / 5 with the United 
 States. The Americans have for some time 
 ardently desired to possess the right to the na- 
 vigation of the St John, and to add the fine 
 fertile Province of New-Brunswiek to their 
 possessions, being fully aware of the value of 
 that river, as a means of internal communica- 
 tion, and foreseeing that the city of St John, 
 which is situated at its mouth, is likely, from 
 the advantages of its position, to rival, at some 
 distant period, the city of New York in com- 
 mercial importance. 
 
 T he St J olin is one of those noble streams 
 by which America is intersected, and by which 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 that continent is rendered so admirably adapted 
 for the abode of an enterprising and trading 
 people. By the articles of the treaty, not only 
 is the navigation of the St John and its tribu- 
 taries thrown open to the Americans, but the 
 timber and agricultural produce grown upon 
 their banks, although within the American 
 Boundary, are admitted into the colonies free 
 of duty, and, consequently, into the Mother 
 Country, on the same terms as those of colonial 
 growth. 
 
 These privileges cannot fail to prove a great 
 commercial boon to the colony of New-Bruns- 
 wick, and to work an important change in the 
 trade of the more inland districts of the country; 
 for unless human nature, and the American 
 character in particular, suffer an extraordinary 
 change, they will be made subservient to the 
 transmission not only of the productions of all 
 the neighbouring States into the colonies, and 
 from thence to the home market, but also of 
 supplying these districts with British goods, 
 free of those high protecting duties, by means of 
 which, the Americans are now endeavouring to 
 foster their home manufactures ; because, un- 
 doubtedly, no fiscal arrangements will suffice to 
 guard the two countries against illicit trading 
 under the present treaty. The St John being 
 
a 
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 necessarily the channel of this traffic, a very 
 cursory review of the commercial history of the 
 world will be sufficient to shew the powerful 
 influence such a transit trade is calculated to 
 have in spreading wealth over the country 
 through which it flows. And this review will 
 be valuable, if it shall have the effect of direct- 
 ing the attention of our emigrant capitalists to 
 the prospects and capabilities of our North 
 American provinces, and of inducing them to 
 join, and to avail themselves of the current of 
 emigration of the labouring classes, which is 
 annually flowing into New-Brunswick, and 
 which, owing to the want of capital in the co- 
 lony, is at the present turned to so little ac- 
 count. 
 
 In directing the attention of the capitalist 
 emigrant to the capabilities of New-Brunswick, 
 it is important that we should now turn our at- 
 tention to those points which involve the happi- 
 ness and comfort of individuals, as these are 
 matters of the deepest moment to those of the 
 middle ranks who are induced, by the hope of 
 gain, or the force of circumstances, to seek a 
 home in the Colonies. 
 
 This Province lies parallel with some of the 
 finest countries of Europe; it enjoys a salu- 
 brious climate, to which the length of the win- 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XI 
 
 ter is the only alloy — although this is not ad- 
 mitted to be a draw-back by those who have 
 enjoyed the pure air, and brilliant sun-shine of 
 an American winter. But even with respect 
 to the severity of the winter, the clearings in 
 the backwoods are making a rapid improvement 
 in the seasons ; and it may be reasonably sup- 
 posed therefore, that as the country becomes 
 settled, and as agricultural improvement ad- 
 vances, the climate will be ameliorated, and the 
 winter rendered much milder, and of shorter 
 duration. The external aspect of a country 
 has no inconsiderable influence in promoting 
 the happiness of its inhabitants, particularly of 
 those of the better classes. In this respect, the 
 colony of which an accurate account will be 
 given in this W ork, possesses eminent advan- 
 tages. 
 
 The scenery on the river St John, is not to 
 be surpassed in beauty by any thing to be found 
 in North America, and although the banks of 
 this noble stream are already settled, and under 
 partial cultivation for near a hundred miles 
 above its mouth, allotments are still to be pur- 
 chased in these districts on moderate terms, 
 while there remains unallotted, immense tracks 
 of fine country, lying along the upper course of 
 the parent stream, and the banks of its nume- 
 
Z) 
 
 xii PREFACE* 
 
 rous tributaries. These districts embrace the 
 magnificent scenery of the Grand Falls* 
 
 The emigrant to New-Brunswick is not ex- 
 posed to those privations or dangers, as those 
 who emigrate to New Zealand or Australia. 
 A few days sail brings him to the colony, and 
 his further progress is facilitated by water car- 
 riage, through the numerous rivers that inter- 
 sect the country. Having arrived at his des- 
 tination, the agricultural capitalist will find 
 himself safe both in person and property ; and 
 from the crowds of individuals from Ireland, 
 he will possess the means of carrying on his 
 farming operations without interruption, and at 
 a moderate expense. This is an advantage of 
 the greatest importance even in the old coun- 
 tries of Europe ; but its value is infinitely 
 greater in new colonies, where the want of la- 
 bour has proved the great obstacle to agricul- 
 tural improvement, and consequently, to colo- 
 nial prosperity. 
 
 Whilst it is very desirable that the capabili- 
 ties of our fine possessions, in North America, 
 should be brought under the notice of the pub- 
 lic, it is imperative, at the same time, to guard 
 against v the grievous error which has been com- 
 mitted by those who, over eager to promote 
 the prosperity of particular colonies, have been 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 the means of hurrying thousands of their fel- 
 low-countrymen into hopeless exile. Let no 
 one suppose that there is at the present day a 
 “ royal road to wealth and independence on 
 the contrary, the emigrant must be prepared to 
 exert great industry and self-denial, and all that 
 can be justly promised is, that the practice of 
 those virtues w T ill more likely be rewarded with 
 success in the colonies, than at home, for not 
 only is the competition between man and man 
 less severe, but the scarcity of capital renders 
 a sum of money which would be wholly inade- 
 quate to pave the way to success in the Parent 
 country, sufficient to lay the foundation of in- 
 dependence, and even of wealth in America. 
 
 Of the many extraordinary changes which 
 science has brought about in modern times, 
 none has more conduced to the social happiness 
 of mankind, than the more rapid communica- 
 tion between distant places. In this respect, 
 steam-navigation has been of infinite service 
 to our North American posssessions ; it has 
 brought them nearer to Britain than Edin- 
 burgh was to London in the days of our ances- 
 tors. This is a circumstance of vital impor- 
 tance in connexion with emigration to New- 
 Brunswick — for not only does the rapidity of 
 intercourse promote commercial enterprise, but 
 
xiv 
 
 PREEACE. 
 
 
 it enables the emigrant to fall back upon his re- 
 sources at home, either for advice or assistance 
 on the occurrence of any sudden emergency. 
 
 Nothing, perhaps, is more distressing to those 
 who are leaving their native land, in search of 
 a home in a foreign country, than the thought 
 that they are about to sacrifice all those refine- 
 ments of society which render life desirable. 
 The length of time which New-Brunswick has 
 been a settled country, (1783) the agricultural 
 pursuits of the people, and the more advanced 
 stage of social improvement to which society 
 has attained, not only preclude any such severe 
 sacrifice, but render the colony peculiarly eli- 
 gible for the best class of emigrants. Many of 
 the pleasures of civilized life will be found to 
 be within the reach of those possessed even of 
 moderate resources, and not incompatible with 
 the active pursuits by which independence and 
 wealth are to be acquired. 
 
 If this attempt to promote emigration, and 
 to point out the natural and political advantages 
 enjoyed by New-Brunswick, shall have the ef- 
 fect of directing the attention of government 
 and capitalists to the capabilities of this fine 
 Province, a movement may be given to coloni- 
 zation on sound principles, which is to be hoped 
 will tend to arrest the retrograde course our 
 
 c* 
 
 *1 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XY 
 
 commerce has been making of late years, and of 
 putting a stop to the rapid depreciation of pro- 
 perty which is bringing ruin upon our most im- 
 portant national interests, and filling our streets 
 with idle, starving, and disaffected people. 
 
 The Author of this Work being conscious of 
 having been influenced by the best motives, 
 when determining on publication, and being 
 equally sensible how defective his book must ap- 
 pear to those whose reading has been restricted 
 to works of superior excellence, and whose taste 
 has been formed by the finest models, he con- 
 ceives that apology is, in the first place, unne- 
 cessary, and would, no doubt, be in the second , 
 unavailing. 
 
 The very flattering reception which the two 
 former editions have experienced, from two 
 thousand of the nobility, clergy, professors, mer- 
 chants, &c. of Scotland, have stimulated the 
 Author to exert himself in bringing forward 
 the present edition. For the purpose of ren- 
 dering it worthy of public approbation, the 
 greater part of the original matter, in the two 
 former editions have been revised, and several 
 new articles introduced, which he trusts will be 
 found highly interesting to the community at 
 large. 
 
 To the numerous friends who have honoured 
 
XVI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 the Author with their patronage, he desires to 
 return his sincere thanks ; at the same time, he 
 begs leave to observe, that in consequence of 
 his being much from home while the Work 
 passed through the press, requests that each 
 Subscriber will kindly overlook any errors, as, 
 no doubt, several orthographical errors have 
 crept in and escaped detection — the result of 
 haste, rather than inattention or design — for 
 this, and other imperfections which may be 
 found iq. the W ork. 
 
 In conclusion, the Author cannot but indulge 
 the hope, that its contents will be disseminated 
 throughout Her Britannic Majesty’s dominions; 
 and, should the present unpretending under- 
 taking be deemed worthy of public patronage, 
 as the two former editions, he will be fully sa- 
 tisfied and rewarded for his labours. 
 
 Hucusque adjuvavit Deus ! 
 
 W. C. Atkinson. 
 
 Edinburgh, July 1844. 
 
AN ACCOUNT 
 
 OK 
 
 NEW- BRUNSWICK, B.N.A. 
 
 WITH DIRECTIONS TO EMIGRANTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Spirit of Emigration— What the Colony must depend upon 
 
 for its prosperity — Latitude and Longitude of the Province 
 
 Disease — the Climate — its Water — Conveyance the Extent 
 
 and c ion of the Great Coal Field — the Sea Coast — the 
 City o John — by Whom and When it was first Inhabited 
 
 — its Rise, Progress, Population, Buildings, Churches, Banks, 
 Inhabited Houses, Tides, and of the several Fires that have 
 taken Place in the City — Portland — its Business — Places of 
 Worship — Inhabited Houses— Families and Persons — Carl- 
 ton, its Bridge, Locality, Trade, Churches, Inhabited Houses, 
 Families, and Acres of Cleared Land — Lancaster, its Mills, 
 Inhabitants, Acres of Cleared Ground, &c. 
 
 At a period when the Queen’s government, in 
 pursuance of a wise and liberal policy, are using 
 every means to encourage emigration to Her 
 Britannic Majesty’s possessions abroad, and 
 
 A 
 
TZr 
 
 14 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 thus add to the strength and security of the 
 more distant portions of the British Empire, — 
 it becomes the duty of every well-wisher of his 
 country, and friend of his species, to lay be- 
 fore the public whatever information he may 
 possess in relation to the subject ; and however 
 limited may be his means, to cast his mite into 
 the general treasury of knowledge, and, if pos- 
 sible, aid in directing attention to those por- 
 tions of these colonies which a settler can oc- 
 cupy with the greatest comfort, and improve to 
 the most advantage. 
 
 It seems never to have been intended that 
 man should remain stationery in the place of his 
 nativity. He is not like a tree that cannot be 
 transplanted, his frame having been so consti- 
 tuted, that he can bear the heat of the tro- 
 pics, or the cold of the arctic regions ; and al- 
 though he is naturally inclined to adopt the 
 gossip’s prayer for 
 
 iC One long summer’s day of indolence and mirth.** 
 
 Yet, when his hopes and fears have been pro- 
 perly excited, he is an active and energetic be- 
 ing, and we find him in all ages and countries 
 moving from place to place, and from country to 
 country, impelled by necessity, or induced by the 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 15 
 
 sense of utility, to make the wide world his 
 home, and the men of all nations his brethren. 
 
 The object of emigration is threefold : — To 
 relieve the Parent State of its superabundant 
 population ; to increase more rapidly the num- 
 ber of inhabitants in the colonies, and thus to 
 promote their advancement in wealth and im- 
 portance ; and, thirdly , to provide the means of 
 subsistence for those who are anxious to leave 
 the scenes of their earlier years, to secure else- 
 where “ a local habitation,” and a more com- 
 fortable and happy home. With reference to 
 the first of these objects : So far as the Parent- 
 State is concerned, it matters little what fate 
 awaits the venturous emigrant, so long as the 
 land of his nativity is relieved from the incum- 
 brance of his presence ; still, the philanthropist 
 everywhere must feel an interest in the destiny 
 that awaits him ; and a paternal government 
 will watch over his course, and endeavour to 
 direct his uncertain steps to the haven of happi- 
 ness and repose. 
 
 The colony, however, whose prosperous con- 
 dition must chiefly depend upon the possession 
 of an intelligent agricultural population, is deep- 
 ly interested in securing some portion of that 
 industrial wealth, which is continually extending 
 itself towards the American Continent ; and it 
 
J 
 
 
 16 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 therefore becomes an object of importance, that 
 information should be widely disseminated as to 
 the capability of each of those possessions, to 
 contribute to the promotion of the general good ; 
 and to the emigrant himself, it is of vital con- 
 sequence that he should become acquainted with 
 that colonial possession which, other advantages 
 being equal, is nearest in proximity to the 
 British Isles. 
 
 Almost all the moral and industrious emi- 
 grants to this Province, whatever have been 
 theii occupations, have succeeded in securing 
 to themselves a competency, and many have ob- 
 tained wealth. The lower class of labourers, 
 when they have devoted themselves to steady 
 habits and industry, have been successful ; (of 
 this I have been an eye-witness, when I visited 
 the several settlements which was under my 
 ministerial charge— the district over which I 
 had to ride every month being upwards of 160 
 miles,) and where there are instances to the 
 
 contrary, they may generally be atlributed to 
 idleness and intemperance. The inquiry made 
 by persons in the Mother Country, who are 
 desirous to settle in New Brunswick, is, what 
 employment will they find there? And when 
 
 they are informed that the prii 
 of the inhabitants is lumberi 
 
 principal occupation 
 bering in the dense 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 17 
 
 forests, amidst the deep snows of winter, they 
 have no desire to venture upon a pursuit with 
 which they are altogether unacquainted. Thou- 
 sands of emigrants, after they have landed in 
 the Provinces, embark for the United States, 
 where a greater variety of employment in min- 
 ing, manufacturing, and other divisions of la- 
 bour, afford them an opportunity of choosing 
 that kind which is most congenial to their for- 
 mer habits. It is in vain to ask the miner, or 
 manufacturer, to settle in a country where his 
 brand i of business is not known, and to which 
 the productions of his art are exported. 
 
 It is by offering encouragement to the diffe- 
 rent trades and occupations of the Mother 
 Country — by unlocking the available natural 
 treasures of the Provinces — the objects from 
 which their labour will yield them profit and a 
 competency — by directing them to the natural 
 weall h contained in the earth, the soil, and the 
 forest, that they will be disposed to emigrate, 
 and to open and improve those resources that 
 abound in almost every section of the country. 
 
 It has been too frequently supposed, that 
 countries abounding in mines, are unfavourable 
 to agriculture : but such an opinion is extremely 
 erroneous ; for, although the soil in the imme- 
 diate neighbourhood of metallic veins is often 
 
18 
 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 unproductive, those veins are not of so frequent 
 occurrence, or so extensive, as to affect the fer- 
 tility of any considerable tract. 
 
 In proof of this, it is only necessary to refer 
 to Great Britain, whose mineral productions 
 have been the great source of her wealth. It 
 is equally certain, that New-Brunswick, almost 
 equal in extent to England, is not only capable 
 of being rendered a mining, but also an agri- 
 cultural Province. At the present period, the 
 great supply for exportation from the Province, 
 is derived almost altogether from the forests, 
 which are yearly declining before the axe of the 
 lumber-man, and every other division of labour 
 suffers from those pursuits, that scarcely render 
 the shippers of timber a profit. 
 
 The pioneers who first visited the forests, re- 
 mote from any dwelling, and discovered groves 
 of timber that once overshadowed the soil, con- 
 ferred a favour upon their successors, and se- 
 cured for a time a revenue to the Province ; so 
 will those who, by their foresight, may be the 
 means of bringing into operation other and 
 more permanent objects of enterprise. The 
 most important of all the resources of the Pro- 
 vince, are her mines and mineral productions. 
 
 New-Brunswick, of which I am about to 
 treat, extends from its south-west point on the 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 19 
 
 Island of Grand Manaan, at the entrance of the 
 Bay of Fundy, in lat. 44-40, Ion. 67-10 to the 
 48th deg. of north latitude ; and is bounded 
 southerly by that bay, and an isthmus of fifteen 
 miles in width, which separates the Bay of 
 Fundy from the Bay of Verte on the eastern 
 coast, where is the termination of its southern 
 line in lat. 46, long 64. Its eastern limit ex- 
 tends northwardly along the Northumberland 
 Straits and Gulf of St Lawrence, till it strikes 
 the Island of Shippegan, at the south entrance 
 of the Bay of Chaleur, in lat. 48, long. 67 ; and 
 it is bounded to the northward and westward by 
 Lower Canada, and to the westward by the 
 River St Croix ; and a line runs from its source 
 to the high lands that extend to the head of 
 Connecticut River, United States. 
 
 The steady increase, and growing prospe- 
 rity of this noble colony, are but little known 
 abroad, and the people of England have yet to 
 learn that a Province, nearly as extensive as all 
 England, watered by noble rivers, whose fertile 
 alluvial banks team with riches, has within a 
 very few years sprung from comparative insig- 
 nificance, into one of the most valuable of the 
 British North American possessions. The ac- 
 cessibility of its coasts, particularly on the Bay 
 of Fundy, (the harbour of St. John being open 
 

 
 20 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 all the year,) the magnitude and extent of the 
 rivers — the fertility and richness of its virgin 
 soil — the abundance of valuable timber, and the 
 vast amount of mineral wealth, (the largest 
 coal-field in the world being found within its 
 limits) all combine together to render this a 
 most thriving colony. 
 
 The people of New-Brunswick are most 
 loyal to their Queen, and truly devoted to 
 British laws and British supremacy. They see 
 enough of the workings of democracy among 
 their neighbours to avoid it as a pestilence, and 
 they cling to the pillar of the British constitu- 
 tion, as the only sure support of true liberty, 
 ihey clearly see and feel that, under the ban- 
 ner of Old England, the laws are equally ad- 
 ministered— that every man is fully protected 
 m his person and property, and that they really 
 and truly enjoy more civil and religious free- 
 dom than is possessed by their neie-hhmirs wtm 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 21 
 
 perspiration. The liability to disease is in- 
 creased by the sudden vicissitudes of natural 
 and artificial temperatures, especially during 
 the winter months, when the change from cold 
 air to heated rooms is sudden and excessive. 
 It may, however, be considered as particularly 
 healthy. The summers, although hot, are not 
 characterized by that poisonous decomposition 
 of animal and vegetable matters, which engen- 
 der pestilential diseases in other countries ; and 
 where the constitution has not been injured by 
 exposure or excess, persons usually attain a 
 good old age. The absence of intermittent fe- 
 vers — the bilious remittent, and yellow fevers, 
 gives this country a decided superiority over 
 most others. The diseases of this Province 
 may, with some exceptions, be classed under 
 two heads, first, Those that arise from expo- 
 sure and fatigue ; secondly , Those that arise 
 from the bad habits of the people, independent 
 of climate. 
 
 New-Brunswick, like every other country 
 having intercourse with various parts of the 
 globe, has its imported disorders, and is capable 
 of generating, independently of importation, 
 some of those epidemics to which early life is 
 liable, and which occur fortunately but once, 
 with some few exceptions, such as measles, 
 
u 
 
 22 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 scarlet fever, hooping cough, and chicken pox. 
 Every instance of small pox has hitherto been 
 traced to foreign contagion. The diseases 
 which proceed from the bad habits of the 
 people, are such as follow errors in diet, and 
 imprudence in clothing. Among the former, 
 may be classed the intemperate use of spiri- 
 tous liquors, and the immense consumption of 
 tea, although habitual inebriety is by no means 
 so common at the present time, is still spread- 
 ing devastation throughout many parts of the 
 Province, laying the foundation of a great many 
 complaints, and rendering each more dange- 
 rous m its nature, and more difficult of manage- 
 ment. Many of the chronic diseases which 
 baffle the skill of the physician, originate in this 
 vice. The use of tea three times a-day, as 
 sti ong and as hot as the stomach can receive it, 
 is not confined to the females, but the work- 
 men of the country participate in it, until their 
 powers of digestion are nearly prostrated, and 
 a tram of evils supervene, that destroy their 
 health and comfort. If there be any disease 
 peculiar to this climate, it may be said to be 
 dyspepsia or indigestion, from the use and 
 abuse of tea and ardent spirits 
 
 Everywhere the purest water is abundint- 
 a luxury untnowa in man, parts of ^ 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 23 
 
 Canada ; and it will be perceived that nume- 
 rous navigable streams intersect the country, 
 offering every facility for the conveyance of 
 produce to market. Its numerous and exten- 
 sive rivers form, during the winter season, when 
 the intensity of the frost has covered them with 
 ice, level and excellent roads, which are marked 
 off and designated by lines of bushes fixed in the 
 ice by officers whose duty is prescribed by law. 
 The mails from England and Nova Scotia, pass 
 too and from Canada twice a-week, without 
 suffering any interruption from the severity of 
 the season. Throughout the Province, the ut- 
 most tranquillity prevails ; and during the four 
 years I was in the Province, no wild beast ever 
 disturbed my peace, or ill-disposed person cross- 
 ed my path ; and when I have entered the houses 
 of the inhabitants, I have met with an hospi- 
 table and most confiding frankness. The ut- 
 most toleration everywhere prevails with refe- 
 rence to religion. In fact, the people are not 
 aware how well-off and happy they arc. 
 
 Many repeat the following lines with plea- 
 sure : — 
 
 New-Brunswick is our home, 
 
 And Britain’s sons are we ! 
 
 Our tongue is known in every climq 
 Our flag on every sea ! 
 
24 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 We will not boast that we alone 
 The rights of freedom know ; 
 
 There ’s many a land that *s free beside, 
 
 But Britain made it so. 
 
 The thunder of her battle-ships 
 Was hf>ard on many a shore; 
 
 But her healing words of peace are heard 
 Above the cannon’s roar. 
 
 In this Province, there is an extensive Coal 
 Field, situated between the primary rocks of 
 the county of Charlotte and King’s County, and 
 the Straits of Northumberland. On the Gulf 
 of St Lawrence, only the south and south-east 
 sides of this coal field have yet been explored ; 
 the west, north, and north-east sides still re- 
 main to be examined, and its limits, therefore, 
 in the latter directions, yet remain unknown. 
 This coal field extends in a northerly direction 
 to Bathurst, 150 miles, and to Miramichi, 120 
 miles, and from the latter place along the coast 
 to Shediac, which may be estimated at seventy 
 miles. Until the north-east side of this vast 
 coal tract is explored, it would be impossible to 
 give an accurate account of its area ; but it may 
 for the present be considered equal to 5000 
 miles. 1 his tract may perhaps be characte- 
 rized as being the largest coal field ever dis- 
 covered on the globe. To distinguish it from 
 the Westmorland district, and other coal fields 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 25 
 
 in the British Provinces, it has been designated 
 “ The Great New-Brunswick Coal Field.” 
 The Province likewise abounds in iron, copper 
 ore, lead ore, rock salt, sand-stone, and lime- 
 stone, &c. 
 
 An account of the several parishes, includ- 
 ing all the statistics of each, the details of these 
 and other matters, it is hoped, will make this 
 work highly interesting to all classes, both at 
 home and abroad, — but more especially to those 
 who enter fully into the spirit of emigration, 
 and who are desirous of being in possession of 
 that information before they leave their native 
 land, which may insure them to the full ac- 
 complishment of those plans they have in view- 
 on their landing. 
 
 Possessing the advantages already alluded to, 
 it has long been subject both of surprise and 
 regret, that while the most strenuous efforts 
 have been made to direct the stream of emigra- 
 tion to the Canadas, and other colonies in this 
 hemisphere, the inhabitants of the Mother 
 Country have been left in ignorance of the ca- 
 pabilities of New-Brunswick, and that even 
 when the emigrant has reached her shores, he 
 has been permitted to depart, without exertion 
 being made to render him acquainted with the 
 natural advantages of the country, or to induce 
 
tzt 
 
 26 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 him to remain, and enrich it by his industry 
 and wealth. 
 
 This Province is bounded on the west, by 
 the frontier, St Croix, and the American State 
 of Main ; on the north by the Canadies ; on the 
 east by the Gulf of St Lawrence, and on the 
 south by the Bay of F undy, and the isthmus at 
 the head of it, connecting Nova Scotia with 
 New-Brunswick. Until the period of Ameri- 
 can independence, the latter territory formed 
 part of the former Province, being known by 
 the name of the county of Sunbury, but in 1783, 
 it was erected into a separate Province under 
 its present name. In superficial extent, it com- 
 prehends about 25,000 square miles of diversi- 
 fied and well-watered country. Its coast is in- 
 dented with numerous bays and harbours. Its 
 soil is fertile ; its climate resembles that of 
 Lower Canada, and it is altogether exempt from 
 the bilious intermittent fever, commonly called 
 fever and ague, which is generally in Upper 
 Canada. The productions of the forests, mines, 
 and fisheries, are its chief articles of export. 
 
 I he Province in 1840, contained twelve 
 counties, ninety-five parishes, 20,514 inhabit- 
 ed houses, 24,368 families, 156,162 persons, 
 435,861 acres of cleared land, 18,286 horses, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 27 
 
 92,260 neat cattle, 141,053 sheep, and 71,915 
 swine. 
 
 The sea-coast of the Province, like that of 
 Nova Scotia, presents a rugged appearance ; 
 and the scenery around St John, possesses no- 
 thing indicative of the fertile regions to which 
 it leads. This city was first inhabited in a.d. 
 1783, by a band of patriots, who, at the close 
 of the American revolutionary war, abandoned 
 their homes, their friends, and property in the 
 revolted colonies, with a large portion of civi- 
 lized life, that they might preserve unsullied 
 their loyalty to the British Sovereignty, and 
 breathe the pure air of freedom under the pa- 
 ternal protection of the monarch whom they 
 revered, and guarded by the meteor flag of 
 England, which, for a “ thousand years, has 
 braved the battle and the breeze.” The spot 
 where the flourishing city stands, was, fifty- 
 eight years ago, a mere wilderness, and strange 
 as it may appear, the journey from the Mar- 
 ket-slip to the Jail-hill, which is not a quar- 
 ter of a mile, would occupy, at the above pe- 
 riod, half a-day, but now only five minutes. 
 Then no previous vestiges of the labours of ci- 
 vilized man were presented to view to diversify 
 the gloomy- prospect. The obstacles that were 
 to be met at every step, would have caused 
 
C7 
 
 28 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 men less imbued with the spirit of loyalty, to 
 turn with disgust from the unpropitious scene, 
 and retrace their steps to the land of plenty 
 which they had left behind. But no hardships, 
 however great — no privations, however severe, 
 — no difficulties, however appalling, were suffi- 
 cient to deter from their purpose, the lion- 
 hearted founders of the city — without a roof to 
 shelter their defenceless heads, surrounded by 
 a pathless forest, and frowned upon by the 
 rugged rocks, in a country then unfavourable 
 (because unprepared) for the operations of the 
 plough, and subject to a long and rigorous win- 
 ter. Yet, the prospect of all these accumulated 
 difficulties and privations were unable to im- 
 pair their loyalty, or swerve them from the 
 path of duty. But how different is that scene 
 at the present day ! The city has a population 
 of 30,000 souls, which the enterprise and acti- 
 vity of the inhabitants, and the liberality of the 
 capitalists, are doing everything to increase. 
 St John is incorporated, and the city compre- 
 hends both sides of the harbour, four wards 
 being in St John, and two in Carlton, oppo- 
 site ; each represented by an alderman and as- 
 sistant alderman ; the mayor is appointed by 
 the executive. Among the new edifices is a 
 building for an exchange, a reading-room, a 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 29 
 
 police office, and a market — the lowest part of 
 the building is occupied as a market, the rest 
 as above stated. The building is highly credit- 
 able to the town. The St John Commercial 
 Bank, a new and beautiful building, construct- 
 ed of the Shelburn stone, is the best and hand- 
 somest building in the city. The front is very 
 beautiful. 
 
 The St John Mechanic’s Institute, (incorpo- 
 rated by Act of the General Assembly) erected 
 a building, and devoted the same to the promo- 
 tion of Science and the Arts, and the diffusion 
 of useful knowledge. The corner-stone was 
 laid on the 27th day of May, in the third year 
 of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, 
 Queen Victoria, by his Excellency Major-Ge- 
 neral Sir John Harvey, K.C.B., and K.C.H., 
 Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief 
 of the Province of New-Brunswick, &c. 1840. 
 
 T he Institute was established in December 
 1838, and the first President was Beverly Ro- 
 binson, Esq. 
 
 A new Custom-House has commenced in 
 Prince William Street. The plan of the archi- 
 tect, and owner of the building, Mr John Wal- 
 ker, gives 200 feet front on the street ; and it 
 will be built to resemble the front of Carlton- 
 House in London. The building will be occu- 
 
 B 
 
J 
 
 30 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 pied as a custom-house, bonded ware-house, 
 and treasury office. There is also an extensive 
 block of brick buildings now erecting south of 
 the Exchange Building. Among the private 
 residences, I would notice particularly the man- 
 sion-house of the Hon. Judge Chipman, which 
 has a very imposing site on the rise of land over- 
 looking Prince William Street. The streets 
 of St John are laid out wide, and at right 
 angles. Advantage has been taken of the re- 
 building of the town, to widen and lay-out new 
 streets, in most of which are very excellent 
 buildings. The place wears an air of bustle 
 and activity, which gives everything a cheer- 
 ful aspect. Ship-building appears to be a lead- 
 ing branch of the business of St John, and the 
 towns adjacent. Some of the best ships in the 
 world are built in this port, loaded w r ith timber, 
 and sent to different ports of England, Ireland, 
 and Scotland, and the West Indies. The city 
 contains several places of worship : — two Epis- 
 copal, two Presbyterian, tw^o Wesleyan-Metho- 
 dist, two Baptist, and one Catholic churche. 
 
 The revenues of the city, for the year 1840, 
 were £88,6/1, 4s. 6d, The Commercial Bank 
 of New-Brunswick (in St John) incorporated 
 by royal charter— capital £150,000, with power 
 to increase to £300,000; President , Lewis 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 31 
 
 Burns, Esq. ; Bank of New-Brunswick, in St 
 John — capital £100,000 ; President, Thomas 
 Leavitt, Esq. Inhabited houses, north and 
 south, 1418; families, 2652; individuals of 
 both sexes in St. John, north, 9516 ; south, 
 9765; acres of cleared land, 1071. The bar- 
 racks are in a delightful position, overlooking 
 the harbour. 
 
 The spring-tides at St John rise from twenty- 
 four to twenty-eight feet ; the body of the river 
 is about seventeen feet above low water-mark. 
 The ordinary tide of the harbour rises twenty- 
 six feet, while above the Falls it only rises 
 about eighteen inches ; therefore the height of 
 the Falls might be estimated at twenty-four and 
 a-half feet. But this estimate will not be re- 
 ceived as correct, when it is considered, that 
 the entrance of the river, at the Falls, is too 
 narrow to allow the sea to flow in freely; 
 and, therefore, there is a fall inwards at high- 
 water and a fall outwards at low-water, and 
 the time of passing for vessels is fixed at three 
 quarters of an hour each tide, and when the sea 
 and river have assumed the same level, the 
 Fall outwards we have estimated at twenty feet, 
 and at high tides, the Fall inwards at high- 
 water is fifteen feet, making the whole height of 
 this double Fall, thirty-five feet. 
 
■ 
 
 
 32 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 The accumulated waters of this extensive and 
 deep river, with all its lakes and tributary 
 branches, is here dashed through a narrow 
 gorge, and over a rudely inclined-plane into the 
 sea. Interrupted by small islands above, and 
 compelled to pass over huge masses of rocks 
 obstructing the narrow passage, the river foam- 
 ing and spouting with tremendous fury, as- 
 sumes, at making its exit, a most tragical cha- 
 racter, threatening with instant death any who 
 may venture upon its troubled bosom ; but on 
 the flood-tide, the scene is changed — the ocean 
 spreads its mantle over the thundering cata- 
 ract, and flowing inwards through the narrow 
 chasm, stills the noisy rapid — the tide-lock of 
 the Falls is shut, and apparently to oblige the 
 inhabitants, allows them to pass in safety even 
 with large ships. 
 
 Perhaps there is not a river in America of 
 the same extent, which has so narrow an out- 
 let as the St John. From the Falls to the 
 Grand Bay, a distance of four miles, this ma- 
 jestic stream passes through a tortuous channel, 
 at many places not more than 250 feet wide, 
 while, in the interior of the country, it will 
 average from one to three miles in breadth. 
 The rocky shores of its out-let have not been 
 worn down and scooped out as is common on 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 33 
 
 the shores of all rivers, giving exit to immense 
 quantities of ice ; on the other hand, they ap- 
 pear to have been separated from each other at 
 a period comparatively recent, and the gorge 
 through which the stream now passes, appears 
 like a deep fissure, opened by some sudden 
 movement in the earth. But we defer enter- 
 ing widely upon the interesting facts connected 
 with this noble river, until it has been explored 
 through its whole extent. 
 
 The city suffered much by fires in January 
 1837 ; the second in August 1839 ; and the 
 third in March 1841. That on 14th January 
 1837, took place on Saturday night. The fire 
 commenced on Peter’s Wharf, about nine o’clock 
 in the evening, by which, at least, one-third of 
 the commercial part of the city became a heap of 
 smouldering ashes. The total amount of loss 
 sustained was estimated at £250,000 ; the com- 
 pass of the fire, embracing two sides of Prince 
 William Street, a front in Market Square, the 
 east and west sides of St John or Water Street, 
 the South Market Wharf, east and west sides 
 of Ward Street, north and south sides of Peter’s 
 Wharf, Johnson’s Wharf, Church Street, and 
 Prince’s Street. The number of buildings 
 publicly noticed to have been destroyed was 
 108, tenanted by 170 different interests; be- 
 

 Z) 
 
 34 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 sides an extensive range of wooden stores, oc- 
 cupied as ware-rooms for heavy goods. The 
 reflection of the fire was seen at and above 
 Fredericton, a distance of ninety miles. The 
 falling of burning paper, and other materials, 
 in flames, were noticed nine miles from the 
 city, and so alarming was the scene from this 
 circumstance, that at one time fears were se- 
 riously entertained that the greater part of the 
 city would be destroyed. The second fire was 
 on Saturday evening, about nine o’clock, Au- 
 gust 1839, (the same day and hour of the week 
 as the great fire in 1837.) The conflagration 
 continued extending with unabated fury till 
 nearly day-light, on Sunday morning, sweeping 
 away in its course every building in Nelson and 
 Dock Streets, &c. It is not at present known 
 the full amount of loss from this awful conflag- 
 ration. A far greater number of inhabited 
 houses have been destroyed than by the great 
 fire of 1837 ; and as they were mostly occupied 
 by several families, it is calculated that nearly 
 3000 persons have been rendered houseless, — 
 nearly all of them being of the working classes. 
 The total amount of property destroyed, includ- 
 ing buildings, merchandise, and household ef- 
 fects, it is thought cannot fall far short of 
 £200,000, but the sum at this time can only be 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 35 
 
 conjectured. The burnt district of 1837, being 
 situated to the southward of the Market- Slip, 
 the fire did not extend to that portion of the 
 city. 
 
 The third distressing fire broke out about one 
 o’clock on Wednesday morning, 17th March 
 1840. The alarm bell aroused the citizens 
 from their mid-night slumbers, and the lurid 
 flame which was at the hour discernible, di- 
 rected them to the fatal spot. Nearly all the 
 buildings destroyed were insured, as were also 
 some of the merchants’ stock. Mr James Mal- 
 colm was insured to the amount of £2000. 
 The different engine and fire companies of the 
 city, assisted by the engines from Portland and 
 Carlton, exerted themselves with praise-worthy 
 alacrity. To record the loss of life accompany- 
 ing this sad calamity, is the most painful part to 
 relate. Mr Matthew Holdsworth went to ex- 
 amine the scuttle on the roof, and unfortu- 
 nately stepped into the hatchway, and fell to 
 the ground-floor, a distance of thirty feet he 
 left a wife and two children. The painful cir- 
 cumstances attending this conflagration, have 
 cast a gloom over the community which has 
 been rarely, if ever witnessed. Had it not been 
 for the pipes and fire-plugs of the St John 
 Water Company, this fire, disastrous as it has 
 
36 
 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 been, would have extended yet farther, and laid 
 a large and valuable business portion of the 
 city once more in ruins. And the proprietors 
 of that Company, who have year after year, 
 struggled on against difficulties of no ordinary 
 character, deserve the highest praise the city 
 can bestow upon them. In defiance of the nu- 
 merous obstacles which have almost wilfully 
 been placed in their path, they have succeeded 
 in furnishing the city with an abundant supply 
 of water, but for which, at this time, the greater 
 part of the inhabitants of St John would have 
 had to mourn over further loss of life, and the 
 prostration of the commerce and prosperity of 
 the city for a very long time. How impres- 
 sively should it rivet on the attention of all, the 
 important admonition, — “ Be ye also ready, for 
 in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of 
 Man cometh.” By how uncertain a tenor do 
 we hold life, property, and every earthly good! 
 
 nd yet, like every similar occurrence, it is to 
 be feared that it will attract attention and ob- 
 servation for a little while, and then will be 
 forgotten. 
 
 St rTn l “ “ !, ns connected wit! 
 fonted “n't 8 »ot is repre- 
 
 ted “ S C0Un ' !,1, • 14 * the great ship- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 37 
 
 building quarter of St John, and contains seve- 
 ral foundries and manufactories. It presents, 
 at all times, a scene of commercial bustle and 
 mechanical labour. In Portland there are three 
 places of worship. It contains 445 inhabited 
 houses, and 1139 families, — total inhabitants, 
 6207. F rom Portland, a suspension bridge was 
 proposed to connect its heights with the Carl- 
 ton shore, and a company, with a capital of 
 £20,000, was formed for the purpose. A lofty 
 wooden erection was placed at either end from 
 which to suspend the chain bridge. From a 
 defect in the manufactory, the latter after be- 
 ing some days in position, and crossed by seve- 
 ral foot passengers, fell early one morning, with 
 a number of workmen who were completing the 
 fastenings. Nothing now remains but the lofty 
 wooden bridges alluded to. The company, after 
 sinking £5000, and the capital above men- 
 tioned, abandoned all intention of proceeding 
 any further in the work. The total length of 
 the bridge was to have been 1400 feet, of which 
 the chain part was to constitute 450. 
 
 Carlton is a village opposite the city of St 
 John. The locality of the town is much in its 
 favour. The grounds of Carlton are highly ro- 
 mantic ; to take a walk up the hill leading to 
 
37 
 
 38 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the Fort, would amply repay the traveller for 
 liis trouble, by the handsome prospect which 
 will open to his view on all sides. Close by 
 the F ort, the ground is quite commanding ; you 
 have a full view of the harbour, and as far out 
 into the Bay as the eye can reach. To the 
 east, the city presents itself, with its houses, 
 appearing like so many blocks of wood piled 
 one on top of another in strange disorder ; to 
 the left, Portland, with its numerous ship-yards, 
 appear ; also the ruins of that luckless piece of 
 enterprise — “ the bridge,” which seem to be 
 left standing by its projectors in token of the 
 discomfiture and chagrin which covered them 
 when it fell. Indeed, Carlton is a pleasant 
 place ; notwithstanding the barrenness of its 
 soil, it is favoured by Providence, in more ways 
 than one, and the day is not far distant wdicn 
 Carlton will be to St John, w T hat Brooklyn now 
 is to New- York. 
 
 The principal business done, is in the ship, 
 deal, and timber yards, while a number of 
 new houses is being erected, which keeps car- 
 penters busily employed. The fisheries, too, 
 are a lucrative source of profit to the place, 
 and brick-making is carried on rather exten- 
 sively ; besides, there are several saw and 
 grist-mills running constantly. There is an 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 39 
 
 Episcopal Church, and a Dissenting Meeting- 
 house. There is a small steam-boat which plies 
 between the city and this place, every quarter 
 of an hour, remaining five minutes on either 
 side. The arrangements with reference to this 
 boat, are equal to any I have met with in the 
 British Provinces. The docks on both sides of 
 the river are commodious and safe. Persons 
 desirous of taking the St. Andrew coach, would 
 do well to cross over to Carlton on the preced- 
 ing evening, and then gain the coach on the fol- 
 lowing morning. A short distance from the 
 shore, and nigh to Carlton, a beautiful marble 
 has been discovered. The rock is highly 
 crystalized ; the marble is of a light pink co- 
 lour, clouded and shaded with veins of light 
 green chloxite and serpentine, resembling very 
 nearly, the “ verde antico ” of the Italians. 
 At the surface, the rocks have been fractured 
 by the frost ; blocks of large size may be pro- 
 cured by opening the quarry to the depth of a 
 few feet. There is in Carlton 153 inhabited 
 houses, occupied by 260 families. Acres of 
 cleared land, ninety. It is forty-five miles from 
 St George, sixty-five from St Andrews, and 
 about eighty-six from St Stephens, which is on 
 the lines. 
 
C7 
 
 40 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Lancaster is the next place the traveller 
 passes through to St Andrews. A large hill on 
 the east side of the Musquash, and about a mile 
 from the village of Ivanhoe, is composed of 
 conglomerate, which has been intensely heated 
 by its proximity to an overlaying mass of trap- 
 lime. Stone appears on the opposite side of 
 the river. A tract of land was purchased by 
 some Americans for the purpose of quarrying 
 marble from it. Like many other speculations 
 of the kind, it proceeded no farther ; notwith- 
 standing good marble might be procured at the 
 spot. The village of Ivanhoe belongs to the 
 Lancaster Mill Company, who have here a very 
 superior and powerful set of mills for the ma- 
 nufacture of all kinds of lumber, and an incal- 
 culable amount of unemployed water-power. 
 The mills are 200 feet in length, by sixty in 
 breadth. The Company own a tract of land, 
 containing upwards of 50,000 acres in connexion 
 with these mills, and from which they procure 
 supplies of excellent timber. In the parish of 
 Lancaster, there is a neat church, but very sel- 
 dom is divine worship performed therein. There 
 are 219 inhabited houses, 252 families, and 4446 
 acres of cleared land. From this place to St 
 George, there is little worth noticing, as it is 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 41 
 
 nothing more than a dense wood, the whole dis- 
 tance of thirty miles, except about a dozen 
 houses on the road side, occupied by individuals 
 from Ireland. 
 
42 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 S* George's, its Falls, Mills — Mascreen, Le Tang, Le Tete, 
 Settlements, Churches, Inhabited Houses, Families, Per- 
 sons, and Acres of Cleared Land — Pennfield, Inhabited 
 Houses, Families, and Acres of Cleared Land — Winter 
 Campaigns of the Lumber Men, &c St Patrick’s, its Si- 
 
 tuation, Inhabited Houses, Families, and Acres of Cleared 
 Land— St Andrew’s, its Locality, Soil, Churches, Inhabit- 
 ed Houses, Families, Acres of Cleared Land— St David’s, 
 St James’, St Stephen’s with their Situation, Inhabitants, 
 Families, Acres of Cleared Land, &c. — the Islands in the 
 Passamaquoddy Bay, their Length, Breadth, Fisheries, 
 Timber, Soil, Inhabitants, Acres of Cleared Land, &c. 
 
 St George, or, as it is called by many, Maga- 
 gu ad a vie, is situated to the eastward of St 
 Andrew’s, with St Patrick’s interposed. Its 
 two principal settlements are placed, the one at 
 the Upper, and the other at the Lower Falls 
 of the Magaguadavic, a fine stream flowing 
 through the county and parish, which issues 
 from a series of fine large lakes of the same 
 name, about twenty miles from the sea. The 
 upper and smaller settlement is seven miles dis- 
 tant from the lower, which again is situated 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 43 
 
 at the head of the tide, four miles above the 
 junction of the river Maser een. 
 
 Few places in the Province afford a more 
 singular and beautiful spectacle than the Maga- 
 guadavic Falls. The river, after descending 
 from the mountains northward, passes through 
 a level and wide plain of intervale, and when it 
 reaches the village, is about 100 feet above the 
 bed of the river below ; and the main Fail of 
 the water descends by five successive steps, in 
 the distance of 500 yards, through a chasm 
 averaging about 35 feet wide, and 100 feet 
 deep. Through this narrow gorge, the whole 
 contents of the river is poured out with a fury 
 that defies description. The industry and in- 
 genuity of man have considerably modified the 
 appearance of this remarkable spot. It still, 
 however, remains a most extraordinary hydrau- 
 lic spectacle, and affords a power for turning 
 machinery beyond computation. Having swept 
 slowly along the valley above, the water is ac- 
 cumulated at the bridge over the top of the 
 Falls, it is then thrown by its own weight into 
 the deep and narrow opening below, where, 
 spouting from cliff to cliff, and twisting its 
 foaming column to correspond with the rude 
 windings of the passage, it falls in a torrent of 
 froth into the tide below, or passing beneath 
 
■ 
 
 44 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 tlie mills, its fury seems abated as it mingles 
 with the dense spray floating above. There are 
 six saw-mills huddled together at this spot, and 
 they appear like eagles’ nests clinging to the 
 rocks on each side. A considerable sum of 
 money has been expended in their erection, and 
 they are now in full operation. The deep cavi- 
 ties in the rocks are overhung with the alder 
 and creeping evergreens, which seem to be 
 placed there for the purpose of decorating one 
 of Nature’s wild performances. The low roofs 
 of the mills are strongly contrasted with the 
 massive rocks they occupy, and where they hold 
 a precarious situation. The shelving piles of 
 deals seem to mock the violence of the boiling 
 pool beneath. Such is the power of habit — the 
 sawyer, careless of danger, crosses the plank 
 across the gorge, and ventures where his life 
 depends upon an inch of space. Of this I have 
 frequently been an eye-witness, (my house be- 
 ing near the Falls.) These Falls, if the sce- 
 nery in its neighbourhood possessed no other 
 charm, would amply repay the admirer of na- 
 ture for any expence or inconvenience he might 
 incur in visiting them, and in England, this vil- 
 lage would be a place of annual and crowded 
 resort. There are three places of Divine wor- 
 ship at the village, one at the Upper Falls, and 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 45 
 
 one in the Maser een settlement. The parish 
 contains, including the Le Tang, Le Tete, and 
 Mascreen settlements, 363 inhabited houses ; 
 380 families, and persons, 2422 ; and acres of 
 cleared land, 4097. 
 
 About three miles up the river, there is a 
 settlement, chiefly agricultural, named Mas- 
 creen, and consisting principally of Scottish 
 Highlanders from Perth, Sutherland, and Caitli- 
 ness-shires, and their ramifications. It is si- 
 tuated at, and near the mouth of the river, 
 stretching for several miles along the south side 
 of the Bay, and terminating one of its inlets, 
 called Le Tete Passage. In this settlement, 
 there has been a neat church erected ; in June 
 1839, it remained in a very unfinished state, 
 only being rough boarded. At this time, the 
 inhabitants were unexpectedly visited by the 
 Rev. Christopher W. Atkinson, Missionary 
 from King’s County, twenty-seven miles from 
 the city of St John. Inasmuch as this people 
 had not been favoured with more than six ser- 
 mons during the last year, they gladly engaged 
 Mr A. for one year, at the end of which period, 
 the whole of the people unanimously came for- 
 ward, and not only chose, but appointed Mr C. 
 Atkinson to be their pastor, with a promise of 
 
 c 
 
46 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 £100, per annum. The engagement with Mr 
 A. is as follows : — 
 
 We, the undersigned General Committee of the Presby- 
 terian Church in this place, being destitute of a regular 
 minister, have, in consideration of the Rev. Christopher At- 
 kinson, giving (during the three years he has been in this 
 Province, and more particularly the last year in which ha 
 has officiated as our minister,) the undeniable proofs of his 
 sincerity, zeal, and ability, in the work of the ministry, 
 chosen and appointed the said Mr Atkinson to be the pastor 
 of the above church, with the entire approbation of the con- 
 gregation, and that Mr A. is henceforth to receive for his 
 ministerial labours in this parish, the sum of £100, per annum; 
 and we trust he will continue to have the respect and love 
 of his people, which he has already obtained, and that his 
 valuable labours may more than ever be appreciated by 
 those who may henceforth have the pleasure of sitting under 
 his ministry. 
 
 Signed, June, a. d. 1840, and the third of the reign of 
 Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria. 
 
 George Mackenzie, Esq. 
 
 Peter M‘Diarmid, Esq. 
 
 Hugh M‘Leod, Senr. 
 
 Donald McKenzie. 
 
 Archibald M‘ Vicars. 
 
 George M‘ Vicars. 
 
 Thomas Lailand. 
 
 Maser een, St George, N. B. 
 
 The above appeared in the “ St John Cou- 
 rier and Christian Reporter,” in June. a.d. 
 1840. 
 
 After Mr A. was appointed to this church, 
 
O 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 49 
 
 he used every means to have it completed. In 
 May and October 1840, he collected upwards 
 of £20 in the city of St John, and £35 in 
 Halifax, Nova Scotia, both of which sums have 
 been paid into the hands of the Committee al- 
 ready mentioned, and which also appeared in 
 St John papers to that effect. The church 
 still remains in an unfinished state. 
 
 On Mr Atkinson leaving his pastoral charge 
 in 1841, he received the following from the 
 elders and managers of his church, and which 
 appeared in the city papers, before Mr A. left 
 the Province : — 
 
 To all whom this doth or may concern, W e, the under- 
 signed General Committee of the Presbyterian Church in 
 this place, (Mascreen) do hereby declare, that the Rev. 
 Christopher Atkinson, A. M., has been our pastor since the 
 16th of June 1839, during which period he has supported an 
 unblemished character, and has conducted himself in every 
 respect becoming a faithful and indefatigable minister of the 
 gospel ; and the only reason for Mr Atkinson leaviug us, is, 
 because there are so few in this part to support the minis- 
 try ; and we humbly pray, that Divine Providence will di- 
 rect him to that sphere of labour in which he will be recom- 
 pensed for his valuable labours. 
 
 Signed by the General Committee, in behalf of the Con- 
 gregation, &c. 
 
 Peter M £ Diarmid, Esq. 
 
 Hugh M £ Leod, Senr. 
 
 Archd. M £ Vicars. 
 
 Geo. M £ Vicars. 
 
 Thos. Lailand. 
 
 Mascreen , St George , N. B. } 
 
 2 6th April 1841. J 
 
f 
 
 50 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 From my knowledge of the Rev. Mr Atkinson, I have 
 reason to believe the foregoing statement to be correct. 
 
 Samuel Thomson, A.M. 
 
 Rector of St George. 
 
 In connexion with this place, is a small settle- 
 ment called Le Tang, which is inhabited by a 
 few Scots families, who left their country about 
 twenty years back, (viz. Argyleshire.) Le Tete, 
 with the above settlements, are in the parish of 
 St George. 
 
 Pennfield is the next parish I shall notice. 
 This place is situated to the eastward of St 
 George, and obtained its name from a number 
 of families who emigrated from the United 
 States, and who belonged to the Society of 
 Friends. Its soil is excellent, and its coast is 
 indented by Le Tang and Beaver Harbours At 
 this place I preached every other Sabbath for a 
 considerable time, it being only six miles from 
 St George. During my visits to this parish, I 
 was kindly entertained by Joseph Knight, Esq. 
 J.P., who always took great care that not only 
 myself, but my horse should not want. There 
 is m this parish 168 inhabited houses, and 170 
 families, with 2235 acres of cleared land. The 
 male population of St George, St Stephen’s, 
 St James’, St David’s, St Patrick’s, and Penn- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 51 
 
 field, go in the winter into the woods for the 
 purpose of lumbering, without which many 
 would not be able to raise their numerous fa- 
 milies. The plan of these winter campaigns is 
 as follows : — An enterprising farmer enters in- 
 to an engagement with a timber merchant, 
 whereby the person with whom the farmer 
 makes his engagement, furnishes him and his 
 gang or gangs, of twelve or more men each, 
 with provisions and other necessaries, taking 
 for the same the timber and saw logs of the 
 farmer, and in spring pays him the balance due 
 for whatever quantity of timber he has furnish- 
 ed bim with. During their stay in the forest 
 of spruce and pine, the men raise for them- 
 selves small huts with boughs and trunks of 
 trees, and cover them with spruce bark, one for 
 the oxen, one for sleeping in, and a third for 
 cooking. The two latter are divided by a stout 
 plank bench running length ways from end to 
 end ; they overspread the whole nearly two 
 feet thick, with pliant and ever-green twigs of 
 the hemlock, and by a very large fire, defy the 
 uttermost efforts of the sternest North Ameri- 
 can winter, and the wild beasts . which, by 
 chance, may surround them. Having erected 
 their domicile, the sound of the axe daily 
 reverberates through the dense wood. How 
 
O' 
 
 52 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 bow the sturdy maple, spruce, &c. beneath the 
 stroke ! 
 
 The oxen haul the timber as soon as it is cut 
 down, on the slippery surface of the beaten 
 snow, to the nearest brook, one of the feeders 
 of the nearest river, where it is yarded on the 
 ice until the grand break-up of the ice, which is 
 about the beginning of April, in which month— 
 
 “ Tlle winter 's nearly gone— tlie earth has lost 
 Her snow-white robes, and now no more her frost, 
 Candles the grass, or casts an icy cream 
 Upon the silver lake, or crystal stream.” 
 
 ™ ^ en ^ ie vast body of snow that overspreads 
 the country, swells the various streams into 
 impetuous torrents, carrying the ponderous pro- 
 duce of these romantic winter expeditions down 
 into the main rivers, I have seen rafts, in pro- 
 ceeding from Fredericton, &c. of from 12,000 
 to 18,000 tons of timber ; and I have known 
 the Maguagadavie (at which village I resided 
 two years) covered with a floating bridge which 
 reached a considerable distance, and which was 
 bending its course to the mouth of the Mas- 
 creen river, at which place there were several 
 ships to receive it. 
 
 St. Patrick’s.— The first settlers of this 
 place were soldiers from some Scottish High- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 53 
 
 land Regiments, disbanded after the close of 
 the American revolutionary war. It is more 
 rocky and hilly than the other parishes, but the 
 soil in most places is good, and in the upper 
 part of the parish inferior to none in the coun- 
 try. It is intersected by the Digdcguash and 
 Moannexo streams. There arc 294 inhabited 
 houses, and 303 families, with 5206 acres of 
 cleared land. There is a Presbyterian and 
 W esleyan-Methodist Church in the parish. 
 
 The local situation of St. Andrew’s, as a 
 frontier town, bordering on the United States, 
 renders its population of a more fluctuating cha- 
 racter. The data from which calculations alone 
 can be made on this point being thus vacillat- 
 ing, the estimates themselves, from one pe- 
 riod to another, must, in a corresponding de- 
 gree, partake of the uncertainty. It is calcu- 
 lated the population of the town has decreased 
 at least one-fourth since 1830, from a combina- 
 tion of causes, and one circumstance which has 
 of late years operated as a check to the prospe- 
 rity of the town, and led to the dispersion of 
 many families, is the number of rivers in its 
 neighbourhood, viewed in connexion with a 
 change of system which has taken place in the 
 shipment of their produce. On these rivers, 
 
54 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 an extensive trade in the staple commodity of 
 the colony is pursued. Numerous saw-mills 
 have been erected on them, and many hundred 
 thousands of tons of timber are every year 
 floated down them. This produce is eventually 
 carried to the West Indies, in the shape of 
 boards and shingles, and to several parts of 
 England, Ireland, and Scotland. It will be ob- 
 vious, that the whole of this trade would centre 
 in St Andrew’s, were its position like that of St 
 John, at the embouchurre of a large river, and 
 the only large one in the whole country empty- 
 ing itself into the sea. Instead of this, St An- 
 drew’s is placed on a bay about twenty miles 
 long, and nearly half as much broad, and into this 
 spacious bay three rivers, St Croix or Scoodiac, 
 at one end, the Maguagadavic, at the other, and 
 the Digdeguash in the middle, besides smaller 
 streams, disembogue their waters. The coun- 
 try portion of St Andrew’s parish is in the 
 course of gradual, but accelerating occupation, 
 by industrious emigrants and their offspring. 
 
 The soil in the neighbourhood of St An- 
 drew s is very fertile. Wherever it has been 
 derived from, the decomposition of sand-stone, 
 the beds of clay and gravel, are less productive, 
 and would be much improved by the application 
 of marl or lime. 
 
ACCOUNT OE NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 55 
 
 Inhabited houses, 509 ; families, 617 ; acres 
 of cleared land, 5309. There is one Episcopal 
 Church, one Presbyterian, and one Wesleyan 
 Church ; each have a minister ; as well as a 
 Roman Catholic Chapel. 
 
 St David’s is the next parish, which is an 
 excellent farming district, and contains 171 in- 
 habited houses, 175 families, and 4886 acres of 
 cleared land. 
 
 St James’ is the next parish. This is alto- 
 gether an inland parish, and the only one in the 
 county that is not nigh the salt water, touch- 
 ing St Stephen’s on one side, and St David’s 
 on the other. It stretches northward into the 
 interior, until it joins the county of York. I 
 rode through this as well as those annexed to 
 it in June 1839. Inhabited houses in this pa- 
 rish, 179 ; families, 181 ; and 4499 acres of 
 cleared land. 
 
 St Stephen’s is the next place that is wor- 
 thy of our notice. It lies by the road twenty- 
 five miles from St Andrew’s, and is a very 
 thriving parish. It touches on the St Croix on 
 its left bank, at the head of the ship navigation, 
 and being on its western boarder skirted by the 
 
56 
 
 O' 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 same bounding river; this parish combines 
 within itself, the pursuits of agriculture, lum- 
 bering, and commerce. St Stephen’s possesses 
 a mineral spring of no ordinary medical powers. 
 It is near the church ; a small stream issues 
 from the earth, and contributes to the supplj of 
 a brook, crossing the street. The water is 
 very clear— has a weak fetid smell, and un- 
 pleasant taste when first taken into the mouth. 
 The following analysis was repeated three times 
 with nearly the same results — yet it may not 
 be correct : — 
 
 Sulphurated hydrogen, . . 4. 5 cub. in. 
 
 Sulphate of Soda, ... 5. 4 grains. 
 
 Lime > 2. 5 
 
 Muriate of Soda, ... 6. 0 
 
 Oxide of Iron, .... 0. 4 
 
 The sulphurated hydrogen reddens the infusion 
 of bitmus, and precipitates the nitrate of silver 
 black. The sulphate of lime was detected by 
 evaporating a pint of the water down to four 
 ounce, a precipitate of the sulphate of lime 
 formed, which was soluble in 400 parts of 
 water ; and the solution afforded a precipitate 
 with oxalic acid, carbonate magnesia and alco- 
 hol. The aperient effects of this spring are 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 57 
 
 very clear, and they evidently arise from the 
 sulphate, and muriate of soda contained in 
 ater. 
 
 From the above, it therefore appears that it 
 is not inferior in its medicinal powers to many 
 of those in England and France, — admitting 
 that the good effects of watering-places are in 
 part produced by a change of air, amusement, 
 and scenery. St. Stephen’s is pleasantly si- 
 tuated, with a fine surrounding country. There 
 is also another mineral spring at Oak-Bay, its 
 properties appear to be similar to the above. 
 Mill town, about three miles towards the United 
 States, is in the same parish. In the former 
 place there is an Episcopal, and a Wesleyan 
 Church, at Mill-Town, so called on account of 
 the srreat number of saw-mills. There is a W cs- 
 leyan and Catholic Church at each place. There 
 is a toll-bridge which takes over to the State of 
 Maine. St Stephen’s is opposite to Calais, in 
 the above-mentioned State. Inhabited houses, 
 495 ; families, 579 ; acres of cleared land, 4225. 
 
 Campo-Bello, although an island in the 
 Passamaij[uoddy-Bay, is in this county (Char- 
 lotte.) It is two miles long, and about two in 
 breadth. Its longest diameter is from north to 
 south, and whether considered on account of 
 
u 
 
 58 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 its fine harbours, fisheries, or timber, is ex- 
 tremely valuable. 
 
 The whole of the eastern shore is bold and 
 lofty ; frightful, needle-shaped cliffs, and shelv- 
 ing masses of slate descend into the sea so per- 
 pendicularly, that, in foggy weather, vessels 
 might be thrown by the waves against the cliffs, 
 before any danger could be apprehended. In- 
 stead of the overhanging precipice, the west 
 side of Campo-Bello has a gentle slop towards 
 the shore, where the inhabitants have made 
 considerable progress in agriculture. Inhabit- 
 ed houses, 111 ; families, 132; acres of cleared 
 land, 1000. 
 
 Friar’s-Head is a considerable cliff, on the 
 south side of the harbour, at Welshpool. West 
 Quaddy light, on the American shore, stands 
 on a low cliff. Between Quaddy and this is- 
 land, the tides run with great rapidity ; and as 
 the channel, at low tide, has no more than two 
 feet of water, and contains a number of dange- 
 rous rocks, the navigation is almost impracti- 
 cable, except at high-water. This island is in 
 part owned by Captain Owen, R.N., who re- 
 sides at Welshpool. It contains 111 inhabited 
 houses, 132 families, and there is 1000 acres of 
 cleared land. It is about sixteen miles from 
 St Andrew’s, and eight miles from Dear Is- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 59 
 
 land. This island is stretched across the Bay 
 of St Andrew’s, in a north-east and south-west 
 direction. The Scoodic empties between the 
 south-west part of the island, and the Ameri- 
 can shore, while the waters of the Digdeguasli 
 and Magaguadavic are discharged into the sea, 
 through two openings between its north-east 
 point, and the mainland of New-Brunswick. 
 The largest of these passages is called “ Big 
 Le Tete,” and the lesser “ Little Le Tete,” 
 The island obstructs the ready exit of the wa- 
 ters from the rivers, and the tide rushes through 
 these passages with great rapidity, occasioning 
 eddies which frequently perplex the best pilots. 
 It is about twelve miles long, and upwards of 
 three broad. I preached two sermons on the 
 island, 24th April 1840. The south side of 
 the island presents a chain of low hills, com- 
 posed of trap-rock and broken slate. These 
 hills are scattered over an inclined-plane, ex- 
 tending to the shore, which is singularly indent- 
 ed. and occasionally occupied by beds of sand 
 and gravel. Sometimes projecting masses of 
 rock extend into the sea, affording fine harbours 
 for boats and other small craft. This side of 
 the island is also sheltered by a great number 
 of small islands, scattered along the shore. 
 Many of the hills are naked, others, and the 
 
J 
 
 60 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 valleys, are covered with a light growth of 
 birch and spruce. Many are the inducements 
 offered for the inhabitants to cultivate the soil, 
 and a number of fine farms have been cleared, 
 but as fishing is considered to be the most pro- 
 fitable employment, they have been much ne- 
 glected. 
 
 The next is Indian Island, about seven miles 
 frjm the latter. It was with great difficulty 
 that I could reach this place. The sea runs 
 very heavy between here and the Wolves — six 
 islands so called, which are of considerable mag- 
 nitude, and are well known to the mariner for 
 having been the scene of many shipwrecks. 
 They are situated very unfavourably for the 
 navigation of the coast. Indian Island is about 
 a mile or so long, and three quarters of a mile 
 broad. I landed on the south side, about two 
 o’clock on Saturday, the 25th April 1840. At 
 the request of the inhabitants, I preached at 
 three o’clock and seven. This island is includ- 
 ed with that of Deer-Island, and several other 
 small islands. Indian Island is about one mile 
 from Moose-Island, on the American side, on 
 which there is a beautiful town called Eastport, 
 in which I have several times preached, and re- 
 ceived great kindness from the people. This 
 island is about six miles broad, and is in the 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 61 
 
 county of Washington, and the state of Maine. 
 It is impossible to conceive a more interesting 
 sight than is presented in this Bay during the 
 summer season. It is similar to the scene pre- 
 sented on the northern coast of Scotland, in the 
 months of July and August, which I had the 
 pleasure of viewing in 1826, between Stronsay 
 and Itonaldshay Island. Boats and vessels be- 
 calmed and carried away by the tide, are at 
 one instant hidden by the blackened rock, or 
 the green foliage of some small island. At an- 
 other, they glide from behind the curtain, and 
 appear struggling with the overwhelming cur- 
 rent. Frequently several hundreds of boats, 
 huddled together, and practising a deadly de- 
 ception on the haddock and cod, from a signal 
 given by the tide, draw up their anchors, and 
 hasten to the shore. The silence of evening is 
 broken by the sound of the Indian’s gun, le- 
 velled with fatal aim at the rising porpoise. 
 The hollow sound of the “ loon’s” note is dis- 
 cordant with the scream of the gull. Here the 
 glassy surface of the water is broken by a shoal 
 of herring ; yonder the spouting grampus is 
 blowing up the spray in preparation for an- 
 other dive. Perched on the rock, and armed 
 with a pin-hook, baited with a shrimp, the 
 fisherman’s boy can fill a large bag with lier- 
 
 J> 
 
rj 
 
 62 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 rings, sooner than a dozen of scientific anglers 
 could replenish it with trout during a whoie 
 season. The sea is alive with fish — its surface 
 with human beings, and the air with feathered 
 tribes. 
 
 The next island worthy of notice is Grand 
 Manan, which is a large and beautiful island, 
 situated about twelve miles south from Campo- 
 Bello and West Quaddy-Head, and sixteen 
 miles from the American shore. It is twenty- 
 four miles long, and about five miles in breadth, 
 its longest diameter being from north-east to 
 south-west. The north-west side of the island 
 lies nearly upon a straight line, notwithstand- 
 ing several high headlands that advance into 
 the sea. It is inhabited on this side, which 
 presents a level front of overhanging cliffs and 
 lofty mural precipices of majestic grandeur and 
 beauty. Between the mainland and the island, 
 there is a very powerful current, both on the 
 flood and ebb tide. When the wind is opposed 
 to the currents, a heavy sea is soon produced, 
 which, by its violence, is constantly undermin- 
 ing the rocks, and hastening their downfall. 
 Deep caverns are worn out of the solid base of 
 the lofty wall, which tumbles headlong into the 
 sea beneath. The northern side of the island 
 will average from three to four hundred feet 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 63 
 
 in height. Its lofty mural cliffs stand like rude 
 imitations of masonry, and rival in grandeur 
 those of the celebrated Cape Blomidon, in Nova 
 Scotia ; the rock, at many places is perfectly 
 basaltic, and appears like large pieces of timber 
 placed upright, side by side, with a perfection 
 and beauty equal to the basaltic columns of 
 Staffa. These are met by enormous blocks of 
 rliomboidal and amoxphous traps, which, from 
 their architectural arrangement, appear to have 
 been laid by the skill and ingenuity of man. 
 
 Along the south side of the main island, are 
 a number of smaller islands ; some of them are 
 connected with each other by reafs of rocks, and 
 bars of sand, which are covered by the sea at 
 high water. The smaller islands afford shelter 
 for vessels at all times. A number of ledges 
 appear only at low water— others are always 
 covered by the sea ; to avoid them, the great- 
 est care and experience are necessary on the 
 part of the pilot. 
 
 On the south-western side of the Grand Ma- 
 nan, appears to be the remains of submarine 
 volcanoes. Between these rocks, and those 
 forming the south side of the Bay of Fundy, on 
 the coast of Nova Scotia, there is a great simi- 
 larity, and it is well know by pilots, that a 
 long reef of rocks extend across this part of 
 
u 
 
 64 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the Bay to Brier Island, a distance of fifty 
 miles. Fortunately, the reef is placed so deep 
 beneath the sea, that ships may pass over it in 
 safety, although it alarms the stranger by break- 
 ing of the water over its submarine precipices, 
 and “ dark unfathomed caves.” But what is 
 most remarkable in connexion with this island, 
 (Grand Manan) is the fact, that the whole 
 south side of the main, and all the small islands 
 in that direction, have, within a recent period, 
 been submersed to the depth of eighteen feet. 
 At the time this submersion took place, the is- 
 land w’as not inhabited ; but there are several 
 persons who can remember the tradition, that 
 there once existed between the Main, the three 
 Duck-Nantucket, and other islands, a kind of 
 marsh, which occupied several thousand acres, 
 and was only covered by the sea at high tides. 
 This kind of marsh had also been seen at Grand 
 Harbour, the thoroughfare, and other places 
 along the shore. It produced a peculiar kind 
 of grass, which was used for fodder. All these 
 marshes have now disappeared, and it is only 
 at a few places where any parts of them can 
 be found, and wherever any remnant still re- 
 mains, it is situated eighteen feet below the 
 mark of the highest tide, and is covered during 
 every influx of the sea ; not only this marsh, but 
 
account of new-brunswick. 
 
 65 
 
 large bogs of peat have been buried beneath the 
 ocean, until its waves, and the rapid motion of 
 the tides, have almost removed them, and left 
 their beds to be overthrown twice in every 
 twenty-four hours. 
 
 The stumps of a great number of trees— the 
 cedar, the hemlock, and pine — still remain 
 firmly secured in the sunken earth by their 
 roots, and the very spots where they flourish- 
 ed, is now covered by succeeding tides. It was 
 by this submersion, that the small islands be- 
 came isolated from the Main, for the marshes 
 and peat-bogs formerly uniting them, were soon 
 removed when they became exposed to the vio- 
 lence of the sea and its currents. It is certain, 
 and the fact is confirmed by twenty-eight years 
 of careful observation, that the tides in the Bay 
 of Fundy, are slowly, but gradually rising every 
 season. This circumstance does not, however, 
 by any means account for the change of level 
 in the south side of the island, where vessels 
 now anchor at places formerly dry at low-water, 
 and where their tackle is often entangled among 
 roots and stumps of trees that formerly stood 
 above the level of the ocean. 
 
 There have been also instances, within the 
 present era, of whole continents being elevated 
 by subterranean causes, while the coral insect 
 
J 
 
 historical and statistical 
 
 of the Pacific Ocean is raising his mound be- 
 neath the sea to become at last the residence of 
 man - — while the Ganges is sweeping up the 
 sand, and building islands, — the volcanoes of 
 Iceland are lifting the lava above the water, and 
 the “ earth’s safety valves” are performing the 
 double office of venting internal heat, and erect- 
 ing continents. However remote may be the 
 time when the islands in the Passamaquoddy 
 Bay were raised up, there can be no doubt that 
 they owe their existence to causes to be ex- 
 plained, by referring to operations still in con- 
 tinuance upon the earth, and a violence that 
 once shook the strata to their lowest founda- 
 tions. 
 
 The largest of these small islands are inha- 
 bited ; and although the soil is scanty, fine crops 
 of grain and potatoes are generally produced. 
 It is from the excellent fisheries the inhabitants 
 derive their chief support, and, therefore, a soil 
 capable of successful cultivation is neglected. 
 The season is short, and the frosts appear early 
 in the autumn ; but vegetation is rapid, and 
 fine fields of ripe wheat may be seen in the 
 month of August. Inhabited houses in Grand 
 Manan, are 154 ; families 170 ; cleared land, 
 2671 acres. 
 
 A small sailing vessel visits the island from 
 
account of new-brunswick. 
 
 67 
 
 St Andrew’s twice a-week. In the fishing sea- 
 son, a great number of American vessels at- 
 tend at this time. In fine weather, the surface 
 of the water around the land is covered with 
 these craft, and a more singular and lively scene 
 can scarcely he presented than the panorama of 
 Northern Head. This fishery is of great value 
 to New-Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 
 
 Nearly all the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay, 
 and along the coast, present to the north, steep 
 or perpendicular cliffs, while, on the south sides, 
 they descend by a gradual slope down to the 
 sea. 
 
 This circumstance has arisen from the col- 
 lection of diluvial debris formed in the ed- 
 dies made by these prominences, and is exactly 
 similar to those occurring daily in rivers, upon 
 a much smaller scale. A dreadful fire broke 
 out in August 1839, by which the Episcopal 
 Church was entirely consumed. There are 154 
 inhabited houses ; 170 families, and 2671 acres 
 of cleared land. 
 
 The road from St Andrew’s to Fredericton 
 is through the Brockway s, Harveys, and Hana- 
 velle settlements. The first of these is in York 
 County. From the Digdognash, to this place, 
 there are but few settlers ; there is a fair pro- 
 portion of good land, but much of it lies be- 
 
J 
 
 68 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 tween two rivers, and which is flat, low, and 
 unfit for cultivation. Between this place and 
 the Harvey settlement, there is a beautiful dis- 
 trict of excellent land, all held and owned in a 
 wilderness state by the proprietors. The Har- 
 vey settlement is composed of English and 
 Scottish emigrants. A few years ago they suf- 
 fered severe hardships and privations, but at 
 present they are in comfortable dwellings, and 
 making great clearings in the woods. From 
 here, to the Hanwell settlement, the road passes 
 through much farming land, with several patches 
 of swamps and barrens, and some ranges of 
 stony ground, which reach near the Erina Lake. 
 This settlement consists of about twenty fami- 
 lies, from the Emerald Isle. From this place 
 to Fredericton, the land is thickly studded with 
 heavy hemlock and spruce, and the road leads 
 to the Oronoco Lake, till the traveller reaches 
 the seat of government. 
 
account of new-buunswick. 
 
 69 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Fredericton, its Situation, Size, Progress, Trade, Buildings, 
 its Advantages, Inhabited houses, Families, Persons, Acres 
 of Cleared Land, Horses, Neat Cattle, Sheep, Swine, dis- 
 tance from St John’s, St Andrew’s, Chatham, Quebec, 
 and Halifax.— Chatham, Douglas, Bathurst, Dalhousie, 
 Richibucto, Shediac, Petitcodiac, Hopewell, Sackville, 
 Dorchester, Sussex-Vale, Dutch-Valley, Londonderry, 
 Penn-Mill Creek, Black-River, Hampton, Kingston, Shef- 
 field, Gagetown, Woodstock, Keswick, &c.— Prince Wil- 
 liam, Jackstown, Wakefield, with an account of their Soil, 
 Public Buildings, Churches, Mills, Families, Acres of 
 Cleared Land, &c. 
 
 Fredericton is about seventy miles from St 
 John, and is the seat of the Provincial Govern- 
 ment, and is situated at a place formerly called 
 St Ann’s, having been settled since a.d. 1785. 
 Here is the residence of the Lieutenant-Gover- 
 nor, and the legislature holds its sittings here. 
 Fredericton, though at the head of a sloop na- 
 vigation on the St John, and from that cir- 
 cumstance, is doing considerable business with 
 the inhabitants of the surrounding country,— 
 presents none of the bustle of a trading town. 
 

 J 
 
 70 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 but wears rather the aspect of a country vil- 
 lage. It stands on an extensive and level plain, 
 about a mile in length, and half a mile in rear, 
 with high ground in the rear, and on either 
 side. It has evidently been the bed of a for- 
 mer lake, and was probably laid bare when the 
 retiring waters of the St John made their last 
 abrupt escape, and fell to their present ordinary 
 level. 
 
 The streets are regularly laid out, being all 
 at right angles. The principal building in 
 Fredericton, and perhaps the finest architectu- 
 ral structure in the Province, is the University 
 of King’s College, which occupies a command- 
 ing position on the hill in rear of the town. 
 The College building, besides excellent lecture- 
 rooms, and a chapel, afford ample accommoda- 
 tion for professors and students — its two sto- 
 ries and basement being devoted to these pur- 
 poses. Ihe size of the building is 170 feet 
 long, by 160 feet wide, with a handsome por- 
 tico to the main entrance. It is built of dark 
 grey stone, curiously intermingled here and 
 there with narrow lines of brick, the use of the 
 last being, in my opinion, of unquestionable 
 taste in so massive a structure. The College 
 has been liberally endowed by the Province. 
 The Province Hall, a most unpretending edi- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 71 
 
 fice, for the sittings of the legislative bodies, 
 having, on either side, smaller buildings appro- 
 priated as the office of the secretary of the Pro- 
 vince, and the commissioner of Crown Lands ; 
 the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor is at 
 the upper part of the town, and in a delightful 
 situation, commanding a pleasant view of the 
 river — it contains Madras and other schools. 
 The other buildings which attract attention, 
 are the Baptist Seminary, two stories high, 
 sixty feet by thirty-five wide, attended by near- 
 ly one hundred pupils of both sexes ; the Epis- 
 copal Church is a neat building ; the Presbyte- 
 rian Church stands near the Baptist Seminary, 
 and this last year has been greatly enlarged.* 
 There is also a large Baptist chapel, which was 
 built in 1840 ; a Roman Catholic chapel, and 
 a Methodist chapel, are the several places of 
 Divine worship in the place. A Reading-Room 
 has also lately been established ; and there is a 
 well selected public library. There are also 
 three banks, an alms-house, an excellent bar- 
 racks ; a branch of the commissariat is also sta- 
 tioned here, and Fredericton has been made 
 military head-quarters for the lower Provinces. 
 
 • The writer of this officiated in the above church, on 
 Sabbath, the 30th September 1837. 
 
u 
 
 72 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Fredericton was formed by Governor Carl- 
 ton, shortly after the separation of the Province 
 from Nova Scotia. From this place, as from a 
 centre, roads diverge to the different parts of 
 the Province, which are of easier access from 
 Fredericton, than from any other point what- 
 ever. The principal places, such as St John’s, 
 St Andrew’s, Cumberland, Chatham, Bathurst, 
 and Madawasvia, lying in a broken circle 
 round it. 
 
 As a military position, it is unequalled— as 
 from the contiguity of the different important 
 parts of the Province, they could be sooner ob- 
 tained from this place than any other. It also 
 forms a connecting link between the Atlantic 
 colonies and Canada, and is a safe and conve- 
 nient place for forming magazines, and equip- 
 ing troops on their route from the sea board 
 to Quebec. The importance of this place for 
 those purposes, was well realized during the 
 last war (in 1837-38) and should not be lost 
 sight of. The river St John appears to have 
 been the old and usual route of the French and 
 Indians in passing from Canada to Nova Scotia, 
 and New-England, long before New-Bruns- 
 wick was settled; and Fredericton and the vil- 
 lages near it, no doubt, were among the princi- 
 pal Indian stations, long before the country 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 73 
 
 was known to the French or English. Ac- 
 cording to Douglas, this was the most direct 
 route from New-England to Canada, and was 
 taken by Colonel Livingstone, and the Baron 
 Castine, in a.d. 1710, when they went in great 
 haste to acquaint the Governor- General that 
 Arcadia had fallen into the hands of the Bri- 
 tish. 
 
 The natural advantages Fredericton posses- 
 ses from its recent position, became every year 
 more important, and it is only to be desired, 
 that the time is not far distant, when her inha- 
 bitants will avail themselves of those facilities 
 afforded by the proximity of water-power, to 
 establish manufactories and machinery. In- 
 deed, a spirit of enterprise appears to be rapidly 
 spreading in this place, (Fredericton) which 
 cannot fail, if properly directed, to produce the 
 most beneficial results. 
 
 Thus, eligibly situated, it certainly is to be 
 regretted, that it is not more distinguished for 
 enterprise, and that it is destitute of those use- 
 ful institutions which exercise so beneficial an 
 effect upon society, and without which, its mem- 
 bers must be deficient of that intelligence and 
 liberality that characterize the present age, but 
 which are almost invariably the result of intel- 
 lectual improvement. It is also a misfortune 
 
J 
 
 74 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 for the place, that efforts are not made to 
 arrest a large portion of the trade of the upper 
 part of the Province on its way to St John, 
 for the merchants, generally speaking, procure 
 their supplies of British, West India, and other 
 goods from the city ; and as steamers run twice 
 a-day between that place and Fredericton, which 
 is seventy miles by water, persons of stated in- 
 comes, and others who can afford it, procure 
 the principal part of their supplies and clothing 
 from Halifax (N. S.) that city, and even from 
 England and the United States; although 
 there is abundance of cultivated and excellent 
 land in the vicinity of the town, and settlements 
 are rising up continually at no great distance 
 above and around it. 
 
 Owing to the lumbering pursuits in which 
 the people on this river, as well as in other 
 places, have engaged, and to which toilsome and 
 semi-savage life they are unaccountably prone ; 
 a large amount of property is under mortgage 
 to the supplying merchants, who have to secure 
 themselves in this way for provisions, and ar- 
 ticles advanced to enable parties to pursue an 
 occupation attended with very great risk. And, 
 as fi om various causes, individuals who are not 
 involved, have farms to dispose of,— emigrants, 
 or others, having a small capital at command, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 75 
 
 and being desirous of settling in the country, 
 can have no difficulty in procuring eligible si- 
 tuations in any part of the Province at a mode- 
 rate price. 
 
 Fredericton, which has been for sometime 
 the extreme point to which steam navigation 
 has advanced — when we consider that it is a 
 place where the public offices are situated, and 
 the heads of departments reside, and is sur- 
 rounded by a well settled country, it is natural 
 to infer, that it is one of much importance, and 
 that there would be employment for a consider- 
 able number of persons of various pursuits. 
 By a return made in 1840, it appears that there 
 is a population in the parish alone, amounting 
 to 4000 souls. 
 
 As the object I have in view is to point out 
 places where the man of property may invest 
 his capital in the purchase of lands — the me- 
 chanic and labourer find employment, and the 
 emigrant a settlement — it will be proper that I 
 should state with candour, any difficulty that 
 exists in this part. As to servants, a class of 
 persons on whom the domestic order and com- 
 fort of a family principally depend — those of a 
 good description are much wanted ; but it is in 
 vain to expect them, in the absence of those 
 wholesome laws and regulations that prevail in 
 

 u 
 
 7G HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 tlie Mother Country. Here domestics are hired 
 by the month, without any regard to character 
 or qualification, merely to meet the exigencies 
 of the present moment ; and the result is, a 
 succession of changes is continually taking 
 place, and complaint is the order of the day. 
 As to the labouring men, and the mechanics, 
 the wages they obtain is high, but the mode of 
 payment, (chiefly out of the shop) reduces it 
 probably to its proper level, although it acts 
 unjustly upon those who are not disposed, or 
 are not so situated as to pay in this way. The 
 result is, that great difficulty exists in having 
 work of any kind completed promptly ; and in 
 this respect, as well as others, Fredericton ex- 
 hibits a state of society not to be equalled in 
 North America. Persons complaining of those 
 whom they employ, and others who are em- 
 ployed, being dissatisfied with their employ- 
 ment ; a remedy for all this is to be found only 
 in a resort to cash payments. When indivi- 
 duals are hired, they should be paid for their 
 labour in cash, and allowed to purchase any 
 articles they may require, when that can be 
 done to the best advantage. If those who re- 
 side in the neighbourhood of the place have 
 any debts to pay, or agricultural produce to 
 dispose of, instead of as at present, taking it to 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 77 
 
 a shop where they are indebted, or where an 
 apparently high price is given, payment being 
 made in goods at an advanced rate to meet it ; 
 this should be carried to a public market, and 
 there sold upon the best terms, and the party 
 should pay his debts in money, and make his 
 purchase in a similar way. AY ere this healthy 
 state of business to prevail, much of the pre- 
 sent cause of complaint would vanish — compe- 
 tition would be introduced, and the exorbitant 
 rate of living must be materially reduced. 
 
 From its situation, Fredericton ought to be 
 a place of excellent business, and should be 
 abundantly supplied with provisions ; but at 
 present the former is confined to a retail trade, 
 and advances to lumbering parties, while the 
 place is very irregularly supplied with fresh 
 provisions ; and although there is a large mar- 
 ket-house in Fredericton, yet there is but one 
 butcher in it, and only three bakers in the town. 
 There is, besides, a sort of non-clialance pervad- 
 ing the labouring classes of society in this place, 
 that is quite novel and unpleasant to those who 
 have enjoyed the benefit of the conventional re- 
 gulations that abound in the Mother Country, 
 and other parts of the British possessions in 
 this hemisphere. 
 
 As respects the man of property, however, 
 
 E 
 
78 
 
 u 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 lie can obtain land under cultivation in tbe vici- 
 nity of Fredericton, at a moderate price, and 
 can have the advantage of good society, and 
 excellent means of educating the juvenile bran- 
 ches of his family. Inhabited houses in Fre- 
 dericton, in 1840, are 489; families, 708; 
 houses building, twenty-nine ; houses uninha- 
 bited, twenty ; Males above sixteen, 1061 ; 
 under sixteen, 829; Females above sixteen. 
 1666 ; under sixteen, 798. People of colour- 
 males above sixteen, twenty-eight ; under six- 
 teen, forty-three ; females above sixteen, forty- 
 eight ; under sixteen, twenty-nine. — Total per- 
 sons, 4002. Acres of cleared land, 1696 ; 
 horses, 248 ; neat cattle, 524 ; sheep, 380 ; 
 swine, 642. 
 
 Fredericton, by land, is sixty-five miles from 
 St J ohn’s ; on the east side of the river eighty- 
 six. To St Andrew’s, by the Neripsis, 100; 
 to Chatham (Miramichi) 114 ; to Quebec, by 
 the Grand Falls, 346; to Halifax, Nova Sco- 
 tia, by the Bend of Petitcodiac, Dorchester, 
 and Amherst, 308. 
 
 Opposite Fredericton are two rivers, that at 
 the lower part of the town is called the Nash- 
 waak, flowing from the northward, for a dis- 
 tance of twenty miles, when it turns to the 
 northward and westward, and ultimately heads 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 79 
 
 beyond W oodstock, which is the capital of the 
 county of Carlton, of which we shall mention, 
 that Woodstock is sixty-four miles from Fre- 
 dericton. There is a church, — a Methodist and 
 Catholic chapels. There are 482 inhabited 
 houses, occupied by 520 families, and have, at 
 least, 9757 acres of cleared land. There are 
 eight other parishes in this county, which we 
 shall notice hereafter. 
 
 Twelve miles from Fredericton, the intervale 
 appears on both sides expanding to a consider- 
 able extent. Another road from Fredericton 
 strikes the Naswaak, at a considerable distance 
 from this place. About eighteen miles below 
 Fredericton, the road to Miramichi turns off 
 to the right, and ascending a steep hill, pur- 
 sues its course over a dreary portage, about 
 fourteen miles in extent, until it arrives within 
 four miles of Boistown, situated on the south- 
 west of Miramichi, about seventy miles from 
 Chatham, and forty from Fredericton, There 
 is a fertile track of country sufficient for 250 
 families. Newcastle and Chatham are the next 
 places of any importance. On leaving Bois- 
 town, which is forty-five miles from Frederic- 
 ton, and sixty-eight miles to Chatham, we pass 
 through a small village called Blissfield, in which 
 
u 
 
 80 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 there is, inhabited houses, sixty-eight ; families, 
 seventy-one : acres of cleared land, 545. 
 
 About three miles on this side of Newcastle, 
 there is a small ferry to cross (Wilson’s Point.) 
 Newcastle is the shire town of the county. 
 (Northumberland) and was greatly injured by 
 the extensive fire of 1825, which swept off that 
 part of the Province — from the effects of which, 
 it has never since recovered, although, as the 
 country above bocomes more agricultural, it 
 must, from its position, necessarily resume its 
 former importance. There is a Presbyterian 
 church here. Inhabited houses, 404 ; inhabi- 
 tants, 433 ; acres of cleared land, 2000. 
 
 Douglas is about a mile from Newcastle, on 
 the road to Chatham ; is seated on the north 
 bank of the river, and was destroyed in the ge- 
 neral conflagration of 1825, and has since been 
 rebuilt. It contains stores and tradesmen’s 
 shops. Messrs Gilmour & Pankine carry on 
 an extensive business here. The most conspi- 
 cuous building in this place, is a fine edifice for 
 a marine hospital. 
 
 About five miles from Douglas, is Chatham, 
 which is situated on the south side of the river. 
 At the east of this village, is a Presbyterian 
 church, dedicated to St Andrew, a small but neat 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 81 
 
 edifice, surmounted by a spire, with an inserted 
 belfrey. There is also an Episcopal, Catholic, 
 Secession, and Wesleyan-Methodist churches — 
 the latter will contain five hundred and fifty 
 persons. The building is neat, and well ar- 
 ranged, and has a fine portico, embellished with 
 Grecian pillars, which inclose a double vesti- 
 bule. At this place, the Messrs Cunards have 
 a very large steam, saw, and grist mill estab- 
 lishment. There is a post-office, reading-room, 
 and printing office, which issues a newspaper 
 every Tuesday, called “ the Gleaner.” The 
 village is exceedingly ill laid out, both for ele- 
 gance and convenience. The buildings stand 
 along both sides a very crooked road, without 
 the least appearance of order or regularity. 
 
 The river abounds with fish, particularly 
 shad and salmon. It is about a mile broad, but 
 contacts towards Newcastle, where its breadth 
 does not exceed half a-mile ; yet, notwithstand- 
 ing its narrowness, the waters are brackish 
 above these places. The current of the Mira- 
 michi is less rapid than that of the St Law- 
 rence, and the tide rises in a less degree, but, 
 with an easterly gale, it sometimes rises twelve 
 or fifteen feet. Inhabited houses here are 441 ; 
 families, 582 ; acres of cleared land, 3660. 
 There is an Episcopal church ; also a Scotch 
 
u 
 
 82 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 church. There is likewise a Secession, a Wes- 
 leyan-Methodist, and a Catholic chapel— each 
 of which is supplied with a minister. Oppo- 
 site Newcastle, Alexander Fraser, Esq. has a 
 compact steam saw-mill establishment. 
 
 The next place after leaving Chatham, that is 
 worthy of any notice, is Bathurst ; this place is 
 between the Miramichi river, and the Resti- 
 gouche, at the bottom of a deep indent in the 
 Bay Chalaur, and in former years was called 
 Nipisiguit Harbour ; here a thriving village 
 has sprung up, containing 291 inhabited houses, 
 361 families, and 2171 acres of cleared land. 
 This village is in the county of Gloucester, and 
 is forty-eight miles from Chatham. There is 
 also a Wesleyan-Methodist chapel, with a re- 
 sident minister. There is a road leading from 
 Bathurst to Dalhousie ; the principal of the 
 county Restigouche, which is seventy miles dis- 
 tant by land ; and at the head of the Great 
 and Middle Nipisiguit, form a junction ; the 
 village of Bathurst being placed on the Penin- 
 sula thus caused. There is an excellent road, 
 nearly level, and in a direct line from Chatham 
 to this place, passing through a country chiefly 
 covered with heath and burnt wood, until you 
 come within about twenty miles of Bathurst, 
 when a decided improvement takes place ; and 
 
ACCOUNT OE NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 83 
 
 the traveller meets with something resembling 
 a fine country, lying on its promontory to the 
 right, and which is watered by the Caraquet, 
 Pokamonche, Tracadie, Tabusintac, Bartibog, 
 and other minor rivers. Dalhousie has 136 
 inhabited houses, 140 families, and 2168 acres 
 of cleared land. 
 
 Richibccto, the capital of the county of 
 Kent, which is on a fine river of that name, is 
 a flourishing village. It has 315 houses, with 
 322 inhabitants, and 4563 acres of cleared land ; 
 there is also a Catholic and Wesleyan chapels, 
 with a resident minister to each. It is forty 
 miles from Chatham, fifty miles from the Bend 
 of Petitcodiac, and 145 miles from St John, by 
 Sussex- V ale and Hampton-F erry . 
 
 From this place we proceed to Shediac, which 
 is fifteen miles. The country on its surface is 
 very low and level, not averaging more than 
 twenty-five feet above the level of the water of 
 the Straits of Northumberland. Oysters are 
 abundant on this shore, and their shells are 
 used for manure. The harbour of Shediac is 
 safe and convenient for ships of large size. 
 There arc in the settlement upwards of two 
 hundred families of French Acadians. The 
 front of the harbour is occupied by English 
 
u ^ 
 
 84 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 inhabitants, and the whole appears in a very 
 thriving- condition. At the entrance of the 
 harbour, there are two beautiful islands com- 
 posed of sand-stone. Shediac is in the county 
 of Westmorland, — contains 278 houses, 310 in- 
 habitants, and 6479 acres of cleared land. 
 
 From this place we proceed to the Bend of 
 P etitcodiac. After leaving the postage between 
 Shediac and the Bend, the western extremity 
 of the Petitcodiac passes through a track of fine 
 intervale, enclosed between high embankments 
 that appear to have been washed by the river 
 at some former period. The stream is now 
 confined to more narrow limits, and its formed 
 bed is almost filled with alluvium. At the 
 Bend, there is a considerable village. The soil 
 is chiefly of two kinds — the sandy an cl the clayey. 
 There are large tracks of marsh on each side of 
 the Petitcodiac, of which a portion has been 
 diked, and is under cultivation* The land in 
 the neighbourhood of the Petitcodiac, and ex- 
 tending over to the Bay- shore, from which it 
 
 <c r * 1 ! e „ tlde rises in the Petitcodiac as follows At the 
 • Bend,*’ common tides twenty-two feet eight inches ; high- 
 est tides, twenty-eight feet eight inches. At Dorchester 
 Island, common tides thirty-six feet ; highest tides, forty- 
 t wo feet. It is three hours flood before the tide reaches the 
 Bend, and from rushing along the river to the distance of 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 85 
 
 is separated by the Shepody Mountains, is of a 
 superior quality, and embraces a fine agricultu- 
 ral country. Here is the flourishing settlement 
 of Hopewell. Few parishes in the Province 
 appear to be in a more thriving condition than 
 Hopewell. The broad marsh on each side of 
 the Shepody River, is skirted with fine farms, 
 and a large and rapidly increasing population are 
 clearing higher up the slopes — 'the bases of which 
 arc closely occupied by the older inhabitants 
 and their senior descendants. This extensive 
 settlement possesses a rich soil, and presents 
 a wide rural plain. Such as are fond of fine 
 scenery, will find a view from the mountain 
 extremely interesting, as it commands a sight 
 of a wide range of the eastern district of New- 
 Brunswick, a part of Nova Scotia, and in a 
 clear day, Prince Edward s Island, with nume- 
 rous bays, rivers, and villages — forming alto- 
 gether a scene of the most picturesque and 
 pleasing character. There are 132 inhabited 
 houses ; 144 families, and 6722 acres of cleared 
 
 twenty miles, it rises higher here above the lowest level of 
 the sea, at Grindstone Island, than it does at Dorchester Is- 
 land. The difference of the level between Grindstone Is- 
 land and the Bend, may be estimated as follows,— common 
 tides, forty-five feet four inches ; highest tides, fifty-seven 
 feet four inches. 
 
u ^ 
 
 &6 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 land. The W esleyan-Methodists have a chapel 
 here. 
 
 Sackville is the next place worthy of notice. 
 1 he greater part of the cultivated portion of 
 this parish is composed of a new sand-stone, 
 which meets and overlays a part of a coal field 
 to the northward. The most abundant soil in 
 this place is a red sandy loam, sometimes mixed 
 with clay or alluvium. It has 329 inhabited 
 houses, 365 families, and 15,924 acres of cleared 
 land. I would here observe, that there are 
 5000 acres of marsh on the Shepody River. 
 Many acres of this fine alluvial track have been 
 reclaimed from the sea. Such portions of it as 
 have been diked, are of a good quality, afford- 
 ing the best kind of hay, and also crops of 
 wheat. 
 
 It is a remark applicable to all the marshes 
 in this country, that after they are diked and 
 drained, they have a tendency to settle and be- 
 come lower than the banks of the rivers, where 
 the alluvium is rising and becoming more and 
 more compact. The marsh adjoining the up- 
 land was found in several instances to be six 
 feet lower than the banks of rivers daily re- 
 ceiving alluvial matter from the tides. From 
 this circumstance, the inner margin of the 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 87 
 
 march is overflowen with fresh water diuing a 
 considerable part of the season, and is thereby 
 rendered worthless. The best remedy for this 
 effect, would be to allow the sea to flow in 
 again over certain tracks for a few seasons. 
 This would raise and renovate the sunken 
 ground, and entirely destroy the poisonous 
 plants now covering many of the lots. This 
 plan might be effected by throwing up dikes 
 from the upland, to the present barrier against 
 the tides, and thus track after track might be 
 redeemed. The muddy water of the Bay being 
 introduced, and undisturbed by currents, would 
 deposit its sediment equally according to its 
 depth ; and as the lower tracks would be cover- 
 ed deeper than the higher ones, they would le- 
 ceive the greatest share of alluvium, and be 
 raised to the common level. 
 
 We trust that the farmers will give due at- 
 tention to those valuable suggestions, for they 
 are not only founded in fact, but have been 
 proved correct in principle, by ample expe- 
 rience. We are aware that some people are 
 much averse to travel out of the beaten track of 
 every-day life ; yet we beg to remind such, that 
 as agriculture has now advanced to the rank of 
 a science, the precepts which are taught by 
 those who have studied the subject, are as 
 
88 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 much entitled to our respect and adoption, as 
 those of any other science. 
 
 The next place of any importance is Dor- 
 chester, the capital of Westmorland. In this 
 place, the soil in general is sandy, and requires 
 the application of lime. There are several 
 thousand acres of marsh on the Mcmramcook. 
 The several fine farms near the river, and the 
 rugged scenery at its entrance, form a beautiful 
 and very pleasing landscape; 417 inhabited 
 houses; 454 families, and 17,207 acres of 
 cleared land. Much more might have been 
 said about this county, but, suffice it to say, 
 that it contains eleven parishes, and an excel- 
 lent coal-field, which we shall hereafter notice, 
 with several particulars. 
 
 From Dorchester, there is an excellent road 
 to Halifax, also to St John, by Sussex- Vale. 
 Although the land towards Sussex, is, generally 
 speaking, owned by individuals, yet much of it 
 is in a wilderness state, or is again growing up 
 with bushes, and, in some instances, has fallen 
 into neglect, owing to the erection of saw-mills, 
 which have called away the attention of the 
 farmer from the more profitable and certain 
 puisuit of agriculture. The improvements in 
 this part of the country, however, are increas- 
 ing rapidly, the soil being generally favourable 
 
ACCOUNT or NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 89 
 
 for it. The soil in the vale is chiefly a rich al- 
 luvial deposit ; and the scenery, when the tra- 
 veller gains any elevated place, is highly pic- 
 turesque. The east extremity of the vale, is 
 divided into two branches ; one going in the di- 
 rection of Salmon River, and the other follow- 
 ing the course of Smithy Creek. At the bifu- 
 raction, a steep mountain of conglomerate, call- 
 ed Mount Pisgah, separates one part of the 
 valley from the other. The scenery of this dis- 
 trict is extremely beautiful. The great valley, 
 with its fertile fields and meadows, shaded by 
 stately elms, and bordered by the thickest al- 
 der — its pastures sloping down the hills, sur- 
 mounted by several bold elevations, intersected 
 by deep ravines and rapid brooks, afford a most 
 pleasing landscape. Three miles eastward of 
 the church, are two salt springs from the new 
 red sandstone, at the foot of a gentle declivity. 
 Near the great road, the quantity of water sup- 
 plied by each spring, is about fifty gallons per 
 minute ; every hundred gallons yield by evapo- 
 ration, a bushel of salt, which is very pure and 
 free from earthy matter. A small quantity of 
 the sulphate of magnesia was discovered in the 
 analysis of this water, but it is of no practical 
 importance, and too scanty, to produce any 
 sensible effects on the production of the springs. 
 
J 
 
 90 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 This vale is not rivalled in the Province for 
 beauty and fertility. I have preached several 
 times in the valley, and always found the people 
 very attentive to hear the W ord. There is an 
 Episcopal church. There is, in the parish, 342 
 inhabited houses ; 347 families, and 10,960 
 acres of cleared land. It is forty-six miles from 
 St John ; to Halifax, Nova Scotia, by the Bend 
 and Amherst, 220. 
 
 About six miles from the vale, there is an 
 extensive settlement called the Dutch Valley. 
 When I preached at this place in January 1838, 
 I found the people in very comfortable circum- 
 stances. From this place there is a very dense 
 wood, in which there is little or no clearing, 
 until about seven miles, then we arrive at the 
 head of the settlement, known by the name of 
 the Irish or Londonderry settlement. In this 
 part, there are about forty families, who have to 
 labour very hard to support themselves. I 
 preached to this people for eighteen months, al- 
 though I resided upwards of thirty miles from 
 some part of the settlement. It lies in the 
 Shepody Road ; the upper part is fifty miles 
 from St John, which is the nearest place for 
 the inhabitants to take their produce for sale. 
 The land in this part is not worthy of notice, 
 until you come about fourteen miles towards 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 91 
 
 St John, which is called Little River, on which 
 there are a number of very fine farms, and so 
 continues until we arrive at Hampton, to which 
 it formerly belonged ; but now it is in the pa- 
 rish of Upham, which parish terminates a little 
 above Titues-Mill, and where Hampton com- 
 mences. About sixteen miles hence there is a 
 thriving settlement called St Martin’s, but is 
 frequently called Quaco. The upper part of 
 this village extends for some miles towards 
 Ten-Mile Creek and Tynemouth. 
 
 According to the census taken in 1841, the 
 population was 1973 persons, being an increase 
 of nearly 1200 since the preceding census ; 
 513 houses, and thirty-eight in course of erec- 
 tion. Two places of worship, (in the largest I 
 officiated occasionally ;) twenty-two saw-mills ; 
 4635 acres of cleared land ; 113 horses ; 950 
 neat cattle ; 1156 sheep ; 867 swine. During 
 1840, there were upwards of thirty vessels, 
 many of which were built at this place. It is 
 thirty-two miles from St John. From this 
 place to Ten-Mile Creek, there is nothing wor- 
 thy of notice ; it is very thinly settled. At the 
 Creek, there are two saw-mills ; and at Tyne- 
 mouth, about a mile distant, there is an excel- 
 lent ship-yard. From here, to the Black River 
 settlement, the land is not good. 
 
u ^ 
 
 92 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 The settlement at Black River, reposes upon 
 an extensive bed of diluvial sand and gravel, 
 which is situated in the broad, but shallow de- 
 pression in the rocks. A part of this bed has 
 been worn away by the sea, and a perfect sec- 
 tion of the deposit may be seen in the high em- 
 bankment still meeting the waves thrown upon 
 the shore. The soil is good ; there are upwards 
 of 200 families. It is eighteen miles s.e. of St 
 John. From this place to the Mash, which is 
 about three miles from the city, there is not 
 any thing worthy of notice. There is a great 
 number of acres of cleared land in the Mash. 
 Here is an excellent road which leads to Hamp- 
 ton-Ferry. In the parish of Hampton, there 
 are a number of very fine farms, which joins 
 that of Upham. In this parish there are 27 6 
 inhabited houses ; 317 families, and 8914 acres 
 of cleared land. 
 
 From the higher grounds of Hampton, the 
 imposing hills of Kingston, with their steep 
 cliffs, and deep ravines, and skirted with a con- 
 tinued line of fine farms stretched along the 
 side of the river, afford a most interesting and 
 pleasing prospect. The whole track of country 
 extending from Hampton to Norton and Sus- 
 sex (which I have travelled frequently) is com- 
 posed of the red sand-stone and conglomerate. 
 
 t 
 
93 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 On this road, for about twenty-four miles, there 
 are several fine farms, and to all appearance well 
 cultivated. In Norton, inhabited houses, 151 ; 
 families 169, and 5101 acres of cleared land. 
 
 At Sussex -Yale, which I have before briefly 
 alluded to, there is a road passes near to Smith 
 Creek settlements, and extends to those of 
 Studholm and Millstream. This road passes 
 through a track of very excellent land, which 
 has been granted to individuals who are fast 
 clearing and improving it. From the Mill- 
 stream settlement, which I very frequently vi- 
 sited, a new road extends to the New Canaan 
 river. This part is not much inhabited after 
 you leave the lower Millstream, about seven or 
 ten miles. On the left hand of the road to- 
 wards the Upper Millstream, there are seve- 
 ral new settlements called the English, Irish, 
 M‘Farlane, Henderson, and Scotch settlements, 
 where the land is good. In these places, I re- 
 gularly attended during the year and a-half I 
 resided in the parishes of Norton and Upham. 
 Near the New Canaan river, there is much un- 
 granted land, fit for settlement, embracing 
 nearly 20,000 acres ; also a considerable quan- 
 tity of a good quality farther on towards the 
 North River. About twelve miles to the west, 
 there are two settlements called Springfield, in 
 
 F 
 
94 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 which there are but little land cultivated. These 
 places are situated on Belle-Isle Bay, and is but 
 a short distance from Kingston, the county 
 town. Houses, 268 ; families, 291, and acres 
 of cleared land 9518. 
 
 Kingston is the shire town of the county of 
 Kings, and contains nine parishes. It is si- 
 tuated at the head of Belle-Isle Bay. The 
 rock forming nearly the whole of this parish, is 
 composed of varieties of trap, chiefly of two 
 kinds ; in one greenstone, in the other feldspar 
 is most abundant, and sometimes crystals of a 
 considerable size. Although Kingston is the 
 capital of this part, there is not any thing wor- 
 thy of notice. It contains 303 inhabited houses; 
 3^1 families, and 7515 acres of cleared land. 
 
 At the mouth of Belle-Isle Bay, about ten 
 miles north and westward, is the mouth of the 
 "W ashademoac, having previously passed two 
 low islands, called Spoon and Long Island, 
 which are formed of alluvial deposit, and are 
 covered with water early in the spring, by which 
 means, as is the case with all the intervale on 
 the river, they are sufficiently manured, and 
 produce an excellent crop of grass. On each 
 side of the Long Reach, between the Ne- 
 repis Creek and Belle-Isle Bay, the land is 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 95 
 
 elevated and picturesque, and, generally speak- 
 ing, is of a fertile quality ; and on both sides of 
 the river, there are wealthy farmers, several of 
 whom commenced with very limited means, but 
 who have rendered themselves independent by 
 the cultivation of the soil, — the intervale yield- 
 ing them an adequate supply of hay, and the 
 upland producing a corresponding return for 
 the labours of the husbandman, and large crops 
 of corn to reward his toil. 
 
 On the west side of St John, called Little 
 River, there is much intervale, exceeding three 
 miles, and surrounded with fine farms ; the 
 country about a mile above which also abound 
 in intervale. There is no ungranted land near 
 the river ; but in the rear of the front lots 
 there is a track containing eight or ten thousand 
 acres of excellent land, which is the New Jeru- 
 salem settlement. About five miles above 
 Little River is the Ocnabog Lake. Opposite 
 the Ocnabog, on the east side of St. John, and 
 eleven miles from Belle Isle Bay, is the Washa- 
 demoac ; nea*r to which is New Canaan, a very 
 extensive settlement. 
 
 There is a large track of crown land in the 
 rear, on both sides of the Wasliademoac Lake, 
 and particularly between its head and the New 
 Canaan settlement, where there are but few in- 
 
u ^ 
 
 96 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 habitants, and where most of the land is un- 
 granted, even to the margin of the river, which 
 ' is, generally speaking, a rapid stream of about 
 eight or ten roods wide. This land is well 
 adapted for cultivation, and in many places is 
 covered with a dense forest of pine, spruce, and 
 birch, with many valuable sites for mills. 
 
 Between the New Canaan settlement and 
 North River, (a branch of the Pititeodiac) there 
 is much ungranted land of a good quality. On 
 the banks of this river, there are numerous and 
 extensive tracks of intervale, and it is a well- 
 settled country, having been peopled during the 
 last forty years. The soil on the upland is 
 highly fertile, and there are natural meadows 
 that afford abundance of pasture ; in fact, the 
 natural advantages of this section of the coun- 
 try are great on both sides of St John river, 
 abounding, as it does, with timber, building- 
 stone, coal, and other minerals, rendering it a 
 desirable location for emigrants, and requiring 
 nothing but the industry of man to place the 
 settler in comfortable circumstances, and deve- 
 lope its valuable resources. 
 
 About six miles above the mouth of the 
 Washademoac, on the same side of the river, 
 is the entrance of the J emseg, a sort of natural 
 canal. There is a settlement extending up Sal- 
 
VJ 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 97 
 
 mon Creek. Salmon River, like Coal Creek, 
 has its rise in extensive swamps, and about forty- 
 five miles from where it empties into the Lake. 
 The soil in this direction is good, and on Sal- 
 mon River particularly, there is an immense 
 body of excellent land still ungranted. Above 
 the mills, there is not much cleared land on Sal- 
 mon River, although industrious persons are 
 commencing extensive clearings there, as well 
 as on the Gasperean, where there are several 
 settlements, and a good opening for emigrants 
 and others. A considerable quantity of land 
 has been cleared in the neighbourhood of New- 
 castle, and the settlers in that direction are 
 rapidly increasing, and converting the forest 
 into productive farms. There are large quan- 
 tities of ungranted land in this quarter for cul- 
 tivation, the greater portion of which lies to 
 the north and eastward, but to the westward, 
 between the Newcastle and Little River, which 
 empties into the French Lake, there are exten- 
 sive tracks of ungranted hard-wood land. 
 
 This part of the country will be a most eli- 
 gible situation for the settlers, as it is expected 
 that the Great Road to Halifax will be opened 
 this year, 1840, and making the distance from 
 Fredericton, the capital of the Province, only 
 about thirty miles. There are roads meeting 
 
98 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 from the lower part of Sheffield, and also from 
 the upper part of Waterborough, on the St 
 John, to Indian Point, and thence up the north 
 side of the Lake, and two others from below 
 Jemseg, on the south side. These all concen- 
 trate at the bridge at Salmon River — whence 
 the traveller can proceed to Fredericton, Mira- 
 michi, liichibucto, and Westmorland. Much 
 of the eastern, and the lower part of the west 
 side of Grand Lake, are well cultivated, and at 
 the latter point, there is a fine settlement called 
 the Scotch settlement, containing several excel- 
 lent farms, and a thriving population. The 
 shores of this Lake also possess great natural 
 advantages, and vast mineral resources. Near 
 the head of it, there are extensive coal-fields, 
 several of which are worked by the persons on 
 whose land they are situated, and large quanti- 
 ties of that mineral are every year dug and 
 shipped to St John, which is preferred by 
 smiths for the forge ; while another quantity is 
 well adapted for the use of families. Some 
 idea may be formed of the resources and impor- 
 tance of this section of the country, when it is 
 understood that there are fifteen saw, five grist, 
 and two oat mills, on the shore of this Lake, 
 and its tributary rivers and streams. 
 
 In a word, the local advantages gf this Lake 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 99 
 
 are not to be surpassed in the Province, whether 
 we consider its great native meadows at the 
 head and foot of the Lake, as well as in many 
 other parts ; or its plentiful supply of herrings, 
 shad, bass, and salmon, that formerly were 
 taken in great quantities, and which are still to 
 be found in sufficient abundance, to enable the 
 farmer to add materially, and at little cost, to 
 his annual store of provisions. There are also 
 thousands of acres of ungranted land to be 
 found at a short distance from the shores of 
 Grand Lake, and up the streams, which abound 
 with timber of the best description ; while in 
 no part of the Province will a more kind-heart- 
 ed and hospitable people be found to welcome 
 the homeless stranger, or encourage him in his 
 course. 
 
 The lower part of Grand Lake is connected 
 with the Araquapit and French Lakes, by means 
 of a water communication, called the Thorough- 
 fare. There is a large body of good land also 
 in this direction, and a number of settlers scat- 
 tered around their shores. These Lakes, and 
 the country in their neighbourhood, will be 
 more fully described when I come to speak of 
 Sheffield, where there is a fine track of alluvial 
 land lying in the front of them, on the east side 
 of St John. In the meantime, we will retrace 
 
u 
 
 100 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 our steps to the mouth of the Jemseg, and cross 
 over to Gagetown, on the opposite side of the 
 river. Eight miles above Ocnabog is Gage- 
 town Creek, which runs up above five miles. 
 In this part, it i& stated, there is the greatest 
 quantity of red and white pine timber, that has 
 yet been found on the western side of the river. 
 At a short distance from the mouth of the 
 Creek, is Gagetown, the shire town of the 
 County of Queens. There is, at this place, an 
 Episcopal Church, also a Wesleyan-Methodist 
 chapel — a court-house, jail, and a grammar and 
 two parish schools. Inhabited houses, 117 ; 
 families, 133 ; acres of cleared land, 3825. 
 
 A very extensive track of valuable land lies 
 between Gagetown and Nerepis, about half 
 way between Nerepis Great Road, and the 
 River St John, which comprises several thou- 
 sand acres ; and were a proper line of road sur- 
 veyed, and lots numbered on both sides in 
 squares or hamlets, where settlers would make 
 their selection, it is probable every lot would be 
 applied for in a short time. Those who have 
 examined this track of country, have made the 
 most favourable report of its advantages ; they 
 represent the land to be of the very first qua- 
 lity, well timbered with rock-maple, black birch, 
 elm, and oak, of as large size as that in the in- 
 
u 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 101 
 
 tervale, on the margin of the river. It is also 
 very free from stone, and well adapted for agri- 
 cultural purposes, with excellent farm sites. 
 This track is seven miles from Gagetown. A 
 more desirable location for settlers, therefore, 
 cannot well be found in the lower section of the 
 Province, being contiguous to the river, and 
 near a good market. Immediately after leav- 
 ing Jemseg, (which is a very beautiful stream, 
 being a sort of a natural canal which connects 
 the Grand Lake, and those that communicate 
 with the river St John. It is very deep, and 
 at its mouth, is separated by islands of alluvial 
 deposit. The stream itself is five miles and a- 
 half long ; but just above its junction with the 
 Grand Lake, there arc extensive flats, through 
 which it is intended to open a channel of twelve 
 feet in width,— the present shallow passage 
 materially affecting the navigation through the 
 Lake, and consequently, the intercourse with 
 St John and Fredericton, which, owing to the 
 general prevalence of coal around the shores of 
 the upper part, ought to be one of profit and 
 reciprocal advantage,) and by keeping the river 
 road, you arrive at the extensive village of Can- 
 ning, in the rear of which, are extensive mea- 
 dows, and a lake, called Black Lake. Inhabited 
 
37 
 
 102 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 houses, 120 ; families, 128 ; acres of cleared 
 land, 3356. 
 
 The next settlement of any importance is 
 Sheffield, which also extends on the margin of 
 the river, upwards of ten miles. This may be 
 called the “ Garden of the Province.’’ It is in 
 the parish of Mangerville. Towards Frederic- 
 ton, it becomes more elevated, and possessing a 
 less productive soil. The entire front, how- 
 ever, from the mouth of the Jemseg, below 
 Canning, to the centre of Mangerville, is one 
 continued bed of alluvial deposit. There is a 
 church here. Inhabited houses, seventy-nine ; 
 families, eighty-five, and 2205 acres of cleared 
 land. In the rear of this track of country, 
 which presents a succession of farms, fronting 
 on the river, wfith houses situated near each 
 other, the land is low and swampy until you 
 reach the high lands, about two miles back, and 
 is a continuation of the natural meadows, ex- 
 tending below Canning. 
 
 Property in this section of the country is very 
 valuable, frequently selling for £30, an acre, 
 near the river. The lots, however, extend a 
 considerable distance in the rear, where it is of 
 less value on the Maquapit Lake, which lies in 
 the same direction as Grand Lake, from north- 
 east to south-west. There are from twenty-five 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 103 « 
 
 to thirty farms on this Lake, on some of which 
 are two or three families. But to return to 
 the river. 
 
 The shore of the river is planted with low 
 trees and bushes, to prevent its being washed 
 away by the floods of spring, when the waters 
 of St John rise to the height of about fifteen 
 feet. The bank of the river at Mangerville, is 
 probably twenty feet above the level of the 
 river when at its ordinary height during sum- 
 mer. A log that was found at that place last 
 year, (1839) was at the same depth from the 
 surface of the bank, and, it may be presumed, 
 was formerly left there, by the retiring waters 
 after a periodical fall, the subsequent deposits 
 having buried it, but with which the present 
 yearly accumulation of soil can bear no compa- 
 rison. This place is seventeen miles from Fre- 
 dericton. Twelve miles below Fredericton, 
 above Saw- Creek, the Oromocto River flows 
 into the river St John. The country on the 
 river between those places being well settled 
 on both sides of the banks, the soil on the banks 
 of the Oromocto below the junction of the 
 branch streams, generally speaking, is totally 
 unfit for settlement, as a great part is low and 
 marshy, and is annually overflowed ; but there 
 are extensive wild meadows that afford an ex- 
 
104 
 
 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 cellent substitute for English grass in case of 
 failure of the fodder. 
 
 On the South Branch, there is a considerable 
 quantity of good land, both occupied and un- 
 occupied ; which runs through a beautiful and 
 level track, called “ The Valley, 1 ” which is equal 
 in richness of soil and productiveness, to the 
 best part of Sheffield. 
 
 At the mouth of the Oromocto, on its left 
 branch, there is a fine body of intervale, ex- 
 tending about a mile on the river St John, 
 and opposite to it is Oromocto Island, formed of 
 alluvial deposit, but which is not inhabited, the 
 lots being owned by persons residing on the 
 mainland. There is a church and meeting- 
 house at the village, on the right hand. There 
 is a very good road near the river, from the 
 Oromocto to Fredericton, a distance of twelve 
 miles, with a number of fine farms on each side 
 of it, and considerable intervale. 
 
 Two steam-boats, until last summer, have 
 run regularly between Fredericton and St 
 John, leaving Indian Town (two miles from 
 St John) and Fredericton every morning at 
 seven o’clock. The fare is very reasonable— 
 ten shillings in the cabin, and half price forward. 
 The night boats are also a great convenience, 
 leaving Indian Town and Fredericton every 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 105 
 
 evening at six o’clock, and arriving at their des- 
 tination early on the following morning. 
 
 I would advise persons who are not pressed 
 for time, to take passage in the day-boats, 
 (which was always my custom) by which means 
 they will enjoy a view of the scenery of the St 
 John, which is admitted by most travellers, not 
 to be exceeded by any thing of the kind in 
 Europe or America, and which I shall notice in 
 another part of this work, as I have frequently 
 had the pleasure of viewing it in passing to and 
 from the seat of Government. 
 
 From Fredericton to Woodstock is quite le- 
 vel for about five miles, when it ascends, and pro- 
 ceeds along an elevated track of country, pass- 
 ing several excellent farms, and a large body of 
 intervale and islands of that description, which 
 for a great distance are concealed from the 
 view of the traveller, until at length Sugar Is- 
 land and others at Keswick Creek, open upon 
 his view, and present a panorama, which, for 
 richness and beauty, is not to be exceeded in 
 the Province. The land, over which the road 
 extends, is of considerable altitude ; and, under- 
 neath our feet, as it were, is spread out the 
 beautiful level country, at the entrance of the 
 valley of Keswick ; while the ridge of that 
 name in the rear of the Bluff, facing the river, 
 
106 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 extends away on his left, until it is lost in the 
 distant forest that bounds the horizon beyond 
 it. Opposite Keswick Bluff, there is a large 
 body of intervale on the right bank of the river, 
 which has been produced by some counter cur- 
 rent wdien the river was at a higher level than 
 at present, similar to that which deposited the 
 strata upon which Fredericton is built. There 
 are several fine farms, forming a settlement 
 that is called French Village. 
 
 A few miles beyond it, there is an Indian vil- 
 lage, consisting of houses built for the Abori- 
 gines of the country, and which they inhabit ; 
 still retaining, however, their native, wild, and 
 untameable, yet inoffensive disposition. There 
 has been considerable improvement made on 
 this line of road, with a view to confine the 
 post communication to Woodstock on the side 
 of the river, but from just beyond the French 
 Village, it passes through much poor land, that 
 which is not occupied possessing little induce- 
 ment for settlers, until it reaches Longs, six- 
 teen miles from Fredericton, where at present 
 the road crosses a rapid and dangerous ferry, 
 and is carried along through Queensberry and 
 Southampton, on the opposite side of the St 
 John to V oodstock. On passing through the 
 parish of Douglas, which lies near Keswick, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUXSWICK. 107 
 
 there are a number of fine farms on each side 
 of the road. An improvement has of late been 
 made on this line. 
 
 On both sides of the Keswick, there arc large 
 bodies of intervale, with about 100 fine farms, 
 with a numerous population. This is a fine 
 farming country, and is well adapted for pas- 
 turage, or raising grain. It was subject in for- 
 mer years to early frosts, but as the Province 
 becomes cleared, they are less frequent. During 
 the past year, large quantities of excellent grain 
 have been raised in the vicinity of Keswick — 
 one individual alone having obtained a hundred 
 bushels from five of seed. 
 
 Keswick Ridge commences at the Cross- 
 Roads, as they are called, and runs in a north- 
 west direction. It is five miles in length, and 
 one and a-half wide, lying between Keswick- 
 Creek and the Scotch settlement. The Ridge 
 is an elevated district, and is composed of good 
 land, well adapted for the cultivation of trees. 
 There are a number of good farms on the Ridge, 
 two places of worship, two excellent schools, 
 and others, in various parts of this interesting 
 portion of the Province. 
 
 About three miles from Scotch Lake, is the 
 Scotch Settlement, consisting of about twenty 
 families. The land is good in this settlement, 
 
C7 
 
 108 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 but is chiefly owned by the New-Brunswick 
 and Nova Scotia Land Company. 
 
 About twenty miles from the seat of govern- 
 ment, on the western side of the river, close to 
 Longs, commences the parish of Prince Wil- 
 liam. The land near this place is not favour- 
 able for agriculture. Inhabited houses in Prince 
 William, 149 ; families, 151 ; and 3320 acres 
 of cleared land. 
 
 The next place worthy of notice is the town 
 of Woodstock, which is composed of three vil- 
 lages. At the lower village, which is termed 
 the Corner, the road turns off at a right angle, 
 and passing through Richmond, where another 
 crosses it, forming what is called Scotch Cor- 
 ner, it extends to the American Post, called 
 Houlston. The Boundary Line, as at present 
 existing, passes within sight of this place, which 
 is commanded by an elevated ridge, called Park’s 
 Hill. The second village, at the Creek, is con- 
 nected with the lower village by a bridge that 
 crosses the Meduxnikik ; the third is about 
 two miles beyond it, where are the court-house 
 and gaol, and residence of the High-Sheriff 
 of the county. There are a number of good 
 buildings and stores at Woodstock, also a 
 branch of the Commercial Bank is established. 
 Woodstock is forty miles from Fredericton, and 
 
 t 
 
^7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 109 
 
 is the capital of the county of Carlton. It con- 
 tains 482 inhabited houses ; 520 families, and 
 9757 acres of cleared land. 
 
 A few miles northward of the Meduxnikik, 
 and extending up the river, is the settlement of 
 Jacksontown, which embraces a very superior 
 track of country, which is laid out in tiers, pa- 
 rallel with the bend of the river. There is a 
 large population in Jacksontown, among whom 
 are many independent farmers. The road from 
 Woodstock, as has already been observed, passes 
 through this settlement, and cross roads from 
 the river intersect it at different places. The 
 former is expected to become the main post- 
 road in this quarter ; and travellers will thus 
 avoid several bad hills that are on the line in 
 front. At present it extends, and will continue 
 to pass through the Williamstown settlement, 
 where that of Jacksontown terminates. The 
 road through Williamstown settlement passes 
 over a most fertile and level district. The land 
 between the river and the Williamstown and 
 Jacksontown settlements is of excellent quality, 
 and embraces the parishes of Wakefield and 
 Wicklow. Inhabited houses, 330 ; families, 355; 
 acres of cleared land, 6050. In that of Wick- 
 low, 115 inhabited houses ; 129 families, and 
 2500 acres of cleared land. 
 
 G 
 

 110 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Nine miles from Woodstock, the road from 
 Jackson town, in which those from the different 
 tiers in that settlement concentrate, intersects 
 the present mail route in front of the river. 
 Near the white meeting-house at Wakefield, 
 five miles from this, there is an elevated track 
 of country, commanding a fine view of the ex- 
 tensive intervale on the opposite side of the river. 
 The upland in this section of the Province, ex- 
 tending beyond the Boundary Line to the west- 
 ward, is of the most fertile character. 
 
 On the Pekagomik, there are excellent settle- 
 ments ; some farms have near 100 acres of 
 cleared land. In the rear there is abundance 
 of ungranted land, although much that has been 
 cleared on each side has not been granted. 
 Near the Shiktahawk, and the Munquad, there 
 is a great quantity of ungranted land. Thirty- 
 six miles above Woodstock, the land is of a su- 
 perior quality, but that near the river is taken 
 up. At the mouth of the Biver de Chute, 
 there are Falls of about eight feet perpendicular 
 height, that prevents boats from ascending. 
 
Ill 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 forests, Soil, Natural $tsstovi>, $cc. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Remarks on the Forests, their Growth— Different kinds of 
 Wood growing in the Province — Maple, Sugar, and the 
 way of obtaining it — the Hackmatic, its quality and pur- 
 poses— the Soil— Intervale— effects of Fire on the Forests, 
 &c. — Manure— time of Planting — Manner of Reaping. — 
 Objects of Natural History — the Moose, its size, nature, 
 and quality — the Caribou, its size, nature, &c. — the Bear, 
 its colour, size, nature, &c. — the Otter, Fox, Mink Fish- 
 er, Woodchuch, Racoon, and Porcupine— the Beaver, the 
 manner in which they build their houses, and the means 
 they make use of to escape from their enemies — the Musk- 
 Rat, and the Squirrel. Fish, Whale and Shark species, 
 bony and castilagenous, found in the waters of New- 
 Brunswiek. 
 
 That the forest growth which clothes the sur- 
 face of the British Provinces is not primeval, I 
 am convinced of, by a number of concurrent 
 circumstances ; and that it has been devastated 
 at intervals, is not only congenial to appear- 
 ances, but in accordance with the traditions of 
 the Indians, and the relations of the earliest 
 settlers. A great number is still living, who 
 
. — 
 
 112 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 can recollect a terrible conflagration, which com- 
 menced its ravages in the State of Maine, and 
 only ceased its destructive influence at the river 
 St John, destroying nearly the whole forest be- 
 tween the south-west branch of the Oromocto, 
 and the Bay of Fundy. That territory was, 
 until the fire of 1825, overspread with a thick 
 growth of all the different forest trees — the 
 pines of which attained the height of eighty 
 feet, with a thickness of eighteen inches. 
 
 Around the Grand Lake and the Washade- 
 moac, a growth of trees is seen somewhat lar- 
 ger than those above described, but which 
 clearly shews the effects of fire upon the soil, 
 not greatly anterior, and it is highly probable, 
 that the same fire which desolated the shores 
 of those lakes, extended its ravages south-east- 
 ward to the Kennebeekasis, and upwards on 
 the banks of that river to its source. Modern 
 visitations of so awful a description, are more 
 apparent, and more easily traced ; but vestiges 
 of those which occurred in former times, are 
 sufficiently distinct to prove, that the most tre- 
 mendous in extent occurred long before the 
 Province was settled. But the damage occa- 
 sioned to the timber, which was the only loss 
 incurred in those times, was of incalculably less 
 value than the consequences of those of late oc- 
 
113 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 currence, which, at one fell swoop, and electri- 
 cal suddenness, consumed the labours of a life, 
 and closed the existence of many. 
 
 The distribution of the forest is not such as an 
 Englishman, accustomed to the cultivated woods 
 in his own country, might reasonably imagine ; 
 instead of being tastefully intermingled in ac- 
 cordance with the reveries of St Pierre, nature 
 has disposed the growth generally in stripes, 
 ridges, or groves — the deciduous trees, for the 
 most part, by themselves, and changing sud- 
 denly, often with scarcely a shade of admixture, 
 to an evergreen growth. The great distinguish- 
 ing denominations of wilderness land, as usually 
 understood throughout North America, are 
 hard-wood and soft-wood land, and barren plain. 
 The liard-wood are the ash, beech, birches, 
 maple, oak, and all the deciduous trees. The 
 soft-wood, are cedar, hemlock, spruce, pine — 
 the larch, (though not an evergreen) included. 
 
 From the Maple, the inhabitants extract a 
 great quantity of sugar, which is very easily 
 obtained for domestic purposes, and even for 
 sale, from 3d. to 4 d. per lb. The method of 
 producing it is, by making an incision in the 
 tree, about an inch and a-half deep, by two in- 
 ches wide, from which the sap of a saccharine 
 nature runs off into small troughs, and from 
 
rj 
 
 114 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 them is put into boilers on a slow fire ; the 
 longer this gradual boiling is continued, the 
 more refined will be the sugar. When finished, 
 it is poured into pots, and when cooled, is har- 
 der than loaf-sugar. The shimmings make ex- 
 cellent molasses. A good sized tree will, at an 
 average, produce six pounds of sugar without 
 being exhausted, and will continue to do so an- 
 nually. Those useful trees abound in the Pro- 
 vince ; I have known several families make 
 from twelve to twenty cwt. in a season. I 
 have frequently seen the inhabitants extract 
 the above. The working class of people use it 
 on account of its being so easy obtained, and 
 that upon their own land. 
 
 The Hackmatic is considered by some as an 
 inferior species of pine, peculiar to the British 
 Colonies, and which is extensively used in colo- 
 nial built vessels, is essentially the “ Larch” of 
 Europe, and that the difference that exists, if 
 any, are solely attributed to climate or soil; 
 and that, therefore, for the various purposes of 
 ship-building, for which larch is applicable, 
 Hackmatic is so likewise, and moreover, that 
 the larch is one of our most valuable timbers 
 for naval purposes. 
 
 Larch is termed— Pinus Larix, Pinus, Pen- 
 dula. Lamb. Larix Americana. Michaux. Epi- 
 
V7 7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 115 
 
 nette Rough, by the French Canadians. Hack- 
 matic or Tamarack, by the American and Eng- 
 lish settlers. It belongs to one of the sections 
 of the pine tribe, but by a similarity in cones 
 and wood, seems to be allied to the cedars, 
 from which it differs in not being an evergreen. 
 The leaves in bundles and desiduous ; cones, 
 oblong; branches, pendulous; wood, exoge- 
 nous ; timber, shewing very little sap ; wood, 
 bark rough, approaching that of cedar. 
 
 The Hackmatic grows generally throughout 
 the north-eastern States of the Union, and Bri- 
 tish America, but it is found in the largest 
 quantities in this Province, Nova Scotia, and 
 Prince Edward’s Island. The name, no doubt, 
 is of Indian origin. The timber is straight- 
 grained, fitting it for small spars of ships ; the 
 main-mast of a vessel of 350 tons, have been 
 made of it. It works roughly— is rather given 
 to warp — is hard, strong, and very durable. In 
 the colonies it is generally used as a building 
 timber, both for houses and small craft ; it is 
 particularly approved for knees to fasten the 
 beams of ships, the butt of the stem, and one 
 of the principal roots forming the angle requir- 
 ed. Treenals made of it, are also considered 
 to be of a very superior quality. 
 
 It is not a timber of commerce, nor is it con- 
 
O' 
 
 llt> historical and statistical 
 
 verted to any extent, but for house and ship- 
 building in the Colonies. It is sometimes sawn 
 into deals, but never shipped as Hackmatic deals, 
 being occasionally called juniper, or red-spruce, 
 though more generally confounded with spruce 
 and hemlock, and shipped as inferior goods. 
 Hard working and warping deals, however va- 
 luable on the score of strength and durability, 
 are not valued in the home market, where soft- 
 ness of grain, freedom of working, and absence 
 of warping, have given a preference to the white 
 or yellow deal of America. 
 
 The wood burns with a crackling noise, and 
 though not so easily ignited, as most of the pine 
 tribe, when once blazing, burns with great 
 briskness, giving out a fervent heat, and, tkere- 
 foie, in great request for the fuel of steam- 
 boat engines in Canada and the United States. 
 Colonial vessels built of this wood, are noto- 
 riously durable, inferior to none but teak or 
 British oak, and excepting, in one instance, viz. 
 the British merchant, there is no record of such 
 vessels having been destroyed by dry rot, while, 
 in several cases, the oak and other materials sur- 
 rounding and attached to the Hackmatic, has 
 been found destroyed by dry rot; the larch 
 has continued perfectly free. Barren or cari- 
 boo plains bear on the peat, which is often 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 117 
 
 many feet in depth, a few scattered spruces 
 and creeping cranberries, and these parts of 
 the country have as yet received no attempts to 
 reclaim the soil. The land which produces the 
 hard-woods, is generally good, and is brought 
 into cultivation with the least expense, but 
 both kinds of growth are sometimes found in- 
 termingled ; and where the w T ood is large and 
 thrifty, this soil is known to be the best for the 
 varied purposes of the settler. Land covered 
 with a growth of spruce or pine alone, is sel- 
 dom found to repay the outlay of the farmer. 
 High land entirely covered with beech, gene- 
 rally proves gravelly, cold, and hungry soil, and 
 every way less desirable for the settler than 
 many kind of swamp. Clay generally predomi- 
 nates in a cedar swamp, the closeness of which 
 soil, by offering to the spring, confers an im- 
 perishable bed, which affords to that evergreen 
 the moisture it loves. This a new settler dis- 
 approves of ; but if he can afford the outlay of 
 capital necessary for clearing it properly — par- 
 ticularly if the colour of the clay incline to red- 
 ness, and turn up the surface to the joint in- 
 fluences of the summer sun and winds, and the 
 winter frosts and snows, it will be found to re- 
 pay his labour in a far greater degree than 
 hard-wood upland. 
 
118 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Land of an alluvial origin, is generally over- 
 spread with a growth of elm, maple, birch, and 
 with a few thrifty spruces and firs ; and where 
 this growth is found, particularly if butternut 
 trees be interspersed, the soil is invariably of 
 the best quality. The elm and the butternut 
 delight in the alluvium of rivers, and they seem 
 to be the favourite, and almost spontaneous 
 production of that kind of soil ; but in some 
 parts of the Province, particularly on the butter- 
 nut ridge, at the head of Washademoak river, 
 and the settlements of Richmond, Jacksontown, 
 and the High Plains, which characterize in so 
 peculiar a manner the right bank of the river 
 St John. 
 
 A thick growth of alders is the produce of a 
 vegetable soil — the creation of moisture and 
 fermentation, and is highly productive of the 
 natural and artificial grasses ; but the sub-soil 
 is frequently a bed of sand, or some other bar- 
 ren formation. The alluvium formed by means 
 of salt water, is, in this Province, of two kinds. 
 The most extensive, and by far the most va- 
 luable, are the clayey formations on the estua- 
 ries of the rivers which disembogue into the 
 head of the Bay of Fundy, created solely by 
 the deposition of mud, which every returning 
 flood-tide bears in solution ; and these heavy 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 119 
 
 lands have been reclaimed from the dominion 
 of the sea, by lengthy and expensive embank- 
 ments. 
 
 It will be necessary to inform those in the 
 Mother Country, that the land which he under- 
 stands by alluvial or diluvial, when found on 
 the banks of fresh water rivers and streams, is 
 universally called in America intervale ; but 
 the marshes washed by salt water, retain the 
 same appellation here as those at home.* 
 
 * Intervale is a term peculiar to America, and denotes 
 that portion of land which is composed of the alluvial depo- 
 sit of large brooks and rivers, when swollen by rains in the 
 spring and autumn. It occurs in almost every county in the 
 Province, and is sometimes found covered with a long natu- 
 ral grass, several feet in length. The quality varies accord- 
 ing to the size of the stream, brook intervale being gene- 
 rally preferable to that on the banks of rivers. It produces 
 grain of all kinds, but is not so suitable for pasture as many 
 tracks of good upland. Of the quantity ot intervale con- 
 tained in the Province, no account can be given, nor is it 
 easy to form a conjecture, much of it being yet in a state of 
 nature. Interval is, doubtless, a word of English origin, to 
 which a new meaning has been assigned. The land which 
 is now known by that name, is almost the only part of the 
 forest which has large intervals, or large spaces between the 
 trees. These spots may, in very many places, be cultivated 
 without the aid of the axe, and indicate at once the value 
 and fertility of the soil. These intervals are no where to be 
 found but in low alluvial grounds, which, in process of time, 
 have drawn to themselves the peculiar appellation of inter- 
 val land. It has been supposed by some to be derived from 
 
120 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Marsh. — This land is also composed of allu- 
 vial sediment, consisting of the drainings of 
 the upland of putrescent matter, and saline par- 
 ticles, deposited by rivers after their juncture 
 with the salt water. In its natural state, it 
 produces a strong, coarse, aquatic grass ; but 
 when inclosed by dikes, and well drained, is 
 exceedingly fertile, yielding, for several years 
 in succession, abundant crops of wheat, and al- 
 ternate rotations of hay and grain, without the 
 aid of manure. The method of giving fertility 
 to soil, consists in dividing and breaking its 
 particles. 
 
 This is effected in two ways,— -first, By fire ; 
 secondly , By tillage. The former is adopted by 
 the new settler, who burns the wood upon the 
 soil where it grows ; and the other, by the oc- 
 cupant of cultivated land. These two classes 
 of people constitute the agricultural part of the 
 Province, and a sketch of the mode pursued by 
 each, will convey a just idea of the husbandry 
 of the country. As the surface of the earth, in 
 
 the Latin inter and vallum ; but besides the objection to this 
 conjecture, that intervals do not necessarily occur between 
 hills, we may also suppose, that settlers in the wilderness 
 are not apt to use Latin compounds, where there is no ap- 
 propriate word in their own language. It is written inter- 
 val and intervale . 
 
121 
 
 ^7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 its natural state, is covered with timber, the 
 first step towards cultivation is its removal, 
 which is accomplished by cutting down the 
 trees. There are two seasons in which this 
 operation is performed — late in the autumn, 
 and in the month of March — each of which has 
 its peculiar advantage. The first is a period of 
 the year, when the employment does not inter- 
 fere with any other duty, and is recommended 
 by its depriving the stumps of trees of the 
 power of generating sprouts. 
 
 The latter is generally preferred on account 
 of its accelerating the effects of the fire, of the 
 length of the days, and of the ease with which 
 the wood is then cut.* If the wood be cut in 
 March, the fire is applied to it about the latter 
 end of August, when the ground is generally 
 fitted for the reception of winter corn ; at the 
 same time that the grain is committed to the 
 ground, grass seed is also sown, and the land 
 continues under the scythe, until the removal 
 of the stumps admits of the application of the 
 plough. The progress of decomposition in the 
 roots of trees, varies according to the species of 
 wood. Pine and hemlock resist decay for a 
 great length of time, but, in general, land may 
 be prepared for tillage in five or six years. It 
 is admitted that the first crop of grain from 
 
122 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 good soil, will repay to a settler all the expense 
 connected with the clearing of the ground, the 
 purchase of seed, and the erection of fences. 
 The grain, notwithstanding the obstruction of 
 stumps, is easily harvested, and the grass that 
 follows, gathered with less difficulty than might 
 be supposed. 
 
 The operation of cutting the grain, is much 
 facilitated by the use of a “ cradle,” which is a 
 machine of American invention. It is com- 
 posed of a scythe, and its handle, with the ad- 
 dition of a few light bars of wood, placed paral- 
 lel with the blade ; the straw is severed with 
 this instrument, and as it falls behind the 
 scythe, is received by the frame. The mower, 
 by a dexterous movement, which can alone be 
 attained by practice, disencumbers the cradle 
 of the grain, and deposits it at his feet, as re- 
 gularly, and much more expeditiously, than if 
 it were reaped. But wheat and rye do not in- 
 variably constitute the first crop upon new land. 
 Turnips, indian corn, and potatoes, particularly 
 the latter, often precede grain, and as the cal- 
 cination of the soil changes the nature of its 
 productions less than manure, they are much 
 superior in quality, than when raised upon land 
 which has been long cultivated. At the end of 
 the second year, the settler is in a condition to 
 
VZ7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 123 
 
 keep a stock of cattle, his grain having been 
 succeeded by hay. Additional clearings, while 
 they supply him with wheat and potatoes, add 
 also to the extent of his pasturage and hay land ; 
 and at the expiration of six years, the piece of 
 ground, first cleared, is in a suitable state for 
 the eradication of the stumps, and invites the 
 commencement of tillage. When his farm is 
 thus situated, and the fire and the plough are 
 both in operation at the same time, it is said it 
 is more profitable than any old land of the 
 same extent ; the soil is not only in its virgin 
 purity, and free from the contamination of 
 weeds, but in full vigour, and its productions 
 are less liable to casualties — better in quality, 
 and more abundant. As few farms are regu- 
 larly divided into fields, each of which receives 
 in its turn a prescribed course of treatment, the 
 land generally remains in grass until the failure 
 of the crop indicates the necessity of a change. 
 The period of sowing differs according to the 
 season and soils, but, in general, wheat and 
 oats are sown in April. Indian corn is planted 
 according to the local circumstances, at any 
 time between the 14th of May and Gth of June. 
 Barley and buck-wheat are sown about the 3rd 
 of June, and turnips about the 15th of July. 
 Mowing commences about the 28th of July; 
 
124 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 reaping begins about the middle of August, 
 and is finished in September. 
 
 In a new country, the value of manure is not 
 so much regarded. The luxuriant power of 
 vegetation in the virgin moulds is such, that 
 artificial aid is deemed superfluous ; and it is 
 not until after its fertility has been either di- 
 minished or exhausted, by repeated and injudi- 
 cious cropping, that recourse is had to art to 
 restore its vigour. Hence dung, as it is the 
 most obvious and the cheapest, so it is the most 
 common manure. It is only for the last six- 
 teen years that composts and lime have supplied 
 the deficiency of the barn-yard. In a few 
 places, bordering on the basin of Minas, the 
 alluvial deposit of the rivers is applied as a su- 
 perficial dressing to grass land. Sometimes it 
 is incorporated with the soil, by the plough, 
 and amply repays the labour and expense of its 
 application. One of the greatest difficulties 
 experienced in rural affairs in this Province, 
 arises out of the rapid progress of vegetation, 
 which limits the time for planting and sowing 
 to a very short space ; and if any irregularity 
 occurs in the weather at those periods, it not 
 only requires great exertion, but occasions these 
 labours to be performed very imperfectly : from 
 the same cause, the different branches of har- 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 125 
 
 vest are often crowded together in the most in- 
 convenient manner, producing in some instan- 
 ces, additional expense, and in others serious 
 damage to crops. This rapidity of growth af- 
 fects the quality of both the hay and the straw, 
 neither of which are so nutricious as the same 
 productions in England. 
 
 Agriculture.— Soils are most frequently 
 composed of the following earths, mixed in diffe- 
 rent proportions,— siliba, (flinty) alumina, (clay) 
 lime, magnesia, and the oxides and salts derived 
 from the decomposition of metallic and other 
 mineral matter. To these are added, the diffe- 
 rent parts of vegetables in their several stages 
 of decay. The presence of some of these sub- 
 stances is absolutely necessary to vegetation ; 
 others exert an influence hostile to the growth 
 of plants, when they exist in any considerable 
 quantity, and the predominance of either of the 
 earths, withholds from vegetables that kind of 
 nourishment they require for their perfect 
 growth. It has been ascertained that the 
 most productive soil in all countries, and under 
 the different climates, is one composed of diffe- 
 rent proportions of siliceans (flinty,) calcareous 
 (marly,) aluminous (clayey,) earth in a finely 
 divided state, and containing a greater or less 
 
 H 
 
126 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 quantity of vegetable and animal matter, re- 
 turning to a mineral condition. It would be 
 impossible to point out the exact proportions 
 of these substances which should be present, 
 under all circumstances, for general productive- 
 ness. These proportions must be regulated by 
 climate, temperature, and more especially, by 
 the peculiar nature of the plant it is called upon 
 to nourish. But this general fact is so far ap- 
 plicable every where, that when the soil is found 
 to be composed almost altogether of one or two 
 of those earths, to the exclusion of almost every 
 other kind of matter, it may, from a knowledge 
 of the circumstances, be greatly improved, and 
 its fertility increased fourfold. 
 
 By pursuing this inquiry into its minutest 
 ramifications, the quantity of each earth may be 
 so adjusted to all the conditions of climate, si- 
 tuation, and the laws affecting the distribution 
 of plants, that the greatest possible harvest may 
 be reaped from lands which, in their natural 
 and depraved condition, were barren and un- 
 fruitful. This constitutes the science of Agri- 
 culture, that ennobling branch of industry which 
 Nature never fails to reward, when her boun- 
 ties are sought with care, skill, and diligence. 
 
 The power of some earths to absorb and re- 
 tain moisture, is much greater than others; 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 127 
 
 and. as water performs an important office in 
 vegetation, those soils which arc placed upon 
 declivities, and are therefore quickly drained, 
 require a larger quantity of retentive clay, than 
 such as are placed in lower situations, — where, 
 perhaps, the open sand allows the accumulated 
 rain to escape with greater facility, both by 
 evaporation and absorption. The composition 
 of the sub-soil must also be considered. Should 
 it be impervious clay, the water cannot descend 
 even through a thin stratum. Again, if it re- 
 pose upon beds of sand, it escapes by a filtra- 
 tion, with great facility. 
 
 Almost all upland soils have been derived 
 from the disintegration of the rocks beneath, 
 and frequently at no great distance from them. 
 Even the alluviums can be traced to their birth- 
 place, whence they have been driven by cur- 
 rents still active in their transportation. The 
 greatest fertility of these alluviums has result- 
 ed from the continued action of the causes to 
 which they owe their origin. Those mighty 
 operations that spread a covering over the 
 rocks, wdiereby the earth was rendered a fit 
 abode for man, and his associate animals, are 
 now almost inactive on a large portion of the 
 globe. They have not, however, altogether 
 discontinued their useful labour, nor ceased to 
 
128 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 clothe the lower grounds with an annual depo- 
 sit of finally divided matter, and thus to in- 
 crease the food of plants for the growing po- 
 pulation of each continent and island, according 
 to the demands they make upon the vegetable 
 kingdom for food. 
 
 Agriculture, to be attended to with success, 
 must be conducted upon scientific principles,— 
 some knowledge of the plants belonging to the 
 climate and exotics, and the soil capable of pro- 
 ducing them most abundantly, must be obtained, 
 before the husbandman can receive an adequate 
 reward for his pains, or rejoice over the fruits 
 of his labour. 
 
 In all the different arts, a knowledge of the 
 materials operated upon is considered indispen- 
 sibly necessary for those whose employment is 
 in them ; and it is surprising that the agricultu- 
 rist, who requires more of this kind of know- 
 ledge than the common artisan, should have 
 been so much neglected, and left to discover, 
 by the experience of a whole life, what he 
 might have known in a single lesson. Innume- 
 rable are the instances where the seed has been 
 scattered in the sand, and in the clay, and be- 
 cause no crop followed, both were condemned 
 as being barren and worthless ; but had those 
 two different substances been mixed in proper 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 129 
 
 proportions, a plentiful harvest would have fol- 
 lowed, and the disappointed tiller of the ground 
 would have smiled over the bounties received 
 from Nature’s cornucopia. 
 
 The different kinds of manure, many of 
 which are abundant in the Province, might be 
 applied with the greatest possible advantage to 
 the soils of every country ; but of all these, the 
 excrementitious matter of stables forms almost 
 the only kind used in the country. 
 
 Manures are of three kinds, viz. animal, ve- 
 getable, and mineral. Animal , — excrementi- 
 tious matter, fish-shells, bones. Vegetable , — 
 
 sea-weed, peat-ashes, soot. Mineral , — lime- 
 
 stone, marl-marly, clay, alluvium of the sea, 
 (marsh mud) alluvium of rivers (mould.) But 
 the litter of the stabling is almost the only ma- 
 nure in many parts of the Province. It would 
 seem that the Chinese had arrived at a more 
 perfect knowledge of these substances in the 
 support of vegetation than any other people. 
 So essential do they consider manure to be the 
 production of crops, that light soil mixed with 
 fat marl, and formed into cakes, is an article of 
 commerce throughout the empire. 
 
 Peat is abundant in the Province, and most 
 of its varieties will afford manure ; but it some- 
 times happens that the low situations where it 
 
130 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 is accumulated, have been exposed to earth con- 
 taining much iron, and where the salts of that 
 metal render it unfit for such a purpose. Such 
 peat may be known by its ochrey appearance, 
 and the presence of “ bog” and “ shot” ore. 
 
 The soil of New-Brunswick is extremely va- 
 ried in its composition, having been produced 
 by a variety of causes, and from many different 
 kinds of rock. It is, therefore, necessary that 
 those who cultivate it, should previously take 
 an extensive view of all the facts connected 
 with its former and present condition. To 
 this inductive knowledge, experiments should 
 be added to afford those practical illustrations 
 which unite in the mind, philosophical reason- 
 ing with absolute demonstration. 
 
 The Chemistry which may benefit the far- 
 mer, is neither philosophical chemistry, nor the 
 chemistry of the laboratory, but it is what 
 may be called the chemistry of Nature, — those 
 simple and elementary rules which affect the 
 ordinary operations, either of Nature or art, 
 constantly going on before us. Such knowledge 
 is useful to every one, and, sooner or later, its 
 value will become apparent. 
 
 Every farmer is in the habit of using ma- 
 nure of some kind or other ; he spreads over 
 
131 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 his land something which causes the plants to 
 grow more vigorously, and yield him larger 
 crops than he could obtain without it. A va- 
 riety of different substances are used in diffe- 
 rent parts of the country to produce this effect ; 
 what then is the substance or substances which 
 these different manures contain, and on what 
 does their fertilizing power depend ? Setting 
 aside, for the present, the mechanical effects 
 which many manures produce, and which are 
 frequently very important, let us briefly inquire 
 what is the composition of the ordinary kinds 
 of manure ? The great bulk of manure consists 
 of decaying vegetable and animal matter, dead 
 plants, and a variety of substances of vegetable 
 origin, which, as they formerly constituted liv- 
 ing plants, must necessarily contain those mat- 
 ters which plants require. When these vege- 
 table or animal substances decay, for they are 
 very similar in composition, they are in part 
 dissipated into certain gases ; there is left, after 
 the escape of these gases, a quantity of dark- 
 coloured charry-looking matter, which is com- 
 paratively unchangeable, and besides this, there 
 remains a small quantity of fixed earthy and 
 saline substances, which all kinds of vegetable 
 or animal matter contain. The chemical ele- 
 ments of ordinary manure are certain com- 
 
132 
 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 pounds of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, 
 sulphur, and fixed salts. 
 
 llie rotting of vegetable substances in ma- 
 nures, is just the reverse of what takes place 
 when plants grow, as they are gradually sepa- 
 rated again into those very substances from 
 which its plants w r ere originally formed. In 
 consequence of the many abundant sources of 
 those gases, which form part of the food of 
 plants, that exist all over the globe, it follows 
 that the air always contain a small portion of 
 them diffused throughout it, and hence plants 
 can always obtain from it the gaseous substances 
 which they require ; nevertheless, as the quan- 
 tity present in the air is always very small, the 
 addition of manures, which yield more of those 
 gases to growing plants than they could other- 
 wise obtain, is always useful. With regard to 
 the earthy and alkaline salts which plants con- 
 tain, the case is very different ; when we re- 
 move a crop, we take away a quantity of these 
 salts, and the soil, of course, then contains less 
 of them than it did before. There are not the 
 same means naturally provided to restore to 
 the soil these salts, as there are to restore to 
 the air those gases which are essential to the 
 growth of plants. It is true that fallowing 
 does, to a certain extent, restore the soil to its 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 133 
 
 original state ; but without going into that sub- 
 ject, it is evident that it is even more import- 
 ant to supply saline, than gaseous matter to 
 plants. Both are important elements of ma- 
 nure, but the former is the most important, be- 
 cause the natural means which exist for keep- 
 ing up a regular supply of them to plants, are 
 less complete than those which regulate the for- 
 mation and distribution of the gases. 
 
 The old chemists of by-gone times used to 
 marvel greatly whence animals obtained the 
 earthly substances which constitute their bones ; 
 it is now known, that all animals who feed on 
 plants obtain the phosphate of lime, which con- 
 stitutes the greater part of the bone from 
 plants. All plants contain phosphates of lime 
 and magnesia, hence these are important con- 
 stituents of manure. 
 
 The manufacture of pearl-ash and potash 
 from plants, has existed for a very long time. 
 Plants are burnt merely for the sake of their 
 ashes, which being rich in potash, are valued 
 as a source of that alkali. All plants contain al- 
 kali, either potash or soda ; hence salts of these 
 alkalies are constituents of many of the best 
 manures ; and the ashes of plants, rich in al- 
 kali, have always a beneficial effect when ap- 
 plied to land. The earthy phosphates and al- 
 
134 
 
 1 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 kaline salts, are the most important of the sa- 
 line constituents of manure. 
 
 Looking at ordinary manures, in a chemical 
 point of view, we may divide them into those 
 which supply the gaseous matters on which 
 plants feed, those which supply alkaline salts 
 and phosphates, and those which supply both at 
 the same time. Farm-yard dung is the best 
 kind, and therefore it is adapted for all soils ; 
 it contains all that plants can want. Soot acts 
 principally from the gaseous matters which it 
 supplies to plants ; whilst bones, and more es- 
 pecially burnt bones, may be taken as an ex- 
 ample of a manure which supplies earthy phos- 
 phates. Bearing these facts in mind, it be- 
 comes of the first importance to know what are 
 the cheapest sources of the substances, and 
 how they can be furnished in the most econo- 
 mical and uniform manner. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS ON THE FACE OF THE 
 PROVINCE, &c. 
 
 The distinguishing features of the face of New- 
 Brunswick, are the prevalence along the shore 
 of the Gulf of St Laurence, of an almost per- 
 fect level, the only inequalities of which are 
 perceptible on the banks of the rivers and 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 135 
 
 brooks, which have, in the course of ages, made 
 for themselves a deep bed ; but advancing into 
 the interior, and approaching towards the St 
 John’s river, on the west, and the Restigouch 
 on the northern boundary, the surface gradually 
 assumes a bolder and more elevated cast. On 
 the isthmus formed by the Gulf on the east, 
 and Cumberland Basin and the Petitcodiac on 
 the west, there are no elevations worthy of 
 notice ; and in the whole interior, between that 
 river, northward, to the valley of the Nipisi- 
 guit, the inequalities are but inconsiderable un- 
 dulations, but to the southward of the Petitco- 
 diac, the land rises in lofty and rocky aclivi- 
 ties, and is broken into abrupt, hollow, and 
 deep ravines. Proceeding westward, from a 
 line joining the mouth of the Anagance, extend- 
 ing through the interior, northward, to the 
 mouth of the Upsal quitch, advancing across 
 the St John, to the Boundary Line of Maine, 
 the inequalities are lofty and abrupt, frequently 
 assuming the character of mountains, and the 
 forest presenting, in an eminent degree, the 
 higher characteristics of soil. 
 
 Along the shore of the Bay of Fundy, the 
 spruce growth prevails in the woods, and in- 
 deed, the hard blue rock, which there presents 
 an impassable barrier to the moutain wave of 
 
136 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the Atlantic, is covered by so little soil, that 
 none but the spruce can derive any nourish- 
 ment. But along this line of sterile coast, if 
 the labour of the agriculturist is poorly repaid, 
 nature presents herself to the eye of the as- 
 tonished traveller, in the most sublime and ro- 
 mantic dresses. The Shepody mountain, near the 
 upper extremity of the Bay of Fundy, the white 
 granite capped heights which inclose the vale of 
 the Nerepsis, the rocky ridges which rise in 
 gradations from the Bay, extending from the 
 Petitcodiac to the Chiputucticook, — the beau- 
 tiful cascades on the Poulet river, and the Le- 
 Proc — the majestic falls near the city of St 
 John, and the picturesque scenery on the Ma- 
 guadavic and the St Croix, can scarcely be sur- 
 passed in beauty and grandeur in any country, 
 where the exuberance of the natural growth 
 offers a barrier to an extensive prospect. 
 
 What a splendid bird's-eye glance, or pano- 
 ramic view, is seen from the top of a tall pine. 
 Standing on high land, the forest assumes a 
 varied, but beautiful appearance, exhibiting, 
 where the evergreen grows, a deep green tint, 
 and in the deciduous woods, a lighter colour, 
 variegated with all the different shades of green. 
 A picture of such a scene, would present an 
 aspect of admirable beauty, particularly in a 
 
^7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 137 
 
 part of the country where the surface swells 
 into eminences, and diversify the sameness of 
 the landscape by their oceanic undulations. 
 
 The leaves and the woods of the evergreens 
 abound with rosin or gum, which renders them 
 so highly inflammable, that on exposure to the 
 action of fire, the flames immediately ascend to 
 the top of the tree, with a roaring crackling 
 noise. The moss, dry leaves, and dead-wood, 
 which covers the surface of the ground, assist- 
 ed by the wind, communicates the fire to the 
 other trees, and if the breeze be violent, no hu- 
 man being can anticipate where the raging ele- 
 ment will terminate its violence. But the fire 
 seldom commits ravages among the hardwood, 
 owing to the want of materials of a highly in- 
 flammable nature, to increase its fury, conse- 
 quently, so soon as it may have passed through 
 a spruce swamp, and arrived at a ridge covered 
 with a deciduous growth, it is supposed there 
 is a sufficient obstacle to stop its further pro- 
 gress. But in the event of a long continued 
 drought, having dried every rotten wind-fall 
 into touch-wood ; and if the fire being attend- 
 ed with strong wind, the sparks and the ignited 
 bark would be driven through the hard-wood 
 ridge, and, in a few minutes, the next ever- 
 green tract would be in a fearful blaze — de- 
 
138 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 structive of the life and vegetation of every- 
 thing within the bounds of its influence, leaving 
 the trees, and even their limbs standing, but 
 scathed and charred, resembling, in many re- 
 spects, a vast collection of masts of Merchant 
 vessels in a large port. Fire will continue to 
 exist in every decayed tree, until rain fall in 
 sufficient abundance to penetrate into all its re- 
 cesses ; and until that auspicious event, no one 
 residing in its neighbourhood considers himself 
 in safety. 
 
 The effects of fire on the standing timber, is 
 so superficial, that, provided it be cut down 
 and hewed without delay, none but practised 
 eyes can discover the difference between it, and 
 that which may have been cut green ; but, after 
 the first succeeding winter, the worm quickly 
 pierces it with holes, and bereaves it of sap, 
 which renders the timber useless. I would 
 here observe, that when the fire has passed 
 through the woods, it will rage there no more 
 till the land be re-covered with a new growth. 
 
 The calamity which the inhabitants of this 
 Province have experienced in no lenient degree, 
 constitutes, for the present time, the greatest 
 source of their security. There is a very sur- 
 prising phenomenon attending the succession of 
 the young wood, and that is, in a large tract of 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 139 
 
 land, comprising many hundred square miles, 
 which has been desolated by fire ; it generally 
 happens, that, in the course of two years, young 
 trees shoot up at so vast a distance from living 
 ones of the same species, that it seems impos- 
 sible for the winds to waft their seeds so far, 
 consequently, it is almost universally believed 
 in this country, that trees are indigenous to the 
 soil, and spring up without seminal origin. 
 The kind of growth which often succeeds the 
 hard-woods, is spruce, pine, hemlock, a bastard 
 species of maple, frequently wild cherry, white 
 birch, and sometimes poplar, but before the fire 
 occurred here, neither a poplar nor a cherry 
 might have been seen for an immense distance. 
 
 This hypothesis, at the same time, proves 
 the fallacy of placing entire dependence on the 
 growth of the forest, as a proof of the quality 
 of the soil, and shews, that it is expedient to 
 tear up the moss, and to examine the "quality 
 and depth of vegetable mould, in order to dis- 
 cover the real nature of the soil. 
 
 The trees, towards the latter end of summer, 
 present a most luxuriant foliage ; the flats in 
 many places are occupied by the deciduous 
 kinds, whose leaves, in their decay, assuming 
 every hue from brilliant scarlet and bright yel- 
 low, to orange and dark brown — contrast their 
 

 140 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 varied tints with the deep green of the pines, 
 and produce an effect unequalled by any thing 
 we see in the Mother Country. This splendid 
 variety of foliage, indicates a variety of timber 
 and of soil. The chief kinds of timber, are the 
 oak, ash, cedar, beech, birch, elm, and maple. 
 
 In concluding this part, I would here make 
 a few observations on the circulation of sap in 
 trees : — 
 
 A certain writer has justly stated, — “ That 
 the trees which, during several months appear- 
 ed entirely dead, begin gradually to revive, and 
 in the space of a few weeks, will give much 
 more evident signs of vitality ; the buds will 
 sprout, open, and the sweet blossom expand. 
 Though we have observed this revolution at 
 the commencement of several successive springs, 
 w r e have no doubt been ignorant of the means 
 conducing to this end. The effects which we 
 perceive in spring to take place in trees, and 
 other vegetables, are caused by the circulation 
 of the sap, which begins to move in the vessels 
 containing it, when acted upon by a milder air, 
 and increase of warmth. As the life of ani- 
 mals depend upon the circulation of blood, so 
 does the life and growth of plants depend upon 
 the circulation of sap, which is to them what 
 blood is to animals. To effect this, nature has 
 
 t 
 
v_7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 141 
 
 formed and adapted all parts of vegetables to 
 concur in the preparation, motion, and conser- 
 vation of this nourishing juice. It is princi- 
 pally by the bark that the sap in the spring be- 
 gins to ascend from the roots into the body of 
 the tree, and even throughout the year, life and 
 nourishment are distributed to the branches, 
 and to the fruit which they bear.” 
 
 F rom the experiments of Coulomb and Knight, 
 it would appear that the sap does not ascend 
 through the bark, but through the wood ; and 
 it is well known that a plant continues to grow 
 even when stripped of a greater part of the 
 bark, which would not be the case if the sap as- 
 cended through the bark ; and those who are in 
 the habit of obtaining sap from the trees, are 
 obliged to carry their incisions deeper than 
 the bark, or they are unable to procure any sap. 
 The woody part of the tree is composed of 
 small longitudinal fibres, extending in spiral 
 lines, closely united together from the roots to 
 the summit of the trees ; amongst these fibres, 
 some are so extremely small and fine, that a 
 single one, scarcely as large as a hair, contains 
 some thousand fibrillae. There is an innu- 
 merable number of little tubes, in which the 
 sap circulates, extending through all the body 
 of the tree to the remotest branches, some 
 
 i 
 
142 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 conveying it from the root to the summit, and 
 others returning it back again. During the 
 heat of the day, the sap rises through the as- 
 cending tubes, and returns by the descending 
 ones in the cool of the evening. These tubes 
 pass through the leaves, which are also sup- 
 posed to answer the purpose of respiratory or- 
 gans, and absorb the dew and moisture of the at- 
 mosphere ; the sap then is distributed through 
 every part of the tree ; its aqueous part eva- 
 porates by the pores of the vessels, whilst the 
 oily, sulphureous, earthy, and saline particles 
 blend together to nourish the tree, and promote 
 its growth. If the circulation of the sap is 
 checked, if the internal organization of the 
 tree is destroyed, either by a very severe frost, 
 or by age or by accident the tree will die. 
 
 OBJECTS OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 When this Province was first discovered, it 
 abounded with a great variety of native ani- 
 mals. The chase and the fishery were the 
 chief objects of attraction to the early emi- 
 grants. Elks have long since disappeared, and 
 the catalogue of those animals which still remain 
 is not numerous. They are as follows The 
 
^7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 143 
 
 moose, cariboo, bear, fox, lynx, weasel, martin, 
 otter, mink-fisher, wood-chuck, hare, rancoon, 
 porcupine, squirrel-rat, mouse-bat, mole, beaver, 
 and the musquash. 
 
 The Moose is the largest animal of the fo- 
 rest in this part, and is generally sixteen hands 
 high ; he is of the deer kind, with palmated 
 horns, weighing from thirty to forty pounds, 
 which are shed every year, in the month of 
 February. He has no brown antlers ; his head 
 is long, neck short, ears large and pointed, and 
 nostrils greatly distended ; his upper lip, com- 
 monly called the mouffe, is very broad and pen- 
 dant, his legs remarkably long, his tail short, 
 his withers elevated, and covered with a thick 
 hair like those of the buffalo ; there is also a 
 tuft of black hair pendant from his neck ; his 
 hoof is cloven, and when he trots, the clatter- 
 ing of it is heard at a considerable distance ; 
 his colour is a light grey, mixed with a dark 
 red, his hide is very suitable for leather, being 
 thick and strong, yet soft and pliable ; the hair 
 is long and elastic, and is suitable for mattres- 
 ses ; his flesh is blacker than that of the ox, 
 he feeds on moss, natural grass of intervales, 
 and on the leaves and tender buds of a species 
 of the maple, called moose-wood. When the 
 Indians kill a Moose, they carefully preserve 
 
144 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the sinews, of which they make the strongest 
 cords, and the tongue and mouffe are sold as 
 great delicacies ; his gait is an exceeding fast 
 trot, which he is enabled to continue for a great 
 length of time, and his course through the 
 woods is proverbially straight. In summer, to 
 avoid the annoyance of flies, he frequently wades 
 into the lakes, where he feeds on aquatic gras- 
 ses and pond lilies. In winter they form herds, 
 and when the snow is deep, they describe a circle, 
 and press the snow with their feet, until it be- 
 comes hard, which is called by hunters, a yard. 
 Here they remain until the snow dissolves, or 
 until they have consumed all the branches and 
 bark suitable for food. As soon as the snow 
 becomes encrusted in March, by alternate thaws 
 and frosts, the Indians go out in quest of them; 
 by the aid of rackets or snow-shoes, they are 
 enabled to pass over the indurated surface with 
 great ease and rapidity, while the moose, who 
 breaks through the icy crust at every step, with 
 his small and forked feet, wounds his legs, and 
 extricates himself with considerable difficulty 
 and fatigue from the holes — in this manner he 
 is wearied out overtaken and shot. 
 
 The Caribou. — This animal is distinguished 
 by having brown antlers, which are rounder 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 145 
 
 than those of the moose, and meet nearer at 
 the extremities. It is not so tall as the moose, 
 but of amazing swiftness, and its hoofs being 
 very large in proportion to its legs, it is not 
 easily overtaken. It is customary to lie in 
 wait for them at certain defiles where they are 
 known to pass, or near waters and feeding- 
 grounds, to which they resort ; they are sup- 
 posed to be a species of the rein-deer of the 
 northern parts of Europe. The flesh is very 
 tender, and of better flavour than that of the 
 moose, and the skin is soft and tough, and 
 makes valuable leather. The Indians make use 
 of the tendons for thread. 
 
 THE BEAR. 
 
 The Black Bear only is found in this, and 
 the adjoining Province (Nova-Scotia.) He is 
 

 146 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 larger than the European bear, and has been 
 known to weigh more than four hundred 
 pounds. Although carnivorous, he is timid, 
 unless wounded or hungry.* He feeds upon 
 nuts, berries, corn, &c., and sometimes sheep, 
 calves, and pigs. He can climb any tree 
 large enough to sustain his strength, or fill his 
 grasp. When the winter sets in, he retires to 
 his den, which is generally a cave or hollow 
 tree, without making the least provision fqr his 
 support during the severity of the season ; here 
 he remains in a torpid state until the return of 
 spring. The flesh is very palatable, and the 
 ham is considered a great delicacy. The In- 
 dians frequently anoint themselves with the fat, 
 to prevent the annoyance of the musquitoes and 
 flies, both of which are very numerous, and to 
 avoid those rheumatic affections to which they 
 are rendered susceptible by constant exposure 
 to the vicissitudes of the weather. The skin is 
 the most valuable of any of the native animals; 
 and when dressed with the shag on, is much 
 used as a covering for sleighs, and many useful 
 articles of apparel. 
 
 * I have been within a few hundred yards of several, 
 when I have been riding through the different settlements, 
 which I had to visit monthly. 
 
147 
 
 account of new-brunswick. 
 
 THE FOX. 
 
 Of Foxes, there are four different kinds,— 
 silver fox, red, grey, and black fox — all of 
 which are smaller, and possessed of less speed 
 and strength than the English fox. I have 
 seen them frequently walk for a great distance, 
 at the edge of the wood, and keeping pace with 
 my horse. 
 
 Otter. — This animal is about four feet long, 
 exclusive of the tail, (which measures sixteen 
 inches,) and is generally about a foot a half in 
 circumference. From its peculiar mode of 
 living and habits, it has been represented as an 
 amphibious animal, but this is not the case. 
 The formation and appearance of its head re- 
 sembles that of the beaver, but its teeth are 
 like those of a dog ; its head and nose are 
 
148 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 broad and flat, the eyes are nearer the nose 
 than is usual in quadrupeds, and placed in such 
 a manner as to discern every object that is 
 above them. This peculiarity gives it an ad- 
 vantage when lurking at the bottom of a brook 
 for its prey, as the fish cannot perceive any ob- 
 ject that is under them. It is always observed 
 when in chase of fish, to swim against the 
 stream. It lives in holes on the banks of 
 streams, provided with an aperture to admit 
 the air, and for the purpose of retreat, in case 
 of an attack. The colour of the otter is darker 
 than that of the beaver, and is tinged with grey 
 on the breast and belly. It is strong and fierce, 
 and will defend itself with great courage, but 
 when taken young, may be tamed and taught 
 to fish for its owner. It feeds on fish, amphi- 
 bious animals, poultry, and the bark of trees. 
 
 I here is also the Mink, which is of the 
 otter tribe, but which is smaller and prover- 
 bially black. Its tail is round and flat, and 
 without hair. 
 
 The Fisher, sometimes called the black cat, 
 and black fox, is an animal resembling the Mar- 
 tin. His colour is black, with the exception 
 of the head and neck, which are grey. Its 
 length is two feet, circumference one foot, and 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 149 
 
 the length of its tail twelve inches. It is rare 
 to be met with, and solely taken for its fur. 
 
 The W oodchuck is a small animal of a red- 
 dish grey colour, that burrows in the ground 
 like a rabbit. It is extremely fat, and its flesh 
 is eaten by the Indians ; it is fifteen inches 
 long, and its circumference is so great, as to 
 give it the appearance of being round. 
 
 The Racoon resembles the fox in the size and 
 shape of its body ; its head and teeth are simi- 
 lar to those of a dog ; it is upwards of twenty- 
 seven inches in length, and its tail is twelve ; 
 it is covered with a long, thick, and soft hair, 
 of a brown colour, slightly tinged with grey ; 
 its eyes are large, of a greenish colour, and en- 
 compassed by a circle of black ; its tail is round 
 and bushy, tapering to the end, and annulated 
 with several black bars ; its limbs are short — 
 the fore legs shorter than the hinder ; its feet 
 are armed with sharp claws, and it leaps with 
 surprising agility. In its manners, it resembles 
 the squirrel ; in eating it sits up on its hind 
 legs, and serves itself with its fore paws, im- 
 mersing its dry food in water before it eats it. 
 It is often tamed, and is to be found in the 
 wigwams of the Indians. In its wild state, it 
 lives in hollow trees, and feeds on the bark, 
 acorns, and beech-nuts ; but when domesticated, 
 
150 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 will feed on milk, bread, eggs, and is very fond 
 of sweets. It feeds by night, and during the 
 winter seldom leaves its den, from whence it 
 is generally said to live in a torpid state during 
 that period. Its flesh is fit to be eaten, and its 
 fur is preferred by hatters, to all others but 
 that of the beaver. 
 
 The Porcupine is about the size of a lap- 
 dog, but does not stand so high from the 
 ground. It is covered with long brown hair, 
 interspersed on the back, sides, and tail, with 
 stiff, hollow, white spines, about the size of a 
 wheat straw ; these are tipped with black, sharp 
 at the ends, and slightly barbed, and are in 
 general called quills. These spines are the na- 
 tural defence of the animal, and are so easily 
 detached from its body, as to give rise to the 
 prevailing opinion that it has power to shoot 
 them. I have seen dogs who have hunted these 
 animals, return home with their faces covered 
 with the quills, and which have not only been 
 difficult to extract, but gave great pain when 
 they were taken out. It has four toes on the 
 fore feet, and five on the hind, armed with 
 sharp claws, with which it is enabled to climb 
 trees. The female produces two at a birth ; it 
 dwells in hollow trees, or in cavities under their 
 roots. It feeds on nuts, buds, and the bark 
 
\Z7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 151 
 
 and balsam of the fir-tree. Its flesh is palatable 
 and nutricious ; and its quills are much valued 
 by the Indians, who die them of various co- 
 lours, and use them in ornamenting their mo- 
 chasens, belts, and birchen baskets. 
 
 The Beaver is an amphibious animal, and 
 said to form the connecting link between quad- 
 rupeds and fishes. Its length is about two 
 feet nine inches ; it has four front teeth called 
 incisors ; the two upper truncated and exca- 
 vated with a transverse angle ; the two lower 
 transverse at the tips. They have also six- 
 teen grinders ; eight in the upper jaw, and 
 the same in the lower. With the former, 
 they cut down trees of soft wood, such as wdiite 
 maple, white birch, poplar, alder, and willow ; 
 and with the latter they break any hard sub- 
 stances. The fore feet are very short, and the 
 toes separate ; the hind feet are membraneous, 
 and adapted for swimming. The tail is oval, 
 scaley, destitute of hair, and about a foot in 
 length. The body is covered with soft, glossy 
 fur, of a brown colour, and the skin generally 
 weighs two pounds. The castor used in medi- 
 cine is found in sacs formed behind the kid- 
 neys. Beavers dwell in houses of their own 
 construction, for which purpose they sometimes 
 unite and form communities. These are built 
 
'U 
 
 152 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 either in ponds or running streams ; if in the 
 former, there is no occasion for a dam, but me- 
 rely to select a situation which will admit of an 
 open passage from the cellar to the water un- 
 der the ice; if in the latter, they select a 
 stream which is capable of being dammed, and 
 having cut down trees suitable for their pur- 
 pose, they commence making the foundation of 
 the dams, by placing the sticks up and down 
 the stream, and cementing them with mud. 
 When the dam is erected, it receives a final 
 coating of mortar, made of twigs and clay, for 
 which purpose their tails serve as trowels. 
 There is always a sufficient sluice made in the 
 dam to carry off the surplus water. When the 
 dam is built, they proceed to erect their houses; 
 these they build of the same material, which 
 serves them for food, and in selecting trees for 
 their formation, they are careful to choose those 
 near the water, that they may be floated down 
 the stream, or to cut them in such a manner 
 that they may fall in the proper direction. 
 
 Their houses generally consist of two or 
 three stories, and are so constructed, that the 
 upper floor shall be above the level of the high- 
 est flood, and perfectly dry. The shape of the 
 building is oval, and the covering is impervious 
 to the weather. Their food in winter consists 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 153 
 
 of the bark of poplar logs and other wood, 
 which they generally provide in the autumn, 
 and sink in the pond near their dwelling-houses. 
 As there are always several breathing holes in 
 the ice, which the Beavers keep constantly open, 
 the Indians select one of these for the position 
 of their traps. A short stake is driven into 
 the ground, to which the trap is fastened, to 
 prevent its being carried off by the Beaver ; 
 the trap is then strewed with pieces of willow 
 or alder, of which that animal is very fond, — 
 and in this manner he is generally decoyed. 
 When a Beaver first perceives an enemy, he 
 gives a smart blow on the water with the 
 broad part of his tail, at which signal, the 
 whole family disperse under the water. It is 
 not inconvenient for them to remain along time 
 under the water, nor is their fur injured, even 
 when the animal is drowned in the traps. 
 
 The best fur is that which is taken in “Feb- 
 ruary or March ; in summer, it is considered 
 much inferior. 
 
 The Muskrat or Musquash, is an amphi- 
 bious animal, and resembles the Beaver in its 
 habits. It is about fifteen inches in length, its 
 tail about a foot, and similar to that of a rat. 
 It is less afraid of man than the Beaver, and is 
 
154 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 frequently found in ponds and creeks in the cul- 
 tivated parts of the country. 
 
 The Squirrel is a lively and active ani- 
 mal, and lives principally among the branches 
 of trees, and feeds on nuts and seeds. Its 
 body is small, but beautifully formed, and 
 the common kind is of a brownish colour, and 
 has a large bushy tail. At the near approach 
 of any person, it makes a very great noise ; — 
 this I have heard several times when passing 
 through the various settlements in which my 
 duty called me. They are very numerous in 
 the Province. 
 
 No perfect catalogue of the birds of New- 
 Brunswick has yet been made, they are gene- 
 rally known by their vernacular names, many 
 of which are of Indian origin, and it is diffi- 
 cult to obtain any accurate information on this 
 head* 
 
 INSECTS. 
 
 No catalogue of the Insects of the Province 
 has yet been arranged. Many of them are the 
 same as those of Great Britain, and other tem- 
 perate climates ; we, however, have many spe- 
 
\_7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 155 
 
 cies which are not found there. Some of the 
 sepidoplerous class , are exceedingly beautiful — 
 of these, part fly by the day and a part by 
 night. Of the former, the species are not very 
 numerous, but the latter are to be found in 
 endless variety, of almost every colour, and 
 every mixture of colour. 
 
 In this branch of Natural History, the waters 
 of New-Brunswick afford a rich field for scien- 
 tific research. 
 
 Fish. — Whale Species . 
 
 Bone Whale. 
 
 Grampus. 
 
 Porpoise. 
 
 Black Fish. 
 
 Herringhog. 
 
 Snuffer. 
 
 Fin Back. 
 
 llumpback. 
 
 Sulphur Whale. 
 
 
 Shark Species . 
 
 
 Basking Shark. 
 
 Bog Fish. 
 
 Mackerel Shark. 
 
 Bone Shark. 
 
 Maneater Shark. 
 
 Swingtail & Seal. 
 
 
 Bony and Cartilagenous . 
 
 Ale wife. 
 
 Haddock. 
 
 Salmon Trout. 
 
 Bass. 
 
 Halibut. 
 
 Sale. 
 
 Bellows Fish. 
 
 Hake. 
 
 Smelt. 
 
 Bill Fish. 
 
 Herring. 
 
 Shrimp. 
 
 Blue Fish. 
 
 Horse Mackerel. 
 
 Sturgeon. 
 
 Bone Eater. 
 
 Horn Sucker. 
 
 Sun Fish. 
 
 Brook Sucker. 
 
 Jaggen. 
 
 Sculpion. 
 
 Bream. 
 
 Lump Sucker. 
 
 Spanish Mackerel. 
 
 Capeling. 
 
 Mackerel. 
 
 Squid. 
 
156 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Cat Fish. 
 
 Minow. 
 
 Shad. 
 
 Chub Sucker. 
 
 Pollock. 
 
 Skate. 
 
 Cod. 
 
 Placie. 
 
 Sea Shad. 
 
 Cusk. 
 
 Perch. 
 
 Sword Fish. 
 
 Dab. 
 
 Pond, do. 
 
 Tom Cod. 
 
 Dollar fish. 
 
 Tickerel. 
 
 Trout. 
 
 Flounder. 
 
 Salmon. 
 
 Wolf Fish. 
 
 Frost Fish. 
 
 Sauce Fish. 
 
 Whiting. 
 
 
 Eels. 
 
 
 Congor Eel. 
 
 Lamprey, do. 
 
 Silver, do. Sand, 
 
 Shell Fish . 
 
 Blue Crab. 
 C<xjkle. 
 Lobster. 
 Mussel. 
 
 Nipple Fish. 
 Oyster. 
 Perriwinkle. 
 Quahog. 
 
 Razor Fish. 
 Scallop. 
 
 Sea Spider. 
 Sea Clam. 
 
 Shore Clam. 
 Star Fish. 
 Sea Crab. 
 Soldier, do. 
 
 These are Thy glorious works ! Parent of good ! 
 Almighty ! Thine this universal frame, 
 
 Thus wondrous fair ! Thyself how wondrous, then, 
 Unspeakable ! who sitt’st above these heavens, 
 
 To us invisible, or dimly seen 
 
 In these Thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
 
 Thy goodness beyond thought, and Power Divine ! 
 
 C( Jehova Domine Nos ter ^ quam magnificum est nomen tuum in 
 universa terra.** — Psalm viii. 
 
157 
 
 W 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The New-Brunswick Coal Field— Introductory Remarks— 
 Its Division, Extent, Deposits, Quality, Ac. — The Salmon 
 River, &c.— Coal Mines, their Deposits, Quality, &c. — Mine- 
 rals of the Province — Iron, its uses— Copper Ore — Lead 
 Galena — Magnesia — Limestone — Gypsum — Rock Salt — 
 Granite — Jasper — Calcedony — Amethyst — Agate — Heu- 
 landite — Stilblite — Apophylite — Slates, &c. 
 
 In this Chapter the reader will have an accurate 
 account of the New-Brunswick Coal Field, &e. 
 When the condition of Great Britain is com- 
 pared with that of other nations, less favoured 
 with coal and the metals, it will be perceived 
 how much mankind have been improved in their 
 moral and secular state, by use of the substan- 
 ces found only in the earth. And when the 
 present happiness of civilized countries is con- 
 trasted with the condition of those barbarous 
 nations, whose axe and arrow are made of stone, 
 some idea, even at a single glance, may be form- 
 ed of the power and wealth which have been 
 drawn from the bosom of this planet. Should 
 
 K 
 
158 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 an inquiry be made into the cause of the ex- 
 alted state of the parent country, and the sources 
 from which her commerce has been derived, 
 and is now supported, it will be found that the 
 vast and various productions of her mines are 
 the chief support of her manufacturing indus- 
 try, and the great centre of supply for almost 
 every nation upon the earth. When coal is 
 viewed in all its relations to mankind, the mind 
 is filled with astonishment at its effects. To 
 coal, the generation of steam, the multiplied 
 operations in manufactories, the great improve- 
 ments in all kinds of machinery, the vast saving 
 of animal strength, the diminution of human 
 pain and labour, and the majestic strides of ci- 
 vilization, owe their origin. Coal possesses the 
 power of transmuting ships and land carriages 
 into animals, capable of performing the greatest 
 feats of strength without relaxation or repose. 
 Through its influence, directed to the produc- 
 tion of steam, vessels now ply between Great 
 Britain and America, in a shorter space of time 
 than had been ever before anticipated, and the 
 inhabitants of countries far remote from each 
 other, are now brought into frequent and neigh- 
 bourly intercourse. 
 
 W ere the bituminous treasures of England 
 exhausted, her manufactories would fail, her 
 
^7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 159 
 
 trade cease to exist, and the nation would gra- 
 dually retrograde into a state of ancient bar- 
 barity. 
 
 When we consider that a large proportion of 
 the power of steam is applied to move machinery, 
 and th^t the amount of work now done by ma- 
 chinery in this country (Britain) has been sup- 
 posed to be equivalent to that of between three 
 or four hundred millions of men by direct la- 
 bour, we are almost stunned at the influence of 
 coal, and iron, and steam, upon the fate and 
 lortunes of the human race. It is on the ri- 
 vers — and the boatman may repose on his oars ; 
 it is on the highway — and begins to extend it- 
 self along the courses of land conveyance ; it is 
 at the bottom of the mines, a thousand or more 
 feet under ground below the earth’s surface ; 
 it is in the mills, and in the workshops of the 
 trades ; it rows, it pumps, it excavates, it car- 
 ries, it draws, it lifts, it hammers, it spins, it 
 weaves, it prints, &c. Should the advancement 
 of this power be as rapid during the next 
 twelve years, as it has been during the same 
 term of years that is gone by, it seems as if 
 man would be indulged with a long holiday, 
 having nothing to do but to gaze upon his own 
 inventions, for they are neither few nor small — 
 
160 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 “ Man hath found out many inventions. ,, — 
 Solomon. 
 
 Haying given a brief outline of the gem itself, 
 with its various qualities, I shall proceed to the 
 mine out of which it can be obtained. 
 
 The great coal-mine of the Province New- 
 Brunswick, which I am about to explain, is si- 
 tuated between the primary rocks on the county 
 of Charlotte, and the King’s County, on the 
 Straits of Northumberland, on the Gulf of St 
 Lawrence. Only the south and south-east 
 sides of this coal field have yet been explored ; 
 the west, the north, and the north-east sides 
 still remain to be examined, and the limits 
 thereof in the latter directions, yet remain un- 
 known. 
 
 The division of this coal-field, situated south- 
 ward of St John, is the segment of a large 
 circle described between the Keswick above 
 Fredericton, and the Ocnabog, below Grange- 
 town, and touching at Shin Creek, and the head 
 of the Oromocto. Its south-eastern side ex- 
 tends along the trap and syenite rocks of Spring- 
 field, and the dividing line between King’s, 
 Queen’s, Westmoreland, and Kent Counties, 
 to the Straits of Northumberland, from one of 
 the branches of the Oromocto to the St John, 
 and from thence eight miles eastward of the en- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 161 
 
 trance of the Washademoac. This coal field 
 extends in a northerly direction to Bathurst, a 
 distance of one hundred and twenty miles, and 
 from Bathurst along the coast to Shediac, which 
 may be estimated at seventy miles. 
 
 Until the north-east side of this vast coal 
 track is explored, it would be impossible to 
 give an accurate account of its area ; but it 
 may for the present be considered equal to five 
 thousand square miles ! This track may, per- 
 haps, bear the reputation of being one of the 
 largest coal-fields ever discovered on the globe. 
 This vast expanded track in every part abounds 
 in tropical plants, many of which have evidently 
 been changed into enduring beds of coal, while 
 others have been converted into different kinds 
 of mineral matter, and form the most faithful 
 record of the changes this earth has undergone 
 since it first came from the hands of its Su- 
 preme Architect, 
 
 To distinguish this extensive track from the 
 Westmoreland district, and other coal-fields in 
 the British Provinces, it is designated by the 
 name of the “ Great New Brunswick Coal 
 Field,” which, for its magnitude and wealth, 
 will be better known, long after its first geolo- 
 gical pioneer has ceased to travel over its 
 surface. 
 
162 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 I shall now proceed to give an account of the 
 Westmoreland Coal Field. There is a great 
 difficulty in fixing the bounds of this coal field 
 on account of a part of its surface being covered 
 with new red sand-stone, and other deposits of 
 more recent formation, the strata of which thin 
 off in such a manner as to leave the line of demar- 
 cation obscure. It has been stated, that, begin- 
 ning at the Harbour of Shediac, the Westmore- 
 land Coal Field reaches along the shore eastward 
 to T edish River. It then extends along an irre- 
 gular line southward, until it approaches the 
 village of Sackville, and proceeding in a wester- 
 ly direction, it meets the new sandstone near 
 Dorchester Island — a line drawn from Shediac 
 to the Petitcodiac, about ten miles below the 
 Bend, will mark its northern side. The coal 
 field then becomes more narrow, and, crossing 
 the river, maintains an average breadth of ten 
 miles, as it proceeds in a westerly direction, 
 until it reaches Sussex Yale ; here its extre- 
 mity is forked ; one branch is curved towards 
 the north-west, until it meets the source of 
 Studholme’s Millstream; the other becomes 
 very narrow, and disappears beneath the con- 
 glomerate, a few miles southward and westward 
 of Sussex Church. I he longest diameter of 
 this coal field is upwards of seventy miles, and 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 163 
 
 it will average seventeen miles in breadth. It 
 is by no means certain that coal is contained in 
 every part of the area included within these li- 
 mits, hut as the out-cropping of the bituminous 
 strata has been discovered in a number of si- 
 tuations, it is evident that it embraces vast 
 quantities of coal, and is of the highest impor- 
 tance to the Province. It will not be expected 
 from the limited time devoted to the explora- 
 tion of this coal field, that a full and correct 
 account of its extent, contents, and value, can 
 be given at present. We nevertheless pro- 
 ceed to give such facts as have been discovered, 
 in confidence of receiving that support these 
 pursuits so much require. 
 
 The rocks belonging to the Westmoreland 
 Coal Field, are first observable between the up- 
 per settlements of Hammond River, and the 
 Kennebeckasis, where it enters Sussex Vale. 
 Here they dip beneath the more recent forma- 
 tions of new red sand-stone and conglomerate, 
 already described, and which rests upon them 
 unconformably, and the detritus common to the 
 surface. 
 
 After passing a considerable area, the lines 
 indicating the boundaries of this formation, 
 proceed in an easterly direction towards the 
 parish of Salisbury. On the road leading 
 
164 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 southward, and immediately after ascending the 
 high lands of Sussex, the sand-stone and shales 
 appear, and are intersected by the small streams 
 passing downwards to the river. These rocks 
 were examined at the farm of Mr Allen Sheck, 
 and other localities, and their bituminous na- 
 ture distinguishes them from any other in this 
 quarter. At the latter place, there is a stratum 
 of impure cannel coal, at least three feet in 
 thickness, and, from the quantities of this kind 
 of coal mingled with the debris of the surface, 
 it is evident that it exists in much greater 
 quantities, and of a quality more pure in situa- 
 tions now concealed by beds of sand, and other 
 detrital matter. The carbonaceous stratum 
 burns very freely, and contains a very consider- 
 able quantity of bitumen. But the quantity of 
 ashes, after combustion, is almost equal in bulk 
 to the quantity of coal used, notwithstanding 
 its specific gravity is much diminished. The 
 ashes contain much carbonate of lime, and will 
 be found excellent for manure. The out-crop- 
 ping of the coal may be considered as having 
 been ascertained, extending in a north-east di- 
 rection from the starting point, and aloDg a dis- 
 tance of six miles ; and although the largest 
 and most important beds of coal remain undis- 
 covered, from circumstances already noticed, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 165 
 
 yet an advancement is made towards their de- 
 velopement. Fifteen miles from the mouth of 
 Pollet River, small seams of coal appear in its 
 bed. The strata here dip northward at a small 
 angle. Coal is also found two miles farther 
 southward, and mixed with the gravel and sand, 
 having evidently been transported from the 
 outer-cropping of some vein in this vicinity, 
 and by the same cause that produced the detri- 
 tus where it is buried. The coal appearing in 
 small quantities on the surface, at the head of 
 Pollet River, is of the bituminous and common 
 variety, and that it is abundant in the concealed 
 strata beneath, appears very evident, but the 
 almost horizontal position of the rocks, and the 
 wilderness condition of the country, render its 
 discovery very difficult without resorting to 
 boring. 
 
 These remarks are also applicable to Cover- 
 dale River, and Turtle Creek. These streams 
 terminate in this part of the coal field, and are 
 crossed by its strata, at least ten miles south- 
 ward of the Petitcodiac, and the same indica- 
 tions of coal exist eastward of the main river. 
 
 At the head of Turtle Creek, and about ten 
 miles north-north-west of Shepoddy, the coal 
 again appears at the surface, and may be fol- 
 
166 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 lowed along this wilderness track of country 
 several miles. 
 
 One Lot, No. 3. the property of Mr William 
 Stevens, and about a mile from a new road and 
 path connecting Hopewell and Hillsbro’, a quan- 
 tity of channel-coal was found in the bottom of 
 a small ravine. Upon closer examination, a 
 stratum, about ten feet in thickness, is seen 
 where the rocks have been uncovered by the 
 water of a brook, but the surface is too thickly 
 covered with detritus, the forest, and decayed 
 trees, to allow of any correct measurement, nor 
 can the dip be ascertained without the applica- 
 tion of considerable time and labour. 
 
 From the drift coal found in the small brooks 
 and in the soil, it is certain that there are other 
 beds a little farther southward. Coal strata 
 also appears on the next lot, occupied by Mr 
 William Baizley, and upon ungranted lands 
 farther eastward. 
 
 That there is abundance of coal in this dis- 
 trict, cannot admit of any doubt, and before 
 man y years have elapsed, it will be applied to 
 the numerous objects it is calculated to support. 
 Besides being abundant, the coal here is much 
 superior in quality to any found along the out- 
 line of out-cropping. 
 
 The bituminous mineral, when taken from 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-B RUNS WICK. 
 
 1G7 
 
 the surface, where it is exposed to the decom- 
 posing influence of atmospheric agents, is al- 
 ways much inferior to that taken from mines. 
 
 This coal kindles quickly, and burns with a 
 splendid white flame, affording much heat and 
 light. Pieces taken at the distance of three 
 feet below the surface, are found to possess the 
 fat caking qualities, as they are called. The 
 proportions of carbon, hydrogen, and azote, 
 vary in different specimens. It affords a 
 greater quantity of carburetted hydrogen gas, 
 than any of the imported varieties, and is there- 
 fore admirably adapted for lighting buildings 
 and streets. The earthy matter varies in quan- 
 tity from twelve to twenty-five, per cent, and 
 the ashes contain carbonate of lime. 
 
 The out-cropping at the above locality, is 
 within five hundred yards of the trap-rock, 
 and the syenite already described, and which 
 forms a high and steep declivity along its south- 
 ern side, to the distance of ten miles. A highly 
 bituminous shale that burns with a beautiful 
 flame, is placed beneath, and also reposes upon 
 the coal. In proceeding in a north-easterly di- 
 rection, the sand-stone and shales of the coal 
 measures cross the Petitcodiac, from ten to fif- 
 teen miles beyond the Bend. 
 
 On the road leading from the bridge, and on 
 
168 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the west side of the Mamramcook River, and 
 in the high grounds of the Peninsula, the rocks 
 of the coal field are partially uncovered. Near- 
 ly opposite Dorchester, four miles from the 
 main road, cannel coal was discovered in au- 
 tumn 1839. 
 
 The first stratum of coal is near a small brook, 
 and is twenty inches thick. The second is 
 about eighty yards farther south, and is twenty- 
 two inches in thickness. This stratum is im- 
 mediately succeeded by argillo-calcareous shale, 
 capable of combustion. Forty yards still far- 
 ther south, there is another stratum four feet 
 in thickness, and superior in quality to any 
 other at present discovered here. The course 
 of this stratum is east by south, and the dip is 
 south by west thirty-five degrees. This coal 
 has the hardness of anthracite, but possesses 
 most of the common properties of the bitumi- 
 nous mineral. It ignites readily, and burns 
 with a white lambent flame. When it is first 
 taken from the earth, it is very hard, and 
 slightly sonorous, but by being exposed to the 
 weather for a considerable time, it decompo- 
 ses down in thin scales. It is of a dark-brown 
 colour, and the best kind is streaked with solid 
 bituminous matter yielding an odour, when 
 rubbed, like that of carburetted hydrogen. It 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 169 
 
 retains the heat a long time after the flame has 
 subsided, but the quantity of ashes produced is 
 very great, and containing a considerable quan- 
 tity of the carbonate of lime. The ashes of the 
 most kinds will afford excellent manure, and 
 rock bitumen enough for calcination. A pound 
 of the best coal from this place, yields four cu- 
 bic feet of carburetted hydrogen gas, it is there- 
 fore like that north of Shepody, admirably 
 adapted for lighting cities. A small quantity 
 of coal has been discovered four miles from the 
 mouth of the Shediac River, and, upon exami- 
 nation, the Westmoreland Coal Field was found 
 to extend to the south side of the harbour of 
 Mediae, the dip of the strata at this place is 
 north twenty-five degrees, east seven. 
 
 The rocks from the Bend of Petitcodiac, to 
 the Belleveaux Village are chiefly new red sand- 
 stone ; and there are but few situations, even 
 in the deepest parts of the ravines, where the 
 strata belonging to the coal series are uncover- 
 ed ; the surface being occupied by the former 
 rock of the detritus derived from it. Some in- 
 formation has been received of indications of 
 coal at Fredericton’s Brook, or branch of Wel- 
 don’s Creek, emptying into the Petitcodiac be- 
 tween its mouth and the Bend. The first in- 
 dications of coal were observed near a meadow, 
 
170 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 formed by an ancient beaver-dam, about three 
 miles from the river, and the same distance 
 from its confluence with the Memramcook. 
 The strata are intersected by the stream, and 
 run nearly east and west, with a general dip to 
 the south. The coal was found most abundant 
 above the beaver-dam, and exists in several se- 
 parate strata, the largest of which is about nine 
 feet in thickness. The quality of this coal is 
 superior to that of the Mamramcook, or Ste- 
 phen’s Farm. A quantity of it was collected 
 and fired in the bed of the stream ; it ignited 
 readily, and burned with great splendour. Ad- 
 vantage may be taken of the brook in searching 
 for the thickest beds of coal. In the month of 
 July, the water may be confined by a dam 
 above, and the sand moulders removed at a 
 small expense. 
 
 The strata, to the distance of a mile and a 
 half, may be laid bare ; and the site where they 
 contain the richer deposits of the bituminous 
 mineral, could be ascertained without difficulty, 
 with the fullest confidence of success in work- 
 ing them. 
 
 It is of the greatest importance, in deciding 
 upon a site wherein to open a coal mine, to deter- 
 mine with accuracy where the greatest number 
 of favourable circumstances exist. In the fir at 
 
171 
 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 place, it is necessary that there should be one 
 or more coal strata, of sufficient extent to in- 
 sure a full supply ; and each stratum must be 
 sufficiently thick to compensate the expense of 
 sinking shafts, striking levels, &c. The kind 
 and quality of the coal must be considered, and 
 the demand justly estimated. The consump- 
 tion of coal must not only be continued, but 
 must constantly increase. The draining of 
 mines adds much to the expense of working 
 them ; and, therefore, protection from the in- 
 flux of water into the adits should become fully 
 studied. 
 
 It is but seldom that an out-cropping of any 
 magnitude appears at the surface; and it is 
 necessary, on account of the loose matter spread 
 over the rocks and superficial beds, to bore 
 downward to considerable depths, in order 
 to ascertain where the richest deposits are si- 
 tuated. 
 
 GRAND AND SALMON RIVER COAL MINES. 
 
 From the north extremity of the Grand Lake, 
 the Salmon River, a beautiful stream, extends 
 in a north-east direction, to the sources of the 
 Riehibucto, emptying into the Straits of Nor- 
 thumberland, in the Gulf of St Lawrence. At 
 
172 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the junction of the former stream with the lake, 
 an out-cropping of coal has been discovered a 
 few years since, and has been worked to a li- 
 mited extent. This situation is peculiarly fa- 
 vourable for mining, and for the transportation 
 of the coal. The River is sufficiently deep to 
 admit vessels of an hundred and fifty tons bur- 
 then, and the mines are situated about 300 
 yards from the landing-place. The stratum of 
 coals already found, is only twenty-two inches 
 thick, and in general, at a depth of eighteen 
 feet below the surface. The coal, and shale, 
 and sandstone, associated with it, are nearly ho- 
 rizontal. A number of small shafts have been 
 opened, and a considerable quantity of coal has 
 been raised within the last four years, viz. — 
 1835-39. 
 
 The same coal stratum again occurs at Craw- 
 ford's farm, a mile and a-half farther north- 
 ward. It was also opened at this place, and 
 might be worked with considerable advantage. 
 The coal stratum also appears at Barton's Point, 
 Newcastle Creek, Coal Creek, and other parts 
 of this district. At the latter place, and with- 
 in an extent of six miles, twenty levels have 
 been run into the south bank of the stream. A 
 considerable quantity of coal has been removed, 
 advantage having been taken of the section, 
 
 t 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 173 
 
 made in the rocks by the stream. These mines 
 are not worked ; the thickness of the stratum 
 and shallowness of the river being unfavourable 
 to their employment. At Brown’s Mills, six 
 miles from the mouth of the creek, the coal was 
 exposed in erecting a dam. 
 
 It also occurs on Newcastle Creek, where it 
 is worked with success by Major Ewing. The 
 produce of this mine is, however, small, not 
 amounting to more than three hundred chal- 
 drons, per annum. Fredericton is chiefly sup- 
 plied from this quarter. The coal at all the 
 above places, is, in general, of a good quality, 
 but, like almost all superficial strata, the sul- 
 phur it contains renders it rather unpleasant 
 for domestic purposes ; it is, nevertheless, su- 
 perior to the imported varieties, for the forges 
 of blacksmiths. 
 
 At the before mentioned places, and at others 
 not necessary to be noticed, the coal stratum is 
 from fifteen to twenty inches in thickness, and 
 extends beneath an area of seventy miles in 
 circumference, at an average depth of ten feet 
 below the surface. The coal measures, at the 
 Grand Lake, will supply the demand at a far 
 cheaper rate. When the uniform thickness of 
 the coal — the regularity of its distance above 
 the waters of the lake, and its tributaries, and 
 
 L 
 
174 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 also its distance below the surface, the appa- 
 rent absence of faults, and various other cir- 
 cumstances connected with its quality, horizon- 
 tality, &c. are considered, there can be no 
 doubt that only one, and that the most superfi- 
 cial stratum, has yet been discovered ; nor could 
 it be expected that an out-cropping of the lower 
 and richer deposits would appear at the sur- 
 face, where all the strata rests upon a nearly 
 level basis; and there can be no doubt that 
 there are other and far richer deposits of coal, 
 beneath the one already discovered, but at 
 what distance from the surface it is impossible 
 to calculate, in consequence of the almost hori- 
 zontal position of each stratum in the coal se- 
 ries. 
 
 The difficulties that prevent successful min- 
 ing at the Grand Lake at present, arc the nar- 
 rowness of the stratum now worked, and the 
 depth at which the lower deposits are situated. 
 Similar obstacles have frequently presented 
 themselves in England, but they have been 
 overcome by capital and industry. At the pe- 
 riod when an attempt was made to explore the 
 deeper deposits of coal at Grand Lake or Sal- 
 mon River by boring, the surrounding country 
 was unexplored ; but during the geological sur- 
 vey, all the formations, from the granite up to 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 175 
 
 the coal series, have been found where they 
 cross the St John. From these, slate have 
 been obtained, which shew that the coal may 
 be reached at a less depth, near the main river, 
 and sums of money would be well employed in 
 boring at a judicious site, in the neighbourhood 
 of Gagetown, or on the north side of the 
 Washademoak. The result of such an enter- 
 prise would be of the highest importance to 
 the Province, and there would be no doubt of 
 its final success. 
 
 That there is abundance of this useful mine- 
 ral in New-Brunswick, is now no longer proble- 
 matical ; for it may be seen in thick strata ex- 
 posed to the light of day, and only requires a 
 moderate degree of enterprise to bring it to 
 bear upon the demands of the country, and the 
 support of those national energies it is capable 
 of sustaining. As an instance, it may be men- 
 tioned, that from the knowledge of the exis- 
 tence of deposits of coal capable of yielding gas 
 in large quantities, a proposition has already 
 been made to light the city of St John from 
 this source ; nor can the time be far distant, 
 when other and more important objects will be 
 gained from the mineral wealth of the Province 
 of New-Brunswick. 
 
 Before I conclude this part, I would observe, 
 
176 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 that the General Mining Association of Lon- 
 don, have a lease for sixty years of all the mines 
 and minerals of Nova Scotia. But notwith- 
 standing coal, and iron, and other valuable mi- 
 nerals are abundant in that Province, the Asso- 
 ciation hitherto has deemed it most advanta- 
 geous to work only the coal mines of Sidney 
 and Pictou. The Province receives £4000, 
 per annum, or 20,000 chaldrons, Newcastle 
 measure, and two shillings for every chaldron 
 raised above that quantity. It is from this 
 source that the wdiole of the casual revenue is 
 derived. 
 
 At Sydney, upwards of 500 men, three steam- 
 engines, and ninety horses, are constantly em- 
 ployed, and during the year 1839, the miners 
 produced no less than 70,000 tons of coal. At 
 Pictou, six steam-engines, 100 horses, and 500 
 men are employed ; and in 1839, 48,000 tons of 
 coal were exported from that place, to the 
 United States, and the British Ports along the 
 coast. 
 
 As the demand for coals is rapidly increasing, 
 the Association has not only laid out the great 
 profits arising from the mines, but also other 
 capital. The Company have opened other new 
 shafts, and laid down expensive rail-roads, in 
 order to meet the increasing demands. It is 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 177 
 
 from these circumstances that persons unac- 
 quainted with the fact, have supposed that the 
 Association has not realized the interest of the 
 great amount expended ; but when these works 
 are completed, they will return great profits. 
 It does not appear that the price of labour has 
 any effect upon the working of the Pictou and 
 Sydney Mines ; the scarcity of labour only is 
 complained of ; and the miners earn from seven 
 to ten shillings, per day, each, admitting the 
 low estimate of 120,000 tons to be the annual 
 amount of the Sydney and Pictou Mines ; the 
 yearly amount of profit received by the Asso- 
 ciation will be £30,000. It is obvious that the 
 coal mines of Nova Scotia and New-Brunswick 
 are not only of provincial importance, but also 
 the richest sources of the nation. 
 
 MINERAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 In Sussex Vale, there are extensive deposits 
 of bog iron ore, on the estate of Mr John Jeff- 
 ries, and other lands adjoining there are accu- 
 mulations of this ore of great thickness. The 
 oxide of iron contained in the sand, and de- 
 rived from the decompositions of pyritous iron 
 is washed from the uplands, and during the 
 
178 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 summer months appear in a brown and yellow 
 coating upon the stagnant waters, moist cavi- 
 ties, where the only drainage is that afforded 
 by the evaporating power of the sun’s rays. 
 These oxides of iron finally become consoli- 
 dated, and, from their annual increase, they are 
 in many places ten feet in thickness. 
 
 The changes produced by the operations of 
 nature, are truly remarkable, first, The iron 
 mixed with sulphur, through the agency of vol- 
 canic heat, is converted into iron pyrites ; this 
 being exposed to the oxygen of the air and 
 water, produces the oxides of the metal, which, 
 by time and pressure, become consolidated. 
 There can be no doubt but that many of the 
 compact ores of the older rocks have been 
 formed in this manner. 
 
 F inally, the art of man is exerted to restore 
 the metal to a pure state, and he throws char- 
 coal into the furnace to absorb the oxygen. 
 The sulphur having already entered into new 
 combinations, and the inert matter having 
 passed through many changes, is at last placed 
 on the rail-road — forms the piston of some 
 mighty engine, or forsooth, the polished blade 
 that glitters in the sun-beam, amidst the pomp 
 and pride of war. 
 
 The uses of iron are so well known, they 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 179 
 
 scarcely require any farther illustration. This 
 metal enters into all the multifarious operations 
 of civilized life, and the purposes to which it is 
 applied in every kind of labour, are almost too 
 numerous to be comprehended. It forms the 
 plough of the farmer — the hook of the fisher- 
 man — the safe-guard of the mariner, and all 
 those terrific engines of war used for assault 
 and defence. Its use distinguishes a civilized 
 people from those who are but a little elevated 
 above the brute creation, except in their human 
 form. 
 
 Copper Ore. — On the mainland (Charlotte 
 county) opposite the little Basaltic Island, the 
 foldspathic rock is of a bright red colour, and 
 its amorphous masses are occasionally stripped 
 with narrow veins of green-stone, in which the 
 horn-blonde is more abundant. In this rock 
 was discovered three veins of copper ore, two 
 of them are each three inches, and one two 
 inches wide, and extend from beneath the sea, 
 up the side of a low cliff. The ore here occa- 
 sionally contains pieces of pure native copper. 
 Not unfrequently the native mineral is asso- 
 ciated with its sulphate, green and blue carbo- 
 nates, affording specimens of much interest. 
 The ore is, however, principally the sulphurate, 
 
180 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 and copper pyrites, which at one place is mixed 
 in the rock to the distance of two feet on the 
 side of the largest vein. The veins of ore are 
 more readily decomposed than the hard rock 
 wherein they are situated, therefore they are 
 removed by the operations of the water and air, 
 and deep fissures are left at the place they have 
 occupied ; the expense of exploring them, even 
 superficially, is thus increased. The following 
 is the result of an analysis of a specimen of the 
 sulphurate : — 
 
 Copper, 76. 5 
 
 Sulphur, 19. 0 
 
 Iron, 4. 0 
 
 99. 5 
 
 It is therefore a rich ore of copper — the veins 
 increase in thickness as they descend, and there 
 can be little doubt, that those already discover- 
 ed are connected with a far greater deposit 
 situated beneath the surface. 
 
 Lead. — Galena or sulphurate of lead, occurs 
 in the lime-stone near the mills of Mr Coates, 
 on the road leading from the Finger-Board, 
 (which I have passed several times) to the head 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 181 
 
 of Belleisle. It is scattered through the rock 
 in small crystals, and narrow veins. This ore, 
 by analysis, yields a small quantity of galena, 
 and the silver contained in it, is too small to 
 pay the expense of working either. This ar- 
 gentiferous galend is identical with the same 
 ore discovered in the lias lime-stone of Nova- 
 Scotia. 
 
 Magnesia. — About eighteen miles from the 
 Grand Lake, and mouth of the stream, at a 
 place called “ Cast- Away Island/' a spring is- 
 sues from the rocks, which will fill a hogshead 
 in fifteen minutes ; the water has a very un- 
 pleasant taste and odour, and was by the In- 
 dians believed, many years back, to he poison. 
 By analysis, sixteen fluid ounces were found 
 to contain — 
 
 Carbonic Acid. 
 
 Sulphurated Hydrogen. 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesia, 4 grains. 
 
 Sulphate of Soda, 17.5 
 
 Oxide of Iron, 4 
 
 The water is mildly aperient, from the sul- 
 phates of soda and magnesia contained in it. 
 The iron gives it tonic properties. 
 
182 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Lime Stone. — Carboniferous Lime Stone . — 
 About a mile south of the Oknabog Lake, and 
 on the road leading along the west side of the 
 river (in Queen’s County) the out-cropping of 
 the old mountain, or carboniferous lime- stone 
 have been found. This formation, in a south- 
 west direction, and on the opposite side of the 
 river, makes a gentle curve from E.N.E. to 
 N.E. It is not thick where the river inter- 
 sects its strata, but widens considerably farther 
 west. On the east side of the harbour of 
 L’Tang, in the parish of St George, there is 
 an inexhaustible supply of lime-stone belonging 
 to the formation, extending toward St John. 
 Its colours are black, blue, brown, and white, 
 and wherever the strata are too much fractured, 
 a good marble might be procured. The course 
 of the strata is north-east and south-west ; the 
 dip is north-west at an angle of eighty ; some- 
 times layers are perpendicular. This lime- 
 stone is under and overlaid by clay and chlo- 
 rite slates ; it is penetrated by the numerous 
 dikes and veins of greenstone, from a few feet 
 to four inches in thickness. These dikes do 
 not cut across the strata, but rise between 
 them, having produced considerable alteration 
 in the appearance and solidity of the rock 
 they have rendered the lime-stone crystalline, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 183 
 
 and sometimes filled it with cubic crystals of 
 iron pyrites. 
 
 At Beaver-Harbour, Dipper-Harbour, and 
 Musquash-Harbour, lime is to be found near 
 the shore of the Cutter-Harbour, where it ap- 
 pears to be cavernous. On the side of the hill, 
 there is a narrow opening that probably com- 
 municates with a cave, but the passage is nar- 
 row, and crossed by a small brook which de- 
 scends among the rocks, and finally re-appears, 
 breaking out at the breach some distance be- 
 low. On the west side of the harbour it forms 
 a ridge of considerable extent. This is not only 
 an excellent situation for making lime, but a 
 good marble quarry might be opened, and its 
 productions shipped with little previous labour 
 and expense. The marble is white, with blue 
 veins ; it bears a fine polish, and if opened to 
 a proper depth, will afford blocks of a large 
 size. Few places can afford a better situation 
 for calcining lime, quarrying marble, and ma- 
 nufacturing alum and copperas ; and it is hoped 
 that some enterprising individual will soon 
 bring those materials into use, and render them 
 of public utility. 
 
 Sulphate of Lime or Gypsum. — Besides 
 the foregoing minerals, the new red sandstone 
 
184 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 system contains vast deposits of sulphate of lime 
 or gypsum. The localities of this mineral are 
 too numerous to require description ; they are 
 common in the Haimnond-River, at Sussex- 
 Vale, and along a whole line of country between 
 the midland road, leading to Kingstone, and 
 the sources of the North River, a branch of 
 the Petitcodiac, a distance of thirty miles. 
 Sometimes here the rock is laminated, and 
 beautiful crystals of selinite may in general be 
 produced ; but this lamination is the result of 
 crystalization, and not of stratification. The 
 gypsum often rises above the red marly rocks, 
 in rude naked columns, or broad white masses, 
 without any covering of soil or vegetables upon 
 them ; and it descends into the earth to an un- 
 known depth. At Hammond-River, Sussex- 
 Yale, and near the Mill Stream, the masses of 
 gypsum have been found to contain on their 
 sides, fragments of sandstone, conglomerate, 
 and lime- stone, where they are in contact with 
 these rocks. This is certain evidence that the 
 sulphate of lime was collected subsequent to 
 their formation. 
 
 Rock Salt. — It is remarkable, that where- 
 ever the deposits of gypsum are found, there are 
 salt springs, which evidently rise from deposits 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 185 
 
 of Rock Salt, situated in the rock of this for- 
 mation. In making a few remarks on their si- 
 tuation, as compared with those of England, I 
 would here observe, that it was formerly be- 
 lieved that all the principal deposits of Rock 
 Salt were contained in the new sandstone se- 
 ries, which, on this account, has been called the 
 saliferous system ; but it appears from recent 
 discoveries, that in Durham, Northumberland, 
 and Leicestershire, in England, they proceed 
 from the coal system. The salt rocks of the 
 Alps are supported from oolite, and in the volca- 
 nic regions of Sicily and Auvergne, salt springs 
 are numerous. Again, it was believed that 
 rock salt had been derived from the evapora- 
 tion of sea- water, and the situation of beds of 
 salt, nearly on a level with the sea, was con- 
 sidered as a confirmation of this opinion. But 
 many of the salt mines of Wurtemburg and 
 Central Germany, are on plains of consider- 
 able elevation, and while some deposits are near 
 the sea, others are far from it, and elevated 
 more than 5000 feet above its waters. 
 
 In New-Brunswick, the beds of rock salt 
 from which saline springs rises, are nearly on a 
 level with the present ocean, and in situations 
 where it is probable that the sea might have 
 flowed at some remote period. It is, notwith- 
 
186 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 standing, very difficult to frame any hypothesis 
 in regard to the origin of deposits of rock salt 
 in the earth, which will he free from objection ; 
 and it is necessary that farther discoveries 
 should be made with respect both to their si- 
 tuation, and to the combinations which sodium 
 is capable of forming, when placed under pecu- 
 liar circumstances. In some of the West In- 
 dia Islands, — in England, and other parts of 
 the world, the water of the ocean is admitted 
 into large natural or artificial basins, and by the 
 evaporating power of the sun’s rays, the water 
 escapes, and the salt is deposited ; frequently, 
 indeed, the process is carried on without the 
 aid of art. Now, the briny springs of Cheshire, 
 (England) — of Nova Scotia and New-Bruns- 
 wick, are in such situations as will favour the 
 opinion of the rock salt beneath having been 
 produced by these simple means ; nor is it im- 
 possible that in other countries, and in more 
 elevated situations, the same mineral may have 
 been the result of volcanic heat, applied to the 
 sodium and chlorine of the salt. 
 
 Granite. — Like the several formations al- 
 ready noticed, the granite, entering into the 
 primary chain, extends, in a north-east direc- 
 tion, to the very margin of the main river 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 187 
 
 where it rises in low naked cliffs, rather above 
 the ordinary level of the country. At Fowler’s 
 and Jones’ Milk, the river passes along directly 
 at the termination of a long granitic ridge, 
 that will average upwards of a mile and a-half 
 in breadth. The granite forming this ridge, 
 is of several varieties, and are equally free 
 from any discomposable minerals that would 
 injure their colour or durability. In general 
 it is fine grained, compact, and will admit of 
 the most delicate sculpture, without crumbling 
 before the chisel. T o these advantages, it may 
 be added, that granite will seldom be seen in 
 any country that can vie with it in beauty. 
 Masses of almost any dimensions may be quar- 
 ried within two hundred yards of the river, 
 and the facilities for its transportation are such 
 as are seldom possessed. Millstones have been 
 made here for many years ; and one variety of 
 rock is suitable for that purpose. Seldom, in 
 any part of the world, are the several forma- 
 tions found succeeding each other in the great 
 scale of supertions, with that beauty, regularity, 
 and order, that they display on the section just 
 adverted to. The granite is succeeded by the 
 slate ; the slate by the old red sandstone ; then 
 comes the carboniferous lime-stone, mill-stone 
 grit, and the coal series, surmounted by con- 
 
188 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 glomerate, and the new red sandstone, appear- 
 ing on the shores of the Grand Lake. The 
 shores of the Grand Lake are strewed with 
 boueders of granite, &c. The surface in all 
 directions is low and level, and strongly con- 
 trasted with the abrupt hills and mountains of 
 granite and trap-rocks farther south. 
 
 On the west side of the Long Reach, are 
 syenite and slate. These rocks compose a con- 
 siderable eminence, called the “ Devil’s Back,” 
 and other conical hills in the country adjacent. 
 Bald Mountain is eleven hundred and twenty 
 feet high, and will afford the traveller one of 
 the most picturesque and delightful views in 
 America. 
 
 Nothing can exceed the grandeur of this 
 mountain scenery ; the river, the great wntery 
 turnpike of the Province, appears like a serpen- 
 tine brook, winding its way through the hills, 
 and the steam-boats and small craft gliding 
 over its surface in the summer season, render 
 the prospect enchanting. Often they seem to 
 be sailing among the grove of elms, and stacks 
 of hay scattered over the intervale — made still 
 more pleasing by the half sliadow r ed cottage, 
 and spire of the village church. 
 
 On the Washademoak, on the south side of 
 a small cove, the shore is strewed to the dis- 
 
 t 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 189 
 
 tance of half a-mile, with loose masses of horn- 
 stone, jasper, Egyptian jasper, calcedony, and 
 quartz. The jasper is chiefly of a red colour, 
 and passes into a thicky calcedony, being ar- 
 ranged in spots and clouds, and shaded with 
 smoky imitative figures. Associated with the 
 jasper, is the variety called Egyptian jasper, 
 which is distinguished from the other by per- 
 culiar zones, circles, and clouds of different co- 
 lours ; with these, a few small pieces of corne- 
 lian have been found, but in general this mine- 
 ral is too much fractured to afford good speci- 
 mens. These minerals evidently belong to 
 some trap-dike in the neighbourhood. 
 
 The sandstone here form cliffs on the shore, 
 or appear beneath its broken fragments. The 
 minerals between Northern-Head and Dark- 
 Harbour, (Grand Manaan Island) are amethyst, 
 agate, jasper, hornstone, thomsonite, stilbite, 
 heulandite, calcareous spar, zeolite, and apo- 
 phylite. These are similar to those found in 
 Nova Scotia, and although they may not prove 
 to be of much practical value, they are very in- 
 teresting in the science of mineralogy, and the 
 discovery will give a new feature to the Pro- 
 vince, which is evidently not surpassed in mine- 
 ral by any of her sister colonies. 
 
 Minerals are also to be found at Black-River, 
 
 M 
 
190 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Carlton, Musquash, Lancaster, Beaver-Harbour, 
 Point Le Proe, and at Hog or Jasper Island, 
 which is at the mouth of the Digdeguash. A 
 great part of the island is composed of stripped 
 jasper, not unfit for the purposes of the lapi- 
 dary. Large veins and dikes of this mineral 
 have often been observed, and are too common 
 to require particular description. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SLATES AND GREYWICKE 
 ON THE COAST OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 Taking a general view of the greywicke and 
 slate rocks, as they extend from the Scoodiac 
 on the American boundary, in a north-easterly 
 direction, along the coast of the Bay of Fundy, 
 to the county of Westmoreland, they appear to 
 be situated along the side of a vast basin or 
 trough, which is occupied by the waters of the 
 Bay ; and, perhaps, it would not be speculating 
 too far to assume, that the opposite side of this 
 basin or trough, appears in Nova Scotia, where 
 the schistose rocks are seen sloping from a 
 granite ridge, and dipping towards the centre 
 of the basin. 
 
 The great eruptions of trap, and other vol- 
 canic rocks, which have been forced through 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 191 
 
 portions of these formations, have not altered 
 their general direction and inclination so far, 
 that their bounds and former conditions can- 
 not be understood. This class of strata, to 
 which the term greywicke has been generally ap- 
 plied, admits of a division ; as one part of the 
 class is very different from the other in position, 
 composition, and organic remains, and as each 
 division corresponds in its principal characters 
 with the cabrian and solurian systems of Pro- 
 fessor Sedwick and Mr Murchison, as they ex- 
 ist in Europe. These terms have been adopted 
 as equally applicable to an extensive class of 
 rocks in New-B runs wick. 
 
 In an economical point of view, the value of 
 these rocks is considerable ; at many places 
 they will supply excellent materials for build- 
 ings, paving of streets, and for ornamental pur- 
 poses. At Campo-Bello, they contain lead, 
 and at Digdcguash, copper and iron is abun- 
 dant in them ; the latter metal, in different 
 combinations with sulphur and oxygen, is cap- 
 able of yielding a number of the metallic salts, 
 employed as articles of commerce, and in ma- 
 nufactories. 
 
 The limestone is imported for manure, and 
 will afford excellent marble ; and it is satisfac- 
 tory to know, that, since the geological survey 
 
192 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 of the Province was commenced, attention has 
 been directed to several of these natural pro- 
 ductions, while the soil is also improving under 
 the application of substances, which had before 
 remained unnoticed. 
 
 Note. — Mineral Wealth of Great Britain — The average 
 value of the annual produce of the mines of the British Is- 
 lands, amounts to the sum of £ 20,000,000, of which about 
 £ 8,000,000 arise from iron, and £ 9,000,000 from coal. The 
 mineral produce of Cornwall and Devon alone, has recently 
 amounted to £1,340,000. In this estimate, the value of 
 copper is taken in the ore before fusion ; that of the iron, 
 lead, zinc, tin, and silver after fusion, in their first market- 
 able condition. 
 
193 
 
 VT 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Account of the Rivers, Islands, Bay of Fundy, &c.— Falls 
 at St Johns, Lakes, Streams, &c.— American Indians— 
 Alluvium along the Banks of the St John — Action of the 
 Sea on the Coast of New-Brunswick. 
 
 In a preceding chapter I have noticed that the 
 Province of New-Brunswick extends from its 
 south-west point, on the island of Grand Ma- 
 naan at the entrance of the Bay of Fundy, in 
 lat. 44. 40., long. 67. 10., to the 48th degree of 
 north latitude, &c. The Bay of Fundy runs 
 between New-Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and 
 is indented with numerous headlands and pro- 
 montories, some of which stand out to a consi- 
 derable distance into the sea or bay. 
 
 Numerous islands, also, are scattered along 
 the mouth of this Bay, at short distances, form- 
 ing a sort of chain nearly quite across it. These 
 are almost incessantly enveloped in dense fogs, 
 during the spring and summer months ; but 
 occasionally, when these become scattered by 
 
194 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the intense rays of a summer’s sun, and the 
 winds have ceased to agitate the waters, the 
 broad glassy surface of this vast sheet, of a 
 hundred miles in length, and sixty or eighty in 
 breadth, lying in quietness, is seen thickly 
 scattered over with sea fowl, — some on the 
 wing, soaring aloft, and traversing the Bay in 
 various directions ; others in the water, either 
 swimming or screaming, or floating on the 
 chips and fragments of wood and bark that 
 have drifted out to sea, from the various rivers 
 and small inlets of the lumber districts border- 
 ing upon the shores. 
 
 To observe a gull or duck navigating one of 
 these puny vessels, standing erect on his frail 
 bark, as if watching his own reflected image in 
 the glassy surface beneath, while thousands of 
 his fellows are busily engaged around him in 
 gathering the floating sea-weed and offal that 
 are drifting with the tide, is truly laughable. 
 
 On a still day, when the tide is retreating 
 from the Bay, and the sun is resting on the 
 surface of the water, numerous shoals of por- 
 poises and grampuses are seen spouting, and 
 blowing, and sporting, now rising to the surface 
 in quick succession, and now retreating into 
 the depths below ; while at intervals, at a dis- 
 tance, the huge whale is heard to pour forth 
 

 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 195 
 
 his smoking breath like the discharge of a 
 steamer, raising in broken spray and foam the 
 calm smoothness or gentle ripple of the ocean, 
 and sometimes lying half exposed to view float- 
 ing — a huge, black, unshapely mass — on the 
 surface. 
 
 The small boats, pink sterns, and larger 
 crafts, are seen at anchor, while the fishermen, 
 are busily plying the lines, and raising at every 
 moment some finny inhabitant from the watery 
 element below. 
 
 Coasters and Merchantmen are seen crossing 
 the Bay in different directions, and at divers 
 distances ; some departing for the West Indies 
 and Europe, with high piled decks of lumber, 
 and some returning from their voyages, laden 
 with foreign commodities for the use of the 
 inhabitants of the Provinces. 
 
 From the middle of the Bay, may be seen at 
 one coup d’ ceil, the islands of Campo-Bello, Grand 
 Manaan, TitManaan, Long Island, Brier Island, 
 and the shores of Nova Scotia, with its various 
 capes and headlands, stretching out into that 
 part of the Bay, called St Mary’s ; and low 
 down in the horizon, as far as the eye can ex- 
 tend its vision, Mount Desert, with its barren 
 and naked rocks, &c. 
 
 I shall now observe, that the principal rivers 
 
196 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 to the northward is the Restigouche, which 
 empties into the Bay Chaleur, and running 
 south-west about fifty miles, terminates near the 
 sources of the Riviere Verte, which empties 
 into the St John, near the junction with the 
 Madawaska river, and where it suddenly turns 
 off in a southerly direction. Another branch 
 of the Restigouche heads near Grand River, 
 which unites with the St John, at a short dis- 
 tance lower down. 
 
 The next river of importance in that quarter, 
 is the Miramichi, which empties into the Gulf 
 of St Lawrence, in lat. 47, long. 65, and run- 
 ning in a south-west direction, about thirty 
 miles, sends off a branch called the North-West, 
 and continues its course in its original direc- 
 tion to Boiestown, forty miles from Frede- 
 ricton, where it suddenly turns to the west- 
 ward, and branches off into the Pexas and 
 Little South-West Rivers, one of which heads 
 near the Tobique, and the other near the Shik- 
 tahawk rivers, which discharge themselves into 
 the St John, nearly 200 miles from its mouth 
 in the Bay of Fundy. There are the Renous 
 and St Bartholomew’s, and a number of other 
 tributary streams and rivers which fall into the 
 main branch of the Miramichi, between the 
 Miramichi river and the Restigouche, at the 
 

 T 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 197 
 
 bottom of a deep indent in the Bay. The Bay 
 Chaleur, is Nipisiguit harbour, at present call- 
 ed Bathurst. The Great and Middle Nipisi- 
 guit form a junction, the village of Bathurst 
 being situated on the Peninsula thus caused, 
 within twenty miles of Bathurst. The country 
 is watered by the Caraquet, Pokamouche, Tra- 
 cadic, Tabusintac, Bartibog, and other minor 
 rivers. The Ricliibucto, another river on the 
 eastern coast, empties into the Straits of Nor- 
 thumberland, about thirty miles to the south- 
 ward of the Miramichi, and runs in a south- 
 west direction, until it separates into two bran- 
 ches, one of which heads near the Salmon River 
 or Grand Lake, and the other near the head of 
 the New Canaan River, which falls into the 
 Washademoac. There are other minor rivers 
 in that quarter, but which it is unecessary to 
 refer to at present. 
 
 After crossing the isthmus already alluded to, 
 and at a short distance from the head of the 
 Bay of Fundy, the Petitcodiac River empties 
 itself into the Shepody Bay, having first united 
 with those of the Memremcook. This river, 
 or rather arm of the Bay, for a distance of 
 twenty miles, extends in a north-west direction, 
 when it makes a sudden turn to the southward 
 and westward, and afterwards separates into 
 
198 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 two branches, one of which heads near Salmon 
 River, a branch of the Kennebecasis, and the 
 other making a short detour to the northward, 
 terminates near the head of the Cocagne River, 
 which empties upon the eastern coast of the 
 Province. The tide of the Bay of Fundy, which 
 at some places near its head, rises upwards of 
 sixty feet, rushes into the Petitcodiac and Mem- 
 remcook w T ith great velocity, forming a boar 
 which enters the former river at a considerable 
 elevation. 
 
 The Memremcook river intersects the Pe- 
 titcodiac near its junction with the Bay of 
 Fundy. 
 
 From the Petitcodiac to the mouth of the 
 St. John, there is no river or harbour of any 
 consequence, with the exception of that of 
 Quaco (St. Martin’s) a few miles to the east- 
 ward of that place, where a light-house has 
 been erected to warn the mariner against ap- 
 proaching its treacherous and fatal ledges. 
 
 A short distance to the westward of the har- 
 bour of St. John is Madawagonis Bay, which 
 formed originally one of the outlets of the St. 
 John, before the rocks and falls w r ere rent 
 asunder, and the waters of that river were en- 
 abled to discharge themselves through the ra- 
 vine, which some convulsion of nature has evi- 
 
f 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 199 
 
 dently occasioned. F arther to the westward is 
 Musquash harbour, which is a mile and a half 
 wide and two miles long, into which a minor 
 river of the same name empties itself. At the 
 head of the Bay, the Digdeguash empties it- 
 self, and a few miles below it is the mouth of 
 the Magaguadavic. 
 
 The Falls near this river, and which run 
 through the village of St George, have been 
 fully explained in a former Chapter. At the 
 head of the Digdeguash, to the westward, an 
 arm of the Bay extends in a north-west direc- 
 tion, till it meets the Scoodac River, decided 
 by Great Britain in 1798, to be the St Croix, 
 intended by the treaty of 1783, when the inde- 
 pendence of the United States was acknow- 
 ledged by Great Britain. This river runs in a 
 north-westerly direction, till it terminates in a 
 series of Lakes, the most remote of which is 
 only a short distance from the Highlands de- 
 signated in that treaty, and near one of the 
 branches of the Penobscot. 
 
 F rom the head of Oak Bay, situated near the 
 junction of the Scoodac, with Passamaquoddy 
 Bay, a new road has been made to Fredericton, 
 and another is opened to the mouth of Eel 
 River, and thence to Woodstock. 
 
 The Falls near St John are a great natural 
 
200 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 curiosity, from the circumstance of the water 
 descending in opposite directions at ebb and 
 flood-tide, and being level at about half-tide. 
 This anomaly is caused by the waters of the 
 Bay of Fundy, which enter the harbour of St 
 John, rise at high-water above the level of the 
 river, and consequently descend through the 
 Falls, and pass inwards, until checked by the 
 accumulating waters of the river, and the 
 retreat of those of the Bay when a similar dis- 
 charge of water takes place outwards, and the 
 descent is thus in that direction. During still 
 water, at about half-tide, either upon ebb or 
 flow, steam-boats, or river craft, piloted by per- 
 sons who are acquainted with the place, pass 
 up or down in comparative security. 
 
 Although this passage is the only outlet at 
 present for the St John, it is evident that it 
 has been formed by some convulsion of nature, 
 similar to that, or probably the same which 
 rent asunder the channel of the Magaguadavic, 
 and forced open the passage of the Digby-Gut, 
 directly opposite the harbour of St John, on 
 the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy, and 
 thus drained oif the body of water that evi- 
 dently covered the Alylesford Plains and Car- 
 riboo Bog, over which the post road at present 
 passes Annapolis and Halifax. 
 
VI7 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 201 
 
 After passing the abrupt opening near Indian 
 Town, two miles from the city of St John, the 
 river suddenly widens above, and forms what is 
 termed Grand Bay, that extends about twenty 
 miles in a north-west direction, receives the 
 waters of the Kennebeckasis and Hammond 
 Rivers, the latter of which empties from the 
 eastward, and the former, passing through Nor- 
 ton and Sussex Vale, terminates in Salmon 
 River, which rises in the vicinity of the head 
 waters of the Petitcodiac, or rather the Anna- 
 gance River, which empties into it. A small 
 stream called Trout-River, flows into the Kenne- 
 beckasis at its junction with Salmon River, 
 about twenty miles from Hampton-Ferry ; and 
 at the entrance of Sussex Vale, is what is called 
 Smith- Creek, which runs to the northward, and 
 may be said to be one of the branches at the 
 head of the Kennebeckasis, Salmon River form- 
 ing the other. Just above Grand Bay, on the 
 left, as you ascend, and ten miles from Indian- 
 Town, it was termed the Nerepis River or 
 Creek, which extends upwards of twelve miles 
 over a fine bed of intervale land. It then passes 
 through a deep gorge in the Nerepis mountain, 
 wending its way at times round the base of al- 
 most perpendicular cliffs which rise on each 
 side of the valley for a considerable distance. 
 
202 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 From the Nerepis Creek for fifteen miles, the 
 St John, which is here called the Long-Reach, 
 runs in a north-east direction entering Belle 
 Isle Bay, twenty-seven miles from Indian-Town, 
 and is upon an average a mile wide, resembling 
 a lake rather than a Bay, or branch of a river. 
 
 At the mouth of Belle Isle Bay, the St John 
 suddenly resumes its course to the northward 
 and westward, for the distance of ten miles, 
 when you reach the mouth of the Washade- 
 moac. There is a fine stream on the west side 
 of the St John, called Little River. Five 
 miles above Little River, is the Ocnabog Lake, 
 into which flows a stream of the same name, 
 that extends fifteen miles, crossing the road 
 leading from Gagetown to the Nerepis. Its 
 course is thence nearly west, through a natural 
 meadow, where there are indications of coal, 
 until it approaches Tante Wante, where it ter- 
 minates. 
 
 Just opposite the Ocnabog, on the east side 
 of the St John, and eleven miles from the 
 mouth of Belle Isle Bay, is the Washademoac 
 Lake, the tide extending upwards of twenty 
 miles into the Lake, where it meets the New 
 Canaan River, and whose head-waters are at 
 no great distance from the Petitcodiac River. 
 The mouth of the Washademoac Lake, is forty 
 
f 
 
 ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 203 
 
 miles from St John, and three below Gage- 
 town. 
 
 Near Salmon Creek, there is a stream that 
 empties into the Lake, and about five miles 
 from its head, the Long Creek empties into it. 
 The New Canaan River falls rapidly down to 
 the Washademoac Lake, through which it con- 
 tinues its course, making the distance from its 
 source to its junction with the St John, about 
 seventy miles. 
 
 Five miles above the mouth of the Washa- 
 demoac, and on the same side of the river, is 
 the entrance to the Jemseg, a sort of natural 
 canal, three miles in extent, which connects the 
 St. John with Grand Lake. This is an exten- 
 sive body of water, and at its head are the 
 Newcastle Coal Creek, and Salmon-River, whose 
 tributary streams are the Gasperan, and the Big 
 and Little Forks. 
 
 There are two extensive Bays near the head 
 of the Lake on the eastern side, called Cum- 
 berland Bay and Young’s Cove. Grand Lake 
 runs in a north-east direction, is twenty miles 
 in length, and at its broadest part, about three 
 wide, except opposite Cumberland Bay, to the 
 head of which, the distance is seven miles. 
 From shore to shore, the greatest depth does 
 not exceed twelve fathoms. The main branch 
 

 204 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 of the Newcastle Heads, is somewhere near the 
 Nasliwaak, a river that discharges its waters 
 into the St John, opposite Fredericton. 
 
 The lower part of the Grand Lake is con- 
 nected with the Maquapit and French Lakes, by 
 means of a water communication, called “ The 
 Thoroughfare/’ Eight miles above the Ocna- 
 bog is Gagetown Creek, which runs up five 
 miles, where it divides and enters Hartt’s and 
 Cog’s Lakes. From Gagetown Creek, to the 
 mouth of the Oromocto, the land is elevated, 
 and well settled. From the mouth of the Jem- 
 seg, the St John proceeds in a westerly course, 
 till it reaches a bay situated three miles below 
 Fredericton. Near Sheffield is situated the 
 French and Maquapit Lakes. These Lakes 
 both extend in the same direction as the St 
 John River ; as is also the case with the Por- 
 tobello, a stream which empties into French 
 Lake from the westward, rising back of Mau- 
 gerville, and passing in the rear of the swamp- 
 land in the upper part of Sheffield. French 
 Lake extends in a northerly direction till it 
 meets Little River. The Maquapit Lake lies 
 between French and Grand Lakes, at a dis- 
 tance of two miles from the main river, shew- 
 ing, on its southern side, an island of two miles 
 long, and from eighty to a hundred yards wide. 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 205 
 
 The Maquapit Lake is a beautiful sheet of 
 water, lying in a north-east and south-western 
 direction. It is about five miles in length when 
 the water is low in the summer. In breadth it 
 is three miles; in the spring of the year it 
 overflows its boundary, and extends to the west, 
 connecting itself with the French Lake, one 
 mile distance. It flows also south, inundating 
 the low and extensive marshes, associating and 
 mixing its waters with those of Grand Lake. 
 
 In the months of May and June, the inhabi- 
 tants often employ themselves in taking fish, 
 called gaspereaux, that abound in this part 
 during the season, with shad and bass, which 
 greatly encourage the settling of the place. 
 
 It receives on the south side, the waters of 
 the French Lake, through the Thoroughfare, 
 or connecting channel, which winds and flows 
 darkly and sullenly through three miles of low 
 intervale, thickly studded with large birch, 
 maple, and elm trees, whose luxuriant and 
 spreading branches cast a gloom of pleasing so- 
 litude over the unruffled bosom of the noiseless 
 stream. The shores of this beautiful lake have 
 abounded with white oak, whose quality can 
 neither be excelled nor equalled by any in the 
 western world. 
 
 But this invaluable wood has been profusely 
 
 N 
 
206 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 cut down for the most trifling purposes, so that 
 it is now nearly all destroyed. The land at 
 the north-west side of the lake is not of supe- 
 rior quality. On the east, the soil is light, and 
 produces sparingly growing soft wood, white- 
 birch and poplar. 
 
 But to return to the river. The shore of the 
 river is planted with low trees and bushes to 
 prevent it from being washed away by the floods 
 of spring, when the waters of the St John rise 
 to the height of fifteen feet. The bank of the 
 river at Maugerville is probably twenty feet 
 above the level of the river, when at its ordi- 
 nary height during summer. A log was found 
 in summer 1840, at this place, at the depth 
 above-mentioned from the surface of the bank ; 
 and it may be presumed was left there by the 
 retiring waters after a periodical fall, the sub- 
 sequent deposits having buried it ; but with 
 which the last yearly (1841) accumulations of 
 soil can bear no comparison. 
 
 Twelve miles below Fredericton, and four- 
 teen above Swan Creek, the Oromocto flows 
 into the St John. The Oromocto is the only 
 river of any size, with the exception of the 
 Kennebeckasis, that falls directly into the St 
 John below Fredericton. It has its rise in two 
 lakes, at the distance of twenty miles apart, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 207 
 
 called North and South Branch Lakes ; the 
 streams from which form a junction twenty 
 miles from the village, at the mouth of the Oro- 
 mocto. There are several minor streams, some 
 of which fall into these branches, and others 
 into the main stream. On the south branch 
 are Shin and Back Creeks ; on the north are 
 Hardwood and Lyon streams ; and on the main 
 Oromocto, are the Brookwell stream, the Rusa- 
 gonis and Rinny Creek. About seven miles 
 from the mouth of the Oromocto on Brock- 
 well Stream, the land is good, also on the Rusa- 
 gonis it is the same. The Oromocto is navi- 
 gable for sloops and wood boats, a distance of 
 twenty miles ; for canoes upwards of thirty ; 
 and, except during summer, the Creeks already 
 mentioned may be navigated by canoes. Sal- 
 mon, shad, bass, and gaspereaux are found in 
 the Oromocto, when in season, and all the small 
 streams abound with the finest description of 
 trout. About seven miles from the mouth of 
 the Oromocto, on the south-west branch, is a 
 fine sheet of water, called French Lake, about 
 a mile long, and the same broad. Its waters 
 abound with a trout of a superior flavour and a 
 large size. Just below Fredericton, the river 
 turns suddenly to the northward, and after pass- 
 ing the Seat of Government in a westerly, re- 
 
208 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 sumcs a south-western direction, thus forming a 
 segment of a circle, within which, on the right 
 bank of the river, the town is situated. At 
 Kingsclear, six miles farther up, it abruptly 
 changes to the north-west, and pursues that 
 course for about sixteen miles through Queens- 
 bury and Prince William, to the Nackawick, 
 when another sudden turn takes place for a 
 short distance, and it again resumes a north- 
 west course, till it reaches Woodstock. As the 
 town projects into the river, its opposite shores 
 are seen at the termination of the front street, 
 and in summer time, when the trees are clothed 
 with their luxuriant foliage, and the graceful 
 elm waves in the breeze, the scenery around 
 Fredericton is not to he exceeded in beauty by 
 any place in the Province. 
 
 Opposite Fredericton are two rivers ; that at 
 the lower part of the town is called Nashwaak, 
 flowing from the northward and westward, and 
 ultimately heads beyond Woodstock, about 
 seventy miles above Fredericton ; and the other 
 the Nashwasis, emptying from the northward, 
 and much inferior in extent and importance. 
 Between the mouth of the Nashwaak, and that 
 of the Nashwasis or Little Nashwaak, (the ter- 
 mination a sis, in the Indian dialect, meaning 
 little,) is about two miles, along which a road 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 209 
 
 passes parallel with the margin of the river, in 
 front of which, during summer, a number of 
 Indian families generally encamp. 
 
 REMARKS ON THE INDIANS. 
 
 The male is called an Indian, the female a 
 Squaw, and a child a Papooss. They are of 
 a copper colour, and invariably have long, black, 
 sleek hair. The Indians wear pantaloons of 
 coarse cloth, and a frock-coat made either of 
 coarse cloth or a blanket. The skirt reaches 
 the knee, and is close all round, except in the 
 front. A common sash is worn round the 
 waist, and the coat fastens close to the chin 
 when required, but it is generally worn open in 
 summer, without either shirt or neckcloth. A 
 pair of coarse moccassins of their own manu- 
 facture, with a black hat of the English fashion, 
 completes the dress. 
 
 A Squaw wears moccassins, and a hat the 
 same as the Indian, with coarse cloth leggings, 
 and a short petticoat, either of coarse blue 
 cloth, or of a blanket. A loose jacket is worn 
 either of cloth or calico, and in cold weather, 
 both sexes wear a blanket over the dress. 
 
 A young Papooss is carried in a small box 
 
210 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 like a violin case, made very light, without a 
 lid, and the Papooss is fixed tightly with a cord 
 from head to foot, and when on a journey, the 
 Squaw carries the Papooss case on her back. 
 
account of new-brunswick. 
 
 211 
 
 The principal sort of them dress somewhat 
 different. An Indian chiefs dress is worthy of 
 notice ; it consists of moccassins, richly trimmed 
 with seed beads, or porcupine’s quills, and cloth 
 leggings trimmed with spangles or porcupine s 
 quills. The coat is similar to a surtout, the 
 skirt reaching a little below the knee, and close 
 round, except before. It is richly decorated 
 round the verge of the skirt, and up the front, 
 with 'gold or silver lace ; a rich and beautiful 
 Indian sash is worn round the waist, and the 
 whole is surmounted by a fine hat, with abroad 
 band of gold or silver lace, with a plume of 
 ostrich feathers to ornament the front, which 
 completes the dress. 
 
 A Squaw of the same cast wears moccassins 
 and leggings similar to those worn by an In- 
 dian ; a jacket of fine cloth or merino, either of 
 crimson, bloom, or blue ; the skirt is a piece of 
 cloth put near twice round the body, and lapped 
 over at one side ; it reaches a little below the 
 knee, and covers the top of the leggings. Some 
 have a skirt at the jacket of the same material, 
 extending about half a yard from the lower 
 extremity. This upper garment resembles a 
 Spanish pelisse, and is frequently trimmed 
 round the verge, and up the front. The neck 
 and breast are left rather bare, ornamented 
 
212 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 with a gold chain, or a handsome necklace of 
 oriental pearl. The hair is worn plain, shed in 
 the front, and collasped behind; gold pendants 
 adorn the ears, while the hands and wrists are 
 decorated with rings and bracelets. A round 
 hat, the same as the Indians, with broad band 
 and plume complete the dress. The aboriginal 
 roamers of the forest have, in general, no incli- 
 nation for arts or agriculture, and the sciences 
 are little known amongst them. The Squaws 
 make the curiosities which they sell, and do the 
 greater part of the work. The Indians are ra- 
 ther indolent, and occupy their time in hunting 
 and fishing. 
 
 These unfortunate people have greatly dege- 
 nerated, and are fast becoming extinct. This 
 is not from any ill usuage, or want of kindness 
 and consideration on the part of their more ci- 
 vilized brethren. They are every where in 
 these Provinces, on the most friendly terms 
 with the white inhabitants, who always accost 
 them with the term “ brother ” or “ sister,” 
 and perform towards them may acts of unob- 
 trusive charity. They are a harmless people ; 
 (I have had conversation with several, and I 
 believe them to be such,) and are much attached 
 to the British government, and the inhabitants 
 of these Provinces. Any person may confident- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 213 
 
 ly trust him or herself to the care and attend- 
 ance of his or her Indian guide, penetrate with 
 him into the most remote and almost imper- 
 vious forest, and rest secure on his integrity 
 and knowledge of the country which he may be 
 traversing. Various attempts have been made 
 to induce these people to adopt the modes and 
 habits of cultivated humanity, but content with 
 the freedom they have long enjoyed, they roam 
 through the country at pleasure, sitting down 
 near some favourite hunting ground, or fishing 
 stream, on the margin of a lake, or in some 
 dense forest, sheltered from the wintry blast, 
 there they satisfy the wants of nature, which 
 are few, and remove when tired of the mono- 
 tony of the place, or the appearance of warmer 
 weather, or the approaching scarcity of food. 
 Thus living a life of seclusion and independ- 
 ence, they care not for events that are happen- 
 ing around. 
 
 <£ Enough for them, in ignorance bred, 
 
 Night yields to morn, and sun to rain, 
 
 That Nature’s pulse, in winter dead, 
 
 By spring rekindled throbs again.” 
 
 The Indians are deeper sunk in misery and 
 superstition than they are generally supposed 
 to be. They are, in fact, an ignorant, selfish, 
 
T 
 
 214 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 and degraded class of people; true, they eat, 
 drink, sleep, and think as other human beings, 
 but their ideas of the future state of existence 
 beyond the grave, are as erroneous, and present 
 no more cheering prospect than does the mi- 
 serable subterfuge on which the untaught Hin- 
 doo rests his hope for another world. 
 
 Nor are they less tenacious in the obser- 
 vance of rites and ceremonies, than the poor 
 Hindoo is of retaining caste. Their ideas of 
 Deity are grovelling in the extreme, being as- 
 sociated with creatures most repugnant to our 
 feelings ; which, together with their manner of 
 conducting religious worship, renders them no 
 less idolaters than those who bow down to gods 
 of wood and stone — the work of their own 
 hands. Deity exists in the form of a great 
 snake, who is the former of their persons, the 
 sustainer of their bodies, and the giver of all 
 good things. Evil spirits also exist in the 
 form of snakes, who dispense judgments, send 
 bad fruits, bad success in hunts, bad animals, 
 and plants. They hold converse with the dead, 
 furnish food for their hungry spirits, and per- 
 form numerous unmeaning ceremonies over 
 their graves. Honesty in dealing with each 
 other, and their white neighbours, they are ge- 
 nerally regardless of. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 215 
 
 The Nashwasis is a small stream extending 
 in a northerly direction. It enters the St 
 John, opposite the government house at Frede- 
 ricton. Passing from the mouth of the Nash- 
 waak, to that of the Nashwasis, it pursues its 
 course a short distance from the St John, to 
 the parish of Douglas. About nine miles from 
 Fredericton, the Keswick Creek empties into 
 the St John. This has evidently been at some 
 time a wide and extensive river, the opposite 
 shore of which is plainly discernible from the 
 Itidge, an elevated track of country, situated 
 upwards of two miles in the rear of Keswick- 
 Bluff, opposite the French village on the St 
 John, to which allusion has been made in a 
 former chapter. 
 
 Twenty-four miles from Fredericton, the Po- 
 kicok River rises near the Magaguadavic Lake, 
 which is a portage, and runs nearly parallel 
 with the St John, at a distance of five miles in 
 a north-west direction, and falls into the main 
 river, thirty-six miles from Fredericton. There 
 is a handsome Fall of water near the mouth. 
 Above these Falls, the stream is navigable for 
 canoes, and it abounds with eels, chub, and 
 trout. 
 
 Lake George is one of the sources of this 
 river. The Shugomock discharges its waters 
 
216 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 into the St John, from the westward, five miles 
 above the Pokicok, and is from a hundred to a 
 hundred and fifty feet wide. This river has 
 its origin near the Chiputneticook, a branch of 
 the Scoodiac River, at the Palfrey Mountains, 
 which separate these rivers. Eel river, which 
 is near the Shugomock, is larger than those 
 just mentioned. It heads near the Chiputneti- 
 cook, at no great distance from the Monument, 
 whence the present, but temporary boundary- 
 line runs due north to Marshill. 
 
 At Woodstock, the shire town of the county 
 of Carlton, the Meduxnikik empties into the St 
 John, twelve miles above Eel River, and dis- 
 charges itself through the village of Wood- 
 stock. This stream runs in a north-westerly 
 direction for fifteen miles, when it separates 
 into two branches, which pass into the Ameri- 
 can territory. Salmon and trout are plentiful. 
 
 On the east side of the St John, about ten 
 miles above the Woodstock Court-house, the 
 Pekagomik enters that river, and runs five 
 miles in a north-east direction, where the coal 
 stream empties. It then turns to the east- 
 south-east about ten miles to the Forks, and 
 there divides into the north and south branches, 
 which flow fifteen miles. 
 
 The Coal Stream empties into the Pekago- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 217 
 
 mik, from the north-east, and extends upwards 
 till it crosses the road from the Little Shikta- 
 hawk, to the Little South-West Branch of the 
 Great South-West Miramichi. The Pekago- 
 mik empties opposite Wakefield. 
 
 The next large stream flowing into the St 
 John, from the eastward, is the Shiktahawk, 
 which intersects it four miles above the Big 
 Presq Isle, on the opposite side, and twenty 
 miles from Woodstock. This river rises in a 
 ridge of high lands that separates the waters 
 of the Little South-West Miramichi, from those 
 which fall into the St John, and runs in about 
 a south-west direction, till it strikes the main 
 river. The extent of this river is about twenty 
 miles, and near its head waters, is one of the 
 Lakes in which the Nashwaak has its rise. 
 Three miles above, is the Munquat, which re- 
 sembles the Shiktahawk, and flows in the 
 same direction nearly. There are other minor 
 streams in the vicinity, which it is unnecessary 
 to notice, with the exception of the River de 
 Chute, which rises near Marshiil, and after 
 running about twenty miles, empties into the 
 St John, at the same distance below the To- 
 bique, and thirty-six above Woodstock. At 
 the mouth of the River de Chute, there are 
 Falls of about eight feet perpendicular height, 
 
T 
 
 218 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 that prevent boats from ascending. Forty- 
 eight miles above Woodstock, the River To- 
 bique empties into the St John from the east- 
 ward, and extends in a north-east direction, 
 about a hundred miles, seventy of which it is 
 navigable ; its average width is twenty roods. 
 The Tobique abounds with salmon and trout. 
 
 Fifteen miles above the Tobique, on the op- 
 posite side of the St John, is Salmon River, 
 which runs thirty five miles in a north-east di- 
 rection, and terminates in two branches that 
 extend in opposite directions. Boats may na- 
 vigate this river twenty miles, and canoes thirty, 
 up stream. Formerly large quantities of sal- 
 mon were taken here; at present, however, 
 they are scarce, but trout, and a most excellent 
 fish, called white fish, are taken in abundance. 
 
 Retracing our steps, on the right bank of the 
 St John, the Restook River falls into it, four 
 miles above the Tobique, from the westward. 
 
 The whole length of the Restook, is one hun- 
 dred and fifty miles by its course, which is very 
 serpentine, but preserves a general southward 
 direction. Its waters are shoal, having a smooth 
 bottom, and a moderate current ; salmon and 
 trout are the principal fish that it contains. 
 This river has its rise in the same mountainous 
 region, with the other sources of the Allegash, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 219 
 
 belonging to St John on the north, and the 
 eastern branch of the Penobscot on the south. 
 
 Twenty miles from the mouth of the river, 
 it receives the Little Madawaska, from the 
 northward. This stream is thirty miles in 
 length. The next stream of any importance is 
 the Presqueisle, entering from the south. This 
 isle is forty-one miles from the mouth of the 
 Aroostook, by the river course, and has its 
 course twenty miles to the southward of its 
 own discharge. Forty-one miles the mouth of 
 the Aroostook Salmon River enters from the 
 north. This is a considerable stream, and 
 waters a large track of country. 
 
 From the mouth of the Aroostook, the St 
 J ohn extends northwardly, upwards of eighteen 
 miles to the Grand Falls. Here the channel of 
 the river is broken by a chain of rocks which 
 run across the river, and produce a tremendous 
 Fall, more than forty feet perpendicular, down 
 which the water of the river rushes with resist- 
 less impetuosity. The river, just above the 
 cataract, makes a short bend, or nearly a right 
 angle, forming a small bay, a few roods above 
 the precipice, in which there is an eddy, which 
 makes it a safe landing place, although very 
 near the main Fall, where canoes, &c. pass with 
 the greatest safety. Immediately below this 
 
220 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 bay, the river suddenly contracts — a point of 
 rocks project from the western shore, and nar- 
 rows the channel to the width of a few roods. 
 The waters thus pent up, sweep over the rugged 
 bottom with great velocity. Just before they 
 reach the main precipice, they rush down a 
 descent of some feet, and rebound in foam from 
 a bed of rocks on the verge of the Fall; they 
 are then precipitated down the perpendicular 
 cliffs, into the abyss below, which is studded 
 with rocks that nearly choke the passage, leav- 
 ing only a small opening in the centre, through 
 which the water, after whirling for some time 
 in the basin, rushes with tremendous impetuo- 
 sity, sweeping through a broken, rocky channel, 
 and a succession of Falls for upwards of a mile, 
 being closely shut in by rocks, which, in some 
 places, overhang the river so as to hide most 
 part of it from the view of the observer. Trees 
 and timber, which are carried down the Falls, 
 are sometimes whirled round in the basin be- 
 low the precipice till they are ground to pieces ; 
 sometimes their ends are tapered to a point, and 
 at other times broken and crushed to pieces. 
 
 A short distance from the Falls a succession 
 commences — the first from a continued foam, 
 called the White Rapids. The banks of the 
 river are here very high ; and the water, com- 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 221 
 
 pressed by a narrow channel, rushes through 
 the bed of rocks which nearly crosses the river, 
 and whirling about in their passage, are forced 
 over, and round the crags, in sheets of foam. 
 Thirteen miles above these Falls, Grand River 
 empties from the northward and eastward. 
 This river rises in a range of mountains, that 
 divides the Restigouche from the waters falling 
 into the St John. It is upwards of thirty 
 miles in extent. Canoes and light boats may 
 proceed twenty miles from the Grand River. 
 At a short distance from Grand River is the 
 Shiegash. Twenty-five miles from the Grand 
 Falls, Green River, so named from the pecu- 
 liar hue of its waters, intersects the St John, 
 also coming from the northward. 
 
 About four miles above the Grand Falls, the 
 Madawaaska settlement commences, and ex- 
 tends along both sides of the St John, as far 
 as the River St Francis — a distance of forty 
 miles. Thirty-five miles from the Grand Falls, 
 the Madawaaska River intersects the St John, 
 this river has its source in Lake Tcmisounta, 
 which is twenty-five miles distant. From six 
 to seven miles from its confluence with the St 
 John, Trout River flows into the Madawaas- 
 ka, at the point where the Madawaaska meets 
 the St John, which, from the Grand Falls, has 
 
 o 
 
222 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 pursued a north-west course, the latter river 
 turns to the southward and westward, and pro- 
 ceeds in that direction for twelve miles to the 
 Merumpticook, entering from the northward. 
 Five miles farther up in the direction to Fish 
 River, entering from the southward, the St 
 John takes a westerly direction for thirteen 
 miles to the St Francis, emptying from the 
 northward, and then eight miles southerly and 
 westerly to the Allegash, a principal branch of 
 the St John, flowing from the southward. 
 This river has its source twelve miles north of 
 Mount Ktaadn, and in by far the most moun- 
 tainous and elevated region south of the St 
 Lawrence. For about one-third of its extent 
 from its source, it connects a chain of extensive 
 lakes, nearly on one continuous level, being 
 united by streams of small extent, and very 
 little fall. The level of the uppermost of these 
 lakes has been found to be only a very few feet 
 higher than the waters of the Penobscot, rising 
 in its immediate vicinity, which has suggested 
 to our speculative neighbours the idea of a canal, 
 probably not exceeding half a-mile in length, 
 which would enable them to transport timber 
 and agricultural produce, as the country im- 
 proved, to the Bangor market ; but which na- 
 ture designed for that of St John. This stream 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 223 
 
 docs not water a track of country of much 
 width, but of considerable length, a great part 
 of it being well-timbered, and towards the mouth 
 of the Allegash, there are many good localities 
 for settlement. 
 
 Pursuing the same southerly and westerly 
 direction fifteen miles farther, Black River falls 
 into the St John from the northward. From 
 this stream, its course is still the same for forty 
 miles to the mouth of the Daagwam or Meta- 
 wamkeag, thence six miles inclining south-west, 
 to the Wootenaamaatic, or Woolastookwamasis, 
 the south-westerly source of the St John ; and, 
 finally, twenty miles south, inclining east to its 
 extreme source, in lat. 46. nearly parallel of 
 the mouth of Eel River, which has been noticed, 
 as emptying into the St John, fifty miles above 
 Fredericton; and in long. 69-50, three hund- 
 red and sixty from its point of discharge into 
 the Bay of Fundy, and a hundred and twenty- 
 eight from the Grand Falls, near which the 
 pretended line of the State of Maine is extend- 
 ed, and whose unjust and preposterous claim 
 has been caused by the unwarranted conces- 
 sions of a British commission to American fi- 
 nesse, in agreeing to substitute the source of a 
 tributary river for that of the St Croix, as a 
 starting point, and which has been permitted 
 
224 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 to assume its present imposing shape, by the 
 indifference with which the British Cabinet for 
 several years viewed the question, and the ig- 
 norance that prevails among many in this 
 country, with reference to the importance and 
 extent of this fair portion of Her Majesty’s 
 dominions. 
 
 ALLUVIUM ALONG THE BANKS OF THE ST JOHN. 
 
 It may not be improper here to take a brief 
 view of the extensive collections of alluvium 
 which have been formed, and are still accumu- 
 lating along the banks of the St John. This 
 majestic stream having taken its rise upwards 
 of four hundred miles in the interior ot the 
 country, receives vast supplies of water from 
 the numerous branches, tributaries, and lakes 
 communicating with it, until it is poured into 
 the sea, through a narrow out-let near the city. 
 It not only conveys to the ocean the surplus 
 waters of a large part of New-B runs wick, but 
 also drains a part of the State of Maine, be- 
 longing to the United States. Of all the 
 agents employed in modifying the surface of 
 the earth, water is the most active. Its opera- 
 tions commences in the falling of a gentle 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 225 
 
 shower, and does not cease until after the mighty 
 torrent has lost its fury in the sea. The par- 
 ticles of the hardest rocks become loosened by 
 atmospheric changes, and are swept downwards 
 from the mountain’s brow, to form new depo- 
 sits in the valleys ; by currents of water, even 
 large rocks are torn from their native beds, and 
 transported to great distances ; the soil thus 
 formed is always deposited along the low- 
 est levels ; and the matter there collected, 
 whether consisting of large stones, gravel, sand, 
 or mud, is identical with the rocks from which 
 it was derived, unless changed by some chemi- 
 cal affinity existing between its atoms. From 
 the debris of the surrounding country, all the 
 low intervale has been produced. Each suc- 
 ceeding freshet brings down a new supply of 
 mud and sediment, which is added to former 
 accumulations, and yearly increases their fer- 
 tility. 
 
 The alluvial deposits along the St John, con- 
 tain the relics of animals and plants, still be- 
 longing to the country, and suffering transpor- 
 tation through the medium of water. Along 
 the deep water-courses and channels worn out 
 by the freshets abraded — banks, and newly 
 opened ditches, rafts of timber boards, shingles, 
 leaves, bones of birds and quadrupeds, and 
 
226 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 fluviatile shells, have been found buried in the 
 alluvium where they are deposited, in the same 
 manner that the remains of organized bodies 
 appear in the solid rocks. The sediment accu- 
 mulates on the borders of the river more 
 readily than near the upland ; this arises from 
 the particles of alluvium being thrown down 
 before they reach the more remote places, — 
 hence all the coarse materials, by falling first, 
 will be found upon the banks of the river, and 
 the fine particles only are conveyed, in time of 
 freshet, to the lowest and the most remote 
 parts ; thus the river between two alluvial 
 walls, throw up the greatest deposit along its 
 margin. The Mississippi, and other large 
 streams, exhibit the same phenomena. 
 
 From the annual freshets that overflow all 
 the low lands along the St John, those lands 
 are rising, and consequently improving in qua- 
 lity, by being rendered capable of producing 
 the finer grasses ; and the time is drawing nigh, 
 when all the sunken tracks along the noble 
 stream, will become so elevated by yearly ac- 
 cessions of diluvial matter, that they will only 
 be covered by water during extreme floods, and 
 can be extensively cultivated. 
 
 From the slow movement of the current, 
 this river may be considered a lake during the 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 227 
 
 summer season, but in the spring and autumn, 
 the violence of the flood sweeps down immense 
 quantities of sand, gravel, and mud ; but as the 
 river may be said to be darned up at its mouth, 
 the sedimentary matter cannot escape, and by 
 the back current of the tide, it is deposited 
 along the banks and low places, which are 
 yearly receiving new deposits. In the mean- 
 time, the channel is kept freely open, and the 
 sediment brought down is not permitted to 
 lessen its depth — the water always securing for 
 itself a free passage. 
 
 When we look back and consider what was 
 the condition of this river-valley previous to 
 the collection of alluviums along its borders, 
 we see the site of an ancient estuary of the sea 
 meeting a lake. The elevation of the coast has 
 been already adverted to, and the evidences of 
 that event have been noticed. F rom all these, it 
 appears evident, that the physical character of 
 the country has been greatly changed at a pe- 
 riod comparatively recent in geological chrono- 
 logy. The precise nature of the revolutions, 
 by which the physical geography of this part 
 of the Province has been altered, may never be 
 perfectly understood, but that they have all im- 
 proved its most important character, and espe- 
 cially its agricultural condition, is evident, and 
 
228 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 the wisdom and goodness of Supreme Intelli- 
 gence are every where manifest. 
 
 ACTION OF THE SEA ON TIIE COAST OF 
 NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 About ninety miles of coast, besides estuaries 
 and indentations, are, in the district under con- 
 sideration, exposed to the action of the sea; 
 and an opportunity is thereby afforded for ob- 
 serving the action of the tides and waves upon 
 the rocks of the shore. 
 
 From Cape Mispeck to Cape Enrage, the or- 
 dinary rapidity of the tide is from three to four 
 miles an hour. 
 
 At Shepody Bay and Cumberland Basin, its 
 velocity is much increased ; and in the mouths 
 of the Petitcodiac, Memremcook, and Tanta- 
 inarre it runs at the rate of ten miles an hour. 
 But notwithstanding this constant current along 
 the line of coast, its effects in abrading the 
 rocks, are limited to those of a soft and yield- 
 ing nature, and the range of strong eddies where 
 the water is urged upon the naked strata with 
 violence. The configuration of any coast de- 
 pends upon the hardness of the rocks exposed 
 to the sea, which wears out the most yielding 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 229 
 
 parts into harbours, bays, and coves, while the 
 more compact masses are left, forming capes 
 and headlands. 
 
 At every situation in the above distance, 
 these observations will apply, due allowance be- 
 ing made for the variable power of the waves, 
 and the entrance of rivers. It might be sup- 
 posed that low, sandy shores would suffer most 
 from the action of the sea, but such is not the 
 fact ; in those instances, the waves throw up a 
 barrier of sand and shingle, upon which their 
 force is broken, and the dry land is thus de- 
 fended from encroachment. 
 
 Along the shore under consideration, the Bay 
 is bordered in general by steep cliffs ; these, by 
 being undermined by the waves, fall down, and 
 the rubbish forms a slope, defending the preci- 
 pice, until it is washed away, when the same 
 process is repeated. The falling of the cliffs is 
 far from common in the spring, when the rocks 
 which have been rent asunder by the expan- 
 sion of the water freezing in winter, are loosen- 
 ed when the ice dissolves, and they, therefore, 
 fall headlong in enormous masses to the beach 
 below. 
 
 It is to the formidable action of the breakers, 
 however, that the great dilapidation of the 
 shore may be chiefly ascribed. Even in calm 
 
230 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 weather, the ground-swell, as is commonly called, 
 falls heavily on the beach, or against the rocks, 
 breaking the largest stones into pebbles, and 
 grinding the pebbles into sand. During gales, 
 this action is greatly increased, and the dissolv- 
 ing rocks render the waters turbid several miles 
 from the land. This effect is also produced by 
 landslips, where large collections of rock, gravel, 
 and soil, covered perhaps with trees, become 
 loosened by the escaping frosts, or the breaking 
 out of a spring, and are launched downward to 
 the beach, or into the waters of the Bay. 
 
 From these combined causes, and many others 
 which might be mentioned, the shore at many 
 places is rapidly wasting away, and the sea is 
 making annual encroachments upon the land. 
 In other instances, the united powers of the 
 tide and waves wear out rude caverns, and 
 with uncouth sculpture, form isolated blocks, 
 which, at a distance, resemble the work of art. 
 
 The sediment produced by these operations 
 on the sea coast, is transported by the tides to 
 the banks and mouths of the river, issuing 
 from the low grounds, and thus the extensive 
 marshes of W estmoreland and Cumberland have 
 been formed, and are daily increasing in mag- 
 nitude. T. hese are the means by which not 
 only the geographical features of a country are 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 231 
 
 changed, but its agricultural character is im- 
 proved by these operations of nature, which, 
 from the naked sterile rock, produces a fruitful 
 soil, and whole tracks of arable land are de- 
 posited along the vallies, to feed the cattle of a 
 thousand hills. 
 
 Note. The following is the Relative Extent, Elevation, 
 
 Depth, &c. of the Great North American Lakes 
 
 The Ontario, is 180 miles long, 40 miles wide, 500 feet 
 deep, and its surface is counted at 231 feet, —elevation above 
 the tide-water at Three Rivers, 270 miles below Cape Saint 
 Vincent. 
 
 The Erie is 270 miles long, GO miles wdde, 130 feet deep, 
 and its surface is ascertained to be near 455 feet above the 
 tide. 
 
 The Huron is 250 miles long, 100 miles average breadth, 
 000 feet deep, and its surface is nearly 595 feet above the 
 tide-water. 
 
 The Michigan is 400 miles long, 50 miles wide, its depth 
 and elevation the same as the Huron. 
 
 Green Bay is about 100 miles long, 20 miles wide, depth 
 unknown, elevation the same as the Huron. 
 
 Lake Superior is 490 miles long, 100 miles average width, 
 900 feet deep, and its surface is 168 above the tide-water. 
 
 Bottom of Lake Ontario, 262 feet below the surface of the 
 tide-water ; Huron, 365 do. ; Michigan, 305 do; Superior, 
 305 do. 
 
232 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The subject of Emigration — Directions to Emigrants in pre- 
 paring for Embarkation — Medicines Required for the 
 Voyage — Instructions on Landing — How to obtain, select, 
 and cultivate Land— Directions how to Build a House, 
 Barn, &c. — Agriculture, Soils, Manures, &c. — Public 
 Functionaries — Insurance and Joint-Stock Companies— 
 Banks— Societies — Counties — Parishes — Roads — Informa- 
 tion to Travellers — State of the Weather in each month 
 in the Province — Remarks on the North-East Boundary 
 Question — the Extent of the British Territory in British 
 North America — Poetry. 
 
 The subject of Emigration is rising in impor- 
 tance from year to year, and cannot lose its 
 interest as long as misery and discontent exists 
 among the working classes. Emigration has 
 recently changed its character. The j^oor arti- 
 san and the humble peasant, are not at the pre- 
 sent time the only class of persons who think 
 ol leaving their native shore, to those beyond 
 the wide Atlantic. 
 
 Every month these extensive and fertile re- 
 gions are coming more and more under the no- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-B RUNS WICK. 
 
 233 
 
 tice of capitalists. Not only farmers, master 
 tradesmen, but our middle class of society, and 
 the wealth from this source alone, which will 
 be speedily poured into British North America 
 is incalculable, both as to its amount and its 
 results on the surface of the country. It may 
 be anticipated that, in a few years, large tracks 
 of country in these valuable colonial possessions 
 will be as well settled, and cultivated, and re- 
 gulated in their affairs, both public and private, 
 and therefore, as civilized and refined, as many 
 of the moral districts in Great Britain. 
 
 Many persons shrink from the idea of emi- 
 grating, because it appears like a confession 
 that they have been baffled at home — at that, 
 where others have been successful — they con- 
 tinue to linger on, desirous to obtain the credit 
 of patient well-doing and resignation, to un- 
 avoidable troubles, than to encounter what they 
 are led to suppose the reproach of leaving the 
 country. All persons should recollect that the 
 same perseverance and sobriety which, in this 
 country, is only sufficient to keep their families 
 from distress, will, in a more favourable field of 
 industry, place them in comfort and indepen- 
 dence. The abundance of unoccupied land in 
 New-Brunswick, only require the hand of man 
 to convert it into the means of human sub- 
 
234 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 stance, and every one who goes, makes work 
 for those who follow. The competition of one 
 man against another in this country is so great, 
 that young people, accustomed to laborious oc- 
 cupations, often seriously hurt their constitu- 
 tions by working beyond their strength, for the 
 purpose of keeping their situations, or to obtain 
 employment. In America, the competition of one 
 man against another is by no means so strong ; 
 good wages may be made by moderate exertion 
 at all the ordinary and useful trades, and those 
 accustomed to farming, will find a ready de- 
 mand for their labour, with excellent wages, 
 and without the fear of losing employment 
 when their strength is exhausted. It requires 
 a little firmness to determine on leaving our 
 own country. The resolution once taken — the 
 chief difficulty is surmounted. The success 
 and comforts of those who have already emi- 
 grated, leave little room for perplexity or un- 
 easiness with regard to others,— -Justus propositi 
 tenat 
 
 Those who intend to embark to a foreign 
 shore, will do well to attend to the following 
 instructions : — On engaging a passage, inquire 
 for a vessel not less than six feet between 
 decks — a steady captain, and well-known. If 
 you take not the cabin, choose your berth as 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 235 
 
 near to the centre of the vessel as you can, 
 i.e . half way from the bow to the stern ; in this 
 part there is less motion when at sea, than in 
 any other. There are two conditions under 
 which you can engage your passage ; first , To 
 find your own provisions : in this case, those 
 with whom you engage a passage, finds fuel, 
 water, and berths. 
 
 Secondly , To be found in what you may re- 
 quire during the voyage, bedding excepted, 
 the places for these only provided. In most 
 vessels you may choose either of the w T ays. If 
 you conclude to find yourself, provide similar 
 kinds of food to what you have been most ac- 
 customed to at home, and the same quantity to 
 what you have been used to for about six weeks. 
 Potatoes are more palatable at sea than on land. 
 Coarse ship-biscuits are the best you can take ; 
 at the same time, you must provide yourself 
 with bedding and medicines — bedding, except 
 in the Liverpool Packets, is never provided — 
 medicines, you will require of a purgative na- 
 ture ; about two dozen of aloes pills ; if you dis- 
 solve six table-spoonfulls of the best Epsom 
 Salts, and three of Cream-of- Tartar, in a quart 
 bottle, filling it with fresh water, you will find 
 by taking a wine-glass full before breakfast, 
 great benefit therefrom. If you have a family, 
 
236 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 it will not be amiss to take two pounds of Ep- 
 som Salts, and one pound of Cream-of- Tartar. 
 Take also one ounce of Aromatic Elixir of 
 Vitriol, it is for purifying the water you drink, 
 which at sea, sometimes become very unwhole- 
 some ; from ten to fifteen drops will be suffi- 
 cient for one tumbler of water. Take also 
 some vinegar to use with your sea provisions, 
 which are all salt ; some sprinkled about your 
 berth will be of great service.* 
 
 The following articles you must provide your- 
 self with before you sail : — tools of all descrip- 
 tions can be obtained cheaper and better here 
 than in America. If you are a mechanic, take 
 with you those suited to your own trade — 
 clothing for your own wear, especially flannels, 
 druggets, printed calicoes and woollens, such as 
 merinoes and coarse pelisse cloths. The next, 
 and not of the least importance, you ought to 
 be in possession of, is a certificate from your 
 
 * Voyage out from the United Kingdom Vessels bound 
 
 for St John’s or Chatham, Miramichi, will be found at all 
 the principal ports in England, Scotland, and Ireland, upon 
 application to the ship-owners. Passage-money in the first 
 cabin, with provisions for a grown person, is £20; in the 
 steerage, £ 7 ; in the first cabin, without provisions, for a 
 grown person, is £10; in the steerage, £3 ; children in the 
 first cabin, without provisions, £2. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 237 
 
 minister, and should it simply state who and 
 what you have been known to be — what is your 
 object or reasons for emigrating ? But the best 
 recommendation you can have, is a letter from 
 some person who has known you here, and who 
 has a friend or acquaintance in the place you 
 intend residing, to whom he can address. 
 Should you fail in these, you must make up 
 your mind to wait until your own actions can 
 speak for you. A pocket compass will be of 
 great servic^nto you. There are many instan- 
 ces of persons getting lost, and wandering for 
 days and weeks in the woods of America. If 
 you lose yourself in the woods, select a course, 
 and follow it, turn neither to the right nor to 
 the left, till you come to a road — without a 
 compass, you cannot be sure of proceeding a 
 straight course. 
 
 If, on landing, you intend to purchase a 
 quantity of land, it will be best to apply in the 
 following manner : — 
 
 2To SxccIIencj? i&a)or*<KcncraI, 
 
 The Petition of , of the Parish of , in the County of 
 
 Humbly Sheweth, 
 
 That he is a British subject, born in 
 
 , and does not own any land. That he wishes to obtain, 
 
 by purchase, a tract of land, for immediate settlement, con- 
 taining acres, and situated as follows, The 
 
 P 
 
238 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 said land is at present in a wilderness state, no improvement 
 having been made thereon, and he requests that he may be 
 
 allowed to purchase it at per acre, payable , 
 
 and, if so allowed, he is prepared to, and will settle himself 
 upon, and improve the same forthwith, and conform in all 
 respects with the regulations for granting land. 
 
 And as in duty bound, will ever pray. 
 
 If you are a lirst-rate mechanic or artisan, 
 and contented with your trade, remain in the 
 large towns in which there are people who have 
 money to spare for matters of t$$te. If your 
 moral conduct be good, you will find yourself 
 much higher, comparatively, upon the scale of 
 respectability, but otherwise, you will not be 
 much different from what you might be in the 
 metropolis of England, Ireland, or Scotland. 
 But if your calling be less independent upon 
 the superfluities of the rich, remain not in the 
 cities and ports any longer that you can help. 
 
 With reference to land fit for settlement, that 
 is to be found in abundance, and of excellent 
 quality ; as, notwithstanding the case with 
 which men of wealth were enabled formerly to 
 appropriate to their own use extensive tracks of 
 country, still there are thousands of acres spread 
 over a wide extent, upon which large bodies of 
 settlers can be located with advantage, and who, 
 after a few years of moderate toil and exertion, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 239 
 
 will find themselves in possession of a property 
 that will every year become more valuable ; and 
 who may secure for their relations, &c., perma- 
 nent comfort and a prosperous condition. 1 here 
 are various parts of the Province, however, to 
 which I could not possibly advert, and which, 
 having been long settled, may not offer induce- 
 ments to the man of property, hut where the 
 industrious emigrant, whether male or female, 
 will he certain of obtaining employment, pro- 
 vided an exorbitant rate of wages is not re- 
 quired. If single men would be satisfied 
 with from £20 to £30, per annum, exclusive 
 of their board and lodging, and would hire out 
 for about three years, they would soon obtain 
 the requisite sum to procure a hundred acres 
 ©f land, which is from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per 
 acre, and which would be sufficient for any man. 
 And were young persons of either sex, to en- 
 gage themselves in this way, they would be cer- 
 tain of succeeding to comfort and independence 
 — would become useful members of society — 
 and would strengthen those ties by which this 
 Colony is already attached to the Parent State, 
 and render it secure against foreign aggression. 
 
 Be not too hasty to make a purchase, or a 
 settlement, you may obtain wild lands 'nearly in 
 every country ; by going a few miles from the 
 
240 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 principal roads, you may obtain cultivated 
 farms, with respectable houses, and strong fen- 
 ces upon them, but still may have all the sub- 
 stance wrought out of them ; and, on the other 
 hand, you may obtain those which are not so 
 impoverished, yet may have some material dis- 
 advantage, well known to the man of experience. 
 It will be to your advantage to spend a year or 
 so in examining the different parts, so that you 
 may judge for yourself. Uncultivated lands, 
 perhaps, may be the only ones that will meet 
 your means ; but the habits and privations of a 
 frontier life — of living in the woods, are too 
 great a contrast to what you have been accus- 
 tomed to, for you to enter upon them all at 
 once. You have been used only to one kind of 
 work ; it is only in the villages that you can 
 find enough, or perhaps any of this kind of 
 work to occupy you. If you are a farmer, it is 
 only to the already cleared and improved lands 
 that you can turn your hand. By close indus- 
 try and frugality, (and by those of your family, 
 should you have one,) you should be able to add 
 to what capital soever you may be in possession 
 of, whilst, in the course of acquiring the know- 
 ledge and information which I have endea- 
 voured to lay before you, that you stand in 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BUUNSWICK. 
 
 241 
 
 need of, to assist you in doing this, I offer you 
 the following considerations : — 
 
 The localities of a place, are those other 
 places, conveniences, or things that stand con- 
 nected with it, viz. towns, by-roads, schools, 
 churches, mills, water for drinking, and healthi- 
 ness in general. In this country, these things 
 seldom occupy our thoughts in removing from 
 one place to another ; hut in the interior ot 
 America, their value is known, because the 
 want of them is frequently felt. 
 
 Towns you are near to, in effect, if you are 
 on a good road, or a canal leading to them ; be- 
 sides all along these, there are generally stores 
 established, at which you can dispose of pro- 
 duce, and purchase such things as you require, 
 if inconvenient for you to attend the principal 
 markets. 
 
 By-roads must be considered by you in more 
 ways than one. These are opened up, and 
 kept in repair by the land proprietors in their 
 vicinity, who are assessed to work upon them a 
 certain number of days in the year, according 
 to the value or extent of their property ; and 
 the better they are, and the more of them com- 
 pleted, — (for, according to the district plans, 
 they are generally very numerous, although only 
 one at a time may be opened,) the less pro- 
 
242 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 prietors are be assessed, the more valuable 
 will be their properties. Wild lands have been 
 divided into lots, and sold at 2s. 6d. per acre. 
 Chopping, that is, felling the trees, and cutting 
 them up, you may have done for about £l, 4s. 
 per acre. Logging, that is, removing the prin- 
 cipal part of the timber from the ground, and 
 piling and burning up what is of no use — this 
 will amount to £1, per acre. Fencing into six 
 acres’ lots for 10s. A log cabin may be built 
 for about £12; a log house, £32; a barn for 
 £24; frame houses and barns are about three 
 times the sum. 
 
 The utensils you will require, are as follows : 
 A four-wheeled waggon, which may be drawn 
 either by horses or oxen, will cost about £12; 
 ahorse and harness, £16; an ox, chain, and 
 yoke, £7 ; a plough, £l, 5s. Stock, a pair of 
 horses, £25 ; a yoke of oxen, £10 ; a cow, £5, 
 and furniture you can obtain very cheap — the 
 principal part of which is made of native wood, 
 such as beech, birch, maple, and pine. . Large 
 stoves are in general used ; those stand in the 
 middle of the floor, and are so constructed, as 
 to answer either for boiling or baking. 
 
 Those who intend to settle in the woods, the 
 following remarks will be of service to them : — 
 The first habitation which a settler ought to 
 
account of nbw-brunswick. 
 
 243 
 
 have, is a log house ; the walls are contrived in 
 the same manner as a school-boy makes a crib, 
 except that they must be upright, but like that, 
 they have corresponding notches cut out of the 
 ends of the respective logs, that their adjoining 
 surfaces may close with as little space as pos- 
 sible between them, and that the angles may 
 thus he strongly braced. The elevation must 
 depend on the room required within; where 
 upper apartments are intended, it must rise ac- 
 cordingly. In the formation of the roof, how- 
 ever simple, much accuracy is to be observed. 
 
 Black ash and bass-wood are considered best 
 adapted for this purpose— the steams should be 
 upwards of fourteen inches in diameter, straight, 
 clean, and easily split. Having cut them into 
 lengths corresponding with the pitch of the 
 roof, they must be cleft asunder, and hollowed 
 out by the axe. These are ranged in sufficient 
 number from front to rear, in the line of the 
 roof, with the hollow side uppermost, and over 
 them are arranged alternately, an equal num- 
 ber with the round side uppermost, so that the 
 adjoining edges of each two of the upper logs 
 meet in the hollow of that beneath them, whilst 
 the adjoining edges of each two of the lowei 
 logs are covered by the hollow of that which is 
 above them, that forming a compact roof, per- 
 
244 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 fectly water-tight, as the hollow of the under 
 logs carry off all rain that may fall through the 
 joints of the upper surface, and the roof con- 
 tinues firm as long as the timber remains un- 
 decayed. 
 
 This being completed, means must be taken 
 to admit both the family and the light. The 
 opening for the doors and windows, are then 
 formed in the walls by cross-cut saws or an 
 axe. The chimney is then built with mud, if 
 stones cannot be obtained. The filling up of 
 the vacancies between the logs, with mud and 
 moss, afterwards takes place. The floor is then 
 formed of cleft planks pinned to logs sunk in 
 the ground, and levelled with an adze. The in- 
 terior partitions, &c. may be got forward by 
 degrees ; but the oven, which is an essential, 
 must be completed as soon as possible. Stones 
 or brick must be obtained for this for secu- 
 rity against fire, but mud must serve as mortar. 
 It is heated with pine, or very dry wood cut 
 into small pieces, and burnt in the oven to ashes, 
 which being swept out, the bread is baked as in 
 the common brick oven in England. Thus, at 
 the end of a month, the preparations are com- 
 pleted. 
 
 As the settler finds his circumstances im- 
 proving, he can either enlarge his present habi- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 245 
 
 tation, or build a frame-house. A barn and 
 other offices are successively raised, of square 
 blocks of wood, and with a rapidity which is 
 quite surprising — the circumstances and habits 
 of the country providing assistance for those 
 who may require it. Those who have been 
 for several years in the vicinity, if solicited, 
 will have their assistance. The wood is first 
 felled and cut into proper lengths and squared, 
 then drawn together with oxen to the place re- 
 quired, and raise up your house. Such is the 
 kindness of the more established settlers, that 
 they will dispense with you giving them a break- 
 fast and dinner. It will be expected, and very 
 fair, that you will repay these acts of kindness, 
 by giving labour in return on similar occasions. 
 
 Every person going into the woods, would 
 do well to take the following articles, — one 
 American axe, hand-saw, auger, pick-axe, spade, 
 hammer, iron- wedge, kettle, frying-pan, iron- 
 pan, iron pot, two gimlets, three hoes, nails, a 
 small portable hand-mill for grinding corn. 
 
 To those persons who intend to settle on en- 
 tire wood-land, I would recommend the follow- 
 ing system : — clear well at first a few acres in 
 the immediate vicinity, and round the site on 
 which you intend to build your house, that the 
 trees left stand may be at sufficient distance to 
 
246 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 be out of danger of falling on it ; at the same- 
 time let a small piece be fenced off for cattle to 
 lie in at night, and to be out of danger in windy 
 weather ; then cut from ten to fifteen acres ; 
 the small trees and under brush-wood burn, 
 and girdle the remainder of the trees ; sow this 
 ground with oats in the spring, with them 
 clover, and a small quantity of grass seeds 
 mixed. The clover and grass to be mowed the 
 first two years, and grazed afterwards. Con- 
 tinue doing the same the next year with a still 
 further quantity, and so on for six years, and 
 likewise clear a small piece off for corn, pota- 
 toes, cabbage, &c. in front of the house next 
 the road. In about six years, the roots of the 
 trees will be rotten, and several of the girdled 
 ones fallen, then begin to chop down twelve or 
 eighteen acres of these girdled trees yearly in a 
 dry time, felling them across each other to 
 break them into pieces ; put fire to them in va- 
 rious parts of the field, and it will burn most 
 of them up. It is necessary to keep a watch 
 over the fences while this is going on, to pre- 
 vent them from taking fire. After this, you 
 may plough and plant what you please, as the 
 ground will be in good condition. 
 
 It is necessary to explain the term girdling — 
 (the larger trees only are girdled, those which 
 
 n 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 247 
 
 do not exceed one foot in diameter, are cut 
 down) — which means, making an incision of 
 about three inches deep round the trees, at the 
 height at which it is usually cut down four 
 feet from the bottom ; this kills the trees which 
 remains thus cut, until their is time to cut 
 down and clear them away ; the object is to pre- 
 vent the trees from overshadowing the crop 
 near them. The cut ought not to be so deep 
 as to cause any danger of the tree falling from 
 the winter blast, lest it might fall on the cattle. 
 A small cut effectually destroys the circulation 
 of the sap, and of course, the vegetation of the 
 tree, and this is the object to be obtained ; take 
 great care when the tree is falling — the boughs 
 when recoiling from the ground, sometimes 
 give a severe and dangerous blow to the wood- 
 man. An acre may be rendered fit for culture 
 for about £2, when partly choped. After the 
 trees are cut down, it is usual to leave the 
 stump and roots standing, until age destroys 
 them. The reason why the stumps are not 
 rooted out, is because time is too valuable to be 
 expended in any labour not immediately pro- 
 fitable. 
 
 By clearing away the trees which obstruct 
 the passage of light and air, enough is done to 
 ensure a succession of crops ; and as the intro- 
 
248 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 duction of the plough at first is not essential, 
 the loss of ground is merely that occupied by 
 the stumps and their roots ; the more that is 
 cleared in a rough way the better : the clearing 
 of the stumps is to be an after consideration, 
 when you have disposed of the trees, and raised 
 crops sufficient to render you independent. If 
 a man’s labour can clear six acres of the over- 
 shadowing timber, in the time which it would 
 require to clear one acre of roots, and all, and 
 that those half-a-dozen of acres could be brought 
 into immediate tillage, it follows, time would be 
 misspent, in the first three years of settlement, 
 in taking out those stumps. 
 
 The land, as soon as the trees have been 
 hauled off, can be planted with potatoes and 
 Indian corn, and the mode which you are to 
 pursue is very plain, — plant three cuts, six in- 
 ches apart, with a hoe or spade, in holes three 
 feet asunder, and as the potatoes grow up, hoe 
 them up into hillocks. If your potatoes are 
 early out of the ground, they can be succeeded 
 by wheat, harrowed in around the stumps. 
 
 The mode of sowing Indian corn, is to drop 
 about three grains into small holes made with a 
 hoe, in the same way, but not at so great a dis- 
 tance as for potatoes. This corn is valuable 
 to man and beast. The season for planting is 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 249 
 
 in May, but it will not be too late in J une ; the 
 stalks are very nourishing for cattle ; it is ripe 
 in September. 
 
 PUBLIC FUNCTIONARIES RESIDING IN ST JOHN. 
 
 Thomas Leavitt, Esq. Consul of the United 
 States, and Agent for the Marine Insurance 
 Company of New-York, and Underwriter of 
 Liverpool. 
 
 W. P. Ranncy, Esq. Agent for Lloyd's. 
 
 Alexander Wedderburn, Government Agent for 
 Emigrants. 
 
 Edward Ward, Assistant Emigrant Agent at 
 Fredericton. 
 
 Henry C. D. Carmen, Esq. Consul for the 
 United States at Miramichi. 
 
 Hon. Thomas C. Lee, James A. M‘Laucblan, 
 William Tyng Peters, and Moses H. Pcrley, 
 Esquires, Commissioners for Indian Affairs. 
 
 INSURANCE AND JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES. 
 
 New-Brunswick Fire Insurance Company (in 
 St John) Capital £50,000. 
 
 Central Fire Insurance Company, (in Frederic- 
 ton) Capital £50,000. 
 
250 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 New-Brunswick Marine Assurance Company, 
 Capital £50,000, with power to increase to 
 £ 100 , 000 . 
 
 Marine Association, (St Andrew’s.) 
 
 St John’s Bridge Company, Capital £20,000. 
 
 St John’s Water Company, Capital £20,000. 
 
 St John’s Mechanics’ Whale Fishing Company, 
 Capital, £50,000. 
 
 St John’s Mills and Canal Company, paid up 
 Capital, £40,250. 
 
 St John’s Mills and Manufacturing Company, 
 Capital, £25,000. 
 
 Lancaster Mill Company, Capital £100,000, 
 with power to increase to £300,000, — amount 
 of Capital paid £35,000. 
 
 Sheffield Mills and Land Company, Capital 
 £10,000, with leave to increase to £40,000. 
 
 Tobique Mill Company; Fredericton Steam- 
 Boat Company ; St John’s Stage-Coach Com- 
 pany ; Woodstock and Fredericton Stage 
 Company; St John’s Hotel Company. 
 
 Bank of New-Brunswick, (in St John’s) capital 
 £100,000 — Thomas Leavitt, Esq. President. 
 Commercial Bank of New-Brunswick, (in St 
 
 BANKS, 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 251 
 
 John’s) incorporated by Royal Charter, capi- 
 tal £150,000, with power to increase to 
 £300,000 — Lewis Burns, Esq. President. 
 
 Commercial Branch Bank, (at Miramichi) act- 
 ing Cashier at Chatham — H. Wisewell, Esq. 
 
 Commercial Branch Bank, (at Fredericton) — 
 Archibold Scott, Esq. Cashier. 
 
 Commercial Bank, agency at Woodstock, — G. 
 F. Williams, Esq. Cashier. 
 
 Central Bank of New-Brunswick, (in Frederic- 
 ton) capital £35,000, with power to increase 
 to £50,000 — W. J. Bedell, Esq. President. 
 
 Central Bank Agency, (at Woodstock) — A. B. 
 Sharp, Esq. Agent. 
 
 Charlotte County Bank, capital £15,000, the 
 Hon. Harris Hatch, President. 
 
 St Stephen’s Bank, capital £25,000, — William 
 Porter, Esq. President. 
 
 Bank of British North America, (established in 
 London) capital £1,000,000, in 20,000 shares, 
 of £50, (three-fourths of which have been 
 subscribed in England, and the remainder in 
 the North American Colonies,) with power to 
 increase the capital, — Alfred Smithers, Esq. 
 Manager of the Branch at St John’s ; Frede- 
 ricton Branch, — George Taylor, Esq. Ma- 
 nager ; Miramichi Branch, — Robert Cassels, 
 Esq. Manager; City of St John’s Savings 
 
252 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 Bank, (in St John) — His Excellency the Lieu- 
 tenant-Governor, Patron ; the Bank of New- 
 Brunswick, Treasurer ; Daniel Jordan, Esq. 
 Cashier and Registrar. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Bible, Tract, Benevolent, St George’s, St An- 
 drew’s, St Patrick’s, Albion Union, Friendly 
 Sons of Erin, Orphan, Shipmasters’, Tempe- 
 rance, Friendly Fire Club, Union ditto, Pro- 
 tection, Marine Hospital for Relief of Dis- 
 abled Seamen, Chambers of Commerce, (Com- 
 panies,) Bridge- Water Insurance, Central 
 Fire Insurance, Marine Assurance, Mecha- 
 nics’, Salmon River, Coal Mining, Whale 
 Fishery, Mill, and Canal Land, Stage Coach, 
 Floral and Horticultural. 
 
 COUNTIES AND PARISHES. 
 
 York. — Fredericton, St Mary’s, Douglas, 
 Kingselear, Queensbury, Prince William, South- 
 ampton, Dumfries. 
 
 Carlton. — Woodstock, Northampton, Kent, 
 Brighton, Perth, Wicklow, Wakefield, Ando- 
 ver, Madawaska. 
 
 t 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 253 
 
 St John. — City of St John, North and South 
 Districts, — Parish of Portland, Parish of Carl- 
 ton, Parish of Lancaster, Parish of St Martin’s, 
 Parish of Simonds, North and South Districts. 
 
 King’s. — Kingston, Sussex, Hampton, Nor- 
 ton, Westfield, Springfield, Greenwich, Sutd- 
 holm, Upham. 
 
 Queen’s. — Gagetown, Canning, Wickham. 
 Waterborough, Brunswick, Hampstead, John- 
 ston, Petersville, Chipman. 
 
 Sunbury. — Mangerville, Sheffield, Burton, 
 Lincoln, Blissville. 
 
 W estmorel and. Dorchester, Sackville, 
 
 Westmoreland, Botsford, Shediac, Moncton, 
 Salisbury, Coverdale, Hillsborough, Hopewell, 
 Harvey. 
 
 Northumberland. Newcastle, Chatham, 
 
 Ludlow, Northesk, Alnwick, Blissfield, Black- 
 ville, Glenelg, Nelson. 
 
 Kent. — Richibucto, Carleton, Wellington, 
 Dundas, W eldford, Huskisson, ( without popula- 
 tion) — Har court, ( without population .) 
 
 Gloucester. — Saumarez, Caraquet, New- 
 Bandon, Beresford, Bathurst. 
 
 Restigouciie. — Dalhousie, Addington, Dur- 
 ham, Colburn, Eldon. 
 
 Charlotte. — St Andrew’s, St Stephen’s, St 
 
 Q 
 
254 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 David’s, St George’s, St Patrick’s, St James’, 
 Pennfield, Grand Manan, West-Isles, Campo- 
 Bello. 
 
 INFORMATION TO TRAVELLERS. 
 
 British and North American Royal Mail Steam 
 Ships, of 1250 tons burden, and 440 horse 
 power, under contract with the Lords of the 
 Admiralty. 
 
 The mails from North America are made up 
 in London on the 3rd and 18th of March, 
 April, May, June, July, August, September and 
 October, and on the 3rd of November, Decem- 
 ber, January, and February; and a Steamer 
 starts on the next succeeding days from Liver- 
 pool, for Halifax and Boston, with the mails. 
 When the 3rd or 18th falls on Sunday, the 
 mails is made up in London on Monday, and 
 the Steamer starts on Tuesday. Returning, a 
 Steamer leaves Boston on the 1st and 16th, 
 and Halifax on the 3rd and 18tli of March, 
 April, May, June, July, August, September, 
 and October ; and Boston on the 1st, and Ha- 
 lifax on the 3rd of November, December, Ja- 
 nuary, and February. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 The passage from Liverpool to Halifax is 
 made in about eleven days, and from Halifax to 
 Liverpool in ten. 
 
 Passage-Money £25, from Halifax to Liver- 
 pool. From Halifax to Boston, twenty dollars. 
 These ships carry experienced surgeons. r lhe 
 Unicorn plies between Pictou and Quebec, in 
 connexion with these places. 
 
 During the Summer months, Steamers ply 
 twice a-week between St John, n.b., and W ind- 
 sor, n.s., (forty-five miles from Halifax), also 
 between St John and Annapolis, St Andrew’s, 
 St Stephen’s, and East-Port, Moose Island, u.s. 
 three times a-w r eek ; to Boston, weekly ; and 
 daily to Fredericton.* Stages leave St John 
 three times a-week for St Andrew’s, and four 
 times a week for Dorchester, (on the post-road 
 to Halifax) branching off* to Kicliibucto, Mira- 
 michi, Bathurst, &c. In winter, stages leave 
 St John for Fredericton every day, whence the 
 lines extend all the year to W oodstock, on the 
 route to Canada and the United States. 
 
 * Steerage Fares by the Steam-Boats from St John’s to 
 Fredericton, are one dollar, or 4s. each passenger, and 10s. 
 per ton of luggage ; if in considerable quantities, less is 
 charged. 
 
256 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 ROADS AND DISTANCES IN THE PROVINCE. 
 
 From St John to Fredericton, 
 
 via Kingston . 
 
 To Black’s Farm, 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Gondola Point, 
 
 
 Kingston, 
 
 
 Head of Belleisle, 
 
 
 Wasliademoac, 
 
 
 Jernseg Ferry, 
 
 ... 8 
 
 Tilley’s, (Sheffield) 
 
 ... 13 
 
 Perley’s, 
 
 
 Fredericton, 
 
 
 86 
 
 Ditto to Fredericton by the 
 
 Nerepis. 
 
 Yorkshire Tavern, 
 
 
 Brundage's, 
 
 
 Douglas Arms, 
 
 
 Purdy’s, 
 
 
 Gillan's, 
 
 
 Smith’s, 
 
 
 Morison’s (Oromocto,)-.. 
 
 ... 7 
 
 Fredericton, 
 
 
 65 
 
 From St John to St Stephen's, 
 
 via St Andrew's . 
 
 Lake Field, 
 
 
 Musquash, 
 
 
 M‘Laughlin’s, 
 
 ... 7 
 
 Grey’s, 
 
 
 M c Gowan’s, 
 
 
 Watter’s, 
 
 
 St George’s, 
 
 
 St Patrick’s, 
 
 
 St Andrew’s, 
 
 
 St Stephen's, 
 
 
 58 
 
 From St John to Quaco. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 The Mash, 3 
 
 Loclilomond, 8 
 
 Jones', 3 
 
 Beatty’s, 6 
 
 Paterson’s, 5 
 
 Quaco (or. St Martin’s,) ... 6 
 31 
 
 From St John to Shepodg. 
 
 To Loclilomond (Cody’s,) 1 1 
 
 Atkinson's Chapel, 10 
 
 Barnes’ Bridge, 4 
 
 Little River Chapel, 6 
 
 Londonderry School, 10 
 
 Head of the Settlement, ... 4 
 
 M‘ Manus’ Farm, 6 
 
 Dorman’s, through the Por- 
 tage, 12 
 
 Sliepody Chapel, 12 
 
 77 
 
 From St John to Halifax, 
 
 via Amherst . 
 
 To Hennigar’s, 9 
 
 Ketcliuin’s, 7 
 
 Hampton Ferry, 7 
 
 Baxter’s (Finger-Board,) 10 
 
 The Valley Church, 13 
 
 M‘Montagle’s, 10 
 
 M‘Leod's, (Portage,) 12 
 
 Pittfield’s, 13 
 
 Nixon's, 12 
 
 Lewis’, •••» 12 
 
 Charter’s, Memramcook, 16 
 Hickman’s, Dorchester,... 8 
 
 Westcock, 7 
 
 Tantamar, 10 
 
 Amherst, 9 
 
 154 
 
account of new-brunswick 
 
 257 
 
 To Halifax from AmhersU 
 
 To Stewart's, 
 
 Hewson’s River Philip, • •• 
 
 Purdy's (Mountain) 
 
 Sutherland’s, 
 
 Ye will’s, Londonderry,)... 
 
 Blanchard’s, Truro, 
 
 Hill's, Stewiacke, 
 
 Miller’s, Guy’s River, 
 
 Keyes', 
 
 Shultz’s, 
 
 Halifax, 
 
 116 
 
 From St John to Halifax, 270 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 17 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 Miles. 
 
 n 
 
 
 15 
 
 9 
 
 Bathurst Court-House, ... 
 
 n 
 
 
 48 
 
 From Bathurst to Restigouchc . 
 To Arisneaus, J2 
 
 Harvey’s, (Nash Creek)... 
 M’Pherson’s, (Old Place, 
 
 . 10.) 
 94 
 
 . 10 
 
 
 . 9 
 
 
 
 L>amDietou, ••••»»• ...... 
 
 
 
 704 
 
 From Fredericton to Richibucto , 
 via Miramichi. 
 
 To Brown’s, ••••• 
 
 Young’s, 
 
 Boie's Town, 
 
 Hunter’s, 
 
 De Cantline’s, 
 
 Cochrane’s, 
 
 Parker's, 
 
 Newcastle, 
 
 Chatham, (Miramichi,) .... 
 
 M‘Beath’s, 
 
 Dicken's Bay, (Duvin,) ... 
 Rankin’s (Richibucto,) .... 
 
 152 
 
 From Richibucto to the Bend. 
 
 Harris', 8 
 
 Little Buctoucli, 9 
 
 Cocaigne Bridge, 9 
 
 Shediac, 9 
 
 To the Bend, 15 
 
 50 
 
 Chatham to Bathurst. 
 
 To Goodfellow, 6 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 25 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 14 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 
 From Fredericton to 
 Quebec. 
 
 To Burgoyne’s Ferry, 
 
 Munroe’s, 
 
 Guion’s, 
 
 Jones', 
 
 Woodstock Court-House, 
 
 Victoria, 
 
 Applesley's, 
 
 Band’s, 
 
 Tibbet’s, 
 
 Restook, 
 
 Grand Falls, 
 
 Coomb's, 
 
 Vital Thibidean’s, 
 
 Entrance to Madawaska, 
 
 Lake of Temiscouta, 
 
 The Portage, 
 
 River St Lawrence, 
 
 Kamouraska, 
 
 St Ann’s, 
 
 Rivierewielle, 
 
 St Thomas’, 
 
 St Joseph’s, - 
 
 Port Levi, Quebec, < 
 
 16 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 17 
 8 
 8 
 
 13 
 
 18 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 12 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 24 
 
 14 
 36 
 18 
 
 , 22i 
 . 224 
 , 15 
 . 18 
 . 12 
 
 346 
 
258 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 STATE OF THE WEATHER IN EACH MONTH IN THE 
 PROVINCE. 
 
 January may be considered the coldest month, 
 the average temperature being from 10° to 14°. 
 It drops sometimes 10° or 15° below zero, and 
 remains so for three or four days together. 
 
 February usually commences with extreme 
 cold, the temperature seldom ranging above 12°. 
 Snow storms are violent and frequent ; the sun, 
 however, before the end of this month, shews 
 gradually his increasing power, and iceicles are 
 seen hanging from the roofs of houses in shel- 
 tered situations. 
 
 In March , clouds of hail and sleet sweep 
 along the streets with a force hard to be with- 
 stood by man or beast. Cold must be endured 
 in all its variety ; on one day the ground pre- 
 sents to the eye a surface of deep fresh snow to 
 wade through — before night, perhaps a fog sets 
 in with a rapid thaw. Heavy rain succeeds, 
 and torrents of water and melted snow rush 
 down the streets towards the sea. The com- 
 pact mass or cake of ice with which the whole 
 surface of the ground in the town is covered, 
 now begins to make its appearance, and walk- 
 ing becomes even more disagreeable and dan- 
 
account of new-brunswick. 
 
 259 
 
 gerous than ever. This mass of ice is full two 
 feet thick, and cracks into fissures, which form, 
 as were, the beds of little rivers, which dis- 
 charge the melted snow into the sea. 
 
 In April , the weather is severe and variable. 
 Large quantities of snow fall during the month. 
 The heat of the sun in the middle of the day is 
 too great to allow it to lie long on the ground, 
 scarcely two days at the same time. Sometimes 
 the snow is deep and fresh, at other times soft 
 and sloppy, and again, covered with a crackling 
 coat of ice. Then the north-west wind rages, 
 and calls forth the powers of the young and ac- 
 tive, to make way against its force. 
 
 In the month of May, the weather has but 
 little improved. The snow falls heavily at in- 
 tervals, and, melted by the increased power of 
 
 the sun, mixes with mud till the streets are like 
 a bog, and would be considered in any other 
 part of the world impassable. The variations of 
 temperature are excessive— keen frosty winds, 
 and a warm sun, acting together, try the weaker 
 constitutions, nevertheless, those troubled with 
 rheumatism, do not complain. 
 
 In the month of June, the sun begins to be 
 really powerful; the trees begin to show the 
 first tinge of green. Floating islands of ice, 
 which surround the coast at this season of the 
 
260 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 year, influence the climate most considerably ; 
 till these gradually recede, and becoming po- 
 rous, sink to the water’s edge, the weather is 
 never settled and warm, for in the hottest day, 
 whenever the wind happens to blow from the 
 sea, it drives before it a dense chilling fog, like 
 a moving pillar, over the town ; there, while it 
 rests, the changes of the atmosphere is violent 
 in the extreme ; the very eyes feel cold ; and 
 the sea breeze, which in England invites the 
 invalid to the coast to inhale its freshness, 
 drives the New-Brunswicker within the walls 
 of his house. This evil, however, is of short 
 continuance, for the ice islands, on whose gelid 
 surfaces these damp fogs have been engendered, 
 melt by degrees, and, dispersing themselves 
 over the ocean, cease for the remainder of the 
 year to interfere with the sun’s dominion. 
 
 July and August are the hottest of all, the sun 
 being usually powerful and oppressive. The 
 uniform heat is greater than in England. 
 
 In September , the evenings become cold, with 
 frosts, increasing in severity, to the end of the 
 month. 
 
 In October , the temperature falls, perhaps, to 
 25° of Fahr. with rough gales from the north- 
 west, sweeping the frozen continent, and answer- 
 ing to our easterly winds. The weather, how- 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 261 
 
 ever, is variable, some days still being very 
 warm. 
 
 In Nwember, a succession of bright sun-sbiny 
 days generally prevails. The fresh frosty air, 
 and bright sun, have acquired that season, the 
 appellation of the Indian summer. The varia- 
 tion of temperature towards the end of the 
 month is very great; sometimes as much as 
 40° in the twenty-four hours. Some days are 
 close and foggy, others clear and intensely cold. 
 
 In December , the snow before the middle of 
 the month, begins to lie on the ground, the 
 average temperature being about 20°. 
 
 ' REMARKS ON THE BOUNDARY QUESTION, 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 AND 1 HE 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 In taking a rapid review of the position in 
 which the Boundary Question remained for a 
 short time, in 1783, the territory could scarcely 
 have any intrinsic value, and if a more distinct 
 and intelligible line of boundary was not laid 
 
262 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 down, this omission did not proceed from any 
 desire to leave in doubt an unsettled point, on 
 which disputes might arise in after times. On 
 the contrary, we believe that no men could have 
 been more anxious than were Adams & Frank- 
 lin, that the treaty to which their honourable 
 names were fixed should correspond with its 
 avowed intention, — “ that of establishing such 
 a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between 
 the two countries, upon the ground of recipro- 
 cal advantage and mutual concessions, as might 
 best promote and secure to both, perpetual 
 peace and harmony. 
 
 Treaty of Paris. — In this treaty, the Boun- 
 dary intended to be fixed, is described as fol- 
 lows : — “ From the north-west angle of Nova- 
 Scotia, viz. that angle which is formed by a 
 line drawn due north from the source of the St 
 Croix river to the Highlands, along the said 
 Highlands which divide those waters which 
 empty themselves into the River St Lawrence, 
 from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, 
 to the north-western -most head of the Connec- 
 ticut river.” 
 
 Not proceeding any further in the present 
 extracts, because it is on the construction of 
 these words that all the existing difficulties 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 263 
 
 arise, the points to be solved are, first , What 
 was the river St Croix ? What was the range 
 of hills designated by the Highlands ? And as 
 connected with the second question, — W hat 
 rivers were meant by those described as falling 
 into the Atlantic and the St Lawrence ; and, 
 lastly , What was the north-west head of the 
 river Connecticut? 
 
 In 1794, a treaty of amity was made between 
 Great Britain and the United States, the ob- 
 ject being to ascertain what river W'as meant 
 by the name of the St Croix ? By the fifth 
 article, commissioners were appointed and au- 
 thorized to decide according to evidence on 
 oath, and it was further agreed, that their re- 
 port was to be “ final and conclusive.” • The 
 report of that commission was made. It ap- 
 pears very probable that the point fixed upon 
 by them as the source of the St Croix, was 
 about twenty miles too much to the east-ward, 
 and that there was, consequently, a correspond- 
 ing sacrifice of territory made by England. 
 But the award was held to be “ final and con- 
 clusive,” according to the terms of the treaty, 
 and as such, it has been acquiesced in. Here 
 we see that one of the points in dispute was 
 very fortunately, not, perhaps, very correctly 
 ascertained; and it is much to be regretted, 
 
264 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 that at the same period, the other lines were 
 not struck out before any border quarrels had 
 arisen, and false standards of this planted na- 
 tional had been raised up. 
 
 In 1814, the unfortunate hostilities between 
 the two countries were terminated by the treaty 
 of Ghent. In the fifth article, it is declared, 
 “ that neither the point designed in the treaty 
 of Paris, as the north-west angle of Nova- 
 Scotia, nor the north-west head of the Connec- 
 ticut, had been ascertained, or the line of the 
 Highlands surveyed. Two commissioners were 
 appointed to declare the boundary, and to make 
 surveys of the line of the treaty of 1783, lay- 
 ing it down upon a map — which map and de- 
 claration, the contracting parties agree to con- 
 sider as fixing the said boundary finally and con- 
 clusively. A provision is subsequently made, 
 that in case of a disagreement between the 
 commissioners, a reference should be made to a 
 friendly sovereign or state. The commission- 
 ers not being able to agree on a Boundary Line, 
 a convention was entered into at London in 
 1827, by which it was agreed to refer the ques- 
 tion to the decision of a friendly sovereign ; 
 and the fifth article provided, in the spirit of 
 the previous engagements, that “ the decision 
 of the arbiters, when given, shall be taken as 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 265 
 
 final and conclusive, and shall be carried, with- 
 out reserve, into immediate effect by the con- 
 tracting parties. The king of the Is etherlands 
 was subsequently named as the arbitrator, and 
 his award was given in 1831. In that award, 
 the king of the Netherlands negatives the line 
 claimed by Great Britain, as well as that 
 claimed by the United States. The award sets 
 forth, — “ Que la nature du differences, et les 
 stipulations, vagues et non suffisantes deter- 
 minees du traite de 1783; n’admettant pas 
 d’adjuger l’une on l’autre de ces lignes, a l’une 
 des dites parties sans blesser les principes de 
 droit et d’ equite cn vers P autre.”* * And the 
 arbitrator proceeds to state, — “ Nous sommes 
 d’avis, qu’il conviendra d’adopter pour limite 
 de deux atas une ligne tiree,” &c.f 
 
 Now, let our readers observe, how strongly 
 marked was the intention of the parties to the 
 treaties of 1814 and 1827 — that the decision, 
 
 [translation.] 
 
 * That the nature of difference, and the stipulations, loose 
 and not sufficiently determined at the treaty of 1783 ; not 
 allowing to judge the one or the other of these races, from 
 the one of these said parties, without offending the princi- 
 ples of the law and justice towards the other. 
 
 f We are of opinion, that he will agree to adopt measures 
 for the limit of one race extracted, &c. 
 
266 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 when given, should be final and conclusive; 
 how greatly it was the interest of each country, 
 looking beyond the lesser and mere temporary 
 interests of the day, that a decision should be 
 authoritatively pronounced, agreed to, and car- 
 ried into effect. This desire is in conformity 
 with the principles laid down by Franklin and 
 Adams in 1783, and is in conformity likewise 
 with the acts of the parties to the convention of 
 amity in 1794. 
 
 To us it would undoubtedly appear, that the 
 spirit and the letter of the obligations contract- 
 ed, required immediate adoption of the terms 
 of the award of the king of the Netherlands. 
 It must be remembered, that this decision im- 
 posed upon England a much larger sacrifice 
 than that required from the United States ; in- 
 deed, above three-fifths of the disputed terri- 
 tory were awarded to the latter. The conduct 
 of the British government was frank and ho- 
 nourable. 
 
 The award of the king of the Netherlands 
 bore date, 10th January 1831. On the 9th of 
 1 ebruary, Lord Palmerston informed the Bri- 
 tish minister at Washington, “ that whatever 
 might be the sentiments or wishes of His Ma- 
 jesty on some of the points embraced in the 
 award ; His Majesty has not hesitated to ac- 
 
account of new-brunswick. 
 
 267 
 
 quiesce in that decision, in fulfilment of the ob- 
 ligations which His Majesty considers himself 
 to have contracted by the terms of the conven- 
 tion ; and His Majesty is persuaded, that such 
 will be the course adopted by the government 
 of the United States.” 
 
 It is very much to he regretted, that these 
 expectations were not realized, but on the con- 
 trary, and that in consequence of difficulties. 
 We shall pass over the appointment of Mr 
 Preble, who was described in the message to Con- 
 gress, in December 1831, from which appoint- 
 ment, difficulties arose, the explanation of which 
 we shall not here mention, but observe, that to 
 the American, these transactions must read the 
 useful lesson of mistrust with respect to the 
 conduct and pretensions of its border popula- 
 tion. Whilst firm in their resolve that the 
 people of Maine should not suffer wrong, the 
 United States should he equally resolute to 
 prevent them from committing injustice ; above 
 all, the great American community should re- 
 ject those counsels which may lead to war; 
 a lesson will also be read with profit to Eng- 
 land by the same events. They must learn to 
 discriminate between the imprudent acts, and 
 unreasonable complaints of a few borderers, 
 and the feelings and the determination of a 
 
268 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 great people. Nequis simam pacem justissimo 
 hello antefero , — is an admission which neither 
 England nor the United States is called upon 
 to make ; but each should be prepared to act 
 upon the principle, that any sacrifice which does 
 not compromise national honour and indepen- 
 dence, should be made, in order to avert that 
 worst of all calamities to England, to America, 
 and to the civilized world — a contest between 
 two kindred nations. 
 
 If American cities, along the coasts, were at- 
 tracted by our fleets, — if Canadian insurgents 
 were aided by border sympathizers, — if the for- 
 midable danger which results from a slave po- 
 pulation of two millions, were hurried to a cri- 
 sis, — if the trade of both countries were for- 
 cibly interrupted, it would but be a slight com- 
 pensation, and it would be no excuse to either 
 party, if the result were to secure the posses- 
 sion of a given number of square miles, north 
 or south of the river of St John, and the es- 
 tablishment of the line of boundary contended 
 for by one or other of the disputants. But we 
 go farther ; for we much doubt whether the va- 
 lue of the State of Maine, or province of New- 
 Brunswick, would be to either country an equi- 
 valent for the jealousy and the hatred, as well 
 as the destruction of property, and the check 
 
 t 
 
account of new-brcnswick. 
 
 269 
 
 to all improvement, which must be the result 
 of war. If this calamity has as yet been fortu- 
 nately averted, we cannot help thinking that 
 much is owing to the good sense and discretion 
 manifested by the governor of New Brunswick, 
 and the General commanding the troops of the 
 United States. 
 
 Nothing can he more gratifying than the 
 good feeling manifested on both sides in this 
 military correspondence, which contrasts most 
 favourably with the more polemical tone of the 
 documents proceeding from too many of the 
 civil authorities. Very just and impressive are 
 the observations of the Marquis of Normanby, 
 in his dispatch to Sir John Harvey, of 16th 
 May 1839, — “ The correspondence between you 
 and the Secretary of State, is honourable alike 
 to you and to him. It is gratifying to observe, 
 that the feelings of personal esteem which were 
 established between General Scott and yourself, 
 when formerly opposed to each other in the 
 field, should, after the lapse of so many years, 
 have enabled you both to concur in averting 
 from your respective countries all the horrors 
 of war.” 
 
 The peace of the American continent should, 
 however, rest on a firmer foundation than the 
 personal character of any two men, however 
 
270 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 discreet and generous. The President, in his 
 message of 1837, stated, “ that time has brought 
 a condition of affairs, in which the true inte- 
 rests of both countries imperatively require, 
 that the question shall be set at rest.” This is 
 still more true in 1840, than at the date of this 
 message. That the territory in dispute can be 
 of no real importance to Maine, in a political 
 point of view, is evident from the readiness 
 manifested in 1832, to make the cession to the 
 general government, on obtaining a pecuniary 
 indemnity. To England, it is not for 10,000 
 square miles of territory that the controversy 
 is maintained, but to secure freedom of inter- 
 course between Fredericton and Quebec. This 
 is a national object to us ; it is a most impor- 
 tant object to America also ; for if the adjust- 
 ment is not made, there can be no doubt but 
 that future causes of dissension must arise. 
 
 In concluding these remarks on the Boundary 
 Question, I would here observe, that the sur- 
 vey and demarcation of the boundary between 
 the United States and the British Provinces of 
 New-Brunswick and Canada, as defined by the 
 treaty of Washington, have been advanced the 
 past year (1841) with much industry and suc- 
 cess. The commissioners, Messrs Featherston 
 and Mudge, and the scientific corps, on the 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 271 
 
 part of both governments, (the latter composed 
 chiefly of military engineers of the two services, 
 who are graduates of the Natural Military 
 Schools of Westpoint and Woolwich) have co- 
 operated in the task committed to them, with 
 great harmony. No controversy nor misunder- 
 standing of any moment has arisen to that de- 
 scribed in the treaty ; and it is not at all pro- 
 bable that any doubt or difference of opinion 
 can arise in the minds of the commissioners re- 
 specting the remainder of the line to be maiked. 
 The whole is clearly defined by the treaty, and 
 both countries are represented in their commis- 
 sioners, by intelligent, frank, and liberal-minded 
 gentlemen, who are above any petty cavil in 
 the discharge of their important duties. 
 
 The boundary has already been surveyed, and 
 marked in such a way as to define the limits of 
 jurisdiction of the respective governments, at 
 the Monument, at the source of the river St 
 Croix, and at the out-let of LakePokenagamook, 
 on the river St Francis. No dispute as to the 
 right of jurisdiction can therefore hereafter 
 arise upon this important portion of our fron- 
 tier. It embraces the whole of the Madawaska 
 settlement, which is by far the most populous 
 portion of the line, until it reaches the fi on- 
 tiers of Vermont and New- York. Monuments 
 
272 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 of cast-iron have been erected through the 
 whole of the line, at a distance of a mile apart. 
 
 The termini of the straight line between the 
 out-let of the Lake of Pokenagamook, and the 
 north-west branch of the St John, have been 
 determined astronomically in lat. and Ion., and 
 the greater part of the river of the St John, 
 above the mouth of the St Francis, has been 
 also accurately surveyed. 
 
 The whole extent of the line to be run under 
 the treaty, from the source of St Croix, around 
 the State of Maine, along the northern line of 
 Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York, is 
 950 miles in extent. The commissioners have 
 surveyed the whole line as laid down by the 
 treaty. They have to clear out a track thirty 
 feet wide, making a vista through the forest, to 
 survey all the islands in the St John’s River, — 
 to sound the channel of the river — to apportion 
 the several islands to the two nations, and to 
 make maps of the whole line. Cast-iron monu- 
 ments, six feet long, half in and half out of the 
 ground, with appropriate inscriptions, are to be 
 placed along the line a mile apart, and as much 
 oftener as a stream crosses the line. The line 
 has been completed in this manner from the 
 river St Croix to Lake Bohenagamook, a dis- 
 tance of over two hundred miles, at an expense 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 273 
 
 of 23,000 dollars, and it will require 75,000 
 dollars more to complete it. The commissioner 
 and his party have worked this last summer, 
 (1843) five months on the line. His party con- 
 consisted of one principal commissioner, five to- 
 pographical engineers (officers U.S.A.) three 
 civil engineers, and one hundred men. The 
 British had one commissioner (Col. Est court) 
 three officers of the Boyal Engineers, two civil 
 engineers, a company of Sappers and Miners, 
 acting as assistant engineers, besides labourers. 
 The work at present is suspended for want of 
 an appropriation. 
 
 EXTENT OF THE BRITISH TERRITORY, 
 
 The British territory in North America, is 
 estimated to contain 2,369,000 square miles. 
 Including the Indian countries, it extends from 
 42° to 47° N. lat., and from 55° 30' to 141° W . 
 long. Its length from Cape Charles to the 
 North Pacific is 3500 miles ; and its length 
 from Barrow’s Strait to the Missouri territory 
 is 2000 miles. The white population, in 1836, 
 amounted to about one million and a-half. 
 
 The following are its chief divisions : — Hud- 
 son’s Bay territories, including Labrador, Up- 
 
274 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 per Canada, Lower Canada, New-Brunswick, 
 Nova Scotia. The islands are — Newfoundland, 
 Cape Breton, Prince Edward, Bermudas, An- 
 ticosti, Southampton, North Georgian Islands. 
 
 What’s deeper than the boundless sea, 
 Where plunge the finny world ? 
 
 More dreadful than the belching crash 
 From Etna’s entrail’s hurl’d ? — Revenge. 
 
 What’s softer that the cygnet’s down — 
 Or dew upon the rose — 
 
 Or changing tissue of the west 
 At evening’s peaceful close ? — Pity. 
 
 What’s more impetuous than the rage 
 That sweeps Nigara’s surge ? 
 
 More sure to push the victims on, 
 
 That loiter near its verge ? — Anger. 
 
 What’s milder than the gentle touch 
 Of Zephyr’s kindly blow ? 
 
 Or lake reflected Cynthia’s orb 
 Beneath its surface shewn ? — Religion. 
 
 POETRY. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 275 
 
 What’s more bitter far than gall, 
 
 Or wormwood’s loathsome blade ? 
 
 More poisonous than the fang of asps, 
 
 Or Upaz baleful shade ? — Envy. 
 
 What’s truer than the magnet’s aim, 
 
 To north so steady borne ? 
 
 That quiet rests when undisturb’d, 
 
 That trembles when it’s torn ? — Friendship. 
 
 What wilder than the timid deer, 
 
 That bounds the leafy lair ? 
 
 Or proud fledged ospray’s boldest flight, 
 
 Along the yielding air ? — Fancy. 
 
 What’s broader than the starry cope, 
 
 Or than unbounded space ? 
 
 Or more expansive than the air, 
 
 On which is left no trace ? 
 
 More bright than yon resplendent sun, 
 
 With wide prolific rays ; 
 
 Pervading more the cheerless heart, 
 
 Than He, the argent day? — Charity. — C. W . A. 
 
 Hail ! to thee New-Brunswick ! 
 
 Thou cherish’d land of ours ; 
 
 Our sons are like the granite rocks — 
 Our daughters like the flowers. 
 
276 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 The land of rock, and mount, and glen, 
 Of noble streams that sweep 
 
 Through y allies rich with verdure, 
 
 In gladness to the deep. 
 
 The towering spruce, and ancient pine, 
 Our noble forest bear, 
 
 The maple bough, its blossoms, 
 
 Flings on the scented air. 
 
 No despot monarch wrings our toil, 
 
 Or rends its fruit away ; 
 
 The flocks upon our own green hills 
 Secure from plunder stray. 
 
 We quail to none — of none we crave — 
 Or bend the servile knee ; 
 
 The life-blood that our fathers gave, 
 
 Still warms the firm and free. 
 
 Free as the white gull spreads her wings, 
 We own no tyrant’s rod — 
 
 No Sovereign, but our youthful Queen ! 
 Our country and our God ! — C. W. A. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 277 
 
 RELIGION SUPREME. 
 
 Victor, what avails the wreath 
 That erst entwined thy brow ? 
 
 Alas ! these flowers no longer breathe, 
 
 For death hath laid them low. 
 
 And what avails the storied urn 
 That blazons forth thy fame ? 
 
 That sculptur’d vase to dust shall turn — 
 Oblivion blot thy name. 
 
 What, too, avails those scars so deep, 
 Received in battle fray ? 
 
 They’re proofs of valour ! Time shall sweep 
 Thy valour’s proofs away ! 
 
 And what avails the minstrel’s song, 
 
 That sounds thy praises forth ? 
 
 The minstrel’s head shall rest ere long, 
 
 Upon the lap of earth. 
 
 Avarice, what avails thy dreams 
 Of happiness in gold ? 
 
 Thy funeral torch already gleams — 
 
 Thy days on earth are told. 
 
278 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 What now avails the hoarded wealth ? 
 
 Is it with thee inurned ? — 
 
 No — “ Naked from the earth yon came, 
 And naked have returned.” 
 
 Beauty ! what avails the rose 
 That decks thy dimpl’d cheek ? 
 
 Age on thy head shall strew his snows, 
 And death his vengeance wreak. 
 
 And what avails thy form so fair, 
 
 Or eyes so dazzling bright ? 
 
 That form shall waste in sullen care — 
 Those suns shall set in night. 
 
 But, blest Religion, much avails 
 Thy hope of bliss in heaven ; 
 
 For though thy barque by adverse gales 
 On death’s dark shore be driven, 
 
 Still thou canst smile ! thy steady eye 
 Can pierce the cheerless gloom, 
 
 And view through dark futurity, 
 
 The day-spring of the tomb. — C. W. A. 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 279 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 See where she stoops from yonder snowy cloud, 
 Rich sun-light streaming from her wavingwings ; 
 Hark to the Pceans of the leaping crowd, 
 
 Who throng to grasp the priceless gifts she 
 brings, — 
 
 Where’er she sets her foot, sweet verdure springs. 
 
 Scarce wins the reaper thro’ the bending grain, 
 Thick to the vine the cluster’d fruitage clings ; 
 Glad sings the peasant to the groaning wain, 
 And to the lip of love bright smile comes again. 
 
r» 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-B RUNS WICK. 
 
 281 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 In New-Brunswick, besides coal and iron, there are 
 copper, tin, lead, zinc, and manganese, which should 
 claim some attention, and although but small quanti- 
 ties of the precious metals have been found, several 
 of the most beautiful gems have been discovered in 
 this, and the adjoining Province, (Nova Scotia.) In 
 the mineral kingdom lie the hidden properties of mag- 
 netism and electricity, with all those chemical pheno- 
 mena now so well known, but whose true causes are 
 but imperfectly understood. The former guides the 
 wandering mariner over the pathless ocean, and the 
 latter delights us by its extraordinary effects. A com- 
 bination of these two properties is now directed, so as 
 to bo made obedient to the human will, and, from a 
 knowledge of their laws, a power has been obtained 
 similar to that produced by steam. In all these, the 
 design, wisdom, and beneficence of an intelligent Ar- 
 chitect are displayed in a manner so nicely adapted to 
 human comprehension, that none who inquires into 
 them, can forbear to acknowledge the power and good- 
 ness of their Creator. 
 
282 
 
 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 
 
 It would be in vain to attempt an enumeration of 
 all the different mineral substances which have proved 
 useful to mankind — their uses are as wide as the field 
 from whence they are taken, and the welfare of any 
 country must, in a great measure, depend upon the 
 native riches contained in its rocks, and success can 
 only attend that industry which is devoted to the legi- 
 timate objects of national wealth and dependence. 
 
 It should be here remarked, that all the iron, cop- 
 per, lead, tin, zinc, and manganese, and other metals 
 also used by the inhabitants of this Province, are im- 
 ported directly from Great Britain, or some foreign 
 port. Most of those metals exist in the country, and 
 might be manufactured at a cheaper rate than they 
 can be purchased at, and conveyed from any other 
 place. 
 
 The large quantities of timber shipped annually from 
 the Province, are insufficient to meet the amount of 
 imposts, and the country sends abroad an article which 
 other countries have not, to purchase articles which 
 she possesses. The result of such an economy must 
 be readily perceived, and if not remedied by calling 
 forth her own mineral supplies, must terminate greatly 
 to the disadvantage of the colony. 
 
 Were the coal raised, and the iron and copper manu- 
 factured in the Province in a sufficient quantity .tor 
 supply its own wants, then the amount of these neces- 
 sary articles would be saved to the country — the re- 
 ward to honest industry would be certain, and emi- 
 gration would be encouraged. But the more imme- 
 diate means of supply, namely, timber and deals, are 
 
ACCOUNT OF NEW-BRUNSWICK. 283 
 
 now required to balance with the importations, and 
 when these means fail, (and fail they will in time) and 
 great loss has been sustained, will every object capable 
 of producing relief be resorted to ; whereas, had they 
 been used at an earlier day, the general prosperity 
 would have been as steady as it now may be great. 
 
 The histories of ancient and modern nations shew 
 how much the civilization and happiness of mankind 
 rest upon national resources, and the fate of empires 
 depend upon those stores of mineral matter laid up in 
 the earth's vast warehouse ; these stores shew their in- 
 tended use, and the care and foresight of a superintend- 
 ing Power, which has abundantly provided for all the 
 wants of the human family. 
 
 Like Nova Scotia, New-Brunswick possesses the 
 greatest riches of the mineral kingdom ; but while all 
 the best resources of the former are held in durance by 
 an association whose interest is best supported by a 
 partial and limited developement of her mines, the 
 latter is free from that embarrassment, and her inha- 
 bitants can participate in the benefits to be derived 
 from them. While the mines and minerals of Nova 
 Scotia are placed beyond the reach of provincial legis- 
 lation, those of New-Brunswick can be rendered pro- 
 fitable to the revenue and to the people. 
 
 Along the broken and desolate district, extending 
 from the mountains of the Nerepis to the American 
 boundary, the feldspathic, and hornblende trap forms 
 lofty, abrupt, and often inaccessible cliffs; and the 
 sublime appearance of this chain of mountains, ad- 
 mirably displays the ingenious character of its rocks. 
 
284 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL. &C. 
 
 The remains of ancient craters that have out-lived the 
 destructive operations of the elements, are still visible, 
 and fill the mind with the highest veneration. This 
 mountain scenery is rendered still more wild by the 
 depth and silence of its valleys, and the succession of 
 pyramid after pyramid, rising as far in the distance as 
 the eye can behold ; their bright tops seen glittering 
 in the mid-day sun, seem like beacons hung over -the 
 dark ravines, and winding hollows, mantled with the 
 thickest spruce, and inhabited only by the sullen bear 
 and bounding deer. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
 t