CONTENTdm
British Columbia Historical Books Collection
Smith, M. (Michael), 1776-
"Sabin has a lengthy note on the history of printing and records that the edition consisted of at least 2,500 copies, some of which were destroyed by fire in the City of Washington. One of the earliest accounts of the country from the Lake of the Woods to the Pacific Ocean, taken in part from mss. of Catholic missionaries. This is the 5th ed., enlarged and with a new title, of his book on Upper Canada first published with title 'A geographical view of the province of Upper Canada and promiscuous remarks upon the government ...' Hartford, 1813, ref. T.P.L. 959." -- Strathern, G. M., & Edwards, M. H. (1970). Navigations, traffiques & discoveries, 1774-1848: A guide to publications relating to the area now British Columbia. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, p. 273.
288 pages ; 15 cm
application/pdf
BRITISH FOSS^gl IN NORTH AM^MCd-: comprehending Nova Scotia, New Brunswicl, New Britain, ,:^Lower and Up#er Canada, * With aU the Country to the Frozen Sea on the North, and Pacific Ocean on the West. §& jjjjj|| WITH <il|tt (^ippmHx. CONTAINING A Concise History of the War in Canada, To the date of this volume* BY M. SMITH, Author of the View of Upper Canada* BALTIMORE : miNTED BY P. MAURO, FOR THE AUTHOR, J£ DISTENT 0# VIRGINIA, to Wit: W' H^ 1*£ BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the first day of Jan- «§™jgr nary, in the thirty-eighth year ot%Bie Independence of the United States of America, M. Smith, of the said District, hath deposited in this office, the title of a work, the right >i^^Pl^i whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to m cc cc wit: P A Geographical View of the British, Possessions *in North America j comprehending Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, New Britain, Lower and Upper Canada, with all the country to the Frozen Sea on the North, and Pacific Ocean on the West. With an Appendix, containing a 1 Concise History of the War in Canada, to the date of this volume.—By |§ M. Smith, author of the View of Upper Canada." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled I An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the time therein mentioned." And also to an act, entitled, "An Act supplementary to an act, entitled, j An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof ^b the arts of designing, en* graving, and dfching, historical and other prints." ifl WM. MARSHALL, Clerk of the District of Virginia* WHEN a new publication appears, the public is desirous of knowing something of the author, and his reasons for writing; both of which I will note in a few words* v -; /-;■.';/• ';x<- v'^"-/;'* ■/-;i:-w First, I am a native of the United States, was born in Pennsylvania, ten miles front Philadelphia, and in the year J|&08 moved with my family to the province of Upper Canada, in order |b obtain land upon easy terms, (as did most of the inhabitants now there) and for no other reason, f I had not long remained in the province till I discovered that the mildness of the climate, fertility of the soil, benefit of trade, cheapness ofjfhe -.cre-srfc land, morals of the inhabitants, and equality of the government, so far exceeded my former expectations and the expectations of the public in general, that I deemed it my duty to ma|e known the same | especially when I considered that there were many thousands of m|r fellow-citizens of the Unit- ed States, who were without land, and prospect of obtaining: anylm the United States upon such easy terms as they might in Uppe^r (|biada i nor had I then any expectation of war between the two countries. I alsdlknew that a correct geographical account of Upper Canada had never Ibeen published X||therefere,fin the year 1810, made application to the governor of the province, Francis Gore, Esq, for liberty to taklf and print a Geographical and Political Vffew of Upper Canada, and obtained his appiobationf but the war between the twf countries commenced before the publi- cation|$^v'" "\";>' ■ . "'"',*1"'-^1^; '"
■ • ^ ll-' GOfERNftNT. W:Jf : :!
III ilmmm*i***i^t**£. ( 175 ) ^hore, there is another small settlement, at the mouth of the river'Moisie, already noted. Ninety miles farther up, there is a small settlement, on the south side of the river, opposite to the island of Saint Barnaby. On the banks of the river Saguenay, already named, which falls into the St. Lawrence, there are a nuni- bev of small settlements of an ancient date. These settlements were made previous to the establishment of a colony in Canada. They are k|jown by the appella^- lion of the King's Posts*% and are let for a term of years, to commercial people for the design qf conducting a tra* fie for peltry with the savages, and also for the salmon, [whale, seal and porpus fisheries. One of these settlements, called Chicoutami, i s situated- 5 miles up the Saguenay, where the soil is fertile. It has been found by experiment^tha^| grain will ripen much sooner here than at Quebec, although placed* considerably to the north of that dfy. About 20 miles further up thefjit. Lawrence, near the Island of Bique, the settlements on the south side may be said to begin. Green Islandis still higher up the river, but exhibits a pleasing appearance, and affords an abundance of paftfe: tura£e for cattle. In the rich and beautiful vafly of Mal-bay, on the north side already noted, the settlement is large and populous. These posts are now in the possession of the North-west Company of ur Traders, for the yearly rent of 4100 dollars. # ■ "■ ~~1W? A little above Mai bay, on the soltth side, is situatlf the settlement of Camourasca. The island of^Poudresis in th|Svicinityof Camourasca, on which reside about fony families. This islandM about 7 miles in length and 3 in breadth. On the north side of the ^Ver a little above Mal-bay, there are several small settlements, formed in a ciifSfiW and romantic manner. ■0he Eboulements are a chain of mountains that rise near the river all of a sudden, and to a majestipele#Ltiotff Oh the sides Of these mountains, settlements are madef one above another at different stages^f height, ^mt houses, corn-frelds, orchards and v^ods, irregularly licattered^over tfip brow of the hills, £roduce'%n enecf luxurientand novel. From this settlement in ascending the coast of the &$ Lawrence, the country infertile and thickly inhabited; beffrg in sd^ie places settled to the de|bth ;^Kight concessions, or about 12 mileip|| ; Great quantities of gram is producedfta tffese se$$0 ments, and the soil is more fertile^ian that around*Que, bee. The coast oj|the St. Lawrenclt, affords excellent mea- dow land. ^The churches and settlements, which a^ placed thickly together, produce an agreeable contrast with the ^rest and distant fountains. Ill The face of the country^ on the north is elevaild and bold, being composed of a successionlof hiljli^risirig abruptly from the water, one above an$the|, a|$fetei> ( 177 ) ' ; ■'' urinating to wards "Jhe\west by Cape Tourment^ whose perpendicular altitude is two thousand feet. :|| On approaching the Island of Orleans,* a rich an4 interesting view displays itself, as the settlements are thick on it and on both shores. Froii) Quebec upwards, the settlements are closely connected, and many of them extend back-from the river, on both sides, to a considerable distance. A number of fine settlements are made on both sides of the Ottawas River, as high up as the commencement of the cascades, whiqh is 40 miles from Montreal. Several fine settlements are formed on the river Ri- deau, which flows from the west into the Olj|awas, 106 miles north-west of Montreal, by the course of the river, though not more than half that distance on a straight lit ie. The inhabitants of these settlements arelovalists. On the opposite side of the Ottawas River, there is a small settlement of American families, who came there sixteen years ago. Above Montreal, settlements are quite thick in every direction. Civil Divisions.—The province of Lower Canada is divided into three districts and twenty-one counties, viz. Gaspe, ;ComwaBis, Devon, Hertford, Dorchester, Buckinghamshire, Richelieu, Bedford, Surry, l^nt, Huntington, York, Montreal, Efirpgham, Leinster, til:'I; * A: Above this island the water of the St. Lawrence is quite fresh. This island »40 miles in circumference, and of a conical form, rising is the centre to a considerable height. »w I m Warwick, Saint Maurice, Hampshire, Quebec, Nj£. thumberland, and Orleans. These counties are sub|^ vided into parishes. Water Navigation.—This is verji extensive, and ccf. venient to all the inhabitants of Lower ©anada, as none live at any great distance from Hie river St. Lawrence or other large streams th^t fall into pf| From the straits of B#!lisle, which is in the norf| east corner of Lower Canlda, tip distance to follow the gulph and river to Montreal/ is#59 miles, alpof whip ;t& navigable for^ships. |f| P From Montreal upwards, for about 50 miles, which as far as Lower Canada extends, the river is navigafc with large boafeiN The fDttawas R3|er ftfr nfvigated by cai^^^|pg3t in the fur trade, and whfch <||rrylkight thousand weigN| from Montreal to Lakef^uperior, a distance of 900 nliles; yefiWls oftelfp^rformedljit eighteen days|fhough the voyagers have to '-fross |!hirty-six port^A Aft# leaving the north branch of the OttawaifRlver, the course leal^ipthe stream of Chaussee de CaslH^ which falls into Lake Nipissing, which discharges by the river French, into Lake Huron. The Bay of Cha%urs| already noted; the rivers Saguenay and Sorel, Lake Champlain^the St. Maurice^ and some other waters, afford an inland navigation of considerable extent. THE only natural duriositieS|Worth naming in Lower anada,are those cascades and water-falls with which ie province abounds. Isles—-The Bird Isles, which are situated in $|he ilph of St. Lawrence, consist of two rocks elevated ovedthe water upwards of 100 feet; %ejr flattened immits, whose circumference does not exceed three mdred yards, exhibit a resplendent whiteness, produ&i by the quantities of ordure $ith whichj|hey ace cov* ed, from immense flocks of birds, whfeh in summer ke possession of the apertures in their perpendicular ills, where they form their j|ests an^ produce their >ung. When alarmed they hover above the rocks and er shadow their tops byg|heir numbers. |p|he abund- ice of their eggs affords to the inhabitants of the neigh- lj|ng coast a material supply of food. FaUs.^TSinety miles up the Saguenay River^lready >ted, theife is a. fall of water that deserves notice, chief! v » account of the immense sheet of water which is £er~ tually ^broken in its rugged course, and assumes a pplendent whiteness. When viewed from below, the scene is stupendous V ■ • ^ ( 180f) ' ■ , . and terrific. The incessant and deafening roar of t|§ rolling torrents of foam, and the irresistible violence aid fury with which the river hastens down its descent, teftcl to produce on the mind of the spe^tbr an impression at. fully grand. The picturesque and rudely wild formslf the lofty banks, exhibit ^ gloomy contrast to the lively splendors of the catara^M Mount.—Three hundred fnd thirty miles tronJpb mouth of the St. Lawrenfee is situated Cape Tourme^ whose perpendicfilar alti^pe^^^O0ff feelP; It exhibits a grand and sublime view, es^eciWy to those sailing up the river. Cataractl^-T%e cataract of the rivfp|"Montmorf^ which empties in% the St, Ltwrence 8 miles below Que- becltrnay be reckoned ifmong the natural "puriositie^ this country. I will note its description iqff^e words of Mr. Heriot. « Afte¥ exhibiting a grateful vark^fehroughoU||s ^^lfese,^l Monttifbrenci is precipitated^^^^alindst perpendicular direction, over a rock of the herjpkof 246 feet, falling, where it touches the rock|l|n white clouds of rolling foam ; and underneath, wh^e it is propelled with uninterrupted gravitatifn, in laiilmerous flakespike Wool or cotton, which are gradually protracted ill their descent, until they are received in the boilmg,^proWiii abyss below. m Viewed from the summft of the cliff, from whence they are thrown, the waters, with every concomitant circumstance, produce an effect awfully grand, and wonderfully sublime. The prodigious depth of their descent, the bright|ee& and votubiIM|^f their course, the s» ss of their movement through the air, and the loud d hollow noise emitted from the basin, swelling with pessant agitation from the weight of the dashing waters, peibly combine to attract the attention, and to impress th sentiments of grandeur and elvalion, the mind of i spectator. The clouds of vapor arising, and assum- t the prismatic colors, cojpribute to enliven the he. They fly onvfrom^he fall in the form of a r evolv- l sphere, emitthter wit rfjSpelo city, pointed flakes of •ay, which spread "■$& receding, until intercepted by ghbdring bankk, or dissolved in the atmosphere. I The breadth of the fall is one hundred feet. The >in is bounded by steep cliffs, composed o*;grey lime te, lying in^tnclined strata, which, on the east and st sides, are subdivided into innumerable thin shivers, ming w|th the horizon, an angle <$F forty -five degrees, 1 contamins^betweeff them, fnbrous gypsum and rre a calume$jjj$ Mouldering incessantly, by exposure ;he ajjrjjtan$to the action of the weather—no surface vegetatfrn remains upon these substances," Cight miles-above Quebec the river Chaudier^emp- ; into the south side of the St. Lawrence J| and four es from its mouth there is a beautiful cataract that > deserves attention. r^Fhe month of May appears to be $ie most advanta- >us period, at which to contemplate this interesting ne; the approach to which ought first t%he made tnthe top of the banks, as in emerging from the woods, conducts at once to the summit of the cataract, Soft stone, of which the heads of pipes are sometimes formed. y Mi Kfc' 1 where the objects which instantaneously become c(e* veloped to the eye, strike the mind with Surprise, aij produce a Wonderful and powerful impression. i The waters descend from a^lBfeht of 4ne hundrl and twenty feet ;* and being separated by rocks, form three different eataracjs^lhe largest of which is oM$j| western side, and the^imte, in the basfh beneath, their broken and agitated walk. The form of Hie rod H 5 forces a part of the watellLMto ah)jpblfjue direct!oil and advances them beyon^^j^^fe of the precipice. The cavitie|| worn in the^fipifes^produce a pleasing variety; and cause the descending w^t|grs to revofw with foaming fury, to whose whitej&ss tl^gloomy cliffs present a strong opposition of colof*! The^vapor froiji each division of the fallsj|||uiekly mounting througl the air, bestoWS&an enlive||hg J|eauty on th elands cape. H The wild diversity displayed by the banks of (he stream, and the foliage of the overhaAfenff'woods, the br^|thcy of colors ricfily contrasted, the ^pidity ef motion, thegeffulgent brightness of thefScatafacts, the deep and solemn sound which they emit, and the^varioui cascades further down the river, unite in rendering this such a pleasing exhibition of natural objects, as few scenes can surpass. i On descendingthe side of the river, the landscape becomes considerably altered ; and the falls appealfto great advantage. Masses of rock,j$nd elevated points of land covered with trees, together wi§|i the smaller cascades on the stream, present a rich assemblage, ter- * The Elver is about 120 yards wide. ba*( I ( 183 ) ■ A ninated by the falls. The scenery in proceeding down be river, is rugged and wild. " Viewed in the winter season, the falls exhibit an ap- earance more curious than pleasing | being, for the ;reatestpart congealed, and tfie general form of the ongealed masses, is that of a concretion of icicles, fhich resembles a cluster ^pillars in gothic architec- lre ; and may not improperly be compared to the pipes F an organ. The spr^hecomes likewise consolidated ito three masses, or secretions of a cone, externally con- ex, but concaye towardstfne falls. The west side, be- ig usually the onjy place'in which the waters floty, the ►pectis infinitely inferior to tKat displayed in summer ; id the soundflmitted^is comparatively faint. Thesur- mnding objects, covered alike with snow, present one liformgla^f; The rocks, and the bed of the river, sguised by unshapely white masses, produce a reflec- >n, whjclj givW, even to the waters of the cataract, m apparent tinge of obscurity." Dwelling.—In the midst of the low ground near cape mrment, a narrow hill, about a mile in length, and tted on its summit, rises to the height of 100 feet. A ge dwelling house and chapel is placed on the top, d thither the ecclesiastics of the seminary of Quebec, whom this land belongs, retire in the summer. Lake.—Between the cape, above noted, and the ad ning mountains, a lake is formed, the height of whose nation is about 400 feet above the-summit of the St. wrence. Creek.—The stream of water called La Grand, north- $t of Quebec, runs for a considerable distance on the k~~ - Si top of a mountai|t, W|^«f is 700 feeMp perpej|lie%r elevation. There are seven rails oithi||^^r, which near to each other, the last of .fW0$-is 13%feet^ v - Falls.—Through the paris^^^j^au Rii^ier the small riveiipLa Puce, whose«Surce is in the^mo Iritis, to thejnorth ofwirat, Law^nc^|:^n this sti there are several rom&Kcfalls In-Ascending the rwfte. first fall is lj|2 f«pin next, 2 miles uf!|■■ abpear^^||Jh.^arrdp|^ The landscape which enyt^^p^Sb fall is gr^tnd am romantic. The banks are^tolea, steep,^and wild, fye« ^Bbg covet ecljwith a variety of tr eei> Below, large andfc regular masses of limestone-rock, ap piled Jipon eaSi ^BftherS^ Not one half ofM|„e moui^in|jG|ii be seen by the spectator, when 6tarafied bpdhe^ide of the river, The wnolf of the ^ate^s of the failure noMmmediafc ly received into the basin beneath: but a nplow Sock about fifteen feet high receives^ partJHjgh glides from thence, in theWorm of a section of a sphere^ ^bre i|ver, throughout the remainderof ;its course, is solitary, wild, and bSSbken ; and plesents other scenes worthy of observation. In vain would the labors o^art endeavor to produce in the gardens of palaces, beauties|iwhich the hand of nature scatters in the midst of unfrequented vpldsiShe river,from about one fourth of the heigh&of the moun. tain, discloses itself to the contemplation of the specta* tor ; a»d delights the eye with various masses of shiriiirg foam, which, suddenly issuing from a deepraviie hollowed out by the waters, glide do^ii the almost perpendicu- ( 185 ) rock, and form a splendid curtain, which loses itself [ the foliage of surrounding woods. Population.—This is reckoned at 220,000, the greater t of whom are French. There are but few Indians Lower Canada, perhaps not more than 5,000 of all icriptions, the most of whom reside in the upper part the province. Learnihg.—But very few of the inhabitants of Lower nada are well educated. RVhen Canada fell into the ads of the British, not a tenth part of the men and >me#could read in any book; some more attention s been paid to learning since that time, yet the people general are very ignorant. There are a fevv§seminaries of learning in Quebec, d one in Montreal, though the students are taught in I French language. SeveralJfionvents of nuns are ablished in the province, at which the different anches* of literature are taught—also music and paints' * | II' 1^ - Jf: ' ■';■:; Morals-—The inhabitants ^general, seem to^ave an pressive sense of the obligation of feistice in their in- xourse with each other, and all mankind. Perhaps ere are as few actions brought into court, for the recov- y of debts in this province as in any other place. They e also very kind (as far as I have seen) to strangers, peeially if they are in distress. The sabbath, and any other holy days, are regarded with much respect id punctuality. Religion.—Almost all the people in Lower Canada, at have come to the years of maturity, are professors religion, and are of the Roman Catholic order. L 1 *&it* I ( M ) There are one hun^dre^|tud thirty churches built for t$ie Catholics, seven co^nlrits, andgfone^hundred and ninety secular and^egular priests, and one bishop ^jthere are also sixteen clergymen of the Chup^h of England, and one bishop; besides some Presbyterians, Baptists. Methodists and Quakers—all of ^honj enjoy freedom of conscience, without interruption. The Roman Catholic clergy of the produce, are more distinguished by devotion, Jgenevolence and inoffensive ! cond&t, and humanity, than they are by learning or gerinis. They are regular and rigid in the practice of theirigeligious ceremonies, and more ^evout^|dth per* haps-^less bigotry, than the ecclesiasjfcs of any other country where the same religion prevails^ The French language is spoken frxi^o^er Canada; and the business of the courts is done in both English •■aj^.-French. S* Manners.—The inhabitants of Lowj&& Canada are generally honest, hospitable, religious, inoffensive, ancj uninformed^ possessing3muieb simplicity of manners, modest and civil ; indoleni^attached to ancient prejudices, and limited in their exertions to an acquisition of the necessaries of life, they neglect the c^nveniencies. Their propensity to a state of inaction, retains many of them in poverty; but as their wants ai*§ circumscribed, they are happy. Contentment of mind, and mildness of dispositionj^seem to be the leading features in their character. Their address to strangers is more polite and unembarrassed, tha%that of any other peasantry in the world. Many of the women are handsome when young; ( *8? ) but as they partake of the labors of the field, and expose themselves on all occasions to the influence of the weather* they soon become of a yellow hue, and of a masculine form. They are, with some degree of justice, taxed with ingratitude. This may perhaps proceed from their natural levity, which ^capacitates the mind from receiving a sufficient impression of obligations bestowed ;* yet they are just in their dealings. Diversions.—-Perhaps the inhabitants of Lower Cana- da pay as little attention to formal diversions, as any people in the world. Dress, which is regarded in the most of polished nations as an ornament, and prided in as a diversion, receives but very little attention here, and but tilt latel v, tio European stuffs were used at all. Dancing and sleighing in the winter, appear to be the only diversions that the people are attached to. History*~\n the year 1497, Lower Canada was dis- coveredLby John Cabot, a Venitian, in the service of the English. In 1534, James Carrier, a Frenchman, under commission of Francis I. explored the gulph of St. Lawrence, and the next year ascended the river, and WnTO- ered at St. Croix, where he erected a wooden cross. In 1603, a patent for an exclusive trade was granted to Sieurde Monts, who employed Champlain to make farther discoveries in Canada. In 1608, Champlain sailed up the St. Lawrence as far as | strait, called by the Indians, Quebfc, which is the mouth of Sore 1 river, where on the 3§bf July, he t?fi mm ■m w* * Heriot, a began to build j and here he passed the'fpllowing winter^ At this time the settlement of Canada commenced. In ltj28, a company of rich merchants, one hundred and seven in number, was establish!**! by patent for an exclusive trade. \m This company acquir^ aright of ^il in 164$; but their charter was revoked in 1663. In 1629, Quebec was taken by the English, und&f JpP^ivid &$tjfe a**d surrendered to|he French by the treaty of St- Germain. hlfJIpO, sif* William Phipps, with an armamentfroi$ Boston, made an unsuccessful attack upon Quebec. 0$ Septera||||, 13, 1759, an English army under general Wolfe, made a successful attack on Quebec, which surrendered on the loth. In 1760, the whole province of Canada surrendered to general Amherst., and^was confirmed to Great Bri* |ain by the treaty oti 176$$'under whose dominion it has since continued. Situation and Extent—Sew- Brunswick lays_between 45 and 48,41% north latitude, and between 65 anil 70 degrees of west longitude^Heing about 230 xplesfpdng, worn north to south, and 1^0 broad, from east to west, Boundary.—New Brunswick is bounded on the east hy the bays of Miramichi and Chalcur, being part of the gulph of the St. Lawrence; on the north; by trfl river St. Lawrence ; on the west, by the DisttpsWBf Maine, and on thesouth, by the Bay of Fundy, which divides it from Nova Scotia. hce.—New-Brunswick is by no means a rnounta- neous country ; yet it contains many considerable hills. Ifear the Bay of Fundy, and all the rivers, the ground is quite level and clear of stone ; but all the upland is b«th broken and stony. There is also a considerable part of this country overflowed with shallow ponds of gfeter ; and marshes and swamps are numerous. Wf90'—This is differentjin different parts of tft^mun- try. On the river bottoms, the land is much better than would be expected in such a climate; it is 3jjjpchf| black mould, mixed with some light sand. In the val^ lies off from the rivers, it is generally sand and^blue clay, with some sand and graveL Climate.—This is very much fpte that of Nova Scotiafi Ifjiough not so subject to fogs; the air is dryer, of course itfdoese not afiect||ne human system so inueh bj| obstructing perspiration |pt is therefore, with propriety, reckoned more healthy tlptn Novalpcotia. §8 '^tdtwral Productions.—These ajj| not numerous. Some parts of the county afford fine grass. The'tim-.- ber is not generaj^ large, yet there is some wor|p|po* tice on the river St. John : masts have be^pgot&ofja good size and quality. The wild fruits found here are, cranberries, plumbaJ crab-apples^berries, sarvjp* berries^, and butter-nrj|s ; |M^ several ojfjter sorts of less note. ^Animals.-^These are vgry scarce, exci|pt those of the fur kind, which areUplenty enough. Sorh!# deer and bear are also found ; ifrith a few hares andyytoirrels. Lakes.—There are not many lakes of ^g$j|e in this province. In the north part, there is a ^niall lake^from whiejh the very head branch of the river St. John is* sues ; it is called by some the Fountain Lake. Grand Lake, near the river St. 4j|hn, is ^yuales long and 10 wide, and 40 fathoms djlp. There is another of §pttie note, called Matapajfich ; as also Tomiscuata. Rivers.—TheH-are - JpC&e tfpnerous ; the principal of which are, the S0Jo/ms, Risconge, Nipiseguit. The St. Johns is the largest river in t<»e province ; it ri%es in the nortn part of the country, (as already noted,) not far from the Sft,. I^awrence, and runs a south-east course, and after receiving a great number of tributary streams, by which i|is much augmented, falls into the north side of the Bay of Fundy. To measure its meanderings, it is 36$jmiles long, and is navigable* for vessels of fifty tons, 60 mile?; and for large 4>oafcs upwards of 2Cfe rnijes. Up this stream is the common route to Quebi^l This river, like the Nile of Eg^)t, overflows its Huiks, and enriches the surrounding soil. ^prfej|^^flov^ in this river 90 miljpup, above the great falls. It abounds with fish of various kinds. The river Resconge Implies into the Chaleur Bay, and is but short. Nipiseguit River heads in two branches, and j|uns a north-east course, into the Miramichi Bapltp The river St. Croiy is quite large, and empties int|l? the Passamaquoddy Bay, and forms apart of the boundary between this provincelind the District of Maine. The Kenec0ct, Coemigun^ Caeagut, and Cobeguit,in the county of Hants, are rivers of less note^ falling into the river Avon, which empties into the Miramichi Bay. The Percuid, Canaid, Comwallis, and Salmon Rivers, in the county of King, are of some note. An Lac, Marequesh, La Blanche, Napan, Macon, Menifein, Petcondia, C?iepodi$, and Herbert, in the county * This is sometimes called the Avon, or Pigniguit. [^T-^3iL_ 192 ) $f ^umberland,^areall rivers of some note, and mostly lun into the head, or east end of the Bay of Fundy. All these rivers abound With fish, and animals of the fur kind. I The river Ristegauche, and the Madawasha, empty into the St. Johns, above the great falls. Harbors.—There are a number of excellent harbors, in New-Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy, and Passal maauodSv Bay, afford manv. For 40 miles up the river St. Johns, there are a nuraJ ber that are safe and capacious ; as also at the mouth off other rivers, that empty into the bays of the gulph Stfl Lawrence. Fish.—All the rivers and bays abound with fish, though salmon and bass are the most nupierous and best; the former generally weigh from twelve to twenty pounds. Sturgeon are also found here in great plenty^ as well as mackerel, herring and cod|j: Indians.—Two distinct tribes are found here&the MickA macks and Marechites. The former inhabit the|l|iid behi tween Cumberland county and the north-east shore*; joining the Chaleur Bay, on the rivers Napan. Maca% Munrem, and others ; they have 250 fighting men^ ^rer: Marechites live on the river St. John, and are ag§mallt tribe. When this country was first settled by white people, the Indians were qtrite numerous; but, at pres^^their number is quite small: a circumstance that has always transpired, where white people have settled their couur;.:- Villages.—There are not numerous nor large. ^it^ai (193 ) r Ffedericktown is situated on the'riVer St. John, about f miles from its mouth. It contains about 230 houses, id is a place of some trade. It is the capital of New- runs wick.* CornwaUis and Howe, on the same river, are small 11 ages. St. John and St. Andrew's, are two of the largest in e province. Fortifications.—-These are Cumberland, Howe, and rracks, enclosed in a stockade at CornwaUis. Agriculture —The most of the inhabitants of New- "unswick are engaged in the fisheries, catching fur, i rafting timber; of cour^| but little attention is paid (fee raising o$grain, or the breeding of cattle; nor leed would it be the most profitable employment in is province. However, there fs a considerable quan- y of grain raised on the river St. John, and the bay of mdy. Hemp, flax, and peas do tolerably on the er bottoms. Potatoes thrive as well here as in any rt of North America. Apples and pears grow here, jugh not to much perfection. Clover, and other iss, flourish and do well here. Sheep, mules, and rned cattle do well in this province. Commerce «—This consists in timber, fur, and fish; ge quantities of the former, chiefly boards, are transited to the East Indies, and which has of late been a Writable trade ; as the same vessels that took the tim. r, brought back the valuable produce of those coun- which is generally sold cheap. . * The legislature of the province meet here- ( ,194 ) Settlements*~-Thcse are chiefly confined to the banks of the rivers. They extend from the mouth of St. Johns to the head. The settlements are thick on the borders of Chaleur Bay jfepeople have no&settled here on accouijjf of the superior qiSmty of the land, bur/for the benefit^ the fisheries. The settlements are also thick on the Bay of Fundy. Civil Divisions.—New-Brunswick is divided into four counties : viz. Cumberland, Hants, Sunbury, and Kings, and eighteen townships. Cumberland lays at the south-east^trt of the province, joining the Bay of Fundy, and contains five townships; viz. Cumberland, %ackville, Amherst, Hillsborough, and Hopewell. Tpese townships are now cmeny settled by people from New Englan4%nd New YorlC? Kings lays to the north-west of Cumberland, and ii divided into two townships : viz. CornwaUis and Horton* IId$nts is^ill to the north-west, joining the Ch&leur Bay, and c^Mains three townships i^fiz^Windsor ,s lal mouth and Newport. Sunbury lays on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy, and extends 6p the river St 3Whn«agreat distance, and contains eight townships j viz. Conway,^Uage4own^ Burton, Sunbury, St. Anns, Willmot, Is ewton, and Man- gerville. These townships are settled mostly?Jwith pieo- pie from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Water Navigation.—This is quite extensive, as the province is washed on three sides by %ater, besides the numerous rivers that flo#'frorn the interior. The river Pencau is navigable for vessels of 40 tons 7 .41 pules up. ■ ( ,195 ) - ' ': ' Cata<ruit Bieer, in the county of Hants, is navigable 40 miles up for vessels of sixty tons. Annapolis River is navigable for ships 12 miles j$p. The tide flows here 30 miles, and it is boatable for 70 miles. Several otheVtivers are boataj^^r a considerable distance up the country. Vessels of fifty tons pass up the river St. Johns for 60 miles, and large boats 200 or more. The river St. John, already noted, affords an extensive inland navigation, as the*ticle flows 90 miles from its mouth, and wiij|carry large sloops|fchat distawgL and boats of considerable^tSie may go 100 mills farthew Some of the lakes also afford a very extensile navigation. EH! 3 THESE are not numerous in New-Brunswick, yet the following may be noted : Near the shore of Chaleur Bayjtnay be se^rj the rock Perce. It is perforated in three places^ in the forni <| arches; through the centre and largest of which, a bqal with sails set, mav pass with great facility. This rock, which at a distance exhibits the appearance of an aqu6 duct in ruins, rises to the height of 200 feet. Its lengtf, which at present is 400 yards, must have been once much greater, as it has evidently been wasted by the sea, and bj^'th^lSjequent impulse of storms. The shell-hsh procured in the month of August, from the rivers, and fitom their mouths near the coast, in the vicinity of the Bay of Chaleurs, are so highly impreg* natedwith a poisonous quality, as to occasion almost instantaneous death to those who eat them. The cause of this circumstance remains yet to be ascertained. The greater the diminution of these rivers the stronger the poison of the shells. At the head and on the shores of Chaleur Bay, wjuch penetrates into the province a considerable distance, may be seen in the midst of winter, spots of several acres e*. ^Mi tirely bare, and yet surrounded with snow seven feet ep; even the trees that grow on this ground, which b chiefly ever-greens, are clear of snow also. It is aught that this is occasioned by subterraneous heatjfl? Population.—Like Nova Scotia, New-Brunswick is t as populous as formerly. Of late years the mhabi- >ts have moved to Upper Canada, where the land and mate is much better. At present the province contains about 46,000 inhabi* ts of all descriptions. Promiscuous remarks on the government. New-Bruns* :k, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland are all subject to i authority of the governor of Lower Canada J but /e lieutenant governors that act under his direction. The reader will see the nature of Si is government by ning to that article in the description of Uiper Can. Morms.—The morals of^the people of this province tolerably good, and have improved much of la|fe rs, since a number of Quakers and Presbyterians have ved there from the New England States, n the vicinity of the coast, and where the inhabitants mostly ernployed in fishing, and $f course are thickly led, tfieir manners are quite rough; yet eyen these represented as being benevolent, and remarkably d to strangers. leligion.—For a number of years after tbe settlement his province, the people paid very little attention to gion, nor were there any preachers in the place, ex- t a few Catholic priests, and at timelPan Episcopalian sionary: Of late tpere hasl^eertf more Attention p£8d to it; Me. thodists, Baptists, Quakers, and several oth«|r denonum tains are now quiffe numerous. About the years 1810-11^ there was a considerable revival among the Baptists oh the river St. John, which are the most numerous sect at present. ..-■ - - 73. ,;lf-
and also observes, that «|ta 1783, it contained six hundred fanji
@en, "Other copies: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757264723"@en ; edm:hasType "Books"@en ; dcterms:identifier "F5454.2 .S65 1814"@en, "II-0512"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0315356"@en ; dcterms:language "English"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "Baltimore : P. Mauro"@en ; dcterms:rights "Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy, or otherwise distribute these images please contact digital.initiatives@ubc.ca."@en ; dcterms:source "Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Rare Books and Special Collections. F5454.2 .S65 1814"@en ; dcterms:subject "Canada--Description and travel"@en, "United States--History--War of 1812"@en ; dcterms:title "A geographical view of the British possessions in North America; comprehending Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, New Britain, Lower and Upper Canada, with all the country to the Frozen Sea on the north, and Pacific Ocean on the west. With an appendix containing a concise history of the war in Canada, to the date of this volume"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en .