Details of Peter Robinson's Transport of Emigrants to Canada.
STATE OF IRELAND MINUTES OF EVIDENCE Taken before the SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the the Disturbances in Ireland, in the last Session of Parliament; 13th May ----- 18th June 1824. ___________________________ Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 11 February 1825. ___________________________ ... Are you aware, that some experiment has been tried in the county of Cork, with reference to emigration? -Yes. When was that tried? -Last year, about this time twelve month. Was there a disposition, on the part of the people, to profit by the facilities to emigration which were then held out to them? -There was. Was their anxiety great upon the subject? -It was. At first, they were anxious to avail themselves of it; then they got it into their heads (they are a very suspicious people) that it was some trap that was laid for them, and a great many of those who were exceedingly anxious at first, held back, and would not come; but that impression was removed at last, and I think they were all exceedingly anxious to go. Are you aware whether the persons in the country, the friends and relations of the emigrants, have received any communications from them subsequent to the period of their leaving Ireland? -Yes, I have seen a great many letters. What have they stated? -All describing in terms of the greatest satisfaction, the way in which they had been treated, and pointing out to their friends the advantages of emigration to Canada. Is there now an anxiety on the part of the people to emigrate? -Very strongly and there is great disappointment that it was not going on when I left home. Have any of them emigrated? -Yes; very many. What were the ages of those that emigrated for the most part? -From a month to the age of 60. Did they emigrate in families? -Yes. Where did they go to? -To America. How do you reconcile that emigration with what you said of their having a strong predilection for their native place? -When the times became depressed and their means were diminishing, they were glad to embrace any opportunity that would afford a better prospect; and reports were circulated that in America they would better their condition. Were many letters received in that parish from persons that went out? -Very many; through these the reports were circulated. What class of persons do you mean to describe, as those who go forth in such numbers from that parish, at the time of harvest? -The very poor class. Not the occupants of land? -Not the occupants of land; but the very poor class that have no more than a quarter of an acre. Then they are the persons who have crept into land, under this practice of subdivision of property, which has taken place without the authority or consent of the proprietor of the soil? -They are generally of this class. When you stated that a great number of people emigrated, were the people who emigrated of a good description of people, well disposed or not well disposed? -They were in general well disposed people, and persons that have emigrated for the purpose of bettering their fortune. Generally speaking, should you say that they were the industrious class, or of the idle class of your parishioners? -There were some idle among them; but the idle and unoccupied in general had no means of bringing them to the other side of the Atlantic. Is it that the usual practice of the people of the county of Clare to go abroad for work, have not you heard that it is rather a distinguishing mark of difference between them and the peasantry of Connaught, and between them and the peasantry of other counties in Munster, that the peasantry of Clare do not go abroad for Work? -I have not heard so; but I believe they go from all the counties to seek for work.... ... Do you know what is the expense of taking a family out to Canada? - Sometimes three pounds a head pays in general for the passage. Do they usually take money with them? -They must take some. How much do you suppose they take with them? -Some of them take thirty, twenty, and ten pounds, according to their means. A P P E N D I X NÞ 1. Return to an Order or the Select Committee on the Irish Insurrection Act, dated the 22d May 1824; -for Copies of all COMMUNICATIONS received; since January 1823, at the Colonial Office, respecting the EMIGRATION from the South of Ireland; together with an Account of the Expenses incurred on account of such Emigration. Colonial Department, R.J. Wilmot Horton. Downing-steet, 29th of May 1824. To R.J. Wilmot Horton, Esq. M.P. &c. &c. &c. SIR, I HAVE the honour to report to you, for the information of the Right honourable Earl Bathurst, that having received directions from His Majesty's Government to proceed to Ireland, for the purpose of superintending a limited Emigration to the province of Upper Canada, I left Liverpool on the 18th, and arrived at Fermoy, in the county of Cork, on the 20th of May 1823. Being a stranger in Ireland, I was ordered to act under the advice of Lord Ennismore and the magistrates; and in order to receive the full benefit of their assistance, I made Fermoy my principal place of residence. I was happy to find, that the very liberal conditions proposed by His Majesty's Government to such as were disposed to emigrate, met the cordial approbation of all the gentleman to whom they were communicated. Lords Ennismore, Kingston, and Doneraile, Mr. Becher, M. P. Mr. Jephson, and the Reverend Dr. Woodward, were most friendly to the scheme, anxious for its success, and ready to give me every assistance in their power. On the 2d of June my final instructions arrived; and as the gentlemen I was directed to consult, were unanimously of opinion, that I should take as many persons as possible from the disturbed baronies in the county of Cork, which were at that time in a very distracted state, I caused several hundred copies of the MEMORANDUM, containing the terms of emigration, to be distributed in the towns of Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Doneraile, Charleville, Newmarket, Kanturk, Mallow, and the villages within that circle. The noblemen and the principal magistrates in the different towns, condescended, in the kindest manner, to become the organs of communications with the persons wishing to emigrate, to take in their names and the number of their respective families, as it was intented from these lists to make; under their advice and direction, a final selection. The whole business was conducted in the true spirit of conciliation; for in every town or village from which emigrants were expected, I called upon the Roman Catholic priest, as well as the more respectable inhabitants, to afford them an opportunity of asking any questions they chose to put, or of giving them an account of the nature of the benefit which Government offered, through me, for the acceptance ot the poor. Several priests entered into the matter with much zeal, and one of them promised to read the Memorandum from the pulpit, and to explain to his parishioners the great advantage to themselves and families, which must accrue from emigrating on such liberal conditions. Not satisfied with giving all the information I could to the magistrates, and calling upon the principal inhabitants, I made myself accesible to all the people, and entered patiently into their views and feelings, answering their inquiries, and affording them as true a description of the country as I was capable of giving. On these occasions it was, that I found the benefit of being well acquainted with Upper Canada, the place of their destination. I was able to set before them the length of the journey, the obstacles in their way, and the means of removing them. I explained the manner of clearing lands and cultivating the virgin soil. I dissipated their apprehensions concerning wild beasts, and the danger of being lost in the woods. Many, after being satisfied in regard to the excellence of the soil and climate of Upper Canada, were anxious to know whether, in case they liked the country, there would be room for their friends, and whether they would likewise be granted lands, and enjoy the same benefits and privileges which were now offered to them. To these inquiries I made answer, that I could not give them any positive information as to the future intentions of Government, but this I knew, that there was room enough in Canada for many more than would ever come from Ireland; and that if they were industrious and sober, they would be able, in a few years, to send for their friends and relations themselves, if no public assistance should at that time be given to emigrants. The care thus taken to give every information produced the happiest effects; the people received the proposals most readily, and were exceedingly grateful for the kind attention with which they were treated. I had been frequently told, that much opposition might be expected from the Roman Catholic priests, as if the plan, if successful, would lessen their congregations, and circumscribe their influence; but so far was this from being the case, that in most of the parishes which I visited, I found them on the best terms with the resident Protestant clergymen, and instead of giving unfavourable impressions of the plan, they most generally gave it their support. There was a difference of opinion among many intelligent persons, whom I found it advantageous to consult, regarding the descriptions of persons that ought to be received. It was contended, that a few respectable persons should be taken by way of encouraging others, and of proving that there was no deception, but that the measure was intented chiefly for the relief and comfort of the poorer classes. On the other hand it was justly remarked, that to receive persons in tolerable circumstances, was not giving the experiment a fair trial, for unless the paupers themselves could be settled comfortably at a very moderate expense, emigration, as a public measure, ought to be abandoned; that there was no wisdom in affording to persons having some property, the means of emigrating, because they had already the power, if so disposed, of proceeding to Canada; that there might be reason for not wishing that even small capitalist should remove from such a country as Ireland, and certainly strong reason for not giving them direct encouragement. After a little time the general opinion accorded with the determination of His Majesty's Government, to make such a fair experiment of an emigration confined to paupers, as would not only settle its expediency on the ground of expense, but what was of still more consequence, show how far it was calculated to promote the permanent comfort and happines of the person sent out. Acting therefore agreeably to this determination, I confined myself strictly to the selection of persons of no capital whatever, and who might more properly be called paupers, satisfied that if such succeeded in Canada, persons disposed to emigrate, having some property, would be sufficiently encouraged, since they would have the fullest evidence before them, that industry and prudence, without their advantages, would in time ensure success. In regard to the former conduct of those who applied to emigrate, I made no particular inquiry, being convinced, that a change of circumstances so great as that of becoming propietors of land themselves, and far removed from the influence of the turbulent, the selfish and designing, would effectually cure the discontented. Moreover, it was judget expedient by the gentlemen under whose guidance I acted, to take them out of a troubled district, that some of the more fiery spirits might be disposed of, and consequently those left behind would find more steady employment, and be induced to live in greater tranquillity. On the 2d [nd?] of June I began to advertise for emigrants, and to distribute copies of the terms on which Government was disposed to send them to Canada. Before the end of the month I had distributed 600 tickets for embarkation, a greater number than I could have taken; but I acted on the presumption that some would keep back from sickness, or imaginary fears and apprehension, or the advice of friends. The event proved that I was right, for on the 1st of July 460 only were embarked, but I was able, next day, to select 108 more, making in all 568, which was a many as could be accommodated. During the time that I was collecting the people, two vessels of about 500 tons each were engaged in the Thames to carry them from Cork to Quebec; these vessels were amply supplied with provisions, and every comfort, in case of sickness, that could be imagined. Two medical officers of experience, one for each ship, were employed. The vessels and stores were strictly inspected, and they were in every respect as well found as if they had been fitted out by a company of passengers for their own convenience, safety and comfort. Thus, in rather less than a month from the time of issuing the proposals, the emigrants were on board, and the ships ready to sail; such was the promptness of Government in making its arrangements, and the active exertions of the nobility and magistrates in enabling me to select the requisite number. For their kindness in thus forwarding the object of my journey to Ireland, as well as their attentions to myself, I feel exceedingly grateful. During the voyage nothing happened of importance; the rations were abundant and comfortable; the men were allowed cocoa for breakfast, and nearly half a pint of spirits, which was perhaps not too much. The women and children were allowed tea and sugar. The best proof of the attention paid to them on the voyage, arises from the good health which they enjoyed, as only one woman and eight children died in the passage, and these from the small-pox, which had unfortunately got into both ships, and not from any causes that could be attributed to their change of circumstances or situation. It may be worth remarking, as it is so characteristic of the fondness of the Irish people for potatoes, that the men preferred them to the cocoa, which they refused for several days to taste, till they saw the officers of the ship repeatedly breakfasting upon it. The children, during sickness, called constantly for potatoes, refusing arrow root or any other aliment more congenial to their situation; and nothing could prevail on man, woman or child, to eat plumb-pudding, which, as is usual on ship-board, was part of the Sunday's dinner. Few of them would eat the best English cheese, and when it was served out as part of their ration, it was most commonly thrown overboard. We arrived at Quebec in the Hakesby, on the 2d [nd?] of September, after a passage of eight weeks; the Hebe had been in port two days. I shipped the people from the transport on board the steamboats without landing them, and proceeded to Montreal on the 4th, having been detained only two days. We were much facilitated in our progress by the orders which His Excellency Lord Dalhousie had given before our arrival to the quarter-master-general, to find provisions and transport as far as Prescott, in Upper Canada, a distance of about 320 miles. We reached Montreal on the 6th, and finding the means of transport ready, I forwarded the emigrants by land immediately, without stopping in Montreal, to Lachine, distant ten miles. Here we remained two days, and then set out in boats to Prescott, the crews of each consisting of emigrants, with two Canadians to guide and steer. Notwithstanding the rapidity of the river and unskilfulness of the men, few of whom had ever been in a boat, we got to Prescott on the 15th. A commissary had preceded us with one month's provisions; but finding no commissariat establishment at Prescott, and being unwilling to incur what I considered an unnecessary expense, I receipted the month's supply, and allowed the commissary to return to Montreal. Here I likewise parted with the two surgeons, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Dixon, whose indefatigable attention to the emigrants, and kind and benevolent treatment, cannot be sufficiently praised: such was their zeal and anxiety for the success of the emigration, that they volunteered their services from Quebec to Prescott, a distance of more than 300 miles, and were of great service in preserving the health of the emigrants while passing up the river in boats, which was the most tedious and difficult part of the journey. I could not see them depart without regret, and tendering to them my grateful acknowledgments, as the good conduct of the people during the whole voyage and afterwards, may in a great measure be attributed to their steady and humane attention to their wants. On the 18th I left Prescott, and proceeded across the country in waggons to the Mississipi river, a distance of about 60 miles, and arrived on the 22d. Here I found that orders had already been given by His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, to afford me every possible facility in placing my people on such lands as were vacant and grantable in this neighbourhood. His Excellency had also the goodness to place at my disposal many articles useful to settlers, which remained in the king's stores, and took a very warm interest in the success of the undertaking. The township of Ramsay, which the Mississipi intersects, appeared to me exceedingly eligible, but I found that rather more than one-half had been settled three years before by Scotchmen from the neighbourhood of Glasgow. The adjacent townships, Huntley, Goulburn, and Pakenham, was also partially settled by disbanded soldiers and others. Being anxious to settle my people as near each others as possible, I determined to examine carefully what lands remained in these townships at the disposal of Government, and fortunately I found a sufficient number of vacant lots fit for settlement. I therefore located in the township of Ramsay 82 heads of families; in Pakenham 29; in Bathurst 1; in Lanark 2; in Beckwith 5; in Goulburn 26; in Darling 3; and in Huntley 34; making in all 182. As there were no barracks or Government buildings in the neighbourhood, and the whole party without shelter, my first care was to provide log houses for them, and that on their respective lots. Fortunately the autumn was unusually dry and warm, and I completed this object by the 1st of November. To do this I was obliged to go to some additional expense, as the settlers were not sufficiently acquainted with the use of the axe to put up log buildings themselves. However, I feel well assured, nothing tends so much to fix the attention of the emigrant to his newly acquired property, and to ensure his becoming a permanent settler, as a little care and attention in placing him on his land. I have much pleasure in being able to state, that although the detailed account of the expenditure cannot yet be made out, as there is a cow and some little articles still to be supplied, it will fall within the estimate; so that this part of the experiment proves most satisfactory. The second part of the experiment, "how far an emigration of the poorer classes to Canada, is calculated to promote their permanent comfort and happiness," will be best proved by a reference to the letters of the persons sent out, some of them so late as the 20th of February, stating their good health and complete satisfaction with the country and climate, and earnestly inviting their friends to join them; and to the fact, that every head of a family will have from three to four acres of land cleared and ready to plant this spring. I therefore feel warranted in stating, that the emigration to the province of Upper Canada, committed to my superintendence, has completely succeeded. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant. P.(Peter) Robinson. MEMORANDUM of the Terms on which the Government has agreed to convey a limited Number of Settlers from Ireland to Upper Canada, under the Super-intendence of Mr. Robinson, and to locate them upon Lands in that Province; and also of the Conditions upon which such Lands shall be granted. SUCH emigrants as the superintendent shall accept, shall be conveyed from the place of embarkation, in Ireland, to their lands in Upper Canada, wholly at the public charge, and provisions shall be furnished them during their voyage, and for one whole year after their location upon their respective lots. Such farming utensils as are absolutely necessary to a new settler, shall also be found for each head of a family or person receiving a grant of land. No person above the age of 45 years shall be conveyed to Upper Canada at the public expense, unless under particular circumstances; in the discretion of the superintendent; and no person above that age shall receive a grant of land on his arrival in that colony. Every male above 18 years of age, and not exceeding 45 years, to whom a certificate shall have been given by the superintendent, that he was accepted by him as an emigrant settler to receive lands in Upper Canada, shall on his arrival, receive a location ticket or order for 70 acres of land, in such part of the province as the lieutenant-governor or person administering the government shall assign. And in order that such emigrants as shall be industrious and prudent, may have an opportunity of extending their possessions and providing for the respectable maintenance of their children, an additional tract of 30 acres adjoining every such grant of 70 acres, shall be reserved by the Crown ungranted for the space of ten years after the location of the lot of 70 acres, to afford an opportunity to the propietor of such larger tract of purchasing the same within the period; by paying the moderate sum of 10 l. [œ?] sterling. The order or location ticket for 70 acres to be given to the emigrant upon his arrival, shall express certain duties of settlement and cultivation, the same in proportion as are required by the Government to be performed on lands granted in Upper Canada to other settlers, and the period to be allowed for the performance of such duties, shall be also expressed in the order. So soon as the settlement duties shall have been performed, the party may obtain his patent on paying the expense of preparing the same; which, it is supposed, will not exceed 2l. 10s. sterling on each grant. Each tract of 70 acres so granted, shall be subject to the payment of an annual quit-rent to the Crown of 2d. per acre, to be paid half-yearly, in such manner and subject to such penalties and forfeitures in the case of failure, as shall be expressed in the patent, and the same quit-rent shall be charged also upon the grants of 30 acres; it shall, however, in every case, be in the option of the propietor to reduce the quit-rent at any time on payment of 20 years purchase, and with respect to the original locations of 70 acres, no quit-rent shall be chargeable until five years have expired from the time of the location. As it is intented that all persons who shall be thus assisted by the Government in removing to Upper Canada, shall be actual settlers in the province, it is necessary it should be clearly understood, that if the conditions of cultivation and improvement, to be specified in the location ticket, shall not be performed within the period prescribed, or if the person locating any lot under the present system, shall before receiving his patent for the same, withdraw from Upper Canada, and remain absent for the space of six months, without sufficient cause to be allowed by the lieutenant-governor of the province, the land so assigned to such person may be given to another applicant. LOCATION TICKET. Not transferable. Land Board, District of Bathurst. WHEREAS A.B. born at of the age of years, has been conveyed to this country at the public charge, under the superintendence of Peter Robinson, Esq. and has produced a certificate of his being accepted as an emigrant settler to receive lands in Upper Canada, and has taken the oath of allegiance; We do assign to him 70 acres of land, being the part of lot NÞ in the concession of in the district of for which, having cleared half the width of the concession road bounding the said seventy acres, and having cleared and fenced three acres and a half within two years from the date hereof, he will be entitled to receive a grant free of any other expense than the usual fee of for the patent. An additional tract of 30 acres, adjoining the said 70 acres, will be reserved for the space of ten years, to commence from this date, which the said A.B. will be entitled to receive a grant for, upon paying the sum of 10l. [œ?] sterling. The said several tracts of land to be liable to a quitrent of 2d. per acre, payable at such time and in such manner as set forth in the Memorandum published by the authority of the British Government, for the information of the said emigrants. Given under our hands at this day of 18 In Council, 9th February 1824. Approved in Committee of the Council. (signed) W Dremmer Powell, C (signed) P.M. (A true copy.) John Small, Clerk of the Executive Council. The most correct estimate of the expense of conveying emigrants to Canada, and settling them on their lands, is to be found in the Appendix to the Report of a Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Employment of the Poor in Ireland, during the last Session of Parliament, and is as follows:- For every Man - - - - - - - - - œ.35. - every Woman - - - - - - - - 25. - every Boy between 14 and 18 - - - 25. - every Child under 14 years of age - 14. This includes all expenses, such as superintendence, medical assistance, provisions, a cow, farming utensils, &c. as described in the Memorandum. The Estimate applied to the actual emigration that took place, gives the following results:- œ. s. d. 182 Men - - - - at œ.35 6,370 - - 143 Women - - - - - 25 3,575 - - 57 Boys between 14 and 18 - 25 1,425 186 Children - - - - 14 2,604 ________________ 13,974 Actual expense incurred - - - 11,789 10 10« ________________ Leaves a surplus of - - œ. 2,184 9 1« From which the services of the Superintendent are to be remunerated. The result of this practical experiment shows that the Estimate was calculated on sound principles; and there is every reason to believe that future emigrations may be carried into effect at even a less expense, although the ocurrence of casualties might swell the amount of particular items, and it would not be safe to make a calculation upon other data. Actual EXPENSE incurred. Expenses incurred by the Navy Board, for œ. s. d. transport, provisions, medicines and medical attendance, from Cork to Quebec _ _ 3,771 17 7 Embarking at Cork _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 13 3« Transport from Quebec to their lands; provisions until located; building houses and placing them on their land; blankets; farming utensils; seed, corn and potatoes for planting; one cow to each family, and provisions one year after location 8,000 _ _ ________________ œ. 11,789 10 10«Close