EMIGRATION.
RETURN to an Address of the Honourable the House of
Commons,
dated 23 March 1835;-for,
-No. 1-
COPIES or EXTRACTS of any CORRESPONDENCE between the
Secretary of State and the Governors of the British
Colonies, respecting EMIGRATION, not already presented
to this House.
-No. 2-
RETURN of the Number of PERSONS who have EMIGRATED from
Great Britain and Ireland, to the British Colonies, and
to the United States of America, during the years 1833
and 1834; distinguishing the Ports from which they have
Sailed, and the Countries to which Emigration took
place.
-No. 3-
RETURN of the Number of AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS who,
with their FAMILIES, have Emigrated to New South Wales
and Van Diemen's Land; specifying the Number of Persons
in each Family, and the Amount of Assistance granted.
-No. 4-
RETURN of the Number of YOUNG UNMARRIED FEMALES who
have been assisted by Government to Emigrate to New
South Wales and Van Diemen's Land; specifying the
Colony to which such EMIGRATION took place, and
the Amount of Assistance granted.
(In continuation of Papers presented to The House of
Commons, 20 August 1833, No. 696,
and 14 August 1834, No. 616.)
Colonial Department, Downing-street}
25 March 1835. } R.W. HAY.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
27 March 1835.
[Page 3]
COPIES or EXTRACTS of CORRESPONDENCE between the
Secretary of State and the Governors of the British
Colonies, respecting EMIGRATION.
- No.1 -
DESPATCH from Lord Aylmer to Mr. Secretary Rice.
Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, 14 Dec. 1834
Sir,
I HAVE the honour of transmitting herewith the usual
Annual Report of the Chief Agent of Emigrants and
Settlers, of the numbers of emigrants arrived at the
port of Quebec during the season of the navigation of
the St. Lawrence just terminated, and to which I take
leave to call your particular attention, in consequence
of the variety of information it contains on the
interesting and important subject of emigration to the
provinces of Lower and Upper Canada.
According to Mr. Buchanan's statement, the number
of emigrants who arrived at the port of Quebec during
the past season amounted to nearly 31,000 (being an
excess over the emigration of last year of nearly
10,000), bringing with them capial to the amount of
one million sterling.
Although coinciding in many of Mr. Buchanan's
views, I cannot refrain from expressing my
dissent from his observations on the emigrant tax,
which I have advocated from the commencement.
I have, &c.
(signed) Aylmer
Mr. BUCHANAN'S REPORT on EMIGRATION to Upper and
Lower Canada for 1834.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Number of Emigrants arrived this year greater
than last p. 4
Total since 1829, with comparative average of
this year over last year from England,
Ireland and Scotland p. 4
Character of Emigrants, and amount of capital
with ditto p. 4
Superior breed of horses, cattle, &c., and
farming implements, brought by Emigrants
this year p. 4
Petworth Emigrants where settled, Lord
Suffield's, and others, ditto p. 4
General condition of the Emigrant population
this year p. 4
Ditto of those aided by parishes p. 5
Aid from charitable institutions less required
this year than hitherto p. 5
Settlement in Upper Canada extensive, and
causes of ditto p. 5
New Inverness road; benefits to be expected
in completion p. 5
Arrangements for the reception of Emigrants, p. 5
Increased facilities for the transport of
Emigrants and suggested improvements p. 5
Conduct of brokers and ship captains towards
Emigrants improved p. 5
Causes of ditto p. 5
Taxes on Emigrants illegally exacted by
masters of ships p. 5
Difficulty in getting it refunded p. 6
Tax injurious to voluntary Emigration, and
causes of ditto p. 6
Emigration to Canada, via New york p. 6
Suggestion on Quarantine at Grosse Isle p. 7
Statement of pasengers shipwrecked, causes
and suggested remedy p. 7
Benefits of Emigration to the working class
generally admitted in United Kingdom p. 7
Conclusion p. 7
[Page 4]
APPENDIX.
Statement of arrival of Emigrants, with number
aided to emigrate p. 8
Names of ports from whence Emigrants came:
England p. 9
Ireland p. 9
Scotland and Lower Ports p. 10
Comparative number of Emigrants arrived since
1829, inclusive p. 11
Distribution of Emigrants arrived this year, p. 11
Return of Emigrants arived at New York for the
last six years, to 20 November this year, p. 12
List of vessels wrecked, coming to Quebec in
1834, with number of lives lost p. 12
Extracts from weekly reports p. 13
Passengers Act of Imperial Parliament p. 14
Ammendments suggested by Mr. Buchanan p. 15
APPENDIX - continued
Extracts and copies of letters from Mr. Hawke
and other Government Agents in Upper
Canada p. 17
Letter from the Rev. Mr. Bethune, on behalf of
the Montreal Emigrant Society, with Mr.
Buchanan's reply p. 17
Letter from Mr. John Hilton, a new settler
in the district of Newcastle p. 18
Communications from the Government of Upper
Canada respecting arrangements for sick and
destitute Emigrants p. 18
Letter from Mr. Buchanan to Hon P. M'Gill [McGill?],
chairman of Montreal Emigrant and Sanitary
Committee p. 19
Letter from Mr. Buchanan to Lieutenant-colonel
Craig, giving an account of his tour of
inspection in August, and of the situation
of the Emigration population in Upper Canada,
and on the route of the St. Lawrence p. 19
To His Excellency the Lord Aylmer, &c.
Office of His Majesty's Chief Agent for
Emigration to Upper and Lower Canada,
Quebec, 12 Dec. 1834.
My Lord,
THE Navigation of the St. Lawrence being closed,
I proceed, according to annual custom, to lay
before your Excellency, in as comprehensive and
concise a manner as possible, my report of the
Emigration to these provinces during the past
season.
Your Lordship will perceive that a very material
increase has taken place in the total of persons
arrived this year over that of the year 1833.
On reference to Paper No. 1, p. 8, in the
Appendix, it will be seen that the total number
of emigrants recorded at this office, from the
opening of the navigation to its close, amounts
to 30,935. The Paper No. 2 p. 9, in the Appendix,
shows a detailed statement of the ports whence
these emigrants sailed, while the Paper No. 3,
p. 11. exhibits a comparative account of the
number arrived in the province during the last and
five preceding years, amounting in the aggregate
to 198,421 souls.
The melancholy fact, that not less 731 emigrants
perished by shipwreck in their passage to this
port during the past season, added to the deaths
during the voyage, and to those who fell victim
to cholera and other diseases at the quarantine
station at Grosse Isle, will account for a
considerable diminution in what would otherwise
have been the total of emigration for the year
1834.
The Paper No. 2, p. 9, in the Appendix, also
furnishes the particular number of emigrants
from each port and country. From England, the
total number, as compared with last year, gives
an increase of 1,601 persons; from Ireland there
is an increase of 7,193; and from Scotland the
number exceeds last year by 395.
Your Excellency will find in the Paper No.4,
p. 11, in the Appendix, a statement of the
situations to which the emigration of this
year generally proceeded, and where they
obtained settlement and employment.
It gives me great satisfaction to be able to
report that the emigrants of this year may be,
generally speaking, pronounced of a superior
class, both as to respectability and property,
to those of former seasons; while the capital
brought into the province by them cannot be
estimated at less than one million sterling.
Amongst the body of settlers, it is worthy of
mention, that several agriculturalists brought
with them superior breeds of horses and cattle;
I may particularize Mr. Farmer, settled near
Bytown, who had with him 50 head of cattle.
The Petworth settlers, and those of Lord
Suffield, as well as others who were aided
in their emigration by landed proprietors
and by parishes, have been satisfactorily
disposed of; those from Petworth in the
vicinity of Brantford, and Lord Suffield's
in various places, where they found
employment.
Upon the whole, I consider myself justified
in reporting to your Lordship, that the
situation of the emigrant population this
season would have been unexceptionable, but
for the visitation of Providence in the second
appearance of Cholera in these
provinces. As it was, however, I
consider that the emigrants in general escaped
wonderfully well; and during my tour of
inspection, made at the time when the sickness
was at its height, I found along the route of
the St. Lawrence much less distress and sickness
among the emigrant population than I had any
reason to anticipate.
The number of emigrants aided by parishes and
landlords this year has been 1,892, as stated
in the Paper No 1, p. 8, of the Appendix.
They come principally from Hampshire, Sussex
and Norfolk, in England, and from Munster and
Leinster, in Ireland; generally well provided.
If this description of emigrants follow the
instructions given to them, and conduct
themselves with industry and sobriety, there
can be no doubt of their ultimate success, and
of the benefits which will have been conferred
upon them by their change of situation.
Comparatively few emigrants were dependent on
immediate employment on arrival at Quebec. From
the many public works then going on, chiefly in
Upper Canada, I was fortunately enabled to provide
these persons with certain employment, on
proceeding to the situations pointed out to them;
and had it not been for the recurrence of the
cholera, I am confident that the sympathy of the
public, and assistance from charitable funds,
would have been much less required this year than
in any previous season.
The distribution of the emigrant population of
this season will be found in Paper, No. 4, p. 11,
in the Appendix. The great introduction of
capital of late years, and the increasing demand
for labourers in Upper Canada, will continue to
ensure a constant succession of valuable emigrants
to that Province. Through the exertions of the
New Canada Company, and from the arrangements now
in progress, a great stimulus to settlement will
be, no doubt, afforded in various parts of the
Lower Province, but particularly in the eastern
townships. I cannot but feel that my
congratulations are due to your Excellency, on
your zeal, and on the personal interest you have
taken in directing the completion of the new
Inverness road, which I had originally the honour
of marking out, as joint commissioner in 1829, and
which, aided by the water communication suggested
by your Lordship, cannot fail in ultimately
producing great benefit to that interesting
portion of the province.
With reference to the general arrangements for the
reception of emigrants in these provinces, your
Excellency will find in page 18 of the Appendix,
what has been effected in respect to the Upper
Province. Your Lordship's own observation will
have informed you of the measures which have been
taken in this Province; printed statements,
affording information on every material subject,
have been freely distributed from this office to
the emigrants on arrival, and in this distribution
I am happy to acknowledge that I received cordial
assistance from the collector of His Majesty's
customs, from Captain Reid, 32nd regiment, the
commandant at Grosse Isle, and from Mr. Lambly,
harbour-master of Quebec.
The facilities of transport and conveyance
for the emigrant have been much improved and
augmented by the increase in the number of steam-
boats, particularly on the route from Montreal to
Upper Canada, by the way of the Rideau Canal. I
have suggested the employment of covered barges,
to receive at Quebec such emigrants as are
destined for Upper Canada. By the adoption of
this plan, the necessity of landing at Montreal
would be obviated, the baggage need not be shifted,
and the city of Montreal would be spared the
inconvenience so much complained of, arising from
the fact, that a number of persons, who have been
landed on the wharf at unseasonable hours, are
frequently placed in a situation to become
burthensome to public charity.
With respect to the emigration of paupers,
nothing need be added to my previous reports,
except to press upon your Lordship's
consideration the necessary amendment to the
Passenger Act, which I have the honour of
submitting in page 15 of the Appendix.
I am happy in being able to state that fewer
causes of dissatisfaction, from the conduct of
shipbrokers, have occurred this year; and no
serious inconvenience has been reported to me
to have arisen from a scanty supply of
provisions. This improved state of things may
be attributed, in a great measure, to the
appointment of emigrant agents at the principal
ports of the United Kingdom. Whenever, in
addition to these appointments, the Passenger
Act shall have been amended, it may be hoped
that all causes of complaint will be removed.
Great irritation was occasioned during this
season among the emigrants on arrival here
by finding that, notwithstanding the Act
under which the emigrant tax had
been imposed was no longer in existence, the
amount had been improperly paid over by them on
embarkation for this country. An immediate desire
prevailed among them that the amount of tax should
be refunded, and its improper exaction was alleged
in the instance of one vessel, as a reason for the
emigrants who come out in her being under the
neccessity of applying for public charitable
assistance at Montreal. It will be found in page
17 of the Appendix.
I conceived it my bounded duty to make every
exertion to recover the amount for all emigrants
who appeared to have bona fide paid the tax, and
through the liberal co-operation of the majority
of the consignees of vessels, I was enabled to
get refunded to the emigrants, in the course of
the season, the sum of about 3,000l. currency.
More difficulty was experienced in obtaining the
repayment of the tax from the masters of vessels
sailing from Dublin, than those from the other
ports, and a consignee of several from that port
did actually oppose the repayment during the
whole season.
With respect to the imposition of the emigrant
tax, I cannot refrain from stating my conviction,
that its effects are injurious to the cause of
voluntary emigration, inasmuch as it cripples the
pecuniary resources of the healthy emigrant, and
of his family; and diverts to another channel
those means which he might more advantageously
employ in effecting his transportation to a place
where labour may be in request. Here I beg leave
to refer to page 17 and 18 of the Appendix. It
is certain that the payment of the tax on
embarkation has been used as a means deception
by several ill-disposed persons. The agent at
Prescott did not find it necessary last season
to extend relief to more than one in thirty of
those who had received assistance at Montreal,
and had been sent up free by the emigrant and
charitable societies of that place; a fact which
shows the imposition practised upon the charitable
funds, and which imposition receives colour and
plausibility from the statements made of the tax
having been paid by the poor emigrant out of the
scanty funds provided for his transportation to
a place where employment may be had.
Another objection is, that the payment of this
tax, entitling those who have paid it to demand
relief from the charitable institutions, has the
effect of diminishing confidence in their own
exertions, and in many instances affixes upon
them a stigma of pauperism which would not
otherwise exist. The consequence is, that
labourers arriving in Upper Canada, who have
been forwarded thither as paupers by the
charitable institutions, cannot as readily obtain
employment as those who have been able to make
their own way. An idea certainly prevails, that
those who have accepted the relief in question
are themselves deficient in industry and energy.
However unjust this may often be, it nevertheless
furnishes a strong objection to any tax which has
so very injurious an effect.
There is also reason to believe, that the emigrant
tax has frequently been made subservient to the
purposes of the wives and families of persons
resident within the United States, who thus,
seeking to join their protectors, pass through
the Canadian Provinces free from the expense of
transport; they embark for Quebec, encouraged by
the fact, that the passage itself is cheaper,
while they entertain hopes that by disguising the
truth as to the place of their destination being
out of the King's dominions, they will succeed in
getting themselves forwarded by the charitable
institutions. As they in general arrive without
means, should the deception be discovered, they
become a burthen upon private charity, and their
ultimate arrival at the place of their destination
is rendered very precarious. On the other hand,
although the emigration by way of New York is so
considerable, no pecuniary assistance whatever is
afforded from any known fund, and those emigrants
being generally better provided as to means,
private assistance is seldom found necessary.
The emigrants who arrived this season by way of
New York have exceeded in amount those of last
year, as shown in No. 5, p. 12 of the Appendix.
This has no doubt has been occasioned by the
representation of persons in Upper Canada,
writing home to their friends and complaining of
the obstructions, privations and expenses to which
they imagined they were subjected at Grosse Isle.
The shipwrecks, too, which have happened every
year on approaching the St. Lawrence, may have
impressed them with exaggerated ideas of danger
by this route.
Of the emigration however which arrives at New
York, few British subjects now settle in the
Western States.
The instructions to persons arriving by this
route, which I have caused to be printed, and
which have been largely circulated by the aid
of the British Consul at
[Page 7]
New York, have been productive of benfit in
directing the progress of emigrants to Upper
Canada by way of Oswego. I beg leave here to
refer your Excellency to the Report of my tour
of inspection last summer, in page 19 of the
Appendix.
I trust that your Lordship will not deem it
foreign from my duty as chief agent for emigrants,
if I presume to offer a few suggestions on the
difficult and important subject of quarantine.
There cannot be a doubt that the greatest
benefit has been the result of the salutary
provisions contained in your Excellency's last
proclamation, by which vessels without sick on
board were declared not subject to detention;
thus all the inconveniences necessarily attendant
on the landing and detention of a great body of
emigrants at Grosse Isle have been avoided. In
addition, however, to this undoubted improvement
in the system, I would venture to suggest, that
even in vessels having on board suspicious cases
of indisposition, or even decided sickness, it
might perhaps be adviseable [sic] that the healthy
emigrant, after undergoing the inspection of the
medical officer, should not be required to land,
but only the actually sick; and that the vessel
and passengers' baggage should be purified and
cleansed at the expense, and on the responsibility,
of the captain. The advantage of this regulation
would be, that the captain, aware of the
consequence of inattention to cleanliness during
the voyage, namely, inevitable detention at Grosse
Isle, would exert himself to the utmost to keep
his ship, while at sea, in such a state of
cleanliness as to ensure permission to proceed to
Quebec, after inspection by the medical officer at
the quarantine station. The latter would, of
course, retain his discretionary power, and the
detention of the vessel would still continue,
until he should consider it in a proper state to
proceed, after the complete purification, if such
should be found necessary, had been gone through.
Before concluding this report, it is with regret
that I feel myself compelled to notice the
increasing number of shipwrecks to emigrant
vessels, particularily during the past season,
attended with a very serious loss of life. A
list will be found in No. 6, p. 12 of the
Appendix, showing the number of vessels lost last
season to be 17, and the loss of lives to amount
to 731.
From the frequency of these accidents I have been
induced to turn my attention to a remedy. The
best and most likely preventive, in my opinion,
would be, coupled with the amendment of the
Passenger Act, the total abolition of the
pernicious use of ardent spirits on board of
emigrant vessels, which I am sorry to say is
carried to an alarming extent in our commercial
marine engaged in the North American trade. This
affords a most humiliating contrast with the
sobriety maintained in the American shipping
employed in the trade with the United Kingdom;
and I am confident, that to the immoderate use of
ardent spirits the greater number of the accidents
which happen to emigrant vessels on the passage to
this country, may be justly attributed.
Public attention having been of late often
directed to the subject of lighthouses, as a means
of additional security to navigation, I take the
opportunity of stating, that it is my intention
shortly to submit to your Excellency some
practical suggestions on that head, accompanied
with a chart of the Gulph of St. Lawrence, which
I have caused to be executed for the purpose of
illustrating my views.
The benefits resulting to the working classes
from emigration being now very generally felt and
acknowledged in the United Kingdom, and legal
provision having been made by the Imperial
Parliament in a clause in the Poor Law Amendment
Bill, with regard to the voluntary emigration of
parochial labourers, added to the increasing
interest shown by the Irish landlords, in their
disposition to assist their poor tenantry, justify
the opinion that a very considerable number of
persons of the above classes will emigrate next
year to these provinces. It may also be
confidently anticipated, that from the same
causes, the amount of emigration to the Canadas
will annually and progressively be augmented.
Under these circumstances it is very gratifying
to be able to state to your Excellency, that the
situation of the working classes, and the
prospects of employment for all industrious
emigrants, particularly in Upper Canada, cannot
be better.
Your Lordship may rely on a continuance of my
anxious and zealous endeavours to promote, by
every means that may be in my power, the
benevolent plans and wishes of His Majesty's
Government and of your Excellency, in regard to
the very important measure of emigration to these
fine provinces.
I am happy in having it in my power at the
present period to acquaint your Lordship, that the
improved state of my health justifies the hope that
I shall not be under the necessity of seeking an
asylum in a warmer climate this winter. The kind
indulgence and sympathy manifested towards me by
your Excellency, since my health gave way in 1832,
demands my most grateful thanks, and will always
remain impressed on my mind.
Soliciting the honour of your Lordship's
being pleased to transmit this Report at your
Excellency's early convenience to the Right
honourable Thomas Spring Rice, His Majesty's
Secretary of State for the Colonial Department,
I have the honour, &c.
A.C. Buchanan
Chief Agent.
APPENDIX to Mr. BUCHANAN'S REPORT.
No. 1.- THE following statement shows the WEEKLY
ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTS at Quebec and Montreal,
during the year 1834; specifying the Number of
Males, Females and Children under 14 years; also
the Number of Voluntary Emigrants, and those that
receive Parochial Aid.
WEEK Males Females Children Paroch Volu TOTAL
ENDING Under 14 ial Aid ntary each
WEEK
11 MAY 90 64 54 208 208
17 1449 989 842 403 2877 3280
24 866 652 530 131 1917 2048
31 2003 1540 1085 373 4355 4728
7 JUN 734 490 371 126 1469 1595
14 978 735 563 265 2011 2276
21 756 544 357 1657 1657
28 875 578 486 49 1890 1939
5 JUL 678 534 381 141 1452 1593
12 1214 858 673 235 2510 2745
19 262 224 198 63 619 682
26 198 146 104 440 440
2 AUG 539 345 308 1192 1192
9 657 446 368 69 1402 1471
16 528 374 311 1213 1213
23 705 471 395 1571 1571
30 245 180 135 560 560
6 SEP 106 77 48 231 231
13 65 49 43 157 157
20 178 105 92 21 354 375
27 152 102 89 343 343
4 OCT 74 25 41 150 150
11 126 93 72 12 279 291
18 66 51 29 4 142 146
25 18 13 6 37 37
1 3 2 5 5
TOTAL 13565 9685 7681 1892 29O41 30935
Emigrant Department, }
Quebec, 12 December 1834. }
[Page 9]
No. 2 - NAMES of PORTS from whence Emigrants came,
during the year 1834; with Comparative Statement
of the Number arrived at Quebec and Montreal,
during the Three preceding Years.
ENGLAND
NAMES OF PORTS. 1834 1833 1832 1831
Liverpool 1060 551 2217 2261
IRELAND
Dublin 5879 3571 6595 7157
Wexford 23 21 157 229
Waterford 1008 197 877 1216
Ross 278 325 926 1159
Youghal 203 53 159 210
Cork 2261 925 1987 2735
Baltimore 184
Tralee 217 67 133 114
Limerick 1097 602 1689 2759
Clare 19
Galway 79 190 425 452
Westport 221 529 720
Killala 514
Sligo 2114 657 2961 4079
Ballyshannon 154 71 86 200
Donegal 2 113
Londonderry 1580 1852 2582 2888
Larne 137
Belfast 3024 2637 6851 7943
Newry 945 725 1374 1591
Strangford 117 41 349 169
Drogheda 60 90
Kilrush 4
Kinsale 2
TOTAL 19206 12013 28204 34155
No. 3 - COMPARATIVE STATEMENT of the Number of
EMIGRANTS arrived at Quebec since the
year 1829, inclusive.
WHERE FROM 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834
England 3565 6799 10343 17481 5198 6799
and Wales
Ireland 9614 18300 34133 28204 12013 19206
Scotland 2643 2450 5354 5500 4196 4591
Hamburgh
and Gibraltar 15
Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland,
West Indies,}
&c. &c. }123 451 424 546 345 339
15945 28000 50254 51746 21752 30935
GRAND TOTAL 198632
Emigrant Department, Quebec,} A.C. Buchanan,
12 December 1834. } Chief Agent.
No. 4 -DISTRIBUTION OF EMIGRANTS arrived at Quebec,
in the year 1834.
LOWER CANADA
City and district of Quebec 1500
District of Three Rivers 350
District of St. Francis and Eastern townships 640
City and district of Montreal 1200
Ottawa district 400
TOTAL to LOWER CANADA 4090
UPPER CANADA
Ottawa, Bathurst, Midland and Eastern
districts, as far as Kingston, included 1000
District of Newcastle, and townships in
the vicinity of the bay of Quinte 2650
Toronto and the Home district, including
settlements round Lake Simco 8000
Hamilton, Gulph, and Huron tracts,
and situations adjacent 2660
Niagra frontier and district, including the
line of the Welland Canal and round the head
of Lake Ontario, to Hamilton 3300
Settlements bordering on Lake Erie, including
the London district, Adelaide Settlement, and
on to Lake St. Clair 4600
TOTAL TO UPPER CANADA 22210
Died of cholera in Upper and Lower Canada 800
Returned to the United Kingdom 350
Gone to United States 3485
4635
TOTAL 30935
Emigrant Department, Quebec,} A.C. Buchanan,
12 December 1834. } Chief Agent.
No. 5.-RETURN of the Number of EMIGRANTS arrived
at New York from the United Kingdom, for
the last Six Years.
England Ireland Scotland TOTAL
In the Year 1829 8110 2443 948 11501
In the Year 1830 16350 3497 1584 21433
In the Year 1831 13808 6721 2078 22607
In the Year 1832 18947 6050 3286 28283
In the Year 1833 16000
To 20 November 1834 126464
Emigrant Department, Quebec,} A.C. Buchanan,
12 December 1834. } Chief Agent.
No. 6.- A LIST of the VESSELS WRECKED coming to
Quebec last Spring, with the Number of
Lives lost.
Lives lost
1834.- Early in spring, James of Workington,
Captain Crooks, wrecked on St. Paul's Island.
Noon, of Sutherland, Captain Phillips, wrecked
on St. Paul's Island.
Isabella, of Workington, with 130 emigrants;
seven drowned, remainder suffered great distress;
wrecked on St. Paul's Island. 7
Bark, name unknown, same place.
Brig James, from Limerick, Captain Lardle; lost
on the Great Bank, Newfoundland. 250
Bark Astrea, near Cape Breton; all lost. 271
Fidelity, Clark, from Dublin; same place; crew
and passengers saved; 29 died of fatigue. 29
Bark Edward, Chapman; near Scutari.
Brig Columbus; same place.
Ship unknown; Little Island.
Brig Trafalgar, from St John's, New Brunswick;
near Cape Breton.
Brig from west of England; near Arichat, with
180 passengers; only seven saved. 173
Brig from west of England, with 280 passengers;
near Eusebo Cut, off Causo; no lives lost.
Brig Resolution, Turnbull, with 233; wrecked
near Spit Island, south east coast Newfoundland;
one boy and all the passengers baggage lost. 1
Bark Juno, arrived at Richituito with 233
emigrants taken from a wreck at sea.
Patriot, from Sunderland; on Cape Rosier,
Gulph of St. Lawrence.
Scarborough Castle, at sea, Longitude 41
731
Number of Ships Lost 17
RECAPITULATION OF LIVES LOST
Isabella 7
Brig James 250
Astrea 271
Fidelity 29
Brig from west of England, name unknown, 173
near Arichat
Resolution 1
731
TOTAL Number of Persons lost by shipwreck on
board vessels bound to Quebec, in the year 1834 731
Emigrant Department, Quebec, A.C. Buchanan,
12 December 1834. Chief Agent.
[Page 13]
EXTRACTS from the several WEEKLY REPORTS made to
the Governor-in-Chief, by the Chief Agent for
Emigration at Quebec.
Week ending 10 May 1834.- Finding that masters of
ships continue to levy the tax on emigrants, I
forwarded printed notices to Grosse Isle, to
inform them that there is no law for such impost.
Week ending 17 May.- The emigrants already arrived
this season are in general possessed of
considerable property, chiefly small farmers and
dealers. The number of persons of the working
classes is under an average of former years; and
of that class already arrived they are in general
amply provided to pay their way to their
destinations, or to such situations as I consider
best to direct them. Good house-servants are much
wanted in this city and Montreal, and the demand
for all persons of the working class cannot be
better. I have much difficulty in getting ship
captains to refund to the emigrants the amount of
the late tax, which they illegally collected from
them. Up to this day I have succeeded in getting
back about 500l. Many melancholy shipwrecks have
taken place this spring among emigrants' vessels
coming to this port.
Week ending 31 May.- The emigrants arrived this
week were in general in good circumstances. The
city is remarkably free of emigrants at present,
considering the great number that has already
arrived at so early a period. I succeeded in
getting the capitation tax refunded to over 1,000
emigrants on Friday and Saturday. Attendance is
given at this office from seven in the morning
until dark, to afford the numerous applicants
every aid to get away. Nearly all the surviving
emigrants that have been shipwrecked in the Gulph
have come up; for such as stood in need I got
gratuitous passages to Montreal.
Week ending 7 June.- this office continues to be
exceedingly crowded daily, by emigrants soliciting
aid to recover the capitation tax. The captains
of the ship Home, from Dublin, and Active, from
Londonderry, which arrived this day, have refused
to refund the tax, which I ascertained clearly to
have been advanced by the emigrants. The situation
of the city is remarkably satisfactory, as regards
the emigrant population.
Week ending 14 June.- The emigrants arrived this
week have in general proceeded to Upper Canada.
Some labourers, servants and tradesmen remain
employed at Quebec and Montreal. This city is
unusually free from distress or want among the
emigrant population. Through the aid of the
collector of customs I have got it so arranged
that the masters of the ships are prevented from
landing the emigrants and their baggage late in
the evening, risking the night's exposure, unless
when going by steam-boat. A number of farm
labourers, late the tenantry of Lord Suffield,
arrived this week; they were recommended by the
Secretary of State to this department; as also
some other small parties of emigrants from
various estates. All were well provided, and I
forwarded them, as requested, to their several
destinations. I got the capitation tax very
generally refunded to all the emigrants that
arrived this and the preceding week, with the
exception of the ship Home, from Dublin.
Week ending 21 June.- A considerable number of
persons of the working classes arrived this week,
principally from Ireland; they, apparently, were
all able to pay their way; the great demand in
Upper Canada for persons of the working class,
and particularly at public works for labourers
and artificers, with the high rate of wages,
induced nearly the whole to proceed thither. I
have reports this week from the emigrant agents
at Torento (sic), Lachine, Prescott and Bytown,
all testifying as to good circumstances of the
emigrant population, and the total absence of
sickness or distress among them, so far, this
season.
This City and Montreal has never been more free
from inconvenience from an emigrant population,
and the interference of the benevolent has been
less required this season than for the last five
years. From the competition between the steam
boats here and the forwarding boats above Montreal,
emigrants may now get from Quebec to Prescott for
about one dollar each adult.
Week ending 5 July.- The emigrants arrived this
week consist principally of tradesmen, farmers
and labourers, of whom very few are now in Quebec.
Week ending 12 July.- The emigrants arrived this
week are very respectable, all in good health and
spirits; the great demand for persons of the
working classes throughout the Upper Province
hastens them forward; the facilities of transport
is a further inducement. I got the head money
refunded to nearly all the emigrants arrived this
week. The total sum refunded since the 12th May
to this date is about 2,500l.
Week ending 19 July.- In consequence of the low
rate of transport and great competition this
season on the route from Quebec to Kingston, the
head money refunded to the emigrants is ample to
pay a common passage to Prescott.
Week ending 9 August.- By the Kingston from
Liverpool, a Mr. Farmer, strongly recommended to
this department, and family, came passengers; he
proceeds for the present to Sorel; he has with him
50 head of live stock, of the most approved
English breeds.
Week ending 16 August.- The greater proportion of
the emigrants arrived this week were from Scotland
and the north of Ireland, and all had ample means
to proceed to Upper Canada, whither they were
destined.
Week ending 6 September.- By the explosion of one
of the boilers of the Lady of the Lake steam-boat
on Sunday morning, six lives have been lost; they
were passengers by the Conference from Leith; one
of them, Mr. W. Ronaldson, has left considerable
property, an inventory of which I had taken, and
cash amounting to near 400l. I lodged in the
Montreal bank, and his other effects have been
stored.
Week ending 20 September.- The emigrants arrived
this week are all in comfortable circumstances;
the greater part have proceeded to Upper Canada.
In the Concord from London, there were 20 boys
sent out by the London Children's Friend Society.
Week ending 27 September.- Seventy-three Saxon
emigrants arrived this week and proceeded to
Upper Canada; they appear to be a healthy able-
bodied industrious people. I gave them orders
for employment at the Long Sault Canal.
Week ending 4 October.- Labourers are much wanted
about town to get in the potatoe (sic) crop; and
at Cornwall, and the Long Sault Canal, shoemakers
and tailors are in great request, at high wages.
Quebec is unusually free from an emigrant
population.
Navigation closed the 1st of December.
A.C. Buchanan, Chief Agent.
PASSENGER REGULATION ACT of the IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT
Anno Nono Georgii 4 Regis.
Passenger Act.
AN ACT to regulate the Carriage of PASSENGERS in
MERCHANT VESSELS from the United Kingdom to the
Continent and Islands of North America. [23 May 1828.]
Whereas it is necessary to make provision
respecting the carriage of passengers from the
United Kingdom to His Majesty's possesions on the
continent and islands of North America; Be it
enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty; by
and with the advice and consent of the Lords
spiritual and temporal, and Commons, in this
present Parliament assembled, and by the authority
of the same, That no ship shall sail from any port
or place in the United Kingdom, or in the Islands
of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney or Sark, or in the
Isle of Man, on any voyage to or for any port or
place in His Majesty's possessions on the
continent or islands of North America, with more
persons on board than in the proportion of three
persons for every four tons of the registered
burthen of such ship, the master and crew being
included in and forming part of such prescribed
number; and that no ship registered as having more
than one deck, shall carry any passengers upon any
such voyage as aforesaid, unless she shall be of
the height of five feet and a half at the least
between decks, and that no ship registered as
having only one deck shall carry any passengers
upon any such voyage as aforesaid, unless a
platform shall be laid beneath such deck, in such
a manner as to afford a space of the height of at
least five feet and a half; Provided always, that
two children, each being under the age of 14 years,
or three children, each being under the age of
seven years, or one child being under the age of
12 months, with the mother of such child, shall,
in all cases, be computed as one person, for the
purposes hereinbefore and hereinafter mentioned.
2. And it be further enacted, That no ship carrying
passengers on any such voyage as aforesaid, to any
port or place in His Majesty's possession on the
continent or islands of North America, shall clear
out for such voyage from any port in the United
Kingdom, or in the said Islands of Guernsey,
Jersey, Alderney or Sark, or in the Isle of Man,
unless and until there shall be actually laden and
on board such ship good and wholesome provisions
for the use and consumption of the said passengers,
to the amount or in the proportion following; (that
is to say,) a supply of pure water to the amount of
50 gallons for every person on board such ship, the
master and crew included, such water being carried
in sweet casks; and a supply of bread, biscuit,
oatmeal or bread stuffs, to the amount of 50lbs.
weight at the least for every passenger on board
such ship.
3. And be it further Enacted, That no ship
proceeding on any such voyage as aforesaid, and
having on board the whole number of passengers
allowed by this Act, shall carry any part of her
cargo, provisions, water or sea stores, between
the decks; but that it shall be lawful for any
such ship, not having on board the whole number
of passengers so allowed, to carry between decks,
in respect of every passenger wanting of that
number, any goods, provisions, water or sea
stores, not occupying more than three cubical
feet in space.
4. And be it further Enacted, That the master of
every ship carrying passengers on any such voyage
as aforesaid shall, before clearing out his said
ship for such voyage from any port or place in
the United Kingdom, or in the said Islands of
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney or Sark, or in the
Isle of Man, deliver to the collector or other
principal officer of His Majesty's Customs at
such port or place a list in writing, specifying
as accurately as may be the names, ages, and
professions or occupations of all and every the
passengers on board such ship, with the name of
the port or place at which he the said master
hath contracted to land each of the said
passengers; and such collector or other chief
officer of customs shall thereupon deliver to
the said master a counterpart of such list,
signed by him the said collector or other chief
officer as aforesaid; and the said master shall
exhibit the said counterpart of his said list to
the collector or other chief officer of His
Majesty's customs at each and every port or place
in His Majesty's possessions at which the said
passengers or any of them shall be landed, and
shall deposit the same with such collector or
chief officer of customs at his final port of
discharge in the said possessions.
5. And for the prevention of frauds which might be
practised upon persons emigrating from the United
Kingdom to any of His Majesty's possessions abroad,
be it further enacted, That if the master of any
ship carrying any passengers on any such voyage as
aforesaid shall, without their, his or her previous
consent, land or put on shore, or cause to be
landed or put on shore, any passenger or passengers
at any port or place other than the port or place
at which he may have contracted to land or put such
passenger or passengers on shore, he the said
master shall incur and become liable to a penalty
of 20l. for each and every passenger so landed or
put on shore, to be recovered in a summary way
before any two justices of the peace in and for
any province, district, county or place in any of
His Majesty's possessions on the continent or
islands of North America, on the complaint of any
such person or persons, and to be levied, by
warrants under the hands and seals of such
justices, upon the goods of any such offender.
6. And be it further enacted, That if any ship
carrying passengers on any such voyage as aforesaid
from any port or place in the United Kingdom, or in
the said Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney or
Sark, or in the Isle of Man, to or for any port or
place in His Majesty's possession on the continent
or islands of North America, shall carry any number
of passengers exceeding by more than one person in
fifty the proportion authorized and allowed by this
present Act; or if the cargo, provisions, water or
sea stores of any such ship, or any part thereof,
shall be carried between decks, contrary to the
provisons hereinbefore in this behalf made; or if
any ship shall clear out or put to sea, not having
on board such water, and good and wholesome
provisions as aforesaid, for the use and
consumption of the said passengers, to the amount
or in the proportion hereinbefore required; or if
any such ship shall be cleared out from any port
or place in the United Kingdom before such lists
of passengers as hereinbefore mentioned have been
delivered in manner and form aforesaid, to such
officer as aforesaid, or if any such list shall be
wilfully false, the master of the said ship shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall and
may be prosecuted, tried and convicted for the
same, either in the county in the United Kingdom
from which the ship shall have sailed on such
voyage, or in any other county in the United
Kingdom, or in either of the said Islands of
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, or the Isle of
Man, from which the ship shall have sailed on such
voyage, or in any of His Majesty's possessions
abroad, to which such ship shall have sailed on
such voyage: Provided always, that nothing herein
contained shall take away or abridge any right of
suit or action which may accrue to any passenger
in any such ship as aforesaid, or to any other
person, in respect of any breach of any contract
made by or on the behalf of any such passenger or
other person with the master or owner thereof.
7. And for the more effectually securing the due
observance of the aforesaid rules, and the payment
of the penalties aforesaid ...
....
the master of the ship shall enter into a bond ...
....
with one good and sufficient surety, to be approved
by the collector or other chief officer of customs
at such port, in the sum of 1,000l., the condition
of which bond shall be, that the said ship is sea-
worthy, and that all and every the rules and
regulations made and prescribed by this Act ...
.... shall be well and truly paid. ...
....
8. And be it further enacted, That nothing in
this Act contained shall extend or be construed
to extend to any ship in the service of His
Majesty's postmaster-general.
9. And be it further enacted and declared,
That the Bahama Islands, and His Majesty's
possessions in the West Indies, are not and
shall not be deemed or taken to be comprised
within the provisions aforesaid, or any of them.
AMENDMENTS suggested by Mr. Buchanan, for the
Passenger Regulation Act of the Imperial
Parliament, with explanatory Directions.
The following amendments for the Passenger
Regulation Act of the Imperial Parliament,
9 Geo. 4 c. 21, of May the 23rd 1828, have
been submitted to His Majesty's Government
by Mr. Buchanan, chief agent for emigration
to the Canadas, a copy of which Mr. Buchanan
delivered to his worship the mayor of Quebec
at the late public meeting:
Number of pasengers to be altered from three to
four ton of the register burthen of the vessel,
to two or three ton.
(Two to three was the number mentioned in the
original manuscript of the Bill. The alteration
to three to four ton arose in printing the Bill
at the third reading; and for fear of delay, the
late Mr. Huskisson let it pass, saying, if it did
not work well, an amendment could take place the
following session. Mr. A.C. Buchanan told the
Right honourable Gentleman that no ship could
carry three to four ton, without seriously
endangering the health of the passengers, as the
vessel would require to have a row of berths up
the centre of the vessel. Two to three ton can
be safely carried, and the whole space in the
centre of the deck, say from 12 to 15 feet wide,
and the length of the vesel from cabin bulk-head
to the forecastle, kept clear and open.)
Penalty 10l. for every passenger over the number
permitted by the Act.
Clause No. 2. - The quantity of bread, biscuit,
oatmeal or bread stuff, to be augmented from 50lb
to 75lb for each passenger. The between decks of
the ship to be thoroughly cleaned out at least
twice a week, and sprikled with vinegar; beds and
bedding brought on deck, and well aired and dusted.
PEnalty 100L. for short supply of provisions; and
a further penalty for not airing the bedding and
cleaning the ship.
Additional clause to No. 4.- List of passengers
to specify condition of the emigrants, whether
voluntary and by their own resources, or sent out
by parochial or other aid. Copy of said list to
be delivered to the masters of vessels carrying
emigrants to the Government agents of emigrants,
at the port of disembarkation, previous to report
being made at the Custom-house; said list to be
kept as a public record for free inspection.
Should there be no Government agent at the port
or place of disembarkation, then to the principal
magistrate or other public authority. The
certificate of the Government agent for emigrants,
at the port of disdembarkation, of the due
fulfilment of the contract on the part of the
captain, to be required to enable masters or
owners of vessels to cancel bonds in the United
Kingdom; said certificate to be furnished gratis.
Penalty 50l.
The passengers ought to be mustered at the port of
embarkation, as it has been found in most instances
that the age of children has invariably been given
incorrectly, to enable a greater number to be taken
on board; the provisions ought also to undergo a
rigid inspection. The above inspections should be
the imperative and responsible duty of the agent
for emigrants at the port of embarkation, or a
responsible officer of the customs.
The Act, as passed the House of Commons, made the
penalties special and recoverable in a summary way.
The alteration took place in the House of Lords,
by the late Lord Tenterden, Chief Justice of the
King's Bench. Mr. Buchanan told Lord F.L. Gower
at the time, that the Bill so altered would be
useless. His reply was, that to discuss it a new
in the Commons would lose the bill that session;
and as the session was late, it had better be
passed and amended the following year. Lord F.L.
Gower was then Under Secretary of State for the
Colonial Department, and had charge of the Bill;
in fact, amending the Act as now suggested will
be nearly placing it as originally drafted by Mr.
Stephens, the law adviser of the Colonial
department, from the manuscript and suggestions
of Mr. Buchanan, that he had the honour to submit,
and which were in perfect accordance with the
views of the Chamber of Commerce of Dublin, Derry,
Belfast, Bristol, and of the most leading ship-
owners in London, and M.S. Hill, esq., R.N.,
collector of Londonderry.
Alteration in Clause No. 6.- Penalties to be made
special to each clause of the Act, and prosecuted
and recovered in a summary way, before any two of
His Majesty's justices of the peace in any of His
Majesty's dominions or possessions. Summonses
granted to complainant by any justice of the peace
or other magistrate, and appearance to take place
within 24 hours after issuing. No fee exceeding
1s. sterling to be demanded for the granting of
summonses or warrants under the Act.
Additional and new Clauses.
1st.- Sale of spiritous liquors of any sort, or
wines, to be unlawful on board of any vessel
carrying passengers to His Majesty's possessions
in North America. Penalty 10l. for each offence.
2d.- Masters of ships to be liable to pay 9.d per
day to passengers for each and every day, if
detained over two days in the port of embarkation
beyond the day notified to such passengers as the
period of sailing, wind and weather and unforseen
accidents excepted. The master may have the
option to provide victuals on board in lieu of
money.
3d.- The masters or persons in command of ships
carrying passengers to be held liable for all
contracts and bargains between the passengers
and the accredited or ostensible brokers, agents
or charterers of such ship.
4th.- Vessels carrying more than 25 passengers
to receive from the Custom-House, at the port of
clearing, a printed copy of this Act; the same to
be kept for the free inspection of the passengers
on all reasonable occasions on the voyage.
Penalty 25l.
5th.- Passengers to claim, as a right, the
privilege of remaining on board 48 hours after
arrival at the port of destination, and to have
their ususal accommodations, and to be disembarked
with their baggage at the usual landing places at
seasonable hours, free of expense; the
disembarkation into a steam-boat or other vessel,
with the free consent of the pasengers, to be
deemed a landing. Penalty 25l.
Quebec, August, 1834.
Copies and extracts of Letters from the Government
Agents in Upper Canada.
Toronto, 6 June 1834.
Sir,
On my arrival at Montreal, a report prevailed that
the cholera had made its appearance at Qebec and
Grosse Isle, and that there were upwards of 4,000
emigrants, a large proportion of whom were in
indigent circumstances, daily expected at that
place: it is gratifying to add that the reports
were unfounded, and that as yet very few settlers
have been detained on the route for want of the
means to proceed.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
(signed) A.B. Hawke.
Lachine, 8 June 1834.
Sir,
I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 3d instant, and in reply to state,
that the facilities for the conveyance of
emigrants to all parts of the Upper Province were
never greater, both by the St. Lawrence and Ottawa.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
(signed) J. Hayes.
Prescott, 9 June 1834.
Sir,
The facilities for the transport of the emigrants
from Montreal are unbounded; of the forwarders,
all I believe are sincerely desirous of acting
fairly towards those persons who may come up
with them.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
(signed) John Patton, Agent for Emigrants.
Toronto, 18 June 1834.
Sir,
I am directed by the Lieutenant-governor to
aquaint you, that in consequence of the great
demand for labourers throughout this province
generally, it is only His Excellency's intention
to employ indigent settlers in clearing land in
the new townships under particular circumstances,
if they cannot obtain work elsewhere. Settlers
will again be employed in Sunnidale, and the
townships on the Nottawa Sago River; 1,500
labourers will find employment at the Grand River
and Welland Canal, at 12 dollars per month and
found in provisions. Mr. Manahan having been
appointed emigrant agent at Kingston, it was
deemed unnecessary to appoint an agent to the
commissioner of Crown Lands, you will, therefore,
have the goodness to omit Mr. Askew's name in any
future notice you may think proper to issue.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq. (signed) A.B. Hawke.
COPY OF LETTER from Mr. Cushing, of the Ottawa
Forwarding Company.
Montreal, 16 June 1834.
Sir,
The following are the lowest rates the Ottaway
Steam-Boat company could undertake to convey
emigrants and baggage during the present season
via the Rideau Canal to Kingston:
s. d.
for each adult 10 -
Children between 7 and 14 years 5 -
between 3 and 7 years 3 4
under 3 years gratis.
Luggage, 2s 9d per cwt, and none allowed.
The company have decked barges leaving this every
day, and arrive at Bytown in two days, and in
Kingston in five days, without any transhipping
of luggage.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq. (signed) E. Cushing.
Kingston, 15 September 1834.
Sir,
It is pleasing to inform you that nevertheless
the great mortality of that great scourge in
this small town, only three of the emigrants
were victims to it, although this agency is
the entrepot of the Rideau canal, and I had
strict orders to remove to the hospital all
sick emigrants coming up by the St. Lawrence.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
Chief agent.
(signed) A. Manahan, Agent for
Emigrants.
Letter from the Rev. Mr. Bethune to
A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
Montreal, 18 June 1834.
Sir,
I am directed by the Montreal Emigrant Committee
to send you the enclosed list of persons who have
paid to the captains of vessels therein mentioned,
ship Home and Malvina, the tax imposed on emigrants
by the late Act, and who are now here unable to
proceed to their destinations, but which the sums
they have paid would enable them to do. The
Emigrant Society respectfully requests your kind
attention to the case of those poor people, and
beg the favour of you to recover back the amount
due them if possible.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq. (signed) J. Bethune.
Chief Agent for Emigrants.
Answer of Mr. Buchanan to the Rev. Mr. Bethune.
Quebec, 23 June 1834.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 18th instant, transmitting a
list of the emigrants that arrived by the ship
Home, from Dublin, claiming a repayment of the
capitation tax.
The consignees of this vessel would not recognise
the claims of the emigrants by that ship. I made
every effort in my power, and used every possible
persuasion to induce them to do so, but without
avail; as also in the case of the Malvina. In
some instances the captains were intimidated to
refund their unjust exaction by the Admiralty
Court; but its interference has lately been
prohibited by an injunction of the Court of
King's Bench. As to the persons whose names are
in the list sent me, there is no chance of their
obtaining a repayment. Legal redress, I regret
to say, we have none; and until the Passenger Act
is amended, and which I hope to get effected this
present session of the Imperial Parliament, it is
out of the question for emigrants expecting any
advantage by law proceedings in any case, as the
delay is worse than the evil complained of. It
is exceedingly to be regretted that indolent
emigrants in good health are so much recognised
as objects of charity by the benevolent public.
I cannot avoid expressing my fears but that those
sheds in Montreal, with every caution and scrutiny
your benevolent society can use, in many instances
tend to check those lazy characters in their own
efforts to obtain employment, or proceed further
up the country.
In every part of Upper Canada the want of
labourers is complained of. In this city
there is not an emigrant in want, and who,
if industrious, but I can easily direct to
employment. I am satisfied that all the
emigrants arrived here hitherto, except in
a very few instances, were possessed of means
sufficient to pay their way to their destinations,
or to where employment could be found. Mr.
Carlisle Buchanan, who will deliver this letter
to you, I have requested to render you every
aid in his power to get the present occupants
of the sheds disposed of, and directed to where
they can find employment.
To the Rev. John Bethune, Montreal.
(signed) A.C. Buchanan.
Township of Rawden, Newcastle District,
Upper Canada, 2 July 1834.
Sir,
AGRICULTURAL labourers are sadly wanted in this
and the adjoining township. If you could direct
a driblet of your great stream this way it would
serve all parties.
I like my location very much. I have made an
opening of about 75 acres as a beginning.
Seymour, immediately adjoining us, is settling
fast, and requires hands much.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
(signed) John Hilton.
COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS from the GOVERNMENT
of Upper Canada.
Toronto, 23 July 1834.
Sir,
I am directed by the Lieutenant-governor to
transmit you the accompanying copy of a letter,
which has been forwarded to the Hon. P. M'Gill
[McGill?], of Montreal, respecting the arrangements which
have been made in this province for the reception
of emigrants.
To A.C. Buchanan, Esq.
(signed) William Rowan.
Toronto, 23 July 1834.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 18th instant, and to transmit
to you a copy of a communication which has been
made to the agent for emigrants at Prescott, by
which you will perceive that preparations have
been authorized for the reception of emigrants
that may arrive at that port. I have also to
aquaint you, by the desire of the Lieutenant-
governor, that with reference to these
arrangements for the reception of emigrants, and
for the directing them to the districts where they
may find employment, you may continue to encourage
any number of emigrants arriving at Montreal
during the season to pursue their journey to the
Upper Province.
To the Hon. P. M'Gill [McGill?],
Chairman of the Montreal Sanitary Committee.
(signed) William Rowan.
Toronto, 23 July, 1834.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Lieutenant-governor to
aquaint you, that in consequence of the great
number of emigrants that will probably arrive
at Prescott during this week, every exertion
must be made on your part in providing for the
accommodation of emigrants in cases of sickness,
and for their removal to the emigrant hospital,
and also in making arrangements for the immediate
departure of all indigent emigrants who cannot
find employment in your neighbourhood; you were
in my letter yesterday informed of the mode which
is to be followed in regulating the emigrant
hospital at Brockville, and that a stated daily
allowance will be authorized for each patient
admitted into the hospital. You will
make a similar communication to the board of
health at Prescott, and inform the boards of
health at both Brockville and Prescott that
his Excellency will authorize the payment of
any reasonable expense which may be incurred
in supplying the emigrant hospital with such
articles as the boards of health may recommend.
To John Patton, esq.
(signed) A.B. Hawke.
COPY of a LETTER from Mr. Buchanan to the
Honourable Peter M'Gill [McGill?], Chairman of the
Sanitary Committee.
Montreal, 25 August, 1834.
Dear Sir,
I RETURNED two days ago from the upper province
from examining into the situation of the vast
emigrant population that has gone there during
the present season, and to ascertain what further
facilities might be necessary in aiding emigrants
to their several destinations, and to insure
employment to such as might require it. It
affords me much satisfaction at the present
melancholy period to have it in my power to
acquaint you, for the information of the Sanitary
and Emigrant Committees of your benvolent city,
and the inhabitants thereof, who have on all
occasions manifes
