1749. DESCRIPTION of NOVA SCOTIA. A little further he adds: Wherefore make a law to compel the fervices of all, when many, many more are ready and willing to be employ'd, than employment can poffibly be found for? Is it neceffary because there may be a few amongst them who do not chue to ferve, and that therefore thote may be compell'd to it? What, compel thofe to ferve A to the prejudice of others who are defirous of ferving? Are the fervices of fuch men, who are prefs'd into the fervice in time of war, to be preferr'd to thofe, who would willingly engage in it? Surely, no; or can the fervices of fuch men procure either honour or advantage to this nation? Yet, if this 34th article gains the fervices of any, it can only be of fuch, unless the fervice is in- B tended to undergo as great an alteration as the difcipline of it, and that employment is to be found for officers unworthy of them, and of their rank; if this is the cafe, compulfive laws to bring many officers into it, are most undoubtedly neceffary, and in no other light can I think them fo; either the service must be bad, or the officer must be C fo, that makes fuch laws necessary to engage him in it. And he concludes thus: Let not this country of liberty be defended by flaves, but let them who are to protect it have both their own and their country's liberty to animate them in its defence; and whilst they are employ'd in that glorious work, in which for a time they willingly and chear- As the Defcription in our Magazine for N 181 ponefus; but with what propriety I cannot A very exact geographical defcription of Nova Scotia extends betwixt 60 and 66 and 49 latitude north, Royal, at prefent the only fortress in the country, ftands in lat. almost 44 d. 40 m. W. long, about 65. The fouth-eastern part is a large peninfula, extending from fouthweft to north east, and joined to the mainland by an ifthmus a little above the gut of Canfo. The French, fince the property of this country has been vested in the English, affect to confine the name of Accadia to the peninfula only: But their own maps, made Dbefore the ceffion of this province, give it will the limits we have now affigned. According to this defcription, Nova Scotia will be found to contain about 420 miles in length, and 380 in breadth; which is an E extent of land much larger than that of Ola Scotland, or North Britain *, Ova Scotia is the most northerly and It was called Nova Scotia by Sir William Nova Scotia has many rivers, fome of them now navigated for a long courfe by the natives. But for bays, harbours, and convenient creeks, it is inferior to no country in the known world. The Cape Sable thore, which lies next to the fishing-banks, is peculiarly happy in this respect. The bay of Chebutto, and the river that falls into it, bid fair, in the opinion of fome, to become, in time, the principal port of Nova Scotia, and the feat of its metropolis. There is, over land, good communication by wheel-carriage with the bay of Minas, at present the chief fettlement of the French, with the rivers of Cobaquid and Pisavince It is true, Annapolis Royal lies upquid, and the best easterly parts of the proon a fine bason, and is more commodious for large inland vent and consumption: A a But For its climate, air, foil, produce, fifbery, &c. what is faid in the defeription, of Dec. laft, P. 556, may suffice. But the country round it is bad, and the tides of the bay of Fundy render the navigation difficult. Upon the oppofite, or wefterly shore of the bay of Fundy, are the rivers of Pafamaquady and Holy Cross, being about 17 leagues N. W. from the gut or entrance of the bafon of Annapolis. The river of Holy Cross, A or St. Croix (as the French call it) was the old boundary laid down betwixt Nova Scotia government and Sagadabock, formerly the duke of York's property, but now annexed to the New England government of Maffachufet's Bay. Further nothward, upon this fhore, is the river of St. John, 10 leagues distant from the gut of Annapolis. This is a very B uefiul river, of long course, and has a confiderable tribe of the Abnaqui Indians settled upon it: But they are at prefent, from the neglect of the Nova Scotia government, in the intereft of the Canadan French. There are prodigious falls of tides in this river, near its mouth, of not lefs than 30 fathom; not properly cataracts, occafioned by a course over rocks, but the effect of the great head of water above, the channel being here pent up betwixt two steep mountains. By this river, and the help of fome land carriage, there is a communication with the river of St. Laurence, and a-crofs that with Quebeck, the metropolis of Canada. farther, and is fhallow water. This is the landing place from Canada, where difturbance from the French is chiefly to be apprehended, and ought peculiarly to be guarded against in the fettlement of Nova Scotia. There are only 4 miles land carriage from this bay to Chigneto river, which runs by the French town of the fame name into the oppofite bay, dividing the ifthmus in the narroweft part. It is proper here to take notice, that on the fide of Chigneto bay the tide flows 11 fathom; But on the gulph of St. Laurence, or Green Bay fide, the fwell is not above 4 or 5 feet Farther upwards, before we reach inle Bonaventure and ifle Perce, where the French, by the treaty of Utrecht, have a right to cure and dry cod-fish, we come to Miramichi port, at the mouth of a long river of the fame name, where I do not find any settlement. There are some other fmall bays betwixt this and that of Chaleurs (fo called by the French) which runs great way into the land, and has a small ifland at the bottom of it, besides several others near the entrance. Then proceeding towards the river of St. Laurence, below the south entrance of that river lies the bay of Gafpée, which is a deep and good harbour. Here the French, contrary to treaty, have continued to carry on their fishery, and pretend to affume to themselves a right Dover the country behind it, which they diAtinguish in their modern maps by the name of Gafpefie. This name they do indeed sometimes extend fo far, as to take off the greatest part of Nova Scotia, and leave us little, if any thing, more under the title of Accadie, than the peninsula before mentioned. Such a paper encroachment, if not well attended to, may, in time, be construed into a fort of claim by prefcription: But as this province is now thought worthy the regard of the administration *, it is to be hoped the true and antient limits of it will be properly afferted: For tho' we may not fuddenly settle more of it than the peninsula, yet an indulgence to our rivals, in the other parts, will be a great check to the induftry of our new colonians. More northerly is Cape Doré, or Gilt Cape, about 30 leagues from Annapolis. Here is plenty of mineral coal for firing, which must be esteemed a very great natu. ral advantage. Some years ago a company was fet on foot in New England, in order to work these mines: But tho' that project was foon dropped with lofs, a better ufe will, doubtlefs, be made of this treasure, E when Nova Scotia itfelf comes to be inhabited. About the fame cape are fome flender veins of copper ore, fome thin laminæ of virgin copper, and a gold fulphur marcafite. Upon the easterly fhore, or gulph of St. Laurence, after we are paft the point, is the gut of Canfo, and a fhort and safe paffage from the British fettlements to Canada F river, and to all the other ports of Nova Scotia on this gulph. This gut is fix leagues long, and only one league broad: The navigation of it is very good, as appears from the journals of captain Gayton, who paffed it in 1746, on a cruize to Green Bay. Twenty-five leagues beyond the gut is G Tatamaganabou, a confidererable district or fettlement of the Nova Scotians, and a good road for veffels. Nova Scotia is at prefent divided into ten or twelve districts. Each diftrict annually chufes one deputy, to be approved by the commander and council at Annapolis: He is a fort of agent for his countrymen, the French, in that district, and reports the ftate of it from time to time; but in what manner, we need not be at a lofs to determine. There is, in fact, no civil power, either legislative or executive. The French miffionaries, who are not only appointed by Green Bay, or Bay Verte, lies 14 leagues See the propofal for eftablishing a civil government there, and for the better peopling and fettling the faid province, in our Mag. for March laft, p. 119. by the bishop of Quebeck, but abfolutely under his direction in their feveral districts and villages, act as the fole magistrates or justices of the peace: But all complaints may, if the parties think proper, be brought before the commander in chief and council at Annapolis: A liberty, which, if we confider the state of thefe people, and their prejudices to the English, we may be certain, is not often made ufe of. A B Sable ifland, as it lies within the latitude of the Cape Sable fhore, must be deemed within the jurifdiction of the province of Nova Scotia. It is 35 leagues S. E. from Canfo to the middle of this island, which lies low, with small rifing elevations of fand, called Downs. The form of it is like an arm bent, the hollow part towards the N.E. The bite to the northwards is about 20 miles in length, and narrow. By reason of shoals of fand, small tides of only 5 or 6 feet, and a great furf, it is inacceffible, except in this bite, where boats may land. It has been fatal to ships, and formerly fome people of humanity put cattle C a-fhore to breed on it, for the relief of those, who might have the misfortune to be there caft away. Thefe cattle, by multiplying a-pace, fully answered, for fome time, that benevolent and chriftian purpose: But at Jaft, fome wicked people from the New England continent, guided by the most brutal motives, fitted out an expedition against the poor animals, and destroy'd the whole race of them, for the lucre of their hides and tallow. D There are on this island abundance of foxes and feals, and fome pieces of standing water. The fnows fall heavily here in the winter, but lie not long on the ground. To this Account we shall add the following E Paffages from the Old England Journalist, who, after applauding the Scheme, now going to be executed, of fettling Nova Scotia, and erecting a Civil Government there; fbewing the terrible Confequences of a Military Government, and feverely condemning the iniquitous Practices of fuch, as would make a Private Jobb of every laudable Undertaking for the Publick Good; goes on thus: WE E are not to forget, that these new adventurers will be altogether free from the difficulties, which usually attend others in the like circumstances. They are not going in fearch of an unknown country to fettle in: No new feas to explore, or untrodden climates to risk their healths in: G No inhabitants to fight with and drive away, and very little, if any, incertainty to encounter with. On the contrary, they fet out for a country long fince discovered, well known, and familiar to many among us, within the moderate diftance of fix weeks fail from London; in a great measure fettled and peopled already with Europeans, to the number of 7 or 8000, and confequently improved in fome proportion: A wholfome climate, well agreeing with a British conftitution; abounding with all neceffaries of life, the feas and rivers with ftores of excellent fish, and the woods with plenty of winged creatures and quadrupedes fit for the table: The foil very capable of improvement, infomuch, that the husbandman and the fisherman may well vie with one another for fuccefs in their respective vocations, and fet their induftry in competition, to attain a grateful retreat for the decline of life. 'Tis true, the prefent Nova-Sectians (except the garifon of Annapolis, and a few miles about that town) are defcendants of thofe French inhabitants, who became fubjects to the British crown, when that country was ceded to us by the peace of Utrecht. This, with their being profeffed Roman Catbolicks, inclines them of courfe to the interest of France, which they have adhered to from the beginning, and affifted in all enterprizes upon that country. They joined in their late deftruction of Canfo, and likewife in an unfuccefsful fiege of Annapolis. They correfponded with the Gallo-Bretons at Louifburgb, and transported their cattle to them, which rendered provisions very dear at Annapolis and Canfo. As they are naturally attached to our enemies, they will of courfe efpouse their cause, and take every opportunity to join them, and fupport their intereft. This is the only inconvenience, that, in all appearance, will affect our own people; and is really fo great as to require the interpofition and wifdom of the legislature to remedy. The uncharitableness of their religion, and the craftiness of their priests, will, I doubt, render a coalition impracticable; more efpecially, as Cape Breton is fo near, which, while it continues French, will always encourage them to keep up a fpirit of oppofition and diflike. To difpoffefs them would not, perhaps, be fo unjust as unpolitick; for thofe who forfeit their allegiance, forfeit the protection of the government they are under; and if they act as enemies, they ought to be treated as fuch: But the mifchief of difpoffeffing them, is, that it would be an unpopular tranfaction, and against the faith of treaties, and must inevitably embroil us with France, who undoubtedly have a right to fuccour them, in virtue of the treaty of Utrecht. But that is not all; for as the country wants inhabitants, the lofs of fo many would become in a manner irreparable, as a country is reckon'd wealthy in proportion to the number of the people. A 2 2 This This is a very nice affairs, and requires deliberate attention. Varieties of religions are productive of various evils, diflike, murmur, enmity and malice; and yet we find the Perfy variars live in great amity together, notwithstanding their various ways of worship, and the profeffions of all the religions in Europe among them. These A people entertain a laudable and religious charity towards one another, and confider, that tho' they differ in form, they are all in motion towards the fame point; and who worships in fincerity in any way whatsoever, is efteemed a good man and honeft neighbour. If it were practicable to bring over the Gallo-Scotians into a fenfibility of univerfal charity in religion, like these wife B people of Penfylvania, and to entertain a good opinion of British government, Nova Scotia would become altogether as happy. But how to effect it, is the great point to be confidered. I own 1 despair of fuccefs, as well from the tenets of their religion, and their natural propenfion to France, as from the vicinity of the French garifon at Cape C Breton, which will always countenance and fupport their feparation: But however, if they continue untractable, and carry on an illicit commerce and correspondence with their countrymen, fo as to disturb or prejudice the peace and welfare of the colony, I fee no reason why they fhould not be put under the restraint of fuch laws, as may re duce them into proper obedience, and the condition of bewers of wood and drawers of water, under the natural fubjects of the mother country. As, from the civil government which is to be established, I have a high opinion of the undertaking in agitation, I shall appropriate a competent number of my eyes* to watch over and guard it against jobbers of all kinds; and as long as old Argus writes, it fhall never want a friend to detect and expose their practices. I hope therefore my read. ers will favour me with hints, as often as they are apprized of the approach of fuch cormorants, or of any other abuse that may be attempted upon this infant colony; more especially, for the leffening the civil, or extending the military power there. A great deal bas been faid, and many Doubts and Difficulties farted, in relation to the Cambrick Act, which if well founded, feem to render it almoft impoffible to put it in Execution; fuch as the Neceffity, in many Cafes, of a double Conviction, firft of the Wearer, and then of the Vender; the Ambiguity of the Word Cambrick, and the great Difficulty of diftinguishing fome of our fine Linen Manufactures from Cambricks and French Lawns, &c. &c. But inftead of troubling our Readers any further with fuch dry Criticisms, we shall infert the following Letter, which feems to be the most solid Piece that has been wrote on the Subject. SIR, Bferving that fome bury-bodies, who probably fancy themselves fer than their betters, tho' they are modeft enough to rank themselves in the rumber of Fools †, begin already to fpy out flaws in the cambrick-act, I humbly take leave to shoot my bolt along with hem, little doubting, but that I may come as near the mark as any of thofe cavillers. Upon a prefumption that benefy, in this degenerate age may yet in fpeculation país for the bf policy, I will venture to obferve, that every government that is defirous of maintaining its dignity at home, and influence abroad, fhould make the prefervation of the people's morals the first and chiefeft part of its ftudy. When the bulk of a nation is virtuous, honeft and industrious, it must of course be rich; and if rich, it matters not much, if they do confume and wear a little of the products and manufactures of other countries. But 'tis too melancholy a truth, that this is far from being our condition: We are neither rich, nor fober, nor virtuous, nor honeft: As for industry, there is inDdeed a great deal ftill left, and I wish I could fay it is moftly of the laudable kind. Hence arifes the neceffity of keeping the ftate alive by petty expedients and quack medicines; fuch as faving 2 or 300,000 l annually laid out with our enemies, and pouring at the fame time millions into their lap; witness Cape Breton and the Woollen Manufactury! E F G Every meafure, that is really calculated to diftreis our hereditary and inveterate foe, deferves the highest commendations, and ought to meet with the hearty concurrence of every true Englishman; but the act in queftion, whatever end it was defign'd for, does not answer this purpose, and therefore I fhall make no encomiums on it, were it only for this fingle confideration, that without a multitude of informers it cannot be put in execution; and even thefe, it feems, being fenfible of the difficulty of proceeding legally, muft exceed the limits of their function, in turning ftreet-robbers, and frightening ignorant women out of their aprons, caps &c. thus enforcing a new law, by breaking a law older than the No man conqueft. Whether fuch illegal practices are encourag'd by those who have the greatest The writer of this Journal files bimfelf Argus Centoculi. intereft Because the remarks we bave mentioned, were fent to the author of the London Gazetteer, who calls himself The Fool, tho' be was wife enough to lay but little firefs upon them. 1749. Our old Conftitution and prefent Degeneracy. intereft in the fale of m-fl-ns, might be worth while to inquire.--But let us wave it, and propose fomething to mend the matter. B As nobody will deny, that it is much From the London Gazetteer, April 11. SIR, 185 in lewdness, corruption, and immorality. It was a custom for the commons not to unftring their purfes, till their grievances were redreffed; but now, afk Mr. P-t, we have no grievances at all, no debts, no taxes! How ftrangely this gold unembarrasses the memory! How often did that falfe patriot complain of those grievances, in order, no doubt, to fell his country at a higher price, and to enhance the value of the odious bargain? It was a true saying of a very eminent statesman, That England could never be undone but by parliaments; and it is equally as true, That our conftitution can never regain its once glorious D and happy form but by parliaments. F all forms of government, the antient conftitution of England may justly claim the preference; in that most happy frame, all the beauties and advantages of aristocracy, democracy, &c. were united, and all their feparate failings E and deformities omitted; in that, the king, whilst he did not endeavour to encroach upon the people, was one of the happiest and greatest of all monarchs, the nobles were truly noble, and the people were truly free. Sed quantum mutatus! Alas! How changed, how fallen! If our forefathers, who fpilt their blood to maintain this happy form, were to rife, and take a view of their once loved country, would they know it? and, if they did, would they own it? Surely, a juft indignation at their childrens ftrange degeneracy would make them inftantly retire, and leave us to undergo all thofe flavish miseries, which our degenerate bafeness has deferved. Our conftitution, in its purity, may be compared to a beautiful young country virgin, decorated with lovely innocence, and all-bewitching modefty. Its prefent state, to that very virgin deluded, and contaminated in the stews and brothels of the town, totally drench'd F To what a fummit of hope and expectation was the drooping spirit of this poor nation raised, when Py apostatized ? No Bath can wash his crime away; but to all fucceeding ages, as often as the annals of these times are read, his grand apoftafy shall stain the guilty page. 'Twas his example, fo illuftrioufly evil, that rendered it more facile for those inferior spirits, S-s, G-r, S-b, P-t, to throw off all fhew of love for their country, and even to make a mockery of its honour, and has caused the very name of patriotism to be suspected, and the people doubtful whether there was indeed fo fublime a virtue extant. But, as a tempeft is often fucceeded by a calm, and as the blackest night fometimes precedes the brightest day, fo, in that facred place, where the guardian genius of the British nation dwells, there does again appear a dawn of hope, a ray of that divine flame, which animated our glorious ancestors to perform in their country's cause all that was great and good. Proceed, brave Bri the spirit of our forefathers tons and may ; G fmile upon, affift, and fire you with this conftant fentiment, That no bleffing is comparable to liberty, and that, of all virtues, the love of our dear country is the moft fublime ! The |