The Backwoods of Canada Part 22

Row 2 Column 1: 1829 Column 2: 1,100 acres Column 3: 4 s.h.i.+llings, 6 pence Column 4: 10 pounds, 0 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence Column 5: 230 pounds, 0 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence*

Row 3 Column 1: 1830 Column 2: 9,956 acres Column 3: 4 s.h.i.+llings, 9 pence Column 4: 543 pounds, 17 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence Column 5: 1,610 pounds, 3 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence*

Row 4 Column 1: 1831 Column 2: 11,332 acres Column 3: 7 s.h.i.+llings, 2-3/4 pence Column 4: 541 pounds, 7 s.h.i.+llings, 6 pence Column 5: 2,665 pounds, 9 s.h.i.+llings, 3 pence*

Row 5 Column 1: 1832 Column 2: 6,873 acres Column 3: 5 s.h.i.+llings, 8-1/2 pence Column 4: 533 pounds, 2 s.h.i.+llings, 2 pence Column 5: 1,278 pounds, 11 s.h.i.+llings, 8 pence

Row 6 Column 1: 1833 Column 2: 37,278 acres Column 3: 8 s.h.i.+llings, 2-1/4 pence Column 4: 3,454 pounds, 11 s.h.i.+llings, 6 pence Column 5: 12,791 pounds, 17 s.h.i.+llings, 5 pence

Row 7 Column 1: Totals Column 2: 66,539 acres Column 3: - Column 4: - Column 5: 18,576 pounds, 1 s.h.i.+llings, 4 pence

The number of years within which the whole amount of the purchase-money is to be paid is three.

* On sales on quit rent, at 5 per cent., the capital redeemable at pleasure.

N.B. Sales on quit-rent ceased in 1832.

UPPER CANADA

[TABLE]

[Transcription note: The data presented below was originally in the conventional tabular row / column format.]

Row 1, Column Headings Column 1: Year.

Column 2: Number of acres sold.

Column 3: Average price per acre.

Column 4: Amount of purchase-money received within the first year.

Column 5: Whole amount of the purchase-money.

Row 2 Column 1: 1829 Column 2: 18,014 acres Column 3: 14 s.h.i.+llings, 8-1/4 pence Column 4: 2,464 pounds, 14 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence Column 5: 13,229 pounds, 0 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence

Row 3 Column 1: 1830 Column 2: 34,705 Column 3: 13 s.h.i.+llings, 6 pence Column 4: 6,153 pounds, 5 s.h.i.+llings, 9 pence Column 5: 23,452 pounds, 4 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence

Row 4 Column 1: 1831 Column 2: 28,563 acres Column 3: 12 s.h.i.+llings, 1-3/4 pence Column 4: 8,010 pounds, 2 s.h.i.+llings, 11 pence Column 5: 17,362 pounds, 12 s.h.i.+llings, 1 pence

Row 6 Column 1: 1832 Column 2: 48,484 acres Column 3: 13 s.h.i.+llings, 3-3/4 pence Column 4: 10,239 pounds, 9 s.h.i.+llings, 7 pence Column 5: 32,287 pounds, 19 s.h.i.+llings, 0 pence

Row 7 Column 1: 1833 Column 2: 62,282 acres Column 3: 14 s.h.i.+llings, 4-1/2 pence Column 4: 14,080 pounds, 16 s.h.i.+llings, 8 pence Column 5: 44,747 pounds, 19 s.h.i.+llings, 9 pence

Row 8 Column 1: Totals Column 2: 192,049 acres Column 3: - Column 4: - Column 5: 131,079 pounds, 14 s.h.i.+llings, 10 pence

The whole amount of the purchase-money to be paid in nine years. In addition to the purchase-money paid, interest has also been paid with each instalment, a statement of which is as follows:--

Interest received in 1829: 1 pound, 7 s.h.i.+llings, 3 pence currency.

Interest received in 1830: 62 pound, 16 s.h.i.+llings, 1 pence currency.

Interest received in 1831: 259 pound, 14 s.h.i.+llings, 9 pence currency.

Interest received in 1832: 473 pound, 17 s.h.i.+llings, 2 pence currency.

Interest received in 1833: 854 pound, 4 s.h.i.+llings, 3 pence currency.

II. INFORMATION FOR EMIGRANTS

In the year 1832 a little pamphlet of advice to emigrants was issued by his Majesty's Commissioners for Emigration*, which contained some useful information in a small compa.s.s. The Commission no longer exists. In lieu of it, J. Denham Pinnock, Esq., has been appointed by Government His Majesty's agent for the furtherance of emigration from England to the British Colonies. Letters on the subject of emigration should be addressed to this gentleman at the Colonial Office, under cover to the Colonial Secretary of State. One chief object of his appointment is to afford facilities and information to parish authorities and landed proprietors desirous of furthering the emigration of labourers and others from their respective districts, especially with reference to the emigration clause of the Poor Laws Amendment Act. The following Government emigration agents have also been appointed at the respective ports named:--

Liverpool ...Lieut. Low, R.N.

Bristol ... Lieut. Henry, R.N.

Leith ... Lieut. Forrest, R.N.

Greenock ... Lieut. Hemmans, R.N.

Dublin ... Lieut. Hodder, R.N.

Cork ... Lieut. Friend, R.N.

Limerick ... Lieut. Lynch, R.N.

Belfast ... Lieut. Millar, R.N.

Sligo ... Lieut. Shuttleworth, R.N.

And at Quebec, A. C. Buchanan, Esq., the chief Government emigration agent, will afford every information to all emigrants who seek his advice.

[* "Information published by His Majesty's Commissioners for Emigration, respecting the British Colonies in North America." London, C. Knight, 1832. Price _twopence_.]

The following is an extract from the pamphlet published in 1832:--

"Pa.s.sages to Quebec or New Brunswick may either be engaged _inclusive_ of provisions, or _exclusive_ of provisions, in which case the s.h.i.+p- owner finds nothing but water, fuel, and bed places, without bedding.

Children under 14 years of age are charged one-half, and under 7 years of age one-third of the full price, and for children under 12 months of age no charge is made. Upon these conditions the price of pa.s.sage from London, or from places on the east coast of Great Britain, has generally been 6 pounds with provisions, or 3 pounds without. From Liverpool, Greenock, and the princ.i.p.al ports of Ireland, as the chances of delay are fewer, the charge is somewhat lower; this year [1832] it will probably be from 2 pounds to 2 pounds, 10 s.h.i.+llings without provisions, or from 4 pounds to 5 pounds, including provisions. It is possible that in March and April pa.s.sages may be obtained from Dublin for 1 pound, 15 s.h.i.+llings or even 1 pound, 10 s.h.i.+llings; but the prices always grow higher as the season advances. In s.h.i.+ps sailing from Scotland or Ireland, it has mostly been the custom for pa.s.sengers to find their own provisions; but this practice has not been so general in London, and some s.h.i.+powners, sensible of the dangerous mistakes which may be made in this matter through ignorance, are very averse to receive pa.s.sengers who will not agree to be victualled by the s.h.i.+p. Those who do resolve to supply their own provisions, should at least be careful not to lay in an insufficient stock; fifty days is the shortest period for which it is safe to provide, and from London the pa.s.sage is sometimes prolonged to seventy-five days. The best months for leaving England are certainly March and April; the later emigrants do not find employment so abundant, and have less time in the colony before the commencement of winter."

From a printed paper, issued by Mr. Buchanan at Quebec, the following statements are taken: (the paper is dated July, 1835).

"There is nothing of more importance to emigrants, on arrival at Quebec, than correct information on the leading points connected with their future pursuits. Many have suffered much by a want of caution, and by listening to the opinions of interested, designing characters, who frequently offer their advice unsolicited, and who are met generally about wharfs and landing-places frequented by strangers: to guard emigrants from falling into such errors, they should, immediately on arrival at Quebec, proceed to the office of the chief agent for emigrants, Sault-au-Matelot Street, Lower Town, where every information requisite for their future guidance in either getting settlements on lands, or obtaining employment in Upper or Lower Canada, will be obtained _gratis_. On your route from Quebec to your destination you will find many plans and schemes offered to your consideration, but turn away from them unless you are well satisfied of the purity of the statements: on all occasions when you stand in need of advice, apply only to the Government agents, who will give every information required, _gratis_.

"Emigrants are informed that they may remain on board s.h.i.+p 48 hours after arrival, nor can they be deprived of any of their usual accommodations for cooking or berthing during that period, and the master of the s.h.i.+p is bound to disembark the emigrants and their baggage _free of expense_, at the usual landing places, and at seasonable hours.

_They should avoid drinking the water of the river St. Lawrence, which has a strong tendency to produce bowel complaints in strangers_.

"Should you require to change your English money, go to some respectable merchant or dealer, or the banks: the currency in the Canadas is at the rate of 5 s.h.i.+llings the dollar, and is called Halifax currency; at present the gold sovereign is worth, in Quebec and Montreal, about 1 pound, 4 s.h.i.+llings, 1 pence currency. In New York 8 s.h.i.+llings is calculated for the dollar, hence many are deceived when hearing of the rates of labour, &c.--5 s.h.i.+llings in Canada is equal to 8 s.h.i.+llings in New York; thus 8 s.h.i.+llings New York currency is equivalent to 5 s.h.i.+llings Halifax currency.

"Emigrants who wish to settle in Lower Canada or to obtain employment, are informed that many desirable situations are to be met with. Wild lands may be obtained by purchase from the Commissioner of Crown Lands in various towns.h.i.+ps in the province, and the British American Land Company are making extensive preparations for selling lands and farms in the Eastern Towns.h.i.+ps to emigrants.

"Farm labourers are much wanted in all the districts of Upper Canada, and, if industrious, they may be sure of obtaining very high wages; mechanics of almost every description, and good servants, male and _female_, are much in request.

"Emigrants proceeding to Upper Canada, either by the Ottawa or St.

Lawrence route, are advised to supply themselves with provisions at Montreal, such as bread, tea, sugar, and b.u.t.ter, which they will purchase cheaper and of _better quality_, until they reach Kingston, than along the route. They are also particularly cautioned against the use of _ardent spirits or drinking cold river water_, or lying on the banks of the river exposed to the night dews; they should proceed at once from the steam-boat at Montreal to _the entrance of the Ca.n.a.l_ or Lachine, from whence the Durham and steam-boats start for Prescott and Bytown daily. The total expense for the transport of an adult emigrant from Quebec to Toronto and the head of Lake Ontario, by steam and Durham-boats, will not exceed 1 pound, 4 s.h.i.+llings currency, or 1 pound, 1 s.h.i.+lling sterling. Kingston, Belleville, up the Bay of Quinte, Cobourgh, and Port Hope, in the Newcastle district, Hamilton and Niagara at the head of Lake Ontario, will be convenient stopping-places for families intending to purchase lands in Upper Canada.

"There is considerable compet.i.tion among the Forwarding Companies at Montreal; emigrants therefore had better exercise a little caution before agreeing for their transport to Prescott or Kingston, and they should avoid those persons that crowd on board the steam-boats on arrival at Montreal, offering their services to get pa.s.sages, &c.

Caution is also necessary at Prescott or Kingston, in selecting regular conveyances up Lake Ontario. I would particularly advise emigrants destined for Upper Canada, not to incur the expense of lodging or delay at Montreal, but to proceed on arrival of the steam-boat to the barges for Bytown or Prescott.

"Labourers or mechanics dependent on immediate employment, are requested to proceed immediately on arrival into the country. The chief agent will consider such persons as may loiter about the ports of landing beyond _four days_ after their arrival, to have no further claims on the protection of his Majesty's agents for a.s.sistance or employment, unless they have been detained by sickness or some other satisfactory cause."