irregular square, lying on the east of the state of Maine, though
extending farther north than that state, and therefore bounded west by
a portion of Canada. It comprises an area of more than twenty-seven
thousand square miles, and hence its surface considerably exceeds that
of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton united.
_Physical Aspect and Soil._--The surface of the country is broken and
undulating, though scarcely any where rising into mountains. The
fertility of the soil is greater than that of Nova Scotia, and is
especially indicated by the magnificent forests with trees of enormous
size, the export of which for timber and shipping constitutes the
chief occupation of the colonists. The borders of the streams consist
of the richest meadow lands. The climate, like that of Canada, is
excessively cold from November to April. At the latter period comes a
sudden change, bringing intense heat and rapid vegetation.
_Settlement and Progress._--Previously to 1783, the French
comprehended the territory now called New Brunswick, under the general
appellation of New France, viewing it more particularly as an
appendage to Acadia. At that period, it received its present name and
its existence as a colony. The English claimed it as a part of Nova
Scotia, though they paid no attention to its improvement.
After that peninsula had been finally ceded to the English, the French
laid claim to New Brunswick as a part of Canada, and made preparations
to enforce it by arms. But the subject was put to rest finally by the
cession of all Canada to the British, at the peace of 1763. It only
remained to be populated and improved by enterprising people from
abroad, as it was inhabited mainly by the few Acadians who had sought
refuge from persecution among its forests.
A people of this description soon came, or more properly had emigrated
to New Brunswick, the year before the era of the peace above referred
to. They consisted of families from New England, who settled at
Mangerville, about fifty miles up the St. John, and, in 1783, they
amounted to about eight hundred. At the close of the revolutionary war,
several thousand of disbanded British troops removed from New England,
were located at Frederickton. The new colonists, however, were subjected
to great hardships and cruel privations, when first placed in the midst
of this wilderness, which they more keenly felt from the fact that they
had been accustomed to the comforts of civilized life.
Great exertions were made for the improvement of the country under
General Sir Guy Carlton, who was appointed governor in 1785. A degree
of success attended his efforts, as a gradual advancement took place.
During a period of fourteen years from the time he left the country,
the government was administered by a succession of presidents. By an
arrangement of duties on foreign timber, and by leaving that from New
Brunswick free, a foundation was laid for the signal prosperity of the
colony. This state of things commenced in 1809, and the exports of
this article, from that period, continually increased, until it
reached its acme in 1825. Then a severe rëaction was experienced, in
consequence of speculative over-trading. The trade, however, assumed a
healthy condition in the space of a few years.
The progress of the colony of late years has been cheering, and its
natural advantages appreciated, as they have been the more unfolded.
It was during the administration of Sir John Harvey, that the disputed
boundary between Maine and New Brunswick had nearly occasioned a
rupture between the United States and Great Britain. This source of
danger to the peace of both countries, was removed, as elsewhere
related, by a treaty in 1842, which settled the question to the
satisfaction of those concerned.
_Signal Calamity._--We may not conclude this brief notice of New
Brunswick without giving some account of an awful calamity which, in
1828, befel that part of this province which borders on the Mirimachi.
In October of that year, during the prevalence of a long drought, the
pine forests caught fire. Being filled with resinous substance, and the
fire being driven by a high wind, the conflagration was impelled with
the most awful rapidity. Its sound was like uninterrupted thunder--its
column rose two hundred feet above the loftiest pine. Next was seen, as
it were, an ocean of flame, rolling towards New Castle and Douglas; all
resistance was vain; these towns were reduced to ashes. The miserable
inhabitants, abandoning their all, rushed to the bank, and threw
themselves into boats, canoes, on rafts or logs, to convey them down to
Chatham; but several, of both sexes, were either killed or severely
injured. The flames spread a vast distance into the country, destroying
magnificent forests and numerous cattle; even wild beasts and birds were
drawn into them by a sort of fascination. The benevolence of the
neighboring British provinces and of the United States was most
liberally exerted on the distressing occurrence. The towns which were
destroyed, have since that time been rebuilt.
IV. PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND.
LOCATION, Surface, and Climate--Early Settlers--Change of
Possession--Plans of Colonization--Character of late
Governors--Inhabitants.
_Location, Surface, and Climate._--Prince Edward, formerly St. John,
is an interesting island, lying in the southern part of the Gulf of
St. Lawrence. It has a very winding outline and a crescent-like form,
and is deeply indented by bays and inlets. The area is estimated at
one million three hundred and eighty thousand seven hundred acres.
Its surface bears a different aspect from that of the adjoining parts
of America. It is gently undulating, with hollows filled by numberless
little creeks and lakes. The coasts of these, as well as of the open
sea, present a peculiarly soft and agreeable scenery, as they are
skirted by trees of the most varied foliage.
The climate is less severe than in the adjoining parts of America; the
winter is shorter and milder than in Lower Canada, and more steady
than in Nova Scotia. Its healthfulness is remarkable, and contributes
to an extraordinary increase of population.
_Early Settlement._--This island was necessarily included in the
boundaries of the empire which the French court claimed in North
America, in consequence of the discoveries of Cartier and Verazzani.
It appears to have been granted, in 1663, to a French captain, the
Seuir Doublet, but held in subordination to a fishing company,
established at the small island of Mexoa. It seems, in fact, to have
been valued only for fishery, and, for this purpose, to have had some
few stations established upon it.
_Change of Possession._--After the second reduction of Louisburg, in
1758, that of Prince Edward again followed, and it became permanently
attached to the British crown. Its French inhabitants experienced a
cruel proscription for a time. Thousands of peaceable and industrious
settlers were expelled the island, on suspicion of their being
concerned in the murder of some Englishmen, whose scalps were
discovered in the French governor's house. These were doubtless the
fruits of Indian massacres.
_Plans of Colonization._--Some years after the island was confirmed to
Britain, Lord Egremont formed a singular scheme, by which it was to be
divided into twelve districts, ruled by as many barons, each of whom was
expected to erect a castle on his own property, while that nobleman was
to preside as lord paramount. This unwise plan was changed for another
not much preferable. In August, 1767, a division was made into
sixty-seven townships, of about twenty thousand acres each, which, with
some reservations, were made over to individuals supposed to possess
claims upon the government. They became bound to settle the country in
ten years, to the extent of at least one person for two hundred acres.
The scheme was indifferently carried into effect.
After the proprietors succeeded in procuring for it a governor
independent of Nova Scotia, Mr. Patterson, appointed to that office,
in 1770, brought back a number of exiled Acadians, with a view to
relieve the effects of the former cruelty of the government. Tracady
was settled by Captain Macdonald with three hundred Highlanders, and
Chief-baron Montgomery made special efforts to fulfill his proprietary
obligations. From these beginnings the colony received gradual
accessions, and, in 1773, a constitution being accorded, the first
house of assembly was called.
In 1803, the Earl of Selkirk, to whom emigration is so much indebted,
carried over an important colony, consisting of about eight hundred
Highlanders. Such judgment was shown in his arrangements, that the
settlers soon became very prosperous, and, with the friends who have
since joined them, amounted, before the year 1840, to upwards of four
thousand.
_Character of the late Governors._--The governors of late years have
generally well sustained the interests of the colony, with the exception
of one, Mr. Smyth. He succeeded in 1813, and his violent and tyrannical
conduct caused a general agitation in the colony. He had prevented the
meeting of the house of assembly for several years previous to 1823, and
when a committee of the inhabitants was appointed to draw up a petition
for his removal, he caused them to be arrested. The high-sheriff, Mr.
Stewart, however, fortunately made his escape to Nova Scotia, and thence
to England. When the true state of things was made known there, the
governor was rëcalled, and Lieutenant-colonel Ready was appointed his
successor. In 1836, Sir John Harvey was appointed governor. He was
highly and justly esteemed for his many good qualities; but being, in
1837, removed to the government of New Brunswick, his place was supplied
by Sir Charles A. Fitzroy.
_Inhabitants._--The inhabitants consist of a few Indians, about five
thousand Acadians, but chiefly of emigrants from different parts of
the empire, particularly from Scotland, the natives of which
constitute more than one-half of the entire population.
V. NEWFOUNDLAND.
[Illustration: NEWFOUNDLAND.]
LOCATION and Importance--Discovery and Settlement--French
Hostilities--Renewal of War--Change of Administration--Present
Condition.
_Location and Importance._--Newfoundland is an island on the eastern
coast of North America, extending farther out into the Atlantic than
any other point of the Western hemisphere. It is an important and
large island, being about one thousand miles in circuit. Its
consequence arises not from its internal resources, but from its
position and its connection with the cod-fisheries in its vicinity. In
this, its commercial aspect, it is the most valuable of all the
English northern possessions.
The celebrated bank, which constitutes the fishing-ground, is
estimated to extend six hundred miles in length and two hundred in
breadth, composed almost throughout of masses of solid rock. The
abundance of fish is literally inexhaustible, no diminution of
fruitfulness being observed, although Europe and America have drawn
upon this treasure, to any extent, for several centuries. The vast
masses of ice, which float down from the northern seas into the
neighborhood of this island, bring also with them a valuable article
of commerce, viz: herds of seal, which the seamen contrive to take,
and which furnish a rich store of oil for export.
_Discovery and Settlement._--Newfoundland was discovered, in 1497, by
Cabot, and has always been claimed by Britain. Attention was drawn to
its fisheries before 1517; since, as early as that time, it was stated
by the crew of an English ship, that they had left forty vessels, of
different European nations, engaged in the fishery.
Several partial attempts were made at settling the country, from 1536 to
1612; but it was only at the latter date that we find the first attempt
made on a large scale to colonize the territory. It was chiefly promoted
by Mr. Guy, an intelligent merchant of Bristol, who induced a number of
influential men at court to engage in the undertaking. In 1610, he
having been appointed governor of the intended colony, conveyed thither
thirty-nine persons, who constructed a dwelling and store-house, and
formed there the first permanent settlement.
For several years, however, the spirit of settlement languished. It
was not until 1621 that it began to revive under the auspices of Sir
George Calvert, afterwards Lord Baltimore, who obtained a grant of a
considerable tract on a part of the island. He had in view the
establishment of a Catholic colony, who might enjoy there the free
exercise of their religion. About twenty years after his first
plantation, there were estimated to be about three hundred and fifty
families on different parts of the coast. The fishery, at the same
time, grew rapidly into importance.
In 1660, the French, who had previously become active rivals of the
British in the fishery, formed a settlement in the Bay of Placentia,
which they occupied for a long period.
Through some jealousy, excited by those who favored the deep-sea or
whale-fishery, in opposition to the boat-fishery at Newfoundland,
serious attempts were made at one time, by the government at home, to
break up all the settlements on the island, and reduce the land to a
desert. This cruel and suicidal policy could, however, be effected but
in part, and some years afterwards more just views began to be
entertained on the subject, and some emigrations even were made again!
_French Hostilities._--During the war with France, which broke out in
consequence of the revolution of 1688, the settlements in Newfoundland
endured great vicissitudes. The latter had, by favor or oversight,
been allowed full freedom of fishing, and even formed several
settlements. They evidently showed an intention of gaining possession
of the whole island. With a view to effect their object, the works at
Placentia were attacked in 1692, and partly destroyed; but, in 1696,
the French, rëinforced by a squadron from Europe, attacked St. John,
yet without success. The place, however, suffered severely, and
another armament, before the end of the year, gaining possession of
it, set it on fire. Upon this, Ibberville, with a body of troops,
destroyed all the English stations, except Bonavista and Carbonier. An
English fleet, sent out to retrieve these disasters, failed through
the misconduct of the commander. The difficulties were terminated in
1698, by the peace of Ryswick, which placed every thing on the same
footing as before the contest.
_Renewal of War._--The war of the succession exposed the colony again
to the attacks of the French, who were favored by local situation in
their proceedings at Newfoundland. The English, at first, took some of
the smaller settlements; but in 1705, the troops in Placentia,
rëinforced by five hundred men from Canada, successfully attacked the
British colonists. Three years afterwards, St. John was completely
destroyed, and the French became masters of every English station,
except Carbonier. A subsequent attempt of the British to recover
their possessions, was not without effect; but their splendid
successes in Europe enabled them at the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, to
do more than redeem all their losses in America. Louis XIV. was
compelled to yield up all his possessions on the coast of
Newfoundland; but he retained, for his subjects, the right to erect
huts and stages for fishing on particular portions of the coast.
_Changes of Administration._--The nominal dependence of Newfoundland
on Nova Scotia, was withdrawn in 1779. From this period until 1827,
the government of the island was administered by naval commanders,
appointed to cruise on the fishing station, but who returned to
England during the winter. Since the last-named period, the government
has been administered by resident governors, and, in 1832, it was
determined to grant the boon of a representative assembly. This was
placed on an extremely liberal footing, the assembly being elected by
a suffrage nearly universal.
_Present Condition._--The chief British settlements are on the large
peninsula named Avalon, constituting the south-eastern part of the
island, St. John, the capital, is very convenient for ships coming
either from Europe or America, and particularly for the deep-sea and
seal-fisheries. After all its improvements, it still bears the aspect
of a fishing station, consisting of one long and narrow street,
extending entirely along the sea.
[Illustration]
VI. HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORY.
EXTENT--Discovery--Settlement--Contests with France--Present State.
_Extent._--The Hudson's Bay Territory is a region of British America,
far surpassing, in extent, the settled and occupied parts. It is about
two thousand six hundred miles in length, from east to west, and
nearly one thousand five hundred miles in width, from south to north.
It extends northerly till it reaches the Arctic ocean.
_Discovery._--Hudson's bay, from which the territory takes its name,
was repeatedly visited, at an early period, by English navigators,
though for a long time solely with a view to the great object of
discovering a north-west passage to Asia. It appears that Sebastian
Cabot, in 1517, first penetrated to this gulf, but did not view it as
an inclosed sea. This voyage, however, was lost sight of, so that when
Hudson, in 1610, sailed through the straits now bearing his name, and
found a wide and open expanse, it was considered a new discovery, and
named, from him, the Hudson sea. Nor was it recognized as a bay, but
was viewed, with hope, as a part of the Pacific. The great navigator,
however, having been compelled to winter within the straits, where the
crew were exposed to severe suffering, a violent mutiny arose among
them, when he and several of his adherents were exposed, in a small
boat, on this inhospitable shore, and doubtless perished.
Several voyages were made during the next half century, with many
perils and disasters, and all of them abortive as to the primary
object. But they were the means of laying open the great extent of
Hudson's bay, and of conveying some idea of the valuable furs which
might be obtained on its shores.
_Settlements._--A Frenchman, named Grosseliez, having penetrated
thither from Canada, made a survey of the country, and laid before
the French court the plan of a settlement. Finding his proposition
unheeded, he sought the English patronage under Prince Rupert, and in
June, 1668, a company of adventurers sailed in a vessel commanded by
Zachariah Gillam, and reached a river, then called Nemisco, to which
they gave the name of Rupert. Here they wintered with comparative
comfort. Upon the report made by this party, a capital of ten thousand
five hundred pounds was subscribed by the prince and others, and a
charter was obtained, securing to them the exclusive trade and
administration of all the countries around Hudson's bay. They
immediately sent out adventurers, who formed a settlement on Rupert's
river. Others were established on Moose river, in 1674, and four years
later on the Albany. By 1685, they had added two more on the Nelson
and Severn, and in 1690, their affairs were in such a flourishing
condition, that they determined to triple their original stock.
_Contests with France._--France, learning these results, regretted her
indifference to the proposal of Grosseliez, and commenced efforts to
secure advantages which she had, in effect, thrown away. "A claim was
advanced on the ground of prior occupation, and Grosseliez, already
detached from the English service, was sent out, in 1682, with another
officer. He not only laid the foundation of a factory on Hayes' river,
but, in the following spring, surprised the British one on the Nelson,
taking Gillam a prisoner, and carrying him to Canada; and yet, soon
after, by means not very distinctly stated, the English became masters
of these stations. In 1686, however, amid a profound peace, the
Chevalier de Troyes marched thither, and suddenly took the Rupert,
Hayes, and Albany factories. These movements do not seem to have
attracted much attention in Europe, but when the war in 1688 broke out,
hostile operations were carried on with great ardor. During 1693-94-95,
the different posts were successively taken and rëtaken. In 1696, the
English had recovered almost the whole; but in the following year, a
squadron from France defeated the Hudson's bay ships, and took all the
forts except Albany. The treaty of Ryswick leaving things _in statu
quo_, this state of possession continued till the peace of Utrecht, in
1713, by which the various posts were restored to Britain."
Discoveries have been made in the intervening years, from the above
date to the present time, which have resulted in a more extensive
knowledge of this immense country. Settlements have occasionally been
made on the coasts of the bays or rivers which so abound there; but
the object principally in view of the many expeditions on those
northern waters--viz: the ascertaining of a passage into the Pacific
at the head of the American continent--has never been secured.
[Illustration]
RUSSIAN AMERICA.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
The Russians may be regarded as the first discoverers of the
north-western shores of this continent. Behring and Tchirikow, in
1728, first saw the straits which separate America and Asia. The
Russian voyagers subsequently extended their discoveries southwardly,
along the American coast towards Nootka Sound, and, at a late period,
made a few establishments for hunting and trade with the Indians on
the coast. A single settlement at Sitka, and two others at Kodiak, and
Illuluk, on an adjacent island, engaged in the fur-trade with the
Indians, comprise all the actual Russian possessions in America.
The limits of the Russian territory, in this region, are bounded on the
south by the parallel of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes north
latitude; but though the Muscovite power lays claim to the territory,
and about fifty thousand Indians acknowledge his authority, the
sovereignty is little more than a name. On the 5th of April, 1824, a
convention between the United States and his majesty the Emperor of all
the Russias, was concluded and signed at St. Petersburg. By the third
article of this convention it was agreed, "that hereafter there should
not be formed under the authority of said states any establishment upon
the northern coast of America, nor in any of the islands adjacent, to
the north of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes of north latitude; and
that, in the same manner, there shall be none formed by Russian
subjects, or under the authority of Russia, south of the same parallel."
This coast possesses an Alpine character. In some parts it rises into
mountains covered with snow, with immense glaciers winding through
its cavities. The most remarkable summit seems to be that called St.
Elias by the Russian navigators, and which, it is affirmed, has been
visible at sea at the distance of sixty leagues.
The inhabitants of the more northern regions of this coast, appear to
be Esquimaux, as they abound also on the eastern coast, and around
Hudson's bay. The savages of Nootka are said to be very cruel to the
captives taken in war, and have frequently proved treacherous and
vindictive in the intercourse held with trading-vessels.
[Illustration]
MEXICO.
SYNOPTICAL SKETCH.
[Illustration: The Eagle with the Serpent alighting on the rock in
Lake Tenochtitlan, on the spot where the City was built.]