Description The Colonial Patriot

Letter to the editor printed in the Colonial Patriot, January 11, 1828.

For The Colonial Patriot.

Messrs. Editors,

Where we not consious that man performs no action without a motive, and that the ultimatum of all his motives is expectant enjoyment; we should  be considerably perplexed in solving why the first settlers did not immediately, upon ascertaining the formidableness of the idversified barriers which opposed their progress, depart to the homes of their youth.  A presentiment that all their efforts would be blessed with a happy consumation, must have been their only incentive, - their chief support; and we cannot but admire the noble resolution exempified by these enterprising people in so bravely combatting, so perserveringly surmounting, those manifold obstacles from which men of less stability would have shrunk dismayed.  In my last article, I mentioned, a few of the many difficulties against which they had to contend; in addition to these, they were constrained to submit to numerous indignities from the aboriginers, who viewed their operations with not very friendly eye:  these considered the settlers as usurpers of their national rughts, who had encroached on their undoubted property; and it required not a moderate portion of skill on the part of the civilized, to gain the good-will of the savage, nor inconsiderable prudence to establish this amicableness when formed.  During the summer months, the settlers experienced little inconveniency from the weather, but they found the winter much more severe, and of longer continuence, than in their native clime; they were consequently ill-prepared to meets its blasts, and suffered intensely from its inclemency.  Their provisions being nearly exhausted, they were obliged to direct their inquiries to the internal resources of the country; and this investigations was amply recompensed by discovering the forest to be plentifully inhabited by different species of animals.  In hunting these, the settler usually had the Indian for an associate; and his faithful dog for a follower.  Among the several kinds of animals, none were more abundant or more valuable that the moose.   The hunter, in endeavouring to procure these was subjected to much fatigue , having frequently to pursue on of them a whole day, with the probability of not overtaking it at the end.  If however, he were fortunate enough to catch it, the quantity of excellent venison it produced, might have been deemed an equivalent for the labour of the chase, but besides this its skin, when properly prepared, was valued at ten shillings, and was advantageously bartered, for necessaries, to traders who were accustomed, at intervals, to run into the harbour with small craft.

Necessity is truly the parent of art, and it is only when man is surrounded by perplexities, that his capabilities fully develope themselves; that his imagination is enabled to exhibit its usefulness; and that his inventive faculties are properly called into requisition.

Congregated, as the early inhabitants of this district were, in a place which was devoid of every conveniency, where the most common and indispensable commodities were wanting, their creative powers were laid under heavy contribution, in order to provide for the deficiency; and their genius was called into ceaseless operation in constructing articles for household use, in forming implements of husbandry; and making instruments for hunting, &c.  They thus became more vigouous in intellect; and more abundant in resources, than if living in older inhabited places.

In a country where there is a scarcity of food, there will necessarily be a pancity of population.  It was the absence of provisions that caused some of the original adventurers to decamp; and their loss was not replaced till the year succeeding their departure; when two families from Truro, and two or three from Cumberland arrived here and became residents.  No further addition was made to the inhabitants by individuals from abroad, till 1771, during that year, a few families removed from the state of Pensylvania who came to abide among their brethren and share their fortunes.

 Up to this period, the combined efforts of so limited a number of the human race, as the primitive settlers had been inefficient to make any great improvement.  About the time of which we are treating, one saw mill was erected on a stream 4 miles from this town, that has ever since been denominated the sam mill brook.  A few log huts were the only habitations; and the culture of the soil advanced but tardily.

I am now however about to enter upon a new era in the history of this district; - an ear that is pregnant with important events, and one from which maybe be dated the permanent settlement of Pictou.

Some of the proprietors of Philadelphia grant who resided in Britain being desirous that their estates should be peopled and brought under cultivation, offered liberal proportions of land to whoever would emigrate. Their proposals were eagerly embraced by numbers who knew the hardships incident to a young country only in name.  One hundred and eighty nine souls allured by the delightful prospect of owning a farm, bade adieu to the land of their nativity, on the 10th of July, 1773, embarked on board the ship Hector, John Spurs Master; and on the 15th of September following, burst in like a ruinous mountain torrent upon the repose of the older settlers, swept away all the provisions that were to be found; and left the place nearly destitute.  Yours, &c. Philo Antiquarius