I have
Having no
|
The Commissioners appointed
by His Excellency
the Lieutenant Governor to superintend the affairs of the Indians in the County of Gloucester, beg leave to report that in pursuance of their duty in that respect, they find that the Indians in this County are in very indigent circumstances having among them a great number of aged and infirm persons, both male and female, whose support is altogether dependent, upon alms and the still more uncertain assistance of the younger branches of their own families. The Indians generally are not in the habit of cultivating the lands reserved for their use, but devote their attention chiefly to fishing and hunting: pursuits which as settlement and civilization advance become less profitable, and even now are barely sufficient to supply the wants of the younger and more active branches of the tribes directly engaged therein. The Indian land reserves in this County are for the most part unimproved and of little advantage to these people. This arises principally from their natural disinclination to agricultural pursuits, but also in some degree from their exposure to tresspassers and encroachments, - evils for which they are unacquainted with a remedy. On one reserve situate about six miles from the mouth of the Big [Nepisighet] River, a quantity of timber between one and two hundred tons was cut and manufactured about three years ago, by persons connected with the Lumber Trade, part of which timber was seized by the deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands, and only delivered up upon the extra duty being paid into the Land Office- no part of which was |
was
ever appropriated to the service of the Indians,
and the Commissioners beg leave to state that such measures are calculated to prevent them from engaging in any industrious employment. In the upper district of this County the Indians have no lands fit for cultivation. __ The reserve at Eel River of two hundred acres is altogether a Cedar swamp, or Carriboo plain, the entrance of the River on the shore is a sand-bank, and from a letter of occupation, still in the possession of one of the old Captains of the Tribe, residing there (a Copy of which is hereunto annexed) is in the opinion of the Commissioners not the ground originally allotted to them. the Grant of the piece of Marsh Meadow mentioned in that Certificate having been improperly obtained by one Joseph Bert and one Hilary Michaud. The Commissioners beg to suggest that if a supply of provisions and clothing could be obtained and judiciously distributed before the close of the season, it would be productive of much benefit, and relieve the immediate wants of many helpless individuals and destitute families. All which is respectfully submitted.
Thom. Deblois Indian
|
I wish to receive the [Comr: of Cr Land] Report with the amount so [recvd] & its [appropriation] [...] as also upon the
Have they received any
Oct. 14/38 |
£
20 was paid in 18[3]6 in 80 Tons of timber at 5/per Ton The only warrant issued
|