73 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
out, and cannot get them with them, I should advise the parents to leave
the Indentures in the hands of Mr. Humphreys and shall thank you to take down
the names of such as do so- If any of them should not have sold their property,
and should have as much left, as would be worth appointing an Agent to sell
for them, I think they cannot appoint a more proper person than Mr. Humphreys.
The names of ~l such, I should wish likewise to have.
Every man whose name was down
was asked by me if he served the King during the late war, and every widow,
if she had been wife to a man of this description, or every single woman if
she were a daughter of a man who gained his freedom for his services for it
is my opinion that these are the only people whom Government means to put themselves
to the expense of removing.
Will you ask Colonel Bluck to give me an answer
to the queries I sent him in a letter addressed to him from Halifax- Will you
be so obliging as to request the favour of Mr. Burn
to send me
a list of such as he may think proper to refuse in consequence of their indisposition
or incapability- I will thank you to enquire for John Cottress* a slave to Mr.
Farish
whose freedom I should be happy to purchase Major Skinner
will inform you of the particulars relative to this poor fellow and you will
oblige me to use your utmost endeavours to get him with you.
I must trouble you also to enquire
for two poor men, who live at Port L'Herbert in great distress their names are
Thomas Shepherd
and
*This man (John Cottress was taken
in execution by the Sheriff,
together with all his master's property
& Major Skinner assured me it would not be possible for me to purchase his
freedom from the Peculiarity of his situation. John Martin,
if
you speak to David George he would most likely send a person to Port L'Herbert
to inform them that they may get a passage to Halifax if they could be at Shelburne
before you leave it, or if they could avail themselves of the Governor's proclamation
by taking a passage to Halifax by any vessel which might be going there, as
the Captain would be paid a fair price for their passage-
John Clarkson
In the evening I called upon the Governor &
was not admitted in consequence of his being extremely ill.
November 19th - The fore part of this day employed
writing letters-Dined with Mr. Hartshorne, and at three in the afternoon set
off
74 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
on my journey to Windsor with Messrs. Hartshorne, Tremaine & Taylor
Drank tea at a Major Scott's
about eight miles from Halifax, while
our horses were taken to ford the river as the bridge at this place was repair;
in the evening arrived at a public hoes
about thirteen I from Halifax
where we staid for~the night.
November 20th-At daybreak mounted our horses
and proceed on our journey. The road which had hitherto been extremely good
became intolerably bad, the weather excessively cold and the
covered with snow.
Breakfasted at a house twenty-two miles from Halifax, supposed to
be about half way between Halifax and Windsor. Set 11 O'clock and when
we had reached within 7 miles of Windsor the f the country was quite changed
from a thick wood to a quantity in high cultivation. At sunset we reached
Windsor where we passed the evening. About 7 miles from Windsor we passed
a river running through some good well cultivated arable land; near the
- this river, a little below the bridge is an extensive ridge of rocks,
yards high, consisting entirely of plaister of Paris or Gypsum. This has
lately been found by many experiments to be of the greatest utility a
measure for some kinds of soil which it fertilizes in an amazing and the
river happening to be convenient & navigable from the I Minas as far
as these rocks for vessels of small burthen, great quantities are exported
for the above purpose to different parts, particularly United States of
America.
November 21st - Took a walk this morning to a small eminence the
banks of the river in order to take a survey of the town & neighbourhood
of Windsor. The town is pleasantly situated upon a gentle slope and may
contain about 100 houses. The river is broad & beautiful & - sometimes
rises to a height of 40 feet, which is strangely different other side
of the. Province, for at Halifax if the tide exceeds 8 thought a remarkably
high one. This river after running a course leagues from Windsor discharges
itself into the Basin of Minas, at the head of the Bay of Fundy.
Windsor was originally settled by the French who
were to abandon it to the English after receiving the most inhuman honourable
treatment. About two miles from Windsor a coil erected for the education of
boys and His Majesty has given a tI pounds sterling towards completing it. The
country in the neighbourhood of Windsor is cleared to a very considerable extent,
the soil is very and of good quality, and much better cultivated than any I
have' in the Province.
After breakfast called upon Mr. Joseph Grey
a Mineral~ shewed me a few specimens of such minerals as he had been able
cure from different parts of the country. These consisted of lead~ & copper,
of the latter, he shewed us two pieces in its native S
75 CLARKSONS MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
assured us that lumps of this metal weighing several pounds were found
in large quantities at Cape D'0r
in the Bay of Fundy, not only
fixed in be but as frequently in detached pieces among the stones upon the beach.
We could not help noticing a beautiful
specimen of iron ore, strongly attracted by the magnet without previous roasting
and which he informed Us contained from 60 to 80 per cent of pure malleable
Iron & was found in great quantities he told us it came from the Bay of
Fundy but declined mentioning the particular spot from whence it might be procured.
Messrs. Hartshorne, Tremain &
Barker
having some business required their presence a few miles
from Windsor, it was agreed that Mr. Taylor & myself should set out upon
our return to Halifax precisely 11 o'clock this forenoon & proceed on our
way as far as O'Briens where was intended we should all dine & sleep. At
the time appointed we mounted our horses, the weather now being extremely pleasant
and the much better for traveling the snow having by this time been formed a
well beaten track. Called at the Stars
for some refreshment and
arrived at O'Briens
about 4 in the afternoon an hour and a half
before other party joined us The dinner was excellent and served up in the style,
the landlord polite civil & attentive, the beds as good as we desire and
our horses well taken care of. Upon the whole I cannot help considering this
house with respect to accommodation & good treat superior to any of the
same kind in those parts of the Province which I have visited.
November 22nd Set out from the
Inn at daybreak and breakfasted at Falconer's. Knowing that the bridge before
mentioned which was repair could not in the short time we had been absent, be
rendered passable, & seeing another bridge about a mile above the former
with a tolerably good road leading towards the wood on the contrary side of
the and in a direction which we imagined would soon bring us in to the road,
we determined to follow it, which we did, into the middle of wood, after passing
two or three hundred yards, the path we had been became on a sudden so contracted
and at the same time so rugged, compel us to dismount in this manner, we proceeded
leading our horses behind us, till in a short time we had lost every trace of
the road wood now becoming still closer and the rocks increasing in size, we
stopped to consider whether it would be more advisable to force our passage
through in the same direction, or endeavour to return the same way we for my
part, the attempt either way appeared greatly difficult & for what with
the steepness of the rocks and the deep holes by the roots of trees barely covered
with moss, I was under the fearful apprehension for the safety of our horses-After
a few minutes deliberation we endeavoured to return and with great difficulty
succeeded business retarded up an hour & a half-upon our arrival at the
some labouring men conducted our horses over the river for us and proceeded
on our journey to Halifax About six miles from Halifax
76 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
is the house
of Governor Wentworth. It is pleasantly situated
rising ground & has a beautiful and extensive prospect over the Basin adjacent
country. The house though somewhat small is built with greatest taste, and the
apartments are fitted up in the most elegant style.
Upon alighting here, the Housekeeper told me she
was directed the Governor who had written to her from England to inform me during
my continuance in this Province, it was his particular I would make this my
principal residence and consider his servants own-She appeared surprised I had
not called before having sent me soon after my arrival in Nova Scotia of the
governor's wishes and anxious that I should pass some of the time here before
I quitted Province. My avocations however were such as rendered my necessary
in Halifax, therefore it was impossible for me to accept polite attention of
the Governor's, but I promised to pass the last I had under his roof, for the
purpose of writing without interruption arrived at Halifax about 3 o'clock and
dined with Mr. Hartshorne rest of our party.
I shall in this place take the opportunity of
observing that between Halifax and Windsor lies through one continuous forest.
Scenery on each side was beautiful and was presented to our view greatest variety
and in the wildest aspect of nature. Here on the may be perceived a deep valley,
enveloped in perpetual obscurity, admitting through the variegated foliage of
the trees just so much to render darkness visible. On the other hand is observed
a deep adorned with the lofty and ever verdant spruce whose growth is of such
a nature, that each tree forms as it were, a regular and well defined these
being interspersed with the birch, whose silvered bark is heightened by the
contrast it exhibits, cannot fail of striking the most unobservant mind with
the manifest superiority which these irregular scenes of have over the laboured
& methodical beauties of Art.
The lakes which occasionally offered themselves
to our vie even still more beautiful. I shall briefly observe that the diversity
forms they assume, their various extent, their shores to the very brink covered
with wood, their beautiful inlets, islands & peninsulas alt impress the
mind with a most pleasing sensation, and present a miniature; many of them we
had the opportunity of observing but more fortified as it were by Nature against
the encroachments of will in all probability remain unexplored for ages to come.
November 23rd - Employed the fore part of the
day in writing letters to go by the Ark.
Received a petition desiring
me to ordair~ as Preacher to a particular sect. Dined at Mr. Wallaces merely
to business. Came home in the evening and employed myself in Called upon the
governor as he was rather indisposed and found confined to his bed.
November 24th - All this morning busy in hearing
complaints from
77 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
the Black people, taking down their names &c. Dined at home-A Black man
living on the Windsor road about fifteen miles from Halifax called upon me this
afternoon to have the Company's proposals explained & apparently with a
wish to have his name entered among the number of those who had accepted the
conditions. His appearance and demeanour were very much in his favour and though
he had never received the least proportion of land to which he was entitled
from Government, and had for several years been cultivating the estate of a
White man, he notwithstanding by indefatigable perseverance & industry had
surmounted the greatest difficulties, and I have reason to believe at this time
is the richest man of his complexion in the whole Province. Considering the
comparative situation of this man with the rest of his brethren and the contingent
prospects of a new settlement, I used many arguments to dissuade him from entering
any idea of leaving a country in which he was doing so well, promising at the
same time to exert all my influence with the Governor to obtain for him that
grant of land which had hitherto been withheld and which he so richly deserved;
this man left me with the most unfeigned expressions of gratitude.
November 25th - About two o'clock
this morning His Excellency John Parr Esq. Lieut. Governor of Nova Scotia, departed
this life aged 66 years; he had long been accustomed to frequent attacks of
the gout, which occasioned his death. He had presided in this Province at the
head of Government upwards of nine years.
This day the Honorable Richard
Bulkeleyl2l was sworn to the administration of the Government of
this Province. Employed all this day in superintending the fitting out of the
different vessels and ordering the Lucretial
from Dartmouth to this side of
the water to be prepared for the reception of myself & Mr. Taylor.
November 26th - Received an invitation
to attend the funeral of the late Governor-Wrote a note to the President of
the Council telling him I was anxious to pay my respects to him, but that delicacy
would not permit me till the late Governor was interred. Busy all this morning
in giving orders respecting accommodations for the Free Blacks on board the
different vessels.
November 27th Went to Church,
called upon Mr. Brinley-Dined at house-drank a glass of wine on board the Ark.
In the evening called upon Mr. Lee
respecting a slave of his, who
in my opinion ought to be free.
I was received by Miss Lee, supposed
to be one of the greatest in this Province-had a long conversation with her
father, found to be an honest, well-meaning, good sort of man, convinced that
he continually bought the person, but am sure that Captain Mason of the Delaware
and his Surgeon contrived to forge a title and sold him in that way.
It seems to be the greatest wish here that Governor
Wentworth should succeed to the command of this Province.
78 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
The following letter to Mr. Taylor was this day
received from Col. Bluck
Birch Town November 24th, 1791.
Sir:
I received your letter of the
12th inst relative to the Certificate given by me to such people as are desirous
of leaving this for Sierra Leone.
Those that have not the General
I trust will (from their decent carriage) merit the Agents Certificate, previous
to his arrival on the Coast of Africa which that you & they may be blessed
with a speedy & safe arrival & with more than you can seriously expect
is my best wishes.
Believe Sir, that my confidence
in Mr. Clarkson's probity & candour, does not permit me to suppose that
the Emigrators under his concern, will in any degree suffer in their expectations,
for when that gentleman harangued them, he promised even to those who could
not produce a Certificate that their decent deportment during his administration
should entitle them to every emolument & indulgence that the others could
probably expect, & as a man of credit, Mr. Clarkson cannot suppose that
I should subscribe to any thing that was derogatory t~o the principle of Truth;
and when he considers the number that removes, he cannot be surprised to find
so few are destitute of the character demanded by the worthy gentle- men of
the Sierra Leone Company.
With respectful compliments to
Mr. Clarkson and my best wishes for your and his perfect health, & for the
success of the Company's undertaking.
I remain with due esteem, Sir
Your most obedient Servant
Stephen Bluck
NB.
Permit me to recommend the honest & industrious
in the liveliest terms to the Agents the others are in his power to keep sober.
Lewis Pandarvis is an old man-Simon Proof I did not recommend. To Dr. Charles
Taylor
November 28th - Employed writing
the fore part of this superintending the vessels &c. Dined with Mr. Hartshorne
in the evening closed my letter for England. Received intelligence that British
Queen of this town belonging to Mr. Forsyth,
the vessel in which
I intended to hoist my Pendant, was wrecked upon the Island of Grand Manan in
the Bay of Fundy, all the crew were however saved.
There are not many places probably
so dangerous for shipping as
79 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
this Bay. The number of breakers & sunken rocks together with the uncommon
influx and reflux of the tides, which run here, at the rate of six or seven
miles per hour render navigation at all times hazardous, but particularly in
calm weather unless the utmost precaution is taken & experienced Pilots
sent out. I received so many applications this day from various quarters that
it is impossible to relate either of them without the whole.
The following is a copy of a letter
sent to Mr. Henry Thornton Halifax, November 28th, 1791
Dear Sir
Agreeably to my promise I now
take up my pen to give you all the information I can up to the present day and
am happy I have it in my power to acquaint you that we are now in a fair way
of coming to a conclusion.
Eleven hundred tons of shipping
are at length agreed for though I think upon the most shameful & extravagant
terms, but that I cannot help. I have gratified my feelings in speaking my sentiments
on that head and shall do all in my power to save every farthing to Government
as if it were my own, it will however be pleasing to the Company to know that
whatever expenses Government is put to in an extravagant way in consequence
of this business they have had no share in it.
On my arrival here I determined
not to have anything to do where money matters, were concerned, (exept in reprobating
any improper expense) but to be ready at all times to assist the governor in
putting into execution any order he might give for the reception of the Free
Blacks and after that to protect them and see that the offers on the part of
the Company were fulfilled.
I hope therefore you will enable
me to stick to my de termination which may be easily effected by ordering two
of your vessels attending the Lapwing to be upon the coast by the time we arrive.
The Lapwing I shall want probably every hour of the day, and the reason why
I wish two other vessels to be out is, that in case it should be necessary to
send one of them home (of which I see no likelihood at present) I should wish
the other to remain at Sierra Leone, to give me the use of herself, her spars
and sails for according to the contract, the vessels are obliged to remain in
the harbours of Sierra Leone ten days after their arrival before the demurrage
money commences. I shall be authorized to detain the whole if I think proper,
much longer at a certain price per day, according to the size of the vessels,
this I wish to avow & I am sure I shall have it in my powers, if I can have
a sufficient
80 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
number of spars & sails to construct tents for the reception of the
colony till we can raise proper houses-I shall be answerable for their being
erected in the most advantageous situation, and well adapted to the preservation
of their health; and consider what a good thing it will be to say, that you
have not in the least added to the general expense, which will be immense.
I have every reason to suppose
that out of 560 men, women & children who gave in their names at Shelburne
not more than one half or two thirds will be permitted to go, this is the reason
why I do not send you the names of such as have given them in to me, as I shall
not be sure of them till I get them on board when you may depend upon receiving
a full account of the whole. I have strong suspicions that the principal inhabitants
will tell these poor creatures that shipping cannot be procured and therefore
they cannot go which will send them back to their homes and prevent them from
making further applications when the vessels arrive to convey them from thence
to Halifax; however, if this should happen I can readily point out all those
who may have been the cause of preventing them and as it was thought proper
to send a person under government to see them properly em barked, and this person
happened to be a man I could put a confidence in, I have given him my sentiments
in writing upon the subject and have desired him to act accordingly so that
I am certain of knowing if any foul play has been used- With respect to Annapolis
& New Brunswick I cannot tell how many we shall get from thence but hope
to hear on Thursday-I am sure that not half will have the opportunity of ever
hearing the Company's proposals explained for the person who has been appointed
& sent from hence for the purpose is the son of the man supposed to be the
author of the paragraph in the paper signed Philanthropos and of course is very
much against the plan.
I am sure you will feel very much
for me when I tell you I am to have the command and direction of not less than
eight vessels, all of which I hope will be ready to sail by the 20th December
I dare not refuse this arduous task though I hope had I known when I was employed
that the business was upon such an extensive scale and surrounded by so many
difficulties which require our unremitting attention, I should have had the
diffidence to have rejected it, but as I have once embarked in it I am determined
to persevere & do my best
As soon as the Governor had informed
me that I was to superintend the whole, I immediately waited upon the Admiral
and paid him the compliment of asking his permission to
81 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
hoist a pendant, as it would give me greater consequence, and the Captains
of the Merchant ships would more readily obey my orders I might give them. This
request met with the Admirals concurrence.
You will be much surprised to
find that eight vessels on [only] contain 1100 Tons We certainly could have
procured ships of greater burthen, but I did not approve of their height between
decks, and as the small vessels were only single decked by laying a platform
we could give to each vessel good five feet consequently we had so much more
air for each individual to breathe in-
I have taken care to see that
after allowing five feet for their accommodation sufficient room would be left
in the hold to stow away the full allowance of water & provisions with the
different articles allowed to each family; however we have been under the necessity
of taking two, whose height is no more than five feet between decks but I would
not give my consent for their being engaged till I had made the merchants promise
to cut scuttles on each side to give free vent to the fowl air which will be
driven out by windsail and likewise to give up the steerage to be joined to
the whole range of the deck, for the accommodation of the Blacks, which is good
five feet from deck to deck, of course the sailors who always occupy the steerage
will be obliged to live in the cabin-I was assured by the agent on the part
of the Government that employing a number of small vessels would not be more
expensive than taking a few large ones- With respect to provisions &c. I
shall inspect and take an account of the whole to see that it is sound and whole-
some, and to ascertain the quantity of beef & pork and other articles contained
in each cask, so that I may know if any has been improperly expended during
the voyages. As soon as I am acquainted with the exact quantities of stores,
provisions &c purchased by Government, I shall ask the Governor what is
to be done with the over-plus, should we make a favourable voyage, I know his
answer will be "the whole must be given for the good of the Blacks, but it will
be satisfactory to have his approbation.
I have read a Petition from the
inhabitants of Preston, desiring to be settled together on their arrival in
the new colony; indeed I should wish them to be separated from the rest for
I can assure you without the least enthusiasm, that the majority of the men
are better than any people in the labouring line of life in England: I would
match them for strong sense, quick apprehension, clear reasoning, gratitude,
affection for their wives & children, and friendship and good-
82 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
- will towards their neighbours. If I speak more favourably of these men
than the rest, it may be because I have seen more of them, as they live in this
neighbourhood, but I have good grounds for having formed a favorable opinion
of the whole.
I think you should be very cautious
in permitting any Blacks from England joining the Colony, I have four or five
going with me, but I have given them strict charge to conduct themselves properly
as I should always have my eye upon them.
I hope you have made up your minds
respecting the different Lots to be granted to each family, and that you will
not split upon the rock which this Country has done by granting Town & Country
Lots; in my opinion every man should have his work under his eye as an inducement
to industry but if they are directed to different objects their industry is
in fact lost-You will pardon me for giving my opinion who cannot be a judge,
but as that idea appeared reasonable I could not help mentioning it, particularly
as I have seen the baneful effects of it here.
We shall I hope have several mechanics
particularly ship Carpenters you may probably wish to settle them in a different
way from the rest, but I shall rest satisfied conscious that on my arrival in
Africa, I shall find that the Surveyor has marked out the different allotments
of land for five in a family, four, three, six or any other numbers so that
we may put them in possession without delay and that every other order for the
good of the Colony will be given so that I shall not be at a loss how to conduct
myself on my arrival I shall endeavour during the voyage to find out the particular
genius of each individual, that he may be put in that station where he can do
the public most service; this I hope to have an opportunity of doing as it is
my intention to visit each ship, every day, if the weather will permit, and
it should be necessary & prudent to do so.
I will have a fast sailing Schooner
in the Fleet that will be stationed on the weather quarter ready to bear down
if I should make the signal to take me on board, so that I shall at any rate
be able to speak to every vessel without detaining them, and if I should wish
to go on board, I can easily do it.
You will probably hear in England
various reports respecting this business and I am convinced it will be said
by many that the Free Blacks were very happy & comfortably settled here;
do not believe anything they have to say for I am better acquainted with the
situation of the people in this I
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