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- 1846- Applications on behalf of Indians are also before the House [of Assembly]
- This is likely part of a financial report from the same year, but was categorized separate. Report stated that there was a petition from "the Inhabitants of Pictou" asking for Indian land to be surveyed and reserved in the county. The letter does not state whether the inhabitants were Mi'kmaq or white., “The Following Applications on behalf of Indians are also before the House [of Assembly] – Petition of Inhabitants of Pictou /142/ recommends that Indian land be purchased for Indians. ", Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 40.
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- 1846- Letter from Board of Health, Pictou, About Outbreak of Fever in Mi'kmaq Camp
- Letter from Dr. Wm. Jas. Anderson of Pictou describing the outbreak of a fever at a nearby Mi'kmaq camp. Letter reported that many fell ill to the fever, and at the time of the letter, one person had died. Fever had also spread at Merigomish, and it was reported that it began with a white family named 'Manning' who had visited Big Island and had signs of fever. Anderson asked for relief from the Government of Nova Scotia., “Pictou 27th June 1846 The Honorable Sir Rupert George Provincial Secretary Sir I am directed by the Board of Health of this place to report to you for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the lamentable condition of the Indians in this neighbourhood; during the past week a letter was received in Pictou, from the Rev. Mr. O’Reilly, Roman Catholic Priest of the district, detailing the sickness and distress that prevailed in consequence of this, several of the magistrates met together in the courthouse and after consultation requested the health officers to visit the encampment and ascertain by personal inspection the actual condition of the Indians – the Health officers accordingly proceeded to the camp and on their return reported that they had visited upwards of twenty wigwams, that in them they found few individuals affected with a very serious form of fever, which the Indians informed them had devastated the encampment at Big Island, Merigomish, and other Indians were under great apprehensions of taking [pg.2] Taking the fever, and were consequentially not willing to hold communications with their sick friends; the health officers also reported that the sick Indians were in want of everything. The magistrates immediately authorized the Health Officers to procure a batch of oatmeal and some molasses to supply their immediate wants, and requested them to continue their attendance. Yesterday Dr. Johnston reported that there were then sixteen cases of fever, and this day a meeting of the Board of Health was held at which Dr. Anderson reported that on visiting them this afternoon, he found, one dead, about thirst prostrated with the fever, and about twenty more complaining of premonitory symptoms. Dr. Anderson also reported that all the Indians from Big Island (including the sick) had arrived at this encampment; which now consists of upwards of thirty wigwams – that all the sick Indians were in a state of destitution, and that those in health had a difficulty in procuring necessaries on account of the increasing unwillingness of the white inhabitants to hold communications with them. Under the circumstances, the Board have requested the Health officers to visit the encampment today and to see that the Indians are supplied with all absolute necessaries, until such time as they receive further [Pg.3] Further instructions from His Excellency. It has been stated by the Rev. Mr. O’Reilly that before the Indians left Merigomish, a white family by the name Manning, who had been in communication with them, had been attacked with the fever. Trusting that it will be in the power of His Excellency to issue such instructions to the Board as will enable them to relieve the existing distress and to prevent the spread of the fever in this district. I have the honor to remain Your most ob. Servant, By order of the Board Wm. Jas. Anderson Secretary, Board of Health, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 111.
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- 1846- Statement of the Expenditure of the sum of £800 granted for the encouragement and relief of Indians
- Financial report for relief given to Mi'kmaq in different districts of Nova Scotia. Pictou is listed near the bottom of the page. Most relief appears to be for health related purposes., “Statement of the Expenditure of the sum of £800 granted for the encouragement and relief of Indians in 1846. Near Pictou: By Board of Health – 98[pounds]…4[shillings]…9[pence] [] Drs. Anderson and Johnson – 150[pounds] [] Johnson and Messr. Druggists – 5[pounds]…1[shillings]…9[pence] Total For Pictou Indians – 253[pounds]…6[shillings]…6[pence], Also See: 1846- Applications on behalf of Indians are also before the House [of Assembly], Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 40.
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- 1849- Letter to Joseph Howe asking for Relief for Mi'kmaq of Pictou
- Letter to Indian Commissioner Jospeh Howe by an unknown writer (name illegible). Author asks for Howe to visit Pictou and to grant relief to several families who are "destitute.", “Pictou 19th Sept 1849 The Honorable Joseph Howe The bearer of this with three other Indians called upon His Excellency when here a day or two ago to ask assistance for the Indians in this County representing that they were in a very destitute state. His Excellency said he could do nothing for them unless their cause was properly brought before him and their statements duly authenticated. I can see no way in which this can be done but by the Indian Commissioner visiting them and judging for himself. The bearer and three others are determined to be off on Monday to see the governor, while it would be in your power to point them in the way of getting some old coats and blankets – if they succeed in this object, it would be prudent to combine their effects to what those apllying were to secure for their own share. Yours, [illegible], Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 52.
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- 1849- Petition by Pictou Indian to Lieutenant Governor for Relief
- Petition from a Mi'kmaw man named Frank, possibly Sapier (hard to read last name). Frank was a young man, of athletic appearance, who required relief as he was suffering from consumption for several years and could not provide for his family., “Pictou 19 Sept 1849 To His Excellency Sir John Harvey K.C.B + Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of Nova Scotia and to the Charitable humans therein. The petition of the undersigned most humbly and respectfully shewith: That your petitioners although of athletic appearance is never the less of such a [] constitution as not to be enabled to perform manual labour sufficient for the maintenance and support of himself and family. That petitioner had laboured under consumption for several years and that [] [] only enable him at intervals to leave his wigwam for the purpose of asking and receiving charity from those who are disposed to dispose that bounty to him. He therefore prays that with a liberal hand you will extend to him such relief as you may consider a human individual in his [] of life [] [] []. And he will pray Francis Fraser Indian P.S. If any thing be sent me please direct to [] Francis Fraser Indian”, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 53., Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series).
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- 1849- The Memorial of Peter Toney, Chief of Merigomish- Petition to Nova Scotia Government
- Petition from Peter Toney, Chief of Mi'kmaq at Merigomish. Toney stated that he represented over two hundred Mi'kmaq, and he pushed for land and relief to be granted to them. Toney stated that they had been pushed out of their land and hunting grounds by settlers, and that it was the government's responsibility to procure them with land and articles for subsistence., “To the Honorable House of Assembly, when convened. The Memorial of Peter Toney, Chief, on behalf of himself and the Indians residing at Merigomish, humbly shewith, That there are at present residing at Merigomish thirty five families comprising of upwards of two hundred men, women, and children. That for sometime past, these Indians have been in a destitute state, for the want of sufficient food and clothing. That starvation is now common among them and your Memorialist has left his family to proceed to Halifax for their relief, having been correctly solicited to do so by his famishing brethren. That Memorialist feel that he need not remind your honorable House that his people have been driven from their hunting grounds and natural places of subsistence and that they can very scarcely find an abode in the Province, furnishing even fuel necessary for their comfort of life. That in consequence they are driven to appeal to those who have now in possession the lands once the sole property of the Indian and your memorialist hopes that this appeal, which he now makes to your honorable House, for immediate relief, will not be made in vain. And your memorialist as in duty bound, will ever pray, Halifax January 27 1849, Peter Toney, Chief”, Nova Scotia House of Assembly — Assembly petitions series Nova Scotia Archives RG 5 Series P, Vol. 45, No. 144
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- 1850- Letter About Chief Wilmot sending his Sons to Pictou Academy
- Interesting letter discussing sending Chief Wilmot's boys to live in Pictou and attend the Academy. Discusses plans to house and educate them in Pictou, and asks for government financial assistance and support., Pictou 4th May 1850 The Honorable R. Young Dear Sir In reply to your note of the 1st Inst., I can only say in addition to what I wrote in the letter which you read to the House that we are still of opinion that there never occurred a more formidable opportunity of testing the problem in reference to the Indians of this Province. Jas. Wilmot appears as anxious as ever to send his boys to the Academy, and we are no less desirous to that he should be enabled to do so, and are willing to devote our time to the superintendence of all the arrangements and also to raise a portion of the sum requisite. Our plan at present is to take the boys entirely from the parents wigwam, that is to say, mostly to permit them occasionally to go see them; if we shall be placed in possession of the necessary funds we would at once place them in a respectable family and have them clothed and treated in every other respect, as other boys of the town, children of respectable tradesmen. I have not yet spoken to Mrs. Wilson the Superintendent of the Infant School, but we have thought she would be an excellent person with whom to board the boys- she has lately taken up house and supports her father and mother; the father is aged and infirm, but the mother is an active, respectable, and intelligent woman and would aid her daughter in attending to the boys. The board we suppose would be twenty pounds a piece, per annum. It might be got cheaper but not in such families as we would think it safe to place the boys. We do not think that it is too much to ask the Government to advance the sum. We will undertake if this be done to provide suitable [pg.2] Suitable clothing and to pay for washing etc. I can say nothing more than this that I have thought it would be prudent not to attempt to trust them to the whole discipline of the Academy at once, and that it will be wise to send them for a portion of the day in the first place to the Infant School, the exercises in which the [] calculated to instruct and improve would not appear so much in the nature of tasks. Both His Excellency and Mr. Howe have considerable acquaintance with the habits of the Indians and will readily judge of the feasibility of this project. If the Government thinks our plan worthy of encouragement, I for one will cheerfully depute my time to aid in carrying out, but I would rather that nothing should be done, than that it should be commenced and abandoned. I remain very thankfully yours Mr. Jas. Anderson P.S. What is the meaning of the dishonouring of the drat of the Trustees of Pictou Academy? By order of the Board I write in reference to it this day., Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 55.
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- 1855- Letter Asking for Relief for Pictou Indians
- Letter asking for further relief for Pictou County Mi'kmaq, who were in "extreme want of food.", “Pictou 12th May 1855 To Wm. Keating, Esq. Dear Sir, I received your favor authorizing ten pounds to be expended for the relief of the Indians – I accordingly drew an order in form of the new [] [] – who has kindly undertaken the disbursement. He called on me just now to state that there are about 21 families of Indians in extreme want of food and that at least twenty pounds more are requested. Will you do me the favor handing this to His Excellency, Lieutenant Governor, who will I trust expend at once an order the necessary assistance. As I will be engaged, perhaps it would be as well to address Mr. Schultz directly and [] him to [] I remain sir, yours, [] Wilkins, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 88.
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- 1861- Report from Commissioner Indian Affairs
- Report from Indian Commissioner Chearnley, stated that Indian population of Pictou County was 179 people., "County of Pictou...174.", Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 124.
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- 1861- Report of Dr. Murray- Physician for the Mi'kmaq of Pictou
- Report of Dr. Murray, who outlined his work with the Mi'kmaq of Pictou at several different locals. Letter is basically asking for the government to pay for his medical work with the Mi'kmaq. Mentions several individuals by name and outlines treatments., “New Glasgow Feb. 22, 1861 Capt. George McKenzie Fraser M.T.T. Dear Sir, I forward to you my a/c [account] for attendance on sick Indians. And trust you will use your influence to get the Committee on Indian Affairs to grant it. Mr. Roach thought the Committee On Indian Affairs the proper persons to address this petition to. And in accordance with his advice I have done so. But if it should be necessary to present the petition to the house of assembly before the Committee can act on it, you will please either yourself or ask A.C. McDonald to make the necessary alterations, and you can sign my name to it. At your own suggestion I have placed the balance due on last year’s a/c at the head of this years. That you may be then better able to advocate my claims before the Committee, and answer the objections of last year’s committee for not granting me the full amount of last year’s a/c. I will as briefly as I can refresh your memory with regard to last year’s a/c (a copy of which I enclose to you, containing Dr. Webster’s reasons why the Committee did not grant the full amount). You will perceive that the first charges are for attending Francis Fraser. His camp when I attended him was in the woods between the East and Middle Rivers about 1 ½ or 2 miles from New Glasgow. As you are aware yourself there is now no open road in that direction, the old road being closed up and in many places ploughed. The weather being soft and open at the time, the fields through which (the late William Fraser []) I had to travel over were so soft that I could not take my horse, and consequently had to foot it. That there was need for all the visits I paid him, I think [pg.2] No better proof is required than that as you are aware this poor fellow died of his disease (inflammation of the lungs). As my charge for travelling being too high, you may ask any medical man in Halifax, if they would perform the same services cheaper, taking into account the state of the travelling. Dr. Webster says that the Committee thought I “charged too little for medicines.” I of course should find no fault with them for this, only if they thought I charged too little, they ought in future to have given me more. The other charge in the a/c is for a visit “to Louis Tom and dressing badly cut leg, 4[].” Now the times I was called on to see him was immediately after a heavy snow storm (another medical man having previously refused to visit him at all, on account of the travelling I presume). His camp was in the woods on Frasers Mountain between the old and new Merigomish roads somewhat on the New Glasgow side of “Farmer McLean’s.” The road up the mountain was altogether impassable from snow-drifts. I had to go down the little Harbour Road and up Andrew Marshall’s firewood road to his house, than through the fields and snow drifts as best I could, until I got to “Farmer McLean’s” where I left my horse, and then travelled on foor for better than a mile through the woods having no track before me and the snow between 3 or 4 feet deep, to his camp. Now if Dr. Webster or any other medical gentleman will perform that amount of travelling through the snow, take up and tie the “Anterior Labial Artery” which the poor fellow had cut, then I am satisfied. The fact is medical men in large cities would charge more than 4 [] for taking up and tying the artery itself, which is often an operation of no little difficulty and requiring a considerable amount of professional knowledge. I think that [pg. 3] This will suffice as to last year’s a/c. Now for this year’s. Michael Phillip’s Squaw the time she was sick had her camp beyond what is called the “Wash Brook” in the woods, off the “Marsh road” as you may proabably remember yourself. She was a long time sick, and although I did not visit her very often ^as the account shows^, she gave me a great deal of trouble as scarcely a day passed without her husband or some of her family calling on me for something either medicine, food, or clothing. The fact is I gave her more food and clothing for herself and family for which I received nothing, and never will, that’s what I have charged for medical attendance and medicine all together. The next charge is for visiting Matthew Paul and squaw, their camp was on the point below the narrows on the East River. They were both very ill with what is called “typhoid fever.” I attended to both, and as they were between 2 and 3 weeks sick, the necessarily required a good deal of medicine. The other two charges is for medicine given to the Indians named in the a/c, and is not higher than they would be charged for the same at any respectable druggists. The foregoing will I think enable you to give all necessary information to the committee, and I hope that this year’s committee may come to a more righteous decision that last years. I have no news of any importance to give you. Your friends are all well in New Glasgow. Joe Howe has certainly done his part well, so far this session. But he will better be cautious how he speaks in favor of the Catholics. I think he just wants far enough for the good of the Liberal Party. In his last speech, in answer to Johnson and []. He has [Pg. 4] Nothing or his party either to expect from them, so he should be very careful not to alienate the affections of many good and conscientious men, who voted for his party last election, in opposition to the Catholics and without whose support the Liberal party could not successfully win another election. The Earl of Mulgrave has placed the leaders of the opposition in a most contemptible position before the country in the official correspondence. His answer to Johnson’s Memorial is I think the ablest state paper I have ever read. It is clear, concise, and convincing. The Tories here do not like to speak of it at all. I understand the people of Barney’s River are applying to you for some money for the road on the west side of the River. And have nominated Walter Murray for the commission to expand it. I am aware myself that it very much needs it. And if compatible with the interests of other parts of the county I would be much pleased if you could grant them the prayer of their petition. Wishing you give him a good time in the capital. I remain your ablest, etc. George Murray P.S. Perhaos it might do no harm to read the portion of this letter having reference to my a/c to the Committee on Indian Affairs. I see by the papers there is a majority of Liberals on it, which perhaps may be of some little advantage to you., Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 125.
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- 1862- Relief for Pictou Mi'kmaq and Census
- Letter from the parish priest in Pictou (possibly named Mclean) that outlines a shortage of blankets that was to be distributed to the Mi'kmaq in Pictou. Letter also contains a census of all male heads of family and their immediate family., “Pictou Jan’y 11th 1862 To the Honorable the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia Sir, I received some time ago a supply of blankets for the poor Indians of this county which I distributed amongst them as far as they went. I am sorry to say that the supply was this year so very small that I could not even give one blanket to each family, and what is one blanket for a family of seven or eight? I hope the finances of the Province have not just fallen so low as not to afford a few blankets to keep the poor creatures warm at this inclement season of the year. I only gave a list of the Indian families in this quarter with the number of souls in each, I am sir, Your most obdt. And humble servant, Alexr. [] P.P., Pictou [Pg. 2] Number of Indian Families in Pictou and Merigomish Nathan Paul Chief… 8x (No. in family) Joe Toney…8x Capt. Tonnie…3x Francis Paul…4x Peter Paul…4x Peter Paul…2x John []…4x Gregor Paul…6x Michael Francis…2x Noel Francis…4x Peter Paul…4 Matthew Paul…5x Frances []…8x Widow James Prosper…6x Abram Kettle…7 [] [] Widow…2x Thomas Wilmot….9 Kepham Noel…4 John Beetle…3x John Cape Breton…3 Joe Phillip…4x Michael Phillip…6x Joseph Phillip…5 [] []…1 [Pg. 3] Sapier Paul…3 Harry Mahone…3x Peter James widow…3x Louis Tom Louis…2x Louis Tom…6x Peter Sapier…3x Widow [] []…1x Simon Sapier…3x Noel Joe…6 Anapauline [?] Sapier widow…1x Joseph Labob…5 John []…2 Peter Tom very []…1 Frances Paul Fraser…2 John Toney…3x [] Wilmot…3x N.B. Those marked with a cross [x] have got a blanket, and those with no mark after their names got nothing. I trust in God these poor creatures will be [] to further delay for they are really in a state of suffering. J. Mclean, P.P., Public Archives of Nova Scotia, RG1, Vol. 431 (Indian Commissioner Series), file 133
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- 1863- Report by Indian Commissioner Fairbanks to Sir Joseph Howe
- Letter from Indian Commissioner Fairbanks to Sir Joseph Howe outlining the state of Indian land in the province of Nova Scotia. Fairbanks reported that the land the Mi'kmaq occupied at the mouth of the harbour should be purchased and made into an Indian Reserve., "A proposition has been submitted for purchasing a tract of land, situate about one mile from the town of Pictou, for the purpose of settling a number of Indians in that County, where there are no Indian Reserves. I most earnestly recommend this proposal for the consideration of the Legislature; and that the land should be paid for out of the Indian Fund. At a proper time I shall be prepared, with such evidence of the importance of such a purchase, as I think cannot fail to satisfy the government and the Legislature, that it would be a wise and judicious measure, giving the Indians of the County of Pictou a home, from which they are now wholly destitute.”, Samuel P. Fairbanks, Indian Commissioner, to Joseph Howe, Provincial Secretary, February 9 1863, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1863 Session, Appendix No. 18, pg. 1-2.