Land Survey
Boundaries
Exchange
Indian Reserve
Land

The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected. This letter discusses the responsibility of Sproull to allow right of way across his land if no proper roads connect the two reserves, and requests that a sketch of the vicinity be drafted.

1875-09-21
1875-09-21

L. Vankoughnet (Deputy of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs) (correspondent)

Personal correspondence

RG10, Reel C-11121, Vol 1957, file 4671.

"On enquiry at the Dept of Justice as to the Indians being entitled in law to a right of way this being Sproull's property- I am informed that if there is no other way provided for the public to get from the one point (the wood land) to the other (the Indian Reserve) that Mr. Sproull is obliged in law to allow such right of way- it was suggested that our agent at PIctou be requested to inform us whether there is or is not means of access to their properties open to the Indians other than thru Mr. Sproull's property. LVK Sept 21/75 [Text on next page- unclear if it is same author but writing is similar]: " Please ack. Mr. McD's letter of 9th Inst + request him to state whether there is no side road by which the Inds. can have [] with their woodland without traversing Mr. Sproull's property, and whether Mr. Sproull is [] [] to reach them for [] [] [] land is obliged to or does [] the Indian Reserve. [to/in fact?] - say [] in order tp comprehend the facts of the position [ ] it is desirable we should show on a rough sketch the relative position of the lands insisted it one another. [] to the possible [] [] [] [].... (illegible)"

eng