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. Letter reported that Sproull was to receive 5 more acres of land in the exchange, and that he should be charged $65 for this extra acreage. Sproull was also responsible to pay for half of the costs associated with the exchange, including title search, surveying, and expenses of taking surrender of land.

1876-11-14
1876-11-14

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

Personal correspondence

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

"Mr. McNeill: Ask and say that as the parcel of land which it is proposed to convey to Mr. Sproull contains 5 acres more than the land the Indians are to receive from him in exchange. Mr. Sproull should pay for the balance at the rate of $13.00 per acre or $65.00 for the 5 acres being the price paid Mr. Ives [Hues?] for said land - Mr. Sproull should also pay one half of the expenses connected with the survey of the tracts proposed to be exchanged and of the search into his title to the land, expenses of taking surrender , attending the same, etc. etc. Say that the expense of search into title was (BLANK) and the proportion therefor payable by Mr. Sproull is therefore $(blank). With regard to the other expenses, the Dept not having been advised thereof it will be for MacDonald to [] [] the amount paid, obtain payment of one half of sum from Mr. S and deposit that amount together with the sums above described $65.00 for the land and $1/2 exp. of search in the Pictou Branch of the Merchant's Bank of Canada to the credit of the Recv. General on a/c of Indian funds and form in Dupl and trip [duplicate and triplicate] certif. of Dep and draft to this office. Return the conveyance (in dupl) from Mr. Sproull and wife to Her Majesty .To Mr. Macdonald. Information being that the [] [] witness has to [] sign the affidavit and requsition . I think the [] would be [] [illegible]. LVK.

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