Reserves
Dispossession

Letter from Denoon and Dickason asking for a tract of land owned by Thomas Moodie of Pictou to be granted to the Mi'kmaq living in the region. Denoon and Dickason state that the Mi'kmaq had lived at the land for some time, and that they were of opinion that it should be purchased and surveyed for them.

1831-03-8
1831-03-8

Hugh Denoon (Author)
M. Dickason (Author)
Sir Rupert George (Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia) (Recipient)

Letter

“Pictou March 8th 1831 To Sir Rupert George, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Sir, In reply to your letter of the 22nd ultimo on the subject of the Indians who frequent the neighbourhood of this place, and the purchase of a piece of land for their use, we beg leave to report for the information of His Excellency, the Lieut. Governor, that we have made every enquiry in our power and find the state of their case to be as follows: The land on which alone they are anxious to form a permanent settlement, is near and adjoining Boat Harbour, about three miles to the entrance of the Town of Pictou and on the southern side of the entrance to the harbour. It is the property of one Thomas Moodie of this place, watchmaker, and is under mortgage by him to Charles Timothy Esq. of Halifax. The whole tract consists of 500 acres and the Indians are desirous of obtaining [pg. 2] Obtaining proportion of 100 acres on the eastern side of it, upon which Moodie puts the price of 140 [pounds] currency. Upon investigating the title of Moodie to this lot of land, as far as we have had it is in our power to do so, we are of opinion that some difficulty on that point might hereafter arise, unless it is cured by the lapse of time, of the [] we suppose Mr. Timothy would be better able to give an opinion that could be depended upon, and should it become necessary, we beg to refer His Excellency to those Gentlemen on this subject. If His Excellency has available funds for this purpose, and the lot the Indians are desirous of obtaining can be procured for 100 [pounds], we think the experiment will be worth trying and as far as our services can be made to further an object calculated to do so much good to these unfortunate Indians. His Excellency may rely on them being most gladly rendered, in which we make no doubt of having Mr. [pg. 3] Smith’s [cheerful] assistance, we are of opinion that less than 100 acres would not answer any useful purpose, and should the purchase be made, it ought to be done in such way that the Indians can have no further control over the land that while permitted to occupy it. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servants, Hugh Denoon M. Dickason

eng

Hugh Denoon and M. Dickason, to Sir Rupert George, March 8 1831, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Vol. 430, File 186A.