Land
Reserves
Dispossession

Poor copy letter from George Smith (resident of Pictou) asking for the Lieutenant Governor to consider allowing the purchase of land from Mr. Moodie at Moodie point for the Mi'kmaq who were already residing on the land. Smith stated that the Mi'kmaq would only accept that tract of land, and he asked for the government to purchase it. Moodie agreed to the sale. Interestingly, early maps of Pictou show an Indian Village at that point, predating Moodie's claims.

1831-06-10
1831-06-10

George Smith (Author)
Sir Rupert George (Lieutenant Governor Nova Scotia) (Recipient)

Letter

Pictou 10th June 1831 To Sir Rupert George Sir, After a good case of correspondence relative to a [] for the Indians in which his Excellency Sir P. Maitland took so [] an interest and so kindly offered to purchase, I find Indians so attached to their personal possession at the entrance of the Harbour that no other [place] would satisfy them, and the proprietor Mr. Moodie [] [] agree to sell, he has however stated to me in writing he will take for the lot in question [one?] hundred [twenty? Seventy?] pounds which is less twenty pounds than his offer []. [] [] [] [] is the best that can be done, the [] [] is worth nearly the [] [] and is very convenient and desirable for these poor people if [pg.2] If it is out of the power of His Excellency to go farther than the sum already stated which I recall was 110 [pounds], it is [less] likely the Indians will be [] in the [] and [][] [] to procure an application from the inhabitants on behalf of those poor people to His Excellency and the Legislature at this such locality. The letter you sent me was by dispatch forwarded to Antigonish the [correspondence] I wanted was for 20 [pound] the 5th note on the crops noted list for Pictou “from the Bridge at Grant’s High River, west side said branch Sail River, towards [] Bridge.” It is in the appropriation further [westward?]. I am sorry His Excellency’s benevolence is [] as regards to his Indian [] at present [Pg.3] To come into effect without some plan I have [] various ways accomplish the [] objects []. I have the honor to be, Sir, George Smith

eng

George Smith, to Sir R. George, June 10 1831, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Vol. 430 (Indian Commissioner Series), File 186B.