Land
Reserves
Education

Joseph Howe, Indian Commissioner for Nova Scotia, was unable to attend Pictou to survey Mi'kmaq reserves. In his absence, he asked James Dawson (Pictou Merchant, ship-owner, and proprietor of a book store) to secure a piece of land that could be obtained for a reserve. This letter appears to be part of a larger correspondence between Howe and Dawson pertaining to Mi'kmaq land and education in Pictou.

1842-05-06
1842-05-06

Joseph Howe (Indian Commissioner) (Author)
James Dawson (Recipient)

Letter

Halifax, May 6 1842 To James Dawson, Pictou, NS. My Dear Sir, In reference to your letter of the 26th January and to our conversation of a more recent date. I have taken the liberty to ask your assistance in carrying out, among the Indians in your neighbourhood, to explain of the Act of last session. I was in hopes that I should have been able to get to Pictou in all two months, but as I may be disappointed, would be much obliged by your representing me, and doing with the Pictou Indians whatever your own judgement dictates concerning your attention within the scope of the Act, and having in mind that a permanent settlement and education of these people, not one [] relief, are the primary objects. Your first cause will be to ascertain the nature of the title of the lands of which you spoke to me, and to report such means of property [] title should their possession not be, as I suspect it is, a sufficient [] to the claims of others. If any of them have made [] [] disposed to make clearings, please supply him with picks and hoes, and when the ground [pg.2] Is prepared, give them as much seed as will plant what they have already. With respect to education, endeavour to obtain the Rev. Mr. O’Riley’s sanction and aid to the establishment of a Sunday School for Children and Adults, and if possible, get a boy or two to some day school in Pictou. From a locality which you have always manifested in the County about of the Indians, I need not trouble you with many instructions – your own benevolent disposition and sound judgement will be your best guides. With Best Regards to [] [] Yours Truly, [Joseph Howe]

eng

Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Indian Commissioner Series, Vol. 432, File 57.