Indian Reserve
Land
Purchase

Letter from Indian Commissioner Fairbanks to Sir Joseph Howe outlining the state of Indian land in the province of Nova Scotia. Fairbanks reported that the land the Mi'kmaq occupied at the mouth of the harbour should be purchased and made into an Indian Reserve.

1863-02-09
1863-02-09

Samuel P. Fairbanks (Indian Commissioner) (Author)
Sir Joseph Howe (Provincial Secretary) (Recipient)

Report

"A proposition has been submitted for purchasing a tract of land, situate about one mile from the town of Pictou, for the purpose of settling a number of Indians in that County, where there are no Indian Reserves. I most earnestly recommend this proposal for the consideration of the Legislature; and that the land should be paid for out of the Indian Fund. At a proper time I shall be prepared, with such evidence of the importance of such a purchase, as I think cannot fail to satisfy the government and the Legislature, that it would be a wise and judicious measure, giving the Indians of the County of Pictou a home, from which they are now wholly destitute.”

eng

Samuel P. Fairbanks, Indian Commissioner, to Joseph Howe, Provincial Secretary, February 9 1863, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1863 Session, Appendix No. 18, pg. 1-2.