HlSTORY. 357

ceding, was the principal resort of the Micmac Indians; and, from the immense quantity of oyster shells on the banks of rivers and bays in the neigh- bourhood of oyster beds, where the savages generally pitched their wigwams or tents, we may conclude that it was their rendezvous for many centuries. In several places, these shells, which are partly in a pulverised state, cover several acres to the depth of from one to five or six feet.

The old Acadian French, driven from Nova Sco- tia, assimilated themselves at that time in a great measure to the habits of the Indians. Some of these Acadians were sent to Canada, others to the south- ern colonies.

At the peace of 1763, this colony and Cape Breton were annexed to the government of Nova Scotia. In 1764, a general survey of the British empire in America was begun by order of government, and that of this island completed in 177 6.

Some difference having arisen as to the plan of settling it, Lord Egremont, then First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed doing so on a feudal plan, ac- cording to which, his Lordship was to be lord paramount of the colony, which was to be divided into twelve baronies, to be held of him. Each baron was to erect a castle, to maintain a certain number of men, who, with under tenants, were to perform suit and service. This idle scheme was very pro- perly rejected; and the lands of the colony being considered too valuable to be granted away indis-

criminately to individuals, like the rest of the newly-