HISTORY. 359

Thus was the whole of this valuable colony, except the above small reservations, and three others for intended county towns, given away in one day. Great expectations were formed of this plan for. its settlement, from the flattering report drawn up by Captain Holland, surveyor-general of North Ame- rica. But many of the proprietors, from necessity, or other motives, sold their lands to persons who were either unable, or unwilling, to settle them on the original plan; and the colony falling in this man- ner into the hands, of a few individuals, has been the great cause of its not having been long ago popu- lously settled. It was not until lands in convenient situations in the neighbouring colonies were located, that the lands of this island were considered worth the value set on them by the proprietors ; and the very prejudice against settling on lands unless held in free soccage from the crown, has had a powerful influence in directing emigrants to other places

In 1768, a majority of the proprietors presented a petition to his Majesty, praying that the island might be erected into a separate, government from that of Nova Scotia. This was granted, and Walter Patterson, Esq. appointed governor, who, with the other officers of government, arrived on the island in 1770, at which time there were not living on it more than 150 families, and only five resident proprietors. Shortly after his arrival, Governor Patterson planted

rious individuals, of settling them with foreigners, were occasioned by this opinion.