These success stories appear somewhat exceptional for the time. P.E.I. had benefited greatly from unrestricted trade with the United States. Writing in 1867 the editor of the Examiner acknowledged that as a result of free trade "Almost every merchant on the Island enlarged his establishment and quadrupled his trade." (9) Following its joining Canada P.E.I. found itself having to support a Lational Policy aimed at restricting trade with the U.S.A. in favor of trade with Britain. Considerable opposition to the Conservative policy existed among Islanders. On.a visit to }.E.I. in 1878, James C. Pope, M.P. was roundly criticized for his "protectionist vote" the previous year. (10) The editor of the Patriot noted how in 1877 P.E.I. still had a balance of trade with the U.S.A.; exporting $597,510. of goods, mostly agricultural products, while importing $452,107. woth of American goods. (11) The value of these exports amounted to about 31% of all exports from P.E.I. in that year. Moreover, in the early 1880's P.E.I. suffered considerable unemployment,

increased mortgage sales, including one in Somerset in 1882,(l2)

and an exodus of dissatisfied Islanders.

The enthusiasm voiced by "Swithen" in Uomerset had,however, a solid justification. In January, 1883 John A. Nacdonald‘s Conservative government approved $189,000.for the construction of a branch railroad from the main line at County Line (Emerald) to Cape Traverse. (13) Building of this branch was a project James C. Pope had supported; he declared it his intention to obtain federal aid for the project in 1877. (14)

It was supported by the Conservative N.P. for Prince County,

(98