Oak at Tracadie.

Oak and pine at Malpeque.

The island could supply timber to lie R0 ya/e.

Forest clearance difficult for the Acadians.

Excellency will have every reason to be satisfied with those that we will be able to obtain in future. I trust that those that Monsieur de Mézy sends will serve only to introduce and give proof of the quality of the timber. [fols. 161-161v]

[PAC, AC, CHB, Vol. 10, fols. 157-161v]

1732: 5 March

Tracardy is also on the north side of the island. It has only 6 inhabitants. They are beginning to get established, but have suffered much on account of the difficulty of clearing the land which is covered with large oak trees, the soils are very good.

Ma/peck is a beautiful harbour. it is the part of the island where there is the finest oak wood. There are also very fine pine stands, and the soils are very good there. They have had a mill built, the advantage of which, in association with the fruitfulness of the soils and the quantity of wood, will attract other Acadians [fol. 196]

If the island gets established, it will be an abundant store of wheat for lie Royale, it will be able to provide wood for carpentry and building, which is getting expensive there, and all the comforts of life which it is impossible to get from elsewhere, especially in wartime. [fols. 197v-198l

The Acadians are naturally lazy and are accustomed besides to work only on easy marshes, instead of which on lle Saint-Jean the lands are high and difficult to clear, but the wheat they produce gives more flour, and makes better bread.

[fols. 198v]

[PAC, AC, CHB, Vol. 12, fols. 196-198v]

56