Rogers, Robert (1765) A Concise Account of North America. J. Millan, London. [UPE|, Robertson Library: 
     
     F5000. C35, no. 392] 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Robert Rogers lb. 773 l, d. 7795) had been born in Massachusetts, and had served in the colonial rangers during 
     
     the Seven Years War, during which time his ”dashing courage, incredible hard/hood, and humorous pranks” had 
     
     brought him ”fame alike in England and the colonies”. He published his Concise Account of North America while 
     
     on his first visit to England in 7 765. it contains a brief description of Britain ’3 American colonies from Newfoundland 
     
     to Georgia. It is rather odd that he should devote a separate chapter (even if only two pages) to St John’s Island 
     
     since at the time it was almost entirely without settlers and was still attached to the administration of Nova Scot/a. 
     
     It is very unlikely that he had ever seen the island, though he had visited Halifax in 775 7 during his war service. 
     
     Concerning his book as a whole, he writes: ”where my own kno w/edge did not serve me, / have endeavoured to 
     
     make use of the most authentic materials, collected from others Clear/y his sources of information for the island 
     
     were limited: his comments on the forests and game are the blandest of generalities and could have been written 
     
     by anyone about any place in eastern North America at the time. Rogers was later to end up on the British side 
     
    
   
   
    
     during the American rebellion, and would spend his last years in semi—poverty in England. 
     
    
   
   
    
     REFERENCE: Pargellis, S. M. (1935) Rogers, Robert. Dictionary of American Biography. XVI: 108-09. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     ST. JOHN'S ISLAND. 
     
    
   
   
    
     This island, tho' situated in the neighbourhood of Cape Breton, varies widely from 
     
     it as to the pleasantness and fertility of its soil. It is computed to be about sixty miles 
     
     in length, has a commodious harbour, and great conveniences for carrying on the 
     
     Useful timber. fishery. It abounds with a variety of useful timber, and most kinds of wild game 
     
     common to the country. [pp. 11-12] 
     
    
   
   
    
     In short, so fertile is this island, being so well improved while possessed by the 
     
     French, that it was justly stiled the granary of Canada, [p. 12] 
     
    
   
   
    
     There are yet considerable quantities of land uncultivated on this island, which, when 
     
     improved, will render it still more valuable. [p. 13] 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
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