The rationale for an Act of the Assembly.

Fires destroy

the insects.

Late summer fires dangerous.

Spring fires beneficial.

An incipient timber trade.

The mammals of the island.

Some forest birds.

Letter to the Secretary of State, 11 August 1773

The other remaining one is an Act for indemnifying persons who shall burn the small bushes, rotten windfalls, decayed leaves, and all other brush and Rubbish upon the Lands and in the Woods upon this Island. This Act I consented to, as I believe it will be of great use in destroying different kinds of Flies which breed and harbour in the articles enumerated in the title to the Act, and in the Summer months come out in such numbers, as greatly to annoy the labouring People.

It has generally been supposed in this Island, to be of dangerous consequence to set fire to the Woods, which is in fact only burning the old Leaves and Rubbish upon the surface of the Ground. As at particular dry seasons, towards the latter end of the summer, when the Sap is almost dried and the Soil so dry as to burn. The Roots will then take Fire, and in these cases there may be danger of the large Trees being destroyed. But as this Act confines them to the Spring and the beginning of Summer it will I do believe be productive of great good, without doing any damage to the large Trees, they being at that season too full of Sap, to be easily set on Fire, and the Soil being too wet to burn, besides the Insects will not have taken wing and consequently

must be destroyed in great numbers by the Fires. [fo|s. 39v-40]

Letter to the Secretary of State, 1 May 1774 [Answers to a questionnaire, contained in a letter to the Secretary of State ]

3d. What is the Trade of the Island under your government, the number of shipping belonging thereto, their tonnage, and the number of sea—faring men, with their respective increase or dimunition?

Answer: In answer to the above I would rather say what I think the trade likely to be than what it is at present, as in our infant state it is impossible there can be anything to export, every trade must be against us. It is true that every summer there is some fish made, and there hath been some timber sent home, but the inhabitants having not yet fully supplied themselves with provisions of their own growth, and owing to the great increase that the importing of that article add to its price, the principals who have been concerned in both have hitherto been loosers.

Besides I look upon all kinds of Trade which is not calculated principally to promote

agriculture to be detrimental to the peopling of the Island, [fo|s. 44—44v]

7‘“. What is the natural produce of the Island under your government? Are there any and what Manufactures?

Answer: Of the land quadrupeds an animal called a Lucerver something of the cat kind excepting its tail which is short like that of a hare, and they are larger in the body than any fox. The Inhabitants here eat them. Bears, black and red foxes, martins, rabbits, or rather between an English rabbit and a hare, a small kind of squirrels, some few minxs and mice. Of Fowls In the Woods partridges, the same as are common to the other Northern Colonies, robbins, pidgeons and owls with some smaller birds but not very plentiful nor in so great variety.

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