DesBrisay, Thomas (1770-1772) Advertisements in the Belfast News Letter, 2 March 1770; 29 January, 5 February 1771; 21 January — 19 May, 5 June 1772. [Also printed in: Royle, S. A. & Ni’ Laoire, C. (2002) DesBrisay’s Settlers. The Island Magazine, 51: 19—23.]

Although Thomas DesBrisay lb. 7732 or 7733, d. 7879) was appointed as the island ’s first lieutenant—governor in 7 769 (an unsa/aried post, subordinate to that of the governor), he did not make an appearance on the island until ten years later in 7 779, from which time he was to become a thorn in the side of many of his government colleagues. However, during his ten year absence he had not been entirely neg/ectfu/ of the island, at least with regard to his own interests. Not being among the original grantees, he had purchased (on a promise of later payment) three townships from their original owners (Lots 14, 31, and 33). He then proceeded to actively seek for tenants for his townships in his native Ire/and. As part of the recruiting process, from 7770, and especially in 1 777 and 7772 he placed advertisements extolling the virtues of the island in the Belfast News Letter (from which the extract below has been taken). Since at the time, DesBrisay had no direct experience of the island himself, the comments in the ad, including that on the timber, which are general and vague, are likely to be based on common sense knowledge of eastern North America, though the unnecessarily specific comment on the lack of undergrowth in the forests (which was added in the 7 772 ads), could have come from letters sent back by settlers of the first year — for DesBrisay did manage to send some tenants to his lots in each of the years from 7 777 to 7773.

REFERENCES:

Dickson, R. J. (1966) Ulster Emigration to Colonia/America, 7778—7775. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London. pp. 152- 164.

Pigot, F. L. (1983) DesBrisay, Thomas. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, V: 249-50.

Royle, S. A. & NI’ Laoire, C. (2002) DesBrisay’s Settlers, The Island Magazine, 51: 19-23.

ST JOHN'S ISLAND

Capt. Thomas Desbrisay, of his Majesty's Royal Irish Regiment of Artillery, being appointed Lieut. Governor, Secretary and Register to the Island of St John’s in the Gulf of St Laurence, North America, (not St John’s in Newfoundland) and having purchased a large Portion of lands in the said Island, whose Situation cannot be equalled by any Grounds there, as they lie so very contiguous to Charlotte Town

being the Metropolis and Seat of Government; The Tenants are remarkably well circumstanced for Fish Trade as on the North Side of these lands is a fine Bay Good timber. and safe Harbour for ships with Timber joining it, very fit to build vessels.1 The Island lies in latitude from 46 to 49, the Climate is extremely healthful, the Timber in most Lift/e underWOOd. parts goodz, the Soil rich, fertile and [having little or no Brush or Underwood on it

must make it]3 easy of Cultivation, the Coast and Rivers (which are numerous and navigable) abound with the greatest Plenty and variety of Fish and the land well stocked with profitable Game 2. In short a man at his leisure Hours may supply his Family by his Gun and Fishing.

Game.

[Be/fast News Letter, 29 January 1771]

1. This description fits DesBrisay’s Lot 33 which runs from Charlottetown Royalty, north to both Rustico and Brackley Bays.

2. The 1770 advertisement had said: ” The Woods are good” and "the Island abounds with the greatest Plenty of profitable Game”. [Source: The Belfast News Letter, 2 March 1770, with the date and place of origin of the letter given as ’Wexford, January 31, 1770'.]

3. The contents in square brackets were added to the advertisement in 1772 [Be/fast News Letter, 21 January to 19 May, and 5 June].