[Clark, Robert] (1779) A Short Description of The Island of St. John in the Gu/ph of St. Lawrence, North- America. 3 pp. London (no publisher named). [P. E. I. PARO Acc. 4437]

The source of the information contained in this three page anonymous pamphlet must be Robert Clark (b. .7 , d. 77.94), the London Quaker merchant who founded a settlement at New London, and it is probable that he is also its author. The pamphlet is in effect a bill of advertisement extolling the virtues of the Island of St. John, and in particular directing prospective purchasers to the land of Robert Clark ”whose Agents reside on the spot to supply the Inhabitants with such articles as are necessary for their use and accommodation, [which] have been established at the expense of many Thousand Pounds”. Robert Clark had purchased Lot 27 in the spring of 1 773 and that year he brought a group of over 700 settlers to his to wnship to found the settlement of Elizabethto wn, on the point of land on the western side of the entrance to New London Bay. He returned to England that autumn, but sent over more settlers and supplies in 1774 and 7 775. By the time he published this pamphlet in 7779 his direct experience of the island had consisted of a single summer season. While back in London he was later to become a significant opponent of Governor Patterson ’s seizure and sale of several lots for non-payment of quitrents. He returned to the island in 1 786 (possibly only for a visit), but by 7 792 he was residing on the island and was to die there two years later.

REFERENCES:

Holman, H. T. (1979) Clark, Robert. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, IV: 152-53.

Bumsted, J. M. (1987) Land, Settlement, and Politics in Eighteenth-Century Prince Edward Island. McGill-Oueen’s University Press. pp. 62-64, 68.

WW be’ﬂés- Strawberries, Gooseberries, Currants, Rasberries, Cranberries, and various kinds of Fruits, grow here spontaneously in great profusion. There is in every part of this Island great quantities of valuable Timber, fit for building Houses and Vessels, or for Exportation; such as Pines of various kinds, fit for Masts and other Uses; excellent Beach, Birch and curled Maple, very beautiful for Furniture; from the juice of this last Tree is made large Quantities of Sugar, of an exceeding pleasant flavour, and is an article of great benefit to the inhabitants.

Timber and trees.

Forest game. The Country abounds with Hares, Partridges, and various kinds of Game, which are free for every Inhabitant.

The Bays are many and commodious and every way covenient for building of Ships and establishing of Fisheries, . The Rivers are numerous, and their Waters fine

Mil/s. On these Rivers are fine conveniences for erecting Mills, which, from the great plenty of Materials at hand, may be done at a small expence.

Lumber It is well situated for an extensive Trade to the West—India Islands, and other Markets, exportab/e. for Lumber, &c.

[Footnotez] * Note, The Timber growing on each lot of Land, is worth the whole of the Purchase Money.

In. 21