Anon. (1808) A True Guide to Prince Edward Island, former/y Saint John ’3 in the Gu/ph of St. Lawrence, North America. G. F. Harris, Liverpool. 24 pp. [UPE|, Robertson Library: P.E.|., FC 2617.1 T78 1808]

As far as I know, the author of this account has not been identified, though I think it would not be impossible to do so from its contents. He is clearly a resident of the island and has been so for some time — from at least 77.9 7. He is strongly opposed to the proprietors, or at least to those who have not developed their properties ~ this does not necessarily mean that he is not a proprietor himself. He is lavish in his praise of Lieutenant-Go vernor Desbarres: ”this gentleman has shewn uncommon talents, activity, and perseverance ” and oblique/y critical of Fanning: ”[he] had been very fortunate in extended land speculations”. The pamphlet was printed in Liverpool and is especially intended for a Liverpool readership, which may indicate the author’s regional connections. It is one of the first immigrants' handbooks and has been written, he claims, to counteract the misleading writings of others. His purpose, he states, is ”to establish a faithful guide for a steady-minded emigrant, who may not have access to a disinterested or informed person, and to rescue the public character of Prince Edward Island from the ob/oquy it has sustained by those shameful puffs’. His description of the forest consists of a short list of tree species and a few miscellaneous comments. The inclusion of relatively uncommon species (or at least local/y distributed), such as ash, elm, juniper (i. e. larch), and cedar may suggest some kno w/edge of the forests of the western part of the island.

Tree species. The timber is principally pine, and various kinds of fir; maple, (a very beautiful wood for

furniture, and which also yields a considerable quantity of sugar,) black birch, (also very good for furniture and ship building,) oak, ash, elm, beech, juniper, cedar, &c. Wild fowl swarm here, and game is in great plenty. The snow bird is not inferior to the

Game.

Climatic effects of woodland clearance.

Wood clearing.

Timber prices.

Fur prices.

Wood/and clearance.

Mosquitoes.

Timber cargoes.

Wood-based trades.

ortolon. Partridges are excellent, and run almost tame in the woods. The rabbit, or rather hare, of this Island, is much admired by epicures. lpp. 8—9]

Not only in this Colony, but throughout Nova Scotia and North America, the winters have been much warmer within the last fifteen or twenty years, and are still becoming more temperate, owing, it is supposed, to the quantity of wood cleared away.

[p. 10] The settler begins to clear his land by cutting down the trees, and setting fire to them, piling the wood to make it burn better; the roots remain in the ground, but they are so destroyed by fire that they will rot, and can be pulled out in a few years, by a team of oxen with a chain. In the mean time he hoes the land between them, or sometimes uses a one-handled plough. [p. 11]

It may not be improper to mention the retail price of sundry articles in June 1807. Partridges and Rabbits 6d. Pine Timber, delivered, 15s. per ton of 40 feet. Hard Wood, such as Oak, Birch, &c. 178. 6d. per ton. Bear Skins, from 153. to 305. Fox Ditto 7s. Martin 23. 6d. Rabbit 1d. Beaver and Otter, Patched and Black Foxes, &c. no fixed price. [pp. 12-13]

To an Englishman’s view, all new Countries have their disadvantages. The appearance of woods, which must be cut down, is not calculated to encourage the stranger who is to encounter them, without knowledge as to method, or acquaintance with that necessary qualification—the use of an axe. Mosquitos are a worrying insect to a new settler, until he clears away some of his woods, and opens his land to the welcoming breeze. [p. 19]

If they lie ’persons who wish to emigrate’] go in numbers, of course they will charter a ship, take out goods, and send back timber. which can be purchased on the Island: thus their passage money may be saved, and a handsome profit made on the voyage. [p. 211 There are very few pursuits in life that would not answer well in Prince Edward Island: Land surveyors, Farmers &c. Saw and Grist Mills, (either could be built for £200) Tanners, (there is but one tanner on the island), Millwrights, Ship-builders, Carpenters, Coopers, Turners [p.22]

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