MacGregor, John (1828) Historical and Descriptive Sketches of the Maritime Colonies of British North America. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green, London. [Reprinted 1968 by S. R. Publishers, Johnson Reprint Corporation.] 266 + v pp.

MacGregor. John (1832) British North America. Volume 1. Blackwood, Edinburgh. 605 pp.

It is no accident that the two major works by John MacGregor lb. 779 7, d. 7 85 7/ on Britain ’s North American colonies contain substantial sections on Prince Edward Island. MacGregor had been brought to the island at the age of nine by his parents, who had emigrated from Scotland to Pictou, Nova Scotia in 7 803, moving thence to Covehead on the island in 7806. In the 78203 he had begun a business and political career in Charlottetown which brought him some local prominence as a party to the opposition to Lieutenant—Go vernor Smith. He left the island in 7827 to live in Great Britain where he was to spend the rest of his life in a busy career as author, civil servant, politician and businessman. in his two books on North America he became an ardent publicist of the importance to Britain of her North American colonies. Much of the material on Prince Edward Island must be based on his own personal observation, though compared with either John Stewart or Walter Johnstone, neither of his books contains a great deal of new information on the island ’3 forests. The disapproval he expresses concerning the effects of the timber trade on the island was to lead eventually to his successful/y campaigning in the 78403 for the abolition of the preferential tariffs for British North American timber. The chapters on Prince Edward Island in his 7832 book are largely a condensed version of material from the 1828 book — where there are differences in his descriptions of the forests, / include these in the footnotes.

REFERENCE: Bumsted, J.M. (1985) MacGregor, John. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, VIII: 547—49.

CHAPTER I. Geographical position of Prince Edward Island

In coming within view of Prince Edward Island, its aspect is that of a level country, covered to the water’s edge with trees, and the outline of its surface scarcely curved with the appearance of hills. Almost every part affords agreeable prospects, and beautiful situations. In summer and autumn the forests exhibit a rich and splendid foliage, varying from the deep green of the fir, to the lively tints of the birch and maple; lpp. 1-3]

The View from the sea.

The woods near During the summer and autumnal months, the view from Charlotte Town is highly Charlottetown. interesting; the distant farms, partial clearings, and grassy glades, intermingled with trees of various kinds, but chiefly the birch, beech, maple, and spruce fir, all combine to form a landscape that would please even the most scrupulous picturesque tourist. [p.61

Three Rivers. The settlements contiguous to George Town, or Cardigan, Montague, and Brudnelle Rivers, are rapidly extending A considerable quantity of timber has within the last twenty years been exported from hence, and a number of superior ships have been built for the British market. At present there two well-established ship-yards

Ma/peque Bay. Richmond Bay: during the last twenty years, several cargoes of timber have been exported from this port, and a number of ships and brigs have been lately built here for the English market. lop. 7- 9]

Along the District of the Capes. This district extends along the north shore of the island, from north shore. St. Peter’s to the east point. For a considerable distance back from the gulf shore the lands are entirely cleared, except for the detached spots or clumps of the spruce fir. [p.12]

Murray Harbour. Murray Harbour. Several cargoes of timber have been exported from this place, and

a number of excellent ships, brigs and smaller vessels have been built here by Messrs. Cambridge & Sons, whose extensive establishments, mills, ship-yards, &c. have for

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