rº, IC E O N E is E.II. I. In G.
A PRACTICAL
---
GUIDE FOR EMIGRANTS
TO
|NORTH AMERICA,
INCLUDING
Čſt Clift flimit5, £muſt mm am Čmilmſ,
mň Armfüumilmm;
WITH FULL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE PREPARATIONS NECES-
SARY FOR THE VOYAGE, INSTRUCTIONS ON LANDING, TRAVELLING
ROUTES, CAPABILITIES AND PRICE OF LAND, FARMING OFF-
RATIONs, PRICE OF LABOUR, AND ALL OTHER MATTERS
REQUISITE FOR THE EMIGRANT TO BECOME AC-
QUAINTED WITH BEFork EMBARKING ;
&\ith a correct ſºap of the Qānited $tates.
BY GEORGE NETTLE,
(LATE of DEvoNPoRT,)
3E VEN YEARS RESIDENT IN NORTH AMERICA.
LONIDON :
SIM PKIN, M A R SHALL, A N D Co.,
stationERs' HALL court;
!. WARD AND Co., PATERNOSTER Row; DARTON AND co.,
HOLBORN HILL.
IVERPOOL: EDWD. HOWELL, 6, CHURCH STREET.
1850.


A PRACTICAL
T
...'
º
:º
GUIDE FOR EMIGRANTS
To
NORTH AMERICA,
INCLUDING
Čſt imitā ātūtū, Tumºr mà lpr ſmilmſ,
mni ſãrmfumilmmi;
WITH FULL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE PREPARATIONS NECEs-
SARY FOR THE voyage, INSTRUCTIONs on LANDING, TRAVELLING
ROUTES, CAPABILITIES AND PRICE OF LAND, FARMING OPE-
RATIONS, PRICE OF LABOUR, AND ALL OTHER MATTERS -
REQUISITE FOR THE EMIGRANT To BECOME AC-
QUAINTED WITH BEFORE EMBARKING ;
< a torrect ſºap of the Qānited $tates.
BY A
SEWEN YEARS’ RESIDENT IN NORTH AMERICA,
LONDON :
SIM PKIN, M A R SHALL, A N D CO.,
sTATIONERs' HALL court.
LIVERPOOL: EDWD. HOWELL, 6, CHURCH STREET.
1850.





8 EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA.
in this country. This amount brought to a careful wife,
would, at the end of a year or two only, place the poor man
and his family almost above the world’s perplexities; and
his table would be plentifully supplied with such neces-
saries of life as he probably never before had the privilege
of enjoying. This description of persons, as well as some
others of a similar class, are the objects of the author’s
anxious care and regard.
The labouring mechanic, too, with a family of the like
description, in consequence of wages being higher in
America than those of a similar class of labourers in this
country, would also be a fit subject for emigration. But
all parties are earnestly cautioned against taking, out
#: of small children, as, of all things, especially in
travelling, they will be found the most burdensome and
distressing.
Those who may go.—The active trader or dealer: but
he will probably not find an immediate improvement in
his circumstances, as it will take him sometime to become
acquainted with the practices and chicanery of traders in
America. He most probably must purchase his know-
ledge of trading and dealing by a few mistakes and losses;
but after he becomes ; he may succeed as well as
his neighbours, and infinitely better than in this country;
the profits on all trades being about double, whilst family
or housekeeping expenses will be found to be less by one-
half than in England.
To the individual who has a small pension, or fixed in-
come, which will not comfortably provide him with the
necessaries of life, emigration would be highly desirable;
and also to many others under similar circumstances.
Those who ought not to go.—Those who can 3. any-
thing like a good living at home—the poor gentleman—
the idler—the tipler—these, and similar characters, are
very unfit subjects for emigration to America, or, in fact,
to any country where labour and industry are the only
guarantees to success, and where its inhabitants are a
plodding, industrious, and “go-ahead” description of
individuals. -


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA. 9
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PASSAGE-
Eagenses, Provisions, &c.—Garden Seeds and Fruit Trees
to be taken out by a Gardener, &c.
When any one has made up his mind to emigrate, the
first thing should be to count the cost, in doing which, it
will be necessary for him to ascertain the price of his
passage across the Atlantic Ocean—about 2800 miles. In
addition to the passage-money, the sum of about 4s. 2d.
sterling, or 5s. Quebec currency, for each adult, and about
one-half that sum for each child, must be paid to the cap-
tain, (for which he is answerable at Quebec,) for defraying
the expenses incurred by sickness amongst the passengers,
for whom there is a hospital, or regular medical establish-
ment, provided at Grose Island, which will be alluded to
hereafter.
London and Liverpool are the principal ports in this
country for emigration. Steam vessels sail from these
ports every week in summer and twice a month in winter,
and large line-of-packet ships almost every day throughout
the year, for New York and Boston. #. charge in the
steam vessels for cabin passage and board is £25, and in
the liners £20,—steerage from £4 to £5, in the latter the
passenger boarding himself, having the use of the fire for
cooking. But there are other ports from which merchant
ships, principally in the timber trade, sail during the spri
and summer months, to Quebec and other places in §.
America, in which the ſº charged is generally
under £3: and should a family, or a company of friends
or neighbours, emigrate together, the cost to each indivi-
dual may be considerably reduced by contracting for the
whole. This latter plan is earnestly recommended, when
practicable, not merely on the score of economy, but for
their mutual assistance to each other during the voyage;
as the exercise of neighbourly customs and kindnesses
will add much to their comfort. . -
: . It will be of some importance to select a berth where
there is light and ventilation, and -as near the middle of


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA. 17
Journey To MonTREAL–
Description of its location and soil–Market—Religious
establishments—Shipping, Merchandise, &c.
Should the emigrant not meet with the object of his
ursuit in Quebec, he should immediately proceed towards
W. He has the choice of two routes, the one by
steam vessels on the river St. Lawrence, and the other by
canal and land carriage. ... The former will be Fº
as he will be conveyed direct to Montreal, the seat of
Government. ... The settler with moderate pecuniary re-
sources, as well as the poor emigrant, should endeavour to
locate near to a thriving town: by judicious purchases, the
circumstances of the former # improve more rapidly
with the growth of the town than by any agricultural
schemes or projects; and the industrious labourer will
have a better chance of profitable and constant employ-
ment, as he will have the choice of both town and country.
Montreal, not merely from being the seat of Government,
but from its local and advantageous mercantile position,
rivals Quebec; and its increase of population is, conse-
quently, more rapid. The land, too, begins to improve,
and in consequence of its position being a degree more to
the south, its productions are superior to those of the
neighbourhood of Quebec, and the winters are a little more
moderate.
The market is well arranged, the building admirabl
adapted to its purpose, and it is abundantly supplied wit
almost every agricultural production. The vegetable and
fruit market prove the superior soil and cultivation of the
vicinity: but the fruit is not wholly the produce of Mon-
treal, the best being brought from the south-west.
The scenery around Montreal is picturesque and beau-
tiful; its harbour and wharf accommodations are admira-
bly adapted even for the largest ships; and its public
buildings and institutions are well constructed and of
handsome architecture. The religious establishments are


20 EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA.
habitants not being so great. The streets are spacious
and laid out at right angles. There is, also, a handsome
college, surmounted by a dome; and a portion of the
building is used for the purposes of education.
The harbour is º principally by a long pier, or sort
of wooden peninsula, stretching out into the lake, and en-
closing a small bay or basin for the safety and accommoda-
tion of vessels. Here there º. to be plenty of em-
ployment for all mechanical and labouring classes.
The next route, should the traveller find it necessary to
move on, is to Hamilton Bay, by steam-boat, distant about
40 miles. This town, too, has risen most rapidly in build-
ings and trade; and the land surrounding is generally good.
Shopkeepers and tradesmen appear to succeed; .# me-
chanical labour is high in price and in great request.
Public offices and buildings have not yet attained the im-
portance and magnitude of those of the lower towns and
cities. There is, however, a handsome Established Pro-
testant Church, built of wood; a Presbyterian and other
places of worship; a good market; and a town-hall, for
* public business. Its population is from 6000
to 7000.
Burlington Bay is completely enclosed, and the distance
from its entrance to ; is about five miles: at the
latter place there are wharfs for communication with Ha-
milton, from which place they are situated about a mile.
This bay was ; nearly separated from the lake by
a bar of land extending across, through which, however, a
canal has been cut for the passage of schooners, steam
vessels, &c. W -
Immediately adjoining and on the north side of Hamilton
is a chain of high mountains, which stretch along from
east to west. Looking down from the top of any of these
mountains upon Hamilton and the neighbourhood, which
is perfectly level, a most beautiful bird’s-eye view of the
surrounding country presents itself; and on the top of these
mountains the land is again level, and, with little variation,
continues so throughout the entire range.
The town of Dundas, distant about five miles, is a small
place of some trade: it lies in a valley, and has a fine


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA. 21
stream of water running through it, capable of drivi
machinery and mill work, of . there º now ...;
operation. From Hamilton to Dundas there is a good
macadamized turnpike road. About the neighbourhood of
Hamilton there are as good, if not the best roads in Ca-
nada. Independently of the above macadamized road,
there has been a plank high road made, together with a
foot road, stretching upwards of 30 miles west.
Journey TowARDS NEW LoNDON, DIRECT,
Or first to St. Catherine's, Thorold, Niagara, &c., opposite
and near the American States—Instructions in journey-
ing, &c.
The settler will now have his choice, and may select his
location, being in the midst of a variety, in most of which
there is good level land. He may either proceed straight
west towards New London, by land, about 80 miles dis-
tant, through Brandtford and other towns, or proceed more
south-west towards St. Catherine's and Thorold, by land,
or to Niagara by water, distant between 40 and 50 miles.
New London is a rapidly-thriving town, with a military
establishment. Here mechanical and other labour of every
kind is in great demand, and the land in the vicinity is of
superior quality. . A navigable river, called the Thames,
passes through this town, and the water communications
with Lakes Erie and Huron are circumstances of great
importance. The town of Brandtford, and several others
on the road, are in a thriving condition. .
Or, should the emigrant reject this route, by inclining
more to the south, towards St. Catherine's, Thorold, Nia-
gara, and Chipawa, as above, he will not only be drawing
towards a milder climate, but he will be in a convenient
position for crossing over to the States, should he desire
to do so. #. though small, is an increasing town,
in consequence of its being near to the principal locks of
the Welland Canal; from which circumstance, St. Cathe-


28 EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA.
ticularly if he should happen to have two or three sons
grown .# and adapted for ſº ; and if he has a careful
wife and a daughter or two willing to work, they may
find profitable employment. The wife may earn at service
from four to six shillings, and the daughters from two
to five shillings per week each, including their board. It
may be good policy for the whole family to go out to work
for a while, and to put all their earnings into one common
stock. In all their plans, this practice of earning and
saving should be followed up as closely as practicable. It
will be necessary, and, indeed, of the greatest importance,
to be paid the full amount of wages every week, or to quit
the employ at once; and it will be advisable, even when
in work, to keep an eye around for some other situation,
especially for improvement.
ages are frequently paid, especially in towns, partly
in cash and partly in “store pay,” that is to say, in goods
from the shop, or by an order for goods on some other
person; if, however, they are for such articles as are really
wanted, the payment may be considered as good as cash,
with this #. that the servant will be sure to pay
high enough for his goods. . In England, if a master does
not pay his servant his weekly wages as it becomes due,
an application to a º: has the effect of compelling
him; but in the United States it is not so, as the defen-
dant is allowed the means of such tedious procrastination
in coming to a settlement as tires out the complainant, so
much so that it is generally considered preferable to relin-
quish a just demand.*
The wages of the Dutch and Germans at home being
only about 2s. 6d. per week, out of which they have to
provide themselves with food, which is necessarily of the
poorest description, and who have lived under, a rigid
vernment, generally emigrate in companies to America,
É. “land of Goshen” to them when compared with their
own homes, and soon get themselves into employment, º
working at a lower rate of wages than the Yankees, whic
has caused a great reduction in the price of labour. One
* For the rates of wages, see the end.


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA. 31
to be anxious to be employed, and especially to have farms
of their own to manage. In America there is a large
scope for their enterprise; but they may rest assured that
in America they must not expect to keep riding horses for
their pleasure, as they do in England: they must be pre-
pared to toil, labour, and sweat by the side of their work-
men, late and early, or otherwise they had better remain
at home and do the best they can.
There is another fraudulent practice to be guarded
against, in the purchase of land from individual proprietors.
It is not an unusual circumstance for a purchaser, after he
has paid his purchase-money, and taken possession of his
land, to be called upon by a mortgagee who has a lien
upon the estate, a matter often previously preconcerted
between the seller and his friend. A transaction of this
description occurred a short time ago near Buffalo. The
purchaser was an Englishman, who, ... his pur-
chase-money in full, had a second claim made upon him b
a morgagee: being swindled out of his cash, he was oblige
to give up the estate, and take a passage for himself and
family for England, leaving the country in ºš.
There are, however, Government Register Offices, both
in Canada and the States, for registering all kinds of con-
veyances and deeds of land transactions, to which any
person may have recourse on paying a small fee, a precau;
tion indispensably necessary in purchasing of individual
proprietors. In Government or Land Company transac-
tions this precaution is not necessary. l
º
Qualities of Soil–Manure—Distance from Market—Choice
and quality of Land—Mode of Farming—Food of Ani-
mals, &c.
The next point for consideration and investigation is the
quality of the soil, for on a piece of 100 acres only there
may be several qualities; so many as three kinds have been
found on two acres. . The best quality is that which has
about one foot of black or dark brown decayed vegetable


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA, 37
and mislead the stranger. In giving such estimates it
would have been better to under-rate them. In Murray's
history areturn is given by Mr. Fergusson, who commences
by supposing a settler to be going out with £500; and
asserts that by farming, at the end of the fourth year, “he
will have £600 in his pocket, and his farm of 200 acres,
stock, and all paid for.” On this assertion a writer ob-
serves, “ Could this be realised, farming in Canada would,
indeed, be a mine of wealth; but the golden castle has
been assailed by Mr. Sherriff, and we fear completely de-
molished.” About the latter there is very little doubt.
Many respectable and industrious men, from having read
such flattering statements, in the hope and expectation of
improving their circumstances and }. condition of their
families, have cheerfully crossed the ocean, through its
troubles and dangers, and laboured in a foreign climate in
the hope of realising these golden expectations, but, alas;
in vain. Let Mr. Fergusson look into the face of such a
disappointed man, and he will there see the sad effects of
his misrepresentations. This is a serious subject to give
advice upon, and should be treated with a strict regard to
the i.
There is, also, in the same publication another estimate
by Mr. Pickering, an experienced farmer in Canada, and
whose desire was, no doubt, to give a faithful and impar-
tial statement. He commences with the assertion, that
“twenty acres of wheat, averaging eighteen bushels per
acre,” whereas twenty acres are but fifteen, clear of stumps,
roots, &c., allowing nothing for the risk or failure of crops.
It is perfectly true that the new lands far west will produce
heavy crops, but the average in Canada or the States will
not justify Mr. Pickering's assertion; and with respect to
the #. of crops, an instance may be mentioned. In
the beginning of May, a field of wheat in the State of
Ohio, measuring about twelve acres, was in fine condition,
and about a foot high; but in three or four days after-
wards it was not worth a farthing, as every stalk was more
or:less infested with worms, and the land had to be
ploughed up. - , ' , , , ,
Mr. Pickering also gives a cash credit for the fullamount


EMIGRATION TO NORTH AMERICA. 43
. In clearing land, the usual process is to cut down the
tree, leaving the stem about three or four feet from the
ound, to cut off the limbs and branches, to log the tree
y dividing the trunk into eight or twelve feet lengths,
and to pile the whole and burn it. But it is better to
º the roots, also, about four feet from the tree, which
ill cause both to decay sooner, and the root will more
readily come out in ploughing. It has been the practice
to save the ashes and sell them, but for several years past,
in consequence of a discovery in chemistry, their use has
been in a great measure º and they are, conse-
quently, deteriorated in value. If kept in a dry place,
however, they may find a market at a reduced price, pro-
bably at about threepence per bushel; and for this pur-
ose the hard kinds º timber are the best. Should there
a saw-mill in the vicinity of the land, the proprietor
of it will return planks for the trees, which will be found
useful and convenient.
When the woodman is about to fell a tree, it will be
necessary for him to observe which way it is likely to fall,
either from its natural bend or inclination, or from the
wind; but where a tree stands upright, an experienced
chopper can cause it to fall in any direction. Much care
will be necessary, however, as broken limbs and loss of
life have i.; resulted from a want of precaution. In-
stead of chopping down the trees at once, there is a practice
called girdling, which is to cut away the bark round the
trunks, about four or five inches broad and about three or
four feet from the ground, to prevent the circulation of the
sap, when, in course of time, they will rot and fall, and as
soon as they are dead and dry, to set fire to them: by this
means, the boughs and brush are destroyed, whilst the
black trunks are only partially burnt, leaving an unsightly
appearance. In adopting this plan, it will be necessary to
cut a division through the adjoining wood of sufficient
width to prevent the communication of fire further than is
*::::::: d d d l
clearing land, due regard is paid to the sugar maple
tree, which is much . in Aºi. as it affords º:
ample supply of sugar both for family use and frequently