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^
BBITISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR EMIOBA-
TION AND COLONIZATION.
A LETTER
TO
THE RIQHT HONOURABLE LORD STANLEY,
HER MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE
FOR THE COLONIES,
axpiaHu.i.i>rj J A-merioan Atsociatton,
PROi:
SIR R. BROUN, Eq. Aur.,
ONE OP THE COMMISSIONERS,
y
of Common, on the 24th «>«r-''W°"*,'l^° Ke Land .,,d Emigr.tion
.hip, M ColonW Minister what were the to,^^^^^^^ ^ J ^^ ^
BoUfor-luchJje ,«j_, b, ««'»-»%™.t ct 'o? eerUin em.^.nt. »id U>
.ppropr.«edi-.ttor whjoh, reerm^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ lately »<.me
hafebeen deceived by.*he mitisn-amor ca ji. . dooewell
under hi. j«dici.l ""S'""^ \li\iSevttlted to htracted in the m«ter i
tpH^rirjr«"r:rrhri.Worrp.™s^
able annual item ?
It doe. not .ppe« from the "P^'X^^JIjituSaC tXKtinT.
oue.lion.. But you .vailed youreetf of '""VT. ^.hhle from it. commencemeni,
iariwp and oppresBioS. that had ever c»mo under your notice.
The explan.ion given by yc^l^dBhip^^
Board in the ^f t«'.-f ^"«^„^/S^:^ffien^ o» information
their duty," and notwithstaudrng t^f " ^^^^^'^^^^^ examination by that
derived from an individual who refused to «?'"7°7'''*; '^J. ^ ^^ ^i„ht subiect
Board, on the plea that, "from the. information he_hadJo^g|ve.^l^^^^^^^^^ J^^^
himself to penal coNSBmJENcp, — »ppua« .u »=t.; «.... .
House as it vras to your Lordship.
vour Lordship, and offered a suggestion by which he considered " poor persons m
the nrovinces, who are extremely ignorant as to matters relating to emigration,
mav in future avoid being misled by the specious statements of interested compa-
nies who hold out golden expectations never destined to be realized. Upon
this' the Chancellor of the Exchequer observed that it might be perhaps useful
for the country to know that the Emigration Commissioners in London would, on
application, afford every sort of information as to the circumstances and compara-
tive advantages of different colonies.
When the Right Honourable Member for Korthampton talked of specious state-
ments and golden expectations, he appears not to have been aware that the
Canada Company, in a late Report, have published statistical data establishing
these facts, viz.--that about twelve years ago two bands of emigrants went out to
Canada, the one consisting of 640 persons, who possessed collectively the sum ot
28.402i. lit. Id.— the other of 724 persons, who possessed 34,5171. 12«. e*;.; that
upon this capital, in all 62,920L lOs. U., they have already realized 547,7771.
13*. 6d., being on the average upwards of 70 percent, per annum ; that of Je baid
persons, 647 (being nearly one-half of the whole number) carried out wi h them
So capital whatever, and yet by their industry alone they have made 212 0151.
9*. el; that, of the number, 202 carried with them less than 20L each, and that
their united gains reached, at the time the statement was compiled, 74,860J. ds. ;
and that these results had been obtained under the desultory system of coloniza-
tion hitherto pursued, and notwithstanding the drawbacks occasioned by the late
troubles in Canada. Further, Mr. Vernon Smith is perhaps not aware that since
1834 (as is established by information furnished by the Bank of Upper Canada at
Toronto, the Bank of British North America ut Toronto, the Commercial Bank of
the Midland District at Kingston, and the Gore Bank at Hamilton) no less than
2455 settlers have been able to send home money to their friends amounting
to the large sum of 20,4731.. through these four banks alone, in sums of less
than 81. 10*. each upon the average; proving that this numerous body of set-
tlors have not only been enabled to support themselves and their families in
Canada but that they have been so satisfied of the advantage it will be to their
friends 'to join them (for which purpose these remittances have been made),
that they have succeeded in sending over this considerable sum for their as-
sistance.
Again, whUst Mr. Vernon Smith compassionates the extreme ignorance which
nrevtils in the provinces as to emigration, and recommends the circulation of in-
formation on the subject, he is perhaps not aware that, notwithstanding the intel-
lieence which abounds on the Stock Exchange, smce 1818 (and within the limit,
too. of eight years) upwards of fifty-five millions sterling of British capital
have been sunk in foreign loans.* of which about one half pays no dividends wnat-
aoever and the other would be annihilated, both as regards principal and interest,
bv a European war ; that this, however, is but a small portion of the losses caused
bv foreign speculations; that in the United States banks, of repudiating celebrity,
there were about five millions of British capital, and several more millions of
British property have been lost and wasted in the " State Debts of the "Union,
and in their railroads, canals. &c.; and that, if buta tithe of the millions that have
been expended since the Peace in supporting pauperism at home, and squandered
in administering to cupidity abroad, had been directed upon our colonies, wealth
more than doubled, a commercial marine quadrupled, and native industry stimu-
lated to a tenfold activity, would have been the results.
These are facts, my Lord, worth dissemination at a moment when, on the one
hand, we have an overwhelming unemployed destitute population to provide for,
This information
is taken from the Standard newspaper of the 1 1 th of Novem-
ber. MrrMontgomery Martin, at a late meeting of the Colonial Society, stated that
" 121,000,0001. of British capital is invested m foreign countries, and, ol iftai sum,
100,000,0001. pays no interest whatsoever."
X,
tf
and, on the other, it is known that there is floating in the City some seren ot
eight millions of money which its owners know not how or where to invest, and
for which they are glad to receive so much as 21. per cent. I will venture there-
fore to say that, if a portion of the 7500J. paid to the Land and Emigration Com-
missioners was laid out in giving publicity to these and similar facts, the good
which would arise to the community from such a circumstance would be twice
blessed.
With these few preliminary observations, I shall now, my Lord, proceed to
give you, in as succinct language as possible, a clear outline of the rise, history,
and fall of the British- American Association, — premising that I shall make
no statement except such as is the truth, as can be substantiated by documentary
and other evidence.
During the last six years I have devoted no inconsiderable portion of my time
and attention to the advancement of a question which is of paramount importance to
Scotland, viz. the restoration in British America of the territorial rights and pri-
vileges of the Baronets of Scotland and Nova Scotia, and the revival of the
express objects for which the Crown erected that influential hereditary Order, vi«.
the colonization of Nova Scotia as anciently bounded* With this view, proceed-
ings were adopted at a General Meeting of baronets held in Edinburgh on the
2l8t of October, 1836, and they were continued down till the 22nd of April,
1842, on which day the Consulting Council of the British-American Association
assembled as an organized body, the Duke of Argyll, as President of the Asso-
ciation, filling the chair.
Upon this occasion, after reading the minutes of a meeting of Baronets and others,
held on the 22nd of February previous, it was reported that the proceedings on
that day had been printed and circulated, and that replies had been received from
a very considerable number of Baronets, who cordially concurred in the opinion
expressed in the first resolution then carried, viz. " That the British-American
Association for Emigration and Colonization was well adapted to relieve Scot-
land of her surplus population — to strengthen British interests in North America
*-and to effect the combined objects of establishing the rights, and makinj^; avail-
able the properties in British America, of such Baronets as should join it. Let-
ters were produced from upwards of fifty members of the Scottish Baronetage
consenting to join the Consulting Council, it being distinctly understood that by
doing so they should incur no pecuniary liabilities whatever. A sketch of the
ancient province of Nova Scotia was laid before the meeting, exhibiting the posi-
tion of the lands (16,000 acres each) granted to the Baronets; the constitution
of the Association, or regulations for its management, as matured at a series of
meetings, commencing on the 9th of January, 1841, and continued from time to
time till the 14th of April, 1842, was laid uport the table, and its provisions ex-
plained ; a Report from the Executive Commissioners was read, setting forth,
among other things, that arrangements had been entered into for the purchase of
several extensive Seignories in Canada East, and for a large tract of land in Prince
Edward's Island ; the prospectus of the Association, and one of the Prince Edward's
Island Fisheries Branch (in which these lands were distinctly set forth), were re-
vised preparatory to thwir being issued to the public } Sir Allan Macnab, speaker
of the late Legislative Assembly in Upper Canada, and Dr. Rolph, Government
Emigration Agent for British America, severally attested the value of the lands
contracted for, and the great results which were certain to attend the opera-
tions of the Association ; and a resolution was unanimously passed, "That the
objects of the Association should be immediately proceeded with, the Meeting
• The Baronetage of Scotland and Nova Scotia comprises about 160 members,
including I Duko, 6 Marquesses^ 19 Earls, 2 Viscounts, 9 Lords, and about lUU
Barons.' "A^concise statement of the lights and privileges of the Order may be had
of Messrs. Cunningham and Mortimer, publishers, No. 1, Adelaide. street, Oharing-
cross.
f^ftttrdinj? the question of Emigration and Colonization as one of paramount iiu-
fortance to the colonics in British North America, as well as to the people of the
United Kingdom."
Tile consideration of the other matters i" t^e paper of business having heen
adjourned till the Friday following. April 29th on ^^^Kf^y^^l^^^^S
Council again assembled, the MarqUess of Downsh.re. one of the Vice-Presidents,
in the chair ; when the minutes of the previous Council were read and confirmed,
several documents were produced relative to pauperism in Scotland; » ^.I'J""
from the Executive Commissioners was reftd. setting forth various considera-
tions upon which the Association expected to obtain public support, viz. the
necessity ^htCh exists for providing an immediate outlet for t^« ^l^J'^"^ ^^^^^^^
tution which prevails in the kingdom-^the pol cy of strengthen ng B"t«J "^
fluence in our northern Transatlantic dominions by a"/"f««'°" '"^^ ^rh
of a sound British population upon a national scale-and the benefits which
would arise from a well-conducte'd system of emigration under the auspices of
so influential a body as the Consulting Council, comprehendmg as ^^^ d»d "Ot only
many great landed proprietors, but also a large number of noble P"««»«^^t»"J«
familv honours had been bestowed for the express purpose of advancing the
pZtltionof North America; Sir Allan Macnab, Mr. Ogden (then Her Majesty s
Attorney-General for Canada East), and other gentlemen expressedtheir opunous
in favour of the Association and its objects; and on the motion of Sir James
Cockburn, it was unanimously resolved, that the Report «^«"1^,^^ ■ jf P/^,'^' 'Jf
a deputation should proceed to Scotland m furtherance of the objects of the As-
sociation, that the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow should be reques ed
to preside at public meetings on the subject, that copies of the prospectus should
be sent to such Peers and Baronets of Scotland as had not then J«;"«^d, reque ng
them to allow their names to be added to the Vice-Presidents or Consult ug
Council, and that the proceedings of the Council should be communicated to the
absent Peers and Baronets of Scotland and Nova Scotia.
On the 8th of June the Consulting Council again met,— the President, Ws
Grace the Duke of Argyll, in the chair. The business of tje meeting com-
menced by reading the minutes of the previous Council, which were found
correctly entered and signed. The minutes of influential meetings held m Lclm-
burgh and Glasgow on the 24th and 27th of May (having the signatures of the
Lord Provosts^f those cities) were produced; a Report f'-o- the execut ve
Commissioners was read embodying the unanimous resolutions of the aaid meet
incs (to the effect "that destitution in Scotland, frh-ch has been gradually in-
creasing from the period of the Peace, had reached an appalling character and ex-
tent, and could not be effectually remedied by any nieasure short of emigration
upon a national scale;" that •« the resources of our British-American Provmce^B, J
drawn out by an extensive infusipn into them of capital and population, «ouUI
afford an immediate and effectual remedy for the distress prevalent in the
United Kingdom from redundant labour;" and that " the British-American As-
sociation, which had been formed for these combined objects, was entitled to the
support of all persons in the kingdom desirous of advancing the ^^'^^^^^^''^^^
welfare of the labouring classes"); setting forth that the whole of the arrange-
ments which necessarily precede the announcement of a great public undertaking
had been matured; stating that the Commissioners had negociated for the ac-
quirement of four Seignories in Canada East and other adjoining properties, con-
taining upwards of 200,000 acres of land; that that inexhaustible source of
wealth, the fisheries of the American seafl, had engaged ihe anxioua attention
of the Board, who, with a view to the establishment of a fishery at Holland Bay
in Prince Edward's Island, had agreed for the purchase of the surrounding lands ;
and that various other extensive propeties in Canada East, a tract ol country
bordering upon New Brunswick, and several estates in Prince Edwards Island,
had been selected for future consideration.
The Report also sot forth, that the pecuniary arrangements connected with the
contracts for land had been entered into with a due regard to the nature of
,•■'" !
!
W S? L R 1 "*'"'*', "^ *J^ Association. It embraced a financial ph«;
by which the Board proposed to obtain the funds necessary «o meet the first in-
stalments falling due on the purchases, to cov.r oflice and other expenses and it
contamed the following special clause, viz, " The Commissioner, hfve the Tatis-
lact.on to report that they expect to send out a body of en.igrants to Prince
Edward's Island before the close of the present sea-son, and to carry out their
operations upon an extensive scale in the spring and summer of the ensuin '
the^cLS?.w;^'!'"^-'*'^'^?K*''^ "P? *^" ^'P°'*' '*^^«. «"«>• amending
the c ause relative to raising the capital required for the purposes above men-
.oned. on the motion of Sir James Cockburn, unanimously*^ resolved, "That
the Report now presented be adopted and acted upon ; and that a subscription be
immediately opened for shares in the capital stock." On a motion, seconded by
he Honbie. Mr. Peters, her Majesty's Solicitor-General for PriAce Edward's
iovedVl! ,7%^'«y^««l^«"J »\^V i' I''' ^^'^"^^ «^ '^' Association should be con!
yeyed to the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, for their polite attention
" l?''^'°^A°,- " *^« '"«t^"S« I'eld in these cities, and to the Provost of Paisley
and to Dr. Alison. Sir William Drysdale, the Hon. Sir John Campbel' Bart the
Very Reverend Princ pal MacFarlane, the Rev. Dr. Aiton. Isaac Buchanan E J
S rSheriffTlt'"'..^'^^^^^^ ^lir^^"""''' '""^ '''^' ^'" WilUam DuS.'
Bart. Mr. Sheriif Alison, the Rev. Dr. Norman Macleod, the Hon. Sir John Cun-
Tlf C: *wMr ' ^tr-' ^^"""^1? ^""^y- ^«^- ^^« Hon.' Sir William Alex? Max-
r. II ;^ «'-''!r"u"'**'""' ^'^•' «f Johnstone Castle, the Rev. Dr. Bur^s. and
the llev. Mr. Baird who respectively moved and seconded the resolutions hen
carried; and to John Bowie. Esq, W. S.. for his kind and valuable asUtance"
Likewise it was proposed by the Duke, from the Chair, and unanimously rested
-'That the thanks of the Council should be given to the Deputation who Iro-
ceeded to Scotland, viz. Sir Allan N, Macnab, Sir Richard Broun. DrRolph^and
W. Andrews. E.q for the highly efficient and satisfactory manner in which thev
have discharged their mission." ^ ^
The proceedings of this Council, like those of the preceding meetines were im-
media ely printed and widely circulated. The following week Mr SrTws Ind
myself waited on Sir Janies- Cockburn, when the headini of the subscriptTon list
was settled: after which mo called on the Duke of Argyll, who purdown he
hame for some shares, and also subscribed for his son, the MarqSess of Ln^^
Subsequently Sir James Cockburn subscribed; as also W Sh^TugiMe Dr'
Rolph. myself, and various others. '^guvie, ur,
1 Jl!*nf^r"^^ °^ ^"^y" ^l^^ *''''" '^""'^^y ^f*«' '^^ interview I had with him on tho
13 h of June, and from this period till the 3rd of August, when Sir AllTMacnab
left town for Canada, the attention of the Board, which met daily, was dlrec'edte
various important matters of business. The constitution of the^ArocSion tl'
again considered, and carefully revised. Means were adopted for meet t alUhe
current expenses ot management until such time as a call could be madp on III
faS f "^• . ''''' '^'^'?- '' ■* '^" ^°^ incorporating the Association by th" Ca!
nad.an Legislature were d.scusr.ed and settled with Sir Allan Macnab. as also wL
an official Letter of Instructions, which subsequently has been pub ished Ar
offer ot the Gasp^ estates, upon conditions deemed highly benefidal fthe v'endnr
haying agreed to take 50.000/. of the purchase-money fn shares), wa enterlaUied
And a proposal made by Mr. Haldon in July, to form^ a small band of "Snts
to consist only ofselected mechanics, each skilled in his trade, to proce^iTnS
Im charge, and in his employ, to Prince Edward's Island, for the purpose of coii-
8tructing such works and residences as should be required for the^ccommodatiou
> a large colony m the spring and summer of the ensuing year, occuS from
time to time, the attention of the Board. "^-cupitu, tioiii
Duiingthe month of July, a Farewell Dinner was given by the Board to Sir
as cLi^' r''^' "• '•''' «"-«;- of hi* returning to Canada to coLmeiKe h b Li s
«« Chiet Commissioner of the Association in North America. The chair win
filled by his Grace the Duke of Richmond and Lennox. Amongst the nti-
merous company present were five ex-Governors of Canada, several of the City
Members, Mr. Walter, M.P., and other eminent individuals. The proceedings
of the evening were very fully reported in all the papers of the day follow-
ing ; and copies of the Emigration Gazette, which contained a special report,
were sent to the Duke of Argyll, to the Vice-Presidents, and every Member of
the Consulting Council. Having had the honour to fill the croupier's chair, on
the health of the President, the Duke of Argyll, and prosperity to the Association,
having been proposed, it devolved upon me, in his absence, to return thanks.
This I did by adverting to the satisfaction which the formation of the Associa-
tion had given throughout Scotland, to the extent and urgency of the distress
which it was created to remedy, and to the expedien^ of making the new
world the field of a mighty national operation for the effectual and permanent
amelioration of the old. Little foreseeing, at this moment, the sudden destruction
which was so shortly to overtake the Association, I concluded my observations as
follows : —
" Hitherto the plantation of our North-American dependencies has never en-
gaged the due attention of a nation of which they form part and parcel as integral
portions. Emigration has been left to take its own unaided and unguided course,
whilst Colonization exists but as a name, without having any systematic reality.
I hope, however, under the special superintendence of the influential Peers,
Baronets, and Gentlemen forming the Consulting Council of this Association,
that those two highly national objects will henceforth be carried out on enlight-
ened principles— with practical utility to the mother country and the colony— and
high remunerative advantage to those who shall invest capital in its stock. I am,
nevertheless, fully aware, that in the progress of our operations there are both
dangers to be apprehended, and difficulties to be overcome. Still I entertain no
fears for the result. Confiding upon the integrity of our proceedings, the purity
of our views, and the utility of our public aims, I feel assured that the Associa-
tion will be sustained in its practical workings by the good, and patriotic, both of
the mother country and the colony. The policy of a Government true to the in-
terests of the British Crown cannot but appreciate and aid exertions which will
immensely tend to consolidate British influence in Northern America. Ihe
Colonial Legislatures must facilitate objects which will give a mighty impulse
to their social aggrandisement, and render their connection with the parent state
secure and indissoluble. The clergy of the United Kingdom, as a body, will co-
operate in measures essential, not only for parochial relief, but for the continu-
ance of all that most immediately concerns the moral, spiritual, and physical
welfare of the people committed to their charge. Vast multitudes in England,
Scotland, and Ireland, ready to perish, will second our efforts, and avail them-
selves of the advantages now first brought within their reach. Whilst, throughout
our boundless Transatlantic domains, a brotherhood, sprung from the loins of the
fairest and bravest European monarchies, are ready to aid us with outstretched
arms. Thus supported, the British-American Association cannot fail to accom-
plish the great objects which it has been called into existence to subserve ; and
I therefore confidently trust, through future years, that under its auspices the
germ of population in British America will rapidly expand itself into a mighty
and illustrious monarchical nation. With this hope and belief my colleagues and
myself will go forward, hand in hand, to extend the foundations of a growing
community— to obliterate the jarring recollections of the past— and to accelerate
whatever shall best promote the glory and the power of that bulwark of religion,
liberty, and peace — the British Throne."
Up till this time the Board of Commissioners had never been fully organized ;
and on the 23rd of July, a few days previous to Sir Allan Macnab's departure,
I took occasion tn ^res- u^jon m" colleagues (what I had frequently done be-
fore,) my strong desire that immediate stops should be taken to elect a Chairman
and Deputy Chairman, and to add some commercial men to our number. This 1 did,
not only because I felt uneasy under the responsible duties devolving upon the
Board, having myself no practical acquaintance with mercantile affairs, but
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also becauso I was morally sure that no satisfactory progress in oelHDp; shares
would be made until our direction was strengthened by a fow influential City
namefl. My own office was that of Chairman, not of the Board of Manage-
ment, but of the Executive Committee of that Board — an appointment which
entailed no other obligations than to superintend the daily routine of office
business, and to carry into effect such instructions as the Board, l)y resolu-
tions duly passed and minuted, should give. Upon this point Sir James Cock-
burn can bear testimony to my anxiety, for I have a letter of his now before
me, bearing date so far back as the 2Sth of April, declining the Chairman-
ship of the Board, which was then urged upon his acceptance, but stating
that he certainly viewed the Association as founded for a great national work,
and that he should be glad to give it every aid within his humble reach. The
Board having taken this matter into consideration, it was deemed advisable
(and that chiefly upon the advice of Sir Allan Macnab) to suspend any active
proceedings for this end until such time as our Chief Commissioner for Canada
should have reported to us as to the disposition of the Colonial Legislature to-
wards the Association, and the progress made by him in placing 10,000 paid-up
shares in land in Canada, which stock had been placed at his disposal by a vote
of the previous Council on the 8th of June.
On the 4th of August, the day after Sir Allan sailed, a minute was made of the
terms upon which the arrangement with Mr. Haldon was to be perfected ; the
principal details having previously been settled, and the Board being satisfied,
after instituting inquiries, that his habits of business and general knowledge
rendered him a fit and proper person for the enterprise he hail proposed. At a
meeting on the 12th, Dr. Rolph present, arrangements were ordered to be made
for the passage of the emigrants who went out by the Lady Wood to the estates
of the Association in Prince Edward's Island; and between the 4th and the
19th of August, on which latter day Dr. Rolph left Liverpool for Canada, the
attention of the Board was occupied with details connected with Mr. Haldon's
proposal.
Six days later, on the morning of the 25th of August, I left London for Scot-
land ; but before doing so (and in virtue of one of the articles for the regula-
tion of the Association) I arranged that my place should be supplied by a
gentleman who had qualified to join the Committee of the Prince Edward's Island
Branch. This I did that during my absence there might be present, daily, the
requisite quorum of three members of the Board. Further, I took a promise
from Mr. Andrews, the immediate managing officer and professional adviser of
the Association, that he should acquaint me daily as to the progress of business ;
I left him also impressed with my desire that no step incurring any responsi-
bility should be taken without previous consultation with Sir James Cockburn
or Mr. Fletcher Wilson ; and he fully knew the strong difficulties which I enter-
tained in regard to the propriety of closing the arrangement with Mr. Haldon.
During my short absence in Scotland I received letters from Mr. Andrews,
acquainting me that he had had an interview with Mr. Fletcher Wilson ; that he
had completed arrangements for the charter of a brig, named the Barhadoes, to
convey Mr. Haldon and his band of workmen to Prince Edward's Island, and for
the purchase of the necessary stores, in a manner highly satisfactory, and on
terms which could not but be agreeable to me ; that *' debentures were to be
taken for both the freight and stores ;" that " the arrangements for the Barhadoet
were fortuitous, and would have the effect, without any advance of money, of
establishing the character of the Association as an actual working company ;"
that " his intimacy with Mr. Duncan Campbell had led to our obtaining credit
for the freight and stores to the extent of 2000i. upon the debentures of the
Absociation, ioi' the payment of which no day was fixed ;" and that ** I might
rest assured no effort of his should be wanting to protect the Association ;" but
that " at the same time I must bear in mind that we must run some risks, and
that in the present instance our chance of loss was reduced to a minimum, and
we had the advantage of not being called upon to pay the deficiency, if there
s
should be any, until our stock was placed, and then only in BhareB." Theee re-
presentations and assurances led mo to believe that many of the apprehensions
which I had entertained upon this subject were ill founded: Anticipating that
a large body of emigrants would be sent out by the Association in the spring
and summer of this year, it certainly did appear to me desirable that prepara-
tions should be made for their reception. I however again urged caution in the
matter ; I repeated my desire that he should see Sir James Cockburn or Mr.
Fletcher Wilson, and further renewed my desire that the Board might be in-
creased.
In reply, I was informed by Mr. Andrews that " he did not like lo allow a
post to leave without writing to me ;" that ♦' he would not fail to see Mr. Fletcher
Wilson, and also Sir James Cockburn ;" that " there was no doubt as to strength-
ening the Board of Commissioners, not only by the addition of their names, but
by the adhesion of other individuals through the Gaspfi branch, in which he
took a deep interest, and in the management of which the parties, with the con-
currence of Messrs. Willis, Bower, and Willis, had offered to make him Chair-
man of the Board of that department ;" that " I might depend upon his devoted
attention ;" that (in reply to a query put by me as to the certainty of the Bar-
hadoes being ready at the time agreed upon, viz. the 10th of September) •• the
shipowner was liable to an action if the vessel should not be ready at the time
specified ;" that " Mr. Duncan Campbell was a highly respectable man, and as a
proof of his respectability, and the anxiety he has taken to advance his (Mr. A.'s)
personal interests, he had, at his request, purchased the whole of the stores for
the island, which exceeded 1800?., upon his own credit and responsibility, and
had agreed to take, at a small allowance, debentures for the whole ;" that " thus,
although he had paid him (Mr. Campbell) lOOOi. on account, he should, when the
stores were supplied, have to pay him a further sum of 1150Z. to cover his ad-
vances ;" that " thus we had become an actual working company, without ad-
vancing one guinea;" and that " he had hoped the arrangements which he had
made would have had my unqualified approbation, as resulting altogether from
his (Mr. A.'s) personal influence, and that I would have relied upon his judg-
ment and discretion as to the ship and the emigrants;" and that "she comes out
of dock on the 6th instant, (viz. of September,) and proceeds on her voyage in a
f«w days afterwards."
The letter from which the above extracts are taken was dated the 2nd of Sep-
tember ; and by a following post I was further informed by Mr. Andrews, relative
to the Barhadoes, that " he did not apprehend that the arrangements — the whole
of which were protective of the Association — would be questioned by me, or by
any member of the Board;" and that " he had prevailed upon Mr. Duncan Camp-
hell, the owner of the Barhadoes, to qualify as a member of the Board."
Such was my understanding upon these matters on the 15th of September,
when I again returned to London, and received the personal assurances of Mr.
Andrews that everything was proceeding satisfactorily. Regarding Mr. Camp-
bell, I was told that he had been introduced by Mr. Haldon himself, as a mer-
chant of old standing in the City, who could put 15,000i. into the concern should
it be wanted; that Messrs. Bourdillon and Son, of Austinfriars, had been named
by him, and referred to, as his referees ; that Sir Thomas Turton and Mr. Wil-
liams were his colleagues in a large mining company; and that, as he had for
some time been withdrawing from more active mercantile pursuits, he was desi-
rous of joining in the direction of an Association, founded under the auspices of the
Duke of Argyll, for objects which he deemed of the highest importance to the
c ountry.
Believing these representations, and feeling daily the weight of responsibilities
which I never contemplated, by my connexion with the Association, I was only
too well pleased to find that a person of Mr. Campbell's large experience in busi-
ness had assented to join the Direction. Nor was the fact of his having offered to
furnish a vessel, and supply the stores wanted, taking debentures in payment, cal-
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9
culated to leac\ mo to supvosj that Mr. Campbell had any improper ohjoctB in view.
Nor, indeed, until the examinations at the Manaion-house in April last, did I be-
come awakened to his real character.
Shortly after my return from Scotland I was introduced to Mr. Campbell ;
and I then was told that the Barbadoes was on the point of being clcarod,
and that she would sail on or before the 20th of the month, at latest. After-
wards I visited the vessel, and was gratified to find that in every respect
she was well adapted for the object for which she had been chartered. The greater
portion of the stores had been shipped, and I was given to understand that there
was nothing to prevent her sailing, except the getting on board of some heavy
machinery, viz. a steam-boiler and saw-mill.
Six days later than the period when the Barbadoes should have sailed, and when
I began to feel uneasy and dissatisfied on the subject, Mr. Andrews cr. i to me
with two cheques of Mr. Campbell's for 2501. on his bankers, Messrs. Stone
and Co., and told me that Mr. Campbell, having been diaanpointed of a pay-
ment of a heavy sum of money (1500/.), which he would certainly receive in a day
or two, would be obliged by my exchanging cheques with him for a week. As I
understood that this money was wanted to clear the vessel, so great was my con-
fidence in Mr. Campbell's integrity, as also my desire to expedite the departure of
the emigrants, that I at once complied with his request. Mr. Campbell's cheques
are now lying dishonoured in my banker's hands. That Mr. Andrews lent himself
to obtain of me this sum, knowingMr. Campbell's real insufficiency, is what I cannot
credit; and it is only a matter of strict justice, under all the obloquy that has
been heaped upon Mr. Andrews, that I should express my belief that he has been
sinned against rather than sinning in this whole affair.
A day or two after this advance to Mr. Campbell of 250/., on the faith of his
representations as to the expected payment of the 1500/., he received a further
loan, to the extent of 300/., from the funds of the Association, and subsequently
he procured my acceptance for a 600/. bill, the proceeds of which were to be paid
into the bankers of the Company, to cover the sums that had been lent. Whether
Mr. Campbell got any money upon this bill I cannot say ; but if so, no portion of
it was applied to the purpose for which it was issued, nor has any except 20/. of the
550/. been repaid. Finally, Mr. Campbell having represented to the Board that he
could make no use of the debentures he had received in payment of the stores
shipped, it was, on his entreaty, agreed that promissory notes should be given to him
in exchange, payableTit the end of two years from October, 1842 ; he undertaking
that any money raised upon them should be paid into the bankers of the Asso-
ciation, when cheques should be issued to him for the settlement of the a«count8
of the several parties who had supplied the goods. The notes were given to him ;
but if Mr. Campbell received any money for them, it never was paid into our
bankers.
Looking back, now, on these several circumstances, the public may, perhaps,
justly consider the course adopted reprehensible. But it was not until long
after the dates of these several transactions that Mr. Campbell's utter insufficiency
to carry out his engagements was distinctly ascertained. Further, the goods were
on board the Barbadoes for which these notes were given, and they were paid to
Mr. Campbell at his own instance, he signing the same as one of the Members of
the Board. It b«came also a choice of evils, whether the Association should
perish, or whether I should protect the interests of the shareholders, by becoming a
party to an arrangement which I was professionally advised was altogether legal
and correct. At that moment, too, the Board did not entertain the slightest ap- ,
prehension in regard to the Association being carried out with the greatest pos- '>^M
sible success, vtb could curiaiuiy nave uiOa-c-uinc '^nwittr-p^.-j- — j.-_-i-i ^ ^^_
these promissory notes ; but that could only have been done by subjecting the emi-
grai;t3 to inconveniencies which would have raised an outcry, and laying the
Board open to an action for heavy damages by Mr. Haldon,— circumstances which
would have destroyed the Association : and that was an alternative, considering
10
the extensive liabilities incurred, which wo considered it our duty at any sacrifice
to avoid.
The Barbadoes left the London Docks on the 1 7th of October, and on the 19th
I went down to Gravesend to witness her departure. This was precisely one
mouth later than the day on which she ought to have sailed according to
her charter — and during the interval I had exhausted every personal effort to
get her to sea. Though the season was late, the weather was dry and fine,
with a strong easterly wind, which prevailed for several successive weeks.
After making a round of the vessel, the emigrants were assembled in the cabin,
when the nature of the soil and climate whither they were bound was ex-
plained to them, and it was ascertained that they were unanimously desirous to
proceed on their voyage, being satisfied with the arrangements ma'le for them in
every respect. They had good reason to be so, for the ship waa an excellent aea-
boat — was abundantly supplied with all that was requisite for their subsistence,
had the voyage been twice the number of miles — and every preparation
had been made for their comfortable reception and location whither they were
hound.
Had the Board succumbed to the strange difficulties in which the Association
was suddenly involved after my arrival from Scotland, I should have considered
myself entitled to the reprobation of every honourable man in the kingdom. The
Association had been formed after years of anxious labour — its institution had been
cordially approved of on both aides of the Atlantic — its presidency had been ac-
cepted by a Noble Duke, endeared to Scotland by a long line of illustriouc ances-
tors, who had ever been foremost in every good work which concerned the welfare
and prosperity of that kingdom — and its Consulting Council enrolled men high
in station, powerful in influence, great in intellect, wise in experience, and unim-
peachable in honour, who had joined it as a means, created by national need, to
promote the loftiest aims of commercial benevolence and patriotic exertion. I re-
joice that, on the 19th of October, after a month of personal toil and mental un-
easiness, I left the Barbadoes ready to heave anchor and depart. And I devolve
the cnuse of hor detention — the Mansion-house proceedings — the attacks of the
press — the return of the vessel — the breaking up of the Association — ^the losses
sustained — the miseries endured — and the dishonour inflicted — upon the heads of
those who have occasioned them. Had the Barbadoes sailed with that or the fol-
lowing tide, the emigrants would now have been settled on the lands contracted
for in Prince Edward's Island; and, like those who sailed a few weeks sooner by
the Lady Wood, would have been, in every respect, happy and contented.
From some extraneous interference ihe Barbadoes did not sail on the 20th, as
she ought to have done, nor on the 21at, nor 22nd. Upon the afternoon of this
latter day, some intending emigrants who had broken their engagement with Mr.
Haldon, who had never gone on board themselves, nor pat their tools on baard,
and who had, therefore, no claim of any kind for demurrage, went to the Mansion-
house and preferred a complaint, for the express purpose of extorting money from
him. These men, instead of being reprehended, were encouraged by Sir John
Pirie, and accordingly they succeeded in plundering Mr. Haldon to the extent of
37i. 12*. Further, the Lord Mayor availed himself of the opportunity to throw
out some injurious observations relative to the Association; and he required Mr.
Haldon again to appear before him on the 24th.
On the 24th, accordingly, Mr. Haldon did again attend at the Mansion-house,
and, at the same time, Mr. Bcurdillon appeared for the Association ; but, notwith-
standing the explanations given, and the production of the Minute Book, showing
the Duke of Argyll's signature as Presid>>nt, Sir John Pirie again indulged in
Observations injurious to the Association, and announced his intention of writing
a letter to his Grace. This conduct was the more unjustifiable as upon the Con-
sulting Council were the names of various persons well known to the Lord Mayor.
Further, Sir John Pirie, having acted as treasurer to the fund (120,000/.) raised in
1837, by the personal exertions of Dr. Macleod, for the relief of his starving
V.
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tountrjmen in the Western Highlands, had, on that account, been specially soli"
cited to join the Association, which, however, he declined, on account of his
numerous official duties.
It (s xtnneceBsary, my Lord, for me to dwell minutely upon bU the diaestroiM
occurrences of th» next few weeks. On the 25th Mr. Haldon paid to the men
who had raised the unjust complaints against him 311. 1 2c,, taking at the same
time an acknowledgment to the effect that " they received the sums severally
paid to them in the presence of Mr. Childs, agreeably to the recommendation of
the Lord Mayor, and that they thereby further expressed, each for himself,
his entire approval of Mr. Haldon's acts in all matters touching their engage-
ments with him," The same day the Lord Mayor carried into effect his intention
to write to the Duke of Argyll, although the men had been satisfied, and although
not one emi^trant on board the Barbadoes had ever made the slightest complaint
of any kind. A letter from the Lord Mayor, setting forth that " the circumstances
connected with the agreement of these people appeared to him to look very suspi-
cious," and asking the Duke whether it was " the fact that his Grace considered
himself liable for the pecuniary transactions of the parties in London who had the
management ?" naturally alarmed his Grace. Without inquiry, the noble Presi-
dent wrote a reply of an incautious character, which the Lord Mayor made pub-
lic—and the Press opened upon the Association, and all connected with it, a series
of the most violent attacks.
I may here incidentally notice, that the " Letter of Official Instructione to Sir
Allan Macnab " (the heads of which were settled by the Board before Sir Allan and
Dr. Rolph left London) was published in the Emigration Gazette of the 17th of
September, and was also printed for circulation in a pamphlet form. Copies of
this document, which not only develops the leading principles which governed the
proceedings of the Board, but also sets forth that some Emigrants had already gone
out to Prince Edward's Island, were sent both to the Duke and Sir James Cock-
burn. They were supplied also weekly with copies of the Emigration Gazette,
which contained advertisements relative to a vessel having been chartered to
proceed with settlers to that island ; and they otherwise had constant notices of the
progress of the Association.
On Monday the 31 st of October a special meeting of the Consulting Council was
held, the Marquess of Downshire, one of the Vice-Presidents, in the chair. The
Report from the Board on that occasion stated, that measures for incorporating
the Association by an act of the Colonial Legislature had been adopted, and that a
bill, the draft of which had been drawn and settled in this country, had been
transmitted to Kingston for legislative consideration ; that the Commissioners had
likewise caused notices to be given of an intention to apply in the next ensuing
session of the Imperial Parliament for leave to bring in a bill and obtain an act
for the incorporation of the Association in this country, ihe Commissioners only
waiting the arrival of despatches from Sir Allan Macnab for their guidance in
opening an oflicial communication with the Colonial Office and the Board of Trade
upon the powers to be solicited. The Report further comprised a brief descrip-
tion of the properties for which contracts had been entered into ; detailed the
precise nature of the agreement made with Mr. Haldon ; and concluded by a
solemn declaration, that not one farthing had been received from any of the omi-
grapts of Mr. Haldon, by whom alone they were engaged; that the arrangement
with him had been punctually observed by the Commissioners ; and that every care
and attention had been paid to the men, an unusual liberal supply of provisions for
their support, and also clothes, having been put on board.
At this meeting, which was very numerously attended, various gentlemen of
high respectability, present, expressed their opinions in reference to the conduct
of Sir John Pirie and the attacks of the public press. Mr. Andrews, adverting to
the attacks, the focus of which was the Mansion-house, said, that " the Board had
a moral conviction that there was an organized opposition at work, though wo were
without the proofs." Mr. Leslie boro witness to the fact of the cargo of the Bav
l»doet "being worth 3000i. when it went out of the port of London, his own firm
having BuppUed proviaiona to the extent of lOOOJ." Mr. Duncan B»"cc fltated,
that " he intended to take an interest in the Association to the amount ot oU.OUU/.,
and that his confidence was not at all shaken by what had lately taken place.
Sir James Hay, who had resided twelve years in Canada, Mr. Shernft, ot l-iUroy
Harbour, Ottawa, Captain Kerr, and others, stated, in answer to the complaints
raised about the coldness of tlie climate of Prince Edward's Island, that th.'y had
never suffered so mueh frorti severity of weather in North America as they haU
done in England. I myself reported s conversation with the Government
Inspector of Emigrants, Lieutenant Lean, who had declared to me that he
had never seen a ship better fitted out in all respects than the Barbadoes was ;
and the Noble Chairman, after saying that he was extremely sorry for the attacks
made, observed that "he considered the Association might sit down quite satistoea
with the opinion of such a naval officer as Lieutenant Lean;' and that, ' when
he saw that everything had been done in as much a business manner as possible,
he felt sure that it would bring confidence to the public mind. '
I here desire to express my deep gratitude to the Marquess of Downshire, who
did not refuse to come down and preside at this meeting, at a nioment when the
public press was heaping every abuse on the British-American Association. His
Lordship's conduct upon this occasion was such as became one of the represent-
atives of that noble family who received, from James I. and Charles 1., higher
honours, and more extensive rights, than ever were conferred upon any other sub-
jectsof the British Crown, to reward their exertions to coloniae N.^vabcotia. Had
his example swayed his Grace the President of the Association, the Mansion-house
plot and the calumnies circulated would alike have proved ineffective ; but the
proceedings of this Council were immediately stultified, and the credit ot the
Association destroyed, by the public announcement of the Duke's withdrawal
from office.
At this Council several of the emigrants attended, having come up from Graves-
end purposely to bear personal witness to their comfort on board the Barbadoes,
and to express their gratitude for all the arrangements which had been made for
their comfort. They heard the opinions of tl.e gentlemen above referred to as to
the climate, and they W3re made acquainted with the contents of a letter received
from the Land and Emigration Board, expressing their apprehensions about the
vessel sailing at so late a period. The men, however, were perfectly content to
depart ; the captain entertained no fears about making out the voyage in satety ;
and accordingly the vessel sailed with a fair wind on the following day.
At this Council a letter was reported from Mr. Woodman, jun., the agent of the
Association, dated Cascumpec, 10th of October {pn\y twenty-one doi/» previous),
stating that he was erecting houses about two miles from the point, and in situa-
tions where they would be always useful; and that he hoped to have eleven new
houses finished, and four or five old ones thoroughly repaired, before the arrival
of the emigrants. He also acquainted the Board, that all the supplies which the
emigrants could require during the winter months, had been procured.
I must here call your Lordship's particular attention to the fact that the emigrants
shipped (with the exception of Mr. Taylor and his family) were the engaged work-
people of Mr. Haldon, and that no money was paid by them for their passage. 1 he
Board therefore had no power to prevent these emigrants fulfilling their contract
with Mr. Haldon, if they felt so disposed. Further, the ship had left the London
Docks on the 17th of October; the bills of lading being assigned to Mr. Woodman,
jun., the agent of the Association in Prince Edward's Island. Your Lordship will
therefore see that myself and colleagues had no alternative in the case. We took
care that the vessel, according to the cbarter-party, was sufficiently provisioned,
and that the necessary prcparalioua for liie eiuigrants wore made m tne is.and.
But they embarked upon the lOHpoimibility of Mr. Ilnldon their employer, at the
risk of Mr. Campbell the shipowner; and the vohboI is liable to Mr. Woodman,
the consignee, for the safe delivery of the passeiitjers and stores at lloUand, or
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Cascunipec, Bay. Notwithstanding llie groat clamour raised about tlie enormity of
sending out a multitude of persons, the whole party consisted of 20 men, 1 2 women,
and 16 children; and it is to be observed that they were going to the estates of
the Association ; to homes prepared — to provisions found — and to employment
awaiting them. There is therefore no parallel to be drawn between the case of
these twenty mechanics and that of the 1500 destitute persons in Belfast whom
Dr. Rolph appears to have taken credit, with Aldeiman Gibbs, for advising in
July last not to emigrate until this spring.
On the 21st of November Dr. Rolph arrived from Canada, and on the 7th of the
month following another meeting of the Consulting Council was held, the Hon.
Sir Joshua Meredyth, Bart., presiding. The Report from the Board on that oc-
casion embraced despatches of a highly gratifying character from Sir Allan Mac-
nab, stating that the objects of the Association were highly appreciated in Canada,
that it was certain to meet with general support in that colony, and that the legal
recognition of the Legislative Assembly would be obtained at no distant period.
It set forth that letters had also been received from Prince Edward's Island from
Mr. Woodman, jun., and the Hon. Mr. Peters, the Solicitor-General of the island ;
that these communicated the safe arrival of the emigrants sent out by the Lady
Wood; reiterated the information that every comfort and accommodation had
been provided for the party then proceeding to the island in the Barhadoes ; and
gave assurances to the Board that the Governor of the colony approved highly of
the objects of the Association ; and that a colonial charter would immediately be
granted for the security and pjotection of its operations in that island, with some
valuable and important exclusive privileges. In conclusion, the Commissioners,
insisting upon the integrity of their actions, and that the charges and attacks
made upon them were unwarranted, invited the appointment of a Committee of
Inquiry to investigate their conduct and the whole course of their public adminia-
tration.
A " Committee of Inquiry " was accordingly named — and it commenced its
sittings on the 9th, by passing a resolution, at the suggestion of the Board, invit-
ing the attendance of Sir JohnPirie, Mr. Walter, M.P., and other gentlemen.
After sitting for a fortnight, a public meeting of the Consulting Council was
held at the London Tavern on the 23rd of December, the Hon. Sir W. Ogilvie,
Bait., in the chair, when a Report was read from the said Commiltee, showing,
that, having examined the whole books, documents, papers, and accounts of
the Association, and also the executive officers, they found that no names
liad been placed upon the prospectu? without their due authority for so
doing ; that the Rules and Regulations forming the Constitution of the Associa-
tion had been matured with great judgment ; that the whole of the charges
founded on the proceedings at the Mansion-house were unfounded in truth;
that the various properties acquired had been selected with the most judicious
care, being unquestionably such as to afford every possible prospect of certain
and abundant annual returns upon the capital to be invested ; that none of
the principal oilicers bad received any remuneration for their services ; that the
financial plan to complete the various purchases, and for carrying out the gene-
ral operations of the Association, had been judiciously matured, and merited the
careful attention of parties seeking eligible channels for the investment of surplus
capital,— the sound and enlightened principles which governed the whole system
of the Association's operations offering the very strongest assurances of highly
remunerative returns; that, no money having been yet received from the public
on the shares subscribed, ihe Executive Commissioners appeared to the Commit-
tee to be entitled to the bcbt thanks of the Association and the unlimited confi-
dence of the jmblic,— the arrangements made by them, in their ofticial capacity,
having been in every respect iniluenccd by a spirit of the purest disinterestedness,
and feelings of strict integrity, probity, and honour; and that, on a view of the
whole matter, the Conimittec fccominunued that steps should be adopted towaiUa
procuring a charter — that the Board should be increased — an enlarged prospectus
issued— -and a substriptiiju for ahares opened.
14
On the evening of the day following, via. Saturday the 2'lth of December,
Captain Light, the supercargo of the Barbadoes, called at the office, and reported
that the vessel, from stress of weather, had been driven back from 42 west longitude
(about 1300 miles), into the Cove of Cork; and on the 26th he attended at the
Mansion-house, and, having been sworn, made an affidavit before the Lord Mayor,
in which he declared upon his oath, that, but for the delay occasioned by the
Mansion-house proceedings, the Barbadoes would have reached her destination ;
other ships that sailed for the same quarter ten days previous having made their
voyage in safety.
The " Committee of Inquiry" had laid before them, during their sittings, a care-
fully prepared estimate, showing the returns likely to arise by the settlement
of the several properties acquired. Those returns, in the gross, were taken to
bo 443,594i., which, after deducting the cost price of the lands, left for pro-
fit 261,594^ This sum, however, does not include any amount in the shape
of profit from the coal-fields on the Gasp6 estates, extending to itpwards of
3000 acres of coal of the best quality ; neither does it include the profit from
the sale of the timber on the estates ; in regard to which, on the Gasp6 pro-
perty alone, it was proved before the Committee that the yearly returns, after
paying all costs, would amount to between 20,000/. and 30,000i.
I shall refer your Lordship to the Prospectus (as extended according to the
recommendation of the Committee, but which never was issued to the public)
annexed to this Letter for further information relative to the acreage and de-
scription of the properties, and shall only add that they have all been ac-
quired under agreements which are legally binding, both upon the buyers and
sellerB. It formed a fundamental article in the " Regulations for the Manage-
ment of the Association," as matured at meetings commencing on the 29th January,
1841, and continued until the nth of May following (and which document
has the signatures of Sir W. Ogilvie, Dr. Rolph, Mr. Andrews, and myself),
that the first operations of the Association should be the jmrchase, coloniza-
tion, and settlement of the lands comprised in the seignories of d'Aillebout
anddc Ramsay. And with the knowledge and concurrence of all those indi-
viduals, these said properties, as also those subsequently contracted for, were
purchased. It is true that the vendor of the Gasp6 property is the only party
from whom lands have been taken who has received a payment to account ;
but as that gentleman is to take 50,000/. of the purchase-money of the Gasp6
estate in the shares of the Company, it cannot be said, either with justice or truth,,
that we have no lands. Further, Mr. Woodman, jun., the highly respectable
agent of the Association in Prince Edward's Island, prior to the payment of the
first instalment of the purchase-money of the Holland Bay or Cascumpcc estate,
was put in possession, under an agreement by which the Board were entitled t»
locate 1000 acres, and to send out 100 families.
The chief historical details between the date of the return of the ship Bar-
badoes (24th December) and the final break-up of the Association, on the 30th of
March, may be compressed into a single sentence. During that time Dr. Rolph
was deputed by the Board to wait upon his Grace at Inverary Castle, to lay
before him the Report of the " Committee of Inquiry," to press his Grace's return
to office, and to urge the necessity for his aiding the Executive Officers with
some pecuniary advances, under the difficulties and loss of credit which the at-
tacks of the press and his retirement had occasioned ; Mr. Andrews resigned his
appointment : various letters were written to the Duke and Sir James Cockburn,
representing tlie heavy liabilities which the shareholders would incur by allow-
ing the Association to fall in pieces ; the agents of the Duke and his counsel
were repeatedly seen ; every mode of obtaining sufficient funds to re-victual
the Barhadoss and enable her to "roceod on her vovase. was exhausted; the
prospectus of the Association was revised and extended ; and several meetings
were held at the house of the Association, which were attended by six or eight
commercial gentlemen, disposed to join the Direction, at the last of wliich, held
on the 10th of March, William Richardson, Esq., in the chair, the following ro-
r
r
15
solution was unanimously adopted, viz. " That this mooting consider the Rcnorts
made, and the statcmontB submitted, to bo highly satisfactory, and such Is to
afford a woll-foundcd guarantee for entertaining the opinion th Jt tie Associatloi
upon Its original principles, should be steadily carried out; there appear n,^ to
this meeting to be no valid reason for apprehending that thL IZS^^Zl^r
an extended and efficient management, can fail to be attended with the most
eminent success whether considered with reference to the interests of the shMe-
holders, or the benefit of those classes who require to emigrate."
On Friday the 17th of March, I attended a Board for the last time at
the office when a resolution was passed, virtually suspending the functions
of the actmg Commissioners; and the morning following I removed my papeJs
and effects, leaving for the accommodation of the Association the whol? of
?7iorT.r\'''''P' %fe^ articles required for my personal convenience
Prior to this time, my Lord, various writs had been taken out against me for
liabihties incurred with a view to sustaining the Association, and proSctW
the interests of the shareholders; and early on Monday, the 20th Sf March
a distress was put into the office. Having ascertained, however, the day
fol owing that the Duke of Argyll had arrived in town, I lost no time in
writing to his Grace a letter which was delivered by Dr. Rolph. savinff^ha^
every exertion had been used by us to comply with the sugge tbns S h?s
Grace had made at the conferences held with Dr. Rolph, fn the 6th and 7 h
of January, at Inverary Castle; that it was in his Grace's power, by his per-
sonal co-operation, to fill up the vacancies in the Direction ;ith men^ of
sufficient wealth and influence to carry out the Association; that Dr. Rolph
and myself tendered our aid to his Grace, and the other shareholders fof that
purpose; but that should this overture on our part be declined, we had „o
other alternative lef^ but to relinquish any further efforts to sus ain the As^
re^oSliTyf ' "^ "'"'"' ""'^'"'^ '' ^' down, it must be upon his Grace's
Even at this eleventh hour 5001. (the amount of his Grace's subscription
for shares had it been paid) would have avoided those subsequent Xks
?. t. J^''»V°""^T"'r'* «T^ 0"« °^ *he noblest institutions ^ever founded
m the kingdom. His Grace, however.-acting, no doubt, under the adv?ce of
parties more influenced by private considerations than any sentiments ^ubnc
virtue,_would not move in the matter; and. accordingly, on the 30th of March
utL?l7Sentp.'' "' " Bridge-street was sold !J, and the establishment
I have now, my Lord, in as concise language as possible, put your Lordshin
n possession of all the lead ng facts connected with the rise. p^randfaUo?
the British-American Association ; and I may here state, that, should occ^bn
anse.I shall address a public letter to the Duke of Argyll. emboXing anT^^^^
line of my correspondence with his Grace and Sir JamS Cockb^ and givTn:
any further exp anations upon such points as, for the sake of brevity alone I
have not considered it necessary to notice. I may further add, that I have
not for sonie time past had any communication with my former coUeigues I am
therefore alone responsible for the contents of this letter. =°"«agues. i am
There are, however, my Lord, ono or two injurious allegations f amongst
a mu tiphcuy of others), put in circulation, which I feel myself bound to S-
vert to. First, it is said that offices under the Board were bought and sold •
but I give this the most unqualified contradiction-unless, indeed, the hofdin..'
flTAT \^"Y'^"*?« ^"l * f^>,^hful discbarge of official duty ;hall be considered "n
that light. Last sprmg, Mr. Anderson, of Gortleck. Inverness.shir« " frS ^f
Sir R. Barclay, wiio had agreed to join the Board, finding from Slr Robert'that
several assistants would be required to carry on the business of the Associa-
tion, wrote to say that ho should rejoice extfemely were he so fortunate ^ Jo
have an opportunity afforded him, in any capacity, of engaging himsef h, its
service. As an appointment in the Secretary department wm vacant, ifte
1<
time ne was mionncu, «o b „„a1ifv fnr it bv taking a certain amount
r r'^r* 'Ihilt /S datT h'e 2^6 Vipril. 1842. Mr. Anderson
°^ "-^ 1^ Ji mo^t prudent arrangement, and he could not too much ap-
Tnd It that e^ery oTcer hould have a substantial interest in the success
plaud It. **»**. ?nfW than the mere remuneration for his personal services."
of the Association, «t*^«J, *7" *J.^J^^^^^^ and when his services would be needed,
Sdit" «• Af^er'^^^^^^^^^ ^"*^"^^^^ «' *1^'' Association shall
adding, A'*^r.3J ^"^"^„t:o„ I cannot help again repeating, that it is highly
^ro^L' thltTatroffice"^^^^^^^ a substaiS-af permanent interest in the sue-
cess of the Association."
^„v,n« it wfts ap-reed that Mr. Anderson should be ap-
^f ? '"''*Vth: Se3art up^tre t^^^^^^^^ referred to. and he came up
pointed one of the Secretaries, upo gentleman of the name of Hope,
l^^a^pUedTrlT^^^^^^^^^^^^^ '«^- - ^-^^ *"-' ^^^^^ ^^
declined.
, . .'A c;v T?nbprf Rarclav's name, I consider it proper to state that
Having menjoned Sir Robert B^^^^^^^^ ' ^.^ ^^^ J ^ correspondent,
he was invited to J«^"the Board vvhen deputation from Scotland,
He came to London short y fter the return i circumstance,
but without receiving any ^"^^'^"f «"« *J itaef- and Sir Robert had only been in
connected with Mr. ^nd^r^^.^'^l'f^f.^J"^^^^^^^^ it was found neces-
connexion with the Association till the middle ot juy^w resignation:
sary to make a f '^t'^^-'n^fTrTobe t% who had quaM for the direction
Shortly afterwards, » f^^J^.f/^'^f^^^^ shares cancelled-the Board
of the P;--Jtu la ed t g^^^^^^^^ ^oth. These parties. I am told
wTth^Mr CeUnI ht^^^^^^^ that they possibly could to misrepresent
and injure the Association.
Shortly after the «"* -tin^.^.^^la^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thompson. -^-ZZ^^ZT^^ct^eJ^^^^ application for an appointment,
a gentleman of good family ana co»»«" ' K\ ^^^ express understanding
pr^omising to effect -"«-, ^"^"^f^Xpe fled* in the m nute passed on the sub-
(but which, at his own request, ^*f "?* "P^^^^^^^^ ',^. ^le was for some time con-
}ect although U was m^^^^^^^^ the Board had
nected with the ABSOCiaiion. P . ., ^ Thompson was not a person of
no grounds for ^^^^ ^^l{^^^;,^^^^^^ way deserving confidence,
undoubted respectability of character. y j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^
It then, ^-^ZVZnectetJ^i^^^^^^ when, after due delibera-
proper person to be ^onnectea wiin .^^ ^^^^ ^^ employed;
tion, a minute was passed, that »;« J''^"''' . , ^ ^^^ ^^^^ gteps that would
his connection with the Association.
.-.A.r^A \f necessary to set forth these facts, because, my Lord,
thiir hri':m1oir»^^^^ l-ter. and everywhere been
speaking injuriously of the members of the Board.
_..-.. f<,ri nritb tlifi AsBociation upon which I
There i. one other *''"»"■"" J™';i;-„,„„,i; otJune, there appeared in the
feel it proper to dwell. 8° ««' ^«* m^= "• Bridge-street, under the .igna-
/
/
17
devote a portion of its columns to the service of the Asaociation. Prom this time
constant notices of the Association appeared in the paper, and a numT)er of copies
were taken weekly, which were sent regularly to the President, Vice-Presidents,
members of the Council, and others. During my absence in Scotland, I received
a letter from Mr. Andrews, dated the 30th of August, acquainting me that he had
made an arrangement with Mr. Maillard to have the printing of the Association,
he agreeing to take some stock. Since the breaking up of the Association this
common arrangement in public companies has been declaimed against as one of
crying enormity.
From these facts, my Lord, set forth in chronological order, relative to the rise,
pi ogress, and final break-up of the British- American Association, the following
conclusions are instructed, viz : —
1. Relative to the observations made by the Lord Mayor and others at the
Mansion-house.
It is not true that " no portion of the capital of the Association was paid up,"
because Sir W. Ogilvie, Mr. Andrews, and myself each paid 51. upon the shares
held by us, amounting to 1501. It is not true that " nobody v^'as paid at all,"
because Mr. Campbell (the person who made that assertion) got in loan from myself
250/. on an exchange of cheques, and in loan from the Board 300Z. to clear the
Barbadoes, of which he has only repayed 201, Mr. Duncan Bruce also received
several hundred pounds as a payment to account of the purchase-money of the
Gasp6 property. It is not true that " the emigrants have been deceived," because
the first band who went out to Prince Edward's Island, by the Lady Wood, are
now settled on the estates purchased from Mr. Cunard, and are in every respect
satisfied, and doing prosperously. It is not true that •• the emigrants might have
died of sheer starvation," because all the supplies necessary for them during the
winter months had been provided. It is not true that '• all the noblemen and gen-
tlemen whose names appear in the prospectus were wholly unaware of the na-
ture of these proceedings," because the Emigration Gazette, which contained an
advertisement and various other notices upon the subject, was sent to them
weekly. It is not true that the Association "has not an acre of land in Prince
Edward's Island," because the Duke of Argyll, Sir James Cockburn, myself, and
others, have legally contracted for 74,000 acres there, although it is true that no
part of the purchase-money has yet been paid. It is not true that any one con-
nected with the Association ever "dreamt of sending out a number of poor emi-
grants to an isolated spot with a month's provisions, to run the chances of climate,
and the various contingencies to which persons, in a country unknown'' to them,
must be subjected," because the property contains two villages, with a population
of about 900 souls, houses being ready for their reception, and every preparation
for their comfort and subsistence made. It is not true, as stated by Dr. Rolph,
that "directly following the 8th of June there was a complete departure {torn the
understood plan of operation which was then agreed upon," because the report
then read distinctly set forth that " the Commissioners expected to send out a body
of emigrants to Prince Edward's Island before the close of the present season,''
which report on Sir James Cockburn's motion was resolved " to be adopted, and
acted upon. " Neither is it true, because the chartering of the specific vessel was con-
cluded during Dr. Rolph's absence and mine from town, that the plan of sending
out a few pioneers to Prince Edward's Island " always met his decided reproba-
tion," because the attention of the Executive Board, of which Dr. Rolph was one,
was occupied almost daily from the 8th of June till the 19th of August (on
which day he sailed), first with the arrangements connected with sending out the
emigrants that went by the Lady Wood, and next with Mr. Haldon's proposal, all
the main features of which had been discussed, settled, and reduced to writing,
SGinc TrccR.3 uciufc. xteitiicr xo ii tiuc, ii3 iJr. xvuipii iui;ii ui'gi:u, "iiiai, iiuu iiic
Commissioners seen the admonitory letter of the Government, and disobeyed its
injunctions, nothing could be said in extenuation of their conduct," because this
can be said, not only in extenuation, but in justification of their conduct, that they
had no power to prevent Mr. Haldon and his men sailing, if they thought proper to
18
do 80, as they Wf>ro poing out under th(! auspices, but not upon the responsibility,
of the Board. The Commissioners, also, not only saw the letter, hut it was pro-
duced at the meeting of the Consulting Council, on the Slst of October, and its
coiileiits communicated to the emigrants present, who nevertheless preferred
facing the dangers of the deep to running the risk of starving at home.
2. Relative to the observations made by Messrs. Palmer and Nettleship, in their
letters to the Lord Mayor.
It is not true that their clients, the Duke of Argyll and Sir James Cockburn,
were both ignorant of the intention to send out a body of emigrants to Prince
Edward's Island in the autumn, although it is true that they did not know the
individuals composing the number. It is not true that the only resolution (or
any such resolution) come to on the 8tli of June was, " that, as a preliminary
and indispensable step, a sum of 50,0001. should be insured, as available for the
purposes of emigration." It is not true that "at that meeting it was distinctly
understood that, in the mean time, no engagements whatever should be entered
into by the Association," for this reason, amongst others, that the financial plan
by which the Commissioners proposed to raise 50,000i!. (viz. by debentures), to
j)ay the first instalment upon the several estates that months previously had been
purchased and reported upon, was disapproved of, and a subscription for shares
substituted for it, on Sir James Cockburn's own motion. It is not true that the
Duke and Sir James were " kept in ignorance of everything that occurred, every
transaction having been studiously concealed from them," because Mr. Andrews
and myself, upon varions occasions, after the 8th of June, waited on Sir James,
whilst the Duke and himself were weekly supplied with the Emiifration Gazette,
containing intelligence as to the movements of the Association. It is not
true "that any gross fraud has been committed" by anv of the responsible
officers of the Association. Neither is it true that " certain persons ct)nnectcd
with the Association thought fit to print a statement, professing to be a Report of
what took place at the meeting in June." The Report was a verbatim copy of the
one read, amended in one clause, and adopted at the meeting ; although the
Duke's name, who filled the chair on the occasion, was attached to it from
some inadvertence, instead of the Secretary's. It is not true that " the Report
circulated is (as Messrs. Palmer and Nettleship say they have abundant means of
proving) a false representation of what actually did take place at the meeting,"
because it is not a Report of the proceedi.igs of the meeting in ifuestion, but THE Re-
port FROM THE Board read to, amended at, and adopted by the meeting, as can be
proved ou oath, not only by those who previously drew it up, but by documentary
evidence. Again, although the minutes of the 8th of June were not signed by
the Duke (but by the Marquess of Downshire, who filled the chair of the follow-
ing meeting of the Consulting Council), nevertheless his Grace did, on that day,
sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council, on the 29th of April,
which were then read, and found correctly entered. Further, it is not true •' that
all that the Duke consented to do was conditional," or that "his Grace was to
be merely a subscriber of 500/. fir the benefit of the poor emigrants, not a share-
holder," or thai " his Grace withdrew because the Association departed from the
resolution which they had come to in his presence." Here is the resolution —
" That the Report now presented be adopted, and acted upon ; and that a sub-
scription be immediately opened for shares in the capital stock." In what par-
ticular did the Board depart from the literal sense or implied spirit of that re-
solution ? Or how, considering, " that, having immediate reference to the com-
pletion of the piirchases already made, and the advances which might be rendered
necessary to promote emigration to the properties of the Association, and their
improvement and settlement," 10,000 shares in the capital stock were ordered to
be issued, can it be contended by Messrs. Palmer and Nettleship that their Noble
ciients are not, us sharehoUlers, liable for the acts of the Association, either as
respects the claim of the emigrants or any other claim ?
^
3. Relative to the ohscrmtions made by your Lordship in your place in Parliament.
It is not true, if " the case of the emigrants is one of the most flagrant nature,
and of the grossest hardship and oppression, tliat has ever come under your Lord-
ship's notice," that tliat hardship and oppression are justly chargeable to the British-
American Association ; because the Board did everything that lay within their
power to ensure the comfort and welfare of the emigrants during their pas8a"e
out, and after their arrival at their destination. It is not true " that for that
hardship and oppression no blame whatever ia attributable to the Land and Emi-
gration Board ;" because it is allowed by your Lordship that "the Hoard earried
their interference in the case to the utmost limit — nay, you believe, even beyond
the strict limit of xheir duty ;" and that, too, " upon information derived from an in-
dividual who refused to come forward for examination by that 'Board, on the
ground that he might subject himself to penal consequences !" If it be correct, as
your Lordship states, •• that the Land and Emigration Board were not long in
satisfying themselves that a false and deluding system was in operation," it is not
true that they arrived at such a conclusion upon any facts or circumstances
connected with the Association warranting the same. It it be just, as your Lord-
ship stated, that the Commissioners instituted inquiries, and ascertained that
" the ship was well found — that she was perfectly sea-worthy — that the necessary
provisions were on board — that they were of good quality — that, in fact, the pro-
visions of the Passengers' Act had been strictly complied with — and that the emi-
grants were going out with Their own good will," it is not true that the Land
and Emigration Board had no means of verifying the representation that the As-
sociation had 74,000 acres of land in Prince Edward's Island, because, had they
applied at tlie office of ths Association, they could have had authentic information
on the point, and seen the legal covenants which hav(i been executed upon the
subject. It is not true that •' in February the Association was in a state of
pecuniary difficulty; indeed, in a condition of absolute insolvency;" because the
shareholders comprise men of large fortune, and have assets double, if not treble,
the amount of their debts. But it was true that Mr. Campbell, the owner of the
Barbadoes, was so embarrassed as to be wholly unable to re-victual the Barbadoes
and send her on her voyage. Further, if the mortgagee, Mr. Soames, has since
" absolutely seized the vessel," and brought her back to the port of London, and
turned out the emigrants, he will be held responsible for doing so by the agent of
the Association, Mr. Woodman, jun., to whom the cargo was consigned, and who is
now, I understand, on his way from Prince Edward's Island to institute proceed-
ings for that end. Finally, although, upon the case being such as was represented to
you, your Lordship had " no hesitation in saying that at that time the Associa-
tion were absolutely committing a fraud upon the emigrants," it is absolutely
untrue that the Board ever, at any time, for an instant, committed a fraud upon the
emigrants, or any one else. Equally untrue is it, that the Association '• was but
A UUUULG from its commencement," unless the high and honourable personages
who aii'ed myself to lay its foundation are willing to sit down under the stig'ina
which such a calumny implies.
4. Relative to the attacks of the Public Press,
There was not one syllable of truth in the three allegations selected from the
Mansion-house examinations, upon which the Times, in its leading article of April
the 2l8t, speaks of the arrangement with the emigrants as "one of the most
heartless and wicked frauds we ci er remember to have heard of," and other-
wise deals in such expressions as " inghtful scheme ot swindling and kidnapping,"
*• purposes of deception," &c. It is not true, according to a leading article in the
Herald, of the 20th of April, that «' the conduct of the British-American As-
sociation has been most scandalous;" but it is true, that the Association has been
most scandalously abused and destroyed. " The enormity of the offence of specu-
lating with human beings in the way that hag boon done" by the Aasociaiiuii has
the enormous depravity, but no further, that would attach to the proprietors of
the HeraW themselves, if they purchased an estate in the Isle of Man, taking
power, before the purchase-money was paid, to send over haU'-a-dozen workmen
so
to make certain repairs, but the passage of which workmen to the 8«id island should
be delayed by a combination of circumstances, which the proprietors of the Herald
could neither foresee nor control, although they had taken the utmost possible
care to select a good vessel to convey them to the island, and had made all and
every preparation for their employment, board, and lodging, on their being landed
there. " The successful endeavours to put money in the purse, by traflicking m
the ignorance and credulity of honest and industrious working men," decried by
the Herald, "as perfectly monstrous, and highly criminal;" nay, even as an
offence that •• has not even the infamous motive to palliate it which begot the
kidnapping for the plantations of the 17th century," wants only one element to
give it cogency, viz. truth. Neither Mr. Haldon nor his band of workmen
(nineteen in number) paid one farthing to the Association. It was for labour to
be done on the lands contracted for (lands which exist not, "f/"," as observes the
Herald, " Mr. Campbell speaks true and correct "), and not money, for which the
emigrants were to receive a free passage, rations, cottages, and locations. Mr.
Haldon gave to the Association a bill for 750Z., to cover the charges incurred by
his enterprise ; but that bill was to be paid, not in coin, but by executing works
preparatory to the large emigration which would have been diiected to the estates
of the Association this season, except for those groundless charges which the Press
has laid hold of to misrepresent, defame, and ruin the Association.
I feel, my Lord, that I have already far exceeded the bounds of what many will
consider a readable Letter ; but I have a higher object in view by going so fully
into these particulars than merely the exoneration of myself and others, with
whom, or for whom, 1 have been acting in those unfortunate affairs. After the
facts which I have set forth, and the few comments made, I am hopeful that your
Lordship, and the universal public of the United Kingdom, will allow that all the
charges brought against the British-American Association resolve themselves into
ONE OF DELAY. 'J'he arrangement entered into with Mr. Haldon, whether good or
bad in itself— and upon that I desire to offer no opinion — would, in all human
probability, have turned out well, had the Barbadoes sailed according to the
charter-party, on or before the 20th of September. Who, then, is culpable for her not
sailing before or on that day ? Upon this subject I leave your Lordship to form youi
own c°onclu3ion, referring you to that portion of my letter (page 8) which embodies
the substance of Mr. Andrews's correspondence during my absence in Scotland,
when all connected with the arrangements for chartering the vessel, and the supply
of the stores, were made. If any blame attaches to the fact of the Board having
entertained the proposal first made by Mr. Haldon in July, and upon which, after
various deliberations, a minute was come to on the 4th of August, 1 must plead
guilty, but it is a guilt which Sir W. Ogilvie, Dr. Rolph, Mr. Andrews, and
myself must share amongst us. Further, that guilt, if such it shall be considered,
will be modified, I trust, by the fact, that Mr. Haldon, from his intelligence, ex-
perience, and activity, was well suited to head a pioneer band ; that his men
(nineteen in all) were excellent artizans, judiciously selected ; and that, by the
operation, authorised as it was by the resolution of the previous Consulting
Council, we had no other views or motives than the mutual benefit of all parties
concerned. One inducing reason for purchasing the Holland Bay, or Cascumpec
Estate (the chief town in which was to have been named Argyll), was to have
afforded this season a suitable location for that portion of his Grace's tenantry
who have been accustomed to fishing pursuits, and whose destitution and priva-
tions may be conceived from the heart-rending circumstance, that, in the densely
peopled island of Tirree, the half-famished inhabitants, some time ago, assembled,
and, in the presence of a bounteous Creator, entered into a solemn resolution to
restrict themselves to one meal in the twenty-four hours, and that bad in quality and
small in quantity, being principally of shell-fish.
But although Mr= Campbell failed to clear the Barbadoes by the 20th of
September, with the assistance of the Board. Mr. Leslie, and myself, he did not
fail to clear the vessel before the 20th of October, on which day, or on either of
the two following, had she sailed, she would (according to Captain Light's affidavit
before the Lord Mayor) have made out the voyage in safety. Who, then, are the
> ^ <
21
culprita in the case ? The whole damage sustained arose from events posterior
to the 20th of October, not antecedent to it. Had the Barbadoes sailed prior to the
complaints made at the Mansion-house on the 22nd of October, the fatal delay of
ten days would not have occurred — the attacks of the public Press would not have
been made — the Duke of Argyll would not have retired from office — the credit of
the Association would not have suffered — the Barbadoes would not have returned
to London — nor would an Institution, founded for a vast public object, and calcu-
lated to render the most imporiant advantages to the community, have been
destroyed.
Now, my Lord, it is quite certain that the delay, to which all these calamitous
and most mischievous occurrences are attributable, is to be ascribed to one of two
causes: — 1st. Either to the circumstance of the Land and Emigration Board hav-
ing carried their interference beyond the strict limit of their official duty, and
that upon intelligence derived from some individual who, according to your
Lordship, refused to come forward for examination, on the ground that the in-
formation he had to give might subject him to penal consequences; or, 2nd,
To the circumstance of the late Lord Mayor, Sir John Pirie, having, in a case of
complaint brought against Mr. Haldon, by a few men who had broken their
contract with him (and who, therefore, deserved at the hands of justice that sort
of sympathy which ends in the tread-mill), travelled out of the line of his
judicial capacity to throw out *' some very strong remarks, relative to the names
which had been put before the public as being Directors of the Association," and
declaring from the bench, that " he had no doubt the expose would, at least, save
the complainants from going to a place where, on their arrival, they would be
FROZEN TO DEATH." ^
What reason Sir John Pirie had for making "some very strong remarks"
against the Directors, as the Morning Post of the 24th October reports he did,
I am at a loss to comprehend. Of the six Executive Commissioners, the
names of Sir Allan Macnab and Dr. Kolph speak for themselves ; Sir R. Barclay had
ceased to have any connection with the Board; and of the remaining three. Sir W.
Ogilvie and myself were the only resident acting members. It was said by
Sir John Pirie, from the bench, that one of the mostactive Commissioners had ap-
plied to him for charity ; — it was said by Childs, a Mansion-house runner em-
ployed as a scout on the occasion, that he had got from Captain Pratt (who was
for some days in charge of the Barbadoes, and dismissed for bad conduct) a parcel
worth 20,060i. ; — it was said by a Mr. Wright, who volunteered information,
that the emigrants, even if the vessel got to Halifax, would have to travel 200
miles over almost impassable tracts and enormous masses of floating ice ; — it was
said by Mr. Hobler that it was horrible to send people, in the dead of winter, to an
arctic region, where the inhabitants only could keep themselves alive by wearing
buffalo-hides ; — it was said, on the I4lh November, that the Barbadoes was then off
Deal, short of provisions. Now all these statements were not only untrue, but
were mischievously untrue. Sir John Pirie, after being waited upon by Sir W.
Ogilvie, publicly recanted his offensive observation. The parcel, said to be worth
20,000/., when opened was found to contain some Prospectuses, and copies of a
" Concise Statement, showing the Royal Letters, Charters, Infeftments, Statutes,
and other Legal Instruments by which the rights of the Baronets of Scotland and
Nova Scotia to grants of 16,000 acres of land each, in the province of Nova Scotia
as anciently bounded, are instructed."* Mr. Wright sent a letter to the Times,
mentioning that '• he did not make a statement to the full extent of that attributed
to hiiu in the report." Mr. Hobler begins now to understand that Prince Edward's
Island lies about 500 miies to the south of the Mansion-house, and is the Isle of
Wight of British America ; whilst on the 7th of November the Barbadoes, then 700
miles on her passage out, supplied from her abundance the wants of the ship Caroline,
homeward bound. Why then Sir John Pirie made the "very strong remarks " in
question, he has yet to account lor. True it is that the acting Commissioners, dur-
* To be had of Messrs. Cunningham and Mortimer, Publishers, Adelaide-street,
Chariug-cross.
22
ing all the harassing and unoxamplod oppression that the Association has suffered
were neither of them n.en of fortune ; had it been otherwise, the British-AmerT. an
Association never would have suffered the shipwreck ithasexperienced. Wc had
ni^Th^'^^T ^^^P"^'''^' «•' ^^- O^'ilvie and myself werinot prepared fort e
run that was made upon us; our public credit and our private characters were
destroyed s.niultaneously. W ilkinson. the ofHcer. at the first blush of the Man-
Sclv"thaf/K'"l'?'r'''' mate of the Barbadoes had desired him to sta"e
publicly that the whole transaction was a swindle." The Lord Mayor nodded
ITvlI 'h" r'"™ '^r^i^^u^'T''^' °P"""'^ ^ correspondence with the Duke of
Argyll His Grace replied that ho '« was very much obliged to his Lordship and
certainly did not consider himself responsible ;" and the Press raised runiJ^rsal
cry of execrat,on.-the echoes of which had not ceased to reverberate when you
Lordship put a consummation upon the matter by the statement made by you in
Parliament, as Colonial Minister. ^ '
But, my Lord, to the complexion determined by the facts which this Letter
contams, sooner or later must come the calumnies, reports, allegations, and state-
ments, of whatever nature, relative to theBritish-American Association, and from
whomsoever appearing. I never, my Lord, felt the noble attributes of a BritZ
wtr from t'hrf ;' rT fH'^ P"*^"^ press. «« much as at this moment;
when, from the last plank of that once goodly vessel, THE British-Amf-
nrpff^'rf"^''°''',r^ surrounded with a%ea of troubles, I can TmaiKl for
myself and former colleagues, at the hands of your Lordship/justice and repu a-
o2Z\ ;r ""' '"' ^"'^ '•«'^«'^«'^- The whole losses 'sistained. suSgs
endured and distresses occasioned, throughout the performance of this modern
drama of -Measure for Measure," I here, in the presence of the c^ntrv
publicly charge upon the Land and Emigration Board.^or Sir John PirTe; aS
un ess your Lordship would justly have ascribed to you all that which was most
z::i:t::^.s^^:^r-' ^"^^' ^^" -" ''-'-^^ *^« ^' -^-"
" W olnTi! TTr' ""^ ^"l^' '\^^^^ '""^^ ""'"^ comments upon a letter signed
arJJll. fn ' '^ ^PP-^f ? '^^ ^^' °^ *^« '^^'^ »'»•. ^ith an abominable
article m connection with it both concocted. I have no doubt, by Dr. Rolph. I
here desire to acquit Sir W. Ogilvie of any unworthy intent ons by becomho a
?eftU"bv theTl"'"."\''''",?"' "r'' ^""y ^'''^--'^ ««"tenc'e of e ,"" *
refuted by the facts which will be found in this L.uisr. Sir W. Dcrilvi.. his
not inherited the ample possessions, but he hns the high feeling ' l',-
once powerful ancestors; and so far as my personal knowledge of him extenus
he ,s a man of honour, of truth, and integrity. That Sir William allowed h,;
STe^er'wn. rer'' *^^rf '^ "^^"^'v' ^'^h^"' "«-§ "-^i.-ted and Ltecl.Twha;
I never will believe. There ,9, however, one point, and only one, which I will
to CaL" • r •■ ^" ^\^^-"H^^.'"S ^l^^^''^^^ t-" are' unremitting attendance
t Ko KvIm , ?VT*i'^''* '''"'""^ ''''^''' ^""' ' «r the repre^sentative of
h.^In -^ distributed j,,- .a,«rs, and having fruciuently remonstrated against
no«wr„ T r^f.^i ^'' ^'''- """^ '"^''^' h^' I t'^^" "'ore just to my own
position. I should have ,,,roH. -.ed with more vigour. I feel that 1 have a right to
complain of the heartless and impertinent manner in which I have been uniustlv
assailed; and I cannot but think that it would be moro consonant with justice
?^o J^T'^f^'l t^^^Vi^'^T ^""^'^ unmeasured language had been used against
blance of proof should have been adduced to show their approbation of it."
i.t ^Tl ^r^''^"^^ of proof can be adduced to show that the Duke and
each of the immediate and responsible officers of the Association knew that
tLTa ?fi 1 *!,■ /'"'^'^"•f, '^'''^° ^° ""* d"""g the »"*»«"" to Prince Ed-
hZi *h .!^\ , . i*'' T^^ """^^ incontestably manifest. But it will also esta-
blish that that knowledge forms as little a valid reason for the unmeasured attacks
IJ i T: *!• !^ ?>-oundleBs charges made at the Mansion-house form a
IT M ""^^tantial pretext for the Duke's retirement from office, and the unmea-
suiable evils produced by that event. Further, the allegation is not true that
money, or Us representative, was lavishly distributed to any one,— unless the sum
\
23
of 250/., given to Dr. Rolph for IravoUinj? oxponaoe, shall be so considered. Of
the repreaontative of money here referred to, that was only issued for one of
three considerations — for value received, for services rendered, or for cash ex-
pended. Of the notes placed in my hands for services, the jyrojportion beloninti" to
Sir W. Ogilvie and Br. Rolph were, as they know, appropriated for their joint
bclodf ; whilst, of the other notes issued, not one has been used for any
other purpose except that of lodging them as collateral securities for the settlement
of debts, which, individually, 1 was as innocent of contracting as your Lordbhip.
Of Mr; Andrews and myself, upon whom it is now falsely attempted to affix all
the blame for the evil consequences attendant upon the breaking-up of the
Association, it can be truly said, that since our first acquaintance, on the 15th
of February, 1840, we have devoted our time, talents, labour, and expended about
3000/., to found a noble and beneficent public institution, without either op us
DERIVING ONE FARTIIINO FROM OUR CONNEXION WITH IT — a fact of itself Suffi-
ciently strong to countervail a multitude of aspersionB.
And now, my Lord, I conclude this Letter by appending to it the Prospectus of
the Association as last revised, and ready for issue, had the Duke of Argyll re-
turned to office. This I do, because there is still a possibility of reorganizing the
Board, disposing of the shares, and carrying out the original objects of the Associa-
tion. Whether the Government will give any aid in this attempt, it will depend
upon your Lordship's magnanimity to say. The systematic colonization of
North America was one which the first British Monarch of the House of
Stuart declared that he would make a " royal work" of his own and to
advance the same the Scottish Baronetage was erected. Your Lordship
stands in the place of Him, in the present generation, who pre-eminently
has the power to remedy evils more crying than those which occasioned the
Civil Wars. Never was there an age or country in which problems of more signal
difficulty, or more awful importance, rose to demand practical solution, than those
which multiply in Britain at the present day.
But whatever may be the issue, I desire, for my own expurgation, emphatically
to protest against the impression, wherever it may exist, that any man has been
brought into a false position by any wilful faults of mine. Of the noble members
of the Scottish Baronetage whose names have been connected with the British-
American Association, not one is liable for any debt or engagement of it, except
such of them as have signed for shares; and they who signed did so not without
ample means of information, and a knowledge of their responsibility. The
real state of afl"air8 was not concealed by me from them, the moment that it
became my duty to divulge it. Has the Duke of Argyll exercised ordinary dis-
cretion in this case ? — Had his Grace replied thus to the Lord Mayor's letter of
the 25th of Oitober, — " I am President of the Association — 1 hold shares I have
full confidence in the integrity of the Executive Commissioners," the attacks of the
Press would have passed away as a brutum fulmen, — and no insuperable financial
difficulties would have ensued. Had the Duke of Argyll availed himself of the door
which the Reportofthe " Committee of Inquiry " openedin December last, to have
publicly announced — " I will return to office — I willgive the Board my personal co-
operation — I will carry eflFectually out the objects of the Association," the men and
the funds necessary for that end would have been found in abundance. Nay, even at
the last moment, after his Grace's return to town, on the 20th March, the'expence
since incurred by him for fruitless law-charges would have prevented the return of
the Barbadoes, and sustained the Association — yet he would not advance a single
sixpence. Wasthere ever, then, amatterin which there wasgrosserjudicialblindness
than this ? With regard to the unfortunate emigrants, if any Baronet has subscribed
for their relief, that is well and good ; but their case is one of justice, not of
charity ; and the parties responsible for the return of the vessel will yet be com-
pelled to make repaiation for the injuries they have inflicted. Had the Barbadoes
foundered at sea, and all on board perished, I, for one, would have been branded
as a murderer, but the true assassin would, nevertheless, have been the Emigration
Board — their anonymous correspondent — or the late chief magistrate of the City
of London. During m^ seat at the Board, I may have- done little wisely, and
24
\i f nothing well. But this I can conscientiously say — that which I did, under the
adverse circumstances in which I was placed, I held and considered to be for the
best. I was privy to no acts of malversation. My intentions and actions have
been upright throughout. I have deluded no one. I have defrauded no one. I
have lied against no one. Whether, therefore, I succeed in disabusing the public
xnind of the extraordinary misconceptions that exist in this matter — or whether
I may continue to be maligned by some who once surrounded me as advisers and
colleagues — I shall stand erect — victimised perhaps, but not degraded,
I haTe reserved closing my Letter until I should have seen the report of the
examination in the Bankruptcy Court on the 18th inst. After what has transpired,
is it not, to use Mr. Roy's language, "infatuation to allow this to go on ?"
Mr. Leslie has truly said, " the matter is in a nut-shell after all." The Duke of
Argyll would not have been under examination for five minutes until the Court
would havo been satisfied of that which every one except his Grace's lawyers
know and allow. What, then, is to be done? The Duko and Sir James
Cockburn Iiave either to undertake to wind up the aifairs of the Association,
or to address themselves to the task of reorganising it. Let, then, the Duke
of Argyll act upon the enlightened principle that he is called, in his day and gene-
ration, to give an onward movement to that which the ancient monarchs of our
common country themselves denominated a "royal work." Let him act with
the magnanimous spirit of his r-^ce, and proclaim that he will rather pledge his duke-
dom than fail to carry out the patriotic designs for which the British-American
Association was devised. If he will take this wise and noble course, he will not
be deserted by the generous sympathies of the country. The Baronets of Scotland
and Nova Scotia will be true to the duties of their Order. The merchants, bankers
shipowners, and others, who so lately memorialized the Government in favour of
colonization, will not deny their aid. The public Press will repair the grievous
wrongs it has inflicted. Your Lordship's countenance will not be withheld. And
even the jeer thrown out by Sir John Pirie, that the injury intended to be done to
the Association by the proceedings at the Mansion-house would operate as
a good advertisement, will become a mighty and beneficient truth, redeeming,
by its practical agency, the people of the age which now is, and also those of ages
yet to come, from THE CURSE which a partial obedience to the Divine injimction
— " increase and
produced.
MULTIPLY — replenish THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT " — has
I have the honour to remain,
My Lord,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
R. BROUN, Eq. Aur.
TO THE RIOHT HON. LORD STANLEY,
HER majesty's I'RINCli'AL SECRKTARY OF STATE
FOR THE C0IX)N1ES.
/
/f
^u
BRITISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
FOS BMZOMATXOHr AVS COlbOmXATIOIT.
Copifal— £500,000, in £25 Shares.
Deposit — £l per Share.
TJiE British- American Association has been founded upon consideration --Ist of
the great advantages presented by the Colonies possessed by her Majesty in North
America, as well for the profitable investment of capital as for the beneficial lon
cation and settlement of a large portion of the unemployed population of Great
JSritam and Ireland. 2nd. Of the importance, both in a political and social point
ot view, of remedying the evils attendant upon the desultory and vagrant mode of
JiMioRATlON hitherto pursued, by the introduction of a system upon well-reBu-
lated principles. 3rd. Of the national benefits which must flow from a more com-
plete development of the resources of our North American possessions by not
merely facilitating the removal of Emigrants to their lands in those countries
Dut enabling them to colonue the same on such terms, whether as leaseholders
under, or purchasers from, the Association, as shall secure to the Emigrants them-
selves a certain and permanent maintenance, and to the Association a gradual, but
lucrative and rapidly accumaiating return for the capital invested. 4th. Of the great
Ip u I, * "™"'* *"®"^ *^^ opening up to such Emigrants and all other subiects
ot her Majesty as may be disposed, under the auspices of the Association, to
embark in such engagements, all the natural means offered by their Estates for the
extension of their Trade and Commerce, and renderinur available their Minerals
yvoods, fisheries, and other products ; and, finally, of the ancient rights vested
ma numerous portion of the Scottish Nobility, the revival of which is eminently
calculated to strengthen and promote the lasting prosperity, opulence, and peace
of the mother country and the colonies. r, r r /. r i*
With a view to the accomplishment of the above objects, arrangements have
been entered into for the purchase of the following valuable properties, which
combine all the above elements, with prospective results of a nature eminently
advantageous to the Association. '
• ^'J^n^ ^^k^^^^ ^^^' °^ CAsctJMPEC EsTATE.— This beautiful property, amount,
ing to 74,000 acres, is situated in the vrestern division of Prince Edward Island.
It consists of an unctuous loamy soil, capable of producing, in the greatest abund.
ance and perfection, all the grains, vegtables, and roots of this country. The
lands are surveyed, and good roads laid down. The climate is most salubrious
and tree from fogs, differing little from that of the South of England, except dur-
ing the four winter months. There are on the estate two villages, with churches
schools, &c. and a prosperous tenantry of nearly 900 souls. The present rental
15 considerable. The property is well watered by several rivers; it contains much
valuable limber; and possesses extensive and lucrative Fishing stations. The
f f^ n* •1.''"/ ^^^ '"''®' ^°"**^ of *^« Ittitude of London. It is the garden
°f iJfonn *'*'*;^™f"*^*2 Archipelago; contains a thriving population of upwards
of 40,000 ; and Tithes, Poor-rates, and Taxes are unknown!
^',0AAa^^ III. The Canadian Seigniories.— These comprise in the aggregate
l7»,44t) acres of land, admirably adapted for agricultural pursuits, as regards soil,
climate, and positjon. The four Seigniories lie on the north bank of the St.
L^awrence, about hall-way between Montreal and Quebec, and form one of the most
tertile and splendid domains in British America. They abound in natural re.
sources.^contam several villages, are sur^-eyed, planned, and have good roads laid
aown. un ijaiuiel alone, the mansion-house, farm -buildings, mills, wharfs, forge,
stores, and other works, cost the late proprietors upwards of £40,000. The pre-
sent population exceeds a thousand, the estates yield a rental of considerable
amount, and the whole of them may be rapidly settled upon the most advantage-
pus termc. The water facilities in the Seigniories are very great, comprehend,
ing (besides several navigable streams) the Mftskinongfi River, which issues from
W i
26
a lake nine miles in circumference, abounding in th« ^Sv'U'^ttTakt !nd
from which it derives its name. Iron-mines exist m \^«r»*;;"ifyffhe most choice
mav be let for working on advantageous terms. The timbei is oi P« '""'J ,
SSiiption and very valuable. Further, tl^ese estates being withma^ew^u^^^n^
reach, by water communication, of the two chief markets in Canada, their prouuc
can always command an early, certain, an^^ Fofi\''^^^*7f- Tnwnshins amounting
IV The properties in Canada West, and in the Eastern lownships, amouni i «
to 67.1^ acrel lorm portions of the U. E. (Ignited Empire) f>gh - J^ .^^^^^^^
all been selected with great cave, and are amongst the Tp tid^ of settlement is
tracts in the movince. lying n situations to which the tide ot s^"'^"'*" " .
JapidV teiSinI, anS v^heL ?hey can be both speedily and advantageously dxs-
^T^heGA^PEFROPERTiEs—Theseare free ficm all Seigniorial rights and roy-
Cox and Hamilton, amountin^^^^^^^^
-r^s^h—^^^^^^ ^s^s
an entire control « ^^e -t<3nj;ve Jo-^«;/,,^ip/,^^Bon:venture.as enable
rc^rinSJSSi^^]^
"Th^e'folwTill'summavy exhibits a statement of the respective situations, extent,
and toial cost ot the properties in question : —
In Prince Edward Island ■,•:•••
Seigniories of d'Aiih^bout and de Ramsay
Ditio Caiulel and Lanaudi^re
In Western and Eastern Canada.
74,000. £25T00
^4,672 ^MUO
c\<\ 774 2U,00W
In W esiern and Lastorn Uanaaa 122000 ' * ' ... 9^'.00l>
Gaspe Estates '
Total present extent of estates and properties £183,000
of the Association ^i^.a;''* xu ...Q^nrm-
th«e iTecSaraii.! of .lout f f » P- VXTJmU^^'er wM rf. wui
w.ily requiv
teims equally advantageous,
Thp present capital required maybe stated at -
Of tHis must be paid, to put the Association in full pes-
session of all the properties, and to cover all past ex-
penses or lia> ilities on account of Emigrants, &c.,
" Second instalment in 1844 - -
" The expense of erecting two large mills on
.. t» »t.,vo <ir>r1 Prilina - •
ouuavciii tl> ' •
Wharf and buildings a' Port Daniel
Expense of cutting, hauling, sawing, and other
" expenses ut Gasi-e - - -
£150,000
£65,000
22,500
10,000
4,000
16,000
. 117,500
Leaving a balance
of
£32,500
27
X
"^
as a working capital to defray the expenses attendant on procuring a Charter of
Incorporation and an Act of Parliament ; expenses of management ; the interest
accruing on the unpaid instalments ; and ail other incidental expenses.
During the shipping season the produce of two mills is estimated at 4,368,000
feet of deals, three inches thicU, or 6,618 Petersburg standard hundred ; which, at
the London prices, as calculated by the most eminent brokers, would yield
£95,133; this, deducting duty, freight, insurance, interest, commission, and cost
of manufacture, &c., will realize a net profit of £29,794. 16s. per annum. Of that
sum the vendor's share would amount to £12,000, whioh would leave £17,000 to
be divided yearly amongst the Shareholders.
Thus, the clear mofits arising from Gaspe alone, without taking into the esti-
mate any sum ot rental alre^y payable, or for lands to be yet let or sold on all
their other properties, would enable the Association to pay eight per cent, on the
capital employed, independently of a dividend on the siock taken by the vendojs
of Gaspe, together with a sufficient sum to pay all the expenses of maintaining
the requisite establishment in England. The rental, amounting to £1630, and
the price of land sold, might be left untouched in the mean time, to be aj)plied
hereafter to the payment of the remaining instalments, or otherwise, as the Share-
holders might diiect. It may be calculated that within ten years the whole lands
may be settled and occupied with the greatest advantage to the money interests
of the Shareholders.
The mills pioposed to be erected at Bonaventure and Pabos would be kept in
full operation oy the supply of timber, would yield a large return to the capitalist,
and would afford, together with impiovements to be made at Port Daniel, imme-
diate and constant employment to several hundreds of emigrants, of various de-
scriptions, until they should leai n to use the axe, and become acquainted with
the mode of clearing land, when numbers of them would purchase or lease land
from the Association in Gaspe, or in other parts of their pi operlies, and become
farmers; thus making room for a fresh band ot emieiants, who, in their turn, and
after proper training, would also become farmers. Ihe Gaspe estate would in this
way become an important nursery for the British emigrant, and, while he was cer-
tainly benefited, the value and amount of the properties of the Association and
their products would be largely enhanced. The fisheries here will prove a valu-
able auxiliary in furnishing employment to a very great number ot men accus-
tomed to that calling ; and also be a souice from which the new settler may ob-
tain a supply of wholesome food for his family, while awaiting thepioduce of his
land.
The data and original documei>ts by which all the above calculations are au-
thenticated may be inspected at tlie Office, in a more detailed form, together with
Maps and Plans of the property; but from the outline given, the British capitalist
will at once see that the present will prove such a certain lucrative investment as
has perhaps never before been brought under his attention. From the facts set
forth, he will be satisfied that the Association, considering its joint objects of
Emigration and Colonization, has acquired pioperlies in various localities, admi-
rably suited for the purposes wanted, easily manageable iiom their extent, and
capable of realizing vast returns, not only by settlement, but also from their
various products. Agricultural, Mineral, Lumbering, Fishing, &c.
Whilst the BRiTisiH-AMERicAN ASSOCIATION enjoys a patronage and support such
as has seldom ushered into existence any public institution, and whilst its objects
are universally approved of by all who feeljp interest in the condition of our
labouring population, the formation of j|^^Association has been imperatively
called for by the wide. spreading dest^j^^HMch prevails in the United King-
dom : further, it has been hailed ^^^HHHHP^^i^^^ satisfaction by the British-
American colonies, and the AssocialionfWW^ssession of the fullest assuiances
that the respective Coloiiial Legislatures and Governments will do everything in
their power to lacilitate its operations and secure its success.
It IS deemed wholly unnecessaiy to dwell upon the great social, moral, and
political results which must attend the progress of the Association, or to make any
comments upon the certainty of its success. These aie self-appaient. But there
is one main featme in this Association which is peculiar to itself, and which, as
being its essential characteristic, may again be noticed. It is its combinaiion of
EmigP-ATiON and CcLONIZ-ation, All other Noith American Ltmd Companies aie
merely for the purpose of buying and selling lands. But this Association, in
addition, contemplates the leasing of lauds, and making available their various
and .valuable sources of wealth. \N hile the value of the properties already described
must be duly appreciated for the return expected upon the capital invested, they
The Association now propose, in order to realize, without delay, the necessary
funds for completing their purchases and accomplishing the obSs above stat*/
to issue the.r shares ; premising that the resolution whifh was come to ala meef-'
if ArVvl! r^^!^tarTf °"*^^ ^"^ °"."»^ ^««*' ^»'«'^''* hU Grace the Duke
ot Argyll presided, to make a pr«aiimnary issue of 10,000 shares, was not finallv
earned out. it having been deemed 'advisable to await that poskio^Jn which the
Association now find themselves, of being ready to enter fnto possessi^ of thi
KlPn^Pr'?" T.T'^*^' P'^^ **"' *° the public'appropriation of the rThares
The title-deeds of the properties are all unexceptionable.
^ ^^. Parties into vshote hands this Letter may fall, ditvosed to hold tiork ,« //,*
'*r?^''-"Vi' *^^''^l?'*^^i "«^ B""'* being ^o4ed, aTr?quested to communf
cate th.nr address to Sir R. Broun, 26. SufFolk-street, Pall-mafl? London
iS^
^3^.J
n
Sold by D. Amp, 2, Tavistook-itreet, Co vent-garden.
London : Printed by Hknry Richard.. 5. Brydges-street. Covent-garden.
t>,v
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