We Were Not the Savages, First Nations History by Daniel N.  Paul

Author:Daniel N.  Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
Published: 2022-09-16T01:51:40+00:00

Island of Cape Breton,

520

Western District, including

Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth,

Shelburne, Queens, and

Lunenburg Counties,

415

Pictou County,

100

Kings County,

35

County of Sydney (Afton)

90

Total

1425

Assuming this table to have been tolerably accurate in 1838, the rapidity with which these people had decreased, up to that time, may be judged from the fact that in 1798, forty years before, there were 800 in the County of Pictou alone. Mr. Campbell, in his report to the Government in 1838, says that “two years ago there were 60 or 70 Souls in King’s County, but that now there is not more than half that number,” while I could not hear of but two or three families there in the Autumn of last year.

It is impossible, however, to estimate the ratio of decrease by the numbers in any particular County or Locality, because almost every family which has not a framed house moves two or three times in a year, and such Counties as King’s and Pictou, where the population is rapidly decreasing, the forest disappearing before the axe, and Mills either damming, or in course of erection upon every stream, are very likely to be deserted for others, where, from the indifference of the soil, the march of improvements is not so rapid.

Of the Eastern section of the Province, I cannot speak from actual observation, but think the decrease in the West must have been equal to 10 percent on the whole number since 1838. The decrease in the County of Halifax has probably been less, for, although the deaths in proportion to the numbers may have been equal, there is an immigration towards the Capital, particularly in the Summer Season, partly for Religious objects, and partly for the sale of small wares manufactured by the Squaws.

At this rate the whole Race would be extinct in 40 years, and half a Century hence the very existence of the Tribe would be as a dream and a tradition to our Grandchildren, who would find it difficult to imagine the features or dwelling of a Micmac, as we do to realize those of an Ancient Breton…. Assuming the statistics of 1838 as a basis of a calculation, and deducting 10 percent, your Lordship will perceive that there must be at least 1,300 Souls still in this Province, appealing to the sympathies of every honourable mind by the contrast of their misfortunes with our prosperity, their fading numbers with our numerical advancement, their ignorance and destitution with the wealth and civilization which surrounds and presses upon them from every side.

In approaching the Indians, with a sincere desire to faithfully represent in my intercourse with them the benevolent yet judicious intentions of the Government and the Legislature, I found myself in some degree embarrassed by the exaggerated ideas and expectations with which many, from various motives, had thoughtlessly misled the poor people committed to my care.

For many weeks in the

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.