Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada - c. 1800
by Garth Vaughan © 2001
Windsor,
Nova Scotia
Overview
A Brief History
1.
French / English
2. The Loyalists
3. King's College
4.
Center of Culture
5. The Railway
6. T.C. Haliburton
7. Windsor Today
For
more history
see Birthplace
A Brief History of Windsor, Nova Scotia
2a. The Nova Scotia Charter
...Jan 11, 1759, Governor Lawrence sent forth from the Council Chamber at Halifax...a most important state paper, which, as it contains the solemn assurance of the Government on the points named above, has been not inaptly styled, says Judge Haliburton, the Charter of Nova Scotia. It is worth quoting in full.
"By his Excellency Charles Lawrence, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-chief,
in and over his Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, or Acadia, in America,
Vice Admiral of the same, etc., etc.
"Whereas since the issuing of the proclamation dated the 12th day
of Oct. 1758, relative to settling the vacant lands in this Province,
I have been informed by Thomas Hancock, Esq., Agent for the affairs of
Nova Scotia, at Boston, that sundry applications have been made to him
in consequence thereof, by persons who are desirous of settling the said
lands, and of knowing what particular encouragement the Government will
give them, whether any allowance of provisions will be given at their
first settlement. What Quantity of land will be given to each person,
what quit rents they are to pay, what the constitution of the Government
is, whether any, and what taxes are to be paid, and whether they will
be allowed the free exercise of their religion? I have therefore thought
fit, with the advice of his Majesty's Council, to issue this proclamation,
hereby declaring, in answer to the said enquiries, that by his Majesty's
Royal instructions, I am empowered to make grants on the following proportions:
That townships are to consist of one hundred thousand acres of land, that they do include the best and most profitable land, and also that they do comprehend such rivers as may be at or near such settlement and to extend as far up into the Country as conveniently may be, taking in a necessary part of the sea-coast. That the quantities of land granted will be in proportion to the abilities of the planter to settle, cultivate, and enclose the same. That one hundred acres of wild wool land will be allowed to every person, being master or mistress of a family, for himself or herself, and fifty acres for every white or black man, woman, or child, of which such person's family shall consist at the actual time of making the grant, subject to the payment of a quit rent of one shilling sterling per annum for every fifty acres; such quit rent to commence at the expiration of ten years from the date of each grant, and to be paid for his Majesty's use to his Receiver General, at Halifax, or to his Deputy on the spot.
"That the grantees will be obliged by their said grants to plant, cultivate, improve, or enclose, one third part of their lands within the space of ten years, another third part within the space of twenty years and the remaining third part within the space of thirty years, from the date of their grants. That no one person can possess more than one thousand acres by grant, on his or their own name.
"That every grantee, upon giving proof that he or she has fulfilled
the terms and conditions of his or her grants, shall be entitled to another
grant in the proportion and upon the conditions above mentioned. That
the Government of Nova Scotia is constituted like those of the neighbouring
Colonies; the Legislature consisting of a Governor, Council, and House
of Assembly, and every township, as soon as it shall consist of fifty
families, will be entitled to send two Representatives to the General
Assembly. The Courts of Justice are also constituted in like manner with
those of the Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other Northern Colonies.
That as to the article of religion full liberty of conscience, both of
his Majesty's royal instructions and a late act of the General Assembly
of this Province, is secured to persons of all persuasions, Papists excepted,
as may more fully appear by the following abstract of the said act, viz:-
‘Protestants dissenting from the Church of England, whether they
be Calvinists, Lutherans, Quakers, or under what denomination soever,
shall have free liberty of conscience and may erect and build Meeting
Houses for public worship and may choose and elect Ministers for the carrying
of divine service, and administration of the sacrament, according to their
several opinions, and all contracts made between their Ministers and congregations
for the support of their Ministry are hereby declared valid, and shall
have their full force and effect according to the tenor and conditions
thereof, and all such Dissenters shall be excused from any rates or taxes
to by made or levied for the support of the Established Church of England.'
"That no taxes have hitherto been laid upon his Majesty's subjects within this Province, nor are there any fees of office taken upon issuing the grants of land.
"That I am not authorized to issue any bounty of provisions; and I do hereby declare that I am ready to lay out the lands and make grants immediately under the conditions above described, and to receive and transmit to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, in order that the same may be laid before his Majesty for approbation, such further proposals as may be offered by any body of people, for settling an entire township under other conditions that they may conceive more advantages to the undertakers.
"That forts are established in the neighborhood of the lands proposed to be settled, and are garrisoned by his Majesty's troops, with a view of giving all manner of aid and protection to the settlers, if hereafter there should be need.
Given to the Council Chamber at Halifax, this 11th, day of January, 1759, in the 32nd year of His Majesty's reign.
(Signed.)
CHARLES LAWRENCE."
Taken From:
Rhode Island Emigration to Nova Scotia
by Ray Greene Huling, A.M., New Bedford Massachusetts
Providence, R. I., Reprinted from the Narragansett Historical Register,
April 1889.
ISBN 88812 - 215 - 2 Toronto 1984 Canadiana House
HRL 971.6 H912r 1984 c.2
Pg 9 - 12
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