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"…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., (the Uncle of John Hancock
of revolutionary Fame) 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 wood 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 be 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."

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