tailieunhanh - ON THE EVE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

When the county of Sunbury was established in 1765, there was no English settlement north of St. Ann’s and the river was but sparsely settled from that place to the sea. Nevertheless the immense forest wealth of the St. John was gradually becoming known and appreciated. The French ship of war “Avenant,” as long ago as the year 1700, after discharging her cargo of supplies for Villebon’s garrison and goods for the French traders, took on board some very fine masts for the French navy that had been cut upon the River St. John. Afterwards, when the control of. | On the Eve of the American revolution When the county of Sunbury was established in 1765 there was no English settlement north of St. Ann s and the river was but sparsely settled from that place to the sea. Nevertheless the immense forest wealth of the St. John was gradually becoming known and appreciated. The French ship of war Avenant as long ago as the year 1700 after discharging her cargo of supplies for Villebon s garrison and goods for the French traders took on board some very fine masts for the French navy that had been cut upon the River St. John. Afterwards when the control of Acadia passed into the hands of the British they in turn began to procure masts for the navy on the St. John. England s place among the nations then as now depended very largely on the efficiency of her navy and the reservation of trees suitable for masts for the largest ships of war became a matter of national concern. In consequence Governor Legge at the request of the home government desired Charles Morris the Surveyor general of Nova Scotia to report as to ungranted lands in the province that might be reserved for the purpose of supplying masts for the navy. On the 21st May 1774 Mr. Morris submitted his report. He states that his knowledge of the country was based upon personal observations during a residence of nearly twenty-eight years in the course of which he had visited nearly all parts of the province. In the Nova Scotian peninsula there were very few pines fit for masts but on the River St. John above the settlements and on the other rivers flowing into it were great quantities of pine trees fit for masts and great quantities of others growing into that state which being so far inland protected by growth of other timber and by hills and remote from those violent gales which infest the coast would prove the most desirable reserve for the purpose intended. Mr. Morris adds I am of opinion that a reserve of all the lands on the River St. John above the settlements for the .