1715.
Nov. 1.
Annapolis.
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| Caulfeild to Board of Trade.1 |
[43 |
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Acknowledges receipt of their letter of July 22, by ship laden with nine months' provisions at short allowance. According to their Lordship's directions, C. will set down the best information and accounts he is capable of in reference to this colony: soil, quantity of grains, stocks and sorts of cattle, masts, pitch, furs, mines, timber for ship-building, number and condition of the French inhabitants, the Indians of Penobscot, St. John’s river and Cape Sables; and the present state of Cape Breton. Three places principally inhabited by the French, "Annapolis Royal, Minis, and checanectou." Annapolis the "Metropolis" has rich sound soil, produces 10,000 bushels grain, chiefly wheat, some rye, oats and barley. Oxen and cows, about 2000, sheep about 2000, hogs about 1000. Masting can be had with difficulty; pitch has been frequently made. Forty thousand weight of furs have been taken out each season since the reduction of this place. " Mines none."
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Fishery on the coast much the most valuable in N. A.: depends mostly on the easterly coast. C. has it "from very good hands" that New England takes in one season above 100,000 "Kentalls" of fish over and above what the inhabitants take and sell to our merchants. Great quantities of timber for ship-building "and reputed to be Good," Bason is our harbor, and the river "Yeilds Vast Conveniencyes". Country produces all sorts and great quantities of fish, such as "Bass Cod: Large Shatt, Herring, Thom Codds. with great Store of flatt fish." Thousands of vessels could find safe anchorage in the Basin at all seasons: about 300 able men in this part of the colony, of whom 90 have families.
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Minis is 30 leagues N. E, from this place: much the best improved part of the colony: plain country, fertile soil, produces over 20,000 bushels, mostly wheat with pease, rye and barley, which is their principal branch of trade. They have at present, oxen and cows about 3,000, sheep about 4000, hogs about 2000. No masting: pitch is made there and sold at cheaper rates than what is got from New England.
1. Handwriting changes again to No. 2.
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