Nova Scotia Archives

Mi'kmaq Holdings Resource Guide

Letter from William James Anderson of Pictou to Rupert George, Provincial Secretary, regarding sickness and distress among the Mi'kmaq of Pictou, writing on behalf of the Board of Health of Pictou.
view page 1 2 3 4 view transcript 1 2 3 4

close

note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

taking the Fever, and were consequently, most unwilling to hold communication with their sick friends; the Health Officers also reported that the sick Indians were in want of everything.

The Magistrates immediately authorized the Health Officers to procure a Barrel of Oatmeal and some Molasses, to supply their immediate wants, and requested them to continue their attendance.

Yesterday Dr Johnston reported that there were then sixteen cases of Fever, and this day a Meeting of the Board of Health was held at which Dr Anderson reported that on visiting them this afternoon, he found, one dead, about thirty prostrated with the Fever, and about twelve more complaining of premonitory symptoms _ Dr Anderson also reported that all the Indians from Big Island, (including the sick) had arrived at this encampment, which now consists of upwards of Thirty Wigwams _ that all the sick Indians were in a state of destitution, and that those in Health had a difficulty in procuring necessaries, on account of the increasing unwillingness of the White Inhabitants, to hold communication with them.

Under these circumstances the Board have requested the Health Officers to visit the encampment daily, and to see that the Indians are supplied with all absolute necessaries, until such time as they receive
further


Date: 1846

Retrieval no.: Commissioner of Public Records — Mi'kmaq and Government Relations series Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 volume 431 number 41

Nova Scotia Archives — https://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/archives/

Crown copyright © 2024, Province of Nova Scotia.