Nova Scotia Archives
Mi'kmaw Teaching and Learning Resources
Letter from Howe to Irwin agreeing to assist Irwin in publishing his Mi'kmaq grammar/textbook by subscription; he will not subsidize the publication from the Indian Affairs budget.
note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions
Halifax, May 6, 1843.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letters, and read the Debates
with some interest. I saw some of your specimens of an
Indian Grammar published in the Charlotte Town Papers
in 1830, though not all. It would give me much pleasure to
aid you in the publication of your work, if I could
do so within the scope of my commission, but the small
sum placed at my disposal being specially appropriated,
I am doubtful how far I should be justified in
expending any part of it in getting out a Book,
however laudable.
What I can do and will with great pleasure is to
assist you to publish the work by subscription. I have no doubt
that I can get 100 copies, at least, taken in Halifax, at
5p each. A similar subscription list in Charlotte Town
and other places, would cover the cost and if the Book
was really creditable as I have no doubt it would be,
it is not improbable that our legislature would vote you
See also RG 1 vol. 432 pp. 159-161.
Date: 1843
Retrieval no.: Commissioner of Public Records — Mi'kmaq and Government Relations series Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 volume 432 pp. 162-163
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