John Brittain, Description of the Settlements in the Provinces of Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, 1784-1785
1 volume
John Brittain's Description of the Settlements in the Provinces of Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, 1784-1785, provides a detailed account of various settlements throughout the two Canadian provinces, paying particular attention to geography and natural resources. Pages 1-72 cover Nova Scotia, pages 73-101 cover New Brunswick, and pages 103-106 contain an index to places mentioned within the volume. The account is comprised of Brittain's personal observations, letters from prominent residents within the provinces, and tables showing exports of fish and lumber from various ports. Brittain concentrated primarily on natural resources, with a specific focus on bodies of water and the quality and type of lumber available in each area, but went into further detail about some of the larger settlements and their founders, who were often former British soldiers. The volume provides a clear, thorough description of northeastern Canada just after the American Revolution, and encourages its commercial advantages for future settlers.