L. Vankoughnet (Deputy of the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs)
Name
Laird (Minister of the Interior)
Genre
Personal correspondence
Abstract
The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected. This letter explained that Sproull's title was deemed to be good, and that any premature action to gain a surrender would have been unnecessary.
Subject Topic
Land Survey--
Subject Topic
Boundaries--
Subject Topic
Exchange--
Subject Topic
Indian Reserve--
Subject Topic
Land
Note
My dear Sir, The deputy Minister has shown me your letter to him of the 11th Inst. Relative to the proposed surrender by the Indians near Pictou of a part of their wood land to be exchanged with Mr. James Sproull for land belonging to him and adjoining said woodland. The Dept. of Justice was requested on 4 Feby. last to investiget and report on Mr. Sproull's title to the land he is desirous of exchanging, and instructed their agent at Halifax in the same month to make the necessary enquiries. On the 21st ultimo the attention of the Dept of Justice was again called to the matter, and they in turn reminded their agent at Halifax. On enquiry I find that only this morning was a report from their agent received and which is favourable to Mr. Sproull's title. I will accordingly have the necessary documents for the surrender and [] [] prepared and forwarded to Rev. Mr. Macdonald our agent at Pictou with all possible despatch. You will doubtless agree with me that it would have been premature to have taken a surrender from the Indians previous to being assured of the validity of Sproull's title to the land he proposed giving us in exchange.