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. Unknown author recommends that Indian Agent MacDonald conduct a surrender at Pictou Landing for the portion of their land to be exchanged with Sproull.
Subject Topic
Land Survey--
Subject Topic
Boundaries--
Subject Topic
Exchange--
Subject Topic
Indian Reserve--
Subject Topic
Land
Note
My Dear Mr. Meredith, I have been detained here since Monday evening by ice in the straits, the mail steamers not being able to cross from the Island. Had I been at work in my officel till now I wonder have been [] []. I have seen Rev. Mr. McDonald, the Indian Agent here. He says received no instructions from the Department about getting a surrender of the land from the Indians [] 1/2 [] of [] it with adjoining lot. Tell Mr. Vankoughet to write a letter authorizing him for me to call a meeting of the band to take a surrender. He may as well call also use a form of surrender with the blanks for the description saying that the surrender to be taken for the purpose of an exchange they made with the government. They know nothing about surrenders here, and it all have time to [] a [], wat can be [] from one of there made in certain. The department would also be authorized to employ a surveyor to make a plan of the peive to be exchanged as well as that to be [] in my []. [] There [] [] is going on right in the department. I remaind, Yours sincerely, [] [].