| Note |
No. 19. DISTRICT NO. 4, N.S., Pictou, 30th June, 1874.
SIR, - In answer to a circular* from the Indian Office, dated August 28th, 1874, I beg leave to submit to you the following report on the condition of the Indians of my district.
1. The number of Indians settled in District No. 4, which includes the whole of the County of Pictou, may be put down at about 200. I find an actual increase of four since I took the census last year. It is, however, difficult to ascertain, owing to their migrating dispositions, their precise number.
2. The Indians of this district own but little personal property. Five small boats, one net, a small quantity of other fishing gear, 30 guns, as many dogs, some coopering tools, and a few rude house utensils, would be a full inventory of their effects
3. Twelve small houses, one large barn, one church, comprise all the buildings belonging to the tribe. they have some wigwams which vary in number and quality, according to the time and circumstances.
4. The area of the reserve is about 90 acres. The Indians of Merigonish had this year about 10 acres under cultivation. There are 60 acres of the reserve under wood.
5. I have no sub-agent.
6. The produce raised by the Indians of this district is confined to wheat and potatoes. Of the former, they raise perhaps about 120 bushels. It would indeed be difficult to tell the number of potatoes they grow, as they use them early in the season, the quantity not being sufficient to supply them for two months.
7. Their farming implements consist of a few hoes and spades.
8. They own no live stock.
9. There is no timber or wood sold under license by the Indians of my district.
10. The quantity of fish taken by the Indians is considerable, but as they invariably sell their fish fresh, every morning as it is taken, I have no means of arriving at a correct estimate of the quantity caught, or of the amount realized.
11. There are no fur-bearing animals now killed by the Indians, with the exception of a few muskrats.
12. The amount of money sent for distribution by the Department varies each year. During the year included in this report I received and distributed $371.
13. There was no seed received for distribution. The money allotted for farming purposes was given to the chief and his captains, and they made the appropriation under my supervision. All monies designed for provisions or blankets I applied myself.
14, 15. I do not perceive any notable progress in civilization among the tribe, if I except a very perceptible improvement in sobriety, and a slight improvement in industry.
16. We have no schools, for the good reason that we have no school-houses. I would on this point humbly suggest to the Department that, if we cannot hope to receive a special Government grant to aid us in the erection of at least two school-houses, we be authorized to appropriate a part of the money allotted for farming for school purposes.
All of which I most respectfully submit.
R. MACDONALD, P.P.,
Indian Agent. |
| Note |
Rev. R. MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Lawrence Vankoughnet, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, 30th June 1874, in Annual Report of the Department of the Interior for the Year Ended 30th June 1874 (Ottawa: Maclean, Roger & Co., 1875), 45. |