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In his preface, the author writes: "I have no hesitation in saying that the British Colonies, particularly the province of Upper Canada, are more suitable for British emigrants, whether agriculturalists or mechanics, than the United States, and that they would there have better prospects of success, as well as the enjoyment of a greater degree of happiness and contentment"(p. 3). A Few Plain Directions for Persons Intending to Proceed as Settlers to His Majesty's Province of Upper Canada, in North America: ...by an English Farmer Settled in Upper Canada. London: Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy..., 1820. vii, 100 p. Five thousand copies were printed of each of the three editions of this popular guide, designed especially for the Irish emigrant. The author states: "I do not want to strip the country of its population - the landlords of their tenantry - or the smug farmer of his comfortable subsistence, by urging any wild and doubtful speculation...but I am very desirous to rescue from overwhelming distress, those who struggle without succeeding, paupers in everything but in health and strength, and able bodies, and willing minds" (p. 2). He favours Upper Canada over Lower Canada which, according to the author, has harsher winters, and the Maritime provinces which are covered by fog much of the year! The work ends with letters from settlers, a characteristic of many emigrant guides. Martin Doyle Hints on Emigration to Upper Canada: Especially Addressed to the Middle and Lower Classes in Great Britain and Ireland. 2nd ed. enl. Dublin: W. Curry, June, 1832. vi, 92 p. This free publication gave information to the settler arriving in New York or Quebec City, on changing his currency, and on transportation to Upper and Lower Canada. Buchanan was the first chief emigration agent in Quebec. Before his retirement, brought about by repeated exposure to diseases, Buchanan had provided landing money, food, clothes, and advice to thousands of immigrants. Alexander Carlisle Buchanan, Sr. Official Information for Emigrants, Arriving at New York, and Who Are Desirous of Settling in the Canadas. Montreal: Printed at the Gazette Office, 1834. 12 p.
With the proliferation of shipping and the increased presence of steamers, it was imperative to review the charts which had been drawn by J.F.W. DesBarres during the 18th century, especially for the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bayfield's work was used for many years. English editions of Bayfield's work were published in London but it was important to have French translations. This is the French translation of Sailing Directions for the Island of Newfoundland and the Adjacent Coast of Labrador...(London, 1855). Henry Wolsey Bayfield, 1795-1885 Directions de navigation pour l'Ile de Terreneuve et la côte du Labrador et pour le golfe et le fleuve St-Laurent...traduit de l'anglais par Thomas T. Nesbitt. Québec: Elzéar Vincent, 1864. 203 p. Many of the early Halifax almanacs were used by people connected with the sea. This copy was owned by the captain of a schooner who filled the blank pages with the detailed description of weather conditions, the direction and force of the winds, and even the log of a trip from Halifax to Quebec City. The almanac was a professional journal, but could also be a very personal one, as the captain wrote: "Wednesday morning the 7th August at 1/2 past one George Henry born" and, but a few months later, "Friday morning 8th Nov. at 6 o'clock George Henry died aged 3 months & one day - & buried on Sunday the 10th following at the place of internment in St. John's suburbs, Quebec." An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord, 1811, ...by Theophrastus. Halifax: Printed and sold by John Howe & Son, [1810]. |
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