History of Halifax City

23

A number of licences to erect wharves and buildings along the beach had been granted by Government to individuals engaged in trade and the fishery, before the idea of a general Government breastwork had been abandoned. These titles continued to be held good; a number of wharf proprietors, however, obtained conformation grants from time to time as they required water extension. Mr. Charles Morris, the Surveyor-General, who had the sole management of the land office, in his reports to the Government, advised small spaces to be reserved on both sides in making these conformation grants as well as in subsequent water grants in fee, which have been found of much inconvenience to trade, and a drawback on the progress of the City. No reservation of water was originally made at the foot of the cross streets or hills. At the close of the last and the commencement of the present century, when conformation or extension water grants were asked for, he marked on his plans narrow strips or reservations on the sides of many of these water grants, which for there being in many instances inaccessible, have since proved of no value to the public and a great injury to the proprietors of water property.

24

Cornwallis' letter of 19th March.

25

This was the well-known Horatio Gates, afterwards a Revolutionary General.

26

The Governor in his letter to England mentions 4 men killed, 6 soldiers prisoners who were not upon guard, and our people killed 3 Indians, and had they done their duty well, might have killed many more.

27

See victualling list in the appendix.

28

This Island is called in the old French maps Isle Racket or the Snow Shoe Island, being in the shape of a snow shoe.

29

On September 29th, 1752, the first fire regulations were published at Halifax, among which are found the following: Two or three Magistrates may order a house to be pulled down or blown up to stop a fire, the owner to be indemnified by the house owners of the Town. The fire wards to be appointed by the Justices of the Peace, each to carry a red staff 6 feet long, with a bright brass spear 6 inches long on it; and other regulations. This custom is still kept up in the City, or was until very lately.

30

Governor Cornwallis reduced the Rangers. He thought Goreham very incompetent to command them.

31

This story was related by the late Titus Smith, who received it from his father.

32

The names of the settlers who arrived after June and July, 1749, are not to be found among the records of the country.

33

Mr. Nisbett was Attorney General at the time. He had been acting in that office since the Spring of 1752.

34

See Biographical note in the last Chapter.

35

Now McNab's.

36

Now known as Lawlor's and Devil's Islands.

37

The inscription to be placed on this monument is given at full length in the Gazette of that day, but it was not to be found among those which cover the walls of old St. Paul's. There is, however, an escutcheon with the arms of Lawrence on the east gallery.

38

Now Northup's corner, Buckingham and Argyle Streets.

39

At this period there was a fence on the north side of what is now called Jacob St. and a gate near the opening of Brunswick St., in front of the North Barrack old parade, some say further north.

40

The situation of the south gate is uncertain: there were several south gates. It was along Salter Street, probably in a line with the old forts known as Luttrell's and Horseman's Forts.

41

Note. – This document is not to be found among the papers preserved in the Secretary's office at Halifax.