Section IV., 18U6. [167] Trans. R. S. C. 



X[. — Coal Mining in Pictou County. 



By E. Gilpin, Jr., LL.D., 



Inspector of Mines, Nova Scotia. 



(Read May 21, 1896.) 



AVhen the settlement of Halifax was decided on as the preliminary 

 step to the pacification of Nova Scotia, and its future development by a 

 race of settlers more congenial to English rule than those relinquished by 

 the French Government, the home authorities seem to have been guided 

 as to the ownership of the minerals by the conditions of those domains 

 in England mo.>t directly vested in the Grown. This is noticeable in the 

 short term leases at first granted for mining coal ; and down to a few 

 years ago in the granting of gold leases for a term of twenty-one j'ears, 

 equivalent to three of the customary leases of seven years each, and renew- 

 able, as was the practice in the Duchy of Cornwall. 



It does not appear that the French engaged in any mining opera- 

 tions in ]S[ova Scotia, except in coal mining along the outcrops of the seams 

 in Cape Breton, and a reported M'ashing of the sands of the Avon Eiver 

 for gold. 



Owing to the natural exposures of the seams, the Cape Breton coal 

 first attracted attention. From the Treaty of Paris in 1763 to 1784, 

 several destiltory leases were granted to mine coal, but were not sanc- 

 tioned by the Lords of Trade. From this date until the annexation of 

 Cape Breton to Nova Scotia in 1820, with the exception of a few :short 

 leases, the mines were worked on government account, and this state of 

 atfairs continued until the advent of the General Mining Association. 



It is stated that coal was first detected on the branch of the Middle 

 Eiver in Pictou county in the year 1795. This would probably be one of 

 the outcrops of the Albion seams on McCullock's Brook. In 1801, coal 

 was mined in small quantities from the McGregor seam. In the year 1807, 

 John McKay mined coal from a three feet seam on his father's farm near 

 New Glasgow ; the sales in the year 1815 amounting to 65u chaldrons. 



In this year a lease was granted him by Sir John Sherbrooke. 

 Becoming indebted to Messrs. Hartshorn and Boggs, of Halifax, in the 

 sum of three thotisand pounds, they were obliged to take possession of 

 his mine in 1817. and to seek an extension of his lease. 



About this time coal was found at several points in this coal field, 

 and applications made for leases. Mr. E. Mortimer, of Pictou, finally 

 secured a lease for twenty-one years to work the main seam on each side 



