168 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



of the East Eiver, on the following terms, as given in a report to the Earl 

 of Bathurst, June 12th, 1819: Eoyalt}^, 3s. per chaldron on all coal 

 raised over 1,700 chaldrons on the west side of the river, in addition to 

 an annual rent of £230 ; and a ro3'alty of 3s. per chaldron on all coal 

 raised over 700 chaldrons on the east side of the river, in addition to an 

 annual rent of £110. The ditterenee between the two rents being allowed 

 on account of alleged inferiority of the coal on the eastern bank. 



On the death of Mortimer, shortl}' after, the leases were continued 

 on the same terms to Messrs. Geo. Smith and Wm. Liddell, November 

 3rd, 1819. The eastern mine was on lands granted to James Turnbull, 

 and the western on lands allotted to Wm. Grant. The mines wei-e worked 

 up to 1828 on this lease, and yielded about 23,325 chaldrons, from small 

 openings along the crop of the main seam. Some of these early workings 

 were recentl}' entered, but presented no features of interest. 



After the close of the American war there were many applications 

 for mining concessions in the colonies, from persons who had been engaged 

 on this side of the Atlantic in the service of the Crown, as well as from 

 merchants and others who had made money in profitable shipping and 

 other adventures during the continental wars. 



These applications for mineral grants were considered by the Treas- 

 ury as recorded in a minute of March 26th. 1825. Among them was 

 one by Mr. Adams on behalf of His Eoyal Highness Frederick, Duke of 

 York and Albany, asking for the reconsideration and completion of the 

 intention expressed by His Majesty's Government in the year 1788 to 

 recommend to His late Majesty to make a grant to the Duke of York of 

 mines in Nova Scotia. Upon inquiry being made it was found that not 

 only had such recommendation been made, but that the draft form of 

 lease had been submitted for the approval of the Attornej^-General in the 

 year 1792, and had been substantially agreed upon. The grant was 

 accordingly concurred in, and formally issued, as. proposed thirty-seven 

 years before. 



An intimation of this proposed grant may have been connected with 

 the brief and unsatisfactory leases secured by the early coal miners in 

 Nova Scotia, and with the extended working of Cape Breton mines by 

 the government, as already alluded to. By this lease the Duke secured 

 all the mines and minerals not at its date included in any granted Crown 

 lands, or under working lease from the representative of the Crown in 

 Nova Scotia for thetei-ra of sixty years. This lease was executed August 

 26th, 1826, in ])ursuance of His Majesty's command, given July 11th, 

 1826, through the Earl of Livcri)o<)l. 



Under the terms of this lease the Duke was required to pay a rent 

 of one shilling sterling per ton, of two thousand six hundred and twenty 

 pounds of coal sold. He was also to pay four pence for every ton of iron 

 ■ore. and one-twentieth part of the value of the gold, silver, copper, lead, 



