16 REV. GEOEGE PATTEESON 



and there was among them no " Princess Amelia," no transport, and no A^essel carrying the 

 goods of Prince Edward. In 1802, too, he was in command at Gibraltar, and could not 

 have despatched Capt. Torrens from Halifax to look after his missing ship. 



It might be said that this is only an error in date. But this still leaves the story in 

 confusion. The author represents Capt. Torrens as having occupied the government shelter- 

 house, but this was only erected after the foundation of the relief establishment in 1801, so 

 that his visit must have been after that date. But, iii fact, we know from the records that 

 his visit was in 1803, and that the vessel in which he went, the "Hariot" of Newcastle, 

 .was wrecked in that year. Then his story of burying the dead floating from the transport, 

 so many that the grave was as large as a cellar, is simply absurd. It is rarely that the sea 

 casts upon the island bodies once in its embrace, but if there was any such transport 

 wrecked it must have been three years before, and that such a number were coming ashore 

 so long after is incredible. And what had the men of the government establishment been 

 doing in the meantime ? 



While the story in its details is so inaccurate, there remain the three facts, that the 

 vessel containing the prince's equipage was lost on the island in 1799 and all on board 

 perished ; that rumours ot piracy on the island followed, which led to the action of the gov- 

 ernment of IS'ova Scotia ; and that in 1803 it sent down Capt. Torrens, on the application 

 of the superintendent, for the removal of a family of bad reputation that he had found on 

 the island. As to the appearance of the woman we must leave the question to the society 

 for psychical research.' 



IV. First Relief Establishment on the Island, 1801-1809. 



The same year that the legislature adopted measures for the removal of wreckers from 

 the island, they projected an establishment for the saving of life and property. On the 25th 

 June, 1801, the House of Assembly addressed the governor recommending the settlement of 

 three families of good character upon it, under the immediate authority and direction of the 

 government — also that persons for the situation l)e advertised for, with the expectation that 

 by securing to them a term of possession and exclusive right to certain advantages, suitable 

 persons might be obtained at little expense, and that H. M. council draw up proper 

 regulations for their government. To meet the expense they granted a vote of £600 

 (12,400). 



On the 27th the governor replies that he will have great satisfaction in carrying their 

 proposal into effect. Measures were immediately adopted for the purpose. Commissioners 

 were appointed to have charge of the business, of whom the treasurer, Hon. Michael "Wallace, 

 was the most important. James Morris was appointed superintendent at an annual salary of 

 £60 ($240) per annum, afterwards increased to £100 ($400), with board for himself and wife. 

 Four men were engaged at the rate of £2 (afterwards raised to £3) per month, to serve under 

 him, who bound themselves to use their utmost endeavours to protect life and property. A 

 little later we find Edward Hodgson with his family on tlie island, acting as assistant to the 

 superintendent, and second in command. 



' It should be noted that there are several other ghost stories connected with tlie island. One is of a Paris 

 gentleman that always appears to wrecked Frenchmen, and complains of Henry IV. for banishing his wife with 

 the convicts of 1598. Another is of one of the regicides of Charles I., who made this island a hiding place, and 

 lived and died here, who on the 29th of May marches round with broad-brimmed hat on, and singing psalms 

 through his nose so loudly as to be heard above the storm. 



