[RAYMOND] PRE-LOYALIST SETTLEMENTS OF NOVA SCOTIA 37 
by nearly a quarter of a century, and which, in its influence on the 
political and industrial development of the peninsular part of Nova 
Scotia," it undoubtedly surpassed. Misconception upon this point is 
sometimes found even among the direct descendants of the early New 
England settlers themselves. 
Another somewhat prevalent illusion is that the stay of the New 
Englanders in Nova Scotia was brief, and that but little in the way of 
permanent settlement was effected. “Nothing,” says Dr. Allison, 
“could be further from the truth. One or two townships, on, or near, 
the Chignecto isthmus were somewhat affected in the matter of popula- 
tion by the events of the Revolutionary War, but as a rule, the New 
England element has been the most tenacious of all our English-speaking 
stocks.’” 
The first House of Assembly of Nova Scotia met at Halifax on 
the 2nd day of October, 1758. On the 12th of the same month Governor 
Lawrence issued the first of his celebrated proclamations calling atten- 
tion to the advantages that were now open to settlers in Nova Scotia. 
[See Appendix IT. for this important paper.] 
In the preparation of his proclamations and description of the 
lands it was proposed to settle, the Governor doubtless had the assistance 
and advice of his Council, of whom Jonathan Belcher, Benjamin Green, 
Joseph Gerrish and Charles Morris were New England men, and thor- 
oughly qualified to suggest such terms as would be likely to appeal to 
their friends in the colonies to the westward. 
That the proclamation of the 12th October, 1758, succeeded 
beyond the expectations of its promoters is seen in the correspondence 
of the time. Within three or four years 5,000 settlers from New England 
had come to Nova Scotia and by 1767 about 2,000 more, besides many 
from the British Isles and some from Europe. 
One of our most painstaking and reliable historians, Dr. W. F. 
Ganong, observes:—“ As one reads of the many who so willingly left 
the comforts of the older settlements for the hardships of pioneer life, 
one wonders what could have induced so remarkable a migration.” ? 
In discussing the question Dr. Ganong rightly calls attention to the 
fact that in the eyes of the majority of people of those days, farm life 
was more attractive than it is to-day and other avenues to wealth were 
few. The lands open to settlers, in our old time Acadie, were rich, 
and their value was seemingly enhanced by that peculiar trait in human 
' It is perkaps hardly necessary to remind the reader that in 1760, Nova Scotia 
included the maritime provinces. 
? See Collections of N.S. Historical Society, Vol. VII, p. 62. 
* “The New England Movement to Nova Scotia.” See Canadian History 
Readings, p. 218, edited by Geo. U. Hay, Ph.D., F. R.S. C. 
