[RayMoND] PRE-LOYALIST SETTLEMENTS OF NOVA SCOTIA 65 
he solicits the assistance of the Province vessels in transporting the 
poorer settlers from the neighbouring provinces, with their effects, 
to their lands in Nova Scotia. Lieut. Governor Belcher was disposed 
to favor this plan and recommended it to the consideration of the Lords 
of Trade. “The great distance,’ he says, “at which some of the 
intending settlers live from the coast renders it extremely inconvenient 
to some and impracticable to others, particularly the poorer sort (who 
are likely to make the best settlers), to accomodate themselves with 
vessels for transportation. Many of them too are obliged to dispose 
of their farms at long credit and those in indigent circumstances will 
be incapable of providing themselves with corn for their sustenance.. . 
The expediency of a good beginning in the first setting out of 
these settlements, thereby to give a reputation to the undertaking 
made it appear unavoidably necessary to the late Governor to exceed 
the sum obtained by your Lordships from Parliament for that purpose 
and Mr. Hancock, our Agent in New England, has advanced a 
very considerable sum towards the transportation and necessary sup- 
plies of corn for the settlers.” 
Further light is thrown upon the situation in Nova Scotia, at this 
time, by Lieutenant Governor Belcher’s very full report to the Lords 
of Trade, submitted in April, 1761. He writes:— 
“The Inhabitants of the new Settlements are in general contented 
with their situation and, as the Winter has been moderate, more 
are coming early in the Summer. They have built houses sufficient 
for their covering and have suffered no inconvenience on that 
account, nor have we lost by sickness among the new settlers 
above five or six persons. The greatest difficulty has been on 
account of provisions, for tho’ we had agreed and have supplied 
them with provisions for a fourth part of the people, the others would 
have suffered had not Government allowed them a Transport to fetch 
provisions, by means of which they have imported at their own cost 
about 1200 barrels from Connecticut. They are at present very busily 
employed in fencing their Lands (all the Lands heretofore improved 
by the French being entirely open and without any kind of fence). 
But as they have not seed corn among them the several Townships 
have petitioned for a supply, otherwise they will be in danger of wanting 
provisions next year. This has been found a matter of such conse- 
quence that it has been judged necessary to send Captain Rogers in 
one of the Government vessels to purchase it at Connecticut, where 
only a supply is to be had, and the expence will amount to about £300. 
This sum is only lent, to be repaid in two years. . . . The three 
Townships of Horton, Cornwallis and Falmouth will have their com- 
plement of Settlers this Spring and a considerable addition will be made 
to Annapolis, Granville and Liverpool with little or no expence to the 
Government. 
‘Soon after the late Governor’s death a proclamation was issued 
wherein the Grantees who had not begun the settlement of their Town- 
