70 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
heads of families. Colonel McNutt accompanied them. They arrived 
at their destination on the 9th October. Unfortunately, the small- 
pox broke out during the passage, and on their arrival at Halifax they 
were by the Lieut. Governor’s orders landed on Cornwallis Island, 
where they remained several days without shelter. Colonel MeNutt 
at once waited upon the Lieut. Governor and Council informing them 
that he proposed to set out in a few days with a number of the principal 
people to view the lands at Cobequid and Shubenacadie, after which 
he was to return to Ireland with their report of the country, and ex- 
pected in the next Spring to bring over ten thousand persons to settle 
in the Province. He was assured by the Lieut. Governor and Council 
that he should have all possible encouragement from Government. 
At this time McNutt had golden dreams as to the possibilities of 
Irish immigration, and it is evident that the authorities at Halifax 
caught the inspiration of his enthusiasm for Lieut. Governor Belcher 
wrote the Lords of Trade on the 3d November, “The spirit for extending 
the Settlements will be yearly increased by the example of Capt. McNutt, 
who arrived here last month with upwards of Two Hundred persons from 
Londonderry and other parts of the North of Ireland, imported for his 
intended settlements upon the Terms approved by your Lordships 
and designed for His Majesty’s confirmation and orders, which, how- 
ever, I have not yet had the honor to receive’. . . . Mr. McNutt 
informs me that he has contracted for ten thousand tons of shipping, 
five thousand bushels of wheat and other grain, and provisions in the 
same proportion for the use of these settlers. He is now on a Tour to 
the Townships reserved for his Settlements with some of the principal 
persons that arrived with him, and for viewing other lands as a founda- 
tion for their report of the situation and soil to the expected settlers, 
and there can be no doubt of ample satisfaction in these reports to 
induce them to embark upon Mr. McNutt’s proposals. The people 
he has already introduced to the Province, tho’ not of Substance, have 
recommendations for Industry and Sobriety and will be satisfied with 
small distributions of lands. They have shewn their industrious dis- 
positions by engaging in Common labor upon far more moderate terms 
than the poorer sort from New England, who have refused to labor 
under four shillings a day, while Mr. McNutt’s Settlers think themselves 
well rewarded with two. The zeal and resolution of Mr. McNutt cannot 
be sufficiently commended, and both he and his settlers express a 
perfect satisfaction in the care of Government for their assistance. 
The service would be very considerable to the Province if the example 
might be followed for inviting settlers from other parts of Europe upon 
! The orders did not reach Nova Scotia until nearly two years later. 
