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88 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
which conditions first induced the people in the distant colonies to 
form the design of making settlements here, and are the only terms 
on which they will accept of the lands. Mr. MeNutt has brought with 
him a copy of a Grant containing such conditions as he says were 
approved of at your Lordships’ board, but as they differ considerably 
from such as I am authorized by the King’s Instructions to grant, I 
must wait until I shall have your Lordships’ directions for my conduct 
in this matter and for the determination of your Lordships whether the 
acquisition of a very considerable number of the most beneficial settlers, 
some of whom are making preparations for embarkation, will not produce 
more advantages to the Publick than any which can be derived from 
the difference of terms and conditions. . . . I beg leave, in justice 
to Mr. MeNutt, to observe to your Lordships that the settlers he has 
introduced have been of great utility and have qualifications as frugal 
and industrious people much above the generality of the others.”’ 
The Council agreed with the Governor that the applications of 
Colonel McNutt and the agents with him in behalf of the associations 
they represented, required all possible encouragement and consideration. 
They accordingly recommended the Lords of Trade to approve such 
conditions of settlement as would be most likely to induce them to 
come into the Province. The anxiety lately shown by their Lordships 
to promote the cultivation of hemp?‘ and curing of fish’ would never 
result in any great improvement until the colony were better peopled. 
For five months the agents remained in Halifax in the hope of 
obtaining better terms. Governor Wilmot meanwhile considered him- 
self limited by the Royal Instructions, but eventually some slight 
modifications were made in the grants and it was agreed that certain 
words should be added.? The agents were led with reluctance to accept 
this concession hoping a representation to the Lords of Trade might 
bring some further amelioration. The Governor and Council acceded 
to the alterations with equal reluctance, because they were not in 
! Under the instructions to Governor Wilmot a condition of the land grants 
was that every grantee should plant one rood of every 100 acres with hemp, and 
continue to plant a like quantity year by year. The condition doubtless originated 
in the desire of the British Government to be independent of foreign nations in 
providing cordage for their marine. 
? The words that were added were as follows:—‘ Provided always that whereas 
a Representation hath been made to His Majesty in behalf of the said Alexander 
McNutt and his Associates to obtain a mitigation of the Terms and Conditions 
mentioned in this Grant, it is hereby agreed with the said Grantees that whatever 
easier or better terms are allowed by His Majesty to the said Alexander McNutt 
and his Associates than those mentioned in this Grant, the same shall be the terms 
on which the said Lands are to be held by the said grantees (naming them) and 
that the said terms when obtained shall be annexed to this Grant.” 
