94 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
principles that they make it a point to oppose on all occasions every 
measure of Government calculated to support the honor and authority 
of His Majesty’s Crown and Dignity. The dangerous influence of this 
spirit cannot be too much guarded against as the late unhappy dis- 
turbances in America abundantly prove.” ! 
The people of Truro, Onslow and Londonderry numbered at this 
time about 694 persons, men, women and children. Lieut. Governor 
Francklin reports that in 1766 they had raised 7,524 lbs of flax and 
manufactured all their own linen and even some little for the neighbouring 
settlements. The jealousy with which Great Britain viewed any 
attempts at manufacturing in the colonies is evident from Francklin’s 
assurance that the Government of Nova Scotia had at no time given 
encouragement to manufacturers which could interfere with those of 
Great Britain, nor had there been the least appearance of any associa- 
tion of private persons for that purpose; nor were there any persons 
who profess themselves weavers so as to make it their employment or 
business, but only to work at it in their own families, during the winter 
and other leisure hours. 
Michael Francklin, it may here be observed, was a most capable 
official, and his services as Lieut. Governor and in other capacities 
proved of inestimable advantage to the province. At the close of the 
year 1766, he compiled a Return of the state of all the Townships of 
Nova Scotia which is of great value from the historical standpoint and 
has been the subject of a most interesting and able historical paper by 
Dr. D. Allison.? The return will be found in Appendix X of this paper. 
A study of the detailed information contained in it will prove of 
much interest. We find a record of the nationality and religion of 
the people, the number of men, women, boys and girls in each town- 
ship, and the increase of population during the last twelve months. 
Particulars are given as to the number of cattle, horses, sheep and 
swine, and the quantity of grain raised—wheat, rye, pease, barley, 
oats, beans, hemp and flax. The grist and saw mills in operation and 
the number of vessels of all kinds—square rigged, sloops, schooners 
and fishing boats—are stated in detail. The return was made with 
care, under the personal supervision of Lieut. Governor Francklin, 
and was, in all probability, the first real attempt at a census, on the part 
of the English, within the bounds of the Dominion of Canada. It is 
therefore a document of historic importance as well as of value in show- 
! The reference manifestly is to the riots at Boston and elsewhere in connection 
with the obnoxious Stamp Act. The great rush for grants at Halifax in 1765, was 
due in part to the desire of those who had made application for townships to escape 
the stamp duties. 
2 
? See Collections of Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. VII, pp. 45, 56. 
