THE MIRA GRANT, CAPE BRETON CO., N. S. — GILPIN. 91 



considerable portions along the shores of the river were occupied 

 by squatters. 



About the year 1790 many highland estates in Scotland 

 were converted into grazing lands, and the resulting overplus of 

 population was compelled to emigrate. The tide of Scotch set- 

 tlers turned towards Cape Breton in 1802, and continued until 

 about the year 1827. Had these settlers not come to Nova 

 Scotia, the development of the eastern part of Nova Scotia would 

 undoubtedly have proceeded at a very slow rate. Cape Breton, 

 at the time of their arrival, was practically a wilderness. Grants 

 of crown lands were issued up to March 30th, 1810 ; after that 

 date up to 1818, crown licenses, warrants, etc., were given. 

 This immigration seized upon the Mira district, which appeared 

 a fair land after the rugged hills of Scotland, although in reality 

 the land was not found, when cleared, to prove as fertile as 

 expected. 



Settlers of all kinds were found here in addition to the repre- 

 sentatives of the original letters patent, holders of regular grants, 

 crown leases and licenses, warrant of survey, etc., and squatters. 



The confusion of titles in the district was several times 

 brought to the notice of the Government of Cape Breton, and 

 later to the notice of the authorities at Halifax. Apparently 

 matters were allowed to drift until legislation appeared 

 necessary. 



Chapter 33, acts of 1839, recited that this grant had been 

 issued by the Government of Cape Breton in 1787, that it con- 

 tained 100,000 acres, as would appear on reference to the 

 Register of Grants, book A, pages 206, 207 and 208, that the 

 conditions of settlement had not been observed by the original 

 grantees, that in 1801 certain of the original grantees and others 

 holding title under them, finding that it was impossible to have 

 the grant divided so as to give them their full shares, petitioned 

 to have the grant declared void so that they could obtain 

 satisfactory deeds of their original allotments, or an equivalent 



