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



The petition was entertained and on the finding of a jury, the 

 grant was escheated ; and a number of new grants were issued- 



The act went on to declare that it was doubtful if the 

 escheat was legal (the reasons not being given) and if the grants 

 subsequently issued conferred legal titles thereon. 



The number of the original settlers now on the grant, and of 

 those holding under title from original settlers under the grant, 

 was very small. A considerable number of settlers had, how- 

 ever, come in without title, as it appears that 1,300 people had 

 settled on these lands, who claimed to hold by possession 55,090 

 acres of the grant, to have cultivated 3,064 acres, and to possess 

 numerous live stock, besides houses, barns, etc. In order that 

 the hopeless confusion matters had fallen into might be straight- 

 ened out, it was enacted that all grants in the district in question 

 as well as the original grant, were absolutely void, and that the 

 title was revested in Her Majesty. 



Provision was further made that it would be lawful for the 

 Governor-in-Council, acting on the report of a commission to be 

 appointed for the purpose, to issue free grants upon such con- 

 ditions as seemed proper, within the limits of the original letters 

 patent. 



This act was reserved for the royal approval, which was 

 presumably extended. This bold attempt at rectifying the 

 innumerable disputes, pleased no one, as even unassailable 

 rights were thereby placed at ths mercy of an irresponsible com- 

 mission, and, as was to be expected, proved impracticable, and 

 fresh legislation was sought. 



By chapter 10, acts of 1843, the act of 1839 was repealed. 

 No further attempt was made to divide up the grant ; a declar- 

 ation of rights only was enacted. 



The act proclaimed (a) that all who possessed land in the Mira 

 grant under the letters patent of 1787, and any holding under 

 title from any of them should enjoy any such lands in fee 

 simple. 



