BRITISH, COLONIAL AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 579 



Humber, runs out of a large lake. Farther north is Bonne Bay, 

 which branches into two arms; and then follow several small coves, 

 bays and rivers, for about sixty miles, where the Bay of Ignorachoix, 

 containing three harbours, enters the island. 



A few miles nearer the strait of Belle Isle, St. John's Bay is situ- 

 ated, containing several islands, and receiving the waters of Castor 

 river, which flows through about thirty miles of country. The lands 

 about this bay are mountainous. The coast, for about thirty miles 

 north, is indented with small rivers and numerous minor inlets; and 

 then along the strait of Belle Isle to Cape Norman, the most north- 

 westerly point of Newfoundland, a straight shore prevails, along 

 which an old Indian path is observable. 



CHAPTER V. Strait of Belle Isle Continent of Labrador Anti- 



costi Magdalene Islands. 

 ******* 



MAGDALEN ISLANDS. 



This cluster of islands is situated within the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 

 seventy-three miles distant from Newfoundland, sixty miles from 

 Prince Edward Island, and sixty-five miles from Cape Breton. They 

 are the property of Sir Isaac Coffin, who appears to take very little 

 interest in them. 6 The inhabitants about 500 in number, are Arca- 

 dian French, who live principally by means of fishing. In the month 

 of April, they go in their shallops among the fields of ice that float 

 in the gulf, in quest of seals ; and in summer, they employ themselves 

 in fishing for herring and cod. 



The soil of these islands is a light sandy loam, resting on free- 

 stone. It yields barley, oats, and potatoes; and wheat would likely 

 grow, but the quantity of soil fit for cultivation, is no more than the 

 fishermen require for potato gardens, and a little pasture. Some 

 parts are covered with spruce, birch, and juniper-trees; others are 

 formed into sandy downs, producing bent grass ; cranberries, jumper 

 berries, and various other wild fruits, are very abundant. 



A few miles to the north, Brion and Bird Islands are situated. 

 Multitudes of aquatic birds frequent them for the purpose of hatch- 

 ing. I have seen shallops loaded with eggs, in bulk, which were 

 brought from these islands to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island 

 for sale. 



The Magdalen Islands are under the government of Canada, and 

 the inhabitants are amenable to the courts of Quebec, 600 miles dis- 

 tant; a most inconvenient regulation, when they are so much nearer 

 Prince Edward Island. 



There is a chapel, in which a priest sent from Quebec officiates. 

 Plentiful fishing banks, of which the Americans of the United States 

 derive the principal advantage, abound in every direction near these 

 islands. 



This lake Is only known to the Indians, who describe it as sixty miles long. 

 There Is a dark-grey marble found at Bay of Islands. 



6 Since the above was written, the worthy baronet, it Is said, has taken meas- 

 nres to direct the application of the rents which may be derived from these 

 islands, to the support of a number of his relatives in the American Navy. 



Annexed to that government in 1809, by 49 Geo. Ill, cap. 27. 

 92909 S. Doc. 870, 61-3, vol 6 15 



