m BRITISH ISLANDS IN NORTH AMERICA. 



ceded to the French, under the stipulation, that they should erect no 

 fortifications on those islands, nor keep more than fifty soldiers to en- 

 force the police. By the treaty of 1783, the French were to enjoy 

 their fisheries on the northern and western coasts, the inhabitants of 

 the United States having the same privileges as before their indepen- 

 dence, and the late treaty of Paris confirmed the privileges then grant- 

 ed to the French. The number of inhabitants is not less than 30,000. 



Cape Breton.. ..This island, called by the French Les Isles de 

 Madame, and afterwards Isle Royale, lies between 45° and 47° N. lat. 

 and between 59° and 61° W. long, from London. It is about 109 miles 

 in length, and 84 in breadth ; and is separated from Nova Scotia by 

 a narrow strait, called the Gut of Canso, which is the communication 

 between the Atlantic Ocean and the gulf of St. Lawrence. The soil is 

 barren, but it has good harbours, particularly that of Louisbourg, which 

 is near four leagues in circumference, and has every where six or 

 seven fathoms water. The inhabitants amount to 3000. 



The French began a settlement in this island in 1714, which they 

 continued to increase, and fortified it in 1720. They were, however, 

 dispossessed in 1745, by the bravery of the inhabitants of New England, 

 with little assistance from Great Britain; but it was again, by the 

 treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, ceded to the French, who spared no ex- 

 pence to fortify and strengthen it. Notwithstanding which, it was 

 again reduced, in 1758, by the British troops, under general Amherst 

 and admiral Boscawen, together with a large body of New England 

 men, who found in that place two hundred and twenty-one pieces of 

 cannon, and eighteen mortars, together with a large quantity of am- 

 munition and stores ; and it was ceded to the crown of Great Britain 

 by the peace of 1763, since which the fortifications have been blown 

 up, and the town of Louisbourg dismantled. 



St. John's. ...Situate in the gulf of St. Lawrence, is about 100 miles 

 in length, and 30 or 40 broad, and has many fine rivers ; and, though 

 lying near Cape Breton and Nova Scotia, has greatly the advantage 

 of both in pleasantness and fertility of soil. Upon the reduction of 

 Cape Breton, the inhabitants of this island, amounting to four thou- 

 sand, submitted quietly to the British arms : and, to the disgrace of 

 the French governor, there were found in his house several English 

 scalps, which were brought there to market by the savages ; this 

 being the place where they were encouraged to carry on that barba- 

 rous and inhuman trade. This island was so well improved by the 

 French, that it was styled the granary of Canada, which it furnished 

 with great plenty of corn, as well as beef and pork. It has several 

 fine rivers, and a rich soil. Charlotte-town is the capital, and the 

 residence of the lieutenant-governor, who is the chief officer in the 

 island. The inhabitants are estimated at about five thousand. 



Bermudas, or summer islands.. ..These received their first name 

 from their being discovered by John Bermudas, a Spaniard j and were 

 called the Summer Islands, from Sir George Summers, who was ship- 

 wrecked on their rocks in 1609, in his passage to Virginia. They are 

 situate at a vast distance from any continent, in thirty-two deg. north 

 lat. and in sixty-five degrees west long. Their distance from the 

 Land's End is computed to be near 1500 leagues, from the Madeiras 

 about 1200, and from Carolina about 300. The Bermudas are but 

 small, not containing in all above 20,000 acres ; and are very difficult 

 of access, being, as Waller the poet, who resided some time there, ex- 



