Petition of Gervas Say, 27 August 1792, Queen's County. Transcription.
Digital facsimile of "Petition of Gervas Say, 27 August 1792, Queen's County," Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, RS108, reel F1038, Fredericton, New Brunswick. In "Contested Terrain: Aboriginal Land Petitions in New Brunswick, 1786-1878," Atlantic Canada Virtual Archives, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
This version published online 25 March 2010.
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528
To His Excellency Thomas Carleton
Esqr Lieutenant Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his
Majusties Province of New Brun-
swick &c &c &c
Esqr Lieutenant Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his
Majusties Province of New Brun-
swick &c &c &c
The Memmorial of Gervas Say in behalf of A few familes
of Indians,
of Indians,
humbly Sheweth
The Honourable Commissioners being Pleased to
Appoint me an Instructor amongst the poor Savages, and
with Instruction in Letters, if Possable to Instill the Nature
of agriculture into their Mind, as the only Method whereby
they may in time become Comfortable to themselves, and
Profitable Members of Society.
I own it to be an arduous Undertaking Considering
with whom I have to Do, as it is Obvious to Every Eye
the Miserable Sittuation the Indians are now in, in general
but the goodness of the Cause arms me with Courage
and by Gods Assistance I hope my Labour will not be in
Vain, I have Ever made it my Studdy to Shew to the
Indians the advantages that attends Industry, booth by
precepts and Example, what Ever Little time I Could gain
from my school Employing Myself in labour on Land
in A Manner they themselves are capable of, and Ocular
demonstration has Convinced Some of them that they wish
to Make fair trial of their Skill in Cultivation.
If Your Excellency in Council Would be Pleased to
take this Matter into Consideration, and Suffer me to Look
out Lands on the Grand Lake; unocupied by any of his
Majesties Subjects at Present, and can consistanly give
Some Small Donations to the Indians, as Corn, Some
cloathing, axes, and hoes, with Amunition to kill their own
Meat, as their Poverty is Such that it is imposable for
them to go forward without help, Giveing them a proper
title to these lands, Under Such A Restriction that they
Shall not Convey these Lands to any Without Previous
Notice to Governor and Counsel I on my Part am Ready
to go out with them, and with my advise and assistance will
Appoint me an Instructor amongst the poor Savages, and
with Instruction in Letters, if Possable to Instill the Nature
of agriculture into their Mind, as the only Method whereby
they may in time become Comfortable to themselves, and
Profitable Members of Society.
I own it to be an arduous Undertaking Considering
with whom I have to Do, as it is Obvious to Every Eye
the Miserable Sittuation the Indians are now in, in general
but the goodness of the Cause arms me with Courage
and by Gods Assistance I hope my Labour will not be in
Vain, I have Ever made it my Studdy to Shew to the
Indians the advantages that attends Industry, booth by
precepts and Example, what Ever Little time I Could gain
from my school Employing Myself in labour on Land
in A Manner they themselves are capable of, and Ocular
demonstration has Convinced Some of them that they wish
to Make fair trial of their Skill in Cultivation.
If Your Excellency in Council Would be Pleased to
take this Matter into Consideration, and Suffer me to Look
out Lands on the Grand Lake; unocupied by any of his
Majesties Subjects at Present, and can consistanly give
Some Small Donations to the Indians, as Corn, Some
cloathing, axes, and hoes, with Amunition to kill their own
Meat, as their Poverty is Such that it is imposable for
them to go forward without help, Giveing them a proper
title to these lands, Under Such A Restriction that they
Shall not Convey these Lands to any Without Previous
Notice to Governor and Counsel I on my Part am Ready
to go out with them, and with my advise and assistance will
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Engage to do all I Can to bring things to A favourable
Issue, If Your Excelleny would be Pleased to give me a Lot
of land amongst the Indians as I Shall naturally want
a Place of abode and Whereon to Spend any Leisure Moments
I may have to Spare, Your Petitioner as in Duty bound
Issue, If Your Excelleny would be Pleased to give me a Lot
of land amongst the Indians as I Shall naturally want
a Place of abode and Whereon to Spend any Leisure Moments
I may have to Spare, Your Petitioner as in Duty bound
Would for Ever Pray
Ger
s
: Say
The Names of [unclear: ye?]
Indians Intended in
this Petition
Peter Paul his wife and Six Children
Peres Paul a Young man his Mother a widow
Mitchel his Wife and two Children
Paul Able his Wife and Six Children
Indians Intended in
this Petition
Peter Paul his wife and Six Children
Peres Paul a Young man his Mother a widow
Mitchel his Wife and two Children
Paul Able his Wife and Six Children
Likewise four or five more famelies would
in all Likelihood join this fall
in all Likelihood join this fall
August [unclear: ye?] 27th
1792
1792
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Memorial
Ger s Say
Ger s Say
— 4 —
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Gervas Say Esq
r
asks permission
to explore vacant &
unoccupied land on
the Grand Lake, to be
allotted for several
Indian families who
are ready to make
a Settlement thereon, and
also one lot for himself.
asks permission
to explore vacant &
unoccupied land on
the Grand Lake, to be
allotted for several
Indian families who
are ready to make
a Settlement thereon, and
also one lot for himself.
complied with
7 th Septem r 1792
7 th Septem r 1792
Queens