Item
The St. Andrews Courant
May 31, 1831
Volume 1
St. Stephen—concluded
On the British side of the River, St. Croix are fifteen double and single sawmills containing twenty-five saws, which cut annually about seventeen million, five hundred thousand feet? Of Boars, planks, deals and scantling. The lumber from the mills above the flowage of the tide is conveyed to the salt water, principally by means of a sluice, a mile and quarter in length, nearly four feet wide and fourteen inches deep. There are also a number of horse and ox teams employed in hauling boards, etc., during the summer months, especially when the water is low.
The average quantity of pine timber that comes down the river each year is from fifteen to sixteen thousand tons. There is also shipped from the same place yearly, more than five millions or fifty hundred thousand cedar, and six hundred and sixty-two thousand pine shingles.
To several of the sawmills there are attached lathing machines, which convert the slabs that were formerly thrown aside as useless, into laths, pickets, etc., of these an incredible number are manufactured, but as nearly all are bartered with the American coasters for provisions, it is impossible to form an estimate of the quantities.
The Merchants of Saint Stephen are enterprising and indefatigable. They now own six square rigged vessels, viz: a ship of 352 tons, and five brigs of 266, 221, 220, 176 and 149; in all 1384 tons. These are employed in the Trade to Britain and the West Indies; and there is another of three hundred tons building, which, to judge from the model and the quality of the timber, promises to be a credit to the place.
The Ledge harbor so called, four miles below the head of the tide, is perfectly safe, and free from ice nine months of the year. Ships of any size may lie safe within fifty yards of the shore, in . . . at low water. . . . seldom . . . six vessels loading at the Ledge, and . . . ntlys eight or ten. The river between . . . Landing and the neat and growing . . . on the opposite shore, presents . . . observer an agreeable picture of activity and business.
The number of vessels lying at the wharves on either side, and in the stream, the rafts gliding with the current, the boats and canoes constantly in motion, and the travelers either on foot, on horseback or in carriages, almost constantly crossing the handsome toll bridge that connects the two sides of the river near the head of the navigable part of it, add great interest to the scene, which is much enlivened by the display of the two National Flags from the shipping on Sundays and Holydays,—intermingled as they ought to be, while the relative situation of those countries as parent and offspring is tacitly assented to by both Governments, if we may judge from the good understanding now existing between them. There is also a Toll Bridge across the River at the still Water opposite Mill Town, and another at the Lower Mills, in this Village formerly called free, but which we are informed has lately obtained a Charter from the legislature of Maine that will entitle the Proprietors to demand Toll, as in the two other cases.
In Saint Stephen are also two Grist Mills, one at Mill-Town the other as the Salt Water.
The fishery, which was formerly so beneficial to the inhabitants, beside affording an article for exportation, is now scarcely worth attending to. The Alewives have however been more plentiful this spring than for twenty years past.
The distance from . . . Landing in Saint Stephen to St. Andrews is, by water, fifteen miles, and by land twenty-two. It was considered twenty six years ago an extraordinary feat to drive a sleigh by the winter road in a day, among stumps and roots, from the one place to the other; and wheels were quite out of the question; at present the journey from St. Stephen to and from St. Andrews is performed with ease in a gig or wagon between sunrise and sunset, and an interval of four hours allowed to transact business in Town.
From its local position, situate immediately on the dividing line between the two countries, St. Stephen is liable to be infested occasionally with vagabonds and runaways from both, and the distance from the Shire-town has heretofore occasioned much inconvenience and expense to the inhabitants in securing such persons until they could be conveyed to the County Jail. This evil will shortly be remedied, as, at the last Sessions of the Provincial Legislature, an Act was passed authorizing the erection of a Lock-up House in the Parish, which it is expected will also be a check to offenders of a minor description, who sometimes escaped punishment in consequence of the difficulties attendant on committing them for trial.
There were entered at the Outport of St. Stephen between 1st Jan. 1830 and 1st Jan. 1831, 296 vessels, admeasuring 24, 995 tons, and navigated by 1317 men.
The River Saint Croix, which forms such a prominent feature in the Boundary Line Question, will be treated of in another number.
We yesterday heard, with some surprise, that His Majesty’s Attorney-General has, at the instance of Colonel Wyer, commenced a prosecution against Capt. Spearman and Capt. Jones, on the half-pay of His Majesty’s army. Against Capt. Spearman for having sent a Challenge, or, as it is called by others, a Note, requesting an explanation of certain expressions made use of by the Colonel, while commenting during the last Sessions of the legislature, on his (Capt. Spearman’s) character, as a public officer; and against Capt. Jones for having been the bearer of the message requesting such explanation.
We regret that such a measure should have been resorted to on this occasion, more especially as we only last week declined publishing a communication entitled, “an address to the officers of Colonel’s W.’s battalion,” which had been sent us for that purpose, being determined not to make ourselves a party in this or any other private dispute that may arise in our small community.
We learn that Capt. Spearman intends to plead his own cause; in which case, the whole correspondence, and other matters connected with the transaction, will be before the public, and probably be the means of exciting angry feelings that will not be easily or speedily allayed.
We were much pleased to observe the orderly and respectable appearance of the passengers from the North of Ireland arrived this week in the Portaferry, Captain Pollock, and of those from the South of England, in the Calypso, Captain Grossard. Such men must be an acquisition to any Country, and we regret to hear that a great many of them intend leaving us for the United States, where however we fear their expectations will not be realized. Surely our Provinces holdout as great inducements for enterprising Emigrants and present as many examples of successful industry and perseverance as any part of the Union.
By the mail from St. John, which arrived last Evening at 7 pm we received papers to the 25th inst. They contain nothing later from Britain than will be found in our columns.
The Albion of the 14th inst. Under the head of Colonial Intercourse, contains the Comparative Statement of Duties, alluded to in Mr. Bainbridge’s Letter, published in our last, but as we are apprehensive that some errors must have crept in, especially with regard to the article of Staves, we decline inserting it until we receive it through an official channel.
Wild Pigeons
Since the first settlement of the Country those birds were never known so abundant as at present. On the Beech Ridges in the rear of St. Stephen, and in Saint James, two to three dozen squabs are procured by felling one tree, and it is usual to obtain as many by climbing and taking them from the nest. A miraculous escape was made last week by a lad engaged in the latter employment; after ascending to the height of thirty-five feet, a branch gave way and he was precipitated to the ground. His fall was however so much broken by the boughs through which he passed in his descent that he was not materially injured, although to use his own words, considerably jarred.
We were much gratified in returning from the upper part of the County, on Saturday last, to observe the promising appearance of the grass. The Wheat, Barley and Oats also look uncommonly well, being, in many of the fields, four to five inches above ground, and exhibiting a strong and healthy blade. The late heavy rains will put back the planting for a few days, but there is still sufficient time, if well employed, to get in the all-important article of potatoes.
To Correspondents
We trust that our “Ploughman,” will not be so much engrossed with his practical labours, as to deprive us of his valuable and well-timed Communications at this season.
“Amicus Populi,” is received, but cannot be inserted. The writer mistakes the duties of an Editor when he says that “it is sent in the rough” and requests it “to be put in proper form,” but if such was not the case, it would be much easier (to use a Joe Miller, in the case of Pope and the Link Boy) to make two new articles, than to mend that of our would be Correspondent.
We insert with pleasure “Bill’s correction of his introductory notice in our last. We thought something was wanting but did not conceive ourselves warranted in making
any alteration. We hope his Grandmother’s Recipe Book may prove a Widow’s Cruise.
Saint Andrews’ Hotel
The Subscriber having fitted up that large and commodious Building at the corner of Water and Edward Streets [former John Dunn house], owned and formerly occupied by Christopher Scott, Esq., for the purpose of accommodating permanent boarders and Travellers, in a superior style respectfully solicits a share of the public custom and patronage. Comfortable rooms and Beds, and the best Table, and Liquors the town can afford, with good attendance, may be relied on.
He has also fitted up a large and convenient Stable and keeps constantly on hand a supply of the best of Oats and Hay.
From his long experience in this line and his unwearied attentions to the comfort of his guests, he trusts to succeed in giving general satisfaction to those who may favor him with a call.
John Sargent
St. Andrews, May 13, 1831