Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
June 15, 1893
GLIMPSES OF THE PAST
Contributions to the History of Charlotte County and the Border Towns.
LXXI – MORSE’S REPORT.
The report of Col. Robert Morse, before mentioned, contains the following matter of local interest:-
Into Pasamaquody Bay, which is of great extent, falls the River St. Croix, the Boundary between the Province of Nova Scotia and the easternmost of the American States. Across the mouth of this Bay lie several Islands, which make the navigation into it very difficult. The most considerable, and which are in some degree settled, are Campo Bello, Moose Island and Deer Island. At the former there is a tolerable harbour, but the great Bay of Pasamaquody is much too spacious, and the water too deep, to be considered in that light, though the Branch which runs up to the mouth of the Scodiac River, after getting into the Bay, is a very secure harbour. A little to the eastwards of Pasamaquody, and which may be considered as connected with it by a chain of islands, is Etang Harbour, the best perhaps, in a military light, in the Province, as being the easiest to defend. The entrance into this harbour is formed to the eastward by a narrow point of the main land, and to the westward by a small Island, making a passage about four hundred yards wide. Both the shores are high and bold, and have about 14 fathom water. This harbor is also sufficiently spacious for any purpose whatever, and most perfectly land-locked. The passage into it, which is in a north-west direction, is straight and easy, and in case of contrary winds there are very good anchoring places, or rather, other harbours on each side-one to the south-west, the other to the north-east. Should not the general situation of this harbour be objected to on account of its being so near the extremity of the Province, and what seems a greater evil, lying in the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, the navigation into which is so extremely difficult on account of the rapidity of the tides and frequency of fogs, I should think it the most eligible harbour I have seen for securing the naval and military arsenals of the Province; and as the tide is more moderate here than higher up in the Bay of Fundy, docks might be constructed in this harbour.
He speaks disparagingly of St. John harbor and adds that ‘the navigation of the whole Bay of Fundy, except for a few months in the summer, and then with good pilots, is extremely dangerous.’ He foresees that trouble would arise from the vague description of the boundaries of Nova Scotia; and closes his description of the rivers of the province as follows:-
It remains yet to speak of the St. Croix River or western Boundary, between the Province of Nova Scotia, and the eastern-most of the American States, which is far from being explicitly described in the Treaty of Peace, and, it is presumed that no time should be lost in ascertaining an object of so much importance. Into Great Pasamaquody Bay, which has before been named, three rivers fall each of them called by different Geographers and Surveyors St. Croix:- I shall speak of them separately under their original or Indian names, according to the best information I could collect upon the spot, having been disappointed in my intentions of exploring them particularly. The western, Copscook, which falls into a Branch of Pasamaquody Bay, is considerable, rising from about 20 miles up the country, and is divided into such a number of small streams as to render its sources doubtful. This river, however, appears by records in the Province of Nova Scotia, to have been the boundary between that Province and the Territory of Sagadahoc in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The middle St. Croix or Scodiac, falls into the great Bay of Pasamaquody, and is by much the most considerable of these rivers. It comes from a large lake which lies in a north-west direction between 40 and 50 miles up the country, from whence the principal branch rises in a more western course a great way into the country, and how far to its source I could not with percision [sic] learn. At the height of about 15 miles up this river are falls or rather rapids-occasioning a portage or carrying place of three-quarters of a mile, above which it is navigable for flat boats and canoes upwards of 40 miles to the lake before mentioned. The eastern St. Croix or the Majiggadewy, which also falls into the great Bay of Pasamaquody, is less considerable than the Scodiac, and is drawn from some lakes near the banks of the river St. John, and has different communications with that river. It will therefore appear from what has been said, that the middle river or Scodiac, not only from being so much the most considerable and consequently the best natural boundary, but from its western course is the most favourable to the interests of Great Britain, as securing infinitely the greatest tract of country, for as the Copscook rises but a little way, upon applying the line North from its source-as directed in the Treaty of Peace-not only all the upper country lying upon the Scodiac would be lost, but the greater part of the upper and best lands upon the river St. John likewise:-This it is presumed could never have been intended, and appears to have been occasioned by a want of that geographical knowledge so necessary in drawing boundaries between Powers, who have been at war; in doing which, rivers, or other distinct and natural features should be sought after, instead of having recourse to imaginary lines.
Col. Morse proposes building fortresses at Halifax, Annapolis Royal and Cumberland, and adds:-
Some smaller work I should likewise think proper near the boundary river between this Province and the American States, which should first be ascertained, the vague and indefinite description of it in the Treaty of Peace, leaving great room for error and dispute. If ever rational and well meaning persons are employed to determine this line, which I humbly conceive it is our interest as well as duty to have done without delay, the Scodiac or Middle St. Croix River must be made choice of, a particular description of which, as well as of the other two rivers called St. Croix has already been given. I cannot forbear here to remark that, upon the boundary river, provincial regiments and other disbanded corps should have been settled, as the most likely people to form a good Militia, and make a secure frontier. Here as in every part of the Province I visited where the lands had been previously laid out, I recommended to the Governor of the Province, such spots to be reserved, as appeared proper for defence, and particularly at Harbour Etang, which has been described as one of the best and most easy to protect of any in the Province. This harbour is now become an object of more importance, for since my report was nearly finished, in which I had throughout distinguished the Peninsula, from the continental part of the Province, the Bay of Fundy having naturally divided them, I find the latter is formed into a separate Government, it should of course have its own port, and this harbour is evidently the most proper for that purpose. Besides the advantages already described, a water communication may be obtained from hence, by means of the Majiggadewy (a river which has been named before) with the upper part of the River St. John, and when this country has been more explored, and is better known, I am of opinion other rivers will be found to communicate with this harbour.
The idea of the confederation of the provinces is thus advanced in his closing paragraph:-
As in the course of this Report, my mind has been strongly impressed with the idea of uniting these Provinces with Canada, to the advantage of both countries, and that by establishing the same laws, inducing a constant intercourse and mutual interest, a great country may yet be raised up in America, to facilitate which it may be found proper to establish a seat of general Government and protection, and for this end it has occurred to me that the Island of Cape Breton is very favourably situated. . . . . These Provinces are not only capable of supplying the wants of our West India Islands, but by proper encouragement, wise regulations and good government, may be made a formidable rival to the American States. It is a great country, and from the description given, possesses as many natural advantages as any in America. In respect of the fishery, infinitely superior, and in point of lumber the Province of New Brunswick is inferior to none. It wants inhabitants, and these may be drawn from the American States. Persons who have not forgotten the excellence of our constitution and government, who are tired of the anarchy of their own, may be easily drawn away; many have already solicited to be received; nor it is altogether without hope that the revolted Provinces, having constantly before their eyes, written in the most indelible characters, the happiness arising from systematic government, may be disposed, after fruitless efforts of their own, to return to that connection wherein they found, and perhaps wherein only they can find, true liberty and union; but as this subject is of great political importance it may be considered out of my sphere.