AUGUST 13, I949

The iollowing historical oi Charlottetown, by Dr. 13,0, Bu,

WY. member oi the Historic Sites

and Monuments Board of Canada, archivist. ior the Province oi Nova Scotla and author oi “The French Refime in Prince Edward Island" and 0! numerous articles on this Province. sllneaml originally in the Canadian Geographic Mag“. me: 1

Charlottetown is both I modern city and a city c! memories. It was not incorporated as a city until i855; but its memories go back be- ycnd 1766 when it was designated by Capt. Samuel Holland as the Cupltnl oi St. John's Island to 1720 when Denys de La Ronde and Sieur de Gotleville de Belleisle chose the south western side oi this harbour as the site oi Port La. Joye - the administrative centre oi the Island during the French regime and the scene oi many a stirring incident.

cularlottetouln is situated a: one oi the finest harbours in Canada, capable oi receiving ships oi heavy burden into a sheltered basin formed by the Junction oi the North and West rivers with the Hillsboro river. Into this harbour came Denys de La Ronde in the autumn oi 17120 and in the iollowing year he wrote: "We are in Port La Joye, one oi the most beautiful harbours that the eye can behold." Here came the New Englanders in 1745 and took temporary possession oi Isle St. Jean. Here, in 1758, the Acadlans oi the Island were em- barked prior to their deportation to France and on that occasion an eye-witness has recorded that he saw "a 20 and a l8 sale oi trans- ports lying in anchor in the har- hour." I-Iither came two American privateers, in November, i775, to plunder the town and to carry oii the administrator oi the Govern-

ment and one oi his councillors to General Washington's headquar- tel-s.

Protected I-"rom Invasion

At intervals during the American we: oi Independence, the "Dilig- ent", the "Hunter", the "Cabot". the "Danae", the "Lizard", the "Cammilla", or the "Hind", Brit- ish ships oi war, rode at anchor in the harbour or kept a watchiul eye upon the American prlvateers, much to the delight oi the hund-

sketch

time in isar and In i788 Chsrlo

sllficts to

pleasant.

oi protection;

munity."

mingled, lees

ships being built

red citizens who lived here at that

noticed by the Brit Rear-Admiral Bawy

express oi the dc

Shubrick oi the Navy also entered the harbour with the "Princeton" and the "Fulton" to show his goodwill and desire to keep American iishermen within the law: In i858 Commodore le Baron de la Ronciere tie Noury oi the French navy called at Char- lottetown in the "GaesendP.

loyal Visitation:

But the warships’ visits which thrilled Charlottetown most oi all in early days were those oi the vessels bringing the Prince oi Wales in 1860 and Prince Arthur in i869. On the former occasion particularly, the whole city turned out to meet the Prince who arriv- ed on the "Hero". A thousand chil- dren greeted him with the Nation- al Anthem. and a numerous and brilliant assemblage ball in his honour, where he "danced with much spirit" till “ai- ter three o'clock.‘ Prince Arthur also met with an enthusiastic wel- come. In the words oi acting Gov- ernor Hodgson, “His Royal High- nees's right princely demeanour and courtesy has won ior him the hearts oi all classes in the com-

Memorable if Pre-Confederlliioll Story A

0f The Island Capital Is One 0f Stirrij Interest

trembling. ttetown was again lsh navy. when er paid his re- Lieutenant Fmnlnz. who wrote in haste to the colonial secretary: “The iavor- able opinion he has been pleased to pth oi the water, Yflclllly oi entrance. and security has aiiorded my- inhabitants o: m; town infinite satisiaction."

Blnce 1m Charlottetowifs mem- ories of ships-oi-wsr have all been l"! the diiilcultles with the United States over tbs fisheries, just before the Reciproc- ity Treaty was negotiated, Rear- Admiral Sir George Seymour paid a call with the "Basilisk" and the "Devastation" to assure the Island while Commodore United States

Ship-Building Days

But, ii Charlottetownb memories oi arrivals in her

01'

here. Between 1830 and l8'13, 3,000 vessels aversgingjm tons were

THE GUARDIAN.

CHARLOTTETOWN

PAGE TWENTY-ONE

nts ‘Charlottetowfis , History

attended a

harbour mingled are her memories oi departures. time her piers were thronged with

w

built in Prince Edward Island. Oi these Charlottetown had her share. At least ilve shipyards were steadily employed along the wat- eriront irom the Esplannde f0 Kensington range. The best-known shipyards were owned by Douse, Peake, Duncan, Heard and Mc- Glll. From the Duncan shipyard the largest ship ever built on the Island, registering 1,746 tons, was launched in 1858 and christened the “Ethelfl with appropriate cer- emony. From the Peaks shipyard came, among others, the "George Peaks." s photograph oi which has fortunately been preserved. Most of the smaller vessels were used in the coasting trade and the fisheries, while the larger ones were loaded with timber and sold with their cargo in England or in the West Indies, the proceeds being employed in further building to a similar end.

Cruise 0i the Il-Imy

One local product, however, was destined ior another fate. This was the “Fanny" built by James Peake, sold in 1849 to a group oi 40 Islanders who had caught the California gold iever; and, 1n this vessel oi 260 tons, sailed around the Horn to San Francisco, a voy- age oi six months. In Ban Fran- cisco, they found about ‘100 vessels riding at anchor while their own- ers sought the yellow dust. The owners oi the "Fanny" sold their vessel; distributed the proceeds; and during the next three years, drlited about the dlgglngs, only to return to their native province little richer, save in experience.

Shipbuilding was an industry which produced seamen as well as carpenters and iinanciers. Many an old time citizen oi Charlotte- town had, through this industry, closer contact with the British Isles and Europe than he has ever had since its decline; ior the

m any Building -'1aa

- WEXB

goes past the little Island to Quebec and Montreal to to Halliax and Saint John. But the memories of the old days survive, and it is pardonable, howevy in- accurate, in those who treasure these memories to blame Conied- eration rather than the depletion o! timber reserves and the advent oi iron stesmships ior the loss o! a picturesque industry.

Idellly situated

Charlottetown, named alter Queen Charlotte, consort oi George III, was projected es the capital by Captain Hollarfil in 17$, because oi its excellent harbour, its cent- ral position, and its euy commun- ication with the interior of the Is- land as well as with the outside world. Further, the ground design- ed ior the town and iorfli‘ “ was well situated upon a regular ascent from the water-side. the harbour could be commanded by a battery or two and the intricate channels oi the rivers would si- iord additional protection.

The town was laid out in 110s by Surveyor Charles Morris oi Nova Scotis, acting under orders from lieutenant-Governor Frank- lin, in accordance with Royal in- structions based upon Captain Hol- land's report. Morris determined the general outlines oi the present city. marked oii the principal street; and squares, made reserva- tions ior parks, public building. and a common. 1n addition to this he commenced the erection oi buildings for civic officials, when suddenly the orders oi Hsnklin w...“ ended by Lord l-lillsborough and these buildings were leit unfinished.

First Civic Buildings These first buildings in Glar-

lcttetown were described in Octo- ber 1783, as follows: "A dwelling

great st/ream oi commerce now

l

house 6B x 26, one storey. with a

FIRST UNDER THE WIRE

Centr

, Summer-side a

l

Creameries Lim

Charlottetown

Mid-led 1'00! shingled Ind elap-

boarded.

studs with stone laid in rough mor- tfl, two stacks o! chimneys. with two ovens and six fire places, two parlors. two kitchens, and lodg

of tbs house." and "s house in- tended ior; dwelling house, of the some shingled, now used as a store, but partitions fixed up ior the same number oi rooms as the house. s cellar stoned under the whole house and e stone pier at A one end oi it ior a foundation ior

taken (We! by Governor Patterson In 1770; the other was later iixed up by Chiei Justice Duport, and liter his death was used as s Gllllrdl, 0011i‘! room, jail. and what not. until iln- elly it. was granted in property to Chief Justice Peter Stewart, who god it repaired as a private resi- once.

alterations Charlottetown, but these only that Richmond and Water Streets, by reducing the width oi the cross \v streets and increasing the depth oi the house lots. He also doubled the also of the pasture lots making them 12 acres instead oi six. The present city has grown consider- ably over the original site and the Common oi Patterson's day.

tion that only one house and one pasture let should be gnlnted to each bona iide settler; but the oi- iicers oi government cumbed to temptation and com- menced lots, first ior their children and then by collusive action with men who would allow them to use their names as a legal means oi violating the law. Under Lieuten- sM-Governor Deabrisay, this prac- tice was iully indulged in. A re- turn ci 1180 mowed that Desbris- IY. Wright, and Curtis were the worst oiienders. Patterson ordered return oi all lots over and above one ior each member oi the oiiic- ers’ iamilies; but refused. On appeal to the Secre- tsry oi State, Patterson was up- held and some made, but imm this date a ieud commenced between the Patterson and Stewart-Desbrisay and iull made.

But it was the obsequious and petty-legging lieutenant-Governor Fanning who commenced tamper- ing with the Charlottetown Com- mon. establishing the precedent by which the Common was ultimately lost t0 the Citizens o1 Charlotte- town. First. it was agreed that to lease the Common ior a period oi

and lllled in between the

dimensions, clap-boarded and

IDOVQ 1.5

chimney." The ilrst of tlhese houses was

house, assembly

In 1771 Patterson made some in Morris’ plan" oi aifected between

part lying

Lots Appropriate? It had been the origins: irlten- l" soon suc-

uppropriating desirable

of to pr

Stewart. Osllbeclc, Hirelihy,

the ue his councillors ha

sin-renders were

families, rastltution was never

Ch

its history the population oi the Island and oi its capital increas- ed slowly, and owing to maledmin-

ject to alternating ebb and flow.

population oi Charlottetown and Royalty, including the garrison, at 4242 but a. statutc- labor gives only 59 householders. In 1827 when the first reliable census was taken, its population was 649; in 1834 it had increased to 1,965. In 1865, when incorporated as a city, its population was 8,500; and to- day it is only slightly more than double that number.

sponslble Self-government in 1851, the population of Charlottetown

distinctions than it is at Present. At that time the were practically all born and bred in the British Isles and brought their social distinctions with them. They were inclined to look down upon a tenant class, the artisan and the small retailer. Accepting larger merchants oi necessity, also the agents oi the landlords, and

tried to build up an exclusive Io- clety around Government House and the military oiiicers.

drawn and Responsible Govern- ment created nn official class from amongst the people, and Confeder- ation made customary the appoint- ment oi local Lieutenant-Governors and Judges, and direct connection with British military and official tradition was lost, it became more dliiiculc to keep up the estate and pretensions oi an earlier day, Such

power having been lost and reven-

groups, New generations and new families dispense justice, adminis- ter government, support education, religion and public works, and thus represent and determine the chu- ucter and tone of Charlottetown. The survivors oi the older families who have not iound an official or l social outlet ior have had either to join the demo- cratlc migration to Western Can- ada or to mingle with the more prosperous at home, as an alter- native to futile isolation. But, in education, in manners. and in the desire ior public service, these iam- llles have left n tradition which

years would be in c» interest oi I the province. Then it was uslly appropriated, bit byblt, un- til now it has all passed into priv- ate hands and is indistinguishable irom the rest oi the city, except by the angle in the streets that start B from Euston northward.

Fid-

During the iirst halt-century oi tration and faction it was sub- 3, return oi 1797 places the entire

79111111

oi th er

Clear Distinctions Prior to the achievement u! Re- as more differentiated by class

th office holders of 15 st be the

ter-marrying with them, they

When the garrison was with-

Oil

Imperial government erection; but this money had been used by Patterson to finance the needy whose salaries depended upon n preparatory quit rent that was never paid in iull. the first meetings o! legislatures and judges were held in private re- sidences rented for the occasion; and the first prisoners were con- fined in the uniinlshed building commenced by Morris.

ntirely ignore. Grsdual Development Public buildings have kept pace

in Charlottetown with the gradual

rowth oi the city and the increas-

ing needs oi the people. At first makeshift arrangements were made for a jail, a court house and legis- lative chambers, Sites had been re- served ior such buildings by Mor- ris, 1768; and in 1771 a grant oi

000 pounds had been made by the ior their

officers oi Government.

Consequently

Between 1779 and 1797 the need

a jail was severely ielt; and in e latter year, a log hut was ected for that purpose. This serv-

ed the City until 1830. During this period prisoners were ill-provided with light and even with air. The Grand Jury oi 1812 reported that

e juil was in deplorable condition rottenness and decay, and .con-

sister! oi two rooms, I5 x I2 and 8 x

, the criminal cell being without

a fire place and without ventilation

night. Since 1830, the jail has en twice remodelled and is now

comparatively n comfortable bulld- n8.

first Legislative Session

The courts end the Legislature first met in the house oi James Richardson, .a wealthy adventurer who brought 15 settlers to the Island in 1770. In 1781 Alexander Richardson, a school master received a town lot on

comparatively

chester lmets. and his establish‘ merit, known u l Crvll KWW- V“. rented during a number oi Y“!!! by both the Supreme Court and the Legislature.

In 1812 a court-house was bullll

d it was used for lelllllllfil ‘l well as the administration of 11"‘ tice until 1843. when the Colonial Building was completed. On the ovd oi Confederation the present ccurl house was built, and the old build- ing, after serving as l POI! 011E911 telegraph office and police w"! wan moved to Euston Street. In‘! converted into a tenement b91159! its site being occupied by the Dre- sent market building. It was in this old court-house that Lieuten- ant-Governor Smith haranlfl‘! h“ parliament and delivered his 111451 ments in Chancery. Here, too- "l! legislators decided to build a leglse lative chamber of their own.

The Colonial Bulltlllll

The Colonial Building Ill I0! built without friction. The money was raised by a land-sssessmenti act; and the members oi the coun- cll, the watchdogs of the proprie- tors, were anxious to libel! 130W" the cost to 10.000 pounds, the sum originally voted: but the Assembly iound that it would require 2.000 pounds more to execute the 081811181 design and made the appropriation‘ accordingly.

Lieutenant-Governor Huntley us- sented to the bill, bill sympathiz- ed with the council and explained his opposition to the Colonial Sec- retary in the following caustic way: "The eiiect seems very dlsportlon- ated to the expense; the alteration made consists in a portlco to: the front entrance which is sufficiently in character with the building, and two abuttments, very estentnticuslv culled ‘Wings’ and bearing about as much porportion to the body o! the building as the wings oi a penguin do to the body oi the bird; but they

which he built a school. I-le built

the corner oi Queen and Dor-

the old families as remained had iace a declining plospect, the estige oi place and monopoly oi

s having begun to shrink. All this s led tn n realignment oi socicl

their

energies,

arlottetown cannot and does not

(Continued on rm n)

0L0 Gllllllll AT FORT EIIWARII