g as a first
crop fully grown, and a resource to make returns for necessaries.--By
this method, as the pine disappears, houses and barns will rise in its
place, and the country, instead of a barren waste, will exhibit
flourishing settlements, peopled with a race who will know the value of
their improvements; and feel their interest identified with the
country: and whose attachment to the Government will increase with
their growing possessions. Their children, raised on the soil, from the
strong principles of early association, will feel that interest in the
welfare of the country, that no transient advantage can produce; and
grow up an ornament and strength to the Province. On the contrary, if
the lumber is cut off by mere speculators, the land will be left in an
impoverished state, much valuable timber will be wantonly destroyed,
and the places from whence the timber is taken will be left an
uncultivated waste; settlers will neither have the inclination or
ability to occupy them. While the major part of the men employed in
getting the lumber for the merchants, instead of making a comfortable
provision for their families, will wear out the prime of their days
without making any permanent establishment; and keep their families
shifting about the country like vagrants. Their children, for the want
of employment, and the direction of their fathers, brought up in
idleness--their education and morals neglected, and bad habits
acquired, will be the reverse of those before noticed: and many of them
will become a vagrant race, unconcerned or uninterested in the welfare
of the country, and in many instances a nuisance to it. While their
parents, after they get unfit for the business, will be turned off in
debt.

In short, it will be the most direct way to prevent the settlement of
the back lands, and to produce (what is the bane of all countries) a
race of inhabitants who have no interest in the soil or welfare of the
Province.

Statement of the expenses on one thousand tons of pine timber,
manufactured on the Wabskahagan, a branch of the river Tobique:--

The Secretary's, Governor's, and Surveyor General's fees of
office, including the charge for writing petition 1 10 0
Duty on 1000 tons, at 1s 50 0 0
Less by amount included in fees, &c. 1 5 0
--------48 15 0
Incidental expenses to the applicant 0 15 0
Surveyor's