Page:1898 NB Magazine.djvu/334

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AT PORTLAND POINT.

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nearly equal size. The company's contract with government specified that in measurement of masts the diameter was to be taken one third from the butt. Whether Mr. Peabody's measurements were of this description or not is not very clear, but if so, the size of the trees is still more remarkable. Many of the largest pines grew on the Rushagonish, a branch of the Oromocto. On Samuel Peabody's recommendation,^[1] Hazen and White applied for a tract of land in that quarter. Sir Andrew Snape Hamond and his council very obligingly acceded to their request, and on August 3, 1782, granted 8,000 acres to Wm. Hazen, James White, Jacob Barker and Tamberlane Campbell as reduced (disbanded) officers serving in America during the last French war. Tamberlane Campbell immediately sold his share of the grant to Samuel Peabody for a small consideration.

The first masting contract of Francklin, Hazen and White extended to the 31st of May, 1782 but shortly before its expiration Colonel Francklin wrote:

"There is no doubt of another contract, or of Sir Andrew's friendship for me; therefore go on and get out as many sticks as you can, and throw down as many as you are sure of getting out between this and Xmas, at least, for be assured of it we shall have another contract, and I mean to apply for a standing one when I go to Halifax again."

After securing possession of the lands at Rushagonis, Samuel Peabody assumed absolute control of the masting operations there, even to the appropriation of trees that had been previously cut by Mr. Davidson.

↑ "Under date May 14, 1784, Samuel Peabody wrote to Hazen and White: "Respecting getting lands granted, I highly recommend the land at Oromecto branch called Roosagwanish, the place that Mr. Beckwith got surveyed. I am at work at that place and find it valuable for soil, mills and masts and board timber. I beg you would not let any opportunity slip for securing that important. place."

[1] "Under date May 14, 1784, Samuel Peabody wrote to Hazen and White: "Respecting getting lands granted, I highly recommend the land at Oromecto branch called Roosagwanish, the place that Mr. Beckwith got surveyed. I am at work at that place and find it valuable for soil, mills and masts and board timber. I beg you would not let any opportunity slip for securing that important. place."

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