third year.

In accordance with the prudent advice of Sir Guy Carleton, it was
decided to send agents to Nova Scotia immediately to explore the
country and report upon it. The agents chosen were Messrs. Amos
Botsford, Samuel Cummings and Frederick Hauser. They were furnished
with the following

INSTRUCTIONS.

"That on their arrival in Nova Scotia they apply themselves to
discover whether a Tract or Tracts of Land free from all disputed
titles, either with the Indians or former Grantees, can be found
sufficient to accommodate the Loyalists and their Families who
shall remove thither.

"They will examine the soil, timber, game, limestone, rivers,
bays, creeks, harbors, streams and ponds of water with regard to
mills, fishing, trade, etc. They will examine the face of the
country whether it be hilly, stoney, sandy, clayey, etc.

"They will enquire what lands in the neighborhood are granted and
to whom, whether the grants be forfeited, or whether they may be
purchased and at what rate; and whether advantageous terms may not
be made with the present proprietors.

"They will endeavor to ascertain as near as they can what will be
the difficulties and obstructions in forming new settlements, and
what will be the probable advantages.

"They will keep a journal of their proceedings and register their
observations, noting well the distances from the principal
settlements already made, and from noted rivers and harbors, as
well as the obstructions in travelling and transporting.

"Such lands as may be obtained will be distributed and divided
among the proposed adventurers in as just and equitable a manner
as the nature of the case will admit, and the Agents will make
reports of their proceedings from time to time, as early as may
be, to the Secretary of the Agency in New York."

Amos Botsford, Samuel Cummings and Frederick Hauser arrived at
Annapolis Royal on the 19th October, 1782, in company with 500
Loyalists, who sailed from New York in nine transport ships. Rev.
Jacob Bailey, who was then living at Annapolis, describes their
arrival in one of his letters:

"On Saturday morning early, we were all surprized with the
unexpected appearance of eleven sail of shipping, sailing by Goat
Island and directing their course towards the town. About nine,
two frigates came to anchor, and at ten the remainder, being
transports, hauled close in by the King's wharf. O