Cape Breton's Magazine

heim goes across. And it's interesting. In? stead of going right to Sydney Harbour, it goes to Louisbourg. Sees Cuyler's people there, and sees they're in very bad condi? tion. And a lot fewer than he expected. And DesBarres's not there; let's say just the captain of the Blenheim sees this. Des? Barres's still in England. Louisbourg's a terrible situation. There's only 4 houses left standing that are habitable. No sup? plies. Cuyler's people are just about half dead. Now, we don't know whether DesBarres had said to (his people), "Go to Louisbourg, see if there's a crowd; and if there's good supplies, we'll go there. If things aren't so good, go to Spanish Bay (present Sydney Harbour)." Because Samuel Holland had previously said, "Spanish Bay is the place. There's no fog, and it's free from all the problems of Louisbourg." And he had thought Point Edward--as he called it, Edwardstown--would be the perfect place to settle. In any case, that's just what these people do. So I presume that Samuel Holland must have had some kind of influ? ence on DesBarres. DesBarres, when he did the Atlantic Neptune survey, had had Hol- land's plans and had made a special little trip to Sydney, to Spanish Bay. They go around Point Edward, and they ar? rive in November. And it's a snowstorm. The Blenheim is being tossed around. They decide to unload their supplies. Whether it's the tip of Point Edward, or Crawley's Creek, we'll never know. And at the Mines, there are some buildings still standing. The British troops had been mining there until 1784. So there were barracks. They decided to house the people there for the winter. And that's good, to keep people a- way from the supplies. (And close to the coal.) Well, exactly. And that's an impor? tant point. They're near the source of fu? el. And it's sort of symbolic as the coal was going to be very important in this new colonial set-up. Meanwhile, DesBarres leaves England, sails across the ocean to Halifax, where he sees the governor of Nova Scotia. He received his orders--this is all formal--and then came to Cape Breton. He arrived in January on the coast. He would meet Cuyler and his people, who were still down in Louisbourg. You've got the Blenheim people living in Spanish Bay, and you've got Cuyler's peo? ple down at Louisbourg. They remained sepa? rate. And DesBarres sees them, and then he finds out where his people are. (And sees Cuyler's situation.) Oh yes--terrible, wretched. We don't know what the conversa? tion was, or what transpired. All we know is that DesBarres takes a sleigh across and comes here, to Spanish Bay. And during that winter, Cuyler and his people come up here. They realize that the capital's not going to be Louisbourg. In February he has his first meeting of the Colonial Council at the Mines. You could date the beginning of the Cape Bret? on colony with the first meeting of the council. This is how I see the founding of the colony. He stepped ashore at Louis? bourg, but my feeling of sort of the begin? ning of the colony, in reality, is Febru? ary 15th, 1785--when the first council meeting is called, and he's proclaimed gov? ernor in'a formal manner, and they have their first minutes. (And this all takes place in what we call Sydney Mines.) Yes. ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE OF CAPE BRETON Joe's Vferehouse The Food Emporium Cape Breton's Newest and Largest Restaurant SPECIALIZING IN AGED PRIME CUTS OF ROAST BEEF & STEAKS 6c ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE SALAD BARS IN THE MARITIMES! i CABARET] OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 'TIL 3 A.M. Live Entertainment Nightly| 424 Charlotte Street 539-6686 539-0408 I RESTAURANT LOUNGE (30) BANQUET FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE GREAT NEW BOOKS FOR KIDS f ronn our own Atlantic authors WHEN AN OSPREY SAILS Patricia McKenzie-Porter This sea-going adventure for readers 10 to 14 years explores new family relationships in a tale of sailing and smugglers. $9.95 paperback W'htri ROSALYN RABBIT RETURNS Elizabeth Crocker illustrated by William Tobin Rosalyn Rabbit is back with more problem solving stories including a caterpillar problem, new front teeth, and more Hallowe'en fun. $6.95 paperback Nimbus Publishing Limited Available from: A PAIR OF TRINDLES BOOKSHOP Old Red Store, Historic Properties, Halifax, N. S. B3J 1S9 (902) 423-7528