1832 Emigrants Handbook for arrivals at Québec

1832 Emigrants Handbook for arrivals at Québec

C. Buchanan, Chief Agent.
Emigrant Department, Québec, 1st June, 1832
Published by His Majesty’s Chief Agent for the superintendence of settlers and emigrants in Lower Canada – For the use of Emigrants (gratis)
Printed in Québec by Thomas Cary & Co. –
Freemason’s Hall, Buade Street, Québec – 1832


Information for emigrants

There is nothing of more importance to emigrants on arrival at Quebec, than correct information on the leading points, connected with their future pursuits. Many have suffered much by a want of caution, and by listening to the opinions of interested designing characters, who frequently offer their advice unsolicited, and who are met generally about wharves and landing places frequented by strangers. To guard emigrants from failing into such errors, they should immediately on arrival at Quebec, proceed to the

Office of the Chief Agents for Emigrants, in Sault-au-Matelot street in Quebec’s Lower Town.

Emigrants arriving at Quebec from the United Kingdom, and who are desirous of settling in Lower Canada, or of obtaining employment in Lower Canada, are informed that all necessary information for their guidance may be obtained (gratis) on application at this Office, between the hours of 10 and 3 o’clock daily, Sundays excepted.

The following directions are of importance to the emigrant arriving in Canada, and are addressed to him in the simplest language.

Previous to disembarkation, arrange your baggage in a small compass, the fewer packages the better, but have them well secured. Old dirty clothing, large boxes, and other useless articles, are not worth the carriage. If you have any provisions left, such as oatmeal, potatoes, etc, you can sell them at Quebec at a profit, and avoid the expense of transport, and you can purchase baker’s bread, butter, tea, sugar, and other necessaries more suited for your journey.

Persons intending to settle in Lower Canada, will find much valuable information regarding the laws and customs of the country by referring to a little work published by Joseph F. Perrault, Esquire, Prothonotary, of Lower Canada, entitled, "A Rural Code for the use of the old and new inhabitants of Lower Canada," which may be had of Messrs. T. Cary & Co. Printers, at Quebec, for nine pence.

Routes to the principal settlements in

Lower Canada

District of Québec

Townships of Portneuf – North side of the River St. Lawrence and in the district and vicinity of Quebec, are the settlements of Beauport, Stoneham, Tewsbury, Valcartier and Jacques Cartier, Deschambault, and the settlement of Portneuf. Inhabitants, principally Irish.

Township of St. Nicholas – From the Market-slip, in the Lower Town of Quebec, ferry-boats go daily as the tide suits, to St. Nicholas, 12 miles up the river on the south side, where Craig’s Road begins.

Townships of Frampton - South side of the River St. Lawrence – 36 miles from Quebec by Point Levy, a thriving settlement, inhabitants mostly Irish – Townships lying contiguous to the Kennebec Road, beyond Frampton, offer good prospect for settlement. The lands are principally private property. The Seignioury of St. Giles, 30 miles from Quebec, by St. Nicholas and the Craig’s Road, is favourably situated for emigrants, from its contiguity to the Capital, and is increasing rapidly, its population is principally Irish.

Township of New Argyle - Seigniory of St. Croix – The settlement of New Argyle, located 8 miles from Richardson’s Tavern, on the Craig’s Road, in St. Giles, and 38 miles from Quebec; the new road to the Township of Inverness, passes through this settlement. Inhabitants, principally Highlanders from the Island of Islay, and Irish. The lands in this part are of good quality.

Townships of Ulster – Yorkshire – Dublin – New Hamilton – The settlements of Ulster, Yorkshire, Dublin, and New Hamilton, commence four miles beyond New Argyle, and 42 miles from Quebec, and are situated in the flourishing Township of Inverness, through which a new road has been nearly finished to the borders of the Township of Halifax. The inhabitants of Inverness are from various parts of the United Kingdom. Those from England are principally from Yorkshire, those from Ireland, mostly from the Northern Counties, and those from Scotland, are chiefly Highlanders from the Island of Arran. Beyond Inverness lie the Townships of Halifax, Chester, and Tingwick; good lands for settlement; but at present there is no convenient road to them. The Township of Arthabaska joins Inverness, and is a desirable place for settlement.

Township of Leeds – The settlement of Leeds, through which Craig’s Road passes, lies to the left of Inverness. The region is located 50 miles from Quebec, and is increasing rapidly in population. Inhabitants, Scotch, Irish and English.

Township of New Ireland – The region of New Ireland, through which Craig’s Road also passes, lies beyond Leeds, 60 miles from Quebec and is increasing much in population. The inhabitants are principally Irish, and a number of English of the Wesleyan connexion, also about 25 American families from the United States.

Townships of Shipton & Dudswell – Craig’s road leads to Shipton and Dudswell, but is impassable for wheel carriage transport beyond Ireland.

Eastern Townships of Lower Canada

The route to the Townships - The present route to Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers), 90 miles above Quebec , by steam-boat, here cross the St. Lawrence to the south side and proceed to Sherbrooke, by Nicolet, La Baie, and Drummondville, or you may proceed to Sorel, 40 miles above Trois Rivieres on the south side of the St. Lawrence, and there disembark; the rate of passage from Quebec by the steam-boat, will be a trifle more than it is to Trois-Rivieres, but you will avoid the ferry. A good road leads from Sorel to Sherbrooke, by Yamaska and Drummondville. The distance from Quebec to Sherbrooke in a straight line by the new road to Inverness, when finished is 99 miles, and by Trois Rivieres or Sorel, the route obliged to be taken for transport, is 160 miles, of which 70 is land carriage.

Townships of Sherbrooke – Sherbrooke is the Capital of the Eastern Townships, and is surrounded by thriving settlements, particularly Stanstead, where industrious farming labourers or mechanics are much wanted, and are sure by good conduct to do well; as also, in the Townships of Stanbridge, Brome, Dunham, Potton and the Seigniory of St. Armand; the route to which is by St-Jean (St. John’s)

Townships of Chambly – Chambly is 40 miles from Sorel and 18 from Montreal. Labourers may get employment at the canal now making at Chambly, Chateauguay, Godmanchester and Sherington, from 25 to 40 miles from Montreal, south side of the St. Lawrence, are thriving situations.

North Shore of the St. Lawrence in Lower Canada

Townships of Trois Rivières – Three Rivers and its vicinity, 90 miles from Quebec, give employment to many emigrants. In the rear of Berthier, 130 miles above Quebec, are the Townships of Brandon, Kilkenny, Rawdon and Kildare.

Townships of New Glascow – Settlements in the Seigniory of Terrebonne, is about 30 miles from Montreal. Persons bound for the townships bordering on the Ottawa River, particularly Lochaber, Templeton, Hull, Grenville, Horton or other situations, on the Ottawa River, can proceed from Montreal, and Lachine, by the usual conveyances. There are many desirable situations for settlement belonging to private individuals. The names of the proprietors or the agents may be had on application at this office.

Please note - It is particularly recommended to emigrants to be exceedingly cautious in ascertaining the titles to such lands as they may settle on. Recommendation for lands to the respective Township Agents and Superintendents of settlement in Lower Canada, with routes will be furnished to emigrants (gratis)

A. C. Buchanan, Chief Agent – Emigrant Department , Quebec , 1st June, 1832

Selected Original Sources dealing with A.C. Buchanan

Robert John Grace – The Irish in Québec

"Third Report from the Select Committee on Emigration from the United Kingdom" – Evidence of A.C. Buchanan

A.C. Buchanan "Annual Report on Emigration for 1850"

"First Report from the Select Committee on Emigration of 1826 by A.C. Buchanan