PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

and to be aiding and assisting unto the said Samuel Holland and his deputies in all things as becometh.” In I766 Major Sam- uel Holland completed his survey in and about the Gulf and St. Lawrence river and a map of Prince Edward Island, showing the counties and townships. The map showed that he divided the Island off into sixty- seven townships, one of which containing twenty thousand acres, was granted to him- self. In 1767, in compliance with the terms . of his grant, he sent to the Island a number of agriculturists and some disbanded sol- diers, all of whom he provided with provi- sions and means necessary to begin a settle- ment. He also, for their convenience and comfort, had a small mill built in the town— ship. The descendants of those early set- tlers are among the most proSperous farmers on the Island. On May 19, I766, Secre— tary Pownal acknowledges the receipt of Major Holland’s plans and maps and says, “I am happy in obeying the commands of my Lords,.the commissioners of trade and plantations, to signify unto you their entire zpproval of your conduct in the execution of the instructions you received for the sur- Tey of the Island and of your diligence and dispatch in the completion of this useful and hbourious work.” He also received a com- nunication from Richard Cumberland, Esq., on the same subject. to which he replies as bllows on August 18th: “I can assure you it ievived my spirits and gave me new strength ‘0 endure the fatigues ‘I at that time under- vent, as it was the first news of the arrival of my plans. Adding to this the remaining (ontents made me climb the rocks and wade he waters without thinking of danger or veariness.” While Major Holland was di- ecting surveys in New Hampshire the Rev- olution in the United States broke out and

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he was offered a high command in the Con- tinental army, but on refusing to accept, was immediately imprisoned. He succeeded in breaking jail and making his way to Que- bec, again entering into active service. In one of his letters to the Lords of the Treas- ury making a complaint against Sir Thomas Mills, receiver general, for non-payment of his salary, he says, “It can not be thought unreasonable if I should wish a settlement, as I am now honoured by His Majesty with a post of great danger, when, should any accident deprive my family of me, they would suffer not a little on this ac- count.” After the conclusion of the war Major Holland purchased the ‘Jean Tache mansion on the St. Foye Road, where Gen— eral Montgomery made his headquarters during the attempt upon Quebec in 1775. The old mansion was greatly improved by Major Holland and took the name of H01- land House. Here he gathered around him the elite of Quebec society, among his dis- tinguished guests being the Duke of Kent, father of the late Queen Victoria. Major Holland filled the office of surveyor general for nearly fifty years and at the time of his death, in 1801, was a member of the Execu- tive and Legislative Assembly of Quebec. His family consisted of five sons and three daughters, his eldest son, Col. John F. Hol- land, being the first British subject born on Prince Edward Island. He was educated in Quebec and was employed in various civil and military services in England. In I 787 he was appointed, together with a Mr. Fin- lay, to meet the surveyor general of New Brunswick to establish the line between Que- bec and New Brunswick and also between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In 1794 he received a commission in the Royal Fusi- leers, commanded by the Duke of Kent, and