34 OUR ISLAND STORY
suggested, was adopted in the final settlement of the Land Question- This was hastened by the formation in 1865 of the Tenant League and the negotiations resulting in the Union of Prince Edward Island with the Dominion of Canada. When it was learned that the work of the Land Commission was ineffectual and its recommendations of no avail, the discontent of the disappointed tenantry increased and political agitation was renewed and carried on with additional energy and bitterness. Public meetings were held. Resolutions to pay no more rent were adopted. A Central Committee was formed. United effort to free the country from the thrall of landlords was begun.- ‘ The feeling of the tenants was exhibited by an advertisement published in the newspapers of the day. It was announced that “the undersigned nominated and deputed delegates.‘ on behalf of the oppressed and suffering tenantry on Townships Nos. 48, 49, 50, 55 and 56, and of the Island generally, most respectfully request that all tenant organizations who have unfurled the banner of freedom and emphatically repudiate the arbitrary, intolerable and tyrannic proposition of resident and absentee proprietors and consequently intend withholding the payment of rent and arrears of rent until a compromise being effected upon compatible, honorable, equitable and satisfactory principles to appoint and depute three discreet delegates for the represen- tation of each township throughout this disaffected, rent-ridden and slave-holding colony to meet at the North American Hotel in Charlottetown on Thursday, the 10th day of May next, at eleven o’clock a. m., precisely, for the purpose of taking into consideration and deliberating upon ominously important and efficient measures in connection with the respective tenant organiz— ations in progress on the Island. Therefore this object in contemplation being the formation of one concentrated Federal Tenant Organization, the basis being unflinching fidelity, loyalty, union, sympathy and action, which inevitably must contribute- to the tranquility, harmony, contentment and prosperity of this much neglected colony.” This advertisement was signed
by Leonard Wood, Robert Stewart, Iohn Jenkins, Iames B. Gay, Samuel Lane, John W. Acorn, George F. Adams, Edward