BRUNSWICK, NEW, one of the four British pro vinces in North America, is bounded on the southeast by the Bay of Fundi, on the south by New England, on the north and west by Canada, and on the east by the Gulf of St Lawrence. The principal towns of this province are Frederickstown the capital, St Ann's, St Andrew's, and St John's ; and it is watered by the rivers St John's, Alagegadavilk, or Eastern River, Diekwasset, St Croix, Merrimichi, Petitcodiac, Mem ramcook ; all of which, excepting the three last, dis charge themselves into Passamaquoddy Bay. In the St John's River the tides flow about 80 miles ; and it is navigable for vessels of 50 tons about 60 miles, and for boats about 200 miles. The vast extent of country into which it opens, contains rich vales and cultivated meadows, while the higher grounds are generally cover ed with wood.
After the settlement of this province by the Ameri can loyalists in 1783, the inhabitants eagerly engaged in endeavouring to supply, with fish and lumber, the British possessions in the West Indies ; and within the first ten years, they had built 93 square rigged vessels, and 71 sloops and schooners, which were principally employed in that trade. In the year 1793, however, this trade was greatly injured by the permission granted by proclamation to the United States of America, to supply the West India islands with every thing they wanted. The citizens of the United States being exempt from a duty of 24- to 5 per cent. exacted in the West India islands from British subjects, and not being subject to the high rates of insurance on their vessels and cargoes, nor to the great advance in the wages of seamen, with which the inhabitants of New Brunswick had to struggle, were obviously enabled to engross a great part of the trade of that province. The American government, by granting a bounty of nearly 20 shillings per ton on all vessels employed in the cod-fishery, have now engrossed the principal part of the cod fishery in the bay of Fundi ; and from the county of Charlotte, which is separated only from the United States by a navigable river, have been enabled to carry off annually, and to reship for the American market nearly three millions of feet of boards, cut in that part of New Bruns wick, and also a large proportion of the fish, caught and cured by British subjects, in the bay of Passama quoddy.
The sea-coast of New Brunswick abounds with cod and scale fish, and immense shoals of herring, shad, and salmon annually enter its rivers. The herrings are possessed of a greater degree of firmness than the common herrings, and are capable of being kept longer in a warm climate. They are caught in such abun dance, that the quantity cured is limited only by the insufficient number of hands employed. The numerous harhours along the coast arc conveniently situated for the cod-fishery, which may be carried on to any extent. Near the margin of the numerous rivers, creeks, and lakes, which intersect the province, the country is for the most part 'covered with inexhaustible forests, of pine, spruce, birch, maple, elm, fir, and other timber, proper for masts of any size, lumber, and ship-building. The smaller rivers afford excellent situations for saw mills; and from the Inciting of the snow in spring, every stream is rendered sufficiently deep to float down the masts and lumber of every description, which the inhabitants have cut and brought to its banks during the long and severe winters, when their agricultural pur suits are suspended.
In the interior of the province, the lands are gene rally excellent ; and where they have been cultivated, they have proved very productive, owing to the small number of the inhabitants. Great advances have not yet been made in agriculture ; but within a few years preceding 1804, there has remained, beyond the do mestic supply, a considerable surplus in horses, salted provisions, and butter for exportation. The following table exhibits the trade of New Brunswick during the last seven years : k"!