NOVA SCOTIA. A province of British North Amdrica.
It includes Nova Scotia proper, a peninsula two hundred and eighty miles long and from fifty to one hundred milts wide, trending E.N.E., and con nected with the province of New Brunawiok by an isthmus only eight miles wide in its widest port, and the island of Cape Breton, separated from the eastern extremity of Nova Sootia proper by the Gut of Canso. Nova Scotia proper lies between latitude 43° 25' and 46° north, and long. 61' and 66° 30' west.
England founds her olaim to the original dis. covery of this province upon the patent granted by queen Elizabeth to Sir Humphrey Gilbert, A.D. 1578.
This was followed by De la Roche's unfortunate attempt to colonize the lale of Sable.
De Monts, having in 1603 reoeived an appoint. ment from Henri IV. of France, sailed the follow ing year, with Champlain, De Pontrincourt, and others.
After exploring tbe outer shore of the peninsula, having entered the bay of Fundy, De Poutrinoourt settled Port Royal, A.D. 1605,—the trat permanent settlement in British North America. From this time the English began to assert their claims and colonists from Virginia expelled the colony Of De Mon ta.
The Frenoh regained posseseion,but only to be again expelled by the strong force sent against them by Cromwell, A.D. /654.
Thirteen yeara later, England ceded the province to France by the treaty ef Breda, A.D. 1667; hut in the new wars it was again ravaged by the English, who reacquired it A.D. 1713; and in 1749 it was formally colonized by the British government.
The French colonists, having reaiated and joined the Indians, were defeated by the Britiah, and their stronghold, Louisburgh on Cape Breton, was taken by Massachusetts colonists acting under a plan suggested by a Massachusetta lawyer.
In 1758 the province received its constitution, and in 1763 France, by the treaty of Paris, ceded ail righta whatsoever.
In 1784 New Brunswick and Cape Breton were separated from Nova Scotia; but Cape Breton was reattaohed i‘n 1819.
The Executive: Department.
This is veated in the Governor and his Exeon tive Council, together known as " The Govern ment."
The Governor, technically called "Lieutenant Governor," represents the bovereign, and is ap pointed by the crown.
He is captain-general and commander-in-chief within and for the province of Nova Scotia, corn miseions all offioers of militia, and, together with his counoil, appoints all publio offioere. He pardons offences, exoept murder and high treason presides solely in the oourt of ehanoery, and, within'his juris diotiou, exercises the powers of the lord high ohanoellor Of England. He is ordinary. and has the povver of granting probate of bills aod adminie tration, and, with his council, sits as th'e court of MOT.
The Executive Council consists of nine members, chosen by and from the party in power, and ap pointed by the governor, subject to a vote of " want of confidence." The Legielative Department consists of a legisla tive council, or upper house, and a house of assembly, or lower house. The membere of the upper house are appointed by the crown, on the recommenda tion of the " governor and council," or " govern ment." They hold their seats during life or good behavior, and are usually men of wealth and influence. The legislative assembly consists, by law, of fifty-five members, and continues for four years, unless sooner dissolved, and does not determine merely by the demise of the reigning sovereign.
The qualification for a representative is a freehold estate of the yearly value of at lcaet eight dollars, situate in any part of the province.
Persons holding offices of emolument are dis abled to sit. Judges of the supreme or vice-admi ralty courts, officers and clerks of customs and of oolonial and light duties, and the postmaster-gene ral, &re disabled to eit in either branch.
The privilege of voting recently extended to natural-horn and naturalized subjects over twenty one years of age who had resided five years in the province has this year (1863) been restricted, and a property qualification required (the possession of three hundred dollars real estate, or six hundred dollars persocal property).