Immigrants to Canada

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Extracts From the Immigration Report of 1863

In the Sessional Papers of 32 Victoria 1864 (32) is the report of Mr. A.C. Buchanan, Chief Immigration Agent. These are extractions from that report.

• Six lads, from 16 to 19 years of age, were sent out from the Grotto Passage Ragged School, Marylebone. The received £1 each on landing here. Two were engaged in this city at L1 per month wages, and the other four have been employed in the neighbourhood of Montreal.

• Table No. 4 [see above table] presents a return of the number of persons who have been aided in their emigration to this country by private individuals, charitable institutions, or who have emigrated under the sanction of the Poor Law Commissioners. The total number assisted was 142 - 38 males, 76 females, and 28 children; and the amount paid among them on their arrival here was L108 sterling. The number from England was 46, viz., 25 from the Chatham Union, consisting of 8 men, 9 women, and 8 children; and 21 youths, from fifteen to eighteen years of age, from the London Ragged Schools.

• The Youths were readily supplied with situations, some in this City, but the chief part in the country settlements, where their services were eagerly sought for, as they are generally stout, active lads, willing and anxious to make themselves useful.

• Those from the Chatham Union were not of so desirable a class, consisting of middle-aged men and widows with children. The latter find great difficulty in procuring situations, and the charge they are subject to for the support of their children absorbs three-fourths of the wages they are able to earn.
• From Ireland the number was 95, viz.: 8 males, 53 females, and 14 widows accompanied by 20 children. Of this party there were 13 widows with 18 children, sent out by the Guardians of the Gorey Union. The remainder consisted of single females and lads from the Wexford, Mullingar, and Youghal Unions; all of whom readily found employment.
• I had occasion in my Report to Your Excellency, of last year, to point out the hardships and sufferings to which a party of widows with children, similarly situated to them of this year, and sent out by the same Union, were exposed from the difficulty which was experienced in procuring them any suitable employment. In consequence of the reception of a larger party this year from the same Union, I have felt called upon to make further and more direct representations to the Guardians, pointing out the cruelty of transferring this class of helpless poor to a country in which no provision whatever exists for them; and subsequently receiving very discouraging reports concerning them and their prospects from the Agents of this Department, where the party was distributed, I forward similar representations to the Emigration Commissioners of London, with the view of more effectually bringing the matter under the notice of the Poor Law Commissioners. (Page 4-5 for above items)
• There was but one complaint of infringement of the Passenger Act in the course of the past season. This was by the Passengers of the Brig William and Joseph, from Limerick. It did not, however, result in a prosecution, as the complainants refused to remain to prosecute..." (Page 5)
• The Canadian Ocean Mail Line [commonly known as the Allan Line] of Steamships commenced their weekly trips from Liverpool during the past season; and it is gratifying to find that they continue to maintain their high character for speed, safety, and comfort, fully establishing the fact of their equal efficiency with any other line of Atlantic Steamers, which cannot fail to prove of exceeding value to the Province, by bringing her into constant and immediate communication with the continent of Europe, as well as with the mother country, and be the means of attracting a large share of the pleasure as well as business travel to this route.
• The six Steamships composing this line made 28 passages, and brought out 3,859 passengers; and returning carried back 3,159 - 1,254 Cabin, and 1,905 Steerage passengers. Their average passage out was 11 days and 15 hours, and homewards 10 days and 10 hours. In addition to these vessels we have the Anchor Line of Screw Steamships from Glasgow, making regular monthly voyages. The vessels composing this line, two in number, made 7 passages during the season, and brought out 448 passengers, 123 Cabin and 325 Steerage; and on their return trips carried home 102 Cabin and 352 Steerage. Their average passage out was 161/2 days, and home 14 days.
• It thus appears that these two lines brought out very nearly one-half of the whole immigration of the season, and, if we take only those from the United Kingdom, they carried within 1,740 souls of the entire immigration to this port. On their return passages they carried home 3,613 persons, 2,257 of whom were classed as steerage passengers, including about 250 soldiers. (Page 11)
• The foreign emigration consisted of 554 Norwegians and 181 Germans. They have proceeded chiefly to the Western States, and 11 Norwegians to their friends in the Eastern Townships.
• Among the Germans per the ship "Main," from Hamburg, there were 19 families, consisting of 23 men, 21 women, and 49 children, from Pomerania. (See Prussian Immigrants)
• Abstract Statement of the number of Emigrants landed in the Province, distinguishing the Countries and Ports from when they sailed, during the season of 1862 and 1863.

Report of Mr. A.C. Buchanan, Chief Agent

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Last updated: February 17, 2007 and maintained by Marj Kohli