[Newspaper]
Publication: The Gleaner: And Northumberland, Kent Gloucester and Restigouche Commercial and Agricultural Journal
Miamichi, New Brunswick, Canada
vol. 10 New Series, no. 25, p. 9, col. 1-3
HEAD QUARTERS OFFICE,
Fredericton, April 19, 1851
The following Communication was received to the issue of the last HEAD QUARTERS, but our columns were is such a crouded [sic] crowded state we were obliged to defer its publication. It is now published, in its present form, at the instance of parties concerned: —
[FOR THE HEAD QUARTERS.]
The following is a brief summary of the proceedings had between the people of Miramichi and Richibucto, relating to establishing a line of Telegraph from the Bend to Miramichi: —
Some time in November last Messrs. Weldon and DesBrisay, being at Miramichi, the subject of a line of Electric Telegraph from Miramichi to the Bend of Petitcodiac was discussed with George Kerr, Esquire, and it was agreed that lists should be handed round in Miramichi and Richibucto, to ascertain what stock would be taken. The list, accordingly in Chatham, was headed in the following words. —
"The subscribers being impressed with the importance of having a line of Electro-Magnetic Telegraph, to connect the Northumberland section of the Province with the line of Telegraph passing through the Bend of Petitcodiac, agree to pay the sums set opposite their respective names, in such Proportions and at such times as the Directors hereafter to be elected may determine, for the purpose of erecting a line of Telegraph from Richibucto to Chatham — it being expected that the line will be brought from the Bend to Richibucto. The subscriptions hereto not to be called in till such amount as will complete the line from Chatham to the Bend be subscribed, either as one direct line or as that Part of the line between Chatham and Richibucto, as the Directors to be chosen may determine upon. The stockholders to be formed into a company, by act of incorporation. The amount of stock to be £1000 between Chatham and Richibucto. When half that sum is subscribed a meeting of subscribers and others to be called."
And the Richibucto list headed as follows: —
Whereas it is proposed to erect a Telegraph line of communication from the Bend of Petitcodiac to Chatham, and that a company be formed to erect the line from the Bend to Richibucto, We, therefore, the undersigned, being desirous of seeing a communication, so desirable, established, do hereby agree to take stock in the same, in shares of ten pounds each, and so soon as a sufficient number of shares are subscribed (say seventy shares) a meeting of the stockholders to be called, to devise the best steps to be taken to procure an act of incorporation, and to have the line built as early in the ensuing summer as practicable.
"Richibucto, December 9, 1850."
On the 14th December a communication from Messrs. J. M. Johnson, Jr., M'Cully and Fraser. behalf of the Miramichi stockholders, was addressed to Messrs. Weldon and DesBrisay, recommending the extension of the line beyond Miramichi, and to commence opperation [sic] operation at once. To this Messrs. Weldon and DesBrisay objected, and declined to do more than to contract for the posts until the parties were incorporated. So the matter rested until the third of February, when Messrs. Johnson and Mackie on behalf of the Miramichi stockholders, met Messrs. DesBrisay and Wark, at Richbucto, when the following preliminaries were agreed upon: —
1.