A Series of Letters, Descriptive of Prince Edward Island in the Gulph of St. Laurence: Addressed to the Rev. John Wightman, Minister of Kirkmahoe, Dumfries-Shire

A Series Of Letters, Descriptive Of Prince Edward Island In The Gulph Of St. Laurence: Addressed To The Rev. John Wightman, Minister Of Kirkmahoe, Dumfries-Shire by Walter Johnstone chronicles his two summers and a winter spent surveying Prince Edward Island to aid prospective emigrants. The text offers a grounded, practical portrait of the island’s climate, soils, vegetation, and farming practices, with sketches of scenery and the manners of inhabitants. It also provides explicit guidance on emigrant preparations, including what implements, buildings, and provisions to bring before crossing the Atlantic. The Preface by Rev. John Wightman praises the work’s accuracy, liveliness, and usefulness, and notes the author’s impartiality. The letters narrate the voyage from Scotland to Three Rivers and Charlotte Town, describe various settlements, harbors, roads, and the island’s topography, and assess agricultural potential. Aimed at guiding settlers, the book discusses land selection, clearing methods, fence-building, crop rotation, and the risks of debt, while also offering observations on the island’s social mix, economy, and prospects for trade and colonization in the early 19th century.