Abstract of the Proceedings of the Land Commissioners' Court Held During the Summer of 1860, to Inquire into the Differences Relative to the Rights of Landowners and Tenants in Prince Edward Island.

            The question of land tenure on Prince Edward Island had been a source of conflict between proprietors and tenants since the early days of the colony. In 1860 the Lieutenant Governor appointed three Commissioners to settle the questions arising out of the land tenuary situation.  The Commissioners were the Hon. John Hamilton Gray of New Brunswick and Hon. Joseph Howe and John William Ritchie, Esq. of Nova Scotia.  Lawyers for the Tenancy were Samuel Thomson, Esq. of St. John, NB, and Hon. Joseph Hensley; and for the Proprietors they were, R.G. Haliburton, Esq. of Halifax, and Charles Palmer, Esq.   Benjamin Des Brisay, Esq. was present, by appointment, as the Clerk to the Commissioners.  The Court began deliberations on 5 September 1860, and issued their Report on 15 July 1861.   The Proceedings and the Report were published in 1862 by The Protestant, Charlottetown, PEI.
            

            The hearings consisted of exchanges between the Commissioners and the lawyers, as well as a number of memorials read before the Commissioners. Deputations of tenants from various lots also presented memorials.  The text of the Report is in part a verbatim account and in part an abstract of the proceedings.  The Appendix contains the Report of the Commissioners appointed by the Queen to Inquire into the Differences Prevailing in Prince Edward Island Relative to the Rights of Landowners and Tenants, with a view to a Settlement of the Same on Fair and Equitable Principles.
            

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