In 1762 France surrendered Canada to Britain. With the end of hostilities Canada promised a new life to those prepared to brave the voyage, and more importantly, have the courage to start a new life in an unknown country.

These two reports from the Leeds Intelligencer newspaper illustrate that some just weren't up to the task.

 19th April 1774

'On Tuesday the 4th inst., sailed from Scarboro' the 'William and Mary', and on Sunday the 9th inst., sailed from the same place, 'The Prince George'.
They had on board a large number of emigrants (not less it is said than 150 each) for Halifax and Port Cumberland in Nova Scotia. It is much to be feared that few of them have considered the consequences attending so large a number of people being for at least two months crowded together four in a bed, and those beds one upon another three deep, with not so much room betwixt each as to admit even the smallest person to sit up on end'.

 27th September 1774

'We are informed from Scarboro' that the ship 'Prince George', which sailed from that place for Nova Scotia the beginning of April last, with about 150 emigrants, is returned to England, with as many passengers on board as she had when she went out, and many more would have gladly returned, but could not pay for their freight; the country not being in any respect equal to the favourable idea they had formed of it'.

I wonder if Canada ever did make good ?