[Illustration: DESK USED IN THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER BY W. LYON MACKENZIE. UPPER CANADA, 1837. (From the J. Ross Robertson collection.) ] CHAPTER VIII. Building a dock at Whitby--Daniel Conant becomes security--Water communication--Some of the old steamboats--Captain Kerr--His commanding methods--Captain Schofield--Crossing the Atlantic--Trials of emigrants--Death of a Scotch emigrant. Daniel Conant, as a vessel owner on Lake Ontario for many years, felt keenly the great need for proper harbors and docks for loading and unloading his vessels. Up to the close of the Revolution of 1837-38 he had, when near home, made use of Whitby harbor, which was four miles westerly from Port Oshawa. But the great drawback to Whitby harbor was its shallow water, which caused much trouble in getting away from its single warehouse when his ships were fully laden. At this juncture of the long-felt want (about 1839) one Smith came along and contracted to build new docks at Whitby harbor, and to place them beside deep water. Daniel Conant became Smith’s security on his bonds for £1,100, or $4,400, for due fulfilment of the contract. It may be incidentally mentioned that the author most distinctly remembers that his people spoke of Smith as most eloquent in prayer, especially when in the family circle. This gift, added to the want of the docks, captivated David Annis, the author’s great-uncle, and his father as well. The bonds for £1,100 were endorsed, and were held by the Bank of Upper Canada in Whitby, of which Peter Perry was the agent and manager. For no assignable reason Smith absconded in May, 1838. The loss was so great in that day, at the close of hostilities, that money could scarcely be obtained at all. To raise £1,100 at once almost broke Daniel Conant’s heart. To Peter Perry he went, and Perry saluted him by the query, “Do you intend to pay it?” The reply came quickly: “Yes, every copper. Give me until fall--1st November--and you shall have it all.” Perry almost doubted it, and asked how he would get the money. “I have four ships on the water and 150 acres of winter wheat, and I will sell enough land to raise the balance,” was the answer. Perry, to his honor be it said, granted the extension, and Daniel Conant sold 1,200 acres of land in Whitby at an average of $200 per 100 acres, which are to-day worth $9,000 per hundred, to help to make up the amount. True, it was not business to pay so quickly and sacrifice so much, but, as he explained, he felt that he must get out from the transaction, and he did. The author knew very well John Ham Perry, at Whitby, one-time registrar and son of Peter Perry, and now realizes that he was for many years in most straitened circumstances, and most deeply to-day regrets that he never aided him for having helped his father, a mistake which can never be repaired, much to the author’s regret.