In 1788, King George III had drafted a lease in favor of his son the Duke of York for mineral rights in Nova Scotia.
After sponsoring a mineral survey in Nova Scotia and finding a great amount of coal, an agreement was made where the lease was modified to include coal and that the lease be transferred to the newly formed General Mining Association, created by Rundell and Bridge, with the Duke entitled to 25% of the profit.
In December a 20 horse power steam engine started operation, the first in the province.
Popular resentment in Nova Scotia on the G.M.A's monopoly over coal increased throughout the early 19th century.
In 1857 the Nova Scotia Assembly authorized two of its members to travel to London and negotiate with the G.M.A.