From the Nova Scotia Public Archives, the following is a copy of Jean Goyetche's petition to the Crown for a land grant in 1814. Note that the petition was composed by the local Justice of the Peace and that Jean Goyetche signed "his mark" with an "X". A transcript follows.

Transcript

To His Honor Major General Swayne, President of His Majesty's Council and Commanding in Cape Breton.

The Humble Petition of John Goyache stateth that he was born in the town of Bayonne that he now resides in Arichat; Dependencies of Cape Breton, that he has resided for the last twenty two years in the Island of Cape Breton and its Dependencies - that he is fifty years of age, that he hath Nine Children - all of whom are now residing in the Dependencies aforesaid - that he never had any land granted or located to him, that he now prays for a Farm Lott to contain one hundred and Sixty Acres, situated next and adjoining the east line of land granted or located to Clement Hubert Esquire and in the Rear of Lands granted or located to the late Alexander Desroches, on the North Shore of Arichat Harbour on which he intends to settle and cultivate immediately, which he conceives he is well able to do, on account of the Industry of his family, and he humbly hopes that he is entitled to land for his attachment to His Majesty's Government - Petitioner humbly hopeth that his Honor will be pleased to take the above circumstances into consideration, and that the prayer of his petition may be granted and Petitioner will as in duty bound ever pray - Arichat 20th June 1814.

John X Goyache

Arichat. Personally appeared before me John Jean Esquire One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Island of Cape Breton and its Dependencies John Goyache and made oath that the aforegoing Petition is just and true to the best of his knowledge.

June 20th, 1814 JJean J.P.