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Copojjrapjncai Mtmiption

OF THE PROVINCE OF

LOWER CANADA,

REMARKS

UPPER CANADA,

AND ON THE. RELATIVE CONNEXION OF BOTH PROVINCES WITH

Wb% «Bntt«J3( &Mt$ of ilnurica*

BY JOSEPH BOUCHETTE, ESQ.
SURVEYOR-GENERAL OP LOWER CANADA AND LIETJTENANT-COLONEL C. M.

EMBELLISHED BY
SEVERAL VIEWS, PLANS OF HARBOURS, BATTLES, Sfc.

LONDON .*
PBINTED FOK THE AUTHOR, AND PUBLISHED BY W. FADEN,
GEOGRAPHER TO HIS MAJESTY AND THE PRINCE REGENT,
CHARING-CROSS. 1815.

Eadh -sis'

T. DAVISON, Lombard -street ,
Whitefrlan, London.

TO

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK,
PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CORNWALL AND
ROTHSAY, SfC. Ifc. &?c.

PRINCE REGENT
OF THE
Unittb mingaom of <2Btoat=3Sritain an* Manfc.

Sir,
Impelled by a desire of being useful to my
native country and to its parent state, it is
with the utmost deference I most respectfully
offer to your Royal Highnesses acceptance a
Topographical Map and Description of the
Province of Lower Canada, completed after
several years of unremitting efforts, and I may
venture to add of unwearied diligence. If it

IV

should obtain the distinguished favour of being
honoured by your approval, I shall ever con
sider such a circumstance as an additional testi
mony of the readiness with which your Royal
Highness patronises any work that may convey
information of real utility, however humble,
rather than as an indication of superior talent
on my part. A servant of our revered Monarch
for the greatest part of my life, I have ever be-
lieved it incumbent to repay the trust reposed
in me, by making the public service a con
sideration paramount to all others, whenever
the performance of my duties or other personal
exertions could in any way contribute thereto.
This desire, acting as the main spring of my
endeavours, has induced me to think, that
whatever has a tendency to demonstrate the
actual state of the Canadas, and to place their
greatly improvable resources in a true point of
view, as valuable jewels of the British diadem,
would neither be deemed unimportant nor de
stitute of advantage ; I have therefore directed
all the abilities at my disposal towards that

object. If I have been at all successful, the
gracious benevolence of your Royal Highness
will cause me to lament the limited capacity
displayed in performing the task imposed upon
myself. By birth a Canadian, I have at a
distance contemplated with admiration and
heart-felt reverence the unequalled blessings
of our constitution, which holds its protecting
aegis over the most remote as powerfully as
over its domestic subjects, and has so bounti
fully extended its inimitable purity and justice
to my fellow countrymen in particular ; but
this reverence is exalted to the highest degree
now that I experience how it endues an in
dividual like myself, from another hemi
sphere, with the privilege freely to approach
his Sovereign, and lay the result of a well in-
tentioned labour on the steps of the Throne.
Scarcely with diminished admiration do I ex
press my acknowledgments for the courtesy
that your Royal Highness has so condescend
ingly shewn, by permitting my performance
to make its appearance under your auspices ;

VI

such a mark of distinction will increase the
grateful impressions with which I feel proud
to subscribe myself,
Your Royal Highnesses
Most devoted, faithful,
and most obedient servant,
JOSEPH BOUCHETTE.

PREFACE

The surrender of Quebec to the army of
Genera] Wolfe, in the year 1759, ultimately
gave England possession of the immense extent
of territory that now forms the provinces of
Upper and Lower Canada. The value of the
conquest was highly rated while the glorious
circumstances of the victory continued to at
tract universal admiration ; but after the ebul
litions of joy had abated, the magnitude and
importance of the acquisition became less at
tended to, and in a short time it obtained
scarcely a greater share of consideration than
the other North American provinces. In the
war waged by the colonies against the mother
country, the population of Canada, although
so recently become British subjects, resisted
with fidelity every attempt that was made to
seduce them from their new allegiance, and with
bravery repulsed every endeavour to subdue
them by force. Such devotedness was highly
appreciated, and England, at the termina
tion of that unnatural contest, turned her at-

Vill

tention towards giving an increased conse
quence to her remaining possessions, with the
design of drawing from them some of the sup
plies she had been accustomed to receive from
the countries just separated from her dominion.
This greatly brightened the prospects of the
colonists, and gave a fresh spur to their in
dustry, whereby both agriculture and com
merce were considerably extended. But un
fortunately the hopes thus excited were soon
repressed by the great advantages given to the
people just protruded upon the world as an
independent state, and against whom it was
not in the power of the colonies to contend
successfully in the great market, that of sup
plying the West India islands with provisions
and timber, owing to the commercial regu
lations being formed so eminently favourable
to their opponents. The importance of these
provinces should be estimated less by their
territorial extent than by the resources they al
ready offer, their capabilities of improvement,
and the great increase that may be given to
their commerce, which even now will be seen,
on an examination of their export and import
returns, to require something more than 300,000
tons of shipping. Ships thus employed and
navigated by British subjects secure the ad-

IX

ditional advantage of furnishing a supply of
hardy and experienced seamen, whenever it
may be necessary to send forth the warlike
fleets of Britain to repel aggression or defend
her possessions ; the nature of the freights too
from these provinces is of first rate consequence,
as they consist of articles of indispensable ne
cessity to the West India islands, and large
quantities of timber for naval uses to England ;
and to which could be added, in a very few
years, other naval stores at present supplied by
other countries. The real value of these co
lonies to the parent state, and the great ame
lioration they are susceptible of, appears to
have been known hitherto, on this side of the
Atlantic, but by a few persons having some
connection with them : however, it may be
reasonably expected that a more minute in
vestigation will ere long take place upon this
subject, from seeing the efforts recently made
by the Americans to obtain them ; and which
will most assuredly be repeated should a con
venient occasion ever again present itself. To
wards their permanent security the attention
of government may be profitably turned in se
veral ways ; one of the most prominent is the
encouragement of agricultural improvement.
Of the many hundred thousand acres of excel-

x

lent land now covered by thick forests, much
would be cleared and soon brought into cul
tivation, were adequate inducements given by
the supreme authority, to promote the intro
duction of a regular, judicious, and practical
system of husbandry : in fact, to shed pros
perity over the province, little more is required
than to subject the soil to the operation of the
plough. If a spring be given to the industry
of the cultivator, amendment in most other
branches of political economy is a matter of
course ; the substantial riches and internal
strength of every country are produced by it,
and it is also the cause of wealth flowing in
from other states. Twenty-five years of the
most arduous and expensive warfare that ever
exhausted a country have at length, by Eng
land's fortitude, and an achievement in arms
transcending in lustre and heroism all her
former recorded glories, opened upon us the
prospect, and, we are authorised to hope, laid
the foundation of a peace that will be uninter
rupted for a long series of years. During such
a protracted time of general exertion and sacri
fice, when our country was struggling to main
tain its existence as a first rate nation, it will
not greatly excite our wonder, that although
many plans of national improvement have been

XI
adopted, many more should have been unwill
ingly laid aside until the coming of a more
propitious period for carrying them into effect.
That period, so long sighed for by suffering
millions, is perhaps nearly arrived, when the
talents and attention of statesmen will have no
other view than to diminish the chance of simi
lar calamities recurring, and to give energy
and fresh vigour to industry and the arts of
peace ; at such an epoch the wants and claims
of the British North American provinces will un
doubtedly obtain the notice they are entitled to.
In what manner their internal situation can be
most beneficially improved, their population
most speedily increased by the encouragement of
industrious settlers, and particularly the cultiva
tion of hemp and flax supported, which may, in
fact, be pursued to almost any extent, belongs
to the sagacity of political economists to point
out ; and if the means proposed should receive
the countenance and support of the imperial
government, their safety, welfare and prosperity
will neither be dubious, or, after a short period,
liable to sustain serious injury from casualties.
The interior of Lower Canada being so little
known beyond the limits of the province, a be
lief that a detailed account of it would not only
be useful by shewing its present state, but by

Xll

bringing it under more general notice, might
possibly assist in the developement of its vast
resources, has led to the construction of a To
pographical Map upon a large scale, and to the
publication of the following Book to illustrate
the same more fully. The result of several
years continued labour is noAV presented to the
world, but not without its author's feeling the
greatest diffidence in bringing his work before
the tribunal of public opinion, of whose deci
sions even the most scientific and accomplished
often feel a dread. The manner and method
of the performance must speak for themselves,
but of the subject matter it may be worth
while to say a few words ; and on this point he
may perhaps be pardoned for a little self-gra-
tulation, when he notes with confidence the
authenticity and correctness of the materials
he has had to work upon, which principally
consist of the valuable documents and official
records, that in his capacity of Surveyor-Ge
neral of the Lower Province, are lodged with
his department, and which he has been per
mitted the free use of. These, as accurately
descriptive of the date and extent of the feudal
tenures, and of all the grants made by the En
glish government, may consequently be relied
upon ; beside this source, a long period of pro-

Xlll

fessional field service has enabled him to ac
quire a very critical local knowledge of almost
every part of the province, and to verify the
same by numerous surveys, and careful observa
tions on the nature, quality, and properties of
the best and most valuable tracts; and from
which he ventures to believe he has been able
to present a body of information, relative to this
part of the British Trans-Atlantic dominions,
that has, up to this period, been sought for in
vain from any other work. Nothing has been
admitted into the description without mature
reflection, nor any thing but what he entertains
a well grounded confidence is borne out by the
actual state of the country. What is said of
the province of Upper Canada is the substance
of notes and memoranda made in that country
very recently, as well as a knowledge obtained
of it during an anterior service of six years
as an officer of the provincial navy upon the
lakes ; these have been corroborated and en
larged from other sources of undeniable intel
ligence and veracity. If in the detail of the
work he may be thought prolix, it has arisen
from a desire to display the features, the nature,
and the productions of the country in such a
manner as to point out where it is most sus
ceptible of amelioration, and its agriculture of

XIV

being carried beyond the limited science and
experience of Canadian farmers, with prospects
of success amounting almost to an absolute
certainty. Neither on the style or arrangement
of his book will he presume to trouble the
reader with a single remark, but, sensible as he
is of its being defective in both points, he throws
himself upon the public candour. His object
is to convey information that he feels assured
is wanted, and he has to lament the scope of
his abilities being incompetent to second his
wishes to the utmost extent, by finishing the
sketch with a more masterly hand, or as most
likely it would have been done by any person
whose occupations have permitted him to devote
more time to literary pursuits. Three and twenty
years of his life have been passed in the service
of government, both in its civil and military
branches, wherein the duties have almost al
ways been of too active a description to afford
much of the quiet and repose, so necessary for
the attainment of science, and such a maturity
of knowledge as prepares a writer for launch
ing himself upon the ocean of public opinion
with a fair chance of acquiring fame. To such
a hope, the ignis fatuus that has deluded so
many, he conscientiously disclaims any preten
sion, but an honest, though humble zeal to

XV

procure some advantage to the land of his
birth, by impartially giving it that character,
and holding it forth in that true light through
whose medium he firmly believes it ought to be
viewed, has been the cause of intruding himself
upon the public attention ; and if his feeble
endeavours should have the good fortune to
obtain approbation, rather for the attempt than
their real merits, his greatest ambition will be
amply gratified.
London,
November, 1815.

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION,
&c<

Antecedent to the year 1791, the whole
extent of country now known as Upper and
Lower Canada was denominated the province
of Quebec* but as difficulties occurred in ma
naging the concerns of so large a track, it was
judged expedient, for better regulating and
more effectually providing for its government,
that it should be divided into two provinces ;
which plan was sanctioned by an act of the
British parliament.
The province of Lower Canada lies between
45 and 52 degrees of north latitude* and 63
and 81 of west longitude, nearly, from Green
wich. It is bounded on the north by the
territory of the Hudson's Bay company or
East Maine ; on the east by the gulf of St.
Lawrence, the river St John, and that part of
B

the Labrador coast *, which was, by an act of
the British parliament in 1809, together with the
island of Auticosti at the mouth of the St. Law
rence, finally annexed to the government of
Newfoundland ; on the south by New Brunswick
and part of the territories of the United States,
viz. the district of Maine, the province of New
Hampshire, the state of Vermont, and the state
of New York ; and on the west by a line which
separates it from Upper Canada, as fixed by
the first mentioned act of parliament, and pro
mulgated by proclamation in the province on
the 18th day of November 1791, as follows'.
" To commence at a stone boundary on the
H north bank of the lake St. Francis, at the
" cove west of Pointe au Baudet, in the limit
" between the township of Lancaster and the
"seigniory of New Longeuil, running along
" the said limit in the direction of north, 34
" degrees west, to the westernmost angle of the
u said seigniory of New Longeuil; then along
" the north-western boundary of the seigniorv
" of Vaudreuil, running north, 25 degrees east,
" until it strikes the Ottawa river; to ascend
* Under the French government this portion of the Labrador
coast was deemed within the province of Quebec ; in 1 761 it
was separated therefrom by act of parliament, and annexed to
th,e government of Newfoundland; it was afterwards re-incor-
j)orated with the province of Quebec, and in 1809 finally sub
jected to the governor of Newfoundland.

3
'* the said river into the lake Temiscaming,
" and from the head of the said lake by a line
" drawn due north, until it strikes the boun-
" dary line of Hudson's Bay, including all the
" territory to the westward and southward of
" the said line to the utmost extent of the
" country commonly called or known by the
" name of Canada *."
* This western boundary, as just recited, must have been
founded upon an erroneous map of. that part of the country,
whereon the westerly angle of the seigniory of New Longeuil,
and the south-westerly angle of the seigniory of Vaudreuil are
represented as co-incident ; when, in reality, they are about nine
miles distant from each other: the true intent and meaning of
the act appears to be as follows : viz. That the boundary be
tween Upper and Lower Canada shall commence at the stone
boundary above Pointe au Baudet, and run along the line which
divides the township of Lancaster from the seigniory of New
Longeuil, (and this line it is necessary to observe, as well as
most of the seignorial lines of the province, ought to run north
west and south-east, reckoning from the astronomical meridian,
in conformity to an ancient ordinance of the province, or " Arr6t
et reglement du conseil superieur de Quebec, dat6 1 1 de Mai
1G76") to the westerly angle of the said seigniory; thence alono-
a line drawn to the south-westerly angle of the seigniory of
Rigaud, and continued along the westerly line of Rigaud until
it strikes the Ottawa river, as represented on the topographical
map by the letters AB, BC, CD. It must be observed that the
westerly line of the seigniory of Rigaud, as well &s the other
lines on the Ottawa, ought to run by the ancient ordinance,
nord quart-nord-est, equal to 1 1 degrees 15 minutes east from
the astronomical meridian. There is also a variation between
the bearing of the Lancaster township line and the seignorial
line of New Longeuil, when, in fact, they ought to be precisely
the same ; and some grants that have been made by government
are supposed to infringe upon the seigniory, from which law-
B 2

4
'fhe etymology of the name of Canada i«-
very uncertain, and whether given by its-
aboriginal inhabitants, or bestowed by its first
European discoverers, there is not sufficient
authority to warrant a positive decision ; there
fore, it must suffice to say, that since the year
1535, when Jacques Cartier, a Frenchman,
explored the river St. Lawrence, so called by
him from first entering it on St. Lawrence*
day, we find the name of Canada applied to
the country on both sides of the river as far as
he ascended it. Cartier had visited the gulf
of St. Lawrence in 1534, but did not attempt
any discoveries beyond its shores, although
most probably he conceived a design at that
time,-and sketched a plan of operations, which
was put into execution the year following,
when he sailed up the river to Montreal, or
rather the Indian village, on the spot where
that city now stands. Here ended his re
searches, and Canada has attained its present
extension by the various discoveries of indus-
suits between the grantee of the crown and the seignorial tenant
have originated ; others may, perhaps, frequently recur, as this
part of the province is now in a flourishing state of cultivation,
unless the governments of both provinces bestow some con
sideration upon the subject, now that the claims of individuals
settled on each side of the line may be more easily adjusted,
than after long and undisturbed possession has produced great
improvement upon, the estates.

trious or adventurous settlers at many dif
ferent periods. From the time of its being
taken possession of by Europeans, the govern
ment and management of the country, under
French dominion, was very irregular, and not
unfrequently disastrous ; being entrusted either
to trading companies more eager to extract
present profit than prudent in proposing de
signs for -the future aggrandisement of an infant
colony, or, fo daring individuals who had in
terest enough to procure commissions to con
quer and settle wherever their arms could
make them masters of the soil. Nor did this
system vary much until the year 1663, when
the court of France, beginning to entertain
more distinct ideas of its importance, thought
proper to bestow attention upon the admi
nistration of its concerns, and raised it to the
dignity of a royal government. From this
period its governors were appointed by com«-
mission from the king; and the colony, hitherto
but little noticed, became generally known to
Europe as Canada, or La Nouvelle France. At
this time the population very little exceeded
7000 souls: but under the new arrangement
and better management, with the advantages
derived from its trade, now left almost free, an
accelerated progress, from barbarism and po-
yerty towards civilization and prosperity, be.

6
came visible. If the policy of its governors
had been exerted to conciliate the surrounding
native tribes, and avoid the destructive wars
with them, by which it was continually dis->
tressed, it is not unreasonable to presume that its
advance to a flourishing state would have been
as rapid, or, from its local advantages, probably
more so than colonies are in general ; but, un
happily, as a conciliatory system was never, or
if at all but rarely adopted, the numerous in
cursions of the Indians, whose movements were
always traced by the devastation they com
mitted, paralized its efforts so much, that in
1714 the population could hardly number
20,000 souls. Other and very great disad
vantages were felt from the wars carried on
between the mother country and England*,
which invariably extended their disastrous in
fluence to the colonies, and were indeed waged
by the colonists on both sides with a rancour
and animosity unknown between the chief
belligerents. Under the pressure of such fre
quent and protracted calamities, any ame
lioration could scarcely be expected, and the
affairs of Canada continued to fluctuate be-
* In 1629 Canada was taken by the English, but was then
held in so little estimation, that three years afterwards they again
transferred it to its former owners, deeming their conquest not
worth the expense of maintaining.

tween partial benefits and positive evils, until
it became the conquest of the English arms,
directed by the victorious genius of General
Wolfe in 1759; at which period the population
of the country may be estimated at 70,000.
A new epoch in the history of the province
now opens ; from this date its prosperity has
been progressive, and if not aided by every
powerful stimulus that might have been ap<-
plied, yet it has never been retarded by its new
government, either from parsimony or .par
tiality to more ancient possessions. On the
termination of the successful enterprize against
Quebec, which placed the whole of the French
possessions under British dominion, the con
querors lost no time in devising measures which
would make the change of allegiance from one
sovereign to another as little onerous to the
inhabitants as the nature of such a circum
stance could permit, and endeavoured to frame
them in such .a manner as to shew a liberality
that might be likely to attract their good-will.
This was in some degree effected, by allowing
their laws to remain unaltered; securing to
them quiet possession of their lands under
their ancient tenures ; the free and undisturbed
use of their religion ; the inviolability of all
religious property; and by many other con
cessions of importance, which rendered changes

8
of customs and peculiar habits almost unneces
sary. The Canadian was so far fortunate, that
he passed from the dominion of one sovereign
to that of another professing a different re
ligious faith, without prejudice to his own style
of living, his form of worship, his long prac
tised modes of commerce and traffic, or the
education of his children. From this period
until the commencement of the war between
England and her revolted American colonies,
the greatest improvement that did take place
is to be found in the stability and regularity
acquired by the new government in all its
branches, and in the strong affectionate at
tachment evinced by the Canadians towards a
constitution that confirmed and protected them
in all their natural as well as acquired rights.
The strength of this attachment was decidedly
and unequivocally shewn by the enthusiasm
with which they fled to arms, and in the cou
rage with which they fought to repel every
aggression offered to their soil by the inveterate
enemies who were so lately their fellow-sub
jects. Some increase in the population is ob
servable, for in the year 1775 it amounted to
something more than 90,000, in which estimate
the present province of Upper Canada is in
cluded ; but as very few settlements had as yet
been made there, its inhabitants could form

9
but a very trifling difference in the census.
The American army that had entered Canada
obtained some successes, but not of such a
magnitude as to be enabled to maintain its
ground for any considerable period ; for in the
latter end of the year just mentioned, it wa$
expelled from the territory in a manner that
must have conveyed to it but slender hopes of
achieving any thing beyond temporary ad
vantages at any future period ; so long as the
native of the soil remains firm in the loyalty
and love of his country which had stimulated
him to such vigorous efforts for the expulsion
of its enemy *. Invasion so repelled produced
security enough for agricultural and com
mercial pursuits to be carried on without fear
of molestation, and which from that time have
been continued in a gradual increase to their
present conspicuous magnitude, with much
benefit to the individuals, but more important
* As one of these natives, I can take upon myself to say in
behalf of my countrymen, from the accurate knowledge I pos
sess of their sentiments and feelings, that the services they then
rendered, as well as the more brilliant exploits they recently
performed against the same enemy, but now become more
malignant and implacable, are proofs of an unalterable at
tachment to their government, as far as that term can be fairly
applied to the minds of a grateful people; and they are also
indices by no means equivocal, that the energies of such a
people, mildly and honorably ruled as they now are, will
always rise commensurate with the magnitude of tbe dangers
that menace them,

10
advantage to the state. With the increase of
agriculture, from whence flow the fundamental
riches of every state, commerce and all the
useful arts usually experience a relative ame
lioration ; an enlarged population is invariably
the consequence ; and in the course of 39
years a capitation shews an increase to have
taken place from 90,000 to no less a number
than 335,000 souls, as the whole population of
the province of Lower Canada. This aggregate,
drawn from sources, and formed upon data
that cannot deviate much from the general
correctness of round numbers, will be viewed
with astonishment by every reflecting person ;
and must convey to the mind a powerful con
viction of the importance of such a colony,
whose natural resources, as yet but partially
unfolded, have, in so short a space of time,
been the means of fostering so vast an increase.
Of this total number 275,000 may be called
native Canadians, descendants of the original
French settlers ; the remainder is composed of
a mixture of many nations, as English, Scotch,
Irish, Americans ; in fact, almost of every
nation. At the time this country fell under the
English government, the feudal system uni
versally prevailed in the tenure of lands, and
which, as before mentioned, still continues

11
with respect to such as were then granted;
but the townships and tracts disposed of by
the British administration have been granted
in free and common soccage ; only two or three
instances to the contrary being known.
By the ancient custom of Canada, lands
were held immediately from the king en fief,
or en roture, on condition of rendering fealty
and homage on accession to the seignorial pro
perty ; and in the event of a transfer thereof,
by sale or otherwise, except in hereditary suc
cession, it was subject to the payment of a
quint, or the fifth part of the whole purchase
money, and which, if paid by the purchaser
immediately, entitled him to the rabat, or a re
duction of two-thirds of the quint. This cus
tom still prevails. ;
The tenanciers, or holders of lands en roture,
are subject to some particular conditions, but
they are not at all burthensome ; for instance,
they pay a small annual rent, usually between
2s. 6d, and 5s. (though in many seigniories the
rents^ of. new concessions have been considera
bly increased) ; to this is added some article of
provision, such as a couple of fowls, or a goose,
or a bushel of wheat, or something else of do
mestic consumption. They are also bound to
grind their corn at the moulin banal, or the
lord's mill, where one*fourteenth part of it is

12
taken for his use as mouture, or payment for
grinding; to repair the highways and by
roads passing through their lands, and to make
new ones, which, when opened, must be sur
veyed and approved by the grand voyeur of
the district, and established by proces verbaL
Lands are sometimes held by bail amphiteotique,
or long lease of 20, 30, 50, or any number of
years, subject to a very small rent only. Franc
alleu is a freehold, under which lands are ex
empt from all rights or duties to seigneurs,
acknowledging no lord but the king. Censive
is a feudal tenure, subject to an annual rent,
paid either in money or produce.
The seigneurs, by the old laws that have not
been repealed, are entitled to constitute courts
and preside as judges therein, in what is de
nominated haute et basse justice, which take
cognizance of all crimes committed within
their jurisdiction, except murder and treason.
This privilege has lain dormant ever since the
conquest, nor is it probable that it will ever be
revived, as such ample provision is made for
the regular administration of the laAvs. The
lods et vents constitute part of the seigneur's
revenue. It is the right to a twelfth part of the
purchase money of every estate within his
seigniory that changes its owner by sale, or
other means equivalent to a sale. This twelfth

13
is to be paid by the purchaser, and is exclusive
of the sum agreed upon between him and the
seller; for prompt payment of it a reduction
of a fourth part is usually made. In cases of
a sale of this nature the lord possesses the droit
de retrait, which is the privilege of pre-emption
at the highest bidden price within forty days
after the sale has taken place ; it is, however,
a privilege but seldom exercised. All the
fisheries within a seigniory contribute to in^
crease the proprietor's revenue, as he receives a
tithe of all the fish caught, or an equivalent
sum. Besides these rights.* he is privileged to
fell timber anywhere within his seigniory for
erecting mills, repairing roads, or constructing
new ones, or other works of public and general
utility. Many proprietors of seigniories have
become very wealthy from these revenues, as
the sales and exchanges of estates have been
of late years very numerous. Lands held by
Roman Catholics under any of the aforemen
tioned tenures are further subject to the pay
ment to their curates of one twenty-sixth part
of all grain produced upon them, and to oc
casional assessments for building and repairing
churches, parsonage houses, or other works
belonging to the church. The remainder of
the granted lands within the province, not
held under any of these tenures, are in free

14
and common soccage, from which a reservation
of two-sevenths is made ; one thereof is ap
propriated to the crown, and the other set
apart for the maintenance and support of the
Protestant clergy. Many of the lots thus re
served for both purposes are now leased for
tv'i enty-one years on the following conditions :
viz. for the first seven years twenty-five shil
lings, or eight bushels of wheat per annum;
the second seven years fifty shillings, or
sixteen bushels of wheat; and for the re
mainder of the period seventy-five shillings, or
twenty-four bushels of wheat per lot: the
lessors having the option of requiring payment
to be made in either of the modes stipulated *.
These reserves have, for many years past, been
exposed to various and very extensive depre
dations by persons settling thereon and oc
cupying many of the best lots Avithout any
title or payment of any rent ; and by others
felling and carrying away much of the finest
* In 1812 the quantityof land thus reserved amounted to
1 ,438,87';! acres, out of which 363 lots of 2(»0 acres each were
let on lease for twenty-one years on the terms above recited. The
total value thereof for that period will be found £\ 9,057 10s.
currency of the country, or one-ninth part less than sterling ;
but if the wheat rent be taken, aud calculated upon an average
price of 6*. 8d. per bushel, a rate rather below the medium
price in the province, the amount will be ,£40,656. In the
same year descriptions of 307 lots were made out for different
applicants, and a great many of them have since been let.

15
timber, especially on those situated along the
borders of the rivers; these trespasses, it is
well known, are chiefly committed by natives
of the United States. It cannot be doubted
but that a remedy might be very easily applied
to this evil.
In forming the plan of government for
Canada, the general principles of the English
constitution were introduced wherever it was
practicable: in the upper province no im
pediments to this course of proceeding were
met with; but in the lower one some small
deviations from them were found necessary, in
Order to reconcile it to the genius of a people
so long accustomed to a different regime. The
civil department is administered by a governor,
who is generally a military officer and com
mander of the forces, a lieutenant governor,
an executive council, a legislative council, and
a house of assembly, or the representatives of
the people. The governor and lieutenant go
vernor naturally exercise their authority under
the royal commission. The members of the
executive council, amounting to seventeen,
derive their appointments from the king, and
this body exercises a direction over the con
cerns of the province, nearly similar to that of
the privy council in the affairs of England.
The legislative council, by the act of the con-

stitution, consists of fifteen members (although
at present that number is increased), all of
whom are appointed by mandamus from the
king, and may be termed the second estate of
the province ; and, with the third branch or
house of assembly, forms the provincial par
liament. The governor is invested with power
to prorogue, and in the exercise of his own
discretion, to dissolve the parliament; to give
the royal assent or refusal to bills passed by it,
or to reserve them in cases of doubt or dif
ficulty, until his majesty's pleasure be made
known thereon. Such acts as receive the go
vernor's assent are usually put into immediate
force, but he is enjoined to have copies of
them transmitted to England, that they may
receive the approbation of the king in council,
and his majesty has the right, with the advice
of his council, to cancel any act so passed by
the provincial parliament within two years
from the date of its arrival in England ; but
hitherto its wisdom has been so well directed
in the arduous task of legislating, that there is
no instance on record of this prerogative ever
having been exercised. The acts that emanate
from the provincial parliament are all of a local
nature, such, for instance, as providing for the
internal regulations of the country through the
various departments ; for its defence as far as

17
relates to enrolling and embodying the militia,
and imposing taxes for raising the necessary
supplies to defray the expenses of government.
But any acts having for their object the al
teration or repeal of any laws existing an
tecedent to the constitution granted in 1791 ',
the tithes ; grants of land for the maintenance
of the Protestant clergy ; the rights of presenta
tion to rectories or the endowments of par
sonages; whatever relates to the exercise of
religious Avorship, or disqualification on account
of religious tenets ; the rights of the clergy ; to
changes or modifications of the discipline of
the church of England ; or of the royal pre
rogative on the subject of waste crown lands,
must, after having passed the provincial par
liament, be submitted to the British parliament,
and receive the royal assent before they can
pass into laws. The house of assembly is com
posed of fifty-two members, and is a model on
a small scale of the house of commons of the
imperial parliament; the representatives are
extensive proprietors of land, and are elected
for the districts and counties by the votes
of persons being actual possessors of landed
property of at least forty shillings clear an
nual value : for the city of Quebec and the
towns, they are chosen by voters who must be
possessed of a dwelling-house and piece of

18
ground of not less annual value than five
pounds sterling, or else have been domiciliated
in the place for one year previous to the writ
of summons issuing, and have paid one year's
rent, not under ten pounds sterling, for a house
or lodging. There exists no disqualification
either for the electors or the elected on account
of religious tenets, for, in this country, where
toleration reigns in its plenitude, every one,
whatever may be his faith, is eligible to fill any
office or employ, provided the other quali
fications required by law are not wanting.
The sittings of the house begin in January,
and all the public and private business is
usually gone through by the latter end of
March, about which time it is prorogued, so
that the session never exceeds the term of
three months between January and April,
Should parliament not be dissolved by the go
vernor, a circumstance that, indeed, very sel
dom occurs, its duration is limited by the act
of the constitution to the period of four years,
when its functions expire, and writs are imme
diately issued for the election of another: at
such a crisis the independence and energy
of the various voters, the professions and hu
mility of the candidates, are as strikingly pour-
tray ed as in the more turbulent contests that
take place on similar occasions in the mother

19
Country. The criminal code of the united
kingdom extends to Canada, and is carried
into effect without the slightest variation. For
the administration of civil justice there is a
court of appeal, in which the governor presides,
assisted by the lieutenant governor, not less
than five members of the executive council,
and such of the principal law officers as have
not had cognizance of the previous trial;
against the decisions of this court, as a final re
source, an appeal may be made to the king in
council. A court of king's bench, a court of
Common pleas, with each a chief justice and
three puisne judges. Quarter sessions of the
peace held four times a year, besides a police
and subordinate magistrature for determining
affairs of minor importance.
From its having been already mentioned
that by far the largest portion of inhabitants
are descended from French ancestors, the
reader will readily surmise that the prevailing
religion is Roman Catholic ; of this persuasion
there is a Bishop of Quebec, a co-adjutor with
the title of Bishop of Salde, nine vicars general,
and about 200 curates and missionaries spread
over the different districts of the province, by
whom the tenets of their religion are inculcated
with assiduity and devotion, but little tinc
tured with bigotry or intolerance, unhappily
c 2

20
so frequently characteristic of the same faith
in the old world. Exercising their sacred func
tions under the auspices of a Protestant go
vernment, they feel the value of mildness in
their own conduct, and strenuously endeavour
to repay its protecting power by a zealous per
formance of their duties, and by instilling into
the minds of their flock a grateful obedience to
the laws, with a reverence for the constitution,
as well as the obligations imposed upon them in
their character of good citizens. They are also
chiefly employed in the important cares of edu
cation, of which they acquit themselves in a
manner that reflects the highest credit upon their
exertions. To this fact the seminaries of Quebec
and Montreal, and the college of Nicolet, bear
a powerful testimony. In these establishments,
where the higher and abstruse sciences yield to
those of more extended and primary utility,
professors are employed to teach the various
branches of the classics, mathematics, and
belles-lettres, whose learning would acquire
them reputation in any country. In com
municating their instructions the French idiom
is in general use, but in the college there is
a professor for the English tongue, an example
worthy of being followed by the hvo former, as
this language now becomes an essential part
of youthful studies. The revenues of the

21
Catholic clergy are derived from grants of land
made to them under the ancient regime, and
the usual contributions ordained by their ec
clesiastical government, which are, perhaps,
more cheerfully paid by the Canadians, and
collected in a manner much freer from vexatious
exactions than in any country whatever. The
spiritual concerns of the Protestant part of the
community are under the guidance of the Lord
Bishop of Quebec, nine rectors, and a com
petent number of other clergymen, who are
supported by annual stipends from the go
vernment, by the appropriation of one-seventh
of all granted lands as provided for in the act
of the constitution, and the other sources of
revenue peculiar to the church of England, in
a degree of moderate affluence, exempt on the
one hand from inordinate impropriation, and
on the other free from penurious parsimony ;
thereby giving to the clerical order the degree
of consequence in the superior ranks of society
that is due to its ministry. In the unrestrained
exercise of two systems of divine worship, so
widely differing in their tenets, it is a pleas
ing fact, that the discipline of the two churches
never encounters the smallest obstruction from
each other ; on the contrary, the greatest good
will and harmony is observed to prevail, as
well between the pastors as the flocks com
mitted to their charge.

22
For the defence of the two Canadas a re
gular military establishment is maintained by
the British government, which, in time of
peace, may amount to about six or seven
thousand men, including artillery, engineers,
commissariat, &c. ; but when we are at Avar
with the United States, this force is in
creased as the pressure of circumstances de
mands ; and at this period (1815) I may ven
ture to compute it, although without official
documents to fix the precise numerical strength,
at from twenty-seven to thirty thousand men
in both provinces. In aid of the regular troops,
and in order that, under any exigency, the go
vernment may be enabled to bring an efficient
force into the field, the loAver province is ap
portioned into fifty-tAvo divisions, Avherein all
males from sixteen to sixty years of age are
bound by law to enrol their names every year
with the captains of companies appointed for
their parish, Avithin the month of April. After
the enrolment is completed, they are mustered
four times in a year, either on Sundays or
holidays, Avhen they are instructed in as much
of the rudiments of military exercise as the
occasion will allow ; beside these four muster
days, they are, once in each year, revieAved by
the commander in chief, or the officer com
manding the division. This is denominated
the sedentary militia; and as the average

23
strength of each division so enrolled may be
computed about a thousand, it makes the ag
gregate amount upwards of fifty-tAvo thousand
men *. The incorporated militia, by an act
passed in the provincial parliament on the 19th
May 1812, is fixed, during the war, at two
thousand men; but by virtue of authority
vested in the governor, it is at present in*-
creased to five battalions, or nearly double the
number, Avhich, on the re-establishment of peace
with the United States, will be again reduced
to the standard named in the act. This body
is chosen by ballot from the unmarried men
of the sedentary militia ; its term of service is
two years. It is also provided that one-half
of each regiment may be discharged annually,
and the A^acancies filled up by a fresh ballot ;
a plan that Avill have the good effect of ex--
tending gradually a certain degree of military
discipline over the greater part of the' popula
tion capable of bearing arms. The battalions
thus formed of single men, renders the military
sendee less obnoxious to the individual, and
loss expensive to the state, by saving the pro
vision otherwise necessary to be made for wiAres
and children of militiamen actually embodied.
By the same act, the sum of twelve thousand
pounds annually is raised for the maintenance
* The adjutant-general's report gives 52,500.

24
of this constitutional force. The incorporated
militia is Avell equipped, and in a state of dis
cipline that merits the highest commendations,
by which it has been enabled to brigade Avith
the regular troops during the existing contest,
and take so distinguished a part in some of the
actions fought, that it must press upon the con
sideration of government a firm reliance upon
its future exertions and devotedness in the
cause of its country. In the upper province
the same system, Avith some trifling modi
fication, prevails, but from the more scanty
population the force is proportionably much
less; hoAvever, the militia of Upper Canada
has had its full share of the hardships of the
war, as Avell as many opportunities of distin
guishing itself in presence of the enemy ; and
the real magnitude of its service may be esti
mated, Avhen it is considered, that, by availing
himself of it, the governor general, Sir George
Prevost, was enabled with a number of troops
of the line, inadequate according to usual
military calculations, not only to repel every
attempt of the American commanders to in
vade the British territory in the years 1813
and 1814, but to overwhelm the assailants
Avith defeats, that for a long time will leave
an indelible stain upon their military repu-,
tation.

25
To convey a general idea of the face and
outline of the province previous to entering
on a more minute description, I will assume
Quebec as a central point, Avhere the Saint
Lawrence is about fifteen hundred yards broad ;
from the high banks opposite the city the land
rises in a gradual ascent for a distance of pro
bably ten leagues toAvards the first range of
mountains; pursuing then a north-easterly
course, this chain ends upon the river in the
neighbourhood of River du Loup, bounding
betAveen it and the tAvo rivers a level Avell cul
tivated and fertile space, singularly marked
Avith several extraordinary isolated hills, or
rather large rocks, thinly covered with small
trees about their summits. Returning again
opposite to Quebec for a neAv departure, the
same chain is found to take nearly a south
west direction, crossing the line which se
parates the province from the United States to
the Avest of Lake Memphremagog, and con
tinuing the same course until it meets with the
Hudson river, leaving the extent betAveen its
direction and the Saint Lawrence, excepting
tAvo or three of the afore-mentioned isolated
hills, nearly level, and Avhich, from the rich
ness of its soil, is very thickly settled and
populous. Beyond this range, at about fifty
miles distance, is the ridge, generally deno-

26
minated the Land's-Height, dividing theAvaters
that fall into the Saint LaAvrence from those
taking a direction toAvards the Atlantic ocean,
and along whose summit is supposed to run
the boundary line between the territories of
Great Britain and the United States of Ame
rica. This chain commences upon the eastern
branch of the Connecticut river, takes a north
easterly course, and terminates near Cape
Rosier in the gulf of Saint Lawrence. The
extent of country lying betAveen these tAvo
ridges varies very much in quality and fruit-
fulness according to its peculiar situation, but,
perhaps, a tolerable idea may be formed by
the following division of it. From the boundary
on the 45th degree of north latitude as far as
the river Chaudiere, is a district of excellent
and fertile land, divided mostly into toAvnships,
many parts thereof settled and under culti
vation; offering generally facilities for agri
cultural speculations, Avhich, in the hands of
enterprising settlers, Avould not fail to afford
ample returns for capital applied to such pur
suits. In fact, this track bounded by the Saint
Lawrence, the Chaudiere, and the province
line in shape of a triangle, whose western ex
tremity is St. Regis, holds out the flattering
prospect, if due encouragement be given, of
becoming, at no very distant period, the most

27
flourishing part of Lower Canada, not from its
luxuriant soil alone, but also from its lying
contiguous to the United States, and com
prehending the main roads and principal points
of communication between the two territories,
both by land and Avater, by which an uninter
rupted intercourse can be at all times, and in
defiance of prohibition, so easily maintained.
From the Chaudiere to Lake Temiscouata the
land is much broken, irregular, and of an in
different quality ; but here antl there are in
terspersed some good and productive tracks,
that Avould soon repay the expense of clearing
and cultivating.
From Lake Temiscouata, near Avhere it en
ters the district of Gaspe, to Cape Rosier, the
interior has been but partially explored; how
ever, such parts of it as are known bear an
appearance of sterility that encourages but
slender hopes of remunerating the labours of
the husbandman, even with a scanty crop,
being generally of a rugged and mountainous
character. This description must be underr
stood as applicable in its full extent to the in
terior only, because, on the banks of the Saint
Lawrence, some good spots are frequently met
Avith, but hitherto none of them have been
settled upon. On the south side of the ridge
doAvn to the shores of Gaspe and Chaleur bay,

28
the general description of the country is also
mountainous ; notwithstanding which, in many
parts of the district, particularly the latter,
there is a considerable portion of excellent
land, well settled, and containing a population
of 3000 inhabitants, most of whom being em-'
ployed in fisheries, unfortunately pay but little
attention to the important duties of cultivation,
that, from situation and other advantages,
would soon become as productive to them, at
all events, as the labours they now pursue.
On the north side of the Saint Lawrence, and
from the river St. John, the eastern extremity
of LoAver Canada, a ridge of heights takes a
course parallel with and close to it, or rather,
in most parts forms its shores as far up as
Cape Tourment, where, taking a direction west
south- Avest, it ends upon the OttaAva river
about 38 leagues above its confluence with
the St. LaAvrence, enclosing Avithin it and the
two rivers a beautifully picturesque country,
well Avatered and level, particularly so from
Deschambault westward, Avhich, in respect to
population, good cultivation, and a generous
soil, especially along the course of the river,
must be considered as the best part of the pro
vince. On the north side of the ridge just
described lies the remaining part of Lower
Canada, yet unnoticed, and which is contained

29
within the Ottawa river, the 81 degree of west
longitude, and the 52 parallel of north latitude,
intersected laterally by another and higher
range of mountains that forms the Land's
Height, and divides the waters that empty into
the St. LaAvrence from those that descend
into Hudson's Bay. Of this great space so
little has been explored, that it is only known
to be covered Avith immense forests, Avhose
dreary solitudes are interrupted only by the
wandering tribes of natives who occasionally
resort thither in their hunting parties to pro
cure furs for traffic Avith the nearest posts of
the north-west company. It is in America
that nature has displayed her poAverful hand in
forming objects of sublimity and grandeur,
more imposing than Avhat are to be met with
in other parts of the world ; the mountains
there rise to an elevation but rarely equalled,
and range to a distance unexampled on the
old continent. The rivers roll their gigantic
streams to the ocean, unparalleled for length
of course, and affording facilities for intercourse
Avith the most remote parts that are quite un
known in other countries; the forests spread
out to an extent, and abound with trees of
a variety, magnitude, and utility that defies
comparison with the most enormous of the
other hemisphere. But, perhaps, of all the

30
stupendous efforts that unfold so Avide a field
for the inquisitive researches of human Avisdom
to investigate the effects of her creative power,
none are more calculated to excite admiration,
and baffle the progress of philosophic enquiry,
than the vast collections of fresh Avaters forming
the chain of lakes, that through the channel of
the Saint LaAvrence descend like another sea
to swell the bosom of the Atlantic. To trace
the means, and lay open the secret agency by
which these magnificent objects are produced,
is left to the abler hand of science; my design
is to relate, Avith the humble ability I am pos
sessed of, the actual state of some of these ex
traordinary features of a country, even now
but little knoAvn, comparatively speaking, to
the rest of the Avorld, as they have appeared to
me, and as they are connected with the Avork
I have undertaken. In this relation, the ma
jestic river Saint Lawrence, from its import
ance to the British dominions on this continent,
and, in fact, to the generalinterests of theBntish
empire, will claim the first place in whatever way
it can be examined. Embracing an inland na
vigation of little less than 1000 miles up to
Niagara upon its OAvn stream only, and Avhich
distance, with the exception of about 300 miles,
is entirely Avithin British territory * ; it confers
* From the mouth of the St. Lawrence up to St. Regis, a

31
benefits of no ordinary kind upon the country-
through which it flows, benefits that would be
increased to a value almost inestimable, upon
judicious means being adopted by the admi
nistration of the mother country to secure to
Canada all, or even some, of the great ad
vantages that its natural resources will ensure
to it. Its real consequence to the general
interests of the empire will never be questioned,
Avhen it is viewed as the outlet by which pro
duce, the property of British subjects, and of
vital importance to the state, can be exported
in British shipping to the mother country, and
render her independent of political chances,
by which continental confederacy might again
attempt to exclude her from the ports of
Europe. That these advantages are not ideal,
a comparison of exports from the colony for
the last ten years will abundantly prove ; and
although they have been neglected or over
looked during a long and eventful period of
almost universal war, there remain hopes that,
Avith the return of peace, the vieAvs of states
men Avill be turned toAvards the arts of industry
and commerce, and that this subject will be
distance of about 660 miles, the river is wholly within the
British dominions; but, from the latter place, the boundary
between the Canadas and the United States is considered to
pass along the middle of it and the lakes.

32
examined with as great a degree of attention
as its magnitude lays claim to. The river
St. LaAvrence, (which, from its first discovery in
1535, has been called by the inhabitants of
the country, to mark its pre-eminence, the
Great River,) receives nearly all the rivers that
have their sources in the extensive range of
mountains to the northwards, called the Land's
Height, that separates the Avaters falling into
Hudson's Bay still further to the north, from
those that descend into the Atlantic ; and all
those that rise in the ridge Avhich commences
on its southern bank, and runs nearly south
westerly until it falls upon Lake Champlain.
Of these, the principal ones are the OttaAva,
Masquinonge, Saint Maurice, Saint Anne,
Jacques Cartier, Saguenay, Betsiamites, and
Manicouagan on the north ; and the Salmon
river, Chateaugay, Chambly or Richelieu,
Yamaska, St. Francis, Becancour, Du Chene,
Chaudiere, and du Loup on the south. In
different parts of its course it is known under
different appellations; thus, as high up from
the sea as Montreal, it is called St. Lawrence;
from Montreal to Kingston in Upper Canada,
it is called the Cataraqui, or Iroquois ; betAveen
Lake Ontario and Lake Erie it is called Nia
gara river ; between Lake Erie and Lake St.
Clair, the Detroit; betAveen Lake St. Clair and

33
Lake Huron, the river St. Clair; and between
Lake Huron and Lake Superior, the distance
is called the Narrows, or the Falls of St. Mary,
forming thus an uninterrupted connection of
2000 miles. Lake Superior, without the aid
of any great effort of imagination, may be con--
sideredas the inexhaustible spring from Avhence,
through unnumbered ages, the St. Lawrence
has continued to derive its ample stream. I am
not aAvare that the source of this river has thus
been defined before ; but examining the usual
mode of tracing large rivers from their heads
to their estuaries, I venture to believe that I
am Avarranted in adopting the hypothesis.
This immense lake, unequalled in magnitude
by any collection of fresh Avater upon the
globe, is almost of a triangular form ; its
greatest length is 381, its breadth l6l, and
its circumference little less than 1152 miles;
and as remarkable for the unrivalled trans
parency of its Avaters, as for its extraordinary
depth. Its northern coast, indented Avith
many extensive bays, is high and rocky ; but
on the southern shore the land is generally
low and level; a sea almost of itself, it is
subject to many vicissitudes of that element,
for here the storm rages, and- the billows
break with a violence scarcely surpassed by
the tempests of the ocean. In the distant

range of mountains that form the Land's Height
beyond its northern and A\restern shores, several
considerable rivers, and numerous small ones,
have their rise, Avhich being increased in their
course by many small lakes, finally discharge
themselves into Lake Superior. To the south
ward also there is another lofty range dividing
the Avaters that find their way to the gulf of
Mexico through the channel of the Mississippi,
from those that take a northern course into
the great lake ; so that its Arastness is increased
by the tributary streams of more than thirty
rivers. On its north and north-east sides there
are several islands, of Avhich one, called Isle
Royale, is the largest, being one hundred
miles long and forty broad. Out of Lake
Superior a very rapid current is interrupted
and broken by many small islands, or rather
huge masses of rock, through a channel of
tAventy-seven miles in length, at the end of
which it floAVS into Lake Huron. The Falls of
Saint Mary are nearly midway between the
tAvo lakes : this denomination, though generally
given, but little accords with the usual appel
lation of Falls, as applied to the descent of
large bodies of water precipitated from great
heights, that so frequently occur on the rivers
of America ; for, in this place, it is only the im
petuous stream of the enormous discharge

from Lake Superior, forcing its way through
a confined channel, and breaking with pro
portionate violence among the impediments
that nature has throAvrt in its way; yet this
scene of tumultuous and unceasing agita
tion of the waters, combined with the noise
and dazzling whiteness of the surge, is not de
ficient either in grandeur or magnificence. Lake
Huron, in point of extent, yields but little to
Lake Superior; its greatest length from Avest
to east is two hundred and eighteen statute
miles ; at the western extremity it is less
than one hundred, and at about one hun
dred miles from its eastern shore barely sixty
miles broad ; but near the centre it suddenly
trends away soutlnvard to the breadth of one
hundred and eighty miles ; measuring the cir
cumference through all its curvatures, will
give a distance of little less than eight hundred
and twelve miles : in shape it is exceedingly ir
regular, yet, Avith a little assistance from fancy,
may be fashioned into something like a tri
angular form. From its western side an exr
tensive series, called the Manatoulin Elands,
stretches in an easterly direction for one hun
dred and sixty miles, many of them measuring
from twenty to thirty miles in length, by ten,
twelve, and fifteen in breadth, on some of Avhich
the land rises into elevations of considerable
d 2

36
neight: besides this great chain, there are
many^others of inferior dimensions, numerously
grouped in various parts, rendering the na
vigation intricate, and in some places, par
ticularly towards the Avest end, dangerous. On
this lake also, the navigator is often assailed by
violent storms, attended with thunder and light
ning, more terrific than in any other part of
North America. At the western angle of Lake
Huron is Lake Michigan, Avhich, although dis
tinguished by a separate name, can only be
considered as a part of the former, deepening
into a bay of two hundred and sixty-two miles
in length by fifty-five in breadth, and whose en
tire circumference is 731 miles. BetAveen it
and Lake Huron there is a peninsula that, at the
Avidest part, is one hundred and fifty miles,
along which,and round the bottom of Michigan,
runs part of the chain forming the Land's
Height to the southward ; from whence descend
many large and numerous inferior streams that
discharge" into it. On the north side of Lake
Huron many rivers of considerable size run
from the Land's Height down to it. One
of them, called French river, communicates
with Lake Nipissing, from whence a succession
of smaller ones, connected by short portages,.
opens an intercourse Avith the Ottawa river that
joins the St. Lawrence near Montreal. On

37
the eastern extremity of the lake is the Matche-
dash river, Avhich, through another succession
of Jakes, separated only by one short portage,
establishes a communication by Lake Simcoe,
Holland river, and Yonge-street, Avith the town
of York, now called the capital of Upper
Canada ; this route would most materially
shorten the distance between the upper and
lower lakes, and is capable of such improve
ment, as would render it highly beneficial to
Upper Canada, a subject that will be hereafter
adverted to. From the extremity of Lake
Huron to the southward, the course of the
Avaters is contracted into a river (called St.
Clair's) that flows betAveen moderately high
banks, adorned by many natural beauties, for
a distance of sixty miles, nearly due south,
when it again expands into the small Lake St.
Clair, almost circular inform, its diameter about
30 miles, and about 90 in circuit, too diminutive
when compared Avith the preceding ones, (and
not being otherwise remarkable) to demand a
further description. Out of this lake the waters
again assume the form of a river (called Detroit)
continuing the same southerly course for 40
miles into Lake Erie; its stream is divided
into two channels from space to space by islands
of various sizes, the largest being about ten
miles long. On the east side of this river the

38
prospect is diversified and agreeable, displaying
some of the beauties of an exuberant soil, aided
by a very respectable state of cultivation, and
enlivened by the cheerful appearance of settle
ments, and villages gradually rising into con
sequence by the industry of an increasing po
pulation. The Detroit opens into the south-Avest
end of Lake Erie. This lake extends from south
west to north-east two hundred and thirty-one
miles, in its broadest part it is 63%, and in cir
cumference 658 miles ; near the Detroit it is
adorned by many pleasing and picturesque
islands, while its shores on both sides have
many indications of settlement and cultivation.
Gales of wind frequently occur, and bring Avith
them aheaA-y swell, with every characteristic of
a gale of wind at sea ; but there are many good
harbours, particularly on the northern side,
that afford protection to the numerous vessels
that navigate it; its greatest depth of water is
betAveen 40 and 45 fathoms, its bottom ge
nerally rocky, which renders the anchorage
precarious, particularly in bloAving Aveather.
From the north-east end of Lake Erie, the
communication to Lake Ontario is by the
Niagara river, 36 miles in length, and varying
from half a mile to a league in breadth, its
course nearly north ; the stream in some places
is divided into two channels by islands, the

39
largest of which is seven miles in length. The'
current is impetuous, and being broken in
many places by the uneven rocky bottom, is
very much agitated : the banks on each side of
the river are almost perpendicular, and con
siderably more than one hundred yards high.
On the western side the road passes along its
summit, and delights the traveller Avith many
interesting views both of the river and the
country, which is thickly inhabited and under
excellent culture. Here also his mind will be
lost in Avonder at viewing the stupendous Falls
of Niagara, unquestionably one of the most ex
traordinary spectacles in nature, that presents
to the imagination as powerful a combination
of sublimity and grandeur, magnificence and
terror, as it can Avell experience. Any descrip
tion, hoAvever animated, whether pourtrayed
by the glowing pencil of art, guided by the
liveliest fancy, or flowing from the most elo
quent pen that embellishes the page of nar
rative, Avould, most probably, fall short of doing
adequate justice to the reality. The attempt,
however, has been so frequently made, and in
some few instances Avith tolerable success, as
to conveying an idea of its immensity, that
" a description of the falls of Niagara" has be
come familiar to almost every general reader.
For this reason, and also because in any new

40
endeavour I should certainly feel but little con
fident of either reaching the merit of the sub
ject, or contributing to the stock of knowledge
already obtained thereon, I will excuse myself
from repeating what has been so often related
before, and proceed in describing, with my
best means, the general outlines of this majestic
river. Five miles from the great Falls is an
other, and scarcely less tremendous natural cu
riosity, called the Whirlpool; it is occasioned by
the stream as it passes from the cataract, sweep
ing Avith impetuous violence round a natural
bason enclosed between some rocky promon
tories, wherein it forms a vortex that ensures
inevitable destruction to whatever comes Avithin
its attraction. By thus diverging from its for
ward direction, and being as it Avere embayed
for a time, the velocity of the current is checked,
and subdued to a more tranquil course toAvards
Lake Ontario. Four miles from hence is
Queen's Town, a neat well built place, de
serving of notice, as being the depot for all
merchandize and stores brought from Montreal
and Quebec for the use of the upper province;
but not less so for the romantic beauty and
local grandeur of its situation. For seven miles
further on, to the tOAvn of Newark or Niagara,
the river forms an excellent capacious harbonr
for vessels of any size, exceedingly well shel ¦

41
tered by high and bold banks on each side,
with good anchorage in every part. The river
of Niagara communicates Avith the Avest end of
Lake Ontario, rendered memorable by events
recently passed, and most probably destined
to become the scene of contests that Avill be
pregnant Avith momentous import to North
America in future ages. In length it is 171
miles, at its greatest breadth 59i, and 467 in
circumference ; the depth of Avater varies very
much, but is seldom less than three or more than
50 fathoms, except in the middle, where at
tempts have been made with 300 fathoms with
out striking soundings ; its position is nearly east
and west ; the appearance of the shores ex
hibits great diversity; towards the north-east
part they are Ioav, Avith many marshy places ; to
the north and north-west they assume a lofty
character, but subside again to a very mode
rate height on the south. Bordering the lake
the country is every Avhere covered with woods,
through whose numerous openings frequent
patches of settlements are seen that give it a
pleasing effect, which is greatly heightened by
the white cliffs of Toronto, and the remarkable
high land over Presqu'ile, called the Devil's
Nose, on the north ; the vieAv on the south is
well relieved Avith a back ground produced by
the ridge of hills that, after forming the pre-

42
cipice for the cataract, stretches away to the
eastward ; the finishing object of the prospect
in this direction is a conical eminence tower
ing above the chain of heights, called Fifty
Mile Hill, as denoting its distance from the
toAvn of Niagara. Of the many rivers flowing
into Lake Ontario, if the Genesee and Oswego
be excepted, there are none that lay claim to
particular notice, unless it be for the pecu
liarity of all of them having a sandy bar across
the entrance. There are some fine bays and
inlets, Avherein vessels of every description may
find protection against bad Aveather. Bur
lington Bay is both spacious and secure; but
these advantages are rendered of little import
ance by its narrow entrance being so shallow
as to admit nothing larger than boats. Hungry
Bay, on the contrary, is conspicuous, as af
fording good anchorage and safe shelter among
tSie islands to ships of the largest size at all
seasons. York and Kingston harbours, be
longing to the English, and Sachet's harbour to
the Americans, are unquestionably the best
upon the lake, as they possess every natural
requisite; the two latter are strongly fortified,
being the arsenals Avhere ships of Avar, even of
the first rate, have been constructed by both
powers, and from whence have been fitted out
those poAverful hostile squadrons that have con-

43
ferred so much consequence upon the naval
operations in this quarter. Very heavy squalls
of Avind frequently occur, but they are unat
tended either with difficulty or danger, if met
by the usual precautions every seaman is ac
quainted Avith. Of the many islands at the
east end of Ontario, the Grand Isle, lying
abreast of Kingston, is the most extensive, and,
by being placed at the commencement of the
Cataraqui river, forms two channels leading
into it, that bear the names of the North, or
Kingston Channel, and the South, or Carleton
Island Channel. The Cataraqui, from its en
trance to the place called Petit Detroit, about
39 miles, is almost filled with one continued
cluster of small islands, so numerous, as to
have occasioned the general denomination of
Milles Isles. The distance between Kingston
and Montreal is about 190 miles; the banks
of the river display a scene that cannot fail to ex
cite surprise, Avhen the years which have elapsed
since the first settlement of this part of the
country (in 1783) are considered; they embrace
all the embellishments of a numerous popu
lation, fertility, and good cultivation. Well
constructed high roads, leading close to each
side, Avith others branching from them into the
interior, render communication both easy and
expeditious, while the numerous loaded bat-

44
teaux and rafts incessantly passing up and
down from the beginning of spring until
the latter end of autumn, demonstrate, un
equivocally, a very extensive commercial inter
course. The islands, the shoals, the rapids,
with contrivances for passing them, form al
together a succession of novelties that gives
pleasure Avhile it creates astonishment. Before
reaching Montreal, the lakes St. Francis, St.
Louis, and des Deux Montagnes, present them
selves : they do not admit of comparison with
those already noticed, and can, indeed, only be
considered as so many Avidenings of the river ;
they are of no great depth, but form an agree
able variety by having many pretty islands scat
tered about them. St. Francis is 25 miles long by
five and a half broad ; the shores in some places
are marshy, as they do not rise mucn above the
level of the water. St. Louis and Deux Mon
tagnes are formed at the junction of the OttaAva
with the St. LaAvrence; the first is 12 miles
long by six broad ; the latter is very irregular,
and in its whole length is 24 miles, but varying
in breadth from one mile to six. At the con
fluence of the two rivers are the islands of
Montreal, Isle Jesus, Bizarre, and Perrot ; the
first is probably the most beautiful spot of all
Lower Canada, and will, in the course of this
Avork, be described Avith particular attention.

45
On the south side of this island is the city of
the same name, and its convenient port 580
miles from the gulf of St. Lawrence, to which
ships of 600 tons can ascend with very little
difficulty. On the north-west lies Isle Jesus,
that, by its position, forms tAvo other channels
of a moderate breadth, one called La Riviere
des Prairies, and the other La Riviere de St.
Jean ou Jesus; they are both navigable for boats
and rafts, and unite again with the main river
at Bout de ITsle, or the east end of Montreal
island. From this city the navigation assumes
a character of more consequence than what it
does above, being carried on in ships and
decked vessels of all classes; in the distance
from hence to Quebec (180 miles) the im
pediments to vessels of large tonnage sailing
either up or down are not many, and may be
overcome with much ease, if it be judged ex
pedient that their cargoes should be so con
veyed in preference to transporting them in
small craft. On either side the prospect is
worthy of admiration ; the different seigniories,
all in the very highest state of improvement
that the agriculture of the country will admit
of, denote both affluence and industry; the
views are always pleasing and often beautiful,
although the component parts of them do not
possess that degree of grandeur Avhich is per-

46
ceivable below Quebec ; numerous villages, for
the most part built round a handsome stone
church, seem to invite the traveller's attention ;
Avhile single houses and farms at agreeable
distances appear to keep up a regular chain of
communication ; in fact, Avhoever passes from
one city to the other, whether by Avater or by
land, Avill not fail to have his senses highly gra
tified, and to meet with many subjects Avorthy
both of observation and reflection. About 45
miles below Montreal, on the south side, is the
town of William Henry or Sorel, built at the
entrance of the river Richelieu into the St.
Lawrence, not far from Avhich the latter spreads
into another lake, the last in its progress to
Avards the sea ; it is called St. Peter's, is 25
miles Jong and nine broad ; like most of the
others, this has a group of islands covering
about nine miles of the Avestern part ; betAveen
them two distinct channels are formed, the one
to the south being the deepest and clearest, is
consequently the best for ships ; the banks on
each side are very low, Avith shoals stretching
from them to a considerable distance, so that
only a' narroAV passage, vvhose general depth is
from 12 to 18 feet, is left unobstructed. About
45 miles from William Henry on the north side,
at the mouth of the river St. Maurice, stands
the town of Three Rivers, the third in rank

47
Avithin the province; at this place the tide
ceases entirely, and, indeed, is not much felt
at several miles below it: from hence there is
scarce any variation in the general aspect of
the St. LaAvrence until arriving at the Richelieu
rapid (about 52 miles), where its bed is so
much contracted or obstructed by huge masses
of rock, as to leave but a very narroAV channel,
Avherein at ebb tide there is so great a descent,
that much caution and a proper time of the
ebb is necessary to. pass through it; at the end
of the rapid is a good anchorage, where vessels
can wait their convenient opportunity. From
Montreal, thus far, the banks are of a very
moderate elevation, and uniformly level, but
hereabout they are much higher, and gradually
increase in their approach t,o Quebec, until
they attain the height of Cape Diamond, upon
Avhich the city is built. At this capital of the
province and seat of government there is a
most excellent pdrt and a capacious bason,
wherein the greatest depth of Avater is 28 fa
thoms, with a tide rising from 17 to 18, and at
the springs from 23 to 24 feet. From whence,
and from Point Levi on the south shore, one
of the most striking panoramic views per
haps in the whole world offers itself to notice;
the assemblage of objects is so grand, and
though naturally, yet appear so artificially con-

48
trasted with each other, that they mingle sur
prise Avith the gratification of every beholder.
The capital upon the summit of the cape, the
river St. Charles flowing for a great distance
through a fine valley abounding in natural
beauties, the falls of Montmorency, the island
of Orleans, and the well cultivated settlements
on all sides, form together a coup d'ceil that
might enter into competition Avith the most ro
mantic. At the basin the St. LaAvrence is two
miles across, and continues increasing in breadth
until it enters the gulf of the same name, where,
from Cape Rosier to the Mingan settlement on
the Labradore shore, it is very near 105 miles
Avide. A little beloAv the city is the Isle of
Orleans, placed in the midAvay, consequently
forming two channels ; the one to the south is
always used by ships ; the shore on that side is
high, and on the opposite, in some places, it is
even mountainous, but in both extremely Avell
settled, and the lands in such a hish state of
improvement, that a large track in the vicinity
of Riviere du Sud is familiarly called the gra
nary of the province. Beyond the island of
Orleans are several others, as Goose Island,
Crane Island, and many smaller ones; these
two are tolerably well cultivated, but the rest
are neglected. At Riviere du Sud the great
river is increased to eleven miles in width, and

49
the country that adjoins it cannot be easily rival
ed in its generaFappearance ; the great number
of churches, telegraph stations, and villages,
whose houses are almost always Avhitened, are
so Avell exhibited by the dark contrast of the
thick Avoods covering the rising grounds behind
them up to their very summits, and the ter
mination so completely defined by the distant
range of lofty mountains forming the boundary
before noticed, that very few landscapes will
be found actually superior to it. Beyond
Riviere du Sud is a channel named the Traverse,
Avhich deserves mention from the circumstance
of the river being here 13 miles across; yet
the Isle aux Coudres, the shoal of St. Roch, and
another called the English Bank, interrupt the
fair way so much, that this passage, which is
the usual one the pilots choose, is not more
than from 17 to 1800 yards between the two
buoys that mark the edge of the shoals ; it is
the most intricate part of the river below Que
bec ; the currents are numerous, irregular, and
very strong, on which account large ships must
consult the proper time of the tide to pass it
without accident. On the north shore between
the Isle aux Coudres and the main there is an
other channel, but the current is so rapid, the
depth of water so great, and the holding ground
so bad in case of being obliged to anchor within
ii

50
it, that pilots always give the preference to
running through the Traverse. Not the smallest
difficulty Avill ever be found in making this
passage good, if the bearings and directions
laid doAvn upon my Topographical Map be
duly attended to ; I can speak with confidence,
from having had the satisfaction to verify
them most completely in August, 1814, when
I passed it on board H. M. S. Ajax, of 74 guns,
Rear Admiral Otway, to Avhom I feel happy in
acknowledging my obligations for the polite
ness with which he facilitated, by all the means
in his poAver, my wish to make such additional
remarks as appeared to me to be necessary.
Passing the Traverse, a very agreeable vieAv of
the settlements of the bay of St. Paul, enclosed
Avithin an amphitheatre of very high hills, and
the well cultivated Isle aux Coudres at its en
trance, presents itself. Continuing down the
river, the next in succession are the islands of
Kamourasca, the Pilgrims, Hare Island, and
the cluster of small ones near it, named the
Brandy Pots; these are reckoned 103 miles
from Quebec, and well known as the general
rendezvous where the merchant ships collect to
sail Avith convoy. From hence, at no great
distance, is Green Island, on which is a light
house, where a light is shewn from sun-set until
sun-rise, betAveen the 15th April and the 10th

December. Near Green Island is Red Island,
and abreast of it on the northern shore is the
mouth of the river Saguenay, remarkable even
in America for the immense volume of water it
pours into the St. LaAvrence. Proceeding on
wards is Bic Island. 153 miles from Quebec, a
point that ships ahvays endeavour to make on
account of its good anchorage, as well as being
the place where men of war usually Avait the
coming down of the merchantmen; next to Bic
is the Isle St. Barnabe, and a little further on
the Pointe aux Peres. From this point the
river is perfectly clear to the gulf, and the
pilots being unnecessary any longer, here give
up their charge of such as are bound outwards,
and receive those destined upwards. Below
Pointe aux Peres are two very extraordinary
mountains close to each other, called the Paps
of Matane, and nearly opposite them is the
bold and lofty promontory of Mont Pelee,
where the river is little more than 25 miles
wide, but the coast suddenly stretches almost
northerly, so much, that at the Seven Islands it
is'increased to 73 miles. The settlements on the
south side reach down thus far, but hereabouts
they may be considered to terminate, as to the
eastward of Cape Chat the progress of industry
is no longer visible ; on the north side the cul
tivated lands extend only to Mallbay. In the
e2

5'-!
liver itself nothing claims our attention except
the separation of its shores to the distance al
ready mentioned, from Cape Rosier to the
Mingan settlement*. In the mouth of the St
Lawrence is the large island of Anticosti, 125
miles long, and in its widest part 30, dividing
it into two- channels. As it is of importance to
mariners in making the river, the geographical
position has been ascertained Avith exactness,
and is thus laid down : the east point lat. 49.
5. long. 62. 0. ; the west point lat. 49- 48. long.
64. 35 ; and the south-west point lat. 49- 23.
long. 63. 44. Through its whole extent it has
neither bay nor harbour sufficiently safe to afford
shelter to ships; it is uncultivated, being ge
nerally of an unpropitious soil, upon Avhich
any attempted improvements have met Avith
very unpromising results ; yet, rude and unhos-
pitable as its aspect may be, it is not absolutely
unprovided with the means of succouring the
distress of such as suffer shipwreck on its coasts,
there being two persons who reside upon it at
tAvo different stations all the year as govern
ment agents, furnished with provisions for the
use of those who have the misfortune to need
them. Boards are placed in different parts,,
* In describing the course of the river, and wherever di
stances are given in miles, they always imply the statute mile of
6-9 1 to a degree, unless otherwise specified.

53
describing the distance and direction to these
friendly spots : these establishments Avere made
in the year 1809, the humane intention of
Avhich will be honoured wherever it is made
knoAvn, because the crews of vessels driven on
shore here have, sometimes, at the utmost
peril of their lives, forsaken them to make their
escape to Gaspe. Anticosti forms no part of
the province of Canada, but is at present within
the government of Newfoundland. With the
powerful conviction upon my mind of the great
estimation the river St. Lawrence ought to be
held in, from presenting itself as the outlet,
designed as it Avere by nature to be the most
convenient one for exporting the produce of
these two extensive and improving provinces,
the country stretching to the north-west nearly
to the Pacific ocean, and even the adjacent
parts of the United States, Avhich, in defiance
of prohibitory decrees, will find an exit by this
channel, I have, it is feared, exposed myself to
a charge of being prolix in wishing to convey
to others a clear conception of its importance;
yet I must still trespass upon the patience of
my readers long enough to mention that the
observations hitherto made apply only to one
part of the year ; and also to notice, that
from the beginning of December until the
middle of April, the water communication is

54
totally suspended by the frost. During this
period, the river from Quebec to Kingston, and
between the great lakes, except the Niagara
and the Rapids, is Avholly frozen over ; the lakes
themselves are never entirely covered with ice,
but it usually shuts up all the bays and inlets,
and extends many miles toAvards their centres ;
below Quebec it is not frozen over, but the force
of the tides incessantly detaches the ice from
the shores, and such immense masses are kept
in continual agitation by the flux and reflux,
that navigation is totally impracticable in these
months. But though for this length of winter
the land and water are so nearly identified, the
utility of the river, if it be diminished;, is far
from being Avholly destroyed, for its surface
still offers the best route for land carriage (if
the metaphor can be excused) ; and tracks are
soon marked out by which a more expeditious
intercourse is maintained by vehicles of trans
port of all descriptions than it would be pos
sible to do on the established roads, at this sea
son so deeply covered Avith snow, and Avhich
are available until the approach of spring makes
the ice porous, and warm springs, occasioning
large flaws, render it unsafe. When this al
teration takes place it soon breaks up, and by
the beginning of May is either dissolved or
carried off by the current. The gulf of St.

55
Lawrence, that receives the waters of this gi
gantic river, is formed between the western
part of Newfoundland, the eastern shores of
Labradore, the eastern extremity of the pro
vince of New Brunswick, part of the province
of Nova Scotia, and the island of Cape Bre
ton. It communicates with the Atlantic ocean
by three different passages, viz. on the north
by the straits of Belleisle between Labrador and
Newfoundland ; on the south-east by the pas
sage between Cape Ray, the south-Avest ex
tremity of the latter island, and the" north cape
of Breton island ; and lastly by the narrow
channel, named the Gut of Canso, that di
vides Cape Breton from Nova Scotia. The
distance from Cape Rosier to Cape Ray is 79
leagues ; and from Nova Scotia to Labrador
106*. On its south side is the island of St.
John, otherwise called Prince Edward's island,
something in shape of a crescent, about 123
miles long, in its widest part 32, and in its nar-
roAvest, at the extremities of two deep bays,
less than four : it possesses a good soil, fit for
all general purposes, though, from its exposure
to frequent thick fogs, the produce of grain is
precarious ; it is well settled, and can boast at
present of a population of 10,000 souls at least;
the chief place is Charlotte Town, Avhere the
governor resides, it being a distinct government,

56
though subordinate to the commander in chief
in North America. To the northward of St.
John's are the Magdalen islands, seven in
number, thinly inhabited by a few hundred
persons chiefly employed in the fisheries ; from
some anomalous cause or other these islands
are considered Avithin the district of Quebec.
Islands of ice are sometimes met Avith in cross
ing the gulf during the summer months : the
ice that drifts out of the St. Lawrence all dis
appears by the latter end of May, but these
masses make no part of it. The conjecture is,
that they are not formed on any of the neigh
bouring coasts, but descend from the more
northerly regions of Hudson's Bay and Davis's
Straits, where it is presumed they are severed
by the violence of storms from the vast accu
mulations of arctic Avinter, and passing near
the coast of Labrador, are drawn by the in
draught of the current into the straits of Belle-
isle ; they often exceed an hundred feet in
height, with a circumference of many thou
sands ; the temperature of the atmosphere is
very sensibly affected by them, Avhich, even
in foggy Aveather when they are not visible,
sufficiently indicates their neighbourhood ; by
day from the dazzling reflection of the sun's
rays, also by moon-light their appearance is
brilliant and agreeable.

57
America possesses a climate peculiar to it
self; the quantity and prevalence of heat and
cold seems to be governed by laws materially
differing from those that regulate the tem
perature of other parts of the earth. It is
certain that a person Avould be materially led
astray were he to form an opinion of the tem
perature of Canada from the analogy of local
situation; it lies, for instance, in the same
parallel of latitude as France, but instead of
exhaling the exquisite fragrance of flowers, and
ripening delicate fruits into delicious excellence,
as is the case in that country, its surface is co
vered with accumulated snows for nearly one-
half of the year, and vegetation is suspended
for the same period by continued frost. Yet this
circumstance is unattended with so much rigour
as any one would be disposed to suspect, and
notwithstanding the apparent severity, Canada
enjoys a climate that is congenial to health in
an eminent degree, and highly conduces to
fertilize its soil. Heat and cold are certainly
felt to extremes ; the latter, both for duration
and intensity by far the most predominant, is
supposed to derive much of its force from the
following cause, viz. the land stretches from the
St. Lawrence towards the north pole, which it
approaches much nearer to, and with a less in
tervention of sea than that on the old continent ;

58
it expands also an immense distance to the
westward; therefore the Avinds between the
north-east and north-west, passing over a less
surface of water than in the same portion of the
other hemisphere, are consequently divested of
a smaller quantity of their intense frigor, and
afterwards SAveeping across the immense chain
of mountains covered with perpetual snows
and ice that intersects the whole of these cheer
less regions, they acquire a penetrating severity
by traversing so vast a track of frozen ground,
that even their progress into lower latitudes
cannot disarm them of. Of these Avinds the
north-Avest is the most rigorous ; and even in
summer, as soon as it prevails, the transition
from heat to cold is so sudden, that the ther
mometer has been known to fall nearly thirty
degrees in a very few hours. The highest range
of the summer heat is usually between 96 and
102 degrees of Fahrenheit ; but an atmosphere,
always particularly pure, abates the oppressive
fervor felt in other parts at the same point. In
winter the mercury sometimes sinks to 31 de
grees below zero, but this must be considered
its very greatest depression, and as happening
only once or tAvice in a season, or perhaps not
more than thrice in two seasons, and then its
continuance rarely exceeds 48 hours ; but the
general range of cold in medium years may be

59
estimated from twenty degrees above, to twenty-
five degrees below 0. The frost, which is sel
dom interrupted during the winter, is almost
always accompanied with a cloudless sky and
pure dry air that makes it both pleasant and
healthy, and considerably diminishes the pierc
ing quality it possesses when the atmosphere
is loaded with vapours. At the eastern ex
tremity of the province, from its vicinity to the.
sea, fogs are brought on by an easterly wind,
but to the westward they seldom prevail, and
even at Quebec are almost unknown. The
snow usually lies on the ground until the latter
end of April, Avhen it is melted by the poAverful
rays of the sun, rather than dissolved by the
progress of thaAV, the air continuing still pure
and frosty ; when it has disappeared, the spring
may be said to commence ; and as the ground,
being protected by so thick a covering during
winter, is seldom frozen many inches deep, the
powers of vegetation almost immediately resume
their activity, and bring on the fine season with
a rapidity that would excite in a stranger to
the country the greatest degree of astonish
ment. Rain prevails most in the spring and fall
of the year, but is seldom violent or of long
duration in the level parts of the province : to
wards the mountains,- however, their frequency

60
and duration are both increased. Bordering
on the gulf of St. Lawrence, as the face of the
soil is rugged and mountainous, the climate,
somewhat influenced thereby, participates in its
ungenial nature ; but advancing to the Avest-
Avard, it becomes more mild, and encourages
the resumption of agricultural labours at a
much earlier period, particularly in the western
district of the lower, and all the settled parts of
the upper province ; at Montreal for instance,
only 79 geographical miles soutrnvard and 145
due Avest from the meridian of Quebec, the
spring is reckoned to commence from five to six
Aveeks earlier than at the latter place. Vege
tation is proportionately more luxuriant and
Arigorous, producing crops of greater increase,
by seldom experiencing checks in their early
stages from the hoar frost, so injurious to the
rising groAvth Avherever it prevails. In a com
parison between the climates of Great Britain
and the Canadas, some advantages result to the
latter, because the prevalence of fine clear
Aveather and a pure atmosphere greatly exceeds
that in the former ; besides, the degree of cold
is proved by actual experiment not to be pro
portionate to the indication of the thermometer;
as a corroborating instance, it is remarked, at
its utmost severity, which is in the months of

61
January and February, the labour of artisans in
out-door employments is rarely suspended many
days in succession. )
From the climate of a country, its soil comes
under notice by a sort of natural transition.
On making a calculation of the superficial con
tents of the area enclosed between the two
principal ranges of mountains before spoken of,
about l6,028,000square acres may be computed
to include the greater part of the land in the lower
province yet surveyed that is capable of being
turned to any favourable account in an agricul
tural point of view. In so great an extent un
doubtedly every gradation of quality betAveen
very Bad and very good is to be found ; but it
would be attended Avith some difficulty to state
with tolerable correctness the relative proportion
of each kind. Sensible that, in thus generalising
the whole, only an imperfect sketch can be
giA'en, it is my intention that as much care as
possible shall be used to render the subject
more clear and familiar when treating the dif
ferent districts and divisions topographically.
For the present then it may suffice to say, that
Avith respect to goodness, the eastern parts are
inferior to the Avestern, being of a more irre
gular and uneven surface, in many places con
sisting of a light soil of a sandy nature laid upon
a stratum of perfect sand or gravel ; in others it

62
is varied Avith mixtures of clay, loam, and some
times a good vegetable mould upon a reddish
argillaceous bottom, constituting a medium
between the two extremes ; this latter species
is supposed rather to exceed the inferior classes
in quantity, and Avith a moderate degree of
careful husbandry will yield the farmer pretty
fair returns. In the western part of the pro
vince, although the variety is nearly as great as
in the other, in its nature it is very superior;
the sort most esteemed is a composition of fine
rich loams, both a yellow and a bluish colour,
with a good black earth, forming a soil, that in
the country is supposed to be endued with the
greatest share of fertilizing properties of any of
the natural classes ; and of this sort consists the
chief portion of land in the western division ;
the remaining part is always above mediocrity ;
in fact, it may be fairly asserted, that through
the whole of North America, or indeed in many
other countries, it will be difficult to meet with
land more inviting to form new settlements
upon, or where it is already cultivated, capable
of being made more generous and productive
by the introduction of an improved system of
husbandry. Its superiority over the contiguous
districts of the United States is fully manifest
by the readiness with Avhich American families
in considerable numbers have, for years past,

63
abandoned the less fertile fields of their nativity,
to settle upon a soil that they are certain will
abundantly repay the industry and art be-
stoAved upon it. Undoubtedly the burthen of
the taxes and peculiar laws will have had some
share in causing these migrations across the
borders into a country where neither would be
felt. But be that as it may, many farmers thus
changing the scene of their labours, have, either
by purchase or by lease, obtained extensive
estates and endenizened themselves under the
British government; whilst others, as eager to
enjoy the same advantages, but less honest in
their manner of obtaining them, have selected
convenient situations among the reserved lands,
wherein they have unceremoniously domi
ciliated without licence or title; and even
without the acknowledgment of rent have con
tinued to cultivate and improve their favourite
spots thus chosen. This species of tenure cer
tainly ought not to be allowed by the crown,
and means should undoubtedly be taken to
eject such tenants, because their prior occu
pancy, the irregularity of it being generally
unknown, deprives the natural subject of taking
the lots upon the terms before recited in page
14. It is also desirable not to permit the per
nicious example of such unauthorized posses
sion of valuable property to communicate its

64
influence, or, indeed, to exist at all. It is
much to be Avished that the system of manage
ment in Lower Canada was as good as the
land upon Avhich it is exercised; agricultural
riches would then flow in a copious and inex
haustible stream ; for if the natural excellence
of soil and goodness of climate, contending
against the disadvantages of a very inferior,
not to say bad mode of husbandry, be capable
of yielding crops of 15 to 18 for one, Avhat
might not be expected from it, were the modern
improvements in implements as well as culture,
that have been introduced Avith so much benefit
in England, to be applied to it? The Canadian
farmer unfortunately, and it is a circumstance
much to be lamented, has hitherto had no means
of acquiring instruction in the many new and
beneficial methods by Avhich modern science
has so greatly assisted the labours of the hus
bandman. Unskilled in any other mode, he
continues to till his fields by the same rule that
his forefathers followed for many generations,
Avhich long habit and an unprofitable partiality
engrafted thereon, seems to have endeared to
him ; knoAving the natural bounty of his land,
he places his greatest reliance upon it, and feels
satisfied Avhen he reaps a crop not inferior to
the one of the year gone by, apparently without
a wish to increase his stores by the adoption of

65
untried means. Apprehensions of failure and
consequent loss operate more strongly than
disinclination ; for a desire to enlarge his profits
is full as lively in him as in other men, which,
aided by a genius active in imitating, Avould
certainly impel him to try his success at any
innovation, productive of corresponding ad
vantages, that might be introduced by another.
Example is the only stimulus required, and it
is well Avorth the attention of those to whom
the welfare of the British colonies is confided,
and who must be sensible of the importance of
this one in particular, to consider of means by
which this stimulus could be most effectually
excited. Whatever encouragement might be
given as an incentive to the industry of the na
tive, or the alien settler, to persevere in an ap
proved plan of clearing, draining, and gettingun-
der cultivation the neAV lands, or of improvement
upon such as are already under management,
by a reform of the present system, a judicious
variation of crops, and the introduction of neAV
articles suitable to the climate, of which there
are many, Avould be attended with so much
benefit that in a very few years these pro
vinces must become one of the most valuable
of all the exterior possessions of Great Britain.
The practice of husbandry in Canada is de
fective in some very principal points: in the

66
first place the use of the plough, which ought
to be viewed as- the basis of all agrarian im
provement, is not enough attended to, and
Avhere it is applied, it is done in a manner so
inadequate to the purpose, that the good in
tended to be derived from it is powerfully coun
teracted ; generally speaking, this operation is
performed so lightly, that scarcely more than
the surface of the ground is broken by it ; the
weeds that ought to be extirpated are only cut
off, they consequently shoot out again and ab
sorb much of the vigour of the soil that other
wise would nourish the seed and plants com
mitted to it. If the Canadian husbandman
could Avitness the difference between the style
of ploughing in England and his OAvn, I am cer
tain that he Avould readily be convinced of its
utility, and willing to adopt a method so much
in favour of his autumnal expectations. An
other main object in farming improvements
is the judicious application of the various ma
nures to different soils, in which essential par
ticular it must be admitted the Canadian
practice is much in arrear, as it is only within
a few years, and in the neighbourhood of the
large towns, that it has been in some degree
attended to by a few farmers more intelligent
than their brethren ; this neglect, added to the
pernicious practice of soAving the same sort of

67
grain year after year upon the same land with
out other means of renovation than letting it lie
fallow for a season, must excite wonder that it
should produce such crops as it actually does.
When the heart of the land is supposed to be
gone or greatly deteriorated, the remedy is,
after taking a crop of wheat from it, to allow a
natural layer of clover and grass, which serves
as summer feed for cattle; in the autumn it
receives a ploughing in the usual Avay, and in
the ensuing spring is again put under wheat or
oats. This plan is unprofitable and injudicious,
the stock derives but little advantage from the
herbage, while with a little more care the
grounds might be turned to much better ac
count. The introduction of different kinds of
grasses and other succulents, regulated by a
moderate degree of skill, could not fail being
attended Avith complete success ; among the
various sorts, the English red and Dutch
Avhite clover are worthy of notice, being cal
culated as well for summer feed as excellent
Avinter store; to these might be added the yel
low Swedish turnip, a species perhaps superior
to any other of its class, as it will endure the
most violent frost, and maintains its goodness
until the spring, as well as in autumn : that the
acquisition of such a plant to a country always
subject to a long winter would soon become
r 2

68
valuable does not admit of a question ; it is en
titled to the farmer's attention as being a pro
fitable article : from 20 to 25 tons per acre may
be raised by careful management, which, if
housed before the Avinter sets in, would furnish
an undeniable food for cattle during that sea
son ; by its means he would obtain a beneficial
employment in fattening his stock intended for
market, and also a large quantity of valuable
manure from his farm-yard, ready to be applied
to the poor and exhausted lands at the break
ing up of the frost. Many other advantages
would be the result, if a systematic arrangement
in the change of crops were to take place of the
undeviating practice at present existing ; by it
a great progress would be made in the science
of agriculture, and a long catalogue of he
reditary errors would no more remain unop
posed by any radical improvement. I must
again repeat, that example only is wanting to
induce the Canadian farmers to explode the
unproductive methods they have so long fol
lowed, and yield to the admission of profitable
innovations. There is yet another article or
two of culture of the very first importance to
the mother country, which would most certainly
prove highly beneficial to these provinces if
sufficient attention were to be paid to them.
The first of these is hemp, well known to be a

69
native plant of the country, with climate and
soil peculiarly Avell adapted to its growth ; in
small quantities it has been raised on many
farms, though as an object of commerce, the
cultivation of it has not been attended with
success, notwithstanding it has been tried under
the sanction of government, that held out the
encouragement of premiums, with the additional
inducement of a certain good price per ton for
all such as might be produced fit for its pur
poses ; as so desirable an object hath not been
accomplished under these circumstances, it
would seem to imply that some insurmountable
obstacle opposes it. In reality there is none
such ; both soil and climate are favourable as
nature could form them, and the extensive de
mand of Great Britain must ever ensure an
undoubted market at prices high enough to
remunerate the growers very handsomely ; the
cause of failure in the attempt must be sought
for someAvhere else than in any natural de
ficiencies. That time and considerable sums
of money have been Avasted is unquestionably
true, but it is equally a fact, that the good in
tentions of administration have been defeated
by the inadequate measures pursued in the ex
ecution of the plans, and not a little impeded
by a Avant of general agricultural knowledge in
the persons to Avhom its management Avas con-?

70
fided. It is not to be denied but there are some
existing difficulties to be removed before the
cultivation of hemp can be made generally
agreeable to all persons interested in the agri
cultural produce of the province ; but as the
chief of these arise from the discountenance the
clergy might shew to its introduction on an ex
tensive scale, from a supposition that it would
interfere Avith raising wheat and other grain
upon the lands now in tillage, and thereby
someAvhat diminish their revenues, may they
not be surmounted by making it a tythable
article, and fixing the rate to be paid as it is
in England, namely, five shillings per acre, or
otherwise in the same proportion as the con
tribution of grain is at present taken by them,
a 26th part? Under such a regulation the eccle
siastical body would consult its own interest by
promoting the increase of this production, a
measure Avhich could be easily accomplished
by the powerful influence that body possesses
in all the concerns of the country people, whe
ther temporal or spiritual. I have been un
equivocally assured by a gentleman who has
devoted the greatest part of his life to the im
provements of growing and dressing both hemp
and flax, that he has carefully examined several
parcels of the former, sent some time ago from
Canada to London, and is decidedly of opinion

71
the growth is much superior to what is in general
imported from Russia; but on the other hand,
from mismanagement after pulling, and from be
ing steeped in bad water, its quality and colour
are greatly inferior to what they Avould have
been had it undergone a proper process. The
management of this plant contains nothing of
mystery, and is so plain that it may be carried
on by the least intelligent husbandman in the
colony, if he be but once put into the proper
routine. The choice of a soil fit for the purpose
is a leading point, and the kind which is con
sidered the best is a rich deep loam, Avhereon
a very good crop may be raised Avithout ma
nure, but it may be groAvn on almost any
species not absolutely of a bad quality, if it be
well manured, except where there is a cold sub
soil or a very shallow staple. To ensure a good
crop, the most careful attention must be paid
to ploughing and preparing the land ; the tilth
should be as fine and as deep as possible, a cir
cumstance hitherto but little noticed by the
most part of our Canadian farmers, and in con
sequence of this neglect their produce has been
most materially reduced in quantity. The seed,
of which about four bushels should be allowed
per acre, ought not to be put in the ground
until the weather is become warm; for the young
plants when they begin to shoot up are ex**

72
ceedingly tender, and liable to be injured if
night frosts happen in the early period of their
growth. May is generally the best month for
sowing it; but in Canada this time must be
pointed out by a correct knowledge of the cli
mate. After the seed is got in, a light harrow
should be used, and nothing more is required
until it is fit for pulling; this will be in from ten
to fourteen Aveeks. In hemp the male and female
plants are more distinctly defined than in almost
any other species ; the former bears a light-co
loured flower, but never produces any seed ;
the latter, on the contrary, yields the seed, but
does not bear a flower. Land is not at all im
poverished b}r the growth of hemp, for after a
good crop has been pulled, it cannot possibly
be in better condition to be laid under wheat,
or indeed any thing else. The different soils
both of Upper and Lower Canada are likewise
admirably well calculated for the growth of
flax, an article well deserving the farmer's con
sideration, from its yielding, with tolerable good
management, a larger as well as more certain
profit than the greater part of other crops.
Loam, loam mixed with clay, gravel, or sand,
or clay alone, indeed any land but such as is
very Avet or very shallow, is good for raising it.
On warm dry soils the soAving may commence
in the middle of March, and continue, accord-

73
ing to the condition and quality of the land,
until the first week in May ; but with it, as with
hemp, the seed time must be guided by a know
ledge of the climate. The ground may be pre
pared by a moderate ploughing, which is not
required to be very deep. From two and a half
to three bushels of seed per acre may be sown,
which must be harrowed in, or bush-harroAved,
and afterwards well rolled. When the plants are
from four to six inches high, care should be
taken to have them well Aveeded, and then no
further attention is required until the season for
pulling arrives : it remains on the ground from
twelve to sixteen weeks, and is sufficiently
hardy not to receive any injury from night
frosts. Flax and flax seed, as well as hemp,
may be produced in Canada fully equal, to say
the least of it, to what is obtained from any
other country; but they have always been so
injudiciously managed after pulling, that their
natural good qualities have been seriously de
teriorated ; from Avhence one might deduce,
that unless a very different system be resorted
to, no reasonable expectation of profit from
growing it can be formed, and consequently
few endeavours will be made to extend the
cultivation of these valuable articles. But to
combat such a supposition, I feel infinite plea
sure in being able to make known among my

74
countrymen generally, that the process of steep
ing and dew rotting now in practice, whereby
the fruits of their labour have been so seriously
injured, may be entirely superseded, and hence
forward the culture of these important pro
ductions may be pursued Avith an absolute
certainty of deriving an ample profit therefrom.
However doubtful this assertion may appear to
many, it will nevertheless be realised by the
use of machines for threshing out the seed, and
separating the woody from the fibrous parts
both of hemp and flax, invented by Mr. Lee,
to whom a patent has been granted for his
highly valuable discovery. From a minute and
attentive inspection of this machinery, simple
in its construction beyond all conception, as
well as completely effectual in its performance,
and from the ocular demonstration of the per
fect success of its operation I have had the
satisfaction to receive from this gentleman at
his factory, I am Avarranted in saying with the
utmost confidence, that if it be introduced
into the British North American colonies, the
greatest benefits will be derived, not only by
them, but by Great Britain also; as it will
stimulate the occupiers of land to pursue this
branch of husbandry more than any premiums
offered, or means resorted to by government,
would be able to do under the old method. By

75
the use of this invention, the necessity of steep
ing and dew rotting being avoided, the farmer,
after having pulled his crop, has nothing to do
but stack it, when sufficiently dry for that pur
pose, and let it remain until convenient op
portunities occur of bringing it into a market
able state, which may now be performed in a
very few hours. The superiority of this mode
of preparation is very great, and the advantages
obtained by it in equal proportion. All the
labour and attendant expense of steeping,
spreading, drying, &c. as well as the losses in
cident to these operations, is wholly saved ; the
produce of fibre is full one-third greater by this
than by former methods ; while the fibre itself
preserves the Avhole of its natural strength un
impaired by any destructiAre process. In clean
ing flax the whole of the seed is preserved, and
some parts of the plant that by steeping are
entirely destroyed, are now saved to be turned
to a very profitable account ; the chaff, for in
stance, is an excellent food for horses, cows,
sheep, &c. and the woody part, Avhen separated
from the fibre, is a strong manure, particularly
good as a top dressing for Avheat ; both of these
have hitherto been Avasted. The mode of using
the machines is so easy as to be worked by
Avomen or even children ; they may, without
inconvenience to a family, be fixed in cottages

76
or the outhouses of any description, so as to
furnish a constant in door employment through
the Avinter months. Hemp or flax prepared
by this invention is found, from experiment,
to be greatly superior in strength to any other.
The most impartial criterion, namely, that of
suspending a weight by a line made from dif
ferent sorts, of the same length, thickness, and
weight, has been had recourse to, when the one
prepared in this manner has supported more
than double the weight of the other. From
many conversations I have had Avith Mr. Lee
on the subject of his patent, besides frequent
proofs of its efficacy, I feel the strongest con
viction that the value of his invention Avill be
soon appreciated Avhen it is introduced into
Canada: with such an impression upon my
mind, I am persuaded I shall be aiding to in
crease both the interest and comfort of my fel-
Ioav countrymen, by promoting, as far as lies in
my power, the general use of so simple and so
well contrived an apparatus. To establish, in
some degree, the reality of Avhat has been ad
duced, I Avill insert the following estimate of
the expenses and produce of one acre of flax,
which I have been repeatedly assured by the
patentee is the result of many years practical
experience as a groAver, and formed upon such
a calculation as any fair average crop, pro-

77
perly attended to, Avill not fail of realising
always, and most frequently somewhat ex
ceed it. EXPENSE PEE, ACRE. £ s. d.
Rent of land  5 0 0
Ploughing and harrowing .... 1 10 0
Sowing, harrowing, and rolling ..076
Weeding by hand  0 15 0
Pulling and setting up .... 1 0 0
Three bushels of seed  1116
Cartage, stacking, &c  "1 0 0
Threshing out the seed and cleaning
the flax fit for the market . . . 8 10 0
19 14 0
PRODUCE PER ACRE.
10 cwt. at 60s  30 0 0
Nine bushels of seed at 10s. . . . 4 10 0
Chaff  1 11 6
Manure  200
38 1 6
Expense . . . 19 14 0
Profit . . . . 18 7 6
This account is made out from the ratio of agri
cultural expenses in England: some of its items
are undoubtedly different from what they would

78
be in the colonies ; but the excess in one Avould
be balanced, or nearly so, by the reduction of
another; and as the prices alloAved for the pro
duce are such as the ordinary state of the
market will always afford, and after making a
reasonable allowance for tythes, freight, &c.
the general result is sufficient to induce spe
culation with tolerable fair prospects of success.
It must be also taken into consideration, that
the expense of the machinery is very moderate;
nor should it escape notice that a steady de
mand Avill be found in England both for flax
and seed at fair prices. With respect to hemp,
it can never be doubted but Avhat his majesty's
government will be again ready to lend every
support and encouragement to the production
of an article in our own dominions that Ave have
long been forced to purchase from strangers ;
which cultivation meeting Avith success, in a
few years may render our country Avholly in
dependent of the north of Europe for its sup
ply, or at any rate liberate it from the ap
prehension of ever being put to serious in
convenience by any change of political senti
ments in sovereigns. The welfare of my native
province and its parent state has ever been
with me the strongest incentive to exertion ;
and a ray of hope that I may be an humble

79
instrument towards promoting a pursuit which
Avould redound to the advantage of both, hath
occasioned me to enter more largely into this
subject than I at first intended. If my ex
pectations are too sanguine to be borne out by
the opinions of persons more enlightened there
on than I can pretend to be, I would much
rather they may be attributed to an erroneous
judgment, than a willingness to commit myself
to the chance of misleading a single individual,
by hazarding any unguarded or unfounded re
presentations. To ascertain, in the scale of importance, to
what degree the North American colonies rise,
their present value, and hoAv much that value is
capable of being increased, it is necessary to
take a view of their commercial concerns, in
order to bring their resources fairly before us.
In attempting to introduce this subject, I feel
no small degree of diffidence, from the reflexion
that it is one much out of the line of my pro
fessional pursuits, in the discussion of which er
roneous opinions are very liable to intrude, and
that by meddling with it I may be blamed by
many for the imperfect performance. My ob
ject is to attract to this point the attention of
men well informed on the intricate questions of
mercantile policy, in the hope that some much
abler pen than mine may, at no remote period,

80
place it in a more clear and palpable state-
rather than to promote decision by any ob*-
servations of my own ; the extent of my en
deavours will be limited to conveying some
general ideas of the capabilities possessed by
these provinces of rising into commercial great
ness, if their interests be attended to and
protected. The situation both of Upper and
Lower Canada is replete with conveniences for
trade : the great extent and many ports of the
St. Lawrence accessible to ships of considerable
burthen ; its inland navigation, even to the ex
tremity of the lakes; the numerous rivers and
streams that fall into it, by Avhich produce of
all kinds may be conveyed from the most
distant settlements to Quebec or other places of
shipment, open greater facilities to mercantile
speculations than perhaps any other country
can offer. This river is the only channel by
which the commodities of these two provinces
find their way to distant countries, and is also
by far the most natural, as well as most easily
available egress for such productions of the
districts of the United States that lie contiguous
to its southern bank, as they are able to furnish
beyond their own consumption. Prohibitory
laws of the American senate have, indeed, of
late been passed to bar its subjects from ex
portation by this route, but they have not ob-

81
tained so much attention as it Avas imagined
they would. A very large track of fertile coun
try on their side of the border is thickly settled
and in high cultivation; the industry of its in
habitants ahvays insures a large disposable
stock of the fruits of their labours, which the
vigilance and invention of a speculative dis
position will not fail to discover means of trans
ferring to the readiest market, in despite of
enactments that are no less disagreeable than
disadvantageous. By fostering this intercourse,
Canada would always secure a vast addition of
articles of the first necessity, in aid of its OAvn
surplus produce, to meet a great increase of its
export trade, were that trade relieved by the
British goArernment from some of the impe
diments throAvn in its way by existing regu
lations that are highly favourable to American
commerce. The principal exports from the Canadas con
sist of new ships, oak and pine timber, deals,
masts, and bowsprits, spars of all denominations,
staves, pot and pearl ashes, peltry, wheat, flour,
biscuit, Indian corn, pulse, salt provisions, fish,
and some other miscellaneous articles, employ
ing generally about 150,000 tons of shipping.
In this enumeration, the articles of primary
consequence to England are the growth of the
forests, whether considered as the source of
o

82
employment to British ships and native sailors
in the carriage of it, if theyAvere able to contend
for the freights against the indulgences granted
to their opponents ; or as to their being of great
and continued consumption, therefore of indis
pensable necessity. Since the year 1806, the
timber trade of the colonies, but of the Canadas
in particular, increased in an extraordinary
degree, until the state of the country at the
commencement of hostilities with America not
only checked its further progress, but, from
very obvious causes, reduced it below the
standard of former years. This diminution,
however, must be considered only accidental,
and totally unconnected Avith the resources of
the trade, which, according to the most discreet
methods of calculation, is not only adequate to
supply abundantly the demand of the British
West India islands with square timber, planks,
deals, staves, and Avhatever comes under the
general name of lumber, but to furnish a large
proportion of the same for the use of Great
Britain. This ability it was, and perhaps with
many may be still the fashion to consider pro
blematical ; but let the return of exports from
1806 to 1810 be examined, and it will be rea
dily seen, that in these four years they advanced
from about 100,000 to nearly 375,000 tons
from all the provinces, of Avhich nearly one-half

» 83
Avas from Quebec alone. To meet this demand,
no difficulties were encountered in procuring
the necessary quantities, either Avith respect to
the number of hands to be employed in col
lecting it, or any thing like a failure in the
forests ; and had it been as large again, it might
have been ansAvered Avith proportionate facility.
sWithin the period cited, the increase of this
trade in the- Canadas only was much more than
equivalent to the total consumption of the
West India islands, estimated at 142,000 tons
annually; and in the year 1810, the oak timber
shipped from Quebec was 28,165 tons, which
is but little less than half the quantity annually
required for the service of the royal navy. The
export of timber in this year is, perhaps, the
greatest of any that has taken place, yet the
ease with which it was procured is certainly an
argument that weighs strongly against the as
sertion, that the North American colonies are
unable to supply the necessities of the West
Indies. With respect to the exportation of flour and
grain, the progress is certainly not so satis
factory as that of timber; yet this circumstance
is far from being conclusive of inability to fur
nish such quantities as are required for the use
of the West India islands, whose annual de
mand for flour, grain, and biscuit, is computed
g 2

84
at something more than 1,200,000 bushels. Of
this quantity, Canada hitherto has seldom ex
ported, upon an average, but little more than a
third part. So great a disparity of numbers
is not a sufficient reason to abandon, Avithout
some further reflection, the supposition that the
supply may be made to equal the demand.
Immediately indeed it could not ; but after the,
lapse of a very few years, may not so desirable
an object be obtained, when the good effects of
an improved system of agricultural manage
ment, and to the encouragement of Avhich the
most rigid attention ought to be paid, begin to
shew themselves, combined with such measures
as would make it the interest of the people of
the well cultivated countries of the United
States that lie contiguous to our frontier, to
bring their disposable produce to the ports of
the St. LaAvrence ? The foundation of these
advantages would certainly be laid, were the
colonial merchants placed in a situation to con
tend against those of America in supplying the
islands. Until the commencement of hostilities
with us, the latter enjoyed the profits of sup
plying our West Indian possessions both with
provisions and lumber, and which were, in fact,
secured to them by an act that passed the Bri
tish parliament, 1807, whereby the privy coun
cil Avas authorised to suspend the operations of

85
the act of 12th Charles the Second, excluding
foreign ships from trading with the English co
lonies. Under favour of this suspension, they
employed an immense number of ships in this
trade, every ton of which was a manifest detri
ment both to our provinces and our commercial
navy. The admission of American produce into
the ports of Great Britain upon paying the same
duties only as are charged upon the importation
of similar articles from our own colonies, is an
other very powerful check upon their prosperity,
which, from these various combinations against
it, will experience much difficulty in rising to
the eminence it Avould speedily attain, if that
country, so recently ceased to be an inveterate
enemy, be not again placed by the liberality of
the British government in a situation to im
pede its progress, and be hereafter viewed in
the same light, and put upon a par Avith other
foreign nations, in respect to restrictions and
countervailing duties; then the North American
provinces will soon greatly improve their in
ternal situation, and the mother country derive
such benefit from them as will render her more
independent of other nations for supplies of the
first importance than she has hitherto been.
With this imperfect notice of the commerce
of Canada, I will close the succinct account
that I have deemed expedient to offer to my
readers, in order that they may have before

86
them a summary of the present state and go
vernment of the Lower Province previous to en
tering upon a topographical detail. My object
has been to present a short sketch, not to write
its history; and my wishes have succeeded, if I
have been fortunate enough to convey so much
information as will help to place this important
appendage to his majesty's crown in its true
point of view.

DIVISIONS OF LOWER CANADA.
The province of Lower Canada is divided
into the districts of Montreal, Three Rivers,
Quebec, and Gasp6, Avhich, by proclamation
of the government, dated May 7, 1792, Avere
subdivided into the following twenty-one coun
ties, viz. Bedford, Buckingham, Cornwallis,
Devon, Dorchester, Effingham, Gaspe, Hamp
shire, Hertford, Huntingdon, Kent, Leinster,
Montreal, St. Maurice, Northumberland, Or
leans, Quebec, Richelieu, Surrey, Warwick,
and York. The minor divisions are, 1st, The
seigniories, or the original grants of the French
government under the feudal system ; these are
again partitioned out into parishes, Avhose ex
tents Avere exactly defined by a regulation
made in September, 1721, by Messrs. De
Vaudreuil and Bigon, assisted by the Bishop

87
of Quebec, and confirmed by an "Arret du Con
seil Superieur" of the 3d of May, 1722. These
limits however Avere not strictly adhered to, for
as the population increased, and settlements
became numerous and extensive, it was found
expedient to build many new churches, that the
means and accommodations for religious Avor-
ship might keep pace with the numerical in
crease of the communicants ; for the support of
these, portions of ancient parishes have from
time to time been constituted into new ones.
2d. The townships or grants of land made by
the English government since the year 1796, in
free and common soccage. — The general divi
sions being thus pointed out, we are at liberty
to enter upon the details of such parts as lay
claim to particular attention; and, commencing
our topographical account where the two pro
vinces are separated from each other, the dis
trict of Montreal first presents itself.

THE DISTRICT OF MONTREAL
Is bounded on the north-east by the district of
Three Rivers, on the south by the states of New
York and Vermont, where the boundary-line,
running on the parallel of 45 degrees north la
titude, divides the territories of the English and

88
American governments ; on the south-west by
the province of Upper Canada and the Grand
or Ottawa river ; and on the north and north-
Avest it may be supposed to run as far as the
limits of the province in that direction, which
is the 52 degree of north latitude. The per
pendicular breadth from St. Regis, along the
general course of the river, is 73t miles. It
contains the counties of York, Effingham,
Leinster, Warwick, Huntingdon, Kent, Surrej',
Bedford, Richelieu, and Montreal ; each send
ing tAvo members to the provincial parliament,
except Bedford, Avhich elects but one ; 56 seig
niories and fiefs ; 32 whole townships, and part
of eight intersected by the district line of Three
Rivers ; all of these are already laid out into
separate lots, besides 32 others, that have only
been projected ; and 54 parishes, with a part
of that of Yamaska, lying principally within
the adjoining district. The lands granted en
Jief et seigneurie amount to 2,786,l0l acres, or
3,269,966 superficial French arpents; and of the
toAvnships mentioned as being laid out 816,776
acres have been granted. The proportion of
these two quantities now under cultivation may
be taken at someAvhat more than one half for
such as are held under the French grants ; but
in the townships the amount is comparatively
small, as must necessarily be the case from the

89
recent date of the patents ; some indeed, though
completely surveyed and allotted, have scarce
any settlers upon them. As the seigniories offer
the best criterion whereby to judge of the ge
neral improved condition and comfort of the
peasantry, as also to what degree of prosperity
the province has reached, it may not be amiss
to begin our description with them, and notice
the townships and other more recent settlements
afterwards. New Longeuil (the seigniory of) — the
most westerly of all the LoAver Province, on the
north side of the river St. Lawrence, is in the
county of York, and runs along the shore of
lake St. Francis, tAvo leagues in front, as far as
the boundary-line of Upper Canada, which
forms its south-west limit, by three leagues in
depth ; on the north, a location of 1000 acres
to the late Lieutenant-Colonel De Longeuil
separates it from the township of Newton ;
and on the north-east it is bounded by, the
seigniory of Soulange. On the 21st April, 1734,
it Avas granted to Sieur Joseph Lemoine, Cheva
lier de Longeuil, and is now the property of
Saveuse de Beaujeu, Esq. This tract Of land lies
rather low; on the north-east side part of a great
swamp spreads over a large space, Avhich is
covered Avith cedar, spruce fir, and hemlock
trees, the sure indicatives of such a soil ; but

90
which requires only the operation of draining
to be converted into good and profitable land.
To the south-west the ground rises much above
the level of the opposite side, and abounds with
many spots suitable to the production of grain
of all sorts, as well as favourable to the cultiva
tion both of hemp and flax, and every other
requisite purpose of farming. The woods afford
abundance of fine trees, but beech and maple
most predominate; there is, however, great
plenty of all the other useful sorts, either
for timber or fuel. The rivers Delisle and
Baudet water it very commodiously : the first
crosses it diagonally from Upper Canada, where
it has its source, into the seigniory of Soulange ;
and the latter at its south-Avest angle, from the
upper part of the township of Lancaster to
Pointe au Baudet : neither of them are naviga
ble, though on the latter, whose banks are much
the highest and the current strongest, large
quantities of staves and other timber felled in
its vicinity are floated down to the Saint Law
rence in the spring, Avhen the stream is swelled
by the melted snow and ice; they both turn
some good grist and saw mills. The front of
the seigniory, along the St. Lawrence, between
Ance aux Batteaux and Pointe au Baudet, is
very low, and overflowed so frequently as to
make it impracticable to maintain a road fit to

91
keep up a communication through this distance :
but in winter, the route upon the ice along this
part, and on the north side of the lake into
Upper Canada, is preferred, as being shorter
than the road leading by the side of the river
Delisle : this road is, however, called the prin
cipal one between the two provinces, but it
Avill require much amendment to render it so
convenient as it ought to be for the increasing
intercourse between these parts. The greatest
part of the concessions *, in New Longeuil, are
about Ance aux Batteaux andPointe au Baudet,
on each side of the river Delisle, and still fur
ther to the rear in the Cotes St. George and St.
Andre, where a number of Scotch families are
settled, whose industry has so far benefited their
lands, that they are now among the best parts
of the seigniory, although the other conceded
lots are in a very fair state of agricultural im
provement. The male inhabitants of this and
three or four other seigniories in this part of the

* By the term concession is meant the lots of land usually
about three acres in front by 20, SO, or 40 in depth, which are
let by the seigniors at some trifling rent, either of money or
produce, according to their quality, to such persons as are will
ing to settle upon and cultivate them. As it is an object
worthy the attention of proprietors to concede as many of these
lots as they can, the conditions are in general favourable to the
tenants, in order to give every encouragement to bringing new
lands into tillage.

92
district are mostly voyageurs, a name given to
the persons employed in the north-west fur
trade, whose wandering mode of life, toilsome
and laborious as it is in the extreme, has superior
charms for them than the more regular and pro
fitable pursuits of husbandry. Such a disinclina
tion to yield to the quiet sameness of a fixed
residence is seriously inimical to the progress of
cultivation on tracks that are but sparingly
peopled ; and from such a cause, neither this or
the adjoining grants, that contain many men
Avho follow this employment, are in so flourish
ing a state as it is highly presumable they would
be, from their great fertility and numerous na
tural advantages, were all their inhabitants of a
more domesticated disposition.
Soulange (the seigniory of) stretches four
leagues on the north bank of the Saint Law
rence, from that of New Longeuil to the Pointe
des Cascades : a small part of the township of
Newton and the seigniory of Rigaud bound it
on the south-west, as does the seigniory of Vau-
dreuil on the north ; with the latter it occupies
the whole of the tongue of land that is formed
by the confluence of the Ottawa and the Saint
Lawrence, at the upper extremity of lake Saint
Louis; it Avas granted October 12th, 1702, to the
Chevalier de Soulange, and is noAv the property
of Saveuse de Beaujeu, Esq. The general cha-

.93
racter of the soil through the whole of this grant
is good, and so advantageously varied as to be
fit for all the productions natural to the country.
In the south-west corner the same extensive
swamp that runs into New Longeuil spreads
over a considerable space: elm, ash, oak, beech,
and a great variety of other trees, produce fine
timber and wood for all purposes in abundance.
The rivers a, la Graisse, Rouge, and Delisle
conveniently intersect land water it with their
streams ; the last is the largest, though no use
can at present be made of it for conveyance s
it might, however, become navigable for boats
to the distance of several miles, merely by
clearing its bed from the trunks of trees, that,
with gradual decay, have for ages continued to
fall into and obstruct it. The Avhole extent of
this property, in front of the Saint LaAvrence,
is very thickly settled, and were the inhabit
ants as strongly attached to husbandry as they
are to the occupation of voyageurs, it might be
improved into a most excellent and productive
track ; but even now it'is far above mediocrity.
At five miles from Pointe des Cascades is the
pleasant village of the Cedars, consisting of
about forty houses and a well-built church :
being the point of rendezvous for all boats pass
ing up or doAvn the river, and having an esta
blished ferry to the opposite seigniory of Beau-

34
harnois, it is a place of great resort both for
travellers and traders. There is but one grist
mill within the seigniory, Avhich is situated on
a point of land about a mile and a half beloAV
the village, and Avell known by the name of
Longueil's mill. A short distance from the
Pointe des Cascades lies the Isle des Cascades,
that, Avith two or three smaller ones, break the
current of the river at its entrance into lake
Saint Louis. A sudden declivity in its bed,
obstructed by rocks in some places, and scooped
;nto cavities in others, produces the most sin
gular commotion, called the Cascades ; it is an
extraordinary agitation of the Avaters precipi
tated Avith great velocity betAveen the islands,
Avhich being repelled by the rocks and hollows
underneath, the waves are thrown up in spheri
cal figures much above the surface, and driven
with the utmost ATiolence back again upon the
current, exhibiting nearly the same effect as
Avould be produced by the most furious tempest.
To avoid the danger of passing this place, a
canal usually called the military canal has been
constructed across the point of land, and through
Avhich all boats noAV make their Avay to the
locks at Le Buisson ; it is 500 yards in length,
and furnished with the necessary locks; on each
side a space of ground 100 feet deep has been
relinquished by the proprietors of Soulange and

95
Vaudreuil, and is reserved for public purposes;
at the entrance to the canal, from the lake St.
Louis, is a guard-house, where a small party of
military is ahvays stationed. At a place near
Longeuil's mill the batteaux going up the St.
LaAvrence are unloaded, and their freights trans
ported in carts to the village, in order that they
may be towed up light through the Grande
Batture or Rapide du Coteau des Cedres. On
the opposite shore is the Rapid de Bouleau,
deeper, but not less difficult to pass ; the com
bined effects of these two make this the most
intricate and hazardous place that is met Avith
between Montreal and Lake Ontario. In a
military view it is one of the most important
spots that can be chosen, if it should ever un
fortunately be again necessary to adopt defensive
measures, as works thrown up on the project
ing points of each side Avould completely frus
trate any attempt to bring down by water a
force sufficient to undertake offensive opera
tions against Montreal. At Coteau du Lac,
just above river Delisle, boats again enter locks
to avoid a very strong rapid, between Prison
Island and the point abreast of it, Avhere a duty
is collected upon wines, spirits, and many other
articles that are carried by them into Upper
Canada. This place has been always esteemed
a military post of some consequence; works are

96
here erected and kept in good repair that com
mand the passage on the north side of the river;
and was another thrown up on Prison Island it
Avould render the pass so difficult as to make it
very improbable that any enemy, howeArer en
terprising, would run the hazard of it, or even
venture through the outer channel between
Prison Island and Grande Isle. The stream is
interrupted hereabouts by several islands, be
tween Avhich it rushes Avith great impetuosity,
and is so much agitated that boats and rafts
encounter great inconvenience in descending ;
to go down in safety they must keep close under
the shores of Prison Island. At two miles from
Coteau du Lac is M'Donell's tavern, a very
good house for the accommodation of travellers
towards the upper province, and conveniently
situated for that purpose. The main road, those
between the concessions, and three good bridges
over the rivers, are all kept in excellent repair
throughout this seigniory.
Vaudreuil (the seigniory of) is very eligi
bly situated on the south side of the OttaAva
river (or rather that expansion of it called the
Lac des deux Montagnes), in the county of
York, lt begins at Pointe des Cascades, and runs
along the river as far as Rigaud, comprising
one half of the large tongue of land mentioned
in the preceding article : it Avas granted on

97
the 23d October 1702, to Philippe de Rigaud*
Marquis de Vaudreuil, and now the property
of the Honourable M. E. G. A. Chartier de
Lotbiniere. This seigniory is in a very flourish
ing state; two-*thirds of it is conceded in lots of
three acres in front by' twenty and from that to
thirty in depth, forming six different ranges,
parallel to the OttaAva ; the Avhole number of
lots is 377, and of these 290 are actually under
excellent cultivation. The soil is good nearly
throughout, and in many places of the best
quality, producing grain and all the usual crops
of the country. Three small rivers Avater it,
that in spring are navigable for boats, but after
the freshes have subsided even small canoes
cannot work upon them. Oak, elm, ash, and
beech of a superior quality are found, besides
many other species of woods fit for all purposes.
On the bank of the river, about six miles from
the Pointe des Cascades, is a pleasant little vil
lage, containing from 20 to 25 houses, well built
of Avood, surrounding the church and parsonage-
house, which are both of stone. The seignorial, or
manor-house, is situated on a well chosen spot,
near a small rapid, about a mile and a half from
the church; surrounded by some groves of elm,
plane, and linden trees, which Avith avenues
and Other plantations in the English style afford
ii

98
many very pleasing prospects ; at a little dis
tance from the house are a grist-mill and a wind
mill, Avhich serve the Avhole community. The
major part of the men of this seigniory are
voyageurs like their neighbours, yet agriculture
does not languish, nor is there a want of artisans
in any of the useful trades : there are also five
manufactories of pot and pearl ash. The ferry
boats from St. Anne on the island of Montreal,
which is the general route to Upper Canada,
land their passengers on this seigniory, near the
manor-house; and from the number of travellers
continually passing much interest and variety
is conferred upon the neighbourhood. Besides
the main road, several others pass through Vaud-
reuil, and are all kept in very good repair, as
well as the bridges. From Point Cavagnal to
the house there are several small islands, all of
which are appendages to the original grant.
Two arriere fiefs within the seigniory are both
in possession of M. de Lotbiniere.
Rigaud (the seigniory of) lies on the south
side of the OttaAva, in the county of York, and
has for its boundaries Vaudreuil on the east,
the province line of Upper Canada on the west,
and the township of Newton in the rear ; its
dimensions are three leagues in front by three
in depth, and was granted on the 29th October,
1732, to Messrs. de Vaudreuil and Rigaud ; the

99
present proprietor is the HonourableM. E. G. A.
Chartier de Lotbiniere. A very fertile soil runs
through the whole of this grant, and where
cultivated, is found well adapted to grain and
pulse of all sorts. The Rivers a, la Graisse and
Raquette run through it ; the first, passing about
the middle of the seigniory, is at all times na
vigable from the Ottawa up to the fall, and
greatly contributes to the advantage of the set
tlers on each side of it ; the other, in the eastern
part, is not navigable. Very gOod elm, ash,
and some oak, are found among the timber trees,
and some pines of a fine growth are interspersed
through the woods. From the south-east bank
of River k la Graisse, two mountains of great
height penetrate some miles into the interior,
and greatly encroach upon the quantity of cul
tivable land ; however, about one half of this
tract is conceded in 280 lots of three acres
by 20 or 25, and tolerably well improved;
these concessions are situated on each side of
River a la Graisse, where they are the most
numerous, in Nouvelle Lotbiniere, and in the
Cote Ste. Madelaine; near the fall are a grist mill
and a saw mill, and a little below, at the end of
the road leading to Nouvelle Lotbiniere, is a
spacious parsonage-house built of stone, Avhere
on the second floor divine service is perform
ed until a church can be erected, Avhich is al-
h2

100
ready begun, as well as a village surrounding
it. — The men of this seigniory are chiefly voy
ageurs, active, resolute, and enterprising; the
attention of those who follow that employment
being diverted from the cares of husbandry,
leaves but a comparatively small number to
become farmers ; but those who do undertake
it carry it on Avith much zeal and commensu
rate success.
Argent euil (the seigniory of) is on the north
bank of the Ottawa, in the county of York. It
adjoins the seigniory of the Lac des deux Mon
tagues on the eastward, the township of Chat
ham on the westward, and a tract of waste
crown lands on the northward ; its front extends
two leagues along the river, by four in depth.
It was granted March 7, 1725, to Mons. Dail-
lebout. The present proprietor is Sir John John
son, Bart. Perhaps through all the upper part
of the district of Montreal, no tract of equal
extent will be found of greater fertility, or pos
sessing more capabilities of being converted
within a few years into a most valuable proper
ty. The land is luxuriantly rich in nearly every
part of it, while the different species of soils
are so well varied as to afford undeniable situa
tions for raising abundant crops of every kind.
The lower part bordering on the Ottawa is to
lerably well cleared of wood, where are large

101
patches of fine meadow and pastures; from
hence the ground rises Avith a gradual ascent
towards the rear. In the ba-ck parts the woods
run to a great extent, and yield timber of the
different kinds of first rate size and goodness,
which have hitherto been very little thinned by
the labours of the woodman. The Riviere du
Nord crosses the upper part of the seigniory in
a direction from east to west, discharging itself
into the Ottawa, about four miles below the
great falls, and nearly half way between the
lateral boundaries ; it is navigable as high up
as the first mill, a distance of three miles. There
is a smaller stream called Riviere Rouge, run
ning in the same direction across the lower part
of the grant as the Riviere du Nord, and fall
ing into the navigable part of the latter. The
settlements that are already formed in Argen-
teuil hardly amount to a third part of the whole;
the remainder however presents many tempta
tions to agricultural speculation. Of the present
concessions, some are situated on the bank of
the Ottawa, where they seem to be the most
numerous as well as rather the best cultivated;
others on the Riviere Rouge; in a range between
it and Riviere du Nord ; and along both banks
of the latter : all shewing strong indications of
a thriving industry in their occupiers. There
are two grist mills, two saw mills, and a paper

102
mill, the only one I believe in the province,
where a large manufacture of that article in all
its different qualities is carried on with much
success, under the direction of the proprietor,
Mr. Brown, of Montreal. Not far below this
mill is a good bridge, over which the main road
to the township of Chatham, and the upper
townships upon the Ottawa leads. On the left
bank of the Riviere du Nord, upon a point of
land near its mouth, is very pleasantly situated
the residence of Major Murray, formerly owner
of the seigniory : this stream and the bays of the
Ottawa that indent the front abound Avith a
great variety of very excellent fish, as do the
Ioav lands thereabouts with wild fowl and game
of several sorts. The island Carillion, three
miles long by three quarters broad, is very good
land, but not put to any use ; this Avith a smaller
one near it, and another at the entrance of Ri
viere du Nord, are appendages to the grant.
If fertility of soil and easy access to water con
veyance be deemed of influence in the choice
of situations, wherein to clear and break up new
lands, probably it will not be easy to select a
tract where these advantages are better com
bined than in the seigniory of Argenteuil.
Lac des deux Montagnes (the seig
niory of) lies on the north bank of the Ottawa
river, in the couhty of York, adjoining Argen-

103
teuil on the west, Mille Isles on the east, and
on the northward is bounded by part of the
augmentation to Mille Isles, and a tract of
waste crown lands. Its dimensions are three
leagues and a half in front by three in depth,
granted on the 17th October, 1717, to the
ecclesiastics of the Seminary at Montreal,
from Avhom it has never been alienated. The
original grant has been increased by two aug
mentations, bearing date 26th September, 1732,
and 1st March, 1735, the respective quantities
of which are mentioned among the Extracts
of Original Grants under this title in the Ap
pendix. The figure of this seigniory is irregu
lar on its eastern side by an incision made by
the north-west angle of Mille Isles, about four
miles deep. Through the whole of this tract
the soil is very favourable, in many parts con
sisting of a fine strong loam Avith a mixture of
rich black earth, that is found to contain a
large share of fertile properties. The surface
is uneven, but never varies into prejudicial
extremes : bordering on the lake, in the vicinity
of the Indian village, it is of a moderate height,
from thence westward to the Eboulis it gra--
dually sinks into a flat, from which it rises again
near the boundary of Argenteuil ; eastward of
the village, nearly to the seigniory of Mille
Isles, runs a Ioav heath, having a large bay on

104
one side of it ; at a short distance from the
front are the two conspicuous mountains that
give the name to both seigniory and lake ; one
of them is called Mount Calvart, on whose
summit are the remains of some buildings which
have long borne the appellation of the Seven
Chapels. Towards the interior the ground de
clines below the level of the front ; proceeding
further to the rear there are some ranges of
heights that assume rather a mountainous cha
racter, but in the spaces between them are many
excellent situations for settlements. It is very
well watered by the Grande and Petite Riviere
du Chene, the Riviere du Nord, and the Riviere
au Prince, which in their course Avork several
corn and saAV mills. The influence of the re
verend proprietors in promoting industry and
directing it towards useful labours is strongly
exemplified in the flourishing state of their
property, as upwards of three-fourths of it is
divided into 66l lots or concessions, by much
the greatest number of them settled upon and
well cultivated, producing grain of all sorts,
pulse and other crops, Avith a sufficient quantity
of good meadoAv and pasture land. Oak and
pine timber are found in some places, but beech,
maple, birch and other inferior kinds are plenti
ful in the Avoods. The Indian village is agree
ably seated on a point of land projecting into

105
the lake, and consists of about 60 houses, a
church, and a parsonage-house, where a mis
sionary always resides, for the purpose of super
intending and instructing the inhabitants in
the doctrines of the Christian religion. The
Indians of this village are the descendants of
a tribe that formerly inhabited or rather fre
quented the lands bordering upon Lake Huron,
but being engaged in one of the wars that so
frequently wasted Avhole nations of these Avan-
derers, they were surprised by the vigilance of
their enemies, and nearly exterminated; the few
who did survive the massacre effected their
escape to the eastward, and their progeny now
occupies two or three small villages in different
parts of the province. Those of the village of
the Two Mountains are become civilized, and
have adopted many of the manners and customs
of the Canadians Avho reside in their vicinity, and
acquired a knowledge of the French language,
which they make use of fluently enough : they
are quiet and inoffensive in all their modes of
life, preserving the greatest harmony among
themselves, and civility toAvards the other in
habitants. They place an implicit confidence
in the resident minister, whose influence over
them is unbounded. Some lands are assigned
to them near their village, which they cultivate

106
with Avheat, Indian corn, and other grain; of
late years they have also planted potatoes in
considerable quantities : from these sources,
increased by the produce of the chase, Avhich a
part of the men follow during the Avinter season,
a subsistence is derived, that apparently they
enjoy with some of the comforts of civilisation.
Mille Isles (the seigniory of) is on the
north side of the Riviere St. Jean or Jesus, one
part of it lying in the county of York, and the
other within that of Effingham, four leagues
and a half in front by three in depth, bounded
south-Avest by the seigniory of Lac des deux
Montagnes, north-east by Terrebonne, and on
the rear by the township of Abercrombie. It
Avas granted May 5th, 1714, to M. M. de
Langloiserie and Petit. At present it forms two
distinct seigniories, called Du Ch£ne and Blain-
ville. The land within the grant of Mille Isles
is for the most part a good, rich and productive
soil of different compositions, very eligible for
raising all the various sorts of grain and other
productions usual in this part of the province.
The division called Du Cheine, the property of
M. Dumont, joins the seigniory of Lac des deux
Montagnes, is nearly two leagues in front by
three deep; extremely Avell Avatered by the
Grande Riviere du Ch&ne or Belle Riviere, and

107
some smaller streams, upon all of which there
are both sa\v and corn-mills ; the prevailing sorts
of timber are beech, ash, maple, and some oak.
The greatest part of this property is conceded,
and most of the lots settled upon by an indus
trious tenantry. At the mouth of Riviere du
Chene is the pleasant well built village of St.
Eustache, containing from 80 to 90 houses, a
handsome church, and parsonage-house. The
concessions on the Riviere St. Jean and Du
Ch6ne are in a good state of cultivation, that
does some credit to the husbandry of their oc
cupiers, and shews the beneficial effects of in
dustry, well directed, upon a generous soil. The
prospect from the village of St. Eustache is
beautiful ; the fine Avell stocked settlements upon
the Isle Jesus, the mill westward of the village,
with the numerous and Avell diversified islands
scattered about the river, present altogether a
very happy specimen of the picturesque.
Blainville (the second division of Mille
Isles), joins Du Chene, is nearly three leagues
in front, by three in depth, and the property of
M. La Croix. This seigniory bears a strong
affinity to Du Chene, as far as respects the na
ture of its soil, local varieties, and species of
timber with Avhich it is stocked. Part of the
river Mascouche runs through it, and several
small rivulets conduce to its fertility by distri-

108
buting their waters in all parts : all of these
streams turn both saw and grist-mills. By
much the largest proportion of Blainville is
conceded in lots of the usual extent ; the
greatest number of these are settled, and ap
pear to be under a very beneficial system of
management. On the banks of Riviere St.
Jean, from Terrebonne to Du Chene, the whole
of the ground is occupied, besides some large
ranges of settlements along the banks of the
Mascouche, forming together a valuable and
highly improved property.
Terrebonne (the seigniory of), on the north
side of Riviere St. Jean or Jesus, is in the county
of Effingham, between those of Blainville and
La Chenaie, bounded in the rear by the town
ships of Abercrombie and Kilkenny; Avas grant
ed 23d December, 1673, two leagues in front
by two in depth, to M. Dautier Des Landes ;
but on the 10th April, 1731, the grant of the
tract called Desplaines, of similar dimensions,
was added to it; and on the 12th April, 1753,
an augmentation of a like quantity of land was
made to Desplaines, together constituting the
present seigniory, tAvo leagues in front by six
deep. It is now the property of the heirs of the
late Simon M'Tavish, Esq. of Montreal. The
soil towards the lower part is as rich and luxu
riant as any within the province ; about Des-

109
plaines it is generally of a first rate quality, but
the remote parts are mountainous, with a rough
gravelly or stony soil. The rivers Achigan and
Mascouche, with three or four rivulets, water
it most completely. The high lands produce
abundance of beech, maple, birch, and elm
timber; in some few places that lie low and
wet there are cedars and spruce firs : full two-
thirds of this property is conceded, Avith the
greatest number of the lots in as respectable
a state of cultivation as any in the district, and
extremely productive in wheat, barley, and
other grains. The front along the river is par
ticularly well settled, and in this tract there is
every appearance of comfort, and even affluence,
among the tenantry. The different streams turn
some very good grist and saw-mills, but those dis
tinguished by the name of the Terrebonne mills
are without exception the most complete and
best constructed of any in the country ; they
were very much improved by the late proprietor,
Avho used every exertion and disregarded expense
to render them of general utility to this part of
the district. His desire of promoting the interest
of the labouring part of the community has fully
succeeded. Some of the houses and part of the
machinery were destroyed by fire a few years
ago; but they were immediately rebuilt, and
placed in their former state by the present oc-

110
cupier, Henry M'Kenzie, Esq. A carding ma
chine and fulling mill have also been introduced,
which are found of great service, where the poor
people, as is the case in this country, depend
much upon the home-made Avoollen cloths for
their common wear. The village of Terrebonne
is pleasantly situated on a projecting point of
land, having several beautiful islands in front,
which by their varied and romantic scenery
greatly contribute to embellish the prospect. It
contains about 150 Avell builthouses of wood and
stone, besides the church and parsonage-house,
the seignorial-house, and the mansion of Rode
rick M'Kenzie, Esq. which is Avorthy of remark
for the elegance of its construction ; indeed
there are several houses in a very superior style
to be found in this village, it being a favoured
spot, where many gentlemen, who have realised
large fortunes in the north-west company fur
trade, retire to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of
private life. It is also a place of some traffic, oc
casioned by the continued influx of persons
bringinggrain to the mills from distant parts, and
by the large exports of flour that annually take
place ; in consequence many of the residents are
traders andartizans, Avhose commercial concerns
impose a degree' of consequence upon the
village. The population is sufficiently great
to give a maintenance to a schoolmaster for

Ill
educating the youth. Terrebonne is a very va
luable property, which for many years has been
continually increasing ; some idea may be given
of it, as Avell as some other of the seignorial
properties in Canada, when it is mentioned
that in the year 1803 it was purchased by
Simon M'Tavish, Esq. for the sum of £25,100
currency of the province ; since that period
many large sums of money have been expended
in making numerous judicious and beneficial
improvements. Beauharnots or Villechauve (the seig
niory of) lies on the south side of the river St.
Lawrence, in the county of Huntingdon, having
its front extending upon the river six leagues
by as many in depth ; it is bounded in the rear
by the township of Hemmingford, on the south
west by the townships of Godmanchester and
Hinchinbrook, and on the north-east by the
seigniories of Chateauguay, La Salle, and the
township of Sherrington. This ample tract
was granted on the 12th of April, 1729, to Sieur
Claude de Beauharnois de BeaumOnt, and is
now possessed by the heirs of Alexander Ellis,
Esq. In the seigniory there are the following
interior divisions, viz. Catherine's Town, Helen's
Town, Mary's Town, Orme'sTown, North and
South George Towns, William's Town, Jarnes
Town, Russel Town, and Edward's Town. —

112
Whether estimated by the general goodness of
the land, the variety of timber of every, descrip
tion, among Avhich oak, elm, pine, and beech
are in great quantities; the advantage of water
conveyance at all times from the breaking up of
the frost until the commencement of winter, or
its contiguity and easy access by main roads to
the State of New York, this is a most valuable
tract of land, affording as good a basis for im
provement as perhaps any other in LoAver Ca
nada. On the front or north- Avest part there are
a few SAvampy places covered Avith cedar and
spruce firs, but they are of no very great extent;
and generally, between the banks of the Cha
teauguay and the St. Laurence, a mean breadth
of about three leagues, the country is unexcep
tionable in point of locality, as well as for
all agricultural purposes, abounding with many
spots particularly congenial to the growth of
hemp and flax. From the Chateauguay to the
township of Hemmingford there is a gradual
rise, with many fine bold eminences covered with
good timber of large dimensions, and where the
land is, perhaps, superior to that lying towards
the St. Lawrence. In the divisions of James
Town and South George ToAvn is a level space
about three miles and a half by two, called
Blueberry Plains, being an horizontal stratum
of rock of the quartz species, from the crevices

113
of which sprung immense quantities of the
shrubs that bear the berries after which it is
named. — The rivers Chateauguay and St. Louis
run through the seigniory from south-west to
north-east : out of the former many, and not in
considerable, streams branch off to the interior,
some of them crossing the province line into
the American territory ; of these the principal
ones are called the English River, Bean River,
Riviere aux Outardes and Sturgeon River. The
Chateauguay is a fine river, navigable for boats
and the usual river-craft : rafts of large quan
tities of the timber felled in Beauharnois, and
the adjacent townships of Godinanchester and
Hinchinbrook are brought down by it into the
St. Lawrence. There are roads leading along it,
from whence others run to the United States.
A great number of concessions are made, but
as yet not much more than a fourth part of them
are cleared and settled ; they are dispersed
over the seigniory as follows : in Russel Town,
100 lots abutting upon the township of Hem-
mingford; in South George Town, 17 lots reach
ing from the south side of the Chateauguay to
the EnglishRiver ; in William's Town, 1 10 lots on
the south side of Chateauguay, and on both
sides of Bean River ; in Ann's Town, 95 lots orji
the .St. LaAvrence and the north bank of the
i

114
Chateauguay; in North GeorgetoAvn, 43 lots;
and in Orme's ToAvn, 47 lots, all on the Cha
teauguay : in Mary's Town, 57 lots ; in Helen's
ToAvn, 61 lots ; and in Catharine Town, 20 lots,
all on the St. Laurence : at the mouth of the
river St. Louis is the domain called St. Louis,
where there are some good corn and saw mills ;
there are also several others in the different
concessions; inSt.Mary'sTownthereis another
domain called du Buisson. Previous to the
commencement of hostilities between Great
Britain and the United States, the population
of Beauharnois was a mixture of Canadians
and Americans, the latter amounting to about
200 families, who, on that event taking place,
immediately withdreAv into their own country,
as did many others who were settled in the
townships tying near the province line. The
relative position of this property and that of
the adjoining townships with the United
States must ensure great advantages Avhen the
amicable commercial intercourse between the
two countries is uninterrupted, from lying, as
they do, contiguous to the line of communi
cation to Montreal, with roads in many di
rections, numerous routes for an expeditious
water conveyance, and a soil so fertile, that
Avhere it is cultivated produces abundant crops,

115
are undoubtedly solid reasons for conjecturing
that this part of the district of- Montreal will
attract the attention both of traders and culti
vators, and vie in a few years with most others
of the province in population, as well as a
flourishing state of agriculture. The Grande
Isle, four miles and a half long, by nearly one
and a half broad, on whose southern side a re
doubt was thrown up, and a road made across
it to communicate with Coteau du Lac, by
Colonel de Lotbiniere in 1813, with two or three
smaller ones adjoining, are appendages to Beau-
harnois. The Grande Isle divides the stream
of the St. Laurence into two channels ; that
on the south side is called the Beauharnois
channel, in the course of which are the rapids
Croche, Les Faucilles, and de Bouleau ; the
latter both intricate and dangerous to pass.
It was through this channel, with the view of
avoiding the Rapid and Post of Coteau du Lac,
then held by a British detachment, that the
American General Wilkinson intended to con
duct the army under his command, Avith the
avowed object of invading Lower Canada. He
Avas however prevented from carrying his design
into execution, and the boasted superiority of
his arms greatly diminished by the unexpected
defeat of part of his force by a much inferior
i 2

116
number at a place called Christlers Farm in
Upper Canada on the 11th November, 1813,
which compelled him to a precipitate retreat,
and to abandon the British territory, by recross-
ing the St. Lawrence, and ascending Salmon
River to a place called French Mills, Avithin
the American boundary; in Avhich situation,
owing to the panic that embarrassed all Jiis
operations, he deemed himself so unsafe, as to
think it advisable to destroy all the boats and
craft he had collected for carrying his plan
into effect, and retire to a position more distant,
or more secure from attack. This repulse in
the attempt at invasion Avas rendered decisive
by the previous retreat, or rather complete de
feat of a force amounting to 7000 men under
General Hampton, that was intended to make
a diversion in favour of Wilkinson, on the south
western frontier. So sanguine Avere the ex
pectations of success formed by these com
manders, that a junction of their forces Avas
contemplated at Montreal, Avhere they pro
mised themselves winter-quarters, and from
whence in the next campaign they calculated
a victorious career was to be pursued. The
battle of La Fourche or Chateauguay, that
annihilated this visionary glory, was one of the
singular events that cannot be taken into the

*•-*»..

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iSIEJET©'!" of the 3EATTIL3E
°f
LA FOURCHE on CHATEAUGUAY
Oct. 26*1813.
117
ordinary calculations of military operations,
and the circumstance of such a force being not
only stopped in its progress, but obliged to re
tire by the exertions of a body of men not
amounting in numerical strength to a twentieth
part of the assailants, must be a matter of ad
miration whenever it becomes the subject of
professional reflection. This exploit, for it Avell
deserves such a name, was achieved by one
company of Canadian fencibles, two companies
of voltigeurs, some militia forces of different
descriptions, with a few Indian auxiliaries, the
whole numbering only 300 men, that formed
the advanced picquetsof Major-General de Wat-
teville's chain of positions established towards
the frontiers, and under the command of Lieut.*
Colonel de Sa la berry of the Canadian voltigeurs.
About 10 o'clock A. M. of the 26th October,
1813, this active and spirited officer discovered
the enemy's cavalry and light troops advancing
in force on both sides of the river Chateauguay,
when he immediately formed the resolution to
oppose him by every obstacle that invincible
courage, and the means at his disposal, could
throw in the way. His handful of men were
posted on the north bank of the river in the
division of South Georgetown, covered in front
by a small blockhouse and an abbatis hastily
constructed ; the right flank supported by a

118
party of 22 Indians, and the left by the right.
flank company of the third battalion of embo
died militia (70 men), under Capt. Daly, on the
opposite of the river, about 350 paces distant :
thus in position he waited the enemy's approach.
The American army left its encampment at
FourCorners on the 21st, passed the boundary
line, and obtained a trifling advantage by sur
prising a small detachment of Indians and
driving in a piquet of sedentary militia posted
at the junction of the Outarde and Chateauguay
rivers, on whose ground it encamped, and Avith-
out loss of time began to clear a communication
with its former station, so as to be able to ad
vance the artillery. On the 24th these arrange
ments Avere complete, and next day General
Hampton made every preparation for his for
ward movement. On the morning of the 26th he
passed his right column, composed of the fourth,
thirtieth, and thirty-third regiments of infantry
over the river, about three-quarters of a mile
in front of the British piquets, and it soon
aftenvards formed in tAvo lines, about 150 yards
from the position occupied by Captain Daly. At
the same time his left column (which he led in
person) consisting of the tenth, thirty-first, and
two other regiments of infantry, with two hun
dred cavalry, advanced in column, having his
artillery, ten pieces, in the ; rear, towards the

1X9
abbatis, and commenced the attack; but in spite
of all his efforts to force a passage by repeated
assaults, he Avas held in check by the vigorous
Avell-directed fire of Colonel de Salaberry. On
the opposite side of the river, the American
light brigade under Colonel M'Carty, that had
been detached from the right column to turn
the flank of Captain Daly's position, and take it
en reverse, was intercepted in its progress by the
spirited advance of that officer, supported by
a company of Chateauguay chasseurs under
Captain Bruyers : the brisk fire and skilful
manoeuvres of these companies frustrated the
attempt; but both officers being wounded,
and having otherwise sustained some loss, they
fell back, Avhen their position was immediately
occupied in the most resolute manner by a flank
company of the first battalion of militia, who
succeeded in maintaining it. On both these
points, although the Americans Avere several
times repulsed, they repeatedly rallied and re
sumed the attack Avith no better success until
the close of day, when their commander, un
able to make any impression upon the invinci
ble bravery of a truly Spartan band, thought
proper to Avithdraw from so unequal a contest,
ovenvhelmed with defeat and disgrace. The
loss sustained by the enemy from the British
fire Avas severe, and much increased by the mis-

120
management of some of his own detached corps,
who fired upon each other in the woods with
serious execution. From the events of this day,
General Hampton derived such small hopes of
establishing his winter quarters at Montreal, that
he determined to retire Avithin his own frontiers,
and depend more upon the resources of his coun
try than his oAvn endeavours to procure them as
the reward of conquest. In this action the devo
tion of the Canadians in defence of their country
stands forth most eminently conspicuous. In
the absence of regular troops, that a militia
embodied and disciplined hastily to meet the
pressing emergency of a crisis threatening more
than common danger was able to fulfil the im
portant duties assigned to it, by opposing itself
as a barrier against an enemy, elate in his own
strength, and reckoning upon encountering
courage only in proportion to numbers, will
ever reflect the greatest honour upon it, and
not only secure the admiration of succeeding
ages, but spread a confidence over the whole
empire, that the colours which the Prince Regent
has been graciously pleased to commit to the
charge of the incorporated battalions of Cana
dian militia will ever be defended by the en
thusiastic bravery so natural to men, when
prompted by the benefits of a mild and liberal
government to protect the land of their birth

121
from the pollution of a conqueror's yoke. The
Canadian, gratified by so distinguished an ho
nour as the thanks of his prince for meritori
ous services, will be found willing and even
•desirous to shed his blood whenever a similar
danger may call him to the field of action. At
a time Avhen the military resources of the pro
vince were so greatly curtailed by the most ardu
ous continental warfare that ever Great Britain
was engaged in, it is a matter of surprise that
so much could have been effected with such
slender means. An enemy emboldened by pos
sessing an ample force, and inspired by the
prospect of obtaining a fertile country, long the
object of inordinate desire, could only be suc
cessfully opposed by a union of the greatest
energy with the most active measures ; that
such was presented to him is incontrovertible,
and the credit of having brought them into ac
tion by unceasing perseverance Avill attach to
the judicious dispositions of the Governor-Ge
neral, Sir George Prevost, and for his strenuous
efforts in turning the enthusiasm of the people
into a bulwark stronger and more impenetrable
than entrenchments or fortresses against an in
vader. After an invasion defeated by the na
tive courage of a population, resolute in main
taining the integrity of its soil, it is to be hoped
the dazzling ambition of conquest may not

122
again excite enmity betAveen two governments,
the mutual interest of whose subjects it is to live
in amity with each other.
Chateauguay (the seigniory of), ort the
south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county
of Huntingdon, joins that of Beauharnois on
the south-west, Sault St. Louis on the north
east, and La Salle in the rear ; the front stretches
two leagues on the river by three in depth. It
was granted September 29th, l673,to Le Moine,
Sieur de Longeuil, and at present belongs to
the community of Grey Sisters at Montreal.
Through the whole of this property there is very
little variation in the land, which lies every
Avhere nearly upon a level, generally of a good
cultivable quality ; the arable part producing
very fair crops of grain of all sorts. The rivers
Chateauguay and St. Regis cross it diagonally;
the former is navigable in the whole of its
course through the seigniory for bateaux and
rafts, but the latter does not possess these ad
vantages. There are some good ranges of set
tlements along the borders of the St. Laurence,
on both sides of the Chateauguay and St. Regis
rivers, and in the intermediate spaces, which
may be reckoned about one half of the whole
grant, under pretty good cultivation. This
seigniory cannot boast of a village ; but on the
western side of the Chateauguay, near its dis-

123
charge, stands a church, dedicated to St. John;
on its banks there is a corn-mill and a saw-mill.
At its mouth is the Isle St. Bernard, sometimes
called Nuns Island, about one superficial mile
in extent, and very vArell cultivated, an append
age to the grant. On it there is a house, usually
denominated a convent, a term certainly mis
applied, for it will in no way ansAver the de
scription of such an establishment, unless the
residence of two members of the order to which
the property belongs may be allowed to convert
it into a mansion' of that class.
Sault St. Louis (the seigniory of) is on
the south side of the Saint Lawrence, within
the county of Huntingdon, confined by the
seigniories of Chateauguay, La Prairie de la
Magdelaine, and La Salle : it is a square of two
leagues each way, granted May 29th, 1 680, to
the order of Jesuits. It is now the property of
the tribe of domiciliated Indians, Avho inhabit
the Coghnawaga village. The situation of this
track, between the seigniories mentioned as its
boundaries, will convey a sufficient idea of it
without further description, as there is not much
variety through the whole of the level country
from La Prairie to St. Regis. The rivers La
-Tortue, St. Regis, and du Portage intersect it so
as to Avater it very completely through all parts.
i Nearly all that half of the seigniory which lies

124
towards La Salfe is well settled and cultivated
by Canadian families ; but from the river St.
Regis towards the St. Lawrence the remaining
part is covered with wood of all the ordinary
species, except a small portion reserved by the
proprietors for their own uses. The village of
Coghnawaga is placed on the banks of the St.
Lawrence, and consists of a church, a house for
the missionary, Avho resides Avith them, and
about 140 others, principally built of stone,
formed into two or three rows, something re
sembling streets, but not at all to be remarked
either for interior or exterior cleanliness or re
gularity ; their occupants may be altogether
about 900, who chiefly derive a subsistence
from the produce of their corn-fields and rear
ing some poultry and hogs, sometimes assisted
by fishing, and the acquisitions of their hunting
parties, which however they do not, as in an
uncivilised state, consider their principal em
ployment. This tribe, the most numerous of
any that has been brought Avithin the pale of
Christianity in Canada, is of the Iroquois na
tion, and has long been settled within a few
miles of their present village; as they are the
descendants of some of the earliest converts that
were made by the pious zeal of the Jesuit mis
sionaries, and established within the protection
of the colony Avhen its own population and

125
limits Avere both very circumscribed. Notwith
standing the remote period when their ancestors
Avere induced to abandon their forests, and the
barbarous customs of savage life, and the pre
sent inoffensive demeanour of their offspring,
they have not yet acquired the regularity of
habit and patient industry that are necessary
to the complete formation of civilized society,
nor indeed will the hopes of those who have
had opportunities to observe the peculiarities
of their character, and try them by the opinions
of philosophers and humanists, ever be very
sanguine that longer time or greater exertion
will effect a more radical conversion; to prevent
a falling off from the improvement already made
is perhaps as much as may reasonably be looked
for. That the fierce and restless spirit of the
Avandering savage has been tamed into some
thinglike docility cannot be denied; as a proof,
it may be adduced, that some of the men of
this village, and also some of those of the village
of the two mountains, have lately been employed
as auxiliaries in the British army, and during
the periods of their service no difficulty has
been found in bringing them under strict sub
jection, or confining their operations within the
laAVs of modern warfare. Between the island
of Montreal and the main opposite to Coghna
waga village the breadth of the Saint Lawrence

126
is contracted to about half a mile; from this
spot to the lower extremity of Avhat is termed
the Sault or Rapide St. Louis, a distance of
nearly four miles, there is a gradual shelving
descent of its rocky bed. In passing through this
channel the stream acquires an irresistible im
petus, and towards the loAver part moves with
a velocity of 18 miles an hour, until it is sepa
rated by some small islands below into several
channels. The incessant roar of the torrent, the
inconceivable rapidity with Avhich unwieldy
bodies are hurried on as it were to inevitable
ruin, and the agitated surface of the Avater,
present a scene at once extraordinary, appal
ling, and terrific. Boats and rafts coming down
the river are compelled to run through this tre
mendous pass, that is never free from difficulty
and imminent hazard, although guided by ex
perienced persons, who are always employed as
pilots, to Avhose skill may be attributed the sin*-
gular good fortune that an accident has very
rarely occurred ; they are constrained to keep
as close as possible to the southern shore, and
should any mismanagement or error in steerage
unhappily take place, certain destruction would
ensue. La Salle (the seigniory of) consists of two
portions of land adjoining the rear boundaries
of the seigniories of Chateauguay and Sault St.

127
Louis, enclosed betAveen the lateral lines of
those of Beauharnois and La Prairie de la
Magdelaine ; both pieces extend a league and
a, half in depth, bounded in the rear by the
township of Sherrington. It was granted April
20th, 1750, to Jean Baptiste Leber, de Senne-
ville, and is now the property of Ambroise San-
guinet, Esq. Very little difference is perceptible
between this seigniory and those of Chateauguay
and the lower part of Sault St. Louis, with re
spect to. the quality of the land, and which for
the most part is applicable to the same agricul
tural purposes : the river La Tortue, La Petite
Riviere, and Ruisseau St. Jacques run through
the two pieces. That part which lies behind
Sault St. Louis is nearly all settled, exhibiting
a favourable specimen of husbandry ; but Avhat
lies in the rear of Chateauguay is still a waste,
a very small portion of it only being conceded.
La Prairie de la Magdelaine (the
seigniory of) is situated on the south side of
the Saint Lawrence, in the county of Hunting
don, two leagues in breadth by four deep. It
is bounded in front by the river, in the rear by
the seigniory of De Lery and the barony of
Longeuil, on the north-east by the seigniory of
Longeuil, and on the south-west by those of
Sault St. Louis, La Salle, and the township of
Sherrington. This track was granted on the

128
1st April, 1647, to the order of Jesuits, whose
possessions were once so large and valuable
within this province. On the demise of the
last of the order settled in Canada, it devolved
to the crown, to whom it noAV belongs. The
Avhole of this grant is a fine level of rich and
most excellent soil, Avhere are some of the best
pasture and meadow lands to be found in the
Avhole district, that always yield most abundant
crops of good hay. The arable part is also of
a superior class, upon Avhich the harvests, ge
nerally speaking, exceed a medium produce.
In the part called Cote St. Catherine there is an
extensive bed of limestone. The different ranges
of concessions enumerate altogether about 300
lots of the usual dimensions, Avhereof the major
part is settled upon, and in a very favourable
degree of cultivation, almost entirely cleared of
wood, or at any rate of timber, very little of good
dimensions being noAV left standing. Numerous
rivulets cross it in every direction; beside these
it is Avatered by the three rivers, La Tortue, St.
Lambert, and La Riviere du Portage, all of
which traverse it diagonally from south-west to
north-east; neither of them navigable for boats
to a greater distance than half a league from
their mouths, and that only during the freshes
of the spring ; they afford however ahvays suf
ficient water to Avork several corn and saw-mills.

129
In front of the seigniory is the village of La
Nativite de Notre Dame, or La Prairie, formerly
called Fort de la Prairie, from having once had
a rude defence, honoured with that name,throAvn
up to protect its few inhabitants from the sur
prises or open attacks of the five native tribes
of Iroquois, avIio possessed the country in its
vicinity. Such posts were established at many
places in the early periods of the colony, while
the Indians remained sufficiently powerful to
resist and often repel the encroachments of the
settlers, although at present none of them retain
a vestige of their ancient form, and very few
even the name by Avhich they were originally
known. La Nativite is now a flourishing, hand
some village of 100 well-built houses ; nearly
one-fourth of them are of stone, in a very good
style, giving an air of neatness and respecta
bility to the whole. Within the parish there is a
school, not very considerable indeed, although
in the centre of a numerous population; yet
as the good effects of such an establishment,
however humble in its rudiments, will not fail
to be experienced, its advantages will undoubt
edly be rendered extensively beneficial to the
rising generation. A convent of the sisters of
Notre Dame, missionaries from the community
formerly founded at Montreal by Madame Bour
geois, is in a much better condition, Avhere all
K

130
the necessary and some ornamental branches
of female education are conducted upon a very
good system, with a success highly creditable
to the undertaking. The position of the seig
niory of La Prairie is extremely favourable, from
the numerous roads that pass through it in se
veral directions, and particularly from being
the point where an established ferry from Mont
real communicates Avith the main road leading
to St. John's, and thence by Lake Champlain
into the American states ; the general route for
travellers between the capital of LoAver Canada
and the city of New York. In a point of vieAV
before alluded to, viz. encouraging the transit
of produce from the countries bordering on our
frontiers to the ports of the Saint Laurence,
the seigniories adjoining this line of communi
cation are most eligibly situated, and if mea
sures having that object in contemplation should
be encouraged, they Avould indubitably attain
some eminence in commercial importance. —
From its contiguity to the line of boundary,
this part of the district Avas fated to bear the
brunt of the war against the loAver province;
and in the year 1812, Avhen the American go
vernment formally unmasked its ill concealed
project of conquest, a British corps of observa
tion was encamped towards the centre of La
Prairie to Avatch the motions of General Dear-

131
born, Avho had then assembled a considerable
force on the frontiers ; but Avhose enterprise ex
hausted itself in a few manoeuvres, and a dis
play of strength ill calculated to menace danger,
or inspire respect for his professional talent :
for finding himself anticipated in all his move
ments, and his designs penetrated, he relin
quished his chance of glory in favour of the
more adventurous General Wilkinson, Avho, in
the following campaign, attempted to execute
the plan, but fortunately with as little success
as had attended his predecessor's demonstra
tions. The beautiful island of Montreal forms the
seigniory of the same name, and also the county
of Montreal; it is of a triangular shape, 32
miles long by 10^ broad, and lies at the con
fluence of the Grand or Ottawa River and the
Saint Laurence : the Riviere des Prairies on
the north-west side separates it from Isle Jesus.
The greatest part of it was granted in 1640 to
Messrs. Cherrier and Le Royer; but whether
disposed of by them, or forfeited to the crown,
does not appear from any official record that
has been preserved : it is at present Avholly the
property of the seminary of St. Sulpice, at
Montreal, the superiors of which, in rendering
fealty and homage on the SdFebruary, 1781, pro
duced as their titles, 1st. A deed passed before
k 2

132
the counsellor to the king at Paris, bearing date
20th April, 1664, by which the seminary of St.
Sulpicius in that city, and other persons con
cerned Avith them, granted to the seminary in
Canada the lands and seigniory of Montreal ;
2d. An arret of the council of state of his most
Christian Majesty, made at Versailles in the
month of March, 1693, by which the king agrees
to and accepts the surrender made to him by the
ecclesiastics of the seminary of St. Sulpicius,
at Paris, of all the property possessed by them
in the island of Montreal ; and 3dly, Letters
patent, in form of an edict, issued by the King
of France in July 1714, being a confirmation
of all titles to the lands granted to the ecclesi
astics of the said seminary, at Paris, by letters
patent, dated March 1677, with the right of
alienation. As early as the year 1657 a large
part of this, even at that period valuable pro
perty, was cleared and settled, under the di
rection of the Abbe Quetus, who had arrived
from France Avith authority from the seminary
for that and other purposes. The island is di
vided into the following nine parishes, St. Ann,
St. Genevieve, Point Claire, La Chine, Sault
au Recollet, St. Laurent, Riviere des Prairies,
Pointe-au-Tremble, and Longue Pointe. There
are altogether 1376 concessions, formed into
ranges, or as they are termed cotes, distinguished

133
by the names of St. Anne, Point Claire, St. Marie,
St. Genevieve, St. Charles, St. Jean, St. Remi,
St. Francois, de Liesse, St. Luc, St. Paul, de
Vertu, Sault au Recollet, St. Laurent, desNeiges,
de Verdure, St. Michel, Longue Pointe, Pointe-
au-Tremble, Visitation, St. Antoine, Leonor,
Riviere des Prairies, and the Coteau St. Louis,
and St. Pierre, making so many irregular sub
divisions, or interior districts : there is also a
domain of great extent between the Cotes St.
Laurent and St. Michel, which is retained for
the use of the seminary. With the exception
of the mountain, the ridge of the Coteau St.
Pierre, and one or two smaller ones of no great
elevation, the island exhibits a level surface,
watered by several little rivers and rivulets, as
La petite Riviere St. Pierre, Riviere Dorval,
Ruisseau de l'Orme, Ruisseau de Notre Dame
des Neiges, La Coul6e des Roches, Ruisseau de
la Prairie, Ruisseau Migeon, and a few others
of inferior note. These streams turn numerous
grist and saw-mills in the interior, Avhile many
more around the island are Avorked by the
great rivers. From the city of Montreal to the
eastAvard the shores are from 15 to 20 feet
above the level of the St. Laurence; but in the
opposite direction, towards La Chine, they are
low : between the Coteau St. Pierre and the
river the land is so flat, and particularly near

134
the little lake St. Pierre so marshy, as to induce
a conjecture that it Avas once covered by Avater.
Over this place it is intended to cut' a canal, by
Avhich a direct communication between the city
and La Chine will be formed, and the difficult
passage of the rapid of St. Louis avoided ; for
the commencement of this work the sum of
.£25,000 has been recently voted by the pro
vincial parliament. The soil of the Avhole island,
if a few insignificant tracks be overlooked, can
scarcely be excelled in any country, and is
highly productive in grain of every species,
vegetables, and fruits of various kinds ; conse
quently there is hardly any part of it but what
is in the most flourishing state of cultivation,
and may justly claim the pre-eminence over
any of Lower Canada. Several roads running
from north-east to south-west, nearly parallel to
each other, are crossed by others at convenient
distances, so as to form a complete and easy
communication in every direction. Within a
feAv years a good turnpike-road has been made
from Montreal, almost in a straight line, to the
village of La Chine, a distance of seven miles,
by which the constant intercourse between these
places is much easier than it Avas heretofore:
by this route all the commodities intended for
Upper Canada are conveyed to the place of
embarkation. Within this space there is a great

135
variety, and some very romantic prospects : a
mile or two from the town, near the tanneries,
the road ascends a steepish hill, and continues
along a high ridge for more than three miles,
commanding a beautiful view over the cultivated
fields below, the rapid of St. Louis, the islands
in the St. Laurence, and the varied woodland
scenery on the opposite shore; descending from
the height, it passes over a flat country until it
reaches La Chine. This road was formerly so
bad, winding, and interrupted by huge masses
of rock, that it Avas nearly a day's journey for
the loaded carts to go from one place to the
other. Stores and other articles, intended for
the king's warehouses, a little beyond the rapid,
are sent by another road, Avhich runs by the
river side.
La Chine is a place of greater importance
than any other village on the island, being the
centre of all the commerce between the upper
and lower provinces, and the north- Avest country
also : Avhatever merchandise is sent upAvards is
brought hither by land carriage from Montreal,
and all the imports are here landed. It con
sists of only about 20 dAvelling-houses, but a
great number of store-houses belonging to the
merchants, besides the warehouses of the Indian
department. A dry dock of great extent, for lay
ing up the bateaux, forms a valuable part of the

136
premises of Mr. Grant. During the months be
tween May and November bateaux to and from
Kingston and various parts of Upper Canada
are continually arriving and departing, which
always occasions a great deal of activity and
bustle of business. The nature of these craft
may be very shortly described : they are flat-
bottomed ; from 35 to 40 feet in length, terminat
ing in a point at each extremity, with about
six feet of beam in the centre; the usual freight
is four or four and a half tons; they are Avorked
by oars, a mast and sail, drag-ropes for towing,
and long poles for setting them through the
strong currents or rapids ; four men manage
them in summer, but in the fall of the year an
other is always added, one of Avhom acts as a
guide. In the bateaux of the merchants the
cargoes upwards are a general assortment of
merchandise, for which they bring down flour,
wheat, salt provisions, pot and pearl-ashes, and
peltries. The time employed in the voyage to
Kingston is from 10 to 12 days ; but the return
does not take more than three or four. They
usually depart in brigades of from four to
fifteen boats, in order that their crews may be
able to afford mutual assistance in ascending
the rapids : each brigade is under the direction
of one man, Avho is called the conductor. From
La Chine also the canoes employed by the

137
north-west Company in the fur trade take their
departure. Of all the numerous contrivances
for transporting heavy burthens by water these
vessels are perhaps the most extraordinary;
scarcely any thing can be conceived so inade
quate, from the slightness of their construction,
to the purpose they are applied to, and to con
tend against the impetuous torrent of the many
rapids that must be passed through in the
course of a voyage. They seldom exceed thirty
feet in length and six in breadth, diminishing
to a sharp point at each end, without distinc
tion of head or stern : the frame is composed of
small pieces of some very light Avood; it is then
covered with the bark of the birch tree, cut into
convenient slips, that are rarely more than the
eighth of an inch in thickness; these are sewed
together Avith threads made from the tAvisted
fibres of the roots of a particular tree, and
strengthened where necessary by narrow strips
of the same materials applied on the inside;
the joints in this fragile planking are made Avater
tight by being covered Avith a species of gum
that adheres very firmly and becomes perfectly
hard. No iron-Avork of any description, not
even nails, are employed in building these
slender vessels, which Avhen complete weigh
only about five hundred weight each. On being
prepared for the voyage they receive their lad-

138
ing, that for the convenience of carrying acrosS
the portages is made up in packages of about
three-quarters of a hundred Aveight each, and
amounts altogether to five tons, or a little more,
including provisions and other necessaries for
the men, of Avhom from eight to ten are em
ployed to each canoe : they usually set out in
brigades like the bateaux, and in the course of
a summer upwards of fifty of these vessels are
thus dispatched. They proceed up the Grand
or Ottawa River as far as the south-west branch,
by Avhich, and a chain of small lakes, they reach
Lake Nipissing ; through it, and down the
French Riyer into Lake Huron ; along its
northern coast up the narroAvs of St. Mary
into Lake Superior, and then by its northern
side to the Grand Portage, a distance of about
1100 miles from the place of departure. The
difficulties encountered in this voyage are not
easily conceived ; the great number of rapids
in the rivers, the different portages from lake to
lake, Avhich vary from a few yards to three
miles or more in length, Avhere the canoes must
be unladen, and with their contents carried to
the next water, occasion a succession of labours
and. fatigues of which but a poor estimation
can be formed by judging it from the ordinary
occupations of other labouring classes. From
the Grand Portage, that is nine miles across, a

139
continuation of the same toils takes place in
bark canoes of an inferior size, through the
chain of lakes and streams that run from the
height of land westward to the Lake of the
Woods, Lake Winnepeg, and onwards to more
distant establishments of the company in the
remote regions of the north-west country. The
men employed in this service are called voy
ageurs ; they are robust, hardy, and resolute,
capable of enduring great extremes of fatigue
and privation for a long time Avith a patience
almost inexhaustible. In the large lakes they
are frequently daring enough to cross the deep
bays, often a distance of several leagues, in their
canoes, to avoid lengthening the route by coast
ing them ; yet notwithstanding all the risks and
hardships attending their employment, they pre
fer it to every other, and are very seldom in
duced to relinquish it in favour of any more
settled occupation. The feAv dollars they re
ceive as the compensation for so many priva
tions and dangers are in general dissipated with
a most careless indifference to future Avants,
and when at an end they very contentedly
renew the same series of toils to obtain a fresh
supply. Three leagues from La Chine is the
village of Pointe Claire, situated on a point
of land of the same name ; it contains from 90
to 100 houses, built Avith regularity, and form-

140
ing small streets that cross the main road at
right angles. There is a neat parish church, a
parsonage-house, and one or two tolerable good
houses for the accommodation of travellers.
The local beauties of this place can boast of
many attractions, being surrounded by exten
sive orchards and excellent gardens. About
three leagues eastward of Montreal is Pointe-
au -Tremble, a neat village of fifty houses, a
church, chapel, and a parsonage-house. The
main road to Quebec passes through this place,
which always brings to it a constant succession
of travellers, for whose reception there are some
inns, where accommodation in all the principal
requisites is to be obtained. These are the
only villages on the island ; but in every parish
there is a great number of good houses scattered
about, though but few are placed close toge
ther; they are mostly built of stone, as that
material is to be had every Avhere in great
abundance. The city of Montreal is within
this seigniory ; it stands on the south side of the
island, in lat. 45°. 31' N. and 73°. 35' W. ; the
second of the province in point of size, but with
respect to situation, local advantages, and su
periority of climate, it is undoubtedly unrivalled
by Quebec itself: its form is a prolonged square,
that, Avith the suburbs, covers about 1020 acres
of ground, although Avithin the walls of the old

141
fortifications the contents of the area did not
exceed 100 acres. A few houses,' built close
together, in the year 1640, Avas the commence
ment of the city of Montreal, or as it Avas first
named Villemarie ; the situation being well
chosen, and possessing many inducements for
the colonists to associate themselves for the
comforts and convenience of society, it very
soon assumed the appearance of being built
Avith some attention to regularity and solidity
of the dwellings, containing a population of
4000 inhabitants ; its improvement and exten
sion were both rapid. In 1644 the Hotel Dieu
was founded by the pious charity of Madame
de Bouillon, and six years afterwards the zeal
of Mademoiselle Marguerite de Bourgeois esta
blished the convent of Notre Dame. The infant
town was exposed to, and almost from its very
beginning experienced, the animosity of the
Iroquois, Avho made many attacks upon it. As
a protection against these repeated hostilities a
sort of barrier was drawn round it, consisting
merely of palisades; but so slight a defence
not inspiring the inhabitants with much con
fidence in their security, the more powerful
safeguard of a wall, fifteen feet high, with bat
tlements, was substituted, and had the desired
effect of repelling these formidable enemies to
its prosperity ; but as the ardour of the French

142
colonists in prosecuting the trade in furs made
them more dreaded by their savage neighbours,
whom they succeeded in driving to a greater
distance, and repressing their incursions by
erecting forts and establishing military posts,
the necessary repairs of the Avail Avere gradually
neglected, and it fell into decay. The last re
mains of this ancient fortification have been
recently removed by an act of the provincial
legislature, to make way for the introduction
of some improvements, planned Avith judicious
regard to the convenience, comfort, and embel
lishment of the place. At different periods the
city has suffered extensive damage from fire;
but from the gradual widening of the streets, as
new buildings take place, the better^ construc
tion of the houses, and other means of precau
tion noAV resorted to, this calamity, Avhen it does
occur, seldom causes much devastation. In its
present state Montreal certainly merits the ap
pellation of a handsome city. It is divided into
the upper and loAver town, although the eleva
tion of one above the other is scarcely per
ceptible ; these are again subdivided into wards.
The streets are airy, and the new ones, particu
larly, of a commodious Avidth; some of them
running the whole length of the town, parallel
to the river, intersected by others at right angles.
The houses are for the most part built of a

143
greyish stone, many of them large, handsome,
and in a modern style : sheet-iron or tin is the
universal covering of the roofs. The Rue Notre
Dame, extending from the citadel to the Re-
collet suburbs, is 1344 yards in length, and 30
feet broad ; it is by much the handsomest street
in the place, and contains a great many of the
public buildings; but the cathedral is so in
judiciously situated, that it occupies the Avhole
breadth of it at the Place d'Armes, which,
though not an impediment to the passage,
destroys the perspective that otherwise would
be unobstructed from the citadel to the Re-
collet gate. St. Paul-street is another fine street,
running the whole length of the toAvn, but more
irregular in its course and breadth than the
former : from its contiguity to the river, the
situation is very convenient for business. Among
the edifices that attract notice, perhaps more
from the value Of the establishments than their
beauty, are the Hotel Dieu, the convent of
Notre Dame, the General Hospital, the French
Cathedral, the Recollet Convent, the convent
of the Grey Sisters, the seminary of St. Sulpice,
the New College or Petit Seminaire, the En
glish and Scotch churches, the Court-house, the
new gaol, the Government-house, Nelson's mo
nument, and the Quebec barracks. The Hotel
Dieu, in St. Paul-street, extending 324 English

144
feet in front by 468 feet in depth, in St. Joseph-
street, is an establishment for the reception of
the sick and diseased poor of both sexes ; it is
conducted by a superior (La Sceur LePailleur)
and 36 nuns. The French government formerly
supplied medicines and many other necessaries,
but now the funds for maintaining the charity
are principally derived from some landed pro
perty, Avhich (and it is a subject of regret) is
not so ample as could be wished, Avhen com
pared with its utility ; however, this as well as
every other charitable institution in the pro
vince is occasionally assisted with grants of
money from the provincial parliament. The
whole of the- buildings on the space before-
mentioned include the hospital, a convent, and
a church ; attached is a large garden, a cattle-
yard, Avith extensive stables and out-buildings,
and a cemetery. The convent of La Congre
gation de Notre Dame is in Notre Dame-street,
and forms a range of buildings 234 feet in front
and 433 in depth along St. John Baptist-street,
containing, besides the principal edifice, a
chapel, numerous detached buildings for do
mestic uses, and a large garden. The congre
gation is composed of a superior (La Demoiselle
Deroussel, la Sceur Nativite) and sixty sisters;
the object of this institution is female instruc
tion in its different branches, wherein the

145
greatest part of the members are employed ;
boarders are taken into the house on very mo
derate pensions, and receive a careful educa
tion. From this establishment some of the
sisters are sent as missionaries to different parts
of the district, for the purpose of giving fuller
effect to the intentions of the foundation by
opening schools in parishes remote from the
convent. The general hospital, or convent of
the Grey Sisters, situated about 300 yards
south-west of Point Calliere, was founded in
1750, by Madame de Youville, as a refuge for
the in6rm poor and invalids ; it occupies a
space of 678 feet along the little river St. Pierre
by nearly the same depth, containing a convent
for the residence of the nuns, a church, wards
for patients of both sexes, all requisite offices,
and a detached building for the reception of
such as labour under mental derangement. It
is governed by a superior (Mlle- Therese Coutlee)
and 24 sisters : the cares Avhich they bestow
upon those Avhom misfortune obliges to seek
their aid, are directed with great kindness and
an unremitting zeal in earnest endeavours to
alleviate the burthen of human misery. The
cathedral church in Notre Dame-street is plain
and substantially built, 144 feet long by 94
wide ; but its height is not in due proportion
to its other dimensions : it is, however, in every
L

146
respect rendered convenient and suitable for
the performance of the catholic service, although
not sufficiently large for the increased popula
tion of the city, nine-tenths of which profess
that faith. The interior decorations are rather
splendid, and display some taste in the arrange
ment. The English church, in Notre Dame-
street, is not yet finished ; but from the design
and style of building it promises to become
one of the handsomest specimens of modern
architecture in the province: some delay has
been occasioned in its progress by the funds at
first appropriated being found incompetent to
complete it. The seminary of St. Sulpice, or
Montreal, is a large and commodious building
adjoining the cathedral ; it occupies three sides
of a square, 132 feet long by 90 deep, with
spacious gardens and ground attached, extend
ing 342 feet in Notre Dame-street, and 444
along that called St. Francois Xavier. The
purpose of this foundation is the education of
youth through all its various departments to
the higher branches of philosophy and the ma
thematics. It was founded about the year
1657, by the Abbe Quetus, Avho, as before men
tioned, then arrived from France, commissioned
by the seminary of St. Sulpice at Paris to su
perintend the settlement and cultivation of their
property on the island of Montreal, and also to

147
erect a seminary there upon the plan of their
own. His instructions were so well fulfilled
that the establishment he framed has existed
until the present time, modified by many and
great improvements. The superior of this col
lege is M. Roux, assisted by professors of
eminence in the different sciences, and other
subordinate masters, who pursue a judicious
plan of general instruction that reflects dis
tinguished honour upon themselves, while it
ensures a continual advance in knowledge to
a very considerable number of students and
scholars. The New College, or Petit Seminaire,
near the Little River, in the Recollet suburbs,
is most eligibly situated ; the body of it is 2 10
feet long by 45 broad, having at each end a Aving
that runs at right angles 186 feet by nearly 45.
It is a handsome regular edifice, built a few
years ago by the seminary of St. Sulpice, at an
expense of more than £10,000, for the purpose
of extending the benefit of their plan of educa
tion beyond Avhat the accommodations of their
original establishment Avould admit of. On the
exterior, decoration and neatness are so judici
ously blended as to carry an air of grandeur,
to which the interior distribution perfectly cor
responds ; the arrangements have been made
Aviththe utmost attention to convenience, utility,
and salubrity, consisting of residences for the
L2

148
director, professors, and masters ; a chapel, airy
dormitories, apartments for the senior and junior
classes, refectories, and every domestic office.
The intentions of the institution through every
department are promoted with the utmost re
gularity and good effect, both with respect to
instruction and internal economy. The director,
M. Roque, and chief professors are as eminently
distinguished for their literary acquirements as
for their zeal in diffusing them: the annual
public examinations that take place demon
strate the progress made, not only in useful
learning, but even in the superior walks of
abstruse science, in a manner highly compli
mentary to their diligence, and far exceeding
any expectations that would be generally enter
tained from the college of a colony ; but on this
point, as well as on many others, the capabili
ties of the province have been but little under
stood or much misrepresented in Europe. In
this college, as well as in the seminary, the
number of pupils is very great, with whom a
very moderate annual stipend is paid ; the
benefits that arise from the dissemination of
useful instruction over so large a space as the
lower province will not fail to be duly appre
ciated by every feeling mind, and for their en
deavours in so beneficent a cause the reverend
Sulpiciens are fairly entitled to the gratitude

149
of all their Canadian brethren. Besides these
principal seats of learning, wherein the French
language is the vernacular idiom, there are in
Montreal some good English schools, conducted
by gentlemen of exemplary morals and talents,
who by their exertions supply in some degree
the Avant of an English college. It is certainly
a subject of surprise that no such establishment
has yet been formed, considering hoAV eminently
serviceable it would prove, by contributing to
bring the language of the parent country into
more general use. I feel a confident hope, how
ever, that such a foundation will not much
longer be a desideratum, particularly as a basis
has been laid for it by the late Hon. James
M'Gill, who died in 1814, and by will be
queathed a very handsome country-house and
lands appertaining thereto, at the mountain
near Montreal, with the sum of ten thousand
pounds, for the purpose of endowing an English
college, provided it be applied to that use Avithin
ten years after the bequest, or in failure thereof
the property is to revert to his family. The first
steps towards insuring to the colon}' the benefits
of so munificent a donation have already been
taken. In giving full effect to Avhich it cannot
be doubted but that the provincial, and, if ne
cessary, the imperial legislature, Avill aid Avith
its accustomed liberality the testator's praise-

150
worthy intentions, should his legacy be found
inadequate to the design. The court-house, on
the north side of Notre Dame-street, is a plain
handsome building, lately erected, 144 feet in
front, Avhere the courts of civil and criminal
judicature are held. The interior is distributed
into halls for the sittings of the chief courts,
besides apartments for the business of the police
and courts of inferior decision. Within it is
also a spacious room, allotted to the use of the
public library of the city, that contains several
thousand volumes of the best authors in every
branch of literature : the good regulations under
which it is managed, and the method in Avhich
the books are arranged, reflects great credit
upon the committee that has the superintend-
ance thereof, and greatly contributes to the
amusement of its numerous supporters. The
handsome appearance of this building is height
ened by its standing some distance from the
street,with a grass-plot in front, enclosed by iron
, railings; its proximity to the Champ de Mars
renders it extremely airy^ and agreeable. The
gaol of the district stands near the court-house;
it is a substantial, spacious building, erected
about seven years ago, upon the site of the
old one that Avas destroyed by fire in 1803.
The salubrious situation of this spot is peculiarly
fitted for such an establishment ; the interior

151
plan is disposed Avith every attention to the
health, cleanliness, and comfort (as far as the
latter is compatible with the nature of such a
place) of its unfortunate inmates, both debtors
and criminals. The government house, usually
classed among the public buildings, is on the
south side of Notre Dame-street; being very
old, and an early specimen of the unpolished
architecture of the province, it is not much en
titled to notice ; it is however kept in good re
pair, and furnished as an occasional residence
of the governor in chief, when he visits the
upper district: on the opposite side of the
street, bordering on the Champ de Mars, is an
excellent and extensive garden belonging to it.
The old monastery of the Recollets stands at the
Avestern extremity of Notre Dame-street; it is
a substantial stone building, forming a square
of about 140 feet each way, and more remark
able as being convenient to the purposes for
which it was designed than for its beauty. The
church within it is still used for divine worship,
but the house itself is converted into barracks,
and the extensive ground belonging to it is re
tained by government for military purposes.
At tlie upper part of the new market-place,
close to Notre Flame-street, is a handsome mo
nument, erected to commemorate the Hero of
Trafalgar, immortal Nelson : it is composed of

152
a pyramidal column placed upon a square
pedestal; at the base of the column, on the dif
ferent angles, are allegorical figures, of very good
workmanship, representing the victor's chief at
tributes, and on the sides suitable inscriptions ;
in compartments, on each face of the pedestal,
are bass reliefs of four of his principal achieve
ments, executed with great spirit and freedom,
and composed with a chasteness of design guided
by much classical correctness. This highly
ornamental tribute to departed Avorth was com
pleted in London, and the expenses defrayed
by subscription anwng the inhabitants of Mont
real, and will convey to posterity their public
feelings and their gratitude towards the invinci
ble chief who deserved so much from every part
of the empire he so valorously defended. The
principal streets, both lateral and transverse,
have a direct communication with the suburbs,
which, as will be seen from a preceding com
putation, occupy a much greater space than
the city itself: they surround it on three sides;
on the south-west are the divisions called the
St. Anne, the Recollet, and the St. Antoine.
suburbs; on the north-west the St. Laurent,
St. Louis, and St. Peter's; and on the north-.
east the Quebec : in all of them the streets run
in the same direction as those of the city ; they
are Aery regular, and contain a great number of

153
superior dwelling-houses, built of stone, as se
veral inhabitants of the first rank have fixed
their residences there. Between the old walls
and the suburbs there is a space upwards of
100 yards in breadth, that has hitherto been re
served by government for the purpose of erect
ing fortifications and for other military uses;
but as the number pf inhabitants and dwellings
has experienced so great an increase, and the
necessity of these defences almost superseded,
this ground has been diverted from its original
appropriation in favour of some improvements
and embellishments that are in contemplation.
Montreal, as it is at present, containing a po
pulation of 15,000, rivals the capital of Canada
in many respects, and as a situation for a com
mercial town certainly surpasses it : seated near
the confluence of several large rivers Avith the
St. Laurence, it receives by their means the
productions of the best settled and also the
most distant parts of the district, as well as
from the United States, besides being the depot
of the principal trading company of North
America, whose concerns are of great extent
and importance. Possessing these combined
attractions, it is by no means unreasonable to
infer that in the lapse of a few years it will
become the most flourishing and prosperous

154
city of the British North American dominions;
and Quebec, vieAved as a military position, may
always be looked upon as an impregnable bul
wark to them. When the act that passed the
provincial parliament, in 1801, " for removing
the old walls and fortifications surrounding the
city of Montreal, and otherwise to provide for
the salubrity, convenience, and embellishment
of the said city," shall have been carried into
effect, according to the plan projected, none of
the external possessions of England, excepting
its easternd ominions, will embrace a town of
so much beauty, regularity, extent, and con
venience as this. Part of these alterations, as
far as the sums hitherto assigned Avould enable
the commissioners to proceed, have already
been made, and the remainder will be continued
as fast as further funds become applicable.
These improvements are intended to be as fol-
Ioavs : an elevated terrace, extending from the
suburbs on the south-west side of the city, along
the river as far as the Quebec suburbs; which,
independent of its utility as a road, will be suf
ficiently high to form an effectual barrier against
the floating ice at the breaking up of the frost;
it will also impede the communication of fire to
the town, should it take place among the large
quantities of timber and. wood, of every descrip-

155
tion that are always collected on the beach.
The little river St. Pierre is to be embanked on
both sides as far as the neAV college, forming
a canal 20 feet Avide, Avhich is to be continued
along the south-west and north-west sides to the
Quebec -suburbs, Avith bridges over it at the
openings of the principal streets and other con
venient places ; at the angles ornamental cir
cular basins are to be formed, and a lock near
the mouth of the little river, by which the water
may be draAvn off for the purpose of cleansing
it; this Avork Avill be so constructed as to raise
boats, &c. from the St. Laurence, from Avhence
they may proceed to the further extremity of
the canal. The buildings on each side are to
be retired thirty feet from the Avater, thereby
forming a street eighty feet Avide, having the
canal in the centre. To the northAvard of Notre
Dame-street there is to be another parallel to
it, sixty feet Avide, called St. James's-street,
running the Avhole length of the city, and ter
minated at the Quebec suburbs by one of the
same breadth, leading to the St. Laurence : be
tween St. James's-street and the canal, parallel
thereto and running in the same direction, will
be a street of 24 feet Avide. Where the Quebec
gate now stands Avill be formed a square 174 feet
by 208, extending towards the suburbs. The
Place d'Armes is to have its dimensions enlarged

156
to 392 feet by 344, which will protract it to the
canal ; from the south-west side of the canal,
towards the St. Antoine suburbs, another square
or rather parallelogram will be made, 468 feet
by 180. The Champ deMars, from being very
circumscribed, and quite inadequate as a place
of military exercise, will be made level, and
carried on nearly to the canal, to form a space
227 yards by 114; this has been nearly com
pleted, 'and it is hoav an excellent parade as
well as an agreeable promenade for the inha
bitants : seats are fixed for the accommodation
of the public, and trees planted in various parts
of it. From this spot there is a fine view of the
Avell cultivated grounds, beautiful orchards, and
country houses towards the mountains. Ad
joining the new college a lot of ground, 156 feet
by 258, is reserved as the site of a new house
of correction. The new market-place, occupy
ing the ground where formerly stood the college,
founded by SieurCharron in 1719, and destroyed
by fire a few years back, has been finished ac
cording to the proposed plan ; it is 36 yards
wide, and reaches from Notre Dame-street to
St. Paul-street; in the middle of it are ranges
of stalls for butchers, covered in by a roof sup
ported on wooden pillars: great care is taken
to enforce the regulations to ensure cleanliness
in this part. The two principal market-days

157
in each week are well supplied with every ne
cessary, and nearly every luxury for the table,
in great abundance, at prices extremely mo
derate. The produce of the upper part of this
fertile district is almost wholly brought hither
for sale, besides a great quantity from the Ame
rican states, particularly during the Avinter sea
son, when fish frequently comes from Boston
and the adjacent parts. The Avhole of the plan
sanctioned by the act of parliament has been
arranged and acted upon by commissioners ap
pointed under it, who have for many years been
indefatigable in their exertions to carry its pro
visions into effect: as their functions have been
arduous and frequently unpleasing, from the
numerous law-suits they have found it necessary
to institute and defend in cases of disputed
claims, they are entitled to the esteem of their
fellow citizens for the manner in which they
have always performed these duties to the
public gratuitously. The harbour of Montreal
is not very large, but always secure for shipping
during the time the navigation of the river is
open. Vessels drawing fifteen feet water can
lie close to the shore, near the Market-gate, to
receive or discharge their cargoes ; the general
depth of water is from three to four and a half
fathoms, with very good anchorage every Avhere
between the Market-gate Island and the shore:

158
in the spring this island is nearly submerged by
the rising of the river; but still it is always use
ful in protecting ships anchored within it from
the violent currents of that period, and at other
times ,serves as a convenient spot for repairing
boats, water-casks, and performing other indis
pensable works. Two small shoals lying off the
Avest end of it, at the entrance of the harbour,
and the narrowness of the deep water channel
below it, generally make it necessary to Avarp
out large ships, and drop them down the stream
by kedge-anchors until they come abreast of
the new market-place, as the leading Avinds for
bringing them out cannot always be depended
upon : at the east end of the island is a channel
of Avhich small craft can always avail themselves.
The greatest disadvantage to this harbour is the
rapid of St. Mary, about a mile below it, Avhose
current is so powerful, that, Avithout a strong
north-easterly wind, ships Cannot stem it, and
are sometimes detained even for weeks about
two miles only from the place Avhere they are
to deliver their freight. In pursuing the grand
scale of improvements it may probably be found
practicable to remedy this evil by the forma
tion of another short canal, or extension of
the one already designed to the foot of the
rapid; ships might then discharge their cargoes
at their anchorage beloAV the current into river

159
craft, which could be by such a communica
tion conveyed immediately to the city. The
environs of Montreal exhibit as rich, as fertile,
and as finely diversified a country as can well
be imagined. At the distance of a mile and a
half from the town, in a direction from south
west to north-east, is a very picturesque height,
whose most elevated point at the furthest ex
tremity is about 550 feet above the level of the
river ; it gains a moderate height at first by a
gradual ascent, which lowers again towards the
middle, from thence it assumes a broken and
uneven form until it is terminated by a sudden
elevation in shape of a cone. The slopes on
the lower part are well cultivated, but the
upper part is covered with Avood ; from several
springs that rise toAvards its top the town is
plentifully and conveniently supplied with
water, which is conveyed to it under ground
by means of wooden pipes. The summit, to
which there is a good road of very easy as
cent, commands a grand and most magnificent
prospect, including every variety that can em
bellish a landscape; the noble river St. Lau
rence, moving in all its majesty, is seen in many
of the Avindings to an immense distance ; on the
south side the view is bounded by the long
range of mountains in the state of New York,
that is gradually lost in the aerial perspective.

160
The space near the town, and all round the
lower part of the mountain, is chiefly occupied
by orchards and garden-grounds; the latter pro
ducing vegetables of every description, and ex
cellent in quality, affording a profuse supply
for the consumption of the city. All the usual
garden fruits, as gooseberries, currants, straw
berries, raspberries, peaches, apricots, and
plums are produced in plenty, and it may be
asserted truly, in as much, or even greater per
fection than in many southern climates. The
orchards afford apples not surpassed in any
country ; among them the pomme de neige is re
markable for its delicate Avhiteness and exqui
site flavour; the sorts called by the inhabitants
the fameuse, pomme gris, bourrassa, and some
others, are excellent for the table; the kinds
proper for cyder are in such abundance that
large quantities of it are annually made, which
cannot be excelled in goodness any where. On
the skirts of the mountain there are many good
country-houses belonging to the inhabitants of
the city, delightfully situated, and possessing all
the requisites of desirable residences. By the
side of the road that passes over the mountain is
a stone building, surrounded by a wall that was
formerly distinguished by the appellation of the
Chateau des Seigneurs de Montreal, but now
generally called La Maison desPretres, from its

161
belonging to the seminary: there are extensive
gardens, orchards, and a farm attached to it,
Avhich are retained for the use of the proprietors ;
it is also a place of recreation, where, during
the summer time, all the members of the esta
blishment, superiors and pupils, resort once a
Aveek. About a quarter of a mile below this
stands the handsome residence and farm of the
Hon. Wm. M'Gillivray, member of council. A
little more than a quarter of a mile to the north-
Avard, most conspicuously situated beneath the
abrupt part of the mountain, is a mansion erect
ed by the late Simon M'Tavish, Esq. in a style
of much elegance: this gentleman had projected
great improvements in the neighbourhood of
this agreeable and favourite spot ; had he lived
to superintend the completion of them, the
place would have been made an ornament to the
island. Mr. M'Tavish, during his lifetime, Avas
highly respected by all Avho enjoyed the pleasure
of his acquaintance, and as much lamented by
them at his decease ; his remains were deposited
in a tomb placed at a short distance from the
house, surrounded by a shrubbery : on a rocky
eminence above it his friends have erected a
monumental pillar, as a tribute to his worth and
a memento of their regret. Both the house and
the pillar are very prominent objects, that dis
close themselves in almost every direction. M

162
r Often established ferries from the island, in
different directions, the longest is that from the
toAvn to La Prairie de la Magdelaine, a distance
of six miles ; it is also the most frequented, as
the passengers are landed on the southern shore,
at the main road, leading to Fort St. John's, and
into the American States : from the town to
Longeuil is the King's Ferry, three miles across,
and also much frequented, as many roads branch
off in all directions from the village of Longeuil,
at which the boats arrive ; that from the Avest
end of the island to Vaudreuil is three miles
across, in the direct line of communication be
tween Upper and LoAver Canada: from the
eastern Bout de l'lsle to Repentigny, where the
road between Montreal and Quebec crosses, the
ferry is about 1300 yards only. The others
are of much less distance : at all of them con
venient bateaux, canoes, and scows are always
ready to convey passengers, horses, carriages,
&c. from one side to the other. From Repen
tigny to Isle Bourdon, in the Riviere des Prairies,
and from thence to the island of Montreal, a
handsome wooden bridge was constructed, at a
very great expense, by Mr. Porteous of Terre
bonne, authorised by an act that passed the
provincial parliament in 1808 ; but it was un
fortunately destroyed the spring after it Avas
finished, by the pressure of the ice at the break-

163
ing up of the frost. The same gentleman had
previously obtained an act in 1805, but in the
spring of 1807 the Avorks were carried away
before his undertaking was entirely completed.
NotAvithstanding these failures, it is considered
that some plan ma}r yet be devised to erect one,
Avhose span may be sufficiently high to allow
the masses of ice to drift down the stream with
out being so lodged as to accumulate an over
bearing force. In this situation such a Avork
would be of great public utility, from connect
ing the most frequented main road of the pro
vince. The Isles Bourdon, just mentioned,
Avere granted, the 3d November, 1672, to Sieur
Repentigny, and are now the property of Mr.
Porteous. At the confluence of Riviere des
Prairies and the St. Laurence is a cluster of
small islands, whose names are Isle St.Therese,
Isle a 1' Aigle, Isle au Cerf, Isle au Canard, Isle
au Bois Blanc, Isle aux Asperges, and Isle au
Ver. The first is the largest, being tAvo miles and
a half long and one broad, with a good soil, that is
entirely cultivated ; the number of houses upon
it may amount to 20 ; there is a road that goes
quite round it, besides others to the interior,
which are kept in very good repair : it is the
property of Mr. Ainse. Captain Cartwright is
proprietor of Isle & FAigle, a very picturesque
and pretty spot ; mostly good meadow land r
m2

164
the OAvner resides in the only house upon it,
which is charmingly situated. The others are
of little extent, but furnish excellent pasturage
and some good meadow land ; they belong to
two persons, whose names are Dubreuil and
Montreuil, who are also proprietors of the
ferries, on each side of the Riviere des Prairies.
The Isle St. Paul lies a short distance from that
of Montreal, and a little above the town, it is
about three miles in circumference, and was
granted to the Sieur Le Ber, April 23d, 1700 ;
it now belongs to one of the communities of
nuns at Montreal.
Isle Jesus (the seigniory of) is in the county
of Effingham, comprehending the whole of the
island, in length twenty-one miles, and six at
its greatest breadth, lying north-west of that of
Montreal, from Avhich it is separated by the
Riviere des Prairies, and from the main land by
the Riviere St. Jean or Jesus. It was granted,
with the Isles aux Vaches adjacent thereto, the
23d October, 1699, to the bishop and ecclesias
tics of the seminary of Quebec, by whom it is
still possessed. The original name was LTsle
de Montmagny ; but soon after its grant the
proprietors thought proper to bestow on it the
appellative it now bears. The land is every
where level, rich, and well cultivated: on the
south-east side, bordering the river, there are

165
some excellent pasturages, and very fine mea
dows; the other parts produce grain, vegetables,
and fruits in great perfection and abundance.
From almost every corner of it being turned to
agricultural uses, there is very little wood re
maining, except what is left for ornament on
the different farms. There is one road that
goes entirely round the island, and one that
runs through the middle lengtlnvays ; these are
connected by others, that open an easy com
munication between every part of it. There are
two parishes, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Rose ;
the houses, mostly built of stone, are dispersed
by the sides of the roads; now and then a few
of them are placed close together, but no where
in sufficient numbers to be called a village.
Around the island are several corn and saw
mills on the two large rivers ; in the interior
there is no stream of sufficient force to work
either. About midway of the Riviere des
Prairies is the strong rapid called the Sault au
Recollet. The rafts of timber that are brought
down the Ottawa from the upper townships
descend this river into the Saint Laurence at
the Bout de L'Isle. The communication be
tween Isle Jesus and the islands of Montreal
and Bizare and the main land is kept up by
several ferries in convenient situations for main*-
taining a continual and sure intercourse. The

166".
Isle Bizare is separated from the south-west
end of Isle Jesus by the Riviere des Prairies;
it is nearly of an oval form, rather more than
four miles long by two broad. No records re
lative to this property have been preserved in the
secretariat of the province ; but Avhen the pre
sent owner, Pierre Foretier, Esq. did fealty and
homage, on the 3d February, 1781, he exhibited
proof of its having been granted on the 24th
and 25th of October, 1678, to the Sieur Bizare.
It is a spot of great fertility, wholly cleared and
cultivated. A good road passes all round it,
near to the river, and another crosses it about
the middle ; by the sides of these the houses of
the inhabitants are pretty numerous, but there
is neither village, church, nor mill upon it.
Isle Perrot (the seigniory of) lies off the
south-Avest end of the island of Montreal, com
prising the island after Avhich it is named, and
the Isles de la Paix, that lie in front of the
seigniories of Chateauguay and Beauharnois; it
was granted to Sieur Perrot, October 29, 1672,
and is now lue property of Amable Dezery,
Esq. The length of the island is seven miles
or a little more, and nearly three in breadth at
its Avidest part : of 143 concessions, rather more
than one half are settled upon, and tolerably
Avell cultivated; the soil is of a light sandy
nature generally, but Avhere this is not the case

167
it is an uneven surface of rock. The wood is
not entirely cleared from it yet ; of what re
mains, beech and maple constitute the chief
part. The houses of the inhabitants are scat
tered over the island near the different roads,
but no village upon it; there is one church,
and only one wind-mill. Of two fiefs Avithin
the seigniory one is called Fief Brucy, ten acres
in front by thirty in depth, the property of the
representatives of Ignace Chenier; the other,
named La Framboise, is of an irregular figure,
containing 180 acres superficial measure, and
belongs to Francois Freinch. There are four
ferries from Isle Perrot : the first to St. Anne, on
the island of Montreal, for Avhich the charge is
tAvo shillings; one to the main land, above the
rapid of Vaudreuil, and another to the foot of
the same, one shilling and eight-pence each;
and the fourth to the canal at Pointe des Cas
cades, for which the demand is three shillings
and four-pence each person. The Isles de la
Paix serve for pasturage only.
Longeuil (the seigniory of) lies on the
south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county
of Kent; bounded by La Prairie de la Magde
laine on the south-west; Fief Tremblay and
Montarville on the north-east; and by the
barony of Longeuil and seigniory of Chambly
in the rear : it is two leagues in breadth by

168
three deep ; granted, 3d November, 1672, to
Sieur Le Moine de Longeuil, and now the pro
perty of Madame Grant, Baroness of Longeuil.
This tract from front to rear is quite level, the
soil generally a fine black mould, very congenial
to the growth of grain and most other species
of agricultural produce ; towards the middle is
a swampy patch, called La Grande Savanne,
and a little distance from the front is another,
called La Petite Savanne; but a good system
of drainage has proved so beneficial, that they
are both nearly converted into good fertile land.
Almost the Avhole of the seigniory is conceded,
and full two-thirds of it in a good state of cul
tivation ; it is more sparingly watered than per
haps any other lying on the banks of the Saint
Laurence, as the little rivulet of St. Antoine,
near its front, and another equally insignificant
that crosses the lower corner into the Montreal
river, are the only streams Avithin its limits.
Many good roads cross it nearly in all direc
tions; but the most public ones are that lead
ing from the village or church of Longeuil to
Fort Chambly and Fort St. Johu's, the middle
road of Cote Noir to Longeuil ferry, and the
upper road from La Prairie to the same place.
The village, near the rivulet St. Antoine, con
tains only fifteen houses that surround the old
church, now in ruins ; hard by it is the parson-

169
age-house, and at a short distance a wind-mill,
recently converted into a magazine for gun
powder and ordnance stores. Near this village
Avas the ancient fort of Longeuil, one of the
many formerly raised as barriers against the
Iroquois nation ; but its site is now covered by
a very handsome well built church, which stands
on the west side of the road to Chambly. The
situation of this little place and its vicinity is so
pleasant, that many persons of the first respecta
bility reside hereabout; it was long the favourite
retreat of the late Catholic Bishop of Quebec,
M. Deneaux, who Avhen raised to that dignity
would not forsake the spot he so much admired.
The Isle St. Helene, lying nearly in front of
Montreal, Isle Ronde, several small ones close
to it, and Isle au Heron, are appendages to
Longeuil. St. Helene being rather high, com
mands a view of the city in its most favourable
point; it is reserved as a domain, very fertile,
exceedingly Avell cultivated, and embellished by
some very fine timber. The Baroness Longeuil
resides on the south side of it, in a handsome
house, surrounded by good gardens and orna
mental grounds ; on the opposite side are the
extensive mills called Grant's mills, belonging
to the same family, besides whom there are no
other inhabitants on this beautiful little spot.
Chambly (the seigniory of), on the river
Richelieu, is in the counties of Kent and Bed-

170
ford, bounded on the north-west by the seig
niories of Longeuil and Montarville; on the
south-east by Monnoir; on the north-east by
Rouville and Belcel ; and on the south-west
by the barony of Longeuil : it is three leagues
in length by one in depth on each side of the
Richelieu, and Avas granted 29th October, 1 672,
to M. de Chambly. This valuable property
is at present divided into several portions,
held by General Christie Burton, Colonel de
Rouville, Sir John Johnson, Mr. Jacobs, and
Mr. Yule. Throughout the grant the land lies
nearly level, of a quality, generally speaking,
not excelled by any in the district, and is nearly
all under cultivation, in a very favourable style
of husbandry. The Richelieu, or River Chambly,
that is navigable the whole of its length, con
tributes, by passing through the middle of the
seigniory, many advantages to the local good
qualities of the property. Within its boundary
also is the beautiful expansion of the river called
the Bason of Chambly, nearly circular in form,
and about two miles in diameter, embellished
by several little islands, covered with fine ver
dure and natural wood, as ornamentally dis
posed as i f regu 1 ated by the power of art. Three
of these lie at the mouth of the river Montreal ;
some smaller ones, called the Islets St. Jean*
are spread in a very picturesque way, at the
descent of the rapid of Chambly into the basin;

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171
the dark-hued foliage of the wood, that nearly
covers them, forms a pleasing contrast to the
brilliant whiteness of the broken current. On
the western side of the basin is Fort Chambly,
which, when seen from a distance, has some
resemblance to an ancient castle : it Avas built
(of stone) by Monsr. de Chambly, some years
previous to the conquest of Canada by the En
glish, and is the only one of the kind Avithin the
province ; its form is nearly square, containing
several buildings and all the requisite means of
modern defence, Avhich have been recently put
into substantial repair ; the approaches to it are
not protected by any ouf-AVorks, nor is there a
ditch round it. Before the late hostilities with
America only a small detachment of about
two companies formed the garrison, but when
the war began, the advantageous position and
proximity to the enemy's frontier pointed it out
as a strong point d'appui, where troops might be
assembled, and for forming an extensive depdt:
during theseason for operations, in the yearsl812,
1813, and 1814, there was always a consider
able force encamped on the plain near it, which
in the last mentioned year exceeded 6000 men;
during this period also additional storehouses
and other buildings Avere erected on the ground
that has always been reserved by government
for such purposes.. The village of Chambly is

172
on the west side of the Richelieu, and not far
from the fort: it contains 90 or 100 houses,
chiefly built of wood, forming one principal
street. At the south end of the village are some
large and valuable mills belonging to General
Christie Burton ; they are situated close to the
rapid of Chambly, thereby securing the ad
vantage of being able to Avork at all seasons of
the year : near the mills stands a good manor
house, belonging to the same gentleman. This
place is a great thoroughfare, as the main road
from Montreal to the American States passes
through it, which, with the continual resort to
the mills, occasions a good deal of activity
among the traders and mechanics, and con
tributes very much to its cheerfulness as a place
of residence; among the inhabitants are reckon
ed many of the most respectable families of the
district, invited hither by its agreeable situation.
The landscape of the surrounding country is
rich and well diversified, affording several very
beautiful points of view ; and there are many
spots from whence they may^ be seen to great
advantage. The fort, the mills, and the church
of St. Joseph, houses dispersed among Avell
cultivated fields, all the varieties of woodland
scenery, both near and remote, the distant
church on Point Olivier, Avith the more distant
mountain of Chambly or Rouville, added to the

173
continued change of objects on the basin and
river, where vessels under sail, bateaux, and
canoes are constantly passing up and down,
and the singular appearance of unwieldy rafts
descending the rapid with incredible velocity
Avill amply gratify the spectator's admiration.
The barony of Longeuil, in the counties of
Huntingdon and Kent, is between the seig
niories of La Prairie de la Magdelaine and
Chambly, bounded in the rear by the seigniory
of Longeuil, and in front by the Richelieu, ex
tending three leagues in length by a depth of
one league on each side of the river, Avas granted
on the 8th July, 1710, to the Baron de Lon
geuil, and is noAV the property of Madame Grant,
Baroness of Longeuil. This is a very level and
exceeding fertile tract of land, well settled and
cultivated, traversed by the great southern road
and several others ; Avatered by the Richelieu,
and conveniently situated for water carriage.
It contains the parishes of St. Luke and Blair-
findie, the town of Dorchester and Fort St.
John. Dorchester scarcely merits the name of
a town, containing at most not above eighty
houses, many of which are used as stores ; but
Avill probably in a few years rise to some im
portance, from being so favourably situated as
to become an entrepot for merchandise in its
transit, either by land or Avater, between the

174
two countries both in summer and winter: dur
ing the latter season a very brisk intercourse
takes place by means of sleighs travelling upon
the frozen surface of the lakes and rivers. Be
fore the war the timber trade was carried on
here to a great extent; and most probably
with the return of peace will resume its former
activity. A large proportion of the inhabitants
resident here are American emigrants, who have
sworn allegiance to the British government ;
some of them keep the best inns of the place,
and are proprietors of the stage coaches that
travel regularly from hence to La Prairie on
one side, and to the states of Vermont and
New York on the other. Fort St. John, on the
west bank of the Richelieu, is of an irregular
figure, and is an old frontier post; but little
can be said in favour of its construction, or of
the defences that surround it, as they are merely
field works strengthened bypallisades and picket-*
ings ; within the fort are about twenty houses,
including public storehouses, magazines, &c.
Being so near the frontier, it is a post of much
importance; latterly a strong force has been
kept at it, and the works placed in a very ef
fective state of defence. The officer who com
mands here is charged with the superintendance
of the more advanced posts on this line, from
whence he receives all military reports, and

175
transmits them to the general officer command
ing the district. The British naval force em
ployed on Lake Champlain has its principal
station and arsenal here, Avhere vessels mount
ing from 20 to 32 guns have been built, by
which our superiority on the lake was main
tained until the unfortunate conflict before
Plattsburgh, in 1814, that terminated in the
destruction of the flotilla : this event, although
disastrous, Avas not dishonourable to the national
flag ; and had the Avar continued, increased
efforts, with the means that had been prepared,
would doubtless soon have regained the accus
tomed ascendency.
De Lery (the seigniory of) is in the county
of Huntingdon, bounded by the barony of Lon
geuil on the north-east, by the township of
Sherrington and the seigniory of La Prairie de
la Magdelaine on the west and north-west, by
the seigniory of La Colle on the south, and by
the river Richelieu on the east : it is two leagues
in front by three in depth ; granted 6th April,
1733, to Chaussegros de Lery, and now the
property of General Burton. The whole of this
tract is low, having in many parts cedar swamps
and marshes that spread over a large space :
Avhere the land is dry, a good black soil generally
prevails, that when cultivated proves very fer
tile; but the proportion yet settled upon is riot

176
near so great as in the adjoining grants ; a large
part still remains in its natural state of wood
land. The river Montreal runs through, and
the Bleuri and Jackson Creek have their sources
in it. A small lake near the middle frequently
overflows the surrounding low lands, and makes
a marsh to a considerable distance round it;
but neither the marshes nor sAvainps are so deep
but what the operation of draining, judiciously
performed, Avould in a short time render the
land fit for the plough, or convert into excellent
pastures : however, while there remains so much
of a good quality to be granted, that compara
tively requires so little trouble to clear and im
prove, it is most probable that these tracts will
long continue in their present condition. The
best settled parts are about L'Acadie, and by
the road leading to the state of NeAv York,
Avhich, Avith a few other dispersed settlements,
may amount to about one third of the Avhole seig
niory. The road that passes through the woods
of L'Acadie, being the military one to the
frontiers, and the line of march for troops mov
ing in that direction, has lately been benefited
by some substantial repairs, and in many parts
causewayed for the passage of artillery and
heavy baggage. Near the boundary of La Colle
is a small place called Burtonville, composed of
a few houses, distributed without regularity on

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^

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177
each side of the main road. In the Richelieu^
near where the Bleuri falls into it, is Isle aux
Noix, formerly the property of the late General
Christie, but now belonging to the Crown ; it is
a flat, but a little above the level of the river,
containing altogether only eightyifive acres, ly
ing ten miles and a half from the boundary-line,
in an excellent situation to intercept the Avhole
communication by water from Lake Cham plain;
consequently a most important military station,
that has been fortified with all the care its com-1
manding position deserves. At the Avest end
of it the principal Avork is an irregular fort, very
well constructed, and of great strength, sur->
rounded by a ditch, and mounted with guns of
large calibre ; in advance of this, at a short
distance, are two other forts of less extent, but
proportionately strong, Avith ditches round them
also; besides these there are several block-houses
at the different points that could be deemed
assailable by an enterprising enemy. In 1814
the island was further strengthened by a boom
extended across the river, and a line of gun
boats moored in a direction that their fire might
completely enfilade the whole passage; by these
means it Avas always safe from attack, even if
the enemy should have an unopposed force on
the lake. At the east end of the fort is a slip for
N

178
building ships, and from thence the Confiance
of 32 guns Avas launched.
Beaujeu, or La Colle (the seigniory of),
on the west side of the river Richelieu, in the
county of Huntingdon, bounded by De Lery
on the north, the state of Vermont on the south,
and the township of Hemmingford in the rear;
extends two leagues along the river in front by
three deep: it was granted March 22, 1743, to
Daniel Lumard de Beaujeu, and is now the pro
perty of General Christie Burton. Towards the
front of the seigniory the land is rather low, Avith
some few swampy patches; yet, Avith these ex
ceptions, of a general good soil, very well timber
ed : in the rear it is much higher, and although
partially intersected by strata of rocks and veins
of stone, lying a little below the surface, the soil
is rich, and perhaps superior to that of the low
lands. On these upper grounds there is much
beech, maple, and elm timber ; the wet places
afford abundance of cedar, tammarack, spruce
fir, and hemlock. Although the greatest part of
this seigniory is very eligible for all the purposes
of cultivation, and would produce all sorts of
grain abundantly, besides being peculiarly well
suited to the growth of hemp and flax, there is
not more than one third of it settled. The river
La Colle, Avinding a very sinuous course from west

179
to east, intersects it and falls into the Richelieu;
but is not navigable even for canoes : at the
numerous rapids that mark the descent from
its source, there are many excellent situations
for mills. A number of houses, situated on
each side of the road that runs along the ridge
from the state of NeAV York, about two miles
and a half toAvards La Colle, have obtained the
name of Odell Town, from Captain Odell, who
was one of the first and most active settlers in
this part : he is an American by birth, and so
are the greatest part of the other inhabitants,
but they are now in allegiance to the English
government. The effect of the activity and
good husbandry that are natural to American
farmers is much to be admired in this small
but rising settlement : fields Avell tilled and
judiciously cropped, gardens planted Avith eco
nomy, and orchards in full bearing ; above all,
the good roads in almost every direction, but
particularly towards the town of Champlain,
attest their industry ; and it is likely, from its
vicinity to the thickly inhabited townships on
the American side of the boundary, the small
distance from Champlain, Plattsburgh, and
Burlington, the easy access to the Richelieu
for expeditious water carriage, and especially
from the persevering labour of its population,
that it will advance in agricultural improve-
N 2

180
ment, and become a Avealthy, flourishing, little
town. The river Richelieu, and the road by
Odell Town, being two principal points of en
trance into Lower Canada, made this place lately
the scene of military operations, and it conse
quently shared some of the usual disasters that
inevitably attend a state of warfare, from the
necessity of defending these passes against the
intrusion of an American army. In 1813 a log
breast-work was thrown up on the north side
of La Colle, sufficiently extensive to cover the
road and blockade the passage ; a short distance
in front, and on the left of the road, a redoubt
was constructed to flank the approach to this
defence ; to the left of the breast-work, and in
the rear of La Colle mills, was Sydney redoubt,
a strong Avork, defending the passage of the
river at that point ; in support of these po
sitions were different small encampments of
troops, nearly along the whole line of front.
The enemy at various times made several de
monstrations against this line, when trifling
skirmishes ensued; but the most worthy of
notice Avas the affair at La Colle mills, Avhich
took place on the 30th of March, 1813, and
terminated very brilliantly in favour of the
British arms. General Wilkinson had collected
at Burlington and Plattsburg what he calculated
Avas a sufficient force to ensure success to his

181
operations; he advanced by the road leading
through Odell Town to Burtonville, in the seig
niory of De Lery, as far as the road that turns
off to La Colle mills, where, leaving a body of
troops to mask his design, he hastily made a
flank movement towards the mills. The ap
proach of the enemy was somewhat impeded
by the advanced piquets, as they retired in
good order and fighting against his superior
numbers. The attack on the main road, being
intended as a feint, was not long persevered in,
and the principal one was directed against the
post at the mills, which Major Handcock, of
the 13th regiment, defended with no less skill
than bravery. His piquets, stationed about a
mile and a half in front, Avere driven in, and
the enemy shortly afterwards appearing in force,
was able to establish a battery of 1 2 pounders,
that Avas soon opened against the British posi
tion. Major Handcock, being advertised of the
near approach of two flank companies of the
13th to reinforce him, made a gallant dash
against the guns, but was unable to carry them,
as the surrounding woods were filled with in
fantry for their support ; and after a smart con
flict succeeded in withdrawing his party. An*»
other favourable opportunity occurring soon
afterwards, it Avas seized with eagerness by a
company of grenadiers of the Canadian Fenci*

182
bles, and another of Canadian Voltigeurs, who
had hung upon the enemy's left flank during
the whole of his movement, in order to afford
support to whatever point he might direct his
attack against ; but their bravery was unavail
ing from the same cause as before, yet they
were not impeded from reinforcing the post.
On the first report of the enemy's attempt, a
sloop and some gun-boats Avere promptly moved
up from Isle aux Noix to the mouth of La Colle
River, Avhich opening a destructive fire upon
the Americans, left them but little chance of
victory; they persevered, however, in their fruit
less efforts until night, Avhen they moved off their
guns and retreated by Odell Town to Cham
plain, after sustaining severe loss, but Avithout
the British force being able to molest them in
the retrograde movement. Near the mouth of
the river La Colle is Isle aux Tetes, or Ash
Island, on which there is a redoubt command
ing the whole breadth of the Richelieu. This
little spot and the flotilla moored between it
and La Colle, in July 1814, formed the ad
vanced naval position toAvards Lake Cham
plain, at which period the American flotilla Avas
stationed at Pointe au Fer and Isle a la Motte,
about ten miles distant.
Bleurie (the seigniory of), in the county
of Bedford, on the east side of the Richelieu, is

183
bounded on the north-east by the seigniories of
Chambly and Monnoir, on the south by the
seigniory of Sabrevois, and on the west by the
river: it was granted, November 30, 1750, to
Sieur Sabrevois de Bleurie, and is now the pro
perty of General Christie Burton : according to
the terms of the original grant it ought to be
three leagues in front by three in depth ; but
as the grants of the adjoining seigniories are of
a prior date, and as such an extent could not
be taken without infringement upon others, it
now forms a triangular space of much less su
perficial measurement. Although lying gene
rally low, with large swamps in many places,
there are some tracts of very good land, and
also some fine timber ; the spots that are cul
tivated lie chiefly upon the Richelieu, and bear
but a small proportion to the Avhole. A new
road, called the Bedford Turnpike, crossing it
diagonally to the river, opposite Fort St. John,
has been traced and measured in the field, and
is now proceeding upon. A joint company
has undertaken it, and obtained an act of the
provincial parliament for the purpose : when
completed it will greatly enhance the A7alue of
this and the other properties through which it
passes, by opening a shorter communication
with Montreal, and rendering the intercourse
with distant places much more easy.

184
Sabrevois (the seigniory of), in the county
of Bedford, on the east side of the Richelieu,
bounded on the north by Bleurie, on the east
by the townships of Stanbridge and Farnham,
on the south by the seigniory of Noyan, and
on the Avest by the river; it was granted, No
vember 1, 1750, to Sieur Sabrevois, two leagues
in front by three deep ; it is now the property
of General Christie Burton. Between this and
the preceding seigniory of Bleurie there is a
great resemblance in situation and quality of
the land ; the swamps are perhaps rather more
extensive in this one, but here and there some
patches of fertile good soil are met with, and
many of greater extent might be added by
draining, which could in several places be per
formed Avith but little labour or expense. At
present the quantity of land under cultivation is
rather insignificant. The Bedford Turnpike
Avill pass through this seigniory, and may pro
bably be the means of increasing the settle
ments in it.
Noyan (the seigniory of), in the county of
Bedford, joins Sabrevois on the north, the toAvn-
ship of Stanbridge on the east, the seigniory of
Foucault on the south, and the river Richelieu
on the Avest; it was granted, July 8, 1743, to
Sieur Chavoye de Noyan, and is now possessed
by General Christie Burton. The Isle am%

185
Tetes, or Ash Island, near the mouth of River
La Colle, is included in this grant. The same
lowness and swampy nature of the soil that
marks the two preceding seigniories charac
terises this one also ; but such parts of it as are
cultivated, or capable of being so, are of a rich
quality and very fertile : it abounds Avith fine
timber of many sorts, among which there is
found some pine of large dimensions. The
Riviere du Sud, that falls into the Richelieu a
little below Isle aux Noix, waters this seigniory
very conveniently, and is navigable for boats
and canoes about six miles. To it there is
a road from Missisqui Bay, by which pro
duce, after being brought from Phillipsburg by
the ferry, is conveyed in waggons to be em
barked and sent down the Richelieu to St. John's
and other places: both here and in the adjoin
ing seigniories, on the boundary, there is a field
for improvements of the greatest utility. Were
a canal to be cut to connect Missisqui Bay and
Riviere du Sud (which would not require more
than tAvo miles and a half or three miles), it
would be most eminently serviceable, not only
to the settlers of the neighbourhood, but like-
Avise to the new townships on the Canadian
frontier, containing a population that, in 1812,
exceeded seventeen thousand ; by such a canal
the intercourse with the Richelieu would be to*.

186
tally unobstructed, and it would besides mate
rially contribute toAvards drawing much of the
produce of the populous townships on the
American territory into the hands of British
traders, for the purposes of exportation by the
Saint Laurence, at all times either in Avar or
peace. This route to a certain market Avould
be shorter and much less expensive than to con
vey the growth of these districts to New York,
or other places, for exportation ; and whoever
is acquainted Avith the character of an American
farmer, Avill be convinced that he will always
continue so keen a speculator as to prefer that
market by Avhich he can most speedily convert
the produce of his fields into capital without
risk : prompted by an insatiable desire of gain,
any convenient mode of realising his profits
will obtain a much greater share of his atten
tion than the prohibitory laAvs that deprive him
of choosing the persons with Avhom he would
deal. The increasing value and importance of
the English townships and settlements on this
line will, in a few years, become apparent, and
is a subject at this period well entitled to a
serious consideration, as they will not only be
instrumental in enlarging the prosperity of the
province, but mainly contribute to its future
safety and protection. If the attention of go
vernment could be directed to this point, with

187
a determination to avail itself fairly and justly
of the ample means it affords for amelioration,
the most important advantage to LoAver Canada,
and consequently to the empire, would soon be
the result of its care ; but if left merely to the
strength of their own efforts, the period of ex
tensive improvement must of necessity become
much more remote.
There is however one subject on which the
British settlers in this district have a strong
claim to the interference of government in their
behalf, to rescue them from the vexatious de
lays and arbitrary impositions they have been
forced to submit to for years, from the custom
houses established on Lake Champlain by the
Americans. The navigation from Phillipsburg,
on the eastern side of Missisqui Bay, to St.
John's on the river Richelieu, by which nearly
all the produce of these townships is conveyed
to a market, for a considerable distance runs
Avithin the American waters; as vessels of all
descriptions must proceed several miles down
the lake before they can double the point of Al-
burg to get into the river. In doing this they are
brought to by the United States revenue boats,
and often detained, under very frivolous pre
tences or litigious objections, for a long period,
frequently to the injury of their cargoes, and
ahvays detrimental to the proprietors. Against

188
such proceedings all remonstrances with the
local authorities have been hitherto treated Avith
inattention or disrespect, and redress sought for
in vain ; it is therefore become necessary for
government, whose interest it is to watch over
the welfare of all its subjects, and protect the
most distant of them from injustice, to provide
against the continuation of such a practice;
otherwise, from the spirit of appropriation na
tural to the American government, long for
bearance will be construed by the opposite side
into a natural right.
Foucault (the seigniory of), in the county
of Bedford, is bounded on the north by the
seigniory of Noyan, on the south by the state
of Vermont, on the east by Missisqui Bay, and
on the Avest by the Richelieu ; it was granted,
May 1st, 1743, to Sieur Foucault ; two leagues in
front by two and a half in depth, and is now pos
sessed by General Burton. The line of bound
ary between LoAver Canada and the United
States runs through this seigniory, whereby
great part of it is placed within the state of
Vermont. The land hereabout is low, but far
superior in quality to the other low lands on
the east bank of the Richelieu, and may be
cultivated with the greatest success for grain or
all other produce; but this superiority, joined
to the benefit of having water communica-

189
tion at its east and Avest boundaries, has yet
attracted but few settlers, chiefly American
farmers, fixed in different parts of the seigniory :
however, as the neighbouring townships ad
vance in prosperity, the local advantages of
Foucault are likely to procure it an increase of
inhabitants. St. Arm and (the seigniory of), situated on
the east side of Missisqui Bay, in the county of
Bedford, is bounded on the north by the town
ships of Stanbridge and Dunham, on the south
by the state of Vermont, on the west by Missis
qui Bay, and on the east by the township of
Sutton ; was granted, September 28, 1748, to
Sieur Nicolas Rene Le Vasseur, and is now the
property of the Honourable Thomas Dunn.
According to the terms of the original grant,
this seigniory ought to have an extent of six
leagues in front by three in depth; but as the
boundary line of the United States intersects
it, there is not noAV more than one league and
a half of it in that direction within the British
territory. The greater part of the land is of a
superior quality, affording good situations and
choice of soil for every species of cultivation ;
the surface is irregular, and in some places,
particularly towards the toAvnship of Sutton,
there are ridges that rise a considerable height,
and many large SAvells that approach almost to

190
mountains, covered with beech, birch, maple
and pine timber. The shores of the bay, south
of the village, are rather high, with a gentle
slope down to the Avater's edge ; but they sub
side to the general level on advancing towards
the head of it. It is watered by several streams,
the largest of which is Pike River, that has its
source in the adjoining township of Dunham,
and, after winding a very irregular course through
the seigniory and the township of Stanbridge,
falls into Missisqui Bay. This property is well
located with respect to the means of improve
ment, as it adjoins the state of Vermont, which
is both a populous and flourishing district,
with good roads leading in every direction, be
sides the main road that runs through Phil-
lipsburg by Burlington and Vergennes, down
to Albany, and which is the most direct line of
communication with NeAV York; it cannot but
benefit by the advantages to be derived from
so easy an intercourse Avith a country that has
already made great progress in agricultural
knoAvledge. The first settlement made within
this seigniory was in the year 1785, by some
Dutch loyalists, whose industry was so well
applied that the increase has been so rapid as
to make it an estate of great value ; there are
187 lots of 200 acres each conceded, besides an
extent of nearly three miles in depth from Mis-

191
sisqui Bay, by the whole breadth, divided into
much smaller portions, and noAV extremely Avell
cultivated. The village of Phillipsburg is con
veniently situated on the edge of the bay, about
one mile from the province line; it is a hand
some place, containing about sixty houses, ex
ceedingly Avell' built of wood, many of them in
the peculiar style of neatness common to the
Dutch, and the others more in the fashion of
the American than the Canadian villages : some
regard has been paid to regularity in the forma
tion of the principal street, which has a lively
and agreeable appearance ; between this street
and the bay are many store-houses, with wharfs
for landing goods at a short distance from them.
At this place there are many of the inhabitants
employed in trade and mercantile pursuits, be
sides artizans, and perhaps more than a due
proportion of tavern-keepers. On the south
side of the road, leading from the village to the
eastern part of the seigniory, is a handsome
church (built of wood) dedicated to St. Paul,
and a good parsonage-house; there are also
two baptist meeting-houses, a public free school,
and several private schools ; from the wharfs
there is a ferry to the opposite side of the bay,
a distance of about four miles. The village of
Frelighsburg is on the south side of Pike River,

192
about twelve miles from Phillipsburg, consist
ing of only seventeen houses, a free school,
forge, trip-hammer, mills, and some out-build
ings; the church (Trinity) is a short distance
from the river, on the north bank. The popu
lation of St. Armand has Avithin a few years
greatly added to its numbers, being at present
2500 souls : emigration from the United States
has been one great occasion of this increase.
Among the persons so settled, it should be
noticed, that a great proportion of them have
not sworn allegiance to the British government,
a duty the magistracy of the district ought not
to dispense Avith from those Avho choose to do
miciliate so near the borders ; as in the event
of hostilities, and Avhich latterly was the case,
many of these people Avould remove the whole
of their property and stock to the American
territory. Lands are not granted by the crown
to any individual who has not previously SAvorn
allegiance, and the same precautions should be
taken with respect to strangers, particularly in
the frontier townships, Avho acquire lands by
purchase or otherwise. The different streams
Avork many grist and saw-mills, Avhich about
the villages are eight in number. The Pinnacle
Mountain, one of the large swells already spoken
of, covers a superficies of about 600 acres, and

193
rises in a conical shape to a considerable height;
it is seen at a great distance in the surrounding
country. Between Phillipsburg and the bound
ary line is a high ridge of land, on which Ge
neral Macombe encamped in March, 1813,
when he made an incursion into the province,
and held possession of the village for some
time ; he succeeded so far as to spread alarm
among the inhabitants, drive off some cattle,
and destroy the young orchards, before he re-**
ceived intelligence of a British detachment
advancing upon him : on that information be
ing communicated, his orders for a retrograde
movement were promptly given, and obeyed
with unanimous celerity by his troops.
Mon noir (the seigniory of), in the county
of Bedford, with its augmentation, extends
from the rear of the seigniory of Chambly to
the toAVnship of Farnham and the banks of the
river Yamaska ; bounded on the south-Avest by
the seigniory of Bleurie, and on the north-east
by those of St. Hyacinthe and Rouville : its
extent is two leagues in front by three in depth;
granted 25th March, 1708, to Sieur deRamzay:
the augmentation, equal in dimensions to the
seigniory, Avas granted June 12, 1739, to Sieur
Jean Baptiste Nicolas Roc de Ramsay: the
whole is now the property of Sir John Johnson,
Bart. Throughout this tract the land, though
o

194
various in its nature, is of a moderately good
quality, and where it is under management
raises very good crops of grain ; many of the
parts not yet broken up, Avould prove very
favourable to the growth of flax : the upper
division, adjoining Chambly, is nearly all cul
tivated, as Avell as an extensive range on the
left bank of the Yamaska, and on both banks
of a rivulet near the township of Farnham ; to
Avards the Avestern boundary it is somewhat low,
and rather inclining to swamp. The upper
part is Avatered by several streams that branch
off from the river Huron, and penetrate towards
the middle of the seigniory. The uncleared
land is pretty thick of Avood, mostly of the in
ferior sorts, though here and there some good
timber of large dimensions may be met Avith.
There are many roads, nearly in all directions,
some of them principal ones, taking a southerly
course towards the frontier tOAvnships, and into
the United States. Near the middle of the
seigniory there is a single hill, called Mount
Johnson, of no great circumference, but rising
high enough to be conspicuous for niany miles
round ; it is however not so remarkable as se
veral others of the same isolated nature in some
of the adjoining seigniories. This property
touching, or very nearly so, upon the rivers
Richelieu and Yamaska, that are both naviga-

195
ble all the summer season for boats and rafts,
offers many inducements to settlers in the ad
vantages of its situation, and possessing in other
respects great capabilities of being highly im
proved .
Montarville (the seigniory of) lies in the
county of Kent, between those of Boucherville
and Chambly, bounded on the north-east by the
seigniory of Beloeil and its augmentation, and
on the south-west by Fief Tremblay : it extends
one league and thirty French arpens in front,
by one league and a half in depth; was granted,
October 17, 1710, to Sieur Boucher, and is now
the property of ReneLabruere and X. Beaubien,
Esqrs. The land in this grant is of a good species,
producing grain and vegetables of all the sorts
common to the country, in great abundance ;
about two thirds of it is under a very favourable
system of husbandry. What wood remains is
chiefly of the inferior sort, used for fuel, with
but very little timber among it. Towards the
north-eastern angle of the seigniory is the Moun
tain of Boucherville, on whose summit are two
small lakes, from whence descends the only
rivulet that waters the property, which, in its
course down the declivity, turns two grist-mills;
the first of them agreeably and singularly enough
situated on the brow of the mountain. A road
leading from the St. Lawrence to the Richelieu
o 2

196
and several others in a transverse direction
traverse this seigniory,
Tremblay (fief) is on the south side of the
St. Laurence, in the county of Kent, between
the seigniories of Longeuil and Boucherville,
bounded in the rear by Montarville ; its front is
only twenty-eight French arpens ; its depth is t\vo
leagues ; granted 29th October, 1672, to Sieur
de Varennes, and now the property of Joseph
Dubai, Esq. and the heirs of Edward William
Gray, Esq. In this small tract the land is of
an excellent quality, fit for every branch of
husbandry, and nearly all under cultivation ; it
is but sparingly Avatered.
Boucherville (the seigniory of), on the
south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county
of Kent, having the fief Tremblay on the west,
the seigniory of Varennes on the east, and
bounded by Montarville in the rear; its dimen
sions are 114 French arpens (eighty-four of
which make a league) in front, by tAvo leagues
in depth ; was granted 3d November, 1672, to
Sieur Boucher, and now belongs to Madame
Boucherville. The quality of the land in this
grant, if it cannot be rated in the first class, is
yet far above mediocrity, being for the most
part a lightish mould, inclining something to
wards sandy, and with careful husbandry is
found by no means deficient in fertility; in

197
fact, nearly the whole of it is now under cul
tivation, and generally produces very good
average crops of all sorts. The wood remaining
upon it is inconsiderable in quantity, and only
of the inferior species. Two small rivulets that
fall into the St. Laurence partially water it to
wards the front, one of wrhich Avorks the seig
norial mill in its course; there is no stream
whatever in the lower part. There is a main
road leading from the village of Boucherville
down to the Richelieu, and from thence to
Chambly ; several other roads that are Avell kept
up, pass through all the settled parts of the
seigniory. The village is most agreeably and
conveniently seated on the bank of the river; it
contains from 90 to 100 houses, a church and
parsonage-house, a chapel and a convent, or
rather a residence for two or three of the sisters
of the congregation of Notre Dame at Mont
real, Avho are sent hither from the chief establish
ment as missionaries for the education of fe
males. There is likewise a school for boys.
In this place many families, who still retain
some of the titles of the ancient noblesse of the
country, have fixed their residence, and formed
a society to themselves, whereia much of the
ceremony and etiquette that used to charac
terise the titled circles of the French nation is
still observable, diminished indeed in splendour,

' 198
but unabated in precision. Many of these
residents have built some very good looking
houses for themselves, that are rendered rather
conspicuous by forming a strong contrast with
the major part of those belonging to the other
inhabitants, which in that respect are by no
means calculated to attract notice; for symmetry
and proportion seem to have been as much set
at defiance in their construction, as regularity
has been neglected in the streets. This omis
sion, however, detracts little or nothing from
the general amenity of situation.
The Isles Communes, or Isles Percees, a range
that extends along the front of nearly the whole
seigniory, are included in the grant ; the largest
is about three quarters of a mile in breadth ;
they are quite flat and very level ; some of them
afford good meadow land, and the others are
common pasturage for the cattle belonging to
the inhabitants of the village.
Varennes (fief), in the county of Surrey,
between the seigniories of Boucherville and Cap
St. Michel, or La Trinite, is bounded in the
rear by the augmentation to the seigniory of
Beloeil ; its content is twenty-eight French
arpens in front by one league in depth; was
granted 29th October, 1672, to Sieur de Va
rennes, and is at present the property of Paul
Lussier, Esq. The whole of this little fief is

199
good and fertile land, nearly all in cultivation,
and pleasantly Avatered by two or three little
streams. The church, belonging to this property,
surpasses in beauty all those of the surrounding
seigniories, and merits some notice for the style
both of its outward ornament and interior de
coration : in coming doAvn the river its three
spires form a conspicuous object, Avhich may be
seen from Montreal, a distance of five leagues:
a very good parsonage-house stands near it ;
there is also a neat chapel Avithin the fief. The
houses of the tenants are, many of them, Avell
built, and dispersed through every part of it ;
but no where in sufficient number to form a
village. Cap St. Michel, or La Trinite' (the
seigniory of), in the county of Surrey, joins
Varennes on the south-Avest, the fief Guillaudiere
on the north-east, and is bounded by the aug
mentation to Beloeil in the rear; one league in
front by a league and a half in depth; Avas
granted 3d November, 1672, to Monsieur de
St. Michel, and is now the property of Jacques
Le Moine Martigny, and Trapui Gautier,Esqrs.
A diversity of soil prevails through this seigniory,
the greater part of which is good, being either
a fine black or a greyish mould, that proves
fertile Avhere it is tolerably Avell managed ; the
quantity under culture amounts to two thirds

200
of the Avhole. The rivers St. Charles and Notre
Dame run across it, and are sufficiently deep
to be navigable for boats of burthen. The un
cleared lands, that scarcely exceed in extent
half a league square, afford hardly any other
wood than the spruce fir, a species of very
trifling value. On the rivers there are two
grist-mills and one saw-mill. A part of the
seigniory is divided into four small fiefs, that
are the property of Messrs. Delette, Beaubien,
Gautier and Mondelette, containing together
one-fourth of a league broad by half a league
deep. Two islands in the St. Laurence, lying
in front of this grant, are appendages to it;
each of them is nearly three quarters of a mile
long, and from eight to ten arpens broad ; cat
tle are sometimes pastured on them.
Guillaudiere (fief) is in the county of
Surrey, adjoining Cap St. Michel, and contains
thirty arpens in front by a league in depth ; Avas
granted 3d November, 1672, to Sieur de Grand*-
maison, and now belongs to  ¦— Hertel,
Esq. St. Blain (fief), betAveen Guillaudiere and
the seigniory of Vcrcheres, is twenty- three arpens
broad by two leagues deep; was granted 29th
October, 1672, to Sieur de Vercheres, now the
property of Madame de Boucherville. There
is a strong affinity betAveen the soils of these

201
two fiefs, which consist principally of a blackish
friable mould, that if moderately Avell managed
is very fruitful ; about three-fourths of each are
under tillage.
Vercheres (the seigniory of), on the south
side of the Saint Laurence, in the county of
Surrey, joins the fief St. Blain on the south
west, the fief Bellevue on the north-east, and is
bounded in the rear by Cournoyer ; it extends
one league in front by two deep ; Avas granted
October 29, 1672, to Sieur de Vercheres, and
now the property of Madame Boucherville.
The land is for the most part good, with several
varieties of soil ; the largest proportion of which
is under a creditable state of culture : it is
watered by a small river and two or three
rivulets, that turn a grist-mill, and some saw
mills. It has a neat church, a parsonage-house,
and a chapel, in the centre of a small village.
Bellevue (fief) lies between the seigniories
of Vercheres and Contrecoeur, bounded by
Cournoyer in the rear, and contains half a
league in front by a league in depth ; was
granted 3d November, 1672, to Sieur de Vitre,
and noAv belongs to - Chicoine, Esq. All
this slip is under good cultivation, but is not
Avatered by river or stream.
Contrecoeur (the seigniory of), on the
south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county

202
of Surrey, is bounded by the fief Bellevue
and Cournoyer on the south-Avest, the seigni
ory of St. Ours on the north-east, and the
seigniory of St. Denis in the rear ; is two
leagues in front by two in depth ; was granted
October 29th, 1672, to Sieur de Contrecoeur,
and is now the property of the heirs of Mon
sieur de Laperriere. The land in this seigniory
is rich and fertile ; in some feAV places it is flat
and Ioav, but is almost every Avhere in a favour
able state of cultivation, and produces good
crops of grain of excellent quality ; so much of
it is settled upon, that the tracts of Avoodland
remaining are insignificant in proportion to the
Avhole extent, and in these timber of large di
mensions is scarce. The Ruisseau La Prade,
that has its source about the middle of the seig
niory, and several smaller streams, contribute to
the fertility of the soil, and in their course Avork
some mills of both kinds. There are five ranges of
concessions of different depths, that are separated
by as many public roads, which are again in
tersected by others running from the Saint
Laurence, and also by the main road from St.
Denis and St. Antoine on the Richelieu, up to
the former, a distance of two leagues, from
whence there is a ferry to La Valtrie on the op
posite side; the fare is tAvo shillings for each
person, and seven shillings and sixpence for a

203
horse and carriage. In the second range of
concessions is the Brule St. Antoine, and in the
fourth Le Grand Brule: these places derive
their appellations from the method sometimes
adopted of clearing the lands by burning the
wood upon the ground where it is felled, after
such parts of it as are Avanted for immediate
use are removed ; or else by setting fire to the
trees and underwood Avhile standing: when once
fairly on fire, they will often continue to burn
for weeks before the flames are again subdued.
How far the conflagration has spread is shewn
by the blackened and scorched appearance of
the contiguous woods, and many of the half
consumed trunks and roots, that remain for
years in the ground ; being extirpated only as
the farmer's leisure offers convenient opportuni
ties. Accidental fires sometimes occur in the
forests, which, being spread by the wind, and
no means taken to extinguish them, occasion
brules to a great extent. There are two neat
churches and parsonage-houses in the seigniory,
but no village ; the houses however are numer
ous, distributed along the different roads in the
concessions, and towards the banks of the Saint
Laurence. The group of small islands in front,
called Les Islets de Contrecoeur, is an ap
pendage to the property.
St. Ours (the seigniory of) and its augmenta-

204
tion, lies on the south side of the St. Laurence;
a small part in the county of Surrey, and the
rest in Richelieu ; bounded on the south-west
by the seigniories of Contrecoeur, St. Denis and
St. Hyacinthe, on the north-east by those of
Sorel and Bourchemin, and in the rear by the
river Yamaska ; is two leagues in breadth by
rather more than seven in depth ; was granted
29th October, 1672, to Sieur de St. Ours, and
is noAV in possession of Charles de St. Ours,
Esq. The land in this extensive grant is every
where of a good quality, with varieties adapted
to almost every species of agriculture ; full nine-
tenths of the whole of it is in a state of cultiva
tion. There are ten ranges, containing altoge
ther 800 concessions; those situated along the
Saint Laurence and on both banks of the Riche
lieu are perhaps the richest parts of the soil,
and greatly superior, as to cultivation, to those
in the rear of the seigniory. Some timber of
the best kind and largest dimensions still re
mains, and also some of the inferior sorts. The
river Richelieu, that traverses the upper part
diagonally, is navigable from the St. Laurence
for craft of 150 tons burthen ; the Yamaska, at
the lower extremity of it, is also navigable, by
both of which it possesses the advantages of
expeditious water conveyance in an erninent
degree : in addition to these, it is watered by

205
three other rivers (not navigable) called La
Prade, La Plante, and Salvayle. On the right
bank of the Richelieu is the village of St. Ours,
of about sixty houses, many of them substan
tially and well constructed of stone ; in the
centre of it is a handsome church and parson
age-house, and at a little distance the manor-
house : besides traders and artizans, many per
sons of considerable property reside here, who
are corn-dealers, and make large purchases of
grain of all kinds, that is produced in abundance
throughout this and the adjoining seigniories,
which is put on board large river craft in the
Richelieu and Yamaska, and sent to Quebec
for exportation. Nearly in every direction there
are many public roads, kept in good repair,
particularly on both sides of the two large
rivers, and those leading from the Saint Lau
rence to the Yamaska. From the village there
is a ferry across the Richelieu, on the left bank
of which are two excellent grist-mills. The
Island Deschaillons, a short distance from the
village, is full a mile long and half a mile wide.
In front of the seigniory there is a group of
islands belonging to it; the largest of them is
called Isle Commune, and has some good pas
ture on it. Under the various considerations
of extent, situation, local advantages, the quan
tity of land in cultivation, the state of husbandry,

206
and the population, which amounts to 3000
souls, there are certainly but few possessions in
the province superior in value to this one.
Beloeil (the seigniory of), on the north
west side of the Richelieu, in the county of
Surrey, is bounded to the Avestward by the
seigniory of Chambly, to the eastward by that
of Cournoyer, to the southward by the river,
and to the northward by lands stretching to the
rear of the seigniory of Cap St. Michel and
the adjoining small fiefs, and which form an
augmentation to Beloeil ; its dimensions are
two leagues in front by one and a half deep;
the augmentation is nearly of the same super
ficies. The principal grant was made, January
18, 1694, to Sieur Joseph Hertel, and the ac
cessory one, March 24, 1731, to Sieur de Lon
geuil. The Baroness de Longeuil is now pro
prietor of both. The land of this tract is good,
resembling in its varieties that of Chambly, hav
ing some patches of as rich a soil as any in the
district of Montreal. On the border of the
river and the eastern side the settlements are
numerous ; about three-fourths of the whole
being in cultivation. The uncleared parts af
ford some beech, maple, and birch timber, but
more of spruce fir, cedar, and inferior sorts.
The north-eastern part is Avell watered by the
little river Beloeil, that Aoavs into the Richelieu,

207
and along Avhose banks is a range of excellent
concessions ; in its course it works a grist-mill
and a saAv-mill : some smaller streams traverse
the lower part, and likewise fall into the Riche
lieu. Various good roads lead through the
seigniory ; but the one that follows the course
of the river is the main public one. The houses
of the settlers, many of which are extremely
Avell built, are dispersed through the different
concessions ; here and there a few together, but
no village. The church and parsonage-house
are near the Richelieu.
Rouville (the seigniory of), on the river
Richelieu, opposite to Beloeil, is in the county
of Bedford ; bounded on the west by Chambly,
on the east by St. Charles, on the south by the
seigniory of St. Hyacinthe, and in front by the
river; two leagues in front by one and a half in
depth ; was granted January 18th, 1694, to
Jean Baptiste Hertel, Sieur de Rouville, and
now the property of J. B. M. H. de Rouville,
Esq. This tract contains land of so good a
quality that nearly the whole of it is in a very
advanced state of improvement, principally
under grain : the concessions are divided into
eight ranges, all running nearly parallel to the
river ; they are watered by several small streams
besides the Riviere des Hurons, Avhich is one of
considerable magnitude, that Avinds through the

208
loAver part, and, continuing the same serpentine
course, falls into the Basin of Chambly; it rises
in the seigniory of St. Charles, and runs about
twenty miles, not only contributing to the fer
tility of the soil, but by its sinuous meanders
forming a strong feature of embellishment. To
wards the middle of the seigniory, between the
second and third ranges, is the Mountain, fre
quently called Chambly and Beloeil ; but most
correctly Mount Rouville : at its base it spreads
over about600 acres, extending principally from
south-Avest to north-east, and rising to an eleva
tion little inferior to the mountain of Montreal ;
on the south side the acclivity is gentle, but in
the opposite direction it is very steep and abrupt.
On the summit of this mountain there is a
beautiful little lake of fine clear water, from
whence a rivulet Aoavs, in a pretty winding
stream, into the Riviere des Hurons, turning in
the upper part of its course a grist-mill. The
slopes of the mount are in many places broken
by woods that greatly increase its picturesque
beauty. The church of St. Jean Baptiste is
situated to the southward, and a little in the
rear of the height ; in its front, near the Riche
lieu, is the church and parish of St. Hilaire,
facing that of Beloeil in the opposite seigniory.
The roads leading along the bank of the Riche-
lieu and on both sides of the Riviere des Hu-

209
rons are good ; there are also two that take a
southerly direction, and open a direct commu
nication Avith the river Yamaska.
St. Charles (the seigniory of), on the south
side of the river Richelieu, in the county of
Richelieu, is bounded on the south-west by the
seigniory of Rouville, on the north-east by the
seigniory of St. Denis, on the south by the
seigniory of St. Hyacinthe, and on the front
by the river; containing a space two leagues
square : it Avas granted, March 1st, 1695, to
Sieur Hertel de la Fresniere, and at present be
longs to the Honourable P. D. Debartzch. The
generality of the land in this grant is not sur
passed by that of any one that surrounds it :
the soil most prevalent is a fine strong loam ; in
some places there is a rich vegetable mould
upon a stratum of clay, and in others a mixture
of clay and sand : an inconsiderable proportion
of it remains uncultivated. The mode of hus
bandry is very fair, and is most years reAvarded
with abundant harvests. ' The population of the
settled parts is somewhat above the numerical
ratio in proportion to their extent. The lower
part of the seigniory is watered by the Riviere
des Hurons, and the north-east or upper angle
of it is crossed by the little river Miot. The
houses, of the tenantry are scattered about the
concessions, but there is no village : the church,
p

210
dedicated to St. Charles, and the parsonage-
house, stand on the bank of the Richelieu, about
midway between the lateral boundaries; and
near the same spot is a handsome manor-house,
where the proprietor resides. At the Avestern
extremity of its front the Richelieu, by a sudden
turn, spreads to a breadth of more than half a
mile, in which expansion there are two small
islands, called Les Isle aux Cerfs, that form
part of the seignorial property.
Cournoyer (the seigniory of), on the river
Richelieu, in the county of Surrey, is bounded
on the north-Avest by Vercheres and Bellevue,
on the south-Avest by Beloeil, on the north-east
by Contrecoeur, and in the rear by the river;
two leagues in front by an equal depth; was
granted, March 1st, 1695, to Sieur de Cournoyer,
and now possessed by A. Bellefeuille, Esq.
The land in this seigniory is nearly similar to
that of Vercheres and Contrecoeur, and for the
most part of a good quality, producing, like
many of the adjacent properties, Avheat and
other grain in abundance : the best cultivated
part is on the bank of the river and towards
Contrecoeur : the quantity under management
is about two thirds of the whole. The uncleared
lands are chiefly at the north-west angle, and
afford wood of the inferior species only. It is
watered by the Richelieu, but has no stream in

211
its interior. An excellent road leads from the
village of Vercheres, close to the St. Laurence,
down the Richelieu, Avhere it joins the main
public road to Chambly, &c. The church of
St. Mark is on the bank of the river, but there
is no village.
St. Denis (the seigniory of), in the county
of Richelieu, is bounded in front by the seig
niory of Contrecoeur, on the north-east by that
of St. Ours, on the south-Avest by Vercheres,
and in the rear by St. Hyacinthe; it is two
leagues in breadth by as many in depth ; and
Avas granted, September 20th, 1694, to Louis
de Ganne, Sieur de Falaise.-.The property now
belongs to the heirs of  Montarville, Esq.
Nearly all the land Avithin these limits is of a
good sort and very fertile, being chiefly a light
earth covering a yellow loam : wheat and other
grain is found to thrive extremely Avell upon it,
and yield ample returns. Rather more than
tAVO-thirds of it are cleared and_ under tillage,
there being five ranges of concessions, making
together 300 lots, very few of Avhich are unoc
cupied. The river Richelieu runs across the
front, and the rear is Avatered by the little river,
or rather rivulet, called Le Miot. On the south
bank of the Richelieu is the village of St. Denis,
that numbers about eighty houses, and a very
p 2

212
fine church, the Avhole tolerably well built, in
an agreeable and pleasant situation, which when
seen from the opposite side of the river, where
some of the best houses, and the church, with
its three handsome spires, present a front view,
exhibit a favourable specimen of picturesque
beauty : betAveen the main street and the river
are some capacious store-houses, chiefly used
as granaries, and wherein large quantities of
corn are collected from the adjacent seigniories
for exportation ; as the lands for many leagues
about this part are considered the most produc
tive in grain of the whole district of Montreal.
In the river, nearly fronting the village, is the
Isle de Madere, and a smaller one : from this
place there is a ferry to the opposite seigniory
of Contrecoeur. It is remarkable that there are
neither saw nor grist-mills on either of thestreams;
Avind-mills supply the place of the latter. There
is a school for females, conducted by tAvo sisters
of the congregation of Notre-Dame, missionaries
from Montreal. In proportion to the super
ficies of this seigniory it is very well inhabited ;
the number of houses dispersed over it (includ
ing the village) exceeding 400. There is a fief
of twelve acres in front, called Cascarinette,
but it is now the property of the seignior. The
public roads in all directions are numerous ; the

213
principal ones are those by which the com
munication between the rivers St. Laurence
and Yamaska is kept up.
St. Hyacinthe (the seigniory of), in the
county of Richelieu, is bounded on the south-
Avestby the seigniory of Mon noir and the town
ship of Farnham, on the north-east by the seig
niories of St. Ours and de Ramzay, on the
north-west by those of Rouville, St. Charles, and
St. Denis, on the south-east by the toAvnships
of Milton and Granby ; six leagues in front by
six in depth, being three leagues on each side
of the river Yamaska ; was granted, November
23, 1748, to Sieur Francois de Rigaud, Seigneur
de Vaudreuil, and is noAV the property of Mon
sieur Desolles and the Honourable P. D. De-
bartzch, heirs of the late H. M. Delorme, Esq.
This capacious grant is in a situation that,
combined Avith its many other advantages, ren
ders it a most valuable and highly improvable
possession. So great an extent naturally em
braces many varieties of soil; but the best
species here predominate, and the proportion
anywise beloAv mediocrity is very trifling ; the
least improvable is towards the north and north
east side, where it is Ioav, and in some places
rather swampy; approaching the township of
Granby it rises higher, presenting a valuable
tract for every species of culture requiring a

214
rich dry soil. In many parts there are lands
admirably Avell adapted to the production of
hemp' and flax in large quantities; to the growth
of all the grains peculiar to the country no part
of the district is more congenial. The banks of
the Yamaska and the other streams afford plenty
of good meadoAV land; in fact, the different
classes of arable, meadoAV, and pasture may be
nearly all denominated of first rate superiority.
There is much fine beach, maple, and bass-
wood timber; cedar and spruce-fir are abundant
on the low wet lands ; oak and pine are found
in tolerable quantities, and of large scantling
towards the townships of Granby and Farnham.
The part of the seigniory lying on the north
west side of the Yamaska is nearly all employed
in agriculture; the opposite bank, and the parts
towards the south-eastern extremity, also pre
sent many wide ranges of cultivated grounds.
The Yamaska floAving along the middle of this
spacious property, and being navigable for large
boats and rafts, affords ample means of speedy
conveyance for the fruits of the field, and the
produce of the forests. A branch of the same
river diverging to the eastward into the new
townships, and Avhich receives several minor
streams, plentifully waters that division; while
the river Salvayle, that has its rise near the
boundary of St. Charles, Avith some of less note,

215
completely answer the purpose of irrigation for
the western part. The roads are Avell kept, and
pass in almost every direction ; those on each
side of the river are the main public ones, by
which the communication between Three Rivers,
Quebec, and the state of Vermont, is directly
maintained; and, in consequence of the import
ance of this route, every attention is paid by
the proper officers of the different districts to
preserve it in the best possible state of public
accommodation.- From these roads others of
no less general utility strike off into the new
townships, and thence in several ramifications
to the state of New Hampshire, &c; together
forming the means of intercourse invaluable to
this part of the province. There are several
parishes Avithin the seigniory, and although they
are tolerably well inhabited, there is only the
single village of St. Hyacinthe, which is most
conveniently situated on an angle, formed in
the north-east part by a large bend of the Ya
maska, containing from eighty to ninety houses,
for the most part built in a superior style, and
very respectably tenanted, a large handsome
church and good parsonage-house, and a col
lege, or rather public school. Being in the main
road, there is a continual influx of strangers
travelling to and from the frontiers, for whose
reception there are one or two inns, wherein the

216
accommodation is every way respectable; the
environs are most agreeably diversified by gar
dens and orchards in a flourishing state, mea
dows, pastures, and other farm inclosures. At
a short distance from the village are a grist
and a saw-mill. Near the boundary of the
seigniory of Rouville there is a single mountain,
similar to that of Beloeil, but inferior in eleva
tion and extent, adorned nearly to the summit
Avith Avoods, beautiful in their appearance on
the slopes, and containing some fine timber.
On the south-west side of the river is another,
called the Yamaska Mountain, almost of the
same form and magnitude, but having, among
the woods that spread over it, some excellent
fine timber.
Bourchemin (the seigniory of ), on the river
Yamaska, in the county of Richelieu, is bound
ed by the seigniories of St. Hyacinthe and St.
Ours on the south-Avest, St. Charles, Yamaska,
and de Ramzay on the north-east, and by Sorel
on the north-west; a league and a half in
breadth, by each side of the river; and three
leagues in depth; was granted, 22d June, 1695,
to Sieur Jacques Francois Bourchemin, and is
now the property of Mrs. Barrow.
Bourgmarie West (the seigniory of), ex
tending from the rear of the seigniory of Sorel
to the river Yamaska, joins Bourchemin on the

217
south-west; it is sixty arpens in front by a
league and a half in depth, and Avas granted,
August 1, 1708, to Marie Fezeret, and now the
property of Mrs. Barrow.
Louise de Ramzay is a small piece of land,
about a league- and a half superficial, of a trian
gular form, lying in the rear of the seigniory of
Sorel, between those of St. Ours, Bourchemin,
and Bonsecours ; granted, June 18, 1739, to
the Demoiselles Angelique, Louise, and Eliza
beth de Ramzay.
Bonsecours (the seigniory of), lies between
the seigniory of Sorel and the river Yamaska,
having the seigniory of Yamaska for its north
eastern boundary ; it is seventy-four French
arpens broad by two leagues deep ; granted,
April 16, I678, to Sieur Villeneuve, and now
possessed by Mrs. Barrow. The same kind of
land prevails generally throughout these four
several concessions, of which but a small part
can be deemed of superior quality. Bourche
min, Avhere the Yamaska runs through it, is the
best settled, but even there cultivation has not
made a very favourable progress ; in fact, much
the largest proportion of each grant still re
mains covered Avith its natural wood : among
it a little good timber may be found ; but the
inferior species are abundant enough.

218
De Ramzay (the seigniory of), in the county
of Richelieu, is bounded on the south-west by
St. Hyacinthe, on the east and north-east by
the township of Upton, and on the north-west
by St. Charles Yamaska and Bourchemin ;
three leagues in front by as many in depth;
Avas granted, 17th October, 1710, to Sieur de
Ramzay, and is now the property of the heirs
of P. Langan, Esq. Of this seigniory .very little
is cultivated, or even cleared. Judging of the
quality of the land from the timber growing
thereon, gives every reason to suppose that it
might be brought into use with very good pros
pects. Towards the north-east there are some
swamps, thickly covered Avith cedar and spruce
fir, the certain indication of such a soil ; but
the woods on the higher parts are of much better
kinds, and in some places shew the ground to
be of a strong and good quality. It is watered
by the river Chibouet, that has its source in the
recesses of the forests, and after an irregular
course falls into the Yamaska.
St. Charles Yamaska (the seigniory of),
on the eastern bank of the Yamaska, in the
county of Richelieu, is bounded on the north
by the seigniory of Bourgmarie East, on the
south by Bourchemin, on the east by de Ram
zay, and on the Avest by the river; it contains

21.9
a league and a half in superficies ; granted,
August 14, 1701, to Sieur Rene Fezeret, and is
now the property of Mrs. Barrow. The best
and only cultivated part of the land lies along
the bank of the river, but extends only a short
distance from it, producing grain in moderately
good crops. With the exceptions of this tract
the seigniory is nearly all wood-land, in some
places bearing the appearance of a soil that
Avould reimburse the expense and trouble of
bringing it into use, if persevered in with in
dustry and managed with a little skill.
Sorel (the seigniory of), on the south side
of the Saint Laurence, in the county of Riche
lieu and Surrey, is bounded on the south-Avest
by the seigniory of St. Ours, on the north-east
by the seigniory of Yamaska, and in the rear
by the little grants of Bourgmarie West and
Louise de Ramzay; two leagues and a half in
breadth by two in depth (one on each side of
the river Richelieu); Avas granted, 29th October,
1672, to Sorel, Sieur de Saurel; it was pur
chased, in 1781, from its then possessor, for the
use of government, by Sir Frederick Haldimand,
gOArernor and commander in chief. Part of this
seigniory is of a lightish, good soil, in some
places inclining to a mixture of sand and clay;
on the north-east it is low, where the Bay of
La Valliere or Yamaska cuts into it, occasion-

220
ing swamps and marshes of considerable ex
tent. Of the Avhole grant about two-thirds are
cultivated, and afford a tolerable proof that
Avhere a prober mode of husbandry is introduced
the land is rendered very productive. The low,
wet parts, particularly that called the Great
Swamp, lying between the Riviere Pot au
Beurre and the town of William Henry, now
covered with spruce fir and cedar-trees, might
by ditching and draining be converted into
good meadoAV and pasture, and some spots
made fit for the growth of hemp. The rising
grounds afford timber of the best sorts, in small
quantities, and also some situations where the
culture of flax could be introduced with good
prospects of success. The Riviere Pot au Beurre,
branching into three distinct streams that Aoav
into the Bay of La Valliere, waters the rear of
the seigniory; the Richelieu traverses the upper
part, and here discharges itself into the St.
Laurence ; on the banks of these streams there
are some of the concessions and farms in a
state of improvement much superior to the
other ranges. From the town of Sorel there
are roads in many directions, of which the two
main ones leading to Yamaska and along the
course of the Richelieu are the best, and of
most importance. The town of. Sorel, or Wil
liam Henry, is very well and pleasantly situated

221
at the confluence of the Richelieu, Sorel or
Chambly River (known by each appellation),
with the Saint Laurence, on the scite of a fort
built in the year 1665, by order of Mons. de
Tracy, similar to those erected in the neigh
bourhood of Montreal, &c. as a defence against
the incursions of the Indians, and which re
ceived its name from Sorel, a captain of en
gineers, Avho superintended its construction.
The plan of it covers about 120 acres of ground,
although at present the number of houses does
not much exceed 150, exclusive of stores, bar
racks, and government buildings. It is laid out
with regularity, the streets intersecting each
other at right angles, and having in the centre
a square 170 j-ards on each side; the dwell
ing-houses are of wood, substantially and well
constructed, but the Protestant and the Catholic
churches are both stone buildings: there are
eight principal streets, that, like the toAvn itself,
are named after different branches of the royal
family ; the whole population is about one
thousand five hundred. Before the town the
bank of the Richelieu is from ten to twelve feet
high, having near the point two small wharfs or
landing-places ; the river is here two hundred
and fifty yards broad, with from two ana a half
to five and a half fathoms of water. On the
opposite shore there are convenient places for

222
building vessels, and where some of large ton
nage have been constructed; but latterly this
branch of trade has not been so much attended
to here as it used to be, notwithstanding the
accommodations forcarrying it on Avould induce
a belief that great encouragement would be given
to it. A small distance from a little rivulet to
the southward of the place is a blockhouse and
an hospital, and a little further on a good
Avooden building, with out-houses, gardens, &c.
called the Government-house, serving as a
residence for the commanding officer of the
troops stationed here, usually one or two com
panies of infantry. On the south-east side of
the town there is a rising ground, Avhereon it
Avas once in contemplation to erect some
substantial military works, but hitherto slight
field works have been the only defences throAvn
up. Such a measure ought not to be entirely
neglected, for the position being one of im
portance to the safety of the province, suppos
ing it necessary to contend against a Avell di
rected invasion, and not naturally a strong one,
should receive such assistance from art as
would render it tenable for a long time to op
pose a considerable force, as it is a point
against which an enterprising enemy Avould en
deavour, for several reasons, to direct a main
attack. The present toAvn of Sorel was begun

223
about the year 1785, Avhen some loyalists and
disbanded soldiers settled at it, and it still conti
nues to be the residence of many old military
servants of the crown, who exist upon pensions
allowed them by government. Some trade is
carried on here, but not so much as might be
supposed its situation at the junction of two
navigable rivers would command : the timber
trade, the export of grain from this part of the
country, and the interchange between the Ame
rican states, might be extended to a considerable
amount, and apparently with many advantages.
Within a short time there has been established
a regular post road from William Henry to St.
John's, whereon travellers from Quebec to the
new townships and into the United States
proceed Avith expedition, and find every requi
site accommodation of horses and carriages, at
rates fixed by the government of the province.
The Richelieu, affording a quick and easy water
communication from the American territory
into the very centre of the province, is entitled
to Consideration in more than one point of view.
As a medium of commerce between the fertile
districts of each country, it merits attention ;
and it has a forcible claim to consideration from
being a main inlet into the British territory,
through which hostile operations might be di
rected Avith an alarming rapidity, and perhaps

224
for some time with serious consequences, before
they could be checked and repelled. The first
may be encouraged, and in all probability ad
vantageously extended, as easily as the latter
can be guarded against when the possibility of
the attempt and its contingencies are under
stood. This river flows from Lake Champlain
in a northerly course, to its confluence with the
St. Laurence, through the Avell cultivated seig
niories that have been already described. Its
banks are generally between eight and twelve
feet high, diversified on each side by many
farms and extensive settlements, in a very high
state of improvement ; some neat, populous,
and flourishing villages, handsome churches,
numerous mills of various kinds, good roads in
all directions, Avith every other characteristic of
a country inhabited by an industrious popula
tion. The navigation is carried on by boats,
canoes, and other craft of large dimension and
burthen, and by rafts. From its junction Avith
the St. Laurence, decked vessels of one hundred
and fifty tons may ascend from tAvelve to four
teen miles. This river is noticeable for the un
usual circumstance of being much narroAver at
its discharge than at the place from Avhence it
flows, and for the gradual diminution of the
breadth of its bed. At its mouth it is about two
hundred and fifty yards Avide, which it preserves,

225
with the exception of one or two expansions
occasioned by some small islands, Avhich greatly
increase the beauty of its scenery, up to the
bason of Chambly, that has been already men
tioned ; from hence to the Isle du Portage the
breadth is five hundred yards ; beyond this it
spreads to double that distance, and continues
to widen still more up to St. Johns, from Avhence
there is a ship navigation to the towns on Lake
Champlain. From the bason down to the St.
Lawrence the current is regular and gentle, and
although there are some shoals and flats, they do
not disturb the smoothness of its course ; but
from Lake Champlain the stream is hurried, in
some places rather violent, and in others broken
by rapids. The passage doAvn wards for loaded
boats, &c. is in general quick and unattended
with the smallest difficulty, except Avhat is oc
casioned by the rapids. UpAvards to Chambly
nothing more than ordinary care is required to
avoid the shallows, but from thence to St.
Johns the ascent is attended Avith more labour,
from the causes just spoken of. The number
of river craft, canoes, &c. Avith their various
ladings, with the immense quantities of timber
composing the numerous rafts that are conti
nually descending, and upon which many hun
dred tons of pot and pearl ashes, and large car
goes of flour are brought down every summer,
Q

226
exclusive of what is conveyed by the boats,
unequivocally'point out the value and import
ance of this communication. The Isle St.
Therese, between Chambly and St. Johns, is
two miles long, and about half a mile broad,
and with the smaller island adjacent, was
granted Nov. 3, 1672, to Sieur Dugue ; it is flat
and low, partly covered with small timber and
brush-wood, but where it is clear there are some
good meadows and fine pasturage for cattle.
The Isle du Portage, a little below it, is of no
value. Near Isle Therese is a ferry, where the
charge for taking across a horse and carriage is
one shilling and three-pence ; a single horse,
seAren-pence halfpenny; and two-pence half
penny each person : in several other places
there are ferries, in the vicinity of the main
roads from Montreal to the new townships.
La Chenaie (the seigniory of) lies on the
north side of the river St. Jean, or Jesus, in the
county of Leinster ; bounded on the north-east
by the seigniory of St. Sulpice, on the south-
Avest by that of Terrebonne, and by the town
ships of Kilkenny and Rawdon in the rear; it
contains four leagues in front by six in depth,
and was granted l6th April, 1647, to Pierre
Legardeur. This tract was afterwards divided,
and at present forms the two distinct seig
niories of La Chenaie and L'Assomption ; the

227
former is the property of Peter Pangman, Esq.
and the latter belongs to the heirs of the late
P. R. de St. Ours, Esq. except a small portion,
which is the property of General Christie Bur
ton. La Chenaie adjoins. Terrebonne, and has
a front of two leagues. The quality of the land
is various, but throughout proves tolerably good,
as very few parts indeed fall below mediocrity.
The usual sorts of grain, and other produce of
the country, are cultivated here, and return e:x-
cellent crops : there are also many patches Avell
suited to the growth of flax, that might be car
ried on Avith success to a considerable extent.
The rivers Achigan and Mascouche, Avith seve
ral smaller streams and rivulets branching from
them, water it very favourably; neither river is
navigable for boats, but timber is brought down
them to the St. Lawrence. In the spring and
autumn their waters greatly increase, and in
these seasons some rapids in them are very vio
lent; but even in the usual periods of drought
there is seldom any Avant of a sufficient supply
to keep the mills at Avork. On the borders of
the St. Jean, Achigan, Mascouche, Ruisseau
des Anges, St. Pierre, and the other streams,
there are nine ranges of concessions, containing
together 456 lots, nearly equal to one half of
the seigniory; of this number rather more than
400 are cleared, well settled, and much im-
q 2

228
proved. Although so well inhabited, there is
riot a village worth notice ; of two churches,
one is dedicated to St. Henri, and the other
named La Chenaie. On the Achigan there is
a grist-mill, and upon the Mascouche a grist
and a saw-mill. About a mile from the river
Jesus is a fief, of 18 acres in front, that runs
into the adjoining seigniory of L'Assomption
as far as the limits of St. Sulpice, and of which
Mrs. Deviene is the proprietor. Over the dif
ferent rivers there are good bridges, and from
La Chenaie two ferries, one to the Riviere des
Prairies, where one shilling and eight-pence is
charged; the other to isle Jesus, where only
ten-pence is demanded for each person.
L'Assomption (the seigniory of) possesses
many local advantages, and a variety of soil
favourable to the encouragement of cultivation
in almost every branch. ToAvards the town
ship of Rawdon the land is higher than it is in
the front ; consisting chiefly of a yellow loam,
miSed in some places with sand, Avhich, when
tilled, is very fertile, but still perhaps some
thing inferior to the lower parts, where there
are many exceeding fine tracts fit for the cul
ture of every species of grain. On the uplands,
birch, beech, and maple timber is found in
great perfection, Avith some pine of a good
growth ; but in the valleys the wood is inferior

229
in quality; the best sorts very partially inter
mixed. The River Assomption falls into the
Riviere St. Jean and waters the lower part;
the Achigan crosses the seigniory of La Che
naie, enters L'Assomption toAvards the middle
of its depth, forms a considerable bend in it,
and afterwards recrosses the division line : the
upper part is intersected by some smaller
streams that contribute greatly to its fertility,
and are no less ornamental to it. The Assomp
tion and Achigan may both be called large
rivers, but neither of them are navigable, al
though both of them are made use of to bring
down the timber felled in the upper parts of
the adjacent seigniories and townships. Very
few grants exceed this property in the propor
tion of cultivated land, four-fifths of it being
cleared and well settled ; there are ten ranges of
concessions, containing 1000 lots ; upon them
are nearly 700 houses of all classes. The most
improved settlements are those situated on the
banks of the two large rivers. In the bend of
the Achigan, upon a beautiful and well chosen
spot, is the handsome church of St. Roc, and
around it a few well-built houses, the com
mencement of a village ; and although as yet
not very considerable, there is a good public
school in it. Beside the church of St. Roc,
there is another towards the rear of the seig-

230
niory. The Achigan turns two corn-mills and
one saw-mill.
St. Sulpice (the seigniory of) on the north
side of the Saint Lawrence, in the county of
Leinster, is bounded in front by the river, in
the rear by the township of Rawdon, on the
north-east by the seigniory of La Valtrie, and
on the south-west by that of L'Assomption ;
two leagues in front by six in depth ; was grant
ed, 17th December, 1640, to Messrs. Cherrier
and Le Royer, and is noAV the property of the
seminary of St. Sulpice at Montreal. More
than three-fourths of this seigniory is Avell cul
tivated, and for the goodness of its soil, the
quality of the timber, and state of improve
ment, is not surpassed by any that surround it.
It is particularly well Avatered by the River
L'Assomption, the Achigan, St. Esprit, Ruis
seau St. George,RuisseauVacher,Riviere Rouge,
Ruisseau Point de Jour, and Lake Ouareau, most
of them floAving into the Assomption after a
mazy course, that in some parts, Avhere the
ground is high and clothed Avith wood, present
points of view truly picturesque and beautiful.
The different ranges of concessions contain up
wards of 300 lots of various dimensions, nearly
all of which are settled upon, and generally
speaking under a respectable system of hus
bandry ; but those in the greatest state of im-

231
provement lie on the banks of the St. LaAvrence,
and on both sides of the Assomption. The
seigniory contains tAvo churches and parsonage-
houses, and one village ; many grist and saw
mills are worked by the different streams and
rivers. The village is situated on the south-
Avest side of the Assomption, and covers about
half a mile square, having from eighty to ninety
houses, besides many storehouses, some for ge
neral merchandise and the others for grain, as
large quantities are collected here for exporta
tion ; and from hence also are dispersed over
the other seigniories, and the townships towards
the Ottawa, a good deal of merchandise, and
many articles of general consumption, so that
it is a place of some little trade : the houses of
the most Avealthy inhabitants are exceedingly
well built of stone. From hence there are many
good roads leading to the interior of this and
into the adjacent seigniories ; and over the large
rivers, bridges at convenient intervals.
La Valtrie (the seigniory of) and its aug
mentation, in the county of Warwick, has the
River St. Lawrence on its front, the seigniory
of St. Sulpice on its south-west, that of La
Noraye on the north-east, and the township of
Kildare in the rear; a league and a half in
breadth by the same depth ; was granted 29th
October, 1672, to Sieur de la Valtrie. The

232
augmentation, similar in breadth to the seig
niory, but having a depth of two leagues and
a half, was granted 21st April, 1734, to Sieur
Marganne de la Valtrie ; they both remain in
possession of the heirs of the original grantee.
This is a very valuable property ; the land, ge
nerally speaking, is level from the rear to the
St. Lawrence, whose banks hereabouts are rather
low. The quality of the soil varies a little, but
the major part of it is good and productive,
either of a light greyish earth, a yelloAvish loam,
or clay mixed Avith sand ; nearly the whole of
it under culture, and yielding ample crops to a
system of husbandry that in several respects is
creditable to the farmers. The Riviere L'As
somption Avinds its broad but shallow stream
through the upper part of the seigniory, and
the loAver portion of it is watered by La petite
Riviere de la Valtrie, that falls into the St. Law
rence. Wheat and other grain forms the chief
part of the disposable produce of this tract;
good hay in great abundance is made from
some very extensive and excellent ranges of
meadoAV land. Although well inhabited, yet
there is not a village in La Valtrie ; the houses
are spread about among the concessions, and
thickly placed by the sides of the roads that
lead along the St. LaAvrence ; the church, Avith
the parsonage, a chapel, the manor-house, with

233
a feAV others, are situated a little to the east
ward of the Riviere La Valtrie; and from thence
at no great distance is the Avood of La Valtrie ;
that, even in Canada, is worthy of notice, for
the fine, lofty, and well grown timber trees of
various kinds that compose it. The main road
from Quebec to Montreal passes through this
wood and along the bank of the river, offering
to the traveller in the summer season for seve
ral miles a succession of beautiful and romantic
scenery. Besides the main road, there are se
veral that lead into the populous seigniories on
each side, Avhich are intersected by others run
ning at right angles into Kildare, and opening
a most convenient and easy intercourse with the
neighbouring townships. On the River La Val
trie there is a grist and a saw-mill. The rear
boundary line of this seigniory had not until
very recently been accurately measured, when
it was discovered, that in addition to its proper
depth of four leagues, there was still a space of
about a mile in breadth between it and Kildare,
Avhich had always been supposed to form part
of the grant, and many persons had settled
thereon with titles from the seignior of La Val
trie ; this extra space is very Avell cultivated, and
has a church, with a great many houses, built
Avithin it, from the erroneous confidence of all
parties that they were Avithin the just limits of

234
the grant. Under these circumstances of en
croachment, occasioned by ineffectual measure
ment at first, a compromise has been made, and
an order passed the governor and council to
grant the cultivated part to the present pro
prietor of La Valtrie, and to reserve the re
mainder for the use of the Protestant clergy
and future disposition of government. In front
of the seigniory are the two Isles de la Valtrie,
appendages to it.
La Nora ye and DAUTRE;(the seigniories of)
with their augmentation, lie on the north side
of the River St. Lawrence, in the county of
Warwick ; are bounded on the south-west by
La Valtrie, on the north-east by the seigniory
of Berth ier, in front by the river, and in the
rear by the seigniories of D'Aillebout D'Ar-
genteuil and De Ramzay. La Noraye, two
leagues broad and two deep, was granted April
7th, 1688, to Sieur de la Noraye. Dautre was
granted in two portions ; the westerly one, half
a league broad by tAvo leagues deep, to Sieur
Jean Bourdon on the 1st December, 1637; the
easterly one, of precisely the same dimensions,
on the 16th April, 1 647, to Sieur Jean Bourdon
also. The augmentation, under the title of
Derriere Dautre, and La Noraye, being the
breadth of the two former (three leagues) and
extending to the Riviere L'Assomption, about

235
four leagues, Avas granted 4th July, 1739, to
Sieur Jean Baptiste Neveu. The whole is noAV
the property of the Hon. Ross Cuthbert. The
extensive tract included in these several grants
contains a vast quantity of excellent arable
land, that lies in general pretty level. The soil
is various ; in the front a light reddish earth
with some clay, but growing stronger by the
mixture of different loams towards the rear,
where it is a strong, rich, black earth. The tim
ber embraces almost every variety, Avith much
of a superior quality in the different classes,
and some very good oak and pine. It is con
veniently watered on the south-west side by the
rivers St. Joseph, St. John, and the little Lake
Romer ; a little Avestward of the St. John is an
other small lake connected with that river by a
short canal that always ensures to it a perma
nent stream. The rivers La Chaloupe and Ba-
yonne cross its north-east side into Berthier;
on them there are several good corn and saw
mills. In the rear of the seigniory, towards the
River L'Assomption, is an eminence called
Castle Hill, commanding a diversified and beau
tiful prospect over the surrounding country, on
which the present proprietor is about erecting
a handsome house for his future residence. In
this property cultivation is in a very advanced
state, about two-thirds of it being thickly settled,

236
of which the parishes of St. Elizabeth in the
rear, the banks of the St. Lawrence, the Coteaus
St. Martin and St. Emily, are perhaps the most
flourishing. There is no village ; but good houses,
Avith substantial and extensive farm buildings,
are dispersed over it in all parts.
D'Aillebout D'Argenteuil (the seig
niory of), in the county of Warwick, is bounded
in front by the Riviere L'Assomption, on the
south-west by the township of Kildare, on the
north-east by the seigniory of De Ramzay, and
in the rear by waste crown lands ; a league
and a half in front by four leagues in depth :
was granted October 6th, 1736, to Sieur Jean
D'Aillebout d'Argenteuil.
De Ramzay (the seigniory of) joins d'Ail-
lebout, and is bounded on the north-east by the
township of Brandon ; of precisely the same
dimensions as the preceding one ; was granted
7th October, 1736, to Dame Genevieve de Ram
zay, widow of Sieur de Boishebert. Both seig
niories are now the property of the heirs of the
late Hon. P. L. Panet. These grants consist
of good rich land in the lower part, but in the
rear, approaching the mountains, the soil is
either a hard unfruitful clay, upon which the
farmer's labour would be thrown away, or irre
gular and broken strata of rock. It is hoAvever
tolerably well timbered, beside the common

237
sorts for fuel, with beech, birch, and maple,
some oak, and a little pine. A small range on
the west bank of L'Assomption is all that in
either seigniory is under culture.
Berthier (the seigniory of), on the north
bank of the St. Lawrence, in the county of
Warwick, with its fiefs and augmentations, is
bounded on the south-west by the seigniory of
Dautr6and augmentation, as recently described ;
on the north-east by those of Dusable or NeAV
York, and Maskinonge; in the rear by the town
ship of Brandon, and in front by the St. Law
rence ; was granted 27th April, 1674, to M.
Berthier; the augmentation Avas granted 31st
December, 1732, to Sieur Pierre L'Etage : the
property, as it is at present possessed by the
Hon. James Cuthbert, is two leagues and three
quarters in front, by four and a half in depth.
Of ten ranges of concessions, containing 600
lots or thereabouts, nearly all are in the hands
of tenants, but many of them retained as wood
lands, and not settled upon. The soil in general
is good, except toAvards the rear, where it is
rocky and sterile; in the concession called St.
Cuthbert it is a fine vegetable earth several
inches deep, on a subsoil of strong clay; in
that of St. Esprit a strong deep loam; in St.
Pierre a rich light earth; in St. Catherine a
small part is a good loam, and the rest of some-

238
what inferior quality; in St. Jean there is a
mixture of several species, Avhich taken toge
ther is fully equal in fertility to either of the
others. In front the land is low, especially to
wards the north-east boundary, but the arable
is very productive, and the remainder a succes
sion of very fine meadows. The other parts of
the seigniory are but indifferent in quality, and
some of it about the back boundary even bar
ren and unfit for tillage. Most of these conces
sions are farmed in a very good style ; but those
whereon the greatest improvement is visible are
St. Cuthbert, St. Esprit, and St. Pierre, Avhere
industry and careful arrangement has given an
appearance to much the greatest number of the
farms that conveys an idea of the ease and even
affluence enjoyed by their occupiers. Wheat
is the chief production of these lands, but they
are fit, generally speaking, for every species of
culture; and the important articles of hemp
and flax might be raised in almost any quanti
ties, would the farmers attend to it properly,
and adopt a different method in its cultiva
tion to that hitherto used in the province. The
Rivers Chicot, La Chaloupe, Bayonne, and the
Bonaventure Creek, a branch of the latter that
runs almost to the rear boundary, afford a con
venient and equal irrigation : the first is navi
gable for boats up to the seignorial mill, about

239
two leagues, but the two others only a mile or
tAvo from their mouths. Near the Bayonne
there is a spring highly impregnated Avith salt,
from the waters of which that article may and
sometimes is made of a very good quality. On
the best cultivated ranges the wood is nearly all
cleared away ; but on the others, and in the back
districts, there still remains abundance of bois
de chauffage, or fuel, with some little maple,
beech, and cedar. The village of Berthier is
pleasantly situated on the north side of the
Chenail du Nord, and forms one principal street,
consisting of at least eighty houses ; or rather,
they are placed sometimes at long intervals on
the side of the main road to Quebec : many of
them are extremely well-built and handsome.
There are, exclusive of dwellings, a great many
granaries and store-houses for general merchan
dise, it being a place of some trade, from whence
British manufactured goods are dispersed over
the neighbouring populous seigniories, and from
Avhence also large quantities of grain are an
nually exported. The church, that claims no
tice not only as being a handsome structure,
but for the elegance of its interior decoration,
is situated at a small distance behind the main
street. This village being about mid-way be
tween Montreal and Three Rivers, in the direct
route of the public stage coaches that have been

240
established upon the plan of those in England
between the former place and Quebec, and
also the principal intermediate post-office sta
tion, makes it a place of great resort and con
siderable traffic : several inns are kept, where
travellers will ahvays find good and comfort
able accommodation. On passing through the
Chenail du Nord, the village with its gardens,
orchards, meadows, and surrounding cultivated
fields, form together an agreeable and pleasing
assemblage of objects, although from the flat
ness of the country it is not marked by any of
those traits of grandeur so frequently observ-
able on the north side of the St. Lawrence, de
scending toAvards Quebec. Indeed, it is so little
above the level of the river, that in the spring,
Avhen the melted snoAv and ice occasion a rise
of the Avaters, it is sometimes overflowed to a
considerable distance inland, causing much da
mage to the lower parts of the houses in the
village, and goods deposited in the stores; so
great has been the rise as to make it necessary
to remove large quantities of Avheat from the
upper stories of the granaries to save it from in
jury. A similar inconvenience happens at Ver
cheres and its vicinity, on the south side of the
river. Besides the village of Berthier, there is
another in the upper part of the seigniory call
ed Pierreville, of about tAven ty houses, all of

241
Wood. On the west side of the River Chicot,
and about two leagues in the interior, is the
church called St. Cuthbert's, belonging to a
parish of the same name, that spreads over a large
portion of this and the adjoining seigniory to
the north-east. There are also four schools ;
two of them supported by the Roman Catholic
clergy. Including the villages, the dAvelling-
houses dispersed in the various concessions
amount to about 500, and the total population
of the seigniory is estimated to exceed 5C00,
Avhich certainly Avill not be supposed an exag
gerated computation, when it is known that it
furnishes 1000 able-bodied -men for the militia.
In Berthier and its dependencies there are two
grist-mills, two saw-mills, and one pot-ash ma
nufactory. The main road by the St. LaAvrence,
and the different roads through the concessions,
are maintained in excellent repair. Across the
rivers there are bridges, all free of tolls. The
domain of Berthier is on the south-west side of
the River Bayonne, and contains 335 arpens,
approaching in goodness to the best of the dis
trict. In front of the seignior}7 several fine is
lands form the south boundary of the Chenail
du Nord ; they are named Isles Randin, Du
Pas, Castor, &c. On Dupas, Avhich is the
largest, and Avas granted November 3d, 1672,
to Sieur Dupas, there is a church and several
K

242
flourishing settlements ; the others consist prin
cipally of meadow and grazing land. A little
to the southward of this group are Isles St.
Ignace, Isle Madame, Isle aux Oies, Isle Ronde,
and Isle de Grace, belonging to government ;
these, and some others to the eastward, at the
entiance into Lake St. Peter, are very low, but
clothed Avith good timber ; they abound with
all sorts of wild fowl, as do the intervals be
tween them Avith excellent fish of various kinds.
La Petite Nation (the seigniory of), is
situated on the north side of the Grand or Ot
tawa River, in the county of York, occupying
the ground of two projected townships, between
those of Grenville and Lochaber, five leagues in
front bjr fiA'e in depth ; was granted May 16th,
1674, to Messire Francois de Laval, Bishop of
Petree, the first Bishop of Quebec. It is now
the property of I. Papineau, Esq. The whole
of this grant, with the exception of a small spot,
remains in a state of wood-land ; recently, how
ever, the present proprietor, a gentleman of
Montreal, and for many years a member of the
provincial parliament, has retired to it Avith an
intention to commence a plan of improvement,
that, if persevered in, Avill be likely to realise
many of the advantages that its situation and
other favourable contingencies hold forth the
promise of. The Ottawa indents the front by

243
several bays and large ponds, towards Avhich
the land is Ioav, but of excellent quality, where
there are ranges of soil stretching a great distance
to the interior, fit for the cultivation of every
species of grain, hemp, flax, and grasses of all
descriptions. On the margin of the rivers,
large tracts of fine natural meadows and pas
tures at present enrich only the earth Avith their
exuberant plenty. The inlets and ponds abound
with fish in great variety, and the neighbouring
grounds Avith game, duck, teal, and other wild
fowl, in great quantities. Penetrating deeper
into the seigniory, the land has a gradual
ascent, and is clothed with timber of the best
kinds ; the oak is of superior quality, particu
larly some of the largest dimensions, fit for ship
building. The main ridge of mountains, that
runs a westerly course from Quebec until it
falls upon the Ottawa, crosses La Petite Nation
about the middle ; beyond this intersection the
remainder of the grant has been only partially
explored, but the quality of the part that has
been observed is much inferior to that of the
south ; although the various sorts of timber ap
pear to retain their superiority, or at any rate it
is but very little diminished. From the range
of heights and the upper lands several small
streams have their sources, from Avhence in
various directions they Avater the valleys in their
r 2

244
way to the grand river, but they are too incon
siderable for other purposes than irrigation and
working of mills.
Les Isles Bouchard, lying in front of the
seigniories of Vercheres and Contrecoeur, in the
St. Lawrence, were granted Oct. 29th, 1672,
to Sieur Fortel. They are together about five
miles in length by half a mile broad. Some
good meadow and pasture land is found upon
them, the rest is covered Avith wood, and among
it some very fine timber. On all of them the
soil is excellent.
Having now finished a compressed description
of all the feudal tenures in the district of Mont
real, I Avill next notice such grants as have
been made by the English government in free
and common soccage under the title of
TOWNSHIPS.
Kildare is situated in the County of War
wick, and in the rear of the seigniory of La
Valtrie ; it was erected into a township by
letters patent, dated June 24, 1803*, and lands

* As a list of the several grants in free and common soc
cage, made since the year 1796, under the great seal, in such
tracts as are actually erected into townships within the province
of Lower Canada, specifying by whom each was made, the
time when, to whom, what quantity, and the proportion of

245
therein, equal to one-fourth of a township,
granted to P. P. M. de la Valtrie and his asso
ciates ; which grant is now the property of the
heirs of the said M. de la Valtrie, and the Avidow
of William Vondenvelden, Esq. This town
ship has twelve ranges of concessions, but is
only thirteen lots Avide *. No part of it has

crown and clergy reservations, is given in the appendix, a re
cital of the same individually is thereby rendered unnecessary.
The reader will please to refer to it for whatever concerns any
original township grant. In the description, where individuals
may be named, they are the actual proprietors of large tracts,
either by purchase or otherwise.
* To avoid repeating the dimensions of townships and their
subdivisions, the same is here given precisely. The most
exact content of ten miles square, the usual dimensions of an
inland township, as prescribed by the warrants of survey, is
sixty-one thousand acres, exclusive of the usual allowance of
five acres on every hundred for highways. This quantity is
contained in a tract of ten miles and five chains in length; by
ten miles, three chains, and fifty links, in perpendicular breadth ;
or such other length and breadth as may be equivalent thereto.
A rectangular township of this admeasurement contains eleven
concessions or ranges of lots, each lot being seventy-three
chains and five links long, and twenty-eight chains seventy-five
links broad. Eacli range is divided into twenty-eight lots, so
that each township contains three hundred and eight lots of two
hundred acres, with the allowance for highways. Of these lots
two hundred and twenty are granted to settlers, and the remain
ing eighty-eight reserved for the crown and protestant clergy.
In like manner it may be observed, that the quantity nearest to
the content of nine miles broad by twelve miles deep, the usual
dimensions of a river township, is sixty-seven thousand two
hundred acres, exclusive of the allowance for highways. These
are contained in a tract of seven hundred and twenty-eight
chains broad, by nine hundred and sixty-nine chains and sixty

246
yet been cultivated, although the soil appears
to be of a superior quality, and some of it fit
for hemp and flax, as Avell as all sorts of grain.
Most of the timber is good. It is watered by
part of Riviere L'Assomption and some infe
rior streams.
Rawdon, in the county of Leinster, joins
Kildare on the south-west. This is a full
township, of Avhich very little has yet been
granted or even surveyed. The surface of it is
uneven, in many places rocky, but in others
having extents of good land upon which grain
might be raised Avith profit, and on some few
hemp and flax. On the uplands the greater
part of the timber is maple, beech, and birch ;
cedar and spruce fir abound on the lower ones.
It is watered by several small streams.
Kilkenny and Abercrombie are on the
south-Avest of Rawdon ; they have both been sur
veyed, but from the badness of the soil, Avhich
in fact is scarcely improvable by any means,
at least such as settlers could have recourse to,

links long, or other equivalent length and breadth. A rectan
gular township of these dimensions contains twelve concessions
or ranges of lots, each lot being eighty chains and eighty links
long, and twenty-six chains broad, and in each range twenty-
eight lots, making in all three hundred and thirty-six lots of two
hundred acres, with the highways. Of this number two hun
dred and forty are grantable to settlers, and the remaining
ninety-six are reserved as before mentioned.

247
some persons who had obtained grants therein
were on these considerations permitted to locate
their lands in the township of Acton.
Chatham is situated on the north side
of the Ottawa River, in the county of York,
bounded on the east by the seigniory of Argen-
teuil, on the west by Grenville, and in the rear
by Wentworth. It has been surveyed, divided
into farm lots, and all granted. Colonel Ro
bertson, who obtained the largest proportion of
any person therein, has been the active pro
moter of an extensive settlement along the
river, where the soil is Avell varied and good, fit
for grain, hemp, flax, or indeed most other pro
ductions, and Avhich is also the case with the
greatest portion of the township. There are also
many fine tracts of natural meadow, and some
rich pastures. In the rear the surface is broken
and uneven, the land inferior in quality, and
choked with rocks and other impediments to
cultivation. The timber in general is of the
best sorts, Avith much valuable pine and oak,
fit for naval purposes. By the side of the
Ottawa there is a good road, that is the main
route from Montreal to the upper townships on
the bank of that river. The Riviere du Nord
and several smaller streams water it; by the
first mentioned, the timber felled in this and
some of the adjoining toAvnships is floated down

248
to the Ottawa. In front of the toAvnship are
some small islands, that in the intervals between
them form several rapids.
Wentworth is situated in the rear of
Chatham, and has the full dimensions of an
inland township, about one quarter of which is
subdivided and granted. The greater part of
this tract is mountainous and rocky, very inap
plicable to arable purposes | but on the three
first ranges, all that has hitherto been surveyed,
the land is found to be of a tolerable good qua
lity, but not any part of it is yet settled upon.
Although there are no very strong inducements
to attempt cultivation, this toAvnship produces
most excellent timber for naval purposes, in
great abundance, with the advantage of easy
conveyance by the Riviere du Nord, by which
it is Avatered, besides several other streams and
small lakes.
Grenville, including an additional parcel
of land added thereto since the original grant,
is the second township to the Avestward on the
Ottawa River, situated between the seigniory
of La Petite Nation and Chatham, and bounded
in the rear by unsurveyed lands of the township
of Harrington. In the nature of the soil, the
species and quality of the timber, it greatly
resembles Chatham. A grant of large extent
has been made to Archibald M'Millan and

249
others, emigrants from Scotland, but very little
of it is at present under culture.
Lochaber, on the north side of the Ottawa
River, between the seigniory of La Petite Na
tion and the township of Buckingham, in the
county of York, has been partly surveyed ;
thirteen thousand two hundred and sixty-one
acres were granted in the year 1807, to Archi
bald M' Millan and others, emigrants from
Scotland ; of this portion very little has been
yet cultivated. Along the front, the river forms
several deep bays, in which direction the land
is so low, that it is frequently overflowed ; but if
the settlements should become more numerous,
embankments might be raised to repress the in
cursion of the waters ; this part Avould then
become good meadow, and a short distance
toAvards the interior, much of it Avould be good
arable. Proceeding to the rear, the land is
broken and rugged up to the ridge of moun
tains, beyond which there is nothing at all
improvable, at least in their vicinity. Much of
the timber Avithin this tract, both oak and pine,
is fit for naval purposes. Several rivers and
streams AvirJl through the township; neither of
the former are navigable for boats, though timber
may be floated down them to the OttaAva, Avhich
here expands greatly in breadth, and has several
islands in it that are all Avell covered with Avood;

250
the largest of them is a mile long, and about a
quarter of a mile broad.
Buckingham, on the north bank of the
Ottawa, in the county of York, joins Lochaber;
four ranges of it have been surveyed, and little
more than one quarter granted. Bordering the
river the land is low, and from several large
bays and ponds that run a great way into it, is
frequently overflowed; but when that is not the
case, there is some excellent meadow land, and
also some that is tolerably good for other pur
poses. In the rear the soil is but indifferent;
in places, so uneven and stony as to be fit for
no sort of tillage. It is Avatered by several
small streams, descending from the rear into
the Ottawa. A few families have settled on
convenient spots in front of the township, and
pursue their agricultural labours with success,
and favourable prospects of improvement.
Templeton is the next township to Buck
ingham ; about one half thereof has been granted
to Archibald M'Millan and others, his asso
ciates, but as yet very few persons have settled
upon it. The land approaching the OttaAva is
rather low, but the soil tolerably good for the
production of most species of grain and many
of the most useful succulents ; the back parts
are not much inferior to the front. The timber
is mostly beech, maple, basswood, pine, and

251
some oak, Avith cedar and hemlock on the loAver
grounds. It is well watered by the River Ga-
tineau, the Riviere Blanche, and some smaller
streams. Hull joins Templeton on the Avest. In
1806 one quarter of this township was surveyed
and granted to Philemon Wright and his asso
ciates. This portion is situated on a large bend
or turn of the Ottawa, and as the mountains
here abut upon the river, and the land behind
them not being arable, the -whole of it was laid
out along the front. The soil is of a fair me
dium quality, fit for all the farmer's general pur
poses ; what part of it is cultivated produces
very good crops of all kinds of grain, &c.
About thirty families are settled here, and have
their farms in a very respectable state of culti
vation and progressive improvement. The tim
ber is for the most part of the best sort, the oak
fit for naval purposes, and much of the pine for
masts of large dimensions. Mr. Wright, as the
head of the township, has been indefatigable
in promoting the increase and prosperity of this
infant settlement. In viewing the progress
already made, the greatest encomiums will be
called forth for the manner in which, by his OAvn
example and encouragement, he has so essen
tially promoted it, and for settling upon the
lands himself. He carries on the timber trade

252
to a great extent, and a large manufactory
of pot and pearl ashes ; he has established a
school, erected a meeting-house, and adopted
various means to excite the industry, and secure
comfort and happiness to all classes of his little
society. His own habitation is pleasantly si
tuated at the east end of the township, on the
bank of the Ottawa ; close by it there is a short
portage, and nearly fronting it are some small
islands that greatly obstruct and break the cur
rent of the river ; on the opposite side a fall,
twenty-six feet high, forms an agreeable object in
the prospect ; a little above this place is a reef
of rocks, stretching nearly across the river, and
the falls of La Petite Chaudiere. The town
ships on the Ottawa abounding Avith timber of
the best groAVth, either for ship-building, mast
ing, planking, or staves, it may be Avorth while
to remark that a very great proportion of that
trade has been furnished from them to Montreal
and Quebec ; not from those on the north side
only, but vast quantities have been supplied
from those on the south, in the Upper Province,
and the rafts of it brought down the rivers
Rideau and Petite Nation, into the OttaAva.
From the former, a road leading to the settle
ments in the neighbourhood of Kingston will in
a short period, from the increasing population
and consequence of that district, become of

253
great necessity. It is an object therefore worthy
the attention of the government of that province
to give every encouragement to facilitate its
immediate formation : when completed, a com
munication from the back townships to Mont
real will be opened, more direct and much
shorter than the present one, for the conveyance
of their produce to a certain market.
Eardley and Onslow are the two last
townships on the Ottawa that have been sur
veyed, and partial grants made therein, although
several others are projected, and names given
to them. The front of both of them extends
along Lake Chaudiere, or Kettle Lake. The
lands that have been examined in the former
are found to be of a favourable description ;
many parts suitable both for hemp and flax, as
well as grain, but no settlements have been yet
established upon them. The main westerly
ranges of mountains terminate upon the river
hereabouts. In the latter township, the first
range and part of the second are an almost
continued ledge of flat rocks, with scarce any
soil upon them, except only a very few lots that
have been granted ; the third and fourth ranges
appear to be very good land, that Avould soon
become profitable Avith careful culture ; but the
fifth and sixth are poor and swampy, not worth

254
the trouble of draining, and covered with hem
lock and other Avoods of small value. At the
west end of this township is one of the many
rapids of the OttaAva, called the Rapide des
Chats. Newton, in the county of York, lying be
tween the seigniories of Rigaud, Soulange, and
New Longeuil, is of an irregular figure, and
very advantageously situated, contiguous to the
settlements in the Upper Province. On the
Avestern side the land is of a very superior qua
lity, and Avill produce all sorts of grain; many
parts also might be employed to great advan
tage in groAving hemp and flax. The eastern
side is much lower, inclining here and there for
short distances to be marshy : there is, however,
no actual swamp; and if the low grounds, that
are rather Avet, Avere carefully ditched and
drained, they Avould prove most excellent land,
and furnish luxuriant meadow and pasture, as
well as good arable. On the most elevTated
parts, the principal timber is maple, beech, and
birch ; on the others, cedar, red spruce, alder,
and hemlock. As the grants in this township
are all recent, only a feAv of the lots are yet cul
tivated, but the goodnessof situation and several
other local advantages are likely soon to induce
settlers in much greater numbers. The greatest

255
landholders are the Honourable A.C. de Lot
biniere, Saveuse de Beaujeu, Esq. and Mr.
John M' Nider.
Godmanchester is situated on the south
side of Lake St. Francis, in the county of Flunt-
ingdon, bounded in the rear by the River
Chateauguay, that separates it from Hinchin-
brook, and b}r a small part of the Province
Line, or the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude,
Avhich is the boundary between the British and
American dominions. This township was laid
out in the year 1785, and lands assigned therein
to officers and soldiers of disbanded Canadian
corps. It is divided into five ranges, and these
into lots differing a little from the usual dimen
sions, being nineteen chains wide, and one hun
dred and five in depth. The whole of it is
granted, though only a very small proportion is
yet settled upon, and which is about the margin
of the lake, where a few houses now and then
present themselves, at considerable distances
from each other ; on the bank of the Chateau
guay, also, there are a feAV settlements. About
the front of the township the land is low and
flat, but the soil generally good, although in
some places Avet ; further towards the interior,
and stretching omvard to the Chateauguay, it
is greatly superior, being in every respect suit
able for the cultivation of any sort of grain,

256
hemp, flax, or other productions of the country.
The timber, of which much still remains, although
immense quantities have been felled and carried
to market, is of the first rate quality. On the
north bank of the Chateauguay there is a good
road, leading into the state of New York.
Among the holders of large tracts of land in
this township are the heirs of the late Alexander
Ellice, Esq. who nowretain twenty -five thousand
nine hundred acres, which that gentleman ac
quired by purchase, and afterwards had secured
to him by patent. Adjoining Godmanchester,
on the west, is a space reserved for the use of
the domiciliated Indians of St. Regis, and com
monly known by the name of the Indian Lands :
it forms a triangle bounded by Lake St. Francis,
Godmanchester, and the line of 45° ; its side on
the lake is about ten miles, and that on the
line twelve miles and a half. The land is of a
very superior class, and well furnished Avithfine
timber, but much neglected by the proprietors,
as there are no other settlements upon it than
a fe\v of their OAvn around the village, which is
very Avell situated, at the western extremity of
the tract, close to the St. Lawrence. The boun
dary line runs through the middle of it, and
from hence divides the river upwards, in mid-
channel. That the village of St. Regis should
be thus circumstanced is a subject of regret,

257
on account of the animosity it frequently occa
sions among people of the same tribe, from the
residents of the huts on one side of it being in
habitants of a different country, as it may be
termed, from those on the other. During the
late war with America, part of them espoused
the cause of each belligerent, but a more pru
dent feAv remained neutral ; quarrels and blood
shed ensued ; indeed no precautions could have
prevented such events among so many turbu
lent and untamed spirits living together, and
supposing themselves of political consequence
to the contending powers. About fifty houses,
or more properly speaking, hovels, a church, a
chapel, and a house for the Catholic minister
resident with them as missionary, compose
their village. The habitations are poor, ill-built,
and more than commonly dirty; attached to
them are small gardens, or rather enclosures,
Avherein Indian corn and potatoes are planted,
and Avhich, Avith Avhat they raise on the Petite
Isle St. Regis, and some others in the St. Law
rence, near the village, that are their oAvn pro
perty, increased by the produce of their fishing,
and sometimes hunting parties, constitute nearly
their Avhole means of subsistence ; as indolence,
mistaken for the spirit of independence, destroys
every idea of improving their condition by the
profits of agriculture. A similar reservation of

258
land has also been made for them by the Ame
rican government on that side of the line.
Hinchinbrook is in the county of Hunt
ingdon, on the boundary line ; joining the
seigniory of Beauharnois on the north-east, and
separated from Godmanchester by the River
Chateauguay. Nearly the Avhole of this toAvn-
ship is granted. From the proAanceline north
ward there are three full ranges, but the re
mainder of it is more irregularly divided and
appropriated to crown and clergy reservations,
in large portions, or blocks, as they are techni
cally termed. The land is someAvhat uneven,
but the soil is excellent, excepting only a very
few swampy tracts, that are covered with cedar,
spruce fir, and hemlock trees. The large knolls,
or rising grounds, are thickly clothed with
good timber, as beech, maple, birch, pine, oak,
butternut, and bassAvood. Towards the Cha
teauguay, in some places, it subsides into valleys
and gentle slopes, Avhere there are large breadths
of fine meadoAvs, Avell Avatered by several
branches of that river. At present the toAvnship
contains but few inhabitants, some of them set
tled on thriving farms by the river side, and
others in very eligible situations along the fron
tier, in Avhich direction there are several roads
passing into the state of NeAV York. An im
mense stock of fine timber still remains in this

259
township, although for years past vast quantities
have been cut and rafted doAvn the Chateau
guay, to Montreal and Quebec.
Hemmingford, in the county of Hunting
don, is also situated on the boundary line, having
on its north-Avest side the seigniory of Beauhar-
nois, and that of La Colle on the north-east.
This toAvnship has been laid out for close settle
ments, that is, to be granted by single lots to
persons, upon condition of immediately taking
possession and beginning to improve them ; in
deed its situation, as Avell as that of Hinchin-
brook, and generally tho-se along this line of
frontier, require every attention and encourage
ment in this respect ; the political results of any
measures that increase the settlements and po
pulation of this part of the district Avill appear
obvious Avhen it is recollected that every male,
from the age of sixteen to sixty, must become
a militia-man. There are five complete ranges
of two hundred acre lots, and the remainder of
the toAvnship is divided in a similar manner to
Hinchinbrook ; but a proportion of these reser
vations has been let under lease. Although the
surface is very uneven, and several high ridges
rise in various directions, Avith many places
where there are large seams of flat rock a little
below the surface, there are nevertheless many
tracts Avhereon the soil is of a rich and very su-
s 2

260
perior quality, fit for the growth of grain, hemp,
flax, and indeed for every other agricultural
purpose. On the north-west and north-east
sides are found some swamps, abundantly co
vered Avith cedar, spruce fir, tammarack, and
trees of similar nature. On the high lands the
timber is of the best sorts, and consists of beech,
maple, elm, birch, &c. ; along the second range
some oak and pine, of large dimensions and
good quality, is found. It is very well Avatered
by the little river Montreal, that falls into the
Richelieu, and many small streams that descend
from the heights to the Chateauguay. In this
township very considerable settlements have
been made, and some of the farms are in a very
thriving state. On the different streams there
are several mills of both kinds. Of the many
roads that traverse the township, the greater
number are but very indifferent ones, and prac
ticable only in the Avinter time, when rendered
firm and solid by the frost.
Sherrington is an irregular township lying
between the seigniories of La Salle and De
Lery, in the county of Huntingdon, bounded
on the south-west by Beauharnois and Hem-
mingford, and on the north-east by the seigniory
of La Prairie de la Magdelaine. This tract is
greatly diversified both with respect to quality
of soil and species of timber. On the south-

261
west the lands rise gently in many places to
considerable eminences ; in this part there are
several sorts of soil, but almost the Avhole unex
ceptionable and plentifully covered Avith beech,
elm, maple, basswood and white ash. To the
north-east there are many swamps, some of them
overgrown with black ash, and others Avith cedar,
&c. ; those covered with ash might soon be ren
dered fit for culture, and would, by ditching,
become very good meadow land. The river La
Tortue winds through the township, and with
many smaller streams conveniently waters it ;
it is not navigable for boats, but rafts are brought
down to La Tortue mills. The eleventh, tAvelftb,
thirteenth, and fourteenth ranges are settled by
Canadians, Avho had their titles originally from
Mr. Sanguinet, proprietor of the seigniory of La
Salle, under an erroneous belief of the same
being Avithin his boundary. About the eighth
and ninth range is a small settlement of twelve
English families, who have made great progress,
and got their farms into a very thriving state,
considering how recently they have taken pos
session of them. The road from La Tortue into
Hemmingford passes through Sherrington, and
there is also another leading by the Douglass
settlement. Surrounded as this toAvnship is by
settlements in a good state of cultivation, and
possessing within itself great inducements for

262
settlers, it is likely to become in a few years a
very fertile and valuable tract. The principal
landowners are the Lord Bishop of Quebec, the
Honourable F. Baby, and Mr. M'Callum of
Quebec, Avho has acquired his proportion from
the Honourable John Young.
Sutton is situated on the province line, in
the county of Bedford, having the seigniory of
St. Armand on the west, the toAvnship of Potton
on the east, and that of Brome on the north.
It consists of very good land, generally speaking,
on Avhich cultivation in every branch might be
carried on to advantage, except on some few
marshy parts, but which could easily be drained,
and Avould then become very good meadoAV
land. The timber is chiefly ash, elm, maple,
and beech; and on the low parts, the species
usually found on Avet soils, as cedar, spruce fir,
hemlock, &c. It is Avatered by the River Mis-
sissqui, that crosses the south-east corner of it,
and by many small rivers ; several roads have
opened in different directions toAvards Mississ-
qui bay, the other townships, and the state of
Vermont. In this toAvnship settlements to a
large extent have been made, and agriculture
appears to be carried on Avith a spirit that pro
mises both an increase in tillage and improve
ment in method ; on the streams that intersect
the cultivated parts there are two grist and

263
three saw-mills. The whole population at pre
sent exceeds 1200 souls.
Potton joins the eastern boundary of Sut
ton, and extends along the province line as far
as Lake Mem phrem agog ; the western part of
it is in the county of Bedford, and the eastern
in that of Richelieu. Though having a surface
for the most part hilly and uneven, the land is
of a good quality ; the different species of soil
offering good situations for raising all sorts of
grain, as well as most other productions. ' It is
Avatered by the River Mississqui, and a great
number of tributary streams flowing from the
hills into it in almost every direction, and many
others that fall into the lake. The timber con
sists of elm, beech, and maple, with all the com
mon sorts. There are some thriving settlements
on the banks of the Mississqui River, and the
margin of the lake, where the land is particu
larly good; the population thereon amounts to
upAvards of 800 souls. A few roads leading
into the neighbouring tOAvnships are the only
ones that have yet been made, and these are
not very good.
Stanstead, on the eastern side of Lake
Memphremagog, in the county of Richelieu,
stretches along the province line until it is
bounded by Barnston on the east, and Hatley
on the north. This certainly obtains a supe-

264
riority over all the new townships on this fron
tier, both in the advantages of its locality, the
excellence of its soil, and the quality of its tim
ber. There are many large sAvells of land, some
of them of considerable elevation, that are
clothed with oak, pine, and nearly all of the
best sorts of hard Avoods ; in the low parts
there is great abundance of common timber.
Besides Lake Memphremagog and Lake Scas-
Avinepus, it is Avatered by numerous streams
that floAv into them, and turn several mills of
both sorts. The southerly half of this toAvnship,
that was granted in the year 1800 to Isaac
Ogden, Esq. is well settled and in a very thriv
ing state of cultivation, producing every species
of grain peculiar to the province ; the wheat su
perior in quality to. most other parts of it ; many
excellent situations and congenial soil offer op
portunities to promote the growth of hemp and
flax to almost any extent. The northerly half
is not so well settled as the opposite one, but
for no other reason than having been granted
only in the year 1810, as the land is good, and
fit for every species of agriculture. It is the
property of Sir R. S. Milnes, Bart, being a por
tion of 48,000 acres granted to him by tbe
crown, as a special mark of his Majesty's ap
probation and royal favour for the manj- import
ant services rendered by him to the province,

265
during the period of his being its lieutenant-
governor; at present it is greatly inferior to the
other half in the number of its population, yet
as it holds forth almost every strong induce
ment for such persons as may be desirous of
settling upon new lands, its improvement is
likely to be rapid. The remainder of Sir R.
Milne's grant is located in Compton and Barn-
ston. In the south-east part of the township is
the village of Stanstead, Avhich though small
has some good houses in it ; the main stage
road from Quebec into the states of Ver
mont, New Hampshire, &c. passes through it,
from Avhich, as bringing a continual influx of
strangers, some little consequence is derived.
From hence the same road leads to Derby in
Vermont; at that place the communication to
almost every part of the United States is easy.
The settlements along1 the border of the beauti
ful Lake Memphremagog are most delightfully
situated, and in a very forward and promising
state of improvement. The houses dispersed
over them are Avell built, and surrounded by
neat Avell-stocked gardens, fine young orchards,
and every requisite comfort of rustic life; their
appearance conveys to the traveller a very fa
vourable opinion of the content and happiness
of their owners. In the toAvnship there are se
veral , manufactories of pot and pearl ashes.
The aggregate population exceeds 2500 souls.

266
Barnston, in the county of Richelieu, is on
the proAdnce line, and next to Stanstead. In this
township, where the surface is a continual suc
cession of hill and dale alternately, the chief part
of the land is good, answering very well for the
growth of grain and other usual productions;
some swamps are met Avith in the Ioav parts.
The timber upon it embraces almost every sort,
but the best are beech, maple, elm, ash, fir, and
some oak. The soil is Avatered by several small
lakes, rivers, and streams, on which there are
mills of both sorts. The westerly half of the
township Avas granted in 1801 to Messrs. Lester
and Morrogh, and contains at present a popu
lation of 500 souls. The largest part of the
easterly half belongs to Sir R. S. Milnes, Bart.
none of Avhich is settled.
Bar ford is situated between Hereford and
Barnston, in the counties of Richelieu and Buck
ingham. It is not a full toAvnship, having only
seventeen lots in each range. Isaac W. Clarke,
Esq. obtained a grant of the greatest part of it
in 1802. None of it is yet settled, although it
is a tract that promises to become valuable, as
the land is every where excellent and the timber
good. It is watered by many rivulets and
streams. Hat ley is in the second row of townships
northward from the province line, in the coun
ties of Richelieu and Buckingham; bounded

267
by Stanstead on the south, Ascot on the north,
Compton on the east, and by Lake Memphre-
magog, a branch of the River St. Francis, and
Lake Scaswinepus on the Avest. The surface is
irregular, in some places hilly, and the quality
of the land very variable. On the east and
north-east the soil is good, Avhereon most spe
cies of grain might be grown ; to the west it is
rather superior, but about the middle it is very
indifferent, rugged, and SAvampy. On the best
lands beech, elm, maple, and ash timber groAvs
in abundance ; in the swamps spruce fir, cedar,
and alder. ToAvards Ascot and Compton some
extensive settlements present themselves, where
the houses and out-buildings are substantially
constructed, the farms cultivated Avith industry
and much ability, and Avell stocked Avith cattle.
On the border of Lake Memphremagog is an
other range of improving settlements. The toAvn-
ship is Avatered by several lakes, some small
rivers and streams, Avhich as they Avind their
courses through the cultivated lands turn mills
of both sorts. Lake Tomefobi extends diago
nally from the fourth range to the ninth, a
distance of about eight miles ; its breadth is
one mile. The banks are beautiful and pictu
resque, Avith landscape and woodland scenery
as romantic as the most fertile genius of an ar
tist could well imagine ; it abounds Avith excel-

268
lent fish of many sorts, and is the resort of in
numerable wild fowl of various descriptions, as
indeed are all the smaller ones. Many roads
lead to the adjacent townships, and also com
municate Avith the main ones, leading into the
states of Vermont and New Hampshire. One
of the most extensive landholders is Henry
Cull, Esq. Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia;
a gentleman highly esteemed in this part of the
country for his public spirit, for the industry
and good will Avith Avhich at all times he is
ready to set an example, or to second and en
courage every species of improvement having
the welfare of this newly settled district for its
object, as Avell as for supporting every measure
of government introduced Avith the same laud
able intention. The population of this town
ship at present is but little more than 1000
souls. Bolton, on the Avest side of Lake Mem-
phremagog, in the county of Richelieu, is
bounded by Stukeley and Oxford on the north,
Potton on the south, and Brome on the west.
This is one of the first townships that was laid
out. The surface of it is uneven and rather
mountainous, being crossed diagonally by an
irregular chain of heights, Avherein several rivers
have their sources, and Avhich divides the
Avaters that fall into the Yamaska, and other

269
large rivers to the northward, from those flow
ing into Lake Memphremagog and the Mississ
qui in the opposite direction. The lands on the
low parts are tolerably good, but those to the
eastward are the best, whereon there are some
fine settlements, Avell cultivated and producing
every sort of grain. On the streams that in
tersect this part are several corn and grist-mills.
Some tolerably good roads have also been
opened into the other townships. The popula
tion is not very great, being about 800 souls.
Brome, in the county of Richelieu, is next
to Bolton, and joins Dunham and Farnham on
the west, Sutton on the south, and Shefford on
the north. Some part of the land in this town
ship is good, but the other is so mountainous
and rocky as to be unfit for culture. The best
kind will produce grain of most sorts ; hemp
and flax might also be grown in several places.
On the north-Avest side, where it is rugged and
high, some good timber is to be found, and also
great quantities of a very good species of iron-
ore. Near Lake Brome, about nine miles in
circumference, a feAv settlements have been
made, that afford a favourable specimen of
Avhat may be done, upon the lands that are at
all susceptible of tillage. Several small rivers
fall into the lake, upon Avhich some grist and

270
saw-mills have been erected. The population
is 600 souls or thereabouts.
Dunham, between the seigniory of St. Ar-
mand's and Farnham, in the county of Bed
ford, touches upon Sutton and Brome to the
eastward, and Stanbridge to the Avestward.
The situation and quality of the land through
out renders it a valuable tract ; it has plenty of
timber, such as maple, beech, birch, elm, but
ternut, iron-Avood, white and black ash ; also
good oak and pine. The upper lands are rather
hilly, having many horizontal seams of rock
lying a little below the surface ; but on the
more level parts the soil is found to be generally
a rich black mould, with here and there a
mixture of sand. It yields all sorts of grain in
abundance ; in many places it is peculiarly fit
for the growth of flax, and in some others for
hemp. Swamps, but not very extensive ones
or numerous, are met with, covered generally
Avith cedar and tammarack, but they might be
drained without much trouble, and cleared to
great advantage. The toAvnship is watered by
several branches of the Yamaska and the Pike
River, and by two beautiful little lakes, the
largest spreading over about 600 acres in the
sixth range. There are a greater number of
roads, and mostly kept in good repair, Avithin

271
this toAvnship, than perhaps will be found in any
other, connecting it Avith the surrounding ones,
leading through Farnham to the Yamaska, and
also to the state of Vermont. The Pike River,
and some of the smaller streams, Avork three or
four mills of both sorts. This Avas the first of
the tOAvnships erected, in Lower Canada, by
letters patent, bearing date in the year 1796; it
was granted to the Honourable Thomas Dunn,
Avho is at present the greatest landholder there
in. Nearly the whole of it is settled, and many
extensive farms are Avorthy of notice for their
flourishing and improved state, producing great
quantities of wheat, barley, and oats, besides
most other articles peculiar to the country ; and
in fact the same may be said of the major part
of the settlements within it. Perhaps no tract
of land of similar extent through the Avhole of
the lower province is better calculated than this
for a judicious experimental farmer to demon
strate how much the present stock of agricul
tural knoAvledge among the Canadian husband
men may be increased. Several pot and pearl-
ash manufactories are carried on here. The
population is 1600 souls.
Stanbridge, in the county of Bedford, is
situated between Dunham and the seigniories
of Sabrevois and Noyan, having St. Armand's
on the south, and Farnham on the north. This

272
toAvnship presents a great variety both of land
and timber ; the Avesterly part is low and rather
marshy, with a good deal of cedar, hemlock,
tammarack, and some Avhite oak. Near Mis
sissqui Bay and Pike River the soil is chiefly of
clay mixed with sand ; to the eastward it is
higher and better, composed of rich black
and yellow loam, with a little sand. The tim
ber is beech, elm, and maple, with some fine
oak ; but bearing only a small proportion to
the other sorts. The Pike River and its numer
ous branches Avater it very conveniently, and
Avork several saw and corn-mills. It is inter
sected by many roads ; the two principal ones
are those that lead southward, through St. Ar-
mand's into the state of Vermont, and north-
Avard through Farnham to St. John's on the
Richelieu, and Montreal ; Avhither the inhabit
ants of these parts convey the greatest portion
of their disposable produce. A large tract of
this township is settled, especially on the north
eastern side, where, on the elevated ridges, are
many farms, exceedingly Avell situated, and in a
state of cultivation that bespeaks much practi
cal knoAvledge of agriculture ; the houses Avell
built, the gardens and orchards Avell laid out,
and the general arrangements not unworthy of
being imitated in many of the townships more
recently settled.

273
Farnham, in the counties of Bedford and
Richelieu, extends along Stanbridge and Dun
ham to the south, bounded by the seigniory of
St. Hyacinthe and Granby on the north, Mon-
noir on the west, and Brome on the east. The
land is here of a good quality, generally similar
to that of Stanbridge, though perhaps Avith a
greater proportion of indifferent tracts : the
north-west has swamps that spread Avidely.
The best is timbered principally Avith beech,
elm, and maple ; on the marshy parts there are
the usual inferior species. It is watered by
large branches of the river Yamaska, on Avhich
there are many corn and saAv-mills. Several
roads cross it in every direction, besides the
two principal ones mentioned in the preceding
article. Along the banks of the streams some
good patches of settlements shew themselves.
Nearly all this township has been granted. In
1798, Samuel Gale and others obtained a large
portion of it, and still continue the greatest
landholders : in 1805, a grant was made to the
family of the late Colonel Cuyler; and in 1809
the Avesterly part, being the " rest and residue
of Farnham," Avas laid out, and 10,176 acres
thereof granted to John Allsop, Esq. and others
his associates, who still retain the property.
Granby and Milton : the first in the
counties of Bedford and Richelieu, and the

274
other Avholly in Richelieu, reaching along St.
Hyacinthe on the west; bounded by Roxton,
Shefford, and part of Farnham on the south,
and by Upton on the north. In the former
the land is for the most part of a serviceable
description, composed principally of a blackish
loam, over which, in some places, there is a.
layer of fine vegetable mould : good crops of
wheat and other grain might reasonably be ex
pected from it; many parts are particularly
eligible for hemp, and some also for flax. The
timber consists of beech, elm, butternut, maple,
pine, and a little oak. The lands of Milton are
not so good, as they lie much lower, and in
many places run into swamps that Avould re
quire much perseverance in a good system of
draining to be rendered of any utility; but
Avhile there remain so many thousands of acres
to be granted, not needing this operation, it is
not probable that it will be undertaken here.
There is however abundance of very fine grass
land : the timber is a mixture of beech, pine,
cedar, and tammarack. The parts of these
townships that have been laid out were granted,
in 1785, to officers and privates of the British
militia, Avho served during the blockade of
Quebec by the Americans in 1775-6.
Shefford, in the county of Richelieu, be
tween Granby and Stukely, joins Brome on the

275
south, and Roxton on the north. The face of
the country in this township is uneven, and to
Avards the west mountainous ; the soil in most
places is exceedingly rich, but the uplands and
high ridges are too stony to be of much value:
the timber almost universally of the best species.
It is watered by several branches of the Ya
maska and other streams, and intersected by
many roads communicating with the other
townships. The south-east part is the best and
most populous, where some fine settlements
present themselves, that are, to the extent of
their cultivation, in a very flourishing state.
The banks of the rivers* display many good
breadths of meadow and grazing land. In the
inhabited parts some corn and saw-mills have
been erected. The population of the Avhole
township is but small, scarcely exceeding 500
souls. Stukely, in the county of Richelieu, be
tween Shefford and Orford, has Ely on the
north, and Bolton on the south. Although the
surface of this tract is generally uneven and
broken, the land in some parts of it is rather
above the medium quality. Beech, maple, and
bass-wood, with hemlock and cedar in the hol
lows and moist lands, are the prevailing sorts of
timber. It is watered by streams falling into
the Yamaska, that have their sources among
t2

276
the hills stretching across it, and also by some
small lakes. But little progress has been made
by settlers, as the entire population is but 250
souls, occupying a feAv small farms in the
southern part of the toAvnship.
Orford, partly in the two counties of
Richelieu and Buckingham, has its front to
the river St. Francis and Lake Scaswinepus,
joins Stukely in the rear, Brompton on the
north, and Bolton on the south. But little can
be said of this township, and that little not
very favourable. It is mountainous, rough,
and almost unfit for tillage. Some good tim
ber, however, is to b*e had in it. In the inte
rior there are some large lakes, one of which,
about four miles long and three-quarters of
a mile broad, stretches into Brompton. As
may naturally be inferred, but feAv lots of it
are occupied ; its population numbering only
about 100 souls.
Ely and Roxton : the first in the counties
of Richelieu and Buckingham, and the other in
Richelieu ; they are betAveen Shefford and Stukely
on the south; Acton, Dunham, and Melbourne
on the north. Ely has been all surveyed, and
the south-easterly quarter of it granted; of Rox
ton, the southerly half has been surveyed and
granted. The land of both townships is good,
and if cultivated would prove fertile. The Ioav

277
land is rather wet, but not unfit for tillage. It
produces some of the best species of hard, black
Avoods. Branches of the Yamaska and several
other streams water these toAvnships. Only a
very few persons are settled in either.
Acton is partly in the counties of Richelieu
and Buckingham, stretching along Roxton and
Ely on the south, bounded by Upton on the
west, and by Grantham, Wickham, and Dur
ham on the north and north-east. About one-
half of it has been surveyed and granted, but
no part thereof is settled upon. The land is
level, and lying rather low, is overspread with
several swamps, that are covered with spruce
fir, Avhite pine, cedar, &c. ; the drier tracts are
timbered Avith ash, beech, maple, and birch. It
is Avatered by two large branches of the Ya
maska. Upton, in the counties of Richelieu and
Buckingham, is of an irregular figure, extend
ing along the boundaries of the seigniories of
De Ramzay and De Guir, to the river St.
Francis ; it is bounded on the south-east by
Acton and Grantham, and abuts upon Milton
on the south. The land is here flat and low,
Avith many extensive sAvamps spreading over it,
covered with tammarack, alder, and cedar. By
the side of the St. Francis, and other streams
that intersect it, there are some feAv spots of

278
land, that, if under cultivation, might produce
good crops of grain ; but the general soil does
not admit of a description much in its favour.
Neither roads nor settlements have yet been
made, if a few scattered houses, with small
patches of ground attached to them along the
line of De Guir, be excepted. It is watered by
some branches of the river David.
Having given a detailed account of the seig
niories and townships in the district of Mont
real, a convenient opportunity noAV offers to
make an observation or two upon this part of
the frontier of Lower Canada, and of the line
of demarcation between it and the states of
NeAV Hampshire, Vermont, and NeAV York,
Avhich extends from a stone monument erected
on the Avest bank of the Connecticut River, for
the purpose of marking its commencement, to
the village of St. Regis, on the river St. Law
rence, a distance of 146-j miles. In the years
1771, 2, 3, and 4, this line was established by
actual measurement, in pursuance to orders
from the respective governments of the pro
vinces of Quebec and New York, at that period
both under the British dominion ; and, more
particularly, according to specific instructions
issued by the late Lieutenant-Governor, Cra-
mahe, to the Honourable John Collins, Deputy

279
Surveyor-General of the former province. By
more recent surveys that have been made in
laying out the several toAvnships now established
along this line, its course is accurately ascer
tained, and clearly demonstrated to be irregular
in the field, at some places inclining toAvards
the north, and at others diverging to the south.
These points of aberration will be readily dis
covered by inspecting the delineations upon
my Topographical Map. The correctness of its
position at St. Regis is unimpeachable ; but it
deviates 'Avidely from its true latitude at the
monument on the Connecticut, Avhich spot is
nearly on the meridian of Quebec. The exact
latitude and longitude of that city has been so
repeatedly corroborated by eminent astrono
mers, that it may be assumed with safety as a
correct point of departure. Proceeding upon
that datum, which will hardly be controverted,
the boundary line, fixed as it uoav is, proves to
be at the Connecticut, an encroachment upon
the province of LoAver Canada exceeding three
geographical miles. An assertion, ho Avever, has
been made to the contrary ; for in a report made
in the year 1806 to the government of the state
of Vermont by Dr. Williams, it is stated to be
no less than fourteen miles too far south at the
monument, and seven miles too far south where
it intersects Lake Memphremagog; and the

280'
same is maintained to be an infringement to that
extent upon the state: but assertion does not
establish a fact. I do not permit myself to ques
tion that gentleman's scientific abilities, and can
therefore attribute the result of his operations,
differing so widely as it does from that of others,
Avhich have been carefully performed, only to
the use of very imperfect astronomical instru
ments, which have betrayed him into so serious
an error Avith respect to the true position of that
line. But, for argument's sake, admitting the
doctor to have been correct, no advantage could
accrue to the United States from the supposed
discovery; for it is palpably evident, that a line
draAvn through these two fixed points of latitude,
and extending Avesterly to the St. LaAvrence,
Avould take a much greater superficies from
the state of New York than Avhat it cuts off
from LoAver Canada. This, hoAvever, is a subject
that will no doubt be critically iiwestigated,
and satisfactorily adjusted, by carrying into
effect the provisions of the fourth and fifth
articles of the treaty of peace of 1815, betAveen
his Britannic Majesty and the United States of
America. It has indeed become a case of ne
cessity, and a matter of great importance to
each government respectively, as there are nu
merous settlements on each side of the boundary
already in a flourishing state of cultivation, and

281
rapidly increasing both in population and im
provement. From the Connecticut River the
height of land on which the boundary is sup
posed to pass runs to the north-east, and divides
the Avaters that fall into the Saint Lawrence
from those flowing into the Atlantic ; and which
height, after running some distance upon that
course, sends off a branch to the eastward, that
separates the heads of the streams falling into
Lake Timiscouata and River St. John, and by
that channel into the Ba}' of Fundy, from those
that descend in a more direct course to the
Atlantic. The main ridge, continuing its north
easterly direction, is intersected by an imaginary
line, prolonged in a course astronomically due
north, from the head of the river St. Croix, and
Avhich ridge is supposed to be the boundar}'
betAveen Lower Canada and the United States;
at least such appears to be the way in Avhich
the treaty of 1783 is construed by the Ame
rican government; but which ought, more fair
ly, to be understood as folloAvs, viz. That the
astronomical line running north from the St.
Croix should extend only to the first or easterly
ridge, and thence run westerly, along the crest
of the said ridge, to the Connecticut ; thereby
equitably dividing the Avaters flowing into the
St. Lawrence from those that empty into the
Atlantic within the limits of the United States;

282
and those that have their estuaries within the
British province of New BrunsAvick. It is im-
portant, and must always have been had in con
templation, that an uninterrupted communica
tion and connexion should exist between all his
Majesty's North American possessions ; but by
the manner in which the treaty is insisted upon
by the opposite party, a space of more than
eighty-five miles would be placed Avithin the
American limits, and by Avhich the British pro
vinces would be completely severed ; it Avould
also produce the inconvenience of having the
mail from England to Quebec carried over that
distance of American territory ; and Avhich may
either be deemed a matter of indulgence, or
complained of as an encroachment, according
to the temper of the times. Within this tract
also is the Madawaska settlement, consisting of
nearly 200 families, all holding their grants from
the British government. England, at all times
high minded and generous, never shrinks from
the strict fulfilment of her engagements ; even
though from oversight, or want of political
acuteness in the persons employed, they may
have been framed in a Avay prejudicial to
her true interests. But at the same time she
has a right to require that the interpretation of
them should not be overstrained or twisted
from their obvious meaning and intent by a

283
grasping cupidity after a few miles of territory ;
Avhich if acquired, could be but of little avail
able advantage to the other party. To her,
hoAvever, this tract is of more value, as securing
a free access to all the British provinces, with
out being obliged to the forbearance of any
neighbouring state for that enjoyment. If in the
final fulfilment of the fourth and fifth articles
of the treaty of 1815 it should be aAvarded that
the claim of the American government to have
the boundary pass along the north-easterly ridge
of land is just, and ought to be acceded to, it
is very desirable, and even important to his
Majesty's colonies, that one of the instructions
to the British negociator should be, to obtain
the cession of this tract of country, either by
exchange or other equivalent means, in order
that the communication from Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick with Lower Canada may be
henceforth secured from the chance of interrup
tion. In addition to these exterior boundaries be
tween us and a foreign territory, the settlement
of which is in the hands of the imperial govern
ment, there are also some relating to interior
division that ought to occupy the attention of
the provincial legislature. Of these the most
prominent are the district boundaries, that, as
they are*now fixed, produce embarrassment

284
and inconvenience. On the north side of the
St. Lawrence they are, it is true, identified Avith
the seignorial divisions ; but on the south side
they are only ideal lines, prolonged to. the
boundary of the province, not only cutting se
veral toAvnships, but even farm lots in them, by
Avhich they are placed in two districts. The
evil consequence of this has been frequently
apparent in judicial proceedings, when persons
summoned to attend the courts of law have
gone from a great distance, and at much ex
pense, — to Montreal, for instance, — before they
discovered that their attendance was required
in the district court of Three Rivers, and so
Avith respect to the others. Men living far in
the interior cannot be supposed to have a criti
cal knoAvledge of the direction that an imagin
ary line should take, even though it be liable
to interfere Avith their rights and privileges ; it
ought, therefore, to be made plain to them, and
Avhich certainly could be accomplished Avithout
difficulty. It might be done by having the
boundaries surveyed and marked in the field
along their whole line, if it be deemed prefer
able for them to preserve a straight direction; or
otherwise, they might be made to run along the
limits of the townships that they noAV intersect,
and which, although irregular, would thereby
be as exactly defined as by any other method,

285
and indeed with less trouble, as nothing more
Avould be required than to establish the same
by proces verbal. At all events some regulation
in this respect is necessary, in order that the
southern tOAvnships, now containing a popula
tion of nearly 20,000, and that is every year
acquiring fresh accessions, may no longer be
involved in similar inconvenience. The county
boundaries from the same cause call for a re
vision. the district of three rivers
Lies between those of Montreal and Quebec,
is bounded on the south b}- part of the line of
45 degrees of north latitude, and the ridge of
mountains stretching to the north-east; north
ward its limit is indefinite, or it may be pre
sumed to have only the province boundary for
its limit in that direction. Its breadth, on the
north side of the St. LaAvrence, from the seig
niory of Berthier to that of St. Anne, is fifty-
tAvo miles and a half; but on the south side,
from Sorel to Deschaillors, no more than fifty
miles and a half. It contains the county of St.
Maurice, and the greater part of Buckingham,
forty seigniories and fiefs, thirty-two whole
townships, part of eleven others that are divid
ed by the district lines, thirty-two that are pro-

286
jected only, and tAventy-two parishes. The lands
granted " en fief et seigneurie" are 1,039,549
superficial acres, or 1,220,308 superficial French
arpents. In the townships 824,679 acres have
been granted in free and common soccage.
The cultivated part of the seigniories may be
taken at a little more than one third ; but the
townships fall very short of the same proportion,
and the recent date of their grants sufficiently
assign the reason of it.
Maskikonge' (the seigniory of), situated on
the north side of Lake St. Peter's, in the county
of St. Maurice, is bounded on the south-Avest
by Berthier, on the north-east by the seigniory
of Riviere du Loup, and in the rear by Dusable
or Nouvelle York and Carufel : it contains two
separate grants ; that of the north-east part, a
league and a half in front by the same depth,
was made November 3, 1672, to Sieur Baptiste
Le Gardeur de St. Michel ; and the south-west
part, a league in front by a league in depth, on
the same date, and to the same person. The
soil is rich, fertile in the production of all sorts
of grain, and in some places would be excellent
for hemp and flax. The land in general is
rather flat, and toAvards the front is so low as
to be sometimes overflowed in the spring ; but
this only serves to enrich the fine meadows and
good pasture grounds that border the river.

287
The timber has been very much thinned in this
seigniory, but it is very Avell watered by the
large river Maskinonge that winds through the
centre of it, and is navigable for boats and
canoes for several miles up, and by some small
streams. About two-thirds of it is in cultiva
tion. The best settlements are on the borders of
Chenail du Nord, on both sides of the road
leading to Quebec, and on the east bank of
the Maskinonge, over which there is a bridge.
There is no village in the seigniory, but it has
a church and parsonage-house, one grist-mill
and one saAv-mill. At the entrance of the Mas-
quinonge there are two or three large islands,
forming different channels into it ; they are all
flat and low, but covered with various sorts of
inferior Avood. Timber from Carufel, &c. and
the townships in its rear, are brought down it
into the St. Lawrence.
Dusable' or Nouvelle York (the seig
niory of), in the county of St. Maurice, is si
tuated in the rear of Maskinong6, between
Berthier and Carufel, one league in front by
three in depth ; was granted, August 15, 1739>
to Adrien Dandonneau Dusabl6, and is now the
property of the Honourable Ross Cuthbert. A
small ridge of rising ground crosses this grant a
little to the nortlnvard of the road to Quebec,
Avhich seems to separate the fertile from the

288
barren parts, for to the soutlnvard of it the soil
is rich, productive, well settled, and under good
cultivation ; but on the opposite side of the
height it is very indifferent, and thinly settled
by a few farmers, Avho have occasion to exert
their utmost industry to procure a living. The
Avhole tract is almost free from Avood ; the little
remaining is only fit for fuel. A small stream,
called Riviere Cachee, runs through the loAver
part, and works one corn and one saw-mill.
Carufel (the seigniory of), in the county
of St. Maurice, lies in the rear of the seigniory
of Maskinonge, betAveen Dusabl6 and fief St.
John, about tAvo leagues in front by two in
depth; Avas granted, in March 1705, to Jean
Sicard, Sieur de Carufel, and is noAV possessed
by the heirs of the late Honourable Charles de
Lanaudiere. In this grant the land is of a
pretty good quality, mixed here and there Avith
a reddish clay and sand. Almost every kind of
good timber is found upon it, and some of the
pine rising to large dimensions. The river
Maskinonge traverses it from the north-west,
by Avhich the timber felled here is sent down to
the St. LaAvrence. A small part of it lying on
the front is all that is yet cultivated, where,
however, there are some very respectable farms
and good houses by the side of the main road.
Lake Maskinonge' or Lanaudiere (the

289
seigniory of), in the counties of St. Maurice
and Warwick, lies in the rear of Berthier, Du
sable and Carufel ; it is two leagues in front, and
extends in depth so far as to comprehend Lake
Maskinonge; it Avas granted, March 1, 1750, to
Charles Francois Tarieu de Lanaudiere, and is
now the property of T. Pothier, Esq. Some diffi
culties have occurred with respect to the depth
and other limits of this seigniory, because the
Lake Maskinonge has been found to lie much
further to the westward than it was supposed to
do at the time it was granted ; however, it was
at that period sufficiently knoAvn not to be mis
taken for any of the inferior lakes. The claims
to this property set up by the heirs of the late
M. de Lanaudiere are marked on the topogra
phical map by the letters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h,
i, k, I. It is a fine tract of land, of a strong
rich soil, and very Avell timbered with beech,
maple, birch, pine, and some oak. It is watered
by several small lakes,but principally by the river
Maskinonge, whose stream flows from the lake
of that name, which is about nine miles in cir
cumference, and well stocked with various sorts
of excellent fish. The scenery around it pos
sesses many natural beauties of the wild and
sublime description, presenting an amphitheatre
of rising grounds and lofty hills, backed by the
magnificent ridge of mountains running westerly
u

290
from Quebec, and many other bold features of
a romantic country. Very few settlements have
yet been made here, but it certainly may be im
proved in a very short time into a valuable
estate. St. Jean (fief), in the county of St. Maurice,
is placed between the seigniories of Riviere du
Loup, Maskinonge and Carufel ; three-quarters
of a league in front by two leagues in depth ;
granted, October 13, 1701, to Les Dames re-
ligieuses Ursuline& des Trois Rivieres. A con
firmation of this grant, with its augmentation,
bearing date December 10, 1737, gives it one
league more in depth. The Ursulines still re
tain the property. The land is good and pro
ductive; of the fief nearly the whole is culti
vated, but very little of the augmentation. It
has some fine timber upon it.
Riviere du Loup (the seigniory of), in
the county of St. Maurice, is situated on the
north side of Lake St. Peter, between the fief
St. Jean and Grand Pre : one league in front,
that is, half a league on each side of the river,
by four leagues in depth ; it was granted, with
an augmentation, April 5th, l689i to Sieur Vil-
leraie for Sieur D'Artigny. This seigniory sur
passes in value, perhaps, every property of simi
lar extent in the province ; its soil is commonly
a light reddish earth, a little sandy, sometimes

291
mixed with clay ; in many places it is a fine
yellow loam, altogether very fertile, producing
abundant crops of grain, and every article of
general groAvth in the country ; some parts are
particularly eligible for raising hemp and flax.
It is generally level, but towards the margin of
the lake it is flat and low, consisting chiefly
of meadow and grazing land, both excellent.
About the front there is no timber of superior
growth remaining, and indeed not much of any
other ; but towards the rear there are many
spots Avhere some of the largest size both of
pine and oak is to be found. The Grande and
Petite Rivieres du Loup, and some inferior
streams, water the seigniory extremely well ; the
former crosses it diagonally, and by its serpen
tine course greatly heightens the other natural
attractions of the place. A variety of good
roads lead in every direction. The Quebec
road is embellished on each side by many good
houses, and farms in a very improved state.
Numerous settlements and roads extend on
each side of the two Rivieres du Loup, whose
banks for several miles upwards are lofty, and
agreeably varied with woodland and landscape
scenery, which, combining with the luxuriance
of the well cultivated fields, leaves very. little to
be desired with respect to prospect. On the
westerly side of the great River is the village du
u 2

292
Loup, containing about 30 or 40 houses only ;
but the settlements on each side of the road are
so thickly inhabited, that they may be almost
considered as an extension of it to a great dis
tance. In the village fronting the road is a
new church, remarkable for its size, the elegance
of its structure, and the good taste of its interior
decoration ; of three steeples that surmount it,
the two in front are covered Avith tin, Avhich
renders them conspicuous objects at a consi
derable distance. Near the village the Grand
Riviere du Loup is crossed by a very fine
bridge, both handsomely and solidly construct
ed of timber. The population and wealth of
this place are considerable; many trades are car
ried on, and many shops kept open for the sale
of all kinds of manufactured goods and produce;
large quantities of grain are collected here for
exportation, and deposited in store-houses kept
for that purpose. The Avhole of the seigniory
and part of the augmentation are cultivated.
On the rivers there are some grist and saw mills.
Grand Pre' (the seigniory of), in the county
of St. Maurice, is situated on the north side of
Lake St. Peter, between the augmentation to
Riviere du Loup, Grosbois, and Dumontier, a
league in front by three in depth ; was granted
3d July, 1695, to Pierre Boucher, Sieur de
Grand Pre. This seigniory is singularly over-

293
laid by that of Riviere du Loup, which from
being a prior concession to this one, and the
term of the grant expressing half a league on
each side of the river, leaves but a small irre
gular frontage on the lake for Grand Pre. This
tract, in the quality of the land and species of
the timber, strongly resembles that of Riviere
du Loup, but is not near so well settled as that
property, although there is every probability of
its becoming, in a few years, an estate of con
siderable value.
Gros Bois or Yamachiche (the seigniory
of), in the county of St. Maurice, on the north
side of Lake St. Peter, between Grand Pre
and Gatineau, is bounded in the rear by Fief
Dumontier; it is a league and a half in front
by two leagues in depth ; was granted Nov. 3,
1672, to Sieur Boucher, and is now the pro
perty of Louis Gugy, Esq. It is rather low
toAvards the front, but retiring from the lake
there are some few rising grounds. The soils
and different, kinds of timber upon it are very
similar to the two last mentioned grants. The
Riviere du Loup and the Grande and Petite
Rivieres Machiche water it, over Avhich, where
they are intersected by the main roads, bridges',
substantially built of timber, that have a light
and pleasing appearance, have been erected.
About three-fourths of the grant are conceded ;

294
the settlements in front and on the banks of the
river are in good order, and very flourishing ; the
houses and farm buildings, well constructed, be
speak their proprietors to be very industrious
and in easy circumstances. On the east side of
the main or Quebec road, that here resumes its
course close to the River St. Lawrence, are the
church and- parsonage-house of Machiche, Avith
a cluster of houses, forming a small neat village
around them. The interior is traversed by many
roads leading to the seigniories in the rear, as
well as those on each side. On the different
streams there are some good mills of both de
scriptions. Gatineau (fief and augmentation), in the
county of St. Maurice, joins Yamachiche ; it is
three quarters of a league in front by a league
and a half in depth; was granted Nov. 3, 1672,
to Sieur Boucher, fils ; the augmentation, of the
same breadth as the fief, and four leagues deep,
was granted Oct. 3, 1750, to Demoiselle Marie
Josephe Gatineau Duplessis. The land in this
fief is of rather a lighter soil than the adjoining
grants, equally fertile, and subject to nearly the
same mode of culture, lt is watered by the
two rivers Machiche, Avhose banks for a consi
derable distance upAvards display some good
and thriving settlements, connected by many
good roads, beside the public one that crosses
them.

295
Pointe duLac or Tonnancour (the seig
niory of), in the county of St. Maurice, has part
of Lake St. Peter and the St. Lawrence in front,
St. Marguerite and St. Maurice on the north
east, and Gatineau on the south-west ; it is a
league and a quarter in front by two leagues in
depth, comprising therein the fiefs Normanville
and Sauvaget ; was granted Nov. 3, 1734, to
Sieur Ren6 Godefroi de Tonnancour, and is
noAv possessed by the heirs of the late Nicholas
Montour, Esq. A reddish light soil, upon clay
or a good marl, spreads over the greatest part
of this seigniory ; the front of it is flat and low,
toAvards the interior it gradually gets higher,
and rises more abruptly to the rear. Beech,
ash, birch, and some pine, are the prevailing
species of timber. It is watered by La Riviere
de la Pointe du Lac, that passes through it in
a northerly direction, by part of the River
Machiche, and some smaller streams ; on their
banks there are some good settlements, Avhich
Avith those along its front embrace about
one half of the grant. Several roads pass
through the interior ; the main one crossing the
front on the bank of the river. The Pointe du
Lac is a large projection from the front of the
seigniory, forming the north-east extremity of
Lake St. Peter : on this promontory are some
remains of barracks that were erected for the

296
accommodation of troops during the first Ame
rican Avar, when it Avas necessary to have a force
stationed at different places above Quebec, to
defend the passage of the St. LaAvrence. On
the east side of La Riviere de la Pointe du Lac
stands a good-looking church, parsonage-house,
and a chapel ; not far removed from this spot
are Montour's Mills, large, commodious, and
Avell-built; near to them are some extensive
store-houses and dwellings; on the opposite
side of the road, a little above the mills, stands
the proprietor's manor-house, a very handsome
building, finely situated, and commanding a
fine prospect over a tract of country abounding
in picturesque beauties.
St. Marguerite (the seigniory of), in the
county of St. Maurice, is situated in the rear of
several small grants made to the late order of
Jesuits, Sieur de St. Paul, and others ; it is
bounded on the north-east by the River St.
Maurice, on the south-Avest by Tonnancour or
Pointe du Lac, and on the north-Avest by the
seigniory of St. Maurice; it is about three
quarters of a league in front by a league in
depth, and was granted 27th July, 1691, to
Sieur Jacques Dubois de Boguinet. The little
fief of Vieux Pont, about a quarter of a mile
in front, is within the seigniory of St. Mar
guerite, and extends from the Saint LaAvrence

297
to the rear boundary ; Avas granted August 23,
1674, to Joseph Godefroi, Sieur de Vieux
Pont. This seigniory is of a light sandy soil,
mixed in some places Avith clay, in others
with loam; it has some good timber upon it,
is watered by several small streams, and the
greatest part of it is well cultivated. The
small tracts marked a, b, c, d, on the topo
graphical map, were granted at different pe
riods to the Jesuits and others. The soil of
these pieces is the same as the rest of the
seigniory, but they are entirely cleared of tim
ber, and all in a good state of cultivation. All
these grants are intersected by the roads from
Three Rivers to Montreal and the different seig
niories, and on the north-east by those to the
forges of St. Maurice.
The toAvn of Three Rivers is situated on the
north-west side of the River St. Maurice, at its
confluence with the St. Lawrence : it derives
its name from the entrance into the former river,
being separated, by two islands lying at the
mouth, into three channels. The toAvn plot
covers nearly 400 acres, forming a front of ra
ther more than 1300 yards on the bank of the
St. Lawrence. It stands on an exceeding light
and sandy soil, which extends also over the en
virons; to the bank of the St. Maurice the
ground rises very considerably, but in the op-

298
posite direction it sinks almost to a level with
the river. Three Rivers ranks as the third town
in the province, but compared with either of the
others it is small indeed, containing only about
320 houses, with a population not much exceed
ing 2500 souls. It sends two members to the
provincial parliament. In the year 1618 some
French colonists began building this place, Avith
a view of making it a depot from whence the
fur trade might be carried on with the Indians
to the norttnvard ; their plan experienced at
first many flattering indications of success, but
after Montreal was founded, and had so in
creased as to be able to defend itself against
the attacks of the natives of the country, it was
supposed to be a situation better suited to this
improving traffic, and was consequently pre
ferred ; from that period Three Rivers, being
greatly neglected, did not much enlarge either
its extent or population. About the beginning
of last century, however, it began again to en
tertain hopes of rising into some consequence
by opening the iron mines at Saint Maurice ;
but they proved nearly as delusive as the for
mer, and up to the present time its improve
ment has been upon a very moderate scale.
The trade carried on here is chiefly in British
manufactured goods, that from hence are plen
tifully distributed through the middle district

299
of the province ; the exports consist of wheat
timber, though noAV not so much as formerly,
and the produce of its iron foundery, added to
that of the mines of St. Maurice : peltry in
small quantities still continues to be brought
hither by the Indians from the nortrnvard, and
which is received by the agents of the North
West Company. Several pot and pearl ash
manufactories, two or three breweries, and an
extensive brick manufactory, considerably in
crease the general trade of the place : many of
the bark canoes used in the north-west voyages
are built here, and of the same material a va
riety of ingenious and ornamental Avorks and
toys are made. As a shipping port it is conve
niently situated, there being a sufficient depth
of water for ships of large tonnage to lie close
to the Avharfs and receive or discharge their
cargoes by a temporary stage from their gang
ways. The town itself possesses but little to
attract a stranger's notice ; the streets are nar
row and unpaved ; the principal one is Rue
Notre Dame, running the whole length of it,
almost parallel with the river ; next to this are
the Rues des Forges, du Fleuve, du Rempart,
St. Maurice, du Platon, des Casernes, St. Louis,
St. Jean, and St. Pierre, which may be said to
constitute nearly all the inhabited part of the
place. The shops and storehouses are numer-

300
ous, Avherein may be had British goods of all
denominations; several inns afford to travel
lers very respectable accommodations. On the
south-Avest side of the town are the remains of
some military works thrown up for its defence
by the English army, during the Avar of the re
bellion, Avhich are noAV honoured by the inhabit
ants with the high-sounding title of " Anciennes
Fortifications." On the outside of these Avorks
is an extensive tract of common land. The
principal public buildings in the town are the
Ursuline convent, the protestant and catholic
churches, the court-house, gaol, and barracks.
The major part of the private dwelling-houses,
&c. are built of wood, the oldest of them only
one story high, having small gardens about
them ; but those of more recent date are in a
much better style, many of them higher than
the old ones, and rather of handsome appear
ance. The Ursuline convent was founded in
1677, by Mons. de St. Vallier, Bishop of Que
bec, for the education of youth, chiefly females,
and as an asylum for the sick and infirm poor.
The establishment is for a superior and twenty-
four nuns. In 1806, the old building was de
stroyed by fire, Avhen its inhabitants, dispersed
by that calamity, Avere received into the differ
ent religious houses of Quebec and Montreal,
until the present edifice was erected. It is a

301
regular stone building, two stories high, of con
siderable extent, surrounded by fine gardens;
it includes a parochial church and hospital,
with all the apartments and offices requisite
both for the dwellings and carrying on the dif
ferent functions of the establishment. As the
Ursulines were held in great estimation for the
general utility and the charitable nature of their
institution, public subscriptions were opened
immediately after the accident that deprived
them of their residence, from the proceeds of
Avhich, with a little pecuniary aid from the le
gislature, they Avere able to rebuild their con
vent in its present improved and substantial
manner, and which, though not quite finished,
they took possession of in 1808. The old mo
nastery of the Recollets, a stone building, is
now delapidated ; near it is a powder maga
zine. The protestant and catholic churches
are good plain buildings, but neither of them
sufficiently remarkable to attract particular at
tention. The court-house and gaol are handsome
modern stone edifices, both in good situations,
and well designed for their respective purposes.
The building now occupied as barracks is so
lidly constructed of stone, situated on the north
side of Notre Dame Street, and on the highest
ground about the town. It was originally
erected as a residence for the French governor.

302
From Rue des Forges there is a road leading
to the foundery of St. Maurice. On the eastern
side of the town are several small fiefs and se
parate lots of ground belonging to different
proprietors, most of them in a good state of
cultivation. St. Maurice (the seigniory of), in the
county of Saint Maurice, lies on the Avest side
of River St. Maurice, a league in breadth by a
league and a half in depth : the original grant
was tAvo leagues in depth, but OAving to the
seigniory of Pointe du Lac, by Avhich it is
bounded on the south-west, being of a prior
date, so great an extent could not be taken.
St. Maurice Avas reunited to the king's domain
on the 6th April, 1740, and on the 13th of the
same month granted to the company of the
forges, with an additional piece of land three
leagues in depth by two in breadth, called fief
St. Etienne ; on the north-west of St. Etienne
is another tract of the same dimensions, that
has lately been annexed to the above grants, as
part of the lands belonging to the forges. The
Avhole is the property of the crown, but let on
lease for twenty-one years, together with the
forges, &c. to Messrs. Munro and Bell, for the
sum of 500/. per annum only. The soil in St.
Maurice (seigniory) is light and sandy, generally
upon a bottom of clay or good marl ; the sur-

303
face is a continual alternation of gradual rise and
fall ; in the low parts there are a few swamps
Avith a good deal of hemlock and cedar upon
them ; the acclivities are mostly clothed with
a general mixture of timber trees, but the
chief sort is pine of a middling growth : a very
small part only of this grant is cultivated. A
fine road from Three Rivers crosses it, leading
mostly through the Avoods to the foundery. The
fief St. Etienne is but little cultivated, though
of a better soil, having a superior mixture of
marl, and in many places a rich black vegeta
ble earth ; the ground is irregular, as in St.
Maurice, but rising into stronger ridges on the
north-west. The fief has several divisions called
Cotes Rouge, de Grand Pont, Croche, Turcotte,
de 14 Arpens, and St. Jean. The upper lands
are well covered Avith maple, birch, beech, and
ash, but on the Ioav grounds, that are wet in
some places, there are only the usual inferior
species, but these in great abundance. In this
grant there are several pineries, Avhich produce
trees of a superior growth, particularly the one
a little below and on Pigeon Island. Iron ore,
that at one time was found plentifully in seve
ral parts of this fief, is noAv only met with in the
rear. Quarries of lime-stone, a good grey stone,
and some other hard species fit for building, are
opened on the banks of the St. Maurice, near

304
the falls of Gros, and those of Gabelle a little
below. Wood for the purposes of the forges is
produced in abundance; great quantities of
it are felled and carried by sleighs every winter
to the furnaces, where it is made into charcoal
for the use of the melting-houses; it was in
consequence of the great demand, from the
continual consumption of this article, that
the additional tract of crown land was super
added to the others on the reneAval of the
lease. The foundery of St. Maurice is situated
in this fief, in a beautiful valley, at the con
fluence of a small stream Avith the St. Maurioe,
about eight miles above the town of Three Ri
vers ; the high banks of the river, embellished
Avith every variety of fine trees in groups on
each side, the dark hue of the large pineries
and immense surrounding forests, and the more
distant and softened shades of the lofty moun
tains that bound the view, form together a bold
and magnificent prospect, Avhen vieAved from
the place where the road ascends the brow of
the ridge that overlooks the valley. The foun
dery itself is replete Avith convenience for carry
ing on an extensive concern ; furnaces, forges,
casting-houses, workshops, &c. Avith the dAvell-
ing-houses and other buildings, have altogether
the appearance of a tolerably large village. The
articles manufactured here consist of stoAres of

305
all descriptions, that are used throughout the
provinces, large cauldrons or kettles for makin»
pot-ashes, machinery for mills, Avith cast and
wrought iron work of all denominations ; there
are likeAvise large quantities of pig and bar iron
exported : the number of men employed is, from
250 to 300 ; the principal foremen and persons
engaged in making models, &c. are either En
glish or Scotch men; the Avorkmen are gene
rally Canadians. In the early establishment
of this foundery, about 1737, the ore was found
in great abundance near the surface, of a qua
lity not inferior to many of the best mines of
Europe. for the pliability of the metal. At first
the mode of Avorking the different veins Avas
managed with very little skill, but in 1739 an
artizan was brought from France, who combined
a knoAvledge of the different branches of manu
facturing wrought and cast iron Avith a compe
tent skill in Avorking the mines ; from this ac
quisition great improvements took place, Avhich
have progressively increased, and the establish
ment is noAv carried on with almost as much
ability, and on the same principle, as similar
concerns in England and Scotland. It will
appear somewhat singular that neither of the
provinces should produce sand proper for the
purposes of casting iron, but such is the fact,
and the proprietors of these works, in conse-
x

306
quence, import from England all they use in
that operation. Since the year 1806, Messrs.
Munro and Bell have occupied these valuable
premises on the terms before named ; previous
to that period their annual rent Avas 800/. per
annum ; on the termination of their former lease
they were,; very reasonably, entitled to the con
sideration of the government in reletting them,
as indeed is every tenant on the expiration of a
given term, after his ability and exertions have
materially enhanced the value of the property ;
but it very rarely occurs that similar circum
stances of improvement have operated as a
cause for a reduction of the rent almost fifty
per cent; at any rate these gentlemen, whose
industry and skill prove undoubtedly useful to
the province, have many good reasons to be
satisfied with their bargain.
Cap de la Magdelaine (the seigniory of),
in the county of St. Maurice, is bounded by
the river St. Maurice on the south-Avest, the
seigniory of Champlain and its augmentation
on the north-east, and by the river St. LaAv
rence on the front; its breadth is tAvo leagues,
its depth extends twenty leagues into the in
terior northwards; it was granted March 20,
1651, to the Order of Jesuits, and has now de
volved to the crown. The soil of this extensive
seigniory, in such parts of it as have yet come

307
under observation, nearly resembles that of the
lands belonging to the foundery of St. Maurice ;
but where it differs therefrom there is rather less
of a sandy earth, Avith a bluish and a yelloAv
loam prevailing in a greater proportion. The
timber is almost of the same species, and to
Avards the interior much of it has attained a
very fine growth. Compared with the great
extent of the grant, a small portion only is
under cultivation, which lies principally on
the St. Lawrence, and on the bank of the St.
Maurice, almost up to the Falls of Gabelle :
the settlements, hoAvever, are not noticeable for
any thing in their system of management above
mediocrity ; in consequence their wheat and
other crops are but indifferent, on land that
might be made to yield abundantly. The
situation of the farms on the banks of the rivers,
and the quality of the soil, are both favourable
to agricultural improvement ; circumstances,
that if judiciously attended to could not fail of
rendering this part of the seigniory extremely
valuable. The Quebec road passes almost close
to the St. Lawrence, by the ferry over the St.
Maurice to the town of Three Rivers; this ferry,
by Avhich the established post-road is continued,
is nearly two miles across ; the price demanded
from each person is tAvo shillings and sixpence,
and in like proportion for horses and carnages;
x2

308
but about a mile and a half higher up the river
there is another, where the charge is only three
pence each person, and fifteen-pence for a
horse and carriage. By the side of this road
stands the church of the seigniory, Avith its
parsonage-house. At the mouth of the Saint
Maurice are the islands Bellerive, au Cochon,
St. Christophe, La Croix, and L'Abri; they
are low, and almost covered with wood of the
inferior sorts, but afford some very good graz
ing land. It was in contemplation some time
since to throw a bridge across this river opposite
to the Isle St. Christophe. Such a measure
would prove of so great public utility as to ex
cite hopes that the design is not abandoned.
On a route so much frequented as this is,
the undertakers of the plan could hardly fail of
deriving a handsome profit by their speculation ;
the impediments to carrying it into effect, from
the experience derived already in the execu
tion of similar projects, are not very difficult to
be overcome. Between Isle Bellerive and the
main there is a very good situation for laying
up river craft during the winter season, Avhere
they remain secure, in about eight feet water,
and escape all injury from the breaking up of
the ice in the spring. The St. Maurice is one
of the large rivers that pour their streams into
the St. LaAvrence : the depth of it is inconsider-

309
able, being navigable for small boats and canoes
to a short distance only upwards from its mouth.
It takes its rise in the interior, about the skirts
of the north-west ridge of mountains, and flows
through Lake St. Thomas, from whence the
magnitude of its stream is greatly increased;
the banks on each side are high, and covered
with large groups of fine majestic trees ; some
of the small islands in it are thickly clothed
Avith large pine-trees. In the interior the stream
is passable for some of the Indian canoes, but
not without many difficulties and much labour,
caused by the numerous falls and rapids, that
occasion very long portages ; however, a party
or two of the Indian hunters persevere through
this toilsome route, and descend every season to
Three Rivers with a few furs.
Champlain (the seigniory of and its aug
mentation), in the county of St. Maurice, on the
north side of the River St. Lawrence, lies between
Cap de la Magdelaine (seigniory) and Batiscan,
a league and a half in-front by a league in depth ;
Avas granted Sept. 22, 1664, to Etienne Pezard,
Sieur de la Touche ; the augmentation, of the
same breadth as the seigniory, and three leagues
deep, is bounded in the rear by the township of
Radnor, and waste croAvn lands ; it was granted
April 28th, 1697, to Madame de la Touche. In
this seigniory the soil is favourable to the groAvth

310
of all sorts of grain, and in many places so ex
cellent for the cultivation of flax, that it is a
subject of regret so profitable and important an
article is not attended to. The timber is vari
ous, and though not of first rate quality, yet is
not overstocked with the more useless sorts.
It is watered by the little River Champlain,
and by many small streams, Avhose sources are
at a short distance in the interior, Avhich Avind-
ing doAvn the gradual descent to the St. LaAv
rence in little rivulets, cross the main road,
and agreeably diversify the meadows and culti
vated grounds along the front. The little Cham
plain works a grist and a saAv-mill. About one
third of this seigniory is cultivated in a neat
style, and by the side of the Quebec road dis
plays many good houses Avith thriving farms,
almost wholly cleared of the wood : it has one
church, and a parsonage-house near the road.
Only a very small proportion of the augmenta
tion is yet brought into use; the remainder
continues in a state of Avoodland, Avhich pro
duces some capital timber.
Batiscan (the seigniory of), in the county
of St. Maurice, has the St. LaAvrence in front,
Champlain and its augmentation on the south
west, and Ste. Marie with the augmentation
to Ste. Anne on the north-east ; its breadth is
about two leagues, and its depth tAventy;

311
granted March 3d, 1639, to the Order of Je
suits, and now reverted to the crown. Border
ing the St. Lawrence the land is low, but it
soon obtains a gradual rise for the distance of
nearly four leagues and a half to the interior ; it
then becomes mountainous, as it gains upon the
north-western ridge. The soil in the lower
parts, like the adjacent seigniories, is a light
earth, rather sandy, laid over a stratum of good
clay; but proceeding northward, it gets stronger,
and is enriched for a considerable space Avith
fine black mould, affording many capital tracts
for the growth of all kinds of grain. On the
front the wood is nearly all cleared away and
the land cultivated for two or three miles in
ward, and rather more than five miles upwards,
on both sides of the River Batiscan, upon Avhich
there are many good settlements, where the dif
ferent farms appear very neat and well managed.
The whole of its depth has not been explored,
but as far as it has been visited is found to pro
duce timber of the best species, and excellent
of the different kinds. La Petite Riviere Cham
plain, with some smaller streams, water the
front, besides the large River Batiscan, that
rolls a much broader current, but is so shalloAv
as not to be accessible for boats higher than
six or seven miles from its mouth. Over this
and the Champlain there are ferries, where

312
canoes and scows are ahvays in readiness on
either side for traArellers, carriages, &c. In
addition to the main road that crosses the seig
niory, others ascend for several miles on each
side of the Batiscan, and communicate with the
adjacent grants. About six miles up on the
east side of this river is the foundery of the
same name ; it consists of a furnace or smelting-
house, a casting-house, two forges, dwelling-
houses, and various other buildings. The
manufactures carried on here are similar to
those of St. Maurice ; some pig and bar iron
are also exported, but neither upon so exten
sive a scale as from the other foundery. The
establishment is the property of several indivi
duals ; the chief owners were formerly the Hon.
T. Dunn, John Craigie, Esq., Mr. Frobisher,
and Mr. Coffin ; the first named gentleman has
for some time past AvithdraAvn himself from the
concern, and one or two of the latter are de
ceased : it is now continued by their heirs and
successors. From the expensive nature of these
Avorks, that require the continual application of
large sums of money to keep them going, the
revenue in proportion to the trade is by no
means equal to that of St. Maurice. In open
ing a field for ingenuity and industry, as well
as causing a competition in supplying articles
of internal consumption, they are undoubtedly of

313
service to the provinces, yet they are said not
to be a very profitable speculation to the owners
of the property.
Ste. Marie (the seignioryjof ), in the county
of St. Maurice, joins Batiscan ; it is three quar
ters of a league in breadth, by half a league in
depth ; was granted Nov. 3d, 1672, to Sieur le
Moine, and is now the property of M. Boisvert.
St e.Anne, next toSte. Marie, nearly of the same
breadth, and a league in depth, was granted
Oct. 29th, 1672, to Messieurs Sueur and La
naudiere. This grant has three augmentations :
the first, extending in breadth from the seigniory
of Grondines to Batiscan, and three leagues
in depth, was granted March 4th, 1697, to
Madame Denis, veuve de Sieur Lanaudiere :
the second, one league and a half deep, and the
breadth of the former, granted Oct. 30th, 1700,
to Sieur Thomas Tarieu de la Perade : and the
third, three leagues deep by a similar breadth,
granted April 20th, 1735, to Thomas Tarieu de
la Perade : they are noAv the property of the
heirs of C. Lanaudiere, Esq. The front of these
two seigniories is so low as to be inundated in
the spring of the year by the rising of the St.
Lawrence, but this temporary inconvenience
contributes greatly to the luxuriance of the
fine meadows that border the river. The soil
is sufficiently fertile, and consists of a light

314
sandy earth lying upon a reddish clay about
the front, but further to the rear is found a
mixture of yellow loam and black mould ;
altogether it is very productive in grain of all
kinds, and most other articles of general groAvth.
In Ste. Marie the quantity of land under culti
vation is nearly two-thirds of the grant, and in
Ste. Anne it amounts to nearly 300 lots or farms,
somewhat irregularly dispersed along each branch
of the River St. Anne, and at the descent of a
small ridge that stretches across the seigniory
a short distance from its front. Of the aug
mentations to Ste. Anne but very little is culti
vated ; it is almost wholly Avoodland, producing
timber of all species, and some of excellent
groAvth and great value : the quality of the
land, as indicated by the various kinds of wood
groAving upon it, is very good. Both grants
are watered by the Rivers Batiscan and St.
Anne, with a few other streams, not of much
consequence ; the two rivers are large, but
scarcely at all navigable ; the former is about
350 and the latter 400 yards Avide ; they run
nearly parallel to each other, about seven miles
apart, and in a direction almost opposite to the
other large streams, as they take a north-east
erly course for about 70 miles, until they come
to the rear of the city of Quebec, at about 30
miles distant in the township of Stoneham,

315
when they strike off to the northward, in Avhich
direction they are supposed to have their sources
in some of the lakes of that part of the country
which at present is but very little knoAvn. Their
streams are interrupted by many falls and
rapids, that would render them unnavigable,
even if the shallowness of the Avater did not do
so : near where they discharge into the St.
LaAvrence, their banks are low, but more to the
interior they are much higher, in some places
rocky, but generally covered with fine timber.
On the east side of River St. Anne, and near
the St. Lawrence, is the village of St. Anne,
containing about 30 houses, a handsome church,
a parsonage-house, and a chapel ; here are also
a feAv shopkeepers, and an inn Avith good ac
commodations, where the stage-coaches put
up, and also a post-house. At the village is a
ferry, where canoes and scows are ahvays to
be had for transporting travellers, carriages,
&c. The river is here so shalloAV that the large
boats are set across by poles : the charge for
each person is three-pence, and one shilling for
a horse and carriage. The property of this
ferry Avas granted in perpetuity by letters patent
to the late Honourable C. de Lanaudiere, his
heirs, &c. Owing to the inundation during the
spring, the main road from Quebec is further
retired from the bank of the St. Lawrence at

316
this place than at most others ; it passes along
the ridge or eminence before mentioned, until
it arrives near to the village, where it resumes
its usual direction : on both sides of the river
St. Anne there are roads that folloAv its course
through several seigniories to the north-east.
There is a grist-mill in Ste. Anne, and a grist
and a saw-mill in Ste. Marie. The manor-houses
in each seigniory are agreeably situated near
the two points formed by the rivers St. Anne
and St. Lawrence. That belonging to the
family of Lanaudiere is surrounded by excel
lent gardens, and many fine groups of beautiful
trees. On the eastern side of the seigniory of
Ste. Anne is fief Dorvilliers, containing one
league superficial measure. At the confluence
of the two rivers lie the Isles St. Ignace, Ste.
Marguerite, Dularge and Dusable, all belong
ing to the seigniory; they are Ioav, but yield
fine pasture and some good meadow land ; be
ing Avell clothed with Avood, they afford several
very pleasing prospects from both the houses.
Yamaska (the seigniory of), on the south
side of the river St. Lawrence, in the county of
Buckingham, is bounded on thesouth-west by the
seigniory of Sorel and Bonsecours, on the north
east by St. Francois, and in the rear by Bourg-
marie East ; a league and a half in front by
three leagues deep ; it Avas granted September

317
24th, 1683, to Sieur de la Valliere, and is noAV
the property of J. M. Tonnancour, Esq. Cul
tivation of a favourable description extends
over nearly one half of the seigniory; the differ
ent concessions, large and small, amount to
upAvards of 160, lying on each side of the
River Yamaska, by the Petit Chenail, and in
the Cotes St. Louis, and Ste. Catherine. The
Bay of La Vallier, or Yamaska, extends across
the upper part of it into Sorel, and that of St.
Francois makes rather a deep incision on its
eastern side; immediately surrounding these
bays the land is low and marshy, but a short
distance from them are many large tracts of
most excellent meadoAV ; further to the rear the
soil is rich, and very productive, consisting of
good yellow loam, and a fine clay intermixed
with light earth, affording much good arable
for grain of all sorts, and some spots well
adapted to the culture of flax and hemp. The
front part of the seigniory is moderately well
furnished with timber of a middling and inferior
quality, as white fir, spruce fir, hemlock, &c. ;
but in the rear upon the drier grounds, some of
a superior description is produced, as plane,
beech, hickory, and oak. The land is tolerably
well watered by several small streams, in addi
tion to the little river David that has its source in
the adjoining savannes, or large swamps. The

318
convenience of good roads is afforded in every di
rection. The main one, from the eastAvard, lead
ing to the town of William Henry, crosses the
Yamaska at a ferry, just above la PetitelsleTon-
nancour: the price of passage is three-pence
each person, six-pence for a horse, and one shil
ling for a carriage. A grist-mill and a Avind-mill
are near the ferry. In front of the seigniory are
the Isles du Moine, aux Raisins, and some others ;
in the mouth of the river is the large island St.
Jean, entirely covered Avith wood, some of it
of good quality. The bays beforementioned
yield a great variety of fine fish, and along their
shores game of several sorts is found in abun
dance. The river Yamaska admits of inland
navigation of some importance for batteaux and
rafts : its medium breadth is about 400 yards.
Its sources are in the high lands about the
townshipsofBoltonandBrome; the currentis also
supplied by some of the large lakes in the same
neighbourhood: one large branch of it crosses
the township of Farnham, and another, at about
22 miles further on, diverges into the adjoining
townships : from thence it pursues a north or
north-westerly direction to Lake St. Peter; the
Avhole of its course is about 90 miles. As the
new townships in this part of the province
become more populous, and the increase of
agriculture furnishes produce beyond their own

319
consumption, this route of communication will
prove not much inferior in consequence to that
by the River Richelieu.
St. Franpois (the seigniory of), on the
south side of the St. LaAvrence, in the county
of Buckingham, has Yamaska on the south
west, Lussaudiere on the north-east, and De
Guir and Pierreville in the rear: it is one league
in front by nearly two in depth ; granted Oc
tober 8th, 1678, to Sieur de Crevier, and is
now the property of Mons. Le Gendre, and
some families of the Abenaqui Indians. This
seigniory, like the preceding one, is low towards
the Lake St. Peter. The Bay of St. Franpois,
and some others, indent it rather deeply, and
occasion large tracts of marsh land along their
shores; a little removed from them are some
very fine meadows, and further to the interior
the soil is good, in most parts rather light and
sandy. The timber is but of indifferent quality,
and consists more of spruce fir, hemlock, and
cedar, than any other; on the driest land there
is a little maple and beech. The River St.
Francis, with a few smaller streams, water it
very well. About one half of this grant is in a
state of cultivation ; the best settled and most
improved parts lie on each side of the St, Francis.
At the descent of this river into the St. Law
rence are several islands that are attached to the

320
grant; the largest of them is nearly foui
miles long, partly cultivated, and very Avell
settled ; the church and parsonage-house be
longing to the seigniory stand on this island,-
from Avhence, although not an established ferry,
there are always in readiness canoes to convey
travellers to William Henry, at the rate of five
shillings each person ; a route generally pre
ferred in summer-time to that by the post
roads. The other islands are Ioav, some of
them affording a little meadow land, but they
are principally covered with wood. On the
east side of the river is situated the Indian vil
lage of St. Francois, of about 25 or 30 very
indifferently built wooden houses, inhabited by
some families of the converted Indians of the
Abenaqui tribe, who subsist themselves upon
the lands that are their own property within
this seignior}r, by raising, in their peculiarly
careless manner, some Indian corn, growing
potatoes, and rearing poultry and pigs ; they
sometimes increase these means by fishing, and
during the Avinter months by hunting parties ;
the latter is but a precarious resource, as they
are compelled to go an immense distance
before they can meet with game to repay
their labour ; for as the habitations of civilized
man have spread over the province, the animals
that were the prior occupants have fled for pro-

321
tection to the recesses of more distant forests.
In this village there is a church and a parson
age-house, at which the missionary, who super-
•in tends the religious concerns of the tribe, al
ways resides. An interpreter also has a per
manent residence among them. There are se
veral roads leading through this property; the
main one, from the eastward to William Henry,
crosses the river at a ferry by the Abenaqui
village, Avhere three-pence is paid for each per
son, and one shilling for a horse and carriage.
The river St. Francis is another of the commu
nications b}r which a considerable and increas
ing traffic is carried on Avith the southern town
ships, and also with the United States. The
navigation of it is difficult and exceedingly la
borious, OAving to the great number of violent
rapids and falls that occur in its course ; but
as it presents a direct route for sending the pro
duce of these districts to a certain market, these
obstacles are resolutely overcome by the in
dustrious settlers on each side of the boundaries,
and large quantities of pot and pearl-ashes,
and various other commodities, are every sum
mer brought doAvn by it into the St. Lawrence
for Quebec. Great quantities of British manu
factured goods are also sent upAvards to the
States. The source of the St. Francis is a large
lake of the same name, lying in the toAvnships
Y

322
of Garthby and Colerain, from whence it flows
in a south-Avesterly direction for about thirty
miles; part of this distance is but imperfectly
known, never having been correctly surveyed :
it then assumes a course nearly north-Avesterly,
runs about eighty miles, and discharges itself
into Lake St. Peter. In the toAvnship of Ascott
a branch of it connects with Lake Memphrem
agog, from the extremity of which several streams
descend into the state of Vermont; by this
means the transport of goods is continued in
that direction. As the navigation from Lake
Memphremagog to the St. Lawrence is op
posed by many and powerful natural obstruc
tions, a particular account of it will help to
sheAV Avhat patient and perseArering industry is
required to surmount them. From the outlet of
the lake to the place where the stream joins the
St. Francis is about 19 miles, in which distance
there is a singular alternation of violent rapids
and still water Avhere the current is most tedi
ously slow ; about three quarters of a mile
before it enters the river there is what is
termed a fall, not indeed from a perpendicular
height, but the bed of the river being very
much contracted, and the current broken by
high ledges of rock, it is impossible for boats
to pass it; even single sticks of timber are sel
dom sent down it, as experience has proved

323
that they never escape without being much
bruised, if not absolutely shivered to pieces : in
this distance of three quarters of a mile the
Avhole descent is from 170 to 180 feet. At this
place the scoavs and boats are unloaded, their
contents carried to the end of the fall, and
there re-embarked in other craft ready to re
ceive them ; from hence they are borne doAvn
by a gentle current about six miles, to the Great
Brompton Falls, that are about tAvo miles
in length : as empty boats can run doAvn
them on the west side only, the cargoes are
again taken out and conveyed to the foot of
the falls, where the boats are re-laden, and pro
ceed about seven miles further to the Little
Brompton Falls; a repetition of the former
labours must again take place, as they can
be passed by nothing but light craft : at this
point the portage is no more than 250 yards.
A mile or two further on is Dutchman's Shoot,
where the river is narrowed by a ledge of rocks,
and two small islands forming a rapid, that Avith
much care and some difficulty loaded boats
may pass through. After this a current, rapid
and sIoav in succession, continues Avithout im
pediment for fifteen miles to Kingsey portage ;
this is a confined part of the river, with a large
rock in the middle of it, that is covered when
the water is very high, and at which time only
y2

324
the loaded boats are able to pass it ; the cur
rent rushes through the channel Avith great im
petuosity, and retains its violence for more than
a mile beyond it. From hence no material
obstacles present themselves until arriving at
Menue Falls, a distance of about twenty miles;
these are three-quarters of a mile long, and only
practicable for the empty boats : Lord's Falls,
tAvo miles further down, and about the same
length as those of Menue, are subject to the
same inconvenience, or even greater, for unless
the Avater be very high they cannot be passed
by the light boats. At six miles beloAv this fall
is the commencement of a very rapid current,
that continues for fifteen miles, and Avhen passed
all difficulties are overcome, and the river is free
into Lake St. Peter. From the upper to the
lower part of the river it varies in breadth from
] 00 yards to nearly a mile. NotAvithstanding
this troublesome medley of land and water car
riage, the trade carried on by it is now very
considerable, as more than 1500 barrels of ashes
only have been brought down it in one summer
very lately.
Lussaudiere (the seigniory of), in the
county of Buckingham, is situated next to
St. Francois, one league square; Avas granted
26th July, 1683, to Sieur de la Motte de
Luciere, In this grant the land is generally

325
of a better quality than that in the pre
ceding one, Avith less of a sandy descrip
tion : the front is so low as to be overfloAved in
the spring by Lake St. Peter, and consists of
very fine meadoAV and good, pasturage: pro
ceeding to the rear the ground rises gradually;
in this direction there are some patches of fair
arable land. The timber is not of the best
kinds, particularly in front, although it im
proves further back. About one third of the
seigniory is cultivated ; the most improved set
tlements are contiguous to the main road on
each side of it, where some of the lots and
farms bespeak an attention to husbandry that
sheAvs them in a very favourable light.
Pierreville (the seigniory of), in the county
of Buckingham, is situated in the rear of St.
Francois, bounded on its south and south-west
sides by the seigniory of De Guir, and on the
north and north-east by Avaste lands of the
crown, a league and a half in front by a league
in depth; it was granted August 3, 1683, to
Sieur Laurent Phillippe, and is now the pro
perty of the Baroness de Longeuil. A middling
good soil is the general characteristic of the
whole of this grant; in some parts it lies low,
but not so as to occasion SAvamps. The best
land is found close on each side of the St.
Francis, where are the principal settlements

326

and the best cultivation; the quantity under
hand amounts to one third of the whole, or a
little more. The River St. Francis runs through
the seigniory, dividing it nearly in half, and
affords the advantages of easy and expeditious
conveyance; as its current hereabouts, and to
wards the St. LaAvrence, is very rapid. An
inferior description of timber prevails ; enough
hoAvever of the better sorts is found to supply
the wants of the inhabitants. The river turns
a grist and a saAv-mill; in it there are two or
three small islarids covered with trees of no real
value, although exceedingly decorative.
De Guir (the seigniory of), in the county of
Buckingham, bounded on the north and north
west by Pierreville and St. Franpois, on the
south-east by the township of Upton, on the
south-west by Bourgmarie East, and on the
north-east by Courval; its figure is irregular,
the greatest length being two leagues and a
half; as it is noAV possessed, it does not agree
at all Avith the original grant, Avhich specifies
two leagues of front by two leagues deep: it
Avas granted September 23, 1751, to Sieur
Josephe De Guir, dit des Rosiers; the property
now belongs to Josias Wurtel, Esq. Nearly
all this tract remains in a state of woodland;
in many places it is low, but of a soil that if
cleared would be fit for the productions of every

327
sort common to the country. The timber is
generally of a superior class. Several branches
of the River David Avater it, and along them
are dispersed a few settlers Avho have their
farms in a toward state of cultivation: Avere a
critical revision of the boundaries to take place,
some of these tenants noAV holding from the
seignior of De Guir would prove to be lo
cated Avithin the toAvnship of Upton.
Bourgmarie East (the seigniory of ) is an
instance in support of the observations made
some pages back relating to the inconvenience
of the present district and county boundaries, as
it lies within the districts of Montreal and Three
Rivers, and in the counties of Richelieu and
Buckingham; it is situated in the rear of the seig
niory of Yamaska, bounded on the Avest by the
river Yamaska, on the south by St. Charles, and
on the east by De Guir; fifty arpents in front
by neariy two leagues in depth ; it was granted
on the 1st of August, 1708, to Marie Fezeret,
and is noAV the property of Mrs. BarroAv. This
tract is Avhat the Canadian farmers term very
good land; in fact it is of rather a superior
quality, and such as if moderately Avell ma
naged Avould yield abundant crops of grain;
at present about a third part of it is under cul
tivation. A little good timber is found upon,
it, with abundance of the inferior sorts, such as

328
bass wood, spruce fir, hemlock and cedar. Be
sides having the navigable river for one of the
boundaries, it is watered by the River David,
that winds a very mazy course through it,
and turns one grist-mill. On each side of
this river there is a. road, and one that coasts
the Yamaska. The church of this seigniory
has no resident Cure", but the duties of it are
performed by the minister of St. Michael de
Yamaska. Baie St. Antoine or Lefebvre (the
seigniory of) is on the south side of the St.
Lawrence, in the county of Buckingham found
ed on the south-west by Lussaudiere, on the
north-east by Nicolet, and in the rear by Cour-
val; two leagues in front and the same in
depth; granted September 4th, 1683, to Sieur
Lefebvre, and is now the property of Louis
Guoin, Esq. This is in all respects a very
productive tract of ground: in the front the
Longue Pointe, Pointe aux Pois, and Pointe a
la Garenne, all stretching boldly into the St.
LaAvrence, form the extremities of tAvo large
bays; to the east of Pointe a la Garenne is the
Baie de Febvre, also trenching deeply upon the
seigniory ;forsomedistanceonthemarginofthese
bays is a marsh that in the summer affords ex
cellent pasture, singularly intersected in all di
rections by numerous small and clear rivulets;

329
rising from hence to the main road crossing
the seigniory from east to west, are some very
rich and luxuriant meadows. From this road
the land continues a gradual elevation to the
rear; the soil is mostly a fat clay or good black
mould highly fertile. Except in the marshes
and meadows, that have plenty of common
wood, the timber is of the best kinds. The
River Nicolet, crossing a small part of the
south-east corner, is the only stream towards
the back of the seigniory: full one half of this
property is under culture, and can boast of
some farms in a very flourishing state, par
ticularly by the road side. The want of water
corn-mills is supplied by several wind-mills.
The church is placed about the middle of the
grant, on a rising ground; below it are many
good houses, almost sufficient in number to
form a respectable village; among them are
tAvo or three shops, and a tavern, for Avhich the
situation is not ill chosen, as the place is a great
thoroughfare, from Avhence a main road strikes
off towards the southern townships.
Courval (the seigniory of), in the county
of Buckingham, is situated in the rear of Baie
St. Antoine or Lefebvre, two leagues in breadth
by three in depth, and stretching in that di
rection to the township of Wendover ; it was
granted September 25th, 1754, to Sieur Cresse,

330
and is now possessed by Louis Guoin, Esq.
But little of this grant is cleared; the land
however is much above mediocrity: a few-
swampy places present the usual kinds of
timber upon a wet soil, but the uplands pro
duce beech, maple, birch, and pine. The
south-west branch of the Nicolet and the St.
Francis water it; on the latter is a grist-mill
belonging to the seignior. The few settlers
who have began to cultivate are established
upon the banks of the tAvo rivers, and have
managed to improve their farms very fast.
The only road is the one from St. Antoine to
the neAV townships.
Nicolet (the seigniory of, and its augment
ation), on the south side of the St. Lawrence,
or rather Lake St. Peter, in the county of
Buckingham, is bounded by Baie St. Antoine
(seigniory) and Courval on the south-Avest, Ro-
quetaillade and the township of Aston on the
north-east, and the toAvnship of Wendover in
the rear; two leagues in front by tAvo in depth;
was granted October 29th, 1672, to Sieur de
Laubia: the augmentation, two leagues in
breadth by three in depth, Avas granted November
4th, 1680, to Sieur de Cresse ; they are at present
possessed by Mons. Cress6, a lineal descendant
of the original proprietor. The soil of this
grant is not remarkably good, but industry has

¦y-x

iy.

k

V v

331
in some degree made up for its natural defi
ciencies, as there are 250 concessions in a very
fair state of cultivation, producing good crops
of gtfain of most kinds. Towards the St. LaAv
rence the land is poor, of a light sandy nature,
but more in the interior it grows stronger and
obtains a better heart: it lies rather low, and
is generally level, timbered with the ordinary
sorts of wood, and but little of a superior qua
lity or groAvth. The River Nicolet waters it ad
vantageously. A village containing 50 houses,
Avith the church in the midst of them, is notice
able for its beautiful situation on the side of a
gentle acclivity, covered with some majestic
oaks (the best timber of the seigniory), and
crested Avith a tuft of lofty pines: below the
village, and on the opposite side of the river,
are the remains of the old church and par
sonage of Nicolet. Both sides of the river, for
about three leagues upAvards, are embellished
by settlements, and the appearance greatly en
livened by a number of neat houses, which in
Various parts of the seigniory, including the
village, exceed 300; many of them well built
of stone. At the entrance of the river is Isle
Moran, the property of Mons. Paul Beaubien,
of Avhich a grant Avas made October 29th,
1672, to Sieur de Moran. The main road to
WTilliam Henry passes through the village, and

332
crosses the river at a ferry, where the toll is
three-pence each person, nine-pence for a horse,
and fifteen-pence for a horse and carriage ;
besides this road, several others intersect the
seigniory in different directions, and pass along
each side of the river, upon which there are
three grist-mills and as many saw-mills. The
Nicolet takes its source from a lake of the
same name, in the township of Weedon, and
runs north-westerly through the townships of
Ham, Arthabaska, Bulstrode, &c. for about 47
miles, when it is met by a large branch from
the townships of Simpson, Kingsey, and Ship-
ton, navigable for boats and scowTs, and which
sends off numerous streams on each side; this
point of junction is called the second forks:
from hence its course through the augmenta
tion and seigniory, until it falls into Lake St.
Peter, is about twenty-one miles. The banks,
in the interior townships, are high, and generally
covered with woods down to the water ; but in
the lower part of its course they diminish their
height very much, and are less woody: from
the village downward there are several small
islands covered with trees, that form very
pleasing groups from the acclivity before men
tioned. In the upper part of the river there are
some rapids, but of no great impediment, as
the Indians frequently ascend and descend

333
them in canoes. In the spring, when the
stream is increased by the freshes, small decked
vessels can sometimes get up from the St.
Lawrence as high as the village, but this
cannot be depended upon, as the entrance is
obstructed by a sandy bar, upon which craft
draAving tAvo feet Avater frequently strike in
the summer or dry season: it is called the
Batture aux Sables. The scenery on both
banks is varied and beautiful in many places,
but especially on the north-east side it is par
ticularly interesting: in passing down the St.
LaAvrence, the front of the seigniory presents a
prospect peculiarly pleasing, as bordering on
that river the wood is pretty thick, with several
clear intervals, through Avhich the settlements
and the village are seen in different points of
view to the greatest advantage. A little above
the village is the college of Nicolet, founded
about ten years ago, and maintained in its in
fancy by the liberality of the Catholic Bishop
of Quebec! It stands on a spot well calculated
by the natural beauties of its situation to assist
the views of so excellent an establishment.
The building is on a simple, unostentatious,
but convenient plan, possessing all requisite
accommodation for the director, masters, and
seventy pensioners. This institution is entirely
for instruction, and since its foundation has

334
been so much encouraged as to exhibit many
pleasing proofs of having completely answered
the expectations of its benevolent patron. There
are six professors in the different branches of
philosophy, classics, belles lettres, &c. and one
for the English language; the Avhole system
and progress of the studies are carried on
under the immediate inspection of a director,
who always resides at the college. In addition
to the advantages of a liberal and polished
education, the pupils here enjoy a salubrious
air, with every means of acquiring vigour of
body, as Avell as cultivating the mind.
Roquetaillade (fief), on the south side of
the St. Lawrence, in the county of Bucking
ham, joins Nicolet on the south-Avest, and is
bounded by the township of Aston in the rear,
half a league in front by three leagues in depth;
was granted April 22, 1675, to Sieur Pierre
Godefroi de Roquetaillade.
Godefroi (fief), adjoining Roquetaillade,
is three quarters of a league in front by three
leagues in depth ; was granted August 31,
16S8, to Sieur Godefroi, and is iioav the pro
perty of Etienne Le Blanc, Esq. and Mons.
Loiseau. Estimated generally, the land of
these two fiefs is valuable; in the front, in
deed, it is rather light and sandy, but it soon
loses that character, and toAvards the interior

335
improves into a fine black mould; in the rear
it lies low, and has one or tAvo small swamps,
and perhaps as many brulh : a little draining
Avould, in a short time, convert the first into
fine meadows, and the latter might be as easily
improved into good arable land. Wood is
plentiful, although but little of first rate quality
among it. The Rivers Ste. Marguerite and
Godefroi, with many small rivulets, wind through
both fiefs so .as to water them completely;
two mills are turned by them. About tAvo-
thirds of each property is settled, and some of
it in a state of superior cultivation, particularly
on the road, or Chemin du Village as it is
called, that goes from Becancour to Nicolet,
the Coteaux Vuide Poche, Beausejour, St.
Charles and Cote du Brule; between the dif
ferent ranges there are roads leading to the
Route de St. Gregoire, Avhich communicates
Avith the main road near the ferry across the
St. Lawrence. The church of St. Gregoire, sur
rounded by a few well built houses, is situated
on the east side of the route near the Chemin
du Village. The easterly boundary of Godefroi
is supposed to pass doAvn the middle of the
River Godefroi from Lake St. Paul.
Becancour (the seigniory of), on the south
side of the St. Lawrence, in the county of
Buckingham, is bounded by Godefroi on the

336
south-west, by fief Dutord on the north-east,
and by the toAvnships of Aston and Madding-
ton in the rear; two leagues and a quarter in
front by two in depth; Avas granted April 16,
1647, to Sieur de Becancour, and is now the
property of the heirs of the late Lieut. Colonel
Bruere, Etienne Le Blanc, Esq. and Mr. Ezekiel
Hart. This grant, Avhich toAvards the river is
flat, possesses an excellent and exuberant soil,
not materially differing in its peculiarities from
that of the two preceding descriptions; the
Avheat, oats, and barley produced upon it, but
particularly the former, are considered as fine,
if not better than any other in the province.
Hemp and flax are both groAvn here, and both
excellent in quality. The timber is not much
entitled to notice, the lowlands affording none
but of the most inferior sorts, and the higher
situations only beech, maple, birch, and a little
pine. More than one half of the seigniory is
in cultivation, and several of the farms exhibit
a high state of improvement; the best of Avhich
are situated on the St. Lawrence, and on
each side of the Becancour and Blanche. It is
watered by the Rivers Becancour, Godefroi,
and Blanche, Lake St. Paul, and Lac aux
Outardes : the first is a large river, winding in a
beautiful manner through the middle of the
seigniory; its source is in the toAvnships of

337
Broughton and Leeds, from whence it branches
into those of Inverness, Halifax, and Ireland,
where many minor streams flowing from nu
merous small lakes fall into it. After traversing
the townships of Nelson and Somerset, and the
front of Stanfold and Bulstrode, in an easterly
direction, for about 46 miles, it alters its course
to north-west, flowing about 21 miles more be
tween Aston and Maddington, and through
the seigniory, it discharges itself into the St.
Lawrence. The banks towards its source are
high, steep, and frequently rocky, but they de
crease their elevation very much as they de
scend towards its mouth. The current being
greatly embarrassed by falls, rapids, and shoals,
is not navigable. In the broader parts there are
some small islands covered with fine trees,
that viewed from the banks display the varied
hues of their foliage with pleasing effect. Within
the limits of Becancour there are tAvo mills
upon the river. Lake St. Paul is an expanse
about four miles and a half long and half a
mile broad, not very deep, but abounding in
fish of many sorts : its waters pass by the
channel of the river Godefroi into the St. Law
rence. The margin of it is a perfect landscape,
set off by almost every description of charming
scenery : well cultivated farms, Avith neat and
good houses belonging to them, are seen in all
z

333
directions round it, and in many places groups
of fine trees, as decorative as they can be con
ceived to be in a well preserved park, give to
the Avhole view an appearance most beautifully
picturesque. Lac aux Outardes connects with
St. Paul, and participates in the general amenity
of the situation ; it derives its name from the
immense quantities of birds of that species
(bustards) that formerly frequented its borders,
although now even one of them is but rarely seen,
as the increase of settlements has long since
driven them to more solitary situations. The
Isle Dorval, a small low island, covered with
undenvood, divides the entrance of the Becan
cour into two channels. Just above this island,
and on the Avest side of the river, are the hemp-
mills, &c. established by government, and
placed under the direction of Mr. Campbell:
the spot was selected by him, and with respect
to situation and soil is admirably well cal
culated for the production of that article ; but
Avhatever pains have been taken to give full
effect to the plan, the success has been only
partial: perhaps something like the real cause
of failure may have been mentioned in a former
page of this Avork, as well as some of the means
that might be adopted, and would ensure more
favourable results in the cultivation of that va
luable plant. The church of Becancour, with

339
the parsonage-house and a few others sur
rounding it, is situated on the east side of the
river : a short distance above it is a village of
Abenaqui Indians, consisting of a feAv ill-built
wooden houses, or, more correctly speaking,
hovels; the manners and occupations of these
people are precisely similar to those of the
village in St. Franpois. The main road to the
westAvard crosses the river just above Isle
Dorval, two others ascend it for some distance
on each side, and one or two range in different
directions among the settlements. From the
front of the seigniory, there is a ferry OA7er the
St. Lawrence to Three Rivers.
Dutord (fief), adjoining Becancour on the
south-west, is bounded in the rear by the town
ship of Maddington. The original title of this
concession has not been found among the
other records, therefore its date and dimensions,
as granted, are both uncertain; it is however
at present a quarter of a league in front by
nearly three leagues in depth.
Cournoyer (fief) lies contiguous to Dutord,
and is bounded on the north-east by Gentilly.
The extent of this fief is half a league in front
by three leagues in depth, but, as Avith the
preceding grant, neither the original title nor
other record relative to it have been discovered.
The former is the property of Mons. Bellefeuille, z 2

340
and the latter belongs to Etienne Le Blanc, Esq.
ToAvards the rear of these two fiefs- the land is
higher, but in all other respects precisely similar
to Becancour, and the timber nearly of the
same species that prevails there. Two thirds
of the land is .well settled, and in a superior
state of cultivation.
Gentilly (the seigniory of), in the county
of Buckingham, is bounded on the north-east
by Livrard, on the south-west by fief Cour
noyer, and in the rear by the townships
of Maddington and Blandford ; two leagues
and a half in front by two in depth; was
granted August 14th, 1676, to Michel Pel-
letier, Sieur de la Perade: it is now the pro
perty of Messrs. de Lery. For a great distance
the southern bank of the St. LaAvrence has
been described as low, in many places but
little above the water's level ; it here assumes a
different character, rising high and steep, from
whence there is a gradual descent toAvards the
rear. The soil in front is a sandy loam and
good clay, but further back it changes to a
strong black mould, that is very favourable to
most species of agriculture. The first and
second ranges of concessions near the St. Law
rence, and on the river Gentilly, shew a very
good specimen of judicious management: the
whole of the land in culture will amount to

341
about one third of the seigniory. The timber
upon the banks of the latter river is of the best
kind and capital quality, but that in other
parts is only fit for fire-wood; and as such,
large quantities are cut and rafted down to
Quebec. This property is watered by the
river Gentilly and two or three smaller streams,
which work one grist and one saw-mill.
Livrard or St. Pierre les Becquets
(the seigniory of), in the county of Buck
ingham, is bounded in front by the St. Law-^
rence, by the district line between Quebec and
Three Rivers on the north-east, the seigniory
of Gentilly on the south-west, and by the
township of Blandford in the rear; two leagues
in front and four deep; granted April 27, 1683,
to Sieur Livrard, together Avith Isle Madame
below the Island of Orleans. It is noAv the
property of A. Lanaudiere, Esq. and the Ho
norable F. Baby. This seigniory is but very
little settled, although the soil is fertile, and
yields good crops of grain in all its varieties ;
it is composed generally of fine clay and a rich
black mould. It is plentifully stocked Avith
timber, some of which is of the best descrip
tion, but much the greater proportion is bois
de chauffage, that is supplied in large quan
tities for the consumption of the capital. It

342
is watered by part of the Riviere du Chene, and
some small streams. In the first and second
ranges of concessions, there are a few farms in
a very improved state. The church of St.
Pierre, the parsonage, and a chapel, are si
tuated on the bank of the St. Lawrence,
along which the main road passes.

TOWNSHIPS.
Grantham, on the west side of the St.
Francis, in the county of Buckingham, is
bounded by Upton on the west and north-
Avest, and Wickham on the south. On the
bank of the river the ground is high, but
broken by several deep ravines ; in other direc
tions it is considerably lower, and very level.
The soil almost every where is good, being, on
the uplands, either a yellow or a blackish loam
with sand below it ; in other situations it is
more incorporated with sand. The timberon
the land contiguous to the river is birch, pine,
maple, elm, beech, basswood, and iron Avood ;
cedar, fir, and tammarack, are abundant in
the inferior parts. The Black River, with a
few other streams, Avater it, and present many
excellent situations for the erection of mills.

343
A very small number of settlers have established
themselves on the margin of the rivers, upon
well chosen spots, where the land is propitious
to almost every species of culture ; and so it is
upon a great many others that might be selected.
In several parts of this toAvnship are large ex
tents, producing a fine luxuriant natural grass,
that after coming to maturity dries upon the
ground, and in that state is but little inferior to
good meadoAV hay. The principal proprietors
are the heirs of the original grantee, the late
William Grant, Esq.
Wendover, in the county of Buckingham,
has its front on the east bank of the St. Francis,
opposite to Grantham ; bounded on the north
west by Courval and the augmentation to Ni
colet, on the south-east by Simpson, and in the
rear by Avaste crown lands. The quality of
this tract cannot be highly praised: the land
near the river is the best, and will admit of
cultivation ; but a short distance from thence
it sinks into Ioav deep swamps, where the soil
is chiefly yellow sand and gravel ; these extend
nearly as far back as the rear boundary, and
are overflowed in the spring. On the driest
situations the timber is maple, birch, beech,
and pine ; in the swamps, hemlock, &c. Tavo
branches of the Nicolet and some other streams

344
Avater it. Only a quarter of this township has
been yet surveyed, and with the trifling excep
tion of two single lots, none of it settled ; but
possibly, as the main road from the St. Law
rence into the United States passes through it,
and is likely to become a route of much im
portance, some adventurous cultivators may
hereafter be induced to establish themselves
in its vicinity.
Simpson, in the county of Buckingham,
lies between Wendover and Kingsey, on the
east side of the River St. Francis ; is bounded
in the rear by Warwick, and Avaste lands of the
crown. The whole of this tract has been sur
veyed, and granted to officers and privates of
the Canadian Militia, who served during the
blockade of Quebec, in 1775 and 6. The
land is low and level, with very few sAvamps :
it is of a good quality, and if brought under
cultivation Avould produce grain of all sorts ;
hemp and flax in many places Avould find a
soil highly favourable to their growth. Good
timber, principally beech and maple, is found
partially, but the kinds of little value are in
abundance. It is Avatered by several branches
of the Nicolet, and some small streams that fall
into the St. Francis ; the former presenting
many excellent situations for the erection of

345
mills. A few lots, situated by the road side,
contiguous to the river, are settled upon, and
agriculture has already made some progress
thereon. Wickham, in the county of Buckingham,
on the Avest side of the River St. Francis,
opposite to Simpson. The interior and rear
of this tract are so swampy and thickly covered
with cedar, spruce fir, and hemlock, as to be
little capable of being converted to any agri
cultural purpose. Near the river, and also
drawing towards the townships of Grantham
and Dunham, the land is more elevated, con
siderably better in quality, and might soon be
made fit for production of most species of
grain, and useful for most other purposes of
the farm. In these districts the timber con
sists of oak, pine, maple, and beech, each of
good dimensions. In the interior there are but
a few rivulets, and these very diminutive ; but
it has the advantage of being traversed in front
by a very beautiful and serpentine course of the
St. Francis, that affords complete irrigation to
the best lands. In this township, 23,786 acres
have been granted to William Lindsay and
others; but settlement or clearing any parts
of it has scarcely yet commenced.
Durham, in the county of Buckingham, on
the Avest side of the St. Francis, joins Wickham

346
on the north-Avest, Melbourne on the south-east,
and Acton and Ely on the south-west. The
land here is generally good, presenting several
extensive and improvable tracts that might be
turned to advantage under most sorts of culti
vation. On the bank of the river a small set
tlement is forming, and if in good hands, from
the nature of the soil fixed upon, it will un
doubtedly be attended Avith success. Beech,
maple, birch, butternut, pine, ash, and cedar,
are to be found in great plenty ; there is some
oak, but it is less abundant than the others.
It is watered by numerous small rivulets.
The principal proprietors of lands are the
heirs of the late Thomas Scott, Esq. The
Abenaqui Indians of the village in the seig
niory of St. Francois hold 8150 acres by letters
patent. Kingsey, in the county of Buckingham, is
on the east side of the river St. Francis ;
bounded by Simpson on the north-west, Ship-
ton on the south-east, and Warwick on the rear.
A line draAvn through this township from west
to east would nearly separate the two qualities
of land that compose it. The front, and the
side next to Shipton, are of the very best quality,
and equal to every species of cultivation : they
produce beech, birch, maple, butternut, bass-
wood, and oak timber. The part adjoining

347
Warwick and Simpson is low and swampy,
covered with cedar, spruce-fir, and similar
woods. Several branches of the Nicolet water
it advantageously enough ; on the banks of these
streams a few settlers have established them
selves, but the greatest shew of cultivation is in
front, upon the St. Francis, Avhere some indus
trious farmers have made great progress, con
sidering how recently they have begun to clear
the land ; their successful example will be likely
to attract other settlers of similar habits, and in
a few years, from the natural fertility of the soil,
aided by their exertions, this, in all probability,
will become a populous and thriving township.
The principal proprietors are the heirs of
the late Major Samuel Holland, Surveyor-Ge
neral of the northern district in America, pre
vious to the rebellion ; also the heirs of the late
Doctor George Longmore : a small proportion
is held by the family of Donald Maclean.
Shipton, in the county of Buckingham,
lies between Kingsey and Windsor, having
Tingwick in the rear. This tract, equally good
in nearly all its parts, is of a very superior qua
lity, and decidedly the best of all the toAvnships
within this district: cultivation of every de
scription may be carried on with the greatest
success, but hemp, flax, and wheat, would be
found particularly beneficial; the latter, indeed,

348
is scarcely surpassed in goodness upon any
tract of the province. Numerous gradual rises
in several parts of the toAvnship are peculiarly
fit for such productions as require a rich dry
soil. The timber is beech, oak, maple, birch,
and pine, intermixed Avith great abundance of
inferior kinds. It is exceedingly well watered
by a large branch of the Nicolet, and by several
small rivulets that rise in the uplands, and after
winding very sinuous courses, descend into the
St. Francis. Agriculture is pursued here Avith
great attention, and over a large extent of land :
the farms are dispersed on the banks of the St.
Francis, the Nicolet, and the rivulets, many of
them displaying an advanced state of improve
ment. The Nicolet is navigable for boats and
scows from hence to the St. Lawrence, and, Avith
the St. Francis, furnishes water conveyance from
nearly every part of the township ; by which
routes large quantities of pot and pearl ash,
made here, are transported to Quebec. Besides
these means of sending its surplus produce to
market, there is also the advantage of Craigs
Road passing nearly through the middle of it ;
that certainly, and at no very distant period, is
destined to be the direct communication be
tween the capital of Canada and the United
States : the main road on the east side of the St.
Francis to the St. Lawrence, as before noticed,

349
and some others leading into the neighbouring
townships, are considerations that, ere long, will
have great influence in rendering this a rich,
populous, and flourishing part of the district of
Three Rivers. Industrious men are not always
speculative, but there are inducements here suffi
ciently strong to excite the most parsimonious
to extend their views ; while to neAV settlers a
rich and luxuriant soil is presented, that with
care and industry, under the guidance of a
moderate degree of agricultural skill, will hardly
fail to realize the most flattering expectations :
some good corn and saw-mills have been erect
ed already : the present population is about
1000 souls. Elmer Cushing and William Ber
nard are the principal proprietors of land in
this township.
Melbourne, in the county of Buckingham,
on the west side of the St. Francis, joins Dur
ham on the north-west. The land here is, in
general, but little inferior to that in the town
ship of Shipton, and well clothed Avith good
maple, beech, elm, pine, and oak timber;
several rivers and streams spread over it in every
direction ; and after completely answering all
the purposes of irrigation, fall into the St.
Francis. Large settlements have been made
in this township, and considering them as lands
but newly redeemed from the state of nature.

350
great advances in cultivation are perceptible,
and which have been guided by a competent
knowledge in a judicious system of husbandry.
The soil is excellent, and requires but little aid
to render it uncommonly fertile ; it will produce
grain of all sorts in great perfection, and most
species of succulents. In several parts flax and
hemp could be raised in great quantities. P6t
and pearl ash are made here, and with the Avheat
form a principal part of the traffic that is
carried on ; there are, hoAvever, several saw
mills in almost constant work. A communi
cation by roads in various directions has been
opened with the adjacent toAvnships. In the
River St. Francis there are several small islands
along the front of this tract, and although they
are rather obstructive to the navigation, yet
from their beauty, and the picturesque variety
exhibited by the foliage of the different species
of trees they are covered with to the Avater's
edge, they can hardly be wished aAvay. A
large extent of this valuable land is the property
of the Honourable John CaldAvell. The popu
lation is about 350 persons.
Brompton, in the county of Buckingham,
is irregular in figure, bounded on the north-east
and north-Avest by Melbourne, on the south by
Orford, on the east by the St. Francis, and on
the Avest by Ely. In the northerly part and by

351
the river the land is of a very fair quality, fit
for cultivation, and likely to produce good
crops of wheat or other grain ; the superior sorts
of the timber consist of elm, maple, beech,
basswood, and birch. The southerly part is
uneven, rough, and rocky, and generally speak
ing, useless untractable land. It is watered by
several brooks and streams ; there is also a lake
covering several lots in the tenth and eleventh
range, and spreading thence into Orford. On
the River St. Francis, and contiguous to Mel
bourne, some settlements have been formed,
where a few Avell cultivated farms display
themselves The portages, occasioned by the
great and little Brompton falls, are on the west
side of the river Avithin this toAvnship. The
population at present amounts to about 200
souls : the principal landholders are William
Bernard and his associates, Avho were the ori
ginal patentees.
Windsor, in the county of Buckingham,
on the east side of the River St. Francis, lies
between Shipton and Stoke, bounded in the
rear by Wotton. This is a very fine tract of
land, of an excellent rich soil, with varieties
suitable to almost every species of culture, and
particularly hemp and flax. The surface is
undulated by moderate elevations that are Avell

352
clothed with maple, beech, birch, and fir-trees
of good size ; on the flat lands ash and cedar
prevail. A feAv SAvamps occur here and there,
but they are of so trifling a depth as to be
drained with very little trouble, and might
then be converted into excellent meadows.
It is watered by two large streams and several
small ones flowing into the St. Francis. Not
withstanding the superior excellence of the
land, this township is badly settled ; but the
whole of it has been granted to the officers and
privates of the Canadian Militia, Avho served in
1775 and 6 ; it was intended as some compen
sation for their past services, but scarcely any
of them were inclined to make the most advan
tage of the reAvard, by turning their swords into
ploughshares, and themsehres into industrious
cultivators ; instead of which, they preferred
disposing of their lots for Avhatever present
profit they could turn them to : indeed, the
lands granted in this manner have been almost
generally neglected. The population of this
township scarcely exceeds 50 souls, a circum
stance difficult to be accounted for, when the
advantages of its locality and goodness of soil
are taken into consideration.
Stoke, in the county of Buckingham, on
the east side of the St. Francis, joins Windsor

353
on the north-Avest, Ascott, Eaton, and West-
bury on the south-east, and Dudswell on the
north-east. This tract is likewise in the same
neglected state as Windsor, most probably
from being granted in the same manner. The
land is of first rate quality, and fit for all the
purposes of agriculture : in general, beech, bass-
Avood, iroiiAvood, and maple, are the most pre
valent kinds of timber. A feAv swamps occur,
but neither extensive nor deep ; in fact, they
are scarcely more than common wet-lands, and
require only careful ditching to h>ecome very
good meadows, of which there are already, in
different parts, many large extents of the most
luxuriant kind. It is uncommonly well watered
by several rivers and streams, that, after Avind-
ing in all directions, fall into the St. Francis ;
in the fourteenth range there is a small lake.
On the banks of some of the minor rivulets
many good patches for the growth of hemp can
be found, and on the parts that lie a little
higher is a fine soil for the culture of flax.
The population hardly merits an estimate.
Ascott, in the county of Buckingham, is
advantageously situated at the forks of the
River St. Francis, bounded on the north by
Stoke, on the south by Hatley and Compton,
on the east by Eaton, and on the west by part
of the branch of the St. Francis that connects
a a *

354
with Lake Memphremagog. In every point
of view, this is a desirable tract : the land is of
an exceeding good quality, and so well varied
in the nature of its soil as to answer all the
purposes of the farmer; the timber is beech,
maple, pine, bassAVOod, and oak. It is Avatered
by some rivers of considerable magnitude
branching off into the adjacent toAvnships of
Compton, Clifton, and Eaton, that in their
course through this one turn several grist and
saAV-mills. Settlements on a very large scale
have been made here, and several farms by the
sides of the rivers have attained a degree of
flourishing superiority, that shows their im
provement to have been very rapid, as no part of
the land Avas granted prior to the year 1803.
The majority of the settlers here, as Avell as in
most of the neighbouring toAvnships, are Ame
ricans, who, since their domiciliation, have taken
the oaths of allegiance to the British Govern
ment : these people are in general very indus
trious and persevering, unquestionably much
befjter managers upon their farms than the Ca
nadians are, particularly when they take the
land in a state of nature; by the system they
pursue, a tract of ground from its first clearing
becomes fruitful, and turns to account in a
much shorter period than it would under the
hands of provincial farmers ; the latter would

355

proceed by the methods of his forefathers, but
the other is an experimentalist, and varies his
operations in Avhatever Avay he thinks the nature
and quality of the materials he has to work
upon may be most speedily made to produce
his only object, gain. The population of this
toAvnship is at present 1000 souls. Several
pot-ash manufactories, and mills of both de
scriptions, have already, in some degree, laid
the foundation of commercial speculations that
bid fair to obtain a considerable increase ; in
the encouragement of these, the navigation by
the St. Francis into the St. LaAvrence on the
one hand, and through Lake Memphremagog
and the rivers branching from it into the
United States on the other, the main road by
the St. Francis towards Three Rivers and Que
bec, Avith several others leading into the differ
ent townships, will be greatly instrumental.
At the forks of the St. Francis, and the foot of
the great fall, are Hyat's mills, in a most con*
venient situation ; a little below them, in the
river, is a very singular high rock, on the pin
nacle of which there is one solitary pine-tree
of large dimensions, making together an ap
pearance both extraordinary and uniuqe : the
mills are a valuable property, belonging to Gil
bert Hyat, to whom, with several associates,
a a 2

356
the township was originally granted, and who
is at present the greatest landholder.
Compton is situated in the districts of Mont
real and Three Rivers, and the counties of
Richelieu and Buckingham ; it joins Ascott
on the north-west, Barnston and Barford on
the south-east, Hatley on the south-Avest, and
Clifton on the north-east : this toAvnship is in
no respect inferior to Ascott. It has in various
parts many wide spreading but gentle rises of
most excellent land, thickly covered with pine,
maple, and beech timber, of fine quality and
large size. It is completely watered by the
Coaticook and Moose rivers ; the former con
necting with Lake Tomefobi, and both with the
St. Francis, besides many more inconsiderable
streams, in whose vicinity there are some fine
breadths of luxuriant meadoAV and pasture.
An industrious population, though not much
exceeding 700 souls, inhabits numerous settle
ments on the banks of the rivers, where most
of the farms appear to be in a very thriving and
excellent condition, generally producing crops
of wheat of excellent quality, and in quantity
far beyond the home consumption : many large
patches of the land might be very beneficially
employed in the culture of flax and hemp.
The principal rivers Avork several mills of both
sorts, arid there are some manufactories of pot

357
and pearl-ash. Through the most cultivated
parts of the township, roads have been opened
and bridges throAvn over the rivers, that are
each kept in good repair, by which a com
munication is formed with the main rOad
to Quebec, and with the state of Vermont.
Among the inhabitants there are a few traders
and artisans, who, in following their respective
avocations, occasion something like the first
rudiments of commerce, and confer a little
importance upon this increasing settlement
among the neighbouring ones. This toAvnship
was erected by patent in 1802, when 26,460
acres were granted to Jesse Pennoyer, Esq.,
and several associates, much of which was
immediately cleared, and is, in fact, the part
that is noAv the best settled and cultivated;
the greatest portion of this grant is at present
held by various settlers, M. Pennoyer having
retained no more than a sufficiency for his own
use. In the year 1810, 13,110 acres in the
easterly part Avere granted to Sir Rob. S. Milnes,
Bart. Within this tract several lots are now in
an advanced state of cultivation : indeed, from
the general quality of the soil, by a little in-
dustr}r and good management, the Avhole might
be turned to a very profitable account.
Clifton, in the county of Buckingham,
joins Compton on the Avest, Auckland on the

358
east, Eaton on the north, and Barford and
Hereford on the south. The surface of the
land is tolerably level, except in the vicinity
of the rivers, Avhere there is an easy rise and
fall, that forms rather an agreeable diversity ;
the quality of it is unexceptionable, and would
produce grain of every kind abundantly. Some
swamps covered with cedar and black ash
spread in different directions, but they are
such as might be drained with the greatest
facility. The timber is spruce, beech, ash,
maple, birch, and bassAvood ; the spruce greatly
predominating. It is watered by tAvo or three
rivers, and numerous less considerable streams,
all of which ultimately fall into the St. Francis ;
on the fifth range there is a small lake.
Though large grants of land have been made
in this township to several persons since the
year 1799, they have attracted but feAv settlers ;
the inconsiderable cultivation that has taken
place is toward the boundary of Compton.
The population does not exceed 100 souls.
Hereford, in the county of Buckingham,
has Clifton and Auckland on the north, Bar-
ford on the Avest, Drayton on the east, and the
boundary of the province on the south. The
greater part of this toAvnship may be called fair
good land, and generally applicable to any
kind of agriculture; the surface of it is un-

359
f-ven, and as it approaches the Connecticut ra
ther bearing a mountainous character : several
branches of that river, aided by many small
streams descending from the high lands, and
the lake called Leeches Pond, lying on the
American boundary, Avater it very well. The
timber is various, and in general good, consist
ing of maple, beech, oak, birch, pine, ash, be
sides cedar and spruce. In the year 1 800 the
southern half of the township was granted to
James Rankin and others ; but a very small
progress has been made towards its settlement :
there are indeed a few farms in tolerable good
condition, but a population of no more than
200 souls is not much calculated to increase
the number of them. Roads have been opened
leading southward into the state of Vermont,
and one to the township of Compton.
Eaton, in the county of Buckingham, lies
between Westbury and Clifton. The land in
this tract is of a uniform and favourable quality,
generously repaying the farmers, wherever any
part of it is under tillage. The timber is more
remarkable for its diversity of kind than excel
lence of quality ; among it beech, maple, elm,
pine, birch, bassAVOod, spruce, and hemlock
are plentiful. It is not watered by any stream
of magnitude, but it is intersected by ninuerous
&mall rivulets and brooks. The westerly, half

360
of this township was granted in 1800, to Josiah
Sawer and others; of this a great part is noAv
settled. The farms by care and industry are
brought into good condition, and assume a
very flourishing aspect. Several corn and saw
mills have been erected on some of the streams.
The inhabitants number about 600.
Westbury, in the county of Buckingham,
is a very small township of a triangular figure,
containing no more than 12,262 acres, exclusive
of the proportionate reserves, and lying betAveen
Stoke, Eaton, Dudswell, and Bury. It Avas
granted in 1804, to the late Honourable Henry
Caldwell, receiver-general of Lower Canada,
and is now possessed by his son, John Caldwell,
Esq. The soil of the westerly part of this tract
is favourable to the encouragement of agricul
ture in most of its branches ; but on the eastern
side is of a much inferior description, being
rough, uneven, and sAvampy. The timber, par
taking of the quality of the land, consists, on
the first part, of very good beech, maple, pine,
and birch ; inferior kinds only are produced on
the latter. The River St. Francis is here navi
gable for canoes and small boats, and by it the
logs felled in the adjacent woodlands are floated
singly c|own to the Eaton falls : numerous
streams -of inconsiderable note fall into that
river. A feAv settlers on the river side have

361
got their farms into a very respectable state.
The inhabitants of this township do not exceed
60, but its good situation is likely to increase
the number.
Dudsavell, in the county of Buckingham,
has Westbury and Stoke for its south-west
boundary, Weedon for the north-east, Wotton
for the north-west, and Bury for its south-east.
The land of this township, where it is level, is
applicable to the culture of grain of all the
species peculiar to the country ; in some places
it is uneven, and from the sixth range rises
into a considerable mountain, that stretches
Avestward into Wotton ; the top of it is a flat
table land, and from being wholly unclothed
Avith trees or underwood derives its name of
the Bald Mountain. In the timber there is a
great variety, as beech, maple, birch, basswood,
butternut, elm, some oak, pine, spruce, and
cedar. The St. Francis with many small
streams provide an ample and complete irriga
tion. Only one quarter of it has been laid
out, Avhich was granted to John Bishop and
others; he is noAV the principal landholder:
on this part some farms have obtained a very
respectable state of prosperity. The popula
tion is about 90 souls.
Bury, in the county of Buckingham, is
irregular in its figure, bounded by Duds well on

362
the north, Lingwick on the north-east, NeAV-
port and Westbury on the north-west. One
quarter of it is all that has been surveyed, but
the land in general is of a moderately good
soil, very susceptible of cultivation, and to all
appearance would furnish good crops of grain
of most sorts. The timber is butternut, maple,
beech, ash, birch, cedar, and basswood. Many
little streams water it. An intended road into
the state of Vermont, striking off from Craig's
Road, at a place called Kemps Bridge, in the
township of Ireland, will pass through it ; this
route has been already marked and blazed in
the field, and mile-posts fixed along the whole
of its distance.
Lingwick, in the county of Buckingham,
has Bury on the south-west, and is surrounded
on its other sides by the unsurveyed townships
of Weedon, Stratford, and Hampden. This
tract of land is very similar in quality to the
level district of Dudswell : the timber upon it
also answering nearly the same description. It
is watered by several streams of tolerable size
that flow into the St. Francis. The westerly
half has been surveyed and granted to divers
individuals, but not one of them has yet under
taken to break up the ground.
Newport, in the county of Buckingham,
is situated between Eaton and Ditton, having

S63
Auckland on the south, and Bury to the north
ward. Although the land in many parts of
this tract is uneven, the general tendency of the
soil is good. Beech, maple, and birch, spruce,
basswood, and fir, are the prevalent sorts of
timber. A great number of rivulets descend
ing into the St. Francis water it in almost
every direction. About one-half of it has been
granted ; and on the south-west quarter some
progress has been made in cultivation, where
the land is found very productive in most spe
cies of grain, and congenial to the growth both
of hemp and flax. Several roads passing to
the adjacent settlements intersect it, as does
the intended new one from Craig's Road. The
inhabitants amount to about 160.
Ditton, in the county of Buckingham, is
bounded by Newport on the west, Marston
and Chesham on the east, Hampden on the
north, and Emberton on the south. The sur
face of this toAvnship is irregular, in several
places rising into large eminences ; but yet, in
general, of a moderately good soil, timbered
with beech, birch, basswood, and maple. It
is intersected by some large streams that fall
into the St. Francis. The south-west quarter
has been surveyed and granted, but no part
thereof settled upon.
Auckland, in the county of Buckingham,

364
lies between Hereford, Drayton, and Newport,
bounded by Clifton on the Avest, and Ember
ton on the east. The land is here uneven and
rugged, in some places mountainous, and in
others sinking into SAvamps ; the level and dry
tracts have a pretty good soil, that if brought
under culture would answer moderate expecta
tions : there are some patches in lower situa
tions that appear fit for hemp. The timber
is a mixture of most species that are found
on the surrounding tracts. It is abundantly
watered by a great number of streams and
brooks, some of them flowing into the St.
Francis, and others into the Connecticut river.
The northerly half of the township has been
granted, but no part whatever is settled. A
sort of foot-path runs through it, by which the
Indians frequently make their way to the River
Chaudiere. Marston, in the county of Buckingham, is
well situated on the westerly side of Lake Me-
gantick ; the whole of it has been surveyed,
but only one quarter of it granted, and no part
thereof settled. The land is irregular, hilly,
and frequently very stony, but mostly of a
moderately good soil, that would answer very
well for agriculture in general; many spots
present eligible situations for the culture both
of hemp and flax. The timber forms but an

365
indifferent mixture of maple, fir, hemlock,
cedar, and spruce. It is watered by several
streams and small lakes, besides Lake Megan-
tick that has a considerable expansion, being
nine miles in length, and two upon the average
in breadth, running deeply into the land in se
veral bays, closing upon Avhich, and around the
lake generally, are some very excellent mea
dows. The scenery in the vicinity is beautifully
picturesque, as the land rises gradually from
its borders clothed with a rich verdure, and
embellished by large groups of stately trees
ranging above each other until they crest the
summit, and exhibit a most enchanting variety
of foliage. The waters abound with excellent
fish, and the country around this sequestered
and romantic spot is the resort of almost every
species of game.
Clinton, in the county of Buckingham, is
a small tract, only equal in dimension to the
quarter of a township; it is most agreeably
situated at the southern extremity of Lake
Megantick, joining Marston on the north, and
in other directions surrounded by Chesham
and unsurveyed wastes. In almost every re
spect the land is here marked by a superiority
of character ; the soil in general is of the very
first quality, exhibiting many large patches of
luxuriant pastures. The timber is pine, beech,

366
maple, birch, fir, spruce, and cedar. It is
watered by the River Arnold, and some other
streams falling' into the Jake; the former de
rives its name from the American General
Arnold, who in the year 1775 passed part of
his troops down it, when conducting his army
through an almost unknoAvn country to besiege
Quebec. No part of this toAvnship is settled,
although it abounds with numerous excellent
situations, where the land is fit for every spe
cies of agriculture.
Ham, in the county of Buckingham, lying
betAveenWotton and Wolfestown, joins Tingwick
and Chester on the north-west, and Weedon on
the south-east. The complete outline of this
township has been run, and one half of it
granted among several individuals. The land
is here of a quality that might be brought into
cultivation with great advantage, and would
produce wheat or any other species of grain
natural to the country : many parts of it are fit
for the growth of flax and hemp. The surface
is diversified by many large swells of inconsi
derable elevation, covered with the kinds Of
wood that denote them to be of a fine rich soil:
in some few places in the valleys it is a little
swampy. The timber is maple, beech, bass-
wood, birch, hemlock, and cedar. It is Avatered
by part of the River Nicolet, which here has its

367
source in the beautiful little lake of the same
name, situated on the borders of Weedon and
Ham ; it is about tAvo miles and a half long and
one broad, with several small islands scattered
about it, Avhich are the resort of vast quantities
of wild-fowl. The surrounding country pos
sesses every trait of Avild romantic beauty ; it is
environed by rising grounds clothed with trees,
in some places thickly clustered together, and
in others irregularly dispersed over the accli
vities : beyond the first heights are seen in the
distance the softened and fantastic forms of
a much more elevated chain. The intended
road to communicate Avith Craig's Road passes
on the south-east side of this lake.
Wolfestown, in the county of Bucking
ham, lies betAveen the townships of Ham and
Ireland, is joined by Chester and Halifax on
the north-west, and unsurveyed lands on the
south-east. The north-westerly half of the
township is moderately good, of which a part
lying towards the north has been granted, and
might be made to repay the trouble of cultiva
tion; the timber upon it is pine, beech, bass-
wood, cedar, and hemlock. The south-easterly
half is a chain of rocky heights of which no part
is arable, or indeed convertible to any use.
Halifax is in the districts of Three Rivers
and Quebec, and the county of Buckingham ;

368
it lies between Chester and Inverness, bounded
on the north-Avest by Arthabaska and Somer
set, and on the south-east by Wolfestown and
Ireland. The land is here excellent and fertile,
and would yield abundantly under almost any
system of agriculture ; it presents many good
situations for hemp and flax : the north-east
erly part, being low, has a few swamps, but
they might be easily reclaimed by ditching;
in the opposite direction it is uneven, and rises
as it inclines towards the south : the soil almost
every where of the best quality. The kinds of
timber are nearly the same as are produced in
Wolfestown and Ham. It is watered by some
small rivers and streams, and the picturesque
little Lake Pitt of about five miles long and
half a mile broad, spreading across the seventh,
eighth, ninth, and tenth ranges, and commu
nicating by a small channel Avith Lake William,
from whence the waters discharge into the
River Bepancour. The south-easterly half of
the township has been laid out and granted,
but none of it is yet cultivated. Craig's Road
passing through a part of it, may be, perhaps,
the means of attracting some settlers to its
neighbourhood. The principal landholders are
the heirs of the late Joseph Frobisher, Esq.
and Mrs. Scott and family.
Chester, in the county of Buckingham,

369
lies betAveen Tingwick and Halifax ; bounded
on the north-west by Arthabaska, and on the
south-east by Ham and WolfestoAvn. The
land in this township has great advantages in
point of locality, with a soil in every respect fit
for all the purposes of agriculture, though still
remaining unbroken by the plough. The tim
ber is mostly beech, maple, pine, birch, elm,
basswood, butternut, cedar, spruce, and hem
lock. It is Avatered by large branches of the
Nicolet and Becancour, that wind through it in
various directions. Craig's Road crosses it
diagonally. The south-east and north-Avest
quarters have been surveyed and granted ; they
are both valuable tracts of land, well meriting
attention. The proprietors of one quarter are
the heirs of Joseph Frobisher, Esq. and the
other belongs to various individuals.
Warwick, in the county of Buckingham,
joins Tingwick on the south-east, Stanfold on
the north-west, Kingsey on the south-west, and
Arthabaska on the north-east. This is a poor
and rather sterile tract, that, excepting the
three first ranges, is almost unserviceable, heing
rough, broken, and swampy, — defying all the
art and labour of industry to give it any va
lue. It is thickly covered with spruce and hem
lock. The tract of waste lands adjoining it on
the north-west is of the same description ; in
B B

370
the spring it is deeply overflowed by several
branches of the River Nicolet, and rendered
impassable for a considerable distance. The
south-east half of the township has been subdi
vided, and granted to various persons, but, as
may be expected from its nature, no one has
found sufficient inducement to attempt a set
tlement. Arthabaska, in the county of Buckingham,.
is a triangular piece of land, situated between
Chester and Halifax on the north-east, Bul-
strode, Stanfold, and Somerset on the north-
Avest, and Wanvick on the south-Avest; con
taining a much less extent than a full township :
one quarter of it is subdivided, and granted to
John Gregory, Esq., who at present holds it.
The land is much of the same nature as that in
the toAvnships of Halifax and Chester, but in
some parts lower, and rather swampy. The
timber is chiefly birch, beech, elm, and some
pine, Avith much of inferior quality upon the
SAvamps. Several branches of the Nicolet and
Becancour run through it. No part thereof is
settled. Stanfold, in the county of Buckingham, i&
situated on the south-east side of the River
Becancour, that bounds it in front ; it has Ar
thabaska on the rear, Nelson on the north-east,,
and Bulstrode on the south-west. From lying

371
very low and being extremely swampy, not
much of the land is fit for cultivation. It is
traversed by some rivers and small streams that
fall into the Becancour. One half of this town
ship was granted to the Honourable Jenkin
Williams, who is the present holder of it. No
attempt has been made to clear it.
Bulstrode, in the county of Buckingham,
joins Stanfold on the north-east, Warwick in
the rear, and waste lands of the crown on the
Avest. The country hereabout is level and Ioav,
Avith many swamps and numerous brulis, par
ticularly towards the middle of the toAvnship ;
near the river, and also inclining toAvards the
limits of Warwick, the land rises a little, and is
of a moderately good quality : the sAvamps and
low lands are in some places of a sandy soil,
and in others a black mould. On the highest
situation the timber consists of beech, maple,
and black* birch ; in the swamps cedar, hem
lock, and tammarack. The main branch of the
Nicolet, and several rivulets running into the
Becancour, Avater it very well. Half of the
township has been granted to the late Patrick
Langan, Esq., and is noAv the property of his
heirs. No settlements have yet been made.
Aston, in the county of Buckingham, is situ
ated in the rear of the seigniories of Becancour
and Godefroi ; bounded on the north-east by the
bb2

372
River Becancour, and on the southvwest by
waste lands of the crown. By the sides of the
Becancour and River Blanche the land is
pretty high, but a short distance from thence
it descends into a Ioav flat ; the soil in general is
good, and would no doubt prove highly pro
ductive if brought into cultivation. In situa
tions near the rivers the timber is oak, elm,
pine, beech, bitch, and maple ; in other direc
tions it is either cedar, hemlock, or spruce.
The Riviere Blanche and the Becancour, the
banks of which are extremely picturesque,
Avater it very completely. The whole township
has been surveyed, and granted to various per
sons, but not one of them has yet undertaken to
cultivate, or procured one single settler upon it.
Maddington, in the county of Bucking
ham, is situated on the east side of the Becan
cour, opposite to Aston ; bounded on the
north-west by the seigniories of Becancour,
Dutord, Cournoyer, and Gentilly; on the
south-west and south-east by the River Be
cancour, and on the north- Avest by Blandford.
In the surveyed parts of this toAvnship lying
contiguous to the river the land is of the same
nature and quality as in Aston, and like it is
capable of being turned to good account in
the hands of able farmers : in some places the
soil would suit very well for hemp and flax.

373
On the superior grounds some excellent tim
ber may be found, but on the lower parts only
the indifferent assortment of cedar, hemlock,
and similar kinds. The Becancour presents
several eligible situations for the erection of
mills. No part of this tract has yet been
settled : the principal proprietor is the Ho
nourable Jenkin Williams.
Hunterstown, in the county of St. Mau
rice, on the north side of the St. Lawrence,
is situated in the rear of the seigniories of Ri
viere du Loup, Grand Pre, and Dumontier; is
bounded on the east by the projected toAvn-
ship of Caxton, and on the Avest by lands
claimed by the late Charles Lanaudiere, Esq.
as belonging to the seigniory of Maskinonge,
and on the north-west by waste crown lands.
This is a tract of very little value, being con
tinued strata of rock lying very near the surface ;
toward the rear it rises into broken and almost
mountainous ridges. Pine and maple are abun
dant, but cedar, spruce, and hemlock much
more so. The Riviere du Loup with some
small lakes and little rivulets Avater it very well.
24620 acres of this township were granted in
1800 to Mr. John Jones, the present proprie
tor. The unsurveyed or projected townships
in this district are Caxton, Blandford, Wotton,
Weedon, Garthby, Coleraine, Stratford, Hamp-

374
den, Gayhurst, Chesham, Emberton, and Dray
ton. In Weedon, Coleraine, and Garthby, is
situated Lake St. Francis, of considerable di
mensions, forming two expanses of water that
are connected by a short river or channel. It
is surrounded in every direction by lofty wood-
covered mountains, approaching each other so
close on either side of the little river as almost
to cut off the communication of the waters be
tween the tAvo parts of the lake : these moun
tains contain iron ore in many places. On the
topographical map, Lake St. Francis is deli
neated by dotted lines, and laid doAvn from the
reports of various persons Avho have penetrated
that country, and of the Indian hunters : it may
not therefore be correct in all its points ; but as
there never has been a survey of it made, such
authorities are all that afford any resources for
its description. THE DISTRICT OF QUEBEC
Extends from the seigniory of Grondines,
whose western boundary joins the district of
Three Rivers, doAvn the St. Lawrence on the
north side as far as the River St. John, on the
coast of Labrador; and on the south side
from the seigniory of Deschaillons as far down
as Cape Chat, where it is met by the district of

375
Gaspe; "to the southward it is bounded by the
ridge of mountains already designated as the
north-easterly chain, and on the northward by
the 52d degree of north latitude. It contains
the counties of Cornwallis, Devon, Hertford,
Dorchester, Hampshire, Quebec, Orleans, and
Northumberland ; eighty-seven seigniories, four
teen Avhole townships, four that are partly
within the district of Three Rivers, eighteen
projected townships, and forty-two parishes.
The quantity of land granted in fief et seigneu
rie amounts to 4,352,500 acres, or 5,109,319
French arpents: in free and common soccage,
561,234 acres. Of the old tenures, one third part,
or perhaps a little less, is under cultivation : in
the townships the proportion under tillage is
yet but small.
Grondines (the seigniory of, and its aug
mentation), in the county of Hants, on the
north side of the River St. Lawrence, is bound
ed on the south-west by the seigniory and aug
mentation of Ste. Anne, in the district of Three
Rivers, by La Tesserie on the north-east, and
by the unsurveyed township of Alton and waste
lands of the crown in the rear. It Avas granted
in three parts, viz. the western part, one league
in front by ten in depth, on the 20th March,
1638, to the Duchess d'Aiguillon, for Les Dames
Hospitalieres of the Hotel Dieu of Quebec ; the

376
eastern part, three quarters of a league in
front by three leagues in depth, on the 3d No
vember, 1672, to the poor of the said hospital ;
and the augmentation to the eastern part, two
leagues in depth by three quarters of a league
in front, on the 25th April, 1711, to Louis
Hamelin : the whole is now the property of
Mr. Moses Hart. Throughout the greater part
of these grants the soil is of an indifferent cha
racter, being only a thin layer of poor earth
upon a solid bed of stone : here and there a
few patches of better quality may be found.
A small ridge extends across the seigniory at a
short distance from the front, and thence down
to the borders of the river the space is princi
pally occupied by very good meadow land.
The timber is altogether of the most inferior
sort. The principal settlements lie by the main
road, passing just beneath the ridge, and upon
the River Ste. Anne : taken in the aggregate,
the soil and timber on this property are barely
above mediocrity, yet it is not without some
well cultivated farms upon it; they, hoAvever,
owe more to the industry of their occupiers
than to original fertility for that distinction.
SomeAvhat more than a fourth part of these
tracts are under culture. It is very Avell water
ed by the River Ste. Anne, the Batiscan, and a
small river falling into the St. Lawrence; the

377
latter turns a grist and a saw-mill. There is a
church and a parsonage-house, but the service
is performed by the cure of a neighbouring
parish. The main road crosses the seigniory
near its front : one ascends the Ste. Anne on
each side, and another leads to the back con
cessions. In the St. Lawrence the extensive
shoal, called Les Battures des Grondines,
stretches along the front. There is a small fief
called Francheville, Avithin Grondines, which,
by default of inheritance, has reverted to the
crown. La Tesserie (fief), on the north side of the
St. Lawrence, in the county of Hants, is bound
ed on the south-west by Grondines, on the
north-east by La Chevrotiere, in the rear by the
township of Alton, and by the river in front ;
one league in breadth by three in depth : Avas
granted November 3d, 1672, to Demoiselle de
la Tesserie. In this grant the land greatly re
sembles that of Grondines, but perhaps has
some little advantage over it as to the general
quality of the soil ; it is watered in the rear by
the River Ste. Anne : by the main road there
are a few Avell-cultivated concessions, but in
other respects there is nothing meriting parti
cular notice.
La Chevrotiere (the seigniory of) is on
the north bank of the St. Lawrence, in the

378
county of Hants, betAveen La Tesserie and
Deschambault, bounded in the rear by waste
lands of the crown; one league in front by
three leagues in depth : the date of the grant
is uncertain, as the original title has never been
found among the records of the province, or
among the registers of fealty and homage ;
but from the tenor of the grants of La Tesserie
and Deschambault, it appears to have been con
ceded sometime before the year 1652, to M.
Chavigny de la Chevrotiere : it is at this day
possessed by M. de la Chevrotiere, a lineal
descendant of the person Avho first received the
grant. Of the soil in this seigniory the gene
rality possesses a good share of fertility, and is
Avell suited to the produce of wheat and all other
grain, though at this time not more than one
third of the land is under tillage. The surface
of it is uneven, and the same will be observed to
be the case more and more on approaching
Quebec from the westward ; the banks of the
St. Lawrence also increase greatly in height,
and the beach becomes more rocky and irregu
lar, with the battures or shoals running out to a
considerable distance from it. Beech, maple,
and some excellent pine-timber, are found
close to the river. The seigniory is Avatered
by many small streams besides the River Ste.
Anne, that crosses it near its reanvard limit,

379
and the Chevrotiere, that Avinds along the mid
dle about six miles, and then strikes off to the
northward into the seigniory of Deschambault :
this little river rolls its slender stream betAveen
two banks of considerable altitude, and after
crossing the ridge in front descends through a
valley into the St. LaAvrence, in which by the
side of the main road there are a dwelling-
house, a grist and a saw-mill, most delightfully
situated. On the west bank of this river the
road is rather difficult, from its steepness and
circuitous course ; but on the opposite side the
rise is gradual, and easy of ascent to the top of
the eminence along which it passes onwards to
Quebec : besides this road, Avhich is the main
one, there are several others running in different
directions. On the summit of the elevation and
each side of the highAvay many handsome farms,
in a good state of improvement, present them
selves to notice.
Deschambault (the seigniory of), in the
county of Hants, on the north side of the River
St. Lawrence, is bounded by the barony of
Portneuf on the north-east, by La Chevrotiere
on the south-west, by the river in front, and by
waste lands of the crown in the rear ; one league
in breadth by three in depth ; granted March 1,
1652, to Demoiselle Eleonore de Grande Mai-
son : it belongs at present to Louis de la Gor-

380
gendiere, Esq. and the Honourable Juchereau
Duchesnay. This, in almost every respect, is
a very valuable property, with a soil of unex
ceptionable quality ; being a mixture of good
clay Avith a little sand, a fine yellow loam, and
in many places a rich black mould, Avhich in
the vicinity of Point Deschambault has a stra
tum of rock beneath it. The surface is uneven,
and from being a fine level flat near the river,
it rises in small ridges, mounting by gradations
one above another nearly to the limits of the
seigniory in the rear : from the westward also
there is a gradual acclivity from the plain to
the height of Point Deschambault. On this
flat the land is every where fertile, and fit for
the production of every article of the country,
Avhether grain, fruit, or vegetables ; the princi
pal part of it is in an excellent state of cultiva
tion, and the numerous farms on each side of
the main road, with their substantial houses,
and every requisite appendage, afford a pleas
ing evidence of the industry and good husbandry
of the proprietors. On the different ranges of
concessions towards the interior many of the
lots display an equal share of good manage
ment, and Avhich indeed is the case with nearly
all the land under tillage, amounting to a full
third of the whole seigniory. The timber is of
a moderately good quality, though but of little

381
diversity of species, being for the most part
beech, maple, and pine; there is, however,
wood of inferior descriptions. The Rivers Ste.
Anne crossing the rear, La Chevrotiere, Belle-
isle, and a few smaller streams, contribute to
the luxuriant fertility of the soil. The Point of
Deschambault has a considerable elevation, and
stretches boldly into the river to the Richelieu
rapid; the face of it appears a firm clay and
sand, without any interposition of rock or
stone. On this Point the church of Descham
bault is built, and on the summit of the salient
extremity is a very beautiful grove of pine-trees,
remarkable rather for the regularity and equa
lity of size than for their individual magnitude :
a little below the church, on the sloping side of
the Point, is the manor-house of Monsr. de la
Gorgendiere. The River St. Lawrence forms a
large curve between Cap Sant6 and Point Des
chambault, and either in ascending or descend
ing the combination of objects that it presents
is highly interesting and agreeable. The Point
Avas formerly a sort of military post, as the
French, in the year 1759, had a battery upon it,
for the purpose of defending this pass of the
river against any force that might have been
sent upwards ; indeed, this situation, and the
superior height of Platon on the opposite side,
might easily be fortified so as completely to

382
command the passage either Avay, and, together
with the difficulties of the Richelieu rapid,
would render any attempt to force it very dis
astrous to an enemy that should undertake the
enterprise. Portneuf (the barony of), in the county of
Hants, has its front to the St. LaAvrence, bound
ed on the south-west by the seigniory of Des
chambault, on the north-east by that of Jacques
Cartier, and in the rear by Perthuis ; one league
and a half in breadth by three leagues in depth :
Avas granted April 16th, 1647, to Sieur de Croi-
sille; it now belongs to the convent of the
Hotel Dieu, at Quebec, but is let on a long
lease to Messrs. Coltman and Co. This is a
fine and valuable estate, the land fertile, and that
part of it that is under tillage in a good state
of cultivation : the soil is a light sandy earth
mixed with clay, and in many places a good
black mould upon a bed of clay. The timber
in the rear of the tract is a general mixture of
the middling sorts, but along the banks of
the River Portneuf some very good pine may
be collected. This river, that with several
small streams waters the property, is not navi
gable either for boats or canoes ; it has its
source in a small lake Avithin the seigniory of
Faussambault, and passing through Bourg-
louis, Neuvflle, Belair, and Jacques Cartier, it

383
floAvs into the St. Lawrence, near Descham
bault. The banks on each side are high, and
very Avell wooded ; the stream is precipitated
through so many rapids and along a broken
rocky bed with such violence, as to render it
impassable for any sort of boat, hoAvever light.
At the entrance into the river from the St.
Lawrence the land, for a short space, is
low, and extremely well cultivated on each
side. At a small distance up, on the western
side, are the valuable grist and saw-mills be
longing to Messrs. Coltman and Co., most con
veniently and agreeably situated in a hollow
near the main road, from Avhence the ground
rises almost in form of an amphitheatre; on
the gentle acclivities there are several fine set
tlements, and many good. houses dispersed,
that greatly enliven a prospect naturally beau
tiful. From the mills the exportation of flour
is very great, and with the shipments of timber
almost continually carried on, the place gene
rally presents a bustling scene of business :
the mercantile concerns of the proprietors
being very extensive, they have been induced
to establish a depot here for the collection of
all sorts of timber for exportation; and it is no
uncommon thing to see almost a small fleet of
vessels of various classes lying at anchor off
the mouth of the River Portneuf, receiving

384
their freights on board, besides those that usu
ally anchor here in their passage up or down the
river, on account of the Richelieu rapid. Pro
ceeding to the eastward from the mills, the
bank of the St. LaAvrence takes a gradual rise
as far as the church at Cap Sante, and from
thence it almost immediately obtains an eleva
tion of more than 150 feet above the level of
the river, by a very steep ascent up what is
called the Cote du Cap Sant6. From the
front to the rear of this tract there are many
rising grounds, generally of a very good soil,
betAveen Avhich the holloAvs are in some places
swampy, and covered Avith cedar and hemlock.
The church of Cap Sante, standing nearly on
the point of the cape, is a handsome building,
usually attracting a stranger's notice by its ex
terior ornaments as well as interior decoration.
To vessels coming doAvn the river the clump
of trees on Point Deschambault and this
church serve as sailing marks ; the latter, by its
three spires, is distinguishable at a great distance.
Near the church is the parsonage-house, and a
group of others surrounding it, forming almost
a respectable sized village. Along each side
of the Quebec road the houses are numerous,
and being surrounded by neat gardens and ex
tensive orchards, afford, particularly during the
spring, a most enchanting appearance. From

385
the main road there are two that branch off to the
back concessions, and Avhich continue as far to
the interior as any settlements have been made ;
at different distances others take a transverse
direction towards the adjacent seigniories on
each side. From Cap Sante the large shoal
called Batture du Cap Sante stretches almost
down to the entrance of Jacques Cartier River :
it is thickly beset with rocks that are uncovered
at low water.
Perthuis (the seigniory of), in the county
of Hants, is situated immediately in the rear
of the barony of Portneuf; partly bounded on
the south-west by the lands forming the pro
jected township of Alton, and partly on the
north-east by the seigniory of Jacques Cartier ;
its other limits are closed upon by waste crown
lands ; one league and a half in breadth, by
nine leagues in depth; was granted October
11, 1753, to Sieur Perthuis. From the boun
dary of Portneuf, the land rises in a broken
and irregular series of heights towards the rear,
Avhere it falls in Avith the north-westerly ridge
of mountains : the soil, for a league or two to
the interior, is a light loam or clay, sometimes
covered Avith a thick layer of fine black mould ;
these spots, if brought under cultivation, would,
no doubt, prove very productive : of the qua
lity further back nothing has yet been ascer-
c c

386
tained. No part of the grant is appropriated
to agriculture. The timber is in general very
good, and also abundant, consisting of the best
species that are found upon a dry good soil,
as maple, beech, ash, birch, and pine. The
loAver portion of the seigniory is watered by the
River Ste. Anne, Avhich runs across it, but in
the other parts there are only a few small streams
that break from the sides of the mountains.
Jacques Cartier (the seigniory of) is in
the county of Hants, having its front on the
River St. Lawrence, bounded on the south-west
by the barony of Portneuf, by Belair and its
augmentation on the north-east, and in the rear
by waste croAvn lands ; half a league in breadth
by five leagues in depth; granted 29th March,
1659, to Dame Gaguier, AvidoAV of Jean Clement
de Wauls, Chevalier and Seigneur de Monceaux.
It is now the property of Messrs. de Lery, and
Mr. Alsop. Although the surface is very irre
gular and broken, the land in general is of a
moderately good quality ; in some places the
soil is light and sandy, in others a layer of black
vegetable mould upon a stratum of lime-stone,
and to the rear, where it becomes rather moun
tainous, a good light loam ; each of these dif
ferent kinds is sufficiently fertile, and several
ranges of concessions are in an excellent state
of cultivation, having among them many pro-*

387
ductive and valuable farms. The timber is
various both in kind and quality, but there is
good maple and birch, and along the banks of
the different rivers some superior pine : the
common species are very abundant. The
Rivers Ste. Anne and Portneuf, already men
tioned, cross this seigniory, but the principal
one by Avhich it is Avatered is the Jacques Car-
tier : to many it may be superfluous to men
tion the origin of its name, Avhich was derived
from the navigator who first examined the
River St. Lawrence, and secured his vessels at
the entrance of this river during the winter of
1536. It takes its source from several small
lakes in the interior, near the parallel of 48°
north latitude, and about 71° 20' of west lon
gitude. After running a very circuitous course
through a mountainous country that is but
little knoAvn, it reaches the townships of Tewkes
bury and Stoneham, passes through them, and
flows on in a south-south-westerly direction, a
distance of about forty-six miles, across the
seigniories of St. Ignace, St. Gabriel, Faussem-
bault, Neuville, Belair, and the fief Jacques
Cartier, where it falls into the River St. LaAv
rence. From the townships its stream displays
a character of great Avildness, and is both grand
and impetuous in its course, hurrying through
valleys between the lofty mountains, and fre-
c c 2

388
quently dashing Avith violence over the preci
pices and immense fragments of rock that op
pose its progress. The bed being extremely
rocky, the great number of falls and rapids,
and the vehemence of the torrent, particularly
in the spring and after the autumnal rains,
render it generally impassable for canoes or
boats of any description. The banks are ex
ceedingly high, and at intervals, for considera
ble distances, are formed of strata of lime
stone, or of granite rock that in many places
are lofty, rugged, and majestic, partially
displaying a few stunted pines in the inter
stices, or covered with creeping shubbery, but
in many parts presenting only the frowning
aspect of huge barren masses heaped perpendi
cularly one upon another. From the heights on
each side of the river spread extensive forests,
through Avhich there are various paths traced
out and kept open during all the changes of
seasons by the Indians, and chiefly those of the
village of Lorette, Avho consider the lands to an
immense distance nortlnvards as their hunting
grounds. The general view along the course of
the river is varied, picturesque, and extraordi
nary, presenting a thousand combinations of
the grandeur, beauty, and wild magnificence
of nature that stand unrivalled by that of any
other country. In its course through the seig-

389
niory of St. Gabriel, it approaches within six
teen miles of Quebec ; about nine miles before
it reaches the St. Lawrence is the new bridge
of Jacques Cartier. The stream is here precipi
tated over many large fragments of granite that
occasion a perpendicular fall of considerable
height, the effect of which is greatly increased
by the incessant roar of the torrent as it forces
its ,way through the holloAvs and excavations
that by the lapse of time it has wrought for
itself in the rocky bed and sides of the channel :
from hence it Aoavs Avith the same impetuous
character, until its Avaters are lost in the cur
rent of the St. Lawrence. The River Jacques
Cartier, vieAved Avith a military eye, forms a
most poAverful natural barrier, and may be
termed one of the outworks to the city and
environs of Quebec ; the velocity of the stream
would make it extremely dangerous to attempt
fording it ; the height of the banks renders
them inaccessible, except in a very few places,
and those could only be ascended Avith much
difficulty by a small number of persons at a
time, which, with the numerous advantageous
positions along the Avhole range of the river for
posting a defensive force, Avould altogether con
stitute it a complete line of security; indeed,
the French, after they were expelled from Que
bec in 1759, retired behind this river, and

390
manifested some intention of establishing them
selves in force upon its western bank, where
they hastily threAV up some Avorks, under the
persuasion that they could there remain safe
for some time from the molestation of their
conquerors on the Plains of Abraham. On
the eastern side of the river, at a short distance
before its confluence with the St. Lawrence,
where the high bank receding considerably
from the margin, leaves a rather extensive flat
only a little elevated above the Avater's level,
are some corn-mills, and several stores belong
ing to the heirs of the late Mr. Allsop of Que
bec. They are the remains of a much greater
and more valuable establishment that was
nearly destroyed some years ago by fire; a
large sum of money had been expended a
short time previous to the accident to render
it every way complete, and capable of carrying
on a very extensive concern, and in Avhich a
flourishing progress had been made : since
that period none of the buildings have been
restored, consequently its importance is at this
time greatly diminished. The main road passes
along the front of the seigniory, and crosses the
Jacques Cartier by a ferry, of about ] 60 toises
broad, where, on account of the violence of
the stream, the boats are traversed from side to
side by means of hawsers stretched across ; the

391
charge for each person is three-pence, for a
horse six-pence, a horse and carriage nine-
pence, and fifteen-pence for a carriage and two
horses. The road, as it passes in the vicinity of
the river and winds up the lofty banks, is ex
ceedingly steep ; but notwithstanding the diffi
culty and fatigue of it to passengers, it is much
frequented, although there is another road
from Quebec passing over Jacques Cartier
bridge, that is something shorter in its distance,
and by Avhich almost all the inequalities of the
ground are avoided. Less than one third of
this seigniory is cultivated ; some of the best
farms are near the road that passes by the St.
Lawrence, and on the south-west side, by the
road leading from the bridge to the barony of
Portneuf. BfiLAiRorLES Ecureuils (the seigniory of,
and its augmentation), in the county of Hants,
joins Jacques Cartier. It has its front to the St.
Lawrence, is bounded on the north-east by
Pointe aux Trembles, and in the rear by D'Au-
teuil ; half a league in breadth by one league
in depth ; was granted November 3d, 1672, to
the Sieurs Toupin, father and son. The aug
mentation, of the same breadth as the seigniory,
and two leagues in depth, Avas granted January
20th, 1706, to Marie Magdeleine Mezerai,
widow of Jean Toupin. Though composed of

392
a soil nearly similar to the front part of the
seigniory of Jacques Cartier, Belair cannot vie
Avith that property in fertility ; but it is nearly
all settled, and can show some neat, well-ma
naged farms. The Jacques Cartier river crosses
it diagonally, and it is otherwise watered by
the Riviere aux Pommes, a pretty Avinding
stream that Aoavs into the former. The timber
has been nearly all cleared off, and what little
does remain is very inferior both in kind and
value. Several roads cross this grant, having
one intersecting them at right angles, that
runs from the banks of the St. LaAvrence up to
the Jacques Cartier. The augmentation is gene
rally mountainous, but the land is not of a bad
quality. It is only partially culth'ated near
Avhere it joins the seigniory : it is tolerably
well timbered Avith beech, ash, maple, pine,
and birch, and Avatered by the River Portneuf
and some of its branches. The road from
Jacques Cartier bridge crosses it, on each side
of which there are a few neat settlements.
D'Auteuil (the seigniory of), in the county
of Hants, is immediately in the rear of the
augmentation to Belair, bounded on the north
east by Bourglouis, on the south-west by
Jacques Cartier seigniory, and on the north
west by Avaste croAvn lands ; half a league in
breadth by four and a half leagues in depth ;

393
granted February 15th, 1693, to the Sieur
d'Auteuil. This mountainous tract is still in a
state of nature, and indeed likely so to remain.
It produces some good timber, and judging
from the different species thereof one would
conclude that the land is above mediocrity.
Neuville, or La Pointe aux Trembles
(the seigniory of), in the county of Hants, is
bounded by the St. LaAvrence in front, Belair
and its augmentation on the south-west, Des-
maure, Guillaume Bonhomme, and Faussem-
bault on the north-east, and by Bourglouis in
the rear; tAvo leagues and three quarters in
front by four leagues in depth ; was granted
December 16th, 1653, to Jean Bourdon, and
is at present the property of the Reverend Mr.
Descheneaux, Grand Vicar. Viewing this seig
niory as the possession of an individual, it
must be estimated as one of great value, above
two thirds of it being under cultivation and
very productive in grain, as well as almost
every other species of growth natural to the
country. The surface, as is the case almost
invariably Avithin several leagues of Quebec, is
very uneven, rising from the St. LaAvrence in a
series of irregular ridges to the. elevated banks
of the Jacques Cartier: beyond which it is
mountainous and abrupt. The soil in front is
a lightish mixture of sand and black friable

394
earth, but advancing to the north-west it be
comes much stronger, and soon changes to a
fine loam, in some places pretty thickly strewed
with stones : large masses of granite lie about
in different directions as if rolled down from the
heights, although there is scarce any trace of
rock until reaching the bank of the Jacques
Cartier river. The timber is for the most part
very good ; but between the tAvo rivers not
in great plenty, as the whole of that space is
laid out in fruitful settlements ; further back,
beech, maple, pine, ash, and birch, are found
in abundance. It is watered by several
branches of the River Portneuf, the Riviere
aux Pommes, that traces a beautiful meander
ing course throughit, and the impetuous Jacques
Cartier, besides many rivulets descending from
the sides of the different ridges, the Avhole
amply providing for the irrigation, particularly
of the settled parts. Of the many roads that
intersect the seigniory, the one in front of the
St. Lawrence, one in the direct line from Que
bec by the village of Cappa to Jacques Cartier
bridge, and another, striking from the St. LaAv
rence, about midAvay betAveen tbe village of
Pointe 'aux Trembles and Belair, to the same
place, are the principal; the others open a
convenient communication betAveen the differ
ent concessions. The bridge itself deserves

395
notice for the easy lightness, and at the same
time solidity of its construction; the natural
high bank of the river on each side is finished
by masonry into solid piers, from whence the
arch, entirely of timber, forms a handsome
segment raised to more than the ordinary ele
vation above the stream ; its appearance alto
gether is Avell calculated to attract attention :
near the west end of it is a small well-built
cottage most romantically situated, wherein
the collector of the bridge toll resides. The
village of Pointe aux Trembles, consisting of
about 25 houses, a church, parsonage-house,
and Avhat is termed a convent, is exceedingly
Avell seated on a projecting point of the same
name, rising but a few yards above the level
of the St. Lawrence ; it is backed by an am
phitheatre of gently rising hills cultivated to
their very summits, embellished by farm-houses
mostly built of stone, surrounded by gardens
and extensive orchards, affording in every di
rection, but from the river particularly, a rich,
variegated, and pleasing coup d'ozil. Many of
the houses in the village are of stone, their inha
bitants industrious and wealthy, Avhich is also
the case Avith most of the habitans of this seig
niory. The convent is an establishment for
female education, conducted by two sisters of
the congregation of Quebec, who reside in it

396
as missionaries for disseminating religious and
other useful knoAvledge. From the Point reach
ing nearly doAvn to the seigniory of Desmaure
runs a shoal called La Batture de la Pointe aux
Trembles, thickly beset Avith rocks that are un
covered at Ioav Avater.
Bourglouis (the seigniory of), in the
county of Hants, immediately in the rear of
Pointe aux Trembles, is bounded on the south-
Avest by D'Auteuil, on the north-east by Faus-
sembault, and in the rear by Avaste lands ; two
leagues and three quarters in front by three
leagues in depth ; Avas granted May 14th, 1741,
to Sieur Louis Fornel. This grant still remains
in its natural state, no part whereof is culti
vated, although the soil is tolerably good, being
principally a strong loam. The timber is vari
ous, and among it is found ash, beech, birch,
pine, and maple of good quality and large di
mensions. It is watered by the River Ste.
Anne toAvards the rear, and by many small
streams that rise in the mountains southAvard
of that river, and fall into the Portneuf.
Desmaure, or St. Augustin (the seigniory
of), in the county of Hants, fronting the St.
LaAvrence, is bounded on the north-east by
Gaudarville, on the south- Avest by Pointe aux
Trembles, and in the rear by Guillaume Bon-
homme and Faussembault. No official record

397
has been found relative to this grant, conse
quently its original date and precise dimen
sions are not knoAvn. Les Dames Religieuses
of the General Hospital of Quebec, to whom
the property belongs, in performing fealty and
homage on the 19th March, 1781, produced as
their title an act of adjudication, dated Septem
ber 22, 1733 ; but Avhich Avas still indecisive of
its dimensions, no notice whatever being taken
of the extent. By the regulation of the parishes
of the province, it is designated as containing
two leagues and a half in breadth, by one and a
half in depth. With a surface varied and un
even, this seigniory possesses a rich and fertile
soil, which on the large SAvells and high lands is
a lightish loam, but in the holloAvs and valleys
lying between them is generally a good black
mould ; the situation for all works appertaining
to agriculture is so favourable, that full three-
fourths of the Avhole is under tillage ; the farms,
and indeed the major part of the concessions
appear to great advantage, and display many
favourable specimens of careful husbandry. In
proportion to the increase of cultivation, the
quantity of timber has greatly diminished, and
at present but little of a superior quality is
standing : nor are the common kinds in much
greater abundance. It is watered by the Ri
viere du Cap Rouge, which has its source

398
among the heights near the back boundaries.
In the serpentine course it describes in passing
diagonally through the seigniory, it sends off
many small branches both to the right and
left; the banks are elevated, but the eminence
is attained by a very gradual slope, or it may be
said more correctly, that it flows through a
narrow valley abounding in natural beauties of
the most picturesque kind, and possessing all
the charms that can be looked for in the most
artful landscape composition. Lake Calviere,
about a mile and a half long, lying between
La Riviere du Cap Rouge and the St. LaAv
rence, will always obtain a large share of ad
miration when vieAved from the surrounding
heights, where it presents a rich and diversified
prospect, the margin being charmingly varied
by cultivated lands, here and there broken by
small "woods and numerous clumps of trees,
rising by gradations from the water's edge one
above the other. The land bordering the St.
Lawrence is the highest in the seigniory, from
whence there is an alternation of ridges and
valleys, the former diminishing in height as
they approach the rear boundary, composing
together a most agreeable undulation in the
perspective scenery. This property is very
conveniently crossed by roads in almost every
direction, and most of them kept in good re-

399 "
pair : the one along the front is called the post
road; another passing in the rear to Jacques
Cartier bridge, is denominated the stage road ;
on each side of the Riviere du Cap Rouge
a road leads to the seigniory of Pointe aux
Trembles, with several intermediary ones con
necting the principals : by the sides of each of
them are many fine settlements, the houses
well built, and the farms showing every appear
ance of comfort and even affluence. The church,
seated on a point projecting into the St. Law
rence, a grist and a saw-mill upon a little branch
of Riviere du Cap Rouge, between tAvo lofty
banks just Avhere it discharges into the former,
compose a pleasing point of vieAv either from
the Great River or the eminence just above the
mills. An extensive shoal, or rather reef of rocks,
bounds the whole front of the seigniory : the
Islets Donbour lie upon this reef, opposite the
south-west boundary.
Guillaume Bonhomme (the seigniory
of), is situated in the rear of Desmaure, bound
ed on the south-west by Pointe aux Trembles,
on the north-east by Faussembault, and on the
north-west by the River Jacques Cartier ; one
league in breadth by two in depth ; Avas grant
ed November 24th, 1682, to Guillaume Bon
homme. This tract is uneven and mountain
ous ; near Desmaure, which is the lowest and

400
most level part, the soil is a black mould, but
receding from thence toAvard the Jacques Car-
tier, a light-coloured loam prevails, a good
deal covered with loose stones : only a small
portion of the land is in cultivation. *- The tim
ber is both abundant and good, particularly on
the high grounds towards the rear ; bnt the irri
gation is very sparing, as scarcely a stream or
rivulet traverses the interior.
Faussembault (the seigniory of), in the
county of Hants, is bounded on the north-east
by Gaudarville and St. Gabriel, on the south- Avest
by Guillaume Bonhomme, Pointe aux Trem
bles, and Bourglouis, on the south-east by Des
maure or St. Augustin, and on the north-westby
waste lands. From St. Augustin to the Jacques
Cartier it is only a narrow slip of land, three quar
ters of a league broad, and two leagues and a
half deep ; but beyond that river it spreads to
a breadth of eight miles, Avith an additional
depth of three leagues : it was granted Febru
ary 20th, 1693, to Sieur de Gaudarville, and is
now the property of Juchereau Duchenaye,
Esq. That part of the seigniory lying between
Gaudarville and Guillaume Bonhomme, though
rather mountainous, and particularly so toAvards
the river, is nevertheless of a good quality ; the
land rising gradually affords many opportuni
ties for cultivation ; the soil is a middling sort

401
of loam, or else a layer of black earth, of no
great depth, upon a stratum of sand : on the
settled places the farms exhibit an appearance
Of good tiljage, and are by no means defective
in fertility. There is a tolerable variety of
timber; the maple, beech, and birch, are parti
cularly go@d : inferior wood is in great abun
dance. Several roads lead to the adjoining
seigniories on each side, and one from St. Au
gustin up to the Jacques Cartier, but there is
scarcely a stream to be met Avith until reaching
that riA'er ; from thence north Avard, it is a
mountainous country, continually rising until
it approaches the great north-westerly ridge;
it is. .very well clothed with timber, but gene
rally incapable of cultivation. In the ravines
there are some small lakes; several of the little
branches of the Portneuf have their sources on
the skirts of the mountains. ,
Gaudarville or Guardarville (the
seigniory of), in the county of Hants, has its
"front on the St. LaAvrence, is bounded on the
north-east by St. Gabriel, on the south-west by
St. Augustin and FauSsembault, and in the rear
, by Faussembault also ; it is forty-five arpens
Abroad by four leagues in depth ; was granted
February 8th, 1652, to Louis de Lauson, Sieur
de la Citi6re. This grant consists of nearly the
same species of soil as the preceding ones
D D

402
of Desmaure and the lower part of Faussem-
bault, though superior in its fertility and good
cultivation. For a distance of nearly tAvo
leagues and a half from the St. LaAvrence, it is
entirely settled, but thence it becomes moun
tainous, Avith scarcely any part of it under
tillage, though many patches appear to be to
lerably good arable land. The front being thick
ly inhabited has but little timber standing, but
further on good beech, maple, and pine are
found in plenty. Its general fertility is aided
by several little streams that trace a mazy
course through it, and flow into the River St.
Charles, and also by the lower part of the Ri
viere du Cap Rouge, mentioned in the seigniory
of Desmaure, Avhich still preserves its character
of being eminently beautiful and picturesque ;
it feels the attraction of the ebb tide of the St.
Lawrence so strongly, that at low water its bed
is nearly dry, and can be crossed Avith the
utmost ease without the assistance of the ferry
boat ; but at high Avater boats of considerable
burthen can enter it and ascend as high as the
mill, about three quarters of a mile from the
St. Lawrence ; at its mouth is an established
ferry Avhere boats and scoavs are always ready,
though, as before observed, they are not ahvays
necessary. On the west side of this river, near
its discharge, there is a gradual slope from the

403
high bank down to a delightful and Avell culti
vated valley extending almost to the River St.
Charles, and joining the level tract of low land
that spreads for a great distance in the rear of
Quebec. This seigniory is intersected by nu
merous good roads in all directions; the main
one by the St. LaAvrence ascends several steep
acclivities, especially in the vicinity of Cap
Rouge, of Avhich travellers seldom fail to feel the
effect, particularly in the summer time.
Sillery (the seigniory of), in the county of
Quebec, is bounded by the River St. Lawrence
in the front, Guadarville on the south-Avest,
part of St. Ignace and several small grants on
the north-east, and by St. Gabriel in the rear ;
one league broad by about one league and a
half deep. This grant, originally forming part
of the concession of St. Gabriel, was ceded to
the King in 1664, and granted October 23d,
1669, to the Order of Jesuits : it is now the
property of the crown. The bank of the river
is very high, being the most elevated part of
the seigniory, from Avhence there is a plain, va
ried Avith a few rising grounds, reaching to the
road of Ste. Foi, northward of which for a short
distance is an easy declivity, terminated by a
steep descent into a valley that spreads nearly
to the boundary of St. Gabriel, Avhere again
there is another gradual elevation. The soil is
d d 2

404
very good near the St. LaAvrence, consisting of
a light reddish sandy earth intermixed with
clay, in some places lying upon a bed of clay ;
in the vicinity of Ste. Foi there are many ledges
of flat rock covered Avith a coat of excellent
mould, but of no great depth ; from the latter
place on the slope already mentioned, it is a
rich mould mixed with sand, with large quanti
ties of loose stones strewed over its surface, and
many massy fragments of granite lying about
in various directions ; in the valley, and on the
rising ground toAvards La Vielle Lorette, there is
some excellent meadow land : nearly the whole
of the seigniory is cultivated, and extremely fer
tile in almost every variety of the productions of
the country. Very little timber of a superior
quality is now remaining, or indeed much wood
of any description, except what is found in Sil-
lery Wood, and a few other patches that ap
pear to have been left in various parts as much
for ornament as for use. Part of the River St.
Charles passes through, and it is also Avatered
by several small streams that Avind along the
valley in a very pleasing manner. At the place
called Sillery Cove there is a plantation of hops,
in a situation finely sheltered from every in
jurious wind, where the climate is friendly
to their growth, and the soil admirably Avell
adapted to their culture, which has been car-

405
ried on for some years with great success ; the
produce is not inferior to what is imported
from England. Close by the plantation stand
a malt-house, a brewery, and a d welling-house,
besides many other appendages, the property
of Mr. Hullett, to whom the hop-grounds be
long ; the two former are entitled to some re
spect as being the venerable remains of an an
cient chapel and some other buildings, erected
in 1637 by the Jesuits, for the residence of a
mission employed in their favourite undertak
ing of converting the natives to Christianity ;
the utter decay of these vestiges of zealous piety
has been for a Avhile suspended, as a few years
since they were repaired and made applicable
to their present uses. Not far from this spot
the nation of the Algonquins had a village, and
it is somewhat remarkable that in Sillery Wood
there yetremains some of the tumuli belonging
to their burying-place, and Avhat is still more
Avorthy of observation, some of their rude
mementos carved on the trees are at this day
sufficiently visible to be traced. In a hollow
a little to the Avestward of Sillery Cove, on a
gentle eminence now nearly overgroAvn Avith
brushwood and creeping shrubbery, are the
remains of a stone building, once the dwelling
of a few female devotees, Avho, in imitation of
the Jesuits, applied their religious enthusiasm

406
to convert and instruct the female savages.
On the high bank to the westAvard bounding
this cove is an elegant, Avell-built, stone house,
the property of Mr. M'Nider of Quebec ; the
situation is commanding and agreeable : the
style both of the exterior and interior of the re
sidence deserves notice. Many roads in almost
every direction form an easy communication
Avith Quebec and all the surrounding seigniories;
of these, the one leading by the river side, one
by the church of Ste. Foi, and another by the
village of La Vielle Lorette, are the principal ;
on either side of each there are many Avell-built
houses, with various plantations, and farms in
a very advanced state of improvement, and
strongly indicating the good circumstances of
the proprietors. The front of the seigniory is
indented by several coves, Avherein, between
the high bank of the river and the high Avater
mark, there are level flats that afford most con
venient situations for depositing, squaring, and
sorting timber, and staves of all descriptions
when prepared for exportation ; and also
beaches for receiving the rafts as they are
brought doAvn the river : these are called tim
ber grounds. The principal of them is Sillery,
or as it is noAv called Hullett's Cove, that gen
tleman having obtained from government a
lease of the beach from Pointe a Puisseaux, up

407
to his present establishment. At a considera
ble distance from the high-water mark, a long
reef of rocks forms a very convenient break
water, and resists the strong set of the cur
rent from reaching the logs, which are other-
Avise prevented from' drifting away, by means
of booms secured at different places, either by
anchors and grapnels, or to ringbolts in the
rocks as most convenient. WestAvard of this
place is another inlet called Ritchie's Cove,
and to the eastAvard another spacious timber-
ground called Atkinson's, in each of which there
are convenient booms and other securities : the
former has the appearance of a small village,
from the numerous huts erected for the work
men, &c. To these timber-grounds the rafts
intended for them are floated in at high-Avater
through openings in the reef of rocks, and
secured within the booms ; they are then broken
up, the timber sorted, and drawn ashore to
proper spots either for seasoning, squaring, or
reducing to standard dimensions for exporta
tion. Saint Gabriel (the seigniory of), in the
county of Quebec, is bounded on the south-
Avest by Gaudarville, Faussembault, and Avaste
crown lands, on the north-east by St. Ignace,
in the front by Sillery, and in the rear by
waste crown lands ; tAvo leagues in breadth on

408
the front, but as the lateral boundaries do not
run parallel, its breadth in the rear is more than
four leagues ; its depth is ten leagues ; granted
April 16th, 1647, to Sieur Giffard, and is now
the property of the crown. Of this tract tAvo
leagues and a half were granted March 13th,
1651, to the Hurons inhabiting the village of
La Jeune Lorette, and the remainder trans
ferred by donation on the 2d November, 1667,
to the Order of Jesuits, by Sieur Giffard. The
lower part of this seigniory is good fertile land,
the soil in general a fine black mould ; near
the first mountains, and in the Vicinity of Lake
St. Charles, it is a light loam ; the remainder,
and much the largest portion of the grant, is so
extremely rough and mountainous, as to be
Avholly unfit for agricultural purposes. Tim
ber about the front is rather scarce, of inferior
size and little value ; but on the sides of the
rising grounds, and in the interior, beech, ma
ple, and birch, are abundant, and some pine,
and now and then a little good oak may be
found. The River St. Charles bends a most
picturesque course from south-east to north
west, for nearly two leagues along the lower
part of the seigniory, and receives the waters
of several small tributary streams that com
pletely answer the purposes of irrigation. The
Rivers Jacques Cartier, St. Anne, and Batis-

409
can, cross it at different points between the
mountains. To a distance of about six miles
from the front, all the land is in a flourishing
state of cultivation, every where interspersed
with well-built houses, good gardens and well
stocked farms : beyond this part a wilderness
spreads on every side, dreary and untrodden by
human beings, except the Indians in their
hunting excursions. The church and parson
age of St. Ambroise, the church of La Vielle
Lorette, the church and village of La Jeune
Lorette, one grist-mill and one saAv-mill, are all
within this grant; roads in every direction
communicate with Quebec and the surround
ing seigniories. The Indian village of La
Jeune Lorette is between eight and nine miles
from Quebec, situated on the eastern side of
the River St. Charles, upon an eminence that
commands a most interesting, varied, and ex
tensive view ; the city and environs of Quebec,
always beautiful in whichever way they are
seen together, form a prominent part of it, but
it extends Avidely over the southern shore, and
is terminated only by the softened forms of the
southern mountains. The number of houses is
between forty and fifty, which on the exterior
have something like an appearance of neatness ;
they are principally built of wood, although
there are some feAv of stone. The inhabitants

410
are about 250, descendants of the tribe of the
Hurons, once so formidable even to the poAver-
ful Iroquois, until by stratagem, in Avhich con
sists much of the glory and self-applause of the
savage, the latter, under the specious pretence
of alliance, obtained the confidence of their op
ponents ; when, by an indiscriminate massacre,
their whole race Avas nearly extirpated. The feAv
who escaped Avith life fled towards the habita
tions of civilized man, and established themselves
among the forests in the rear of Quebec, many
hundred miles distance from the land of their
ancient tribe on the borders of Lake Huron ; by
the efforts of the Jesuits they Avere gradually
drawn nearer to Quebec, and every exertion
made to reclaim them from savage life. At pre
sent they nearly resemble the other tribes already
mentioned, though perhaps in a small degree
superior to them in some of the acquirements
of civilized life ; but as a counterbalance of
evil, their contiguity to the capital affords them
numerous opportunities to indulge in many
vicious propensities, that they are eager enough
to avail themselves of. The Cure of St. Anv
broise officiates as missionary among them, and
has obtained a considerable influence in reli
gious affairs. In their worldly concerns, as they
speak the French language with tolerable flu
ency, they are sufficiently shrewd, and knoAv

411
hoAV to take care of their own interests. The
church of La Vielle Lorette is pleasantly situ
ated on the western side of a little branch of
the River St. Charles, on a rising ground, and
nearly surrounded by a grove of small but
handsome pine-trees. The parsonage-house is
the residence of Mr. Deschenaux, the Grand
Vicar, and Cure of the parish : this gentleman,
who is well known and highly esteemed by a
numerous circle of friends, both Catholic and
Protestant, of the first rank, has exerted his
Avell knoAvn good taste to great advantage upon
the. gardens and other embellishments of the
place, which are on a scale of liberality quite in
unison Avith the general hospitality of his cha
racter. St. Ignace (the seigniory of), in the county
of Quebec, is bounded in front by the River St.
Charles, on the south-west by Sillery and St.
Gabriel, on the north-east by L'Epinay and
the township of Stoneham, and in the rear by
the seigniory of Hubert ; half a league in front
by ten leagues in depth; was granted October
20th, 1652, to the community of the Hotel
Dieu, to whom it still belongs. With respect
to the quality of land and peculiarities of soil,
there is a strong affinity between this and the
seigniory of St. Gabriel ; the lower part is
rich, fertile, and Avell cultivated for more than

412
tAvo leagues towards the Lake St. Charles, in
which tract many farms are extremely produc
tive in grain of all species. On some of the
lands flax is cultivated with great success ; on
the River St. Charles the pastures and meadows
are so fine as scarcely to be rivalled by any in
the province : beyond the lake the country as
sumes a mountainous and barren character, af
fording no land upon which industry could be
exerted with any hopes of success in the way
of agriculture. On the lower part of the seig
niory the little timber that remains is of inferior
dimensions, and confined to small Avoods and
patches here and there ; but in the vicinity of
Lake St. Charles and further rearward, a great
abundance of the finest sort is produced. The
Rivers Jacques Cartier, St. Anne, and Batis
can, cross it in the intervals between the differ
ent ranges of mountains, while the cultivated
part is exceedingly Avell watered by the River
and Lake St. Charles, aided by many small
streams. The lake affords one of the most
exquisitely picturesque scenes in the whole
province ; it is a narroAv irregular figure, rather
more than four miles in length; about midway
a projecting point stretches nearly across, and
leaves only a narrow strait by which the almost
separated waters communicate : situated in a
low flat country, it is entirely surrounded by

413
hills of considerable elevation, covered with
thick woods ; these are again greatly over
topped by more distant mountains that rise
very abruptly to the northward. The margin
presents an appearance at once wild, romantic,
and delightful ; the devious course of the low
banks forms numerous little bays and head
lands, Avhere the trees to the water's edge com
plete, by the variety of their foliage and grada
tion of size as they rise upon the different slopes,
one of the richest views that can delight an
admirer who prefers a prospect adorned only
by the hand of nature to one heightened by
the devices of art. This charming panorama
is rather more than four leagues from Quebec,
and during the spring and summer is frequently
visited on account of its arcadian beauty : the
road leading to it passes all the way by the
side of the River St. Charles, and by its embel
lishments greatly heightens the satisfaction of
those who make the excursion, and from whence
no one returns without ample gratification.
L'Epinay (fief), in the county of Quebec,
joins St. Ignace, is bounded by the River St.
Charles in front, and the township of Stoneham
in the rear ; eleven arpens in breadth by four
leagues in depth ; was granted February 28th,
1626, to Louis Hebert.
D'Orsanville (another fief), on the north-

414
east side of L'Epinay, is a small grant contain
ing only a superficies of 3575 arpens ; made
 May, 1675, by Letters Patent from the
King to the Religieuses of the General Hospital
of Quebec, and from whom it has never been
alienated. The land in both these pieces is of
the same character, being a light sandy earth
intermixed Avith clay about the front part;
proceeding inwards it changes to a black
mould, and in the vicinity of the mountains
it is a good yelloAv loam : from the River St.
Charles the surface is uneven, and continues
ridge above ridge to the rear, Avhere it is more
abrupt and broken. Near the river there are
fine meadoAvs and pastures in both grants ; of
the arable, about one half is in a state of very
good culture, producing wheat and other grain
abundantly, with garden vegetables in great
quantity and variety for the consumption of
the city. The lower parts are but scantily
timbered; but on the rising grounds, and On
the skirts of the mountains, there is a profusion
of fine beech, maple, birch, and other Avoods of
the best description. The little River Jaune,
and several small streams, all floAving into the
St. Charles, amply and conveniently water the
cultivated lands.
Hubert (the seigniory of ), in the county of
Quebec, is situated in the rear of the seigniories

415
of St. Gabriel and St. Ignace, and from its
remoteness entirely surrounded on the other
sides by waste crown lands; two leagues in
breadth by as many in depth ; Avas granted
June 10th, 1698, to Sieur Rene Louis Hubert.
Being so far norttnvard of all the cultivated
lands, the quality or Avorth of this seigniory is
wholly unknown; even the timber upon it
•seems never to have been deemed an object
deserving enquiry.
-Notre Dame des Anges (the seigniory
of), in the county of Quebec, is situated be
tween D'Orsanville and Beauport, bounded in
front by the Rivers St: Charles and St. LaAv
rence, and in the rear by the toAvnship of
Stoneham ; one league broad and four leagues
deep; was granted 10th March, 1626, to the
Order of Jesuits, and like their other properties,
now reverted to the crown. Within this seis;-
niory the greater part of the land is of a supe
rior quality, and equally pre-eminent for its fer
tility : about the front it is a good rich earth
mixed with clay or sand ; beyond this sort, and
more to the interior, there is a fine black mould,
much drier and more friable than the former ;
in the rear a good loam prevails ; the surface is
uneven, and from a fine flat near the river,
rises into ridges by easy gradations to the
back boundary ; and, thereabouts, becomes

416
broken, rough, and mountainous. Of the Avhole
superficies, about two-thirds are in the best
state of cultivation, and exceedipgly well in
habited. The flat space near the river is called
La Canardiere, and is wholly employed as
meadows, and pasture; the former produce
abundant crops of hay of superior quality.
The arable lands are very fruitful in grain of
all kinds, besides which there is a considerable
quantity laid out as garden ground, Avhere ve
getables of every description and great excel
lence are raised for the supply of the capital.
The most cultivated parts are sparingly tim
bered, presenting only occasionally reserves of
Avood, where the trees are of inferior dimension
and of little estimation, but they embellish the
country agreeably enough ; in the rear wood is
abundant, and the land is conceded to the in
habitants in small portions for the purposes of
fuel and other domestic uses, of which, exclu
sive of their own consumption, they continu
ally supply large quantities for the use of Que
bec. The beach of the St. LaAvrence, in front
of the seigniory, is occupied as timber ground,
and furnished with extensive booms and every
necessary means of securing the timber. The
village of Charlebourg is pleasantly situated
on a rising ground of considerable eminence,
about a league to the northward of Quebec,

417
and consists of about forty well-built houses
mostly of a respectable appearance, with a
handsome church and parsonage-house. A
good garden and small orchard are the appen
dages of every dAvelling. The elections of mem
bers of parliament for the county are always
held here. A little beloAv the village, on the
skirts of a small rising ground on the north
side of a concession or cross road, stands
a small group of handsome houses, usually
called the Little Village, which does not yield
in beauty of situation to the other. Of two
roads leading from Dorchester bridge, the one
on the left hand is called Le Chemin de
Charlebourg, and the other La Canardiere, or
Le Chemin de Beauport ; on the latter there
is a succession of good houses, excellent gar
dens, and farms in a high state of cultivation.
Tavo houses of superior elegance, belonging to
the Hohourable P. Debonne, usually attract
notice, by the advantages of a good style of
architecture and excellence of situation, their
beautiful gardens, and surrounding shrubberies
and plantations. There is also a very spacious
house belonging to the Ecclesiastics of the
Seminary of Quebec, generally distinguished
by the appellation of La Maison des Pretres ;
it is retained in their own hands as a farm, and
E E

418
also serves as a place of recreation for all the
members of the establishment once a Aveek. '
Beauport (the seigniory of), in the county
of Quebec, is bounded on the north-east by the
Cote de Beaupre, on the south-west by Notre
Dame des Anges, on the front by the St. Law
rence, and in the rear by the township of Stone
ham ; one league broad by four leagues deep ;
was granted December 31, 1635, to Robert
Giffard, Sieur de Beauport ; but by that conces
sion its depth was limited to one league and a
half; on the 31st March, 1653, the other two
leagues and a half Avere added to it : it is now
the property of Monsieur Duchesnaye. The
surface of this seigniory embraces a variety
similar to those that surround it, being inter
sected by ridges of different heights ; betAveen
the first rise of the ground and the beach of the
St. Lawrence, there is a level space ranging the
whole breadth of the grant, occupied as mea
dows, pastures, or gardens ; the soil is black
mould intermixed with clay or marl : on this
flat there are many large globular fragments of
granite quite detached, and lying loosely on the
surface. From hence, penetrating further to
the interior, the soil varies considerably, almost
as frequently as the inequalities of the land ;
on the front ridge, Avhere the road passes, there

419
are flat ledges of rock, that in some places for
a considerable extent are quite bare, and in
others but very superficially covered Avith a
layer of earth ; more inward these rocks disap
pear, and are succeeded by a dark mould, or
else a yelloAvish loam, Avhich continues to the
skirts of the mountains. On the fore parts of
the seigniory there remains but little Avood ; in
the interior, however, and on the heights, the
timber is of the best quality, beech, birch, and
maple. It is Avatered by the River Montmo-
renci on the north-east side, by the Petite Ri
viere de Beauport, and by many small streams
falling into the St. Lawrence, and forming rivu
lets along the beach at low Avater: about tAvo
leagues from the front there is a small lake, and
at a short distance further on the River Jaune;
some small mountain streams Aoav between the
different ridges. The cultivated land extends
about six miles from the St. Lawrence, and is
for the most part in a state of excellent tillage,
producing all kinds of grain abundantly, vegeta
bles, &c. &c. In various parts of the seig
niory there are quarries of stone, that furnish an
excellent supply for the neAV buildings in the
city and in the neighbourhood ; there are also
in many places indications of veins of coal, but
no attempt has yet been made to work them.
A large quantity of maple sugar is made here,
E E 2

420
and indeed in all the adjoining seigniories > the
process of obtaining it may be described in a
few words. In the spring, Avhen the sap begins*
to rise in the trees, the habitans repair to the
woods, furnished Avith kettles, troughs, and all
the necessary apparatus for carrying on the
manufacture, where they form a temporary en
campment : the mode of collecting the sap is
by making an incision in the tree, into Avhich
is inserted a thin bit of stick to serve as a con
ductor, from whence, an hour or two after sun
rise, the sap begins to trickle doAvn into a trough
placed to receive it ; Avhen a sufficient quantity
of this liquor is obtained from several trees, it
is put into an iron kettle and boiled, until it
comes to the consistence of a thick syrup ; it is
then cooled, and aftenvards subjected to an
other process of boiling and clarifying. When
this is sufficiently performed in proportion to
the degree of purity they intend to give it, it is
put into vessels of different sizes to harden,
containing from half a pound to eight or ten
pounds. Its colour is of all shades between
a dark and a light brown, according to the
care that is taken in clarifying it; indeed, by a
repetition of the process it may be rendered as
white as common refined sugar. Being consi
dered very wholesome, the use of it is general
among the country people for all purposes, and

421
the consumption of it is considerable in families
of respectability for ordinary occasions; the
price of it varies from three pence halfpenny
to six-pence per pound. It is constantly to
be had in the market of Quebec. The roads
communicating with the adjacent grants are
enlivened by houses and gardens at short inter
vals from each other, throughout nearly their
Avhole distance. On the road leading to the
capital, the populous village of Beauport is
situated on a gently rising ground ; it contains
from sixty to seventy houses, many of them
built of stone, and distinguished by great neat
ness in their exterior appearance: the church
and parsonage-house are situated on the south
side of the road ; the former is much more ob
servable for its solidity than for beauty or em
bellishment: regularity and neatness are pre
valent through the Avhole village. On each
side of the road also, the farm and other houses
are so thickly placed, that they seem to be a
prolongation of the place itself; the farm-lands
and garden-grounds, all in a most flourishing
state; the orchards and occasional clumps of
trees, all combine to render it one of the most
pleasant roads in the environs of Quebec. This
village is the residence of many families of
the first respectability, besides tradesmen, arti-
zans, and farmers. WestAvard of the church, on

422
the declivity of the hill, stands a manor-house,
an ancient irregular stone building, designed
originally for defence as Avell as residence: the
extraordinary thickness and solidity of the
Avails, were it perceptible from the exterior,
would attract notice; but its other advantages
are not of a nature to solicit a passenger's ob
servation. A little to the westward of this
house, and on the bank of the River Beauport,
are the distillery and mills, erected about
twenty-five years ago by the Honourable John
Young at a very great expense ; they are seated
on the western bank of the river, over which
there is a bridge leading past them ; the former
belongs at present to Mr. Racy, and the latter
to Mr. Mc Callum. The buildings and other
appurtenances of the distillery form a hollow
square exceeding tAvo hundred yards on each
side : in the middle of this square are several
large stone buildings communicating Avith each
other, and containing a still-house, malt-house,
granary, machinery, &c. of every description
for carrying on the whole process of distillation
and rectifying to a very large extent. The
River Beauport is navigable as high up as these
premises, for small decked vessels that can
come along the wharf adjoining. The gentle
man who built these works was also proprietor
of an extensive breAvery at St. Roch's, in both

423
of Avhich concerns he gave employment for
some years to several hundred persons ; but
they Avere found to have been undertaken upon
too great a scale for the consumption of the
province at that period. Mr. Young's abilities
were of a superior class, and having attracted
the notice of Lord Dorchester when Governor-
General, procured for him the nomination to a
seat in the executive council, Avherein, as well
as in the provincial government, of which for
three or four sessions he was a distinguished
member, his talents were always exerted in
favour of measures calculated for the benefit
and interest of the province. The mill is both
extensive and complete, in a building three
stories high ; the Avater for working it is received
from the Beauport into a large reservoir or
dam above the road, from whence it is con
veyed to the mill by an aqueduct. On an
eminence to the north-eastward are two hand
some stone dwelling-houses Avith gardens and
summer-houses, surrounded by a wall; from
their singularly beautiful situation, and the
rich prospect they command over the basin of
Quebec and surrounding distant objects, they
obtain much notice : the Honourable H. W.
Ryland is proprietor of both. The Falls of the
Montmorenci present the most majestic spec
tacle of the neighbourhood, and indeed one of

424
the grandest in the province ; they have been
frequently described, and Avith so much correct
ness, that a slight noticeof them may noAvsuffice.
The river, in its course through a country that
is almost a continued forest, rolls a stream of
very trifling consequence, unless Avhen swelled
by the melting snow in spring, or autumnal
rains, over an irregular broken rocky bottom,
until it arrives at the precipice, where its breadth
is from sixteen to twenty yards. A little de
clination of the bed before it reaches this
point gives a great velocity to the stream,
Avhich, in being impelled over the brink of a
perpendicular rock, falls in an extended sheet
of Avater, of a whiteness and fleecy appearance
nearly resembling snoAv, into a chasm among
the rocks two hundred and forty feet beloAV.
An immense spray rises from the bottom in
curling volumes, Avhich Avhen the sunshine dis
plays their bright prismatic colours, produce an
effect inconceivably beautiful. At the bottom
of the fall the Avater is restrained Avithin a basin
formed by the rocks, from whence, after its
impetuosity is subdued, it flows in a gentle
stream into the St. Lawrence, a distance, per
haps, of two hundred and eighty or three hun
dred yards. The summer-house built by the
late General Haldimand, and mentioned by
Mr. Weld and others for its appalling situation

425
as projecting over the great precipice, still re
mains ; if it be true that at the time of his
visit the beams had begun to feel the gnawing
tooth of time, they must be noAV in a very
precarious state ; indeed, it Avould be prudent
to have it removed immediately, rather than
allow it to fall by its natural decay ; for while
it keeps its present position, curiosity will at
tract many an unwary visitant, and perhaps
ultimately produce a fatal catastrophe. The
provincial parliament has recently passed an
act for erecting a bridge across the Montmo-
renci. The houses, farms, &c. near the river,
formerly the property of General Haldimand,
now belong to  Patterson, Esq. From
Dorchester bridge, passing toAvards the falls,
some traces yet remain of the field fortifications
thrown up by the French in the memorable
year 1759, as a defence against the British
army. Along the beach there is a road at low
water, Avhich, Avhen practicable, is always pre
ferred by the country people, passing with their
carts and sleighs to and from market, not only
because it is rather shorter than the high road,
but for the much more important reason of its
saving the toll at Dorchester bridge.
The description of the various seigniories on
the north side of the River St. Lawrence having
brought us close down to Quebec, an account

426
of that capital may be appropriately intro
duced. Some notice has been taken already of
its situation and convenience as a sea-port, in
the observations that have been made upon
the River St. Lawrence ; but it will perhaps be
excused, should the same points be again ad
verted to in giving a detailed description of the
city, &c. From the time that Cartier visited
Canada, up to the period that the concerns of
the colony came under the superintendance of
Champlain, (about seventy years), the French
settlers and adventurers were dispersed over
various parts of the sea-coast, or islands in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, as each, or a few toge
ther, discovered convenient places to fix their
habitations in ; during that time none of them
had attempted to settle on or near the Great
River. The selection of a situation and build
ing a town, Avherein the benefits and habits of
social life might be enjoyed, and from Avhence
the management of the trading intercourse
with the natives, and the government of the
colony, could be more advantageously carried
on than what they hitherto had been, Avas
reserved for Samuel de Champlain, Geogra
pher to the King : acting under a commission
from the Sieur de Monts, (av1io a little while
before had obtained from the court of France
the exclusive privilege of trading betAveen Cape

427
Raze in Newfoundland, and the fortieth degree
of north latitude), he in 1608 made choice of
the site of an Indian village called Stadacone,
upon the promontory, now named Cape Dia
mond, and there, in the month of July, laid the
foundation of the metropolis of New France,
which has through many vicissitudes risen into
importance, and at the present day maintains
a distinguished rank among those of the greatest
consequence on the northern division of the
new hemisphere. — No less difference of opinion
has arisen as to the origin of its name, than
about that of Canada ; and the result of the
disputes has not been niore satisfactory in fixing
its derivation : Avhether it comes from the Al
gonquin, Abenaqui, or Norman languages, to
each of which conjecture has assigned it, Ave
have not the means of verifying; nor is it in
deed very material : it is enough to knoAV that
Champlain called his neAV toAvn Quebec. The
progress of its aggrandisement there is much
reason to believe was sIoav ; for the neAV settlers,
and indeed Champlain at their head, were not
only so impolitic as to encourage the prosecu
tion of hostilities betAveen the two neighbouring
nations of the Algonquins and Iroquois, but
even to join the former against the latter. This
interference drew upon the French the hatred
of the powerful Iroquois, and Avas the means
of involving the Avhole colony in a long and

428
most destructive Avarfare; Avhich, at an early
period, rendered some defensive fortifications
necessary to protect Quebec from the enmity
of her new, but implacable enemies. The
defences Avere at first of the rudest descrip
tion, being nothing more than embankments,
strengthened Avith palisades. In 1629 it Avas
in an untenable state against the English, and
fell into their hands ; but, with the whole of
Canada, was restored to its former master in
1632. From this period some attention was
paid to the increase of the town, until 1663,
when the colony was made a royal govern
ment, and it became the capital. Its progress
towards prosperity Avas then somewhat acce
lerated. From its growing importance, the English
were desirous to recover possession of the place
that a feAv years before, there Avould scarcely have
been started an objection against their retain
ing, and made an unsuccessful, because ill-
timed attempt, in the latter part of the year
1690, to reconquer it, Avhich was attended Avith
a disastrous result, and a severe loss. As the
place obtained consequence, and became an
object of desire to other and far more power
ful enemies than the native savages, it was in
the last mentioned year fortified in a more re
gular manner by works according to the rules of
art, built of stone, which, from that period,

429
have been carefully attended to, and by conti
nual additions and rebuildings, are noAv im
proved into bulwarks that may stand in com
petition Avith some of the best constructed and
strongest fortifications of Europe. From ] 690
the increase was gradual while it remained
under the French government ; but since that
period its progress toAvards prosperity has been
much more rapid. The situation of Quebec is
unusually grand and majestic, in form of an
amphitheatre ; it is seated on a promontory on
the north-west side of the St. LaAvrence, formed
by that river and the St. Charles : the extremity
of this headland is called Cape Diamond, whose
highest point rises three hundred and forty-five
feet above the level of the Avater ; it is composed
of a rock of grey granite mixed Avith quartz
crystals (from Avhich it obtains its name), and
a species of dark-coloured slate ; in many places
it is absolutely perpendicular and bare; in
others, where the acclivity is less abrupt, there
are patches of brownish earth, or rather a de
composition of the softer parts of the stone, on
which a few stunted pines and creeping shrubs
are here and there seen ; but the general aspect
of it is rugged and barren. From the highest
part of the Cape, overlooking the St. Lawrence,
there is a declination towards the north by
flatfish ridges of a gradual decrease, as far as

430
the steep called Coteau Ste. Genevieve, frorri
Avhence the descent is more than one hundred
feet nearly perpendicular ; at the foot of it the
ground is level, and continues so as far as the
River St. Charles, and in fact far beyond it. The
distance across the peninsula from one river to
the other, in front of the line of fortification, is
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven
yards ; these fortifications may be called the en
ceinte of the city, and the circuit within them
upon Avhich it stands is about two miles and
three quarters ; out of this space forty acres or
thereabouts on Cape Diamond are occupied by
or reserved for military works. From the Cape
in a north-easterly direction, there is an easy
diminution in the height of the rock of about
one hundred and fifteen feet to the Castle of
St. Louis and the grand battery, that crests a
perpendicular steep of tAvo hundred and thirty
feet above the level of the river, overlooking
the lower town. This altitude and frowning
appearance continues Avith very little alteration
round the toAvn as far as the entrance called
Palace Gate, where it sinks to the ridge already
mentioned at the foot of Coteau Ste. Gene
vieve, and continues its course at nearly the
same elevation, through the parish of St. Foi,
connecting itself with Cape Rouge, and form
ing between the River St. LaAvrence, the valley

431
through which the St. Charles flows, and that
under Cape Rouge, an height of land about
eight miles long, rising above the general level,
like an island above the surface of the ocean.
The city, beside the distinction of Upper and
Lower Towns, is divided into domains and
fiefs,"" as the King's and Seminary's domains;
Fief St. Joseph; ground belonging to the Hotel
Dieu ; the Fabrique, or church lands ; and the
lands that formerly belonged to the Order of
Jesuits : these, Avith the military reserves, con
stitute the principal divisions, in which the sub
urbs are not included. In the year 1759 the
population of Quebec was estimated between
eight and nine thousand ; at present, including
the suburbs, it is about 18,000. The public
edifices are the Castle of St. Louis, the Hotel
Dieu, the convent of the Ursulines, the monas
tery of the Jesuits, now turned into barracks,
the Protestant and Catholic cathedrals, the
Scotch church, the Lower ToAvn church, the
court-house, the seminary, the new gaol, and
the artillery barracks; there are two market
places, a place d'armes, a parade, and an
esplanade. Of these buildings the Castle of St.
Louis, being the most prominent object on the
summit of the rock, will obtain the first notice :
it is a handsome stone building, seated near the
edge of a precipice, something more than two

432
hundred feet high, and supported towards the
steep by a solid work of masonry, rising nearly
half the height of the edifice, and surmounted
by a spacious gallery, from whence there is a
most commanding prospect over the bason,
the Island of Orleans, Point Levi, and the sur
rounding country. The whole pile is one hun
dred and sixty-two feet long, by forty-five broad,
and three stories high ; but in the direction of
the Cape it has the appearance of being much
more lofty : each extremity is terminated by a
small wing, giving to the whole an easy and
regular character : the interior arrangement is
convenient, the decorative part tasteful and
splendid, suitable in every respect for the resi
dence of the governor-general. It was built
shortly after the city was fortified Avith solid
works, consequently had but little to recom
mend it to notice : for a long series of years it
was neglected so much as to be suffered to go
to decay, and ceasing to be the residence of
the commander-in-chief, was used only for the
offices of government until the year 1808, when
a resolution passed the provincial parliament
for repairing and beautifying it ; the sum of
•5^7000 was at the same time voted, and the
Avork torttnvith commenced.. The money ap
plied was inadequate to defray the expenses
upon the grand scale the improvements were

433
commenced, but an additional grant was
made to cover the Avhole charge; and in the
present day, as a residence for his Majesty's
representative, it is highly creditable to the
liberality and public spirit of the province:
Sir James Craig was the first who took posses
sion of it. The par^t properly called the Cha
teau occupies one side of the square, or court
yard ; on the opposite side stands an extensive
building, divided among the various offices of
government both civil and military, that are
under the immediate control of the governor ;
it contains also a handsome suite of apartments,
Avherein the balls and other public entertain
ments of the court are always given. During
the dilapidated state of the Chateau, this
building was occupied by the family of the
governors. Both the exterior and the interior
are in a very plain style; it forms part of the
curtain that ran betAveen the two exterior bas
tions of the old fortress of St. Louis ; adjoining
it are several other buildings of smaller size,
appropriated to similar uses, a guard-house,
stables, and extensive riding-house. The for
tress of St. Louis covered about four acres of
ground, and formed nearly a parallelogram;
on the Avestern side tAvo strong bastions on each
angle were connected by a curtain, in the centre
of Avhich was a sallyport ; the other faces pre-
F F

434
sented works of nearly a similar description,
but of less dimensions. Of these works only
a few vestiges remain, except the eastern Avail,
which is kept in solid repair. The new guard
house and stables, both fronting the parade,
haAre a very neat exterior : the first forms the
arc of a circle, and has a colonnade before
it; the stables are attached to the riding-
house, which is spacious, and in every Avay
well adapted 'for its intended purpose; it
is also used for drilling the city militia. On
the south-west side of the Chateau there is a
most excellent and well stocked garden, one
hundred and eighty yards long, and seventy
broad; and on the opposite side of Rue des
Carrieres there is another, one hundred and
seven yards long by eighty-four broad, both
for the use of the governor : the latter was ori
ginally intended for a public promenade, and
planted Avith fine trees, many of Avhich yet
remain. The court-house on the north side of St.
Louis Street is a large modern stone structure,
the roof of which is covered Avith tin ; its length
is one hundred and thirty-six feet, and breadth
forty-four, presenting a regular handsome front,
approached by a flight of steps leading to an
arched entrance, from whence a vestibule on
each side communicates to every part of the

435
building. The ground floor apartments are
disposed for holding the quarter sessions, and
other inferior courts, offices of clerks of the
different courts of law, &c. &c. Above stairs
there is a spacious chamber, in which the
courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas,
the Court of Appeals, and the Admiralty Court
are held, with separate offices for the high
sheriffs and other magistrates, and a room for
the occasional convening of militia courts-
martial. In the same building is the hall and
offices of the corporation of the Trinity-house of
Quebec, established by an act of the Provincial
Parliament in the 45th year of George the 3d.
The embellishments of this edifice, both interior
and external, are in a style of simplicity and
neatness ; the arrangements for public busi
ness methodical and judicious ; the Avhole may
be considered a great ornament to the city,
and does honour to the liberality of the pro
vince, thus to provide for the easy and expe
ditious administration of justice. It occupies
part of the site upon which stood an old
monastery, church, and garden of the Recol-
lets, destroyed by fire in the year 1796 : it Avas
at one time a very extensive establishment,
covering the Avhole space between the parade,
Rue des Jardins, de St. Louis, and de Ste.
Anne ; the order is now extinct in Canada.
F F2

436
The Protestant Cathedral is situated near
the court-house, and parallel with Ste. Anne
Street: it is one hundred and thirty-six feet
long, by seventy-five broad, built of a fine grey
stone, the roof covered Avith tin, Avhich, being
continually bright, gives a remarkable appear
ance of lightness and elegance to the Avhole
structure; it occupies part of the ground of
the Recollets, or Franciscans. This is, per
haps, the handsomest modern edifice of the
city, and though not highly decorated, the
style of architecture is chaste and correct ; in
the interior, a neat and unostentatious elegance
prevails, Avherein ornament is judiciously but
sparingly introduced. There is a principal
entrance at each end of the church, approached
by a flight of steps : the fitting up of the inside
is commodious and handsome, corresponding
Avith the unassuming beauty of the Avhole. The
organ is of a very superior poAver. The spire
is lofty, light, and elegant, being covered Avith
tin, and the church standing upon nearly the
highest ground Avithin the city, is a very con
spicuous object at an immense distance ; taken
altogether, this is the most faultless structure
in the place, or indeed within the Avhole pro
vince. The Catholic Cathedral stands on the north
side of Buade Street, fronting the market-

437
place, on ground belonging to the Fabrique, or
in other Avords, church-land. It is a lofty, spa
cious, plain stone edifice, two hundred and six
teen feet in length, by one hundred and eight
in breadth : the interior is divided by ranges
of arches into a nave and two aisles ; at the
upper end of the former is the grand altar,
placed in the middle of a circular choir, that
for the height of about sixteen feet is lined
with wainscot divided into square compart
ments, each including a portion of Scripture
history represented in relief; the spaces be
tAveen the squares are Avrought into different
devices. In the side aisles there are four
chapels, dedicated to different saints. Being
whiteAvashed, the interior has always the ap
pearance of neatness and cleanliness. On the
outside, the solidity of the building may per
haps attract a spectator's notice ; but nothing
like taste in design, or graceful combination
of architectural embellishment, will arrest his
attention. The steeple is lofty, with an air of
lightness not altogether devoid of beauty, and
like the roof, is covered Avith bright tin ; but
for some cause, that perhaps could only be
traced to an affectation of singularity, it sets
the rules of art and symmetry at defiance, and
instead of springing from the roof, it is placed
on one side of the front. The church is dedi-

438
cated to Notre Dame de Victoire, and is suffi
ciently spacious to contain a congregation of
about 4000 persons. A few years ago it was
not equal to the accommodation of the increas
ed population ; but the erection of galleries
has, for the present, remedied that inconve
nience. The organ is an excellent one. The
presbytery is the residence of the curate and
four vicars of the cathedral, and has a covered
avenue leading from it to the church ; there is
also a similar one betAveen the church and the
seminary. The extensive building called the Seminary
of Quebec stands near the cathedral, and is
within the precinct of the seminary's domain,
occupying with its attached buildings, court
yard, gardens, &c. a large space of ground. It
is a substantial stone edifice, principally two.
stories high, though some portions of it have
been raised to three : it forms three sides of a
square, each about seventy-three yards in length,
with a breadth of forty feet ; the open side is to
the north-west. This establishment, originally
intended for ecclesiastical instruction exclu*^
sively, Avas founded in the year 1663, by M.
de Petre, under the authority of letters patent
granted by the King of France ; the early re
gulations have long been departed from, and
at present students of the Catholic persuasion^

439
intended for any profession, may enjoy the ad
vantage of it. It is divided into two branches,
distinguished as the Grand and Petit Seminaire.
The studies of the superior department are
conducted under the superintendance of M.
Robert, who is himself professor of philosophy,
three directors, and a competent number of
professors in the different branches of litera
ture and science. The ability and zeal of
these gentlemen are sufficiently attested by the
great number of pupils who have been dismissed
from under their care, possessing every accom
plishment of a learned, liberal, and polished
education. M. Parent is director of the Petit
Seminaire, which is exceedingly useful as a
general school, wherein great numbers are edu
cated free of expense, excepting only the trifling
sum of five shillings per year as a compensa
tion for fuel ; boarders are also received on the
very moderate pension of twelve pounds ten
shillings per annum. The interior plan of this
structure is judicious, and the arrangement
very convenient : it contains all requisite do
mestic apartments, halls for the senior and
junior classes, residences for the superior, di
rectors, professors, and different masters. The
situation is airy and salubrious ; the house is
surrounded by large productive gardens, en
closed by a Avail, and extending in depth to

440
the grand battery, Avhere it overlooks the har
bour : the length is one hundred and seventy-
two yards, and the breadth two hundred. It
is well laid out and ornamented by many hand
some trees. In the year 1703, the Avhole of
the buildings belonging to the seminary Avere
destroyed by fire, and no time was lost in re
placing them ; when, unfortunately, they again
fell a sacrifice to a similar calamity in 1705.
The Catholic Bishop of Quebec has fixed his
residence in- the seminary, Avhere he lives sur
rounded and respected by his clergy, and not
less esteemed by the laity of all persuasions for
his learning, piety, and urbanity. The Hotel
Dieu, including under that name the convent,
hospital, church, court-yard, cemetery, and
gardens, contains within its walls a space of
ground extending from the French burying-
ground, or Cimetiere des Picotes, to the Rue
des Pauvres, or Palace Street, a length of tAvo
hundred and ninety-one yards by a depth of
one hundred and ninety-six from Couillard
Street to the rear wall. This establishment, for
the reception of the sick poor of both sexei:,
Avas founded by the Duchess D'Aiguillon, in
1637, through Avhose charitable zeal some nuns
Avere sent from France for the purpose of com
mencing it, and superintending its progress.
The principal structure is three hundred and

441
eighty-tree feet in length, by fifty in breadth ;
from the centre on the west side, a corps de
logis ranges a length of one hundred and forty-
eight feet, and of a proportionate breadth :
the whole is two stories high, substantially
built of stone, with more regard to interior
convenience than attention to symmetry, and
totally devoid of architectural decorations.
It contains the convent, hospital, and nearly
all the domestic offices. The church, about
one hundred feet in length by forty in breadth,
facing the Hotel Dieu Street, has nothing
to recommend it to notice but the plain
neatness of both its interior and exterior. The
convent contains the residence of the supe-
rieure, and accommodations for all the sisters
of the congregation. The hospital is divided
into wards for the sick, wherein both sexes
receive nourishment, medicine, and attendance,
free of all expense. This charitable institution
produces extensive benefit to the community,
and continually affords relief to great numbers
suffering under the accumulated oppression of
disease and poverty ; the funds by which it is
supported are derived from landed property
within the city, from whence it is entitled to
all lods et ventes; also from the revenues of some
seigniories that have been granted to it; and
although these are considerable, yet, from the

442
liberality and extensive nature of the disburse
ments, the expenditure so nearly balances the
revenue, that it requires, and occasionally
receiAres, grants of public monej^* The Avhole
administration, care, and attendance of the
establishment, are conducted by a superieure,
La ReA^erende Mere Ste. Claire, (Venerande
Melanpon), and thi^-two sisters, to whose zeal
in the offices of humanity must be attributed
the state of comfort, cleanliness, and good
arrangement, that invariably obtains the enco
miums of every stranger who visits the insti
tution. The Ursuline Convent is situated a short
distance to the northward of St. Louis Street,
within the fief of St. Joseph, a property that
belongs to it : it is a substantial stone edifice,
two stories high, forming a square, whose side
is one hundred and tAvelve feet ; the building is
forty feet broad, containing ample and conve
nient accommodation for all its inmates. The
church of St. Ursula, connected Avith the con-
vent,, is ninety-five feet long by forty-five in
breadth, very plain on the outside, but emi
nently distinguished for the good taste and
richness of its interior ornaments ; to the east
ward of it are several detached buildings, form
ing part of the establishment. The surround
ing ground, six hundred and forty-five feet long,

443
and four hundred and thirty-six broad, is en-*
circled by a lofty stone wall, and, with the
exception of a space allotted to the court-yard,
is laid out in fine productive gardens. This
institution, for the purpose of extending the be
nefits of a careful and religious education to the
females of the colony, oAves its foundation in
the year 1639, to Madame de laPeltrie, a lady
residing in France : it consists of a superieure,
La ReA'erende Mere Sainte Ursule, (Margue
rite Marchand), and forty-five nuns, Avho are
employed in the instruction of the pupils in
the most useful branches of knoAvledge, besides
embroidery, fine Avork, and other female ac
complishments. The religieuses live very re
cluse, and are more rigid in their manner than
any other in the province. The landed pro
perty of the institution is not very great, but
the industry of the sisters is incessant, and the
profits arising from it are all placed to the ge
neral stock, Avhich thereby is rendered suf
ficiently ample : their embroidery is highly
esteemed, particularly for ecclesiastical vest
ments, and church ornaments; their fancy-
works are so much admired, that some of them
obtain considerable prices; the produce of
their gardens, beyond their own consumption,
also serves to increase the revenue of the com
munity. The building is exceedingly neat,

444
and some parts thereof tastefully decorated.
This establishment being well worth inspec
tion, is usually visited by strangers ; for Avhich
purpose a permission or introduction from the
Catholic Bishop is necessary, and always will
ingly granted upon an application being made.
The Monastery of the Jesuits, noAv converted
into a barrack, is a spacious stone building,
three stories high, forming a square, or rather
parallelogram of two hundred feet by tAvo hun
dred and twenty-four, inclosed within a Avail
extending more than tAvo hundred yards along
Ste. Anne Street, and the Avhole of Rue de la
Fabrique. On the arrival of some of the order
in Canada in 1635, their first care was the
erection of a suitable habitation, which being
destroyed some years afterwards, made Avay
for the present structure : it Avas formerly sur
rounded by extensive and beautiful gardens ;
but these, to the great regret of many, have
been destroyed since the house, in common
with the other property of the order, has re
verted to the crown, and noAv form a place of
exercise for the troops ; indeed, no one could
view without much reluctance the fall of some
of the stately and venerable trees, yet untouch
ed by decay, that were the original tenants of
the ground at the first foundation of the city .
As a building, this is one of the most regular

445
of any in the place; when inhabited by its
founders, it is said to have been planned with
every attention to convenience they were so
capable of bestowing upon it ; but the nature
of the arrangement for its present occupants
being so well knoAvn to every one, they do not
attract our notice.
The NeAV Gaol is a very handsome building
of fine grey stone, one hundred and sixty feet
in length by sixty-eight in breadth, three stories
high, having its roof covered with tin ; it is
situated on the north side of Ste. Anne Street,
Avith the front towards Angel Street ; stand
ing on an elevated spot, it is airy and
healthful ; it has in the rear a space of ground
one hundred feet in depth confined by a lofty
Avail, where the prisoners are allowed the benefit
of exercise. The interior is most judiciously
planned, as it respects the health, cleanliness,
and safe custody of those who are so unfortu
nate as to become its inmates. The design and
construction confer much credit upon the archi
tect, and the commissioners under whose super
intendance it Avas erected ; it has been but re
cently finished, and was occupied only in 1814.
The expense of the building, upAvards of ,£15,000,
was defrayed by the provincial legislature.
Opposite to the neAV gaol is the Scotch
Church, a small building not distinguished for

446
any thing deserving particular mention, but
being neAV and very neat, it looks Avell.
The building denominated the Bishop's
Palace has been a fine edifice, and standing
on an elevated spot, it is very conspicuous ; it
is situated near the grand battery, extending in
an easterly direction from the gateAvay, or com
munication to the Lower Town, along Moun
tain Street one hundred and eighteen feet, and
then in a line running at right angles to the
former, one hundred and forty-seven feet; its
average breadth is thirty-four feet; on the
south and east sides it is three stories high, but
on the others no more than two ; it was built
for the residence of the Catholic Bishop of
Quebec; it contained a chapel with every
suitable convenience, and Avas by no means
destitute of embellishment. An annuity has
been granted by the government to the head of
the Catholic faith in lieu of it. A very dilapi
dated state at present threatens a speedy disso
lution; some of the walls are bad even to the
foundation, and unless almost immediate re
pairs are undertaken will not long support the
fabric. The different divisions of the building
are now occupied by many of the offices of
government ; the Legislative Council, the Exe
cutive Council, the House of Assembly, the
Public Library, &c. &c. The chapel, sixty-

447
five feet by thirty-six, the only part kept in
thorough repair, is fitted up for the meetings
of the House of Assembly ; adjoining it are
different committee rooms, library, &c. : above
this part, that forms the north-west angle, is
the apartment Avhere the Legislative Council
holds its sittings, and on the same floor are
committee rooms, council office, &c. &c. de
pendant on that branch of the legislature. In
the other angle are chambers for the Executive
Council and various offices connected with it;
at the further end of the building is the Public
Library, below which are the offices of the
adjutant-general of militia, surveyor-general
of the province, the engineer department,
secretary of the province, and some others.
The vaults underneath the palace, excepting
such as are appropriated to the secretary of
the province and clerks of the court, and
occupied as depositories of the archives and
most of the public records, are in a ruinous
state; indeed so much so under the chamber
of the legislative council, Avhere the session of
parliament is always opened, that it is now
hazardous to admit a large concourse of peo
ple, who usually attend that ceremony. The
public convenience of this building for the
various purposes to which it is now applied
makes it a matter of surprise that the attention

448
of government has not been directed toAvards
giving it a substantial repair.
The Artillery Barracks form a range of
stone buildings tAvo stories high, five hundred
and tAventy-seven feet in length by forty in
breadth, extending in a westerly direction from
Palace Gate; they Avere erected previous to
the year 1750, for the accommodation of troops,
by Avhich the garrison Avas reinforced, and were
then distinguished as the casernes nouvelles :
they are roughly constructed, but very substan
tial and Avell arranged : the east end of the
range was for several years used as a common
prison ; but since the erection of the neAV gaol,
this practice has been discontinued. Besides
sufficient room for quartering the artillery sol
diers of the garrison, there is an ordnance
office, armoury, storehouses, and Avorkshops.
The armoury is very considerable, and occupies
several apartments, Avherein small arms of every
description for the equipment of 20,000 men
are constantly kept in complete repair and rea
diness for immediate use; the musquetry and
other fire-arms are arranged so as to admit con
venient access for the purposes of cleaning, Sec. ;
the armes blanches of all classes are well dis
played in various designs and emblematical
devices, and present, on entering the room, a
fanciful coup d'ceil. In front of the barracks

449
there is a good parade. The Union Hotel is
situated near the Chateau, on the north side of
the Grand Parade, and contributes greatly to
wards its embellishment ; it is a capacious well-
built stone house, two stories high, in a hand
some style of modern architecture, eighty-six
feet in length, by forty-four in breadth. It
wTas erected about the year 1803, under an act
of the provincial parliament, by a number of
persons who raised a sufficient joint stock by
shares, and who, by the act, were formed into
a corporate body ; the object was to have a
commodious hotel of the first respectability,
for the reception and accommodation of
strangers arriving in the capital. The entrance
is under a portico of good proportions and
tasteful design, approached by a flight of
steps. The interior is Avell planned, Avith much
attention to regularity and convenience ; the
principal rooms are spacious and lofty, fitted
up with great elegance, and continually kept
in good order. The scheme that first gave
rise to this undertaking did not obtain so
much success as could be wished to so public
spirited an enterprise : in fact, the shareholders
find the speculation to be an unprofitable, and
even a losing one. Should the property be
disposed of, and diverted from its original in
tention, a circumstance by no means impro-
G G

450
bable, it would be Avell worth the attention of
government to make the purchase, for the pur
pose of concentrating therein as many of the
public offices as accommodation could be found
for. The edifices that have been enumerated
are the principal ones, or at least those most
Avorthy of notice. The peculiar situation of
the city, as already described, occasions irregu
larity and unevenness in the streets; many of
them are narrow, but most of them are well
paved; the breadth of the principal ones is
thirty-two feet, but the others usually only from
twenty-four to tAventy-seven. The greater pro
portion of the houses are built of stone, very
unequal in their elevation, with high sloping
roofs, principally of shingles, and sometimes
covered with tin or sheet iron. Great improve
ment has taken place of late years in the mode of
building and in the appearance of the dwellings,
as the old-fashioned methods of the country are
gradually superseded by a modern style. No
less amendment has taken place in paving the
streets. Mountain Street, where formerly the
ascent Avas so steep as to, make it difficult for
a carriage, is noAV passable for all sorts of ve
hicles with the greatest ease. John Street,
Buade Street, Fabrique Street, and the greater
part of Palace Street, may be considered as the
mercantile part of the Upper Town, being in-

451
habited chiefly by merchants, retail traders,
artizans, and abundance of tavern-keepers, and
are certainly the greatest thoroughfare of any.
St. Louis Street, running nearly parallel to St.
John Street, is much more elevated, airy, and
agreeable, and by far the pleasantest part of the
town ; as such, most of the superior officers of
the provincial government, and people of the
first rank, reside there : many of the houses are
modern and very handsome ; that belonging to
the late T. A. Coffin, Esq., is now inhabited by
the Protestant Bishop of Quebec, who, by his
situation of Metropolitan, is member of the
Legislative and Executive Councils of the
Upper, as well as the Lower Province. The
present Chief Justice, the Honourable Jonathan
SeAvell, occupies a very spacious and handsome
house ; that of the late Chief Justice Elmsly,
though not modern, is large and elegant. It is at
present converted into a barrack for officers,
who have the greatest reason to be satisfied
with their quarters. On Mount Carmel there
is the remnant of an old military Avork, near to
Avhich is agreeably situated a wooden building,
usually occupied by the governor's military se
cretary. The market-place is one hundred and
sixty-five feet long ; in front of the Jesuits
barracks it is two hundred and fifty feet
broad, but near the cathedral it is reduced to
g g 2

452
one hundred and seventy-two. In the centre
stands the market hall, a circular building, one
hundred and twelve feet diameter, over Avhich
there is a dome, Avhose dimensions are every
way so much at variance Avith proportion as to
Avarrant a supposition that deformity had been
studied instead of symmetry ; it is, however,
no longer to remain a public mark of bad taste,
for the legislature has decreed its removal, to
make way for something more appropriate.
Underneath the hall is a large reservoir of
water, contrived to afford a speedy supply in
cases of fire. The accommodations of the
place have been considerably increased by the
removal of the Jesuits church, and appropri
ation of the ground it occupied to the wood-
market. On the side of Fabrique Street is the
space allotted to the hay-market. Main streets
diverge from the different sides of the market
to the principal entrances into the city. The
market is held every day, and almost always
well stocked ; but Saturday usually affords the
greatest abundance, when there is a good shew
of butcher's meat of all kinds, furnished both
by the butchers of the city, and the habitans^
who bring it from several miles round. The
supplies of poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables,
herbs, and indeed every article of consumption,
are brought by the country people in large

453
quantities from the different fertile seigniories
round the capital. In fact, nothing is want
ing to furnish the table, and that too at a
moderate price, for every rank of society, from
the humble labourer to the man of affluence,
who can enjoy both the comforts and luxuries
of life.
The Place d'Armes, or Grand Parade, in
front of the Chateau, though not extensive, is
handsome, and may be termed the court end
of the town. Being surrounded by the most dis
tinguished edifices in the capital, it affords an
agreeable promenade.
The Esplanade, between St. Louis and St,
John's Gate, has a length of two hundred and
seventy-three yards, by an average breadth of
eighty ; except at the St. Ursula bastion, where
it is one hundred and twenty yards ; it is tolera
bly level, in some places presenting a surface
of the bare rock. This is the usual place of pa
rade for the troops of the garrison, from Avhence
every morning the different guards of the town
are mounted. The musters, and annual reviews of
the militia belonging to the city, are held here.
The Lower Town is situated immediately
under Cape Diamond, and by the continuation
of merchants' stores and warehouses, reaches
from L'Ance des Meres round the point of the
Cape, as far to the north-Avest as the suburbs of
St. Roch : it stands on Avhat may be termed an

454
artificial ground, as formerly, at flood tide, the
waters of the river used to wash the very foot of
the rock : from time to time, wharf after wharf
has been projected toAvards the low-Avater mark,
and foundations made sufficiently solid to build
whole streets, Avhere once boats, and even vessels
of considerable burden, used to ride at anchor.
The greatest breadth of this place is at Rue Sous
le Fort, Avhere, from the Cape to the water's
edge, the distance is two hundred and forty
yards, but proceeding more to the northward,
this dimension is greatly reduced. L'Ance des
Meres, or Diamond Harbour, is the southern
extremity of the Lower ToAvn ; it is immedi
ately under the highest part of Cape Diamond,
having around its shore a continuation of ex
tensive Avharfs, stores, and Avorkshops in full
activity, from Avhich there is an uninterrupted
routine of business carried on Avith other parts
of the town. A commodious dock for repair
ing vessels, and a yard for building, from
whence ships of large tonnage have frequently
been launched, contribute very much to in
crease the importance of the place. From
L'Ance des Meres to Brehaut's Wrharf, the road
passing by the foot of the Cape is very narrow,
and that the communication may be rendered
as direct as possible, it has been necessary in
many places to cut through the solid rock.
Near the Avharf there is a landing-place, which

455
serves during the summer season as a sort of
harbour for the gunboats and king's batteaux.
From thence to the Cul de Sac is almost an
uninterrupted succession of store-houses and
wharfs, at the greatest part of which ships can
lie without taking the ground at Ioav Avater.
At Dunn's Wharf are the large and valuable
premises called the Cape Diamond BreAvery,
where an extensive business is carried on, not
for the home consumption alone, but in porter
and ale for exportation. The Cul de Sac is
situated between the King's and Queen's
Wharfs, forming an open dock, dry at every
tide; ships can be there conveniently laid
aground to receive any necessary repairs; in
the winter, boats and small-decked vessels that
navigate the river between Quebec and Mont
real are also laid up in security from the ice.
It spreads five hundred and forty feet in length,
and about tAvo hundred and forty in depth : all
craft lying here for repair, or otherwise, must
observe the rules and regulations prescribed by
the Trinity-house, and are placed under the
immediate superintendance of the assistant
harbour-master. Between the Queen's and
McCallum's Wharf is the principal landing-
place, about two hundred feet wide, where
boats and canoes usually set their passengers
on shore, but where much inconvenience is

456
frequently occasioned by the numerous rafts
of fire-wood that are brought down the river
for the use of the city, and moored hereabout,
sometimes to the complete obstruction of the
passage. If the regulations of the harbour,
properly enforced, be insufficient to prevent this
public annoyance, it should be removed b)T
legislative interference. The custom-house
stands on McCallum's Wharf, and during that
part of the year Avhen the navigation of the
river is uninterrupted it presents the crowded
scene of activity and business commonly met
with at such establishments. A short distance
from hence, and betAveen the premises of the
Honourable John Caldwell, the Receiver-Ge
neral of the province, and those of Mr. Tod,
passes the boundary line betAveen the King's
and Seminary's domains ; a definition of the
precise extent of the former would prove te
dious, as it is presumed to include generally all
ground in and about the city not disposed of
by deed of concession, or letters patent, either
to public bodies or individuals ; such parts of
it as may be deemed necessary are reserved
for military and other public uses, and the
remainder is usually conceded subject to the
payment of lods et ventes. The Seminary do
main was granted by Monsieur de Chauvigny,
the governor of the province, to the seminary

457
of Quebec, on the 29th October, 1686, by
which concession the whole extent of beach in
front, and reaching to the low-Avater mark in
the River St. Charles, was confirmed to it.
This grant is quoted by Le Maitre La Morille,
Arpenteur Royal et Jure & Quebec, in his pro-
ces verbal, dated  , 1758, wherein
he minutely describes the boundaries of both
domains, and also of the ground granted to the
Hotel Dieu. As the limits of these grants are
correctly delineated upon the plan of the city
of Quebec on the Topographical Map, it may
suffice here to give a sort of average or general
outline of them, as they are met with in the
course of the description of the city. The Se
minary's domain is nearly as folloAvs ; beginning
at the separation from the King's domain in
the Lower Town, it passes between the houses
of the Honourable Mr. Caldwell and Mr.
Tod ; from Avhence it extends in an easterly
direction as far as the loAv-water mark. Re
turning to the first mentioned separation from
the King's domain, it shapes nearly a west-
south-west course as far as the presbytery, near
the Catholic cathedral, Avhere it takes a direc
tion nearly north-westerly to the French bury-
ing-ground, or Cimetiere des Picotes, and from
thence it ends by a line running north eleven
degrees west by compass, to the loAv-Avater mark ;
dividing on this side the domain from the

458
grounds of the Hotel Dieu. From McCal-
lum's to Messrs. Munro and Bell's wharf the
line is occupied by a continuation of Avater-
side premises and wharfs, conveniently situated
towards the St. Lawrence, and well calculated
for the extensive shipping concerns of their
respective owners. From the avenue leading
down to Munro and Bell's, the Rue Sault au
Matelot is prolonged in a Avesterly direction
as far as La Canoterie, so close under the cliff
as to admit of only one row of houses; and
although by undermining and cutting aAvay
the rock so as to make it quite perpendicular,
in order to render the street as convenient as
the nature of circumstances Avill admit ; yet in
one place, Avith all these contrivances, it is no
more than tAvelve feet Avide. In the rear of
these houses there is another line of wharfs,
that can be reached by river craft at high-
water only, or a little before. From the end of
Rue Sault au Matelot there is a way commu
nicating with the Upper ToAvn, by Hope Gate.
Proceeding westAvard through St. Charles and
St. Nicholas Street, there is a range of spacious
Avharfs, the King's store-houses and wharfs, the
batteaux-yard, and the jetty ; the latter is no
more than a rude pile of loose stones, that have
been heaped together year after year since
1751, at which time it was in a better state
than at present; it had then a level surface

459
covered Avith a platform, and served as a pub
lic promenade. In the batteaux-yard the
boats and batteaux employed in the service
of government are built, repaired, and laid up
during the winter. On the western side of St.
Nicholas Street, and fronting that of St. Val-
lier, are the ruins of the intendant's palace, once
an edifice of much importance and no mean
share of grandeur, as the apartments Avere fitted
up with all the splendour that the times could
confer upon them, for the Council of the French
Government. After the conquest in 1759 but
little attention Avas paid to it, and in the year
1775 its ruin as a palace was completed; for
Avhen the Americans, under Arnold, blockaded
the city, they found means to establish a body
of troops Avithin it ; but they Avere soon after-
Avards dislodged from their quarters by shells
thrown from the garrison, which set it on fire,
and nearly consumed the Avhole. Near the
ruins is a small building preserved in good
repair, and appropriated for the residence of
the chief engineer of the garrison ; since the pe
riod of its demolition, a small part, that required
but little expense to restore, has been con
verted into government store-houses. The dis
tinction of Le Palais is still applied to a part
of the LoAver Town, in the neighbourhood of
the ruins. Between Le Palais and the beach

460
is the King's Wood-yard, occupying a large
plot of ground, Avherein a sufficient quantity of
fuel for a year's consumption of the whole gar
rison is always kept in store. On the western
side of the Avood-yard the suburb of St. Roch
commences, and extends in a westerly direction
to La Vacherie, a distance of seven hundred
and thirty-five yards, and from the Coteau Ste.
Genevieve to the River St. .Charles, about
seven hundred and thirty yards. The streets,
though narroAv, are regularly built and straight,
crossing each other at right angles : the greater
part of the houses are of wood, but a feAv of
those lately constructed are not destitute of a
shoAvy exterior. The church of St. Roch is not
yet finished, and will, when completed, prove a
very handsome structure ; the ground on Avhich
it stands was a free gift from J. Mure, Esq. ;
the work is now going on under the patronage
of the Catholic Bishop, who is also the protector
of a public school in this suburb, and another
in St. John's. A period of ten years has pro
duced a very great increase in this part of the
town, as well in buildings as in population, and
there is all appearance of the same continuing
to a much more considerable degree. The
inhabitants of St. Roch are entitled to vote for
the representatives in parliament for the Lower
Toav n, Avhich elects two. From the extremity of

461
the suburbs to the banks of the River St.
Charles, which Avinds beautifully through the
valley as before-mentioned, there is a large ex
tent of fine meadow and pasture |and, varied
at intervals by gardens, and intersected by the
road leading from the city to Dorchester bridge.
The beaches of the Rivers St. Charles and St.
LaAvrence, in the neighbourhood of Quebec,
require a few Avords of particular observation,
as they are disposed of by specific grants, and
sometimes sold in portions at great prices, or
let at high rents, or for other valuable consider
ations. That of the River St. Charles from
Pointe a, Carey to Dorchester bridge is Ioav,
flat, and generally sandy, Avith many groups
of rocks lying about it, but particularly be
tween the Point and the Jetty, where they
almost edge the low-Avater channel ; the space
that lies between a line prolonged from St.
Peter Street down to the Ioav- water mark of the
St. Charles and the St. LaAvrence has been
conceded by the seminary to Messrs. Munro
and Bell, and Avithin its limits these gentlemen
have very extensive premises. On a wharf
that projects a great way into the river stands
a conspicuous large red store-house, well si
tuated to be made a sailing mark, by which
directions might be, laid down to prevent ves
sels in coming to their anchorage before the

462
toAyn from keeping too much within the River
St. Charles, where, at half ebb, they would get
aground upon the reef that stretches nearly
across its mouth. From the same wharf down
to the edge of the St. Lawrence at low Avater
the distance is two hundred and thirty feet,
nearly all a reef of flat rocks ; and in a north
easterly direction, the Pointe a Carey, a large
irregular ridge, runs about tAvo hundred and
forty yards beyond the wharf; it leaves a small
opening for the channel of the St. Charles,
from whence another chain of rocks ranges in
different directions about the entrance of it,
which, at low water, is uncovered, and at high
water has about tAvo fathoms and a half upon
it. From the Grand Battery on the cliff, a
little before the flood-tide makes, two distinct
reefs can be seen stretching across it, nearly
parallel to each other; the entrance into it is
close within Pointe a, Carey, where several
sand-banks form two or three different passages
betAveen them. Opposite to Pacquette's Wharf
there is a large rock, and also a ledge lying off
Hunter's Wharf; if these were removed it would
greatly improve the convenience of the beach,
and might be effected without much diffi
culty ; at half ebb these, the ledge before
Henderson's Wharf, and the large green plats
on the opposite side of the channel, begin to

463
be visible. At Henderson's there is a spacious
building-yard, from whence have been launched
some of the largest vessels built in LoAver Ca
nada. From the western boundary of the Se
minary Domaine as far as the Jetty, or Stone
Dyke, the beach belongs to the Hotel Dieu,
and, with the right of fishery, was granted to it
on the 21st March, 1648; but the greater part
thereof has been conceded by that establish
ment to different persons, and is noAV occupied
either as wharfs, dock-yards, or timber-grounds.
From the Jetty, as far as St. Roch Street, the
whole of the beach is reserved by government,
beyond which the remaining portion, in front of
St. Roch, has lately been granted by the crown
to the Honourable John Richardson, of Mont
real, in trust for the heirs of the late William
Grant, fEsq. It is now divided into several
dock-yards, wharfs, and timber-grounds, and
occupied by various persons; among the former,
Goudie's yard is the most eminent and com
plete, Avhere ship-building upon an enlarged
scale has been carried on for many years.
Campbell's Wharf projects so far into the river as
to form rather a remarkable feature of it in look
ing toward Dorchester bridge : the large build
ing formerly called Grant's Mill still remains
upon it ; within these premises there is a very
extensive wet dock, or dam, for keeping timber

464
afloat. From the line of La Vacherie, which
in fact is the western extremity of St. Roch's
suburb, the beach up to the bridge on either
side of the channel is generally used as timber-
grounds, and provided with extensive booms,.
&c. The bed of the St. Charles is flat; atlow-
Avater the two channels are narrow, winding,
and frequently divided by wide spreading shoals
of sand or mud ; Avhen the tide is out, the water
in them varies from eight to twenty-seven
inches, but at full flood the average is from two
to two fathoms and a half. Dorchester bridge is
six hundred and sixty feet in length, by twenty-
seven in width, built entirely of wood, and
supported upon piers of the same materials ;
its elevation is fifteen feet above high-Avater.
From hence to the city the distance is about
a mile, and the road, particularly during the
summer-time, is much frequented. The pros
pect on every side from the bridge is agree
able and pleasing; the town, suburbs, and
the Cape, are seen to great advantage. It
is ahvays kept in good repair, although the
toll is frequently avoided by passengers going
along the beach at low water : in winter
time, as soon as a solid track can be made
upon the ice, this evasion is almost general.
On each side of the river, below the bridge,
besides the established dock-yards, there are

465
several convenient places for buildino*, where
ships of large tonnage have been occasionally
constructed. The suburb of St. John, above the Coteau
Ste. Genevieve, is built on very uneven ground,
with an elevation towards the Grande Allee,
or road to Sillery. It occupies a mile in length
by half a mile in breadth, and is increasing
very, fast in buildings as well as population ;
thereare several parallel streets crossed by others
at right angles, except George Street, Avhich
takes a diagonal direction across Richelieu and
Olivier Streets, connecting this suburb Avith
St. Roch, by the Cote d'Abraham, and com
municates Avith the roads to Lorette, Charle-
bourg, and Beauport. St. John Street is the
principal one, and from the end of it the road
continues to Ste. Foi. In different parts of
this suburb some Avell-built houses present
themselves, several of which are of stone : on
the south side of St. John Street is the Pro
testant burial-ground. In the elections for
members of parliament, the inhabitants of St.
John's are entitled to vote for the tAvo Avho
represent the Upper Town. On the Chemin
de la Grande Allee, just beyond St. Louis
Gate, is the house and garden belonging to
Mr. Jones; further along the road, on the left
hand side, is the building called Fergusson's
II H

466
House, standing on the highest ground of the
celebrated plains of Abraham. It is calculated
to be three hundred and thirty feet above the
level of the river, and commands most of the
Avorks on this side of the toAvn, except those on
the very summit of Cape Diamond, Avhich are
still higher by ten or fifteen feet. To diminish
the probability of this eminence being ever
seized upon as a point of offence against the
city, four Martello towers have been erected
some distance in advance of it, extending from
the St. Lawrence, across the peninsula, to Ste.
Genevieve, at betAveen five and six hundred
yards distance from each other, and so posted
that they can SAveep the Avhole breadth of the
plains; they are very solidly constructed, and
armed with guns of large calibre. Proceeding
along the Grand Allee Avestward, on the left
hand side are several large pieces of ground
belonging to the Hotel Dieu, and the Ursuline
Convent; on the opposite side, Avell cultivated
fields, and rich pastures, spread down to the Ste.
Foi road. The four meridian stones fixed in
1-790 by the late Major Holland, then Surveyor-
General of Canada, are placed at conA-enient
distances from each other across the plains ;
they represent a line astronomically north, and
were established for the purpose of adjusting
the instruments used in the public surveys of

467
lands. One of them that stood in the angle of
a field redoubt Avhere General Wolfe is said
to have breathed his last, has been* greatly
impaired by the pious reverence of curious
strangers, who, wishing to bear away a relic of
anything from the spot consecrated by the hero's
death, have broken off pieces of the stone
placed there thirty years after that eA^ent. Be
yond these stones are some open fields belong
ing to the Hotel Dieu, but retained by govern
ment for military uses. Further to the west
Avard is a property belonging to Dr. Mountain,
Bishop of Quebec, that, from its fine and com
manding situation, is admirably well calculated
for the erection of a country house and forma
tion of pleasure grounds. Contiguous to this
property is the beautiful estate of the Honour
able Mr. Percival, called Spencer Wood, for
merly known by the name of Powel Place, and
Avhich used to be the country residence of the
Governor-General. Woodfield, the property
of Mr. Bell, is another house and garden, which,
from its charming position, is very deserving of
notice. The beach directly under the height
upon which these houses stand is divided into
many valuable timber grounds, extending to
the Avestward as far as Pointe a Puisseaux,
Avhich chiefly belong to Messrs. Patterson,
Dyke, and Co. Wolfe's Cove is i he largest of
all the bays in the vicinity of the city, and

468
memorable as the landing-place of the English
army which achieved the conquest of the capital
in 1759. It is generally a scene of great activity
in the timber trade; during the summer sea
son, numbers of ships are continually seen an
chored in groups before the premises of the
different merchants : it is principally the pro
perty of Messrs. Grant and Greenshields. The
city, Avhose most vulnerable part is towards the
plains of Abraham, is fortified by a strong line
of regular works, from Cape Diamond to Co
teau Ste. Genevieve, Avith ditch, covered Avay,
glacis, &c, strengthened by some exterior works
more recentty erected, between St. Louis Gate
and St. John's Gate, Avell calculated to render
the approach to the toAvn by the main roads ex
ceedingly difficult, if not impracticable; but
from the ground rising a little toAvards the plain,
it has been deemed expedient to construct the
Martello towers before-mentioned, to prevent
any advantage being taken of its superior ele
vation. In its present state Quebec may rank
as a fortress of the first consequence : the cita
del on the highest part of Cape Diamond pre
sents a formidable combination of poAverful
works, from Avhence a strong Avail, supported by
small batteries in different places, runs to the
edge of the precipice, along Avhichitis continued
to the gateAvay leading to the LoAver Town,
which is defended by heavy cannon, and the

469
approach to it, up Mountain Street, both en
filaded and flanked by many guns of large
calibre; thence a line of defence connects
Avith the grand battery, a Avork of great strength,
armed Avith a formidable train of tAventy-four
pounders, and commanding the bason and pas
sage of the river ; from hence another line is car
ried on past the Hope and Palace Gates, both
protected by similar defences to those of the
LoAver ToAvn Gate, until it forms a junction
Avith the bastion of the Coteau du Palais,
The General Hospital stands on the bank of the
River St. Charles, about a mile distant from
the city, in a healthy, pleasant situation, sur
rounded by fine fields and meadows, having its
front towards the road called Chemin de FHo-
pital General; it Avas founded in 1693, by
Monsieur St. Vallier, Bishop of Quebec, for
the relief of sick and disabled poor of all de
scriptions ; it is governed by a superieure, La
Reverende Mere St. Joseph, (Esther Chalou)
at the head of forty-four nuns. It has a regular
handsome front, two hundred and twenty-eight
feet in length, and forms nearly a square; the
main body of the building is thirty-three feet
in breadth, but on the south-Avest side a range,
one hundred and thirty feet in length, projecting
from it, is fifty feet in breadth. Detached from
the principal edifice, and on the opposite side of

470
the road, are two houses belonging to it; one ap
propriated for the reception and treatment of
persons labouring under insanity, and the other
as a dwelling-house for servants, employed in a
farm attached to the establishment. The inte
rior arrangement and management of this ex
cellent charity, with respect to accommoda
tion, are very judicious ; the patients are lodged
in comfortable and spacious Avards, men on
the ground floor, and Avomen on the floor
above ; for the superieure and the nuns there
is ample room for residence, refectories, and
apartments for carrying on different works in
which they employ themselves, exclusive of
their attendance on the sick : a spacious and
neat church is attached to the convent. As
this hospital administers succour to the. afflicted
under any of the diseases Avithin the wide range
of human calamity, it is most commonly nearly
filled. Its support is drawn from the revenues
of the landed property that has been granted
to it, the sale of the Avorks performed by the
nuns, particularly of church ornaments, which
they make and gild in great perfection, and
by occasional giants of money from the pro
vincial parliament.
To facilitate travelling in the loAver province,
and render it as expeditious as possible, there
is a line of post-houses from Quebec to Mont-

471
real on one side, and by the southern shore of the
mer dotvn as far asTrois Pistoles, below the is
land of Bic, on the other ; these houses are kept
under rules and regulations,established by autho
rity of the parliament, and annually inspected
by a person who is appointed superintendant
of post-houses in the province, Avhose duty it is
to see that each station furnishes a sufficient
number of calashes in proper order, with good
horses for the public accommodation, and that
in each house the regulations are conspicuously
posted up, so that every traveller may have an
opportunity of knowing that no imposition is
practised upon him, or how to obtain redress in
cases of extortion : should these rules be devi
ated from by any of the post-masters, they are
subject to a pecuniary fine. The expense of
travelling is generally one shilling a league dur
ing the summer time, or fifteen-pence in the fall
of the year with a calash and one horse ; the
charges of tolls and ferries must be borne by
the travellers. The conveyance of the regular
mail, under the direction of the post-master
general, is a distinct concern from the post-
houses ; it is sent by couriers who leave Que
bec and Montreal every day at four o'clock.
Both convenience and comfort are now consi
derably increased by a stage-coach, that starts
from each city regularly, every day during the

472
year : in the summer time it is furnished with
four good horses quite in the English style; in
the Avinter the body of the coach is placed on
a sledge, and drawn by the same number of
horses, inwhich season it performs its journey
somewhat quicker; it conveys six passengers
inside, with a proportion of baggage, Sec. The
charge by this conveyance is a trifle more than
by posting, but the accommodation is certainly
superior at the different stopping places, Avhere
refreshments and other conveniences of an inn
are always to be obtained in a very good style.
Since the year 1812, two steam-boats have been
launched upon the St. LaAvrence, and during
the summer time there are two of them con
stantly navigating between Quebec and Mont
real ; they are fitted up Avith great attention
to the ease and comfort of the public. A cabin
passenger, Avith sixty pounds of luggage, pays
<£3 to Montreal ; but from thence to Quebec
only £2 : 10s. : Od., the expense of the table
therein included : steerage passengers pay 15s.
each way : extra luggage is paid for at the rate
of one penny a pound. The voyage doAvn the
river is performed in forty-eight hours; but
going upwards it is some hours longer, on
account of the strong currents. The smallest
of these boats measures one hundred and ten
feet in length, by twenty-eight in breadth,

473
and commodiously accommodates fifty cabin
passengers, Avith separate apartments for ladies,
beds, &c. : the other is of greater capacity,
being one hundred and forty feet by thirty-two.
This mode of travelling is easy, and exceedingly
pleasant : a liberal table is provided, Avith every
other means of rendering the passage quite a
party of pleasure. Mr. Moulson, of Montreal,
is the person Avho has embarked a large capital
in this undertaking, and it is pleasing to find
that his enterprise has been productive of con
siderable profit to him ; he has been counte
nanced in his plan by the provincial legisla
ture, but has not obtained any exclusive privi
lege. On occasions of emergency, these boats
have been used for the conveyance of troops,
and have thereby greatly contributed to forward
the public service. A courier Avith a mail
leaves Quebec every Aveek for Halifax and
Nova Scotia, by the Avay of Fredericton, and
St. John's, NeAV BrunsAvick. As this commu
nication across the portage of Timiscouata is
one of considerable importance, it will be re
curred to again, on speaking of the settlements
thereabouts. BetAveen the city and Point Levi,
on the opposite shore of the St. LaAvrence, a
oreat number of ferry-boats are continually
passing to and fro, the principal part of Avhich
belong to the inhabitants about the Point, as

474
they are all permitted, by regulation, to ply
Avith their boats, on condition of receiving no
more than the established rates, Avhich are very
moderate ; in almost any Aveather they will
cross in their canoes, Avhich are large, and very
strong, being made from the trunk of a tree
holloAved out, or more frequently of two joined
together, and firmly secured on the inside ;
they are managed Avith great dexterity, and
sometimes take as many as eight passengers
besides the three or four men who Avork them.
In the Avinter, Avhen large masses of ice are
floating up and doAvn Avith the tide, and often
when there is a strong breeze, impelled at the
rate of three or four knots an hour, this pas
sage is singularly laborious, and to all appear
ance extremely hazardous, yet it is very rare
that a fatal accident has happened; in snow
storms, indeed, they have been frequently
driven several leagues out of their course,
either above or beloAV the toAvn, Avithout knoAv-
ing Avhereabouts they were, but have always
reached their place of destination sooner or
later. It is not an uncommon thing to see
several of these large canoes, laden Avith provi
sions for the market, crossing the river as nearly
in a line as they are able to keep : the cargoes
are generally secured by a strong lashing ; they
are provided Avith strong poles having iron

475
hooks at the end for grappling hold of the ice,
and drag ropes. When large sheets of ice op
pose their progress, the men, by means of the
poles and ropes, Avhich they employ with an un
common ability, get the canoe upon it, and by
main force drag it perhaps fifty or sixty yards,
or until they find a convenient opening to
launch it again among the smaller fragments ;
and then, using their paddles, they proceed
until they are intercepted by another flat, upon
Avhich it is again hoisted as before, continuing
thus in toilsome succession across the river.
Frequently, while they are forcing it over a sheet
of ice, their slippery foundation breaks beneath
them ; but they mostly contrive to skip nimbly
into the canoe, and evade the difficulty. Often
in pursuing their course through a narroAv vein
of Avater between two enormous masses, they
are suddenly closed upon; and, at the moment
Avhen a stranger Avould imagine the canoe must
be ground to atoms by the collision, they skil
fully contrive,, by means of their poles, to make
the pressure of the two bodies act upon the
lower part of their vessel, and, Avith a little as
sistance of their oavii, heave it upon the surface,
over Avhich it is pushed and dragged as before.
They are amazingly steady in this laborious
Avork, and long habit seems to have expelled
from their minds every sense of danger : thus

476
employed, they appear to be insensible to the
severity of the cold ; they are not encumbered
Avith much clothing, Avhich is as light and as
warm as they are able to procure. If one of
them happens to get an unlucky plunge, he is
extricated by his comrades as expeditiously as
possible; when a hearty coup de rum all round,
Avith Avhich they are never unprovided, is the
usual remedy for such misfortunes. When
they arrive at the landing before the market
place, sometimes the tide is Ioav, and the ice
forming the solid border perhaps ten or tAvelve
feet above them ; in this case they jump out as
fast as they can, all but one man, and while
the rest are getting a firm footing above, he
fastens the drag rope to the fore part of the
canoe, and immediately assisting his comrades,
the whole is hauled up by main force out of
the water, when the lading, consisting of poul
try, carcases of sheep or pigs, of fish or other
articles, is transferred without delay to the
market-places. It has been said b}7 many writers,
that during the winter vegetables and milk in a
frozen state are brought from distant places ; this
certainly used to be the case, but uoav these ar
ticles are furnished in the best state all the year
round, from the farms and gardens in the vicinity.
When the river takes, i. e. is frozen over from
Quebec to Point Levi, which does not happen

477
every year, it is not only productive of much
amusement, but of great advantage to the city,
as well as to the inhabitants of the southern
shore, avIio can at that time bring their produce
to market in large quantities Avithout inconve
nience. Hay, fire-Avood, and all bulky articles
of consumption are furnished in abundance, and
the consumers usually experience a great reduc
tion in price in consequence of such an influx.
As soon as the surface is deemed sufficiently solid,
the road across it is immediately traced out, and
continues under the inspection of the Grand
Voyer of the district, Avho causes proper beacons
to be set up on each side, and at intervals where
they are required. When the river has taken
in the north channel between the Island of
Orleans and the Main, (the southern channel is
never frozen over) which is the case every year,
the markets of the city never fail to feel the
effect of it, as abundance of provisions of all
kinds, the growth of that fruitful spot, which
have been prepared for the approaching season,
are immediately brought in : considerable sup
plies are draAvn from thence during the summer;
but such as do not spoil by keeping are com-
monljr retained, until this opportunity admits
of their being sent Avith much less trouble and
expense. The summer scenery of the environs
of Quebec may vie in exquisite beauty, variety,

478
magnificence, sublimity, and the naturally har
monized combination of all these prominent
features, Avith tbe most splendid that has yet
been portrayed in Europe, or any other part
of the world. Towards Beauport, Charlebourg,
and Lorette, the view is diversified with eArery
trait that can render a landscape rich, full, and
complete; the foreground shews the River St.
Chailes meandering for many miles through a
rich and fertile valley, embellished by a succes
sion of objects that diffuses an unrivalled ani
mation over the Avhole scene. The three vil
lages, Avith their respective churches, and many
handsome detached houses in the vicinity, seated
on gently rising eminences, form so many dis
tinct points of view; the intervals between
them display many of the most strongly marked
specimens of forest scenery, and the surround
ing country every Avhere an appearance of fer
tility and good cultivation upon which the eye
of the spectator Avanders Avith ceaseless delight.
As the prospect recedes it is still interesting,
the land rising in gradation, height over height,
having the interval between succeeding ele
vations filled up Avith primeval forests, until
the whole is terminated by a stupendous ridge
of mountains, Avhose lofty forms are dimly seen
through the aerial expanse. The sense of vision
is gratified to the utmost, and the spectator

479
ne\*er fails to turn with regret from the contem
plation of what is allowed to be one of the most
superb views in nature. Nor is it on this side
only that the attention is arrested ; for turning
toAvards the bason, which is about tAvo miles
across, a scene presents itself that is not the
less gratifying for being made a secondary one :
it is enlivened by the ever changing variety of
ships coming up to and leaving the port. On
the right hand, Point Levi, Avith its church
and group of Avhite houses, several other pro
montories on the same shore clothed with lofty
trees ; in front, the western end of the beauti
ful and picturesque island of Orleans, display
ing charming and Avell-cultivated slopes down
almost to the Avater's edge, backed by lofty
and thick Avoods, and every Avhere decorated
by neat farm-houses, present altogether an in
teresting and agreeable subject to the observer :
in fine still Aveather, the reflects of the different
objects around the margin, in all their variety
of colouring, are thrown across the unruffled
surface of the Avater with an almost incredible
brilliance. On the plains of Abraham, from
the precipice that overlooks the timber-grounds,
where an incessant round of activity prevails,
the St. LaAvrence is seen rolling its majestic
wave, studded Avith many a sail, from the
stately ship doAvn to the humble fishing-boat;

480
the opposite bank, extending up the river,
is highly cultivated, and the houses, thickly
strewed by the main road, from this height
and distance have the appearance of an almost
uninterrupted village, as far as the eye can
reach in that direction. The country to the
southward rises by a very gentle ascent, and
the Avhole vieAv, Avhich is richly embellished by
alternations of Avater, woodland, and cultiva
tion, is bounded by remote and lofty moun
tains, softening shade by shade until they melt
into air. Whoever views the environs of Que
bec, Avith a mind and taste capable of receiving
impressions through the medium of the eyes,
Avill acknowledge, that, as a Avhole, the prospect
is grand, harmonious, and magnificent ; and
that if taken in detail, every part of it Avill
please, by a gradual unfolding of its picturesque
beauties upon a small scale.
The Island of Orleans, below Quebec, di
vides the River St. LaAvrence into two chan
nels ; it is about twenty miles long and fiA-e
broad ; was granted as a seigniory on the 15th
January, 1636, to the Sieur Castellon: it is at
present divided into three distinct properties,
belonging to Madame Drapeau, Monsr. Pou-
lain, and Monsr. Le Comte Dupre; it also
forms the county of Orleans. This island,
next in size to that of Montreal, approaches it

481
in fertility and richness of soil more nearly
than any other part of the district of Quebec :
its Avestern extremity is only four miles from
Cape Diamond. The shores slant gradually to
the beach, in some places there are a few
rocky cliffs, but not of great extent or eleva
tion : from the foot of the slopes there are
large spaces of low meadow land, sometimes
intersected by patches of excellent arable.
Bordering the north channel the beach is flat
and muddy, Avith reefs of rocks running along
it ; but on the southern side it is a fine sand,
with only a feAv pointed rocks sticking up
here and there. The highest part of the island
is by the church of St. Pierre, about four miles
from the Avestern extremity, and almost front
ing the falls of Montmorenci ; and also just
aboAre Patrick's Hole, nearly abreast of St.
Pierre, on the south side, on which is placed
the second telegraph of the chain from Quebec
to Green Island. The centre part is thickly
Avooded, but Avithout producing any timber of
superior growth. The soil is highly fertilized
in almost every part ; on the high lands it is
commonly a light good earth, either mixed
Avith sand, or sand and clay; on less elevated
situations there is a fine black mould, which,
as it nears the shores, is likewise blended with
sand. This delightful spot is but scantily
1 1

482
Avatered by the little River Dauphin, the Ri
vulet Maheux, and a few more trifling streams,
all of which in summer-time fail of a sufficient
supply to work a couple of mills that are built
upon them. The parishes of St. Pierre and
St. Famille on the north, St. Laurent, St. Jean,
and St. Francois on the south, each of Avhich
has its church and parsonage-house, embrace
the whole circuit of the island : St. Jean and
St. Famille are more populous than the others,
and their inhabitants Avealthy and substantial
farmers. Four curates perform the clerical
duties of the five parishes, the incumbent of St.
Famille serving St. Francois : these gentlemen
have long been resident in their respective
curacies, and have made themselves generally
known and respected by their attention and
hospitality toAvards strangers Avho are attracted
by the beauties of this charming place. There
is a good road that encompasses the whole
island, and several others crossing it. The
churches of St. Laurent and St. Jean are situ
ated close doAvn upon the southern shore : the
distance betAveen them is six miles ; all the Avay
through excellent Avell cultivated lands, richly
diversified with orchards and gardens: the
ground rising with an easy slope from the road
displays the industry of the farmers to very
great advantage. Along the road side there

483
are houses at short intervals from each other"
throughout the whole distance. Patrick's
Hole, a little AvestAvard of St. Laurent, is a.
safe and well sheltered cove, Avhere vessels
outward-bound usually come to an anchor, to
wait their final instructions for sailing. On
the western point there is a group of very neat
houses ; at several of which the inhabitants
furnish accommodations to the numerous per
sons who visit the island for amusement of
curiosity, both in summer and winter. The
fertility of this spot is so great, and the habitans
reckoned such good cultivators, that large
quantities of grain, and most sorts of provi
sions, are continually furnished for the con-*
sumption of Quebec : among the fruits, apples
and plums attain a much greater degree Of
perfection than in any other place in the lower
district ; but still they do not equal the pro-^
ductions of Montreal. In St. Famille there
is a large stone building, Avherein several nuns
reside,, and keep a seminary for the education;
of females. The population of the island may
be estimated at about 4000.
Lauzon (the seigniory of ), on the south side
of. the St. Lawrence, in the county of Dorches-\
ter, is bounded by the river in front, La Mar-
tiniere on the east, St. Antoine, Gaspe, and St.
Gilles on the^west, and St. Etienne and Jolliett
i i2

484
in the rear; six leagues in breadth by six
leagues in depth ; was granted January 15th,
1636, to M. Simon Le Maitre, and is now the
property of John Caldwell, Esq. The soil
throughout this extensive property is, generally
speaking, of a superior description ; it includes
almost every variety, but the sort that predomi
nates is a rich, lightish loam, and in situations
lying rather low, a fine dark mould. In the front
but little timber remains ; in the interior, and
towards the rear, beech, maple, birch, and pine
are found in great plenty, besides some oak ; of
the inferior sorts, cedar, hemlock, and spruce,
are very abundant. It is Avatered by the Rivers
Chaudiere, the Beaurivage, falling into the
Chaudiere, the Echemin, the Boyer,and several
other inferior rivers and streams. The Chau
diere and Echemin traverse the seigniory in a
south-easterly direction, and the Beaurivage
by a south-westerly course. Neither of them
are navigable for boats, or even canoes to
any distance, on account of the great num
ber of falls and rapids : their banks, but most
particularly those of the Chaudiere, are lofty
and steep, presenting in many places almost
perpendicular rocky cliffs. The banks of the
St. LaAvrence are also high and steep, covered
with trees of a small growth on some spots,
but cleared and cultivated in others: the

485
beach below them is sandy, a good deal en
cumbered by rocks, Avith almost a regular reef
stretching along the Ioav water line ; from the
top of the bank the land rises by ridges and
small hillocks (many of which are rocky) gra
dually to the rear. There are two extensive
domains, and several small fiefs within the
seigniory ; three churches dedicated to St.
Joseph, St. Nicholas, and St. Henry; three
grist-mills, and several saw-mills. The culti
vated land, which amounts to one-third of the
whole, is divided into ranges of concessions,
bearing the names of St. Joseph, Trompe
Sourri, Arlaca, Brise Culotte, Pin Tendre, St.
Jean Baptiste, St. Charles, Premier Rang,
Gfillade, St. Gervais, Jean Guerrin nord-est,
Jean Geurrin sud-ouest, Bois Claire, St. Anne,
St. Joachim, Plaisance, Bellaire, Ste. Au
gustin, Beauliece, Liverpool, St. Jean, St.
Dennis, Ste. Anne on the Beaurivage, Terre-
bonne, Grande Village St. Nicholas, Viveresse,
&c, besides five ranges of concessions in wood
lands, towards the rear. The most thickly
settled and best cultivated parts of this valu
able property are situated along the front, in
the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Nicholas*,
and for several concessions towards the inte
rior ; throughout which may be seen a succes
sion of fine arable land under a very good -sys-

486
tern of husbandry, rich meadoAvs, good gar
dens and orchards; but the produce of the
latter is not of a very superior kind. The farm
and other houses are1 neat and substantially
built. In the remaining concessions, the state
of agriculture is not so far advanced ; on the
Chaudiere, the best lands lie at some distance
from the banks; nearly the same is the case
Avith those on the Echemin, the margins of
both being generally flat rock, Avith only a
shalloAv covering of soil upon them. Almost
every one of the ranges are intersected by
roads : the main ones, or those on the bank
of the St. Lawrence, the one leading from
Pointe Levi Mills to St. Henri, and thence
to the River Chaudiere, the route St. Gilies
from St. Nicholas, along the south-west bank
of the Beaurivage, and thence communicating
with Craig's Road, are very good, and main
tained in excellent repair. Nearly opposite
to Quebec, and on a little river Avhich there
discharges itself into the St. LaAvrence, are
the extensive and valuable premises called the
Pointe Levi Mills, and further westward, at the
mouth of the Echemin, the no less important
establishment called .the Echemin Mills, from
both of which large exportations of flour annu
ally take place. From Pointe des Peres to the
Chaudiere River, the beach is almost wholly

487
occupied as timber-grounds; the principal of
them is NeAV Liverpool Cove, latterly named
NeAV Glasgow, the property of Messrs. Hamil
ton and Co. ; it is a fine sandy bay, sheltered
from the north-east by a rocky point, on Avhich
there is a long Avharf, Avhere ships lie to take in
their cargoes. The situation, shores, depth of
water, &c. render it very convenient for ship
building ; and in consequence, there is a very
good dock for repairing, as Avell as the con
struction of vessels, surrounded by numerous
dAvelling-houses for persons employed therein.
At the entrance of the Chaudiere there is
another Avharf, with store-houses for the ship
ment of flour. From Pointe des Peres, and
other parts in front of the seigniory, there are
ferries to Quebec. Lauzon is very populous :
its quota of militia is large, and well disci
plined : during part of the Avinter of. 1813,
assisted by a detachment of the division from
the Island of Orleans, it performed garrison
duty in Quebec, with a cheerfulness and ala
crity that were highly exemplary. The River
Chaudiere, that traverses this seigniory, and
falls into the St. Lawrence, about tAvo leagues
above Quebec, is of considerable magnitude ;
and although not navigable for boats or even
canoes, OAving to its numerous rapids, falls,
and other impediments, yet maintains a cha-

488
racter of some importance, and merits a few
observations. It takes its source from Lake
Megantic, flowing northerly forty-one miles, as
far as the seigniory of Aubert Gallion ; from
thence north-westerly, it Avinds through the
seigniories of Vaudreuil, St. Joseph, Ste. Marie,
St. Etienne, Jolliett, and Lauzon, to the St.
Lawrence, a distance of sixty-one miles, making
the Avhole course one hundred and two from
Lake Megantic to its estuary; in breadth it
varies from four hundred to six hundred yards.
The stream is frequently divided by islands,
some of them containing many acres, and co
vered with timber-trees : the banks in general
are high, rocky, and steep, pretty thickly
clothed with wood of an indifferent growth;
the bed rugged, and much contracted by rocks
jutting from the sides, that occasion violent
rapids. The descent of the stream over the
different shelves occasions falls of considerable
height ; the most noticeable are those called
the Chaudiere, about four miles before the
river discharges itself into the St. Lawrence.
NarroAved by salient points extending from
each side, the precipice over which the Avaters
rush is scarcely more than one hundred and
thirty yards in breadth ; the height from which
they descend is about as many feet. Huge
masses of rock rising above the surface of the

489
current, just at the break of the fall, divide the
stream into three portions, forming partial ca
taracts, that unite before they reach the basin
Avhich receives them below. The continual
action of the water has worn the rock into deep
excavations, that give a globular figure to the
revolving bodies of brilliant white foam as they
descend, and greatly increase the beautiful
effect of the fall : the spray thrown up, being
quickly spread by the wind, produces in the
sunshine a most splendid variety of prismatic
colours. The dark hued foliage of the Avoods,
that on each side press close upon the margin
of the river, forms a striking contrast with the
snow-like effulgence of the falling torrent ; the
hurried motion of the flood, agitated among
the rocks and hollows as it forces its way to
wards the St. Lawrence, and the incessant
sound occasioned by the cataract itself, form a
combination that strikes forcibly upon the
senses, and amply gratifies the curiosity of the
admiring spectator. The Avoods on the banks
of the river, notwithstanding its vicinity to the
capital, are so impervious as to render it neces
sary for strangers Avho visit the falls to provide
themselves with a competent guide. Although
of no utility as a water communication, yet
the Chaudiere is entitled to a few remarks, be
cause it traces out a route whereby an easy

490
access may be had into the American terri
tories, and from them into Canada, during the
whole year. From Quebec along the eastern
bank, there is an excellent road for about fifty
miles, and thence a tolerably good one in con
tinuation, as far as the RiA'er du Loup, on
Avhich the Canadian settlements at present
terminate. The first settlements on the River
Kennebec, Avithin the American frontier, are
seventy miles distant from those on the River du
Loup : the country betAveen them is mountain
ous, intersected by rivers and small streams,
and every where in a state of nature. The
chain of mountains is not so closely connected
as to render it impracticable, or even difficult
to open a road through the passes betAveen
them, that Avould afford a free intercourse from
the state of Massachussetts to Lower Canada.
Previous to the late war, the legislature of that
state had nominated commissioners, for the
purpose of making a route from the settle
ments on the Kennebec, up to the height of
land dividing the tAvo territories. If this plan
be carried into execution, there will then re
main no greater distance than about twenty
miles to the English settlements on the River
du Loup. The facility with Avhich this line of
communication may be made, and the com
pletion of it on the American side, should be

491
vieAved with serious attention by the British
GoA'ernment, particularly Avhen it is accom
panied by the consideration, that by such a
road the distance from HalloAvell on the Ken
nebec, from whence the navigation for vessels
of large burthen is uninterrupted to \ the sea,
up to Quebec, is no more than tAvo hundred
miles; and from Boston to the same place,
only three hundred and seventy miles. The
vieAvs of the United States Avith respect to
Canada have been too unequivocally demon
strated to leave a shadow of uncertainty as
to their ultimate object ; and as the preserva
tion of this valuable colony has always been
deemed worthy of our strenuous efforts, Ave
cannot be too much on our guard against the
slow Avorking policy by which that government
endeavours to compass its ends, or too heedful
in adopting precautionary measures to avert a
threatening danger, however remote it may at
first appear.
Tilly, or St. Antoine (the seigniory of),
on the south side of the St. Lawrence, and in
the county of Buckingham, is bounded on the
east by Lauzon, on the west by Desplaines,
in front by the river, andrin the rear by the
seigniory of Gaspe; a league and a half in
breadth by a similar depth : it was granted
October 29th, 1672, to Sieur de Villieu, and is
now the property of < ¦ Noel, Esq.

492
Gaspe' (the seigniory of), in the rear of
Tilly, has the same lateral limits as that seig
niory, and is bounded in the rear by St. Gilles ;
it is a league and a half in breadth by the
same quantity in depth; was granted March
25, 1738, to Dame Angeleque Legardeur,
Avidow of Aubert Gaspe.
Maranda (fief), having its front to the St.
Lawrence, is a small piece of thirty arpens in
breadth, and one hundred in depth, lying be
tAveen the seigniories of Tilly and Bonsecours;
Avas granted in equal moities to the Sieurs
Duquet, father and son, November 3d, 1672.
Desplaines (the seigniory of), in the county
of Buckingham, is bounded by Tilly and
Gaspe on the east, Bonsecours and Ste. Croix
on the Avest, and St. Gilles in the rear; Avas
granted in tAvo parts, the first, three-quarters
of a league in front by three leagues in depth,
from the rear of fief Maranda, to Demoiselle
Charlotte Legardeur, on the 4th January,
1737; and the second, about seventy-four
arpens in front, by one league sixty arpens in
depth, being the space between the preceding
grant and the seigniory of Ste. Croix, to the
same person ; the whole intended to form only
one seigniory,
Bonsecours (the seigniory of), between
Desplaines and Ste. Croix, is bounded in the
rear by the former; contains about a league

493
and a half in breadth by two leagues in depth ;
Avas granted July 1st, 1677, to Francois Bell-
anger. Of these five grants only a very small
portion is, in a state of cultivation, Avhich is
confined to the road leading by the RiA'er St.
Lawrence, through Tilly, Maranda, and Bon
secours : in this direction the soil is good and
fertile, and the farms generally in high con
dition. Gaspe cannot produce an acre of
tillage. The banks of the river are high ; but
the rise is gradual. The whole tract is abun
dantly furnished Avith timber of good quality,
of which large quantities are felled every year,
and sent to Quebec. St. Antoine has a church
and parsonage-house. Throughout the Avhole
of these properties' there is scarcely a stream
of water to be met with.
St. Gilles (the seigniory of), in the county
of Buckingham, is bounded in front by the
seigniories of Gasp6 and Desplaines, on the
east by Lauzon, Ste. Etienne, and Ste. Marie,
on the west by Ste. Croix and the township of
Leeds, and in the rear by the township of
Broughton ; tAvo leagues and three quarters
broad by six leagues deep ; was granted April
1st, 1738, to Rageot de ¦ The heirs oi*
the late Judge Davison are the present pro
prietors. In this seigniory, although it may
be termed a valuable property, there is only

494
a small proportion under tillage. The soil is
a good black mould, varied with yellow and
dark loams; the surface is irregular, and to
wards the south-west lies so Ioav as to occasion
swamps, that are thickly covered with cedar
and black ash ; the other parts produce a
mixture of good timber of all kinds. It is
very Avell watered by the river Beaurivage,
and many small streams falling into it. The
cultivated lands lie on each side of the Beau*
rivage, and are pretty thickly settled, Avith
many of the farms in excellent condition. On
the Avestern bank of that river there is a good
road leading from St. Nicholas, on the St. Law
rence, into the township of Leeds, where it
falls into Craig's Road. As this is a great
thoroughfare, it excites some surprise, consi
dering the goodness of the land, that more of
it is not under cultivation.
Ste. Croix (the seigniory of), on the south
side of the St. LaAvrence, in the county of
Buckingham, is bounded in front by the river,
on the east by Bonsecours, Desplaines, and
St. Gilles, on the Avest by Lotbiniere, its aug
mentation, and the township of Nelson, and
in the rear by the toAvnship of Leeds., The
original title of this concession has not been
found ; but it appears from the registers; of
fealty and homage, a declaration has been

495
exhibited by a notary, that " the Dames Re-
ligieuses Ursulines possessed the seigniory of
Ste. Croix, containing one league in front by
ten in depth, which was granted to them on
the 16th January, 1637, and confirmed by M.
Lauzon, the Governor, on the 6th March,
1652 :" it still remains the property of the
convent. On the high and steep bank of the
river in front the soil is a light-coloured loam,
greatly improved by a very superior style of
cultivation. Receding from thence, the land
decreases in height, and the soil changes to
a rich dark mould, Avhich continues for some
miles, and then declines into extensive SAvamps,
covered with cedar, hemlock, black ash, and
spruce fir ; Avith the exception of the wet
lands, the whole range of the seigniory, from
front to rear, is abundantly clothed with fine
timber of all sorts. No stream of magnitude
is to be met with throughout the whole tract.
Lotbiniere (the seigniory of), with its
augmentation, situated on the south side of
the St. Lawrence, in the county of Bucking
ham, is bounded in front by the river, on the
east by Ste. Croix, on the Avest by Deschaillons
and its augmentation, and in the rear by the
townships of Somerset and Nelson. This seig
niory was granted in several parcels as follows,
viz. November 3d, 1672, half a league in front

496
by a league and a half in depth, on the western
side near Deschaillons, to the Sieur Marsolet.
On November 3d, 1672, two leagues and a half
in front by two in depth, adjoining Ste. Croix,
to Sieur de Lotbiniere. On April 1st, 1685, half
a league in front by two in depth to M. de
Lotbiniere; being the vacant space between
the two former grants. The augmentation,
three leagues and a half in front by four in
depth, on the 25th March, 1 693, to Monsieur
de Lotbiniere. The whole, being three leagues
and a half in front by six deep, is now the
property of the Honourable M. E. G. A. Char-
tier de Lotbiniere, a lineal representative of
the original grantee, in whose family it has
always remained. The generality of the soil
over all this extensive tract is excellent ; and
so advantageously varied, that every produc
tion of the country may be raised upon it.
It is well stocked Avith fine elm, ash, maple,
beech, plane, merisier, and other timber : the
banks of the Rivers du Ch6ne, Huron, and
Boisclere, produce pine of first rate growth.
It is very well watered by these three rivers :
the former is navigable at all times as far as
the place called the portage, distant about two
miles from the St. LaAvrence; but the two
latter only during the rise of the waters in
spring and autumn. Notwithstanding the su»

497
perior fertility of the soil, about an eighth part
only of the grants are settled upon. There
are seven ranges of concessions parallel to the
St. Lawrence, and one perpendicular to it,
Avhich contain five hundred and eighty lots, of
three acres in front, by thirty in depth ; of this
number, four hundred and five, under the ma
nagement of an industrious tenantry, who are
good cultivators, yield abundant crops of grain,
and indeed of every other article. Near the mid
dle of the front of the seigniory stand a hand
some stone church and parsonage-house, and
near to them a feAv neat and well-built houses ;
indeed, this is the characteristic of the major
part of the dwellings; the number of them
is considerable, as the population ascends to
3400 souls. On the eastern side, near the St.
Lawrence, is a small domain of only tAvelve
acres, wholly uncultivated, but thickly clothed
with timber-trees of a superior description : in
it is situated the seignorial mill. On the dif
ferent streams there are six saw-mills, and five
manufactories of pot-ash. The main road pass*-
ino* by the St. Lawrence, as Avell as all the
others throughout the seigniory, is always kept
in excellent repair.
Deschaillons,St.JeanDeschaillons,
or Riviere du Chene (the seigniory of and
its augmentation), in the county of Bucking-
k k

498
ham, joins Lotbiniere on the north-east, Liv
rard, or St. Pierre les Becquets, and the town
ship of Blandford on the south-Avest, and is
bounded in the rear by a small piece of Avaste
crown lands, that separates it from the toAvn-
ships of Somerset and Stanfold. The seig
niory, in dimensions two leagues square, was
granted April 25th, 1674, to Sieur de St. Ours;
the augmentation, tAvo leagues in breadth, by
four leagues and a half deep, Avas granted
January 25th, 1752, to Roc de St. Ours, and
Sieur Deschaillons : they are now the property
of Charles de St. Ours, Esq. In general, the
soil of this seigniory is of a favourable quality,
being either a good yelloAV loam, or else a fine
black mould ; but notAvithstanding these ad
vantages, cultivation has made but an indiffer
ent progress. On the bank of the St. LaAV-
rence there are tAvo ranges of concessions, con
taining together about one hundred and fifty
farm lots, of which the majority appear to be
under respectable management : their produce
of wheat and almost all sorts of grain is com
mensurate thereto, and of a good quality.
Both the original grant and the augmentation
are thickly clothed Avith wood of various spe
cies, better calculated for firewood than any
other purposes ; and from Avhence great quan
tities are supplied to the garrison and city of

499
Quebec. The Little Riviere du Chene, Avhich
crosses it diagonally, and falls into the St.
Lawrence, a little below Cap a, la Roche, is
the only stream that Avaters this tract. It is
not navigable at any season for any thing
larger than a canoe. About half a mile above
the discharge of this river there is a good grist
mill : the augmentation has scarcely any means
of irrigation. A little distance upwards from
Cap a, la Roche a very neat church is seated
on the bank of the St. Lawrence, which, along
the Avhole front, is a good deal elevated. The
houses of the tenantry, about one hundred and
tAVenty in all, are dispersed among the conces
sions, by the side of the main road that passes
close to the river. They are mostly built of
wood, and have a very neat appearance.
St. Etienne (the seigniory of), in the
county of Dorchester, is situated in the rear
of Lauzon, bounded on the north-east by the
River Chaudiere, on the south-west by St.
Gilles, and on the east by Ste. Marie : its de-
mensions are three leagues by two, granted on
the 7th October, 1737, to Franpois Etienne
Cugnet. Jolliet (the seigniory of) is also in the
rear of Lauzon, separated from St. Etienne
by the Chaudiere, and bounded on its other
sides by the townships of Frampton and
k k 2

500
Buckland, and the seigniory of Ste. Marie. It
is of an irregular figure, its greatest length
being about three leagues, and its utmost
depth nearly the same : it is now the property
of  Taschereau, Esq. Both these grants,
Avith respect to the kinds of soil and species of
timber found in them, bear a great affinity to
the rear part of the adjoining seigniory of
Lauzon ; in each of them, a little removed
from the rocky banks of the Chaudiere, there
are some ranges of settlements where the land
is tolerably fertile, and has the appearance of
being well managed, through which some good
roads pass. About the middle of the grant,
the main road from Quebec to the new toAvn-
ships crosses the Chaudiere at the ferry. Jol-
liet is also partially Avatered by the river
Echemin. Ste. Marie (the seigniory of), is in the
counties of Buckingham and Dorchester,
bounded on the north-west by the toAvnship
of Frampton, and seigniory of Jolliet, on the
south-west by St. Gilles, on the Avest by St.
Etienne and Jolliet, and on the east by St.
Joseph, three leagues deep, by four leagues
broad ; was granted 23d September, 1736,
to Sieur Taschereau, in Avhose famiby it still
remains. St. Joseph (the seigniory of) touches the

501
rear boundary of Ste. Marie, is betAveen the
toAvnships of Frampton and Broughton, and
has Vaudreuil on the east; three leagues in
depth, by four in breadth ; Avas granted Septem
ber 27th, 1736, to Sieur Rigaud de Vaudreuil;
it is now the property of Monsieur Taschereau.
The surface of these two grants is uneAren,
rocky in several places, Avith an irregular ridge
of broken heights passing in a south-westerly
direction over the rear part of Ste. Marie ; yet
the land is tolerably good, and in general very
productive where it is under culture. Timber
of almost every description is found in great
plenty. The River Chaudiere passes through
both grants, dividing them nearly in equal
proportions. On each side of it there are set
tlements a little withdrawn from the bank,
where agriculture has been carried on with
good success. Besides these tracts, there
are, in different parts of the interior, a few
concessions that have also made considerable
progress. The farm-houses by the road side,
on each bank of the river, are numerous,
neat, and substantial, with every appearance
of ease and comfort among their occupants.
In either grant there is scarcely any stream
but the main river: there is a church and
parsonage-house belonging to each. At the
lower part of St. Joseph are the valuable mills

502
belonging to the heirs of the late  Tasche
reau, Esq., Grand Voyer of the district.
Vaudreuil (the seigniory of), in the coun
ties of Buckingham and Dorchester, is situated
in the rear of St. Joseph, and bounded on the
north-east by the township of Cranbourne, on
the south-west by the township of Tring, and
in the rear by the seigniories of Aubert Galleon
and Delisle; its dimensions are precisely the
same as St. Joseph ; granted September 23d,
1736, to Sieur Fleury de la Gorgendiere : it
belongs now to Monsieur de Lery. The sur
face of this property is uneven and broken,
and although a good deal encumbered Avith
rocks, that in many places are only thinly
covered, the soil is not of an inferior quality ;
the cultivated parts lie on each side of the
Chaudiere, and vary, from a quarter to half a
mile in depth ; they contain about one hundred
and seventy concessions, many of them in a
flourishing state, The timber consists of a
general assortment of the best quality. Be
sides the Chaudiere, it is watered by several
other streams, of Avhich the Bras de Sud Ouest,
falling into the Chaudiere, is the largest; it is
supplied from several small lakes in the town
ship of Tring, and is generally passable in
canoes, but not with boats. Within the seig-
,niory there are a church and a parsonage, a

503
grist-mill, four saw-mills, and altogether about
tAvo hundred and twenty houses, chiefly built
of Avood ; the population is betAveen one thou
sand four hundred and one thousand five hun
dred. The Chaudiere may be crossed at tAvo
or three fords ; but these, after a couple of
days rain, are too much SAVollen to be safe to
venture a carriage through them.
Aubert Gallion, and De LTsle (the
seigniories of), in the counties of Buckingham
and Dorchester, are the two last settlements
on the River Chaudiere, and separated by it
from each other, both in the rear of Vaudreuil.
The former is bounded on the south-Avest by the
township of Shenley, and on its eastern side by
unsurveyed croAvn lands; it is two leagues
square; granted September 24th, 1736, to
Dame Aubert, and is now the property of Mr.
Jacob Pozer. The latter is bounded by un
surveyed lands, except on the side toAvards
Vaudreuil. It is of the same dimensions as
Aubert Gallion, and was granted on the same
day to Sieur Gabriel Aubert de LTsle : it now
belongs to M. de Lery. The land in both
grants is of a good quality, and on the Chau
diere thickly settled; but the farms neither
exhibit much care or good management : nor
do the inhabitants bear that character of in
dustry, or possess the attendant comforts, that

504
are so visible in many other parts of the dis
trict. The timber found here is generally of a
good quality, and in profusion. In addition to
the Chaudiere, De L'Isle is watered by Rivieres
du Loup and la Famine ; in the vicinity of the
former there are many extensive tracts of ex
cellent meadow land.
La Martiniere (fief), on the south bank
of the St. LaAvrence, in the county of Hertford,
is bounded on the south-west by Lauzon, on
the north-east by Mont-a-Peine, and in the
rear by the township of Buckland ; its breadth
is only ten arpens, but its depth is six leagues ;
granted August 5th, 1692, to Sieur de la Mar
tiniere, and iioav belongs to  ¦  Reid, Esq.,
of Montreal.
Mont-a-Peine (fief) joins the above, and
is bounded on the north-east by St. Michel,
in the rear by St. Gervais; it Avas granted
in two parts; the first, ten arpens broad by
forty deep, to Sieur de Vitre, on the 24th
September, 1683 ; the augmentation, of the
same breadth, and completing the depth of
the whole to six leagues, Avas granted June 18th,
1749, to Claude Antoine de Berment; it is
now the property of F6reol Roy, Esq. These
two fiefs possess a soil nearly similar to the
seigniory of Lauzon, and are in a fonvard
state of cultivation, two thirds of the whole

505
being under hand. The most flourishing set
tlements are near the St. Lawrence, and on
each side of the River Boyer. The timber is
various, but that of an inferior kind is most
prevalent. Both fiefs are well watered by the
River Boyer, and some inferior runs of Avater.
The former turns a grist-mill in La Martiniere.
Vincennes (the seigniory of), in the county
of Hertford, has Mont-a-Peine on the south
west, Beaumont on the north-east, the St.
LaAvrence in front, and Livaudiere in the rear,
seventy arpens in front, by one league in
depth ; was granted November 3d, 1672, to
Sieur Bissot. Fereol Roy, Esq., is the present
proprietor. The land in this grant lies rather
high towards the riArer, and is, on the most
elevated parts, of a lightish sandy earth ; in
other places a good dark mould, couched upon
a substratum of rock, is prevalent. The greatest
portion of the grant is under a very respectable
state of culture, and produces fine crops of
grain, &c. The timber has been greatly reduced,
and what noAV remains is but of indifferent
quality. Several small streams falling into the
St. LaAvrence provide rather a scanty irriga
tion ; one of them works a grist-mill seated in
a cove under the lofty bank of the river. There
are many good farm-houses and other dAvellings

506
by the side of the several roads that intersect
the seigniory.
LivaudiEre (the seigniory of), in the
county of Hertford, lies behind Vincennes, and
is bounded by Beaumont and its augmentation
on the north-east, Mont-a-Peine on the south
west, and in the rear by St. Gervais; it has
about three quarters of a league in front, by
three leagues in depth; granted September
20th, 1734, to Sieur Pean de Livaudiere.
UpAvards of one-third of this tract is in a very
high state of cultivation ; the soil, rich and
fertile, produces large crops of grain, and al
most every article peculiar to the district ; the
surface is someAvhat uneven, but not to such
a degree as to cause serious impediments to
agriculture, until approaching the rear boun
daries, where the elevation is abrupt. There
is a great deal of beech, birch, and maple;
from the latter, considerable quantities of sugar
are made by the inhabitants every year. The
seigniory is well Avatered by the River Boyer,
each side of which presents some of the best
cultivated land in the different concessions :
towards the boundary of Vincennes there are
also many specimens of very good husbandry.
The church of St. Charles, and its parsonage,
are seated on the north-west bank of the Boyer.

507
Roads, generally kept in thorough repair, pass
through the seigniory to the main road on. the
River Echemin.
Beaumont (the seigniory of and its aug
mentation), is in the county of Hertford, be
tween Vincennes and La Durantaie, having
its front upon the St. LaAvrence, and bounded
in the rear by St. Gervais; about three quar
ters of a league in breadth, by a league and
a half in depth; was granted November 3d,
1672, to Sieur des Islets de Beaumont : the
augmentation was granted April 10th, 1713,
to Sieur de Beaumont, and is of the same di
mensions as the original grant : they now be
long to Fereol Roy, Esq. This tract presents
generally, rather a light and sandy soil ; it rises
to a considerable elevation on the bank of the
river, but preserves a tolerably level surface
when compared with the adjacent grants;
nearly one half of the seigniory and a consi
derable portion of the augmentation are under
a flourishing state of cultivation. Adjacent to
the St. LaAvrence there remains but little tim
ber, though, penetrating further into the inte
rior, much may be found of first rate quality ;
several small streams Avater it very plentifully :
the augmentation is intersected by the Rivers
Boyer and du Sud. The church and parson
age-house are seated on the bank of the river

508
in front, and a grist-mill on the Riviere du Sud :
the seigniory is crossed by several roads leading
into the adjacent grants.
La Dura nt a ie (the seigniory of and its
augmentation), in the county of Hertford,
fronts the St. LaAvrence : it is bounded on the
south-Avest by Beaumont, on the north-east by
Berthier, and in the rear by the toAvnship of
Armagh, and the seigniory of St. Gervais;
tAvo leagues in breadth by two in depth; Avas
granted October 29th, 1672, to Sieur de la
Durantaie : the augmentation, of the same di
mensions, was granted to Sieur de la Duran
taie, May 16th, 3693. The grant and aug
mentation are now divided in equal propor
tions into the tAvo seigniories of St. Michel and
St. Vallier.
St. Michel contains six ranges of con
cessions parallel to the River St. LaAvrence,
divided into one hundred and eighty-fh'e lots
that are in a forward state of cultivation, and
about forty-five others entirely of wood-land.
Near the river the soil is light and sandy ; re
ceding from thence about a mile, there is a
fine loam of very excellent quality, but towards
the rear the land grows poor and steril ; conse
quently none of it is occupied. On the best
grounds an advantageous system of husbandry
is pursued, and the crops of Avheat and other

509
grain are in general abundant. The houses,
amounting to about two hundred and thirty in
all, are neatly built ; the farms are well stocked,
and bear every appearance of industry and
Care. In the back part of the grant some
very good timber is produced ; the best kinds
are maple, birch, and beech, Avith some pine ;
but towards the St. LaAvrence only a very few
patches of wood remain among the concessions.
The Rivers Boyer and Le Bras, besides a feAv
small rivulets, Avater it; the tAvo rivers rise con
siderably during the freshes of spring and au
tumn, though they are not of use at any time as
navigable rivers. A bridge has been built of
wood over each of them. There are a church
and parsonage-house, surrounded by about a
dozen other dAvellings, occupied principally by
artizans and workmen; the telegraph station,
No. 3, is not far from the church. Of three
saAV-mills, the work is limited to spring and
autumn, owing to the very scanty supply of
water during the summer. Many roads pass
through the seigniory in almost all directions,
and are, the concession as well as the main
ones, kept always in good repair. According
to the size of this grant, the population is con
siderable, being upwards of 1700 persons.
St. Vallier,' the property of  De-
lanaudiere, Esq., is, as nearly as possible, the

510
counterpart of St. Michel; the species and
quality of the soil, and the varieties of the tim
ber differ only in a very slight degree; but
the bank of the river is much loAver, and the
rear part somewhat broken and rugged. The
greater part of the land is in an excellent state
of culture; it is divided into about one hundred
and eighty or one hundred and ninety lots, the
best and most flourishing of Avhich are situated
on the St. LaAvrence, and along both banks of
the Riviere du Sud ; these, Avith the Belle
Chasse and Boyer, and a few small streams,
water it ver}r well : each of the rivers have
bridges over them. The church of St. Vallier
is pleasantly situated close to the St. LaAvrence;
the parsonage and a few other houses surround
it; at a short distance to the eastward of it is
the telegraph No. 4. This grant is intersected
by numerous roads, in addition to the main
one by the river, all of Avhich, as Avell as the
bridges, are Avell kept up ; it has two grist
mills and several saw-mills. The augmentation
is cultivated only to a very trifling extent ; the
surface of it is irregular, and in the rear quite
mountainous, but it produces very fine timber
almost of every description.
St. Gervais (the seigniory of), in the
county of Hertford, is situated in the rear of
Livaudiere, and the augmentations of Beau-

511
mont and La Durantaie, bounded on the north
east by the township of Armagh, in the rear by
Buckland, and on the south-west by Mont-a-
Peine ; tAvo leagues and a half in breadth, by
the same in depth ; Avas granted September
20th, 1750, to Sieurs Michel, Jean Hugues,
and Pean de Livaudiere. Only a very partial
settlement has yet taken place in this seigniory,
and the cultivation of it is very insignificant,
as the irregularity and mountainous nature of
its surface are both inimical to the exertions of
industry, although the soil itself is not bad,
being principally a light-coloured loam. It
abounds in timber of the best species, and is
watered by the Riviere du Sud, and some small
streams. The feAv inhabitants of this seigniory
obtain a living with difficulty; one of their
principal occupations during the spring is the
manufacture of maple-sugar, of Avhich they con
trive to send considerable quantities to market.
Berthier (the seigniory of), in the county
of Hertford, having the River St. Lawrence in
front, St. Vallier on the south-west, St. Thomas
on the north-east, and the Riviere du Sud
in the rear, is two leagues in front by as much
in depth ; Avas granted October 29th, 1672, to
Sieur Berthier ; it is noAV the property of —
Denechaud, Esq. This seigniory is bounded
on the map according to a private survey ; the

512
irregularity of it arises from a cession that the!
proprietor of it made to the Seignior of Riviere
du Sud, on the 22d January, 1728. A light
sandy earth, varied Avith a mixture of yellowish
loam, is the prevalent kind of soil ; it is fertile,
and highly productive of grain of all kinds ; the
largest proportion of the land is under culture,
and the general system of husbandry seems to
have obtained a great degree of improvement.
Many of the farms are in a flourishing con
dition, of which those on the Riviere du Sud,
and the bank of the St. LaAvrence, are perhaps
the best and most conspicuous. Along the
front the ground is rather low, but it gradually
rises to a small ridge about a mile from the
shore, from the summit of which a very in
teresting prospect unfolds itself; the river, be
tween eleven and twelve miles across, is beauti
fully varied by the groups of islands, lying off the
Avest end of Crane Island. The eastern end of
the island of Orleans, with all its rich diversity
of scenery, and the lofty mountains rising be
hind Cape Tourmente complete the distant
view ; the descent from the crest of the ridge
down to the shore is a continuation of well
cultivated fields, enriched Avith almost every
object that can make a landscape perfect;
these, Avith the addition of the church, and a
small cluster of houses charmingly seated al-

513
most close to the water's side, on the ed^e of a
little cove called Le Trou de Berthier, when
viewed from the main road, are Avell calcu
lated to give a stranger an exalted idea of the
picturesque beauty of the country. Another
chain of heights, somewhat more elevated than
the one just mentioned, rises between it and
the Riviere du Sud, on Avhich there is some
fine timber; in other parts of the seigniory
wood is not abundant. The Rivieres du Sud,
a la Caille, and Belle Chasse, provide an ample
and complete irrigation for every part. Near
the Riviere du Sud stands the church of St.
Franpois ; and a short distance from it a grist
mill, Avorked by a little rivulet floAving into the
river. Numerous good roads intersect every
part of the seigniory ; the main or post-road is
on the bank of the St. Lawrence.
St* Thomas (the seigniory of), in the county
of Devon, Avith its front to the St. Lawrence,
is bounded on the south-west by Berthier, on
the north-east by Founder, and in the rear by
L'Epinay, a league and a half in breadth by
four and a half in depth; was granted May
5th, 1646, to the Sieur de Montmagny. The
original dimensions of this seigniory have been
the subject of much litigation, and were at
length fixed by an order from the Court of
King's Bench of the province, according to
L L

514
the line of boundary traced upon the Topogra
phical Map, giving an average depth of about
a league and a half: it is now the property of
Monsr. Couillard. In proportion to its extent,
this is one of the most valuable possessions in
the Avhole province ; it lies generally Ioav, with
the exception of a small ridge or tAvo that sepa
rate the settlements on the St. Lawrence from
those on the Riviere du Sud. The soil is so
rich and highly productive, particularly in grain
of all species, as to obtain for it the distinguish
ing epithet of the granary of the LoAver District.
As may be supposed, no part of so good a soil
is neglected, and the whole is actually under a
state of cultivation not surpassed by any grant.
OAving to the great extent of agriculture, very
little timber remains. It is advantageously
Avatered by the Riviere du Sud, a large branch
of the same called Bras St. Nicholas, the Ri
viere a la Caille, and many rivulets. The first
mentioned is a beautifully Avinding stream that
has its source in the mountains, about the rear
of the seigniory of St. Gervais. Another prin
cipal branch of it descends from the heights
much further in the interior. From the con
fluence of this branch with the main stream in
the seigniory of St. Vallier, it meanders through
a fine plain in a north-easterly direction to the
village of St. Thomas, where it forms a large

515
basin before it discharges into the St. LaAv
rence; its course is much impeded by shoals,
and not naA-igable for any thing but canoes ; a
little below the village its breadth is one hun
dred and fifty yards; the level of its bed is
twenty feet above the St. Lawrence, which oc
casions a fall, that from the latter has a very
beautiful effect. On each side of it, just at the
break of the descent, are tAvo saw-mills, in situa
tions most advantageously chosen for ensuring
a continual supply of Avater. The basin is
spacious, and well sheltered ; at high water
vessels from tAventy to twenty-five tons may
run in for security against a gale, by taking
care to avoid a muddy flat at its entrance : the
channel, however, is not difficult. The branch
called Bras St. Nicholas has its source in the
high lands, in the rear of the seigniories of
Bonsecours and Islet, and Aoavs parallel to
the St. Lawrence, but in an opposite direction,
until it falls into Riviere du Sud, at the village
of St. Thomas. At its confluence, a handsome
bridge, called Prevost Bridge, Avas erected in
1812 by Jacques Morrin; it is one hundred
and twenty feet in length, eighteen in breadth,
and fifteen above the level of the water. Over
the Riviere du Sud there is a much handsomer
one, called the Regent's Bridge, built in 1813
by Franpois Frichette; this is three hundred
L l 2

516.
feet long, twenty in breadth, and fifteen above
the Avater's level. It is built of wood, and sup
ported by substantial neat stone piers ; on the
top there is a very handsome railing : the two
being nearly together, and almost at right
angles with each other, have a very light and
pretty appearance. In every part of the seig
niory, but particularly by the St. Lawrence,
and on each side of the Riviere du Sud, there
are many good houses in the midst of fertile
well stocked farms, surrounded by fine gardens
and good orchards, that convey an imposing
idea of the affluent circumstances of their
OAvners. Several excellent roads pass in dif
ferent directions through the seigniories, par
ticularly by the sides of the rivers. It contains
two churches, one in the village, dedicated to
St. Thomas, and another to St, Peter, on the
south side of Riviere du Sud. A small chapel,
called La Chapelle de St. Pierre, is seated on
an eminence, from whence a most agreeable
prospect of the St. Lawrence and the surround
ing country opens itself. On the different
streams there are tAvo grist-mills, and several
saAV-mills. The village of St. Thomas contains
about ninety houses, exclusive of store-houses
and granaries, with a population of five hundred
persons ; it is most delightfully situated at the
confluence of the two Rivers du Sud and St.

X

vx

k

517
Lawrence. The houses are nearly all built
of Avood, generally AvhiteAvashed, and disposed
into streets with something like regularity;
most of them have gardens and orchards at
tached, and in many instances form desirable
residences. There are several shop-keepers
and artizans, with some inns as they are called,
though they have no great claim to distinction
for the good accommodation they afford to
travellers. A few highly respectable families
have fixed their habitations here, and form
among themselves a select and pleasant so
ciety. L'Epinay (the seigniory of), in the county
of Devonj lies in the rear of St. Thomas, three
leagues in breadth, by a league and a half in
depth, on an average; it was granted April
7th, 1701, to Sieur de L'Epinay. The soil in
this seigniory is of good quality, being in some
places a yellowish loam, and in others a good
black earth; in front the surface is rather
irregular, and as it recedes towards the rear
becomes mountainous. The part adjoining
St. Thomas is thickly settled, and there culti
vation has made considerable advances; but
this portion is but of small dimensions, in
comparison to the whole extent of the seig
niory; The timber consists of maple, birch,
and beech in profusion, with some very good

518
pine, besides a great plenty of inferior sorts.
It is Avatered by a few small streams, that de
scend from the mountains, and flow into the
Riviere du Sud.
Fournier (fief), in the county of Devon,
fronting the St. Lawrence, is bounded on the
south-west by St. Thomas and L'Epinay, on
the north-east by Gagne and Ste. Claire, and
in the rear by waste lands of the croAvn ; thirty
arpens in breadth, by two leagues in depth;
granted November 3d, 1672, to Sieur Four
nier. Gagne' (fief) joins the north-east side of
Fournier, and bounded in the rear by Ste.
Claire ; ten arpens in front, by one league in
depth ; granted September 3d, 1675, to Sieur
Louis Gagne.
Cap St. Ignace (fief), next to Gagn6, is
half a league in front, by a league in depth ; it
is the property of Monsr. Vincelot. No docu
ment relating to this grant has been found
among the records lodged in the surveyor-
general's office.
Ste. Claire (fief), in the rear of Gagn6
and Cap St. Ignace, tAvo leagues in depth, by
nearly one league in breadth; was granted
March 17th, 1693, to R6ne Le Page. Of
these fiefs, the three first possess a tolerably
rich and productive soil, and are in a very,

519
good state of cultivation, particularly along
the bank of the St. Lawrence, where the sur
face is smooth and level, but the back part of
them is rugged and mountainous. In St. Ig
nace very little timber remains ; but Fournier
produces a great deal of all sorts. Excepting
Ste. Claire, they are all Avell Avatered by the
Bras St. Nicholas, and some rivulets that flow
into the St. Lawrence. Ste. Claire is still in its
natural state : the land is very uneven, but
moderately good; the timber in great variety
and superior quality.
Vincelot (the seigniory of) and its aug
mentation, in the county of Devon, is bounded
on the north-east by Bonsecours, on the south
west by Cap St. Ignace and Ste. Claire, and in
the rear by Avaste lands ; it is one league square,
and was granted November 3d, 1672, to the
widow Amiot. The augmentation is one league
in breadth by two in depth, and was granted
February 1, 1693, to Sieur de Vincelot. To
Avards the river the land is Ioav, the soil a light
sandy earth with clay or marl ; in the rear there
is a light-coloured loam as it approaches the
mountains; the greatest part is under culti
vation : it is rather bare of timber. The Bras
St. Nicholas and some small streams water it
very well. The front is indented by a large
bay, near to which is situated the church and

520
parsonage-house, and the telegraph station
No. 6. Several roads by the St. LaAvrence,
and on the side of the Bras, communicate
with the adjoining seigniories. The augmenta
tion is neither remarkable for the goodness of
its soil nor quality of the timber; it is moun
tainous, and wholly uncultivated.
Bonsecours (the seigniory of), in the
county of Devon, fronts the St. LaAvrence, and
is bounded on the north-east by Islet, on the
south-west by Vincelot and its augmentation,
and by Avaste lands in the rear ; one league
and a half in front by tAvo in depth ; Avas
granted July 1, 1677, to Sieur Franpois de Bell-
anger. This seigniory differs but little from
the preceding one, as far as respects the nature
of the soil, and timber growing thereon ; about
one half of it may be estimated under culti-
A'ation, and is very Avell inhabited ; the system
of agriculture is good, and well adapted to the
land, Avhich towards the river lies Ioav, Avith
the exception of a trifling ridge that runs nearly
from one side to the other, but in the rear it is
rough and mountainous. Some good timber,
particularly pine, is produced in the back
part of the grant. It is principally Avatered by
the Bras St. Nicholas, the other streams being
very insignificant.
Islet de St. Jean (the seigniory of), in

521
the county of Devon, is bounded by the river
in front, by Lessard in the rear, and lies be
tAveen Bonsecours and St. Jean Port Joli ; one
league in breadth by tAvo in depth; granted
May 17th, 1677, to Demoiselle Genevieve
Couillard. The front of this grant is Ioav, but
receding from the river towards the mountains
the land rises gradually ; the soil in general is
good, producing grain of all kinds ; in the rear
it is a light-coloured loam that continues up to
the high lands. About one-third of it may be
estimated to be under hand, and is pretty well
managed, as Avell as thickly inhabited. It is
Avatered by a continuation of the Bras St.
Nicholas, and several small runs of water.
Beech, birch, and maple, are the prevailing
kinds of timber, but there is likewise some pine
of very good groAvth. The church and parson
age are situated close to the St. Lawrence,
near a point of land, upon which is placed the
telegraph station No. 7- At high water this
point is completely isolated, from Avhich cir
cumstance it derives its name of Islet de St.
Jean. Lessard (the seigniory of) is situated in
the rear of Islet, and encompassed on three
sides by waste crown lands; it is one league
square, and was granted June 30th, 1698, to
Pierre Lessard. As this tract lies considerably

522
southward of the ridge of mountains, it is but
little known. It is very well clothed with
timber, but no attempt at cultivation has yet
been made.
St. Jean Port Joli (the seigniory of), in
the county of Devon, with its front to. the St
Lawrence, bounded on the north-east by
Reaume, on the south-west by Islet, and in the
rear by waste crown lands ; tAvo leagues and a
half in breadth by as much in depth ; granted
May 25th, 1677, to Noel L'Anglois : it is now
the property of  Gaspe, Esq. In front
the land is somewhat low, but the uniformity
of it is varied by a trifling ridge, and a feAV
rising grounds : drawing towards the rear it is
mountainous and rugged. The soil is a mix
ture of light sandy earth and clay; about the
high lands it is poor and indifferent. About
one-third of the tract, however, is in a moderate
state of cultivation ; and the settlements, gene
rally speaking, have been brought, by industry,
into a very respectable condition. Beech,
birch, maple, and pine timber are in great
plenty, as Avell as most of the inferior species.
The Riviere des Trois Saumons, and River
Port Joli, have their sources in the mountains
at the back of the seigniory, and descending in
a westerly direction, Avater it very well : there
are a feAv other streams of inconsiderable note.

¦^

*

^

sX

vv

v

523
The church and parsonage-house are situated
close to the St. LaAvrence, by which the main
road passes ; there are also several other roads
to the adjacent grants on each side. At the
mouth of Riviere des Trois Saumons the va
luable mills and distillery belonging to Mr.
HarroAver are very eligibly placed : the latter
is an establishment of considerable magnitude,
with every convenience for carrying on an ex
tensive business ; at high Avater decked vessels
of twenty tons may come up to the premises.
Over the river there is a good bridge. The
beach at the discharge of Riviere des Trois
Saumons is flat, and thickly covered by de
tached rocks that run a good way out. From
the St. Lawrence the view of the mills and
surrounding objects, heightened by the pleasing
natural scenery of the environs, is very agree
able. Reaume (fief) is a small strip of land, be
tween St. Jean Port Joli and St. Roch des
Annais, half a league broad by two leagues
deep; Avas granted March 16th, 1677, to De
moiselle de la Combe. In this property the
same species of soil and timber are found as
in St. Jean Port Joli ; about one-third of it is
well cultivated and thickly inhabited: A few
trifling rivulets supply a very scanty irrigation.

524
The main road crosses it, besides Avhich there
are some concession roads.
St. Roch des Annais (the seigniory of),
in the county of Devon, is bounded in front
by the River St. Lawrence, on the north-east
by Ste. Anne, on the south-west by Reaume,
and in the rear by the unsurveyed township of
Ashford; three leagues in breadth by tAvo in
depth ; granted April 1, 1656, to Nicholas Ju-
chereau de St. Denis : it is now the property
of Chevalier Duchesnaye, Esq. In the vicinity
of the river the land is low, and intersected by
some broken ridges of no great elevation, but
about the rear boundaries the mountains form
a close chain of considerable height. Near
the front the soil is excellent, consisting of a
fine light earth, Avith a good deal of marl in
various parts : on the higher lands a yellow
loam is prevalent. One-third of the seigniory
is in cultivation, and exhibits every appearance
of fertility and good management, especially
near the St. LaAvrence. On the land under
culture very little timber is left, but the
other parts are Avell stocked Avith the best
kinds, and among them some pine of a valua
ble size. Several small rivers and other streams
water it very well, and also work two or three
mills. The church and parsonage-house, with.

525
a small group "of other dwellings surrounding
them, stand on a pleasant site close to the Point
of St. Roch, from Avhence stretch the extensive
shoals, that, by greatly narrowing the deepAvater
Channel, form the traverse mentioned in a
former part of this Avork for the difficulty of its
navigation. A little Avestward of the church
is the telegraph station No. 8. Many roads
branch off in almost every direction through
the seigniory, but the one passing close to the
river is the main post road : they are kept in
good order, as well as the different bridges.
Ste. Anne, or La Pocadiere (the seig
niory of), in the county of Cornwallis, lies
between St. Roch des Annais and the seig
niory of River Ouelle, Avith its front to the St.
Lawrence, and bounded in the rear by the un
surveyed township oflxAvorth; one league and
a half in breadth by as much in depth ; Avas
granted October 29th, 1672, to Demoiselle de
la Combe : it is now the property of Monsr.
Schmidt. So great a similarity reigns through
several grants hereabouts, that a description of
one may almost serve for the whole : the soil
in this one is very fertile, and produces grain
of all sorts ; most of the concessions are under
a good system of agricultural management,
and thickly inhabited : the land approaching
the mountains is of good quality, but none of

526
it under tillage. Among a variety of fine
timber, abundance of capital pine is produced :
it is watered by Le Grand Ruisseau, and seve
ral other streams that turn both grist and saw
mills. It contains a church that is surrounded
by several houses, very pleasantly situated on
the bank of the river. Besides the main road,
there are some others branching off in different
directions into the seigniories of Riviere Ouelle
and St. Roch, all of which are in good order.
Riviere Ouelle (the seigniory of), and
its augmentation, in the county of Cornwallis,
is bounded on the south-west by Ste. Anne,
on the north-east by St. Denis, in front by
the St. Lawrence, and on the rear by the un
surveyed township of Ixworth; tAvo leagues
in breadth by one and a half in depth ; was
granted October 29th, 1672, to Sieur de la
Boutellerie. The augmentation, two leagues
in front by two in depth, was granted Octo
ber 20th, 1750, to Dame Genevieve de Ram
zay, veuve de Sieur de Bois Hebert : they are
now the property of  Casgrin, Esq.
This is a very valuable and productive tract
of country, the greater part of it being a plain,
of which the soil is both rich and fertile, being
a fine dark mould, interspersed Avith clay and
good marl : the equality of surface is here and
there varied by a few small sAvells and perpen-

527
dicular rocks of granite, covered at top with
creeping shrubbery. The greater part of the
land bespeaks a superior state of husbandry;
the arable yields grain of all sorts in abun
dance, and of a quality scarcely surpassed by
any other seigniory in the province : the mea
dow and pasture lands are very luxuriant, and
the produce of the dairies forms no inconsi
derable portion of the farmer's wealth. The
farm-houses and other dwellings are generally
accompanied by well stocked gardens and good
orchards, their inhabitants enjoying, from all
appearance, every comfort that industry can
procure among a people Avholly cultivators.
Although the lands in occupation are generally
good, yet a little superiority is perceptible
among those on each side of River Ouelle,
on the plain stretching north-eastward from
thence, and on the main road in the vicinity
of the St. LaAvrence. In the front part of the
seigniory there is but little timber ; in the rear,
hoAvever, there is a profuse variety of the best
kinds. It is admirably Avatered by the River
Ouelle, many small streams, and the Lake St.
Pierre. The source of the former is in the
north-east range of mountains, from whence it
winds a serpentine course down to the St.
Lawrence: it feels the effect of the tide for
some distance up, and is so far navigable for

528
Aressels of tAventy-five tons burthen, many
of which are constantly employed in trans
porting to Quebec the produce of this ex
cellent tract, consisting of grain, butter, poul
try, live-stock, and a coarse species of Avoollen
cloth manufactured here. Where the post-
road arrives at this river there is a ferry, with
scows and canoes always in attendance. In
so populous a seigniory it is strange that a
bridge has not been built; the want of one has,
however, been so much felt, that such a measure
is said to be in contemplation. A handsome
church and parsonage stand on the eastern
bank of Riviere Ouelle, by the side of the main
road, and almost opposite is the manor-house :
at the mouth of the river is the telegraph sta
tion No. 9- In the St. LaAvrence, about the
entrance of River Ouelle, a porpoise fishery is
carried on ; but, either from less attention
being paid to it, or the fish not frequenting the
spot so much as formerly, it is not noAv so pro
ductive as it used to be.
St. Denis (fief), in the county of Cornwall
lis, lies betAveen- River Ouelle (seigniory) and
Camouraska, and is bounded in the rear by
the unsurveyed township of Woodbridge; it
has about a league in breadth by four in
depth ; granted May 12th, 1679, to Sieur de
St. Denis, for, and in the name of, Joseph Ju-

529
chereau, his son. The soil in this fief is not
much inferior to that of the preceding seig
niory, but its surface is more overspread by
small detached ridges; it is crossed by the
high chain of mountains near the middle of its
depth. About a quarter of the grant is under
culture, and produces good Avheat and other
grain. The timber is excellent and plentiful,
among which there is pine of a fine growth.
Part of Lake St. Peter and a few small streams
are the only means of irrigation. The best
cultivated lands are by the sides of the roads
that cross the seigniory. On a rising ground,
close by a little inlet called St. Denis Cove, is
the telegraph station No. 10.
Cam our ask a (the seigniory of), on the
south bank of the St. Lawrence, in the county
of CornAvallis, is bounded by St. Denis on the
south-west, Granville on the north-east, and
the unsurveyed toAvnship of Woodbridge in the
rear ; three leagues in breadth by two in depth ;
Avas granted July 15th, 1674, to Sieur de la
Durantaie : it is now the property of 
Tache, Esq. This is another of the very va
luable and productive seigniories of the Lower
District. In the vicinity of the river the land
is rather low, and forms an extensive plain,
here and there marked by a few singular hil
locks, or rather rocks, covered about the top
m u

530
by a few dwarf pines and low underwoods The
soil is excellent, being either a rich black mould,
a yellow loam, or a mixture of clay and sand :
towards the rear it loses some of its goodness
and fertility, as it becomes mountainous- —
About one half of the grant is under cultiva
tion, and agriculture has made great progress
in a very productive system : wheat and all
kinds of grain seldom fail of abundant harvests;
but these are not the only dependence of the
farmer, as there are within the seigniory some
of the best dairies in the province, from Avhence
large quantities of excellent butter are conti
nually sent to Quebec, where it is more esteemed
than any other kind brought to the market. Ex
cept the mountainous parts, where fine beech,
birch, maple, basswood, and pine, are produced,
there is not much timber to be found. It is
Avatered by the Riviere du Domaine, which in
its course works a grist and a saAv-mill, and by
a variety of other small streams falling into the
St. Lawrence. Several roads leading into the
adjoining grants, and many others, open a com
munication Avith the different concessions : on
both sides of them there are many farm-houses,
situated in the midst of fields of most luxuriant
fertility, that from spring to autumn present all
the beautiful variety of an interesting country-
The church and parsonage are pleasantly seated

531
on the main road, near the St. LaAvrence ; close
to the former, and running south-Avest on each
side of the road, is the village of Camouraska,
consisting of forty or fifty houses, the greater
part of them built of Avood; but there are some
feAv of stone, in a much superior style to the
others : some families of great respectability
have fixed their residence here, also some very
reputable shopkeepers and artisans ; it can
likewise boast of one or two inns, Avhere tra
vellers may be comfortably lodged and well
entertained. During the summer time this
village is enlivened by numerous visitants, who
come hither to recruit their health, as it has the
reputation of being one of the healthiest spots
in all the LoAver Province ; it is also the water
ing-place, Avhere many people resort for the
benefit of sea-bathing. The manor-house,
which is the residence of M. Tach6, is eligibly
situated near the river, at a short distance from
the village. The islands of Camouraska, in
front of the grant, are appendages thereto:
being almost bare rocks, they are scarcely of
any value, but they are of great utility as af
fording a safe shelter to small vessels, of which
great numbers are always passing to and from
the numerous coves hereabouts; on one of
them, called Isle Brulee, stands a telegraph.
m m 2

532
The Camouraska schooners are Avell known at
Quebec for the large quantities of provisions they
areladen Avith, such as grain, live-stock, poultry,
butter, maple-sugar, &c, besides considerable
freights of deal planks and other timber. The
general aspect of the country in this part of the
districtof Quebec will ahvays attract the notice
of attentive observers. From the bank of the
river, which is not much elevated, a plain that,
generally speaking, is very level, stretches almost
to the foot of the north-east range of mountains :
the even surface of this tract is, in various
parts, singularly embossed Avith abrupt masses
of solid rocks of granite, destitute of any thing
like a covering of soil. From the crevices in
them spring a feAv dAvarf pine-trees, rising a
little above a thick foliage of creeping shrub
bery, issuing from the same places, and spread
ing over nearly their Avhole summits : in cir
cumference, some of them cover from three to
perhaps half a dozen acres, and vary from
twenty to about thirty yards of perpendicular
height. From the position, appearance, and
exact resemblance of these terra firma islands
to those of Camouraska, between which and
the shore the bed of the river is almost dry at
low water, a naturalist Avill be strongly excited
to believe that what is noAV the continent was,

533
at some period or other, submerged beneath
the Avide-spreading Avave of the St. LaAvrence,
and that the elevations in question formed
islands, or rocks, exposed to the action of the
waters. The progressive diminution of the
river, and its withdrawing into the compara
tive narrow channel that it noAV occupies,
Avould become an interesting subject for the
researches of the geologist; but as it does not
fall Avithin the province of the topographer, the
enquiry may be dispensed Avith here.
Granville (the seigniory of) is bounded
by Camouraska on the south-Avest, Islet du
Portage on the north-east, the St. Lawrence in
the front, and the unsurveyed toAvnship of
Bungay in the rear ; one league in breadth by
three in depth ; granted October 5th, 1707,
to Marie Anne de Granville, widoAV of Sieur de
Soulange. Islet du Portage (the seigniory of) lies
between those of Granville and Lachenaye,
bounded in the rear by Avaste crown lands;
one league in front along the river, and one in
depth; granted October 29th, 1672, to Sieur
de Granville.
Granville and Lachenaye (the seig
niory of), in the county of CornAvallis, having
its front to the river, is bounded on the south-

534
west by Islet du Portage and the unsurveyed
lands of Bungay, on the north-east by the seig
niory of Riviere du Loup, and in the rear by
Bungay and Avaste lands; tAvo leagues in
breadth by three in depth; granted June 2d,
1696, to Sieurs de Granville and Lachenaye.
In these three seigniories there are some very
fertile patches of land, but as the north-easterly
chain of mountains draws closer upon the river,
a great part of them is very mountainous ; a
small portion of each has been cultivated, but
none of it is at present in a very flourishing
condition. The best farms, however, in each
grant, are found near the main road that passes
close to the river. Timber is sufficiently plen
tiful, and some of it of the best kinds. They
are but sparingly Avatered by a few small
streams that descend into tbe St. Lawrence.
In Granville there is a grist-mill. Islet has a
church dedicated to St. Andrew ; but Gran
ville and Lachenaye possesses nothing at all
worth notice : there are indeed ranges of con
cessions marked out, and bearing the names of
St. Andre, Bouchetteville, Marie Louise Ade-
laidea Ste. Rachel, and St. Theodore ; of these
St. Andre only is in a good condition; in the
others the ground has scarcely been broken.
A grist-mill is seated on the Riviere des Caps,

535
at its junction with the little stream called
Fouquet. The four islands called the Pilgrims
lie about a mile and a half off the front of the
seigniory, stretching nearly its Avhole breadth;
they are only piles of rock covered with low
brushwood and a feAv small trees : the westerly
one is the station of the telegraph No. 12.
Riviere du Loup (the seigniory of), in the
county of Cornwallis, fronts the Saint Lawrence,
joining Granville and Lachenaye on the south
west, and the seigniory of Isle Verte on the
north-east : in the rear it is bounded by waste
crown lands. It has nearly five leagues in
breadth by two in depth ; granted April 5th,
l689» to the Sieurs Villerai and Lachenaye:
Alexander Fraser, Esq. is the proprietor. The
general appeara nc of this seigniory is uneven
and mountainous, but it contains some exten
sive patches of good arable and very fine
meadoAV land ; these are divided into several
ranges of concessions, bearing the names of St.
Andre Riviere du Loup, St. Patrick Riviere
du Loup, Fraserville, Nouvelle Ecosse, St."
George, or Cacona, St. Anthony, St. Andrew,
and St. Jacques : the first, a great part of the
second, and a little of the third, are in a very
good state of cultivation and well inhabited.
The whole seigniory is abundantly timbered

536
Avith beech, maple, birch, and large quantities
of pine. It is watered by several streams, bjit
the principal one is Riviere du Loup, which
rises in the high lands, and flowrs in nearly a
northerly course into the St. LaAvrence; on
both sides of it the banks are high, uritil^ap-
proaching within about three quarters of a mile
of its discharge, Avhere they become Ioav and
flat : vessels of tAventy-five tons may ascend it as
high as the bridge, a little more than half a
mile from its mouth. Fraser Lodge, the re
sidence of the OAvner of the seigniory, is situated
on the north side of the entrance of the
river. The main road passes close to the
River St. LaAvrence, except near the church
of St. Patrick, Avhere it makes a detour by a
rising ground, up to the bridge oATer Riviere
du Loup, and afterwards descends again to
the bank of the St. Lawrence, and so continues
through the remainder of the grant. By the
side of this road there are many ranges of well
cultivated fields, that yield abundant crops of
all kinds of grain ; numerous farm-houses, with
large and substantial outbuildings, besides a
great many dwelling-houses. Through the
whole of this extensive property there is but
one church ; however, in the concession of St.
George, near Cacona, there is a chapel for

XABIE of DISTANCES
pvm
HALIFAX,
to the

1S.W. -Angle of the
Lake of the "Woods.

l[MT.OmU (yf Huy
lake of Hie Woods
Heiqltr of' land I Zj3
Irrdiui I'oHiiy

Jails ofS!~3faJvs
(hnltetvibiiTyJi; 4 on
Fort line 240^,6412.

3ov

34s

q4&

3i3

7±

fa 9

188V161

TABLE if DISTANCES
f from
QFEBEC to HALIFAX
b,,
a* s^Josir,
JSV"w lix-ini s wide .

Tluse Tables <j/-'J)istaiiees are Calculated in
Statute JJilcs, in some parts Croat (Ictnal ' Sunwif.r
aCMoaxlv £t- ather.slrom tieomctticaJ Sttwetfs and

Intraiut
Timiseouata lorfa/u

Que
litfriiw

bee ¦!.y,

S . Ihoma.s

;>

¦"'i'l

1'tricre Oucflc

4j

•'?

yy:'

motrra.-ka

Jyy

¦ y,

e/'t

f ot ,

Ul.

x;;

Mel,,lri of]
X.W Ang*le of the ,, , „ ,
T l_ rS -v«7- 3 brand J'orta./r
Ifciifce o± the Woods. '

illui

•>-3 /

Jicrilner

¦:3~;

40 3i3

nR. sfjojix, ,tr,
a 1 nomas

.9

¦"'i'l

Ttilli of 3. Jfart/s

3 00 3.40 t>j 4

JNW lira., s wirk . JW.v^r <W/7<.

¦a

¦ >?

77 '
yy] io3.

Chnhft-stbl.
Fort .Em'

rail

./r.'a j.'Sj /U

7V/^r Tables „/-' Distaiu-os *//v- Calculated m Initio tiraclo
Statute Jlilcs, in static parts from (letutil Sarec/fs hntrame of 1
ot'lioads .ie others from Ceomctrical Surveits and Imasvoaata Vorhoje | <*
otluts attain worn Reputed distances tolerably hori/js j ./- j y/>~~
11)
3i%
1 ¦ ^
<•>>
240 •'.04-2 , 448
488
¦ 7''>
AV i
V ; /
zi34iL-]4i44-j
o-'i ,
i^t^t
hiTuj.rtoir
i3o
1S6
72 c' tfaS
" '/y *"<"'" ¦ . Entrance 0/
From Into 'stan to the lake ot tin- Hoods hi/ Mater H r Jladanas&a
/3
32
7L 76_
03
124
ic3',
i33',
161 '¦¦
166° __ j
iny \
2,j y
— . i
?2<f.
Montreal
-<.".?
34£)
383
Si}.1?
- - „Jr . .-
 )-- 7
i43zj834
i333\i3j3ib46 i32.3i.S3tf 826
CommimiciUion klortaaes the distances arc talvtt Settlement
on flic jTrarert fnt/rre across the Tahev Unite hirrJiR. _
28
33
20
-'7
iii:l \l3l'%
111 i 104%
14c '}
j63i
1 0 8'j
Quel>ee
180
^
6zq
Tlw. Distance Croat Jork fa the Kills oCSfMara's lad/an Mlhuje
23
a
3883
lio
io3
120
Halifax
Szy
8o7
Z<?C<5
1166
2140
21802453
by 1 alec Uric is .jott Aides 1 i>r
It if liihe SuncctX llahliedash Piatt is. y\-j
->3
/36J,
l74'\
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t3
40
33
68
l3o
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101 4
**r,
DISTANCES Mont j
...a
Tohtquc I
WL
28
43
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J>1
06
111
146
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'73-'
22-!%
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'hom QUEBEC h, m /!«<««•
4<^
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? 1
32
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120
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MONTREAL Hirers
5o
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124
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24
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116
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144
104
i83
Zc,6 222
2l3
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284%
3t4i
i ¦
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litis
28
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lie
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166
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233%
2()6i
3o3%
Dcschambt
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26
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3 4
3o 8c
'1-
104
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128
i36
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i$4
zog
246
263
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;
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382
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56
86
108
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188 211
q38, T73''. '/
3-ji V
312
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434 '-
374
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412%
437i
463'i
480 c
336% $4(41
3^2.
6oii
(
537
those to Avhom distance denies a regular at
tendance at the former. Cacona is almost an
island, being separated from the main land by
a salt marsh, that in the spring always presents a
luxuriant pasturage : on the point of Cacona
there are several inhabitants. About four
miles and three quarters eastAvard of the Riviere
des Caps is the commencement of the Timis-
couata portage, Avhich, as being the only route
by land from Quebec to Halifax, a distance of
six hundred and tAventy-seven miles altogether,
is of great importance, and a particular de
scription of it therefore Avill perhaps be accept
able. It Avas first opened in the year 1783,
by General Haldimand, then Governor, but
was at that time considered by many as so
intricate, and to present so many difficulties,
as to make it impracticable to establish a regu
lar road by it; perseverance, however, Avith
the few attentions it has received from time to
time, have clearly sheAvn the contrary ; and it
is at this time a route (susceptible indeed of
very great improvement) by which the com
munication may be kept up all the year round :
the British mail is ahvays conveyed by it,
Avhen landed from the packet at Halifax. From
the main road of the St. Lawrence, where the
portage road branches off, to Long's Farm on

538
the bank of Lake Timiscouata, the distance is
thirty-seven miles : the direction of the road is
generally to the eastAvard, but it has numerous
turns and Avindings to avoid ascending several
very lofty and rugged hills, or crossing detep
swamps; as it is, about twenty-four miles of
the distance is over a succession of mountains,
many of them rough and very steep. Hoav-
ever, none of the formidable impediments exist
that Avere formerly considered so insurmount
able ; and indeed a little exertion, Avith an ex
pense not veiy considerable, Avould render this
road as 2*ood and convenient for travelling-
**¦> o
as can be reasonably expected in a Avild and
unsettled country. From the bank of the St.
LaAvrence, up to Cote's Ferry, on the Riviere
du Loup, a distance of about five miles, the
road is as good as can be desired, and by which
carriages of burthen may proceed to the ferry,
or to Ballentine's Mills, a little to the left : the
remainder of the way to Lake Timiscouata has
been much improved by corvees of several hun
dreds of militia men, Avho were employed in
mending it in the year 1813, under the super
intendence of the Grand Voyer, Captain Des-
timauville. In many parts where the bottom
Avas unsound and SAvampy, causeAvays Avere
formed with logs. Though much has been

539
done, more is yet Avanting to complete the
Avork; cutting trenches on each side of the
road would be serviceable in draining off the
Avater, and rendering the base of it more solid.
Bridges should be erected over the different
streams, instead of the inconvenient make-shift
noAv resorted to, of placing three logs across
them ; a contrivance very aAvkward and unsafe
for a horse to pass, and much too narroAv for a
cart. In a i'ew years these defects will un
questionably be remedied, as the government
is desirous of keeping open this line of com
munication, and rendering it as commodious
as circumstances will permit: and in conse
quence of orders given for that purpose, se
veral soldiers of the 10th Royal Veteran Batta
lion, Avith their families, Avere settled in 1814
upon lands allotted to them at convenient in
tervals, under the personal direction of the
Surveyor-General of the province. These few
settlers are not, hoAvever, sufficient wholly to
ansAver the intended purpose, and most proba
bly others Avill hereafter be placed on proper
places, of Avhich many may be found, where
there are large portions of good land, and some
extensive brulis, that might very speedily be
brought into a state of moderate fertility : at
present there are only a feAv sheds at different

540
intervals, where travellers may pass the night
under shelter from the weather; but as they
are uninhabited, nothing further is to bes ex
pected from them. Tavo of the veteran soldiers
{Clifford and Gardner) Avho are settled on the
River St. Francois, about midway along the
portage, have got good and comfortable cot
tages, the accommodations of Avhich they are
always ready to afford to passengers, and it
rarely happens that any one goes by who is
not eager to accept them. The principal
jnountains over Avhich the road runs are the
St. Francois, Cote de la Grande Fourche, Jean
Paradis, La Montagne de la Riviere Verte, and
du Buard; the rivers are Du Loup, Riviere
Verte, and Trois Pistoles, that Aoav into the St.
Lawrence, and the Riviere St. Francois, that
falls into River St. John. At Long's Farm the
traveller cannot fail to be pleased with a beau
tiful and picturesque prospect of LakeTimiscou-
(ata, tAventy-two miles in length by the average
breadth of three quarters of a mile, encompassed
in all directions by lofty mountains covered with
thick wood almost down to its margin : several
large rivers lend the aid of their powerful
streams to swell the Avaters of this romantic and
secluded expanse. In this spot, so far removed
from the habitations of man and the pleasures

, ./

(

'—/#/tr\'/&/?/jr0//ff/ff'.ff///rr.r/fiw
y y' /

yvr

X1 V

^

rN

&

.V

x^

\

5:

5

^

^

541
of society, the farm, though but an humble one,
becomes an object of considerable interest; it
consists only of a cottage, a barn, and two or
three small out-houses, surrounded by a few
cultivated fields and a garden. In summer
time the scenery around it is various, and un
commonly pleasing, but it can hardly compen
sate for the dreary solitude of Avinter. Long,
the proprietor of it, has a large family : himself
and his sons are the ferrymen of the lake, and
have always bark canoes ready to take pas
sengers from one side to the other. From this
place to the entrance of the Madawaska river
the distance is fifteen miles; and five miles
further on is Birch river, where there are tAvo
Other settlers of the Veteran Battalion (Serjeant
Smith and Simpson) : tAventy-three miles be
yond this place are the little falls of St. John.
There is a house kept by Simon Hebert, about
a mile below these falls, on the Avesterly side
Of the river, where something like the accom
modations of an inn may be obtained ; and if
they are not of the best description, the tra
veller is in general too pleased, in availing
himself of them, to descant upon their defi
ciencies. At this place the MadaAvaska set
tlement begins, and continues by intervals on
each side of the River St. John for about

542
tAventy-five miles; it consists of about two
hundred families of Canadians and Acadians.
The cottages are for the most part neatly built,
and both fields and gardens well cultivated:
on the eastern side of the river, at the beginning
of the settlement, there is a church and parson
age-house ; there are also two grist-mills in it.
From the termination of this little colony to
the Great Falls of River St. John the distance
is fifteen miles, where there is a military post,
or more properly speaking a few old houses
occupied by a non-commissioned officer and a
few privates, detached from some of the corps
serving within the province of NeAV BrunsAvick :
from this post doAvn to Presqu'ile is fifty-two
miles, Avhere a similar establishment is kept.
From Long's House to Presqu'ile the total
distance is one hundred and thirty-five miles, of
which there can be said to be only thirty-five
of road already made. To keep the commu
nication free and convenient throughout the
year, it will therefore be necessary to form
about one hundred miles more, but of this
distance the length of the Madawaska settle
ment may be considered as nearly done already.
This task, arduous as it may at first appear,
would not be very difficult to complete,
and might be pesformed on the west side of

543
the St. John and Madawaska rivers, following
nearly the route taken by the 8th and 104th
regiments, that, in the winter of 1813-14,
marched from Presqu'ile to Long's, round Lake
Timiscouata in nine days. From Presqu'ile
to St. John's in the Bay of Fundy, one hun
dred and thirty-six miles, the roads are tolera
bly good on both sides of the river. During
the summer season the water communication
from Lake Timiscouata to St John's is easy,
being interrupted only by the Little and Great
Falls : at the former there is a portage of about
sixty yards, and at the latter another of about
a quarter of a mile. From St. John's, the
packet-boat crosses the Bay of Fundy to An
napolis ; from thence doAvn to Halifax (one
hundred and thirty-three miles) the road is very
good, along Avhich travellers may ahvays obtain
moderately good accommodation.
Isle Verte (the seigniory of), in the
county of Cornwallis, is bounded in front by
the River St. Lawrence, on the south-Avest by
Riviere du Loup (seigniory), on the north-east
by Dartigny, and in the rear by Avaste lands ;
two leagues in breadth by tAvo in depth;
granted April 27th, 1684, to Sieurs Dartigny
and La Cardoniere.
Dartigny (the seigniory of) joins the north
east side of Isle Verte (seigniory) ; is two leagues

544
broad and two deep : no record of this grant
has been found, even the date of the concession
is unknoAvn. Trois Pistoles (the seigniory of), in the
county of Cornwallis, is bounded by Dartigny
on the south-west, on the north-east by Richard
Rioux, and in the rear by waste lands; two
leagues in breadth by two in depth; granted
January 6th, 1687, to Sieur de Vitre.
Richard Rioux, now a part of Trois Pis
toles, is an extensive grant, fronting the St.
Lawrence, and nearly encompassed on the
other sides by waste lands ; it is six leagues in
length by four in breadth ; granted April 6th,
1751, to Sieur Nicholas Rioux. From the seig
niory of Riviere du Loup, along the banks of the
St. Lawrence eastward, agriculture has kept
but a very unequal pace with the other parts of
the district, and the land under cultivation is
insignificant in quantity ; in many places it is
very good, but situation and climate are both
unfavourable to tillage : little therefore remains
to be said of the feAv remaining settlements in
the lower part of the district of Quebec. The
four seigniories just recited are nearly through-
Out their whole extent mountainous and rugged;
the great north-easterly ridge ranges so close to
the river as to leave only a narroAv slip between
it and the shore. This space possesses a mo-

545
derately good soil, upon which there are a few
settlements under a 'respectable state of hus
bandry ; there are also several patches of good
land more in the interior, lying in the hollows
betAveen the ridges. Close by the river side
there is a very good road extending as far as
Bic, and indeed to some distance below it.
Isle Verte is much better settled, and in pro-*
portion to its extent far more productive than
either of the others. It is watered by Riviere
Verte, which has its source in the mountains
south of Timiscouata portage, and flows in a
northerly direction into the St. LaAvrence; it
has a ferry over it at the main road. Isle Verte,
or Green Island, lying off the front of this seig
niory, is six miles and a half in length by
the extreme breadth of one mile: the soil on
this spot is good, and yields fine pasturage for
a large quantity of cattle ; there is also some
pretty good timber upon it. The light-house
on the north-east point has been already no
ticed; the keeper of it, Mr. Hamilton, with
his family, and one other family, are the only
inhabitants. The island is an appendage to the
Riviere du Loup, and belongs to the same pro
prietor. Dartigny and Richard Rioux are very
scantily watered, but very Avell covered with
timber of various species, and very good
growth. Trois Pistoles is intersected by a
N N

546
large river of the same name, whose current is
supplied from several small lakes among the
mountains that surround the end of Lake Ti
miscouata. Timber of all sorts may be had
here in great abundance.
Bic (the seigniory of), in the county of
Cornwallis, next beloAv Richard Rioux, has
two leagues in breadth upon the St. Lawrence,
and two in depth ; was granted May 6th, 1675,
to Monsr. de Vitre, together Avith the Island of
Bic, lying in front of it, nearly three miles in
length by three quarters of a mile in breadth.
Rimouski (the seigniory of) joins Bic; it
has two leagues in front along the river, and
tAvo in depth; granted April 24th, 1688, to
Sieur de la Cardoniere. The island St. Bar-
nabe, lying off this seigniory, is also included
in the grant.
St. Barnabe' (the seigniory of) extends
from the north-east boundary of Rimouski,
doAvn to and comprising Pointe aux Peres,
about a league and a quarter in breadth by
two leagues in depth ; granted March 11th,
1751, to Sieur Le Page de St. Barnabe.
Lessard (the seigniory of) is next in suc
cession to St. Barnab6, containing a league
and a half along the St. Lawrence, by two
leagues in depth ; was granted March 8th,
1696, to Pierre Lessard.

547
Le Page (the seigniory of) folloAvs Lessard ;
it is about three leagues in front by one in
depth ; granted November 4th, 1696, to Sieurs
Louis Le Page and Gabriel Tibierge. An
augmentation to it of two leagues in depth was
granted to the same persons, May 7th, 1697.
Pachot (the seigniory of), lying next to Le
Page, consists of the River Metis, from its dis
charge into the St. Lawrence for one league
upwards, and a tract of land along the St.
LaAvrence, of one league in breadth by one
league in depth ; granted January 7th, 1689,
to Sieur Pachot.
De Peiras or Metis (the seigniory of)
follows Pachot, and contains tAvo leagues in
front along the river by two in depth ; granted
May 6th, 1675, to the Sieur de Peiras. The
general surface of these seigniories is moun
tainous, and broken along the front, affording
but little good soil for the purposes of agricul
ture. In the interior, and by the sides of the
rivers that water them, a feAv patches of tolera
ble land, Avith some meadows and pastures,
present themselves. In Bic, Rimouski, and St.
Barnabe, there are some settlements in as fa
vourable a condition as the soil and climate
will admit of; but in the others only a few
scattered farms are now and then visible. The
timber is abundant, and of very good quality
N N 2

548
in all of them. An indifferent road leads from
a little below Bic doAvn to Pointe aux
Peres, Avhere there is a little settlement consist
ing of a feAv houses, that are inhabited by
pilots, surrounded by some cultivated fields
and gardens. In the river, near these seig
niories, there are one or tAvo banks, Avhere fish
ing might be very profitably carried on, as they
abound Avith fine ling, cod, salmon, and other
fish. Crane Island, and Goose Island, were
originally appendages to the seigniory of Ri
viere du Sud, being granted Avith it on the 5th
May, 1646 ; but they have since been dismem
bered from it, and are now the property of Mr.
MTherson. They are connected with each
other by a marsh, and altogether make four
leagues in length : they are inhabited by about
forty families, and Avell cultivated, producing
wheat much beyond their own consumption.
The marshes are peculiar for the abundance
of fine hay they produce, and their pastures,
which are sufficient for three thousand head of
cattle. Lac Metis (the seigniory of) consists of
the lake, and one league of land surrounding
it on every side ; was granted February 10th,
1693, to Sieur Louis Rouer.
Lake Matapediach (the seigniory of) is
a grant of the preceding description, made

549
May 26th, 1693, to Sieur Nicholas Joseph
Damour. Neither the lakes nor the surrounding
land have been yet surveyed; consequently,
no correct account of them has been yet ob
tained. Cote de Beaupre' (the seigniory of), on
the north side of the river, in the county of
Northumberland, joins the seigniory of Beau
port on the south-Avest, and reaches to the Ri
viere du Gouffre on the north-east, a distance
of sixteen leagues by a depth of six leagues ;
was granted January 15th, 1636, to Sieur
Cheffault de la Regnardiere, and is now the
property of the ecclesiastics of the Seminary
of Quebec. This very extensive seigniory is
more mountainous than any other in the pro
vince, yet it contains a large proportion of rich
and fertile land. The nature of the soil varies
a great deal, as may be readily conjectured, in
so vast a space ; but the general character of
such as is fit for cultivation is nearly the fol
lowing, viz. on the , Ioav grounds along the
front of the seigniory, from Beauport to Cape
Tourmente, is a dark-coloured mould of good
quality, here and there mixed with sand and
clay, and some marl ; on the higher lands there
is for the most part a strong black, earth,
which, as it approaches the mountains, gives
place to a yellowish loam. Among the timber,

550
beech, maple, birch, pine, hickory, and bass-
Avood, are very abundant, as also the inferior
species of cedar, sprucefir, hemlock, &c.
From the north-eastern extremity of the seig
niory of Beauport to Cape Tourmente, a dis-
stance of rather more than tAventy-two miles,
there is a strip of land ranging in breadth from
half a mile to a mile, and bounded to the
northward by an eminence of considerable ele
vation : the part of this space not under tillage
is very excellent meadoAV land : the outer mar
gin of the whole of it, at low water, is a con
tinued marsh of not much less than a mile in
width, on Avhich, during the spring and autumn,
the sportsman is sure to meet Avith excellent
game, as it is visited by Avild-ducks, snipes, and
plover, in amazing quantities. Beyond the
boundary of this level the ground continues to
rise by gradations, until it reaches the lofty
mountains in the rear. Cape Tourmente is a
bold bluff point, rising more than one thousand
eight hundred feet above the river, forming a
very prominent object in the vieAv of the north
shore, either from the eastward or the Avest-
Avard. From hence to Cape Maillard, another
bold promontory about five leagues doAvn the
river, there is a continuation of capes and pro
jecting points, varying greatly in their size and
height, but all of them rising abruptly from the

551
beach. At their bases is the route called Le
Chemin des Caps, Avhich is the only means of
communication between the tAvo places, and
not passable at high Avater. From Cape Mail-
lard to Cap de la Baie, a distance of nearly
three leagues, there is a narroAv space between
the river and the rising ground in the division
called La Petite Riviere, similar to that on the
Avestward of Cape Tourmente, and which is
very well culth-ated. Proceeding by the Bay
of St. Paul and the Riviere du Gouffre, the
country is exceedingly mountainous; but the soil
is good, thickly inhabited, and well cultivated.
The seigniory is watered by a great many
streams flowing into the St. Lawrence and the
Riviere du Gouffre; the chief of them are the
Montmorenci, Riviere du Sault a la Puce, Ri
viere au Chien, Riviere Ste. Anne, that receives
the little rivers a la Rose and des Roches ; Ri
viere du Domaine, flowing from two lakes in
the rear of Cape Tourmente, that are at least
eight hundred feet above the level of the St.
Lawrence ; Riviere du Sault au Cochon, Bras
du nord-ouest du Gouffre, Riviere des Mares,
Riviere Remus, &c. &c. It is divided into the
six parishes of Ange Gardien, Chateau Richer,
Ste. Anne, St. Joachim, Baie de St. Paul, and
La Petite Riviere ; in each of which there is a
church and parsonage-house, besides a grist-

552
mill and several saw-mills. The best culti
vated and most populous divisions of the seig
niory are Ange Gardien, Chateau Richer, Ste.
Anne, St. Joachim, and the settlements about
St. Fereole. Between the latter and those of
La Petite Riviere tliere intervenes a barren
tract of five leagues in length, that has always
proved most seriously inimical to the progress
of the settlements about St. Paul's Bay, there
not being a single road through it, or other
means of communication betAveen the two set
tlements, except by Avater, and the uncertain
one of Le Chemin des Caps, as already men
tioned. This great inconvenience will, most
probably, soon be remedied ; for a road has been
traced from St. Fereole to the Bay of St. Paul,
to pass in the rear of the mountains, pursuant
to an act of the provincial parliament, Avhich
likeAvise provides a sum of money to defray the
expenses of the work. Ange Gardien is po
pulous, and well settled ; the main road, passing
along the eminence almost fronting the river,
presents a number of very good houses on each
side of it, and Avhich, with those that appear
among the concessions upon the rising grounds
more in the interior, have a most pleasing effect
to the eye. As the county of Northumberland
extends from Beauport to the extremity of the
province at the River St. John, on the coast of

553
Labrador, Avhen an election takes place for its
members <of parliament, it is held at Ange
Gardien for the western part of it, and when
finished there the candidates repair to St.
Paul's Bay, Avhere the votes for the eastern dis
trict are collected, and from whence the mem
bers are declared duly elected. The Riviere
Sault a la Puce is a small stream, descending
from the high lands in the rear of Chateau
Richer : it Avinds through a mountainous and
woody country, and is entitled to notice for two
or three very romantic falls, Avhere its stream is
precipitated from the declivity of one ridge to
the level of another ; and for the beautiful and
truly sylvan scenery that decorates its banks,
and, in the fall of the year particularly, presents
a most extraordinary combination of various
foliage. In Chateau Richer are the ruins of a
Franciscan Monastery, that Avas built at the
beginning of the last century, upon a little
rocky promontory on the bank of the St. LaAv
rence. Its destruction took place at the time
the British army, under General Wolfe, was
encamped on the eastern side of the River
Montmorenci : the priests of the order at that
period, paying more attention to temporal than
to spiritual concerns, exerted themselves so
much in preventing the country people from
supplying any provisions to the troops, that

554
the general found it expedient to dislodge
them from their house, Avhich they had so
strongly barricaded as to require the aid of a
few pieces of artillery in bringing them to sub
jection ; in consequence, the monastery was
destroyed, and there now remain only some of
the exterior Avails, and part of an adjoining
tower. On a rising ground, in the rear of these
ruins, stands the parish church, rather a hand
some structure Avith two spires : from this spot
a wide-spreading and beautiful prospect un
folds itself, comprehending a large portion of
the river, Cape Tourmente, the Island of Or
leans and Cape Diamond, with all the inter
mediate scenery of the Avell-cultivated tracts of
the surrounding country, the Avhole bounded
by distant mountains both to the northward
and the southAvard. The parish of St. Joachim
is thickly inhabited ; the lands in it are of good
quality, and in high cultivation, producing
wheat and other grain very plentifully ; it con
tains also some very luxuriant pasturage. Within
this parish, delightfully situated on a rising-
ground, a short distance from Cape Tourmente,
is a country residence, Avith a chapel and va
rious outbuildings, belonging to the Seminary of
Quebec, and whither many of the superiors
retire every year during the fine season. The
settlements of St. F6reole range along the

555
western bank of Riviere Ste. Anne for about
six miles. From the increased elevation of
this part, and its great exposure to the se
verity of the climate, agriculture often experi
ences powerful checks, and the crops sometimes
sustain serious injury ; however, great industry
among the inhabitants, who are altogether esti
mated at between five and six hundred, sup
plies them abundantly, and leaves something
to spare of all the necessaries and many of the
comforts of life. The road through the settle
ment of La Petite Riviere is, for the space of
about six miles, well settled on each side ; the
houses neat, and the farms in a respectable
state of tillage. The road continues to La
Martine, a settlement about three miles in the
interior, from Avhence it goes on through Cote St.
Antoine and Cote St. Gabriel, as far as Riviere
Remus, a distance of about ten miles and a
half; at short intervals through this route
there are houses and farms in a flourishing state
of agriculture. In St. Paul's Bay, and along
the Riviere du Gouffre, the settlements are
girt by a lofty range of mountains stretching
northward from the St. Lawrence, and enclosing
a valley of about thirteen miles in length, and
from a mile to a mile and a half in breadth ;
the greatest part of Avhich is numerously inha
bited, and \rery well cultivated, notwithstand-

556
ing the land is in many places very rocky and
uneven : several spots on the sides of the hills,
though difficult of access from their elevated
and precipitous situation, are tilled by manual
labour, and are extremely fertile in grain of
most sorts. On this tract the houses of the
inhabitants are nearly all of stone, very well
built and whiteAvashed on the outside, Avhich
greatly adds to the gaiety of the general prospect
of the settlement, as well as to the neatness of
their individual appearance. Several small
streams descend from the mountains, and after
serpentizing through the valley fall into the
Riviere du Gouffre, turning in their way several
saw and grist-mills. The main road passes at
the foot of the bounding heights to the extre
mity of the cultivated land in Cote St. Urbain,
and on each side presents many neat and in
teresting farms and settlements, in a very im
proved state. The church of St. Pierre is si
tuated on the bank of the Riviere du Gouffre,
near its discharge into St. Paul's Bay.
Le Gouffre (the seigniory of), in the
county of Northumberland, is bounded on the
westAvard by the Riviere du Gouffre, on the
eastward by the seigniory of Les Eboulemens,
and in the rear by Avaste crown lands; it
extends about half a league on the River St.
Lawrence by four leagues in depth, along the

557
Riviere du Gouffre; granted December 30th,
1682, to Pierre Dupr6 : it is noAV the property
of Madame Drapeau. This seigniory, on the
easterly side of the river, is nearly the counter
part of the opposite settlement in Cote du
Beaupr6, possessing almost the same kind of soil,
and cultivated in a similar manner. The Capes
Corbeau and La Baie, projecting into the St.
Lawrence, are of great height, and rise abruptly
from the water's edge : they are connected
with the chain of mountains that ranges along
the Riviere du Gouffre, far into the interior;
diverging at first a short distance from it, leav
ing an intermediate tract of good land, but af
terwards drawing quite close upon its bank.
The first concession, bordering upon St. Paul's
Bay, and coasting the river, shoAvs a range of
settlements where agriculture has obtained no
small degree of improvement: some trifling
degree of amelioration has also obtained in
the rear of this range. The Bay of St. Paul
is about three miles in depth, and rather more
than two miles at its entrance, from the capes
on each side ; it receives the Avaters of Riviere
du Gouffre, which is a stream of considerable
size, flowing from some lakes in the second
range of mountains in the interior. From the
capes that form the exterior points of the bay
on either side, the ridges of high lands describe

558
a circuit before they close upon the river:
their lofty and craggy summits form a grand
amphitheatric back ground to the picturesque
and highly romantic situation, generally known
as the St. Paul's Bay Settlement.
Les Eboulemens (the seigniory of), in the
county of Northumberland, fronting the St.
Lawrence, lies between the seigniories of Le
Gouffre and Murray Bay, bounded in the rear
by waste croAvn lands ; three leagues in breadth
by two in depth. No record of this grant has
been preserved, but it appears from an act of
fealty and homage performed April 3d, 1723,
by Pierre Tremblay, then proprietor, that he
produced a concession of the land in question
made to Pierre Lessard, but the date thereof
was not quoted : it is now the property of M.
de Sales La Terriere. The face of this seig
niory is excessively mountainous ; but the soil
is not inferior to that about St. Paul's Bay, and
is in many parts equally productive. The
shore of the St. Lawrence is very lofty, espe
cially about Cap aux Oies; but the edges of
the bays, between the different projecting
points, afford some good patches of meadow
and pasture land: from the elevated bank of
the river the ground continues to rise ridge
over ridge until it reaches the mountains in
the rear. In the concessions called Godefroid,

559
Doroth6e, St. Joseph, and St. George, some
very good settlements, that are in an improved
condition, present themselves on the slopes of
the high lands, and in the intervals between
them: the Avhitewashed cottages and farm
houses, frequently embosomed in thick clumps
of trees, have an appearance singularly pic^.
turesque. The seigniory is watered by several
streams, but principally by les Russeaux du
Moulin, du Mouton, de L'Eglise, and du Cap
aux Oies, that descend from the rear, and
wind between the different ridges in a manner
truly decorative. On the first mentioned, near
its discharge into the St. LaAvrence, are seated
an excellent grist-mill and saw-mill ; at a short
distance from which stands the manor-house, a
large and substantial stone building, Avith nu
merous appendages. There are several roads
leading along the St. LaAvrence, where the
ground is practicable for them, and in other
places over the ridges : they are in general to
lerably good, but frequently obliged to ascend
some very long and fatiguing hills. The fief
of Madame Drapeau, of tAventy-nine arpens
in front, and running the Avhole depth of the
seigniory, is taken from the western extremity
of it. From the situation of this settlement,
and those of Le Gouffre and St. Paul's Bay,
being denied access by land with other seig-

560
niories, owing to the intervention of the barren
tract of Cote de Beaupr6 before alluded to,
the principal part of their disposable produce
is transported to Quebec by water, in which
trade many schooners are almost continually
employed during the season of navigation:
their cargoes consist chiefly of grain, live cat
tle, and poultry, besides large quantities of
pine planks. In one or tAvo of the bays there
are some good banks for fishing, on which a
great abundance of excellent fish of various
species is caught, and large quantities of her
rings during the season for them.
Isle aux Coudres (the seigniory of) lies in
the St. Lawrence, about tAvo miles from its
northern shore, nearly opposite to the Bay of
St. Paul, and forms part of the county of
Northumberland : it is about six miles in
length ; its greatest breadth is three miles, but
the eastern extremity of it terminates in a
point; granted October 29th, 1687, to the ec
clesiastics of the Seminary of Quebec, to whom
it still belongs. Compared with the neigh
bouring mainland, the island is Ioav, though
about its centre there are some few rising
grounds : the shore in one or two places rises
abruptly from the water, and is covered Avith
thick creeping shrubbery, but in general the
ascent of it is gradual and easy. The soil

561
throughoutis of a good prolific quality, and nearly
all under tillage, producing grain of all sorts far
beyond its own consumption : there are a few
meadows and pasture grounds. The conces
sions are separated into two divisions, distin
guished as the Cote du Cap a la Branche, and
Cote de la Baleine ; these are very little Avatered
by streams of any description. A small quan
tity of Avood of very inferior kinds still remains
on the high ground, about the middle of the
island. There is one parish, a church, and a
parsonage-house ; the inhabitants are reckoned
between two and three hundred persons, living
in neat Avell-built houses on each side of a road
that makes the complete tour of the island.
The battures and shoals surrounding it are very
productiAre fishing-banks; the little bays are
the rendezvous of numerous small craft, em
ployed in transporting to Quebec the surplus
produce of the island, and the opposite seig
niories. Murray Bay, or Malbay (the seigniory
of), in the county of Northumberland, is one
of the only three grants en fief et seigneurie,
that have been made by the British govern
ment; it extends from the seigniory of Eboule
mens along the river St. LaAvrence, as far as
Malbay, a distance of four leagues by three
leagues in depth; Avas granted April 27th,
o o

o62

*i.

1762, to John Nairn, Esq., Captain in His
Majesty's 78th regiment of foot : it belongs at
present to Mrs. Nairn.
Mount Murray (the seigniory of) is an
other British grant en fief et seigneurie, (the
third of the same description is Shoolbred, in
the district of Gaspe) ; it reaches from the north
side of the River of Malbay, along the bank
of the St. Lawrence, as far as the River Noire,
by three leagues in depth ; granted April 27th,
1762, to Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser, of His
Majesty's 78th regiment of foot, and is now
the property of Malcolm Fraser, Esq. These
tAvo seigniories are separated from each other
by Malbay river, and contain only a very small
proportion of cultivated land, in comparison to
their dimensions. The general surface of both
is mountainous, but in some places the soil is
moderately good : timber of all kinds is plenti
ful and very fine, particularly pine. The lands
under the best state of improvement are those
that range along each side of Malbay river for
about six miles. A tolerably good road passes,
through these settlements to the extremity of
them, upon which there are many farm-houses
and neat dwellings. Murray Bay has a church
and parsonage-house, two grist-mills, and some
saw-mills: there is also a well-built manor-
house, belonging to the proprietor of the seig-

563
niOry. In Mount Murray the best settlements
are on the borders of Malbay river, and stretch
as far as those on the opposite shore. The
manor-house belonging to Colonel Fraser, called
Mount Murray, is verjr Avell situated at the en
trance of the bay on the east side, and sur
rounded by a large tract of well-cultivated
lands. Both grants are Avatered by several
streams, neither of which are more than suffi
cient to Avork the mills.
Hare Island lies nearly in the middle of
the St. Lawrence, abreast of the seigniory of
Riviere du Loup ; it is nearly eight miles in
length by the average breadth of about half a
mile, low and flat, extending in a direction
nearly parallel to the shores of the river : the
soil is good, but wholly uncultivated ; at each
extremity there are long and dangerous shoals
stretching off from it. On the south-east side
lie the three small islands called the Brandy
Pots, already noticed in speaking of the navi
gation of the river : on the Avesterly one is
placed the telegraph No. 13, the last in the
chain from Quebec.
The River Saguenay, Avhich discharges
itself into the St. LaAvrence, at Pointe aux Al-
louettes, is the largest of all the streams that
pay their tribute to the Great River ; it draws
its source from Lake St. John, a collection of
o o 2

564
waters of considerable expanse, lying in 48"
20' of north latitude, and 72" 30' of west lon
gitude, receiving many large rivers that flow.
from the north and north-west, from an im
mense distance in the interior, of which the
Piekouagamis, the Sable River, and the Pari-
boaca are the principal ones. At its eastern
extremity two large streams, one called the
Great Discharge, and the other the Kinogami
Land River, issue from it ; which, after flowing
about fifty-seven miles and encompassing a
tract of land of the mean breadth of twelve
miles, unite their waters, and become the irre
sistible Saguenay ; from which point it conti
nues its course in an easterly direction, for
about one hundred miles down to the St. Law
rence. The banks of this river throughout its
course are very rocky, and immensely high,
varying from one hundred and seventy even to
three hundred and forty yards above the stream :
its current is broad, deep, and uncommonly ve
hement ; in some places, Avhere precipices inter
vene, there are falls from fifty to sixty feet in
height, doAvn Avhich the whole volume of the
stream rushes Avith indescribable fury and tre
mendous noise. The general breadth of the
river is from two mileS^ and a half to three
miles, but at its mouth this distance is con
tracted to about one mile. The depth of this

565
enormous stream is also extraordinary. At its
discharge, attempts have been made to find the
bottom with five hundred fathoms of line, but
without effect ; about two miles higher up, it
has been repeatedly sounded from one hundred
and thirty to one hundred and forty fathoms ;
and from sixty to seventy miles from the St.
Lawrence, its depth is found from fifty to
sixty fathoms. The course of the river, not
withstanding its magnitude, is very sinuous,
owing to many projecting points from each
shore. The tide runs about seventy miles up
it, and on account of the obstructions occa
sioned by the numerous promontories, the ebb
is much later than in the St. Lawrence; in
consequence of which, at Ioav water in the
latter, the force of the descending stream of
the Saguenay is felt for several miles. Just
within the mouth of the river, opposite to Pointe
aux Allouettes, is the harbour of Tadousac,
Avhich is very well sheltered by the surrounding
high lands, and has good anchorage for a great
number of vessels of large size, where they may
lie in perfect safety. On the northern shore
of the St. Lawrence, and at many places on
the Saguenay, there are stations for trading
with the Indians in peltry, and for carrying
on the Avhale, seal, porpoise, and salmon-fishery ;
these are known by the name of King's Posts,

566
and are noAv let, with all their privileges, to the
North- West Company at Quebec, on a lease,
at one thousand and twenty-five pounds per
annum. An establishment is maintained at
Tadousac, at Chicoutami On the Saguenay, at
Lake St. John, at Les Isles de Jeremie, near
Betsiamitis Point, at the Seven Islands, be
yond Cap des Mont Peles, and at Cap des
Monts : at those towards the sea the fisheries
are pursued during the summer, and at the
interior ones the fur trade is carried on with
the Indians during the Avinter. About the
trading post at Chicoutami the land is tolerably
fertile, and the timber of a superior quality;
in the little agriculture that is here paid atten
tion to, it has been observed that grain ripens
sooner than it does in the vicinity of Quebec,
although the situation is much further to the
nortliAvard : another of the many anomalies
that distinguish the climate of Canada.
Mille Vaches (the seigniory of), in the
county of Northumberland, situated near the
River Portneuf, ten leagues beloAv the Sa
guenay ; it extends three leagues along the
bank of the St. Lawrence by four leagues in
depth ; Avas granted November 15th, 1653, to
Robert Giffard.
Terra Firma of Mingan (the seigniory
of) extends from Cape Cormorant, along the

567
northern shore of the Labrador Channel, to
Goynish River; was granted February 25th,
1661, to Sieur Francois Bissot. From Cape
Cormorant to St. John's River is the only part
now Contained in the province of Lower Ca
nada. In both of these tracts the land is very
indifferent and wholly uncultivated, indeed
unfit for agriculture. The group of islands
lying off the shore of the latter, called the
Mingan Islands, are advantageously situated
for carrying on the fisheries.

townships.
The townships in the district of Quebec are,
generally speaking, so much inferior to those of
the other districts in the quality of the soil, and
so far behind them in the quantity of settle
ments and state of agriculture, that the de
scription of them will prove but little more
than a recapitulation of uncultivated lands.
Nelson and Somerset are tAvo irregular
townships in the county of Buckingham, join
ing each other, and situated in the rear of the
seigniories, of Deschaillons and Lotbiniere.
Somerset is bounded by Stanfold on the south
west, and is partly in the districts of Three
Rivers and Quebec. Nelson is bounded on

568
the north-east by the seigniory of Ste. Croix.
They were granted in April, 1804, to officers
and privates of the Canadian militia. The
land in these two townships lies rather low,
but is of a tolerably good quality, and fit for the
production of most kinds of grain: in many parts
it is well suited for the growth of hemp and
flax. Towards the south-east end of Nelson
there are some rising grounds, of a soil much
superior to the parts lying adjacent to Lotbi
niere. The timber on both these toAvnships
is chiefly beech, maple, birch, and pine; on
the Ioav and moist grounds, basswood,' cedar,
spruce, and hemlock, are prevalent. They are
very well watered by the Rivers Becancour, du
Chene, and numerous small streams, that after
winding through almost every part of them,
fall into the tAvo rivers. None of the land has
yet been brought under culture.
Halifax, in the county of Buckingham,
lies in the two districts of Three Rivers and
Quebec, and is situated betAveen Chester and
Inverness ; bounded on the north-Avest by So
merset and Arthabaska, and on the south-east
by Wolfestown and Ireland. The land in this
township is principally of a good quality, and
capable of being turned to account in growing
most species of grain ; the northern part of it
is rather low, and in some places runs into

569
swamps. No portion of it is yet settled upon,
nor has any attempt been made to brino* it into
cultivation, although it might be done with al
most a certainty of success. There is a great
supply of beech, elm, maple, butternut, birch,
and bassAVOod, besides abundance of cedar
and spruce fir in the low lands. It is watered
by Lake Pitt, and several small runs of water
that fall into the Becancour. The south-east
erly part has been surveyed, and granted to the
late MatheAV Scott and Benjamin Jobert : the
present proprietors are Mrs. Scott and family,
and the heirs of the late Mr. Frobisher.
Inverness, in the county of Buckingham,
lies between Halifax and Nelson, bounded on
the north-west by Somerset and part of Nelson,
and on the south-east by Leeds. No part of
this tract is cultiA'ated, although it contains
lands in the southerly quarter of a superior
quality, eligible for almost any description of
cultivation; and the remainder is generally
above mediocrity, except an extent of swamp
of about eight thousand acres to the north Avard,
which is covered with hemlock, spruce fir, and
cedar. On the dry lands, timber is in great
abundance and of an excellent description. It
is watered by Lake William, Avhich discharges
itself by a small stream into the Becancour,
and by another is connected with Lake Pitt,

570
besides several small rivulets. The south-west
part was granted to the late Joseph Frobisher,
Esq., and now belongs to his heirs.
Ireland, in the county of Buckingham,
joins Halifax and Inverness on the north-Avestj
is bounded by Wolfestown on the south-west*
and by Leeds and Thetford on the north-east.
The north-west part of this township consists of
land of an unexceptionable quality, and fit for
the growth of grain of all kinds, hemp, flax,
and every other purpose of agriculture. The
south-east part is not arable, being only a series
of rugged mountains running to a considerable
distance, with many small lakes and swamps
in the intervals between them. The north-west
quarter, the only one that has been surveyed
and granted, noAV belongs to the heirs of Joseph
Frobisher, Esq. : this is a fertile spot, and inha
bited by a few families forming what is called
Lord's Settlement. Beech, maple, birch, and
many other sorts of timber, are found in great
abundance in this township. It is watered by
several rivulets, and Trout Lake, which is con
nected by a little stream Avith Lake Pitt'.
Craig's Road passes through it, and crosses the
Becancour at Kemp's Bridge. In Lord's Set
tlement there is a saw-mill, which is found of
great utility in this interior part of the country.
* Leeds, in the county of Buckingham, is an

571
irregular tract, situated between the seigniory
of St. Gilles and the township of Ireland,
bounded on the north-west by Inverness, Nel
son, and St. Croix, and on the south-east by
Thetford and Broughton. Except the north
west quarter, Avhere the land is poor and very
stony, the generality of this township is of ex
cellent quality, fit for the groAvth of all kinds
of grain, flax, hemp, and other general pur
poses of agriculture. It is well stocked with
timber of many sorts, as beech, birch, maple,
bassAvood, elm, ash, ironwood, spruce fir, and
hemlock ; and very well watered by the Becan
cour, Avhich divides itself into several branches,
and by many other small streams. Cultivation
has made but very small progress here, although
some settlements have been attempted, parti
cularly along the line of Craig's Road, where it
might be reasonably inferred that better suc
cess Avould have attended them. This road
Avas originally devised to open a direct com
munication between Quebec, the toAvnships on
the frontiers, and the adjacent American States ;
but its completion has been retarded by many
difficulties, more apparently originating in a
Avant of determined enterprize, than in any na
tural impediments. It was originally traced out
by Mr. Joseph Kilborne, Deputy Provincial
Surveyor, in 1800, at the expense of Joseph Fro-

572
bisher, Esq., and other landholders in the
townships through which it passes : it extends
from the bank of the St. Lawrence through the
seigniory of St. Gilles, to the township of Ship-
ton, from Avhence a road had already been
made to the river St. Francis, and thence to
the boundary line. The enterprise did not
succeed very Avell, as Lord's Settlement, in the
township of Ireland, Avas the only one that Avas
attempted. In 1809, during the administration
of Sir James Craig, a fresh attempt Avas made
to render the route from Quebec to the fron
tiers commodious and easy ; detachments of
troops were employed in clearing and making
the road, and in erecting bridges of timber
over the rivers Avherever they Avere found neces
sary. The object in view was so far obtairted
as to enable a stage to travel Avith tolerable dis
patch, though not without inconvenience to
those who availed themselves of its conveyance,
from the Avant of proper places to stop at, and
houses for the refreshment of travellers ; as there
is no accommodation of that kind from the
last settlement on the River Beaurivage to the
toAvnship of Shipton, a distance of about sixty
miles. At Kemp's Bridge, Palmer's inn was
at one time opened; but it neither ansAvered
the expectations of the public, nor produced
benefit to the proprietor. Notwithstanding the

573
inducements held out to encourage settlers, by
granting them a patent for any lots they might
occupy, on condition of clearing a certain por
tion of land, and building a house (of timber)
of given dimensions contiguous to the road ;
these terms were accepted only in two or
three instances, and even these were of no
utility in advancing the work, or of advantage
to the indhuduals who undertook them. At
the commencement of the late war very little
progress had been made, and since that period
no means have been used to preserve from de
cay that portion of the road that was com
pleted, so that at present it is obstructed by
fallen trees, and many other impediments,
which render it almost as impracticable as if
it still remained a wilderness. The several
bridges over the rivers are named after the mili
tary officers who commanded the detachments
employed on this service: they also obtained
lands adjacent to the road; but military men
have seldom the leisure or the means of be
coming permanent cultivators. Such a com
munication would undoubtedly be of immense
advantage to this part of the province, and it
is to be hoped that, notwithstanding the hitherto
unpromising results, the attempt may be again
renewed under the immediate sanction of the
legislature. One quarter of the township of

574
Leeds Avas originally granted to Isaac Todd,
but at present that tract belongs to the heirs of
Joseph Frobisher, Esq. Several individuals
have obtained grants, and George Hamilton,
Esq., of Quebec, holds eight thousand acres by
purchase from government, as lands were sold
for the purpose of defraying some of the ex
penses incurred in constructing the road.
Thetford, in the county of Buckingham,
lies betAveen Broughton and Ireland, bounded
by Leeds on the north-west, and Adstock on
the south-east. This township, though gene
rally mountainous, has a few intervals of good
land fit for cultivation, wherein grain, hemp,
and flax might be raised : the south-east part
is very indifferent, and covered Avith a thick
moss, beneath which there is a bed of stone,
with not more than five or six inches of poor
exhausted earth upon it. The timber gene
rally is not bad, and consists of beech, elm,
birch, and maple, with plenty of hemlock,
spruce fir, &c. It is watered by two large
lakes, a few moderate sized rivers, and many
inferior streams. One half of it is the property
of Doctor North.
Broughton, in the county of Buckingham,
though someAvhat mountainous, contains much
land of a good quality ; many of the inferior
SAvells, if cultivated, would produce Avheat and

575
other grain ; some parts of it are Avell calculated
for hemp and flax, and many others are na
turally tolerably good grass lands. It is' well
stocked Avith beech, maple, birch, elm, and
other useful timber, besides abundance of
wood of inferior quality. It is watered by se
veral branches of the Becancour, by some ri
vulets flowing into the Chaudiere, and by one
or two small lakes. The north-west half Avas
granted to H. Jenkins and William Hall, and
is now the property of the latter, Avho has made
some progress in forming a settlement and cul
tivating a part of it : he has also erected some
mills. From the settlement to the seigniory of St.
Joseph, on the Chaudiere, there is a moderately
good road, and another to Craig's Road.
Tring, in the county of Buckingham, joins
the seigniory of Vaudreuil on the north-east,
and lies between Broughton and Shenley. This
tract of land is, for the greatest part, of a fa
vourable quality and fit for tillage; it Avould
produce grain, and in many places appears to
be well adapted to the culture of flax and
hemp. The timber is equally good as the
land, and much of the best kinds might be
collected. It is watered by a chain of five
beautiful lakes, that abound Avith excellent
fish ; they discharge their Avaters into the River
Chaudiere, through a stream called the Bras
du Sud-Ouest. One half of the township has

576

been granted to individuals, but no progress
has been made in clearing it.
Shenley, in the county of Buckingham,
is an irregular tract lying between Dorset
and Tring, bounded on the north-east by
the seigniory of Aubert Gallion and the
River Chaudiere, and on the south-west by
vacant lands. The surface is irregular, in some
places low and swampy, but in others possessing
a moderately good soil, that Avould doubtless
be sufficiently fertile if brought under the
plough. On the dry lands the timber consists
principally of beech, maple, and birch ; on the
others there is scarcely any thing else but
cedar, and spruce fir. It is not very well Avatered.
One quarter of the township was granted to
the late James Glenny, but no part thereof is
cultivated. Dorset, in the county of Buckingham, is
situated on the westerly side of the River
Chaudiere, joining Shenley on the north, and
encompassed on the other sides by unsurveyed
lands. This is a large township* consisting
chiefly of fine rises of good land, very fit for
tillage, and almost every where favourable for
the culture of hemp and flax, though no set
tlements have hitherto been made in it; the
most inferior part of it is along the rocky bank
of the River Chaudiere. It is well stocked
with basswood, birch, maple, beech, and elm

577
timber : some of the SAvamps are covered with
cedar and hemlock. It is admirably well Ava
tered by three large lakes, and a number of
rivers that wind through it and fall into the
Chaudiere : on their banks are found some
fine breadths of excellent meadoAV land. The
Avhole of it was granted to Mr. John Black,
but now belongs to the heirs of the late Simon
McTavish, Esq.
Frampton is situated partly in the counties
of Dorchester and Hertford ; it lies in the rear
of the seigniories of St. Joseph and Ste. Marie,
on the River Chaudiere, and is bounded by
Buckland on the north-east, by Jolliet on the
south-Avest, and by Cranbourne on the south
east. A soil for the greatest part favourable to
agriculture, though a good deal diversified Avith
hill and dale, is the general character of this
township, but a feAv of the Ioav lands incline to
be marshy. Beech, birch, and maple, thickly
clothe the rising grounds, but cedar and spruce
fir are most prevalent on the other parts. It is
A\ratered by the principal branch of the River
Echemin, and some inferior rivers, on Avhich
there are some excellent situations for mills.
Only a very small portion of this toAvnship is.
yet cultivated. The south-westerly half has
been surveyed and granted to P. E. Debartzch,
Esq., and to other persons; that gentleman, p p

578
hoAvever, and  Pyke, Esq., of Quebec, are
the principal landholders.
Buckland, in the county of Hertford, is an
irregular township, situated in the rear of the
seigniory of St. Gervais, and the fiefs La Marti-
niere and Mont-a-Peine; it joins Jolliet and
Frampton on the south-west, and is bounded
on the other sides by Avaste lands of the crown.
The surface of this tract is much varied, in
many places rising into considerable swells, the
intervals betAveen Avhich are rather swampy, but
the soil is in general excellent ; even the wet
lands are by no means of a bad quality. Every
species of grain and grass,besides hemp and flax,
might be produced upon it in great abundance.
It is principally timbered Avith beech, birch,
maple, ironAvood, basswood, and elm, Avith a
great deal of cedar, spruce fir, and black ash. It
is completely watered by several large streams
and branches of the Echemin, Avith many ri
vulets, on nearly all of which there are very
eligible situations for mills, and much good
meadow land along their borders. Large
quantities of maple-sugar are made here by the
inhabitants of St. Gervais. Only one quarter
of the township has been surveyed, which is
now the property of William Holmes, Esq., of
Quebec. Ixworth, in the county of CornAvallis, is an

579
irregular tract lying in the rear of the seigniory
of Ste. Anne, and the augmentation to the
River Ouelle. Of this township no more than
one thousand two hundred acres have been sur
veyed, and granted to MattheAv Omara, the
Avhole of which is most excellent land : it joins
Ste. Anne, and some part of it is in a very for-,
ward state of cultivation : on the remainder
there is a large quantity of excellent pine tim
ber, much of Avhich is transported by the River
Ouelle to the St. LaAvrence, and thence to
Quebec. Stoneham and Tewkesbury, two town
ships on the north side of the St. Lawrence, in
the county of Quebec, except a small part of
the latter which is in the county of Northum
berland ; they join each other, and are situated
in the rear of the seigniories of Cote de Beau-
pres, Beauport, and Notre Dame des Anges.
The general face of the land throughout these
tracts is mountainous and rocky; the largest
part of it barren and unfit for cultivation,
though here and there some scanty patches of
arable land lie in the vallies, Avhere the soil is
moderately good, and Avould bear tillage. Some
little exception, however, may be made in
favour of that part of Stoneham from the front
of it lo the RiA'er Jacques Cartier, Avhere the
land is chiefly arable, and of a yellow loamy
p p 2

nature. They are Avatered by the large rivers
St. Anne, Jacques Cartier, and Batiscan, flow
ing majestically between the lofty ridges of
mountains, by several of inferior magnitude,
and by some small lakes. The timber con
sists of beech, maple, birch, and pine of good
dimensions. The most valuable part of Stone
ham was originally granted to Kenelm Chand
ler, Esq. and is now the property of Mrs*
Brydon. THE DISTRICT OF GASPE,
The eastern extremity of the province on the
south side of the St. Lawrence, lies between the?
parallels of 47 degrees 20 minutes, and 49 de
grees 10 minutes of north latitude; and be
tween the 64th and 66th degrees 30 minutes of
longitude west from Greenwich. It is bounded
on the west by the district of Quebec, on the
east and north-east by the River and Gulf of
St. Lawrence, and on the south by the province
of NeAV Brunswick and the Bay of Chaleurs,
It forms one county, called Gaspe, and sends
one member to the provincial parliament. Less
in size, it is also inferior in every respect
to either of the three preceding districts ; the
north-easterly ridge of mountains, that termi
nates only at Cape Roziere, divides it nearly in
two, from the north-west side of which, down

581
to the shore of the St. Lawrence, the whole
tract is rough and unfertile, being covered
with almost impenetrable forests, except a few
spots on the river, where grants have been
made of land that is supposed eligible to culti
vation. There is not much difference on the
south-east side of the ridge, until approach
ing pretty close to the shore of the Bay of
Chaleurs, where, bordering on the sea and for
some distance inland, there are in several places
portions of land upon which agriculture might
be successfully carried on to a much greater
extent than it is at present. The line of coast
from Cape Chat in the St. Lawrence round by
Cape Roziere to the River Ristigouche, at the
bottom of the Bay of Chaleurs, is about 280
miles : from Gaspe bay, near the latter cape,
to Ristigouche bay, the coast is divided into
toAvnships called Carleton, Maria, Richmond,
Hamilton, Coxe, Hope, and Nos. 7, 8, and 9,
each from eight to twelve miles in breadth,
and intended to be nine miles in depth. In the
tract extending from Richmond to the eastern
boundary of Hopetown there are several patches
running at least eight miles back, that are likely
to prove fertile and productive : in Coxe town
ship the depth of the moderately good arable
land is estimated to exceed 18 miles. The dis
tance from Richmond to Hope township is about

582
forty-two miles, and excepting the space of
Ironbound shore, lying betAveen Richrnond and
Bonaventure, the front line of concessions is
nearly all settled upon. The front of Maria
and Richmond forms an open bay, but the an
chorage, even for vessels of the smallest bur
then, is a mile from the shore, on account of
the shoals at low water. In Carleton such
lands as are capable of being cultivated are
already occupied, but they amount to one or
tAvo concessions only. BetAveen Cape Roziere
and Cape Chat the coast is mountainous and
barren, having only three or four houses through
out the whole distance, besides a small settle
ment of a few families at Mont Louis, in the
vicinity of Avhich there happens to be some
land fit for culture, although there are five
seignioral grants of land within that space.
The Avhole population of the district in 1808
amounted to 3200 souls, exclusive of three
to four hundred fishermen, who sojourn in it
during the fishing season, but quit it on the
approach of Avinter : since that period it has
probably not much increased. The industry
of the inhabitants is chiefly employed in the
fisheries, which are regulated by an act of
the provincial parliament of the forty-seventh
year of George the Third, and carried on to
a considerable extent, a& the quantity ex-*

583
ported amounts, communibus annis, to about
35,000 cwt. of codfish, 5000 of salmon, and from
10 to 12,000 of herrings, pilchards, and mackarel ;
to. this may be added the produce of some
whales caught, in Gaspe Bay, a trifling trade in
peltry, and the building of one ship and three
or four small vessels annually. The fisheries
are sedentary, but the exportations and im
portations usually employ eight or nine square-
rigged vessels, and about thirty-five small ones.
Agriculture meets with only a secondary atten
tion, and the produce of it at present does not
much, if at all, overbalance the consumption*
The timber consists of spruce fir, Avhite and
black birch, beech, elm, and pine, fit for mast
ing of small dimensions, Avith some oak of a
very inferior quality. The town of New Car
lisle, the principal one, is situated in Coxe
township, and laid out in a manner that here
after it may become a compact and regular
little place : the position of it is nearly central
from each extremity of the Bay of Chaleurs ; and
the number of houses is from forty to fifty, all
of wood : it has a church, a court-house, and a
gaol ; the two latter are now building, under the
superintendance of commissioners appointed
by an act of parliament. The situation is very
healthy, and the surrounding lands some of the,
most fertile of the district. From the town nu-

584
merous settlements extend on each side, occu
pying nearly the whole front of the toAvnships
of Coxe and Hope, and, including the town
itself, may be estimated to contain nearly one
half of the whole population. These settle
ments are in a much more improved state than
any of the others. The Avant of grist-mills is
seriously felt by the inhabitants of this place,
and indeed all over the district, and greatly
retards the progress of agriculture : there are
good situations for them on a river that takes
its source from a small lake Avithin the toAvnship
of Coxe, and from its proximity to the settle
ment would be a very eligible place for con
structing one. In front of these townships there
is an excellent beach, where the fish is cured
and dried. Perce, the next place in import^
ance to New Carlisle, is situated on a rising
ground that forms the southern point of Mal
bay, contains twenty -five or thirty houses,
principally inhabited by fishermen, and like
the chief town is honoured Avith a court-house
and gaol : in front of it the beach is very good
for curing fish, and lying off are some of the
best banks in the bay for catching them. The
island of Bonaventure lies about a mile and a
half from the shore, opposite to the point; it is
little better than a barren rock, but yet a few
persons are hardy enough to winter there for

585.
the sake of retaining possession of the fishing
places they have occupied during the summer.
Very near the southerly point of Malbay there
is a remarkable rock rising about two hundred
feet out of the Avater, and of about twelve hun
dred feet in length, in Avhich there are three
arches completely wrought by nature ; the cen
tre one is sufficiently large to admit a boat
under sail to pass through it Avith ease : from
this rock, round Malbay to Point Peter, there
is an excellent beach for fishing, part of Avhich
is named La Belle Ance, or Lobster Beach :
close to this place is the house of the late Go
vernor Coxe. Gasp6 Bay lies between Cape
Gasp6 and Whale Head ; it runs about sixteen
miles into the land, and is about five miles
broad : from the extremity of it two other in
lets, called the north -Avest and south-west
arms, penetrate a considerable distance into
the interior, and receive the waters of several
streams that Aoav from the mountains : the bay
itself is deep and well sheltered, and capable
of affording protection to a large number of
ships from bad weather; the shores are lofty,
and the settlers upon them are nearly all fisher
men. Douglass toAvn, or rather the situation
for it, as there are only five or six houses yet
built, is at the entrance of the River St. John,

586
on the south side of the bay ; on the opposite
shore of the river is the site of the intended
town of Haldimand. At Pabos Bay, about
midway between Cape Despair and Point
Maquereau there is a small village on the
western side, and on the opposite side, on a
projecting point, stand the summer habitations
of the fishermen, as they are usually termed :
several streams descend into this bay from a
numerous chain of small lakes to the north-
Avestward. A little to the westward of Pabos
is a small snug inlet called Port Daniel. Bon
aventure is a small place, containing about
twenty-five houses and a church, situated on
the western side of the harbour of the same
name, in the township of Hamilton : the land
surrounding it is level and pretty good, but its
Avhole dependence is the fishery. On the north
shore of Ristigouche Bay the country presents
a great deal of luxuriant meadoAV land ; from
Megoacha Point there is a tract of about six
teen miles in length and about a mile and a
half in breadth, granted in fief and seigneurie
on the 4th July, 1788, to John Shoolbred, Esq.
and although several parts of it claim notice as
being well adapted for settling upon, it yet
remains without a single individual, from the
object of the proprietor not being any partial

587
concession, but the disposal of the whole of it,
probably only at a future period. A little be
yond this grant, upon the northern bank of the
River Ristigouche, is a small village of domici
liated Indians of the Micmac tribe, which is
superintended by a missionary, who resides at
Tracadigash or Bonaventure. The communi
cation from Gaspe to Quebec may be kept up
by three different routes : one by pursuing the
coast of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence; the
second is by folloAving the course of the River
Ristigouche as far as the Ptiver Matapediach,
and continuing along the side of it as far as
Lake Matapediach ; from thence there is an
Indian footpath for nearly thirty miles to the
River Mitis, the course of Avhich is pursued
until it reaches the St. Lawrence near about
where the settlements begin ; the third route
is by proceeding along the Ristigouche River
nearly up to its source, from Avhence there is
an Indian footpath or portage road of eleA'en
miles to the Grand River, Avhich Aoavs into the
River St. John, fifteen miles above the Great
Fall, from Avhence the traveller proceeds in the
road of the Temiscouata portage ; this is the
least difficult of the three, and the distance by
it from NeAV Carlisle to Quebec is three hun
dred and ninety miles ; this may be shortened
by eighteen or twenty miles, by a road that has

588
been blazed from the River Waganitz to the
Riviere Verte, that descends into the River St.
John in the Madawaska settlement. With the
description of Gaspe the topographical account
of the whole of the province of Lower Canada
closes.

58p>

UPPER CANADA.

Since the year 1791 the Province of Upper
Canada has been bounded in the folloAving
manner ; viz. on the east by Lower Canada, on
the north-east by the Grand or OttaAva River,
which in that direction separates it from the
LoAver Province ; on the north by the territory
of the Hudson's Bay Company; on the south
and south-east by the United States of America,
or rather by an imaginary line, beginning at the
village of St. Regis, on the parallel of the forty-
fifth degree of north latitude, from Avhence it
passes up the middle of the River St. LaAvrence,
Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, Lake Erie,
and continuing thence through the middle of
the Water Communication into Lakes Huron
and Superior, the Long Lake, and along the
middle of the chain of lakes and Avater commu
nication up to the north-Avest angle of the Lake
of the Woods, and from thence due west to the

590
River Mississippi ;* on the west and north-Avest
no limits have been assigned to it, therefore it
may be supposed to extend over the vast regions
that spread towards the Pacific and the Northern
Oceans. The separation betAveen it and the
United States is so vague and ill defined, and
the prolific source of so many disagreements
betAveen the two poAvers, that it has long called
for the revision which is now about to be per
formed in fulfilment of the fourth and fifth ar
ticles of the treaty of peace of 1815. The
interior divisions are eight districts, viz. the
Eastern, Johnstown, Midland, NeAvcastle, the
Home, Niagara, London, and the Western ;
these are again subdivided into 23 counties, viz.
Glengary, Stormont, Dundas, Prescott, Russel,
Grenville, Leeds, Carleton, Frontenac, Lenox,
Addington, Hastings, Prince Edward, North
umberland, Durham, York, Norfolk, Oxford,
Middlesex, Lincoln, Haldimand, Kent, and
Essex. These contain one hundred and fifty-
nine townships, exclusive of. Indian lands, and
Certain other large portions that are reserved for
the crown, and the maintenance of the Pro
testant clergy. The townships, taken one Avith
another, will average about 61,600 acres, making
* This boundary was fixed by the treaty pf 1783, but is
erroneous, inasmuch as a line drawn due west from the Lake
of the Woods will not strike the Mississippi at all.

591
the aggregate quantity of 9,694,400 acres, that
may be arranged under the folloAving heads ;
about 3,000,000 of acres are granted in free
and common soccage, 2,769,828 are reserved
for the crown and clergy, and 3,924,572 still
remain to be granted. The extent of country
thus laid out' reaches from Pointe au Baudet
along the north shore of the river St. Lawrence,
Lake Ontario, Lake Erie up to Lake St. Claire
and the communication betAveen it and Lake
Huron, a distance little less than one hundred
and ninety leagues. Through this range, wide
as it is, and for a depth that varies from forty to
fifty miles, the soil for the most part is scarcely
excelled by any portion of the continent of
North America ; it is so happily varied in its
nature as to present situations where agriculture
may be successfully carried on in all its nume
rous branches ; but perhaps the particular spe
cies that most prevails is a fine dark loam mixed
with a rich vegetable mould. A sameness of
appearance overspreads almost the whole coun
try, from which very little deviation is per
ceptible. Between Pointe au Baudet and the
Bay of Quinte, comprising the eastern, Johns-
toAvn, and midland districts, the land presents
an almost uniform level of exquisite beauty,
rising only a few feet from the bank of the St.
LaAvrence, finely intersected, and admirably

592
well watered in almost every direction by mi-*
merous streams, several of which are navigable
for boats and canoes, and obstructed only by a
few falls that occasion short portages ; they offer
hundreds of the most convenient situations for
erecting mills, while their banks are with few
exceptions very desirable for the formation of
new settlements. From the bay of Quinte
along the edge of Lake Ontario to its Avestern
extremity, there runs a ridge of heights, of no
great elevation, and extending only a short dis
tance in breadth or to the northward, but from
which the land soon descends again to its former
level ; the interior of this tract is intersected
by a chain of lakes, that by means of a short
portage or two are connected with Lake Simcoe,
and thence with Lake Huron. Along the northern
part also of the Niagara district runs a ridge
called the QueenstoAvn Heights, stretching across
the river Niagara, and away eastAvard into the
state of New York ; the altitude of this range
in any part of it does not exceed one hundred
and sixty yards above the surface of the lake.
This space, containing the Newcastle, the Home
and Niagara districts, is watered by a great
number of streams both large and small, that
greatly contribute to its fertility : in the latter
district is the Welland, formerly called the
ChippeAva, a beautiful river flowing through a

593
remarkably fertile country, for about forty
miles, and wholly unobstructed by falls ; also
the Ouse or Grand River, a stream of much
greater magnitude, rising in the interior of the
country, toAvards Lake Huron, and after wind
ing a long and picturesque course, falls into
Lake Erie ; across its mouth there is a bar, but
ahvays Avith eight feet Avater upon it : it is na
vigable for small vessels from the Lake many
miles upAvards, and for boats to a much greater
distance. The land through the whole of this
last mentioned district is uncommonly rich and
fertile, with a considerable portion of very
flourishing settlements upon it. From the
river Ouse, proceeding along the shore of Lake
Erie, up to the Lake and River St. Claire, the
whole space is extremely even, with scarcely a
league of it but Avhat displays excellent situa
tions for settlements, and in spots Avhere the
land is already under tillage, finer crops or more
thriving farms are not to be met with in any
part of either province. The portion of the
western district lying between Lake Erie and
Lake Ste. Claire is perhaps the most delightful
spot of all the province ; the fertility of the
soil, the richly diversified and luxuriant beauties
that every where court the view, the abundant
variety of excellent fish that teem in the rivers,
and the profusion of game of different species
Q Q

594.
tliat enliven the woods, the thickets, and the
meadoAVs, combine to insure a preference to this
highly favoured tract for the establishment of
new settlements. From the Ouse to Lake Ste.
Claire the space is occupied by the London
and Western districts ; it is watered by many
small streams falling into Lake Erie, besides
the River Chenail Ecarte and the exquisitely
picturesque River Thames, formerly called the
Riviere a la Tranche; it rises far in the interior,
about the township of Blandford, and after pur
suing a serpentine course in a direction nearly
south-west, discharges itself into Lake St. Claire.
It is navigable for vessels full twenty miles from
its mouth, and for boats and canoes nearly up
to its source, but little less than one hundred
miles. The River Chenail Ecart6 runs almost
parallel to the Thames, at about ten miles from
it, and falls into Lake St. Claire. The portions
noAv described are those only that are more or
less settled upon ; in the rear of the townships
are large tracts of land, stretching far to the
northward, covered with immense forests, and
little knoAvn except to the Indians ; but it has
been ascertained that there are many Avide
spreading extents of rich and fertile soil, parti
cularly bordering on the south-west bank of the
Ottawa River. Through these regions, as yet
unexplored by civilized man, there are many

595
streams, and some of great size, that flow both
into Lake Huron and into the Ottawa River,
but none of them have been sufficiently traced
to admit of being delineated on any map.
Timber in almost every variety is found in the
greatest profusion; the oak, beech, Avalnut,
ash, hickory, maple, elm, pine, sycamore, birch,
and many other sorts, are of peculiar excellence,
and of capital dimensions. The climate is so
particularly salubrious, that epidemic diseases,
either among men or cattle, are almostunknown ;
its influence upon the fertility of the soil is more
generally perceptible than it is in Lower Ca
nada, and supposed to be congenial to vegeta
tion in a much superior degree. The Avinters
are shorter, and not always marked with such
rigour as in the latter ; the duration of the frost
is always accompanied with a fine clear sky and
a dry atmosphere ; the spring opens, and the re
sumption of agricultural labours takes place
from six weeks to tAvo months earlier than Avhat
it does in the neighbourhood of Quebec ; the
summer heats rarely prevail to excess, and the
autumns are usually very friendly to the har
vests, and favourable for securing all the late
crops. In fact, upon so good a soil, and under
such a climate, industry and an increase of po
pulation are only Avanting to render this colony
flourishing and happy. In reviewing the popu-
Q Q2

596
lation of this province, an important increase
will be found to have taken place of late years ;
in 1783, the utmost amount that could be es
timated did not exceed ten thousand souls, and
of these the numerous frontier posts and gar
risons constituted by much the greater part.
After that period a great accession was made
by the settlement of loyalists and disbanded
soldiers, and which was considerably increased
by the emigration of many people who soon grew
tired of the newly acquired independence of the
American States; in addition to the natural
increase of the numbers thus acquired, they
have been gradually augmented by emigrations
from Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, the
United States, and many other places, so that
in the year 1814 it was taken in round numbers
at ninety-five thousand souls, and which may
be trusted to as a tolerably exact statement, or
at least considering the difficulty that must be
experienced in collecting the returns, as nearly
so as can well be obtained. Of the three mil
lions of acres already stated to have been
granted, the quantity now under tillage will be
found to approach pretty near to two hundred
and ninety thousand acres, dispersed over the
different districts. The most populous and im
proved part of the colony is undoubtedly that
from Pointe au Baudet to the head of the Bay

597
of Quinte, a range of one hundred and seventy
miles, in which are contained the towns of King
ston, Johnstown, and Cornwall ; Fort Welling;-
ton, the Mohawk village, Brockville, and se
veral smaller villages ; besides a continuation
of houses, (many of them spacious and well
built) and farms by the side of the main road,
as well as the other roads that lead to the inte
rior settlements. Great industry and attention
to improvement are displayed upon most of the
lands throughout this tract ; the roads that Avere
formerly made have been gradually rendered
sound and good, and many new ones con
structed ; bridges have been thrown across the
rivers, and various communications both by
land and Avater opened to the interior ; indeed
various indications of a flourishing and accele
rated progress are apparent in almost every
direction. Of the towns just mentioned, Corn
wall, lying about five miles above St. Regis,
and Johnstown, three miles east of Fort Wel
lington, contain each from sixty to seventy
houses, built of wood, with a church, court
house, &c. ; they stand close to the River St.
Lawrence ; the ground planned out for each is
a mile square. Fort Wellington, formerly called
Prescott, is situated directly opposite to the
American town and fort of Ogdensburgh, or
Oswegatchie, as it used to be named ; between

598
them the river is no more than one thousand six
hundred yards broad ; during hostilities shot
were repeatedly exchanged betAveeen them, par
ticularly on the passing of brigades of boats up
the river. The town of Kingston, the largest and
most populous of the Upper Province, is very
advantageously seated on the north side of the
River St. Lawrence, or rather at the eastern
extremity of Lake Ontario ; it is in lat. 44°. 8'.
north, and in long. 76°. 40'. west from Green
wich. On the ground upon Avhich it is built
formerly stood Fort Frontenac, an old French
post. Its foundation took place in 1784, and
by gradual increase it noAv presents a front of
nearly three quarters of a mile, and extending
in depth about six hundred yards. The streets
are regularly planned, running at right angles
Avith each other, but not pated : the number of
houses may be estimated at about three hun
dred and seventy ; some of them are Avell
built of stone, but the greater number are of
wood; many of them spacious and commo
dious. The public buildings are a govern
ment-house, a court-house, a Protestant and a
Catholic church, a market-house, a gaol, and
hospital, besides the garrison, block-houses,
government magazines and stores. For the
last fifteen years the town has obtained consi-

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599
derable mercantile importance; wharfs have
been constructed, and many spacious ware
houses erected, that are usually filled with mer
chandize : in fact, it is now become the main
entrepdt between Montreal and all the settle
ments along the lakes to the westward. From
the commencement of spring until the latter
end of autumn, great activity prevails ; vessels
of from eighty to nearly two hundred tons, em
ployed in navigating the lake, are continually
receiving and discharging their cargoes, as well
as the batteaux used in the river. The harbour
is Avell sheltered and convenient, accessible to
ships not requiring more than three fathoms
water, with good anchorage close to the north
eastern extremity of the town ; the entrance to
it is defended by a battery on Mississaga Point,
and another on Point Frederick, which, with
the shoal stretching from the former, Avith only
five feet of water upon it, are quite sufficient
for its protection. In the rear of the town,
upon a rising ground, some temporary field-
works have been thrown up for its defence
upon that side; but from the growing import
ance of the place these cannot be deemed
sufficient, and permanent Avorks ought to be
constructed in their stead. Opposite to the
town, and distant about half a mile, is a long
Ioav peninsula, forming the west side of Navy

600
Bay; the extremity of it is called Point Frede
rick: Point Henry is the extremity of another
peninsula, but of higher and more commanding
ground, that forms the eastern side of it. This
is the principal depot of the royal navy on
Lake Ontario, and Avhere the ships are laid up
during the Avinter; the anchorage is good, but
someAvhat exposed to south and south-west
Avinds; it is very well defended by batteries
and block-houses on Point Frederick, and by a
strong fort on Point Henry. On the Avestern
side of NaA^y Bay are the dock-yard, large store
houses, slips for building the men of war, naval
barracks, Avharfs, and several dAvelling-houses
for . the master builder and other artificers,
for whom, since their occupations have been so
unremitting, it has been found necessary to erect
habitations on the spot. In this yard the ships
composing the present British Ontario arma
ment Avere built and equipped : the construction
of the St. LaAvrence, a first-rate, mounting one
hundred and tAvo guns, will sufficiently prove
that the poAver of this fleet may hereafter be
increased to a vast extent. As a rival station
to the American one of Sacket Harbour, Navy.
Bay is entitled to every consideration, and as
long as it becomes an object to maintain a
naval superiority on the lake, the greatest at
tention must be paid to this establishment;

601
particularly when we observe with what care
our rivals complete such of their ships as were
begun during the war, and also the measures
they are adopting generally to be enabled to
contend against us, at a future period, Avith
numerical strength in their favour; and, in
fact, the methods they pursue are well calcu
lated to obtain the object they steadily keep in
vieAv. The conduct of an enterprising enemy
should always be narroAvly observed, and a
countervailing power be prepared, commensu
rate to the means of aggression. The Ameri
cans build their ships much faster than we do
on our side, and for this reason, strength is the
chief object with them, and if that be obtained
they care but little abou#t beauty of model or
elegance of finishing ; in fact, they receive no
other polish than Avhat is given them by the
axe and the adze. On the other hand, we
employ as much time upon ours as we should
in the European dock-yards : they are un
doubtedly as strong as the Americans, they are
handsomer and much better finished, but they
are far more expensive, and will not endure a
longer period of service. When we reflect that
ships built on this lake will not last more than
five, or at most six years of actual service, it
may be a subject not unAvorthy of considera
tion, Avhether we cannot, with some advantage

602
to ourselves, adopt the methods of our oppo
nents ; and if we have a fleet as strongly built,
equal in number and size to theirs, and capable
of keeping up the unrivalled splendour of our
national banner, be satisfied with it, although
it be not a rival in beauty and splendid deco
rations to that which has awed every enemy
into submission. The situation of the toAvn of
Kingston is convenient and very well chosen;
the soil in its vicinity is' very fertile by nature,
and much improved by cultivation for a great
distance all round ; roads lead from it to the
AvestAvard, to the eastward, and to the in
terior; Avith the latter there is a good water
communication by means of the rivers Rideau
and Petite Nation, arid some lakes that are
connected by short portages. In the lapse of
time, as the townships become settled, this will
prove of great advantage in facilitating the
transport of their produce, either to Kingston
or to Montreal, as both the Rideau and Petite
Nation discharge themselves into the Ottawa.
Fronting the harbour of Kingston is Wolfe
Island, or Grand Isle, tAventy miles in length
and about six in extreme breadth ; it is uncul
tivated, but very well clothed with oak, elm,
ash, and pine timber, and Avhere large quanti
ties are continually felled for the use of the
dock-yard : on the south side of it a deep bay

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603
runs in so far as to leave an isthmus of no more
than one mile in breadth ; up this bay is the
general route from the south side of the St.
LaAvrence to Kingston ; at the entrance of it
lies Carleton Island, which has a good harbour,
and was in the year 177^ the naval depot, but
at present it is seldom occupied by more than
a non-commissioned officer's detachment of
troops. The approach to Kingston harboul is
made by three different channels : the fiist,
called the Batteaux Channel, is between Wolfe
Island and Forest Island, and is generally used
by small craft only, having in several places
hardly two fathoms and a half Avater; the next
is the South Channel, formed by Forest Island
and Snake Island, a small spot with an exten
sive bank spreading from it ; here also, in the
fair way, the Avater shoals from three to tAro
fathoms and a half: the third and best is the
North Channel, between Snake Island and the
main land, which, although it increases the dis
tance a little, is by far the safest, having from
four to ten fathoms Avater in it. A little to the
westAvard of Kingston is the bay of Quinte,
very singularly formed between the irregular
peninsula of Prince Edward county on the
south and the main land of the midland dis
trict on the north ; the length, through the va
rious crooked turns it makes, is little short of

604
fifty miles, and its breadth varies betAveen six
and twelve miles ; the isthmus formed between
it and Lake Ontario, in the township of Mur
ray, is not more than three furlongs broad, over
which there is a portage; this inlet affords to
vessels safe shelter from the heavy gales fre
quently experienced on the Lake. The penin
sula on every side is indented by numerous
small bays and coves. Several rivers fall into
the bay, of which the largest are the Appannee,
the Shannon, the Moira, and the Trent ; the
latter, flowing from Rice Lake, is the channel
by Avhich the Avaters of a chain of shallow lakes
in the NeAvcastle district are brought into Lake
Ontario. On the south side of the Trent, in the
township of Percy, are several springs highly
impregnated Avith salt, and from which that ar
ticle is made, but does not answer the purpose
of curing provisions; being found, by repeated
experiments, not to possess the preservative
qualities of sea salt. The townships on the
bcrders of the bay and on the peninsula are
thckly inhabited, and in a prosperous state of
cultivation ; their produce of wheat and other
grain is very abundant, the soil being extremely
rich and very easily tilled: among the timber
there is some fine oak, pine, elm, and hickory.
A very short distance westward of the isthmus
of the bay of Quinte there is another small in-

605
let noAV called the harbour of Newcastle, but
formerly Presqu'ile, Avhich is sheltered from
every wind, and has good anchorage for ves
sels. As the prosperity of the colony obtains
increase, and towns and villages are built, this
place will not go unnoticed, as it offers a most
excellent situation for a small town and port.
At a place called Duffin's Creek, in the town
ship of Pickering, there is a fishery both for
salmon and sturgeon, that yields a large sup
ply and of a pretty good quality, considering
the great distance it is from the sea. The
front part of all the townships from Kingston
to York are, with few exceptions, well settled ;
roads lead through them, from which, in many
places, others branch off to the interior ; at in
tervals, rather distant indeed from each other,
there are a few small villages, or it may be
rather more correct to say groups of houses ;
but single dAvellings and farms are continually
presenting themselves all the way. On the
lands that are occupied great progress has
been made in agriculture; the houses, gene
rally speaking, are well built and strong ; and
the inhabitants appear to be possessed of all
the necessaries as well as most of the comforts
that a life of industry usually bestoAvs. The
town of York, the infant capital of Upper Ca
nada's in lat. 43°. S3', north, and in loHg. 79°. 20'.

606
west, exceedingly Avell situated in the town
ship of the same name, on the north side of
an excellent harbour. It is very regularly laid
out, with the streets running at right angles, and
promises to become a very handsome town.
The plot of ground marked out for it extends
about a mile and a half along the harbour,
but at present the number of houses does not
greatly exceed three hundred, the greatest part
of Avhich are built of wood, but there are how
ever many very excellent ones of brick and
stone. The public edifices are a government-
house, the house of assembly for the provincial
parliament, a church, a court-house, and a gaol,
with numerous stores and buildings for the va
rious purposes of government. The garrison is
situated to the westward of the town, at a mile
distance ; it consists of barracks for the troops
usually stationed here, a residence for the com
manding officer, now most frequently occupied
by the lieutenant governor of the province, a
battery and two blockhouses, which together
protect the entrance of the harbour ; the space
between the garrison and the town is wholly re
served for the use of government. The harbour
of York is nearly circular, and formed by a very
narrow peninsula stretching from the western
extremity of the township of Scarborough in an
oblique direction, for about six miles, and ter-

607
minating in a curved point nearly opposite the
garrison ; thus enclosing a beautiful basin about
a mile and a half in diameter, capable of con
taining a great number of vessels, and at the
entrance of Avhich ships may lie with safety
during the winter. The formation of the penin
sula |rtself is extraordinary, being a narrow slip
of land, in several places not more than sixty
yards in breadth, but widening towards its ex
tremity to nearly a mile; it is principally a
bank of sand with a very little grass upon it ;
the widest part is very curiously intersected by
many large ponds, that are the continual resort
of great quantities of wild fowl ; a few trees
scattered upon it greatly increase the singularity
of its appearance ; it lies so Ioav that the wide
expanse of Lake Ontario is seen over it : the
termination of the peninsula is called Gibraltar
Point, where a block-house has been erected.
The eastern part of the harbour is bounded by
an extensive marsh, through part of which the
river Don runs before it discharges itself into
the basin. No place in either province has
made so rapid a progress as York : in the year
1793 the spot on which it stands presented only
one solitary Indian Avigwam ; in the ensuing
spring the ground for the future metropolis of
Upper Canada was fixed upon, and the build
ings commenced under the immediate superi

608
intendance of the late General Simcoe, then
lieutenant governor ; in the space of five or six
years it became a respectable place, and rapidly
increased to its present importance : it now con
tains a population of tAvo thousand five hundred
souls. The parliament of the province annu
ally holds its sittings here, as do all the courts
of justice. Considerable advances have also
been made in the commerce, general opulence,
and consequent amelioration of its society :
being the residence of the chief officers of go
vernment both civil and military, many of the
conveniences and comforts of polished life are
to be met with. A newspaper is printed once
a week, and indeed at Kingston also. The
lands of the adjacent toAvnships for several miles
round are in a high state of cultivation, so that
the market of the town is ahvays well supplied.
The pressure of the late war has been consi
derably felt here, as it Avas captured by the
American army on the 27th April, 1813 ; they
held it, however, but a feAv days, but in that
time the government-house, and all the public
buildings and stores, were burnt, after removing
so much of their contents as could be conve
niently carried off. Immediately in the rear of
the town there is a very good road, called Yonge
street, that leads to Gwillimbury, a small village
thirty-tAvo miles to the northward, and thence

609
five miles more to Cook's Bay, from AA^hich by
Lake Simcoe there is a communication to Lake
Huron. This being a route of much importance,
has of late been greatly improved by the North-
Avest Company, for the double purpose of
shortening the distance to the Upper Lakes,
and avoiding any contact Avith the American
frontiers ; the land on each side of it, for a con
siderable depth, is very fertile, and many settle
ments are already formed, Avhere some of the
farms are in a good state of cultivation. The
advantage of this communication will be in some
degree sheAvn by the following recapitulation of
it. From York to Cook's Bay, on Lake Simcoe,
the distance is thirty-seven miles ; the naviga
tion through that Lake and the River Matche-
dash up to the old trading post on Matchedash
Bay, is seventy-seven miles more, making to
gether one hundred and fourteen. A shorter
route even than this is likely to be formed very
soon, by a road Avhich has been already traced
at the expense of the North- West Company,
from Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe, to Pe-
netengushene harbour, opening into Gloucester
Bay on Lake Huron ; this line of road being
only twenty-nine miles, will reduce the di
stance from York to Lake Huron to eighty-
eight miles, going by water from Cook's Bay
into Kempenfelt Bay; another small reduction
R B

610
might still be made, by opening a road from
Holland river up to the last-mentioned bay.
By pursuing this route the distance from York
to St. Mary's Rapid, between Lake Huron and
Lake Superior, is about four hundred miles,
Avhereas by the circuitous one of Lake Erie and
the River Ste. Claire it is full seven hundred;
the importance of the communication is there
fore obvious. From York to the Avestward there
is another good road, called Dundas-street, lead
ing to Coot's Paradise, at the extremity of Lake
Ontario, and from thence nearly in a straight
line to the township of New London upon
the River Thames, altogether upAvards of one
hundred miles, by Avhich an inland communica
tion Avith the western district is maintained.
On each side of this road there are many settle
ments scattered here and there, some of them
very well cultivated and thickly inhabited ;
there are also several inns for the accommoda
tion of travellers. The River Thames winds
through a fine level country, highly fertile, and
rich in every requisite for new settlements;
its banks present many fine plains and large
patches of excellent meadoAV land ; the soil is
principally a light sandy earth, interspersed Avith
marl and reddish clay: the oak, pine, maple,
Avalnut and beech growing in its vicinity, are of
very superior quality. There are already roads
formed along its course, and on each side of it

611
numerous scattered settlements down to Lake
St. Claire; the DelaAvare Indian village, and
another of Moravian settlers, are situated on it.
This last is about thirty-five miles from the
mouth of the river; it is under the superin
tendance of missionaries from the society of
Moravian United Brethren, Avho maintain a
chapel here; there are many Indian converts
residing in it, whose peaceable conduct and
general demeanour shoAV some of the benefits
derived from civilization ; the village is sur
rounded by thriving corn fields, and tillage
has made a considerable progress in its neigh
bourhood. About tAventy miles further down
the river is a small place called Chatham, very
desirably seated at the junction of a large
stream with the Thames ; it is in a very centrical
situation, and likely, as the population of the
province increases, to become a toAvn of much
note. A dock -yard might be advantageously
established on the point of land formed by the
two rivers, from whence vessels might be conve
niently launched. The Thames is deep enough
for ships of any size : a bar across its entrance
into Lake Ste. Claire is certainly some draw
back, but as there is at all times sufficient water
upon it to float small craft perfectly equipped,
the resources of art would very easily pass those
of a much larger rate; camels, for instance,
ss2

613
might be used, or even common lighters dexte
rously managed Avould prove adequate to the
service. The British bank of the Niagara River
is generally high, and exhibits a well-cultivated
and thickly inhabited country, with roads lead
ing along its course, from which others strike off
to almost every part of the district ; in this por
tion of the province agriculture and new settle
ments have been carried to a great extent, and
the amount of its population is surpassed only
by the three eastern districts. By the side^ of
the roads that coast the extremity of Lake On
tario there is a continual succession of houses,
and many excellent farms. The toAvn of Newark
is conveniently and very pleasantly situated at
the entrance, of the River Niagara from Lake
Ontario, and almost fronting Fort' Niagara on
the American side ; it Avas begun in 1792, and
had increased to about two hundred neat and
well-built houses, Avith a church, court-house,
and one or tAvo other public buildings ; but all
of these, with the greatest part of the dwelling
houses, were destroyed by the Americans in the
month of December, 1813, Avhen they evacuated
Fort George, which stands on the bank of the
river, a little above Navy Hall, and had been
captured by them a feAv months before. A few
huts are the only remains of this once thriving
town, that from its defenceless state had never

613
been able to make any opposition to the ene
my's force : its destruction was as cold-blooded
as it was unjustifiable, and betrayed a depraved
ferocity not often portrayed in modern annals,
but which was afterwards dearly expiated in
the course of the war. From Newark to Queens-
toAvn the distance is seven miles by the road
along the river : this is a place of much note,
exceedingly Avell situated under the ridge called
Queenstown Heights ; it has a harbour capable
6f receiving vessels of all descriptions ; the
number of houses is about one hundred and
fifty, with a good church, court-house, stores for
government and for the Indian department,
wharfs, and barracks for the troops always
stationed here : much commercial activity takes
place during the season of navigation, as all the
goods sent to the north-west country are landed
here from the vessels which bring them from
Kingston, and returns made in peltries, provi
sions, and other commodities ; from hence there
is a portage or road to Chippewa Creek, by
which the goods are transported in waggons on
account of the Great Fall, Queenstown suf
fered very much during the war ; in its vicinity
was fought the action by which our country
was deprived of the valuable services of that
gallant and able soldier General Brock. About
three miles from QueenstoAvn, on the road
leading towards the head of the lake, is the vil-

614
Iage of St. David's, very pleasantly situated on
a stream called the Four-mile Creek, and sur
rounded by land in a very high state of cultiva
tion: previous to feeling the severities of Ame
rican warfare it contained forty houses, but
now it is much short of that number. Between
Queenstown and Fort Erie there is only the
village of Chippewa, containing a feAv houses,
many storehouses, and tAvo or three taverns ; it
is on the eastern bank of the River Welland,
and near it a small military post called For*
Chippewa. Bordering the road throughout the
whole distance, at short intervals, there are
houses and farms in a very flourishing state,
many of them beautifully and romantically
situated on the bank of the river, and surrounded
by some of the most picturesque scenery in na
ture : betAveen Newark and Chippewa a stage
coach travels regularly. Fort Erie stands on a
little rising ground close to the entrance into the
Niagara River from the Lake Erie, During the
war it was considerably strengthened and con
nected by a chain of field-Avorks Avith a strong
battery on Snake Hill, about eleven hundred
yards distant. The northern shore of Lake
Erie is not remarkable for any . strong traits
of nature ; all the townships are Avatered both
by large and small streams in abundance;
they increase very fast in the number of their
settlements and the quantity of land brought

615
under culture ; in many parts they are naturally
but scantily timbered, and almost unencum
bered with underwood, circumstances mate
rially contributing to this increase. Along the
shore there are several convenient harbours for
small craft, and two or three for the armed
vessels that have occasionally navigated it.
Long Point, or the North Foreland, is a narroAv
slip of land, or rather a sandy beach, projecting
eastward from the toAvnship of Walsingham,
little less than twenty miles, and not greatly
exceeding one hundred and eighty yards in
breadth ; it forms the deep nook called Long
Point Bay, at the head of which there is a port
age across the neck of land to the lake, that
from its loAvness is sometimes so much overr
floAved as to be passable for boats. At Turkey
Point, projecting from the main land Avithin
the foreland, a spot has been surveyed and plan
ned out for a dock-yard. From this spot to
Amherstburgh nothing intervenes to break the
uniformity of the coast : this town is situated
about three miles up the eastern side of Detroit
River, and contains about one hundred and
fifty houses, a church, court-house, gaol, &c.
It was a frontier post and naval depot, but the
military works, dock-yard, and stores, were de
stroyed by the English in 1813, when they were
forced to evacuate it by an overwhelming
American force : there is a very safe and con-

616
venient harbour, with good anchorage, in 3|
fathoms. Fourteen miles beyond Amherst-
burgh, pursuing the course of the riArer, stands
the town of Sandwich, containing about one
hundred houses, a church, distinguished by the
appellation of the Huron church, a court
house, and gaol : tliere are some Avharfs along
the river side, where vessels may be safely laid
up during the winter. From Sandwich to Lake
Ste. Claire the bank of the river is every where
in a high state of culture, with houses thickly
placed all along the road ; good gardens, and
almost invariably an orchard, are attached to
them : no part of the province can rival this in
luxuriance of soil or picturesque beauty, nor
can any one be easily conceived more agreeable
than it is in the spring of the year. Beyond
this valuable tract there is no cultivated land,
except in small quantities round the different
stations of the North- West Company in the in
terior. In reviewing the American frontier op
posed to Upper Canada, it is found to extend
from the village of St. Regis, on the parallel of
the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, along
the south bank of the St. LaAvrence and the
Great Lakes, up to the north-west angle of the
Lake of the Woods, a distance of about 1570
miles : on this line many military stations and
trading posts are established. Upwards of six
hundred miles of it are extremely Avell cultivated,

617
thickly peopled, and divided into districts,
counties, and toAvnships. The state of New
York presents by far the most interesting front
along the Great River, Lake Ontario, and part
of Lake Erie, comprising the counties of St.
Lawrence, Jefferson, Oneida, Onondaga, Ca
yuga, Seneca, Ontario, Genesee, and Niagara ;
the counties of Erie and CraAvford are within
the state of Pensylvania ; thence westAvard, the
counties of Geauga, Cayahoga, Huron, and the
Miamis Country as far as the southerly line of
the Michigan Territory, are in the state of Ohio ;
the Michigan Territory is divided into the dis
tricts of Erie, Huron, and Michilimackinac,
composing the countv of Wavne and the Chip-
peAva country. The rapid progress of popula
tion and agriculture in this extent of six hun
dred miles is surprising, and perhaps stands
Avithout precedent in the annals of colonisation.
In the year 1796 the whole of it was literally a
Avilderness, excepting only in the vicinity of the
fojts and trading establishments, and a very
feAv settlements on the Genesee River. So dif
ferent is the face of the country in the present
day, that if a traveller were to view it who had
Avitnessed the state of it at the time mentioned,
he would with difficulty trust to the evidence of
his own senses. The part of NeAV York border
ing the waters possesses a soil equal in fertility
to almost any district of North America, abound-

618
ing with timber of first rate quality and finest
sorts, and watered in a most singularly conve
nient manner, by numerous large rivers, and an
extraordinary number of minor streams ; many
of the former have their sources from forty to
fifty, and as much as ninety miles in the interior,
and descend into the St. Lawrence or Lake
Ontario ; added to these are the Lakes Oneida,
Cayuga, Seneca, Crooked Lake and Chatanque.
Of the principal rivers may be mentioned the
Oswego, Genesee, Black River, OsAvegatchie,
Grass River, Rackett River, St. Regis River,
and Salmon River; the Tonnewonta Creek,
Buffalo Creek, Oak Orchard Creek, and many
others : on their banks are many extensive levels
of fine arable, and abundance of luxuriant
meadoAV land. In no part of the United States
has the progress of industry been so eminently
conspicuous as here, and perhaps in no part of
the universe have numerous villages and towns,
convenient and good roads, grounds clothed
Avith harvests, and pastures covered with do
mestic cattle of every description, so suddenly
emerged from the depths of forests and a wil
derness of matted thickets. From St. Regis to
the extremity of Lake Erie there are not less
than twenty principal roads striking off to the
interior, of which several lead by the shortest
route to Washington, Albany, NeAV York, Phi
ladelphia, and even to Boston. Between St.

619
Regis and the village of Hamilton, a distance of
thirty-three miles, there is a good road; the
latter stands on a rising ground close by the
river side, and consists of about thirty very well
built houses : at this place there is a ferry over
to the Canadian side, and roads diverging from
it to the southward, and to the settlements on
Lake Champlain. Nineteen miles further west
ward are the town and fort of Ogdensburgh : the
former numbers about seventy houses, a church,
&c. \ the latter is a strong work, presenting a
powerful front to the river, immediately opposite
to Fort Wellington. From Ogdensburgh good
roads lead parallel with the river, but there is
no place of note until arriving at Sacket Har
bour, a distance of fifty-nine miles. This place
has risen into consequence from its rivalship to
Kingston, and attracted much public attention
by some ephemeral successes, that are not
likely to recur if the trident of Britain be here
after grasped Avith its characteristic determina
tion. It is situated on the south-east side of
an expansion of the Black River, near Avhereit
flows into Hungry Bay, bearing from Kingston
south by east, distance twenty-five miles, but
by a ship's course thirty-five miles ; as an har
bour it is convenient, but rather small, with suf
ficient Avater for the large ships, and well shel
tered from every Avind, being nearly surrounded
by high lands. A low point of land runs out

' 620
from the north-west, upon which is the dock
yard, with large storehouses, and all the requisite
buildings belonging to such an establishment.
Upon this point there is a very powerful Avork
called Fort Tompkins, having within it a strong
block-house, tAvo stories high ; on the land side
it is covered, by a strong picketing, in Avhich
there are embrasures; twenty guns are mounted,
besides two or three mortars, with a furnace for
heating shot. At the bottom of the harbour is
the village, that contains from sixty to seventy
houses, and to the southward of it a barrack
capable of accommodating tAvo thousand men,
and generally used for the marines belonging
to the fleet. On a point eastward of the har
bour stands Fort Pike, aregular work, surrounded
by a ditch, in advance of which there is a strong
line of picketing ; in the centre of the principal
work there is a block-house two stories high : this
fort is armed with twenty guns. About one
hundred yards from the village, and a little to the
westward of Fort Tompkins, is Smith's Canton
ments or barrack, strongly built of logs, forming
a square with a block-house at each corner ; it
is loop-holed on every side, and capable of
making a powerful resistance : 2500 men may
be accommodated in it. A little further west
ward another large fort presents itself, built of
earth, and strongly palisaded, having in the
centre of it a block-house one story high ; it

621
mounts tAventy-eight guns : midway between
these tAvo Avorks there is a poAvder magazine,
enclosed within a very strong picketing. By
the side of the road that leads from the village
to Henderson's Harbour stands Fort Virginia,
a square work Avith bastions at the angles, co
vered Avith astrong line of palisades, but no ditch;
it is armed Avith sixteen guns, and has a block
house in the middle of it. Fort Chauncey is a
small circular tower, covered in Avith plank, and
loop-holed for the use of musketry, intended for
a small-arm defence only : it is situated a small
distance from the village, and commands the
road that leads to Sandy Creek. In addition
to these works of strength, there are several
block-houses in different situations, that alto
gether render the place very secure, and capa
ble of resisting a powerful attack ; indeed, from
recent events, the Americans have attached
much importance to it, and with their accus
tomed celerity have spared no exertions to
render it formidable. The strength of the
American armament lying in this port in the
summer of 1814 is given in a subjoined table,
as well as a statement of the English squadron
at Kingston. The country round Sacket Har
bour is neither much cleared, nor in a very high
state of cultivation ; but there are moderately
good roads leading to Brownville, and in various
directions into the state of NeAV York. From

622
Brownville a road leads to a place called King
ston Ferry, on the St. Lawrence, from whence
over to Kingston, through the Bay of Wolfe
Island, the distance is tAvelve miles, making the
whole from Sacket Harbour by this route
thirty-four miles ; but in the Avinter season it
may be shortened several miles by crossing the
lake upon the ice, almost in a straight line. Be
yond Sacket Harbour, the River Oswego fur
nishes an easy and very convenient communi
cation from Lake Ontario to the Mohawk
River, and thence into the Hudson RiVer. The
Oswego has its source very near the head of the
Mohawk ; it passes through Lake Oneida, and
in its course to Lake Ontario receives the Seneca
River, besides the waters of several less streams
and many small lakes, that in the spring and
fall of the year greatly swell its current. At the
mouth of the river there is a safe and good har
bour with two fathom water, but a little way up
the stream the depth increases to four or five;
the entrance is narrowed by a large flat on each
side, covered with round stones, that are conti
nually rolling with the flux and reflux, and oc
casion a sort of shifting bar, on which during the
summer there is seldom more than six or seven
feet Avater, but in the spring and fall this depth
is increased about three feet. The channel is
completely commanded by a Avell-built strong
fort, situated upon an eminence on the shore of

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Joseph. Boncliette.

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e 8' /'20 A "?7
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¦«*.-:. aa ... * rju Ocsweofo Harbour
i ' '' ^T ' *^

PuJiliJud I'll H '.Faden Charing Cross- 12 Atufitiif

623
the lake, eastward of the river ; on its western
bank stands the town of Oswego, consisting of
about one hundred houses, and laid out with
much regularity. From this place to the town
of Albany, on the Hudson River, besides the
communication by water, there are very good
roads leading through a flourishing well-settled
country, Avhich have long constituted one of the
principal approaches to Upper Canada; and
although many others have been opened within
tlie few last years, the line Avill always remain
one of primary consequence, as being the most
direct. Between Sacket Harbour and Oswego
a road passes through Ellisburgh, and near the
mouth of Salmon River, from which places
there are others leading to Utica. Sixteen
miles Avestward of Oswego is a bay called the
Great Sodus, about four miles across, and two
deep : the entrance to it is narrow, being
formed by two projecting points; that on the
westward is high, and near to it is the deepest
water : a sandy bar stretches across the mouth
of the bay, on which there is generally six
feet water, but under the western point seven
and eight ; within it there are several fathoms :
on the eastern side there is a small island : this
place forms a very good station for building
vessels : round the bay there are some settle
ments from whence roads strike off to Canan-
dagua. Irondiquet Bay is another large open-

624
ing that runs considerably inland, but the en
trance to it is obstructed by a sandy bar Avith
no more than three or four feet Avater upon it ;
in the vicinity are the settlements of Northfield,
from Avhich a road leads to the MohaAvk River,
and thence continues to the toAvn of Bristol.
Tracing the shore of the lake, beyond Iron-
diquet Bay is the Genesee River, that has its
rise in the county of Porter, within the state of
Pensylvania, and winds through a country both
fertile and well inhabited ; the entrance to it
from Lake Ontario is narrow, Avith no more
than six or seven feet water in the channel, but
Avithin it there is sufficient depth for vessels -of
two hundred tons. Hartford, Genesee Town,
and Williamsburgh, are principal places upon
it, and have roads in almost every direction
from them to the town of Batavia and the
interior of the state. The tract called the Ge
nesee country is remarkable for the luxuriant
fertility of its soil ; it is every where thickly in
habited, and in a very high state of cultivation;
the produce of wheat is unusually great, and
the grain of a very superior quality ; in many
parts the land is congenial to the culture of
hemp and flax, and of each article large quan
tities are raised every year. Braddock's Bay is
large, but almost unserviceable, from the shal
lowness of the water. From the settlements at
Fish Bay there are roads to .the. town of Ba-

625
tavia. On sweeping round the extremity Of
Xake Ontario the large fort of Niagara pre*-
sents itself, on the eastern bank, at the en
trance of the river : it was originally built by
the French in 1751, taken by the English in
1759, ceded to the United States by the treaty
of 1794, and delivered up to them in 1796,
with several other frontier posts. It was at
one time esteemed the key to the upper lakes,
from being a strong place and commanding
the entrance of the river, which from point
to point is about 1000 yards across. Among
the events of the late Avar it made a principal
figure, having been taken by the English on the
19th December, 1813, by assault, in a very dis
tinguished manner, and held by them until the
peace, when it Avas returned to its former mas
ters. On the bank of the Rhrer Niagara a very
good road, with a few settlements interspersed,
runs as far as Fort Schlosser. LeAvistoAvn, op
posite to Queenstown, on the English side, a
pretty little village of forty or fifty houses, was
burnt by the British troops, immediately after1-
the capture of Niagara, as a measure of retri
bution for the unnecessary and unprovoked
cruelties inflicted by the Americans upon the
unoffending toAvn of Newark. FromLewistown
a fine road goes to Batavia, from whence others
branch off through the states of Pensylvania and
s s

626
New York, as well as almost every part of the
frontier. At Black Rock and Buffalo Creek,
at the eastern extremity of Lake Erie, were
military posts, with a few houses and settle*
ments around them, but they were destroyed
at the same time and for the same reason as
Lewistown ; since that time, however, the Ame
ricans have been indefatigable in restoring the
forts. From Buffalo up to Detroit, near Lake
Ste. Claire, the shore of Lake Erie is generally
low, except near the portage of Chataughque,
where for a short distance it is rocky and lofty ;
and betweenCleveland and the ReneshouaRiver,
where the cliffs rise almost perpendicular nearly
tAventy yards above the water's level, and so
continue until they approach almost close to the
River Huron. Along this side of the lake there
are but few points meriting particular notice :
the entrance of Cataragus Creek affords a good
harbour for boats, from whence there is a road
to the interior. Presqu'ile harbour is situated
opposite to the North Foreland, or Long Point,
and formed by a sandy beach or narrow penin
sula stretching a great distance, and covering it
from the lake ; in form it bears so strong a re
semblance to York harbour on Lake Ontario,
that the same description Avould apply almost
equally Avell to both places, with the difference,
that the latter opens to the south-Avest and the

6:27
former to tlie north-east : the breadth of it is
about a mile and a half, but it runs inward
nearly three miles; the entrance is not more
than half a mile wide, Avith a bar across it, on
Avhich there is in general not more than six or
seven feet water. The toAvn of Erie is seated
on the south side of the harbour : it is of a
respectable size, well laid out, and the streets
regular; the houses altogether amount to two
hundred, with a church, court-house, and a
public prison : eastward of the town stands a
strong battery, and on the point of the penin
sula a large blockhouse, which combined com
pletely defend the harbour. At this town there
is a dock-yard, with storehouses, Avharfs, &c.
forming the American naval depot on this lake,
and at Avhich they have built and equipped
brigs mounting tAventy guns. A road leads
from it by Fort Le Boeuf to MeadsviUe and
Fort Franklin, on the Allegany River, and an
other by the margin of the lake to Buffalo. A
little south-west of Erie is the small village of
Litchfield, from whence a road continues by
the lake side to Ralphsville, and by the Ashta
bula River doAvn to Jefferson and Austinburgh,
from whence another proceeds to the towns of
Warren and New Lisbon. -From a small settle
ment called Newmarket, on the east side of
Grand River, a road goes to Cleveland, and
thence turns off to New Lisbon, and continuess s 2

628
on to Fort Mcintosh on the Ohio river. From
Cleveland there is a very good road to San
dusky, that proceeds on to the old Fort Miami,
now almost in ruins : half a mile beyond it is
Fort Meggs, a place of some strength, and
mounting eighteen guns. The two bays of
Sandusky and Miami afford good anchorage
and shelter, as do most of the islands at the
west end of the lake. In Cunningham's Island
there is a fine harbour called Put-in -Bay,
open to the north, and very Avell sheltered,
with excellent anchorage : it is nearly of a
circular form, and the entrance to it not more
than a quarter of a mile wide, having on the
western side a narroAv rocky point about forty
feet high, but Avhere it joins the island the
isthmus is so low as to be generally overflowed ;
from the point a block-house and strong battery
defend the harbour. The English ships Queen
Charlotte and Detroit were carried in here after
their capture, Avhen the British squadron was
defeated by an American one of much superior
force. Without exception this is the best and
most convenient harbour on Lake Erie. From
Miami there is a road by French Town and
Brownville to Detroit, a considerable place on
the side of the river, and almost opposite to
Sandwich : the toAvn consists of about two
hundred houses, a Protestant and a Catholic
church, a few public buildings belonging to

629
the government, and wharfs in front of it:
among the inhabitants there are many old Ca
nadian settlers. The fort and military works
at this place are very strong ; they were taken
by the British forces under General Brock in
1812, when General Hull surrendered himself
and his army prisoners of Avar. The land
about the town of Detroit and on the bank of
the river is highly fertile, thickly inhabited,
and under a very thriving state of culture : the
settlements continue closely connected Avith
each other along the Avestern border of Lake
Ste. Claire for about twenty miles. On both
sides of the River Huron, at its embouchure in
the lake, there are a few good settlements, di
stant about thirty-five miles from Detroit. The
west bank of the River Ste. Claire is moderately
good land, and settlements have been. carried.
as high up as the Belle Riviere,' about fifteen
miles above the lake, as far as which there is
a road all the way from Detroit. Beyond this
point cultivation has not been extended, ex
cept a little at the different places where mili
tary or trading establishments are maintained.
The government of Up'per Canada is admi
nistered by a lieutenant-governor (who is almost
always a military officer), a legislative council,
an executive council, and a house of assembly.
The legislative council, according to the act of
the British parliament, is to consist of noLless.

630
than seven members, of which the chief justice
of the province is president, and Avherein the
bishop of Quebec has a seat: the members
are appointed by mandamus from the king,
and hold their seats, under certain restrictions,
for life. The executive council is composed of
six members; the chief-justice is president, and
the bishop of Quebec likewise has a seat in it.
The house of assembly is composed of twenty-
five members, who are returned by the twenty-
three counties ; they meet once a year, and the
session is opened and prorogued by the lieute
nant-governor ; the duration of this assembly
is limited by law to four years, at which pe
riod neAv elections take place ; but the gover
nor may, upon occasions that seem fit to him,
dissolve it at any time, by the authority vested
in him. The functions of this house are ex
actly similar to those of the parliament of the
lower province; it votes the annual supplies
for the militia, and all monies raised for the
service and improvement of the colony. The
civil and criminal laAv is administered by a
chief-justice and two puisne judges. There
is a court of king's bench, common pleas, and
a court of appeal: the laws of England, with
the rights and liberties granted by its constitu-!
tion, are in force in Upper Canada in their
fullest extent, and without the slightest varia
tion. There are also an attorney and solicitor

631
general, a surveyor-general, and several other
officers of the crown ; but the amount of their
salaries, and indeed the whole civil list, is de
frayed by Great Britain, without the smallest
encumbrance to the province. For the defence
of this extensive country detachments of regu
lar troops are stationed in it, assisted by a se
dentary militia, enrolled in the same way as
that of Lower Canada, and which, upon paper,
amounts to 11,000 men: from among these the
battalions of incorporated militia, Avhen ordered
to be embodied, are filled up by ballot; but,
spread over so wide a space as they are, it is
rare that, upon cases of emergency, more than
a feAv hundreds have been brought together at
one time; the chief reliance, therefore, must
be placed upon the former, and the navy on
the lakes. Of the troops no permanent number
can be mentioned, being augmented or reduced,
as circumstances require, or the amicable rela
tions with our neighbours will permit. The
defence of this large and rapidly improving
colony becomes, in the present day, a subject
of much importance, and demands more than
ordinary attention. If the actual state of this
country and that part of the United States
bordering upon it be critically examined, and
taking into consideration the superior popula
tion of the latter, with the easy means of access
by the large rivers that fall into the St. Law-

632
rence and the lakes, and combining these cir
cumstances with the ardent desire sheAvn and
openly avowed by the American government
of obtaining possession of Upper Canada, we
shall not be misled by a belief that the present
means of defence are adequate to its preserva
tion, in the event of another rupture between
the tAvo powers. A Avar, undertaken for the ex
press purpose of dismembering these provinces
from the British dominion, has been recently
terminated, in which the invader was over
whelmed Avith disgrace, and beaten back from
the territory he attempted to subjugate, by a
force that, reckoning its numerical strength
only, was never competent to stand before;
him. This success may be attributed to two-
causes ; in the first place, to the patient forti
tude and invincible bravery of our troops ; in^
the next, and certainly more adventitious one,'
to the Avant of discipline and military talent
in their enemies. Upon the former Ave may
always rely Avith the most unshaken confi-
dence, but not so Avith the latter; for even
defeats following quick upon each other have
before now taught the conquered to become in
their turn the victors. At the time the Ame
rican declaration of war was known in Upper
Canada, and which reached Amherst burgh on
the afternoon of July 2d, 1812, there Avere not
more than 2000 British troops distributed alj

633
over it, and none of the militia organised ; in
the following year, when strengthened by every
man that could be spared from the loAver pro
vince and the dependent governments, the cam
paign Avas made Avith 7000 men, against armies,
or rather collections, of much superior num
bers ; and it Avas not until the middle of 1814
that sufficient reinforcements arrived to place
it in a state of security. On Lake Ontario the
preponderance of naval strength was latterly
with the English, but in the early part of the
war it Avas most decidedly on the enemy's
side; and to the co-operation of which he was
indebted for the advantage he obtained in
the few attacks that he made Avith success.
True it is, that he never gained any victory
that Avas eminently useful to him, even at the
time when the number of regular troops in the
province was at the lowest, for in nearly every
one of his attempts his plans Avere developed
and his armies overthrown by the bravery of
mere handfuls of Avell disciplined soldiers; but
the recurrence of a similar chain of fortunate
events is not to be presumed upon. In the
outset of the war a feAv hundreds of English
troops found it an easy task to bear aAvay the
palm of victory from double, treble, and even
quadruple their number of opponents ; but to
wards its termination a material difference Avas
obseiTable; numerous disasters had taught the-

634
Americans caution; frequent defeats brought
them better acquainted with tactics ; and dear-
bought experience in the business of an active
campaign, enabled them to take the field with
many essential qualifications of good soldiers ;
consequently the different actions were more
obstinately contested, and the side to Avhich
victory would incline rendered more dubious.
The principal affairs that took place during
the two first campaigns Avere the following, and
while they prove that nothing but the uncom
mon firmness and heroic devotion of the differ
ent corps saved the country, will also shew that
such a result was hardly to be expected. Im
mediately after the declaration of hostilities,
General Hull, with a large force, crossed the
River Detroit, and made an incursion upon the
Canadian frontier, but retired almost immedi
ately afterwards to his own side, and strength
ened himself at Fort Detroit, where he was
attacked on the 16th August, 1812, by 700
regulars and militia, under the command of
General Brock, assisted by 600 Indians, and
so completely vanquished that he surrendered
himself and all his army of 2500 men prisoners
of war. On the night of the 12th October an
other American corps of 1500 men crossed the
Niagara River near Queenstown, and on the
morning of the 13th, soon after day-break,
were defeated by a body of 650 men under

635
General Brock, Avho unhappily for his country
received a mortal wound shortly after the ac*
tion commenced. On the 22d January, 1813,
a detachment under General Winchester was
defeated and captured at Riviere aux Raisins,
on Avhich occasion there was nearly a similar
disparity of force. On the 27th April, an
American force under General Dearborn, con
sisting of 2500 men, supported by Commodore
Chauncey's squadron of ten armed vessels, car
rying altogether fifty guns, effected a landing,
and captured the toAvn of York, which at that
period was protected only by two companies of
the 8th regiment, two weak companies of the
Newfoundland regiment, 40 men of the Glen-
gary riflemen, 220 militia, and 40 Indians,
all under the personal command of General
Sheaffe. An action took place, but it only
served to gain time for destroying a new ship
on the stocks, arid some public stores ; when
after having sustained the loss of 130 brave
men in obstructing the enemy's advance, a re
treat was effected with the remainder, and the
capital of Upper Canada for the first time re
ceived a conqueror, but who soon re-embarked,
after destroying such of the public buildings as
fell into his hands. The superiority of their
fleet gave the Americans the advantage of
choosing their points of attack, and on the
24th and 25th of May Chauncey's squadron,

636
in conjunction with Fort Niagara, bombarded
Fort George, on the opposite side of the river,
and in the tAvo days nearly destroyed its de
fences. On the morning of the 27th the fleet
received on board 4000 troops, under the com
mand of General LeAvis, which were immedi
ately after landed between Mississaga Point
and Two Mile Creek, under cover of a lively
fire from the ships, and succeeded, after as
much opposition as could be offered by the
feAv troops it Avas possible to assemble, in Cap-*
turing the fort. On this occasion the whole
number of English troops did not amount to
one tenth of the enemy's : Avhen resistance was
no longer of use, this small bodjr effected a re
treat unmolested, under the command of Bri
gadier General Vincent, to Queenstown, and
subsequently to Burlington heights, Avhere a
position Avas taken up, and some reinforcement
obtained. After his victory General Lewis
moved forward with intent to attack this neAV
post, but General Vincent, penetrating the de
sign, determined to attempt a surprise; and
with 280 men of the 8th, and 450 of the 49th
regiment, before day-break on the 6th June
fell upon his opponents in their camp near
Stoney Creek with such vigour that they were
totally routed with great slaughter : in this
affair the force of the enemy was 3500 infan
try, Avith seven field-pieces ; Brigadier-Generals

637
Chandler and Winder, 5 field-officers and cap
tains, and upAvards of 100 men, with 4 of the
guns, were taken. While these events were
taking place at the western extremity of Lake
Ontario, an attack Avas made by the English
upon Sacket's Harbour, before day-break on
the 29th May, but Avas not attended with the
desired success. In this encounter the numbers
of the enemy were treble those of the assailants;
adverse winds prevented the co-operation of the
large ships of the British squadron, and the fire
of the gun-boats being incapable of producing
much effect against the batteries, it Avas deem
ed impracticable to carry the place by assault;
the troops Avere therefore withdrawn and re-em
barked without opposition, taking with them
four American officers and 150 soldiers prison
ers, and occasioning the enemy to set fire to
some of their naval store-houses, lest the place
should fall into the hands of the English. The
principal feature of the campaign of 1813 was
thedefeatofpartofGeneral Wilkinson's army on
the 11th November, near Chrystlers Farm, as it
entirely overthrew the plan of operations agreed
upon between him and General Hampton, and
Avhich Avas the most formidable of any that Avas
concerted for the invasion of the lower province;
Wilkinson had collected 10,000 men at Grena
dier Island, in Lake Ontario, from Avhence, on
the ,30th October, he descended the St, Law-

638
rence in small craft, with a vieAv to act in con-"1
cert with General Hampton ; during the night
of the 7th November he passed Fort Welling
ton, but his intention being previously observed,
he experienced a very heavy and destructive
fire during the Avhole of the time he Avas Avithin
reach of its guns. A corps of observation under
Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, of the 89th, con
sisting of part of the 49th regiment, the 2d bat
talion of the 89th, three companies of voltigeurs,
and some Indians, in all about 800 men, and two
field pieces, with a division of gun-boats, fol
lowed the American army, and closely watched
its movements. About two o'clock on the after
noon of the 11th, a detachment of tAvo brigades
of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, and some
field-pieces, under the command of Brigadier
General Boyd, in all 4000 men, attacked the
British advanced guard, which gradually fell
back upon the position occupied by the main
body; half an hour aftenvards the action be
came general, when several efforts Avere made
by the enemy to turn the British left flank, and
as often frustrated by spirited manoeuvres ; after
two hours contest, and being charged in his turn,
he gave way at all points from a formidable
position, and precipitately retired. After this
essay, in which he lost one gun and 800 men,
killed, wounded, or prisoners, General Wilkin
son immediately re-crossed the St. LaAvrence to

-*-* "J*^ * A SmEITOHl of the SATO-SI

CUKISTLERS FtAJBLM
WIZXJAMSB UR G
UPPER CANADA

jifNovri813.

References.
a (uvyv of Detaelunents

d Chrisders leant
e American Infantry
^* - f , ...... . tti.vwii^'
 _ . ¦'ru/i Boats
1 British Ckux£oats

THate Uu- Canadian Vobtijews ot die Commencement or
tlie -Actum were adx-aneed in Front of -die Lett ot
ttic J}ritLs\ and tfie Indian Warriors on die Skirts
ot' die TCboIs; Wfuat it became general 'they botft
retired by die left to lite Bear.
 ¦* "

Cu3lis/ud hy W.Cadai Chariot) Cross Auq'iiiifiib .

y/l'i/Scgr Sculpt

639
his OAvn shores, and soon afterwards quitted the
command of an army he had so unsuccessfully
conducted. The year 1813 closed with two
other defeats of the enemy, and both on his
oavii territory : the first took place on the 1 9th
December, when Fort Niagara Avas carried by
the brilliant assault of a body of troops under
Colonel Murray ; and the second on the 30th
of the same month, by detachments from the
Royal Scots, the 8th, 41st, 89th, and 100th regi
ments, amounting to 1000 men, under the com
mand of General Riall. The American general's
force, upwards of 2000, was strongly posted at
Black Rock ; but after a sharp attack he Avas
driven to Buffalo, Avhere, in another good posi
tion, he endeavoured to retrieve his fortune, but
Avith no better success, and after a short resist
ance fell back to Eleven Mile Creek on Lake
Erie: the result of this enterprise was seven field
pieces, four sloops and schooners, a considerable
quantity of ordnance and other valuable stores,
and 70 prisoners ; the forts at Black Rock and
Buffalo, with all the public buildings, and the
four vessels, Avere burnt; after Avhich the detach
ment Avithdrew, without interruption, to the
Canadian shore. The events of the campaign
of 1814 Avere not so numerous, but they evi
dently proved that the British troops must look
forward to contend against opponents who had
greatly profited by the experience of the tAvo

640
preceding years, as Avell as being far superior
in numbers. Had the means employed by the
Americans been more judiciously used, every
impartial person must believe that their de
signs Avould have been realised, notwithstand
ing the heroism of the English soldiers. The
incorporated militia, Avhen it Avas organised and
brought into action, ahvays behaved nobly,
and made good a title to the admiration of the
country, for its bravery and loyalty; but still
its support, had the invasion been conducted
with skill and prudence, would not have made
the defensive force sufficiently strong to avert
the threatened danger. That the subjugation
of both provinces hath been, and will continue
to be, a favourite object Avith the Americans, is
not to be doubted ; in the late attempt upon
them they sustained a loss of no less than
47,000 men, in killed, Avounded, and prisoners;
but this has not abated the keenness of their
desires, and if appearances may be credited,
or any judgment formed from the opinions of
ruling men among them, the same sacrifices
three or four fold Avould not be deemed too
exorbitant a price to pay for the much envied
possession. Great Britain cannot permit so
valuable a part of her dominion to be wrested
from her Avithout a strife as obstinate as the
richness of the jewel to be contended for
deniands.

APPENDIX.

E.vtrait des Tilres de Concessions de Terres octroyees en
Fiefs dans la Province du Bas-Canada.

ANCE DE L'ETANG.
Concession du 20me Septembre, l6g7, faite par Louis de Buade,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Francois Hazzenr et
Denis Riverin, de I' Ance de I'Etang, situee au bas du fleuve St. Lau
rent, six lieues au dessous de la Vallie des monts de Notre Dame, avec
une demi lieue de front de chaque cote de la dite Ance, sur une lieue
de profondeur. Rigisire d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 18.
ANTAYA.
Concession du 2gme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Inten
dant, au Sieur de Comportd, d'une demi lieue de terre de front, sur une
lieue de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, bornee d'un
cote par la concession du Sieur Dautre1, tirant sur le fleuve et descen
dant vers les terres non-conced^es ; avec Ylsle au Foin et islets situes
entre la terre ferme de son front et la dite Isle au Foin.
Registre d'Intendance, N" I, folio 20.
ARGENTEUIL.
Pierre Louis Panet, Ecuyer Proprietaire du Fief et Seign«urie
d'Argenteuil, produisit un Acte de Foi et Hommage du 7me Mars, 1725,
rendu par Dame Louise Denis, Veuve de Pierre d'Ai/leboat, Ecuyer,
Sieur d' Argenteuil, faisant mention " d'une promesse (sans octroi regulier)
de la part du Gouvernement Francois, a Mr. d'Ai/lebout et autres per-
sonnes, d'une etendue de terres qui se rencontreront au cote du Nord,
la Riviere du Nord comprise, depuis le bas du Long-Sa ult jusqu'fl deux
lieues en descendant du cote de Montreal, (avec les Isles, &c.) sur qua-
tre lieues de profondeur." Aussi un Arret du Conseil, d'oti il paroit
que cette Seigneurie joint celle du Lac des deux Montagnes et que les
rrumbs de vent du front et de la ligne qui termine la prol'ondeur doivent
etre Est, quart de Sud-est et Ouest quart de Nord-ouest ; et que les rumbs
de vent des lignes quibornentla largeur de chaque cote seront (pour la
B

11
Seigneurie du Lac des deux Montagnes aussi bien que pour celle d'Ar
genteuil,) Sud quart de Sud-ouest et Nord quart de Nord-est.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 76. Page 3 16, 21 me Mars, 1781.
Caluers d' Intend. 10 a 17, folio 576.
AUBERT GALLION.
Concession du 24me Septembre, 1736, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, k Dame veuve
Aubert, de deux lieues de terre de front et de deux lieues de profondeur,
du cote du Sud-ouest de la riviere du Sault de la Chaudiere, en remon
tant, a commencer a la fin de la concession accordee au Sieur de la Gor-
gendiere, ensemble les isles et islets qui se trouveront dans la dite riviere
dans l'etendue de deux lieues, et des deux cotes d'icelle, lesquels isles et
islets seront partagees par egale portion entre la dite veuve Aubert et le
Sieur de 1' Isle, auquel nous avons accorde aujourd'hui pareille concession
du cot6 du Nord-est de la dite riviere.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 8, folio 11.
BAIE ST. ANTOINE OU LEFEBVRE.
Concession du toe Septembre, 1683, faite par Lefebvre de la Barre,
Gouverneur, et de Meulles Intendant, au Sieur Lefebvre, des terres non-
concedees, d'environ deux lieues de front, joignant au Nord-est la terre
du Sieur Cresse, d'autre au Sieur de la Lussaudiere, au Sud-ouest, au
Nord-ouest sur le lac St. Pierre, sur pareille quantite de profondeur, a
prendre dans le bois vis-a-vis la dite largeur, avec les isles, islets, et prai
ries qui se rencontreront sur le dit espace.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, lettre B. folio 31.
BATISCAN.
Concession du 23me Mars, 1639, faite par Monsieur de la Ferie, pour
la Compagnie, aux reverends peres Jesuites, du fief de Batiscan, joignant
d'un cote un quart de lieue au dela de la riviere de Batiscan au Nord-
est, et d'autre cote au Sud-ouest, un quart de lieue au dela de la riviere
Champlain en la largeur, sur vingt lieues de profondeur.
Cahiers d' Intendance, N°2fl 9, folio 2y.
VILLECHAUVE OU BEAUHARNOIS.
Concession du I2me Avril, 1729, faite par sa Majesteau Sieur Charles
Marquis de Beauharnois, et au Sieur Claude de Beauharnois de Beaumont
son frere, de six lieues de front sur six lieues de profondeur, Nord-est et
Sud-ouest ; joignant la Seigneurie de Chateaugay le long du fleuve St.
Laurent, avec les isles et islets adjacentes.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, lettre F. folio 129.
BEAUPORT.
Concession du 3lme Decembre, 1635, faite par la Compagnie a Robert
Giffard, Sieur de Beauport, de la Seigneurie de Beauport, contenant une
lieue de terre, a prendre le long de la cote du fleuve St. Laurent, sur une
lieue et demie do profondeur dans les terres, a l'endroit cu la riviere ap-
pelee Notre Dame de Beauport entre dans le dit fleuve, icelle riviere
comprise. De plus, prolongement du 31me Mars, 1653, par Mr. Lauzon,
Gouverneur, de deux lieues et demie de profondeur, laquelle, avec la con
cession ci-dessus, forme une lieue de front sur quatre de profondeur.
Le Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 16. Folio 78, 3me Fevrier, 1/81,

Ill

dit que la Seigneurie de Beauport s'etend en front depuis la riviere de
Jyotre Dame jusqu'au Sault de Montmorency.
RJgistre d' Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 655.
BEAUJEU OU LACOLLE.
Concession du 8me Avril, 1733, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Denis
de la Ronde, de deux lieues de terre de front sur trois lieues de pro
fondeur, bornee du cote du Nord par la Seigneurie nouvellement con-
c£dee au Sieur Chaussegros de Lery, et sur la meme ligne ; et au Sud par
une ligne tiree Est et Ouest du monde ; sur le devant par la riviere
Chambly, et sur le derriere ?. trois lieues joignant aux terres non-conce-
dees, et en outre la petite isle qui est audessus de l'isle aux Tetes.
Cette concession est accordee de nouveau au Sieur Daniel Lienard de
Beaujeu, par titre date 22me Mars, 1743. A'oyez Reg. d'Intend. No. 9,
folio 10.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 7, folio 16.
BEAUMONT.
Concession faite au Sieur Des islets de Beaumont, le 3me Novembre,
1672, par Jean Talon, Intendant, de la quantite de terre qui se trouvera
sur le fleuve St. Laurent, entre le Sieur Bissot, et Mr. de la Durantaie,
sur une lieue et demie de profondeur.
Registre d' 'Intendance, N° 1, folio 31.
AUGMENTATION DE BEAUMONT.
Concession du lOme Avril, 1713, faite par Philippe de Rigaud, Gou
verneur, et Michel Begon, Intendant, au Sieur de Beaumont, fils, d'un
terrein non-conc6de contenant une lieue et demie en profondeur, et sur
le front et largeur de la Seigneurie de Beaumont, entre la Seigneurie de
la Durantaie et celle des heritiers du Sieur Bissot.
Sur la carte cette Seigneurie est couchee a quatre lieux de profondeur,
au lieu de trois_lieux ; l'autre lieue ayant ete apres accordee au Sieur Jean,
dans le titre de St. Gervais.
Registre a" Intendance, N° 6, folio 31.
BECANCOUR.
Concession du l6me Avril, 1647* faite par la Compagnie au Sieur de
Becancour, situee au Sud du fleuve St. Laurent, contenant deux lieues et
un quart de front sur pareille profondeur ; tenant du cole du Nord-est au
fief Dutort et du cote du Sud-ouest au fief Godefroi'.; p:ir devant le fleuve
St. Laurent, et par derriere les terres non concedees ; avec les isles, islets
et battures qui se trouvent tant dans la riviere de Becancour que dans une
autre riviere appelee la riviere St. Paul qui se decharge dans le dit
fleuve. .
Cahiers d'Intend. 10 d 17, folio 414.
BELAIR OU LES ECUREUILS.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
aux Sieurs Toupin, Pere et Fils, d'une demi lieue de front, sur une
lieue de profondeur, a prendre sur 1c fleuve S1.. Laurent, moit!6 au dessns

IV
et moitie au dessous de la pointe Bouroila, (aux Ecureuils) aboutissant
des deux cot6s aux terres non-conc6dees.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 1, folio 3g.
AUGMENTATION DES ECUREUILS.
Concession du 20me Janvier, 1706, faite par Philippe de Rigaud, Gou
verneur, et Franqois de Beauharnois, Intendant, a Marie Magdelaine
Mezerai, veuve de feu Jean Toupin, d'une demi lieue de terre de front
sur deux lieues de profondeur derriere la Seigneurie de Belair, le front
11 prendre imimediatement k une lieue du fleuve St. Laurent.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 4 1.
BELCEIL.
Concession du I8me Janvier, I694, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Joseph Hertel, de deux lieues
de terre de front, avec une lieue et demie de terre de profondeur, A
prendre du cote du Nord-ouest de la riviere Richelieu, k la Seigneurie de
Chambly, en descendant icelle riviere, vers les terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N" 4, folio 16.
AUGMENTATION A BELCEIL.
Concession du 24me Mars, J 713, faite par Phil, de Rigaud, Gouverneur,
et Franeois de Beauharnois, Intendant, au Sieur de Longueuil, le long de
la riviere de Richelieu, d'une lieue de terre de front sur une lieue et demie
de profondeur, en lieu non-concede, a prendre depuis la Seigneurie de
Belceil, qu'il possede, en tirant du cote" du Sud-ouest, derriere la Seig
neurie de Chambly pour le front, et pour la profondeur dans les terres
en allant au Nord-ouest.
Registre d'Intendance, N° §, folio 3.
BELLEVUE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendaat,
au Sieur de Vitre, d'une demi lieue de front sur une lieue de profondeur,
a prendre depuis les terres de Contrecceur, en remontant vers les terres
non concedees. Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 31.
BERTHIER.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Berthier, de deux lieues de terre de front sur pareille profon
deur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis fance de Bellechasse iti-
cluse, tirant vers la riviere du Sud, icelle non comprise.
Cette Seigneurie est bornee sur la carte suivant un arpentage parti-
culier. L'irregularite de ce terrein provient d'une cession que firent les
proprietaires de cette Seigneurie & ceux de la riviere du Sud, par une
transaction du 22me Janvier, 1728.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 7.
BERTHIER.
Concession du 2"me Avril, 1674, faite a Mr. Berthier, de trois quarts
de lieue ou environ de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, &. prendre
sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la concession du Sieur Randin en de-

scendant, jusqu'a la riviere Chicot ; ensemble une Isle d'une lieue en su>
perficie etant audessous et joignant presque l'isle Randin, vis-a-vis Vlsle
Dupas ; aussi l'isle qui est au bout d'enbas de I' Isle au Castor, accordee
a Mr. Berthier, le 25 Mars, I675.
Ou les deux concessions sont accordees par un seul titre. Cahiers d'ln-
tend. where both these concessions are granted by one title.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 9, folio 38. le 26me Janvier, 1781.
Derriere Antaya, Randin, Berthier et Chicot.
AUGMENTATION DE BERTHIER.
Concession du 31me Decembre, 1732, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Pierre
VEtage, de trois lieues de terre de front, si telle quantite se trouve entre
la ligne qui separe le fief de Dautre d'avec celui ci-devant appele de
Comporte1 (aujourd'hui Antaya,) et celle qui separe le fief du Chicot d'avec
le lief Masquinonge ; k prendre le dit front au bout de la profondeur et
limites des dits Fiefs d' Antaya et du Chicot entre lesquels se trouve le
fief de Berthier; sur trois lieues de profondeur, avec les rivieres, ruis-
seaux et lacs qui pourront se rencontrer dans la dite etendue de terre,
pour etre la dite concession unie et jointe au dit fief de Berthier.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 7, folio 4.
LE BIC.
Concession du 6me M*"'* l675> faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
au Sieur de Vitre", de deux lieues de front, le long du fleuve St. Laurent,
du cote du Sud, k prendre du milieu de la largeur de la riviere appele
Mitis, et qui s'appellera dorenavant la riviere  en montant le dit
fleuve, et deux lieues de profondeur, ensemble l'isle du Bic qui est vis
a-vis. En 1774, dispute s'etant elevee entre les proprietaires du Bic et de
Rimousky, la Cour des Plaidoiers Communs rendit un jugement, confirme
en appel en 1778, qui determina, que le milieu de l'embouchure de la
riviere Hatte seroit la borne entre les dites deux seigneuries.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, let. B. folio 14.
BLEURY.
Concession du 30me Oct. 1750, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Sabrevois de Bleuri,
de trois lieues de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, le long de
la riviere Chambly, bornee du cote du Nord par la Seigneurie du Sieur
Hertel, et sur la meme ligne ; du cote du Sud k trois lieues de la dite
Seigneurie par une ligne tiree Est et Ouest du monde ; sur le devant par
la riviere Chambly et sur la profondeur k trois lieues joignant aux terres
non-concedees. Rtgistre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 72.
BONAVANTURE.
Concession du 23me Avril, 1607, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jem Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de la Croix, de la riviere de
Bonavanture, avec deux lieues de terre de front, savoir : une demi lieue
d'un cote de la dite riviere au Sud-ouest, en allant vers KiscaUriac, et

VI
une lieue et demie de l'autre au Nord-est, tirant vers Paspebiac, sur
quatre lieues de profondeur, avec les isles, islets et battures qui se trou-
veront dans la dite etendue ; le tout situe dans le fond de la Baie des
Chaleurs. Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 14.
GUILLAUME BONHOMME.
Concession du 24me Novembre, 1 632, faite par Lefebre, Gouverneur,
et de Meulles, Intendant, k Guillaume Bonhomme, des terres qui sont au
bout de celles de Mr. Juchereau de la Ferte', tirant vers la riviere Jacques
Cartier, bornees d'un cote, au Sud-ouest, de Mr. Dupont, Conseiller, et
de l'autre a Mr. de Mesner, Greffier, au Nord-est; d'un bout, sur le dit
Sieur de la Ferte' au Sud ; et de l'autre au Nord-ouest k la dite riviere :
la dite terre contenant environ une lieue de front avec deux lieues ou en
viron de profondeur dans les dites terres.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, Lettre B. folio 26.
BONSECOURS.
Concession du l6"me Avril, 168", faite par Jacques de Brisay, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Villeneuve, de la quantite de
soixante et quatorze arpens de front sur le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du
Sud, sur deux lieues de profondeur, en cas qu'elle ne soit concedee k
d'autres. Les dits soixante- et quatorze arpens tenant d'un cote aux
terres des Dames Religieuscs Ursulines et d'autre cote a la veuve Du-
quet. Cahiers d'Intendance, 2 a 9, folio 2Q5.
BONSECOURS.
Concession du 8me Aoiit, 1702, faite au Sieur Charon, par Hector de
Coliere Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, de deux lieues de
terre ou environ de front, sur pareille profondeur, le long de la riviere
Yamaska, icelle compris k prendre vis-a-vis celle accordee au Sieur
Rene Fezeret, bourgeois de Montreal, tirant d'un cote a la Seigneurie du
Sieur Petit, et de l'autre aux heritiers du feu Sieur Bourchemin, avec les
isles, islets, prairies et battures adjacentes.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5,folio 35.
BONSECOURS.
Concession du ler Juillet, l677> faite par Jacques Douchesnaux, Inten
dant, au Sieur Franqois Bellanger, des terres qui sont le long du fleuve
St. Laurent, du cote Sud, entre celle qui appartient a la Demoiselle Ge
nevieve Couillard, en remontant le dit fleuve, jusqu'a celle de la Demoi
selle veuve Amiot ; contenant le tout une lieue et demie, ou environ, de
front, avec deux lieues de profondeur.
Insinuations du Conseil Supirieur, lettre B. folio 88.
BOURCHEMIN.
Concession du 22me Juin, 1695, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jacques Franqois Bourchemin,
d'une lieue et demie de terre de front de chaque cote de la riviere Ya
maska, icelle comprise, h prendre une demi lieue au-dessous du ruisseau

Vll
dit Salvayle, et une lieue au-dessus, en lieu non-concede, sur pareille
profondeur, courant Nord-ouest et Sud-est, avec les isles, islets et prai
ries adjacentes. Re'gistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 27.
BOUCHERVILLE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, par Jean Talon, Intendant, au
Sieur Boucher, de cent quatorze arpens de front sur deux lieues de pro
fondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, bornee des deux cotes par
le Sieur de Varennes; avec les isles nommeis Percees.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 153.
JiOURGLOUIS.
Concession du 14 May, 1741, faite par le Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Itocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Fornel, de
deux lieues et trois quarts, ou environ, de terre, sur trois lieues de pro
fondeur, derriere In Seigneurie de Neuville, appartenant au Sieur Deme-
loise, bornee sur le front par la ligne qui separe la dite Seigneurie de Neu
ville des terres non-coneedes, au Nord-est par la ligne de profondeur du
fief St. Augustin prolongee au Sud-ouest par unj ligne paralleie k la
precedente, a prendre sur la ligne du fief de Belair aussi prolongee, et par
derriere aux terres non-conc6dees.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 9, folio 8.
BOURG-MAR1E, DE L'EST.
Concession du ler. Aout, 170S, faite par Messieurs de Vaudreuil, Gou
verneur, et Raudot, Intendant, k Marie Fezeret, etant un reste de terre
non-concede d'environ cinquante arpens de front sur deux lieues, moins
un arpent, de profondeur sur la riviere Yamaska, tirant au Nord-ouest,
dans la profondeur, joignant au Sud-ouest la ligne de la Seigneurie Bourg-
chemin ; au Nord-est la ligne des terres concedees au Sieur Charon ; et au
Nord-ouest les profondeurs de la Seigneurie de Sorrel, dans l'etendue de
la dite concession.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 1 12, folio 64.
Cahier d' Intend. 2 d 9, folio 235.
BOURGMARIE DE L'OUEST.
Et aussi au Sud-est dela dite riviere un autre reste de terre non-con
cede d'environ soixante arpens de front sur une lieue et demie de pro
fondeur, tirant au Sud-esfaux terres non-concedees, joignant au Sud-ouest
le fief St. Charles, appartenant au Sieur Fezeret, son pere, et au Nord-
ouest la Seigneurie de Lavalliere.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 112, folio 64.
CAP DE LA MAGDELAINE.
Concession du 20me Mars, 1 651, faite par Mr. de la Feiie, aux reve
rends peres Jisuites, contenant deux lieues le long du fleuve St. Laurent,
decuis le Cap nomme des Trois Rivieres, en descendant sur le grand
fleuve, jusqu'aux endroits oil les dites deux lieues se pourront etendre,
sur vingt lieues de profondeur du cote du Nord, et compris les bois, ri
vieres et prairies qui sont sur le dit grand fleuve et sur les dites Trois Ri
vieres. Registre d'Intendance, N° 2 a 9>foHo 131.

Vill

CAP ST. MICHEL OU LA TRINITE .
Le titre de cette Concession n'a pas €t€ trouve dans le Secretariat. Par
un acte de Foi et Hommage, rendu le 3me Aout, 1676, devant Mr. Du-
chesneau, alors Intendant, il paroit que ce fief doit avoir une lieue de front
sur une lieue et demie de profondeur, situe sur le fleuve St. Laurent, en
tre les concessions deMr. de Varennes et Laurent Borney, Sieur de Grand-
maison, avec deux petites isles vis-a-vis de sa devanture.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 27, folio 182, le lOme Fevrier, 1781.
CARUFEL.
Concession dumois de Mars, 1705, faite par Philippe de Rigaud, Gou
verneur, et Franqois de Beauharnois, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Sicard,
Sieur de Carufel, de l'espace de terre qui reste dans la riviere de Masqui-
nonge, dans le lac St. Pierre, depuis celle qui a ete ci-devant accordee au
Sieur Legardeur, jusqu'au premier sault de la dite riviere, ce qui contient
deux lieues ou environ de front sur pareille profondeur.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 40.
Cahiers d'lntend. more authentic.
CHAMPLAIN.
Concession du 22me Septembre, 1664, faite par Mr. de Mezy, k Etienne
Pezard, Sieur de Latouche, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front k pren
dre *ur le grand fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la riviere Champlain en mou-
tant sur le dit fleuve, vers les Trois Rivieres, sur une lieue de profondeur
dans les terres ; la dite riviere Champlain mitoyenne, avec ceux qui occupe-
ront les terres qui sont de l'autre c6te d'icelle, avec tous les bois, pres,
rivieres, ruisseaux, lacs, isles et islets, et generalement de tout le contenu
entre les dites bornes.
Les Jesuites ayant par leur titre anterieur de Batiscan, un quart de lieu
au Sud-ouest de la riviere Champlain, cette Concession ne pouvoit s'eten-
dre jusques-li, mais avant l'annee 1721, ils cederent a M. Latouche Cham
plain, ce quart de lieue compris entre leurs borne et la dite riviere; et c'est
ainsi que la Seigneurie est actuelment bornee.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, Registre B. folio 7 '.
AUGMENTATION DE CHAMPLAIN.
Concession du 28me Avril, l697> faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Madame de La
touche, de trois lieues de terre en profondeur, joignant la derriere de sa
Seigneurie de Champlain, sur tout la largeur d'icelle ; tenant d'un cote
au fief de Batiscan, et de l'autre au fief du Sieur Hertel.
Hertel n'est qu'un arriere fief, concede par les reverends Peres Jesuites
dans leur Seigneurie du Cap de Magdeleine.
Rigistre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 16.
CHAMBLY.
Concession du 2gme Oct. 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au
Sieur de Chambly, de six lieues de terre de front sur v.ne lieue de profon
deur, a prendre sur la riviere St. Louis (Chambly) savoir trois lieues au
Nord de la dite riviere (deux lieues en dec;1 du Fort que y est bati et une
lieue au dela) et, trois lieues au Sud de la dite riviere.
Registre d' Intendance, N° I, folio 10.

CM ATE AUG AY.
Concession du apme Septembre, 1673, a Mr. Le Moine, Sieur de
Longueil, de deux lieues de terre de front, a. commencer dix arpens au-
dessous de la riviere du Loup, en montant dans le lac St. Louis, du cote
du Sud ; et de profondeur trois lieues, ensemble l'isle St. Bernard qui est
a l'embouchure de la dite riviere.
Foi et Hommage, N° 48, folio 214, le 27>ne Fivrier, 178I.
Cahiers d' Intend. N° 10 d 17, folio 425.
CHICOT.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Dupas, deV Isle Dupas et adjacentes, ensemble un quart de lieue
audessus et un quart au dessous de la riviere de Chicot, sur un lieue et
demie de profondeur, suppose que cette quantite ne touche pas il celle
accordee a Mr. Legardeur, fils.
Registre d'Intendance, N° I, folio 35.
CLORIDON.
Par Acte deFoi &Hommage rendu le 3me Juin, 1736, par Jean Claude,
Louet, au nom d' Anne Morin son epouse, veuve de R&ni d'Eneau et au
nom du Capitaine Rene d'Eneau, son fils, pour le fief d'Eneau il paroit
qu'il exhiba une ordonnance de Mr. de Champigny, Intendant, du 28me
Mars, 1691, annexee a une requete, faite par feu le dit Sieur d'Eneau,
exposant que ses titres lui avoient ete enleves par les Anglois, et deman
dant d'etre rnaintenu dans sa possession de la riviere Ristigouche avec
huit lieues de terre de front sur pareille profondeur, le long de la dite ri
viere, et les isles et battures qui se trouveront devant de la dite etendue, avec
droit de chasse, peche, &c. La susdite Ordonnance accordant le contenu
de cette requete, sauf seuleroent les oppositions tjue pourra faire Mr. de
Fronsac, Seigneur de Miramichi. De plus un accord entre les heritiers
du dit feu Sieur Rine d'Eneau et Mr. de Fronsac, par lequel Cloridon fut
borne comme suit, savoir, commenqant d I'entrie de la riviere au Pore-
epic, qui tombe dans celle de Ristigouche, en montant la dite riviere Risti
gouche ; et que les rumbs de vent des terres du dit Sieur d'Eneau soient
Nord-est et Sud-ouest pour la profondeur, conformement d ceux du dit Sieur
de Fronsac, et a I'egard dufront ou largeur Sud-est et Nord-ouest.
Ins. Con. Sup. lettre Y). folio 53.
CONTRECCEUR.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1 672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant
au Sieur de Contrecceur, de deux lieues de terre de front sur autant de pro
fondeur ; a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis les terres du Sieut*
de St. Ours, jusqu'i celles du Sieur de Villeray.
Cahiers d' Intend. 2 a 9, folio I90.
COTE DE BEAUPRE'.
Concession du 15me Janvier, 1636, faite par la Compagnie, au Sieur
Che fan It de la Regnardiire, situee du cote du Nord du fleuve St. Lau
rent ccntenant I emdue de terre qui s, trouve depuir la borne ou cote
Sud'-oue-*t du dit fiei, qui le separe d'avec celui ci-devant appartenant au
.Sieur Gifard, en descendant le dit fleuve St. Laurent, jusqu'S la riviere

du Gouffre, sur six lieues de profondeur dans les terres; avec les isles du
cap brul6, l'i.-let rompu et autres, islets et battures au devant de la dite
Seigneurie. Rigistre d' Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 667.
COURNOYER.
Situe au Sud du fleuve St. Laurent, contenant une derni Ijeue de front
sur trois lieues de profondeur, tenant du cote du Nord-est au fief de Gen
tilly et du cote du Sud-ouest au fief de Dutort, appartenant aux heritiers
de feu Sieur Linctot.
Par le reglement des paroisses fait par le Gouverneur et l'Intendant,
cet fief est cite pour avoir deux lieues de front sur trois de profondeur.
Registre du papier Terrier, folio 204, le 2me Mars, 17'25.
COURNOYER.
Concession du ler Mars, 1695, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Cournoyer, de deux lieues de
terre de front sur pareille profondeur du cote du Nord de la riviere
Richelieu, a commencer k la Seigneurie du Sieur Joseph Hertel, en des
cendant la dite riviere.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 1 9.
COURVAL.
Concession du 25mc Septembre, 1754, faite au- Sieur Cresse, par le
Marquis Duquesne, Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, de deux
lieues de front sur trois lieues de profondeur., situee au bout de la pro
fondeur de la Seigneurie vulgairement nominee la Baie St. Antoine ou du
Febvre, au bord du lac St. Pierre, laquelle Seigneurie a deux lieues ou
environ de front, sur deux lieues seulement de profondeur, et se trouve
enclavde entre le fief d*U Sieur Cressd pere, au Nord-est, et un autre fief
appartenant au Sieur Lussaudiere au Sud-ouest.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 10, folio 19.
DERRIERE LA CONCESSION DU SIEUR NEVEU AU SUD-OUEST.
Concession du 6me Oct. 1 736, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beauhar-
i^ois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Steur Jean d'Aillebout
d'Argenteuil, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur quatre lieues de
profondeur, derriere la Seigneurie de Lanauraie,, laquelle sera bornee
pour la devanture par la rive du Nord de la riviere de V Assomption ; du
tote du Sud-ouest par la ligne de la continuation de la Seigneurie
de Lavaltrie; d'autre cote, au Nord-est par une ligne paralleie, tenant
aux terres non-concedees, et dans la profondeur par une ligne paralleie
it la devanture ; joignant aussi aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 8, folio 14.
PAKTJE EST DE DAUTRE.
Concession du l6me Avril, 1647, par la Compagnie, au Sieur Jean
Bourdon, d'une demi lieue de terre, a prendre le long du grand fleuve
St. Laurent, du tote du Nord, entre le Cap V Assomption et les TtoisRi-
viercs, a 1'endroit ou le dit Sieur Bourdon habitue, suivant pareille con
cession a lui ci-devant faite, en 1037- et de proche en proche icelle, sur
pareille profondeur, revenant l'une et l'autre a une lieue de frontsur deux
Ijeues de profondeur.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 10 a, 17, folio 437.

XI

PARTIE OUEST DE DAUTRE'.
Concession du ler Decembre, 1637, faite par la Compagnie ; au Sieur
Jean Bourdon, du fief Dautri, contenant une demi lieue de terre ; k
prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, sur deux lieues de profondeur en avant
dans les terres; a prendre en lieu non-concede.
Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 435.
d'auteuil.
Concession du 15me Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur D'auteuil, d'un reste de terre
non-concede, qui a pour front la ligne de profondeur du Sieur Toupin
Dusahlt ; au Nord-est la ligne du Sieur Dupont, au Sud-ouest celle du
fief du dit Sieur D'auteuil ; et au Nord-ouest la ligne qui sera tiree au
bout de quatre lieues et demie ; ensemble les rivieres et ruisseaux et tout
ce que s'y trouvera compris.
Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 10.
DEGUIR.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1751, faite par le Marquis de la Jon-
quiere, Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Joseph Dd-
guir, dit Desrosiers, de deux lieues de terre de front ou environ, sttr deux
lieues de profondeur, a prendre au bout de la profondeur de la Seig
neurie St. Franqois, bornee d'un cote, au Nord-est, a la riviere St. Fran
qois, au Sud-ouest k la Seigneurie de la Dame Petit, sur le devant au
trait quarre de la dite Seigneurie de St. Franqois, et dans la profondeur
aux terres non-concedees, ensemble la riviere David qui se trouve dans
l'etendue du dit terrein.
Rigistre d'Intendance, N° -9, folio 82.
DE LERY.
Concession du Sme Avril, 1733, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Chaussegros
de Lery, de deux lieues de front le long de la riviere de Chambly, sur
trois lieues de profondeur; les dites deux lieues de front k prendre de
puis la borne de la Seigneurie du Sieur de Longueuil, qui va au Nord-
ouest, en remontant vers le lac Champlain, k une ligne tiree est et ouest
du monde, et joignant la profondeur aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 7, folio 13.
DE L'ISLE.
Concession du 24me Septembre, 1736, faite par Charles, Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Ga
briel Aubin, De L'isle, d'un terrein de deux lieues de front sur deux lieues
de profondeur, du cote du Nord-est de la riviere du Sault de la Chaudiire,
avec les isles et islets qui sont dans la dite riviere du cote du Nord-est ;
a commencer a la fin d'autres trois lieues concedees au Sieur Joseph
Fleury de la Gorgendiere et finir aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 12.
DERRIERE DAUTRE' ET LANAURA1E.
Concession du 4me Juillet,) 1739, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau
harnois Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Barf.

xu
tiste Neveu, d'un terrein non-concede, k prendre depuis la ligne qui borne
la profondeur des fiefs de Lanauraie et Dautre, jusqu'il la riviere de 1' As
somption, et dans la meme etendue en largeur que celle des dits fiefs;
c'est-a-dire borne du cote du Sud-ouest par la li^ne qui separe la Seig
neurie de Lavaltrie et du c6te du Nord-est par une ligne paralleie, te
nant aux prolongations de la Seigneurie d' Antaya ; lequel terrein ne fera
avec chacun des dits fiefs de Lanauraie et Dautre qu'une seule et meme
Seigneurie. Registre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 29.
DERRIERE LA CONCESSION DU SIEUR NEVEU, AU NORD-EST.
Concession du 7me Octobre, 1736, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, k Dame Gene
vieve de Ramzay, veuve du feu Sieur de Boishebert, d'une lieue et demie
de terre de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur, bornee sur la devan
ture par la rive du Nord de la riviere de V Assomption, du cote du Sud-
ouest par la ligne de la concession nouvellement accordee au Sieur d'Ar
genteuil ; d'autre, au Nord-est par une ligne paralleie, tenant aux pro
longations de la Seigneurie d' Antaya ; et dans la profondeur par une ligne
paralleie a la devanture, joignant aussi aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 8, folio 15.
DESMAURE OU ST. AUGUSTIN.
L'Enregistrement de cet octroi n'a pas ete trouve jusqu'ici au Secre
tariat de la Province. Les Dames religieuses de l'Hopital, qui possedent
actuellement ce fief, en rendant Foi et Hommage le I9me Mars, 178J,
n'ont produit qu'un Acte d'adjudicalion en date du 22me Septembre,
1733, dans lequel ni les dimensions ni le nom du concessionnaire de cette
concession ne sont mentionnes.
Par le reglement des paroisses de cette province, I'etendue de cette
Seigneurie se determine a deux lieues et demie de front, sur une et de-
lnie de profondeur.
Rigistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 64, folio 168, le \9n1e Mars, 1 /81 .
Ins. Con. Sup. DE PEIRAS.
Concession du 6me Mai, 16/5, faite par le Comte de Frontenac, Gou
verneur, au Sieur de Peiras, de deux lieues de front le long du fleuve
St. Laurent du cote du Sud, J prendre du milieu de la largeur de la ri-
vieVe appelee Mitis et qui s'appellera dorenavant la riviere en
descendant le dit fleuve, et deux lieues de profondeur, ensemble les trois
isles et islets appelees St. Barnabe.
Registre d'Intendance, N°2d 9, folio 370.
Ins. Con. Sup. B. folio 3.
DE RAMZAY.
Concession du l7me Octobre, 1710, faite au Sieur de Ramzay, de
l'6tendue de trois lieues de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur,
savoir, une lieue et demie audessous de la riviere Scibouet, qui tombe
dans la riviere Yamaska, et une lieue et demie au dessus, courant du
Nord-est au Sud-ouest, avec les isles et islets qui se trou'verojit danis In

Xlll

dite riviere, vis-a-vis de la dite concession : et donnant a la dite conces
sion le nom de Ramzay.
RJgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 96, folio 62, le 2me Janvier, 178I.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 358.
DESCHAMBAULT.
Concession du ler Mars, 1652, faite par Mr. de Lauzon k Demoiselle
Eleonore de Grandmaison, situee au Nord du fleuve St. Laurent, conte
nant une lieue de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, tenant du cote du
Nord-est au fief de Portneuf, appartenant au Sieur Croisille, et du cote
du Sud-ouest au fief de la Chevretiere.
Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 592.
PARTIE NORD-EST DE DESPLAINES.
Concession du 4me Janvier, 1737, faite k Demoiselle Charlotte Lagar-
deur par le Marquis de Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, In
tendant, de trois quarts de lieue de terre de front k la cot£ du Sud du
fleuve St. Laurent, sur trois lieues de profondeur, a prendre au bout des
profondeurs du fief Maranda ; bornee d'un cote, au Sud-ouest, a la Seig
neurie de Bonsecours, d'autre au Nord-est k celle de Tilly, et par derriere
aux terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 19.
PARTIE SUD-OUEST DE DESPLAINES.
Concession du 26me Mars, 1738, faite par le Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, a Demoiselle Charlotte Le
gardeur, d'une augmentation de terrein d'environ soixante et quatorze
arpens de front, qui se trou*ve non-concede, et enclav6 entre la conces
sion a elle faite le 4me Janvier, 1737, et la Seigneurie de St. Croix,
tenant par devant au fief de Bonsecours et Amiot, et par derriere aux
terres non-conc6dees, sur une lieue et soixante arpens de profondeur,
pour les dits soixante et quatorze arpens ajoutes ne faire avec sa pre
miere concession qu'une meme Seigneurie.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 2.
DUMONTIER.
Concession du 24me Octobre, 1708, faite au Sieur Dumontier, d'une
lieue et demie de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, a prendre
au bout de la profondeur de la Seigneurie de Grosbois, bornee de chaque
cote aux terres non-concedees.
Rfaistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 10, folio 52, le %6me Janvier, 1781.
Cahiers d'Intendance.
dusable'.
Concession du 1 5me Aout, 1 739, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau.
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis
Adrien Dandonneau Dusable, d'une etendue de terrein d'environ une lieue
de front sur trois lieues de profondeur; laquelle sera bornee pour la de
vanture au bout de la profondeur de la concession accord6e par Mr. Ta
lon, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Legardeur, le 3me Novembre, 1672, apparte
nant aujourd'hui au Sieur Petit Bruno; au Nord-est par les terres con
cedees par le dit Sieur Talon, le 2gme Octobre, 1672, aux Sieurs Pierre
et Jean Baptiste Legardeur, dont le dit Sieur Petit est aus»i proprietaire,

XIV
et par la ligne de la Seigneurie du Sieur Sicard de Carufel; au Sud-ouest
au fief du Chicot, et continuation du dit fief; et par derriere aux terres
non-concedees. Rlgistre d 'Intendance, N° 8, folio 30.
DUTORT.
On n'a pu trouver le titre de cette Concession ni dans le Secretariat
ni dans le bureau du Papier Terrier, de sorte qu'on ne connoit ni l'eten-
due de son front nile nom du concessionaire originaire. Elle est placee
sur la carte d'apres les lumieres qu'on a pu tirer des titres des conces
sions voisines.
Par le reglement de l'etendue des paroisses fait par le Gouverneur et
l'Intendant, cet fief paroit avoir un quart de lieue du front du prece
dent fief de Becancour qui devoit avoir deux lieues et trois quart de
front. LES EBOULEMENS.
Le titre de cet octroi n'a pas encore etts trouve au Bureau du Secre
tariat, mais'il paroit par un Acte de Foi et Hommage.Tendu le 3me Avril,
1723, par Pierre Tremblay, alors proprietaire de ce fief, qu'entr'autres
titres il produisit une concession faite a Pierre Lessard, portant que
toutes les terres en Seigneuries qui se trouvent depuis la Seigneurie,
du Sieur Dupri, jusqu'a celle du Sieur de Comporte', nominee la Malbaie,
demeureront et appartiendront a l'avenir au dit Pierre Lessard, (Pierre
Tremblay, probablement.)
Reg. Foi et Hommage, folio 55, April 3, 1723.
Cahiers d' Intend. N° 2 u 9, folio 3, April 5, 16S3.
BELAIR OU LES ECUREDILS.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
aux Sieurs Toupin, Pere et Fils, d'une demi lieue de front, sur une lieue
de profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, moitie au dessus et
moitie au dessous de la pointe Bouroila (aux Ecureuils) aboutissant des
deux cotes aux terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 39.
AUGMENTATION DES ECUREUlLS.
Concession du 20me Janvier, 1706, faite par Phillipede Rigaud, Gou
verneur, et Franqois de Beauharnois, Intendant, a Marie Magdelaine Me-
zerai, veuve de feu Jean Toupin, d'une demi lieue de terre de front sur
deux lieues de profondeur derriere la Seigneurie de Belair, le front tl
prendre immediatement a une lieue du fleuve St. Laurent.
. Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 41.
l'epinay.
Concession du 7me Avril, 1701, faite par Hector de Callilre, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de. I'Epinay, du peu de terrein
qui se trouve entre la Seigneurie de Jean de Paris et celle de la riviere
du Sud, pres de Quebec, lequel terrein se termine en triangje au fleuve
St. Laurent, et tient d'un bout aux terres non-concedees, et de l'autre
par la pointe au dit fleuve ; ensemble que le dit terrein sera borne it la
hauteur de la concession du dit Jean de Paris, par une ligne paralleie

XV
qui sera tiree Nord-est et Sud-ouest jusqu'J. celle de la petite riviere
du Sud. Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 32.
FAUSEMBAULT.
Concession du 20me Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Gaudarville, de trois lieues
de profondeur au derriere du fief de Gaudarville, ensemble toutes les
terres attenantes qui sont derriere les fiefs des Sieurs Desmaures et Guil
laume Bonhomme, et jusqu'il la profondeur de la meme ligne du Nord-
est au Sud-ouest, qui terminera les dites trois lieues, ensorte que tout ce
qui est compris en la presente concession sera borne d'un bout, par de
vant, au Sud-est, par les lignes qui terminent les profondeurs des dits
fiefs de Gaudarville, Bonhomme et Desmaure, et par derriere au- Nord-
ouest par une ligne courant aussi Nord-est et Sud-ouest qui terminera la
profondeur des dites trois lieues par derriere le dit fief de Gaudarville,
et sera prolongee droit jusqu'au fief de Neuville, et par un cote au Nord-
est, d'une partie des terres du fief de Sillery, d'une~partie de celles de
Gnudarville, et des terres du dit Bonhomme ; et de l'autre cote, au Sud-
ouest, bornee des terres du fief de Neuville.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 11.
FOUCAULT.
Concession du 3me Avril, 1738, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Foucault,
de deux lieues de terre de front, bornees du cote du Nord par la Seig
neurie nouvellement concedee au Sieur de Noyan, et sur la meme ligne,
et du cote du Sud a deux lieues de la dite ligne par une ligne paralleie
tiree Est et Ouest du monde ; sur le devant par la riviere Chambly, et
sur la profondeur par la Baie de Missisquoui.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 7; folio 9.
FOURNIER.
Concession du' 3me Nov. 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au
Sieur Fournier, de trente arpens de terre sur deux lieues de profondeur,
ii, prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent; tenant d'un coteau Sieur de I'Epi-
nay, et d'autre aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, No. I, folio 28.
gaspe'.
Concession du 25me Mars, 1738, faite par le Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, a Dame Angelique Legar
deur veuve du Sieur Aubert de Gaspl, d'une lieue et demie de terre de
front, derriere la Seigneurie de Tilly, appartenant aux Heritiers de feu.
Sieur Leo-ardeur ; k prendre le front au bout de la profondeur et limite
de la dite Seigneurie de Tilly ; tenant d'un cote a la Seigneurie de Lau
zon et d'autre a celle accordee a Demoiselle Legardeur sa Scaur, par
concession du 4me Janvier, 1737, et par derriere aux terres non-csn-
tedees. Registre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 1.

XVI

GATINEAU.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite pax Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Boucher, fils, de trois quarts de lieues de terre de front sur une
lieue de p.ofondeur, a prendre sur le lac St. Pierre, depuis la concession
du Sieur Boucher son pere, jusqu'aux terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 3/.
AUGMENTATION A GATINEAU.
Concession du 21me Octobre, 175°> faite par le Marquis de la Jon-
quilre, Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, a Demoiselle Marie
Josephe Gatineau Duplessis, de quatre lieues de profondeur derriere le
fief Gatineau, situt; sur le lac St. Pierre, et sur le meme front d'icelui.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 71.
GAUDARVILLE,
Contenant quarante cinq arpens de front sur quatre lieues de profon
deur ; tenant du cote du Nord-est au fief de Sillery, appartenant aux re
verends peres Jesuites, et du cote du Sud-ouest au fief de Desmaure, ap
partenant au Sieur Aubert.
Cette Concession a pour date le 8 de Fevrier, 1652, et fut accordee
au Louis de Lauson, Sieur de la Citiere.
See Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 10 a 17, folio 638.
GENTILLY.
Concession du l4me Aout, 1676, faite par Jacques Duchesneau, In
tendant, a Michel Pelletier, Sieur de la Perade, de la Seigneurie de
Gentilly, contenant deux lieues et demie de front sur le fleuve St. Lau
rent, a prendre aux terres du Sieur Hertel en descendant, et deux lieues
de profondeur. Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 2, folio 11.
GODEFROI.
Concession duSlme Aout, 1638, faite par Charles Huotde Montmagny,
au Sieur Godefroi, de trois quarts de lieues de terre le long du fleuve
St. Laurent, sur trois lieues de profondeur dans les terres; et sont les
dites terres bornees du cote du Sud-ouest d'une ligne qui court Sud-est
et Nord-ouest, au bout de laquelle, du cote du Nord, a ete enfouie une
grosse pierre avec des briquetons aupres d'un sicomore, sur laquelle une
croix a ete gravee, le tout pour servir de marque et temoignage, et du
cote du Nord-est de la riviere nommee la riviere du lac St. Paul, sans
neanmoins que le dit Godefroi puisse rien pretendre en la propriete du
tout ou de partie de la dite riviere, et icelle y etant, ni du lac St. Paul,
encore bien que la dite ligne s'y rencontrasse.
Cahier d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 151 .
LE GOUFFRE.
Concession du 30me Decembre, 1CS2, faite par Lefebre de la Barre,
Gouverneur, et de Meullcs, Intendant, a Pierre Dupre, d'une demie lieue
de terre de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur .joignant douze arpens

xvn
de terre qui sont depuis la borne de Monseigneur l'Evtlque de Quebec,
en descendant vers le cap aux Oies ; le tout concede a titre de fief et
Seigneurie, avec le droit de chasse et de peche ; pour la dite concession
et les douze arpens plus haut mentionnes (k lui concedes par Mr. de
Frontenac) ne faire qu'une seule et meme Seigneurie.
Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, Lettre B. folio 19.
GRAND PABOS.
Concession du 14me Novembre, 1696, faite par Louis de Buade,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Rlnl Hubert, de la
riviere du Grand Pabos, autrement dite la riviere Duval, situee dans la
Baie des Chaleurs, avec deux lieues et demie de front du cote de l'Est
de la dite rivi6re, et demi lieue du cot£ de l'Ouest, en tirant vers la
riviere du Petit Pabos, icelle comprise sur pareille profondeur.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 3.
GRANDPRE.
Concession du 30me Juillet, 1695, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Pierre Boucher, Sieur de Grandprl,
d'une lieue de terre de front dans le lac St. Pierre, tenant d'un cote aux
terres concedees de la riviere Yamachiche, et de l'autre a celles de la
Riviere du Loup ; ensemble les isles, islets et battures adjacentes.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N°4, folio 18.
GRANDE RIVIERE.
Concession, du 31 me Mai, 1 697, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jacques Cochu, de la Grande
Riviere, situee dans la Baie des Chaleurs, avec une lieue et demie de
terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, k prendre depuis la Seig
neurie du Grand Pabos, appartenant au Sieur Rene Hubert, en tirant du
cote du Cap Espoir, vers l'isle Percle.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 18.
GRANDVILLE.
Concession du 5me Octobre, 1707. faite il Dame Marie Anne de
Grandville, veuve du Sieur de Soulange, d'une lieue ou environ de front
sur le fleuve St. Laurent, k commencer joignant le Sieur de Foulon, dont
la concession commence a deux lieues audessus de la riviere de Kamour-
aska et fin it une lieue audessous, et en descendant au Nord-est, joignant
son ancienne concession, avec les isles et islets, bancs et batures qui se
trouveront vis-a-vis icelle, laquelle sera incorporee etjointe avec la dite
ancienne concession, pour des deux n'en faire qu'une.
Rlnistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 107, folio 107, 2me Aout, 17S1.
Cahiers d'Intendance, 10 d J 7, folio 584.
GRANDVILLE ET LACHENAIE.
Concession du 2me Juin, 1696, faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, etJean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Grandville
et de la Lachenaie, de deux lieues de terre de front, sur trois lieues de
profondeur en lieux nonconcedes, joignant d'un cote la terre du dit Sieur
de Grandville nommee l'islet du Portage, et de l'autre la Seigneurie de
Terrebois, appartenante au dit Sieur de Lachenaie, representant Dautier,

xvm
situies les dites concessions sur le fleuve St. Laurent, du cot6 du Sud,
audessus de la riviere du Loup.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 1.
GRANDE VALLE'E. DES MONTS.
Concession du 23me Mars, 1691, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Franqois Hazzeur, d'une
etendue de terre de deux lieues de front, au lieu appele la Grande Vallie
des Monts Notre Dame, dans le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, a deux
lieues de la riviere Magdelaine, et quatre lieues de I'Etang, en .descend
ant vers Gaspe", avec la riviere qui se rencontre a la dite V allee des Monts,
qui sera dans le milieu des dites deux lieues de front sur trois lieues de
profondeur dans les terres, avec les isles et islets qui pourront se trouver
sur la devanture des dites deux lieues, et dans la dite riviere sur la pro
fondeur des dites trois lieues.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 3.
PARTIE OUEST DES GRONDINES.
Concession du 20me Mars, i638, faite par la Compagnie, a Dame
Duchesse d' Aguillon, pour les Dames Hospitalieres de l'Hotel-Dieu de
Quebec, de la Seigneurie des Grondines, contenant une lieue de terre en
largeur sur le grand fleuve St. Laurent, sur dix lieues de profondeur ;
savoir : est, depuis la pointe de l'ance des Grondines, du cote du Nord-
Est, un quart de lieue audessous de'la dite pointe, en tirant vers le Cap
de Lauzon, borne par une route qui court Sud-est et Nord-Ouest ou
environ ; et d'autre cote au Sud-Ouest trois quarts de lieue, borne aussi
par une route qui court Sud-Est et Nord-Ouest, d'un bout au Nord-
Ouest par une route qui court Sud-Ouest et Nord-Est.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, folio 47-
Aussi Reg. d'Intendance, et Cahiers d'Intendance.
PARTIE EST DES GRONDINES.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
aux Pauvres de l'Hopital, de trois quarts de lieues de terre sur trois
lieues de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, au lieu dit les
Grondines, tenant d'un cote a la Concession appartenante aux religieuses
du dit Hopital, de l'autre aux terres non-conced6es ; tirant en descendant
le fleuve vers Chavigny.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 34.
AUGMENTATION A LA PARTIE EST DES GRONDINES.
Concession du 25me Avril, 1711, faite par Raudot Gouverneur, et
Vaudreuil, Intendant, a Louis Hamelin, de la continuation de deux
lieues de profondeur sur le front de trois quarts de lieue non-concede,
etant au bout des trois quarts de lieue de front sur la profondeur de trois
lieues, en quoi consiste l'etcndue de la dite Seigneurie des Grondines ;
borne d'un cote aux terres du Sieur de la Chevrotiere et d'un cote k celles
du dit Sieur Louis Hamelin.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, folio 47.
GUILLAUDIERE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Laurent Barney Sieur de Grandmaison, de trente arpens de front sur

XIX
ane lieue de profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis les
terres du Sieur de St. Michel, en descendant vers les terres non-con
cedees. Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° l, folio 28.
HUBERT.
Concession du lOme Juin, 1698, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Rene Louis Hubert, fils, de deux
lieues de terre de front sur pareille profondeur, situee au derriere des
seigneuries nominees St. Gabriel et St. Ignace, appartenant aux peres
Jesuites et aux religieuses Hospitalieres de Qu'lbec : le dit terrein tirant
au Nord-ouest, borne d'un bout des dites Seigneuries, d'autre bout et
des deux cotes des terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 23.
ISLET ST. JEAN.
Concession du 17me Mai, 1677. faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac/Govrvemem, a Demoiselle Genevieve Couillard, d'une lieue de
terre de front le long du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, a commencer
depuis les deux lieues promises a Noel Langlois, en remontant le dit
fleuve, vers celle qui appartient a la Demoiselle Amiot, avec deux lieues de
profondeur, ensemble un islet etant dans le fleuve, au devant de la dite
lieue de front, contenant quatre a cinq arpens ou environ.
Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, Let. B. folio 39.
ISLET DU PORTAGE.
Concession du 2gme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Granville, de l'isle nominee du Portage sur le fleuve St. Lau
rent, avec une demi lieue de terre en deca et une autre au dela de la dite
Isle, sur une lieue de profondeur.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° I, folio 14.
ISLE VERTE.
Concession du 27me Avril, 1684, faite par le Febvre de la Barre,
Gouverneur, et de Meulles, Intendant, aux Sieurs Dartigny et de la
Cardonniere, depuis au Sieur Dartigny seul, contenant deux lieues de
terre, pres et bois, de front sur le fleuve St. Laurent sur deux lieues de
profondeur dans les terres ; a prendre depuis une riviere qui est vis-ii-vis
l'isle Verte, du cote du Sud de la dite isle, icelle riviere comprise, jusqu'a
deux lieues en descendant le dit fleuve, ensemble les isles, islets et
battures qui se rencontrent yis-a-vis les dites deux lieues, jusqu'a la dite
isle Verte, icelle meme comprise.
Registre d' Intendance, Let. B. folio 22.
ISLE PERROT, AUDESSUS DE MONTREAL.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, de
l'isle Perrot et autres adjacentes, comprises l'isle de la Pais, l'isle aux
Pins, l'isle Ste. Genevilve et l'isle St. Gilles.
Registre d'Intendance, N° I, folio 5.

XX
ISLE BIZARD, AUDESSUS MONTREAL.
Concession du 24me et 25me Octobre, 1678, faite par le Comtede
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Duchesneau, Intendant, an Sieur Bizard, de
l'isle Bonavanture, ( Bizard) ensemble les isles, &c. adjacentes.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 18, folio 90. le 3me Fevrier, 178I.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 141.
ISLE ST. PAUL, AUDESSUS DE MONTREAL.
Confirmation du 23me Avril, 1700, par le Roi, d'une concession faite
k Mr. le Ber, des deux tiers de l'isle de <S*. Paul. Plus, concession
de l'autre tiers fait a Claude Robutel, Sieur de St. Andrl, le 18me
Juillet, 1676.
Cons. Cahiers d' Intend. 2 d 9> folio 282, et Rat. d'Ins. Cons, Sup.
Lettre B. folio 131.
Cahiers d' Intend. 2 d 9, folio 331.
ISLE DE MONTREAL.
Lettres patentes, en forme d'Edit, donnees par sa Majeste tres
Chretienne, en Juillet, 1714, qui confirmentla concession de la Seigneurie
de l'isle de Montreal, isles Courcelles et dependances, k titres onereux
d'amortissement des dites terres, accordees k Messieurs du Seminaire de
St. Sulpice, par lettres patentes du mois de Mai, l677> avec les droits
d'echange. Registre des Foi et Hommage N° 17, folio 81. le 3me Fevrier 1781.
Cahiers d' Intendance, 10 d 17, folio 535.
ISLE JESUS.
Concession du 23me Octobre, 1689, faite par Hector de Calliere,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a VEveque de Quebec et Messrs.
du Seminaire, de l'isle Jesus, des isles aux Vaches et autres adjacentes,
Rlgistre des Foiet Hommage, N° 62, folio 289, *-e I9me Mars, 1781.
ISLE BOUCHARD VIS-A-VIS BOUCHERVILLE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Fortel, des isles contenues dans la carte figurative que le Sieur
de Becancour a donnee et qui sont cottees A, reservant de disposer en
faveur de qui il plaira au Roi de celles cottes B.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 1, folio 23. .
ISLE ST. THERESE, AU BOUT D'ENBAS DE L'lSLE DE MONTREAL.
Concession du3me Novembre, l67'2, de l'isle St.Therese avec les isles et
islets adjacens, par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur Dugul, sauf le droit
de Mr. Repentigny pour celles qu'il peut legitimement pretendre, et qui
seront adjugees a celui des deux auquel il sera estime a propos de les
conceder. Registre d' Intendance, N° 1, folio 18.
ISLE BOURDON.
Concession du 3me Novembre 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Mr. de Repentigny, des deux isles dites Bourdon.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 36.

XXI

ISLES BEAUREGARD.
Concedees lc I7me Aoustr 1674, par le Comte de Frontenac, Gouver
neur, au Sieur de Beauregard, dont l'une est audevant du bout de la
Seigneurie du Sieur de Verehlres, en montant, et les deux autres etant
sur la ligne qui regarde les isles appartenantes au Sieur de Grand-
maison. Rlgistre d'Intendance, Let. B. folio 1.
ISLES ET ISLETS DANS LE LAC ST. PIERRE.
Concession du 19me Octobre, 169I, faite par Louis de Buade Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Redisson
des isles, islets et battures non-concedees qui se trouvent au haut du lac
St. Pierre audessus des isles concedees au Sieur Sorel, jusqu'au chenail
du milieu appele le chenail de l'isle Platte, lesquelles isles, islets et
battures contiennent environ trois quarts de lieue de large sur autant de
profondeur. Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 1 8.
ISLE MORAN, A L'EMBOUCHURE DE LA RIVIERE NICOLET.
Concession du 2yme Octobre, 16/2, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Moran, de l'isle dite Moran, qui se trouve k l'embouchure de
la riviere Nicolet, au bord du fleuve St. Laurent.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 16.
ISLE DU LARGE.
Concession du 6me Avril, 1697, faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a la veuve du Sieur
de Lanaudiere, des isles qui se trouvent devant sa terre de Ste. Anne, et
k 1'entree de la riviere et entr'autres celle ou est son moulin, appelee
l'isle du Large.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 12.
ISLE D'ORLEANS.
Lettres d' affranchissement et de reglement de la Seigneurie de Beaic-
pree et de l'isle d' Orleans, du 28me Mars, 1674, rapportant une con
cession du 15me Janvier, 1636, de l'isle d' Orleans, au Sieur Castillon.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° lOO. fotio 80, le \5me Juin, 178I.
Cahiers d'Intend. 10 d 17,folio 758, 750.
ISLE AUX REAUX.
Concedee le 20me Mars, 1638, par Mr. de Montmagny, aux reverends
peres Jesuites.
Cahiers d'Intend. 2 d 9, folio 71.
ISLE STE. MARGUERITE.
Concession du 5me Novembre, 1 698, faite par Louis de Buade,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Grandville, d'une
terre situee pres des isles aux Oies, appelee les isles Ste. Marguerite,
consistant en quarante arpens de front sur cinq de profondeur, avec trois
petites isles du cote du Sud, et la batture joignant les dites isles.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 25.

XX11

ISLE AUX COUDRES.
Concedee le 2gme Octobre, 1687, Par 'e Marquis de Brisay, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart Intendant, au Seminaire de Qulbec, avec les bat
tures qui sont autour d'icelle.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 3, folio 11.
ISLE D'ANTICOSTI.
Concedee en Mars, 1680, par Jacques Duchesneau, Intendant, au
Sieur Jolliet.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 619.
ISLES ET ISLETS DE MINGAN.
Concedes le lOme Mars:, 1677, & Messrs. de Lalandc fils et Louis
Jolliet. Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 78, folio 365, le 28me Mai, 178I.
JACQUES CARTIER.
Concession du 29me Mars, 1659, faite par la Compagnie, a Dame
Gagnier, veuve de feu Jean Clement de Wauls, Chevalier, Seigneur de
Monceaux, d'une demi lieue de large sur le bord du fleuve St. Laurent,
avec cinq lieues de profondeur de terre en tel endroit qu'il plaira a Mr.
Daillebout, Gouverneur.
Ensuite de cette concession est une copie d'un certificat du Sieur
Bourdon, du 25me Octobre, 1659, que la Dame de Monceaux lui ayant
remis la concession ci-dessus, par ordre de Mr. Daillebout, lors Gouver
neur, pour prendre par la dite Dame possession de la dite demi lieue ;
avec demande de lui accorder la dite concession depuis la riviere Jacques
Cartier, jusqu'a la concurrence de la dite demi lieue, descendant en bas,
par lequel certificat il lui donne acte de diligence, comme elle prenoit
le dit lieu pour l'emplacement et le choix de sa dite concession.
Papier Terrier, Page 96, l5me Juin, 1781.
Cahiers d' Intendance. JOLLIET.
Concession du 30me Avril, 1697, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Jolliet, des islets qui
sont dans la riviere des Trechemins, au dessus du premier sault, conten
ant trois quarts de lieue ou environ, avec trois lieues de terre de front sur
pareille profondeur a prendre demi lieue au dessous des dits islets en
montant la dite riviere, tenant d'un cote a la Seigneurie de Lauzon, et de
l'autre aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 15.
KAMOURASKA.
Concession du 15me Juillet, 1 674, faite par le Comte de Frontenac,
Gouverneur, au Sieur de la Durantaie, qui contient trois lieues de terre
de front, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, savoir deux lieues au dessus de la
riviere appelee Kamouraska et une lieue audessous, icelle comprise, avec
deux lieues de profondeur dans les terres ,* ensemble les isles etant aude-
vant des dites trois lieues.
Registre d'Intendance, Let. Ii. folio 30 et 3J.

XX111

JLABADIE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Labadie, d'un quart de lieue de front sur une demi lieue de
profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la concession de
Mr. Severin Haineau, tirant vers celle du Sieur Pierre Boucher.
Registre d' Intendance, N°.l, folio 27.
LAC DES DEUX MONTAGNES.
Concession du I7me Octobre, 1717, faite par Philippe de Rigaud,
Gouverneur, et Michel Blgon, Intendant, aux Ecclesiastiques du Semi
naire de St. Sulpice, etabli a Montreal, d'un terrein de trois lieues et
demie de front, a commencer au ruisseau qui tombe dans la grande baie
du Lac' des Deux Montagnes, et en remontant le long du dit Lac des Deux
Montagnes et du fleuve St. Laurent, sur trois lieues de profondeur.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 6, folio 9.
Cahiers d'Intend. Rat. de la Concession.
Un brevet de ratification de l'octroi immediatement suivant, en date
du ler Mars, 1735, accorde une augmentation de trois lieues dans les
terres faisant ensemble six lieues de profondeur pour cette Seigneurie.
AUTRE AUGMENTATION AU LAC DES DEUX MONTAGNES.
Concession du 26me Septembre, 1733, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, aux Ecclesias
tiques du Seminaire de St. Sulpice, de Paris, d'une etendue de terre non
conc6dee, entre la ligne de la Seigneurie appartenante aux representans
les feus Sieurs de Langloiserie et Petit, et celle de la Seigneurie du Lac
des Deux Montagnes, appartenante au dit Seminaire sur le front d'environ
deux lieues sur le Lac des Deux Montagnes, le dit lac aboutissant a un
angle forme par les deux lignes ci-dessus, dont les rumbs de vent ont ete
regies savoir, celle de la Seigneurie du Lac des Deux Montagnes, Sud
quart de Sud-ouest et Nord quart de Nord-est par arret du Conseil Su
perieur du 5Qie Octobre, 1722 ; et celle des Sieurs Langloiserie et Petit,
Sud-ouest et Nord-ouest qui est le rumb de vent regie pour toutes les
Seigneuries situces sur le fleuve St. Laurent, par reglement du dit Con-
seildu <26me Mai, 16;6\ Art. 28 ; avec les isles et islets non concedes et
battures adjacentes a la dite etendue de terre.
Rl<nstre d'Intendance, N° 7, folio 22.
LA CHENAYE.
Concession en date du l6me Avril, 1647, faite par la Compagnie, il
Pierre Legardeur, Sieur de Repentigny, de quatre lieues da terre a
prendre le lono- du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Nord, tenant d'une
part aux terres ci-devant concedees aux Sieurs Cherrier et Leroyer, en
montant le lon-^ du dit fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la borne qui sera mise
entre les dites terres des Sieurs Cherrier et Leroyer et celles-ci k present
concedees, jusqu'au dit espace de quatre lieues, auquel endroit sera mise
une autre boriit. ; 1 1 dite etendue de quatre lieues sur six lieues de pro
fondeur dans les terres.
Cahiers d'Intend. N°- 10 d 1 7, folio 414.
CHEVROTIERE.
On n'a pu trouver le titre de cette concession au Bureau du Secre
taire, ni dans le Registre des Foi et Hommage. 11 paroit seulement par les

XXIV
concessions voisines de Deschambault et de la Tesserie, qu'elle fut faite
avant mil six cent cinquante-deux, a un Mr. Chavigny de la Chevrotiere,
qui, ou ses ayant-causes, la ceda au proprietaire de Deschambault, k la
quelle elle est restee reunie sous le nom de cette derniere. Suivant les
arpentages que nous avons de cette partie, ces deux concessions reunies
occupent deux lieues de front sur trois lieues de profondeur.
LAC MATAPEDIACH.
Concession du 26me Mai, 1694, faite par Jean Bochart, Intendant, au
Sieur Nicholas Joseph Damour, du lac appele Matapediach, avec une
lieue de terre tout autour d'icelui.
Registre d'Intendance, N°/ 4, folio 17.

LAC MITIS.
Concession du lOme Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Rouer, du lac appele
Mitis, avec une lieue de profondeur tout autour d'icelui, qui est eloigne
environ douze ou quinze lieues du fleuve St. Laurent.
Registre d' Intendance, N°. 4, folio Q.

LA DURANTAIE.
Concession du29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de la Durantaie de deux lieues de terre de front sur autant de
profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, tenant d'un cote k
demi arpent au dela du Sault qui est sur la terre du Sieur Desislets, et
de l'autre le canal Bellechasse, icelui non compris, par-devant le fleuve
St. Laurent, et par derriere les terres non-concedees.
Le canal de Bellechasse etoit si peu connu au tems de cette concession,
que les parties y interessees ne pouvant convenir de leurs bornes, des ex
perts nommes par la Cour determinerent que la pointe de Bellechasse se*
pareroit les deux Seigneuries de la Durantaie et de Berthier.
Registre d' Intendance, N°. 1, folio 7.
AUGMENTATION DE LA DURANTAIE.
Concession du ler. Mai, 1693, faite au Sieur de la Durantaie, par
Louis de Buade etJean Bochart, Intendant, de deux lieues de terre de
profondeur k prendre au bout et ou se termine la profondeur de son fief
de la Durantaie, sur pareille largeur du dit fief, qui a environ trois lieues
de front, borne d'un cot6 au Sud-ouest aux terres de Beaumont et au
Nord-est aux celles de Berthier.
La Durantaie difiere, quant au front de celui de 1 'augmentation: ce
front, est sur le terrein de deux lieues cinquante arpens. Par ordre de
la Cour cette Seigneurie avec son augmentation a ete divisee en deux
parties egales connues aujourd'hui, savoir, celle du Sud-ouest sous lenom
de St. Michel, et celle du Nord-est sous celui de St. Valier.
Blgistre d'Intendance, Let. D, folio 13.

LA FKESNAY.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Tntendant,
aux Sieurs Gamache et Belleavance, d'une demi lieue de terre sur une
l4eue de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la con
cession de la Demoiselle Amiot, tirant vers celle du Sieur Fournier.
Registre d'Intendance, N°. 1, folio 26.
la'mautiniere.
Concession du 5me Aout, I692, faite par Louis de Bunde, Gouver-
«eur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de la Martiniere, de l'espace
de terre qui se pourra trouver, si aucun il y a non concede, entre la
Seigneurie de Lauzon et celle de Mont-a-peine, ou le fief du Sieur Vitre,
sur la profondeur semblable ii la Seigneurie de Lauzon, si personne n'en
est proprietaire.
N. B. Ce fief sur les lieux a trente-deux arpens de front.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 7.
LANAUDIERE.
Concession du premier Mars, 1750, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Charles Franqois
Tarieu de Lanaudilre de deux lieues ou environ de front, a prendre au
bout du fief Carufel, sur la -profondeur qui se trouve jusqu'au lac Mas-
quinongl, le dit lac compris dans toute son etendue, avec les isles, islets
et batures qui se trouveront en icelui.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 48,
LA NORAYE.
Concession du7me Avril, 1688, faite par Jacques de Brisay, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de La Noraye, de I'etendue de terre
de deux lieues de front, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, et deux lieues de pro
fondeur ; a prendre entre les terres du Sieur Dauirl et celles du Sieur
de Lavatlrie, tirant vers Montrlal.
'Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 3, folio \6.
LA PRAIRIE DE LA MAGDELAINE.
Concession du ier Avril, 1647, faite par le Sieur de Lauzon aux
reverends peres Jesuites, de deux lieues de terre le long du fleuve St. Lau
rent, du cote du Sud, ii commencer depuis l'isle Ste. Hllene jusqu'ii un
quart de li«.ue au deli d'une prairie dite de la Magdelaine, vis-a-vis des
isles qui sont proches du Sault de l'isle de Montreal, espace qui contient
environ deux lieues le long de la dite riviere St. Laurent, sur quatre
lieues de profondeur dans les terres, tirant vers le Sud.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 2, a 9, folio 125.
LA SALLE.
Concession du 20me Avril, 1750, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot Intendant, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Le Ber
de Senneville, d'un terrein non concede, situe au bout des profondeurs
des Seigneuries du Sault St. Louis et Chateauguay, et qui se trouve
enclave entre la Seigneurie de Villechauve et celle de la Prairie de la.
Magdelaine, sur une lieue et demie de profondeur.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 58. E

XXVI

LA TESSERIE.

Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Demoiselle de la Tesserie, de la quantite de terre qui se trouvera entre
la concession faite aux pauvres de PHopital de Qulbec, jusqu'a celle de
Chavigny, sur pareille profondeur que celle du dit Chavigny.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 35.
Rlgistre Foi et Hommage. LA VALTRIE.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672; faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Lavaltrie, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur pareille
profondeur; k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, bornee d'un cote par les
terres appartenantes au Seminaire de Montreal, etde l'autre par celles non
concedees ; par devant par le dit fleuve et par derriere par les terres non.
concedees, avec les deux islets qui sont devant la dite quantite de terre,
et la riviere St. Jean comprise.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 6.
AUGMENTATION A LAVALTRIE.
Concession du 21me Avril, 1734, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Margannr
de Lavaltrie, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur deux lieues et
demie de profondeur, k prendre le dit front au bout de la profondeur et
limite de la lieue et demie de profondeur du Fief de Lavaltrie; pour
etre la dite prolongation en profondeur unie et jointe aufief de Lavaltrie,
et ne faire qu'une meme Seigneurie, laquelle, par ce moyen, se trouvera
6tre d'une lieue et demie de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 7, folio 24.
LAUZON.
Concession du l.5me Janvier, 1636, faite par la Compagnie, k Mr.
Simon Lemaitre, de la cote de Lauzon, contenant I'etendue de terre ainsi
qu'il suit savoir ; la riviere Bruyante, (Chaudilre) situee au pays de la
Nouvelle France, avec six lieues de profondeur dans les terres et troi-
lieues il chaque cote de la dite riviere.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2, folio 37.
LESSARD.
Concession du 30me Juin, 1698, faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Pierre Lessard,
d'une lieue de terre de front, sur pareille profondeur, situee sur le fleuve
St. Laurent, proche 1' Islet St. Jean, au derriere de la Seigneurie de Made
moiselle Dutartre ; tenant d'un cote a la terre du Sieur de la Chenaie, et
de l'autre a celle de Franqois Bel/anger ; d'un bout a la Seigneurie de
dite. Demoiselle Dutartre, et de l'autre aux terres nonconcedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 23.
LESSARD.
Concession du 8me Mars, 1696, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, k Pierre Lessard, d'une lieue et demie de
terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, situee au lieu dit le Bic, le

XXV11
dit front il prendre depuis la pointe aux Peres, appartenant au Sieur
Rene Lepage, k cause d'un echange fait avec le Sieur de la Cardonilre, et
continue le dit front au Nord-est en allant le long du fleuve St. Laurent,
tant que la dite lieue et demie pourra s'etendre.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 28.
LEVRARD OU ST. PIERRE LES BECOUETS.
Concession du 27me Avril, 1683, faite par les Sieurs Lefebvre de la
Barre, Gouverneur, et de Meulles, Intendant, au Sieur Levrard, d'une
etendue de terre de deux lieues ou environ de front sur le fleuve St.
Laurent, du cote du Sud, et generalement tout ce qui se rencontre entre
la Seigneurie de Gentilly et celle de Deschaillons, avec les isles et batures
qui sont dans le dit fleuve, au-devant du dit espace ; aussi l'isle appelee
Madame situee au Sud de l'isle et comte- de St. Laurent, d'une lieue de
tour ou environ.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, Let^ B. folio 38.
Acte du premier Avril, 1751, fixe la profondeur de la Seigneurie
quise trouve entre Gentilly et Deschaillons (Levrard) k quatre lieues.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, No. 9, folio 78.
LIVAUDIERE.
Concession du 20me Septembre, 1734, faite par le Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Pean de
Livaudiere, de trois quarts de lieue de front ou environ, sur trois lieues
de profondeur ; bornee par devant au bout de la profondeur de la Seig
neurie de Vincennes, d'un cote au Nord-est il la ligne de la Seigneurie de
Beaumont, d'autre cote au Sud-ouest it la Seigneurie de Mont-a-peine, et
par derriere aux terres non concedees, pour la presente concession ne
faire neanmoins qu'une seule et meme seigneurie avec la moitie de celle
de la Durantaie dont le dit Sieur Pean est proprietaire.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N" 9, folio 25.
BARONIE DE LONGUEIL.
Lettres du 26me Janvier, 1/00, faite par sa Majeste il Mr. Lemoinede
Lono-ueil, erigeant en Baronie la Seigneurie de Longueil, situee dans le
district de Montrlal, contenant deux lieues ou environ de front sur le
fleuve St. Laurent, sur trois lieues et demie de profondeur. Autre con
cession du Sme Juillet, 1710, faite par Mr. de Vaudreuil, Gouverneur, et
Raudot Intendant, au Baron de Longueil, de trois lieues de front, ayant
profondeur jusqu'J la riviere Chambly, savoir, la continuation d'une lieu.e^
et demie de front au bout de la profondeur de la Baronie de Longueil,
devant s'etendre jusqu'a la dite riviere Chambly avec une autre lieue et
demie de meme front au Sud-ouest de la premiere, s'etendant pareillement
iusqu'il la riviere Chambly, sur le rumb de vent des autres Seigneuries
du pays ; etant les dites concessions en augmentation de la Baronie de
Longueil. Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 20, folio 99, 6me Flvrier, I78I.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 25.
Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, lettre B. folio 131.
Coders d'Intend. N° 2 d 9, folio 210.

XXVI11

LOTBINIERE, PREMIERE PARTIE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 16/2, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Marsolet d'une demi lieue de front sur une lieue et demi de
profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la grande riviere
du Chene, jusqu'aux terres non concedees, tirant vers les terres de
St. Croix. Cahiers d'Intend. N° 10 a 17, folio 492.
LOTBINIERE, SECONDE PARTIE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1 6/2, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Lotbiniere, de I'etendue de terre qui se trouve sur le fleuve
St. Laurent, depuis la concession du Sieur Marsolet jusqu'a celle des
Religieuses Ursulines, (Ste. Croix) sur deux lieues de profondeur.
Cahiers d'Intend. N° 10 a 17, folio 494.
LOTBINIERE, TROISIEME PARTIE.
Concession du premier Avril, 1685, faite a Mr. de Lotbiniere de trois
quarts de lieue ou environ de terre non concedee, k prendre d'un bout
le long du fleuve St. Laurent, k la grande riviere du Chine, joignant le
commencement de la demi lieue de concession, faite au Sieur Marsolet,
et de l'autre en remontant vers la petite riviere du Chene, aux terres du
Sieur St. Ours, avec deux lieues de profondeur.
Rlgistre des Foiet Hommage, Nu 42, Page 183, le 13me Fevrier, 178I.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 10 d .7, folio 502.
LOTBINIERE, OUATRIEME PARTIE, OU AUGMENTATION.
Concession du 25me Mars, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Lotbiniere, de trois lieues
et demie de front avec quatre lieues et demie de profondeur, k prendre
au bout el oil se termine la profondeur du fief de Lotbiniere et celui appele
la petite riviere du Chene (les trois concessions precedentes k lui appart
enante) ensemble tous les bois, pres, isles, rivieres et lacs qui s'y
trouvent. Cahiers d'Intendance, N°9, 10, d 17, folio 510.
LOUIS GAGNIER, DIT BELLEAVANCE.
Concession du 3me Septembre, 16/5, faite par le Comte de Frontenac,
Gouverneur, k Louis Gagnier, dit Betleavance, de dix arpens de terre de
front, k commencer depuis sa concession, en montant le fleuve St. Lau
rent, dans les terres non-concedees, separant icelle et ce qui appartient
au Sieur Fournier, avec une lieue de profondeur, pour etre unie a sa part
du fief Lqfrenay, qui lui a ett- conced6 conjointement avec. le Sieur
Gamache, part qui lui appartiendra.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2, folio 15.
LOUIS LEPAGE ET GABRIEL TIBIERGE.
Concession du I4me Novembre, 1696, faite aux Sieurs Louis Lepage
et Gidiriel Tibierge, d'un terrein qui se trouve entre la concession du
Sieur Pachot, et celle du Sieur Lessard, situee au lieu dit Rimousky, sur
le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, sur une lieue de profondeur.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 3.

XXIX

AUGMENTATION A LA CONCESSION PRECEDENTE.
Concession du 7me Mai, I697, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Lepage et Gabriel Tiblerae,
de deux lieues en profondeur, joignant le derriere de la concession a'
cux d&]k accordee, situee au lieu dit Rimousky, sur le fleuve St. Laurent
du cole du Sud, tenant d'un cote k la terre du Sieur Pachot, et de l'autre
k celle du Sieur Lessard, sur toute la largeur d'icelle, avec les isles et
islets qui se trouveront dans la dite 6tendue.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 16.
LUSSAUDIERE.
Concession du 26me Juillet 1683, faite par Messrs. Lefebvre de la
Barre, Gouverneur, et de Meulles, Intendant, au Sieur de Lamotte de
Luciere, de la terre et seigneurie de la Lussaudiere, concedee par Mr.
Talon, Intendant, le 2'ime Octobre, 1672, au Sieur de la Lussaudiere, et
r6unie au domaine de sa Majestepar l'Ordonnance du 26me Mai, 1683,
consistant en une lieue de front sur une de profondeur, k prendre depuis
les terres du Sieur Crevier, en descendant vers la riviere Nicolet, le
chenail tardif y compris.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 305.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, lettre B. folio 125.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 22.
LUSSON.
Concession du 7me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de St. Lusson, d'une lieue de terre de front sur (en blancj de
profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, savoir, une demie lieue
en deq\ de la petite riviere qui est entre I'Echaffaud au Basque, et le
Saguenay, et une demie lieue au dela ; ensemble l'isle nominee l'isle au
Sieur. Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 45.
GROSBOIS OU MACHICHE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 16/2, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Pierre Boucher, de Grandprl, d'une lieue et demie de terre de
front, sur deux de profondeur, a prendre, savoir, trois quarts de lieue au
dessus de la riviere a Marcin, (Machiche) et autant audessous de la dite
rivi6re. Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 39.
MAGDELAINE.
Concession du 28me Mars, 1689, faite par Jacques de Brisay, Gouver
neur et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Riverin, de la riviere de la
Magdelaine, etant au dessus des monts Notre Dame, du cote du Sud,
ensemble demi lieue au dessus et demi lieue au dessous de la dite
rivie're le long du fleuve St. Laurent, avec deux lieues de profondeur.
Registre d" Intendancej N° 3, folio 26.

XXX

1'IEI- MARANDA PARTIE NORD-EbT.
Concession faite au Sieur Duquet, Pere, le 3me Novembre, 1672, par
Jean Talon, Intendant, de trente arpens de terre de front sur cinquante de
profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la concession
du Sieur Duquet son fils, jusqu'aux terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 1, folio 25.
FIEF MARANDA PARTIE SUD-OUEST.
Concession faite au Sieur Duquet, fils, le 3me Novembre, 1672, par
Jean Talon, Intendant, de trente arpens de terre de front sur cinquante
de profondeur, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la riviere Vilieu jusqu'aux
terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 25.
PARTIE NORD-EST DE MASQUINONGE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite pur Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Pierre, et Jean Baptiste Legardeur, Sieurs de St. Michel, d'une lieue
et demi de terre de front sur pareille profondeur ; a prendre sur le
Chenail du Nord du fleuve St. Laurent, savoir : trois quarts de lieue au
dessous de la riviere Masquinongl, et autant au dessus ; la dite riviere
comprise. Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 24.
PARTIE SUD-OUEST DE MASQUINONGE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Jean Baptiste Legardeur, d'une lieue de terre de front sur une
lieue de profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis les trois
quarts de lieues accordes au Sieur Legardeur de St. Michel, sur trois
audessus de la riviere de Masquinongl.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 34.
MATANE.
Concession du 26me Juin, l677> faite par Jacques Duchesneau, Intend
ant au Sieur Damour, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front, sur une lieue
de profondeur, savoir, une demi lieue au deca et une demi lieue au
delt. de la riviere Matane, et par augmentation une autre lieue de terre
de front, aussi sur une lieue et demie de profondeur, y joignant, a prendre
du cott; de la riviere Mitis.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, Let. B. folio 9.
MILLE-ISLES.
Concession du 5me Mai, 1714, faite par Philippe de Rigaud, Gouver
neur, et Michel Blgon, Intendant, aux Sieurs de Langloiserie et Petit,
des terres qui sont a commencer ou finit la Concession du Sieur Dautier
Deslandes, dans la riviere Jesus, jusqu'-k trois lieues au dessus, en
montant la dite riviere, et trois lieues de profondeur, avec les isles, islets
et batures qui se trouveront au devant des dites trois lieues de front ;
t-n outre d'une augmentation des terres qui sont depuis la dite concession
jusqu'a la rivilre du Chene, icelle comprise, qui est environ une lieue et
demie do terre de front, sur pareille profondeur de trois lieues, pour etre

XXXI
la dite lieue et demie jointe a la dite concession, et les deux n'en faire
qu'une ; la premiere partie de cette concession faite aufeu Sieur Dugay,
le 24me Septembre, 1683, mais reunie au Domaine du Roi, suivant
1'Ordonnance du ler Mars, 1714.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 6, folio 4.
AUGMENTATION DES MILLE-ISLES.
Concession du 20me Janvier, 1752, faite par le Marquis de la
Jonquiere, Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigott, Intendant, au Sieur Dumont,
de quatre lieues et demie de front sur la profondeur de trois lieues, k
prendre au bout de la profondeur, et sur le meme front de la concession
accordee aux Sieurs de Langloiserie et Petit, situee et bornee a com
mencer ou finit la concession du Sieur Dautier Deslandes, dans la riviere
Jesus, jusqu'a la rivilre Duchene, icelle comprise,
Registre d'Intendance, N° 10, folio 1.
MILLE VACHES.
Concession du I5me Novembre, 1653, faite par Jean de Lauzon,
Gouverneur pour la Compagnie, k Robert Giffard, Ecuyer, Seigneur de
Beauport, de trois lieues de front sur le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du
Nord, audessous de Tadoussac, et de grandes et petites Bergeronnes, au
lieu dit Mille Vaches, avec quatre lieues de profondeur, tenant par devant
au dit fleuve et des trois autres cotes aux terres non-concedees.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 86, folio 31.
Cahiers d' Intendance, N° 10 a 17, folio 771.
TERRA FIRMA DE MINGAN.
Concession du 25me Fevrier, 1661, faite par la Compagnie au Sieur
Franqois Bissot de la Riviere de la terre ferme de Mingan ; k prendre
depuis le Cap des Cormorans k la cote du Nord, jusqu'i la grande ance
vers les Esquimaux, oft. les Espagnols font ordinairement la peche, sur
deux lieues de profondeur.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 78, folio 355.
MONNOIR.
Concession du 25me Mars, 1708, faite par Messieurs de Rigaud,
Gouverneur, et Raudot, Intendant, au Sieur de Ramzay, de deux lieues de
front sur trois lieues de profondeur de terres non-concedees, le long de la
riviere des Hurons, joignant d'un cote la Seigneurie de Chambly, et de
l'autre cot6 aux terres non-concedees, courantdu Nord-est au Sud-ouest,
avec les isles et islets qui pourroient se trouver dans la dite riviere, vis-
a-vis la dite concessit).!, la dite concession portant le nom de Monnoir.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 355.
AUGMENTATION A MONNOIR.
Concession du I2me Juin, 1739, faite par le Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Nicolas
Rocde Ramzay, de deux lieues de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, au
bout de la Seigneurie de Monnoir, concedee le 25me Mars, 1708, situee
pres Chambly le long de la riviere des Hurons, en courant Nord-est et
Sud-ouest le long de la continuation de la Seigneurie dc Rouville,

xxxu
joignant la dite Seigneurie au Nord-est et celle de Sab7-etois au Sud-
ouest. Rlgistre d 'Intendance, N° 8, folio 26.
MONT-A-PEINE.
Concession du 24me Septembre, 16S3, faite k Mr. Charles Denis,
Sieur de Vitre, de dix arpens de terre de front, sur quarante de profon
deur, pour en jouir, lui ses hoirs et ayans-cause k titre de fiefet Seigneu
rie k toujours.
N. B. Cet extrait ne rnentionne nullement la situation de ce fief qui
n'est connu que par son augmentation et la concession precedente.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 46, folio 207, 27».e Flvrier, 1731.
AUGMENTATION DE MONT-A-PEINE.
Concession du 18me Juin, 1749, faite par Roland Michel Bar rin,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, a Claude Antoine de Berment,
Seigneur de la Martiniere, d'un restant de terre qui se trouve au bout de
la profondeur du fief de Vitre, et qui est enclave entre les fiefs de Vin
cennes et de Livaudicre au Nord-est, et celui du dit Berment de la Marti
niere au Sud-ouest, jusqu'a l'egale profondeur de six lieues que contient
le fief du dit Sieur Berment de la Martiniere.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 41.
MONTARVILLE.
Concession du l7me Octobre, 1710, faite par Messrs. de Vaudreuil,
Gouverneur, et Baudot, Intendant, au Sieur Boucher, d'une lieue et
trente arpens de terre de front sur une lieue et demie de profondeur,
ii prendre dans les profondeurs entre les Seigneuries de Boucherville et
de Chambly ,* joignant au Nord-est la Seigneurie de Varennes, et au Sud-
ouest la Seigneurie de Tremblay.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 169.
MOUNT MURRAY.
Grant of the 27th day of April, 1762, by the Honorable James
Murray, Esq. Governor of Quebec, to Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser, of
His Majesty's 78th Regiment of Foot, of all that extent of land lying
on the North shore of the river St. Laiurence, from the North-side of
the River of Malbay to the River Noire, and for three leagues back-
to be known hereafter, at the special request of the said Lieutenant,
Malcolm Fraser, by the name of Mount Murray, together with the woods
and rivers or other appurtenances within the said extent, right of fish
ing or fowling, within the same, included. All kind of traffick with the
Indians of the back country hereby specially excepted.
English Register, Letter E. folio 709.
MURRAY-BAY OR MALBAY'.
Grant of the 27th day of April, 1762, by the Honorable James Murray,
Esq. Governor of Quebec, to John Nairn, Captain of His Majesty's
78th Regiment of Foot, of all that extent of land lying on the North
shore of the River St. Lawrence, from Goose-Cape, boundary of the
Seigneurie of Eboulemens, to the River Malbay, and for three leagues
back, to be known hereafter, at the special request of the said Captain
John Nairn, by the name of Murray Bay, together with tbe woods and

XXXU1
rivers or other appurtenances within the said extent, right of fishing
and fowling on the same therein included. All kind of trafflck with the
Indians of the back country are hereby specially excepted.
English Register, Letter E, page 709.
NEUVILLE OU LA POINTE AUX TREMBLES.
Concession du i6rne Decembre, 1653, faite par la Compagnie, a Jean
Bourdon, contenant deux lieues trois quarts ou environ de front, sur
quatre lieues de profondeur, tenant du cote du Nord-est au fief de Des-
mure et du cote du Sud-Ouest au fief de Bllaire; par devant le fleuve
St. Laurent, et par derriere les terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 660.
DERRIERE D AUTRE' ET LA NORAYE.
Concession du 4me Juillet, 1739, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean
Baptiste Neveu, d'un terrein non-concede, k prendre depuis la ligne qui
borne la profondeur des fiefs de La Noraye et Dautrl, jusqu'il la riviere
de I' Assomption, et dans la meme etendue en largeur que celle des dits
fiefs ; c'est-i-dire, bornee du cote du Sud-Ouest par la ligne qui separe
la Seigneurie de Lavaltrie, et du cote du Nord- Est par une ligne paral
leie, tenant aux prolongations de la Seigneurie d' Antaya; lequel terrein
ne fera avec chacun des dits fiefs de La Noraye et Dautrl qu'une seule
et meme Seigneurie.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 29.
NICOLET.
Concession du 2Qme Octobre 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Lauhia, de deux lieues de front sur autant de profondeur, a
prendre sur le lac St. Pierre, savoir ; une lieue au dessus et une lieue au
dessous de la riviere Nicolet, icelle comprise.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 15.
l'isle de la fourche, et augmentation a nicolet.
Concession du 4me Novembre, 168O, par le Comte de Frontenac,
Gouverneur, et Duchesneau, Intendant, au Sieur Cressl, de l'isle de la
Fourche, etant dans la riviere Cressl, ensemble les isles et islets qui sont
dans la dite riviere, jusqu'au bout de la dite isle ; avec trois lieues
d'augmentation dans la profondeur des terres qui sont au bout de toute
la largeur de sa Seigneurie.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2, folio 21.
NOTRE DAME DES ANGES.
Concession du 10me Mars, 1626, faite par la Compagnie aux rever
ends peres Jesuites ; de la Seigneurie de Notre Dame des Anges, con
tenant une lieue de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur, joignant du
cote du Nord-Est la Seigneurie de Beauport, et au Sud-Ouest le Comte
d' Orsainville ,* par devant le fleuve 5*. Laurent et la petite riviere St.
Charles- et par derriere au bout de la dite concession les terres non-
concedees. ,
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 2 a 9, folio 85. F

xxxiv

NOUVELLE longueil.
Concession du 21me Avril, 1734, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, a Joseph Lemoine,
Chevalier de Longueil, de I'etendue de terre qui se trouve sur le borddu
fleuve St. Laurent, au lieu appele les Cascades, depuis la borne de la
Seigneurie de Soulange jusqu'a la Pointe du Baudet inclusivement ;
faisant environ deux lieues de front sur trois lieues de profondeur ; avec
les isles, islets et batures y adjacentes.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 7, folio 24.
NOYAN.
Concession du 8me Juillet, 1743, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Chavois de
Noyan, de deux lieues de front le long de la riviere Chambly, sur trois
lieues de profondeur, laquelle sera bornee du c6te du Nord a un quart
de lieue au Nord de la petite riviere du Sud, par une ligne courant Est et
Ouest, du cote du Sud en remontant le lac Champlain, k une lieue trois
quarts dela dite riviere, joignant par une ligne paralleie a celle ci-dessus
au terrein concede au Sieur Foucault, le premier Mai dernier, avec l'isle
aux Tetes, etant dans la dite riviere Chambly, avec les isles et islets qui se
trouveront vis-il-vis le front de la dite concession.
Registre d'Intendance, N° Q, folio 19.
d'orsainville.
Concession du mois de May, 1675, faite par Lettres Patentes de sa
Majeste, aux Dames religieuses de l'Hopital General, du Comte d'Orsain-
ville, contenant en superficie trois mille cinq cens soixant et quinze
arpens, et de la profondeur de quatre lieues ; k prendre du bord de la
riviere St. Charles, sur differentes largeurs, tenant par devant k la dite
riviere et par derriere aux terres non-concedees, d'un cote, au Sud-Ouest
k un fief appartenant au Sieur de VEpinay par une ligne qui va au Nord-
Ouest quart de Nord de la profondeur des dites quarte lieues, et du cote
du Nord-Est au fief de Notre Dame des Anges ; le comte d'Orsainville, et
la Seigneurie de Notre Dame des Anges etant separes, a commencer par
le front du dit Comte, par le ruisseau de St. Michel, suivant ses contours
et serpentemens jusqu'il environ quinze arpens de profondeur, oft le dit
Comte d'Orsainville commence a etre de onze arpens de front, jusqu'a
la hauteur de trente cinq arpens du bord de la dite riviere St. Charles
par une ligne qui court Nord-Ouest quart de Nord, au bout desquels
trente-cinq arpens commence une autre ligne qui court au Nord-Ouest
la longueur de quarante arpens, au bout desquels la dite ligne fait un
tour d'equerre de trois arpens, au bout desquels reprend une nouvelle
ligne laquelle forme la largeur des dits onze arpens, laquelle ligne va au
Nord-Ouest quart de Nord, jusqu'au surplus de la profondeur des dites
quatre lieues.
Papier Terrier, N° 71 > folio 324, le 24me Avril, 178I.
Cahiers d'Intendance, 10 d 1 7, folio 730.
PACHOT.
Concession du 7me Janvier, 1689, fa*te Par Jacques de Brisay, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Pachot, de la riviere de Mitis,

xxxv
dans sa devanture, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, jusqu'a une lieue de pro
fondeur et une lieue de terre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, moitie audessus
et moitie audessous de la dite riviere sur semblable profondeur d'une
lieue. Registre d' Intendance, N° 3, folio 21.
PASPEBIAC.
Concession du lome Novembre, 1707, faite par Rigaud, Gouverneur,
et Raudot, Intendant, au Sieur Pierre Leymar, de la pointe de Pasplbiac,
dans la Baie des Chaleurs, avec une lieue de front du cote de l'Est de la
dite pointe et une lieue du cote de I'Ouest, avec les isles et islets qui se
trouveront au devant de I'etendue de la dite concession, sur trois lieues de
profondeur. Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, lettre C. folio 38.
PERTHUIS.
Concession du lime Octobre, 1753, faite par le Mar quis Duquesne,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Perthuis, d'une lieue
et demie de front, sur neuf lieues de profondeur, a prendre au bout des
trois lieues de profondeur de Portneuf.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 10, folio 17.
PETITE NATION.
Concession par la Compagnie des Indes du lome Mai, 1674, k Messire
Franqois, de Laval, Eveque de Pllree, et premier Eveque de Quebec, de
cinq lieues de terre de front sur cinq lieues de profondeur, sur le fleuve
St. Laurent dans la Nouvelle France, environ quarante deux lieues au
dessus de Montreal ; k prendre depuis le Sault.de la Chaudiere, vulgaire-
ment appele la Petite Nation en descendant le fleuve sur le chemin des
Outaivas. Cahiers d'Intendance, 10 d 17, folio 682.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 142, page 238.
pierreville.
Concession du 3me Aout, 1683, faite par Lefebvre, Gouverneur, et de
Meulles, Intendant, au Sieur Laurent Philippe, d'une lieue et demie de
terre de front sur une lieue de profondeur, joignant du cote du Sud-ouest
les terres non-concedees, d'autre cote au Nord-ouest, d'un bout sur la
Seigneurie du Sieur Creviere, d'autre aux terres non-concedees, avec les
isles et islets qui se rencontreront dans la dite profondeur, la riviere St.
Franqois comprise dans icelle profondeur, ensorte qu'elle fut au milieu
de la dite profondeur.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 281.
Ins. Con. Sup. lettre B. folio 129-
TONNANCOUR OU POINTE DU LAC.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1734, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Rend
Godefroi de Tonnancour, d'une demi lieue de terre de front sur une
lieue de profondeur, k prendre le dit front au bout de la profondeur et

XXXVI
limite du fief ci-devant de Normanville, pour etre la dite prolongation
en profondeur unie et jointe au dite fief de Normanville pour ne faire
ensemble avec le fief et Seigneurie de Sauvaget qu'une seule et meme
Seigneurie, sous le nom de Tonnancour, laquelle se trouvera etre d'une
lieue et quart de front sur deux lieues de profondeur : le rumb de vent
courant pour le front Nord-Est et Sud-Ouest, et pour la profondeur Nord-
Ouest et Sud-Est.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 7, folio 29.
PORT DANIEL.
Concession du I2me Decembre, 1696, faite par Louis de Buade,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Rene d' Eneau, de trois
lieues et demie de terre de front, au lieu dit le Port Daniel, dans la Baie
des Chaleurs, le dit front a commencer demi lieue k I'Est du cap qui fait
un des cotes de l'ance du dit Port Daniel, k continuer les dites trois lieues
et demie a I'Ouest, sur une lieue de profondeur ; avec les ruisseaux,
rivieres et e"tangs, si aucuns se trouvent dans la dite etendue.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 4.
BARONIE DE PORTNEUF.
Concession du l6me Avril, 1'6"47> faite par la Compagnie au Sieur de
Croisille, situee au bord du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Nord, conte
nant une lieue et demie de front sur trois lieues de profondeur; le front
joignant au Nord-Est au fief de Monceau, etdu cote du Sud-Ouest au fief
Deschambault, dans laquelle se trouvent comprises les rivieres de Jacques
Cartier et de Portneuf.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9> folio 215.
DERRIERE LA CONCESSION DU SIEUR NEVEU, AU NORD-EST.
Concession du 7me Octobre, 1736, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, k Dame Gene-
vilve de Ramzay, veuve du feu Sieur de Boinhlbert, d'une lieue et demie
de terre de front sur quatre lieue's de profondeur, bornee sur la devanture
par la rive du Nord de la riviere de I' Assomption, du cote du Sud-Ouest
par la ligne de la concession nouvellement accordee au Sieur d'Argenteuil;
d'autre, au Nord-Est par une ligne paralleie, tenant aux prolongation de
la Seigneurie d' Antaya ; et dans la profondeur par une ligne paralleie a
la devanture, joignant aussi aux terres non-conc6dees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 1 5.
RANDIN.
Concession faite au Sieur Randin, le 3me Novembre, 1672, par Jean
Talon, Intendant, d'une lieue de front sur le fleuve St. Laurent, sur
une demi lieue de profondeur, k prendre depuis le Sieur de Comportl,
jusqu'aux terres non-concedees ; avec l'isle nommee de son nom de
Randin. N. B. Dans le Registre du Secretariat le mot une a ete sustitue k la
place dumot demi qui a ete ray<5.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 1, folio 2J.

xxxvn

AUGMENTATION DE RANDIN.
Concession faite au Sieur Berthier, le 27rne Avril 1674, d'une demi
lieue de terre de front sur une lieue de profondeur, a prendre derriere et
joignant la concession du Sieur Randin, du 3me Novembre, 1672.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, folio 38, le 26me Janvier, 1781'.
REAUME.
Concession du l6me Mars, 1677, faite par Jacques Duchesneau, In
tendant, a Demoiselle de Lacombe, d'une demi lieue de terre de front le
long du fleuve St. Laurent, k prendre depuis celfes qui appartiennent au
Sieur de St. Denis, son pere, en remontant le dit fleuve, avec deux lieues
de profondeur. Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, lettre B. folio 16.
RIGAUD.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1732, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, aux Sieurs de
Cavagnal et Rigaud, freres, d'un terrein le long du fleuve appele la
Grande Riviere* en tirant vers le Long-sault, de trois lieues de front sur
trois lieues de profondeur, avec les isles, islets et batures adjacentes : le
dit terrein, joignant la Seigneurie qui leur est echue par succession de
feu le Marquis de Vaudreuil, situee au lieu dit la Pointe aux Tourtes.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 7, folio 3.
RIMOUSKY.
Concession du 24me Avril, 1 688, faite par Jacques Rlne de Brisay,
Gouverneur, au Sieur de la Cardonilre, d'une Etendue de deux lieues de
terre, pres et bois, de front, sur le fleuve St. Laurent ; a prendre joignant
et attenant la concession du Bic, appartenant au Sieur de Vitrl, en
descendant le dit fleuve, et de deux lieues de profondeur dans les terres,
ensemble la riviere dite de Rimousky et autres rivieres et ruisseaux, si
aucuns se trouvent dans la dite etendue, avec l'isle de St. Barnabl et les
batures, isles et islets qui se pourront rencontrer entre les dites terres et
la dite isle.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 2, B folio 24.
RIVIERE DU LOUP, AVEC AUGMENTATION.
Concession du 20me Avril, 1633, faite par Mr. Lefebre, Gouverneur,
et de Meulles, Intendant, au Sieur Lechasseur, d'une lieue de terre de
front sur quatre lieues de profondeur, sur le lac St. Pierre, demi lieue
audessus et demi lieue audessous de la Riviere du Loup, icelle comprise.
Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, Rlgistre B.folio 46.
RIVIERE DU LOUP ET L'ISLE VERTE.
Concession du 5me Avril, 1689, faite par Jacques de Brisay, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Villerai, pour le Sieur
d'Ar'tigny, et au Sieur Lachenaie, de I'etendue de terre qui peut se
rencontrer entre leurs concessions, avec deux lieues de profondeur; de
laquelle ils jouiront moitie par moitie, et des isles et batures qui se

xxxvm
peuvent rencontrer vis-4-vis la dite etendue, k cause de la grande quantite
de terres inhabitables qui se rencontrent sur les concessions a eux ci-
devant faites, savoir, au Sieur de Villerai pour le dit Sieur d'Artigny,
depuis la riviere Verte jusqu'S. deux lieues en descendant le fleuve St.
Laurent ,* -et au Sieur de Lachenaie, savoir trois lieues et demie, savoir,
une lieue au dessus de la riviere du Loup, et deux lieues audessous de la
dite riviere. Registre d'Intendance, N°, 3, folio 27.
RIVIERE DU SUD, AVEC LES ISLES AUX GRUES ET AUX OIES.
Concession du 5me Mai, 1046, faite par la Compagnie, au Sieur de
Montmagny, de la riviere appelee duSud, a l'endroit oil elle se decharge
dans le fleuve St. I,aurent, avec une lieue de terre le long du dit fleuve
St. Laurent, en montant de la dite riviere vers Quebec, et demi lieue le
long du dit fleuve, en descendant vers le golfe ; le tout sur Ja profondeur
de quatre lieues en avant dans les terres, en cotoyant la dite riviere de
part et d'autre, et icelle comprise dans la dite etendue ; et de plus les
deux isles situees dans le fleuve St. Laurent, proche du dit lieu, en
descendant le dit fleuve, l'une appelee l'isle aux Oies, et l'autre appelee
l'isle aux Grues, avec les batures qui sont entre les deux, le tout conte
nant quatre lieues ou environ de longueur sur le dit fleuve.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 5l2.
LA RIVIERE OUELLE.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de la Bouteillerie, de deux lieues de front sur une lieue et de
mie de profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, savoir une lieue
audessus et une lieue au dessous de la riviere Ouelle, icelle comprise.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 6.
AUGMENTATION DE LA RIVIERE OUELLE.
Concession du 20me Octobre, 1750, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, k Demoiselle Glnevilvc de Ramzay, veuve du
Sieur deBoishebert,de deux lieues de front sur deux lieues de profondeur,
a prendre au bout de la profondeur de la lieue et demie que contient la
Seigneurie de la Bouteillerie, pour faire, avec l'ancienne concession de
1 6^2, une seule et meme seigneurie, au lieu appele la riviere Ouelle.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 70.
ROQUETAILLADE.
Concession en date du 22me Avril, 1675, faite au Sieur Pierre
Godefroi de Roquetaillade, par Louis de Buade Comte de Frontenac, des
terres qui sont le long du fleuve St. Laurent, contenant une demi lieue
ou environ de front, a prendre depuis ce qui est concede au Sieur de
¦Godefroi son pere, au dessous des Trois Rivilres, en montant, jusqu'aux
terres de la Seigneurie de Nicolet, avec trois lieues de profondeur.
.Cahier d'Intendance-, N° 2d 9, folio 152.

XXXIX

ROUVILLE.
Concession du I8me Janvier, 1694, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Hertel, Sieur
de Rouville, de deux lieues de terre de front avec une lieue et demie de
profondeur, joignant d'un cote la terre de la Seigneurie de Chambly, en
descendant la riviere Richelieu ; de l'autre cote les terres non-concedees
du cote du Sud de la dite riviere Richelieu.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N" 4, folio 15.
SABREVOIS.
Concession du ler Novembre, 1/50, faite par le Marquis de la
Jonquilre, Gouverneur, et Francois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur de Sabre
vois, de deux lieues ou environ de front, sur trois lieues de profondeur,
bornee du cote du Nord par la Seigneurie concedee au Sieur de Sabrevois
de Bleuri, le 30me, Octobre dernier, sur la meme ligne ; du cote du Sud
a deux lieues ou environ sur la dite Seigneurie par une ligne tiree Est et
Ouest du monde, joignant aux terres non- conce'dees ; sur la devanture
par la riviere Chambly et sur la profondeur a trois lieues joignant aussi
aux terres non-concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N'1 9, folio 73.
SAINTE ANNE.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
aux Sieurs Sueur et Lanaudiere, de I'etendue dela terre quise trouve sur
le fleuve St. Laurent, au lieu dit des Grondines, depuis celle appartenante
aux Religieuses de l'Hopital de Qulbec, jusqu'a la Riviere Ste. Anne,
icelle comprise, sur une lieue de profondeur, avec la quantite de terre
qu'ils ont acquis du Sieur Hamelin.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 15.
AUGMENTATION DE STE. ANNE.
Concession du 4me Mars, 1097- par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur, et
Jean Bochart, Intendant, faite a Marguerite Denis, veuve du Sieur de
Lanaudilre, de trois lieues de terre de profondeur derriere la terre et
Seigneurie de St. Anne, sur toute la largeur d'icelle, et celle des Sieurs
de Sueur et Hamelin, avec les isles, islets et batures non-concedees qui se
trouvent dans la dite etendue; la dite profondeur tenant d'un cote a la
Seigneurie des Grondines, et d'autre cote a celle de Batiscan.
Registre d'Intendance, N" 5, folio 5.
AUTRE AUGMENTATION DE STE. ANNE.
Concession du 30me Octobre, 1700, par Hector de Callilre, Gouver
neur et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Thomas Tarieu de la Perade,
de l'espace de terre qui se trouve au derriere de la Seigneurie de Ste.
Anne lequel espace contient environ deux lieues de front entre les lignes
prolongees des Seigneuries de St. Charles des roches (les Grondines) et
Batiscan sur une lieue et demie de profondeur; ensemble la riviere qui
peut traverser le dit espace, et les islets qui peuvent s'y rencontrer,
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 37.

xl

TROISIEME AUGMENTATION DE STE. ANNE.
Concession du 20rae Avril, 1735, faite parle Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, a Mr. Thomas Tarieu, Sieur
de la Perade, d'une etendue de terre de trois lieues de profondeur, il
prendre derriere et sur la meme largeur de la Concession du 30me
Octobre, 1700.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 7> folio 31.
STE. ANNE.
Concession du 28me Novembre, 1688, faite par Jacques de Brisay,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Riverin, de la riviere
Ste. Anne, situee aux monts Notre Dame, dans le fleuve St. Laurent,
avec une demi lieue de front sur le dit fleuve, moitie" audessus et l'autre
moitie audessous de la dite riviere, icelle non comprise dans la dite
etendue, sur une lieue de profondeur dans les terres.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 3, folio 19.
STE. ANNE OU LA POCADIERE.
Concession du 2gme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Demoiselle Lacombe, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur autant
de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, tenant d'un cote \
la concession du Sieur de St. Denis ; d'autre aux terres non concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° I, folio 9.
TILLY OU ST- ANTOINE.
Concession du 29me Octobre, I672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Villieu, de I'etendue de terres qui se trouveront sur le fleuve
St. Laurent, depuis les bornes de celles de Mr. Lauzon, jusqu'l la petite
riviere dit de Villieu, icelle comprise, sur une lieue et demie de pro
fondeur. Reg. Ins. Con. Sup. lettre B. folio 20.

ST. ARMAND.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1748, faite par Rolland Michel Barrin,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Nicolas Renl Le-
vasseur, de six lieues de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur le
long de la riviere de Missisquoui, dans le lac Champlain, les dites six
lieues a prendre a huit arpens au dessous de la premiere chute qui se
trouve a trois lieues de profondeur de la dite rivie"re, en remontant la
susdite riviere de Missisquoui.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 9, folio 35.
ST. BARNABE'.
Concession du lime Mars, I75I, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Lepage de St. Bar-
nabe, de cinq quarts de lieue de terre de front, sur deux lieues de pro-

xli
fondeur, avec les rivieres, isles et islets qui se trouveront au devant du dit
terrein, a prendre depuis la concession accordee au feu Sieur Rouer de la
Cardoniere, en descendant au Nord-est, jusques et compris la pointe de
l'isle aux Peres, de maniere qu'il se trouvera avoir trois lieues et un quart
de front, sur deux lieues de profondeur, qui seront bornees en total a la
concession des representans de feu Sieur de Vitre au Sud-ouest, et au
Nord-est a la pointe de l'isle aux Peres.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 77 >
ST. BLAIN.
Ce fief est une partie demembree de la Seigneurie de Vercheres, comme
il paroit par un acte de Foi et Hommage rendu devant Mr. Begon, alors
Intendant, le 13me Fevrier, 1723, fonde sur un actede partage du l5me
Septembre, 1686, suivant lequel le front de ce fief commence ii la ligne
de separation entre les Seigneuries de Vercheres et de St. Michel, et
contient vingt-trois arpens de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, sur le
rumb de vent ordinaire des concessions de la Seigneurie de Verchere.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, folio 3, dutle 30me Janvier, 1723.
ST. CHARLES.
Concession du ler. Mars, 1695, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur,
et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Hertel de la Fresnilre, de deux
lieues de terre de front sur autant de profondeur, k commencer du cote
du sud de la riviere Richelieu aux terres du Sieur Rouville, les dites deux.
lieues de front suivant et cotoyant la dite riviere, en descendant du co:e
de Sorrel, et les dites deux lieues de profondeur courant du cote
du sud. Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 20.
ST. CHARLES.
Concession du 14me Aoht, 1701, faite par Hector de Calliere, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Rene Fezeret, d'une lieue et
demie de terre en superficie dans la riviere de Yamaska, icelle com
prise, a prendre du cote du sud de la dite riviere, tirant sud-est, tenant
d'un bout k la Concession du feu Sieur Bourchemin, et de l'autre aux
terres non-conced6es, avec les isles, islets, prairies et battures ad
jacentes. Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 33.
STE. CLAIRE.
Concession du I7me Mars, l6g3, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Rene Lepage, d'une lieue de terre
de front a prendre k une ligne qui sera tiree au Nord-est et Sud-ouest,
pour terminer la profondeur de la conces.sion du Sieur Couillard de
I'Epinau situee ii la riviere du Sud, avec deux lieues'de profondeur,
ioignant 'd'un cote au Nord-est la prolongation de la ligne qui fait la
separation des terres du dit Sieur de YEpinay, d'avec celle du Sieur
Amiot de Vincelot ; d'autre cote, au Sud-ouest, les terres non concedees ;
d'un bout au Nord-ouest, la dite ligne qui termine la profondeur de la
terre du dit Sieur de YEpinay, et d'autre bout au Sud-est une autre
ligne paralleie qui terminera les dites deux lieues de profondeur.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, Lettre D. N° 4, folio 12.
° G

xtii

STE. CROIX.
Le titre de cette concession n'a pas 6te trouve au Secretariat; il paroit
seulement par le Registre des Foi et Hommage une declaration faite par
Pierre Duquet, Notaire Royal, au nom des Dames Religieuses Ursulmes
de Qulbec, proprietaires de la Seigneurie de Ste. Croix et autres lieux,
devant Mr. Duchesneau, Intendant, qui dit, que les dites Dames possedent
un fief et seigneurie au lieu nomine' Platon Ste. Croix, contenant une
lieue de front sur le fleuve St. Laurent, sur dix lieues de profondeur,
borne d'un cote au Sieur de Lotbinilre et d'autre aux terres non encore
habitees, aux dites Dames Religieuses appartenant par titre de I'ancienne
Compagnie, en date du l6me Janvier, 1637, et confirme par Mr. de
Lauzon, Gouverneur, le 6me Mars, 1652.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 68, folio 312, le 24me Avril, 1 78 1 .
ST. DENIS.
Concession du 12me Mai, 1679, faite par le Comte de Frontenac,
Gouverneur, au Sieur de St. Denis pour et au nom de Joseph Juchereau,
son fils, des terres qui sont du cote du Sud, entre celles du Sieur de
Ladurantaie et du Sieur de la Bouteillerie, le long du fleuve St. Laurent,
contenant une lieue de front ou environ, sur quatre lieues dans la pro
fondeur de la dite lieue.
Insinuations du Conseil Superieur, Lettre B. folio 36.
ST. DENIS.
Concession du 20me Septembre, 1694, faite par Louts de Buade,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Louis de Ganne, Sieur de
Falaise, de deux lieues de terre de profondeur derriere la terre et Seig
neurie de Contrecoeur, sur toute la largeur d'icelle, qui est de deux
lieues, laquelle profondeur passera en partie au dela de la riviere
Chambly, et courra les memes rumbs de vent que la dite terre de Con-
trecceur ; avec les isles et islets qui se trouveront dans la dite rivi6re
Chambly par le travers de la dite profondeur.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 17.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, 9, folio 6l.
ST. ETIENNE.
Concession du fme Octobre, 1737, faite par le Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Franqois
Etienne Cugnet, d'un terrain restant a conceder vis-i-vis la Seigneurie
appartenante aux heritiers Jolliet, sur la riviere du Sault de la Chaudilre,
du cote du Sud-ouest, depuis le bout de la profondeur de la Seigneurie
de Lauzon jusqu'a celle nouvellement concedee au Sieur Taschereau,
contenant environ trois lieues de front sur la dite riviere du Sault de la
Chaudiere, au Sud-ouest de la dite riviere, sur deux lieues de profondeur,
ensemble les isles et islets qui se trouveront dans la dite riviere dans
l'espace du dit terrein du cote du Sud-ouest, suivant qu'elles se trouver
ont situees au devant du dit terrein, et les lacs qui se trouveront situes
sur les dites terres.
Registre d'Intendcatce, N° 8, folio 20.

xliii

ST. FRANCOIS.
Concession du 8me Octobre, 1678, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, au Sieur Crevier, de la Seigneurie de St. Franqois, contenant une
lieue de profondeur en montant dans la riviere de St. Franqois ; ensem
ble les isles et islets qui sont dans la dite profondeur, et une lieue de large
d'un cote dela dite riviere au Nord, a prendre au bout de la terre et Seig
neurie du Sieur de la Lussaudiere, ensemble les terres qui se trouveront
de l'autre cote de la dite riviere au Sud; k commencer au bout de la
terre et Seigneurie de St. Franqois et jusqu'aux bornes du Sieur de
Lavaliere. Registre d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 146.
ST. GABRIEL.
Concession du i6me Avril, 1647, faite par la Compagnie au Sieur
Giffard, de la Seigneurie de St. Gabriel, k prendre au meme endroit que
sa presence concession, (Beauport) rangeant icelle de proche en proche,
autant qu'il se pourra faire, sur dix lieues de profondeur dans les terres
vers le Nord-Ouest.
Par le papier Terrier, Tome 2e, Folio 655,(lle susdit fief avoit originaire-
ment deux lieues de front. Cette concession ne joint'pas Beauport,
parce que la concession de Notre Dame des Anges qui est entre les deux
est plus ancienne.
Cahiers d' Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 73.
ST. HYACINTHE.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1748, faite par Rolland Michel Barrin,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Francois Rigaud,
Seigneur de Vaudreuil, de six lieues de front, le long de la riviere
Yamaska, sur trois lieues de profondeur de chaque cote d'icj.lle ; les dites
six lieues de front, a prendre a sept lieues de l'embouchure de la dite
riviere, qui sont les dernieres terres concedees.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 9, folio 36.
FIEF ST. IGNACE.
Concession du 20me Aout, 1652, faite par Monsieur de Lauzon,
Gouverneur, aux Dames de l'Hotel Dieu, d'une demi lieue de terre de
front sur la riviere St. Charles, sur dix lieues de profondeur ; demembree
du fief St. Gabriel, par donation du Sieur Robert Giffard, Seigneur de
Beauport, aux dites Dames ; a prendre d'un cote aux terres concedees
sur la riviere St. Charles au Sieur Guillaume Couillard, d'autre part a la
ligne' qui fait la separation des terres depuis peu accordees aux Sauvages,
d'autre bout par derriere aux terres non-concedees, et par devant a la
riviere St. Charles.
Papier Terrier, N° 64, folio 296, 19me Mars, 178I.
P1EF ST. JEAN.
Concession du 13me Octobre, 1701, faite par Hector de CaUilre,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, aux Dames Religieuses Ursu-
tines des Trois Rhilres, de l'espace de terre concedee, qui se trouve
dans' le lac St Pierre au fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Nord; consistant
d'environ trois quarts de lieues de front entre le Sieur Joseph Petit dit

xliv
Bruno, Seigneur de Masquinongl, et le Sieur Trotier de Beaubien,
Seigneur de la Riviere du Loup, sur la profondeur de deux lieues.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 5, folio 34.
AUGMENTATION DU FIEF ST. JEAN.
Confirmation du 2/me Mars, 1733, par sa Majeste, d'une concession
faite le lOme Decembre 1727, aux Dames Ursulines des Trois Rivilres,
d'un terrein joignant du cdte du Nord-Est au fief de la Rivilre du Loup,
appartenant aux dites Religieuses, et du cote du Sud-Ouest au fief du
Sieur Sicard, ayant environ trois quarts de lieue de front sur trois lieues
de profondeur. Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, Rlgistre G. folio 42.
ST. JEAN DESCHAILLONS.
Concession du 25me Avril, 1674, au Sieur de St. Ours, de deux lieues
de terre de front le long du fleuve St. Laurent, k commencer quatre
arpens audessous de la Riviere du Chene en montant le dit fleuve, avec
deux lieues de profondeur dans les dites terres, nommee la Seigneurie
Deschaillons. Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, folio 67.
Cahiers d'Intendance, 2 a 9, folio 243.
AUGMENTATION DE ST. JEAN DESCHAILLONS.
Concession du 25me Janvier 1752, faite par le Marquis de La Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Francois Bigot, Intendant, k Roc de St. Ours, Sieur Des
chaillons, dans la profondeur de la riviere du Chene sur le meme front de
la Seigneurie de la riviere du Chene k lui deja concedee, avec quatre
lieues et demie de profondeur k prendre au bout dea deux lieues que
contient sa dite Seigneurie.
Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 10,folio 28.
By this concession of augmentation, and by the ratification of it, the
first concession is said to contain only one league and a half, as per the
Register N° 10, folio 2, et Ins. Con. Sup. Letter K. folio 7.
ST. JEAN PORT JOLI.
Concession du 25me Mai, 1677, faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Noel I'Anglois, de
la consistence de deux lieues de terre de front, le long du fleuve St.
Laurent, du cote du Sud, a commencer depuis les terres qui appartien-
nent a la Demoiselle Lacombe, en remontant le dit fleuve, jusqu'a la con
cession de la Demoiselle Genevieve Couillard, avec deux lieues de pro
fondeur. Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 44, Page 194, le 2Zme Sept. 178I.
Cahiers d'Intend. N°. 2 d 9, folio 301.
ST. JOSEPH.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1736, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur
Ri<raud de Vaudreuil, de trois lieues de terre de front et deux lieues de
profondeur, des deux cotes de la riviere du Sault de la Chaudiere, en

xiv
remontant, ensemble tous les lacs, isles et islets qui s'y trouvent, a
commencer a la fin de la concession accordee aujourd'hui au Sieur
J. aschereau. Rlgistre d' Intendance, N° 8, folio 8.
ST. JOSEPH OU L'EPINAY.
Concession du dernier jour de Fevrier, 1626, faite par Mr. le Due de
* untadour, k Louis Hebert, d'une lieue de terre de front, pres de la ville
de Qulbec, sur la riviere St. Charles ; sur quatre lieues d'e profondeur
Papier Terrier, IH0 15. folio 75,3 Flvrier, 1781.
This fief is said to contain but one quarter of a league in front upon
four in depth, by a certificate of examination of the title of Concession;
as also by mention in the act of donation of this fief in marriage with
Demoiselle Chavigny, to Sieur de l'Epinay.
N. B. This fief by actual measurement only eleven arpents in front.
Cahiers d'Intend. 10 d 17, folio 577.
STE. MARGUERITE.
Concession du 27me Juillet, 1691, faite par Louis de Buade, Comte de
Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jacques
Dubois de Boguinet, de trois quarts de lieues ou environ de front, etant
au derriere des concessions qui sont le long du fleuve St. Laurent,
audessus des Trois Rivilres, appartenantes aux Reverends Peres Jesuites
et au Sieur de St. Paul; joignant au cote du Sud-Ouest au fief Vieupont
et au cote du Nord-Est au dit fleuve des Trois Rivieres ; ensemble la
profondeur qui se trouvera jusqu'aux fiefs de Tonnancour et de St.
Maurice. Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 5.
SAINTE MARIE.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Lemoine, de trois quarts de lieue de terre sur demi lieue de
profondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis l'habitation des
ptSres Jesuites, jusqu'a la Riviere Ste. Anne, suppose que cette quantite
y soit. '¦.
Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 32.
STE. MARIE.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1736, faite par le Marquis de Beau
harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart Intendant, au Sieur Taschereau,
de trois lieues de terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, des cotes
de la riviere dite Sault de la Chaudilre, en remontant, en commencant k
l'endroit V Islet au Sapin, icelui compris, ensemble les lacs isles et islets
se qui trouveront dans la dite riviere dans la dite etendue de trois lieues.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 6.
ST. MAURICE.
Confirmation du I3me Avril, 1740, par le Roi de concession faite aux
j'nttjress6s de la Compagnie des forges, etablies k St. Maurice, du fief de
St. Etienne, reuni au Domaine de sa Majaste, par ordre du 6me Avril
precedent, et des terres qui sont depuis le dit fief de St. Etienne, a prendre
le front sur la riviere des Trois Rivilres, en remontant jusqu'a une lieue

xlvi
audessus du Sault de la Gabette, ci-devant dit le Sault de la Verrauderie,
sur deux lieues de profondeur, pour etre le dit fief et les terres qui sont
audessus unis et incorpores au fief de St. Maurice.
Insinuations du Conseil Suplrieur, Registre H. folio 57-
ST. GERVAIS AJOUTE' AUX SEIGNEURIES DE ST. MICHEL ET DE
LIVAUDIERE.
Concession du 20me Septembre, 1752, faite au Sieur Michel Jean
Hugues Plan de Livaudiere d'un terrein non concede derriere la Seig
neurie de Beaumont, et qui se trouve enclave entre les lignes des Seig-
eeuries de St. Michel au Nord-est et de Livaudiere au Sud-ouest, ce qui
compose deux lieues de front sur une lieue seulement de profondeur,
laquelle lieue de profondeur joint la ligne du trait-quarre des profondeurs
des dites Seigneuries de St. Michel et de Livaudiere, et en outre quatre
lieues et un quart de front ou environ (ce qui est appele St. Gervais
sur la Carte) sur trois lieues de profondeur, a prendre, au bout des pro
fondeurs de St. Michel des deux lieues ci-dessus concedees et de la Seig
neurie de Livaudiere, laquelle etendue de terrein de quatre lieues et un
quart de front, ou environ, sera bornee par devant' au trait-quarre des
lignes de profondeurs de St. Michel, des deux lieues ci-dessus concedees,
et de Livaudiere ; par derriere par une ligne droite et paralleie joignant
aux terres non-concedees; au Nord-est par la continuation de la ligne de
separation des dites Seigneuries de St. Valier et de St. Michel, et au Sud-
ouest egalement par la continuation de la ligne de separation de la dite
Seigneurie de Livaudiere, a celle nouvellement concedee il Mr. de la
Martinilre ; lesquels terreins de deux lieues de front sur une lieue de
profondeur et de quatre lieues et un quart de front ou environ sur trois
lieues de profondeur ci-dessus designes ne feront avec les Seigneuries
de St. Michel et de Livaudiere, appartenant deja au Sieur Pean qu'une
seule et meme Seigneurie.
Rdgistre d' Intendance, N° 10, folio g.
ST. OURS.
Concession du 2gme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de St. Ours, d'un espace de terre de front qui se trouve sur le
fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la borne de la concession de Mr. de Contrecoeur
jusqu'a celle de Mr. de Saurel, tenant pardevant le dit fleuve, et par
derriere la riviere d'Ouamaska. Les isles qui sont vis-a-vis de cette con
cession, accordees par le Comte de Frontenac, Gouverneur, au dit Sieur
de St. Ours le 25me Avril, 1674.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 80, folio 5, 28me Mai, 1781.
Cahiers d'Intendance, N°. 2 a 9, folio 244.
ST. PAUL.
Concession du 20me Mars 1706, faite par Philippe de Rigaud, Gou
verneur, et Jacques Raudot, Intendant, a Amador Godefroy, Sieur de
St. Paul, de la baie et riviere appelee Quetzezaqui, autrement dit la
grande riviere, pays des Esquimaux, et de cinq lieues de terre de large
de chaque cot£ le long de fa dite riviere, sur dix lieues de profondeur,
avec les isles, islets et battures qui se trouveront dans les dites baie et
riviere audevant d'icelle.
Cahkrs d'Intend. N° 10 d 17, folio 746.

xlvii

ST. ROC.
Concession du 1-er Avril, 1656, faite par Mr. de Lauzon, Gouverneur
pour la Compagnie, a Nicholas Juchereau de St. Denis, de trois lieues de
terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, avec les isles et battures
audevant de la dite Concession.
Cahiers d' Intendance, N° 10 d 17, folio 665.
SAINT SULPICE.
Concession du 17me D6cembre, 1640, faite par la Compagnie aux
Sieurs Cherrier et Leroyer, d'une grande partie de l'isle de Montreal,
&c. &c. Plus une etendue de terre de deux lieues de large le long du
fleuve de St. Laurent, sur six lieues de profondeur dans les dites terres,
il prendre du cote du Nord sur la meme cote oft se decharge la riviere de
I' Assomption dans le dit fleuve St. Laurent, et a commencer a une borne
qui sera mis sur cette meme cote, a la distance de deux lieues de l'em-
bouchure de la dite riviere de Y Assomption, le reste des dites deux lieues
de front k prendre en descendant sur le dit fleuve St. Laurent ; tout ce qui
est de la riviere des Prairies, jusqu'a la riviere de 1' Assomption, et depuis
la dite riviere de V Assomption jusqu'l la borne cidessus, reservee k la dite
Compagnie. Ins. Con. Sup. Pour le reste de la dite isle par titre 21 Avril, 1659,
Voyez le meme Registre, et pour les dites titres ratifications amortisse-
ment, Voyez Cahiers d'Intend. SAULT ST. LOUIS.
Concession du 2gme Mai, 1680, faite par sa Majeste aux reverends
peres Jdsuitos, de la terre nommee le Sault) contenant deux lieues de
pais de front ; a commencer a une pointe qui est vis-il-vis le rapide St.
Louis, en montant le long du lac, sur pareille profondeur, avec deux
isles, islets et battures qui se trouvent au devant et joignant aux terres de
la Prairie de la Magdelaine.
Rlgistre d'Intendance,^0 2 d 9, folio 122.
Augmentation du dit fief d'une lieue et demie vers la Seigneurie de
Chateaugay. Le meme Rlgistre, folio 124. SHOOLBRED.
Grant in Fief and Seigniory to John Shoolbred, Esquire, made on the
fourth of July, 1788, by His Excellency the Right Honorable Guy Lord
Dorchester Governor General, of the following tracts and parcels of land
in the Bay of Chaleurs, videlicet: , . .
A certain lot or tract of land lying at Bonaventure, beginning at the
South extremity of the public road, which leads from the harbour of
Bonaventure, to the settlement on the North bank, thence running nearly
North-east to the extreme point of the said bank, and bounded by the
course of the harbour, thence still bounded by the course of the said
harbour, nearly North-west, two hundred and sixty-four feet, thence
South-west parallel to the first course to the public road, thence South
east two hundred and sixty-four feet to the first station : Also a lot of
land and space of ground whereon was built a storehouse, situate four
hundred and forty-four feet from the North-east point of the said bank,

xlviii
and East of the public road, which with an allowance of fifteen feet on
each side and behind the space whereon the said store stood, containing
five thousand and thirty-five square links. Also the lots of land and
space of ground whereon were built two other storehouses, with fifteen
feet on each side, and behind each of the spaces of ground whereon the
said storehouses stood, the one situate two hundred and forty feet from
the South end of the bank and one hundred and sixty feet West of the
public road, containing three thousand eight hundred and twenty-two
square links, and the other situate twenty feet distant from the North
west corner of the last mentioned ground whereon the said store formerly
stood, containing five thousand and thirty-five square links, the said
several lots or parcels of land above mentioned containing in the whole
one acre, one rood, and twenty-one perches. Aluo a certain otber tract
of land lying at Percl, between the Bays of Chaleurs and Gaspe,
adjacent to the Island of Bonaventure, being the last fishing post at pre
sent settled and established on the North beach, leading to Mount Joli,
at Percl, aforesaid, bounded on the West by a deep greve or ditch ad
joining to a fresh water brook, thence running East seven chains of sixty-
six feet each along the bank, thence South ten chains, thence West se
ven chains, thence North parallel to the second course unto the first
station, containing seven acres. Also a certain other tract of land situate
on the Westernmost extremity of Chaleurs Bay, running up the river
Ristigouche, about fifteen miles to the first point of land below Battery
Point, beginning at a boundary line one hundred and fifty chains East
of the bottom of the Easternmost Bay of Nouvel Bason, running North,
twenty-two degrees East to the mountains, thence bounded by their
course at an average depth of forty chains from high water mark to their
base, round Nouvel Bason Westward to a small cove, three hundred
chains West of the said first mentioned Bay, bearing from the Northern
most extremity of Migoacha Point, being a sand bank, South eighty-
four degrees North, eighty-four degrees West, the superficial content
of the said last described lands is two thousand and eighty acres. Also
a tract of land, beginning at the aforesaid cove, and running the several
courses of Point Migoacha, to the Western extremity of a salt marsh,
distant from a point, where the inaccessible coast begins, about eighty
chains, thence to the said point, containing one thousand six hundred
acres. Also a certain tract beginning at the first mentioned point, below
Battery Point, North nineteen degrees and a half East, eighty chains,
thence South, eighty-eight degrees East, eighty-nine chains, thence
North thirty-three degrees East, eighty chains, thence North eighty-
three degrees East, sixty-nine chains, thence North fifty six degrees
East, one hundred and seven chains, thence South eighty degrees East,
twenty-three chains, thence South fifty degrees East, fifty-eight chains,
thence South, sixty-seven degrees East, forty-nine chains, thence North
sixty-eight degrees East, eighty-eight chains, thence South sixty-six
degrees East fifty-seven chains, thence South sixty-five degrees East,
eighty-four chains, thence South seventy-three degrees East, one
hundred and fifty-six chains, thence South thirty-nine degrees East,
ninety-five chains, thence South twelve degrees East, one hundred and
seventy-five chains, thence South eleven degrees East fifty-five chains,
thence South, fifty-six degrees West, forty chains to Yacta Point, con
taining six thousand five hundred and fifty acres, more or less.
Book of Patents for lands, Vol. 1. page 1.

xlix

SILLERY.
Concession du 23me Octobre, ]699» faite par Hector de Calliere,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, aux reverends peres Jesuites,
de la Seigneurie de Sillery, d'une lieue de large surle fleuve St. Laurent,
et d'une lieue et demie ou environ de profondeur, jusqu'a la Seigneurie de
St. Gabriel qui la termine par derriere, comme^ant du cote du Nord-Est
k la pointe de Puiseaux, et du cote du Sud-Ouest il une ligne qui la
separe du fief de Gaudarville, lesquelles lignes ont ete tirees l'une il y a
environ vingt-cinq ans, et l'autre il y a quarante ans.
Registre d' Intendance, N°. 5, folio 26.
SOREL.
Concession du 21me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Saurel, de deux lieues et demie de terre de front sur le fleuve
St. Laurent, savoir, une lieue et demie au dela de la riviere de Richelieu
sur deux lieues de profondeur, et une lieue en deca sur une lieue de
profondeur, avec les Isles St. Ignace, l'isle Ronde et l'isle de Grace.
Registre d' Intendance, N°. 1, folio 13.
DERRIERE SOREL.
Concession du I8me Juin, 1739, faite par le Marquis de Beauharnois,
Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, aux Demoiselles Angilique
Louise et Elisabeth de Ramzay, d'un restant de terrein derriere la Seig
neurie de Sorel, a prendre entre les lignes et bornes des Seigneuries
de Lavaliere de Fezeret et St. Ours ; bornee du c6te du Nord-est par
la dite Seigneurie de Lavaliere ; du cote" de I'Est par la dite Seigneurie
de Fezeret ; du cote du Sud-ouest par la ligne de la dite Seigneurie de
St. Ours, ce qui compose environ une lieue et demie en superficie.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 8, folio 27.
SOULANGE.
Concession du I2me Octobre, 1702, faite par Hector de Calliire,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, a Pierre Jacques Marie de Joy-
bert Chevalier de Soulange, de la moitie d'une langue de terre sise au
lieu' dit les Cascades, de quatre lieues de terre de front sur une lieue et
demie de profondeur au plus large de la dite langue de terre, et une demi
lieue au plus etroit ; k commencer il la Pointe des Cascades, en montant;
joignant la dite terre celle accordee aux enfans de Mr. de Vaudreuil.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 37.
TERREBOIS OU DEVERBOIS.
Cette Concession ne se trouve ni dans le bureau du Secretaire ni dans
le R6gistre des Foi et Hommage : son front etant inconnu elle occupe
sur la Carte l'espace qui se trouve entre les concessions de Messrs. de
Grandville et de Lachenaie. .
This concession was originally granted to Fran. Dionis Bourgeon., 15
Nov 1673, and was to consist of three leagues by three.
'See Cahiers d'Intendance, N° 2 d 9, folio 61. H

TERREBONNE.
Concession du 23rrie Decembre, 1673, faite par la Compagnie a Mr.
Dautier Deslandes, de deux lieues de terre de front sur la riviere Jlsus
autrement appelee la riviere des Prairies ; a prendre depuis les bornes
de la Chenaie, en montant, vis4-vis l'isle Jesus, sur deux lieues de pro
fondeur. Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N°31, folio 143, le 13me Flvrier, 1781 .
AUGMENTATION DE TERREBONNE.
Confirmation du lOme Avril, 1731, de concession faite au Sieur Louis
Lepage de St. Claire, d'un terrein de deux lieues, k prendre dans les
terres non concedees dans la profondeur, et sur tout le front de la Seig
neurie de Terrebonne.
Registre des Foi et Hommage, N° 31, folio 143. le 13me Fevrier, 178I.
AUTRE AUGMENTATION DE TERREBONNE.
Permission du 12me Avril, 1753, donnee par le Marquis Duquesne,
Gouverneur, et Frangois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Louis de la Come,
de continuer le defrichement dans la profondeur de deux lieues, au de la
des fiefs de Terrebonne et Desplaines.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 10, folio 13.
TREMBLAY ET VARENNES.
Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Varennes, de vingt-huit arpens de terre de front sur une
lieue de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, bornee d'un cote
k la concession du Sieur St. Michel et d'autre celle du Sieur Boucher ; et
la quantite de terre qui se trouvera depuis le Sieur Boucher jusqu'a la
riviere Notre Dame, la moitie d'icelle comprise, sur pareille profondeur,
avec deux isles qu'on appelle Percles, et trois islets qui sont audessous
des isles. Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 17.
TROIS PISTOLES.
Concession du 6me Janvier, l687> faite par le Marquis de Brisay,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Vitrl, de deux
lieues de front le long du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, k prendre
depuis la concession du Sieur Villerai, et descendant le dit fleuve, la
riviere des Trois Pistoles comprise, et les isles qui se trouveront dans les
deux lieues de la presente concession, sur deux lieues de profondeur,
m6me celle au Basque, si elle se trouve dans la quantite presentement
concedee. Registre d'Intendance, N° 3, folio 2.
PARTIE DES TROIS PISTOLES.
Concession du 6me Avril, 1751, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere,
Gouverneur, et Franqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Nicholas Rioux, du
terrein qui se trouve non concede entre la Seigneurie de Trois Pistoles
et les terres appartenantes aux representans de feu Mr. de Lachenaie, ce
qui peut faire environ trois lieues de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur,
avec les isles, islets et battures qui se trouvent au devant du dit terrein.
Registre d'Intendance, N° Q, folio 81.

TROIS-RIVIERES.
Les Registres qui concernent cette partie de la Province ne suffisant
pas pour placer, sur la Carte, les diff'erentes concessions, £lles y sont
posees d'apres un plan du lieu, sur lequel, dit-on, les proprietaires se
reglent quant a leurs limites. Ces limites en quelques cas ne sont pas les
memes que celles indiquees dans les titres originates, difference qui peut
avoir ete causee par des echanges ou cessions faites entre les concession.
naires primitifs ou leurs representans.
La figure A contient la ville et la banlieue des Trois Rivieres. — B la
Commune. — C suivant le susdit plan est un octroi fait aux Jesuites le gme
Juin, 1650. VAUDREUIL.
Concession du I2me Octobre, 1702, faite par Hector de Callilre,
Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, il Mr. de Vaudreuil, pour ses
enfans nes et a naitre, de la moitie d'une langue de terre, situee au lieu
dit les Cascades, contenant quatre lieues de front sur une lieue et demie
de profondeur au plus large de la dite langue de terre, et une demi lieue
au plus etroit, il commencer vis-a-vis l'7.s/e aux Tourtes; joignant icelle
pareille Concession accordee au Sieur de Soulange.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 38.
VAUDREUIL.
Concession du 23me Septembre, 1736, faite par Charles Marquis de
Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Fleury
de la Gorgendilre, de trois lieues de terre de front et de deux lieues de
profondeur des deux cotes de la riviere du Sault de la Chaudilre, en
remontant, k commencer a la fin de la concession accordee aujourd'hui
au Sieur Rigaud de Vaudreuil, ensemble les isles, islets et lacs qui se
trouvent dans la dite riviere, dans la dite etendue de trois lieues.
Registre d' Intendance, N° 8, folio 9.
VERCHERES AVEC AUGMENTATIONS.
Concession du 2gme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur de Vercheres, d'une lieue de terre de front sur une lieue de pro
fondeur, k prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la concession du
Sieur de Grandmaison, en descendant vers les terres non concedees,
jusqu'a celle du Sieur de Vitre ; et s'il y a plus que cette quantite [qui
est la predite Seigneurie de St. Blain,'] entre les dits Sieurs, de Vercheres
et de Vitrl, elle sera partagee egalement enlr'eux.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 23.
Autre concession, par le Comte de Frontenac, Gouverneur, au Sieur
de Vercheres le 8me Octobre, 1678, d'une lieue de terre d'augmentation
dans la profondeur de sa Seigneurie de Vercheres, pour etre unies et
iointes ensemble.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° Let. B. folio 4.
VIEUPONT.
Concession du 23me Aout, 1 674, faite a Mr. Joseph Godefroi Sieur de
Vieupont, d'une etendue de terre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du

lii
Nord, il commencer depuis la riviere appelee la troisilme rivilre jusqu'a
celle appelee la quatrilme riviere ; contenant quinze arpens de front
avec une lieue de profondeur. Par une Ordonnance du I5me Juin, 1723,
il a ete regie que le fief cidessus auroit dixsept arpens de front sur une
lieue de profondeur.
Cahiers d'Intendance, pour I' ancienne Concession.
Au plan plus haut citl un lopin de terre entre Vieupont et Labadie est
dit appartenir d Mr. Tonnancour.
Rlgistre des Foi et Hommage, N° 95. folio 78.
VILLERAY OU DARTIGNY.
Cette Concession ne se trouve pas au Secretariat, nonplus que dans les
Registres des Foi et Hommage ; elle occupe sur la Carte l'espace qui
reste entre les Seigneuries de l'isle Verte et des trois Pistoles.
VINCELOT.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
a Demoiselle Veuve Amiot, d'une lieue de terre sur autant de profondeur,
a prendre surle fleuve St. Laurent, depuis le Cap St. Ignace, icelui com
pris, jusqu'aux terres non-concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 26.
AUGMENTATION DE VINCELOT.
Concession du ler Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver
neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Vincelot, d'une lieue de
terre de front avec deux lieues de profondeur, derriere et au bout de son
fief de Vincelot, au Cap St. Ignace, qui a pareillement une lieue de front
seulement, sur une lieue de profondeur, suivant les alignemens generaux
de ce pays.
Rlgistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio 9.
VINCENNES.
Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant,
au Sieur Bissot, de soixante et dix arpens de terre de front, sur une lieue
de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis les terres ap-
partenantes au Sieur de la Cisiere, jusqu'aux terres non concedees.
Registre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 30.
YAMASKA.
Concession du 24me Septembre, 1683, faite a Mr. de Lavaliere des
terres non concedees qui sont entre la Demoiselle de Saurel et le Sieur
Crevier, vis-a-vis le lac St. Pierre, du cot6 du Sud, contenant une demi
lieue de front ou environ, ensemble les isles et islets et battures au devant,
jusqu'au Chenail des barques, comme aussi trois lieues de profondeur, 1
commencer des l'entree de la riviere des Savannes ( Yamaska. )
Rlgistre des Foiet Hommage, N° 45, folio 197, 3me Fevrier, 178I.
Cahiers d' Intendance, 2 d 9, folio 143.
FIN.

General Statement of the Lands granted in free and common Soccage in the Province of
Lower Canada, within the undermentioned Townships, which have been laid out and sub
divided since the Year 1795, shewing also the Proportional Reservations for Crown and
Clergy.

fccS

Townships.

Dunham ....
Brome 
Bolton 
Potton ......
FarnhamHinchinbrook Hemmingford
Clifton 
Armagh 
Rawdon . . . .
ChathamBuckingham..Dorset 
Hunterstown .
Stoneham. . . .
Tewkesbury. .
Stanbridge . . .
Grantham. . . .
Upton ......
Tewkesbury. .
Stanstead Broughton . , ,

By whom granted.

Lord Dorchester
General Prescott
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto i 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Sir R. S. Milnes
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 

Leaders of Townships.

Thomas Dunn, Esq 
Asa Porter, Esq  , 
Nicholas Austin.. 
LauchlanMLean  , 
Samuel Gale, &c. 
Gilbert Miller 
Robert Gordon 
David Steward 
Thompson and Blais 
James Sawer 
P. L. Pauet and Wm. Fortune..
Capt. Robertson . . „ 
John Black 
John Jones 
Kenelm Chandler 
Capt. Wulf. 
Hugh Finlay, Esq 
William Grant 
Dd. Alex. Grant 
Denis Letourneau 
Isaac Ogden 
H. Jenlun and Wm, Hall 

Date of the
Patent.

Feb. ?, 1790...
Aug. 18, 1797.
Ditto 
Oct. 31 
Oct. 22, 1798 .
Jan. 3, 1799. . .
March 18 
June 13 
J«iy 13 
Do 
Do 
Nov. 27 
Dec. 30 
April 29, 1800.
May 14 
Sept. 18 
Sept. 1 
May 14 
May 21 
May 14 
Sept. 27 
Oct. 20 

Number ot
Acres
granted.

40,895 46,200
62,621 C00O
23,000 5200
20,800 12,600 2400 1900
22002000
53,000 24,620
24,000 2000
41,790 27,00025,20024,00027,720
23,100

Reservations for the
Crown.

8400
9030
12,190 1260
4830 1040
4160 2520 410 400410
420
10,710 46003428 400
8820
¦ 5250
5210 46105250 5140

Reservations for the
Clergy.

84009030
12,400 1260
4830 1040
4160 25S0 630
400410420
10,710 4600 3428 400
86105250
50004620 5040 5340

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2 2

Townships.

By whom gi-anted.

Leaders of Townships.

Date of the
Patent.

Number of Reservations Reservations

Aci-es
granted.

Ibr the
Crown.

for the
Clergy.

5152
535455 565758596061 626364
656667686970
717273
7475 76

Granby 
Milton 
Clifton 
Bury 
Hatley 
Ascot 
Ditton 
Clinton . . . 4 ;
Bulstrode . . .
Kingsey Hemrmngford
Kildare 
Clifton 
Potton 
Newport
Brompton . . ,
Shipton 
Stanstead
Tingwick Warwick
Eaton 
Westbury . . .
Hemmingford
Nelson 
Somerset . . . .
Windsor 

Sir R. S. Milnes
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 

Amount
{OfEcei-s and Privates, Bri- 1
tish Militia  j
Ditto 
Sundry Persons 
Calvin May 
Henry Cull 
Gilbert Hyatt 
M. H. Yeomans 
J.F.Holland 
Patrick Langan 
George Longmore 
Sundry Persons 
P. M.De La Valtrie 
Mary Barnet 
Henry Ruiter 
N. Taylor 
William Barnard 
Elmer Cushing 
Richard Adams  ,
Sundry Pei'sons 
Ditto 
Isaac Ogden 
Henry Caldwell 
Dn. M'Naught 
f Officers and Privates of the \
I Canadian Militia  j
Ditto 
Mary Charlotte de Castellc. . . .

brought over
Jan. 8,1803 .
Jan. 29 
March 5 . . . .
March 15 
March 25 
April 21 
May 13 
May 24 
May 27 
June 7 
June 17 
June 24 ....
July 23 
July 27 
August 4 . . . .
Nov. 27 
Dec. 4 
Dec. 6 
Jan. 23, 1 804
Do 
March I 
March 13 
March 27. . . .
April 21 
Do 
May 17 

088,844 38,15224,518 23,546 11,550
23,49320,18811,55011,550
24,463 U,47S 8536
11,486 7035
27,58012,600
40,753 58,692 1276-
23,73023,940 6300
12,262 420
38,32638,790 420

221,421 7908 60.ro
49142310
4890 4200231025104894 2448 1707 1990 1594
5516 2400 7800
11,725 210
5040 4830 1680
2701 Si
7561 7483 84

216,118 79776273
50642310
491042002310210048942422 1707
2520 1680
5516 2400800O
11,739 173
46204830 1890246'2 84
77437619 84

7778 79 80 8132 83 84 85 86
I 87
| 88
i 89 9091 9293 94 95969798 99
100 101 102103 104
105

Tring . . . . T, . . .
Hemmingford . ,
Barnston 
Rawdon 
Kingsey 
Hatley 
Newton 
Onslow  ,
Melborne 
Chester 
Dudswell 
Wendover ....
Halifax 
Durham 
Stanstead 
Farnham 
Hull 
Aston 
Auckland 
Aston 
Frampton 
Granby 
Acton 
Eardley 
Buckland. 
Chatham 
Liugwick 
Lochaber 
Templeton . . . .

Sir R. S. Milnes ......
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Hon. J. Dunn, Presiden
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 

Ditto 
Sir R. S. Milnes
Ditto 

Sundry Persons. .. ." 
Matthew Scott 
Sundry Persons 
R. Henry Bruere and Selby. .. .
Major Holland's family, &c. . . .
Moses Holt's family 
C. De Lotbiniere. 
Forsyth and Richardson 
Henry Caldwell 
Sundry Persons 
John Bishop 
Sundry Persons 
Matthew Scott 
St. Francois Indians 
iSundry Persons 
Jane Cuyler, &c 
[Philemon Wright 
[Sundry Persons 
Foleury Deschambault & others
'John Nelson 
'P. E. Desbarat, &c. &c 
Ji. Margaret Isabella Simpson. .
Gother Maun, &c. &c 
Sundry Persons 
Sundry Persons 
I'/Col. Dl. Robertson and Dr.1
| S. Fraser  j
Sundry Grantees 
lArchcf. M'Millan, &c 
Ditto 

July 20
Dec. 24 
Jan. 7, 1805..
Jan. 14 
Jan. 28 
Feb. 21 
March 6 
March 9
April 3 
April 11 
May 13 
June 24 
June 25 
June 26 
August 2 . . . .
Sept. 9 
Jan. 3, 1806..
Feb. 17 
April 3 
June 27 
.Tuly 10 
July 3 
July 22 
.August 22 
Nov. 26 
Dec.31 

March 7, 1807.
March 26 
Do 

22,995 252023103150
11,198 2304
12,961 1073
26,153 11,70711,632
12,558 11,243 S150
35785040
13,701
27,12723,1(10 1260
11,569 420
22,859 5250
12,182 5250
13,65013,261 89-19

4400 504 152
630
2132 374
2331 210
593223202247
2739
2310 1620 511600
2482
54544400 221243001390
2433 800
26003213
2052

1,908,623 387,148

4400 504 152
420
199S 384
2526 210
6184
2320 248322662520 1365 511802
2243
4847
4400220(1
484212752367 800
2400
3291 1829

381,193

Zo

106 107103
109 110
III

113 114
115 116117118
119 120121
122123 124125
126 127 128
129 130

Townships.

Grenville .

Ham 
Stanfold 
Maddington.Ditto 
Acton 

1 1 2 Granby, Milton, and Simpson

Hull
Frampton 
Wendover 
Onslow 
Windsor, Simpson, Somer
set, and Nelson 
Farnham 
Sherrington  ,
Upton 
Sherrington 
Wentworth 
Templeton 
Stanstead  ,
Compton  ,
Barnston 
Shenley  ,
Shipton  ,
Potton.., 
Grenville 

By whom granted.

Leaders of Townships.

Date of the
Patent.

f His Excellency Sir '
1 J. H. Craig, K. B. '
(_ Gov. General, &c.
Ditto  '
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Thomas Dunn 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Sir J. H. Craig 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 

Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .
Ditto .

Amount brought over .
Ditto  Jan. 28, 1808 .,

Number ot
Acres
granted.

Partial grant 
Jenkin Williams, &c 
G. W. Allsopp 
Sundry Persons 
George Walters Allsopp .
Sundry Persons 
Robert Randall 
Sundry Grantees 
Benj. and Alex. Hart . . .
Roswell Minor, &c. &c. ..

Sundry Persons 
John Allsopp, &c. &c 
Frs. Baby and others 
Lewis Schmidt and family . . .
Susii.1. and Margaret Finlay. . .
Jane de Montmoulin, &c 
Sundry Grantees 
Sir R. S. Milnes 
Ditto 
Ditto 
James Glenny 
'James Barnard.  , 
Thomas Shepherd 
Archibald Campbell 

Feb. 6 
July 8,1807...
Dec. 24, 1 808 .
Dec. 1 
July 22, 1806 .
July 29 
Sept. 21, 1807.
Sept. 9, 1808 ..
Sept. 26 
Nov. 12 
Dec. 27 

1809 ,

Feb. 11
Feb. 22
May 27
May 29 
June 3 
Nov. 29 
March 12, 1810
Do 
Do 
May 1 
July 10 
July 18 
Dec. 12 

1,908,628 1260
1260
26,810 6005 6033
24,004 2520 630
12,380 200
12,667| 3780
10,176 19,278 678
8395
12,390 8620
21,406 13,110 13,54610,298 210210016

Reservations for the
Crown.

387,148 211
200

Reservations- for the
Clergy.

381,193 400 200

58,512

58,512

1 3 1 (Ely
132 Newton.

133 134135136 137 138139140 141 142143 144145 146 147148149150

Godmanchester 
Barnston 
Inverness 
Kingsey 
Hemmingford 
Hinchinbrook 
Ham 
Chatham  Ditto .
Leeds . . ,  Ditto .
Eaton  Ditto .
Sherrington  Ditto .
Godmanchester  Ditto .
Kingsey  Ditto .
Durham  Ditlo .
Leeds  v. I Ditto
Hemmingford  Ditlo
Lingwick  ¦ Ditto
Ascot  Ditto

Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Ditto 
Thomas Dunn, gent.
Sir Geo. Prevost 
Ditto 

Doceas Higgins 
Saveuse de Beaujeu, &c. ...
Robert Ellice, &'c. &c 
William Somerville 
Robert Skinner 
Edward Baynes 
Stephen Sewell 
Lieut. Col. R. Ellice, &c...
Martha Mitchell 
Sundry Persons 
George Hamilton 
Joseph CummingS  ,
Hon. J. Young 
John M'Kindlay and others
Donald M'Lean and family.
Ditto,John Palmer and Rich. Sheppard
John Graves and others
Hon. John Young.
James Bangs,

Jan. 21, 1311 ..
April 25 
May 10 
June 18 
Do 
Do 
Sept. 18 
Dec. 30 
Dec. 31 
Jan. 10, 1812 ..
Dec. 7 
Dec. 17 
Dec. 30 
Jan. 4, 1814. ..
Jan. 11 
Do. 
March 3 
March 16 
March 21 
Starch 26  Total

630
1137
25,592 3200 600600
32003719 1 200
13,319 8002 200

17,000 200

2,203,709!-/ 445,660

439,705

T. Davison, Lombard-street,
Whitefriars, London.

lxi

Statement of the English Naval
Force on Lake Ontario, 1814.
Names of Ships. No. of Guns.
Saint Lawrence . . 102
Prince Regent . . 58
Princess Charlotte . . 42
Montreal . . .24
Niagara . . .21
Star (brig) . . . 16
Charwell . . .15
Magnet (schooner) . .12
Netly . . .10
GUN-BOATS.
Cleopatra
Lais Ninon .
NellyRegent Thunderer . . • > , 1 1
WellingtonRetaliation .
Black Snake
PrescottDreadnought Total 311

Statement of the American Naval
Force on Lake Ontario, 1814.

Names of Ships.
Superior .
Mohawk Pike MaddisonJefferson .
Independence SylphOneidaLady of the Lake
Four small craft
Ten gun-boats

No. of Guns. 6044 33 28 28 24 18 2 8
10

Total 291

K

lxii

Statement of the English' Naval
Force on Lake Erie, 1813.

Names of Ships. No.

of Guns.

Names of Ships. No. o

' Guns.

Detroit

. 20

Laurepce .

20

Queen Charlotte

. 18

Niagara

. 20

Lady Prevost

. 12

Caledonia

3

General Hunter

. 6

Ariel

4

Erie

2

Summers

. 2

Little Belt

2

Porcupine

4

Chippawa (8-rinch howitzers) 2

Tigress

1

Total

62

Scorpion Trippe

2 t

N. B. This squadron was cap
tured and destroyed the same
year by a superior American
force. Although the English
ships exceeded the Americans
in the number of guns, yet the
calibre on the side of the latter
was so much larger, that on
estimating the weight of metal
thrown by one broadside from
each squadron, the American
was to the English as 3 is to 2.
The number of men on board
the Americans was nearly in a
similar proportion.

Statement of the American Na
val Force on Lake Erie, 1813.

Total

54

lxiii

Statement [of the English Naval

Statement of the American Force

Force on Lake Champlain in

on Lake Champlain in Aug.

Aug. 1814.

1814.

Names of Ships.

No. of Guns.

Names of Ships. No. of Guns.

Confiance .

. 28

Saratoga (ship) . . 28

Linnet (brig)

. 16
A brig . . .26
Chub (sloop)
. 13
Ticonderoga . . 22
Finch (sloop)
. 11
Commodore Preble . 11
Icicle (sloop)
. 4
Montgomery . . 9
GUN-BOATS.
Ten gun-boats . . 20
Sir James Yeo
2~
Total 116
Sir George Prevost .
2
Lord Wellington
2
General Simcoe
2
Marshal Beresford .
1
Sir Home Popham .
1
? 19
General Brock
1
Tecumseth
1
Lord Cochrane
1
Canada
3
Blucher
2
Sir Sydney Beckwith
1
Total 91
N. B. This flotilla was cap
tured and destroyed by the
American flotilla before Platts-
burg.
K 2
lxiv

TABLE OF LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE.

Latitude. Longitude.
Anticosti Island, S.W.Point 49 .23 North, 63 . 44 West from-
Quebec (City of) . 46.48.49 — 71.11 Greenwich.
Montreal (City of) . 45.31 — — /3 . 35 —
Kingston (Upper Canada) 44 . 8 — 76.40 —
York . . . 43 . 33 — 79 . 20 —

The Grand Portage on )
Lake Superior y

47 . 58 — 89 . 52

Rates of Pilotage for the River St. Lawrence.
From Bic to Quebec. Per Foot.
I. s. d.
From the 2d to the 30th April, inclusive . .10 6
From the 1st May to the 10th November, inclusive . 0 1& 0
From the 1 ith to the 19th November, inclusive . 13 0
From the 20th November to the 1st March, inclusive 18 0
From Quebec to Bic.
From the 2d to the 30th April, inclusive . . 0 18 3
From the 1st May to the 10th November, inclusive . 0 15 9
From the llth to the 19th November, inclusive . 109
From the 20th November to the 1st March, inclusive 1 5 9
Rates of pilot water and poundage on pilot money are payable at
the Naval Office by masters and commanders of vessels.
For every foot of water for which masters and commanders of
vessels are bound to pay their pilots from Bic to Quebec, and from
Quebec to Bic, 2s. 6d. currency per foot.

lxv
For vessels going to Three Rivers or Montreal,
Of 100 to 150 tons inclusive, 2l. currency.
Of 151 to 200 tons inclusive, 3l. —
Of 201 to 250 tons inclusive, 4l. —
Of 251 tons and upwards, 5Z. — ;
On settling with pilots, masters, or commanders of vessels, or the
consignees of such vessels, are to deduct Is. in the pound for the
amount of the sums to be paid for pilotage, which will be exacted
by the naval officer at clearing out, the same being funded by law,
under the direction of the Trinity House, for the relief of decayed
pilots, their widows and children.

Regulations for the Payment of Pilotage above Bic to
Quebec.

At or above the anchorage of
the Brandy Pots - -
At above the Point of St. Roc -
For above the Point aux Pins,
on the Isle aux Grues, and
below Patrick's Hole - -
And at and above Patrick's Hole

|ds of the present rate for a full
pilotage.
4d Do. Do.

ith Do. Do.
The rates already established
by law for shifting a vessel from
one place to another in the har
bour of Quebec, viz. ll. 3s. 4d.

lxvi

Rates above the Harbour of Quebec.

From Quebec,
To Port-Neuf,

For vessels of regis
ter measurement,
not exceeding 200

To Quebec,
From Port-Neuf,

Al. currency.

tons.
If above 200 and not

2l. 10s. currency.

5l. . .

exceeding 250 do.

3l. 10s. . . .

61. . , .

If above 250 tons.

To Three Rivers,

From Three Rivers,

or above Port-Neuf,
61. currency.

For vessels not ex
ceeding 200 do.
If above 200 and not

and above Port-Neuf,
41. . . currency.

71. . . .
8l. . . .

exceeding 250 do.
If above 250 tons.

4l. 10s 

To Montreal,

From Montreal,

and above 3 Rivers,

For vessels not ex

and above 3 Rivers,

111. currency.

ceeding 200 do.
[f above 200 and not

7l. 10s. currency.

13l. . . .

exceeding 250 do.

8/. 15s 

161. . . .

:f above 250 tons.

Pilots are at liberty to leave vessels forty-eight hours after they
arrive at the place of their destination.
Duties payable in this Province under several Acts of
the Parliament of Great Britain, viz.
25-th Charles II. Chap. 7.
On Ginger «
Logwood -
Fustick and all dying wood
Tobacco -
Indigo -
Cocoa Nuts -
per cwt.
do. do.
per lb.
do.
do.
Sterling:.
I.
0
5
0
0
0
0
s. 1
00
0
0
o
Exported
from this
province to
- any other
part than
Great Bri
tain.
lxvii

On foreign Sugars Or Pannelles

6th Geo. II. Ch-.p. 13. /. ,.'

Sterling.

d.
per cwt. 0 5 0

4th Geo. III. Chap. 15.
On foreign white or clayed Sugars - per cwt. 0 22 0
Ditto Indigo - - - per lb. 006
Ditto Coffee
Madeira

per cwt. 0 59

sira "I
Fayal j- Wines - . per tun 7 o 0
Teneriffe *
From Great ( Portugal, Spanish, )
Britain j and other j VWs d°" ° 10 0
6th Geo. III. Chap. 52.
On British plantation Coffee - - per cwt. 0 7 0
Molasses - - - per gal. 0 0 1
British Pimento . - - per lb. O 0 Oi
14th Geo. III. Chap. 88.
For every gallon of Brandy or other Spirits of the ma
nufacture of Great Britain - - - 0 0 3
For every gallon of Rum or other Spirits which shall
be imported or brought from any of his Majesty's
sugar colonies in the West Indies - - O 0 6
For every gallon of Rum or other Spirits which shall
be imported or brought from any other of his
Majesty's colonies or dominions in America - 0 O 9
For every gallon of foreign Brandy or, other Spirits of
foreign manufacture imported or brought from
Great Britain - - - - - 0 1 0
For every gallon of Rum or Spirits of the produce or
manufacture of any of the colonies or plantations
in America, not in the possession or under the
dominion of his Majesty, imported from any other
place except Great Britain - - - 0 1 0
For every gallon of Molasses and Syrups which shall
be imported or brought into the province in ships
or vessels belonging to his Majesty's subjects in

lxviii Sterling.
I. s. d.
Great Britain or Ireland, or to his Majesty's sub
jects in this province - - - 0 0 3
For every gallon of Molasses and Syrups which shall
be imported or brought into the province in any
other ships or vessels in which the same may be
legally imported - - - - 0 0 6

Additional Duties laid on by the Provincial Parliament ;
Acts 33d Geo. III. Cap. 8, 35th Geo. III. Cap. 9,
and 4t\st Geo. III. Cap. 14.

I. s. d.
For every gallon of foreign Brandy or other Spirits of
foreign manufacture - - - -003
For every gallon of Rum or other .Spirits except British
manufactured Spirits, imported from Great Britain
or Ireland - - - - -003
For every gallon of Molasses and Syrups - -003
For every gallon of Madeira Wine, by one Act 4c?. by
another 2c?. - - - - 0 0 6
For every gallon of other Wine, by one Act 2c?. by an
other lc?. -
For every pound of Loaf or Lump Sugar
For every pound of Muscovado or clayed Sugar
For every pound of Coffee
For every pound of Leaf Tobacco
For every pack of Playing Cards
For every minot of Salt ...
On Snuff or flour of Tobacco, per lb.
On Tobacco manufactured in any other way than into
Snuff, or flour, or powder - - - 0 0 3

0

0

3

0

0

1

0

0

Ok

0

0

2

0

0

2

0

0

2

0

0

4

0

0

4

Ixix

Deduction of Weight.
On Coffee Bags or Bales, 3 pounds for every lOOlb.
 in Casks, 12 pounds for every lOOlb.
Muscovado and Clayed Sugar in Casks or Boxes, 12 pounds for
every lOOlb.
Loaf and Lump Sugar in Casks or Boxes, 15 pounds for every
lOOlb. Leaf Tobacco in Casks or Boxes, 12 pounds for every lOOlb.

Leakage on Wines, Spirituous Liquors, and Molasses.
Three gallons on every hundred gallons.
Waste of Articles subject to Duties by Weight.
An allowance of three pounds on every hundred pounds.
On Salt, an allowance of waste of three Minots on every 100
Minots. 1
Salt landed below the east bank of the River Saguenai, on the
north side of the St. Lawrence, and below the east bank of the
River of the Grand Mitis on the south side, is not subject to duty.
Drawback.
There shall be allowed by the collector four-pence on every
bushel of salt exported from the port of Quebec to any place
beyond the above limits.
Seven-pence on every tierce of salmon, and four-pence on every
barrel of salted beef or pork, or salted fish of any sort, exported
from this province.

lxx

I.

s.

d.

0

0

2

0

0

4

0

0

6

0

0

4

0

0

3

0

0

3

0

0

2

New and additional Duties.

New and additional duties imposed by the Provincial Act 45th
Geo. III. Cap. 13, intituled, " An Act to provide for the erecting
of a Common Gaol in each of the Districts of Quebec and Mont
real respectively, and the Means for defraying the Expenses
thereof." * On Bohea Tea, per lb.
* Souchong, or other Black Teas
* Hyson Tea
* All other Green Teas
Spirits, or other strong liquors,
per English gallon
Wines - do.
Molasses and Syrups do.
* All Goods, Wares, Merchandises, and Effects (with
certain exceptions), that shall be put up] to auction or
outcry, 2i per cent, on the value at which said goods,
&c. shall be sold or adjudged.
* New Duties. — Those on Spirits, Wines, Molasses, and
Syrups, are in addition to what is already imposed upon
them.
The duties imposed by the above Act are to continue for six
years from the passing thereof, viz. the 25th March, 1805; and
are to be raised, levied, and collected, and paid in the same man
ner and form, and under the same rules and regulations, penal
ties and forfeitures, as are by law now established for the levying
and collecting of other rates and duties, with the same allowance
for leakage and for the waste of articles by weight, subject to the
said duties.
By another act of Parliament these duties have been continued
for a further term of years.

Ixxi

Additional Duties — 1813.

/. s. d.
Upon Madeira Wine, per gallon
Port do. do.
Rum do.
Foreign Brandies and Geneva
Salt, per minot
Refined Sugars, per lb.
Leaf Tobacco, do:
Manufactured do. and Snuff, per lb. 0 0 6
A duty of two and a half per cent, on the invoice value of all
goods imported, not already subject to duty, excepting salted beef
and pork, salt fish, fish oil, wheat and peas, furs and skins.
This duty is fve per cent, when the goods are imported by
persons who have not resided six months in the province.

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

6

0

1

0

0

0

8

0

0

1

0

0

3

Fees to be taken by the Officers of Customs at the Port
of St. John's, according to the Orderofthe Governor
and Council of the 1th Jidy, 1796.
For every Report of the arrival of and permit to unload
any Vessel, Boat, or Bateau under five tons bur- /. s. d.
then - - - - 0 1 3
For ditto of any Vessel, Boat, or Bateau of five tons or
upwards, and not exceeding fifty tons burthen -026
For ditto of any Vessel exceeding fifty tons burthen - 0 10 0
For ditto of any Waggon, Cart, Sleigh, or other Car
riage  ° 0 4

lxxii /. s. d.
For every entry of Goods imported by water communi
cation - - - - 0 1 3
For do. of do. subject to duty by any Cart, Sleigh, or
other Carriage - - - - 0 0 6
For every Certificate of Goods having paid duty and
protection for the same - - - 0 0 6
For every Bond for payment of Duties - - 0 2 6
By a subsequent Order of the Governor in Council of the 22d
August, 1797> the following Additional Fees are allowed at the
Port of St. John's.
For every Report of the departure of any Vessel, Boat,
or Bateau under five tons burthen, towards the
United States of America, subject to be reported
at the Custom-house of the Port of St. John's by
the Order of His Excellency the Governor in I. s. d.
Council, bearing date the 7th day of July, 1796 0 13
For ditto of any Vessel, Boat, or Bateau of five tons or
upwards, and not exceeding fifty tons burthen - 0 2 6
For ditto of any Vessel exceeding fifty tons burthen - 0 10 0
For ditto of any Waggon, Cart, Sleigh, or other Carriage 0 0 4
For every entry of Goods exported by water communi
cation - - - - -013

INDEX.

A.
Fage
ABENAQUI Indians, village of,, . . . 320, 339
Abercrombie, township of, . 246
Acton, township of, . . 277
Acts of the provincial parliament, their nature, . .16
Amherstburgh, in Upper Canada, . . .615
Auticosti, island 'of, within the government of Newfound
land, .... . .2
 , its position, . . .52
Argenteuil, the seigniory of, .... 100
Arthabaska, township of, ..... 370
Ascott, township of, .... 353
Assembly, house of, how composed, . . .17
Aston, township of, . . . .371
Aubert Gallion, seigniory of, ... . 503
Auckland, township of, . . . .363

B.

Baie St. Antoine, or Lefebvre, seigniory of,
Bail amphiteotique, lands held by,
Barford, township of, . ...
Barnston, township of, .
Batiscan, river,
 , seigniory of,
 , iron foundry of,
Beauharnois, or Villechauve, seigniory of,
Beaujeu, or La Colle, seigniory of,
Beaumont, seigniory of,

328 12
266 ib.
314
310312 111
178
507

lxxiv INDEX.
rage
Beauport, seigniory'of, .... 418
 , village of, . . . . 421
Becancour seigniory of, .... 335

river,

. 336
.Bellevue, fief, . . _ 201
Belair, or Les Ecureuils, seigniory of, . ; .391
Beloeil, seigniory of, . 206
Berthier, seigniory of, (county of Hertford), . .511
— ¦—  -, seignory of, (county of Warwick), . . 237
—  , village of, . . . . 239
Bic, seigniory of, ... 54Q
Bizare, Isle, seigniory of, .... 166
Blainville, seigniory of, . .... 107
Bleurie, seigniory of,  .182
¦ Bolton, township of,  , . 268
Bonsecours, seigniory of, (county of Richelieu), . . 2l7
— —  , seigniory of, (county of Buckingham), . 492
 , seigniory of, (county of Devon), . . 520
Boucherville, seigniory of, . . ig§
 , village of, .... 197
Boundary line, between Lower Canada and the United States,
incorrectly drawn, ..... 278
Boundaries of counties, inconvenience of some of the pre
sent ones, .... 283
Bourchemin, seigniory of, . . .... 216
Bourglouis, seigniory of, ... . . . 396
Bourgmarie, East, seigniory of, . .... 327
 , West, seigniory of, . 216
British settlers about Missisqui Bay entitled to redress, . 187
 fleet on Lake Ontario, . . . 600
Brome, township of, .... 269
Brompton, township of,  350
Broughton, township of, 574
Buckingham, township of, . ... 250
Buckland, township of, . • . . 578
Bulstrode, township of,  371
Bury, township of, ..... 361

Camouraska, seigniory of, ... 529
— — —  , village of, . . . 531

INDEX. kxv

Canada, Upper, its limits,
 — , its divisions,
 , quantity of land granted in,
— — — —  , its government,
—  , militia of,

-, defence of, during the late war,

Canada, Lower, its boundaries,
— ¦  , its divisions,

_/¦.

— , western boundary of, erroneously specified by the act
of parliament,
— , discovery of,
— , early system of government,
-•— , progressive population of,
— , taken by the English in 1629,
— , finally conquered by the English in 1759,
, ancient privileges secured,
, population of, in 1775,
 1814,

¦ how composed,

-, ancient tenure of lands in,
-, government of, how constituted,
-, governor of, how appointed,
-, executive council of, how appointed,
-, legislative council of, how appointed,
-, military establishment of,
-, militia of, Jiow raised,
-, outline description of,
-, climate of,
-, heat and cold of,
-, general description of the soil of,
-, exports of,

Canoes and navigation of the North- West Company de
scribed,
Cap St. Michel, or La Trinite, seigniory of,
Cap de la Magdelaine, seigniory of,
Cap St. Ignace, fief, ....
Carufel, seigniory of, ...
Cascades of the St. Lawrence described,
Cedars, village of, described,
Censive, lands held in,
Chambly, seigniory of,
 , basin ofj

Page 589590591 629
631 ib. 1
86 34 5
ib. 6 7
ib. 8
10
ib. 1115
ib. ib. \6
22 ib.
25 57
53
61 81
137199
306518288 9493 12
169
170

lxxvi INDEX.
Page
Chambly, fort, . . . . .171
 , village of, . . . . .172
Champlain, seigniory of, . . . . . 309
Charlebourg, village of, . . . 4 16
Chateauguay, battle of, . . .116"
— —  , seigniory of, . . . .122
Chatham, township of, .... . 247
Chaudiere River, its description, . . . 488
¦ the falls of, .... ib.
Chester, township of, .... 368
Chrystler's Farm, battle of, 637
Clair, St., Lake, description of, . . . .37
Clergy, Catholic, . . . .19
 , the revenues of, . ... 21
Clergy, Protestant, . . . N . 21
 , how supported, . . . ib.
Clifton, township of, ..... 357
Clinton, township of, ..... . 365
Communication from York to Lake Huron, . . 609
Compton, township of, . . . . 356
Contrecoeur, seigniory of, ... 201
Cote de Beaupre, village of, 549
Coteau du Lac, a military post, . . ... 96
County boundaries, inconvenience of some of the present
ones, . . ..... . 283
Cournoyer, seigniory of, . . .210
 , fief, ...... 339
Courval, seigniory of,  329
Craig's Road, its description, . . . 571

D.
D'Aillebout de Argenteuil, seigniory of, . 236
Dartigny, seignio^ of, . . . '.' 543
D'Auteuil, seigniory of, .... 392
Dautre, seigniory of, . . 234
De Guir, seigniory of, . 326
De l'isle, seigniory of, . ... 503
De Lery, seigniory of, ... . 175
De Peiras, or Metis, seigniory of, .... 547
De Ramzay, (Richelieu) seigniory of, .... 218
 , (Warwick) seigniory of, .... 236

INDEX. lxxvii
Deschaillons, seigniory of, . *?ge
Deschambault, seigniory of, Jy
Desmaure, or St. Augustin, seigniory of, '. '. Jqq
Desplaines, seigniory of,
Deux Montagnes, Lake, description of, " , ^
, seigniory of, . . .102
- village of the Hurons, . . .105 363 173
413

Farnham, township of,
Faussembault, seigniory of,
Fief en, lands held in,
Fisheries, pay a tithe to the Seigneur,
Flax, ....
 and hemp, patent machinery for dressing,

Ditton, township of,
Dorchester, town of,
D'Orsanville, fief,
Dorset, township of, . .... 57Q
Droit de Retrait, aright of Seigneurs, . .13
Du Chene, seigniory of, . . 10g
Dudswell, township of, . . 3q1
Dunham, township of,  270
Durham, township of, ..... 345
Dusable, or Nouvelle York, seigniory of, 287
Dutord, fief, . . . . . 33Q

Eardley, township of, ; . . 253
Eaton, township of, .... . 359
Eboulemens, les, seigniory of, 553
Ecureuils, les, or Belair, seigniory of, . . 3gi
Ely, township of, ... 276
Erie, Lake, description of, . . .38
Error in the boundary line between Lower Canada and the
United States pointed out, . . 278
Executive council of Canada, how appointed, . . .15
Exports of Canada, . . . .81

F.

273
400 1113
7274

Page 7T
188
518
577 12
44

Ixxviii INDEX.
Flax, advantages of its cultivation,
Foucault, seigniory of,
Fournier, fief, ....
Frampton, township of, ...
Franc alleu, lands held by,
Francis, St., Lake, description of, G.
Gagne, fief, . • • . .518
Gasp6, seigniory of, . . - . • 492
 , district of, .... 580
Gatineau, fief, . . . . • 294
Gaudarville, seigniory of, ... 401
Gentilly, seigniory of, .... 340
Godefroi, fief, . . . .334
Godmanchester, township of, ... 255
Gouffre, le, seigniory of, . ... 556
Governor of Canada, how appointed, . . .15
 - , the powers of, . . . 16
Grain, on the feudal tenures, pays one twenty-sixth to the
Catholic clergy, . . .13
 , exported from Canada, . . .83
Granby, township of, . : - 273
Grand Pre, seigniory of, 292
Grantham, township of, . . _ . . 342
Granville, seigniory of, .... 533
 and Lachenaye, seigniory of, . ib.
Grenville, seigniory of, .. 248
Grondines, seigniory of, ... 375
Grosbois, or Yamachiche, seigniory of, . . . 293
Guillaudiere, fief, . . . 200
Guillaume Bonhomme, seigniory of, ... 899
H.
Halifax, township of, . . . 367, 56&
Ham, township of, . . . . 366
Hampton, American General, defeated at Chateauguay, . 116
Hare Island, . . . .563.
Hatley, township of, «... 266

INDEX. lxxix
Pasc
Hemmingford, township of, . . - -_ 25q
HemP> ' • • . .68,72
¦  mills, established by government, . . . 338
Hereford, township of, . . _ «8
Hinchinbrook, township of, . . 258
Hubert, seigniory of, ... 414
Hull, township of, . . 251
Hunters Town, township of, 373
Huron, Lake, its description, . . .35
Husbandry, the Canadian system of, defective, . ; 64

I.
Indians of St. Regis, .... 256
Inverness, township of, .... . 569
Ireland, township of, ..... 570
Iroquois Indians, village of, . . .124
Isle aux Noix, . . . . -177
 Coudres, seigniory of, ... 560
 Verte, seigniory of, . . 543
Isles Bouchard, . . . 244
Islet de St. Jean, seigniory of, ... 520
— ¦ — du Portage, seigniory of, . . 533
Ixworth, township of, .... 579
Jacques Cartier, seigniory of, . . .386
— — —  River, . . . .387
 , a defence to the capita}, . .389
Jesus, isle and seigniory of, . . . 1 64
Jeune Lorette, Indian village of, . . . 409
Jolliet, seigniory of, ... . 499

JOlliet, seigniory or,
Justice haute et basse, a right of Seigneurs,
 r.f.nrtK nf.

12

courts of, . . . .19

K.
Kildare, township of, .... . 244
Kilkenny, township of, . . . . 246
Kingsey, township of, . ... 346
Kingston, town of, • • • .598

Uxx INDEX.

Page
La Chenaie, seigniory of, .... 226
La Chevrotiere, fief, .... 377
La Chine, village of, described, . . . 135
La Colle, or Beaujeu, seigniory of, . . .178
 , battle of, . . . .180
La Durantaie, seigniory of, . 509
La Martiniere, fief, .... 504
La Noraye, seigniory of, . ... 234
La Petite Nation, seigniory of, . . . . 242
La Pocadiere, or Ste. Anne, seigniory of, . . 525
La Prairie de la Magdeleine, seigniory of, . . 127
La Salle, seignior}' of, ... . 126
La Tesserie, fief, .... 377
La Valtrie, seigniory of, ."' . . .231
Labrador, part of the coast of, annexed to the government
of Newfoundland, . . .2
Lac Metis, seigniory of, . . .548
Lake Matapediach, seigniory of, . . ib.
Lanaudiere, or Lake Maskinonge, seigniory of, . . 288
Lands in free and common soccage, subject to reservations, 14
— —- reserved, let on lease, . . . ib.
, quantity and annual value of, . . ib.
 — — , how rent may be paid for, . . ib.
L'Assomption, seigniory of, .... 228
 , village of, . . . 23 1
Lauzon, seigniory of, ... 483
Lawrence, St., the River, description of, . 30
¦ 1. -, St., Gulf of, its description, . . .55
Leeds, township of, . 570
Lefebvre, or Baie St. Antoine, seigniory of, . . 328
Legislative council of Canada, how appointed, . . 16
Le Page, seigniory of, ... 547
L'Epinay, seigniory of, . . . .517
 , fief, .... 413
Lessard, seigniory of, . 521, 546
Lingwick, township of, . . 361
Livaudiere, seigniory of, . . 506
Livrard, seigniory of, ... 341

1JSTDEX. Ixxxi

Lochaber, township of,
Lods et Ventes, a right of Seigneurs,
Longeuil, New, seigniory of,
 — , seigniory of,
 — , barony of,
Lotbiniere, seigniory of,
Louis, St., Lake, description m,
Louise de Ramzay, seigniory of,
Lussaudiere, seigniory of,

Page
249 1289
, seigniory of, . . .167
—, barony of, . . . .173 495
.ion of, . 44
217 324

M.

Maddington, township of, . . 372
Magdalen Islands, description of, 56
Maple-sugar, method of making, . . . 420
Maranda, fief, .... 492
Marston, township of, . ... 364
Maskinonge, seigniory of, .... 286
Melbourne, township of, ... . 349
Metis, or De Peiras, seigniory of, . . 547
Michigan Lake, description of, . . 36
Militia, sedentary, its number,* . . . ,22
 , incorporated, its number, . . .23
Mille Isles, seigniory of, . . . • 106
 Vaches, seigniory of, . . • 566
Milton, township of, .... 273
Monnoir, seigniory of, . . . .193
Montarville, seigniory of, . . . .19-5
Mont-S-Peine, fief, . . . .503
Murray Bay, or Malbay, seigniory of, . . 56l
Mount Murray, seigniory of, ... 562
Montmorenci, falls of, . . 423
Montreal, island and seigniory of, . ¦ .131
 f district of, its extent, . • -87
 ,  , acres of land granted and cultivated, . 88

.  , city of, its description, . . .140
Mouture, lord's fee for grinding corn, . . .12

Ixxxii INDEX.

N.

P«g'
Navigation from La Chine to Kingston described, . 136
Nelson, township of, 567
Neuville, or Pointe aux Trembles, seigniory of, . . 393
Newark, town of, ... 612
Newport, township of, .... 262
Newton, township of, .... 254
Nicolet, seigniory of, . . . , 330
— — ¦ — River, .... 332
 College, .... 333
Notre Dame des Anges, seigniory of, . . .415
Nouvelle York, or Dusabl6, seigniory of, . . 287
Noyan, seigniory of, . . . .184
o.
Onslow, township of, . . . .253
Ontario Lake, description of, 41
Orford, township of, ..... 276
Orleans, Island of, its description, * 480

Pachof, seigniory of, . . . 547
Parliaments, provincial, limited by law, . . .18
Perrot Isle, seigniory of, . . . .166
Perthuis, seigniory of, . . . . 385
Peter, St., Lake, its description, . . .46
Phillipsburg, village of, .... 191
Pierreville, seigniory of, . . . . 325
Pointe du Lac, or Tonnancour, seigniory of, . . 295
— — aux Trembles, or Neuville, seigniory of, . . 393
Population of Upper Canada, . . . 596
Portneuf, seigniory of, . . . .382
Potton, township of, .... 263
Prince Edward Island, short description of, . [ 55

INDEX. lxxsiii

Q-

;?«

Qualification to vote for members of parliament, : .18
Quebec, district of, its extent, .... 374
 , acres of land granted and cultivated in, 375
 , city of, its description, . . . 426

Queenstown, in Upper Canada, . . . 613
R.
Rapid of Sault St. Louis, described, . . . 126
Rawdon, township of, . ... 246
Reaume, fief, . • • .523
Reserved lands, let on lease, . . .14
 —  , quantity and annual value of, . . ib.
 , how rent may be paid for, . . ib.
Richard Rioux/seigniory of, . . 544
Richelieu, River, its navigation described, . . 223
Rigaud, seigniory of, . . . . .9s
Rimouski, seigniory of, 546
Riviere du Loup, seigniory of, 290, 535
 du Chene, or Deschaillons, seigniory of,
¦i Quelle, seigniory of,

Roquetaillade, fief,
Roture, lands held en,
Route to Halifax,
Rouville, seigniory of,
- — , mountain,
Roxton, township of,

s.

497526
334 11
537 207 208
276

Sabrevois, seigniory of, . • • .184
Sacket's Harbour, its description, . • • 619
Saguenay River, its description, . • • 563
Sandwich, town of, . • • • .616
Sault St. Louis, seigniory of, • • .123
Seigneurs, rights of, - • • .12
Shefford, township of, 2^

lxxxiv INDEX.
Page
Shenley, township of, .... 576
Sherrington, township of, . . . 260
Shipton, township of, ... 347
Sillery, township of, . . 403
 , hop plantations of, ... 404
Simpson, township of, .... 344
Soil of Canada, its general description, . .61
Somerset, township of, .... 567
Sorel, seigniory of, • . .219
— — , or William Henry, town of, . . . 220
Soulange, seigniory of, . . . -92
Stanbridge, township of, . . 271
Stanfold, township of, ... 370
Stanstead, township of, . . 263
Stoke, township of, ... 352
Stoneham, township of, . ... 579
Stukely, township of, . . 275
Superior, Lake, its description, . . .33
Sutton, township of, . . 262
Ste. Anne La Pocadiere, seigniory of, . . . 525
Ste. Anne, seigniory of, . . . .313
Ste. Anne, River, . . . . .314
St. Antoine, or Tilly, seigniory of, . . .491
St. Armand, seigniory of, . . . . 1 89
St. Augustin, or Desmaure, seigniory of, . 396
St. Barnabe, seigniory of, ... 546
St. Blair, fief, .... 200
St. Charles, Lake, description of, . . .412
.  , seigniory of, ... 209
.  Yamaska, seigniory of, . 218
Ste. Claire, seigniory of, . . .518
Ste. Croix, seigniory of, 494
St. Denis, seigniory of, . . .211
•  , fief, . _. . . . .528
Ste. Etienne, seigniory of, 499
St. Francois, seigniory of, . . .319
— —  River, its navigation, . . .321
St. Gabriel, seigniory of, . . . 407
St. Gervais, seigniory of, . . . .510
St. Gilles, seigniory of, 493
St. Hyacinthe, seigniory of, . 213
 ¦ , village of, ... 215

INDEX. lxxxv
Page
St. Ignace, seigniory of, . . 41,
St. Jean Port Joli, seigniory of, . 522
' -ner. . 290
St. John, fort, . . _ j - .
St. Joseph, seigniory of, 50O
Ste. Marguerite, seigniory of, 296
Ste. Marie, seigniory of, . . . 313
 ¦-, seigniory of, . . . .500
St. Maurice, seigniory of, . . 302
 , iron foundry of, ... 3o4
 , river of, .... 309
St. Michel, seigniory of, .... 508
St. Ours, seigniory of, . . 203
St. Regis, Indian village of, 256
St. Roch des Annais, seigniory of, ... 524
St. Sulpice, seigniory of, . . 230
St. Thomas, seigniory of, . . . 513
— —  , village of, . . . 5 16
St. Vallier, seigniory of, ... 509

Templeton, township of, .... . 250
Terra Firma of Mingan, seigniory of, 566
Terrebonne, seigniory of, . . .108
.  , village of, • . .110
Tewkesbury, township of, 579
Thetford, township of, 574
Three Rivers, district of, its extent, . . 285
-, town of, • • 297

-, acres of land granted and cultivated, . 2S6

Tilly, or St. Antoine, seigniory of, . . 491
Timber-trade of British North American provinces, . 82
Timiscouata Portage, its description, . . 537
Tomefobi, Lake, • • • .267
Tonnancour, or Pointe du Lac, • • .2945
Townships, extent of, . ... 245
Traverse, the, in the River St. Lawrence, its description, . 49
Tremblay, fief, • • • ' l9f
Tring, township of, . • • .575
Trinite, or Cap St. Michel, seigniory of, • • 199
Trois Pistoles, seigniory of, -514
M

lxxxvi INDEX.

V, & u.

Page
Varennes, seigniory of, ...... 198
Vaudreuil, seigniory of, . . 502
, seigniory of, . . 9*5
Vents et Lods, a right of Seigneurs, • . .12
Vercheres, seigniory of, 201
Villechauve, or Beauharnois, seigniory of, . . .111
Vincelot, seigniory of, ¦ • . .519
Vincennes, seigniory of, 504
Voters for members of parliament, how qualified, . .17
Upton, township of, ... 277

w.
Warwick, township of, . • . '. . 369
Wendover, township of, . . . . 343
Wentworth, township of, ..... 248
Westbury, township of, . . 360
Whirlpool in the River Niagara, . . -40
Wickham, township of, 345
William Henry, or Sorel, town of, 220
Windsor, township of, . • • .351
Wolfestown, township of, . . . . 367

Yamachiche, or Grosbois, seigniory of, ... 293
Yamaska, seigniory of, . . . .316
 — , River, its navigation, . . .318
York, town of, its description, .... 605
 , captured by the Americans, . . 635

THE END.

DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING THE PLATES.

Portrait .... to front the title-page.
Battle of La Fourche, or Chateauguay . . .117
Fort Chambly
Isle aux Noix
Town of William Henry
Plan of the Townships on the Ottawa River
Village of Nicolet
Village of St. Thomas
Harrower's Distillery
Plan of the Route from Halifax to the River du Loup,
on the St. Lawrence
General Table of Distances to follow
Long's Farm on Lake Timiscouata . . . 540
The Great Falls on River St. John, New Brunswick . -541
Table of Distance from Montreal to Kingston . . 598
Kingston Channels .... 603
York Harbour . . . . 605
Oswego Harbour .... 622
Sketch of the Battle of Chrysler' 's Farm . .638

:i

171177
221
247
331
517
523
537

ERRATA.

Page 12, line 2, for by roads, read by-roads.
— — — 27, — 12, for tracks, read tracts."
 28, last Une, dele the comma after Canada.
 48, line 22, for track read tract.
— — 59, last line, for their read its.
 Ill, line 24, /or Ellis read Ellice.
 214, — 10, 'for beach, read beech.
 228, — 7,/or acres, read arpents.
 264, — 10,/or Scaswinepus, read Scaswaninepns.
 267, — 4, ibid. ibid.
 285, — 22, for Deschaillors, read Deschaillons.
 '423, — 10,/or government, read parliament.
 485, — 19,/or Beauliece, read Boaulieu.

T. DAVISON, Lombard-street,
Whitefriars, London.

I