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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est f ilm6 A partir de Tangle suptrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de heut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ui^.:- • * • .r- # ■.. •»• .- a:////// j_ ( y/r//r//c C'-^^//- '. 'f/Mf.'frflr y %\ AND ON 1 KVnVEYI 5EV rRINTEl OEOG ^ .>*.iittmJhMj^^M^ijAS. hy W. f<2^m .t.\vm^^€f' ^t"" M.^ IC^tiii-. (%m/i,) 0\>/J'. Coposraplitcal Bedcnptton OF THE PROVINCE OF LOWER CANADA, WITU REMARKS l/PON UPPER CANADA, AND ON THE RELATIVE CONNEXION OF BOTH PROVINCES WITH BY JOSEPH BOUCHETTE, ESQ. KURVUYOR-GKNERAI. OF liOWER CANADA AMD UEVTENANT-COIAMEL CM. EMBELLISHED BY SEVERAL VIEWS, PLANS OF HARBOURS, BATTLES, isc. LONDON : PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND PUBLISHED BY W. FADEN, GEOGRAPHER TO HIS MAJESTY AND THE PRINCE REGENT, CHARING-CROSS. f^ ii .] 1815, f •* -I- t V t^. F so (/ /i &^ J w T. DATIIOM. Unabwd-ltKCl. WhU«rrUn,lairfoi. TO HIS BOYAL HIGHNESS GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CORNWALL AND ROTHSAY, Sfc. hfc. IfC. AND PRINCE REGENT OF THE IftnitclK Hingtfom of OSrreat^lSrf tain anln Sniati)!* 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 Highness's 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 ■% ?■ ■:-m.A 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 infonnation of real utility, however humbte, 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 the^ cfore directed all the abilities at my disposal towards that will f being •r con- il testi- • Royal convey lumble, r talent [onarcli ;ver bc- reposecl a con- henever )ersonal thereto. of my k, that ate the ce their joint of [liadein, nor de- li rected :ds 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 ]iy 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 ; Hi 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. ease the el proud PREFACE. vant, HETTE. The surrender of Quebec to the army of General 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- '■ !tt: VIII tention towards givins:; an increased conse- qucnt'c to licr rcnmining possessions, with the design ot'ch'awing from ihcm some oftlie sup- plies she had been aeeustonied to receive from the countries just separated from her dominion. Tiiis 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 connnercial 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 ofler, 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 i conse- with the ' the sup- [jive from loininion. ts of the their in- md coni- But un- vere soon 'cn to the rid us un m it was > contend it of sup- irovisions ial regu- vourable of these by their js they al- io venient, given to be seen, d import 300,000 lyed and the ad- diti(mal advantajro of furninhing a supply of hiirdy and experienced seamen, whenever it may be necessary to send forth the warlike fleets of liritain to re|)el aggression or defend her possessions ; the nature of the freights too from these provinces is of first rate conse(iuence, as they consist of articles of indispensable ne- cessity to the West India islands, and large quantities of tindjer 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- vestigati(m will ere long take place upon this subject, frcmi 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- - Ik'J'vSl.v V ■ , •«'!^ X Y ) 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 3, mucli into cul- yiven by le intro- practical ed pros- required )n of the industry )st other natter of internal ed by it, owing in 's of the that ever by Eng- in arms all her n us the ope, laid uninter- 'ing such nd sacri- to main- 1, it will although ave been adopted, many more should have been unwill- ingly laid aside until the coming of a more propitious period for carrying tliem into effect. That period, so long sighed for by suffering milhons, 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 i li ' 1|; ■V- xu bringing it under more general notice, might possibly assist in tlie 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 now 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 Avork 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 pfro- fessio] quire I every I same t tions ( the b« which to pre: part I) that h vain fi admit! reflect a well i actual the pr( \ of note xni ce, might of its vast 1 of a To- and to the ) ilhistrate of several ted to the eeling the ork before hose deci- omphshed id method liemsehes, be worth [s point he e self-gra- dence the materials )riiicipally [id official veyor-Ge- dged with seen per- iccurately the feudal )y the En- be relied od of pfro- 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 hef 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 nav}^ 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 infonnation 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 an .1 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 faiuus that has deluded so many, he conscientiously disclaims any preten- sion, but an honest, though humble zeal to procu birth, and h whose viewe( upon endea obtain their i amply No I i^- ! :ience and I prospects 1 absolute rangement rouble the isible as he , he throws His object els assured e scope of second his lishing the or as most any person into devote anl twenty the service id military almost al- m to afford cessary for a maturity or launch- lie opinion ;. To such leluded so ny preten- )le 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, Nowwifter, 1815. \t If, I f , . \ TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION^ &c. Antecedent to the year 1791j 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. Lawience, the river St. John, and that part of B -4: 4 ; r i :i i . I I ' J 3') ■' I, ^;:tl' 2 tlie Labrador coast *, wliich Avas, by an act of tlie British parliament in 1809, together with the ishmd 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 " 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 *' said seigniory of New Longeuil; then along " the north-western boundary of the seignior}^ *' 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 llSi; it was separated tlierefrom by act of parliament, and annexed to the government of Newfoundland; it was afterwards re-incor- porated with the province of Quebec, and in 1 801) finally sub- jected to the governor of Newfoundland. (( (( (( « th( an< « drj " da^ " tei « tht " co« (( nai I "ifi-. V^^K^ "^i^UliA*^ 3 (( it (( the said river into tlic 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 soutli-westerly angle of the seigniory of Vaudreuil are represented as co-incident ; when, in reality, they are abo^t 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 Pomte au Baudet, and run along the line whicli divides the township of Lancaster from the seigniory of New Longeuii, (and thid 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 " ArrSt et reglement du conseil superieur de Quebec, date 1 1 de Mai 1C76") to the westerly angle of the said seigniory; thence along a line drawn to the south-westerly angle of the seigniory of Rigaud, and continued along the westerly line of Kigaud until it strikes the Ottawa river, as represented on the topographical map by the letteis AB, BC, CD. It must be observed that the westerly line of the seigniory of Rigaud, as well as the other lines on the Ottawa, ought to run by the ancient ordinance, nord quart-nord-est, equal to 1 1 degrees 1 5 minutes east from the astronomical meridian. There is also a variation between the bearing of the Lancaster township line and the seignorial tine of New Longeuii, when, in fact, tliey 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- b2 ; ' »■■ •I )| ' I i"S ' 1 ' t \ u * \\'i . The etymology of the name of Canada is very uncertain, and whether given by its aboriginal inhabitants, or bestowed by its first European discoverers, there is not sufiicient authority to warrant a positive decision; there- fore, it nmst 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, Avhich 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 cuUivation, 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 dil- terent periods. From the time of its being taken possession of by Europeans, the govern- ment and management of the country, under Frencli dominion, was very irregular, and not unfreciucntly disastrous; being entrusted either to tracHng companies more eager to extract present profit than prudent in proposing de- signs foi* the future aggrandisement of an infant colony, or, to daring individuals who had in- terest enough to procure commissions to con- quer and settle wherever their arn^s 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 tlie new arrangement and better management, with the advantages derived from its trade, now left almost free, an accelerated progress, from barbarism and po- verty towards civilization and prosperityj be- i i :<-,| -I K % ! '/ came visible. Il' the policy of itb 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 colonics are in general ; but, un- happily, us 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, paralizcd 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 Avith a rancour and animosity unknown between the cliief 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- lli ■ ♦ * 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. ,1' twecn partial benefits uiul positive evils, until it became the conquest of the English arms, directed by the victorious genius of General Wolfe in 17^>9; 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 pro.^vessive, 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 degj'ee eftected, 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 m I; I i i '15 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, Avithout 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 aflfectionate at- tachment evinced by the Canadians towards a constitution that confirmed and protected them ill all their natural as Avell 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 but a very trifling difference in the census. The American army that had entered Canada obtained some successes, but not of such a mao-nitude as to be enabled to maintain its ground for any considerable period ; for in the latter end of the 3'ear just mentioned, it was 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 the dangers that menace them. X %:■ ,v 10 vantage 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 witli 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 enjief, or en roture, on condition of rendering fealty «md homage on accession to the seignorial pro- perty ; and in the event ^f a transfer thereof, by sale or otherwise, except in hereditary suc- cession, it was subject to the payment of a quintf 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 ncAV 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 i t r 12 taken for his use as mouture, or payment for grinding; to repair the highAvays 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 estabhshed by proces verbal. Lands are sometimes held by bail amphitcotique, 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 Avhich lands are ex- empt from all rights or duties to seigneurs, acknowledging no lord but the king. Censke 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, Avhich 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 laws. The lods et vents constitute part of the seigneur's revenue. It is the right to a t^^elfth part of the purchase money of every estate within his seigniory that changes its oAvner by sale, or other means equivalent to a sale. This tAvelfth < 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 Avithin 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 Itj^uses, 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 ■v> 14 .1 '■ i Ji' 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 arc now leased for t\« enty-one years on th j 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 eixher of the modes stipulated *. These reserves have, for many years past, beeJn exposed to various and very extensive depre- dations by persons settling thereon and oc- cupying many of the best lots without any title or payment of any rent ; and by others felling and carrying away much of the finest * In 1812 the quantity of land thus reserved amounted to 1, 438,87 - acres, out of which 363 lots of 2()() 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 of 19,057 10*. currency of the country, or one-ninth part less than sterling ; but if the wheat rent be taken, and calculated upon an average price of 6s. Sd. per bushel, a rate rather below the medium price in the province, the amount will be £i(),6oU. In the same year descriptions of 307 lots were made out for different applicants, and a great many of them have since been let. i 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 l3ut 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 aftairs of England. The legislative council, by the act of the con- ■ n^ 16 I ' V ■ ■} " I !■ 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 worship, 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 w^aste 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 law s. 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 • i ,' i 'i !.:.' 'II 18 H ground of not less annual value than five pounds sterling, or else have been doinieiliatcd in the place for one year previous to the writ of sunnnons issuing, and have paid one year's rent, not under ten pounds sterling, for a house or lodging, 'i'here exists no disqualification either for the electors or tlie 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, arc as strikingly pour- tray ed as in the more turbulent contests that take place on similar occasions in the mother 9 • r', ary, is is- ^of so of pril. go- sel- act ars, ime- at 19 Country. The criminal rode of the united kingdom extends to Canada, and is carried into ertect without the; shghtest 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 niend)ers of the executive council, and such of the principal law officers as have not had cognixance of the previous trial; against the decisions of this court, as a linal 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 rehgion is Roman Catholic ; of this persuasion there is a Bishop of Quebec, a co-adjutor Avith 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 •I ;l I, {■ ' 'I Jfe-f. ■ • '' Hi.) so so frequently cluiracteiistic of the same faith in the ohl 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 rej)ay its protecting power by a zealous per- formance of their duties, and by instilling into the njinds of their Hock 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 chietiy employed in the important cares of edu- cation, of which they acquit themselves in a manner thatredects thehighestcredit upon their exerticms. To this fact the seminaries of Quebec and Montreal, and the college of Nieolet, 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 two former, as this language now becomes an essential part of youthful studies. The revenues of the ■M- 21 Catholic clergy .arc derived from grants of land made to tlieni under the ancient regime, and the usual contributions ordained by their ec- clesiastical government, which are, perliaps, more cluicrfully paid by the Canadians, and coHected in a manner much freer from vexatious exactions than in any country whatever. The spiritual concerns of the Protestant part of the <:onuuunity are under the guidance of the Lord Bishop of Quebec, nine rectors, and a com- petent number of other clergymen, Avho are supported by annual stipends fron'i the go- vernment, by the appropriation of one-seventh of all granted lands as provided for in the act of the constitution, and the oi.ier sources of revenue peculiar to the church of England, in a degree of moderate afHuence, exempt on the one hand from inordinate impropriation, and on the other free from pi luuious 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. '< H^' tH, M 'I. i I! ■ 'tl I I r I For tiic defence of the two Canadas a re- gular military establishment is maintained by the British governnent, which, in time of peace, may amount to about six or seven thousand men, including artillery, engineers, commissariat, &c. ; but when we are at w^ar ■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 held, the lower province is ap- portioned into fifty-two divisions, wherein 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, within the month of April. After the enrolment is completed, tiiey are nuistered four times in a year, either on Sundays or holidays, when 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, reviewed by the commander in chief, or the officer com- manding the division. This is denominated the sedentary militia; and as the average men 23 strength of each division so enrolled may be computed about a thousand, it makes the ag- gregate amount upwards of fifty-two thousand men *. The incorporated militia, by an act passed in the provincial parliament on the 19th May 1812, is fixed, during the Mar, 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, which, 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 vacancies filled up by a fresh ballot; a plan that will 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 tlius formed of single men, renders the military service less obnoxious to the individual, and less expensive to the state, by saving the pro- vision otherwise necessary to be made for wives 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. iilf \U l''.!» •5. : •I ,1 ;:! 24 ^ b' of this constitutional force. Tlie incorporated militia is well equipped, and in a state of dis- cipline that merits the highest commendations, by which it has been enabled to brigade with the regular troops during the existing contest, and take so distinguished a part in some of the actionsfought, that it must press upon the con- sideration of government a firm rehance upon its future exertions and devotedness in the cause of its country. In tlie upper province the same system, with some trifling modi- fication, prevails, but from the more scanty population the force is proportionably nmch less; however, the militia of Upper Canada has had its full share of the hardships of the war, as well as many opportunities of distin- guishing itself in presence of the enemy ; and the real magnitude of its service may be esti- mated, when it is considered, that, by avaihng 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 with defeats, that for a long time will leave an indelible stain upon their military repu- tation. li •: u 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, where 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 towards 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 between it and the two rivers a level well 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 new 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 west of Lake Memphremagog, and con- tinuing the same course until it meets with the Hudson river, leaving the extent between its direction and the Saint Lawrence, excepting two or three of the afore-mentioned isolated hills, nearly level, and which, 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- \ My n :f| 'I ■ 4 i , r. I \ [ ' : 1 ',; '■ if ■ f ! f ' ■'!: 1 1 ■ ii 1 26 niinated the liand's-Height, dividing the waters that fall into the Saint Lawrence from those taking a direction towards 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 connnences 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 between these two ridges varies very much in quality and fruit- fulness according to its peculiai' 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 townships, many parts thereof settled and under culti- vation; oftering generally facilities for agri- cultural speculations, which, in the hands of enterprising settlers, would not fail to afford ample returi s 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 exr tremity is St. Regis, holds out the flattering prospect, if due encouragement be given, of becoming, at no very distant period, the most M 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 tiie main roads and principal points of communication between tiie two territories, both by land and water, by which an uninter- rupted intercourse can be at all times, and in defiance of prohibition, so easily maintained. From the Ciiaudiere to Lake Temiscouata the land is much broken, irregular, and of an in- different quality ; but here and there are in- terspersed some good and productive tracks, that would soon r(4)ay the expense of clearing and cultivating. From Lake Temiscouata, near where it en- ters the district of Gaspe, to Cape Rosier, the interior lias 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 under- 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 Mith, but hitherto none of them have been settled upon. On the south side of the ridge down to the shores of Gaspe and Chaleur bay. - i l" 1, t V f M 28 the general description of the country is also mountainous ; notwithstanding wliich, in many parts of the district, particularly the latter, there is a considerable portion of excellent land, Avell 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 Lower 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-west, it ends upon the Ottawa river about 38 leagues above its confluence with the St. Lawrence, enclosing within it and the two rivers a beautifully picturesque country, well Avatered and level, particularly so from Deschambault westward, which, 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 i 29 witliin the Ottawa river, the 81 degree of west longitude, and the 52 parallel of north latitude, inteisected laterally by another and higher range of mountains that forms the Land's Height, and divides the waters that empty into the St. Lawrence 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 with immense forests, whose 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 with the nearest posts of the north-west company. It is in America that nature has displayed her powerful hand in forming objects of subhmity and grandeur, more imposing than what are to be met with in other parts of the ^vorld; 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 with the mosi remote parts that are quite mi- 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 If ' hm ' i 1 t' 'i$^ .30 M stupendous efforts that unfold so wide a field for the in(|uisitive researches of human wisdom to investigate the effects of her creative power, none are more calculated to excite admiration, and baffle the jirogress of j)hilosophic en({uiry, than the vast collections of fresh waters forming the chain of lakes, that throuoh the channel of the Saint Lawrence 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, with tlie humble ability I am pos- sessed of, the actual state of some of these ex- traordinary features of a country, even now but little known, eompara'tively speaking, to the rest of the world, as they have appeared to me, and as they are connected with tlie work 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 general interests of the British 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 own stream only, and which distance, with the exception of about 300 miles, is entirely within British territory * ; it confers * From the mouth of the St. Lawrence up to St. Regis, a i iii H 31 benefits of no ordinary kind upon the country throus;]i which it flows, benefits tlmt 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, when 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, with the return of peace, the views of states- men will be turned towards the arts of industry and commerce, and that this subject will be "' .;♦!* (I .J.V.J ■m i'-' distance of about 660 miles, the river is M'holly 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 ■V lit exainincd witli as great a degree of attention as its magnitude lays claim to. The river St. Lawrence, (which, from its fust 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 Maters falling into Hudson's Bay still further to the north, from those that descend into the Atlantic ; and all those that rise in the .dge which commences on its southern bank, and runs nearly south- westerly until it falls upon Lake Champlain. Of these, the principal ones are the Ottawa, 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; between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie it is called Nia- gara river ; between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, the Detroit; between Lake St. Clair and Ml' I 3.-3 Lake Huron, the river St. Clair; and Ijetwecu Lake Huron and Lake Superior, the distance is c.iUed 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- sidered as the inexhaustible spring from whence, through unnumbered ages, the St. Lawrence has continued to derive its ample stream. I am not aware 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, 1 venture to believe that I am warranted in adopting the hypothesis. This immense lake, unequalled in magnitude by any collection of fresh water upon the globe, is almost of a triangular form ; its greatest length is 381, its breadth 16 1, and its circumference little less than 1 152 miles ; and as remarkable for the unrivalled rans- parency of its waters, as for its extraordinary depth. Its northern coast, indented with 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 tue ocean. In the distant '.A i '^<.4 \t m !<<• \i m y ,34 raii 8 the eastern extremity of the lake is the Matche- dash river, which, through another succession of lakes, separated only by one short portage, establishes a communication by Lake Simcoe, Holland river, and Yonge-street, with 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 liereafter adverted to. From the extremity of Lake Huron to the southward, the course of the waters is contracted into a river (called St. Clair's) that flows between 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 in form, its diameter about SO miles, and about 90 in circuit, too diminutive when compared with 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 '4 1 • .'38 t; I! i': prospect is diversified and agreeable, displacing 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-west 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 with them a heavy swell, with every characteristic of a gale of wind at, sea ; but there are many good harbours, particularly on the northern side, that aftbrd protection to the numerous vessels that navigate it; its greatest depth of water is between 40 and 45 fathoms, its bottom ge- nerally rocky, which renders the anchorage precarious, particularly in blowing weather. From the north-east end of Lake Erio, the communication to Lake Ontario is by the Niagara river, S6 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 li fiiiiiii r..i 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 with many interestino' viewr; *'oth of the river and the country, which is> 'y inhabited and under excellent culture. :.^ic also his mind will be lost in wonder 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 well experience. Any descrip- tion, however animated, whether pourtrayed by the glowing pencil of art, guided by the liveliest fancy, or flowing from the most elo- quent pen that embelhshes the page of nar- rative, would, most probably, fall short of doing adequate justice to the reality. The attempt, however, has been so frequently made, and in some few instances with 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 , s I', i.. • 1 '. i « I 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 with impetuous violence round a natural bason enclosed between some rocky promon- tories, wherein it forms a vortex that ensures inevitable dt^struction to whatever comes within its attraction. By thus diverging from its for- ward direction, and being as it were embayed for a time, the velocity of the current is checked, and subdued to a more tranquil course towards 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 town of Newark or Niagara, the river forms an excellent capacious harbour for vessels of any size, exceedingly well shel ■ 41 tercel by high and bold banks on each side, with good anchorage in every part. The river of Niagara communicates Avith t!ie west end of Lake Ontario, rendered memorable by events recently passed, and most probably destined to beconie the scene of contests that will be pregnant with momentous import to North America in future ages. In length it is 171 miles, at its greatest breadth 591, and 467 in circumference ; the depth of water 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 low, with 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 where 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 clifls of Toronto, and the remarkable high land over Presqu'ile, called the Devil's Nose, on the north ; the view on the south is well relieved with a back ground produced by the ridge of hills that, after forming the pre- • t 'i V "t; 42 I'l i * ; ■'•\ I i >,. , : 1 cipice for the cataract, strctclies away to the eastward; the finishnig object of the j)rospect in this direction is a conical eminence; tower- ing above the chain of heights, called Fifty Mile Hill, as denoting its distance from the town 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, wherein vessels of every description may find protection against bad weather. 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 the islands to ships of the largest size at all seasons. York and Kingston harbours, be- longing to the English, and Sacket's harbour to the Americans, are unquestionably the best upoa the lake, as they possess every natural requisite; the two latter arc strongly fortified, being the arsenals where ships of war, even of the first rate, have been constructed by both powers, and from whence have been fitted out those powerful hostile squadrons that have con- ■' / 'I ^ 43 terrcd so much consequence upon the naval operations in this quarter. Very heavy squalls of wind frequently occur, but they are unat- tended either with difficulty or danger, if met by the usual precautions every seaman is ac- quainted with. 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 contin-^ed cluster of small islands, so numerous, i. have occasioned the general denominatioi^ of Milles Isles. The distance between Kins'ston and Montreal is about I90 miles ; the banks of the river display a scene that cannot tail to ex- cite surprise, when the years which Jiave elapsed since the iirst 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, with others branching from them into the interior, render communication both easy and expeditious, while the numerous loaded bat- '. vear 1809, the Immane intention of which will be honoured wherever it is made known, 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 ))rovince of Canada, but is at present within the oovernment of Newfoundland. With the powerful conviction upon my niind of the great estimation the river St. Lawrence outj;ht to be held in, from presenting itself as the outlet, designed as it were 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, which, 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 '■If ■i. ■ .'■■'(■ 54 ^' % h \^ i: '■ ^ 1 «•<• ] J totally suspended by the frost. During this period, the river from Quebe< to [Kingston, and between the great lakes, except the Niagara and the Rapids, is wholly 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 towards 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 wholly 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 with snow, and which 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, ■3 1 .. i. 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 ishmd 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-west ex- tremity of the latter island, and the north cape of Breton island ; and lastly by the narrow chunnel, 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- rowest, 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 10,0()0 souls at least; the chief place is Charlotte Town, where the governor resides, it being a distinct government. , i r4 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 lew hundred persons chiefly employed in the fisheritis ; tVoui some anomalous cause or other these islands are considered within the district of Quebec. Islands of ice are soiiu times met with in cross- ing the gulf during the summer months: tlieiaturc 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 ; [tl o8 1 1 rl:. ( it expands also an immense distance to the westward; therefore the winds between tlie 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 sweeping across tht 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 winds the north-west 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 twice 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 interru|)ted 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 thp ground until the latter end of April, when it is melted by the powerful rays of the sun, rather than dissolved by the progress of thaw, 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 Ions duration in the level parts of the province : to- wards the mountains, however, their frequency (-: ^:l: CO l{ m M , it n;:- ! and duration are botli increased. Bordering on tlie gulf of St. liawrcMicc, a.s the face of the soil is rugjTcul and inouiiiainous, the climate, somewhat intliuMiced thereby, participntes in its ungenial nj^ture ; but advancing to the west- ward, 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 southward and 145 due west from the meridian of Quebec, the spring is reckoned to commence from five to six weeks earlier than at the latter place. Vege- tation is proportionately more luxuriant and vigorous, producing crops of greater increase, by seldom experiencing checks in their early stages from the hoar frost, so injurious to the rising growth wherever 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 weather 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 ut.nost severity, which is in the months of ! , 4 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 16,02 8, 000 square 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 between very bad and very good is to be found ; but it would be attended with 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 bo given, 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 with respect to goodness, the eastern parts are inferior to the western, 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 I m 'l^: ■*: 62 is varied witli 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 with 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, Avith 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 which American families in considerable numbers have, for years past, t 63 abaiuloncd tlic less fertile liekls of their nativity, to settle upon a soil that they arc certain will abundantly repay the industry and art be- stowed 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 ^ ' "1, 4 f.. 'i !"■ \''\ }■':■{ (H I' I 1^ > 1 ry I H 1 • y I influence, or, indeed, to exist at all. ft k much to be wished that the system of manage- ment in Lower Canada was as good as the land upon which 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, what might not be expected from it, were the modern improvements in implements as well as culture, that have been introduced with 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 which modern science has so greatly assisted the labours of the hus- bandman. Unskilled in an}" other mode, he continues to till his fields by the same rule that his forefathers followed for many generations, whicph long habit and an unprofitable partiality engrafted ' thereon, seems to have endeared to him ; knowing the natural bounty of his land, he places his greatest reliance upon it, and feels satisfied when 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 i 66 untried means. Apprehensions of failure ami consecjuent 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, would certainly impel him Ut 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 worth 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 new lands, or of improvement upon such as are aiready under management, by a reform of the present system, a judicious variation of crops, and the introduction of new articles suitable to the climate, of wh'ch there are many, would 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 ■■i f i; A 66 first place the use of the plough, which ought ■if agrarian un- to be viewed as the basis of all proveinent, is uot enough attended to, and where 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 witness the difference between the style of ploughing in England and his own, I am cer- tain that he would 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 iiarmers more intelligent than their brethren ; this neglect, added to the pernicious practice of sowing the same sort of iMM 67 k IS I oTain year after year upon the same land with- out other means of renovation than letting it lie fallow for a season, nuist excite wonder that it shouhl produce such crops as it actually does. When the lieart 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 way, and in the ensuing spring is again put under wheat or oats. This plan is unprofitable and injudicious, the stock derives hut little advantage from the herbao-e, while with a little more care the grounds might be turned to nmch 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 with complete success ; among the various sorts, the English red and Dutch white clover are worthy of notice, being cal- culated as well for summer feed as excellent winter 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 ac{juisition of such a plant to a country always subject to a long winter would soon become I' 2 '.i .. % .0 ■ §8 ■i i ■ I 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 remaiia 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 artirle or two of culture of the very first importance to the mother country, which would most certamly prove highly beneficial to these provinces if sufficient attention were to be paid t<> them. The first of these is hemp, well knows to be a ]■} i native plant of the country, with climate and soil peculiarly well 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 vmder 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 swnewhere else than in any natural de- ficiencies. That time and considerable sums of money have been wasted 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 want of general agricultural knowledge in t}\e persons to whom its naanagement wag con* k ' •. rli'! f, ■.,•;; ■i'k t ,1 70 fided. It is not to be denied but there are some existing difficulties to be removed before tlie cultivation of hemp can be made generally agreeable to all persons interested in the agri- cultural produce of the ])rovince ; but as tlie chief of tl i '.e arise from the discountenance the clergy nv '\t shew to its introduction on an ex- tensi'A- scik'^, from a supposition that it would into ' !■ V, th raising wheat and other grain upon the -nds now in tillage, and thereby somewhfu 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 Englaud, 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 which could be easily accomplished by the powerful influence that body possesses in all the concerns of the count' people, whe- ther temporal or spiritual. 1 have been u.i- equi vocally assured by a gentleman who har devoted the greatest part of his life to the im- provements of growing and dressing botli hemp and flax, that he has caretuily examined several parce s of the former, sent some time ago from Canada to London, and is decidedly of opinion 1 1 1 71 the growth is much superior to what is in general imported from Russia; but on the otlier hand, from mismanagement after pulling, and from be- ing steeped in bad water, its quality and colour are greatly inferior to what they would 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 i'or the purpose is a leading point, and the kind which is con- sidered the best is a rich deep loam, whereon a very good crop may be raised without ma- nure, but it may be grown on almost any species not absolutely of a bad cpudity, 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- cu instance 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^ 1 :■! x^A isj' ■$ 73 ceediijgly 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 weeks. 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 docs not bear a flower. Land is not at all im- poverished b}'^ 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 admirai)lv well calculated for the growth of llax, 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 wet or very shallow, is good for raising it. On warm dry soils the sowing may commence )n the middle cf March, and continue, accord,. \ 73 ing to tlic 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-harrowed, and afterwards well rolled. When the plants are from four to six inches liigh, care should be taken to have them well weeded, 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 whence 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 •! J ■ B AS i.i ■ I J-' .1st 74 J., t \Vv countrymen generally, thiit the process of steep- ing and dew rotting now in practice, \vh( reby 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 with an absolute certainty of deriving an ample profit therefrom. However doubtful this assertion niay app(\u' to many, it will nevertheless be lealised by the use of machines for threshing out the seed, and separating the woody I'rom the fibrous parts both of hemp and Hax, 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, ^nd from the ocular demonstration of the per- ?ct success of its operation I have had the satisfaction to receive from this gentleman at his factory, I am warranted 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 tlie use of tliis invention, the necessity of steep- ing and dew rotting being avoided, the fanner, after having [)ulled iiis crop, has nothin ■•'»; '.'. ■:; 1 ,-.^y :•'■: I'i ■••' ■ ■n V .f : :l , i '1; •i .. 8t m h ■■■^ ^ ''-.-J at somethino more* than 1,200,000 bushels. Of this quantity, Canada hitherto has seldom ex- ported, upon an average, but little more than a third pan. So great a disparity of numbers is not a sufficient reason to abandon, without 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 which 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. Lawrence .'* 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, 1807y whereby the privy coun- cil was authorised to suspend the operations of i , ' 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 would speedily attain, if that country, so recently ceased to be an inveterate enemy, be not again placed by tlie 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 with 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 s r <■ !!• 86 them a suininary 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, it'l 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, which, by proclamation of the government, dated May 7> 1792, were 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, whose ex- tents were exactly defined by a regulation made in September, 1721, by Messrs. De Vaudreuil and Bigon, assisted by the Bishop K 87 of Quebec, and confirmed by an " Arret du Con- seil Superieur" of the 3d of May, 1722. These limits however were 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 wor- 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 . ^ '1 . 88 I.' ■|^^ \u 1i- American governments ; on the soutii-west by the province of Upper Canada and the Grand or Ottawa river ; and on the north and north- west it may be supposed to run as far as the hmits 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 73-7 miles. It contains the counties of York, Effingham, Leinster, Warwick, Huntingdon, Kent, Surrey, Bedford, Richelieu, and Montreal ; each send- ing two members to the provincial parliament, except Bedford, which 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 62 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 2,786,101 acres, or 3,269,966 superficial French arpents; and of the townships ment'oned as being laid out 816,776 acres have been granted. The proportion of these two quantities now under cultivation may be taken at somewhat 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 lilij •• ;■' 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 prosperit}' 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 Lower 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, two 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 was granted to Sieur Joseph Lemoine, Chevit- 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, which is covered with cedar, spruce fir, and hemlock trees, the sure indicatives of such a soil; but ■i I' '*"■■',«• 'I .\, ' . ' ' N ■■■ 'I '. 1 tv 90 1. ! I. ' |1 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-west 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, when the stream is swelled by the melted snow and ice; they both turn 8ome 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 DeHsle : this road is, however, called the prin- cipal one between the two provinces, but it will 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 auxBatteauxandPointe auBaudet, 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 I :i r: '■] m 1^: .i 4 ... * By the term concession is meant the lots of land usually about three acres in front by 20, 30, or 40 in depth, M'liich are let by llie seigniors at some triHing 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 even' encourageinont to bringing new lands into tillage. 1.1 92 V * ■iyl I ■ r i;;. 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 who 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 was granted October 12th, 1702, to the Chevalier de Soulange, and is now the property of Saveuse de Beaujeu, Esq, The general cha- )3 ■f^ racter of the soil through the whole of this grtint 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 k la Graisse, Rouge, and Delisle conveniently intersect and water it with their streams ; the last is the largest, though no use can at present be made of it for conveyance ; it might, however, become navigable for boats to the distance of several miles, merely by clearing its bed from the . 'nks of trees, that, with gradual decay, have tor ages continued to fall into and obstruct it. The whole extent of this property, in front of the Saint Lawrence, 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 down the river, and having an esta- blished ferry to the opposite seigniory of Beau- : ./! ■':[ I ■ i y i 'I; ,•'• 'I :• ■il.1 94 J :> I il!> I;'t.v harnois, it is a place of great resort both for travellers and traders. There is but one grist mill within the seigniory, which is situated on a point of land about a mile and a half below the village, and well known by the name of Longueil's mill. A short distance from the Pointe des Cascades lies the Isle des Cascades, that, with 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 into cavities in others, produces the most sin- gular commotion, called the Cascades ; it is an extraordinary agitation of the waters precipi- tated with great velocity between the islands, which being repelled by the rocks and hollows underneath, the waves arc thrown up in spheri- cal figures much above the surface, and driven with the utmost violence back again upon the current, exhibiting nearly the same effect as would 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 which all boats now make their way 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 ■■ 1 I 95 Vaudreuil, and is reserved for public purposes ; at the entrance to tlie canal, from the lake St. Louis, is a guard-house, where a small party of military is always stationed. At a place near Longeuil's mill the batteaux going up the St. Lawrence 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 with 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 would 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, where 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 :a 1 11 4 n, • lis to nd an nt, in ive • , oe- der ike i . ith- ex- t ;vas »ro- om ted The hat the the i « •. .,1 ■';'i . ■■,4 ^'l' i--'.-r,M h 1 ' ' '^ 1 1 I ' 'H ''.: 1 ri,: r-' M I J! 1 ! I f.itiinou^yum g Vii ^s «5 ^ ts , i If? I llT 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 tssailants, must be a matter of ad- miration whenever it becomes the subject of professional reflection. This exploit, for it well 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 picquetsofMajor-General de Wat- teville's chain of positions established towards the frontiers, and under the command of Lieut.- Colonel de Salaberry 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 div'sion of South Georgetown, covered in front by a small blockhouse and an abbatis hastily constructed; the right flank supported by a ■| US 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 tritling 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 with- 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 were 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 afterwards formed in two lines, about 150 yards from the position occupied by Captain Daly. At the same time his left colunm (wliich he led in person) consisting of the tenth, thirty-first, and two other regiments of intiantry, with two hun- dred cavalry, advanced in column, having his artillery, ten pieces, in the rear, towards the t a hi II WI— n. 1-.^ - 119 abbatis, and commenced the attack; but in spite ot^ all his efforts to force a passage by repeated assaults, he \yas held in check by the vigorous well-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 !oss, they fell ba^k, when their position was immediately occupied in the most resolute manne by a flank company of the first battalion of .lilitia, who succeeded in maintaining it. On both these points, although the Americans were several times repulsed, they repeatedly rallied and re- sumed the attack with 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 withdraw from so unequal a contest, overwhelmed with defeat and disgrace. The loss sustained by the enemy from the British fire was severe, and much increased by the mis- •'V 120 i^r 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 atMontreal, that he determined to retire within his own frontiers, and depend more upon the resources of his coun- try than his own 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 I 'I 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 when the military resources of the pro- vince were so greatly curtailed by the most ardu- ous continental warfare that ever Great Britain was engagei) 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 nios^t active measures ; that such was presented to him is incontrovertible, and the credit of having brought them into ac- tion by unceasing perseverance will 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 :i '•' I- t 122 i li i!.1, -' ! \i ;i I IhI, I: r I l' again excite enmity between two governments, the mutual ir terest of whose subjects it is to live in amity with each other. CiiATEAUGUAY (the sciguiory of), on 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, 1673, 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 r^'.fts, 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 tliere 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 well 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 answer 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, 1680, to the order of Jesuits. It is now the property of the tribe of domiciliated Indians, who inhabit the Coghnawaga village. The situation of this track, between the seigniories mentioned as its boundaries, will convey a suflScient idea of it without further description, as there is not much variety through the whole of the level country from La Prairie to St. Reikis. The rivers La Tortue, St. Regis, and du Portage intersect it so as to water it very completely through all parts. Nearly all that half of the seigniory which lies 1 1 ^-1 'i 124 If ' |.!:- l\ towards La Salle 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 amall 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, who resides with them, and about 140 others, principally built of stone, formed into two or three rows, something re- sembling streets, but not ai 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 within 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 when its own population and i ' 125 Ihnits wore both very circumscribed. Notwitli- standing the remote period when their ancestors were induced to aban(U)n 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 wandering savage has been tamed into some- thing like 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 laws of modern warfare. Between the island of Montreal ar d the main opposite to Coghna- waga village the breadth of the Saint Lawrence '■\,\ 11 1r- it i 126 IS contracted to about half a mile; from this spot to the lowrr extremity of wliat is termed the Sault or Jlapide St. Louis, a distance of nearly four Uiiles, there is a gradual shelving descent of its rocky bed. In passing through this chaimel the stream ac(iuires an irresistible im- petus, and towards the lower part njoves 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 which unwieldy bodies are hurried on as it were to inevitable ruin, and the agitated surface of the water, present a scent; 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 whose 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. 8. 1'27 Louis, enclosed between the lateral lines of those of Beauharnois and La Prairie de la Magd(;laine • 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 liaptiste Leber de Senne- viiloj and is now the property of Ainbroise San- guinet, Esq. Very little dift'erence 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 Iluisseau 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 what 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 -^ V. n;ih If'' ' tl . I "i 'i ! i I ' * '■ i I- ' I' i ■ 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 now belongs. The whole of this grant is a fine level of rich and most excellent soil, where are some of the best pasture and meadow lands to be found in the whole district, that always yield most abundant crops of good hay. The arable part is also of a superior class, upon which 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, whereof 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 now left standing. Numerous rivulets cross it in every direction; beside these it is watered 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 always suf- ficient water to work 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 haying once had a rude defence, honoured with that name, thrown up to protect its few inhabitants from the sur- prises or open attacks of the five native tribes of L'oquois, who 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 which 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, where ali K 130 the necessary and some ornamental branches of female education are conducted upon a very good system, with a success highly creditabU^ to the undertaking. The position of the seig- niory of LaPrairie 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 with the main road leading to St. John's, and thence by Lake Champlaiu into the American states; the general route for travellers between the capital of Lower Canada and the city of New York. In a point of view before alluded to, viz. encouraging the transit of produce from the countries bordering on our fjontiers 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 would indubitably attain some eminence in commercial importance. — From its contiguity to the line of boundary, this part of the district was fated to bear the brunt of the war against the lower province; and in the year 1812, when 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 watch the motions of General Dear- (^on forc( haus play or ir for f] ment quisi] more tlie fc the p] as hai tions. The seigni( of Mt miles ] fluenc( Saint the noi The g] Messr; dispose does n< has bee proper Montrel fealtyai duced £ 131 l^orn, who had then assembled a considerable force on the frontiers ; but whose 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 G-^neral Wilkinson, who, in the following campa^- ttempted to execute the plan, but fortune- :^ 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 lOy 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 Rover; 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 wholly the property of the seminary of St. Sulpice, at Montreal, the superiors of which, in rendering fealty and homage on the 3d February, 1781, pro- duced as their titles, 1st. A deed passed before K 2 p 132 it" u I » ,. f M I the counsellor to the king at Paris, bearing date 20th April, 1664, by which the seminary of St. Sulpiciiis in that city, and other persons con- cerned with 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 sajd 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 with authority froni 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, des Neiges, de Verdure, St. Michel, Longue Pointe, Pointe- au-Trenible, Visitation, St. Antoine, Leonor, Riviere des Prairies, and the Coteau St. Louis, and St. Pierre, making so many irregular sub- divisions, or interitr districts: there is also a domain of great extent betv;een 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 rivcaS and rivulets, as La petite Riviere St. Pierre, Riviere Dorval, Ruisseau de TOrme, Ruisseau de Notre Dame des Neiges, La Coulee 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, while many more around the island are worked by the great rivers. From the city of Montreal to the eastward 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 ■:v't^ • -V 1-1 'I f 134 ■ i <■,: <■ '■^- a 1" 1 f' the little lake St. Pierre so marshy, as to induce a conjecture that it was once covered by water. Over this place it is intended to cut a canal, by which 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 c£25,OUO has been recently voted by the pro- vincial parliament. The soil of the whole 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 few 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 was 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 11 V( thar ccn and also brou and sists grea mere depa ingu 135 variety, and soine 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 opi)osite 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 was nearly a day's journey for the loaded carts to go from one place to the other. Stores and other articles, intende or the king's warehouses, a little beyond the ra ., are sent by another road, which runs by tiie river side. La Chine is a place of greater importanice than any other village on the island., being the centre of all the commerce between the upper and lower provinces, and the north-west country also: wiiatever merchandise is sent upwards is brought hither by land carriage from Montreal, and all the imports are here landed. It con- sists of only about 20 dwelling-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 l-:t' i'» 136 i r I ■■•-,• !! premises of Mr. Grant. During the months be- tween May and November bateaux to and iVoni Kingston and various parts of Upper Canada are continually arrivitig 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, witli about six feet of beam in the centre; the usual freight is four or four and a half tons; they are worked 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 whom 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, who is called the conductor. From La Chine also the canoes employed by the h 3 i 137 north-west company in the fur trade take their departure. Of all the numerous contrivances for transporting heavy burtliens 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 wood; 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 with threads made from the twisted fibres of the roots of a particular tree, and strengthened where necessary by narrow strips of the same materials applied on the inside; tlie joints in this fragile planking are made water tight by being covered with a species of gum that adheres very firmly and becomes perfectly hard. No iron- work of any description, not even nails, are employed in building these slender vessels, which when complete weigh only about five hundred weight each. Oti being prepared for the voyage tb&y receive their lad- f .\, I " 1 1 t r . 138 I i' • t ;'. f. I, ■ !■ i.-1 .III; il ing, that for the convenience of carrying across the portages is made up in packages of about three-quarters of a hundred weight each, anci amounts altogether to five tons, or a little more, including provisions and other necessaries for the men, of wiiom 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 which, and a chain of small lakes, they reacii Lake Nipissing ; through it, and down the French River into Lake Huron ; along its northern coast up the narrows 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, which vary from a few yards to three miles or more in length, where 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 l.'3D ' continu.ntion of tlic same toils takes place in bark canoos of an inferior size, tiirough the chain of lakes and streams that run from the lirio;lit of land westward to the Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnepeg, and onwards to more distant estal)H8lnnents of the company in the remote regions of th(^ north-west country. The men emj)loyed 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 with a 'patience ahnost inexhaustible. In the large lakes they are frecpiently 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 few dollars they re- ceive as the compensation for so many priva- tions and dangers are in general dissipated with a most careless indiflerence to future wants, 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 ot land of the same name ; it contains from 90 to 100 houses, built with regularity, and form- i ■tii "i ■( ■. t ■ t 140 |i ! :^ 111 i\\ M' 1 ing small streets that cross the nmiii road at right angles. 1'here is a neat parish church, a parsonage-house, and one or two tolerable good houses lor the aeconiniodation of travellers. The local beauties of this place can boast of many attractions, being surrounded by ext( n- 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 suctcession of travellers, for whose reception there arc some inns, where acconmiodalion 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 where 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, with the suburbs, covers about 1020 acres of ground, although within the walls of the old 141 fortifications the contents of the area did not exceed 100 acres. A few iiouses, built close togetlicr, in the year 1640, was the commence- ment of the city of Montreal, or as it was first named Villcmarie; the situation beinjx well chosen, and possessini; many inducements for the colonistH to associate themselves for the comforts and convenience of society, it very soon assumed the a|>pearance of being built with some attention to regularity and solidity of the dwellings, containing a population of 4000 iidiabitants ; 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 ex})osed to, and almost from its very beginning experienced, the animosity of the, Iroquois, who 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 ill 1' 143 ih /'f 1,4 . I. i ■ m 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 estabHshing miHtary posts, the necessary repairs of the wall were 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 with 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 now resorted to, this calamitj^ when 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 lower 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 width; some of them running the whole length of the town, parallel to the river, intersected by others at right angles. Th3 houses are for the most part built of a l'\ 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 i;i- judiciously situated, that it occupies the whol^; breadth of it at the Place d'Armes, which, though not an impediment to the passage, destroys the perspective that otiierwise would be unobstructed from the citadel to the Re- collet gate. St. Paul-street is another fine street, running the whole length of the town, 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 jiew gaol, the Government-house, Nelson's mo- nument, and the Quebec barracks. The Hotel Dieu, in St. Paul-street, extending 324 English ..•:Vf ■■! ,' if :"t, "-, *'■(■•, ft .•■•: 1.1; m '- 11 I|;j f' r-' « !<'' I' 1< V4 I': Til' 144 feet in front by 468 feet in depth, in St. Joseph- street, is an estabUsliment for the reception of the sick and diseased poor of both sexes; it is conducted by a superior (La Soeur Le Pailleur) 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, which (and it is a subject of regret) is not so ample as could be wished, when com- pared with its utility ; however, this as well as ever}^ 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, with extensive stables and out-buildings, and a cemetery. The convent of La Congre- gation de N otre 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 Soeur Nativity) and sixty sisters ; the object of this institution is female instruc- tion in its different branches, wherein the ; 14> greatest part of tlie members arc 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 infirm 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 (M"^-Therese Coutlee) and 24 sisters : the cares which they bestow upon those whom 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 .1 ^;:'r|: m u\. (> ■I s .1-. ^^11 1> ■' 'J',- 1=' - 146 respect rendered convenient and suitable for the performance of the catholic sf^rvice, although not sufficienily large for t. ; iucreased popula- tion of the city, nine-tenths of which profess that faith. The interior decorations are ra 'ler 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 ihe 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, who, 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 establishn.ient he framed has existed Until the present time, modified by many and great improvementr). 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 210 feet long by 45 broad, having at each end a wing- 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 c€lO,000, for the purpose of extending the benefit of their plan of educa- tion beyond what the accommodations of their original establishment would 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 with the utmost attention to convenience, utility, and salubrity, consisting of residences for the l2 ;r,-' . " \y-n^,:j f f'i :i'i . 14,.. \ '' 1 'A- a * I*, ^ . •■■': 111 ■ < i' ) 1 118 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 Ut instruction and internal economy. The director, M. Roque, and chief professors are as eminently distinguished for their literary acquirements as for their zeal in diffux)ia<: 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 11 149 of a'l their Canadian brethren. Besides these priiicipai seats of learning, wherein the French language is the vernacular idiom, there are in Montreal some good EngHsh schools, conducted by gentlemen of exemplary morals and talents, who by their exertions supply in s6me degree the want of an English college. It is certainly a subject of surprise that no such establishment has yet been formed, considering how 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*GilI, 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 within ten years after the bequest, or in failure thereof the property is to revert to his family. I'he first steps towards insuring to the colony the benefits of so munificent a donation have already been taken. In giving full effect to which it cannot be doubted but that the pro\fhcial, and, if ne- cessary, the imperial legislature, will aid with its accustomed liberality the testator's praise- I't.': .1 !, it 'M- ill i'- I V ' I 150 , ■ I !l.^' 1:11,1,: worthy intentions, should his legacy be found inadequate to the design. The court-house, on tlie north side of Notre Dame-street, is a plain handsome building, lately erected, 144 feet in front, where 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 regidations under which it is managed, and the method in which 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 \^s destroyed by fire in 1803. The salubriouii situation of this spot is peculiarly fitted for suchfan establishment; the interior 5 I .{I 151 plan is disposed with every attention to the health, cleanliness, and comfort (as far as the latter is compatible with tlie 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 llecollets stands at the western 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 the upper part of the new market-place, close to Notre Dame-street,«is a handsome mo- nument, erected to commemorate the Hero of Trafalgar, immortal Nelson : it is composed of ■;>* '! - I •.■iri,-;. ■!'■■■!' 'm.: I;. IJi )' II . 1- i '■ ::<:', ■■r I t n pyramidal column placed upon a scjuarc pedestal ; at the base of the cokimn, 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 worth was com- pleted in London, and the expenses defrayed by subscription among 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- ease the Quebec : ih all of them the streets run in the same direction as those of the city ; they are very regular, and contain a great number of 1> 153 superior dwelling-houses, built of stone, as se- veral inhabitants of the first rank Iiave 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 with 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 d few years it will become the most flourishing and prosperous , ■ i ■ h l-f f;. 1' m I • 1J4 city of the British North American dominions; and Quebec, viewed 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 eifecl, according to the plan j)rojected, 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 iiitherto assigned would 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- lows : 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- 1 i 155 lion that are always collected on the beach. The little river St. Pierre is to be embanked on both sides as far as the new college, forming a canal 20 feet wide, which is to be continued along the south-west and north-west sides to the Quebec suburbs, with 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 drawn off for the purpose of cleansing it; this work will be so constructed as to raise boats, &c. from the St. Laurence, from whence they may proceed to the further extremity of the canal. The buildings on each side are to be retired thirty feet from the water, thereby forming a street eighty feet wide, having the canal in the centre. To the northward of Notre Dame-street there is to be another parallel to it, sixty feet wide, called St. JamesVstreet, running the whole 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 wide. Where the Quebec gate now stands will be formed a square 174 feet by 208, extending towards the suburbs. The Place d'Armes is to have its dimensions enlarged U6 •i I /■ ■ ^ 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 now an excellent parade as well as an agreeable promenade for the inha- bitants : sef.its 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 well 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 hy 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 ■ 1 i iM 157 in each week are well supplied with every ne- cessary, and nearly every luxury for the taljle, in great abundance, at prices extremely mo- derate. The produce of the upper part of this fertile district is almost wlioUy brought hither for sale, besides a great quantity from the Ame- rican states, particularly during the winter sea- son, when fish frequently comes from Boston and the adjacent parts. The whole 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 t'le 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 geneial depth of water is from three to four and a half fathoms, with very good anchorage every where between the Market-gate Island aiul the shore: i ■ I ■\ ■* ! i , Hi M i 1 f\ •^ ,' ( J "4- . lo8 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 west end of it, at the entrance of the harbour, and the narrowness of the deep water channel below it, generally make it necessary to warp out large ships, and drop them down the stream by kedge-anchors until they come abreast of the new market-place, as the leading winds for bringing them out cannot always be depended upon : at the east end of the island is a channel of which small craft can always avail themselves. The greatest disadvantage to this harbour is the rapid of St. Mary, about a mile below it, whose current is so powerful, that, without a strong north-easterly wind, ships cannot stem it, and are sometimes detained even for weeks about two miles only from the place where they are to deliver their freight. In pursuing the grand scale of improvements it may probably be found practicable to reuicdy 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 below the current ipto river ;.;•!' K ■ i ' 159 craft, which could be by such a communica- tion conveyed immediately to tlic 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 wood ; from several springs that rise towards its top the town is plentiful!}' and conveniently supplied with water, which is conveyed to it under ground by means of wooden pipes. The sunimit, 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 windings 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 serial perspective. 1 I . \.\ ■•'■■■ I(i0 (.; Tiie 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 whiteness 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 abunidance 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, aelightfully situated, and possessing all the requisites of desirable residences. By the side of the road that passes over the uiountain 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 Maisun des Fretres, i'rom its !■ ■i 161 belonging to the seminary : there are extensive gardens, orchards, and a farn\ attached to it, which 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 week. About a quarter of a mile below this stands the handsome residence and farm of the Hon. Wm. M'Gilhvray, member of council. A little more than a quarter of a mile to the north- ward, 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, was highly respected by all who 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 IJ<»tli the house and the pillar are very prominent objects, that dis- close themselves in almost every direction. lit' i::'i I I ! > 1,1 • .1 ■ '■ * ' ^'f^:': 162 Of ten established ferries from the island, in difterent directions, the longest is that from the town to La Prairie de la Magdelaine, a distance of six miles; it is also the most frequented, as the [fissengers are landed on the southern shore. at ih^ main road, leading to Fort St. John's, and into the American States: from the town to Lviiigeuil is the King's Ferry, three miles across, aru also much frequented, as many roads branch oif in all directions from the village of Longeuil, at which the boats arrive ; tha* from the west end of the island to Vaudreuil is three miles across, in the direct line of communication be- tween Upper and Lower Canada: from the eastern Bout de Tlsle to Repentigny, where the road between Mcmtreal 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 tr 'he ')'her. From Repen- tigny to Isle Bourdon, m the Riviere \es 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 j)assed the provincial parliament in 1808 ; but it was un- fortunately destroyed the spring after it was finished, by the pressure of the ice at the break- r ■ i.: 163 ing up of the frost. The same gentleman had previously obtained an act in 1805, but in the spring of 1807 the works were carried away before his undertaking was entirely completed. Notwithstanding these failures, it is considered that some plan may yet be devised to erect one, whose 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 work would be of great public utility, from connect- ing the most frequented main road of the pro- vince. The Isles Bourdon, just mentioned, were 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 I'AiglCj Isle au Cerf, Isle au Canard, Isle au Bois Blanc, Isle aux Asperges, and Isle au Ver. The first is the largest, being two 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 (juite round it, besides others to the interior, which are kept in very good repair : it is the property of Mr. Amse. Captain Cartwright is proprietor of Isle a I'Aigle, a very picturesque and pretty spot ; mostly good meadow land : u 2 ;. f ^1. I '■■ n i lii ■ ';IP It l64 .. ;„ the only house upon it, the owner resides m he o y ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ,hich is <='-™'"f ,; '„ ^eteUent pasturage of little extent, but f""'*" e^ they belong to .„d sonie goo^^^ii "at Dub,.uil Ld two persons, >vhose names ^J^ ^j j^e Montreuil. who are also p opneto ferries, on each side ot the R v ere d ThelsleStPauUiesasWt;^^^^^^^^ of Montreal, and a Uttle above ^^ about three miles ^^^^^^f^^^^^l^^oO; granted to t>>f -^^^'^Jtt^munities of it now belongs to one oi nuns ot Montreal. „ „a ;, in the county IsiE Jesos (the seigniory "O '«'"*, ^f ^^^ of Effingham, comp^hending^e whole ot^ ^^ i,a„d, in \"S'^ *:Tv^:roi;st of that of its greatest breadth lying no ^,,^ Montreal, from ."^''^'/''the main land by Riviere des Praines, and fiom the m the Rivier. St. Jean °;J-"]:J'„ ".hereto, the' with the Isles aux Vaches »^.l^^!"* '^^^^,^i^^ 23d October, l699. *° *^„^^t°\7lil .t is tics of the seminary of Q"^*''^^' ^^ ^^.j^ie ,tiU possessed. The ong-1 -»« - ^^^ de Montniagny : but soon ^^e^''^^^^ ,^ ^ proprietors thought proper to ^st^w ^^ ^^^^^ appellative it now bea^ Ih ^^ ^^^ where 'evel, rich, and ^'ll "=»'" ^,,,,, are south-east side, bordering the river, 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 lengthways ; these are conrected 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 r\ , i t m: • .i\ d^'^i 166 ; : i > , ' : i! 1" ;. '■■' ., ■! Isle Bizaie is separated from the soutli-west end of Isle Jesus by the Riviere des Prairies; it is nearly of an oval form, ratiier 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 when the pre- sent owner, Pierre Foretier, Esq. did fealty and homage, on the 3d February, 17H1, he exhibited proof of its having been granted on the 24th and 25th of October, 1678, to the Sieur Jiizare. It is a spot of great fertility, wholly cleared and cultivated. A good road [)asses 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 Perbot (the seigniory of) lies off the south-west end of the island of Montreal, com- prising the island after which it is named, and the Isles de la Paix, that lie in front of the S'iigniories of Chateauguay and Beauharnois ; it was granted to Sieur Perrot, October 29, 1672, and is now the property of Amable Dezery, Esq. The length of the island is seven miles or a little more, and nearly three in breadth at its widest part : of 143 concessions, rather more than one half are settled upon, and tolerably well cultivated ; the soil is of a light sandy nature generally, but where this is not the case ■i Ml h e^ i 1 I 167 it is an uneven surface of rock. 'J'he wood is not entirely cleared from it yet ; ol what re- mains, beech and maple constitute the chief part. The houses of the inhabitants are sra; tered over the island near the different i but no village upon it ; there is one ch and only one wind-mill. Of two fiefs wituiu the seiiiniory 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 which the charge is two 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 \. >'■ M ^:^ti: ./I *':i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /> ^ .<^4p. 1.0 ^^ Ui I.I ■10 ■ 2.2 Ui US Ui u 2.0 I t - 1— II— U4 ^ 6" — ► HiolDgraidiic ScMices Corporation SJ \ \ ' >^ 4^y^ 23 WIST MAIN STRIIT WtBSTM.N.Y. USM (716)«73-4S03 '^.^\ \ w !'f •■'"' I. .:. 168 •i;. i '.■•■; It mi , ■"•'■•.i.i ir 'i ,1 ' -■' i I ;i VI ; « I'll ,! .1 i! 1 i ii '; 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 whole 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 within 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. John'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 was 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 when 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 well 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- r . ;.i ■^ ' I. -I JvM, 'I •■•^. ■■' '■ ■; il' ..;• i il./. i ■ -Hi' [ 1'^ 'I;! I M : I! ^1 ' ii' 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 Beloel; 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 was granted 2yth October, J 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 i cal good qualities of the property. Within us 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 if regulated 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; ng- tbe by vest Tues the 672, 3erty ions, el cle , and id lies iking, nearly e style ambly, 1, con- of the al good >undary ;r called in form, )ellished fine vei- ally dis- t. Three lontreal ; St. Jean, y, at the the basin; 171 the dark-hued foliage of the wood, that nearly covers iliem, 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 was 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 within the province ; its form is nearly square, containing several buildings and all the requisite means of modern defence, which have been recently put into substantial repair ; the approaches to it are not protected by any out- works, 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'appuij where troops might be assembled, and for forming an extensive dep6t: during theseasonforoperations, in the yearsl812, 1813, and 1814, there was always a consider- able force encamped on the plain near it, which in the la'it mentioned year exceeded 6000 men; during this period also additional storehouses and other buildings were erected on the ground that has always been reserved by government for such purposes. The village of Chambly i^ ;.i I 1 i-l '•':.■.:■ < m<.- ■ { 7-' ■m !|i|!ifl'' ii Ml;;' -: H or '■ I ' ■ I f ! •■ ! ii '": ^.•.. ! 1 1 : : /':■' 1 ' 1 ■ ■ : ■ i ! Mil :: ; ; . 1 • i i ■ ■ i ' : ) . ! 1 ' j i i , ■ i U : 1 M:f..|;i ! '1' 1 '111 ; 1 f 1 ■ ' i' ,'l ill: 1 1 ■,!?)'! 1; ' ''i ■ •I-' ^:, ! :l I li' dk^lk^;i 172 on the west side of the Richeheu, and not far from the fort: it contains 90 or 100 houses, chiefly built of wood, forming one principal street. At tlie 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 work 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, aflbrding 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 well cultivated fields, all the varieties of woodland scenery, both near and remote, the distant church on Point Olivier, with 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 'i^anoes are constantly passing up and down, and the singular appearance of unwieldy rafts descending the rapid with incredible velocity will 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, was granted on the 8th July, 1710, to the Baron de Lon- geuil, and is now 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 ; watered 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 will 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 water, between the ■;;H-^^'. 'mff •'-1:' ■1 i; I !,i ''■'"ff .-■ * 'I i ' -I .-i!';! I 1 :, J II, ;i ii ..'■ < m : 'I'll, ii' I! Ji! 1 :ji:i ■ ■ 'ii 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 bypallisadesand 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 oflicer 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 dur- urse ipon Be- d on )ably )rtner itants have nent ; place, that rie on it and on the regular ,t little , or of merely picket- houses, les, &c. if much as been very ef- ho com- endance ue, from ►rts, and transmits them to the general officer command- ing the district. The British naval force em- ployed on Lake Ciiamplain has its principal station and arsenal here, where 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, was not dishonourable to the national flag; and had the war continued, increased efforts, with the means that had been preparedi 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 : where the land is dry, a good black soil generally prevails, that when cultivated proves very fer- tile ; but the proportion yet settled upon is not ;|:.'.i;iilij •■•1 ' .]''■ I. i "■1 .fi>! ! I ,; 'i' '!'!• f'l ' a il • f. ; 11 176 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 swamps are so deep but what the operation of draining, judiciously performed, would 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 New York, which, with a few other dispersed settlements, may amount to about one third of the whole seig- niory. The road that passes through the woods of L'Acadie, being the military one to the frontiers, and the line of nlarch for troops mov- ii|g 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 irgc )od- and rces ntly akes i it; deep msly r the client nuch para- d im- ps will The id by York, nents, e seig- woods ;o the i mov- lefited T parts y and I CoUe Dsed of rity on i * 177 each side of the niuiii road. In the Kichelicti, near wliere the Bleuri fulls into it, is Isle aux Noix, formerly the property of the late General Christie, but now belonging to the Crown ; it is a iiat, but a little above the level of the river, containing altogether only eighty-five acres, ly- ing ten miles and a half from the boundary-line, in an excellent situation to intercept the whole communication by water from Lake Cham plain; consequently a most important military station, that has been fortified with all the care its com- manding position deserves. At the west end of it the principal work 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, with 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 was 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 f. I, :, •< \ . s, -i-^ I'.' rvll ' ,,1. i '^■• Ml 'i-*l 178 building ships, and from thence the Confiance of 32 guns was launched. Beaujeu, or La Col le (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 Tiumard de Beaujeu, and is now the pro- perty of General Christie Burton. Towards the front of the seigniory the land is rather low, with soijie few swampy patches ; yet, with 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, winding a very sinuous course from west li i ince of), the Lery )uth, rear; It by 13, to e pro- is the with se ex- mber- hough i veins ;he soil he low \ much places spruce part of urposes sorts of Lrly well there is 'he river 'omwest 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 New York, about two rniles and a half towards 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 the}' 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 well tilled and judiciously cropped, gardens planted with 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, PJattsburgh, 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 ■ f .-•< ; ■i "I i :-'.i:i: ''r-i'i Wv-\ 180 t 1 : ill !■ , ■! I 1 I'M ■ ;:' ; i ! I 1 1 ment, and become a wealthy, flourishing, little town. The river Riclielieii, 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 CoUe, 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 work, 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 was the affliir at La Colle mills, which 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 was 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 tar as the road that turns off to La CoUe 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 tlie 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, were driven in, and the enemy shortly afterwards appearing in force, was able to establish a battery of 12 pounders, that was 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 was seized with eagerness by a company of grenadiers of the Canadian Jenci' -:t ■. I \ , 1. • •'M :-U ■■;? '■'" . .''I ■ ■■■■wl •V Iti'l .\.u 182 ':\\ ^; I' : i-.i * I \ ■ :IJil i. f i bles, and another of Canadian Vol tigeurs, who had hung upon the enemy's left Hank 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 were promptly moved up from Isle aux Noix to the mouth of La Colle River, which opening a destructive fire upon the Americans, left them but little chance of victory; they persevered, however, in their fruit- less efforts until night, when they moved off their guns and retreated by Odell Town to Cham- plain, after sustaining severe loss, but without 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 towards Lake Cham- plain, at which period the American flotilla was stationed at Pointe au Eer 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 ^ho 18a bounded on the north-east by the seigniories ot Chambly and Monnoir, on the south by the seigniory of Sabre vois, and on the west by tlie 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 whole. 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 value 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. i; ;, '^. hi i. 'l-[ ', ■ ■ i- . B BH tf t'':-ll 'i|: ) , ! I ' :j ■ ' Hiif < ■ ^ih ^ij! 1! Si. t 1: 184 Sabrevois (the seigniory of), in tiie county of Bedford, on tlie east side of the Richeheu, 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 west 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 with but little labour or expense. At present the quantity of land under cultivation is rather insignificant. The Bedford Turnpike will pass through this seignior}^, and may pro- bably be the means of increasing the settle- ments in it. Nov AX (the seigniory of), in the county of Bedford, joins Sabrevois on the north, the town- ship of Stanbridge on the east, the seigniory of Foucault on the south, and the river Richelieu on the west; it was granted, July 8, 1743, to Sieur Chavoye de Noyan, and is now possessed by General Christie Burton. The Isle aux 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 with 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- feig seigniories, on the boundar}^ 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 two miles and a half or three miles), it would be most eminently serviceable, not only to the settlers of the neighbourhood, but like- wise 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- ; . 1 1' T: :l i",H !.•( t :'. I- 'i, . I, Mi ■ ■', '• : :"in I- ■";t; ' m V I, l< im 'i'-' 1 1 1- 'f!!! tally unobstructed, and it Avould besides mate- rially contribute towards drawing much of the produce of the populous townstiips on the American territory into the hands of British traders, for the purposes of exportation by the Saint Laurence, at all times either in war or peace. This route to a certain market would 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 with the character of an American farmer, will be convinced that he will always continue so keen a speculator as to prefer that market by which 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 nmch greater share of his atten- tion than the prohibitory laws that deprive him of choosing the persons with whom he would deal. The increasing value and importance of the £n§j^h 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 ate- the the itish the ^r or ould con- fork, oever jvicaii Iways r that onvert ithout f gain, profits \ atten- ve him would ance of on this int, and ed to a only be ty of the :s future n of go- lint, with 187 a determination to avail itself fairly and justly of the ample means it affords for amelioration, the most important advantage to Lower 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 within the American waters; as vessels of all descriptions must proceed several MMes 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, pnd always detrimental to the proprietors. Against . i >' f I' '■"'.IB V tl ■> u\ .'■I •%■ •^f. ■■■'■m ■1 H II ;!'>! I I 188 s„ch proceeding. «« — ~ atd wSu localauthoritieshavebeennther^^^^^^^^^^^^^ n vain ; it is tlicie oil ^^^^ government, whose interest it is to « ^^^ L welfare of all its fi^'^^'^tel provide „ost distant of tliem -" -■'-^^^:;;Ltice ; °^.'-^^°iSo;rt\:sr:;tii/-e seigniory ot N^^^"' °" ^^issisqui Bay, and „f Vermont -Ae-^byM _^q^^^ on the «f'f*|i^„Foucault; two leagues in Maylst,1743,toSieur* ^^^ frontby twoandahalt indept^ ^^^^^_ sessed by General Burton 11 ej^ United ,,, between I-^" ^^ada ^nd , ^^^^^^^^ States runs tUroug'^j;- ^ f,, ,,,te of r' n The land h -bout is low, but far Vermont. The and ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ T"" t bank of tue Richelieu, and may be the cast bank oi ,,,ccess for grain or 189 tion at its east and west boundaries, has yet attracted but few settlers, cliiefly American farmers, fixed in different parts of tlie 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. AttMAND (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 R6n6 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 now 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 township of Sutton, there are ridges that rise a considerable height, and many large swells that approach almost to ;.m: 4;,: ! •) w ■w^.. ■ ml IIX) fill i^ III?. i! ni I! J •! ill ! tia' 1 I iiiii I 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 water'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 windinga 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 New York; it cannot but benefit by the advantages to be derived from so easy an intercourse with a country that has already made great progress in agricultural knowledge. 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- iple )Utll 3ntle sub- ards laiiis, as its iham, rough vidge, is well prove- which listrict, on, be- ll Phil- I, down t line of inot but ed from that has icultural e within by some so well rapid as there are ►esides an rom Mis- sisqui Bay, by the whole breadth, divided into much smaller portions, and now extremely well 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 well 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, I i « '»v;Vm ,;.;:!■■ I, 1^ ■■■■':■■' '.M il .5 i I I I I M P i'i if? ! -} fsn K;i 192 about twelve miles from Pliillipsburg, 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. I'lie popu- lation of St. Armand has within a few years greatly added to its numbers, being at present 2500 souls : emigration if'rom 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 govermnent, a duty the magistracy of the district ought not to dispense with from those who choose to do- miciliate so near the borders ; as in the event of hostilities, and which latterly was the case, many of these people would remove tlie whole of their property and stock to the American territory. Lands are not granted by the crown to any individual who has not previously sworn allegiance, and the same precautions should be taken with respect to strangers, particularly in the frontier townships, who acquire lands by purchase or otherwise. The ditferent streams work many grist and saw-mills, which 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 >ist- ool, lild- mce opu- ^ears esent States rease. Id be have luieiit, ht not to do- event e case, 3 whole nerican I}, crown y bWOin lould be jlarly in ands by streams ;h about Pinnacle y spoken ,cres, and 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 timo ; he succeeded so far as to spread alarm among the inhabitants, drive oft' some cattle, and destroy the young orchards, before he re-' ceived intelliiience of a British detachment advancing upon him : on that information be- ing comnmnicated, his orders for a retrograde movement were promptly given, and obeyed with unanimous celerity by his troops. MoNNoiR (the seigniory of), in the county of Bedford, with its augmentation, extends from the rear of the seigniory of Ciiambly to the township of Farnham and the banks of the river Yamaska; bounded on the south-west by the seigniory of Bleurie, and on the north-cast by those of St. Hyacinthe and Rouville: its extent is two leagues in front by three in depth; granted 25th March, 1708, to Sieur de Ramzay : the augmentation, equal in dimensions to the seigniory, was 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 :-v!.*| Jia f t':>\ IN if li •: K' i r 'l 11 I ' -if' i!-^' ■'!■ '^ •< iil; ,1! i !; I 1 i .Hi! Ml 11 ' \ if lli ul . .r 19^ . . U of a moderately good various in its nature s o ^^^^ ^ quality, and where .- -^^^ raises very good c-^ g^^^^^^ ,ery parts not yet broken uF' , Louvable to t,.e ^ro.Hh o flax^ ^^^PP^^_ division, adjoining Ch.»»b'y. ^^e tivated, as well as an -^^-^Yfi.'^^, ^anks left bank of the Yj^-^^^J^;" J/^.^W^ ; to- of a vivnlet near ^^^Xv it ton.ewUat low, «atds the western bonncUryit.. -''-*^'retl:nev;.raL that branch part IS watered by se e ^ ^^^^^^ .^^ards off from the river Huron, ana p ^^^i the middle of the seigniory, fje ._^_ , • ^*4^»r thirk of wood, mobuj ui land IS P'«"y *1'«=^ " ^ j,„,e some good ferior sorts, *"»g»»^"';^ ^e met with, timber of large d-— -y ^, ^^^.^^^^ some ot them p> i; townships, and into ,o„,.set"warJ e*ro„t ^^^ _^.^^^^ ^^ ^^^ the United States, i ^^^ seigniory there - -^ j", t^i but rising jolmson. of no S-t J^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^.,^^ ''=':"?' oieverTot so remarkable as se- ::thro';the same isolated — -- °^ ":■ :tty:s- ujo" th^e Lr^. r2;a;dvLaska, that are both naviga- \ illlilllU ood lent the very ppei cul- i the ranks ; to- tlow, apper ranch wards leared he in- 3 good t with. ;ctions, utherly nd into of the Mount it rising ly miles lie as se- in some property tie rivers a naviga- 1 195 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 scigniory 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; wasgrflnted, October 17, 1710, to Sieur Boucher, and is now the property of R6n6Labru ere 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 : . f. II -3 r-' .1 >"i ■■'I .jiv '■*/■■ ■J: ■ t- ■ % I ^.■■ A^'Mi ■ii 196 i; ' I i I .ij , p(i S !i K " li ! ;;n^! ! .' I! II I; ft ij •:'. I Ij \K •aii;. and several otliers 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 two leagues ; granted 29th October, 1672, to Sieur de Varennes, and now tlie property of Joseph Dubai, Esq. and the heirs of Edward WilHam 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 watered. 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 two 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 ;tion fthe ween ville, ontis is two Sieur oseph ^ilUam i is of nch of ion; it on the county he west, ist, and s dimen- -four of ) leagues 1672, to Madame d in this t class, is the most jthing to- bandry is rtility; in 197 iact, 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 which works 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 well 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, who 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, wherein 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, ?■-•« i^-\.- ••1 -^'f ; I. i' I ■ J .\-:W' :t''mi|i Hi; I i f '. i m ,■.:•( ' ) ij ; :f %^' i . « :! i III Kiii I i 1: 'ffi i * If ;ir lili! ,[ 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 ese ing her »vith tber no letry 1 set arity omis- from range whole largest eadth ; )fthem ers are ging to Surrey, ind Cap I in the niory of French >th; was : de Va- f of Paul tie fief is 199 good and fertile land, nearly all in cultivation, and pleasantly watered 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 botli of its outward ornament and interior de- coration : in coming down the river its three spires form a conspicuous object, which may be seen from Montreal, a distance of five leagues: a very good parsonage-house stands near it ; there is also a neat chapel within the fief. The houses of the tenants are, many of them, well 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-west, 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 deptli; was 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 where it is tolerably well managed ; the quantity under culture amounts to two thirds .•( i' h ' ' y if I .•:;■■ ■4 *»■' I ft 200 of the whole. 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 arc 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 ; was granted 3d November, 1672, to Sieur de Grand- maison, and now belongs to Hertel, Esq. St. Blain (fief), between Guillaudiere and the seigniory of Vercheres, 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 aflinity between the soils of these i ' 201 two fiefs, whicli consist principally of a blackish friable mould, that if moderately well 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 ; was granted October 29, 1672, to Sieur de Vercheres, and now the property of Madame Bouchcrville. 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 (fiel) 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 Vitr6, and now belongs to — — Chicoine, Esq. All this slip is under good cultivation, but is not watered by river or stream. Contrecoeur (the seigniory of), on the south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county t .:-^ mssmm 202 ;4^- .1 I > f : P I' ■' i' If Jt 1 ii \t I, Ur^ li ^1 :■ ' (I , I . iii e ■i ! Iri" i , Itiiili-iii' of Surrey, is bounded by the tief Bellevue and Cournoyer on the south-west, the seigni- ory of St. Ours on the north-cast, 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 few i)laces it is Hat and low, but is almost every where 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 woonland remaining are insignificant in proportion to the whole 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 work 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 two shillings for each person, and seven shillings and sixpence for a •? vue gni- the two ntecl 3eur, Jon- niory stlat vour- good ich of aland to the rge di- Prade, le seig- bute to 56 work inges of parated Tain in- e Saint rom St. a, up to 3s, from 1 the op- for each ice for a 203 horse and carriage. In the second range of concessions is the Bruit'; St. Antoine, and in the fourth Le Grand lirule: these pUices 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 wanted for immediate use are removed ; or else by setting fire to the trees and underwood while standing: when once fairly on fire, they will often continue to burn for weeks before the flames arc 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 Contrccoeur, is an ap- pendage to the property. St. Ours (the seigniory of) and its augmenta- .:t;- 'K m 1 [■' ■' H ;' a iU ■*i. fc 'H I illi fit f 1 \ HI i*'! 1 20+ .,„,.. o,> the scut.. .aeonW^^^^^^^^^^ rest 111 Richclica , " ^t. Denis and by *«■ -'g"-"-;; S::ro"h-e;st b, those of St. Hyacmtlie, on the no ^^ ^,^^ Sorel and """-''f^;;,"!'! i„ breadth by river Yaniaska ; is two leag ^^^^^^^^ ,^er „iore than seven in depth .^^ ^g^^^ ^_^^^ 89th October, 167 -, *° ^ , , ,ic St. Ours, i, now in possession of ^J^' ,,-,, every Esq. The land in t^;-^ 7 ^^^s adapted .here of a 8-'' J^^^ I'^eu.ture ; m nine- to almost -f^^y 'Pf '7 "\ J„ a state of eultiva- tenths of the "''o'^f ^ VJ, ",o„i.ining altoge- tion. There are ten ranges. ^^^ ther 8()0 coneessions; t^o^^ J™ ^ .^^ Riehe- Saint Laurence and on both bank o ^^.^^ Ueu are perhaps the ™J- P ^;..„„, ,„ those -ns still re- sorts. The upper part t. Laurence f amaska, at avi gable, by [vantages of an eminent ; watered by three other rivers (not navigable) called lia Pradc, La Plante, and Salvaylc. 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 artisans, mary 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 seigpiories, which is put on board lar^c river craft in the Richelieu and Yamaska, and sent to Quebec for exportation. Nearly in -very direction there are many public roads, kept in good repair, particularly on botli 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. I. > ■ ij ■ i •I 206 'I : i ,\ I I -^i ^,\ 1: ■f n'i 1 "111 -I, %} i I; ■ ■! B''.1^ri:t} r I.' '' ';t- iff ■ IH i It I'-'iS'^s -I! .1 ! ' :?if:' and the population, which amounts to 3000 souls, there are certainly but few possessions in the province superloi- 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 westward 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 well watered by the little river Beloeil, that flows into the Richelieu, 4 207 and along whose banks is a range of excellent concessions ; in its course it works a giist-mill and a saw-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 well built, are dispersed through the diflferent 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, which is one of considerable magnitude, that winds through the •t.l • 'M I. }, ^:V1 p;. i!:J r\ ii "■> 208 lower 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 about 600 acres, extending principally from south-west 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 flows, 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 bi oken 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 seigriiory. The roads leading along the bank of the Riche- lieu and on both sides of the Riviere des Hu- 209 tine rises 30Ut : fer- iclers To- n the , fre- most reads yfrom eleva- itreal ; but in ibrupt. •e is a r, from viiuling •ning in 1. The broken uresque ptiste is e in the e Riche- Hilaire, eigniory. le riiche- des Hu- rons are good ; there are also two that take a southerly direction, and open a direct commu- nication with 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 was granted, March 1st, l695, to Sieui 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 rewarded with abundant harvests. The population of the settled parts is somewhat above the numerical ratio in propoition 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 ' -i , f, ,.-f,, ; ' I ■ :*• -1-^111 .i tfl M ""^"■"»"" 210 M •)! fil ; : 11 : ii: 1" ■ ^:> 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 western extremity of its IVont the Richelieu, by a sudden turn, spreads to a breadth of more ihan 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-west by Vercheres and Bellevue, on the south-west 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 deCournoyer, and now possessed by A. Bellefeuille, Esq. The land in this seigniory is nearly similar to that of Vercheres and Contrecoeur, and for the fnost part of a good quality, producing, like many of the adjacent properties, wheat 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 age- bout and ouse, siern dden lalt a small form 3 river unded llevue, th-east I river ; h; was rnoyer, ;, Esq. flilar to I for the ng, like eat and iltivated tovjrards igement ncleared gle, and y. It is itream in 211 its interior. An excellent road leads from the village of Vercheres, close to the St. Laurence, down the Richelieu, where 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 villiiiie. 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 soutli-west by Vercheres, and in the rear by St. Hyacinthe; it is two leagues in breadth by as many in depth; and was granted, September 20tli, 16"94, to Louis de Ganne, Sieur de Falaise. The property now belongs to the heirs of Montarville, Esq. ^Nearly all the land within these limits is of a good sort and very fertile, being cl iefly a light earth covering a yellow loam : wVi :at and other grain is found to thrive extreme:^ well upon it, and yield ample returns. Rather more than two- thirds of it are cleared and under tillage, there being five ranges of concessions, making together 300 lots, ver}' few of which are unoc- cupied. The river Richelieu runs across the front, and the rear is watered 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 I' 2 ^■■,1 ■ .h > '-V f r .t;;!' i' N ^;|r-| .1, ' . "&• ^ ^- ,1 11 w ' \% y^i u .V, tlie whole tolerably well built, i« fine church, the 7"' -tioo, which when an agreeable and P'«'''''"'!f„n;,wer. where seen from the oppo-te J'd "^^e .^^ ^^.^^ ,ome of the best houses, and th- .^^_ its three handsome spues, present exhibit a favourable ^P^-^^^f Ja "ihe rWer beauty: between U«.«-^^^^^^^ are some capacous store h ^i^,cs of -^^^""1;ctdftmXSe"-e-.S"-es corn are collected from n J ,^^g„^, " for exportation ; as the Unds t ^^^^^_ ahout this part are cons^^^^^^^^^^ tive m gram of ^^^J'^° ^^^ village, is the In the nvcr, nearly fronUng ^^^.^ Xsle de Madere, and a -f "J,;, ..^gniory place there ,s a fc^y^o ^^ °PP^ ,,,, ,,ere are of Contrecoeur. I < '.I t:'. u'::-:.4 •■•I ;M ' ' It'; {..■iV'-ji ■•'■■' ''■ ■-'* 1 't '■ i- ' ',,(1 216 Hi 'I ■' i-b !■ ■.. ,, iH),;^ accoiiiniodation 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 with woods, 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. BouRCiiEMiN (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-west, 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 Franpois Bourchemin, and is now the property of Mrs. Barrow. BouRO MARIE West (the seigniory of), ex- tending from the rear of the seigniory of Sorel to the river Yamaska, joins Bourchemin on the ■i : I ■:,■' 217 soutli-vvcst ; it is sixty arpens in front by a league and a halt' in depth, and was granted, August 1, I7O8, to Marie Fez6ret, and now the property of Mrs. Barrow. Louise dk 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, 1678, to Sieur Villeneuve, and now possessed by Mrs. Barrow. The same kind of land prevails generally throughout these four several concessions, of which bu a small part can be deemed of superior quality. Bourche- min, where 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 with its natural wood : among it a little good timber may be found ; but the inferior spr -ies are abundant enough. Ic. 41 I' -t-M •a 1!: i?.. ■I: \ji i t .: .1 h" I] iM'li ill I H' m I r ." I, I' .^ ' ,"ii !•. •;:■ "■,'1' il ! ;;i u 218 DeRamzay (the seigniory of ), in the county of Richelieu, is bounded on tlie south-west by St. Hyacinthe, on the east and north-east by the township of Upton, and on the north-west by St. Charles Yaniaska and Bourehemin ; three leagues in front by as many in depth; was granted, 17th October, 1710, to Sieur de Ramzay, and is now the property of the heirs of P. Langan, Escj. Of tliis 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 with 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 west by the river; it contains 219 a league and a half in siiprrfKMcs ; granted, August 14, 1701, to SieurlU'ii^ iV'/rret, and is now the property of Mrs. Jiarrow. 'J'he best and only euhivated part of the land lies along the bank of tlu; river, but extends only a short distance from it, produeing grain in njodeiately good crops. With the exee[)tions of this tract the seigniory is nearly all wood-land, in some places bearing the appearance of a soil that would reimburse the expense and trouble of bringing it into use, if persevered in with in- dustry and managed with a little skill. SoiiEL (the seigniory of), on the south side of the Saint Laurence, in the county of Riche- lieu and Surrey, is bounded on the south-west by the seigniory of St. Ours, on the north-east by the seigniory of Yaniaska, and in the rear by the little grants of Bourgmarie West and Louise de Kamzay; two leagues and a half in breadth by two in depth (one on each side of the river Richelieu); was granted, 29th October, 1672, to Sorel, Sieur de Saurel; it was pur- chased, in 178], from its then possessor, for the use of government, by Sir Frederick Flaldimand, governor 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- ^•i-:' ^•! xr-TTP •■^. ■>''• i __ 220 ing swamps and marshes of considerable ex- tent. Of the whole grant about two-thirds are cultivated, and afford a tolerable proof that m\ » r Mm ■ \ n II it 1:1 1 where a proper 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 meadow 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 flow 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 ! ■'-■ '■'''; 1 . M : IJ ;rli :■ It?; IL- "'4 « ■. ■ i' ■ '■ :J 1 ' I li r- ii> 'i H r' ' V' MM W B ! i ! ii'.i J . 1 1 1. 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, who superintended its construction. The plan of i^ covers about 120 acres of ground, although at pr f t the number of houses does not much ex ! 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 i.i the centre a square 170 yards 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 town 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 and a half to five and a half fathoms of water. On the opposite shore there are convenient places for '1'- j. . : i ! rj ■ '7 i ■■■*■■'■■■>■■ ■ '^ I ■■ ■ - p. ■.^:m .. I m 1 JBt 'lt>Vm'd ■i . I, trm ■R i ■i, ! ^■'^ M :il,,i :-t if-«^i;^ r^^ ip I lift' 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 for carrying it on would induce a beliefthat 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 wooden 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, whereon it was once in contemplation to erect some substantial military works, but hitherto slight field works have been the only defences thrown 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 well di- rerted 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 would en- deavour, for several reasons, to direct a main attack. The present town of Sorel was begun '223 about the year 1785, when 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 Que ' c to the new townships and into the Uni States proceed with expedition, and find every requi- site accommodation of horses and carriages, at rates fixed by the government of the province. The Richelieu, afibrding 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 with an alarming rapidity, and perhaps 'A ill r i\ f 224> li \H rvL. ., R V '^'i' ml):.;: v -■ ji'l • for some time witli 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 well 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, with 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 with the St. Laurence, decked vessels of one hundred and fifty tons may ascend from twelve to four- teen miles. This river is noticeable for the un- usual circumstance of being much narrower at its discharge than at the place from whence it flows, and for the gradual diminution of the breadth of its bed. At its mouth it is about two hundred and fifty yards wide, which it preserves, li n d] 2'i.5 with the exception of one or two expansions occasioned by some small islands, which 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 whence 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 tlats, 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 downwards for loaded boats, &c. is in general quick and unattended with the smallest difficulty, except what is oc- casioned by the rapids. Upwards to Chambly nothing more than ordinary care is required to avoid the shallows, but from thence to St. Johns the ascent is attended with more Ubour, from the causes just spoken of. The number of river craft, canoes, &c. with 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 . km. \ '. ■' '■■,■■■• ■ ,< i- ' ■ 1 ■ 4 it>' ■'^ !'•..<.,■ iMi :;;\:;|.;.;|,:|| ');• ■■ II '. F ' . ■I ■' \r i ! ■: I -I ■' 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, seven-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- west 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 'I to the! desl ihei tog^ the, 400 :, ii 227 former is the property of Peter Pangnian, Es(|. and the hitter belongs to the heirs of tlie hitc V. R. dc St. Ours, Esq. except a small portion, which is the property of General Christie Bur- ton. La Clienaie adjoins Terrebonne, and has a front of two leagues. The (juality 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 ])roduce of the countr}'^, are cultivated here, and return ex- cellent crops : tlicre are also many patches well suited to the growth of Hax, that might be car- ried on Avith success to a considerable extent. The rivers Achigau and Mascouche, with seve- ral smaller streams and rivulets branching from tliem, 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 want of a sufiicient supply to keep the mills at work. On the borders of the St. Jean, Achigan, Mascouche, Ruisseau des Anges, St. Pierre, and the other streams, there are nine rangesof 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 iin- Q 2 J' 'il r , , 'M] (.!■ m If § n ■(■■'. h ! If . 1« ' ':(te, ■■V'i 228 proved. Altliougli so well inhabited, there is not 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. Devicne. 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. Towards the town- ship of Rawdon the land is higher than it is in the front; consisting chiefly of a yellow loam, mixed in some places with sand, which, 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 ii^ great perfection, with some pine of a good growth ; but in the valleys the wood is inferior I . J IS lies, ther re is grist river runs ption vhich le dit- from re ties jnce is e only )ssesses of soil tivation lown- i it is in w loam, h, when >s some- jre there the cul- uplands, found iq a good [s inferior 229 ill quality; the best sorts very partially inter- mixed. The River Assumption falls into the Riviere St. Jean and waters the lower part; the Achigan crosses the seigniory of La Che- naie, enters L'Assomption towards the middle of its depth, forms a considerable bend in it, and afterwards recrosses the division lim^ : 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- •'A « ^•• I' . i- V) 1' r I i ■ ft ' r ^''■\^ 9 r I './ I? ' n ' .. ! in\ •I r 4 *M »' 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 now the property of the seminary of St. Sulpice at Montreal. More than three-fourths of this seigniory is well 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 watered by the River L'Assomption, the Achigan, St. Esprit, Ruis- seau St. George,RuisseauVacher,Riviere Rouge, Ruisseau Pointde Jour, and Lake Ouareau,most of them flowing into the Assomption after a mazy course, that in some parts, where the ground is high and clothed with 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. Lawrence, and on both sides of the Assomption. The seigniory contains two 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- west 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 wealthy 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. Lav/rence on its front, the seigniory of St. Sulpice on its south-west, that of La Noraye on the nortii-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 ii f!!'-.i',;,.-.-'H|' vi 1 1 •■ ^ V • V 2- ■ r .! ) i i'' II i :;- r ■■; i' villi ^s. I, :i| '-% 'ii ..i^! ii" I' •a 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 yellowish loam, or clay mixed with 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 winds its broad but shallow stream through the upper part of the seigniory, and the lower 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 meadow 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. Lawrence ; the church, with the parsonage, a chapel, the manor-house, with ii 233 a few others, are situated a little to the east- ward of the Riviere La Valtrie; and from thence at no great distance is the wood 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 alpng 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, which 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, which 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 well cultivated, and has a church, with a great many houses, built within it, from the erroneous confidence of all parties that they were within the just limits of Ii 4 ■ f ■1 f, ■ •i^-'--'Xi|% .$1 1; i« t i i^f-*l .)*:,. 'iilifll- 234 the grant. Under these circumstances of en- croachment, occasionef? 03 iaeffectual measure- ment at first, a compromise has been made, and an order passed the governor and council to grant the cuUivated part to the present pro- prietor of La Valtrie, and to reserve tlie 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 NoRAYE 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. lia Nrraye, two leagues broad and two deep, was granted April 7th, 1688, to Sieur de la Noraye. Dautr6 was granted in two portions ; the westerly one, half a league broad by two leagues deep, to Sieur Jean Bourdon on the 1st December, 1637; the easterly one, of precisely the same dimensions, on the 16th April, 1647, to Sieur Jean Bourdon also. The augmentation, under the title of Derriere Dautr6, and La Noraye, being the breadth of the two former (three leagues) and extending to the Riviere L'Assomption, about m m w]| a thj ^55 four leagues, was granted 4th July, 1739, to Sieur Jean Baptiste Ncveu. The whole is now 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, with 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 westward 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. I* 1' ^ '( 1 \ t 'i'j:f'' ' 1 ,i '1 '. • ■ ■ f '• ■ i; ' i : ■n-si • ■ I I: I' ■■;,■<. * '. •.■ '■,' -■ vH 1 *.ji. i ' ' ■' 5. VI \ I ■ '1 » ■ ii • -. . . t; f .' :/. Il-:i 'l». ;v^lt 236 of which the parishes of St. EHzabeth in the rear, the banks of the St. Lawrence, the Coteuus St. Martin and St. Emily, are perhaps the most flourishing. There is no village ; but good Jiouses, with substantial and extensive farm buildings, are dispersed OA^er it in all parts. D'AiLLEE'^uT D'Argenteuil (the seig- niory of), in the county of Tvarwick, is bounded in front by the Bivicre L'Assomption, on the south-west l)y 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 however 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 du west bank of L'Assomption is all that in either seigniory is under culture. Berth IE R (the seigniory of), on the north ba)5k 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 New 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 was granted fJlst 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 towards 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- , Hvi- t > ^-.^;i}"i i ■ ! /.■ I- if :\ ;fi.:t^^ IS .J il 238 what inferior quality; in St. Jean there is ji mixture of several species, which taken toge- ther is fully equal in fertihty 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, where 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 CO th< th( th( ThI grt disk BrI th( whj nu{ tic^ bul is s| strc twe roul 239 two leagues, but the two others only a mile oi two from their mouths. Near the Bayonne there is a spring highly impregnated with salt, from the waters of which tliat article may and sometimes is made of a very good (pjality. 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 dc cliauffage^ 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 whence 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 ; ! 1 ?'.;■'.(: I •*. : m f^i \ » ''t t i \ I I ; iB, r;, I !. i I I: •■^ > i a ;j:/ if , 1 i n ■ '* i ;r 1 ■ 11 1 i .i;t ^ :'■ iM 240 established upon the plan of those hi En^huul between the former [)lace and Quebec, and also the principal intermediate post-ofhce sta- tion, makes it a place of great resort and con- siderable traffic : several inns are kept, where travellers will always 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 towards Quebec. Indeed, it is so little above the level of the river, that in the spring, when the melted snow and ice occasion a rise of the waters, 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 wheat 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 twenty houses, all of 241 wood. On the west side of the Rivor Chicot, and about two leagues in the interior, is the church calh^d St. Cuthbcrt's, belonging to ii parish of the same name, that spreads over a large portion of this and the adjoining seigniory to the north-east. 'J'hcre are also four schools ; two of them suj)ported by the Roman Catholic clergy. Including the villages, the dwelling- houses dispersed in the various concessions amount to about 500, and the total population of the seigniory is estimated to exceed 5000, which certairdy will not be supposed an exag- gerated computation, when it is known that it furnishes 1000 able-Vjodied 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. Lawrence, 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 seigniory several fine is- lands form the south boundary of the Chenail du Nord; they are named Isles Randin, Du Pas, Castor, &c. On Dupas, which is the largest, and was granted November 3d, 1672, to Sieur Dupas, there is a church and several R I : I ';> '.*■ '. ; ii 'l-r ''Hi li l^ i ' ' I- ' if ■ 1 i ■ 1 « .;i 1 ■■. •i.! e>42 1 "t »■• ; i ,■*>• x^ « lih S^ !: flourishing setlloincnts; the others consist prin- cijially of" meadow and grazing land. A little to the southward of this group are Isles St. Ignacc, Isle Madame, Isle aux Oies, Isle llonde, and Isle de Grace, belonging to government; these, and some others to the eastward, at the entrance into Lake St. Peter, are very low, but clothed with good timber ; they abound with all sorts of wild fowl, as do the intervals be- tween them with excellent fish of various kinds. Ia Pktitk Nation (the seigniory oO» >s 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 by five in depth ; was granted May l6th, 1674, to Messire Francois de Laval, Bishop of Petr^e, 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 with an intention to commence a plan of improvement, that, if persevered in, will 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 poiuls, towards wliieh the land is low, but ot'exeellent (juality, whecc there are ranges of soil strctehinga great distaiiee to the interior, (it lor the eultivation of every speeies of grain, hemp, flax, and grtisses of all descriptions. On the margin of the rivers, large tracts of fine natural meadows and pas- tures at present enrich only the earth with their exuberant plenty. The iidets and ponds abound with fish in great variety, and the neighbouring grounds with game, duck, teal, and other wild fowl, in great quantities. l*enetrating deeper into the seigniory, the land has a gradual ascent, and is clothed with timber of the best kinds; the oak is of superior (juality, 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 i 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 whence in various directions they water the valleys in their R 2 ;■>>;• I i. ■M ■I i 8, ■ I, I I - '■ i ■«■;;& iiif •? ■iHil'i <■ \ 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, I672, 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 with wood, and among it some very fine timber. On all of them the soil is excellent. Havingnow finished a compressed description of all the feudal tenures in the district of Mont- real, I will next notice such grants as have been made by the English government in free and common soccage under the title of TOWNSHIPS. KiLpARE 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 widow of William Vondenvelden, Esq. This town- ship has twelve ranges of concessions, but is only thirteen lots wide *. 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. Each 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 highwajs. These are contained in a tract of seven hundred and twenty-eight chains broad, by nine hundred and si,\ty-ninc chaitis and sixty 4,1 •'■'t?4 I '•: yf ■WliV ii»„i "(h '."A '■•:: a .A V ■ l:i".J: ■^ ■;.? !• ij,!, ■Ilji • tl ^'j w f; ,.-t S.if m\ .j: ;.f.f > <* ;? !i V 'iflA S^ S 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 which 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 with 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-west of Rawdon ; they have both been sur- veyed, but from the badness of the soil, which 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 cliains 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 nieutioued. ci]( cuJ hes fit Ott roun the andl first) soiul 247 )peai's ,f it fit grain, red by ,e infe- r, joins a full et been e of it is n others vcb gvain iouie few le greater nd birch ; iwer ones. tre on the been sur- [oil, ^vhich ly means, ^course to, Ih. A rectan- Ive concessions lid eighty links 1 range twenty- -six lots of two nber two hun- the remaining some persons who liad obtained grants tlicroin 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 well varied and sfood, fit for grain, hemp, flax, or indeed most other pro- ductions, and which Js also the case with the greatest portion of the township. There are also manjijrine tracts of natural meadow, and some rich jijiitures. In the rear the surface is broken and univen, the land inferior in quality, and choked with rocks and other impediments to cultivation. The timber in general is of the best sorts, with 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 townships is floated down ':■> . ■ ■■•■ r '■i /I.!..' I n^ficfi:,'^". -rsaBBiBBiaasss li i . ;it If k' ; > 248 to the Ottawa. In fiont of the township arc 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 (juarter of which is subdivided and gi'anted. 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. Althoncrli there are no very strong inducements to attempt cultivation, this township produces most excellent timber for naval purposes, in great abundance, with the advantnge of ey^sy conveyance by the Riviere du Nord, byAvhich it is watered, besides several other strea js and small lakes. Grenville, including an additional parcel of land added thereto since the original grant, is til 3 second township to the westward 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 resemVjles Chatham. A grant of large extent has been made to Archibald M'Millan and ■ ircei ant, tbe viory nded isbip the reatly bxtent nd l\ a 249 otliers, emigrants from Scotland, but very little of it is at present under culture. LocHABr-R, 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 ISny, 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 bsiys, in which direction the land is so low, that it is frequentl}'^ overflowed ; but if the settlements should become more numerous, embankments might be raised to repress the in- cursion of the waters ; this part would then become good meadow, and a short distance towards the interior, much of it Avould be good arable. Proceeding to the rear, the land is liroken and rugged up to the ridge of moun- tair***, beyond which there is nothing at all improvable, at least in their vicinity. Much of the timber within this tract, both oak and pine, is fit for naval purposes. Several rivers and streams wind through the township ; neither of the former are navigable forboat8,th(>u)a[h timber may be floated down them to the Ottawa, which here expands greatly in bread di, and has several islands in it that are all well covered a dh w(nt4, ■ .»••!' |M^^ ■i r ri--—- 1 '- \ ' •* '3 -.1' I J i-- li 'r ■ l?j' fei I. N ,! Nj 250 ,.e,argos.oft..en.isa.nUeio„g..»aabo«ta ,„avter Ota mile broad ^^_^^ ^^. ^,^ Buckingham, on »« j^ j^^ber; four langes ol it Hcive Bordering the . n-ntly overflowed ; but .when t lai i 3. .uutij _^ ^vrpllent meadow land, ana cu.e, there .s »™'^ f^^^^^^^ for otbev pur- also some that .s f'^/'^yj . indifferent; poses. I"*erearthesol.sbut^ ^^,^^ L places so uneven and ston-^ ^^^^_.^^ „,, sort of Ullage. ^''''^ ^j,, ,ear into -v:™rr;Si°"a:--'«''''a the Ottawa. A tow township, and pursue their agricu ^ .•:jj,p^oveuient. -:i^''^''"™'^:-rrnertoishiptoBuck- TEMP.BT0>.sU'en ^ ^^^ „.„ted ingham;aboutonel .. tlv.o j^j^ ^sso- ,^rclu.ald M^M,-n .^ -^^^ "''?" ' ■ h!t the s^l tolerably good for t..e rather low, but the s _^^^ ^^^^^ production of most spec.es o g 'of the most useful --» ^^ ^ ,,^ber areuotm«d.iner.or^the-^^^^ is mostly beech, mapie, uaa 251 some oak, with cedar and hemlock on the lower grounds. It is well watered by the River Ga- tineau, the Riviere Blanche, and some smaller streams. Hull joins Templeton on the west. 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 own example and encouragement, he has so essen- tially promoted it, and for settling upon the lands himself, He carries Oii the timber trade I .V. ,■.':* '■■% i: k I • w ;^ ; Mi (i4' II » 2.52 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 tliat 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 with timber of the best growth, either for ship-building, mast- ing, planking, or staves, it may be worth while to remark that a very great proportion of that trade has been furnished from thcii« 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 Ottawa. From the former, a road leading to the settle- ments in the neighbourhood of Kingston will m a shcrt period, from the increasing population and consequence of that district, become of ap bef 253 great necessity. It is an object tliereforc 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 would soon become profitable with careful culture ; but the fifth and sixth are poor and swampy, not worth 1 1 n-' ' ': < /".■ Mi H .. . -I- •if ■ • . ;Ji s .,•■ iH m I',, %'% '■.,11 fi* -I' » ■ > rl 2.54 the trouble of draining, and covered with hem- lock and other woods of small value. At the west end of this township is one of the many rapids of the Ottawa, called the Rapide des Chats. Nhwton, 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 western side the land is of a very superior qua- lity, and will produce all sorts of grain; many parts also might be employed to great advan- tage in growing hemj) 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 wet, were carefully ditched and drained, they would prove most excellent land, and furnish luxuriant meadow and pasture, as well as good arable. On the most elevated parts, ^;he 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 few of the lots are yet cul- tivated, but the goodness of situation and several other local advantages are likely soon to induce settlers in much greater numbers. The greatest gUi thol flat] sor an( is abll 2.55 landholders are the Honourable A.C. dc Lot- bin iere, Saveuse de Beaujeii, Ksq. and Mr. John M' Nider. GoDMANCHEsTEu is situatcd on the sou Mi side of Lake St. Francis, in the county of H i ingdon, bounded in the rear by the I^ivp Cliateauguay, that separates it from Hincliin- brook, and by a small part of the Province Line, or the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude, which 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 whoj.e of it is granted, though only a rery 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 few settlements. About the front of the township the land is low and flat, but the soil generally good, although in some places wet ; further towards the interior, and stretching onward to the Chateauguay, it is greatly superior, being in every respect suit- able for the cultivation of any sort of grain, I- : i ■ •^. iMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 U£|Z8 125 ISO "^^ M^H ^ l&i 12.2 I.I i: 1^ 1^ 12.0 HIIII m III— ''^ 1'-^ < _ 4" . ► Photogra|diic Sdences Corporatioii 'i^;:V^ 23 WIST MAIN STREIT WEBSTM,N.Y. 14SS0 (716)S72-4S03 I; I :t ftl' t , ■ I t ' lil'';! iii I'.-^i :.^ lit IV ' I' :!• : i :i' 4 !1 'J- I ■ I :>: 1 '* ivA .:i; : ». ■ l': • 1 ^t ; 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 now retain 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 with fine timber, but much neglected by the proprietors, as there are no other settlements upon it than a few of their own around the village, which is very well 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. fe; ' 257 on account of tlie 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 few 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, wherein Indian corn and potatoes are planted, and which, with what they raise on the Petite Isle St. Regis, and some others in the St. Law- rence, near the village, that are their own pro- perty, increased by the produce of their fishing, and sometimes hunting parties, constitute nearly their whole means of subsistence ; as indolence, mistaken for thespirit of independence, destroys every idea of improving their condition by the profits of agriculture. A similar reservation of V. • f . %\ -''til : ,1'- '■ 'W ■ ■ ■■ iJ : -til ' ' JT: ■■; ■ I ' H' '. '; . .• ; '. . 1 I • :!- ! K\ ■r:ff !i!. '■■i fl .\ i,v'ii!* t' ' •* y^ « 1 to1 V' '* ■ t ; %^" I; i*-;! h t.-i: 258 land has also been made for them by the Ame- rican government on that side of the hne. HiNciiiNBKooK is in the county of Hunt- ingdon, on the boundary hne ; joining the seigniory of Beauharnois on the north-east, and separated from Godmanchester by the River Chatcauguay. Nearly the whole of this town- ship is granted. From the province line 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 somewhat 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 basswood. Towards the C -i- teauguay, in some places, it subsides into a ; and gentle slopes, where there are large breadths of fine meadows, well watered by several branches of that river. At present the township 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 which direction there are several roads passing into the state of New York. An im- mense stock of fine timber still remains in this 259 township, although for years past vast quantities have been cut aiul rafted doAvn the Cliateaii- guay, to Montreal and Quebec. Hemming FORD, in the county of Hunting- don, is also situated on the boundary line,having on its north-west side the seigniory of Beauhar- nois, and that of La CoUe on the north-east. Tiiis township 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 well as that of Hinchin- brook, and generally those 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 will appear obvious when 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 township is divided in a similar manner to Hinchinbrook ; but a proportion of these reser- vations has been let iMider lease. Although the surface is very uneven, and several high ridges rise in various directions, with many places where there are large seams of flat rock a little below the surface, there are nevertheless many tracts whereon the soil is of a rich and very su- s 2 •i; ■,'} .v.U 4 11 i ■■ ' ' . i'l M mi i. ;i V:'1I liVl. jfe'f Ir''' 260 perior quality, fit for the growth of grain, iiemp, flax, and indeed for every other agricultural purpose. On the north-west and north-east sides are found some swamps, abundantly co- vered with 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 watered by the little river Montreal, that falls into the Kichelieu, 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 winter 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 tliis part there are several sorts of soil, but almost the whole unex- ceptionable and plentifully covered with beecli, elm, maple, basswood and white ash. To the north-east there are many swamps, some of them overgrown with black ash, and others with 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, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth ranges are settled by Canadians, who had their titles originally from Mr. Sanguinet, proprietor of the seigniory of La Salle, under an erroneous belief of the same being within 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 township is by settlements in a good state of cultivation, and possessing within itself great inducements for ♦. V- ^ ' i ■, If ' ■ I ■: . H Iv f'l ...I. 1. ! II 'r ^ 91 II i; 1 • -i -I] 'i*, 1; 1 = -1 III •; I: i 262 settlers, it is likely to become in a icw 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, who has actjuired his proportion from the Honourable John Young. Sutton is situated on the province line, in the county of Bedford, having the seigniory of St. Arniand on the west, the township of Potton on. the east, and that of Brome on the north. It consists of very good land, generally speaking, on which cultivation in every branch might be carried on to advantage, except on some few marshy parts, but which could easily be drained, and would then become very good meadow land. The timber is chiefly ash, elm, maple, and beech ; and on the low parts, the species usually found on wet soils, as cedar, spruce fir, hemlock, &c. It is watered by the River Mis- sissqui, that crosses the south-east corner of it, and by many small rivers ; several roads have opened in ditferent directions towards Mississ- qui bay, the other townships, and the state of Vermont. In this township settlements to a large extent have been made, and agriculture appears to be carried on with 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 Memphreniagog ; 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 watered 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 upwards of 800 souls. A few roads leading into the neighbouring townships 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 Bamston on the east, and Hatiey on the north. This certainly obtains a supe- ■ •':*?! i**, . - 1 '. ^■■,K- '■ ; ', ..'1,1 1 ■'i' i " , :M k 1 ' ^' E :' 1 • f i * • .'' ^1 i w 1 ' Ml I* I '' * :4 m . .'1^- m ■ '1 I 1r ':-i'! ^#1 i' y0 m 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 (juality of its tim- ber. Tiiere are many large swells of land, some of them of considerable elevation, that are clothed Avith oak, pine, and nearly all of the best sorts of hard woods ; in the low parts there is great abnndance of common timber. Besides Lake M em ph rem agog and Lake Scas- winepus, it is watered by numerous streams that flow into them, and turn several mills of both sorts. The southerly half of this township, 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 ofl'er 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 laud 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 the crown, as a special mark of his Majesty^s ap- probation and royal favour for the many import- ant services rendered by him to the province, 2(i5 during tlic period of his being its lieutenant- governor ; jit 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. ]n the south-east part of the township is the village of Stanstead, which 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 which, 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 along 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 well built, and surrounded by neat well-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 township there are se- veral manufactories of pot and pearl ashes. The aggregate population exceeds 2500 souls. •,« If ■ i 1 j '4 ) I 'i; 1. 1: hi 'h% . i I I 4iT. t ' 1 ; '), '!;, % L ' ■ . * 1 "■ , 1 !'!■:' 266 . Barnston, ill the county of Richelieu, is on the province Hne, and next to Stanstead. In this township, where the surface is a continual suc- cession of liill and dale alternately, the cliief part of the land is good, answering very well for the growth of grain and other usual productions ; some swamps are met with in the low parts. The timber upon it embraces almost every sort, but the best are beech, maple, elm, ash, fir, and some oak. The soil is watered by several small lakes, rivers, and streams, on which there are mills of both sorts. The westerly half of the township was 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 11. S. Milnes, Bart, none of which is settled. Barford is situated between Hereford and Barnston, in the counties of Richelieu and Buck- ingham. It is not a full township, having only seventeen lots in each range. Isaac W. Clarke, Esq. obtained a grant of tlie 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. Hatley is in the second row of townships northward from the province line, in the coun- ties of Richelieu and Buckingham ; bounded 2rj7 by Stanstcad on the south, Ascot on the nortli, Conipton on the cast, and by Lake Mcinphrc- nia«j;og, n branch of the River St. IVancis, and Lake Scaswinepus on the west. The surface is irregular, in some phues hilly, and the (piality of tile land very variable. On the east and nortli-east the soil is good, whereon most spe- cies of grain might be grown ; to the west it is ratlier superior, but about the middle it is very indifl'erent, rugged, and swam|)y. On the best lands beecii, elm, maple, and ash timber grows in abundance ; in the swamps sj)ruce fir, cedar, and alder. Towards Ascot and Compton some extensive settlements present themselves, where the houses and out-buildings are substantially constructed, the farms cultivated with industry and much ability, and well stocked with cattle. On the border of Lake Memphreniagog is an- other range of improvingsettlements. The town- ship is watered by several lakes, some small rivers and streams, which as they wind their courses thrpugh 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, with landscape and woodland scenery as romantic as the most fertile genius of an ar- tist could well imagine ; it abounds with excel- -i. • M i, ■■. ■I mm m ^f^ iff ■ ! ■ W ^1 hM K^ l t ; ¥■ 'I .''i i^ ^ 1:^. iJ 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 with 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 with which 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 well as for supporting every measure of government introduced with the same laud- able intention. The population of this town- ship at present is but little more than 1000 souls. Bolton, on the west side of Lake Mem- phremagog, in the county of Richelieu, is bounded by Siukeley 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, wherein several riv«rs have their sources, and which divides the waters that fall into the Yamaska, and other n nl 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, well 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. BiioME, 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. Tlie best kind v/ill produce grain of most sorts ; hemp and flax might also be grown in several places. On the north-west 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 few settlements have been made, that afford a favourable specimen of what may be done, upon the lands that are at all susceptible of tillage. Several small rivers tall into the lake, upon which some grist and '1; 1> f;' - i: -v I. i % 1 u %■ I ; 8 ii i \i- m J-"' If. I-: f - r 1,1 .-■ t.; 270 saw-mills have been erectedv 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 Bronie to the eastward, and Stanbridge to the westward. The situation and (luality of the land through- out renders it a valuable tract ; it has j)lenty of timber, such as maple, beech, birch, elm, but- ternut, iron-wood, white and black ash ; also good oak and pine. The upper lands are rather hihy, 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 with cedar and tammarack, but they might be drained without much trouble, and cleared to great advantage. The township 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, within 271 this township, than perhaps will be found in any other, connecting it with 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, work three or four mills of both sorts. This was the first of the townships erected, in Lower Canada, by letters patent, bearing date in the year 1796; it was granted to the Honourable Thomas Dunn, who is at present the greatest landholder there- in. Nearly the whole of it is settled, and many extensive farms are worthy 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 whole 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 knowledge among the Canadian husband- men may be increased. Several pot and pearl- ash manufactories are carried on here. The population is I6OO 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 V? '■1 I- V'../ I*' :i" : 5 : M 6 1; .-:».' f: .' !■■■ -'. ■;ir r •V, j'. . :| i- 1^, 272 township presents a great variety' both of land and timber ; the westerly part is low and rather marshy, with a good deal of cedar, hemlock, tammarack, and some white 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 water it very conveniently, and work 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- ward through Farnham to St. John's on the Richelieu, and Montreal ; whither 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 well situated, and in a state of cultivation that bespeaks much practi- cal knowledge of agriculture ; the houses well built, the gardens and orchards well laid out, and the general arrangements not unworthy of being imitated in many of the townships more recently settled. coui 273 Farxham, 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 with a greater proportion of indifferent tracts: the north-west has swamps that spread widely. The best is timbered principally with 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 which there are many corn and saw-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 westerly part, being the " rest and residue of Farnham," was 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 T :f:h * 'f '■« 'J ( ,• if I 6 , * i .Mm •■■'.I [■♦ i :.r r i' i If : 1 I t ■ f, ifj', 'S 5 II I 11^ 1 I* 4« ' ».' '•I 1 I :t I . < 274 other wholly in Richelieu, reaching along St. Hyacinthe on the west; bounded by Roxton, Shefford, and part of Earn ham 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 pjaces run into swamps that would re- quire nmch perseverance in a good system of draining to be rendered of any utility; but while 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. 'J'he parts of these townships that have been laid out were granted, in 1785, to officers and privates of the British militia, who 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 inha been town! ^ouls. Si tweei north surfa broke above bass-^ lows timbe the '275 south, and Roxton on the north. The face of the country in this township is uneven, and to- wards 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 's 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 arc, 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 whole township is but small, scarcely exceeding 500 souls. Stukely, in the county of liichelieu, be- tween Shefford and Orford, has Ely on the north, and Bolton on the south. Althoudi 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 T 2 ;■■-" M ■■•'■M- ::'i r I lir i!l . !'• r" 4. 'i i •I I h 'I- 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 few small farms in the southern part of the township. 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 be 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 few lots of it are occupied ; its population numbering only about iOO souls. Ely and Roxton : the first in the counties of Richelieu and Buckinghau), and the other in Richelieu ; they are between Sh^fford and Stukely on the south; Acton, Dunham, and Melbourae on the north. Ely lias 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 low 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 townships. Only a very few persons arc 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, white pine, cedar, &c. ; the drier tracts are timbered with ash, beech, maple, and birch. It is watered 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. Prancis; 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, with many extensive swamps 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 few spots of . . »i • • 4 ♦ • , 1 • . • ■ ' , ( 1 1 .•'' ■ ■ 1 M-iM . ' '.Vi i '• . * ■ ; t '}^W'' ■"I •' ■ ' i • ' , ' ■'■' :ij i[r.y I.- . hi ■:■. I n '-:i, 1/ : ^ ■ h •: ^ ■■■■' 'I .1 '■I 1' i:4« 278 land, that, if under cultivation, mii :'.'M ■ ■■> I • li I- >i| ¥ I,: 280 suine is iiiuiiituined to be an intiingeiucnt to that extent upon the state: but assertion does not estabHsh a fact. 1 do not permit myself to (jues- tion that gentleman's scientific abilities, and can therefore attribute the result of his operations, diftering so widely as it does from that of others, which have been carefully performed, only to the use of very ini perfect astronomical instru- ments, which have betrayed him into so serious an error with 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 drawn through these two fixed points of latitude, and extending westerly to the St. Lawrence, would take a much greater superficies from the state of New York than what it cuts off from Lower Canada. This, however, is a subject that will no doubt be critically investigated, and satisfactorily adjusted, by carrying into effect the provisions of the fourth and fifth articles of the treaty of peace of 1815, between 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 eq St At 281 rapidly incrccising both in pupuliition aiul itn- provemcnt. rrom tlic Connecticut River the height of land on which tlit^ boundary is sup- posed to pass runs to the north-east, and divides the waters that tall into the Saint Lawrence from those flowing into the Atlantic ; and which height, after running some distance upon that course, send? off a branch to the eastward, that separates the lieads of the streams falling into Lake Timiscouata and River St. John, and by that channel into the Bay 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 iti a course astronomically due north, from the head of the river St. Croix, and which ridge is supposed to be the boundary between Lower Canada and the United States; at least such appears to be the way in which the treaty of 1783 is construed by the Ame- rican government; but which ought, more fair- ly, to be understood as follows, 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 waters flowing into the St. Lawrence from those that empty into the Atlantic within the limits of the United States; 1 -, V;-. •.. i. f ■ i i) 1 11, 4 r i ■ I tvl. .. « If'jti i| fir-: 282 and those thai have their estuaries within the British province of New Brunswick. It is im- portant, and must always have been liad 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 within the American limits, and by which the British pro- vinces would be completely severed ; it would also produce the inconvenience of having the mail from England to Quebec carried over that distanceof American territory; and which may either be deemed a matter of indulgence, or complained of as an encroachment, according to the temper of the times. Within this tract JL. 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 way prejudicial to her true interests. But at the same time she has a right to recjuire 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 ; which if acquired, could be but of little avail- able advantage to the other party. 'Jo her, however, 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 awarded that the claim of the American government to have the boundary pass along the north-easterly ridge of land is just, and ought t6 be acceded to, it is very desirable, and even important to liis Majesty's colonies, that one of the instructions to the British ncijjociator 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 .tif» < Ml: '' "k tW S", • ■■■\ 4- if ; 1 ;l 1 M ]} r 1, , .' u >^ 1-1 1^ ':■:> * ', ' 111 ' I M Ir. ■I if- .1' t?' r-r 'i ! f-Pi 284 and inconvenience. On the north side of the St. Lawrence they are, it is true, identified with the seignorial divisions; but. on the soutli side tl)ey are only ideal linos, prolonged to the boundary of the province, not only cutting se- veral townships, but even farm lots in them, by which 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 with respect to the others. Men living far in the interior cannot be supposed to have a criti- cal knowledge of the direction that an imagin- ary line should take, even though it be liable to interfere with their rights and privileges ; it ought, therefore, to be made plain to them, and which certainly could be accomplished without 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 now 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 would be re(|uired than to establish the same by proces verbal. At all events some regulation in this respect is necessary, in order that the southern townships, 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 by 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. Lawrence, from the seig- niory of Berthier to that of St. Anne, is fifty- two 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- ^ ' i: ■■■ m Uf' P •I'l Ml VVi ■ ■■-•[ I' ' i ' '.I S" ' ,■ li 1- p ■ V : >H »,■! J "V. ■ 286 jected only, and twenty-two parishes. The lands granted ^^ en fief et seignenrie" 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 bo taken at a httle more than one third ; but the townsliips fall very sliort of the same proportion, and the recent date of their grants sufficiently assign the reason of it. Maskiimonge' (the seigniory of), situated on the north side of Lake St. Peter's, in the county of St. Maurice, is bounded on the south-west 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, l672, 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 tin; same person. The soil is rich, fertile in the production of ail sorts of grain, and in some places would be excellent for hemp and flax. The land in general is rather flat, and towards 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 tluit border the river. niorj tuati Bertl thre( toAi proj small little whici m 287 The limber has been very much thinned in this seigniory, but it is very well watered by the lur^c river Maskinono't; 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-tliirtls 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-milj and one saw-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 wood. Timber from Carufel, &c. and the townships in its rear, are brought down it into the St. Lawrence. DusAiiLE' or NouvELLE YoiiK (the seig- niory of), in the county of St. Maurice, is si- tuated in the rear of Maskinonge, between Berthier and Carul'el, one league in front by three in depth ; was granted, August 15, 17^9, to Adricn Uandonneau Dusable, and is now the property of the Honourable Ross Cuthbert. A small ridge of rising ground crosses this grant a little to the northward of the road to Quefjec, which seems to separate the fertile from the '' , •'►-<■ ' > -1 ■*: , i, ■ :.}M ■■ ...•■•i) ■ ,r4'i r I •I "*i • ! I I' 'I ,■* '■'l'. ^' 288 barren parts, for to the southward 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, who have occasion to exert their utmost industry to p^o';ure a living. The whole tract is almost free from wood ; the little remaining is only fit for fuel. A small stream, called Riviere Cachee, runs through the lower 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, between Dusable and fief St. John, about two leagues in front by two in depth; was granted, in March 1705, to Jean Sicard, Sieur de Carufel, and is now 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 with 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 which the timber felled here is sent down to the St. Lawrence. 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' orLANAUPiEUE (the byi Mas oft cure of e sess( sub) of ri maj Pli '■W (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 was granted, March 1, 1750, to Charles Franpois 1 arieu 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 known 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, 6, c, ri, e, /, g, h, i. A:, /. It is a fine tract of land, of a strong rich soil, and very well 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 tr- . * .1' ■ 1 , i 1 ■ . 1 - * • ■ t .. . , .i: • '■ ' i !■■ 14. :11- I •■.• i*- ili I' ! ■ ■ ■ I' [ 4 I- I ■■. i M ■ii'.i ' ',:a ■ 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 Ursulines des Trois Rivieres. A con- firmation of this grant, with its augmentat'on, 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, 1689, 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 m 291 mixed with clay ; in many places it is a fine yello\y loam, altogether very fertile, producing abundant crops of grain, and every article of general growth 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 where some of the largest size V)oth of pine and oak is to be found. The Grande and Petite Riviferes 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 ■ P:> ».*,- •''*■ ;*'• '• "li J ) y- ' i'^. 1 ■ .t. V '■if* I-- itfi ■if' '•if- 1 .:':' »/ V: * p ■ t r ■■'I • > j • ■ *;. !k 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 with tin, which renders them conspicuous objects at a consi- derable distance. Near the village the Grand Rivifere 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 whole of the seigniory and part of tlie 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 llivi^re 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 Rivibre du Loup, whicli from being a prior concession to this one, and the tern) of tiie 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 Yamaciiiciie (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 towards 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 which, 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 ; * i *i M> '■'H m ■■.'I -'■■■■'I ■ ■ I .' 'J.i> 294 the settlements in front and on tlie bunks ot'tiic river are in good order, and very flourishing ; the houses and farm buildings, well constructed, be- speak their j)r()j)rietors 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, with 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 Duplcssis. 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. It is watered by the two rivers Machiche, whose banks for a consi- derable distance upwards display some good and thriving settlements, connected by many good roads, beside the public one that crosses them. a n| Mac ban! Willi one throl froni Lacl seigl LakI remi PoiNTn DiT Lac orToNNANCorn (tlic srio;- umy ot), in tlic county of St. Maurice, has part of Lake St. PettT and the St. [.awrcncc in front, St. jMargucritc and St. INIauricc on the north- cast, and Ciatincau on the south-west; it is a league and a quarter in front by two leagues in depth, comprising therein the fiefs Norman ville and Sauvaget; was granted Nov. 3, 1734, to Sieur R6ne Godefroi de Tonnancour, and is now 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 tiat and low, towards 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, which with those along its front embrace about one half of the grant. Several roads pass tlnough 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 ». * ' ,*■■ , 1^ ;S ; ' '4 i: "■"^"•■B"'*BW i.-lf" '2i)6 i ^ i- ■M .i fi! accommodation of troops during the first Ame- rican war, when it was r ccessary to have a force stationed at different phices abuve Quebec, to defend the passage of the St. Lawrence. On the east side of La Riviere de hi Pointe du Lac stands a good-looking church, parsonage-house, and a ciiapel ; not far removed from this spot are Montour's Mills, large, connnodious, and well-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-west by Tonnancour or Pointe du Lac, and on the north-west 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, I69I, to Sieur Jacques Dubois de lioguinet. The little fief of Vieux Pont, about a (juarter of a mile in front, is within the seigniory of St. Mar- guerite, and extends from the Saint Lawrence norj coni its beii moil covl thej St. andl vin groi ^'V 297 to the rear boundary ; was granted August 23, 1674, to Joseph Godefroi, Sieur de Vieux Pont. This seigniory is of a light sandy soil, mixed in some places with 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 cr, b, c, r/, 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. Ail these grants are intersected by the roads from Three Rivers to Montreal and the ditterent seig- niories, and on tlie north-east by those to the forges of St. Maurice. The town 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 town 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- f-: r. "■.,i ,' ..^i •! P; i ■ f; li: . ^^i M- .! i '•■ I n I 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, with a view of making it a depot from whence the fur trade might be carried on with the Indians to the northward ; 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 itse.'f 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 'm 299 of the province; the exports consist of wlieat, timber, though now not so much as formerly, and tlie produce of its iron foundery, added to that of tiie mines of St. Maurice : peltry in small quantities still continues to be brought hither by the Indians from the northward, 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 works 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 wharfs 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 nrincipal 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- ■ 4 ■I,. •'fV ':*' .■ '■]\ •/■■ j^; iilM l' > ''\ . 1 _ 1 1. i' ff y ■ '' 4 ^ ,■ i • 1.. i , l. , ^_ i^ 300 ous, wherein may be had British goods of all denominations; several inns afford to travel- lers very respectable accommodations. On the south-west 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, which are now honoured by the inhabit- ants with the high-sounding title of" Anciennes Fortifications." On the outside of these works 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. Tlie 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, when its inhabitants, dispersed by that calamity, were received into the differ- ent religious houses of Quebec and Montreal, until the present edifice was erected. It is a SOI 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 which, with a little pecuniary aid from the le- gislature, they were able to rebuild their con- vent in its present improved and substantial manner, and which, though not quite finished, they took po^jsession of in 1808. The old rio- nastery of the Recollets, a stone build? rg, is now delapidated ; near it is a powder .naga- 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. • ■ ^^ ■ 1f '••■h ' i! ■ f . ■ .■' 1 ! , ( ,' . i I ri •IJ; '• " *>' ■ • '■,,: y-.f ;; '■ i a :i '■i».^ M .;'■ • ■ '] '■^ * ' •!■ . -t' • >- y- 1: .1 9 > ■ j -, 1 M i . ■■ ... 1.; :•:'■■ »/ • .,"'': : ( ■ ■ .''.^' 1 ■ j ; n ■ 'A ' 1 ■ ; ' ■■ S02 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 west side of River St. Maurice, a league in breadth by a league and a half in depth : the original grant was two leagues in depth, but owing to the seigniory of Pointe du Lac, by which it is bounded on the south-west, being of a prior date, so great an extent could not be taken. St. Maurice was 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 whole 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 fiall ; in the low parts there are a few swamps, with 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 woods 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 with maple, birch, beech, and ash, but on the low 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, which 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 now 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 'ill . . -I. • ■ 'I.." ' 1 fi'. "-"'■If*.!! r f J' ; r :.! . '.ill. .4 , ..-I :J ] ./ '*; -1 ! - ! ii ji hi ill! ji^ ^ H'' ••■' ^'.$ ■'I •' 304 the falls of Jros, 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 Avas super- added to the others on the renewal 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 with the St. Maurice, about eisjht miles above the town of Three Ri- vers ; the high banks of the river, embellished with 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, when viewed from the place where the road ascends the brow of the ridge that overlooks the valley. The foun- dery itself is replete with convenience for carry- ing on an extensive concern ; furnaces, forges, casting-houses, workshops, &c. with the dwell- ing-houses and other buildings, have altogether the appearance of a tolerably large village. The articles manufactured here consist of stoves of 305 all descriptions, that are used throughout the provinces, large cauldrons or kettles for making pot-ashes, machinery for mills, with cast and wrought iron work of all denominations ; there are likewise 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 workmen 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 working the different veins was managed with very little skill, but in 1739 an artizan was brought from France, who combined a knowledge of the different branches of manu- facturing wrought and cast iron with a compe- tent skill in working the mines ; from this ac- quisition great improvements took place, which have progressively increased, and the establish- ment is now 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 "?;f M I , ■■■■ ■'■,.''' ■■•;i !f ..','} ''1J0 V. ^ ¥ ,jf iij '■n 30() quence, import i'wm England all ihcy use in that operation. Since the year 1806", Messrs. Munro and Kell have occupied tliese valuable premises on the terms before named ; previous to that period their annual rent was 800/. per annum ; on the termination of their former lease they were, very reasonably, entitled to the ron- 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 vame 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 laMagdelaine (the seigniory of), in the county of St. Maurice, is bounded by the river St. Maurice on the south-west, the seigniory of Champlain and its augmentation on the north-east, and by the river St. Law- rence on the front; its breadth is two 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 to Mai by 307 under observation, nearl}' resembles that of ihd lands belonging to the Ibundery of St. Maurice ; but where it ditlers therefrom there is rather less of a sandy earth, with a bluish and a yellow loam prevailing in a greater proportion. The timber is almost of the same species, and to^ wards the interior nuich of it has attained a very fine growth. Compared with the great extent of the grant, a small portion only is under cultivation, which Ties principally on the St. Lawrence, and on die bank of the St. Maurice, almost up to the Falls of Gabelle : the settlements, however, 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. Tlie 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 which the established post-road is continued, is nearly two miles aero j; the price demanded from each person is two shillings and sixpence, and in like proportion for horses and carriages ; V '> . 1. f-: ■Vife ' .t •ji . • i* M. V^: .11' 1 J ll but about a mile and a half higher up the river there is aiiotlicr, where the eliargc is only three- pence each person, anil fifteen-penee (or a horse and carriage. By the side of this road stands the church of the seigniory, with its parsonage-house. At the mouth of the Saint Maurice are the islands 13ellerive, 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 sea. jn, where they remain secure, in about eigh<^ feet water, and escape all injury from the breaking up of the ice in the spring. The vSt. Maurice is one of the large rivers that pour their streams into the St. Lawrence : the depth of it is inconsider- ■««„..|: a. ;JOi) abit', being navigable for small boats and canoes to a short distaiiee only upwards from its mouth. It takes its rise in the interior, about the skirts of the north-west ridge of mountains, and Hows tlnough 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 line majestic trees ; some of the small islands in it are thickly clothed with 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. Cham PLAIN (the seigniory of and its aug- mentation), in the county of St. Maurice, on the north side of the River St. Lawrence, lies bet ween Cap de la Magdelaine (seigniory) and Batiscan, a league and a half in front by a league in depth ; was 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 crown lands ; it was granted April 28th, 1697, to Madame de la Touche. In this seigniory the soil is favourable to the growtli I .t • 9 ■•■• I .. M' -V.- \<.: ■jjfii^ ft' ,: m !•; ; ?:. 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 Cham plain, and by many small streams, whose sources are at a short distance in the interior, which wind- ing down the gradual descent to the St. Law- rence in little rivulets, cross tlie main road, and agreeably diversify the meadows and culti- vated grounds along the front. The little Cham- plain works a grist and a saw-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 with 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 woodland, which pro- duces some capital timber. Batiscan (the seigniory of), in the county of St. Maurice, has the St. Lawrence 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 twenty; 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 with 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 which 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 shallow as not to be accessible for boats higher than six or seven miles from its mouth. Over this and the Champlaia there are ferries, where y^ ^: ■ ft- 1 'l' ' t :• :ft: '. t "• J":; * '.f ■i*! :,i . I' 8 i .1 ■1:1 P' ; .) ' M - ! hi ; H K .'. I'll 312 canoes and scows are always in readiness on either side for travellers, carriages, Sec. 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 snielting- 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 withdrawn 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 works, 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 ■^^1 ■('►^ 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 seigniory of), 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. STE.ANNE,nexttoSte.Marie,nearlyofthesame breadth, and a league a depth, was granted Oct. 29th, 1672, to JVf urs Sueur and La- naudiere. This grant Lab tiiree augmentations/, the first, extending in breadth from the seigniory of Grondines to Batiscan, and three leagues in depth, was granted March 4th, l697> 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 now 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. liawrence, 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 *• 'I ■ 4 *> ' ■•1: ',1 •* m- -. ^'.i ■ "llv : ■■■■ ; ;; :i J • \ ' ■ii ;'■*;.' -■■.•,;;| ;, ■ 1 '1 '■■'V-' 1': h ^^'r5: 1 ,• ^■■' - " : -^ » 1 ■ i ' 1 ■f ■ ',1 ' 'J -.:■ ,;■■:,''•; ^1^ -. ''-W^ ;,fji f * ■ ' '1 ■ l' ' ." * i- ■■ I ■' ' ' ! [■ :'; 1 .. . .■■' J :M' ■ ■■' \ " ' .,'• ' mi I ♦ , ill! i- ■ ■ [ft i ' V. ■ . 1 ■ 1 ". ■ i. i w P 1. I^ii; . ^^1 i' ' 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 growth. 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 irregularlydispersed 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 woodland, producing timber of all species, and some of excellent giowth and great value: the quahty of the land, as indicated by the various kmdsof wood growing upon it, is very good. Botii 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 wide ; 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 which direction they are supposed to have their sources in some of the hikes of that part of the country which at present is but very httlc known. Their streams are interrupted by many falls and rapids, that would render them unnavigable, even if the shallowness of the water did not do so; near where they discharge into the St. Lawrence, 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 churchy a parsonage-house, and a chapel ; here are also a few shopkeepers, and an inn with 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 always to be had for transporting travellers, carriages, &c. The river is here so shallow 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 was granted in perpetuity by letters patent to the late Honourable C. de Lanaudiere, his heirs, &c. Owing to th6 inundation during the spring, the main road from Quebec is further retired from the bank of the St. Lawrence at I III ■ii i ' .,■, . , ■ .;■' t)' ' v ■■ ■' ( ■ ' \ '■ '. ' ■ ' v^'.n 4. -' ' ; 1 , ■ ! ■-■,,, . !■ ■; i . - i .* "'■•^ '•■)': ! , ' I «!i| ''I m . ! : fi I ■ >.' 11 ••] !■ i I ■A . 1 1 . \ < \ * ! , t ' 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 follow its course through several seigniories to the north-east. Theie 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 low, but yield fine pasture and some good meadow land ; be- ing well clothed with wood, they afford several very pleasing prospects from both the houses. Yam ASK A (the seigniory of), on the south side of the river St. Lawrence, in the county of Buckingham, isbounded on tnesouth-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 was granted September rt?>y 317 iJ4tli, 1683, to Sieur do la Vallierc, and is now 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 upwards 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 theses bays the land is low and marshy, but a short distance from them are many large tracts of most excellent meadow ; further to the rear th ^ soil is 'rich, and very productive, consisting 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 - 4 K <* ; 0: i; . i ...vl • .1.' :l .H„ i i ^ k. i ■m' . I I? .i' ..■•»v. ■ I ¥!- ■M.. 5r '^ ■f. H ji , 318 convenience of good roads is aflbnlcd in every di- rection. The main one, from the eastward, lead- ing to the town of William Henry, crosses the Yamaska at a ferry, just above la Petite Isle Ton- 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 wind-mill are near the ferry. In front of the seigniory are the Isles diiMoine,aux Raisins, and some others; in the month of the river is the large island St. Jean, entirely covered with Avood, 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 to wnshipsof Bolton andBrome ; 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 whole 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 "' f' 319 consumption, this route of conmiunication will prove not much inferior in consequence to that by the River Richeheu. St. Francois (the seigniory of), on the south side of the St. Lawrence, 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. Francois, 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 ■■• I' * •■1'- • 'in .. V,' > ,. . !: 0-1 ! ■■ I ,, !, I i r ill' (\ (L;:*)H M I .'320 '' !' « • '1 H grant; tlic largest of them is nearly four miles long, partly eultivated, and very well settled; the church and parsonage-house be- longing to the seigniory stand on this island, from whence, 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- li'rred in summer-time to that by the post roads. The other islands are low, 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. Franpois, 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}^ 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 winter 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- .i'W '32 1 tection to the recesses of more clistunt forests. In tliis villnj^c there is a church and a parson- age-house, at which the missionary, Avho super- intends the religious concerns of the tribe, al- ways reside s. An interpreter also has a per- manent residence among tliein. There are se- veral roads leading through this property; the main one, from the eastward to William Henry, crosses the liver at a ferry by the Abenaqui village, where 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 by which a considerable and increas- ing traffic is carried on with the southern town- ships, and also with the United States. The navigation of it is difficult and exceedingly la- borious, owing 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 down by it into the St. Lawrence for Quebec. Great quantities of British manu- factured goods are also sent upwards to the States. The source of the St. Francis is a large lake of the same name, lying in the townships Y • 1 4 ' , .■ •■J ' M , 1 ' , 1 . ' ■ ' ■ i .. ■ " ■ t ■ • vi |< /. , ■'' ■■•■ . ■, i , . ik -■■:■! ' |,^3-l .. ;, . ■ ». . . }, i- ^ ■'.■'■' i ' *•• j, . ! I i '- ''i *■ *■'' "* ■*' ? 1 ■ I v;>! M' i| i r ' ! I ■ ^ i iM^} 322 of Carthby and Colerain, from whence it flows in a south-westerly 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-westerly, runs about eighty miles, and discharges itself into Lake St. Peter. In the township of Ascott a branch of it connects with Lake Memphreni- 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 tlie St. Lawrence is op- posed by many and powerful natural obstruc- tions, a particular account of it will help to shew what patient and persevering 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 where 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 may] and pedi| this rockl the 323 tijat they never escape without being much bruised, it* not absolutely shivered to pieces : in this distance of three (juarters of a mile the "whole descent is from 170 to 180 feet. At this place the scows and boats are unloaded, their contents carried to the end of the fail, and there re-embarked in other craft ready to re- ceive them ; from hence they are borne down by a gentle current about six miles, to the Great Brompton Falls, that are about two miles in length: as empty boats can run down 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, Avhere the river is narrowed by a ledge of rocks, and two small islands forming a rapid, that with much care and some difficulty loaded boats may pass through. After this a current, rapid and slow in succession, continues without 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 •ii m ,4- ft I '•'-1 !l f i: ■ . 4 n^ Hi :1iP .' 'I { < » ' J'ii !i ■ ■ ■;■ ■ .■; ^t « 'f i Hi! I. ' : ' £■'.»■■ 324 the loaded boats are able to pass it ; the cur- rent rushes through the channel with 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, two miles further down, and about the same length as those of Menue, are subject to the same inconvenience, or even greater, for unless the water be very high they cannot be passed by the light boats. At six miles below this fall is the commencement of a very rapid current, that continues for fifteen miles, and when 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 100 yards to nearly a mile. Notwithstanding 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 (thc scigniory of), in the county of Buckingham, is situated next to St. Francois, one league square ; was granted 26th July, 1683, to Sieur de la Motte de Lucierc, In this grant the land is generally 325 ■^f^ of a better quality than that in the pre- ceding one, with less of a sandy descrip- tion : tlie front is so low as to be overflowed in the spring by Lake St. Peter, and consists of very fine meadow and good pasturage: pro- ceeding to the rear the ground rises graduallj'^; 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 shews them in a very favourable light. PiEiiREViLLE (the seigniory of), in the county of Buckingham, is situated in the rear of St. •Franpois, bounded on its south and south-west sides by the seigniory of De Guir, and on the north and north-east by waste lands of the crown, a league and a half in front by a leao-ue in depth; it was granted August 3, 1683, to Sicur 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 swamps. The best land is found close on each side of the St^ Francis, where are the principal settlements •i • I ■■■-. t./.- .■*'•■' . 4 ! ^^ ' li ,i'1 , .-. I ff'i 'W If i '• h 5 • I. I r>^: l!-\ \:ir 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. Lawrence, is very rapid. An inferior description of timber prevails; enough however of the better sorts is found to supply the wants of the inhabitants. The river turns a grist and a saw-mill ; in it there are two or three small islands 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 now possessed, it does not agree at all with the original grant, which specifies two leagues of front by two leagues deep: it was granted September 23, 1751, to Sieur Josephe De Guir, dit des Hosiers; 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. Tlie timber is generally of a superior class. Several branches of the River David water it, and along them are dispersed a few settlers who have their farms in a forward state of cultivation : were a critical revision of the boundaries to take place, some of these tenants now holding from the seignior of De Guir would prove to be lo- cated within the township of Upton. Bo URG MARIE 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 west by the river Yamaska, on the south by St. Charles, and on the east by De Guir ; fifty arpents in front by nearly two leagues in depth ; it was granted on the 1st of August, 1708, to Marie F6z6ret, and is now the property of Mrs. Barrow. This tract is what the Canadian farmers term very good land; in fact it is of rather a superior quality, and such as if moderately well ma- naged would 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 '.■^ ':- ■'. I , ','i>.^ south-west, by fief Dutord on the north-east, and by the townships of Aston and Madding- ton in the rear; two leagues and a quarter in front by two in depth; was granted April 16, l647j to Sieur de Becancour, and is now the property of the heirs of the late Lieut. Colonel Bruere, Etienne Le JBlanc, Esq. and Mr. Ezekiel Hart. This grant, which towards the river is flat, possesses an excellent and exuberant soil, not materially differing in its peculiarities from that of the two preceding descriptions; the wheat, 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 grown 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 httle pine. More than one half of the seigniory is in cultivation, and several pf the farms exhibit a high state of improvement; the best of which are situated on the St. Lawrence, and on each side jf 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 townships of *M'I :'•! 337 > Broughton and Leeds, from whence it branchoa into those of Inverness, Halifax, and Ireland, where many minor streams flowing from nu- merous small lakes fall into it. Aftertraversins: 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 banjos display the varied hues of their foliage with pleasing effect. Within the limits of Becancour there are two mills upon the river. Lake St. Paul is an expanjjo 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 Godefroiinto the St. Law- rence. The margin of it is a perfect landscape, set off by almost every description of charming scenery : well cultivated farms, with. neat and good houses belonging to tiiem, are seen-in all z '1 ■. . •, ■ F <' ■' f I :h I %, ■"■•'; 1 ".;; ■. , ■■ - m^ . r » ■ -a ; '.> 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 whole view an appearance most beautifully jjicturescpie. 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 underwood, 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 Avas selected by him, and with respect to situation and soil is admirably well cal- culated for the production of that article ; but whatever 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 work, 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 Bccancour, with as gr£ at pre near] ' Coi and u Tlie ei i^y th| precec other The fcj 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 few 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. Francois. The main road to the westward 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 over 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. CouiiNOYER (fief) lies contiguous to Dutord, and is bounded on the north-east bj' Gentilly. The extent of this fief is half a league in front by three leagues in depth, but, as with the preceding grant, neither the original title nor other record relative to it have been discovered. The former is the property of Mous. Bellefcuille, 4 2 J: r I. 1i'' ■: h I I i'"' »>.- 1 ' » ■ ••! !*..>' ! .4; ;.,.;■,;•- and the latter belongs toEtienne Le Blanc, Es([J 'J\)wards the rear of these two fiefs the land i* 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 I4th, I676, 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. Lawrence 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, fnmx whence there is a gradual descent towards the rear. The soil in front is a sandy loam and good clay, but furtl*er 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- rervce, and on the river Gentilly, shew a very good specimen of judicious management : the whole of the land in culture will amount to a bo npo ^ino part large Quel river whirl Li (the ^»gha: rence, 1'hree 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 1 iver Gentilly and two or three smaller streams, which work one grist and one saw-mill. LivRAiiD or St. Pierre les Becquets {tl:e 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 Bland ford in the rear; two leagues in front and four deep; granted April 27» 16'83, to Sieur Livrard, together with Isle Madame below the Island of Orleans. It is now the property of A. Lanaudiere, Esq. and the Ho- norable i . 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 with timber, some of which is of the best (hsrrip- tion, but much the greater proportion is bois de chauffaget that is supplied in large quan- tities for the consumption of the rapitid. Jt I ; 'I ■^ '.l\ .:• r 1! '•• ■ i i»! I ill "' . ■ > :\. : > ••? I •'] 342 is watered by part of the Rivitjre clu 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. Pierrr the ])arsonage, and a chapel, are si- tuntc'd un the bank of the St. Lawrence, akviig Vw-ich the main road passes. TOWNSHIPS. « Grantham, on the west -side of the St. Francic-, in the county of Buckingham, is bounded by Upton on the Avest and north- west, 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 yelloiv or u blackish loam Avith sand below it ; in other situatioi»"> it is more incorporated with saud. The timb eron the land contiguous to the river is birch, pine, maple, elm, beech, basswood, and iron wood ; cidar, fir, and tammarack, are abundant in :he inferior parts. The Black River, with a few other streams, water it, and present many excellent situations for the erection of mills. A ve them well ( to ah upon In sey tents, that a groum good I are th Williai has its opposil west bi colet, rear b; this trc near tl cultival it sir.ki is chiei nearly are ov| situati( and pij brand 343 :\\ A ver}' 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 township 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 meadow 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 waste 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 sirks into low 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. Two branches of the Nicolet and some other streams « !■ •il iH:-'! . ll . '!• is *ifc^-^^-- ■"'■■'J . i V : • ( ^ } s "■ 1 , « t ^44 water 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 fronn the St. Law- lence 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. SirjpsoN, in the county of Buckingham, lies between Wendover and Kingsey, on the east side of the River St. Francis ; is bounded in tho rear by Warwick, and waste 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 swamps: it is of a good quality, and if brought under cultivation would produce grain of all sorts ; hemp and flax in many places would 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 watered by several branches of the Nicolet, and some small streams that fall into the St. Francis ; the former presenting many excellent ssitiHitions lor the erection of i}4.") inills. A few lots, situated by Hie road sido, contiguous to the river, are settled upon, and agriculture has already made some progress thereon. Wick HAM, in the county of Buckingham, on the west side of the River St. Francis, opposite to Sin)pson. 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 codrse of the St. Francis, that aftbrds 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 west side of the St. Francis, joins Wickhaiu • i; fi I'll ' I I'll 1 ,1; It . I- ■ :\ Ji ■• If I ■ > ■ •' • 1 ■■■■ ■' ''I •■ . ■:; Vt i ? ,■' :'v 1 '■': ' V h'- ■ /■ ; 346 on the north-west, Melbourne on the south-cast, 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 with success. Beech, maple, birch, butternut, pine, ash, and cedar, are to be found in great plenty ; there is some oak, but it is less abtuidant than the others. It is watered by nuuferous small rivulets. The principal proprii.^tors 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. KiNGSEV, 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 drawn 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- Avood, 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 Nicolct 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, where 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 townships 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, , I -i.- ) <-i '1 \fi ,%.V!'u. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) <_ ^ ,5.^ ^Jif 1.0 I.I 2.5 2.2 ■^^■2.8 ISO ^^^" [^ U£ 12.0 u ttUU iy£ 1-25 III M 1.6 ^ 6" — ► <^ Ta ^: y Photographic Sciences CorporatiGn 23 WIST MAIN STRHT WfBSTM.N.Y. 14SM (716) •72-4503 Vl .•f i I "* \\ t Ik l"i V. '•...'' ■ ', ■ \',-[. .«f ,!;:. V 'i •i '..' « 1- ♦ ■ 1 ; 348 is scarcely surpassed in goodness upon any tract of the province. Numerous gradual rises in several parts of the township are peculiarly fit for such productions as require a rich dry soil. The timber is beech, oak, maple, birch, and pine, intermixed with 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 with 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 ; <'1 (i JJ '■••, p 358 V: ! .1 (• !■/« ,|:- [ cast, Eaton on the north, unii Bartbrd aiul Hereford on the south. The surface of the land is tolerably level, except in the vicinity of the rivers, where 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 basswood ; the spruce greatly predominating. It is watered by two 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 179.9, they have attracted but few 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 west, Drayton on the east, and the boundary of the province on the south. The greater part of this township may be called fair good land, and generally applicable to any kind of agriculture; the surface of it is un- even, and as it approaches the Connecticut ra- ther bearing a mountainous cliaractcr : several branches of tliat river, aided by many small streams descending from tlie high lands, and the lake called Leeches Pond, lying on the American boundary, water 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 1800 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, basswood, spruce, and hemlock are plentiful. It is not watered by any stream of magnitude, but it is intersected by numerous small rivulets and brooks. The westerly half -. I t ■■J', . ' «. ; , 1^^ > ' I ;^*i'i • ' 30'0 ]!■'.'. ■ ol' this township was granted in 1800, to Josiah Sawer and others; of this a great part is now 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 between Stoke, Eaton, Dudswell, and Bury. It was 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 swampy. 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 down to the Eaton falls: numerous streams of inconsiderable note fall into that river. A few settlers on the river si^e have great irreguli 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. DuDSWELL, 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. Tlie land of this township, where it is level, is applicable to the culture of grain of all the species pecuUar to the country ; in some places it is uneven, and from the sixth range rises into a considerable mountain, that stretches westward into Wotton ; the top of it is a flat table land, and from being wholly unclothed with 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, which was granted to John Bishop and others; he is now 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, bou^ided by Dudswell on ■ "■ii ' i; .-,:,; .■!■ > •. I'i^ h-t ii I ). "^ -r 1 ■'. ■ i '. 1. 1 1 1, * 1- ■> t ■ y • 362 tlie north, Lingwick on the north-east, New- port and Westbury on the nortli-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 bass wood. 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, in situated between Eaton and Ditton, having ! 363 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 alniost 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 township 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. Th^ south-west quarter has been surveyed and granted, but no part thereof settled upon. Auckland, in the county of Buckingham, r.'i :,i' \.c\ ■ ] 'UM^ <-,! \'H h ■ ■} ■ n .. it i'h .'it.'' ' ■i H. jUi ■4 ,;(■' iji it ■ ; I V-\ i in m t .-I I h 1"; 'I ■■.■»•; ■■■ ? ■ ■ 1 i--} 364 lies between Hereford, Drayton, and Newport, bounded by Clifton on the west, and Ember- ton on the east. The land is here uneven and rugged, in some places mountainous, and in others sinking into swamps ; 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 indii ceda strea tick nine in br veral lake dows. pictui its be embel rangin sunimi of foji^ fish, at and ro| species Cnj a small quartel situatel Megar in othi and ui spect t] of cha« first q\ Juxurif 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 which, 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, ,!'■ , . '■ aste lands of the crown in the rear. It was granted in three parts, viz. the western part, one league in front by ten in depth, on the ^Oth March, 1638, to the Duchess d'Aiauillon, for Les Dames Hospitalicres of the Hotel Dieu of Quebec; the < i, '■U '■:% I- ,Hsl •■■ ■ :,.! t\i -: y:' ■.■\ 'i!.. isPi \: '\ 376 1 ! ■ ■Ni \ ■{■ eastern part, three (juarters 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, 171 1> 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 indiiferent 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, however, owe more to the industry of their occupiers than to original fertility for that distinction. Somewhat more than a fourth part of these tracts are under culture. It is very well water- ed by the River Ste. Anne, the Batiscan, and a small river faHing into the St. Lawrence ; the til ■•?■■'-' 'I r :' 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 Batturcs des Grondines, stretches along the front. There is a small fief called Franclieville, within 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 : was 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 arc a few well-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 V I .:^ .*'i' \} .- ! 1 ■. t': ,!^ !• ■..; -11:; Hi *^'f h : ■■ j 4 • ' -1 li' "i '•■■ i ■?;! ,•-:« •■ '' -Ji.:, t • ■.. '■;V; ■■|: i'l i ■.; ill-'. I 378 county of Hants, between La Tesscrie 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 Tesscrie and Deschambault, it appears to have been con- ceded sometime before the year 16\52, to M. Chavigny de la Chevrotiere : it is at this day possessed by M. de la Chevrotiere, a lineal descendant of the person who first received the grant. Of the soil in_^ this seigniory the gene- rality possesses a good share of fertility, and is well 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 apj)roaching Quebec from the westward ; the banks of tlie St. Lawrence also increase greatly in height, and the beach becomes more rocky and irregu- lar, with the battures or shoals runninir out to a considerable distance from it. Beech, maple, and some excellent pine-timber, arc found close to the river. The seigniory is watered by many small streams besides the River Ste. Anne, that crosses it near its rearward limit. ]i gu- to a pie, lund jrcd iSte. mit, 379 arid the Chevrotiere, that winds along the mid- dle about six iniles, and then strikes oft' to the northward into the seigniory of Deschambault : this little river rolls its slender stream between two banks of considerable altitude, and after crossing the ridge in front descends through a valley into the St. Lawrence, in which by the side of the main road there are a dwellinsj- 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, which is the main one, there are several others running in different directions. On the summit of the elevation and each side of the highway 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- ■,y . ■'■:J\ H if ■): t 1% 'k'i: ■t :. ... I ' ' . ■ ■;' ■' ',♦.• in t* ; 1 1 •.r ■ - ''^ .. 380 gendiere, Esq. and the Honourable Juchereau Duclicsnay. This, in almost every respect, is a very valuable property, with a soil of unex- ceptionable quality; being a mixture of good clay with a little sand, a fine yellow loam, and in many places a rich black mould, which 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, whether 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 which 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 m f' '\ 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 Descliambaulthas 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 Gorgendierc. The River St. Lawrence forms a large curve between Cap Sante and Point Des- chambault, and either in e scending or descend- ing the combination of objects that it presents is highly interesting and agreeable. The Point was 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 I .' At w >l; B, .!,■ ji: L' ,i> 'I r i .' I i. ' 1.^ ■•4- 382 commaml the passage either way, 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. PoRTXEUF (the barony of), in the county of Hants, has its front to the St. Lawrence, bound- ed on the south-west by the seigniory of Des- chambault, on the north-east by that of Jacques Carticr, and in the rear by Perthuis ; one league and a half in breadth by three leagues in depth : was granted April l6ti., l647, toSieur 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 timbci 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 within the seignior^" of Faussambault, and passing through Bourg- louis, Neuville, 13elair, and Jacques Cartier, it a u tl S83 |nay iral lavi- its of lurg- it flows into the St. Lawrence, near Descham- bault. The banks on cacli side arc high, and very well wooded ; the stream is precipitated through so many rapids and along a liroken rocky bed with such violence, as to render it impassable for any sort of boat, however 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 whence the ground rises almost in form of an amphitheatre; on the geiUic 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 shipmente 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 tiie mouth of the River Portneuf, receiving ' t'l ■:■ ,':. i • S'.v ■•V I '\ . • If ''%W^' r'. '. \ ;■ 8 Js • ■■ . ' t .fi 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. Lawrence takes a gradual rise as far as the church at Cap Sant6, and fiom thence it almost immediately obtains an -!eva- tion of more than 150 feet above the level of the river, by a very steep ascent up wliat is called the Cote du Cap Sant6. iVomJ the front to the rear of this tract there are many rising grounds, generally of a very good soil, between which the hollows iix in some places swampy, and covered with cedar and hemlock. The church of Cap Sante, standing nearly on the point of the cape, is a handsome buildiiig, usually attracting a stranger's notice by its ex- terior ornaments as well as interior decoration. To vessels coming down 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 I'" 385 the main road there are two that branch oft' to tlic back concessions, and which 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 Sant6 the large shoal called Bat t lire du Cap Sant6 stretches almost down to the entrance of Jacques Carticr River : it is thickly beset with rocks that are uncovered at low water. Peutiiuis (the seigniory of), in tlie county of Hants, is situated immediately in the rear of the barony of Portncuf; partly bounded on the south-west by the lands forming the pro- jected township of Alton, and partly on the jiorth-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 Portncuf, the land rises in a broken and irregular series of heights towards the rear, where it falls in with the north-westerly ridge of mountains: the soil, for a league or two to the interior, is a light loam or clay, sometimes covered with 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 asccr- c c ■..;» ■, ■•: > • '■' '■U ; '■..V- * 'il I V i '• i i' h I I:: '^t' » ■■ •■. .!v, ' ■• W f-:v 586 t.aincd. No part of thv grant is appropriated to agriculture. J'hc timber is in general very good, and aUo abundant, consisting of the best species that arc found upon a dry good soil, as maple, beech, ash, birch, and pine. The lower portion of the seigniory is watered by the River Ste. Anne, which nms across it, but in the other parts there arc only a few small streams that break from the sides of the mountains. Jacques Cautieu (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 crown lands ; half a league in breadth by five leagues in depth ; granted 29th March, 1659, to Dame Gaguier, widow 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- and valh 887 chictivc 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 dift'ercnt rivers some superior pine: the common species are very abundant. The Kivers Ste. Anne and Portneuf, already men- tioned, cross this seigniory, but the principal one by which it is watered is the Jacques Car- tier: to many it may be superfluous to men- tion the origin of its name, which 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 t kes 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 known, 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. Law- rence. From the townships its stream displays a character of great wildness, and is both grand and impetuous in its course, hurrying through valleys between the lofty mountains, and fre- c c 2 ; ti '. f* Vi .!■ : : 1. ■ I ,. ■"1'!'^ 588 l*'il ••: '■» •N;5r € % quently dashing witli violence over the preci- pices and inimense fragments of rock that op- f ose its progress. The bed being extremely roclij, 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 which 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, who consider tlie lands to an immense distance northwards 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- .■1: ng di- on sts, ed of the an ing eof Irdi- of nee any leig- 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 hollows and excavations that by the lapse of time it has wrought for itself ii4 the rocky bed and sides of the channel : from hence it flows with the same impetuous character, until its waters are lost in the cur- rent of the St. Lawrence. The River. Jacques Cartier, viewed with a military eye, forms a most powerful 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 with much difficulty by a small number of persons at a time, which, with the numerous advantageous positions along the whole range of the river for posting a defensive force, would 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 •■■ I :■!'?! \ • ■•; ^ ■•;! s '■'-■ ■^.'\' .1 !.:if m.: M ■ M '■111 i r i: ■^■■; ,'■ I ■; I ■if MM 4 * ■«•■;!.':■ t I till- |t " I ■ 'I, .r: k- '111' ' . ' ■ ■>:.! hi 1 .V ■ ■■ '■ -, ^ .' '.■ ' ■'V^?;. !»,?' ■ [':-; i*jr.,. V. ■ -' 't .'s, * o'-*' r. ■.• -■•"l, .1 ", .''■■ ;#:•, 3.00 manifested some intention of establishing them- selves in force upon its western bank, where they hastily threw 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 wateris 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 which 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 . I this ises the ises of to 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 tliere 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. Belai R or LesEcureuils (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 m 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, was granted January 20th, 1706, to Marie Magdeleine M6zerai, widow of Jean Toupin. Though composed of ;;.^'V I :;(,»! •5: 1., I i'' •. 'M4 ■; I ... 1 ■ ' I' ■• 1 ■VjH^r :^:i- r» ; .ii ■ I'^fX ,: !•■■;■ i?'- '■ ■.' ■■';■?";. th; 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 ti^ereof 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. Lawrence 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; two leagues and three quarters in front by four leagues in depth ; was granted December l6th, 1653, to Jean Bourdon, and is at present the property of the Reverend Mr. Descheneaux, G and Vicar. Viewing this seig- niory as the f obsession 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 within several leagues of Quebec, is very uneven, rising from the St. Lawrence 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 -nl '".jr. 1 ■( rhl'.. ,.... .1 : . .,.,1. III! J . ■ t .. i V .: i J .-.-, .; '■;/" ! •is 1 1 ■-■■ ;;f * 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 two 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 Pomraes, that traces a beautiful meander- ing course through it, and the impetuous Jacques Cartier, besides many rivulets descending from the sides of the different ridges, the whole 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. Law- rence, about midway between the village of Pointe'aux Trembles and Belair, to the same place, are the principal; the others open a convenient communication between the differ- ent concessions. The bridge itself deserves 395 ►ue- lirtier jaw- !;e of janie ;n a [iffer- ierves 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 well calculated to attract attention : near the w.est end of it is a small well-built cottage most romantically situated, wherein the collected' of the bridge toll resides. The village of Pointe aux Trembles, consisting of about 25 houses, a church, parsonage-house, and what is termed a convent, is exceedingly well 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 veiy 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'oeil. Many of the houses in the village are of stone, their inha- bitants industrious and wealthy, which is also the case with 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 ; t " * 1 '■ •.•• l;"i- ,.'■/ ■ I • 11. i ' i ' .'1' . if '1: 1^ '■ 1 m ■. ■ . . ■• ..a I *•. ■' If*: ^. ;, : . .. 396 as missionaries for disseiuinating religious and other useful knowletlge. From the Point reach- ing nearly down to the seigniory of Desmaure runs a shoal called LaBatture do la Pointe aux Trembles, thickly beset with rocks that are un- covered at low water. BouRGLouis (the seigniory of), in the county of Hants, immediately in the rear of Pointe aux Trembles, is bounded on the south-" west by D'Auteuil, on the north-east by Faus- sembault, and in the rear by waste lands ; two leagues and three quarters in front by three leagues in depth ; was 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 towards the rear, and by many small streams that rise in the mountains southward of that river, and fall into the Portneuf. Desmaure, or St. AuGUSTix (the seigniory of), in the county of Hants, fronting the St. Lawrence, is bounded on the north-east by Gaudarville, on the south-west by Pointe aux Trembles, and in the rear by Guillaume Bon- homme and Faussembault. No official record S91 fniory le St. ist by te aux Bon- record has been found relative to this grant, conse- quently its original date and precise dimen- sions are not known. 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 which was 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 swells and high lands is a lightish loam, but in the hollows 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 whole 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 i •iii;- '■♦ii :'i • 'I I I '^1 't ,:' ■••I 11 .'1 "'• «i V;--:f"ii!;'- ii !;■■■• ^t'i m '- ■';■'.. 1- i ■ H 1 |y rii'i t ■ I > u r ..M ..1\ ' ;^^ 398 among the heights near the back boundaries. In the serpentine course it describes in passing diagonally through the seigniory, it sends oft" 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, abo't a mile and a half long, lying between La Riviere du Cap Rouge and the St. Law- rence, will always obtain a large share of ad- miration when viewed 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- i ^ 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- i 3nce, a grist and a saw-mill upon a little branch of Riviere du Cap Rouge, between two lofty banks just where it discharges into the former, compose a pleasing point of view 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 BuNHOMME (the scigniory 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 ; was grant- ed November 24th, 1682, to Guillaume Bon- homme. This tract is uneven and mountain- ous ; near Desmaure, which is the lowest and ti,'" •■■ (■ :!■■;' -'I ii: ! 400 i» .[' 'i '*.,. '■'.• 1;^ ■M % most level part, the soil is a black mould, but receding from thence toward the Jaccjues 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 ; but 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-west by Guillaume lionhomme, 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. A igustin 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, with 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 towards the river, is nevertheless of a good quality ; the land rising gradually affords many opportuni- ties for cultivation ; the soil is a middling sort 101 of loam, or else a layer of black eartli, of no (;reat depth, upon a stratum of saml : on the settled [)iaces the farms exhibit an appearance of good tillage, and arc by no means defective in tertility. There is a tolerable variety of timber; the maple, beech, and birch, are parti- cularly good : 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 with until reaching that river; from thence norhward, 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. Lawrence, is bounded on the north-east by St. Gabriel, on the south-west by St. Augustin and Faussenibault, and in the rear by Faussembault also; it is forty-five arpens broad 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 I'r . 1 i ■^::% V ;l w^ 1. 1. 'ii-^ r^!^ ■*h T ;'.( ■.' : ■I H '''■.I<: ■m^^ ■■ '.'i 11 ■'M ■ 'P .i >■ " ill '/I! ■■J-. i ' ''•■■!*■ r . II iiiJ; m 402 of Besmaure and the lower part of Fausseni- bault, though superior in its fertihty and good cultivation. For a distance of nearly two leagues and a half from the St. Lawrence, it is entirely settled, but thence it becomes moun- tainous, with 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, which 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 with the utmost ease without the assistance of the ferry- boat ; but at high water 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 where boats and scows are always ready, though, as before observed, they are not always necessary. On the west side of this river, near its discharge, there is a gradual slope from the . int.;, 11,: 403 St. bed the erry- rable the the ished eady, Iways near im the high bank down to a dehghtful and well 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. Lawrence ascends several steep acclivities, especially in the vicinity of Cap Rouge, of which 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-west, 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 ri^fer is very high, being the most elevated part of the seigniory, from whence there is a plain, va- ried with 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. Gab)iel, where again there is another gradual elevation. The soil is D D 2 •>. r. I .■ Ih'M ■'• *; i m <:i M .1 !: I .'i' hi Irlt- i .11 IM :\4 - 1. f-!' V'i.,.- r . f ■fA^ I . ■ *. • ! t 404 very good near the St. Lawrence, 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 with 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 Ij'ing about in various directions ; in the valley, and on the rising ground towards 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 watered by several small streams that wind 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 well 'Adapted to their culture, which has been car- 405 ich srSt. tered the )lace Lops, in- mdly well car- 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 dvvelimg-house, besides many other appendages, the property of Mr. Hullett, to whom the liop-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 nission employed in tlieir favourite undertak- ing of converting the natives to Christianity ; the utter decay of these vestiges of zealous piety has been for a while 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 yet remains some of the tumuli belonging to their burying-place, and what is still more worthy 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 westward of Sillery Cove, on a gentle eminence now nearly overgrown with brushwood and creeping shrubbery, are the remains of a stone building, once the dwelling of a few female devotees, who, in imitation of the Jesuits, applied their religious enthusiasm 406 /!'. !->■■. iS ;ii 1 ,■■(} hi ., '{- V I' ' ■( ■ ■'Cm . m 'i . \ ■i, I : (; ' i .. f to convert and instruct the female savages. On tlie high bank to the westward bounding this cove is an elegant, well-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 with 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 well-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, wherein, between the high bank of the river and the high water 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 down the river : these are called tim- ber grounds. The principal of them is Sillery, or as it is now called Hullett's Cove, that gen- tleman having obtained from government a lease of the beach from Pointe a Tuisseaux, up Ji" •• 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- wise prevented from drifting away, by means of booms secured at difierent places, either by anchors and grapnels, or to ringbolts in the rocks as most convenient. Westward of this place is another inlet called Ritchie's Cove, and to the eastward 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, «Scc. To these timber-grounds the rafts intended for them arc floated in at high-water 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- west by Gaudarville, Faussembault, and waste crown lands, on the north-east by St. Ignace, in the front by Sillery, and in the rear by waste crown lands ; two leagues in breadth on '.■• 1. h • ■«■ ■I ',; :■ V i ■ % %^n M:i i, . ■ i , i <-M; M'-; : 'i '- • r ." ■)'. I i' . : t ■ t ■ I 4U8 tlie lioat, 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 l6'th, 1647, to Sieur Giifard, and is now the property of the crown. Of this tract two 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, l667, 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 wholly 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- '{,:%. M 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 j 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 or.e saw-mill, are all within this grant; roads in every direction communicate with Quebec and the surround- ing seigniories. T" e Indian village of La Jeune Lorette is be ;r 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 widely over the southern shore, and is terminated only by the softened forms of the southern mountains. The number of houses is betv/een forty and fifty, which on the exterior have something like an appearance of neatness ; they are principally built of wood, althvTjgh there are some few of stone. The inhabitants !•;' :■•,- |.i ;:fl;; I ^; ^ I I "i I! W 1 ,■■ .-3. ft it'; f ■■;:b. 41'2 two leagues towards tlie 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 ; o!i 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 woods 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 Batisr can, cross it in the intervals between the differ- ent ranges of mountains, while the cultivated part is exceedingly well 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 narrow 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 m.: , in lUu> the ; on lows ly in y as- r, af- Id be 5 way i seig- iferior s and lity of great The 3atisr differ- ated River small most whole rather lidway and almost d in a ded by ivs IS, 413 hi lis of considerable elevation, covered with thick woods ; tliesc 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, where 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 Stonehain in the rear ; eleven arpens in breadth by foui* leagues in depth ; was granted February 28tli, 1626, to Louis Hebert. D'OiisANviLLE (another fief), on the nortli- .•••1 •. ■ I ■ i . >. I t'4 I',;' '■ '. f i ' ' .! ( ' * 414 ■ i im M I" 1 '•■•■■ : ':; i ! .fv^ili [..•; A' 'vli': ''■i m cast side of L'Epinay, is a small errant contain- ing only a superficies ol' 3575 arpens ; made May, 1675, by Letters Patent from the King to the Religieuscs 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 with clay about the front part; proceeding inwards it changes to a black mould, and in the vicinity of the mountains it is a good yellow loam : from the River St. Charles the surface is uneven, and continues ridge above ridge to the rear, where it is more abrupt and broken. Near the river there are fine meadows and pastures in both grants ; of the arable, about one half is in a state of very good culture, producing \Vheat 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 woods of the best description. The little River Jaune, and several small streams, all flowing 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 lain- iiade I the spital been 5 is of earth part ; black ntains ver St. itinues IS more ere are nts; of of very grain great ion of scantily and on rofusion oods of Jaune, into the ater the junty of igniories 415 of St. Gabriel and St. lujnac^, and from its remoteness entirely snrrounded on the other sides by waste crown lands ; two leagues in Ineadth by as many in depth ; was granted June lOth, I698, to Sieur Uen6 Louis Hubert. Being so far northward of all the cultivated lands, the quality or worth of thi seigniory is wholly unknown ; even the timber upon it seems never to have been deemed an object deserving enquiry. NoTRK Dame des Anges (the stigniory of), in the county of Quebec, is situated be- tween D'Orsanville and Beau port, bounded iu front by the Rivers St. Charles and St Law- rence, and in the rear by the township of Stoneham ; one league broad and four leagues deep; was granted iOth March, I626, to the Order of Jesuits, and like their other properties, now reverted to the crown. H:.,hin this seig- niory the greater part of the land is of a supe- rior quality, and equally pro-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 buck boundary ; and, thereabouts, becomes ..!« . 't .;1'':« J " n . 1 .' .fi Ki • ■!.! ■ Sill li:^ 416 i : i ■I" 1 .1- it > ■ ,1 ■•11 1; I > ! " I' H ". ;, J' t 1 ''^^',1; 'i!; , ,:■■■ : ■- ! n.v m\ broken, rough, and mountainous. Of the whole superficies, about two-thirds are in the best state of cultivation, and exceedingly 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, where 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 wood, 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. Lawrence, 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 ncrthward of Quebec, i' lole best I in- illed d as duce ality. lin of irable re ve- excel- apital. y tim- rves ot lension [ish the ood is the in- loses of exclu- lontinu- •f Que- n front Tound, [d every The iituated linence, luebec, 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 dwelling. The elections of mem- bers of parliament for the county are always held here. A little below the village, on the skiits 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. Two houses of superior elegance, belonging to the Honourable 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 Pr^tres ; it is retained in their own hands as a farm, and £ £ * i; -^.[^ ' l.'AU. -l > I *■ I'll' ■Ik ;> ', I '.. ;.. •' 't " r :■ i l-^'^Mi::" • "I •■::i ^ 11 I I'. [.•IM jlj':- ii'n:.' S^ilK 418 also serves as a place of recreation for all the members of the establishment once a week, Beaufort (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 were 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 ; between 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, where the road passes, there ^^ ii,:i:: M the • inty ^tbe lotre Law- tone- leep ; Lobevt ;)nces- and a er two is now . The variety y inter- letween liofthe ingthe s mea- ls black on this lents of y on the [Tther to , aUnost lie land ; ]es, there 419 are flat ledges of rock, that in some places for a considerable extent arc quite bare, and in others but very superficially covered with a layer of earth ; more inward these rocks disap- pear, and are succeeded by a dark mould, or else a yellowish loam, which continues to the skirts of the mountains. On the fore parts of the seigniory there remains but little wood ; in the interior, however, and on the heights, the timber is of the best quality, beech, birch, and maple. It is watered 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 water : about two leagues from the front there is a small lake, and at a short distance further on the River Jaune ; some small mountain streams flow 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 new 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, F, j: 2 :^: ; Ml) ':■■>* i • ■■'■ !.' ;:-:l'^,^' i i m 1 .'*ilii tUlP. 420 ,'! .L , I I 1 t; I'' (V ' ij ',- I' !'.'■ ; ■Willi. and inc eel in all the adjoining seigniories ; the proccL oi obtaining it may be described in a few words. In the spring, when the sap begins to rise in the trees, the habitans repair to the woods, furnislied with 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 whicli 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 down into a trougli placed to receive it ; when l\ sufficient quantity of this liquor is obtained from several treea, it is put into an iron kettle and boiled, until it comes to the consistence of a thick syrup ; it is then cooled, and afterwards 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 it IS an- Ion to |t, it is Liden, ►r ten ;tween ;o the , by a sred as consi- reneral ;s, 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 whole distance. On the road leading to the capital, the populous village of Beau port 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 whole 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 mos^ 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. Westward of the church, on ■«.v,l! I'm;'!. •r I- 'I'l;! !■ -)Mm1 1 ■I ',, I ■ :;.i ■■ u i! ■' i;!, iv ■Ir'ii 422 ¥:■ (. '; I 'III' V 10. the declivity of the hill, staiK s a inauo:-lK use, an ancient irregular stone buildiiig, designed originally for defence as well as residence : the extraordinary thickness and solidity of tK'O walls, were it perceptible from the exterior, would attract notice ; but its other udvuutages are not of a nature to solicit a passenger's ob- servation. A little to the westward of this house, and on the bunk 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. M' Galium. The buildings and other appurtenances of the distillery form a hollow square exceeding two hundred yards on each side : in the middle of this square are several large stone buildings communicating with 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 brewery at St. Roch's, in both 423 use, rncd the tbc siior, lagt's 'sob- f this uport, about 5 John seated which former - latter other hollow each several th each -house, cription tillation The as these \at can ; gentle- loprietor in both •n oi' which concerns he gave employment for some years to several hundred persons; but they were 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, wherein, as well as in the provincial government, of which for three or four sessions he was a distinguished member, his talents Avere 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 water for working it is received from the Bcauport 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 with gardens and summer-houses, si.rrounded 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 '■*M *■ ' I US' - 'if ': ; ■■■'l'' r ' lf(?J I'l. (■ . i •.!'V -■».!; I m\ 424. the grandcsL in the province; they have been frequently described, and with so much correct- ness, that a shght noticeof them may now suffice. The river, in its course through a country that is almost a continued forest, rolls a stream of very trifling consequence, unless when swelled by the melting sn6w in spring, or autunmal 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, which, in being impelled over the brink of a perpendicular rock, falls in an extended sheet of water, of a whiteness and fleecy appearance nearly resembling snow, into a chasm among the rocks two hundred and forty feet below. An immense spray rises from the bottom in curling volumes, which when the sunshine dis- plays their bright prismatic colours, produce an effect inconceivably beautiful. At the bottom of the fall the water is restrained within 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 t ^ I Ml ecu ect- ftce. that n of sUcd unal :toni, iacltU c cle- 1 this ream, of a sheet irance mong elow. om in c dis- ce ail ottom basin ter its gentle €, per- e hun- by the ed by Ituation 425 as projecting over the great precipice, still rc- niuins: if it be true that at the time of his visit the beams had begun to feel the gnawing tooth of time, they nmst be now in a very precarious state ; indeed, it would 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 towards the falls, some traces yet remain of the field forti^cations 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, which, when 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 i • '. ' \ < ■."•';; : ■i; 'i . '■\ i A ■ 1 ' I. r "'"iT 1 1 \ •i , 426 M '"'fti I ■ ■», . ■ ). ■ •1 ■\ •! ;;'. ' ['■■: •.:^ [• r.i, ."it :il!i I % 'iilr of that capital may be appropnately intro- duced. Some notice has been taken already ot" 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, wherein the benefits and habits of social life might be enjoyed, and from whence 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, was reserved for Samuel de Champlain, Geogra- pher to the King : acting under a commission from the Sieur de Monts, (who a little while befpre had obtained from the court of France the exclusive privilege of trading between Cape 427 lyof •t, in upon ps be n ad- of the /isited ;rns of mce of French d over 5 in the NV toge- ix their if them le Great Id build- abits of whence lercoursc It of the carried :en, was Geogra- imission tie while >f France •een Cape Raze in Newfoundland, and the fortieth drs;r( of north latitude), he in lC03 made choice of the site of an Indian village called Stadaconr, 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 more satisfactory in fixing its derivation : whether it comes from the Al- gonquin, Abenaqui, or Norman languages, to each of which conjecture has assigned it, we have not the means of verifying; nor is it in- deed very material : it is enough to know that Cham plain called his new town Quebec. The progress of its aggrandisement there is much reason to believe was slow ; for the new settlers, and indeed Champlain at their head, were not only so impolitic as to encourage the prosecu- tion of hostilities between 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 was the means of involving the whole colony in a long and ,Hil .-' t '■''Hi . ,-) ■■■. ; '• hi 4'28 I ■ m V :l!T, '4 m. I, \i w 'Mil, ili:!M ■ •■ .1 •lli'liiiiai" most destructive warfare; which, at an early period, rendered some deCensive fortifications necessary to protect Quebec from the enmity of her new, but implacable enemies. The defences were at first of the rudest descrip- tion, being nothing more than embankments, strengthened with palisades. In 1629 it was 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 Avas 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 was then somewhat acce- lerated. From its growing importance, the English were desirous to recover possession of the place that a few years before, there would 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, which was attended with 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, tions mily The icrip- lents, t was , and jle of ter ill n was 1663, ovcrii- rogress acce- inglisli 1 place ly have retain- ise ill- ,e year d with IAs the me an 1 power- was in ore re- ules of period, 429 have been carefully attended to, and by conti- nual additions and rebuildings, are now im- proved into bulwarks that may stand in com- petition with some of the best constructed and strongest fortifications of Europe. From I69O the increase was gradual while it remained luider the French government ; but since that period its progress towards 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. Lawrence, 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 water ; it is composed of a rock of grey granite mixed with quartz crystals (from which 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 tlattish ridges of a gradual decrease, as far as ■' k • r ' «i ( ( < 1' I ,• '\'' i :;;i.! •' :>l ■ » I 1 1 i 1 ' '. i ■ 'ii ; ■ ^mmmt^mitmtmmtimmam 430 >'■ . ! .' l: J^: ,MI the steep called Coteau Ste. Genevieve, from whence 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 which 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 heiy-ht 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 two hundred and thirty feet above the level of the river, overlooking the lower town. This altitude and frowning appearance continues with very little alteration round the town 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. Lawrence, the valley '• li 431 from dred ttbe is the The krer to on, is •seven he en- i them 2S and icres or )ied by ^e Cape m easy f about astle of crests a thirty ooking rowning eration called already Gene- arly the St. Foi, nd form- ne valley 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, with 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 CathoMc cathedrals, the Scotch church, the Lower Town chuch, 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 mcjt 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 ■'»I^:-!.!rr : 1 ,:iBj,in''!*' ■■ ■ i\ H' m :i :. ■'fi 1: .;;■ f- ■ •t . !■ 1 '*, , ■r " [■ I'lU'i •iiiK., '^'Il!|: 432 liuiidrcd feet liigli, and supported towards the steep by a solid work of masonry, rising nearly liair 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 theCape it has the appearance of being much more lofty : each extremitj' 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 with 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 oflaces of government until the year 1808, when a resolution passed the provincial parliament for repairing and beautifying it ; the sum of ^^7000 was at the same time voted, and the work forthwith commenced. The money ap- plied was inadequate to defray the expenses upon the grand scale the improvements were 433 M the arly ^ted is a ison, sur- hun- iroad, ion ol" much Iby a iy and nent is ul and lie resi- built solid reconi- years it id to go ence of for the 8, when (•Uament sum of and the >ney ap- jxpenses lilts were commenced, but an additional grant was made to cover the whole 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 part 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, wherein 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 between the two exterior bas- tions of the old fortress of St. Louis ; ailjoining 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 western side two strong bastions on each angle were connected by a curtain, in tlie centre of which was a sallyport; the other faces pre- ■•M < '\^ i 1 ' |! I! i "■ i i-* 434 sented works of nearly a similar description, but of less dimensions. Of these works only a few vestiges remain, except the eastern wall, which is kept in solid repair. TJie new guard- house and stables, both fronting the parade, have 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 way 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 with fine trees, many of which 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 with 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 coramuiiaeates to every part of the ion, wall, javd- rade, IS tbe jetbre iding- y way sc; it .. On 3ve is a -n, one seventy lue des red and d, both was ori- cle, and lich yet le of St. Itructure, Its length [ breadth Inie front, ling to an Itibule on Mt of the 435 building. The ground floor apartments are disposed for holding the quarter sessions, and other infciior 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 whole 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 administraticn 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 was at one time a very extensive establishment, covering the whole space between the parade. Rue des Jardins, de St. Louis, and de Ste. Anne ; the order is now extinct in Canada. f f2 :'U -■•. i '"« .f 1 ,1 'Mjiii:" ) I* mii^ ...■^•■;'f'" l-*^ ■ lit,. '. !:t t ) .; • '15 ■J .in-,.'- :1" -I'lr •! 'i .y^i'i ■"If 436 The Protestant Cathedral is situated near the court-house, and parallel with Ste. Anne Street: it is one hundred and thirt3'-six feet long, by seventy-five broad, built of a fine grey Stone, the roof covered with tin, whicli, being continually bright, gives n remarkable appear- ance of lightness and elegance to the whole structure; it occupies part of the o;round 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, wherein ornament is judiciously but sparingly introduced. There is a principal entrance at each end of the church, approached by a flight of steps : the fittins; up of the inside is commodious and handsome, corresponding with the unassuming beauty of the whole. The organ is of a very superior power. The spire is lofty, light, and elegant, being covered with liii, and the church standing upon iiearly the highest grounu v/ithin the city, is t, very con- spicuous object at an immense distance ; taken altogether, this is the m' st f-iultless structure in the place, or indeed within the whole pro- vince. The Catholic Cathedral stands on the north side of Buade Street, fronting the market- 437 Ml near \nue feet jrrev being )pear- wliole md of i, per- of the id, tlie ect; in legance isly but vincipal oacbed lie inside bonding The he spire red with 3arly the ery con- -; taken structure lole pro- the north market- e place, on ground belonging to the Fubriquc, or in other Avoids, 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- tween the squares are wrought into different devices. In the side aisles there are four chapels, dedicated to different saints. Being whitewashed, 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 architec^tural embellishment, will arrest his attention. The steeple is lofty, with an air of lifrhtness not altogether devoid of beauty, and like the roof, is covered with 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- iO'-'i^: ■ , J, ^i :, r I ^ I m '"«/W 438 :/-ft. ■• I i i ii''' : ■\v in:!:i '■yl. ,, ,,|, ■:i.\ b II! Ml||t>- cated to Notre Dame de Victoirc, 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 tlie curate and four vicars of the cathedral, and has a covered avenue leading from it to the church ; there is also a similar one between 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-threeyards 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, was 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, I •• suffi- on of it was creas- illeries :onve- , The te and ;overed there is and the sminary and is domain, court- nd. It jaVly two it have dcs of a n length, dde is to iiiginally [a cxclu- ,, by M. ;rs patent early re- [rom, and jrsuasion, 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 arc conducted under the superintendance of M. Robert, who is himself professor of philosophy, three directors, and a conifjetent 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 wall, and extending in depth to ^ 1 V HI ■■ .1 ■■:■ i \:- 1 .1 ■-' 1 1 P:. •'I; Ivl [ji *' I ft-. }\ .ji "•iim uo mil:--- I.-'-, .^rlii , iililliiiiii ' , ^•v ''Milifc.:'.^: t\\*} gnind biiUerv, where it overlooks the har- Ijour : the lengtli 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 whole of the buildings belonging to the seminary were destroyed by fire, and no time was lost in re- placing them ; when, unfortunately, they again fell a sacrifiee to a similar calamity in 1705. The Catholic Bishop of Quebec has fixed his residence in the seminary, where 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 Picot^s, to the Rue des Pauvres, or Palace Street, a length of two 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 sexes, was founded by the Duchess D'Aiguillon, in 1637, through whose charitable zeal some nuns were sent from France for the purpose of com- mencing it, and superintending its progress. The principal structure is three hundred and \e bar- iventy- sd. It y band- bole of vy were it in re- ey again in 1705. fixed bis ives suv- and not isions for ^be Hotel ; convent, ery, and space of burying- tlie Rue rtb of two deptb of Couillard [bnient, for )otb sexes, iffuillon, in some nuns >se of com- ;s progress, tndred and 441 eif2;l»ty-trro feet in length, by fifty in breadth ; from tlic ceiiirt' on tlie west side, a corps dc logis ranges a length of one hundred and forty- eight feet, and of a p''f^\M)rtionate breadth: the whole is two sto '>i,uh, substantially built of stone, with i m- "-ngard to interior convenience than attentuiu to symmetry, and totally devoid of architectural decorations. It contains the convent, ho3j)ital, 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 neatiiess of both its interior and exterior. The convent contains the residence of the supe- rieure, and accommodations for all the sisters of tlie 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 loch et ventes; also from the revenues of some seigniories that have been granted to it; and although these are considerable, yet, from the >■> I'll .• ■*(i;l ' k. '■■V i i X ■ ■\:<: If V;.; IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^ Uii 12.2 I.I ^ tiS. i2.0 lit ■: il.25 I^otDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WBT MAIN STRin WnSTM.N.Y. 145M (716)«72-4S03 rf** 442 lilL;:^ Ml r H? M ■■ 1 •I M iilii 1 liberality and extensive nature of the disburse- ments, the expenditure so nearly balances the revenue, that it requires, and occasionally receives, grants of public money. The whole administration, care, and attendance of the establishment, are conducted by a superieure. La Reverende Mere Ste. Claire, (Venerande Melanpon), and thirty-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 twelve feet ; the building is forty feet broad, containing ample and conve- nient accommodation for all its inmates. The church of St. Ursula, connected with 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, 9urse- es the onally whole of the jrieure, lerande 3se zeal :ributed id good tie enco- tie insti- a short |is Street, erty that edifice, lose side uilding is d conve- tes. The the con- y.five in but emi- taste and the east- ngs, form- surround- feetlong, L 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, owes its foundation in the year 1639, to Madame de la Peltrie, a lady residing in France : it consists of a superieure. La Reverende Mere Sainte Ursule, (Margue- rite Marchand), and forty-five nuns, who are employed in the instruction of the pupils in the most useful branches of knowledge, besides embroidery, fine work, 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,5 which 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. T Ml §i- m W^^ •" 'If l.t' , I' -'-^h iv <,..fl,ji; I ■■■: r'n iH t ill! ,, iir>^ I ! '.: ir:m. WW : any thing deserving particular mention, but being new and very neat, it looks well. The building denominated the Bishop's Palace has been a fine edifice, and standing on an elevated s|)ot, it is very conspicuous ; it is situated near the grand battery, extending in an easterly direction I'rom the gateway, 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 was 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- 1! iin 447 , but shop's mding 3us; it ding in or com- Moun- ;et, and s to the feet; its on the high, but was built iishop of th every no means nuity has le head of jry dilapi- edy disso- ven to the lediate re- ipport the le building offices of ^l,theExe- ;mbly, the ipel, sixty- 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 where the Legislative Council holds its sittings, and on the same floor are committee rooms, council oflice, &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, where the session of parliament is always opened, that it is now hazardouji 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 matte; of surprise that the attention Mil I ■,.i '.4 * i.:l 1 ■ I' li . ,■ ■ f ' ,1 (■. ; ■ 449 )\\ ards ige of undred arty in )n from ious to ■ troops, nd were mvelles : substan- 1 of the common lew gaol, Besides illery sol- ordnance orkshops. 1 occupies IS of every >,000 men r and rea- uetry and dmit con- ning, &c. ; well dis- Iblematical e room, a barracks tliere 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, l^y forty-four in breadth. It was 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 well planned, with 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 iht 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 |; n\ I ; 450 (■: :^l 'i .III. itVl'^v bable, it would be well worth the attention of government to make the purchase, for the pur- pose of concentrating therein as many of the public ofBces as accommodation could be found for. The edifices that have been enumerated are the principal ones, or at least those most worthy 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 twenty-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 was so steep as to] make it difficult for a carriage, is now 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- X'n-A Lion of le pur- of the ; found iierated je most ition of , irregu- many of are well ones is ,nly from ;ater pro- one, very a sloping ometimes improve- e mode of dwellings, )untry are tyle. No )aving the merly the ifficult for arts of ve- Street, xhe greater ered as the L being iia- 4.51 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 fitst 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 Sewell, 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 work, near to which is agreeably situated a wooden building, usually occupied by the governor's military se»- cretary. The market-place is one hundred and sixtyi.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 * ; ■11 t ! •'.'! 1 . '. . \fW^ ; . 1. . \. M'^M. m I'ltii it All I ■1 1 ■, 4.53 ohc hundred and seventy-two. In the centre stands the market hall, a circular building, one hundred and twelve feet diameter, over which there is a dome, whose dimensions are every way so much at variance with proportion as to warrant 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 ia 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 habitanst 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 • I centre ig, one wliich 5 every >n as to id been lowever, ad taste, loval, to vopriate. ervoir of lupply i^ ,5 of the ed by the appropri- the wood- reet is the ain streets le market Icity. The ost always affords the good shew lished both le habitaiist ound. The vegetables, msumption, le in large 453 Tjuantities from the ditfercnt fertile seigniories round the capital. In fact, notiiing is want- ing to furnish the table, and that too at a moderate price, for every rank of society, from the humble labourer to tlie 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 editices in the capital, it aflbrds 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 irf 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 whence every morning the different guards of the town are mounted. Themusters, 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 Mferes round the point of the Cape, as far to the north-west as the suburbs of St. Roch : it stands on what may be termed an -i'' \l . ■:■ ;1 I ■' n..i IM' I.HV 454 i I ■■;V, ■I- .■••^. ,-.i . >• .'.a W 'i,i 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 prelected towards the low-water mark, and foundations made sufficiently solid to build whole streets, where 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, where, from the Cape to the water's edge, the distance is two hundred and forty yards, but proceeding more to the northward, tliis dimension is greatly reduced. I/Ancedes M^res, or Diamond Harbour, is the southern extremity of the Lower Town ; it is immedi- ately under the highest part of Cape Diamond, having around its shore a continuation of ex- tensive wharfs, stores, and workshops in full activity, from which there is an uninterrupted routine of business carried on with 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 Mferes to Brehaut's Wharf, 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. Kear the wharf tliere is a landing-place, which 455 de, the foot of ;r wharf ;r mark, to build [1 vessels anchor. lue Sous B water's ,nd forty )rthward, Ancedes southern \ immedi- biamond, on of ex- ns in full iterrupted ther parts for repair- ing, from frequently ich to in- :e. From •f, the road ry narrow, B rendered "cessary in solid rock, ace, which serves during the summer season as a sort of harbour for the gunboats and king's batteaux. Frcm thence to the Cul de Sac is almost an •uninterrupted succession of store-houses and wharfs, at the greatest part of which ships can Jie without taking the ground at low water. At Dunn's Wharf are the large and valuable premises called the Cape Diamond Brewery, where an extensive business is carried on, not for tlie 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 vyesterly 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 low-water mark ; : ;'i , 1 M ]i^ ' !' .' !J ■|i;Jl !!,,„:!'''„:aP i!^ ' *"« I 458 grounds of the Hotel Dieu. From M*Cal- lum's to Messrs. Munro and Bell's wharf the line is occupied by a continuation of water- 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 westerly direction as far as La Canoterie, so close under the cliff as to admit of only one row of houses; and although foy undermining and cutting away the rock so as to make it quite perpendicular, in order to render the street as convenient as the nature of circumstances will admit ; yet in one place, with all these contrivances, it is no more than twelve feet wide. 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 Town, by Hope Gate. Proceeding westward through St. Charles and St. Nicholas Street, there is a range of spacious wharfs, 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 \: ' . M«Cal. avf the water- lituated [culated of their leading iault au direction the cliff ises; and ,ng away jndicular, renient as it ; yet in t, it is no ic rear of of wharfs, at high- |the end of ty commu- lopeGate. |harles and jf spacious [wharfs, the latter is no I, that have year since jetter state jvel surface covered with 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 were 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 was paid to it, and in the year 1775 its ruin as a palace was completed ; for when the Americans, under Arnold, blockaded the city, they found means to establish a body of troops within it ; but they were soon after- wards dislodged from their quarters by shells thrown from the garrison, which set it on fire, and nearly consumed the whole. 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 Lower Town, in the neighbourhood of the ruins. Between Le Palais and the beach '.W ' . t'' ■ ' ^1 Ji. . ,L! ■•." ■MUM ■nt I'v. ^■iiii'^i^isa 460 is the King's Wood-yard, occupying a large plot of ground, wherein 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 wood-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 narrow, are regularly built and straight, crossing each other at right angles : the greater part of the houses are of wood, but a few of those lately constructed are not destitute of a showy exterior. The church of St. Roch is not yet finished, and will, when completed, prove a very handsome structure ; the ground on which 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 Town, which elects two. From the extremity of ! i1;!' ; ■...MM large tity of le gar- /estern . Roch rection undred lau Ste. , about streets, straight, ; greater a few of :ute of a ch is not prove a on which re, Esq. ; atronage protector another has pro- art of the tion, and Dntinuing e. The ) vote for he Lower treniity of 461 the suburbs to the banks of the River St. Charles, which winds beautifully through the valley as before-mentioned, there is a large ex- tent of fine meadow and pasture land, 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. Lawrence, in the neighbourhood of Quebec, require a few words 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 k Carey to Dorchester bridge is low, flat, and generally sandy, with many groups of rocks lying about it, but particularly be- tween the Point and the Jetty, where they almost edge the low-water channel ; the space that lies between a line prolonged from St. Peter Street down to the low-water mark of the St. Charles and the St. Lawrence has been conceded by the seminary to Messrs. Munro and Bell, and within 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 l\ ■1 V ■i: i| I . .'■'i:. i'.i* Mi'.- :. r . i' m ■rli ■■ i; m U'A: 462 f '.■;■•■■' k < :i !- i. i;i' ;. !■' .1 V '." m:-tL 'i'M ii-'- Im * . J. .,' 'I <"■ ..rM Mi- ll .r'- iV. u-tM' ii^jr J- I. ■; "V. hit. l-i • 1 »■ S town 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 water 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 two 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 two 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 k Carey, where several sand-banks form two or three different passages between 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, be^n to •I ■> t ■ . 463 River d get learly down water ^ feet, north- i large ;d and a small ;jharles, nges in e of it, at high ^If upon cUflF, a distinct nearly nto it is several passages Wharf lying oflf it would beach, ch diffi- before een plats begin to 5S le e be visible. At Henderson's there is a spacious building-yard, from whence have been launched some of the largest vessels built in Lower 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 fisher}', was granted to it on the 21st March, 1648; but the greater part thereof has been conceded by that establish- ment to difierent persons, and is now 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, Esq. 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, where 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 ^r .1 , ! ■1 ' ■( » * '-•. i •;'ti . y; ": }1 k 1:1 ')■' i i. 'i ; ■"'i: allH. b m nir l|5 V:-f' it ..hi 464 M ^'i ''.m mm afloat. From the line of La Vacherie, which in fact is the western extremity of St. Roch's suburb, tlie 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 ; at low- water 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-water. 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 always 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 ii i» 465 T vhich loch's either mber- )ooms, atlow- inding, r shoals e water y-seven rom two sridge is twenty- ,od, and aterials; rh-water. is about iring the 'he pros- is agree- irbs, and itage. It lOUgh the iers going [in winter be made t general, [he bridge, there are several convenient places for l)uilding, where sihips of largo 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 All6e, 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 popuhition; thereare several parallel streets crossed by others at right angles, except George Street, which takes a diagonal direction across Richelieu and Olivier Streets, connecting this suburb with St. Roch, by the Cote d' Abraham, and com- municates with 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 well-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 two who 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 H H ■:.\]K '■■uM n\ »-, ,[.. r • ■ ' ':■<:>: I ■■•■ I • ■ * It 1 :li ': '>f-' 4GG House, standing on tlic highest ground of the celcbratrd plains of Abraham. It is calculated to he three hundred and thirty feet above the level of the river, and coinnumds most of the works on this side of the town, except those on the very sununit of Cape Diamond, which arc still higher by ten or fifteen feet. 'J'o diminish the probability of this eminence being ever seisied upon as a point of oftence against the city, four TNIartello towers have been erected some distance in advance of it, extending from the St. Lawrence, across tlic peninsula, to Ste. Genevieve, at between five and six hundred yards distance from each other, and so posted that they can sweep the whole breadth of the plains ; they are very solidly constructed, and armed with guns of large calibre. Proceeding along the Grand AUee westward, on the left hand side are several large pieces of ground belonging to the Hotel Dieu, and the Ursuline Convent; on the opposite side, well cultivated fields, and rich pastures, spread down to the Ste. Foi road. The four meridian stones fixed in 1790 by the late Major Holland, then Surveyor- General of Canada, are placed at convenient 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 of ilic JVC tlie of the |»o8C on ich lU'C iminish lor ever linst the erected ing from I, to Ste. hundred 50 posted Ith of tlie cted, and roceeding n the left af ground J Ursuline cultivated to the Ste. 2s fixed in i Surveyor- convenient he plains; north, and If adjusting surveys of 467 lands. One of them that stood in the angle of :i field redoubt wIkmc (icncral Wolfe is said to have brcatlied his hist, has l)ccn greatly impaired by the pious ri'vcrence of curiom strangers, who, wishing to l)(;ar away a relic of any tiling from the spotconsccratcd by the hero's death, have broken off pieces of the stone phiccd there thirty years alter that event. Be- yjnd these stones arc some open fu^lds belong- ing to the Hotel Dieu, but retained by govern- ment for military uses. Further to the west- ward is a property belonging to Dr. Mountain, Bishop of Qnebec, 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 which used to be the country residence of the Governor-General. Woodlield, the property ofMr. Bell, is another house and garden, which, from its charming position, is very deserving of notice. The beach directlv under the height upon which these houses stand is divided into many valuable timber grounds, extending to the westward as far as Pointe d Puisseaux, which chiefly belong to Messrs. Patterson, Dyke, and Co. Wolfe's Cove is the largest of all the bays in the vicinity of the city, and II II 2 T ■' ! 1. 1 V .i l"i ' t; M ■ \ 1^. b ■ ^i ■ . •■■» ■ . 1 . 1 i •■ t ' ■- ;{ 1 jj^ i 468 'iMpk .. t- i:H i ';'-'■: i ,:•»■- !f iii'H '■km memorable as the landing-place of the English army whicii 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, whose 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, with ditch, covered way, glacis, re ; thence a line of defence connects with the grand battery, a work of great strength, armed with a formidable train of twenty-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 Lower Town Gate, until it forms a junction with 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 I'Ho- pital General; it was 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-west 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 m 1 'ii, I I m "Vii 'Mm' . ,M ^1 m'\ .1' hH i'v {•A • 111 ( ■ HH: Mrl ■ ; ■- . « m 470 '* ' 1'^ Iw- • :i\ M''-;i ■m:M life r*}"!,;'?!!^: ,a!^-l'H ■ the road, arc two houses belonging to it; one ap- propriated for the reception and treatment of persons labouring under insanity, and the other as ^ dwelling-house for servants, employed in a farm attached to the establishment. The inte- rior arraniicment and manaii-ement of this ex- cellent charity, with respect to accommoda- tion, are very judicious ; the patients are lodged in comfortable and spacious wards, tnen on the ground floor, and women on the floor above ; for the supcrieure and the nuns there is ample room for residence, refectories, and apartments for carrying on dift'erent 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 afiiicted under any of the diseases within 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 works performed by the nuns, particularly of church ornaments, which they make and gild in great perfection, and by occasional grants of money from the pro- vincial parliament. To facilitate travelling in the lower province, and render it as expeditious as possible, there is a line of post-houses from Quebec to Mont- )ne ap- iient of le (Jlber ^ed in a he iute- this ex- iiiinioda- :c lodged luen on the floor uns there )ries, and ^v()vks in dusive of cious and vent. As |ie afliicted ^vide range ,nly nearly le revenues n granted ned by the ints, which lection, and 11 the pro- Lr province, Liblc, there \c to Mont- 471 real on one side, and by the southern shore of the river down as far as Trois Pistoles, below the is- land of 13ic, 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, whose 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 opportunit}' 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 liom 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 |!^^l k: *f''', ■ ;\- t»% ri 1 I'ri m ■\:.n ii: \ ,;'v . 1 • ■ ■■ I ■ 1 : ' >^ ' 'i :i ■ »• Tig %■ '■ 1- Wk ' 't ' » 4>72 );! ■ ' M I- ill M-. ■', I '' • II 'I.'/ •I ' 1-. !'!':-■ 'liv ■i',. :!<-,. 'i'li'.','! l:irA iilllltlill year : in the summer time it is i'urnisliecl uitli four good horses quite in the English st^^le; in the winter the body of the coacii is placed on a sledge, and drawn by the same number ot" horses, in which season it performs its journey somewhat quicker ; it conveys six passengers inside, with a proportion of baggage, &c. The charge by this conveyance is a trifle more than by posting, but the accommodation is certainl}' superior at the different stopping places, where 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. Lawrence, and during the summer time there are two of them con- stantly navigating between Quebec and Mont- real ; they are fitted up with great attention to the ease and comfort of the public. A cabin passenger, with sixty pounds of luggage, pays £3 to Montreal ; but from thence to Quebec only £2 : 10s. : OJ., the expense of the tabic therein included : steerage j)assengers pay los. each way : extra luggage is paid for at the rate of one penny a pound. The voyage down the river is performed in forty-eight iiours; but going upwards it is some hours longer, on account of the strong currents. 'J'lie snjaliest of these boats measures one hundred and ten feet in length, by twenty-eight in breadth. etl Nvitli tyle; in aced on mber of , journey issengcrs kc. The lore than certainly ;es, where of an inn ;ood style. have been nd during them con- and Mont- attention A cabin gage, pays to Quebec if the tabic IS pay 15s. at the rate ^c down the Ihours ; but longer, on 'he smallest led and ten n breadth, 473 and connnodiously accommodates fifty cabin passengers, with separate apartments for ladies, beds, &c. : the other is of greater capacity, being one hundred and forty feet by thirty-two. '.rhis mode of travelling is easy, and exceedingly pleasant : a liberal table is provided, with every other means of rendering the passage quite a party of pleasure. Mr. Moulson, of Montreal, is the person who 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 with a mail leaves Quebec every week for Halifax and Nova Scotia, by the way of Fredericton, and St. John's, New Brunswick. 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. Between the city and Point Levi, on the opposite shore of the St. Lawrence, a great number of ferry-boats arc continual!}' passing to and fro, the principal part of which belonn; to the inhabitants about the Point, as W! i H f 1.1 A.. S'l.!' im .J.':'' ■I'M ■m '■■■■I '■ I ft ; m m m ,!!' 1 i.Ui 1. :. ! KM '!■ "i^ : ■.''■I' ■i:'\ ■•■J ■ -^ '•t-f • it 'ii;|iljiilii;. 'iiiir- 474 they arc all permitted, by regulation, to ply with their boats, on condition of receiving no more than the established rates, which are very moderate; in almost any weather they will cross in their canoes, which are large, and very strong, being ^nade from the trunk of a tree hollowed out, or more frequently of two joined together, and firmly secured on the inside; they are managed with great dexterity, and sometimes take as many as eight passengers besides the three or four men who work them. In the winter, when large masses of ice are floating up and down with the tide, and often when 'here 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 below the town, without know- ing whereabouts they were, but have always reached their place of destination sooner or later. It is not an unconnnon thing to see several of these large canoes, laden with provi- sions for the market, crossing the river as nearly in a line as they arc able to keep : the cargoes are generally secured by a strong lashing ; they are provided with strong poles having iron 1 ■ ll to ply ing no le very ey will lid very ■ a tree 3 joined inside ; ity, and ssengers k them, ice are nd often ed at the this pas- l appear- very rare in snow Irequently r course, ut know- e always sooner or I no- to see nih provi- Ir as nearly liie cargoes ling; they IV ing iron 475 hooks at the end for grappling hold of the ice, and drag ropes. Wlicn large sheets of ice op- j)Ose tlu'ir progress, the men, by means of the poles and ropes, wliich they en)ploy 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 tlat, 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 difhculty. Often in pursuing their course through a narrow vein of water between two enormous masses, they are suddenly closed upon; and, at the moment when a stran";er would imagine the ccnoe 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, with a little as- sistance of their own, heave it upon the surface, over which it is pushed and dragged as before. They are amazingly steady in this laborious work, and long habit seems to have expelled from their minds every sense of danger: thus I 1 ■ 1' I I ■I;. 1 :. l! M 11:. I u ■i i I f'i' i \ ., ■ i ' ■ '■ .1 i. H f ' ' ' i .: 1 1 1 ,;, V\..\ h 'I r I'.'' !■■''• ■:,-, ,T*«« n 1^- iP^ !■ ■;■ !.:) i :,■!■) i ■->' 'i;' 11: ,1. .. .' >lllll- ''1 .f'Si',, '■I'-f :'f ililK; '■ , t !.» 476 employed, they appear to be insensible to the severity of the cold ; they are not encumbered with much clothing, which 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, with which 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 low, and the ice forming the solid border perhaos ten or twelve 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}' 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 now 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 to the ibered md as one ot* J, he is >usly as , round, [, is the ^Vhen mavket- the ice )r twelve ip out as ind while ibove, he ,vt of the omrades, ce out of of poul- or other ^ to the ny writers, milk in a places; this \v these ar- ill the year ^le vicinity, over from lot happen every year, it is not only productive of much amusement, but of great udvantJige to the city, as well as to the inhabitants of the southern shore, who can at that time bring their produce to market in large quantities without inconve- nience. Hay, firc-wood, 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 Voj/cr of the district, who 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 drawn from thence during the summer; but such as do not spoil by keeping are com- monly retained, until this opportunity admits of their being sent with much less trouble and expense. The summer scenery of the environs of Quebec may vie in exquisite beauty, variety, ifi^^l Mil •^''■''^u i-l , ' ■:<■ viy i ^f-^i I 1 , i l:t"i it '^ I' 1 I < „ ■■■ ■ — ,' li; I", I i ■ '.''? ; f. I.-.'!; AM ! I ■ " .;•»'.■■■ f whicli embrace ean and e others, bstantial clerical 3ntof St. entlemen espective generally ttion and attracted 3. There he whole it. The 1 are situ- hore; the I the way ids, richly lens: the 1 the road s to very side there 485 are houses at short intervals from each other throughout the whole distance. Patrick's Hole, a little westward of St. Laurent, is a safe and well sheltered cove, where 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 whicli the inhabitants furnish accommodations to the numerous per- sons who visit the island for amusement or 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 grisater 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, wherein 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, Gasp6, and St. Gilles on the west, and St. Etienne and Jolliett I I 2 , ■} '' 1 1 1 ' -\ 4 . i f,i . i t t n t 1. 1, 'If. :!. -Jit^M-^^ i i.i., I \ ,. , ii ■n ^ •■:'! \> • 1 "'\ 1 :\' .:t! ,■ i i ■ ']■ 1 ■ I . 'i i :, •I \ i:'\. 1 ^ T'lnrmiiTiii'mii— 1( ► i •■ i' 'i«' ' '■■ ■ ' .J!-' M" • -'''.Ml ,^ fii ! y .. ■ ■f II; i''"! > ■IHlt- t , , , j 1 ''i'i ■i| il racter of some importance, and merits a lew observations. It takes its source from Lake Megantic, flowing northerly forty-one miles, as far as the seigniory of Aubert Gallion ; from thence north-Avesterly, it winds througli 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 whole 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. Narrowed by salient points extending from each side, the precipice over which the waters 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 iW , a tew I Lake liles, as i; from jgh the . Marie, the St. , making wo from reaclth it ed yards. f islands, , and co- n general y thickly growth ; by rocks iQ violent over the nsiderable lose called ,efore the .awrence. ing from the waters Indred and from which et. Huge [face 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 which 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 woods, 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 woods on the banks of the river, notwithstanding its vicinity to the capital, are so impervious as to render it neces- sary for strangers who 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 ;^r 1lM!t k ■■'*•! 1%' .; I 1 <:■ . T, ^ ,;— ■iHlil'iUlMUllniii 4f)0 A ■ t ,.-*■' t t •. ;:6J ■1 •'■:h 'i I- ..111'... fii^ 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 River du Loup, on ■which the Canadian settlements at present terminate. The first settlements on the River Kennebec, within tiie American frontier, are seventy miles distant from those on the River du Loup: the country between 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 between them, that would 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 two 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 which this line of communication may be made, and the com- pletion of it on- the American side, should be *- I .; ill: ill r.* I n terri- ring the eastern out fifty ; in con- .011 p, on present he River itier, are River du mountain- streams, ire. The connected k difficult between lurse from r Canada, ire of that ;, for the the settle- height of f this plan then re- lut twenty the River this line of the corn- should be 491 viewed with serious attention by the British Government, particularly when it is accom- panied by the consideration, that by such a road the distance from Hallowell on the Ken- nebec, from whence the navigation for vessels of large burthen is uninterrupted to the sea, up to Quebec, in no more than two hundred miles; and from Boston to the same place, only three hundred and seventy miles. The views of the United States with 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, we cannot be too much on our guard against the slow working 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, and in 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. ?'; n^ ! ' i.i,-lH,HI fl't r>l :f''. i ■.-.;; 11;:- !!■;■■ J i m i.T^'mmmMm 492 • ) !(' ■ •J' '■•.■ ^"\ -■ .%.■ ^M^ 1 ( !' i i:|:.:: m II: Gaspe' (the seigniory of), in the rear of Tilly, has the same lateral limits as th.it 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 Angelequc Legardeur, widow of Aubert Gaspe. Mauanda (fief), having its front to the St. Lawrence, is a small piece of thirty arpens in breadth, and one hundred in depth, lyin^r be- tween the seigniories of Tilly and Bonsecours; was granted in equal moitics 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 t)n the west, and St. Gilles in the rear; was granted in two 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 arpcns 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 car of it seig- Gilles ; by the March rardcur, i the St. rpens in ying bc- isecours ; le Sieurs d, 1672. tie county ^iUy and Ite. Croix ear; was >quarters in depth, emoiselle January, enty-four arpens in preceding ix, to the form only , between led in the a league 493 and a half^n breadth by two leagues in depth ; was granted July 1st, 1677, to Francois Bell- anger. Of these five grants only a very small portion is in a state of cultivation, which is confined to the road leading by the River 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. Gaspo 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 with 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 whole 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 Dr plaines, 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 ; two leagues and three quarters broad by six leagues deep ; was granted April 1st, 1738, to flageot de ■ The heirs of the late Judge Davison are the present pro- prietors. In this seigniory, although it may be termci a valuable property, there is only .^1 I ''*!::"f ^MiW 4 ■ 'r^ f-'. '(,:t I . ^'-■\- ■.-1- I': '1. I',-- ill- ir Mm 4f)4 M m 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 low as to occasion swamps, tliJit arc thickly covered with cedar and black ash ; the other parts produce a mixture of good timber of all kinds. It is very well watered by the river ]3eaurivage, and many small streams falling into it. The cultivated lands lie on each side of the Beau- rivage, and are pretty thickly settled, with many of the I'arms in excellent condition. On the westerii 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. Lawrence, in the county of Buckingham, is bounded in front by the river, on the east by Bonsecours, Desplaines, and St. Gilles, on the west by Lotbiniere, its aug- mentation, and the township of Nelson, and in the rear by the township 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 k\'' soil 19 AV and md to- ccasion I cedar duce a It 19 aiivage, X. The ic lieau- 3d, with on. On 8 a good St. Lavv- where it a great c, con9i- more of the south lounty of the river, |nes, and I, its aug- Ison, and ids. The I not been Agisters of has been 495 exhibited by a notary, tlmt " the Dames Re- ligieuses Ursulines possessed the seigniory of Stc. Croix, containing one league in front by ten in depth, which was granted to them on the l6tli 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 a rich dark mould, which continues for some miles, and then declines into extensive swamps, covered with cedar, hemlock, black ash, and spruce fir : with 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. Lot B INI ERE (the seigniory of), with its augmentation, situated on the south side of tlie St. Lawrence, in the county of Bucking- ham, is bounded in front by the river, on the east by Ste. Croix, on the west 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 ji •'1 >r H \ k-: .v'-l ■H ; ,'1^ , I ,-.l! r 1 -*i I I I I • .1;' .'" •i'. 496 'Mi m m l. ■I- s I; m .. '-■■. \'>f-W ii »' ':'•■>% fH ! ' ' ■ ■■ " '^^■••^= ';,>! 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. dc 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, 1693, 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 with 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. Lawrence; but the two latter only during the rise of the waters in spring and autumn. Notwithstanding the su-% J'' 497 estern irsolet. I abalf Croix, B5,balf M. dc )etween ntation, four in lonsieur J leagues now the A. Char- tative of y it has the soil ent ; and produc- upon it. 1, maple^ ber: the ron, and growth, e rivers: as far as bout two the two [waters in g the su-> 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^ which 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 few 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 twelve acres, wholly uncultivated, but thickly clothed with timber-trees of a superior description : in it is situated the seignorial mill. On the di^ ferent streams there are six saw-mills, and five manufactories of pot-ash. The main road pass- ing by the St. Lawrence, as well as all the others throughout the seigniory, is always kept in excellent repair. Desciiaillons,St.JeanDeschaillons, or Riviere du Chene (the seigniory of aid its augmentation), in the county of Buckmg- K K ■ ''I " ' ■'l-.::''ni ! -'ii' ■': i III ' N 1 ':.., f- r,:;!© .11- ■:|li •i 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 grantsj with respect to the kinds of soil and species of timber found in them, boar a great affinity to the rear part of the adjoining seiguiory 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 town- ships crosses the Chaudiere at the ferry. Jol- liet is also partially watered by the river Echemin. Ste. Marie (the seigniory of), is in the counties of Buckingham and Dorchester, bounded on the north-west by the township of Frampton, and seigniory of Jolliet, on the south-west by St. Gilles, on the west 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 whose family it still remains. St. Joseph (the seigniory of) touches the ■'■I!! ie. It length utmost ►roperty grants, )ecies of finity to jiiiory of removed ;re, there the land arance of onie good :hc grant, lew town- rry. Jol- the river is in the )orchester, township tet, on the [est by St. last by St. lur leagues Iber, 1736, lily it still louches ihc 501 rear boundary of Ste. Marie, is between the townships of Frampton and Broughton, and has Vaudreuil on the east ; three leagues in depth, by four in breadth ; was granted Septem- ber 27th, 17365 to Sieur Rigaud de Vaudreuih it is now the property of Monsieur Taschereau. Tlie surface of these two grants is uneven, rocky in several places, with an irregular ridge of broken heights passing in a south-westerly direction ove- 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 v/itl 'Irawn 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 1%: I, ili' ;i- ■ -s I 11 -''i •^1* HI I it *'»■. •H,:!! ii ' I, ■•'Vi-: ■rw Hi ■VI •/ '<{K.' Am 1 1' :i i tx J. ''i:: Hi ,; ■I .''V : ■;:'..]■ I!^r ! f':;..i 8 502 belonging to the heirs of the late — — Tasche- reau, Esq., Grand Voycr of the district. Vaudueuil (the seigniory oi), in the coun- ties of Buckingham and Dorchester, is situated in the rear of St. Joseph, and bounded on the north-east bv the township of Cranbourne, on the south-west by the township of Tring, and in the rear by the seigniories of Aubcrt Galleon and Delisle; its dimensions are precisely the same as St. Joset;h ; granted Sej)tember 2Sd, 1736, to Sieur Fleury de la Gorgcndiere : it belongs now to Monsieur de Lery. The sur- face of this property is uneven and broken, and although a good deal encund)ered with 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 qualitv. Be- sides the Chaudiere, it is watered by several other streams, of which the Bras de Sud Guest, falling into the Chaudiere, is the largest; it is supplied from several small lakes in the town- ship of Tring, and is generally pa.ssable in canoes, but not with boats. Within the seig- niory there are a church and a parsonage, a TascUe- • ic coim- situated d on the lurne, on ing, and : Galleon nsely the ibei- 23d, uUeve: it The sur- d broken, lered with lily thinly (r quality ; ide of the Ir to half a le hundred Itheni in a isists of a klity. Be- by several Sud Quest, it is the town- lassablc in [ill the seig- arsonage, a Irciest 503 grist-mil], four saw-mills, and altogether about two hundred and twenty houses, chiefly built of wood ; the population is between one thou- sand lour hundred and one thousand five Iil' • dred. The Chaudicre may be crossed at two or three fords ; but these, after a couple of days rain, aic too nuieli swollen to be safe to venture a carriimc throusih them. AuBEiiT Gallion, and Dr, 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 Vaiidreuil. The former is bounded on the south-west by the township of Shenlcy, and on it? eastern side by unsurveyed crown lands; i{ two leagues square; granted September ^^tih, 1736, to Dame Aubert, and is now the property of Mr. Jacob Pozer. The latter is bounded by un- surveyed lands, except en the side towards Vaudreuil. It is of tho same dimensions as Aubert Gallion, and v as 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 ■i!il-: mm^^ '\ \\ ) ; Mil *^'lW: • ; ': '■•'yti* ^i'.: " ■. 'V if nil iiUJ "mi- ' M ■ ■•'/ill'. by tlie side of the several roads tliaf intersect tlie seigniory. LiVAUDiEMK (the seigniory of), in tho county of Hertford, lies behind Vincenncs, and is bounded by ]3eaumont and its augmentation on the north-east, Mont-u-Peine on the south- west, and in the rear by St. Ciervais; it has about three quarters of a league in front, by three leagues in depth; granted September 20th, 17^34, to Sieur Pean de Livaudiere. Upwards 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 somewhat 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 watered 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 9n the north-west bank of the Boyer. ^1':- 507 I' itcrscct m llio ics, aiul LMilation ic south- ,; it has ■ront, by jptember viiutlicic in a very rich and I, and al- trict; the t to such iments to ar boun- ,t. There id maple; IS of sugar ear. The er Boyer, f the best n cessions : there are liusbandry. Iparsonage, the Boyer. Roads, generally kept in thorough repair, pass througli the seigniory to the main road on. the lliver ]'^chcmin. Beaumont (the seigniory of and its aug- mentation), is in the county ofllerttbrd, be- tween A'inccnnes and I^a Durantaie, having its front upon the St. Lawrence, and bounded in the rear by St. Gervais ; about tin'ce 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 Jieaumont: 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. Lawrence there remains but little tim- ber, though, penetrating further into the inte- rior, much may be found of first rate quality ; several small streams water it very plentifully : the augmentation is intersected by the Rivers Boyer and du Sud. The church and parson- age-house are seated on the bi nk of the river ■J itl ■ f .'\ :: >■!. ;: .15 ;! : ■• V ■» 5()8 I.'! I '<■■}'■■ ,' i' '..-i'! ■ 1 ■ » .' 'H: ^■ ■••-♦u .■ I Si tU ! a\ U\ ii ■^' ! ■ !> ^li ^■ 1 i » ^4 'A I ( » ■ U' • •1 ::,'•■ 'i i ■ I ,•' I" ' I' Ji>i -.■ '$ 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 with a mixture of yellowish ' loam, is the prevalent kind of soil ; it is fertile, and higlily 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, Lawrence, 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 west 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 with almost every object that can make a landscape perfect; these, with the addition of the church, and a small cluster of houses charmingly seated al- ii ■ '■ ii Ljii '\ ' 513 most close to the water's side, on the edge of a little cove called Le Trou de Berthier, when viewed from the main road, are well 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 which there is some fine timber; in other parts of the seigniory wood is not abundant. The Rivieres du Sud, ^ I'd Caille, and Belle Chasse, provide an ample and complete irrigation for every part. Near the Riviere du Sud stands the church of St. Franp ois ; and a short distance from it a grist- mill, worked by a little rivulet flowing 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, with its front to the St. Lawrence, is bounded on the south-west by Berthier, on the north-east by Fournier, 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 l( :: ! . i1|t:. i j I •!l^i',!M. :;:• I, P > ■ I---' 1 ■ i '■■■ 1,1; •> 'l ■It 1 \rr i ^ V 1*' Ih: \l ■ :f M ..^■■'1 :;-'.ii* ■: , If-. ■ ,i J' ■ : W !'■'• I- i,.l '■: ' •I' ■■ ■1 . «'» i ii lii,.;«' ■■i'S*S <-i' p;«?j»-a u 514 the line of boundary traced upon the Topogra- phical Map, giviiig^ an average depth of about a league and a lull' it is now the property of Monsr. Couillara. In proportion to its extent, this is one of the most valuable possessions in the whole province ; it lies generally low, with the exception of a small ridge or two 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 Lower 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. Owing to the great extent of agriculture, very little timber remains. It is advantageously watered by the Riviere du Sud, a large branch of the same called Bras St. I'icholas, the Ri- viere ii la Caille, and many rivulets. The first mentioned is a beautifully winding 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 MMM)UXM«Mnk«a%«tt%X\KIAM 515 'm \\'' opogra- )f about perty of \ extent, ssions in ow, with lat sepa- nce from soil is so iT in grain itinguish- ' District, ►od a soil r under a my grant, ture, very tageously D-e branch s, the Ri- Thc first ream that the rear )ther prin- le heights the con- stream in s through ion to the is a large basin before it discharges into the St. Law^- rence; its course is much impeded by shoals, and not navigable 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 two saw-mills, in situa- tions most advantageously chosen for ensuring a continual supply of water. The basin is spacious, and well sheltered ; at high water vessels from twenty to twenty-five tons may run in for security against a gale, by takiijg 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 flows 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, was 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 Francois Frichette; this is three hundred L l2 •■V "; it i'l Mr. I \ < I rvfrl^s-'' I' l,b- 'i .,'.!! y A f-- .1 ill' :<'i'\\ i ■■". ■'■!;'£!:; 'I'.' \ ^'^' ■i4 V I }l'%' ,^^^' ,,r.r|.,. U' /I •^^1; ".M ■\- •■;ii %. !'.i ' : ■1. ;l' 516 feet long, twenty in breadth, and fifteen above the water'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 t\v a 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, Inifc 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 tarms, surrounded by fine gardens and good orchards, that convey an imposing idea of the affluent circumstances of their owners. 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 two grist-mills, and several saw-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. above id sup- on the the two tt right rht and he seig- iwrence, id, there )f fertile gardens m posing of their iS in dif- :ies, par- contains icated to r, on the U chapel, eated on agreeable iurround- different d several contains >re-houses hundred ;ed at the i and St. t I' r^i ' ' 1 f !, ■ '1 •'.i •1 ■ ■ •; :■! >■ it-.;'- .;« V \- v\ \^ ^^ r\ 'A 517 %^ NM X "A \ 'A^ Lawrence. The houses are nearly all built of wood, generally whitewashed, 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 Devon, 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 . m :„ \. ■ ji B";' I j"^i ':W:^ ■;, .Vi.;l 518 pine, besides a great plenty of inferior sorts. It is watered by a few small streams, that de- scend from the mountains, and flow into the Riviere du Sud. FouiiNTEii (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 crown ; 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 Gagn6. 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- geneml's office. Ste. Claire (fief), in the rear of Gagn6 and Cap St. Ignace, two leagues in depth, by nearly one league in breadth; was granted March 17th, 1693, to R6n6 Le Page. Of these fiefs, the three first possess a tolerably rich and productive soil, and are in a very ol9 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 Si. Ig- nace very little timber remains ; but 1 ournier produces a great deal of all sorts. Excepting Ste. Claire, they are all well watered 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 gootl ; 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 waste 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- wards the river the land is low, 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 ■ t ■S m\ p.--i f ' ■./f :• '%' ;l J-'-.^ A U- in 'I-: 1 !.■' i^: ,1 520 parsonagc-liousc, unci the telegraph station No. 6. Several roads by the St. Lawrence, 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. BoNSECouiis (the seigniory of), in the county of Devon, fronts the St. Lawrence, and is bounded on the north-east by Islet, on the south-west by Vincelot and its augmentation, and by waste lands in the rear; one league and a half in front by two in depth; was granted July 1, 1677» to Sieur Francois 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- vation, and is very well inhabited ; the system of agriculture is good, and well adapted to the land, which towards the river lies low, with 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 watered by the Bras St. Nicholas, the other streams being very insignificant. f Islet de St. Jean (the seigniory of), in :"■•! ,521 1 . • ! the county of Devon, is hounded by the river in front, by Lessard in the rear, and Ucs be- tween Bonsecours and St. Jean Port Joli ; one league in breadth by two in depth; granted May 17tli, 1677, to Demoiselle G6nevieve Couillard. The front of this grant is low, 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 well as thickly inhabited. It is watered 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 growth. 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 which 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 ' " ! [;■[■: I -i i u \i ^^ ■' '.ii If '(■' I . I" •if I r-v" ''itf! i ■Mi 522 southward of tlie 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 ; two 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 few 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 well 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, water it very well : there are a few other streams of inconsiderable note. 1 lit- is but i with las yet of), in. the St. ast by i in the :s and a granted t is now [n front liformity d a few rear it is i a mix- lout the About oderate its, gene- |industry, Beech, in great species, d River ountains nding in ill: there ble note. I ■ J 'I m l! n I.-I .>>'< 1 I : M'; 1! : "1 I. :i fS' ' i ■ I "ni « ■I I ' -M I i j f 1 ! •1 ^ 'i ' ',(f ■ > r i' • \ "'■)■ ' .'I k I V- .^ \ ~v ^~ X V. .\ V 523 .N I .NX" \ X:^ \ V ex X V The church and parsonage-house are situated close to tlie St. Lawrence, 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. Harrower are very eligibly placed : the latter is an establishment of considerable magnitude, with every convenience for carrying on an ex- tensive business ; at high water 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; was rrranted March l6th, 1677, to De- moiselle de -a 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. (,:m I :1. I li i' 1.1 II . M consisting of grain, butter, poul- try, live-stock, and a coarse species of woollen 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 Quelle, 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. Lawrence, about the entrance of River Quelle, 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 now so pro- ductive as it used to be. St. Denis (fief), in the county of Cornwal- lis, lies between River Quelle (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 dv St. Denis, for, and in the name of, Joseph Ju- ,' ' 529 H, cliercjiu, his son. The soil in this ficf 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 wheat 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. Camouraska (the seigniory of), on the south bank of the St. Lawrence, in the county of Cornwallis, is bounded by St. Denis on the south-west, Granville on the north-east, and the unsurveyed township of Woodbridge in the rear ; three leagues in breadth by two in depth ; was granted July 15th, 1674, to Sieur de la Durantaie : it is now the property of — — — . Tach6, Esq. This is another of the very va- luable and productive seigniories of the Lower District. In thv^ 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 M ,1 M . . '.1.1 i'ii X'- I lit;";. ft ' j is' '■ ' '■ '.*; h ;?. ;l! W'\:- ^^j' I i 5 I \ i ,r 1 VI '. ' ! • ,.i l-t I -I ! ! M' l.i'!!- h ■ I . . t. ;-v'^:;i' <» 530 by a few dwarf pines and low underwood. The soil is excellent, being either a rich black mould, a yellow loam, or a mixture of clay and sand : towards ihc icar it loses some of its gopdness and fertihty, 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 whence large quiv.iities of excellent butter are conti- nually sent to Quebec, where it is more esteemed than an V 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 watered by the Riviere du Domaine, which in its course works a grist and a saw-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 with 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 I. The mould, l1 sand : oodness nous. — cultiva- pifogress and all larvest*; ;e of the )ry some I whence I'e conti- psteemed ket. Ex- e beech, rod need, I. It is ivhich in , and by into the into the n a com- ions: on houses, uxuriant esent all country. ;ly seated on the main road, near the St. Lawrence : close to the former, and running soiitli-wcst on each side of the road, is the viihige of Camouraska, consist in g: of Ibrty or fifty houses, tii' greater part of them built of wood; but theit one few of stone, in a much superior st ' he others : some families of great rcsp( ctability have fixed their residence here, also some very reputable shopkeepers and artisans; it can likewise boast of one or two inns, where 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 Lower Province ; it is also the water- ing-place, where 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, arc appendages thereto; being almost bare rocks, they are scarcely of any value, but they are of great utility as af- fordinir 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. ' f > r i ' til : -^Ju ; *T-i J- : -y] 't ■-> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 4^. 1.0 I.I 11.25 l^|Z8 |25 |io ■^" JJIJ^B ■^ Bii 12.2 ■" ■'" 1 2-0 lU 10 WUU 140 i <^ .<\#/ ^^V \,^* ^ FholDgraphic Sciences Corporalion 23 WiST MAIN STRUT WEBSTM,N.Y. MSSO (716)«72-4S03 z r^O i\ \ i .-i' .• I i tm ii t . ^ I. '■,i I'. 1 ■| !i ' t J'i : I , ;> •I :' Iv ■■ Ml ■■■sv ■ *i , ' 1! ■tl ■'■ '■. 1* . 532 The Camouraska •schooners are well known at Quebec forthe large quantities of provisions they are laden with, 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 district of Quebec will always 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 pdrts, singularly embossed with abrupt masses of solid rocks of granite, destitute of any thing like a covering of soil. From the crevices in them spring a few dwarf pine-trees, rising a little above a thick foliage of creeping shrub- bery, issuing from the same places, and spread- ing over nearly their whole 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 will be strongly excited to beUeve that what is now the continent was. known at sions they :, poultry, isiderable ber. Tlie Dart of the the notice ink of the plain that, hes almost mountains : in various jpt masses ' any thing pievices in ), rising a ing shrub- nd spread- ts: in cir- m three to vary from pendicular ranee, and ma islands ivhich and lost dry at ;ly excited linent was. 533 at some period or other, submerged beneath the wide-spreading wave of the St. Lawrence, 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 naiTow channel that it now occupies, would become an interesting subject for the researches of the geologist; but as it does not fall within the province of the topographer, the enquiry may be dispensed with here. Granville (the seigniory of) is bounded by Camouraska on the south-west. Islet du Portage on the north-east, the St. Lawrence in the front, and the unsurveyed township of Bungay in the rear ; one league in breadth by three in depth ; granted October 5th, 1707, to Marie Anne de Granville, widow of Sieur de Soulange. Islet du Portage (the seigniory of) lies between those of Granville and Lachenaye, bounded in the rear by waste 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 ComwaUis, having its front to the river^ is bounded cm the south- ,1 •' .1 \ ■■ 5 J' r a'; i I ■' X V ^' It V: 1: ^' C 1 •.S'j,»l !-l.f ; I -'. f s :-. 1 i\ ij *' , 'if * I . ''*■ I, % ^ i i S:! m u 1. ! • < h\ . ^^H f ! Hf^i ■ ^^^w '■ '' ' If. m0-'"' 1 '■ ; 1; ^^1 ^^B ;i i ; i 1 ^H' m % • 'i, ■^/I'llr/iii, 1 ^^B ' '' ,( _ 1 > "^ •' 'f'h .ii ^if * 4-> j*- ' r 1 i-'^tl r ■ll-;'/ '«^,-; ^; -s^fi !i ^K '.« ^-i- j 'iiifi 1 III % '1 [§4 1'! ! :■ ' 1 |;;''^'|;; ';'^ i - ■ ■ 1;-. . V- 1. . ■' ■ \\ ■ ■' 1 ' . ;■ '■•: - ■■■! ■• \t: : ■';.: ■ ■' ' ' ' ) i 1 ■ ■ '.'■■: <* - '',k s! • . •' ':■. ■■■:^\ 1 ' 'll ' , i ■ ■ -J' ' ' . . ' ■ ■ ■ *. ||L it ■ -f'-^ ■f 534 t 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 waste lands; two 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 watered by a few small streams that descen'^] to the St. Lawrence. In Granville there is ^rist-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- laide, 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, » ■ f J ' f i 111! iji ■■ nsurveyed y the seig- le rear by eagiies in June 2cl, .achenaye. some very th-easterly 1 the river, tainous; a vated, but flourishing Eir, in each that passes entiy plen- nds. They few small Lawrence. Islet has a but Gran- ling at all ^es of con- e names of ouise Ade- i ; of these on ; in the 3n broken. I 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 whole breadth; they are only piles of rock covered with low brushwood and a few 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. Tt has nearly five leagues in breadth by two in depth; granted April 5th, 1689, 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 meadow land ; these are divided into several ranges of concessions, bearing the names of St. Andr6 Riviere du Loup, St. Patrick Riviere du Loup, Fraserville, Nouvelle Ecosse, St. Ceorge, orCacona, 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 l( 1 1 . I l:W ' \' 536 ir. y,d\ I'-. ■•>;,''! / V ■ ^-■' *i M I- ■ii.'ii". M^ '■i ivith beech, maple, birch, and large quantities of pine. It is watered by several streams, but the principal one is Riviere du Loup, which rises in the high lands, and flows in nearly a northerly course into the St. Lawrence; on both sides of it the banks are high, until ap- proaching within about three quarters of a mile of its discharge, where they become low and flat : vessels of twenty-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 owner of the seigniory, is situated on the north side of the entrance of the xiver. The main road passes close to the River St. Lawrence, except near the church of St. Patrick, where it makes a detour by a rising ground, up to the bridge over Riviere du Loup, and afterwards descends again to the bank of the St. Lawrence, and so continiies 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 Qacona, there is a chapel for .! -r V '. quantities Teams, but )up, which in nearly a rrence; on 1, until ap- rs of a mile le low and ascend it as than half a ge, the re- , is situated nee of the iose to the the church detour by a iver Riviere Is again to io continiies it. By the ages of well mi cropsf of LOUses, with , besides a irough the here is but ssion of St. chapel for Mat- -^&^. If V:'..' f •v ',i 1-t 'H 'i: • u:''- ^\} i'-^l ?■ ^ t" ■^ &'';8 !? i§ i •i U I.; i i \h , ■ 1 1 Ml oj- I rN 3 tv ■'.'•■ ^P^AJlfej,?''"' '•<;,■''. >^ It' 1.1^ •■■■I .1,1 u. «.«.***-. »^ S*"!^ Tin /<<] Hw Viiitt;! Xtiitt'S ... -'tt^"mi!w\^ui=s .,- '"'■ /'„ on llie S T L A WR E X r E .^"^^ ^^A/I.^ . V\V> tC- ^^A% TO Q^"^' V> fi,. ~.V .iT n'aller..Smip. ^•"'v^vo^ ,/ - "' .....>^^ .N\>' ,, Ti* ,» ** AVI )»1 ,' V/f I'tu'tf,/ >s't A.,., /,-^.vv.A« k?^ ». ^ M * ' ••lllllu/.il4>HiT.r hthiuhrd hf wr^dtf. .*' J"""*! ( ' ,/„ r,ui..i .♦///'.. "W »■- .. A/7//,..,.*/ „,. //.n»/ /'. ///' " ; • ^T??^**' I h,lli.ihfd. h>f W.P*>Uf.O*>iriitg Ovss.aug'^''^\ Ji TIT' 1; J J ! 537 ^hose to whom distance denies a regular at* tendance at the former. Cacona is ahnost 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 eastward of the Riviere des Caps is the commencement of the Timis« couata portage, which, as being the only rorte by land from Quebec to Halifax, a distance of six hundred and twenty-seven miles altogether, is of great importance, and a particular de- scription of it therefore will perhaps be accept- able. It was 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, with the few attentions it has received from time to time, have clearly shewn 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 always conveyed by it, when landed from the packet at Halifax. From the main road of the St. Lawrence, where the portage road branches off, to Juong's Farm on li J ■, :\' '■it: It ■I ■ \- A' .' ■•■*>•?' h ] ',!'■ ■I ■•; '^ .[; '■.'■ ,'.»■ V'xal i ' ■■ 538 the bank of Lake Timiscouata, the distance is thirty-seven miles : the direction of tlie road is generally to the eastward, but it has numerous turns and windings to avoid ascending several very lofty and rugged hills, or crossing deep swamps; as it is, about twenty-four miles of the distance is over a succession of mountains, many of them rough and very steep. How- ever, none of the formidable impediments exist that were formerly considered so insurmount- able ; and indeed a little exertion, with an ex- pense not very considerable, would render this road as good and convenient for travelling as can be reasonably expected in a wild and unsettled country. From the bank of the St. Lawrence, up to Cot6*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 corvSes of several hun- dreds of militia men, who 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 was unsound and swampy, causeways were formed with logs. Though much has been * ? I ( 539 done, more is yet wanting to complete the work; cutting trenches on each side of the road would be serviceable in draining off the water, and rendering the base of it more solid. Bridges should be erected over the different streams, instead of the inconvenient make-shift now resorted to, of placing three logs across them ; a contrivance very awkward and unsafe for a horse to pass, and much too narrow for a cart. In a fesv 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, with their families, were 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, however, sufficient wholly to answer the intended purpose, and most proba- bly others will hereafter be placed on proper places, of which many may be found, where there are large portions of good land, and some extensive brutSs, that might vciy speedily be brought into a state of moderate fertility : at present there ar^ only a few sheds at different ■ I'l' ' -.I'S'l. 11' ii . !•.;■•»' ill '^1 il? i' 4M •' • I -: ' 1; I ■ '^ '■■H' ■ ■:■} ^ -4' 1. f.;. 1 i I ' ii:i: l-:''l ^ ^11 1^ ' ■, V ;4. ■:)..».'■' .. j. '■W^' i > . I 1: ■(■\ i , f I * 1 540 inteiTals, where travellers may pass the night under shelter from the weather; but as they are uninhabited, nothing further is to be ex- pected from them. Two of the veteran soldiers (Clifford and Gardner) who are settled on the River St. Franpois, about midway along the portage, have got good and comfortable cot- tages, the accommodations of which 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 mountains over which the road runs are the St. Franpois, Cote de la Grande Fourche, Jean Paradis, La Montague de la Riviere Verte, and du Buard; the rivers are Du Loup, Riviere Verte, and Trois Pistoles, that flow into the St. Lawrence, and the Riviere St. Franfois, 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 Lake Timiscou- ata, twenty-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 tlte aid of their powerful streams to swell the waters of this romantic and secluded expanse, in this spot, so far removed from the habitations of msm. and the pleasures I I'riri. ight hey ex- iers the the cot- V \ ilMir B )^ ■ K 1 V I, :?l '; m\ •ni m>^r X. 1 ^^ fill m ■» M'i %- ^, » ■i- » '.■ ' % *'; ■ J *•■ % V-*- ' ' tt •# - •»■. * ■ / • »,*- fU^.' . ■■'■■ .i^ ' . , -^♦t ♦*■' J* ^ '--r "• ''*\^ 1 K ■ f^' I" 'J % .^ ■ ^, . "*.*••■ :^ .■<4', JiPSi. ■i'lifi^; . ' ii •'\r., J Ii ^t^J ■11 :^* '"Hfffi .yti it f 1 'W' f-" ■'■'*, r^^^^Hi ■ V i k .-^Q $ i V ^ ^ ■^ ?4 Vs V p^l 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 fevr 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 winter. 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 two other settlers of the Veteran Battalion (Serjeant Smith and Simpson) : twenty-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 westerly tide 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 tlieir defi- ciencies. At this place the Madawaska set- tlement begins, and continues by intervals on each side of the River St. John for about Ir •I ' . i'. •1-1 '• .1 ■ '. 1 ' I . • 1.5. K):4! > .li! ]','?■ if] : (' .■■*: ■ 1,-J , .1 ■ r . vf! i I ■'SI' vifi rS! h' V' 542 |. '.' .> ^1 -«. -'.ft ■.vA).: 'i'M I I V twenty-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 private , detached from some of the corps serving within the province of New Brunswick : from this post down to Presqu'ile is fifty-two miles, where 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 performed on the west side of 1 I \i I I it two Eidians. jr built, ivated : ;inning parson- Is in it. lony to listance ry post, liouses ;r and a le corps nswick : [ifty-two is kept, he total miles, of lirty-five commu- tiout the to form t of this ia settle- ! already. i appear, :omplete, t 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 down to Halifax (one hundred and thirty-three miles) the road is very good, along which travellers may always obtain moderately good accommodation. Isle Verte (the seigniory of), in the county of Cornwallis, is bounded in front by the River St. LaM^rence, on the south-west by Riviere du Loup (seigniory), on the north-east by Dartigny, and in the rear by waste lands; two leagues in breadth by two 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 »!• it , ; ■ h ih ( . '>:," III '■'I'll !)»■' I '. ' *■ // -. f y. 544 broad and two deep : no record of this grant has been found, even the date of the concession is unknown. Trois Pistoles (the seigniory of), in the county of CornwalHs, is bounded by Dartigny on the south-west, on tlie noi th-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 Vitr6. RiciiAUD Rioux, now a part of Trois Pis- toles, is an extensive grant, fronting the St. Lawrence, and .learly encompassed on the other sides by waste lands ; it is six leagues in length by four in breadth ;' granted April 6th, 17ol» 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 few 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 narrow slip between it and the shore. This space possesses a mo* •.f 545 this grant ;oncession f), in the Dartigny ►y Richard inds; two 1 ; granted Trois Pis- nu the St. ed on the leagues in t April 6th, )m the seig- anks of the has kept ,er parts of jltivation is ilaces it is e are both ire remains Itiements in bee. The |ly through- ,nd rugged; so close to [ip between •sses a mo* I deratcly good soil, upon which there are a few settlements under a respectable state of hus- bandry ; there arc also several patches of good land more in the interior, lying in the hollows between 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 Vertc 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. Lawrence; it has a ferry over it at the main road. Isle Verte, or Green Island, lying oft' 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 well covered with timber of various species, and very good growth. Trois Pistoles is intersected by a N N »>'i .1? r i:). ::4l ■m '' :H !'';!- ,.L n i\^ ■[■i. %■.',■; I 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 below Richard Rioux, has two leagues in breadth upon the St. Lawrence, and two in depth ; was granted May 6th, 1675, to Monsr. de Vitr6, together with the Island of Bic, lying in front of it, nearly three miles in length by three quarters of a mile in bn^adth. RiMousKi (the seigniory of) joins Bic; it has two leagues in front along the river, and two in depth; granted April 24th, 1688, to Sieur de la Cardoniere. The island St. Bar- iiab6, lying off this seigniory, is also included in the grant. St. Barkarf.' (the seigniory of) extends from the north-east boundary of Riniouski, down 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 irrent is long the Lake Ti- be liad ounty of oux, has .awrence, )tli, 1675, Island of B miles in breadth. IS Bic ; it river, and 1688, to St. Bar- I) included ) extends Rimouski, lux Peres, readth by arch 11th, b6. xt in suc- a league :e, by two larch 8th, Le Page (the seigniory of) follows Lcssard ; it is about three leagues in front by one in depth ; granted November 4th, IG96, to Sicurs Louis Le Page and Gabriel Tibi^rge. An augmentation to it of two leagues in depth was granted to the same persons, May 7th, 1697- Paciiot (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. Lawrence, of one league in breadth by one league in depth ; granted January 7th, l689f to Sieur Pachot. De Peiras or Metis (the seigniory of) follows Pachot, and contains two 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 few patches of tolera- ble land, with some meadows and pastures, present themselves. In Bic, Rimouski, and St. Barnab6, 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 ' •f ■f ■i ^1 •1^ I''.. ! .1 h III. ill 554 the general found it expedient to dislodge them from tlieir house, which 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 walls, 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 with 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 well-cultivated tracts of the surrounding country, the whole bounded by distant mountains both to the northward and the southward. 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 plentifull}"^ ; it con- tains also some very luxuriant pasturage. Withi ii this parish, delightfully situated on a rising ground, a short distance from Cape Tourmente, is a country residence, with a chapel and va- rious outbuildings, belonging to the Seminary of Quebec, and whither many of the superiors retire every year durin; the fine season. The settlements of St. F^r^ole range along the «' M ^ dislodge r had so aid of a n to sub- itery was f some of adjoining ,r of these T a hand- this spot spect un- )ortion of nd of Or- the inter- i tracts of bounded northward ;. Joachim re of good producing 3^ ; it con- re. Within 1 a rising ^ourmente, »el and va- eminary of J superiors ison. The along the 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 whence 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 which is numerously inha- bited, and very well cultivated, notwithstand- .ii'f hi :.'. . •!, hi ■ • :' u: m it; ' .y^ sr ■ \i ■'i 'i ■$■ ''.it \r^' y m — ■*! :>':[: ■^/■•H I W''''M U; 556 ing the land is in many places very rocky and uneven : several spots on the sides of the hills, though difhcult 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 whitewashed on the outside, which 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 GoufTre, 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. PauFs Bay, Le Gouffre (the seigniory of), in the county of Northumberland, is bounded on the westward by the Riviere du Gouffre, on the eastward by the seigniory of Les Eboulemens, and in the rear by waste crown lands; it extends about half a league on the River St. Lawrence by four leagues in depth, along the i!:i! iky and , he hills, elevated manual grain of s of the ery well e, which prospect atness of al small and after into the ly several passes at :he extre- . Urbain, and in- , very im- jrre is si- 1 GoufFre, in the ed on the 3, on the oulemens, lands ; it i River St. along the 557 Riviere du GoufFre; granted December 30th, 1682, to Pierre Dupr6: it is now 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 Bale, 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, shows 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 waters 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 'I. I ■ .1 . tii . .i1i,.;;f II '. [l< •'is ■ i. )! t! Hi I ' . ,, .■ ♦ .■ ,1: m ■■■^- ''■i ■':•',-.>» 558 a circuit before tliey 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 Eboulembns (the seigniory of), in the county of Northumberland, fronting the St. Lawrence, lies between the seigniories of Le GoufTre and Murray Bay, bounded in the rear by waste crown 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 Dies; but the edges of the bays, between the different projecting points, afl'ord some good patches of meadow and pasture land: trorn 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. i.' iJ 559 river : L grand Liresque known ), in the tlie St. s of Le the rear breadth ;raut has n act of ;d, 1723, , that he question e thereof ty of M. this seig- t the soil Bay, and ;c. Tlie fty, espe- edges of jrojecting [■ meadow I bank of rise ridge iintains in jodefroidr 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 whitewashed 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. Lawrence, 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, with nu- merous appendages. There are several roads leading ; )ng the St. Lawrence, 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 twenty-nine arpens in front, and running the whole depth of the seigniory, is taken from the western extremity of it. From the situation of this settlement, and those of Le Gouftre and St. Paul's Bay, being denied access by land with other seig-» lilM.i .» f ' :M^ ,1. A h: i>i ,■ i \m i i 'Il ■■''J < . I i'>r W-. '"- ' ' J ' : 560 niories, owing to the intervention of the barren tract of Cote dc Bcaupre before alluclocl 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 (luantities of pine planks. In one or two 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 two 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- be*. ring mainland, the island is low, 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 with thick creeping shrubbery, but in general the ascent of it is gradual and easy. The soil barren loci to, roducc -which inually gation : ive cat- ities of ys there which a various s of her- >f) Ucs in from its e Bay of ounty of miles in niles, but ites in a ;o the ec- , to whom le neigh- iv, though 'ew rising laces rises ered with eneral the The soil mi throughout is of a good prolific quaUty,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 i\ la Branche, and Cote de la Baleine ; these are very little watered by streams of any description. A small quan- tity of wood of very inferior kinds still remains on the high ground, about the middle of the island. There is on j parish, a church, and a parsonage-house ; the inhabitants are reckoned between two and three hundred persons, living in neat well-built houses on each side of a road that makes the complete tour of the island. The battures and shoals surrounding it are very productive 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 Jief et seigneurie, that have been made by the British govern- ment ; it extends from the seigniory of Eboule- mens along the river St. Lawrence, as far as Malbay, a distance of four leagues by three leagues in depth; was granted April 27th, o o I ■ '•■\ , ' •»• I ': ! 'Si lit' .1 ' II : Ml I , ' 562 I ' r(.: I : i^ I'v- 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 e?i Jief et seigneurie, (the third of the same description is Shoolbred, in the district of Gaspe) ; it reaches from tlie 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 two 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* I n His [igs at is an- e, (the red, in B north 3 bank Koire, il27th, of His is now These ;h other ry small rison to of both 3 soil is 3 plenti- le lands re those river for d passes emity of n-houses a church nd some manor- the seig* 563 hlory. In Mount Murray the best settlements are on the borders of Mai bay river, and stretch as far as those on the opposite shore. The manor-house beloniiini; to Colonel Eraser, called Mount INIurray, is ver^"^ well situated at the en- trance of the bay on the east side, and sur- rounded by a large tract of Avcli-cultivated lands. Both grants are watered by several streams, neither of which are more than suffi- cient to work the mills. Hark 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 eachr 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 westerly one \& placed the telegraph No. 13, the last in the chain from Quebec. The IliVEK Saguenay, which discharges itself into the St. Lawrence, at Pointe aux AU 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 Mil ;U' .,1 1 1,^ •in I! 'tM?:: * will 'h.' 1 \ ■ '"1 '" !k' ' -'^f: \ \ K;'' \ ._ 1 r ')''- ■ji \H ■ y [y\-. i ;1! If' 1 ^1 i i .1 1L> 564 :i'- .1 ,:. ! ■M'f- ■^-i:. waters of considerable expanse, lying in 48" 20' of north latitude, and 72° SO' 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, where precipices inter- vene, there are falls from fifty to sixty feet in height, down which the whole volume of the stream rushes with indescribable fury and tre- mendous noise. The general breadth of the liver 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 1^ I' m" ':■,;(■ in 4a'' jst lon- it flow an im- ich the [le Pari- eastern lied the inogami r flowing lassing a if twelve the irre- it contb- ition, for St. Law- j shout its jely high, ty even to he stream: imonly ve- jices inter- xty feet in Lme of the ry and tre- ^dth of the If to three nee is con- epth 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. Tiie 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 low 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, which 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 whale, seal, porpoise, and salmon-fishery ; these are known by the name of King's Posts, 'ji"'':.!;' 'Vi 'V ^!|* \x I.! /: ifcs Ul m \ :■ . i!.- H llf I 1 ( ,( ;!ir :>'.•) . ■■■ t '%:■,; ' •;,■'.'•. ^-i'yl . .it' , .■ ■■•■•. , [11. X •■ I'. :> \! : * ,i 'ii^ 566 and are. now let, with all their privileges, to the North- West Coni[)any 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 Jereniie, near ]3etsiamitis 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 winter. 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 northward : another of the many anomalies that distinguish the climate of Canada. MiLLE Vaciies (the seigniory of), in the county of Northumberland, situated near the River Portneuf, ten leagues below the Sa- guenay ; it extends three leagues along the bank of the St. Lawrence by four leagues in depth; was granted November 15th, 1653, to Robert Giffard. Terra Firma of Mingax (the seigniory of) extends from Cape Cormorant, aloog the i a , to the I lease, ids per ined at nay, at ie, near ids, be- >p des fisheries I at the on with )out the tolerably quality ; id atten- in ripens Quebec, er to the inomalies I. ), in the near the the Sa- along the leagues in , 1653, to 5 seigniory 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 JMingan 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 two 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 I'f". '■l:!.v ' * t ' I - ■tv» I i^ •u \: •i.l! , * ■' -' ''A:'. . m \i.'-A m m ;i-: ■ i- ■ •'•■1 llj lilt it •' •i-. ' .. .-..■•it' ■ 3 tit '.: 'f;v«.. !i H' 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 townships is chiefly beech, maple, birch, and pine; on the low and moist grounds, basswood,' cedar, spruce, and hemlock, are prevalent. They are very well watered by the Rivers Becancour, du Ch^ne, and numerous small streams, that after winding through almost every part of them, fall into the two 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 between Chester and Inverness ; bounded on the north-west by So- merset and Arthabaska. i*ud on the south-east by Wolfestown and Ireland. The land in this township is principally of a good quaUty, 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 intq i:t L-(.!.- .-:■ m Jroix. ficers The ■ low, 'or the r parts p and kelson much Lotbi- nships 16 ; on cedar, bey are our, du at after ■ them, ind has nghara, ers and ter and by So- uth-east I in this ity, and growing irt of it ms into 569 swamps. No portion of it is yet settled upon, nor has any attempt been made to bring it into cultivation, although • ..iight be done with al- most a certainty of success. There is a great supply of beech, elm, maple, butternut, birch, and bass wood, 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 Mathew Scott and Benjamin Jobert : the present proprietors are Mrs. Scott and family, and the heirs of the late Mr. Frobisher. Invfrness, in the county of Buckingham, lies b. 'pn Halifax and Nelson, bounded on the nor. lA- N*'est by Somerset and part of Nelson, and on the south-east by Leeds. No part of this tract is cultivated, 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 northward, which is covered with hemlock, spruce fir, and cedar. On the dry lands, timber is in great abundance a^id of an excellent description. It is watered by Lake William, wh'ch discharges itself by a small stream into the Becancour, and by another is connected with Lake Pitt, ! ■ ■ n ■ t t§ |>ri f--] ,'i I :i ■■.■•h' :' ^\ I i ' 'l ilj^i ill ■i in ]■' S: 570 . ( ■*' :'m t.i 'hVl ■>. ■' 4 . •■'■'■ I r;S' H .<.N;. ;-•■ 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-west, 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, now 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 with Lake Pitf. 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, r Leei>s, in the county of Buckingham, is an- 671 i-west )ishcr, gliam, i-west, i-west, h-east. sists of fit for p, flax, . The a series derable swamps rth-west urveyed f Joseph ncl inha- is called rch, and in great Ltered by ;h is con- ike Pitf. rosses the jrd's Set- found of ; country, lam, is an irregular tract, situated between the seigniory of St. Gillcs 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, where the land is poor and very stony, the generality of this township is of ex- cellent quality, fit for the growth of all kinds of grain, flax, hemp, and other general pur- poses of agriculture. It is well stocked with timber of man}^ sorts, as beech, birch, maple, basswood, elm, ash, ironwood, spruce fir, and hemlock ; and very well watered by the Becan» cour, which 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 would have attended them. This road was originally devised to open a direct com- munication between Quebec, the townships on the frontiers, and the adjacent American States ; but its completion has been retarded by many difficulties, more apparently originating in a want 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 expeose of Joseph Fro- 1? -vl :. ) •. •! '■j'l ill' % M ';-i :|1 ■',( ■•.V I -1; I ■ ' l" . I "f J !■ 1 ■ ■ . 1 •: " I tH>.. ■ • i J :» '.1 I*' hi^f 'f .■'■■; :.'>^ :-^^:;ii ,c:. !^.^-'l ifi,.:-; ;?:,'il!^ 572 bisher, Esq., and other landholders in the townships through which it passes : it extends from tlie bank of the St. Lawrence through the seigniory of St. Gilles, to the township of Ship- ton, from whence a road had already been made to the river St. Francis, and thence to the boundary line. The enterprise did not succeed very well, as Lord's Settlement, in the township of Ireland, was the only one that was attempted. In 1809, during the administration of Sir James Craig, a fresh attempt was 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 wherever they were found neces- sary. The object in view was so far obtained as to enable a stage to travel with tolerable dis- patch, though not without inconvenience to those who availed themselves of its conveyance, from the want 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 township of Shipton, a distance of about sixty miles. At Kemp's Bridge, Palmer's inn was at one time opened; but it neither answered the expectations of the public, nor produced benefit to the proprietor. Notwithstanding the 573 inducements held out to encourjige 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 individuals 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 'I. I ! •;♦. '.I 1". . ■1^ -•:f M' - i V I • - :( ; •i''t I ill ' JUj ' •'. t ■" .■ ' » •' i I ■;4 ii '1/ ■ ' ■ a i ," ') ■'-«? "s^^i I'll' 1^ 574 Leeds was 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 Ifamilton, 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. TiiKTFoRD, in the county of Buekingham, lies between 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 with 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 somewhat mountainous, contains much land of a good quality ; many of the inferior swells, if cultivated, would produce wheat and 575 other grain ; some parts of it are well calculated for hemp and tlax, and many others arc na- turally tolerably good grass lands. It is well stocked with beech, maple, birch, elm, and other useful timber, ' esides abunciance of wood of inferior quality. It is watered by se- veral branches of the Bt.ancou'', by some ri- vulets flowing into the Chaudiere, and Hy one or two sniall lakes. The north-west lulf was granted to 11. Jenkins and Wi-.i^m Hall, and is now the property of the latte;, wiio 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 oi St. Joseph, on the Chaudiere, there is a moderately good road, and another to Craig's Road. Thing, in the county of Buckingham, joins the seigniory of Vaudreuil on the north-east, and lies between Bro'j>::uton and Shenley. 'I'his tract of land is, for the greatest part, of a fa- vourable quality and fit for tillage; it would produce grain, .md 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 with excellent fish ; they discharge their waters into the River Chaudiere, through a stream called the Bras du Sud-Ouest. One half of the township ha* Ml AM 'i 4 -fit }i ; I. f '* nffMii /■i I !l.'' nil 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 Galiion 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 would 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 watered. 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 fisr 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 Rivf^r Chaudiere. It is well stocked with basswood, birch, maple, beech, and elm Jirfh 5tr )gress Tham, ;)orset st by d the est by I some sessiug ubtless er the consists on the Ise but vatered. inted to hereof is gham, is le River )rth, and isurveyed consisting jry fit for irable for rh no set- in it; the ocky bank II stocked I, and elm timber : some of the swamps are covered with cedar and hemlock. It is admirably well wa- 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 meadow land. The whole of it was granted to Mr. John Black, but now belongs to the heirs of the late Simon M'Tavish, 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-west, and by Cranbourne on the south- east. A soil for the greatest part favourable to agriculture, though a good deal diversified with hill and dale, is the general character of this township, but a few of the low 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 watered by the principal branch of the River Echemin, and some inferior rivers, on which there are some excellent situations for mills. Only a very small portion of this township 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 I. ) ■*) it- t. .1 I '■ 1- m : I '■ i I '■f i\: It: > U'l /,•■'■ 'n • I. , !| i: 11 111 .. \i-m 578 however, 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-^-Peine ; it joins Jolhet and Frampton on the south-west, and is bounded on the other sides by waste lands of the crown. The surface of tliis tract is much varied, ia many places rising into considerable swells, the intervals between which 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 with beech, birch, maple, ironwood, basswood, and elm, with a great deal of cedar, spruce fir, and black ash. It is completely watered by several large streams and branches of the Echemin, with 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 Oornwallis, is an I ^ ''I are s an ■ the [arti- and nded rown. 5d, in Is, the y,but le wet Every id flax, tdance. birch, with a ash. It streams lany ri- ire very h good Large e by the I quarter which is , Esq., of ilUs, is an 579 irregular tract lying in the rear of the seigniory of Ste. Anne, and the augmentation to the River Quelle. Of this township no more than one thousaind two hundred acres have been sur- veyed, and granted to Matthew Omara, the whole 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 which is transported by the River Quelle to the St. Lawrence, 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, where the soil is moderately good, and would bear tillage. Some little exception, however, may be made in favour of that part of Stoneham from the front of it to the River Jacques Cartier, where the land is chiefly arable, and of a yellow loamy p p 2 ■H H, I. ''I'u li'i. * ' i. ^i\ ',t' I '. Phi; ^) ? • •'Jt tl^ '•1,;' 4- ■■ ? !'l •-tmiiiiammiiSUilSmm ifun «■,!. 580 liature. They are watered 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. •■ ii i ., \ii THE DISTRICT OF GASPE', The eastern extremity of tlie province on the south side of the St. Lawrence, lies between the parallels 6f 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 New 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 iwbf from the north-west side of which, down ••'!:l , ivers low- is of tude, con- good itone- hand- Mrs. on the ;en the 49 de- ind be- lutes of ounded , on the Gulf of >rovince Jhaleurs. id sends nt. Less respect icts; the at termi- nearly in ch, 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 townships 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 'Ml. ■V, '1 •1' C' -. : 1 i^ * ■••♦'1 i 1, 1^^ u •u^ II >'^ i.i ■;n 1^ ill I."- . I,', 1 1 •i I m Sf;f»)B<' 1;--1 582 forty-two miles, and exce|>tjng the space of Ironbound shore, lying between Richmond and Bonavj^nture, the front line of concessions is nearly all settled iipon. The front of Maria and Richmond forms an open ba^ , 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 two concessions only. Between 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 which there happens to be some land fit for culture, although there are five Seignioral grants of land within that space. The whole 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 winter : ^ince 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, as the quantity ex- ^i ; 583 i of and ns is laria e an- bur- int of such d are )ne or Loziere js and vough- settle- in the 3 some ire five space, in 1808 )f three rn in it ; on the [1 it has industry d in the 1 act of jT-seventh ed on to ntity ex- ported amounts, communihus 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 Gasp6 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, white and black birch, beech, elm, and pine, fit for mast- ing of small dimensions, with 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- 51. f vi'l. ■I' '<". ' v^X 1 •i '.i ' ; 1 1. -5' ■ < 1 IB Ik I? m I »• :■!■ 1 ;■'. ■I ^l: mm 584 ir:s ■',{ ;^. ! f :.'■■»' IfA* .: ..•^^it- f;l merous settlements extend on each side, occu- pying nearly the whole front of the townships 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 want 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 within the township 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. Perc6, 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 hke the chief town is honoured with 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 H 585 the sake of retaining possession of the f shing 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 water, and of about twelve hun- dred feet in length, in which 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 with ease : from this rock, round Malbay to Point Peter, there is an excellent beach for fishing, part of which is named La Belle Ance, or Lobster Beach : close to this place is the house of the late Go- vernor Coxe. Gaspe 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 otl: ^r in- lets, called the north-west and south-west arms, penetrate a considerable distance into the interior, and receive the waters of several streams that flow 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 town, 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, r i: I' I-'. ■ I : H 'I » if i :■■ 586 ■:-3, I ^ ■i.ll yiMl: <]■ ;--;H? 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 tlie fishermen, as they are usually termed : several streams descend into this bay from a numerous chain of small lakes to the north- westward. 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 whole dependence is the fishery. On the north shore of Ristigouche Bay the country presents a great deal of luxuriant meadow 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 Jief and seigneMrie 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 i'% 587 site ided 30Ut oint the Dn a tions med : om a [lorth- Pabos Bon- about ted on 3 same le land but its e north )resents I; from out six- Q and a isyfieurie ;d, Esq. lotice as I, it yet from the y partial concession, but the disposal of the whole of it, probably only at a fnture period. A little be- yond this grant, upon the northern bank of the River Ristigouclie, is a small village of domici- liated Indians of tlie Micrnac tribe, which is superintended by a missionary, who resides at Tracadigash or Bonuventurc. The communi- cation from Gaspe to Quebec may be kept up by three ditfcrent routes : one by pursuing the coast of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence; the second is by following the course of the River Ristigouche as far as the River Matapedi.icli, 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 which 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 whence there is an Indian footpath or portage road of eleven miles to the Grand River, which flows into the River St. John, fifteen miles above the Great Fall, from whence the traveller proceeds in the road of the Temiscouata portage ; this is the least difficult of the three, and the distance by it from New Carlisle to Quebec is three hun- dred and ninety miles ; this may be shortened by eighteen or twenty miles, by a road that has If: .)"■( ;•*■;: . I' ii ■ '' ! '■'. I i I I 'it 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 Gasp6 the topographical account of the whole of the province of Lower Canada closes. ; I: ' : i ' ■'! I i ■>' m J' 1 ! I ■■'1 :y IV H 'J 589 III!. UPPER CANADA. '!,l: Since the year 1791 the Province of Upper Canada has been bounded in the following manner ; viz. on the east by Lower Canada, on the north-east by the Grand or Ottawa River, which in that direction separates it from the Lower 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 whence it passes up the middle of the River St. Lawrence, 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 water commu- nication up to the north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods, and from thence due west to the 1'^ ! '. m Iliy; 590 If-,; V «■■. J 't '.' River Mississippi ;* on the west and north-west 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 between it and the United States is so vague and ill defined, and the prolific source of so many disagreements between the two powers, 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, Newcastle, 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 with another, will average about 61,600 acres, making ■■::m.!U- * This boundary was fixed by the treaty of 1783, but is erroneous, inasmuch as a line drawn due west from the Luke of the Woods will not sttike the Mississippi at all. ?1 1" i-west fore it Bgions irthern id the d, and sments called be per- ^fth ar- .. The viz. the itle, the Western ; ^ies, viz. Russel, Lenox, North- Oxford, nt, and ind fifty- nds, and erved for he Pro- one with , making 783, but is ■)m the Lake 1. 591 the aggregate quantity of 9»694,400 acres, that may be arranged under the following 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 between 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 Avhole coun- try, from which very little deviation is per- ceptible. Between Pointe au Baudet and the Bay of Quint6, comprising the eastern, Johns- town, and midland districts, the land presents an almost uniform level of exquisite beauty, rising only a few feet from the bank of the St. Lawrence, finely intersected, and admirably m ]>■ ' I ' I I. .1 f .1 ■ ' r. i. . t . 1 1- .1; V Mf, - -'''^""•^"•-— ^"^•^•""^^"''"^ ■■ ■mr^.2^:=! FS..': N'j, «4 i; 595 well watered in almost every direction by nu- merous streams, several of which are navigable for boals and canoes, and obstructed only by a few fails that occasion short portages ; they offer hundreds of the most convenient situations for erect i no; 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 western 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 whicli 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 theQueenstown Heights,stretching across the river Niagara, and away eastward 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 Chippewa, a beautiful river flpwing through a d\ by nu- rigable ybya ly offer ons fot ith few ition of Quinte western s, of no liort dis- Dut from ts former Lersected • a sliort Simcoe, nortliem s a ridge I ng across into the [his range hundred the lake. Lhe Home a great lall, that the latter lalled the 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, towards Lake Huron, and after wind- ing a long and picturesque course, falls into Lake Erie ; across its mouth there is a bar, but always with eight feet water upon it; it is na- vigable for small vessels from the Lake many miles upwards, 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 what displays excellent situa- tions for settlements, and in spots where 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 die most delightful spot of all the provinci; ; tlic fertility of the soil, the richly diverwifu-d and luxuriant beauties that e\ery where court the vj< ♦v, the abundant variety of excellent fish that teem in the rivers, and the profusion of game of different species Q Q ■ft f, :m' I'.' . ^ ;• -. 1 ■1' . til,-.', ' f -I. ''t.''. ,; op j!!al^miSfi,lii-^'X'' IM ■•k 594 that enliven the woods, the thickets, and the meadows, 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 v^atered by niany small streams falling into Lake Erie, besides the River Chenail Ecarte and the exquisitely picturesque River Thames '^brmerly called the Riviere ^ la Tranche ; it rises fir 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 nearl}- up to its source, but little less than one hundred miles. 7^he River Chenail Ecarte runs almost parallel to the Thames, at about ten miles from it, and falls into Lake St. Claire. The portions now described are those only thai are more or less settled upon ; in the rear of the townships are Inrge tracts of land, stretching far to the northward, covered with i)nmense forests, and little known except to the Indians ; but it has been ascertained that there are many wide spreading extents of rich and fertile soil, parti- cularly bwdering on the south-west bank of the Ottawa River Through these regions, as yet unexplored by civilized man, there are many and the e to this iment of 4ake Ste. London by iiiany , besides jquisitely lalied the e interior, after pur- lon nearly St. Claire, miles from nearly up e hundred ms almost miles from le portions re more or townships far to the orests, and but it has nany wide soil, partis lankofthe •ns, as yet 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, walnut, 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 almost unknown ; 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 winters are shorter, and not always marked with such rigour as in the latter ; the duration of the fros|; 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 wt.^ks to two months earlier than what it does in the neighbourhood of Quebec ; the summer heats rarely prevail to excess, and the autumns are usually very friendly to the har- Vi*»ls, 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 arc only wanting to render this colony rto«ifi»bJ»K ^"'d happy. In reviewing the popu- Q q2 ,L M 'iv< il. - •tl ■ I '('y \i;i f; v.a mi: 596 lationofthis 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 ihat 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 Uiken 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 -ell be obtained. Of the three mil- lions of acres already stated to have been granted, the quantity now under tillage w'U be found to approach pretty near to two hundred and ninei> 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 r>97 I-:' icreasc years ; be es- tls, and nd gar- ;r part. IS made ibanded icreased lon grew ceofthe natural 3(3, they icrrations md, the so that numbers lich may nient, or must be as nearly hree mil- Hve been te w'U be hundred over the s and im- tedly that f the Bay of Quinte, a range of one hundred and seventy miles, in which are contained tlie towns of King- ston, Johnstown, and Cornwall ; Tort 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 tiiat lead to the inte- rior settlements. Great industry and attention to improvement are displayed upon most of the lands throughout this tract ; die roads that were formerly made have been gradually rendered sound and good, and many ne\v ones con- structed ; bridges have been thrown across the rivers, and various communications both by land and water 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- Avall, 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 •' *. •M:'..i: ;■ t '" .'1 • •. : -r y 1 • -i t 1.' ' ;, f " ' '' L f ■ ^ ■■ ! :> ^ , ■ ■ • - . \ -V i r- H^ i. • J' i^:' ,••1' t'.i ■J- ,' ■ :. } Kit 598 them the river is no more than one thousand six hundred yards broad ; during hostihties shot were repeatedly exchanged betvveeen 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 hit. <4''. 8'. north, and in long. 76°. 40'. west from Green- wich. On the ground upon which it is built formerly stood Fort Frontenac, an old French post. Its foundation took place in 1784, and by gradual increase it now 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 with each other, but not paved : the number of houses ma}'^ be estimated at about three hun- dred and seventy ; some of them are well built i^f stone, but the greater number are of wood; man}^ of them spacious and common 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- .» I land six es shot im, pap- loats up nrest and , is very le of the eastern ;. ^*4°. 8. 1 Green- [. is built 1 French 784, and L front of jxtendingf lie' streets ht angles lumber of iree hun- are well )er are of . commo- a govern- ant and a gaol, and ck-houses, For the ned consi- •I I ;• t • li -• < I • Iv'' (■ 1 ■4 H 599 dcrable mercantile importance; wharfs have been constructed, and many spacious ware- houses ercctecK ..at are usually filled with mer- chandize: i ^t, it is now become the main cntrcp6t be' Montreal and all the settle- ments along tiic iakes 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, cm- ployed in navigating the lake, are continually receiving and discharging their cargoes, as well as the batteaux used in the river. The harbour is well 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, with 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 works ought to be constructed in their stead. Opposite to the town, and distant about half a mile, is a long low peninsula, forming the west side of Navy, . .. 41 ir I ■i '■■W. t •• !■ , ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) «> 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■tt Uii |2.2 ^0 12.0 US I Hml 6" O^ <% V HiotogFaphic Sdences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SS0 (716) 872-4S03 n (i I. k'-{ 1i^ ',! «f ,1 t|' , ■. 1-,l, ■( ,->.■ -■■♦if) I I ( 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 where the ships are laid up during the winter; the anchorage is good, but somewhat exposed to south and south-west winds; it is very well defended by batteries and block-houses on Point Frederick, and by a strong fort on Point Henry. On the western side of Navy Bay are the dock-yard, large^store- houses, slips for building the men of war, navfil .barracks, wharfs, and several dwelling-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 were built and equipped: the construction of the St. Lawrence, a first-rate, mounting one hundred and two guns, will sufl^iciently prove that the power 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; Frede- inother landing This Liavy on laid up ood, but uth-west batteries and by a I western Lfge^store- var, nav^l ng-bouses artificers, ^'e been so jy to erect J the ships ario arma- )nstruction anting one intly prove ereafter be ival station )0ur, Navy- ion, and as maintain a greatest at- LbUshment ; 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, with numerical strength in their favour; and, in fact, the methods they pursue are well calcu- lated to obtain the object they steadily keep in view. The conduct of an enterprising enemy should always be narrowly 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 about beauty of model or elegance of finishing ; in fact, they receive no other polish than M'hat is given them by the axe and thf 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 unworthy of considera- tion, whether we cannot, with some atl ...ntage f' \ ... < ii ' i ;: In i i'l . i ••■ i:|:;: 1 'i' I'i-.' t 'Ml,:':*' I: I: v. ■■ m^ 1 ti i'sM r '••■7''i: '•*,'. m'': ■:i 1 •:- * Ml ..f ■ ^-'■• ;iS ilil 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 town 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 westward, to the eastward, and to the in- terior; with the latter there is a good water communication by means of the rivers Rideau and Petite Nation, and some lakes that are connected by short portages. In the lapse of ime, 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, twenty mUes in length and about six in extreme breadth ; it is uncul- tivated, but very well clothed with oak, elm, £sh, and pine timber, and where large quanti- ties are continually felled for the use of the dock-yard : on the south side of it a deep bay tn;^'- ':.!*' ir oppo- ly built, capable ir of our ilthough lid deco- y enemy I town of i chosen ; y nature, )r a great it to the ) the in- >od water rs Rideau that are le lapse of 3, this will tating the ► Kingston and Petite tie Ottawa. i is Wolfe 5 in length it is uncul- 1 oak, elm, ,rge quanti- use of the a deep bay U': I iv;4(: ■ iiir- m 1 !^ -i 1* ■ 'i 1 1 '-:\ , i 1. ■ " i - I- ?.? ■ if: . m j. . I I'll i •■ ■ ::;'';i ! ,j:l 1 ■i'l'lj^ii 1 \mMA f^ ***** A ^ ***^''* ** ** » a. '/ The Diftereat Chaunels , LfaditHffivm csTON to Lake On^tario ; Surveyed by Jh9^ Bouchette . 7^ iy»M»t COS 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. Lawrence to Kingston ; at the entrance of it lies Carleton Island, which has a good harbour, and was in the year 1775 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 harbour is made by three different channels: the first, 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 water ; 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 water shoals from three to two 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 water in it. A little to the westward of Kingston is the bay of Quint6, 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- fidus crooked turns it makes, is littk short of f; » ?»; i, -r' I,/;.] I ill:,:; ■•■ ', 'I k »■■■' <•' I ■■I' «■■'. ■.■•■il: !• ',l1 .>■■i•■.• „■'--" ^^i .■ -.'*■ |-V,!?i .■f «y v:'i ■ '> i! ;' -i' }■ »■ ( ft. « ■' !' - !■•■ Bi.. I li" 604 fifty miles, and its breadth varies between 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 which the waters of a chain of shallow lakes in the Newcastle district are brought into Lake Ontario. On the south side of the Trent, in the township of Percy, are several springs highly impregnated with 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 borders of the bay and on the peninsula are thickly 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- ■■*».-* 3n six tween Mur- i, over ►rds to Bs fre- penin- nerous til into annee, it; the hannel V lakes oLake , in the highly Lhat ar- )urpose jpeated ;rvative on the lula are state of id other tremely I timber lickory. isthmus mall in-. >\.v. u t t hi' I •1" I '■ tlh 1 1 it *• 'I-! • r 'I ..•'H i: 1 i ;■■ . "-H Ir: Hi !■ ii' ■ f7 1' i ■■ .1 • vi • 5) : ' ■'1 11 i; >; V '.'. »•,! f^m ri"' ■ ; '■■■ III. i if te ■^y-:i''i .'.If •,V;;,.f jm™ •■■■'■ • ' ii ' 605 let now called the harbour of Newcastle, but formerly Presqu'ile, which 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 Avhich, 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 dwellings 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 bestows. The town of York, the infant capital of Upper Ca- nada, is inlat. 43'. S3', north, and in long. 79'. 20'. <•) i.i» ! ■ li.n; 1 ■!?|n ■Mt 1 ) I i^ ;r I ^'t' .^ '''' III ■ ♦■; m. :'-:r If'-*- M.''..|J ■ I',' ■',•,; ■5 **•> B t ■■ V (j06 west, exceedingly well 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 docs not greatly exceed three hundred, the greatest part ef which 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- I ?♦ town- idc of ly laid E9, aiul town. extends arbour, ocs not est part re how- ick and »rnment» rovincial id a gaol, ir the va- arrison is at a mile he troops the com- occupied rovince, a I together the space wholly re- le harbour by a very he western ough in an !8, 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 which ships may lie with safety during the winter. The formation of the penin- sula itself 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 low 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 179s the spot on which it stands presented only one solitary Indian wigwam; in the ensuing spring the ground for the future metropolis of Upper Canada was fixed upon, and the build- ings commenced under the immediate super- Mli-U'l -!•!♦', n-i llii-; *' ■>■':■ 608 % .-5 f '^ s: k ^i:t.f- ; i .! .V '1 ]*. j: i'V'W ■J ''fiW'i intendance of the late General Simcoc, 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 two 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 townships for several miles round are in a high state of cultivation, so that the market of the town is always well supplied. The pressure of the late war has been consi- derably felt here, as it was captured by the American army on the 27tli April, 1813 ; they held it, however, but a few 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-two miles to the northward, and thence 609 five miles more to Cook's Bay, from which 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- west Company, for the double purpose of shortening the distance to the Upper Lakes, and avoiding any contact with 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, where some of the farms are in a good state of cultivation. The advantage of this comnmnication will be in some degree shewn 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 which 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 ipiles, 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 i. . Km Jit: . ;..!.. h't \k- i^iii i \ (iPf 1" 'I ■ ■' I' '■'!■ ■ f -,1 ;!'. ■■51 •?■: . . ': i' ■f •''*.:■' ■#■ ;V-:4 k f :•■ ■'■ ''a %■ . i . ' : :■:>:■#;■. '.! ■. ' It •■.i ', "■■'- •■■!-: 4% ■ '■- : ^*'& .•■■■■■ /-V't '•■■'• V^^'if ^^ik;:. £■["■*••! h '.'i^.. ! i f ■ .■ 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, whereas 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 westward 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 upwards of one hundred miles, by which an inland communica- tion with 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 meadow land ; the soil is principally a light sandy earth, interspersed with marl and reddish clay : the oak, pine, maple, walnut and beech growing in its vicinity, are of very superior quaUty. There are already roads formed along its course, and on each side of it J ins. 611 numerous scattered settlements down to Lake St. Claire ; the Delaware 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, who maintain a chapel here; there are many Indian converts residing in it, whose peaceable conduct and general demeanour show 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 twenty 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 town 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 suflficient 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, R b2 f'i: 1 'U'^'i .1 % I' ,M I ' ft I," m ■•■A .';■,• 1- Wt. 6X3 I' V m ;!.;:■ ',';,, fit R: ■'■■f/l;.- might be used, or even common lighters dexte- rously managed would 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 town 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 was begun in 1792, and had increased to al)Out two hundred neat and well-built houses, with a church, court-house, and one or two 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, when they evacuated Fort George, which stands on the bank of the river, a little above Navy Hall, and had been captured by them a few months before. A few huts are the only remains of this once thriving town, that from its defenceless state had never ';i.; 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- town the distance is seven miles by the road along the river : this is a place of much note, exceedingly well situated under the ridge called Queenstown Heights ; it has a harbour capable of 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 Queenstown, on the roa4 leading towards the head of the lake, is the vil- at hi' I! I? t } I ' ;, I »' i] ( ; till .i.i 614 ; «M ^f'V'i' '. ••" ^ I ' , . '• lage 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 few houses, many storehouses, and two or three taverns ; it is on the eastern bank of the River Welland, and near it a small military post called Fort 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 : between 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-works with 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 watered 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 tliey 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 ioreland, is a narrow slip of land, or rather a sandy beach, projecting eastward from the township 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 lowness is sometimes so much over- flowed as to be passable for boats. At Turkey Point, projecting from the main land within the foreland, a spot has been surveyed and plan- ned out for a dock-yard. From this spot to Amhcrstburgh 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 cou- il -■' I'I j « ■ '■■1 'fl- ■ t ; 1' ■ V ii ,n:| I :-i J" < 1 :lt Ii fib • V '■ •; ) 'ii !i^l Mi ■; f .■?■; ^ I'l'S...-: m^ *S' J'T ' "1- •I 'teS II' id ma !■•• 616 venient harbour, with good anchorage, in 3i fathoms. Fourteen miles beyond Amherst- burgh, pursuing the course of the river, 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 : there are some wharfs along the river side, where vessels may be safely laid up during the winter. From Sandwich to Lake Ste. Claire the bank of the riveP; 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. Lawrence 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 well cultivated, 617 thickly peopled, and divided into districts, counties, and townships. The state of Now 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 Crawford are within the state of Pensylvania ; thence westward, 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 county of Wavne and the Chip- pewa country. The rapid progress of popula- tion and agriculture in this extent of six hun- dred miles is surprising, and perhaps stands without precedent in the annals of colonisation. In the year 1796 tlje whole of it was literally a wilderness, excepting only in the vicinity of the forts and trading establishments, and a very few settlements on the Genesee River. So dif- ferent is the face of the country ih the present day, that if a traveller were to view it who had witnessed the state of it at the time mentioned, he would with difficulty trust to the evidence of his own senses. The part of New York border- ing the walers possesses a soil equal in fertility to almost any district of North America, abound- M (■ m Ir' ' 'iV •I %■■ p ■ !( ^h ''^i'«^lli '■ V 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, Oswegatchie, 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 meadow 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 with 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, New 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 Cliamplain. Nineteen miles further west- ward are the town and fort of Ogdensburgh : the former numbers about seventy houses, a church, &c. 5 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 with its characteristic determina- tion. It is situated ou the south-cast side of an expansion of the Black River, near where it 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 water for the large ships, and well shel- tered from every wind, being nearly surrounded by high lands. A low point of land runs out li„i,. ill ' Iff I , It;,-''. ji I I i- ■ n 1.;:!! 'i [1>V I.PV I .4- t.i v-| U .i r' ♦.■., 'I ■ I ,: 9i . » • '.■■■ ■ ), ' h )(■; I' *{l if .'.' •*':.' It • i '• ' j.-i-p 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 work called Fort Tompkins, having within it a strong block-house, two stories high ; on the land side it is covered by a strong picketing, in which 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 two thousand men, and generally used for the marines belonging to the fleet. On a point eastward of the har- bour$tandsFortPike,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 6'2l mounts twenty-eight guns : midway between these two works there is a powder magazine, enclosed within a very strong pici♦•;. I -I. I '1 ■ f '■: i>r I ' :' '•■'^^ !::Hli?:r-^^- ij >'■<. u i ■j^d I:- 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 twelve miles, making the whole from Sacket Harbour by this route thirty-four miles ; but in the winter 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 water, but in the spring and fall this depth is increased about three feet. The channel is completely commanded by a well-built strong fort, situated upon an eminence on the shore of I ■ PXiAJKT of^ OSWS GO ffARBOirRt fit/ LFoftepb. Boviclielte. .A/i TAe Ji'itiindinj/s arc in ffet ■ :iammm tSCAatnf :l.i::[ !iii> r i. JOTMrn-Jim •I ^' IJ '] » - ^'•^iV'i ' 'i ' ■•*. ":'■■'': i ■ ' ;, ■. ' f, ' ■ !■..■ •■■■■ 1 r •■ •1.. : • -Ml ! •','■ '.■■ ...' ■ ;■' '',\,j\. 1 '■''''•.'•.•,.1 f ■. '" ; ■ ' ^ , 623 the lake, eastward oi 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, bes'des the communication by water, there are very good roads leading through a flourishing well-settled country, which have long constituted one of the principal approaclies to Upper Canada; and although many others have been opened within the few last years, the line will always remain one of primary consequence, as being the most direct. Between Sacket Harbour and Oswego a road passes through EUisburgh, and near the mouth of Salmon River, from which places there are others leading to Utica. Sixteen miles westward 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- •J, M U 'il' I ; -rs ni ml ■ . ■■{ 'il il V,': :m:'\ ■O I' i. .1 ■ ■ 1< . ' 1 '/■I; - ';■ \\' ,1 -" • ! < 'X i' I ^Kv;;^ % 'r>v,vi ,:; '"■*■, t:. v/f:: ,••' a m .1, '1 11 ' r 624 ing that runs considerably inland, but the en- trance to it is obstructed by a sandy bar with no more than three or four feet water upon it : in the vicinity are the settlements of Northfield, from which a road leads to the Mohawk River, and thence continues to the town 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, with no more than six or seven feet water in the channel, but within 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- ; e en- with m it: ifield, River, ristol. Iron- las its bate of y both ? to it » more lel, but ssels of Town, ;s upon rection ind the the Ge- ixuriant ckly in- ivation; ;at, and n many Iture of re quan- 's Bay is ihe shal- menis at 1 of Ba- 6^5 tavia. On sweeping round the extremity , of Lake Ontario the hirge 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 179^, 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 war 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 was returned to its former mas- ters. On the bank of the River Niagara a very good road, with a few settlements interspersed, runs as far as Fort Schlosser. Lewistown, op- posite to Queenstown, on the English side, a pretty little village of forty or fifty houses, was burnt by the British troops, immediately after the capture of Niagara, as a measure of retri- bution for the unnecessary and unprovoked cruelties inflicted by the Americans upon the unoffending town of Newark. From Lewistown a fine road goes to Batavia, from whence others branch off through the states of Pensylvania and s s ;,l,:.:l ill ^ My [•I ! Ht':' I? •I'i . I; 626 i I' .'■ t >!' •■•'.ii' IT ■':'.■ 1 (■ ■, ■ Jll mM^' M-'V 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, witli 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 Reneshoua River, where the cliffs rise almost perpendicular nearly twenty yards above the water's level, and sa 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 would apply almost equally well to both places, with the difference, (hat the latter opens to the soutli-west and th^ 627 f the reek, were ettle- royed on as Ame- ig the Lake lerally rhque, lofty; River, nearly md sa ; to the e there notice : a good a road lituated y Point, r penin- rering it ng a re- Dntario, j^ almost fference, aud the 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, with a bar across it, on which there is in general not more than six or seven feet water. The town 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 Ijundred, 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, wharfs, &c. forming the American naval depot on this lake, and at which they have built and equipped brigs mounting twenty guns. A road leads from it by Fort Le Boeuf to Meadsville 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 down 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 cQntinues s s 2 '■■'•'I ! !. !' 'I ■ f f 11 '"f Ji a! Ill'i II' " \i l- ii I ■-' .V -il ..r t :'i .■ 'tr ■ '! i ^ ■ i ,(:■ :: Ml ■1 620 on to Fort M*^Intosh on the Oliio river. From Cleveland there is a very good road to San- dusky, that proceeds on to the old Foit 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 well 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 narrow rocky point about forty feet high, but where 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, when 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 town consists of about two hundred houses, a Protestant and a Catholic church, a few public buildings belonging to 629 rom 5an- ami, it i» and rs of )rage t the sland -Bay, tered, of a more ^n the t forty id the owed ; jattery Queen re after on was uperior ►est and FroKi wn and 3lace on ►osite to [)ut two CathoUc nging to 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 war. 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 with each other along the western 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 cartied 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 Upper 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 not less ■ . ■I •r jfi; [•■■■ »-: • • ir< ■M^ ■ '.!. .t I; l-M-!:- '■■■ ''i If: , J !■ I ' '' <■'•'. , I y. . i I*. ir-H r 630 than seven members, of whieli the cliief justice of the province is preaident, and wliercin 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 new 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 n itia, and all monies raised for the service and improvement of the colony. The civil and criminal law 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 ()3l 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 arc 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, when 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 few 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- 1, ,t' T'i {■ V^': ;i1 .ll : ;■ ■; 11 ^!?i'H m I'. '■ ■i> f. ,■ !•■ ii f / f • 'I I -• .vt I. T 632 rcncc and the lakes, uiul combining these cir- cumstances with the ardent desire shewn and openly avowed by tlie 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 two powers. A war, 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 with 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 want of discipline and military talent in their enemies. Upon the former we may always rely with the most unshaken confi-» dence, but not so with 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 w^as known in Upper Canada, and which reached Amherstburgh oa the afternoon of Jul}^ 2d, 1812, there were not more than 2000 British troops distributed all 633 over it, and none of the militia organised ; in the following year, when strengthened by every man that could be spared from the lower pro- vince and the dependent governments, the cam- paign was made with 7000 men, against armies, or rather collections, of much superior num- bers: and it was not until the middle of 'GJ !• that sufficient reinforcements arrived to | ' u c it in a state of security. On Lake Ontarir l*^ preponderance of naval strength was J »!/ with the Enghsh, but in the early part of the war it was 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 with success. True it is, that he never gained any victory that was 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 were developed and his armies overthrown by the bravery of mere handfuls of well 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 few hundreds of English troops found it an easy task to bear away the palm of victory from double, treble, and even quadruple their number of opponents ; but to- wards its termination a material difference was observable ; numerous disasters had taught the V ». f • 1' 4 i' -I I' >.. I ': ''■lyn U' , U:: )ii • :» it *" I K r\ i; 1 ! 634 Americans caution; frequent defeats brouglit 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 which victory would incline rendered more dubious. The principal affairs that took place during the two first campaigns were 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 l6th 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 12 th 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 63o General Brock, who 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 which occasion there was nearly a similar disparity of foice. 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 town 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, and some public stores; when after having sustained the loss of 130 brave men in obstructing the enepy'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, ■•' I '•V t':\: t'r' I ; l:»l b I'l m m J. ;, ' i ;\ • i '1 ■ ' '.'i ■,' iiJ • %:- Uh iM'':: •I ,'■. .*■'*■■; 'i! ;'; ^ ■'■■■]!' . 1 1( • Iv ■ 636 in conjunction with Fort Niagara, bombarded Port George, on the opposite side of the river, and in the two days nearly destroyed its de- fences. On the morning of the 27th the fleet received on board 4000 troops, under the com- niand of General Lewis, 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 few troops it was 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 : when resistance was no longer of use, this small body eflfected a re- treat unmolested, under the command of Bri- gadier General Vincent, to Queenstown, and subsequently to Burlington heights, where a position was taken up, and some reinforcement obtained. After his victory General Lewis moved forward with intent to attack this new 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 hib 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, witli seven field-pieces ; Brigadier-Generals 637 Chandler and Winder, 5 field-oflicers and cap- tains, and upwards 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 was made by the English upon Sacket's Harbour, before day-break on the 29th May, but was 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 was deem- ed impracticable to carry the place by assault; the troops were 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 the defeat of part of General Wilkinson's army on the 11th November, near Chrystlers Farm, as it entirely overthrew the plan of opeiations agreed upon between him and General Hampton, and which was the most formidable of any that was concerted for the invasion of the lower province. Wilkinson had collected 10,000 men at Grena- dier Island, in Lake Ontario, from whence, on the 30th October, he descended the St. Law- 1^: < V i I '* Mr*: f ■ ■\ 1,1 t i 1 ' t. ;i }- ■I ' i » u i i '^li J: I I ■ 1^^ ■':H I .:i'^^«|. ■ u liii-i.'-i' I M .(.■:• 638 rence in small craft, with a view to aci in con-i cert with General Hampton ; during the night of the 7th November he passed Fort Welhng- ton, but his intention being previously observed, he experienced a very heavy and destructive fire during the vhole of the time he was within reach of its guns. A corps of obse ration under Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, of the 89th, con- sisting of part of the 49th regiment, the 2d bat- talion of the 89tb, 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 two 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 afterwards the action be- came general, when several efforts were 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 theSt. Lawrence to con-i Inight bliing- jrved, ictive kvithin (under con- Id bat- igeurs, [id two ts, fol- atched e after- rigades X some rigadier ced the illy fell le main ion be- e made nk, and s ; after lis turn, nidable fter this K) men, Wilkin- rence to ■' ' i. •' ■■■ »' '■h.| • i^ '":' 1(1 .i •^1 t 11 rf 4 ■:f^ :'i, • 1 j' 'ii *.> ■>■ '-'-Wtf • !.| ■ !■ I r ■!■ w ' " IP * ' % ;. '■ i ■ ' ■Ml I . >' ' '! '■'■'■ W .1 i" if » 639 his own shorcsj'and soon afterwartls 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 own territory : the first took place on the 19th December, when Fort Niagara was 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 generars force, upwards of 2000, was strongly posted at Black Rock ; but after a sharp attack he was driven to Buffalo, where, in another good posi- tion, he endeavoured to retrieve his fortune, but with 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 pubhc buildings, and the four vessels, were burnt; after which the detach- ment withdrew, without interruption, to the Canadian shore. The events of the campaign of 1814 were 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 two ,ir, II' y ■( -t! "liil :.'(! 640 ■■V-+vr ;:, '. S^-'V « . i I i i preceding 5''cars, as well as being far superior in numbers. Had the means employed by thr Americans been more judiciously used, every impartial person must believe that their de- signs would have been realised, notwithstand- ing the heroism of the English soldiers. The incorporated militia, when it was organised and brought into action, always 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 with 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, wounded, 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 would 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 without a strife as obstinate as the richness of the jewel to be contended foi: demands. orior the ;very de- tand- The i and lobly, of the it still iucted made ► avert igation tntinue cans, is it upon is than isoners; of their redited, nions of acrifices tned too ti envied ermit so w^rested e as the ided foe A P P E x\ D I X. Kxtrait iks Tilren ik Conccs^inns amu vcuvc Aiil)i')t, dc deux licui's dc torrt- du (Voiit ct tic (Kiix licues du pniCoiidour, du cote du Sud-mirst do la riviiiro du Suidt tic Li C/itiudieic, vi\ reinoti- tunt, a coinnaiiCL'r il lu fhi do la coiiccssiop. accordcj au Siour dc la (im- ficndiijrf, onsomldo los i>lt;.s ot islots qui .s.' Iron-, oiout dans in dito riviero dans I'otonduo do deux lioucs, ot dosdoux cotc> d'icollo, losipiols islos ot i.slots jioront partaj,'t;L'» par ogalo portion ontro la dito vonvo Aitbcrt ot lo Siour do V Isle, auquol nous avons accordc aujourd'liui paroillo concession du cote du Nord-ost do la dito riviere. JUgislre d'Jntcnd. trois lieues joi^iiant aux tt-rres non-coiicc- dccs, et en outre la petite isle (pii est audessus de I'i^le aux Tcttn, Cette coiiccssioii est acconlei: de nouvoau au Sieur Daitirl lAcnard '■ Taluii, Inteudant, de la (piantiti de terre cpii se trouvera sur le Heuve St, Lmtrent, entre le Sieur Jiis.sul, et Mr. de la Duranlaiv, sur une lieue ct deinie de protbndeur. lU^islre U'lnteitdancc, N" 1, /b/io 31. AUGMENTATION DE BEAUMONT. Concession du lOuie Avril, 1713, faite par Philippe de Jiigauil, Gou- verneur, et Mic/it/ Hevfoii, Intendant, au Sieur de Braumont, fils, d'un tcrrcin non-concede coutciiaut une lieue et demie en profoudeur, et sur le front et largeur de la Sei.,. 1.1. « 4- •41 VI unc lieue et ilenile de I'uutre au Noril-est, tirant vers Puapibiac, sur quatre lieues de profondeur, avec les isles, islets ct battures qui se trou- veront dans hi dite etendue ; le tout situe dans le ibnd dc la Bale des Chaleurs. ■ ~ Rvgistre d'Inlcndance, N" 5, folio 14. GCII.L-AVM£..BQ.NI10MME. Concession du 24me Novembre, 1632, laitc par Lcfehrc, Gonvcrncur, et de Menllcs, Intendant, i GuiUaume Hoiihiimme, des terres qui sont au bout do cciles de Mr. Juchcreau de la Ferte, tirant vers la rivliiic Jacques Caitier, bornccs d'un c6t6, au Sud-oucst, de Mr. Dupont, Conseillcr, et de I'autre i Mr. de Mcsncr, Grefficr, au Nord-est; d'un bout, sur le dit Sieur de la Ferti au Sud ; et de I'autre au Nord-oucst i la ditc riviere : la dite terrc contenant environ une lieue de front avee deux lieues ou en- viroii de profondeur dans los dites terres. Tnsiuvations du Cunscil Stiperieur, Lettre Ti, folio 20. I ',; ■f .,- ::i,:.;iM f-.fi BONSECOURS. Concession du l6me Avril, lb'S7, faite par Jacquesde Bri.. • ' •< iver- iieur, ct Jean Boc/iart, Intendant, au Sieur Villeneitvc, de Ir ,. i- c de soixante et quatorze arpcns de front sur le flcuve St, Laurent, i.u cote du Sud, sur deux lieues de profondeur, en cas qu'elle ne soit concedee A d'autres. Les dits soixante ct quatorze arpens tenant d'un cote aux terres des Dames Religieuses Ursulines et d'autre cole :\ la veuve Du- quet. Cah'iers d*Inlendaiice, 2 a y, folio 295. BONSECOURS. Concession du 8me Aoiit, 1/02, faite au Sieur Charon, par Hector dc Colierc Gouverneur, ct Jean Bochart, Intendant, de deux lieues de tcrre ou environ dc front, sur pareille profondeur, le long de la riviere Yaniaska, icelle compris k prendre vis-i-vis celle accordee au Sieur Rene Fezcret, bourgeois dc Montreal, tirant d'un cote il la Seigneurie du Sieur Petit, et de I'autre aux lieritiers du feu Sieur Bourchemiii, avec les isles, islets, prairies et battures adjacentes. R^gistre d'Intindancc, N" 5,fblio 35. BONSECOURS. Concession du ler Juillct, l677> f'"te [lar Jacques Douchesnaux, Inten- dant, au Sieur Francois Bellaiigei; des terres qui sont le long du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote Sud, entre cellc qui appartient a la Demoiselle Ge- nevieve Couillard, en remontant le dit fleuve, jusqu'a celle dc lu Demoi- selle veuve Amiot ; contenant le tout une lieue ct demic, ou environ, de front, avec deux lieues de profondeur. Insinuations du Conscil Su^:ericiir, lellrc H.fulio 8S. BOL'RCHliMlN. Concession du 22nie .Tuin, IG.95, faite par Louis de Buadc, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jacques Frain;ois Boarchcmin, d'unc lieue et demie de tcrre de front de cbaque cote de la riviere Ya- maska, icelle comprise, ^ prendre une demi lieue au-dessous du ruisseau c- ;.' •■ lac, sur je trou- laic des /crneur, sont au Jacques leiller, et tur le (lit riviere : is ou en- >^ I, : .ver- li .!e de tote (111 oncttlee ;1 cote aux veuve Du- Hector de licues de e la riviere au Sieur gneurie du !H, avec les aux, Intcn- g du fleuve loiselle Ge- : la Demoi- Dnviron, de rouvcrncur, iouir/icmiri, riviere Ya- du ruisseau vu dif Salvayle, et uiiu licuo au-dossus, en lieu ma-'jonccde, sur pareillc protbiideur, counint Nord-ouest et Sud-e>t, avcc les isles, islets et prai- ries adjacentes. Re[^islrc d'liitendaucc, N" 4, ^foUo 2/. nouc:n;!{viLi.i;. Concession du 3ine NoveMi!)re, lGj2, par Jean 'I'ltloii, Intcndiint, au Sieur Bo:ic!icr, do eent (juatorze arpeu>j do front sur deux lieues de pro- fondeur, il prendre sur le ilouve St. I.aurtuf, homes des deux cotOs par ie Sieur dc l''iirciiiics: avec les isies iiouuncjs I'ereees. Ca/ticrs d'litlcui/aucL', X" 4,Jb!io 153. iiouiiGr.ours. Concession du 14 May, 17H> ^'''tii pin" Ic Mdrqnia dc Beau/mrnois, (Jouverneur, et Gilles Ilocqnurt, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Forncl, de deu\ lieues et trois quarts, ou environ, de terre, sur trois lieuus de pro- tbndeur, derriere hi Seigneurie de Xeuville, a[)p;irtenant au Sieur Demi- ioisc, boriicJ sur le front par la ligne qui separe la liite S<;i;^neurie de \ci(- viltc des terres uon-conceiles, au Nord-est par la ligne de profondeur du fief St. Aiigastin proloiigej au Sud-ouest p.u* uuj ligni; parallcle i la l)rcar.leiUe, il prendre sur Li ligne du fief de liiHair ausii prolongce, et par derri re aux terres non-concddejs. lie^istrc d'lideiidaiicc, N" \), Julio 8. BOURG-MAKIli, Dli L'iiST. Concession du ler, Acut, 17OS, faite par Alessieurs dj Vaudrcuil, Gou- verneur, et linudot, Intendant, a Marie Fczcrct, etant un reste de terre non-eoncedc d'environ cinquante arpens de front sur deux lieues, nioins un arpent, de [)rofondeur sur la riviere Yumaska, tirant au Noril-ouest, dans la profondeur, joignaiit au Sud-ouest la ligne de la Seigneurie B')uria,dcvant Mr. Dii' clifsnemi, alors Intendant, il paroit que ce fiet'doit avoir uiif lioue de front sur une lieuo ct dcniie dc profondour, situo sur le Heuve St. Litiirent, en- Ire les concessions de IVIr. dc Varenncs ct Laurent Bnrttri/, Sieur dc Grand' maison, avcc deux petites isles vis-a-vis de sa devanture. llegistre des Foi vt Honimage, }i"27,Jo!io 182, (e \Omc FJvrier, 178I. CAnUFKL. Concession du mois de Mars, 1705, faite par Philippe dc Tligaud, Gou- vcrncur, et Frn.i^ms de Brax/iariiui.s, Intondant, n\i Nieur Jean Sicard, Sienr de Cnrtifcf, dc respace de terrc qui restc dans la rivit're de Mas(/ui- vmige, dans le lac St. Pierre, dcpuis c»!lc qui a etc ci-devant accordce au Sieur Legnrdeiir, jusqu'au premier sault de hi ditc riviere, ce qui contient deux lieues ou environ do front sur pareille profondeur. llegistre a' Infeiidance, N" ri,fnlio 40. Caliiers d'Jnlentl. viore atithenlic. CIIAMPLAIN. Concession du 22iTie Soptembre, 1064, faite par IMr, de Mezi/, il Etiertne Pezard, Sieur dc Lulonchc, d'une lieue tt detnie de terre de front a j)ren- dre sur le grand tlcuve 67. Latinnf, dcpuis la riviere Champlain en moii- tant sur le dit fleuvc, vers les Troia liiriires, sur nne lieue de profondeur dans les terres ; la dite riviere Cliamplain mitoyenne, avec coiix qui oecupe- ront les terres qui sont de I'autre c6fe d'icelle, avec tons les hois, pita, rivieri'S, ruisseaux, lacs, isles et islets, et generalement de tout le contenu entre les dites bornes. LesJesuites ayant par leur titre anterlcur de Batiscan, inn quart de lieu au Sud-ouest de la riviere C/iamp/ain, cette Concession ne pouvoit s'eten- dre jusqucs-hl, mais avant I'annee 1721, ils cedcrent i M, Lnl'iric/ie Cliam- plain, ce quart dc lieue compris entre leurs borne et la dite riviere; et c'est ainsi que la ^'eigneurie est actuelment bornee. Insinuations du Conseil Supericur, Regi.strc B. folio 7. AUGMENTATION PR CHAMPt-ATN. Concession du 28nie Avril, \6g7, faite par Lovis de Buade, Comte dr Frovtcnac, Gouverneur, et Jean Boc/iart, Intendant, a Rladame de La- tonche, de trois lieues de terre en profondeur, joignant la derriere de sa iSeignenrie de Chaniplain, sur tout la largeur d'ieelle ; tenant d'uii cote au Hef de Jiati.sean, et de I'autre au fief du Sienr Hertel. Hertcl n'cst qu'un arriere fief, concede par les reverends Peres Jesuites dans leur Scigninirie (hi Cap de Magdelcine. Regislrc d'Jnlendance, N" 5, Jolio \6. CIIAMBLY. Concession du 2gme Oct. l672i fi>ifc par Jean Talon, Intendant, au S\cur lie ('/iaii'l)lij,d(i six lieues de terre de front sur une lieue dc proion- deur, il prendre sur la riviere St. l.oiiis (Chamhiif) savoir trois lieues au Nord de la dite rivit'.e (deux lieue>5 en dec;\ du Fort que y est bati et une Jieue au delil) et trois lieues au Sud de la dite riviere, Ui'gi^trcd'Intrnduncc, N" i, Jolio 10. I r iiU. Par Mr. Dii. de front rent, en- le Grand- ier, 1781. aud, Gou- n Sicard, Masqui- :cor(lce an li contient ?/, ;t Eliemie out li pren- liii c\\ mou- protbiideur qui occupe- i hois, pies, t le contemi pmrt (le lieu ivoit s'eten • )iic/ie Cham- ierc; et c'est ^e, Comtr dr ;lame de Lti- erriere m Jean Clauda Louet, au nom iVAiutc Muriii son cpouse, veuve de Ji^ne d^Eiteaii et au noin du Capitaine Rene d'Eneau, son fils, pour le fief A^Eneau il paroit qu'il exiiiba une o>"donnance de Mr. de Cliumpigni/, Intendiint, du '»'Snie Mars, 1691, annexea a une rcquetc, faite par feu le dit Sieur d'Eneau, exposant que ses litres lui avoient tte enlevt's par les Anglois, et deman> dant d'etre inaintenu duns sa possession de la rivi(jre llistigouche avec huit lieues de terrc de front sur pareiile profondeur, le long de la dite ri- viere, et les isles etl)attures qui setrouveront (levant de la dite etendiie,avec droit de eluisse, pt'clic, &c. La susdite Ordonnancc accordant lecontenu lie cette requete, saiif seulonieiit les oppositions que pourra faire Mr, de. Fronsac, Seigneur de Miramicld. De plus un accord enlre les lieriliers du dit feu Sieur lieiie d'Eneau, et Mr. de Fronsac, par leqiiel Cloridon fut borne comnic suit, savoir, commenc^ant d Ventres de la riviere au Pore- epic, qjti lomlc dans cede dc Ristigouche, en montunt la dite riviire liisti- gouclie ; ct que les runibs de vent des terres du dit Sieur d'Eneau noient Nord'CSt et Sud-ouest pour la profondeur, conforme'mcnt a ceux du dit Sieur dc Fronsac, et a I'egard du front au largeur Sud-est ct Nord-ouest. Ins. Con. Sup. lettre Yi. folio 53. CONTKi:c Jblio 13. DE l/lSLE. Concession du 2'Jme Septembre, 1736, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beauharnoii, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Ga- hrielAuhin, 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 SauU de la Chaudierct avec les isles et islets qui sont dans la dite riviere du cote du Nord-est ; ^ conimencer a la fin d'autres trois lieues eontedees au Sieur Joseph Fleury de la Gorgendiere et finir aux terres non-concedees. Itegistre d*lutendance, N° 8, Jblio 12. DERRiKHR DAUTRE' ET LANAURAIE. Concession du 4mt; Juillet,'j 1/39, ^^i^c par Charles, Marquis dc Beau- harmis, Gouvcrnerr, et Gitlts Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Buj)- I f.i . i! ' « I i. I -. ' ■ .•'■Kii .'..;.,. '(■ /. ).■■•■ 'i- u "■ !( .1 'i:.H, ■,;;. xn tLsIr Xpvi'ii, d'lin tcricin iion-conccile,;l prendre dopuis In ligno qui bornr. la profondeur dcs fiel's do Lanaurmc et /)«///; t'.jusqu'.l la riviere de \'A$- somption, ct dans in m«ine utendiie en larj^eur que celle des dits fiefs; c'est-a-dire l)orne du cote du Sud-ouest pnr la ligne qui separe la Scig- neurie de Lavnltrie et du cAte du Nord-ust par une ligne parallcle, te- nant aux prolongations de la Seigncurie d'.lnlai/ii ; lequel terrein ne fera avec chacun des dits fiefs de Ltinaiiraic et Dniitru qu'une seule et nicme Seigncurie. licgistrc (riiilcmlancc, 'i^" H, Jiilio 2(). HERRIEUK LA CONCICdSION DU SIKUR NKVEIJ, AU NORD-EST. Concession du 7nic Octobrc, 17^6. fuite par Charles Marquin dc TieauhariKiis, Gouverneur, et (Hf/c.i liocqnurt, Intendant, i\ Dame Gene- vieve de Ramzaif, veuve du feu Sieur de limsliehert, d'unc lieue et dcmie de terrc de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur, bornce sur la dcvan- ture par la rive du Nord de la riviere de V Assomption, du coti: du Sud- ouest par la ligne de la concession nouveliement accordce au Sieur dMr- gcnteuil ; d'autre, au Nord-est par une ligne parallelc, tenant aux pro- longations de la Seigneurie ^Antaya ; et dans la profondeur par une ligne parallelc A la devanture, joignant aussi aux terres non-conccdces. Regislre d'Intendance, N" 8,Jblio 15. DESMAURE OU ST. AITGUSTIN. L'Enreglstrement de cet octroi n'a pas cte trouve jusqu'ici au Secre- tariat de la Province. Les Dames rcligieuses de I'Hopital, qui possi'dciit sictucllcrnent ce fief, en rendant Foi ct Ilonnnage le J()me Mars, 1781, n'ont produit qu'nn Acte d'adjudicalion en date du 22mc Scptembre, 1/33, dans lequel ni les dimensions ni le noni du concessioiinaire de cette concession ne sont nientionnes. Par le rcglcment des paroisscs de cctto province, Tetcnduc de cettc Seigneurie se determine a deux licuos ct deniie de front, sur une et de- uiic de profondeur. liegislre des Foi et Ilomvuigc, N" 64,J'olio lC8, le \Qme Mars, 1/81. Ins. Con. Sup. DE PEIRAS. Concession du 6mc Mai, 16/5, faite jiar le Comte de Frontenac, Gou- verneur, au Sieur de I'eiras, de deux lieues de front le long du fleuve at. Laurent du c6t6 du Sud, a prendre du milieu de la largeur dc la ri- viere appelee Miiis et qui s'appellera dorenavant la riviere en descendant le dit fleuve, et deux lieues de profondeur, ensemble les trois isles et islets appel£es St. Barnabe. Registre d'/ntendrmcc, N" 2 d Q, folio 3/0. Ins. Con. Sup. D. folio 3. DE RAMZAY. Concession du 17me Octobrc, 171O, faite au Sieur dc Ramzay, de I'etendue de trois lieues de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, savoir, une lieue et demie audessous de la riviere Scibouet, (jui tombe dans la riviere Yamaska, et une lieue ct demie au dessus, courant du Kord-est au Sud-ouest, avec les isles et islets qui se trouveront dan« la hi l)orn« le I'As- its fict's; Scig- Icle, tu- I nc fera L't nicme ■EST. irquia dc me Gcnc- et ilcmie la (Icvan- du Sud- eur dMr- aux pro- unc ligne es. au Sccie- i posstHlent lars, 1781, Septenibrc, ire de cette uc de ccttc ' une et dc- Uirs, 1/81. tome, GoU» fT du fleuve •ur de la ri- — — en ible les trois Ramzay, de profondeur, , (jui toitibe courant du ront dansj la Xiu dite viviure, vis-ii-vis de la dito concession : ct donnant ^ la dito conces- »ion le nom de Unmzriij. Registir (/r.s Fair/ I/nwmar^r, N" i)Ci,fi>lin Qi, k Imc Janvier, 178I. t'd/iiers (V Intentlance, N" 2 d g,Jhlin :i.'J8. DRSrilAMnXUI.T. Concession du Icr Mars, lO/Ji, faitc par Mr. tie Lniiznn a Demoiselle JLIcnnote ile ihantlmuison, situei' an Nord du flenve St. Laurent, conte« nnnt uiic^ licue dc front sur trois lieiic.-. de profondeur, tenant dn coti' du Nord-est au fief de Vortnenf, appartenant au Sieur Croisille, ct du cote du Sud-ouest au fief de la Chuvretiere. lidgintre (/' Inteiiflaiice, N" 10 a \7, folio SQQ. PAIITIF, NORD-liST DR DESPLAINES. Concession du 'Inie Janvier, 1737, faite ;"> Demoiselle Charlotte Lngar- ikur par le Marquis de lienuhanutis, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, In- tendant, de trois (jiiarts de lieue de terre de front A la cote du Sud du fleuve St. Laurent, sur trois lienes de profondeur, A prendre au bout des profondours du (ief Marnnda ; borne;? d'un cote, au Sud-ouest, A la Seig- neurie de Bonsecoiirs, d'autre au Nord-est A celle de Tilli/, et par dcrricre aux terres non-concedees. R6^istre (Vlntendancc, N" 9^, folio 19. TARTIF, SUD-OUEST DE DESI'LAINES. Concession du 26n)c Mars, l/.'iS, faite par Ic Marquis de Ticttvharnoin, (louverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, ii Demoiselle Charlotte Le- gardcur, d'une augmentation de terrein d'environ soixante et quatorze urpens de front, qui se trouve non-concddt', et enclave entre la conces- sion a elle faite le 4nie .Janvier, 1737» et la Seigneurie de St. Croix, tenant par devant au Hef de Botisecours et Amiot, et par dcrrirre aux torres non-concedees, sur une lieue et soixante arpens de profondeur, pour les dits soixante ct quatorze arpens ajoutci ne faire avec sa pre- miere concession (|u'une meme Seigneurie. Registre d^Intendance, N" 9, folio 2. DUMONTIER. Concession du2l'me Octobrc, 1708, faite au Sieur Dumontier, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur trois lieues de profondeur, i prendre au bout de la profondeur de la Seigneurie de Grosbois, bornee dc cliaquc cote aux terres non-concedces. Rtigistre dcs J'oi et Hommagc, N" 10, folio 52, le 2Gme Janvier, 1781, Cakiers d'Intcndance, dusable'. Concession du 15mc Aout, 1739, faite par Charles Marquis dc Beau- harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Adricn Dav.douneau Dusable, d'une ctcndue de terrein d'environ une lieue de front sur trois lieues de profondeur; laquelle sera boriiee pour la de- vanture au bout de la profondeur dc la concession accordee par Mr. Ta- lon, au Sieur Jean Baptise Legardeur, le 3me Novenibrc, I672, apparte- nant aujourd'hui au Sieur Petit Brnmt; au Nord-est par les terres con- cedees par le dit Sieur Talon, le 2.0mc Octobre, 1672, aux Sieurs Pierre ct Jean Bapliste Legardeur, dont le dit Sieur Prlii est aussi proprictaire, *' r J] in : (••' XIV > 'I ct par 111 li},nic dc la Scignciiric du Sieiir Sicurd dv Carufel; au Siul-oiiest an fief (In Chicot, ct contiiuiiilioit dii tlit fief; ct piiv dcrricre aux tgrres iion-conct'dees. Ri^rislre d'Intcndancc, X" 8, folio 30- DUTOKT. On n'a pu trr)iivcr le titrc de cette Concession ni dans le Secretariat ni danst le bureau du Papier Terrier, de sortc qu'on ne connoit ni I'cten- duc de nan front ni le noni du concessionaire originaire. Ellc est |)lacce 8ur lu carte d'apres les lumicrcs qu'on a pu tirer dcs litres dcs conccs- ^ions voisincs. I'iir le rcglement de I'rtcndue des paroisses fait j/ar l;: Gouvcrneur et rintendant, cet iief paroit avoir un quart dc lieue du front du prece- dent fief de Decancour (|ui dcvoit avoir deux lieucs et trois quart de front. 1^,1.. ;■ I- i?l-/-^'.^ v.- •■,;•; I ■■M: ,K ! ■,\\ Li:s r.nOULKMENS. Le litre de cct octioi n'u pas encore »''t(i trouve au Bureau du Secre- tariat, niais'il jwroit parun Actc de Foi et Hommage.Vcndu le 3mc Avril, 1723, par P<>m; !/Vc?«i/aj/, alors proprietaire de ce fief, qu'entr'autrcs litres il produisit une concession faite ;"\ Pierre Lessiird, porlant (jue loutes les terres en Seigneuries qui se trouvent depuis la Seigneurie, du Sicur Dupri, jusqu'a celle du Sieiir dc Cumporti, nomnice la Malhuic, demtureront et appartiendront a I'uvenir au dit Pierre Lessard, {^Pierre Tremblny, probablement.) Refr. Foi ct lloNimagc, folio 55, April ^i, \J'i.o. Cahiers d' Intend. N"" 2 a 9, folio 3, April 5, l6S3. BKLAIR OC LKS KCURbUILS. Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Inlcndant, aux Sieurs Towpin, Pcre et Fils, d'une denii lieue de front, surune lieuc de profondeur, a prendre sur le f!euve St. iMurenl, moitic au dessus et inoitic au dessous de la pointe lii.itroila ^anx Ecureiids) aboutissant dcs deux cotes aux terres non-concedces. lUgistre d'Jntendance, N" ] , folio '3g. AUGMENTATION DKS ECL'REUILS. Concession du 20me Janvier, 1706, faite par PInllipcde Rignud, (lou- vcrneur, et Francois de Benuharnois, Intcndant, il Marie Magdelainc Mc- zcrai, veuve dc feu Jean Toupit), d'une demi lieue de terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur derriere la Seigneurie de Belair, le front a prendre immcdiatenient a une lieue du fleuve St. Laurent. Regislre d' intendaricc, N" 5, folio 4 1. l'epinay. Concession du 7me Avril, 1701, faite par Hector dc Calliere, Gouver- ncur, et Jean liochnrt, Intendant, au Sieur dc I'Epiiiuy, du peu de terrcin qui se trouve entre la Seigneurie de Jean de Paris ct celle de la riviere du Sud, prcs de Quebec, lequel terrejii se terniine en triangle au ficuvc St. Laurent, ct tient d'un bout aux terres non-conc^dces, et de I'autre par la pointe au dit lleuve ; ensemble que le dit terrein sera borne a la liauteur de la concession du dit Jean dc Paris, par une Jigne parallele Id-oucst tcrreu nutariat lii Tcten- ht phicec conccs- [rneur et Ju prece- ((uurt de [iu Secrc- mc Avril, ntr'autrcs rtiint rofondeur .joignant douze arptn^ iidaiit, iKur uiiL' III Joll' lie Marie •rricrr \c ficL'lui. proCoii- l iiux re- anrt, ap- at'cordci; sneau, In- gnuuiio de (• St. Lau- leux licucs lonlniagni/, ; du flouvc et sont les art Sud-esf ;ntbuie unu ui|uelle line lagu, et du I'avl, sans iioprittr da ic at. Paul, tic la Bane, dcmielieuc owe arpinv XVll do terrc mii sont dt'puis la borne dt- Monscigneur I'FA'dquc dc Qiieliec, en (lescenclant v»!rs le cap au\ Oir.s ; Ic tout cdnicdc a titro de (ief et Seigiieuric, avee le droit de eliasse et dc pi-ehi' ; pour la dite eoneession et les doiize arpciiH |)lu!t liaiit nientionne.H (i liii coiitcdci par Mr. r/c FruiiliiKu) ne t'aire (pi'iiiie suuL- et mrine Seigneurie. Imiiinnl ions (III Coiucd Supiricur, Litlrc \\. Julio If), GRAND PABOS. ConccsHion du 14me Novend)re, lf)9f>, faito par Louix -Ic liHaile, (louverneiir, et Jam liinluirl, liiteiulant, au Sieur llau' llnhrrt, de la riviere du (ir/iiirl fuhos, aiitreinetit ('ite la rivirre Duval, siture dans la Ijaic (Irs LIkiIcih.s, avec deux lieucs ct demie dc front du core dc I'Est de la dite riviere, et denii lice du cotd de I'Oucst, cii tirant vers la riviere du Pelil I'alins, icr'lle co'uprise siu- pareillc profondeur. lU'fri/: " 5,Jolio 3. GUANnPUii. Concession du ;)Oinc Juillet, lOo'?. i. c par Loui.-i dc li/iailc, Couvrr- neur, et Jean liocliarl, Intendant, i "Krrc liiiuchcr, Sieur dc (.handpre, d'une lieue de tern; dc fro. lans le lac 67. Vir> c, tenant d'un cott; iiux terres concedi'es dc la v .rnant son auciennc concession, avec les isles et islets, bancs et batures qui se !fouvcront vis-ii-visici'llc, laquellesera incorporce et jointc avec la dite ancicnnc concession, pour des deux n'cn fairc qu'une. liegixlrc dcs Foi et Hommage, N"107,/o//o IO7, 2mc Aotil, i;si. Ca/iiers d'Intemlancc, 10 d I 7j J^li<> ^^4. GRANDVILLK ET LACHENAIE. Concession du 2me Juin, l()ij(j, faitc par Louis de Buade, Comte de Fronlcnac, Gouverncur, ct Jean Bochart, Intcndant,au Sieur dc Grandville et de la Laclicnaic, de deux lieues de terre de front, sur trois lieues de profondeur en lieux nonconcedes, joignant d'un cote la terrc du dit Sieur deOrandville nomm6e I'islet (/?< /'or^ < ) i'.v! t ■ ■i' 111, ' I i't:^:^ U^^J ■CI ■■•il ! ■.■•! ii'--i , 'I XVIU situecs IcA ilitcs conccotwuns sur le fleuve St, Laurent, du cotd du StuI, uudessus dc la riviere du Loki). Riffistre (P ^ntendance folio 1. OllANDE VALLE'/. DBS MONTS. Concession du 23tne Mars, 169I, faite par Louis de Ruade, Gouvcr- neur, et.Jean Bnc/mrt, Intendant, au Sieur Frangois Ilazzcur, d'liiu? etcndue deterre de deux lieuesde front, au lieu appele In Grande ValUc den Monts Notre Dame, dans le fleuve St, Laurent, du c6t6 du Sud, i deux lieues de la riviere Magdetaine, et quatre lieues de I' E tang, en descend* ant vers Gaspi, avec la riviere qui se rencontre i la dite Valle'e des Monts, qui sera dans le milieu des dites deux lieues de front sur trois lieues du profondeur dans les terres, avec les isles et islets qui pourront se trouvcr sur la devanture des dites deux lieues, et dans la dite riviere sur la pro- fondeur des dites trois lieues. Rigistre d'lntcndance, N" 4, Jblio 3. PARTIE QUEST DES GRONDINES. Concession du 20me Mars, l638, faite par la Compagnie, ^ Dame Duchessc d' Aguillon, pour les Dames Hospitalieres de I'Hutel-Dieu dt Quebec, de la Seigneurie des Grondines, contenant une lieue de terre er, largeiT sur le grand fleuve St. Laurent, sur dix lieues de profondeur ; savoir: ost, depu's la pointe de I'ance des Grondines, du cotidu Nord- Est, un quart de licue audessous de la dite pointe, en tirant vers le Cap de Lauzou, borne par une route qui court Sud-est et Noid-Ouest ou environ ; et d'autre co'.e an Sud-Ouest trois quarts de lieue, borne aussi par uncroute qui court Siid-Est et Nord-Ouest, d'un bout au Nord- Oucst par une route qui court Sud-Ouest et Nord-Est. Jiegistrc des Foi et I hnn mage, folio A"]. Aussi 2le^. d'Intendancc, ci Cahiers d'Intendance. PARTIE EST DES GRONDINES. Concession du 3me Moveiubre, I672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, r.ux Pauvres dc I'Hopital, de trois quarts de lieues de ttrre sur troi^ iii'ues de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, au lieu dit le^ (irOHunifs, tenant d'un cote a la Concession appartenante aux religieuses du dit Hopital, de I'autrc aux terres non-concedees ; tirant en descendant Ic fleuve vers CImvigny. li{gislre d'Intendance, N" \, folio 34. AlOMENTATfON A LA PARTIE EST DES GRONDINES. Concession du 2.5me Avril, 1/1 1, faite par A'«Mf/of Gouverneur, et I'nudrcud, Intendant, i Louis Hamclin, de la continuation de deux lieues de profondeur sur le front de trois quarts de lieue non-concede. du dit Sieur J.oiiis Hamelin. Ite^idrc des Fui et llommage, folio 47- GLTILLAUDIERE. Concessiin du 3me ISoveinbre, l67'i, faite par Jc«h Tulun, Inlendant, i LuitroU Boiihi/ Situr dc Grundnudioii, de trente arpens de I'lOiU sur XIX |u StuI, louvcr- d'mu? le ValUt il deux lescend- Vs Mont a, lieues de trouvcr ir la pro- ^ Dame 1-Dieu dt terre er, otbiideur ; du Nord- crs le Cap -Ouest ou orne aussi t au Nord- Intendant. re sur troi^ lieu dit le^ rcligieuses descendant ES. iverneur, ct m de deux )n-concede, eur de trois :6tc i cellts , Inlcnuant, k i'lUiU SUP uno licue ih' prdlondcur, ^ prendre sur le fleuve Si. La'ttrnf, tlcpiiis les 'crros du Sieur de St, Michel, en desconJant vers les terrus aou-coii • reliefs. Regisbe d' [nleiidaiur, X" 1, folio 28. HUBERT, Concession du lOnie Juin, l6()8, fiiite pw Loiiix cL' Biiiick, Gnaverncnr, ct Jean Boc/iarf, Intendanl, au Sicur Rene Louis Hubert, tils, de deux lieues de terre tie front sur pareille protbndeur, situ6e au derriere des >,ei<^neuries nomnices XXJl ■f^ ^I't-: ,» ! ■[ i r ISLE AUX COVDRES. Concedec le 2()nie Octobrc, l687»pJi' le Mnrqtih dc Drisai/, Goiivcr- lUMir, ct Jean Rochart Intendant, au Scminaire de Quebec, avec Ics bat- lurcs qui sont autour d'icelle. Regintrc d'Intendance, N" 3, folio 11. ISLE D'aNTICOSTT. Concedce en Mars, l680, par Jacques Duclcsncau, Intendant, ,iu Situr Jollief. Registrc d'Intendance, N° 10 a 17, folio 619. ISLES ET ISLETS DE MlNCiAN, Concedes le lOme Mars, 16/7, ^ Messrs. de Lalaiidc fils ct Lmdi Jolliet. Rigislre des Foi ct Hommage, N" JQ, folio J(i5, le 2Sinc Mai, 178I. JACQUES CARTIER. Concession du 2grne Mars, l6"5f), faite par la Compagnie, .\ Danio Uagnier, veuve de feu Jean Clement de Wauls, Chevalier, Seigneur dc yioncaux, d'une denii lieue de large sur le bord du fleuve St. Laurent, avec cinq Jieues de profondeur de terre en tel endroit qu'il plaira k Mr. DaillcOout, Gouverneur. Eiivsuite de cette concession est une cople d'un ccrtificat du Sieur Bourdon, du ?,5me Octobre, XQHQ, que la Dame de Moncenux lui ayant reniis Ja concestion ci-dessus, par ordre de Mr. Daillebout, lors Gouvei- jieur, pour prendre par la dite Dame pcisession de la dite denii lieue ; avec deniande de ?ui accorder la dite concession depuis la riviere Jacques Cartier, jusqu'^ la concurrence de la dite demi lieue, descendant en bas., par lequel certificat il lui donne acte de diligence, comme ellc prcnoit I • dit lieu pour Vemplacement ef le choix de sa dite concession. Papier Terrier, Page q6, l5»iv? Juin, 1781. Cahiers d'Intendance. JOLLIET. Concession du 30me Avril, l697» fa'tc par Lojiis 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, contcn- nnt trois quarts de lieue ou environ, avec trcis 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 i laSeigneurie de Lmizon, et de I'autre aux terres non-cjncedfes. Begistre d'Intendance, N° 5,JoUo 15. KAMOURASKA. Concession du I5me Juillet, 1674, faite par le Con^te rfe /Von/tv/wi, Gouverneur, au Sieur de In Durantaic, q:ii contient trois lieues de terre de front, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, savoir deux lieues au dessus de la rlvi6re appelee Kamouraska et une lieue audessous, icelie comprise, avec deux lieues de profondeur dans les terres ; ensemble les isles etanl audc- vant des dites trois lieues. Ptgislre d'Intendance, Lrl. Tt. folio 30 ct 31. XMll |, Cioiivci- lic Ics biit- piidaiit, .111 A ct L'luti Mai, 17SI. lie, i\ Danio Seigneur dc S^, Laurent, plaira ii Mr. cat du Sieur lux lui ayant or* Gouver- ; denii licue ; viere Jacques ndantenbas., 3 cllc prcnoit ion. iide, Gouv cr- ies islets qui ault, contcn- 3 de front sur dits islets en Lauzitn, et de de Fronteiiiic, eues de terre dessus de la imprise, avec .'S etanl auilc- LAUAnm. Concession ^h\ Sine Novenibrc, 1672, fliite par Jcaii Talon, Intondant, :>u Sieur Lalxvlie, d'un cjuurt de lieuu du iVoiit sur nno denii licue de jjrofondeur, i prendre sur le tleuvc St. Luiirei/t, depuis l.i conctssioii de Air. Sevcriti Haincau, tirant vers ceile du .Sieur PUvre lioHchcr. lieghlrc d' Inlendance, N" 1, f(Aio 27. LAC DBS OEUX MONTAONES, Concession du 17me Oetobre, 1717, faite par Phitlppe de RigauJ, Goiiverneur, et Michel B4gon, Intendaut, aux Ecclesiastitjues du St'ini- naire de St. Stdpice, elabli i Montreul, d'un terrein de trois lieues ct •.Icniie de front, i conimencer au ruisseau qui tonibe dans la grande baie du /mc dtn Deux Montagues, et en remontant lo long du dit Lac dci Driu Aloiifagne.f et du Heuve St. Luiire/it, sur trois lieues de profondeur. Jtcgiifre d" Inttndance, N" (J, folio Q, Ca/iiors d'Intcnd. R.il. de la Concession, L'n brevet de ratiiication de I'octroi ininiediatement suivant, en date da ler .Mar.sion au Bureau du St;crt<- taiic, nidanslc Registre desFoi et Hommage. II paroil seulemenl i)ar les 1 '-I >\ '■ i !, 1" fl I' I, ■ ;? > ■ .VMV concessions voisinc^ dc ihulmmbanU er ti-.' la Tesserk, qu'elle fiit fiiit-L'.s, I;i , • dii ■•. i pn^j/i i- uire de Deschambault, a l;i- quf'lle elle est restce reunio sijii.' le noin -J^ lette derniere. Suivant les nrpontapes qii,'; nous tvons dc cette parlie, ccs deux concessions rcunicJ occiipent deux licues «ie I'ront sur trois lieues de protbndeur. LAC MATArr.DIA II. Concession du 26nie Miii, \(iQA, iuite par Jean fiochart, Intcndant, an Sieur Nkhnlus Joaeph Danio' '■■ du Jac appelfi Malnpaliac/i, avec ui.c liciio de terre lout autoav d'iixdii. Ri-gistrc d' Iiifendana:, N". 4, J'olio 57. LAC MITIS. ncui Concession liu lOme Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis dc Buade, Goiiver- Miur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Louis Ilouer, du lac appele Ulitis, avec une lieue de profondeur tout autour d'icelui, qui est eloigne environ douze nu quinze lieues du flcuvc ISl, Launnt. liip'stre d'L'lendance, N". A, folio 9. ''■■£■''' ».■< V LA uurantail;. Concession du 29>ne Octobre, l6"72, faite par Jea?j 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 tote A denii arpent au del^ du Sault qui est sur la terre du Sieur Desisfets, et de I'autre le canal Bellechasse, icelui non compris, par-devant le fleuve Si. Laurent, et par derri6re les tcrres non-concedees. Le canal de Bellechasse etoit si peu connu au tenis de cette concession, que les parties y interessees ne pouvant convcnir de leurs borncs, des ex- perts nomnies par la Coe.r d^termincrent que la pointc de Bellechasse te- pnrcroit les deux Seigneuries de la Durantuic et de Dcrthicr. Regisin d'lntau/niirc, N". 1, folio 7. K-'i. ■*;.;., .;.,i AUGMENTATION J)E LA DURANTAIE. Concession du ler. Mai, 16.93, faite au Sieur dc la Durantaie, par hiiuis de Buade eiJcan Bochart, 'Intendant, de deux lieues de terre de profondeur a prendre au bout et oil se terniiiie la profondeur de son fief de la Durantaie, sur pareille largeur du dit fief, qui a environ trois lieues de front, borne d'un cote au Sud-ouest aux terres de Beaumont et au Nord-est aux ccUes de Berthirr. La Durantaie difFere, quant au front de celui de I'augmentation: ce front, est sur le tcrrein de deux lieues cinquunte arpcns. Par ordre de la Cour cette Seigneurie avec son augmentation a etc divisce en deux parties egales connues aujourd'hui, savoir, celle du Sud-ouest sous Ic nom de St. Michel, et celle du Nord-est sous celui de St, Valier, He-i.-trf d'Tnlvidancc. let. D. folio 13. ! •■ flit fait(; evrotitn , tlllt, II lu- uivant Ifs ?ndant, lui le, Goiivcr- lac appcie est cloigne Intenilant, ur autant de d'un cote i Desisfets, et mt Ic fleiive ! concession, rnes, dcs ex- k'llcc/iassr te- urantaie, par j de terre de jr de soil fief n trois lieues aumont et au lentation: ce I'ar ordre de lisce en deux St sous le nom ;) \xv I, \ Fit lis NAY. Ooucessinii du 3mo Novenilire, Hijl, faite par Jean Talon, iLitendant, mix Siciirs Gamachc et Ih'l/ciivaitci; d'une demi liciio de terre sur uiie Weiie de profondeiir, il prendre sur le fleuve Sf, Laurent, depuis la con- i'cssion de 1 1 Deiiioiselle Jniinl, tirant vers celle du Sieur I-ouriiicr. Begistre d'lnlendancc, N". 1, folio 2d. LA MAllTINIKRr. Concession du jnie Aoat, H)C)2, faite par Lauis de Ruadc, Gouver- neur, ct Jenn Bochart, InteiulLint, au Siciir de la Martiniere, de I'espacG de terre (jui sc pourra trouver, si aticun il y a non conccide, entre la Seigneiirie de Luiizon et celle de Mont-a-peinc, ou le fief du Sieur Fitr^, sur la profondeur seniblable i la Seigneurie de Lauzon, si personne n'e c*t proprietaire. N. B. Ce fief sur les lieux a trente-deux arpcns de front. lUgistre d^Intciidance, N" 4, folio /. LANAUDIEUE. Concession du premier Mars, 17/50, faite par lo Marquis dc la Jonquieret (fOUvern»!ur, et Franqois Bigot, Iiitendant, au Sieur Charles Franqoit Tarieu dc Lanamli^re de deux lieues ou environ de front, i prendre au bout du fief CarnJ'el, sur la profondeur qui se trouve juscju'au lac MaS' e/uinoncre, le dit lac compris dans toiite son etendue, avcc les isles, islets et batures qui se trouveront en icelui. Regislre^ d' Intendance, N°(), Jhlio 48. LA NORAYE. Concession du 7nie Avril, l688, faite par i^wcyuw de Brisay, Gouvsmeur, et Jenn Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de La Norai/c, de I'etendue de te.re de deux lieues de front, sur le fleuve .SY. Laurent, et deux lieues de pro- i'ondeur ; a. prendre entre les terres du Sieur DaiiirJ et celles du Sieur de TMvaltric, tirant vers Montreal. Reghtre d'lnlendancc, N'^ 3, folio iC. LA PRAIRIE DE LA MAGDELAINF.. Concession du ler Avril, 164", faite par le Sieur de Laiaon aux ittvt'rends peres Jesuites, de deux lieues de terre le long du fleuve 67. Lau- rent, du cote du Sud, a commencer depuis I'isie Sle. //t'/e'/jc jusqu'i uu quart de lieue au deli d'une prairie dite de la Magdclaine, vis-^-vis des isles qui sont proches du Sault de I'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, h Q, folio 125. LA SALLE. Concession du 20nie Avril, 1750, faite par le Marquis de la Jnnquirre, Ciouverneur, 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 Chatenuguay, et qui se trouve enclave entre la Seigneurie de Villechauvc et celle de la Prairie de la Mogdelaivc, sur unc lieue et dcmie de profondeur. liiigif:trc d'Intrndancc, N"g, folio 58. B i; i f }i !• XWI • *i m'ii"' !,). l! ■ •! !f: ■.:>■;. I ■,',■■<■■. ^ -ii fet-;' ^' <;,■ ,.' ■ Concession ilu :iiue Noveniljre, 1672, f'aite [mr Jean Talon, lt\tetnhint, .1 Dcmoistlle tin lu Tcuscric, tie la qiiantitc de terre qui se troiivoni ciitrc 1)1 concession faite anx paiivres de l'n6i)ital de Q»: dlnlad. N" 2 ct Q, folio 210. 1 11 i I'' 1 i ' r: f f,4 'i ■l! f I. i r t •;■ ■ at I ( ■VJ,B J „ l(" ,1 ■ PM> 'i 11 :1|:. mm- ■J ,'1 I ■ .. ." '■," I I;. n WWII uyimsiVMK, i'i;r,Mii.i:io I'Aimi:. Concession lUi .'Jinc Novciiibre, 16/2, fuitc \Mxr Jean Talon, liitfiidanf, au Sieiir Marso/d (rime (!enii liciio do front siir unc liciio ct dtmi dc profondcur, a prendre snr lo fleuve ^7. Lnurcnt, dtpiiis hi grandc rivii-rc du C/ibne, jusqii'iuix turrcs non concalecs, tirant vers les tcrrcs de St, Croix. Cahiers d' Intend. N" 10 h 17, folio 'ig2. LOTBINIF.RE, SKCONDE PARTIE. Concession du 3me Novcmhic, \t')f2, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur de Lutbinidrc, do rt'tenduo de terre qui se troiive sur le fleuvo 67. Laurent, depuis la conci'ssion du Sieur Munolel jusqu'i celle den Rcligieuscs Ursulines, {Sle. Croix) sur deux lieues de prot'ondcur. Cahiers d' Intend. N" 10 a 17, folio Ag\. LOTDINIEUE, TROISIEWE PARTIE. Concession du premier Avril, lG85, fuite i Mr. de Loibiniere de trois quarts de licue ou environ de terre non conci dee, il prendre d'un bout lo long du fleuvc St. Laurent, ii lu grande riviere du C/ieiie, joignant le commencement de la demi Jieue de concession, fuite au Sieur Marsolel, et de I'autrc en remontant vers la petite riviere du Chine, aux terrcs du Sieur 67. Ours, avec deux lieues de profondeur. Rigistre des Foiet Hommage, N"42, Page 183, le'23mc levrier, 17bl. Cahiers d'Intcndancc, N" 10 a \7, folio 502. LOTBINIKRE, QUATRIEME PAIITIE, OU AUGMENTATION. Concession du 25me Mars, lu'gs, faite par Lo»/« r/c /^«ac/f', Gouvcr- neur, ct Jean Bochurt, Intendant, au Sieur de Lotbinicre, de trois lieucw et dcmic de front avec quatre lieues et demie de profondeur, i prendre au bout el oil se termine la profondeur du fief de Lotbiniert et celui appele la petite riviere du Chene (les trois concessions jirecedentes ^ lui appart- enantc) ensemble tous les bois, pres, isles, rivieres ct lacs qui s'y trouvent. Cahiers d'Intcndancc, N^g, 10, a IJ, folio 510. LOUIS OAONIER, DIT BELLE AVANCE. Concession du 3me Septembre, 16/5, faite par le Comtc de I'roulenac, Gouverneur, A Louis Gagnier, dit Iklleavance, de dix arpens de terre de front, icommencer depuis sa concession, en montant le fleuve St. Lau- rent, dans les terres non-conc^dccs, separant icelle et ce qui appartient au Sieur Fournier, avec une lieuc de profondeur, pour etre unie il sa part du fief Lafrenay, qui lui a etc conccd6 conjointement avec le Sieur Gamache, part qui lui appartiendra. Rigiitre d'Intcndancc, N" 2, folio 15. LOUIS LEPAGE ET GABRIEL TIBIERGE. Concession du 14me Novembre, 1C96, faite aux Sieurs Louis Lepage et Gabriel Tibicrge, d'un terrein qui se trouve cntrc la concession du Sieur Packet, et celle du Sieur Lessard, situee au lieu dit Rimousky, sur le fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, sur une lieue de profondeur. Registre d' Intendamc, N" 5, folio 3. UttL'tiduiit, (kmi (If Ide rivid-rc jtciTcs de ntcndant, ir Ic Huuvo ccllc dcii -ur. vre de trois c d'un bout joignant Ic ir Manolet, ;x tcrrcs du 'vricr, 17fc>l. \TION. /c, Goiivcr- ! trois lituCM r, il prendre ccluiappele ^ lui appart- acs qui s'y ff Frontcuac, dc terrc de ive »SY. Zaz/- >i appui'tient nie i\ sa part ^ec le Sicur \ouis Lepofio jncession dit Mmousky, sur ndcur. XXIX AUOMENIAIIOV A I.A CONt»,8sloV VKUrr.^l.M I . Concession du 7""-' Mai, l6c)7» **"'tP I'^r f^'n'isdc liuiidr, {tomcrnr..i\, ul Jean Bndiait, Intcnilaiit, au Sieur l.nitis l.cjxt^r vt (in/iiicf 'l'ib:i:r;^r, do deux liuuL'g en prof'ondeur, joigiiaiit le dcrricie de la concession li tux dt'ii acc()rd(-e, sitn6e au lieu (lit llimoris^i/, sur le Hi live .V. Laurent, du c«)!e du Sii , tenant d'un co'e .^ i;i terre du .Sieiir A/tAo/, et de I'uulre \ ceile du Sieur Lessnrd, snr tout e la largeur d'iceilt, avcc lc» isles tt islets i|ui setrouveront duns la dite e'cndue. IWjislrc (VInttndance, N" 5, Julio 16. LUSSAUOIERB. Concession du 26me Juiilet J683, faite par Messrs. Le/thvre de ia Barre, Ciouverneur, ef de Mtullis, Intendant, an Sjoiir dc Lnmotte de Lucie/c, de la terre et seigiieurie de la Lussmtdicir, coru-rtlce par Mr. Tnltm, Intendf^nt, le 2ime Octobre, 1672, au Sieur dc Id Lussaiidicre, n r^unie au doniaine de sa Mujestc par I'Ordonnance du jtinie Mai, 1083, consistant en une lieue de front sur une de profondeiir, A |>rendre depuis les terres du Sieur Crcvier, en descendant vers la riviere Nkulei, le chcnnil tartif'y compris. Cuhicru ic Intcndancc, N" 2 « 9, folio 305. • Insinuations du Coiiseil Supi'iirur, letlie U.fnlio 125. JUgistrc d'luiendaiice, IS" ^, folio 22. LUSSON'. Concession du 7ine Novcmbrc, I672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur de SI. Ltmon, d'une lieue de terre de front sur (eii hlancj de profondeur, ik prendre sur le flcuve St. Laurent, savoir, une deinie lieue en iXaq-x dc la petite riviere qui est entre VEchaJfaud au Basque, et Ii. bagticnutj, et une dcinie lieue au del^ ; ensemble I'isle jioinmee I'islc au ^icur. Re^^istre d'lntendmce, N" 1, folio 4'5. GROSBOISOU MACHICHE. Concession du 3uje Novembre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur Vierre Boucher, de Grandpri, d'une lieue et demie de terre de f rontj sur deux dc profondeur, ^ prendre, savoir, trois quarts de lieue au dessus de la riviere ii Marcin, (Machiche) et autant audessous de la dile rivi6re. Regislre d' Intendance, N" I, folio 30. magdelaink:' Concession du 28me Mars, 1689, faite par Jacques de Bmay, Gouvei- neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Riverin, de la nvijgre de la Magdelaine, etant au dessus des uionts Notre Dame, du coteduSud, ensemble demi lieue au dessus et demi lieue au dessous de la dite riviere, le long du fleuve St. Laurent, avec deux lieues de profondeur. Eecristre d' Intendance, N" 3, folio 2(J. 1 f- 1 Rv>^^'; . . *; ' ,', ■.■■* m . |5i .; 'i. .■: ^ :-\m' IV.' ' ' i ;l^ xx\ I'lUP MAltANDA I'AIITIIi N()|! D-Mi I'. (*oncei^i.ion faite au ISiciir Dm/iul, IVrc, Ic 3nic NovcnibiT, Jb7'ii |»ar ,h:j!t 'J'ti'dii, Iiiti'iidaiit, do liiiiti' aiiicim do tirrc'dc (rout surciiuj'iaiiti.' du |irt)t'ondi'iir, a prtiulrL' Mir li lliiive .S7. Luiirnif, di'puis la cjiicossioii (ki SicMir Dn'/iii t son (ils, jiisi|ii'aux tcrros iion-coiui-dcL's. lii^intn: (t'littciidann, N" l^Jiilio '^5, VIVA' MA II AN DA rAllTIU SIJ D-O!) KST. Concession faitc au .Sieur /i«y((r/, fils, If ;niie Novfiulirt-, KJ/i, par ./run TuloK, Intcndunt, du trcnte arjicnb do tirre do front snr ciniiuanto do prolbndour, mir lo ilcnvo St. I imixnt, dopuis lu riviere riV/tM jusqu'aux terres non-conociK'e.s. lUgidrc d'LiUiidiiiur, IS'' l, Julio 25. PAUTIE NOllD-KSr I)K M ASQlIlNON!eric ct I'ctH, ;8 qui sont I'lcomniencor oti finit la Concession du Siour Duiilicr es, dans la riviorc Jm7<.s-,, jus(iu'ii trois lioues au dossus, en la dite riviere, et trois lieues dc profondcur, avcc los i.-Ies, islets Conces neur, des terres Deslandes montant la dite riviere, et trois lieues dc proft et batures qui se trouveront au devant dcs ditcs trois lieues do front ; en outre d'une augmentation dcs terres qui sont depuisla dite concession jusqu'i la riviere dn Chaic, icelle comprise, qui est environ une litue et demie dc ttrre de front, sur pareillc profondcur dc trois lieues-, pour elrc L»7'Ji I''"' .[•umtc lie IjUCUSiiioil l(i72, par ciiKHiaulc! Ititciulaiit, d'line lifuc iclre sur lu lie lic'lK' Ull liitc riviere I, Tntciulant, runt Mir mm jiiiib It;-. Irois At/, tur Irois 7ca(^ Intond- i ur line licuu :mi licue au ioue lie terrc int, a prendre tud, Clouvcr- stiic ft J'di:, Sicur Dauiur u dcsbus, en les i^les, islets uts de i'ront ; ite concession n une litiie ct lies', pour eUc WXl lu dito Ilk ue k:l «Ji:mit; joiiiti; ."l l;i ditc ciinci'Silnii, ri li,>' iloiix n'oii fairo qu'iti\e ; lu premiere partii' de cette coiicessiou faite .lu ten Sii ur Dngni/, \i' 'iliiie S('])teinl)re, 10^:5, iiiai-; rcunio au Domuino du Roi, »uivatit i'Ordonnaucc du ler Mara, l"I4. llJjihtii: d' IiUcniiancc, N" Ij, Julio 1, AUGMENTATION DES MILLIv-ISI.ES. (\)iic»>sion dn 20inc Janvier, 17').!, faiU; pnr lo Mur./id: dc la JuiKftihrc, (lonvernuur, et FniiH;iiis tU^n', Intendant, au Sienr Uitmont, de (|natre lieucs ct deniie de front snr la jnorondeiir do tnti:i licucs, Ji prendre au bout d(! la prol'ondenr, et snr le ni^nio front de la concession aeeordfie nux Sieurs de lMii;xli)i'^nw ct /V//7, situ^e <'t hr)rn''o a coni- nienccr otl fuiit la concession du Sieur Daiilicr Df^lnndc^ dans la ri\i6ii> ./t'lH.v, jusqu'j la rivi^it: Duc/iu.n; ieelle comprise. Jit'i^istic (i liilcndaiice, N' 10, Jolio I. MILLK VACMir.S. Conccsiion du I5me Novemhre, UJ.IS, faitc par Jean dc Lnnzon, Gouverneur pour la Conipa;.^ni(>, A Uol.crf CHlDtrd, Ecuyer, Scif;ncur do liaaujnnif de trois lieues de front sur le tleuve 67. /-«/(/(///, du cole du Nord, audcssous i.\o 7'adouisac, ct de f^rundes et petites Ber^croiDirs, nu lieu dit Millc ViirhnK, uvec quatre lieuesde profondeur, tenant purdevaiit au dit Heuve et des trois autres cotes nux terres non-conctd&v. liJiriUic den Foi ct Hoiimta^e, N" ^6, folio .'H. . Cu/tnrn d'fntcitJancc, N" 10 li IJ, Julio 77 1. TKilR.\ IMRMA DE MINOAN. Concession du 25me Fevricr, lot) I, faite par la Compagiiie au Sicur Fr(Vi(;(jis iii.fsol de la Hiicre de la terrc ferine de jV///;i,'(in ; il prendre • lepuii le Cup dc.i Curmuraiis A la cote du Nord, jusepi'il la grande unc«,> vers les Esquimaux, oh les Espagnols font ordinaireinent la pechi', sur ilt'ux lieues de profondeur. llr^^iKtrc des Foi ct Hommage, N" y8,Jhlio 355. MONNOin. Concession du 25ine Mars, 17O8, faite par Messieurs dt- Ri^aud, tjouverneur, et liaitdot, Intendant, au Sieur dc llamzay, de deux licues do I'ront sur trois lieues de profondeur dc terres non-cor.cedtes, le long de la riviere des Hurong, joignant d'un cote hi Seigneurie de Chumbly, ct de I'autre c6f6 aux terres non-conci dees, courant du Nord-est uu yud-oue>t, avec les isles ct islets qui pourroient se trouver dans la dite riviere, vis- ;1-vis la dite concession, la ditc concession portant le nom de M(innn;t\ RJgistre d'Intendaiicc, N" 2 d {hJoHo 355. Al.'GMENTATlON A MONNOIK. Concession du rime Juin, 1739, faite par le IMarquis de Btwiharnoix, Gouverneur, et Gilks Hocqiiart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Nico/ax ilocde Ramzai/, de deux lieues de front sur trois lieues dc profondeur, au bout de la Seigneurie de Monnoir, conci'dec Ic 25mc INIars, 17OS, siliu'c pres Chamhly le long do la riviere des Hiirons, en couraut Nord-est et Sud-ouest Ic long dc ia continuation dc la iSci(;riCurie de lloiaHir, ■*1 ■• - i S. ' ^■«..v \'XX!1 joignant la dite Seigneurie au Nord-L'st ct celle /i a.i .'■-■ud.- oui'sr. iiej^istre cTIiiiendaiice, N" S, folio 2(3. MONT-A-PF.INE. Concession du 24me Scptcmhrc, lfi83, faitc ;1 Mr. Charles Denis, Sieuv (le J'i(r(, de di.x arpcns de terrc de front, sur quarante de prof'on- deur, pour en jouir, lui ses hoirs et ayans-cause il litre de fiufet Seigneu- rie A toujour?. N. B. Cet extrait ne mcntionne nullemcnt la situation de co fief qui n'est connu que par son augmentation ct la concession prc'cedente. R4gistre dcs Foi et Hommagc, K" AG, folio 207, 27 me Filvrier, 17SI. AUGMENTATION DK MONT-A-PEINE. Concession du I8me Juin, \74g, faite par Rohtnd Michel Barrin, Gouverneur, et Francois Bip;ot, Intendant, i Claude Antoinc de Berment, Seigneur dc la Mariiiiiire, d'un restant de terrc qui so trouve au boutde la profondeur du fief de Vitre, et qui est enclave cntre les fiefs de Vin- cennes et de Livaitdicrc au Nord-est, et celui du dit Berment de la Marti- viere au Sud-ouest, jusqii'A I'egale profondeur dc six lieues que contient Ic fief du dit Sieur Berment de la Maiiinicrc. Begistre d'Intciulancc, N" f), flio 4 1 . MONTARVILLE. Concession du l/me Octobre, 1/10, faite par Messrs. de Vnudreuil, (jouverijeur, et Raiidol, Intendant, au Sieur lioitrhcr, d'une lieue et trente arpens do tcrre de front sur une lieue et demie de profondeur, ii prendre dans les profondeurs entre les Seigneurics dc Boucherville et de Chamhly ; joignant au Nord-est la Seigneurie de Varcniics, et au Sud- ouest la Seigneurie de Tremblai/. R^gistre d'lntcndaiice, N" 2 a Q, folio l6g. MOUNT MURRAY. Grant of the 27th day of April, 1762, by tiio Honorable Janiea Murray, Esq. Governor of Quebec, to Lieutenant Malcolm Frnscr, of His Majesty's 78th Regiment of Foot, of all that extent of land lying on the North shore of the river St. Laxurcncr, from the Nconc6decs. Registrc d'Intendance, N" 10 d XT, folio 66O. DERRIRRE DAUTRE' ET LA NORAYE. Concession du 4me Juillet, 1739, faite par Charles, Marquis de Beau- harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Jean Baptiste Neveti, d'un terrein non-concedu, ^ prendre depuis la ligne qui borne la profondeur des fiefs de La Norayc et Dauir^, jusqu'^ la riviere de V Assomption, et dans la mfeme 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- lele, tenant aux prolongations de la Seigneurie d'Antaya ; lequel terrein ne fera avec chacun des dits fiefs de La Noraj/c et Dautri qu'une seule et meme Seigneurie. llegistre d'lntcndaucc, N" 8, Jblio 29. NICOLET. Concession du 2()nie Octobre 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intondant, au Sieur dc Lauhia, de deux lieues de front sur nutant de profondeur, 4 prendre sur le lac St. Pierre, savoir ; une lieue au dessus et une lieue au dessous de la riviere Nicolet, icelle comprise. Registre d'lntendance, N" l, Jblio 15. L'iSLE de la FOUR'JHE, ET AUGMENTATION A NICOLET. Concession du 4me Novembre, 168O, par le Comte de Franlrnar, Gouverneur, et Duckrsneau, Intendant, au Sieur Cr';ssi, de I'isle de la Fourche, etant dans la livi^re Cressi, 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 dc toute la largeur de sa Seigneurie. lUgistre d'lntendance, N° 2, folio 21. NOTRE OAME DES AN r JJS. Concession du lOme Mars, 1626, faite par la Compagnie aux rever- ends peres Jesuites ; de la Seigi»*tirie 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 St. Laurent et la petite rivi6re St. Charles; et par derriere au bout de la dite concession les terres non« concedees. Cahiers d'lntendance^ N' 2 a 9, folio 85. ! I' XXXIV B '-i '■ ■v "? ,■ (■ NOUVELLE LONGUEIL. Concession du 21me Avril, 1734, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau- harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, fl Joseph Lemoine, Chevalier de Lmgueil, de 1 etcndue de terre qui so trouve sur le borddu fleuve .S7, Laurent, au lieu appele les Cascades, depuis la borne de la Seigneurie de Soulange jusqu'i la Pointe du Baudd inclusivement ; faisant environ deux lieues de front sur trois lieues de profondcur ; avec les isles, islets et batui'es y adjacentes. Begistre d'Intendance, N" "Jfjblio 24. NOYAN. Concession du 8me Juillet, 1743, faite par Charles Marquis de Beau- harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquarl, Intendant, au Sieur Chavois de Noyan, de deux lieues de front le long de la riviere Chambly, sur trois lieues de profondeur, laquelle sera bornce du cAtedu Nord a un quart de lieue au Nord de la petite riviere du Sud, par une ligne courant Est et Ouest, du c6t6 du Sua en remontant le lac Champlain, i> une lieue trois quarts dela dite rivi6re, joignant par une ligne parallele A celle ci-dessus au terrein concede au Sieur Foucaulf, le premier Mai dernier, avec I'Isle aux Tetes, etant dans la dite riviere Chamblij, avec les isles et islets qui se trouveront vis-^-vis le front de la dite concession, Registre d' Litendatice, N" Q, folio I9. d'ousainville. Concession du mois de May, 1675, faite par Lettres Patentes de sa Majest6, aux Dames religieuses de I'Hopital General, du Comted'O/'^Aiw- ville, contenant en superficie trois mille cinq cens soixant et quinze arpens, et de la profondeur de quatre lieues ; a prendre du bord de la rivi6re St. Charles, sur differentes largeurs, tenant par devant i la dite rivi6re et par derriere aux terresnon-concedc;es,d'un cote, au Sud-Ouest A un fief appartenant au Sieur de VEpinaj/ par une ligne qui va au Nord- Ouest quart de Nord de la profondeur des ditcs quarte lieues, et du cote du Nord-Est au fief de Notre Dame des Anges ; le comte A'Orsainvillc, et la Seigneurie de Notre Dame des Anges etant s^par^-:, a coiiimencer par le front du dit Comte, par le ruisseau de St. Michel, suivant ses contours et serpentemens jusqu'^ environ quinze arpens de profondeur, oti le dit Comte A' Orsainville commenced etre de onze arpens de front, jusquM la hauteur de trente cinq arpens du bord de la dite riviere .SV, 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 fiiit un tour d'^querre de trois arpens, au bout desquels rtprend 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" 7 1, folio 324, Ic 24me Avril, Ijbl. Cahiers d^Intendance, 10 a ]7> folio 730. PACHOT, Concession du 7me Janvier, l68g, faite par Jacques dc tirisny, (Jouver- neur, et Jean Buckarl, Intendant, au Sieur Pucliut, de la rivi6re de Alitis, te Beau- Lenwine, Iborddu pe tie la lemcnt ; «r: avec XXXV dans sa devanturc, siir le fleuve St. Laz/rcn/, ju?qu'ik une lieue de pro- fondeur et une lieue de terre sur le fleuve S7. Laurent, moitie audessus et moitie audcssous de la dite riviere sur semblable profondeur d'unc lieue. Ih'giitre d' Iniendancc, N" 3, folio 21. PASl'EBIAC. Concession du lOnie Novembre, 1707, faite par Risraiid, Gouvcrncur, et liaiidnt, Intendant, au Sieur Pierre Leijmar, de la pointe de Piispibicc, dans la Baic dcs C/udenrs, avec une lieue de front du rote de I'Est de la dite pointe et une lieue du cote de I'Ouest, avec les isles et islets qui se trouveront au devanr, de IV'tenduc de la dite concession, sur trois licues dc profond*^ur. Insinuations du Cor^seil Superieitr, lettre C, folio 33. PERTHUIS. Concession du lime Octobre, iy 53, ^di\l&^a.v\Q Marquis Duquesne, Gouvcrneur, et Framjois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Perthuis, d'wne lieue et demie de front, sur neuf lieues de profondeur, i prendre au bout des trois lieues de profondeur de Portneuf. Rigislre d'Intendance, N" 10, folio 1?. PKTITE NATION. Concession par la Compagnie des Indes du l6me Mai, 1674, ;\ Messire Frani^ois de Laval, Eveque de Pdtree, et premier Eveque de Quebec, de cinq lieues de terre dc front sur cinq lieues de profondeur, sur le fleuve St. Laurent dans la NouveUe France, environ quarante deux lieues au dessus de Mmlrtnl ; i prendre depuis le Sault de la Chaudi^re, vulgaire- ment appoli': la Petite Nation en descendant le fleuve sur le chemin des Outatvas. Cahiers d' I utcndance, 10 d \y, folio 682. Registre «e? Foi et Hommage, N° 142, page 238, PIERREVILLE. Co'K t ssion du 3me Aout, l683, faite par Lcfebvre, Gouverneur, et de MeuUes, Intendant, au Sieur Laurent Philippe, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur une lieue dc profondeur, joignant du cote du Sud>ouest les terrcs non-concedees, d'autre cote au Nord-ouest, d'un bout sur la Seigneiirie du Sieur Crevicr^, d'autre aux terres non-conced6es, avec les isles et islets qui se rencontreront dans la dite profondeur, la rividre St. Frnni;ois comprise dans icelle profondeur, ensorte qu'elle fut au milieu de l« dite profondn . Ca/iters d'lnt, .idance, N" 2 d g, folio 281. Ins, Clin. Sup. Iiitre B. folio 129. lONNANCOUR OU POINTE DU LAC. Con<^'«;MJon du Sme Novembre, 1734, faite par Charles Marquis de BfunhariKiis, (iouveriitjur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur RetiiS (Jiidefroi de Tonnaiii.iiiir, d'une demi lieue de terre de front sur une lieue de profondeur, ^ prendre le dit front au bout de la profondeur et i ■ : •I .1 ■i ■• .•I- 1 i I; I f'- ' , ' »' XXXVl limite du fief ci-devant de AWmanville, pour etre la dite prolongation en profondeur unie et jointe au dite fief de iVbr?Ka«w7/c pour ne fuire ensemble avec le fief et Seigneurie de 5a«Prto'e< qu'une seule et meme Seigneiirie, sous le nom de Tonnaiwour, laquclle se trouvera ctre d'une lieue et quart du front sur deux Heuea de profondeur : le rumb de vent courant pour le front Nord-Eot et 8ud-Ouest, et pour la profondeur Nord- Ouest et Sud-Est. R4gistre d'lnlendance, N" 7,J'olio 29. PORT DANIEL. Concession du 12me Decembrc, ]6()6, faite par Loids de BiiaJe, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendaut, au Sieur Rene d' Encau, di^ iro'w lieues et dcmie de terre dc front, a\i lieu (lit le Port Daniel, dans la Bale rivieres et etangs, si aucuns se trnuvent dans la dite etendue. R4gistre d'Intendance, N" ^^ folio 4. BARONIS DE PORTNEUF. Concession du l6me Avril, 1047, faite par la Compagnic au Sieur da Croisille, situee au bord du Heuve St. Laurent, du cote du Nord, conte- nant une lieue et demie '^o front sur trois lieueN de profondeur; le front joignantauNord-Est aufiefde Monceau, etducote du Sud-Oucst aufief DeschambauU, dans laquelle se trouvent comprises les rivi6res de Jacques Cartier et de Portneiif. Rei^istre d'Intendance, N" 2 d 9, Jhlio 215. DERRIERE LA CONCESSION DU SIEUR NEVEU, At NORD-EST. Concession du 7me Octobre, 1736, faite par diaries Marquis de Beauhamois, Gouverneur, et Gi/ks Hocquart, Jntendant, ;1 Dame Gene- vi^ve de Ramzaij, veuve du feu Sieur de BoinhStert, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur quatre lieues de profondeur, bornee sur la devanture par la rive du Nord tie la riviere d«- VAssompiioJi, du cotti du Sud-Ouest jjar la ligne de la concession nouveltement a*;cordee au Sieur d'Argenteuil; d'autre, au Nord-Est par une ligne parallcle, tenant aux prolongation de la Seigneurie d'Antaya ; ct dans la profondeur par une ligne parallcle i la devanture, joignant aussi aux terres non-concedees. R*igistre d'Intendance, N" 8, jolio J 5. KANOIN. Concession faite au Sieur Randin, le 3me Novembre, 1672, par Jean I'alon, Intendant, d'une lieue de front sur le fleuve dc. Bt'.ade, Gouver- neur, et Jean Bocfiart, Intendant, au Sieur Jenn Baptistc Hertcl, Sieur de liouville, de deux lieues de terre de front avec une lieue et dcmie de profondeur, joignant d'un cote la terre de la Scignturie de Chambly, en descendant la riviere Richelieu ; de I'autre cote Ics tcrres non-conc6deeti du cote du Sud de la dite riviere Richelieu. lUgisire d' lutendance, N" ^^ folio 15. SABREVOIS. Concession du ler Novembre, I'SO. faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere, Gouxerncur, etFratifois /f/^o<, Intendant, au Sieur de Sabre- vois, de deux lieues ou environ de front, sur trois lieues de profondeur, bornee du cot6 du Nord par la Seigneurie concedee au Sieur de Sabrevois de Bteuri, le 30me, Octobre dernier, sur la m6me ligne ; du cote du Sud .1 deux lieues ou environ sur la dite Seigneurie par une ligne tireo Est et Ouest du monde, joignant aux terrea non-concedees ; sur la devanture par la riviere Chambly et sur la profondeur il trois lieues joignant aussi aux terres non-concedees. Registre d'hitefdance, N" g, folio 73. SAINTK ANNE. Concession du 29me Octobre, 1673, faite par Jean Talon^ Intendant, aux Sicurs Sueur ^t Lanaudicre, de I'etendue de la terre qui se trouve sur le fleuve St. Laurent, au lieu dit des Grondines, depuis celle appartenante aux lleligieuses de I'Hupital de Quebec, jusquM la Riviere Ste. Anne, icelle comprise, sur une lieue de profondeur, avec la quantite de terre qu'ils ont acquis du Sieur Hamelin. R^gi.stri: d' lutendance, ti° i, folio 15. AUGMENTATION UE STE. ANNE. Concession du 4nie Mars, 1(J07, par Louis de Bunde, Gouverneur, et Jean Dochart, Intendant, faite il Marguerite Dmis, veuve du Sieur de Lanaudicre, de trois lieues de terre de profondeur derriere !a terre et Seigneurie de St. Anne, sar toute la largeur d'icelle, ct celle des Sieurs de Sueur et Hamelin, avec les isles, islets et batures non-concedees qui se trouvcnt dans la dite etendue; la dite profondeur tenant d'un cote a la Seigneurie des Grondines, et d'autre cott ."i celle de liatiscan, Regisfre d" lutendance, N" 5, folio 5. AUTRE AUGMENTATION DE STE. ANNE. Concession du SOnie Octobre, 1700, par Hector de Calliere, Gouver- neur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Thomas Tarieu de la Perade, de I'espaee de terre qui se trouve au derriere de la Seigneurie de Ste. Anne, Icquel espace contient environ deux lieues de fiontentre les lignes prolongees des Seigneurie^ de St. Charles des rochcs (les Grondines) et Baliscan, sur ivie lieue tt demie de profondeur ; ensemble la riviere qui peut traverser le dit espace, el les is'ets (jui peuvent s'y rencontrer. RCgi,''tre d'lnteudance, N" 5, folio 37. h ' !', . 'vi h\ .' ■! Ml. »r ; i;, ' •11 • 4- n,.4i: 1 xl TROISIEME AUGMENTATION UE STE. ANNE. Concession du 20me Avril, l735,faitc par Ic Mnruuisde Beauharnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intcndant, h Mr. Ihomas Tarieu, Sieur de la Pcradc, d'une etcnduc de terre de trois lieues de profondeur^ ^ prendre dcrriurc ct sur la mcmc largeur dc la Concession du 30me Octobre, 1700. Rt'gislrc d'Intcnflaiicc, N" 7, folio 31. STE. ANNK. Concession du 28ine Novcmbre, 1688, faite par Jacquex dc lirisai/, Gouverneur, et .Itan Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur liivehn, de la riviere Ste. Antic, situee aux monts Notre Dame, dans le fleuvc St. Lnurent, avcc une demi lieuc dc front sur le dit fleuve, moiti^ audessus et I'autrc moitiu audessous de la ditc riviere, icelle non comprise dans la ditc dtcnduc, sur une lieue de profondeur dans i es terres. lidgistrc d'Intciidauce, N° 3, folio \Q. STE. ANNE OU LA POCADFERE. Concession du 2dme Octobre, I672, faite par Jean Talon, Intcndant, h DeRioisclle Lacombe, d'une lieue et demie de terre de front sur autant dc profondeur, A prendre sur Ic fleuve St. Laurent, tenant d'un cote k la concession du Sieur dc St. Denis ; d'autre aux terres non concedees. Rigistre d'Inicndance, N" 1, folio 9. TILLY OU ST. ANTOINE. Concesrion du 29mu Octobre, I672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur de VUlieu, de I'etendue de terres qui se trouveront sur le fleuve St. iMurent, depuis les homes dc cclles de Mr. Lauzon, jusqu'^ la petite riviere dit de Villieu, iccllc comprise, sur une lieue et demie de pro- fondeur. Reg. Ins. Con. Sup. lettrc B, folio 20. ST. ARM AND. Concession du 23me Septembre, 1748, faite par Rolland Michel Barrin, Gouverneur, ct Frnnqois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Nicolas Reni Le- vasseiu, 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 dcssous de la premiere chute qui se trouve k trois lieues de profondeur de la dite riviere, en remontant la susdite riviere de Missisgtioui. Registre d' Intendance, 'H' g, folio 35. ST. barnabe'. Concession du lime Mars, I751, faite par le Marquis dc la Jonquiere, Gouverneur, et Fra»i;ois Bit^ot, Intendant, au Sieur Lepage de St. Bar- nabc, de cinq quarts de lieue de terre de front, sur deux lieues de pro- eauharnois, trieu, Sieur pfondeur, k du some , t dc Brisai/, |de la riviere it. Laurent, Jus et Taiitrc ■dans la dite •I, Intcndant, Int sur aiitant t d'un cote iV concedecs. m, Intendant, ; sur le fleiive qu'^ la petite letnie de pro- lichd Barrin, )las Reni Le- )rofondeur le les dites six chute qui se remontant la la Jonquiere, e de St. Bar~ ieues de pro> xli fondour, avcc Ics rivieres, isles ct islets qui sc trouveront au tlovant du clit terrein, ^ prendre depuis In concession accordeeuu feu Sieur Uomr do In Cardoiiierc, on descendant au Nord-est, jus(|ues et conipris la pointe du I'Isle aux Peres, dc maniere (pi'il so trouvcra avoir trois liems et un ()uart de front, sur deux iieues de profondeur, (|ui scront i)ornees en total i\ la concession dcs representans de feu Sieur de Vitre au Sud-oucst, ct au Nord-est ;"i la pointe de I'Isle aux Pens. Registre d'liiteudaiice, N° g, folio "jy, ST. RLAIN. Ce fief est une partie demembree dc la Seigncurie de J't-rchcre.^, comme il paroit par un acte de Foi et Ilonuua<;o rendu devant Mr. Began, alors fntendant, le 13nic levrier, I72li, fonde sur un aetedc partage du l5mc Septembre, \(isii, suivant lequel le front do ce fief connuence a hi ligue de separation cntre les Scigneuries de I'erclicrea et de .S7. Miclid, et contient vingt-trois arpens de front sur deux Iieues de profondeur, sur le runib dc vent ordinaire des concessions dc; la Seigncurie de Vcrchere. Rigislrc des Fui ct' llommage, folio 3, datee 30we Janvier, 1"23. ST. CHARLES. Concession da ler, INTars, 1095, faitc par Louis deBititde, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur Ifrrtrl de Iti J'rr'c/inrl, InteiuiaiU, au Sieur Rene h'czent, d*iiiie iieue et demie de terre en superfieie duns la riviere de Yamus/id, icellu com- prise, a prendre du tote du sud de la dite riviere, tirant r,ud-est, tenant d'un bout il la Coucoc^sion du feu Sieur Bourchcmi-:, ct de I'autre aux terres iioii-concedees, avec les isles, islets, prairies et battures ad- jaccntes. Ileg!':trc d'Tnfendancr, X" 5, folio ;i3. STE. CLAIRE. Concession du 17nie Mars, 1693, faite par Low/ir/e 7?/rrt//(?, (louver- neur, ct Jean Boc/iail, Intendant, ;i A' t-;;(^ /,c/;ffijf, d'une iieue de terre de front i\ prendre ;1 une ligna (jui sera tiree au N'ord-cst ct Sud-ouest, pour terminer la profondeur de la concession du Sieur Coaillard de VEpinay, situce a la riviere du Sud, avec deux Iieues dc profondeur, joignant d'un cote au Nord-est la prolongation dc la ligne qui fait la separation des terres du dit Sieur de VEjrnmji, d'avec cello du Sieur Amiol de Vinctlot ; d'autro cote, au Siid-oucst, les terres non concedees ; d'un bout, au Nord-ouest, la dite ligne (|ui teiinine la profondeur de la terre du dit Sieur de VEpinai/, et d'autre bout au Sud-cst une autre ligne paralleje rpii terniincra Ics dites deux Iieues de profondeur. Uegisirc d'Litciulmcc, Letlie D. N" A, folio 12. u IT .'■ , I ."• ll \ 1 -L .' '"■':■' \\V\ siK. cnoix. Le litre do cctte concession n'a pas etc trouve au Secretariat; il paroit seiileinent par le Hegistre iks Foi et Hoinniiige une declaration faite par Pierre Diu/iiet, Notaire Uoyul, au iioin des Dames Religieuses UrsulineH de QiiJ/kc, proprietaires d(! la Seigneurie de Ste. Croix et autres lieux, devant Mr. Duchcsncau, Intendant, qui dit, que les dites Dames possedent un lief et seigncurio au lieu nomme Platan Ste. Croix, contenant une lieue de front sur le Heuvc Ht. Laurent, sur dix lieues de profondeur, borne d'un cote au Sieur de Lutbiniire et d'autre aux terres non encore habitt'es, aux dltes Dames Religieuses appartcnant par titre de I'anciennr Compagnic, en date du lOnie Janvier, l^ZJ, et conHrme par Mr, de Lauzon, Gouverneur, le dme Mars, l652, Uigistrc des Foi et Hommage, N" 68, folio 312, le 24tne Avril, 1 7s 1 . ST. DENIS. Concession du 12me Mai, 1679, faite par 1 Comte de Front enac, Gouverneur, au Sieur de St, Denis pouret au nom de Joseph Juchereau, son fils, des terres qui sont du cote du Sud, entre celles du Sieur de Laditrantaie et du Sieur dela 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. Jblio 36. ST. DENIS. Concession du 20mc Scptenibre, 1 694, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart^ Intendant, h Louis de Ganne, Sieur de Falaisc, de deux lieues de terre de profondeur derriere la terre et Seig- ncurie de Contrecceurf sur loute la largeur d'icelle, qui est de deux lieues, laquclle profondeur passera en partie au del^ de la riviere Cliambli/, et courra les memes rumbs de vent que la dite terre de Cc.n- trecceur; avec les isles et islets qui sc trouveront dans la dite riviere- C/iamblij par le travers de la dite profondeur. Registre d' Intendance, N" 4,^/olio 17. Registre d' Interidance, 9, folio 61. ST. ETIENNK. Concession du yme Octobre, 1737* faite par le Marquis de Beau- harnois, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Francois Etienne Cugnet, d'un terrain restant i conceder vis-^-vis la Seigneurie appartenante aux heritiers Jotliet, sur la riviere du Sault de la Chaudiire, du cote du Sud-ouest, depuis le bout de la profondeur de la Seigneurie de Lauzon jusqu'i celle nouvellement conccdee au Sieur Taschereau, contenant environ trois lieues de front sur la dite riviere du Saidt 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 rivi6re dans I'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 ge trouveront situes t>ur les dites terres. Regittrcd'hitendancet N" Qf Jblio '20. 1 paroit li faitc |)Kr UrsulineH Itrea lieux, I possedcnt tenant unu Irofondeur, Ion cnconi 1 1'ancienno [par Mr, de 4vril,] ySl. Frnntcnac, Juchereau, du Sieur de St. Laurent, lans la pru- s de Biiade, me, Sieur de erre et Seig- est dc deux le lu riviere erre de Cr.n- a dite rivieru tits de Beau' eur Frangois la Seigneurie la Chaudiire, la Seigneurie Taschereau, u Saidt de la 2 profondeur, ! rlvi6re dans !S se trouver- veront situes Xllit ST. FRAN(;OIS. Coiiecshion du Sine Octobre, 1678, faito pWfLouh de Buade, Gouvor- lU'ur, au Sieur Crevio; dc la Seigneurie de §t, Frangoii, contenant uno lieue lie prolonJeur en niontant danu la riviere de St. l'ran<;oi.i ; ensem- ble le8 isleset islets qui Hont dans la dite prolbndeur, et unc lieuc dc largo d'un a>t('(l( III dite riviere au Nord, aprendreau bout de la tf n,^ • Seig- neurie ' 'ur dc la Lusmiidicre, ensemble les terres ([ui se *i->;/ .sont del'.' cote de la dite rivi6re au Sud; il comniencer ;m; Mtit ■'.; 'a tcrrc :n( irie de .S7. Frani;ins et juvqu'aux bori/c . du .'i.'vur de Laval i^i-i Ut^_^ J'hUendance, N" 2 u g, folio 146. ST. GABRIBL. roncessiou tlu ifinic Avril, 164", faite par la Compagnie au Sieur (liffard, de la Seigneurie de St. Gabriel, i» prendre au meme endroit (|ue sa prcsente coneession, (Ikanport ) rangeant icelle de proche en proclie, autant iju'il se pourra faire, sur dix lieues de profondeur dans les terres vers le Nord-Ouest. Par le pupier Terrier, Tome 2e, P'olio 655,,le susdit fief avoit originaire- nicnt deux lieues de front. Cette concession ne joint pas Beaitport, parce que la concession de A'otre Dame des Anges qui est entrc les deux Gft plus ancienne. Cahiirs d'lntcndancc, N" 2 d, Q, folio 73, ST. HYACINTHE, Concession du 23me Septembre, 17'18, faite par Rolland Michel Barrin, Uouverneur, et Fraiit;mi Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Francois llignud, Seigneur dc Vaudreull, dc six lieues de front, le long de la riviere Yamnska,%\\v trois lieues de profondeur de chaque cote d'icelle ; les dites six lieues de front, il prendre A sept lieues de I'embouchurc de la dite riviere, qui sont les dernieres terres conccdees. Rigidre iflnlendance, N" g, folio 36. FIEF ST. IGNACE. Concession du 20me Aout, \tt)2, faite par Monsieur dc Lai/zoii, Gouverneur, aux Dames de I'Hotel Dieu, d'une denii lieue ile terre de front sur la riviere St, Charl-es, sur dix lieues de profondeur ; ileinembree du fief St, Gabriel, par donation du Sieur Robert Gijf'ard, Seigneur de Beauport, aux dites Dames ; i prendre d'un cote aux terres conccdeus sur la riviere St. Charles au Sieur Giiilluume Coidllard, d'autre part ^ lu ligne qui fait la separation des terres depuis peu accordees aux Sauvages, d'autre bout par derriere aux terres noi^concedees, et par devant i la riviere St, Charles. Papier Terrier^ N» 64, folio 296,' 19'"e Mars, ] 781. PlEP ST. JEAN. Concession du 13me Octobre, 1701, faite par Hector de Callierc, (louverneur, et Jraw ^oc^nr^, Intendant, aux Usimes Religieuses Uraii' lines, des 7'rois Rivieres, de I'espace de terre concedee, qui se trouve dans le lac St. Pierre au fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Nord ; concistant d'^jnviron trois (juarts de lieues de front entre le Sieur Joseph Petit dit i; > IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I ■^1^ §21 li£ 12.0 us u PhotograpAiic Sciences Corporation 11.25 lu |i.6 VVa ^■^■^MIB^^^^V II ^^^^^^^^^^^M illll^BSS^ElB^B < 6" ► ^\ ;V ^\ V 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WnSTM.N.Y. 145M (716)S72-4503 '^t^% xliv (»r ill fit" ' .^ ;■■■■■*! Bruno, Sciyncur dc Mftsunuiongi, et le Sicur Ti otter dn Beanbicn, Seigneur cle la liivierc tin Loup, sur la profoniluur ile deux lioues. liegistre d'Jntcntlancc, N" 5, folio 34. AUGMUNTATION DU FIEF ST. JEA^. Confirmation du 27nie Mars, 1733, par sa Majest6, d'une cuncession faite le lOnie Deccnibre 1/27, ^"x Dames Ursulines des Trnh lliviircs, d'un terrein joignant du c6te du Nord-Est au fief de la Riviire i/u 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 Couseil Supirieur, liigistre G. Jblio 42. ST. JKAN DESCHAILLONS. Concession du 25me Avril, 16/4, au Sieur de St. Our«, de deux lieues de tcrre, de front le long du fleuve St, Laurent, il commencer quatre arpens audessous de lu lliviere du C/iene en niontant le dit fleuve, avec deux lieues de profondeur dans les dites terres, nommee la Seigneurie Deschaillotis. liegistre des Foi et Hommage, folio 67. Cahicrs d'Intendance, 2 a 9, folio 243. AUGMENTATION DE ST. JEAN DES(-«aILLONS. Concession du 25me Janvier 17-'52, faite par le Marquis dc La Jonquiere, Gouverneur, et Franfois Bigot, Intendant, A Roc de St. Ours, f^icurVcs- chaillons, dans la profondeur de la riviere du Chene sur le menie front dc la Seigneurie de la riviere du C/ieiie a lui deja concedee, avcc quatrc lieues et demie de profondeur H prendre au bout des deux lieues que conticnt sa dite Seigneurie. liegistre d' Inlendance, N" 10,folio 28. By this concession of augmentation, and by the ratification of it, tlie first concession is said to contain only one league and a half, as per tlic Rigister N° \0,fulio 2, et Ins. Con. Sup. Letter K. folio 7. ST. JEAN POKT JOLI. Concession du '25me Mai, 1677> f^ite par Louis de Buade, Comte dc Frontenac, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, k Noel f Aiiglois,Ae la consistence de deux lieues de terre de front, le long du fleuve St. Laurent, du cute du Sud, k commencer depuis les terres qui appartien- nent k la Demoiselle Lacomhe, en remontant le dit flfuve, jusqu'i la con- cession de la Demoiselle Genevieve Couillard, avec deux lieues dc pro- fondeur. Rdgistre des Foi el Hommage, N°44', Page 194, le 23njc Sept, \JQ\, Cahiers d* Intend. N". 2 a g, folio 301. ST. JOSEPH. Concession du 23me Septembre, 1/36, faite par Charles Marquis de Beauhamoist Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, au Sieur Rigaud de Vaudreuil, de trois lieues de terre de front et deux lieues de profondeur, des deux cotes dc la riviere du Satdt de la Chaudiere, en Beanbicn, MfS. I concession in lUviircs, \e du Loup, pt an fief du trois liuues ideuxlieues ncer quatre fleuve, avec I Seigneurie La Jonquiere, rs, Sieurl^ci- leme front de , avcc quatrc ix licucs que tionof it, tlie ilf, as per the lio 7. de, Conito de I I'Atiglois, de du fleuve St. ui appartien- isqu'ii la con- ic ues de pro- cSept. 178 1. ;s Marquis de nt, au Sieur eux lieiics de Chaudie're, en 'fi xlv remontant, ensemble tous Ics lacs, isles et islets qui s'y trouvent, i commencer ii la fin de la concession accordee aujourd'hui au Sieur 'J'aschereau. llegislre d'Jnlcndniice, N" 8, ^/blio 8. ST. JOSliPH OV l'kPINAY. Concession du dernier jour de Fevrier, 1626, faite par Mr. Ic Due de Wdii/adoiir, ^ Louis llcberl, d'une lieue de terre de front, pres de la viile de (liiScc, sur la riviere St, C/iur/ci ; sur quatre lieues de profondeur. Papier Terrier, N'' \5. folio ^5, 3 I'ivricr, 1/8 1. This fief is said to contain but one quarter of a league in front upon four in deptli, 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 I'Epinay. N. 13. This fief by actual measurement only eleven arpents in front. Cahiers d'Intettd. JO a l'^, Julio 577. STE. MARGUERITE. Concession du 27me Juiiiet, 1691, faite par Louis de Bundc, Conite de Froiitcnar, Gouverneur, et Jenn liochart, Intendant, au Sieur Jacques Dubois de lioguiuet, de trois quarts de lieues ou environ de front, etant au derridre dcs concessions qui sont le long du fleuve St. Laurent, audessus des Trois Rividres, appartenantcs aux Reverends Peres J6suites et au Sieur de St. Paul; joignant au cote du Sud-Ouest au fief Vieupont et au cote du Nord-Est au dit fleuve dcs Trois Rivieres ; ensemble la profondeur qui se trouvera jusqu'aux fiefs de Tonnancour et de St. Maurice. Registre d' Litendance , N" 4, Jblio 5. SAINTE MARIK. Concession du 3me Novembre, 16/2, faite par Jean Ttdon, Intendant, au Sieur Lemoine, de trois cjuart^ de litue dj terre sur dcnii lieue de profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Ltidrcid, depuis I'liabitation des p^res Jcsuites, jusqu'i la llivitre Ste. Anne, suppose que cette quantite y soit. JUgistre d' Intendanee , N" 1, folio 32. STE. MARIK. Concession du 23me Septembre, 1730", faite par le Marquis de Beau- harnois, (>ouverneur, et Gdles Hocquart Intendant, au Sieur Tasclicreau, de trois lieues de terre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, dcs cotes de la riviere dite Savlt de la Chaudiire, en remontant, en commen: Vmnudcnc, rres qui 6ont lEL ET DE r Michel Jean ri^re la Scig- rnes des Scip;- -oueBt, ce qui e profondeur, s profondeurs outre quatrc jle St.Gcrvais bout des pro- et delaiSelg- ■e lieues et un ait-quarre des ms concedees, allele joignant de la ligne dc hel, et au Sud- tion de la ditc ;e i Mr. de la une lieue de viron sur trois ;s Seigneuries ir Pcan qu'une Ion, Intendant, e trouve sur le ', de Contreccevr fleuve, et par is de cette con- ir, au dit Sieur Wa», 1781. ? nigaud, Gou- rfroy, Sieur de itrement dit la terre de large dc profondeur, les dites bale ct xlvii ST. ROC. Concession du ler Avrll, 1656, faite par Mr. de Laitzon, Gouvcrneur pour laCompognie, ^ Nicholas Juchereau de St. Denis, de trois lieues de lerre de front sur deux lieues de profondeur, avec les isles et battures audevant de la dite Concession. tahicrs d' litleudance, N" 10 d I7, folio 665. SAINT SULPICE. Concession du I7me D^cembre, i640, faite par la Compagnie aux Sicurs Cherrier et Lerouer, d'une grande partie de I'lsle de Montreal, &c. &c. F*lus 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 menie cote ofi se decharge la riviere de VAssomption dans le dit fleuve St. Laurent, et ^ comniencer a une borne qui sera mis f ur cette meme cote, ^ la distance de deux lieues de I'em- bouchure de la dite riviere de VAssomption, le reste des dites deux lieues Compagnie. Ins. Con. Sup. Pour le reste de la dite isle par titre 21 Avril, I639, Voyez le meme Kegistre, et pour les dites titres ratifications amortisse- nient, Voyez Cahiers d'Intend. SAUf-T ST. LOUIS. Concession du 29me Mai, 168O, faite par sa Majeste aux reverends percs J6.suite$, de la terre nommee le Sault, contenant deux lieues de pais de front ; a comniencer ^ une pointe qui est vis-:Vvis 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 terros de la Prairie de la Mcgdelaine. R^gistre d'Intendance, N" 2 d % folio 122. Augmentation du dit fief d'une lieue et demie vers la Scigneurie de Cifteaugai/. Le meme Rigistre, folio 124. SHOOLBRED. Grant in Fief and Seigniory to John Shoolbrcd, 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 qfChaleurs, videlicet : A certain lot ?r 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- cast 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 Nortlv-cast point of the $aid bun);, i It ;, i) ■- m t ■ • • ':■ -:f ! •■ ■ ;i '"1,3 :li- i^X; ■».••*■•,'■ ' ■i-"i"; 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 otlier 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 und 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 thirt^f land situate up the river )elow Battery ' chains East nning North, ided by their mark to their liree hundred the Northern- South eighty- ficial content ' acres. Also ng the several f a salt marsh, about eighty I six hundred d point, below eighty chains, hains, thence ^orth eighty- ^ six degrees degrees East, ,'-eight chains, thence North 3Uth sixty-six degrees East, ;es East, one degrees East, ; hundred and :y-live chains, a Pointy con- less. \ xlix SILLERY. Concession du 23me Octobre, 1699, faitc par Hector de Calliere, Gouverneur, et Jean Dochart, Intcndant, aux reverends peres J6suites, de \tx Seipneurie de Silleri/, d'une licuede large surle fleuve St. Laurent, et d'une lieue et demie ou environ de profondeur, jusqu'^ la Seigneurie de St. Gabriel qui la tcrmine par derriere, comnicn9ant du cote du Nord-Est A la pointc de Piiiseaux, et du cote du Sud-Ouest it une ligne qui la separe du fief de Gaudarvilk, lesquelles lignes ont et6 tirees I'une il y a environ vingt-cinq ans, et I'autre il y a quarante ans. Registre d'Intendancc, N". Sfjblio 2(i. SOREL. Concession du 2lme Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intcndant, au Sicur de Saitrel, de deux lieues et demie de terre de front sur le fleuve 5/. Laurent, savoir, une lieue et demie au delu de la riviere de Richelieu sur deux lieues de profondeur, et une lieue en dega sur une lieue de profondeur, avec les Isles St, Ignace, I'isle Ronde et I'isle de Grace. Registre d'Intendance, N". 1, folio 13. DERRIERE SOREL. Concession du 18me Juin, 1739, faite par le Marquis de Bcauharnoit, Gouverneur, et Gilles Hocguart, Intcndant, aux Demoiselles Angilique Louise et Elisabeth de Ramzaj/, d'un restant de terrein derriere la Seig- neurie de Sorel, :1 prendre entre les lignes et bornes des Seigneuries de Lavalierc de Fezeret et St. Ours ; bornce du cote du Nord-est par la dite Seigneurie de Lavaliere ; du c6t^ de TEst 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. Registre d' Litendance, N" 8, folio 27. SOULANGE. Concession du 12me Octobre, J 702, faitc par Hector de Calliire, Gouverneur, et Teaii Bochart, Intcndant, k Pierre Jacques Marie de Joy- hert. Chevalier de Soulangc, de la moiti^ 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 dcmi lieue au plus etroit ; ^ commenccr a la Pointe des Cascades, en montant ; joignant la dite terre celle accordee aux enfans de Mr. de Vaudrtuil, Registre d'Intendance, N° 5, folio 37. TERREBOIS OU DEVERB0I9. Cette Concession ne se trouve ni dans le bureau du Secretaire ni dans le Registre des Foi t;t Hommagc : son front 6tant inconnu ellc occupe sur la Carte I'espace qui se trouve entre les concessions de Messrs. de Grandville et de Lachenaie, This concession was originally granted to Fran. Dionis Bourgeois, 15 Nov. 1673, and was to consist of three leagues by three. See Valuers d'Intendance, N" 2d[), folio Ol. u -iv I- ''■y% -)?- TERREBONNE. Concession du 23mc D6cembrc, 16/3, faitc par la Coinpngiiie ii Mr. Dauticr Dcslandes, tie deux licues de terre de front sur la riviere J^sus aiitrcnient appclce la riviere des Prairies ; ^ prendre depuis Ics bornes dc la Chenaie, en montant, vis-il-vis Tlsle Jesus, sur deux lieues de pro- fondeur. , Rigistre des Foi et Hommage, 'S°3l,J'olio \4'J,le 13mc Fivricr, 178I. AUGMENTATION DE TERREBONNE. Confirmation du lOmc Avril, 1731, de concession faiteau Sieur ZoKij Lepage de St. Claire, d'un terrein dc deux lieues, ^ prendre dans les terres non conc^U6es dans la profondeur, et sur tout le front de laSeig- ncurie de Terrebonne. Registredes Foiet Hommage, "H" 31, Jblio 1-13, le ]3me Feirier, 178I. AUTRE AUGMENTATION DE TERREBONNE. Permission du 12me Avril, 1753, donnee par le Marquis Duqtiesne, Gouverneur, et Franfois Bigot, Intendant, au Sieur Louis de la Come, dc continuer le d6frichement dans la profondeur de deux lieues, au de lu des fiefs de Terrebonne et Dcsplaines. Rigistre d'Litendance, N° 10, Jblio 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, ^ prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, born6e d'un cote ^ la concession du Sieur St, Michel et d'autre celle du Sieur Boucher; et la quantit6 de terre qui se trouvera depuis le Sieur Boucher jusqu'^ la riviere Notre Dame, la moiti6 d'icelle comprise, sur pareille profondeur, avec deux isles qu'on appelle Percees, et trois islets qui sont audessous des isles. Re'gistre dUntendance, N" 1, Jblio 17. TROIS PISTOLES. Concession du 6me Janvier, 1687, faite par le Marquis Je Brisai/, Gouverneur, et Jean Bochart, Intendant, au Sieur de Vitr4, de deux lieues de front le long du fleuve St. Laurent, du cote du Sud, i 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 pr^sente concession, sur deux lieues de profondeur, m^me celle au Basque, si elle se trouve dans la quantity presentement conced6e. Registred'Jntendance, N" 3, Jblio 2. PARTIE DES TROIS PISTOLES. Concession du 6me Avril, 1751, faite par le Marquis de la Jonquiere, Ciouverneur, et Frangois 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. Rigistre d'Jntendance, 1^° tj, Jblio 81. I .1 ompagnie i Mr. r la riviore Jisus icpuis les bornes It lieues de pro- jcFJur/cr, 1781. te au Sieur Louis prendre dans les front de la Seig- me Fevrier, 178I. larquis DuquesnCf Ijouis de la Come, K lieues, au de \ii Talon, Intendant, de front sur une , born6e d'un cote Sieur Boucher ; et 3ouchcr jusqu'a la reille profondeur, lui sont audessous 'arquis de Brisat/, de Vitrei de deux du Sud, h prendre jt le dit fleuve, la rouveront dans les ies de profondeur, ntit6 presentement lis de la Jonquiere, \icholas Rioux, du e de Trois Pistoles de Lachenaie, ce sues de profondeur, ant du dit terrein. li TROIS-RIVIKUF.S. Les K^gistres qui concernent ccttc partic de la Province ne suffisnnt pas pour placer, sur lu Carte, les dlHirrcntcs concessions, cllesv sont postjcs d'apris un plan du lieii, sur lequci, dit-on, les proprietaires se reglent quant il leurs limites. Ccs limitcsen (|uclqucs cas ne sont pas les memes que cellcs indiquees dans les litres originuircs, diiiei-cncc ({ui pout avoir 6te caus6c par dcs eclianges ou cessions iiiites entrc les conccssion- naires priinitifs ou leurs repr6seiituus. La figure A conticnt la ville et la hanlieuc des Trois Rivieres. — B la Commune. — C suivant le susdit plan est un octroi fait aux J^suitcs le (Jmc Juin, 1650. VAUDREUIL. Concession du 12me Octobrp, 1702, faite par Hector dc Ctdli^rc, Gouverneur, et Jean Boeharf, Intendant, il Mr. dc I'andreuil, pour ses enfans nes et Hi naitro, de la moiti6 d'uiie languc de terre, situce au lieu dit les Cascades, contenant trois lieues. Registre d' bitendance, N" 8, folio 9. VEhCHERES AVEC AUGMKNTATIONS. Concession du 29me Octobre, 1672, faite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur de Vercheres, d'une lieue de terre de front sur une lieue de pro- fondeur, il prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis la concession du Sieur de Grandmuison, en descendant vers les terrcs non conc6decs, jusqu'il celle du Sieur de Vitre ; et s'il y a plus que ccttc quantitc [qui est la predite Seigneurie de St. Blain,] cntre les dits Sieurs, de Vercheres et de Vitri, elle sera partag6e cgalenient enlr'eux. Registre d'Intendance, N" 1, Jblio 2'i. Autre concession, par le Conite dc Fronlenac, Gouverneur, au Sieur de Vercheres le 8me Octobre, 16/8, d'une lieue de terre d'augmentation dans la profondeur de sa Seigneurie de Vercheres, pour ctre unies et jointes ensemble. Rigistre d'Intendance, N" Let. B. ^olio 4, VIEUPONT. Concession du23me katt, 1674, faite a Mr. Joseph Godefroi H'lcm dc Vieupont, d'une 6tendue de terre sur le fleuve St, Laurent, du cote du i -"i:- m lii Nord, A commcnccr dcnuis la rivK'rc appelee la troisidme riviere jusqu'ik celle appel^c la qtiatriemc riviere ; contcnant quinzc arpeiis do front avec unelicuc dc profondeur. Par une Ordonnance du ]5me Juin, 1723, il a etc r6gl6 que le fief cidcssus auroit dixsept arpens dc front sur une lieue de profondeur. Cahiers d* Inlcndance, pour I'ancienne Concession. Au plan plus haut citi un lopin de terrc enlre Vieupont et Labadie est dit appartcnir d, Mr. Tonnancour. higistre dcs Foi et Hommnge, N" Q5. folio 78. VILLRRAY OV DARTIONY. Cettc Concession ne sc trouve pas au Secretariat, non plus (|uc dans les R^gistres des Foi et Hommage ; elle occupe sur la Carte I'espace qui restc entre les Scigneuries de l''isle Verte et des trois Pistoles, YINCELOT. Concession du 3me Novembrc, 1 672, fuite par Jean Talon, Intendant, h Demoiselle Veuve Atniol, d'une lieue de terrc sur autant dc profondeur, a prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, dcpuislc Cap St. Igtiace, icelui com- pris, jusqu'aux lerres non-conced6es. Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 1, folio 26. AUGMENTATION OE VINCELOT. Concession du ler Fevrier, 1693, faite par Louis de Buade, Gouver- neur, et Jean Dochart, Intendant, au Sieur de yincelot, d'une lieue de terre de front avec deux lieues de profondeur, derri^re et au bout de son fief de Vincelot, au Cap St. Ignacc, qui a pareillement une lieue de front seuleraent, sur une lieue de profondeur, suivant les alignemens {|,-6neraux de ce pays. Rigistre d'Intendance, N° 4, folio g. VINCENNBS. Concession du 3me Novembre, 1672, fuite par Jean Talon, Intendant, au Sieur Bissot, de soixante et dix arpens de terre de front, sur une lieue de profondeur, ^ prendre sur le fleuve St. Laurent, depuis les terres ap- partenantes au Sieur de la Cisiere, jusqu'aux terres non conc6d6es. Registre d'Intendance, N" 1, folio 30. YAMASKA. Concession du 24me Septembre, l683, faite k Mr. de Lavaliere des terres non concedees qui sont entre la Demoiselle de Saurel et le Sieur Crevier, vis-^-vis le lac St. Pierre, du c6t6 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, ^ commencer des I'entr^e de la rivi6re des Savannes (Yamaska.) Rigistre des Foiet Hommage, "S" 45, folio 197» 3me Fevrier, 1781. Cahiers d'Intendance, 2 dg, folio 143. riN. te riviere jusqu'it arpcns de front smeJuin, 1723, do front sur une int et Labadie est n plus (luc dans les :arte I'espace qui Hstolcs. Talon, Intendant, ant de profondeur. g««ce, icelui com- de Buade, Gouver- •.elot, d'unc lieue de re et au bout de son t une licue de front ignemens {^6neraux iM Talon, Intendant, 2 front, sur une lieue depuis les terres ap- on conc6d6es. Mr. de Lavaliere des de Saurel et le Sieur contenant une demt et battures au devant, eues de profondeur, ^ {Yamaska.) ,3me Fevrier, 1781- ' '<- 0\ liv , ij >■■ ». 1 .Ml i ■ r ■ M.' ' ® -2 C a !a '^ •"Si* ?: *» o (U 5:i > 5 t/5 o 5 ^ o ^ » ? 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OiOtO — •*C»---"-' „ M r- 01 1- '" '-' c f-T o» r- cT» w. _. 0< » >> S ^' Si O M IN fa a. >»i 1^, I-, tS >r, P^ j« r? ?» y. l^OO O 00000000000^2 i^So 3 SSSSQ55j5_SSci5S_ lix i i n O 13 CO O O >:i H. ^ ^ " : : : • S n- = ^ £ .s i i J ^ : • • ooopoooo a a e t! a .5 .5 .t! §^ e c ±5 a = f- . -. - ra a,« 3-S- § 2 S s s s a s.S-a a c •a r>v o I- oi c o c o r: s n "I c^ CCCO^wOT;C — C — ^ — O — •^- ':;» w ^i zi f>. ot ;'; ;; z* irs i'i^^ I 05 • QO o ^ ^-. • t- O ~ • ; — cT c'^ - t- — <.i .^ "" !J -■ - = ^ ? s *H: h s = ' J § I o<5 5 rt c 1) „ 'l^ M .S S.S n 3 ^^ C 0.1 c cd — CI CI •.?■ 1.- X I- 00 C: c -" o» c» ^ l/-, '..' , '■/C mil H. Is^M ]t:.-:.;»i; mi ■ % '•If - yii. ■■■'\ ■ ' ■■ ■, ■ ■-^ '\r- ')•■ ■ *f, t ■.; ■ ■ ■■^ .'■ n<^u it ■ ,^ »' ■.5'.; ' * ''^V , : ..| [ .'^■:. > ■ < ■ 4i t .- v.rxi T. DAtUON, Lombard-Street, Whitefriarg, Londuii. Ixi Statement of the English Naval Force on Lake Ontario, 1814. Statement of the American Naval Force on Lake Ontario, 1814. Names of Ships. '^o. of Oiint. Names of Ships. Ko .of Ouns. Saint Lawrence . 102 Superior . . 60 Prince Regent . 58 Mohawk • 44 Princess Charlotte . 42 Pike • Montreal . 24 Maddison . 33 Niagara . 21 Jefferson . . 28 Star (brig) . 16 Independence . .28 Charwell . 15 Sylph . 24 Magnet (schooner) . Netly . 12 . 10 Oneida Lady of the Lake . . 18 2 GUN-BOATS. Cleopatra -\ Four small craft Ten gun-boats 8 . 10 Lais Total 291 Ninon . Nelly Regent Thunderer . \ " Wellington Retaliation . Black Snake Prescott Dreadnought •■ Total 311 K Ixii in i ill ■('•f I'.; hi :\ m mil WW :'i--:u Stattment of the English' Naval Force on Lake Erie, 1813. Kinies of Ships. No. of Ouni. Detroit . . .20 Queen Charlotte . 18 Lady Prevost . .12 General Hunter . 6 Erie . . .2 Little Belt ... 2 Chippawa (84nch howitzers) 2 Total 62 N. B. This squadron was cap^ tnred and destroyed the same year by a superior American force. Although the English ships exceeded the Americans in the numlier 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 proporti' ':*; - iH ■ •' I* t* fclJ ='.•< "l ;H .. NV w Ixiv TABLE OF LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE. Latitude Lonsitude. Anticosti Island, S. \V. Point 49 . 23 North, 63 . 4+ West from Quebec (City of) . 46 . 48 . 49 — 71 . 11 Greenwich. Montreal (City of) . 45.31 — — 73 . 35 — Kingston (Upper Canada) 44. 8 — 76 . 40 — York . . . 43.33 — 79.20 — The Grand Portage on ) Lake Superior } — 89 .52 — Bates of Pilotage for the River St. Lawrence. From Bic to Quebec. From the 2d to the 30th April, inclusive . . From the 1st May to the lOth November, inclusive . From the 1 1th to the 19th November, inclusive From the 20th November to the ist March, inclusive From Quebec to Bic. From the 2d to the 30th April, inclusive From tne 1st May to the 10th November, inclusive . From the llth to the 19th November, inclusive From the 20th November to the 1st March^ inclusive 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 Tessels are bound to pay their pilots from Bic to Quebec, and from Quebec to Bic, 2s. 6d. currency per foot. Per Foot. I. ». d. 1 6 18 1 3 1 8 18 3 15 9 1 9 1 5 9 vl.il E. rest from reenwich. Ixv For vexsels going to Three Rivers or Montreal, Of 100 to 130 tons inclusive, 2/. currency. Of 151 to 200 tons inclusive, 3/. — Of 201 to 250 tons inclusive, 4/. • — Of 251 tons and upwards, 5/. — 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. rejice. Per Foot. I. s. d. , 1 O 6 . O 18 . 1 3 18 . O 18 3 . 15 9 . 1 9 ; 15 9 are payable at sels. :oramanders of ebec, and from 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 Ids of the present rate for a fuU pilotage, id Do. Lo. 4th 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. 3f. 4d. i .1 ■111 ,' r, :'i:rm :,''•' I-:' )tr-'M !•;, i 7. -V )■ . :.( • [' \1 ¥ ' !^':.-'> siSi r' . r-'i. ■. ■!■ ( , Ixvi Rates above the Harbour of Quebec, From Quebec, | To (Quebec, To Port-Neuf, For vessels oi' regis- ter measurement, not exceeding 200 From Port-Neuf, 4/. currency* tons. If above 200 and not 2/. 10*. currency. al. . . exceeding 250 do. 3/. lOs. . . . 6/. ... If above 250 tons. 41 To Three Rivers, From Three Rivers, or above Port-Neuf, For vessels not ex- and above Port-Neuf, 6/. currency. ceeding 200 do. If above 200 and not 4/. . . currency. 71- ... exceeding 250 do. 4/. 10* 8^. ... If above 250 tons. 5l. lOs To Montreal, From Montreal, and above 3 Uivers, For vessels not ex- and above 3 Rivers, 11/. currency. ceeding 200 do. If above 200 and not 7/. 10«. currency. 13/. . . . exceeding 250 do. 8/. 15s 161. ... If above 250 tons. 10^ 15s 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. 25th Chables II. Chap. 7. Sterling, I. s, d' Exported from this province to any other part than Great Bri- tain. On Ginger ... per cwt. 1 Logwood ... do. 5 Fustick and all dying wood do. 6 Tobacco ... per lb. 2 Indigo ... do. 2 Cocoa Nuts ... do. 1 Neuf, irrency. Kivert, rt-Neuf, iirrency. ntreal, I ilivers, :urrency. I • • • • • I after they / Acts of Exported om this rovince to ny other art than rreat Bri- lin. Ixvii 6th G 10. II. (h,p. 13. Sterling. I. s. d. Oil foreign Sugars or Punnclles - per cwt. a 4thGE0.III.Chnp. 15. On foreign white or clayed Sugars - per cwt. 22 Ditto Indigo - . . per lb. 6 Ditto CoH'ee - • . per cwt. 39 9 Madeira *> layal |- Wines . . . per tun 7 . Teneriffe-' From Great ( Portugal, Spanish, ) ,„, Britain { and other T^'"'^^ '^"• 10 0th Geo. III. Chap. 32. On British plantation Coffee - - per cwt. 7 Molasses ... per gal. 1 British Pimento • . per lb. o;- I4th Geo. III. Ciiap. 88. Tor every gallon of Brandy or other Spirits of the ma- nufacture of Great Britain ... 3 For every gallon of Rum or other Spirits which shall be imported or brought from any of his IVlajesty's sugar colonies in the West Indies 6 For every gallon of Rum or other Spirits which shall 1 be imported or brought from any other of his Majesty's colonies or dominions in America 9 For every gallon of foreign Brandy or. other Spirits of foreign manufacture imported or brought from Great Britain .... - 1 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 ] For every gallon of Molasses and Syrups which shai be imported or brought into the province in ships or vessels belonging to bis Majesty's subjects in ^ : 11 4 Ixviii Sierlinrr. I. ,t. d. Great Britain or Ireland, or to hit Mojesty'R sub- ject! in this province - • • - 3 For every gallon or Molasses and Syrups which shall be importtid or brought into the province in any other ships or vessels in which the same may be legally imported - • - - O 6 Additional Duties laid on bij the Provincial Parliament; Acts 33d Geo. III. Cap. 8, 35th Geo. III. Cap. 9, and 4ilst Geo. III. Cap. 14. '.-.,: i,>^: Mr P.. j!l'l|",V.J:t For every gallon of foreign Brandy or other Spirits of foreign manufacture ... For every gallon of Rum or other Spirits except British manu&ctured Spirits, imported from Great Britain or Ireland . . . . . For every gallon of Molasses and Syrups For every gallon of Madeira Wine, by one Act 4d. by another 2d. - • - - m For every gallon of other Wine, by one Act 2d. by an- other id. . - . . . 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 Snulf or flour of Tobacco, per lb. On Tobacco manufactured in any other way than into Snuff, or flour, or powder ... /. s. d. -003 O 6 o o o o o o o o o 3 1 0^ 2 2 2 4 4 '■■ 3 Sterlhifr, I. .«. (/. 3 006 rliament; L Cap. 9, /. 5. d. 3 3 3 006 3 O 1 O Oi^ 2 2 2 4 4 i 3 Ixix Deduction of Weight, On Coffee Bags or Bales, 3 pounds fur 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 lOQlb. Lealagc on IVines, Spirituous Liquors, and Molasses. Three gallons on every hundred gallons. IFaste qf 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. 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 tieree of salmon, and four-pence on every barrel of salted beef or pork, or salted fish of any sort,' exported from this province. i f; \\] Ixx New and additional Duties. mh-:' J. (, ..■ . .1' '\ I. s. d. 2 4 6 4 3 3 2 V:.<'' New and additional duties imposed by the Provincial Act 45tli Geo. III. Cap. la, 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, o." 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, 2^ 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 23th 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. ^Ct 43tli erecting d Mont- ixpenses ct8 (with auction or aid goods, asses, and losed upon nue for six 1805; and same man- ons, penal- the levying B allowance bject to the n continued Upon Madeira Wine, per gallon Port do. do. Rum do. Foreign Brandies and Geneva Salt, per minot Refined Sugars, per lb. Leaf Tobacco, do: /. s. ((. O 1 1 1 o 6 o 8 1 3 Manufactured do. and Snuff, per lb. 6 A duty of two and a half per cent, on the invoice value of all goods imported, not already subject to duty, except ins; .'=alted beef and pork, salt fish, fish oil, wheat and peas, furs and skins. This duty is/ve per cent, when the goods are imported by persons who have not resided six months io the province. Fees to be taken by the Officers of Customs at the Fort of St. John's, according to the Order of the Governor and Council of the 1th July, 1796. For every Report of the arrival of and permit to unload any Vessel, Boat, or Bateau under five tons bur- then - - " " For ditto of any Vessel, Boat, or Bateau of five tons or upwards, and not exceeding fifty tons burthen - For ditto of any Vessel exceeding fifty tons burthen - For ditto of any Waggon, Cart, Sleigh, or other Car- riage - , - s. ge 418 421 335 336 201 391 206 511 237 239 546 166 107 18-^ 268 2l7 492 520 196 . 197 278 pre- 283 216 396 327 216 187 600 269 850 574 250 578 371 361 Canada, Upper, its limit?, , its divisions, . . ... , quantity of land granted in, ' , its government, . -, raiiitia 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, -I! — , ancient privileges secured, ——, population of, in 177^) 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, how raised, • . -, outline description of, -, climate of, -, heat and cold of, -, general description of the soil of, -, exports of. 529 031 Canoes and navigation of the North-Wcst 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 of, ... Page 589 590 591 629 631 ib. 1 86 3 4 5 6 7 ib. 8 10 ib. 11 15 ib. ib. 16 22 ib. 25 57 58 61 81 137 199 3()6 518 288 94 93 12 169 170 I p It. .' f ■''■■* ■■ \ ■ .-^i i;, i-- ■ ■■^' i! ;ti .1 Ixxvl INDEX. Chambly, fort, . . , . .171 , village of, . . ... 172 Champlain, seigniory of, . . , . . 30[) Charlebourg, village of, . . .416 Chateauguay, battle of, . . .116 ' , seigniory of, ... . 122 CJ"'.tham, township of, ..... 247 Chaudiere River, its description, . . . 488 ■ the falls of, .... . j^. Chester, township of, .... 368 Chrystler's Farm, battle of, . . . 637 Cluir, St., Lake, description of, , . . -37 Clergy, Catholic, . . . .19 , the revenues of, . . . .21 Clergy, Protestant, . . . .21 — , how supported, .... ifr. 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, Dartigny, seigniory of, D'Auteuil, seigniory of, Dautre, seigniory of, , De Guir, seigniory of, . De risle, seigniory of, De Lory, seigniory of, . ' . De Peiras, or Metis, seigniory of, De Ramzay, (Richelieu) seigniory of, — ~— — — , (Warwick) seigniory of. . 236 . 543 . 392 . 234 . 326 . 503 . 175 . 547 . 218 . 236 INDEX. Ixxvii Piinf 172 309 416 116 122 247 488 ih. 368 637 37 19 21 21 ih. 357 365 609 356 201 549 96 sent 283 210 339 329 571 236 543 392 234 326 503 175 547 218 236 Deschaillons, seigniory of, Desclmmbault, seigniory of, Desmaure, or St. Augiistin, seigniory of, Desplaincs, seigniory of, Deux Montagnes, Lake, description of, ~"~~*^— , seigniory of, ■ village of the Ilurons, Ditton, township of, Dorchester, town of, D'Orsanville, fief, Dorset, township of, Droit de Retrait, a right of Seigneurs, Du Chcne, seigniory of, Dudswell, township of, Dunham, township of, Durham, township of, Dusable, or Nouvelle York, seigniory of, Dutord, fief. F. Farnliam, township of, . i Faussembault, seigniory of. Fief en, lands held in. Fisheries, pay a tithe to the Seigneur, Flax, .... — — and hemp, patent machinery for dressing, Pagt 4<)7 3/9 3y(i 492 44 102 105 363 173 413 576 13 lOS 361 270 345 287 339 E. Eardley, township of, . ; . Eaton, township of, .... Eboulemens, les, seigniory of, . . Ecureuils, les, or Belair, seigniory of, Ely, township of, Erie, Lake, description of. 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 • 233 . 359 . 358 . 391 . 276 . 38 273 400 11 13 72 74 n m, Ixxviii INDEX. .i '■M i^' ■;' VI, W'':'- mm ^:--t .■^-■■MA^ 1- ;} riiHe 77 188 518 577 12 44 riax, advantugcs of its cultivation, Foucault, seigniory of, . . . Fournicr, fief, . . • • Frampton, township of, ... Franc alleu, lands held by, Francis, St., Lake, description of, G. Gagnc, fief, . . ... Gasp6, seigniory of, , ... , district of, .... . Gatineau, fief, . . ... Gaudarvillc, seigniory of, ... Gentilly, seigniory of. .... Godefroi, fief, .... Godinanchester, township of, ... Gouffre, le, seigniory of, . . , " . Governor of Canada, how appointed, — — — — , the powers of, . . . Grain, on the feudal tenures, pays one twenty-sixth to the Catholic clergy, -, exported from Canada, Granby, township of, . : . . Grand Pre, seigniory of, ... . Grantham, township of, .... Granville, seigniory of, .... ■■■' and Lachenaye, seigniory of, . . . Grenville, seigniory of, ... Grondlnes, seigniory of, . ... Grosbois, or Yamachiche, seigniory of, . . . Guillaudiere, fief, .... Guillaume Bonhomme, seigniory of, ... H. Halifax, township of, . . . . 367, 568 Ham, township of, . . . . 366 Hampton, American General, defeated at Chateauguay, . 116 Hare Island, . . . . 563 Hatley, township of, .... 26C 518 492 580 294 401 340 334 255 556 15 16 13 83 273 292 342 533 ib. 248 375 293 200 399 , il '■ 77 188 518 577 12 44 ;tli to the 518 492 580 294 401 340 334 255 556 15 , 16 13 83 273 292 342 533 ib. 248 375 293 200 399 INDEX. Hemmingford, townsliip of, Hemp, — — mills, establislicil hy government, Hereford, township of, Hinchinbrook, townsliip of, Hubert, SL'igniory of, Hull, townsliip of, Hunters Town, township of, Huron, Lake, its description, Husbandry, the Canadian system of, defective, I. Indians of St. Regis, Inverness, township of, . . . Ireland, township oi\ Iroquois Indians, village of, Isleaux Noix, . Coudres, seigniory of, i— — Verte, seigniory of, , Isles Bouchard, Islet de St. Jean, seigniory of, du Portage, seigniory of, Ixworth, township of, . , . Jacques Cartier, seigniory of, ■ ' lliver, ■■ , a defence to the capital, Jesus, isle and seigniory of, Jeune Lorette, Indian village of, Jolliet, seigniory of. Justice Aaute et basse, a right of Seigneurs, — — , courts of, , Ixxix lhg$ . 259 . 68, 72 . 338 . 358 . 258 . 414 . 251 . 373 . 35 G4i . 256 . 569 . 570 . 124 . 177 . 560 . 543 . 244 . 520 . 533 . 579 . 386 . 387 . 389 . 164 . 409 . 499 . 12 ■ 19 K. jauguay, 367, 568 . 366 . 116 . 563 . 26G Kildare, township of, Kilkenny, township of, Kingsey, township of, Kingston, town of. « • 244 246 346 598 Ixxx INDKX. L. I ■ :. 'V. i nrh' ■ ■ ' .1 t \ 1 1 .' t f La Chcnaie, seigniory of, .... La Clievroticrc, fwf, .... La Chine, village of, described, La Colle, or Hcaujcu, seigniory of, . . — , battle of, ... . La Durantaie, seigniory of, . . . La Martiniere, fief, .... La Noraye, seigniory of, . ... La Petite Nation, seigniory of, . La Pocadiere, or Ste. Anne, seigniory of. La Prairie de la M agdelcine, seigniory of. La Salle, seigniory of, ... . La Tesserie, fief, .... La Valtric, seigniory of, .^ . . . Labrador, part of the coast of, annexed to the government of Newfoundland, . , • . Lac Metis, seigniory of, . . . Lake Matapediach, seigniory of, . . Lanaudiere, or Lake Maskinonge, seigniory of, Lands in free and common soccagc, subject to reservations, — — reserved, let on lease, , quantity and annual value of, ■ ' , how rent may be paid for, L'Assomption, seigniory of, .... , village of, . . . Lauzon, seigniory of, ... . Lawrence, St., the Iliver, description of, , St., Gulf of, its description, Leeds, township of, . . . Lefebvre, or Baie St. Antoine, seigniory of. Legislative council of Canada, how appointed, Le Page, seigniory of, ... L'Epinay, seigniory of, . . . . , tier, .... Lessardj seigniory of, . . , 521 Lingwick, township of, • . . Livaudiere, seigniory of, . . Livrard, seigniory of, ... Page 22(i 377 135 178 180 509 504 234 242 525 127 126 377 231 2 548 ib. 288 14 ib. ib. ib. 228 231 483 30 55 570 328 16 547 517 413 ,546 361 506 341 Page 22(J 377 135 178 180 509 504 , 234 . 242 . 525 . 127 . 126 . 377 . 231 vernment servations, 2 548 ib. 288 14 . ib. . ib. . ib. . 228 , 231 . 483 . 30 . 55 . 570 . 328 . 16 . 547 . 517 . 413 521, 546 . 361 . 506 . 341 INDEX. Lochaber, township of, , Lods el Fentes, a right of Seigneurs, Longeuil, New, seigniory of, , seigniory of, , barony of, Lotbinierc, seigniory of, Louis, St., Lalte, description of, Louise dc Ramzay, seigniory of, Lussaudicre, seigniory of, M. Maddington, township of, Magdalen Islands, description of, Maple-sugar, method of maliing, Maranda, fief, . , . Marston, township of, Maskinonge, seigniory of, Melbourne, township of, . . . Metis, or De Peiras, seigniory of, Michigan Lake, description of. Militia, sedentary, its number, , incorporated, its number, Mille Isles, seigniory of, . . . Vaches, seigniory of, Milton, township of, ... Monnoir, seigniory of, ... . Montarville, seigniory of, . . . Mont-;1- Peine, fief, . . . Murray Bay, or Malbay, seigniory of, Mount Murray, seigniory of, Montmorcnci, falls of, . . • Montreal, island and seigniory of, , district of, its extent, ____— — — , acres of land granted and cultivated, -, city of, its descrintion. Mouture, lord's fee for grinding corn, ixxxi 24iJ 12 8y 1G7 173 495 44 217 324 372 56 420 492 364 286 349 547 36 22 23 106 566 273 193 195 503 561 562 423 131 87 88 1+0 12 , ( ■ V Ixxxii INDEX. N. Navigation from La Cliinc to Kingston dcscribeil, Nelson, township of, Neuvillc, or Pointe aux Trembles, seigniory of, Newark, town of, Newport, township of, . Newton, township of, • • Nicolet, seigniory of, • • - ■■ - River, - — College, • • • Notre Dame des Anges, seigniory of, NouvcUe York, or Du8abl6, seigniory of, Noyan, seigniory of, . • Pane . \m . 567 . 393 . 612 . 263 . 234 . 330 . 332 , 333 . 415 . 287 . 184 'f '■ ' • irk- ''I A ■;' '4m I \l o. Onslow, township of, . • Ontario Lake, description of, . Orford, township of, . ■ • Orleans, Island of, its description, P. Pachof, seigniory of, Parliaments, provincial, limited by law. Parrot Isle, seigniory of, Perthuis, seigniory of^ Peter, St., Lake, its description, Phillipsburg, village of, PIcrreville, seigniory of, Pointe du Lac, or Tonnancour, seigniory of, „ ..- aux Trembles, or Neuville, seigniory of. Population of Upper Canada, Portneuf, seigniory of, Potton, township of, • • • Prince Edward Island, short description of. . 253 41 . 276 . 480 . 54; . 18 . 166 . 385 . 46 . 191 . 325 . 295 . 393 . 596 . 352 . 263 55 INDEX. IXXXlll Q. Page 136 567 393 612 262 254 330 332 333 415 287 184 253 41 276 •180 547 18 166 385 46 191 325 393 596 3S2 263 , 55 Qualification to vote for members of parliament, s Quebec, district ofj its extcMit, , . . . ' , acres of lunil granted and cultivated in, , city of, its description, Queenstown, in Upper Canada, R. Rapid of Suult St. Loul.-;, described, Rawdon, townsliip of, Rcaume, fi«'f. Reserved lands, let on lease, , jpiuntity and annual value of, , how rent may be paid for, Ricbard I'ioux, seigniory of, . RichciiLa, Uivcr, its navigation described, Rigaud, seigniory of, Kiinouski, soigiiiory of, Riviere du Loup, seigniory of, . (111 Cbtine, or Deschaillons, seigniory of, Ouelle, seigniory ol', Roquetaillude, fief, . . Roture, lands held in, > < Route to Halifax, Rouville, seigniory of, — — , mountain, . . Roxton, township of, s. Sabrevois, seigniory of, Sacket's Harbour, its description, Saguenay River, its description, Sandwicli, town of, Sault St. Louis, seigniory of, Seigneurs, rights of, SheHbrd, township of, I\>ge 18 374 375 420 61J . 126 . 246 . 523 . 14 . ib. . ib. . 54^1 . 223 . 98 . 546 290, 535 • 497 . 526 . 334 11 . 537 . 207 . 208 . 276' 184 619 563 616 123 12 274 Ixxxir INDEX. . !■', ■' ■, 5' i .;'ii.-' •,i I? : -• I" Shenley, township of, Sherrington, township of, Shipton, township of, Siilery, township of, » , hop plantations of, Simpson, township of, Soil of Canada, its general description, Somerset, township of, Sorel, seigniory of, — — , or William Henry, town of, Soulange, seigniory of, Stanbridge, township of, Stanfold, township of, Stanstead, township of, . Stoke, township of, Stoneham, township of, Stukely, township of, Superior, Lake, its description, Sutton, township of, Ste. Anne La Pocadicre, seigniory of, Ste. Anne, seigniory of, Ste. Anne, River, St, Antoine, or Tilly, seigniory of, St. Armand, seigniory of, St. Augustin, or Desmaure, seigniory of, St. Barnabc, seigniory of, . St. Blair, fief, St, Charles, Lake, description of, , seigniory of, - Yamaska, seigniory of, Ste. Claire, seigniory of, Ste, Croix, seigniory of, . St. Denis, seigniory of, » , fief, Ste. Etienne, seigniory of, St. Fran9ois, seigniory of, — I River, its navigation, St. Gabriel, seigniory of, St. Gervais, seigniory of, St. Gilles, seigniory of, St. Hyacinthe, seigniory of, J I , village of. Patie 570 260 347 403 404 344 61 567 2H» 220 271 370 2G3 352 275 33 262 525 313 314 491 J 89 39a 540' 200 412 209 218 518 494 211 52b 319 321 407 510 493 213 215 ;■ •' '• . I,V; • : 260 347 403 404 344 61 5G7 219 220 9'^ 271 , 370 . 263 . 352 . 579 . 275 . 33 . 262 . 525 . 313 . 314 . 491 . 189 . 396 . 54tJ . 200 . 412 . 209 . 218 . 518 . 494 . 211 . 52b . 499 . 319 . 321 . 407 . 510 . 493 . 213 . 215 INDEX. St. Ignace, seigniory of, St. Jean Port Joli, seigniory of, , fief, St. John, fort, St. Joseph, seigniory of, Ste. Marguerite, seigniory of, Ste. Marie, seigniory of, ■ , seigniory of, St. Maurice, seigniory of, — — — , iron foundry of, , river of, St. Michel, seigniory of, St. Ours, seigniory of, St. Regis, Indian village of, St. Roch des Annais, seigniory of, St. Sulpice, seigniory of, St. Thomas, seigniory of, — — , village of, St. Vallier, seigniory of, T. Tcmpleton, township of, .... . Terra Firma of Mingan, seigniory of, Terrebonne, seigniory of, ■ — , village of, . Tewkesbury, township of, Thetford, township oi', Three Rivers, district of, its extent, - '■ ■, town of, . . , acres of land granted and cultivated, Tilly, or St. Antoine, seigniory of. Timber-trade of British North American provinces, Timiscouata Portage, its description, Tomefobi, Lake, Tonuancour, or Pointe du Lac, Townships, extent of, ... Traverse, the, in the River St. Lawrence, its description, Tremblay, fief, Tring, township of, . • • Trinite, or Cap St. Michel, seigniory of, Trois Pistoles, seigniory of, IxxxV 411 , 522 290 1/4 500 296 313 500 302 304 309 508 203 256 524 230 513 516 509 250 566 108 110 579 574 285 297 286 491 82 537 267 295 245 49 196 575 199 544 Ixxxvi INDEX; ., , I, - . i l\ 4.'' \ v,& u. m-M Varennes, seigniory of, . . • • Vaudreull, seigniory of, , seigniory of, . ■ • Vents et Lads, a right of Seigneurs, Vercheres, seigniory of, Villechauve, or Beauliarnois, seigniory of, Vincelot, seigniory of, ' • Vincennes, seigniory of, . . • Voters for members of parliament, liow qualified, Upton, township of. Past 19s 502 96 12 201 HI 519 504 17 277 m" w. Warwick, township of, Wendover, township of, Wentworth , township of, Westbury, township of, Whirlpool in the River Niagara, Wickham, township of, William Henry, or Sorel, town of, Windsor, township of, Wolfestown, township of. 369 343 248 S60 40 345 220 351 367 Y. Yamachiche, or Grosbois, seigniory of, Yamaska, seigniory of, — , River, its navigation, York, town of, its dedcriptiou, --^ captured by the Americans, 293 316 318 605 63* ■.'■.'il TIIi: END. DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING THE PLATES. Page 198 502 96 12 201 111 519 504 17 277 369 343 248 360 40 345 220 351 367 Portrait .... Battle of La Fourche, or Chateaugmy Fort Chamhly Isle aux Noix • • Town of William Henry Plan of the Townships on the Ottawa River Village of Nicolet Village of Ht. 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 The Great Falls on River St. John, New Urunswick Table of Distance from Montreal to Kingston Kingston Channels York Harbour Oswego Harbour Sketch of the Battle of Chrysler's Farm to front the title-page. . 117 . 171 . 1/7 . 221 . 247 .331 . 517 . 523 :} 537 540 5|>1 598 603 605 622 63 S 293 316 318 605 635 i ! ' I .i ERRATA. ,;''-vv'l;-' Page 1 2, line 2, for by roads, read by-roads. ^— 2*7, — 12, /oi- tracks, read tracts. ■ 28, last /jne, dele the comma after Canarfa. -^ 48, line 22, /or track read tract. — — 59, last line, for their read its. Ill, line ^4, for Ellis read Ellicc. 214, — 10, for beach, read beech. 228, — "Jifor acres, r^od arpents. —— !264, — lO.ybr Scaswinepus, read Scaswaniiicpus. 267, — 4, ibid. ibUt. 285, — 22,for Deschaillors, read Deschaillons. 423, — 10, for government, read parliampnt. 485, — I9,/or Beauliece, reail Bcaiilicn. m- i'.i. T. DAViSON, Lombard-street, Wliitefriars, Loiidou, ■ .1 ■^' ■ li 4niiippus <)ul. laillans. npnt.